Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure

Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure

Author: Jennifer Blouin

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2014-01-24

Total Pages: 37

ISBN-13: 1484384644

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This paper examines the impact of thin capitalization rules that limit the tax deductibility of interest on the capital structure of the foreign affiliates of US multinationals. We construct a new data set on thin capitalization rules in 54 countries for the period 1982-2004. Using confidential data on the internal and total leverage of foreign affiliates of US multinationals, we find that thin capitalization rules significantly affect multinational firm capital structure. Specifically, restrictions on an affiliate’s debt-to-assets ratio reduce this ratio on average by 1.9%, while restrictions on an affiliate’s borrowing from the parent-to-equity ratio reduce this ratio by 6.3%. Also, restrictions on borrowing from the parent reduce the affiliate’s debt-to-assets ratio by 0.8%, which shows that rules targeting internal leverage have an indirect effect on the overall indebtedness of affiliate firms. The impact of capitalization rules on affiliate leverage is higher if their application is automatic rather than discretionary. Furthermore, thin capitalization regimes have aggregate firm effects: they reduce the firm’s aggregate interest expense but lower firm valuation. Overall, our results show than thin capitalization rules, which thus far have been understudied, have a substantial effect on the capital structure within multinational firms, with implications for the firm’s market valuation.


Book Synopsis Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure by : Jennifer Blouin

Download or read book Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure written by Jennifer Blouin and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2014-01-24 with total page 37 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper examines the impact of thin capitalization rules that limit the tax deductibility of interest on the capital structure of the foreign affiliates of US multinationals. We construct a new data set on thin capitalization rules in 54 countries for the period 1982-2004. Using confidential data on the internal and total leverage of foreign affiliates of US multinationals, we find that thin capitalization rules significantly affect multinational firm capital structure. Specifically, restrictions on an affiliate’s debt-to-assets ratio reduce this ratio on average by 1.9%, while restrictions on an affiliate’s borrowing from the parent-to-equity ratio reduce this ratio by 6.3%. Also, restrictions on borrowing from the parent reduce the affiliate’s debt-to-assets ratio by 0.8%, which shows that rules targeting internal leverage have an indirect effect on the overall indebtedness of affiliate firms. The impact of capitalization rules on affiliate leverage is higher if their application is automatic rather than discretionary. Furthermore, thin capitalization regimes have aggregate firm effects: they reduce the firm’s aggregate interest expense but lower firm valuation. Overall, our results show than thin capitalization rules, which thus far have been understudied, have a substantial effect on the capital structure within multinational firms, with implications for the firm’s market valuation.


Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure

Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure

Author: Jennifer Blouin

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 47

ISBN-13: 9789279354298

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This paper examines the impact of thin capitalization rules that limit the tax deductibility of interest on the capital structure of the foreign affiliates of US multinationals. We construct a new data set on thin capitalization rules in 54 countries for the period 1982-2004. Using confidential data on the internal and total leverage of foreign affiliates of US multinationals, we find that thin capitalization rules affect multinational firm capital structure in a significant way. Specifically, restrictions on an affiliate's debt-to-assets ratio reduce this ratio on average by 1.9%, while restrictions on an affiliate's borrowing from the parent-to-equity ratio reduce this ratio by 6.3%. Also, restrictions on borrowing from the parent reduce the affiliate's debt to assets ratio by 0.8%, which shows that rules targeting internal leverage have an indirect effect on the overall indebtedness of affiliate firms. The impact of capitalization rules on affiliate leverage is higher if their application is automatic rather than discretionary. Furthermore, we show that thin capitalization regimes have aggregate firm effects: they reduce the firm's aggregate interest expense bill but lower firm valuation. Overall, our results show than thin capitalization rules, which thus far have been understudied, have a substantial effect on the capital structure within multinational firms, with implications for the firm's market valuation.


Book Synopsis Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure by : Jennifer Blouin

Download or read book Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure written by Jennifer Blouin and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 47 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper examines the impact of thin capitalization rules that limit the tax deductibility of interest on the capital structure of the foreign affiliates of US multinationals. We construct a new data set on thin capitalization rules in 54 countries for the period 1982-2004. Using confidential data on the internal and total leverage of foreign affiliates of US multinationals, we find that thin capitalization rules affect multinational firm capital structure in a significant way. Specifically, restrictions on an affiliate's debt-to-assets ratio reduce this ratio on average by 1.9%, while restrictions on an affiliate's borrowing from the parent-to-equity ratio reduce this ratio by 6.3%. Also, restrictions on borrowing from the parent reduce the affiliate's debt to assets ratio by 0.8%, which shows that rules targeting internal leverage have an indirect effect on the overall indebtedness of affiliate firms. The impact of capitalization rules on affiliate leverage is higher if their application is automatic rather than discretionary. Furthermore, we show that thin capitalization regimes have aggregate firm effects: they reduce the firm's aggregate interest expense bill but lower firm valuation. Overall, our results show than thin capitalization rules, which thus far have been understudied, have a substantial effect on the capital structure within multinational firms, with implications for the firm's market valuation.


Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure

Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure by :

Download or read book Thin Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure written by and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Impact of Thin-Capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions

The Impact of Thin-Capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions

Author: Thiess Büttner

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 56

ISBN-13:

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This paper analyzes the effectiveness of thin-capitalization rules in preventing debt finance by intercompany loans and explores their consequences for corporate decisions. A theoretical discussion emphasizes that limitations of the deduction of interest owed to foreign affiliates would not only affect multinationals' capital structure choice but also investment. An empirical investigation exploits a large firm-level panel dataset of multinationals in order to analyze the impact of thin-capitalization rules on capital structure choice and investment in the OECD and some further European countries in the time period between 1996 and 2004. The results indicate that thin-capitalization rules are effective in curbing tax planning via intercompany loans. However, investment is found to be adversely affected.


Book Synopsis The Impact of Thin-Capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions by : Thiess Büttner

Download or read book The Impact of Thin-Capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions written by Thiess Büttner and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper analyzes the effectiveness of thin-capitalization rules in preventing debt finance by intercompany loans and explores their consequences for corporate decisions. A theoretical discussion emphasizes that limitations of the deduction of interest owed to foreign affiliates would not only affect multinationals' capital structure choice but also investment. An empirical investigation exploits a large firm-level panel dataset of multinationals in order to analyze the impact of thin-capitalization rules on capital structure choice and investment in the OECD and some further European countries in the time period between 1996 and 2004. The results indicate that thin-capitalization rules are effective in curbing tax planning via intercompany loans. However, investment is found to be adversely affected.


At A Cost: The Real Effects of Thin Capitalization Rules

At A Cost: The Real Effects of Thin Capitalization Rules

Author: Ruud A. de Mooij

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2021-02-05

Total Pages: 17

ISBN-13: 1513568558

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Thin capitalization rules (TCRs) aim to mitigate profit shifting by multinational corporations (MNCs) but, by raising the cost of capital for affected affiliates, can also negatively affect real investment. Exploiting unique panel data on multinational companies in 34 countries during 2006-2014, we estimate that the size of this adverse investment effect can be large, and dependent on the statutory corporate tax rate and the tightness of the safe-haven ratio. Negative investment effects are more pronounced for highly-levered firms for which TCRs are more likely to be binding.


Book Synopsis At A Cost: The Real Effects of Thin Capitalization Rules by : Ruud A. de Mooij

Download or read book At A Cost: The Real Effects of Thin Capitalization Rules written by Ruud A. de Mooij and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-02-05 with total page 17 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thin capitalization rules (TCRs) aim to mitigate profit shifting by multinational corporations (MNCs) but, by raising the cost of capital for affected affiliates, can also negatively affect real investment. Exploiting unique panel data on multinational companies in 34 countries during 2006-2014, we estimate that the size of this adverse investment effect can be large, and dependent on the statutory corporate tax rate and the tightness of the safe-haven ratio. Negative investment effects are more pronounced for highly-levered firms for which TCRs are more likely to be binding.


The Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure

The Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure

Author: Jennifer Blouin

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 47

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis The Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure by : Jennifer Blouin

Download or read book The Capitalization Rules and Multinational Firm Capital Structure written by Jennifer Blouin and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 47 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Impact of Thin-Capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions

The Impact of Thin-Capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions

Author: Thiess Buettner

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13:

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This paper analyzes the role of Thin-Capitalization rules for capital structure choice and investment decisions of multinationals. A theoretical analysis shows that the imposition of such rules tends to affect not only the leverage and the level of investment but also their tax-sensitivity. An empirical investigation of leverage and investment reported for affiliates of German multinationals in 24 countries in the period between 1996 and 2004 offers some support for the theoretical predictions. While Thin-Capitalization rules are found to be effective in restricting debt finance, investment is found to be more sensitive to taxes if debt finance is restricted.


Book Synopsis The Impact of Thin-Capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions by : Thiess Buettner

Download or read book The Impact of Thin-Capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions written by Thiess Buettner and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper analyzes the role of Thin-Capitalization rules for capital structure choice and investment decisions of multinationals. A theoretical analysis shows that the imposition of such rules tends to affect not only the leverage and the level of investment but also their tax-sensitivity. An empirical investigation of leverage and investment reported for affiliates of German multinationals in 24 countries in the period between 1996 and 2004 offers some support for the theoretical predictions. While Thin-Capitalization rules are found to be effective in restricting debt finance, investment is found to be more sensitive to taxes if debt finance is restricted.


The Importance of Escape Clauses

The Importance of Escape Clauses

Author: Martin Eckhoff Andresen

Publisher:

Published: 2022

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Escape clauses, where small firms are exempt from particular tax rules, is a crucial feature of a number of corporate tax schemes, but creates incentives to avoid taxation by manipulating the measures that determine inclusion. We evaluate the impact of thin capitalization rules, which commonly feature such escape clauses across the world, by exploiting the introduction of these rules in Norway in 2014. Combining difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity and bunching estimates, we show that what appears to be a strong response in the capital structure among exposed firms primarily reflect within-group reallocation of debt to avoid exposure to the rules. We observe sharp bunching among both new and existing subsidiaries at both thresholds for rule inclusion, and find that internal corporate group debt is offloaded to these bunching subsidiaries in order to avoid additional tax costs. As a result, significant and large effects on firm-level capital structure in response to the thin capitalization rules is driven by reshuffling of capital within corporate groups with little real effects. Re-estimating the difference-in-difference specification at the corporate group level confirms this finding, questioning the extent to which thin capitalization rules affect the real economy due to the presence of escape clauses.


Book Synopsis The Importance of Escape Clauses by : Martin Eckhoff Andresen

Download or read book The Importance of Escape Clauses written by Martin Eckhoff Andresen and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Escape clauses, where small firms are exempt from particular tax rules, is a crucial feature of a number of corporate tax schemes, but creates incentives to avoid taxation by manipulating the measures that determine inclusion. We evaluate the impact of thin capitalization rules, which commonly feature such escape clauses across the world, by exploiting the introduction of these rules in Norway in 2014. Combining difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity and bunching estimates, we show that what appears to be a strong response in the capital structure among exposed firms primarily reflect within-group reallocation of debt to avoid exposure to the rules. We observe sharp bunching among both new and existing subsidiaries at both thresholds for rule inclusion, and find that internal corporate group debt is offloaded to these bunching subsidiaries in order to avoid additional tax costs. As a result, significant and large effects on firm-level capital structure in response to the thin capitalization rules is driven by reshuffling of capital within corporate groups with little real effects. Re-estimating the difference-in-difference specification at the corporate group level confirms this finding, questioning the extent to which thin capitalization rules affect the real economy due to the presence of escape clauses.


The Impact of Thin-capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions

The Impact of Thin-capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions

Author: Thiess Büttner

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 46

ISBN-13: 9783865583772

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Book Synopsis The Impact of Thin-capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions by : Thiess Büttner

Download or read book The Impact of Thin-capitalization Rules on Multinationals' Financing and Investment Decisions written by Thiess Büttner and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 46 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Curbing Corporate Debt Bias

Curbing Corporate Debt Bias

Author: Ruud A. de Mooij

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2017-02-10

Total Pages: 20

ISBN-13: 1475578296

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Tax provisions favoring corporate debt over equity finance (“debt bias”) are widely recognized as a risk to financial stability. This paper explores whether and how thin-capitalization rules, which restrict interest deductibility beyond a certain amount, affect corporate debt ratios and mitigate financial stability risk. We find that rules targeted at related party borrowing (the majority of today’s rules) have no significant impact on debt bias—which relates to third-party borrowing. Also, these rules have no effect on broader indicators of firm financial distress. Rules applying to all debt, in contrast, turn out to be effective: the presence of such a rule reduces the debt-asset ratio in an average company by 5 percentage points; and they reduce the probability for a firm to be in financial distress by 5 percent. Debt ratios are found to be more responsive to thin capitalization rules in industries characterized by a high share of tangible assets.


Book Synopsis Curbing Corporate Debt Bias by : Ruud A. de Mooij

Download or read book Curbing Corporate Debt Bias written by Ruud A. de Mooij and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2017-02-10 with total page 20 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tax provisions favoring corporate debt over equity finance (“debt bias”) are widely recognized as a risk to financial stability. This paper explores whether and how thin-capitalization rules, which restrict interest deductibility beyond a certain amount, affect corporate debt ratios and mitigate financial stability risk. We find that rules targeted at related party borrowing (the majority of today’s rules) have no significant impact on debt bias—which relates to third-party borrowing. Also, these rules have no effect on broader indicators of firm financial distress. Rules applying to all debt, in contrast, turn out to be effective: the presence of such a rule reduces the debt-asset ratio in an average company by 5 percentage points; and they reduce the probability for a firm to be in financial distress by 5 percent. Debt ratios are found to be more responsive to thin capitalization rules in industries characterized by a high share of tangible assets.