abstract
Calls for eliminating differences between accounting earnings and taxable income in the
US have been debated extensively. Proponents of increased book-tax conformity argue
that tax compliance will increase and earnings quality will improve. Opponents argue
that earnings quality will decline. We examine whether the level of required book-tax
conformity affects earnings persistence and the association between earnings and
future cash flows. We develop a comprehensive book-tax conformity measure and find
that earnings have lower persistence and a lower association with future cash flows
when conformity is higher. Our evidence suggests that increased book-tax conformity
may reduce earnings quality.
Published by Elsevier B.V