Farid-Es-Sultaneh v. Commissioner

Farid-Es-Sultaneh v. Commissioner
CourtUnited States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Full case name Farid-Es-Sultaneh v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
DecidedApril 11, 1947
Citation160 F.2d 812 (2d Cir. 1947)
Court membership
Judges sittingThomas Walter Swan, Harrie B. Chase, Charles Edward Clark
Case opinions
MajorityChase, joined by Swan
DissentClark

Farid-Es-Sultaneh v. Commissioner, 160 F.2d 812 (2d Cir. 1947) is a United States federal income tax case. It is notable (and thus appears frequently in law school casebooks) for the following holding:

  • Appreciated property, transferred to a wife pursuant to an antenuptial agreement, was not a gift, but was consideration for which she sold her inchoate marital rights.
  • This applies the general rule, that a taxpayer recognizes a gain on the transfer of appreciated property in satisfaction of a legal obligation.
  • Therefore, the property's basis in her hands was not a "carryover" (gift) basis from her husband. Instead, the court set its basis at its fair market value.