Resumen de Informality and Taxation: Evidence from Seven Latin American Countries

Manuchehr Irandoust

• This study examines the impact of the shadow economy on taxation in seven Latin American countries between 1993 and 2018. The technique is built using a MIMIC model and a bootstrap panel Granger causality approach. The results show that the variables are related causally, with the shadow economy having a detrimental impact on tax revenues. Governments are advised to embark on labor market and institutional reforms, reduce barriers to firm entry, provide a reliable and sufficient regulatory environment, and provide employee social protection as ways to reduce the informal economy.