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Book-tax conformity and earnings management in response to tax rate cuts

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  • Sundvik, Dennis

Abstract

This study explores the link between earnings management and jurisdictional differences in book-tax conformity. A dataset of national reforms lowering the corporate tax rate is used to estimate the effect of conformity on private firm’s earnings management behavior when a specific incentive to manage earnings downward exists. Total and discretionary accruals are used to measure earnings management and a continuous measure is used to assess the level of book-tax conformity. Results suggest that changes in the statutory tax rate affect firms in jurisdictions with high book-tax conformity more than firms in jurisdictions with less book-tax conformity. However, more overall earnings management is attributed to firms in low conformity jurisdictions. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate on the appropriate level of book-tax conformity.

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  • Sundvik, Dennis, 2017. "Book-tax conformity and earnings management in response to tax rate cuts," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 31-42.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jiaata:v:28:y:2017:i:c:p:31-42
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intaccaudtax.2016.12.003
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    10. Sundvik Dennis, 2017. "A review of earnings management in private firms in response to tax rate changes," Nordic Tax Journal, Sciendo, vol. 2017(1), pages 151-161, January.
    11. Pais, Cláudio & Dias, Cláudia Afecto, 2022. "The implications of book-tax conformity and tax change for the earnings management of Portuguese micro firms," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
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