Exam 13: Property Transactions: Determination of Gain or Loss, Basis Considerations, and Nontaxable Exchanges

Cole exchanges an asset (adjusted basis of $15,000? fair market value of $25,000) for another asset (fair market value of $19,000). In addition, he receives cash of $6,000. If the exchange qualifies as a like-kind exchange, his recognized gain is $6,000 and his adjusted basis for the property received is $21,000 ($15,000 + $6,000 recognized gain).

Robert and Diane, husband and wife, live in Pennsylvania, a common law state. They purchased land as joint tenants in 2014 for $300,000. In 2018, Diane dies and bequeaths her share of the land to Robert. The land has a fair market value of $450,000. What is Robert's adjusted basis for the land?

Lily exchanges a building she uses in her rental business for a building owned by Kendall, which she will use in her rental business. The adjusted basis of Lily's building is $120,000 and the fair market value is $170,000. Which of the following statements is correct?

If the amount of a corporate distribution is less than the amount of the corporate earnings and profits, the return of capital concept does not apply and the shareholders' adjusted basis for the stock remains unchanged.

Capital recoveries include:

Carlos, who is single, sells his personal residence on November 5, 2018, for $400,000. His adjusted basis was $125,000. He pays realtor's commissions of $20,000. He owned and occupied the residence for 12 years. Having decided that he no longer wants the burdens of home ownership, he invests the sales proceeds in a mutual fund and enters into a 1-year lease on an apartment. The detriments of renting, including a crying child next door, cause Carlos to rethink his decision. Therefore, he purchases another residence on November 6, 2019, for $275,000. Is Carlos eligible for exclusion of gain treatment under § 121 (exclusion of gain on sale of principal residence)? Calculate Carlos's recognized gain and his basis for the new residence.

Discuss the relationship between realized gain and boot received in a § 1031 like-kind exchange.

When a property transaction occurs, what four questions should be considered with respect to the sale or other disposition?

Broker's commissions, legal fees, and points paid by the seller reduce the seller's amount realized.

Matt, who is single, sells his principal residence, which he has owned and occupied for 5 years, for $435,000. The adjusted basis is $140,000 and the selling expenses are $20,000. Three days after the sale he purchases another residence for $385,000. Matt's recognized gain is $25,000 and his basis for the new residence is $385,000.

The holding period of replacement property where the election to postpone gain is made includes the holding period of the involuntarily converted property.

Sam and Cheryl, husband and wife, own property jointly. The property has an adjusted basis of $400,000 and a fair market value of $500,000. a. Discuss the rules for the calculation of the adjusted basis of the property to Sam if he inherits his wife's share of the property and Sam and Cheryl live in a community property state. b. If they live in a common law state?

Helen purchases a $10,000 corporate bond at a premium of $1,000 and elects to amortize the premium. On the later sale of the bond for $10,800, she has amortized $300 of the premium. Helen has a recognized gain of $800 ($10,800 amount realized - $10,000 adjusted basis).

On January 15 of the current taxable year, Merle sold stock with a cost of $40,000 to his brother Ned for $25,000, its fair market value. On June 21, Ned sold the stock to a friend for $26,000. a. What are the tax consequences to Merle and Ned? b. Would Ned recognize any gain if he sold the stock for $41,000?

Robert sold his ranch which was his principal residence during the current taxable year. At the date of the sale, the ranch had an adjusted basis of $460,000 and was encumbered by a mortgage of $200,000. The buyer paid him $500,000 in cash, agreed to take the title subject to the $200,000 mortgage, and agreed to pay him $100,000 with interest at 6 percent one year from the date of sale. How much is Robert's realized gain on the sale?

Kelly, who is single, sells her principal residence, which she has owned and occupied for 8 years, for $375,000. The adjusted basis is $64,000 and selling expenses are $22,000. She purchases another principal residence three months later for $200,000. Her recognized gain is $39,000 and her basis for the new principal residence is $200,000.

The taxpayer must elect to have the exclusion of gain under § 121 (sale of principal residence) apply.

Pat owns a 1965 Ford Mustang which he uses for personal use. He purchased it four years ago for $22,000, and it currently is worth $27,000. He exchanges it for a 1979 Triumph Spitfire convertible worth $27,000. Pat's recognized gain is $0 and his adjusted basis for the convertible is $22,000.

If the buyer assumes the seller's liability on the property acquired, the seller's amount realized is decreased by the amount of the liability assumed.

The basis of property acquired in a bargain purchase is its cost.