Merrell and Francine Vannier - Page 2

                                        - 2 -                                         

          Federal income tax in the amount of $1,126.  References to                  
          petitioner are to Merrell Vannier.                                          
               The sole issue for decision is whether petitioners are                 
          entitled to deduct $5,6722 in legal expenses incurred as a result           
          of petitioner’s attempt to gain admission to the State Bar of               
          California (California Bar).  Respondent has agreed that                    
          petitioner paid the above amount in legal fees and costs.                   
                                     Background                                       
               Some of the facts have been stipulated, and they are so                
          found.  The stipulation of facts and the attached exhibits are              
          incorporated herein by this reference.  At the time they filed              
          their petition, petitioners resided in La Crescenta, California.            
               Petitioner obtained a bachelor’s degree in electrical                  
          engineering in 1971 and a law degree in 1975, both from the                 
          University of Missouri.  Petitioner sat for and passed the                  
          Missouri bar exam and was admitted to the Missouri State Bar                
          (Missouri Bar) in 1975.  In addition, petitioner sat for and                
          passed the Florida bar exam and was admitted to the Florida State           
          Bar (Florida Bar) in 1976.  Petitioner practiced law in Florida             
          for approximately 1 year.  In 1977, petitioner returned to                  
          Missouri and practiced law in the St. Louis area until 1979.                
          Petitioner eventually moved to California during 1979 and has               



          2  Subject to the 2% floor.  Sec. 67.                                       




Page:  Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011