La contabilidad creativa y su impacto en el impuesto a la renta en el sector Inmobiliario del Ecuador

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the relationship between creative accounting within Ecuador's real estate sector and its impact on income tax. The study seeks to comprehend how accounting practices can influence tax outcomes. The rationale for this investigation lies in the significance of exploring creative accounting and its legal and financial implications, particularly within the real estate industry. A quantitative approach is employed, utilizing Beneish's M-Score model to quantify creative accounting practices. A simple linear regression analysis is conducted to assess its correlation with income tax. The sample comprises 31 real estate companies in Ecuador, with financial data sourced from reliable secondary sources. Results reveal a significant and positive correlation between creative accounting and income tax within the studied sector. Specifically, the presence of creative accounting practices is associated with an average increase of 7.2482% in incurred taxes. This suggests that companies have employed creative accounting to navigate economic challenges, such as the pandemic crisis. These findings support agency theory, positing that companies adopt accounting strategies to align with their managerial objectives. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of considering the legal and ethical implications of creative accounting with practical and theoretical intervention. This underscores the relevance of creative accounting in informed and ethical financial decision-making.