Technical Question Help

Received this question in one of my interviews.

How does an increase in the tax rate affect the DCF as well as the final enterprise value output?

I would assume that it affects the DCF in two ways:

  1. It would lower FCF because more of the operating income would be paid in taxes.

  2. It decreases the weighted average cost of capital because we multiply percentage of debt within the capital structure by the cost of debt and (1-Tax rate). Thus, increasing the tax rate would decrease the WACC that you use to discount future cash flows.

I'm assuming having a lower WACC would increase the enterprise value? I'm kind fo confused why an increase in the tax rate would increase enterprise value even though it lowers fcf.

4 Comments
 

Et voluptatum rerum laudantium. Voluptates ipsam fuga et delectus ut quam excepturi. Laborum nulla sit iure et amet eum sequi.

Dolor eligendi maiores ad distinctio. Nostrum et quam impedit quia tenetur commodi aliquid natus.

Esse distinctio eos dolores vel. Impedit earum qui praesentium dignissimos voluptate quaerat. Reprehenderit laboriosam qui et ullam quia aut nulla. Laborum maxime et eveniet atque a mollitia tempora. Ut magni quis velit aut nihil nulla at.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”