Iowa Code § 489.405
Limitations on distribution
Redline — January 1, 2012 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2025
As of January 1, 2012
1. A limited liability company shall not make a distribution if after the distribution any of the following applies:
1. A limited liability company shall not make a distribution, including a distribution under section 489.707, if after the distribution any of the following applies:
a. The company would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary course of the company’s activities.
a. The limited liability company would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary course of the company’s activities and affairs.
b. The company’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the company were to be dissolved, wound up, and terminated at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution, winding up, and termination of members whose preferential rights are superior to those of persons receiving the distribution.
b. The limited liability company’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the company were to be dissolved and wound up at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution and winding up of members and transferees whose preferential rights are superior to the rights of persons receiving the distribution.
2. A limited liability company may base a determination that a distribution is not prohibited under subsection 1 on financial statements prepared on the basis of accounting practices and principles that are reasonable in the circumstances or on a fair valuation or other method that is reasonable under the circumstances.
2. A limited liability company may base a determination that a distribution is not prohibited under subsection 1 on any of the following:
a. Financial statements prepared on the basis of accounting practices and principles that are reasonable in the circumstances.
b. A fair valuation or other method that is reasonable under the circumstances.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the effect of a distribution under subsection 1 is measured as follows:
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the effect of a distribution under subsection 1 is measured as follows:
a. In the case of a distribution as defined in section 489.102, subsection 5, paragraph “a”, as of the earlier of any of the following:
(1) The date money or other property is transferred or debt is incurred by the limited liability company.
b. In all other cases, as follows:
(2) The date the person entitled to the distribution ceases to own the interest or right being acquired by the limited liability company in return for the distribution.
b. In the case of any other distribution of indebtedness, as of the date the indebtedness is distributed.
c. In all other cases any of the following:
(1) The date that distribution is authorized, if the payment occurs within one hundred twenty days after that date.
(1) The date the distribution is authorized, if the payment occurs not later than one hundred twenty days after that date.
(2) The date that payment is made, if the payment occurs more than one hundred twenty days after the distribution is authorized.
(2) The date the payment is made, if the payment occurs more than one hundred twenty days after the distribution is authorized.
4. A limited liability company’s indebtedness to a member incurred by reason of a distribution made in accordance with this section is at parity with the company’s indebtedness to its general, unsecured creditors.
4. A limited liability company’s indebtedness to a member or transferee incurred by reason of a distribution made in accordance with this section is at parity with the company’s indebtedness to its general, unsecured creditors, except to the extent subordinated by agreement.
5. A limited liability company’s indebtedness, including indebtedness issued in connection with or as part of a distribution, is not a liability for purposes of subsection 1 if the terms of the indebtedness provide that payment of principal and interest are made only to the extent that a distribution could be made to members under this section. If indebtedness is issued as a distribution, each payment of principal or interest on the indebtedness is treated as a distribution, the effect of which is measured on the date the payment is made.
5. A limited liability company’s indebtedness, including indebtedness issued as a distribution, is not a liability for purposes of subsection 1 if the terms of the indebtedness provide that payment of principal and interest is made only if and to the extent that payment of a distribution could then be made under this section. If the indebtedness is issued as a distribution, each payment of principal or interest is treated as a distribution, the effect of which is measured on the date the payment is made.
6. In subsection 1, “distribution” does not include amounts constituting reasonable compensation for present or past services or reasonable payments made in the ordinary course of business under a bona fide retirement plan or other benefits program.
Referred to in
6. In measuring the effect of a distribution under section 489.707, the liabilities of a dissolved limited liability company do not include any claim that has been disposed of under section 489.704, 489.705, or 489.706.
Official source: Iowa Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Iowa statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.