William E. and Barbara J. Flanagin - Page 8




                                        - 8 -                                          

          activity; (2) the expertise of the taxpayer or his advisers; (3)             
          the time and effort expended by the taxpayer in carrying on the              
          activity; (4) the expectation that assets used in the activity               
          may appreciate in value; (5) the success of the taxpayer in                  
          carrying on other similar or dissimilar activities; (6) the                  
          taxpayer's history of income or loss with respect to the                     
          activity; (7) the amount of occasional profits, if any, from the             
          activity; (8) the financial status of the taxpayer; and (9)                  
          elements of personal pleasure or recreation.  This list is                   
          nonexclusive, the number of factors for or against the taxpayer              
          is not necessarily determinative, and more weight may be given to            
          some factors than to others.  See sec. 1.183-2(b), Income Tax                
          Regs.; cf. Dunn v. Commissioner, 70 T.C. 715, 720 (1978), affd.              
          615 F.2d 578 (2d Cir. 1980).                                                 
               Petitioners contend that the losses from the software                   
          development activity are properly deductible because the activity            
          was profit motivated.  Conversely, respondent asserts that the               
          activity was not engaged in for profit.  We agree with                       
          respondent.                                                                  
               A.  Manner in Which the Activity Is Conducted                           
               The fact that a taxpayer carries on the activity in a                   
          businesslike manner and maintains complete and accurate books and            
          records may indicate a profit objective.  See sec. 1.183-2(b)(1),            
          Income Tax Regs.  A taxpayer ordinarily should use some                      
          accounting techniques that, at a minimum, provide the taxpayer               



Page:  Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011