Income Tax Issues
Books and Records

Chancellor v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-50

On May 4, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Chancellor v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-50). The primary issue presented in Chancellor v. Commissioner was whether the IRS erred in disallowing deductions the petitioner claimed for certain business expenses, charitable contributions, and state and local tax. Brief Background to Chancellor v. Commissioner Ms. Viola Chancellor, of Nevada, is a notary and a paralegal.  In 2015, she received $400 from her

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Scott St. Amand May 4, 2021
Income Tax Issues
Capital Expenditures

Deducting Legal and Professional Fees

Income tax deductions are rather like hard truths. A client may not want to hear that an item is not deductible, but you know in your heart of hearts that you cannot, in good conscience, advise them otherwise. No doctor relishes the prospect of telling a patient that he is terminal. Often met with a similar grief-stricken reaction, explaining to a client that the “big ticket” deduction that they wanted to claim (or in my

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Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021
Income Tax Issues
Books and Records

The Cohan Rule and the IRC § 274 Exception

A taxpayer may deduct all ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on a trade or business.[1] In contrast, a taxpayer may not deduct personal, living, or family expenses unless the Code expressly provides otherwise.[2] The determination of whether an expense satisfies the requirements of IRC § 162 is a question of fact for the Tax Court.[3] Proving Entitlement A taxpayer must prove his entitlement to all deductions and

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Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021
Business Related Issues
Accuracy Related Penalty

Plentywood Drug Inc. v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-45

On April 26, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Plentywood Drug Inc. v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-45). The primary issues presented in Plentywood Drug, Inc. were whether the petitioner’s owners received “fair rent” or constructive dividends for the rental of the petitioner’s drug store, and whether the petitioner (a corporation) satisfied its burden to show that the IRS failed to receive prior supervisory approval for the accuracy-related penalties at

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Scott St. Amand April 26, 2021
Business Related Issues
Burden of Proof

Berry v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-42

On April 7, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Berry v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-42). The primary issues presented in Berry v. Commissioner were whether the petitioners S corporation underreported its income, whether the petitioners’ S corporation is entitled to certain claimed deductions, whether the petitioners are entitled to certain claimed deductions, and whether the petitioners are liable for accuracy-related penalties under IRC § 6662. Background to Berry v.

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Scott St. Amand April 7, 2021
Business Related Issues
Accuracy Related Penalty

Caylor Land & Development v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-30

On March 10, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Caylor Land & Development v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-30). The primary issues presented in Caylor Land & Development v. Commissioner were whether consulting payments made between the petitioner and its microcaptive insurance company were ordinary and necessary business expenses or insurance expenses. Brief Background (to Lay a Foundation for Judge Holmes’ Puns) in Caylor Land & Development v. Commissioner The

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Scott St. Amand March 10, 2021
Income Tax Issues
Business or Personal Losses

Gallegos v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-25

On March 2, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Gallegos v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-25). The primary issue presented in Gallegos v. Commissioner was whether the team roping expenses the petitioner claimed on his Schedule C as business losses were business or personal in nature. Giddy-up, ya’ll… Setting the Stage for Gallegos v. Commissioner First, this is a Judge Holmes opinion, so you know it’s going to be gold.

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Scott St. Amand March 2, 2021
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Chancellor v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-50

On May 4, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Chancellor v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-50). The primary issue presented in Chancellor v. Commissioner was whether the IRS erred in disallowing deductions the petitioner claimed for certain business expenses, charitable contributions, and state and local

Read More »
Scott St. Amand May 4, 2021

Deducting Legal and Professional Fees

Income tax deductions are rather like hard truths. A client may not want to hear that an item is not deductible, but you know in your heart of hearts that you cannot, in good conscience, advise them otherwise. No doctor relishes the prospect of telling a patient that he is

Read More »
Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021

The Cohan Rule and the IRC § 274 Exception

A taxpayer may deduct all ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on a trade or business.[1] In contrast, a taxpayer may not deduct personal, living, or family expenses unless the Code expressly provides otherwise.[2] The determination of whether an expense satisfies the requirements

Read More »
Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021

Plentywood Drug Inc. v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-45

On April 26, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Plentywood Drug Inc. v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-45). The primary issues presented in Plentywood Drug, Inc. were whether the petitioner’s owners received “fair rent” or constructive dividends for the rental of the petitioner’s drug store,

Read More »
Scott St. Amand April 26, 2021

Berry v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-42

On April 7, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Berry v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-42). The primary issues presented in Berry v. Commissioner were whether the petitioners S corporation underreported its income, whether the petitioners’ S corporation is entitled to certain claimed deductions, whether

Read More »
Scott St. Amand April 7, 2021

Caylor Land & Development v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-30

On March 10, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Caylor Land & Development v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-30). The primary issues presented in Caylor Land & Development v. Commissioner were whether consulting payments made between the petitioner and its microcaptive insurance company were ordinary

Read More »
Scott St. Amand March 10, 2021

Gallegos v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-25

On March 2, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Gallegos v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-25). The primary issue presented in Gallegos v. Commissioner was whether the team roping expenses the petitioner claimed on his Schedule C as business losses were business or personal in

Read More »
Scott St. Amand March 2, 2021