@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{59096, abstract = {{This study investigates how strategic interactions between corporate tax planning and tax enforcement are affected by two policy instruments: strengthening tax enforcement by increasing the number of specialized enforcement staff and improving tax audit technologies. I employ an economic model with a board of director's investment in a Tax Control Framework (TCF) and a tax manager's tax planning effort jointly shaping corporate tax planning and a tax auditor's technology-based audit decision. I show that the board only invests in the TCF when the enforcement environment is sufficiently strict, because it trades-off the costs and benefits of tax planning. Since strengthening tax enforcement decreases tax planning effort, the result can be less investment in a TCF in a strict enforcement environment, implying that TCF investment and enforcement can be strategic substitutes. Strikingly, I identify conditions under which improvements in tax audit technology increase corporate tax planning and impair tax audit efficiency, due to a crowding-out of audit incentives. This result contradicts the view that improving audit technologies is universally effective, particularly in tax authorities with adequate staffing.}}, author = {{Dyck, Daniel}}, title = {{{Corporate Tax Planning and Enforcement}}}, doi = {{10.2139/ssrn.5186857}}, 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{46048, author = {{Dyck, Daniel and Lorenz, Johannes and Sureth-Sloane, Caren}}, title = {{{Tax Disputes - The Role of Technology and Controversy Expertise}}}, doi = {{https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4214449 }}, 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}}, } @article{60949, author = {{Giese, Henning and Holtmann, Svea and Koch, Reinald and Langenmayr, Dominika}}, journal = {{ifo Schnelldienst}}, number = {{8}}, pages = {{34--40}}, title = {{{Steuerliches Investitionssofortprogramm: Ausreichender Schritt zur Stärkung des Wirtschaftsstandorts Deutschland?}}}, volume = {{78}}, 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{61508, abstract = {{We investigate how tax authorities use joint tax audits as a coordinated enforcement tool in cross-border transactions of a multinational firm. Joint tax audits aim to resolve potential tax disputes early, before such disputes escalate into costly and time-consuming resolution procedures that may not fully eliminate double taxation. Employing a game-theoretic model, we identify settings in which we expect joint audits to occur and investigate their effect on the firm's expected tax payments and tax audit efficiency. We find that the occurrence of joint audits critically depends on the double taxation risk in the absence of joint audits. Unless tax rules are consistently applied, joint audits can occur more often when this risk is higher. The reason is that the firm changes its income-shifting strategy to reduce its expected tax payments, and thereby also enables tax authorities to better target tax disputes via joint audits that would otherwise escalate. However, we identify conditions under which joint audits are then detrimental to tax audit efficiency, particularly when the firm prefers them most. Our results imply that cost-sharing arrangements for joint audits should be tailored to the level of double taxation risk, with firm involvement having the potential to improve efficiency when this risk is high.}}, author = {{Dyck, Daniel and Kourouxous, Thomas and Lorenz, Johannes}}, keywords = {{joint tax audits, double taxation, dispute prevention, income shifting}}, pages = {{57}}, title = {{{An Economic Analysis of Joint Tax Audits}}}, doi = {{10.2139/ssrn.5398645}}, year = {{2025}}, }