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#buy-sell-agreement

Buy-Sell Agreement

Legally binding contracts governing ownership transfer triggers, valuation, and funding

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12 min read

Section 736 Payments to Retiring or Deceased Partners: 736(a) vs. 736(b), Hot Assets, and the Goodwill Lever

Section 736 splits liquidating payments to a retiring partner into 736(b) property payments (capital gain, no firm deduction) and 736(a) income or guaranteed payments (ordinary income with self-employment tax, deductible by the firm). The service-partnership carve-out, Section 751 hot assets, and Section 754 election together determine whether six- or seven-figure tax dollars land on the retiree or the firm.

Mike Thrift

partnershipstax-planningtax
10 min read

Section 302 Stock Redemption: How Closely-Held C Corporations Avoid Surprise Dividend Treatment

Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code decides whether a closely-held C corporation's stock redemption is taxed as a capital sale or a full-amount dividend. This guide explains the three Section 302(b) tests, the Section 318 attribution traps that ensnare family-owned companies, the 10-year family-attribution waiver, and the partial-liquidation safe harbor under Section 302(b)(4).

Mike Thrift

c-corptax-planningequity-instruments
14 min read

Section 754 Election and 743(b) Basis Adjustments: How Partnerships Step Up Inside Basis When a Partner Buys In or Dies

A Section 754 election triggers a 743(b) inside-basis step-up when a partner dies, sells, or is bought in — preventing heirs and incoming partners from paying tax twice on the same appreciation. This guide covers 743(b) and 734(b) mechanics, Section 755 allocation across asset classes, the substantial built-in loss rule, Form 15254 revocation, and when the administrative cost outweighs the benefit.

Mike Thrift

partnershipstax-planningestate-planning
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