This article focuses on “related party” transactions under Internal Revenue Code Section 267(a)(1) and Internal Revenue Code Section 1239(a). While there is some overlap, it should be noted that the specific scope of “related parties” for purposes of a “related party” transaction under Internal Revenue Code Section 1239(a) is different than the specific scope of “related parties” under Internal Revenue Code Section 267(a)(1).
It has been stated that the limited liability company has become more popular than the corporation as the basic form of entity to do business in the United States. A critical document with any limited liability company is the operating agreement. When an operating agreement for a limited liability company fails to fully cover the six key issues described here in accordance with the understandings of the limited liability company’s members and managers and applicable law, such operating agreement is a poorly-drafted, inadequate operating agreement.
Effective estate tax planning often involves two competing objectives. On one hand, there is an objective to remove assets from a person’s taxable estate, so that estate tax liability can be reduced on such person’s death. On the other hand, there is an objective to retain the income and principal from a person’s assets, so that such person’s activities are not disrupted during such person’s lifetime.
Charitable activities are favored under the Internal Revenue Code. The income of a charitable entity can be subject to favorable income taxation, and transfers to a charitable entity can realize income tax and estate tax deductions. One type of charitable entity is a private foundation. This letter refers to the “private non-operating foundation.”
There are two types of reporting companies – “domestic reporting companies” and “foreign reporting companies.” It is important to remember that reporting companies that were formed or registered to do business in the United States on or before December 31, 2023 are required to comply with applicable “FinCEN” reporting by January 1, 2025 and reporting companies that were formed or registered to do business in the United States during 2024 are required to comply with applicable “FinCEN” reporting within 90 calendar days after receiving notice of such formation or registration.
“Buy sell” agreements often are funded by life insurance policies. Life insurance proceeds can affect the “estate tax” valuation of a deceased business owner’s ownership interest. And can have material implications for the terms of “buy-sell” agreements, business valuations, and other estate tax liability and estate planning issues.