- 9 - from taking a position one year, and then a contrary position in a later year after the period of limitations has expired on the first year. See id. at 541-542; see also United States v. Matheson, 532 F.2d 809, 819 (2d Cir. 1976)(estate estopped to deny decedent's U.S. citizenship after she represented to the U.S. Government for a period of more than 20 years that she was a citizen of the United States). Petitioner argues that under certain circumstances, the duty of consistency may also apply to the Commissioner. See, e.g., Conway Import Co. v. United States, 311 F. Supp. 5, 14-15 (E.D.N.Y. 1969)(Commissioner estopped to apply ruling retroactively to recordkeeping system that had been substantially accepted for a long period of time and reviewed by many agents at different levels of authority). This type of situation is not present here. Petitioner made an honest mistake in preparing a return, which respondent discovered on audit. The duty of consistency does not apply against respondent. Although petitioner argues the duty of consistency applies, petitioner also mentions equitable estoppel and argues on brief that respondent was not timely in reviewing the invalid election, and thereby "provided a wrongful misleading silence upon which the taxpayer relied". To invoke estoppel against the Government, the party seeking estoppel must show at a minimum: (1) The existence of a false representation or wrongful misleading silence by the other party; (2) ignorance of the facts; (3)Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011