Williams v. Commissioner

1991 T.C. Memo. 317, 62 T.C.M. 110, 1991 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 369
CourtUnited States Tax Court
DecidedJuly 9, 1991
DocketDocket No. 4764-89
StatusUnpublished

This text of 1991 T.C. Memo. 317 (Williams 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
Williams v. Commissioner, 1991 T.C. Memo. 317, 62 T.C.M. 110, 1991 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 369 (tax 1991).

Opinion

LAWRENCE K. WILLIAMS, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Williams v. Commissioner
Docket No. 4764-89
United States Tax Court
T.C. Memo 1991-317; 1991 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 369; 62 T.C.M. (CCH) 110; T.C.M. (RIA) 91317;
July 9, 1991, Filed

*369 Decision will be entered under Rule 155.

Lawrence K. Williams, pro se.
Linda S. Schultz, for the respondent.
GUSSIS, Special Trial Judge.

GUSSIS

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This case was heard pursuant to the provisions of section 7443A(b) and Rule 180 et seq. 1

Respondent determined deficiencies in petitioner's Federal income tax for the years 1982 and 1985 in the respective amounts of $ 1,425 and $ 1,415. Respondent now concedes that there is no deficiency for the year 1982 and also concedes certain of the adjustments for 1985. The remaining issues are whether petitioner is entitled to certain Schedule A and Schedule C deductions, and whether petitioner is entitled to an overpayment with respect to his 1982 tax year.

Petitioner was a resident of Sparks, Nevada, at the time the petition herein was filed.

*370 On the relevant Schedule C of his 1985 tax return, petitioner indicated his principal business as a distributor for Amway products. The business name shown on Schedule C for petitioner's activities was WLMSLIK Enterprises. He claimed deductions for various items which included, inter alia, tools in the amount of $ 1,107.20, special clothing in the amount of $ 375.71, and office rent in the amount of $ 1,512.69. He also claimed a deduction on Schedule A of his 1985 return for a casualty loss of $ 2,700.00. Respondent disallowed these items in full.

Petitioner claimed a deduction for office rent in 1985 in the amount of $ 1,512.69. It appears from the record that this deduction is a duplication of a deduction in the same amount claimed by petitioner on Schedule C of his 1985 tax return. Respondent is sustained on this issue.

Petitioner claimed a casualty loss deduction under section 165(c)(3) in 1985 in the amount of $ 2,700 with respect to certain real estate located in Buffalo, New York. He also claimed this same amount on his return as a loss realized in an involuntary conversion of property under the provisions of section 1231. Respondent contends that petitioner is not*371 entitled to a deduction in this amount under either section. We agree with respondent. Petitioner owned certain residential property in Buffalo, New York, which he used for rental purposes. In 1979 the property was taken over and sold by the city of Buffalo for nonpayment of property taxes. Clearly, the controlling taxable event took place in 1979 and, consequently, any loss incurred under either theory would normally be deductible in 1979. Petitioner's contention that he is entitled to carry this capital loss of $ 2,700 forward to the year 1985 is not supported by the record and must be rejected. See sec. 1212(b). In order to carry over a capital loss from one year to a subsequent year, the taxpayer must show that there was an excess of losses over gains in an amount greater than that allowed to be deducted during the year of the loss and during the intervening years. See sec. 1.1212-1(b), Income Tax Regs. There is no satisfactory showing here that the amount of the loss in question could not have been deducted in the year of loss or in the intervening years. Accordingly, we conclude that petitioner is not entitled to a deduction in 1985 for the capital loss at issue. *372 Respondent is sustained.

Petitioner claimed a deduction on Schedule C of his 1985 return designated as tools/equipment in the amount of $ 1,107.20 which was disallowed by respondent. Petitioner testified generally that this item included "wrenches, screwdrivers, screws" and "some other parts" which he purportedly used to maintain business vehicles, which included a Kawasaki motorcycle. Petitioner's testimony was vague and wholly unpersuasive. Moreover, petitioner has failed to substantiate the expenditures in question. In any event, respondent has allowed a Schedule C deduction for car and truck expenses in the amount of $ 2,736.75. We do not believe that petitioner has met his burden of showing that he is entitled to any further deduction for tools and auto parts in 1985. Respondent is sustained on this issue.

Petitioner claimed a Schedule C deduction in 1985 for special clothing in the amount of $ 375.71 which was disallowed by respondent. The general rule for qualifying the cost of clothing as a deductible business expense under section 162(a) is that the clothing must be: (1) Of a type specifically required as a condition of employment, and (2) not adaptable to general*373 use as ordinary clothing. Donnelly v. Commissioner, 262 F.2d 411, 412 (2d Cir. 1959), affg. 28 T.C.1278 (1957).

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Related

James Donnelly v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
262 F.2d 411 (Second Circuit, 1959)

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1991 T.C. Memo. 317, 62 T.C.M. 110, 1991 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 369, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/williams-v-commissioner-tax-1991.