2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 187">*187 Petitioner's motions to reopen the record denied.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
COLVIN, Judge: Respondent determined a deficiency of $ 25,490 in petitioner's Federal income tax for 2000 and that petitioner is liable for additions to tax of $ 5,689.80 under
1. Whether petitioner's sale and purchase of mutual fund shares in 2000 qualifies as a like-kind exchange under
2. Whether petitioner may carry forward charitable contribution deductions from 1995 to 2000 in the amount of $ 977. We hold that he may not.
3. Whether we have jurisdiction to decide if respondent erroneously2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 187">*188 applied a $ 5,908 overpayment for 1992 to 1979. We hold that we do not.
4. Whether petitioner is liable for the addition to tax for failure to file under
5. Whether affidavits petitioner sought to offer into evidence after trial are admissible. We hold that they are not.
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found.
Petitioner resided in Kingston, New York, when he filed the petition in this case. Petitioner worked for IBM for 20 years and retired in July 1992. He began to receive Social Security disability benefits in December 1994. From 2000 through the date of trial, petitioner operated a sole proprietorship through which he sold and repaired2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 187">*189 personal computers and provided technical assistance related to personal computers. In 2000, petitioner's sole proprietorship had gross receipts of $ 1,704 and a net loss of $ 5,728.
B. Purchase and Sale of Shares of Fidelity Magellan and Fidelity Growth & Income Funds
On August 11, 1992, petitioner bought 223.947 shares of Fidelity Magellan Fund for $ 15,002.75 and 695.41 shares of Fidelity SECS Growth & Income Fund for $ 15,002.75. Petitioner reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions he received from 1992 to 2000 into the Fidelity Magellan Fund and the Fidelity SECS Growth & Income Fund. On July 19, 2000, petitioner sold 280.18 shares of Fidelity Magellan Fund for $ 38,482.72 and 891.027 shares of Fidelity SECS Growth & Income Fund for $ 42,724.74.
Petitioner received a Form 1099-B, Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions, for 2000 which states that petitioner sold his shares of the Fidelity Magellan Fund and the Fidelity SECS Growth & Income Fund on July 19, 2000. On a date not stated in the record, petitioner discussed with his broker, William Dunstan (Dunstan), whether the sale of his shares of the two Fidelity funds was taxable. The record does not2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 187">*190 indicate what Dunstan said.
Petitioner prepared draft Federal income tax returns for 1999 and 2000. He used TurboTax software to prepare a draft 2000 return. Petitioner did not file Federal income tax returns for 1997, 1998, 1999, or 2000.
On April 22, 2004, we sent a notice to petitioner setting this case for trial. The notice states:
The parties are hereby notified that the above-entitled case is set for trial at the Trial Session beginning on September 27, 2004. The calendar for that Session will be called at 10:00 A.M. on that date and both parties are expected to be present at that time and be prepared to try the case. * * *
On the day of the calendar call and trial, petitioner said that he expected to receive an affidavit from Dunstan and a medical affidavit. Petitioner did not offer the affidavits into evidence at trial.
After respondent's opening brief was filed, petitioner filed motions to reopen the record to admit (1) an affidavit from Dunstan regarding the sale of his mutual funds in 2000, and (2) an affidavit petitioner said pertains to his medical condition.
2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 187">*191 Petitioner attached Dunstan's affidavit to his motion relating to that affidavit. In it, Dunstan states that he had recently learned that petitioner erroneously interpreted the 2000 mutual fund sale as a tax-free exchange. Petitioner did not attach an affidavit to the other motion.
OPINION
A. Whether Petitioner's Sales of Mutual Fund Shares in 2000 Were Like-Kind Exchanges Under
Petitioner contends that his sales of mutual fund shares in 2000 are not subject to income tax in that year because they were like-kind exchanges under
B. Whether Petitioner May Carry Forward Charitable Contribution Deductions From 1995 to 2000
Petitioner testified and contends that he may carry forward a charitable contribution deduction of $ 977 from 1995 to 2000. Petitioner testified that he had a pattern of charitable giving. He contends that we may estimate his charitable contributions under
A taxpayer may deduct a charitable contribution if substantiated with a canceled check, receipt, or other reliable written record.
Petitioner contends that respondent erroneously applied a $ 5,908 overpayment for 1992 to satisfy what respondent contends was petitioner's unpaid tax liability for 1979. Petitioner contends that he had fully paid his 1979 taxes by 1986.
We have jurisdiction in this case to redetermine petitioner's deficiency for 2000. We may consider facts from other years if necessary to redetermine the deficiency2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 187">*193 for 2000.
D. Whether Petitioner Is Liable for the Addition to Tax Under
1. Burden of Production
An unmarried individual (who is not a surviving spouse or head of household) must file an income tax return if his or her gross income for the year equals or exceeds the exemption amount plus the basic standard deduction for that individual.
2. Whether Petitioner Is Liable for the Addition to Tax Under
a. Incapacity or Illness
Petitioner contends that he lacked the mental capacity to file a 2000 return. Petitioner testified that he could not work at IBM or cope with IRS problems after he began to show2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 187">*195 symptoms of posttraumatic shock syndrome around 1992. He testified that he had a therapist but offered no other evidence relating to his mental health.
A taxpayer's disability or mental incapacity may constitute reasonable cause for failure to file returns.
Petitioner operated a personal computer business from 2000 through the date of trial. In 2000, that business had gross receipts of $ 1,704 and a net loss of $ 5,728. Petitioner used TurboTax software to prepare a draft return for 2000. These facts undermine2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 187">*196 petitioner's claim that he lacked capacity to file a return. We conclude that petitioner lacked reasonable cause for his failure to file a return for 2000.
b. Reliance on Tax Professionals
Reasonable cause for failure to file may exist when a taxpayer shows that he or she reasonably relied on the advice of an accountant or attorney that it was unnecessary to file a return, even if such advice was mistaken.
There is no evidence that Dunstan is an accountant, attorney, or tax professional or that Dunstan told petitioner that he was not required to file a return for 2000. Petitioner contends that his TurboTax computer software showed that he was due a refund for 2000. However, petitioner did not show what information he entered. Petitioner did not offer any evidence showing that he relied on advice from respondent in deciding not to file a return for 2000. We conclude that petitioner has not shown reasonable cause for failure to file his Federal income tax return for 2000.
2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 187">*197 c. Increased Amount of the Addition to Tax Under Section
6651(a)(1)
Respondent conceded that petitioner is not liable for the addition to tax under
Petitioner's taxable income for 2000 was substantially greater than the $ 2,800 personal exemption plus the $ 4,400 standard deduction. Thus, petitioner was required to file a return for 2000 and is liable for the addition to tax under
3. Whether Petitioner Is Liable for the Addition to Tax Under
Respondent has met the burden of production under
Petitioner contends that he is not liable for the addition to tax under
Petitioner requests that we reopen the record to admit into evidence affidavits from Dunstan and his therapist. He contends that he did not have the affidavits at trial because he expected the trial to be 2 weeks after the calendar call. We deny his request for reasons stated next.
Reopening the record to submit additional evidence is a matter within the discretion of the trial court.
Dunstan's affidavit states that petitioner misunderstood that a stock transaction was a nontaxable exchange and not a sale. Dunstan's affidavit does not show that the sales of mutual fund shares were nontaxable exchanges, that Dunstan believed or told petitioner that they were nontaxable exchanges, that Dunstan was a tax professional, or that petitioner relied on Dunstan's advice. Petitioner has not provided any other affidavits. Thus, we have no reason to believe that, if admitted, the affidavits would change the outcome of this case. In addition, affidavits are generally inadmissible to show the proof of the contents because they are hearsay.
To reflect concessions and the foregoing,
An order denying petitioner's motions to reopen the record will be issued, and decision will be entered under
1. Unless otherwise indicated, all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and all Rule References are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.↩