Taking China’s 2018 value-added tax(VAT)credit refund reform as an exogenous shock to improve VAT neutrality,we use a difference-in-differences approach to explore how the reform affected corporate social responsibil...Taking China’s 2018 value-added tax(VAT)credit refund reform as an exogenous shock to improve VAT neutrality,we use a difference-in-differences approach to explore how the reform affected corporate social responsibility(CSR).We find that the reform motivated firms to improve CSR performance.The reform has a“resource”effect,increasing internal funds and reducing financing costs,thereby enhancing firms’ability to undertake CSR.The reform also has a“reputation”effect,stimulating firms’willingness to engage in CSR to improve their reputations.CSR following the reform increases firm values and reduces bankruptcy risk.Our study provides fresh insights into VAT neutrality theory and is a reference for tax reform in emerging economies.展开更多
基金Scientific Research Project of Higher Education Institutions in Hebei Province in 2025“Research on Government Procurement-Driven Green Governance of Hebei’s Manufacturing Industry”(Project No.:QN2025662)Social Science Fund of Hebei Province in 2024“Research on Informal Environmental Regulation Promoting Green Development of Hebei’s Manufacturing Industry”(Project No.:HB24GL036)Hebei Provincial Social Science Development Research Project,“Study on the Constraints and Implementation Paths of the Transformation from Dual Control of Energy Consumption to Dual Control of Carbon Emissions in Hebei Province”(Project No.:HBSKFZ25QN199)。
文摘Taking China’s 2018 value-added tax(VAT)credit refund reform as an exogenous shock to improve VAT neutrality,we use a difference-in-differences approach to explore how the reform affected corporate social responsibility(CSR).We find that the reform motivated firms to improve CSR performance.The reform has a“resource”effect,increasing internal funds and reducing financing costs,thereby enhancing firms’ability to undertake CSR.The reform also has a“reputation”effect,stimulating firms’willingness to engage in CSR to improve their reputations.CSR following the reform increases firm values and reduces bankruptcy risk.Our study provides fresh insights into VAT neutrality theory and is a reference for tax reform in emerging economies.
