- 32 - B. Fraudulent Intent “‘Fraud’ * * * means intentional wrongdoing on the part of a taxpayer motivated by a specific purpose to evade a tax known or believed to be owing.” Stoltzfus v. United States, 398 F.2d 1002, 1004 (3d Cir. 1968). The Commissioner must establish by clear and convincing evidence that some portion of the underpayment in each year in issue was due to fraud; he is not required to prove the precise amount of the underpayment that resulted from fraud. Otsuki v. Commissioner, 53 T.C. 96, 105 (1969). Because direct evidence of fraud is rarely available, respondent may prove fraudulent intent using circumstantial evidence. Stoltzfus v. United States, supra at 1005; DiLeo v. Commissioner, 96 T.C. at 874; Otsuki v. Commissioner, supra at 106. In determining fraudulent intent, we consider the taxpayer’s entire course of conduct and reasonable inferences that may be drawn from the facts. Parks v. Commissioner, supra at 664; Bacon v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2000-257, affd. without published opinion 275 F.3d 33 (3d Cir. 2001). Courts have looked to the following “badges of fraud” as evidence of fraudulent intent: (1) Understatement of income; (2) implausible or inconsistent explanations of behavior; (3) failure to provide return preparers with accurate and necessary information; (4) maintaining inadequate books and records; and (5) dealing in cash. Spies v. United States, 317 U.S. 492, 499 (1943); BradfordPage: Previous 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011