- 26 -26 reason to know that the grocery/convenience store income was not reported. Taxpayers have an obligation to review tax returns before signing them, and they are ordinarily charged with constructive knowledge of the contents of the returns if they do not review them. Hayman v. Commissioner, 992 F.2d 1256, 1262 (2d Cir. 1993), affg. T.C. Memo. 1992-228. Taxpayers generally cannot turn a blind eye to what is disclosed on the tax return and plead ignorance. Edmondson v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1996-393; Cohen v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1987-537. Mrs. Taylor's knowledge of, and involvement in, the grocery/convenience store business put her on notice of the unreported income, even though petitioner may have suggested to her that the business was losing money. See Alberts v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1986-483. When that income was omitted from the joint returns, Mrs. Taylor had a duty to inquire of petitioner as to the reporting of that income. See Zimmerman v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1996-223. Petitioner's financial and criminal problems should have also prompted Mrs. Taylor to review the joint returns. See Starr v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1995-190, affd. without published opinion 99 F.3d 1146 (9th Cir. 1996). Mrs. Taylor presented no evidence supporting her innocent spouse claim with respect to the other items of income (whichPage: Previous 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011