Publications

January 2014 (Revised November 2014)
Case

Legislative Choices for U.S. Corporate Tax Reform

By: Robert C. Pozen and Eric Lonstein

This case asks students to wear the hat of a policymaker to explore the politically charged issues around corporate tax reform in the U.S. View Details

Keywords: Tax Accounting; Policy-making; Political Economy; Policy; Taxation; United States

April 1984 (Revised August 1986)
Background Note

Tax Issues in Accounting

November 1988 (Revised January 1989)
Background Note

Note on Tax and Accounting Issues in Mergers and Acquisitions

Presents a simplified introduction to tax and accounting issues relevant to mergers and acquisitions. Mergers, asset purchase, and stock acquisition are dealt with in the context of taxable vs. non-taxable transactions. Accounting treatment of the transactions is... View Details

Keywords: Taxation; Mergers and Acquisitions; Accounting

01 Dec 2011
News

A Modest Tax Proposal

in the United States. Those profits are now subject to a 35 percent corporate tax rate, but the tax can be totally avoided as long as American corporations hold the profits in their View Details

Keywords: Robert C. Pozen; tax holidays

December 1996
Article

New IAS Standard: Accounting for Income Taxes

By: David F. Hawkins

Keywords: Taxation; Accounting; Standards

November 1988
Article

Confusing Delay, Unscrambling the Different Tax Accounting Rules

By: David F. Hawkins

November 2005
Background Note

Financial Reporting, Tax Reporting and the Role of Deferred Taxes

Explains how differences in the calculation of tax and financial income result in the need for a deferred tax account. Also provides a high-level overview of deferred tax accounting under U.S. and international GAAPs. Allows students to understand the major differences... View Details

Keywords: Taxation; Financial Reporting

29 Jun 2012
Working Paper Summaries

Trade Credit and Taxes

Keywords: by Mihir A. Desai, C. Fritz Foley & James R. Hines

November 2018
Teaching Note

The Tax Man: Taxes in Private Equity Real Estate

By: Nori Gerardo Lietz and Sayiddah Fatima McCree

Teaching Note for HBS No. 218-077. This teaching note provides the back up analysis for the various alternatives to be considered in choosing the optimal investment structure for the real estate acquisition. It contrasts the interests of the tax exempt investors... View Details

Keywords: Real Estate; Alternative Investment Structures; Taxation; Private Equity; Property; Acquisition; Conflict of Interests; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms

31 Jan 2017
News

Border tax 'significant wrench' in tax reform: Expert

January 1999 (Revised October 2010)
Background Note

Accumulated Earnings Tax and Personal Holding Company Tax

By: Henry B. Reiling and Mark Pollard

Identifies Congress's concerns and objectives in adopting the Accumulated Earnings Tax and the Personal Holding Company Tax. Also describes the provisions' mechanics and some of their practical implications. View Details

Keywords: Business Earnings; Taxation; Business and Government Relations; Business and Shareholder Relations; Public Administration Industry; United States

October 1990 (Revised June 1993)
Case

Taxing Situations: Two Cases on Income Taxes and Financial Reporting

By: William J. Bruns Jr.

Two whimsical situations are described to provide illustrations of situations where income taxes paid differ from the income tax expense that might be included in financial reports. In addition to illustrating that financial reported income may differ from taxable... View Details

Keywords: Taxation; Accounting Audits; Financial Statements; Financial Reporting; Decisions; Accounting Industry; Accounting Industry

October 2006 (Revised June 2007)
Case

Deferred Taxes at Obadiah Vineyard

Obadiah Vineyard's owners create financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to help them obtain funding to plant more acreage. The owners grapple with deferred taxes and the differences between tax and financial reporting... View Details

Keywords: Plant-Based Agribusiness; Taxation; Financial Statements; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry

August 2005
Background Note

Note on International Tax Regimes

By: Mihir A. Desai, Mark Veblen and Kathleen Luchs

Provides a framework for understanding different types of international tax regimes. Examines how alternative tax regimes tax the foreign income of their citizens (including corporate citizens); how tax regimes define foreign and domestic income; and how foreign tax... View Details

Keywords: Motivation and Incentives; Earnings Management; Nationality; Framework; Taxation; Profit; Globalization; Credit; United States

16 Apr 2018
News

Tax Reform, Round One

April 2010 (Revised January 2013)
Case

California's Budget Crises, Tax Reform, and Domestic and International Tax Competition

By: Matthew C. Weinzierl and Jacob Kuipers

How do (and how should) governments design fiscal policies to compete in a globalized economy while meeting internal policy priorities including redistribution? In 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger repeatedly declared fiscal emergencies as California's state budget... View Details

Keywords: Budgets and Budgeting; Economy; Globalization; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Policy; Taxation; Competition; California

20 Dec 2006
Op-Ed

Investors Hurt by Dual-Track Tax Reporting

accounting earnings. Corporate tax shelters that reduce book income are rarely, if ever, undertaken, and the main benefit of many shelters is the book income they produce. The proposal to publicly report... View Details

Keywords: by Mihir Desai

November 2001 (Revised February 2002)
Background Note

Note on Tax and Accounting Treatment of Restricted Stock Awards, Nonqualified Stock Options, and Incentive Stock Options and the Securities Law Applicable Thereto

Outlines the tax and accounting treatment of restricted stock awards, nonqualified stock options, and incentive stock options, including the effect of making a Section 83(b) election for unvested stock. View Details

Keywords: Stocks; Taxation; Accounting