BV News and Trends October 2021
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Gift and Estate Tax Valuation Update
Join Barry Sziklay for important 2021 income and transfer tax valuation cases as well as the valuation aspects of the adequate disclosure regulations required to report a gift for federal transfer tax purposes and start the statute of limitations running. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Chapter 14 valuations, Special Valuation Rules §§ 2701-2704, will be addressed in a summary fashion given the complexities of the rules required for a valuation to meet the requirements of Chapter ...
Record attendance at VSCPA conference
Again this year, BVR was pleased to sponsor the two-day Virginia Society of CPAs Forensic and Valuation Services Virtual Conference, which saw record attendance, reports Harold Martin (Keiter), who served as chair of the conference planning task force.
Mohen v. Mohen
In the trial court (TC), the wife was awarded $4,360,158 of mostly unaccrued interest on the corpus of trusts the husband set up unilaterally for the children. The TC took the value of those trusts, $9,291,372, as part of the marital estate. The TC also added $990,945 of interest that the trusts had received and the remaining unaccrued future interest for a total value of “distribution” paid to the husband of $14,642,475 related to the trusts. The appellate court (AC) determined that the future interest was future interest and, thus, not part of the marital estate. However, the AC let stand the determination that the value of the trusts were to be treated as a distribution to the husband.
Husband Dissipates Assets by Placing Them in Trusts for the Children, but the Appellate Court Does Not Allow Unaccrued Interest
In the trial court (TC), the wife was awarded $4,360,158 of mostly unaccrued interest on the corpus of trusts the husband set up unilaterally for the children. The TC took the value of those trusts, $9,291,372, as part of the marital estate. The TC also added $990,945 of interest that the trusts had received and the remaining unaccrued future interest for a total value of “distribution” paid to the husband of $14,642,475 related to the trusts. The appellate court (AC) determined that the future interest was future interest and, thus, not part of the marital estate. However, the AC let stand the determination that the value of the trusts were to be treated as a distribution to the husband.
Two state CPA societies host BV events this month
Some state CPA societies organize business valuation conferences, and two of them are coming up later this month.
Check out the NJCPA’s annual BV conference September 21
The Biden tax proposals, physician compensation, cannabis, and SPACs are some of the cutting-edge topics you’ll hear about at this year’s Business Valuation and Litigation Services Conference, hosted by the New Jersey Society of CPAs.
Prince estate valuation featured on latest AICPA podcast
In the shadow of the recent court decision in the Michael Jackson estate valuation dispute, the estate of pop star Prince is currently locked in a fierce estate and gift tax dispute.
Power Panel: Estate of Michael J. Jackson v. Commissioner
Are you ready for a thriller? Join us for this Power Panel with three experts who worked on the Estate of Michael of Jackson case: Jay Fishman, Mark Roesler, and David Dunn. Bring your questions and learn about complexities of large cases, celebrity valuations, and what valuation experts can take away from this published case.
Federal Tax Litigation, Expert Witnesses, and the IRS
Michael Gregory will address key rules for federal expert witnesses, valuation issues with the IRS, identify key recent BV federal cases, and introduce you to what to expect in 2022. This session will also share information you need from a business valuer that mediates, negotiates, and facilitates alternative dispute resolution to give clients timely closure with significant savings with the IRS and others. After this session you will be able to: reference key federal statutes ...
Tax changes to watch for under the Biden administration
Other than the possibility of changing corporate tax rates, there is “nothing of earth-shattering importance” in terms of tax, estate, and regulatory changes expected from the Biden administration—for now, anyway—according to a panel of valuation experts on a recent BVR webinar.
BVU News and Trends March 2021
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Tax Court allows for ‘slight’ discount for lack of control for majority interests in real estate holding companies
In a gift and estate tax dispute, the estate and Internal Revenue Service agreed to apply discounts for lack of control and marketability to the majority interests in a number of real estate holding companies.
Tax Court Allows for ‘Slight’ Discount for Lack of Control for Majority Interests in Real Estate Holding Companies
In a gift and estate tax dispute, the estate and Internal Revenue Service agreed to apply discounts for lack of control and marketability to the majority interests in a number of real estate holding companies. The U.S. Tax Court noted that, in prior decisions, the court found no discount for lack of control applied. However, given the parties’ agreement, here, the court said it would apply a “slight” or “low” discount.
Estate of Warne v. Commissioner
In a gift and estate tax dispute, the estate and Internal Revenue Service agreed to apply discounts for lack of control and marketability to the majority interests in a number of real estate holding companies. The U.S. Tax Court noted that, in prior decisions, the court found no discount for lack of control applied. However, given the parties’ agreement, here, the court said it would apply a “slight” or “low” discount.
Prince estate and IRS embroiled in fierce valuation dispute
A recent article in the Star Tribune says the executor of the estate of Prince, the late world-famous rock star, and the Internal Revenue Service are currently locked in a fierce estate and gift tax dispute.
Pandemic Triggers Chances for Valuers in Exit Planning
One of the key takeaways from the recent ENGAGE 2020 conference sponsored by the AICPA was one of particular interest to business valuers. “The pandemic has created some temporary financial planning opportunities,” says Steve Siegel, JD, LLM, president of The Siegel Group. “If you have a client who plans to pass their business along to a child one day—while business values are low, this is a useful time to get a new business appraisal. If you wait, values may recover, and federal tax laws may be less generous to business owners seeking to transfer their interests to family members.”
How COVID-19 Is Impacting the IRS and Valuation Audits
Still reeling from the effects of the government shutdown and budget cutbacks, the pandemic has dealt another blow to the IRS that has affected how the agency selects and reviews tax returns that include valuations. A former IRS manager who dealt with valuations at the agency gives some interesting insights.
Mission Critical in Divorce: 10 Key Insights in 50 Minutes-a Free AAML/BVR Virtual Divorce Conference Preview
Brought to you by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and Business Valuation Resources (BVR), this free preview for the Virtual Divorce Conference brings together attorneys, valuation professionals, and industry experts in a one action-packed, 60-minute session. Get short compelling lessons that you need to know now. This year’s conference focuses on the topics most impacted by divorce, and anyone serving business owners involved in matrimonial dissolution can get access to this premium preview ...
IRS deals with triple whammy as it reviews valuations
The government shutdown, budget cutbacks—and now the pandemic—have impacted the IRS and how it selects and reviews tax returns that include valuations.
Valuation of Small Promissory Notes
Privately held promissory notes (typically $0 to $10 million) need to be valued for gift/estate, tax, and related party transactions. However, bonds from publicly traded companies are not comparable because publicly traded companies are large, diversified, and represent much less risk. Note buyers typically discount the outstanding balance of privately held notes to yield a return of 12% to 20% depending on the collateral and other risk factors. Since corporate bonds yield around 4% to ...
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.
Perfect Storm: COVID-19 and 2020 Election—Unexpected Windfall for E&G Tax Planning
Insights into the impacts on the estate and gift tax area and the opportunities it presents for business valuers.
BVU News and Trends April 2020
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.