James M. Nitschke and Patricia S. Nitschke - Page 7




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          Petitioners have failed to do this, and we therefore find that              
          they have not adequately substantiated these expenses and are not           
          entitled to these deductions.  The copies of checks, in the total           
          amount of $140, were for the purchase of an armoire used to store           
          Melaleuca supplies and products.  The copies of these checks                
          which were entered into evidence are not clear, but nothing                 
          appears on them which indicates they were presented for payment.            
          We nevertheless accept petitioners’ testimony with regard to this           
          expense, and therefore hold that they are entitled to an                    
          additional deduction in the amount of $140.                                 
               The next deductions at issue relate to the Melaleuca meals             
          and entertainment expenses.  Petitioners presented 67 copied                
          pages of receipts and checks which contained sporadic notations,            
          for the most part providing only partial details, such as “Mela             
          mtg” or a person’s name.  This substantiation does not meet the             
          requirements of section 274(d).  Furthermore, we find the                   
          receipts are not credible evidence.  For example, one receipt was           
          copied twice, and the copies each had separate notations stating            
          meetings had occurred with two different persons.  The notations            
          were nearly all made not on the receipt itself, but on the copy             
          of the receipt.  Ms. Nitschke indicated in her testimony                    
          concerning other receipts presented as evidence that the                    
          notations were probably made at the end of the year.  Even                  
          accepting this testimony, and not concluding that petitioners               






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