Ziporyn v. Commissioner

1997 T.C. Memo. 151, 73 T.C.M. 2440, 1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 174
CourtUnited States Tax Court
DecidedMarch 24, 1997
DocketDocket No. 12515-95
StatusUnpublished

This text of 1997 T.C. Memo. 151 (Ziporyn 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
Ziporyn v. Commissioner, 1997 T.C. Memo. 151, 73 T.C.M. 2440, 1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 174 (tax 1997).

Opinion

MARVIN ZIPORYN, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Ziporyn v. Commissioner
Docket No. 12515-95
United States Tax Court
T.C. Memo 1997-151; 1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 174; 73 T.C.M. (CCH) 2440;
March 24, 1997, Filed

*174 Decision will be entered under Rule 155.

Marvin Ziporyn, pro se.
Edith E. Siler, for respondent.
GOLDBERG

GOLDBERG

MEMORANDUM OPINION

GOLDBERG, Special Trial Judge: The case *175 was heard pursuant to section 7443A(b)(3) of the Code and Rules 180, 181, and 182. 1 Respondent determined a deficiency in petitioner's Federal income tax for 1990 in the amount of $ 7,035. The issues for decision are: (1) Whether petitioner is entitled to a Schedule C deduction for business expenses in excess of the amounts allowed by respondent; and (2) whether petitioner is entitled to a deduction for travel expenses in excess of the amount allowed by respondent. 2

*176 Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. The stipulation of facts and the attached exhibits are incorporated by this reference. Petitioner resided in Chicago, Illinois, at the time his petition was filed.

Petitioner is a psychiatrist specializing in forensic psychiatry. Petitioner had acted as a court psychiatrist for the county of Los Angeles, California, and thus had become well known in Southern California. In 1988, petitioner began working as a forensic psychiatrist for a group based in Santa Monica, California. This work lasted approximately 14 months. In 1990, petitioner was hired by the Department of Mental Health for the county of Riverside, California, to perform psychiatric services in the county jails. Petitioner's contract with the county of Riverside, California, was not for a fixed period of time, but his employment actually lasted for 11 months in 1990. Petitioner was hired to set up a forensic unit at the jail. Petitioner was originally assigned to a jail in Indio, California, and later was relocated to the main jail in Riverside, California. Petitioner's psychiatric work required his presence at the jail on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of each*177 week.

Petitioner was also engaged in business as a musician. On Friday nights, petitioner played the violin at Ajetis Balkan Cafe, which is located in Hermosa Beach, California.

Each Saturday morning for 11 months during the year in issue, petitioner flew from Los Angeles, California, to Chicago, Illinois. Petitioner's personal residence was located in Chicago, Illinois, and petitioner's family resided in the area. Petitioner returned to Los Angeles, California, on Monday nights or Tuesday mornings each week. Petitioner did not maintain a log or records of travel expenses.

During 1990, petitioner rented an office suite in a building known as the Fine Arts Building, located at 410 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Petitioner maintained a private psychiatry practice there with office hours from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays. Petitioner had several patients, some of whom he had been seeing for a number of years.

After working for the county of Riverside, California, during the year in issue, petitioner continued to work as a forensic psychiatrist in California, working for approximately 6 months consecutively for two other organizations in Southern California. After*178 that time, petitioner returned to Chicago, Illinois.

For tax year 1990, petitioner reported on line 7 of his Form 1040 $ 37,945 in wages, comprising of $ 37,834.89 from the county of Riverside, California, and $ 110 from TALCO Enterprises. The expenses incurred with respect to his California wage income were claimed on line 20 of Schedule A as "unreimbursed employee expenses" in the amount of $ 11,660, before the 2-percent floor. According to Form 2106, Employee Business Expenses, this total consisted of $ 10,340 for travel expenses while away from home overnight including lodging, airplane, car rental and other expenses, and $ 1,650 less 20 percent for meals and entertainment.

Petitioner reported income and expenses related to his Chicago, Illinois, practice on Schedule C. Petitioner reported gross receipts of $ 12,700 from his psychiatric practice. This figure was based upon petitioner's estimate of the number of hours that he saw patients and the rate that petitioner charged per hour. Petitioner claimed the following expenses on Schedule C:

Amount
ExpenseClaimed
Car and truck expense$ 2,420
Legal and professional services240
Rent
Other business property5,600
Taxes and licenses600
Travel7,920
Meals and entertainment
$ 1,650 less 20 percent1,320
Parking250
Dues and subscriptions500
Telephone4,043
Total$ 22,893

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
1997 T.C. Memo. 151, 73 T.C.M. 2440, 1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 174, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/ziporyn-v-commissioner-tax-1997.