Joseph E. Machado - Page 21

                                       - 21 -                                         
          the circumstances.  Neely v. Commissioner, 85 T.C. 934, 947                 
          (1985).                                                                     
               The addition to tax for substantial understatement of tax is           
          equal to 25 percent of the amount of the underpayment                       
          attributable to the understatement.  Sec. 6661(a).  In the case             
          of individuals, an understatement is substantial where it exceeds           
          the greater of $5,000 or 10 percent of the amount required to be            
          shown on the taxpayer's return.  Sec. 6661(b)(1)(A).  The amount            
          of the understatement is reduced by that portion of the                     
          understatement that is attributable to the tax treatment of an              
          item by the taxpayer if there was substantial authority for such            
          treatment.  Sec. 6661(b)(2)(B).                                             
               Respondent argues that petitioners did not properly                    
          estimate their income tax liabilities when petitioners filed                
          their extension applications for their 1988 Federal income tax              
          returns and that therefore the extension applications that were             
          filed were invalid and petitioners should be treated as having              
          failed to timely file their 1988 Federal income tax returns.                
          Respondent also argues that petitioners were unreasonable and               
          negligent in, and lacked substantial authority for, claiming on             
          their 1988 Federal income tax returns the losses relating to                
          their horse breeding and horse racing activities and to the LB              
          Partnership.  Petitioners bear the burden of proof on each of the           
          additions to tax.  Rule 142(a).                                             






Page:  Previous  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011