Check-the-Box: Choosing an Entitys Tax Classification
T
he Internal Revenue Service has finalized rules that allow most businesses to choose whether they will be treated as a corporation or as a pass-through entity such as a partnership. Check-the-box rules also allow businesses to disregard their entity status for federal income tax purposes. For example, under the default classification system, a domestic single-owner entity is taxed as a sole proprietorship if the owner is an individual or as a division if the owner is a corporation, unless the entity elects to be taxed as a corporation.
The single-owner entity would not have to file a separate tax return; rather, it would simply report taxable income on
Schedule C, Profit and Loss From Business
, as a part of the owners form 1040.
For some time now, companies have made use of so-called hybrid entities, such as limited liability companies, to take advantage of certain domestic and international tax breaks. These hybrid entities have both corporate and noncorporate characteristics—they can enjoy the liability protections of corporations but are not necessarily taxed as corporations. Under the check-the-box rules, businesses can avoid having to carefully structure hybrid entities to realize these benefits.
Observation:
The final check-the-box rules have important implications for the taxation of domestic and international operations. The "tax nothing" box could be chosen to achieve combined or consolidated reporting in states that restrict or prohibit combination and consolidation. At the federal level, subsidiaries whose separate status is disregarded may offer benefits of consolidated reporting without the negative aspects of the consolidated return rules. Certain foreign entities also may be "tax nothings" or partnerships, allowing companies to simplify their international structures and take advantage of planning opportunities.
Taxpayers should be aware of the check-the-box regulations default classification system so they do not miss making the necessary election. The default rules differ depending on whether the entity is foreign or domestic. Some foreign entities, such as a British public limited company, are per se corporations under the rules, and alternative treatment cannot be elected. Furthermore, taxpayers should verify if these rules apply to their state filings.
—Tracy Hollingsworth, Esq.,
staff director of tax councils at Manufacturers Alliance, Arlington, Virginia.
Broader Use of the Income Forecast Method
P
erhaps the most important depreciation methods case decided over the past several years was
ABC Rentals of San Antonio v. Commissioner
. In this case, the court ruled the income forecast method could be used to depreciate tangible property. Prior to the case, the income forecast method was used primarily by motion picture companies—it allowed for a depreciation of property over a period that was determined by a films income. However, it no longer is limited to the assets of a motion picture company.
The Tax Court, citing Internal Revenue Code section 168(f)(1), said the taxpayer could choose not to use the modified accelerated cost recovery system (MACRS) as long as the property was properly depreciated under a method not based on the propertys life. Because ABC Rentals accurately documented its projected income as derived from its rental property, it could be depreciated under the income forecast method.
Observation:
The use of the income forecast method is particularly significant to airlines, chemical, steel, paper and auto companies because the alternative minimum tax depreciation adjustment—a major factor in their tax profiles—does not apply when depreciation is computed under a method other than MACRS. In fact, the only drawback to using the income forecast method is that, unlike MACRS, property cannot be depreciated below its salvage value. Under revenue ruling 95-52, the IRS opposed the expanded use of the income forecast method. it is likely the U.S. Supreme Court will have to resolve this issue.
—Robert Willens, CPA, managing director at Lehman Brothers, New York City.
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FYI
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The Internal Revenue Service published guidelines for adoption expense credits and the income exclusion for employer-paid expenses under an adoption assistance program. According to notice 97-9, individuals adopting a child can claim both a credit and an exclusion, but they cannot claim both for the same expense. Also, an individual cannot claim a credit for any expense an employer reimburses, even if the reimbursement is made in accordance with an adoption assistance program. The IRS reminds taxpayers to retain all appropriate records on the adoption.
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The IRS has issued final regulations (T.D. 8703) under Internal Revenue Code section 6081 that establish easier procedures for obtaining an automatic extension to file an individual, partnership, trust or real estate mortgage investment conduit income tax return. According to the code individuals can receive an automatic four-month extension to file without even signing the application or remitting the unpaid taxes owed.
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In revenue procedure 96-63, the IRS lists the optional standard mileage rates for 1997 business expense deductions. They are 31.5 cents per mile for the business use of your car; 12 cents per mile for charitable use; and 10 cents per mile for moving and medical purposes.
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Partnership Investment Taxed to IRA
A
ccording to Internal Revenue Code section 408(e)(1), amounts an IRA earns are generally tax deferred until distributions are made. However, in certain instances, IRAs are not tax deferred.
In private letter ruling 9703026, an individuals IRA purchased a limited partnership interest in a nonpublicly traded partnership. The partnership served independent tire retailers and financed the construction of a warehouse and leased its floor space to an unrelated party. The loan to finance the warehouse remained outstanding. As a limited partner, neither the individual nor the IRA custodian could participate in the management of the partnership.
IRAs with unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) are subject to tax under IRC section 511. UBTI is gross income less any directly related expenses an organization derives from an unrelated trade or business. Section 512(b)(3) excludes rents from the definition of UBTI, but section 514(a)(1) includes any gross income from debt-financed property. For an IRA subject to section 511, an unrelated trade or business is any trade or business regularly carried on by an IRA or partnership of which it is a member.
The IRS ruled that the business income passed through to the IRA as a limited partner in the retail tire business constituted UBTI. It further said the rental income from the warehouse was generated by debt-financed property and it, too, constituted UBTI. Thus, the IRA was liable for any income taxes due on the UBTI that exceeded the $1,000 statutory exemption of section 512 (b)(12).
Observation:
If the IRA had invested in a publicly traded partnership instead of a nonpublicly traded partnership the results would have been the same. However, if the IRA had invested in a corporation or in a publicly-traded partnership that was taxed as a corporation, then there would be no UBTI. An IRA should avoid being taxed on active income at all odds.
—Michael Lynch, CPA, Esq.,
associate professor of accounting at Bryant College, Smithfield, Rhode Island.