Discussion:Legal expenses related to acquisition price of investment property

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Revision as of 19:12, 7 November 2009
Jamesc (Talk | contribs)
(he suing for mon)
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Revision as of 19:20, 7 November 2009
CrowJD (Talk | contribs)
(Generally, I agr)
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{{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Jamesc|Date=2009-11-07|Text=he suing for money damages for fraud to pay for the sales price difference. But it is seller's alleging with remorse after sale, and my client was not involved with any fraud at all.}} {{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Jamesc|Date=2009-11-07|Text=he suing for money damages for fraud to pay for the sales price difference. But it is seller's alleging with remorse after sale, and my client was not involved with any fraud at all.}}
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 +{{ForumReplyPost|UserID=CrowJD|Date=7 November 2009|Text=Generally, I agree with you, I think it will be difficult for the plaintiff to win, assuming he's an adult and not suffering from some kind of disability and that your client' conduct did not amount to duress or the telling of a huge lie, BUT the case isn't over yet.
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 +Anyway, I would be looking for the deductibility of legal fees in cases alleging fraud.}}

Revision as of 19:20, 7 November 2009

Discussion Forum Index --> Advanced Tax Questions --> Legal expenses related to acquisition price of investment property
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Legal expenses related to acquisition price of investment property

Jamesc (talk|edits) said:

2009-11-07
A client buyer received a land instead of original loan receivable from a seller. The buyer paid off the purchase loan. Now, the seller alleged that the buyer committed a fraud at the time of sale because buyer forced seller to transfer the land, when seller had better price offers. Seller filed a lawsuit for the damage claim to pay for the sales price difference.

Is there any way for the buyer to deduct the legal fees? Normally, legal fees are not deductible if it is for the acquisition of the property. But, sometimes it may be deductible in case of investment property as 2% AGI misc. deduction. I tried to find regulations or court cases but failed to find. Please help.

KathiJud (talk|edits) said:

7 November 2009
This doesn't sound directly tied to the acquisition of the land. It sounds more like defending title to investment property which took place after the acquisition. Look into the rules for that character - which do fall in the 2% of AGI category.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

7 November 2009
Kathi - for some reason I thought that title defense legal fees added to the basis of the property.

NYea (talk|edits) said:

7 November 2009
FWIW


Reg §1.263(a)-2. Examples of capital expenditures. The following paragraphs of this section include examples of capital expenditures:

...(c) The cost of defending or perfecting title to property.

Jamesc (talk|edits) said:

2009-11-07
I think is little different from defending or perfecting title to property.

I found the following paragraph from CCH Federal Tax Advisor 12,322 Signal section.

"However, this amount would probably be a deductible loss, assuming that investment property is involved."

I am trying to find any court cases or other authoritative document to back up this point.

CrowJD (talk|edits) said:

7 November 2009
Is the seller suing to get the land back? Or is he suing for money damages for fraud? Sounds like he's suing for money damages for the alleged personal actions of your client.

Jamesc (talk|edits) said:

2009-11-07
he suing for money damages for fraud to pay for the sales price difference. But it is seller's alleging with remorse after sale, and my client was not involved with any fraud at all.

CrowJD (talk|edits) said:

7 November 2009
Generally, I agree with you, I think it will be difficult for the plaintiff to win, assuming he's an adult and not suffering from some kind of disability and that your client' conduct did not amount to duress or the telling of a huge lie, BUT the case isn't over yet.

Anyway, I would be looking for the deductibility of legal fees in cases alleging fraud.