Dividend reductions and signaling in an imputation environment

Abstract

In contrast to the double taxation system prevailing in the U.S., Australian firms operate within an imputation tax environment with respect to dividend payments. We argue that the dividend imputation tax system increases the signaling potential of dividend reductions and our empirical findings strongly support this view. We find that the size of the dividend reduction is related to the tax credit status of the dividend. Abnormal changes in profitability are negative in the year following dividend reductions and are negatively related to the dividend reduction; similar signaling effects are found in terms of price reactions. The significance levels for the relations between abnormal change in profitability and dividend reductions, and price reactions and dividend reductions are statistically significantly stronger for dividends with associated tax credits. Overall, our study conclusively demonstrates that dividend reductions in Australia have strong signaling power and, as such, our results are at variance with the results obtained in the U.S.