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Corporate tax cuts, merger activity, and shareholder wealth

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  • Blouin, Jennifer L.
  • Fich, Eliezer M.
  • Rice, Edward M.
  • Tran, Anh L.

Abstract

We study the impact of the Domestic Production Activities Deduction (DPAD) on mergers and acquisitions. DPAD reduces corporate tax rates on income from work or goods made in the U.S. Results indicate that the quantity and quality of acquisition bids by DPAD-advantaged firms conform to the predictions of the neoclassical theory of the firm and the theory of financial constraints. Specifically, bids, particularly those cash-financed, increase substantially in industries with large DPAD-related tax cuts and for firms with financial constraints. Moreover, DPAD improves acquisition quality where acquirers and targets are likely to generate incremental DPAD tax benefits through their merger.

Suggested Citation

  • Blouin, Jennifer L. & Fich, Eliezer M. & Rice, Edward M. & Tran, Anh L., 2021. "Corporate tax cuts, merger activity, and shareholder wealth," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(1).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:71:y:2021:i:1:s0165410120300173
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2020.101315
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate tax deduction; Acquisitions; Firm performance; Financial constraints;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • M48 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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