- 4 - late, not to exceed 25 percent. Sec. 6651(a)(1). Petitioners provided no evidence that they filed for an extension, while respondent provided documentation establishing that an extension request was not received. Accordingly, we find that petitioners never requested an extension. Even if petitioners had requested the extension of time to file, they would have received an automatic 4-month extension which would have expired prior to the time the return was actually filed in this case. Sec. 1.6081- 4(a)(1), Income Tax Regs. To extend the time to file further, petitioners would have had to request another extension. Petitioners did not claim they filed such an additional extension. Additions to tax under section 6651(a)(1) are imposed unless the taxpayer establishes that the failure to file timely was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. Sec. 6651(a)(1) and (2). "Reasonable cause" requires the taxpayer to demonstrate that he exercised ordinary business care and prudence. United States v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241, 246 (1985); sec. 301.6651-1(c)(1), Proced. & Admin. Regs. Willful neglect is defined as a "conscious, intentional failure or reckless indifference." United States v. Boyle, supra at 245. The mere fact that petitioner was incarcerated at the time his return was due is not reasonable cause, within the meaning of section 6651(a)(1), for his failure to timely file. Llorente v.Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011