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Quantifying Optimal Growth Policy

Author

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  • VOLKER GROSSMANN
  • THOMAS M. STEGER
  • TIMO TRIMBORN

Abstract

This paper develops a comprehensive endogenous growth framework to determine the optimal mix of growth policies. The analysis is novel in that we capture important elements of the tax-transfer system and fully take into account transitional dynamics in our numerical analysis. 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 the status quo 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 from sales revenue. Implementing the optimal policy mix is likely to entail huge welfare gains.
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Suggested Citation

  • Volker Grossmann & Thomas M. Steger & Timo Trimborn, 2016. "Quantifying Optimal Growth Policy," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 18(3), pages 451-485, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jpbect:v:18:y:2016:i:3:p:451-485
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/jpet.2016.18.issue-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Grossmann, Volker & Steger, Thomas M. & Trimborn, Timo, 2013. "The macroeconomics of TANSTAAFL," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 38(PA), pages 76-85.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    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. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. Grossmann, Volker & Steger, Thomas M., 2013. "Optimal growth policy: The role of skill heterogeneity," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 119(2), pages 162-164.
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. van Oudheusden, P., 2012. "Dynamic Scoring Through Creative Destruction," Other publications TiSEM 13955715-2cbb-443b-a099-9, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    15. 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).
    16. 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.
    17. 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.
    18. 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.
    19. van Oudheusden, P., 2012. "Dynamic Scoring Through Creative Destruction," Discussion Paper 2012-084, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    20. Kirsten Svenja Wiebe, 2012. "The Human Development Index and an endogenous growth model," EcoMod2012 4365, EcoMod.
    21. Gustaffsson, Johan & Prettner, Klaus & Xu, Fei, 2025. "Anti-corruption policy and economic growth," Department of Economics Working Paper Series 380, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.

    More about this item

    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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