Ansel purchased raw land three years ago for $200,000 to hold as an investment. After watching the value of the land drop to $150,000, he decided to contribute it to Mountainside Developers LLC in exchange for a 5 percent capital and profits interest. Mountainside plans to develop the property and will treat it as inventory, like all of the other real estate it holds.
a. If Mountainside sells the property for $150,000 after holding it for one year, how much gain or loss does it recognize, and what is the character of its gain or loss?
b. If Mountainside sells the property for $125,000 after holding it for two years, how much gain or loss does it recognize, and what is the character of the gain or loss?
c. If Mountainside sells the property for $150,000 after holding it six years, how much gain or loss is recognized, and what is the character of the gain or loss?