Michael W. Rehtorik, et al. - Page 13

                                       - 13 -                                         
               On July 29, 1991, respondent’s notices of deficiency for               
          1984, 1985, and 1987 were mailed to petitioner; in the notice for           
          1987 $108,037 of claimed legal expenses was disallowed.                     
               In respondent’s notice of deficiency for 1984 and 1985,                
          respondent also determined that the underpayments of tax were due           
          to fraud without which respondent’s assessment of deficiencies              
          for 1984 and 1985 would be barred by the period of limitations              
          under section 6501.                                                         
               For 1987, respondent also determined that the underpayment             
          was due to fraud or, in the alternative, negligence.                        
               Further, for 1987, respondent determined additions to tax              
          for substantial understatement and failure to timely file.                  

                                       OPINION                                        
          Fraud for 1984, 1985, and 1987                                              
               Respondent bears the burden of proving fraud by clear and              
          convincing evidence.  Sec. 7454(a); Rule 142(b); Korecky v.                 
          Commissioner, 781 F.2d 1566, 1568 (11th Cir. 1986), affg. T.C.              
          Memo. 1985-63; Clayton v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 632, 646 (1994).           
          To establish fraud, respondent must prove for each year:                    
          (1) That a taxpayer’s Federal income tax return, as filed,                  
          reflected an underpayment of tax, and (2) that some part of the             
          underpayment was due to fraudulent intent.  Sec. 7454(a); Rule              
          142(b); Clayton v. Commissioner, supra at 646; Recklitis v.                 







Page:  Previous  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011