Week 2 Problem Set

Week Two Problem Set

ACC/455

Week Two Problem Set

C: 2-56 Tax Strategy for Wildcat Corporation

a. Under what circumstances is the tax result in Problem C:2-55 beneficial, and for which shareholders?

The circumstances vary for the shareholders, who may or may not be pleased with this result. They have avoided the requirements of Sec. 351, which allows Eric to recognize a $150,000 capital loss. Although Florence has to recognize $25,000 of ordinary income, Wildcat can depreciate the machinery’s FMV of $25,000. If Eric can use the $150,000 loss to offset capital gains from other sources, he may be happy with this result. If Florence is in a low tax bracket, she might not mind that she has to recognize $25,000 of ordinary income. However, if Eric has no capital gains and cannot use the $150,000 capital loss, avoiding Sec. 351 may not be a desirable result. This is especially true if Wildcat plans to subdivide the land and sell it, thereby generating ordinary income in the near future. If Sec. 351 applied, Wildcat’s basis in the land would be limited under the Sec. 362(e)(2) reduction rules to $50,000, its FMV. However, Eric and Wildcat Corporation could make an election under Sec. 362(e)(2)(C) so that the land would have a $200,000 carryover basis to Wildcat and, therefore, much less income for Wildcat to report in future years. In such case, Eric’s basis would be limited to his stock’s FMV of $50,000 rather than the $200,000 basis in the property contributed. If he is not planning to sell his stock anytime soon, this reduction might not matter. Also, Florence could avoid recognizing $25,000 of ordinary income on the machinery. On the other hand, the machinery would have a zero basis to Wildcat, and therefore Wildcat would not be allowed any depreciation on the machinery. As far as George is concerned, it makes no difference to him whether Sec. 351 applies or not. The result to him is the same either way.

b. Can you suggest ways to...