James C. and Vivian C. Dodge - Page 13

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          activity, as well as his or her consultation with experts, may be           
          indicative of a profit intent.  Id.                                         
               Mr. Dodge joined several horse associations, and he attended           
          clinics and seminars to learn how to show, train, breed, and sell           
          horses.  Mr. Dodge also spent thousands of dollars having his               
          horses trained by professional trainers.  Mr. Dodge did become              
          expert and knowledgeable about horses.  His expertise, however,             
          focused on horse breeding and training and not the economics of             
          the activity.  See Burger v. Commissioner, supra.  The fact that            
          Mr. Dodge was skilled in the art of horse breeding is a factor to           
          be considered and does not alone show the horse activity was for            
          profit.  Glenn v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1995-399, affd.                  
          without published opinion 103 F.3d 129 (6th Cir. 1996).                     
          Significantly, petitioners did not seek professional or economic            
          advice on the economic aspects of horse breeding.  The only                 
          advice that Mr. Dodge sought prior to beginning the horse farm              
          was information on the deductibility of losses for tax purposes.            
          Mr. Dodge did not analyze or consult with others about the amount           
          of expenses that they were likely to incur.  The failure to seek            
          professional advice is another factor that indicates a lack of              
          profit motive.  Burger v. Commissioner, supra; Ballich v.                   
          Commissioner, supra.                                                        
               3.  Time and Effort Spent in Conducting the Activity                   
               We next consider the time and effort spent by petitioners in           
          conducting their horse-breeding activity.  Sec. 1.183-2(b)(3),              



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