- 61 - the return for a taxable year or (2) $5,000. See sec. 6662(d)(1). Section 7491(c) provides that the Commissioner shall bear the burden of production with respect to the liability of any individual for penalties. If a taxpayer files a petition alleging some error in the determination of the penalty, the taxpayer’s challenge will succeed unless the Commissioner produces evidence that the penalty is appropriate. Swain v. Commissioner, 118 T.C. 358, 364 (2002). “The Commissioner’s burden of production under section 7491(c) is to produce evidence that it is appropriate to impose the relevant penalty”. Id. at 363; see also Higbee v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. at 446. The Commissioner, however, does not have the obligation to introduce evidence regarding reasonable cause or substantial authority. Higbee v. Commissioner, supra at 446. The evidence establishes that understatements for 1997 and 1998 exceed the greater of 10 percent of the tax required to be shown on the returns for 1997 and 1998 or $5,000. Accordingly, respondent has met his burden of production. The accuracy-related penalty is not imposed with respect to any portion of the underpayment as to which the taxpayer acted with reasonable cause and in good faith. Sec. 6664(c)(1). The decision as to whether the taxpayer acted with reasonable cause and in good faith depends upon all the pertinent facts andPage: Previous 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011