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Taxation and the User Cost of Capital : An Introduction

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  • Creedy, John
  • Gemmell, Norman

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide an introduction to the concept of user cost and its determinants. Particular attention is given to the influence of taxation. The concept of user cost relates to the rental, the rate of return to capital, that arises in a profit maximising situation in which further investment in capital produces no additional profit. This paper sets out in some detail the range of assumptions involved in obtaining alternative expressions for the user cost. The user cost refers to a before-tax capital rental, the rate of return that ensures that the (after-tax) cost of capital is equal to the post-tax returns over its life. Hence, associated with the user cost measure is an effective marginal tax rate. This can differ substantially from the statutory marginal rate applicable to the investor. A related effective average tax rate is also defined.

Suggested Citation

  • Creedy, John & Gemmell, Norman, 2015. "Taxation and the User Cost of Capital : An Introduction," Working Paper Series 19269, Victoria University of Wellington, Chair in Public Finance.
    • Handle: RePEc:vuw:vuwcpf:19269
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    File URL: https://ir.wgtn.ac.nz/handle/123456789/19269
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    2. Dmitry Kreptsev & Alexey Porshakov & Sergey Seleznev & Andrey Sinyakov, 2016. "The equilibrium interest rate: a measurement for Russia," Bank of Russia Working Paper Series wps13, Bank of Russia.

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    Keywords

    Taxation; User cost; Tax rates;
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