Robert and Karen O'Connor - Page 19




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          two types of contributions:  (1) Whether petitioners properly               
          valued the property contributions of tangible property given to             
          CBR, and (2) whether amounts claimed as paid to Omega’s employees           
          for services performed for the benefit of CBR are deductible.               
               Section 170(a)(1) allows a deduction for charitable                    
          contributions (as defined in section 170(c)) made within the                
          taxable year.  In general, the amount of a charitable                       
          contribution made in property other than money is the fair market           
          value of the property at the time of the contribution.  See sec.            
          1.170A-1(c)(1), Income Tax Regs.  Fair market value is defined as           
          the price at which the property would change hands between a                
          willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any                 
          compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledge of           
          the relevant facts.  See sec. 1.170A-1(c)(2), Income Tax Regs.              
          Fair market value is a question of fact.  See Skripak v.                    
          Commissioner, 84 T.C. 285 (1985).  Petitioners have the burden of           
          showing their entitlement to their claimed deductions.  See Welch           
          v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111 (1933).                                          
               Under section 1.170A-13(b)(3), Income Tax Regs., if a                  
          contributed item is valued at over $500, the taxpayer is required           
          to maintain written records showing the manner of acquisition,              
          the fair market value, the method used to determine the value,              
          and the cost or other basis.  If a contributed item is valued at            
          over $5,000, the donor must obtain a qualified appraisal for the            






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