- 23 - taxpayer's entire course of conduct may establish the requisite fraudulent intent. Stone v. Commissioner, 56 T.C. 213, 223-224 (1971); Otsuki v. Commissioner, 53 T.C. 96, 105-106 (1969). Courts have developed several indicia of fraud, or "badges of fraud", which include: (1) Understatement of income, (2) inadequate books and records, (3) failure to file tax returns, (4) implausible or inconsistent explanations of behavior, (5) concealment of assets, (6) failure to cooperate with tax authorities, (7) filing false Forms W-4, (8) failure to make estimated tax payments, (9) dealing in cash, (10) engaging in illegal activity, and (11) attempting to conceal illegal activity. Douge v. Commissioner, 899 F.2d 164, 168 (2d Cir. 1990); Bradford v. Commissioner, supra at 307; Recklitis v. Commissioner, 91 T.C. 874, 910 (1988). This list is nonexclusive. Miller v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 316, 334 (1990). The strongest evidence of fraud in this case consists of the false documents that petitioner husband prepared and solicited to make it appear that petitioners expressed an interest in the Pleasant Hill and Skyland properties within the identification period. Submitting false documents to the IRS is an indication of fraud. Stephenson v. Commissioner, 79 T.C. 995, 1007 (1982), affd. 748 F.2d 331 (6th Cir. 1984); Association Cable TV, Inc. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1995-596. Petitioners contend that their attorney Mr. Clack advised them to obtain the false documents. Petitioners maintain thatPage: Previous 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011