- 47 - Pritchett v. Commissioner, 63 T.C. 149, 174 (1974). A taxpayer bears the responsibility for any negligent errors of his or her accountant. American Properties, Inc. v. Commissioner, 28 T.C. 1100, 1116-1117 (1957), affd. per curiam 262 F.2d 150 (9th Cir. 1958). However, a taxpayer may avoid the accuracy-related penalty under section 6662(a) for negligence or substantial understate- ment by showing that his reliance on the advice of a profes- sional, such as an accountant, was reasonable and in good faith. Sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. In the case of claimed reliance on the accountant who prepared the taxpayer's return, the taxpayer must establish that correct information was provided to the accountant and that the item incorrectly claimed or reported in the return was the result of the accountant's error. See Ma-Tran Corp. v. Commissioner, 70 T.C. 158, 173 (1978). A taxpayer's reliance on the advice of an accountant is not reason- able or in good faith where a cursory review of a taxpayer's return would reveal an omission from income. Metra Chem Corp. v. Commissioner, 88 T.C. 654, 662 (1987). We note initially that with respect to the items that respondent contends were due to negligence, disregard of the rules or regulations, or a substantial understatement of income tax, the record contains evidence only as to the items specifi- cally identified and discussed below. The record does not contain any evidence as to the remainder of those items (remain- ing items) on all of which petitioner bears the burden of proof;Page: Previous 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 Next
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