Deficiency Dividend: Key Insights into Its Legal Definition and Impact

Q: When can a deficiency dividend be paid?

It can be paid after a tax determination has been made but before filing a claim.

Q: How does a deficiency dividend affect taxes?

It can reduce the corporation&#039;s tax liability related to personal holding company tax for prior years.

Definition & Meaning

A deficiency dividend is a type of dividend that a corporation pays to avoid or reduce personal holding company tax from a previous tax year. According to federal law, this term refers to dividends paid after a tax determination has been made but before a claim is filed. These dividends would have been included in the calculation for the deduction of dividends paid for the taxable year in which the personal holding company tax liability exists, if they had been distributed during that year.

Table of content

Legal Use & context

Deficiency dividends are primarily used in corporate tax law, particularly in the context of personal holding companies. A personal holding company is a corporation that primarily holds passive income, such as dividends, interest, and rents. By paying a deficiency dividend, the corporation can reduce its tax liability from prior years. Users can manage related forms and procedures using resources like US Legal Forms, which provide templates drafted by legal professionals.

Key legal elements

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Example 1: A corporation realizes it has a personal holding company tax liability for the previous year. To mitigate this, it decides to pay a deficiency dividend to its shareholders before filing its tax claim. This action helps reduce the tax burden from that year.

Example 2: A company that primarily earns passive income fails to distribute enough dividends during the taxable year. To address this, it issues a deficiency dividend after the tax determination to avoid penalties related to the personal holding company tax. (hypothetical example)

Relevant laws & statutes

The primary statute governing deficiency dividends is found in the Internal Revenue Code, specifically under 26 USCS § 547. This statute outlines the conditions under which deficiency dividends are recognized and the implications for personal holding companies.

Comparison with related terms

Term	Description	Difference
Ordinary Dividend	A standard distribution of earnings to shareholders.	Ordinary dividends are not specifically aimed at mitigating tax liabilities from prior years.
Qualified Dividend	Dividends that meet specific criteria for lower tax rates.	Qualified dividends are taxed at a lower rate but do not relate to personal holding company tax issues.

Common misunderstandings

What to do if this term applies to you

If you believe deficiency dividends may apply to your corporation, consider the following steps:

Review your corporation's tax situation to determine if you have a personal holding company tax liability.
Consult with a tax professional to understand the implications of paying a deficiency dividend.
Explore US Legal Forms for templates that can assist you in filing the necessary documentation.

For complex situations, seeking professional legal assistance is advisable.

Find the legal form that fits your case

Browse our library of 85,000+ state-specific legal templates.

This field is required

Quick facts

Type: Corporate tax strategy
Purpose: To reduce personal holding company tax liability
Relevant Law: 26 USCS § 547
Timing: Must be paid after tax determination and before claim filing

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

What is a deficiency dividend?

A deficiency dividend is a dividend paid by a corporation to reduce or avoid personal holding company tax from a previous year.