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The Effects of Multinationals? Profit Shifting Activities on Real Investments

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  • Overesch, Michael

Abstract

This paper investigates whether the size of multinationals? real investments in a high-tax country is affected by profit shifting activities. A simple theoretical analysis shows that tax rates abroad impact the cost of capital in the presence of profit shifting activities of multinational companies. As profit shifting opportunities constitute a competitive advantage, the respective size of investments should theoretically increase if profits can be shifted to a lower taxing country. An empirical analysis, based on a panel of German inbound investments, confirms a positive tax response of real investments with a decreasing tax rate at the foreign direct investor?s home country. Hence, the results suggest that the size of foreign investments in a high-tax country is positively affected by lower foreign taxation of shifted profits.

Suggested Citation

  • Overesch, Michael, 2007. "The Effects of Multinationals? Profit Shifting Activities on Real Investments," ZEW Discussion Papers 07-071, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zewdip:6891
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Taxation; Multinationals; Profit Shifting; Investment Decisions; Firm-level Data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements

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