- 10 - satisfy the strict substantiation requirements of section 274(d). See Whalley v. Commissioner, supra; see also sec. 280F(d)(1); sec. 1.179-1(d)(3), Income Tax Regs. In order to substantiate the amount of an automobile expense the taxpayer must prove the following: (1) The amount of the expenditure (i.e., cost of acquisition); (2) the amount of each business use and the amount of its total use by establishing the amount of its business mileage and total mileage; (3) time (i.e., the date of the expenditure or use); and (4) the business purpose for the expenditure or use. See sec. 1.274-5T(b)(6)(i) through (iii), Temporary Income Tax Regs., 50 Fed. Reg. 46016 (Nov. 6, 1985). The taxpayer may substantiate the amount of mileage by adequate records or sufficient evidence that corroborates his statements. See sec. 274(d). A record of the mileage made at or near the time of the automobile’s use that is supported by documentary evidence has a high degree of credibility not present with a subsequently prepared statement. See sec. 1.274-5T(c)(1)-(3), Temporary Income Tax Regs., supra. Petitioner’s evidence consisted of the spreadsheet listing the numbers he put on his return and his testimony that he purchased the Jeep from a bankruptcy trustee for $2,200 to use in his business. Additionally, petitioner testified that the Jeep was his only vehicle and that his wife did not own a vehicle. Petitioner failed to establish his business use. Moreover, hePage: Previous 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 NextLast modified: March 27, 2008