Question

Rufus Inc. and Hardy Company are negotiating a nontaxable exchange of business properties. Rufus’s property has a $50,000 tax basis and a $77,500 FMV. Hardy’s property has a $60,000 tax basis and a $90,000 FMV. Which party to the exchange must pay boot to make the exchange work? How much boot must be paid? Assuming the boot payment is made, how much gain or loss will Rufus realize and recognize on the exchange, and what tax basis will Rufus take in the property acquired? Assuming the boot payment is made, how much gain or loss will Hardy realize and recognize on the exchange and what tax basis will Hardy take in the property acquired?

Answer 1

Answer:

Which party to the exchange must pay boot to make the exchange work?

• Rufus must pay boot since the FMV of its property is less than the FMV of Hardy's property.

How much boot must be paid?

• $90,000 - $77,500 = $12,500

Assuming the boot payment is made, how much gain or loss will Rufus realize and recognize on the exchange, and what tax basis will Rufus take in the property acquired?

• Rufus doesn't have any gain, and the tax basis for the new asset will be $50,000 + $12,500 = $62,500

Assuming the boot payment is made, how much gain or loss will Hardy realize and recognize on the exchange and what tax basis will Hardy take in the property acquired?

• Since Hardy's property basis is $60,000 and it would be receiving $50,000 (Rufus's property) + $12,500 = $62,500, then it must recognize a $2,500 gain. The basis of Hardy's new property will be $62,500.