Tracy L. Geaccone - Page 14




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            (e) Significant benefit.  Whether the requesting spouse                   
       received significant benefit (beyond normal support) from the                  
       unpaid income tax liability or item giving rise to the deficiency.             
       Petitioner credibly testified that she received no gifts or other              
       benefits beyond normal support from the unpaid tax liability.                  
       While, as respondent posits, Dr. Geaccone made some transfers of               
       funds to a bank account petitioner controlled, we are satisfied                
       that these transfers were for the purpose of contributing to the               
       support of the family as a whole and did not constitute a benefit              
       beyond normal support to petitioner.  This factor weighs in favor              
       of petitioner.                                                                 
            (f) Compliance with income tax laws.  Whether the requesting              
       spouse has made a good faith effort to comply with income tax laws             
       in the taxable years following the taxable year to which the                   
       request for relief relates.  The record is devoid of any reference             
       to petitioner’s compliance with the income tax laws in years                   
       subsequent to 2001.  Therefore, this factor is neutral.                        
            To conclude, we hold that respondent did not abuse his                    
       discretion in denying petitioner innocent spouse relief under                  
       section 66(c) for the determined deficiency.  However, to require              
       petitioner to remain liable for unpaid tax in excess of $10,141                
       ($48,495, the tax on petitioner’s income including her prorated                
       share of Dr. Geaccone’s income, less $38,354, the amount of                    
       petitioner’s withholding credits) would be inequitable.  Yet this              






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