J. Tax Deferred Reorganizations
Tax Deferred Reorganizations which are commonly referred to as “tax free” reorganizations provide an alternative with regard to purchasing entities using stock as the acquisition currency.
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 368 contains the provisions for tax free reorganizations which defer the gain recognition in specified corporate acquisitions. Partnerships generally do not fall under these provisions. Generally, only the first three types or a variation of them are used in most acquisitions. Reorganizations are very complex with detailed rules to adhere to that ensures their tax free treatment. The items below address some not all of the basics for certain reorganizations.
The types of reorganizations under IRC 368 include:
“A” reorganizations – Statutory merger or consolidation.
“B” reorganizations – Stock for stock exchange.
“C” reorganizations – Stock for asset acquisition
“D” reorganizations – target transfers all or part of its assets to the Acquirer and after the transfer the target is in control of the Acquirer.
“E” reorganizations – Corporate recapitalizations.
“F” reorganizations – Mere change in name, form or place of organization of the corporation.
“G” reorganizations – Transfer by target to an Acquirer in title 11 bankruptcy. “Tax-free” transactions, which are actually tax deferred transactions, are considered “reorganizations” and are similar to taxable transactions except that in reorganizations the acquirer uses its
First, let’s get a little background on accounting for business combinations. The current accounting method for business combinations was issued in 2007 with the adjustment to SFAS 141(R), “Business Combinations” under FASB ASC 805. This change was made by the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) in collaboration with International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in order to make the U.S. accounting standards align more closely with the standards of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The business combination accounting is initiated when a company gains control of a subsidiary either by obtaining or purchasing the
Parent Corporation has owned 60% of Subsidiary Corporation’s single class of stock for a number of years. Tyrone owns the remaining 40% of the Subsidiary stock. On August 10, of the current year, Parent purchases Tyrone’s Subsidiary stock for cash. On September 15, Subsidiary adopts a plan of liquidation. Subsidiary then makes a single liquidating distribution on October 1. The
1) Section 351: Since Individual will be in control (80%+ ownership) of future corporation, he will not incur a taxable event
T, an individual taxpayer, plans to incorporate his farming and ranching activities, currently operated as a sole proprietorship. His primary purpose of incorporating is to transfer a portion of his ownership in land to his son and daughter. T believes that gifts of stock rather than land will keep his business intact. Included in the property he plans to transfer is machinery purchased two years earlier.
A realization event for tax purposes is created in many ways. Virtually any disposal will result in a sale or other disposition. These include a sale, trade, gift to charity, disposal to the landfill, or destruction in a natural disaster. In a sale or trade (exchange), the taxpayer receives something of value in return for the asset. In contrast, a charitable contribution, disposal, or destruction from a natural disaster generally results in a loss of any remaining basis in the asset without compensation (unless reimbursed by insurance).
Kathy and Brett Ouray were married in 1996. In 2014, they consider themselves completely estranged. Due to financial reasons they have decided to not get a divorce or live separately. They also do not have any legal documentation of separation and neither of them has lived outside the home for a significant amount of time. They currently reside together with their three children. They have decided that Brett has contributed more to the upkeep of their home and children than Kathy. They have also decided to file separately. Brett believes he is eligible to file for head-of-household.
Section 351 of the Internal Revenue code allows a taxpayer to obtain non-recognition of gain or loss when property is transferred solely in exchange for stocks and immediately after the transfer, the transferor or transferors are in control of the corporation. This does not include non-qualified stock as provided under §351(g), however. As described above, each party transferred to the corporation qualifying tangible assets that are established as “property” for rules governing transfers to corporations. Moreover, directly after the exchange both shareholders obtained control of the corporation by satisfying the requirement of I.R.C. §368(c). Section 368 (c), defines control as holding at least 80% of the total combined voting power of all
The new Wahoo Inc. emerged from bankruptcy on August 30, 2015, and it plans to make an acquisition within 6 months. Due to the planned acquisition, Wahoo’s revenue and profit are anticipated to increase 15% and 12% respectively. Therefore the company would prefer to preserve the NOL carryovers to offset the future taxable income. However, since Wahoo’s reorganization was essentially Type G reorganization – bankruptcy fillings, Section 382 limitation can come into play regarding the NOL it can deduct in subsequent years. The research question hinges upon the treatment of
Gregory argued that under section 112 of the Revenue Act of 1928 26 USCA 2112, the transfer of shares was a reorganization and since the transfer was a reorganization, she claimed that her gain should not be recognized because the shares were distributed in pursuance of a plan reorganization. Per section 112, reorganizations are not taxed.
Is corporate reorganization an available option? If so, how should it be structured? What issues would be associated with this alternative?
Maria and Jason, along with Robert and Elizabeth, must focus first on the initial setup of the organizational structure and the tax consequences on the corporation and individually before addressing the other factors of the organization, which are simple and easily addressed by discussing individual and group objectives. The first point to address is the IRC Section 351 limitation of 80% control of the corporation. Maria nor Jason are interested in decreases their control of the corporation and the best approach is for Robert and Elizabeth to contribute their proposed transactions and being taxed of on the gains at their marginal tax rate. Otherwise, it is best for Robert and Elizabeth to reevaluate their proposed transactions in order minimize the tax consequences. The IRC Section 351 limitation only pertains to an even exchange of property, weather property or cash, for corporate stock and 80% control of the corporation (IRC Section 351, n.d.).
In the United States today there are millions of corporations in many different industries. All of them must abide by the current taxation rules and regulations that have been set by IRS and congress. The Internal Revenue Code, which was originally founded in 1939, set the foundation for the codification that we have in place today. The code arranged all Federal Tax provisions in a logical order and placed them in a separate part of the federal status. Over the years, congress has updated and amended the tax code in 1954, in 1986 Tax Reform Act, and is constantly updating the code due to its importance in assessing judicial and administrative decisions. The
c. A parent transfers its controlling interest in several partially owned subsidiaries to a new wholly owned subsidiary. That also is a change in legal organization but not in the reporting entity.
The corporate reorganization should be structured as a divisive “D” reorganization and the restructuring process should conform to section 355 of the tax law in order to minimize the tax consequences of the reorganization.
* The overall financial condition of a company is improved as it brings in non-refundable money