If plum distributes its after tax earnings each year

If Plum distributes its after-tax earnings each year to its shareholders,
it should operate as an S corporation. In this way, double taxation can
be avoided. If the dividends are enough, the shareholders of an S
corporation may not encounter the wherewithal to pay problem. The
dividend distribution would allow the shareholders to pay their tax
liability.
#42. Falcon Corporation, a calendar year taxpayer, is a deepwater offshore drilling
company that is planning to sell drilling equipment that it no longer needs. The
drilling equipment has an adjusted basis of $400,000 ($700,000 - $300,000
depreciation) and a fair market value of $500,000. The AMT adjusted basis is
$425,000. The buyer of the drilling equipment would like to close the transaction prior
to the end of the calendar year. Falcon is uncertain whether the tax consequences
would be better if the sale took place this year or next year and is considering the
following options:
 $500,000 in cash payable on December 31, 2013.
 The sale is closed on December 31, 2013, with the consideration being a
$500,000 note issued by the buyer. The maturity date of the note is January 2,
2014, with the equipment being pledged as security.
Falcon projects that its taxable income for 2013 and 2014 will be $400,000 (gross
receipts of about $9.5 million) without the sale. Falcon has other AMT adjustments
and tax preferences of $425,000 in 2013, which will not recur in 2014. Determine
the tax consequences to Falcon under both options, and recommend the one that is
preferable.
Because the AMT will apply for the 2013 taxable year with or without the sale,
Falcon should accelerate income into 2013 by allowing the sale to take place. In this
way, Falcon’s taxable income will be increased in 2013 and it will be able to take
advantage of the lower AMT rate. If Falcon chooses for the sale to take place in
2014, it will be subject to the AMT for both years and may not be able to benefit
from the lower maximum AMT rate.

#43. Two sisters and their brother, all unmarried, own and operate a dairy farm.
They live on the farm and take their meals on the farm for the “convenience of the
employer.” The fair market value of their lodging is $45,000, and the fair market value
of their meals is $18,000. The meals are prepared by the farm cook who prepares their
meals along with those of the eight other farm employees. Determine the tax
consequences of the meals and lodging to the sisters and their brother if the farm is:
a. Incorporated.
If the farm is incorporated, the sisters and their brother can be
considered employees. So, the farm, as a corporation, will be able to
deduct the cost of these fringe benefits, the meals and lodging. In
addition, the sister and their brother do not have to include the fair
market value of these benefits in their gross income.
b. Not incorporated.
If the farm in not incorporated, the sisters and their brother cannot be
considered employees. So, the costs of these fringe benefits are not
deductible by the farm and are required to be included in the gross
income of the sisters and their brother.