Adjusting Tax Rates in the GTAP Data Base

Abstract

This paper describes a procedure designed for incorporating improved information on taxes into existing GTAP data aggregations. The aim of this procedure is to maintain the internal consistency of the data base while minimizing the impacts of the tax change on the value flows in the data base. It utilizes a variant of the GTAP model, for which the model structure and parameter settings have been designed to achieve this aim. The features include Cobb-Douglas production and consumption functions, inter-intermediate input substitution (also Cobb-Douglas), universal factor mobility and fixed trade balances. Instructions and computer files for implementation of the procedure are provided in the attached files.