- 45 - section 6662(a) because the underpayment of tax for those years was due to a substantial understatement of their income tax. Petitioners contend that they are not liable for the accuracy- related penalties for substantial understatement of income tax. Section 6662(a) and (b)(2) imposes a penalty equal to 20 percent of the portion of an underpayment attributable to any substantial understatement of tax. A substantial understatement occurs when the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10 percent of the amount of tax required to be shown on the return or $5,000 ($10,000 for corporations). See sec. 6662(d)(1). The amount of an understatement on which the penalty is imposed will be reduced by the portion of the understatement that is attributable to the tax treatment of an item (1) that was supported by “substantial authority” or (2) for which the relevant facts were “adequately disclosed in the return or in a statement attached to the return.” Sec. 6662(d)(2)(B).17 Additionally, no penalty will be imposed with respect to any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was reasonable cause for such portion and the taxpayer acted in good faith with respect to such portion. See sec. 6664(c)(1). Petitioners do not contend that they have substantial authority for the tax treatment of the items that we have 17For 1993 and later years, adequate disclosure must be coupled with “a reasonable basis for the tax treatment”. See sec. 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii).Page: Previous 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011