Kevin J. Morse - Page 6

                                        - 6 -                                         
                                       OPINION                                        
          Issue 1. Whether Petitioner Is Liable for the Fraud Penalty                 
                    Pursuant to Section 6663(a)                                       
               Respondent contends that petitioner is liable for the fraud            
          penalty under section 6663(a) for 1991-94.  Section 6663(a)                 
          imposes a penalty in an amount equal to 75 percent of the portion           
          of any underpayment of tax (required to be shown on a return)               
          that is attributable to fraud.  In addition, if respondent                  
          establishes that any portion of the underpayment is attributable            
          to fraud, the entire underpayment is treated as attributable                
          thereto, except to the extent that petitioner establishes                   
          otherwise.  Sec. 6663(b).                                                   
               Respondent bears the burden of proving the applicability of            
          the civil fraud penalty by clear and convincing evidence.  Sec.             
          7454(a); Rule 142(b).  To sustain this burden, respondent must              
          establish both (1) that there was an underpayment of tax for each           
          taxable year in issue and (2) that at least some portion of the             
          underpayment for each year was due to fraud.  DiLeo v.                      
          Commissioner, 96 T.C. 858, 873 (1991), affd. 959 F.2d 16 (2d Cir.           
          1992); Parks v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 654, 660-661 (1990);                  
          Petzoldt v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 661, 699 (1989).                          
               1.   Underpayments of Tax                                              
               An underpayment of tax will exist where unreported gross               
          receipts exceed the costs of goods sold and deductible expenses.            
          Where the Commissioner provides clear proof of unreported                   





Page:  Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011