Dennis R. Schenk - Page 8

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          T.C. 848, 861 (1972).  When or whether a debt became worthless is                  
          a question of fact, the answer to which lies in an examination of                  
          all the circumstances.  Boehm v. Commissioner, 326 U.S. 287, 293                   
          (1945); Estate of Mann v. United States, supra at 275; Dallmeyer                   
          v. Commissioner, 14 T.C. 1282, 1291 (1950).  The taxpayer must                     
          show some identifiable event that proves worthlessness in the                      
          year claimed.  United States v. S.S. White Dental Manufacturing                    
          Co., 274 U.S. 398, 401 (1927); Dallmeyer v. Commissioner, supra                    
          at 1291-1292.  There is no standard test or formula for                            
          determining worthlessness within a given taxable year; the                         
          determination depends upon the particular facts and circumstances                  
          of the case.  Lucas v. American Code Co., 280 U.S. 445, 449                        
          (1930); Crown v. Commissioner, 77 T.C. 582, 598 (1981); Dallmeyer                  
          v. Commissioner, supra at 1291.                                                    
                Based on the record, we find that petitioner has failed to                   
          establish that the debt became worthless in 1988.  Petitioner                      
          advanced the funds to Maxted on July 12, 1988, and was not repaid                  
          within 90 days; i.e., by October 10, 1988.  However, petitioner                    
          continued telephone discussions with Maxted over the next several                  
          months.  When Maxted's telephone line was disconnected and                         
          petitioner visited the shop in Phoenix in early 1989, petitioner                   
          realized he would not get his money from Maxted.  On balance, we                   
          find a lack of proof that the debt became worthless in 1988.                       







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