Journal of Creative Power and Ambition (JCPA)
Vol. 4 No. 02 (2026): Journal of Creative Power and Ambition (JCPA)

Does Audit Quality Moderate the Relationship Between Corporate Social Responsibility and Tax Avoidance?

Jerri Benardus Dharmana (Ma Chung University, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
Rino Tam Cahyadi (Ma Chung University, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
Lalu Rahmat Sohdi (Ma Chung University, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
08 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study examines the effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on tax avoidance and the moderating role of Big 4 audit quality within the Indonesian mining and energy sector. Using the Effective Tax Rate (ETR) as an inverse proxy for tax avoidance, the results reveal that extensive CSR disclosures significantly increase ETR, thereby actively reducing tax avoidance behavior. This major finding strongly supports legitimacy theory, demonstrating that environmentally sensitive firms utilize integrated social transparency and tax compliance to satisfy societal expectations, mitigate reputational risks, and secure their operational license. Conversely, the statistical analysis indicates that Big 4 audit quality fails to moderate this relationship, which contradicts traditional agency theory expectations regarding external governance. This lack of moderation demonstrates that in a highly complex and capital-intensive sector, external auditors function primarily to provide professional assurance on financial statement fairness rather than intervening in or restructuring strategic corporate tax planning. Consequently, tax policy remains a strictly internal managerial decision, and elite external oversight does not automatically enhance the impact of social commitments on tax compliance.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

jcpa

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

Journal of Creative Power and Ambition (JCPA) (E-ISSN 3031-4054) is a blind peer-reviewed journal published by Edujavare Publishing, Indonesia. This journal publishes research articles, conceptual articles, field study reports and book reviews on all scopes of Business Innovation and Creation, ...