William and Arlene G. Kingston - Page 6

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          relating to the case.  Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552 (1988);            
          Sher v. Commissioner, 89 T.C. 79, 84 (1987), affd. 861 F.2d 131             
          (5th Cir. 1988).  A position is substantially justified if the              
          position is "justified to a degree that could satisfy a                     
          reasonable person."  Pierce v. Underwood, supra at 565; Powers v.           
          Commissioner, 100 T.C. 457, 470-471 (1993), affd. in part and               
          revd. in part 43 F.3d 172 (5th Cir. 1995).  A position that                 
          merely possesses enough merit to avoid sanctions for                        
          frivolousness will not satisfy this standard; rather, it must               
          have a "reasonable basis both in law and fact".  Pierce v.                  
          Underwood, supra at 564-565.                                                
               The Court must "consider the basis for respondent's legal              
          position and the manner in which the position was maintained."              
          Wasie v. Commissioner, 86 T.C. 962, 969 (1986).  The fact that              
          respondent eventually loses or concedes a case does not establish           
          an unreasonable position.  Sokol v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 760,              
          767 (1989); Baker v. Commissioner, 83 T.C. 822, 828 (1984),                 
          vacated on other issues 787 F.2d 637 (D.C. Cir. 1986).  The                 
          reasonableness of respondent's position and conduct necessarily             
          requires considering what respondent knew at the time.  Cf.                 
          Rutana v. Commissioner, 88 T.C. 1329, 1334 (1987); DeVenney v.              
          Commissioner, 85 T.C. 927, 930 (1985).  Petitioners have the                
          burden of establishing that respondent's position was                       
          unreasonable.  Rule 232(e).  To show lack of substantial                    





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