3 Recapture and Characterization

U.S. Tax Law Fundamentals · 4:56

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When you sell your business assets, there's a rule you need to know
Section twelve thirty-one gives you the best of both worlds flow
If you gain, it's capital treatment, lower rates upon your mind
If you lose, it's ordinary deduction, leaving no money behind

[Chorus]
Twelve thirty-one's the golden rule, best of both worlds it's true
But look back five years for net losses, they'll recapture what's due
Twelve forty-five takes personal property, depreciation comes back
Twelve fifty hits your real estate, but only the excess attack

[Verse 2]
Machinery and equipment fall under twelve forty-five's reach
Every dollar you depreciated, recapture it will teach
Ordinary income treatment when you sell above the base
But real property's different, at a gentler twenty-five percent pace

[Chorus]
Twelve thirty-one's the golden rule, best of both worlds it's true
But look back five years for net losses, they'll recapture what's due
Twelve forty-five takes personal property, depreciation comes back
Twelve fifty hits your real estate, but only the excess attack

[Bridge]
Related parties can't play games, section two sixty-seven's here
Constructive ownership rules apply, keep family members near
Attribution makes you own what spouse and children hold
These anti-abuse provisions, keep transactions controlled

[Verse 3]
When you're dealing with your family, or entities you control
The tax code sees right through the veil, it's watching every role
Fifty percent ownership triggers, all the attribution rules
Don't try to game the system, the IRS has all the tools

[Chorus]
Twelve thirty-one's the golden rule, best of both worlds it's true
But look back five years for net losses, they'll recapture what's due
Twelve forty-five takes personal property, depreciation comes back
Twelve fifty hits your real estate, but only the excess attack

[Outro]
Remember these three sections when you're planning any sale
Recapture and characterization, know the rules without fail

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