Exam 18: Corporate Taxation: Nonliquidating Distributions

Half Moon Corporation made a distribution of $300,000 to Arnold Swartz in partial liquidation of the company on December 31, 20X3. Arnold owns 100% of Half Moon Corporation (1,200 shares). The distribution was in exchange for 50% of Arnold's stock in the company (600 shares). At the time of the distribution, the shares had a fair market value of $500 per share. Arnold's income tax basis in the shares was $250 per share. Half Moon had total E&P of $2,000,000 at the time of the distribution. What is the amount and character (capital gain or dividend) of any income or gain recognized by Arnold as a result of the partial liquidation?

Townsend Corporation declared a 1-for-1 stock split to all common stock shareholders of record on December 31, 20X3. Townsend reported current E&P of $400,000 and accumulated E&P of $1,000,000. The total fair market value of the stock distributed was $500,000. Regina Williams owned 1,000 shares of Townsend common stock with a tax basis of $200 per share ($2,000,000 total). The fair market value of the common stock was $300 per share on December 31, 20X3. What is Regina's income tax basis in the new and existing common stock she owns in Townsend, assuming the distribution is tax-free?

Viking Corporation is owned equally by Sven and his wife Olga, each of whom hold 100 shares in the company. Viking redeemed 75 shares of Sven's stock in the company on December 31, 20X3. Viking paid Sven $2,000 per share. His income tax basis in each share is $1,000. Viking has total E&P of $500,000. What are the tax consequences to Sven because of the stock redemption?

Only income and deductions included on a corporation's income tax return are included in the computation of current earnings and profits.

Paladin Corporation had current and accumulated E&P of $500,000 at December 31, 20X3. On December 31, the company made a distribution of land to its sole shareholder, Maria Mendez. The land's fair market value was $200,000 and its tax and E&P basis to Paladin was $250,000. Maria assumed a liability of $25,000 attached to the land. The tax consequences of the distribution to Paladin in 20X3 would be:

Green Corporation has current earnings and profits of $100,000 and negative accumulated earnings and profits of ($200,000). A $50,000 distribution from Green to its sole shareholder will not be treated as a dividend because total earnings and profits is a negative $100,000.

Pine Creek Company is owned equally by Bob and his sister Samantha, each of whom own 1,000 shares in the company. On December 31, 20X3, Pine Creek redeemed 200 of Samantha's shares for $5,000,000 in a transaction treated as an exchange by Samantha. Pine Creek has current E&P of $10,000,000 and accumulated E&P of $30,000,000 (computed without regard to the stock redemption). Assuming Pine Creek did not make any dividend distributions during 20X3, by what amount does the company reduce its E&P because of the redemption?

Which of the following statements best describes current earnings and profits?

Evergreen Corporation distributes land with a fair market value of $200,000 to its sole shareholder. Evergreen's tax basis in the land is $50,000. Evergreen will report a gain of $150,000 on the distribution regardless of whether its earnings and profits are positive or negative.

Comet Company is owned equally by Pat and his sister Pam, each of whom hold 100 shares in the company. Comet redeems 50 of Pam's shares on December 31, 20X3, for $1,000 per share in a transaction that Pam treats as an exchange for tax purposes. Comet has total E&P of $250,000 on December 31, 20X3. What are the tax consequences to Comet because of the stock redemption?

Sunapee Corporation reported taxable income of $700,000 from operations for 20X3. During the year, the company made a distribution of land to its sole shareholder, Jean McCarthy. The land's fair market value was $125,000 and its tax and E&P basis to Sunapee was $75,000. Jean assumed a mortgage attached to the land of $25,000. Sunapee's tax rate is 34%. Compute Sunapee's total taxable income and federal income tax paid because of the distribution. Using your solution, compute Sunapee's current E&P for 20X3.

Otter Corporation reported taxable income of $400,000 from operations for 20X3. The company paid federal income taxes of $136,000 on this taxable income. During the year, the company made a distribution of land to its sole shareholder, Emmet Jugg. The land's fair market value was $50,000 and its tax and E&P basis to Otter was $30,000. Emmet assumed a mortgage attached to the land of $10,000. Any gain from the distribution will be taxed at 34%. The company had accumulated E&P of $900,000 at the beginning of the year. Compute Otter's total taxable income and federal income tax paid because of the distribution (assume a tax rate of 34%). Using your solution, compute Otter's current E&P for 20X3.

Which of the following statements best describes the priority of the tax treatment of a distribution from a corporation to a shareholder?

Abbot Corporation reported a net operating loss of $400,000 in 20X3, which the corporation elected to carry forward to 20X4. Included in the computation of the loss was regular depreciation of $100,000 (E&P depreciation is $40,000), first year expensing under §179 of $50,000, and a dividends received deduction of $10,000. The corporation's current earnings and profits for 20X3 would be:

Montclair Corporation had current and accumulated E&P of $500,000 at December 31, 20X3. On December 31, the company made a distribution of land to its sole shareholder, Molly Pitcher. The land's fair market value was $200,000 and its tax and E&P basis to Montclair was $50,000. Molly assumed a liability of $25,000 attached to the land. The tax consequences of the distribution to Montclair in 20X3 would be:

Comet Company is owned equally by Pat and his sister Pam, each of whom hold 100 shares in the company. Pam wants to reduce her ownership in the company, and it was decided that the company will redeem 50 of her shares for $1,000 per share on December 31, 20X3. Pam's income tax basis in each share is $500. Comet has total E&P of $250,000. What are the tax consequences to Pam because of the stock redemption?

Tammy owns 100 shares in Star Struck Corporation. The other 100 shares are owned by her husband Tommy. Which of the following statements is true?

Corona Company is owned equally by Maria, her sister Carlita, her mother Gabriella, and her grandmother Olivia, each of whom hold 100 shares in the company. Under the family attribution rules, how many shares of Corona stock is Maria deemed to own?

Green Corporation has negative current earnings and profits of ($100,000) and positive accumulated earnings and profits of $200,000. A $50,000 distribution from Green to its sole shareholder will be treated as a dividend because total earnings and profits is a positive $100,000.

Elk Company reports negative current E&P of $200,000 and positive accumulated E&P of $300,000. Elk distributed $200,000 to its sole shareholder, Barney Rubble, on December 31, 20X3. Barney's tax basis in his Elk stock is $75,000. What is the tax treatment of the distribution to Barney and what is his tax basis in Elk stock after the distribution?