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
Income Tax Issues
Accuracy Related Penalty

Baum v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-46

On April 27, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Baum v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-46). The primary issues presented in Baum were whether the petitioners were entitled to deductions for expenses as reported on Schedules C (Profit or Loss from Business) for the years in issue and whether the petitioners were entitled to a theft loss deduction pursuant to IRC § 165 for 2015. Background to Baum v. Commissioner:

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Scott St. Amand April 27, 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
Business Related Issues
Badges of Fraud

Collins v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-50

On April 23, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Collins v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-50). The issues before the court in Collins v. Commissioner were (1) whether petitioners were entitled to numerous categories of deductions and whether they provided substantiation to prove entitlement; (2) whether the petitioners are liable for additions to tax for failing to timely file their returns; and whether petitioner-husband is liable for the civil fraud

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Scott St. Amand April 23, 2020
Income Tax Issues
Deductibility of Expenses

Christensen v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-14)

On January 15, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Christensen v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-14). The sole issue presented in Christensen v. Commissioner was whether employee expenses for travel to and from home and work were deductible under IRC § 162(a). Deductibility of Expenses in General as explained by Christensen v. Commissioner Because deductions are a “matter of legislative grace,” taxpayers bear the burden of establishing their entitlement thereto.

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Scott St. Amand January 15, 2020
Income Tax Issues
Books and Records

Near v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-10

On January 14, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Near v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-10). The issue presented in Near v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner, an attorney for a public utility in California, could deduct unreimbursed employee business expenses incurred while travelling for work when the employee had a right to seek reimbursement from his employer. Ordinary and Necessary Business Expenses under IRC § 162 in Near v.

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Scott St. Amand January 14, 2020
Income Tax Issues
Accuracy Related Penalty

Rivera v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-7

On January 13, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Rivera v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-7). The issues presented in Rivera v. Commissioner were whether (1) the petitioners’ partnership received and failed to report gross receipts on Forms 1065, (2) the partnership is entitled to certain deductions claimed on the partnership returns, and (3) the petitioners are liable for IRC § 6662(a) accuracy-related penalties.

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Scott St. Amand January 13, 2020
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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

Baum v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-46

On April 27, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Baum v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-46). The primary issues presented in Baum were whether the petitioners were entitled to deductions for expenses as reported on Schedules C (Profit or Loss from Business) for the years

Read More »
Scott St. Amand April 27, 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

Collins v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-50

On April 23, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Collins v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-50). The issues before the court in Collins v. Commissioner were (1) whether petitioners were entitled to numerous categories of deductions and whether they provided substantiation to prove entitlement; (2)

Read More »
Scott St. Amand April 23, 2020

Christensen v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-14)

On January 15, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Christensen v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-14). The sole issue presented in Christensen v. Commissioner was whether employee expenses for travel to and from home and work were deductible under IRC § 162(a). Deductibility of Expenses

Read More »
Scott St. Amand January 15, 2020

Near v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-10

On January 14, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Near v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-10). The issue presented in Near v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner, an attorney for a public utility in California, could deduct unreimbursed employee business expenses incurred while travelling for

Read More »
Scott St. Amand January 14, 2020

Rivera v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-7

On January 13, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Rivera v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-7). The issues presented in Rivera v. Commissioner were whether (1) the petitioners’ partnership received and failed to report gross receipts on Forms 1065, (2) the partnership is entitled to

Read More »
Scott St. Amand January 13, 2020