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Leasing and the Codification of Economic Substance January 21 2011 ABA Tax Section – Capital Recovery and Leasing. Disclaimer.

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  1. Leasing and the Codification of Economic SubstanceJanuary 21 2011ABA Tax Section – Capital Recovery and Leasing

  2. Disclaimer • ANY TAX ADVICE IN THIS COMMUNICATION IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED, BY A CLIENT OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF (i) AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON ANY TAXPAYER OR (ii) PROMOTING, MARKETING OR RECOMMENDING TO ANOTHER PARTY ANY MATTERS ADDRESSED HEREIN.

  3. Economic Substance Codification • Section 7701(o) • If doctrine is applicable, conjunctive test applies • Resolves split among circuits • Transaction has economic substance if • Transaction changes in a meaningful way (apart from Federal income tax effects) the taxpayer’s economic position, and • Taxpayer has a substantial purpose (apart from Federal income tax effects) for entering into transaction

  4. Economic Substance Codification • Section 7701(o) • Potential for economic profit may be taken into account to establish economic substance only if pre-tax profit potential is “substantial” in relation to expected net tax benefits on a present value basis

  5. Economic Substance Codification - Strict Liability Penalty • Strict liability penalty for underpayment with respect to transactions lacking economic substance • 20 percent penalty if transaction adequately disclosed • Section 6662(b)(6) • 40 percent penalty if not adequately disclosed • Section 6662(i) • Reasonable cause exception under section 6664(c) is not available • Section 6664(c)(2)

  6. Economic Substance Codification • Whether economic substance doctrine applies is not affected by codification • Case law still applies • JCT Explanation: leasing transactions will continue to be scrutinized based on all facts and circumstances • IRS guidance: Notice 2010-62 • IRS will not issue PLRs or determination letters on whether economic substance doctrine is relevant • No intention to issue an “angel list”

  7. Prior IRS Guidance on Leasing Transactions • Rev. Proc. 2001-28 and 2001-29 provide guidance for obtaining advance ruling from IRS on leveraged lease transactions • Lessor’s minimum equity investment at least 20 percent, maintained throughout lease term • Lessor must demonstrate it will derive overall profit apart from tax benefits; positive cash flow • No present value analysis • No comparison of profit to expected tax benefits • Generally viewed as safe harbor

  8. Open Questions for Lease Transactions • Will LILO/SILO analyses be applied across the board in lease transactions? • Are they now part of the pre-existing case law that section 7701(o) is to be applied against? • What is “substantial” in any given context? • Guidelines focus on 20% in any number of tests • Should there be a safe harbor if PV of profit at least 20% of the PV of the tax benefits?

  9. Open Questions for Lease Transactions • What discount rate? • 110% of the AFR? • Wells Fargo and Altria – consider the investor’s cost of funds? • Allocate “profit” pro rata over the term or recover all costs first? • Expected net tax benefits – seems reasonably clear that tax detriments need to be considered in the present value calculations.

  10. Appendix – Section 7701(o) • (o) Clarification of economic substance doctrine.   (1) Application of doctrine. In the case of any transaction to which the economic substance doctrine is relevant, such transaction shall be treated as having economic substance only if--      (A) the transaction changes in a meaningful way (apart from Federal income tax effects) the taxpayer's economic position, and      (B) the taxpayer has a substantial purpose (apart from Federal income tax effects) for entering into such transaction.   (2) Special rule where taxpayer relies on profit potential.      (A) In general. The potential for profit of a transaction shall be taken into account in determining whether the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) are met with respect to the transaction only if the present value of the reasonably expected pre-tax profit from the transaction is substantial in relation to the present value of the expected net tax benefits that would be allowed if the transaction were respected.      (B) Treatment of fees and foreign taxes. Fees and other transaction expenses shall be taken into account as expenses in determining pre-tax profit under subparagraph (A). The Secretary shall issue regulations requiring foreign taxes to be treated as expenses in determining pre-tax profit in appropriate cases.   (3) State and local tax benefits. For purposes of paragraph (1), any State or local income tax effect which is related to a Federal income tax effect shall be treated in the same manner as a Federal income tax effect.   (4) Financial accounting benefits. For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), achieving a financial accounting benefit shall not be taken into account as a purpose for entering into a transaction if the origin of such financial accounting benefit is a reduction of Federal income tax.   (5) Definitions and special rules. For purposes of this subsection--      (A) Economic substance doctrine. The term "economic substance doctrine" means the common law doctrine under which tax benefits under subtitle A with respect to a transaction are not allowable if the transaction does not have economic substance or lacks a business purpose.      (B) Exception for personal transactions of individuals. In the case of an individual, paragraph (1) shall apply only to transactions entered into in connection with a trade or business or an activity engaged in for the production of income.      (C) Determination of application of doctrine not affected. The determination of whether the economic substance doctrine is relevant to a transaction shall be made in the same manner as if this subsection had never been enacted.      (D) Transaction. The term "transaction" includes a series of transactions.

  11. Contact Information • Kevin Juran – KPMG LLP, 212 872-5826, kjuran@kpmg.com • Natalie Tucker – RSM McGladrey Inc., 904 680-7209, natalie.tucker@mcladrey.com • Glenn Johnson – Ernst & Young LLP, 202 327-6687, glenn.johnson@ey.com • Katherine Breaks – KPMG LLP, 202 533-4578, kbreaks@kpmg.com

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