A significantly higher level of debt compared to equity may indicate excessive reliance on debt financing.
Large interest payments relative to earnings may indicate earnings stripping through related-party debt.
Consistently low taxable income despite strong business activity may suggest profit shifting through interest deductions.
Loans between related companies are commonly examined in thin capitalisation assessments.
References: OECD BEPS Action 4 Report (2015); Buettner et al. (2012).