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We study whether the corporate tax system provides incentives for risky firm investment. We analytically and empirically show two main findings: first, risk-taking is positively related to the length of tax loss periods because the loss rules shift some risk to the government; and second, the tax rate has a positive effect on risk-taking for firms that expect to use losses, and a weak negative effect for those that cannot. Thus, the sign of the tax effect on risky investment hinges on firm-specific expectations of future loss recovery.

This paper investigates how multinational banks use internal debt to shift profits to low-taxed affiliates. Using regulatory data on multinational banks headquartered in Germany, we show that banks use this tax avoidance channel more aggressively than non-financial multinationals do. We find that a ten percentage points higher corporate tax rate increases the internal net debt ratio by 5.7 percentage points, corresponding to a 20% increase at the mean. Our study also takes into account the existence of conduit entities, which simply pass through financial flows. If conduit entities are systematically located in low-tax countries, previous studies may have underestimated the extent of debt shifting.

The original version of this article contained a mistake in the table 4. The table 4 labelling is incorrect. The correct table 4 labelling for “Dep. var.” should read as follow: 1st column as IntLiab/TA and 2nd, 3rd, 4th column as IntNetDebt/TA, 5th column IntLiab/TA and 6th, 7th and 8th column as IntNetDebt/TA. The correct table 4 is given below.

Abstract Due to the corona pandemic, many companies will suffer losses in 2020. The German tax system treats profits and losses asymmetrically: Whereas profits are taxed immediately, losses do not generate immediate tax refunds. This article discusses different options to improve the tax treatment of companies in loss situations. A microsimulation of these reforms reveals that extending the maximum amount for loss carry-back has a larger impact than extending the loss carry-back period. Enhancing loss carry-back opportunities also creates strong investment incentives.

Due to the corona pandemic, many companies will suffer losses in 2020. The German tax system treats profits and losses asymmetrically: Whereas profits are taxed immediately, losses do not generate immediate tax refunds. This article discusses different options to improve the tax treatment of companies in loss situations. A microsimulation of these reforms reveals that extending the maximum amount for loss carry-back has a larger impact than extending the loss carry-back period. Enhancing loss carry-back opportunities also creates strong investment incentives.