Capital tax incentives and firm innovation: evidence from accelerated depreciation in China

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the influence and impact mechanism of capital tax incentives on firm innovation.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the difference-in-differences (DID) method, in conjunction with the exogenous impact of accelerated depreciation (AD) pilot policy. This study selects Chinese listed companies from 2010 to 2017 as the research sample.FindingsFirstly, AD exerts a substantial positive effect on the quantity and quality of the innovation output of firms, and the positive impact results primarily from heightened investment in fixed assets, particularly, machinery and equipment. Secondly, the influence of the policy is pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, mature enterprises, less capital-intensive enterprises and non-high-tech industries, which all exhibit strong innovation incentives. Lastly, the tax incentive policy significantly stimulates firm innovation in the short term, but its long-term impact on innovation incentives lacks statistical significance.Originality/valueThis study highlights the significance of capital tax incentives in facilitating the innovation process in firms.