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Investment impact of tax loss treatment—empirical insights from a panel of multinationals

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  • Daniel Dreßler
  • Michael Overesch

Abstract

We analyze the impact of tax loss treatment on multinational investment. Basically, two effects of tax loss treatment can be expected. First, firms make their investment decisions considering potential future losses. Then, the various types of conceivable loss offset provisions affect investment decisions. Secondly, existing loss carryforwards resulting from losses in the past affect the tax rate elasticity of current investment decisions. Our empirical analysis is based on data of German multinationals. We pay particular attention to industries having a high probability to make losses. Our regression results suggest that a short carryforward time limit lowers investment in particular for firms with a high loss probability. We only find mixed evidence that group loss offsetting provisions foster investment. Concerning the effects of existing losses carried forward, we find a reduced tax rate elasticity of investment for companies shielded by loss carryforwards. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2013

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  • Daniel Dreßler & Michael Overesch, 2013. "Investment impact of tax loss treatment—empirical insights from a panel of multinationals," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 20(3), pages 513-543, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:itaxpf:v:20:y:2013:i:3:p:513-543
    DOI: 10.1007/s10797-012-9240-1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate taxation; Loss treatment; Group taxation; Multinational firms; Empirical analysis; F23; H25; H32;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm

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