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Tax Shields, the Weighted Average Cost of Capital, and the Appropriate Discount Rate for a Project with a Finite Useful Life

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  • Morris G. Danielson

    (Department of Finance, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA)

Abstract

The standard formulas for calculating the value of a firm’s tax shield and its weighted average cost of capital ( WACC ) use the assumption that the underlying cash flows are perpetuities. Yet, most projects will have a finite useful life. Because the perpetuity approach will overstate the value of a finite-life project’s tax shield, this factor will pressure the perpetuity-formula WACC to be less than the finite-life WACC . However, a large portion of the value of a perpetual tax shield can be attributed to interest payments during the next 5, 10, or 25 years, making it possible for the perpetuity-formula WACC to be greater than the finite-life WACC . Using a series of numerical examples, this paper shows that the finite-life WACC can be either higher or lower than the perpetuity-formula WACC depending on the project’s useful life, the required return on the unlevered project, the firm’s capital structure, the cost of debt, the marginal tax rate, and the debt repayment pattern (e.g., coupon bonds or amortizing loans). The analysis in this article helps managers better understand the potential biases introduced into the capital budgeting process when using the perpetuity-formula WACC to evaluate projects with finite useful lives.

Suggested Citation

  • Morris G. Danielson, 2023. "Tax Shields, the Weighted Average Cost of Capital, and the Appropriate Discount Rate for a Project with a Finite Useful Life," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:16:y:2023:i:9:p:398-:d:1234207
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carlo Alberto Magni, 2010. "Average Internal Rate of Return and investment decisions: A new perspective," Centro Studi di Banca e Finanza (CEFIN) (Center for Studies in Banking and Finance) 0021, Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Economia "Marco Biagi".
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    5. Miles, James A. & Ezzell, John R., 1980. "The Weighted Average Cost of Capital, Perfect Capital Markets, and Project Life: A Clarification," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 719-730, September.
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