Optimal Income Tax and Redistribution

• Introductory survey; on social objectives; labour supply and income taxation; optimal redistribution in the two-class economy; optimal linear income taxation; Mirrleesian optimal non-linear income tax model; optimal income taxation and educational decisions; optimal income taxation and utility interdependence; optimal non-linear income taxation and uncertainty; an optimal integrated tax system; concluding remarks.

`the fruits of the endeavour, which goes on, have been both intellecturally rewarding and influential. Tuomala's pleasant little book offers an appreciation of all this, and it comes from one who is himself a significatn contributor. I found his perspective on the development of the subject, and his evaluation of the insights which have been gained, worthwhile reading. The style is lucid, more verbal than mathematical. The book will be found valuable by students of public finance, and by interested economists generally.'The Economic Journal