- 9 - that are relevant to our analysis, including but not limited to: (1) The alleged innocent spouse’s level of education; (2) the spouse’s involvement in the family’s business and financial affairs; and (3) the culpable spouse’s evasiveness and deceit concerning the couple’s finances. Id. at 284. In the present case, we conclude that petitioner did not have actual knowledge of the understatement of tax attributable to the Schedule C deductions of Wee Ones Child Care. Petitioner’s knowledge of Wee Ones Child Care as the source of an erroneous item is not sufficient to establish actual knowledge. Moreover, we find that a reasonably prudent person in petitioner’s circumstances would not know of the understatement. Petitioner was employed full time outside the home as a maintenance supervisor. Petitioner has limited education. Ms. Moore ran Wee Ones Child Care, maintained the books and records and prepared the tax returns. Thus, petitioner had no direct involvement in the business, other than as a handyperson and as a provider of startup costs. We are thus convinced that petitioner satisfies the requirements of section 6015(b)(1)(C). The last of the three remaining elements of section 6015(b)(1), whether it is inequitable to hold a spouse liable for a deficiency, is determined by “taking into account all the facts and circumstances”. The equitable factors we consider under section 6015(b)(1)(D) are the same as those we consider underPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011