Thomas G. Roots - Page 17

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          income that were not reported on his 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987             
          tax returns.  Indeed, before trial petitioner conceded                      
          adjustments in his income tax in the respective amounts of                  
          $48,159, $131,545, $159,535, and $71,946 for the years in                   
          question.  Thus, with respect to each of petitioner's taxable               
          years in issue, we hold that respondent has met her burden on the           
          first prong of the two-prong test for fraud.                                
               2.  Fraudulent Intent                                                  
               Fraud is defined as an intentional wrongdoing designed to              
          evade tax believed to be owing.  Powell v. Grandquist, 252 F.2d             
          56 (9th Cir. 1958); Miller v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 316, 332                
          (1990).  The existence of fraud is a question of fact.                      
          Gajewski v. Commissioner, 67 T.C. 181, 199 (1976), affd. without            
          published opinion 578 F.2d 1383 (8th Cir. 1978).  Fraud is never            
          presumed or imputed; it must be established by independent                  
          evidence that establishes a fraudulent intent on the taxpayer's             
          part.  Otsuki v. Commissioner, 53 T.C. 96, 106 (1969).  For                 
          respondent to prevail, she must show that petitioner intended to            
          conceal, mislead, or otherwise prevent the collection of taxes.             
          Korecky v. Commissioner, 781 F.2d 1566, 1568 (11th Cir. 1986),              
          affg. per curiam T.C. Memo. 1985-63; Stoltzfus v. United States,            
          supra at 1004; Webb v. Commissioner, 394 F.2d 366, 377 (5th Cir.            
          1968), affg. T.C. Memo. 1966-81; Rowlee v. Commissioner, supra at           
          1123.  Because direct proof of a taxpayer's intent is rarely                
          available, fraud may be proven by circumstantial evidence, and              




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