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TOPICS / PASSTHROUGHS

Tax Considerations for Cancellation-of-Debt Income

This item provides an overview of the U.S. income tax implications of cancellation-of-debt income that results from bankruptcy or insolvency, with a focus on the differences in the tax treatment for C corporations, S corporations, and partnerships.

Impact of Sec. 1411 on S Corporations and Their Shareholders

One of the more significant changes to the tax landscape in recent years is the new 3.8% tax on net investment income under Sec. 1411. This tax, which was further clarified in recently finalized regulations, will affect many entities and taxpayers including S corporations and their shareholders. This discussion outlines noteworthy aspects of these rules pertaining to S corporations and their owners.

Maintaining Single Taxation: Sec. 336(e) and S Corporations

Final regulations under Sec. 336(e) provide special rules for S corporations and their shareholders to make an election to treat a sale or disposition, including a distribution of control of a corporation’s stock of a qualified subsidiary, as a disposition of all the subsidiary’s assets.

Determining the Taxability of S Corporation Distributions: Part I

This two-part article provides a comprehensive review of the rules for determining the taxability of an S corporation’s distributions to its recipient shareholders. Part I provides an overview of the intent of Sec. 1368 and the related regulations, the shareholder- and corporate-level attributes that drive a distribution’s taxability, and the rules for determining the tax consequences of distributions made from an S corporation without accumulated earnings and profits.

The New Five-Year Built-In Gain Recognition Period

ATRA extended the five-year recognition period for the BIG tax to 2012 and 2013 and also changed the BIG tax treatment of installment sales and carryovers of built-in gain not taxed in the year recognized because of the taxable income limitation.

Electing S Corporation Status for a Limited Liability Company

In some situations, business owners have state-law reasons for wanting their business to be formed as a limited liability company, but for tax purposes they would prefer S corporation (rather than partnership) tax treatment.

Controlled Groups and the Sec. 179 Election for S Corporations

The exclusion of S corporations from component membership in controlled groups of corporations multiplies the planning opportunities for businesses under common control but calls for vigilance by tax professionals to use this deduction wisely.