CHAPTER 21

S CORPORATIONS

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEM MATERIALS

Status: Q/P
Question/ Present in Prior
Problem Topic Edition Edition

1 Restrictions on S corporations New

2 Use of a qualified Subchapter S subsidiary Unchanged 2
3 S corporations and like-kind exchanges Unchanged 3
4 Nonresident alien Unchanged 4
5 Reelection after termination Unchanged 5
6 Passive investment income New
7 Schedule M Unchanged 7
8 AAA bypass election Unchanged 8
9 AAA versus stock basis Unchanged 9
10 Stock basis Unchanged 11
11 Built-in gains tax New
12 C corporation NOL and S election Unchanged 12
13 Subchapter S taxable income Unchanged 13
14 Nonseparately computed income Unchanged 14
15 Nonseparately computed income Unchanged 15
16 Income allocation Unchanged 16
17 Distributions New
18 Distributions Unchanged 18
19 Distributions Unchanged 19
20 Shareholder basis and liquidation Unchanged 20
21 Shareholder basis: Losses and distributions Unchanged 21
22 AAA: losses and distributions Unchanged 22
23 Stock basis/AAA Unchanged 23
24 Distribution Unchanged 24
25 AEP bypass election Unchanged 25
26 Alternative minimum tax New
27 Loss allocation New

21-1
21-2 2004 Comprehensive Volume/Solutions Manual

Status: Q/P
Question/ Present in Prior
Problem Topic Edition Edition

28 Loss allocation New

29 AAA/stock basis/AEP Unchanged 29
30 Built-in gains tax Unchanged 30
31 Built-in gains tax Unchanged 31
32 Passive investment income tax Unchanged 32
33 Stock basis Unchanged 33
34 Built-in gains tax Unchanged 34
35 Family S corporation and reallocation of Unchanged 35
operating income
36 Liquidation of S corporation Unchanged 36
37 Per-books election Unchanged 37
 S Corporations 21-3

CHECK FIGURES

13.a. $75,000. 24. Each shareholder has $200,000

13.b. $25,000. dividend income, $250,000 ending
14. $68,000. basis.
15.a. Sammy’s share, $26,000. 25. Each shareholder has $300,000
15.b. $6,000. dividend income, $350,000 ending
16.a. Thomas $123,287.85; Estate basis.
$376,712.87; Ralph $500,000. 27. $12,000.
16.b. Ralph $500,000; Thomas $200,000; 28. $19,200 operating loss; $4,800 capital
Estate $300,000. loss.
17. $11,000 ordinary income; $15,000 29. AAA, ($7,000); stock basis, $1,000;
return of capital; $1,000 capital gain. AEP, $1,000.
18. Tobias $90,000 ordinary income 30.a. $19,600 liability.
(salary); Goblins $90,000 deduction. 30.b. $29,750.
19. Tobias $90,000 ordinary income 30.c. $17,500.
(dividend); Goblins no deduction. 31. $19,950 tax liability.
20.a. $20,000. 32. $10,500.
20.b. Adam $150,000; Bonnie $70,000. 33. Andre $12,500; Crum $16,500;
20.c. Adam ($40,000); Bonnie $40,000. Barbara $22,500.
21. Bip’s ending stock basis $0. 34. Corporate tax, $21,070; Farris’ gain,
22. Ending AAA ($30,000); ending AEP $35,718.
$55,000. 37. $70,000.
23.a. $41,000.
23.b. $66,000.
21-4 2004 Comprehensive Volume/Solutions Manual

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Although the Federal tax treatment of partnerships and S corporations is similar, there are
some differences. For example, liabilities affect owners’ basis differently, and S
corporations may incur a tax liability at the corporate level. Further, many C corporation
provisions apply to S corporations (e.g., liquidation). Where the S corporation provisions
are silent, the C corporation rules apply. p. 21-2

2. An S corporation may own up to 100% of a C corporation as well as certain wholly-

owned S corporations. An S corporation is not allowed the dividends received deduction,
and it cannot join in filing a consolidated tax return. pp. 21-5 and 21-6

3. Willis, Hoffman, Maloney, and Raabe, CPAs

5191 Natorp Boulevard
Mason, OH 45040

May 20, 2003

Bob Roman
8411 Huron Boulevard
West Chester, PA 19382

Dear Mr. Roman:

A qualified Subchapter S subsidiary (QSSS) should be helpful in your situation. The

advent of QSSSs has enhanced your ability to insulate different projects from the
liabilities of other projects and, at the same time, reducing the tax costs previously
associated with such liability insulation.

Create a QSSS and make the § 1031 exchange, and the parent S corporation does not
have the potential liability exposure. Thus, by using a QSSS your parent corporation
avoids any potential environmental liabilities.

QSSSs are treated as disregarded entities. They have a separate legal existence for
liability purposes, but exist only as a division of the parent S corporation for tax
purposes.

Sincerely,

Gene Crumbley, CPA

Partner

p. 21-6

4. The two shareholders will have difficulty making the S election effective for 2003.

• For the election to be effective as of January 1, 2003, the previous shareholder also
must consent to the election. Under § 1362(b)(2)(B)(ii), where any shareholder who
owns stock at the beginning of the tax year for which the election is effective, but not
on the date of the election, does not consent to the election, the election is effective as
of the next taxable year.
 S Corporations 21-5

• Effective if the previous shareholder does consent, this previous shareholder is not a
qualified shareholder (i.e., a nonresident alien). Thus, the S election is effective for
2004 (but not for 2003).

p. 21-10

5. TAX FILE MEMORANDUM

Date: September 8, 2003

From: Doreen Lane

Re: Involuntary termination of two-person S corporation—Elvis Samford shareholder.

I told Mr. Samford over the phone that, after an election has been terminated, five years
must pass before a new election can be made. Theoretically, Mr. Samford must wait
until the year 2007 before a new election is available. He does not qualify for the special
waiver of the 5-year waiting period created by the Small Business Jobs Protection Act of
1996 (only for years before 1997). Section 1362(f) does allow the IRS to make
exceptions to this rule and permit an earlier election in two situations.

• There is a more-than-50% change in ownership after the first year for which the
termination is applicable.

• The event causing the termination was not reasonably within the control of the S
corporation or its majority shareholders.

Thus, Mr. Samford might have a chance of an early election. Reg. § 1.1372-5(a) and
Rev. Rul. 78-274, 1978-2 C.B. 220.

pp. 21-11 and 21-12

6. If an S corporation has C corporation E & P and passive income in excess of 25% of its
gross receipts for three consecutive taxable years, the S election is terminated as of the
beginning of the fourth year. § 1362(d)(3)(A)(ii) and p. 21-12

7. a. + OAA d. – PTI g. – AAA j. – AAA

b. – AAA e. + OAA h. – AAA

c. + AAA f. – OAA i. – AAA

Example 25

8. Collett should consider the following factors.

• A bypass election is available to the S corporation. With the consent of all of its
shareholders, an S corporation may elect to have a distribution treated as made from
AEP rather than from AAA. The distribution will be taxable to the shareholder, but
any AEP is eliminated. pp. 21-19 and 21-36
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• Absent the bypass election, no adjustments are made to AEP during S years except
for distributions taxed as dividends and adjustments from redemptions, liquidations,
and reorganizations. pp. 21-16 and 21-17

• Even without AEP, the S corporation should maintain an AAA. This figure is needed
during the post-termination transition period of approximately one year. A cash
distribution can reduce AAA during this postelection termination period. pp. 21-20
and 21-21

• The AAA bypass election may be used in the final year of an S election to avoid the
accumulated earnings tax or personal holding company tax. Example 51

9. TAX MEMORANDUM

Date: November 1, 2003

To: Caleb Hudson

Re: Differences between AAA and stock basis of an S corporation.

• Stock basis typically opens at a positive amount, and AAA starts out with a
zero balance.

• AAA is a corporate account, and stock basis is calculated at the shareholder

level.

• AAA can have a negative balance, but stock basis cannot go below zero.

• AAA is not adjusted for tax-exempt income or related expenses or for Federal
taxes attributable to a C corporation tax year. Stock basis is adjusted for these
items.

pp. 21-17, 21-18, 21-22, 21-23, and Exhibit 21-1

10. a. – d. + g. – j. + m. +

b. + e. – h. – k. + n. –

c. – f. + i. – l. – o. –

pp. 21-22 and 21-23

11. On the conversion date, the S corporation must include the stock value of the subsidiary
in the net unrealized built-in gain, subject to a future built-in gains tax. Later, when the
subsidiary is liquidated, a second net unrealized built-in gain is recognized. Thus, the S
corporation may pay a built-in gains tax twice on the same appreciation. pp. 21-28 and
21-29

12. Texas, Inc. should remain a C corporation for 2003 and possibly for the next few years.
The $110,000 NOL carryover could not be used if the S election were made (except for
purposes of the built-in gains tax). The projected income for 2003-2006 indicates that
Texas can take advantage of this NOL if it remains a C corporation.
 S Corporations 21-7

pp. 21-27 and 21-33

PROBLEMS

13. a. Book income $90,000

Add: Long-term capital loss 6,000
$96,000
Deduct:
Dividends received $9,000
Tax-exempt interest 2,000
§ 1231 gain 6,000
Recovery of bad debts 4,000 (21,000)
Subchapter S taxable income $75,000

b. $25,000 ($75,000 ÷ 3)

Example 16

14. Sales $130,000

§ 1250 gain 12,000
$142,000

Cost of goods sold $42,000

Administrative expenses 15,000
Depreciation expense 17,000 (74,000)
Nonseparately computed income $ 68,000

Example 16

15. a. Sales $100,000

§ 1250 gain 20,000
$120,000
Less:
Cost of goods sold $40,000
Administrative expenses 5,000
Depreciation 10,000 55,000
Nonseparately computed income $ 65,000
X 40%
Sammy’s share $ 26,000

b. $15,000 X .40 = $6,000 LTCG to Sammy

Example 16

16. a. Absent a per-books election, the income is allocated by assigning an equal portion
of the annual income of $1 million to each day (or $2,739.73 per day) and
allocating the daily portion among the two shareholders. Thomas is allocated
50% of the daily income for 90 days from January 1 through March 31, or
$123,287.85 ($2,739.73 ÷ 2 X 90). Thomas’s estate would be allocated 50% of
the income for the 275 days from April 1 through December 31, or $376,712.87
($2,739.73 ÷ 2 X 275). Ralph would be allocated $500,000 for the full year.
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b. If the per-books election is made, the income of $400,000 from January 1 through
March 31 is divided equally between Ralph and Thomas, so that each would be
allocated $200,000. The income of $600,000 from April 1 through December 31
is divided equally between Ralph and Thomas’s estate, or $300,000 to each.

Example 20

17. $11,000 ordinary income; $15,000 return of capital; and $1,000 capital gain. Joy’s stock
basis is increased by the $11,000 ordinary income allocable to her, giving Joy a basis of
$15,000 before the distribution. The first $15,000 of the distribution is a return of
capital, reducing the stock basis to zero. The remaining $1,000 constitutes capital gain
(the excess over stock basis). Example 22

18. Tobias recognizes $90,000 of ordinary income. The corporation has a $90,000 deduction
which passes through to Tobias. His stock basis is reduced to zero, and he has a $10,000
loss carryover. Figure 21-1 and Concept Summary 21-1

19. Tobias recognizes $90,000 of dividend income, with no deduction pass through, and has
an $80,000 remaining stock basis. AEP is reduced to zero. Concept Summary 21-1

20. a. Bonnie’s initial basis in her stock is $20,000, pursuant to §§ 1371 and 358.

b. Adam’s and Bonnie’s bases in their stock after the sale of the property
contributed by Bonnie is determined as follows.

Adam Bonnie
Initial basis (§ 358) $100,000 $20,000
Gain on sale (§§ 1363 and 1366) 50,000 50,000
Adjusted basis $150,000 $70,000

c. If the sale described in b. took place, Adam’s and Bonnie’s gain (loss) recognized
upon the liquidation of the company is determined as follows.

Adam Bonnie
FMV of property distributed (§ 331) $110,000 $110,000
Less: Adjusted basis (150,000) (70,000)
Gain/(loss) recognized ($ 40,000) $ 40,000
pp. 21-22 and 21-40

21. TAX FILE MEMORANDUM

Date: October 21, 2003

RE: S losses and distributions

S corporation tax law now provides that distributions are treated as reductions of stock
basis before considering any losses. Thus, Bip Wallace should treat the loss and
distribution as follows.
 S Corporations 21-9

Bip’s beginning stock basis $100,000

Less: Current year distributions (70,000)
Basis before loss $ 30,000
Less: Partial loss (30,000)
Ending stock basis $ -0-

Suspended loss $ 25,000

p. 21-23 and Example 35

22. There will be a $30,000 negative balance in AAA, and AEP remains at $55,000.

AAA AEP
Beginning balance, 1-1-01 $100,000 $55,000
Less: Distributions (70,000) -0-
Less: Loss (60,000) -0-
Ending Balance ($ 30,000) $55,000

In this case, AAA is adjusted first for the distributions and then for the loss. However,
the negative balance must be restored to a positive balance before the shareholders may
receive any distributions that will not be taxed as dividend income.

Exhibit 21-1

23. a. Beginning stock basis $22,000

Add:
Taxable income $16,000
Dividend income 6,000
Tax-exempt interest 9,000
STCG 3,000
Section 1231 gain 3,500 37,500
$59,500
Less:
Charitable contributions $ 2,500
Political contributions 4,000
STCL 6,000
Dividends to Malcom 6,000 (18,500)
Ending stock basis $41,000
p. 21-23

b. Beginning AAA $40,000

Add:
Taxable income $32,000
Dividends received 12,000
STCG 6,000
Section 1231 gain 7,000
57,000
$97,000
21-10 2004 Comprehensive Volume/Solutions Manual

Less:
Charitable contributions $ 5,000
Political contributions 8,000
STCL 12,000
Dividends to Malcolm 6,000 (31,000)
Ending AAA $66,000

Exhibit 21-1

24. On the distribution of the securities, there is a recognized gain of $200,000 to Money,
Inc. ($1 million – $800,000), which increases AAA by $200,000. This $200,000 of gain
flows through to the two shareholders ($100,000 each), and each shareholder increases
his or her stock basis by $100,000.

The $100,000 operating income increases the corporate AAA by $100,000. The
operating income flows through to the two shareholders ($50,000 each) and increases
each shareholder’s stock basis by $50,000. Thus, before the distribution of securities,
AAA is $600,000 ($300,000 + $100,000 + $200,000). The $1 million distribution is
treated as coming first from AAA, to the extent of $600,000, and then from AEP, to the
extent of $400,000. AAA is reduced to zero ($600,000 – $600,000), and AEP is reduced
to $200,000 ($600,000 – $400,000).

Before the distribution, each shareholder’s basis is $550,000 ($400,000 + $100,000 +

$50,000). Basis then is reduced by the nontaxable portion of the distribution (i.e.,
$300,000 from AAA) to $250,000 each. Each shareholder has $200,000 of dividend
income resulting from the distribution.

Concept Summaries 21-1, 21-2, and § 1367(a)(2)(A)

25. Most of the results are the same as in 25, except that AEP is reduced to zero. Each
shareholder receives a $300,000 taxable distribution and a $200,000 tax-free distribution
from AAA. The AAA is $200,000 at the end of the year ($600,000 – $400,000), and
each shareholder’s basis is $350,000 ($550,000 – $200,000). Concept Summaries
21-1 and 21-2

26. Section 56(b)(1)(A)(i) denies a deduction for the $300,000 of investment expenses for
purposes of the alternative minimum tax, even though net taxable income is zero
($300,000 – $300,000). Thus, $300,000 of investment income flows through to the
shareholder. If an S corporation makes cash distributions to the shareholder in order to
pay any AMT, these distributions will in turn create additional alternative minimum tax
liability. Concept Summary 21-12 and p. 21-14

27. $12,000 ($60,000 X .50 X 146/365). p. 21-15

28. TAX FILE MEMORANDUM

Date: December 3, 2003

RE: Flow through of Losses

 S Corporations 21-11

If a shareholder’s basis is insufficient to allow the full use of the flow-through losses and
there is more than one type of loss, the amount of each deductible flow-through loss is
determined on a pro rata basis.

Ms. Muhammad’s share of the operating loss is $24,000 ($80,000 X 30%) and of the
capital loss is $6,000 ($20,000 X 30%). Since her basis in the stock is $24,000, only
$24,000 is deductible. Thus, $19,200 of the operating loss [($24,000/$30,000) X
$24,000] and $4,800 of the capital loss [($6,000/$30,000) X $24,000] can be deducted
currently by Ms. Muhammad. The unused losses ($4,800 operating loss; $1,200 capital
loss) are carried forward to future years. pp. 21-25, 21-26, and Figure 21-1

29. AAA Stock Basis AEP

Beginning balance $2,000 $10,000 $5,000
Distribution ($6,000) (2,000) (2,000) (4,000)
Balance $ -0- $ 8,000 $1,000
LTCG 2,000 2,000 -0-
Balance $2,000 $10,000 $1,000
Loss ($9,000) (9,000) (9,000) No effect
Ending balances ($7,000) $ 1,000 $1,000

30. a. Inventory:
FMV ($90,000 X .80) $72,000
Adjusted basis ($70,0000 X .80) (56,000)
Built-in gain realized $16,000
Collection of receivables 40,000
Taxable income $56,000
Tax rate X 35%
Liability $19,600

b. $195,000 – $110,000 = $85,000 X .35 = $29,750.

c. $270,000 – $220,000 = $50,000 X .35 = $17,500.

Concept Summary 21-3, § 1374(d)(2), and Reg. § 1.1374-3

31. Taxable income (less than net built-in gain) $65,000

Less: NOL (8,000)
Tax base $57,000
Rate X 35%
Tax liability $19,950

Concept Summary 21-3

32. The S corporation incurred net passive investment income of $60,000 [$100,000 (passive
investment income) – $40,000 (expenses incurred in connection with earning the passive
investment income)]. Since 25% of $190,000 (gross receipts) = $47,500, passive
investment income (PII) beyond the amount allowed is $52,500 ($100,000 – $47,500).

$52,500 (PII in excess of 25% gross receipts) X $60,000 (net PII) = $31,500 ENPI
$100,000 (PII for the year)
21-12 2004 Comprehensive Volume/Solutions Manual

Thus, the § 1375 penalty tax is $10,500 (35% X $30,000), because taxable income is less
than ENPI.

Example 47

33. Andre Crum Barbara

Beginning Bases $18,000 $22,000 $28,000
Distribution 12,500 12,500 12,500
STCG (5,000) (5,000) (5,000)
Nondeductible fees and penalties (1,000) (1,000) (1,000)
Net tax operating loss (10,000) (10,000) (10,000)
LTCL (2,000) (2,000) (2,000)
Ending stock bases $12,500 $16,500 $22,500

p. 21-22 and Example 30

34. Yates Corporation recognizes an $80,600 gain ($130,800 – $50,200), of which $60,200
($110,400 – $50,200) is subject to the corporate built-in gains tax. The other $20,400
($130,800 – $110,400) of the gain is subject to the S corporation pass-through rules and
is not taxed at the corporate level.

Thus, the corporate tax is $21,070 (0.35 X $60,200). Mark Farris basically uses 60% of
this tax ($21,070 X .60 = $12,642) to reduce his flow-through gain of $48,360 ($80,600
X .60 = $48,360), resulting in a net taxable gain of $35,718 ($48,360 – $12,642).

Example 41

35. This family may be trying to avoid salaries to obtain employment tax savings. Likewise,
the absence of salaries to the parents shifts income to the daughter, who may be in a
lower tax bracket. Under § 1366(e) and Reg. § 1.1373-1(a)(2), the IRS agent could
require that reasonable compensation be paid to all three owners. Additional payroll
taxes also may be assessed. In this case, however, the allocation of compensation to the
daughter results in an increase in her earned income and a decrease in her unearned
income (i.e., her pro rata share of S corporation ordinary income). This, in turn, results in
a reduction in the kiddie tax, which applies only to unearned income, and consequently
may reduce the overall income taxes paid by the family members. However, the agent
also would impose payroll taxes upon the salary amounts.

No Salaries With Salaries*

Bonnie $60,000 $35,000
Clyde 60,000 35,000
Daughter 60,000 35,000

*$180,000 – $30,000 – $35,000 – $10,000 = $105,000 X 1/3 = $35,000

Example 48
 S Corporations 21-13

36. TAX FILE MEMORANDUM

Date: June 18, 2003

From: Judy Hernandez

Re: Friedman, Inc., liquidation

I told Arnold Schwartz, CFO, over the phone that S corporations are subject to many of
the same liquidation rules applicable to regular corporations. For example, the
distribution of the appreciated land and inventory is treated as if the property were sold to
the shareholders in a taxable transaction.

The S corporation incurs no corporate tax (except for any § 1374 tax), but the gains flow
through to the shareholders. Any corporate gain increases the shareholders’ stock bases
by like amounts and reduce any gains realized by the shareholders when they receive the
liquidation proceeds. Typically, double tax is avoided, but special tax attributes
disappear (i.e., AAA).

With respect to the depreciated marketable securities, the S corporation can recognize the
loss.

p. 21-40

37. If the corporation makes the short-year election, Will receives only $70,000 of the loss.
Without the election, Will would receive $100,000 of the loss. Thus, it is unlikely that
Will would consent to the election. Example 19
21-14 2004 Comprehensive Volume/Solutions Manual

NOTES