The Distribution of Fiscal Burdens and Benefits

Abstract

This paper updates to 1968 levels earlier estimates of the distribution of tax burdens, expenditure benefits, and net burdens or benefits. Emphasis is on the methodological issues involved, including the role of incidence assumptions and the specific formulation of the question to be answered. The appropriate definition of the effective rate ratios and the resulting impact on distribution is shown to depend on whether the problem is formulated in absolute or in differential terms and on whether consideration is given to the introduction or the removal of the budget.