Question

A corporation can earn 7.5% if it invests in municipal bonds. The corporation can also earn 8.5% (before-tax) by investing in preferred stock. Assume that the two investments have equal risk. What is the break-even corporate tax rate that makes the corporation indifferent between the two investments

Answer 1

39.22%

Step-by-step explanation:

Calculation for the break-even corporate tax rate

Using this formula

Municipal yield = After-tax preferred yield

7.50% = BT preference return ´ [1 - (1 - Dividend exclusion %)(T)]

Let plug in the formula

7.50% = 8.50% ´ [1 - 30.00% ´ (T)]

88.24% = [1 - 30.00% ´ (T)]

Tax rate (T) = 39.22%

Therefore the break-even corporate tax rate that makes the corporation indifferent between the two investments is 39.22%