Anthony B. and Jill Serfustini - Page 22




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               The second issue is whether petitioners are liable for the             
          addition to tax under section 6661(a) for a substantial                     
          understatement of tax for 1982.  Section 6661(a), as amended by             
          the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99-509,              
          sec. 8002, 100 Stat. 1951, provides for an addition to tax of 25            
          percent of the amount of any underpayment attributable to a                 
          substantial understatement of income tax for the taxable year.  A           
          substantial understatement of income tax exists if the amount of            
          the understatement exceeds the greater of 10 percent of the tax             
          required to be shown on the return, or $5,000.  Sec.                        
          6661(b)(1)(A).  Generally, the amount of an understatement is               
          reduced by the portion of the understatement that the taxpayer              
          shows is attributable to either (1) the tax treatment of any item           
          for which there was substantial authority, or (2) the tax                   
          treatment of any item with respect to which the relevant facts              
          were adequately disclosed on the return.  See sec. 6661(b)(2)(B).           
          If an understatement is attributable to a tax shelter item,                 
          however, different standards apply.  First, in addition to                  
          showing the existence of substantial authority, a taxpayer must             
          show that he reasonably believed that the tax treatment claimed             
          was more likely than not proper.  Sec. 6661(b)(2)(C)(i)(II).                
          Second, disclosure, whether or not adequate, will not reduce the            
          amount of the understatement.  Sec. 6661(b)(2)(C)(i)(I).                    







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