Local political characteristics and SMEs' non-result-based tax burden : evidence from Flanders

In contrast to prior studies that examined the impact of local political characteristics on particular tax measures, this study examines the impact on firms. Using a large panel dataset of financial statement information on Flemish single-plant SMEs, it documents that a proxy of the tax burden stemming from taxes other than those on net income (i.e. firm-level other operating expenses divided by total assets) varies with local political characteristics as predicted by theory. These characteristics include the time left to the next local elections and the partisanship and fragmentation of the local government. The results suggest that the local political environment affects SMEs’ tax burden. However, the findings also indicate that this impact should not be overstated