Absolutely correct. Taxes are like any other expense.
Maybe to an accountant this is true. But in the running of a company, each expense should generate a benefit to the company that is greater than the expense. Like buying an better piece of equipment to make production more efficient. ROI on the equipment (or any expense)is important.
Taxes have a 0% ROI (not really true, as it is hard to measure). It is applied to all competitors as an equal drain on profits. A fair tax system does not make anyone more or less competitive. But is DOES push the marginal competitor into the red and perhaps out of business. Not sure if this is good or bad.