- 17 - 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, andPage: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011