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Taxes Depress Corporate Borrowing: Evidence from Private Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Ivan T. Ivanov
  • Luke Pettit
  • Toni Whited

Abstract

We use variation in state corporate income tax rates to re-examine the relation between taxes and corporate leverage. Contrary to prior research, we find that corporate leverage rises after tax cuts for small private firms. An estimated dynamic equilibrium model shows that tax cuts make capital more productive and spur borrowing. Tax cuts also produce more distant default thresholds and lower credit spreads. These effects outweigh the lower interest tax deduction and lead to higher optimal leverage choices, especially for firms with flexible investment policies. The presence of the interest tax deduction raises consumer welfare in equilibrium.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivan T. Ivanov & Luke Pettit & Toni Whited, 2024. "Taxes Depress Corporate Borrowing: Evidence from Private Firms," NBER Working Papers 32398, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32398
    Note: CF
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    Cited by:

    1. John R. Graham, 2022. "Presidential Address: Corporate Finance and Reality," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 77(4), pages 1975-2049, August.
    2. Fakos, Alexandros & Sakellaris, Plutarchos & Tavares, Tiago, 2022. "Investment slumps during financial crises: The real effects of credit supply," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 145(1), pages 29-44.
    3. Toni M Whited, 2023. "Integrating Structural and Reduced-Form Methods in Empirical Finance," Journal of Financial Econometrics, Oxford University Press, vol. 21(3), pages 597-615.
    4. Amberger, Harald & Gallemore, John & Wilde, Jaron, 2025. "Corporate tax system complexity and investment sensitivity to tax policy changes," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 300, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies

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