Luellen v. Commissioner

1994 T.C. Memo. 449, 68 T.C.M. 668, 1994 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 454
United States Tax Court·Decided September 6, 1994·No. Docket No. 21197-92·Unpublished

Opinion

RONALD EDWARD LUELLEN, SR., Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Luellen v. Commissioner
Docket No. 21197-92
United States Tax Court
T.C. Memo 1994-449; 1994 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 454; 68 T.C.M. (CCH) 668;
September 6, 1994, Filed

*454 Decision will be entered under Rule 155.

Ronald Edward Luellen, Sr., pro se.
For respondent: Anthony S. Gasaway.
POWELL

POWELL

MEMORANDUM OPINION

POWELL, Special Trial Judge: This case was heard pursuant to the provisions of section 7443A(b)(3) and Rules 180, 181, and 182. 1

By notice of deficiency issued on July 16, 1992, respondent determined deficiencies in petitioner's Federal income taxes, additions to tax, and penalties as follows:

Additions to TaxPenalty 
YearsDeficiencySec. 6651(a)(1)Sec. 6653(a)(1)Sec. 6662(a)
1988$ 2,507$ 29 $ 133N/A
19892,549- 0 -N/A $ 510
19902,350- 0 -N/A 470

Petitioner resided in DeSoto, Missouri, when he filed his timely petition in this Court.

The issues are (1) whether petitioner is entitled to deduct certain expenses incurred in an *455 alleged trade or business during the taxable years involved; (2) if not, whether the underpayment is attributable to negligence under sections 6653(a)(1) and 6662(a); and (3) whether petitioner is liable for an addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1) for failure to timely file his 1988 Federal income tax return.

Petitioner taught in the DeSoto public school system, and operated a "radio ministry" for the years involved. As a radio minister, petitioner broadcast a weekly evangelic program. Some listeners responded to his messages by sending contributions to petitioner; apparently more members of his congregation responded by asking him for help. Petitioner complied, spending his time outside of teaching tending to their needs.

Although petitioner was dedicated to the community, he did not pay attention to business formalities. He did not maintain a separate bank account for the ministry, he did not keep adequate business records, and he did not prepare a budget. He paid for some of the ministry's expenses with loans from family and friends. When asked how he expected to make money from his ministry activities, petitioner replied that "I just know there is going to come a day, *456 and that day is fastly approaching, that there -- it is just going to be a great day -- that things will be -- that it won't be in the red at all." However, the radio station from which he broadcast closed in 1991, and he has not sought out other venues.

Petitioner reported income and expenses from his radio ministry on Schedule C as follows:

198819891990
Income:$    750$    750$    450
Expenses:
Car/truck3,0005,000--
Laundry/cleaning500----
Legal services1,0003,5001,500
Office5001,0001,000
Repairs2,7001,5002,000
Travel1,500--3,000
Meals/
entertainment----400
"Air-Time"2,0003,0003,000

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Luellen v. Commissioner, 1994 T.C. Memo. 449, 68 T.C.M. 668, 1994 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 454 (tax 1994).

1994 T.C. Memo. 449 (Luellen v. Commissioner) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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