-27- of section 2036(a)(1), see, e.g., Estate of Barlow v. Commissioner, 55 T.C. 666 (1971) (possession and enjoyment of real property pursuant to a lease was not a retention of the possession or enjoyment of the property for purposes of section 2036(a) where the tenant paid FRV), such is not true where, as here, the tenant pays less than FRV as to the lease of the property. Decedent’s rights under the lease agreements to the exclusive possession and enjoyment of the residence triggers the application of section 2036(a)(1) to the residence in that decedent did not pay FRV for that possession and enjoyment. As to the implied understanding and agreement between decedent and Funny Hats as to her continued possession and enjoyment of the residence following its transfer to Funny Hats, we find such an understanding or agreement when we view the conduct of the parties to the lease agreements, as well as the lease agreements themselves. See Estate of Reichardt v. Commissioner, supra at 151; Estate of Rapelje v. Commissioner, supra at 86. We further find that the annual lease agreements were a subterfuge to disguise the testamentary nature of the transfer. First, Funny Hats was not a business operated for profit but was a testamentary device whose goal was to remove the residence from decedent’s gross estate. During decedent’s life, Funny Hats operated solely as a conduit for the payment of expenses relatedPage: Previous 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011