Do R&D Credits Work? Evidence From A Panel Of Countries 1979-97

Nicholas Bloom (), Rachel Griffith () and John van Reenen ()

No 2415, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of fiscal incentives on the level of R&D investment. An econometric model of R&D investment is estimated using a new panel of data on tax changes and R&D spending in nine OECD countries over a nineteen-year period (1979-1996). We find evidence that tax incentives are effective in increasing R&D intensity. This is true even after allowing for permanent country specific characteristics, world macro shocks and other policy influences. We estimate that a 10% fall in the cost of R&D stimulates a 1% rise in the level of R&D in the short-run; R&D increases by just under 10% in the long-run. Additionally there is some evidence that changes in R&D tax credits affect decisions over the international location of R&D as suggested by models of tax competition.

Keywords: Panel Data; R&D; Tax Competition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C25 L13 O31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2000-04
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