Transfer Planning with Interests in Private Equity and Hedge Funds
July 16, 2012
Authored by: Stacie J. Rottenstreich and Karin Barkhorn
Much has been written about the potentially unique opportunities available to people to make gifts before year-end (for example, see our prior posts here and here). If Congress does not act, the increased $5,120,000 gift tax exemption will decrease dramatically. However, if you are the owner of an interest in a private equity or hedge fund, planning to gift part or all your interest in such fund requires particular care and attention.
Private equity funds are usually created as limited partnerships with two classes of owners. The limited partners are the investors in the fund, while the general partner is typically a business entity created as a limited liability company (“LLC”). A carried interest is normally held in and allocated to the LLC/general partner. A carried interest is the right to receive some of the profits of the fund. The initial value of a carried interest is