On Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:48:56 EST, "Charlie Darwin" <cd[at]evo.net> wrote:

- quote -

At least in one case IRS did deny the whole thing. AICPA has an
article about the case at:

http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/...utoExpense.htm

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"San Diego CPA" <gcollect1[at]sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:W1sol.11160$hc1.9294[at]flpi150.ffdc.sbc.com...
- quote -

I would think that the IRS wouldn't disallow all mileage costs even if you
lost your log.

If you are running a business and show both income, it's reasonable to
assume that you had to do some at least driving to generate that income-- as
another poster mentioned, post office, the Office Depot, bank, customer
locations, etc.

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"Steve Pope" <spope33[at]speedymail.org> wrote in message
news:gnsuf7$j1a$1[at]blue.rahul.net...
- quote -

I agree w/ Steve. If this is a new client, I'm a little skeptical,
if this is a long-time client that has a history of bringing good
records, I'm less concerned, accept their explanation
and inform them of the risks should the records be requested
on audit.

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"Robert H" <robert.hatcher[at]l-3com.com> wrote
- quote -




While these records are supposed to be kept on a regular basis throughout
the year, it's not unheard of in cases where the records are lost (theft of
vehicle, etc) to reconstruct them from other substantiating records. For
every bank deposit there would be a trip to and from the bank. Seems
logical. Each purchase at Office Depot should mean a trip to Office Depot.
Seems logical. Check her appointment calendar. For every out of the office
appointment she must have miles driven. Seems logical.

So, a quick run through your checking account records, credit card
statements, and other records like a calendar, day-timer or crackberry might
provide clues to where she may have driven.

Copying 2007 year data is not sufficient.





--
Paul Thomas, CPA
Watkinsville, Georgia

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Robert H <robert.hatcher[at]l-3com.com> wrote:

- quote -

This is one where your accountant's opinion is the one that
counts, since it is he who would defend the return should IRS
choose to examine it.

At least that's my opinion.

Steve

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My wife owns a small business. She has lost her mileage ledger for
last year. Can she average previous years records and claim the
deduction? She has an accountant run her taxes and will be seeing him
in a few days. He is hard to speak with this time of year and she just
wants to be prepared when she meets with him.

Thanks
Robert

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<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >