Thomas M. and Christine A. Fries - Page 13

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          shareholders for repayment of the putative loan when their                  
          relationship began to deteriorate, there was no evidence of any             
          requests for repayment by petitioner.  See Davies v.                        
          Commissioner, 54 T.C. 170, 176 (1970).  Moreover, nothing                   
          explains petitioner's failure to avoid the problem in the first             
          place by either securing the note or by setting up a sinking                
          fund.                                                                       
               5.  Status of the Contribution in Relation to Regular                  
               Corporate Creditors                                                    
               Subordination of a putative loan to that of another creditor           
          typifies a contribution to capital.  Tomlinson v. 1661 Corp., 377           
          F.2d 291, 297-298 (5th Cir. 1967).  National repaid about                   
          $100,000 on the Action note, but failed to pay anything at all on           
          the previously executed Fries note.  While the terms of the Fries           
          note did not mention subordination, petitioner acquiesced in a de           
          facto subordination by failing to demand repayment while                    
          continuing to sign checks for the Action note.  See Smithco                 
          Engg., Inc. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1984-43.                            
               6.  Intent of the Parties                                              
               The intent of the parties weighs heavily in determining the            
          debt versus equity question, but subjective intent does not                 
          suffice to alter the relationship or duties created by an                   
          otherwise objectively indicated intent.  In re Lane, 742 F.2d at            
          1311.  Conclusory and self-serving statements by taxpayers that             
          they intended to create debts have been accorded little weight by           





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