A firm issues a 10-year debt obligation that bears a 8% coupon rate and gives the investor the right to put the bond back to the issuer at the end of the fifth year at 103% of its face amount. The issue has no sinking fund. Interest is paid semiannually.
The issuer's tax rate is 40%.
a. Calculate the after-tax cost of debt, assuming the debt remains outstanding until maturity.
b. Calculate the after-tax cost of debt, assuming investors put the bond back to the firm at the end of the fifth year. (Note: Any unamortized issuance expenses and any redemption premium can be deducted for tax purposes in the year of redemption.)