Court Opinion

ID: 4615991
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-11-21 02:33:34.334914+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:55:01.849482
License: Public Domain

Appeal of MAX KASS and JENNIE KASS.Kass v. CommissionerDocket No. 1259.United States Board of Tax Appeals1 B.T.A. 1115; 1925 BTA LEXIS 2662; May 6, 1925, decided Submitted February 25, 1925.  *2662 Arthur B. Foye, C.P.A., for the taxpayer.  Edward C. Lake Esq., for the Commissioner.  *1115  Before IVINS, KORNER, and MARQUETTE.  This is an appeal from a determination of the Commissioner proposing to assess additional taxes in the amount of $6,337.07 against the above-named taxpayers for the years 1919 to 1922, inclusive.  From the testimony adduced at the hearing, the Board makes the following FININGS OF FACT.  The taxpayer was engaged in the junk business at Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the years 1917, 1918, and 1919, and in the second-hand merchandise business during the years 1920, 1921, and 1922, and filed returns for the years 1919 to 1922, inclusive, showing a net loss in the year 1920 and no net income in excess of his personal exemption and credits for dependents in the other years.  An examination was made of the bank deposits of the taxpayer for the years 1919 to 1922, inclusive, and on the basis thereof the Commissioner has proposed a deficiency, as follows: Max Kass:1919$62.6619201,644.4919211,595.1819221,255.53$4,557.86Jennie Kass:191986.6619201,692.501,779.16Total deficiency6,337.02*2663  The deficiency was computed by using the bank deposits of the taxpayer during the years in question as representing the gross sales and deducting therefrom the deductions claimed by the taxpayer in his returns.  The proposed deficiency against Jennie Kass results from the application of the community property laws.  The bank deposits used as representing gross sales included the proceeds from sales of merchandise at three places of business.  One business was the junk and merchandise business conducted by the taxpayer individually, and from October 9, 1920, to April 1, 1921, a partnership arrangement with an individual named Bond at another location.  When Bond withdrew, this business was sold to and conducted by an uncle of the taxpayer, who also carried on a merchandise business at Raton, New Mexico.  All merchandise sold in his own business and at the two places conducted by the uncle was purchased by the taxpayer on his own account and shipped to him.  The merchandise for use in the uncle's business was delivered *1116  to him by the taxpayer under a conditional sale agreement whereby the uncle was required to pay the taxpayer at the end of each day the proceeds of the*2664  sales of such merchandise up to the amount of the cost of such purchases, and these amounts were deposited by the taxpayer in his own accounts.  No profit was made by the taxpayer upon merchandise purchased for his uncle's business and he acted only in the capacity of buyer for him.  The taxpayer started business in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in February, 1917, with a capital of $2,100, and his net worth at the end of 1922 was approximately $8,500.  DECISION.  The deficiency determined by the Commissioner is disallowed.