Your client, Paul, owns a one-third interest as a managing (general) partner in the service-oriented PRE LLP. He would like to retire from the limited liability partnership at the end of 2018 and asks your help in structuring the buyout transaction. He expects that his basis in the LLP interest will be about $60,000 at that time.
Based on interim financial data and revenue projections, the LLP's balance sheet is expected to approximate the following at the end of the year.

Although the LLP has some cash, the amount is not adequate to purchase Paul's entire interest in the current year. The LLP has proposed to pay Paul, in liquidation of his interest, according to the following schedule.
December 31, 2018...........................$50,000
December 31, 2019...........................$50,000
December 31, 2020...........................$50,000
Paul has agreed to this payment schedule, but the parties are not sure of the tax consequences of the buyout and have temporarily halted negotiations to consult with their tax advisers. Paul has retained you to determine the income tax ramifications of the buyout and to make sure he secures the most advantageous result available. Using the IRS Regulations governing partnerships, answer the following questions.
a. If the buyout agreement between Paul and PRE is silent as to the treatment of each payment, how will each payment be treated by Paul and the partnership?
b. As Paul's adviser, what payment schedule should Paul negotiate to minimize his current tax liability?
c. Regarding the LLP, what payment schedule would ensure that the remaining partners receive the earliest possible deductions?
d. Under the three alternatives in parts (a) to (c), what is the present value of Paul's after-tax cash received from the buyout? Which alternative do you recommend to your client, Paul? Does this change your recommendations in parts (a) through (c)? Paul's Federal and state tax rate for capital gains is 25% and his rate for ordinary income is 40%. Assume also that Paul typically earns 6% on his investments (after-tax discount rate), and that the first payment will be received one year from now (with the other payments one year apart). Use the present value tables in Appendix F. Note that each year's after-tax cash flow differs, so the after-tax payment does not constitute an annuity. Create a spreadsheet that summarizes the after-tax cash flows and present values of the three alternatives. You might use the format below for part (a), where the partnership agreement is silent.
e. What additional planning opportunities might be available to the partnership?

Basis Basis FMV FMV Paul, capital Rachel, capital Erik, capital Total capital $150,000 150,000 150,000 $ 60,000 Cash $ 60,000 $ 60,000 180,000 Accounts receivable Land (capital asset) Total assets -0- 120,000 60,000 210,000 $450,000 60,000 $180,000 $180,000 $450,000 Partnership Agreement Silent Tax on Tax on Total tax on distribution Proceeds Net Discount Factor Basis $736(a) $736(b) Recovery After-Tax Taxable ordinary taxable gain Discounted Proceeds Gain For Year income 2018 2019 2020