Michael B. Butler and Jean Butler - Page 17




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               In sum, consideration of the foregoing factors leads us to             
          believe that petitioner should have known of the understatement             
          on petitioners' 1992 tax return.  At a minimum, petitioner's                
          knowledge of the settlement and the tax consequences of S                   
          corporations placed on her the duty to inquire about the amount             
          of the settlement and the flowthrough of petitioner's husband's             
          share of BGE's income as it might affect petitioners' 1992 tax              
          return.  Consequently, we hold that petitioner is not entitled to           
          innocent spouse relief pursuant to section 6015(b)(1).                      
          Petitioner's Motion To Reopen the Record To Introduce Evidence of           
          Her Ability To Qualify for Proportionate Relief Pursuant to                 
          Section 6015(b)(2)                                                          
               Petitioner requests that we reopen the record in the instant           
          case to submit evidence as to petitioner's qualification for                
          relief pursuant to new section 6015(b)(2).  Reopening the record            
          for the submission of additional evidence lies within the                   
          discretion of the Court.  Zenith Radio Corp. v. Hazeltine                   
          Research, Inc., 401 U.S. 321, 331 (1971).  A court will not grant           
          a motion to reopen the record unless, among other requirements,             
          the evidence relied on is not merely cumulative or impeaching,              
          the evidence is material to the issues involved, and the evidence           
          probably would change the outcome of the case.  See Coleman v.              
          Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1989-248 (citing Edgar v. Finley, 312              
          F.2d 533 (8th Cir. 1963)).  Petitioner's motion to reopen the               
          record does not describe in any way the evidence she would offer.           






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