Arnell Industries has $35 million in permanent debt outstanding. The firm will pay interest only on this debt. Arnell's marginal tax rate is expected to be 21% for the foreseeable future. a) Suppose Arnell pays interest of 7% per year on its debt. What is its annual interest tax shield? b) What is the present value of the interest tax shield, assuming its risk is the same as the loan?

a) $0.5145 million

b) $7.35 million

Explanation:

Given:

Permanent debt outstanding = $35,000,000

Expected marginal tax rate = 21%

a) Suppose they pay an interest of 7% per year on debt. Find the annual interest tax shield.

To find annual interes tax shield use the formula below:

Annual interest tax shield = Total par value of Debt * interest rate * tax rate

= $35,000,000 * 7% * 21%

= $35,000,000 * 0.07 * 0.21

= $514,500

Annual interest tax shield = $0.5145 million

b) What is the present value of the interest tax shield, assuming its risk is the same as the loan?

Use the formula:

Present value of the interest tax shield = Annual interest tax shield / loan interest rate

= $514,500 / 7%

= $7,350,000

present value of the interest tax shield = $7.35 million