Fred J. Pettid - Page 18




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             Commissioner v. Danielson, supra.  See Norwest Corp.                     
             v. Commissioner, 111 T.C. 105, 142 (1998); Coleman v.                    
             Commissioner, 87 T.C. 178, 202 n.17 (1986), affd. without                
             published opinion 833 F.2d 303 (3d Cir. 1987); Elrod v.                  
             Commissioner, 87 T.C. 1046, 1065 (1986); G.C. Servs. Corp.               
             v. Commissioner, 73 T.C. 406, 412 n.2 (1979).                            
                  On brief, respondent's counsel expanded the basis                   
             for his objection to include two additional theories:                    
             The "strong proof" rule and the holding of Grummer v.                    
             Commissioner, 46 T.C. 674 (1966).  Under the "strong proof"              
             rule, adopted by this Court, a taxpayer can ignore the                   
             unambiguous terms of a binding agreement only if the                     
             taxpayer presents "strong proof," that is, more than a                   
             preponderance of the evidence, "that the terms of the                    
             written instrument" do "not reflect the actual intention of              
             the parties thereto."  G.C. Servs. Corp. v. Commissioner,                
             73 T.C. at 412; Meredith Corp. & Subs. v. Commissioner,                  
             102 T.C. 406, 440 (1994); Major v. Commissioner, 76 T.C.                 
             239, 247 (1981).  Similarly, the holding in Grummer v.                   
             Commissioner is stated as follows:                                       

                  extrinsic evidence designed to alter the language                   
                  of a divorce decree or separation agreement will                    
                  not be considered in determining whether payments                   
                  constitute alimony or child support when the                        
                  agreement of the parties specifically and                           
                  unequivocally fixes the character of such                           
                  payments.  * * *                                                    





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