Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation
Measuring Tax Support for R&D and Innovation: Indicators
Measuring R&D tax support homepage | Indicators | Measurement
Latest news, March 2023: With the release of the 2022 edition of OECD R&D Tax Incentives database, the OECD has launched the OECD INNOTAX portal, a new thematic platform on R&D tax incentives, hosted by the OECD-EC STIP Compass policy database. This new and interactive OECD tool aims to provide a single point of access to resources in this area and facilitate policy analysis and comparison of national schemes based on their design features, drawing on the contributions of OECD countries and partner economies to the annual R&D tax incentives survey.
A more complete picture of government support for business R&D
In addition to providing grants, contracts and loans, many governments contribute to business R&D through tax incentives. In 2022, 33 out of 38 OECD countries give preferential tax treatment to business R&D expenditures at central and/or subnational government level, up from 19 OECD countries in 2000. Over the 2006-20 period, total government support for business R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP increased in 33 out of 48 countries for which data are available, with the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and France providing the largest support as a percentage of GDP in 2020 (or closest year). Some countries, which appear to give little support on the sole basis of direct funding, are in fact providing significant assistance through the tax system. This is the case of countries such as Australia, Colombia, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania and Portugal, where tax relief accounts for 80% of total public support or more. A few OECD countries (e.g. Canada, Hungary, Japan, Spain, and the United States), provide R&D tax incentives at both central and subnational government level. In 2020, provinces account for close to 30% of total tax support in Canada, whereas subnational R&D tax incentives play a comparatively smaller role in Hungary (around 20% of total tax support) and Japan (less than 1% of total tax support).
Direct government funding and tax support for business R&D, 2020
As a percentage of GDP
Source: OECD R&D Tax Incentives Database, April 2022 | Data and notes (.xlsx)
Trends in government tax relief for business R&D
Time-series estimates of government tax relief (GTARD) highlight the extent to which governments support R&D through tax incentives over the 2000-20 period, relative to direct support measures (e.g. R&D grants and purchases), and provide a potential basis for identifying the onset of different provisions and the role of factors impacting on the demand for tax support by firms as well as their ability to claim it. From 2000 to 2020, the absolute and relative magnitude of R&D tax support increased throughout many OECD and partner economies, this increase often only being interrupted by the onset of the global financial and economic crisis. The volume of R&D tax support typically increased significantly following the first-time launch (e.g. Belgium in 2005, Ireland in 2004) or the introduction of new or redesigned tax relief measures (e.g. Australia in 2012, France in 2008, Japan in 2003 and 2013, the Netherlands in 2012 and 2016). Few countries rebalanced their support mix by increasing their reliance on direct funding (e.g. Canada, and Hungary) during this period. The use of carry-forwards and refunds in case of insufficient tax liability, also shapes the evolution of government tax relief for business R&D (e.g. Ireland, where the utilisation of unused credits – carried forward or payable in three instalments over three years subject to an annual limitation– peaked after the financial crisis).
Central government tax relief for business R&D expenditure, 2000-2020
As a percentage of GDP
Direct government funding of business R&D expenditure, 2000-2020
As a percentage of GDP
The generosity of R&D tax incentives
The generosity of R&D tax incentives is inherently linked to the design of tax relief measures as well as business characteristics. It is possible to calculate the notional level of tax support per additional unit of R&D to which firms with defined characteristics are in principle entitled. In 2022, this level is highest for profitable SMEs in Colombia, Iceland and Portugal, while SMEs receive the highest R&D tax subidy rate in Colombia, Iceland and France in the loss-making case. Profitable and loss-making large firms in turn receive the highest R&D tax subsidy rate in the Portugal, France and Poland. National refund and carry-over provisions determine the extent to which implied marginal tax subsidy rates differ between the profit and loss-making (insufficient tax liability) scenarios. To promote R&D in firms that may not otherwise use their credits or allowances, 21 OECD countries offer refundable (payable) or equivalent incentives. Provisions such as these tend to be more generous for SMEs and young firms vis-à-vis large enterprises, as in the cases of Australia, Canada and France. By contrast, R&D tax subsidy rates for SMEs can fall below those of large firms when countries offer R&D tax allowances and preferential corporate income tax rates for SMEs (e.g. China and Croatia), the value of tax deductions being linked to the rate of corporate income taxation.
Tax subsidy rates on R&D expenditures, 2022
1-B-Index, by firm size and profit scenario
More information on implied tax subsidy rates calculation
Evolution of tax subsidy rates on R&D expenditures
Time-series estimates of these marginal tax subsidy rates allow for an analysis of country specific and aggregate trends in the provision and generosity of R&D tax support by firm size and profit scenario. A number of countries (e.g. Belgium, Chile, the Czech Republic, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland - at cantonal level on an optional basis, and the United Kingdom) introduced R&D tax incentives for the first time during the 2000-22 period.. Only few OECD countries (Costa Rica, Estonia, Israel and Luxembourg) did not provide any form of tax support for R&D expenditures at either central or subnational government level during those years. Some countries reintroduced R&D tax incentives (e.g. Portugal in 2006, New Zealand in 2015, Mexico in 2017), Finland most recently in form of an R&D tax allowance in 2021. Others replaced their existing schemes with new tax incentives (e.g. Australia, Austria, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom) or complemented their tax relief regime with additional incentives (e.g. the Netherlands in 2012, Hungary in 2013, Denmark in 2018, New Zealand in 2019). Overall, implied marginal R&D tax subsidy rates increased significantly for SMEs and large firms in the OECD area between 2000 and 2022 independent of the profit scenario considered.
Tax subsidy rates on R&D expenditures, 2000-2022
1-B-Index
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