Question

4. (45 points) Mark, Pete and Mickey are equal partners in the 2MP Partnership. At the beginning of the year, Mark's basis in his partnership interest was $15,000, Pete's basis was $10,000, and Mickey's basis was $20,000. The partnership reported taxable income of $30,000 (allocated equally among the partners). At year-end, the partnership made an operating distribution of $25,000 cash to Pete. a. What is the amount and character of the income or gain will Pete recognize on receipt of the distribution (assume the partnership has no hot assets or liabilities)?

Answer 1

In the Books of Pete :

First Character of Income is (a) Share of profits from the partnership : $ 10,000 (which is $30,000/3).

Second character of income is (b) Dividends distribution / Cash Distribution : $ 25,000

Hence Pete will recognise $35,000 (10,000+25,000) in his own records.

Note : Tax on share of profits would be paid by the firm (2MP Partnership)

But dividends of $25,000 would be taxed in Pete's hands at appropriate tax rates.