Taxes and life cycle capital gains realizations

Abstract

This article analyses heterogeneity in capital gains tax elasticities across individuals. Using panel data of over 260 000 individuals, I find that the sensitivity of capital gains to taxes is decreasing over the individual life cycle. Younger individuals respond more strongly to changes in capital gains taxes than older individuals. An increase in age of 18 years decreases the lock-in effect of capital gains taxes by approximately 10%.

Keywords:

• capital gains tax
• lock-in effect
• income taxes
• life cycle

JEL Classification:

• H24
• D14
• D91

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to an anonymous referee, Karim Sadrieh, and Jan Södersten for helpful comments and suggestions. I thank Tobias Lindhe for providing data on marginal income tax rates.