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Insider ownership and dividend policy in an imputation tax environment

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  • Balachandran, Balasingham
  • Khan, Arifur
  • Mather, Paul
  • Theobald, Michael

Abstract

Firms are more likely to pay dividends with higher payout ratios in an imputation environment. The effects of profitability and earned/contributed capital mix on the decision to pay dividends and dividend payout are weaker for firms following imputation tax system than traditional tax system. Insider ownership is positively related to the decision to pay dividends and dividend payout and this effect does not vary between traditional and imputation tax systems. Firms with higher foreign institutional ownership are less likely to pay dividends and have lower payout ratios. The study demonstrates the significance of the imputation tax system upon dividend policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Balachandran, Balasingham & Khan, Arifur & Mather, Paul & Theobald, Michael, 2019. "Insider ownership and dividend policy in an imputation tax environment," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 153-167.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:54:y:2019:i:c:p:153-167
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2017.01.014
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agency costs; Insider ownership; Imputation tax system; Franked dividend; Unfranked dividend; Institutional ownership;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy

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