Ep070: IC-DISC Myths, Mistakes, and Opportunities with Brian Schwam
From The IC-DISC Show by David Spray
December 12, 2025 · 52 min
About this episode
In this episode, David Spray discusses common IC-DISC misconceptions and opportunities with Brian Schwam, focusing on critical timing rules and creative tax strategies.
Avoiding simple mistakes with the IC-DISC can mean the difference between maximizing tax benefits and leaving money on the table. In this episode of The IC-DISC Show, I sit down with Brian Schwam, National Managing Director of International Tax Services at WTP Advisors, to talk about the most common IC-DISC misconceptions that trip up practitioners and the underutilized opportunities many businesses are missing. Brian walks through the critical timing rules that confuse even experienced CPAs, including the 60-day and 90-day payment requirements that many practitioners misapply. He explains how the reasonable estimate safe harbor actually works and why paying the minimum amount can accidentally cap your commission at twice that figure. We cover the ordering rules for distributions, the often-misunderstood $10 million threshold, and why the transactional calculation method isn't nearly as impossible as people think. Brian also clarifies that IC-DISC dividends are subject to the net investment income tax, despite what some practitioners might believe. The conversation shifts to creative structures most companies never consider. Brian explains how multiple DISCs can fund executive…
People in this episode
Host: David Spray
Guest: Brian Schwam
Topics covered
- IC-DISC misconceptions
- tax benefits
- timing rules
- dividend structures
- employment taxes
- international tax services
Keywords
- IC-DISC
- tax benefits
- timing rules
- dividends
- employment taxes
- international tax
- misconceptions
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: WTP Advisors
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