[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 8]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.755-1]

[Page 569-580]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
Determination of Tax Liability--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.755-1  Rules for allocation of basis.

    (a) In general--(1) Scope. This section provides rules for 
allocating basis adjustments under sections 743(b) and 734(b) among 
partnership property. If there is a basis adjustment to which this 
section applies, the basis adjustment is allocated among the 
partnership's assets as follows. First, the partnership must determine 
the value of each of its assets under paragraphs (a)(2) through (5) of 
this section. Second, the basis adjustment is allocated between the two 
classes of property described in section 755(b). These classes of 
property consist of capital assets and section 1231(b) property (capital 
gain property), and any other property of the partnership (ordinary 
income property). For purposes of this section, properties and potential 
gain treated as unrealized receivables under section 751(c) and the 
regulations thereunder shall be treated as separate assets that are 
ordinary income property. Third, the portion of the basis adjustment 
allocated to each class is allocated among the items within the class. 
Basis adjustments under section 743(b) are allocated among partnership 
assets

[[Page 570]]

under paragraph (b) of this section. Basis adjustments under section 
734(b) are allocated among partnership assets under paragraph (c) of 
this section.
    (2) Coordination of sections 755 and 1060. If there is a basis 
adjustment to which this section applies, and the assets of the 
partnership constitute a trade or business (as described in Sec. 
1.1060-1(b)(2)), then the partnership is required to use the residual 
method to assign values to the partnership's section 197 intangibles. To 
do so, the partnership must, first, determine the value of partnership 
assets other than section 197 intangibles under paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section. The partnership then must determine partnership gross value 
under paragraph (a)(4) of this section. Last, the partnership must 
assign values to the partnership's section 197 intangibles under 
paragraph (a)(5) of this section. For purposes of this section, the term 
section 197 intangibles includes all section 197 intangibles (as defined 
in section 197), as well as any goodwill or going concern value that 
would not qualify as a section 197 intangible under section 197.
    (3) Values of properties other than section 197 intangibles. For 
purposes of this section, the fair market value of each item of 
partnership property other than section 197 intangibles shall be 
determined on the basis of all the facts and circumstances, taking into 
account section 7701(g).
    (4) Partnership gross value--(i) Basis adjustments under section 
743(b)--(A) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of 
this section, in the case of a basis adjustment under section 743(b), 
partnership gross value generally is equal to the amount that, if 
assigned to all partnership property, would result in a liquidating 
distribution to the partner equal to the transferee's basis in the 
transferred partnership interest immediately following the relevant 
transfer (reduced by the amount, if any, of such basis that is 
attributable to partnership liabilities).
    (B) Special situations. In certain circumstances, such as where 
income or loss with respect to particular section 197 intangibles are 
allocated differently among partners, partnership gross value may vary 
depending on the values of particular section 197 intangibles held by 
the partnership. In these special situations, the partnership must 
assign value, first, among section 197 intangibles (other than goodwill 
and going concern value) in a reasonable manner that is consistent with 
the ordering rule in paragraph (a)(5) of this section and would cause 
the appropriate liquidating distribution under paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A) of 
this section. If the actual fair market values, determined on the basis 
of all the facts and circumstances, of all section 197 intangibles 
(other than goodwill and going concern value) is not sufficient to cause 
the appropriate liquidating distribution, then the fair market value of 
goodwill and going concern value shall be presumed to equal an amount 
that if assigned to goodwill and going concern value would cause the 
appropriate liquidating distribution.
    (C) Income in respect of a decedent. Solely for the purpose of 
determining partnership gross value under this paragraph (a)(4)(i), 
where a partnership interest is transferred as a result of the death of 
a partner, the transferee's basis in its partnership interest is 
determined without regard to section 1014(c), and is deemed to be 
adjusted for that portion of the interest, if any, that is attributable 
to items representing income in respect of a decedent under section 691.
    (ii) Basis adjustments under section 743(b) resulting from 
substituted basis transactions. This paragraph (a)(4)(ii) applies to 
basis adjustments under section 743(b) that result from exchanges in 
which the transferee's basis in the partnership interest is determined 
in whole or in part by reference to the transferor's basis in the 
interest or to the basis of other property held at any time by the 
transferee (substituted basis transactions). In the case of a 
substituted basis transaction, partnership gross value equals the value 
of the entire partnership as a going concern, increased by the amount of 
partnership liabilities at the time of the exchange giving rise to the 
basis adjustment.
    (iii) Basis adjustments under section 734(b). In the case of a basis 
adjustment under section 734(b), partnership gross value equals the 
value of the entire

[[Page 571]]

partnership as a going concern immediately following the distribution 
causing the adjustment, increased by the amount of partnership 
liabilities immediately following the distribution.
    (5) Determining the values of section 197 intangibles--(i) Two 
classes. If the aggregate value of partnership property other than 
section 197 intangibles (as determined in paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section) is equal to or greater than partnership gross value (as 
determined in paragraph (a)(4) of this section), then all section 197 
intangibles are deemed to have a value of zero for purposes of this 
section. In all other cases, the aggregate value of the partnership's 
section 197 intangibles (the residual section 197 intangibles value) is 
deemed to equal the excess of partnership gross value over the aggregate 
value of partnership property other than section 197 intangibles. The 
residual section 197 intangibles value must be allocated between two 
asset classes in the following order--
    (A) Among section 197 intangibles other than goodwill and going 
concern value; and
    (B) To goodwill and going concern value.
    (ii) Values assigned to section 197 intangibles other than goodwill 
and going concern value. The fair market value assigned to a section 197 
intangible (other than goodwill and going concern value) shall not 
exceed the actual fair market value (determined on the basis of all the 
facts and circumstances) of that asset on the date of the relevant 
transfer. If the residual section 197 intangibles value is less than the 
sum of the actual fair market values (determined on the basis of all the 
facts and circumstances) of all section 197 intangibles (other than 
goodwill and going concern value) held by the partnership, then the 
residual section 197 intangibles value must be allocated among the 
individual section 197 intangibles (other than goodwill and going 
concern value) as follows. The residual section 197 intangibles value is 
assigned first to any section 197 intangibles (other than goodwill and 
going concern value) having potential gain that would be treated as 
unrealized receivables under the flush language of section 751(c) (flush 
language receivables) to the extent of the basis of those section 197 
intangibles and the amount of income arising from the flush language 
receivables that the partnership would recognize if the section 197 
intangibles were sold for their actual fair market values (determined 
based on all the facts and circumstances) (collectively, the flush 
language receivables value). If the value assigned to section 197 
intangibles (other than goodwill and going concern value) is less than 
the flush language receivables value, then the assigned value is 
allocated among the properties giving rise to the flush language 
receivables in proportion to the flush language receivables value in 
those properties. Any remaining residual section 197 intangibles value 
is allocated among the remaining portions of the section 197 intangibles 
(other than goodwill and going concern value) in proportion to the 
actual fair market values of such portions (determined based on all the 
facts and circumstances).
    (iii) Value assigned to goodwill and going concern value. The fair 
market value of goodwill and going concern value is the amount, if any, 
by which the residual section 197 intangibles value exceeds the 
aggregate value of the partnership's section 197 intangibles (other than 
goodwill and going concern value).
    (6) Examples. The provisions of paragraphs (a)(2) through (5) are 
illustrated by the following examples, which assume that the 
partnerships have an election in effect under section 754 at the time of 
the transfer and that the assets of each partnership constitute a trade 
or business (as described in Sec. 1.1060-1(b)(2)). Except as provided, 
no partnership asset (other than inventory) is property described in 
section 751(a), and partnership liabilities are secured by all 
partnership assets. The examples are as follows:

    Example 1. (i) A is the sole general partner in PRS, a limited 
partnership having three equal partners. PRS has goodwill and going 
concern value, two section 197 intangibles other than goodwill and going 
concern value (Intangible 1 and Intangible 2), and two other assets with 
fair market values (determined using all the facts and circumstances) as 
follows: inventory worth $1,000,000 and a building (a capital asset) 
worth $2,000,000. The fair

[[Page 572]]

market value of each of Intangible 1 and Intangible 2 is $50,000. PRS 
has one liability of $1,000,000, for which A bears the entire risk of 
loss under section 752 and the regulations thereunder. D purchases A's 
partnership interest for $650,000, resulting in a basis adjustment under 
section 743(b). After the purchase, D bears the entire risk of loss for 
PRS's liability under section 752 and the regulations thereunder. 
Therefore, D's basis in its interest in PRS is $1,650,000.
    (ii) D's basis in the transferred partnership interest (reduced by 
the amount of such basis that is attributable to partnership 
liabilities) is $650,000 ($1,650,000--$1,000,000). Under paragraph 
(a)(4)(i) of this section, partnership gross value is $2,950,000 (the 
amount that, if assigned to all partnership property, would result in a 
liquidating distribution to D equal to $650,000).
    (iii) Under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the inventory has a 
fair market value of $1,000,000, and the building has a fair market 
value of $2,000,000. Thus, the aggregate value of partnership property 
other than section 197 intangibles, $3,000,000, is equal to or greater 
than partnership gross value, $2,950,000. Accordingly, under paragraphs 
(a)(3) and (5) of this section, the value assigned to each of the 
partnership's assets is as follows: inventory, $1,000,000; building, 
$2,000,000; Intangibles 1 and 2, $0; and goodwill and going concern 
value, $0. D's section 743(b) adjustment must be allocated under 
paragraph (b) of this section using these assigned fair market values.
    Example 2. (i) Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that 
the fair market values of Intangible 1 and Intangible 2 are each 
$300,000, and that D purchases A's interest in PRS for $1,000,000. After 
the purchase, D's basis in its interest in PRS is $2,000,000.
    (ii) D's basis in the transferred partnership interest (reduced by 
the amount of such basis that is attributable to partnership 
liabilities) is $1,000,000 ($2,000,000--$1,000,000). Under paragraph 
(a)(4)(i) of this section, partnership gross value is $4,000,000 (the 
amount that, if assigned to all partnership property, would result in a 
liquidating distribution to D equal to $1,000,000).
    (iii) Under paragraph (a)(5) of this section, the residual section 
197 intangibles value is $1,000,000 (the excess of partnership gross 
value, $4,000,000, over the aggregate value of assets other than section 
197 intangibles, $3,000,000 (the sum of the value of the inventory, 
$1,000,000, and the value of the building, $2,000,000)). The partnership 
must determine the values of section 197 assets by allocating the 
residual section 197 intangibles value among the partnership's assets. 
The residual section 197 intangibles value is assigned first to section 
197 intangibles other than goodwill and going concern value, and then to 
goodwill and going concern value. Thus, $300,000 is assigned to each of 
Intangible 1 and Intangible 2, and $400,000 is assigned to goodwill and 
going concern value (the amount by which the residual section 197 
intangibles value, $1,000,000, exceeds the fair market value of section 
197 intangibles other than goodwill and going concern value, $600,000). 
D's section 743(b) adjustment must be allocated under paragraph (b) of 
this section using these assigned fair market values.
    Example 3. (i) Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that 
the fair market values of Intangible 1 and Intangible 2 are each 
$300,000, and that D purchases A's interest in PRS for $750,000. After 
the purchase, D's basis in its interest in PRS is $1,750,000. Also 
assume that Intangible 1 was originally purchased for $300,000, and that 
its adjusted basis has been decreased to $50,000 as a result of 
amortization. Assume that, if PRS were to sell Intangible 1 for 
$300,000, it would recognize $250,000 of gain that would be treated as 
an unrealized receivable under the flush language in section 751(c).
    (ii) D's basis in the transferred partnership interest (reduced by 
the amount of such basis that is attributable to partnership 
liabilities) is $750,000 ($1,750,000--$1,000,000). Under paragraph 
(a)(4)(i) of this section, partnership gross value is $3,250,000 (the 
amount that, if assigned to all partnership property, would result in a 
liquidating distribution to D equal to $750,000).
    (iii) Under paragraph (a)(5) of this section, the residual section 
197 intangibles value is $250,000 (the amount by which partnership gross 
value, $3,250,000, exceeds the aggregate value of partnership property 
other than section 197 intangibles, $3,000,000). Intangible 1 has 
potential gain that would be treated as unrealized receivables under the 
flush language of section 751(c). The flush language receivables value 
in Intangible 1 is $300,000 (the sum of PRS's basis in Intangible 1, 
$50,000, and the amount of ordinary income, $250,000, that the 
partnership would recognize if Intangible 1 were sold for its actual 
fair market value). Because the residual section 197 intangibles value, 
$250,000, is less than the flush language receivables value of 
Intangible 1, Intangible 1 is assigned a value of $250,000, and 
Intangible 2 and goodwill and going concern value are assigned a value 
of zero. D's section 743(b) adjustment must be allocated under paragraph 
(b) of this section using these assigned fair market values.
    Example 4. Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that the 
fair market values of Intangible 1 and Intangible 2 are each $300,000, 
and that A does not sell its interest in PRS. Instead, A contributes its 
interest in PRS to E, a newly formed corporation wholly-owned by A, in a 
transaction described in section 351. Assume that the contribution 
results in a basis adjustment under section 743(b) (other than zero). 
PRS determines that its value as a going concern immediately following 
the contribution is $3,000,000. Under

[[Page 573]]

paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section, partnership gross value is 
$4,000,000 (the value of PRS as a going concern, $3,000,000, increased 
by the partnership's liability, $1,000,000, immediately after the 
contribution). Under paragraph (a)(5) of this section, the residual 
section 197 intangibles value is $1,000,000 (the amount by which 
partnership gross value, $4,000,000, exceeds the aggregate value of 
partnership property other than section 197 intangibles, $3,000,000). Of 
the residual section 197 intangibles value, $300,000 is assigned to each 
of Intangible 1 and Intangible 2, and $400,000 is assigned to goodwill 
and going concern value (the amount by which the residual section 197 
intangibles value, $1,000,000, exceeds the fair market value of section 
197 intangibles other than goodwill and going concern value, $600,000). 
E's section 743(b) adjustment must be allocated under paragraph (b)(5) 
of this section using these assigned fair market values.
    Example 5. G is the sole general partner in PRS, a limited 
partnership having three equal partners (G, H, and I). PRS has goodwill 
and going concern value, two section 197 intangibles other than goodwill 
and going concern value (Intangible 1 and Intangible 2), and two capital 
assets with fair market values (determined using all the facts and 
circumstances) as follows: Vacant land worth $1,000,000, and a building 
worth $2,000,000. The fair market value of each of Intangible 1 and 
Intangible 2 is $300,000. PRS has one liability of $1,000,000, for which 
G bears the entire risk of loss under section 752 and the regulations 
thereunder. PRS distributes the land to H in liquidation of H's interest 
in PRS. Immediately prior to the distribution, PRS's basis in the land 
is $800,000, and H's basis in its interest in PRS is $750,000. The 
distribution causes the partnership to increase the basis of its 
remaining property by $50,000 under section 734(b)(1)(B). PRS determines 
that its value as a going concern immediately following the distribution 
is $2,000,000. Under paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section, partnership 
gross value is $3,000,000 (the value of PRS as a going concern, 
$2,000,000, increased by the partnership's liability, $1,000,000, 
immediately after the distribution). Under paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section, the residual section 197 intangibles value of PRS's section 197 
intangibles is $1,000,000 (the amount by which partnership gross value, 
$3,000,000, exceeds the aggregate value of partnership property other 
than section 197 intangibles, $2,000,000). Of the residual section 197 
intangibles value, $300,000 is assigned to each of Intangible 1 and 
Intangible 2, and $400,000 is assigned to goodwill and going concern 
value (the amount by which the residual section 197 intangibles value, 
$1,000,000, exceeds the fair market value of section 197 intangibles 
other than goodwill and going concern value, $600,000). PRS's section 
734(b) adjustment must be allocated under paragraph (c) of this section 
using these assigned fair market values.

    (b) Adjustments under section 743(b)--(1) Generally. (i) 
Application. For basis adjustments under section 743(b) resulting from 
substituted basis transactions, paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall 
apply. For basis adjustments under section 743(b) resulting from all 
other transfers, paragraphs (b)(2) through (4) of this section shall 
apply. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, the 
portion of the basis adjustment allocated to one class of property may 
be an increase while the portion allocated to the other class is a 
decrease. This would be the case even though the total amount of the 
basis adjustment is zero. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this 
section, the portion of the basis adjustment allocated to one item of 
property within a class may be an increase while the portion allocated 
to another is a decrease. This would be the case even though the basis 
adjustment allocated to the class is zero.
    (ii) Hypothetical transaction. For purposes of paragraphs (b)(2) 
through (b)(4) of this section, the allocation of the basis adjustment 
under section 743(b) between the classes of property and among the items 
of property within each class are made based on the allocations of 
income, gain, or loss (including remedial allocations under Sec. 1.704-
3(d)) that the transferee partner would receive (to the extent 
attributable to the acquired partnership interest) if, immediately after 
the transfer of the partnership interest, all of the partnership's 
property were disposed of in a fully taxable transaction for cash in an 
amount equal to the fair market value of such property (the hypothetical 
transaction).
    (2) Allocations between classes of property--(i) In general. The 
amount of the basis adjustment allocated to the class of ordinary income 
property is equal to the total amount of income, gain, or loss 
(including any remedial allocations under Sec. 1.704-3(d)) that would 
be allocated to the transferee (to the extent attributable to the 
acquired partnership interest) from the sale of all ordinary income 
property in the hypothetical transaction. The amount of

[[Page 574]]

the basis adjustment to capital gain property is equal to--
    (A) The total amount of the basis adjustment under section 743(b); 
less
    (B) The amount of the basis adjustment allocated to ordinary income 
property under the preceding sentence; provided, however, that in no 
event may the amount of any decrease in basis allocated to capital gain 
property exceed the partnership's basis (or in the case of property 
subject to the remedial allocation method, the transferee's share of any 
remedial loss under Sec. 1.704-3(d) from the hypothetical transaction) 
in capital gain property. In the event that a decrease in basis 
allocated to capital gain property would otherwise exceed the 
partnership's basis in capital gain property, the excess must be applied 
to reduce the basis of ordinary income property.
    (ii) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph (b)(2) are 
illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. (i) A and B form equal partnership PRS. A contributes 
$50,000 and Asset 1, a nondepreciable capital asset with a fair market 
value of $50,000 and an adjusted tax basis of $25,000. B contributes 
$100,000. PRS uses the cash to purchase Assets 2, 3, and 4. After a 
year, A sells its interest in PRS to T for $120,000. At the time of the 
transfer, A's share of the partnership's basis in partnership assets is 
$75,000. Therefore, T receives a $45,000 basis adjustment.
    (ii) Immediately after the transfer of the partnership interest to 
T, the adjusted basis and fair market value of PRS's assets are as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Assets
                                         -------------------------------
                                                            Fair market
                                          Adjusted basis       value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Gain Property:
    Asset 1.............................         $25,000         $75,000
    Asset 2.............................         100,000         117,500
Ordinary Income Property:
    Asset 3.............................          40,000          45,000
    Asset 4.............................          10,000           2,500
                                         -----------------
        Total...........................         175,000         240,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) If PRS sold all of its assets in a fully taxable transaction 
at fair market value immediately after the transfer of the partnership 
interest to T, the total amount of capital gain that would be allocated 
to T is equal to $46,250 ($25,000 section 704(c) built-in gain from 
Asset 1, plus fifty percent of the $42,500 appreciation in capital gain 
property). T would also be allocated a $1,250 ordinary loss from the 
sale of the ordinary income property.
    (iv) The amount of the basis adjustment that is allocated to 
ordinary income property is equal to ($1,250) (the amount of the loss 
allocated to T from the hypothetical sale of the ordinary income 
property).
    (v) The amount of the basis adjustment that is allocated to capital 
gain property is equal to $46,250 (the amount of the basis adjustment, 
$45,000, less ($1,250), the amount of loss allocated to T from the 
hypothetical sale of the ordinary income property).
    Example 2 . (i) A and B form equal partnership PRS. A and B each 
contribute $1,000 cash which the partnership uses to purchase Assets 1, 
2, 3, and 4. After a year, A sells its partnership interest to T for 
$1,000. T's basis adjustment under section 743(b) is zero.
    (ii) Immediately after the transfer of the partnership interest to 
T, the adjusted basis and fair market value of PRS's assets are as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Assets
                                         -------------------------------
                                                            Fair market
                                          Adjusted basis       value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Gain Property:
    Asset 1.............................            $500            $750
    Asset 2.............................             500             500
Ordinary Income Property:
    Asset 3.............................             500             250
    Asset 4.............................             500             500
                                         -----------------
        Total...........................           2,000           2,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 575]]

    (iii) If, immediately after the transfer of the partnership interest 
to T, PRS sold all of its assets in a fully taxable transaction at fair 
market value, T would be allocated a loss of $125 from the sale of the 
ordinary income property. Thus, the amount of the basis adjustment to 
ordinary income property is ($125). The amount of the basis adjustment 
to capital gain property is $125 (zero, the amount of the basis 
adjustment under section 743(b), less ($125), the amount of the basis 
adjustment allocated to ordinary income property).

    (3) Allocation within the class--(i) Ordinary income property. The 
amount of the basis adjustment to each item of property within the class 
of ordinary income property is equal to--
    (A) The amount of income, gain, or loss (including any remedial 
allocations under Sec. 1.704-3(d)) that would be allocated to the 
transferee (to the extent attributable to the acquired partnership 
interest) from the hypothetical sale of the item; reduced by
    (B) The product of--
    (1) Any decrease to the amount of the basis adjustment to ordinary 
income property required pursuant to the last sentence of paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section; multiplied by
    (2) A fraction, the numerator of which is the fair market value of 
the item of property to the partnership and the denominator of which is 
the total fair market value of all of the partnership's items of 
ordinary income property.
    (ii) Capital gain property. The amount of the basis adjustment to 
each item of property within the class of capital gain property is equal 
to--
    (A) The amount of income, gain, or loss (including any remedial 
allocations under Sec. 1.704-3(d)) that would be allocated to the 
transferee (to the extent attributable to the acquired partnership 
interest) from the hypothetical sale of the item; minus
    (B) The product of--
    (1) The total amount of gain or loss (including any remedial 
allocations under Sec. 1.704-3(d)) that would be allocated to the 
transferee (to the extent attributable to the acquired partnership 
interest) from the hypothetical sale of all items of capital gain 
property, minus the amount of the positive basis adjustment to all items 
of capital gain property or plus the amount of the negative basis 
adjustment to capital gain property; multiplied by
    (2) A fraction, the numerator of which is the fair market value of 
the item of property to the partnership, and the denominator of which is 
the fair market value of all of the partnership's items of capital gain 
property.
    (iii) Special rules--(A) Assets in which partner has no interest. An 
asset with respect to which the transferee partner has no interest in 
income, gain, losses, or deductions shall not be taken into account in 
applying paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this section.
    (B) Limitation in decrease of basis. In no event may the amount of 
any decrease in basis allocated to an item of capital gain property 
under paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this section exceed the partnership's 
adjusted basis in that item (or in the case of property subject to the 
remedial allocation method, the transferee's share of any remedial loss 
under Sec. 1.704-3(d) from the hypothetical transaction). In the event 
that a decrease in basis allocated under paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this 
section to an item of capital gain property would otherwise exceed the 
partnership's adjusted basis in that item, the excess must be applied to 
reduce the remaining basis, if any, of other capital gain assets pro 
rata in proportion to the bases of such assets (as adjusted under this 
paragraph (b)(3)).
    (iv) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph (b)(3) are 
illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. (i) Assume the same facts as Example 1 in paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section. Of the $45,000 basis adjustment, $46,250 was 
allocated to capital gain property. The amount allocated to ordinary 
income property was ($1,250).
    (ii) Asset 1 is a capital gain asset, and T would be allocated 
$37,500 from the sale of Asset 1 in the hypothetical transaction. 
Therefore, the amount of the adjustment to Asset 1 is $37,500.
    (iii) Asset 2 is a capital gain asset, and T would be allocated 
$8,750 from the sale of Asset 2 in the hypothetical transaction. 
Therefore, the amount of the adjustment to Asset 2 is $8,750.
    (iv) Asset 3 is ordinary income property, and T would be allocated 
$2,500 from the sale of Asset 3 in the hypothetical transaction. 
Therefore, the amount of the adjustment to Asset 3 is $2,500.

[[Page 576]]

    (v) Asset 4 is ordinary income property, and T would be allocated 
($3,750) from the sale of Asset 4 in the hypothetical transaction. 
Therefore, the amount of the adjustment to Asset 4 is ($3,750).
    Example 2. (i) Assume the same facts as Example 1 in paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section, except that A sold its interest in PRS to T 
for $110,000 rather than $120,000. T, therefore, receives a basis 
adjustment under section 743(b) of $35,000. Of the $35,000 basis 
adjustment, ($1,250) is allocated to ordinary income property, and 
$36,250 is allocated to capital gain property.
    (ii) Asset 3 is ordinary income property, and T would be allocated 
$2,500 from the sale of Asset 3 in the hypothetical transaction. 
Therefore, the amount of the adjustment to Asset 3 is $2,500.
    (iii) Asset 4 is ordinary income property, and T would be allocated 
($3,750) from the sale of Asset 4 in the hypothetical transaction. 
Therefore, the amount of the adjustment to Asset 4 is ($3,750).
    (iv) Asset 1 is a capital gain asset, and T would be allocated 
$37,500 from the sale of Asset 1 in the hypothetical transaction. Asset 
2 is a capital gain asset, and T would be allocated $8,750 from the sale 
of Asset 2 in the hypothetical transaction. The total amount of gain 
that would be allocated to T from the sale of the capital gain assets in 
the hypothetical transaction is $46,250, which exceeds the amount of the 
basis adjustment allocated to capital gain property by $10,000. The 
amount of the adjustment to Asset 1 is $33,604 ($37,500 minus $3,896 
($10,000x$75,000/$192,500)). The amount of the basis adjustment to Asset 
2 is $2,646 ($8,750 minus $6,104 ($10,000x$117,500/$192,500)).

    (4) Income in respect of a decedent--(i) In general. Where a 
partnership interest is transferred as a result of the death of a 
partner, under section 1014(c) the transferee's basis in its partnership 
interest is not adjusted for that portion of the interest, if any, which 
is attributable to items representing income in respect of a decedent 
under section 691. See Sec. 1.742-1. Accordingly, if a partnership 
interest is transferred as a result of the death of a partner, and the 
partnership holds assets representing income in respect of a decedent, 
no part of the basis adjustment under section 743(b) is allocated to 
these assets. See Sec. 1.743-1(b).
    (ii) The provisions of this paragraph (b)(4) are illustrated by the 
following example:

    Example. (i) A and B are equal partners in personal service 
partnership PRS. In 2004, as a result of B's death, B's partnership 
interest is transferred to T when PRS's balance sheet (reflecting a cash 
receipts and disbursements method of accounting) is as follows (based on 
all the facts and circumstances):

                                 Assets
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Fair
                                                     Adjusted    market
                                                      basis      value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 197 Intangible............................     $2,000     $5,000
Unrealized Receivables............................          0     15,000
                                                   ---------------------
        Total.....................................     $2,000    $20,000
---------------------------------------------------
                         Liabilities and Capital
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Adjusted     Fair
                                                    per books    market
                                                                 value
---------------------------------------------------
Capital:
    A.............................................      1,000     10,000
    B.............................................      1,000     10,000
                                                   ---------------------
        Total.....................................     $2,000    $20,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) None of the assets owned by PRS is section 704(c) property, and 
the section 197 intangible is not amortizable. The fair market value of 
T's partnership interest on the applicable date of valuation set forth 
in section 1014 is $10,000. Of this amount, $2,500 is attributable to 
T's 50% share of the partnership's section 197 intangible, and $7,500 is 
attributable to T's 50% share of the partnership's unrealized 
receivables. The partnership's unrealized receivables represent income 
in respect of a decedent. Accordingly, under section 1014(c), T's basis 
in its partnership interest is not adjusted for that portion of the 
interest which is attributable to the unrealized receivables. Therefore, 
T's basis in its partnership interest is $2,500.
    (iii) Under paragraph (a)(4)(i)(C) of this section, solely for 
purposes of determining partnership gross value, T's basis in its 
partnership interest is deemed to be $10,000. Under paragraph (a)(4)(i) 
of this section, partnership gross value is $20,000 (the amount that, if 
assigned to all partnership property, would result in a liquidating 
distribution to T equal to $10,000).
    (iv) Under paragraph (a)(5) of this section, the residual section 
197 intangibles value is $5,000 (the excess of partnership gross value, 
$20,000, over the aggregate value of assets other than section 197 
intangibles, $15,000). The residual section 197 intangibles value is 
assigned first to section 197 intangibles other than goodwill and going 
concern value, and then to goodwill and going concern value. Thus, 
$5,000 is assigned to the section 197 intangible, and $0 is assigned to 
goodwill and going concern value. T's section 743(b) adjustment must be 
allocated using these assigned fair market values.
    (v) At the time of the transfer, B's share of the partnership's 
basis in partnership assets

[[Page 577]]

is $1,000. Accordingly, T receives a $1,500 basis adjustment under 
section 743(b). Under this paragraph (b)(4), the entire basis adjustment 
is allocated to the partnership's section 197 intangible.

    (5) Substituted basis transactions--(i) In general. This paragraph 
(b)(5) applies to basis adjustments under section 743(b) that result 
from exchanges in which the transferee's basis in the partnership 
interest is determined in whole or in part by reference to the 
transferor's basis in that interest. For exchanges on or after June 9, 
2003, this paragraph (b)(5) also applies to basis adjustments under 
section 743(b) that result from exchanges in which the transferee's 
basis in the partnership interest is determined by reference to other 
property held at any time by the transferee. For example, this paragraph 
(b)(5) applies if a partnership interest is contributed to a corporation 
in a transaction to which section 351 applies, if a partnership interest 
is contributed to a partnership in a transaction to which section 721(a) 
applies, or if a partnership interest is distributed by a partnership in 
a transaction to which section 731(a) applies.
    (ii) Allocations between classes of property. If the total amount of 
the basis adjustment under section 743(b) is zero, then no adjustment to 
the basis of partnership property will be made under this paragraph 
(b)(5). If there is an increase in basis to be allocated to partnership 
assets, such increase must be allocated to capital gain property or 
ordinary income property, respectively, only if the total amount of gain 
or loss (including any remedial allocations under Sec. 1.704-3(d)) that 
would be allocated to the transferee (to the extent attributable to the 
acquired partnership interest) from the hypothetical sale of all such 
property would result in a net gain or net income, as the case may be, 
to the transferee. Where, under the preceding sentence, an increase in 
basis may be allocated to both capital gain assets and ordinary income 
assets, the increase shall be allocated to each class in proportion to 
the net gain or net income, respectively, which would be allocated to 
the transferee from the sale of all assets in each class. If there is a 
decrease in basis to be allocated to partnership assets, such decrease 
must be allocated to capital gain property or ordinary income property, 
respectively, only if the total amount of gain or loss (including any 
remedial allocations under Sec. 1.704-3(d)) that would be allocated to 
the transferee (to the extent attributable to the acquired partnership 
interest) from the hypothetical sale of all such property would result 
in a net loss to the transferee. Where, under the preceding sentence, a 
decrease in basis may be allocated to both capital gain assets and 
ordinary income assets, the decrease shall be allocated to each class in 
proportion to the net loss which would be allocated to the transferee 
from the sale of all assets in each class.
    (iii) Allocations within the classes--(A) Increases. If there is an 
increase in basis to be allocated within a class, the increase must be 
allocated first to properties with unrealized appreciation in proportion 
to the transferee's share of the respective amounts of unrealized 
appreciation before such increase (but only to the extent of the 
transferee's share of each property's unrealized appreciation). Any 
remaining increase must be allocated among the properties within the 
class in proportion to the transferee's share of the amount that would 
be realized by the partnership upon the hypothetical sale of each asset 
in the class.
    (B) Decreases. If there is a decrease in basis to be allocated 
within a class, the decrease must be allocated first to properties with 
unrealized depreciation in proportion to the transferee's shares of the 
respective amounts of unrealized depreciation before such decrease (but 
only to the extent of the transferee's share of each property's 
unrealized depreciation). Any remaining decrease must be allocated among 
the properties within the class in proportion to the transferee's shares 
of their adjusted bases (as adjusted under the preceding sentence).
    (C) Limitation in decrease of basis. Where, as the result of a 
transaction to which this paragraph (b)(5) applies, a decrease in basis 
must be allocated to capital gain assets, ordinary income assets, or 
both, and the amount of the decrease otherwise allocable to a particular 
class exceeds the transferee's

[[Page 578]]

share of the adjusted basis to the partnership of all depreciated assets 
in that class, the transferee's negative basis adjustment is limited to 
the transferee's share of the partnership's adjusted basis in all 
depreciated assets in that class.
    (D) Carryover adjustment. Where a transferee's negative basis 
adjustment under section 743(b) cannot be allocated to any asset, 
because the adjustment exceeds the transferee's share of the adjusted 
basis to the partnership of all depreciated assets in a particular 
class, the adjustment is made when the partnership subsequently acquires 
property of a like character to which an adjustment can be made.
    (iv) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph (b)(5) are 
illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. A is a member of partnership LTP, which has made an 
election under section 754. The three partners in LTP have equal 
interests in capital and profits. Solely in exchange for a partnership 
interest in UTP, A contributes its interest in LTP to UTP in a 
transaction described in section 721. At the time of the transfer, A's 
basis in its partnership interest ($5,000) equals its share of inside 
basis (also $5,000). Under section 723, UTP's basis in its interest in 
LTP is $5,000. LTP's only two assets on the date of contribution are 
inventory with a basis of $5,000 and a fair market value of $7,500, and 
a nondepreciable capital asset with a basis of $10,000 and a fair market 
value of $7,500. The amount of the basis adjustment under section 743(b) 
to partnership property is $0 ($5,000, UTP's basis in its interest in 
LTP, minus $5,000, UTP's share of LTP's basis in partnership assets). 
Because UTP acquired its interest in LTP in a substituted basis 
transaction, and the total amount of the basis adjustment under section 
743(b) is zero, UTP receives no special basis adjustments under section 
743(b) with respect to the partnership property of LTP.
    Example 2. (i) A purchases a partnership interest in LTP at a time 
when an election under section 754 is not in effect. The three partners 
in LTP have equal interests in capital and profits. During a later year 
for which LTP has an election under section 754 in effect, and in a 
transaction that is unrelated to A's purchase of the LTP interest, A 
contributes its interest in LTP to UTP in a transaction described in 
section 721 (solely in exchange for a partnership interest in UTP). At 
the time of the transfer, A's adjusted basis in its interest in LTP is 
$20,433. Under section 721, A recognizes no gain or loss as a result of 
the contribution of its partnership interest to UTP. Under section 723, 
UTP's basis in its partnership interest in LTP is $20,433. The balance 
sheet of LTP on the date of the contribution shows the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Assets
                                         -------------------------------
                                                            Fair market
                                          Adjusted basis       value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash....................................          $5,000          $5,000
Accounts receivable.....................          10,000          10,000
Inventory...............................          20,000          21,000
Nondepreciable capital asset............          20,000          40,000
                                         -----------------
    Total...............................          55,000          76,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Liabilities and Capital
                                         -------------------------------
                                           Adjusted per     Fair market
                                               books           value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities.............................         $10,000         $10,000
Capital:
    A...................................          15,000          22,000
    B...................................          15,000          22,000
    C...................................          15,000          22,000
                                         -----------------
        Total...........................          55,000          76,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The amount of the basis adjustment under section 743(b) is the 
difference between the basis of UTP's interest in LTP and UTP's share of 
the adjusted basis to LTP of partnership property. UTP's interest in the 
previously taxed capital of LTP is $15,000 ($22,000, the amount of cash 
UTP would receive if LTP liquidated immediately after the hypothetical 
transaction, decreased by $7,000, the amount of tax gain allocated to 
UTP from the hypothetical transaction). UTP's share of the adjusted 
basis to LTP of partnership property is $18,333 ($15,000 share of 
previously taxed capital, plus $3,333 share

[[Page 579]]

of LTP's liabilities). The amount of the basis adjustment under section 
743(b) to partnership property therefore, is $2,100 ($20,433 minus 
$18,333).
    (iii) The total amount of gain that would be allocated to UTP from 
the hypothetical sale of capital gain property is $6,666.67 (one-third 
of the excess of the fair market value of LTP's nondepreciable capital 
asset, $40,000, over its basis, $20,000). The total amount of gain that 
would be allocated to UTP from the hypothetical sale of ordinary income 
property is $333.33 (one-third of the excess of the fair market value of 
LTP's inventory, $21,000, over its basis, $20,000). Under this paragraph 
(b)(5), LTP must allocate $2,000 ($6,666.67 divided by $7,000 times 
$2,100) of UTP's basis adjustment to the nondepreciable capital asset. 
LTP must allocate $100 ($333.33 divided by $7,000 times $2,100) of UTP's 
basis adjustment to the inventory.

    (c) Adjustments under section 734(b)--(1) Allocations between 
classes of property--(i) General rule. Where there is a distribution of 
partnership property resulting in an adjustment to the basis of 
undistributed partnership property under section 734(b)(1)(B) or 
(b)(2)(B), the adjustment must be allocated to remaining partnership 
property of a character similar to that of the distributed property with 
respect to which the adjustment arose. Thus, when the partnership's 
adjusted basis of distributed capital gain property immediately prior to 
distribution exceeds the basis of the property to the distributee 
partner (as determined under section 732), the basis of the 
undistributed capital gain property remaining in the partnership is 
increased by an amount equal to the excess. Conversely, when the basis 
to the distributee partner (as determined under section 732) of 
distributed capital gain property exceeds the partnership's adjusted 
basis of such property immediately prior to the distribution, the basis 
of the undistributed capital gain property remaining in the partnership 
is decreased by an amount equal to such excess. Similarly, where there 
is a distribution of ordinary income property, and the basis of the 
property to the distributee partner (as determined under section 732) is 
not the same as the partnership's adjusted basis of the property 
immediately prior to distribution, the adjustment is made only to 
undistributed property of the same class remaining in the partnership.
    (ii) Special rule. Where there is a distribution resulting in an 
adjustment under section 734(b)(1)(A) or (b)(2)(A) to the basis of 
undistributed partnership property, the adjustment is allocated only to 
capital gain property.
    (2) Allocations within the classes--(i) Increases. If there is an 
increase in basis to be allocated within a class, the increase must be 
allocated first to properties with unrealized appreciation in proportion 
to their respective amounts of unrealized appreciation before such 
increase (but only to the extent of each property's unrealized 
appreciation). Any remaining increase must be allocated among the 
properties within the class in proportion to their fair market values.
    (ii) Decreases. If there is a decrease in basis to be allocated 
within a class, the decrease must be allocated first to properties with 
unrealized depreciation in proportion to their respective amounts of 
unrealized depreciation before such decrease (but only to the extent of 
each property's unrealized depreciation). Any remaining decrease must be 
allocated among the properties within the class in proportion to their 
adjusted bases (as adjusted under the preceding sentence).
    (3) Limitation in decrease of basis. Where a decrease in the basis 
of partnership assets is required under section 734(b)(2) and the amount 
of the decrease exceeds the adjusted basis to the partnership of 
property of the required character, the basis of such property is 
reduced to zero (but not below zero).
    (4) Carryover adjustment. Where, in the case of a distribution, an 
increase or a decrease in the basis of undistributed property cannot be 
made because the partnership owns no property of the character required 
to be adjusted, or because the basis of all the property of a like 
character has been reduced to zero, the adjustment is made when the 
partnership subsequently acquires property of a like character to which 
an adjustment can be made.
    (5) Example. The following example illustrates this paragraph (c):

    Example. (i) A, B, and C form equal partnership PRS. A contributes 
$50,000 and Asset 1, nondepreciable capital gain property with a fair 
market value of $50,000 and an adjusted tax basis of $25,000. B and C 
each contributes

[[Page 580]]

$100,000. PRS uses the cash to purchase Assets 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Assets 
2 and 3 are nondepreciable capital assets, and Assets 4, 5, and 6 are 
inventory that has not appreciated substantially in value within the 
meaning of section 751(b)(3). Assets 4, 5, and 6 are the only assets 
held by the partnership that are subject to section 751. The partnership 
has an election in effect under section 754. After seven years, the 
adjusted basis and fair market value of PRS's assets are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Assets
                                         -------------------------------
                                                            Fair market
                                          Adjusted basis       value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Gain Property:
    Asset 1.............................        $ 25,000        $ 75,000
    Asset 2.............................         100,000         117,500
    Asset 3.............................          50,000          60,000
Ordinary Income Property:
    Asset 4.............................          40,000          45,000
    Asset 5.............................          50,000          60,000
    Asset 6.............................          10,000           2,500
                                         -----------------
      Total.............................         275,000         360,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Allocation between classes. Assume that PRS distributes Assets 
3 and 5 to A in complete liquidation of A's interest in the partnership. 
A's basis in the partnership interest was $75,000. The partnership's 
basis in Assets 3 and 5 was $50,000 each. A's $75,000 basis in its 
partnership interest is allocated between Assets 3 and 5 under sections 
732(b) and (c). A will, therefore, have a basis of $25,000 in Asset 3 
(capital gain property), and a basis of $50,000 in Asset 5 (section 751 
property). The distribution results in a $25,000 increase in the basis 
of capital gain property. There is no change in the basis of ordinary 
income property.
    (iii) Allocation within class. The amount of the basis increase to 
capital gain property is $25,000 and must be allocated among the 
remaining capital gain assets in proportion to the difference between 
the fair market value and basis of each. The fair market value of Asset 
1 exceeds its basis by $50,000. The fair market value of Asset 2 exceeds 
its basis by $17,500. Therefore, the basis of Asset 1 will be increased 
by $18,519 ($25,000, multiplied by $50,000, divided by $67,500), and the 
basis of Asset 2 will be increased by $6,481 ($25,000 multiplied by 
$17,500, divided by $67,500).

    (d) Required statements. See Sec. 1.743-1(k)(2) for provisions 
requiring the transferee of a partnership interest to provide 
information to the partnership relating to the transfer of an interest 
in the partnership. See Sec. 1.743-1(k)(1) for a provision requiring 
the partnership to attach a statement to the partnership return showing 
the computation of a basis adjustment under section 743(b) and the 
partnership properties to which the adjustment is allocated under 
section 755. See Sec. 1.732-1(d)(3) for a provision requiring a 
transferee partner to attach a statement to its return showing the 
computation of a basis adjustment under section 732(d) and the 
partnership properties to which the adjustment is allocated under 
section 755. See Sec. 1.732-1(d)(5) for a provision requiring the 
partnership to provide information to a transferee partner reporting a 
basis adjustment under section 732(d).
    (e) Effective Date--(1) Generally. Except as provided in paragraphs 
(b)(5) and (e)(2) of this section, this section applies to transfers of 
partnership interests and distributions of property from a partnership 
that occur on or after December 15, 1999.
    (2) Special rules. Paragraphs (a) and (b)(3)(iii) of this section 
apply to transfers of partnership interests and distributions of 
property from a partnership that occur on or after June 9, 2003.

[T.D. 8847, 64 FR 69916, Dec. 15, 1999; 65 FR 9220, Feb. 24, 2000, as 
amended by T.D. 9059, 68 FR 34295, June 9, 2003]

                               definitions