- 19 - 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 petitionerPage: Previous 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011