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Effect of corporate tax avoidance activities on firm bankruptcy risk

Author

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  • Dhawan, Anirudh
  • Ma, Liangbo
  • Kim, Maria H.

Abstract

Corporate tax avoidance has been shown to raise the cost of bank debt and lower credit and bond ratings. However, it is unclear whether tax avoidance actually increases a firm’s bankruptcy risk or whether it is just viewed negatively by banks and rating agencies. We find that firms engaging in tax avoidance and firms that are thinly capitalized face higher bankruptcy risk. To account for endogeneity and functional form misspecification, we verify our results using instrumental variable and propensity score matching methods. Our findings are consistent with the view that tax avoidance is a risk-enhancing activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Dhawan, Anirudh & Ma, Liangbo & Kim, Maria H., 2020. "Effect of corporate tax avoidance activities on firm bankruptcy risk," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 16(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jocaae:v:16:y:2020:i:2:s1815566920300059
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcae.2020.100187
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Yoojin Shin & Jung-Mi Park, 2023. "The Effect of a Company’s Sustainable Competitive Advantage on Their Tax Avoidance Strategy—Focusing on Market Competition in Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Chang Cai & Xiaomin Cao, 2024. "Will fiscal transparency inhibit corporate tax avoidance? Evidence from China," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 31(5), pages 1274-1294, October.
    4. Yahaya, Mohammed Baba & Oon, Elaine Yen Nee & Jusoh, Ruzita, 2024. "CEO Duality and Bank Tax Avoidance: The Moderating Role of Risk Committees - An International Evidence," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 74(1), pages 73-104.
    5. Arfah Habib Saragih & Syaiful Ali, 2023. "Corporate tax risk: a literature review and future research directions," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 527-577, June.
    6. Yoojin Shin & Jungmi Park, 2022. "Differences in Tax Avoidance According to Corporate Sustainability with a Focus on Delisted Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, May.
    7. Wang, Zhenjie & Yang, Yi & Zhang, Jiewei, 2024. "Are female directors more inclined to avoid risks?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    8. Rongwu Zhang & Lan Luo & Jianjun Du, 2023. "The influence of fiscal policy uncertainty on corporate total factor productivity: Evidence from Chinese public companies," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 41(3), pages 532-554, July.
    9. Ji, Yu & Shi, Lina & Zhang, Shunming, 2022. "Digital finance and corporate bankruptcy risk: Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Tax avoidance; Bankruptcy risk; Thin capitalization; Tax risk;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G33 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Bankruptcy; Liquidation
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance

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