- 15 - Commissioner, supra. Similarly, understated income, inadequate records, implausible or inconsistent explanations of behavior, concealment of assets, and failure to cooperate with tax authorities are all indicia of fraud. Bradford v. Commissioner, 796 F.2d 303 (9th Cir. 1986), affg. T.C. Memo. 1984-601. Petitioner correctly points out that respondent cannot properly rely on the presumption of correctness generally accorded her determinations in order to satisfy her burden with respect to an issue of fraud. See Petzoldt v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 661, 700 (1989). Petitioner fails to recognize, however, that respondent is not attempting to do so in the instant case. When respondent's argument is appreciated, it is apparent that respondent fully recognizes her two-pronged burden. The parties agree that, in order to prove fraud, respondent must establish that (1) an underpayment exists and (2) petitioner intended to evade taxes known to be owing by conduct designed to conceal, mislead, or otherwise prevent the collection of taxes. See Rowlee v. Commissioner, supra. It is petitioner's argument, however, that respondent is relying on petitioner’s failure to substantiate the Schedule C expenses at issue in order to establish that an underpayment exists. We disagree. The substance of respondent’s argument does not depend on such reliance. With respect to establishing fraud, respondent principally argues that petitioner did not incur the expenses at issue, not that petitioner failed to substantiate such expenses.Page: Previous 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Next
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