The economic outcome from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still uncertain but is likely to remain catastrophic in many respects. Of late popular name brands and companies have filed for bankruptcy as stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements remain largely in effect. Morgan Lewis tax lawyers alert those considering bankruptcy or restructuring to various tax traps that may arise during these processes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVID-19: Summary of Key Issues.................................................................................... 1

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Russia has changed its bankruptcy laws to provide for a moratorium on bankruptcies and a freeze on certain transactions. While the situation is dynamic, these amendments are relevant for ongoing or potential transactions in Russia, as well as a party’s ability to enforce pledges and other types of security interests or to seek other remedies against Russian companies.

Prepackaged bankruptcies, prearranged bankruptcies, and expedited sales are available options for businesses in need of accelerated restructurings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

While the full extent of COVID-19’s impact on the economy remains to be seen, it will likely create significant restructuring activity for companies already experiencing financial distress and otherwise healthy companies that experience distress caused by the pandemic. We have already seen an increase in Chapter 11 filings, and more will follow.

A number of UK insolvency trade association bodies and professionals are advocating for the use of what is known as a light-touch administration for companies in financial distress as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Light Touch Administration – What Is It?

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, US bankruptcy courts have granted extraordinary equitable relief in some cases. As government orders enforcing stay-at-home measures have forced many businesses to shutter indefinitely, bankruptcy courts have implemented procedures to allow the ongoing—albeit virtual—administration of bankruptcy cases.

A Roll of the Dice: Mothballing Bankruptcy Cases Under 11 USC § 305(a)

The following article is the translation of an associated podcast, which is available in German here.

A moratorium on bankruptcy filings and certain security enforcement has been imposed by the Russian government for at least six months with respect to many categories of companies. During this period, the ability of creditors to enforce their existing rights will be restricted significantly. It is likely that the negotiating balance will swing in debtors’ favor, but the moratorium will place all business and survival decisions of those protected companies under increased scrutiny and at risk of being challenged or found void in certain cases.

Legal Background

With effect from 6 April, the UK government has increased the “prescribed part”—a portion of floating charge realisations that is set aside for unsecured creditors on a company’s insolvency—from £600,000 to £800,000.

Prescribed Part

The U.K. government has announced a series of measures intended to support businesses impacted by coronavirus/COVID-19, including suspension of the wrongful trading regime, a job-retention scheme and a temporary ban on the eviction of commercial tenants.

Suspension of Wrongful Trading Regime