The detection of earnings management through a decrease of corporate income tax

Abstract

Abstract This paper explores the manner in which Dutch and German listed companies were able to manage earnings by the decline in corporate income tax toward the end of the 2000s. In addition, a recent article examines the existing state of earnings management at a European level in the Netherlands and Germany. This empirical study sampled 1350 firm-years for the Netherlands and 1850 firm-years for Germany between 2000 and 2018. The study indicated that those firms with larger prospect tax savings appeared to exercise earnings management to hasten discretionary accruals. In view of the income-reducing impact these discretionary deductions have on financial statements, the findings show corporate income taxes are a significant incentive. Since companies can reduce tax costs by deferring income tax to a subsequent year and lower the tax tariff cycle, theoretically, this tax reform incentivizes management to manage their earnings with the purpose of minimize tax payments. More research is needed into the impact of tax compliance on declining earnings management in this area.

Keywords

• Corporate income tax
• Earnings management
• Discretionary accruals
• Tax cycle
• Tax savings