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The Dividend Clientele Hypothesis: Evidence from the 2003 Tax Act

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  • Laura Kawano

Abstract

This paper provides evidence that dividend and capital gains tax rates importantly influence household portfolio choices. Using data from the Surveys of Consumer Finances around the 2003 dividend tax reductions, I estimate the relationship between taxes and household portfolio dividend yields. I find that a one percentage point decrease in the dividend tax rate relative to the long-term capital gains tax rate causes household portfolio dividend yields to increase by 0.04 percentage points. The results suggest that high income households significantly increased their portfolio dividend yields in response to the 2003 dividend tax rate reductions.

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  • Laura Kawano, 2014. "The Dividend Clientele Hypothesis: Evidence from the 2003 Tax Act," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 6(1), pages 114-136, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:6:y:2014:i:1:p:114-36
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/pol.6.1.114
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    9. Seo, Sung Won & Lee, Jong Hwa, 2023. "Peer effect on dividends and return comovement," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    10. Daeyong Lee, 2017. "Dividend taxation and household dividend portfolio decisions: evidence from the U.S. Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(8), pages 723-737, February.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies

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