Regional Tax Autonomy and Budget Balances

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to test the proposition that better regional fiscal balances are associated with stronger regional tax autonomy as measured by the ratio of property taxes to expenditures. The study uses panel data for 82 subjects of the Russian Federation over 14 years (2005–2018). A two-step dynamic model of budget balance is estimated by the “system” generalized method of moments. A positive and statistically significant association between fiscal balances and tax autonomy is established. This study emphasizes the importance of regional tax autonomy for the development of market-preserving fiscal federalism in Russia.