Shirley H. Startzman, Petitioner, and Larry G. Easler, Intervenor - Page 5

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          throughout their marriage, and that she was told where to sign              
          and never looked at the return.  On April 10, 2003, petitioner              
          filed a questionnaire for taxpayers requesting section 6015                 
          relief.  In that questionnaire petitioner detailed her claim and            
          requested a refund of her overpayments which were used to offset            
          the Easlers’ 1997 tax liability.                                            
               In a letter dated March 17, 2003, respondent’s innocent                
          spouse unit at the Cincinnati, Ohio, Service Center (innocent               
          spouse unit) notified intervenor that petitioner had requested              
          section 6015 relief with respect to taxable year 1997 and                   
          requested that intervenor complete and submit Form 12507,                   
          Innocent Spouse Statement, and Form 12508, Innocent Spouse                  
          Information Request.  Intervenor submitted the completed                    
          requested forms by May 2, 2003.  On Form 12508 he stated:  That             
          he and petitioner filled out their 1997 tax return together; that           
          petitioner was fully aware of everything stated on, and omitted             
          from, the return; that petitioner wanted to omit intervenor’s               
          wages from the return in order to obtain a larger refund; and               
          that the divorce decree requires petitioner and intervenor to               
          share equally their marital debt.2                                          
               In a letter dated October 21, 2003, respondent’s innocent              
          spouse unit notified petitioner that her claim for section 6015             


               2We do not address intervenor’s contentions because we                 
          conclude, for reasons stated below, that petitioner is ineligible           
          for relief regardless of intervenor’s contentions and testimony.            




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