Darrell Archer v. Commissioner , 2018 T.C. Memo. 111 ( 2018 )

T.C. Memo. 2018-111
UNITED STATES TAX COURT
DARRELL ARCHER, Petitioner v.
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Docket Nos. 10444-16, 12414-16. Filed July 16, 2018.
Darrell Archer, pro se.
Jason T. Scott and Nicholas R. Rosado, for respondent.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
COHEN, Judge: In separate statutory notices, respondent determined
deficiencies of $5,422 and $15,803 and section 6662(a) penalties of $1,084.40 and
$3,160.60 in relation to petitioner’s Federal income tax for 2013 and 2014,
respectively. For 2014, respondent also determined that petitioner was liable for a
$692.65 section 6651(a)(1) late-filing addition to tax. Separate petitions were
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[*2] filed, but these cases were consolidated for trial, briefing, and opinion. The
issues for decision are whether petitioner is entitled to business expense
deductions, real estate loss deductions, and charitable contribution deductions for
the years in issue, and whether he is liable for the accuracy-related penalties and
the late-filing addition to tax. All section references are to the Internal Revenue
Code (Code) in effect for the years in issue, and all Rule references are to the Tax
Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.
FINDINGS OF FACT
Normally we organize our findings of fact chronologically. Because the
record is sketchy as to petitioner’s activities during 2013 and 2014, our findings as
to petitioner’s activities, his tax reporting, and the documentation that he produced
during the examination and at trial have been combined and organized by subject
matter.
Business Activities
Petitioner resided in Vallejo, California, at the time he filed his petitions.
During 2013 and 2014 he attempted to sell products online under the name Error
Helpers (marketing activity). Because he lacked computer knowledge and did not
know how to create web pages and advertise, he relied on help from his son
David, who lived in Maine, and his grandson Jake, who lived in Los Angeles.
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[*3] However, the business “faded out” in 2014. During 2013 and 2014 he
incurred credit card charges for “advertising” on various internet providers.
Petitioner was also engaged in a construction activity in Taft, California, to
which he traveled from his home in Vallejo. Petitioner worked for a few people he
knew and did not prepare invoices or give any receipts for the amounts that he was
paid for the construction work.
Petitioner reported his marketing activity and his construction activity on a
single Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business, for each of 2013 and 2014. He
reported total losses of $25,203 for 2013 and $36,172 for 2014. The
substantiation petitioner offered in relation to his business expenses included
annotated credit card statements on which he circled and totaled most items that he
deducted as travel expenses. The credit card statements included charges for
obviously personal items and charges attributed to Jacob Archer, Paul Archer,
Michael Archer, and Beatrice Archer.
Petitioner did not produce a contemporaneous record of his auto and truck
travel. On his handwritten reconstruction he did not segregate expenses for his
travel to construction sites in Taft from expenses for “conferences” with
“affiliates” in Ecuador, Las Vegas, Canada, Virginia, Maine, and Florida. He
reported as expenses related to his construction business meals in Bakersfield,
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[*4] California, approximately 40 miles from Taft. Deducted items included
$1,086.60 for airline tickets purchased April 15, 2013, for roundtrip travel of
Jacob David Archer between Bangor, Maine, and San Francisco, California.
Petitioner deducted as contract labor expenses for 2013 $7,550 paid to his son
David and his grandson Jake. He deducted contract labor expenses of $6,310 for
2014. He deducted office expenses of $3,200 for 2013 and $3,312 for 2014. He
deducted legal and professional expenses of $5,000 for 2013 (of which $4,000 was
allowed in the statutory notice) and $16,825 for 2014. He deducted advertising
expenses of $10,425 for 2013 and $10,314 for 2014. Lesser amounts were
deducted for repairs and maintenance, insurance, utilities, and miscellaneous items
for each year.
Rental Activities
Petitioner owned several rental properties during 2013 and 2014. He
occasionally made trips to conduct maintenance on those properties. Petitioner
deducted losses totaling $15,876 on Schedule E, Supplemental Income and Loss,
for 2013. Those loss deductions were not disallowed in the statutory notice for
2013. He deducted rental losses of $11,881 on his return for 2014. The loss
deductions included expenses incurred for miles driven between his home and the
rental properties, but he did not produce a contemporaneous log, a calendar, or
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[*5] receipts to substantiate the distance that he estimates he drove. As
substantiation for the 2014 rental losses he provided copies of a credit card
statement and checkbook ledger entries reflecting payments for real estate taxes
and payments to individuals that he did not otherwise identify. The rental loss
deduction for 2014 was disallowed in the statutory notice with the explanation that
“[s]ince you did not establish that the amount shown was (a) loss, and (b)
sustained by you, it is not deductible.” In the notice petitioner’s adjusted gross
income for 2014 was calculated as $97,252.
Charitable Contribution Deductions
On Schedules A, Itemized Deductions, attached to his returns petitioner
claimed cash and noncash charitable contribution deductions. For 2013 he
reported cash contributions of $5,200 and noncash contributions of $2,650, and
for 2014 he reported cash contributions of $5,650 and noncash contributions of
$3,749. He did not produce canceled checks or receipts for the cash contributions.
For noncash contributions reported for 2014, he produced forms provided by the
recipient that he filled out himself, on which he estimated values but did not
describe any donated property other than as “bags/boxes” and “large household
item(s)”, and which were dated in 2013. For 2013 the only adjustment to itemized
deductions in the statutory notice was based on changes to petitioner’s adjusted
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[*6] gross income. For 2014 $9,399 of claimed itemized deductions was
disallowed in the statutory notice.
Tax Examination
Petitioner prepared his return for each year without seeking professional
help. As a result of the losses reported on Schedules C and E and the deductions
claimed on Schedules A, petitioner reported tax liabilities of zero for 2013 and
2014. His 2014 return was filed late, on April 27, 2015. His returns were selected
for examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The IRS tax specialist examiner (examiner) who conducted the examination
of petitioner’s returns for 2013 and 2014 proposed imposing the section 6662(a)
penalty for each year. On September 18, 2015, the examiner’s then-immediate
supervisor approved in writing as alternatives the substantial understatement or
negligence penalty for 2013. The statutory notice for that year was sent February
2, 2016. On January 21, 2016, the examiner’s then-immediate supervisor
approved in writing the substantial understatement penalty for 2014. The statutory
notice for that year was sent February 22, 2016.
OPINION
The taxpayer has the burden of proving entitlement to his or her deductions
claimed. See New Colonial Ice Co. v. Helvering, 292 U.S. 435, 440 (1934);
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[*7] Sparkman v. Commissioner, 509 F.3d 1149, 1159 (9th Cir. 2007), aff’g T.C.
Memo. 2005-136; Rockwell v. Commissioner, 512 F.2d 882, 886 (9th Cir. 1975),
aff’g T.C. Memo. 1972-133. Taxpayers are required to maintain sufficient records
to establish the amount and purpose of any deduction. Sec. 6001; Higbee v.
Commissioner, 116 T.C. 438, 440 (2001); sec. 1.6001-1(a), (e), Income Tax Regs.
Petitioner has not satisfied the conditions for shifting the burden of proof under
section 7491(a) because he failed to maintain required records or to present
credible evidence that he was entitled to these deductions. Respondent has the
burden of production with respect to penalties and additions to tax. See sec.
7491(c).
Schedule C Expenses
Section 162(a) allows as a deduction “all the ordinary and necessary
expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or
business”. An expense is ordinary if it is normal, usual, or customary in the
taxpayer’s trade or business, and it is necessary if appropriate or helpful for such
business. See Deputy v. du Pont, 308 U.S. 488, 495 (1940); see also Lingren v.
Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2016-213. Certain expenses, including travel, meals,
entertainment, and vehicle expenses, are subject to the heightened substantiation
requirements of section 274(d). The substantiation required is “adequate records
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[*8] or by sufficient evidence corroborating the taxpayer’s own statement” the
amount, time, place, and business purpose of the expense. Sec. 274(d) (flush
language). Personal, living, and family expenses are not deductible. Sec. 262(a).
Petitioner did not produce any third-party invoices, canceled checks, or
contemporaneous logs to substantiate the business purpose of the amounts
reported. He produced no corroborating witnesses. His evidence consisted of
annotated copies of credit card statements, a few bank statements, receipts signed
by his son, and his own handwritten notes. He testified that he went over his
credit card statements and added up charges that he determined were related to his
business. He presented no evidence that he was entitled to deduct expenses
relating to the use of his home in compliance with section 280A(c)(1) or (2),
which provides exceptions to the prohibition of deductions with respect to a
taxpayer’s residence. He merely asserted that he had deducted two-thirds of the
utilities as his estimate for use of the property for business.
Petitioner’s testimony and the handwritten and typed notes that were
stipulated exhibits are merely his contentions, and his assertions that the large
amounts claimed as deductions related to an amorphous business activity are
improbable, implausible, and unreliable. The amounts he claimed as deductions
were reconstructed estimates, disproportionate in amount to his reported income,
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[*9] and questionable as to purpose. We are not required to accept such
testimony. See Geiger v. Commissioner, 440 F.2d 688, 689-690 (9th Cir. 1971),
aff’g T.C. Memo. 1969-159; Shea v. Commissioner, 112 T.C. 183, 189 (1999). “A
taxpayer’s general statement that his or her expenses were incurred in pursuit of a
trade or business is not sufficient to establish that the expenses had a reasonably
direct relationship to any such trade or business.” Hopkins v. Commissioner, T.C.
Memo. 2005-49, slip op. at 16.
Petitioner argues in posttrial filings that the examination and counsel’s trial
preparation failed to solicit the information necessary for him to establish that
expenses were incurred for business purposes, but presenting proof was
petitioner’s burden. He received adequate notice of what was disputed. His
testimony and his brief emphasize his subjective belief that “every deduction that I
made I believed to be an absolute legitimate deduction. A deduction that I
deserved and should take”. Such testimony does not carry his burden. See Geiger
v. Commissioner, 440 F.2d at 690.
Petitioner did not keep track of the hours his son or grandson worked or the
services they performed. Where a family relationship is involved, close scrutiny is
applied to determine whether payments to or on behalf of a taxpayer’s children are
on account of an employment relationship or the family relationship and whether
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[*10] the amounts paid are reasonable for the work performed. Denman v.
Commissioner, 48 T.C. 439 (1967); see Haeder v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo.
2001-7; Jenkins v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1988-292, aff’d without published
opinion, 880 F.2d 414 (6th Cir. 1989). We have no basis for finding the
reasonable value of services allegedly performed by petitioner’s son and his
grandson or to distinguish compensation for services from personal or family
expenses.
Regarding various travel expenses included as business expenses, petitioner
did not explain adequately any business need to be in Ecuador, Las Vegas,
Canada, Virginia, Maine, or Florida. He testified that he was participating in
discussions and sharing information with “affiliates” at various conferences, but
the general claims are unpersuasive in the absence of details or corroboration. He
failed to satisfy any of the heightened substantiation requirements of section
274(d) with respect to vehicle expenses, travel expenses, and meals and
entertainment.
As to expenses to which section 274(d) does not apply, where a taxpayer
establishes that he incurred a deductible expense but is unable to substantiate the
precise amount, we may, bearing heavily against the taxpayer who has failed to
maintain records, approximate the amount of the expense. See Cohan v.
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[*11] Commissioner, 39 F.2d 540, 543-544 (2d Cir. 1930). However, we must
have sufficient evidence upon which to make a reasonable estimate to apply the
Cohan rule. See Sparkman v. Commissioner, 509 F.3d at 1160; Vanicek v.
Commissioner, 85 T.C. 731, 742-743 (1985). We do not have adequate evidence
in these cases to make a reasonable approximation as to most of petitioner’s
disputed deductions, which include large amounts for contract labor, office
expenses (including a home office), and legal and professional expenses.
Petitioner did not testify about or otherwise explain the reason for the legal and
professional expenses that he deducted, and there is no evidence on which we
could base a finding or conclusion as to whether they related to his business or
were personal in nature and not deductible. See generally United States v.
Gilmore, 372 U.S. 39 (1963). Although portions of the amounts reported were
allowed for 2013, that fact does not either support a greater allowance for that year
or provide support for the amounts claimed for 2014. Failure to raise an issue for
one tax year does not preclude or affect the correct determination of that issue for
another year. See, e.g., Tollefsen v. Commissioner, 52 T.C. 671, 681 (1969),
aff’d, 431 F.2d 511 (2d Cir. 1970).
Petitioner presented checkbook ledger entries to support deductions for
insurance. Those records do not disclose whether the insurance was personal or
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[*12] business related. If the payments were for auto insurance, then to the extent
that petitioner claimed deductions based on standard mileage amounts he is not
entitled to add actual expenses. See Nash v. Commissioner, 60 T.C. 503, 520
(1973); Kavuma v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2016-101, at *18-*19; sec. 1.274-
5(j)(2), Income Tax Regs. He presented no evidence of business use of the
vehicles as a percentage of total use, so we have no way of allocating vehicle
expenses even if any of them had been adequately substantiated.
Petitioner testified about advertising expenses incurred in attempting to
establish an internet presence for his marketing business. He presented
corroborating bank charges for February and March 2013. He presented credit
card statements for similar items for 2014. On the basis of petitioner’s testimony
and the corroborating documents, we conclude that petitioner is entitled to deduct
$10,000 for 2013 and $10,000 for 2014 for advertising expenses. Otherwise,
petitioner has failed to satisfy his burden of proof with respect to the disallowed
Schedule C deductions.
Rental Activity Losses
Respondent argues in his pretrial memorandum and in his opening brief that
petitioner is not entitled to deduct the rental losses for 2014 to the extent they
exceed $25,000 because of the passive activity limitations of section 469. See sec.
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[*13] 469(i). Nothing in the record, however, suggests that the loss deductions
claimed exceeded $25,000, or that any overall limitation was the reason for
disallowance. We see no reason, therefore, to discuss further the complex
provisions of section 469. We interpret respondent’s arguments as a concession as
to any substantiated expenses totaling less than $25,000. In his reply brief
respondent argues that petitioner failed to substantiate his rental losses and seeks
to impose additional obligations on petitioner not addressed in respondent’s
pretrial memorandum, at trial, or on opening brief. We disregard those belated
contentions.
Petitioner testified that he sustained losses from rental activities in 2014
similar to those that he reported for 2013. The Schedule E for 2014, however, was
not found in the stipulated exhibits, a gap attributable equally to each party.
Petitioner’s testimony and the minimal check records were sufficient to establish
that he made multiple trips to perform regular repairs and maintenance on the
properties and that he paid property taxes on them. The expenses incurred for
trips were not substantiated in accordance with section 274(d). Although it
appears that petitioner purchased tools, it is unclear whether the tools were for his
construction activity and deducted on Schedule C or for repairs of his rental
property and deducted on Schedule E, or perhaps on both. Using our best
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[*14] judgment based on petitioner’s testimony and the real estate tax bills and
other corroborating evidence, and bearing heavily against petitioner because he
failed to maintain adequate records, we conclude that he is entitled to deduct rental
activity losses of $5,000 for 2014.
Charitable Contributions
For cash contributions a taxpayer must retain canceled checks, receipts from
the donee organizations showing the dates and amounts of the contributions, or
other reliable written records showing the names of the donees, dates, and amounts
of the contributions. See sec. 1.170A-13(a)(1), Income Tax Regs.
Under section 1.170A-13(b)(1), Income Tax Regs., a taxpayer must
maintain for each noncash contribution a receipt from the donee organization
unless doing so is impractical. The donee receipt must show: (1) the name of the
donee organization, (2) the date and location of the contribution, and (3) a
description of the property in detail reasonably sufficient under the circumstances.
Id.
A taxpayer who lacks a donee receipt is required to keep reliable written
records including, among other things: (1) the name and address of the donee
organization to which the contribution was made, (2) the date and location of the
contribution, (3) a description of the property in detail reasonable under the
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[*15] circumstances (including the value of the property), and (4) the fair market
value of the property at the time the contribution was made and the method used to
determine the fair market value. Id. subpara. (2)(ii); see also Van Dusen v.
Commissioner, 136 T.C. 515, 532 (2011). Further, no deduction is allowed for
“any contribution of clothing or a household item” unless such property is “in
good used condition or better.” Sec. 170(f)(16)(A).
Petitioner failed to present evidence that satisfied the requirements of law
for deductions of charitable contributions. He claimed that each donation was less
than $250 and asserted his understanding that he did not need receipts for those.
His understanding is contrary to the rules cited above. His general testimony as to
what goods were donated and the generalized listing on Schedule A of his 2014
return are not supported by any written record and are improbable and implausible
as to the amounts and values claimed. He is not entitled to any deductions for
charitable contributions.
Section 6662(a) Accuracy-Related Penalties
Section 6662(a) and (b)(1) and (2) imposes a 20% accuracy-related penalty
on any underpayment of Federal income tax which is attributable to negligence or
disregard of rules or regulations or a substantial understatement of income tax.
Negligence includes failure to keep adequate books and records or to substantiate
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[*16] items properly. Sec. 1.6662-3(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. An understatement
of income tax is substantial if it exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to
be shown on the return or $5,000. Sec. 6662(d)(1)(A).
Section 6662(c) defines negligence as including any failure to make a
reasonable attempt to comply with the provisions of the Code and defines
disregard as any careless, reckless, or intentional disregard. See sec. 1.6662-
3(b)(1) and (2), Income Tax Regs. Negligence is the lack of due care or the failure
to do what a reasonable and prudent person would do under the circumstances.
Neely v. Commissioner, 85 T.C. 934, 947 (1985). Disregard of rules or
regulations is careless if the taxpayer does not exercise reasonable diligence to
determine the correctness of a return position that is contrary to the rule or
regulation. Sec. 1.6662-3(b)(2), Income Tax Regs.
Under section 7491(c), the Commissioner bears the burden of production
with regard to penalties and must come forward with sufficient evidence
indicating that it is appropriate to impose penalties. See Higbee v. Commissioner,
116 T.C. at 446.
Petitioner failed to maintain records adequately substantiating the expenses
underlying his claimed deductions. He reported no tax liabilities on his returns.
The understatement of income tax for each year as a result of our holdings is
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[*17] substantial as defined in section 6662(d)(1)(A). It is appropriate to impose a
penalty for each year, subject to the discussion below.
Respondent’s burden also includes a showing under section 6751(b) that the
penalties determined in the statutory notices were properly approved by a
supervisor. Graev v. Commissioner (Graev III), 149 T.C. __ (Dec. 20, 2017),
supplementing and overruling in part Graev v. Commissioner (Graev II), 147 T.C.
460 (2016). Trial of these cases was held on September 18, 2017. Respondent’s
opening brief was filed November 29, 2017. As of that time, this Court had held
in Graev II that the question of whether a penalty was properly approved under
section 6751(b) was premature in a deficiency case, because the penalty was not
yet assessed.
In Graev III we overruled and supplemented Graev II, and we accepted the
holding of the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Chai v. Commissioner,
851 F.3d 190, 221 (2d Cir. 2017), aff’g in part, rev’g in part T.C. Memo. 2015-42,
that section 6751(b) “requires written approval of the initial penalty determination
no later than the date the IRS issues the notice of deficiency (or files an answer or
amended answer) asserting such penalty.”
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[*18] Petitioner’s brief was filed February 12, 2018. Although he challenged the
applicability of the section 6662(a) penalty, he did not mention section 6751(b),
which is not surprising in view of the long period in which lawyers and the Court
had not addressed that section. On February 13, 2018, the Court ordered
respondent to file a reply brief addressing the effect of section 6751(b) in these
cases and to file any appropriate motion by the same date.
On March 16, 2018, respondent filed a motion to reopen the record so that
respondent could submit evidence of supervisory approval for the determined
penalties. The motion was accompanied by a declaration of the examiner who
conducted the examination of petitioner’s 2013 and 2014 returns. A Penalty
Approval Form for each year was attached to the declaration. Petitioner objected
to respondent’s motion and requested the right to examine the declarant
concerning compliance with section 6751(b). Petitioner was permitted “to serve
on respondent interrogatories consistent with Rule 71, Tax Court Rules of Practice
and Procedure, which will be single, definite questions (see Pleier v.
Commissioner, 92 T.C. 499 (1989))” directed to the contents of the declaration
supporting respondent’s motion to reopen the record. Disregarding our order,
petitioner submitted untimely requests for admissions concerning matters other
than the existence of supervisory approval. Petitioner also submitted
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[*19] interrogatories that purported to require respondent to prepare a narrative of
respondent’s position and the analysis of issues that was already contained in
respondent’s pretrial memoranda and in respondent’s opening and reply briefs.
Petitioner challenges the process of examination and other matters occurring
before the statutory notices were sent. Except with regard to supervisory approval
of penalties as specified in section 6751(b), we have consistently held that such
inquiries are inappropriate. Greenberg’s Express, Inc. v. Commissioner, 62 T.C.
324, 327-328 (1974) (explaining that a trial before the Court is a proceeding de
novo, and our redeterminations of a taxpayer’s tax liabilities are based on the
merits and not on matters occurring before the notices of deficiency were sent);
see, e.g., Whittington v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2015-152, aff’d, 698 F.
App’x 515 (9th Cir. 2017). Petitioner’s interrogatories were not consistent with
the Court’s order or with Pleier. Petitioner thus squandered the opportunity
provided to him and failed to present a valid objection to respondent’s motion.
Exercising our discretion to favor a determination of the penalties on the
merits of these cases, we granted respondent’s motion and have included in our
findings that the required supervisory approval was obtained.
Once the Commissioner has met the burden of production, the taxpayer
must come forward with persuasive evidence that the penalty is inappropriate
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[*20] because, for example, he or she acted with reasonable cause and in good
faith. Sec. 6664(c)(1); Higbee v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. at 448-449. The
decision as to whether a taxpayer acted with reasonable cause and in good faith is
made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all of the pertinent facts and
circumstances. See sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. The most important
factor in determining reasonable cause and good faith is the extent of the
taxpayer’s effort to assess his or her proper income tax liability. Id.
Petitioner did not consult a tax professional when he added up amounts
shown on his credit card statements and deducted any item that indicated travel
without complying with section 274(d), deducted payments to his son and his
grandson without determining reasonable compensation or documenting the
business purpose of payments that appear personal, deducted charitable
contributions without complying with section 170, and estimated deductions by
reconstruction rather than reliable records. He did not exercise reasonable
diligence and has not shown reasonable cause. Petitioner is liable for the section
6662(a) penalties.
Section 6651(a) Addition to Tax
Section 6651(a)(1) imposes an addition to tax for late filing of a return. The
addition to tax determined for 2014 under section 6651(a) applies absent a
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[*21] showing by petitioner of reasonable cause and a lack of willful neglect. See
Higbee v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. at 446-447.
Petitioner’s 2014 return was received by the IRS on April 27, 2015.
Petitioner does not assert that the return was timely mailed, and he did not testify
to the circumstances and timing of preparation of that return. He acknowledges in
his brief that the return was due April 15, 2015, and was filed April 27, 2015, and
he does not contend that he applied for an extension. He merely argues that “he
exercises ordinary business care and prudence that renders him unable to file a
timely return” and that he establishes reasonable cause because the return showed
no tax due. Petitioner is wrong. Petitioner failed to show reasonable cause
excusing the late filing. The addition to tax will be sustained.
We have considered the arguments of the parties, including petitioner’s
misguided due process arguments, that are not discussed in this opinion. Those
arguments are irrelevant or lack merit under the facts in these cases. To reflect the
deductions that we have allowed,
Decisions will be entered
under Rule 155.