A Case of Nonacquiescence: I.R.S. Opposes Bartell Decision

Volume 4 No 9    |    Read Article

By Rusudan Shervashidze and Nina Krauthamer

Tax-smart investors in U.S. real estate understand that the principal method of disposing real property is to participate in a two-party swap transaction with the ultimate purchaser or a three-party deferred swap through a qualified intermediary. In Bartell v. Commr., the U.S. Tax Court allowed a replacement property to be purchased by an exchange accommodation title holder with whom it was parked for 17 months prior to its transfer. However, the I.R.S. has issued a notice of nonacquiescence, advising taxpayers that it disagrees with the holding of the court. Rusudan Shervashidze and Nina Krauthamer explain the facts in Bartell, the safe harbor that was published in Rev. Proc 2000-37, and the status of the facilitator as a beneficial owner for purposes of allowing tax deferral in the swap transaction.    See more →