-21- from the relevant facts. Spies v. United States, 317 U.S. 492 (1943); Stephenson v. Commissioner, 79 T.C. 995 (1982), affd. 748 F.2d 331 (6th Cir. 1984). Where fraud is determined for multiple years, as is the case here, respondent must establish the requisite fraudulent intent for each of the years in order to prevail as to all of the years. The Court may sustain respondent’s determination of fraud only as to those years for which the fraudulent intent is established clearly and convincingly. Fraud requires a showing that the taxpayer intended to evade a tax known or believed to be owing by conduct intended to conceal, mislead, or otherwise prevent the collection of tax. Stoltzfus v. United States, 398 F.2d 1002, 1004 (3d. Cir. 1968). We often rely on certain indicia of fraud in deciding the existence of fraud. The presence of several indicia is persuasive circumstantial evidence of fraud. Beaver v. Commissioner, 55 T.C. 85, 93 (1970). The “badges of fraud” include: (1) Understatement of income; (2) maintenance of inadequate records; (3) failure to file tax returns; (4) implausible or inconsistent explanations of behavior; (5) concealment of income or assets; (6) failure to cooperate with tax authorities; (7) engaging in illegal activities; (8) dealing in cash; (9) failure to make estimated tax payments; and (10) filing false documents. Spies v. United States, supra;Page: Previous 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011