Case ID: bta_2/html/0539-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Appeals of MAURICE E. WEED, J. H. VAN WORMER, and A. B. HITCHCOCK.
    Docket Nos. 1501, 1502, 1503.
    Submitted July 11, 1925.
    Decided September 8, 1925.
    
      Raymond R. Sails, Esq., for the taxpayers.
    
      Ward Loveless, Esq., for the Commissioner.
    Before Graupner, Trammell, and Phillips.
   The taxpayers appeal from determinations of deficiencies in income tax determined for the year 1919 as follows:

Maurice E. Weed_,_$803. 04
J. H. Van Wormer_ 574. 51
A. B. Hitchcock_ 344. 91

By stipulation of counsel the three appeals were consolidated, as all involve the same question. The partnership, of which the tax< payers are members, claims the right to file an amended return for 1919 on an installment basis, which shows a loss for 1919.

FINDINGS OE PACT.

1. The taxpayers are individuals residing in California and are members of the firm of the Mission Almond Orchard Co., a partnership.

2. The partnership was engaged in the business of subdividing land which had been acquired prior to 1919 and in the sale of lots on an installment or deferred-payment plan.

3. The partnership filed a return for the calendar year 1919, showing a loss of $21,279.41. The Commissioner by treating all sales for 1919 as closed transactions determined that the partnership had realized a profit of $22,859.80. This action on the part of the Commissioner resulted in the deficiencies determined in the case of each of the three taxpayers here.

4. The books of the partnership in 1919 were not kept upon the basis of either installment sales or deferred-payment sales. The method of accounting employed was very primitive, consisting of single entry memorandum accounts, such as purchasers’ accounts which were set up at the time various purchases were made, cash accounts, etc.

o. The books as- kept in 1919 did not reflect the profit determined by the Commissioner on the basis of closed transactions, but this profit was determined as a result of certain adjustments to the books.

6. Material facts as to the method of sales were not produced at the hearing.

DECISION.

The determination of the Commissioner is approved.

ARttndell not participating.