Italy

This database provides a set of indicators that reflect the level and structure of central government support for business R&D; in form of R&D; tax incentives and direct funding across OECD member countries and ten non-member economies (Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, People's Republic of China, Romania, Russian Federation, and South Africa). This includes time-series indicators of tax expenditures for R&D;, based on the latest 2017 OECD data collection on tax incentive support for R&D; expenditures that was completed in July 2017. These estimates of the cost of R&D; tax relief have been combined with data on direct R&D; funding, as compiled by National Statistical Offices based on reports from firms, in order to provide a more complete picture of government efforts to promote business R&D.; The latest indicators and information on R&D; tax incentives also feature on the dedicated OECD website Measuring R&D; tax incentives.Tax expenditures are deviations from a benchmark tax system (OECD, 2010) and countries use different national benchmarks. Available estimates typically reflect the sum of foregone tax revenues – on an accruals basis – and refunds where applicable, with no or minimal adjustments for behavior effects. Some countries only report claims realised in a given year (cash basis), while others report losses to government on an accrual basis, excluding claims referring to earlier periods and including claims for current R&D; to be used in the future. For general and country-specific notes on the estimates of government tax relief for R&D; expenditures (GTARD), see http://www.oecd.org/sti/rd-tax-stats-gtard-notes.pdfThe sources for the other indicators (direct funding of BERD, BERD and GDP) include the OECD databases on Main Science and Technology Indicators and Eurostat R&D; statistics.