Wallace F. and Mi-Ja H. Smith - Page 13




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          deduction because petitioners had no basis in the relevant term             
          life insurance policy.                                                      
               Section 165(a) allows a taxpayer to deduct any loss                    
          sustained during the taxable year and not compensated for by                
          insurance or otherwise.  In particular, section 165(c)(3) allows            
          a deduction to an individual for loss of property not connected             
          with a trade or business or a transaction entered into for                  
          profit, if such loss arises from fire, storm, shipwreck, or other           
          casualty, or from theft.  Personal casualty or theft losses are             
          deductible only to the extent that the loss exceeds $100 and 10             
          percent of adjusted gross income.  Sec. 165(h)(1) and (2).                  
          Moreover, such losses are deductible as itemized deductions on              
          Schedule A of a taxpayer's return.                                          
               The measure of a casualty or theft loss is determined by               
          section 1.165-7(b)(1), Income Tax Regs.  Generally, the loss                
          shall be the lesser of (1) the fair market value of the property            
          immediately before the casualty reduced by the fair market value            
          of the property immediately after the casualty, or (2) the amount           
          of the adjusted basis prescribed in section 1.1011-1, Income Tax            
          Regs., for determining loss from the sale or other disposition of           
          the property.  Under section 1.1011-1, Income Tax Regs., adjusted           
          basis is the cost or other basis of property under section 1012,            
          adjusted to reflect allowable deductions for depreciation under             
          section 1016.                                                               





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