Penalties Under the Code
Additions to Tax

Ervin v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-75

On June 23, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Ervin v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-75). The primary issue presented in Ervin v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner’s criminal restitution payments satisfied his income tax liability. Background to Ervin v. Commissioner This may be a rather vast generalization, but most folks named Monty are not the most trustworthy.  Monty Ervin is one such Monty.  Monty failed to file Federal income

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Scott St. Amand July 12, 2021
Procedural Issues
Assessable Penalties

Current Developments on Prior Written Supervisory Approval under IRC § 6751(b)(1)

The Statute No penalty under the Code[1] may be assessed unless the initial determination of such assessment is personally approved in writing by the immediate supervisor of the individual/agent making such determination (or another appropriate higher-level official).[2] This approval requirement, introduced in 1998, was the subject of only three substantial decisions prior to 2020. This year, however, was a boon for taxpayers, and the full opinions of the Tax Court defined the metes and bounds

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Scott St. Amand April 30, 2021
Penalties Under the Code
Adequate Disclosure

A Comprehensive Guide to Preparer Penalties

Preparer penalties are like poison ivy. They lurk around every corner, and despite your best efforts, even the slightest step off the path of (tax return) righteousness can lead to a wholly uncomfortable time.  This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step analysis of each of the preparer penalties under the Code, both civil and, yes, even criminal and examines, where possible, how to avoid them (after the fact – sort of like an administrative calamine lotion).

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Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021
Income Tax Issues
Actual Knowledge

A Deep Dive into Innocent Spouse Relief

Uncle Bill has four children…that he knows of. We met Jedediah in a previous post. Jethro is on year four of his five-year stint at Raiford for possession of amphetamines with intent to distribute. In his defense, Jethro agreed with the officer that the crank was his.  However, he vehemently denied that he had any intent whatsoever to share it with anyone else. (Candidly, you absolutely believe him.)  Bill and Ethel’s daughters Jennie and Jaime

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Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021
Procedural Issues
90-Day Letter

Procedural Considerations on Collection (Assessment) – Part Two: Authority and Limits on Assessment

In the first article in this series about the IRS’s ability to assess tax and additions thereto, we explored the basics of assessment.  In this second article, we’ll examine deficiencies.  In the third article, we’ll examine termination and jeopardy assessments. Deficiencies, Generally For purposes of income, estate, gift, and excise taxes, a deficiency is the amount by which the tax imposed by the Code exceeds the amount of tax shown on the taxpayer’s return, plus

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Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021
Income Tax Issues
Assessable Penalties

Filing Joint Returns Under IRC § 6013 – Consequences and Benefits

IRC § 6013 permits the filing of joint returns by spouses. It should be noted that the Code has not adapted to the times, and it still lists “husbands and wives” as the only persons who may make a single return jointly. For purposes of equality and inclusion, and to stick it to the patriarchy, I will use the term spouses. The most interesting aspect of IRC § 6013 is the ability for a delinquent

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Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021
Procedural Issues
Abatements

Abatements, Reconsiderations, and Adjustments

There are three types of administrative remedies that a taxpayer may avail itself of in the event that the taxpayer believes that a tax, penalty, or interest has been improperly assessed.  Reconsiderations deal with original determinations made during an audit/examination, and generally apply when the taxpayer has additional information that was not taken into account during the original examination. Reconsiderations are requests to reevaluate the results of an audit assessment when a taxpayer disagrees with

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Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021
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Ervin v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-75

On June 23, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Ervin v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-75). The primary issue presented in Ervin v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner’s criminal restitution payments satisfied his income tax liability. Background to Ervin v. Commissioner This may be a

Read More »
Scott St. Amand July 12, 2021

A Comprehensive Guide to Preparer Penalties

Preparer penalties are like poison ivy. They lurk around every corner, and despite your best efforts, even the slightest step off the path of (tax return) righteousness can lead to a wholly uncomfortable time.  This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step analysis of each of the preparer penalties under the Code,

Read More »
Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021

A Deep Dive into Innocent Spouse Relief

Uncle Bill has four children…that he knows of. We met Jedediah in a previous post. Jethro is on year four of his five-year stint at Raiford for possession of amphetamines with intent to distribute. In his defense, Jethro agreed with the officer that the crank was his.  However, he vehemently

Read More »
Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021

Abatements, Reconsiderations, and Adjustments

There are three types of administrative remedies that a taxpayer may avail itself of in the event that the taxpayer believes that a tax, penalty, or interest has been improperly assessed.  Reconsiderations deal with original determinations made during an audit/examination, and generally apply when the taxpayer has additional information that

Read More »
Scott St. Amand April 29, 2021