John L. Sullivan - Page 12




                                       - 12 -                                         

          proceeds.  Therefore, although the placing of the check proceeds            
          into escrow accounts pending resolution of disputes over the amount         
          of attorney's fees and the amount of Mrs. Sullivan's share of the           
          marital estate was a substantial restriction over petitioner's              
          ultimate disposition of the judgment proceeds, these restrictions           
          did not limit petitioner's legal entitlement to the judgment award          
          and interest in 1989.  Because he received and endorsed the check           
          for the judgment with interest in 1989, that is the year in which           
          petitioner must report the entire amount of interest.                       
               Respondent determined that petitioner was entitled to a                
          Schedule A deduction in the amount of $101,276 for attorney's fees          
          incurred in connection with earning the interest.  The $101,276 is          
          approximately one-third of the amount of the interest.  Petitioner          
          maintains that he should have received a deduction for attorney's           
          fees of 40 percent rather than 33-1/3 percent.  Again, we disagree          
          with petitioner.  During 1989, petitioner disputed the amount of            
          legal fees to be paid to Messrs. Valletta and Tarro.  There is no           
          evidence in the record establishing that the legal fees were ever           
          more than 33-1/3 percent.  Consequently, petitioner is not entitled         
          to a Schedule A deduction for attorney's fees in an amount greater          
          than that allowed by respondent.                                            
               In reaching our conclusions herein, we have considered all             
          other arguments presented by petitioner and, to the extent not              
          discussed above, find them to be irrelevant or without merit.               





Page:  Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011