John H. Miner and Holly K. Miner - Page 19




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          happens if inventory prices decrease; or (5) whether Cost Less              
          used first in first out, or last in first out, or any other                 
          method.                                                                     
               Petitioners contend that respondent conceded that they                 
          overstated the inventory of Cost Less.  We disagree.  Respondent            
          agrees that petitioners' inventory records are not accurate but             
          not that Cost Less overstated its inventory.                                
               Petitioners contend that we must allow Cost Less to adjust             
          its inventory, citing Western Wheeled Scraper Co. v.                        
          Commissioner, 14 B.T.A. 496, 504 (1928).  Petitioners' reliance             
          on Western Wheeled Scraper Co. v. Commissioner, supra, is                   
          misplaced.  That case holds that a taxpayer may adjust its                  
          inventory to correct clear errors.  In that case, the Board of              
          Tax Appeals allowed the taxpayer to adjust inventory for specific           
          items and amounts which the taxpayer showed were duplicated in              
          inventory but not for other, vague items.  See id. at 504-505.              
               Cost Less may not reduce its ending inventory without                  
          showing the amount of the adjustment that is needed to clearly              
          reflect income.  We conclude that Cost Less may not reduce                  
          inventory by $10,000 for any of the years in issue.                         
          C.   Deduction for Van Use                                                  
               Petitioner used his 1979 van for business from the early               
          1980's through the years in issue.  Petitioners contend that Cost           
          Less may deduct an amount based on the mileage that petitioner              






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