Der Einfluss der Zinsschranke auf unternehmerische Kapitalstrukturentscheidungen

In principle corporations are free to raise debt capital or equity capital. To protect tax revenues and to increase corporations?? equity ratio Germany has introduced an interest ceiling rule. From a tax planer??s point of view it is not clear whether debt or equity capital is advantageous. On the basis of Miller (J Finance 32:261?C275, 1977) we analyze whether this interest ceiling rule discriminates debt capital against equity capital. We find that investors can be indifferent towards the capital structure with and without considering the interest ceiling rule. This result does not depend on the investors?? percentage of participation or the corporation??s optimal dividend policy. The result depends significantly on the profit, the deductible fraction of EBITDA, the tax rates and when capital gains are realized. The advantage of debt capital normally decreases due to the introduction of this regulation but in some cases even increases. Nevertheless, many investors will prefer debt capital even when the interest ceiling rule applies. This result also arises in the case of external debt financing. Thus, it is an open question whether this regulation leads to higher equity ratios.