When Subchapter S Meets Subchapter C

81 Pages Posted: 18 Mar 2014 Last revised: 1 Dec 2015

See all articles by Martin J. McMahon, Jr.

Martin J. McMahon, Jr.

University of Florida - Levin College of Law

Daniel L. Simmons

University of California, Davis - School of Law

Date Written: March 17, 2014

Abstract

It is often said that “an S corporation is a corporation that is taxed like a partnership.” This statement is incorrect. An S corporation resembles a partnership only in that it generally does not pay income taxes and its income and losses pass through to the shareholders and retain their character as they pass though. Also, like a partnership, basis adjustments to an S corporation shareholder’s stock reflect allocations of income, expense, loss, and distributions. However, no other rules of subchapter K governing partnership taxation apply to S corporations. Most of the rules governing the relationship between an S corporation and its shareholders differ significantly from the rules governing the relationship between a partnership and its partners. In fact, an S corporation and its shareholders are subject to the rules of subchapter C, just like a corporation that has not made an S election, with very few exceptions. This Article highlights some of the major differences between taxation of S corporations and taxation of partnerships and explores in greater detail the intersection of subchapter C with subchapter S with respect to transactional issues, such as formation of the corporation, redemptions, liquidations, and mergers and acquisitions of and by S corporations, as well as similar issues regarding qualified subchapter S subsidiaries (QSubs).

Keywords: Corporate taxation, S corporations

Suggested Citation

McMahon, Jr., Martin James and Simmons, Daniel L., When Subchapter S Meets Subchapter C (March 17, 2014). Tax Lawyer, Vol. 67, No. 2, 2014, University of Florida Levin College of Law Research Paper No. 15-36, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2410325

Martin James McMahon, Jr. (Contact Author)

University of Florida - Levin College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 117625
Gainesville, FL 32611-7625
United States
352-273-0931 (Phone)
352-392-7647 (Fax)

Daniel L. Simmons

University of California, Davis - School of Law ( email )

Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall
Davis, CA CA 95616-5201
United States
(530) 752-2757 (Phone)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
257
Abstract Views
1,922
Rank
216,620
PlumX Metrics