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Multinationals, Minority Ownership and Tax-Efficient Financing Structures

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  • Dirk Schindler
  • Guttorm Schjelderup

Abstract

This paper presents a theory model that simultaneously accounts for the financing decisions and ownership structure in affiliates of multinational firms. We find that affiliates of multinationals have higher internal and overall debt ratios and lower rental rates of physical capital than comparable domestic firms. We also show that affiliates with minority owners have less debt than wholly owned affiliates and a less tax-efficient financing structure. The latter is due to an externality whereby minority ownership dampens the incentive to avoid taxes through the use of internal debt.

Suggested Citation

  • Dirk Schindler & Guttorm Schjelderup, 2010. "Multinationals, Minority Ownership and Tax-Efficient Financing Structures," CESifo Working Paper Series 3034, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_3034
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Haufler, Andreas & Runkel, Marco, 2012. "Firms' financial choices and thin capitalization rules under corporate tax competition," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(6), pages 1087-1103.
    2. Stefan Lutz, 2012. "Effects of taxation on European multi-nationals’ financing and profits," Economics Discussion Paper Series 1214, Economics, The University of Manchester.
    3. Robert Krämer & Vilen Lipatov, 2013. "The Effect of Corporate Taxation and Ownership on Raising Shareholder Capital," CESifo Working Paper Series 4436, CESifo.
    4. Scheuering, Uwe, 2013. "M&A and the Tax Benefits of Debt Financing," VfS Annual Conference 2013 (Duesseldorf): Competition Policy and Regulation in a Global Economic Order 79817, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    5. Matthias Wrede, 2009. "Multinational Capital Structure and Tax Competition," MAGKS Papers on Economics 200934, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    6. Shafik Hebous & Alfons Weichenrieder, 2010. "Debt financing and sharp currency depreciations: wholly versus partially-owned multinational affiliates," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 146(2), pages 281-302, June.
    7. Shafik Hebous & Alfons J. Weichenrieder & Alfons Weichenrieder, 2009. "Debt Financing and Sharp Currency Depreciations: Wholly vs. Partially Owned Multinational Affiliates," CESifo Working Paper Series 2892, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    multinationals; tax-efficient financing structures; minority ownership;
    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

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