Carlos Langston & Pamela Langston v. Commissioner ( 2019 )

T.C. Memo. 2019-19UNITED STATES TAX COURT
CARLOS LANGSTON AND PAMELA LANGSTON, Petitioners v.
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Docket No. 4270-17. Filed March 21, 2019.
David J. Looby, for petitioners.
William F. Castor and H. Elizabeth H. Downs, for respondent.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
NEGA, Judge: Respondent determined deficiencies in petitioners’ Federal
income tax and imposed accuracy-related penalties under section 6662(a)1 as
follows:
1
Unless otherwise indicated, all section references are to the Internal
Revenue Code (Code) in effect for the taxable years at issue, and all Rule
references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure. All monetary
amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar.
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[*2] Penalty
Year Deficiency sec. 6662(a)
2012 $79,227 $15,844
2013 226,070 45,050
After concessions,2 the issues remaining for decision are: (1) whether
petitioners are entitled to depreciation deductions for the 2006 Meridian 580 yacht
(Meridian 580) and 2011 Keystone Raptor (Raptor RV) they claimed to use in
their trade or business, (2) whether petitioners converted their home from personal
use to income-producing use, and (3) whether petitioners are liable for accuracy-
related penalties under section 6662(a).
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts are stipulated and are so found. The stipulation of facts
and the attached exhibits are incorporated herein by this reference. Petitioners
resided in Oklahoma when the petition was timely filed.
I. Petitioners’ Backgrounds
Carlos Langston holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a
master’s degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa. Since
2
Both parties concede various amounts relating to deductions claimed on
Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business, and Schedule E, Supplemental Income
and Loss.
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[*3] graduation in 1990 Mr. Langston has been self-employed in the oil and gas
industry. Pamela Langston holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a juris
doctor from the University of Tulsa. From graduation in 1997 to 2005 Ms.
Langston worked for a mid-size law firm in Tulsa where she became a partner in
2002. While at the law firm, Ms. Langston was the named attorney on at least two
tax law cases.
II. Port Carlos
Mr. Langston’s parents, and then his mother alone, owned and operated Port
Carlos Marina (Port Carlos) in Ketchum, Oklahoma, from the 1950s until August
26, 2011, when Mr. Langston’s mother sold Port Carlos to petitioners. Port
Carlos’ primary location consists of 100 covered dock slips and multiple structures
while its secondary location, Masthead Marina, is 15 minutes from the primary
location. Masthead Marina is a sailboat cove with 50 uncovered boat slips.
On September 7, 2011, petitioners formed Port Carlos as a domestic limited
liability company. On July 6, 2011, Mr. Langston purchased the Meridian 580 for
$245,920. On April 14, 2011, Mr. Langston purchased the Raptor RV for
$69,092.
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[*4] III. 75th Place Property
Petitioners purchased the 75th Place property in 1997 and lived in that home
until 2005. In May 2001 petitioners sought to refinance the 75th Place property
for the purpose of renovations and subsequently on May 15, 2001, had the 75th
Place property appraised at a fair market value of $290,000.
In January 2005 petitioners moved out of the 75th Place property to the
Vintage on Yale Apartments (Yale Apartment). Because of the size of the Yale
Apartment, petitioners could not accommodate all of their furniture and personal
items. Originally, only one garage was available at the Yale Apartment, and thus
petitioners rented additional units at a storage facility a mile away. As garages
became available, petitioners moved their furniture and personal items to the Yale
Apartment garages for convenience as they needed to transfer items to and from
storage for use.3 When petitioners ended their lease they had a total of four
garages.
Petitioners lived at the Yale Apartment until June 2008 when they
purchased a third property in which they live currently. The renovations to the
75th Place property were completed in 2010.
3
The garages did not house any vehicles and were solely used for storage.
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[*5] In 2011 petitioners were informed by their insurance agent that their
homeowners insurance coverage would be terminated if the 75th Place property
remained vacant. As a result petitioners marketed the home by word of mouth as a
rental property. In July 2011 petitioners rented the 75th Place property to a
fraternity brother of Mr. Langston’s for $500 a month.4
In June 2012 petitioners listed the 75th Place property for $563,850 and
subsequently sold the home in February 2013 for $540,000.
IV. Tax Returns and Notice of Deficiency
Petitioners timely filed their returns for tax years 2012 and 2013. Those tax
returns were prepared by Kathy Burch, who is a certified public accountant and an
attorney.5
For tax year 2012 petitioners claimed Schedule C depreciation deductions
on the Meridian 580 and the Raptor RV of $139,996 and $30,709, respectively.
Ms. Burch did not receive any documentation from petitioners regarding the
4
The fair market rent was approximately $2,500 to $2,800. Petitioners
credibly testified that the rent amount was reached because the renter would be in
the home only five days per month and that $500 was the prorated amount.
5
Ms. Burch holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from East Central
University. She also holds a master’s degree in taxation and a juris doctor degree
from the University of Tulsa.
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[*6] contribution of the assets to Port Carlos, nor did she receive any
documentation substantiating their business use.
For tax year 2013 petitioners claimed Schedule C depreciation deductions
for the Meridian 580 and the Raptor RV of $36,421 and $10,234, respectively.
Attached to petitioners’ 2013 return was a Form 4797, Sales of Business Property.
In that form they claimed a loss deduction of $436,633 relating to the sale of the
75th Place Property. Ms. Burch reported that the 75th Place property was acquired
on July 1, 2011, and used a cost basis of $1,027,415 instead of the fair market
value of the home to calculate the loss.6 Ms. Burch believed that the fair market
value of the home was “a little bit below” the sale price of $540,000.
In September 2014 a revenue agent (RA) from the Internal Revenue Service
began an examination of petitioners’ claimed deductions and Form 4797 loss.
During the RA’s examination she toured, with the manager, all of Port Carlos,
including the Meridian 580 and the Raptor RV. While onboard the Meridian 580
she saw numerous personal items that gave the impression it was not used as a
boat sales office.7 There were no placards, banners, or other identifying signage
6
Mr. Burch reached this number by adding to the original purchase price the
cost of all the improvements to the home and the expenses of the sale.
7
The RA credibly testified to seeing DVDs, swimsuits, towels, curling irons,
(continued...)
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[*7] indicating that the Meridian 580 was the boat sales office, and petitioners did
not keep documentation, records, or logs of boat sales activity occurring onboard
the Meridian 580. During the RA’s tour of the Raptor RV she observed a suitcase,
clothing, and a pot on the stove, again indicating it was not used as a boat sales
office.
On December 1, 2016, petitioners were issued a notice of deficiency for tax
years 2012 and 2013. The RA denied the depreciation deductions for the
Meridian 580 and the Raptor RV for not being ordinary and necessary and denied
the loss deduction on the sale of the 75th Place property because it was their
primary residence.
OPINION
I. Burden of Proof
The Commissioner’s determinations in a notice of deficiency are generally
presumed correct, and the taxpayer bears the burden of proving those
determinations erroneous. Rule 142(a); Welch v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111, 115
(1933). Deductions are a matter of legislative grace. Deputy v. du Pont, 308 U.S.
488, 493 (1940). Taxpayers must comply with specific requirements for any
7
(...continued)
toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and various other hygiene items.
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[*8] deductions claimed. See INDOPCO, Inc. v. Commissioner, 503 U.S. 79, 84
(1992); New Colonial Ice Co. v. Helvering, 292 U.S. 435, 440 (1934).
In order to shift the burden of proof to the Commissioner, the taxpayer must,
inter alia, introduce credible evidence with respect to the issues and have complied
with all substantiation and record keeping requirements imposed by the Code.
Sec. 7491(a)(1) and (2). Credible evidence is that which the Court would find
sufficient upon which to base its decision if no contrary evidence were submitted.
Higbee v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. 438, 442 (2001). A taxpayer who provides
only self-serving testimony and inconclusive documentation does not provide
credible evidence. See id. at 445-446. Petitioners provided no credible evidence
with respect to the issues and provided only self-serving testimony.
The Commissioner generally bears the burden of production with respect to
any accuracy-related penalties under section 6662. See sec. 7491; Higbee v.
Commissioner, 116 T.C. at 446. Once the burden of production is met, the
taxpayer bears the burden of proof, including the burden of proving reasonable
cause for his or her underpayment of Federal income tax. See Rule 142(a); Higbee
v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. at 446-447.
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[*9] II. Section 167
Section 167(a) allows as a depreciation deduction a reasonable allowance
for the “exhaustion, wear and tear” of property used in a trade or business.
Section 274(a)(1)(A) disallows deductions involving entertainment, amusement,
or recreational activities unless the taxpayer establishes that the item was directly
related to or associated with the active conduct of the taxpayer’s trade or business.
Section 274(a)(1)(B) disallows deductions incurred with respect to a facility used
in connection with such entertainment activities. A yacht is an entertainment
facility within the meaning of section 274(a)(1)(B) if it is used during the taxable
year for, or in connection with, entertainment. Becnel v. Commissioner, T.C.
Memo. 2018-120; sec. 1.274-2(e)(2)(i), Income Tax Regs.
Section 274(d) disallows deductions, including depreciation, for certain
“listed property” as defined under section 280F(d)(4) unless the taxpayer satisfies
the strict substantiation requirements of this section. Listed property includes
property used for transportation and property of a type generally used for purposes
of entertainment, recreation, or amusement. Secs. 274(d)(4), 280F(d)(4)(A)(ii)
and (iii). RVs generally are included as “listed property” under section
280F(d)(4). See Jackson v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2014-160.
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[*10] The strict substantiation rule requires the taxpayer to maintain records, or
other documentary evidence corroborating his own statement, adequate
to establish the business purpose, the amount of each expenditure, the amount of
each business use, the total use of the listed property, and the dates of the
expenditures and uses. See sec. 1.274-5T(b)(6), Temporary Income Tax Regs., 50
Fed. Reg. 46016 (Nov. 6, 1985). To meet the adequate records requirements, a
taxpayer must maintain an account book, a log, or other documentary evidence
which, in combination, is sufficient to establish each element of an expenditure or
use. Id. para. (c)(2), 50 Fed. Reg. 46017. If a taxpayer does not satisfy the
adequate records requirements with respect to one or more elements, he may
substantiate those elements with his or her own detailed statement and with other
corroborative evidence. Id. subpara. (3)(i), 50 Fed. Reg. 46020.
A. Meridian 580
Petitioners testified that the Meridian 580 was used solely for business
purposes, operating as a boat sales office at Port Carlos. However, there was no
testimony from anyone other than the petitioners and their general manager to
support their claims. Petitioners did not produce any documentation, records, or
logs of any business activity taking place onboard the Meridian 580 outside of
testimony from petitioners and their manager. Further, the Meridian 580 had no
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[*11] sign or other indication it was being used as a boat sales office. Thus, the
Court does not find this testimony credible.
The Court finds the testimony of the RA credible. The RA testified that on
her visit to Port Carlos the yacht was littered with items indicative of personal use.
Without more, petitioners’ self-serving testimony does not meet the strict
substantiation requirements of section 274(d). Accordingly, we sustain
respondent’s determination with respect to this issue. See Weekend Warrior
Trailers, Inc. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2011-105 (holding that general
testimony regarding a plane and a boat was insufficient to meet the substantiation
requirements of section 274(d)).
B. Raptor RV
Petitioners testified that the Raptor RV was used solely for business
purposes. Petitioners testified that the need for the Raptor RV was due to
Masthead Marina’s distance from Port Carlos. Petitioners also testified that while
parked at Masthead Marina, the Raptor RV served as a boat sales office and
doubled as a place for nighttime security to use during their shift. Further,
petitioners testified to contributing the Raptor RV to Port Carlos. Again, there
was no testimony from anyone other than petitioners and their general manager to
support their claims.
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[*12] As with the Meridian 580, petitioners produced no records or
documentation substantiating their use of the Raptor RV as a boat sales office or
nighttime break room for security. The Court finds the testimony of petitioners
and their general manager not credible and the testimony of the RA credible in that
she observed personal items in the Raptor RV. Again, without more, petitioners’
self-serving testimony does not meet the strict substantiation requirements of
section 247(d). Accordingly, we sustain respondent’s determination with respect
to this issue.
III. Section 165
Section 165(a) allows a deduction for any loss sustained during the taxable
year that is not compensated for by insurance or otherwise. However, for losses
not arising from a business, casualty, or theft, section 165(c)(2) limits the
deduction in the case of an individual to losses incurred in any transaction entered
into for profit.
A loss sustained on the sale of residential property purchased or constructed
by the taxpayer for use as his or her personal residence and so used by him or her
up to the time of sale is not deductible. Sec. 1.165-9(a), Income Tax Regs. If
property is converted to income-producing purposes before sale and is used for
such purposes at the time of its sale, a loss on the sale is allowed as a deduction.
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[*13] Sec. 1.165-9(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. In determining whether property was
converted from personal use to income-producing use, the Court considers:
(1) how long a taxpayer used the property as a personal residence; (2) whether the
individual permanently abandoned all further personal use of the property;
(3) whether the character of the property was recreational; (4) whether the
property was offered for rent; and (5) whether and when the property was offered
for sale, with offers of sale soon after abandonment suggesting that the property
may not have been converted to income-producing purposes. Grant v.
Commissioner, 84 T.C. 809, 825 (1985), aff’d without published opinion, 800
F.2d 260 (4th Cir. 1986); Redisch v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2015-95. No one
factor is determinative, and we consider all of the facts and circumstances.
Saunders v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2002-143, aff’d, 75 F. App’x 494 (6th
Cir. 2003).
Petitioners lived at the 75th Place property for eight years until moving out.
While petitioners’ motives are unclear as to whether they intended to move back to
the 75th Place property or whether the renovations had become a nearly decade-
long hobby, the Court finds that the move to the Yale Apartment was not
motivated by petitioners’ testified desire to renovate and sell the home as an
income-producing asset. Petitioners did not market the home for sale until 2012,
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[*14] seven years after moving out and two years after renovations were complete.
Neither did they seek or pursue other ways of generating income from the home
until 2012. In addition they did not seek to determine the market value of the
home through appraisals, receiving only a replacement cost appraisal for insurance
purposes after refinancing in 2001. Thus, the Court does not find the length of
time between petitioners’ move to the Yale Apartment and the date of sale an
indication of income-producing purposes.
As for the rental of the 75th Place property, petitioners testified to “never”
wanting to rent out the home. Their only reason for renting it out was to satisfy
their insurance company to keep the home insured. Even then, petitioners did not
market the home publicly and eventually rented it out for less than fair market
value to Mr. Langston’s fraternity brother. Mr. Langston’s testimony that the
reason for not marketing the home publicly was an increased risk of vandalism is
not credible. We find that the reason for renting the 75th Place property below
market value was solely insurance driven and without profit motive.
The Court does not find that the 75th Place property was converted for
income-producing purposes. Accordingly, we sustain respondent’s determination
with respect to this issue.
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[*15] IV. Section 6662(a) Penalties for Tax Years 2012 and 2013
The Commissioner bears the burden of production with respect to
petitioners’ liability for penalties and must produce sufficient evidence indicating
that it is appropriate to impose them. See sec. 7491(c); Higbee v. Commissioner,
116 T.C. at 446. As part of that burden, with respect to certain penalties, the
Commissioner must also show that he complied with the written approval
requirement of section 6751(b)(1). Graev v. Commissioner, 149 T.C. 485, 493
(2017), supplementing and overruling in part 147 T.C. 460 (2016).
Section 6662(a) and (b)(1) and (2) imposes an accuracy-related penalty on
any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to the taxpayer’s
“[n]egligence or disregard of rules or regulations” or “substantial understatement
of income tax”. Negligence includes “any failure by the taxpayer to keep adequate
books and records or to substantiate items properly.” Sec. 1.6662-3(b), Income
Tax Regs. An understatement of income tax is substantial if the amount of the
understatement for the taxable year exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required
to be shown on the return or $5,000. Sec. 6662(d)(1)(A).
On the record before us, we find that if the Rule 155 computations confirm
substantial understatements of income tax for the years at issue, then respondent
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[*16] has met his burden of production.8 Once the Commissioner meets his
burden, the burden of proof is on the taxpayer to prove that the application of the
penalty is inappropriate. See Higbee v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. at 446-447.
Petitioners argue that the accuracy-related penalties are inappropriate as they acted
with reasonable cause and in good faith in relying on the tax advice of Ms. Burch.
The accuracy-related penalty will not apply to any portion of the
underpayment for which a taxpayer establishes that he or she had reasonable cause
and acted in good faith. Sec. 6664(c)(1). The determination of whether a taxpayer
acted with reasonable cause and in good faith is made on a case-by-case basis,
taking into account all the pertinent facts and circumstances, including his or her
efforts to assess the proper tax liability, the knowledge and experience of the
taxpayer, and the extent to which he or she relied on the advice of a tax
professional. See sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs.
A taxpayer may be found to have acted with reasonable cause when he or
she exercises ordinary business care and prudence with respect to a disputed tax
item. Neonatology Assocs., P.A. v. Commissioner, 115 T.C. 43, 98 (2000), aff’d,
8
We note that the record contains evidence, in the form of a civil penalty
approval form, that respondent complied with the requirements of sec. 6751(b)(1).
See Graev v. Commissioner, 149 T.C. 485, 493 (2017), supplementing and
overruling in part 147 T.C. 460 (2016).
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[*17] 299 F.3d 221 (3d Cir. 2002). Reliance on the advice of an independent,
competent professional as to the tax treatment of an item may meet this
requirement. See sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. A taxpayer acts in good
faith when he or she acts upon honest belief and with intent to perform all lawful
obligations. See Rutter v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2017-174, at *45.
A taxpayer alleging reasonable, good-faith reliance on the advice of an
independent, competent professional must prove that (1) the adviser was a
competent professional who had sufficient expertise to justify reliance, (2) the
taxpayer provided necessary and accurate information to the adviser, and (3) the
taxpayer actually relied in good faith on the adviser’s judgment. Neonatology
Assocs, P.A. v. Commissioner, 115 T.C. at 99. A taxpayer’s unconditional
reliance on an otherwise qualified professional does not by itself constitute
reasonable cause and good faith for purposes of section 6664(c)(1). See Stough v.
Commissioner, 144 T.C. 306, 323 (2015). A taxpayer asserting reasonable
reliance must show that the advice of a qualified adviser took into account all facts
and circumstances and was not based on unreasonable factual or legal
assumptions. Sec. 1.6664-4(c)(1), Income Tax Regs.
Ms. Burch is a qualified professional and petitioners are well-educated,
sophisticated individuals. Specifically, Ms. Langston has an undergraduate degree
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[*18] in accounting and was the named attorney, though she testified to not
remembering, on at least two tax law cases while Mr. Langston has operated an oil
and gas business since 1990.
Ms. Burch testified that she relied on oral and implied information from
petitioners without documentation. Petitioners have failed to prove they provided
accurate and credible information to Ms. Burch, and therefore they cannot avail
themselves of a good faith and reasonable cause penalty defense. Further, the
Court finds that because petitioners knew they had not provided necessary and
accurate information to Ms. Burch, their reliance upon her was unreasonable and
not in good faith.
We have considered all the other arguments made by the parties, and to the
extent not discussed above, find those arguments to be irrelevant, moot, or without
merit.
To reflect the foregoing,
Decision will be entered under
Rule 155.