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Structural Change in the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit: Success or Failure?

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  • Gupta, Sanjay
  • Hwang, Yuhchang
  • Schmidt, Andrew P.

Abstract

This study examines the availability and incentive effects of the Research and Experimentation tax credit following structural changes in the computation of the credit enacted in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (OBRA89). We find that overall firm eligibility declined after OBRA89, but eligibility increased for firms in high-tech industries, relative to firms in other industries. Dynamic panel regressions indicate that median research and development spending intensity of high-tech (other) firms increased by approximately 15.9 (9.4) percent from 1986–1989 to 1990–1994. For firms that qualified for the credit, our estimates imply approximately $2.08 of additional research and development spending per dollar of revenue forgone.

Suggested Citation

  • Gupta, Sanjay & Hwang, Yuhchang & Schmidt, Andrew P., 2011. "Structural Change in the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit: Success or Failure?," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 64(2), pages 285-322, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ntj:journl:v:64:y:2011:i:2:p:285-322
    DOI: 10.17310/ntj.2011.2.03
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei-Chuan Kao, 2018. "Innovation quality of firms with the research and development tax credit," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 43-78, July.
    2. Jing Huang & Linda Krull & Rosemarie Ziedonis, 2020. "R&D Investments and Tax Incentives: The Role of Intra‐Firm Cross‐Border Collaboration," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(4), pages 2523-2557, December.
    3. William Gale & Samuel Brown, 2013. "Small Business, Innovation, and Tax Policy: A Review," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 66(4), pages 871-892, December.
    4. Cowx, Mary, 2025. "Tax enforcement and R&D credits," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(1).
    5. Chen, Ming-Chin & Gupta, Sanjay, 2017. "The incentive effects of R&D tax credits: An empirical examination in an emerging economy," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 52-68.
    6. Rao, Nirupama, 2016. "Do tax credits stimulate R&D spending? The effect of the R&D tax credit in its first decade," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 1-12.

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