US Tax of Usufruct & Naked Ownership: FBAR & FATCA

Usufruct & Naked Ownership US Taxation

US Tax of Usufruct & Naked Ownership: Unless you live in Louisiana or are familiar with civil law, you may be unfamiliar with the concept of a usufruct and naked ownership. In many European countries, as well as in Louisiana, there is a form of ownership called naked ownership and Usufruct Law.

These types of ownership are different than the general type of asset ownership available in the U.S. It is a hybrid of estate law, trust and general ownership/borrowing concepts.

What make these types of structures even more complicated, is the reporting under IRS International Information return filing – such as FBAR & FATCA.

Naked Ownership & Usufruct

Sounds sexy, right?

Naked ownership is the concept of owning the property like a shell – without certain rights. Generally, when someone has naked ownership of a property, they own it but they do not have full rights to the property. Rather, another person has the limited right to use and enjoy the property.

In a common situation, a client will have received a gift or inheritance of a property or business. The business may generate income, but that income is all going to a 3rd party, aka the Usufruct.

Usufruct Example

Michael is 9 years old when his father purchases him a property in an up-and-coming area that has a tenant/owner.

Michael’s Father believes the value will shoot-up in the future, and wants to take advantage of the ownership now. Michael’s family does not need the income, so the immediate income and earnings is not important.

Therefore, they purchase naked ownership of the home.

  • The Usufruct is the tenant and owns the Usufructuary
  • Michael is the Naked Owner

Rights of the Usufruct

The Usufruct has limited rights to the property. This is generally is similar to someone with a life estate, including residing in the property and/or collecting rent.

It also resembles a QPRT to the extent that it allows someone to reside in the home (such as a parent), without giving them the right to sell the property or make an major changes to it.

U.S. Tax of a Usufruct

Generally, a Naked Owner of the property is not going to be taxed on the income.

Why?

Because the naked owner does not have any rights to the income.

It is similar to owning an asset as a secondary owner with no right to income. While it may be reportable (FBAR & FATCA), if there is no income attributed to the naked owner, then there is no tax.

As to the Usufruct, they would be taxed. Even if the Usufruct cannot sell the property, they are enjoying the income and therefore would pay tax on it.

Reporting for Naked Ownership & Usufruct

A Naked Owner would presumably have to report the asset and possibly for the Usufruct.

Why?

An income stream is not required for someone to have to report the assets, so therefore the naked owner would have a reporting requirement. In other words, assets are reportable even if there is no income attributed to it.

As to the Usufruct, since they are receiving the income, the IRS may take the position that the Usufruct is a constructive owner. Since offshore penalties for non-compliance can be very comprehensive, compliance is crucial.

Here are some common reporting examples:

FBAR (FinCEN Form 114)

Reporting Foreign Bank Accounts

FATCA Form 8938

Reporting Foreign Assets

PFIC Form 8621

Reporting Investment Funds

Form 3520

Reporting Gifts and Trust

Form 3520-A

Reporting Trust Ownership

Form 5471

Reporting Foreign Corporations

Form 8865

Reporting Foreign Partnerships

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