- 24 - preparing Mr. Davis' tax returns for 1984, 1985, and 1987, Mr. Stimmel worked with Jean Davis and Ms. Blair. Mr. Stimmel had full and unrestricted access to all of Mr. Davis' books and records. Mr. Stimmel determined the attachments to include in the 1985 return concerning Mr. Davis' charitable donations. He determined that it was not necessary to attach the entire 1985 appraisal to the 1985 return. During the years in issue, Mr. Davis relied on professional accountants, Mr. Fenn and Mr. Stimmel, to prepare his Federal tax returns. OPINION I. Addition to Tax for Fraud The addition to tax in the case of fraud is a civil sanction provided primarily as a safeguard for the protection of the revenue and to reimburse the Government for the heavy expense of investigation and the loss resulting from a taxpayer's fraud. See Helvering v. Mitchell, 303 U.S. 391, 401 (1938). Fraud is intentional wrongdoing on the part of the taxpayer with the specific purpose to evade a tax believed to be owing. See McGee v. Commissioner, 61 T.C. 249, 256 (1973), affd. 519 F.2d 1121 (5th Cir. 1975). The Commissioner has the burden of proving fraud by clear and convincing evidence. See sec. 7454(a); Rule 142(b). ToPage: Previous 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011