Using a theoretical model based on dynamic optimizing agents, we test empirically the Ricardian Equivalence Proposition (REP) for 26 OECD countries. The empirical specification allows us to obtain estimates of the structural parameters of the theoretical model and to test directly the hypothesis...

Using a theoretical model based on dynamic optimizing agents, we test empirically the Ricardian Equivalence Proposition (REP) for 26 OECD countries. The empirical specification allows us to obtain estimates of the structural parameters of the theoretical model and to test directly the hypothesis...

The tax smoothing hypothesis (TSH) is tested for the New Member States of the European Union. Our results show that the TSH holds for five countries, the introduction of the Maastricht 3%-deficit rule, however, had very little effect with regard to the validity of the TSH.