Weitz v. Commissioner

1989 T.C. Memo. 99, 56 T.C.M. 1422, 1989 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 99
CourtUnited States Tax Court
DecidedMarch 13, 1989
DocketDocket No. 24031-85.
StatusUnpublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 1989 T.C. Memo. 99 (Weitz 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
Weitz v. Commissioner, 1989 T.C. Memo. 99, 56 T.C.M. 1422, 1989 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 99 (tax 1989).

Opinion

MAX WEITZ and SYLVIA WEITZ, Petitioners v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Weitz v. Commissioner
Docket No. 24031-85.
United States Tax Court
T.C. Memo 1989-99; 1989 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 99; 56 T.C.M. (CCH) 1422; T.C.M. (RIA) 89099;
March 13, 1989; As amended March 29, 1989
Harvey R. Poe, for the petitioners.
William S. Garofalo, and C. Ellen Pilsecker for the respondent.

WRIGHT

MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND*100 OPINION

WRIGHT, Judge: By a notice of deficiency dated April 15, 1985, respondent determined a deficiency in petitioners' Federal income tax for taxable year 1981 in the amount of $ 10,863 and an addition to tax under section 6653(a) 1 in the amount of $ 543.15.

The issues for decision are (1) whether petitioners properly claimed a deduction for the value of medical equipment donated to a hospital, and (2) if such deduction is not proper, whether petitioners are liable for an addition to tax pursuant to section 6653(a).

FINDINGS OF FACT

Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. The stipulated facts and attached exhibits are incorporated herein by this reference.

Petitioners Max and Sylvia Weitz (petitioners) were married and resided in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at the time of filing the joint petition herein. Petitioners, cash basis taxpayers using a calendar year, timely filed their joint return for the taxable year 1981 with*101 the Internal Revenue Service Center in Holtsville, New York.

In July 1981, petitioners donated several items of medical equipment to West Hudson Hospital (West Hudson or the hospital). Petitioners made this donation after a discussion with Donald J. Saltzman (Saltzman), their accountant. Saltzman, a certified public accountant since 1964, was associated with the New Jersey accounting firm of Albano, Leaf, Saltzman, Pfeil, Maeder and Company (Albano), and provided accounting services to petitioners through the year in issue. Saltzman introduced petitioners to a plan he had devised in conjunction with Barry Adler (Adler), a longtime client. Saltzman and Adler proposed that petitioners purchase medical equipment at discount prices and donate it to charitable institutions.

Adler was in the business of buying and selling medical equipment and supplies. From 1962 to 1972, Adler was the president of Leed's Surgical Supply Company, a provisioner of surgical and medical supplies. In 1981, he was the president of Leed's Financial Advisory Service (Leed's), a consulting firm, and the president of Monsey Medical Holding Company, a management company for gynecology and breast cancer detection*102 centers. Both of these businesses purchased and distributed medical supplies and equipment.

In the course of business, Adler frequently purchased medical equipment at bankruptcy auctions for prices far lower than usual retail prices. Because items sold at hospital bankruptcy auctions were generally sold without reserve, the auctioneer was compelled to accept the highest bid, regardless of whether the bid approximated real value. Adler anticipated a discount of up to 90 percent of fair market value on equipment and supplies purchased at a bankruptcy auction.

Some time prior to the year in issue, Adler approached Saltzman, his accountant, with a proposal for a tax sheltering investment plan whereby Adler would purchase medical equipment at bankruptcy auctions on behalf of Albano clients selected by Saltzman (the investors). The plan provided that each investor would contribute to a pool of funds which would be used to purchase medical equipment. After holding the equipment for more than one year, the investors would then donate it to designated charitable institutions. Each investor would claim a deduction in amounts of the equipment's fair market value at the time of contribution. *103 After paying his proportionate share of the purchase price and a ten percent commission to Adler, each investor was advised to expect a return on his investment at a ratio of four to one. Saltzman and his partners approved the plan and they solicited investors from among their own clients, particularly those who would benefit significantly from the tax deductions. The solicited investments ranged in amount from $ 500 to $ 2,000. 2

When they subscribed, the investors knew that the equipment would be donated in their names to one of two hospitals, Pan-American Development Foundation (Pan-American Development) or West Hudson Hospital (West Hudson), although they did not know which one. Pan-American Development was an American institution which distributed medical, agricultural and advanced technological equipment to needy areas in Latin America and the Caribbean. West Hudson was a private hospital*104 in Kearny, New Jersey. Both Pan-American Development and West Hudson are tax-exempt charitable organizations.

In July 1980, Adler learned of a bankruptcy auction at Yonkers Professional Hospital (Yonkers) from a newspaper advertisement. 3 Adler decided to attend the auction and purchase equipment on behalf of a group of investors which included petitioners. In anticipation of the auction Adler attended a preview (the preview) of the supplies and equipment to be auctioned. Adler was accompanied at the preview by Richard Sanderman (Sanderman), the Director of Finance at West Hudson, who prepared the hospital's budget and managed all of its funds among other duties. Sanderman also was in charge of purchasing the hospital's new medical equipment, and was authorized to execute binding contracts on the hospital's behalf. In fact, Sanderman's association with Adler stemmed from attending many of the same bankruptcy auctions.

*105 Just prior to the year in issue, West Hudson was building a new wing to contain a 46-bed skilled nursing facility.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
1989 T.C. Memo. 99, 56 T.C.M. 1422, 1989 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 99, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/weitz-v-commissioner-tax-1989.