Biology Forums - Study Force

In Fall 1999, Ford Motor Company's board of directors announced the $25.8 billion spin-off of its 80.7% interest in the Associated First Capital Corporation finance unit to the Ford shareholders. Ford said that it would distribute about $22.7 billion in Associates shares to its holders of Ford common and Class B stock, and $3.1 billion in cash to shareholders who hold Ford stock in U.S. employee savings accounts. According to market observers who track Ford operations, the spin-off is one of several moves Ford has taken to increase shareholder value by selling off nonautomotive assets, moves that included the initial public offering in April 1999 of Hertz Corporation. Ford said that it will take a one-time, noncash, nontaxable gain of about $16.5 billion in the first quarter as a result of the spin-off. What tax issues should the parties to the divisive transaction consider?

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