It is said that repetition is the mother of all learning. It is also said that insanity is repeating the same mistake and expecting a different result. It is my hope that the result of the former will overwhelm the source of the latter before it is too late.

However, based upon the seemingly continuous

Some lessons need to be repeated until learned. It’s a basic rule of life. Don’t tug on Superman’s cape; don’t spit into the wind; don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger; and if you are going to make a loan, give it the indicia of a loan and treat it as a loan.

Over the last thirty years, I have reviewed the income tax returns of many closely held corporations and partnerships. Quite often, on Schedule L (the balance sheet), I will see an entry for “other assets” or “other liabilities,” which are described on the attached explanatory statement as loans to or from affiliates, as the case may be. I then ask a series of questions: did the board of directors or managers of the entities approve the loan; how was the loan documented; is there a note with repayment terms; is the debt secured; does the loan provide for interest; has interest or principal been paid; has there ever been a default and, if so, has the lender taken action to collect on the loan?
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