- 18 - pursuant to a bank deposits analysis would require evidence of deposits and an identification of which deposits should be excluded from income. Business deductions are allowed or disallowed based on whether they can be substantiated. Generally, the only evidence necessary to establish that income is community income is that the income was received by either spouse during the marriage while domiciled in a community property State. As we have recently stated: The term "community property", pursuant to California law, is generally defined as "property acquired by husband and wife, or either, during marriage, when not acquired as the separate property of either." Under California law, absent a contrary agreement, each spouse has the right to one half of all community income from the moment it is acquired and therefore is liable for the Federal income tax on one half of such amount. The character of property as separate or community is determined at the time of acquisition. Property acquired by purchase after marriage is presumed to be community property. Furthermore, earnings of a husband acquired during marriage are presumed to be community property. With respect to unearned income, where the source property is presumed to be community property, and no evidence is introduced to rebut such presumption, then the income from such property is presumed community income. Under California law, the burden of proving that property is separate rests on the party making such assertion. [Webb v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1996-550; citations omitted.] On the other hand, whether respondent may apply section 66(b) and disregard community property law in determining petitioner's income requires evidence of whether petitioner actedPage: Previous 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011