Corporate Cancellation of Indebtedness Income and the Debt-Equity Distinction

63 Pages Posted: 29 Jul 2004

Abstract

This article considers whether a corporation should have cancellation of indebtedness income (COD income) when it issues new stock or debt in exchange for its outstanding debt. It challenges the conventional wisdom about our current tax treatment of these exchanges and suggests alternative approaches. It also stresses the relationship between the COD income rules and the corporate interest deduction rules, and highlights the error correction function of the COD income rules. The current COD income rules applicable in debt-for-debt and stock-for-debt exchanges were enacted without regard for certain economic incentives they create. Consideration of these economic incentives may warrant a different set of tax rules for COD income in debt-for-debt and stock-for-debt exchanges, especially where the corporate issuer is financially distressed.

Suggested Citation

Pratt, Katherine, Corporate Cancellation of Indebtedness Income and the Debt-Equity Distinction. Virginia Tax Review, Vol. 24, 2004, Loyola-LA Legal Studies Paper No. 2004-15, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=570781

Katherine Pratt (Contact Author)

Loyola Law School Los Angeles ( email )

919 Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1211
United States
213-736-8163 (Phone)
213-380-3769 (Fax)

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