Robert D. and Patricia M. Braun - Page 11

                                       - 11 -                                         
          individual for an addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1).  Sec.           
          7491(c).  The burden of showing reasonable cause under section              
          6651(a) remains on the taxpayer.  Higbee v. Commissioner, 116               
          T.C. 438, 446-448 (2001).  "Reasonable cause" requires a taxpayer           
          to demonstrate that he exercised ordinary business care and                 
          prudence and nevertheless was unable to file the return by the              
          due date.  United States v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241, 246 (1985); sec.           
          301.6651-1(c), Proced. & Admin. Regs.  Willful neglect is defined           
          as a "conscious, intentional failure or reckless indifference."             
          United States v. Boyle, supra at 245.                                       
               Petitioners' 1992 and 1993 tax returns were not filed until            
          April 20, 2001.  Respondent has, accordingly, met his burden of             
          production with regard to the section 6651(a)(1) addition to tax.           
          See sec. 7491(c).  Petitioners have offered no explanation for              
          their untimely filing, nor have they produced any evidence to               
          establish any reasonable cause for their failure to file before             
          the due date for each return.6  We therefore sustain respondent's           
          determination of additions to tax under section 6651(a)(1) for              
          1992 and 1993.                                                              





               6 Petitioner claimed that, on the advice of counsel,                   
          petitioners did not file tax returns while the FBI investigation            
          was in progress.  That investigation concluded in October 1994,             
          however, more than 6 years before the returns were filed.                   





Page:  Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011