Ronald D. and Shirley A. Blush - Page 8




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          return that is attributable to the taxpayer's negligence or                 
          disregard of rules or regulations.  See sec. 6662(a) and (b)(1).            
          "Negligence" consists of any failure to make a reasonable attempt           
          to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.  Sec.           
          6662(c).  "Disregard" consists of any careless, reckless, or                
          intentional disregard.  Id.                                                 
               An exception applies to the accuracy-related penalty when              
          the taxpayer demonstrates (1) there was reasonable cause for the            
          underpayment, and (2) he acted in good faith with respect to such           
          underpayment.  See sec. 6664(c).  Whether the taxpayer acted with           
          reasonable cause and in good faith is determined by the relevant            
          facts and circumstances.  The most important factor is the extent           
          of the taxpayer's effort to assess the proper tax liability.  See           
          Stubblefield v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1996-537; sec. 1.6664-             
          4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs.  Section 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax               
          Regs., specifically provides:                                               
               Circumstances that may indicate reasonable cause and                   
               good faith include an honest misunderstanding of fact                  
               or law that is reasonable in light of the experience,                  
               knowledge and education of the taxpayer. * * *                         
               It is the taxpayer's responsibility to establish he is not             
          liable for the accuracy-related penalty imposed by section                  
          6662(a).  See Rule 142(a); Tweeddale v. Commissioner, 92 T.C.               
          501, 505 (1989).  Petitioners failed to explain adequately why              
          they did not report all of their taxable income for 1993 and                
          1994.  On the basis of the entire record, we conclude that                  





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