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Exhibit 10.16  


 
 

TAX INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT    
    


        TAX INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT, dated as of            , 2004 (the "Agreement"), among Sunset Investment Corporation, a
Virginia corporation (the "Company"),
Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Parent") and Christopher Clemente ("Stockholder"). 


        A.
The Company has been an "S corporation" (as defined in section 1361 (a) (1) of the Code (as hereinafter defined)) for federal tax purposes since inception. 


        B.
The Company and the Stockholder plan to merge the Company with and into Comstock Holding Company, Inc. ("CHCI") prior to the closing of the Public Offering (as hereinafter
defined). 


        C.
Immediately subsequent to the merger of the Company with and into CHCI, CHCI will be merged with and into Parent on the Termination Date (as hereinafter defined). 



        D.
Parent, the Company and the Stockholder desire to address certain matters among themselves in respect of the allocation of taxable income and liability for taxes. 


        E.
Parent, the Company and the Stockholder wish to provide for the termination of this Agreement such that it has no effect should the Public Offering not close. 


        NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows: 


 
 

ARTICLE I    
    
    DEFINITIONS    
    


        1.1.    DEFINITIONS.    


        The
following terms as used herein have the following meanings: 


        "Adjustment
Amount" means the net increase in taxable income of one or more of the Stockholders, the Company, CHCI or Parent based on a Final Determination and that gives rise to a
payment pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 hereof. 


        "Affected
Stockholder" means a Stockholder whose tax returns are adjusted in a manner which gives rise to an obligation of the Company pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof. 


        "Affiliated
Companies" means CHCI, Comstock Homes, Inc. and Comstock Service Corp., Inc., each a Virginia corporation affiliated with the Company through common ownership
by Parent. 


        "Closing
Date" means the date on which the Public Offering closes. 


        "Code"
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 


        "C
Short Year" means that portion of Parent's year beginning on the Termination Date. 


        "C
Taxable Year" means any taxable year (or portion thereof) of Parent or CHCI during which the Parent or CHCI is a C corporation for federal income tax purposes, including the C Short
Year. 


        "Final
Determination" means the final resolution of any income or franchise tax liability (excluding all related interest and penalties) for a taxable period. A Final Determination shall
result from the first to occur of: 



        (i)    the
expiration of 90 days after acceptance by the Internal Revenue Service of a Waiver of Restrictions on Assessment and Collection of Deficiency in Tax and
Acceptance of Overassessment (the "Waiver") on Federal Revenue Form 870 or 870-AD (or any successor comparable form or 








 

the
expiration of a comparable period with respect to any comparable agreement or form under the laws of any other jurisdiction), unless, within such period, the applicable taxpayer gives notice of
that taxpayer's intention to attempt to recover all or part of any amount paid pursuant to the Waiver by filing a timely claim for refund; 


        (ii)   a
decision, judgment, decree or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction that is not subject to further judicial review (by appeal or otherwise) and has become
final; 


        (iii)  the
execution of a closing agreement under section 7121 of the Code or the acceptance by the Internal Revenue Service or its counsel of an offer in compromise
under section 7122 of the Code or the execution of a comparable agreement under the laws of any other jurisdiction; 


        (iv)  the
expiration of the time for filing a claim for refund or for instituting suit in respect of a claim for refund disallowed in whole or part by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other relevant taxing authority; 


        (v)   any
other final disposition of the tax liability for such period by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations; or 



        (vi)  any
other event that the parties hereto agree is a final and irrevocable determination of the liability at issue. 




        "Public
Offering" means the initial offering of shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of Parent pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-1
originally filed by the Parent with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2004. 


        "S
Short Year" means that portion of the Company's S Termination Year beginning on the first day of such taxable year and ending on the day immediately preceding the Termination Date. 



        "S
Taxable Year" means any taxable year (or portion thereof) of the Company during which the Company was an S corporation, including the S Short Year. 


        "S
Termination Year" means the taxable year of the Company that includes the Termination Date. 


        "Taxing
Authority" means the Internal Revenue Service or any comparable state or foreign taxing authority. 


        "Tax
Benefit" means any amount by which the tax liability (including all related interest or penalties) of a Stockholder, Parent or CHCI, as applicable, in any taxable year is actually
reduced by reason of claiming, on a tax return for such year, a loss, deduction or credit for tax purposes arising from the Company being determined to have been a C corporation or an Adjustment
Amount in respect of which a payment was made pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 after taking into account all other losses, deductions, credits or other tax attributes available to such
Stockholder, Parent or the Company, as applicable. 


        "Tax
Detriment" means any amount by which the tax liability (including all related interest or penalties) of a Stockholder, Parent or CHCI, as applicable, in any taxable year is actually
increased by reason of an Adjustment Amount, on a tax return for such year, in respect of which a payment was made pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4 after taking into account all other items of
income, gain, loss, deductions or other tax attributes of such Stockholder, Parent or CHCI, as applicable. 


        "Termination
Date" means the date of the merger between the Company and CHCI. 


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ARTICLE II    
    
    TERMINATION OF S CORPORATION STATUS AND ALLOCATION OF INCOME    
    


        2.1.    TERMINATION OF S CORPORATION STATUS.    


        The
Company and the Stockholder shall take the steps reasonably necessary to cause the Company to merge into CHCI at least one day prior to the Closing Date. 



        2.2.    ALLOCATION ELECTION.    


        Parent
will elect to file a consolidated federal income tax return with CHCI for the taxable year beginning on the Termination Date in accordance with Treas. Reg.
Section 1.1502-75(a) and the Company shall consent to such election as required by Treas. Reg. Section 1.1502-75(b). 


 
 

ARTICLE III    
    
    OBLIGATIONS    
    



        3.1.    LIABILITY FOR TAXES INCURRED BY STOCKHOLDER DURING THE S SHORT
YEAR.    


        Each
Stockholder shall (a) duly include, in his or its own federal and state income tax returns, all items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit attributable to the S Short
Year in a manner consistent with the Form 1120S and the schedules thereto (and the corresponding state income or franchise tax forms
and schedules) to be filed by the Company with respect to such period, (b) file such returns no later than the due date (including extensions, if any) for filing such returns, and
(c) pay any and all taxes required to be paid for such Stockholder's taxable year that includes the S Short Year. 


        3.2.    LIABILITY FOR TAXES INCURRED BY THE COMPANY DURING THE S SHORT YEAR AND THE C SHORT
YEAR.    


        Parent
shall (a) be responsible for and effect the filing of all federal and state income or franchise tax returns for the Company with respect to the S Short Year, and for CHCI
with respect to the C Short Tax Year (b) accurately prepare and timely file such returns, and (c) pay any and all taxes required to be paid by CHCI for the C Short Tax Year. 


        3.3.    COMPANY'S INDEMNIFICATION OF STOCKHOLDER FOR TAX
LIABILITIES.    


        In
the event of an adjustment to one or more tax returns of the Company for an S Taxable Year based on a Final Determination that results in a net increase in taxable income of a
Stockholder and a corresponding adjustment to one or more tax returns of Parent or CHCI, as applicable, for a C Taxable Year that results in a Tax Benefit to Parent, Parent shall pay to any Affected
Stockholder an amount equal to the Affected Stockholder's Tax Detriment (including all related interests and penalties); provided, however, the total amount due under this Section 3.3 shall not
exceed the Tax Benefit received by Parent that is attributable to the relevant adjustment. Any amount payable under this Section 3.3 shall be paid to the Affected Stockholders in the year in
which any Tax Benefit is realized. Upon notification from the Affected Stockholder that a payment is due by such Affected Stockholder to a Taxing Authority, Parent, as applicable, shall determine any
Tax Benefit and pay the amount due hereunder to the Affected Stockholder within thirty (30) business days of such determination; provided, however, that if the Tax Benefit results in the
creation of a net operating loss carryover, Parent shall make the payment hereunder to the Affected Stockholder thirty (30) business days after the utilization by Parent, in whole or in part,
of such net operating loss carryover. 


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        3.4.    STOCKHOLDER'S INDEMNIFICATION OF THE COMPANY FOR TAX
LIABILITIES.    



        (a)   Adjustments to the Company's Taxable Income. In the event of an adjustment of one or more tax
returns of Parent or CHCI, as the case may be, for a C Taxable Year based on a Final Determination which results in a net increase in taxable income of Parent or CHCI, as applicable, for a C Taxable
Year and a corresponding adjustment to one or more tax returns of the Company for an S Taxable Year which results in a Tax Benefit to the Company or the Stockholder for the S Taxable Year, Stockholder
agrees to contribute to the capital of Parent his pro rata share (based upon the relative amount of Company stock held by Stockholder during the relevant time period) of an amount equal to the Tax
Detriment (including all related interest and penalties); provided, however, the total amount due from Stockholder under this Section 3.4(a) shall not exceed such Stockholder's Tax Benefit that
is attributable to the relevant adjustment. The amount payable under this Section 3.4(a) shall be paid to Parent in the year in which the Tax Benefit is realized. 


        (b)   Adjustments Attributable to the Company's S Status. If, based on a Final Determination, the
Company is deemed to have been a C corporation for federal, state or local income or franchise tax purposes during any period in which it reported (or intends to report) its taxable income as an S
corporation, Stockholder, subject to the limitations contained in Section 3.4(c), shall contribute to the capital of Parent his pro rata share (based upon the relative amount of Company stock
held by such Stockholder during the relevant time period) of an amount equal to the taxes, interest and penalties incurred by the Company as a result of the Company being determined to have been a C
corporation. 


        (c)   Limit on Indemnification Amount. The payments required to be made by Stockholder to the Parent
pursuant to Section 3.4(b) shall not exceed the sum of (i) Stockholder's net Tax Benefit resulting from the Company being determined to have been a C corporation and (ii) with
respect to the Company and/or any of the Affiliated Companies, $750,000 in the aggregate. 



        (d)   Time of Indemnification Payment. The Stockholder shall contribute to the capital of Parent any
amounts calculated in accordance with Section 3.4(a) within 30 business days after the receipt of the refund from the appropriate Taxing Authority attributable to such adjustment. To the extent
that any amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.4(c)(ii) exceed $250,000, the Stockholder may contribute these amounts to the capital of Parent in annual installments of $250,000 (or the
remaining balance due, if less) until paid in full. 



        3.5    GROSS UP FOR ADDITIONAL TAX.    


        In
all events and to the extent not otherwise reimbursed, the Parent hereby agrees that if any payment pursuant to this Article III is deemed to be taxable income to Stockholder,
the amount of such payment to the Stockholder shall be increased by an amount necessary to equal the Stockholder's additional Tax Detriment resulting from the receipt of a payment pursuant to this
Article III related to such amount (including, without limitation, any taxes on such additional amounts) so that the net payment, after reduction for any Tax Detriment associated with its
receipt, is equal to the amount of the Tax Detriment in respect of which such payment pursuant to this Article III is made; provided, however, that such additional amount shall not exceed the
sum of (i) the Tax Benefit to the Parent from such payment under this Section 3.5 and (ii) the excess of any Tax Benefit of the Parent from the Adjustment Amount over the amount
of the payments under Section 3.3. 


 
 

ARTICLE IV    
    
    CONTESTS/COOPERATION    
    


        4.1.    CONTESTS.    


        Whenever
the Stockholder or Parent becomes aware of an issue that they or it believe could result in a Final Determination which could give rise to a payment or indemnification
obligation under 


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Article III,
the Stockholder or Parent (as the case may be) shall promptly give notice of the issue to the other parties hereto. The Stockholder and his representatives, at their expense, shall
be entitled to participate in all conferences and meetings with or proceedings before the Internal Revenue Service or any other Taxing Authority with respect to the issue. The parties shall consult
and cooperate with each other in the negotiation and settlement or litigation of any adjustment that may give rise to any payment or indemnification obligation under Article III. All decisions
with respect to such negotiation and settlement or litigation shall be made by the parties after full, good faith consultation or pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions of Section 4.2. 



        4.2.    DISPUTE RESOLUTION.    


        (a)   If
the parties hereto are, after negotiation in good faith, unable to agree upon the appropriate application of the provisions of this Agreement, the controversy shall
be settled by a "Big 4" (or equivalent) accounting firm, other than the independent public accountants for Parent or any of its affiliates, chosen by the Parent and both of Christopher Clemente and
Gregory Benson (the "Accounting Firm"). The decision of the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final, and Parent or the Stockholder, as applicable, shall pay any amounts due under this
Agreement pursuant to such decision in accordance with the requirements of Sections 3.3 and 3.4 hereof. The applicable expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne equally by the Parent and the
Stockholder unless the Accounting Firm specifies otherwise. 


        (b)   In
the event that the Stockholder or Parent receives notice, whether verbally or in writing, of any federal, state, local or foreign tax examination, claim, settlement,
proposed adjustment or related matter that may affect in any way the liability of a Stockholder under this Agreement, such Stockholder or Parent, as applicable, shall within ten days notify the other
parties hereto in writing thereof; provided, however, that any failure to give such notice shall not reduce a party's right to indemnification under this Agreement except to the extent of actual
damage incurred by the other parties as a result of such failure. The party or parties who would be required to indemnify (the "Indemnifying Party") the other party or parties (the "Indemnified
Party") shall be entitled in their reasonable discretion and at their sole expense to handle, control and compromise or settle the defense of any matter that may give rise to a liability under this
Agreement; provided, however, that such Indemnifying Party from time to time provides assurances reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party that (i) the Indemnifying Party is financially
capable of pursuing such defense to its conclusion, and (ii) such defense is actually being pursued in a reasonable manner. 


        4.3.    COOPERATION.    



        The
parties shall make available to each other, as reasonably requested, and to any Taxing Authority all information, records or documents relating to any liability for taxes covered by
this Agreement and shall preserve such information, records and documents until the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations or extensions thereof. The party requesting such information
shall reimburse the other party for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in producing such information. 


        4.4.    COSTS.    



        Except
to the extent otherwise provided herein, each party shall bear his own costs in connection with this Agreement. 


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ARTICLE V    
    
    MISCELLANEOUS    
    



        5.1.    COUNTERPARTS AND FACSIMILES.    


        This
Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which counterparts collectively shall constitute a single instrument
representing the agreement among the parties hereto. Transmission of facsimile copies of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement will have the same effect as delivery of the
manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. 


        5.2.    CONSTRUCTION OF TERMS.    


        Nothing
herein expressed or implied is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement. 


        5.3.    GOVERNING LAW.    



        This
Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia. 


        5.4.    AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION.    


        This
Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by a writing executed by all the parties hereto. 


        5.5.    ASSIGNMENT.    



        Except
by operation of law or in connection with the sale of all or substantially all the assets of a party, this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or
indirectly, by the Stockholder without the written consent of the Company and Parent or by the Company or Parent without the written consent of both of Christopher Clemente and Gregory Benson. Any
attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. 



        5.6.    INTERPRETATION.    


        The
title, article and section headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement of the parties, and shall not in any way affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. 


        5.7.    SEVERABILITY.    



        In
the event that any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect, the same shall not in any respect affect the
validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement, and the parties shall use their best efforts to replace such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision with an enforceable
provision approximating, to the extent possible, the original intent of the parties. 


        5.8.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT.    



        This
Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect to the subject matter contained herein. There are no representations, promises,
warranties, covenants or undertakings other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject
matter. 


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        5.9.    FURTHER ASSURANCES.    



        Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, the parties shall acknowledge such other instruments and documents and take all other actions that may be reasonably required in order to
effectuate the purposes of this Agreement. 


        5.10.    WAIVERS, ETC.    


        No
failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any power or right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such
right or power or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. No waiver of any
provision of this Agreement nor consent to any departure by the parties therefrom shall in any event be effective unless it shall be in writing, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only
in the specific instance and for the purpose for which it was given. 


        5.11.    SET-OFF.    



        All
payments to be made by Stockholder or by the Company or Parent under this Agreement shall be made without set-off, counterclaim or withholding, all of which are expressly
waived. 


        5.12.    CHANGE OF LAW.    


        If,
due to any change in applicable law or regulations or the interpretation thereof by any court or other governing body having jurisdiction subsequent to the date of this Agreement,
performance of any provision of this Agreement shall be impracticable or impossible, the parties shall use their best efforts to find an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same
results as are contemplated by such provision. 


        5.13.    NOTICES.    


        All
notices under this Agreement shall be validly given if in writing and delivered personally or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid at the respective addresses set forth below 



        If
to CHCI or Parent, at: 





Comstock
Homebuilding Companies, Inc.
 Employer Headquarters Address at time of Notice  



Attention: Jubal Thompson 






        If
to Stockholder, at: 





Christopher
Clemente
 Home Address as shown in the records of the Employer at time of Notice  






or at such other address as any party may, from time to time, designate in a written notice given in a like manner. Notice given by mail shall be deemed delivered five calendar
days after the date mailed. 


        5.14.    TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.    


        This
Agreement shall terminate and be void, as if it never had been executed, if the Closing Date does not occur on or before March 31, 2005. 


[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


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        IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above. 



	 	 	SUNSET INVESTMENT CORP
	

 	
 	

By	


	 	 	 	Name:

Title:
	

 	
 	
COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.
	

 	
 	

By	


	 	 	 	Name:

Title:
	

 	
 	
STOCKHOLDER:
	

 	
 	

 CHRISTOPHER CLEMENTE




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TAX INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE II TERMINATION OF S CORPORATION STATUS AND ALLOCATION OF INCOME

ARTICLE III OBLIGATIONS

ARTICLE IV CONTESTS/COOPERATION

ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS