James J. McCarron III and Michelle McCarron - Page 14

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          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 published             








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