WINTER v. COMMISSIONER ( 2002 )

JEFFREY AND KAREN WINTER, Petitioners v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

WINTER v. COMMISSIONER

No. 5432-00

United States Tax Court

T.C. Memo 2002-173; 2002 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 179; 84 T.C.M. (CCH) 62;

July 22, 2002., Filed

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Legal and consulting fees incurred in maintaining lawsuit against seller of hotel that petitioners had previously purchased must be capitalized. Judgment entered for respondent.

Craig M. Hunt, for petitioners.

Kathryn K. Vetter, for respondent.

Ruwe, Robert P.

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RUWE

MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

RUWE, Judge: Respondent determined a deficiency of $ 40,092 in petitioners' joint 1994 Federal income tax. The issue for decision is whether petitioners may deduct or must capitalize legal and consulting fees incurred in maintaining a lawsuit against the seller of a hotel that they had previously purchased.

             FINDINGS OF FACT

Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. The stipulation of facts and the attached exhibits are incorporated herein by this reference. Petitioners resided in Gold Run, California, at the time they filed their petition.

In 1990, petitioners were interested in finding investment property. Petitioners saw a brochure advertising the Truckee Hotel, located in Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe, for the price of $ 1.2 million. The brochure included some financial and room rental information regarding the hotel. At that time, the Truckee Hotel was owned by the Meglin Hotel Partnership (MHP). Gerhard Meglin (Mr. Meglin) was the general partner of MHP and owned an 82-percent interest in the partnership.

On February 20, 1991, petitioners executed a "Commercial Real Estate Contract and Receipt for Deposit" (real estate contract) offering to purchase the Truckee Hotel for $ 1.2 million. Mr. Meglin made a counteroffer, and the parties ultimately agreed on the terms of the sale. ^{*181 to look at the books of the hotel during this time.}

Petitioners noticed that there were inconsistencies between the financial information contained in the advertising brochure and the financial information provided by Mr. Meglin during escrow. For example, the advertising brochure overstated the 1988 and 1989 net income. Additionally, although the income and expense statements provided included no repair expenses, MHP had claimed expenses for repairs on its partnership tax returns. After corresponding with Mr. Meglin concerning the inconsistencies, petitioners ultimately proceeded with the purchase on the terms previously agreed to by the parties. The sale of the Truckee Hotel to petitioners closed on April 4, 1991. Petitioners paid a portion of the purchase price in cash and executed a promissory note for the balance of $ 870,000.

Approximately 1 year after petitioners' purchase of the Truckee Hotel, the county hotel tax assessor asked petitioners for a "Revenue Forecast" of their room revenues and room occupancy taxes that the county could use for budgeting purposes. Petitioners obtained copies of transient occupancy tax returns that had previously been filed for the hotel. Petitioners discovered that the gross receipts listed on the returns were less than those shown on the documents provided by Mr. Meglin during escrow. The actual gross receipts received by petitioners from operating the hotel were less than they had anticipated.

On May 10, 1993, petitioners filed a complaint for damages in the Superior Court of the State of California against MHP and Mr. Meglin alleging breach of contract, intentional misrepresentation, and negligent misrepresentation. Petitioners alleged that Mr. Meglin breached the real estate contract by providing petitioners with false, incorrect, or incomplete financial statements showing that the income of the hotel was greater than it was, which proximately resulted in petitioners' suffering damages for the difference between the purchase price and actual value of the hotel at the time of sale and the difference between the reasonable projected profit of the hotel and the actual income. Petitioners further alleged that Mr. Meglin intentionally misrepresented the income and expenses of the hotel, which induced petitioners to purchase the hotel for a price in excess of its worth and caused them to suffer damages for this difference in value and the difference between the represented income of the hotel and the actual income of the hotel. Finally, petitioners alleged that Mr. Meglin negligently misrepresented that the Truckee Hotel had the income and expenses for 1989, 1990, and 1991, as listed in the income and expense statements, which proximately caused petitioners to purchase the hotel for a price in excess of its worth and suffer damages for the differences between the purchase price and actual value of the hotel and the represented income and the actual income of the hotel.

The matter was referred to nonbinding arbitration, and a hearing was held on April 14, 1994. During arbitration, petitioners sought the following damages: (1) $ 612,000 for the difference between the purchase price and the actual value of the property at the time of sale; (2) $ 343,437.27 for lost profits based on the financial information provided by Mr. Meglin; (3) $ 338,000 for amounts reasonably expended in renovation of the hotel based on Mr. Meglin's representations; (4) attorney's fees and costs; and (5) punitive and exemplary damages. The arbitrator found that the income represented by Mr. Meglin in the income and expense statements was accurate but that the representations made regarding operating expenses were careless at best and grossly negligent at worst. The arbitrator found that although petitioners reasonably relied on Mr. Meglin's representations, they failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that they sustained damages as a direct result of the breach of contract or misrepresentations. The arbitrator concluded that petitioners were not entitled to any damages for a loss of value of the property because petitioners did not meet their burden of showing that the alleged loss of value was a proximate and direct result of Mr. Meglin's misrepresentations.

Petitioners decided to proceed with litigation, and a trial was scheduled for July 1994. In June 1994, petitioners hired Arthur Gimmy International to prepare an appraisal report for the Truckee Hotel. The stated purpose of the appraisal was "to estimate the fair market value of the whole property on the date of the sale as well as the investment value of the estate sold subject to pre-existing financing." The report stated that the value of the property at the time of the sale was $ 800,000.

In July 1994, the parties to the litigation entered into a mutual release and settlement agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Meglin agreed to pay petitioners the sum of $ 271,473.95 by releasing them from $ 271,473.95 of the amount owed under the terms of the promissory note executed in connection with the sale of the hotel.

Petitioners paid legal and consulting fees in connection with the lawsuit against MHP and Mr. Meglin. On the Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business, attached to their 1994 Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, petitioners deducted $ 82,971 for legal and professional services and $ 17,712 for consulting. These amounts included costs for legal counsel, accounting work, and the appraisal.

Respondent's examination of petitioners' 1994 return commenced in January 1997. On March 3, 2000, respondent issued petitioners a notice of deficiency determining that petitioners' deductions for legal and consulting fees were not deductible because the fees were incurred in connection with the establishment of the purchase price of the Truckee Hotel.

                OPINION

The issue for decision is whether legal and consulting fees incurred in maintaining a lawsuit against a seller of property are deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses under section 162. section 263(a) because they arose out of, and were incurred in connection with, petitioners' acquisition of the Truckee Hotel, a capital asset. *187 Deductions are a matter of legislative grace, and the taxpayer bears the burden of proving the entitlement to any deduction claimed. INDOPCO, Inc. v. Commissioner, 503 U.S. 79">503 U.S. 79, 84, 117 L. Ed. 2d 226">117 L. Ed. 2d 226, 112 S. Ct. 1039">112 S. Ct. 1039 (1992); New Colonial Ice Co. v. Helvering, 292 U.S. 435">292 U.S. 435, 440, 78 L. Ed. 1348">78 L. Ed. 1348, 54 S. Ct. 788">54 S. Ct. 788 (1934). Section 162(a) allows a deduction for ordinary and necessary business expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in connection with the carrying on of a trade or business. Commissioner v. Lincoln Sav. & Loan Association, 403 U.S. 345">403 U.S. 345, 352, 29 L. Ed. 2d 519">29 L. Ed. 2d 519, 91 S. Ct. 1893">91 S. Ct. 1893 (1971). Expenses incurred in defending a business and its policies from attack are generally deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses. e.g., Commissioner v. Tellier, 383 U.S. 687">383 U.S. 687, 16 L. Ed. 2d 185">16 L. Ed. 2d 185, 86 S. Ct. 1118">86 S. Ct. 1118 (1966); Commissioner v. Heininger, 320 U.S. 467">320 U.S. 467, 88 L. Ed. 171">88 L. Ed. 171, 64 S. Ct. 249">64 S. Ct. 249 (1943); Am. Stores Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner, 114 T.C. 458">114 T.C. 458 (2000). On the other hand, no current deduction is allowed for capital expenditures. Sec. 263(a); INDOPCO, Inc. v. Commissioner, supra at 83.

"A particular cost, no matter what its type, may be deductible in one context but may be required to be capitalized in another context." Am. Stores Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner, supra at 469. An expense that might otherwise qualify as currently deductible must be capitalized when it: (1) Creates or enhances a separate and distinct asset; (2) produces a significant future benefit; or (3) is incurred in connection with the acquisition of a capital asset. Lychuk v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. 374">116 T.C. 374, 385-386 (2001) (and cases cited therein).

Capital expenditures are not limited to the actual price that the buyer pays to the seller for the asset but include the payment of legal, brokerage, accounting, appraisal, and other ancillary expenses related to the asset's acquisition. Id. at 389. Whether legal costs are incurred in connection with the acquisition of a capital asset depends on whether the origin of the claim litigated is the process of the acquisition itself. Woodward v. Commissioner, 397 U.S. 572">397 U.S. 572, 577-578, 25 L. Ed. 2d 577">25 L. Ed. 2d 577, 90 S. Ct. 1302">90 S. Ct. 1302 (1970); Berry Petroleum Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner, 104 T.C. 584">104 T.C. 584, 618-619 (1995), affd. without published opinion 142 F. 3d 442 (9th Cir. 1998). Under the origin of the claim test, the nature of the transaction out of which the expenditure in controversy arose governs whether the item is a deductible expense or a capital expenditure, regardless of the payor's motives in making the payment. Woodward v. Commissioner, supra at 578; Am. Stores Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner, supra at 470.

Petitioners contend that the legal and consulting fees were not incurred in connection with the acquisition of the Truckee Hotel and should be allowable as a current deduction. Petitioners emphasize that the lawsuit did not begin until 2 years after they purchased the hotel, and the settlement was not reached until 3 years after the purchase. Petitioners claim that Mr. Meglin did not have any cash resources, and their only recourse available was the reduction of the purchase price. Petitioners maintain that the adjustment of the purchase price is not determinative because all facts and circumstances must be considered.

The fact that legal costs are incurred after a capital asset is acquired does not necessarily mean that the costs were not incurred in connection with the acquisition of the asset. In United States v. Hilton Hotels Corp., 397 U.S. 580">397 U.S. 580, 584, 25 L. Ed. 2d 585">25 L. Ed. 2d 585, 90 S. Ct. 1307">90 S. Ct. 1307 (1970), the Supreme Court noted that the prior passage of title in the underlying stock acquisition was "a distinction without a difference" in deciding whether costs of litigation arose out of the process of acquisition. This Court reached a similar result in Am. Stores Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner, supra (legal fees incurred in defending against antitrust suit filed after stock purchase were capital expenditures because they arose out of, and were incurred in connection with, acquisition of stock). See also Berry Petroleum Co. & Subs. v. Commissioner, supra (costs incurred in defending lawsuit filed after merger were capital expenditures because lawsuit had its origins in the process of acquisition culminating in the merger); Wagner v. Commissioner, 78 T.C. 910">78 T.C. 910 (1982) (legal fees incurred by seller of stock to defend against lawsuit by purchaser were capital expenditures because the origin of the claim was the sale); Redwood Empire Sav. & Loan Association v. Commissioner, 68 T.C. 960">68 T.C. 960 (1977) (amount paid to settle lawsuit brought by former owners of property, and legal fees incurred in connection therewith, were capital expenditures), affd. 628 F.2d 516">628 F.2d 516 (9th Cir. 1980).

In the instant case, petitioners sought damages from MHP and Mr. Meglin related to the purchase of the Truckee Hotel. During arbitration, petitioners sought specific damage amounts for the difference between the purchase price and the actual value of the hotel, lost profits, and renovation costs. During the course of litigation, petitioners had an appraisal done to determine the fair market value of the property as of the date of purchase. The appraisal indicated that petitioners paid a price substantially in excess of the fair market value. As part of the release and settlement agreement, Mr. Meglin agreed to reduce the amount owed on the promissory note for the hotel by $ 271,473.95; thus, the lawsuit essentially resulted in a redetermined purchase price for the hotel. Overall, the evidence reflects that the legal and consulting fees were incurred in connection with the acquisition of the hotel and were directly related to the purchase price.

Petitioners argue that the legal and consulting fees originated from the misrepresentations made by Mr. Meglin as to the expected average annual income of the hotel and were not related to the purchase of the hotel. Petitioners represented during their lawsuit against MHP and Mr. Meglin that they were seeking damages to recover the difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the hotel, as well as lost profits. Petitioners ultimately settled their lawsuit in exchange for the discharge of a portion of the amount owed under the purchase agreement. The evidence indicates that the legal and consulting fees incurred were a result of petitioners' ultimate desire to recover the amount they felt they had overpaid to purchase the hotel. Thus, the origin of the claim in this case was the purchase of the hotel. ^{*193 Petitioners' reliance on Freeland v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1986-10">T.C. Memo 1986-10, is misplaced. In that case, the taxpayers incurred litigation expenses in a wrongful foreclosure action resulting from the taxpayers' declaration of default on a promissory note, their exercise of an option to accelerate installments, and their initiation of foreclosure proceedings. Neither party to the litigation was seeking to adjust the purchase price of the sales agreement; rather, the purpose of the foreclosure action was to move title to the property from one party to another. We found that the kind of transaction out of which the litigation arose was the foreclosure action, not the original acquisition of the property. However, because the taxpayers ultimately were the successful bidders at the foreclosure sale, we held that all of their litigation expenses were attributable to the reacquisition of title and were not currently deductible. The instant case is distinguishable because petitioners incurred legal fees maintaining a lawsuit to recover damages from Mr. Meglin for misrepresentations which caused petitioners to pay an inflated price for the hotel. Unlike the taxpayers in Freeland, the kind of transaction out of which the litigation arose was petitioners' original acquisition of the hotel, and the litigation essentially resulted in a reduced purchase price for the hotel.}

Finally, petitioners claim that acquisition costs are only required to be capitalized when a new asset is acquired or the costs extend the life or increase the value of the asset. Petitioners contend that because the Truckee Hotel was substantially overvalued at the time of purchase and its capitalized value remained substantially in excess of its fair market value after the settlement agreement, there was no increase in the life or value of the hotel as a result of the litigation.

We recently rejected the argument that acquisition costs are capitalizable only if they create or add value to a capital asset. In Lychuk v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. at 413-414, we stated:

   we disagree with * * * [the taxpayers] that acquisition costs

   are capitalizable under section 263(a) only if they create or

   add value to a capital asset. In Dustin v. Commissioner,

  467 F.2d 47">467 F.2d 47, 49-50 (9th Cir. 1972), affg. 53 T.C. 491">53 T.C. 491 (1969),

   the taxpayer was a shareholder of an S corporation (Capitol)

   that agreed to acquire the stock of a company that owned and



   operated radio station KGMS. In 1961, Capitol incurred $ 12,460



   of legal, engineering, and accounting fees in connection with



   the transfer to Capitol of control of station KGMS' radio-

   broadcasting license. The taxpayer deducted his proportionate

   share of these expenses, and the Commissioner disallowed the

   deduction asserting that the expenses were capital expenditures.

   The taxpayer argued in this Court that he could deduct $ 10,960

   of the expenses because they were attributable to a hearing held

   by the Federal Communications Commission on this matter and did

   not add any value to the acquired stock. We disagreed with the

   taxpayer that any of these amounts were currently deductible. On

   appeal, so did the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

   According to that court: "The expenditures connected with

   the acquisition of the broadcast license were no less capital in

   character because they did not themselves contribute additional

   and specific financial value to the license being sought. The

   important fact is that the expenditures were made for the

   purpose of acquiring a capital asset." * * * [Fn. ref.

   omitted.]

We noted that the test for capitalization does not hinge on the amount of value added to property but looks at the nature of the expense itself. 116 T.C. at 414. We concluded that "When the nature of an expenditure bears a direct relation to the acquisition of a capital asset * * * the expenditure must be capitalized." Id.

Petitioners acquired a capital asset. Petitioners subsequently discovered that they paid more for the asset than it was worth. Petitioners initiated a lawsuit against MHP and Mr. Meglin and sought to recover damages on the grounds that misrepresentations by Mr. Meglin had caused them to pay more than the hotel was worth. Petitioners and Mr. Meglin eventually entered into a release and settlement agreement whereby petitioners' obligation under the promissory note executed for the purchase of the hotel was decreased by $ 271,473.95. ^{*197 related to, the acquisition of the Truckee Hotel, a capital asset. Accordingly, we hold that the fees at issue must be capitalized.}

Decision will be entered for respondent.

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Footnotes

• 1. The purchase price remained at $ 1.2 million.↩

• 2. Unless otherwise indicated, all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the year in issue.↩

• 3. Petitioners do not dispute that the Truckee Hotel was a capital asset.↩

• 4. In certain circumstances, if the taxpayer introduces credible evidence with respect to any factual issue relevant to ascertaining the proper tax liability, sec. 7491 places the burden of proof on the Secretary. Sec. 7491(a). Sec. 7491 is effective with respect to court proceedings arising in connection with examinations commencing after July 22, 1998. Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-206, sec. 3001(c), 112 Stat. 727. The examination in this case commenced in January 1997; thus, sec. 7491↩ is not applicable.

• 5. If petitioners had sought and recovered damages solely on the basis of lost profits incurred in reliance on Mr. Meglin's misrepresentations, then it appears that such damages might constitute ordinary income and the legal fees incurred in recovering the damages might not be directly related to the acquisition of a capital asset. However, petitioners' own representations in the lawsuit against MHP and Mr. Meglin, as well as their representations in this proceeding, indicate that they sought and recovered damages to compensate them for the difference between the purchase price of the hotel and the fair market value of the hotel at the time of sale. Petitioners have made no attempt in the instant case to allocate the $ 271,473.95 reduction in the amount owed under the promissory note among the difference between purchase price and actual value of the hotel, lost profits, and renovation costs.↩

• 6. The settlement agreement essentially resulted in a reduced purchase price for the Truckee Hotel. It appears that the reduction in the purchase price would decrease petitioners' basis in the hotel.↩