Conti v. Commissioner

1992 T.C. Memo. 616, 64 T.C.M. 1093, 1992 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 645
Procedural entryThis page is a short order in Conti v. Commissioner. Read the opinion of the Court — 99 T.C. 370
United States Tax Court·Decided October 19, 1992·No. Docket No. 15131-90·Unpublished

Opinion

GUILIO J. AND EDITH CONTI, Petitioners v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Conti v. Commissioner
Docket No. 15131-90
United States Tax Court
T.C. Memo 1992-616; 1992 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 645; 64 T.C.M. (CCH) 1093;
October 19, 1992, Filed

*645 Decision will be entered under Rule 155.

R determined deficiencies in income tax and additions to tax for 1986 and 1987 using the net worth plus expenditures method. Ps claim that the increase in net worth determined by respondent was due to withdrawals from an $ 800,000 cash hoard and $ 550,000 in loans from their son.

Held: R's determination of deficiencies as amended is sustained.

Held further: Additions to tax under secs. 6653(b) and 6661 as amended are sustained.

For Petitioners: Mark C. Pierce, Robert B. Pierce, and Paul T. Mengel.
For Respondent: Dennis C. Driscoll.
COLVIN

COLVIN

MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

COLVIN, Judge: Respondent determined deficiencies in income tax of $ 116,410.57 for 1986 and $ 390,227.28 for 1987, and additions to tax for fraud under section 6653(b) and substantial understatement of income tax under section 6661.

In the answer respondent alternatively asserted the addition to tax for negligence under section 6653(a). By amended answer, respondent asserted that petitioners' deficiency was $ 217,237 for 1986 and $ 339,021 for 1987. On brief respondent concedes that petitioners' deficiencies do not exceed $ 206,702 for 1986*646 and $ 322,343 for 1987.

After concessions, the issues for decision are:

1. Whether respondent's determination, including that petitioners had a $ 150,000 cash hoard on December 31, 1985, was arbitrary. We hold that it was not.

2. Whether petitioners had an $ 800,000 cash hoard on December 31, 1985, or received $ 550,000 in loans from their son during 1986 and 1987. We hold that they did not.

3. Whether petitioners are entitled to a $ 5,047 deduction for sales tax for 1986, and a $ 410 deduction for tax return preparation fees for 1987. We hold that they are not.

4. Whether petitioners have additional income of $ 893 for 1986 from the sale of their residence. We hold that they do.

5. Whether petitioners are liable for additions to tax for fraud under section 6653(b). We hold that they are.

6. Whether petitioners are liable for additions to tax for substantial understatement of tax under section 6661. We hold that they are.

7. Whether petitioners are liable for additions to tax for negligence under section 6653(a). We need not reach this issue in light of our holding on fraud.

Petitioners offered into evidence the results of polygraph tests to corroborate their*647 cash hoard claim. We previously ruled that the results of these tests are not admissible. Conti v. Commissioner, 99 T.C.     (1992).

Unless otherwise indicated, all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the years in issue, and all 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. References to petitioners are to Mr. and Mrs. Conti.

1. Petitioners and Their Family

Petitioners are husband and wife who resided in Birmingham, Michigan, when the petition was filed. They were married in 1949 and had three sons, Chris, Gary, and Mark (the oldest). Petitioners' sons were in their late twenties to late thirties and petitioners were in their late sixties during the years at issue.

a. Mr. Conti

Mr. Conti was born in 1921. He has a fifth grade education, and began work at age 14. Mr. Conti worked for Ford Motor Co. (Ford) beginning in 1937, and retired in 1985. From 1971 through 1985 he received $ 679,206 in wages from Ford. He was in reasonably good health during the years at issue.

Mr. Conti served in the United States Army from 1942 *648 through 1945. He fought in World War II in North Africa and Europe. He was paid $ 60 per month by the Army.

Mr. Conti inherited $ 10,000 from his father in 1970, and $ 12,637 from his brother in 1984. Mr. Conti never made bank deposits. He gave all of the cash he acquired to Mrs. Conti.

Mr. Conti purchased a deferred annuity for $ 150,000 on November 27, 1981. He withdrew $ 152,020.51 from the annuity account in July 1984, and received a final distribution of $ 38,610.33 on February 9, 1988.

b. Mrs. Conti

Mrs. Conti is a high school graduate with varied work experience before her marriage. She handled the family finances.

In 1986 and 1987 she made more than 300 deposits in at least three banks totaling over $ 950,000. At least 130 of the deposits were cash, totaling over $ 375,000. Also in those years petitioners bought and sold at least 12 real properties. These activities are discussed below.

Mrs. Conti is a little hard of hearing and has high blood pressure.

c. Mark Conti

Mark Conti, petitioners' son, is a college graduate. In the 1980s, he syndicated video games, financed and developed racket clubs, and rehabilitated real estate. In 1986 and 1987 he*649 worked from 80 to 90 hours per week in his parents' real estate activity and in other business activities. His parents paid him about $ 30,000 in 1986 and $ 20,000 in 1987 for his services. During those years he also worked for Kathy Wilson Management Co. and Kathy Wilson individually. His total reported adjusted gross income was $ 43,000 for 1986 and $ 29,000 for 1987.

d. The D'Annunzios

David D'Annunzio, Mrs. Conti's father, was born in 1881 and died in 1960. Rosa D'Annunzio, Mrs. Conti's mother, was born in 1881 and died in 1973. From about 1953 to 1966, petitioners and Mrs. Conti's mother lived together in Detroit, Michigan.

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Conti v. Commissioner, 1992 T.C. Memo. 616, 64 T.C.M. 1093, 1992 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 645 (tax 1992).

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