Do firms have a tax incentive for stock buybacks? An empirical examination

This study examines whether there is a tax incentive for firms to engage in stock buybacks. Using methods previously established by Manzon (1994) and Scholes and Wolfson (1989), the results show that firms with high marginal tax rates are more likely to announce stock buybacks than firms with low marginal tax rates. Additionally, firms that announce stock buybacks have lower debt-equity ratios than firms that do not announce buybacks. Tax considerations do not appear to be a factor in the acquisition technique used, open market or tender offer. However, the tax motive and limited investment alternatives appear to be the major explanatory variables in the stock buyback decision.