This study investigates the influence of board and CEO characteristics on tax avoidance behavior among Vietnamese commercial banks, with particular attention to the moderating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship is estimated using a panel dataset of 31 commercial banks from 2012 to 2023, and The Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) method. The findings reveal that CEO experience is positively associated with corporate tax avoidance (CTA), whereas CEO participation on the board of directors and a larger board size are linked to lower tax avoidance. A higher proportion of female directors on the board is associated with higher CTA, while a larger bank size increases tax avoidance. COVID-19 positively influences tax avoidance behavior overall, while it weakens the negative influence of CEO duality and the positive effect of CEO experience on CTA. The results have significant implications for policymakers, banking regulators, and shareholders in strengthening governance frameworks to ensure tax compliance in emerging markets.
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