- 24 - professional relationship with his accountant, Mr. Defalco, and that he prepared the couple's tax returns as well as the returns for the entities that Mr. Acquaviva controlled. Petitioner had no reason to question Mr. Defalco's ability. Moreover, when the 1985 and 1986 returns were filed, there was no substantial understatement of tax attributable to the involuntary conversions. By operation of respondent's regulations, the Acquavivas were treated as having elected the provisions of section 1033 with the filing of the 1985 and 1986 returns. See sec. 1.1033(a)-(2)(c)(2), Income Tax Regs. Based on our review of the record as a whole, we hold that petitioner did not know, and had no reason to know, of any substantial understatement of income on the couple's Federal income tax returns for the taxable years 1985, 1986, 1987. 2. Equity of Holding Petitioner Liable The final requirement for innocent spouse relief is that, given all of the facts and circumstances, it would be inequitable to hold petitioner liable for the deficiency attributable to the substantial understatement. Sec. 6013(e)(1)(D). Although section 6013(e)(1)(D), as amended, no longer requires us to determine whether petitioner significantly benefited as a result of the omitted income, this factor is still considered in determining whether it is inequitable to hold petitioner liable. Purificato v. Commissioner, 9 F.3d at 296; sec. 1.6013-5(b), Income Tax Regs. Any significant benefit received by petitionerPage: Previous 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011