- 16 - personal services actually rendered". A two-prong test determines deductibility: (1) Whether the amount of compensation is reasonable in relation to services performed, and (2) whether the payment is in fact purely for services rendered. Sec. 1.162- 7(a), Income Tax Regs. More specifically, bonuses paid to employees are deductible "when * * * made in good faith and as additional compensation for the services actually rendered by the employees, provided such payments, when added to the stipulated salaries, do not exceed a reasonable compensation for the services rendered." Sec. 1.162-9, Income Tax Regs. Generally, courts have focused on the reasonableness requirement in determining the deductibility of purported compensation. Elliotts, Inc. v. Commissioner, 716 F.2d 1241, 1243-1244 (9th Cir. 1983), revg. and remanding T.C. Memo. 1980-282. The reasonableness of compensation is a question of fact to be answered by considering and weighing all facts and circumstances of the particular case. Pacific Grains, Inc. v. Commissioner, 399 F.2d 603, 605 (9th Cir. 1968), affg. T.C. Memo. 1967-7; Estate of Wallace v. Commissioner, 95 T.C. 525, 553 (1990), affd. 965 F.2d 1038 (11th Cir. 1992). Petitioner has the burden of showing that it is entitled to a compensation deduction larger than that allowed by respondent. Rule 142(a); Nor-Cal Adjusters v. Commissioner, 503 F.2d 359, 361 (9th Cir. 1974), affg. T.C. Memo. 1971-200. Case law has provided an extensive list of factors that arePage: Previous 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Next
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