Estate of Lynn M. Rodgers, deceased, First National Bank of Commerce, Executor - Page 27




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          remaining unimproved real properties, we shall not consider that            
          argument.9  It is well settled that the Court will not consider             
          issues raised for the first time on brief when to do so would               
          prevent the opposing party from presenting evidence that that               
          party might have proffered if the issue had been timely raised.             
          See DiLeo v. Commissioner, 96 T.C. 858, 891 (1991), affd. 959               
          F.2d 16 (2d Cir. 1992); Shelby U.S. Distribs., Inc. v. Commis-              
          sioner, 71 T.C. 874, 885 (1979).  In the present case, the estate           
          had no opportunity to argue, let alone present evidence, relating           
          to respondent's new theory.                                                 
               We shall now determine whether, based on the record before             
          us, an absorption discount should be applied in determining the             
          aggregate fair market value of the remaining unimproved real                
          properties owned by Marrero Land on the valuation date and, if              
          so, the amount of such a discount.  The concept of an absorption            

               9Even if we were to consider such an argument, respondent              
          would have the burden of proof, and the record does not support             
          respondent's contention that "Marrero Land did not contemplate              
          liquidating its remaining vacant land".  To the contrary, we have           
          found that it was anticipated as of the valuation date that the             
          highest and best use of at a minimum approximately 75 percent of            
          the remaining unimproved real properties was to sell them.                  
          Indeed, respondent complains in respondent's answering brief that           
          Marrero Land did not "contemplate selling all the vacant land               
          [remaining unimproved real properties] as a 'portfolio' or unit",           
          thereby conceding that Marrero Land did contemplate selling that            
          land.  On the record before us, we find the instant case to be              
          distinguishable from Estate of Andrews v. Commissioner, 79 T.C.             
          938 (1982), and Estate of Auker v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1998-           
          185, and respondent's reliance on those cases to be misplaced.              






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