財務會計準則第142號公報與公司避稅行為探討

Abstract

本研究探討了美國企業稅務規避行為與採用財務會計準則第142號之間的關係。在西元2002年實施財務會計準則第142號後，公司被要求使用公允價值法對商譽和其他無形資產進行定期評估和減值。此外，商譽不再進行攤銷並強制要求企業進行兩步驟的減值測試。本研究使用了使用差異中之差異法發現受到財務會計準則第142號影響的企業（即實驗組）在財務會計準則第142號實施後的時期內，其有效稅率較未受影響的企業低。其原因可能是財務會計準則第142號賦予管理者在評估商譽和其他無形資產的公平價值方面更大的自由裁量權，導致管理者可以更大程度影響稅務規劃和規避的相關決策。

This study tests the relationship between corporate tax avoidance and the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.142 for U.S. companies. After the implementation of SFAS No. 142 in 2002, companies are required to annually assess and evaluate the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets using the fair value method. Furthermore, SFAS 142 eliminates the practice of goodwill amortization and instead mandates a two-step impairment test for firms. Using a difference-in-differences design, I find that firms affected by SFAS 142 (i.e., treatment firms) have lower effective tax rates in the post-SFAS 142 periods compared with those not affected. SFAS 142 gives managers increased discretion in assessing the fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets, potentially leading to unverifiable estimates. This heightened managerial discretion can impact tax planning and avoidance as managers strategically manipulate value of intangible asset and their allocation to different segments for optimal tax outcomes. This research aims to shed light on the effects of this accounting standard on corporate behavior regarding financial reporting and tax planning. My study contributes to my understanding of the relationship between financial reporting behavior and tax reporting behavior.