SCOTUS struggles with COLI valuation case
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Connelly case, which involves the question of how corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) designed to fund the redemption of a deceased shareholder’s stock impacts the fair market value of the subject company and the value of the decedent’s gross estate.
Live today! SCOTUS arguments in the COLI valuation case
A live audio feed of oral arguments to the U.S. Supreme Court in the Connelly case will be broadcast today, March 27.
COLI valuation case now on SCOTUS’ calendar
March 27 is the date the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Connelly case, according to the court’s calendar.
What Valuers Should Do While SCOTUS Mulls Connelly
Regardless of how the U.S. Supreme Court rules in the Connelly case, there are some steps valuers can take to better help their client business owners, many of whom could be sitting on ticking time bombs. The issue before SCOTUS is how does corporate-owned life insurance designed to fund the redemption of a deceased shareholder’s stock impact the fair market value of the subject company and the value of the decedent’s gross estate.
Valuation Impact of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance on SCOTUS’ Agenda
The goal of this paper is to inform readers about a valuation issue that is the subject of a petition put before the United States Supreme Court to resolve a circuit split. The issue is how does corporate-owned life insurance designed to fund the redemption of a deceased shareholder’s stock impact the fair market value of the subject company and the value of the decedent’s gross estate. The author examines the applicable U.S. Tax Court, district court, and two appellate decisions so the reader can understand the arguments made and the basis for the legal conclusions.
Connelly case kicks off Heckerling conference
At the Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month, the first session was a panel on key court cases of 2023, and “valuation was top of mind for many federal courts,” according to coverage in WealthManagement.com.
Business Valuation Update Yearbook, 2024 Edition
January 2024 PDF, Softcover (401 pages)
BVR (editor)
Business Valuation Resources, LLC
Business Valuation Case Law Yearbook, 2024 Edition
January 2024 PDF, Softcover (222 pages)
BVR (editor)
Business Valuation Resources, LLC
Grabowski analyzes COLI valuation issue SCOTUS will decide
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving a valuation issue in order to resolve a circuit split.
Advanced Topics and Case Studies When Valuing Family Limited Partnerships and LLCs
As professional methodology has advanced and tax court cases have confirmed, employing analytical techniques to value family limited partnerships/LLCs using the income and market approaches allow appraisers to determine an accurate value objectively. Certain types of partnerships may be considered complicated. This webinar will focus on valuing more complex FLPs using case studies. Mr. Johnson will present empirical data that support the use of these objective appraisal methods and share his opinion on current issues ...
Connelly v. United States
The importance of this case was that the 8th Circuit’s decision to affirm the lower court and IRS’ inclusion of life insurance proceeds in the value of the corporation for which decedent’s stock was redeemed. This contradicted the decision of the 11th Circuit in Estate of Blount that 26 C.F.R. § 20.2031-2(f)(2) precluded the inclusion of life-insurance proceeds in the corporate value when the proceeds were used for a redemption obligation.
8th Circuit Affirms District Court—Includes Life Insurance Proceeds in Value of Redeemed Shares
The importance of this case was that the 8th Circuit’s decision to affirm the lower court and IRS’ inclusion of life insurance proceeds in the value of the corporation for which decedent’s stock was redeemed. This contradicted the decision of the 11th Circuit in Estate of Blount that 26 C.F.R. § 20.2031-2(f)(2) precluded the inclusion of life-insurance proceeds in the corporate value when the proceeds were used for a redemption obligation.
Hoensheid v. Comm’r (In re Estate of Hoensheid)
The taxpayers made a valid gift of stock, but they realized and recognized gain because their right to the proceeds from the sale occurred before the gift was made. They also were not entitled to a charitable contribution deduction because they did not procure a qualified appraisal. The taxpayers were not liable for an underpayment penalty.
Petitioners Not Allowed a Charitable Contribution—Did Not Use a Qualified Appraiser
The taxpayers made a valid gift of stock, but they realized and recognized gain because their right to the proceeds from the sale occurred before the gift was made. They also were not entitled to a charitable contribution deduction because they did not procure a qualified appraisal. The taxpayers were not liable for an underpayment penalty.
Determining the FMV of Privately Held Promissory Notes
Privately held promissory notes need to be valued for gift/estate, tax, and related-party transactions. These appraisals must objectively consider the same risk and reward relationship that we use when valuing an operating company. However, the data sources that have historically been used are problematic. For example, corporate bonds from publicly traded companies are not typically comparable because publicly traded companies are large, diversified, and represent lower risk. This webinar will present a better source of ...
Business Valuation Update Yearbook, 2023 Edition
January 2023 PDF, Softcover (426 pages)
BVR (editor)
Business Valuation Resources, LLC
Estate and Gift Tax, Business Valuation and the IRS—What’s Next and What you Need to Know
During this session Michael Gregory will discuss the impact on business valuation for estate and gift tax reporting purposes. Mike will explore the status of the IRS, what it intends to do, what it is likely to do, and the current stance on several technical issues. You'll also gain practical advice on how to avoid an IRS audit and recommendations for responding to an audit. You will hear real-world examples based on the experience of ...
Willamette focuses on wealth transfer valuation
Estate and gift tax planning and valuation issues are the focus of the Autumn 2022 Insights from Willamette Management Associates.
Couturier v. Comm'r
The Tax Court was asked in this ESOP-related case to approve the taxpayer’s motion for summary judgment. The petitioner contended that the IRS “is precluded as a matter of law from asserting excise tax liability under section 4973” because it did not issue him a notice of deficiency challenging his income tax treatment of the transactions that generated the excess contributions. The motion was denied. The alleged excess contributions were more than $26 million with alleged excise tax of more than $8 million.
Tax Court Denies Taxpayer’s Motion for Summary Judgment Relative to an Excess IRA Contribution Relating to an ESOP Purchase/Sale
The Tax Court was asked in this ESOP-related case to approve the taxpayer’s motion for summary judgment. The petitioner contended that the IRS “is precluded as a matter of law from asserting excise tax liability under section 4973” because it did not issue him a notice of deficiency challenging his income tax treatment of the transactions that generated the excess contributions. The motion was denied. The alleged excess contributions were more than $26 million with alleged excise tax of more than $8 million.
Estate and Gift: The Complete Valuation Package (A BVR Workshop)
Unwrap all things estate and gift in this engaging session with Marissa Turrell and Carla Glass. This presentation will assume a basic understanding of business valuation, of both operating companies and holding companies, and focus on specifics related to valuing ownership interests for estate and gift purposes. Some topics will focus on issues that arise only in valuation for gift and estate purposes, such as seminal court cases on the matter, Chapter 14, working with ...
AICPA offers free webcast on estate/gift valuations
A two-and-a half-hour webcast on estate and gift valuations is available free of charge from the AICPA.
Bohac v. Benes Serv. Co.
The Nebraska District Court in this case applied discounts to its determination of fair value (FV). The Supreme Court found that the district court did not use the correct definition of fair value, resulting in discounts being applied to the estate’s shares. The Supreme Court also found that the proper premise of value was going concern and the proper methodology for value was the asset approach. The Supreme Court also allowed as a liability the deferred tax on potential future sale of assets by the corporation.
The Nebraska District Court Is Reversed in Its Determination of Fair Value
The Nebraska District Court in this case applied discounts to its determination of fair value (FV). The Supreme Court found that the district court did not use the correct definition of fair value, resulting in discounts being applied to the estate’s shares. The Supreme Court also found that the proper premise of value was going concern and the proper methodology for value was the asset approach. The Supreme Court also allowed as a liability the deferred tax on potential future sale of assets by the corporation.
Business Valuation Update Yearbook, 2022 Edition
January 2022 PDF (454 pages)
BVR (editor)
Business Valuation Resources, LLC