- 15 - did not result from willful neglect and that the failure was due to reasonable cause. See United Stated v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241, 245 (1985). To prove reasonable cause, a taxpayer must show that he or she exercised ordinary business care and prudence but nevertheless could not file the return when it was due. See Crocker v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 899, 913 (1989); sec. 301.6651- 1(c)(1), Proced. & Admin. Regs. Petitioners have presented neither evidence nor argument as to why they did not file their 1996 tax return timely. Instead, petitioners argue that, because the settlement proceeds are excludable from gross income, the related addition to tax under section 6651(a) must not be allowed. As we concluded, supra, petitioners must include the entire settlement amount in gross income. Because petitioners have not shown that their failure to file timely was due to reasonable cause, respondent’s determination with respect to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1) is sustained. Under section 6662(a), a taxpayer may be liable for a penalty of 20 percent on the portion of an underpayment of tax attributable to a substantial understatement of tax or due to negligence or disregard of the rules or regulations. Sec. 6662(b). Whether the penalty is applied because of a substantial understatement of tax or negligence or disregard of the rules or regulations, the accuracy-related penalty is not imposed withPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011