- 17 - is due to fraud. Fraud, under section 6663, is defined as an intentional wrongdoing designed to evade tax believed to be owing. Conforte v. Commissioner, 692 F.2d 587, 592 (9th Cir. 1982), affg. in part and revg. in part 74 T.C. 1160 (1980); Neely v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. 79, 86 (2001) (citing Edelson v. Commissioner, 829 F.2d 828, 833 (9th Cir. 1987), affg. T.C. Memo. 1986-223)). When the Commissioner has alleged fraud under section 6663, the Commissioner has the initial burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence for the years at issue that some portion of the underpayment of tax is due to fraud. Sec. 7454(a); Rule 142(b); see also Anastasato v. Commissioner, 794 F.2d 884, 889 (3d Cir. 1986), vacating T.C. Memo. 1985-101. To satisfy the burden of proof, the Commissioner must show that: (1) An underpayment in tax exists, and (2) the taxpayer intended to evade taxes by concealing, misleading, or otherwise preventing the collection of taxes. Parks v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 654, 660-661 (1990). The Commissioner can prove by circumstantial evidence that the taxpayer intended to evade taxes by concealing, misleading, or otherwise preventing the collection of taxes. Id. at 664. Fraud is a question of fact to be resolved upon consideration of the entire record and is never presumed. Estate of Pittard v. Commissioner, 69 T.C. 391, 404 (1977). The Commissioner may draw reasonable inferences to establishPage: Previous 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next
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