- 9 - records, and cooperated with the Secretary’s reasonable requests for documents, witnesses, and meetings. In this case, petitioner did not argue that section 7491(a) operates to shift the burden of proof regarding the unreported income adjustments to respondent, and he did not introduce any evidence that he satisfied the requirements of section 7491(a). In fact, petitioner did not attend the trial, and he did not attempt, through his counsel, to introduce any evidence at all. We conclude, therefore, that petitioner has the burden of proof regarding the unreported income items and that he failed to carry his burden. Respondent’s unreported income adjustments are sustained. II. Addition to Tax Under Section 6651(a)(1) Section 6651(a)(1) authorizes the imposition of an addition to tax for failure to file a timely return, unless it is shown that such a failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. See sec. 6651(a)(1); United States v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241, 245 (1985); United States v. Nordbrock, 38 F.3d 440, 444 (9th Cir. 1994); Harris v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1998-332. A failure to file a timely Federal income tax return is due to reasonable cause if the taxpayer exercised ordinary business care and prudence but nevertheless was unable to file the return within the prescribed time. See sec. 301.6651- 1(c)(1), Proced. & Admin. Regs. Willful neglect means aPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Next
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