Investigating the Effects of Establishing a Local Taxation System on Long- Run Regional Economic Growth in Iran: Error- Correction Models approach

Taxes are a policy-making tool for the economic stabilization and, on this basis; local taxes can influence provinces’ economic performance. Local taxes are taxes for which the rates and bases are determined by the local authorities. These taxes finance services to be provided for local residents. Local taxes influence regional economic growth for the following main reasons: increased competition among the regions, higher economic growth, decreased shadow economy and finally, improvement of taxpayer’s behavior. Thus, this research has reviewed and empirically analyzed the effect of corporate income tax, personal income tax, property tax and consumption tax as local taxes on country provinces’ economic growth. To this end, within the framework of ECM models, a PMG methodology was employed that made use of quarterly data during March 2005- July 2015. The results of the model estimation show that, property tax and consumption tax increase regional economic growth, whereas corporate income tax and personal income tax decreases the regional economic growth. Also, revenue-neutral shift away from either corporate income or personal income tax toward property or consumption tax leads to increases the regional long- run growth. The results indicate that optimal local taxation (with property and consumption tax bases) leads to provincial economic growth. So, this study can be used as guidance for economic policy-makers.