Sherry P. Aude - Page 17

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          never examined the bank statements because it was Mr. Aude's job            
          to review the bank statements.                                              
               Petitioner played a minimal role in the tax preparation of             
          her and Mr. Aude's returns.  While petitioner prepared a summary            
          of the household expenditures for Mr. Gruys, she was generally              
          not present when Mr. Aude furnished his information to Mr. Gruys.           
          Mr. Gruys primarily talked with Mr. Aude, and only occasionally             
          talked with petitioner, usually when petitioner submitted her               
          list of expenditures.                                                       
               The third factor we consider is the presence of lavish or              
          unusual expenditures by the family.  Examining the record, there            
          were no major differences in the Audes' standard of living                  
          before, during, or after the period in which these deductions               
          were claimed.  First, petitioner received a monthly allowance,              
          which was used to care for five children and the other household            
          expenses.  While the allowances at times decreased during the               
          years at issue, they never increased.  Petitioner did not buy any           
          jewelry or expensive clothes during this period, and she drove a            
          1980 station wagon.  During the 3 years at issue, the Audes only            
          took one vacation in December of 1982.  Further, during the years           
          at issue, petitioner and Mr. Aude lived in the same house, which            
          they purchased in 1978.  They had built an addition to that house           
          in 1978-79.  Taken together, these expenditures do not amount to            
          unusual, lavish, or extravagant expenditures.                               
               The fourth factor is whether Mr. Aude was evasive or                   




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