Journal Article Private Equity Is a Business: Sun Capital and Beyond
Steven M. Rosenthal
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Private equity has grown exponentially: it now controls and operates a large number of the companies in our economy. But private equity is just that: private. Its operations are confidential and difficult to parse. This article attempts to demystify the business of private equity. It also describes the unanimous decision by the 1st Circuit that a private equity fund is a trade or business for purposes of ERISA. Finally, the article discusses the tax implications of "trade or business" status for private equity funds and recommends further guidance from Treasury.

Primary topic Individual Taxes
Research Area Pass-through entities Capital gains and dividends