
In the context of partnerships, nonrecourse debt can indeed increase basis, but it's essential to understand the specifics. Nonrecourse debt is a type of debt where the creditor's only recourse is to seize the collateral, not the partner's personal assets.
The IRS allows partners to increase their basis in a partnership by the amount of nonrecourse debt, as stated in the article. This is a crucial concept for partners to grasp, as it directly affects their tax liability.
To illustrate this, consider a partnership with a $100,000 nonrecourse loan. According to the article, the partner's basis in the partnership would increase by this amount, making their total basis $100,000 higher.
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Calculating Basis
Calculating basis is a crucial step in understanding how nonrecourse debt affects a partner's basis in a partnership.
Nonrecourse deductions decrease a partner's basis in the partnership interest, but not below zero. This means that if a partner's basis is reduced to zero by nonrecourse deductions, any further deductions are suspended and carried forward indefinitely until the partner has additional basis to absorb them.
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The partner's share of nonrecourse liabilities equals the sum of its share of partnership minimum gain, 704(c) minimum gain, and excess nonrecourse liabilities. Partnership minimum gain is determined in accordance with the rules of §704(b) and the treasury regulations thereunder.
Nonrecourse debt can increase a partner's basis in the partnership, but it's essential to understand how the basis effects of nonrecourse deductions are calculated. This involves allocating nonrecourse deductions among partners according to their interests in the partnership.
A partner's share of partnership minimum gain is determined in accordance with the rules of §704(b) and the treasury regulations thereunder. This will only apply if the partnership owns depreciable assets securing the nonrecourse liability.
The basis of a partner's interest in a partnership is a moving target, affected by contributions, distributions, and the partner's share of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Nonrecourse deductions add another layer of complexity to this calculation.
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Safe Harbors and Exceptions
Safe harbors provide taxpayers with a degree of certainty and protection when claiming deductions, particularly for partnerships and their partners who engage in complex transactions involving nonrecourse financing.
To qualify for a safe harbor, taxpayers must typically meet specific requirements related to the financing arrangement, the nature of the investment, and the economic substance of the transaction.
Qualifying for a safe harbor can allow for deductions that increase the outside basis, enabling partners to claim losses or distributions that might otherwise be disallowed.
The IRS provides several safe harbors, such as the "qualified nonrecourse financing" safe harbor under Section 465(b)(6) of the internal Revenue code, which relates to real property used in a trade or business.
Taxpayers must ensure that their transactions have economic substance and do not solely serve to generate tax benefits, as safe harbors are not absolute.
Consider a real estate partnership that takes on nonrecourse debt to finance the construction of a rental property; if the partnership meets the conditions of the qualified nonrecourse financing safe harbor, partners may claim deductions for their share of the interest expense, even though they are not personally liable for the debt.
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Allocation and Example
Nonrecourse debt can be allocated in various ways, but it's essential to understand the rules to avoid any tax implications.
The allocation of nonrecourse debt can be determined by the partnership's profit-sharing ratios, as seen in the example where any remaining non-recourse liabilities are allocated based on the partners' profit-sharing ratios.
In the case of partner C, the nonrecourse liability of $9,000 is allocated first to the extent of their remaining built-in gain, which is $7,000 minus $6,000.
The remaining nonrecourse liability of $2,000 is then allocated to each partner based on their profit interest percentage, which is 33.33% in this example.
Partner C's contribution of property worth $10,000 subject to a nonrecourse mortgage of $9,000 is a key factor in determining the allocation of nonrecourse debt.
The allocation of nonrecourse debt can also be influenced by the tax basis of the property, as seen in the example where the §704(b) minimum gain does not apply because the partnership did not purchase depreciable property with a nonrecourse note.
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Financing Basics
Nonrecourse financing is a type of loan where the lender's recovery is limited to the collateral pledged for the loan, typically the property or asset being financed, and does not extend to the borrower's other assets.
The borrower's protection comes from not being personally liable beyond the value of the collateral, which can be a significant advantage. However, the risk is higher for lenders, who often carry higher interest rates.
Nonrecourse loans increase a partner's basis in the partnership, which can allow for greater loss deductions.
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Introduction to Deductions
Deductions are a crucial part of financing a property, especially when it comes to nonrecourse debt. They allow you to reduce your taxable income, but they can also add complexity to your tax calculations.
Nonrecourse deductions, in particular, can be tricky to understand. They're deductions that can be taken even if they exceed the basis of the property securing the debt. This means that if you have a property worth $1 million and a nonrecourse debt of $800,000, you can still take deductions for depreciation, even if the property's value hasn't appreciated.
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The IRS has specific rules governing nonrecourse deductions, and it's essential to understand these rules to avoid any tax pitfalls. The basis effects of nonrecourse deductions can impact the amount of loss you can recognize and the character of any gain upon the disposition of the property.
In a partnership, nonrecourse deductions are allocated among partners in accordance with their interests in the partnership. This means that if you're a partner in a partnership that takes a nonrecourse deduction, your share of the deduction will be based on your percentage of ownership.
The impact of nonrecourse deductions on the basis of a partner's interest in a partnership can be significant. If a partner's basis is reduced to zero by nonrecourse deductions, any further deductions are suspended and carried forward indefinitely until the partner has additional basis to absorb them.
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Financing Basics
Nonrecourse financing offers a layer of protection to borrowers, who are not personally liable beyond the value of the collateral.

This type of financing is particularly significant in the context of partnership tax law, where it influences the allocation of deductions and the basis of partnership interests.
The IRS has specific guidelines on how nonrecourse deductions are to be treated for tax purposes, which can have substantial implications for the partners' taxable income.
Nonrecourse loans increase a partner's basis in the partnership, allowing for greater loss deductions.
However, upon disposition of the property, this can also result in a higher amount of gain recognized.
Qualified nonrecourse financing, as defined by the IRS, is treated favorably and can result in more favorable tax treatment for real estate investors.
Nonrecourse financing is a double-edged sword, providing protection for borrowers but coming with a complex set of rules that govern its tax treatment.
Related reading: Example of Nonrecourse Debt
Frequently Asked Questions
Does nonrecourse debt add to the basis?
Nonrecourse debt typically adds to a partner's basis for distribution purposes, but not for at-risk rules. This distinction is important for understanding how nonrecourse debt affects a partner's liability.
Does at risk basis include qualified nonrecourse debt?
Yes, at-risk basis includes qualified nonrecourse debt, which is secured by real property used in the activity. This exception can impact loss carryforwards and tax implications.
Sources
- https://willowdaleequity.com/blog/does-a-partner-get-basis-for-nonrecourse-debt/
- https://fastercapital.com/content/Nonrecourse-Deductions--Safe-Harbors--Nonrecourse-Deductions-and-Their-Basis-Effects.html
- https://certifiedtaxcoach.org/debt-recourse-and-tax-deductions-for-partnerships-and-s-corporations/
- https://www.withum.com/resources/partnership-debt-allocation/
- https://edbodmer.com/minimum-gain/
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