Structuring Investment Funds for Qualified Opportunity Zones: Maximizing Tax Benefits and Preserving Flexibility

Recording of a 90-minute premium CLE/CPE webinar with Q&A

Conducted on Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Recorded event now available

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Program Materials

This CLE/CPE webinar will examine the tax and operational issues counsel must consider when structuring a "qualified opportunity fund" for investment in a qualified opportunity zone. The panel discussion will include the tax ramifications of capital structure, advantages of using a portfolio company vs. a one-off entity to make investments, exit strategies, and how sister companies can be utilized to make investments outside an opportunity zone.

Description

The tax reform law created a new capital gains deferral and exemption for taxpayers who make long-term investments in qualified opportunity zones ("QOZs"). The centerpiece of the legislation is a new type of investment vehicle called a qualified opportunity fund (a "QOF"). Fund counsel must have a firm grasp of the structural nuances that can significantly affect a QOF’s operations and tax liability.

A QOF must decide whether to invest in an QOZ business or property directly or whether to hold its QOZ business through a subsidiary.

Any business that aspires to either grow outside an opportunity zone or locate facilities (offices, factories or warehouses) outside the zone will need to adopt a flexible entity structure. Business expansion may have to be facilitated through the use of sister companies that are owned outside a QOF structure or through independent service providers.

Exiting a QOF investment requires particularly careful planning. The QOZ tax exemption is only available if an investor sells its interest in the QOF. Thus, for a QOF that is organized as a partnership (which is likely to describe most QOFs), the exemption does not apply when the QOF sells a QOF subsidiary or any other assets it owns, or when the QOF or a subsidiary sells its assets.

Listen as our authoritative panel discusses these and other structural concerns with QOFs. The panel discussion will include how to allow for flexibility in operations, investment, and exit strategy while preserving the tax benefits intended under this new tax exemption.

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Outline

  1. Qualified opportunity zones: New tax incentives for investment
  2. Qualified opportunity funds: Investment parameters
  3. Structural considerations
    1. Capital investment
    2. Capital structure
    3. Portfolio company vs. direct investment
    4. Doing business outside of an opportunity zone
    5. Exit strategies

Benefits

The panel will review these and other noteworthy topics:

  • What is a qualified opportunity fund and what are the investment parameters for taking advantage of the new tax exemptions?
  • When should a QOF consider a portfolio structure as opposed to making a direct investment in a qualified opportunity zone business?
  • Are there circumstances under which a QOF can engage in business outside an opportunity zone? How should that be arranged?
  • What are the primary concerns in exiting a QOF investment?

Faculty

Bryson, Molly
Molly R. Bryson
Partner
Ballard Spahr

Ms. Bryson is Team Leader of Ballard Spahr's Tax Credits Team. She focuses her practice on using federal and state...  |  Read More

Kotzen, Wendi
Wendi L. Kotzen
Partner
Ballard Spahr

Ms. Kotzen is the Co-Practice Leader of Ballard Spahr's Tax Group. She advises clients on the taxation of all types...  |  Read More

McCormick, Sara
Sara A. McCormick
Atty
Ballard Spahr

Ms. McCormick concentrates on a variety of commercial real estate matters, including all phases of leasing,...  |  Read More

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Strafford will process CLE credit for one person on each recording. CPE credit is not available on recordings. All formats include program handouts.

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