The ‡at income tax has become increasingly popular recently, yet its implementation is limited to Eastern Europe. We analyse the distributional and e¢ ciency e¤ects of ‡at tax scenarios for Western European countries. Our simulations show that ‡at tax rates required to attain revenue neutrality with existing basic allowances improve labour supply incentives. However, they result in higher inequality and polarisation. Flat rates necessary to keep the inequality levels unchanged allow for some scope for ‡at taxes to increase both equity and e¢ ciency. Our analysis suggests that Mediterranean countries are more likely to bene…t from ‡at taxes.
JEL Codes: C81, D31, H24Keywords: Flat tax reform, income distribution, work incentives, microsimulation This paper uses EUROMOD version C13. EUROMOD is continually being improved and updated and the results presented here represent the best available at the time of writing. Any remaining errors, results produced, interpretations or views presented are the authors'responsibility. EUROMOD relies on micro-data from twelve di¤erent sources for …fteen countries. Stephen Pudney and participants of ECINEQ, I-CUE and IMA conferences and seminars in Cologne, Essex and Mannheim and an anonymous referee for helpful comments and suggestions. We are indebted to all past and current members of the EUROMOD consortium for the construction and development of EUROMOD. However, any errors and the views expressed in this paper are the authors'responsibility. In particular, the paper does not represent the views of the institutions to which the authors are a¢ liated.