Troutman v. Commissioner, Docket No. 12449-01.
| Decision Date | 06 February 2004 |
| Docket Number | Docket No. 12449-01. |
| Parties | Adrian D. Troutman, Jr., v. Commissioner. |
| Court | U.S. Tax Court |
Adrian D. Troutman, Jr., pro se.
Julie L. Payne, for the respondent.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
Respondent determined an income tax deficiency of $22,270 and a penalty pursuant to section 6662(a)1 of $4,454 for 1999. After concessions,2 the issues for decision are: (1) Whether Adrian D. Troutman, Jr. (petitioner), is entitled to a deduction pursuant to section 162(a)(1) for alleged additional compensation paid to his employee;3 and (2) whether petitioner is entitled to a deduction for costs associated with the construction of a logging road on his property.
Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. The stipulation of facts and the attached exhibits are incorporated herein by this reference. At the time he filed the petition, petitioner resided in Winlock, Washington.
During 1999, petitioner operated three sole proprietorships: T-Foil Enterprises, A & J Insulation Contractors (Washington), and A & J Insulation Contractors (Oregon). T-Foil Enterprises manufactured insulation, while A & J Insulation Contractors installed the insulation manufactured by T-Foil Enterprises. The insulation manufactured by T-Foil Enterprises was also sold to third parties.
Beginning in 1986, and for part of 1999, T-Foil Enterprises employed Amy Novak-O'Farrell "off and on". During 1999, Ms. Novak-O'Farrell was also employed by Premier Productions, LLC, and All Platinum Spinners, two businesses which she owned. T-Foil Enterprises employed Ms. Novak-O'Farrell as an office manager. Ms. Novak-O'Farrell's duties included purchasing business items and office supplies for T-Foil Enterprises, picking up mail, reviewing bills, paying bills, depositing business receipts, collecting rent on property owned by petitioner, depositing rent collected, and performing miscellaneous tasks as necessary. Ms. Novak-O'Farrell also purchased personal items for petitioner and his family. Petitioner often worked away from the office for 7 to 10 days at a time, and he would pick up the purchased items when he returned to the office. With approval from petitioner, Ms. Novak-O'Farrell also purchased personal items for herself using petitioner's credit card.
Ms. Novak-O'Farrell recalled earning $1,000 per month in wages from petitioner. Checks from T-Foil Enterprises indicate that Ms. Novak-O'Farrell received approximately $300 per week in gross wages, and $254.10 per week in net take-home pay. Petitioner also agreed to pay Ms. Novak-O'Farrell's monthly car payment and gasoline expenses as additional compensation.
Ms. Novak-O'Farrell made purchases for T-Foil Enterprises in one of two ways. Sometimes she purchased items with an American Express card. The American Express card had her name on it, but the charges incurred on that card were billed to petitioner. On other occasions, Ms. Novak-O'Farrell purchased business items with her own funds or her own credit card. When she purchased business items with her own funds or credit card, petitioner would reimburse her, or she would write a T-Foil Enterprises check to herself. Petitioner periodically reviewed the American Express bills and canceled checks. There is no evidence that petitioner objected to these practices during 1999.
During 1999, Ms. Novak-O'Farrell and petitioner were friends in addition to their employer-employee relationship.
From October 1998 to March 2001, Ms. Novak-O'Farrell rented a house from petitioner. The parties did not execute a written lease. Ms. Novak-O'Farrell agreed to pay between $900 and $950 per month in rent, which petitioner raised to $1,200 sometime in 1999. In or about July 1999, Ms. Novak-O'Farrell injured herself and did not work. From August 1999 through December 1999, petitioner and Ms. Novak-O'Farrell orally agreed that she would pay only half the rent due (approximately $450 to $475).
During 1999, Sherwood Trucking & Bulldozing installed a logging road onto wooded land owned by petitioner.
OPINIONPetitioner argues that he is entitled to a deduction for additional compensation paid to his employee, Ms. Novak-O'Farrell, over and above those claimed on his Form 1040 for 1999, because of certain purchases that she made.
Deductions are a matter of legislative grace, and petitioner bears the burden of proving that he is entitled to the deductions claimed.4 See Rule 142(a); INDOPCO, Inc. v. Commissioner [92-1 USTC ¶ 50,113], 503 U.S. 79 (1992); New Colonial Ice Co. v. Helvering [4 USTC ¶ 1292], 292 U.S. 435 (1934). Taxpayers are required to maintain records that are sufficient to enable the Commissioner to determine their correct tax liability. See sec. 6001; sec. 1.6001-1(a), Income Tax Regs. In addition, the taxpayer bears the burden of substantiating the amount and purpose of the item for the claimed deduction. See Hradesky v. Commissioner [Dec. 33,461], 65 T.C. 87, 90 (1975), affd. per curiam [76-2 USTC ¶ 9703] 540 F.2d 821 (5th Cir. 1976).
Ordinarily, a taxpayer is permitted to deduct the ordinary and necessary expenses that he pays or incurs during the taxable year in carrying on a trade or business. See sec. 162(a)(1). An expense is ordinary for purposes of this section if it is normal or customary within a particular trade, business, or industry. See Deputy v. du Pont [40-1 USTC ¶ 9161], 308 U.S. 488, 495 (1940). An expense is necessary if it is appropriate and helpful for the development of the business. See Commissioner v. Heininger [44-1 USTC ¶ 9109], 320 U.S. 467, 471 (1943).
A taxpayer may deduct payments for compensation if the amount paid is reasonable and for services actually rendered for the payor in or before the year of payment. See sec. 162(a)(1); Lucas v. Ox Fibre Brush Co. [2 USTC ¶ 522], 281 U.S. 115, 119 (1930). The reasonableness of compensation is a question of fact that must be answered by comparing each employee's compensation with the value of services that he or she performed in return. See RTS Inv. Corp. v. Commissioner [89-1 USTC ¶ 9364], 877 F.2d 647, 650 (8th Cir. 1989), affg. per curiam [Dec. 43,717(M)] T.C. Memo. 1987-98; Charles Schneider & Co. v. Commissioner [74-2 USTC ¶ 9563], 500 F.2d 148, 151 (8th Cir. 1974), affg. [Dec. 32,013(M)] T.C. Memo. 1973-130; Estate of Wallace v. Commissioner [Dec. 46,977], 95 T.C. 525, 553 (1990), affd. [92-2 USTC ¶ 50,387] 965 F.2d 1038 (11th Cir. 1992).
Generally, payments are deductible if they are made with an intent to compensate. Paula Constr. Co v. Commissioner [Dec. 31,555], 58 T.C. 1055, 1058 (1972), affd. [73-1 USTC ¶ 9283] 474 F.2d 1345 (5th Cir. 1973); see also UAL Corp. v. Commissioner [Dec. 54,405], 117 T.C. 7, 10 (2001); Elec. & Neon, Inc. v. Commissioner [Dec. 30,991], 56 T.C. 1324, 1340 (1971). "Whether such intent has been demonstrated is a factual question to be decided on the basis of the particular facts and circumstances of the case." Paula Constr. Co. v. Commissioner, supra.
Petitioner argues that the purchases made by Ms. Novak-O'Farrell were additional compensation to her. We disagree.
Ms. Novak-O'Farrell credibly testified that her duties included purchasing office supplies and business items. Petitioner's authorization of her business purchases is evident from the fact that petitioner added her to his American Express account and gave her an American Express card in her name. It is also evident from the fact that petitioner reimbursed her for purchases made with her own funds and credit card. Ms. Novak-O'Farrell also testified that petitioner asked her to purchase personal items for him and his family as part of her duties. Ms. Novak-O'Farrell did not identify any additional agreed-upon compensation.
Petitioner has not established that Ms. Novak-O'Farrell's personal purchases, made with petitioner's permission and on his credit card, were intended as compensation. Petitioner did not report additional compensation for alleged personal purchases as income to Ms. Novak-O'Farrell on a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, for 1999, the year the purchases were made. We conclude that Ms. Novak-O'Farrell's agreed-upon compensation from T-Foil Enterprises was her weekly wages, plus car payments and gasoline. Petitioner's payments of additional, sporadic personal purchases, if any, were likely based on his friendship with Ms. Novak-O'Farrell. They were not additional fixed compensation for services rendered. See Anaheim Paper Mill Supplies, Inc. v. Commissioner [Dec. 35,015(M)], T.C. Memo. 1978-86; cf. Commissioner v. Duberstein [60-2 USTC ¶ 9515], 363 U.S. 278, 285-286 (1960) ().
Petitioner has not established that he is entitled to a deduction for compensation pursuant to section 162(a)(1) for any of the purchases of personal items made by Ms. Novak-O'Farrell.
Petitioner argues that the amount of rent Ms. Novak-O'Farrell did not pay during 1999 (approximately $450 to $475 per month) was compensation to her. We disagree.
Petitioner and Ms. Novak-O'Farrell were friends when she rented petitioner's house. Petitioner permitted her to pay less rent in 1999 because she injured herself and could not work.5 Other than his self-serving testimony, petitioner presented no evidence to show that he forgave the additional rent owed with an intent to compensate Ms. Novak-O'Farrell. Petitioner issued no Form W-2 to Ms. Novak-O'Farrell for this alleged additional compensation. Additionally, petitioner wrote a letter to Ms. Novak-O'Farrell, which he submitted as evidence in this...
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