-31- account. There is also no evidence that the funds deposited in (or sent to) the Bahamian bank were derived from (or were intended for use in) any illegal activity. Furthermore, we are aware that the ownership or use by a U.S. person of a foreign bank account, including a Bahamian bank account, is not illegal. We note, however, that the checks deposited in (or sent to) the Bahamian bank were White Co. checks, payable to petitioner's plumbing business. Several of the checks respondent used to reconstruct petitioner's stipulated gross receipts in 1991 and 1992 were also White Co. checks, and the parties have stipulated that for the years 1989-92, petitioner received payments for services from White Co. totaling $183,285. Moreover, during each of the years 1989-92, petitioner used the same incorrect Social Security number on the invoices he submitted to, and on his contracts with, general contractors for construction projects. Finally, the stipulated use of the Bahamian bank account occurred after the Commissioner's Criminal Investigation Division had notified petitioner that it was investigating petitioner's tax liability for 1989-92. In light of these and all other facts in the record, we hold that the stipulated facts concerning petitioner's use of the Bahamian bank account are admissible, relevant, probative evidence of petitioner's intent (in failing to file tax returns for 1989-92) to conceal income or assets (including moneys received from White Co.) earned or owned during 1989-92, and thereby evade the payment of taxes believed to be owed for thosePage: Previous 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Next
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