WAC 458-61A-103   Transfers involving an underlying debt.  (1) Introduction. The real estate excise tax applies to transfers of real property when the grantee relieves the grantor from an underlying debt on the property or makes payments on the grantor's debt. The measure of the tax is the combined amount of the underlying debt on the property and any other consideration.

     For example, Yen transfers property to Lee that is subject to an underlying debt. Yen is personally liable for the debt, meaning that if Yen does not make the payments the lender may foreclose on the property and obtain a judgment against Yen if the value of the property is insufficient to pay the debt. Lee agrees to make all future payments on Yen's debt but gives no other consideration for the property. Yen owes real estate excise tax on the amount of the underlying debt. Lee's payments on the underlying debt relieve Yen of her debt obligation. Therefore, Yen receives consideration.

     (2) Transfers where grantor has no personal liability for the underlying debt. Real estate excise tax does not apply to transfers of real property subject to an underlying debt when the grantor has no personal liability for the debt and receives no other consideration for the transfer.

     For example, Yen purchases property with funds obtained from PSP Corporation and secured only by the property. Yen has no personal liability for this debt. If Yen fails to make payments on the debt, PSP may foreclose on the property but it may not obtain a judgment against Yen. Yen transfers the property to Lee subject to the underlying debt. Lee takes the property subject to the underlying debt, and does not give any other consideration for the property. If Lee fails to make payments, PSP may foreclose on the property but it may not obtain a judgment against Lee (who, like Yen before, has no personal liability for the debt). Because Yen is not personally liable for the debt, Lee's payments on the underlying debt to PSP do not relieve Yen of any liability for the debt. The real estate excise tax does not apply to this transfer because there is no consideration.

     (3) Documentation. In order to avoid the incidence of the tax, the grantor must present and maintain proper documentation to verify the type of debt and to confirm that fact that the grantor is not personally liable for the debt.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 82.32.300, 82.01.060(2), and82.45.150 . 05-23-093, § 458-61A-103, filed 11/16/05, effective 12/17/05.]