BILZERIAN v. COMMISSIONER

PAUL A. BILZERIAN, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

BILZERIAN v. COMMISSIONER

No. 10201-95

United States Tax Court

T.C. Memo 2001-187; 2001 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 222; 82 T.C.M. (CCH) 295;

July 24, 2001, Filed

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Decision will be entered under Rule 155.

Paul A. Bilzerian, pro se.

Michael A. Pesavento, for respondent.

Ruwe, Robert P.

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RUWE

MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

RUWE, JUDGE: Respondent determined additions to petitioner's ^{Sec. 6653(a)(1)(A)     Sec. 6653(a)(1)(B)}

        ____________________________________________

       $ 100,233        50% of the interest

                   due on $ 2,004,465

After concessions, *223 additions to tax for negligence pursuant to section 6653(a)(1)(A)(B) for the taxable year 1986.

On September 11, 1998, respondent moved, pursuant to Rule 91(f), to compel petitioner to enter into a proposed stipulation of facts. We ordered petitioner to show cause why the matters covered by respondent's motion should not be deemed admitted for purposes of this case. Petitioner failed to respond to the order to show cause. We, therefore, granted respondent's motion and deemed the matters contained in the proposed stipulation to be facts for purposes of this case. Rule 91(f).

FINDINGS OF FACT

Petitioner resided in Tampa, Florida, at the time he filed his petition.

Petitioner graduated from Stanford University. After graduating from Stanford, he attended Harvard University and graduated in 1977 with a master's degree in business administration. After graduating from Harvard, petitioner worked in the real estate business. In 1982, he began trading securities. Before 1987, petitioner either explored the possibility of taking over control, or attempted to take over control, of several publicly traded companies, including Hammermill Paper Co. (Hammermill), Armco, Cluett Peabody, H.H. Robertson, and Syntex Corp.

In 1986, petitioner and Earl and Billy Mack (the Macks) formed a partnership, Bilzerian & Mack Associates (Bilzerian & Mack), for the purpose of launching a takeover of Hammermill. Petitioner was a general partner of Bilzerian & Mack, and he signed the partnership return for 1986 on March 23, 1987. Mack Asset Co. and Bilzerian Investors, two partnerships, were reported on Bilzerian & Mack's 1986 Form 1065, U.S. Partnership Return of Income, as other general partners. Petitioner was involved in Bilzerian Investors and another partnership named Bilzerian Ventures. Although Hammermill was eventually acquired by International Paper Co. in August of 1986, petitioner realized substantial gains in 1986 through Bilzerian & Mack, Bilzerian Investors, and Bilzerian Ventures from the purchase and sale of Hammermill stock.

During 1986, petitioner also maintained interests in South Bay Fashion Center and South Bay Fashion One, two partnerships, and various other entities.

For the taxable year 1986, petitioner was involved in the preparation of Federal income tax returns for some of the entities he was involved in. Additionally, a former accountant from Price Waterhouse worked full time in petitioner's office handling some of the returns. Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., C.P.A.s (Peat Marwick) prepared partnership tax returns for Bilzerian & Mack, Bilzerian Investors and Bilzerian Ventures. Another accountant and a tax attorney were involved in preparing tax returns for other entities which petitioner was involved in.

While Peat Marwick was not engaged by petitioner to prepare or do any work on the 1986 individual income tax return, Peat Marwick did prepare a schedule, entitled "Paul Bilzerian's 1986 Tax Estimate". This schedule was prepared for the purpose of helping petitioner make an estimated tax payment for 1986. The schedule reported the following gains from petitioner's stock dealings in Hammermill:

   Item              Amount

_______________________________________________

Bilzerian & Mack          $ 1,840,003

Bilzerian Investors         10,216,579

Bilzerian Ventures            3,107

Personal Gain             4,170,093

                  _________

Total                16,229,782

On June 15, 1987, petitioner signed and filed a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, for the taxable year 1986, along with a payment of $ 5 million. Petitioner was in possession of the schedule prepared by Peat Marwick at that time. On August 12, 1987, petitioner filed a Form 2688, Application for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

On October 15, 1987, petitioner filed his 1986 Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. On Schedule E, Supplemental Income and Loss, petitioner reported the following net income from petitioner's stock dealings in Hammermill:

   Item               Amount

_______________________________________________

Bilzerian & Mack          $ 1,840,003

Bilzerian Investors         10,216,579

Bilzerian Ventures            3,107

                  __________

Total                12,059,689

On the Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, petitioner reported gross income of $ 8,063,277 from the sale of securities. *228 for South Bay Fashion Center and South Bay Fashion One. *229 In the fall of 1988, Mr. Norris was contacted by Mike Shaw (Mr. Shaw), an attorney representing Mr. Norris at the time, concerning an omission of income on petitioner's 1986 return. As a result, Mr. Norris learned that petitioner had failed to include $ 4,170,185 *230 on petitioner's amended return as follows:

NET CHANGE TO INCOME         Federal

ADJUSTMENTS TO SCHEDULE C

 INCOME FROM SALES         4170185

 INTEREST EXPENSE          -161257

ADJUSTMENTS TO SCHEDULE B

 INTEREST INCOME

  ADD JEFFRIES & CO           91

  LESS ON SCHEDULE C          -91

                  _______

                  4008928

On December 21, 1988, petitioner was indicted by a Federal grand jury on charges that he conspired to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with respect to several of his attempted corporate acquisitions which he engaged in during the 1980s. The charges related to transactions petitioner carried out between April 1985 and November 1986. The nine-count indictment charged petitioner with misrepresenting the source of funds used to purchase stock on Schedule 13D filed with the SEC (funds were not personal), accumulating stock in the name of nominees (parking securities), making numerous false statements, and creating false invoices to substantiate false deductions on his 1985 Federal income tax return. On September 27, 1989, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a judgment of conviction on all the counts contained in the indictment, and the judgment was affirmed by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. United States v. Bilzerian, 926 F.2d 1285">926 F.2d 1285 (2d Cir. 1991).

On October 21, 1991, respondent issued a notice of deficiency to petitioner for the taxable year 1986. In the notice of deficiency, respondent determined that petitioner was liable for additions to tax for negligence due to the omission from the originally filed 1986 return of the approximately $ 4 million of taxable income from gains related to the purchase and sale of Hammermill stock. Petitioner filed a petition to this Court seeking a redetermination.

In 1992, petitioner sued Mr. Norris for malpractice for the omission of the $ 4 million of taxable income from petitioner's originally filed 1986 return. In connection with the malpractice lawsuit, Mr. Norris denied any liability with respect to the preparation of petitioner's 1986 tax return.

OPINION

As in effect for 1986, section 6653(a)(1)(A) imposed an addition to tax equal to 5 percent of the underpayment of tax where any part of the underpayment was due to negligence or disregard of rules or regulations. Section 6653(a)(1)(B) imposed an addition to tax in an amount equal to 50 percent of the interest payable under section 6601 with respect to the portion of the underpayment which was attributable to negligence. Negligence within the meaning of section 6653(a) has been defined as the lack of due care or failure to do what a reasonable and ordinarily prudent person would do under the circumstances. Neely v. Commissioner, 85 T.C. 934">85 T.C. 934, 947 (1985) (citing Marcello v. Commissioner, 380 F.2d 499">380 F.2d 499, 506 (5th Cir. 1967), affg. in part and remanding in part 43 T.C. 168">43 T.C. 168 (1964)). Respondent's determination is presumed correct, and petitioner bears the burden of proving that he was not negligent. Rule 142(a); Stovall v. Commissioner, 762 F.2d 891">762 F.2d 891, 895 (11th Cir. 1985), affg. T.C. Memo 1983-450">T.C. Memo 1983-450; Bixby v. Commissioner, 58 T.C. 757">58 T.C. 757, 791-792 (1972).

Petitioner claims that he provided his accountant, Mr. Norris, with all necessary information to prepare an accurate tax return and that Mr. Norris mistakenly omitted the $ 4 million of taxable income from the return. Petitioner contends that he reviewed the return before signing and filing it, but he did not notice any errors. Respondent argues that petitioner knew of the omission of the $ 4 million of taxable income at the time he filed the original return for 1986. Respondent claims that even if petitioner supplied Mr. Norris with the necessary information to file an accurate return, he has not shown that the incorrect return was a result of Mr. Norris's mistake. Respondent argues that an omission of $ 4 million in these circumstances is so substantial that petitioner could not have reasonably relied on the return and should have made further inquiries as to its accuracy.

The general rule is that taxpayers have a duty to file complete and accurate tax returns and cannot avoid this duty by placing responsibility with an agent. United States v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241">469 U.S. 241, 250-251, 83 L. Ed. 2d 622">83 L. Ed. 2d 622, 105 S. Ct. 687">105 S. Ct. 687 (1985); Metra Chem Corp. v. Commissioner, 88 T.C. 654">88 T.C. 654, 662 (1987). However, in limited situations, the section 6653(a) additions to tax may be avoided if the taxpayer shows good faith reliance on the advice of a competent and experienced accountant or attorney in the preparation of the tax return. Weis v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 473">94 T.C. 473, 487 (1990); Conlorez Corp. v. Commissioner, 51 T.C. 467">51 T.C. 467, 474 (1968). In order to show good faith reliance, the taxpayer must establish that all necessary information was supplied to the return preparer and that the incorrect return resulted from the preparer's mistakes. Weis v. Commissioner, supra at 487; Pessin v. Commissioner, 59 T.C. 473">59 T.C. 473, 489 (1972).

The evidence in the record indicates that Mr. Norris is a competent and experienced accountant. The parties agree that Mr. Norris received a package of information from petitioner's office consisting of Schedules K-1 and other various schedules in order to prepare petitioner's individual return, including the schedule prepared by Peat Marwick.

Petitioner claims that Peat Marwick characterized a portion of the gain attributable to Hammermill stock transactions as personal gain to petitioner when the gains were actually attributable to the activities of Bilzerian & Mack. Petitioner contends that this was done for the purpose of accommodating the Macks' tax planning objectives and that he did not consent to participation in this activity. ^{*236 failed to present any evidence, other than his own testimony, to corroborate his argument that Peat Marwick improperly omitted the $ 4 million from the Schedule K-1 for the Bilzerian & Mack partnership return for 1986 and that petitioner was not aware of the characterizations made by Peat Marwick. In addition, petitioner's amended 1986 return reports the previously omitted $ 4 million as "Adjustments to Schedule C - Income From Sales". This is consistent with Peat Marwick's original characterization of this amount as "Personal Gain" and inconsistent with petitioner's argument that it was income from the partnership. In this situation, we are not required to, and we do not, rely on petitioner's self-serving testimony. Tokarski v. Commissioner, 87 T.C. 74">87 T.C. 74, 77 (1986).}

Petitioner argues that Mr. Norris's testimony supports his claim that the $ 4 million omission was a result of Mr. Norris's mistake. Mr. Norris testified that he learned in 1988 that he had made a mistake in preparing petitioner's 1986 return because he "missed about $ 4 million in income". However, Mr. Norris's testimony was vague, evasive, and contradictory. ^{*237 lawsuit that petitioner brought against Mr. Norris for the omission of the $ 4 million from petitioner's 1986 return occurred on the cross-examination of Mr. Norris:}

     Q All right. And is it true that you denied liability --

   any liability for malpractice in that case?

     A I really don't remember what I said or didn't say. I

   would assume that that's true, but I don't know for sure. I

   don't remember the case now at all.

     Q This would've been about eight years ago.

     A Yes.

     Q Did you get sued often?

     A No, I have never been sued before.

     Q And your testimony then is: you got sued and don't

   remember anything.

     A What I'm saying is that I turned it over to the attorney

   who is representing me and the insurance company, and he did

   whatever he needed to do, and I was involved to a very small

   degree.

     Q What was the result of the lawsuit?

     A It was, I think, withdrawn, I believe. I think it was

   withdrawn.

     Q And you didn't have to pay any money, did you, as a

   result of this lawsuit to Paul Bilzerian.

     A No, not to him.

     Q To anybody?

     A Oh, I paid legal fees, and if it would've been my

   insurance company would've paid. I wouldn't have paid him

   anyhow.

     Q Do you remember any depositions in connection with that

   lawsuit?

     A I don't, but I won't say that there wasn't, but the thing

   is is that, as I said, that whole thing is just been -- I have

   forgot it all. It was not important for me to remember, and I

   haven't gone back and reviewed any papers.

     Q Do you remember accepting liability or denying liability

   in that lawsuit?

     A I am assuming that if I went to the attorney I probably

   denied liability.

     Q Okay. Didn't we speak about a week ago or so?

     A Yes.

     Q And in that conversation you told me that you deny

   liability?

     A I don't remember if I said that to you. I probably said

   that to you, though. But you are asking me questions that I

   really, in my memory since, I don't know. I can only tell you

   what I think.

Mr. Norris further testified that at the time he prepared petitioner's 1986 return, he believed it was accurate and correct and that he did not have any reason to believe that there was any error committed in the preparation of the return. When petitioner sued Mr. Norris for malpractice in 1992, Mr. Norris denied any liability in the malpractice proceeding. Finally, petitioner has not alleged that prior to the preparation of the 1986 return, he informed Mr. Norris that either Peat Marwick or the Macks asked petitioner to participate in recharacterizing a portion of the gain from the Hammermill stock transactions attributable to Bilzerian & Mack in order to accommodate the Macks' tax planning objectives. Considering these circumstances, we do not find either petitioner or Mr. Norris credible with respect to their testimony in support of petitioner's position that the $ 4 million omission was attributable to a mistake by Mr. Norris. Tokarski v. Commissioner, 87 T.C. at 77; see McCann v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2001-153">T.C. Memo 2001-153; Garrett v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1997-231">T.C. Memo 1997-231.

Assuming arguendo that all necessary information was provided to Mr. Norris before his preparation of petitioner's 1986 return, we still would not deviate from the general rule that the duty of filing accurate returns cannot be avoided by placing responsibility on an agent. Even if all necessary information is supplied to the return preparer, the taxpayer still has a duty to review the return prior to signing and filing it in order to ensure that all income items are included. Metra Chem Corp. v. Commissioner, 88 T.C. at 662; Magill v. Commissioner, 70 T.C. 465">70 T.C. 465, 479-480 (1978), affd. 651 F.2d 1233">651 F.2d 1233 (6th Cir. 1981); Bailey v. Commissioner, 21 T.C. 678">21 T.C. 678, 687 (1954); Magee v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1993-305">T.C. Memo 1993-305; Fraley v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1993-304">T.C. Memo 1993-304.^{*242 whether he called Mr. Norris to question the accuracy of the return on October 15, 1987, nor could he recall discussing with Mr. Norris at any time the $ 2 million discrepancy between the estimated payment by petitioner and the tax liability as reported on the original 1986 return. In his criminal trial, petitioner testified that he was delighted that the return he received from Mr. Norris showed a tax liability of only $ 3 million, and he never challenged the accuracy of the return.}

Petitioner is a well-educated individual who was involved in trading securities for several years prior to 1986. He was provided with a schedule from Peat Marwick outlining petitioner's estimated tax liability for 1986, and the schedule specifically identified the $ 4 million in gains from the purchase and sale of the Hammermill stock. Petitioner accepted the return as prepared by Mr. Norris without questioning its accuracy or inquiring as to the approximately $ 2 million difference between the tax liability stated on the return and the amount paid as an estimate of the tax liability for 1986. *243 of taxable income from the return. Accordingly, we hold that petitioner is liable for the additions to tax for negligence for 1986.

Decision will be entered under Rule 155.

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Footnotes

• 1. Petitioner and his wife, Terri L. Steffen, filed a joint return for 1986. Separate notices of deficiency were sent to petitioner and Ms. Steffen and separate petitions were filed. This Opinion addresses the liability of petitioner.↩

• 2. Petitioner concedes that he is not entitled to carry back a worthless stock loss of $ 23,366,705 from 1989 to 1986.↩

• 3. Unless otherwise indicated, all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the year in issue, and all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.↩

• 4. Petitioner reported deductions of $ 14,101,394, resulting in a net loss of $ 6,038,117.↩

• 5. In 1982, Mr. Norris was a business partner with petitioner in South Bay Fashion One.↩

• 6. At the time of trial, Mr. Norris resided in California.↩

• 7. A Schedule K-1 is a schedule attached to a Form 1120S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation, or a Form 1065, U.S. Partnership Return of Income, to report a shareholder's or a partner's share of income, credits, deductions, etc., from the S corporation or the partnership.↩

• 8. The total omission from income was reduced to $ 4,008,928, due to miscellaneous adjustments.↩

• 9. Petitioner claims that the characterizations of personal gain or gain through Bilzerian & Mack were merely paper entries to accommodate the Macks.↩

• 10. We note that Mr. Norris was previously a partner of petitioner's, and Mr. Norris, a resident of California, testified that at the time of trial he stayed at petitioner's personal residence in Tampa, Florida.↩

• 11. See Loftus v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1992-266">T.C. Memo 1992-266 n.3, wherein we stated:

     The responsibility to review a return cannot be trivialized. In

    Morrow v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1991-101">T.C. Memo 1991-101, we held that

     supplying records to an accountant and relying on the accountant

     to prepare a return was not sufficient to relieve a taxpayer of

     the 'ultimate responsibility for the correctness of their

     returns.' Based on the taxpayers' failure to adequately review

     their returns, we sustained the Commissioner's negligence

     determination.↩

• 12. The $ 2 million difference is attributable to the fact that petitioner's adjusted gross income and tax liability shown on the original return was underreported by approximately 40 percent.↩