James G. LeBloch and Cathy Michelsen LeBloch - Page 39




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          persuaded us as to the specifics of their day-to-day activities             
          while in Australia or, more specifically, the amount of time that           
          they purportedly spent on business versus personal pursuits.                
          Exhibit 123-P was received into evidence through the parties’               
          stipulation that the exhibit reflects “documents which                      
          Petitioners contend pertain to business related travel for                  
          taxable year 1999”.  Exhibit 123-P has approximately 70 pages,              
          and petitioners have not organized or presented the “documents”             
          included therein (mainly photocopies of receipts) in any manner             
          that persuades us that any of the expenses reflected in this                
          exhibit are properly deductible by petitioners.  Nor do                     
          petitioners in their posttrial opening brief persuade us that               
          they have satisfied the requirements for deductibility;                     
          petitioners’ entire argument on this point is:                              
               The trip had a clear business purpose.  Ms. Michelsen                  
               was actively pursuing a business expansion.                            
               (TR169:16-171:1)  Substantiated costs total $12,847                    
               (Exhibit 123-P).  Only one-third of this expense was                   
               allocated to business.  A deduction of $4,129, which                   
               was taken on the return, should be allowed.                            
          We sustain respondent’s determination that petitioners are not              
          entitled to deduct these claimed expenses.                                  
                    c.  Meals                                                         
               Petitioners argue that they have substantiated the $9,789 of           
          expenses claimed as a meals deduction for 1999 through the                  
          introduction of Exhibit 124-P.  We disagree.  Exhibit 124-P was             








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