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Quantifying Optimal Growth Policy

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  • Volker Grossmann
  • Thomas Steger
  • Timo Trimborn

Abstract

The optimal mix of growth policies is determined within a comprehensive endogenous growth model. The analysis captures important elements of the tax-transfer system and accounts for transitional dynamics. Currently, for calculating corporate taxable income US firms are allowed to deduct approximately all of their capital and R&D costs from sales revenue. Our analysis suggests that this policy leads to severe underinvestment in both R&D and physical capital. We find that firms should be allowed to deduct between 2-2.5 times their R&D costs and about 1.5-1.7 times their capital costs. Implementing the optimal policy mix is likely to entail huge welfare gains.

Suggested Citation

  • Volker Grossmann & Thomas Steger & Timo Trimborn, 2010. "Quantifying Optimal Growth Policy," CESifo Working Paper Series 3092, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_3092
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    Cited by:

    1. Grossmann, Volker & Steger, Thomas & Trimborn, Timo, 2013. "Dynamically optimal R&D subsidization," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 516-534.
    2. Tiago Neves Sequeira & Alexandra Ferreira-Lopes, 2014. "Quantifying distortions from pollution in a R&D endogenous growth model," Estudios de Economia, University of Chile, Department of Economics, vol. 41(1 Year 20), pages 149-159, June.
    3. Manuel A. Gómez & Tiago Neves Sequeira, 2016. "R&D Subsidies and Foreign Direct Investment," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 27(4), pages 769-793, September.
    4. Lin, Hwan C., 2016. "The switch from patents to state-dependent prizes for technological innovation," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 193-223.
    5. Böhm, Sebastian & Grossmann, Volker & Steger, Thomas M., 2014. "Does Public Education Expansion Lead to Trickle-Down Growth?," FSES Working Papers 452, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Freiburg/Fribourg Switzerland.
    6. Chen, Yu-Fu & Funke, Michael, 2010. "Global Warming And Extreme Events: Rethinking The Timing And Intensity Of Environmental Policy," SIRE Discussion Papers 2010-48, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    7. Schünemann, Johannes & Trimborn, Timo, 2023. "Boosting taxes for boasting about houses? Status concerns in the housing market," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 120-143.
    8. Böhm, Sebastian & Grossmann, Volker & Steger, Thomas M., 2015. "Does expansion of higher education lead to trickle-down growth?," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 79-94.
    9. Grossmann, Volker & Steger, Thomas M., 2013. "Optimal growth policy: The role of skill heterogeneity," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 119(2), pages 162-164.
    10. Werner, Katharina & Prettner, Klaus, 2014. "Human capital, basic research, and applied research: three dimensions of human knowledge and their differential growth effects," VfS Annual Conference 2014 (Hamburg): Evidence-based Economic Policy 100448, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    11. Kirsten Svenja Wiebe, 2012. "The Human Development Index and an endogenous growth model," EcoMod2012 4365, EcoMod.
    12. Gómez, Manuel A. & Sequeira, Tiago N., 2014. "Should the US streamline its tax system? Analysis on an endogenous growth model," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 113-119.
    13. Trimborn, Timo, 2018. "On the analysis of endogenous growth models with a balanced growth path," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 40-50.
    14. Takaaki Morimoto, 2018. "Occupational choice and entrepreneurship: effects of R&D subsidies on economic growth," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 123(2), pages 161-185, March.
    15. Kiyoka Akimoto & Takaaki Morimoto, 2017. "Examination and Approval of New Products in an Endogenous Growth Model," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 17-33, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    16. van Oudheusden, P., 2012. "Dynamic Scoring Through Creative Destruction," Other publications TiSEM 13955715-2cbb-443b-a099-9, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    17. Grossmann, Volker & Steger, Thomas M. & Trimborn, Timo, 2013. "The macroeconomics of TANSTAAFL," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 38(PA), pages 76-85.
    18. van Oudheusden, P., 2012. "Dynamic Scoring Through Creative Destruction," Discussion Paper 2012-084, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    19. Jakob B. Madsen & Antonio Minniti & Francesco Venturini, 2023. "The long‐run investment effect of taxation in OECD countries," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 90(358), pages 584-611, April.
    20. Prettner, Klaus & Werner, Katharina, 2016. "Why it pays off to pay us well: The impact of basic research on economic growth and welfare," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(5), pages 1075-1090.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    economic growth; endogenous technical change; optimal growth policy; tax-transfer system; transitional dynamics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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