Condominium Association Taxation

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Federal Income Tax Law
Condominium associations are unique in that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows them to elect annually to be taxed as a regular corporation or receive special treatment and be taxed as a homeowners’ association. If electing to be taxed as a regular corporation IRC § 277 applies and Form

1120 is filed. If electing to be taxed as a homeowners’ association IRC § 528 applies and Form 1120-H is filed. The board of directors can seek advice from accountants, attorney or property manager but must ultimately decide which form to file. In order to make that choice they need to know details about the specifics of each filing option. Many associations tend to file the form which produces the lowest tax liability. However the choice is much more complex and many factors must be considered.
If an association chooses treatment under IRC § 528 it allocates its income and expenses between exempt function activities and non-exempt function activities (Checkpoint, 500.2). As the name implies, exempt function income is not taxable. Non-exempt function income, net of related expenses, is taxable. The first $50,000 of taxable income is subject to a 30% tax rate (Checkpoint, 500.2). If an association files under IRC § 277 it allocates its income and expenses between membership and non-membership activities (Checkpoint, 500.2). Non-membership income is not taxable. Membership income, net of related expenses, is taxed at regular corporate rates. Currently the first $50,000 of taxable income is subject to a 15% tax rate (Hoffman et al, 2014).
The board of directors must also be aware of the accounting requirements for income taxes. Income tax preparation is based on the amounts shown in the association’s fi...

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...me Taxes, 501 Tax Law Principles Commons to All CIRAs

Checkpoint.riag.com. Accounting, Audit & Corporate Finance Library, Editorial Materials, Specialized Industries, Homeowners’ Associations, Chapter 5 Income Taxes, 502 Form 1120-H – Taxation under IRC Section 528

Checkpoint.riag.com. Accounting, Audit & Corporate Finance Library, Editorial Materials, Specialized Industries, Homeowners’ Associations, Chapter 5 Income Taxes, 503 Form 1120 – Taxation under IRC Section 277

“CONCORD CONSUMERS HOUSING v. COMMISSIONER”| Leagle.com. http://www.leagle.com/decision/198719489ltc105_1183 (accessed April 26, 2014).

Hoffman, et al. South-Western federal taxation: comprehensive volume. 2014 ed. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2014.

"PORTLAND GOLF CLUB v. COMMISSIONER” | Leagle.com. http://www.leagle.com/decision/198826755astcm212_1223 (accessed April 26, 2014).

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