TY  - JOUR
AU  - Kaplow,Louis
TI  - Accuracy, Complexity, and the Income Tax
JF  - National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper Series
VL  - No. 4631
PY  - 1999
Y2  - June 1999
UR  - http://www.nber.org/papers/w4631
L1  - http://www.nber.org/papers/w4631.pdf
N1  - Author contact info:
Louis Kaplow
Harvard University
Hauser 322
Cambridge, MA  02138
Tel: 617/495-4101
Fax: 617/496-4880
E-Mail: meskridge@law.harvard.edu
AB  - The complexity of the income tax is an unending source of complaint.  Compliance costs have received increasing attention and are estimated to be large.  Yet most recognize that some degree of complexity is necessary if ability to pay is to be measured accurately.  This article presents a framework for analyzing the value of greater accuracy in income taxation.  Formulations for both distributive and incentive benefits of accuracy are offered.  The question whether taxpayers have excessive or inadequate incentives to acquire information about taxable income and to challenge tax assessments is also examined.
ER  -