30 Jan 2019Working Paper Summaries

Understanding Different Approaches to Benefit-Based Taxation

by Robert Scherf and Matthew C. Weinzierl

Benefit-based taxation—where taxes align with benefits from state activities—enjoys popular support and an illustrious history, but scholars are confused over how it should work, and confusion breeds neglect. To clear up this confusion and demonstrate its appeal, we provide novel graphical explanations of the main approaches to it and show its general applicability.

Author Abstract

Despite substantial normative and positive appeal, the idea of benefit-based taxation plays a minor role in modern tax theory. One obstacle to its playing a greater role is confusion over the many ways in which theorists have argued that benefit-based taxes should be determined. In this paper, we provide clear descriptions and graphical representations of the four major approaches to benefit-based taxation: Lindahl (1919), Moulin (1987), Brennan (1976a), and Hines (2000). We also show how these approaches can be applied to Smith’s theory of so-called Classical Benefit-Based Taxation, the most prominent general benefit-based optimal tax framework and a potential focal point for generating consensus on the specifics of benefit-based taxation.