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Transfer Pricing or Formula Apportionment? Tax-Induced Distortions of Multinationals’ Investment and Production Decisions

Author

Listed:
  • Jan Thomas Martini
  • Rainer Niemann
  • Dirk Simons

Abstract

For mitigating the problems of transfer pricing formula apportionment (FA) is discussed intensively. However, FA could even be more harmful than transfer pricing because income shifting would require changing economic decisions instead of just taking advantage of accounting options. We analyze the impact of different international tax allocation regimes on a corporate group’s investment and production decisions. We show that FA offsets the advantages of decision decentralization as it reverses the separation of responsibilities. It is not clear whether FA is desirable from a fiscal or an entrepreneurial perspective. The effects of FA compared to transfer pricing depend strongly on the parameter setting under consideration, especially the decision procedure within corporate groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Thomas Martini & Rainer Niemann & Dirk Simons, 2007. "Transfer Pricing or Formula Apportionment? Tax-Induced Distortions of Multinationals’ Investment and Production Decisions," CESifo Working Paper Series 2020, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_2020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Knirsch, Deborah & Niemann, Rainer, 2007. "Allowance for shareholder equity: implementing a neutral corporate income tax in the European Union," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 34, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.
    3. repec:dau:papers:123456789/6913 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Sommer, Christoph, 2008. "Theorie der Besteuerung nach Formula Apportionment − Untersuchung auftretender ökonomischer Effekte anhand eines Allgemeinen Gleichgewichtsmodells," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 46, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.

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