The Effect of Taxes on Dividend Policy of Banks in Nigeria

Abstract

The study explores the impact of taxes on the dividend policy particularly in banks in Nigeria. The study was set out to examine the relationship of profit, dividend and taxes especially in the banking sector. The research underscores the theoretical assumptions of the M&M theory. The standard multiple regression analysis was applied in testing the hypothesis. The study identified pattern of past dividends, concern about maintaining a target capital structure, current degree of financial leverage, shareholder need for dividend income, legal rules and constraints; such as impairment of capital, the desire to send favourable signals to investors, the desire to conform to the industry's dividend payout among factors influencing dividend policy of banks. The analyses of the study show a significant correlation between taxes and dividend structure of the banks and also suggest that profit is a major variable in the formation of dividend policy of the organisations. This is supported by the hypothesis, which showed significant effect of profit on dividend and a positive correlation between profit, tax and dividend. The finding corroborates the postulations of some financial theorists and recommends capital gains in lieu of dividend for high taxpayers and that an adoption of a dividend policy by banks particularly in Nigeria should be strictly considered based on the unique circumstances of the bank and not necessarily based on age long traditional factors often formulated by academics.