Appraisals support fair-market-value test for preferred dividends

Plain-English summary

A taxpayer received two quarterly dividends on nonpublic preferred stock. Each dividend exceeded 5 percent of the taxpayer's adjusted basis, so the taxpayer elected under Section 1059(c)(4) to substitute the stock's fair market value immediately before each ex-dividend date. Based on two appraisals, the IRS concluded that neither dividend equaled or exceeded 5 percent of that fair market value. The conclusion depends on the appraiser following the cited valuation guidance and using accurate data, reasonable assumptions and comparables, and all relevant available information.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Did the taxpayer establish the preferred stock's value for its Section 1059(c)(4) election?
• Outcome: Approved, subject to the stated appraisal conditions. Each dividend was below 5 percent of fair market value.
• Key authorities: IRC § 1059(c); Rev. Proc. 87-33; Rev. Rul. 59-60

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 202114016 [Third Party Communication:
Release Date: 4/9/2021 Date of Communication: Month DD, YYYY]
Index Number: 1059.06-00, 1059.06-02
Person To Contact:
-------------------------------------------- ------------------, ID No. -----------------
------------------------------------------------------------ Telephone Number:
------------- --------------------
----------------------- Refer Reply To:
-------------------------------------- CC:CORP:BR3
PLR-118177-20
Date:
January 14, 2021

Legend

Taxpayer = ---------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------

Corporation = ----------------

Preferred Stock = ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------

Appraiser = ------------------------------------------------------------------

Year = -------

Date 1 = ----------------------

Date 2 = --------------------------

Date 3 = ------------------------

X$ = -----------------

Y$ = -----------------

Dear -----------------:

This letter responds to your letter dated August 13, 2020 requesting a written
determination as to whether Taxpayer has established the value of certain shares of
preferred stock to the satisfaction of the Service for purposes of making an election
PLR-118177-20 2

under section 1059(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). See Rev. Proc. 87-
33, 1987-2 C.B. 402. The information submitted for consideration is summarized below.

In a transaction during Year, Taxpayer acquired newly issued preferred stock of
Corporation (specifically, the Preferred Stock). The Preferred Stock is not publicly
traded. Subsequently during Year, Taxpayer received two quarterly dividends with
respect to the Preferred Stock. The first dividend received by Taxpayer, in the amount
of X$, had an ex-dividend date of Date 1 (the First Dividend). The second dividend
received by Taxpayer, in the amount of Y$, had an ex-dividend date of Date 2 (the
Second Dividend).

Taxpayer has represented that the amount of the each of the two quarterly dividends it
received in Year exceeded five percent of the adjusted basis in the Preferred Stock and,
as a result, each of the dividends otherwise qualified as extraordinary under section
1059(c). Accordingly, Taxpayer elected under section 1059(c)(4) to apply section
1059(c)(1) and (3) by substituting the value of the Preferred Stock as of the day before
each of the respective ex-dividend dates for Taxpayer’s adjusted basis in the Preferred
Stock.

Taxpayer obtained two appraisals (the Appraisals), each of which was dated Date 3,
from Appraiser with respect to the value of the Preferred Stock as of the day before
Date 1 and the day before Date 2. Subsequently, this ruling request was submitted.

Provided that (i) Appraiser followed the relevant guidelines contained in Rev. Rul. 59-
60, 1959-1 C.B. 237, as amplified by Rev. Rul. 77-287, 1977-2 C.B. 319, Rev. Rul. 80-
213, 1980-2 C.B. 101, and Rev. Rul. 83-120, 1983-2 C.B. 170, (ii) the financial data and
all other relevant data analyzed for the Appraisals was accurate and complete, (iii)
Appraiser was knowledgeable about the terms of the Preferred Stock, (iv) any and all
assumptions and comparables relied upon by Appraiser were reasonable, and (v)
Appraiser appropriately took into consideration any and all available data relevant for
the appraisals, we conclude that Taxpayer has established that the amount of the First
Dividend did not equal or exceed 5 percent of the fair market value of the Preferred
Stock as of the day before Date 1 and that the amount of the Second Dividend did not
equal or exceed 5 percent of the fair market value of the Preferred Stock as of the day
before Date 2.

Except as expressly provided herein, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the
tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in
this letter.

Taxpayer should retain a copy of this letter with its federal income tax return information
for the tax year(s) in which it is relevant.

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) of the Code
provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.
PLR-118177-20 3

In accordance with the Power of Attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is
being sent to your authorized representatives.

The rulings contained in this letter are based upon information and representations
submitted by the taxpayer and accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement executed
by an appropriate party. While this office has not verified any of the material submitted
in support of the request for rulings, it is subject to verification on examination.

                                   Sincerely,



                                   Thomas I. Russell
                                   Chief, Branch 1
                                   Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate)

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