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The effect of tax incentives on energy intensity: Evidence from China's VAT reform

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  • Zhou, Qianling
  • Li, Tao
  • Gong, Liutang

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of how firms' energy intensity is affected by China's value-added tax reform, which provides permanent tax incentives for firms to invest in fixed assets. Using the difference-in-differences method, a unique firm-level data set is employed to examine the impact of VAT reform on firms' energy intensity. The results show that VAT reform significantly reduces firms' coal intensity by approximately 9%. There is a greater decrease in coal intensity for large-scale firms, firms in energy-intensive industries, and private firms after the reform. By encouraging firms to invest in fixed assets and improve output, this reform achieves an energy-saving effect. Our results shed new light on the effect of tax policy and can help inform the development of energy policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Qianling & Li, Tao & Gong, Liutang, 2022. "The effect of tax incentives on energy intensity: Evidence from China's VAT reform," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:108:y:2022:i:c:s014098832200069x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2022.105887
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    5. Jie Qin & Kaili Yang & Xuhui Ding, 2023. "Can the Reform of the Transfer Tax System Affect Corporate Green Innovation—Evidence from China’s “BT to VAT” Reform," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, February.

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