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Foreign ownership and corporate income taxation : an empirical evaluation

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  • Harry Huizinga
  • Gaëtan Nicodème

Abstract

Economic integration in Europe has not led to a ‘race to the bottom' regarding corporate income taxes. This paper documents trends in the foreign ownership of companies in Europe and it examines whether foreign ownership has exerted a positive influence on corporate income tax levels. Using company-level data, we document that the foreign ownership share in Europe stood at around 21.5 percent in the year 2000. The estimation suggests that a one percentage point increase in foreign ownership increases the average corporate income tax rate between a half and one percent. Further international economic integration is likely to lead to higher foreign ownership shares with a concomitant positive influence on corporate taxation levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Harry Huizinga & Gaëtan Nicodème, 2003. "Foreign ownership and corporate income taxation : an empirical evaluation," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 185, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    • Handle: RePEc:euf:ecopap:0185
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    foreign ownership; corporate taxation; taxation; tax competition; Huizinga; Nicodème;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies

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