Ledgers and Law: Start With an Ending in Mind When Building a New Business
THE ACCIDENTAL ENTREPRENEUR
Investment Management Update – Exit Strategies
Lawyers on Tap: Tap Tips for Entity Formation and Taxation
In this Part XI of my multi-part series on some of the not-so-obvious aspects of S corporations, I explore a topic that should be obvious but which appears to be ignored by many taxpayers and their tax advisers – accurate...more
Many small business owners mistakenly believe business succession planning and estate planning is for those with substantial wealth. This is simply a myth which does not reflect the nature of business or home ownership....more
When considering converting a C corporation to an S corporation, tax advisers and taxpayers need to pay careful attention to the many perils that exist. Failure to pay close attention to the road in this area could result in...more
If given their druthers, most transactional corporate attorneys would prefer to spend their day practicing “happy law,” by which they typically mean transactions that involve capital formation, mergers and acquisitions, joint...more
For an active business in the post-Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) world of lower corporate tax rates, buyers and shareholders considering a future exit should always consider C corporations and the availability of potential...more
Personal goodwill refers to the reputation, relationships, and other intangible assets directly attributable to an individual professional rather than the business entity itself. It is especially relevant for professional...more
The reporting requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act took effect January 1, 2024. Now, most small businesses are required to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the...more
There are several steps to follow when preparing to sell your business. It is important to allow plenty of time for planning and organization, as the process will usually require many months to a year or more. Why does it...more
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) made numerous changes to the complex web that makes up U.S. retirement plan laws. Of interest to S corporations that may be considering an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) is...more
Having been swept along for nine days “by the force of the hostile winds on the fishy sea,” Odysseus and his crew came to a strange land. After securing their ships, Odysseus sent some of his “companions ahead, telling them...more
Unlike the rules contained in Subchapter K surrounding partnership distributions, which tend to be somewhat complex, the distribution rules contained in Subchapter S are fairly straightforward. Nevertheless, from time to...more
In less than four months, the citizens of the United States will be electing their next President to a four-year term. They will also be deciding which of the two major political parties will “control” the Senate, the House,...more
The IRS’ determinations in a notice of deficiency are generally presumed correct. Therefore, unless specifically excepted by Tax Court Rule or statute, the burden of proof in civil tax proceedings is ordinarily on the...more
Selecting the appropriate business structure is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your company’s future growth and legal protection. Entrepreneurs should review this comparison of common business structures,...more
In the S corporation arena, tax advisors and taxpayers generally do not focus a lot of attention on the S corporation shareholder eligibility rules other than at the time the S election is made. As we dive into shareholder...more
Many Americans have not noticed the paragraph above their signature line on the 1040 and other IRS and state tax forms, which notifies the taxpayer that they signed their tax return "under the penalties of perjury" and that...more
On June 20, the U.S. Supreme Court released its opinion in the closely watched case of Moore v. United States. In a 7-2 decision, the court upheld the constitutionality of the mandatory repatriation tax (MRT), also referred...more
On June 20, 2024, the Supreme Court released its opinion in Moore et ux v. US, authored by Kavanaugh, decided by 6-3 vote and marking a rare instance for the Court to interpret the 16th Amendment, upholding the...more
What is now considered as the “abusive use of partnerships,” and why would this matter to the IRS? The agency recently released IR-2024-166, which is intended to provide “new guidance to stop partnerships from using...more
The Tax Court’s use of a functional analysis test to determine limited partner status in Soroban Capital Partners LP has had a ripple effect in the world of asset management. The decision’s impact will be felt in the tax and...more
In the S corporation arena, tax advisors generally do not focus much attention on unreasonable compensation. As we delve into the issue in this Part VII of my multi-part series on Subchapter S, it will become apparent that...more
An anonymous thinker, lost to history, is credited with having said that the unofficial motto of the IRS is, “We have what it takes to take what you have.” In some instances, the truth of the above statement is manifested in...more
In Leto v. United States, the taxpayer reincorporated an S corporation business into a C corporation, then the taxpayer later sold the shares in the C corporation and tried to exclude the gain from such sale under section...more
Business owners considering exit options from their businesses often can be blinded by purchase price figures and proceeds, often “accepting” that paying capital gains tax is part of the deal. The ability to avoid or defer...more
Understanding market trends and effective planning strategies can yield improved financial results for start-ups and growth companies. Starting your start-up. What type of entity you form impacts your taxes, which hits your...more