Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Tax Neutrality And Intangible Capital, Don Fullerton, Andrew Lyon

Don Fullerton

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA) attempts to "level the playing field" between equipment and other tangible assets by repealing the investment tax credit that was available only for equipment. This change may not increase economic efficiency, however, if there exist substantial amounts of intangible capital. Advertising along with research and development (R & D) are viewed as investments in goodwill and production expertise. As forms of intangible capital, they receive the significant tax advantage of immediate expensing rather than delayed depreciation deductions. This chapter finds that effective tax rates are mismeasured when this investment is ignored. The United …