DocketNumber: Docket Nos. 17204-09, 17242-09, 17243-09.
Citation Numbers: 103 T.C.M. 1895, 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168, 2012 T.C. Memo. 168
Judges: MARVEL
Filed Date: 6/14/2012
Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 11/20/2020
Decisions will be entered under
MARVEL, After concessions, Some of the facts have been stipulated. The stipulation of facts is incorporated herein by this reference. The Repettos resided in Missouri when they filed their petition. Yolo and WFR maintained their principal places of business and principal offices in Missouri when they filed their petitions.2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*171 Mr. Repetto graduated from college with a degree in business administration in 1972. From 1972 until 2002 when Mr. Repetto retired, he worked as a salesperson for IBM. Mrs. Repetto graduated from college with a degree in engineering management in 1984 and was employed during the years at issue. In the early 1990s Mr. Repetto met and became friends with Ray Porschen, Jr. Mr. Porschen was the sole shareholder of Porschen Construction, Inc. (Porschen Construction), which constructed spec homes2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*172 income tax purposes. Porschen Construction had a 50% interest in Ozark Future, and Mr. and Mrs. Repetto each had a 25% interest. Ozark Future was in the business of purchasing lots and constructing spec homes. From Ozark Future's formation until approximately 2002 the Repettos' role in it was that of investors; their involvement allowed Ozark Future to obtain more loans. The Repettos signed for Ozark Future's loans and personally guaranteed them. The Repettos continued working full time, but when Mr. Repetto was able to, he worked with Mr. Porschen to learn about home building. During that period (until 2002) Porschen Construction was primarily responsible for general contracting and construction management supervision for Ozark Future.2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*173 also hired subcontractors for Ozark Future to build homes on properties Ozark Future had acquired, and it received bids from 50-70 subcontractors.2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*174 was putting their personal assets at risk, for example, in case a subcontractor became injured. Mr. Curran also advised them that if they could not sell a home, the lending bank could sue them personally. On September 24, 2001, the Repettos caused SGR to be organized. It elected S corporation status. The Repettos owned 100% of the stock of SGR.2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*175 became more involved in Ozark Future's business in 2002, after he retired from IBM. Mrs. Repetto's involvement in the business also expanded. As Mr. Porschen's illness progressed, the Repettos considered Ozark Future's prospects. They wanted SGR to take advantage of the real estate market in the Lake of the Ozarks area and in Florida, yet they did not want to abandon their relationship with Ozark Future and the Porschens. As of 2003, they understood that Mr. Porschen was planning to retire. In 2003 the Porschens introduced the Repettos to Frank Zerjav, a certified public accountant (C.P.A.) in St. Louis, Missouri, who had been the Porschens' accountant for several years. Mr. Zerjav told the Repettos about his accounting firm and stated that he had a lot of experience working with clients in the real estate business. Mr. Zerjav suggested a meeting in his office. At the first meeting in Mr. Zerjav's office in late summer or early fall of 2003, the Repettos met James Harrell, an attorney and C.P.A. Mr. Harrell received his C.P.A. certificate in 1973, graduated from law school in 1982, and has practiced general business and tax law since 1982. At that meeting Mr. Harrell 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*176 proposed a structure whereby two new corporations would be incorporated and would be owned in part by Roth IRAs. Messrs. Harrell and Zerjav told the Repettos that such a structure was preferable from an asset protection standpoint because the corporate assets could not be reached in case of a lawsuit. The Repettos were unfamiliar with such a structure and questioned Mr. Harrell regarding its legitimacy. Mr. Harrell confirmed that as long as rules were followed, it was permissible for a C corporation to be owned in part by a Roth IRA. Mr. Harrell also explained the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. Mr. Harrell explained that the corporations would create profits and pay taxes, that the corporations could pay dividends to shareholders, including the Roth IRAs, and that those amounts could be withdrawn from the Roth IRAs upon retirement tax free. Mr. Harrell and the Repettos understood that the relationship between SGR and Ozark Future would remain unchanged and that the two new corporations would provide services to SGR. Although the Repettos did not have a good understanding of the structure, they retained Mr. Harrell to set it up. At some point around October 28, 2003, 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*177 Mr. Harrell sent the Repettos an Engagement and Scope of Services Letter (engagement letter). According to the engagement letter, Mr. Harrell would form two corporations, one to provide office and support services for SGR and the other to provide marketing and business development services for SGR. The engagement letter also stated that "[i]t is our understanding that you will each establish a Roth IRA with a custodian who will allow" each Roth IRA to become a 98% shareholder of the respective corporation. Mr. Harrell's services included introducing the Repettos to a Roth IRA custodian and implementing the structure, including coordinating payment of the first dividend to the Roth IRA. The engagement letter provided for a $15,000 fee. Upon receipt of the engagement letter, Mrs. Repetto emailed Mr. Harrell several questions, one of which read: "We do not meet the rules for a ROTH IRA as our Adjusted Gross Income is to [sic] high. I understand that we can pay a fine as you explained but would our IRA be fraudulent?" Mr. Harrell replied "No". On November 4, 2003, Mr. Harrell incorporated Yolo, a Missouri corporation. Mrs. Repetto became Yolo's sole director and its president, secretary, 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*178 and treasurer. On November 7, 2003, Mr. and Mrs. Repetto opened Roth IRAs with a $1,500 contribution to each Roth IRA at First Regional Bank, Trust Administration Services. On November 18, 2003, Mr. Harrell incorporated WFR, a Nevada corporation. Mr. Repetto became WFR's sole director and its president, secretary, vice president, and treasurer. Yolo's and WFR's business addresses were the same as the Repettos' home address. The Roth IRA for the benefit of Mrs. Repetto subscribed to 98% of Yolo stock, and Mrs. Porschen subscribed to the remaining 2%.2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*179 Yolo would provide the following services to SGR at SGR's place of business, i.e. the Repettos' home: assistance with entering accounting information into the computer accounting application quickbooks; assistance with computer; assistance with printing reports; accessing internet for material research; processing email; soliciting and receiving bid [sic] from potential subcontractors; assistance with marketing communication; assistance with interior selections; assistance with mail processing; basic office support such as answering telephone, returning phone calls, and sending/receiving packages. Also in November 2003 WFR and Yolo entered into an agreement (WFR agreement), according to which Yolo would perform services for WFR and receive $2,116 per month for the services. Other than the party names and compensation, the terms 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*180 of the two services agreements were identical. WFR paid Yolo pursuant to the WFR agreement, although sometimes payments covered multiple months. WFR did not make a lump-sum payment to Yolo. Ozark Future continued to purchase lots and construct homes that were marketed and sold to the public. By 2004 Ozark Future's business enjoyed increased sales volume; it had multiple homes under construction that were larger and more expensive. SGR was involved in Ozark Future's projects as an owner of Ozark. In Mr. Porschen's absence, Mr. Repetto spent more time on the jobsites. Mrs. Repetto's flexible work schedule allowed her to devote more time to the construction business. SGR purchased and sold real estate independently of Ozark Future. In 2004 SGR made a deposit to purchase a condominium in Florida, and in 2005 it made deposits to purchase two additional condominiums in Florida. In 2006 SGR purchased property in Panama, purchased two condominiums in the Lake of the Ozarks area, and sold one of the two condominiums. SGR reported gross receipts (of $176,024) from activities unrelated to Ozark Future for the first time on its 2006 return. Mr. Repetto reported 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*181 no salary from SGR for 2004-05 and $24,000 for 2006. Mrs. Repetto did not receive a salary from SGR in 2004-06. Other than Mr. Repetto in 2006, SGR had no employees. Mr. Repetto received no compensation from Yolo or WFR during 2004-06. Yolo treated Mrs. Repetto as its only employee and paid her $9,600, $9,600, and $12,000 in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Yolo issued Mrs. Repetto Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, withheld taxes from her paycheck, and made employment tax deposits with the Department of Treasury. During the years at issue SGR made payments to WFR of $7,000 per month for "outside staffing & support".2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*182 The payments were irregular and sometimes covered multiple months. WFR then declared dividends payable to shareholders pro rata and paid dividends to Mr. Repetto's Roth IRA as follows: SGR and WFR paid Yolo pursuant to the agreements, in addition to SGR's lump-sum payment of $126,900. Mr. Zerjav made the decisions regarding whether WFR and Yolo would issue dividends to their shareholders. On January 2, 2004, Mrs. Repetto in her capacity as president of Yolo established a medical and dental care expense reimbursement plan (Yolo medical plan) effective January 1, 2004. According to the Yolo medical 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*183 plan, Yolo would reimburse medical expenses of eligible employees, their spouses, and dependents. Yolo executives had no limitations on the amounts of expenses that could be reimbursed. On the basis of the Yolo medical plan, Yolo reimbursed the Repettos for their healthcare expenses totaling $8,948, $13,622, and $12,865 in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. On December 31, 2003, before petitioners filed their 2003 returns, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued The notice also provides that the IRS would challenge the purported tax benefits resulting from such transactions. Mr. Zerjav prepared petitioners' 2004-06 Federal income tax returns. On SGR's Forms 1120S, SGR reported its shares of Ozark Future's business income as $117,110, $311,003, and $289,9172012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*185 Income and Loss. On the Schedules E of their Forms 1040 for 2005 and 2006 the Repettos reported distributive shares of SGR's net income of $52,701 and $95,174, respectively. On its Forms 1120S, WFR reported gross income of $139,924, $56,000, and $140,0002012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*186 and WFR and reported gross income of $163,596, $122,372, and $75,792 for 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Yolo paid Federal income taxes of $34,395, $15,484, and $5,911 for its tax years ending October 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Respondent did not adjust for these tax payments in the notices of deficiency and continues to retain them. The Repettos filed their Forms 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, for the years at issue with the filing status of married filing jointly. They did not file Forms 5329, Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (Including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored Accounts. In the notice of deficiency issued to the Repettos, respondent determined that Mr. Repetto had compensation from SGR of $22,164 for each of the years 2004 and 2005 and additional compensation of $6,750 for 2006. Respondent made corresponding adjustments to SGR's returns allowing deductions in the same amounts. Respondent determined that amounts reported as wages of $9,600 and $12,000 that Mrs. Repetto received from Yolo in 2005 and 2006, respectively, were not includable in her taxable income. These adjustments were consistent with the adjustments respondent 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*187 made to Yolo's returns for 2005 and 2006 disallowing the deductions for wages paid to Mrs. Repetto. Respondent also adjusted several items on SGR's returns. The only adjustments that remain at issue are the disallowed deductions for facilities support of $78,200, $205,000, and $132,800 for 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Respondent did not explain the reasons for the disallowance in the notice of deficiency. Respondent adjusted the Repettos' distributive shares of income from SGR for 2004-06 to reflect the adjustments to SGR's returns. In the notice of deficiency issued to the Repettos, respondent determined that "the contributions made for the sole benefit of your Roth IRA Individual Retirement Accounts were excessive contributions and are subject to the applicable excise tax under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code" and, consequently, the Repettos were liable for the excise tax under In the notice of deficiency issued to WFR, respondent disallowed the facilities support deductions of $35,972 and $25,392 for taxable years ending October 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Because respondent determined that WFR had a reportable transaction understatement for those years, respondent also determined that WFR was liable for the 30% accuracy-related penalty under In the notice of deficiency issued to Yolo, respondent disallowed in full the medical expense reimbursement deductions Yolo claimed on its 2005 and 2006 returns as well as the deductions for officer compensation expenses discussed above. Petitioners timely petitioned this Court. Generally, the Commissioner's determinations in the notice of deficiency are presumed correct, and the taxpayer 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*189 bears the burden of proving that the determinations are erroneous. At trial petitioners made an oral motion to shift the burden of proof under Respondent's other determinations, such as the determinations to disallow SGR's and WFR's facilities support deductions, Mr. Repetto's compensation from SGR, and Yolo's medical expense reimbursement deductions, 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*190 are under subtitle A. With respect to these issues, we base our conclusions on the preponderance of the evidence and not on any allocation of the burden of proof. Congress authorized the Roth IRA, a type of a retirement account, with the enactment of The total annual contribution a taxpayer may make to a Roth IRA is effectively limited.2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*192 Respondent contends that the Repettos followed the general pattern of Petitioners contend that their corporate structure had a legitimate business purpose of asset protection2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*193 having allowed many of their deductions. Petitioners also contend that the payments between the entities were legitimate because Yolo provided administrative support, design, and development services to both SGR and WFR, and WFR provided marketing, real estate purchase, design, and development services to SGR. Generally, the substance and not the form of a transaction determines its tax consequences. The 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*194 parties agree that generally an entity in which substantially all the interest is owned or acquired by a Roth IRA may be recognized as a legitimate business entity for Federal tax purposes. However, in these cases the preponderance of credible evidence compels a finding that in substance the services agreements and the resulting payments were nothing more than a mechanism for transferring value to the Roth IRAs. The services agreements did not change who provided the services to SGR, and the Repettos continued to do all of the work as they had done before the agreements were allegedly put in place. Petitioners introduced no written agreement with respect to the services WFR purportedly provided to SGR, and we find there was none. The SGR agreement and the WFR agreement were identical. WFR and Yolo did not maintain contemporaneous time records for the services that they allegedly provided to SGR. We also question whether the amounts of the payments were determined in good faith and reflected the value of the services purportedly performed. The amount of the upfront lump-sum payment from SGR to Yolo, $126,900, underscores the lack of normal business dealings between the corporations. 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*195 We reject petitioners' explanation that Yolo needed working capital as not credible. The invoices in the record strongly support our conclusion that the services agreements and payments were mechanisms to transfer value to the Roth IRAs. The record contains only two invoices, for $4,800 and $4,000, for the services that Yolo allegedly performed for SGR. The invoice for $4,800 bears as its date a notation "Monthly 2005", and the invoice for $4,000 bears as its date a notation "Monthly 2006". The invoices describe the allegedly provided services as "Services for Administrative support", "Office support", "Internet: email processing, material research, marketing information". The record contains only one invoice for services that Yolo allegedly performed for WFR. The invoice is for $2,116, and it describes the services as "Services for administrative support" and "Office support". This invoice also bears as its date a notation "Monthly 2005 and 2006". There are no invoices issued by WFR to SGR in the record. The engagement letter between Mr. Harrell and the Repettos supports a finding that the payment of dividends to the Roth IRAs was the primary goal of the facilities support agreements. 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*196 Under the engagement letter, Mr. Harrell undertook to coordinate the payment of the first dividend to the Roth IRAs, a step unlikely to be an area of concern for a new corporation under normal business circumstances. Mr. and Mrs. Repetto testified at length regarding the services WFR and Yolo performed under the services agreements. Mrs. Repetto testified that Yolo provided SGR with administrative support by entering data into QuickBooks, keeping track of various charges for the construction jobs, and reordering supplies. Mrs. Repetto also testified that Yolo provided design services for SGR, such as choosing design features for homes. According to Mrs. Repetto, Yolo also provided development services for SGR and WFR during the preconstruction stage, which involved determining features for the new house on the basis of research regarding buyers' preferences.2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*197 that he visited other spec homes held for sale to understand what people were interested in buying. After purchasing a lot, WFR had the home for the lot drawn and obtained necessary approvals. Then Mr. Repetto had the lot surveyed and appraised for the purpose of obtaining a construction loan. As the next step, WFR obtained bids from all subcontractors, and WFR was responsible for working with them. According to Mr. Repetto, WFR also provided services to SGR in connection with SGR's projects that were independent of Ozark Future, namely, the Florida and Panama projects. Mrs. Repetto testified about Yolo's services to WFR. According to her testimony, because Mr. Repetto was on the jobsites and could not do marketing and development or design, Yolo performed those services for WFR. The services included putting together documentation for the loans and meeting with bank representatives. Mrs. Repetto also testified about Yolo's support to SGR and WFR in connection with SGR's projects independent of Ozark Future. She claimed that such services included administrative support, office functions, communications, trip planning, and making appointments with real estate agents and condominium developers. 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*198 She also took care of books and records for SGR and WFR. We have no doubt that Ozark Future's and SGR's growing businesses required the Repettos' ongoing involvement. Petitioners have proven, and we find that with Mr. Porschen's illness, the Repettos' involvement in Ozark Future's business increased substantially. Petitioners, however, have failed to convince us that the Repettos worked in their capacity as Yolo's and WFR's indirect owners or employees rather than as SGR's owners or that the services provided were worth the amounts paid under the agreements. The circular arrangement among the entities further supports this conclusion. WFR provided various services to SGR, its only client. Yet, WFR subcontracted some of those services to its only subcontractor, Yolo, which, in turn, already provided SGR, its only client, a somewhat overlapping menu of services. There is no credible evidence in the record that either WFR or Yolo marketed its services to potential clients beyond SGR. Petitioners rely on In Pursuant to We have a different set of adjustments in the notices of deficiency in these cases. Although respondent did not make a Petitioners 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*202 also failed to prove that respondent's disallowance of SGR's and WFR's claimed deductions for facilities support expenses under We agree with respondent that petitioners 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*203 have failed to prove that the payments under the services agreements were necessary or reasonable. In addition, SGR's and WFR's form invoices fall short of satisfying the substantiation requirements of the Code. We sustain respondent's disallowance of the deductions SGR and WFR claimed for facilities support. We now address the amounts of the excess contributions. Generally, In As discussed above, in the notice of deficiency issued to the Repettos, respondent determined that Mr. Repetto had compensation from SGR of $22,164 for each of the years 2004 and 2005 and additional compensation of $6,750 for 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*206 2006. Respondent allowed corresponding deductions on SGR's returns. Petitioners maintain that the payments to Mr. Repetto were distributions rather than wages. SGR's general ledgers show regular monthly payments of $1,847 to Mr. Repetto identified as "Payroll expenses", "Salary & Wages (Payroll)", or "Salary". Mr. Repetto explained that the QuickBooks entries listed the payments as salary "just to keep track of the money" that he took out of SGR. At the end of 2004 and 2005, the payments were reclassified as loans. However, the regular timing of the payments, the consistent amounts, and the contemporaneous descriptions in the general ledger support a finding that Mr. Repetto received wages rather than distributions. We sustain respondent's adjustments to this item for 2004 and 2005. With respect to 2006, $6,750 shown as Mr. Repetto's wages in the journal entries does not exceed the wages from SGR that Mr. Repetto reported on his Form 1040. Because the record does not show that Mr. Repetto had additional compensation income of $6,750 for 2006, we do not sustain respondent's adjustment to this item for 2006. Yolo deducted as officer compensation expenses payments to Mrs. Repetto. Yolo also deducted reimbursements of the Repettos' medical expenses. Respondent disallowed these deductions because the employment relationship between Yolo and Mrs. Repetto was a sham. As discussed above, we cannot conclude on this record that Mrs. Repetto performed work in her capacity as Yolo's employee or officer. Consistent with our conclusion above, we sustain respondent's disallowance of these deductions. Respondent bears the burden of production with regard to the In the case of a failure to file timely any return required under Taxpayers are required to file a Form 5329 for each year they have excess contributions to their IRAs. The Repettos contend that the failure to file the Forms 5329 and pay the excise tax was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. They claim that they relied in good faith on Messrs. Zerjav and Harrell. Generally, the failure to timely file a return is considered to be due to reasonable cause where a taxpayer is unable to file the return within the prescribed time despite exercising "'ordinary 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*210 business care and prudence.'" The Repettos hired Messrs. Zerjav and Harrell to set up the structure knowing about the limitations on contributions to Roth IRAs and not fully understanding the structure. As evidenced by Mrs. Repetto's email to Mr. Harrell, the Repettos suspected the arrangement was improper, but relied on Mr. Harrell's summary denial to allay their concerns. Messrs. Zerjav and Harrell were the advisers who suggested the structure, and petitioners' reliance on their advice 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*211 as to the proper tax treatment of the transaction was unreasonable. Petitioners failed to establish that they meet the reasonable cause exception to the Respondent argues that the Repettos, WFR, and Yolo are liable for the penalty because they participated in a listed transaction. A listed transaction is a transaction that 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*212 is the same as or substantially similar to one of the types of transactions that the IRS has determined to be a tax avoidance transaction and has identified by notice, regulation, or other form of published guidance as a listed transaction. The regulations define the term "substantially similar" as "any transaction that is expected to obtain the same or similar types of tax consequences and that is either factually similar or based on the same or similar tax strategy." Respondent claims that petitioners are liable for the increased 30% penalty. Petitioners filed their Federal income tax returns but did not attach disclosure statements as described in Petitioners point out that the disclosure component in the structure of the reasonable cause defense as applicable to the We reject petitioners' argument. To fall within the protection of the Petitioners also contend that their due process rights have been violated because the language "substantially similar" set forth in We reject petitioner's argument. As the Supreme Court stated in Although we sustain the imposition of the We 2012 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 168">*218 have considered the remaining arguments made by the parties, and to the extent not discussed above, we conclude those arguments are irrelevant, moot, or without merit. To reflect the foregoing,Additions to tax and penalty 2004 $28,779 $1,179.23 to be determined $9,259.32 2005 83,908 2,131.20 to be determined 21,855.65 2006 62,339 3,645.68 to be determined 13,879.43 1Respondent explains in the notice of deficiency that the additions to tax under on the basis of the liability shown on the returns or the redetermined liability, if less. 2005 $8,811 $2,640.02 2006 5,347 2,691.05 2005 $5,396 $3,777.06 2006 9,903 2,666.16 5/04/04 $50,000 $49,000 3/10/05 20,000 19,600 4/10/06 Total 120,000 117,600 1The parties stipulated incorrect amounts of dividends that WFR paid to the Roth IRA. The Roth IRA's statement of transactions, WFR's corporate documents, and the general ledger show that the amounts shown in the stipulation were the total dividends WFR declared pro rata. We disregard these stipulations as inconsistent with the record. 5/24/04 $50,000 $49,000 3/9/05 Total 130,000 127,400 1The parties stipulated incorrect amounts of dividends that Yolo paid to the Roth IRA. The Roth IRA's statement of transactions, Yolo corporate documents, and the general ledger show that the amounts shown in the stipulation were total dividends Yolo declared pro rata. We disregard these stipulations as inconsistent with the record.
1. Cases of the following petitioners are consolidated herewith: Yolo, Inc., docket No. 17242-09; and WFR Investments, Inc., docket No. 17243-09.↩
2. Unless otherwise indicated, section references are to the Internal Revenue Code (Code), as amended and in effect for the years at issue, and Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.↩
3. Some documents in the record show Mr. Repetto's first name as "Stephen".↩
4. Petitioners concede the following adjustments to the Form 1120S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation, of SGR Investments, Inc. (SGR), which the Repettos wholly owned: rent and occupancy expenses for 2004-05, selling-related expenses for 2004-06, and automobile and local travel expenses for 2006. Petitioners also concede the adjustments to Yolo's selling-related expenses for 2005-06. Petitioners are not conceding the penalties under
5. SGR claimed deductions for facilities support, and WFR claimed deductions for outside services or facilities staffing and support. For brevity, we shall refer to SGR's and WFR's deductions and expenses as facilities support.↩
6. WFR's bylaws stated that its principal office was in Nevada. However, the record establishes that WFR's principal office and principal place of business were in Missouri.
7. A spec home, as opposed to a custom-built home, is a home that a developer builds to his own specifications before he has a contract with a prospective buyer.↩
8. The parties stipulated that Porschen Construction was primarily responsible for general contracting and construction management supervision until the end of 2003. However, on the basis of the record as a whole, we find that Porschen Construction's role in Ozark Future decreased in 2002 with Mr. Porschen's illness.↩
9. The parties stipulated that from the time of Ozark Future's formation until late 2003 Mr. Repetto was primarily responsible for performing marketing and design work of Ozark Future, which included marketing, design, and business development. However, Mr. Repetto credibly testified that in the early years of Ozark Future (1999-2001) Porschen Construction did the design work. In the light of Mr. Repetto's testimony, we find that Mr. Repetto became more heavily involved with design and marketing for Ozark Future starting in 2002, rather than after Ozark Future's formation.↩
10. The record also reflects the spelling of his last name as "Kern".↩
11. The 2004-06 Forms 1120S show that Mr. Repetto was SGR's sole shareholder. However, Mr. and Mrs. Repetto testified that they each own and had continuously owned a 50% interest in SGR. The inconsistency in the record does not affect our resolution of the issues in these cases.↩
12. Mrs. Porschen and Mrs. Repetto agreed that if Mrs. Porschen opened a Roth IRA that owned a corporation, Mrs. Repetto would be a 2% shareholder of that corporation. On a date that does not appear in the record, Mrs. Repetto became a 2% shareholder of that corporation.↩
13. The copies of the subscription agreements in the record are signed but undated.↩
14. WFRallegedly had a services agreement with SGR, but such agreement is not in the record. On the basis of the record as a whole, we find that no services agreement existed.
15. The parties stipulated an incorrect amount, and we ignore that stipulation as contrary to the Form 1120S and the Schedule K-1, Partner's Share of Income, Deductions, and Credits, etc.↩
16. The parties incorrectly stipulated WFR's gross income for the year ending October 31, 2004, and we ignore the stipulation as inconsistent with WFR's 2005 Form 1120S.↩
17. Petitioners conceded another adjustment to the Yolo return.
18. The Code establishes a maximum aggregate amount that an individual can contribute to all of his or her Roth IRAs for a taxable year, and that amount is phased out between levels of modified adjusted gross income.
19. Because respondent does not argue that WFR and Yolo were sham corporations and should be disregarded, we shall not address petitioners' argument regarding the business purpose and economic substance of these corporations.↩
20. This type of design service was performed before construction, and it differed from more technical design services, for example, choosing colors or a specific supplier of an item.↩
21. In
22. Respondent's calculations ignore corporate taxes that WFR and Yolo paid.↩
23. There were no distributions from the Roth IRAs, and the record does not allow us to conclude that the value of the Roth IRA increased for a reason other than the contributions.
On brief respondent admits that in the notice of deficiency he failed to include all the dividends to the Roth IRAs and, specifically, that he omitted (1) a $50,000 dividend from Yolo to Mrs. Repetto's Roth IRA dated May 24, 2004, and (2) two $50,000 dividends from WFR to Mr. Repetto's Roth IRA dated May 4, 2004, and May 13, 2006. Notably, respondent calculates the contributions using the total rather than pro rata dividends. Because we follow
24. Because the facilities support agreements were shams, the parties shall exclude income that WFR and Yolo received under those agreements during 2005 and 2006 from income used in the
25. The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate.
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