Final answer:
Sue's basis in the pickup truck is not $97,750 but rather her original basis in the exchanged SUV, which is $92,000. This is due to the transaction being a like-kind exchange, where Sue's adjusted basis in the given property is transferred to the new property without recognizing a gain or loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
No, Sue is not correct in thinking that her basis for the truck is $97,750. When property is exchanged in a business transaction, the basis of the new property is generally the same as the basis of the property given up, adjusted for any additional boot (cash or other property) received or given. In this case, Sue's adjusted basis for the sport-utility vehicle is $92,000, and she received $17,250 in cash plus a truck worth $97,750.
The basis of the new truck is calculated by starting with the adjusted basis of the SUV ($92,000), adding any money paid ($17,250 cash received is treated as money paid by Sue towards the truck), and then subtracting the money received ($17,250), yielding a new basis for the truck of $92,000. The formula for the basis of the new property when boot is involved is as follows: Basis of new property = Adjusted basis of property given up + Cash paid - Cash received.
Therefore, Sue's basis in the pickup truck will not be its fair market value of $97,750, but rather her original basis in the exchanged SUV ($92,000), because no monetary gain or loss is recognized in the transaction. It's a like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.