The additionality of R&D tax policy: Quasi-experimental evidence

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of R&D tax incentives, the amount of additional investment induced by each dollar of tax revenue forgone remains contested. It is notoriously difficult to identify the impact of R&D tax incentives because all firms are potentially eligible and because benefit and investment are jointly determined. Using comprehensive, firm-level data, we apply difference-in-difference analysis around a significant policy reform in Australia in 2012. We find that firms invest an additional $1.90 for every dollar of tax revenue forgone.