Reporting M&A Transactions to the IRS

Low interest rates and other factors have caused global merger and acquisition (M&A) activity to reach new highs in 2021, according to Refinitiv, a provider of financial data. It reports that 2021 is set to be the biggest in M&A history, with the United States accounting for $2.14 trillion worth of transactions already this year. If you’re considering buying or selling a business — or you’re in the process of an M&A transaction — it’s important that both parties report it to the IRS and state agencies in the same way. Otherwise, you may increase your chances of being audited. If a sale involves business assets (as opposed to stock or ownership interests), the buyer and the seller must generally report to the IRS the purchase...

M&A Transactions Necessitate Additional IRS Filing

If you’re considering buying or selling a business — or you’re in the process of a merger or acquisition — it’s important to know that M&A transactions necessitate additional IRS filing by both parties.  This affords the IRS the ability to ensure the transaction was reported the same way by both parties. Otherwise, you may increase your chances of being audited. If a sale involves business assets (as opposed to stock or ownership interests), buyer and seller must generally report to the IRS.  What the IRS is interested in is the purchase price allocations that both use. This is done by preparing IRS Form 8594, “Asset Acquisition Statement”. This form is attached to each of their respective returns for the tax year that includes the transaction. M&A...