- 16 - taxpayer may be held liable for the fraud penalty: The Commissioner must prove an underpayment of tax, and the Commissioner must prove that at least a part of the underpayment is attributable to fraud. Stoltzfus v. United States, supra; Petzoldt v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 661, 699 (1989). As set forth above, we have calculated an underpayment of tax for each of the years at issue. The remaining question is whether any part of the underpayment for each year is attributable to fraud. Fraud, as noted earlier, is an intentional wrongdoing with a specific intent to evade a tax believed to be owed. The existence of fraud is a question of fact based upon the entire record and reasonable inferences drawn therefrom. Mensik v. Commissioner, 328 F.2d 147, 150 (7th Cir. 1964), affg. 37 T.C. 703 (1962). The Court has difficulty in concluding, under these circumstances, that petitioner intended to evade taxes by conduct calculated to conceal, mislead, or otherwise prevent the collection of taxes. The Court must conclude on this record that respondent has not carried the heavy burden of proving fraud with clear and convincing evidence. On this issue, we hold for petitioners. The Court is satisfied, however, on this record, that respondent's alternative determination that petitioners are liable for the accuracy-related penalties under section 6662 for both years should be sustained. Section 6662(a) providesPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011