Optimal Transfer Pricing When Tax Rates Differ

1980 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric W. Bond
2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quoc H. Tran ◽  
Rachel T. A. Croson ◽  
Barry J. Seldon

Abstract We use incentivized economics experiments to test both the point predictions and comparative static predictions of optimal transfer pricing models, comparing behavior under varying conditions, including wholly versus partially-owned subsidiaries and different tariff and tax rates. As predicted, we find that transfer prices are responsive to relative tax and tariff rates as well as ownership proportions. Additionally, we examine convergence and learning in this setting. While individuals do not choose optimal transfer prices, their choices converge to optimal levels with experience. This paper thus makes two important contributions. First, by comparing behavior with theoretical predictions it provides evidence of whether (and when) individuals set transfer prices optimally. Second, by comparing behavior under conditions of full and partial ownership it provides evidence on the impact of policy interventions (like regulating ownership proportions by MNEs) on tax revenues.


Author(s):  
Canri Chan

This study investigated the effects of government regulations and incentives on the setting of transfer prices. I found significant main effects of both variables on transfer price choices. Transfer pricing is important, particularly for Multinational Corporations (MNCs), because of increased trends toward globalization of business activities and, simultaneously, decentralization. These trends have led to increased pressures for sound internal pricing systems, specifically transfer pricing, in order for organizations to ensure optimal and efficient allocations of organization resources and to provide profit performance measurements (Tang 1992). It has generally been recognized in the literature that in order to maximize after tax cash flows, MNCs shift profits from high to low tax jurisdictions. Governments in some countries, particularly those with high tax rates, are greatly concerned as to whether or not companies attempt to avoid tax liabilities via transfer pricing manipulation, specifically in terms of trying to shift profits to lower tax jurisdictions, and have enacted laws to limit transfer price choice.


1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-hsing Li ◽  
Kashi R. Balachandran

The purpose of this paper is to study transfer pricing under asymmetric information and taxation. In accordance with the empirical evidence documented in accounting literature, this paper assumes that the firm uses one pricing system instead of two pricing systems—one for the tax purposes and the other for internal control. We provide a closed-form solution for the optimal mechanism under a dual-price system, which allows for the price credited to the manufacturing division to not equal the price charged to the distribution division. The equilibrium outcomes of the analysis suggest several interesting findings. Under a dual-price system, both divisional accounting profits at equilibrium change in the same direction with respect to the change of tax rate. However, the direct effect is larger than the indirect effect. Under a dual-price system, the division with the lower tax rate should be credited more profits than the division with the higher tax rate, but it would not fully bear all the profits.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
pp. 500-505
Author(s):  
Sebastián Bustos ◽  
Dina Pomeranz ◽  
José Vila-Belda ◽  
Gabriel Zucman

This paper reviews common challenges of taxing multinational firms, using Chile as a case study. We briefly describe key international tax avoidance methods: profit shifting to low-tax jurisdictions through transfer pricing and debt shifting. We discuss the prevalent policy to tax multinationals--the arm's length principle--and alternative proposals using apportionment formulas. Novel data from Chile show that multinationals make up a large share of GDP but report lower profit and effective tax rates than local firms. In 2011, Chile implemented a reform following OECD guidelines to enforce the arm's length principle. We discuss potential effects on tax collection and welfare.


2018 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Dyreng ◽  
Michelle Hanlon ◽  
Edward L. Maydew

ABSTRACT We investigate the relation between tax avoidance and tax uncertainty, where tax uncertainty is the amount of unrecognized tax benefits recorded over the same time period as the tax avoidance. On average, we find that tax avoiders, i.e., firms with relatively low cash effective tax rates, bear significantly greater tax uncertainty than firms that have higher cash effective tax rates. We find that the relation between tax avoidance and tax uncertainty is stronger for firms with frequent patent filings and tax haven subsidiaries, proxies for intangible-related transfer pricing strategies. The findings have implications for several puzzling results in the literature.


2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-264
Author(s):  
Hendro Lukman Et al.

In globalization today, business is no longer limited by distance, time, and place. In order to maintain growth, multinational companies need to do production efficiency by developing international supply chain. Therefore, companies conduct inhouse production or in other countries that can produce products at cheaper prices than producing in origin country so that they can divert profits or optimize tax benefits. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of tax rates and tax regulations on ethical behavior as a moderation of transfer pricing decisions carried out by multi-national companies in Indonesia. From 30 multi-national companies in Indonesia used as samples that were processed using Partial Least Square, shows that tax regulations have no negative effect to the management in making the decision of transfer pricing, but tariff and ethics have affect positively, as well as when the tax rule and tax tariff are mediated by ethics.


Author(s):  
Daniel Godson Olika

International tax issues have never been at the forefront of international politics as they are today. This is due in large part to the realization that the current international tax system in existence allows multinational corporations to plan their taxes in such a way that they will be able to pay little or no taxes at all. They are able to do this through certain loopholes and gaps that currently exist in the system. These loopholes and gaps are seen as creating opportunities for taxpayers who are involved in cross-border activities to aggressively structure their activities to mitigate potential tax exposure or achieve no tax liabilities. They do this by exploiting; the hybrid-mismatch arrangements, shortcomings of the transfer pricing rules in jurisdictions where they operate and shifting profits from countries where their profits are made to countries with low tax rates. Consequently, some multinationals pay as little as five percent in corporate taxes, even as smaller domestic businesses pay up to 30 percent. The result of this activity is what is known as; base erosion and profit-shifting (BEPS) and it has the potential to deprive all countries of significant tax revenues. This rave debate and harsh criticism from the public influenced the intervention of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to start its now famous BEPS Project. The OECD BEPS Project aims to provide governments or tax administrators with clear international solutions for fighting aggressive corporate tax planning strategies that artificially shift profits to locations where they are subjected to more favourable tax treatment. This paper shall address the various strands of the BEPS debate, the OECD BEPS project, the impact of the project in Africa and Nigeria. The next section shall address the various strands of the debate.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Barker ◽  
Kwadwo Asare ◽  
Sharon Brickman

Using transfer pricing, U.S. Corporations are able to transfer revenues to foreign affiliates with a lower corporate tax rates.  The Internal Revenue Code requires intercompany transactions to comply with the “Arm’s Length Principle” in order to prevent tax avoidance.   We describe and use elaborate examples to explain how US companies exploit flexibility in the tax code to employ transfer pricing and related tax reduction and avoidance methods. We discuss recent responses by regulatory bodies.


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