WHAT IS TAX INSURANCE?
Tax insurance provides coverage for a tax risk whereby an
insurance company agrees to indemnify the insured for
loss resulting from a challenge by a tax authority.
Coverage is tied to a known and identified tax position.
Coverage is intended to make the insured whole by covering taxes, interest, penalties, defense costs and gross up.
Insurance can be obtained without a formal tax opinion.
The insurance can be used to replace or backstop an indemnity in a transaction agreement for a specific tax risk.
Covered matters for businesses typically include tax consequences associated with an M&A transaction, reorganizations/spin offs, risks identified in diligence, tax credits, S corp qualification, valuation/computation issues, tax deferral and other operational tax risks.
Coverage matters for individuals typically include ordinary/capital characterization, compensation issues, withholding taxes and trust/estate planning. WHY IS IT USED?
M&A Transaction
Facilitate deal negotiations
Maximize buyer investment protection
Maximize seller proceeds
Minimize execution risk
Minimize post closing liabilities
Internal Transactions
Transfer liability to insurer
Risk mitigation
Mitigate financial statement impact
Achieve non tax business objectives HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Total cost generally is approximately 2% to 5% of the limit of liability purchased
Self insured retentions generally are $50k --$250k for defense costs only, with the first dollar of tax loss covered by the policy. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO OBTAIN COVERAGE?
10 14 days from initial engagement to policy inception
Marketing/soliciting quotes: 3 5 days
Underwriting: 3 8 days
Policy negotiation: 2 3 days HOW LONG DOES COVERAGE LAST? The coverage period is typically 7 10 years which is intended to encompass the full statute of limitations. LOCKTON’S INSURER PARTNERS Our market includes 2 0 + A rated insurers, ranging from large insurance companies to managing general underwriters (who underwrite on behalf of backing insurance companies). REQUIRED INFORMATION
Initial marketing
Written analysis to support the tax position, if available
Tax due diligence work product prepared by, or on behalf of, the insured, if applicable
High level estimate of tax exposure (range is sufficient)
Underwriting
Full set of applicable documents, including data room access for selected insurer and their advisors
All written tax due diligence work product prepared by, or on behalf of, the insured (on a non reliance basis)
A###-###-#### minute underwriting call with the Insured and its advisors
Robert --@----.com
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