This study examined the association between corporate cryptocurrency activities and tax avoidance outcomes, utilizing data from US public firms covering the period from 2015 to 2023. Financial data were sourced from Compustat, while details regarding cryptocurrency activities were manually extracted from 10-K and 10-Q filings. Our analysis employed a fixed-effects regression model to examine the impact of these activities on cash effective tax rates (ETR). The findings indicate that firms engaged in cryptocurrency activities tend to have a lower ETR compared with those without such involvement. Notably, this effect was predominantly observed in companies directly engaged in cryptocurrency activities, such as accepting cryptocurrency as a payment method or actively trading cryptocurrency on an exchange platform. In contrast, firms involved in crypto mining or initial coin offerings did not exhibit a similar association. Our findings offer significant regulatory insights for governance bodies concerned with the implications of corporate cryptocurrency activities on tax strategies.
Abu Hassan Abu Bakar, Anwar Sanusi, Harsono Harsono
The issue of regional inequality has gained prominence during the era of progress, driven by the goal of promoting equitable development and enhancing the well-being of all segments of society. Papua Province is an integral part of Indonesia, and confronts intricate hurdles in addressing regional inequality. In response to these hurdles, special autonomy status and fiscal decentralization were implemented to boost regional autonomy. This study aims to scrutinize the impact of special autonomy and fiscal decentralization on regional inequality within Papua Province. The dataset used in the study spans from 2011 to 2021 and has been sourced from the Central Bureau of Statistics for Papua Province and the Directorate General of Fiscal Balance under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied and the analytical results underscore that granting special autonomy status has exerted a noteworthy influence in diminishing regional inequality within Papua Province. Nevertheless, an unexpected finding is that fiscal decentralization has not substantially curtailed regional inequality within the region. These revelations provide a comprehensive overview of the roles played by fiscal decentralization and special autonomy in endeavors to alleviate regional inequality in Papua Province. The implications of these findings lay the groundwork for policymaking and developmental planning that foster inclusivity and sustainable progress within the Province of Papua. Keywords: special autonomy, fiscal decentralization, regional inequality
Purpose This study aims to investigate blockchain technology (BT) and its opportunities and weaknesses in Iran's tax system; it addresses the opportunities and challenges of BT when incorporated into Iran's tax system. Design/methodology/approach The statistical population consists of all the employees and managers working in tax administration, and 674 participants were selected as the sample size via Cochran sampling. The partial least square tests are used to investigate the impact of the independent variable on dependent ones. Findings The results show that BT positively affects three components of tax, including value-added tax, tax on shipping goods and income tax. BT’s advantages and opportunities positively affect these taxation types, while its threats negatively affect the opportunities and challenges in Iran’s tax system; this study provides helpful insights and develops the knowledge. Furthermore, this is among the initiatives addressing BT’s opportunities and challenges in three discriminative taxation sectors, including value-added tax, tax on shipping goods and payroll tax. Originality/value Since no study has addressed BT’s opportunities and weaknesses in Iran’s tax system, it addresses the opportunities and challenges of BT when incorporated into Iran’s tax system.
Should the government run an uncertain fiscal policy to finance its liabilities? We call the resulting uncertainty taxspots, and study conditions that make taxspots optimal and recurrent in standard Ramsey problems. We show that prudence and market incompleteness play a role in sustaining taxspots, and that equal-treatment randomizations can be decentralized via taxspots even in the absence of financial markets.
An important implication of regional autonomy is fiscal decentralization where regions have the authority to regulate and manage their own affairs including regional financial management but the increasing needs of the regions cause the financing of government and development programs/activities to also be greater so that the Central Government is stricter in matters of Transfers to Regions and autonomous regions including Sikka Regency must be independent through Regional Original Revenue (PAD) but the slow development and public services in Sikka Regency in 2023 due to low PAD caused by low Regional Taxes which only contribute 67.34% and Regional Retributions which only contribute 50.77%. This Policy Paper aims to achieve the target of Local Tax and Local Retribution fulfillment in 2024 and develop policy recommendations to achieve the target. A quantitative approach is used to analyze the percentage of Local Tax and Local Retribution achievements in the PAD Structure of the Sikka Regency APBD in 2023. In-depth interviews with civil servants of the Regional Revenue Agency to identify challenges and perceptions related to the PAD management process were also conducted. The results of the analysis show the low realization of local taxes and levies in Sikka Regency with contributing factors including potential PAD not yet well recorded or fully collected, ineffective local tax and levy collection systems and poorly recorded taxpayer and levy databases. To overcome this, the policy recommendation is the Sikka Regent Regulation on the Technical Guidelines for the implementation of local tax and levy management as well as efforts to pick up the ball on tax and levy collection to the community.
Mukhlishin Mukhlishin, Abdul Wahab, Bambang Setiaji, Magomed Tazhdinov
This research investigates the management and regulatory practices of zakat maal (wealth tax) in Malaysia, Turkey, and Indonesia, aiming to provide a comparative analysis grounded in empirical data. Methodologically, the study employs a comparative qualitative analysis based on secondary data from academic literature, government reports, and institutional publications. The results show, first, Malaysia employs a centralized and technologically integrated approach, ensuring transparency and efficiency in zakat collection and distribution. In contrast, Turkey adopts a decentralized model driven by non-governmental organizations and community participation, fostering flexibility but posing challenges in standardization and oversight. Indonesia's hybrid model combines governmental oversight with private sector involvement, aiming to balance regulatory control with local adaptability, yet needs help in coordination and public trust. Second, the policy enhancements such as improved coordination mechanisms, strengthened regulatory frameworks, and enhanced public awareness to optimize Zakat's role in poverty alleviation and social welfare across Malaysia, Turkey, and Indonesia. This research contributes to the broader discourse on Islamic finance and social policy by providing nuanced insights into zakat management practices, offering valuable implications for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars interested in enhancing zakat efficacy globally.
Abstract The verdict in the case of Skatteverket v. David Hedqvist (Kokott, Advocate General (2015) Opinion delivered on 16 July 2015, Case C-264/14. ECLI:EU:C:2015:498. Available via TandF Online. https://doi.org/10.1080/20488432.2015.1096631 .) is crucial for understanding how the EU treats virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, in terms of Value-added Tax (VAT). This case involved the Swedish citizen David Hedqist who was seeking clarity from the Swedish Tax Authority Skatteverket on exchanging money for Bitcoins. The case set a precedent exempting such services from VAT under the EU’s VAT Directive (Council Directive 2006/112/EC (2006) On the common system of value added tax. OJ L347. Available via EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32006L0112 . Accessed 3 January 2024.). Specifically, Article 135(1)(e) of the EU’s VAT Directive excludes those transactions from VAT that include money-related transactions, that include deals or negotiations about different kinds of money, including cash and coins that are officially legal tender, i.e., used for buying things, except for collectable items like special coins or notes that people collect but do not use as a means of payment. Skatteverket (Kokott, Advocate General (2015) Opinion delivered on 16 July 2015, Case C-264/14. ECLI:EU:C:2015:498. Available via TandF Online. https://doi.org/10.1080/20488432.2015.1096631 .) clarified that cash transactions are not subject to VAT, even though they are considered services for VAT purposes. Despite this clarity, the evolving landscape of digital assets’ uniqueness, including Non-Fungible Tokens (Alawadhi KM, Alshamali N (2022) NFTs Emergence in Financial Markets and their Correlation with DeFis and Cryptocurrencies. Applied Economics and Finance 9:108. https://doi.org/10.11114/aef.v9i1.5444 . Available at CORE. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/524752899.pdf . Accessed 3 January 2024.), continues to challenge VAT frameworks across member states. Using insights from the European Commission’s Working Paper 1060, this article advocates for a unified approach tailored to digital and crypto services, addressing complexities in NFT taxation to reduce uncertainty and foster market cohesion. The findings highlight the importance of legislative changes and increased cross-border collaboration, as well as provide recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders in the digital finance and platform sector (European Commission (2024) Working Paper 1060. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/working-paper-1060_en . Accessed 3 March 2024.). By proposing strategic harmonisation of VAT enforcement, the research helps to improve tax compliance and support long-term growth in the EU’s digital market (Cappai M (2023) The role of private and public regulation in the case study of crypto-assets: The Italian move towards participatory regulation. Computer Law & Security Review 49:105831. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/computer-law-and-security-review/vol/49/suppl/C .; Hasa J (2021) Digitaalisten palvelujen rajat ylittävä kuluttajakauppa ja laajeneva arvonlisäveron erityisjärjestelmä. Licentiate thesis. University of Lapland, Faculty of Law. Available at: https://lauda.ulapland.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/64771/Hasa_Juho.pdf?sequence=1 . Accessed 1 March 2024.).
The study aims to examine the current state of property tax administration in Zimbabwean local authorities under the conditions of digitalization. Property taxes within the Zimbabwean local tax system are significantly under-collected, necessitating an urgent enhancement of their contribution to local authority budgets. A quantitative research approach was adopted, collecting data through questionnaires from a target population of 60 staff members within an urban local authority. Purposive sampling was employed to select Chief Executive Officers, Heads of Departments, and staff directly involved with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Property Tax Administration, including ICT departments, accounting and finance staff, and engineering departments. Additionally, residential and commercial property owners were conveniently sampled based on availability and willingness to participate, resulting in a total sample size of 46 respondents. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between Information Technology and property tax administration, suggesting that policymakers should prioritize digitization to enhance effective tax administration. Furthermore, control variables such as population, trade, and GDP were found to have significant relationships with tax administration in Zimbabwe. The introduction of ICTs has been shown to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of property tax administration, underscoring its critical role in the fiscal decentralization of local governments.
Milionis et al.(2023) studied the rate at which automated market makers leak value to arbitrageurs when block times are discrete and follow a Poisson process, and where the risky asset price follows a geometric Brownian motion. We extend their model to analyze another popular mechanism in decentralized finance for onchain trading: Dutch auctions. We compute the expected losses that a seller incurs to arbitrageurs and expected time-to-fill for Dutch auctions as a function of starting price, volatility, decay rate, and average interblock time. We also extend the analysis to gradual Dutch auctions, a variation on Dutch auctions for selling tokens over time at a continuous rate. We use these models to explore the tradeoff between speed of execution and quality of execution, which could help inform practitioners in setting parameters for starting price and decay rate on Dutch auctions, or help platform designers determine performance parameters like block times.
This paper investigates the impact of digital inclusive financial development on local government expenditure incentives at the income level. It does so by constructing a multi-level government Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model that incorporates the financial sector. By employing empirical methods that involve uncertainty shocks and counterfactual simulations, the research yields several key findings. Firstly, the development of digital inclusive finance contributes to breaking down the urban-rural dual financial structure, thus facilitating balanced economic development within regions. Secondly, it reduces the proportion of financially excluded areas, accelerates fiscal decentralization, leading to an increase in local government fiscal revenue, and, consequently, an expansion of local fiscal expenditures. Thirdly, at a certain stage of digital inclusive finance development, it tends to crowd out residents' investment and consumption. Therefore, the decentralization of fiscal power and the expansion of local government expenditure at this stage may paradoxically inhibit regional economic growth. The study's conclusions validate the significant impact of digital inclusive finance on local government incentives at the income level.
Sampson Anomah, Boadu Ayeboafo, Maurice Aduamoah, Owusu Agyabeng
In an era marked by a profound digital transformation of economies worldwide, Ghana stands as a vivid example of a nation at the crossroads of taxation evolution. The country's tax policies are undergoing a significant shift to adapt to the burgeoning digital economy, with a keen focus on capturing and regulating the ever-expanding revenue streams generated through online enterprises. This research explored the potential of integrating blockchain technology with tax policy. Unstructured and semi-structured interview questions were designed to obtain insight into the problem. A survey was conducted to obtain views on the variables that explained the potential of integrating blockchain technology with tax policy to enhance the effectiveness of taxing online enterprises in Ghana. The study used correlation analysis to confirm propositions derived from preliminary interview and the review of literature. It was found that while blockchain offers significant advantages in bridging the gap for effective online taxation in Ghana, there are challenges which include institutional and regulatory conformity issues, technical integration and alignment incompatibility, and inadequate stakeholder engagement. This result may be useful in the design of tax online tax policy in Ghana and other jurisdictions with similar socio-economic environment.
The emergence of financial technology (Fintech) has revolutionized the global financial landscape, offering innovative solutions that challenge traditional banking systems and investment practices. This review explores the intersection of Fintech, taxation, and regulatory compliance, highlighting the complexities and opportunities within this dynamic ecosystem. Fintech encompasses a wide range of technologies, including blockchain, artificial intelligence, and mobile payment systems, which have streamlined financial services and expanded access to capital markets. However, this rapid evolution poses significant challenges for taxation and regulatory frameworks. Traditional tax laws struggle to keep pace with the speed and complexity of digital transactions, leading to uncertainties in tax treatment and enforcement. Navigating the tax implications of Fintech requires a nuanced understanding of digital assets, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, and cross-border transactions. Tax authorities worldwide are grappling with these challenges, seeking to balance innovation and compliance while ensuring a fair and transparent tax regime. The review examines various approaches adopted by governments and regulatory bodies to address Fintech taxation, including legislative reforms, international cooperation, and the use of advanced data analytics. Furthermore, regulatory compliance remains a critical concern for Fintech firms, as they must navigate a labyrinth of rules and standards across jurisdictions. Compliance requirements vary widely, ranging from anti-money laundering (AML) regulations to data protection laws, presenting operational and legal challenges for market participants. The review discusses strategies for achieving regulatory compliance in the Fintech sector, emphasizing the importance of proactive risk management, regulatory engagement, and technological solutions such as RegTech. Despite these challenges, the convergence of Fintech, taxation, and regulatory compliance offers immense opportunities for innovation and growth. By embracing digital transformation and adopting agile regulatory frameworks, governments and businesses can unlock the full potential of Fintech while safeguarding financial stability and integrity. This review provides insights into the evolving landscape of Fintech taxation and regulatory compliance, highlighting key trends, challenges, and best practices for navigating this new frontier in finance. Keywords: Fintech, Taxation, Financial, Technology, Review.
Álvaro Hernández Sánchez, Beatriz María Sastre-Hernández, Javier Jorge-Vázquez, Sergio Luis Náñez Alonso
This article highlights the complexity of taxation surrounding cryptocurrency transactions due to the lack of uniform regulation, creating uncertainty for both taxpayers and tax authorities. After determining the tax obligations of individuals in taxation, a survey has been conducted to assess the level of knowledge and compliance with tax obligations related to cryptocurrencies. The survey, in which 103 people participated, reveals the confusion and errors that prevail in perceptions of the tax obligations for cryptocurrencies, particularly in transactions such as swapping and staking in personal income tax. This results in almost half of the respondents (49.5%) not declaring any of their operations with cryptocurrencies. The reasons for this include the fact that the majority of respondents (66%) find the regulation of cryptocurrencies in Spain confusing and difficult to understand. Additionally, 87.4% believe that tax agencies should provide more information and resources on the taxation of cryptocurrencies and digital assets, and that there should be clearer and more comprehensive regulation. However, it should be noted that 41.7% also consider that tax regulation discourages investment in cryptocurrencies.
Jori Grym, Jaakko Aspara, Monomita Nandy, Suman Lodh
Tax evasion is a major issue for authorities worldwide. Understanding the factors that influence individuals' intrinsic motivation to pay taxes, known as their tax morale, is important for improving tax compliance. This study investigated gender differences in judging tax evasion in the context of cryptocurrency trading. Specifically, a survey study explored whether different moral foundations, financial literacies, and political orientations among females vs. males might explain potential gender differences in judging tax evasion. In an online survey, 243 U.S. adults read a vignette about a friend evading taxes in a cryptocurrency trading context. In a correlational analysis, we found that females judged tax evasion harsher, as being more morally wrong than males. Of the psychographic factors, only individualizing moral foundation values (i.e., fairness and harm avoidance) explained the harsher moral judgment by females. That is, individualizing moral foundation values were at a higher level among females, which further predicted females' harsher judgment of tax evasion. While females also had, on average, lower financial literacy and knowledge of cryptocurrencies than males, these did not predict their harsher judgment of tax evasion. The findings contribute to research on gender differences in moral judgments and highlight that a given transgression, or a specific crime, may violate different moral values in men and women. The results demonstrate to policy makers that it is important to take into account gender differences, in campaigns promoting tax morale and compliance.
Joseph Kuba Nembe, Joy Ojonoka Atadoga, Beatrice Oyinkansola Adelakun, Olubusola Odeyemi · 5 authors
Blockchain technology has emerged as a disruptive force in the realms of tax compliance and financial regulation, presenting both opportunities and challenges for governments, businesses, and regulators worldwide. This abstract explores the multifaceted legal implications stemming from the integration of blockchain technology into tax systems and financial frameworks. The decentralization and transparency inherent in blockchain networks offer promising avenues for enhancing tax compliance. Smart contracts, powered by blockchain, can automate tax calculations and payments, reducing errors and facilitating real-time monitoring of transactions. Additionally, the immutable nature of blockchain ledgers provides auditors with an unprecedented level of transparency and traceability, potentially reducing tax evasion and fraud. However, the adoption of blockchain technology also poses significant regulatory challenges. The anonymity afforded by certain blockchain implementations raises concerns regarding the identification and verification of taxpayers and transactions, potentially hindering enforcement efforts. Moreover, the cross-border nature of blockchain transactions complicates traditional tax jurisdictional boundaries, necessitating international cooperation and harmonization of tax policies. In the realm of financial regulation, blockchain technology introduces novel considerations for regulators seeking to ensure market integrity and investor protection. The proliferation of blockchain-based financial products, such as cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets, challenges existing regulatory frameworks designed for traditional financial instruments. Regulators must grapple with issues of investor disclosure, market manipulation, and systemic risk in this rapidly evolving landscape. Furthermore, the decentralized nature of blockchain networks challenges the efficacy of traditional regulatory mechanisms, such as centralized oversight and enforcement. Regulators face the daunting task of striking a balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding against potential risks, such as money laundering and terrorist financing, inherent in decentralized financial systems. The integration of blockchain technology into tax compliance and financial regulation presents a complex array of legal implications. While offering potential benefits in terms of efficiency and transparency, blockchain also necessitates adaptation and evolution of regulatory frameworks to address emerging challenges and risks in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Effective collaboration between governments, businesses, and regulators is essential to harness the transformative potential of blockchain technology while mitigating its associated legal and regulatory challenges. Keywords: Blockchain, Regulators, Legal, Tax, Technology, Financial, Review.
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology in U.S. tax administration. It explores how these technologies are revolutionizing tax compliance and fraud detection, offering a comparative analysis with traditional methods. The paper highlights the potential benefits of these technologies in enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in tax administration, aligning with the U.S. government's objectives of ensuring fiscal integrity and public trust. The review also examines international best practices and proposes how the U.S. can leverage these technologies to maintain its global leadership in financial governance and innovation. The study is structured around four key objectives: assessing the current integration of AI and blockchain in tax administration, evaluating their effectiveness in enhancing tax compliance, identifying implementation challenges, and developing strategic recommendations. Employing a comprehensive literature review approach, the study synthesizes findings from various sources to provide an in-depth understanding of the role and impact of these technologies in modern tax systems. The results reveal that AI and blockchain significantly improve tax compliance and administration efficiency but also introduce challenges such as data privacy concerns and the need for robust regulatory frameworks. In conclusion, the study underscores the transformative potential of AI and blockchain in tax administration, recommending continuous research and development, coupled with stakeholder education and engagement. These efforts are crucial for overcoming operational challenges and fully harnessing the benefits of these technologies in modernizing tax systems. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations for policymakers, tax authorities, and researchers, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach that fosters technological innovation while maintaining legal compliance and adherence to fundamental principles. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Tax Administration, Tax Compliance, Digital Transformation, Financial Governance.
Although tax authorities are increasingly moving to digitalisation, there has been limited use of blockchain for assisting tax administration and compliance. This article discusses the potential use of blockchain technology for this purpose. In particular, the Australian tax system is considered in light of the challenges identified in the recent official report published by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue. These challenges result from the rising gig economy, complex work-related deduction rules for individual taxpayers and, more generally, tax evasion in the cash economy. To overcome these challenges, this article proposes a blockchain solution that increases taxpayer engagement with the tax and superannuation system. Not only would this solution benefit the Australian Government's ability to raise revenue and induce a good compliance culture, but a similar solution could be adopted in other jurisdictions.
2008 yılında Satoshi Nakamoto adlı bir kişi veya grup tarafından ortaya atılan, merkeziyetsiz ve dijital bir para olan Bitcoinin ilk transferinin yapıldığı yıl olan 2009 yılından günümüze kadar geçen sürede, Bitcoinin açık kaynak kodlarından esinlenen binlerce kripto para çeşidi yaratılmış, bu da işlem hacmi çok yüksek bir piyasanın oluşmasına sebep olmuştur. Halihazırda gelinen noktada, kripto paraların, büyük bir işlem hacmi ile yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmakta olduğu artık tartışma götürmez bir gerçek olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Kripto paralar ile yapılan işlemlerden elde edilen gelirlerin vergilendirilmesi, kripto paraların dayandığı karmaşık teknoloji ve kripto paraların hukuki nitelendirilmesinin zorluğu nedeni ile gerek karşılaştırmalı hukukta gerekse Türk Hukukunda henüz belirli temellere oturtulabilmiş değildir. Bu çerçevede bu çalışmanın amacı Türk Hukukunda kripto paraların nasıl vergilendirilebileceğine ilişkin önerilerde bulunmaktır. Bu bağlamda, bu çalışmada öncelikle karşı karşıya kalınan olgunun anlaşılması için kripto paranın ne olduğu ve blokzincir teknolojisi incelenmiş ve akabinde, karşılaştırmalı hukuk da dikkate alınarak kripto paraların hukuki nitelendirme problemi incelenmiştir. Türk Hukukunda, kripto paraların hukuki niteliğinin dijital gayri maddi iktisadi kıymet olduğu sonucuna ulaşıldıktan sonra ise gelir üzerinden alınan vergiler, servet üzerinden alınan vergiler ve harcamalar üzerinden alınan vergiler açısından kripto paraların nasıl vergilendirilebileceği incelenmiştir. Bu inceleme yapılırken, AB müktesebatı, OECD ülke uygulamaları ve ABD, Birleşik Krallık, Almanya ve Fransa’daki vergi uygulamaları incelenmiştir.
This article explores the potential of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), with a focus on blockchain, to address key challenges related to the security, ownership, and management of personal data. We trace the foundational work of Haber and Stornetta, who introduced the core principles of blockchain to secure digital records within the real economy. Building on this, Nakamoto’s innovations in blockchain technology introduced a native crypto-asset, which not only aligns and concentrates the interests of network participants but also resolves the previously unsolved “double-spending problem.” This breakthrough decentralizes the verification and control of recorded information, enhancing security in monetary transactions Migrants often face challenges related to rights protection, identity management, and limited access to financial services. Blockchain applications, with their strengths in secure data storage, transparent transactions, and reliable identity verification, offer promising solutions. In this article, we examine real-world blockchain applications that enhance identity management and foster financial inclusion for migrants. Blockchain provides an infrastructure that empowers individuals with greater control over their financial and personal data, particularly through self-sovereign identity (SSI) and the use of stablecoins as global currencies. These innovations are becoming foundational components of a new digital ecosystem for information and finance.
This study examines the implementation of the NFT phenomenon and how legal protection and tax enforcement are for NFTs.Non-Fungible Tokens or NFTs are digital assets that can be traded with cryptocurrencies, NFT assets themselves consist of digital art, music, moving images (GIFs), videos and several other digital assets.This study uses a normative juridical research method with a statutory approach, which in this paper analyzes how legal protection is in laws and regulations for works of non-fungible tokens (NFT) and examines the taxation of NFTs.This study obtained the result that thereis no legal regulations regarding the existence of NFTs in Indonesia, which aims to create guarantees of protection and legal certainty.In addition, NFT does not yet have tax law provisions, therefore it is necessary to formulate these NFT tax law provisions.
• We study governance mechanisms in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). • Regression discontinuity design on contested proposals overcomes endogeneity concerns. • Distributed governance mechanisms increase tokenholders value. • Proposal passage increases DAO token returns by 4.7 % at the margin. • Effect amplified by voter participation, DAO democratization, and DAO decentralization. Distributed governance mechanisms increase tokenholders value in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) when decision-making is contested. Using a comprehensive dataset of proposals voted on within blockchain-based DAOs from 2020 to 2024, we exploit a regression discontinuity design on proposals that pass or fail by a close margin around the majority threshold. Local average treatment effects indicate that proposal passage increases DAO token returns by 4.7 % at the margin. Further, a one standard deviation increase in vote participation amplifies this effect by 2.2 %. Proxies for democratization and decentralization also increase the value-creating effect of contested decision-making in DAOs. Our findings contribute to understanding how distributed governance structures create value in digital organizations.