ALFRED C. HAGAN, Chief Judge.
The plaintiffs in this adversary proceeding, a chapter 13 debtor and his chapter 13 trustee, want the attachment lien of the Internal Revenue Service of the United States (IRS) avoided on the debtor's interest in the Idaho Power Company employees stock option plan. The plaintiffs' cause of action is based on the theory the debtor's interest in the employee stock option plan is a security and thus the lien does not attach to the property in the hands of a bona fide purchaser, in this instance, the chapter 13 trustee, under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. § 6323(b). The plaintiffs further contend the lien is avoidable under the provisions of 11 U.S.C. § 545(2), since the lien was not perfected, and not enforceable because of 26 U.S.C. § 6323(b).
26 U.S.C. § 6323 provides:
11 U.S.C. § 545 provides:
The IRS contends its lien was perfected under Section 545 and further, the debtor's interest in the plan is not a security.
The only factual issue involved is the question of perfection of the IRS lien at the time of the debtor's filing his chapter 13 petition. According to Exhibit 6, the IRS lien was perfected by the filing of a notice of federal tax lien with the Ada County Recorder of October 30, 1989. The debtor's chapter 13 petition was filed January 31, 1991. The debtor contends the IRS released its lien but there is nothing in the record to so indicate. The lien was thus perfected under Section 545(2).
Whether the interest of the debtor in the stock option plan is or is not a security within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. § 6323(b), is irrelevant as a chapter 13 trustee cannot be considered a bona fide purchaser under that section. Section 6323(h)(6) defines a purchaser as ". . . a person who, for adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth, acquires an interest . . ."
The trustee is not a purchaser for value and therefore does not fall within the statute.
The purpose of Section 6323(b) is obviously to allow the free alienability of securities without threats of tax liability encumbrances. Such a policy would not be furthered by the application of the statute to an interest in a stock option plan in a chapter 13 case.
Malkin v. United States, 645 F. Supp. 229 (S.D.N.Y. 1986).
In conclusion, the IRS lien was perfected, and thus not avoidable under the provisions of 11 U.S.C. § 545(2). The chapter 13 trustee is not a bona fide purchaser under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. § 6323(b)(1)(A).
Relief to the plaintiffs under their complaint is denied. Counsel for the IRS may prepare an appropriate form of judgment.