Carolyn B. Cooper - Page 7




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          position has a reasonable basis in fact if there is such relevant           
          evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support           
          a conclusion.  Pierce v. Underwood, supra at 564-565.  The                  
          determination of reasonableness is based on those "available                
          facts which formed the basis for the position taken * * * during            
          the litigation, as well as upon any legal precedents related to             
          the case."   Maggie Management Co. v. Commissioner, supra at 443.           
               Although this Court may determine the reasonableness of                
          respondent's position with respect to each adjustment in the                
          notice of deficiency independently, both parties make their                 
          respective arguments for all of the adjustments in the notice of            
          deficiency collectively.  Thus, we need not determine whether to            
          apportion the award between those adjustments for which                     
          respondent was, and those adjustments for which respondent was              
          not, substantially justified.  Cf. Swanson v. Commissioner, 106             
          T.C. 76, 87-92 (1996).                                                      
               The fact that respondent eventually loses or concedes a case           
          does not by itself establish that the position taken is                     
          unreasonable.  Swanson v. Commissioner, supra at 94.  However, it           
          is a factor that remains to be considered.  Estate of Perry v.              
          Commissioner, 931 F.2d 1044, 1046 (5th Cir. 1991).                          
               To decide whether respondent's position was substantially              
          justified, the Court must first identify the point in time at               
          which respondent is considered to have taken a position and then            
          decide whether the position taken from that date forward was                



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