Developer’s Yacht Deductions Run Around

Developer’s yacht deductions run aground

Many businesses have stretched the definition of “marketing” to claim some questionable federal income tax deductions. A recent case involving a real estate developer illustrates how the IRS — and the U.S. Tax Court — generally see through these tactics.

Developer angles for a deduction

The court described the taxpayer in the case as a “serial entrepreneur.” His portfolio of businesses included several developments and a beach amenities company in Florida.

In 2005, he paid about $2 million for a 67-foot fishing yacht. For the three years at issue, the taxpayer took the boat to several regional fishing tournaments, but it otherwise was seldom used. Nonetheless, he claimed yacht-related deductions on the tax returns for the beach amenities business of around $394,000, $127,000 and $113,000.

The IRS disallowed the deductions. It found, among other things, that the yacht expenses weren’t ordinary and necessary business purposes. The taxpayer appealed.

Court throws deductions overboard

The taxpayer contended that the yacht was a marketing tool for his real property businesses. Specifically, he claimed to get wealthy anglers on board at tournaments and entertain them. Though he had sales packets on board, there was no signage on the yacht advertising his resorts and no visitors log.

The court wasn’t swayed by this argument. It distinguished between entertainment activities, which might have been deductible if directly related to the taxpayer’s business, and entertainment facilities, for which no deduction was allowable. (Note that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act amended the applicable tax law to make all business entertainment expenses generally nondeductible.)

The taxpayer’s expenses, the court found, were for entertainment activities. It acknowledged that some anglers he met at tournaments later bought condos, but said “just because an activity generates some business doesn’t mean it can’t be entertainment” for tax purposes. The taxpayer wasn’t a professional fisherman or even in the boat business. Thus, the tournaments were merely entertainment activities for him and his company.

Because the court also found the yacht was an entertainment facility, it normally would have proceeded to determine which of the deductions were entertainment activity expenses and which were entertainment facility expenses. But it didn’t bother because the taxpayer had provided no credible evidence of a direct relationship between the expenses and the “active conduct” of any of his businesses, “especially the beach amenities business.” And he’d failed to adequately substantiate the expenses.

Dangerous waters

As a result of the disallowed deductions, the taxpayer faced a much stiffer tax bill. Moreover, he avoided steep accuracy-related penalties only because the IRS made a technical error. Your tax advisor can help you claim — and properly substantiate — business deductions that can withstand IRS scrutiny.

For additional information contact Doug Collins, CPA on (973) 298-8500 or visit our real estate services page. 

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