Ferrer v. Commissioner

50 T.C. 177, 1968 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 135
CourtUnited States Tax Court
DecidedApril 30, 1968
DocketDocket No. 6019-65
StatusPublished
Cited by26 cases

This text of 50 T.C. 177 (Ferrer v. Commissioner) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Tax Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Ferrer v. Commissioner, 50 T.C. 177, 1968 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 135 (tax 1968).

Opinion

Fat, Judge:

Respondent determined a deficiency in petitioner’s Federal income tax for the calendar year 1962 in the amount of $122,-840.18. The issues presented for determination are: (1) Whether $205,-840.03 of the salaries received by the petitioner during 1962 is exempt from taxation under section 911(a) (1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and (2) if such income is not exempt, whether petitioner’s unreimbursed business expenses applicable to this income entitle petitioner to a deduction in excess of the amount allowed by the respondent.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Some of tlie facts have been stipulated, and the stipulation of facts together with the exhibit attached thereto is incorporated herein by this reference.

Jose V. Ferrer (hereinafter referred to as the petitioner) is an actor, director, and producer. He is, and was prior to and during the year 1962, a citizen of the United States. For the calendar year 1962 he filed his Federal income tax return, on the cash basis, with the district director of internal revenue, New York, N.Y. He is the sole owner of a home located in Ossining, N.Y., and was a resident thereof at the time the petition herein was filed.

During the latter part of 1961 the petitioner was experiencing marital difficulties. In September 1961 his wife, Bosemary Clooney Ferrer, commenced an action for divorce in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles. On October 26, 1961, the court ordered that custody of the children and the occupancy of the family residence in Beverly Hills, Calif., be awarded to petitioner’s wife.

Also during this period petitioner was experiencing occupational difficulties. Sometime prior to November 28, 1961, petitioner’s agent, General Artists Corp. (hereinafter referred to as GAC), negotiated a contract whereby petitioner would render his services as an actor in a photoplay entitled “Nine Hours to Bama” for Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp. The photoplay was to be filmed both in India and in London, England. The record does not reveal the time during which these negotiations took place. On November 16, 1961, the petitioner secured a visa from the Consulate of India in San Francisco, Calif., which stated that the permissible stay of petitioner was for a period of 3 months.

On or about November 24, 1961, petitioner left the United States to go to New Delhi, India, for the purpose of appearing in “Nine Hours to Bama.” He arrived in New Delhi on or about November 29, 1961. Petitioner remained there until January 17,1962. While in India, petitioner resided in a rented apartment. Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp. paid the petitioner $100 per day for his living expenses while in India. On January 17, 1962, petitioner left for London, England, and from that date, except for a 1-week return to the United States to visit his children and to clear up certain personal matters, until March 9, 1962, petitioner was in London. During this entire period, he was in the employ of Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp. appearing in the photoplay “Nine Hours to Bama.” While there petitioner lived in a leased furnished apartment. Again he received the $100 per day living expense allowance.

On January 25, 1962, petitioner entered into an agreement with Columbia Pictures and Transocean Pictures to appear in the motion picture “Lawrence oí Arabia,” which was, insofar as petitioner was concerned, to be shot on location in Spain.

Sometime during his stay in London, petitioner inquired into the possibility of reducing his potential United Kingdom income tax liability. He was informed that he would become liable for United Kingdom taxes on income earned there if he remained in England for a period of 183 days in any 1 fiscal year commencing April 5 or he habitually made visits to England. This, he was informed, meant visits amounting to 3 months in the fiscal year. Pursuant to the advice received, petitioner did not wish to stay in England for a period extending beyond 6 months and decided to so conform his plans.

In -connection with the filming of “Lawrence of Arabia,” petitioner was on location in Spain from about March 12, 1962,1 until about March 27, 1962. While in Spain he had hotel accommodations which along with his aneáis were furnished by Transocean Pictures.

On or about March 9, 1962, petitioner entered ‘into an agreement with Warwick Productions to direct the motion picture “The Long Ships.” From March 27, 1962, until the latter part of April 1962, petitioner was, in the performance of this contract, in Yugoslavia.

On or about April 26,1962, petitioner returned to the United States and appeared 'in the divorce action which had been instituted in California by his wife. He remained in the United States until May 11, 1962. On May 11,1962, he returned to Yugoslavia to continue work on “The Long Ships.” He continued this employment until about May 25, 1962, and it appears remained in Yugoslavia until May 30,1962. While there petitioner had hotel accommodations which were furnished along with meals and the use of a car and chauffeur by Warwick Productions. The film company also had agreed to provide to petitioner, on completion of 'his agreed services, airline transportation to California or any other place to Which petitioner may.have decided to go.

During the period May 30, 1962, until October 3, 1962, petitioner was present in many different locations 'throughout England, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Monaco, France, Ireland, and Austria living either in apartments or hotels. During this period generally petitioner worked on two screen plays, “Death in Venice” and “O’Hoolihan’s Jest.” Specifically during this period petitioner was present in Madrid and Almería, Spain, from June 19 until June 22,1962; in Dublin, Ireland, from July 31 until August 1, 1962; and in Deauville, France, from August 4 until August 5, 1962, working in reference to the screen play “OTIoolihan’s Jest.” He was also in La Spezia, Itay, working on this screen play and on “Death in Venice” from August 21 until August 27,1962. Also, for at least part of this general period, petitioner was on vacation.

On September 14, 1962, petitioner agreed with. Campagnia Oine-matarfi'a to appear ¡as an actor in the motion picture “Cyrano & D’Art'agnan” ¡and from October 3, 1962, to the latter part of December 1962 he was in Italy ¡at work on this film. While there, petitioner had hotel accommodations and in addition received a $500 per week living allowance from Campagnia Cinematarfia. Also in December petitioner went to London to attend the premiere of the film “Lawrence of Arabia.”

On or about January 3, 1963, petitioner returned to the United States and on January 21, 1963, he entered into an agreement with George Stevens Productions, Inc., for his appearance in the motion picture “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”

During the entire year 1962 it does not appear that petitioner ever owned a home, voted, or in any particular way entered into the community life of the countries in which he was living. While abroad he maintained bank accounts in England and Italy and charge accounts at some London shops. For the most part, petitioner was engaged in his trade or business as an actor, director, and producer. In addition to being engaged in the production of various films, he was also engaged in the development of two screen plays which he intended to produce on his own behalf.

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Bluebook (online)
50 T.C. 177, 1968 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 135, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/ferrer-v-commissioner-tax-1968.