DocketNumber： Docket No. 9004-93
Judges： GERBER
Filed Date： 1/23/1995
Status： Non-Precedential
Modified Date： 11/20/2020
*27 Decision will be entered under Rule 155.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
GERBER,
| Additions to Tax | |||||
| Income | I.R.C. Sec. | I.R.C. Sec. | I.R.C. Sec. | I.R.C. Sec. | |
| Year | Tax | 6653(b) (1) | 6653(b) (1) (A) 6663 | 6661 | |
| 1987 | $ 27,218 | -- | $ 20,414 | -- | $ 6,805 |
| 1988 | 14,596 | $ 10,947 | -- | -- | 3,649 |
| 1989 | 8,807 | -- | -- | $ 12,750 | -- |
| 1990 | 11,617 | -- | -- | 15,636 | -- |
| 1991 | 6,575 | -- | -- | 18,910 | -- |
Respondent made jeopardy assessments on December 5, 1992, in amounts less than the deficiencies determined for each of the taxable years. Because petitioners filed amended returns for 1990 and 1991 reporting additional tax due of $ 533 and $ 9,421, respectively, the amounts of the income tax deficiencies to be assessed (if respondent's determination*28 is fully sustained) would be in reduced amounts.
After concessions of the parties, the issues remaining in controversy are whether petitioners have shown they are entitled to various claimed deductions and whether respondent has shown that petitioners are liable for the addition to tax for fraud in any of the taxable years in issue.
FINDINGS OF FACT *29 finished only 5 years of primary education. Petitioner Peggy Carroll is able to read.
During the years under consideration, Mr. Carroll was self-employed and engaged as an itinerant, performing house painting and lightning prevention (i.e., the installation of lightning rods or devices to protect residences from lightning). He had learned these skills from his father. Mr. Carroll is fully capable of conducting his business and calculates estimates for his work for jobs sometimes exceeding $ 10,000. Mr. Carroll is required to make proposals or bids on jobs, sometimes using a calculator in his business activity. He performed his work in various parts of Florida and in other States, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, California, Texas, and Georgia. He would generally travel alone by automobile, leaving his family in a permanent location. While traveling he sent part of his earnings to his family and spent part on meals and lodging. He was generally away from home more than one-half the year, and incurred costs for food, lodging, and gasoline. Mr. Carroll occasionally traveled by airplane and used at least one truck each year exclusively for business. For the taxable years*30 1987 through 1991, Mr. Carroll used the following trucks for business purposes: In 1987, a 1985 Chevrolet truck; in 1988, a 1988 Dodge truck; in 1989, a 1989 Ford truck; in 1990, a 1990 Chevrolet truck; and in 1991, a 1991 Ford truck.
For the taxable years 1987 through 1991, petitioners filed timely joint Federal income tax returns reflecting gross income from contracting of $ 26,544, $ 26,970, $ 29,797, $ 30,922, and $ 30,410, respectively. Petitioners did not maintain books and records for the tax years under consideration, but had their returns professionally prepared. Petitioners' 1987 through 1990 returns were prepared by Stuart Anderson based upon information provided by petitioners. Petitioners' 1991 return was prepared by W.E. Haas again based on information provided by petitioners. Without the aid of books and records, the information petitioners provided to their income tax return preparers was based on their own estimates.
Petitioners claimed (and respondent disallowed for failure to substantiate) the following categories of deductions on their Schedules C:
| Item | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 |
| Car & truck | $ 3,596 | $ 3,712 | $ 4,213 | $ 4,421 | $ 4,350 |
| Insurance | 441 | 441 | 566 | 589 | 625 |
| Legal & prof. | 75 | 75 | 110 | 100 | 100 |
| Office | 21 | 36 | 32 | 30 | 35 |
| Repairs | 637 | 729 | 809 | 671 | 649 |
| Supplies | 120 | 126 | 132 | 148 | 155 |
| Taxes | 264 | 302 | 312 | 544 | 565 |
| Travel | -- | -- | -- | 1,624 | 1,700 |
| Meals & entertain | -- | 810 | 978 | 1,056 | 290 |
| Food & lodging | 3,412 | 2,310 | 1,877 | -- | -- |
| Utilities & tel. | 156 | 164 | 144 | 212 | 215 |
| Advertising | -- | -- | -- | -- | 15 |
| Equipment rental | -- | -- | -- | -- | 75 |
| Labor | -- | -- | -- | -- | 200 |
| Total claimed | 8,722 | 8,705 | 9,173 | 9,395 | 8,974 |
*31 Petitioners also claimed costs of goods sold for 1987 through 1991 in the amounts of $ 8,809, $ 9,101, $ 10,120, $ 10,306, and $ 9,450, respectively, which, respondent now agrees, are proper.
During 1987, Mr. Carroll acquired a one-half interest in a mobile home park in Citrus County, Florida, known as "Big Pine Acres Mobile Park". The other one-half interest was owned by Patrick Rafferty (Mr. Rafferty). Respondent's agents examined Mr. Rafferty's income tax returns, and, as a result, examined petitioners' returns. Petitioners, on December 18, 1992, and following the audit of Mr. Rafferty's returns, reported, using a return preparer, additional gross income in their 1989, 1990, and 1991 amended returns in the amounts of $ 28,501, $ 31,620, and $ 63,163, respectively. The additional income reported by petitioners was attributable to the operation of the mobile home park. The amended returns were prepared based upon information supplied by petitioners. Initially, respondent reconstructed petitioners' income by means of the source and application of funds method, which resulted in the determination that petitioners' taxable income for the years 1987 through 1991 was understated*32 in the amounts of $ 69,453, $ 32,663, $ 10,358, $ 20,278, and $ 3,273, respectively. Petitioners now agree that gross income in their original income tax returns for 1987 through 1991 was understated in the amounts of $ 67,765, $ 31,112, $ 32,293, $ 39,155, and $ 54,770, respectively.
Petitioners maintained a savings account that was opened in 1988 and closed in 1991. The balance of that account did not exceed $ 5,000. Petitioners did not maintain any other bank accounts and generally transacted their business and personal financial matters by means of cash and cashier's checks. In one transaction with the same individual, Mr. Carroll paid with four different cashier's checks in amounts ranging from $ 1,900 to $ 3,000, and each of the four checks was obtained from a different bank. It was also customary for Mr. Carroll to be paid cash by customers. Mr. Carroll used at least four different Social Security numbers and driver's licenses issued by four different States, including a Virginia driver's license with a number that had been issued to a person other than Mr. Carroll. In a November 16, 1991, application for credit, Mr. Carroll represented that his "SALARY OR WAGES" was*33 "50,000+".
In reconstructing petitioners' income, respondent's agents used the source and application of funds method. Respondent's agent discovered that petitioners invested $ 31,374, $ 19,205, $ 4,519, and $ 4,119 in the mobile home park during 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990, respectively. Respondent also ascertained that petitioners spent the following amounts on the purchase of motor vehicles during the years in issue:
| Vehicle | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 |
| 1985 Chevrolet truck | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 1988 Jaguar | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 1988 Dodge truck | -- | $ 2,484 | $ 2,484 | $ 2,484 | |
| 1989 Ford van | -- | 11,225 | 2,700 | -- | |
| 1989 Ford truck | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 1990 Chevrolet truck | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 1990 Vagabond trailer | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 1991 Ford Explorer | -- | -- | -- | 12,692 | |
| 1991 Chevrolet truck | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 1991 Chevrolet truck | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10,598 |
| 1991 Ford trucks (2) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 26,509 |
| 1992 GMC Jimmy | -- | -- | -- | -- | 20,949 |
| 1992 Mercedes Benz | -- | -- | -- | -- | 29,300 |
*34 OPINION
The parties have resolved all issues with the exception of whether petitioners are entitled to any of the disallowed deductions claimed on Schedules C of their returns and whether respondent has shown that petitioners are liable for additions to tax for fraud. We will first consider whether petitioners are entitled to any of the disputed deductions.
Petitioners bear the burden of proving that they are entitled to the deductions disallowed by respondent.
*35 Item 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 Car & truck $ 3,596 $ 3,712 $ 4,213 $ 4,421 $ 4,350 Travel -- -- -- 1,624 1,700 Meals & entertainment -- 810 978 1,056 290 Food & lodging 3,412 2,310 1,877 -- -- Subject to sec. 274 7,008 6,832 7,068 7,101 6,340 Insurance 441 441 566 589 625 Legal & prof. 75 75 110 100 100 Office 21 36 32 30 35 Repairs 637 729 809 671 649 Supplies 120 126 132 148 155 Taxes 264 302 312 544 565 Utilities & tel. 156 164 144 212 215 Advertising -- -- -- -- 15 Equipment rental -- -- -- -- 75 Labor -- -- -- -- 200 Not subject to sec. 274 1,714 1,873 2,105 2,294 2,634 Total claimed 8,722 8,705 9,173 9,395 8,974
With respect to the T&E expenses, respondent makes the following two-pronged argument: (1) No portion of such claimed expenses is deductible because petitioners failed to meet the more stringent record-keeping requirements of
*36 Although it is most probable that Mr. Carroll incurred expenses for travel, meals, and lodging which would otherwise be deductible, Congress has precluded us from estimating the amounts based solely upon petitioners' uncorroborated testimony.
The evidence in this case is abundantly clear, however, that Mr. Carroll used at least one of petitioners' numerous vehicles exclusively in his contracting business. See, e.g.,
Respondent agrees that the remaining claimed deductions are not subject to the requirements of
Finally, we consider the additions to tax for fraud. Respondent determined that each underpayment of tax was due to fraud under the statute applicable*38 for each taxable year:
Fraud is defined as an intentional wrongdoing designed to evade tax believed to be owing.
The existence of fraud is a question of fact to be resolved upon consideration of the entire record.
Courts have relied on several indicia of fraud in considering the
Circumstantial evidence that may give rise to a finding of fraudulent intent includes: (1) Understatement of income; (2) inadequate or no records; (3) failure to file tax returns; (4) implausible or inconsistent explanations of behavior; (5) concealment of assets; (6) failure to cooperate with tax authorities; (7) filing false Forms W-4; (8) failure to make estimated tax payments; (9) dealing in cash; (10) engaging in illegal activity; and (11) attempting to conceal an illegal activity. *42
The record before us provides us with a basis for finding that the entire underpayment of tax for 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991 is due to fraud. The substantial underreported income in each year is most conspicuous here with petitioners agreeing that the gross income in their original income tax returns for 1987 through 1991 was understated in the amounts of $ 67,765, $ 31,112, $ 32,293, $ 39,155, and $ 54,770, respectively. The frequency and relative magnitude of the agreed*43 underreported gross income is probative evidence which supports our finding that the understatements of income were fraudulent, rather than accidental or inadvertent.
In the same vein, petitioners' expenditures (applications of funds) as determined by respondent did not comport with the amount of income being reported. These differences are specifically evidenced by the expenditures for motor vehicles and the investment in the mobile home park. To a lesser degree, we have also taken cognizance of respondent's estimation of petitioners' living expenses. Although expenditures disproportionate to reported income alone would not be of decisive import, when coupled with the other indicia in this record, they acquire greater probative value.
Petitioners' failure to maintain records and the estimates of income and expenses they provided to their tax return preparers, at the very least, indicate that their returns could not be accurate. Petitioners argue that they were either illiterate or lacked the professional discipline to keep books, yet we note that they were savvy enough to seek the assistance of tax return preparers in filing their 1987 through 1991 income tax returns. More*44 significantly, when considering that petitioners conducted their business activity and made personal purchases by means of cash, that currency transactions were structured to avoid reporting or evidence of their existence, that multiple Federal and State identification was utilized, including the possibility of a counterfeit driver's license, petitioners' failure to maintain records becomes part of a pattern of activity conceived to conceal their business activity and income. We have also considered, to some extent, the fact that Mr. Carroll's application for a loan reflected annual wages earned far in excess of the amounts reported on the returns in question.
Finally, we found parts of Mr. Carroll's testimony to lack both substance and credibility. For example, Mr. Carroll's stated reasons for using multiple cashier's checks were less than candid. At the forefront of the arguments against the additions to tax for fraud, petitioners have asserted that they were without books and records, that their return preparers had failed them, and that they are not educated people. Respondent has clearly and convincingly shown that petitioners filed their 1987 through 1991 income tax returns*45 with the intent to defraud. Therefore, petitioners' arguments must fail.
To reflect the foregoing and account for concessions of the parties,
1. Under
1. The parties' stipulations of facts and exhibits are incorporated by this reference.↩
1. Denotes vehicles that were used as trade-ins toward the purchase of another of the above-listed vehicles. Petitioners did insure some of the above-listed vehicles.↩
2. All Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure, and all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the years in issue, unless otherwise indicated.↩
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