You are a senior tax accountant in the firm, Ernest & Rainhouse. Joe, a new junior accountant, has just completed an interview with a new client Harry, who is a general partner of Widget Unlimited. Harry is seeking to have Ernest & Rainhouse prepare Widget Unlimited’s Partnership Tax Return. Joe has never prepared a Partnership Tax Return and seeks your help in doing so. Additionally, there are a couple of questions Harry asks that Joe needs your assistance in answering. You are to read the scenario below and then follow the instructions.
Scenario
Henry, Hunter, and Harry formed a partnership (Widget Unlimited) on January 1, 2020. Henry and Hunter each contributed $200,000 and Harry transferred a building he had purchased two years earlier to the partnership. The building had a tax basis of $150,000 and was appraised at $300,000. The building was also encumbered with a $100,000 mortgage. The partners plan to use the building to manufacture, distribute, and sell green and purple widgets.
Harry will work full-time operating the business for which he will receive guaranteed payments (not included in expenses) of $5,000 per month. Henry and Hunter will devote less than twelve days a year to the business. At the end of 2020, Widgets Unlimited had made $6,000 in mortgage principal payments. The partnership agreement specifies that Henry, Hunter, and Harry will share in income/loss in the ratio of 3:3:4.
For the first year of operation, the partnership records disclose the following information: