Antoine Bozio

(PSE)

will give a presentation on

Follow the Money! Combining Household and Firm-Level Evidence to Unravel the Tax Elasticity of Dividends

Abstract:

We estimate behavioral responses to dividend taxation using recent French reforms: a rate hike and, five years later, a cut. Exploiting tax data at household and firm-level, we find very large dividend tax elasticities to both reforms. Individuals who control firms adjust dividend receipts instantaneously, accounting for most of the aggregate dividend reaction. Investment is insensitive to dividend taxation, except in small firms whose reaction is moderately negative. Dividend adjustments are instead driven by corporate saving, as owner-managers treat firms as tax-free saving vehicles. Small businesses’ profits decline following dividend tax increases, suggesting firms also serve as tax-free consumption vehicles.

Joint with Laurent Bach, Brice Fabre, Arthur Guillouzouic, Claire Leroy et Clément Malgouyres