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Competition for FDI and profit shifting: On the effects of subsidies and tax breaks

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  • De Feo, Giuseppe
  • Amergighi, Oscar

Abstract

We investigate competition for FDI within a region when a foreign multinational rm can profitably exploit differences in statutory corporate tax rates by shifting taxable pro ts to lower-tax jurisdictions. In such framework we show that targeted tax competition may lead to higher welfare for the region as a whole than lump-sum subsidies when the difference in statutory corporate tax rates and/or their average is high enough. Tax competition is also preferable from an efficiency point of view (overall surplus) by changing the firm's investment decision when pro t shifting motivations induce the rm to locate in the (before tax) least pro table country.

Suggested Citation

  • De Feo, Giuseppe & Amergighi, Oscar, 2013. "Competition for FDI and profit shifting: On the effects of subsidies and tax breaks," SIRE Discussion Papers 2013-105, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    • Handle: RePEc:edn:sirdps:530
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Policy competition for FDI; Profit shifting; Tax discrimination;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm
    • H73 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Interjurisdictional Differentials and Their Effects
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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