Consider two firms, Go Debt corporation and No Debt corporation. Both firms are expected to have earnings before interest and taxes of $100,000 during the coming year

In addition, Go Debt is expected to incur $40,000 in interest expenses as a result of its borrowings whereas No Debt will incur no interest expense because it does not use debt financing. However, No Debt will have to pay stockholders $40,000 in dividend income. Both firms are in the 40 percent tax bracket. Calculate the Earnings after tax for both firms. Which firm has the higher after-tax earnings? Which firm appears to have the higher cash flow? How do you account for the difference?

Go Debt has lower earnings after taxes compared to No Debt. However, from a cash outflow perspective, Go Debt paid out a total of only $64,000 ($40,000 in interest expenses plus $24,000 in taxes) while No debt paid out a total of $80,000 ($40,000 in taxes and $40,000 in dividends). The difference between the two is $16,000 which is exactly the difference in taxes paid between the two firms ($24,000 compared to $40,000). This difference results from the fact that interest expense is a tax deductible expense.