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Evaluating the Effect of Tax Deductions on Training

Edwin Leuven

University of Amsterdam and Tinbergen Institute

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Hessel Oosterbeek

University of Amsterdam and Tinbergen Institute

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University of Amsterdam and Tinbergen InstituteUniversity of Amsterdam and Tinbergen Institute

Abstract

Dutch employers can claim an extra tax deduction when they train employees older than age 40. This discontinuity in a firm’s training cost is exploited to identify the tax deduction's effects on training participation and of training participation on wages. The results show that the training rate of workers just above age 40 is 15%–20% higher than that of workers just below age 40. This difference mainly results from the postponement of training and is not a stimulating effect of the measure. The two‐stage least squares estimate of the wage effect of training is not statistically different from zero.

Journal of Labor Economics

Volume 22, Number 2April 2004

Published for the Society of Labor Economists, Economics Research Center/ NORC

Article DOI

https://doi.org/10.1086/381257

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