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Transfer Pricing as a Tax Compliance Risk

Author

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  • Jost, Sven P.

    (Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Innsbruck)

  • Pfaffermayr, Michael

    (Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Innsbruck)

  • Winner, Hannes

    (University of Salzburg)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the empirical literature on the transfer pricing behavior of multinational firms. Previous research mainly focuses on transfer pricing as a means of tax optimization. Our approach concentrates on transfer pricing as a critical compliance issue. Specifically, we investigate whether and to what extent the awareness of transfer pricing as a tax compliance issue responds to country and industry characteristics as well as firm-specifics. Empirically, the transfer pricing risk awareness is measured as a professional assessment reported by the person with ultimate responsibility for transfer pricing in their company. Based on a unique global survey conducted by a Big 4 accounting firm in 2007 and 2008, we estimate the number of firms reporting transfer pricing being the largest risk issue with regard to subsequent tax payments. We find that transfer pricing risk awareness depends on variables accounting for general tax and transfer pricing specific strategies, the types and characteristics of intercompany transactions the multinational firms are involved in, their individual transfer pricing compliance efforts and resources dedicated to transfer pricing matters.

Suggested Citation

  • Jost, Sven P. & Pfaffermayr, Michael & Winner, Hannes, 2010. "Transfer Pricing as a Tax Compliance Risk," Working Papers in Economics 2010-6, University of Salzburg.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:sbgwpe:2010_006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Clausing, Kimberly A., 2003. "Tax-motivated transfer pricing and US intrafirm trade prices," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(9-10), pages 2207-2223, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Thiess Buettner & Michael Overesch & Georg Wamser, 2018. "Anti profit-shifting rules and foreign direct investment," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 25(3), pages 553-580, June.
    2. Andrea Lassmann & Benedikt Marian Maximilian Zoller-Rydzek, 2019. "Decomposing the Margins of Transfer Pricing," KOF Working papers 19-450, KOF Swiss Economic Institute, ETH Zurich.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transfer pricing; international taxation; multinational firms; tax risk management;
    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

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