, Columnist
This Change in Tax Law Could Help the Post-Pandemic Economy
A straightforward but politically fraught adjustment could do wonders for U.S. business investment.
The kind of investment the U.S. needs.
Photographer: Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg
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The coronavirus has U.S. businesses grappling with enormous uncertainty, making them cautious about new investment. At the same time, without increases in private investment and capital spending, the overall economy won’t be able to make the structural changes required to prosper in a post-pandemic environment.
What’s needed are policies that both spur investment now and put the economy in a better position for long-term growth. One idea that should be part of the debate is to allow the permanent full expensing of all capital investments.