- 6 - the extent of $321 ($642 less 50 percent pursuant to section 274(n)), and of travel expense to the extent of $1,516. Thus, petitioner is entitled to deduct $4,312 for meals and entertainment and $5,017 for travel in addition to the amounts allowed by respondent. In 1994, petitioner did not have enough cashflow to fully pay off his credit cards, so he made minimum payments. In 1995, petitioner was able to pay an accumulated balance and the corresponding interest. Petitioner deducted $26,113 of interest expense on his Schedule C. Respondent allowed the deduction of $7,000 but disallowed $19,113 of the alleged interest expense paid to the credit card company, MBNA. Respondent contends that petitioner did not substantiate that he paid the $19,113 in interest or that the expense is deductible under section 162. In general, there is "allowed as a deduction all interest paid or accrued within the taxable year on indebtedness." Sec. 163(a). Nevertheless, an individual is not entitled to a deduction for personal interest. Sec. 163(h). Certain interest, including "interest paid or accrued on indebtedness properly allocable to a trade or business (other than the trade or business of performing services as an employee)" is not personal interest. Sec. 163(h)(2)(A). Because petitioner is a cash basis taxpayer, interest allocable to his business debts is deductible when paid. Sec. 163(a). Petitioner's bookkeeper testified that petitioner used his MBNA credit card almost exclusively for business purposes andPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011