Private equity and local public finances

Olbert, M and Severin, P H (2023) Private equity and local public finances. Journal of Accounting Research, 61 (4). pp. 1313-1362. ISSN 0021-8456

Abstract

We study the economic impact of private equity (PE) investments on local governments, which are important corporate stakeholders. Examining over 11,000 deals and private firm data in Europe, we document that target firms' effective tax rates and total tax expenses decrease by 15% and 13% after PE deals. At the same time, target firms expand their capital expenditures and firm boundaries, but do not increase employment. Using administrative data on the public finances of German municipalities and exploiting the geographical and time-series variation in PE deals, we document that PE activity is negatively associated with local governments' tax revenues and spending. This result is likely driven by reduced tax payments of PE portfolio firms, accompanied by only modest positive spillovers of PE investments on regional economic growth. Collectively, our findings suggest that corporate tax efficiency serves as a cost-cutting channel in the PE sector and constrains the finances of local governments.

More Details

Item Type:	Article
Subject Areas:	Accounting
Additional Information:	© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Accounting Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Chookaszian Accounting Research Center at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Date Deposited:	15 May 2023 11:17
Date of first compliant deposit:	12 May 2023
Subjects:	Private equity Investment appraisal Taxation theory Public finance law
Last Modified:	21 Nov 2024 02:38
URI:	https://lbsresearch.london.edu/id/eprint/2869

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