An Economic Analysis of Anti-Tax Avoidance Doctrines

41 Pages Posted: 19 May 2000

See all articles by David A. Weisbach

David A. Weisbach

University of Chicago - Law School

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: May 17, 2002

Abstract

This article analyzes the effect of tax law doctrines designed to reduce tax shelters, such as the business purpose doctrine, and the economic substance doctrine. The article analyzes these doctrines as changes to the marginal elasticity of taxable income. As these doctrines are strengthened, the elasticity of taxable income goes down (in absolute value). By reducing the marginal elasticity of taxable income, the doctrines increase the efficiency of the tax system. Because the doctrines cannot perfectly identify tax avoidance, however, they induce a distortionary response by taxpayers, who may structure shelters to avoid the doctrines. This distortionary effect reduces their efficiency. The net benefit should be set equal on the margin to the marginal administrative cost of the doctrines.

Suggested Citation

Weisbach, David, An Economic Analysis of Anti-Tax Avoidance Doctrines (May 17, 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=228536 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.228536

David Weisbach (Contact Author)

University of Chicago - Law School ( email )

1111 E. 60th St.
Chicago, IL 60637
United States
773-702-3342 (Phone)
773-702-0730 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,799
Abstract Views
7,147
Rank
17,639
PlumX Metrics