Exam 4: Corporations: Organization and Capital Structure

Because boot is generated under § 357(b) (i.e., the liability is not supported by a bona fide business purpose), the transferor shareholder will always have to recognize gain.

George (an 80% shareholder) has made loans to Mountainview Corporation that become worthless in the current year. George is not employed by Mountainview.

When a taxpayer transfers property subject to a mortgage to a controlled corporation in an exchange qualifying under § 351, the transferor shareholder's basis in stock received in the transferee corporation is increased by the amount of the mortgage on the property.

Eileen transfers property worth $200,000 (basis of $190,000) to Goldfinch Corporation. In return, she receives 80% of the stock in Goldfinch Corporation (fair market value of $180,000) and a long-term note (fair market value of $20,000) executed by Goldfinch and made payable to Eileen. Eileen recognizes gain on the transfer of:

Ashley, a 70% shareholder of Wren Corporation, transfers property with a basis of $250,000 and a fair market value of $900,000 to Wren Corporation for additional stock. Ashley owns 78% of Wren after the transfer. Two other shareholders in Wren transfer a nominal amount of property to Wren along with Ashley's transfer so that Ashley and the two shareholders own 90% of the Wren stock after the transfer. Does Ashley have taxable gain on the transfer?

If a transaction qualifies under § 351, any recognized gain is equal to the value of the boot received.

A shareholder contributes land to his wholly owned corporation but receives no stock in return. The corporation has a zero basis in the land.

Similar to the like­kind exchange provision, § 351 can be partly justified under the wherewithal to pay concept.

Kirby and Helen form Red Corporation. Kirby transfers property, basis of $20,000 and value of $300,000, for 100 shares in Red Corporation. Helen transfers property, basis of $40,000 and value of $280,000, and provides legal services in organizing the corporation. The value of her services is $20,000. In return Helen receives 100 shares in Red Corporation. With respect to the transfers:

Wren Corporation (a minority shareholder in Lark Corporation) has made loans to Lark Corporation that become worthless in the current year.

Ann transferred land worth $200,000, with a tax basis of $40,000, to Brown Corporation, an existing entity, for 100 shares of its stock. Brown Corporation has two other shareholders, Bill and Bob, each of whom holds 100 shares. With respect to the transfer:

Earl and Mary form Crow Corporation. Earl transfers property, basis of $200,000 and value of $1,600,000, for 50 shares in Crow Corporation. Mary transfers property, basis of $80,000 and value of $1,480,000, and agrees to serve as manager of Crow for one year; in return Mary receives 50 shares of Crow. The value of Mary's services is $120,000. With respect to the transfers:

Because services are not considered property under § 351, a taxpayer must report as income the fair market value of stock received for such services.

Mitchell and Powell form Green Corporation. Mitchell transfers property (basis of $105,000 and fair market value of $90,000) while Powell transfers land (basis of $8,000 and fair market value of $75,000) and $15,000 of cash. Each receives 50% of Green Corporation's stock (total value of $180,000). As a result of these transfers:

The receipt of nonqualified preferred stock in exchange for the transfer of appreciated property to a controlled corporation results in recognition of gain to the transferor.

Rita forms Finch Corporation by transferring land (basis of $125,000; fair market value of $750,000) which is subject to a mortgage of $375,000. Two weeks prior to incorporating Finch, Rita borrows $125,000 for personal purposes and gives the lender a second mortgage on the land. Finch Corporation issues stock worth $250,000 to Rita and assumes the two mortgages on the land. What are the tax consequences to Rita and to Finch Corporation?

Carl and Ben form Eagle Corporation. Carl transfers cash of $50,000 for 50 shares of stock of Eagle. Ben transfers proprietary information with a tax basis of zero and a fair market value of $50,000 for the remaining 50 shares in Eagle. Carl will have a tax basis of $50,000 in his stock in Eagle Corporation, but Ben's basis in his stock will be zero.

Rhonda and Marta form Blue Corporation. Rhonda transfers land (basis of $55,000 and fair market value of $180,000) for 50 shares plus $20,000 cash. Marta transfers $160,000 cash for 50 shares in Blue Corporation.

Sarah and Tony (mother and son) form Dove Corporation with the following investments: cash by Sarah of $65,000; land by Tony (basis of $25,000 and fair market value of $35,000). Dove Corporation issues 400 shares of stock, 200 each to Sarah and Tony. Thus, each receives stock in Dove worth $50,000.

In determining whether § 357(c) applies, assess whether the liabilities involved exceed the bases of all assets a shareholder transfers to the corporation.