Gain or Loss From Sales and Exchanges

Note: The information provided herein has been collected from the IRS Website and is not guaranteed or endorsed by Bob and Linda Lario. For more information, please contact www.irs.gov or a 1031 exchange qualified intermediary.

Gain or loss is usually realized when property is sold or exchanged. A gain is the amount you realize from a sale or exchange of property that is more than its adjusted basis. A loss is the adjusted basis of the property that is more than the amount you realize.

Table 1-1. How To Figure Whether You Have a Gain or Loss
IF your... THEN you have a...
Adjusted basis is more than the amount realized, Loss.
Amount realized is more than the adjusted basis, Gain.

Basis. You must know the basis of your property to determine whether you have a gain or loss from its sale or other disposition. The basis of property you buy is usually its cost. However, if you acquired the property by gift, inheritance, or in some way other than buying it, you must use a basis other than its cost. See Basis Other Than Cost in Publication 551.

Adjusted basis. The adjusted basis of property is your original cost or other basis plus certain additions and minus certain deductions, such as depreciation and casualty losses. See Adjusted Basis in Publication 551. In determining gain or loss, the costs of transferring property to a new owner, such as selling expenses, are added to the adjusted basis of the property.

Amount realized. The amount you realize from a sale or exchange is the total of all money you receive plus the fair market value of all property or services you receive. The amount you realize also includes any of your liabilities that were assumed by the buyer and any liabilities to which the property you transferred is subject, such as real estate taxes or a mortgage.

If the liabilities relate to an exchange of multiple properties, see Treatment of liabilities under Multiple Property Exchanges at the IRS Website.

Fair market value. Fair market value (FMV) is the price at which the property would change hands between a buyer and a seller when both have reasonable knowledge of all the necessary facts and neither has to buy or sell. If parties with adverse interests place a value on property in an arm's-length transaction, that is strong evidence of FMV. If there is a stated price for services, this price is treated as the FMV unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Example. In your business, you used a building that cost you $70,000. You made certain permanent improvements at a cost of $20,000 and deducted depreciation totaling $10,000. You sold the building for $100,000 plus property having an FMV of $20,000. The buyer assumed your real estate taxes of $3,000 and a mortgage of $17,000 on the building. The selling expenses were $4,000. Your gain on the sale is figured as follows.

Amount realized:
Cash $100,000  
FMV of property received $20,000  
Real estate taxes assumed by buyer $3,000  
Mortgage assumed by buyer $17,000 $140,000
Adjusted basis:
Cost of building $70,000  
Improvements $20,000  
Total $90,000  
Minus: Depreciation $10,000  
Adjusted basis $80,000  
Plus: Selling expenses $4,000 $84,000
Gain on sale   $56,000

Amount recognized. Your gain or loss realized from a sale or exchange of property is usually a recognized gain or loss for tax purposes. Recognized gains must be included in gross income. Recognized losses are deductible from gross income. However, your gain or loss realized from certain exchanges of property is not recognized for tax purposes. See Nontaxable Exchanges, later. Also, a loss from the disposition of property held for personal use is not deductible.

Interest in property. The amount you realize from the disposition of a life interest in property, an interest in property for a set number of years, or an income interest in a trust is a recognized gain under certain circumstances. If you received the interest as a gift, inheritance, or in a transfer from a spouse or former spouse incident to a divorce, the amount realized is a recognized gain. Your basis in the property is disregarded. This rule does not apply if all interests in the property are disposed of at the same time.

Example 1: Your father dies and leaves his farm to you for life with a remainder interest to your younger brother. You decide to sell your life interest in the farm. The entire amount you receive is a recognized gain. Your basis in the farm is disregarded.

Example 2: The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that your brother joins you in selling the farm. The entire interest in the property is sold, so your basis in the farm is not disregarded. Your gain or loss is the difference between your share of the sales price and your adjusted basis in the farm.

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