- 31 - or her investment. See Rapco, Inc. v. Commissioner, supra at 954-955. In performing our analysis, we review Mr. Wechsler’s, Mrs. Wechsler’s, and Gilbert’s compensation separately because whether the compensation that petitioner paid to each is reasonable depends on the services he or she performed. See Miller & Sons Drywall, Inc. v. Commissioner, supra. III. Expert Reports A. Introduction Both parties offered expert testimony in support of their respective positions concerning reasonable compensation for Mr. Wechsler. No expert testimony was offered concerning reasonable compensation for either Mrs. Wechsler or Gilbert. In deciding the reasonableness of compensation, courts often look to the opinions of expert witnesses. Nonetheless, we are not bound by the opinion of any expert witness, and we may accept or reject expert testimony in the exercise of sound judgment. Helvering v. Natl. Grocery Co., 304 U.S. 282, 295 (1938); Silverman v. Commissioner, 538 F.2d 927, 933 (2d Cir. 1976) (and cases cited thereat), affg. T.C. Memo. 1974-285. Although we may accept the testimony of an expert in its entirety, see Buffalo Tool & Die Manufacturing Co. v. Commissioner, 74 T.C. 441, 452 (1980), we may be selective in determining what portions of anPage: Previous 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Next
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