- 9 - determine whether a spouse significantly benefited from the erroneous item; however, this factor is still considered in determining whether it is inequitable to hold a spouse liable. Purcell v. Commissioner, 86 T.C. at 242; Johnson v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1993-227. Normal support is not a "significant benefit" for purposes of determining whether denial of innocent spouse relief would be inequitable under section 6013(e)(1)(D). Terzian v. Commissioner, 72 T.C. 1164, 1172 (1979); sec. 1.6013-5(b), Income Tax Regs. Normal support is measured by the circumstances of the parties. See Sanders v. United States, 509 F.2d 162, 168 (5th Cir. 1975). Petitioner bears the burden of proving that she received no significant benefit from the understatements other than normal support, and this burden must be satisfied with specific facts regarding lifestyle expenditures, asset acquisitions, and dispositions of the benefits of the understatements. Estate of Krock v. Commissioner, 93 T.C. 672 (1989). Respondent contends that it would not be inequitable to hold petitioner liable for the deficiency attributable to the understatement because petitioner significantly benefited from the omitted income during 1988. Respondent further argues that it would not be inequitable to hold petitioner liable because she received significant benefits from the refund check received. In contrast, petitioner contends that she experienced no significant benefit with respect to either the omitted incomePage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011