Investment Ramifications of Distortionary Tax Subsidies

33 Pages Posted: 29 Apr 1999 Last revised: 31 Jul 2022

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: June 1998

Abstract

This paper examines the investment effects of tax subsidies for which some assets and not others are eligible. Distortionary tax subsidies encourage firms to concentrate investments in tax-favored assets profitability of investment and reducing payoffs to bondholders in the event of default. Anticipation of asset substitution makes borrowing more expensive, which in turn discourages investment. Borrowing rates react so strongly that aggregate investment may rise very little, or even fall, in response to higher tax credits. Observed positive corporate bond market reactions to events surrounding passage of the U.S. Tax Reform Act of 1986 are consistent with the model's implications.

Suggested Citation

Hines, James Rodger, Investment Ramifications of Distortionary Tax Subsidies (June 1998). NBER Working Paper No. w6615, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=160536

James Rodger Hines (Contact Author)

University of Michigan ( email )

625 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
United States

NBER

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
56
Abstract Views
1,311
Rank
395,045
PlumX Metrics