DocketNumber: Docket No. 13506-86.
Filed Date: 12/7/1988
Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 11/20/2020
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
FAY,
Tax Year | Deficiency | Section 6653(a)(1) 1982 | $12,513 | $626 |
1983 | 15,802 | $750 |
Section 6653(a)(2) | Section 6661 | |
1982 | * | $1,251 |
1983 | * | $1,580 |
After concessions,
(3) Whether petitioners are entitled to a deduction in the amount of $ 1,637 for car repair expenses claimed on their 1983 Federal income tax return.
(4) Whether petitioners are subject to additions to tax pursuant to
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. The stipulation of facts and exhibits attached thereto are incorporated herein by this reference.
Petitioners Dr. Dennis L. Hamby and Carol A. Hamby, husband and wife, resided in San Francisco, California, at the time the petition herein was filed.
Petitioner Dr. Dennis L. Hamby ("Dr. Hamby") was a licensed physician in San Francisco, California, with a specialty in gastroenterology in 1982 and 1983. Dr. Hamby was on the staff of, and treated patients at, St. Marys and Seton Hospitals, and maintained a separate medical office at a third location. All of such places of employment were located in close proximity to each other in the San Francisco area.
On November 8, 1982, Dr. Hamby purchased a 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe ("Gullwing") for $ 56,411*589 including sales tax and license fees. Dr. Hamby started driving the Gullwing on November 9, 1982, and continued to drive it every work day that it was operational, until February 17, 1983. On a typical work day during this period, Dr. Hamby would drive the Gullwing from home to and between St. Marys and Seton Hospitals and usually back to St. Marys Hospital in the morning before driving the Gullwing back home again by early afternoon. Dr. Hamby would generally have set up appointments to see patients in the early and late morning at St. Marys Hospital, and at Seton Hospital in the middle of the morning. Occasionally, he would return directly home from Seton Hospital after seeing patients at St. Marys and not return to St. Marys Hospital. In the afternoons, Dr. Hamby would go to his medical office on the days that he maintained office hours and would always use an automobile other than his Gullwing for this purpose. *590 Seton Hospital is 7.3 miles from Dr. Hamby's home. When Dr. Hamby returned to St. Marys Hospital from Seton Hospital before returning home, he would have driven a total of 2 miles driving between his home and St. Marys Hospital and back home from St. Marys Hospital per day, and 16.6 miles driving from St. Marys Hospital to Seton Hospital and back to St. Marys Hospital per day. On days when Dr. Hamby went directly home from Seton Hospital, he would have driven a total of 8.3 miles between his home and work and back again per day and 8.3 miles driving between St. Marys and Seton Hospitals.
Petitioners did not maintain contemporaneous records of the use of the Gullwing. In preparation for trial, petitioners attempted to reconstruct Dr. Hamby's use of his Gullwing during the last two months in 1982 and the first two months in 1983, the only months the Gullwing was driven during the two years at issue. In compiling reconstructed records, petitioners tried to determine where Dr. Hamby was on various work days from November, 1982, through February, 1983, by examining his handwritten patient records, records which indicated the names and room numbers of patients Dr. Hamby had treated*591 at St. Marys and Seton Hospitals during such period. Petitioners then attempted to remember which days during this period the Gullwing was not operational due to repairs. From these patient records and memory, petitioners compiled reconstructed records of Dr. Hamby's use of the Gullwing for this four month period.
The reconstructed mileage records compiled reflect the dates the Gullwing was allegedly driven, the nature of travel as being either "commuting" or "business," Dr. Hamby's destinations with respect to such travel, and the number of miles traveled to reach such destinations. Travel designated as "commuting" was that travel by Dr. Hamby between his home and a designated hospital location (St. Marys or Seton Hospitals) and from a hospital location back home. Travel designated as "business" was travel between hospital locations. Petitioners' mileage records reflect that the Gullwing was rarely used for any travel other than travel from home to and between St. Marys and Seton Hospitals and back home. In all, the mileage records reflect that Dr. Hamby drove the Gullwing on approximately 50 different dates between November 9, 1982 and February 17, 1983, 22 dates in 1982 and*592 28 dates in 1983.
For 1982 and 1983, respectively, these reconstructed records indicate 315.4 and 440.9 miles of "business" travel, and 98.4 and 149.9 miles of "commuting" travel. In terms of percentages, approximately 75 percent of these miles traveled for both years is listed as "business" travel and 25 percent as "commuting" travel. The total miles on these mileage records indicate that the car was driven 1,004.6 miles between November 8, 1982 and February 17, 1983. However, from November 8, 1982, until April, 1985, the difference in odometer readings on the Gullwing indicated that the Gullwing was driven a total of 1,030 miles for this entire period.
From November, 1983, until April, 1985, the Gullwing was test driven by Dr. Hamby's mechanic on a few occasions in late 1982 and early 1983 after certain repairs were performed on the Gullwing. Further, the Gullwing was driven for a short period in 1984 by Dr. Hamby during the only period in 1984 that the Gullwing was operational. This additional use of the Gullwing is not reflected on petitioners' reconstructed mileage records.
Dr. Hamby drove one of six other automobiles he owned when he drove to any destination other*593 than St. Marys or Seton Hospitals, and never drove the Gullwing to his office or to any destination other than the two hospitals. Dr. Hamby would also drive one of these other automobiles he owned to St. Marys and Seton Hospitals when the Gullwing was not operational.
During the period from November 8, 1982, the purchase date of the Gullwing, through the end of February, 1983, Dr. Hamby experienced many mechanical difficulties with the Gullwing which required frequent repair work. Most of the repairs were performed in Dr. Hamby's driveway by a hired mechanic. When the Gullwing required repairs, Dr. Hamby's mechanic would arrive at petitioners' residence in the afternoon soon after Dr. Hamby returned from his rounds at the hospitals and, with some assistance from Mrs. Hamby, he would repair the Gullwing in petitioners' garage. The only repair which could not be performed at petitioners' residence in 1982 was a replacement of the Gullwing's brakes which took several days and was fixed at the mechanic's residence in December, 1982.
In early 1983, the Gullwing continued to be plagued by mechanical problems. The engine began to routinely overheat. It became apparent by the end*594 of February of that year that the Gullwing's engine would have to be removed and completely overhauled. From March, 1983, when the overhaul work began, until sometime in 1984, the Gullwing was not driven. For a short period sometime in 1984, the Gullwing was again used by Dr. Hamby. Problems with the Gullwing again developed shortly thereafter, necessitating additional extensive repairs that were not completed until April, 1985, at which time the Gullwing was again drivable on a daily basis.
On May 1, 1983, about two months after the Gullwing overhaul began, petitioners cancelled their insurance coverage on the Gullwing. This insurance policy contained no restrictions as to the use of the insured vehicle. The Gullwing remained uninsured until October 27, 1983, when petitioners reinsured it with "antique" insurance coverage. This insurance policy was effective through at least all of 1984. Pursuant to the terms of the policy, the Gullwing must be used mainly for car club activities, exhibits, parades or a private collection. No liability or other insurance coverage is provided if the vehicle is used in the business or occupation of the insured person or driven to or from work.
*595 On their 1982 and 1983 Federal income tax returns, petitioners claimed depreciation deductions with respect to the Gullwing based on a reported basis of $ 63,534. On their 1983 Federal income tax return, petitioners claimed a depreciation deduction with respect to certain capitalized repairs to the Gullwing costing $ 24,540. *596 determined that all of Dr. Hamby's use of the Gullwing was personal and disallowed all of petitioners' claimed depreciation deductions, investment tax credits and car repair expense deductions with respect to Dr. Hamby's Gullwing for 1982 and 1983.
OPINION
The first issue is whether petitioners are entitled to depreciation deductions and investment tax credits with respect to the Gullwing and its capitalized repairs in 1982 and 1983. Initially, this issue turns on the extent to which Dr. Hamby's business use of the Gullwing has been proven. Respondent takes the position that petitioners' depreciation deductions and investment tax credits claimed with respect to the Gullwing are not allowable for the reason that petitioners failed to prove that the Gullwing was ever used in Dr. Hamby's business. Petitioners, however, assert that the Gullwing was used exclusively for business purposes for the years at issue. Our inquiry is first to determine to what extent, if any, Dr. Hamby's Gullwing was used in his business in 1982 and 1983 and, second, to determine whether petitioners are entitled to depreciation deductions and an investment tax credit with respect to the Gullwing for such*597 years.
The parties agree that
We will first determine to what extent, if any, the Gullwing was used in Dr. Hamby's business in 1982 and 1983. Petitioners bear the burden of proof.
Petitioners attempted to substantiate that the entire use of the Gullwing was business use by reconstructing Dr. Hamby's use of the Gullwing in 1982 and 1983. Petitioners' mileage records label approximately 75 percent of the travel in the Gullwing as "business" for both years, representing the travel between St. Marys and Seton Hospitals. If we were to find that petitioners' mileage records, as corroborated by their testimony, are reliable, we can conclude that
Respondent argues that all of Dr. Hamby's use of the Gullwing was for commuting. Respondent asserts that petitioners' mileage records should be disregarded entirely on the grounds that such records are ostensibly inconsistent with the evidence presented at trial. Respondent asserts that if one adds up the 1,004.6 miles of Dr. Hamby's reconstructed use of the Gullwing in late 1982 and early 1983 as reflected*600 on their mileage records, plus the undetermined test-drive miles by petitioners' mechanic, and plus Dr. Hamby's temporary use of the Gullwing in 1984, one would arrive at a figure
We find that the testimony of petitioners was straightforward and credible, and that it further corroborates their attempt at reconstructing the business use of the Gullwing. We realize that petitioners faced a difficult task in reconstructing their use of the Gullwing nearly six years after such use occurred. Petitioners, *601 however, made an honest and good-faith attempt to reconstruct such records. The fact that petitioners may have overstated the total miles in their mileage records is not fatal to petitioners' case. Petitioners established that Dr. Hamby had a fairly established routine regarding his use of the Gullwing and that such use varied only in that, occasionally, he returned home from Seton Hospital which is 7.3 miles from his home rather than from St. Marys Hospital which is 1 mile from his home.
We believe that there was no other use of the Gullwing by Dr. Hamby except for travel from home to and between hospital locations and back home, except for perhaps some minor incidental use of the Gullwing. Petitioners' attempt to reconstruct Dr. Hamby's use of the Gullwing, while perhaps not 100 percent accurate, nevertheless represents what we believe is a close approximation of Dr. Hamby's limited use of the Gullwing in 1982 and 1983. Recognizing that there may possibly be some inaccuracies in petitioners' mileage records, and applying our best estimate of the business use of the Gullwing bearing against petitioners who have failed to keep adequate records, we hold that 70 percent of the*602 use of the Gullwing was business-related during the period in 1982 and 1983 that such vehicle was operational. See
We must next determine whether petitioners are entitled to depreciation deductions with respect to the Gullwing in 1983. Respondent argues that if we find that the Gullwing was used as a business vehicle in early 1983, that it was no longer used as such when Dr. Hamby discontinued driving the Gullwing on February 17, 1983, so that his mechanic could begin to overhaul the Gullwing.
Petitioners argue that the Gullwing was never retired or disposed of when it was removed from service to be overhauled. They assert that they intended to restore the Gullwing to its prior business use once the overhaul was completed. Accordingly, petitioners argue that they withdrew the Gullwing from Dr. Hamby's business only temporarily and not permanently. It is petitioners' contention that the Gullwing remained "devoted" to business use during the period of two and one-half years that the Gullwing was being overhauled. See
Based on the entire record, we find that the petitioners failed to prove that they did not permanently withdraw the Gullwing from use in Dr. Hamby's trade or business when Dr. Hamby ceased driving the Gullwing on February 17, 1983, to have the engine removed and the Gullwing overhauled. Petitioners assert*604 that the Gullwing was only
We must next determine whether petitioners are entitled to claim an investment tax credit with respect*605 to the Gullwing in 1982 and 1983. We have determined that the Gullwing was used 70 percent in Dr. Hamby's business in 1982. Therefore, petitioners are entitled to an investment tax credit calculated with respect to 70 percent of their adjusted basis in the Gullwing in 1982. Respondent argues that even if the Gullwing were used in a trade or business in early 1983, and even if the Gullwing and the capitalized repairs were otherwise eligible for an investment tax credit,
The second issue is whether the Gullwing ceased to be
The term "cessation" is not defined in the statute or regulations. The regulations, though, provide some guidance.
(2) "Cessation". (i) A determination of whether
(ii) If during the taxable year such property ceases to be
(a) As a result of the occurrence of an event on a specific date (for example, a sale, transfer,
These regulations clearly contemplate some change in the property or its use which would render it ineligible for the investment tax credit. See
One such change in the property and its use specified by the regulations is a "retirement." Thus, the regulations contemplate that a retirement is sufficient to cause a "cessation" for purposes of
The fourth issue is whether petitioners are subject to additions to tax pursuant to
As to the 1982 and 1983 taxable years, petitioners' own evidence established that at least 25 percent of their travel in the Gullwing was for commuting. We disallowed 30 percent of their depreciation on the Gullwing based on our finding that 30 percent of their travel in the Gullwing was for commuting. It is clear that petitioners disregarded the rules and regulations, or were at least negligent, in claiming depreciation, an investment tax credit, and repair expense deductions on the basis that 100 percent of the use of the Gullwing was for business purposes in 1982 and 1983. Accordingly, we hold that petitioners are liable for the addition to tax pursuant to
To reflect concessions and the foregoing,
1. Unless otherwise indicated, all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended and in effect during the years in issue, and all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.
* 50% of the interest due on the underpayment attributable to negligence.↩
2. Respondent concedes that petitioners are not liable for an increased rate of interest under section 6621(c) and an addition to tax under to section 6661.↩
3. Dr. Hamby was advised by an attorney that he could not claim any depreciation with respect to the Gullwing if it were driven to his medical office.↩
4. Respondent does not dispute that petitioners' adjusted basis in the Gullwing is $ 63,534 even though Dr. Hamby purchased the Gullwing for $ 56,411 including the sales tax and license fee. Respondent also does not dispute that petitioners are entitled to capitalize $ 24,540 of the costs of repairs to the Gullwing or that those amounts have been substantiated.↩
5. We do not address, and respondent has not raised as an issue, whether such repairs would otherwise qualify for an investment tax credit if the Gullwing were not retired. ↩
6. With respect to a passenger automobile placed in service after March 1, 1984, new section 280F enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1984 imposes limitations on the amount of depreciation and investment tax credit that can be claimed in any given year. See sections 280F(a)(1) and 280F(a)(2). This section would have changed the result in this case by reducing the amount of depreciation and investment tax credit that petitioners would have been entitled to claim in 1982.↩
Cohan v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue ( 1930 )
Clarence J. Sapp and Hilda C. Sapp v. Commissioner of ... ( 1962 )
J. Bryant Kasey and Maryann Kasey v. Commissioner of ... ( 1972 )
Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway Company v. ... ( 1987 )
Fausner v. Commissioner ( 1973 )
William L. Heuer, Jr. And Lucille M. Heuer v. Commissioner ... ( 1960 )
Carlos and Jacqueline Marcello v. Commissioner of Internal ... ( 1967 )