• QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Do Not Double Tax Your Business

    How the PTE Tax Can Impact the Valuation of Pass-Through Entities This paper explains how the PTE tax in Massachusetts and several other states affects the valuation of a business and how business owners can account for this tax to avoid double taxation. Introduction Taxes can have a significant impact on the value of a business. Pass-through entities such as S-Corporations and partnerships generally do not pay any taxes since the income is passed through to the individual shareholder or partner. Taxes are then paid on their individual income tax returns. But what if I said that Massachusetts pass-through entities…

  • QuickRead Featured - Tax

    Book Review—Taxes and Value

    The Ongoing Research and Analysis Relating to the S Corporation Valuation Puzzle What premium, if any, should S Corporations command? How reliable are the current models? How reliable is the evidence that supports the position of the leading U.S. Tax Court cases? What should valuation analysts and consultants consider as they advise newly formed corporations considering making the S election and S corporation shareholders that are about to discuss buy-sell agreements? In this book, Fannon and Sellers critique existing theory and practice and propose a new model to value S corporations.

  • Case Law - QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Estate of Giustina v. Commissioner

    Tax Controversy Insights In matters argued before the U.S. Tax Court, valuation professionals are frequently asked to provide opinions related to the value of closely held businesses and of fractional ownership interests in closely held businesses. This discussion relates to a recent appeal of a U.S. Tax Court decision involving such valuation issues. The case in question is Natale B. Giustina v. Commissioner. In this case, the Tax Court’s selection of the method for valuing a fractional ownership interest in a closely held business was appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The Appeals Court…

  • QuickRead Featured - QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    How the IRS Values Non-Controlling Interests in S Corps

    With Commentary by Original IRS Champion Leading valuation practitioners have proposed various models to guide practitioners valuing controlling and non-controlling interests. The published Tax Court cases—precedents—have favored the position of the IRS. The author suggests that is not surprising. In a soon-to-be released book, Michael Gregory highlights the importance of a new Job Aid focused on valuation of S corporations.

  • Case Law - QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Business Valuation in Divorce Case Law Compendium

    At some point in a business valuation analyst’s career, an attorney or pro se party will call asking for a business valuation and perhaps even to retain your services. A good starting point is Business Valuation in Divorce: Case Law Compendium, 2nd ed. This edition is 584 pages long and provides a comprehensive court case digest that emphasizes similarities and differences in the treatment of goodwill (professional and personal), discounts, fair value, tax-affecting, and other significant issues. This is a must-have resource for those already practicing in this area and for those embarking in their valuation career.

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Are Valuation Experts Tax-Affecting the Wrong Earnings?

    Important factors to consider in making tax adjustments to pass-through income Damodaran recently wrote about the potential devaluation of dividend-paying stocks if the preferred dividend tax rate were to climb back up to the ordinary rate.  This could inspire valuation experts to make a tax adjustment reducing untaxed Pass-Through Entity (PTE) income to equate it with corporately taxed income that qualifies for tax preference at the shareholder level.  Before making this tax adjustment, the valuation expert should consider several factors.  

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Estate of Gallagher Tax Court Case is a Valuation Tutorial

    The Tax Court Speaks Loudly and Firmly on the Responsibilities of Business Appraisers Hempstead & Co. has published “Estate of Gallagher is a Valuation Tutorial.”  The article emphasizes the importance of providing the court with a clear and convincing explanation of the assumptions and arguments you have employed in carrying out a business appraisal. It discusses the recent Tax Court Memorandum opinion in the Estate of Gallagher v. Commissioner, (TC Memo. 2011-148).  The court’s valuation was closest to the value on the return as filed.