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Effects of dividend tax and signaling on firm valuation: Evidence from taxable stock dividend announcements

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  • Kuo, Nan-Ting
  • Lee, Cheng-Few

Abstract

Our study aims to isolate the negative tax effect of dividends from their positive signaling effect. We explore the market valuation of taxable stock dividends in Taiwan because management's voluntary taxation makes these dividends a reliable signal. We find that controlling shareholders' shareholdings positively impact market reactions to announcements of taxable stock dividends, while shareholders' weighted average tax rates and the discrepancy between controlling shareholders' ownership and control rights have negative impacts. The integrated tax system that reduces investors' dividend tax burdens alleviates the effects of both tax and signaling. We contribute to the literature by determining the relative importance of tax and signaling effects on firm valuation and demonstrating a unique characteristic of the interaction between stock dividends and ultimate ownership structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuo, Nan-Ting & Lee, Cheng-Few, 2013. "Effects of dividend tax and signaling on firm valuation: Evidence from taxable stock dividend announcements," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 157-180.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:25:y:2013:i:c:p:157-180
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2013.08.007
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    2. Dasilas, Apostolos & Grose, Chris, 2019. "Valuation effects of tax-free versus taxed cash distributions," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 307-321.
    3. Suhendra . & Etty Murwaningsari, 2019. "The Effect of Accounting Information and Tax Information on Trading Value Moderated by Competitive Strategy," Journal of Accounting, Business and Finance Research, Scientific Publishing Institute, vol. 6(2), pages 43-50.
    4. Anh Le & Xiangkang Yin & Jing Zhao, 2022. "The Capitalization Effect of Imputation Credits on Expected Stock Returns," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 58(3), pages 523-566, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Stock dividends; Dividend signaling; Dividend taxes; Controlling shareholder; Tax reform; Ownership structure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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