Spoiling a Fresh Start: In re Dawes and a Family Farmer’s Ability to Reorganize Under Chapter 12 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code

On June 21, 2011, the Tenth Circuit, in In re Dawes, held that post-petition capital gains taxes are incurred by the individual debtor rather than the bankruptcy estate. Consequently, such tax liabilities are not eligible for downgrade and discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 1222(a)(2)(A). This Comment argues that, although the Dawes decision contradicts the legislative intent underlying the enactment of Chapter 12, it correctly interprets the plain language of the statute.