Patricia Barranco - Page 24




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          which petitioner was sole owner at the time of trial) and has               
          resumed his medical practice, which is the couple’s primary                 
          source of income.  Petitioner “continues to enjoy the lifestyle             
          and financial security that are largely attributable to her                 
          husband’s assets and income.”  Von Kalinowski v. Commissioner,              
          supra; see Lauer v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1994-579.  On the              
          basis of all the evidence, we conclude that denial of relief from           
          joint and several liability will not result in economic hardship            
          for petitioner.  There is no suggestion in the record of spousal            
          abuse or duress.  These considerations support our conclusion               
          that it would not be inequitable to deny petitioner the requested           
          relief from joint and several liability.                                    
               Accordingly, we hold that petitioner is not entitled to                
          relief under section 6015(b).                                               
          IV. Relief Under Section 6015(f)                                            
               Petitioner contends that respondent abused his discretion in           
          denying her request for relief from joint and several liability             
          under section 6015(f).                                                      
               Where relief is unavailable to an individual under section             
          6015(b), the Secretary may provide relief under section 6015(f)             
          if “taking into account all the facts and circumstances, it is              
          inequitable to hold the individual liable for any unpaid tax or             
          any deficiency (or any portion of either)”.  Sec. 6015(f).                  
          Essentially the same language appears in the equities test of               
          section 6015(b)(1)(D).  Butler v. Commissioner, 114 T.C. at 291.            
          Having concluded, in light of all the facts and circumstances,              





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