T.C. Memo. 1996-459
UNITED STATES TAX COURT
JUNG K. YOON AND HEE S. YOON, Petitioners v.
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Docket No. 9034-94. Filed October 10, 1996.
John E. Leeper and Towner S. Leeper, for petitioners.
Frank R. Hise and Gerald L. Brantley, for respondent.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
COHEN, Chief Judge: Respondent determined deficiencies, an
addition to tax, and penalties in petitioners' Federal income
taxes as follows:
Addition to Tax and Penalty
Year Deficiency Sec. 6651(a)(1) Sec. 6663(a)
1989 $47,002 -- $35,251.50
1990 76,128 -- 56,528.00
1991 83,068 $9,071 61,157.00
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Respondent's answer asserted the section 6662(a) accuracy-related
penalty in the alternative to the section 6663(a) fraud penalty.
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.
After concessions by respondent, the issues remaining for
decision are: (1) Whether petitioners received unreported income
during the years in issue, including income from their wholly
owned S corporation during 1991; (2) whether petitioners are
liable for the section 6651(a)(1) addition to tax for 1991; and
(3) whether petitioners are liable for the section 6662(a)
accuracy-related penalty for the years in issue.
Preliminary Matter
Due to petitioners' failure to comply with this Court's
standing pretrial order and hearsay objections by the parties set
forth in the stipulations, many of the exhibits offered into
evidence were not received at the trial of this case. During the
trial, petitioners' counsel offered to withdraw all objections to
respondent's exhibits if respondent would in turn withdraw all
objections to petitioners' exhibits. Thereafter, the Court
received a document from respondent in which respondent's
objections were withdrawn. We have therefore proceeded with the
disposition of this case considering all of the exhibits attached
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to the stipulation of facts and supplemental stipulation of facts
and an additional exhibit produced at trial.
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts have been stipulated, and the stipulated
facts are incorporated in our findings by this reference. At the
time the petition was filed, Jung K. Yoon and Hee S. Yoon
(petitioners) resided in El Paso, Texas.
Jung K. Yoon (Yoon) was born in Seoul, Korea. Yoon
immigrated to the United States in 1975.
During 1989, 1990, and 1991, petitioners owned and operated
a general merchandise store specializing in low-cost items in
South El Paso under the name L.A. Trading. Most of petitioners'
customers came into the United States from Juarez, Mexico.
During the years in issue, Yoon worked 14 hours a day, 7 days a
week, and he never took a vacation.
In 1989, L.A. Trading was operated as a sole proprietorship.
On January 31, 1990, petitioners incorporated Jung K. Yoon, Inc.
(JKY), electing treatment as an S corporation. JKY operated the
merchandise business that was previously operated as a sole
proprietorship. During 1990 and 1991, petitioners owned
100 percent of the stock of JKY. By the end of 1995, petitioners
closed the store as a result of the downturn in the Mexican
economy and the devalued peso.
JKY's suppliers, mainly Korean-owned businesses, were
primarily located in Los Angeles, California. Yoon entertained
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JKY's suppliers on occasion in hopes of getting better prices and
better payment plans. JKY purchased over $1 million in inventory
in each of the years in issue. Yoon frequently traveled to Los
Angeles to purchase merchandise. Yoon also traveled to Las
Vegas, Nevada, two or three times each year to attend trade shows
and to purchase merchandise. Yoon has no relatives in Los
Angeles or Las Vegas.
Petitioners maintained several personal and business
accounts in at least two banks during the years in issue.
Petitioners' children also maintained bank accounts during the
years in issue.
During the years in issue, petitioners acquired the
following properties:
Purchase
Date Address Price
03/16/89 515 South Stanton $447,000
04/18/89 519 South Stanton $450,000
05/02/89 413 8th Street $300,000
04/30/91 932 Cherry Hill $320,000
Petitioners incurred the following indebtedness for the
purchase of real property during the years in issue:
Date Amount Lender Reason
1989 $ 80,000 Jae Gilpin Purchase of 519 South Stanton
1989 $350,000 Teresa Baca Purchase of 515 South Stanton
1989 $300,000 Julia Samaniego Purchase of 519 South Stanton
1989 $270,000 Roberto Okubo Purchase of 413 E. 8th
1
1989 $ 60,000 Su Chon Han
1990 $ 30,000 Doo Sung Purchase of 932 Cherry Hill
1991 $ 3,000 Doo Sung Purchase of 932 Cherry Hill
1
The record is not clear as to the purpose of this loan.
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Petitioners paid interest on the loan from Jae Gilpin (Gilpin).
Petitioners were required to pay interest on at least a portion
of the loan from Su Chon Han.
Petitioners also incurred debt related to their purchase of
several automobiles during the years in issue.
Petitioners had the following personal credit card account
balances:
Date Credit Card Balance
Dec. 31, 1989 $20,521.99
Dec. 31, 1990 16,413.37
Dec. 31, 1991 26,075.24
JKY had the following nontaxable receipts during 1991:
Description Amount
1
Loan from Sunwest $40,000
1
Loan from shareholder 89,530
Loans from suppliers:
Price Mart 5,000
Almar Sales 14,000
La Coqurto 3,000
Total $151,530
1
Respondent allowed these amounts in the notice of
deficiency.
JKY had $140,614.37 of sales returns/chargebacks during 1991.
Income Tax Returns
Patrick Caufield (Caufield) prepared petitioners' 1989
Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and JKY's 1990
Form 1120S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation. Caufield
did not review the tax returns with Yoon because of the
difficulty in communicating with him. Thomas Hwang prepared
petitioners' 1990 and 1991 Forms 1040 and JKY's 1991 Form 1120S.
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The return preparers did not use the cash register tapes
from the business when calculating the amount of gross receipts
to be reported on petitioners' or JKY's Federal income tax
returns. Petitioners prepared monthly written statements of how
much gross receipts were received by the business. These
statements, along with other information supplied by petitioners,
were used in the preparation of petitioners' and JKY's returns.
Petitioners filed joint Federal income tax returns on a cash
basis for each of the years in issue. Petitioners' 1991 return
was filed on February 22, 1993.
JKY filed Forms 1120S for its taxable years ended
December 31, 1990, and December 31, 1991, respectively.
Respondent's Examination and Determination
During an examination of petitioners' returns, the examining
revenue agent requested that petitioners produce bank records and
various other documents. Petitioners did not produce check
registers or all of the bank statements and canceled checks from
petitioners' various accounts or other records adequate to
determine petitioners' taxable income. The agent therefore
reconstructed petitioners' income as described below.
Respondent's Net Worth Calculations
Respondent computed petitioners' beginning net worth by
calculating bank balances, inventory, personal property, real
property, and other assets owned at the end of 1988 and reducing
this amount by loans and accumulated depreciation. Any apparent
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mathematical errors are the result of respondent's rounding off
various amounts.
The following is respondent's computation of petitioners'
increase in net worth plus personal living expenses for 1989:
12/31/88 12/31/89
Assets
Bank account balances
Cash on hand $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Sunwest - 180-0090126 0.00 15,506.99
Sun World - 27-02180 0.00 8,226.29
Surety Savings - 55-46374 15,619.47 0.00
Surety Savings - 59-40245 1,648.17 0.00
Sun World - 27-02236 0.00 1,754.74
Sun World - 62-00931 0.00 1,717.29
$ 17,267.64 $ 27,205.31
Inventory $270,000.00 $ 272,797.00
Personal property
Store equipment $ 378.00 $ 378.00
Steel gate 140.00 140.00
Improvements 888.00 888.00
1982 Chevrolet van 11,629.00 11,629.00
Display case 600.00 600.00
Fixtures 5,406.00 5,406.00
Cash register 0.00 1,188.00
1989 Isuzu 0.00 13,317.00
1988 Cadillac 0.00 19,973.80
$ 19,041.00 $ 53,519.80
Real property
515 S. Stanton $ 0.00 $ 447,000.00
519 S. Stanton 0.00 450,000.00
413 E. 8th Street 0.00 300,000.00
$ 0.00 $1,197,000.00
Other assets
Deposits $ 530.00 530.00
Passive loss carryover 0.00 63,413.00
$ 530.00 $ 63,943.00
Total assets $306,838.64 $1,614,465.11
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Liabilities
Loans and mortgages
515 S. Stanton - Baca $ 0.00 $ 346,685.42
519 S. Stanton - Samaniego 0.00 194,072.70
413 E. 8th - Okubo 0.00 261,723.45
Note payable - Sunwest 0.00 100,000.00
Note payable - Autos 0.00 10,012.62
Mortgage payable - Gilpin 0.00 80,000.00
Note payable - Cadillac 0.00 16,676.89
Note payable - Han 0.00 60,000.00
$ 0.00 $1,069,171.08
Accumulated depreciation
515 S. Stanton $ 0.00 $ 9,978.00
519 S. Stanton 0.00 7,937.00
413 E. 8th 0.00 5,159.00
Store equipment 190.00 266.00
Steel gate 70.00 99.00
Improvements 445.00 631.00
1982 Chevrolet van 3,815.00 8,615.00
Display case 300.00 420.00
Fixtures 2,366.00 3,235.00
Cash register 0.00 1,188.00
1989 Isuzu 0.00 2,660.00
$ 7,186.00 $ 40,188.00
Total liabilities $ 7,186.00 $1,109,359.00
1
Net worth $299,653.00 $ 505,106.00
Beginning net worth (299,653.00)
Change in net worth $ 205,453.00
Personal living expenses 124,929.00
Adjusted gross income as corrected $ 330,382.00
Adjusted gross income per return (172,216.00)
Unidentified Income $ 158,166.00
1
Respondent has conceded that this amount should be reduced
by $800, the trade-in value of a 1980 Buick traded in on the
purchase of the 1989 Isuzu.
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The following is respondent's computation of petitioners'
increase in net worth plus personal living expenses for 1990:
12/31/89 12/31/90
Assets
Bank account balances
Cash on hand $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Sunwest - 180-009126 15,506.99 4,432.00
Sun World - 27-02180 8,226.29 11,922.00
Sunwest Bank - 1800048108 0.00 5,930.00
Sunwest Bank - 1850002567 0.00 1,028.00
Sun World - 27-02236 1,754.74 0.00
Sun World - 62-00931 1,717.29 3,674.00
Sunwest Bank - 1800095316 0.00 14,177.00
Sunwest Bank - 1800096908 0.00 1,355.00
Cash transferred to JKY 0.00 (8,106.00)
$ 27,205.31 $ 34,412.00
Inventory $ 272,797.00 $ 0.00
Personal property
Store equipment $ 378.00 $ 0.00
Steel gate 140.00 0.00
Improvements 888.00 0.00
1982 Chevrolet van 11,629.00 0.00
Display case 600.00 0.00
Fixtures 5,406.00 0.00
Cash register 1,188.00 0.00
1989 Isuzu 13,317.00 0.00
1988 Cadillac 19,973.80 19,973.80
$ 53,519.80 $ 19,973.80
Real property
515 S. Stanton $ 447,000.00 $ 447,000.00
519 S. Stanton 450,000.00 450,000.00
413 E. 8th Street 300,000.00 300,000.00
$1,197,000.00 $1,197,000.00
Capital account - JKY $ 0.00 $ 283,043.00
Unused passive losses $ 63,943.00 $ 38,413.00
Total assets $1,614,465.00 $1,572,842.00
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Liabilities
Loans and mortgages
515 S. Stanton - Baca $ 346,685.42 $ 342,209.68
519 S. Stanton - Samaniego 194,072.70 182,811.21
413 E. 8th - Okubo 261,723.45 219,407.65
Note payable - Sunwest 100,000.00 0.00
Note payable - Ford Motor 10,012.61 0.00
Note payable - Cadillac 16,676.89 10,840.33
Note payable - Han 60,000.00 60,000.00
Note payable - Gilpin 80,000.00 71,100.00
$1,069,171.07 $ 886,368.87
Accumulated depreciation
515 S. Stanton $ 9,978.00 $ 22,581.00
519 S. Stanton 7,937.00 20,635.00
413 E. 8th 5,159.00 13,413.00
Store equipment 266.00 0.00
Steel gate 99.00 0.00
Improvements 631.00 0.00
1982 Chevrolet van 8,615.00 0.00
Display case 420.00 0.00
Fixtures 3,235.00 0.00
Cash register 1,188.00 0.00
1989 Isuzu 2,660.00 0.00
$ 40,188.00 $ 56,629.00
Total liabilities $1,109,359.00 $ 942,998.00
Net worth $ 505,106.00 $ 629,844.00
Beginning net worth (505,106.00)
Change in net worth $ 124,738.00
Personal living expenses 138,810.00
Cash withdrawal from JKY capital account (18,000.00)
Adjusted gross income as corrected $ 245,548.00
Adjusted gross income per return (37,287.00)
Unidentified income $ 208,261.00
The following is respondent's computation of petitioners'
increase in net worth plus personal living expenses for 1991:
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12/31/90 12/31/91
Assets
Bank account balances
Cash on hand $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Sun World - 27-02180 11,922.00 348.00
Sunwest Bank - 1800048108 5,930.00 5,300.00
Sunwest Bank - 1850002567 1,028.00 455.00
Sunwest Bank - 1800095316 14,177.00 4,671.00
Sunwest Bank - 1800096908 1,355.00 1,466.00
$ 34,412.00 $ 12,240.00
Personal property
1988 Cadillac $ 19,973.80 19,973.80
Real property
932 Cherry Hill $ 0.00 $ 320,000.00
515 S. Stanton 447,000.00 447,000.00
519 S. Stanton 450,000.00 450,000.00
413 E. 8th Street 300,000.00 300,000.00
$1,197,000.00 $1,517,000.00
Capital account - JKY $ 265,043.00 $ 519,576.00
Unused passive losses $ 38,413.00 $ 12,624.00
Total assets $1,554,842.00 $2,081,414.00
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Liabilities
Loans and mortgages
515 S. Stanton - Baca $ 342,209.68 $ 336,734.60
519 S. Stanton - Samaniego 182,811.21 169,995.27
413 E. 8th - Okubo 219,407.65 0.00
Note payable - Sunwest 0.00 172,583.37
Note payable - Chase 10,840.33 4,270.06
Note payable - Han 60,000.00 60,000.00
Note payable - Prudential 0.00 254,378.24
Note payable - Yi 0.00 (15,000.00)
Note payable - Gilpin 71,100.00 0.00
$ 886,368.87 $ 982,961.54
Accumulated depreciation
515 S. Stanton $ 22,581.00 $ 35,184.00
519 S. Stanton 20,635.00 33,333.00
413 E. 8th 13,413.00 21,667.00
$ 56,629.00 $ 90,184.00
Total liabilities $ 942,998.00 $1,073,146.00
Net worth $ 611,844.00 $1,008,268.00
Beginning net worth (611,844.00)
Change in net worth $ 396,424.00
Personal living expenses 186,248.00
Cash withdrawal from JKY capital account (133,100.00)
Adjusted gross income as corrected $ 449,572.00
Adjusted gross income per return (244,010.00)
Unidentified income $205,562.00
Respondent prepared the computations of beginning and ending
bank account balances from monthly bank statements and deposit
slips.
Respondent computed petitioners' increase in ownership of
personal property by calculating the personal property owned at
the end of the year less personal property owned at the beginning
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of the year. Third-party records, petitioners' depreciation
schedules, and Department of Motor Vehicles' records were used to
calculate petitioners' ownership of personal property.
Respondent computed petitioners' increase in the ownership
of real property by determining the real property owned at the
end of the year less what was owned at the beginning of the year.
Respondent obtained the records relating to petitioners'
acquisition of real property from third-party sources.
Respondent used amortization tables to calculate loan balances at
the end of each taxable year.
All payments from petitioners' personal bank accounts on
credit card account balances were treated as personal living
expenses in respondent's computation of petitioners' net worth.
Respondent determined petitioners' February 1, 1990,
investment in JKY by netting assets and liabilities transferred
to JKY as follows:
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Assets
Cash-Sunwest $ 4,432.00
Cash-Sun World 3,674.00
Deposits 530.00
Depreciable assets (business)
Store equipment 378.00
Steel gate 140.00
Improvements 888.00
Chevrolet van 11,629.00
Display cases 600.00
Fixtures 5,406.00
Cash register 1,188.00
1989 Isuzu 13,317.00
Inventory 267,077.55
$309,259.55
Liabilities
Note payable-Chevrolet van $ 10,012.61
Note payable-Sunwest Bank 91,666.67
Accumulated depreciation 17,114.00
118,793.28
Investment in JKY $190,466.27
Respondent computed petitioners' December 31, 1990,
investment in JKY by adding the February 1, 1990, investment to
shareholder loans made during the year and income reported by
JKY, less distributions made during the year.
Investment as of 2/1/90 $190,466.27
Increased by:
1990 Income 47,577.00
Loans to JKY 45,000.00
Decreased by:
1990 Distributions (18,000.00)
Investment as of 12/31/90 $265,043.27
Respondent computed petitioners' December 31, 1991,
investment in JKY by adding the December 31, 1990, investment to
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shareholder loans made during the year and income reported by
JKY, less distributions made during the year.
Investment as of 12/31/90 $265,043.27
Increased by:
1991 Income 165,003.00
Loans to JKY 89,530.00
Decreased by:
1991 Distributions (134,105.00)
Investment as of 12/31/91 $385,471.27
Income Pass-Through--Form 1120S Adjustment
Respondent based the proposed adjustments to JKY's 1990 and
1991 income on the bank deposit method. Respondent conceded the
Form 1120S adjustment for taxable year 1990 in the amount of
$38,321 based upon information supplied by petitioners during the
preparation of this case for trial.
OPINION
Unreported Income
The first issue for resolution is whether petitioners
underreported their taxable income for each of the years in
issue. In this case, the evidence of unreported income consists
of respondent's net worth and bank deposit analyses. The
validity of those analyses must be examined by applying the
standards set forth in Holland v. United States, 348 U.S. 121
(1954). Under those standards, respondent must establish, with
reasonable certainty, an opening net worth; and she must
establish that either a likely source of unreported income
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existed or that she conducted a reasonable investigation of leads
to negate the existence of nontaxable sources of income. Id. at
132.
Under the net worth method, income is computed by
determining a taxpayer's net worth at the beginning and end of a
period. The difference between the amounts is the increase in
net worth. An increase in a taxpayer's net worth, plus his
nondeductible expenditures, less nontaxable receipts, may be
considered taxable income. Id. at 125.
Where the Commissioner has determined a deficiency by using
the net worth method, we may adjust a determination of opening
net worth shown by the trial record to be unrealistic. Hoffman
v. Commissioner, 298 F.2d 784, 786 (3d Cir. 1962), affg. in part
T.C. Memo. 1960-160; Baumgardner v. Commissioner, 251 F.2d 311,
318 (9th Cir. 1957), affg. T.C. Memo. 1956-112; Potson v.
Commissioner, 22 T.C. 912, 928-929 (1954), affd. sub nom.
Bodoglau v. Commissioner, 230 F.2d 336 (7th Cir. 1956). Any such
adjustments do not invalidate the presumption of correctness
attaching to other aspects of the Commissioner's deficiency
determination if the determination was not arbitrary. Hoffman v.
Commissioner, supra at 788.
Petitioners have raised four areas of dispute with
respondent's calculations, and we address each of these areas
below.
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1. Outstanding Liabilities
Petitioners contend that respondent failed to reduce
petitioners' net worth by outstanding liabilities, mainly credit
card debts and debts to friends and relatives.
a. Credit cards. Respondent did not include in her net
worth determination petitioners' personal credit card
liabilities.
Petitioners failed to provide any reliable evidence from
which we can establish or even estimate their credit card
liabilities as of December 31, 1988, or January 1, 1989. At
trial, petitioners presented, as part of their personal living
expense calculations, schedules prepared by Caufield that state
alleged opening dates of certain credit card accounts. No
supporting documents were attached to these schedules, and Yoon
did not testify regarding the establishment of any of the credit
card accounts. Without a reliable opening balance as of
January 1, 1989, we cannot determine whether this debt increased
or decreased during the year. Thus, we cannot adjust
respondent's net worth determination for 1989 by any credit card
liabilities.
At trial, petitioners produced a schedule of credit card
balances at the end of 1989, 1990, and 1991 with copies of
certain monthly credit card statements attached. These schedules
and copies of statements are reliable evidence of petitioners'
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credit card liabilities. However, the total reflected on
petitioners' 1990 schedule should be reduced by the balance of a
corporate credit card and by a balance for which there is no
supporting monthly statement. The total reflected on
petitioners' 1991 schedule should be reduced by the balances of
two corporate credit cards and increased by $100 to correct an
apparent mathematical error. Because, during 1989, petitioners
operated L.A. Trading as a sole proprietorship, we need not
reduce the total reflected on petitioners' 1989 schedule by the
business (corporate) credit card. We have determined from the
evidence that petitioners had the personal credit card balances
set forth in our Findings of Fact. Respondent's calculations of
petitioners' net worth for 1990 and 1991 must be adjusted to
reflect the credit card balances as liabilities.
b. Debts to friends and relatives. Petitioners contend
that respondent failed to take into account several liabilities
that petitioners incurred to various friends and relatives.
Yoon testified at trial that he borrowed $30,000 in 1990 and
$3,000 in 1991 from Doo Sung. Doo Sung also testified to the
existence of these loans. Their testimony regarding the $30,000
loan in 1990 was corroborated by a copy of Doo Sung's checking
account statement for a period ended October 25, 1990, that
showed that a check in the amount of $30,000 had cleared the bank
on October 22, 1990. Yoon's and Doo Sung's testimony regarding
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the $30,000 loan and the $3,000 loan is neither incredible nor
controverted. Petitioners' net worth for 1990 and 1991 must be
adjusted to reflect these increased liabilities.
Petitioner also testified that he borrowed $40,000, in
addition to the $80,000 allowed by respondent, from Gilpin. He
testified that he did not sign a promissory note for either the
$80,000 loan or the $40,000 loan from Gilpin. Gilpin was not
called to testify at trial. The evidence presented regarding the
$40,000 loan is sparse, ambiguous, and consists only of:
canceled checks reflecting $109,320 in 1991 in payments to
Gilpin; a letter stating that the checks represent the repayment
of the $80,000 loan with interest; and a copy of a receipt from a
title company indicating a $40,000 deposit from Gilpin to an
account for the purchase of 515 Stanton Street.
Petitioners present two alternative arguments regarding the
alleged $40,000 loan from Gilpin. First, petitioners argue that
their liabilities should be increased by $40,000 as of
December 31, 1989, and reduced as of December 31, 1990, by
documented payments. In the alternative, if the $40,000 is not
recognized as a liability, petitioners ask that the excess over
$80,000 that petitioners paid to Gilpin be treated as an interest
deduction in 1991. In any event, petitioners argue that the
excess payments were not personal living expenses as determined
by respondent.
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We are not persuaded that an additional $40,000 debt to
Gilpin existed. We conclude, however, that petitioners did have
an interest obligation to Gilpin on the $80,000 debt and paid
interest in 1991. Petitioners are entitled to an interest
deduction of $29,320 in 1991 relating to property they owned at
519 Stanton Street. No other payments have been established to
be interest during that year.
Petitioners argue that at least six additional loans in
amounts ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 existed during the years
in issue. The only evidence of these loans is petitioners'
testimony at trial as to the amount and approximate date of each
alleged loan. Petitioner does not claim that any promissory
notes were issued, that any interest was charged, or that any
portion of any of the alleged loans has been repaid. Yoon and
Doo Sung testified that Korean custom dictates that no promissory
notes are executed to represent indebtedness because a friend's
word is enough of a promise to repay. Petitioners are required,
however, to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the
loans existed. Yoon's uncorroborated testimony as to the
existence of additional loans is insufficient. See Wood v.
Commissioner, 338 F.2d 602, 605 (9th Cir. 1964), affg. 41 T.C.
593 (1964).
2. Asset Balances
a. Bank account balances. Petitioners contend that
respondent erred in failing to reduce yearend bank balances by
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outstanding checks. Respondent argues that she has been
consistent in her treatment of the outstanding checks over the
years in issue and that, in any event, the treatment sought by
petitioners would result in a "wash".
Generally, bank balances are reduced by outstanding checks.
See Lanier v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1966-14. However, we
cannot be certain that all outstanding checks have been
identified for each of the years in issue. At trial, both
Caufield and the revenue agent testified that the check registers
and all canceled checks and bank statements from petitioners'
various accounts were not presented during the examination of
petitioners' returns. Furthermore, petitioners have not
presented evidence regarding any outstanding checks as of
December 31, 1988. This information would be necessary for
consistency in the net worth computations. Respondent's
determination of petitioners' bank account balances will be
sustained.
Petitioners also argue that respondent erred in including
the bank accounts of petitioners' children in petitioners' net
worth. At trial, the revenue agent testified that it appeared
that deposits into the children's accounts included business
receipts. Yoon testified at trial that neither of petitioners
deposited business money into their children's bank accounts and
that family gifts generally made up any deposits into the
accounts. Yoon also testified, however, that his wife received a
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salary from L.A. Trading and that he did not know what she did
with those paychecks. Petitioners have not persuaded us that
petitioners' own funds were not deposited into these accounts.
Respondent's determination that petitioners' children's bank
accounts are included in petitioners' net worth will be
sustained.
b. 1980 Buick. Petitioners contend that respondent failed
to include in their net worth a Buick they purchased in 1980.
Yoon testified at trial that the Buick cost $10,000 when he
purchased it in 1980. Petitioners traded the Buick when they
purchased their 1989 Isuzu. Respondent has not argued that the
Buick was not owned by petitioners in 1988 and has conceded that
petitioners' 1989 net worth should be reduced by $800, the trade-
in value of the Buick.
In making use of the net worth method, actual cost, not fair
market value, is to be used. See Kelley v. Commissioner, T.C.
Memo. 1964-267. We conclude that petitioners' net worth on
December 31, 1988, should be increased by $10,000 and that
petitioners' net worth on December 31, 1989, should be decreased
by $10,000 to reflect the ownership and subsequent sale of the
Buick.
c. JKY capital account. Petitioners argue that respondent
erred in three ways in the calculation of petitioners' JKY
capital account.
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First, petitioners argue that respondent did not subtract
outstanding checks from the balances of the bank accounts
transferred to JKY. We incorporate herein the above discussion
of that argument.
Second, petitioners argue that the actual transfer to JKY
consisted of $22,481.66 of business assets and $8,601.08 of
depreciation, not $33,546 of business assets and $17,114 of
depreciation as respondent determined. Petitioners offered an
undated document prepared by Caufield entitled "S Corporation 351
Transfer" as evidence that respondent's calculation of assets and
depreciation was incorrect. No supporting documents were
presented. Caufield testified at trial that this document
represented his initial computation of petitioners' section 351
transfer. He noted that at least one of the liabilities
represented on the document was in fact paid by the date of the
transfer and thus its inclusion was an error. Caufield also
testified that his calculation of the category "Fixed Assets",
unlike respondent's, did not include a 1982 Chevrolet van that
was sold by petitioners prior to the section 351 transfer. Yoon
did not testify about the transfer of assets to JKY. Other than
Caufield's testimony that the 1982 Chevrolet van was not included
in his calculation of fixed assets, we are provided with nothing
other than a summary with preliminary numbers and no support or
explanation. Petitioners have not presented sufficient evidence
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that respondent's computation of the assets and depreciation
transferred to JKY was in error.
Finally, petitioners argue that JKY assumed certain payroll
taxes that should reduce petitioners' capital account balance for
each of the years in issue. Caufield testified that JKY assumed
various payroll tax liabilities as part of the section 351
transfer. These payroll taxes were included on Caufield's "S
Corporation 351 Transfer". Respondent determined that JKY did
not assume these liabilities. By Caufield's own admission at
trial, the "S Corporation 351 Transfer" represented his initial
computation. Petitioners have not provided any evidence, through
Yoon's testimony or canceled checks, of JKY's assumption or
payment of these payroll tax liabilities. Respondent's
determination that JKY did not assume various payroll tax
liabilities will be sustained.
3. Personal Living Expenses
Petitioners argue that their personal living expenses for
1989 were less than those calculated by respondent. Petitioners
claim that certain expenditures, mainly life insurance payments
and income tax payments, were incurred in 1990 and not in 1989.
This, petitioners claim, would make a difference because
respondent used a discounted 1990 figure to determine
petitioners' 1989 personal living expenses. If only the
recurring items of expense were included for both years before
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the discount was applied, a lesser amount would be arrived at for
1989.
Petitioners have chosen to rely on a discounted 1990 figure
less the above-mentioned expenses instead of producing their
books and records so that a calculation of actual personal living
expenses for 1989 could be made. Petitioners have offered no
explanation for their failure to produce any books and records
for 1989. Without proof of actual personal living expenses for
1989, we cannot conclude that respondent's determination of
petitioners' personal living expenses for 1989 is incorrect or
unreasonable.
Petitioners also object to respondent's use of a "plugged"
figure of $17,411 in her computation of personal living expenses
for 1990. The revenue agent testified that this amount
represented the difference between the bank account balances and
the analysis of personal living expenses for 1990 provided to
respondent by petitioners. The revenue agent also testified that
petitioners did not provide any explanations or canceled checks
to support any other treatment of this amount. Petitioners also
failed at trial to offer any explanation of the difference
between the bank account balances and petitioners' calculation of
their personal living expenses. Respondent's determination that
petitioners' personal living expenses for 1990 include $17,411 of
unexplained expenses will be sustained.
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Petitioners also argue that respondent erred in determining
that other unidentified expenses were personal living expenses.
Petitioners have failed to identify the specific instances when
this occurred and have failed to offer any proof that any
additional unidentified expenses determined by respondent to be
personal living expenses were not such. Petitioners have not
proven by a preponderance of evidence that additional adjustments
are warranted to respondent's calculation of their personal
living expenses for the years in issue. Respondent's
determination that unidentified expenses were personal living
expenses will be sustained.
4. JKY Income
Respondent now contends that she understated JKY's total
receipts for 1991 by $36,455 because certain deposits were not
included in the reconciliation of gross receipts. Respondent has
conceded that she understated sales returns/chargebacks in 1991
by $32,039 in her initial determination. The correct amount of
sales returns chargebacks for 1991 is $140,614.37. Respondent
asks us to sustain her original Form 1120S pass-through
adjustment for 1991 even though these computational adjustments
respondent now seeks result in an increased deficiency.
Petitioners contend that respondent has raised a new issue. This
issue involves a new matter because the evidence necessary for
resolution of it differs from that relevant to the original
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determination. Respondent bears the burden of proof as to any
new matter. Rule 142(a).
Respondent did not question the revenue agent regarding this
alleged error in the notice of deficiency. Respondent presented
us with proof of bank deposits, constituting gross receipts, into
account number 62-00931 that she alleges were not included in the
notice of deficiency. Petitioners agree that respondent has
produced sufficient proof of this account balance, but they argue
that this proof is not sufficient proof that this amount was
omitted from respondent's determination in the notice of
deficiency. Respondent has attempted to bolster her position by
introducing a supporting schedule, a bank deposits account
summary, and a bank deposit detail prepared by the revenue agent
during the examination of petitioners' returns to show that this
account balance was omitted from the determination in the notice
of deficiency.
We have looked to these workpapers not for the truth of the
facts and figures contained therein but for the presence or
absence of deposits into account No. 62-00931. Upon examination
of the revenue agent's schedules, we can see that no deposits
were included for account No. 62-00931 for 1991 in calculations
on certain schedules. However, many of the schedules have
handwritten notations and various corrections that we cannot
reconcile with respondent's argument. Because of these apparent
revisions, we cannot be certain that these schedules reflect the
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final product of the revenue agent, especially in light of her
failure to testify regarding this omission. Respondent has
failed to prove that she understated JKY's gross receipts for
1991 in making her determination.
At trial, Yoon also testified as to the existence of certain
liabilities to his suppliers resulting from cash advances
received from the suppliers. These liabilities, petitioners
claim, increase JKY's nontaxable receipts. Respondent allowed
$129,530 of other nontaxable receipts.
Petitioners have presented Yoon's testimony and several
deposit slips with the names of JKY's Korean-owned suppliers
listed next to amounts of the checks deposited as evidence of
these debts. Yoon testified that no notes were executed, that no
interest was charged, and that he could not recall when he repaid
the debts. Yoon also testified that JKY had outstanding credit
balances with the companies that loaned him money. At trial,
respondent questioned why the suppliers would have loaned JKY
cash instead of reducing the outstanding account balances. Yoon
responded that there was a need for money at the time. Because
JKY was a big customer of these suppliers and Yoon often
entertained the suppliers to garner favor, it is not incredible
that suppliers would advance to JKY relatively small amounts of
cash (when compared to the purchases JKY was making from the
suppliers). JKY's nontaxable receipts for 1991 should be
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increased by $22,000 to reflect the advances from suppliers
claimed by petitioners.
Petitioners now contend that credit card charges, in
addition to those allowed by respondent, are deductible as
business expenses. Respondent treated all payments on personal
credit cards as personal living expenses. Petitioners argue that
it was unreasonable for respondent to treat the payments in that
manner. Petitioners claim that they are entitled to additional
business expense deductions of $17,774.94 on JKY's 1990 return
and $26,788.87 on JKY's 1991 return for expenses charged to
personal credit cards. Petitioners have offered schedules of
credit card charges prepared by Caufield that categorize each
credit card expenditure. The underlying credit card statements
are not part of the record in this case. Also, the schedules
show that certain statements were not available at the time the
schedule was created. Caufield testified at trial that he
prepared the schedules and consulted Yoon only when Caufield was
unclear as to the classification of a charge as business or
personal.
Numerous items claimed as business deductions by petitioners
appear to be for travel and entertainment, i.e., restaurant
charges and airline charges. Petitioners claim that 100 percent
of these expenses is deductible, ignoring the 80-percent limit on
deductibility under section 274(n). Furthermore, to prove
entitlement to deductions for travel and entertainment expenses,
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the taxpayer must meet the specific substantiation requirements
of section 274, including the date, time, place, amount, and
business purpose of the expense as well as the business
relationship of those entertained by the taxpayer. Meridian Wood
Products Co. v. United States, 725 F.2d 1183, 1188 (9th Cir.
1984). Section 274 precludes our making an estimate, under Cohan
v. Commissioner, 39 F.2d 540 (2d Cir. 1930), with respect to
travel and entertainment expenses. See, e.g., Meridian Wood
Products Co. v. United States, supra at 1188-1190. Even if
section 274 were not applicable, there is insufficient evidence
here to support an estimate of petitioners' claimed travel and
entertainment expenses. There is also insufficient evidence to
support an estimate under Cohan v. Commissioner, supra, for the
remaining claimed deductions that fall outside of the
substantiation requirements of section 274, such as business
repair expenses.
Petitioners have not indicated which expenditures have
already been deducted on JKY's 1990 and 1991 returns. From the
evidence before us, we cannot be certain that any of the claimed
expenditures were actually for business purposes. Yoon did not
testify as to the purpose of the expenditures. Also, from his
testimony, it appears that Caufield, not Yoon, classified most of
the expenditures on the schedules. We have been provided only
with the amount of the alleged charges and the name of the place
where the credit purchase was allegedly made. For the foregoing
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reasons, Caufield's schedules are not reliable. Petitioners have
failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence JKY's
entitlement to additional deductions. Respondent's determination
that charges on personal credit cards are to be treated as
personal living expenses will be sustained.
Conclusion
We have examined the arguments of petitioners that
respondent's determination is arbitrary and erroneous and have
determined that they are without merit.
We also conclude that petitioners' argument that respondent
has failed to establish a likely source of income or to conduct a
reasonable investigation of leads to negate the existence of
nontaxable sources of income is without merit. Petitioners'
claims of nontaxable sources were the alleged loans from friends
and relatives and advances to JKY by suppliers. Respondent
considered those claims made by petitioners during the
examination, included some of the claimed liabilities in her net
worth determinations, and determined others were not valid.
Where relevant leads are not forthcoming from petitioners,
respondent is not required to negate every possible source of
income. Holland v. United States, 348 U.S. 121, 137 (1954).
While we have adjusted the net worth determination to include
other liabilities, such corrections do not invalidate
respondent's entire determination. Hoffman v. Commissioner, 298
F.2d 784, 788 (3d Cir. 1962), affg. in part T.C. Memo. 1960-160.
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Section 6651(a)(1) Addition to Tax
Respondent also determined that petitioners are liable for
the section 6651(a)(1) addition to tax for 1991. Section
6651(a)(1) imposes an addition to tax for failure to file timely
a return, unless the taxpayer establishes that the failure did
not result from “willful neglect” and that the failure was due to
“reasonable cause”. The addition to tax equals 5 percent of the
tax required to be shown on the return for the first month, with
an additional 5 percent for each additional month or fraction of
a month during which the failure to file continues, not to exceed
a maximum of 25 percent. Sec. 6651(a)(1).
“Willful neglect” has been interpreted to mean a conscious,
intentional failure or reckless indifference. United States v.
Boyle, 469 U.S. 241, 245-246 (1985). “Reasonable cause” requires
the taxpayers to demonstrate that they exercised ordinary
business care and prudence and were nonetheless unable to file a
return within the prescribed time. Id. at 246; sec. 301.6651-
1(c)(1), Proced. & Admin. Regs.
Petitioners bear the burden of proving that respondent’s
determination is incorrect. Rule 142(a); Cluck v. Commissioner,
105 T.C. 324, 339 (1995). Petitioners failed to offer any
evidence or explanation regarding the late filing of their 1991
return. Thus, respondent’s determination that petitioners are
liable for the section 6651(a)(1) addition to tax for 1991 will
be sustained.
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Section 6662(a) Accuracy-Related Penalty
Section 6662(a) imposes a penalty in an amount equal to
20 percent of the underpayment of tax attributable to one or more
of the items set forth in section 6662(b). Respondent asserts
that the entire underpayment of petitioners’ tax was due to
negligence or intentional disregard of rules or regulations, sec.
6662(b)(1), or a substantial understatement, sec. 6662(b)(2).
Because respondent raised the accuracy-related penalty in her
answer, respondent bears the burden of proof on this issue. Rule
142(a).
“Negligence” includes a failure to make a reasonable attempt
to comply with the provisions of the internal revenue laws. Sec.
6662(c); sec. 1.6662-3(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. “Disregard”
includes any careless, reckless, or intentional disregard of
rules or regulations. Sec. 6662(c); sec. 1.6662-3(b)(2), Income
Tax Regs.
Petitioners' failure to maintain and to produce reliable
records of their financial transactions and taxable income
supports a conclusion of negligence. Crocker v. Commissioner, 92
T.C. 899, 917 (1989); Schroeder v. Commissioner, 40 T.C. 30, 34
(1963). They cannot avoid the penalty based on reliance on their
tax preparers because they did not provide the preparers with
sufficient and accurate information to prepare their returns.
Metra Chem Corp. v. Commissioner, 88 T.C. 654, 662 (1987). The
evidence justifies the penalty for negligence.
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To reflect the foregoing and concessions by respondent,
Decision will be entered
under Rule 155.