@article{56815, abstract = {{This study investigates the determinants of tax complexity in Indonesia, focusing on the perspectives of tax officers and firms, and thus provides a case study relevant to developing countries. Understanding tax complexity in this context is crucial as developing nations frequently encounter legislative, fiscal, and administrative challenges that exacerbate their tax complexity. Complexity can hinder investment, impair tax revenue collection, and impede economic development. The authors adapt a global survey instrument to the Indonesian context and collect responses from Indonesian tax officers and firms. Transfer pricing is perceived as the most complex tax regulation which is consistent with cross-country studies. However, in contrast to the global findings, statutory tax rates and taxes on dividends rank second and third in Indonesia. While Indonesian tax officers emphasize the complexity of transfer pricing regulations, firms are more concerned about the complexity of tax procedures, especially tax guidance and tax audits. Furthermore, comparative analyses show that tax officers perceive tax regulations as being more complex than tax procedures. In contrast, firms perceive the opposite, particularly for tax audits. The findings offer a nuanced picture of tax complexity in a developing country and provide guidance for tax reforms in Indonesia. They also serve as a commencement for further analyses of developing countries.}}, author = {{Schipp, Adrian and Siahaan, Fernando and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{Intertax}}, number = {{2}}, pages = {{102--122}}, title = {{{Determinants of Tax Complexity: Evidence from a Developing Country}}}, doi = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4924632}}, volume = {{54}}, year = {{2026}}, } @techreport{63835, abstract = {{This article examines the liquidity effects of a wealth tax on residential rental real estate. Using data from a real estate corporation, we simulate the effects of a wealth tax on cash flows from the rental operations. The level of detail of the data enables us to conduct analyses at the annual, regional and year of construction level. A comparison with real estate data from other sources supports external validity. The results of the simulation show that the introduction of a wealth tax can significantly reduce the cash flow from rental operations and lead to liquidity problems. On average over all observations, a wealth tax rate of 2% leads to a negative cash flow after all costs. In general, this finding implies that growth-oriented real estate is more affected by a wealth tax in terms of liquidity than rental yield-oriented real estate. Particularly in large cities with high market values but relatively low rents, the liquidity effects can be more than three times as high as in rural or industrial regions – potentially leading to a relative loss of investment attractiveness. As a wealth tax is decoupled from rental income, the tax burden is very sensitive to market developments, including the interest rate environment. As a result, investments in residential rental real estate are exposed to additional uncertainty. This additional tax uncertainty might impair the willingness to invest and should therefore be taken into account in political discussions on the reintroduction of a wealth tax.}}, author = {{Maiterth, Ralf and Piper, Yuri and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, title = {{{Liquidity Effects of a Wealth Tax on Residential Rental Real Estate}}}, doi = {{10.2139/ssrn.6147767}}, year = {{2026}}, } @misc{64904, author = {{Kombert, Sounia and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, booktitle = {{Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung}}, number = {{51}}, pages = {{16, Sp. 1--4}}, title = {{{Schocks durch Zölle und Steuern. Handelskonflikte und Abkommen werden zur zentralen Frage für Unternehmen. Wie bewältigen sie die neue Unsicherheit?}}}, year = {{2026}}, } @article{64903, author = {{Hoppe, Thomas and Schanz, Deborah and Sturm, Susann and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{Schmalenbach IMPULSE}}, number = {{6}}, pages = {{1--12}}, title = {{{Steuerkomplexität: Wie lässt sie sich messen und welche Folgen hat sie?}}}, doi = {{10.54585/IEZK8936}}, year = {{2026}}, } @article{63577, author = {{Eberhartinger, Eva and Speitmann, Raffael and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation (JIAAT)}}, title = {{{Banks' tax disclosure, financial secrecy, and tax haven heterogeneity}}}, doi = {{10.1016/j.intaccaudtax.2026.100759}}, volume = {{60}}, year = {{2026}}, } @article{65315, author = {{Greil, Stefan and Kaluza-Thiesen, Eleonore and Schulz, Kim Alina and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{eJournal of Tax Research}}, title = {{{Navigating Transfer Pricing Complexity: Standardization, Cooperation, Transparency}}}, year = {{2026}}, } @article{56482, abstract = {{Dieser Beitrag untersucht Liquiditätseffekte einer Vermögensteuer bei Mietwohnimmobilien. Mithilfe von Daten einer Immobilien-Kapitalgesellschaft werden die Wirkungen einer Vermögensteuer auf die Cashflows aus der Vermietung von Wohnimmobilien simuliert. Der Detailgrad der Daten ermöglicht dabei Analysen auf Jahres-, Regional- und Baujahresebene. Ein Abgleich mit weiteren Immobiliendaten untermauert die Vergleichbarkeit und Aussagekraft der Analysen. Die Ergebnisse der Simulation zeigen, dass die Einführung einer Vermögensteuer den Cashflow aus dem Mietgeschäft erheblich reduzieren und zu Liquiditätsproblemen führen kann. Im Durchschnitt über alle Beobachtungen ergibt sich bei einem Vermögensteuersatz i.H.v. 2 % ein negativer Cashflow nach Berücksichtigung aller Kosten. Generell bedeutet dies, dass wachstumsorientierte Immobilien durch eine Vermögensteuer liquiditätsmäßig stärker belastet werden als mietrenditeorientierte Immobilien. Insbesondere in Großstädten mit hohen Immobilienwerten, aber verhältnismäßig geringen Mieten, können die Liquiditätseffekte mehr als dreimal so hoch ausfallen wie in ländlichen bzw. industriell-geprägten Regionen, was zu einem relativen Attraktivitätsverlust führen kann. Durch die Entkopplung der Vermögensteuer von den Mieterträgen zeichnet sich eine starke Abhängigkeit der Steuerlast von aktuellen Marktentwicklungen und dem Zinsumfeld ab, was eine zusätzliche Unsicherheit für Investoren darstellt. Diese steuerliche Unsicherheit könnte sich potentiell auf die Investitionsbereitschaft auswirken und sollte daher in politischen Diskussionen über die Wiedereinführung einer Vermögensteuer berücksichtigt werden.}}, author = {{Maiterth, Ralf and Piper, Yuri and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{Steuer und Wirtschaft}}, number = {{1}}, pages = {{67 -- 81}}, title = {{{Liquiditätseffekte einer Vermögensteuer bei Mietwohnimmobilien}}}, volume = {{102}}, year = {{2025}}, } @techreport{60596, author = {{Dyck, Daniel and Hechtner, Frank and Maiterth, Ralf and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, title = {{{Abschreibungen als Mittel der Investitionsförderung in Deutschland – Möglichkeiten, Grenzen und Perspektiven evidenzbasierter Analysen}}}, doi = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5337276 }}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{63580, author = {{Dyck, Daniel and Hechtner, Frank and Maiterth, Ralf and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{Steuer und Wirtschaft, Sonderheft NeSt}}, number = {{3}}, pages = {{26--44}}, title = {{{Abschreibungen als Mittel der Investitionsförderung in Deutschland - Möglichkeiten, Grenzen und Perspektiven evidenzbasierter Analysen}}}, volume = {{102}}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{63579, author = {{Chen, An and Hieber, Peter and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{International Tax and Public Finance}}, title = {{{How Much to Pay for Tax Certainty? The Role of Advance Tax Rulings for Risky Investment under Loss Offset and Tax Uncertainty}}}, doi = {{10.1007/s10797-025-09930-8}}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{58500, author = {{Schanz, Deborah and Siegel, Felix and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{World Tax Journal}}, number = {{1}}, pages = {{1 -- 23}}, title = {{{Anti-Tax Avoidance Rules and Tax Complexity}}}, volume = {{17}}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{56641, author = {{Diller, Markus and Lorenz, Johannes and Schneider, Georg and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{The Accounting Review}}, number = {{2}}, pages = {{71 -- 102}}, title = {{{Is Tax Transfer Pricing Harmonization a Panacea? Real Effects of Global Tax Transparency and Standards Consistency}}}, doi = {{10.2308/TAR- 2021-0477}}, volume = {{100}}, year = {{2025}}, } @techreport{60733, author = {{Gerdes, Kristin and Harst, Simon and Schanz, Deborah and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, publisher = {{TRR 266 Accounting for Transparency}}, title = {{{2024 Global Tax Complexity Survey}}}, doi = {{10.52569/WEMV6812}}, year = {{2025}}, } @techreport{60926, abstract = {{Recent regulatory changes and the adoption of the ‘DAC 7’ EU Directive have significantly increased the importance of Tax compliance management systems (Tax CMS) in German tax audits. Our interview-based study, which draws on the insights of experts from various sectors, including industry and commerce on the one hand side and tax advisors on the other hand side, reveals nuanced perspectives on the impact of Tax CMS on tax audits. Our results reveal that the number of Tax CMS in German firms has increased in recent years and that, in particular, the majority of large firms have implemented these control systems. From a firm’s perspective, there has been no discernible impact on the duration, scope, or focus of tax audits, nor the frequency of tax disputes or the number and size of tax refunds. However, tax practitioners in advisory firms report a slight positive change in the audit environment, with fewer tax disputes, and a more efficiency-driven approach to audit procedures, with an increase in process-oriented audits. These findings represent preliminary observations on the use and effectiveness of Tax CMS in tax audits. They provide early insights into the advantages and disadvantages of these systems. These findings are particularly relevant given the expected increasing role of Tax CMS in German tax audits, driven by ongoing regulatory developments. }}, author = {{Schulz, Kim Alina and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, title = {{{Tax Compliance Management Systems in German Tax Audits - An Analysis of Practical Experiences}}}, doi = {{https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5378524}}, year = {{2025}}, } @techreport{61491, abstract = {{We examine behavioral frictions in entrepreneurs’ tax planning when choosing between corporate and partnership taxation under a check-the-box rule. Using German tax return data, we show that only a small fraction of entrepreneurs opt for corporate taxation, despite substantial potential tax savings. A pre registered incentivized online experiment demonstrates that complexity aversion, status quo bias, and misperception about the corporate tax burden—arising from the interaction of corporate and deferred dividend taxation—help explain the preference for partnership taxation. We further find that these behavioral frictions heighten liquidity risk under the corporate system, particularly in the face of unexpected cash flow needs. Finally, a survey of German tax advisors indicates that tax advice only partially mitigates these frictions. Some advisors misperceive the benefits of corporate taxation, while others anticipate client biases and therefore refrain from recommending the corporate tax system.}}, author = {{Blaufus, Kay and Maiterth, Ralf and Milde, Michael and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, keywords = {{Check-the-box, Legal Form, Tax Complexity, Tax Misperception, Behavioral Taxation, Tax Advice}}, pages = {{107}}, title = {{{Choosing the Wrong Box? Behavioral Frictions and Limits of Tax Advice in Tax Regime Choice }}}, doi = {{10.2139/ssrn.5378466}}, year = {{2025}}, } @techreport{61490, abstract = {{This study examines the effect of tax complexity on the market value of publicly traded firms. Using firm-level measures of tax complexity, we find that a one standard deviation increase in tax complexity—comparable in magnitude to the rise following the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—is associated with a 2.6% decline in Tobin’s Q. The effect is particularly pronounced for complexity arising from anti-avoidance regulations and post-filing procedures. The negative valuation effect is more substantial for firms with limited opportunities for international profit shifting, weak governance, or low internal information quality. Further analyses reveal that tax system complexity is associated with a reduced growth potential of firms and less R&D and thus negative real responses that go beyond negative investment effects. Overall, our findings provide novel evidence of the economic costs of tax complexity and contribute to the debate on the design of efficient and equitable tax systems.}}, author = {{Braun, Anna-Sophie and Koch, Reinald and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, pages = {{48}}, title = {{{Tax Complexity and Firm Value}}}, doi = {{10.2139/ssrn.5378221}}, year = {{2025}}, } @techreport{61502, abstract = {{This study introduces sloppiness---the inaccurate preparation of supporting information during tax disputes---as a neglected but critical factor influencing taxpayer noncompliance. We conceptualize sloppiness as arising both from imperfections in the internal information environment, exacerbated by structural uncertainty over litigation outcomes (factual dimension), and from strategic aversion to compliance effort (strategic dimension). We examine whether and to what extent improved documentation and engaging an internal monitoring expert can mitigate sloppiness and prevent litigation. Using a game-theoretic model, we derive equilibrium strategies for a tax manager's compliance effort, a monitoring expert's dispute resolution effort, and a tax authority's litigation decision. Absent a monitoring expert, we find that improved documentation consistently reduces the litigation probability. However, when a monitoring expert is present, we surprisingly find that improved documentation crowds out compliance effort and can increase the litigation probability. Overall, our results suggest that sloppiness can be overcome either through strong documentation alone or by engaging a monitoring expert when documentation is weak, with the latter approach becoming more attractive as the dispute resolution costs decline.}}, author = {{Dyck, Daniel and Lorenz, Johannes and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, title = {{{Sloppiness in Tax Disputes: How to Prevent Litigation?}}}, year = {{2025}}, } @misc{62175, author = {{Giese, Henning and Schulz, Kim Alina and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, booktitle = {{Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung}}, number = {{16}}, title = {{{Paragraphen und Künstliche Intelligenz meistern: Welche Steuerprofis Unternehmen suchen. }}}, volume = {{261}}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{62110, author = {{Schönhärl, Korinna and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, journal = {{Ethik und Gesellschaft}}, pages = {{1--31}}, title = {{{Steuern und Steuergerechtigkeit – Ein Gespräch}}}, doi = {{10.18156/eug-2-2025-art-2.}}, volume = {{19 (2): Die andere Seite der sozialen Gerechtigkeit: Eine gerechtere Finanzierung steigender öffentlicher Ausgaben}}, year = {{2025}}, } @techreport{46047, abstract = {{This study examines the impact of tax certainty through advance tax rulings (ATRs) on firms' risky investments under cash flow and tax uncertainty. Both firms and governments have expressed growing concern about increasing tax uncertainty, due to frequent tax reforms and the difficulty in applying ambiguous tax laws and anticipating audit outcomes. One remedy is the provision of ATRs, which offer upfront clarification of tax issues to reduce tax uncertainty and increase risk-taking. We analyze how these uncertainties, along with different tax rates, loss offset provisions, and ATR fees affect investment strategies. Our results suggest, first, that ATRs encourage riskier investments, particularly in tax regimes with generous loss offsets. We identify optimal ranges of ATR fees that benefit firms and tax authorities. Second, we show that it may be beneficial to design ATRs with a low or negative fee. Third, our study reveals a U-shaped relationship between firms' risk aversion and their willingness to pay for tax certainty, with willingness being higher for firms at low or high levels of risk aversion. In contrast, moderately risk-averse firms are only willing to accept low fees. Overall, our results highlight the importance of low-cost tax certainty combined with generous loss offset provisions to encourage risky investments.}}, author = {{Chen, An and Hieber, Peter and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, title = {{{How Much to Pay for Tax Certainty? The Role of Advance Tax Rulings for Risky Investment under Loss Offset and Tax Uncertainty}}}, doi = {{10.1007/s10797-025-09930-8}}, year = {{2025}}, }