2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*249 Petitioner's motions for a hearing denied.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
COLVIN, Judge: Respondent determined deficiencies in petitioner's Federal income tax and additions to tax and penalties as follows:
Additions to tax and penalties
Year Deficiency
1987 $ 1,197,033 $ 63,143.55 $ 269,331.98 --
1988 274,146 16,379.00 61,682.50 --
1989 10,253 -- 2,307.20 $ 2,050.60
1990 112,208 -- 25,247.25 22,441.60
1992 82,632 -- 18,592.68 16,526.40
1993 1,774 -- -- 354.80
1994 17,581 -- -- 3,516.20
1995 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*250 19,992 -- -- 3,998.40
1996 16,702 -- -- 3,340.40
1997 20,177 -- -- 4,035.40
After concessions, the issues remaining for decision are:
1. Whether petitioner's bases in equipment he sold in 1987-90 exceeded the amounts conceded by respondent (the basis issue). We hold that they did not.
2. Whether petitioner is liable for: (a) Additions to tax for negligence under
3. Whether petitioner complied with requirements for issuing subpoenas to several prospective witnesses. We hold that he did not, and thus the subpoenas were not enforceable.
4. Whether the Court properly denied petitioner's motions to recuse the trial Judge and for a hearing on whether certain conduct of respondent's trial counsel was fraudulent. We hold that those motions were properly denied.
Unless otherwise2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*251 specified, section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the years in issue, and Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. Petitioner resided in Maryland when he filed the petition.
Petitioner was the sole proprietor of JFC Excavating in 1987-90. Petitioner bought the following excavating equipment:
Purchase Purchase
Date Description Price
________ ___________ ________
Oct. 14, 1983 Terex TS14B, Ser. $ 84,500.00
No. 69699
Nov. 26, 1984 Caterpillar 953LGP, 88,500.00
Ser. No. 20Z355
Oct. 16, 1986 Case 1835, Ser. No. 14,561.65
17168653
Petitioner sold these three pieces of equipment (the three pieces of equipment) and 58 other pieces of excavating equipment in 1987-90.
Petitioner's tax years2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*252 1981-86 were at issue in
Petitioner attempted to relitigate his 1981-86 tax liability in a bankruptcy case. Allnut v. Friedman, 1 Bankruptcy No. 92-5-7401-JS (D. Md., Jan. 20, 1995). In Allnut v. Friedman, supra, the District Court said that petitioner's liability for tax years 1981-86 had been2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*253 fully adjudicated before he filed the bankruptcy petition and held that he was barred by res judicata under
Safoet A. Ashai, a certified public accountant (C.P.A.), prepared petitioner's Federal income tax returns for the years in issue. Petitioner filed his returns for 1987-90 and 1992-95 on March 10, 1997. His filing status was married filing separately for the years in issue. Petitioner reported substantial gross receipts from his excavating business for each year in issue. In his returns for the years in issue, petitioner reported gains from 49 items of property as follows:
Number Total Total Total
of Purchase Adjusted Sale Total
Year Items Price Basis Price Gain
____ ______ ________ ________ _____ _____
1987 13 $ 529,000 $ 145,950 $ 293,400 $ 147,450
1988 7 474,000 84,420 272,000 187,580
1989 5 288,000 39,060 109,500 70,440
1990 24 1,896,000 511,519 1,014,0002004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*255 502,481
In the notice of deficiency, respondent determined that petitioner's adjusted basis in each asset was zero. Petitioner also reported losses totaling $ 297,264.40 from 12 items of property sold in 1987-90. Respondent made no determination relating to the property petitioner reported selling at a loss.
1. Trial on October 24, 2001
In
The issues decided in Allnutt II were tried on October 24, 2001. Petitioner prepared 10 subpoenas for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees to appear as witnesses at the Court's trial session beginning on October 22, 2001. Petitioner did not tender witness fees or mileage to the summoned witnesses. Also, the return of service for those subpoenas did not contain the date and time of service and did not contain2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*256 a sworn statement signed and dated by the person making service that he or she had delivered the subpoena to the summoned witness and tendered fees and mileage pursuant to
2. Trial on July 15, 2003
On May 13, 2003, we set the remaining issues (basis and additions to tax) for trial for July 15, 2003. A standing pretrial order was served on petitioner on May 13, 2003, which required the parties to identify in writing and exchange documents to be used at trial at least 15 days before trial.
Petitioner did not exchange any documents 15 days or more before July 15, 2003. On July 10, 2003, petitioner faxed to respondent (1) a list of equipment entitled "Recapitulation of Equipment Purchased and Sold by Fred Allnutt", and (2) 20 invoices and purchase orders for equipment petitioner bought in 1981-92.
Petitioner prepared subpoenas for respondent's revenue agent who audited petitioner's returns for the years in issue and his supervisor. Each of these subpoenas was stamped received on June 27, 2003, by respondent's disclosure office 3 in Baltimore. The returns of service for these subpoenas did not contain the date2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*257 or time of service and did not contain a sworn statement signed and dated by the person making service verifying that he or she had delivered the subpoena to the summoned witness and had tendered fees and mileage pursuant to
At trial on July 15, 2003, petitioner stated that he had 100 boxes of records to support the bases he claimed for equipment that he sold in the years in issue, but that he did not have them with him. Trial was continued to give petitioner more time to present his records to respondent.
3. Trial on January 5, 2004
On July 28, 2003, petitioner faxed to respondent a list entitled "Fred W. 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*258 Allnutt, Equipment" that petitioner had not previously given to respondent.
On November 5, 2003, further trial was set for January 5, 2004, to give petitioner another opportunity to offer evidence relating to the basis issue. Also on November 5, 2003, the Court ordered petitioner to provide to respondent, not later than December 22, 2003, all documents that he wanted to use at trial to substantiate his claimed bases, organized by asset. Petitioner failed to provide any additional documents to respondent by December 22, 2003.
On December 17, 2003, petitioner again prepared subpoenas for respondent's revenue agent who audited petitioner's returns for the years in issue and his supervisor. Respondent's disclosure office in Baltimore received each of those subpoenas on December 30, 2003. Petitioner did not personally serve the subpoenas or tender witness fees or mileage. Respondent filed motions to quash the subpoenas on the same grounds as respondent's earlier motions to quash; e.g., that petitioner did not comply with the procedural requirements for issuing subpoenas. At trial on January 5, 2004, we granted respondent's motion to quash the subpoena issued to respondent's revenue agent.2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*259 Respondent's motion to quash as to the agent's supervisor was moot because petitioner did not call her to testify.
At trial, petitioner offered into evidence the two lists and the 20 invoices and purchase orders (and accompanying cover letters for those documents) that he had faxed to respondent on July 10 and 28, 2003. Respondent objected to the admission of the lists into evidence as hearsay. Respondent did not object to their being admitted as a summary of petitioner's testimony. The two lists were admitted into evidence as a summary of petitioner's testimony.
Petitioner also offered into evidence two typewritten summaries showing descriptions, serial numbers, purchase dates and prices, and sale dates and prices for items of equipment purchased by petitioner on or after February 11, 1981, neither of which petitioner had provided to respondent's counsel before December 22, 2003. Those two documents were not admitted into evidence.
D. Petitioner's Motions To Disqualify the Trial Judge and for a Hearing on Whether Conduct of Respondent's Counsel Was Fraudulent
Petitioner filed three motions to disqualify the trial Judge, all of which we denied.
About 3 weeks after petitioner filed2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*260 his posttrial answering brief, petitioner filed two motions for a hearing in which petitioner alleged that respondent's counsel had committed fraud on the Court by, according to petitioner, failing to timely provide to petitioner Forms 895, Notice of Statute Expiration. We denied petitioner's motions.
OPINION
A. Whether Petitioner Had Higher Bases in Equipment Sold in 1987- 90 Than Conceded by Respondent
1. Burden of Proof
Petitioner contends that respondent bears the burden of proving that the bases in equipment sold in 1987-90 that petitioner reported on his returns for those years are incorrect. We disagree.
Under
The record does not show when the examination began. Even if the examination had begun after July 22, 1998, the burden of proof regarding petitioner's basis in the equipment would not shift to respondent. Petitioner did not show that he kept records of his bases in equipment or that he cooperated with respondent's reasonable requests for information and documents. See
2. Petitioner's Bases in Equipment Sold in 1987-90
Petitioner contends that the record shows that he had higher bases in equipment sold in 1987-90 than conceded by respondent. 4
2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*262 a. Petitioner's Tax Returns
Petitioner contends that his tax returns establish that his bases for the equipment he sold in 1987-90 are as reported on those returns. 5 We disagree. Tax returns do not establish the truth of facts reported in them.
Petitioner argues that, because respondent accepted the bases he reported on those returns for2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*263 some equipment, respondent must also accept the bases he reported for all of the equipment. We disagree. Respondent's acceptance of some items reported on a return does not bar respondent from challenging other items reported on the return.
b. Petitioner's Lists
Respondent objected on hearsay grounds to the admission of petitioner's lists of equipment sold. Petitioner failed to show that any exception to the hearsay rule applies, and it does not appear that any exception applies.
Respondent did not object to the admission of petitioner's lists of equipment sold as a summary of petitioner's testimony, and the Court admitted them for that limited purpose. See, e.g.,
The information in the lists (except for the invoices and purchase orders relating to the three pieces of equipment described above at paragraph 1 of the findings of fact) is wholly uncorroborated. A taxpayer must keep adequate records from which to calculate his or her correct tax liability.
3. Conclusion
Petitioner has not shown that he had higher bases in equipment sold in 1987-90 than the amounts conceded by respondent. Thus, we sustain respondent's determination regarding the amounts of gain from petitioner's sale of equipment in 1987-90, except as reduced by respondent's concession regarding the three pieces of equipment.
B. Whether Petitioner Is Liable for Additions to Tax and the Accuracy-Related Penalty
1. Negligence
a. Background
For tax years 1987 and 1988, taxpayers are liable for an addition to tax equal to 5 percent of the underpayment of tax if any part of the underpayment is due to negligence or intentional disregard of rules or regulations.
In court proceedings arising in connection with examinations2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*266 beginning after July 22, 1998,
Petitioner contends that he prevails on this issue because respondent offered no contrary evidence. We disagree. Petitioner bears the burden of proof. See
c. Whether Petitioner Knew or Should Have Known Res
Judicata Barred Him From Carrying Forward NOLs From 1981-86
to the Years in Issue
Respondent's sole ground for contending that petitioner is negligent under
In Allnutt I, the Court held that petitioner had substantial amounts of taxable income for each of the years 1981-86. Petitioner contends that he did not know or have reason to know that Allnutt I barred him from carrying forward NOLs from 1981-86 to the years in issue. We disagree.
Because of the District Court opinion in Allnut v. Friedman, Bankruptcy No. 92-5-7401-JS (D. Md., Jan. 20, 1995), petitioner knew or should have known before he filed his tax returns for the years in issue that he was barred by Allnutt I and res judicata from relitigating his tax liability for tax years 1981-86.
d. Whether Petitioner Had Substantial Authority for His
Position
A taxpayer has substantial authority for his or her position if the weight of authority in support of the taxpayer's position is substantial in relation to the weight of authority supporting contrary positions.
Petitioner contends that
e. Whether Petitioner Relied on His C.P.A.
A taxpayer may be relieved of liability for negligence if the taxpayer shows that he or she reasonably relied on the advice of a qualified tax professional.
2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*270 f. Whether
Petitioner contends that
g. Conclusion as to Negligence
We conclude that petitioner did not have reasonable cause for carrying forward NOLs from 1981-86 to the years in issue and is liable for additions to tax for negligence for 1987-88 under
2. Failure To Timely File
A taxpayer is liable for an addition to tax of up to 25 percent for failure to timely file a Federal income tax return unless the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.
If
Petitioner contends that he is not liable for the addition to tax under
Petitioner contends that he was not required to file income tax returns because the addition to tax under
Petitioner contends that he was not required to file income tax returns because (a) he testified that he was not engaged in a taxable activity, and (b) respondent did not cross-examine him on this point or present any evidence to rebut his testimony. We disagree. Petitioner admitted in his return filed for each year in issue that he was engaged in a taxable activity. See
Petitioner contends that he had reasonable cause to file late because the case involves complex issues of law. We disagree for reasons stated in paragraph B-1, above. Petitioner has not shown that he had reasonable cause for filing his 1987-90 and 1992 returns late. We conclude that petitioner is liable for the addition to tax for failure to timely file his 1987-90 and2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*273 1992 returns.
Petitioner prepared subpoenas dated October 12, 2001, June 19, 2003, and December 17, 2003, for IRS employees to testify about petitioner's delivery of his 1987-90 and 1992 returns to respondent and respondent's determination in the notice of deficiency. None of the subpoenas included either a return of service containing the date and time of service or a sworn statement signed and dated by the person making service verifying that he or she had delivered the subpoena to the summoned witness and tendered fees and mileage as required by
D. Whether the Court's Denial of Petitioner's Motions To Recuse the Trial Judge and for a Hearing Was Proper
Petitioner has made several motions to recuse the trial Judge. We reaffirm our denial of those motions.
After the record closed, petitioner filed two motions for a hearing on petitioner's motion to sanction respondent under
In Allnutt II, petitioner alleged that respondent did not timely provide to him Forms 895 for tax years 1987-98. 8 In Allnutt II, we said2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 249">*275 that petitioner had not shown that respondent withheld the Forms 895 in bad faith, that respondent violated any order, or that respondent's counsel's conduct was fraudulent. In the current motion, petitioner has offered no new evidence and he has made no new arguments relevant to this issue. We conclude that we properly denied petitioner's motions for a hearing.
To reflect the foregoing,
Decision will be entered under
1. The caption of that case spells petitioner's name with only one "t".↩
2.
505. Determination of tax liability
(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this
subsection, the court may determine the amount or legality of
any tax, any fine or penalty relating to a tax, or any addition
to tax, whether or not previously assessed, whether or not paid,
and whether or not contested before and adjudicated by a
judicial or administrative tribunal of competent jurisdiction.
(2) The court may not so determine --
(A) the amount or legality of a tax, fine, penalty, or
addition to tax if such amount or legality was contested
before and adjudicated by a judicial or administrative
tribunal of competent jurisdiction before the commencement
of the case under this title; or↩
3. The Commissioner's disclosure office is generally responsible for processing taxpayers' document requests, such as
4. Respondent conceded that petitioner established his original costs for three pieces of equipment: The Terex TS14B, the Caterpillar 953LGP, and the Case 1835.↩
5. At trial on January 5, 2004, petitioner testified:
* * * [His] tax returns as filed and sworn to under oath *
* * [are correct]. There's been no testimony in this courtroom
to show that those tax returns are incorrect. There's only been
unsupported allegations and insinuations by respondent's
attorney, but no sworn testimony that they're incorrect. They
are correct, and they are sworn to. They have not been rebutted.↩
6. After trial, petitioner filed an affidavit which includes the following:
6. That I am filing this Affidavit to verify that the
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm employed by me to prepare
my tax returns for tax years 1987 through 1995 and my
informational tax returns for 1981 through 1986 was aware of my
previous tax court case.
7. That I told said CPA firm about my earlier tax court
case (referred to in the instant case as "Allnutt 1 [sic]")
and ask them to use the income determined in Allnutt I by the
tax court for the 1981 through 1986 tax years because it had
already been determined to be correct.
8. That the income listed on my 1981 and 1986 tax years is
the same income determined by Allnutt I by the tax court as
taken from the tax court records by said CPA.
We do not consider petitioner's affidavit because it is not admitted into evidence. See
7. In light of this conclusion, we need not decide whether the testimony of the subpoenaed witnesses would have been relevant.↩
8. Petitioner erroneously believes that the Forms 895 show that he filed his returns for the years in issue in February 1997, and, thus, that the notice of deficiency was untimely.↩