The Effective Tax Rate of the Largest US and EU Multinationals
17 Pages Posted: 25 Oct 2011 Last revised: 18 Sep 2012
Date Written: October 25, 2011
Abstract
This paper compares the effective tax rates of the 100 largest US multinationals to the 100 largest EU multinationals for the period 2001-2010, based on financial disclosures. The paper finds that despite the higher US statutory rate the effective tax rates are comparable and that EU multinationals tend to have a higher effective tax rate. The likely explanation is that EU corporate taxes have a broader base. The paper concludes that current US tax law does not subject US based multinationals to a competitive disadvantage against their EU based competitors.
Keywords: competitiveness, effective tax rates
JEL Classification: H26
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation