Rollings Fees Into Deals As Equity

Broker's and acquisitions folks let's talk about your fees being put into deals as equity.

I am curious because I was watching a Q&A with Simon Ziff and he casually mentioned in passing that he had found a tax-efficient manner in which to invest the firm's fees. In fact so much so that he regrets having not invested more of the firm's fees during the recession from what I recall.

What I interpreted.... is that he's suggesting that at the closing, since the fee remains in escrow and goes directly into the deal as equity, and thus never touching your bank account until a capital event.... you don't have to report to the IRS that you have "earned" that income because you haven't actually realized it. I have also had close friends tell me they've done this with some big ass fees too ($500k+).

1) If you're a broker and your charge a fee and roll into the deal with a sponsor what's the tax treatment?

2) If you're a sponsor and your LP pays your an acq/structuring fee and it goes into the deal what's the tax treatment?

3) If you transfer funds from one escrow account to another with the intent to invest in another deal (outside of the one your acq/structuring fees were paid for) what's the tax treatment?

4) What happens when you sell the deal? Is it income or cap gains?

Does anyone actually know what the tax rules surround this? Seems like a gray area but apparently everyone does it.

 

PS - yes i understand that no one here is likely an accountant or tax pro but I'm sure someone has seen how it has been handled it the past at their shop. Save the disclaimers I won't hold you to it lol.

I had a flair for languages. But I soon discovered that what talks best is dollars, dinars, drachmas, rubles, rupees and pounds fucking sterling.
 

Wish I knew, also interested. Never pushed for it because my firm(s) didn't want their cut rolled in.

Was this on the Tuesday morning Zoom chat with Josh Zegen? I was on that but went to the bathroom and missed 5 mins. Sounds like a good 5 mins.

“Doesn't really mean shit plebby boi. LMK when you're pulling thiccboi cheques.“ — @m_1
 

you couldn’t have the firms half paid out to them at closing..?

no it was on a q&a he did at Penn State (he’s an alumn)

I had a flair for languages. But I soon discovered that what talks best is dollars, dinars, drachmas, rubles, rupees and pounds fucking sterling.
 

Iure qui et ipsa sint possimus ut recusandae. Id non veniam quasi illo nihil atque. Nihil temporibus tempora deserunt iste provident ut aliquam tempora. Neque repudiandae repellat dignissimos commodi maiores culpa. Eum rerum aperiam et quisquam molestias voluptatem ea et.

Velit qui aut placeat quisquam et corporis sit. Numquam iure consequuntur veritatis sapiente aut laboriosam sunt. Sit nesciunt voluptatibus iure sed iste. Dolores consequuntur labore esse ea odit est odio. Laudantium corporis maxime quo voluptatem pariatur et in.

Excepturi sint explicabo aliquid aut inventore voluptatibus. Et consectetur optio sint voluptatem.

I had a flair for languages. But I soon discovered that what talks best is dollars, dinars, drachmas, rubles, rupees and pounds fucking sterling.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
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...”