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The effect of leverage on the tax-cut versus investment-subsidy argument

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  • Danielova, Anna
  • Sarkar, Sudipto

Abstract

Two common methods of attracting corporate investment are investment incentives and tax incentives. It is important to use the two incentives in the correct proportions, otherwise the government will give up too much value in the process of attracting investment. This paper examines the effect of tax cut and investment subsidy on the government's net benefit from a project. Earlier studies concluded that it was optimal to use only investment subsidy and no tax cuts. We show that this is not true when debt financing is possible, and it is generally optimal (from the government's perspective) to use a combination of tax reduction and investment subsidy. The optimal tax rate and optimal investment subsidy are identified and analyzed in the paper. It is shown that using a sub-optimal combination of incentives can result in substantial reduction of benefits for the government.

Suggested Citation

  • Danielova, Anna & Sarkar, Sudipto, 2011. "The effect of leverage on the tax-cut versus investment-subsidy argument," Review of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 123-129.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:revfin:v:20:y:2011:i:4:p:123-129
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rfe.2011.10.001
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    3. Lukas, Elmar & Thiergart, Sascha, 2019. "The interaction of debt financing, cash grants and the optimal investment policy under uncertainty," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 276(1), pages 284-299.
    4. Ackermann, Hagen, 2015. "How does the type of subsidization affect investments: Experimental evidence," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 185, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.
    5. Abdramane Camara, 2023. "The Effect of Foreign Direct Investment on Tax Revenue," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 65(1), pages 168-190, March.
    6. Barbosa, Diogo & Carvalho, Vitor M. & Pereira, Paulo J., 2016. "Public stimulus for private investment: An extended real options model," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 52(PB), pages 742-748.
    7. Kang, Minwook, 2022. "The positive impact of investment subsidies on the economy with present-biased consumers," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 229-235.
    8. Ofuan .J. Ilaboya & Monday .O. Izevbekhai & Friday .I. Ohiokha, 2016. "Tax Planning and Firm Value: A Review of Literature," Business and Management Research, Business and Management Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 5(2), pages 81-91, June.
    9. Qiongzhi Liu & Xikai Zhang, 2023. "A Study on the Effects of Tax Reduction Policies on Fiscal Sustainability in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-20, May.
    10. Cesare Dosi & Michele Moretto & Roberto Tamborini, 2019. "Balanced-Budget Fiscal Stimuli of Investment and Welfare Value," EconPol Working Paper 28, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    11. Paolo M. Panteghini & Sergio Vergalli, 2016. "Accelerated depreciation, default risk and investment decisions," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 119(2), pages 113-130, October.
    12. Kai Chang & Ning Lu & Ze Sheng Li & Yi Ran Wang, 2021. "The combined impacts of fiscal and credit policies on green firm's investment opportunity: Evidences from Chinese firm‐level analysis," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(7), pages 1822-1835, October.
    13. Jayeola OLABISI & Sunday Olugboyega KAJOLA & Dauda Adewole OLADEJO & John Ayodele AJAYI & Ibrahim Akanmu HAMZAT, 2019. "Corporate Tax Planning And Performance Of Nigerian Listed Oil & Gas Firms," Contemporary Economy Journal, Constantin Brancoveanu University, vol. 4(1), pages 12-24.
    14. Haikel Khalfallah & Bibata Sagnon, 2023. "Coordination séquentielle des investissements dans la production d'électricité et dans le réseau électrique : le rôle des incitations renouvelables," Working Papers 2023-04, Grenoble Applied Economics Laboratory (GAEL).
    15. Paolo M. Panteghini & Sergio Vergalli, 2016. "Accelerated depreciation, default risk and investment decisions," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 119(2), pages 113-130, October.
    16. Azevedo, Alcino & Pereira, Paulo J. & Rodrigues, Artur, 2021. "Optimal timing and capacity choice with taxes and subsidies under uncertainty," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    17. Tian, Yuan, 2018. "Optimal policy for attracting FDI: Investment cost subsidy versus tax rate reduction," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 151-159.
    18. Abdramane Camara, 2019. "The effect of foreign direct investment on tax revenue in developing countries," Working Papers hal-03188025, HAL.
    19. Renz, André, 2016. "Die Relevanz von Replikationen in der experimentellen Steuerforschung: Eine Replikationsstudie zu Wahrnehmungsverzerrungen bei Subventionen," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 202, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.

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