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Taxes, agglomeration rents and location decision of firms

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  • Karen Crabbe
  • Karolien De Bruyne

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to analyse the impact of interactions between tax rates and agglomeration rents on location decisions of firms within Belgium. In the theoretical literature it is argued that both location determinants may weaken each other’s impact. Using the number of new firms at the sector level for 43 Belgian districts, we show that local effective tax rates either have no or a negative impact on location decisions. Moreover, both types of agglomeration rents in a district are important for location decisions. The presence of firms in a district attracts new firms, while the presence of firms in the same sector deters firm entry due to competition. However, the interaction effect between taxes and agglomeration rents on firm entry is significant. We show that a higher effective tax rate in a district weakens the positive impact of the agglomeration rents on location decisions of firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Crabbe & Karolien De Bruyne, 2011. "Taxes, agglomeration rents and location decision of firms," Working Papers of VIVES - Research Centre for Regional Economics 15, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), VIVES - Research Centre for Regional Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ete:vivwps:15
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Yu Chen & Zhigang Li & Zheng Liu, 2018. "Agglomeration and actual tax rates: firm-level evidence from China," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(1), pages 93-104, January.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General

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