Mathematically, it cannot under any circumstances. 0.999 cannot be correctly expressed as a fraction unless it's 999 over 1000. It is NOT equal to 9/10, and neither is it technically equal to a third; three thirds equal 1, and therefore it is not a third.
Remember; there is NO decimal version of a third because it's a hypothetical number that can only be expressed in a fraction format. One is not divisible into three except in theory because it relies on infinity, which doesn't technically exist; hence the use of the fraction.
Decimally and fractionally therefore 0.999 is exactly 0.001 and/or 1/1000 UNDER one.
It cannot, under any circumstances be expressed as 1. Anyone trying to do so is wrong.
There is no construed logic, argument or otherwise. Maths is pure logic, and there is zero interpretation. 0.999 cannot equal 1. This statement is true. That is inarguable. That is pure fact. This is maths, and you are wrong if you think vice-versa.
Let me put it this way.
If 0.999 were 1, why isn't it 1?