Public Perception of Tax Avoidance

Abstract

Many conversations about business ethics involve the question of if something is legal, is it ethical? This research study examines participants’ personal ethical beliefs about tax havens, tax avoidance, tax evasion. It also compares how participants react to media biases and if the factors presented affect the participant’s ethical views of tax decisions. Participants believe that tax avoidance, while legal, is slightly unethical. Biases in media sources can also affect a participant’s viewpoint of a company or person. Companies and individuals should use this evidence in determining the harm of their reputation if there were to be a scandal involving tax avoidance strategies.