James J. Coyle - Page 18




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          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 establish                    






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