- 22 - additional amounts based upon Midwest's financial performance. This compensation package is very similar to the commission type arrangement used before the trust scheme. On the primary basis of the amount of compensation that Midwest paid petitioner before the subject years, the type and content of the services he performed during the subject years, and the gross receipts those services produced for Midwest, we conclude petitioner's compensation during the subject years was reasonable. We hold Midwest may deduct the "consulting fees" under section 162, and petitioner must include these fees in income in the amounts of $100,820 and $130,193 for 1994 and 1995, respectively. We now turn to the $12,000 and $5,500 payments made by Midwest to the trust promoters in 1994 and 1996, respectively. Respondent determined these amounts were not deductible by Midwest and that the $12,000 was a constructive dividend to petitioner.14 Petitioners contend that both amounts were deductible under section 162(a), and that the $12,000 is not includable in petitioner's income. We disagree. A taxpayer may deduct "all ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business." Sec. 162. The taxpayer must show that the 14 The issue of whether the $5,500 payment was includable in petitioner's gross income as a constructive dividend is not before the Court.Page: Previous 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Next
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