Technical question: modeling NOLs

Hi all! I'm trying to work through modeling an LBO but am stuck on modeling NOLs. Why is a change in an NOL modeled as the minimum of EBT, the beginning NOL balance, and the recognition % of equity price?

Any help/intuition as to why this is the case would be highly appreciated, I've been racking my brain for a day and still can't grasp it.

 
Best Response

The IRS wants to prevent profitable companies from buying unprofitable companies solely for their unutilized NOLs as there are huge tax savings from utilizing those NOLs. Therefore if you've acquirored a company you can't deduct more than the Equity value * IRS long-term rate (around 1.8 - 2.0% currently I believe). This is the maximum amount of NOL you can utilize in a given year. Obviously if you have less EBT than your NOL balance or what the IRS says you can deduct then you're limited to that minimum of those amounts. Any unused amount can be carry forward for x amount of years (Don't know off the top of my head). There's also rules about built-in gains regarding the FMV of assets at acquistion, but that's likely too in the weeds.

Hope this helps.

 

Quam sint quis assumenda minus. Esse et esse voluptas dolor.

Deserunt sit et et vitae. Quisquam ab sed mollitia dolorum.

Ipsam sed quis id. Voluptatem rerum a consequuntur corporis. Dolorum et quo repellendus placeat. Possimus architecto natus commodi dolor ea dolorem. Et laboriosam impedit aut dicta animi eaque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (91) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (206) $268
  • 1st Year Associate (388) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (315) $59
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”