George Vajda - Page 8




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          Petitioner concludes from Mr. Salmon’s testimony that the                   
          $413,500 estimate is consistent with the claimed basis of                   
          $926,500 when viewed in the light of the “unusual circumstances”.           
               We disagree with petitioner for two reasons.  First,                   
          petitioner focuses inappropriately on the construction costs to             
          ascertain TBP’s basis in the buildings.  Given the fact that all            
          of these costs were incurred between 1978 and 1980 and that TBP             
          did not purchase the farm from Alpha until 1986, none of these              
          costs enter into TBP’s depreciable basis in the buildings.  TBP’s           
          basis in the farm, which by our definition includes both the                
          buildings and the land, equals the amount that it paid Alpha for            
          the sale.  That amount is stated clearly in the deed as $350,000.           
               Petitioner makes little attempt to explain the $350,000                
          price set forth in the deed other than to assert on brief that              
          the Court need not accept that figure as TBP’s depreciable basis.           
          In his petition, petitioner did allege that TBP received the farm           
          from Alpha in exchange for Alpha’s receipt of an interest in TBP            
          and, accordingly, that section 723 operated to give TBP a                   
          transferred basis in the farm.  Respondent, however, denied that            
          allegation in answer.  The allegation, therefore, is not                    
          evidence.  See Rule 143(b).  Petitioner’s counsel also informed             
          the Court during his opening statement at trial that petitioner             
          would show that he had caused Alpha to contribute the farm to TBP           
          in exchange for a partnership interest.  Petitioner never made              





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