Dividend taxes and payout policy: Evidence from Korea’s 2015–2017 dividend tax cut

Abstract

The Korean government temporarily lowered dividend tax rates forinvestors of firms that significantly increased dividend payments in2015–2017. We examine how the dividend tax cut affects corporatepayout policies. We found substantial dividend payment growth in thequalifying firms, mainly funded by operating cash flow; neither cashholding nor share repurchase is significantly reduced. The insiderownership is found to be an important factor in driving a continualenjoyment of the dividend tax cut. Yet, a large proportion of firms onlytemporarily enjoy the dividend tax cut in 2015, which argues againstslow adjustments in dividend payout policy.