In this episode of the NextWave Private Equity Podcast, Jennifer Shearer and Alexander Ludwig Reiter of the EY International Tax & Transaction Services group join Winna Brown to help PE funds and portfolio companies understand and manage the tax implications of recent coronavirus stimulus packages.
COVID-19 stimulus legislation in the US and Europe is designed to ease the strain on businesses with particular focus on small and medium sized companies, keep people employed, increase liquidity and provide access to much-needed capital. Loan programs, cash tax defer programs, tax incentives and compensation for reduced working hours are all being deployed.
Key focus areas for private equity are as follows:
Immediate: focus on liquidity and establishing task forces to triage needs across the portfolio.
Short-term: use a coordinated approach to evaluate need and eligibility for assistance. There is a lot of detail and nuance to consider when evaluating these programs, as loans have restrictions and some PE complexes may not qualify depending on how they are structured. Differences in policy adoption across US states and between European countries also adds complexities.
Medium term: take time to understand the fund and portfolio structure in order to determine which measures can be taken without inflicting damage. Debt buybacks present an attractive opportunity but come with important tax considerations.
Longer term: broken supply chains at the portfolio level will need to be fixed. Global sourcing structures will be re-evaluated. The “just-in-time” inventory management strategy will also be re-examined as company seek to protect themselves against future global disruptions. Digitization will drive improvements in sourcing practices and multi-channel distribution. Lastly, a focus on improving “corporate hygiene” by investing in cybersecurity and technology that enables remote ways of working will remain top-of-mind.
Learning outcomes
Key focus areas for PE include:
- Liquidity and triage
- Evaluate need and eligibility for government assistance
- Determine which measures are feasible and advantageous
- Rethink supply chain and distribution strategy
For your convenience, full text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript
Presenters
Winna Brown
EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services Private Equity LeaderPodcast
Episode 08
Duration 25m 07s
In this series
series overviewHow PE can manage COVID-19 tax implications in the US and Europe
Episode 08
Presenters
EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services Private Equity Leader
How to navigate a remote close during COVID-19
Episode 07
Presenters
EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services Private Equity Leader
Why the CFO is becoming private equity’s quarterback
Episode 06
Presenters
EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services Private Equity Leader
EY Americas Financial Services Organization Private Equity Leader
What 2020 and beyond looks like for global private equity
Episode 05
Presenters
EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services Private Equity Leader
EY Global Private Equity Leader
Why private equity can endure the next economic downturn
Episode 04
Presenters
EY Global Reshaping Results, Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy and Transactions Private Equity Leader
EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst
How private equity-backed companies can prepare for IPO
Episode 03
Presenters
EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services Private Equity Leader
EY Americas IPO and Financial Accounting Advisory Services Capital Markets Leader
How private equity-owned businesses can prepare for an exit
Episode 02
Presenters
EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services Private Equity Leader
EY UK&I Sell and Separate Leader
How to rethink diligence and business strategy in digital PE deals
Episode 01
Presenters
EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services Private Equity Leader
EY-Parthenon Global Digital Leader; EY Americas Strategy and Transactions Digital Leader
