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My wife is a tax attorney: David K. Johnston (source of tax returns) is a VERY reputable source.
11 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-got-a-big-break-on-2005-taxes-1458249902
By Richard Rubin
March 17, 2016 5:25 p.m. ET
137 COMMENTS
Donald Trump was able to deduct $39.1 million from his 2005 federal income taxes by pledging not to build houses on a New Jersey golf course he owns, according to public records.
An appraisal conducted for the 2005 transaction determined that Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. was worth $49.5 million if it could be split into 33 estates, but just $10.4 million as a golf course. Tax law lets property owners impose permanent conservation restrictions and then claim charitable deductions for the reduction in value. Those restrictions curb what future owners may do with a property.
In 2005, according to the Internal Revenue Service, 2,186 taxpayers claimed so-called conservation easements for a total of $1.8 billion. That means Mr. Trump’s $39.1 million would have represented about 2% of all such deductions nationwide that year.
By Richard Rubin
March 17, 2016 5:25 p.m. ET
137 COMMENTS
Donald Trump was able to deduct $39.1 million from his 2005 federal income taxes by pledging not to build houses on a New Jersey golf course he owns, according to public records.
An appraisal conducted for the 2005 transaction determined that Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. was worth $49.5 million if it could be split into 33 estates, but just $10.4 million as a golf course. Tax law lets property owners impose permanent conservation restrictions and then claim charitable deductions for the reduction in value. Those restrictions curb what future owners may do with a property.
In 2005, according to the Internal Revenue Service, 2,186 taxpayers claimed so-called conservation easements for a total of $1.8 billion. That means Mr. Trump’s $39.1 million would have represented about 2% of all such deductions nationwide that year.
