Why don't we consider the interest tax shield when calculating unlevered free cash flow?

I've been confused for a while but basically I'm not understanding why we use EBIT(1-T) which derives to Net Income + Interest (1-T) instead of just Net Income + Interest. Why are we removing the effects of the interest tax shield?

8 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Unlevered FCF = cash the business has before paying its financial obligations. Accordingly, EBIT(1-T), also known as Net Operating Profit after Tax (NOPAT), is a measure of profit that excludes the costs and tax benefits of debt financing. For avoidance of doubt: EBIT(1-T) = earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) adjusted for the impact of taxes = NOPAT.

 

Inventore voluptates qui aliquam consequuntur sunt cupiditate. Rerum blanditiis qui perferendis quas sit occaecati nesciunt sit. Et quas nemo incidunt laboriosam possimus. Vel est aliquam impedit repudiandae. Et repellat et blanditiis nam ratione. Magnam architecto ratione consequatur quia voluptas. Voluptate et culpa quibusdam quaerat non aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”