Employee views of corporate tax aggressiveness in China: The effects of guanxi and audit independence

This study examines the effects of guanxi and audit independence on the corporate tax aggressiveness of Chinese firms. Based on a survey completed by 174 respondents in 2013, we find that two types of guanxi: favour-seeking guanxi and rent-seeking guanxi are significantly associated with ethical jud...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Taylor, Grantley, Fan, Ying Han, Tan, Y.
Format: Journal Article
Published: University of NSW 2015
Online Access:https://www.business.unsw.edu.au/research-site/publications-site/ejournaloftaxresearch-site/Documents/eJTR_Vol13_No3_2015.pdf
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/44853
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Summary:This study examines the effects of guanxi and audit independence on the corporate tax aggressiveness of Chinese firms. Based on a survey completed by 174 respondents in 2013, we find that two types of guanxi: favour-seeking guanxi and rent-seeking guanxi are significantly associated with ethical judgments of corporate tax aggressiveness. Perceptions of audit independence in-fact are significantly negatively associated with these ethical judgments, whereas audit independence in-appearance is positively associated with them. Further, significantly positive associations exist between perceptions that tax-aggressive activities are good for the firm and its shareholders and favour-seeking guanxi and between these perceptions and stronger client-auditor relations. This study provides insights into the association between types of guanxi and the propensity of firm management to engage in corporate tax aggressiveness.