Does tax convexity matters for risk? A dynamic study of tax asymmetry and equity beta
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting
Publication Date
7-1-2013
Volume
41
Issue
1
First Page
131
Last Page
147
Publisher
Springer New York LLC
Keywords
Equity beta, tax convexity, growth option, default option, contingent-claim model
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of tax convexity on firms’ market risk, where tax convexity measures the progressivity of firms’ tax function. We examine the relation between equity beta and tax convexity based on a standard contingent-claims model, in which firms face nonlinear tax schedules. We verify that in the presence of default and growth options, the effect of tax convexity on beta is significant and depends on several countervailing forces. Tax convexity has a direct, positive effect on beta, as well as two indirect countereffects through default and growth options. The overall effect is ambiguous and quantitatively significant. As asymmetric tax schedules are used in most countries, assuming a linear tax schedule in the valuation framework may misestimate beta and thus fail to assess risk accurately. Our theoretical model shows that tax convexity should be taken into consideration when estimating equity beta.
DOI
10.1007/s11156-012-0303-2
Print ISSN
0924865X
E-ISSN
15737179
Funding Information
This work acknowledge financial support from the University of Macau.
Publisher Statement
Copyright © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Lei, A. C. H., Yick, M.,H.Y., & Lam, K. S. K. (2013). Does tax convexity matters for risk? A dynamic study of tax asymmetry and equity beta. Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, 41(1), 131-147. doi: 10.1007/s11156-012-0303-2