While probably not the most consequential election in 2024, a bond issuer might need to decide whether to make a separate issue election under Reg. §1.150-1(c)(3) and/or a multipurpose issue allocation under Reg. §§1.148-9(h) and 1.141-13(d).[1] To ensure that issuers (and conduit borrowers)[2] are a fully informed electorate, this 2024 Election Guide will explain the … Continue Reading
When the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) says it does. (For those of you that want to remind yourselves of how a bill becomes a law, such as the IRC, see this video from Schoolhouse Rock). As you may know, issuers of governmental-use bonds are generally permitted to use up to 10% of the tax-exempt … Continue Reading
The famous song, Love Me Tender, by Elvis Presley, includes lyrics such as “We’ll never part” and about being together “ ’Til the end of time.” In contrast to Elvis’ wish, the issuer of tax-exempt bonds that makes a tender offer is hoping the exact opposite happens to the relationship between the bondholder and tax-exempt … Continue Reading
(Episode 3 – What Happens to the Arbitrage Sinners and the Arbitrage Saints?) As you may remember, in Episode 1 we discussed some background regarding the prohibition against abusive arbitrage devices and the policy behind that prohibition – to encourage investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds in long-lived, tangible assets, while discouraging the generation of arbitrage … Continue Reading
(Episode 2 – Overburdening (Generally) Not Allowed) As you may remember, in the first episode, we discussed how the federal government’s primary goal in subsidizing tax-exempt bonds is to encourage investment by issuers in long-lived, tangible assets. We also discussed how the federal government has tried to keep issuers on the intended path by preventing … Continue Reading
(Episode 1 – Background and Arbitrage Basics) Sometimes it is a good exercise to remind ourselves of some basic rules governing tax-exempt bonds. One such rule is that bonds are taxable arbitrage bonds if an “abusive arbitrage device” is used in connection with the bonds. An abusive arbitrage device is any action that has the … Continue Reading
According to Wikipedia, the fount of all knowledge, the phrase “I know it when I see it” is a colloquial expression by which a speaker attempts to categorize an observable fact or event, although the category is subjective or lacks clearly defined parameters. This phrase was famously used in a U.S. Supreme Court decision to … Continue Reading
To all of our readers, Belated Happy New Year! We will ring in 2022 with some belated news. Back in November of 2021, the IRS once again issued a memorandum that extends the ability to use an electronic or digital signature on Form 8038 (Tax-Exempt Private Activity Bond Issues), Form 8038-G (Tax-Exempt Governmental Obligations) and … Continue Reading
Contrary to its name, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act resulted in a tax increase for certain entities. For example, certain well-endowed private universities and colleges are now subject to a 1.4% excise tax on their net investment income. This tax increase is set forth in Section 4968 of the Internal Revenue Code, and it … Continue Reading
To promote the provision of disaster relief and the development (or redevelopment) of economically distressed areas, Congress will at times enact targeted bond programs that authorize the issuance of specialized tax-exempt bonds. Tax-exempt targeted bond programs frequently contain both a cap on the amount of tax-exempt bonds that can be issued under the program and … Continue Reading
According to the Federal Trade Commission’s website, only products made with “all or virtually all” U.S. parts that are processed in the U.S. may bear the cherished Made in the USA label. In addition, according to the FTC’s guidelines, products that include foreign parts, but that are assembled in the U.S., may bear an Assembled … Continue Reading
The Opportunity Zone program was created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and is intended to increase investment in areas designated as Opportunity Zones (i.e., economically distressed communities). The general idea behind the program (which we have previously written about here) is that investors are able to defer paying tax on gains from … Continue Reading
The IRS recently released a new Form 8038-G, which is the information return for issues of tax-exempt governmental bonds, and a new Form 8038, which is the information return for tax-exempt private activity bonds. In addition, the IRS has released draft instructions for each form. The revised forms are in part a response to changes … Continue Reading
This past summer, I wrote a blog post showing how the sequestration rate, which reduces federal subsidy payments to issuers of “Direct Pay Bonds” (defined below), has generally been decreasing since the spending cuts enacted by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (“BCA”) began on March 1, 2013. As a reminder, sequestration refers to the automatic, … Continue Reading
A few months ago, I wrote a blog post about a hospital that had its Section 501(c)(3) status revoked by the IRS. In that case, the IRS found that the hospital had committed willful and egregious violations of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”). For example, the hospital was not conducting a community … Continue Reading
Over the last six weeks, my colleagues have posted numerous insightful posts about the various tax bills’ impact on tax-advantaged bonds (see here, here and here). For our readers who have been entirely consumed by those provisions of the bill, I thought it would be helpful to highlight some of the other provisions of the … Continue Reading
A few years ago, I wrote two blog posts (#1 and #2) regarding the likely penalties that a hospital qualifying for Section 501(c)(3) status (a “501(c)(3) hospital”) would incur if it failed to comply with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) provisions set forth in Section 501(r) of the Internal Revenue Code of … Continue Reading
Are you struggling with what to get your hard-to-buy-for tax advisor for an upcoming birthday or holiday? Struggle no more, as I have the perfect gift idea. A PTIN. Why? Every tax return preparer needs one, and best of all, they are currently free.… Continue Reading
In contrast to the theme song, “Movin’ on Up”, from the 1970s sitcom The Jeffersons, sometimes “moving on down” is better in certain circumstances. For example, it is preferable when discussing the sequestration rate for direct pay bonds. Since sequestration began during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, the sequestration rate (i.e., the portion … Continue Reading
A few years ago, I wrote a blog post entitled “The P3 Wars” in which I provided a brief explanation of how a P3 (i.e., a public-private partnership) works, and the general arguments for and against the use of P3s. More recently, President Trump proposed a $1 trillion U.S. infrastructure plan that likely includes the … Continue Reading
Not quite a year ago, I wrote a blog post entitled Sometimes the Truth is Stranger than Fiction. There has been a recent development in the relevant case that I think is worthy of a short update. A very brief summary of what the relevant case involved is as follows. Two former Sprint executives (Mr. … Continue Reading
A few weeks ago, President Trump announced that he would advocate for the repeal of the prohibition against certain religious organizations (i.e., those exempt from paying federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3)) from engaging in political campaigning. His statement was made at the National Prayer Breakfast to a group of religious leaders. However, since the … Continue Reading
Most people agree that a “bond” is a financial instrument pursuant to which a creditor (holder of the bond) lends money to a borrower (the issuer of the bond) over a specified period of time in exchange for a periodic interest payment. However, although I occasionally see headlines about green bonds being issued, it was … Continue Reading
My last blog post was about how, as a result of a change in the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), the IRS will be altering the manner in which it audits many partnerships (and limited liability companies that are taxed as partnerships under the Code). In a nutshell, for tax years beginning on or after January … Continue Reading
