Tax Court

WASHINGTON -- Corporate America escaped a major new tax bite yesterday as the Supreme Court unanimously turned down a plea to allow states to levy a tax on a portion of total income earned by companies that operate inside their borders.By a separate 5-4 vote, the court gave the benefit of that ruling specifically to Allied-Signal Inc., the company that took over the former Bendix Corp.The case had been watched closely by American business, since the court had hinted that it might use the decision to make a fresh start on the constitutional rules governing state taxes on firms that operate in more than one state.

Manuel M. Nicolaides, an attorney who served for many years on the Baltimore County property tax appeals board, died of congestive heart failure Monday at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Timonium resident was 92. "Manny served with distinction for many years on the Baltimore County Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board, including as its chairman," said attorney Peter G. Angelos. "I had the greatest affection for Manny, who was my friend for over half a century. "He was always upbeat, smiling and optimistic.

The facts sound familiar: a class designed to train political activists using tax-deductible money, involving House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, with organizing help from Republican Party officials.A lengthy investigation of the class concludes that those GOP ties were misrepresented to government officials.But it isn't "Renewing American Civilization," the class at the center of the ethics case currently tormenting Gingrich. It's the American Campaign Academy, a case with striking parallels made all the more intriguing because the same individuals played key roles in both enterprises.

As the recession ebbs, stock investors will see their dividends rise by an average of 10 percent, says PNC Investment Research Group in Philadelphia.Of the 270 companies PNC tracks, 81 already have raised their dividends by an average of 10.5 percent during the first six months of 1991.*If you have an at-home office where you handle the administrative end of your business, the U.S. Tax Court has handed you a victory.It recently upheld a rule that allows you to take a tax deduction for such things as depreciation, maintenance and insurance, as long as the expenses are associated with the office.

"A Mechanic for the Millennium" was the title given Clarisse Mechanic at a gala given in her honor by Florence Crittenton Services of Baltimore Inc. Some 160 guests congregated at Martin's West to pay tribute to the Baltimore philanthropist and to contribute more than $15,000 for Crittenton's outreach services for abused teens.Among those in the assemblage: Anne Davis, Crittenton Services' executive director; Brian Wallace, board president; J. C. Shay, Ann Costlow, Dr. Guy Bragg and James Bond, board members; Joe Mason, event chair; Trena Taylor Brown, general manager at AT&T; Judge Mary Welcome of the Maryland Tax Court; Gerard Brice, president of D & G Brice Contractors Inc.; and Kip Mandris, owner of the Brass Monkey bar.

Some people would do anything to avoid a fight with the IRS, but not Judith Krause, a bartender at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.She fought the agency and won, saving herself hundreds of dollars in income tax, says J.K. Lasser's Monthly Tax Letter.The story began in 1980, when the IRS suspected that Atlantic City casino workers were not reporting their tips. So, for the next 10 years, the agency began secretly watching cocktail servers.In doing so, the agency was able to estimate how much the average worker earned in tips.

If you're sure your property is worth less than the state says it is, you might want to contest it. This heads up is brought to you by RG Steel, which struck a deal -- after several years of appeals -- that reduces its taxes on the Sparrows Point steel mill by about $830,000. Odds are, you're not in a position to save quite that much. But it's a helpful reminder nonetheless. A rundown of the Sparrows Point situation , in case you're curious: RG Steel filed for bankruptcy in May, so cash-strapped that it estimated it had more than 1,000 creditors -- Baltimore County among them.

The EnterTRAINment Line president said yesterday he will continue to fight for an exemption from a tax bill totaling more than $300,000 despite rejection from a Senate committee."

Recognizing that a recession can have dramatic effects on real estate values, two local real estate groups have put together an educational seminar to give property owners advice on evaluating and appealing their property tax assessments."

LOS ANGELES -- The Internal Revenue Service is seeking more than $6.5 million from the estate of Nicole Brown Simpson, a claim based on a $12 million civil judgment owed the estate by O.J. Simpson but never paid.Louis H. Brown -- Nicole Brown Simpson's father and the administrator of her trust, created to support her two children -- said Wednesday he is appealing the IRS demand, which was made in September.Brown said the estate petitioned the U.S. Tax Court in Washington last week to intervene after failing to come to agreement with IRS officials.