Laffer Curve

What Does It Mean?
What Does Laffer Curve Mean?
Invented by Arthur Laffer, this curve shows the relationship between tax rates and tax revenue collected by governments. The chart below shows the Laffer Curve:


The curve suggests that, as taxes increase from low levels, tax revenue collected by the government also increases. It also shows that tax rates increasing after a certain point (T*) would cause people not to work as hard or not at all, thereby reducing tax revenue. Eventually, if tax rates reached 100% (the far right of the curve), then all people would choose not to work because everything they earned would go to the government.
Investopedia Says
Investopedia explains Laffer Curve
Governments would like to be at point T*, because it is the point at which the government collects maximum amount of tax revenue while people continue to work hard.
Related Links
  • Laffer Curve Key To Ideal Tax Rate - Feel like the government always has its hand in your pocket? Learn the theory behind how it decides how much to take.
  • Economics Basics - Learn economics principles such as the relationship of supply and demand, elasticity, utility, and more!
Rate this Term: Your Rating:    Overall Rating: Vote Now!
Sponsored Links
MARKETPLACE
The Investopedia Guide to Wall Speak
TRADING CENTER
CURRENT HIGH YIELD SAVINGS RATES
Type
Overnight avgs
Rate data provided by
Bankrate.com
add investopedia foot
www.investopedia.com