                  T.C. Summary Opinion 2004-96



                     UNITED STATES TAX COURT



                 MOTI G. BIJLANI, Petitioner v.
          COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent



     Docket No. 5850-02S.              Filed July 26, 2004.


     Moti G. Bijlani, pro se.

     Robert W. Mopsick, for respondent.



     PAJAK, Special Trial Judge:    This case was heard pursuant to

the provisions of section 7463 of the Internal Revenue Code in

effect at the time the petition was filed.   Unless otherwise

indicated, section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in

effect for the year in issue, and all Rule references are to the

Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.   The decision to be

entered is not reviewable by any other court, and this opinion

should not be cited as authority.
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     Respondent determined a deficiency of $1,354 in petitioner’s

1999 Federal income tax, and an addition to tax of $135 under

section 6651(a)(1).

     The issues for decision are:    (1) Whether petitioner, a

nonresident alien, is entitled to claimed Schedule A deductions,

and (2) whether petitioner is liable for an addition to tax under

section 6651(a)(1).

     Some of the facts in this case have been stipulated and are

so found.   Petitioner resided in North Bergen, New Jersey, at the

time he filed his petition.

     Section 7491(a) does not apply because petitioner did not

satisfy the requirements of that section.    The burden of proof

remains on petitioner.   Rule 142(a).

     During 1999, petitioner, a British citizen, was a

nonresident alien in the United States.    Petitioner owned rental

real property (rental property) in Union City, New Jersey.

Petitioner was a tenant stockholder of a cooperative housing

corporation (co-op) in North Bergen, New Jersey, where he resided

in 1999 while in this country.

     Respondent received petitioner’s 1999 Form 1040NR, U.S.

Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return, on June 12, 2001.    On his

Form 1040NR, petitioner reported net income of $13,729 from his

rental property (rental income) and $501 from taxable interest.

He showed a “zero” tax due on his Form 1040NR.
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      On Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, attached to his Form

1040NR, petitioner claimed “Other Miscellaneous Deductions”,

pertaining to his co-op, in the amount of $9,336 (rounded).       On

his Schedule A, petitioner listed the breakdown of these

deductions as real estate taxes of $1,920.16, mortgage interest

of $215.77, and “incurred expenses of $7,200 including

companionship” totaling $9,335.93.     Respondent denied

petitioner’s claimed deductions in full.

     Section 873(a) provides, in relevant part, that “In the case

of a nonresident alien individual, the deductions shall be

allowed only for purposes of section 871(b) * * * if * * * they

are connected with income which is effectively connected with the

conduct of a trade or business within the United States”.

Respondent in the notice of deficiency determined that

petitioner’s rental income was effectively connected with the

conduct of a business within the United States.

     The claimed Schedule A deductions pertain to petitioner’s

co-op.   Petitioner admitted that he resided in his co-op while he

was in the United States during 1999.     Petitioner claimed that he

managed his rental property from his co-op.     Petitioner paid

$401.50 per month to the co-op for mortgage and maintenance fees

for a total of $4,818.   Petitioner admitted at trial that the

$2,382 difference between the $7,200 claimed deduction and the

$4,818 in co-op mortgage and maintenance fees was for telephone
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bills, electric bills, and other living expenses.    After trial,

the record was reopened and petitioner submitted a document

showing real estate tax expenses of $1,920.16 and mortgage

interest expense of $215.77.

     We find that petitioner did not prove that any of the

claimed Schedule A deductions pertaining to his co-op were

attributable to the management of his rental property.

Unfortunately for petitioner, his personal expenses incurred in

connection with his co-op, where he resided, are nondeductible

personal living expenses.   Sec. 262(a).   We do not address the

restrictions under section 280A because this section was not

raised at trial.   Petitioner would be well advised to consult a

United States tax expert before filing future nonresident

returns.

     On this record, we have no choice but to conclude that

petitioner has not established his entitlement to the claimed

Schedule A deductions.   Accordingly, we sustain respondent’s

determination on this issue.

     Section 6651(a)(1) imposes an addition to tax for failure to

timely file a tax return, unless the taxpayer established that

failure to do so is due to reasonable cause and not willful

neglect.   The taxpayer must prove both reasonable cause and lack

of willful neglect.    Crocker v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 899, 912

(1989).    “Reasonable cause” requires the taxpayer to demonstrate
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that he exercised ordinary business care and prudence.     United

States v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241, 246 (1985).    Willful neglect is

defined as a “conscious, intentional failure or reckless

indifference.”    Id. at 245.

     Petitioner did not file his 1999 tax return until June 12,

2001.   Respondent has satisfied his burden of production with

respect to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1).    Sec.

7491(c); Higbee v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. 438, 447 (2001).

     Although we sympathize with petitioner’s health problems,

petitioner provided no evidence that his failure to timely file

his 1999 tax return was due to reasonable cause and not willful

neglect.    Therefore, we conclude that petitioner is liable for

the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1) for taxable year

1999.

     Contentions we have not addressed are irrelevant, moot, or

without merit.

     Reviewed and adopted as the report of the Small Tax Case

Division.



                                          Decision will be entered

                                     for respondent.
