[The neutrality and equity aspects of the Accelerated Cost Recovery System (ACRS), which became part of the U.S. tax law in 1981, are examined using a Monte Carlo simulation. ACRS depreciation is found to be equivalent to general price-level adjusted (GPL) depreciation only at inflation rates of between nine and 13 percent. To the extent that corporations alter their production, investment, and financing activities as a result of inflationary misstatement, the post-1980 law is nonneutral during times of inflation. Further, ACRS will result in a substantial, disproportionate relative capital shift among industries during inflationary periods, which indicates the horizontal inequity of the post-1980 law. This capital shift will be largest for capital-intensive industries having long-lived assets, such as transportation, utilities, and real estate. Both nonneutrality and horizontal inequity lead to decreased economic efficiency and a deadweight loss to the economy.]

[Since the pioneering work of Hall and Jorgenson (1967), numerous studies (e.g., Bischoff 1971; Chirinko and Eisner 1982; and Coen 1971) have examined the effect of attempts by the tax authority to influence investment decisions through accelerated depreciation or investment tax credits (ITC). This body of research has been fraught with econometric estimation problems, and consequently has failed to provide a clear picture of the effect of tax policies on capital investment. In a review of the literature, Chirinko (1986, 151) concludes that "[w]hile investment may respond significantly to variations in tax parameters, it appears to this author that the supporting empirical evidence has yet to be generated." At the core of the difficulties in the econometric research paradigm is the operationalization of the neoclassical investment function itself. Chirinko (1986) notes that numerous inherent difficulties are introduced, including (1) estimations of the purchase cost of a unit of capital, financial cost of capital net of inflation, rate of depreciation of the capital good, rate of income taxation, rate of investment credit, discounted value of depreciation allowances, net cost of debt finance, and the like; and (2) the inability to control for firms' expectations regarding output, and hence the marginal product of capital. These difficulties highlight the general limitations of econometrics in certain settings. This sentiment was echoed by Chirinko and Eisner (1983, 139) when they concluded that, in the neoclassical tax policy arena, "one can get almost any answer one wants by making sure that the chosen model has specifications appropriate to one's purpose." In response to the inconclusive econometric evidence regarding the effect of tax incentives on capital investment, we adopt an alternative approach in this study, using laboratory markets to overcome the limitations noted above, thereby providing a controlled empirical test of neoclassical predictions. Although the results of our experiments provide no evidence regarding the real-world dollar responses of investment to income tax accounting subsidies, some insight into the ability of theory to predict more general aspects of taxpayer investment behavior is provided. Specifically, the research question addressed is whether capital investment increases when depreciation or investment credits allowed by the tax system result in more rapid deductions than true economic depreciation. Although this question follows directly from neoclassical predictions, we relax the assumption of price taking to permit the more realistic consideration of market price adjustments. The results of our experiments do not support the neoclassical prediction that depreciable asset investment will increase in response to accelerated tax depreciation or to investment tax credits. Demand was unresponsive to tax incentives because the prices of depreciable assets were bid up. That is, tax benefits were captured to some extent by factor suppliers. From a theoretical perspective, the study's results provide a "piece of the puzzle" in light of conflicting or nonexistent econometric evidence. In section I, a description of the experimental setting and administration is provided. Theoretical predictions of investment price and quantity are then derived from our experimental operationalization of a production economy in section II. Finally, results and conclusions are presented in sections III and IV, respectively.]

The neutrality and equity aspects of the Accelerated Cost Recovery System (ACRS), which became part of the U.S. tax law in 1981, are examined using a Monte Carlo simulation. ACRS depreciation is found to be equivalent to general price-level adjusted (GPL) depreciation only at inflation rates of between nine and 13 percent. To the extent that corporations alter their production, investment, and financing activities as a result of Inflationary misstatement, the post-1980 law is nonneutral during times of inflation. Further, ACRS will result in a substantial, disproportionate relative capital shift among Industries during Inflationary periods, which indicates the horizontal Inequity of the post-1980 law. This capital shift will be largest for capital-intensive industries having long-lived assets, such as transportation, utilities, and real estate. Both nonneutrality and horizontal Inequity lead to decreased economic efficiency and a deadweight loss to the economy.

[This study investigates the influence of both the state corporate income tax rate and the form of the income tax base structure on foreign investment in manufacturing assets. An econometric model of foreign investment is derived from a supply-oriented theory of regional investment. That is, the decision to develop productive capacity in one region as opposed to another is due to regional advantages. Empirical results suggest that tax structures that use the unitary method of accounting have a substantial impact on the amounts of foreign investment. On the other hand, business income tax rates appear to have little impact.]

[Little is known about the speed and accuracy of aggregate taxpayer response to an income tax law change. Using a multiple time series model, it was found that individuals and corporations quickly and relatively accurately adjust their income tax prepayments in response to a tax increase.]

This study investigates the influence of both the state corporate income tax rate and the form of the income tax base structure on foreign investment in manufacturing assets. An econometric model of foreign investment is derived from a supply-oriented theory of regional investment, That is, the decision to develop productive capacity in one region as opposed to another is due to regional advantages. Empirical results suggest that tax structures that use the unitary method of accounting have a substantial impact on the amounts of foreign investment. On the other hand, business income tax rates appear to have little impact.

Little is known about the speed and accuracy of aggregate taxpayer response to an income tax law change. Using a multiple time series model, it was found that individuals and corporations quickly and relatively accurately adjust their income tax prepayments in response to a tax increase.

Since the pioneering work of Hall and Jorgenson (1967), numerous studies (e.g., Bischoff 1971; Chirinko and Eisner 1982; and Coen 1971) have examined the effect of attempts by the tax authority to influence investment decisions through accelerated depreciation or investment tax credits (ITC). This body of research has been fraught with econometric estimation problems, and consequently has failed to provide a clear picture of the effect of tax policies on capital investment. In a review of the literature, Chirinko (1986, 151) concludes that "[w]hile investment may respond significantly to variations in tax parameters, it appears to this author that the supporting empirical evidence has yet to be generated." At the core of the difficulties in the econometric research paradigm Is the operationalization of the neoclassical investment function itself. Chirinko (1986) notes that numerous inherent difficulties are introduced, including (1) estimations of the purchase cost of a unit of capital, financial cost of capital net of inflation, rate of depreciation of the capital good, rate of income taxation, rate of investment credit, discounted value of depreciation allowances, net cost of debt finance, and the like; and (2) the inability to control for firms' expectations regarding output, and hence the marginal product of capital. These difficulties highlight the general limitations of econometrics in certain settings. This sentiment was echoed by Chirinko and Eisner (1983, 139) when they concluded that, in the neoclassical tax policy arena, "one can get almost any answer one wants by making sure that the chosen model has specifications appropriate to one's purpose." In response to the inconclusive econometric evidence regarding the effect of tax incentives on capital investment, we adopt an alternative approach in this study, using laboratory markets to overcome the limitations noted above, thereby providing a controlled empirical test of neoclassical predictions. Although the results of our experiments provide no evidence regarding the real-world dollar responses of investment to income tax accounting subsidies, some insight into the ability of theory to predict more general aspects of taxpayer investment behavior is provided. Specifically, the research question addressed is whether capital investment increases when depreciation or investment credits allowed by the tax system result in more rapid deductions than true economic depreciation. Although this question follows directly from neoclassical predictions, we relax the assumption of price taking to permit the more realistic consideration of market price adjustments. The results of our experiments do not support the neoclassical prediction that depreciable asset investment will increase In response to accelerated tax depreciation or to investment tax credits. Demand was unresponsive to tax incentives because the prices of depreciable assets were bid up. That is, tax benefits were captured to some extent by factor suppliers. From a theoretical perspective, the study's results provide a "piece of the puzzle" in light of conflicting or nonexistent econometric evidence. In section I, a description of the experimental setting and administration is provided. Theoretical predictions of investment price and quantity are then derived from our experimental operationalization of a production economy in section II. Finally, results and conclusions are presented in sections III and IV, respectively.