Federal Consolidated Return Regulations for Corporate Taxpayers Mastering Complex Rules and Guidance to Ensure Ongoing Compliance

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1 presents Federal Consolidated Return Regulations for Corporate Taxpayers Mastering Complex Rules and Guidance to Ensure Ongoing Compliance A Live 110-Minute Teleconference/Webinar with Interactive Q&A Today's panel features: Bart Stratton, Director, Mergers and Acquisitions Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Washington, D.C. Wayne Strasbaugh, Partner-In-Charge, Tax Group, Ballard Spahr, Philadelphia Marc Countryman, Principal, National Tax M&A - Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young, Washington, D.C. Thursday, October 8, 2009 The conference begins at: 1 pm Eastern 12 pm Central 11 am Mountain 10 am Pacific The audio portion of this conference will be accessible by telephone only. Please refer to the dial in instructions ed to registrants to access the audio portion of the conference.

2 Federal Consolidated Return Regulations For Corporate Taxpayers Webinar Oct. 8, 2009 Marc Countryman Ernst & Young Bart Stratton PricewaterhouseCoopers Wayne Strasbaugh Ballard Spahr

3 Today s Program Unified Loss Rule Sect , slides 3 through 15 (Marc Countryman) Final Inter-Company Obligation Regulations Sect (g), slides 16 through 30 (Marc Countryman) Recent Guidance On Stock Elimination Transactions, slides 31 through 50 (Wayne Strasbaugh) Related Party Debt Acquisitions And Sect. 165(g)(3) Worthless Securities, slides 51 through 58 (Bart Stratton) NOL Carryback Transactions And Sect. 382 Update, slides 59 through 62 (Bart Stratton) Sect. 108(i)-Related Changes, slides 63 through 69 (Wayne Strasbaugh) Rev. Proc And Consolidated Sect. 108(i), slides 70 through 72 (Bart Stratton) Recent IRS Guidance On Separate Return Limitation Years, slides 73 through 84 (Wayne Strasbaugh) 2

4 Unified Loss Rule ( ) 3

5 : Unified Loss Rule Why is this the unified loss rule? Non-economic loss Duplicated loss When does the ULR apply? Where there is a transfer of a loss share of subsidiary stock (a)(1). Transfer Basically a disposition, deconsolidation or worthlessness Loss share Basis greater than value Subsidiary stock Stock of a member other than the common parent 4

6 : Unified Loss Rule (Cont.) What happens if the ULR applies? Three rules apply sequentially: 1. Basis redetermination rule, (b) 2. Basis reduction rule, (c) 3. Attribute reduction rule, (d) 5

7 (b): Basis Redetermination Rule How does the basis redetermination rule apply? Reallocates investment adjustments applied to members different bases in shares of subsidiary (S) stock to level out the bases Doesn t change the aggregate amount of basis (b)(1)(i) Provides a specific method to reallocate positive and negative investment adjustments to reduce basis disparity among shares (b)(2) Backstops the two rules Are there any exceptions? Two exceptions: (b)(1)(ii) 1. Level basis in S common stock, and no gain or loss in S preferred stock 2. All of S stock is disposed of or becomes worthless in one fully taxable transaction 6

8 (c): Basis Reduction Rule How does the basis reduction rule apply? Reduces the basis of each transferred loss share (but not below value) by the lesser of: 1. The share s net positive adjustment (NPA); and 2. The share s disconformity amount (DA) (c)(2) This is the non-economic stock-loss component (only limits loss) What are the NPA and DA? NPA is the sum of all investment adjustments reflected in the basis of the share (other than distributions), but can t be less than zero (c)(3) DA is any excess of the basis in the share over the share s allocable portion ( vertical slice ) of the subsidiary s net inside attribute amount (NIAA) (c)(4) NIAA Losses, basis and money, less liabilities (c)(5) Note: Special rules apply to determine NIAA, if S has lower-tier subsidiaries (c)(6) 7

9 (d): Attribute Reduction Rule How does the attribute reduction rule apply? Reduces the S attributes by the attribute reduction amount (ARA) (d)(2)(i) The ARA is the lesser of: 1. The net stock loss (NSL); and 2. S aggregate inside loss (AIL) (d)(3)(i) The ARA is the amount of the loss duplication This is the loss duplication component What are the NSL and AIL? NSL is any excess of the aggregate basis in the transferred shares, over the value of the transferred shares (d)(3)(ii) AIL is any excess of S net inside attribute amount, over the value of all of S shares (d)(3)(iii) Note: Special rules apply to determine NIAA, if S has lower-tier subsidiaries (d)(5) 8

10 (d): Attribute Reduction Rule (Cont.) Three forms of relief from attribute reduction: Small duplication exception Attribute reduction does not apply if the ARA is less than 5% of the value of the transferred shares (d)(2)(ii) Reattribution of losses May elect to reattribute losses that would otherwise be subject to reduction (d)(6)(i) Elective stock basis reduction May elect to reduce the basis of the transferred loss shares to preserve attributes inside S (d)(6)(i) May combine reattribution and stock basis reduction elections (d)(6)(i)(C) Provides a great deal of flexibility in addressing loss duplication Made unilaterally on the selling group s return for the year (e)(5) Elections are irrevocable, but may make a protective election (d)(6)(ii) 9

11 ULR: Seller Issues The common parent (P) should be thinking about: Is there a loss in the S stock after applying all other rules of law? Consider the possible treatment of transaction costs as an offset to purchase price (and presumably amount realized), or potentially an increase to stock basis Will any of the stock loss be eliminated as a result of the basis reduction rule (i.e., is any of the loss non-economic)? Do S (or any lower-tier subsidiaries) have any losses or deferred deductions that might be carried out of the group? 10

12 ULR: Seller issues (Cont.) Are any of the S (or lower-tier subsidiary) losses or deductions eligible for reattribution? Would the losses otherwise be reduced? If there are lower-tier subsidiaries, is there sufficient stock basis? Character, quality (SRLY, 382 limited, etc) and ability to utilize vs. value to buyer are factors to consider What is the potential impact of the ULR on S (or any lower-tier subsidiaries ) other attributes (i.e., what will buyer be getting)? Impact might include lower-tier subsidiaries that remain in the group 11

13 ULR: Seller Issues (Cont.) Are there any potential contingent adjustments to the purchase price? Relevant to how a reattribution or stock basis reduction election is articulated Build flexibility into elections to accommodate possible subsequent adjustments (contingencies, audit adjustments, etc.) Did S (or any lower-tier subsidiaries) engage in any prior intercompany transactions with respect to stock of other members (as Note: It buyer is essential or seller) for P that to model might the invoke potential the tax ULR? impact of the ULR to determine the available elections, impact, and other planning opportunities. Note: It is essential for P to model the potential tax impact of the ULR to determine the available elections, impact and other planning opportunities 12

14 Buyer should be thinking about: ULR: Buyer Issues Will the selling group recognize a loss on the S stock after applying the basis redetermination rule and the basis reduction rule? This is something that the buyer previously might not have been concerned about (other than with respect to reattribution under old (g)) Can P reattribute any losses or deferred deductions from S (or any lower-tier subsidiaries)? What is the potential impact of the ULR on S (or any lower-tier subsidiaries ) other attributes (i.e., what will buyer be getting)? 13

15 ULR: Buyer Issues (Cont.) What is the potential financial statement impact if S (or any lowertier subsidiaries) experiences a significant amount of attribute reduction? It is critical that the buyer be thinking up-front about negotiating P s elections to reattribute losses or deductions, or to reduce stock basis Buyer should be sure that any such elections contain the necessary flexibility to accommodate subsequent adjustments (contingencies, audit adjustments, etc.) Note: It is essential for buyer to model the potential tax impact of the ULR to determine what it is buying, and the scope of potential elections it might want to negotiate 14

16 What Do P And Buyer Need To Know To Determine The Tax Treatment? Investment adjustment NOLs and other carryovers? history? Investment adjustment history? Investment adjustment history? NOLs and other carryovers? NOLs and other carryovers? Basis? S1 S3 P S S2 Basis? Basis in assets class by class, and liabilities? Basis in assets class by class, and liabilities? Investment adjustment history? Basis? NOLs and other carryovers? For each subsidiary, must know: Basis in subsidiary stock Prior investment adjustments to subsidiary stock basis (perhaps including in a prior group) Subsidiary s NOLs, capital loss carryovers and deferred deductions Subsidiary s basis in assets, class by class and asset by asset Subsidiary s liabilities (perhaps including contingent liabilities) 15

17 Final Intercompany Obligation Regulations [ (g)] 16

18 Intercompany Obligation Regulations: History Intercompany regulations first issued as final regulations in 1995 Proposed regulations issued in 1998 New proposed regulations issued in 2007 New final regulations issued on Jan. 5, 2009 Effective for transactions occurring in consolidated return years beginning on or after Dec. 24,

19 General Applicability Of 2008 Intercompany Obligation Regulations An intercompany obligation becomes a non-intercompany obligation ( outbound transactions ) An intercompany obligation is assigned or extinguished within the group ( intragroup transactions ) A non-intercompany obligation becomes an intercompany obligation ( inbound transactions ) 18

20 Outbound And Intragroup Transactions: Deemed Satisfaction And Reissuance (DSR) Immediately before triggering transaction, inter-company obligation is: Deemed satisfied, generally for cash amount equal to the obligation s FMV Deemed reissued for the cash amount used in the deemed satisfaction transaction Reissued obligation has the same terms as original DSR is separate from the triggering transaction DSR is for all federal income tax purposes 19

21 Deemed Satisfaction And Reissuance: Example (Outbound Transaction) P P B $100 $100 note S B s note $70 $70 satisf. X B $70 S $100 Reissued note $70 $100 Reissued note X Actual transaction Transaction with DSR Facts: B issues $100 note to S for $100; S later sells B s note to X for $70 (the note s FMV at time of sale) DSR treatment: B is deemed to (i) satisfy its $100 note with $70 and (ii) reissue a $100 note to S for $70; S sells B s reissued $100 note to X for $70 20

22 Deemed Satisfaction And Reissuance: Example (Outbound Transaction), Cont. Tax consequences of deemed satisfaction B has $30 CODI S has $30 loss Tax consequences of deemed reissuance B s new note has stated redemption price at maturity of $100 B s new note has issue price of $70 S basis in new note is $70 Tax consequences of S sale of note to X S has no gain or loss $30 of OID is taken into account by B and X 21

23 Deemed Satisfaction And Reissuance: Example (Intragroup Transaction) Assume that in prior example, X was a member of the P group S sale of B s note to X would be an intra-group transaction The same deemed satisfaction and reissuance transactions would occur The tax consequences would be modified by the general intercompany transaction regulations of Reg

24 Notable Exceptions To DSR For Intragroup Transactions Intercompany non-recognition transactions Intercompany extinguishment transactions Routine modification transactions 23

25 Exception For Inter-Company Non- Recognition Transactions DSR does not apply if: The transaction is an intercompany exchange to which 361(a), sections 332 and 337(a), or 351 apply; and The creditor and debtor recognize no amount of income, gain, deduction or loss But, see special rule for intercompany 351 transactions in next slide 24

26 Special Rule For Intercompany 351 Transactions If the creditor assigns the intercompany obligation in a 351 transaction, the exception for inter-company non-recognition transactions generally does not apply (i.e., DSR does apply) if: Transferor or transferee has a loss subject to limitation Transferor or transferee has a special status (e.g., is a bank) that the other member does not also have A group member realizes CODI that is excluded under 108(a) in the tax year of the exchange, and tax attributes of the transferor or transferee are reduced Transferee has a non-member shareholder; Transferee issues preferred stock to transferor in the assignment exchange; or The stock of the transferee is disposed of within 12 months of the assignment (special rules apply if stock of higher-tier members are disposed of and in cases of successive 351 transactions) 25

27 Exception For Intercompany Extinguishment Transactions DSR does not apply if: All or part of the rights and obligations under the intercompany obligation are extinguished in an intercompany transaction (other than an exchange or deemed exchange of an intercompany obligation for a newly issued intercompany obligation) The adjusted issue price of the obligation is equal to the creditor s basis in the obligation; and The debtor s corresponding item and the creditor s intercompany item with respect to the obligation offset in amount 26

28 Exception For Routine Modification DSR does not apply if: Transactions All of the rights and obligations under the intercompany obligation are extinguished in an intercompany transaction that is an exchange (or deemed exchange) for a newly issued intercompany obligation; and The issue price of the newly issued obligation equals both: The adjusted issue price of the extinguished obligation, and The creditor s basis in the extinguished obligation 27

29 Anti-Avoidance Rule: Tax Benefit Rule Tax benefit rule applies if intercompany assignment or extinguishment transaction is: Otherwise excepted from DSR under one of the three exceptions described previously (and one exception not described previously), and Engaged in with a view to secure a tax benefit that would not otherwise be enjoyed in a consolidated or separate return year If the tax benefit rule applies, then the assignment or extinguishment transaction triggers DSR With a view is low anti-avoidance standard 28

30 Notable Exception To DSR For Outbound Transactions Outbound subgroup exception Members of an inter-company obligation subgroup cease to be members Bear a 1504(a)(1) relationship through a subgroup parent Neither the debtor nor the creditor recognizes any amounts with respect to the intercompany obligation Debtor and creditor are members of an intercompany obligation subgroup of another group immediately after 29

31 Outbound Subgroup Exception P $$ $$ X P X M S $100 note B $100 note S B Intercompany obligation subgroup Intercompany obligation subgroup P sells the M stock to X, or P sells the S stock to X No DSR in either case 30

32 Recent Guidance On Stock Elimination Transactions 31

33 Background IT matching rules generally provide for inclusion/allowance of matching items of income and deduction as if S and B were divisions of a single corporation Reg (c)(6) provides that matching rule generally might require redetermination of inter-company items to be excluded from gross income or treated as non-capital, non-deductible amounts However, Reg (c)(6) limits redetermination of income exclusion to situations in which: Corresponding item is a deduction or loss that is permanently and explicitly disallowed Corresponding item is an unrealized loss on a distribution to a nonmember The IRS determines income exclusion is consistent with the purposes of the IT regulations and other applicable provisions of the Code and regulations (commissioner s discretionary rule) 32

34 Examples Of NO Permanent And Explicit Disallowance Where Code or regulations provide that corresponding item is not recognized (sections 332, 355(c)) Member stock basis lost Where a related amount might be taken into account by B with respect to successor property (recovery of demolition costs capitalized under Sect. 280B) Where a related amount might be taken into account by another taxpayer (Sect. 267(d) non-recognition of gain for previously disallowed loss) Where a related amount might be taken into account as a deduction or loss (including as a carryforward and without regard to carryforward expiration) Where the corresponding item is reflected in the computation of any tax credit (including tax credit carryforwards) 33

35 IT Gain Triggered By Sect. 332 Liquidation P S $ 1 B 2 T T Step 1 S sells T stock to B at a gain (intercompany item) Step 2 B liquidates T under Sect. 332 at no recognized gain or loss (corresponding item) 34

36 T.D (March 6, 2008) Provides relief for sections 332 and 355(c) transactions involving member stock if: Inter-company gain item belongs to common parent Common parent holds member stock that produced intercompany gain immediately before intercompany gain is taken into account Stock basis is eliminated without recognition of gain or loss and not reflected in basis of any successor asset Group has not and will not derive any federal income tax benefit from the original IT or from the redetermination of intercompany gain (including adjustments to stock basis) IT effects have not previously been reflected, directly or indirectly, in consolidated return 35

37 Reg T(f)(7)(i) Example (7) 4 P T 3 1 S 2 Spin-off Distribution T1 T T1 36

38 Reg T(f)(7)(i) Example (7) [Cont] S has basis of $40 in T stock and T stock has FMV of $100 STEP 1: S distributes stock of T to P under Sect. 301 in TY-1 (S has inter-company gain item of $60 under Sect. 311(b). P has basis of $100 in T stock) STEP 2: S distributes all of its remaining assets to P in complete liquidation under Sect. 332 in TY- 4 (P is successor person with respect to S intercompany gain item under Reg (j)(2)) STEP 3: T distributes T1 stock to P under Sect. 355 in TY-7 (P allocates $100 basis for T stock, $75 to T stock and $25 to T1 stock) STEP 4: T distributes all of its remaining assets, with FMV of $75 to P in complete liquidation under Sect. 332 in TY-9 37

39 Reg T(f)(7)(i) Example (7) Analysis of STEP 4 [Cont.] Intercompany gain item belongs to P, and P holds the member stock with eliminated stock basis P has corresponding item of zero (no recognized gain or loss) under Sect. 332 P has recomputed corresponding item of $45, $75 T stock basis less $30 (allocated initial $40 T stock basis after Step 3) P takes $45 of intercompany gain into account, but gain is excluded from income because all prerequisites of Reg T(c)(6)(ii)(C) are satisfied 38

40 T. D Effective Dates Corresponding items taken into account on or after March 7, 2008 Not applicable after March 3, 2011 unless adopted as final regulations Proposed regulations (REG ) intended to eliminate commissioner s discretionary rule 39

41 Issues With T.D Relief Sect. 332 liquidation must eliminate basis of member stock (deconsolidated members of affiliated group) Intercompany gain item must belong to common parent (order of tiered liquidations is important) Elimination of commissioner s discretionary rule is controversial 40

42 T.D (Sept. 3, 2009) Background Reg (f)(5)(ii) provides elective relief from matching and acceleration rules, where member stock basis is eliminated Requires member with eliminated stock basis to have been member throughout period beginning with IT and ending with stock elimination transaction Eligible transactions Sect. 338(h)(10) and comparable transactions (election of Sect. 331 liquidation in lieu of deemed Sect. 332 liquidation) Sect. 355 inter-company transactions (election of Sect. 311 intercompany distribution treatment and FMV member stock basis determination in lieu of Sect. 358 basis determination) Actual Sect. 332 liquidations if liquidation-reincorporation (T.D changes analysis) 41

43 Sect. 332 Liquidation Undone By Reg (f) (5)(ii)(B) Election P S $ 1 B 2 3 Old T Old T New T 42

44 Sect. 332 Liquidation Do-Over STEP 1: S sells stock of Old T to B, creating an intercompany gain item with respect to Old T stock STEP 2: Old T distributes all of its assets in complete liquidation to B STEP 3: Not as part of the same plan as liquidation (recognizing its mistake?), B tries to undo by reincorporating T as New T 43

45 Sect. 332 Liquidations Before Oct. 25, 2007 Election under former Reg (f) (5)(ii)(B) permits transfer by B of substantially all assets of Old T to New T not otherwise pursuant to the same plan or arrangement as the Sect. 332 liquidation to be treated as pursuant to the same plan or arrangement, if: B transfers assets to New T pursuant to a written plan, a copy of which is attached to a timely filed original return (including extensions) for TY of T s liquidation The transfer of the assets is completed within 12 months of the filing of that return Effect of election is to treat liquidation and asset transfer as Sect. 368(a) reorganization (liquidation-reincorporation) under step transaction principles of tax law 44

46 Sect. 332 Liquidations Before Oct. 25, 2007 (Cont.) End result of election under former Reg (f) (5)(ii)(B) is that stock of New T is treated as successor asset to stock of New T under Reg (j)(1), permitting matching (and deferral) to continue for intercompany item of gain with respect to T stock Appropriate adjustments are made to reflect any assets not transferred to New T as part of the same plan or arrangement. Such assets are treated as being acquired by New T but distributed to B immediately after the reorganization 45

47 T.D (Oct. 24, 2007) Effective for transactions on or after Oct. 25, 2007 Reg (k)(1) provides that a transaction otherwise qualifying as a reorganization under Sect. 368(a) is not disqualified or recharacterized as a result of subsequent downstream transfers of assets, so long as: COBE is satisfied Transferor s tax existence does not terminate 46

48 Effect Of T.D On Reg (f) (5)(ii)(B) Election Step transaction liquidation-reincorporation is now treated as upstream Type C reorganization, with an asset drop under Sect. 368(a)(2)(C) Deemed step transaction liquidation-reincorporation by reason of election would apparently be similarly treated Stock of New T now takes basis under Sect. 362 (inside asset basis) rather than under Sect. 358 (Old T stock basis) Treatment of New T stock as successor asset to Old T stock and continuation of matching are no longer appropriate 47

49 T.D Solution For Sect. 332 Liquidations On/After Oct. 25, 2007 Election under new Reg T(f) (5)(ii)(B) permits transfer by B of substantially all assets of Old T to New T not otherwise pursuant to the same plan or arrangement as the Sect. 332 liquidation to be treated as pursuant to the same plan or arrangement, if: A direct transfer of substantially all the assets by Old T to New T would qualify as Type D reorganization B transfers asset to New T pursuant to a written plan entered into before the due date for the group s return (including extensions) for the tax year of T s liquidation The transfer of the asset is completed within 12 months of the filing of the group s return Effect of election is to treat liquidation and asset transfer as Type D reorganization, for all purposes 48

50 T.D Solution For Sect. 332 Liquidations On/After Oct. 25, 2007 (Cont.) End result of election under new Reg T(f) (5)(ii)(B) is that stock of New T is treated as successor asset to stock of New T under Reg (j)(1), permitting matching (and deferral) to continue for intercompany item of gain with respect to T stock Appropriate adjustments are made to reflect any assets not transferred to New T. Such assets are treated as acquired by New T but distributed to B immediately after the reorganization Group effectively agrees to waive upstream reorganization treatment (including conformity to New T asset basis for stock of New T), with results virtually identical to those under former regulation 49

51 T.D Special Transitional Rule For liquidations on or after Oct. 25, 2007, where group s original tax return filed before Nov. 3, 2009 Election under new Reg t(f) (5)(ii)(b) may still be timely made if Written plan to transfer assets from B to New T entered into on or before Nov. 3, 2009 Election statement is included on or with original or amended tax return for TY of liquidation that is filed on or before Nov. 3, 2009 Substantially all of the former assets of Old T are transferred to New T within 12 months of the filing date for such original or amended return Note that any liquidation on or after Oct. 25, 2007 and before Nov. 3, 2009 may be undone under this special transitional rule (even if election originally overlooked) 50

52 Related Party Debt Acquisitions And Sect. 165(g)(3) Worthless Securities 51

53 Related Party Debt Acquisitions Sect. 108(e)(4) provides that when debt is acquired by a related party, to the extent provided in regulations, the debt is deemed satisfied by the issuer for the amount paid by the related party Treasury Reg. Sect (d)(2): A person is related to the debtor if they are related under either sections 267(b) or 707(b)(1) (generally >50% common ownership by value) Onerous attribution rules of Sect. 267(c) Sect. 267(c)(1): Stock owned by a corporation or partnership is treated as proportionately owned by its shareholders or partners Sect. 267(c)(3): Individual who owns any stock in a corporation is considered to own stock owned, directly or indirectly, by any of his partners 52

54 Related Party Debt Acquisitions (Cont.) Sect. 108(e)(4): Treats the acquisition of debt by a party related to the issuer as an acquisition of such indebtedness by the issuer itself Example: Issuer issues debt with an issue price of $100 and 5% interest. Due to market conditions, the value of the debt is less than $100. If the issuer goes out to repurchase its debt in the market for $95, it has COD income. If issuer sets up a NewCo to repurchase it, the debt is still outstanding. However, Sect. 108(e)(4) makes the issuer pick up COD income in this situation, and the debt is treated as reissued for $95 53

55 Consolidated Return Considerations Treasury. Reg. Sect (g)(5) Non-intercompany debt becomes intercompany debt Under final regulations effective 12/24/08, cash purchase model applies to non-intercompany debt that becomes intercompany debt Deemed satisfaction for cash at fair market value and immediate reissuance for the same amount Sect. 108(e)(4) does not apply when non-intercompany debt becomes intercompany debt. Treasury Reg. Sect (g)(6)(i)(A) 54

56 Sect. 165(g)(3) Worthless Securities Sect. 165(a) provides that there shall be allowed as a deduction any loss sustained during the taxable year and not compensated for by insurance or otherwise Sect. 165(g)(1) provides that if any security which is a capital asset become worthless during the taxable year, the loss resulting therefrom shall be treated as a loss from the sale or exchange, on the last day of the taxable year, of a capital asset Sect. 165(g)(2) defines security to mean: A share of stock in a corporation A right to subscribe for, or to receive, a share of stock in a corporation; or A bond, debenture, note or certificate or other evidence of indebtedness, issued by a corporation or government or political subdivision thereof, with interest coupons or in registered form 55

57 Sect. 165(g)(3) Worthless Securities (Cont.) Sect. 165(g)(3) provides ordinary loss treatment for worthless securities in certain affiliated corporations This provision is an exception to the general rule of Sect. 165(g)(1), which mandates capital loss treatment for worthless securities that are capital assets Ordinary loss treatment under Sect. 165(g)(3) is available only if the holder of the security is a domestic corporation that satisfies a two-part test 1) Ownership requirement Sect. 1504(a)(2) control of the issuing corporation (i.e., at least 80% of the total voting power and value of the issuer s stock); and 2) Gross receipts requirement More than 90% of the aggregate gross receipts for all taxable years must be from sources other than royalties, rents, dividends, interest, annuities and gains from sale or exchanges of stock and securities 56

58 Sect. 165(g)(3) Worthless Securities (Cont.) Rev. Rul Allows a parent corporation a worthless security deduction when it elects to change the classification of its wholly-owned insolvent subsidiary to a single-member LLC States that loss with respect to parent s related party debt instrument with its subsidiary is an ordinary deduction under Sect. 166 Follows Rev. Rul (parent allowed section 165(g)(3) and Sect. 166 deductions on insolvency dissolution of wholly-owned subsidiary) and refutes FSA (denied Sect. 165(g)(3) loss on CTB liquidation) 57

59 Sect. 165(g)(3) Worthless Securities (Cont.) Recent noteworthy PLRs and TAMs TAM : Gross receipts test of Sect. 165(g)(3)(B) does not preclude the taxpayer from deducting an ordinary loss for the worthless stock of a wholly-owned operating company that never had gross receipts PLR : Software company whose gross receipts included mainly license fees attributable to computer software developed, manufactured and produced by the taxpayer found to be an operating company with active gross receipts PLR : Taxpayer was able to satisfy the gross receipts test by relying upon gross receipts that carried over to the subsidiary corporation pursuant to Sect. 381 following a series of transactions 58

60 NOL Carryback Changes And Sect. 382 Update 59

61 NOL Carryback Changes The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allows certain eligible small businesses (ESBs) to elect an increased NOL carryback period for losses incurred in 2008 An ESB is a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship that meets a $15M gross receipts test (<$15M for the year of loss and <$15M for three-year period ending with the year of loss) Carryback period increased from two years to any whole number of years greater than two but less than six (i.e., three, four or five years) Rev. Proc provides administrative guidance on the time and manner for making elections for this new provision 60

62 Sect. 382 Update The IRS has issued a series of taxpayer-favorable private letter rulings addressing loss corporation mitigation of Sect. 382 by minimizing owner shifts related to investment advisors (IAs) PLR : An IA should be treated as a 5% shareholder unless the IA specifically states no one person or fund has economic interest of 5% or more, or information is acquired by the loss corporation to confirm that no one person or fund has economic ownership of 5% or more PLR : Taxpayers may rely upon the absence of Schedule 13D/G in determining the economic owners were not members of a group that constitutes as an entity, provided taxpayer has no actual knowledge to the contrary PLR : Taxpayers may use a stock surveillance company to help obtain evidence of existence or absence of 5% shareholders 61

63 Sect. 382 Update (Cont.) The IRS has also issued guidance on other Sect. 382 issues CCA Taxpayer sought a ruling that it could carry back excess recognized built-in losses in excess of Sect. 382 limitations to a pre-change year. IRS denied the ruling request, stating it was bound by Sect. 382(h)(4) and its legislative history Notice IRS states it intends to issue regulations under Sect. 382(l)(1) that would provide exceptions to the general rule under Sect. 382(l)(1)(B) Contributions made during the two-year period prior to the change date are not presumed to be part of the plan, a principal purpose of which is to avoid or increase a Sect. 382 limitation Safe harbors 62

64 Sect. 108(i)-Related Changes 63

65 Code Sect. 108 Background Provides cancellation of debt (COD) income exclusions for subchapter C corporations for Bankruptcy (Title 11 cases) Insolvency Qualified farm indebtedness Tax cost is attribute reduction 64

66 New Sect. 108(i) Added by Sect of ARRA Elective Pre-empts COD exclusions Eliminates need for attribute reduction Tax effect is deferral rather than exclusion Irrevocable Protective elections possible (Rev. Proc ) 65

67 New Sect. 108(i) Elective Deferral To FIFTH taxable year for COD recognized in 2009 (2014 TY) To FOURTH taxable year for COD recognized in 2010 (2014 TY) 66

68 Cost Of Sect. 108(i) Deferral If new debt is issued in exchange for COD, amortization of any OID on the new debt created by COD is deferred for same five-year period (until 2014 TY) Deferred OID amortization is deducted ratably over five-year income inclusion ( ) Election has no effect on holder 67

69 Election Available For COD From Reacquisition Of Applicable DI Applicable DI - Includes all DI issued by subchapter C corporations Reacquisition - Includes any acquisition of applicable DI by debtor or related person [Sect. 108(e)(4)] For cash or (under Rev. Proc ) other property Involving the exchange of one DI for another DI (including deemed exchange modifications under Reg Involving the exchange of DI for stock or a contribution to capital A complete COD An indirect acquisition [Reg (c)] 68

70 Acceleration Of All Deferred Income And OID Deductions Liquidation or sale of substantially all the assets of debtor (including in bankruptcy) Cessation of business by debtor Similar circumstances 69

71 Rev. Proc And Consolidated Sect. 108(i) 70

72 Rev. Proc The IRS recently released Rev. Proc to provide detailed guidance on the proper method for making the election under Sect. 108(i). Further, the IRS provided clarity on several issues: 1) Partial elections are permitted (i.e., elect to defer only a portion of the COD income). Alternatively, a taxpayer can elect to aggregate its debt instruments and make only one election 2) Election can be made on an entity-by-entity basis 3) Protective Sect. 108(i) elections 4) COD income triggered by a related party acquisition can be deferred 5) Election does not defer CODI for purposes of determining earnings and profits 6) Provides for 9100 relief procedures for making a late CODI deferral election 71

73 Consolidated Sect. 108(i) Consolidated return issues not addressed by Rev. Proc : 1) Stock basis adjustments under Treasury Reg. Sect ) Application of the matching and acceleration rules in Treasury Reg. Sect ) Impact of a subsequent liquidation of a debtor member 4) Application of the deemed satisfaction/reissuance model of Treasury Reg. Sect (g) 5) Earnings and profits treatment under Treasury Reg. Sect ) Application of Sect. 108(i) to inter-company debt obligations 72

74 Recent IRS Guidance On Separate Return Limitation Years 73

75 Background Separate return limitation year rules (SRLY) apply when member joins group in transaction that is not Sect. 382 COO Generally limit utilization of member s loss carryforwards to member s contributions to CTI Situations where SRLY might apply Creeping acquisitions by corporate LBO or MBO entity Non-includible corporation common parent (such as foreign corporation) combines two groups Termination of corporate joint ventures 74

76 Recent SRLY Guidance CCA (Jan. 30, 2009) 75

77 Recent SRLY Guidance CCA (Jan. 30, 2009) [Cont.] T is not member of P group in TY1 through TY3 FP transfers T to S in TY4, and T joins P group S distributes T stock to P in TY8, and P sells T stock to purchaser A Sect. 338(h)(10) election is made for sale of T stock T is deemed to liquidate into P, and P succeeds to T NOL carryovers 76

78 CCA (Cont.) Tax Year Current Income Of T Cumulative Income Register SRLY Carryover Deduction 1 Loss Loss No 2 Loss Loss No 3 Loss Loss No 4 Profit Profit No 5 Loss Profit Yes 6 Loss Profit No 7 Loss Profit No 8 Loss Loss No 9 [Deemed liquidated]?? 10 [Deemed liquidated]?? 77

79 CCA Taxpayer s Position Reg (c)(1) (i): General rule. -- Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section (relating to an overlap with section 382), the aggregate of the net operating loss carryovers and carrybacks of a member arising (or treated as arising) in SRLYs that are included in the CNOL deductions for all consolidated return years of the group under paragraph (a) of this section may not exceed the aggregate consolidated taxable income for all consolidated return years of the group determined by reference to only the member's items of income, gain, deduction, and loss. Reg (f)(1): In general. -- For purposes of this section, any reference to a corporation, member, common parent, or subsidiary, includes, as the context may require, a reference to a successor or predecessor, as defined in (f)(4). 78

80 CCA Taxpayer s Position (Cont.) Reg (f)(4): Predecessor and successors. -- The term predecessor means a transferor or distributor of assets to a member (the successor) in a transaction (i) to which section 381(a) applies [which includes a deemed Section 332 liquidation] Therefore, either Cumulative income register for TY9 and TY10 should include separate contributions to consolidated taxable income of both P and T for pre-liquidation years; or Cumulative income for TY9 and TY10 should include only separate contributions to consolidated taxable income of P after deemed liquidation of T 79

81 CCA IRS Position Successor and predecessor definition qualified by as the context may require, and historical context of SRLY would limit to T s income history Consideration of P s pre-liquidation income history is in effect to allow a SRLY carryback contrary to Sect. 381 Therefore, cumulative income register may include only preliquidation income of T and post-liquidation income of P 80

82 CCA (June 15, 2006) Background: Rev. Rul , C.B. 205, holds that reverse merger of CP transaction is functionally equivalent to the forward merger of CP in (d)(2)(ii). CR Group continues SH SH SH OCP NCP NCP SUB OCP OCP 81

83 CCA (Cont.) CCA addresses issue as to whether SRY carryforwards and carrybacks are SRLY-ied for OCP or NCP Reg (f) (2) provides: exceptions. -- The term separate return limitation year (or SRLY) does not include: (i) A separate return year of the corporation which is the common parent for the consolidated return year to which the tax attribute is to be carried (except as provided in (d)(2)(ii) and subparagraph (3) of this paragraph) (lonely parent rule) Reg (d)(2)(ii)(last sentence) provides: for purposes of applying paragraph (f)(2)(i) of to separate return years ending on or before the date on which the former parent ceases to exist, such former parent, and not the new common parent, shall be considered to be the corporation described in such paragraph 82

84 CCA (Cont.) TY 1 TY 2 TY 3 TY 4 OCP SRY CRY CRY SRY loss CF common sub loss CB parent member NCP SRY CRY CRY SRY Loss CF sub common parent loss CB member 83

85 CCA Holdings OCP can carry forward SRY losses without SRLY limitation under lonely parent rule, by reason of analogy to Reg (d)(2)(ii) (last sentence) SRY carryback losses of OCP are subject to SRLY limitation, because Reg (d)(2)(ii) does not contemplate continued existence of OCP after merger NCP can carry back SRY losses without SRLY limitation under basic lonely parent rule SRY carryforward losses of NCP are subject to SRLY limitation, because its status as CP under lonely parent rule for pre-merger years is pre-empted by OCP by reason of Reg (d)(2)(ii) (last sentence) 84