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Tax incentives and firm financing structures: evidence from China’s accelerated depreciation policy

Author

Listed:
  • Jiayi Du

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Guangjun Shen

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Jingxian Zou

    (Renmin University of China)

Abstract

This study used China’s accelerated depreciation policy (2014–2015) as an exogenous shock to examine the impact of tax incentives on firm financing structures. Based on data from China’s A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2017, we estimated a difference-in-differences model and found that the accelerated depreciation policy increased firms’ liability–asset ratio. Moreover, this rise was mainly seen in firms’ current liability–asset ratio (i.e., short-term leverage), while long-term leverage remained stable, which shortened firms’ debt maturity. The mechanism exploration showed that the accelerated depreciation policy stimulated fixed asset investment, and this investment increase was mainly financed by short-term debt, leading to greater maturity mismatch between firm assets and liabilities. Further heterogeneity analysis showed that the observed rise in short-term leverage was more serious among firms that were less likely to be allocated long-term credit from banks, including small-sized firms and those with a low share of tangible assets.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiayi Du & Guangjun Shen & Jingxian Zou, 2023. "Tax incentives and firm financing structures: evidence from China’s accelerated depreciation policy," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 30(5), pages 1346-1373, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:itaxpf:v:30:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s10797-022-09762-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10797-022-09762-w
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Accelerated depreciation; Financing structure; Maturity mismatch;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm

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