Letantia Bussell - Page 26

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          II. Fraud                                                                   
               We decide whether petitioner is liable for the fraud penalty           
          determined by respondent under section 6663(a).7  Respondent must           
          prove that determination by clear and convincing evidence.  See             
          sec. 7454(a); Rule 142(b); Rowlee v. Commissioner, 80 T.C. 1111,            
          1113 (1983).  Respondent must prove that petitioner fraudulently            
          intended to underpay her tax.  See Powell v. Granquist, 252 F.2d            
          56 (9th Cir. 1958); Miller v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 316, 332-333            
          (1990).  Respondent may meet his burden through affirmative                 
          evidence because fraud is never imputed or presumed.  Beaver v.             
          Commissioner, 55 T.C. 85, 92 (1970).  Whether fraud exists in a             
          given situation is a factual determination that must be made                
          after reviewing the particular facts and circumstances of the               
          case.  DiLeo v. Commissioner, 96 T.C. 858, 874 (1991), affd.                
          959 F.2d 16 (2d Cir. 1992).                                                 

               7 In relevant part, sec. 6663 provides:                                
               SEC. 6663.  IMPOSITION OF FRAUD PENALTY.                               
                    (a) Imposition of Penalty.--If any part of any                    
               underpayment of tax required to be shown on a return is                
               due to fraud, there shall be added to the tax an amount                
               equal to 75 percent of the portion of the underpayment                 
               which is attributable to fraud.                                        
                    (b) Determination of Portion Attributable to                      
               Fraud.--If the Secretary establishes that any portion                  
               of an underpayment is attributable to fraud, the entire                
               underpayment shall be treated as attributable to fraud,                
               except with respect to any portion of the underpayment                 
               which the taxpayer establishes (by a preponderance of                  
               the evidence) is not attributable to fraud.                            





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