Valuation Discounting Regulations Await Final IRS & Treasury Report

A year ago Treasury proposed new regulations to Section 2704 of the Internal Revenue Code that would significantly reduce or eliminate the ability to use valuation discounting in certain transactions where business interests are transferred.  The proposed regulations would mean that the parties to those types of transactions could incur estate or gift tax.  Towards the end of last year, a public hearing on the regulations was held in which many expressed concerns about how these proposed regulations would impact small businesses and the like.  However, at the time the future of the regulations was unknown given the change of administration, 

Earlier this year, the President issued Executive Order 13789 in which the President instructed Treasury to review all “significant tax regulations” and identify those regulations that (a) impose an undue financial burden, (b) add undue complexity to our tax laws, and (c) exceed statutory authority of the IRS.  Treasury issued Notice 2017-38 in which the proposed regulations to Section 2704 were identified as meeting these criteria.  A comment period followed the issuance of the Order and has now closed.  During the comment period, a study was submitted by The S Corporation Association that showed the detrimental impact of such regulations should they be finalized.  A final report is due to the President within the next month that is to suggest possible reforms to the identified regulations ranging from modification to the regulations to a full appeal.  Until the future is certain, valuation discounting remains available.  #valuationdiscounts #2704regulations #businessvaluations #estateplanning #businessplanning @bgnthebgn