James L. and Patricia R. Williams - Page 8




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          the years in issue for items such as clothing and shoes that were           
          required for employment.  Petitioners’ testimony on this issue              
          was vague, however, and petitioners gave no indication that the             
          clothing or shoes were unsuitable for general or personal wear.             
          Accordingly, such expenses are not deductible.  See Yeomans v.              
          Commissioner, supra.                                                        
               Petitioners assert they spent $600 on haircuts in each of              
          the years at issue.  We have repeatedly held that such costs are            
          nondeductible personal expenses.  See Hynes v. Commissioner, 74             
          T.C. 1266, 1291-1292 (1980); Drake v. Commissioner, 52 T.C. 842,            
          844 (1969); Fryer v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1974-26.                      
          Petitioners therefore are not entitled to deduct the costs of               
          clothing, shoes, and haircuts as business expenses.                         
               Petitioners contend they paid or incurred numerous other               
          business-related expenses for items such as gasoline, a computer,           
          and a facsimile machine.  We need not consider these remaining              
          items.  The standard deduction for 2002, 2003, and 2004 was                 
          $7,850, $9,500, and $9,700, respectively.  See sec. 63(c)(2),               
          (4).  After the claimed deductions for medical and dental                   
          expenses, clothing and shoes, and haircuts are disallowed,                  
          petitioners’ remaining deductions for each year do not exceed               
          these amounts.  Petitioners therefore are entitled only to the              
          standard deduction for each year.  Sec. 63(b) and (c); Shepherd             
          v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1999-19.  Respondent’s determination            
          on this issue is sustained.                                                 





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