Abstract: Based on the provincial panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2021,this paper investigates the influence of the digital economy development on regional financial equalization and its internal mechanism through theoretical and empirical analysis by using IV model, and further explores the moderating role of transfer payments. It is found that the development of the digital economy has exacerbated the financial disparity among local governments, and there is a significant Matthew effect. The mechanism analysis shows that the tax transfer is an important channel for the digital economy to affect regional financial equalization, and this conclusion is supported by the siphon effect of the digital economy on the tax revenue. The impact of the digital economy on regional financial equalization is heterogeneous due to the degree of economic development, the degree of regional fiscal decentralization and the level of regional tax capacity. Further analysis shows that the general transfer payment has narrowed the local financial gap generated by the digital economy, while the special transfer payment has expanded the local financial gap. The research provides evidence support for the tax system construction and the tax governance reform under the background of the digital economy, and has important practical significance for improving regional financial equalization and realizing the coordinated development of China's regional economy.

Key words: Digital Economy, Regional Financial Equalization, Tax Transfers

摘要： 本文基于2010—2021年我国31个省区市的面板数据,通过理论分析和实证检验,考察了数字经济发展对地区财力均衡的影响和作用渠道,并进一步探讨了转移支付的调节作用。研究结果发现,数字经济发展加剧了地方政府的财力差距,并存在显著的“马太效应”。机制分析表明,税收转移是数字经济影响地区财力均衡的重要作用渠道,并通过验证数字经济对税收收入存在“虹吸效应”支持了这一结论。数字经济对地区财力均衡的影响因经济发展程度、地区财政分权程度、地区税收能力水平的不同而存在异质性。进一步分析发现,一般性转移支付改善了数字经济引致的地区财力差距,而专项转移支付扩大了地区财力差距。本文的研究结论为数字经济背景下的税收制度建设和税收治理改革提供证据支撑,对于促进地区财力均衡、推动我国区域经济协调发展具有重要现实意义。

关键词: 数字经济, 地区财力均衡, 税收转移