Browse IFS
Research topics
Publication types
IFS Working Papers
September 2009 W09/16
Article
Externality-correcting taxes and regulation
Type: IFS Working Papers
Authors: Vidar Christiansen and Stephen Smith
JEL classification: H21, H23
Keywords: externalities, Pigouvian taxes, regulations

Download BibTex file | 

Much of the literature on externalities has considered taxes and direct regulation as alternative policy instruments. Both instruments may in practice be imperfect, reflecting informational deficiencies and other limitations. We analyse the use of taxes and regulation in combination, to control externalities arising from individual consumption behaviour. We consider cases where taxes are either imperfectly differentiated to reflect individual differences in externalities, or where some consumption escapes taxation. In both cases we characterise the optimal instrument mix, and show how changing the level of direct regulation alters the optimal externality tax.

Download full version (PDF 554 KB)

Search

Title (or part of title)
Author surname (or part of surname)

Donate to IFS
IFS publications are made available free of charge online wherever possible. If you would like to make a donation to IFS to help support our research, you can donate via Just Giving.