소득공제의 소득재분배 및 조세부담의 수직적 공평성 측면에서의 문제점과 개선방안: 연금저축 등에 대한 공제와 교육비공제를 중심으로

Abstract

This study analyzes the tax-saving effects of the deductions for contributions to pension plans ("CPP" hereafter) and educational expenditures ("EE" hereafter) across different income levels, identifies the problems with these deductible items from the perspectives of income redistribution and vertical tax equity, and examines some solutions to the problems. The main results of the study include the following: First, CPP and EE increase at a rapidly growing rate with the level of income, which reduces the tax burden of higher-income earners much more than that of lower-income earners. Second, due to this cross-sectionally disproportionate reduction in tax burden, the inequity of income distribution deepens. Third, three potential solutions to the problems with CPP and EE are examined: Phasing out the deductible amount as income increases, reducing the deductible rates marginally as more amount is contributed, and applying a tax credit. Out of them, the first solution turns out to be the most effective one in terms of income redistribution and vertical tax equity.