In tax refund case, expert identifies only viable method to value stock in ‘severely distressed’ private company
The taxpayer sued the federal government for a refund, arguing she had overpaid income taxes on stock she had received as part of settling a lawsuit against her former employer.
Coca-Cola Co. v. Comm'r
Coca-Cola had been applying a transfer pricing method called the 10-50-50 since it entered into a closing agreement with the IRS in 198, covering the years 1987 to 1995. Coca-Cola had consistently followed that transfer pricing method; the IRS had audited Coca-Cola annually and “signed off” on that transfer pricing method for over a decade. Upon examination of Coca-Cola’s tax returns for 2007 to 2009, the IRS determined that Coca-Cola’s transfer pricing methodology did not reflect arm’s-length norms because it overcompensated the supply point and undercompensated Coca-Cola. The IRS reallocated income between Coca-Cola and its supply points employing the comparable profits method (CPM) pursuant to Reg. Sec. 1.482-5. The IRS increased Coca-Cola’s taxable income by over $9 billion assessing over $3 billion in additional taxes!
2020’s Most Important Transfer Pricing Case—Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola had been applying a transfer pricing method called the 10-50-50 since it entered into a closing agreement with the IRS in 1986, covering the years 1987 to 1995. Coca-Cola had consistently followed that transfer pricing method; the IRS had audited Coca-Cola annually and “signed off” on that transfer pricing method for over a decade. Upon examination of Coca-Cola’s tax returns for 2007 to 2009, the IRS determined that Coca-Cola’s transfer pricing methodology did not reflect arm’s-length norms because it overcompensated the supply point and undercompensated Coca-Cola. The IRS reallocated income between Coca-Cola and its supply points employing the comparable profits method (CPM) pursuant to Reg. Sec. 1.482-5. The IRS increased Coca-Cola’s taxable income by over $9 billion assessing over $3 billion in additional taxes!
Lucero v. United States
In tax case, court approves refund, finding value of unlisted stock in distressed closely held company that taxpayer received as part of a settlement was less than stated in settlement agreement; taxpayer’s expert showed market value approach was only suitable method to calculate fair market value.
Court Adopts Taxpayer Expert’s Method to Value Unlisted Stock of ‘Severely Distressed’ Company
In tax case, court approves refund, finding value of unlisted stock in distressed closely held company that taxpayer received as part of a settlement was less than stated in settlement agreement; taxpayer’s expert showed market value approach was only suitable method to calculate fair market value.
IRS addresses fears over change in appraisal reviews
Earlier this year, the IRS issued a memorandum that described changes to the way the IRS reviews appraisals prior to imposing a civil money penalty for valuation misstatements under IRC Section 6695A.
Nelson v. Commissioner
In gift tax case, Tax Court finds donor transferred percentages in limited liability company rather than fixed dollar amounts based on language in transfer instruments; further, where transferred minority interests include elements of control, minority discount should be reduced, not eliminated.
Court Says Reduced Minority Discount Appropriate Where Minority Interest Has Elements of Control
In gift tax case, Tax Court finds donor transferred percentages in limited liability company rather than fixed dollar amounts based on language in transfer instruments; further, where transferred minority interests include elements of control, minority discount should be reduced, not eliminated.
IRS change to appraisal review sparks concern from ASA and others
The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and 10 other appraisal organizations have sent a joint letter to the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department expressing concern over a recent change to the way the IRS reviews appraisals prior to imposing a civil money penalty for valuation misstatements under IRC Section 6695A.
IRS update on how to file carryback refund applications
In a recent ABA webinar including IRS representatives, new practical information related to the carryback provisions in the recently passed CARES Act emerged.
IRS discusses tax implications of COVID-19 legislation
In an excellent ABA webinar that summarized and analyzed the COVID-19-related legislation Congress passed to alleviate the economic harm on businesses and persons, IRS Chief Counsel Michael Desmond spoke to some of the efforts the agency is making to achieve implementation.
Tales From the Trenches: How Recent Challenges with the IRS Impact Your Valuation
With a special focus on the recent Aaron U. Jones (USTC TCM 2019-101) case regarding tax affecting an S corp and a partnership, this workshop is the best way to get IRS insights short of going into litigation. Get real insights on how to avoid and what to do if working with the IRS on business valuation issues at all levels. Join Mike Gregory as he dives into conflict resolution (with assistance from the Collaboration ...
Landmark Jones case featured in upcoming workshop
“Read the Jones case,” an IRS official said when asked about the position the IRS is taking on tax affecting pass-through entities.
Details of the CUT method used in the Amazon case
Last week’s BVWire covered the 9th Circuit decision in the Amazon case that affirmed the U.S. Tax Court’s 2017 decision in favor of the company in a transfer pricing case.
Tax Court adopts tax-affected valuation of PTE without overturning Gross
For years, the appraisal community has wondered when the U.S. Tax Court will recognize the need for tax affecting when valuing pass-through entities (PTE) and how the court will square its decision with precedent, i.e., the Gross case in which the Tax Court rejected the taxpayer’s tax-affected valuation.
Tax Court’s Amazon valuation ruling stands up to 9th Circuit scrutiny
The 9th Circuit recently affirmed the U.S. Tax Court’s 2017 decision in favor of Amazon in this key transfer pricing case, finding the governing regulations limited the definition of “intangible” to independently transferrable assets.
Distinguishing Gross, Tax Court adopts tax-affected valuation of PTE
In an ingenious move, the U.S. Tax Court, ruling on an Oregon gift tax dispute, accepted the taxpayers’ tax-affected valuations of pass-through entities (PTE) without overturning Gross.
9th Circuit Upholds Tax Court’s Valuation of Intangibles in Big Transfer Pricing Case
Appeals court affirms Tax Court ruling favoring taxpayer’s CUT method over IRS’ DCF to value various intangible assets transferred to European subsidiary; governing regulations limit definition of “intangible” to independently transferrable assets, excluding residual business assets, court says.
Amazon.com, Inc. v. Commissioner (II)
Appeals court affirms Tax Court ruling favoring taxpayer’s CUT method over IRS’ DCF to value various intangible assets transferred to European subsidiary; governing regulations limit definition of “intangible” to independently transferrable assets, excluding residual business assets, court says.
D.C. Circuit Upholds Remainder-Interest Valuation in Weird Charitable Contribution Case
In charitable contribution case involving remainder interest, D.C. Circuit upholds Tax Court’s value-related findings, including that petitioner did not provide qualified appraisal and did not meet substantiation requirements; valuation here is to be based on FMV, not actuarial tables.
Blau v. Commissioner (RERI II)
In charitable contribution case involving remainder interest, D.C. Circuit upholds Tax Court’s value-related findings, including that petitioner did not provide qualified appraisal and did not meet substantiation requirements; valuation here is to be based on FMV, not actuarial tables.
Court upholds Section 1031 tax ruling, affirming appraisals were unreliable
In 2016, the U.S. Tax Court found for the Internal Revenue Service in a dispute over a series of exchanges that Exelon, the tax payer, designated as section 1031 transactions. The court found these were not like-kind exchanges and expressed dismay over the appraisals the tax payer offered to support its claim for significant deductions.
Tax Court’s Exelon ruling, turning on compromised appraisals, withstands appeal
In 2016, Tax Court Judge Laro ruled on the legitimacy of a series of Section 1031 transactions involving Exelon, an Illinois-based energy giant.
Appeals Court Upholds Tax Court’s Section 1031 Decision Pivoting on ‘Tainted Appraisals’
Appeals court upholds Tax Court’s ruling that taxpayer’s transactions do not represent section 1031 like-kind exchanges because taxpayer never assumed ownership of replacement plants; improper input from taxpayer’s law firm tainted appraisals used to show otherwise; accuracy penalty is justified.
Exelon Corp. v. Commissioner
Appeals court upholds Tax Court’s ruling that taxpayer’s transactions do not represent section 1031 like-kind exchanges because taxpayer never assumed ownership of replacement plants; improper input from taxpayer’s law firm tainted appraisals used to show otherwise; accuracy penalty is justified.