This course presents the economic analyses of and insights into a wide range of taxes, subsidies, and related government policies. The concepts and methods necessary for such analyses, which have quite general applications, are also presented. The course will highlight many institutional issues that are of special potential interest to students preparing for professional careers. Main topics include principles of taxation, incidence of taxation, taxation of goods and services (sales tax, excise tax, value-added tax), personal income tax, social security taxes, tax arbitrage, tax avoidance, and tax evasion. Within the context of these topics, the course will also discuss some of the characteristics of the tax systems of the United States and some other countries, as well as some current controversies regarding tax policies. Prerequisites: PP32300 and PP32400 or consent of the instructor.
