This morning the treasury department finally issued guidance around the issue of share buybacks, which has been haunting the capital markets since August when the 1% excise tax was first introduced. And in the nick of time too, since the tax goes into effect in less than week.
To be clear, the purpose of the excise tax was never about SPACs, they just got caught in its crosshairs thanks to the SPAC’s redemption feature. However, for some context around the situation, the 1% excise tax came about as part of the Inflation Reduction Bill that was passed this summer. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, in a last minute change, insisted the tax increase on carried interest for private equity be removed and instead, as a concession, the 1% excise tax on stock buybacks was put in.
On its surface, it appeared to be specifically meant for the typical share buyback you think of when corporations literally buy back their stock. However, all sorts of asset classes were caught up in it and affected such as redeemable preferreds and SPACs since a “redemption” is considered a buyback as well. There was quite a bit of confusion as to its interpretation and so, here we are today with the Treasury Department putting out some much needed guidance for how companies should proceed. However, in typical government fashion, it’s about as clear as a foggy windshield in blizzard.
Nonetheless, it appears that SPACs undergoing a “complete liquidation” will be spared the excise tax. To wit:
Emmis Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ:EMISU) has filed for a $100 million SPAC to take a look at the manufacturing sector after a few unique wrinkles in their IPO process. Initial investors are set to receive one right to a 1/10 share in each unit purchased and the SPAC will have 18 months to complete a business...
Chenghe III (NASDAQ:CHEC.U) has filed for a $110 million SPAC to continue the team’s growing series while turning to a new underwriter. The new SPAC is offering investors a 1/2 warrant in each unit and no overfunding of the trust, but it will need to complete a business combination within 18 months of its IPO...
At the SPAC of Dawn Futures sit slightly red as investors return from holidays of barbecues and fireworks to renewed concerns about where US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy might hamper trade. The latest shift produced a further one-month delay in most of the tariffs Trump has threatened to impose as his administration continues to...
Terms Tracker for the Week Ending July 3, 2025 Welcome to our weekly column where we discuss the findings from our IPO terms tracker based on the previous week’s pricings. We’re heading into the July 4th holiday, so we’ll keep this week’s column short and to the point. But before you head to the beach,...
Crown PropTech (OTC:CPTKW) has entered into a definitive agreement to combine with rare earth mining firm Mkango Resources (TSX-V:MKA) at a pre-money equity value of $400 million. London-based Mkango is working to commercialize a chain of rare earth mining and refining facilities in Africa and Europe. The combined company is expected to trade on the...