Black v. Comm'r
Opinion
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
WELLS,
| *3* | |||
| 1991 | $ 22,904 | n/a | $ 17,178.00 |
| 1992 | 60,262 | n/a | 45,196.50 |
| *3* | |||
| 1991 | $ 22,904 | $ 4,580.80 | n/a |
| 1992 | 60,262 | 12,052.40 | n/a |
After concessions, the issues we must decide are: (1) Whether petitioner Frank Black is liable for the fraud penalty pursuant to
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts and certain exhibits have been stipulated. The parties' stipulations of fact are incorporated herein by reference and are found as facts. Petitioners resided in Rock Hill, South Carolina, at the time the petition was filed.
Petitioners are Frank H. Black (Mr. Black) and Marla C. Black (Mrs. Black). Petitioners were married throughout all relevant periods.
Mr. Black graduated from Michigan State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in sociology and minoring in religion. He was self-employed during 1991 and 1992 as a licensed stockbroker, investment consultant, and insurance agent.
On July 1, 1990, Mr. Black started his own business, Frank Black d/b/a Robert Thomas Securities, *381 which continued to operate throughout 1991 and 1992. On May 18, 1992, Mr. Black formed a North Carolina "C-Corporation", Frank Black, Inc. Respondent has not conducted an examination of Frank Black, Inc., for the taxable year 1992.
Mr. Black maintained his own books and records for 1991 and 1992, but failed to maintain complete and accurate books and records of income and expenses for either taxable year.
Petitioners filed timely joint Federal income tax returns for taxable years 1991 and 1992. Mr.
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MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
WELLS,
| *3* | |||
| 1991 | $ 22,904 | n/a | $ 17,178.00 |
| 1992 | 60,262 | n/a | 45,196.50 |
| *3* | |||
| 1991 | $ 22,904 | $ 4,580.80 | n/a |
| 1992 | 60,262 | 12,052.40 | n/a |
After concessions, the issues we must decide are: (1) Whether petitioner Frank Black is liable for the fraud penalty pursuant to
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts and certain exhibits have been stipulated. The parties' stipulations of fact are incorporated herein by reference and are found as facts. Petitioners resided in Rock Hill, South Carolina, at the time the petition was filed.
Petitioners are Frank H. Black (Mr. Black) and Marla C. Black (Mrs. Black). Petitioners were married throughout all relevant periods.
Mr. Black graduated from Michigan State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in sociology and minoring in religion. He was self-employed during 1991 and 1992 as a licensed stockbroker, investment consultant, and insurance agent.
On July 1, 1990, Mr. Black started his own business, Frank Black d/b/a Robert Thomas Securities, *381 which continued to operate throughout 1991 and 1992. On May 18, 1992, Mr. Black formed a North Carolina "C-Corporation", Frank Black, Inc. Respondent has not conducted an examination of Frank Black, Inc., for the taxable year 1992.
Mr. Black maintained his own books and records for 1991 and 1992, but failed to maintain complete and accurate books and records of income and expenses for either taxable year.
Petitioners filed timely joint Federal income tax returns for taxable years 1991 and 1992. Mr. Black prepared a draft of the 1991 joint return and took it to a certified public accountant (C.P.A.) for review. The C.P.A. made some minor corrections, then used the data shown on the draft to create a computer-generated 1991 joint return. The 1992 joint return was prepared by an accountant based upon computer printouts of income and expenses and oral information provided by Mr. Black.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Revenue Agent Margaret McCarter (Agent McCarter) was assigned to the examination of petitioners' joint returns for the taxable years 1991 and 1992. Agent McCarter's initial contact with Mr. Black occurred on May 11, 1993, when she mailed him a letter advising him that his 1991 *382 income tax return was being examined and scheduling an appointment for May 24, 1993.
Mr. Black refused to meet with Agent McCarter. As a result, most of Agent McCarter's later contacts were with the representatives to whom Mr. Black delegated powers of attorney.
On May 26, 1994, Agent McCarter referred Mr. Black's case to the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.
On October 18, 1994, IRS Special Agent Dennis O'Dell (Agent O'Dell) and Agent McCarter went to meet with Mr. Black at his place of business in Charlotte, North Carolina. After arriving, they introduced themselves to Mr. Black, and Agent O'Dell informed Mr. Black why they were there. As Agent O'Dell began reading him his rights, Mr. Black interrupted him, said the interview was over, and asked them to leave.
Agent McCarter, and later also Agent O'Dell, were forced, because of Mr. Black's refusal to provide requested bank and other relevant records, to serve numerous IRS summonses on Mr. Black, banks, and other third parties in order to obtain the information necessary to determine petitioners' income tax liabilities for the taxable years 1991 and 1992.
During November 1994, Agent O'Dell provided Mr. Black's representatives with a *383 printout of canceled checks and asked them to have Mr. Black classify the purpose of the checks as either business or personal. Over 3 months later, Mr. Black still had not classified the checks. On March 4, 1995, Agent O'Dell wrote Mr. Black's representatives, again requesting that Mr. Black classify the checks, and also asked that Mr. Black complete and return the Cash On Hand Statement enclosed with that letter. On March 15, 1995, Mr. Black's principal attorney, Robert Mendenhall, advised Agent O'Dell that Mr. Black "is being very obstinate" and that he hoped that one of Mr. Black's other attorneys, who was meeting with Mr. Black "can convince him that this is a serious matter". On the basis of Mr. Black's lack of cooperation, the lack of adequate books and records of income and expenses, and evidence showing that petitioners had acquired assets and made substantial expenditures, Agent McCarter decided to use an indirect method of proof to reconstruct Mr. Black's income for 1991 and 1992. Agent McCarter ultimately determined that the net worth method would be the most appropriate method to use. Agent McCarter prepared a revenue agent's report setting forth the results of her examination *384 of petitioners' returns for the taxable years 1991 and 1992.
On June 9, 2004, respondent issued a statutory notice of deficiency to petitioners for taxable years 1991 and 1992. In the notice of deficiency, respondent determined petitioners' taxable income for 1991 and 1992 using the net worth method of proof. Respondent determined that petitioners made nondeductible expenditures during taxable years 1991 and 1992 of $ 108,768.01 and $ 188,219.01, respectively.
Mr. Black applied for a $ 250,000 life insurance policy. Mr. Black's business wrote check No. 1908 dated 12/10/92 to First Colony Life Insurance Co. of $ 318.24 for a $ 50,000 life insurance policy on Mr. Black.
Respondent's net worth computations treat certain payments made by Mr. Black's businesses during 1991 and 1992 for medical expenses as nondeductible personal expenditures made by petitioners.
Mr. Black wrote a letter as manager of Robert Thomas Securities to Lincoln National Insurance canceling a group medical insurance policy and stating that his business was renewing a group medical insurance policy with Continental Insurance.
Special Agent O'Dell stated in his report that Mr. Black paid a total of $ 4,371 in health insurance *385 premiums during the period January through July 1991, before terminating the policy.
During 1992, Mr. Black paid the C.P.A. firm of Martinson, Newton & Co., C.P.A.s, a fee of $ 225 for preparing petitioners' 1991 joint return, and for preparing amended joint Federal and State income tax returns for 1990.
During 1992, Mr. Black paid Bob West a fee of $ 250 to form Mr. Black's North Carolina C-Corporation, Frank Black, Inc.
The notice of deficiency treated both the $ 225 income tax return preparation fee and the $ 250 incorporation fee as nondeductible expenditures for purposes of respondent's net worth computation.
During 1991 and 1992, petitioners made credit card payments totaling $ 22,796.48 and $ 20,320.19, respectively, all of which payments were treated as nondeductible in the notice of deficiency.
Petitioners claimed Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business, deductions on their 1991 joint return for payments of $ 3,000 to each of their children Dominique (born on October 27, 1983) and Jonathan (born on May 31, 1985). Petitioners claimed Schedule C deductions on their 1992 joint return for payments of $ 5,240 made to each of their children Dominique and Jonathan. The notice of deficiency *386 treated the full amounts of the payments by Mr. Black to Dominique and Jonathan during 1991 and 1992 as nondeductible for purposes of respondent's net worth computation.
Mr. Black issued Forms 1099-MISC reporting the payments made to Dominique and Jonathan in 1991 and 1992. Federal and State income tax returns were filed for Dominique and Jonathan for the taxable years 1991 and 1992 reporting the amounts shown on Forms 1099-MISC.
On December 3, 1991, Mr. Black met with C.P.A. Walter Martinson to discuss various aspects of Mr. Black's business. One of the items discussed was the possibility of Mr. Black's paying his children. C.P.A. Martinson advised putting money in an account for them in their names.
During the taxable year 1991, Mr. Black was a general agent for Clark Capital Management Group (Clark Capital) and received commissions from Clark Capital of $ 21,843.36. Petitioners did not report any of the Clark Capital commission income on their 1991 joint return.
On July 26, 1985, petitioners submitted a consumer loan application to Home Federal (Home Federal application). On the Home Federal application, they listed under "ASSETS" a "BRADFORD MONEY MARKET" account valued at $ 9,000. *387 On the "PERSONAL STATEMENT" attached to the Home Federal application, petitioners stated that they possessed "Cash on hand and in banks" totaling $ 9,000.
IRS Revenue Agent Robin Helton (Agent Helton) was assigned to examine petitioners' joint returns for the taxable years 1987, 1988, and 1989. Petitioners' 1987, 1988, and 1989 income tax returns reported taxable income of $ 76,332, $ 44,581, and $ 26,791, respectively. Petitioners later agreed to deficiencies for taxable years 1987, 1988, and 1989.
On May 8, 1990, Agent Helton conducted an initial interview with Mr. Black in connection with her examination of petitioners for the years 1987, 1988, and 1989. During that interview, she questioned Mr. Black about what was the "most cash you had on hand during the tax year," to which Mr. Black responded that petitioners kept no great amounts of cash on hand. At no time during Agent Helton's investigation did petitioners ever claim to have had large amounts of cash on hand.
On February 18, 1987, petitioners received a check of $ 69,133.31 from the sale of a residence owned by Mrs. Black, which they deposited into one of their bank accounts during 1987.
On December 31, 1992, petitioners had *388 cash on hand of approximately $ 60,000 and did not possess cash on hand in any significantly greater amount. 2
Petitioners were not mistrustful of banks, and they maintained several bank accounts and engaged in large numbers of banking transactions during both 1991 and 1992. Petitioners' use of bank accounts included the unusual practice of depositing and writing numerous checks for small amounts. During 1991 and 1992, petitioners deposited 22 checks ranging from $ 0.63 to $ 23.47, and also wrote 38 checks ranging from $ 2 to $ 9.93.
Mr. Black knew that bank deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and that he could have earned considerable sums of interest income, with no risk, if he had deposited the alleged cash hoard into a bank account.
Petitioners borrowed money and paid interest on loans during not only 1991 and 1992, but also during prior years when they allegedly were accumulating their cash hoard. Petitioners claimed and respondent allowed, Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, mortgage interest deductions for each of the taxable years 1987 through 1992.
Mr. Black borrowed $ 9,000 from his office manager, Jeanette Roberts, *389 and repaid her during the same year that the loan was made.
Petitioners were unable to estimate, in dollars, the amounts of the alleged cash hoard they contend were expended during either 1991 or 1992. Petitioners failed to provide any specific details (i.e., dates, amounts, or items purchased) concerning the use of the alleged cash hoard during either 1991 or 1992 for either personal or business purposes.
All of the nondeductible expenditures Agent McCarter took into account in her net worth computation were paid either by check, or by credit card charges later paid by check.
The cash deposits into petitioners' bank accounts totaled $ 4,500 in 1991, and no cash deposits were made into petitioners' bank accounts during 1992.
Petitioners claimed net operating loss deductions of $ 19,008 and $ 29,917 on their 1991 and 1992 joint returns respectively.
Petitioners claimed $ 3,000 deductions for short-term capital losses on their 1991 and 1992 joint returns.
In the notice of deficiency, respondent determined that petitioners omitted from their 1992 joint return interest income of $ 3,748 and dividend income of $ 35 that they received from American Funds Service Company.
Agent McCarter based her *390 adjustments to petitioners' 1992 interest income upon Forms 1099 issued in Mr. Black's name and Social Security number. None of the Forms 1099 were issued in the name or employer identification number of Frank Black, Inc.
Frank Black, Inc., did not have any bank or other accounts during 1992. Frank Black, Inc., did not conduct any business during 1992. All of petitioners' existing accounts remained in their individual names. All interest paid on petitioners' accounts was earned by petitioners individually.
During the examination conducted for the taxable years 1979 through 1981, Mr. Black refused to discuss the large deductions claimed for alleged contributions to the Universal Life Church (ULC). In addition, he refused to provide any substantiation in order to verify the secretarial expense and the casualty loss claimed on the returns and stated that the agent had no authority to ask any personal questions.
When questioned by Agent Helton during the initial interview for the examination of petitioners' 1987 through 1989 tax years, Mr. Black generally was unresponsive and evasive.
During Agent Helton's initial interview, Mr. Black told her that petitioners had not acquired any assets during *391 the years 1987 through 1989, even though they had acquired assets, including several automobiles.
On their joint returns for the taxable years 1987, 1988, and 1989, petitioners deducted $ 22,350, $ 13,125, and $ 13,250, respectively, for their alleged contributions to "New Faith Baptist Church" (NFBC). Respondent disallowed all of the NFBC deductions, and petitioners subsequently conceded, pursuant to settlement, that no NFBC deductions were allowable.
During the examination, Mr. Black gave Agent Helton a statement which he stated should be sufficient to verify the deductions claimed for contributions to NFBC. The statement provided by Mr. Black included both the name of the alleged church, listed as "New Faith Baptist, Inc." and the amounts of the alleged charitable contributions. Petitioners never provided any evidence to Agent Helton to show that any church named NFBC actually existed. Agent Helton tried, without success, to verify the existence of NFBC through other means. Agent Helton checked the telephone listing for Rock Hill, South Carolina, and also checked the IRS's official listing of approved
Because *392 the statement provided by Mr. Black included "Inc." in the alleged church's name, Agent Helton checked with the South Carolina Secretary of State (SCSOS). Agent Helton learned from the SCSOS that a corporation named New Faith Baptist, Inc., was on file with the SCSOS, and that its articles of incorporation listed petitioners' Rock Hill, South Carolina, address as its corporate address, and listed Mr. Black as a corporate officer. During a January 28, 1991, telephone conversation, Mr. Black told Agent Helton that NFBC had moved to Hickory, North Carolina.
Petitioners never provided Agent Helton with any canceled checks or any other credible evidence to show that they had made any contributions to NFBC (or any church) during 1987, 1988, or 1989.
During May 1991, Mrs. Black purchased a new Magic-Chef electric range at Appliance and Furniture World in Charlotte, North Carolina. The range was installed in petitioners' kitchen, was used to cook meals for petitioners' family and their guests, and it was not used for any business purposes. Mr. Black deducted the $ 839.95 paid for the electric range as "Supplies" on the Schedule C attached to the 1991 joint return.
During February, 1991, petitioners *393 paid $ 929.10 to Steve Starnes, d.b.a. Steve's Upholstery, for replacing the foam and re-upholstering a sectional sofa. The sofa was kept in the den in petitioners' home, which was used on a regular basis as a family room by petitioners and their children and was not devoted exclusively to business purposes. Mr. Black deducted the $ 929.10 paid for the sofa re-upholstery as "Supplies" on the Schedule C attached to the 1991 joint return.
During May 1991, Mrs. Black purchased a 75-gallon salt water aquarium from Kent Drum (Mr. Drum), the owner of K&M Pet Center. The aquarium and related equipment were delivered to petitioners' house on the evening of May 29, 1991, and left unassembled in their den. The next day Mr. Drum assembled the aquarium in petitioners' den. The aquarium was set up the day before the sixth birthday of petitioners' son, Jonathan. The aquarium remained in petitioners' den until at least March 6, 1995. Mr. Black deducted the $ 1,150 paid for the aquarium as "Supplies" on the Schedule C attached to the 1991 joint return.
During 1992, Daniel Howachyn performed alterations on an iron gate and also fabricated an arched door made of treated wood. Both the gate and door were *394 located in petitioners' residential courtyard. Mrs. Black paid for the work on the gate with two checks of $ 425 and $ 200. Mr. Black deducted both checks to Mr. Howachyn as "Supplies" on the Schedule C attached to the 1992 joint return.
During both 1991 and 1992, Mr. Black wrote checks to petitioners' daughter, Anita Black, who was attending college at the time. A summary of these checks is as follows:
| 1991 | $ 900 | Supplies |
| 1991 | $ 438 | Supplies |
| 1992 | $ 102 | Small overhead projector - supplies |
| 1992 | $ 375 | Brother processor - supplies |
| 1992 | $ 400 | Typewriter - supplies |
| 1992 | $ 500 | Pay |
| 1992 | $ 500 | Pay |
| 1992 | $ 300 | Pay |
Mr. Black deducted the foregoing eight checks based on their "Stated Purpose" on the Schedule C attached to the 1991 and 1992 joint returns. Anita Black never purchased equipment for or sold any equipment to Mr. Black. Although Anita Black occasionally did some work for her father's business, she never received a paycheck. Anita Black did have a Brother processor and typewriter and used them for schoolwork. Mr. Black did not issue a Form 1099 or Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, for the $ 1,300 allegedly paid to Anita Black as wages during 1992.
For 1991 and 1992, petitioners claimed *395 Schedule C deductions for travel expenses of $ 43,084 and $ 18,272, respectively, and claimed Schedule C deductions for meals and entertainment of $ 29,561 and $ 14,734, respectively.
For many years, Mr. Black has placed title to his property solely in his wife's name because of his concerns that his property could be reached by potential creditors.
Mrs. Black holds a bachelor of visual arts degree in sculpture. Mrs. Black did not personally sign the 1991 and 1992 joint returns. Mr. Black signed Mrs. Black's name to the 1991 and 1992 joint returns. Mrs. Black did not review, and never saw, the 1991 or 1992 joint returns before they were filed. She also never asked Mr. Black whether he had timely filed those returns and did not know until well after the fact that those returns had been filed.
OPINION
1. Period of Limitations and Fraud
We address the issues of fraud and the period of limitations prior to the other issues in the instant case because, absent fraud, the period of limitations prevents respondent's assessment of the taxable years in issue.
The Commissioner has the burden of proving fraud by clear and convincing evidence.
To satisfy the Commissioner's burden, the Commissioner must show: (1) An underpayment exists; and (2) the taxpayer intended to evade taxes known to be owing by conduct intended to conceal, mislead, or otherwise prevent the collection of taxes.
Respondent used the net worth method to establish petitioners' income and the fact of an underpayment. Under the net worth method, taxable income is computed by reference to the change in the taxpayer's net worth 3 during a year, increased for nondeductible expenses such as living expenses, *398 and decreased for items attributable to nontaxable sources such as gifts and loans. The resulting figure may be considered to represent taxable income, provided: (1) The Commissioner establishes the taxpayer's opening net worth with reasonable certainty, and (2) the Commissioner either shows a likely source of unreported income or negates possible nontaxable sources.
Respondent has established petitioners' opening net worth with reasonable accuracy. Petitioners, however, argue that Mr. Black maintained a cash hoard and that respondent's determination of petitioners' opening net worth does not take into consideration *399 petitioners' cash hoard. According to Mr. Black, as of December 31, 1990, petitioners had accumulated a cash hoard of between $ 500,000 and $ 505,000, consisting of bundles of $ 100 bills, and kept this cash hoard inside a suitcase in an unlocked closet in their residence.
We decide whether a witness is credible on the basis of objective facts, the reasonableness of the testimony, and the demeanor of the witness.
Petitioners had several bank and investment accounts and made regular use of them. We find it implausible that, as a stockbroker and investment adviser, Mr. Black had accumulated $ 500,000 in cash, and that he kept that cash in a closet at his house.
Respondent repeatedly requested that petitioners provide information about petitioners' cash on hand, but they refused to provide such information. Petitioners and *400 their representatives were aware that respondent was using the net worth method of proof to compute petitioners' taxable income for the taxable years 1991 and 1992. However, at no time during Agent McCarter's civil examination, or Agent O'Dell's criminal investigation, did petitioners or any of their representatives claim that the net worth adjustments could be explained by the use of a large cash hoard.
Petitioners did not raise any cash hoard defense in either their petition or their reply. Petitioners first raised their cash hoard defense only after this case initially was set for trial in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 23, 2005.
Petitioners have failed to identify any source of funds for the cash hoard other than supposed savings over a number of years. On the July 26, 1985, consumer loan application to Home Federal, petitioners stated that they possessed "Cash on hand and in banks" totaling $ 9,000. During Agent Helton's examination of petitioners 1987 through 1989 taxable years, petitioners failed to identify any large quantities of cash on hand. At trial, Mr. Black testified that he had lied to Agent Helton.
Furthermore, all of the expenditures in respondent's net worth *401 calculations are by check or credit cards eventually paid by check. Also, there is no evidence of large cash deposits into petitioners' bank accounts. Thus, even if petitioners had a cash hoard, it would not affect the net worth calculations as there is no evidence that any of the expenditures were paid by cash either directly or through deposit and payment by check.
Respondent has negated all nontaxable sources of income alleged by petitioners. Respondent has shown that petitioners did not receive any gifts or inheritances. Most importantly, respondent has negated petitioners' cash hoard argument.
During 1991 and 1992, Mr. Black paid medical insurance premiums of $ 6,307 and $ 4,744, respectively. Respondent's net worth calculation treats such amounts as nondeductible expenditures. However, respondent allowed deductions for 25-percent of the premiums paid as self-employment health insurance. See
Under
Petitioners appear to argue that some portion of the medical insurance premiums should be deductible under
Petitioners challenge several other aspects of respondent's net worth computation. Many of petitioners' arguments confuse benefits provided by an employer to an employee with those provided by a self-employed individual to himself. Additionally, petitioners attempt to attribute some payments to Frank Black, Inc. However, Frank Black, Inc., did not have any bank *403 or other accounts in 1992, nor did it transact any business or have any employees.
However, fraud need not be established by direct evidence, which is rarely available, but may be proved by surveying the taxpayer's entire course of conduct and drawing reasonable inferences therefrom.
Circumstantial evidence that may give rise to a finding of fraudulent intent includes: Understatement of income, inadequate records, failure to file tax returns, concealment of assets, failure to cooperate with tax authorities, filing false documents, failure to make estimated tax payments, engaging in illegal activity, attempting to conceal illegal activity, dealing in cash, implausible or inconsistent explanations of behavior, an intent to mislead which may be inferred from a pattern of conduct, and lack of credibility of the taxpayer's testimony.
The instant case involves numerous badges of fraud. Mr. Black grossly understated his income. The 1991 and 1992 joint returns reported negative taxable income of $ 49,538 and $ 11,981, respectively. Even after respondent's minor concessions at trial, petitioners failed to report substantial amounts of income, including commissions from Clark Capital of $ 21,843.36. Petitioners argue that their omission was an oversight on their part because Mr. Black did not receive a Form 1099 from Clark Capital. However, Mr. Black testified at trial that he maintained records of his business gross receipts, that he knew he had received the Clark Capital commissions, and that he had recorded the commission checks in his records. Mr. Black failed to provide such records to his return preparer.
Petitioners' standard of living was inconsistent with the negative income reported on the 1991 and 1992 joint returns. Petitioners hired a housekeeper and paid for their daughter's college expenses. During the years in issue, petitioners reduced their home mortgage balance *406 from $ 36,857 to zero and reduced their home equity loan balance from $ 47,823 to $ 20,062. In 1992, they also spent a total of $ 32,299 for improvements to their residence and landscaping.
Mr. Black has a history of refusing to cooperate with respondent's agents. During the examination of his taxable years 1979 through 1981, Mr. Black refused to discuss the large deductions claimed for contributions to the Universal Life Church. During Agent Helton's investigation of taxable years 1987 through 1989, Mr. Black generally was unresponsive and evasive. At trial, while cross-examining Agent Helton, Mr. Black described his own behavior during that audit as "a little evasive".
Finally, during the examination of his taxable years 1991 and 1992, Mr. Black refused to meet first with Agent McCarter and then with both Agents McCarter and O'Dell. Consequently, all of Agent McCarter's and Agent O'Dell's contacts with Mr. Black were made through his representatives. Although the Agents attempted to get Mr. Black to cooperate, he provided only limited records. Mr. Black failed to provide records for the bank accounts that were in his name. Mr. Black refused respondent's repeated requests to classify *407 his checks as either business or personal and to provide information concerning petitioners' cash on hand. Because Mr. Black refused to provide relevant records, Agents McCarter and O'Dell were forced to serve IRS summonses upon Mr. Black, banks, and other third parties.
Mr. Black's failure to cooperate caused frustration to his own representatives. During November, 1994, Agent O'Dell provided Mr. Black's representatives with a printout of canceled checks and asked them to have Mr. Black classify the purpose of the checks as either business or personal. More than 3 months later, Mr. Black still had not classified the checks. On March 4, 1995, Agent O'Dell wrote Mr. Black's representatives, again requesting that Mr. Black classify the checks, and also asked that Mr. Black complete and return the Cash On Hand Statement enclosed with that letter. On March 15, 1995, Mr. Black's principal attorney, Robert Mendenhall, advised Agent O'Dell that Mr. Black "is being very obstinate" and that he hoped that one of Mr. Black's other attorneys, who was meeting with Mr. Black that "afternoon, can convince him that this is a serious matter".
Petitioners also have a history of claiming inappropriate *408 charitable deductions first to ULC and to NFBC. On their joint returns for taxable years 1979, 1980, and 1981, petitioners claimed deductions for charitable contributions to the Universal Life Church of $ 59,182, $ 57,181, and $ 33,629, respectively. After examination, respondent disallowed these deductions in full. Petitioners ultimately agreed to the disallowance of all claimed ULC deductions.
Likewise, petitioners claimed charitable deductions on their 1987, 1988, and 1989 joint tax returns of $ 22,350, $ 13,125, and $ 13,250, respectively for contributions to NFBC. After examination, respondent disallowed the NFBC deductions in full. Petitioners ultimately agreed to the disallowance of all claimed NFBC deductions.
During the examination, Mr. Black gave Agent Helton a statement which he stated should be sufficient to verify the deductions claimed for contributions to NFBC. The statement provided by Mr. Black included both the name of the alleged church, listed as "New Faith Baptist, Inc.", and the amounts of the alleged charitable contributions.
Petitioners never provided any evidence to Agent Helton to show that NFBC was a church. Agent Helton tried, without success, to verify the *409 existence of NFBC through other means. Agent Helton checked the telephone listing for Rock Hill, S.C., and also checked the IRS's official listing of approved
Because the statement provided by Mr. Black included "Inc." in the alleged church's name, Agent Helton checked with the SCSOS. Agent Helton learned from the SCSOS that a corporation named New Faith Baptist, Inc., was on file, and that its articles of incorporation listed petitioners' Rock Hill, South Carolina, address as its corporate address and listed Mr. Black as a corporate officer.
At trial, Mrs. Black testified that she first became aware of NFBC "when someone called me on the phone and asked to speak to somebody from the church". Mrs. Black also testified that after the call she asked Mr. Black about NFBC and "he said [it] used to be in the house; it used to be a church that he and his friends had formed, and it was not valid". After Mr. Black's objection, Mrs. Black altered her testimony saying: "what I was saying is it was not there in the home anymore." Petitioners never provided Agent Helton with any canceled checks or any other credible evidence *410 to show that they had made any contributions to NFBC (or any church) during 1987, 1988, or 1989.
Petitioners claimed a number of inappropriate deductions for personal expenditures for the years in issue, including, but not limited to, a new range, re-covering a sofa, an aquarium, and the work performed by Daniel Howachyn. Petitioners argue that such deductions were for their home office or Mrs. Black's home-based business. However, at trial, they testified repeatedly that the office was, in fact, their den and was not used exclusively for business purposes.
Petitioners claimed Schedule C deductions for eight checks written to their daughter Anita. We conclude, largely on the basis of Agent O'Dell's interview with Anita on September 6, 1995, that such checks to Anita were gifts of money and supplies for her college work. The checks to Anita were not properly deductible as business expenses.
Petitioners also claimed Schedule C deductions on their joint 1991 and 1992 returns for payments to their two young children, Dominique and Jonathan. Petitioners contend that Dominique and Jonathan were Mr. Black's employees and the payments to them were properly deducted as salary.
The record establishes that Dominique and Jonathan did spend some time in Mr. Black's office in Charlotte. Likewise, Ms. Roberts, an employee of Mr. Black, told Agent O'Dell that the children sometimes helped her "stuff and stamp" envelopes and perform other chores like emptying the trash. However, we are not persuaded that amounts paid to petitioners' children were compensation for services *412 rendered.
Petitioners failed to present any records to substantiate that he employed Dominique and Jonathan throughout 1991 and 1992, and admitted that they kept no written records of the hours they worked. When asked at trial to estimate the total hours each child worked, Mr. Black answered: "let's call it 1,000 hours per year." According to his estimate, Mr. Black's children, who were 6 and 8 years old in 1991, worked the same hours as one full-time adult.
Mr. Black did not pay the children for services rendered. His actual employee, Ms. Roberts, received a set annual salary, plus a bonus, and was paid by check twice per month. Mr. Black properly withheld Social Security and income taxes from her pay, and issued a Form W-2 reporting her wages. No Forms W-4, Employees Withholding Allowance Certificate, were ever executed for Dominique and Jonathan, no Social Security or income taxes were withheld, their pay was reported on a Form 1099, and the 1991 salary was paid in a lump sum to each. We conclude that respondent properly treated the payments to Dominique and Jonathan as nondeductible personal expenditures and indicia of fraud.
Petitioner overstated deductions for travel, meals and *413 entertainment expenses and failed to provide credible evidence to support such deductions at trial. During the examination of petitioners' taxable years 1991 and 1992, petitioners' representative provided Agent McCarter with a travel log prepared by Mr. Black which purported to show Mr. Black's business travel for taxable years 1991 and 1992. Agent McCarter returned the log to petitioners' representative because she could not read Mr. Black's handwriting and requested a legible copy of the log or other documentation to support Mr. Black's deductions. Neither Mr. Black nor his representatives ever provided a new travel log or any other evidence to support his deductions for business travel, meals, or entertainment.
Agent McCarter concluded that, on the basis of the amounts of claimed travel deductions and Mr. Black's use of the standard mileage rate, Mr. Black had to have driven 156,669 miles in 1991 and 181,692 miles in 1992, which averages 429 miles per day in 1991 and 498 miles per day in 1992. 4 At an average rate of 60 miles per hour, Mr. Black would have had to drive between 7 and 8 hours per day, 7 days per week, 5 not including time spent stopped for gas or meals, or meeting *414 with clients.
At trial, both petitioners testified that Mr. Black "loved to drive". Petitioners argue that Mr. Black's business was just starting up and client contact was very important. However, petitioners failed to identify even one instance of any business-related travel for either year in issue by destination or name of client. Additionally, the original travel log is now missing and is not part of the record.
Mr. Black may have traveled for business purposes. However, we are convinced that the deductions for travel claimed on the 1991 and 1992 joint returns are grossly overstated. We find that such overstatements are indicative of Mr. Black's fraudulent intent to avoid taxes.
Petitioner is an intelligent and well-educated businessman. We find that he had a basic comprehension of Federal tax matters and he understood that individuals must report their gross income and can only claim deductions for amounts actually paid in the ordinary and necessary course of business, and not for personal expenditures.
Mr. Black attempted to conceal assets by placing title to the assets in his wife's name. At trial, Mr. Black *415 testified that he placed title to property solely in his wife's name so that his creditors would not be able to reach it.
Finally, petitioners provided implausible or inconsistent explanations to explain the discrepancy in the net worth calculations; namely, that they had a cash hoard of $ 500,000. As discussed above, we do not find any of the testimony presented regarding the cash hoard to be credible.
We conclude that the record shows by clear and convincing evidence that petitioners understated their income and overstated deductions and that there are sufficient badges of fraud to show that understated income and overstated deductions are due to Mr. Black's fraudulent intent. Petitioners have failed to prove any portion of the underpayment is not attributable to fraud. Accordingly, we hold that
2. Amount of the Deficiency
Although petitioners conceded some unreported gross income, petitioners did not concede the deficiencies determined by respondent. Petitioners contend they are entitled to a number of adjustments *416 to gross income not allowed by respondent. Generally, the Commissioner's determinations are presumed correct, and the taxpayer bears the burden of proving otherwise.
In the notice of deficiency, respondent disallowed a net operating loss deduction for petitioners' taxable years 1991 and 1992.
However, a taxpayer may elect to relinquish the carryback period with respect to an NOL for any taxable year, thereby using the loss to offset income only in future years.
Petitioners were audited for the taxable years 1987, 1988, and 1989, and later resolved their Tax Court cases 6 for those years by agreeing to deficiencies in income tax and related additions to tax for all 3 years. Additionally, the settlement establishes that petitioners did not incur any NOLs in any of those years, and that no NOL carryover deduction from any pre1987 taxable year existed to be carried forward. Thus, petitioners' entitlement to any NOL carryover deduction for taxable years 1991 and 1992 depends solely *418 on whether they have substantiated both the existence and amount of any NOL for 1990 or 1991.
Petitioners argue that their 1990 return shows an NOL of $ 19,008, and that, by not examining petitioners' 1990 taxable year, respondent has conceded the NOL and cannot disallow it now. Petitioners' argument is without merit. Respondent's failure to audit or disallow a loss claimed on a return for one year does not estop respondent from disallowing an NOL carryover of that loss to a future year.
Under
In the notice of deficiency, respondent disallowed capital loss deductions for petitioners' taxable years *419 1991 and 1992 of $ 3,000 and $ 2,721, respectively. Petitioners advance essentially the same estoppel argument as with the NOL carryover. Petitioners, however, claim the capital losses carried over to 1991 and 1992 arose in taxable years 1981 through 1983 and that deductions of those losses were subsequently allowed in the audited years 1987 through 1989. Petitioners argue that by allowing the loss in the audited years, respondent has conceded the full capital loss carryover amount shown on the returns for 1991 and 1992.
Each taxable year stands alone, and the Commissioner may challenge in a succeeding year what was condoned or agreed to in a former year.
In the notice of deficiency, respondent *420 determined that petitioners failed to report interest and dividend income on their 1992 joint return of $ 3,748 and $ 35, respectively. Gross income includes all interest and dividends received by a taxpayer during the taxable year.
Petitioners argue that they reported $ 754 of interest on the 1992 income tax return filed by Frank Black, Inc. However, all interest at issue appears on Forms 1099 issued to Mr. Black in his individual name and Social Security number. At trial, Mr. Black indicated that he had assigned that income to the corporation. 8The assignment of income doctrine prevents petitioners from avoiding taxation on their interest income by assigning that income to another.
Petitioners failed to present any evidence regarding the $ 35 of dividend income. Accordingly, we conclude that petitioners failed to report interest and dividend income on their 1992 joint return of $ 3,748 and $ 35, respectively.
3. Section 6662(a) Penalty
Pursuant to
Mrs. Black is not liable for the accuracy-related penalty imposed by
We have considered all of petitioners' contentions, and, to the extent they are not addressed herein, they *422 are irrelevant, moot, or without merit.
To reflect the foregoing,
Footnotes
1. Unless otherwise indicated, all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure, and all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.↩
2. The parties stipulated these facts.↩
3. Assets are generally listed at their cost rather than at their current market value.
Camien v. Commissioner , 420 F.2d 283, 285 (8th Cir. 1970)T.C. Memo. 1968-12↩ .4. 156,669/365 = 429.23; 181,692/365 = 497.79↩
5. 429/60 = 7.15; 498/60 = 8.3↩
6. Docket Nos. 10472-91 and 1615-92.↩
7. Respondent allowed a capital loss deduction of $ 271 for taxable year 1992.↩
8. We note that Frank Black, Inc., had no checking or other accounts in 1992 and does not appear to have carried on any operations.↩
2007 T.C. Memo. 364 (Black v. Comm'r) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.