Bonito Ruiz Molinar - Page 11

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                    a.   A Pattern of Substantially Understating Income               
               A pattern of substantially underreporting income over                  
          several years is evidence of fraud.  Holland v. United States,              
          supra at 137-139; Estate of Mazzoni v. Commissioner, 451 F.2d               
          197, 202 (3d Cir. 1971), affg. T.C. Memo. 1970-37 and T.C. Memo.            
          1970-144.  Petitioner underreported his income by $55,100 in                
          1988, $114,385 in 1989, and $23,966 in 1990.  A pattern of                  
          consistent underreporting of income for several years, especially           
          when accompanied by other circumstances showing intent to conceal           
          such as dealing in illegal drugs, is strong evidence of fraud.              
          Holland v. United States, supra; Patton v. Commissioner, 799 F.2d           
          166, 171 (5th Cir. 1986), affg. T.C. Memo. 1985-148; Estate of              
          Mazzoni v. Commissioner, supra; Anderson v. Commissioner, 250               
          F.2d 242, 250 (5th Cir. 1957), affg. on this issue T.C. Memo.               
          1956-178.                                                                   
                    b.   Failing to Maintain Adequate Records                         
               A taxpayer's failure to keep adequate records is a badge of            
          fraud.  Bradford v. Commissioner, supra; Lollis v. Commissioner,            
          595 F.2d 1189, 1192 (9th Cir. 1979), affg. T.C. Memo. 1976-15.              
          Petitioner did not keep adequate records.                                   
                    c.   Implausible or Inconsistent Explanations                     
               Implausible or inconsistent explanations of behavior by a              
          taxpayer to respondent's agents can show that he or she had                 
          fraudulent intent.  Bradford v. Commissioner, supra at 307;                 
          Grosshandler v. Commissioner, 75 T.C. 1, 20 (1980).  Petitioner             




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