- 24 - adviser does not necessarily demonstrate reasonable cause unless the reliance was reasonable and the taxpayer acted in good faith, which requires, among other things, that the advice be based on all pertinent facts and circumstances and on no unreasonable factual or legal assumptions. See sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1) and (c), Income Tax Regs. If the taxpayer fails to provide the accountant with the information necessary for preparing the return, the taxpayer is liable for the penalty. See Johnson v. Commissioner, 74 T.C. 89, 97 (1980), affd. 673 F.2d 262 (9th Cir. 1982). Petitioners failed to prove that they provided their accountant complete information for preparing their 1993 joint Federal income tax return. In addition, petitioners failed to show that they kept adequate books and records to substantiate their claimed net operating loss deduction. With regard to both the discharge of indebtedness income and the claimed net operating loss deduction, petitioners failed to show that they had reasonable cause or acted in good faith. Accordingly, respondent’s determination of an accuracy- related penalty under section 6662(a) is sustained. Decision will be entered for respondent.Page: Previous 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Last modified: May 25, 2011