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Taxation-Deductions For Partial Worthlessness Of A Debt, John M. Veale S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Taxpayer was accustomed to loan money to a related corporation on open accounts. The debtor consistently lost money and became bankrupt in 1938. Thereupon taxpayer wrote off the whole debt using it as a deduction from 1938 income. The commissioner assessed a deficiency on the theory that the taxpayer, by a subordination agreement made with another creditor in 1931, had recognized the then balance to be worthless. Hence, he argued, advances made after that date were a separate debt; therefore taxpayer had lost the right to deduct the debt due in 1931 for failure to take it in the year …