There are many considerations that influence how a transaction is structured, including tax considerations. The most basic tax issue is whether to structure the transaction as taxable or tax-free. In general, there are four basic structures for a corporation acquisition: (1) a taxable acquisition of a target corporation s stock; (2) a taxable acquisition of a target corporation s assets; (3) a tax-free acquisition of the target corporation s stock; or a tax-free acquisition of a target corporation s assets. While at first blush, it may seem that it is always more desirable to structure a transaction as tax-free, this is not always the case. As an initial matter, the requirements for structuring a transaction as a tax-free reorganization, which are set forth in § 368, are quite strict. The strictures imposed by § 368 may not always be compatible with the business objectives of the parties to the transactions, making resort to a taxable structure more desirable. If the fair market value of a target corporation s assets is greater than the target s basis in such assets, the purchaser may wish to acquire a fair market value basis (i.e., a stepped up basis) in such assets, something that is only possible in a taxable asset acquisition or a taxable stock acquisition for which a § 338 election is made. This book considers the tax accounting implications of structuring and restructuring transactions including those described in Code §§351 (Transfer to Corporation Controlled by Transferor), 338 (Certain Stock Purchases Treated as Asset Acquisitions), 381 (Carryovers in Certain Corporate Acquisitions), 721 (Nonrecognition of Gain or Loss on Contributions to a Partnership), and 1001 (Gain or Loss on Disposition of Property). It discusses the rules relative to a taxpayer s ability to carry over methods of accounting, to obtain audit protection through filing accounting method changes, to preserve favorable methods of accounting, to determine the effect of the transa




