Refining After-Tax Return and Risk Parameters

Abstract

Taxes introduce certain complexities, requiring proper adjustments to return and risk parameters. The author offers a refined set of after-tax return and risk equations for use in practice and validates them with a stochastic future value cash flow model. The refined after-tax return and risk parameters can be used in portfolio optimization, Monte Carlo simulation, and deterministic present/future value portfolio modeling with internally consistent results. The refinements improve the discovery of the optimal after-tax portfolio and enhance long-term wealth planning in the presence of risk.

Keywords: portfolio theory, taxes

JEL Classification: G11