- 17 - 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. "Willful neglect" means a "conscious, intentional failure to file or reckless indifference." United States v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241, 245 (1985). Petitioners failed to offer any evidence that their failure to timely file their 1993 and 1994 tax returns was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. In fact, petitioners offered no explanation at all. This is particularly troubling given that petitioner is a tax return preparer. The Court sustains respondent's determination that petitioners are liable for the additions to tax under section 6651(a)(1). 2. Accuracy-Related Penalty Under Section 6662(a) Respondent also determined petitioners are liable for an accuracy-related penalty pursuant to section 6662(a) for each of the years in issue. Section 6662(a) imposes a penalty of 20 percent of the portion of the underpayment which is attributable to, inter alia, negligence or disregard of rules or regulations. Sec. 6662(b)(1). Negligence is the "'lack of due care or failure to do what a reasonable and ordinarily prudent person would do under the circumstances.'" Neely v. Commissioner, 85 T.C. 934, 947 (1985) (quoting Marcello v. Commissioner, 380 F.2d at 506). It includes any failure by the taxpayer to keep adequate books and records or to substantiate items properly. Sec.Page: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011