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Tariff elimination versus tax avoidance: free trade agreements and transfer pricing

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  • Hiroshi Mukunoki

    (Gakushuin University)

  • Hirofumi Okoshi

    (Okayama University)

Abstract

We explore the new roles of rules of origin (ROO) when multinational enterprises (MNEs) manipulate their transfer prices to avoid a high corporate tax. The ROO under a free trade agreement (FTA) require exporters to identify the origin of exports to be eligible for a preferential tariff rate. We find that a value-added criterion of ROO restricts abusive transfer pricing by MNEs. Interestingly, an FTA with ROO can induce MNEs to shift profits from a low- to high-tax country. Because the ROO augment tax revenues inside FTA countries, they can transform a welfare-reducing FTA into a welfare-improving one.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiroshi Mukunoki & Hirofumi Okoshi, 2021. "Tariff elimination versus tax avoidance: free trade agreements and transfer pricing," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 28(5), pages 1188-1210, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:itaxpf:v:28:y:2021:i:5:d:10.1007_s10797-021-09689-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10797-021-09689-8
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    2. Hiroshi Mukunoki & Hirofumi Okoshi, 2021. "Tariff elimination versus tax avoidance: free trade agreements and transfer pricing," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 28(5), pages 1188-1210, October.
    3. Hiroshi Mukunoki & Hirofumi Okoshi, 2021. "Rules of origin and consumer‐hurting free trade agreements," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(8), pages 2303-2318, August.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Rules of origin; Free trade agreement; Transfer pricing; Profit shifting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance

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