-15- not own the stock. The basis of property acquired through purchase generally is its cost. Sec. 1012; sec. 1.1012-1(a), Income Tax Regs. There is nothing about the $19,000 in payments to family members to suggest that such payments be allocated to the cost basis of the stock. The $19,000 was paid to family members who had no ownership interests in the Solectron stock. Accordingly, we hold that the Solectron stock basis is $10,000, as reported on petitioners' tax return. Issue 7. Accuracy-Related Penalty Respondent determined an accuracy-related penalty under section 6662(a). Section 6662 imposes a penalty equal to 20 percent of the portion of the underpayment that is attributable to negligence or disregard of rules or regulations. Sec. 6662(a), (b)(1). Negligence is defined as the failure to exercise the due care that a reasonable, prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Zmuda v. Commissioner, 731 F.2d 1417, 1422 (9th Cir. 1984), affg. 79 T.C. 714 (1982); Neely v. Commissioner, 85 T.C. 934, 947 (1985). A taxpayer has the burden of proving that respondent's determination is in error. Luman v. Commissioner, 79 T.C. 846, 860-861 (1982). Petitioners each have graduate college degrees. Mrs. Yei, who prepared petitioners' 1989 tax return, while not a C.P.A., passed the written portion of the C.P.A. examination. Mrs. Yei testifiedPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011