T.C. Memo. 2006-82
UNITED STATES TAX COURT
HARVEY L. HOOVER, Petitioner v.
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Docket Nos. 15557-99, 4590-00L. Filed April 24, 2006.
Harvey L. Hoover, pro se.
Diane L. Worland, for respondent.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
RUWE, Judge: These cases were consolidated for purposes of
trial, briefing, and opinion. On August 20, 1999, respondent
issued a notice of deficiency, which determined deficiencies and
penalties with respect to petitioner’s Federal income taxes as
follows:
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Penalty
Year Deficiency Section 6663
1989 $46,052 $34,539.00
1990 38,577 28,932.75
1991 52,452 39,339.00
1992 23,427 17,570.25
The issue for 1989 is whether petitioner has placed
respondent’s deficiency determination in issue. If he has, the
next issue is whether assessment of the deficiency determined for
1989 is barred by the statute of limitations.
After concessions by the parties, the issues for decision in
docket No. 15557-99 with respect to 1990, 1991, and 1992 are:
(1) Whether petitioner received and failed to report substantial
amounts of farm income for 1990, 1991, and 1992;1 (2) whether
1
Respondent calculated the farming income that petitioner
failed to report on his Federal income tax returns as follows:
Source 1990 1991 1992
Best Ever Dairy $137,801.38 $93,768.46 $108,817.49
Jon Hayes 3,455.00 1,375.00 1,875.00
Ag Max 17,208.11 -- --
Roann 7,680.00 17,500.00 6,200.00
Rochester Sale Barn 679.85 1,606.55 4,677.45
Stony Pike 12,722.72 11,340.75 10,875.20
Fred Hoover-- 5,569.32 7,598.75 4,743.32
Bartering
Fred Hoover--rent 10,500.00 2,475.00 2,475.00
Total farm income 195,616.38 135,664.51 139,663.46
Less reported
ordinary farm
income 21,953.00 14,069.00 20,270.00
Total unreported 173,663.38 121,595.51 119,393.46
farm income
Less unreported 13,402.57 12,947.30 15,552.65
capital gains
(continued...)
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petitioner received and failed to report interest income of
$3,069 in 1990, $3,153 in 1991, and $8,784 in 1992; (3) whether
petitioner is entitled to claim a loss of $31,000 in 1991 from
the sale of one of his farms; (4) whether petitioner had farm
expenses in amounts greater than allowed by respondent;2 (5)
whether petitioner is liable for additions to tax for fraud
pursuant to section 66633 for each of the years in issue; and (6)
whether the assessments for 1990, 1991, and 1992 are barred by
the statute of limitations.
After concessions by the parties, the issues for decision in
docket No. 4590-00L are: (1) Whether respondent’s Appeals
officer abused his discretion in sustaining the collection action
1
(...continued)
farm income
Net unreported 160,260.81 108,648.21 103,840.81
ordinary farm
income
2
In the notice of deficiency, respondent determined that
petitioner had farm expenses of $25,969 in 1990, $14,826 in 1991,
and $27,524 in 1992. Respondent now acknowledges in the
stipulation that petitioner’s allowable farm expenses are $63,381
in 1990, $54,652 in 1991, and $55,388 in 1992.
3
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.
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of filing a notice of Federal tax lien; and (2) whether
respondent’s Appeals officer abused his discretion in sustaining
the collection action of issuance of a notice of jeopardy levy.4
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found.
The stipulation of facts, the first, second, third, and fourth
supplemental stipulations of facts, and the attached exhibits are
incorporated herein by this reference. The stipulations of facts
include transcripts and exhibits from petitioner’s criminal
prosecution, which commenced on March 16, 1998. The stipulations
incorporate the trial testimony of the witnesses from the
criminal prosecution as though it were given during the course of
the trial in this Court.
The petition in docket No. 15557-99 was filed on September
28, 1999. The petition in docket No. 4590-00L was filed on April
25, 2000. When he filed the petitions in these cases, petitioner
was incarcerated in a Federal penitentiary in Elkton, Ohio. Upon
release from prison in 2002, petitioner resided in Wabash,
Indiana.
Petitioner married Judith Ann Mosier on or about June 28,
1959. Michael Hoover and Tadd Hoover are two of the couple’s
children. Petitioner and Ms. Mosier divorced on July 25, 1990.
4
The taxes involved in the collection action are the income
tax liabilities for 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992 that are in issue
in docket No. 15557-99.
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Farm Business
From the 1970s through 1992, farming was petitioner’s
primary source of income. Michael Hoover and Tadd Hoover worked
for petitioner during the years in issue.
Beginning in the late 1970s and continuing through 1992,
petitioner’s farming activities included a dairy herd operation.
During the years at issue, petitioner’s dairy herd consisted of
approximately 60 cows, 30 heifers, and 17 calves. Petitioner
sold all the milk produced by his dairy herd to Best Ever Dairy
of Anderson, Indiana (Best Ever Dairy), from 1989 to 1992.5
Before October 31, 1988, Best Ever Dairy issued one check
made payable to petitioner for each milk purchase. By letter
dated September 27, 1988, petitioner instructed Best Ever Dairy
to issue two checks for each milk purchase. Petitioner directed
Best Ever Dairy to issue one check payable to Michael Hoover in
an amount equal to one-half of the amount due and a second check
payable to petitioner for the balance. Best Ever Dairy complied
with petitioner’s instructions beginning with its payment made on
October 31, 1988. Petitioner did not give any of the milk
proceeds to Michael Hoover.
After petitioner’s September 27, 1988, letter, petitioner
sent an undated letter to Best Ever Dairy that revised the
5
From 1988 to 2003, Best Ever Dairy has been known as Best
Ever Dairy, East Side Jersey Dairy, and Prairie Farms Dairy.
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payment method. Petitioner directed Best Ever Dairy to issue one
check payable to petitioner in the amount of $10 and a second
check payable to Tadd Hoover in an amount equal to the balance
due. Petitioner also instructed Best Ever Dairy to mail both
checks to petitioner. From August 30, 1990, through December 31,
1992, Best Ever Dairy followed petitioner’s instructions.
The milk proceeds belonged to petitioner. When Tadd Hoover
received checks from Best Ever Dairy, he endorsed the checks and
gave them to petitioner. Sometime after petitioner told Best
Ever Dairy to split the milk sales checks between Harvey Hoover
and Michael Hoover or Tadd Hoover, petitioner advised Michael
that he was reporting all of the milk sales on his tax returns
and paying the taxes due on the milk sales.
Petitioner’s milk sales to Best Ever Dairy were computed by
Best Ever Dairy in terms of gross sales from which it deducted
certain expenses attributable to petitioner and remitted the net
amount to petitioner. Petitioner received milk sale proceeds
from Best Ever Dairy as follows:
Year Gross Sales Expenses Net Sales
1990 $146,416.57 $8,615.19 $137,801.38
1991 101,047.40 7,278.94 93,768.46
1992 117,274.22 8,456.73 108,817.49
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The above-stated expenses consisted of hauling, market orders,
NDPRB, CCC, and Cream LIC expenses.6
Petitioner also sold cattle as part of his farming business.
During the years in issue, Jon Hayes or his father Porter Hayes
(the Hayeses) purchased male calves from petitioner. The Hayeses
typically paid petitioner $100 to $125 per calf. When Jon Hayes
purchased cattle from petitioner, he always left the payee’s name
blank. The checks with which the Hayeses purchased the cattle
were ultimately made payable to petitioner or Michael Hoover in
amounts totaling $3,455 in 1990, $1,375 in 1991, and $375 in
1992.7 The checks from the Hayeses were as follows:
Year Issued Check No. Payee Amount
1990 112 Harvey Hoover $770
1990 -- Harvey Hoover 550
1990 106 Harvey Hoover 900
1990 109 Harvey Hoover 770
1990 116 Harvey Hoover 250
1990 121 Harvey Hoover 275
1991 226 Harvey Hoover 500
1991 232 Harvey Hoover 375
1991 2448 Mike Hoover 250
1991 2473 Michael Hoover 125
6
The parties did not explain the expenses listed as NDPRB,
CCC, and Cream LIC.
7
Respondent asserts that petitioner received income in 1992
of $1,875 from the sale of calves to the Hayeses. The record
contains only one canceled check from 1992; the Hayeses issued a
$375 check to petitioner in 1992. Respondent relies on a summary
exhibit prepared and used by a revenue agent in the criminal
prosecution of petitioner to argue that petitioner received
$1,875 from the Hayeses in 1992. We find that petitioner
received $375 from the Hayeses in 1992.
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1991 240 Michael Hoover 125
1992 219 Harvey Hoover 375
Petitioner also sold dairy cattle through Rochester Sale
Barn in 1990, 1991, and 1992. Although Rochester Sale Barn
issued checks to either Tadd Hoover or Michael Hoover, petitioner
received the proceeds from the checks. Petitioner’s gross sales,
expenses, and net sales from Rochester Sale Barn were as follows:
Year Gross Sales Expenses Net Sales
1990 $698.60 $18.75 $679.85
1991 1,643.15 36.60 1,606.55
1992 4,793.80 116.35 4,677.45
Respondent concedes that these amounts should be given capital
gains treatment.
From 1987 through 1992, petitioner also sold livestock
through the Stony Pike Livestock Auction (Stony Pike). Although
Stony Pike issued most of the checks to Tadd Hoover,8 Tadd Hoover
endorsed the checks and then gave them to petitioner. The gross
income, expenses, and net sales with respect to these livestock
sales were as follows:
Year Gross Sales Expenses Net Sales
1990 $13,042.60 $319.88 $12,722.72
1991 11,588.55 247.80 11,340.75
1992 11,113.50 238.30 10,875.20
8
Of the 20 checks in the record, 17 checks were issued to
Tadd Hoover, 2 checks were issued to Michael Hoover, and 1 check
was issued to petitioner.
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Respondent concedes that these amounts should be given capital
gains treatment.
Petitioner’s farming operation also included the planting
and harvesting of corn during the years 1989 through 1992. On
August 21, 1990, Ag Max, a grain elevator that buys and sells
grain, issued a $17,208.11 check to Tadd Hoover and Michael
Hoover for the purchase of 6,104.42 bushels of petitioner’s corn.
From 1989 through 1992, petitioner stored corn at, and
bought cattle feed from, Roann Farm Center, Inc. (Roann), a grain
elevator and feed operation in Wabash, Indiana. Petitioner
maintained his corn inventory held in storage with Roann in the
name of Michael Hoover or Tadd Hoover. Roann paid petitioner
$7,680 on April 25, 1990, $17,500 on April 15, 1991, and $6,200
on February 4, 1992, for shelled corn. These payments were made
by checks payable to Michael Hoover in 1990, Tadd Hoover in 1991,
and petitioner in 1992.
Petitioner’s brother, Fred Hoover, also engaged in farming.
Fred Hoover rented farm land from petitioner during the years in
issue. Fred Hoover paid rent to petitioner of $10,500 in 1990,
$2,475 in 1991, and $2,475 in 1992.
Petitioner and Fred Hoover also practiced a bartering system
in which they exchanged goods and services. Fred Hoover
maintained an account of debts due to and owed by petitioner
during the years in issue. These records reflect that Fred
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Hoover paid petitioner for the excess of goods and services
provided by petitioner as follows:
Year Goods and
Service Provided Amount Date Check Issued
1990 $5,569.32 2/1/91
1991 7,598.75 1/22/92
1992 4,743.32 2/3/93
Interest Income
In 1990, 1991, and 1992, petitioner received interest income
as follows:
Source 1990 1991 1992
Bank One $583 -- --
Fidelity Federal 188 -- --
First Merchants Bank 139 $814 $512
Bureau of Public Debt -- 80,468 --
(U.S. savings bonds)
Ft. Wayne National -- -- 6,317
Bank CDs
Lafayette Life Ins. Co. -- -- 13
Tucker Land Contract 2,930 2,339 1,942
1
Total 3,840 83,621 8,784
1
The parties have stipulated that petitioner received
interest income of $3,979 in 1990. For purposes of this opinion,
we shall use $3,840 as the amount of petitioner’s 1990 interest
income.
Tax Returns
Petitioner timely filed Forms 1040, U.S. Individual Income
Tax Return, for the years 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. Joyce
Rouse, a tax return preparer at H&R Block, prepared petitioner’s
1989 and 1990 returns. Petitioner provided Ms. Rouse with lists
of his total income and expenses, but he did not have supporting
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documents. Petitioner did not maintain books and records for his
farm business.
Ms. Rouse prepared petitioner’s 1991 tax return that
reported a tax due of $2,254. Petitioner did not file that
return; instead, he filed a return showing that he was owed a
refund of $405.
On his income tax returns, petitioner reported gross income
from farming of $35,551 in 1989, $21,953 in 1990, $14,069 in
1991, and $20,700 in 1992. On his Schedules F, Farm Income and
Expenses, petitioner reported his gross income from farming as
follows:
Year Source Amount
1989 Sale of livestock, produce, grains, $14,636
and other products raised
Agricultural program payments 20,596
Other income, including Federal and 319
State gasoline or fuel tax credit
or refund
1990 Sale of livestock, produce, grains, 12,426
and other products raised
Agricultural program payments 5,585
Crop insurance proceeds and certain 3,708
disaster payments
Other income, including Federal and 234
State gasoline or fuel tax credit
or refund
1991 Sale of livestock, produce, grains, 13,788
and other products raised
Other income, including Federal and 281
State gasoline or fuel tax credit
or refund
1992 Sale of livestock, produce, grains, 19,865
and other products raised
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Other income, including Federal and 405
State gasoline or fuel tax credit
or refund
On his income tax returns for 1990, 1991, and 1992,
petitioner claimed expenses on Schedules F as follows:
1990 1991 1992
Fertilizers & lime $6,124 $7,980 $7,260
Gasoline, fuel & oil 2,640 2,875 3,251
Insurance 859 1,025 825
Repairs & maintenance 937 4,545 1,987
Seeds & plants 1,661 1,235 1,359
Supplies 879 1,462 1,162
Custom hire 2,565 2,990 2,540
(Machine Work)
Other expenses 954 196 104
Depreciation 7,871 5,622 4,016
Mortgage interest 11,575 10,670 --
Utilities -- -- 4,470
Taxes 1,348 1,226 891
Total 37,413 39,826 27,865
Petitioner reported net farming losses of $7,600 in 1989, $15,460
in 1990, $25,757 in 1991, and $7,595 in 1992. After concessions,
respondent agrees that petitioner incurred allowable farm
expenses in 1990, 1991, and 1992 as follows:9
1990 1991 1992
Feed $32,947 $25,123 $18,403
Fertilizers & lime 188 1,850 4,508
Gasoline, fuel & oil 2,544 713 2,060
Insurance 504 504 504
Repairs & maintenance 762 368 148
Straw 240 -- 3,208
Veterinary 207 -- --
Seeds & plants 540 -- 1,062
9
These allowable expenses are in addition to the Best Ever
Dairy, Rochester Sale Barn, and Stony Pike expenses netted
against income.
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Supplies 31 616 179
Milk expense 391 -- --
Custom hire 2,188 1,068 3,476
Depreciation 20,910 14,293 11,986
Rent -- 8,260 9,456
Taxes 1,929 1,857 398
1
Total 63,381 54,652 55,388
1
The parties have stipulated that respondent determined
that petitioner incurred allowable expenses totaling $55,389 in
1992. The $1 overstatement is due to rounding. For purposes of
this opinion, we shall use $55,389 as the amount of petitioner’s
1992 allowable expenses.
Capital Loss
On his 1991 Federal income tax return, petitioner claimed a
$31,000 loss. On Form 4797, Sales of Business Property,
petitioner reported that the farm was sold for $75,000 on January
20, 1991. Form 4797 also shows that petitioner’s basis in the
farm property was $106,000. Respondent disallowed the claimed
loss and increased petitioner’s taxable income by $31,000.10
Investigation
Petitioner did not submit any books or records to
respondent’s agents during the course of the examination of his
income tax returns. During the examination, respondent requested
the production of certain documents regarding an investigation of
petitioner from Ms. Shirley Harrell, an H&R Block employee.
Petitioner contacted Ms. Harrell after she received the request
10
Respondent’s notice of deficiency shows this item as an
increase in income with no explanation.
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and asked that she not produce any of his returns from the 1998
tax year and earlier because the returns could cause him problems
because of a divorce.
Criminal Proceedings
Petitioner was indicted for willfully filing false returns
for 1990, 1991, and 1992 that understated his true income. On
March 19, 1998, a jury found petitioner guilty of three counts of
filing false Federal income tax returns for 1990, 1991, and
1992.11 On July 24, 1998, the U.S. District Court filed its
judgment in the criminal case regarding petitioner (judgment).
The judgment included petitioner’s terms of imprisonment,
supervised release, standard conditions of supervision, and
restitution. In the restitution portion of the judgment, the
District Court ordered petitioner to
take, by August 7, 1998, all steps necessary to turn
over to the United States government full title to 304
United States Savings Bonds with face values of
$1,000.00 each in the names of Michael and Tadd Hoover.
The United States Attorney’s Office shall ensure this
turnover, and then shall itself turn the bonds over to
the United States District Court Clerk * * * for
application to the following: first, to the
expenditures on Mr. Hoover’s behalf as ultimately
computed under the Criminal Justice Act (for attorney
and accountant services, including appellate attorney
fees), then to the costs of prosecution in the sum of
$3,191.77, then to Purdue University, Division of
11
Petitioner was also charged with and convicted on one
count of making false statements on a student loan application.
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Financial Aid * * * in the sum of $13,543.00 and
finally, the remainder shall be distributed to the
Internal Revenue Service for application to Mr.
Hoover’s tax liability.
Petitioner failed to turn over the 304 U.S. saving bonds to the
U.S. Attorney’s Office on or before August 7, 1998.
The U.S. attorney filed a motion for an order to show cause
why petitioner should not be held in contempt of the District
Court’s restitution order by failing to turn over the 304 U.S.
Saving Bonds. On September 18, 1998, the District Court
conducted a trial on the Government’s motion. The District Court
held that petitioner was in contempt of the court’s March 19,
1998, order “when he transferred--using that in its ordinary
English sense--150 United States savings bonds with a face value
of $1,000 to Michael Hoover after having been expressly ordered
in this courtroom on March 19, 1998, not to do so.” The District
Court then ordered that petitioner “is committed to the Bureau of
Prisons for a term of six months, to be served consecutively to
the sentence heretofore imposed in this cause.”
On September 22, 1998, Michael Hoover turned over 165 U.S.
savings bonds to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. On September 23,
1998, Michael Hoover turned over 52 U.S. savings bonds to the
U.S. Attorney’s Office. Also on September 23, 1998, Michael
Hoover informed the U.S. attorney that he had cashed 12 of the
U.S. savings bonds; however, he did not turn over the proceeds of
these savings bonds to the U.S. attorney. On January 11, 1999,
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Michael Hoover turned over 60 U.S. savings bonds to the U.S.
Attorney’s Office. The U.S. attorney turned over 277 U.S.
savings bonds to the District Court clerk’s office for
liquidation. The clerk of the District Court liquidated the U.S.
savings bonds and received proceeds of $236,925.60. On June 30,
1999, respondent served a notice of jeopardy levy on the clerk of
the District Court for the proceeds of the savings bonds minus
the restitution claims.
Petitioner appealed his conviction, sentence, and
restitution order to the Court of Appeals for the Seventh
Circuit. The Court of Appeals affirmed petitioner’s conviction
but modified the U.S. District Court’s restitution order, finding
that the District Court exceeded its authority when it ordered
petitioner to surrender savings bonds to pay his tax liability.
United States v. Hoover, 175 F.3d 564 (7th Cir. 1999).
Petitioner also appealed his contempt order to the Court of
Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which affirmed the District
Court’s contempt order. United States v. Hoover, 240 F.3d 593
(7th Cir. 2001). Then petitioner sought a reversal of his
conviction and sentences for filing false Federal income tax
returns and making false statements on a student loan application
on the grounds that he received ineffective assistance of
counsel. The Court of Appeals affirmed petitioner’s conviction.
Hoover v. United States, 6 Fed. Appx. 414 (7th Cir. 2001).
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On September 20, 1999, petitioner’s attorney in his criminal
case filed a letter with the clerk of the District Court that
stated that the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit had
modified petitioner’s restitution order. The District Court
modified its judgment order “by deleting the requirement that
* * * [petitioner] make restitution to the Internal Revenue
Service and the requirement that U.S. Savings Bonds be held for
that purpose.”
The District Court ordered disbursement of the proceeds held
by the clerk of the District Court from the liquidation of the
U.S. savings bonds as follows: (1) $6,754.65 for attorney's
fees, (2) $8,200 for accounting services, (3) $1,150 for expert
testimony fees, and (4) $3,191.77 for the costs of prosecution.
The District Court ordered the clerk to release the remaining
funds. After payment of restitution to all claimants except
respondent, the remaining proceeds of $209,916.51 were paid to
respondent on February 29, 2000, pursuant to the notice of
jeopardy levy.
On February 28, 2001, Michael Hoover and Tadd Hoover filed a
letter with the District Court requesting it to order the U.S.
Attorney’s Office to deliver to them the U.S. savings bonds that
were surrendered to the court clerk. On April 16, 2001, the U.S.
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District Court entered an order declining to take any action in
response to the letter submitted by Michael Hoover and Tadd
Hoover.
Collection Actions
On June 28, 1999, respondent made a jeopardy assessment of
petitioner’s deficiencies, and penalties for 1989, 1990, 1991,
and 1992. On that same date, respondent sent to petitioner a
Notice of Jeopardy Levy and Right of Appeal, which stated:
I am notifying you that I have found that you have
consistently attempted to conceal your reportable
income and assets through the use of nominees, thereby
putting our collection of the income tax you owe for
the tax period(s) in jeopardy. Therefore, * * * I have
approved the issuance of a levy to collect the amount
your [sic] owe, although we have not provided you a
notice of intent to levy and/or notice of your right to
a hearing, generally required by Sections 6330 and 6331
* * *
Respondent’s notice of jeopardy levy and right to appeal informed
petitioner that he was entitled to request (1) an administrative
review under section 7429 and (2) a collection due process
hearing pursuant to section 6330.
Two days later, respondent sent a letter to petitioner
informing him that respondent had made a jeopardy assessment
pursuant to section 6861 regarding petitioner’s tax years 1989,
1990, 1991, and 1992. The letter notified petitioner that
respondent has “found you [petitioner] consistently attempted to
conceal your reportable income and assets through the use of
nominees, thereby tending to prejudice or render ineffectual
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collection of income tax for the periods of 1989 through 1992.”
The letter also advised petitioner of his appeal rights pursuant
to section 7429.
On June 30, 1999, respondent filed a notice of Federal tax
lien in the Wabash, Indiana County Recorder’s Office regarding
jeopardy assessments of income taxes, interest, and penalties for
1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. On July 5, 1999, respondent sent to
petitioner a Letter 3172, Notice of Federal Tax Lien Filing and
Right to a Hearing Under IRC Section 6320, regarding petitioner’s
1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992 tax years.
Petitioner executed and mailed to respondent a Form 12153,
Request for a Collection Due Process Hearing, dated July 23,
1999. In that Request for a Collection Due Process Hearing,
petitioner appealed both the notice of Federal tax lien and the
notice of levy. On September 13, 1999, the Appeals officer sent
a letter to petitioner establishing a conference date of October
20, 1999. By letter dated September 22, 1999, petitioner
requested that the conference be moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where
he was incarcerated.
Sometime between December 8, 1999, and January 11, 2000,
respondent’s Appeals officer and petitioner conducted a telephone
conference regarding petitioner’s request for a hearing. During
the telephone conference, petitioner did not question the amounts
of gross income respondent determined for 1990, 1991, and 1992.
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Instead, petitioner asserted that his expenses were too low and
that he was taxed using the incorrect rate of tax. Petitioner
also informed respondent’s Appeals officer that he could not pay
the income taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for 1990,
1991, and 1992. During the telephone discussions, petitioner and
the Appeals officer did not discuss collection alternatives.
By letter dated January 11, 2000, the Appeals officer
confirmed that a telephone conference had occurred, and the
Appeals officer canceled the proposed face-to-face meeting. The
letter also contained respondent’s proposed findings and invited
petitioner to contact the Appeals officer to arrange further
telephone discussions if he had any questions. Petitioner did
not contact the Appeals officer after receiving the January 11,
2000, letter. On March 23, 2000, respondent issued a Notice of
Determination Concerning Collection Action(s) Under Section 6320
and/or 6330 to petitioner regarding his unpaid income taxes for
1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992.
OPINION
I. Burden of Proof
Generally, the Commissioner’s determinations in a notice of
deficiency are presumed to be correct, and the taxpayer bears the
burden of proving that the Commissioner’s determinations are
erroneous. Rule 142(a); Welch v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111, 115
(1933).
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Section 7491(a) shifts the burden of proof to the
Commissioner when the taxpayer has satisfied certain
requirements. Section 7491 is effective with respect to court
proceedings arising in connection with examinations commencing
after July 22, 1998. Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and
Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-206, sec. 3001(c)(1), 112 Stat.
727. Respondent concedes that the examination in these cases
began after July 22, 1998.
Specifically, section 7491(a)(1) provides:
If, in any court proceeding, a taxpayer introduces
credible evidence with respect to any factual issue
relevant to ascertaining the liability of the taxpayer
for any tax imposed by subtitle A or B, the Secretary
shall have the burden of proof with respect to such
issue.
Section 7491(a)(2) further provides that the burden of proof
shifts to the Commissioner only when the taxpayer has: (1)
“complied with the requirements under this title to substantiate
any item”, and (2) “maintained all records required under this
title and has cooperated with reasonable requests by the
Secretary for witnesses, information, documents, meetings, and
interviews”.
Petitioner failed to maintain books and records relating to
his farming business. Furthermore, the parties have stipulated
that petitioner did not submit any books or records to
respondent’s agents during the examination of his 1990, 1991, and
1992 income tax returns. Because petitioner failed to satisfy
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the requirements of section 7491(a)(2), we find that the burden
of proof does not shift to respondent pursuant to section
7491(a)(1). However, as explained infra, respondent has the
burden of proving fraud for purposes of the section 6663 penalty
and the section 6501(c) exception to the 3-year statute of
limitations for assessment.12
II. 1989--Statute of Limitations
Petitioner argues that respondent assessed the 1989
deficiency after the period of limitations had expired.
Specifically, with respect to the 1989 taxable year, petitioner
argues on brief that “The assessments for 1989 were not within 3
yrs next to the year of investigation. The Internal Revenue
Service assessment date were [sic] June 28, 1999”.
Respondent argues that “Petitioner did not dispute the
deficiency for tax year 1989 in his petition”. We disagree.
Petitioner was not represented by counsel. His petitions are not
models of clarity. However, it seems to us that the best reading
is that he was contesting respondent’s deficiency determinations
for all years in the notice of deficiency. The petition in
docket No. 15557-99 was filed using a preprinted Government form.
Paragraph 3 of the form had space for listing only 3 years of
disputed deficiencies. In paragraph 3 of his petition filed in
12
The Commissioner bears the burden of proving fraud by
clear and convincing evidence. Secs. 7454(a), 7491(c); Rule
142(b).
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docket No. 15557-99, petitioner lists the years 1990, 1991, and
1992 and the amounts in dispute for those years. However, in
paragraph 4 of the form, which is entitled “Set forth those
adjustments, i.e. changes, in the NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY with which
you disagree and why you disagree”, petitioner states that “The
Tax Year December 31, 1989 doesn’t count. $46,052.00 Tax
34,539.00 Addition to”. In docket No. 4590-00L, petitioner
claims in paragraph 4 of the same type of preprinted form
petition that “the Tax Years December 31, 1989 and December 31,
1990 is [sic] past the Statute of limitations.”
Petitioner has consistently argued that the assessment of
the 1989 deficiency was barred by the statute of limitations. In
his pretrial memorandum, petitioner stated: “It is not to be
over-looked that the IRS also added alleged tax deficiency(s) for
Tax Year 1989, for approximately $46,000.00; being even further
beyond the statute of limitations.” At trial, petitioner
testified: “And they even had 1989 as part of the deficiency and
that was past the limit because you can only go back three years
from the time that the investigation started. So 1989 would have
been past the statute of limitations.” Finally, in his answering
brief, petitioner argued that “The assessments for 1989 were not
within 3 yrs next to the year of investigation. The Internal
Revenue Service assessment date * * * [was] June 28, 1999.” We
- 24 -
conclude that petitioner has placed the deficiency for the year
1989 in dispute by raising the statute of limitations.
Section 6501(a) generally provides that “the amount of any
tax imposed by this title shall be assessed within 3 years after
the return was filed”. The only apparent exception that might
apply here is that contained in section 6501(c).13 Section
6501(c)(1) provides an exception to the general 3-year period of
limitations: “In the case of a false or fraudulent return with
the intent to evade tax, the tax may be assessed, or a proceeding
in court for collection of such tax may be begun without
assessment, at any time.” Respondent bears the burden of proving
by clear and convincing evidence that petitioner filed a false or
fraudulent tax return. Sec. 7454(a); Rule 142(b). Respondent
makes no argument that he has proven fraud or that any other
exception applies with respect to petitioner’s 1989 liability.
Respondent failed to offer evidence relating to petitioner’s 1989
tax liability. The canceled checks, invoices, receipts, and
testimony from the criminal proceeding that were admitted into
evidence primarily relate to petitioner’s 1990, 1991, and 1992
tax years. Since respondent failed to offer evidence of fraud
13
Sec. 6501(e) extends the period of limitations to 6 years
when the taxpayer omits amounts properly includable in gross
income and the omitted amounts exceed 25 percent of the reported
gross income. Sec. 6501(e) does not apply here because
respondent issued the notice of deficiency on Aug. 20, 1999,
which is more than 6 years after petitioner timely filed his 1989
income tax return.
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regarding petitioner’s 1989 tax year, we hold that assessment of
any deficiency regarding 1989 is barred by the 3-year period of
limitations contained in section 6501(a).
III. 1990, 1991, and 1992
Respondent argues that petitioner failed to report farm
income of $173,663.38 in 1990, $121,595.51 in 1991, and
$119,393.46 in 1992.14 Generally, petitioner argues that
respondent committed injustice against him in this case.15
Petitioner asserts that he did not receive the income respondent
determined, and that he incurred farm expenses that exceeded the
amounts respondent allowed. Finally, petitioner contends that
his assets were sold in the divorce proceeding and that he lost
$156,000 from the sale of his assets.
A. Unreported Gross Income
Section 61(a) provides that “gross income means all income
from whatever source derived,” and specifically includes “Gross
income derived from business”. Section 6001 requires that
taxpayers maintain books and records sufficient to establish
14
These amounts include both ordinary farm income and
capital gains income. Respondent asserts that petitioner’s
capital losses will offset the capital gains income, and the
capital gains income will not result in additional tax.
15
Petitioner asserts that he did not receive the income
determined by respondent, and warns: “I have been taxed on
Income I didn’t receive and will never receive. If something is
not done I will go public with this including congress, senators,
Television, Newspapers.”
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their gross income. When a taxpayer fails to keep the required
books and records, section 446 authorizes the Commissioner to
“reconstruct income in accordance with a method which clearly
reflects the full amount of income received.” Petzoldt v.
Commissioner, 92 T.C. 661, 687 (1989); accord DiLeo v.
Commissioner, 96 T.C. 858, 867 (1991), affd. 959 F.2d 16 (2d Cir.
1992); Parks v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 654, 658 (1990).
Using the specific items method, respondent reconstructed
petitioner’s gross income for 1990, 1991, and 1992 from bank
records and third-party payor records. Respondent’s method
accurately reflects petitioner’s gross income because the method
calculated petitioner’s income using proceeds that he received
from his farming business. Even though some of the canceled
checks and invoices list Tadd Hoover or Michael Hoover as the
payee, we agree with the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
that these proceeds were actually petitioner’s gross income16 and
that petitioner “instructed creditors to write checks made out to
his sons, but kept all the proceeds for himself.” United States
v. Hoover, 175 F.3d at 567.
16
Tadd Hoover testified that the checks that he received
from the family business were not his. Tadd Hoover further
testified that he “would sign the back of * * * [the checks] and
let dad do whatever he wanted with them.” The parties stipulated
that the testimony of Tadd Hoover from petitioner’s criminal
proceeding is incorporated as though given during the course of
the trial of the U.S. Tax Court cases.
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In his farming business, petitioner received gross receipts
from the sale of milk, livestock, corn, and shelled corn. The
evidence, including copies of canceled checks, settlement sheets,
receipts, invoices, and the testimony from petitioner’s criminal
proceeding, clearly and convincingly establishes that petitioner
failed to report gross income from his farming business.
We adjust respondent’s calculation of petitioner’s total
unreported farming income with respect to the bartering income he
received from Fred Hoover. Respondent determined that petitioner
received bartering income of $5,569.32 in 1990, $7,598.75 in
1991, and $4,743.32 in 1992. The records of Fred Hoover reflect
that in 1991 he issued a $5,569 check to petitioner for the
excess of goods and services attributable to 1990. Because
petitioner received the check for $5,569 in 1991, petitioner
failed to report this income in 1991, not in 1990 as respondent
argues. See secs. 446(c), 451(a). These records also show that
in 1992 Fred Hoover issued a $7,598.75 check to petitioner for
the excess of goods and services attributable to 1991.
Petitioner failed to report this $7,598.75 in 1992, the year in
which he received this payment. In 1993, Fred Hoover issued a
$4,743.32 check to petitioner for the excess of goods and
services attributable to 1992. Because petitioner received the
check relating to the 1992 bartering income in the 1993 taxable
year, we find that the bartering income of $4,743.32 is not
- 28 -
included in his unreported income in 1992. Fred Hoover did not
issue any of the checks in 1990; therefore, petitioner did not
receive any bartering income in 1990.
We hold that petitioner received and failed to report total
farming income of $168,094.06 in 1990, $119,566.08 in 1991, and
$120,748.89 in 1992.17 The farming income that petitioner failed
to report is itemized as follows:
Source 1990 1991 1992
Best Ever Dairy $137,801.38 $93,768.46 $108,817.49
Jon Hayes 3,455.00 1,375.00 375.00
Ag Max 17,208.11 -- --
Roann 7,680.00 17,500.00 6,200.00
Rochester Sale Barn 679.85 1,606.55 4,677.45
Stony Pike 12,722.72 11,340.75 10,875.20
Fred Hoover-- -- 5,569.32 7,598.75
bartering
Fred Hoover--rent 10,500.00 2,475.00 2,475.00
Total farm income 190,047.06 133,635.08 141,018.89
Less reported 21,953.00 14,069.00 20,270.00
ordinary farm income
Total unreported 168,094.06 119,566.08 120,748.89
farm income
B. Interest Income
On brief, petitioner argues that he did not receive interest
income. The stipulation of facts and the attached exhibits show
that petitioner received interest income of $3,840 in 1990,18
17
Respondent concedes that the following amounts of the
unreported farm income from the sale of breeding stock to the
Rochester Sale Barn and Stony Pike should be given capital gains
treatment: $13,402.57 in 1990, $12,947.30 in 1991, and
$15,552.65 in 1992.
18
The stipulation of facts states that petitioner received
interest income totaling $3,979 in 1990. This appears to be a
mathematical error.
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$83,621 in 1991, and $8,784 in 1992. Petitioner reported
interest income on his tax returns of $771 in 1990 and $80,468 in
1991. Petitioner did not report any interest income in 1992.
Accordingly, we sustain respondent’s determinations that
petitioner failed to report interest income of $3,069 in 1990,
$3,153 in 1991, and $8,784 in 1992.
C. Business Expenses
Section 162(a) allows as a deduction “all the ordinary and
necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in
carrying on any trade or business”. Taxpayers are required to
maintain records that substantiate the amounts of claimed
deductions. Sec. 6001; sec. 1.6001-1(a), Income Tax Regs.
Taxpayers bear the burden of proving that they are entitled to
any claimed deductions. Rule 142(a); INDOPCO, Inc. v.
Commissioner, 503 U.S. 79, 84 (1992).
Respondent now agrees that petitioner is entitled to deduct
farm expenses of $63,381 in 1990, $54,652 in 1991, and $55,389 in
1992, which are in excess of the amounts petitioner claimed on
his returns. Despite petitioner’s claim that he “had farm
expenses greater than allowed by respondent”, petitioner failed
to offer any documents, records, or other evidence to support his
assertion. We hold that petitioner is entitled to deduct
business expenses in 1990, 1991, and 1992 only as determined by
respondent.
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D. Capital Loss
Petitioner claimed a capital loss of $31,000 on his 1991 tax
return. On brief, petitioner now asserts that he is entitled to
a capital loss of $48,000, which resulted from the sale of his
farm.
The taxpayer bears the burden of proving the loss claimed.
Rule 142(a). “Where the taxpayer does not prove basis this Court
has consistently held that his loss cannot be computed.” Millsap
v. Commissioner, 46 T.C. 751, 760 (1966), affd. 387 F.2d 420 (8th
Cir. 1968).
Petitioner offered only his tax returns and a letter
prepared by his certified public accountant as evidence of the
claimed capital loss.19 “The Commissioner need not accept as
complete, correct, and accurate, the returns filed or the sworn
statement of the taxpayer that his returns completely and
correctly disclose his tax liability.” Halle v. Commissioner, 7
T.C. 245, 250 (1946), affd. 175 F.2d 500 (2d Cir. 1949). The
documents fail to establish the basis in the farm property or the
amount that petitioner realized from the sale of that property.
Therefore, we sustain respondent’s determination that petitioner
is not entitled to a capital loss of $31,000.
19
Petitioner’s certified public accountant did not support
his letter and computation with documentation.
- 31 -
IV. Fraud Penalty--Section 6663
Section 6663(a) provides that “If any part of any
underpayment of tax required to be shown on a return is due to
fraud, there shall be added to the tax an amount equal to 75
percent of the portion of the underpayment which is attributable
to fraud.” The Commissioner bears the burden of proving fraud by
clear and convincing evidence. Sec. 7454(a); Rule 142(b). The
Commissioner cannot satisfy his burden of proving fraud by
relying upon the taxpayer’s failure to establish error in the
determination of deficiencies. Parks v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. at
660-661. To prove fraud, the Commissioner must establish that
(1) an underpayment exists and (2) some portion of the
underpayment is attributable to fraud. DiLeo v. Commissioner, 96
T.C. at 873.
As stated supra, we find that respondent has clearly and
convincingly proven that petitioner received and failed to report
income from his farming business in 1990, 1991, and 1992. If the
Commissioner proves that any portion of an underpayment of tax is
attributable to fraud, the entire underpayment shall be treated
as attributable to fraud, except that when the taxpayer
establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that any portion
of the underpayment was not attributable to fraud, the fraud
- 32 -
penalty shall not apply to that portion of the underpayment.
Sec. 6663(b).
“Fraud is defined as an intentional wrongdoing designed to
evade tax believed to be owing.” DiLeo v. Commissioner, supra at
889 (citing Profl. Servs. v. Commissioner, 79 T.C. 888, 930
(1982)). To prove fraud, the Commissioner “must show that * * *
[the taxpayer] intended to evade taxes known to be owing by
conduct intended to conceal, mislead, or otherwise prevent the
collection of taxes.” Petzoldt v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. at 699
(citing Stoltzfus v. United States, 398 F.2d 1002, 1004 (3d Cir.
1968)). Because direct evidence of a taxpayer’s intent is rarely
available, the Commissioner may prove fraudulent intent using
circumstantial evidence. Spies v. United States, 317 U.S. 492,
499 (1943); DiLeo v. Commissioner, supra at 874; Parks v.
Commissioner, supra at 664; Petzoldt v. Commissioner, supra. We
consider the taxpayer’s entire course of conduct in determining
fraud, and we may draw reasonable inferences from the facts.
Parks v. Commissioner, supra at 664; Otsuki v. Commissioner, 53
T.C. 96, 106 (1969).
The indicia or badges of fraud serve as circumstantial
evidence of fraudulent intent. DiLeo v. Commissioner, supra at
875. These badges of fraud include: (1) A pattern of consistent
underreporting of income; (2) failure to cooperate with tax
- 33 -
authorities; (3) inadequate books and records; (4) concealing
assets; (5) filing false documents; and (6) implausible or
inconsistent explanations of behavior. Spies v. United States,
supra at 499; Bradford v. Commissioner, 796 F.2d 303, 307-308
(9th Cir. 1986), affg. T.C. Memo. 1984-601; DiLeo v.
Commissioner, supra at 875. While no single indicium is
necessary or sufficient to find fraud, the existence of several
of these factors is persuasive circumstantial evidence of
fraudulent intent. Petzoldt v. Commissioner, supra at 700.
Petitioner consistently understated his income by
substantial amounts for the years 1990, 1991, and 1992.
Petitioner failed to cooperate with tax authorities.
Petitioner’s effort to prevent respondent from obtaining
information from the H&R Block employee shows that he attempted
to impede respondent’s investigation and indicates that
petitioner intended to evade taxes. See Truesdell v.
Commissioner, 89 T.C. 1280, 1303 (1987) (finding that the
taxpayer’s “interference with * * * [the Commissioner’s]
investigation is also indicative of his intent to conceal the
diverted income and evade tax”). Also, as discussed supra,
petitioner did not submit any books or records to respondent’s
agent during the course of the examination of his 1990, 1991, and
1992 income tax returns.
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Petitioner maintained inadequate business records. As
stated in the criminal proceeding, petitioner “did not keep many
business records; according to his sons, he merely kept track of
‘some things’ by handwritten notes on scraps of paper.” United
States v. Hoover, 175 F.3d at 566. We find that petitioner’s
failure to maintain adequate business records supports a finding
of fraud.
Petitioner devised a scheme to conceal his income and divert
it to his children with the intent of avoiding income taxes.
Petitioner instructed his customers to issue checks payable to
his children. Petitioner attempted to disguise his farming
income by diverting to his children farming receipts that were
owed to petitioner. We find that this scheme of concealing his
assets provides further evidence that petitioner attempted to
avoid income taxes.
Although a criminal conviction under section 7206 is not
dispositive, it provides probative evidence that the taxpayer
intended to evade taxes. Wright v. Commissioner, 84 T.C. 636,
643-644 (1985). Petitioner was convicted of filing false Federal
income tax returns in violation of section 7206 in 1990, 1991,
and 1992. United States v. Hoover, 175 F.3d at 567. We also
note that petitioner was convicted of making false statements on
a student loan application.
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Petitioner consistently understated income in 1990, 1991,
and 1992, was convicted of filing false Federal income tax
returns, made a false statement on a student loan application,
interfered with respondent’s investigation, failed to maintain
books and records, and devised a scheme to conceal his income.
We hold that respondent has proven by clear and convincing
evidence that petitioner understated his income in 1990, 1991,
and 1992 with the fraudulent intent to evade taxes.
V. 1990, 1991, and 1992--Statute of Limitations
Section 6501(c)(1) provides an exception to the general 3-
year period of limitations. “In the case of a false or
fraudulent return with the intent to evade tax, the tax may be
assessed, or a proceeding in court for collection of such tax may
be begun without assessment, at any time.” Sec. 6501(c)(1).
Because we have found that petitioner filed fraudulent returns
for 1990, 1991, and 1992, the statute of limitations does not bar
the assessment of tax for these years.
VI. Collection Proceeding
Petitioner argues that respondent’s Appeals officer abused
his discretion in sustaining the filing of a Federal tax lien and
in issuing a notice of jeopardy levy. Since we have found that
the assessment of a deficiency for 1989 is barred by the statute
of limitations, there is no deficiency to collect for 1989.
- 36 -
We sustain respondent’s collection actions regarding 1990,
1991, and 1992. When the Commissioner determines that a taxpayer
has a deficiency in tax, he is authorized to send a notice of
that deficiency to the taxpayer. Sec. 6212. Section 6213(a)
generally restricts when the Commissioner may assess a
deficiency, make a levy determination, and begin or prosecute a
collection action in a court proceeding. The Commissioner is
generally prohibited from taking these actions until: (1) The
notice of deficiency has been mailed to the taxpayer; (2) the 90-
day period in which the taxpayer may petition the Tax Court has
expired; and (3) if a petition has been filed with the Tax Court,
the Tax Court’s decision becomes final. Sec. 6213(a).
Section 6861 provides an exception to the restrictions on
assessment and collection of deficiencies imposed by section
6213(a). Section 6861(a) provides that the Commissioner may
immediately assess the deficiency when he believes that the
assessment or collection of a deficiency will be jeopardized by
delay. “A jeopardy assessment may be made before or after the
mailing of the notice of deficiency provided by section 6212.”
Sec. 301.6861-1(a), Proced. & Admin. Regs. The Commissioner may
make a jeopardy assessment or collection when the taxpayer is or
appears to be: (1) Planning to depart from the United States, or
conceal himself or herself; (2) planning to place his property
beyond the reach of Commissioner by concealing it, by dissipating
- 37 -
it, or by transferring it to other persons; or (3) financially
imperiled. Id.; sec. 1.6851-1(a)(1), Income Tax Regs.
Section 6330 provides taxpayers with notice and an
opportunity for a hearing before the Commissioner may levy on any
property or property right. Specifically, section 6330(a)(1)
provides:
No levy may be made on any property or right to
property of any person unless the Secretary has
notified such person in writing of their right to a
hearing under this section before such a levy is made.
Such notice shall be required only once for the taxable
period to which the unpaid tax * * * relates.
Section 6330(a)(2) requires the Commissioner to issue a notice
“not less than 30 days before the day of the first levy with
respect to the amount of the unpaid tax for the taxable period.”
Section 6330 does not apply if the Commissioner makes a
finding, pursuant to the last sentence of section 6331(a), that
the collection of tax is in jeopardy. Sec. 6330(f). The last
sentence of section 6331(a) provides:
If the Secretary makes a finding that the collection of
such tax is in jeopardy, notice and demand for
immediate payment of such tax may be made by the
Secretary and, upon failure or refusal to pay such tax,
collection thereof by levy shall be lawful without
regard to the 10-day period provided in this section.
In the context of jeopardy collection, the Commissioner must
provide the taxpayer with a section 6330 hearing “within a
reasonable period of time after the levy.” Sec. 6330(f). We
have jurisdiction under section 6330(d) to review respondent’s
- 38 -
determination under section 6330(f) that use of a jeopardy levy
was appropriate. Dorn v. Commissioner, 119 T.C. 356, 359 (2002).
Petitioner argues that the Court of Appeals for the Seventh
Circuit held that respondent may not levy on his U.S. savings
bonds. We disagree. In United States v. Hoover, 175 F.3d at
569, the court found that the U.S. District Court exceeded its
authority by ordering petitioner to surrender U.S. savings bonds
to pay his tax liability because “the Victim and Witness
Protection Act * * * does not authorize restitution for Title 26
tax offenses.” The Court of Appeals did not address whether
respondent could make a jeopardy assessment and levy pursuant to
sections 6330(f) and 6331(a); the court only addressed the U.S.
District Court’s authority under the Victim and Witness
Protection Act.
Petitioner argues that respondent abused his discretion in
determining that the collection of petitioner’s deficiencies,
interest, and penalties was in jeopardy. Again, we disagree with
petitioner. Section 301.6861-1(a), Proced. & Admin. Regs., and
section 1.6851-1(a)(1)(ii), Income Tax Regs., specifically
provide that collection is in jeopardy when a taxpayer attempts
to place assets beyond the Commissioner’s reach by transferring
the assets to another person. In petitioner’s criminal
proceeding, the U.S. District Court ordered petitioner to take
all steps necessary to turn over to the United States 304 U.S.
- 39 -
savings bonds with face values of $1,000 each. Petitioner failed
to comply with the District Court’s order and transferred 150 of
those bonds to his son Michael Hoover. Because petitioner had
fraudulently attempted to evade his tax liability and had
previously attempted to transfer his assets to his son in an
attempt to elude a court order, we hold that respondent did not
abuse his discretion when he concluded that the collection of
taxes, interest, and penalties petitioner owed was in jeopardy.
VII. Conclusion
The assessment of the determined deficiency for 1989 is
barred by the 3-year statute of limitations. Petitioner
fraudulently understated his taxable income on his returns for
1990, 1991, and 1992 and is liable for fraud penalties pursuant
to section 6663. Section 6501(c), the fraud exception to the
normal 3-year statute of limitations, applies so that the
assessments for 1990, 1991, and 1992 are not barred by the
statute of limitations. The determination to uphold the jeopardy
levy and the notice of Federal tax lien for the 1990, 1991, and
1992 tax liabilities was not an abuse of discretion.
Decision will be entered under Rule
155 in docket No. 15557-99, and an
appropriate decision will be
entered in docket No. 4590-00L.