Ralph E. Wesinger, Jr. and Catherine R. Wesinger - Page 32




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          indicative of the requisite intent.  Nonetheless, because of the            
          complete absence of evidence to show that the profits resulted              
          from any conscious efforts or calculation on the part of                    
          petitioner, the apparent fortuitous nature of the positive                  
          returns is not overcome.                                                    
               The financial status factor is likewise not supportive of              
          petitioner’s claims.  Adjusted gross income from other sources              
          totaled over $300,000 in both of the years for which losses were            
          disallowed.  Petitioner could afford and benefit taxwise from the           
          loss.                                                                       
               Finally, it is unlikely that petitioner owned, maintained,             
          and flew a personal aircraft without finding some pleasure in the           
          activity.  Also, the much greater percentage of time that the               
          aircraft was devoted to personal rather than business use (given            
          that the ranch failed to qualify as a business) indicates that              
          personal motives predominated over profit motives.  Thus, as with           
          the cattle-ranching enterprise, section 183 precludes petitioners           
          from deducting losses related to the aircraft-rental business.              
          Respondent’s determinations of deficiencies are therefore                   
          sustained as to both activities.                                            
                                    Penalty Issue                                     
               The final issue we must decide is whether petitioners are              
          liable, as respondent contends, for accuracy-related penalties              
          based on negligence.  Section 6662(a) and (b)(1) imposes an                 






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