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Cost behavior around corporate tax rate cuts

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  • Haga, Jesper
  • Höglund, Henrik
  • Sundvik, Dennis

Abstract

In this study, we investigate cost behavior of companies in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries before corporate tax rate cuts become effective. We consider such events to generate strong incentives for intertemporal cost shifting. We analyze the time period between 2011 and 2016, which includes 32 tax reductions. The results show that companies exhibit income-decreasing selling, general, and administrative cost behavior before tax rate cuts, and that the extent is proportional to the magnitude of the decrease in the tax rate. Furthermore, we find stronger evidence of this form of tax-induced earnings management in lower tax compliance and code law countries, as well as for private companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Haga, Jesper & Höglund, Henrik & Sundvik, Dennis, 2019. "Cost behavior around corporate tax rate cuts," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 1-11.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jiaata:v:34:y:2019:i:c:p:1-11
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intaccaudtax.2019.01.001
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    2. Kai Chang & Ning Lu & Ze Sheng Li & Yi Ran Wang, 2021. "The combined impacts of fiscal and credit policies on green firm's investment opportunity: Evidences from Chinese firm‐level analysis," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(7), pages 1822-1835, October.
    3. Ibrahim, Awad Elsayed Awad & Ali, Hesham & Aboelkheir, Heba, 2022. "Cost stickiness: A systematic literature review of 27 years of research and a future research agenda," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    4. Konstantinos Marinakos & Georgia Pistikou & Alkistis Papaioanou, 2023. "Tax Evasion in Hospitality Industry: Institutional Deficit, Mentality or Necessity?," Bulletin of Applied Economics, Risk Market Journals, vol. 10(1), pages 69-79.
    5. Naoum, Vasilios-Christos & Ntounis, Dimitrios & Papanastasopoulos, Georgios & Vlismas, Orestes, 2023. "Asymmetric cost behavior: Theory, meta-analysis, and implications," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    6. Floropoulos, Stylianos & Tsipouridou, Maria & Spathis, Charalambos, 2024. "Book-tax conformity and earnings management: A research agenda," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    7. Barrios, Salvador & d'Andria, Diego & Gesualdo, Maria, 2020. "Reducing tax compliance costs through corporate tax base harmonization in the European Union," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).

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