James J. Hogan - Page 15




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          respect to a woodworking activity.  We conclude that the largely            
          unsuccessful results from petitioner’s other purported activities           
          do not indicate a profit objective.                                         
               We consider the taxpayer’s history of income or losses with            
          respect to the activity.  A history of losses over an extended              
          period of time may indicate the absence of a profit objective.              
          Allen v. Commissioner, 72 T.C. 28, 35 (1979); sec. 1.183-2(b)(6),           
          Income Tax Regs.  The magnitude of the activity’s losses in                 
          comparison with its revenues is an indication that the taxpayer             
          did not have a profit objective.  Dodge v. Commissioner, T.C.               
          Memo. 1998-89, affd. without published opinion 188 F.3d 507 (6th            
          Cir. 1999).  In this case, petitioner’s losses in comparison with           
          his revenues are substantial.  No profits have ever been                    
          generated from petitioner’s bed and breakfast activity, and none            
          are expected in the near future.  This factor weighs against                
          finding a profit objective.                                                 
               We consider the amount of occasional profits, if any, which            
          are earned.  If an activity generates only small, infrequent                
          profits and typically generates large losses, the taxpayer                  
          conducting the activity may not have a profit objective.  Sec.              
          1.183-2(b)(7), Income Tax Regs.  In this context, profit means              
          economic profit, independent of tax savings.  Seaman v.                     
          Commissioner, 84 T.C. 564, 588 (1985).  As we have set forth                
          above, petitioner has a history of substantial losses.  There is            
          no indication from the record that petitioner can realistically             
          expect profitability in the near future.  This factor weighs                





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