- 30 - to be used as a "rigid two-step analysis." Id. at 1363. Instead, business purpose and economic substance are simply more precise factors to be considered in the application of the traditional sham analysis; that is, whether the transaction had any practical economic effects other than the creation of income tax losses. Sochin v. Commissioner, 843 F.2d 351, 354 (9th Cir. 1988). The business purpose factor often involves an examination of the subjective factors which motivated a taxpayer to enter into the transaction at issue. Bail Bonds By Marvin Nelson, Inc. v. Commissioner, supra at 1549. The economic-substance factor involves a broader examination of whether the substance of a transaction reflects its form, and whether from an objective standpoint the transaction was likely to produce economic benefits aside from a tax deduction. Id. Dura-Craft and Northwest, both of which acted under the effective control or direction of Milo Chapman and David Christie, were related parties. In determining whether the form of a transaction between related parties has substance, we compare their actions with what would have occurred if the transaction had occurred between parties who were dealing at arm's length. Maxwell v. Commissioner, 95 T.C. 107, 117 (1990). The question of whether an expense is lacking in economic substance is essentially a factual determination. CommissionerPage: Previous 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Next
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