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What Really Affects German Firms' Effective Tax Rate?

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  • Anastasia Kraft

Abstract

This paper investigates the determinants of the effective tax rate (ETR) of German firms spanning the Germany¡¯s Corporate Tax Reform 2008 (GTR08). This paper is the first to analyze the drivers of ETR using German longitudinal data. The results show that larger companies, growth firms, and firms with higher free cash flow (FCF) appear to have higher ETR. Leverage and operating lease expenses tend to be negatively associated with ETR. The findings show that more profitable firms appear to engage more in tax strategies that result in lower ETRs. Moreover, they indicate that multinational firms have more possibilities to reduce the tax burden, resulting in a negative association with ETR. Germany¡¯s tax reform of 2008 has a negative effect on ETR and impacts some firm-specific factors. For more levered firms, the association between leverage and ETR is positive affected by the ETR.

Suggested Citation

  • Anastasia Kraft, 2014. "What Really Affects German Firms' Effective Tax Rate?," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 5(3), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:ijfr11:v:5:y:2014:i:3:p:1-19
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    Cited by:

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    2. Huber, Hans-Peter & Maiterth, Ralf, 2019. "Steuerbelastung deutscher Kapitalgesellschaften von lediglich 20 % - Fakt oder Fake News?," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 246, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.
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    4. Alena Andrejovska, 2019. "Effective Tax Rate in the Context of the Economic Determinants," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 15(2), pages 31-40.
    5. Belz, Thomas & von Hagen, Dominik & Steffens, Christian, 2019. "Taxes and firm size: Political cost or political power?," Journal of Accounting Literature, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1-28.
    6. Diogo Batista da SIlva & António Cerqueira & Elísio Brandão, 2017. "Earnings Management Dynamics in Portuguese Listed Firms," FEP Working Papers 587, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    7. Alexandra Fernandes & António Cerqueira & Elísio Brandão, 2017. "Tax and financial reporting aggressiveness: evidence from Europe," FEP Working Papers 597, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    8. Yinka Mashood Salaudeen* & Rafiu Olayinka Akano, 2018. "Non-Linearity in Determinants of Corporate Effective Tax Rate: Further Evidence from Nigeria," International Journal of Economics and Financial Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 4(3), pages 56-63, 03-2018.
    9. Alfred James Kimea & Msizi Mkhize & Haruna Maama, 2023. "Firm-specific Determinants of Aggressive Tax Management among East African Firms," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 13(3), pages 100-108, May.

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