Herbstreit suit claims IRS fumbled on deduction
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — ESPN college football commentator Kirk Herbstreit is suing the IRS over a lost tax deduction on a house that was intentionally burned down in Ohio.
The former Ohio State quarterback bought a home in the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington, then he and his wife donated it to the local fire department in 2004 so firefighters would torch it for training. The Herbstreits wanted to rebuild on the site.
They claimed a $330,000 deduction on their donation, but the IRS rejected the write-off. The couple’s lawsuit filed in March seeks the return of $134,606 in back taxes and interest they were charged.
The Herbstreits’ lawyer argues the IRS allowed similar deductions previously.
Tax agency spokesman Eric Erickson says it doesn’t comment on specific cases.