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Are State Tax Amnesty Programs Associated with Financial Reporting Irregularities?

Author

Listed:
  • Neal D. Buckwalter
  • Nathan Y. Sharp
  • Jaron H. Wilde
  • David A. Wood

Abstract

This article investigates the relation between state tax amnesties and financial reporting irregularities. State tax amnesty programs, which potentially signal a lax regulatory enforcement environment, provide a unique setting in which to examine the effects of state tax authorities on non-tax financial reporting behavior. The results suggest that firms headquartered in states offering a tax amnesty program are more likely to begin engaging in a financial reporting irregularity during the amnesty period. Furthermore, the results show that the observed increase in financial reporting irregularities occurs only during periods of repeat, not initial, amnesty programs. These findings suggest state tax amnesties have previously unexplored adverse effects on managers’ behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Neal D. Buckwalter & Nathan Y. Sharp & Jaron H. Wilde & David A. Wood, 2014. "Are State Tax Amnesty Programs Associated with Financial Reporting Irregularities?," Public Finance Review, , vol. 42(6), pages 774-799, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:42:y:2014:i:6:p:774-799
    DOI: 10.1177/1091142113499397
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Keith L. Jones & Gopal V. Krishnan & Kevin D. Melendrez, 2008. "Do Models of Discretionary Accruals Detect Actual Cases of Fraudulent and Restated Earnings? An Empirical Analysis," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(2), pages 499-531, June.
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    4. Justin M. Ross & Neal D. Buckwalter, 2013. "Strategic Tax Planning for State Tax Amnesties," Public Finance Review, , vol. 41(3), pages 275-301, May.
    5. Douglas F. Prawitt & Nathan Y. Sharp & David A. Wood, 2012. "Internal Audit Outsourcing and the Risk of Misleading or Fraudulent Financial Reporting: Did Sarbanes†Oxley Get It Wrong?," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 1109-1136, December.
    6. Mikesell, John L. & Ross, Justin M., 2012. "Fast Money? The Contribution of State Tax Amnesties to Public Revenue Systems," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 65(3), pages 529-562, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Muhammad Alishahdani Ibrahim & Rita Myrna & Ira Irawati & J.B. Kristiadi, 2018. "Tax Policy in Indonesian Energy Sectors: An Overview of Tax Amnesty Implementation," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 8(4), pages 234-236.
    2. Terry Shevlin & Jacob Thornock & Braden Williams, 2017. "An examination of firms’ responses to tax forgiveness," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 577-607, June.

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