Steve Drake sells a rental house on January 1, 2016, and receives $120,000 cash and a note for $45,000 at 10 percent interest. The purchaser also assumes the mortgage on the property of $35,000. Steve's original cost for the house was $180,000 and accumulated depreciation was $30,000 on the date of sale. He collects only the $120,000 down payment in the year of sale.

If Steve elects to recognize the total gain on the property in the year of sale, calculate the taxable gain.

Would the answer be $50,000 or $15,000 (50,000 - 35,000 mortgage)?