This study examines whether there are agency conflicts within firms that issue preferred stocks, and whether agency conflicts affect to tax avoidance levels of the firm. Firms with preferred stocks have agency problems because they can consolidate managers’ rights compared to firms with only common stocks. This paper studies the degree of tax avoidance of firms that issue preferred stocks and finds that because of the existence of differentiated voting rights in the firm, the degree of tax avoidance is reduced.

Keywords: Tax Avoidance; Agency Problems; Preferred Stock

JEL Classification: G34, G35