Subchapter S and Its Effect on the Capitalization of Corporations

Our federal tax laws encourage the creation of complex capital structures. "Thinning" capitalizations by issuing corporate indebtedness offers well known tax advantages to both shareholder and corporation.' Also, since 1954, issuing preferred stock on incorporation is a standard procedure for side-stepping the "bail-out" prohibitions of code section 306. A "good" capitalization from a tax viewpoint, therefore, will often involve a small base of common stock, a heavier layer of preferred stock and as much debt as the tax adviser believes will be given tax recognition.