BV News and Trends February 2022
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Houlihan Lokey and ELFA issue private debt valuation guide
Houlihan Lokey and the European Leveraged Finance Association (ELFA) have published a report as part of ELFA’s Diligence Series called Technical Guide for Valuation of Private Debt Investments.
Appellate court KOs discount for trapped-in capital gains taxes
In a Louisiana case, a dissenting shareholder was withdrawing her shares in a company and the valuation of her interest was in dispute, so a trial was held.
BVLaw Review: The Top Valuation Cases of 2021
Here is our pick for the state and federal court decisions that enhanced our understanding of valuation issues as they arose in a litigation setting during 2021.
Details start to emerge about the Prince estate valuation
One of the tricky assets to value in the Prince estate was the rock star’s name and likeness.
Appeals court OKs one discount, KOs another in divorce matter
In a California divorce matter, the husband’s expert applied two discounts to the valuation of the wife’s one-half interest in his business: one discount for possible future taxes and one for a discount for lack of marketability (DLOM).
New case points up valuation perils in buy-sell agreements
From a valuation standpoint, the lack of a buy-sell agreement—or one with a valuation provision that’s poorly drafted—can result in costly litigation and a painful falling out between business partners and/or family members.
Non-Marketable Investment Company Evaluation: Free Resource for Your Next Valuation
When it comes to valuing minority interests in family investment entities such as family limited partnerships, it is apparent that the income approach should now be used alongside the traditional asset/market approach. Join creator William Frazier for a live “nuts and bolts” example of exactly how the nonmarketable investment company evaluation (NICE) method is used. With examples of FLPs with different asset makeups and financial characteristics, this event will arm you with a new tool ...
An Inside Look at the Landmark ESOP Valuation Case
For over a decade, the Department of Labor has not lost a major ESOP case on a valuation issue, but its winning streak ended with Walsh v. Bowers. The case involves many key valuation issues, and Ken Pia (Marcum LLP) and Ian Rusk (Rusk O’Brien Gido + Partners LLC), expert witnesses for the defense, give their insights.
BV News and Trends December 2021
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
ShopRite, Inc. v. Gardiner
In determining the fair value of a minority interest in stock sold back to the companies in a shareholder oppression assertion, the Louisiana Court of Appeals rejected a discount for trapped-in capital gains tax since the companies had no intention of selling the properties owned. The appeals court also disallowed a reduction in fair value related to the value of affiliated accounts receivable, noting that there was no evidence that the receivables were uncollectible.
Louisiana Court of Appeals Disallows a Discount for Trapped-In Capital Gains Taxes and a Reduction in Receivables for Collectability
In determining the fair value of a minority interest in stock sold back to the companies in a shareholder oppression assertion, the Louisiana Court of Appeals rejected a discount for trapped-in capital gains tax since the companies had no intention of selling the properties owned. The appeals court also disallowed a reduction in fair value related to the value of affiliated accounts receivable, noting that there was no evidence that the receivables were uncollectible.
Harvey v. Harvey (In re Michael S.)
In this divorce case, on appeal, the California appellate court rejected a discount for taxes not immediate and specific and allowed a DLOM regarding the value of the wife’s one-half interest in the jointly owned business. The court also determined that “the [trial] court impliedly made the factual findings necessary to support its ruling regarding Cynthia’s breach of fiduciary duty claim.” Finally, the appeals court determined that the trial court had the authority to set its own terms for payment of the equalization amount to the wife.
In a Divorce Case, the California Court of Appeal Rejects Discount for Taxes Not Immediate and Specific But Allows a DLOM
In this divorce case, on appeal, the California appellate court rejected a discount for taxes not immediate and specific and allowed a DLOM regarding the value of the wife’s one-half interest in the jointly owned business. The court also determined that “the [trial] court impliedly made the factual findings necessary to support its ruling regarding Cynthia’s breach of fiduciary duty claim.” Finally, the appeals court determined that the trial court had the authority to set its own terms for payment of the equalization amount to the wife.
The Nelson Tax Court case ‘has it all’
An appellate court recently affirmed the Nelson Tax Court case, which “has it all” in terms of valuation issues, said Barry Sziklay (Friedman LLP) in his session at the New Jersey CPA Society’s Business Valuation and Litigation Services Conference.
Walsh v. Vinoskey
This case covered the appellate decisions regarding the well-publicized Vinoskey ESOP case. The appellate court affirmed the district court in deciding that the company owner had extensive knowledge about the company and its prior valuations, and thus it was plausible to infer that “something was off.” There was no clear error in the district court finding that the owner violated ERISA. The appellate court also allowed an offset to damages for the debt the owner forgave.
Court Affirms Violation of ERISA but Allows Offset of Debt Forgiveness in Determining Damages
This case covered the appellate decisions regarding the well-publicized Vinoskey ESOP case. The appellate court affirmed the district court in deciding that the company owner had extensive knowledge about the company and its prior valuations, and thus it was plausible to infer that “something was off.” There was no clear error in the district court finding that the owner violated ERISA. The appellate court also allowed an offset to damages for the debt the owner forgave.
Guttman v. Guttman
The one-third partner of a real estate partnership, Bruce Guttman (Bruce), sued for dissolution. The two majority partners initiated a statutory procedure to buy out Bruce. All three appraisals were very close to $38 million. Feeling the valuations to be too low, Bruce sought to withdraw his complaint without prejudice. The trial court, on a motion from the majority partners, vacated Bruce’s dismissal. The appellate court affirmed the trial court.
One-Third Partner Sued to Have Partnership Dissolved, Asked to Vacate His Dissolution Assertion
The one-third partner of a real estate partnership, Bruce Guttman (Bruce), sued for dissolution. The two majority partners initiated a statutory procedure to buy out Bruce. All three appraisals were very close to $38 million. Feeling the valuations to be too low, Bruce sought to withdraw his complaint without prejudice. The trial court, on a motion from the majority partners, vacated Bruce’s dismissal. The appellate court affirmed the trial court.
The Myth of the Healthcare Multiple
For most, the concept of a valuation multiple is easy for market participants to understand. Unfortunately, this simplicity of concept leads to widespread misapplication of valuation multiples and often results in sellers having unreasonable expectations. In the myth of the multiple, healthcare valuation expert Jason Ruchaber, CFA, ASA, will separate fact from fiction and explore the real financial and compliance considerations that drive FMV and purchase price in healthcare transactions.
BV News and Trends November 2021
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Key ESOP case underlines importance of the management interview
In the published opinion in the groundbreaking recent Walsh v Bowers ESOP case, the court noted that the DOL’s valuation expert’s “failure to follow Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) introduced substantial errors into [his] analysis.”
Will the landmark ESOP valuation case open the door?
During an amazing webinar with the testifying experts in the recent Walsh v Bowers ESOP case, a question came in from the audience: “Do you think this case will open the door for the Department of Labor and the valuation profession to work together to develop guidance around ESOP valuations?”
IRS sending agents to NACVA’s BV training
The IRS is sending 79 agents to business valuation training provided by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA), according to former IRS manager Michael Gregory (Michael Gregory Consulting LLC).
Nelson v Commr.
Taxpayer appealed a Tax Court ruling that she gifted a percentage of partnership interests and not a fixed amount of value. As a result, when the IRS determined the FMV of those interests, the Taxpayer was left with a gift tax deficiency.