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Perspectives & Insights

Explore Perspectives, our quarterly publication, as well as archives of Insights.

Perspectives

Perspectives is a quarterly digital publication that covers an array of topics, including valuation, taxation, litigation, transactions, financing, bankruptcy, and strategic planning. Like its award-winning predecessor, Insights, each edition of Perspectives is authored by Willamette Management Associates analysts, with occasional contributions from prominent attorneys and other professionals. Perspectives offers insights and analyses from our analysts to help readers stay informed on complex issues in the areas of valuation, forensic analysis, and financial advisory services.

April 2025

Editors for this issue: Timothy J. Meinhart and Nathan P. Novak

Business meeting in a modern office with a man presenting to three seated colleagues, to symbolize prerogatives of control
Perspectives

Nuances with Respect to Valuing a Controlling Ownership Interest

Grant R. Crum

Market research and Internal Revenue Service guidance have confirmed that a controlling ownership interest in a business is more valuable than a similar noncontrolling ownership interest. Nevertheless, in particular instances, the governing documents of a business can limit the powers granted to a controlling ownership interest.

Man at desk with IRS nameplate, reviewing tax and appraisal documents, to symbolize proposed IRS regulations
Perspectives

Proposed Regulation Changes to Circular 230

Timothy J. Meinhart

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations that apply to appraisers of real property, personal property, and businesses. The proposed regulations describe the appraisal standards that should be followed by appraisers when preparing appraisals that are submitted in an administrative proceeding before the Internal Revenue Service.

Judge’s gavel resting on a block with a U.S. flag in the background, to symbolize a case about buy-sell agreements
Perspectives

Estate Planning and Buy-Sell Agreements After the Connelly Decision

Brent A. McDade

The Supreme Court was asked to decide a case that revolved around the obligation to redeem shares of a company. The court ruled that proceeds from company-owned life insurance related to a buy-sell agreement should be included when estimating the fair market value of the company for estate tax purposes.

Previous Issues

Robot with chart behind, to symbolize artificial intelligence in valuation
Perspectives

January 2025 Perspectives

Editor for this issue: Scott R. Miller

  • The Potential Application of Artificial Intelligence in Business Valuation
  • Providing support and Rationale for the Estimation of Company-Specific Risk Premium
  • Comparison of the Business Valuation Development Standards Among Organizations
Professionals working with financial documents, using a calculator and laptop, to symbolize tax and carried interest
Perspectives

October 2024 Perspectives

Editor for this issue: Jesse J. Gillett

  • Key Considerations in the Valuation of Carried Interest from a Tax Perspective
  • Digging in the Dirt: Performing Forensic Analysis of Financial Records for Valuation Purposes
  • Jointly Retained Valuation Engagements: A Road Map for Trust and Cooperation
Man analyzing multiple monitors with stock charts and market data in a dark office, to symbolize cryptocurrency valuation
Perspectives

July 2024 Perspectives

Editor for this issue: Brent A. McDade

  • Speculative, Viral, and Volatile: Valuation Considerations for Cryptocurrency Assets
  • Company Stock Repurchases at Fair Market Value May Deliver Value Accretion for Remaining Shareholders
  • Qualified Appraisals and Charitable Contribution Deductions: The Lessons of Hoensheid
Two individuals in business attire engage in a tug-of-war, to symbolize a 50 percent interest
Perspectives

April 2024 Perspectives

Editors for this issue: Nathan P. Novak and Timothy J. Meinhart

  • Control Considerations in the Valuation of a 50 percent Ownership Interest
  • The Expatriation Tax: How to Present Assets to the IRS When You Say Goodbye to the United States
  • The Valuation of Controlling Ownership Interests in the Context of Gift Tax Planning
Hands typing on a laptop with digital tax-related icons floating above the keyboard, to symbolize estate tax planning
Perspectives

January 2024 Perspectives

Editors for this issue: Justin M. Nielsen and Lisa H. Tran

  • The Applicability of Discounts for Lack of Marketability on Controlling Ownership Interests
  • Higher Interest Rates and Tax Exemptions May Maximize Benefits in Gift and Estate Tax Planning
  • Key Person Considerations When Valuing Private Companies in a Gift and Estate Tax Context
Green and blue financial charts on digital screen with data points, to symbolize preferred equity and rising interest rates
Perspectives

October 2023 Perspectives

Editor for this issue: Weston C. Kirk

  • Preferred Equity in a Rising Interest Rate Environment
  • Considerations for Valuing the Stadium Seat Licenses of Sports Teams for Estate Tax Purposes
  • Convertible Bonds as a Component of a Company’s Capital Structure
Lawyer signing legal documents at a desk with a gavel and justice scales, to symbolize a case about noncontrolling interests
Perspectives

July 2023 Perspectives

Editor for this issue: Timothy J. Meinhart

  • Understanding the Implications of Cecil v. Commissioner
  • How to Properly Use Asset Transactions in the Guideline Merged and Acquired Company Method
  • Getting the Most out of Every Engagement
Five business professionals meeting around a table, discussing documents, to symbolize perspectives
Perspectives

April 2023 Perspectives

Editors for this issue: Charles A. Wilhoite and Scott R. Miller

  • Incorporating ESG Performance in Equity Valuations
  • Key Considerations Regarding the Valuation of “Small” Businesses
  • The Tax Benefits and Challenges of Allocating Total Business Goodwill to Personal Goodwill in a Transaction
Hands typing on a laptop keyboard, with green plants in the background

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Insights

For over three decades, Insights was a respected publication that provided valuable information on topics related to business valuation, forensic analysis, and financial opinions. In 2023, we replaced this print publication with our new digital publication, Perspectives.

Collage of Willamette Insights cover pages
Insights

Winter 2023 - Best Practices

  • Transfer Tax Valuation Thought Leadership
  • Damages Measurement Thought Leadership
  • Property Appraisal Thought Leadership
  • Fair Value Measurement Thought Leadership
  • Valuation, Damages, and Transfer Price Thought Leadership
  • Reasonableness of Compensation Analysis Thought Leadership
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Insights

Autumn 2022 - Thought Leadership in Wealth Transfer Valuation Issues

  • Estate and Gift Tax Planning Thought Leadership
  • Estate and Gift Tax Valuation Thought Leadership
  • Income Taxation Thought Leadership
  • Bankruptcy Thought Leadership
Stone steps and large columns leading to entry of government building
Insights

Summer 2022 - Thought Leadership in Professional Practices and Licenses Valuation, Damages, ...

  • Professional Practice Valuation, Damages, and Transfer Price Thought Leadership
  • Professional Practices and Licenses Valuation Thought Leadership
  • Income Tax Thought Leadership
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Insights

Spring 2022 - Thought Leadership in Economic Damages Measurement and Forensic Accounting

  • Damages Measurement Thought Leadership
  • Forensic Analysis Thought Leadership
  • Income Tax Thought Leadership
Large industrial plant with smoke stacks emitting steam, overlooking water
Insights

Winter 2022 - Thought Leadership in Unit Valuation Principle Property Tax Appraisals

  • Unit Principle Property Valuation Thought Leadership
  • Federal Income Tax Thought Leadership
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Insights

Autumn 2021 - Thought Leadership in Intellectual Property Valuation, Damages, ...

  • Intellectual Property Valuation Thought Leadership
  • Intellectual Property Valuation and Damages Thought Leadership
Person holding a U.S. IRS Form 1120 on a desk with a pen
Insights

Summer 2021 - Thought Leadership in Taxation-Related Valuation and Transfer Pricing Issues

  • Tax Pass-Through Entity Thought Leadership
  • Intercompany Transfer Price Analysis Thought Leadership
  • Income Tax Thought Leadership
  • Review of Judicial Decisions
Hand holding magnifying glass over financial documents with large numbers, next to a calculator
Insights

Spring 2021 - Thought Leadership in Fair Value Measurements

  • Private Company Council Recent Developments Thought Leadership
  • Intangible Asset Valuation Best Practices Thought Leadership
  • ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations Thought Leadership
Close-up of a “Last Will and Testament” document with a fountain pen
Insights

Winter 2021 - Thought Leadership in Estate and Gift Transfer Tax Valuation Matters

  • Gift and Estate Tax Planning Thought Leadership
  • Transfer Tax and Income Tax Thought Leadership
  • Trust and Estate Thought Leadership
  • Income Tax Thought Leadership
  • Gift and Estate Tax Controversy Thought Leadership
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Insights

Autumn 2020 - Thought Leadership in Transaction-Related Board Advisory Services

  • Transaction Planning Thought Leadership
  • Transaction Best Practices Thought Leadership
  • Transaction Litigation Thought Leadership
  • Estate Tax Planning Thought Leadership
Wind turbines on green hills at sunrise against mountain range
Insights

Summer 2020 - Thought Leadership in Property Tax Planning, Compliance, and Appeals

  • Property Tax Planning Thought Leadership
  • Property Tax Compliance Thought Leadership
  • Property Tax Thought Leadership
  • Income Tax Thought Leadership
Three glass jars filled with coins and growing plants, symbolizing financial growth
Insights

Spring 2020 - Thought Leadership in Employee Stock Ownership Plan Employer Stock Valuations

  • ESOP Installation Thought Leadership
  • ESOP Administrative and Valuation Thought Leadership
  • ERISA Litigation Thought Leadership
  • Sponsor Company Sale Transaction Thought Leadership

Insights Archives