Tax regulation of enterprise R&D expenditures: special aspects and problems of regulation

The subject of the research is a corporate income tax regime of tax accounting of intangible assets and R&D spending. The working hypothesis is that realization of the regulative potential of tax policy in relation to stimulating R&D activity and creation of intangibles assets shall be streamlined and adapted to increase the effectiveness of innovations. Authors suggest that the key tax policy goal of the mechanism is the widening of the volumes of commercialized R&D results and intangibles, lowering the tax risks, and increasing the legal certainty. The aim of this research is formulation of tax policy proposals for subsequent reforming this mechanism of direct taxation of transactions related with R&D.

To achieve the aim of the research the following research approach was employed by the authors. As a first step authors present a literature review on the issue. As a second step authors are performing the analysis of current rules related to tax accounting of R&D costs and intangibles in accordance with Tax Code of Russian Federation. As a third step authors delineate the barriers and legal obstacles in the performance of tax incentives for R&D by reviewing the judicial cases and analytical reports on the issue. Finally, authors formulate their tax policy proposals for the subsequent tax reforms in relation to tax accounting of R&D.

The results and the scope of the study. Author’s working hypothesis is based on the idea that the effective application of tax policy instruments can contribute to success of the jurisdiction in winning in global tax competition game. This is particularly important in context of digitalization and for attracting investments and parts of activities of multinational enterprises to the territory of the state. Intangible assets and key people which coordinate the processes of the creation of intangibles can be regarded as the crucial value-added factors in the modern economy where technological MNEs are increasingly dominating. Countries compete internationally for these talented people and favorable and certain tax regime can positively impact on MNE decisions to make a profit center in any jurisdiction, while tax uncertainty can negatively impact this decision.

Conclusions. One of the key results of this research is that R&D tax incentives in Russia remain rather unpopular instrument in corporate practice. Authors explain this with the existing legal barriers and legal uncertainty. This uncertainty leads to tax risks for taxpayers which impacts their decisions for using the incentives. Review of judicial cases related to tax accounting of R&D costs when calculating corporate income tax base showed that there are many different areas of disputes between taxpayers and tax authorities. It is important to note that some of this uncertainty is already addressed in recent amendments to Article 262 of Tax Code. Authors propose to reduce uncertainty by extending the scope of R&D tax incentives to all types of R&D activity. The goal of the research is therefore can be considered as achieved.

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