- 32 - is not reasonable cause for failure to timely file a tax return. See Crocker v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 899, 913 (1989); Electric & Neon, Inc. v. Commissioner, 56 T.C. 1324, 1342-1343 (1971), affd. without published opinion 496 F.2d 876 (5th Cir. 1974). A taxpayer is required to timely file a tax return based on the best information available and thereafter to file an amended return if necessary. See Estate of Vriniotis v. Commissioner, 79 T.C. 298, 311 (1982). Nothing in the record suggests that petitioner applied for an extension of time to file his 1993 return. Petitioner did not establish that he made adequate efforts to gain access to necessary tax documents held by the bankruptcy trustee. The evidence shows that the bankruptcy proceeding was dismissed in August of 1993, long before petitioner’s 1993 tax return was due. Additionally, petitioner maintained his business expense records on computer files which were not under the control of the bankruptcy trustee, indicating that he could have prepared a timely 1993 return with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Petitioner has presented no evidence showing that either Acuson or Siemens Ultrasound submitted their Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, in an untimely manner which would prejudice petitioner’s ability to file his 1993 tax return. In light of the evidence before us, we find that petitioner has not demonstrated that his failure to timely file his 1993 return was due to reasonable cause or a lack ofPage: Previous 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Next
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