Robert G. and Lana L. Gale - Page 10

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          return over the amount of tax shown on the tax return, sec.                 
          6662(d)(2)(A), and is “substantial” in the case of an individual            
          if the understatement exceeds the greater of 10 percent of the              
          tax required to be shown or $5,000, sec. 6662(d)(1)(A).                     
               The penalty under section 6662(a) does not apply to any                
          portion of an understatement of tax if it is shown that there was           
          reasonable cause for the taxpayer’s position and that the                   
          taxpayer acted in good faith with respect to that portion.  Sec.            
          6664(c)(1).  Reasonable cause requires that the taxpayer exercise           
          ordinary business care and prudence as to the disputed item.  See           
          United States v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241 (1985).  The good faith                
          reliance on the advice of an independent, competent professional            
          as to the tax treatment of an item may meet this requirement.               
          Neonatology Associates, P.A. v. Commissioner, 115 T.C. 43, 98               
          (2000), affd. 299 F.3d 221 (3d Cir. 2002); sec. 1.6664-4(b),                
          Income Tax Regs.  To show good faith reliance, the taxpayer must            
          show that the return preparer was supplied with all the necessary           
          information and the incorrect return was a result of the                    
          preparer’s mistakes.  Neonatology Associates, P.A. v.                       
          Commissioner, supra at 99; Pessin v. Commissioner, 59 T.C. 473,             
          489 (1972); sec. 1.6664-4(c)(1)(i), Income Tax Regs.                        
               We are convinced that petitioners provided Ms. Young with              
          all the necessary information concerning the sale of their home             
          and the cancellation of the second mortgage by Citibank.                    






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