Jerry L. Thomas and Freda Thomas - Page 24




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          Circuits.  Because the decisional law of those circuits, as we              
          understand it, may differ as to when an individual may avoid the            
          tax consequences of his or her apportionment of a purchase price            
          in a written contract, we analyze the law of both circuits.  We             
          conclude that the result is the same under the law in both                  
          circuits.  We also reach the same result under our caselaw.                 
          E.g., Gen. Ins. Agency, Inc. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1967-              
          143, affd. 401 F.2d 324 (4th Cir. 1968).                                    
               The Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has adopted              
          the rule of Danielson v. Commissioner, 378 F.2d 771 (3d Cir.                
          1967), vacating and remanding 44 T.C. 549 (1965).  Plante v.                
          Commissioner, 168 F.3d 1279 (11th Cir. 1999), affg. T.C. Memo.              
          1997-386; Bradley v. United States, 730 F.2d 718, 720 (11th Cir.            
          1984).  Respondent argues here, as he did in Danielson, that                
          where the parties to the sale of a business have entered into a             
          written agreement setting out the amount to be paid for a                   
          covenant not to compete, they may not for tax purposes attack               
          that agreement absent fraud, duress, or undue influence.                    
               Petitioners have adduced extrinsic evidence to attempt to              
          establish an ambiguity in the apportionment of the Conquest                 
          purchase price.  We find that evidence unpersuasive.  The                   
          relevant terms of the stock acquisition and noncompete                      
          agreements are clear and unambiguous on their face.  Petitioners            
          have not adduced any evidence that would establish that either of           






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