Richard J. and Carol C. Spera - Page 22

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          Sec. 6662(c); see also Allen v. Commissioner, 925 F.2d 348, 353             
          (9th Cir. 1991), affg. 92 T.C. 1 (1989) (negligence defined as a            
          lack of due care or a failure to do what a reasonable and prudent           
          person would do under similar circumstances).  As to both                   
          accuracy-related penalties, no penalty is imposed with respect to           
          any portion of an understatement as to which the taxpayer acted             
          with reasonable cause and in good faith.  Sec. 6664(c)(1).                  
          Petitioners must prove that respondent erred in determining that            
          the accuracy-related penalty applied to the years in issue.                 
          Rule 142(a); Monahan v. Commissioner, 109 T.C. 235 (1997);                  
          Bixby v. Commissioner, 58 T.C. 757, 791-792 (1972).                         
               We primarily address respondent's determination of the                 
          accuracy-related penalty for negligence because our decision on             
          that issue is dispositive.  Because petitioners presented no                
          evidence or argument to support a finding that they exercised due           
          care and did what a reasonable and ordinarily prudent person                
          would have done under the circumstances, we find that they are              
          liable for negligence under section 6662(a).  We also note that             
          petitioners presented no evidence or argument to support a                  
          finding that they relied on substantial authority, adequately               
          disclosed relevant facts, or acted with reasonable cause and in             
          good faith.  Therefore, to the extent that petitioners had not              
          been liable for the accuracy-related penalty for negligence, they           







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