Abstract:

Taxation may lead to a decrease in economic growth by distorting saving and investment incentives, but also it can increase growth by stimulating private savings through specific tax policies in line with infrastructure investments. This study investigates the effects of taxation on economic growth in Turkey in 1975-2004 by using time series analysis. In addition to total taxes, indirect taxes (goods and services tax, trade tax) and direct taxes (income tax) are analyzed separately. The results show that as total taxes/GDP, income tax/GDP and goods and services taxes/GDP increase, growth decreases in the long run. Also, interestingly, as the economy grows, income tax/GDP ratio falls and as trade taxes/GDP increase, growth increases

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