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VAT and Tax Credits: A Way to Eliminate Tax-Evasive Use of Transfer Prices?

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  • Tomáš Buus
  • Jaroslav Brada

Abstract

In this paper we compare income taxes to VAT and tax credits to tax deductions in terms of their ability to distort factor prices, provide fair taxation, avoid tax-evasive transfer pricing and induce Pareto improvement of tax policies. On the base of theoretical discussion and thought experiments we conclude that VAT is due to its nature superior regarding these requirements. We also have found out that a wider use of tax credits within VAT would be useable to prevent profit shifting. Some adjustments of VAT compared to current practice are needed to achieve the best results. More rigorous proofs, both theoretical and empirical are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomáš Buus & Jaroslav Brada, 2010. "VAT and Tax Credits: A Way to Eliminate Tax-Evasive Use of Transfer Prices?," European Financial and Accounting Journal, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2010(1), pages 28-50.
    • Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlefa:v:2010:y:2010:i:1:id:43:p:28-50
    DOI: 10.18267/j.efaj.43
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    Cited by:

    1. Kayis-Kumar, Ann, 2016. "International tax planning by multinationals: Simulating a tax-minimising intercompany response to the OECD's recommendation on BEPS Action 4," MPRA Paper 72828, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Tomáš Buus, 2012. "Daně z příjmů versus daň z přidaní hodnoty v malé otevřené ekonomice [Taxes on income vs. value added tax in small open economy]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2012(1), pages 58-80.
    3. Kayis-Kumar, Ann, 2016. "What's BEPS got to do with it? Exploring the effectiveness of thin capitalisation rules," MPRA Paper 75741, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Multinational enterprises; Pareto optimum; Tax credits; Transfer prices; VAT;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D29 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Other
    • G39 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Other

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