Kay and Larry Each Contribute Property to Become Equal Partners

question 72

Essay

Kay and Larry each contribute property to become equal partners in the KL General Partnership. Kay contributes office furniture with an adjusted basis of $40,000 and an FMV of $50,000, which she has depreciated using MACRS. Larry contributes land with a basis of $60,000 and an FMV of $50,000, which he had been holding as an investment. The partnership will use the land as a parking lot for their business.
a)What is the partnership's basis in each of the two pieces of property?
b)If the land that Larry contributed is sold four years after the contribution for $45,000, what is the amount and character of the gain or loss which Larry should report?

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Definitions:

Social Exchange Theory

A theory suggesting that human relationships are formed by the use of a subjective cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives.

Altruistic Behavior

Action taken to benefit others without expecting personal gains, driven by selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Reciprocity Norms

Social norms that dictate that we should treat others as they treat us, leading to mutual benefit or support.

Reciprocity Norm

A social expectation that people will respond to each other in kind, returning benefits for benefits and responding to harms with either retaliation or forgiveness.