Application of R & D fiscal incentives in Spanish manufacturing firms

Abstract

This paper explores the factors that influence the decision to apply R&D fiscal incentives in a sample of Spanish manufacturing firms. The observation that few innovative firms apply these incentives has motivated this analysis. We developed a model considering that behind the decision to use these fiscal incentives, firms carry out a cost-benefit evaluation. The data used come from the Encuesta sobre Estrategias Empresariales (ESEE) provided by the Ministry of Industry. The results show that firms evaluate positively the benefits from fiscal incentives, although there are some difficulties in applying them. The lack of information, the lack of some resources and the absence of results related to innovation activities are obstacles that may justify the scarce application of the tax incentives for R&D by the Spanish manufacturing firms.R&D obstacles, fiscal incentives, Spanish manufacturing firms.