n-02-29.pdf

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# Part III - Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous

Section 469 and Gain Recognition Election Notice

Notice 2002-29

This notice explains the effect under § 469 of the Internal Revenue Code of a
deemed sale of property on January 1, 2001, pursuant to an election under § 311(e) of
the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (TRA 97), 1997-4 (Vol. 1) C. B. 1, 49-50.

Section 1(h), as amended in 1997, provides for a reduced capital gains rate for
qualified 5-year gain. Section 1(h)(2)(B)(ii) limits the amount of qualified 5-year gain to
that determined by taking into account only property for which the holding period begins
after December 31, 2000. Section 311(e) of TRA 97 provides that a noncorporate
taxpayer may elect to treat a capital asset or property used in the trade or business (as
defined in § 1231(b) of the Code) held by the taxpayer on January 1, 2001, as having
been sold on January 1, 2001, for an amount equal to its fair market value and as
having been reacquired for an amount equal to its fair market value on the same date
(mark-to-market election).

Section 469(g)(1)(A) provides that, if a taxpayer disposes of the taxpayer's entire
interest in any passive activity (or former passive activity) in a fully taxable transaction
that does not involve a disposition to a related party, then the excess of the loss from
the activity for the taxable year (including any suspended passive activity loss) over any
net income or gain for the taxable year from all other passive activities shall be treated

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as a loss which is not from a passive activity. As a result, if § 469(g)(1)(A) applies, the
excess loss from the activity over any net income from all passive activities is no longer
subject to the limitations of § 469.

A question has arisen whether electing a deemed sale of property under § 311(e)
of TRA 97 is treated as a disposition of that property under § 469(g)(1)(A).

In a technical correction to § 311(e), § 414(a)(2) of the Job Creation and Worker
Assistance Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-147, 116 Stat. 21, clarifies that a mark-to-
market election is not a disposition for purposes of § 469(g)(1)(A). Thus, the gain
included in gross income by reason of a mark-to-market election may be passive
activity gross income that can be offset by passive activity deductions, but the election
does not otherwise affect the determination of the passive activity loss that is disallowed
under § 469.

The principal author of this notice is Tara P. Volungis of the Office of Associate
Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries). For further information regarding
this notice, contact Ms. Volungis on (202) 622-3080 (not a toll-free call).