Stuckart v. Department of Revenue

• Court: Oregon Tax Court
• Decided: March 17, 2014
• Docket: TC-MD 130430C
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

IN THE OREGON TAX COURT MAGISTRATE DIVISION Income Tax

FRANCIS G. STUCKART, ) ) Plaintiff, ) TC-MD 130430C ) v. ) ) DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, ) State of Oregon, ) ) Defendant. ) FINAL DECISION

The court entered its Decision in the above-entitled matter on February 28, 2014. The

court did not receive a request for an award of costs and disbursements (TCR-MD 19) within 14

days after its Decision was entered. The court’s Final Decision incorporates its Decision without

change.

This matter is before the court on cross-motions for summary judgment. Plaintiff appeals

Defendant’s Notice of Deficiency dated May 22, 2013, for the 2011 tax year. The parties

submitted stipulated facts on October 3, 2013. Plaintiff submitted his motion for summary

judgment on November 1, 2013. Defendant submitted its cross-motion for summary judgment

on November 4, 2013, to which Plaintiff submitted a response on November 19, 2013. Robert L.

Armstrong, PA, appeared on behalf of Plaintiff. Michael Phillips, auditor, appeared on behalf of

Defendant.

I. STATEMENT OF FACTS

In April 2011, Plaintiff donated a house to Catholic Community Services Foundation, a

recognized charity. (Stip Facts, ¶¶ 1, 6, 8.) Because the house was worth $115,000 and was

subject to a $48,554 mortgage that the charity paid off, the parties agree the value of Plaintiff’s

charitable contribution was $66,446. (See id., ¶¶ 3, 7, 9.) Plaintiff claimed a 2011 charitable

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 1 contribution deduction of $17,149, an amount equal to 50 percent of his adjusted gross income.

(Id., ¶ 4; See Ptf’s Compl at 9.)

The parties stipulated that Plaintiff’s basis in the house was $79,427, “as reported by

[Plaintiff] on federal form 8283[.]” (Stip Facts, ¶ 5.) However, in his motion for summary

judgment, Plaintiff included without explanation a table listing his basis as $93,251. (Ptf’s Mot

Summ J at 1.) Then, in his response to Defendant’s cross-motion, Plaintiff stated that “[t]he

adjusted basis of the residence after reduction of depreciation allowed was $118,251.” (Ptf’s

Resp at 1.) Plaintiff attached to that response a worksheet and a spreadsheet showing his basis

calculations, and an undated, single-page “Listing of Work Performed.” (Id. at 5-7, 9.) His

worksheet and spreadsheet show an adjusted basis calculated by addition of $88,889 in

improvement costs to the purchase price, less depreciation. (Id. at 5-7.)

Plaintiff reports having previously taken $36,176 in depreciation on the house in

connection with its use as a rental property. (See Ptf’s Resp at 1, 5; Def’s Cross-Mot at 2.)

Plaintiff’s claim to have used the house as his personal residence for three of the five years

immediately preceding the donation is supported by tax returns and W-2s listing the house

address as his mailing address in 2008, 2009, and 2010. (Stip Facts, ¶ 14.)

Plaintiff requests the court “[t]o hold that [his] donation basis is correctly calculated and

[that the] percentage of donation limitation is correctly applied.” (Ptf’s Compl at 1.) Defendant

asks the court to uphold its Notice of Deficiency. (See Def’s Ans at 1.)

II. ANALYSIS

The two issues in this case are (1) whether Plaintiff must recognize gain from relief of his

indebtedness in the house, and if so, how much; and (2) whether Plaintiff’s charitable gift

deduction is limited to 50 percent or 30 percent of his adjusted gross income.

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 2 A. Standard of Review for Summary Judgment

The court’s review of motions for summary judgment is guided by Tax Court Rule (TCR)

47. Cf. Preface, TCR-MD1 (Regular Division rules “may be used as a guide to the extent

relevant” where circumstances are not covered by Magistrate Division rules). Under TCR 47 C,

the court shall grant a motion for summary judgment if the pleadings and documentary evidence

“show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled

to prevail as a matter of law.” A fact is material only when “under applicable law, [it] might

affect the outcome of a case.” Frost v. Lane County Assessor, TC-MD 111101N, WL 851227 at

*3 (Mar 14, 2012), citing Sidhu v. Dept. of Rev., 19 OTR 207, 212 (2007) (citations omitted). To

show that a genuine issue of material fact exists, the party adverse to the motion “has the burden

of producing evidence on any issue raised in the motions as to which the adverse party would

have the burden of persuasion at trial.” TCR 47 C. The court views any evidence in the record

in the light most favorable to the adverse party, and grants summary judgment if “no objectively

reasonable juror” could return a verdict for that party. See id. In this case, both parties have

raised the same issues in their summary judgment cross-motions regarding the exclusion of gain

from the sale of the house and the percentage allowed as a charitable contribution deduction

from such donation. Accordingly, the court will first view the evidence in the light most

favorable to Plaintiff.

B. Applicability of Federal Law

In keeping with the legislature’s intent that Oregon personal income tax law be “identical

in effect to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code” unless specifically modified by statute,

generally “[t]he entire taxable income of a resident of this state is the federal taxable income of

1 Tax Court Rules-Magistrate Division

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 3 the resident as defined in the laws of the United States[.]” ORS 316.007(1); ORS 316.048.2 To

the extent that federal statutes govern, their construction is to be guided by federal case law. See

Julian v. Dept. of Rev., 17 OTR 384, 388 (2004).

The provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) pertaining to charitable deductions

apply to Oregon income tax. Brice v. Dept. of Rev., 6 OTR 548, 552 (1976). Likewise, the

federal definition of gross income applies to the computation of Oregon state taxable income.

See Negrete v. Dept. of Rev., 19 OTR 134, 136 (2006). That definition includes “[i]ncome from

discharge of indebtedness[.]” IRC § 61(a)(12).

C. Deductions for Charitable Contributions

IRC section 170(a)(1) allows a deduction for charitable contributions. “Charitable

contribution” includes any gifts to various qualifying entities and organization, public and

private, including religious organizations. IRC § 170(c). For individuals contributing to

churches, as was the case here, subsection (b)(1)(A)(i) of IRC section 170 generally limits the

deduction to “50 percent of the taxpayer’s contribution base,” defined in subsection (b)(1)(G) as

adjusted gross income. However, in the case of contributions of capital gain property, “the total

amount of contributions of such property which may be taken into account under subsection (a)

for any taxable year shall not exceed 30 percent of the taxpayer’s contribution base for such

year.” IRC § 170(b)(1)(C). There is an exception in the code to the 30 percent limitation if the

donor makes a proper election. IRC § 170(b)(1)(C), (e)(1)(B). Capital gain property is gain

resulting from the sale of a capital asset, defined in IRC section 1221(a) as “property held by the

taxpayer.” The section 170 limitations are discussed more fully below.

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2 Unless otherwise indicated, the court’s references to the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) are to 2011.

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 4 D. Recognition of Gain from Discharge of Home Mortgage

1. Recapture of Depreciation Prior to Exclusion of Gain

Although gain from the sale of a taxpayer’s principal residence is generally excluded

from gross income, any depreciation taken on the residence must first be recaptured before

applying that exclusion. IRC § 121(a), (d)(6). Subject to certain exceptions, single taxpayers

may exclude from their gross incomes up to $250,000 of gain from the sale of their personal

residences, provided they lived on the premises for two out of the preceding five years and have

not sold their home within the preceding two years. IRC § 121(b)(1), (b)(3)(A). However,

taxpayers may not begin excluding gain until they have recognized an amount equal to any

depreciation deducted on a previous year’s return. IRC § 121(d)(6).

By recognizing gain up to the amount they have claimed in depreciation, taxpayers

rectify their accounting of their homes’ values with the state. When a depreciation allowance is

claimed, the home is alleged to be worth less than its former basis. See IRC § 167(a). But where

the sale of that home demonstrates that its value has not diminished as much as previously

claimed (or has even increased), it is necessary that the tax benefit allowed to the taxpayer be

“recaptured” by the state. IRC § 121(d)(6) provides the mechanism for that to occur.

In the present case, viewing the record in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, Plaintiff’s

gain from the discharge of his mortgage by the charity must be recognized up to the amount his

basis in the “sold” portion of the house has been reduced for depreciation. See IRC 121(d)(6).

Letter Ruling 8625025, upon which Plaintiff relies, does not address recapture of

depreciation and is therefore inapplicable. (See Ptf’s Resp at 1.)

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 5 2. Basis in Donated Property to be Allocated Pursuant to IRC 1011(b)

a. Gift of Mortgaged Property to be Treated as Bargain Sale

Where a taxpayer makes a charitable gift of encumbered property and is thereby relieved

of indebtedness, that transaction is characterized as part gift and part sale, and the taxpayer’s

basis is allocated between the donated portion and the sold portion pursuant to IRC section

1011(b). Internal Revenue Code section 1011(b) states:

“If a deduction is allowable under section 170 (relating to charitable contributions) by reason of a sale, then the adjusted basis for determining the gain from such sale shall be that portion of the adjusted basis which bears the same ratio to the adjusted basis as the amount realized bears to the fair market value of the property.”

The “amount realized” in such a transaction is the amount of the indebtedness assumed by the

charitable organization. See, e.g., Hodgdon v. Comm’r, 98 TC 424, 426 (1992) (parties

stipulated amount realized was indebtedness encumbering donated property).

b. No Genuine Issue of Fact as to Plaintiff’s Basis in the House

In the present case, the parties have stipulated to the fair market value of the property

($115,000), the amount of indebtedness ($48,554), and Plaintiff’s “basis” in the property

($79,427). Interpreting the evidence in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, the court will treat

the amount stipulated as Plaintiff’s “basis” in the house as his adjusted basis.3 Furthermore, the

parties do not dispute that Plaintiff claimed $36,176 in depreciation on the house. Because the

parties have stipulated to these numbers, there is no genuine issue as to these material facts.

TCR 47 C. Plaintiff’s later pleadings incorporating a higher adjusted basis are unsupported by

evidence in the record and therefore raise no genuine issue of material fact. As the party seeking

3 Although the stipulated facts simply refer to the amount submitted by Plaintiff on Form 8283 as his “basis,” box 1(f) of Form 8283 asks taxpayers to submit their “cost or adjusted basis” in the donated property. Plaintiff’s adjusted basis in the house would incorporate a reduction to recapture any depreciation previously taken. If the stipulated basis were actually non-adjusted, Plaintiff would recognize more gain from the transaction. Defendant’s computations also treat the stipulated basis as adjusted. (See Def’s Cross-Mot at 3.)

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 6 affirmative relief, Plaintiff would bear the burden of proving at trial that his basis differs from

the amount which he reported on his federal taxes and to which he stipulated. See ORS 305.427

(2013). Therefore, if Plaintiff intended to establish a higher adjusted basis at trial, it was up to

him to put evidence in the record raising an issue of material fact on that point. See TCR 47 C.

The worksheets and list attached to Plaintiff’s response are not admissible by ordinary

rules of evidence because they are unsupported by an affidavit or declaration rendering someone

responsible for the truth of their contents. Even though this court is not bound by statutory rules

of evidence, in its discretion it governs its proceedings with the end of achieving substantial

justice. ORS 305.501(4)(a). Here, there is no justification for waiving the evidentiary rules.

The unattested worksheets, attached to a response dated November 19, 2013, are inconsistent

with Plaintiff’s summary judgment motion dated November 1, 2013, and both the worksheets

and the motion are inconsistent with Plaintiff’s stipulation dated October 3. Plaintiff has

provided no explanation for the inconsistencies. Furthermore, the list of work performed does

not assign dollar values to the items on it, and so would not suffice to challenge the stipulated

adjusted basis even if admitted. Therefore, the court will look to the parties’ Stipulated Facts for

the value of Plaintiff’s adjusted basis.

Applying the statutory allocation requirements to the stipulated values yields the

following results. The ratio of the amount realized to the fair market value equals $48,554

divided by $115,000, which is 42.2 percent. See IRC 1011(b). Therefore, the transaction was

42.2 percent “sale” and 57.8 percent gift. The basis of the “sold” portion will reflect 42.2

percent of the $36,176 in depreciation claimed, or $15,266. Therefore, Plaintiff must recognize a

capital gain of $15,266 for the charity’s discharge of his mortgage. See IRC § 121(d)(6); cf. IRC

§ 121(a).

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 7 Because Defendant’s calculations similarly show that Plaintiff must realize $15,266 in

gain from the discharge of his mortgage, on that issue Defendant is entitled to prevail as a matter

of law.

E. Limitation of Charitable Deduction

Although gifts to charities described in IRC 170(b)(1)(A) are generally deductable up to

50 percent of a donor’s adjusted gross income (calculated without regard to any net operating

loss carryback), where the gift is of “capital gain property” the amount of the deduction is

generally limited to 30 percent. See IRC §§ 170(b)(1)(A), (b)(1)(C)(i), (b)(1)(G). Capital gain

property is defined in the code as “any capital asset the sale of which at its fair market value at

the time of the contribution” would generate long-term capital gain for the donor. IRC §

170(b)(1)(C)(iv). As explained above, a “capital asset” is defined in IRC section 1221(a) as

“property held by the taxpayer.”

Nevertheless, that 30 percent limitation does not apply where a donor elects to limit the

charitable contribution to the amount of the donor’s basis in the contributed property.4 IRC §§

170(b)(1)(C)(iii), (e)(1)(B). In other words, if a proper election is made, the taxpayer is entitled

to the larger 50 percent limitation (i.e., 50 percent of the taxpayer’s “contribution base,” which,

as explained above, is defined in IRC section 170(b)(1)(G) as the taxpayer’s adjusted gross

income). Such an election must be “made at such time and in such manner as the Secretary

prescribes by regulations.” IRC § 170(b)(1)(C)(iii). The pertinent treasury regulation is 26 CFR

1.170A-8(d)(2)(iii), which states that “[t]he election * * * shall be made by attaching to the

4 A similar reduction of contribution in lieu of the 30 percent limitation applies where the charity meets a statutory definition of a “private foundation.” See IRC 170(b)(1)(C)(i), (e)(1)(B)(ii). In the present case there has been no allegation that the charity is such a private foundation.

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 8 income tax return for the election year a statement indicating that the election under section

170(b)(1)(D)(iii) and this subparagraph is being made.”

In the present case, the house given by Plaintiff was capital gain property under

IRC § 170(b). The fair market value of the donated portion exceeded his basis in it, so he would

have realized a gain if he had sold it. Because the donated property was a capital asset under

IRC section 1221(a), the gain from the sale would be a long-term capital gain under IRC section

1221(3). Therefore, Plaintiff is subject to the 30 percent deduction limit unless he elected to

reduce his contribution at the time and in the manner prescribed by the treasury regulations. See

IRC § 170(b)(1)(C).

Plaintiff does not allege that he attached to his income tax return the prescribed statement

of his election to reduce his contribution, nor has he provided any evidence on that point. Cf. 26

CFR 1.170A-8(d)(2)(iii). There is therefore no basis in the record to conclude that Plaintiff

made such an election.

Plaintiff makes no argument and cites no legal authority for his position, which is that

IRC sections 170(b) and 170(e)(i) “do not apply” to limit a charitable deduction “where, by

reason of the transfer of the contributed property, ordinary income or capital gain is recognized

by the donor in the same taxable year in which the contribution is made, thus an election need

not be made.” (Ptf’s Resp at 1.) A bare assertion by a party that a statute does not apply to him

is insufficient ground to set that statute aside.

Accordingly, looking at the record in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, Plaintiff is

subject to the 30 percent limit on charitable deductions under IRC section 170(b)(1)(C)(i).

Defendant is therefore entitled to prevail under the statutes.

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 9 III. CONCLUSION

Having examined the pleadings and documentary evidence, the court finds that there is

no genuine issue of material fact and that Defendant is entitled to prevail as a matter of law.

Now, therefore,

IT IS THE DECISION OF THIS COURT that Defendant’s cross-motion for summary

judgment is granted.

IT IS FURTHER DECIDED that Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is denied.

Dated this day of March 2014.

DAN ROBINSON MAGISTRATE

If you want to appeal this Final Decision, file a Complaint in the Regular Division of the Oregon Tax Court, by mailing to: 1163 State Street, Salem, OR 97301-2563; or by hand delivery to: Fourth Floor, 1241 State Street, Salem, OR.

Your Complaint must be submitted within 60 days after the date of the Final Decision or this Final Decision cannot be changed.

This document was signed by Magistrate Dan Robinson on March 17, 2014. The court filed and entered this document on March 17, 2014.

FINAL DECISION TC-MD 130430C 10