AMBASE CORPORATION (OTCMKTS:ABCP) Files An 8-K Other Events
Item 8.01OTHER EVENTS
In January 2019, AmBase Corporation (“AmBase” or the “Company”) filed its 2018 federal income tax return seeking a refund of approximately $10.7 million of AMT credit carryforwards as provided for in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”). In March 2019, the Company received a $10.7 million federal tax refund based on the Company’s 2018 federal income tax return as filed.
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), typically has broad discretion to examine taxpayer tax returns, even after refunds have been paid to taxpayers, which could result in adjustments to AMT Credit carryforward amounts refunded and/or claimed as refundable and/or AMT Credit carryforward amounts ultimately received. The Company’s management is continuing to work closely with outside advisors on the Company’s tax matters as they relate to the 2017 Tax Act and on the various federal tax return matters for the numerous interrelated tax years, including the provisions and application of the 2017 Tax Act along with the amounts and timing of any AMT Credit carryforward refunds. The AMT Credit carryforward amounts from prior tax years and related refund(s) received and/or projected to be received could potentially be subject to IRS or other tax authority audits, including possible IRS Joint Committee review and/or approval. The Company cannot predict whether or not the IRS and/or other tax authorities will review the Company’s tax returns filed, to be filed and/or as filed in prior years, and/or seek refund from the Company of amounts already refunded as a result of an IRS review, if any. Moreover, applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and IRS regulations permit the IRS to challenge Company tax positions and filed returns and seek recovery of refunded amounts or of additional taxes for an extended period of time after such returns are filed.
The 2017 Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the Code, including, among other changes, significant changes to the U.S. corporate tax rate and certain other changes to the Code that impact the taxation of corporations. The U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, and other standard-setting bodies could interpret or issue additional guidance in the future on how provisions of the 2017Tax Actwill be applied or otherwise administered that differs from our interpretation. As we complete our analysis of the 2017Tax Act, and IRS regulations and guidance issued in respect thereof and collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret any additional guidance, we may make adjustments to provisional amounts that we have recorded that may materially impact our provision for income taxes in the period in which the adjustments are made. Additionally, there is risk relating to assumptions regarding the outcome of tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; risk relating to potential unfavorable decisions in tax proceedings; and risks regarding changes in, and/or interpretations of federal and state income tax laws. The Company can give no assurances as to the final outcome of any IRS review of the AMT Credit carryforward refunds already received or the final amount of any future AMT Credit carryforward refunds, if any, or when they might be received. The Company is continuing to pursue various legal and tax recoveries; however, the legal and the tax recovery process can be lengthy and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in these endeavors.
For additional information with regard to the Company’s income taxes see the Company’s previously filed periodic reports. The information presented herein should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements filed in its Annual Report on Form 10‑K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
A more complete discussion of the Company’s annual results and the Company’s affairs will be included in AmBase Corporation’s Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which the Company expects will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on or before April 1, 2019.
Cautionary Statement for Forward-Looking Information
This Current Report or Form 8-K together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by the Company may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or make oral statements that constitute forward looking statements. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted or quantified. The forward-looking statements may relate to such matters as anticipated financial performance, future revenues or earnings, business prospects, projected ventures, anticipated market performance, anticipated litigation results or the timing of pending litigation, and similar matters. When used in this Annual Report, the words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, include, but are not limited to those set forth in “Item 1A, Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company’s other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, but not limited to: (i) risks with regard to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern; (ii) assumptions regarding the outcome of legal and/or tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; (iii) risks arising from unfavorable decisions in tax, legal and/or other proceedings; (iv) transaction volume in the securities markets; (v) the volatility of the securities markets; (vi) fluctuations in interest rates; (vii) risks inherent in the real estate business, including, but not limited to, insurance risks, tenant defaults, risks associated with real estate development activities, changes in occupancy rates or real estate values; (viii) changes in regulatory requirements which could affect the cost of doing business; (ix) general economic conditions; (x) risks with regard to whether or not the Company’s current financial resources will be adequate to fund operations over the next twelve months from financial statement issuance date and/or continue operations; (xi) changes in the rate of inflation and the related impact on the securities markets; and (xii) changes in federal and state tax laws;and (xiii) additionally, there is risk relating to assumptions regarding the outcome of tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; risk relating to potential unfavorable decisions in tax proceedings; risks regarding changes in, and/or interpretations of federal and state income tax laws; and risk of IRS and/or state tax authority assessment of additional tax plus interest. These are not the only risks that we face. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know of or that we currently believe are immaterial which could also impair our business and/or financial position.
Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are applicable only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company’s expectations will be realized.
About AMBASE CORPORATION (OTCMKTS:ABCP)
AmBase Corporation is a holding company. The Company holds an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57th Street in New York, New York (the 111 West 57th Property). The Company also owns a commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut that is managed and operated by the Company. The building is approximately 14,500 square feet, with over 3,500 square feet utilized by the Company for its offices. The Company’s subsidiaries include Maiden Lane Associates, Ltd., SDG Financial Corp. and 111 West 57th Investment LLC.
