Steve M. and Khristine Norton, et al. - Page 20




                                       - 20 -                                         
          Accordingly, we hold that the trust structures of the South                 
          Denali Lands Trust and the Denali Company Trust shall not be                
          respected for Federal income tax purposes, and the income from              
          the South Denali Lands Trust and the Denali Company Trust is                
          taxable to Mr. and Mrs. Norton.                                             
          II. Are Mr. and Mrs. Norton Liable for Penalties Under Section              
               6662(a)?                                                               
               Respondent determined that Mr. and Mrs. Norton are liable              
          for accuracy-related penalties under section 6662(a) and (b)(1)             
          for 1994, 1995, and 1996.  Section 6662(a) imposes a penalty in             
          the amount of 20 percent on the portion of the underpayment to              
          which the section applies.  As relevant to this case, the penalty           
          applies to any portion of the underpayment that is attributable             
          to negligence or disregard of the rules or regulations.  Sec.               
          6662(b)(1).  Negligence is any failure to make a reasonable                 
          attempt to comply with the provisions of the internal revenue               
          laws.  Sec. 6662(c); sec. 1.6662-3(b)(1), Income Tax Regs.                  
          Moreover, negligence has been described as the failure to                   
          exercise due care or the failure to do what a reasonable and                
          prudent person would do under the circumstances.  Neely v.                  
          Commissioner, 85 T.C. 934, 947 (1985).  Disregard includes any              
          careless, reckless, or intentional disregard of rules or                    
          regulations.  Sec. 6662(c); sec. 1.6662-3(b)(2), Income Tax Regs.           
          Once the Commissioner has determined an accuracy-related penalty            
          pursuant to section 6662(b)(1), the taxpayer bears the burden of            





Page:  Previous  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011