Robert C. and Diana J. Watts - Page 7




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          his failure to file was not due to reasonable cause because he              
          continued to perform his daily business operations).  We conclude           
          that petitioners' failure to file timely was due to willful                 
          neglect and not reasonable cause, and they are therefore liable             
          for the addition to tax under section 6651.                                 
          B.   Whether Petitioners Are Liable for the Accuracy-Related                
               Penalty for Negligence for 1994 and 1995                               
               Taxpayers are liable for a penalty equal to 20 percent                 
          of the part of the underpayment attributable to negligence or               
          disregard of rules or regulations.  See sec. 6662(a) and (b)(1).            
          Negligence includes failure to make a reasonable attempt to                 
          comply with the provisions of the internal revenue laws or to               
          exercise ordinary and reasonable care in the preparation of a               
          tax return.  See sec. 6662(c).                                              
               Petitioners contend that they are not liable for the                   
          negligence penalty because two of the adjustments made by                   
          respondent, that is, the cancellation of indebtedness and                   
          Schedule C bad debt issues, were technical in nature.                       
          Petitioners contend that petitioner’s errors on their returns               
          were due to reasonable cause and not negligence because he was              
          preoccupied with his mother’s and daughter’s health problems and            
          his business travel.  Petitioners also contend that respondent’s            
          use of the bank deposit method to determine petitioner’s business           
          gross receipts was not an accurate way to determine income.                 
          Finally, petitioners contend that the fact that petitioner did              





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