- 44 - failed to meet the strict requirements of sections 1.6662-3(c)(1) and (2) and 1.6662-4(f)(1), Income Tax Regs. Even though petitioner did not make an adequate disclosure sufficient to avoid the penalty under the applicable regulations, petitioner may still be relieved of liability for the accuracy- related penalty if he shows there was reasonable cause for the understatement and he acted in good faith with respect to the understatement. See sec. 6664(c); sec. 1.6664-4(a), Income Tax Regs. We decide whether petitioner acted with reasonable cause and in good faith after reviewing all the facts and circumstances and taking into account a variety of factors. See sec. 1.6664- 4(b), Income Tax Regs. The most important factor is the extent of petitioner’s effort to assess his proper tax liability. See sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. Petitioner contends that he claimed the additional marketability discount after consultation with his accountant and that, at all times, he “reasonably relied upon the expertise and advice of a certified public accountant in the preparation and filing of” his tax return.25 The only evidence petitioner 25Petitioner also argued that any understatement attributable to an undervaluation of the Zila stock should be reduced if (i) the tax treatment is supported by substantial authority, or (ii) there was adequate disclosure of relevant facts on his return. See sec. 6662(d)(2)(B). By its terms, and as indicated by the regulations, the exception in sec. 6662(d)(2)(B) applies only to an accuracy-related penalty imposed on an underpayment attributable to any substantial understatement (continued...)Page: Previous 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 Next
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