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The William O. Douglas Tax Factor: Where Did The Spin Stop And Who Was He Looking Out For?, I Jay Katz

Irwin J Katz

ABSTRACT THE WILLIAM 0. DOUGLAS TAX FACTOR: WHERE DID THE SPIN STOP AND WHO WAS HE LOOKING OUT FOR?

Although much better known for his opinions regarding constitutional law and individual rights, Justice William 0. Douglas also left an indelible mark in tax law. Throughout his thirty-six year tenure on the Supreme Court, Douglas wrote a significant number of majority and dissenting opinions in some of the most famous tax law cases of his day. As the title of the article suggests, most of Douglas's opinions were full of spin from the bias of the party he favored and read …

The Untold Story Of Crane V. Commissioner Reveals An Inconvenient Tax Truth: Useless Depreciation Deductions Cause Global Basis Erosion To Bait A Hazardous Tax Trap For Unwitting Taxpayers, I Jay Katz

Irwin J Katz

Facts not discussed in the Supreme Court's decision in Crane v. Commissioner (much better known for Footnote 37) reveal an inconvenient tax truth of a hazardous tax trap for unwitting taxpayers (the "Basis Reduction Tax Trap"). For seven years, Beulah Crane operated an apartment building at a loss. For that reason, the substantial amount of allowable depreciation deductions on the building produced minimal tax benefits for her. Notwithstanding the lack of tax benefits, the basis of the apartment building was reduced by the depreciation deductions pursuant to section 1016(a) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under threat of foreclosure, Beulah …