The Effects of Shareholder Dividend Taxes: Evidence from the Australian Tax Integration Environment

Abstract

In this paper we empirically test the Harris et al. (2001) model in the unique setting of the Australian stock market. In 1987, Australia changed from a traditional tax system (two levels of taxation) to an integrated tax system (one level of taxation). We estimate the parameters of the Harris et al. (2001) model for a sample of Australian firms across the change in the tax regime. We also refine our analysis to allow for differences between firms with regard to tax credit position (that is, the extent to which they shield shareholders from individual-level taxes) in the post-integration period. Our results are consistent with the model predictions with respect to the change in tax regime and between high- and low-credit firms in the post-integration period.