Estate of Alto B. Cervin, Deceased, Bennett W. Cervin, Executor, and Nita-Carol Cervin Miskovitch, Executor - Page 7

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          1991-282.  Although the Court of Appeals identified many problems           
          with respondent's position, it did not conclude that respondent's           
          position was egregious.  See Estate of Cervin v. Commissioner,              
          111 F.3d at 1261.                                                           
               Merely showing that respondent's position is not                       
          substantially justified is not a special factor because, to be              
          entitled to litigation costs under section 7430, petitioner is              
          required to show that respondent took such a position.  Sec.                
          7430(c)(4)(B)(i).  Something that is required by a statute cannot           
          also be the basis for exceptional treatment under the same                  
          statute.  See Bayer v. Commissioner, supra.  We reject                      
          petitioner's contention that respondent's position was egregious            
          and therefore a special factor under section 7430, and we                   
          conclude that no special skills justify an increased award in the           
          instant case.  The fees to be awarded will be calculated at the             
          maximum rate represented by $75 per hour adjusted for cost-of-              
          living increases since 1986.  See Heasley v. Commissioner, 967              
          F.2d 116, 125 (5th Cir. 1992), affg. in part and revg. in part              
          T.C. Memo. 1991-189.  Petitioner calculates such fees and related           
          costs as totaling $88,963.56, including fees for services                   
          performed by Cervin and his firm.                                           
          Fees for Cervin's Services                                                  
               Cervin is petitioner's coexecutor and one of petitioner's              
          two heirs.  Cervin is also a shareholder in Thompson & Knight,              





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