Do Personal Taxes Affect Investment Decisions and Stock Returns?

Abstract

I study the causal effects of personal investment taxes on stock demand, stock returns, and the dividend policy of companies. I exploit a change in legislation in 2013 which allowed stocks listed on the Alternative Investment Market, a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange, to be held in a capital gains and dividend tax-exempt investment account for the first time. Using a difference-in-differences approach, I find that after the tax cut, stock demand increased, stock returns decreased, and dividends increased. I rationalize my results by introducing a life-cycle model which incorporates two risky assets with varying taxes. My results demonstrate the importance of personal taxes for both investors and companies.