> Do any other countries do this?
Nov 2023 letter signed by Y Combinator, https://www.hackerneue.com/item?id=38145699
As a result of this change, the U.S. is now one of two developed countries requiring the amortization of R&D expenses.US treatment under the old rule was constant from the 1950's.
I don't know about other countries.
I haven't found anything credible on 'why' this was added, but...I'd hazard a cynical guess that it was put in as a way to reduce the apparent cost of the TCJA. You look for ways of raising revenue in your bill so you can claim it costs less. You do this do this even if you expect that (unpopular) change will be undone later.
A second possibility is that it was added to reduce the benefits of the R&D tax credit, which in fairness a lot of companies probably abuse.
And if not, why would anyone push for this - unless your intention is to make sure no R&D happens inside the US.
Who's pushing for this?