- 7 - taxes. Estate of Mapes v. Commissioner, 99 T.C. 511, 516-517 (1992); H. Rept. 94-1380, supra, 1976-3 C.B. (Vol. 3) at 755-756; S. Rept. 94-938 (Part 2), supra, 1976-3 C.B. (Vol. 3) at 657. Although section 2032A is a relief statute designed to encourage the continuation of family farms, it provides for "exceptionally favorable tax treatment", and taxpayers must "come within its demanding terms". Martin v. Commissioner, 783 F.2d 81, 82, 84 (7th Cir. 1986), affg. 84 T.C. 620 (1985). The succor provided by section 2032A is limited in several ways: (1) The decedent must have been a citizen or resident of the United States, and the subject property must be located in the United States; (2) the real property must have been used as a farm or in a trade or business by the decedent or a member of the decedent's family; (3) the decedent or a member of his family must materially participate in the operation of the farm or the business; and (4) real property qualifies for special use valuation only if it passes to a member of the decedent's family. Sec. 2032A(c). These requirements all evidence Congress' intent to limit the tax relief to what is generally regarded as a family farm or business. See Estate of Heffley v. Commissioner, 89 T.C. 265, 271 (1987), affd. 884 F.2d 279 (7th Cir. 1989); Estate of Geiger v. Commissioner, 80 T.C. 484, 488 (1983). In enacting the special use valuation provisions, Congress also recognized that an estate's beneficiaries would enjoy an unwarranted windfall if they should sell the property within aPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011