Discussion:Royalty / depletion

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by reason of the repeal of percentage depletion for gas. by reason of the repeal of percentage depletion for gas.
Most production would only qualify for the 15% depletion.}} Most production would only qualify for the 15% depletion.}}
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 +{{ForumReplyPost|UserID=LSC CPA|Date=6 November 2009|Text=I am working on a new client's deceased parents' 2005 tax return and 2006 final tax return and estate tax returns for 2006 - 2008 (both parents died in April 2006). They have oil and gas royalty income from about 20 - 25 different sources reported on Schedule E on their previous years' 1040s for 2003 and 2004. It appears that their previous accountant was using the 22% fixed contract depletion rate. That accountant has no recollection of how he determined that the depletion rate was the correct one, and if it applied to all investments (he has been retired for years - was doing the return as a favor to this client's parents - so not quite up to speed on this stuff anymore). Going forward, I am unclear about whether I should be using the same 22% rate, or if this is something that changes from year to year. I can't imagine having to contact each and every oil and gas company, especially going backwards to 2005, to see what the terms of the investments/contracts were. I hate to assume anything here, but want to maximize the depletion deduction for the client. Would I be safe in using the 22% rate, being consistent with the prior year tax returns, since I have no information available to me? Any help from someone with more experience in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.}}

Revision as of 17:06, 6 November 2009

Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Royalty / depletion

Krav (talk|edits) said:

11 April 2007
Just want a second (or more) opinion - if clients are receiving royalty income for natural gas leases on their home property - can they still take 15% depletion? How about if it is a lot separate from main home?

Larry0434 (talk|edits) said:

12 April 2007
Why not 22%?

Larry0434 (talk|edits) said:

12 April 2007
SeeSec._613A.

Univak (talk|edits) said:

12 April 2007
15% would probably be the depletion that you would use. That is what is available for royalty owners. The 22% rate is allowed for oil & gas production in the case of regulated natural gas and natural gas sold under a fixed contract. If the taxpayer is the royalty owner then it wouldn't matter if it's from their home property or a separate lot to which they own the mineral rights.

Larry0434 (talk|edits) said:

12 April 2007
As always, need more informaton. Most working interest operations issue fixed priced contracts.

Osutaxman (talk|edits) said:

30 July 2008
The 22% depletion rate is only available to a very specific type of production:

For purposes of this subsection -

       (A) Natural gas sold under a fixed contract
         The term natural gas sold under a fixed contract means
       domestic natural gas sold by the producer under a contract, in
       effect on February 1, 1975, and at all times thereafter before
       such sale, under which the price for such gas cannot be
       adjusted to reflect to any extent the increase in liabilities
       of the seller for tax under this chapter by reason of the
       repeal of percentage depletion for gas.  Price increases after
       February 1, 1975, shall be presumed to take increases in tax
       liabilities into account unless the taxpayer demonstrates to
       the contrary by clear and convincing evidence.
       (B) Regulated natural gas
         The term regulated natural gas means domestic natural gas
       produced and sold by the producer, before July 1, 1976, subject
       to the jurisdiction of the Federal Power Commission, the price
       for which has not been adjusted to reflect to any extent the
       increase in liability of the seller for tax under this chapter
       by reason of the repeal of percentage depletion for gas.

Most production would only qualify for the 15% depletion.

LSC CPA (talk|edits) said:

6 November 2009
I am working on a new client's deceased parents' 2005 tax return and 2006 final tax return and estate tax returns for 2006 - 2008 (both parents died in April 2006). They have oil and gas royalty income from about 20 - 25 different sources reported on Schedule E on their previous years' 1040s for 2003 and 2004. It appears that their previous accountant was using the 22% fixed contract depletion rate. That accountant has no recollection of how he determined that the depletion rate was the correct one, and if it applied to all investments (he has been retired for years - was doing the return as a favor to this client's parents - so not quite up to speed on this stuff anymore). Going forward, I am unclear about whether I should be using the same 22% rate, or if this is something that changes from year to year. I can't imagine having to contact each and every oil and gas company, especially going backwards to 2005, to see what the terms of the investments/contracts were. I hate to assume anything here, but want to maximize the depletion deduction for the client. Would I be safe in using the 22% rate, being consistent with the prior year tax returns, since I have no information available to me? Any help from someone with more experience in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.