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Will a departure from tax-based accounting encourage tax noncompliance? Archival evidence from a transition economy

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  • Chan, K. Hung
  • Lin, Kenny Z.
  • Mo, Phyllis L.L.

Abstract

We investigate whether a departure from a tax-based accounting system toward the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards encourages tax noncompliance. We also examine whether such a departure, which weakens book-tax conformity, affects the informativeness of book-tax differences for tax noncompliance. Our evidence suggests that as book-tax conformity decreases, tax noncompliance increases. Although book-tax differences remain informative of tax noncompliance, the informativeness attenuates as book-tax conformity weakens. Additionally, firms with high incentives to inflate book income are more tax compliant than their counterparts after the departure from a tax-based accounting system.

Suggested Citation

  • Chan, K. Hung & Lin, Kenny Z. & Mo, Phyllis L.L., 2010. "Will a departure from tax-based accounting encourage tax noncompliance? Archival evidence from a transition economy," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 58-73, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:50:y:2010:i:1:p:58-73
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Zhang, Fan & Wu, Guanghao & Zhu, Ling & Zhang, Wenzhe, 2023. "The impact of fiscal squeeze on corporate tax avoidance behaviors: Evidence from the agricultural tax reform," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 890-901.
    7. De Simone, Lisa, 2016. "Does a common set of accounting standards affect tax-motivated income shifting for multinational firms?," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 145-165.
    8. Gavious, Ilanit & Livne, Gilad & Chen, Ester, 2022. "Does tax avoidance increase or decrease when tax enforcement is stronger? Evidence using CSR heterogeneity perspective," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    9. Kurauone, Ophias & Kong, Yusheng & Sun, Huaping & Muzamhindo, Simbarashe & Famba, Takuriramunashe & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad, 2021. "The effects of International Financial Reporting Standards, auditing and legal enforcement on tax evasion: Evidence from 37 African countries," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    10. Wen, Wen & Cui, Huijie & Ke, Yun, 2020. "Directors with foreign experience and corporate tax avoidance," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    11. Siglé, Maarten A. & Goslinga, Sjoerd & Speklé, Roland F. & van der Hel, Lisette E.C.J.M., 2022. "The cooperative approach to corporate tax compliance: An empirical assessment," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
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    13. Leung, Sidney C.M. & Richardson, Grant & Taylor, Grantley, 2019. "The effect of the general anti-avoidance rule on corporate tax avoidance in China," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 105-117.

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