Mary Lee Sharer - Page 10

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          in part, revg. in part on other grounds, and remanding T.C. Memo.                  
          1991-144.                                                                          
                Whether respondent's position was not substantially                          
          justified turns on a finding of reasonableness, based upon all                     
          the facts and circumstances, as well as the legal precedents                       
          relating to the case.  Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552 (1988);                   
          Sher v. Commissioner, 89 T.C. 79, 84 (1987), affd. 861 F.2d 131                    
          (5th Cir. 1988).  A position is substantially justified if the                     
          position is "justified to the degree that could satisfy a                          
          reasonable person."  Pierce v. Underwood, supra at 565; Powers v.                  
          Commissioner, 100 T.C. 457, 470-471 (1993).  A position that                       
          merely possesses enough merit to avoid sanctions for                               
          frivolousness will not satisfy this standard; rather, the                          
          position must have a "reasonable basis both in law and fact".                      
          Pierce v. Underwood, supra at 564-565.                                             
                The Court must "consider the basis for respondent's legal                    
          position and the manner in which the position was maintained".                     
          Wasie v. Commissioner, 86 T.C. 962, 969 (1986).  The fact that                     
          respondent eventually loses or concedes the case does not                          
          establish an unreasonable position.  Sokol v. Commissioner, 92                     
          T.C. 760, 767 (1989); Baker v. Commissioner, 83 T.C. 822, 828                      
          (1984), vacated on other issues 787 F.2d 637 (D.C. Cir. 1986).                     
          An evaluation of the reasonableness of respondent's position and                   
          conduct necessarily requires considering what respondent knew at                   






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