Tax Policy and Heterogeneous Investment Behavior

Eric Zwick and James Mahon

No 21876, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We estimate the effect of temporary tax incentives on equipment investment using shifts in accelerated depreciation. Analyzing data for over 120,000 firms, we present three findings. First, bonus depreciation raised investment in eligible capital relative to ineligible capital by 10.4% between 2001 and 2004 and 16.9% between 2008 and 2010. Second, small firms respond 95% more than big firms. Third, firms respond strongly when the policy generates immediate cash flows but not when cash flows only come in the future. This heterogeneity materially affects aggregate estimates and supports models in which financial frictions or fixed costs amplify investment responses.

JEL-codes: D21 D92 G31 H25 H32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-pbe
Note: CF PE
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (34)

Published as Eric Zwick & James Mahon, 2017. "Tax Policy and Heterogeneous Investment Behavior," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(1), pages 217-248, January.

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