Tax benefits determinants and earnings management: results from the eurozone countries

Previous evidence indicates that there are considerable benefits for firms operating in tax havens, defined as countries that provide tax benefits to attract foreign capital. Using a sample of Eurozone countries along with tax haven country rankings, we examine how firms adjust their level of earnings management in response to some countries' tax benefits. We also explore whether and to what extent countries' different tax characteristics influence the relationship between earnings management and the existence of tax benefits. Our findings indicate that firms domiciled in countries with lower tax rates have lower levels of earnings management than companies domiciled in other European countries. However, countries with higher tax contribution rates and higher tax haven scores have lower earnings management scores. Our results suggest that firms domiciled in tax havens have interests other than just the low tax rates. In fact, the more flexible regulatory environment in these countries is a key feature that attracts firms to tax havens.