Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Mudslide – Is this a casualty loss?

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 MUDSLIDE – IS THIS A CASUALTY LOSS?


When is a mudslide a casualty, and if it is a casualty, then how is the casualty loss computed?
We have to start with the general rules for a personal casualty loss. Did the loss arise from a “fire, storm, shipwreck, or other casualty?” If it falls within an “other casualty” category, does it qualify? To qualify it must be the result of an action that is “sudden, unexpected or unusual.” Meeting all three is good, but apparently only one is necessary. The IRS made an argument in a 1988 Tax Court case Tax Court Memoranda Decision, (Radding 55 T.C.M. 1029, T.C. Memo. 1988-250, (Jun. 7, 1988)). In that case another principle was interjected into the mix by the IRS. The IRS argued the concept of “foreseeability.” The IRS argued that if the loss is foreseeable, maybe it should be barred from being a casualty as it is not sudden, unexpected or unusual. The Court responded that in that case damage from events such as hurricanes or earthquakes would be barred as they are certainly foreseeable in specific areas of the country.

In the Radding case the taxpayers experienced four mudslides, one each in 1977, 1978, 1982 and 1983. The Tax Court was only addressing the last two events. The taxpayers sued the developer and included in their causes of action were two allegations that apparently were the impetus for the IRS to argue the concept of foreseeability:
“2. A foreseeable amount of rain would cause the hillside to crack, slide and collapse.”
“3. A foreseeable amount of rain would cause substantive quantities of water and dirt to slide down the hillside and to Cross-Complainants' home.”
The Court rejected the IRS argument.
The computation of the loss involves determining the physical aspects of the loss and then the manner of determining the amount of the loss. Two ways are permitted by the Internal Revenue Code to determine the amount of a loss. The usual method that is preferred is called the Appraisal Method. The Appraisal Method requires two appraisals, generally embodied in one report prepared by a competent appraiser. The two appraisals are geared to determining the decrease in value as a result of the event. The Court also made an important point in differentiating the change in values before and after the event:
"This appraisal must recognize the effects of any general market decline affecting undamaged as well as damaged property which may occur simultaneously with the casualty, in order that any deduction under this section shall be limited to the actual loss resulting from damage to the property.”

But the Court was concerned with the valuations as seen from the following taken from the decision:
Appraisal dated March 31, 1982 (Third mudslide)
Fair market value of residence, without adjustment due to slides in the year of appraisal, i.e., 1982, was
$615,000
The net value of residence after adjustment for slides is
$565,000
Diminution in value due to 1982 slides of
$50,000

Appraisal dated August 15, 1983 (Last mudslide)
Fair market value of the residence on that date, without adjustments for slides in 1983
$628,000
Value after the 1983 slides
$563,000
diminution in value for 1983
$65,000

The Court noted:
“ [H]ad the 1983 slides not occurred, the fair market value of petitioners' residence would have increased from $565,000 on March 31, 1982, to $628,000 on August 15, 1983. This represents an increase in value of $63,000 (or approximately 10 percent) in only 161/2 months. Furthermore, the house would have increased in value from $200,000 (the purchase price in 1977) to $628,000 in 6 years despite alleged “permanent diminutions” in value due to the 1977, 1979, and 1982 slides.”

As you can guess, the Court was troubled by the outcome of the appraisal process. Again, we note the Court’s findings as to the diminution in value:

“With regard to the 1983 mudslide, the insurance recovery in 1984 was directly connected to losses claimed for the fourth slide which occurred in 1983…”

No loss was allowed for the fourth mudslide. But the loss for the third mudslide was allowed.
Many mudslides are not serial in nature as the ones in the Radding case. The taxpayers did document their losses properly in the Radding case, unfortunately, the conclusions of the appraisals fork against the taxpayers in this situation. But, yes mudslides can be a casualty, but the circumstances and individual facts will have an impact on the manner in which it can be deducted on a tax return.
This material was contributed by John Trapani. A Certified Public Accountant who has assisted taxpayers since 1976, in analyzing and reporting transactions of the type covered in this material.

Internal Revenue Service Circular 230 Disclosure
This is a general discussion of tax law. The application of the law to specific facts may involve aspects that are not identical to the situations presented in this material. Relying on this material does not qualify as tax advice for purpose of mounting a defense of a tax position with the taxing authorities
The analysis of the tax consequences of any event is based on tax laws in effect at the time of the event. This material was completed October 2011.


© 2011, John Trapani, CPA,
All rights to reproduce or quote any part of the chapter in any other publication are reserved by the author. Republication rights limited by the publisher of the book in which this chapter appears also apply.

JOHN TRAPANI
Certified Public Accountant
2975 E. Hillcrest Drive #403
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

            (805) 497-4411       E-mail John@TrapaniCPA.com
Website: www.TrapaniCPA.com
Blog: www.AccountantForDisasteRrecovery.com
It All Adds Up For You


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Friday, October 7, 2011

THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY - POR

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THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY - POR
After experiencing a physical catastrophic event, taxpayers have a number of new tasks and responsibilities to accomplish. Starting with finding a safe place for family and pets, then you must commence the process of recovery. Debris removal is next, including searching for mementos and heirlooms.
Although it is not your first choice, you must quickly understand and accept that you will have to make major financial decisions about assets in which your emotional investment equals or exceeds your financial investment. It will be hard, I extend my heart-felt concerns for your best possible outcome.
You will be working with and need the assistance of many new experts that you have not dealt with before. Check their credentials.
Today, an extensive discussion THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY after you experience a physical catastrophe has been posted in nine new permanent pages on this blog. The pages are labeled with initial initials “POR.”

The IRS has a number of useful booklets for taxpayers who experience a catastrophic physical event. The IRS has combined a number of these separate publications in two publications,
2194 for individuals and 2194b for businesses.
The booklets can be accessed on the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

This material was contributed by John Trapani. A Certified Public Accountant who has assisted taxpayers since 1976, in analyzing and reporting transactions of the type covered in this material.

Internal Revenue Service Circular 230 Disclosure
This is a general discussion of tax law. The application of the law to specific facts may involve aspects that are not identical to the situations presented in this material. Relying on this material does not qualify as tax advice for purpose of mounting a defense of a tax position with the taxing authorities
The analysis of the tax consequences of any event is based on tax laws in effect at the time of the event. This material was completed October 2011.


© 2011, John Trapani, CPA,
All rights to reproduce or quote any part of the chapter in any other publication are reserved by the author. Republication rights limited by the publisher of the book in which this chapter appears also apply.

JOHN TRAPANI
Certified Public Accountant
2975 E. Hillcrest Drive #403
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

            (805) 497-4411       E-mail John@TrapaniCPA.com
Website: www.TrapaniCPA.com
Blog: www.AccountantForDisasteRrecovery.com
It All Adds Up For You




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