Another Tax Trap From Short Sale or Deed in Lieu

I saw an email about income tax liability associated with foreclosure or bankruptcy sent by attorney Larry Heinkel. The email addresses income tax liability from the foreclosure of properties which have previously been depreciated for tax purposes. Most people know that if a bank forgives part of a mortgage loan in the course of a short sale or deed in lieu that the amount of debt forgiveness may be taxable if the mortgaged property is an investment or second home. A new law has eliminated debt forgiveness tax for principal residences. A person who is insolvent at time of short sale or deed in lieu, or who files bankruptcy, has no liability for debt forgiveness taxation. Mr. Heinkel points out a different tax trap.

If the debtor has previously depreciated the property for income tax purposes the tax basis of the property has been lowered from its original purchase price. The short sale or deed in lieu may be treated as a "sale or exchange" which triggers income tax on the difference between the property value and the adjusted basis. This tax liability is not eliminated by insolvency or bankruptcy. People considering walking away from investment property should check with their CPA to see if they may incur tax liability by the recapture of prior tax depreciation.

posted by Jonathan Alper, bankruptcy and asset protection attorney, Orlando, Florida