Answer the consequences of each of the following scenarios:

A owns stock in Y Co, Inc., a C corporation. The stock is close to worthless, and A's basis is $3,000,000. A wants to trigger a tax loss but is reluctant to abandon the possibility that the business might recover.

a. Can A claim a tax loss if he retains the stock, but can demonstrate that the stock has minimal value?

b. Can A claim a tax loss if he sells the stock to a trust for the benefit of his two kids?

c. What if A sells the stock to an unrelated buyer for $1,000 plus 10% of any future appreciation in the stock?

d. What if A liquidates the corporation, and runs the business through a single member LLC?