Guides

Assumed Par Value inputs: gross assets and issued shares

The exact facts an eligible Delaware corporation needs before using the Assumed Par Value Capital Method.

By Yann LephayPublished · Last updated

Summary

Delaware's Assumed Par Value Capital Method starts with total gross assets from the relevant Form 1120 Schedule L context and all issued shares, including treasury shares. If total gross assets or issued shares are zero, Delaware's calculator disclaimer points the filer to Franchise Tax instead of a simple estimate.

Required inputs: total gross assets and all issued shares, including treasury shares.

Gross assetsForm 1120 Schedule L total assetsRelative to the fiscal year ending in the calendar year of the report.
Issued sharesIssued shares including treasury sharesDelaware explicitly includes treasury shares for this method.
Zero input stopContact Franchise TaxDelaware's calculator disclaimer flags zero gross assets or issued shares.

Why these two inputs matter

Assumed par value starts by dividing total gross assets by total issued shares, carrying the result to six decimal places. A wrong gross asset number or issued-share count can change the assumed par and the tax calculation.

Line-by-line input check

Before opening the official portal, write down the corporation's total gross assets, issued outstanding shares, treasury shares, authorized shares by class, and par value by class. Keep a source next to each number: Schedule L, standalone balance sheet, stock ledger, board records, or cap table export.

Issued shares are broader than issued outstanding

For this Delaware method, issued shares include treasury shares. The wizard asks for issued outstanding and treasury shares separately so the packet can show how the total was assembled.

When the product stops

Stop for no-par stock, zero gross assets, zero issued shares, capital amendments during the year, Large Corporate Filer status, or consolidated Schedule L facts that cannot be reconciled to the corporation.

Common questions

What are total gross assets for Delaware assumed par value?

Delaware points to total assets reported on U.S. Form 1120, Schedule L, relative to the company's fiscal year ending in the calendar year of the report.

Do treasury shares count as issued shares?

Yes. Delaware's method instructions require figures for all issued shares, including treasury shares.

Can I use consolidated Schedule L numbers?

Not in this MVP unless you have a clean standalone reconciliation for this corporation. Consolidated facts without company-level support are outside scope.

What if issued shares or gross assets are zero?

Delaware's calculator disclaimer tells filers to contact Franchise Tax when total gross assets and/or issued shares equal zero.