The Effects of Dividend Taxation on Short Selling and Market Quality

42 Pages Posted: 4 Mar 2011 Last revised: 10 Apr 2013

Date Written: January 31, 2013

Abstract

This study examines the effects of dividend taxation on the primary parties involved in a short sale: the lender of the stock and the short seller. For stock lenders, dividend taxation is associated with a decrease in the supply of shortable shares and an increase in equity lending fees around the dividend record date. For short sellers, potential reimbursement costs are associated with a significant decrease in short volume before the ex-dividend date followed by a significant increase after the ex-date. Prior research shows that short selling improves price efficiency and formation. Hence, because of the negative effects of taxation on shorting, market quality declines along several dimensions: equity mispricing, increased loan search frictions, loan price inefficiencies and market microstructure breakdown. In sum, this study documents that taxation constricts the shorting market around the dividend dates, which in turn has negative implications for market quality.

Keywords: Taxation, Short selling, Equity lending, Ex-dividend day

JEL Classification: G11, G12, G23, H20

Suggested Citation

Thornock, Jacob, The Effects of Dividend Taxation on Short Selling and Market Quality (January 31, 2013). Accounting Review, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1775003 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1775003

Jacob Thornock (Contact Author)

Brigham Young University ( email )

Provo, UT 84602
United States
8014220828 (Phone)

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