Legal Updates & Commentary for Tax & Estate Planning
The IRS continues to issue guidance in the much debated area of corporate spinoffs. A recently published ruling examined the federal income tax treatment of the two steps that comprise a so-called “north-south” transaction.” In doing so, it provides taxpayers with some welcome certainty.
A “north-south” transaction is one in which a parent corporation (…
Be sure to start with Part I, here!
Real Estate as an Active Business
The active conduct of a trade or business does not include the holding for investment purposes of land, or other property, or the ownership and operation (including the leasing) of real property used in a trade or business, unless the…
This is a question that we encounter with some frequency in the context of family-owned corporations, and the backdrop against which the issue arises is not uncommon.
In the Beginning
The older generation may have acquired a building many years ago, either as an investment that would generate a stream of rental income from unrelated…
Don’t miss Part I, here!
Taxable Gift Transfers
In general, where property is transferred for less than an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth, the amount by which the value of the property exceeded the value of the consideration is deemed a gift. A necessary corollary of this provision is…
“One Day, Lad, All This Will Be Yours.”
Many a closely-held business was created before its founder became a parent or when the founder’s children were still very young. As the business grew, and as the founder’s children matured, the founder may have entertained the notion of eventually having her children take over the business.…
In earlier posts, we discussed how the division of a closely-held, corporate-owned business may be effected without incurring an income tax liability for either the corporation or its shareholders. The ability to effect such a division on a tax-efficient basis may be especially important in resolving a dispute between shareholders who may have already…
What would you do?
The decedent was an extremely wealthy man, with a net worth in excess of $3 billion. You are the executor of his estate.
Prior to his death in 2009, he retained one of the top tax firms in the country to review his existing estate plan.
Under his existing plan, which…
At the beginning of every year, the IRS informs the public of those tax matters on which the IRS will not issue letter rulings. Typically, these are areas of the tax law that are under study at the IRS, and that the IRS hopes to address through the publication of a revenue ruling, a…
Davidson was dead to begin with. Dead as a door-nail. His death did not come as a great surprise, at least to some, though few (other than the IRS) expected him to go as quickly as he did. And that was the root of the problem. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself.…
Dr. Peter Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, “biblical”?
Dr Ray Stantz: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath of God type stuff.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Exactly.
Dr Ray Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the…
