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Corporate Financing Decisions and Non-Debt Tax Shields: Evidence from Italian Experiences in the 1990s

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  • Michele Bernasconi
  • Anna Marenzi
  • Laura Pagani

Abstract

Between 1995 and 1999, Italy experienced three episodes of fiscal reform during which different categories of non-debt tax shields were introduced, including a classical investment tax credit, a system of dual income taxation, and an investment tax credit restricted to equity financed investments. Using the balance sheets of a large sample of Italian companies, we construct a data set which allows us to evaluate the impact of the different fiscal interventions. We apply MacKie-Mason's (1990) method to study incremental financing decisions using discrete choice analysis. The analysis shows that the measures introduced were successful in reducing the advantage of debt financing relative to equity financing. We relate the findings to the current literature on the determinants of capital structure. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2005

Suggested Citation

  • Michele Bernasconi & Anna Marenzi & Laura Pagani, 2005. "Corporate Financing Decisions and Non-Debt Tax Shields: Evidence from Italian Experiences in the 1990s," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 12(6), pages 741-773, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:itaxpf:v:12:y:2005:i:6:p:741-773
    DOI: 10.1007/s10797-005-2914-1
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    1. Ignacio Velez-Pareja & Julian Benavides Franco, 2011. "Cost of Capital when Dividends are Deductible," Brazilian Review of Finance, Brazilian Society of Finance, vol. 9(3), pages 309-334.
    2. Petutschnig, Matthias & Rünger, Silke, 2017. "The effects of a tax allowance for growth and investment: Empirical evidence from a firm-level analysis," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 221, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.
    3. Sinha, Pankaj & Bansal, Vishakha, 2013. "Capital structure puzzle: the interrelationship between leverage, taxes and other micro economic factors," MPRA Paper 49878, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 17 Sep 2013.
    4. Nadja Dwenger & Viktor Steiner, 2014. "Financial leverage and corporate taxation: evidence from German corporate tax return data," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 21(1), pages 1-28, February.

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