- 13 - estimate, however, must have a reasonable evidentiary basis. Vanicek v. Commissioner, 85 T.C. 731, 743 (1985). With respect to certain business expenses, section 274 supersedes the Cohan doctrine. See sec. 1.274-5T(a), Temporary Income Tax Regs., 50 Fed. Reg. 46014 (Nov. 6, 1985). Applying more stringent substantiation requirements, section 274(d) disallows deductions for traveling expenses, gifts, and meals and entertainment, as well as for "listed property", unless the taxpayer substantiates by adequate records or by sufficient evidence corroborating the taxpayer's own statement: (1) The amount of the expense; (2) the time and place of the expense; (3) the business purpose of the expense; and (4) the business relationship to the taxpayer of the persons involved in the expense. Petitioners' charitable contribution deductions are governed by section 170. Section 170(a) allows a deduction for any charitable contribution to or for the use of an organization described in section 170(c), payment of which is made during the taxable year and verified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary. In general, the amount of a charitable contribution made in property other than money is the fair market value of the donated property at the time of the contribution. Hewitt v. Commissioner, 109 T.C. 258, 261 (1997), affd. without publishedPage: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011