Robert E. and Yvonne R. Kovacevich - Page 8

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          required to be shown on their tax returns.  Petzoldt v.                     
          Commissioner, 92 T.C. 661, 687 (1989).  Petitioners failed to               
          keep sufficient records.  Thus, respondent was justified in using           
          the “specific item” method of proof to determine petitioners' tax           
          liabilities relating to 1992 and 1994.  See Estate of Beck v.               
          Commissioner, supra at 353-354 (“there is no restriction on the             
          method or theories by which respondent may test his views that              
          unreported income exists provided they are reasonably calculated            
          to disclose the presence or absence of unreported income”).                 
          Accordingly, we reject petitioners’ contention.2                            
               Petitioner received $135,000 and $132,000 relating to 1992             
          and 1994, respectively.  Petitioners, however, reported only                
          $90,000 in compensation in each year.  Petitioners failed to                
          establish that the checks written for petitioners’ benefit                  
          (e.g., checks written to petitioners’ creditors) were not                   
          includable in their gross income and failed to adequately rebut             
          respondent’s determination of unreported income.  Therefore, we             
          conclude that petitioners failed to report additional income in             
          the amounts of $45,000 (i.e., $135,000 income received minus                


               2  The burden of proof is on petitioners to show that                  
          respondent’s deficiency determination is incorrect.  Rule 142(a);           
          Welch v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111 (1933).  Sec. 7491 is                      
          inapplicable because the examination began before July 22, 1998,            
          the section’s effective date.  Internal Revenue Service                     
          Restructuring & Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-206, sec.                   
          3001(c), 112 Stat. 685, 726.                                                






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