Force Corporation is owned equally by Luke and his sister Leia, each of whom own 200 shares in the company. Force redeemed 100 shares of Luke's stock in the company on December 31 of this year paying Luke $1,000 per share. Luke's income tax basis in each share is $500. Force has total E&P of $800,000. What are the tax consequences to Luke as a result of the stock redemption?

Complete question:

Force Corporation is owned equally by Luke and his sister Leia, each of whom own 200 shares in the company. Force redeemed 100 shares of Luke's stock in the company on December 31 of this year paying Luke $1,000 per share. Luke's income tax basis in each share is $500. Force has total E&P of $800,000. What are the tax consequences to Luke as a result of the stock redemption?

a) $50,000 capital gain and a tax basis in each of his remaining shares of $500.

b) $50,000 capital gain and a tax basis in each of his remaining shares of $1,000.

c) $100,000 dividend and a tax basis in each of his remaining shares of $500.

d) $100,000 dividend and a tax basis in each of his remaining shares of $1,000.

Answer:

$50,000 capital gain and a tax basis in each of his remaining shares of $500.

Solution:

The sale should be viewed as an swap as Luke decreases the shareholding from 50 per cent (200/400) to 33 per cent (100/300).

Luke is not regarded as the shareholder of any property held by his dad.

Luke records a capital benefit of $50,000, measured as $100,000 - $50,000.

∴ $50,000 capital gain and a tax basis in each of his remaining shares of $500.