Definition of "Unadjusted Basis"

The unadjusted basis of assets is the actual price paid for purchasing an asset without any reductions from depreciation deductions. In order words, the unadjusted basis is an asset’s original cost. The only added costs included in the unadjusted basis besides the original cost of an asset are expenses and liabilities assumed by the buyer to purchase the asset.

While an unadjusted basis does not include any changes that incur on the purchase price over time, the adjusted basis does. The unadjusted basis is similar in ways to the concept of cost basis, and it also includes depreciation. It is strictly used for tax purposes to determine the capital gains and losses on a sale.

What is the Unadjusted Basis Immediately after Acquisition?

The unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition (UBIA) is one of the two items that affect qualified business income (QBI) through the Tax Cuts and Job Acts, namely the Section 199A deductions. The UBIA is the basis of qualified property based on the date when the asset was placed in service. Qualified property is considered any tangible property owned, used by the business in producing QBI.

From that, we get the following question. What is the unadjusted basis of qualified property? Determining a qualified property for the UBIA calculation, we have to consider any property owned by a company and enter a depreciation period that starts when the property is placed in service for that company and ends later on (up to 10 years). 

What is the Unadjusted Basis in General Real Estate?

To simplify the concept above, which only applies to businesses, we will look at what happens to a real estate owner on an unadjusted basis. As we already mentioned, the unadjusted basis is used to determine the original cost of the purchase.

Looking at John, a homeowner, who bought a house for his family, we will see the cost he incurred for the purchase. John bought his property by paying $50,000 in cash as a downpayment, and the rest came from a $150,000 mortgage. Through the purchase agreement, John agreed to pay the closing costs of the transaction of $6,000. John’s unadjusted basis for the property is his $50,000 added to the $150,000 mortgage and the $6,000 closing costs.

$50,000 + $150,000 + $6,000 = $206,000

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

As a hopeful house hunter, renter, or seasoned real estate investor, you've probably come across baffling terms. One such term is "adhesion contract." It might sound complex, but don't ...

(1) Methods that involve discounting the future cash flows generated by an income property. These techniques are used primarily for valuation. (2) Methods of selecting and ranking ...

A recorded plat defines a subdivision map that you have to file in the county recorder’s office. It will show the location and boundaries of your parcels of land. Knowing this, we can ...

(1) Judgment against a defendant who does not respond to the plaintiffs lawsuit or fails to appear in court at the hearing or trial date. (2) Judgment issued by the court against the ...

Characteristic of a trust that prevents the invasion of its principal by the trustees while providing a lifetime income to its principal beneficiary with the rest going to the son's ...

Legal lien on property on behalf of an individual who has not been paid for material furnished in constructing property. The material enhanced the value of the property, and as such the ...

Homes with division of ownership or use of a resort unit on the basis of time periods. For example, a resort home may be divided into 25 time shares of two weeks each, with two weeks left ...

A reassessment or a reappraising is a decision or strategy made by the owner or the state or local authorities. The reassessment definition is a revision of an earlier assessment. Property ...

Underground pit or tank used to store sewage. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions