Election 2020: Trump vs. Biden on corporate tax policy

August 25, 2020 9:10 AM

The Democratic and Republican conventions have put a spotlight on this fall's presidential election, and with that in mind, Top 10 Firm Crowe has released this handy at-a-glance summary of the two candidates’ proposed policies for corporate taxes. (See the firm's summary of their tax policies for individuals.)

CORPORATE RATE

Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden gives a speech to workers after touring McGregor Industries in Dunmore, Pennsylvania.

Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Trump
Lower the corporate tax rate from 21% to 20%.

Biden
Raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%.

Require C corporations with over $100 million in book income to pay the greater of normal corporate tax liability or 15% of book income.

DEDUCTIONS, DEFERRALS, AND AMORTIZATION

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. It's Trump's party now, but activists at a gathering of conservatives outside Washington this week are still struggling over whether to fully embrace the president's vision for what it means to be a Republican. Photographer: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg

Eric Thayer/Bloomberg

Trump
Expand the meal and entertainment expense deduction.

Extend the 100% bonus depreciation that is scheduled to phase out beginning in 2023.

Retain the current deduction for research and development that is scheduled to expire after 2021.

Establish tax deductions for small businesses, restaurants, and the tourism industry as they look to rebuild after the pandemic

Biden
Eliminate all deductions for expenses to advertise prescription drugs.

Increase the depreciable life of rental real estate.

Eliminate the deferral of capital gains from like-kind exchanges for real estate.

Establish incentives for opportunity zone funds to partner with nonprofit or community-oriented organizations, and jointly produce a community benefit plan for each investment. Require reporting, public disclosure of community impact, and Treasury oversight.

INTERNATIONAL

Former Vice President Joe Biden, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, speaks during an primary night rally in the Baldwin Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles

Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

Trump
Enact a 10.5% tax rate for companies that bring back to the U.S. supply chains for medicines and related products.

Biden
Double the global intangible low-taxed income rate to 21%.

Impose sanctions on countries that “facilitate illegal corporate tax avoidance and engage in harmful tax competition.”

TAX CREDITS (other than individual, energy, and health care)

President Donald Trump waves to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House

President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Trump
No proposal

Biden
Expand the new markets tax credit and make it permanent.

Establish the manufacturing communities tax credit, and fund the credit for five years to reduce the tax liability of businesses that experience workforce layoffs or a major government institution closure.

Expand the work opportunity tax credit to include military spouses.

Expand the low-income housing tax credit.

Establish a workplace childcare facility tax credit of up to 50% of an employer’s first $1 million in costs for qualified on-site childcare.