SAMS v. COMMISSIONER
Opinion
*97 PURSUANT TO INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 7463(b), THIS OPINION MAY NOT BE TREATED AS PRECEDENT FOR ANY OTHER CASE.
PANUTHOS, Chief Special Trial Judge: This case was heard pursuant to the provisions of
Respondent determined a deficiency in petitioner's Federal income tax of $ 23,243 and a penalty under
Respondent also determined that petitioner is subject to self-employment tax and to the alternative minimum tax. These adjustments are computational and dependent on the adjustments to income. Therefore, we need not separately address*99 these issues.
Petitioner resided in Charlotte Hall, Maryland, at the time she filed her petition. Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. For convenience we combine our findings of fact and conclusions.
Background
Petitioner has worked as a real estate agent licensed by the State of Maryland since 1980. Petitioner incorporated Sams, Inc. in the State of Maryland in 1980 in order to limit her personal liability from lawsuits which she believed to be potentially substantial. Petitioner refiled the articles of incorporation for Sams, Inc. in 1995. Petitioner was the president and the sole shareholder of Sams, Inc., and the only person providing services purportedly on behalf of Sams, Inc. Sams, Inc. is an S corporation for Federal income tax purposes.
During 1996, petitioner also worked as a broker-sales associate and independent contractor with O'Brien Home Sales, Inc. and O'Brien Realty, Inc. (collectively referred to as O'Brien), a real estate agency, pursuant to the terms of an agent-broker agreement dated March 28, 1991. Although the body of the agreement indicates that petitioner is the sales associate, the signature line indicates that Sams, Inc. is the sales*100 associate.
In addition to her work as a real estate agent, petitioner was involved with other real estate matters in 1996, both as an individual and purportedly on behalf of Sams, Inc. On occasion, petitioner taught real estate classes for O'Brien. Petitioner owned two rental properties in Waldorf, Maryland. In addition, petitioner also maintained and managed rental property by finding and placing tenants for Skyview Farm and managed real estate property for Bill Stallman (the Stallman property). Petitioner received rental checks from the tenants of Skyview Farm and the Stallman property, deposited the checks into her personal checking (the account), and wrote checks to Skyview Farm and Bill Stallman for the amount of the rents paid by the tenant minus her management fee.
On Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, for 1996 petitioner reported income and claimed deductions as follows:
Income
Taxable interest $ 341
Rental real estate, royalties, (10,576)
partnerships, S corporations,
trusts, etc.
*101 Other income (Net operating loss (56,699)
carryover)
Adjusted gross income (negative) (66,934)
[9] Petitioner reported income and claimed deductions on Schedule E attached to her individual return as follows:
Income Property A Property B Total
______ __________ __________ _____
Rents received $ 10,800 $ 8,800 $ 19,600
Deductions
Commissions -0- 288 288
Insurance 249 222 471
Mortgage interest 7,597 7,281 14,878
Taxes 1,457 1,140 2,597
Utilities -0- 9 9
Association dues -0- 188 188
Painting and -0- *102 652 652
decorating
Plumbing and -0- 1,050 1,050
electrical
Depreciation 3,915 2,841 6,756
Total deductions 26,889
Losses (7,289)
Passive Income and Loss
Nonpassive loss from Sch. K-1, (5,249)
Shareholder's Share of Income, Credits,
Deductions, etc.
Nonpassive income from Sch. K-1 1,962
Total income or loss (10,576)
[10] Sams, Inc. reported income and claimed deductions on its Form 1120S for its 1996 tax year as follows:
Income
Gross receipts $ 37,828
Deductions
Repairs and maintenance 2,257
Interest 20,010
Advertising*103 975
Other deductions 1 12,624
Total income 2 1,962
FOOTNOTES TO TABLE
1 The other claimed deductions are as follows:
Accounting ($ 300), dues and subscriptions ($ 1,118), gifts ($ 333),
insurance*104 ($ 906), legal and professional ($ 644), outside services
($ 3,165), supplies ($ 1,472), telephone ($ 867), utilities ($
3,539), and communications ($ 280).
2 The income of $ 1,962 flowed through to petitioner
individually as reflected on a Sch. K-1 issued to her by Sams, Inc.
END OF FOOTNOTES TO TABLE
Discussion
Generally, the burden of proof is on the taxpayer. Rule 142(a)(1). The burden of proof may shift to the Commissioner under
It is not clear from the record when respondent commenced the audit of petitioner's individual return; therefore, we cannot determine whether
1. Allocation of Gross Receipts
The notice of deficiency determined that gross receipts reported on the return for Sams, Inc. of $ 37,828 should have been reported on petitioner's individual return. Respondent disallowed deductions claimed on the return of Sams, Inc. of $ 35,866 but allowed Schedule A deductions of $ 2,577 3 and a Schedule C deduction of $ 20,010 on petitioner's individual return.4 The net disallowance is $ 13,279 ($ 35,866 less ($ 2,577 plus $ 20,010)). Respondent reasons that the income and certain deductions should*106 have been reported and claimed on petitioner's individual return because: Petitioner sold real estate for and received commissions from O'Brien; all payments were made to petitioner in her name and were either deposited in her individual bank accounts or endorsed by her; and petitioner did not receive a salary from Sams, Inc. during the year at issue.
We consider whether the gross receipts were properly allocated by respondent and are taxable to petitioner under either the assignment of income doctrine and
*107 Gross income includes all income from whatever source derived.
Petitioner has attempted to show that Sams, Inc. actually conducted business.
These facts do not convince us that petitioner was an employee of Sams, Inc., and that we should respect her allocation of income to Sams, Inc. Petitioner did not receive a salary from Sams, Inc. Sams, Inc. had no source of income outside of the ventures in which petitioner personally participated. Petitioner earned the income of Sams, Inc. See
We conclude that petitioner was not an employee of Sams, Inc., and that petitioner, not Sams, Inc., earned the gross receipts at issue. We also conclude that petitioner was self-employed. Secs. 1401 and 1402. Therefore, the gross receipts reported on the return of Sams, Inc. are properly allocated to petitioner under the assignment of income doctrine.
Based on the above holding, we need not and do not apply section 482 to these facts.
2. Unreported Income and Bank Deposits
During the examination of petitioner's individual return, respondent's agent requested petitioner's books and records, including a sales journal, general ledger, and a general journal, none of which petitioner produced. Petitioner produced to respondent (and to the Court) bank statements reflecting deposits to and withdrawals from the account from January 1 through December 3, 1996; however, she did not produce a bank statement from the account for the period December 4 through 31, 1996. Because petitioner did not produce all of the requested records, *110 respondent reconstructed petitioner's income by performing a bank deposit analysis of her account. Respondent determined in the notice of deficiency that petitioner had unexplained deposits in the account and, therefore, unreported gross income of $ 35,318. Subsequent to the issuance of the notice of deficiency respondent reduced this amount to $ 25,578 calculated as follows:
Total deposits into account $ 99,381
Returned checks (3,375)
Deposits from home equity line of credit (13,000)
Income reported on return (57,428)
Total unexplained deposits 25,578
[21] In addition to the use of the bank deposit methodology, respondent determined that petitioner received $ 12,589.55 in commission income and $ 1,800 in teaching income from O'Brien, based upon Forms 1099-MISC issued to Sams, Inc. and filed with respondent. Petitioner reported the teaching income of $ 1,800 but only $ 10,122 of the commission income in 1996.
Petitioner asserts that the deposits into the account can be explained from the following sources:
Returned checks*111 $ 3,375
Home equity line of credit 14,700
1099-MISC O'Brien commissions 10,122
1099-MISC O'Brien teaching 1,800
Mack/Middleton interest 22,140
Mack/Middleton reimbursement 3,881
Partnership agreement 7,500
Property management rent 14,950
Rental income 1 19,500
Miscellaneous 1,413
Total 99,381
FOOTNOTE TO TABLE
1 Petitioner alleges that this amount includes a
*112 security deposit; however, she failed to indicate the amount of the
security deposit. Petitioner reported the amount of rental income on
her individual return as $ 19,600.
END OF FOOTNOTE TO TABLE
a. Forms 1099-MISC
Respondent determined that the full amounts reported on the Forms 1099-MISC were includable in petitioner's gross income in 1996. Petitioner challenged the accuracy of the information provided in the Form 1099-MISC concerning commission income of $ 12,589.55. Petitioner admits that she received and deposited $ 10,122.05 into the account in 1996 but alleges that the remaining $ 2,467.50 was deposited on January 2, 1997, and, therefore, was not includable in income for 1996.
Under
As discussed above, petitioner did not reasonably cooperate with respondent, and she did not produce all documents within her control (e. g., a bank statement from December 4 through 31, 1996). Accordingly, the burden of production as well as the burden of proof with respect to this issue remains on petitioner.
Petitioner has not provided credible evidence substantiating her position. For example, petitioner has not produced a bank statement for the period December 4 through 31, 1996. We conclude that the $ 12,589.55 reported on the Form 1099-MISC from O'Brien is includable in petitioner's gross income in 1996.
b. Bank Deposit Analysis
Generally, a taxpayer is required to maintain adequate books and records of income.
We agree that petitioner's records were inadequate to substantiate all of her income and deductions. We note that the records petitioner produced to the Court are voluminous but disorganized. Petitioner commingled the records of expenses claimed on her return with the records of expenses claimed on the return of Sams, Inc. While we conclude generally that respondent's use of the bank deposit methodology was reasonable, we now consider whether each separate deposit into the account was gross income to petitioner because it appears that respondent has not taken into consideration*115 whether each item is from a nontaxable source or a deductible expense.
Deposits made into the account in 1996 total $ 99,381. Of the deposits, returned checks account for $ 3,375 of this amount. The returned checks are not includable in petitioner's gross income.
Deposits of $ 14,700, as reflected in deposit slips, are withdrawals from petitioner's home equity line of credit. These withdrawals are loans and, therefore, are not includable in petitioner's gross income.
Petitioner provided credible evidence that the deposit of $ 3,881 is a reimbursement of engineering expenses. Therefore, the reimbursement is not includable in petitioner's gross income.
Petitioner alleges that only fees of $ 1,455 from property management rents of $ 14,950 deposited into the account are includable in gross income because she was a collection agent for which she received a fee. Petitioner's bank statements indicate that deposits of $ 6,150 from the Skyview Farm tenant and $ 10,300 from the Stallman property tenant were made into the account. Canceled checks written on the account indicate that petitioner paid $ 5,542 to Skyview Farm and $ 9,453 to Bill Stallman. We conclude that petitioner retained*116 $ 608 and $ 847, respectively, totaling $ 1,455 of fees received that are includable in petitioner's gross income.
Petitioner argues that only one-fourth of the deposit of $ 7,500 as shown on the partnership agreement is includable in gross income. Although the relevant partnership agreement indicates that petitioner had a one-fourth interest in the assets of the partnership capital and for purchases and sales, profits, losses, and distributions, petitioner did not present any credible evidence that she distributed any of $ 7,500 that she received pursuant to the partnership agreement to the other partners. We note that the record contains neither a return for this partnership nor a Schedule K-1 issued by this partnership to petitioner reflecting the distribution of income. We conclude that the entire deposit of $ 7,500 is includable in petitioner's gross income.
Petitioner alleges that the remaining $ 1,412.59 of miscellaneous deposits are not includable in gross income. Petitioner claims the deposits are from the following sources: Party expenses; Southern States store refund; Winnebago Industries stock dividends; repayment of gift from brother; cash ATM redeposit; Pagenet phone*117 rebate; Catherine Douglas loan repayment; Farm Credit crop refund; and reimbursement for gift purchased by mother. Petitioner provided copies of checks received and deposited into the account that reflect these payments. We are satisfied that petitioner has provided credible evidence establishing that these deposits are from nontaxable sources and are not includable in petitioner's gross income.
3. Deductions
Petitioner claims that she is entitled to deductions for expenses for repairs, dues, gifts, insurance, legal and professional services, outside services, supplies, telephone and communications, and utilities of $ 13,279 that were claimed by Sams, Inc. and disallowed by respondent.
Under
No deduction is generally allowed for amounts paid or incurred*118 for membership in any club organized for business, pleasure, recreation, or other social purpose.
No deduction shall be allowed for an item with respect to an activity which is of a type generally considered to constitute entertainment, amusement, or recreation, or with respect to a facility used in connection with such an activity unless the taxpayer substantiates*119 the deduction.
A taxpayer must satisfy the same substantiation requirements of
Under
Because petitioner provided supporting canceled checks, invoices and bills, and other substantiating information, *121 we are satisfied that petitioner has provided credible evidence and satisfied the requirements of
Repairs $ 2,257
Dues 1,118
Insurance 906
Legal services 644
Services 3,165
Supplies 1,214
Telephone and 1,147
communications
(pager)
Utilities 3,539
Accordingly, we conclude that petitioner is entitled to deduct these expenses.
Petitioner produced canceled checks and other information concerning her business gifts. We are satisfied that petitioner has provided credible evidence and has satisfied the requirements of
4. Schedule E Loss
On Schedule E petitioner reported nonpassive income of $ 1,962 and claimed a nonpassive loss of $ 5,249, which respondent disallowed. Petitioner indicated that both the loss and income flowed through from a partnership as reported on a Schedule K-1. The Schedule K-1 issued by Sams, Inc. reflects income of $ 1,962 but does not reflect the nonpassive loss of $ 5,249. Petitioner has failed to substantiate the claimed nonpassive loss of $ 5,249. Accordingly, respondent's determination on this issue is sustained.
5. Schedule E Expenses
Respondent disallowed deductions for a commission expense, insurance expenses, association dues, a utility expense, and $ 290 of the painting expense claimed on Schedule E of petitioner's individual return, for a total of $ 1,246 of disallowed deductions.
Petitioner produced copies of canceled checks, bills, and invoices to substantiate her claimed commission expense, association dues, and painting expense. We are satisfied that petitioner has provided credible evidence relating to the claimed commission expense*123 of $ 288, the dues expense of $ 188, and the painting expense of $ 652, and she is entitled to deduct these. Petitioner has not provided any credible evidence substantiating the claimed insurance expenses of $ 471 or the claimed utility expense of $ 9. Accordingly, the claimed deductions for insurance expenses and utility expense are disallowed.
6. NOL Carryover
On her 1996 tax return petitioner claimed an NOL carryover of $ 56,699 from her 1991 tax year. Petitioner produced a copy of the first page of her individual 1991 Federal income tax return, which reflects a negative adjusted gross income of $ 25,803. Petitioner claims that the NOL from 1991 was not eliminated by virtue of the Order and Decision entered in Sams v. Commissioner, docket No. 20161-98S. Petitioner alleges that she is entitled to claim the NOL because she never received a copy of the agreement between her counsel and respondent which formed the basis of the settlement in that case.
Respondent determined that petitioner is not entitled to the claimed NOL carryover of $ 56,699 because all NOL's available for petitioner to carryover were eliminated in a prior docketed case, Sams v. Commissioner, docket No. 20161-98S. *124 The Court entered an Order and Decision in Sams v. Commissioner, docket No. 20161-98S, on February 11, 2000, and ordered and decided that petitioner had deficiencies in Federal income taxes, additions to tax, and penalties for the taxable years 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995.
An individual taxpayer may generally deduct an NOL carryover for up to 20 years from the tax year of the loss.
It is not clear from the record how or when the loss was sustained, how the NOL carryover was computed, or whether the NOL was computed properly under
7. Standard Business Mileage Deduction
At trial, petitioner claimed that she was entitled to deduct standard business mileage of $ 5,249.23. Although petitioner attached to her individual return a Form 4562, *125 Depreciation and Amortization, reflecting 10,761 business miles driven by Vehicle 1 (a Cadillac) and 6,172 business miles driven by Vehicle 2 (a truck), for a total of 16,933 business miles driven, petitioner did not actually claim the deduction because she alleges that her accountant mistakenly failed to claim it. We consider this matter as an affirmative issue raised by petitioner.
Under
Petitioner produced a copy of her daily appointment book that reflects approximately 17,300 business miles traveled in 1996 to substantiate her claim. We are satisfied that petitioner has provided credible evidence substantiating the number of business miles traveled, and petitioner is allowed a deduction of $ 5,249.23 (31 cents times 16,933).
8.
The accuracy-related penalty is equal to 20 percent of any portion of an underpayment of tax required to be shown on the return that is attributable to, among other things, the taxpayer's negligence or disregard of rules or regulations or any substantial understatement of income tax.
The penalty provided for in
Respondent determined that petitioner is liable for the accuracy-related penalty because of either negligence or disregard of the rules or regulations or substantial understatement of income tax. Petitioner asserts that she is not liable for the
We conclude that petitioner did not act with reasonable cause or good faith. We conclude that her reliance on the advice of a tax professional is not reasonable or in good faith. Accordingly, petitioner is liable for the accuracy-related penalty.
Reviewed and adopted as the report of the Small Tax Case Division.
To reflect the foregoing,
Decision will be entered under Rule 155.
Footnotes
1. Respondent conceded $ 9,740 of the original adjustment of $ 35,318 of unreported income.↩
2. Sams, Inc. deducted $ 35,866 of expenses on its return of which respondent disallowed $ 13,279.↩
1. Respondent conceded $ 9,740 of the original adjustment of $ 35,318 of unreported income.↩
2. Sams, Inc. deducted $ 35,866 of expenses on its return of which respondent disallowed $ 13,279.↩
1. Respondent conceded $ 9,740 of the original adjustment of $ 35,318 of unreported income.↩
2. Sams, Inc. deducted $ 35,866 of expenses on its return of which respondent disallowed $ 13,279.↩
3. Respondent subsequently allowed an additional deduction for an advertising expense of $ 20.↩
4. Respondent concedes that petitioner is entitled to these deductions if the Court concludes that respondent's allocation of income to petitioner is proper.↩
5. We note that respondent has not alleged that the gross receipts should be allocated under sec. 269A. The application of sec. 269A to a personal service corporation (PSC) requires a finding that the principal purpose for forming or availing of that PSC is the avoidance or evasion of income tax by reducing income or securing the benefit of an expense, deduction, credit, exclusion, or other allowance for any employee-owner which would not otherwise be available. Sec. 269A(a). There are no facts in the record that would lead us to conclude that petitioner's principal purpose for incorporating Sams, Inc. was avoidance or evasion of income tax. Therefore, sec. 269A is inapplicable.↩
1. Respondent conceded $ 9,740 of the original adjustment of $ 35,318 of unreported income.↩
1. Respondent conceded $ 9,740 of the original adjustment of $ 35,318 of unreported income.↩
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.