Opinion

Fippin v. Commissioner

  • 2 B.T.A. 350
  • 1925 BTA LEXIS 2440
Court
United States Board of Tax Appeals
Filed
Jul 14, 1925
Status
Published
Author
James
On the bench
James, Trussell
Cited by
0 cases

The opinion

*351 OPINION.

James:

The correct solution of this appeal requires that there be deducted from the total cost of the property of $12,100, as above set forth, the depreciation sustained during the years when it was owned and occupied by the taxpayer; that there also be deducted any amount claimed as deductions upon prior returns which duplicated the amounts above set forth, particularly in connection with the planting, cultivating, and otherwise improving the trees and shrubbery on the place. Such adjustments were a matter of affirmative proof to be introduced by the Commissioner. Instead of so doing, the Commissioner contented himself with general cross examination of the taxpayer. We are unable to determine from the record any basis of adjustment other than that set forth in our decision. There are intimations in the record that deductions as above mentioned were claimed by the- taxpayer' and allowed by the Commissioner in earlier years. But this Board cannot make findings of fact in definite amounts upon intimations. The taxpayer and the Commissioner must be expected to plead and to establish the facts upon which they rely in support of their respective positions. In the absence of proof, therefore, the Board can only base its decision upon the record, determining the ultimate issue in accordance with the evidence before it.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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