Business Related Issues
Activity Engaged in for Profit

Whatley v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-11

On January 28, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Whatley v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-11). The issue presented in Whatley v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner’s tree or cattle farm (he can’t seem to decide which) was a trade or business during the years at issue. A Note on my Favorite Jurist, Judge Holmes The opinion begins by describing the petitioner as “a proud Auburn alumnus” who made the

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Scott St. Amand January 28, 2021
Business Related Issues
Hobby Expenses

Costello v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-9

On January 25, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Costello v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-9). The primary issues presented in Costello v. Commissioner was whether the would-be-chicken-farmers (petitioners) were entitled to deductions for losses from farming activities, or whether the losses were startup expenses for which IRC § 195 prohibits a current deduction. Author’s Note Schadënfreude is German for happiness at the misfortune of others.  The Greek ἐπιχαιρεκακία is

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Scott St. Amand January 25, 2021
Business Related Issues
C Corporations

Aspro Inc. v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-8

On January 21, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Aspro Inc. v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-8). The sole issue presented in Aspro Inc. v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner was entitled to deductions for management fees paid to three shareholders. Background to Aspro Inc. v. Commissioner I find the petitioner suspect.  First off, it is an Iowa C corporation, but it is not involved with the production or processing of

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Scott St. Amand January 21, 2021
Income Tax Issues
Deductions

San Jose Wellness v. Commissioner
156 T.C. No. 4

On February 17, 2021, the Tax Court issued its opinion in San Jose Wellness v. Commissioner (156 T.C. No. 4). The underlying issue presented in San Jose Wellness v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner, a marijuana dispensary, was prohibited from claiming deductions for depreciation and charitable contributions under IRC § 280E. Background to San Jose Wellness v. Commissioner The petitioner operated a medical marijuana dispensary pursuant to California law from 2010 to 2015. It sold marijuana

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Scott St. Amand January 17, 2021
Business Related Issues
Bad Debt Losses

Franklin v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-127

On September 3, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Franklin v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-127). The primary issues before the court in Franklin v. Commissioner were whether the petitioner was entitled to meal, entertainment, and travel expense deductions and whether the petitioner was entitled to deduct certain business losses. Creating Substantiation in Franklin v. Commissioner The petitioner was in the real estate investment consulting business, which appears to be

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Scott St. Amand September 3, 2020
Income Tax Issues
IRC § 162

Brashear v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-122

On August 19, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Brashear v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-122). The primary issue before the court in Brashear was whether the petitioners were entitled to various deductions on Schedule C (Profits and Loss from Business). Business-Related Deductions 101 in Brashear v. Commissioner The taxpayer’s burden of proof regarding entitlement to deductions requires the taxpayer to substantiate all expenses underlying the deductions claimed by keeping

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Scott St. Amand August 19, 2020
Income Tax Issues
IRC § 162

Thoma v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-67

On May 27, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Thoma v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-67). Although there are a number of sub-issues related to whether the petitioner-husband (PH) was an employee or independent contractor, including deductibility of medical and business expenses, the core issue in Thoma v. Commissioner boils down to the age old question of whether PH was an employee or independent contractor of an accounting firm. Brief

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Scott St. Amand May 27, 2020
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Whatley v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-11

On January 28, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Whatley v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-11). The issue presented in Whatley v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner’s tree or cattle farm (he can’t seem to decide which) was a trade or business during the years

Read More »
Scott St. Amand January 28, 2021

Costello v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-9

On January 25, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Costello v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-9). The primary issues presented in Costello v. Commissioner was whether the would-be-chicken-farmers (petitioners) were entitled to deductions for losses from farming activities, or whether the losses were startup expenses

Read More »
Scott St. Amand January 25, 2021

Aspro Inc. v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-8

On January 21, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Aspro Inc. v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-8). The sole issue presented in Aspro Inc. v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner was entitled to deductions for management fees paid to three shareholders. Background to Aspro Inc. v.

Read More »
Scott St. Amand January 21, 2021

San Jose Wellness v. Commissioner
156 T.C. No. 4

On February 17, 2021, the Tax Court issued its opinion in San Jose Wellness v. Commissioner (156 T.C. No. 4). The underlying issue presented in San Jose Wellness v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner, a marijuana dispensary, was prohibited from claiming deductions for depreciation and charitable contributions under IRC § 280E.

Read More »
Scott St. Amand January 17, 2021

Franklin v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-127

On September 3, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Franklin v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-127). The primary issues before the court in Franklin v. Commissioner were whether the petitioner was entitled to meal, entertainment, and travel expense deductions and whether the petitioner was entitled

Read More »
Scott St. Amand September 3, 2020

Brashear v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-122

On August 19, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Brashear v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-122). The primary issue before the court in Brashear was whether the petitioners were entitled to various deductions on Schedule C (Profits and Loss from Business). Business-Related Deductions 101 in

Read More »
Scott St. Amand August 19, 2020

Thoma v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-67

On May 27, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Thoma v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-67). Although there are a number of sub-issues related to whether the petitioner-husband (PH) was an employee or independent contractor, including deductibility of medical and business expenses, the core issue

Read More »
Scott St. Amand May 27, 2020