- 10 - proving that she qualifies as an innocent spouse. See Lessinger v. Commissioner, 85 T.C. 824, 838 (1985), revd. on other grounds 872 F.2d 519 (2d Cir. 1989). The standard in determining whether a taxpayer had "reason to know" is "whether a reasonable person under the circumstances of the taxpayer at the time of signing the return could be expected to know of the omissions." Shea v. Commissioner, 780 F.2d 561, 566 (6th Cir. 1986), affg. T.C. Memo. 1984-310. The primary ingredients of this test are (1) the circumstances which face the taxpayer; and (2) whether a reasonable person in the same position would have reason to know that omissions had been made. Id. at 565-566. Whether an individual had reason to know of a substantial understatement is generally regarded as a question of fact. Id.; Estate of Gryder v. Commissioner, 705 F.2d 336 (8th Cir. 1983), affg. T.C. Memo. 1981-466; Ratana v. Commissioner, 662 F.2d 220, 224 (4th Cir. 1981), affg. in part and revg. in part T.C. Memo. 1980-353; Sanders v. United States, 509 F.2d 162, 166 (5th Cir. 1975). We believe that the facts and circumstances relating to whether Martha knew or had reason to know of the substantial understatement have not been adequately developed such that this issue is proper for summary judgment. In addition, a genuine issue of material fact remains as to whether it would be inequitable to hold Martha liable for that substantial understatement. In making a determination of whether it would be inequitable to hold a taxpayer liable for thePage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next
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