- 10 - (1982), affd. 722 F.2d 695 (11th Cir. 1984). Transactions are treated as lacking economic substance if the transactions do not have any practicable economic effect other than creation of claimed tax benefits. Karr v. Commissioner, supra at 1023. To establish fraud, respondent must prove by clear and convincing evidence that a taxpayer understated the taxpayer's correct tax liability and that part of the understatement was due to fraudulent intent. Secs. 6653(b), 7454(a); Rule 142(b); Korecky v. Commissioner, 781 F.2d 1566, 1568 (11th Cir. 1986), affg. T.C. Memo. 1985-63; Clayton v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 632, 646 (1994); Recklitis v. Commissioner, 91 T.C. 874, 909 (1988). With regard to fraudulent intent, respondent is required to prove that a taxpayer intended to evade taxes by conduct intended to conceal, mislead, or otherwise prevent the collection of taxes. Parks v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 654, 661 (1990); Frazier v. Commissioner, supra at 12. Generally, fraud is established by circumstantial evidence because direct evidence of fraud is not available. Clayton v. Commissioner, supra at 647; Rowlee v. Commissioner, 80 T.C. 1111, 1123 (1983). Courts have developed certain indicia of fraud, including the following: (1) Understatements of income; (2) inadequate books and records; (3) failure to file tax returns; and (4) failure to cooperate with tax authorities. Bradford v. Commissioner, 796 F.2d 303, 307-308 (9th Cir. 1986),Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011