Exam 18: Corporations: Organization and Capital Structure

Wade and Paul form Swan Corporation with the following investments. Wade transfers machinery (basis of $40,000 and fair market value of $100,000), while Paul transfers land (basis of $20,000 and fair market value of $90,000) and services rendered (worth $10,000) in organizing the corporation. Each is issued 25 shares in Swan Corporation. With respect to the transfers:

A long-term note is treated as "boot." Thus, Eve is taxed on the value of the note received.

One month after Sally incorporates her sole proprietorship, she gives 25% of the stock to her children. Section 351 cannot apply to Sally because she has not satisfied the 80% control requirement.

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

Four years ago, Don, a single taxpayer, acquired stock in a corporation that qualified as a small business corporation under § 1244, at a cost of $60,000. Don wants to give his son, Ron, $20,000 to help finance Ron's college education. The stock is currently worth $20,000. Don is considering selling the stock in the current year for $20,000 and giving the cash to Ron. As an alternative, Don could give the stock to Ron and let Ron sell it for $20,000. Which alternative should Don choose?

Sean, a sole proprietor, is engaged in a service business and uses the cash basis of accounting. In the current year, Sean incorporates his business by forming Aqua Corporation. In exchange for all of its stock, Aqua receives: assets (basis of $400,000 and fair market value of $2 million), trade accounts payable of $110,000, and loan due to a bank of $390,000. The proceeds from the bank loan were used by Sean to provide operating funds for the business. Aqua Corporation assumes all of the liabilities transferred to it. a. Does Sean recognize any gain on the incorporation? Explain. b. What basis does Sean have in the Aqua stock? c. What basis does Aqua Corporation have in the assets it receives?

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:

In order to encourage the development of an industrial park, a county donates land to Ecru Corporation. The donation results in gross income to Ecru.

Under Federal tax law, a bias exists in favor of debt, as compared to equity, when financing the operations of a corporation.

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.

If both §§ 357(b) and (c) apply to the same transfer (i.e., the liability is not supported by a bona fide business purpose and also exceeds the basis of the properties transferred), § 357(c) predominates.

Joyce, a single taxpayer, transfers property (basis of $120,000 and fair market value of $60,000) to Wren Corporation in exchange for shares of § 1244 stock. As the transfer qualifies under § 351, Joyce takes a $120,000 basis in the Wren stock. In the current year, Joyce sells the Wren Corporation stock for $40,000. What are the consequences of the sale to Joyce?

Blue Corporation (a seller of goods to Cedar Corporation) has made loans to Cedar Corporation, which become worthless in the current year.

The use of § 351 is not limited to the initial formation of a corporation, and it can apply to later transfers as well.

The control requirement under § 351 requires that the person or persons transferring property to the corporation, immediately after the transfer, own stock possessing at least 80% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and at least 80% of the total number of shares of all other classes of stock of the corporation.

Albert transfers land (basis of $140,000 and fair market value of $320,000) to Gold Corporation for 80% of its stock and a note payable in the amount of $80,000. Gold assumes Albert's mortgage on the land of $200,000.

Carl transfers land to Cardinal Corporation for 90% of the stock in Cardinal Corporation worth $20,000 plus a note payable to Carl in the amount of $40,000 and the assumption by Cardinal Corporation of a mortgage on the land in the amount of $100,000. The land, which has a basis to Carl of $70,000, is worth $160,000.

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?

A shareholder transfers a capital asset to Red Corporation for its stock. If the transfer qualifies under § 351, Red's holding period for the asset begins on the day of the exchange.

Kim, a real estate dealer, and others form Eagle Corporation under § 351. Kim contributes inventory (land held for resale) in return for Eagle stock. The holding period for the stock includes the holding period of the inventory.