Francine Acquaviva - Page 24

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          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 petitioner            




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