A Study on the Determination of Transportation Tax Rate

교통세의 세율 결정에 관한 연구

  • Published : 2000.06.30

Abstract

Since the transportation taxes were imposed on gasoline and diesel in 1994 for the purpose of financing the special projects, such as the construction of highways or railroads, the rates have been frequently and rapidly changed in case of need to stabilize prices or secure public fund, contrary to its own purpose. This paper presents a theoretical model for a special purpose tax based on the minimization of the dead weight los incurred by the imposition of the tax. A computable static model for the tax rate is developed and estimated for a various range of target level of total tax rebenue. The results shows that, under tax revenue of 40 trillion won, the rates for the year of 1999 are 385.2 won for one liter of gasoline and 198.4 won for one liter of diesel. The estimated gasoline rate is no more than about 59% of the current rate. However, the rate for diesel turns out to be 24% higher than the current level.

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