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Global Evidence on Profit Shifting Within Firms and Across Time

Author

Listed:
  • Fotis Delis

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre)

  • Manthos D. Delis

    (Audencia Business School)

  • Luc Laeven

    (European Central Bank (ECB); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR))

  • Steven Ongena

    (University of Zurich - Department of Banking and Finance; Swiss Finance Institute; KU Leuven; NTNU Business School; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR))

Abstract

We provide the first global estimates of profit shifting at the subsidiary-year level. Employing nonparametric estimation techniques within a mainstay model of profit shifting, we examine the subsidiary-year responses of earnings to the composite tax indicator faced by all subsidiaries of a multinational firm. Our panel includes 26,593 subsidiaries across 95 countries for the period 2009 2017. We extensively validate our results against aggregate estimates of previous studies and evidence from specific cases. We find that profit shifting decreased over this period in advanced economies but increased in other parts of the world where taxation policies are less stringent on average, consistent with tax arbitrage strategies. We also examine correlates of profit shifting, identifying that a key determinant is the subsidiaries’ ratio of intangible assets, and this channel is stronger in countries with weaker institutions. Both our new database and correlates open important avenues to analyze the sources and effects of profit shifting.

Suggested Citation

  • Fotis Delis & Manthos D. Delis & Luc Laeven & Steven Ongena, 2022. "Global Evidence on Profit Shifting Within Firms and Across Time," Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper Series 22-94, Swiss Finance Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp2294
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    Keywords

    Profit shifting; multinational enterprises; nonparametric estimation; intangible assets; institutional quality; global sample;
    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
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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