George R. and Barbara H. Burrus - Page 41

                                       - 41 -                                         
          cattle activity during the years in issue.  Accordingly,                    
          respondent’s determination to disallow the losses attributable to           
          petitioners’ cattle activity under section 183 is not sustained.            
          II. Addition to Tax for Failure To File Timely Under Section                
          6651 and Accuracy-Related Penalties Under Section 6662                      
               Respondent determined that petitioners are liable for the              
          section 6651(a) addition to tax for failing to file a timely                
          return for 1990.  This addition to tax does not apply if the                
          taxpayer proves that the failure to file timely was:  (1) Due to            
          reasonable cause, and (2) not due to willful neglect.  Sec.                 
          6651(a)(1); Rule 142(a)(1); United States v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241            
          245 (1985); Peacock v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2002-122.                   
               There is no dispute that the due date for petitioners’ 1990            
          return was October 15, 1991, and that it was received on October            
          28, 1991.  Petitioners argue that they had reasonable cause for             
          untimely filing because they relied on their accountant to file             
          their return.  Reliance on an agent, however, does not constitute           
          reasonable cause for a late filing under section 6651(a)(1).                
          United States v. Boyle, supra at 252; Stolz v. Commissioner, T.C.           
          Memo. 1999-404.  In the absence of any other argument or evidence           
          establishing reasonable cause, we sustain respondent’s                      
          determination under section 6651(a)(1) for 1990; petitioners                
          conceded various adjustments for that year which would result in            
          a deficiency, in addition to any deficiency resulting from our              




Page:  Previous  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37  38  39  40  41  42  43  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011