1 All section references are to the Internal Revenue Code

as amended, unless otherwise indicated. All Rule references are

to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.

T.C. Memo. 1997-159

UNITED STATES TAX COURT

ROBERT CHARLES FOHRMEISTER, Petitioner v.

COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

Docket No. 11748-95. Filed March 31, 1997.

Robert Charles Fohrmeister, pro se.

D. Lyndell Pickett, for respondent.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

PANUTHOS, Chief Special Trial Judge: This case was heard

pursuant to the provisions of section 7443A(b)(3) and Rules 180,

181, and 182.1 Respondent determined a deficiency in
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2 Petitioner concedes that he made a mathematical error on

one of his Schedules C in the amount of $100. Due to the

resulting increase in petitioner's adjusted gross income, claims

for medical expense deductions were reduced by $7.50, claims for

casualty loss deductions were reduced by $10, and claims for

miscellaneous deductions were reduced by $2. Therefore, the

total adjustment attributable to petitioner's concession is

$119.50.

 

3 Respondent's notice of deficiency also reduced

petitioner's claimed medical expense and miscellaneous

deductions. We regard these adjustments as computational and do

not separately address them. 

petitioner's 1991 Federal income tax in the amount of $6,062 and

an accuracy-related penalty under section 6662(a) in the amount

of $1,212.

After a concession by petitioner,2 the issues remaining for

decision are: (1) Whether petitioner is entitled to a business

bad debt deduction in the amount of $4,500 claimed on Schedule C;

(2) whether petitioner failed to report wage income in the amount

of $23.20; (3) whether petitioner is entitled to a claimed

casualty loss deduction in the amount of $6,490; (4) whether

petitioner is liable for the 10-percent additional tax imposed by

section 72(t), in regard to distributions he received from an

employer-provided pension plan and an individual retirement

account (IRA); and (5) whether petitioner is liable for the

accuracy-related penalty under section 6662(a).3

For the purpose of convenience, we have combined the

findings of fact and discussion of pertinent legal issues. Some

of the facts have been stipulated, and they are so found. The
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stipulation of facts and attached exhibits are incorporated

herein by this reference. At the time of filing the petition,

petitioner resided in Clearwater, Florida.

We begin by noting that respondent's determinations are

presumed correct, and petitioner bears the burden of proving that

those determinations are erroneous. Rule 142(a); Welch v.

Helvering, 290 U.S. 111, 115 (1933). Moreover, deductions are a

matter of legislative grace, and petitioner bears the burden of

proving that he is entitled to any deductions claimed. INDOPCO,

Inc. v. Commissioner, 503 U.S. 79, 84 (1992).

1. Bad Debt Deduction

Between 1982 and 1986, petitioner lent a total of $5,000 to

Rochelle Laumbattus. Petitioner received neither security nor a

promissory note in return for the loan. Although Ms. Laumbattus

repaid $500 of the loan soon after it was made, no further

payments were made until 1992. In 1991, Ms. Laumbattus informed

petitioner that she was not generating enough current income to

repay the loan. The record also contains the following written

statement by Ms. Laumbattus: "In 1991 I was unable to repay the

loan. But am now making payments on it."

Petitioner did not pursue any legal action in an attempt to

collect the balance of the loan. In 1991, petitioner claimed a

business bad debt deduction in the amount of $4,500 on a Schedule

C that listed "Business Manager" as petitioner's profession. 

During the years 1992 through 1995, however, Ms. Laumbattus fully
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4 Petitioner contends that he included the loan repayments

as income on Schedules C during the appropriate years; however,

the Schedules C do not specify the nature of the gross receipts

for the years 1992 through 1995. On the basis of our

conclusions, infra, we need not, and do not, decide whether

petitioner reported said loan repayments in subsequent years.

 

5 Respondent also argues that the debt was not a business

bad debt, and that the amount of the debt has not been

established. Based on our conclusions, infra, we need not, and

do not, decide these questions.

repaid the loan.4 Respondent determined that the loan in

question did not become worthless in whole or in part during the

year in question, and disallowed the claimed bad debt deduction.

As a general rule, section 166 allows a deduction for any

debt that becomes worthless during the taxable year. Sec.

166(a)(1). To establish entitlement to a bad debt deduction, a

taxpayer must prove that a bona fide debt existed, and that the

debt became worthless in the year that the deduction is claimed. 

Rule 142(a); American Offshore, Inc. v. Commissioner, 97 T.C.

579, 593 (1991); sec. 1.166-1(c), Income Tax Regs. Respondent

does not question whether a bona fide debtor-creditor

relationship existed between petitioner and Ms. Laumbattus;

rather, respondent argues that petitioner has failed to establish

the worthlessness of the debt during the year in question.5

The question of whether a debt has become worthless is one

of fact, to be determined by an examination of all surrounding

facts and circumstances. American Offshore, Inc. v.

Commissioner, supra at 594. Generally, a taxpayer may establish
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the worthlessness of a debt by offering proof of identifiable

events which establish that the debt will not be paid in the

future. Therefore, a taxpayer's subjective opinion that a debt

is uncollectible, standing alone, is not sufficient evidence that

the debt is worthless. Fox v. Commissioner, 50 T.C. 813, 822

(1968), affd. per curiam per order 25 AFTR 2d 70-891 (9th Cir.

1970). Among the objective factors considered by courts to

determine worthlessness are: The debtor's earning capacity;

events of default, whether major or minor; insolvency of the

debtor; the debtor's refusal to pay; actions of the creditor in

pursuing collection, i.e., whether the creditor failed to take

collection action prior to claiming the deduction; subsequent

dealings between the parties; and lack of assets. American

Offshore, Inc. v. Commissioner, supra at 594-595. No single

factor is conclusive. Id. at 595.

We conclude that petitioner has failed to meet his burden of

proving the worthlessness of the debt during the year in

question. Petitioner presented scant evidence concerning Ms.

Laumbattus' ability to repay the loan in 1991 and took no legal

action in an attempt to collect on the debt. Specifically,

petitioner offered no evidence in regard to Ms. Laumbattus'

solvency or diminished earning capacity. Furthermore, no

promissory note exists from which we could ascertain the nature

of Ms. Laumbattus' obligation or petitioner's remedies upon
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default. We, therefore, sustain respondent's determination on

this issue.

2. Form W-2 Income

During a portion of 1991, petitioner was employed by

Strahman Valves, Inc. (Strahman). On his 1991 return, petitioner

reported wage income attributable to his employment at Strahman

in the amount of $20,694.16. Respondent determined that

petitioner was liable for unreported wage income in the amount of

$23.20. The parties agree that the amount in question relates to

the cost of the portion of employer-provided group term life

insurance for coverage in excess of $50,000.

Section 79(a) provides that an employee shall include in his

gross income the cost of group term life insurance on his life,

provided under a policy carried by his employer, but only to the

extent that the cost exceeds the sum of the cost of $50,000 of

the insurance plus any amounts paid by the employee toward the

purchase of the insurance. Petitioner does not dispute that the

$23.20 represents the cost of employer-provided coverage on his

life in excess of the cost of $50,000 in coverage. Rather,

petitioner argues that because his earned income was less than

$50,000 during 1991, the amount in question should not be

taxable.

Petitioner has misinterpreted section 79. The $50,000

threshold refers to the employee's coverage amount under a group

term life insurance policy, not to the employee's earned income. 
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6 Although petitioner reported a casualty loss in the

amount of $6,500 on his return, his concession regarding Schedule

C income has reduced the amount in dispute to $6,490. See supra

note 2.

As petitioner has offered no other evidence with respect to this

issue, we sustain respondent's determination.

3. Casualty Loss

In 1991, petitioner moved from New Jersey to Clearwater,

Florida and contracted with East Bergen Moving Co. (East Bergen)

to move his personal belongings. A dispute arose between

petitioner and East Bergen concerning the amount charged for the

move. Petitioner contended that East Bergen had quoted a price

of $550, while East Bergen charged petitioner $1,498.89. 

Petitioner refused to pay the bill, and East Bergen stored the

property in Florida with A Atlantic Coast Moving & Storage Co. (A

Atlantic), where it had remained up to the date of trial. 

Petitioner admitted that there was a possibility that he may

recover his property. On his 1991 return, petitioner claimed a

casualty loss in the amount of $6,500.6 In his pretrial

memorandum, petitioner also refers to the loss as a "theft". 

Other than the amounts indicated on petitioner's return, there is

no evidence in the record concerning his cost basis in the

property or its fair market value.

Section 165 provides that individual taxpayers may deduct

certain losses, including losses resulting from casualty or

theft, sustained during the taxable year and not compensated by
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insurance or otherwise. Sec. 165(a), (c)(3). Taxpayers may

deduct a casualty loss in the year in which the loss is sustained

and may deduct a theft loss in the year in which the loss is

discovered. Sec. 165(a), (c)(3), (e). If in the year of the

occurrence of the casualty, or in the year of the discovery of

the theft, there exists a claim for reimbursement with respect to

which there is a reasonable prospect of recovery, no portion of

the loss is deemed sustained by the taxpayer until the taxable

year in which it can be ascertained with reasonable certainty

whether or not reimbursement will be received. Marine v.

Commissioner, 92 T.C. 958, 980 (1989), affd without published

opinion 921 F.2d 280 (9th Cir. 1991); sec. 1.165-1(d)(2)(i), (3),

Income Tax Regs. Whether a reasonable prospect of recovery

exists is a question of fact. Sec. 1.165-1(d)(2)(i), Income Tax

Regs.

The amount of a casualty or theft loss is equal to the

lesser of (1) the fair market value at the time of the casualty

or theft, or (2) the adjusted cost basis of the property in

question. Secs. 1.165-7(b) and 1.165-8(c), Income Tax Regs. 

Therefore, where a taxpayer fails to establish the cost or other

basis of property underlying a claim for a casualty loss

deduction, no deduction is allowable. Zmuda v. Commissioner, 79

T.C. 714, 727 (1982), affd. 731 F.2d 1417 (9th Cir. 1984).

In this instance, petitioner readily admits that A Atlantic

is presently holding his property, and that there is a
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7 For the purposes of sec. 72(t), the term "employee" also

refers to participants in individual retirement accounts. Sec.

72(t)(5)

possibility of recovery. Therefore, we conclude that there is a

reasonable likelihood that petitioner will recover the property

in question. Petitioner has also failed to offer any specific

evidence regarding the cost basis or fair market value of the

property involved. For both reasons, petitioner is precluded

from claiming a casualty or theft loss with respect to 1991. We,

therefore, sustain respondent's determination on this issue.

4. Applicability of 10-Percent Penalty to Pension and IRA

 Distributions

During 1991, petitioner terminated his employment with

Strahman, citing concerns for his health. Upon his termination

in 1991, petitioner received a distribution in the amount of

$27,080.21 from a pension plan. Petitioner also received a

distribution in the amount of $16,194.32 from an IRA. Petitioner

reported these amounts as income on his return but did not report

the 10-percent additional tax as provided by section 72(t).

Section 72(t) generally provides for a 10-percent additional

tax on a distribution from a qualified plan, unless the

distribution comes within one of the statutory exceptions. Sec.

72(t)(1) and (2). At issue here is the exception provided in

section 72(t)(2)(A)(iii), pertaining to distributions

attributable to an employee's being disabled within the meaning

of section 72(m)(7).7 Petitioner contends that the 10-percent
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8 With regard to disabilities related to lung disease, sec.

1.72-17A(f)(2), Income Tax Regs., provides:

The following are examples of impairments which would

ordinarily be considered as preventing substantial

gainful activity:

* * * * * * *

(iii) Diseases of the heart, lungs, or

blood vessels which have resulted in major

loss of heart or lung reserve as evidenced by

X-ray, electrocardiogram, or other objective

findings, so that despite medical treatment

breathlessness, pain, or fatigue is produced

on slight exertion, such as walking several

blocks, using public transportation, or doing

small chores;

additional tax does not apply in this instance, because long-term

exposure to asbestos rendered him permanently and totally

disabled during 1991. Petitioner is a Christian Scientist, and

he argues that his religious beliefs prevent him from receiving

medical attention.

Section 72(m)(7) defines the term "disabled" as follows: 

[A]n individual shall be considered to be disabled if

he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful

activity by reason of any medically determinable

physical or mental impairment which can be expected to

result in death or to be of long-continued and

indefinite duration. An individual shall not be

considered to be disabled unless he furnishes proof of

the existence thereof in such form and manner as the

Secretary may require.

See also sec. 1.72-17A(f)(2), Income Tax Regs.8 Petitioner has

offered no medical evidence of his disability, asserting that his

religious beliefs prevented him from seeking the medical

examination necessary to ascertain the extent and gravity of his
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condition. In so doing, petitioner argues that section 72(m)

infringes upon his First Amendment right to free exercise of

religion, insofar as it would require him to violate his

religious beliefs before being accorded the benefits of the

exception to the 10-percent additional tax. We do not doubt the

sincerity of petitioner's religious beliefs. Nevertheless, we

have stated: "The fact that a law with a secular purpose may

have the effect of making the observance of some religious

beliefs more expensive does not render the statute

unconstitutional under the First Amendment." Black v.

Commissioner, 69 T.C. 505, 510 (1977) (citation omitted).

Section 72(m) has the purpose of requiring taxpayers to

furnish proof of disability before being entitled to a tax

benefit. See Dwyer v. Commissioner, 106 T.C. 337 (1996). By

choosing not to seek a medical diagnosis for his condition,

petitioner fails to qualify for this exception. We, therefore,

sustain respondent's determination on this issue.

5. Accuracy-Related Penalty Under Section 6662(a)

Respondent determined that petitioner was liable for the

accuracy-related penalty for 1991. The accuracy-related penalty

is equal to 20 percent of any portion of underpayment

attributable to a taxpayer's negligence or disregard of rules and

regulations. Sec. 6662(a) and (b)(1). The term "negligence"

includes any failure to make a reasonable attempt to comply with

the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, and the term
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"disregard" includes any careless, reckless, or intentional

disregard. Sec. 6662(c). The penalty does not apply to any

portion of an underpayment for which there was reasonable cause

and with respect to which the taxpayer acted in good faith. Sec.

6664(c). Generally, the Commissioner's determination imposing

the accuracy-related penalty is presumed correct, and taxpayers

bear the burden of proving that they are not liable for the

accuracy-related penalty imposed by section 6662(a). Rule

142(a); Tweeddale v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 501, 505 (1989).

Petitioner has offered no evidence to indicate that he acted

with reasonable cause and good faith with respect to some of the

issues discussed herein. Petitioner has failed in his burden to

establish that he is not liable for the accuracy-related penalty

as it applies to the portion of the deficiency resulting from the

disallowed business bad debt deduction, the omitted wage income,

and the disallowed casualty loss deduction.

With respect to the portion of the underpayment resulting

from the 10-percent addition to tax imposed by section 72(t), we

conclude that petitioner is not liable for the negligence

penalty. Petitioner reported the distributions from his pension

and IRA plans as income on his 1991 Federal income tax return. 

Petitioner did not report the 10-percent additional tax,

believing that he qualified for the disability exception. 

Although petitioner failed to qualify under the technical

provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations, we
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do not believe petitioner acted unreasonably or intentionally

disregarded the rules and regulations under these particular

circumstances. Accordingly, we find for petitioner with respect

to this portion of the underpayment.

To reflect the foregoing,

Decision will be entered 

under Rule 155.