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Notching R&D Investment with Corporate Income Tax Cuts in China

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Listed:
  • Zhao Chen
  • Zhikuo Liu
  • Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato
  • Daniel Yi Xu

Abstract

We study a Chinese policy that awards substantial tax cuts to firms with R&D investment over a threshold or “notch.” Quasi-experimental variation and administrative tax data show a significant increase in reported R&D that is partly driven by firms relabeling expenses as R&D. Structural estimates show relabeling accounts for 24.2% of reported R&D and that productivity increases by 9% when real R&D doubles. Policy simulations show firm selection and relabeling determine the cost-effectiveness of stimulating R&D, that notch-based policies are more effective than tax credits when relabeling is prevalent, and that modest spillovers justify the program from a welfare perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao Chen & Zhikuo Liu & Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato & Daniel Yi Xu, 2018. "Notching R&D Investment with Corporate Income Tax Cuts in China," NBER Working Papers 24749, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:24749
    Note: DEV IO PE PR
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights

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