Can Corporate Taxation be Explained by Limited Liability?

We consider a model where wealth-constrained entrepreneurs have private information about the qualities of available investment projects. We show that some "high risk-high return" projects will receive external financing even if they are not socially profitable. Some "low risk-low return" projects will not be funded even if they are socially profitable. Government interventions can improve equilibrium. Optimal government policy may include corporate taxation, subsidies or other instruments. A universal tax on all entrepreneurs with limited liability is not optimal