TINNELL v. COMMISSIONER
This text of 2001 T.C. Memo. 106 (TINNELL 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.
Opinion
*133 Decision will be entered under Rule 155.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
MARVEL, JUDGE: Respondent determined the following deficiencies, additions to tax, and penalties with respect to petitioner's Federal income taxes: 1
| Additions to tax and penalties | ||||
| Sec. | Sec. | Sec. | ||
| Year | Deficiency | 6651(a)(1) | 6654 | 6662(a) |
| 1991 | $ 146,062 | $ 15,132 | $ 10,810 | $ 29,212 |
| 1992 | 100,517 | 8,041 | 4,384 | 20,103 |
| 1993 | 405,936 | 38,703 | 4,837 | 81,187 |
| 1994 | 134,217 | 15,582 | 10,107 | 26,843 |
*134 Following concessions, 2 the issues for decision are: 3
(1) Whether petitioner's mining activity for 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994 constituted an activity engaged in for profit within the meaning of
(2) whether petitioner is liable for the accuracy-related penalty due to negligence under
FINDINGS OF FACT 4
The parties have stipulated some of the facts, which we incorporate in our findings by this reference. Petitioner was a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, when the petition in this case was filed.
Petitioner graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1962. In 1965, petitioner began practicing medicine in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Five years later, petitioner relocated his medical practice to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Petitioner has been engaged in the practice of medicine at all relevant times.
In or about 1973, petitioner and his father purchased Delta Roofing Mills, a roofing manufacturing business in Slidell, Louisiana, *135 for approximately $ 1 million. Petitioner participated in the management and marketing of Delta Roofing Mills, which tripled its gross sales while petitioner and his father owned it. Five years after petitioner and his father purchased Delta Roofing Mills, they sold it to Republic Gypsum Corp. for approximately $ 3 million and split the net sale proceeds.
In 1974, petitioner relocated his medical practice from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Las Vegas, Nevada. In conjunction with his medical practice, petitioner began doing research on herpes. During the late 1970's, petitioner invented a cream called Herpaway (cream) for the topical treatment of herpes.
In September 1980, petitioner and his partner, Dr. Edwin D. McKay, formed a pharmaceutical manufacturing business called Zila Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada corporation, to manufacture and distribute the cream. 5 Effective September 1, 1988, Zila Pharmaceuticals, Inc., became a wholly owned subsidiary of Zila, Inc. (Zila), a Delaware corporation. Today, the cream is called Zylactin and is being sold as an over-the-counter treatment for herpes. At the time of trial, Zila had over 200 employees and a market*136 capitalization of approximately $ 200 million. At all relevant times, petitioner has received royalties from Zila from sale of the cream.
In 1978, petitioner began reading prospecting books and became interested in mining. Petitioner attended shows and seminars about mining and purchased numerous books on geology and mining at the University of Nevada bookstore. Petitioner also learned how to read geological mining maps.
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*133 Decision will be entered under Rule 155.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
MARVEL, JUDGE: Respondent determined the following deficiencies, additions to tax, and penalties with respect to petitioner's Federal income taxes: 1
| Additions to tax and penalties | ||||
| Sec. | Sec. | Sec. | ||
| Year | Deficiency | 6651(a)(1) | 6654 | 6662(a) |
| 1991 | $ 146,062 | $ 15,132 | $ 10,810 | $ 29,212 |
| 1992 | 100,517 | 8,041 | 4,384 | 20,103 |
| 1993 | 405,936 | 38,703 | 4,837 | 81,187 |
| 1994 | 134,217 | 15,582 | 10,107 | 26,843 |
*134 Following concessions, 2 the issues for decision are: 3
(1) Whether petitioner's mining activity for 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994 constituted an activity engaged in for profit within the meaning of
(2) whether petitioner is liable for the accuracy-related penalty due to negligence under
FINDINGS OF FACT 4
The parties have stipulated some of the facts, which we incorporate in our findings by this reference. Petitioner was a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, when the petition in this case was filed.
Petitioner graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1962. In 1965, petitioner began practicing medicine in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Five years later, petitioner relocated his medical practice to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Petitioner has been engaged in the practice of medicine at all relevant times.
In or about 1973, petitioner and his father purchased Delta Roofing Mills, a roofing manufacturing business in Slidell, Louisiana, *135 for approximately $ 1 million. Petitioner participated in the management and marketing of Delta Roofing Mills, which tripled its gross sales while petitioner and his father owned it. Five years after petitioner and his father purchased Delta Roofing Mills, they sold it to Republic Gypsum Corp. for approximately $ 3 million and split the net sale proceeds.
In 1974, petitioner relocated his medical practice from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Las Vegas, Nevada. In conjunction with his medical practice, petitioner began doing research on herpes. During the late 1970's, petitioner invented a cream called Herpaway (cream) for the topical treatment of herpes.
In September 1980, petitioner and his partner, Dr. Edwin D. McKay, formed a pharmaceutical manufacturing business called Zila Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada corporation, to manufacture and distribute the cream. 5 Effective September 1, 1988, Zila Pharmaceuticals, Inc., became a wholly owned subsidiary of Zila, Inc. (Zila), a Delaware corporation. Today, the cream is called Zylactin and is being sold as an over-the-counter treatment for herpes. At the time of trial, Zila had over 200 employees and a market*136 capitalization of approximately $ 200 million. At all relevant times, petitioner has received royalties from Zila from sale of the cream.
In 1978, petitioner began reading prospecting books and became interested in mining. Petitioner attended shows and seminars about mining and purchased numerous books on geology and mining at the University of Nevada bookstore. Petitioner also learned how to read geological mining maps. Petitioner began searching for gold and other precious metals on Federal land in Clark County, Nevada. By 1979, petitioner began locating mining claims near Searchlight, Nevada.
On March 5, 1980, petitioner formed Jetco Enterprises, Inc. (JEI), a Nevada corporation. Although petitioner apparently planned to conduct his mining activities through JEI at some point, petitioner did not use JEI during the years at issue or in prior years to report the results of his mining activities. Instead, petitioner conducted his mining activities as a sole proprietorship doing business as Jetco Mining. 6 Over the years, petitioner employed his two sons, his daughter, and an ex-brother-in-law*137 in his mining activity. 7
During 1980, petitioner located and staked at least 47 lode mining claims in Clark County, Nevada. 8 During the 1980's, petitioner conducted exploration and development activities with respect to his claims. As of February 2000, petitioner had on file and of record more than 300 lode mining claims. A "Resource Management Plan" map, dated August 1, 1997, prepared by and for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), indicated there is "high mineral potential" on and around petitioner's mining claims.
Petitioner engaged in business discussions regarding his mining activities with various parties and entities. In December 1982, petitioner discussed the possible sale of ore to Cash Industries of Idaho (Cash Industries) for processing at Cash Industries' facilities. During December 1982 and January 1983, petitioner and Cash Industries conducted a sampling program and numerous assays on petitioner's claims. No sale resulted.
In April 1983, petitioner engaged in discussions with Lud Carrao, the owner of a construction company, regarding a joint venture in mining. The venture*138 was subject to proof of the economic and commercial value of petitioner's claims. Petitioner engaged in negotiations with Mr. Carrao, but no agreement was reached.
In May 1983, Century Capital Corp. explored investment in petitioner's mining venture but never raised any money for the venture. 9
In November 1983, petitioner engaged in discussions with Canorex International, Inc., of Colorado regarding a lease of petitioner's claims. No agreement was reached.
In 1983 and 1984, petitioner pursued a gold mining venture in Lochiel, Arizona, on the U.S.-Mexico border. The operation produced an ounce to an ounce and a half of gold per day. The price of gold had fallen significantly, however, and the operation was not profitable. Soon thereafter, the operation was shut down.
Upon discontinuing mining in Arizona, petitioner moved his equipment to Colorado and began another mining operation with a "guy with a placer operation". The Colorado "guy" misrepresented the amount of gold available, however, and petitioner terminated his involvement in the operation.
Petitioner returned to Las Vegas, Nevada, and, disappointed with the last two unsuccessful ventures in Arizona and Colorado, did*139 not attempt to develop any mining ventures except his own claims. Petitioner continued to talk to people about mining, to read about mining, and to go to meetings about mining during this period.
In 1986, petitioner and a local real estate attorney, Darrell Clark, representing Great Western Basin Corp. (Great Western), negotiated a mining lease. The lease was conditioned on testing and sampling of petitioner's claims. An independent geologist prepared a report for Great Western that set forth numerous recommendations and conclusions. In September 1986, petitioner and Great Western entered into a lease whereby petitioner agreed to lease his mining claims to Great Western for the purposes of prospecting, exploring, drilling, mining, and operating the property for ores and minerals. Great Western made no payments to petitioner, however, and defaulted on the lease.
In 1988, petitioner began consulting with Kent Kjelberg at the Rattlesnake Mine in California. Petitioner provided extensive equipment and knowledge to the Rattlesnake Mine. Petitioner was not paid for the use of his equipment or for the information he provided, but he was promised a portion of the income produced from the*140 Rattlesnake Mine. Ultimately, petitioner received only an old grader.
In or about 1988, petitioner began to disengage from his pharmaceutical activities at Zila and began spending more time on his mining activities.
On May 5, 1989, petitioner submitted a proposed mining plan of operations to the BLM for approval. 10 On January 12, 1993, the BLM approved petitioner's plan of operations. During the BLM's investigation of petitioner's plan of operations, from 1989 through 1993, petitioner incurred substantial expenditures to develop a production mill, purchase an induction furnace, 11 and secure mineral surveys. Further, beginning in 1991, petitioner caused various claims to be surveyed with the objective of patenting those claims. On January 20, 1994, petitioner applied for a mineral patent for some of his claims. 12 To date, however, petitioner has not received any patents with respect to his claims.
In 1992 and early 1993, petitioner explored and prospected an area known as the Tinnell Prospect, consisting of a group of claims in the northwest corner of petitioner's claim block. Horizon Securities, a securities*141 firm that does private placements for young companies, sent a geologist, Michael Cruson, 13 to perform a geologic evaluation of the area. Mr. Cruson prepared a report, dated January 15, 1993, and made three recommendations: (1) No further work is justified on the claims covered by the Tinnell Prospect; (2) any future work in the area should be to the southeast where documented gold shows are concentrated; 14 and (3) the onsite sample preparation and assaying methods should be carefully evaluated. As a result of Mr. Cruson's recommendations, petitioner abandoned the claims covered by the Tinnell Prospect. Thereafter, petitioner devoted his attention to the Quartette Mine.
From 1991 through March 1996, petitioner pursued the development and exploration of the Quartette Mine near Searchlight, Nevada. The Quartette Mine was owned by the Miller family. 15 The Millers were interested in having petitioner lease their mine so that petitioner could transport rock from the Quartette Mine to his mill site where it would be crushed and processed. 16
Petitioner hired Mr. Cruson to evaluate the Quartette Mine. Mr. Cruson prepared a report, dated December 10, 1993, containing*142 six conclusions and five recommendations. Significantly, Mr. Cruson concluded that "The Quartette Mine was a significant producer of high grade gold ore." Mr. Cruson recommended that petitioner: (1) Acquire control of the Quartette Mine; (2) carry out a detailed geologic study to determine the ore controls and outline exploration targets; (3) examine the feasibility of applying new geophysical or geochemical techniques at the Quartette Mine; (4) develop a detailed history of the Quartette Mine to determine cutoff grades during production; and (5) test the targets defined by the earlier geologic study by drilling. Petitioner followed all the recommendations outlined in Mr. Cruson's report.
On April 1, 1994, petitioner 17 acquired the rights to mine and purchase the Quartette Mine ore. Exploratory drilling to determine the economic viability of the mine was conducted from September 7 to November 5, 1994. Mr. Cruson and his partner, Kent E. Carter, prepared an evaluation of the Quartette Mine, dated January 20, 1995, that stated: "Overall the scout drilling and exploration program was a resounding success". Mr. Cruson "strongly recommended" that petitioner continue excavating, begin*143 preliminary mine planning, and initiate a second round of drilling and exploration designed to delineate the new copper-gold vein discovery. Mr. Cruson estimated the total budget for the next phase of drilling would be about $ 250,000.
Petitioner recovered approximately 4 ounces of gold from the Quartette Mine, and the project was abandoned in 1996.
After petitioner abandoned his efforts to develop the Quartette Mine, petitioner expanded his business to include the sale of decorative rock in an effort to generate revenue. In 1994 and 1995, petitioner "tried to break into the wholesale market" and realized it was almost impossible. Thereafter, petitioner opened a "rock yard" for the retail sale of rock and gravel from his claims. Petitioner purchased an advertisement in the telephone directory yellow pages. At the time of trial, petitioner had been selling decorative rock for 4 years. 18 During those years, petitioner's gross income from the sale of decorative rock has grown steadily, and petitioner continues to generate substantial income from the sale of decorative rock.
Petitioner financed most of his*144 mining activity with royalties from Zila, the sale of Zila stock, and the exercise of stock options in 1993. Since 1980, no outside investor has supplied capital for any of petitioner's mining activities. Petitioner sold shares of Zila stock when he needed money and borrowed money secured by his Zila stock.
On petitioner's Federal income tax returns for tax years through 1997, petitioner treated all of his mining activities as a single Schedule C activity doing business as Jetco Mining. 19 For the years 1980 through 1988, petitioner had no income from mining activities. During the years from 1989 through 1999, petitioner reported, either directly on a Schedule C or indirectly through JEI, gross revenues and expenses from his mining activities as follows:
| Cost of goods | |||
| sold and other | |||
| Year | Revenue | cash expenses | Depreciation |
| 1889 1 | -0- | $ 113,273 | $ 19,063 |
| 1990 | -0- | 166,786 | 23,102 |
| 1991 | -0- | 2 359,627 | |
| 1992 | $ 700 | ||
| 1993 | -0- | ||
| 1994 | 2,100 | ||
| 1995 | 2,900 | 558,142 | 73,315 |
| 1996 | -0- | 488,521 | 76,476 |
| 1997 | 32,364 | 363,923 | 41,101 |
| 1998 | 126,170 | 3 464,900 | |
| 1999 | 373,566 |
*145
From 1989 through 1998, petitioner reported royalty income from Zila as follows:
| Year | Royalty Income |
| 1989 | $ 82,933 |
| 1990 | 185,578 |
| 1991 | 213,507 |
| 1992 | 1 180,895 |
| 1993 | 222,439 |
| 1994 | 224,717 |
| 1995 | 277,663 |
| 1996 | 305,002 |
| 1997 | 344,332 |
| 1998 | 372,119 |
In 1993, petitioner exercised options to purchase 380,000 shares of Zila stock*147 worth $ 1,116,250 for an exercise price of $ 285,000. After taking into account Zila's blockage discount of $ 282,979, petitioner realized ordinary income of $ 548,271 on the exercise of his stock options. On petitioner's 1993 Federal income tax return, he claimed an additional discount of $ 282,979, asserting that the sale of his Zila shares was restricted. Petitioner reported the income from the exercise of his Zila stock options on a supporting schedule attached to his 1993 return and attached an additional schedule fully describing the total options exercised, the exercise amount, the fair market value, the exercise price, the per- share blockage discount applied by Zila, the amount of ordinary income to petitioner reported by Zila, 20 and the additional discount for restrictions on stock taken by petitioner (marketability discount). The schedule contained the following statement concerning the marketability discount:
*148 THIS DISCOUNT TAKEN BECAUSE TAXPAYER FEELS THAT STOCK WOULD BE SEVERELY EFFECTED IF HE PUT ALL THESE SHARES ON MARKET IN ONE BLOCK. IN ADDITION TAXPAYER CANNOT SELL SHARES FOR THESE YEARS PER SEC REGULATIONS. THEREFORE, PRESENT VALUE IS LESS.
Petitioner, however, did not make the disclosure on Form 8275, Disclosure Statement, or Form 8275-R, Regulation Disclosure Statement. Petitioner and respondent have agreed that petitioner is entitled to only a single discount of $ 282,979.
From 1989 through 1998, petitioner reported income and losses from his medical practice as follows:
Year Income (Loss)
____ _____________
1989 ($ 10,617)
1990 (15,235)
1991 (3,732)
1992 12,738
1993 36,723
1994 *149 20,574
1995 10,547
1996 8,151
1997 5,449
1998 7,689
During this period, petitioner spent most of his time and effort on his mining activities and relatively little time maintaining his medical practice.
OPINION
Deductions are allowable under
This case is appealable to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which applies a primary purpose standard to test whether an alleged business activity has the requisite profit motive under
Whether the requisite profit objective exists is a question of fact to be resolved after considering all the pertinent facts and circumstances. See
In making our evaluation of the foregoing factors, we may consider evidence from years subsequent to the years in issue "to the extent it may create inferences regarding the existence of a profit motive in the earlier years."
Petitioner contends that he had a good faith objective to realize a profit from his mining activities during the years at issue and, therefore, his deductions with respect to his mining activities should not be limited by
B. *154 APPLYING THE FACTORS
1. THE MANNER IN WHICH PETITIONER CONDUCTED THE ACTIVITY
In deciding whether a taxpayer has conducted an activity in a businesslike manner, we consider whether complete and accurate books and records were maintained, whether the activity was conducted in a manner substantially similar to other activities of the same nature that were profitable, and whether changes in operating methods, adoption of new techniques, or abandonment of unprofitable methods were made in a manner consistent with an intent to improve profitability. See
a. PETITIONER'S RECORD KEEPING
While a taxpayer need not maintain a sophisticated cost accounting system, the taxpayer should keep records that enable the taxpayer to make informed business decisions. See
The record in this case confirms that petitioner kept extensive records of his mining activities, including financial and tax records such as spreadsheets, bank statements, canceled checks, and invoices and operational records such as production records, test reports, consultant reports, correspondence, and related documents. Petitioner produced these records both to the revenue agents who audited his tax returns for the years at issue and to an accountant, Steven Klovanish, whom petitioner hired to assist him in the audit. Although petitioner and respondent disagree as to the organizational state of the records, Mr. Klovanish testified that petitioner's records for the years at issue were in an "organized condition" and, with the exception of 1 year, corresponded with petitioner's tax returns. 21
*156 Although we are satisfied that petitioner kept books and records of his mining activities during the years at issue, we are not convinced that petitioner's record keeping represented anything other than an effort to maintain substantiation of the expenses claimed on his returns or that his record keeping was businesslike. As we have stated:
The purpose of maintaining books and records is more than
to memorialize for tax purposes the existence of the subject
transactions; it is to facilitate a means of periodically
determining profitability and analyzing expenses such that
proper cost saving measures might be implemented in a timely and
efficient manner. * * * [Burger v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo
1985-523 (citing
See also
In this case, petitioner has made no showing that he kept the kinds of books and records that would have enabled him to evaluate the financial condition of his mining activities. It appears*157 from the record that petitioner did not maintain a general ledger or appropriate accounting journals, nor did he have financial statements, profit and loss projections, budgets, break-even analyses, marketing surveys, or other books and records of the type that would have permitted him to periodically monitor the financial condition of his mining operation. Moreover, petitioner has made no showing that he used the books and records that he did maintain for the purpose of "cutting expenses, increasing profits, and evaluating the overall performance of the operation."
Petitioner did produce evidence that he submitted a mining plan of operations that was approved by the BLM on January 12, 1993. This plan of operations, however, was not a financial plan to monitor the profitability of petitioner's mining operation. Rather, the plan of operations was an operational plan required by law if a*158 claimant wishes to disturb more than 2 acres of land per year on his claims. Thus, the plan of operations is not evidence that petitioner kept businesslike financial records.
Petitioner has failed to demonstrate that he maintained accurate and businesslike books and records with respect to his mining activities during the years at issue.
b. SIMILARITY TO OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE SAME NATURE
Neither petitioner nor respondent offered any evidence as to the manner in which profitable mining businesses are conducted. See
c. CHANGES MADE TO FOSTER PROFITABILITY
There are numerous examples in the record demonstrating that petitioner made changes in operating methods, adopted new techniques, and/or abandoned unprofitable methods in the course of conducting his mining activities. See
Petitioner continually increased the capacity of his mill site and mine (also known as the Roman mine) and periodically developed or improved the methods he used in his mining activity. For example, petitioner originally employed a leaching process of cyanidation for the recovery of precious metals. Petitioner was not completely satisfied with the leaching process and changed methods to employ the gravity separation method. In order to employ this new method, petitioner acquired a jaw crusher, a cone crusher, a ball mill circuit, a screw classifier, and a wier jig and table to concentrate material. Petitioner also switched from using cyanide as a lixiviant in the concentration process to using bromine, after attending a Landall Mining Symposium in Reno, Nevada. In early 1993, petitioner purchased a $ 50,000 induction furnace to improve recoveries through induction smelting. Petitioner originally had a propane furnace, which was not powerful enough to melt platinum. Lastly, L.R. Tinnell developed a proprietary fire assaying method for assaying refractory ores to augment the standard fire assaying method used in the industry.
*160 Petitioner pursued several mining prospects but quickly abandoned those that he concluded had no potential to be profitable. For example, in Mr. Cruson's January 15, 1993, geological report on the Tinnell Prospect, Mr. Cruson recommended that "No further work is justified on the claims covered by the Tinnell Prospect." Pursuant to Mr. Cruson's recommendation, petitioner decided to cease work on the Tinnell Prospect. In 1983 and 1984, petitioner pursued a gold mining venture in Lochiel, Arizona, but quickly abandoned that effort after realizing the operation would not be profitable. Petitioner then moved his equipment to Colorado and began another mining operation, which he also quickly terminated when he discovered he had been misled.
In 1996, following the loss of the Quartette Mine project, petitioner began to investigate the sale of decorative rock as an income source and opened a rock yard in Las Vegas. Petitioner took out an advertisement in the telephone directory yellow pages with respect to his decorative rock business. Petitioner's revenue from the sale of decorative rock in the 3 years prior to trial was significant, growing steadily from year to year; i.e., $ 32,364 in*161 1997, $ 126,170 in 1998, and $ 373,566 in 1999.
Petitioner continually searched for operating methods and business ventures to reduce his losses, generate revenue, and improve profitability. Ultimately, petitioner was successful in generating substantial revenue from the sale of decorative rock. Thus, we are convinced that the changes petitioner implemented before, during, and after the years at issue have the potential to affect the long-range profitability of petitioner's mining activity materially and favorably. See
d. SUMMARY
Petitioner's changes in operating methods, adoption of new techniques, and abandonment of unprofitable methods to improve profitability are counterbalanced by petitioner's failure to demonstrate that he maintained accurate and businesslike books and records and to introduce evidence regarding the operation of successful mining ventures. See
2. THE*162 EXPERTISE OF PETITIONER OR HIS ADVISERS
Preparation for an activity by extensive study of its accepted business, economic, and scientific practices or consultation with industry experts may indicate a profit motive where the taxpayer carries on the activity in accordance with such practices. See
Petitioner demonstrated that he had a thorough understanding of the scientific and economic aspects of mining and that he regularly consulted with industry experts. In 1978, petitioner began reading prospecting books and became interested in mining. Petitioner attended shows and seminars about mining and purchased numerous books on geology and mining. Petitioner also learned how to read geological mining maps. Petitioner learned about mining both from self-teaching methods and experience over the years. Petitioner also did consulting work in or about 1988 with Kent Kjelberg at the Rattlesnake Mine and provided his expertise and equipment to help develop the mine.
Petitioner hired advisers, including geologists and accountants, and sought advice from Government officials regularly. See
Petitioner also employed one of his sons at the mine. The evidence demonstrates that L.R. Tinnell has a thorough understanding of both the technical and business aspects of mining. L.R. Tinnell graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and also took a graduate-level course in economic geology. L.R. Tinnell was responsible for dealing with Government agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration, on behalf of petitioner. L.R. Tinnell was also in charge of underground mining and tests, negotiations with Government agencies, and coordinating assays.
This factor favors petitioner.
3. PETITIONER'S TIME AND EFFORT DEVOTED TO THE ACTIVITY
The fact that a taxpayer devotes personal time and effort to carry on an activity may indicate an intention to derive a profit, particularly*164 where there are no substantial personal or recreational elements associated with the activity. See
Respondent does not dispute that petitioner devoted a substantial amount of time and effort to his mining activities. In or about 1988, petitioner began to disengage from his pharmaceutical and medical activities and to spend more time in his mining activity. Petitioner estimated he spent about 90 percent of his time on mining and only 10 percent of his time working in his medical practice during the years at issue. Petitioner's estimate is corroborated by the small amount of revenue petitioner derived from his medical practice in the 10 years prior to trial. Further, the record demonstrates that petitioner spent an enormous amount of his time, personal finances, and energy over the past 20 years on his mining activities.
This factor favors petitioner's*165 position.
4. THE EXPECTATION THAT ASSETS USED IN THE ACTIVITY WOULD
APPRECIATE IN VALUE
The term "profit" encompasses revenue from operations and appreciation in the value of assets, such as land.
Thus, the taxpayer may intend to derive a profit from the
operation of the activity, and may also intend that, even if no
profit from current operations is derived, an overall profit
will result when appreciation in the value of land used in the
activity is realized since income from the activity together
with the appreciation of land will exceed expenses of operation.
* * * [Id.]
Petitioner presented insufficient evidence to enable us to evaluate this factor adequately. Consequently, we do not consider this factor in our analysis.
5. PETITIONER'S SUCCESS IN OTHER ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES
That a taxpayer has engaged in similar activities in the past and converted them from unprofitable to profitable enterprises may indicate that the taxpayer is engaged in the present activity for a profit, even though the activity is presently unprofitable. See*166
The record demonstrates that petitioner had at least two successful entrepreneurial ventures before commencing his mining activities. First, in or about 1973, petitioner and his father purchased Delta Roofing Mills, a roofing manufacturing business in Slidell, Louisiana, for approximately $ 1 million. Within 5 years, petitioner and his father tripled the company's gross sales and sold it to Republic Gypsum Corp. for approximately $ 3 million.
Second, during the late 1970's, petitioner invented the cream. In September 1980, petitioner and his partner formed Zila Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which later became a wholly owned subsidiary of Zila. At the time of trial, Zila had over 200 employees and a market capitalization of approximately $ 200 million. The cream, which is now called Zylactin, is still on the market as an over-the-counter treatment for herpes, and petitioner has received substantial royalties from his invention.
The record demonstrates that petitioner has realized profits from other successful business ventures. This factor favors petitioner's position.
6. PETITIONER'S HISTORY OF INCOME OR LOSS FROM THE ACTIVITY
*167 A taxpayer's history of income or loss with respect to any activity may indicate the presence or absence of a profit objective. See
In this case, petitioner's losses in comparison with his revenues are substantial. From 1980 through 1991, petitioner did not report any income from his mining activities, and from 1989 through 1991, petitioner reported $ 723,656 in net losses. From 1992 through 1999, *168 petitioner reported a total of $ 537,800 in revenue and $ 3,347,724 in losses.
This factor favors respondent's position.
7. THE AMOUNT OF OCCASIONAL PROFITS GENERATED BY THE
ACTIVITY
The amount of profits earned in relation to the amount of losses incurred, the amount of the investment, and the value of the assets in use may indicate a profit objective. See
Petitioner conceded on brief that he did not realize any economic profit until 1999 and only began generating "meaningful revenue" in 1997. 22 Petitioner contends, however, that
A mining venture is speculative and may take years to realize a profit. A mining venture nevertheless may present an opportunity to earn substantial profits, particularly if the mining claims involved have "high mineral potential" as at least some of petitioner's claims apparently did. Petitioner presented the testimony of an expert geologist who confirmed that petitioner's efforts with respect to the Quartette Mine were worth*170 pursuing and that some of petitioner's claims merited development. While speculative, petitioner's mining activity offered the potential to generate significant income, and that possibility may be sufficient to indicate that petitioner engaged in the activity for profit even though only losses were produced. See
Petitioner believed he could and would earn a profit from his many activities. The objective facts also support petitioner's contention that a profit was attainable. In 6 of the 8 years prior to trial, petitioner earned revenue on sales of decorative rock in increasing amounts. Petitioner testified that he continued to generate revenue from sales of decorative rock in 2000 and that his gross revenue during the first 2 months of 2000 was approximately $ 55,000, an increase of 200 percent compared to revenue earned in the first 2 months of 1999. Referencing the "Resource Management Plan" map prepared by and for the BLM that acknowledged the "high mineral potential" on and around petitioner's mining claims, petitioner testified that there is "absolutely" gold and silver on his claims and that he intends to "go back*171 to the gold when the price turns".
The possibility of a speculative profit becomes less speculative when a taxpayer shows he actually realized a profit in years subsequent to those at issue. See
8. PETITIONER'S FINANCIAL STATUS
That the taxpayer does not have substantial income or capital from sources other than the activity in question may indicate that the activity is engaged in for profit. See
Respondent argues that little financial pressure or incentive existed to pursue work that was consistently profitable because petitioner could fund his mining activities with the royalties he received from Zila and with the proceeds from the sale of Zila stock. 23 Petitioner contends that the tax benefits he realized were relatively small in comparison to the out-of-pocket expenditures he made and that his financial commitment to his mining activity confirms his intention to make a profit from the activity.
Petitioner's income from Zila royalties and stock was substantial during the years at issue; however, petitioner invested a substantial portion of that money each year in his mining activities. Petitioner financed his mining activity with Zila royalties and*173 from the sale of Zila stock. Petitioner sold his Zila stock as he needed money and borrowed money that was secured by his Zila stock.
By the time of trial, petitioner had sold most of his Zila stock and had used the proceeds from the sale of the stock and all of his Zila royalties for many years to fund his mining activity. Petitioner's financial commitment to his mining activity apparently led respondent to concede in his reply brief that it "is probably true" petitioner's mining expenditures were not motivated by tax savings.
This factor favors petitioner's position.
9. ELEMENTS OF PERSONAL PLEASURE OR RECREATION
The existence of personal pleasure or recreation relating to the activity may indicate the absence of a profit objective. See
Petitioner argues that mining is not the sort of activity a person engages in for personal pleasure and that the frustrations in dealing with Federal, State, and local government regulatory agencies and the harsh working conditions offset any elements of personal pleasure derived from mining. Respondent contends that personal enjoyment can coexist with demanding labor and that petitioner*174 loves being at the mine and is tired of working with sick people.
The record confirms that mining is an extremely laborious activity that requires substantial time, energy, and financial support. Mining also entails numerous health risks, including heat prostration in the summer months, silicosis, and cyanide poisoning. Despite these risks and hardships, there is evidence suggesting that petitioner derives some personal pleasure from his mining activities. During the audit and at trial, petitioner acknowledged that he enjoyed being outdoors, and that he was "tired of dealing with sick people".
On balance, we are convinced that the small element of personal pleasure that petitioner derived from being outdoors and from his reduced involvement in his medical practice did not outweigh the hardships and danger involved in the mining activity or the substantial depletion of petitioner's royalty income and Zila stock. Moreover, some component of personal pleasure does not negate a bona fide profit motive. "[A] business will not be turned into a hobby merely because the owner finds it pleasurable; suffering has never been made a prerequisite to deductibility. "'Success in business is largely*175 obtained by pleasurable interest therein.'"
After considering the factors listed in
In his notices of deficiency, respondent determined that petitioner was liable for an accuracy-related penalty due to negligence or disregard of rules or regulations for each of the years in issue.
The penalty imposed by
Petitioner bears the burden of proving that respondent's determination is erroneous. See
Respondent proposed several adjustments with respect to petitioner's returns for the years in issue. Some of the adjustments were settled before trial, as reflected in the stipulations of settled issues, or are computational. See supra note 2. Petitioner introduced evidence at trial, and argued on brief, in support of his position that the accuracy-related penalty should not be imposed with respect to the mining deductions or the exercise of Zila stock options. Petitioner, however, did not present any evidence concerning the accuracy-related penalty as it relates to the remaining settled or computational issues. Consequently, we*178 hold that petitioner has failed to prove that the accuracy-related penalty should not apply with respect to the remaining settled and computational issues. See Rule 149(b). We sustain respondent's determination as to the settled and computational issues, excluding only the adjustment with respect to petitioner's exercise of his Zila stock options discussed separately below.
In 1993, petitioner was required to report ordinary income of $ 548,271 from his exercise of stock options to purchase 380,000 shares of Zila, after taking into account an exercise price of $ 285,000 and Zila's per-share blockage discount of $ 282,979. On petitioner's 1993 Federal income tax return, however, he reduced the amount of ordinary income derived from his exercise of his Zila stock options (and shown on a Form 1099 issued to him) by an additional $ 282,979, claiming that he was entitled to an additional discount because the sale of the shares was restricted. Petitioner disclosed this additional discount on a schedule that fully described the total options exercised, the exercise amount, the fair market value, the exercise price, the per-share blockage discount applied*179 by Zila, the amount of ordinary income reported on Form 1099, and the additional discount for restrictions on stock taken by petitioner (marketability discount). The schedule contained the following statement concerning the marketability discount:
THIS DISCOUNT TAKEN BECAUSE TAXPAYER FEELS THAT STOCK WOULD BE
SEVERELY EFFECTED IF HE PUT ALL THESE SHARES ON MARKET IN ONE
BLOCK. IN ADDITION TAXPAYER CANNOT SELL SHARES FOR THESE YEARS
PER SEC REGULATIONS. THEREFORE, PRESENT VALUE IS LESS.
In the second Stipulation of Settled Issues filed with the Court, petitioner and respondent agreed that petitioner is entitled to only one discount of $ 282,979 and that, in 1993, petitioner understated ordinary income from the exercise of Zila stock options by $ 282,979.
The applicable regulations regarding the accuracy-related penalty as to negligence, which became effective for returns due after December 31, 1991, and applied to returns filed for 1993, contained an adequate disclosure exception. See
*181 The disclosure petitioner made on his 1993 return did not satisfy the regulations' definition of an adequate disclosure and, thus, is insufficient to avoid the accuracy-related penalty under
Even though petitioner did not make an adequate disclosure sufficient to avoid the penalty under the applicable regulations, petitioner may still be relieved of liability for the accuracy- related penalty if he shows there was reasonable cause for the understatement and he acted in good faith with respect to the understatement. See sec. 6664(c);
Petitioner contends that he claimed the additional marketability discount after consultation with his accountant and that, at all times, he "reasonably relied upon the expertise and advice of a certified public accountant in the preparation and filing of" his tax return. 25 The only evidence petitioner presented to indicate that he "reasonably relied upon the expertise and advice" of his accountant, however, was his own self-serving testimony, which we are not required to accept. See
We find that petitioner has failed to prove that there was reasonable cause for the understatement and that he*184 acted in good faith in applying an additional discount to reduce the value of the Zila stock acquired by exercising his stock options. We hold, therefore, that petitioner is liable for an accuracy-related penalty with respect to the additional income generated by the exercise of his Zila stock options.
We have considered the remaining arguments of both parties for results contrary to those expressed herein and, to the extent not discussed above, find those arguments to be irrelevant, moot, or without merit.
To reflect the foregoing,
Decision will be entered under Rule 155.
Footnotes
1. Petitioner originally reported $ 177,169 of royalty income in 1992. The parties stipulated an increase in this amount to $ 180,895.↩
2. In a Stipulation of Settled Issues filed with the Court, the parties agreed: (1) Petitioner's claims of alimony paid in 1991 and 1992 were overstated by $ 57,595 and $ 600, respectively; (2) petitioner understated capital gain in 1992 by $ 23,380; (3) petitioner understated royalty income from Zila, Inc., in 1992 by $ 3,726; and (4) petitioner is not liable for additions to tax pursuant to sec. 6651(a)(1) or sec. 6654, as determined in respondent's notices of deficiency, for 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994. In a second Stipulation of Settled Issues filed with the Court, the parties agreed: (1) In 1991, petitioner was entitled to claim a net operating loss deduction of $ 128,461 instead of the $ 23,995 originally claimed; (2) in 1993, petitioner originally claimed a net operating loss carryforward deduction of $ 101,898, and the parties agreed there is no net operating loss carryforward available for deduction, unless and except to the extent any determination by the Court with respect to the Schedule C mining activity in 1991 or 1992 results in a carryforward of net operating loss; and (3) in 1993, petitioner understated ordinary income from the exercise of stock options in Zila, Inc., by $ 282,979.↩
3. The only other issues for decisions are computational.↩
4. In his opening brief, petitioner set forth "Proposed Findings of Fact" that were in essence ultimate findings of fact. By neglecting to follow Rule 251(e), which requires petitioner to include numbered proposed findings of fact, petitioner has "assumed that risk that we have not considered the record in a light of * * * [his] own illumination."
Monico v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1998-10↩ .5. Before the formation of Zila Pharmaceuticals, Inc., petitioner acquired a corporate shell company called Dusenberg Replicar, which later became Zila Industries.↩
6. JEI, through and including the years at issue, did not file Federal income tax returns. JEI, however, issued shares of stock, held board meetings, kept minutes of corporate activities, and otherwise observed all the formalities if a corporation. At the time of trial, JEI was in good standing with the secretary of state of Nevada. Petitioner is the sole shareholder and president of JEI. Petitioner's sons, L.R. Tinnell and Jaye E. Tinnell, are secretary nd treasurer, respectively. JEI's fiscal tax year ends Jan. 31.↩
7. At the time of trial, petitioner stall employed his two sons in his mining operation.↩
8. Most of petitioner's claims were located in the Newberry Mountains southeast of Searchlight, Nevada, which is an area recognized for its high mineral potential↩
9. Century Capital Corp. was also involved in the private placement of Zila.↩
10. In order to initiate mining activity on Federal land, a claimant must first file a 2-week notice, which allows the claimant to disturb up to 2 acres of land per year. If the claimant desires to disturb more than 2 acres, a plan of operations must be approved by the BLM. Once a plan of operations is filed, the BLM conducts an investigation before approving the plan. In petitioner's case, the BLM's investigation lasted approximately 3 to 4 years, during which petitioner was allowed to erect facilities on his claims with the knowledge of the BLM. The expenses incurred in erecting those facilities are reflected in petitioner's tax returns for those years.↩
11. At some point, petitioner entered into a contract with Inducttherm to perform a series of test smelts to determine whether recoveries from his claims could be enhanced through the use of induction smelting, Inductotherm provided an induction furnace in Los Angeles, and petitioner and his son L.R. Tinnell performed a series of seven smelts at Inductotherm's facilities (which created dori bars). Petitioner and L.R. Tinnell performed tests on the dori bars, the results of which were favorable. Thereafter, petitioner communicated with Union Miniere in Belgium, which sent a local representative to perform an analysis on petitioner's dori bars. On the basis of a favorable report from Union Miniere, petitioner began making arrangements to upgrade his mill capacity. In 1993, petitioner purchased an induction furnace from Ajax Magnathermic ni order to increase the capacity of his mill from 1 ton per hour to 10 tons per hour. The purchase price of the induction furnace was about $ 50,000. Petitioner made approximately 15 dori bars with the induction furnace. The induction furnace, however, has not been operated since 1996.↩
12. Petitioner claimed that since 1994, there was a moratorium on the issuance of mineral patents from the BLM. Apparently, petitioner missed the deadline to apply for a mineral patent by 1 day, and his application was returned to him.↩
13. Michael Cruson has a geological engineering degree and a Ph.D. in geology from the Colorado School of Mines. Mr. Cruson has been engaged in the business of geological engineering since 1973. Mr. Cruson's clients include major oil companies in the United States; i.e., Phelps Dodge, Texaco, Chevron, Exxon; and major mining companies in the united States; i.e., Kenicott, Mobil, Newmont, and Cypress AMAX. At the time of trial, Mr. Cruson was conducting a feasability study on the Sarmish gold deposit site in Pakistan that was discovered in the early 1970's.↩
14. This area was located near petitioner's mill site (also known as the Roman mine site) and represents the bulk of petitioner's claim area.↩
15. L.R. Tinnell was married to one of the Millers. They were divorced by 1993 but remained relatively close.↩
16. In November 1993, petitioner formed Complex Resources Development (CRD) to take advantage of the development of the Quartette Mine and petitioner's claims. CRD was intended to be the operating company of a future joint venture controlling the Quartette mining operations. CRD never became active and never filed a Federal income tax return.↩
17. The lease for the Quartette Mine was not made part of the record, and we assume the parties to the lease were the owners of the Quartette Mine and petitioner. Nevertheless, because JEI did not function as a tax reporting entity during the years at issue, we attribute the mining activities to petitioner.↩
18. When petitioner's plan of operations was approved, the BLM, acting in error, granted petitioner permission to dispose of sand and gravel from what petitioner claimed would be "tailings" from his placer operations. Subsequently, inspectors from the BLM observed stockpiles of what appeared to be decorative rick, and BLM Law Enforcement reported that petitioner was selling decorative rock, in the Las Vegas market. On Feb. 8, 1999, the Los Vegas Field Office of the BLM sent a decision to petitioner directing him to halt the sale of "tailings" and "non-locatable" minerals. On or about Apr. 30, 1999, petitioner filed an appeal from the BLM decision. Petitioner hired a mining law attorney to represent him with respect to the BLM's decision and a geologist to determine whether petitioner is mining "locatable" minerals. At the time of trial, the matter was still on appeal, and petitioner was still selling decorative rock.↩
19. JEI initially made an election to be treated for tax purposes as a "pass-through" s corporation but did not file any tax returns until 1998. Respondent does npt assert that any expenses claimed by petitioner with respect to the taxable years at issue are disallowable because of the failure of JEI to file Federal income tax returns.↩
1. For taxable years 1989 and 1990, petitioner's original returns were examined, and no change resulted. For those same years, petitioner filed amended returns that claimed additional losses from his mining activities. These claims were examined by respondent and resulted in loss carryforwards allowed in 1991.↩
2. The parties agree that these amounts are deductible unless disallowed by
sec. 183↩ . Respondent does not assert that any of petitioner's mining expenses with respect to the taxable years 1991 through 1994 should be disallowed as a result of the application of sec. 616 or 617.3. Expenses claimed on returns filed on behalf of JEI.↩
1. Petitioner originally reported $ 177,169 of royalty income in 1992. The parties stipulated an increase in this amount to $ 180,895.↩
20. The additional schedule indicated the amount of petitioner's ordinary income as "ORDINARY INCOME-1099". We assume this indicates that petitioner's ordinary income was reported on Form 1099.↩
21. Mr. Klovanish could not tie some of the numbers on petitioner's tax return for 1 year to petitioner's records but suggested that this might be due to the fact that he did not have information from petitioner's prior accountant to ascertain what adjustments the prior accountant had made in preparing the tax return.↩
22. During the years at issue in this case, petitioner reported over $ 1.6 million in costs and expenses related to his mining activities and ONLY $ 2,800 of revenue. In the subsequent 5 years, however, petitioner reported $ 535,000 in revenue and approximately $ 2.2 million in costs and expenses. In 1999, petitioner's revenue of $ 373,566 surpassed his operating costs and expenses of $ 322,328, exclusive of depreciation.↩
23. With respect to his medical practice, however, petitioner did not earn more than $ 36,723 in any year from 1989 through 1998, and he sustained losses in 3 of those years.↩
24. For returns due before Dec. 31, 1991, taxpayers were entitled to rely on
Notice 90-20 ,1990-1 C.B. 328 , which states that "disclosure must be full and substantive and be clearly identified as being made to avoid imposition of the accuracy-related penalty." See alsoKelly v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1996-529 .Notice 90-20 , supra, also provided that "The disclosure must be made on the return or on a properly completed Form 8275, Disclosure Statement Under Section 6661, attached to the return."Sec. 1.6662-4(f)(1), Income Tax Regs. , in effect for 1993, sets forth stricter requirements than those set forth inNotice 90-20 , supra, in order to avoid the imposition of the accuracy-related penalty undersec. 6662(a) and(b)(1) .In addition, the provisions of
sec. 1.6662-4(f)(2), Income Tax Regs. , which permit disclosure in accordance with an annual revenue procedure for purposes of the substantial understatement penalty, do not apply for purposes of the accuracy-related penalty imposed for negligence. Seesec. 1.6662-3(c)(2), Income Tax Regs.↩ 25. Petitioner also argued that any understatement attributable to an undervaluation of the Zila stock should be reduced if (i) the tax treatment is supported by substantial authority, or (ii) there was adequate disclosure of relevant facts on his return. See
sec. 6662(d)(2)(B) . By its terms, and as indicated by the regulations, the exception insec. 6662(d)(2)(B) applies only to an accuracy-related penalty imposed on an underpayment attributable to any substantial understatement of income tax. Seesec. 6662(b)(2) ,(d)(2)(B) ;sec. 1.6662-4(a), Income Tax Regs.↩ 26. Petitioner's reporting position regarding the additional discount was inconsistent with the Form 1099 furnished by Zila, which allowed a blockage discount of only $ 282,979.↩
Related
Cite This Page — Counsel Stack
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