- 34 - persuasive evidence that the penalty does not apply. Id. at 447. The taxpayer may establish, for example, that an accuracy-related penalty is inapplicable because it is attributable to an understatement with respect to which the taxpayer acted with reasonable cause and in good faith. Sec. 6664(c)(1). Whether a taxpayer acted as such is a factual determination, in regard to which the taxpayer’s effort to assess the proper tax liability is an important consideration. Sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. Section 6662(a)(1) imposes a penalty in an amount equal to 20 percent of the portion of the underpayment attributable to negligence or disregard of rules or regulations. Negligence includes any failure by the taxpayer to keep adequate books and records or to substantiate items properly. Sec. 1.6662-3(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. The term “disregard” includes any careless, reckless, or intentional disregard. Sec. 6662(c). Disregard of rules or regulations is careless if the taxpayer does not exercise reasonable diligence to determine the correctness of a return position that is contrary to the rule or regulation. Sec. 1.6662-3(b)(2), Income Tax Regs. A taxpayer is not liable for the penalty if he shows that he had reasonable cause for the underpayment and that he acted in good faith. Sec. 6664(c). Petitioners did not maintain adequate records to substantiate the deductions they claimed on their 2001, 2002, andPage: Previous 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011