Tax incentives for R&D can spur innovation and growth—when done right

The views expressed in the Let’s Talk Development blog are solely those of the author(s).
 

As the debate around industrial policy intensifies, there is broad consensus on the rationale for government support to encourage private sector innovation. Economy-wide returns from research and development (R&D) in the private sector can be much greater the returns reaped by private firms alone. That’s because the knowledge generated by R&D often spills over to others through imitation, labor mobility, or shared ideas, benefiting the broader economy with higher social returns. In the U.S., estimates show marginal private returns to R&D at around 14%, while social marginal returns can reach 58%.

Disclosure of R&D projects is unlikely. Firms may withhold information to protect competitive advantages, creating information asymmetries and making external financing difficult. Without public support, many firms, especially young, small, or credit-constrained ones, may underinvest in innovation. Research suggests optimal R&D spending could be two to four times higher than current levels.

This blog explores the reasons behind R&D tax incentives, evaluates their effectiveness, and offers recommendations for policymakers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
 

Effectiveness of R&D Tax Incentives

R&D tax incentives have become the most widely used instrument in OECD countries, with 34 of 38 OECD countries offering them by 2024. Empirical studies consistently find that these incentives increase business R&D investment, although the extent of this effect varies widely. Studies that look at macro (or aggregate) trends typically report elasticities around -0.5, meaning that for every dollar of tax revenue not collected, there is an increase of about $0.56 in R&D spending.

In contrast, studies focusing on individual firms often find a much greater sensitivity, with elasticities ranging from -1.5 to -4. These estimates imply that the same $1 of tax revenue not collected could lead to as much as $2.50 in additional R&D spending.

While these differences may appear technical, they matter. Policymakers rely on elasticity estimates to design policies, set benchmarks, and model macroeconomic impacts. Therefore, understanding what drives the divergence in results is essential.
 

Bridging the Divide: Uptake and Heterogeneity

Recent research helps reconcile these findings. A recent cross-country study leverages firm-level microdata from official R&D surveys for 19 OECD countries, linked to administrative records on R&D tax relief, and provides three key insights:

1. Uptake Matters: Not all eligible firms claim R&D tax relief, leading to underestimation in aggregate studies. Correcting for this boosts the estimated elasticity by around 60%.
2. Heterogeneous Effects: Smaller, less R&D-intensive firms respond more strongly to incentives than larger, R&D-intensive firms.
3. Policy Design: Finally, the uptake is higher when expected benefits are substantial, compliance costs are low, and eligibility criteria are clear. Refundable tax credits — which enable loss-making firms to benefit — tend to generate greater additionality.
    

Why grants still matter

With R&D tax credits, firms retain discretion over how and where to allocate R&D spending which restricts the government's ability to direct innovation towards socially beneficial outcomes, especially in areas with uncertain returns or long timelines before becoming commercially viable. Governments may use grants to achieve this goal.

Indeed, in recent research, tax incentives have been found to be significantly more effective for experimental development than for early-stage or basic research, with their impact on development being about three times greater than on basic and applied research. In contrast, direct funding through grants is more effective for supporting early-stage, higher-risk research, with effects on basic and applied research being roughly double those on development.
 

Implications for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Some LMICs have introduced R&D tax incentives, yet comprehensive data on their design, coverage, and uptake remain scarce. Existing evidence suggests that countries aiming to scale up innovation should pay close attention to uptake, heterogeneity in firm responsiveness, and rigorous evaluation — to ensure effectiveness and avoid mere relabeling of existing activity.

In contexts where institutional capacity is limited and the base of innovative firms is relatively small, careful policy design and monitoring are particularly critical. Tax incentives alone are not a silver bullet. Direct funding — via grants or public R&D programs — is essential for guiding innovation toward public priorities and supporting early-stage, high-risk technologies.
 

Recommendations for Policymakers

R&D tax incentives play a vital role in promoting innovation, but they must be complemented by direct grants to achieve broader innovation goals. Policymakers should focus on careful policy design and monitoring, emphasizing a balanced innovation policy mix. Broad-based tax incentives encourage private investment, while targeted grants guide the direction of innovation. Each instrument plays a distinct but mutually reinforcing role. The optimal mix will depend on the local innovation ecosystem, policy objectives, and institutional capacity.