Charitable Contributions

Pankratz v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-26

On March 3, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Pankratz v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-26). The primary issue presented in Pankratz v. Commissioner was whether the failure to attach appraisals can be due to reasonable cause when a taxpayer admits that he did not review his tax returns before filing. Introductory Notes: I cannot say for sure whether the return preparers were actually the fire chief and the village

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Scott St. Amand March 3, 2021
Penalties Under the Code
Form 4549

Beland v. Commissioner
156 T.C. No. 5

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

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Scott St. Amand March 1, 2021
Penalties Under the Code
CDP

Llanos v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-21

On February 22, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Llanos v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-21). The primary issue presented in Llanos v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner was liable for penalties under IRC § 6702. The Letter Return in Llanos v. Commissioner On December 1, 2014, the petitioner sent the IRS a letter entitled “Request for Audit Reconsideration for 2010, 2011, and 2012”. The letter states: “I fully intend

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Scott St. Amand February 22, 2021
Penalties Under the Code
Accuracy Related Penalty

Sells v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-12

On January 28, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Sells v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-12). The main issue presented in Sells v. Commissioner was whether the conservation easement deduction was appropriately denied, but it is the prior supervisory approval that we’ll focus on below. Background to the Penalty Issue in Sells v. Commissioner The IRS asserted penalties for both the conservation easement and the timber donation. However, the parties

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Scott St. Amand January 28, 2021
Penalties Under the Code
Early Withdrawal Penalty

Grajales v. Commissioner (156 T.C. No. 3)

On January 25, 2021, the Tax Court issued its opinion in Grajales v. Commissioner, 156 T.C. No. 3. The underlying issue presented in Grajales was whether prior written supervisory approval under IRC § 6751(b)(1) was required to assert the 10% IRC § 72(t) “exaction” for early distributions from a qualified retirement plan. Labels are for Cans Abraham Lincoln is credited for saying “How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a

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Scott St. Amand January 25, 2021
Procedural Issues
Accuracy Related Penalty

Oropeza v. Commissioner
155 T.C. No. 9

On October 13, 2020, the Tax Court issued its opinion in Oropeza v. Commissioner (155 T.C. No. 9). The primary issue presented in Oropeza v. Commissioner was whether the IRS obtained prior supervisory approval pursuant to IRC § 6751(b)(1) prior to its initial determination to assess a penalty against the petitioner for tax year 2011.  Specifically, the issue in Oropeza v. Commissioner was whether a Letter 5153 accompanied by a Form 4549-A (an RAR) constituted

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Scott St. Amand October 13, 2020
Penalties Under the Code
Immediate Supervisor

Patel v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-133

On September 22, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Patel v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-133). The primary issue before the court in Patel v. Commissioner was whether the IRS secured timely prior written supervisory approval for the penalties at issue as required by IRC § 6751(b)(1). The (Purported) Background in Patel v. Commissioner I enter this case with a fair bit of skepticism, due in toto to Judge Jones’

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Scott St. Amand September 22, 2020
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Pankratz v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-26

On March 3, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Pankratz v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-26). The primary issue presented in Pankratz v. Commissioner was whether the failure to attach appraisals can be due to reasonable cause when a taxpayer admits that he did not

Read More »
Scott St. Amand March 3, 2021

Beland v. Commissioner
156 T.C. No. 5

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

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Scott St. Amand March 1, 2021

Llanos v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-21

On February 22, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Llanos v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-21). The primary issue presented in Llanos v. Commissioner was whether the petitioner was liable for penalties under IRC § 6702. The Letter Return in Llanos v. Commissioner On December

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Scott St. Amand February 22, 2021

Sells v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2021-12

On January 28, 2021, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Sells v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2021-12). The main issue presented in Sells v. Commissioner was whether the conservation easement deduction was appropriately denied, but it is the prior supervisory approval that we’ll focus on below.

Read More »
Scott St. Amand January 28, 2021

Grajales v. Commissioner (156 T.C. No. 3)

On January 25, 2021, the Tax Court issued its opinion in Grajales v. Commissioner, 156 T.C. No. 3. The underlying issue presented in Grajales was whether prior written supervisory approval under IRC § 6751(b)(1) was required to assert the 10% IRC § 72(t) “exaction” for early distributions from a qualified

Read More »
Scott St. Amand January 25, 2021

Oropeza v. Commissioner
155 T.C. No. 9

On October 13, 2020, the Tax Court issued its opinion in Oropeza v. Commissioner (155 T.C. No. 9). The primary issue presented in Oropeza v. Commissioner was whether the IRS obtained prior supervisory approval pursuant to IRC § 6751(b)(1) prior to its initial determination to assess a penalty against the

Read More »
Scott St. Amand October 13, 2020

Patel v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2020-133

On September 22, 2020, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Patel v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2020-133). The primary issue before the court in Patel v. Commissioner was whether the IRS secured timely prior written supervisory approval for the penalties at issue as required by IRC

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Scott St. Amand September 22, 2020