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Tax Reporting and Reconciliation of Hedge Fund and
Other Alternative Investment Fund K-1s
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2018, 1:00-2:50 pm Eastern
FOR LIVE PROGRAM ONLY
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FOR LIVE PROGRAM ONLY
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2018
Tax Reporting and Reconciliation of Hedge Fund and Other Alternative Investment Fund K-1s
Suzy Lee, CPA, MST, Senior Tax Manager
Untracht Early, Florham Park, N.J.
Stacy L. Palmer, CPA, MBA, MST, Principal
Untracht Early, Florham Park, N.J.
Laura L. Ross, CPA, Partner
EisnerAmper, San Francisco
Notice
ANY TAX ADVICE IN THIS COMMUNICATION IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN BY
THE SPEAKERS’ FIRMS TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED, BY A CLIENT OR ANY
OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF (i) AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT
MAY BE IMPOSED ON ANY TAXPAYER OR (ii) PROMOTING, MARKETING OR
RECOMMENDING TO ANOTHER PARTY ANY MATTERS ADDRESSED HEREIN.
You (and your employees, representatives, or agents) may disclose to any and all persons,
without limitation, the tax treatment or tax structure, or both, of any transaction
described in the associated materials we provide to you, including, but not limited to,
any tax opinions, memoranda, or other tax analyses contained in those materials.
The information contained herein is of a general nature and based on authorities that are
subject to change. Applicability of the information to specific situations should be
determined through consultation with your tax adviser.
TAX REPORTING AND RECONCILIATION OF HEDGE
FUND AND OTHER ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND K-1S
Suzy Lee, CPA, MST
Stacy Palmer, CPA, MBA, MST
Untracht Early
973.805.7255
973.805.7147
Laura L. Ross, CPA
EisnerAmper
415.357.4220
What is a Hedge Fund? Deconstructing Hedge Fund K-1s
Presenters:
Stacy Palmer, CPA, MBA, MST Suzy Lee, CPA, MST
untracht.com 6
What is a Hedge Fund?
Suzy Lee, CPA, MST
untracht.com 7
What is a Hedge Fund?
Hedge funds are alternative investments that may use a number of different strategies
in order to earn high returns for their investors.
In general, hedge funds use derivatives and leverage their investments in addition to
holding the traditional portfolio of stocks, bonds, and cash.
untracht.com 8
History of Hedge Funds
• Alfred Winslow Jones – first hedge fund in 1949
• Julian Robertson's Tiger Fund
• First stars –George Soros, Bruce Kovner
untracht.com 9
Hedge Fund Strategies
Hedge funds use different investment strategies and, thus, are often classified
according to investment style.
The following classification of hedge fund styles is a general overview:
• Equity market-neutral
• Convertible arbitrage
• Fixed-income arbitrage
• Distressed securities
• Merger arbitrage
• Global macro
• Emerging markets
• Fund of funds
untracht.com 10
How Hedge Funds are Set Up
• Hedge funds are most often set up as private investment limited partnerships that
are open to the limited number of accredited investors and require a large initial
minimum investment.
• Investments in hedge funds are illiquid as they often require that investors keep
their money in the fund for a certain period of time known as the “lock-up period”.
Withdrawals may also only happen at certain intervals.
• Generally, they are not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
• In general, hedge funds are largely unregulated because they cater to sophisticated
investors.
untracht.com 11
Typical Fees of Hedge Funds
• Management fees – compensation for managing the business of the fund
- 2% standard figure
• Incentive fee/allocation – compensation to General Partners for investment advisory
services
- 20% of gross returns
- High Water marks
- Hurdle rates
• Withdrawal/Redemption fees
Encourage long-term investment
untracht.com 12
Overview of Fund Types – Trader Fund
• Seeks “short swing profits” from trading in securities or commodities
• Activity is regular and continuous
• Able to make an election under IRC Sec. 475
• Reg Sec. 1.469-1T(e)(6) - non-passive for purposes of the passive activity rules
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Overview of Fund Types – Investor Fund
• Holds investments for longer-term appreciation
• Periodic and less frequent trading
• May hold “investments” other than securities and commodities (i.e. private equity)
• Investments in stocks and securities generate “Portfolio” income and deductions
(not passive for purposes of Sec 469)
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Overview of Fund Types – Fund of Funds
• Invests in other funds
• Characterization of the income and deductions depend on other funds
• May have its own entity level trading or investing activity
• Diversified portfolio of uncorrelated hedge funds
• Typically more accessible to individual investors and are more liquid
• Two layers of management fees/ incentive fees
• Transparency may be impaired
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Trader v. Investor
• A trader in securities is engaged in the trade or business of trading securities. All
items of income and deduction are treated as trade or business income and
deductions for federal income tax purposes AND generally, state income tax
purposes.
• An investor in securities is engaged in activity entered into for profit and all items
of income and deductions are treated as investment income and deductions for
federal income tax purposes and state income tax purposes.
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When is a Taxpayer Engaged in the Business of Trading Securities?
• There is no definition of trade or business in the IRC
• There is no definition in regard to the business of trading in securities in the Federal Income tax regulations
• The definition of the business of trading securities has evolved over the last 80 years primarily from case law
• While industry professionals often look to portfolio turnover as the litmus test for trader status, there is not one reported decision that describes as a key factor the number of times a securities portfolio turns over during the course of a taxable year
• One factor is the manner in which an investment manager describes his investment objective in the private placement offering memorandum
• There are no reported cases regarding a partnership’s status as a trader vs. investor
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IRC Section 475(F) Election –Mark to Market (MTM)
• Traders in securities or commodities were allowed to elect MTM accounting for tax
purposes beginning in 1997 (enactment of IRC Section 475(f)
• The statute provides that an election once made, is irrevocable without the
consent of the IRS Commissioner
• At the end of each tax accounting period, taxpayers will MTM all of their securities
in their portfolio and include the gain/loss for the entire accounting period plus
the MTM gain/loss (there are not any unrealized gains/losses) as ordinary
income/loss
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Deconstructing Hedge Fund K-1s
Stacy Palmer, CPA, MBA, MST
untracht.com 19
Federal K-1s Trader vs. Investor Status
• Comparative Tax Treatment – Trader vs. Investor
• Examples
- Investor
- Trader – material participation
- Trader – no material participation
- Fund of Funds
• 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) – IRC §1411
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Comparative Tax Treatment:Trader vs. Investor
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Management Fees and ExpensesOther than Interest Expense
• Trader – Expenses are deductible under §162 by individual taxpayers "above the line" in arriving
at AGI.
- Only trader funds can make a §475(f) mark-to-market election (could be just
for some activities within the fund).
• Investor – Expenses are §212 investment expenses, treated as miscellaneous itemized
deductions.
- Subject to 2% of AGI floor limitation and overall AGI-based phase-out of
itemized deductions.
- Miscellaneous itemized deductions are not allowed for AMT.
- Swap expense/loss is treated as a miscellaneous itemized deduction.
- Some states limit or do not allow itemized deductions.
untracht.com 22
Management Fees and ExpensesOther than Interest Expense
• Fund of Funds
• The IRS has ruled that all entity level management fees of a fund of funds are §212
investor expenses (Revenue Ruling 2008-39), treated as miscellaneous itemized
deductions subject to the 2% limitation.
• Could have mix of trader expenses depending on investments in underlying funds.
- It is the government’s position that a fund of funds is not considered a
trader, even if solely invests in trader funds.
untracht.com 23
Interest Expense
• Trader – materially participates – fully deductible as a non-passive trade or business
interest expense on Schedule E, not subject to investment income limitations.
• Trader – doesn't materially participate – subject to the investment income
limitation, to the extent deductible, treated as non-passive trade or business
interest expense on Schedule E, ordinary deduction.
• Investor – subject to the investment income limitation, to the extent deductible -
report on Schedule A as an itemized deduction.
• Fund of Funds – typically will be mix of investor and trader treatment.
- If fund of funds uses leverage to invest, the interest tracing rules would
apply in determining treatment of interest expense.
untracht.com 24
Interest Expense
Example of Trader Footnote (not materially participating)
• "Interest expense has been included in Box 13H as investment interest expense and
is not included in Box 11F. 1040 filer should enter this amount on Form 4952, Line 1.
Any deductible interest expense should then be entered on Schedule E, Part II,
Column (H).”
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K-1 Tips
• If trader fund - ask client about level of involvement in investment.
• Read the K-1 and supporting statements/footnotes carefully!
untracht.com 26
Investor K-1s
General Characteristics
• Investment management fees and entity level expenses will be 2% miscellaneous
itemized portfolio deductions in Box 13K – BIGGEST CLUE!
• Investment interest expense reported in Box 13H will be subject to investment
income limitations and be a Schedule A itemized deduction.
• The boxes on the face of the K-1, from Box 1 through to the end, will be completed,
where applicable. In general, usually contains less footnotes (less specific
treatment).
untracht.com 27
Trader K-1s
General Characteristics
• Management fees will be a nonpassive ordinary business expense.
• Investment interest expense may or may not be subject to investment income limitations
depending on material participation and will be a Schedule E nonpassive expense.
• Boxes 11F and 13W will be supported by footnote details and Box 11F may include capital
gains/(losses) depending on the Firm preparing the K-1.
Clues in Identifying Possible Trader K-1 in Footnotes
• "Please note that none of the distributive share items reported on Schedule K-1 are considered
as derived from a passive activity under Treasury Regulation Section 1.469-1T(e)(6).”
• "The K-1 has been prepared on the basis of a partner who does not materially participate in the
operations of the partnership."
untracht.com 28
Trader K-1s
• Entity level expenses are reflected under Box 13W.
• If you see 475(f) income under Box 11F (can only make if trader fund). Could either
be trader fund or be invested in a K-1 that has trader fund activity.
• Footnote stating investment interest should go to Schedule E.
• Should always ask client about their level of participation!
untracht.com 29
Fund Of Funds K-1s
General Characteristics
• In the view of the IRS, management fees charged by the fund of funds are always
subject to the 2% AGI limitation, however, the character of expenses flowing through
from underlying investments will depend on whether those investments are trader or
investor funds.
• Investment interest expense will be subject to investment income limitations and
may be a mix of nonpassive Schedule E or Schedule A expense.
• The boxes on the face of the K-1, from Line 1 through to the end, will be completed,
where applicable, and lines 11F and/or 13W will have supporting statements.
• Character of income and expenses is preserved for all underlying investments.
untracht.com 30
Fund of Funds K-1s
• Potential combination of entity level expenses reflected as 2% deductions under Box
13K and deductions under Box 13W, if invested in trader funds.
• Footnote where investment interest is allocated to both Schedule A and Schedule E
(if invested in trader funds).
• Frequently has items of income and capital gains on face of K-1 and Box 11F (mix of
trader and investor).
untracht.com 31
Comparative Tax Treatment of Trader vs. Investor
Status affects deductibility of portfolio expense and eligibility of making Section 475(f)
election as follows:
Trader Investor
Section 162(a) expenses Section 212 expenses - subject to 2% AGI
No interest expenses limitation for partners who
materially participate in the trading activity –
Reported directly on Schedule E as non-passive
deduction
Interest expense limitation under Section 163(d) – Reported
on Schedule A as itemized deduction
Swap expense is not subject to 2% AGI Swap expenses bifurcated from swap income and such
expense is treated as a miscellaneous itemized deduction
Expenses reduce Alternative Minimum Taxable
Income (“AMTI”)
Expenses do not reduce Alternative Minimum Taxable Income
(“AMTI”)
Section 475(f) election No Section 475(f) election
untracht.com 32
3.8% Net Investment Income Tax(NIIT) - §1411
untracht.com 33
3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) - §1411
• §1411(c)(1)(A)(i)
- "Net investment income means the excess of the sum of gross income from
interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents, other than such income
which is derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business not described in
paragraph 2.“
• §1411(c)(2)(B) – Trades and businesses to which tax applies
- "A trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities (as
defined in section 475(e)(2).”
Bottom Line
• Net income from trader funds is subject to NIIT regardless of whether or not there is material
participation as the fund is a specified trade or business per the code.
• Income from investor funds and fund of funds are subject to NIIT.
untracht.com 34
K-1 Examples
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Footnote Reporting
In alternative investments, footnotes to the federal K-1 provide information that may
have tax implications for different types of investors.
US Treasury Interest
Interest on US Treasury obligations is exempt for individuals for state purposes but is
taxable for federal income tax purposes. The income will be included in Box 5 but a
footnote will provide the amount (a state K-1, if provided, should also report this in
some manner).
61untracht.com
Footnote Reporting - Example
BOX 5 - INTEREST INCOME
U.S. GOVERNMENT INTEREST INCOME
OTHER INTEREST INCOME __________
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME __________
62untracht.com
Footnote Reporting
Muni Interest
Interest on Municipal obligations is not taxable for federal purposes and should be
included in Box 18 Code A.
However, states do not tax individual taxpayers on interest of their resident states (and
US instrumentalities). A footnote will provide the states from which the fund has
earned the Muni interest and provide either amounts or percentages.
63untracht.com
Footnote Reporting - Example
BOX 18, CODE A - TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST INCOME
FOLLOWING STATES:
CONNECTICUT
NEW YORK __________
TOTAL TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST __________
64untracht.com
Footnote Reporting
Expenses related to US Treasury Interest or Muni Interest
For states that calculate tax on a “net income basis”, expenses (interest expense or
other expenses) directly or calculated as “indirectly” related to the income will be
reported in a footnote and the Box on the federal K-1 where the expenses are included.
(State K-1s, if provided, may report these items in various ways either columnar or as
additions/modifications.)
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Differences Between Book and Tax Income on Hedge Fund K-1s & Changes Related to the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act
Presenter:
Laura L. Ross, CPA
67
Section L of Schedule K-1
• Items noted in Section L are usually presented on a GAAP basis
― Section L items
― Capital accounts
― Increases/decreases
― Contributions and distributions
• The underlying financials and investor statements of a hedge fund are also stated
on GAAP
68
Components of GAAP Income
• Ordinary income items on accrual basis
• Capital items marked to FMV
• Expense items on an accrual basis
• All future costs of liquidating funds
69
Differences Between Tax and GAAP
• Amortization periods of organization costs (15 years vs 1 year)
• Dividend Accruals
• OID
• Accrued accounting fees that have not been billed
• Other Differences?
70
Adjustments to Tax Itemsand GAAP Differences
• Change in unrealized gains on securities
• Wash sales
• Worthless Shorts
• Constructive sales
• Straddles
71
K-1 Income Allocations: Capital Gains
• Several different methodologies can be used to allocate capital gains in an
investment partnership. The most common methods are described in the
Regulations for IRC Section 704(c), and are known as full-netting and partial-
netting. Another method that can be used is known as layering, which tends to be
cumbersome and is not used as often in this environment.
72
Example – Typical Book Allocation
500 200 19,000 (1,500) (2,500)
Book Interest Other Total
Own % Interest Dividends Gain Expense Expenses Partner income
GP 0.1 50 20 1,900 (150) (250) 1,570
LP1 0.3 150 60 5,700 (450) (750) 4,710
LP2 0.2 100 40 3,800 (300) (500) 3,140
LP3 0.4 200 80 7,600 (600) (1,000) 6,280
Total Income 500 200 19,000 (1,500) (2,500) 15,700
Sometimes an administrator will present book gain into two components, realized and
unrealized gain. This presentation is not an accurate reflection of the starting tax allocation,
and should be avoided.
73
Aggregate Method Qualities
• Not allocated by security
• Susceptible to subjectivity
― Timing of allocations
― Impact of the incentive allocation
― Timing of tax adjustments
• Qualifications for use
74
K-1 Income Allocations: Full-Netting
A and B form a partnership with each
contributing $100,000. The partnership
buys two stocks. During the course of
the year those stocks go up in value so
that each partner has a book capital
account of $125,000.
Tax Unrealized Book
Basis Gain Basis
A 100,000 25,000 125,000 B 100,000 25,000 125,000
200,000 50,000 250,000
Original Increase FMV of
Investment in Value Investment
NOK 100,000 20,000 120,000 SGP 100,000 30,000 130,000
200,000 50,000 250,000
75
K-1 Income Allocations: Full-Netting
Partner C enters in the next period, and
contributes $125,000, so all three partners
have the same book capital accounts.
Additional stock is purchased, and book
value goes up another $30,000.
Tax Unrealized Book
Basis Gain Basis
A 100,000 35,000 135,000
B 100,000 35,000 135,000 C 125,000 10,000 135,000
325,000 80,000 405,000
Original Increase FMV of
Investment in Value Investment
NOK 100,000 20,000 120,000
SGP 100,000 30,000 130,000 IBM 125,000 30,000 155,000
325,000 80,000 405,000
76
K-1 Income Allocations: Full-Netting
The partners decide to sell SGP at this
point, which has an unrealized gain of
$30,000 – when sold this becomes
taxable income. What is the most
logical way to allocate the $30,000 gain
among the three partners?
Tax Unrealized Book
Basis Gain Basis
A 100,000 35,000 135,000
B 100,000 35,000 135,000 C 125,000 10,000 135,000
325,000 80,000 405,000
Original Increase FMV of
Investment in Value Investment
NOK 100,000 20,000 120,000
SGP 100,000 30,000 130,000 IBM 125,000 30,000 155,000
325,000 80,000 405,000
77
K-1 Income Allocations: Full-Netting
The most logical way to allocate the
gain is by the amounts of unrealized
gain each partner has. This is the
basis of the full-netting concept, and
it is identified in Regulation 1.704-3.
Unrealized Realized Remaining
Gain Gain Unrealized
A 35,000 13,125 21,875
B 35,000 13,125 21,875
C 10,000 3,750 6,250
80,000 30,000 50,000
78
K-1 Income Allocations: Partial-Netting
Partial-netting is very similar to
full-netting. The difference is the
gains and losses are allocated
separately. This method may
reduce disparities faster than full-
netting can.
Tax Unrealized Book
Basis Gain Basis
A 100,000 30,000 130,000
B 100,000 30,000 130,000
C 125,000 5,000 130,000
D 135,000 (5,000) 130,000
460,000 60,000 520,000
79
K-1 Income Allocations: Partial Netting
Assume we are allocating $30,000 in
realized gains again, but that amount is
composed of $34,000 of gain and $4,000 of
loss. Loss is first allocated to the partner
with unrealized losses, gains are allocated
to the partners with unrealized gains.
Unrealized Allocation Remaining
Gain Unrealized
A 30,000 15,692 14,308
B 30,000 15,692 14,308
C 5,000 2,616 2,384
D (5,000) (4,000) (1,000)
60,000 30,000 30,000
80
K-1 Income Allocations: Layering
Layering is the most precise method, but
also the most cumbersome. The periodic
appreciation or depreciation of each
stock tax lot must be tracked
simultaneously with each partner’s
ownership percentage for each period.
When the stocks are sold, each partner
receives their exact portion of
appreciation or depreciation for each
stock.
This method is not commonly used due to
the amount of record keeping necessary.
81
Wash Sales Overview – Section 1091
• A wash sale occurs when
― A loss is sustained upon the sale or disposition of stock or securities,
― And “substantially identical” stock or securities are acquired either 30 days
before or 30 days after the date of sale (the 61-day window).
― Or a contract or option to acquire substantially identical stock or
securities is purchased
• Treated “as though” you just held the original securities
82
Purpose of the Wash Sale Rules
• To prevent taxpayers from artificially recognizing tax losses while maintaining
their holdings in the stock or securities sold.
83
Tax Consequences of Wash Sales
• Pursuant to Section 1091(a), the loss is not allowed to be recognized at the
time of the sale.
• Pursuant to Section 1091(d), the disallowed wash sale loss is added to the
basis of the substantially identical stock or securities, the purchase of which
resulted in the wash sale.
• Holding Period of Replacement Stock or Securities — The holding period,
under Section 1223(3), includes the holding period of the stock or securities
that was disposed of at a loss. In other words, the holding period is “tacked
on.”
84
Constructive Sales Overview – Section 1259
• A Constructive Sale occurs when:
― A taxpayer holds an “appreciated” position in a security
― And acquires an “opposite” position in the same or substantially identical
security.
• Treated as though you sold the appreciated securities on that date, and bought
them right back.
85
Purpose of the Constructive Sale Rule
• To prevent taxpayers from reducing their exposure to the stock or securities while
artificially deferring the recognition of tax gains.
86
Constructive Sales Rules
• Treated as if the original position were actually sold.
― Recognizes gain only.
― Does not apply to losses.
― End old holding period and start new holding period as of constructive sale
date for original position. Therefore when you sell the original position, the
date of the constructive sale is deemed to be the date on which the position
was acquired.
• Non-Convertible Debt Instruments are exempt from the Constructive Sale Rule
87
Changes Related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
• Impact to General Partner
― 3 year look-through rule for long-term capital gains received from carried
interest.
― No guidance available yet on implementation
― Initial language that would have made S-Corps exempt from the rule has been
overridden by new guidance
• General Partners with lower management income may be able to get some
advantage from the new qualified business income pass-through deduction
― In general, this deduction is not available for those who provide investment
advice, but there is an exception for lower income amounts.
88
Changes Related to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act –Pass-Through Entity Deduction
• Starting 2018 tax year, taxpayers who have domestic “qualified business income” (QBI)
from a partnership, S Corporation, or sole proprietorship are entitled to deduction of the
lesser of such QBI or 20% of taxable income over the net capital gain.
• The deduction reduces taxable income, not adjusted gross income at the individual level.
• The 20% deduction is also allowed for a taxpayer’s qualified REIT dividends, qualified
cooperative dividends, and qualified publicly traded partnership income.
• QBI is net amount of qualified income, gain, deduction, and loss with respect to any
qualified trade or business (i.e. US effectively connected income) of the taxpayer. It
includes income other than investment income (e.g. dividends, investment interest income,
short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains, commodities gains, foreign currency
gains, etc.)
• QBI is limited to the lesser of
i) 20% of the taxpayer’s QBI or
ii) the greater of 50% of the W-2 gages with respect to the qualified trade or business or
the sum of 25% of the W-2 wages plus 2.5 % of the unadjusted basis of all qualified property
89
Pass-Through Entity Deduction
• The deduction expires after December 31, 2025
• Taxpayers with pass-through income from specified service businesses in the fields of health,
law, accounting, consulting, financial services, and brokerage services are not eligible for the
deduction.
• Neither “W-2 wage” limit nor the prohibition on specified services businesses applies to a
taxpayer with taxable income not exceeding $157,500 ($315,000 in the case of a join return).
• These limitations are fully phased in for a taxpayer with taxable income in excess of the
threshold amount plus $50,000 ($100,000 in the case of a join return).
• The calculation of the pass-through entity deduction and related wage and capital limitation
is done for each trade or business. If a taxpayer has multiple interests in pass-through entities
and each pass-through entity is in a qualified trade or business, such taxpayer will need to
keep track of the trade or business income separately.
90
Pass-Through Entity Deduction
91
Changes Related to Tax Cuts and Jos Act -Limitation on Losses from Partnerships
• Starting 2018 tax year, excess business loss of a taxpayer of a partnership will be
limited.
• An excess business loss for the tax year is the excess of aggregate deductions of the
taxpayer attributable to trades or business of the taxpayer, over the sum of aggregate
gross income or gain of the taxpayer plus a threshold amount ($500,000 for married
taxpayers filing jointly; $250,000 for all other taxpayers (indexed for inflation)).
• Limitation at the partner level.
• The excess business loss is treated as part of the taxpayer’s net operating loss (NOL)
carryover to the following year (subject to 80% of taxable income limitation). The
limitation applies at the partner level.
• The limitation expires after December 31, 2025.
92
Changes Related to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act -Sales of Partnership interest with ECI
• Rev. Rul. 91-32 re-established gain or loss from the sale of an effectively connected
income (ECI) partnership interest by a foreign partner is treated as ECI.
• Applies to sales or exchanges on or after November 27, 2017.
• 10% withholding on sale of non-publicly traded partnership. 10% withholding on sale
of PTP is suspended for now (Notice 2018-8) but not for non-PTP.
• Purchaser or transferee must withhold 10% of the realized on the disposition absent
certificate from seller. (i.e. If the transferor furnishes to the transferee its US ID
and an affidavit certifying that it is not a foreign person signed under penalties of
perjury, withholding is not required.)
93
Changes Related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
• Impact to Funds – Investor Funds
― 2% Deductions
― 2% deductions are no longer deductible as of 2019. Management fees and
accounting and legal expenses will not longer be deductible by partners of the
fund, which will significantly decrease effective return.
― In light of this change, there will be increased pressure to qualify as a trader
fund.
94
Changes Related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
• Impact to Funds – Trader Funds
― Interest Expense Deduction
― Interest expense deduction will be limited in a given year to business interest
income plus 30% of “adjusted taxable income” which will be determined by a
formula based upon EBIT.
― Leveraged funds could find interest expense not deductible in certain years
― Does not apply to businesses with gross receipts of less than $25 million
95
QUESTIONS?
Suzy Lee, CPA, MST
Stacy Palmer, CPA, MBA, MST
Untracht Early
973.805.7255
973.805.7147
Laura L. Ross, CPA
EisnerAmper
415.357.4220
96