Question

)An investor is trying to decide between a muni paying 5.75 percent or an equivalent taxablecorporate paying 8.25 percent. What is the minimum marginal tax rate the investor must have toconsider buying the municipal bond

Answer 1

Answer: 30.3%

Explanation:

Because taxes are not paid on municipal bond interest, their interest rates are usually lower with the difference accounting for the taxes paid.

For a municipal bond to be similar to a corporate bond, the tax rate must be such that it makes them equal:

Municipal bond return = Corporate bond return * (1  - tax rate)

5.75% = 8.25% * (1 - tax)

1 - tax rate = 5.75% / 8.25%

1 = 0.6969697 + Tax rate

Tax rate = 1 - 0.6969697

= 30.3%