Taxpayers subsidize these firms when they receive these incentives from state and local governments. These subsidies cost billions of dollars that would otherwise be invested in schools, roads, public safety, and other programs. Tax breaks and other subsidies are frequently given without adequate screening or other analysis. The most compelling argument on behalf of tax breaks would be that they create jobs. There is no credible evidence that suggests they do.
Incentives cost money.
Lots of money. The more tax money that is given to businesses, the less there is to spend on schools, local governments, and corrections. Tax expenditures are provisions in the tax code that reduce or eliminate certain tax liabilities. This does not include the multitude of state grants, low-interest loans, as well as county and local abatements and giveaways. Taxpayers get hit again when some of these companies pack up and leave or slash their workforce.