Wheir's the Beef?: Buffalo Law and Taxation

Abstract:     
The intersection of buffalo law and taxation hasn't been a busy one, but accidents still happen: not everyone understands that buffalo have the right of way. This article critically analyzes the recent Tax Court summary opinion in Wheir v. Commissioner, which involved a bodybuilder who sought to deduct the cost of an incredible amount of buffalo meat. Along the way, the article brings buffalo law learning up-to-date; revisits some classic, nineteenth-century buffalo law cases; and, most important, considers whether there are important differences between the American bison and American beef cattle - differences that might have relevance to American tax law. (Hint: of course there are.)

Keywords: Buffalo law, taxation

JEL Classifications: K34, H24, H25

Accepted Paper Series