Curtis v. Commissioner

STANLEY G. CURTIS, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Curtis v. Commissioner
Docket No. 7756-72.
United States Tax Court
T.C. Memo 1981-420; 1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323; 42 T.C.M. 622; T.C.M. (RIA) 81420;
August 11, 1981.
Stanley G. Curtis, pro se.
George W. Connelly, Jr., for the respondent.

TIETJENS

SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

TIETJENS, Judge: This case is on remand from the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The circuit court, 623 F.2d 1047">623 F.2d 1047 (1980), affirmed our decision in T.C. Memo. 1978-265 on the finding that petitioner did not possess a cash hoard, but the court vacated our finding of the amount of deficiencies and section 6653(b) 1 additions to tax for 1960 through 1968 and remanded the case to us so that we might explain our reasoning for these findings or modify our determination. The circuit court, in addition, asked us to explain our finding of fraud. 2

1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*324 In accordance with the directives of the circuit court, we have modified our findings of fact. 3

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Assets

A. Cash on hand

In his recomputation of petitioner's net worth, respondent asserts that petitioner had $ 500 for each of the years ending 1959--1968. Although the evidence shows that in 1963, petitioner stated that he never had more than $ 500 cash on hand and that, also in that year, petitioner's statement to the New York State Liquor Authority confirms the accuracy of this amount, other evidence shows conflicting amounts. In choosing this figure for all ten years, however, respondent explained that he took the highest figure in evidence but kept the amount constant. Since respondent has not asserted nor has the evidence shown any increase in this asset from year to year, we find that petitioner had $ 500 for each year. This finding does not harm petitioner because being a constant amount, 1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*325 we could not find any understatement of income, in any year at issue, attributable to this item.

B. Cash in banks

In accordance with the bank statements from Genesee Valley Union Trust Co., Marine Midland Trust Co. of Rochester (MM) 4 and Central Trust Co. (CT), to whose accuracy petitioner has stipulated, we find that petitioner's checking accounts contained the following amounts at the end of each of the following years:

YearAmount
1959$ 2,871
19606,502
19614,674
19624,721
19634,025
19642,769
19654,351
19669,316
19671,943
196813,492

In accordance with the bank statements from MM, Rochester Savings Bank, Columbia Banking, Savings and Loan Association, CT, Lincoln Rochester Trust Co., and First Federal Savings and Loan Association, most of which have been stipulated by petitioner1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*326 to be true representations of the amounts held in these accounts, petitioner's savings accounts contained the following:

YearAmount
19590
19600
1961$ 2,003
19623,083
196356
1964561
19651,795
19667,079
196712,986
196822,653

C. Securities/Investments

We find that petitioner had the following bases in his securities investments for 1959-1968:

YearAmount
19590
19600
19610
1962$ 10,287
196325,730
196429,293
196522,042
196622,882
196750,266
196897,015

During August, 1967, petitioner wrote to Hayden, Stone, Inc., that the investment accounts that the firm had in his name belonged entirely to him; he stated that no one else had any interest in them.

D. Real Estate Investments

The record shows that petitioner owned real estate with bases in the following amounts at the end of each year from 1959 to 1968:

YearAmount
1959$ 23,050
196023,800
196123,050
196234,650
196348,301
196453,630
19655 38,818
19665 50,818
19675 50,818
19685 44,050

1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*327 E. Real Estate Improvements

As shown on petitioner's tax returns for 1960-1968, petitioner made improvements to his property in the following amounts:

YearAmount
1959$ 2,605
19602,605
19619,059
196212,939
196315,368
196421,607
196526,068
196626,068
196726,068
196826,068

F. Mortgages Receivable

After reviewing the transcript, stipulations, and various mortgage agreements, we find that petitioner was a mortgagee who was owed the following amounts in the following years:

YearAmount
19590
19600
19610
19620
1963$ 2,439
19642,246
196516,092
19669,665
19676,026
19684,977

G. Other Assets

From information found in tax returns and in other evidence, to which petitioner stipulated either at trial or in the written stipulation, we find that, at the end of each of the following years, petitioner owned office equipment, automobiles, a cottage, and boats for which he paid the following amounts:

YearAmount
1959$ 2,049
19604,358
19615,956
19626,606
19636,900
19646,900
19659,363
196643,678
196742,903
196844,182

2. Liabilities

1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*328 A. Mortgages Payable

From data contained in various mortgage agreements, to whose accuracy petitioner stipulated either at trial or in the written stipulation, we find that petitioner had the following mortgages payable at the end of the following years:

YearAmount
1959$ 12,496
196011,913
196111,295
196219,020
196334,429
196431,358
196516,017
196640,277
196737,701
196831,344

B. Loans Payable and Debit Balances (brokerage account)

From the brokerage account ledger statements and from a loan agreement, which petitioner stipulated to be truthful representations, we find that petitioner had a loan payable to MM at the end of 1967 in the amount of $ 2,917 and brokerage account debit balances at the end of the following years in the following amounts:

YearAmount
1962$ 297
19636,446
196818,870

C. Reserves for Deparciation

From information provided in petitioner's tax returns, we find that petitioner had the following reserves for depreciation at the end of the following years:

YearAmount
1959$ 2,272
19603,668
19615,876
19628,050
196310,390
196414,087
196516,425
196622,533
196724,503
196827,646

1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*329 3. Net Worth

Using the above figures, we calculate petitioner's net worth for 1959 through 1968 to be the following:

YearAmountIncrease in Net Worth
1959$ 16,307
196022,184$ 5,877
196128,0715,887
196245,41917,348
196352,0546,635
196472,06120,007
196586,58714,526
1966107,19620,609
1967126,38919,193
1968175,07748,688

4. Additions

In order to compute petitioner's net worth plus living expenses, we have made certain additions. From information provided on the certificates of assessment and payments from the Internal Revenue Service Center, North Atlantic Region, Andover, Massachusetts to the accuracy of which petitioner has stipulated, we find that, as of the end of each of the following years, petitioner paid the following amounts is Federal taxes:

YearAmount
19606 $ 600
19610
19621,025
1963200
1964946
19651,397
19660
1967257
19681,068

1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*330 As shown on his amended return for 1968, petitioner paid the following taxes and interest on property located at 29 Averill Avenue for the years 1964 through 1968:

YearAmount
1964$ 118
1965523
1966573
1967514
1968154

During 1962 and 1963, respectively, petitioner contributed $ 1,899 and $ 1,088 to the Monroe County Department of Social Services for his mother's care. According to Schedules A (Itemized Deductions) of petitioner's returns, he made the following expenditures:

YearAmount
1960$ 1,235
19611,439
19624,588
19632,188
19642,299
19654,070
19663,366
19673,326
19683,750

Petitioner incurred additional living expenses in the amount of $ 2,500 for each year from 1960 through 1968.

5. Adjustments to Gross Income

From information on petitioner's returns, we find that petitioner may exclude $ 823 and $ 568 in 1963 and 1967, respectively, as capital gains. Also, from information provided in petitioner's returns, we find that he had depreciation expenses in the following amounts at the end of each of the following years:

YearAmount
1960$ 1,552
19612,374
19622,635
19632,690
19643,697
19653,784
19666,310
19674,627
19684,101

1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*331 An adjustment must be made, moreover, for the dividend exclusions allowed petitioner in the amount of $ 50, each year, for 1962 and 1963, and in the amount of $ 100 for each year from 1964 through 1968.

6. Taxable Income

In order to determine petitioner's taxable income for 1960-1968, the following items must be subtracted from his adjusted gross income (increase in net worth plus living expenses).

As shown on petitioner's returns, petitioner's itemized deductions, for 1960-1968, amounted to the following:

YearAmount
1960$ 1,134
19611,252
19624,362
19632,121
19642,299
19654,070
19663,261
19673,053
19683,135

Adjustments in the following amounts must also be made for taxes and interest on 29 Averill Avenue which were not deducted on petitioner's return:

YearAmount
1964$ 118
1965523
1966573
1967514
1968154

Finally, petitioner has been allowed a $ 600 personal exemption for each year between 1960 and 1968. 7

1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*332 7. Taxable Income and Taxable Income Reported on Returns

Etitioner's taxable income for 1960 through 1968 was as follows:

YearAmount
1960$ 6,926
19615,600
196219,713
19636,327
196419,056
196513,939
196616,204
196716,328
196848,070

Peitioner reported the following amounts of income on his Federal tax returns for the following years:

YearAmount
1960$ 199 
19612,802 
1962100 
19633,399 
19643,354 
19651,030 
1966(958)
19672,579 
19688,109 
1968 (amended return)11,021 

ULTIMATE FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Petitioner did not report the following taxable income for the years 1960 through 1968:

YearAmount
1960$ 6,727
19612,798
196219,613
19632,928
196415,702
196512,909
196617,162
196713,749
196839,961
1968(amended return)37,049

2. A part of petitioner's underpayment of tax for the years 1960 through 1968 was due to fraud.

OPINION

The only issue remaining, pursuant to the circuit court's directive, is an explanation of our finding of fraud.

The question of fraud is one of fact. Stratton v. Commissioner, 54 T.C. 255">54 T.C. 255 (1970).1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*333 Although petitioner has the burden of proof with respect to the underlying deficiencies, Welch v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111">290 U.S. 111 (1933); Rule 142(a), Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure, respondent has the burden of proof to establish fraud by clear and convincing evidence. Sec. 7454(a); Imburgia v. Commissioner, 22 T.C. 1002">22 T.C. 1002 (1954). Respondent must show that some part of an underpayment of tax was due to fraud for each eaxable year in issue, Otsuki v. Commissioner, 53 T.C. 96">53 T.C. 96 (1969); However, he is not required to prove the precise amount of the underpayment resulting from fraud. 53 T.C. 96">Otsuki v. Commissioner, supra.See Estate of Brame v. Commissioner, 25 T.C. 824">25 T.C. 824 (1956), affd. per curiam 256 F.2d 343">256 F.2d 343 (5th Cir. 1958).

An intent or purpose to evade tax must be shown. Stoltzfus v. United States, 398 F.2d 1002">398 F.2d 1002 (3d Cir. 1968); Webb v. Commissioner, 394 F.2d 366">394 F.2d 366 (5th Cir. 1968), affg. a Memorandum Opinion of this Court. Since fraud rarely can be established by direct proof of intention, however, the taxpayer's entire conduct may establish circumstantially1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*334 such fraudulent intent. Stone v. Commissioner, 56 T.C. 213">56 T.C. 213 (1971); 53 T.C. 96">Otuski v. Commissioner, supra.

A consistent pattern of understating a substantial amount of income over several years is persuasive evidence of fraud. Holland v. United States, 348 U.S. 121">348 U.S. 121 (1954). In the instant case, petitioner has consistently omitted a substantial amount of his income for the years 1960 through 1968. He accounted for his increase in net worth in each of these years by the purported existence of a cash hoard.We have already rejected petitioner's explanation as fanciful and the circuit court has affirmed us on this finding. The record, moreover, shows that petitioner, repeatedly, gave respondent's agents conflicting and alternative sources for this income which similarly were baseless; this pattern likewise is indicative of petitioner's fraudulent intent. United States v. Beacon Brass Co., 344 U.S. 43">344 U.S. 43 (1952). Indeed, throughout the long history of this case, petitioner has refused to allow respondent's agents access to petitioner's books and records. Such refusal is more evidence of fraudulent intent. 53 T.C. 96">Otsuki v. Commissioner, supra.1981 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 323">*335

For these reasons, we conclude that the fraud penalty provided by section 6653(b) should be imposed against petitioner for each year from 1960 through 1968.

Decision will be entered under Rule 155.


Footnotes

  • 1. All statutory references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended and in effect for the years in issue, unless otherwise stated.

  • 2. See Curtis v. Commissioner, 623 F.2d 1047">623 F.2d 1047, 623 F.2d 1047">1054 n. 6 (5th Cir. 1980).

  • 3. Due to the resignation of Judge William H. Quealy, who heard the evidence and rendered the original decision, the case was reassigned to Judge Norman O. Tietjens. The parties were given an opportunity to reopen the record but declined to do so.

  • 4. Genesee Valley Union Trust Co. became Marine Midland Trust Co. of Rochester sometime during 1963. Although denominated an attorney trust account, petitioner admitted that he intermingled his clients' funds with his own. Because petitioner has not shown what amounts, if any, belonged to his clients, the entire balance is shown as his own.

  • 5. With respect to these amounts, we have included a cost basis of $ 12,000 for petitioner's property located at 2126 Empire Boulevard, Rochester, New York. Petitioner had a mortgage with First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Rochester in the amount of $ 8,945. The documentary stamps affixed to the deed totaled $ 4.40 reflecting an additional consideration of between $ 3,000 and $ 4,000. On petitioner's amended return he used the figure $ 12,000 as his basis for depreciation of that property.

  • 6. Although an additional payment of $ 75 was made in January, 1960 in relation to petitioner's 1959 tax liability, because this amount was not included in petitioner's liabilities for 1959, we have adjusted petitioner's 1960 payments in this amount.

  • 7. We have disallowed the $ 600 per year exemption petitioner claimed on his returns from 1960 through 1968 for Bertha Curtis, his mother. Petitioner testified that his mother received social security benefits, owned savings accounts, and received a widow's pension. The account statement of the Monroe County Department of Social Services shows that petitioner's payments for his mother's care were less than those from other sources. From these facts, we conclude that petitioner has not shown that he is entitled to the extra $ 600 exemption he claimed for years 1960 through 1968. In fact, there is only evidence of his making any payments for Bertha Curtis' support for years 1962 and 1963.