NET VALUE RULES • 2005 Proposed Regulation 1.368-1(b)(1): Exchange of no net value (liabilities exceed value) does not qualify as a reorganization • Example: – Acquiror owns all of the stock of both Merger Sub and Target. Target has assets with FMV of $100 and liabilities of $160, all of which are owed to B. Target transfers all of its assets to S in exchange for the assumption of Target’s liabilities, and Target dissolves. The obligation to B is outstanding immediately after the transfer. Acquiror receives nothing in exchange for its Target stock. • Explanation: – Under paragraph (f)(2)(i) of the Reg, Target does not surrender net value because the FMV of the property transferred by Target ($100) does not exceed the sum of the amount of liabilities of Target assumed by Merger Sub in connection with the exchange ($160). Therefore, under paragraph (f) of the Reg., there is no exchange of net value. See Prop. Reg. 1.368-1(f)(5) Example 3. • Alabama Asphalt 15
NON-QUALIFIED PREFERRED STOCK • Preferred Stock – limited and preferred as to dividends; and does not participate in corporate growth i f: – (1) shareholder has right to require issuer to redeem – (2) issuer is required to redeem – (3) issuer has right to redeem and is more likely than not to exercise that right; or – (4) dividend rate varies based on interest rate, or commodity price or other index • Redemption right exercisable within 20 years and not subject to contingency that renders likelihood remote • Excludes stock compensation that may be repurchased on separation from service • Conversion feature not enough to participate in growth • Generally treated as boot to shareholders 16
TRIANGULAR OR SUBSIDIARY MERGERS 1. Forward Subsidiary Merger Acquiror Target Merger Sub 2. Reverse Subsidiary Merger Target Acquiror Merger Sub 17
TRIANGULAR OR SUBSIDIARY MERGERS Tax Consequences Target • Merger Sub takes Target’s Shareholders basis in assets increased by gain recognized by Target Acquiror Target • Acquiror takes “drop 80% down” basis in stock of Merger Sub (same as Merger Sub asset basis) Section 368(a)(2)(D) Forward Triangular Merger • A statutory merger of Target into Merger Sub (at least 80% owned by Merger Sub) • Substantially all of Target’s assets acquired by Merger Sub • Would have been a good Type A merger if Target had merged into Merger Sub 18
TRIANGULAR OR SUBSIDIARY MERGERS Tax Consequences • Non-taxable to Target and carryover Target basis Shareholders • No gain to Acquiror and Merger Sub under Sections 1032 and 361 • No gain to Target shareholders except Target Acquiror to the extent of boot • Acquiror’s basis in Target stock generally is the asset basis, but Acquiror 80% can choose to take Target shareholders basis in stock (if it is also a B) Merger Sub • If transaction is also a 351, Acquiror can use Target shareholders’ basis plus gain Section 368(a)(2)(E) Reverse Triangular Merger • Merger of Merger Sub into Target where – (i) Target shareholders surrender control (80% of voting and nonvoting classes of stock) for Acquiror voting stock and – (ii) Target holds substantially all the assets of Target and Merger Sub – Shareholder loan issues 19
DOUBLE MERGER REV. RUL. 2001-46 Step 2: A-type Forward Merger Step 1: Reverse Triangular Merger Target Target Shareholders Shareholders Acquiror Acquiror Target Merger 80% Sub Survives Merger Sub Merger Sub Target+Sub Tax Benefit: A taxable reverse merger has just one tax on the shareholders, while a taxable forward merger has two taxes (one on shareholders and one on corporation). Intended that entire transaction be a tax-free A-type merger (where 20% boot limitation does not exist). Pairing the two reduces the risk of incurring the corporate level tax in the event the entire transaction is not treated as an A-type merger. 20
Slide Intentionally Left Blank
DOUBLE MERGER – WHOLLY OWNED LLC REV. RUL. 2001-46 Step 1: Reverse Triangular Merger Step 2: A-type Forward Merger Target Target Shareholders Shareholders Acquiror Acquiror Target Merger 80% LLC Survives LLC Merger Sub Target+Sub Second step is merger into LLC under Reg 1.368-2(b)(1) (good forward merger) 22
TYPE E REORGANIZATIONS – SECTION 368(a)(1)(E) RECAPITALIZATIONS • Useful for single company restructuring • Often used to transfer control of a company from one generation to the next • Typical situation = founders of business want to pass on control to children. They engage in a Type E recapitalization to change their voting common stock to non- voting common stock or preferred stock, leaving children with voting control of the company – There may be estate and/or gift tax consequences to such a transaction • An important requirement to qualify for tax free treatment under a Type E recapitalization is that the old stock/securities must have the same value as the new stock/securities for which they are exchanged – A recent IRS Memo (Legal Advice Issued by Field Attorneys 20131601F) stated that where the value of the stock received was in excess of the value of the stock surrendered, there was no Type E recapitalization and therefore the excess amount of stock received was taxable 23
VOTING POWER Issues to consider in calculating voting power: “Control” relevant in sections 269, 304, 355(e), 368, 382, 957 and 1504 • What sort of capital structure does the company have? For example: – One or more classes of stock with the same voting rights; – Separate classes of stock that vote for different directors; – Separate classes with a different number votes per share; – Supermajority provisions; – Veto powers. • How do you determine voting power when shareholders have agreement on voting? – e.g. shareholders agree to abstain from voting, vote together, or transfer shares to a voting trust • How do you determine voting power with regard to foreign entities that are treated as a corporation for U.S. tax purposes? 24
PROPOSED REGULATIONS ON LOSS IMPORTATION • General Rule: The acquirer's basis in assets acquired under Section 368 is usually the transferor’s basis – Section 362(e)(1) provides an exception for assets with built-in losses on the date of the transfer – The IRS has issued Proposed Regulations explaining how these “anti - loss importation” rules apply (also applies to Section 334(b) transactions) • Under the Proposed Regulations, if the aggregate basis of all “Importation Property” is greater than the aggregate value of such property then the basis of all the Importation Property is its value on the date of transfer – Importation Property is property where: • (1) the gain or loss is not subject to US tax in the hands of the transferor on a hypothetical sale immediately before the transfer; and • (2) the gain or loss is subject to US tax in the hands of the transferee on a hypothetical sale immediately after the transfer 25
PROPOSED REGULATIONS ON LOSS IMPORTATION Issues to Consider • Flow-through entities – For flow-through entities such as a partnerships or S Corps, the importation property test is made by reference to the partners or shareholders, not the entity itself – The hypothetical sale will consider allocations of gains and losses as per the organizing instrument – The Proposed Regulations contain an anti-avoidance principal for REITs and RICs which applies the look-through principal above if the REIT/RIC acquired the property as part of a plan to avoid the anti- importation rules • Controlled Foreign Companies (CFCs) and Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs) – Under the Importation Property test, a gain or loss on the sale of an asset by a PFIC or CFC is not considered subject to US tax even though it may result in an inclusion under Section 951(a) – The IRS is aware of the issue and has invited comments 26
TARGET DEBT SECURITIES • Exchange of Target securities for Acquiror securities is tax free under Sections 354 and 356, to the extent that the principal amount of Acquiror debt is less than the principal amount of Target debt • Portion attributable to cash basis accrued interest is taxable • Possible COD income – Example: • Target bonds with an issue price (stated principal amount) of $1,000 exchanged for Acquiror stock or debt worth $900; Target has COD of $100 27
DIVIDEND EQUIVALENCY • Section 356(a)(2) – Boot as dividend or capital gain; post- reorganization redemption test of Rev. Rul. 93-61 • Clark – hypothetical post-reorganization redemption reduced shareholder’s interest from 1.32% to .92% - substantially disproportionate under Section 302(b)(2) • Section 302(b)(1) – redemption that results in meaningful reduction in voting power is redemption and not essentially equivalent to a dividend • Section 302(b)(2) – greater than 20% reduction is substantially disproportionate • E&P Limitation on Dividend – should be Target’s E&P but unclear if Merger Sub’s E&P counted; PLR 9118025, PLR 9041086, and PLR 9039029 28
CONTINGENT STOCK, ESCROWS, AND EARN-OUTS • Escrows: – Target shareholders usually treated as owner of escrowed Acquiror shares unless otherwise agreed – Especially true if Target shareholders have right to vote and receive dividends – Not clear who is owner if Target shareholders do not have right to vote or receive dividends • Earn-Out Stock: – Target shareholders not considered owners until Acquiror shares are issued – Not treated as boot – Imputed Interest • Rev. Proc. 84-42 Ruling Guidelines – use of escrow or contingent stock – (1) stock must be distributed within 5 years, subject to escrow or contingency – (2) valid business purpose – (3) maximum number of shares cannot exceed 50% – (4) trigger event not controlled by Target shareholders and not based on tax liability – (5) Formula is objective and readily ascertainable – (6) Restrictions on assignment and substitution – (7) In the case of escrows, Acquiror shares shown as issued to Target shareholders, current voting and dividend rights, and vested 29
UNVESTED STOCK RECEIVED IN A TAXABLE OR NON-TAXABLE DEAL • Rev. Rul. 2007-49 - The revenue ruling addresses: – (1) the exchange of fully vested stock for unvested stock of an acquiring corporation in a tax-free reorganization, and – (2) the exchange of fully vested stock for unvested stock of an acquiring corporation in a taxable exchange • Under either (1) or (2), the Rev. Rul. provides that the exchange constitutes a transfer of property subject to Section 83. – The service provider would need to file an 83(b) election to avoid the recognition of compensation income in the future as the shares vest. – The Rev. Rul. also provides that the spread will be zero, so there is no downside to the service provider’s 83(b) election. 30
OPTIONS • Assumption or Substitution – No tax on substitution of NSO – No tax on substitution of ISO, so long as the substitution is not a modification. There is no “modification” so long as: • (1) the aggregate spread in new option does not exceed the spread in the old; and • (2) the new option does not have more favorable terms than the old; see Sections 424(a) and 424(h)(3) 31
OPTIONS – CASH OUT • Cancel options for cash payment – NSO • Ordinary income – compensation – withholding or 1099 • Deduction to Target or Acquiror? – TAM 9024002 – employer deducts based on method of accounting; not clear if cash out at close is pre-acquisition Target deduction or post-close Acquiror deduction in absence of scripting the timing – Under the cash method, the deduction generally arises when the employer has “paid” the property to the employee. See Regs. §1.461-1(a)(1). Under the accrual method, the deduction arises when the employer's obligation to make the property transfer becomes fixed, the property's value is determinable and economic performance occurs. See Regs. §§1.461-1(a)(2) and -4(d)(2)(iii)(B) – ISO • FICA • Exercise and disqualifying disposition treated differently 32
409A • Deferred compensation — A deferral of compensation occurs whenever the service provider (employee) has a legally binding right during a taxable year to compensation that will be paid to such person in a later year. Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b) • Consequences of violating 409A — Amounts which were to be deferred are subject to immediate taxation — Additional 20% penalty on such amounts — Interest penalty — CA state tax penalty • Bonus or Carve Out Plans • Participation in Earn Outs (Reg. 1.409A-3(i)(5)(iv)) — Payments of compensation in this context may be treated as paid at a designated date or pursuant to a schedule that complies with 409A if the transaction-based compensation is paid on the same schedule and under the same terms and conditions as apply to payments to shareholders generally pursuant to the change in control event 33
280G GOLDEN PARACHUTE RULES • 20% excise tax and loss of deduction on Excess Parachute Payment – “Excess Parachute Payment” means the amount by which the Parachute Payment exceeds the Base Amount – “Parachute Payment” means a payment, the present value of which, exceeds three times the Base Amount – “Base Amount” means the average annual compensation for past 5 years – Must be paid to a disqualified individual (meaning employee, officer, shareholder, or highly compensated individual) – As compensation, AND – Contingent on a change in control (50% change ownership or effective control, or ownership change in a substantial portion of the company’s assets) • Reduce Excess for reasonable compensation • Exclude reasonable compensation for future services • Exception for small business corporation and non publicly traded corporation that has 75% uninterested shareholder approval • Withholding requirement 34
280G – OTHER ISSUES • Non-Publicly Traded Stock – Approval of 75% of shareholders after adequate disclosure – Vote determines the right of the shareholder to the payment – Ignore shares held by persons receiving the payment • Reduction for Excess (299% of payments) 35
WARRANT TERMINATION PAYMENTS • Companies frequently grant stock warrants to investors • Stock warrants are often held for many years before being exercised, however the holding period for the stock does not start until the date of exercise – Stock therefore needs to be held for another year after exercise to get long term capital gains treatment • However, if the stock warrant is terminated instead of being exercised then any gain on the warrant termination payment is treated as gain on the sale of the warrant – The holding period is the holding period of the warrant – The warrant shall have the same character as the underlying asset 36
TAXABLE STOCK PURCHASES Target Shareholders Target Acquiror Merger Sub Cash Reverse Triangular Merger • Treated as Stock Sale • Shareholders have gain or loss • Acquiror takes cost basis in Target shares 37
PERSONAL GOODWILL • Key questions: (1) Who owns the goodwill (individual or company)? And (2) Was that goodwill ever transferred? • Two key cases: – Bross Trucking, Inc . – goodwill may be transferred to a company via an employment contract if that employment contract grants the company a right to future services (e.g., through a non-compete provision) • Note: non-compete provisions are generally invalid in California absent the sale of a business – Martin Ice Cream – the court held that customer relationships and distribution lists were an asset of the shareholder because they were never transferred to the company (the business began as a sole proprietorship and then part of the business was specifically transferred to a new company) 38
PERSONAL GOODWILL • Issues: – Is a buy/sell non-compete sufficient to satisfy the right to future services? • What does the scope of the non-compete need to be? (geographic area, time, etc.) – Is a fiduciary obligation not to compete sufficient? – Is a non-solicitation and/or non-use of trade secrets provision sufficient? • Best practice = shareholders should sell their “personal goodwill” separate from the stock/asset sale 39
QSBS ISSUE FOR CASH FREE STOCK SALES • Target companies may be acquired on a cash free/debt free basis, however this often necessitates a cash dividend to shareholders immediately prior to the sale • During negotiations, both Acquiror and Target shareholders typically treat this dividend as part of the acquisition price, however the form of the transaction is a dividend • This pre- sale dividend can create problems for shareholders’ QSBS relief: – Under the QSBS rules, the maximum taxable gain considered available for relief is the higher of $10 million or ten times stock basis – If the dividend payment is treated as a pre-sale distribution then it will reduce the basis of the stock and may therefore reduce the amount of gain available for QSBS relief • Taxpayer may choose to file on the basis that the dividend is, in substance , part of the sale proceeds, however this could be subject to challenge by the tax authorities 40
CASH FORWARD MERGER Target Shareholders Target Asset Sale Followed by Acquiror Merger Liquidation of Target Acquiror Survives • Target has gain on sale • Target shareholders have Variation with Merger Sub: gain on liquidation Target Shareholders (unless 332 applies) • Acquiror takes cost basis Target Acquiror in Target assets • S corporations with no h10 election Merger Sub 41
SECTION 382 – LIMITATION ON LOSSES AFTER CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP • Section 381 – Survival of Tax Attributes • Section 382 – When there has been an ownership change of a corporation with loss carry forwards, use of Net Operating Losses (NOLs) against future income is limited to the product of the value of the Target and the long term interest rate. – “Ownership Change” occurs if, within a 3 year testing period, the percentage of stock of Target held by 5 Percent Shareholders increases by more than 50% over lowest percentage held by such shareholders during the test period. 42
BUSTED 351 Target Shareholder Shareholders Acquiror Stock Stock Business Acquiror Merger Target Rev. Ruling 70-140 Weikel v CIR, 51 TCM 432 (1986) Step 1: Incorporate Target Substantial business purpose Step 2: Merge Target into Acquiror 43
USE OF WHOLLY OWNED LLC T Shareholders Target Acquiror LLC Merger of Corporation into LLC • Reg. 1.368-2(b)(1) – by operation of law, all assets and liabilities of Target become those of LLC, and Target ceases legal existence • A Type Reorganization 44
“CHECK AND MERGE” TRANSACTION • The Code provides for tax-free mergers of corporations into other corporations and partnerships into other partnerships, but there is no provision for a tax free merger of a partnership (or an LLC taxable as a partnership) into a corporation • Two-step check and merge process: – (1) the LLC elects to change its entity classification from a partnership to a corporation; and – (2) the LLC (now taxable as a corporation) merges into another corporation • Will the step-transaction doctrine merge the two steps? – An entity classification does not need a business purpose and applies to all parts of the Code including the step transaction doctrine (Reg. 301.7701-3(g)(2)(i)) – Courts have to respect the entity classification election and therefore the two steps should be respected • 351 “holding” requirement problem 45
SECTION 351 / 721 ROLLOVER • Target Shareholders 80% vote & value • Taxation of boot PEG • Debt + non-qualified voting stock Target • Assumption of liabilities Cash out some and rollover Target Shareholders Target Cash Cash PEG Shareholders Cash Target PEG Target Cash Shares Assets Cash NewCo NewCo Target Assets 46
LLC TECHNIQUES Step 1 Step 2 Former Target T Shareholders Shareholders $ Target Corp. Acquiror LLC Target LLC Target 1. Cherry picking consideration 2. Partial purchase of shares or put/calls 3. Collapsing investor groups into one owner 47
INSTALLMENT METHOD • Gain on each payment = gross profit ratio times payment – Gross profit ratio = ratio of total gain to purchase price – Pre-transaction planning opportunities to utilize basis • Section 453A – interest charge to the extent taxpayer holds more than $5 million face amount of Section 453 obligations • Section 453 Limits – Not available for publicly held stock or securities, or inventory – Not available for sales for demand notes or readily tradable notes – Not available for instruments secured by cash or cash equivalents – Obligor must be purchaser (cannot use parent debt) • Section 453 applies unless taxpayer affirmatively elects out • Section 453(h) – Target shareholders who receive Acquiror debt in liquidation of Target allowed to use installment reporting 48
CONTINGENT PAYMENTS AND EARN-OUTS • Distinguish Equity vs. Debt • 3 Issues – (1) allocation between interest and sales proceeds; – (2) timing of realization of sales proceeds; and – (3) timing of basis recovery • Interest – 1.1275-4(b) • Contingent payment debt for cash or publicly traded property – use non-contingent bond method; projected non-contingent and contingent payments – 1.1275-4(c) • Contingent debt instrument issued for non-publicly traded property – bifurcate into non-contingent debt instrument and contingent debt instrument; contingent payment treated as principal based on present value, excess is interest • Buyer’s basis is non -contingent portion plus contingent payments treated as principal 49
CONTINGENT PAYMENTS AND GAIN RECOGNITION Reg. 15A.453-1(c) • If capped by maximum amounts, assume maximum for purposes of gross profit percentage (accelerates gain, backloads basis) – If no cap, but term, basis recovered ratably over term – If neither time nor amount is capped, basis recovered ratably over 15 years • Election out of Section 453 – FMV of contingent obligation is amount realized • Open transaction treatment – rare and extraordinary situations only 50
SECTION 338 ELECTION • Section 338(g) – Target in stock sale treated as selling all its assets followed by liquidation post close (soaks up NOLs) • Section 338(h)(10) – Sale and liquidation deemed to occur pre-close; joint election; S corporation or sale out of a consolidated group • Adjusted Grossed-Up Basis – New Asset basis is basis in recently purchased stock (last 12 months) grossed up to reflect minority shareholder’s basis + liabilities of Target (including taxes in 338(g)) • Adjusted Deemed Sale Price – grossed up amount realized of recently purchased stock plus liabilities of old T (on day after acquisition date) 51
Partnership Structure with Profits Interest Acquisition Structure: Post Acquisition: Acquiror Acquiror Target Shareholders 100% less 100% profits interest Issuance of unvested profits $$ Target interest Shareholders Hold Co, LLC Hold Co, LLC 100% 100% 100% Merger Target Merger Co Target, LLC Target converts to wholly-owned LLC - treated as a tax- free liquidation into Hold Co, LLC if a single member LLC 52
338(g) ELECTIONS • If there is a US Buyer of a foreign owned foreign target, then 338(g) election steps up basis and eliminates E&P and foreign tax credits • Target may be able to offset 338(g) gains with NOLs 53
PURCHASE PRICE ALLOCATION • Asset Sale or 338 Election – Sections 1060 and 338 classes based on FMV – Class I – cash and equivalents – Class II – actively traded personal property under 1092 – Class III – debt instruments and marked to market – Class IV – inventory – Class V – assets other than those in I-IV or VI – Class VI – goodwill and going concern • Agreement Allocations – Danielson Rule – Parties bound by agreement unless IRS determines that the allocation is NOT appropriate • SFAS 141R – Purchase Price Allocations – Assets booked at FMV as of closing date (not signing date) – Bargain purchase results in accounting gain – Earn Outs – estimated and recorded – Deferred tax assets for excess tax deductible goodwill over book value – Transaction related costs recognized (expensed) 54
S CORPORATIONS AND 338(h)(10) Target • Character difference – ordinary Shareholders income assets • California 1.5% tax on S corporations • All Target shareholders must T (S Corp) Acquiror consent on Form 8023 • Deemed 338 election for subsidiaries • 1374 – BIG Tax Merger Sub • Minority shareholders in rollover • Hidden tax in liquidation or deemed liquidation in installment sale. • 3.8% NIIT Tax 55
S CORP 338(h)(10) ELECTION AND 453B(h) BASIS ALLOCATION ISSUE Shareholders $1 million $1 million cash basis $4 million 453 Note Target Acquiror Stock Sale Reg. 1.338(h)(10) – 1(e) Example 10 Cash - $1 million / $1 million A/B Assets - $4 million / zero A/B • Gain to Shareholders in year of sale: $1 million x 80% = $800,000; A/B of Shareholder = $1.8 million • No 331 liquidation: $1 million cash decreases A/B by $1 million to $800,000; $800,000 A/B in Note = $3.2 million gain • 331 liquidation – apportion basis: $1.8 million basis apportioned $360,000 to cash and $1,440,000 to Note; Gain in cash of $640,000 and gain in note of $2,560,000 for a total of $3.2 million gain (GP % on liquidation is 64%) • Defer cash portion and include in installment obligation: gain on liquidation equal to zero; Shareholder A/B in note of $1 million; profit % is 80% 56
S CORP NO 338(h)(10) ELECTION – DISAPPEARING BASIS T Shareholders T (S Corp) Acquiror Liquidate Target into Merger Sub or check the box Q-Sub Merger Sub Carryover Basis 57
S CORP INVESTMENT STRUCTURE Step One: Step Two: Step Three: T Shareholders T Shareholders T Shareholders $$ Holdings, Inc. Holdings, Inc. Holdings, Inc. Investor (S Corp) (S Corp) (S Corp) Membership interest Target, Inc. Target, LLC Target, LLC (QSSS) (QSSS) (QSSS) Step One: Shareholders of Target, Inc. transfer all Target, Inc. stock to Holdings, Inc. in exchange for Holdings, Inc. stock. Holdings, Inc. makes an S election and Target, Inc. elects to be treated as a qualified subchapter S subsidiary (QSSS). Step Two: Target, Inc. converts to an LLC for state law purposes (Target, LLC). Step Three: Investor purchases a membership interest in Target, LLC from Holdings, Inc. 58
Slide Intentionally Left Blank
Section 336(e) Basic Model (for stock sales): Target is treated as selling all of its assets to an unrelated person while owned by its former shareholders and then reacquiring same upon acquisition by Acquiror. $ Acquiror Shareholder Shareholder = Deemed Component Target Stock Acquiror = Actual Component $ Assets Target Target 3 rd Party $ Assets Section 336(e) does not apply to sales to a “related person.” The attribution rules could give rise to an unexpected “related person” situation where the seller acquires at least 5% of the acquiring partnership as part of the transaction. For example, where an investment partnership acquires a target and provides a modest partnership interest to the selling shareholders. 60
FOREIGN CORPORATIONS • Section 367(a) – outbound transactions – Foreign corporation not treated as a corporation except as provided in regulations – Generally, gain recognized unless: • No more than 50% of stock of foreign Acquiror received by US transferors, • No more than 50% of stock of foreign Acquiror owned after the transfer by US persons that are officers or directors or 5% Target shareholders, • Gain Recognition Agreement ("GRA") is entered into by 5% US transferee shareholders • 36 month active trade or business test met, • No intent to substantially dispose of or discontinue such trade or business, • FMV of the assets of transferee must be at least equal to the FMV of the US target, and • Tax reporting • Section 367(b) – inbound and foreign to foreign transfers – US Acquiror and foreign Target • Target can be treated as a corporation • May be income to Target’s US shareholders to extent of Target’s accumulated E&P 61
FOREIGN CORPORATIONS • Anti-Inversion Rules – tax outbound reorganization and/or tax foreign Acquiror as a U.S. taxpayer; Code Section 7874 – If ownership of former U.S. Target shareholders in foreign Acquiror is 80% or more; foreign Acquiror is treated as a U.S. company – If ownership continuity is between 60-80%; foreign Acquiror is NOT treated as a U.S. company, but U.S. tax attributes cannot be used to offset gains – 20% excise tax on stock-based compensation upon certain corporate inversion transactions – 7874 exception available for companies with “substantial business activities” in the foreign jurisdiction which exist when: • (1) The number of employees and the amount of employee compensation in the foreign jurisdiction is at least 25% of the number of employees and amount of employee compensation in the total group; • (2) The value of group assets (only tangible property held for use in the trade or business) located in the foreign jurisdiction is at least 25% of the total group assets; and • (3) The income derived from the foreign jurisdiction is at least 25% of the group income 62
FOREIGN CORPORATIONS • Anti-Inversion Rules cont. – New Regulations under Section 7874(c)(6) will disregard a portion of foreign acquiring stock where more than 50% of the foreign group property is foreign group non-qualified property – Foreign group property is all group property except that held by the domestic target – Foreign group non-qualified property is cash and marketable securities other than that relating to the active conduct of a banking or insurance business • Controlled Foreign Corporations (“CFCs”) – A foreign entity is classified as a CFC if it has “United States Shareholders” who collectively own more than 50% of the voting power or value of the company. For the purposes of the CFC rules, a “United States Shareholder” is defined as US persons holding at least a 10% interest in the foreign corporation. 63
1248 AMOUNT ON SALE OF CONTROLLED FOREIGN CORPORATION Section 1248 • Seller of Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) must treat as dividend gain to extent of E&P • 1248 inclusion carries foreign tax credits • 1248 amount determined at year end and pro rated based on day count, so post closing events can have an effect on the 1248 amount 64
JOINT VENTURE STRUCTURES Foreign US Company Company • Section 367 Issues • Disguised Sale LLC – Effect of assumed liabilities US & Foreign Assets 65
TRANSACTION COSTS • Must capitalize “Facilitative Costs” that relate to a “Categorized Transaction” unless an exception applies • Categorized Transactions – (1) Acquisition of assets constituting a trade or business – (2) Acquisition of an ownership interest in an entity if the acquirer and target are related after the transaction – (3) Acquisition of an ownership interest in the taxpayer – (4) Restructuring, recapitalization, or reorganization of the capital structure of the entity – (5) A Section 351 transfer – (6) Formation of a disregarded entity – (7) Acquisition of capital – (8) Stock issuance – (9) A burrowing; and – (10) Writing an option 66
TRANSACTION COSTS • “Facilitative Costs” – Costs incurred in the process of investigating or pursuing a Categorized Transaction • Includes valuation costs and registrar and transfer agent fees • Excludes consideration for the transaction (not a Facilitative Cost, but may be capitalized under other principles) and business integration costs – Exceptions • Does not include costs relating to a “Covered Transaction” – Covered Transaction » Taxable acquisition by the taxpayer of assets constituting a trade or business » Taxable acquisition of ownership interest, regardless of whether taxpayer is the target or acquirer, if the two parties are related after the transaction » Type A, B, C, or Acquisitive D reorganizations 67
TRANSACTION COSTS • “Facilitative Costs” cont. – Exceptions cont. • Bright Line Date – Unless the cost is an “Inherently Facilitative Cost” then costs incurred before the “Bright Line Date” are not Facilitative Costs – The Bright Line Date is the earlier of: (a) the execution of the letter of intent (or similar document); or (b) the authorization of the company’s board of directors – Inherently Facilitative Costs are: (1) valuation; (2) costs to structure the transaction; (3) draft and review of documents; (4) regulatory approval; (5) shareholder approval; and (6) conveyance of property – Success-Based Fees • Costs for which the obligation to pay is contingent upon a successful closing are presumed to be Facilitative Costs, however the taxpayer may overcome this presumption by maintaining sufficient documentation • Rev. Proc. 2011-29 provides a safe harbor permitting taxpayers to treat 70% of the success-based fees as being non-Facilitative Costs and treating the remaining 30% as Facilitative Costs. 68
Palo Alto San Francisco 1717 Embarcadero Road 135 Main Street Palo Alto, CA 94303 12 th Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 www.rroyselaw.com 69
M & A Tax Considerations for Buyers & Sellers Selected Tax Issues Webinar Michael Kross, CPA JD MKROSS@bdo.com April 22, 2015 BDO USA, LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership, is the U.S. member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms.
Initial Considerations Identify Non-Tax and Tax Goals of Each Party Understand the Economics of the Deal Buyer’s Perspective vs . Seller’s Perspective Types of Consideration Cash? Continuing Equity Interests? Installment Payments (Notes/Debt/Contingent)? M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 71
Basic Tax Structuring Alternatives Taxable Stock Acquisitions Taxable Asset Acquisitions Tax-Free Stock Acquisitions Tax-Free Asset Acquisitions Tax-Free Contribution to Capital This presentation will principally address selected tax issues with respect to taxable stock and taxable asset acquisitions. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 72
Tax Considerations in Structuring Acquisitions Legal and Tax Structure of Target and of Purchaser (or Purchaser Group) Legal Form of Target such as Corporation or Partnership or LLC Tax Treatment of Target such as C Corporation, S Corporation, Partnership or Disregarded Entity Types of Shareholders of Target (i.e., Corporate, Individual, Tax-exempt) Legal Form of Purchaser such as Individuals, Corporation, Partnership or LLC Tax Treatment of Purchaser such as C Corporation, S Corporation, Partnership or Disregarded Entity Overlap in Ownership among Owners of Target and Between Target and Purchaser Tax Aspects of Target Outside Tax Basis of Stock vs. Inside Tax Basis of Assets Built-in-Gain or Built in Loss Income or Deduction Items Tax Attributes, such as Net Operating Losses (NOLs) and Tax Credits M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 73
Tax Considerations in Structuring Acquisition Taxable Acquisitions vs. Tax-Free Reorganizations Carry Over Basis to Purchaser vs. Deferral of Gain to Seller in Tax-Free Reorganization Taxable Stock Acquisitions vs. Taxable Asset Acquisitions with C Corporations Double Taxation of C Corporation Liquidations (since 1986 repeal of General Utilities Doctrine) Double Taxation generally imposed on Buyers in Stock Acquisitions vs. Sellers in Asset Acquisitions Section 338(h)(10) Elections Qualified Stock Purchase of S Corporation or Corporate Subsidiary treated as Asset Acquisition for Income Tax Purposes Substance vs. Form – Step Transaction Doctrine M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 74
Some Consolidated Return Considerations Consolidated Return Issues when Target is Member of Consolidated Group Deferred Intercompany Transactions Excess Loss Accounts Tax Sharing Agreements Loss Carrybacks NOL Elections Intercompany Loans Uniform Loss Disallowance Rules M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 75
Taxable Acquisitions of Target Asset acquisitions Stock acquisitions, without Section 338(h)(10) Election Stock acquisitions, with Section 338(h)(10) Election Stock acquisitions, with Section 336(e) Election M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 76
Financial Accounting (GAAP) Verses Tax Accounting For Financial Accounting (GAAP) purposes, purchase accounting applies and the purchase price is generally allocated among the assets of Target to determine the beginning balance sheet of the Target. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 77
Financial Accounting (GAAP) Verses Tax Accounting For Tax Accounting purposes, the treatment depends on the form of the transaction: In a Stock Acquisition of the Target, the purchase price is generally allocated only to the stock of the Target and the Target (now owned by Acquirer) retains its existing tax balance sheet and tax attributes (pre-acquisition tax basis in assets, net operating losses (“NOL's”), credits, tax liabilities, etc.). In an Asset Acquisition of Target, the purchase price is generally allocated to the purchased assets based on fair market values and Target (owned by Seller) retains tax attributes (NOL's, credits, tax liabilities, etc). It is sometimes possible to elect “deemed” Asset Acquisition treatment for tax purposes in a Stock Acquisition (make an IRC “Section 338, 338(h)(10) election or 336(e) election”). M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 78
Taxable Asset Acquisitions - General Tax Treatment 1. Purchaser obtains a tax basis in Target’s assets based on purchase price. (This may produce a future tax benefit to Purchaser.) 2. Tax attributes of Target (such as NOL’s and R&D credits) stay with Seller (through its ownership of Seller) and do not carry over to Purchaser group. 3. Pre-acquisition liabilities of Target (including income tax liabilities) remain with Target (i.e. Seller). 4. Two levels of income tax imposed on Seller. Corporation pays income tax based on its tax basis in sold assets (but often may use NOL’s and credits to offset gain). Seller pays income tax based on its tax basis in Target stock. 5. Sales taxes and/or transfer taxes are generally not imposed on purchase but may be imposed in some jurisdictions. 6. Purchaser may be deemed to assume liability for pre-acquisition indirect taxes such as sales tax and VAT/GST. 7. Tax Accounting Methods do not generally carry over to Purchaser group. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 79
Tax Considerations with Taxable Asset Acquisitions Major Tax Considerations for Seller of Assets Amount realized on disposition of each asset Overall gain or loss Character of gain or loss Timing of gain or loss recognition Tax attributes available to offset gain recognized Major Tax Considerations for Purchaser of Assets Initial cost basis of each asset Potential additional adjustments to the tax basis of each asset due to contingent liabilities Cost recovery for each asset or category M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 80
Section 1060 as It Applies to Taxable Asset Acquisitions Defined as any transfer (directly or indirectly) Of assets constituting a trade or business; and With respect to which the transferee’s basis in such assets is determined wholly by reference to the amount of consideration paid for such assets Consideration allocated to assets in each class subject to fair market value limitation Allocated within each class based on relative fair market values of assets No limitation applies to Class VII (residual class) Form 8594 compliance M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 81
Identification of Asset Classes for Purchase Price Allocation to Assets under Section 1060 Class I - cash and cash equivalents Class II - marketable securities Class III - accounts receivable Class IV - inventories and other property held for sale to customers Class V - all other assets Class VI - section 197 intangible assets other than Class VII assets Class VII - goodwill and going concern value M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 82
Taxable Stock Acquisitions (without 338 Elections) - General Tax Treatment of Corporate Target 1. Purchaser obtains a tax basis in Target stock based on purchase price. (Target’s tax basis in assets is not adjusted due to purchase.) 2. Tax attributes of Target (such as NOL's and research and development (“R&D”) credits) carry over to Purchaser group (through its ownership of Target) but their use may be limited. 3. Pre-acquisition liabilities of Target (including tax liabilities) attach with Target (i.e. Purchaser). 4. One level of income tax imposed on Seller. Seller pays income tax based on Seller’s tax basis in Target stock and tax rate. 5. Sales taxes and/or transfer taxes are generally not imposed. 6. Liability for pre-acquisition taxes, such as income taxes, sales tax and VAT/GST, attach with Target. 7. Accounting methods of Target generally carry over to Purchaser group (through ownership of Target) but may not if, for example, Target becomes member of Consolidated Group M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 83
Slide Intentionally Left Blank
Taxable Stock Acquisitions (without Section 338 Elections) Major Tax Considerations for Seller of Stock Generally only one level of taxable gain. Major Tax Considerations for Purchaser of Stock Purchased Target Corporation Generally Continues with Existing Assets and Liabilities Tax Attributes generally carry over but may be limited Attributes belong to corporation, and are generally transferred together with other corporate assets A stock transfer does not affect basis of target corporation’s assets or generally its accounting methods Sections 382 and 383 may limit purchaser’s ability to use acquired attributes following ownership change M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 85
Taxable Stock Acquisitions (without Section 338 Elections) Taxable Year and Accounting Methods generally continue but there are exceptions. Consolidated Return Rules apply when Target Joins a Consolidated Group: Target’s tax year ends (short period, closing of the books treatment of Target) when Target becomes a member of the consolidated group. Purchase of S Corporations: Target’s tax year ends if Target ceases to qualify as an S corporation (1) For example, if purchaser is a non-qualifying shareholder or Target becomes a member of a consolidated group. Pro-rata method of allocating items to pre and post period generally applies, but closing of the books allocation method applies if there an exchange of 50% or more of the stock in the corporation during such year or if all shareholders elect to apply closing of the books method to pre and post acquisition periods. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 86
Taxable Stock Acquisitions (without 338 Elections) - General Operation of Section 382 Limitations Section 382 limitations on use of losses generally apply following an “ownership change”. Use of “pre - change” losses to offset “post - change” income subject to annual section 382 limitation. Limitations may also apply to recognized built-in losses. Limitation generally equals the value of the loss corporation’s stock immediately before the ownership change, multiplied by the long-term tax-exempt rate. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 87
Stock Acquisitions (without 338 Elections) - General Policies of Section 382 Anti-trafficking rules - purpose of acquisition is irrelevant An “ownership change” occurs on a testing date when the stock of the loss corporation owned by one or more five-percent shareholders increases by more than 50 percentage points during a testing period when compared with the lowest ownership by each shareholder during that period Rules for determining applicable testing period can require determining stock ownership and stock transactions from formation of target. Notice 2003-65, Section 338 Approach vs. Section 1374 Approach M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 88
Stock Acquisitions (without 338 Elections) General Operation of Section 383 Similar limitations apply to other attributes, such as: Capital losses Business credits Foreign tax credits Alternative minimum tax credits Annual Section 382 NOL limitation must be converted to “credit equivalent” M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 89
Taxable Stock Acquisitions (with Section 338 Elections) Deemed asset purchase and sale treatment requires Qualified stock purchase; and Election on Form 8023 Qualified stock purchase Purchaser must be corporation Stock meeting section 1504(a)(2) requirements must be acquired by “purchase” Requires 12-month acquisition period Fictions apply for most income tax purposes, but not for — Payroll tax purposes; Information reporting purposes; or Most employee benefit plan purposes . M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 90
Taxable Stock Acquisitions (Section 338(g) vs. 338(h)(10) Elections) Section 338(g) elections re-characterize old and new target transactions only Purchaser of stock has stock purchase Sellers of stock have stock sale The “old target” and “new target” have deemed asset purchases and sales Very rarely made except for foreign target entities Section 338(h)(10) election re- characterize certain seller’s transactions as well Sellers of S corporation stock have deemed taxable liquidation following deemed sale of assets Eligible corporate sellers may have Section 332 treatment for deemed liquidation M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 91
Taxable Stock Acquisitions (with Section 338(h)(10) Election) 1. Form is a Stock Acquisition. 2. Target is a member of a consolidated group or an “S” corporation. 3. Purchaser and Seller elect to treat acquisition as an Asset Acquisition for income tax purposes under IRC Section 338(h)(10). 4. Purchaser generally obtains benefits of Purchase Accounting for income tax purposes. 5. Seller is subject to income tax, as if Target had sold assets and liquidated. NOL's and tax credits remain with Seller and often may be used to offset gains and tax from deemed asset sale. 6. Sales taxes and/or transfer taxes generally do not apply. 7. Pre-acquisition non-income tax liabilities remain with Target (now held by Purchaser). (Note: Some exposure to income tax liabilities can also remain with Target.) M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 92
Taxable Stock Acquisitions (Section 338(h)(10) Election Requirements) Qualified stock purchase of one of the following types of corporations: S corporation Subsidiary member of consolidated group Subsidiary member of non-consolidated affiliated group Election on Form 8023 Joint election by all S corporation shareholders Some states require separate state “Section 338” elections M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 93
Benefits of Section 338(h)(10) Election to Purchaser in a Taxable Stock Acquisition Cost basis of assets deemed acquired New accounting methods New cost recovery methods New elections Elimination of earnings and profits Eliminate reliance on old tax and accounting records Tax consequences not dependent on form of transaction M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 94
Taxable Stock Acquisitions (with Section 338(h)(10) Election) Considerations with S Corporation Target Consequences of an S corporation section 338(h)(10) election Deemed sale of assets by “old target” corporation, followed by liquidation Deemed purchase of assets by “new target” corporation Subject to built-in gains tax and state corporate level taxes for S corporations, only one level of tax is imposed on sale gains Deemed sale gain is allocated to shareholders on Schedule K-1 under normal S corporation rules Basis increase reduces deemed liquidation gain M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 95
Tax Free Mergers and Acquisitions The tax treatment of tax free mergers and acquisitions is not discussed in detail in this presentation. In general, the purchaser in a tax free merger receives a carry over basis in the assets of the target and the seller defers gain with respect to shares of the target it exchanges for shares of the acquirer. The seller generally recognized income, or a taxable gain, with respect to boot it receives in the form or cash or property. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 96
Liabilities of Target In a Stock Acquisition (without a 338(h)(10) election), liabilities of the target generally continue as liabilities of the target and are not included in the purchase price paid for the stock of the target. In an Asset Acquisition, liabilities of the target assumed, or taken subject to, as part of the acquisition are generally included in the purchase price deemed paid for the assets of the target. In a Stock Acquisition (with a 338(h)(10) election), liabilities of the target are generally included in the purchase price deemed paid for the assets of the target. The purchase price paid for target is often subject to adjustment as liabilities of the target are determined or become fixed. Most acquisitions provide for working capital adjustments to the purchase price. Tax liabilities of target are typically among the liabilities taken into account in determining the amount of a working capital adjustment. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 97
Transaction Costs Inherently facilitative costs incurred paid by the taxpayer in the process of investigating or otherwise pursuing a “covered transaction” generally must be capitalized as a cost of the transaction. Other than inherently facilitative costs, amounts paid by the taxpayer in the process of investigating or otherwise pursuing a “covered transaction” facilitates the transaction and must generally be capitalized only if the amount relates to activities performed on or after the earlier of the following dates: (1) the date on which a letter of intent, exclusivity agreement, or similar written communication (other than a confidentiality agreement) is executed by representatives of the purchaser and the target; or (2) the date on which the material terms of the transaction, as tentatively agreed to by representatives of the purchaser and the target, are authorized or approved by the taxpayer's board of directors (or its committee) or, for a taxpayer that is not a corporation, are authorized or approved by the appropriate governing officials of the taxpayer. For a transaction that does not require authorization or approval of the taxpayer's board of directors or appropriate governing officials, the date determined under the above rules is the date on which the purchaser and the target execute a binding written contract reflecting the terms of the transaction. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 98
Transaction Costs A “covered transaction” includes the following transactions: A taxable acquisition by the taxpayer of assets that constitute a trade or business; A taxable acquisition of an ownership interest in a business entity (whether the taxpayer is the purchaser or the target) if, immediately after the acquisition, the acquirer and the target are related within the meaning of IRC Section 267(b) and IRC Section 707(b); or Most a tax-free corporate reorganizations. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 99
Transaction Costs Success based fees, which are fees contingent on the completion of the transaction, must generally be capitalized, except to the extent the taxpayers satisfies certain documentation requirements. Taxpayers meeting certain requirements may elect a safe harbor allocation. Taxpayers who make the election can treat 70% of the success-based fee as an amount that doesn't facilitate the transaction and is therefore currently deductible. The remaining 30% of the fee must be capitalized. Borrowing costs generally must be capitalized as a cost of the borrowing as opposed to into the cost of the transaction. Certain de-minimis costs need not be capitalized as a cost of the transaction. Costs not capitalized under these rules under IRC Section 263(a) may still be subject to capitalization under IRC Sections 195 or 248. M&A Tax Considerations for Buyers and Sellers - Selected Tax Issues Page 100
Recommend
More recommend
