Will Corporate Tax Consolidation improve Efficiency in the EU ?

Arbeitspapier

The European Commission favours the introduction of a consolidated corporate tax base to overcome the distortions arising from the existing system of separate accounting. The blueprints for consolidation are simulated with the applied general equilibrium model CORTAX. We show that the benefits of a common consolidated tax base are limited due to two weaknesses. Formula apportionment, which is needed to allocate the consolidated taxable profits across jurisdictions, creates for MNEs new tax planning possibilities to exploit tax rate differentials in the European Union. In addition, it triggers tax competition as the incentives for member states to attract foreign investment by reducing their tax rates are enforced. The second weakness arises from the unlevel playing field, which is introduced if only part of the firms chooses to participate in the consolidation. The gains from consolidation can be fully grasped if it is obliged for all firms and accompanied by harmonisation of the tax rate.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper ; No. 07-076/2

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; International Fiscal Issues; International Public Goods ; Taxation and Subsidies: Efficiency; Optimal Taxation ; Business Taxes and Subsidies including sales and value-added (VAT) ; International Investment; Long-term Capital Movements
• Subject: corporate tax ; consolidation ; formula apportionment ; European Union ; applied general equilibrium model ; Unternehmensbesteuerung ; EU-Steuerrecht ; Besteuerungsverfahren ; Konzernbesteuerung ; Allgemeines Gleichgewicht ; EU-Staaten

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): van der Horst, Albert ; Bettendorf, Leon ; Rojas-Romagosa, Hugo
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Tinbergen Institute
• (where): Amsterdam and Rotterdam
• (when): 2007

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/86495
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET