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Corporate Governance, Tax Avoidance, and Financial Constraints

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  • Onur Bayar
  • Fariz Huseynov
  • Sabuhi Sardarli

Abstract

We examine how corporate governance affects the relationship between corporate tax avoidance and financial constraints. Conditional on having poor governance, tax avoidance is associated with greater financial constraints and a greater likelihood of financial distress. In firms with strong governance, however, we find that tax avoidance does not have a negative impact on financial constraints. Our results suggest that tax avoidance is a less useful source of financing for constrained firms when they are plagued with potential agency problems and opaque information environments. Stronger governance mechanisms can help firms mitigate the negative consequences of tax avoidance.

Suggested Citation

  • Onur Bayar & Fariz Huseynov & Sabuhi Sardarli, 2018. "Corporate Governance, Tax Avoidance, and Financial Constraints," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 47(3), pages 651-677, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:finmgt:v:47:y:2018:i:3:p:651-677
    DOI: 10.1111/fima.12208
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    4. Dongyang Zhang, 2023. "Fiscal policy benefits and green recovery of firms: an experimental exploration of Chinese listed firms in post-Covid-19," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(5), pages 2921-2942, October.
    5. Wang, Changrong & Richardson, Grant & Cao, Yanming, 2024. "Long live the walking dead? Corporate tax avoidance and zombie firms in China," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    6. Jie Sun & Lewis Makosa & Jinkun Yang & Fangyuan Yin & Lovemore Sitsha, 2023. "Does corporate tax planning mitigate financial constraints? Evidence from China," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(1), pages 510-527, January.
    7. Shen, Zhihan & Zhang, Ruipeng & Li, Peigong, 2024. "Local government debt and corporate tax avoidance: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 985-1000.
    8. GuoHua Cao & WenJun Geng & Jing Zhang & Qi Li, 2023. "Financial constraints, short selling and corporate fraud: Evidence from China," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(2), pages 297-320, June.

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