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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

Income tax receivable as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 consists of $1,766 in income tax refunds.

Income taxes have been provided using the liability method under ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”).  The liability method is used in accounting for income taxes where deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. In accordance with ASC 740, Avatar evaluates its deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. ASC 740 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. During 2008, we established a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. Our cumulative loss position over the evaluation period and the uncertain and volatile market conditions provided significant evidence supporting the need for a valuation allowance. During the six months ended June 30, 2011 we recognized an increase of $10,271 in the valuation allowance. As of June 30, 2011, our deferred tax asset valuation allowance was $32,793. In future periods, the allowance could be reduced based on sufficient evidence indicating that it is more likely than not that a portion of our deferred tax assets will be realized.

On October 25, 2010, we received notification from the Internal Revenue Service that our federal income tax returns for tax years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009 are being examined. At this time it is not determinable as to the outcome of their examination as the IRS is in the preliminary stages of its review.

In 2006, we closed on substantially all of the land sold under the threat of condemnation, and in 2007 we closed on the remainder. We believe these transactions entitled us to defer the payment of income taxes of $24,355 from the gain on these sales. During October 2009, we received from the Internal Revenue Service a final extension until December 31, 2010 to obtain replacement property to defer the entire payment of income taxes. As a result of the property acquisitions during 2009 and 2010 including the JEN Transaction, we believe the properties acquired will satisfy the required replacement property; however, we are uncertain as to the final determination. If it is determined that we have not acquired a sufficient amount of replacement property, we may be required to make an income tax payment plus interest on the portion determined not to have been replaced as of December 31, 2010.