Edgar B. and Monica Alacan - Page 4

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                                       OPINION                                        
          I.   Claimed Expenses                                                       
               Deductions are a matter of legislative grace, and a taxpayer           
          bears the burden of proving that he has complied with the                   
          specific requirements for any deduction he claims.1  See INDOPCO,           
          Inc. v. Commissioner, 503 U.S. 79, 84 (1992); New Colonial Ice              
          Co. v. Helvering, 292 U.S. 435, 440 (1934).                                 
               Under section 162, a taxpayer may deduct all ordinary and              
          necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in              
          carrying on any trade or business if the taxpayer maintains                 
          records or other proof sufficient to substantiate the expenses.             
          Sec. 162(a); sec. 6001; Deputy v. duPont, 308 U.S. 488, 495-496             
          (1940); sec. 1.6001-1(a), Income Tax Regs.                                  
               If a claimed business expense is deductible, but the                   
          taxpayer is unable to substantiate it, we are generally permitted           
          to approximate the amount of the expense, bearing heavily against           
          the taxpayer whose inexactitude is of his own making.  Cohan v.             
          Commissioner, 39 F.2d 540, 543-544 (2d Cir. 1930).  The estimate,           
          however, must have a reasonable evidentiary basis.  Vanicek v.              
          Commissioner, 85 T.C. 731, 743 (1985).                                      



               1  Petitioners do not argue that the burden of proof shifts            
          to respondent pursuant to sec. 7491(a) and that the threshold               
          requirements of sec. 7491(a) have been met.  In any event, we               
          decide the issue on the basis of the preponderance of evidence on           
          the record.                                                                 




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