Lai v. Comm'r

2007 T.C. Memo. 165, 93 T.C.M. 1413, 2007 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 167
United States Tax Court·Decided June 26, 2007·No. No. 142-05·Unpublished

Opinion

ELIZABETH LAI, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Lai v. Comm'r
No. 142-05
United States Tax Court
T.C. Memo 2007-165; 2007 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 167; 93 T.C.M. (CCH) 1413;
June 26, 2007, Filed
*167
Kevin O'Connell, for petitioner.
Wesley F. McNamara, for respondent.
Vasquez, Juan F.

JUAN F. VASQUEZ

MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

VASQUEZ, Judge: Respondent determined deficiencies and penalties with respect to petitioner's 1999, 2000, and 2001 Federal income tax as follows:

Penalties

Penalties
YearDeficiencySec. 6662(a)1*168Sec. 6663
1999$ 45,969.00$ 2,434,20$ 25,348.50
200042,401.00--31,778.25
200138,393.00--28,761.00

After concessions, 2 the issues remaining for decision are: (1) Whether petitioner failed to report income from La Belle Vie, petitioner's nail salon business; (2) whether petitioner is liable for the section 6662(a) penalty for 1999 for the underpayment attributable to unsubstantiated deductions; (3) whether petitioner is liable for the civil fraud penalty pursuant to section 6663 for a portion of the 1999 deficiency and the entire 2000 and 2001 deficiencies; (4) whether, in the alternative, if petitioner is found not to be liable for the civil fraud penalty pursuant to section 6663 on any portion of the underpayment for any of the years in issue, petitioner is liable for the accuracy-related penalty on such portion of the underpayment pursuant to section 6662.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. The stipulation of facts, the supplemental stipulations of facts, and the attached exhibits are incorporated herein by this reference. At the time petitioner filed her petition, she resided in Oregon.

General Background

Petitioner was born inVietnam on December 25, 1953. In 1977, petitioner immigrated to the United States. Petitioner and her 13 living siblings were all born and raised in Vietnam. The numerous members of petitioner's extended family live in Vietnam and various locations in the United States. During 1999, 2000, and 2001, *169some of petitioner's siblings who still lived in Vietnam were arranging their financial affairs in anticipation of moving to the United States. Petitioner speaks limited English.

Petitioner's Nail Salon Business

During 1999, 2000, and 2001, petitioner operated as a sole proprietorship La Belle Vie, a nail beauty salon in a shopping mall in Oregon. Petitioner opened her first nail salon in Oregon in 1987. Petitioner handled the banking and finances of La Belle Vie, depositing the credit card receipts every day and the cash receipts approximately once a week. Petitioner paid herself a "salary" from La Belle Vie by writing checks to herself from La Belle Vie bank accounts. Petitioner also received tips from her work at La Belle Vie during 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Petitioner's Banking and Investment Accounts

During 1999, 2000, and 2001, petitioner maintained bank accounts at both Key Bank and U.S. Bank. She maintained two checking accounts at Key Bank in her own name. Petitioner maintained a checking account at U.S. Bank under "La Belle Vie" and a money market account under "Elizabeth T. Lai Sole Prop La Belle Vie". Petitioner used the Key Bank accounts as her personal accounts and the U.S. Bank *170accounts as her business accounts.

Petitioner deposited and withdrew money from her personal accounts at Key Bank as follows:

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Lai v. Comm'r, 2007 T.C. Memo. 165, 93 T.C.M. 1413, 2007 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 167 (tax 2007).

2007 T.C. Memo. 165 (Lai v. Comm'r) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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