Rogers v. Commissioner

1980 T.C. Memo. 171, 40 T.C.M. 339, 1980 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 417
Procedural entryThis page is a short order in Rogers v. Commissioner. Read the opinion of the Court — 44 T.C.M. 1312
United States Tax Court·Decided May 12, 1980·No. Docket No. 7537-76.·Unpublished

Opinion

CHARLES ALFRED ROGERS, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Rogers v. Commissioner
Docket No. 7537-76.
United States Tax Court
T.C. Memo 1980-171; 1980 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 417; 40 T.C.M. (CCH) 339; T.C.M. (RIA) 80171;
May 12, 1980, Filed

*417 Held, stipend received by petitioner during 1973 not excludable from gross income as a fellowship grant pursuant to section 117; held further, petitioner not entitled to a deduction for real estate taxes and rental losses in excess of the amount allowed by respondent.

Harry N. Ray, for the petitioner.
Dale L. Newland, for the respondent.

WILES

MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

WILES, Judge: Respondent determined a deficiency of $2,121.88*418 in petitioner's 1973 Federal income tax. The issues for decision are:

1. Whether certain amounts received by petitioner during 1973 are excludable from gross income as a scholarship or fellowship grant pursuant to the provisions of section 117.1

2. Whether petitioner is entitled to a deduction in 1973 for real estate taxes and rental losses in excess of the amount allowed by respondent.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Some of the facts have been stipulated and are found accordingly.

Petitioner Charles Alfred Rogers resided at Marshfield, Wisconsin, when he timely filed his 1973 Federal income tax return with the Director of Internal Revenue in Ogden, Utah, and when he filed his petition in this case. At the time of trial, petitioner resided in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Petitioner graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School in June 1970 with a doctorate in medicine. From his graduation until June 1971, petitioner served as an intern at the University of Minnesota Hospitals, Minneapolis, Minnesota (hereinafter University Hospitals). In June 1971, petitioner began a pediatrics residency*419 at the University Hospitals. On July 1, 1972, he was appointed to the house staff of the Department of Pediatrics at the University Hospitals for a period ending on June 30, 1973.

In order for a physician to participate in the residency program in the Department of Pediatrics at the University Hospitals, generally an individual must enroll in the University's graduate school as a degree candidate. In August 1973, petitioner discovered that he had not been enrolled in the Ph.D. program in the Department of Pediatrics. At the time, he applied for permission to enroll in that program. Petitioner, however, never completed the program, nor did he prepare a thesis.

The University's advanced degree program has combined a traditional residency program, whereby physicians obtain the training and experience necessary to become certified in a medical specialty, with an academic program involving research and writing. Thus, residents (or "medical fellows") perform clinical activities in a hospital setting as well as satisfy academic requirements prior to receiving advanced degrees.

There are no written contracts governing the respective obligations and duties of the residences or the*420 hospitals to which they are assigned. It is generally understood, however, that the residences are required to fulfill their duties and assignments in the care of patients, observe hospital rules and act in a responsible manner. Moreover, the "Bylaws of the Medical and Dental Staff" at the University state that residents are considered members of the medical staff. Another University publication entitled "Handbook of Patient Rights and Responsibilities" explains the respective roles of the attending physician and the resident as follows:

The Attending Physician is the doctor who is responsible for your treatment plan. Although you may not see him each day, he supervises your care by working with the residents, interns and nursing staff.

The Resident who you will meet is a graduate of medical school who usually has been working with patients in clinics or a hospital for several years. He is responsible for seeing that your medications, examinations, and treatments are scheduled property and that you are being given the best care possible. You will be seeing him at least once a day. It would help for you to know who he is so that you can ask him any question you may*421 have about your hospital stay.

During the period between January 1, 1973 and June 30, 1973, petitioner's participation in the general residency program involved rotating through various pediatric and intensive care wards and caring for a wide variety of children with various pediatric illnesses.Petitioner performed the following patient services: Ordered prescriptions; wrote treatment orders for patient care; took patients' physical and medical histories; ordered special reports (consultations, X-rays, 1ab tests); assessed and diagnosed patients (subject to review by attending physicians); reviewed intern or medical student diagnoses; secured autopsy consents; prepared progress notes; prepared case summaries; prepared discharge notes; signed death certificates; commenced the administration of intravenous fluids; inserted nasal gastric tubes; and worked in emergency room.

In January and February of 1973, petitioner spent from eight to ten hours each day he was on duty at the University Hospitals. He was on call every third and fourth weekend during these months. In March and April of 1973, petitioner spent eight to ten hours each day he was on duty in the Pediatric Intensive*422 Care Unit at the University Hospitals and was required to be on call every other day during this rotation. In May and June of 1973, petitioner spent eight to ten hours each day he was on duty in a hematology-oncology rotation and was required to be on call on weekends when needed.

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Rogers v. Commissioner, 1980 T.C. Memo. 171, 40 T.C.M. 339, 1980 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 417 (tax 1980).

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