Verna Doyel - Page 35

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               B.   Relief Under Section 6015(f)                                      
               Respondent argues that he did not abuse his discretion in              
          denying petitioner equitable relief under section 6015(f).                  
          Respondent’s denial of relief is reviewed under an abuse of                 
          discretion standard.  Cheshire v. Commissioner, 115 T.C. 183, 198           
          (2000), affd. 282 F.3d 326 (5th Cir. 2002); Butler v.                       
          Commissioner, 114 T.C. at 292.  Our review is not limited to                
          respondent’s administrative record.  Ewing v. Commissioner, 122             
          T.C. ___ (2004).                                                            
               Considering the facts and circumstances of this case, we               
          held under section 6015(b)(1)(D) that it is not inequitable to              
          hold petitioner liable for the deficiencies.  The language of               
          section 6015(f)(1), “taking into account all the facts and                  
          circumstances, it is inequitable to hold the individual liable              
          for any unpaid tax or any deficiency (or any portion of either)”            
          does not differ significantly from the language of section                  
          6015(b)(1)(D), “taking into account all the facts and                       
          circumstances, it is inequitable to hold the other individual               
          liable for the deficiency in tax for such taxable year                      
          attributable to such understatement”.8  Butler v. Commissioner,             


               8  Additionally, the language in both sections is similar to           
          the language in former sec. 6013(e)(1)(D), “taking into account             
          all the facts and circumstances, it is inequitable to hold the              
          other spouse liable for the deficiency in tax for such taxable              
          year attributable to such substantial understatement”.  Butler v.           
          Commissioner, 114 T.C. 276, 291 (2000); see Mitchell v.                     
          Commissioner, 292 F.3d 800, 806 (D.C. Cir. 2002) (“Subsection (f)           
                                                             (continued...)           




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