Larvadain v. Comm'r

COUVILLION, Special Trial Judge: ¹ This case was heard pursuant to the provisions of section 7463 of the Internal Revenue Code in effect when the petition was filed. Pursuant to section 7463(b), the decision to be entered is not reviewable by any other court, and this opinion shall not be treated as precedent for any other case. ²

Respondent determined a deficiency of $ 7,106 in petitioner's 2001 Federal income tax. The sole issue for decision is whether petitioner is entitled to deductions for certain expenses claimed on Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business, for the year at issue in excess of amounts allowed by respondent. That issue is premised on whether petitioner conducted a trade or business activity principally in his home.

Some of the facts were *209 stipulated. Those facts, with the annexed exhibits, are so found and are made part hereof. Petitioner's legal residence at the time the petition was filed was Glen Burnie, Maryland.

BACKGROUND

From 1974 to 1991, petitioner was an employee of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a Federal agency. Petitioner's background is in naval navigation. He left his employment with NOAA in 1991 and commenced a self-employment activity which dealt essentially in the sale of charts, maps, nautical supplies, and navigational services to boat and yacht owners. Petitioner discontinued that activity around 1996 and reestablished a relationship with NOAA as an independent contractor providing navigational services and, in particular, training NOAA employees at the U.S. Coast Guard branch facility at Silver Spring, Maryland. Petitioner was not engaged with NOAA as an employee. His relationship was based on a contract for training new employees, preparation of manuals, desk reference guides, and other navigational matters used by such employees. Petitioner was not required to be at NOAA offices on a daily basis and was allowed to prepare his manuals, guides, and other contract requirements *210 at home. The time petitioner spent at NOAA facilities was to train employees. However, NOAA made available to petitioner at all times office space and equipment necessary for him to perform his services under the contract. Petitioner estimated that during the year at issue, he was at NOAA facilities between 35 and 40 percent of the time for the training of NOAA employees. The remainder of his time was spent at home where he performed his other obligations under the contract (preparing training manuals, etc.). None of the training activities took place at his home.

Petitioner's contract with NOAA was obtained by bid. He was paid by the hour. For the year at issue, petitioner contracted to perform 976 hours of work which translated to 122 work days. The compensation for that amount of time was $ 30,256. ³

On his 2001 Federal income tax return petitioner reported his income and expenses from the NOAA contract on Schedule C in amounts as follows:

In *211 the notice of deficiency respondent disallowed the claimed deductions for advertising expenses, car and truck expenses, legal/professional expenses, and other expenses which consisted of postal and shipping, business calls and faxes, and computer and software services on petitioner's Schedule C for lack of substantiation. Although petitioner substantiated $ 1,514 for insurance, $ 3,027 for repairs and maintenance expenses, and $ 898 for utilities, respondent disallowed those expenses as personal in nature.

In the notice of deficiency respondent determined that petitioner is entitled to deduct $ 2,010 as real estate taxes, $ 12,740 as mortgage interest, and $ 400 as a charitable contribution deduction on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions.

DISCUSSION

Section 162(a) allows a taxpayer to deduct all ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred in carrying on a trade or business. Under section 280A, however, deductions associated with a home office are generally disallowed unless the home office is used exclusively and regularly as the principal place of business of the taxpayer. ⁴

Petitioner *212 presented no evidence to substantiate deductions claimed for advertising expenses, car and truck expenses, legal/professional expenses, and other expenses which consisted of postal and shipping, business calls and faxes, and computer and software services claimed on Schedule C. Secs. 162, 274(d), 280F(d)(4). Respondent's determination as to these adjustments is sustained.

In addition, section 280A(a) provides as a general rule that "no deduction * * * shall be allowed with respect to the use of a dwelling unit which is used by the taxpayer during the taxable year as a residence." However, section 280A(c)(1) sets forth the following exceptions to the general rule:

SEC. 280A(c). Exceptions for Certain Business or Rental Use; Limitation on Deductions for Such Use.