- 24 - a net operating loss of $37,636 for the taxable year ending May 31, 1992. Under the circumstances of this case, and given the inadequacies of respondent's method, we think petitioner's use of the cash method produces substantially the same results. Furthermore, respondent's method not only distorts petitioner's income but will subject petitioner to further adjustments, including adjustments under section 481, in subsequent taxable years if petitioner attempts to properly comply with regulations for accrual method accounting. If, in respondent's opinion, petitioner's accounting method did not clearly reflect its income, the remedy was to require a computation on a basis that would correctly reflect income by proper application of the accrual method of accounting. The fact that the Commissioner possesses broad authority under section 446(b) does not mean that the Commissioner can change a taxpayer's method of accounting with impunity. See Prabel v. Commissioner, 91 T.C. 1101, 1112-1113 (1988), affd. 882 F.2d 820 (3d Cir. 1989); Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1997-1. The Commissioner cannot require a taxpayer to change his accounting method to one which is unacceptable or wrong. Harden v. Commissioner, 223 F.2d 418, 421 (10th Cir. 1955), revg. and remanding 21 T.C. 781 (1954); Rotolo v. Commissioner, 88 T.C. at 1514. Courts will not approve the Commissioner's change of a taxpayer'sPage: Previous 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Next
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