- 14 - without fraudulent intent. The conviction under section 7203 only provides some evidence of fraud as to the 1988 tax year. It does not conclusively establish fraud for that year. Furthermore, Dr. Wilkinson's conviction for the 1988 return does not establish fraud as to the 1989 return. Second, respondent argues that petitioners' understatement of income is evidence of fraud. Respondent points to the fact that petitioners failed to report in a timely manner Schedule C gross income for 1988 and 1989 in the amounts of $708,220 and $792,444, respectively. We do not find this fact dispositive. Petitioners did file their tax returns, even if they did so delinquently. Except for the capital loss carryover, respondent made no adjustments to the amounts reported on those returns. Petitioners also did not attempt to conceal assets. They did not earn any income from illegal activities, and they did not have substantial dealings in cash. These facts weaken respondent's argument as to this indicium of fraud. Third, respondent argues that petitioners' failure to pay estimated taxes equal to their 1988 and 1989 tax liabilities is evidence of fraud. We disagree. Under the facts herein, we do not give much weight to the fact that petitioners failed to make timely estimated tax payments equal to their tax liabilities. As a point of fact, petitioners made estimated tax payments for 1988 and 1989 totaling $5,000 and $8,000, respectively. It is also relevant that petitioners reported (but failed to pay) a balancePage: Previous 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Next
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