There and back again : unintended consequences of LIFO repeal

This study examines the effect on firm value of repealing the last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory method for tax purposes. Our model extends prior literature by determining quantities and prices in equilibrium rather than specifying them exogenously. We find that LIFO repeal could increase the future after-tax cash flows of firms that had used LIFO because the higher tax costs associated with FIFO result in lower equilibrium quantities and higher equilibrium output prices that increase pretax cash flows. We illustrate our model by examining inventory methods used by firms in the oil industry