Robert T. Cozean - Page 7

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                        (3)  Attorney's fees.--For purposes of paragraphs                                
                  (1) and (2), fees for the services of an individual                                    
                  (whether or not an attorney) who is authorized to                                      
                  practice before the Tax Court or before the Internal                                   
                  Revenue Service shall be treated as fees for the                                       
                  services of an attorney.                                                               
                  Petitioner's motion for litigation costs, in support of his                            
            request for an award of attorney's fees with respect to Mr.                                  
            Urquhart's services at a rate of $250 per hour, states as                                    
            follows:                                                                                     
                        The hourly rate of $250.00 charged Petitioner by                                 
                  undersigned counsel is a reasonable rate for qualified                                 
                  attorneys in the Houston, Texas area to handle a matter                                
                  such as this case.  There is a limited availability of                                 
                  qualified attorneys to handle a case such as this so as                                
                  to justify the $250 hourly rate over the $75.00 rate                                   
                  set forth in I.R.C. Section 7430(c)(1)(B)(iii). * * *                                  
            Petitioner submits the affidavit of Larry A. Campagna, an                                    
            attorney specializing in tax law, in an attempt to establish that                            
            the hourly rate for attorney's fees sought by petitioner is                                  
            consistent with the prevailing billing rate in the Houston area.                             
            Petitioner also submits the affidavits of Mr. Harris and John W.                             
            Storms, C.P.A., to establish that the costs for the accountants'                             
            work are reasonable.                                                                         
                  Respondent contests the hourly rate for attorney's fees                                
            requested by petitioner because it exceeds the $75 cap (adjusted                             
            for inflation) applicable to awards of attorney's fees under                                 
            section 7430(c)(1)(B)(iii) for the years in issue.6  In so doing,                            


                  6  Respondent does not argue that the amount of time billed                            
            by Mr. Urquhart was excessive.                                                               




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