Delbert L. and Margaret J. Baker - Page 44

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          petitioners have submitted credible evidence; i.e., evidence                
          which, after critical analysis, is sufficient on which to base a            
          decision sustaining the ad hoc committee’s calculations regarding           
          the portion of the monthly service fees that is allocable to                
          medical care under the percentage method.27  Accordingly, we hold           
          that respondent bears the burden of proof regarding the portions            
          of the monthly service fees paid by petitioners in 1997 and 1998            
          that are allocable to medical care under the percentage method.28           
               However, with respect to the claimed deductions for medical            
          use of the pool, spa, and exercise facilities, we find that                 
          petitioners have not submitted credible evidence.  The financial            
          information discussed above, as further explained below, does not           
          contain specific figures or calculations by Mr. Dalton or AFVW              
          relating to expenditures for the facilities that are sufficient             




               27See Forste v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2003-103 (holding             
          that taxpayers produced credible evidence in the form of draft              
          proposal offers and final settlement agreement that was                     
          sufficient to show that a payment was made in settlement of tort            
          or tort-type claim for personal injury).                                    
               28On brief, petitioners argue that respondent’s reliance on            
          Mr. Powell’s report and use of the actuarial method constitutes a           
          new matter.  Petitioners may be correct, especially in light of             
          the fact that any appeal in this case would normally lie to the             
          Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  See, e.g., Estate of               
          Harper v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2002-121 (discussing recent              
          decisions by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit regarding           
          burden of proof).  However, because we have already held that               
          respondent has the burden of proof, we need not reach this issue.           





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