On March 1, 2021, the Tax Court issued its opinion in Beland v. Commissioner (156 T.C. No. 5). The underlying issue presented in Beland v. Commissioner was whether the civil fraud penalty was not timely approved pursuant to IRC § 6751(b)(1). Background to Beland v. Commissioner The petitioners filed a joint return for 2011.  The IRS audited the return and required the petitioners to attend an in-person closing conference.  During the conference, the revenue agent