The IRS has announced a new audit campaign targeted at the use of private aircraft, a/k/a “corporate jets”. This has been an intensifying area of focus by the IRS over the last few years as a result of recently-increased tax benefits for private aircraft. Clients who use airplanes for business
No Money? No Problem: Recent IRS Favorable Guidance Regarding a REIT’s First Year
On October 4, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) released Private Letter Ruling 202440007, which concluded that the lack of income and assets in the first taxable year of an entity that had elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) did not cause the entity…
California FTB Releases Updated Proposed Regulations on Market-Based Sourcing Rules – Implications for Asset Managers
On September 13, 2024, California’s Franchise Tax Board (“FTB”) released updated proposed regulations (“Draft Regulations”), which would amend the rules regarding market-based sourcing for sales other than sales of tangible personal property. These proposed rules would have a significant effect on professional service providers, including asset managers. The Draft Regulations…
The IRS and Senator Warren Raise Concerns about Lodging and Health Care REITs
The IRS and Senator Warren Raise Concerns about Lodging and Health Care REITs
I. Introduction
On September 3, 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) urging it to “increase enforcement scrutiny of REITs, especially large health and hospitality REITs that may be…
California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to Apply Market-Based Sourcing Rules to Nonresident Directors of California Based Corporations
On Monday, September 9, 2024, the California FTB approved proposed amendments to California’s personal income tax code.
This proposed rule would impose California income tax on non-resident/non-employee corporate directors receiving fees for services performed outside of California if the corporation has a commercial domicile in California (presumably because the corporation…
Proposed Regulations Issued on Reporting Obligations for Basket Contract Transactions
1. Introduction.
On July 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued proposed regulations that would classify “basket contract transactions”, which are derivatives (i) with a term of more than a year (or that spans two taxable years), (ii) that reference a…
UK government consults on taxation of carried interest
The newly elected UK Labour government published its call for evidence (see link here) on the taxation of carried interest on Monday 29 July 2024. This consultation by HM Treasury, cautiously anticipated following statements made during Labour’s election campaign, will remain open until 30 August 2024 during which time…
UK Supreme Court confirms no deduction for expenses related to share and asset sale
On 16 July 2024, the UK Supreme Court (SC) published its judgment in the case of Centrica Overseas Holdings Ltd (COHL) v HMRC. The ruling addresses the issue of whether professional advisory fees incurred in contemplation of a sale of a group company (actually resulting in a sale of…
Treasury and IRS Announce New Attack on Partnership Basis-Shifting Structures and Establishment of “Passthrough Working Group” to Develop Further Partnership Guidance.
On June 17, 2024, the IRS announced the formation of a dedicated group in the Office of Chief Counsel specifically focused on developing guidance on partnerships, which is expected to work with a new “passthrough working group” being established in the Large Business and International Division of the IRS. At the same time, Treasury and the IRS launched an attack on a specific partnership strategy involving so-called “basis bump” or “basis shifting” transactions involving related parties through a combination of guidance challenging the substance of such arrangements and declaring such arrangements to be “transactions of interest” that are subject to the strict disclosure requirements of the “reportable transaction” rules.1
Supreme Court Rules on Moore v. U.S. – Upholds Mandatory Repatriation Tax
On June 20, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the so called mandatory repatriation tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 965 (“MRT”) is constitutional.
Justice Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion. Justice Thomas (joined by Justice Gorsuch) dissented. Justice Barrett (joined by Justice Alito) and Justice Jackson delivered separate…