Reserving for deferred capital gains tax (an application of option pricing theory)

This paper sets out a framework, based on option pricing theory, that can be used to assess the value of deferred unrealised capital gains tax. In the U.K. and Australia, capital gains tax is paid on realisation of assets and the basis for determining the tax allows for inflation indexation of the cost base of the asset. Capital gains tax payments under these circumstances are shown to resemble those of a complex option. A number of theoretical approaches to the valuation of this option are discussed in the paper.