Legal & Compliance
Imputed Interest
Interest income the IRS assumes exists on below-market loans, even if no interest is actually charged.
Imputed interest applies when loans between related parties (like founders lending to their company or receiving promissory notes) carry below-market interest rates. The IRS treats the difference as taxable income, which can create unexpected tax consequences for startup transactions.
In Practice
A founder received a $500K promissory note from the company at 0% interest. The IRS imputed interest at the applicable federal rate (5%), creating $25K in phantom taxable income annually.
Why It Matters
Imputed interest catches founders and early employees off guard when structuring loans, promissory notes, or installment purchases of equity. Proper structuring avoids unnecessary tax liability.
VC Beast Take
Imputed interest is the IRS saying 'we know you're not charging interest, so we'll charge it for you.' Another reason to have a tax advisor before your CPA sends a surprise bill.
Related Concepts
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