Pediatric Surgical Associates, P.C. - Page 32




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          negligence or intentional disregard of rules or regulations                 
          (without distinction, negligence), any substantial understatement           
          of income tax, or any substantial valuation misstatement.                   
          Respondent determined the accuracy-related penalty against                  
          petitioner.  Although the notice indicates that respondent                  
          determined such penalty upon “one or more” of the three grounds             
          described for such penalty, the issue presented by this case and            
          our resolution thereof demonstrate that the only possible ground            
          for imposition of the penalty is negligence.  Negligence has been           
          defined as lack of due care or failure to do what a reasonable              
          and prudent person would do under like circumstances.  See, e.g.,           
          Hofstetter v. Commissioner, 98 T.C. 695, 704 (1992).  Section               
          6664(c)(1) provides that the accuracy-related penalty shall not             
          be imposed with respect to any portion of an underpayment if it             
          is shown that the taxpayer acted in good faith and that there was           
          reasonable cause for the underpayment.  The determination of                
          whether a taxpayer acted in good faith and with reasonable cause            
          is made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all                    
          pertinent facts and circumstances.  “Circumstances that may                 
          indicate reasonable cause and good faith include an honest                  
          misunderstanding of * * * law that is reasonable in light of all            
          the facts and circumstances, including the experience, knowledge            
          and education of the taxpayer.”  Sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax            








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