Nicholas P. Ruggiero and Annette M. Ruggiero - Page 10




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               Under some circumstances, however, a taxpayer may avoid                
          liability for the additions to tax for negligence under section             
          6653(a) if reasonable reliance on a competent professional                  
          adviser is shown.  Leonhart v. Commissioner, 414 F.2d 749, 750              
          (4th Cir. 1969), affg. T.C. Memo. 1968-98; Freytag v.                       
          Commissioner, 89 T.C. 849, 888 (1987), affd. 904 F.2d 1011 (5th             
          Cir. 1990), affd. 501 U.S. 868 (1991).  Such reliance is not an             
          absolute defense to negligence but is merely a factor to be                 
          considered.  Freytag v. Commissioner, supra.                                
               For reliance on professional advice to excuse a taxpayer               
          from the negligence additions to tax, the taxpayer must show that           
          the professional adviser had the expertise and knowledge of the             
          pertinent facts to provide informed advice on the subject matter.           
          Leonhart v. Commissioner, supra; Freytag v. Commissioner, supra;            
          Stone v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1996-230; Reimann v.                      
          Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1996-84.                                           
               Reliance on a professional adviser can be inadequate when              
          the taxpayer and his adviser knew nothing about the nontax                  
          business aspects of the venture.  Beck v. Commissioner, 85 T.C.             
          557 (1985); Flowers v. Commissioner, 80 T.C. 914 (1983).  In                
          order for reliance on professional advice to excuse a taxpayer              
          from the negligence additions to tax, the reliance must be                  
          reasonable, in good faith, and based upon full disclosure.  Zfass           








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