Final answer:
The statement about Wade recognizing a gain of $10,000 is false. Wade's taxable benefit is actually $60,000, which is the difference between the fair market value of the lot he's purchasing and the price he paid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Wade must recognize a gain of $10,000 is false. When an employee receives property from an employer for less than its fair market value, the difference between the property's fair market value and what the employee pays for it is generally treated as compensation and is included in the employee's income. In Wade's case, the fair market value of the lot is $150,000, and he is purchasing it for $90,000, so he has compensation (and a taxable benefit) of $60,000, not a gain of $10,000.
For taxation purposes, when property is sold for more than its adjusted basis, the difference is considered a capital gain. In this scenario, the developer's adjusted basis is irrelevant to Wade's gain calculation. Wade's taxable benefit is based on what he would have to pay if he bought the property at its fair market value, which is the amount by which the fair market value exceeds the actual price paid.