The optimal tax treatment of housing capital in the neoclassical growth model

In a dynamic setting, housing is both an asset and a consumption good. But should it be taxed like other forms of consumption or like other forms of saving? We consider the optimal taxation of the imputed rent from owner housing within a version of the neoclassical growth model. We find that the optimal tax rate on the imputed rent is quite sensitive to the constraints imposed on the other available tax rates. In general, it is not optimal to tax the imputed rent at the same rate as the business capital income.housing; capital taxation; optimal taxation

On the importance of borrowing constraints for house price dynamics

We study how a household borrowing constraint the the form of a down payment requirement affects house price dynamics in an OLG model with standard preferences. We find that in certain situations the borrowing constraint shapes house price dynamics substantially. The importance of the constraint depends very much on whether house price changes are driven by interest rate or aggregate income shocks. Moreover, because of the borrowing constraint, house price dynamics display substantial asymmetries between large positive and large negative income shocks. These results are related to the fact that the share of borrowing-constrained households is different following different shocks.house prices; dynamics; borrowing constraints; down payment constraint

Housing taxation in the Nordics : efficiency and equity

In many countries, owner-occupied housing enjoys a tax-favoured status relative to rental housing and many other forms of wealth. I first use simple examples to illustrate why the tax status of owner-occupied housing relates crucially to the tax treatment of the so-called imputed rent and mortgage interest expenses. I then discuss other issues related to capital income taxation as well as property taxation and housing market transaction taxes against basic principles of good taxation, referring to tax policies in the Nordic countries. I also discuss the connection between certain macroprudential policies and housing taxation.Peer reviewe

Should Old-age Benefits Be Earnings-tested

We study the welfare effects of earnings testing flat-rate old-age benefits in a quantitative overlapping generations model with idiosyncratic labor income risk. In our model economy, even a moderate earnings testing reduces individuals’ expected lifetime utility, whenever other taxes are taken into account. Moreover, it also lowers the realized lifetime utilities of those at the bottom of the lifetime utility distribution. Social security; Retirement; Means-testin

Vuoden 2005 eläkeuudistuksen vaikutus eläkkeelle siirtymiseen ja eläkkeisiin: arviointia stokastisella elinkaarimallilla

Vuonna 2005 tehtiin mittava eläkeuudistus. Varhaiseläkemuotoja lakkautettiin, eläkkeiden ikärajoja nostettiin ja eläkkeiden laskusääntöjä tarkistettiin. Tutkimus arvioi vuoden 2005 eläkeuudistuksen vaikutuksia yksityisellä sektorilla. Tarkastelun kohteena ovat uudistuksen aikaansaamat muutokset eläkkeellesiirtymisikään, työllisyysasteisiin ja eläkkeisiin. Tutkimuksessa kehitetään uusi, ihmisten eläkkeellesiirtymispäätöksiä kuvaava malli. Lakisääteisen eläkejärjestelmän lisäksi malli huomioi ansiotulojen verotuksen ja työttömyysturvan vaikutuksen eläkkeelle siirtymisen taloudellisiin kannusteisiin