- 18 - to complete college or university courses. Petitioner enrolled in the U.C. Extension courses with specific educational objectives. She testified that she has not seen classes available elsewhere offering similar courses of study. As evidenced by several Tax Court cases involving teachers enrolling in university courses and studying abroad in order to improve teaching skills, such an expenditure is "normal" for a high school teacher. See, e.g., Ford v. Commissioner, supra; Weiman v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1971-92. Professional educators act on the assumption that further education improves their ability to use their knowledge effectively. See Ford v. Commissioner, supra at 1306. Under the particular facts of this case, petitioner's participation in the U.C. Extension courses resulted in ordinary business expenditures. "Necessary" has been construed to mean "appropriate" or "helpful", not "indispensable" or "required". Id. at 1305-1307. If there are "reasonably evident business ends to be served, and the intention to serve them appears adequately from the record", expenses satisfy the "necessary" requirement. Manischewitz Co. v. Commissioner, 10 T.C. 1139, 1145 (1948). As discussed, the U.C. Extension courses improved petitioner's teaching skills. The expenses associated with a teacher's pursuing further education that develops her understanding of topics which are part of the curriculum she teaches in her classroom, helps herPage: Previous 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011