Eric J. Geppert & Mary L. Geppert, Docket No. 946-20L, filed 6/7/23, started off their Tax Court careers represented by one and the same attorney, whom I’ll call Howdy. But six months into the program, IRS moves for summary J, indicating in the Declaration supporting same by SO who handled the CDP whence arose this petition that Howdy might be a fact witness. In consequence whereof, Howdy, seeing a conflict of interest, asks for time to respond, and gets it.

Within a month thereafter, two (count ’em, two) new attorneys sign aboard, but they purport to represent Eric only. Howdy never asks to be relieved as attorney for Mary, but shows up in the numerous filings made thereafter by the two relievers, all on behalf of Eric only.

If y’all are wondering why the headline first written at the head hereof is applicable, the two relievers ask Tax Court ‘to declare 26 U.S.C. §7443(f) unconstitutional and disqualify all the judges of the Tax Court until such time as §7443(f)’s constitutional infirmity is cured.’” Order, at p. 3.

Chaps, had you read this my blog, specifically my blogpost “Necessity Knows No Law,” 2/6/17, you’d know that was a nonstarter. And when you doubledown by asking for remand to Appeals and then filing a “Motion to Declare IRS Independent Office of Appeals Unconstitutional as Violating Separation of Powers & Set Aside IRS Independent Office of Appeals Actions,” Order, at p. 4, you know you’re in the running for a Taishoff “Oh, Please,” if not a Section 6673 frivolity chop.

Judge Alina I. (AIM”) Marshall, chronicling these antics, finally notes that IRS’ counsel, and the relievers (and maybe Howdy), filed a Joint Status Report stating “given that Mrs. Geppert has not had an attorney appear on her behalf, counsel for Mr. Geppert believes the Court must take her pro se status into account.’” Order, at p.4.

Well, is she pro se? Howdy never tried to sign out as her counsel, no one tried to sub in for her, and Judge AIM never let Howdy out. Besides, Judge AIM hasn’t heard from Mary.

So Judge AIM hands Mary a laundry list of these goings-on, and asks her to respond.

I’ll give Mary a wee hint: Mary, find an attorney who knows what s/he is doing.

Carrie L. Anderson, Docket No. 12122-21L, filed 6/6/23, has a sad tale. ” Petitioner has had to fight for her Rights all of her life. Now, at the age of 69, she is tired! Petitioner admits that she used poor judgment in trusting someone she though [sic] she really knew; however, this was not willfully done on the part of thePetitioner.” Order, at p. 4.

Carrie is fighting a NOD affirming a NITL for a Section 6702 frivolity chop, arising out of a scheme devised by Carrie’s friend and preparer. This is a good one. I’ll let Judge Morrison man-‘splain.

“Anderson filed a tax return … falsely claiming that her credit union had withheld $58,542 of federal income tax from her income as part of a fictitious transaction in which the credit union, in order to meet its ‘daily depository quota with the Federal Reserve,” had exchanged her demand deposit for ac security interest in an unnamed asset of the credit union and then transferred to her a full ownership interest in the unnamed asset. The return stated that Anderson had conducted an ‘extensive study of Title 26 of the Code of Federal Regulations,’ but that she not was not a ‘tax code expert.’ She said: ‘If you [i.e., the IRS] can find a mistacke [sic] or error, please notify me within 30 days that I may take corrective action. Otherwise, thank you for processing my return promptly.’” Order, at p. 1.

Carrie actually got a $59K refund. But by the time IRS woke up, at some point Carrie was put into CNC status. Transcript, at p. 4. Carrie claims she only realized this was a fraud when she got the Letter 3176 telling her to file a correct return or get a Section 6702 chop. Ibid.

At her CDP, Carrie admitted that she had misgivings about her return. “…in her ‘gut’ she knew the return was probably wrong. And she admitted that her judgment was impaired by her need for money to buy a new car.” Transcript, at p. 3. Cf. the title of this blogpost, and the late great Janis’ 1970 hit.

Carrie cites the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, but, as usual, that’s a nonstarter. And “gude faith, ye maun’ fa’ that,” as an even greater poet than Janis never said.

“Anderson’s asserted good-faith belief that the position was correct does not serve as a defense to the §6702(a) penalty. The penalty provision has no ‘reasonable cause’ exception. The only exception is found in § 6702(d), which allows the Treasury Department to reduce the amount of the penalty if it determines that the reduction would ‘promote compliance with and administrative of Federal tax laws.’ For a person to be considered for a § 6702(d) reduction, the Treasury Department has determined that the person must submit Form 14402. Rev. Proc. 2012-43, § 4.01(1).  Anderson did not submit a Form 14402. Even had she done so, she would not have met the other requirements for penalty reduction under § 6702(d), which are found
in Revenue Procedure 2012-43.” Order, at p. 5.

Carrie’s preparer was Catharine Harvey (Order, at p. 2). I wonder how much of that $59K refund Catharine got for this. There is no Taishoff award for what she did here, but I hope the US Attorney for the relevant District can figure out an appropriate one.

My colleague Peter Reilly, CPA, has exhaustively examined the anfractuosities and interstices of Reg. Section 1.183-2(b), the hobby loss provision that the late Judge Richard Posner of 7 Cir characterized as “the goofy regulation.”

Today STJ Eunkyong (“N’Yawk”) Choi applies such of the nine (count ’em, nine) factors that the goofy regulation enumerates as are necessary to deny professional gambler status to Susan E. Mercier & James H.  Mercier, Docket No. 7499-22S, filed 6/6/23. And she doesn’t need more than a couple.

Sue is an accountant for a charter school, and Jim runs his own business repairing appliances. Living in or around Las Vegas, they gamble at video poker with a system they worked out their own selves. This offers the best odds and involves skill.

Of course, they lose. In more ways than one.

Their W-2G winnings are unreported income. And their net losses cannot be deducted on Sched A, because their AGI with winnings included wipe out Sched A in favor of the post-TCJA enhanced standard deduction. So they don’t report the W-2Gs, claiming it’s unfair to be taxed on winnings that aren’t.

STJ Choi says that may be, but that’s the law.

Unless.

There’s always an exception. Whatever would we practitioners do without exceptions?

Sue & Jim can claim professional gambler status. If they qualify, they can file Sched C, deduct losses against winnings like any other self-employed businessperson, and carry the net loss over to their 1040 MFJ.

Except.

“We find that although Petitioners are serious about gambling, they were not professional gamblers. Petitioners are both sophisticated in that they are an accountant and a previous business owner. Petitioner wife acknowledged that as an accountant, she would advise a taxpayer operating a business to keep records. Petitioner husband acknowledged that for his appliance repair business, he did keep records.

“Petitioners did not personally keep track of their gambling activity in [year at issue] choosing, instead, to rely on third-party information from casinos, even though they further acknowledge that the casinos record may be incomplete, as only jackpot winnings, not smaller winnings, are reported. Petitioners also did not keep a separate bank account to manage gambling winnings and expenses, but used their personal account, which is further evidence of the casual nature of their gambling.” Transcript, at pp. 9-10.

And in prior years, pre-TCJA, Sue & Jim did take losses on Sched A. Though Sue & Jim claim they didn’t know they could go pro and file Sched C for gambling, Jim filed Sched C for appliance repair. And they didn’t claim Sched C pro gambling until after the SNOD.

Takeaway- Open a separate bank account for whatever business you claim, even if you no longer get a toaster for opening the account. Even the monthly service charges (if any) are deductible. Put in every penny of income. And get some cheap online recordkeeping software. The deduction you save may be your own.

Josefa Castillo, 160 T. C. 15, filed 6/5/23, got her filing fee waived when she petitioned her CDP NOD. But she petitioned after the 30-day Section 6330(d)(1) cutoff, so then-Ch J Maurice B (“Mighty Mo”) Foley bounced her petition for being 249 (count ’em, 249) days late.

But that was back in March, 2020, pre-Boechler.

Josefa’s trusty attorney, the redoubtable Elizabeth (“Prof. Liz”) Maresca, CO of the Fordham University Law School LITC, nowise daunted, appeals to 2 Cir, which puts everything on hold as by that time Boechler was climbing its way to the Supremes.

You know the rest. The Supremes bring “discipline and order” to Congress’ wayward view of jurisdictional and nonjurisdictional defects. Whereupon 2 Cir reverses and remands Josefa back to Tax Court. IRS folds everything, the year at issue being nine (count ’em, nine) years ago.

So after a wee high-five on 65th Street, Prof. Liz goes for Section 7430 admins and legals. I don’t know much was at stake in Josefa’s case, but if she qualified for Fordham’s LITC, I doubt they had to round to the nearest dollar, much less omit the last three zeroes. But the Fordham LITC’s meter stopped at $5,601 admin and $129,750 for legal.

Ch J Kathleen (“TBS = The Big Shillelagh”) Kerrigan sees off Prof. Liz and her hungry acolytes. Prof. Liz and her crew did behave well. “She did not unreasonably protract the proceedings, the amount of the costs requested is reasonable, and she exhausted the administrative remedies available. The parties disagree as to whether petitioner should be treated as the prevailing party.” 160 T. C. 15, at p. 4.

As for the reasonableness of the legals, without knowing the issues, the amount in controversy, the novelty of legal issues, the time expended (and how and by whom it was expended) and the expertise of the attorneys involved, I can’t comment. But the fact that IRS folded makes me wonder just how big and tough a case it was.

Howbeit, substantial justification is still at issue. At the time the answer was filed, was IRS justified in its position?

“Respondent’s litigation position—which was first raised in the Answer—was that the Court lacked jurisdiction because the Petition was not timely filed. There is no dispute that the Petition was filed late.  Respondent argues that because the law was clear then that a timely filing was necessary to establish the Court’s jurisdiction, the Commissioner was substantially justified in asserting that the Court lacked jurisdiction. We agree with respondent.” 160 T. C.15, at p. 5.

“Before the Supreme Court’s decision in Boechler neither the Tax Court nor the federal courts of appeals had held the 30-day period in section 6330(d)(1) to be nonjurisdictional. Because Boechler was a matter of first impression for the Supreme Court, respondent’s position was substantially justified.” 160 T. C.15, at p. 6.

But Prof. Liz isn’t done. “Petitioner argues that respondent’s position should be presumed not to be substantially justified because respondent did not follow guidance provided in the Internal Revenue Manual(IRM). See § 7430(c)(4)(B)(ii). The presumption in section 7430(c)(4)(B)(ii) does not arise here because the IRM is not ‘applicable published guidance’ within the meaning of the statute. Section 7430(c)(4)(B)(iv) defines “applicable published guidance’ exhaustively as ‘regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, information releases, notices, and announcements, and . . . any of the following which are issued to the taxpayer: private letter rulings, technical advice memoranda, and determination letters.” Since the IRM is not included in this list, the presumption does not arise.” 160 T. C. 15, at p. 6.

Another silt-stir bites the dust.

Section 6015(e)(7) is as fine an example of How Not To Do It as might be devised by Charles Dickens’ Circumlocution Office on steroids. An issue is to be faced, and ignored; a problem is to be solved, and not solved; something is to be changed, and nothing is changed.

Y’all will recall that Section 6015(e)(7) promised an innocent spousery trial de novo in Tax Court.

Except.

The “trial” is limited to the administrative record when IRS granted (or refused) innocent spousery, plus “any additional newly discovered or previously unavailable evidence.” In the case of Keri A. deGuzman and Brian deGuzman, Docket No. 13230-20, filed 6/2/23, there ain’t no newly discovered evidence.

And Judge Emin (“Eminent”) Toro can’t ascertain from the record of what deficiencies of unreported income and improper deductions Keri was supposed to have actual knowledge, sufficient to defeat Section 6015(c) apportioned relief.

Doc DeG was a business whiz as well as a cardiopulmonary surgeon. Keri “holds a college degree, performed at a high level as an intensive care unit nurse before her marriage, and is now pursuing a Master’s degree.  She understands financial matters and is able to track and analyze complicated transactions.  She is capable of distinguishing between personal and business transactions.” Transcript, at p. 8.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, IRS was willing to let Keri off the hook on a combination of 6015(b) and 6015(c). But Judge Eminent lets her off entirely on Section 6015(c), even though she flunked the Section 6015(b) “no reason not to know of the understatements of tax” test in the four (count ’em, four) years at issue, and the inequitable test.  Shortly before trial, Keri traded in the $31K Mercedes Benz she got when she shed Doc DeG for a $78K Merc. “She testified that she decided to purchase the new Mercedes-Benz rather than a Kia Telluride that would also have accommodated her family because the transaction afforded her a better trade-in value for the existing car and the financing was more attractive.  Regardless of whether one agrees with Ms. DeGuzman’s economic analysis here (and it is difficult not to view it skeptically), these are not the actions of a taxpayer experiencing economic hardship.” Transcript, at pp. 17-18.

But the BoP shifts to IRS under Section 6015(c) to prove Keri had actual knowledge.  IRS never tried to prove that; only Doc DeG intervened to do so. Fortunately, Judge Eminent can duck BoP, because the record.

“…the record lacks sufficient evidence to permit us to conclude that it is more likely than not that Ms. DeGuzman had actual knowledge of the understatements.” Transcript, at p. 20.

“Applying these standards, most of the erroneous return items… were related to Dr. DeGuzman’s various businesses.  For several of them, the record lacks sufficient specificity as to what the error was. Furthermore, the record does not demonstrate that Ms. DeGuzman had any special knowledge of Dr. DeGuzman’s businesses, including any specific items of income derived from them or expenses that Dr. DeGuzman incurred.  And apart from the parties’ contradictory and general testimony, there is no evidence that Ms. DeGuzman accessed accounts or account statements where the items were reflected or that she discussed the items with Dr. DeGuzman or [trusty CPA].  As a result, we cannot conclude that Ms. DeGuzman had actual knowledge of the items related to Dr. DeGuzman’s businesses.

“With regard to interest expense reflected on the Schedules A for the years at issue, the record does contain a few indications that Ms. DeGuzman was aware of one or more of the loans that gave rise to the disallowed amounts. But again, apart from inconsistent and general testimony, the parties introduced little evidence of what the expenses actually consisted of, let alone evidence that Ms. DeGuzman was aware of sufficient facts (for example, the balances of the loans and the amount of interest paid annually) to constitute actual knowledge.” Transcript, at pp. 21-22. (Name omitted),

Doc DeG was pro se, of course.

So despite her shared living-the-dream lifestyle with Doc DeG (check out Transcript, at p. 7), Keri drives into the sunset in her new $78K Merc and none of Doc DeG’s tax bill.

I used to see this more often, but after a hiatus, the missing year-before-first-year-at-issue has come back to bail out Ann Dunlap, Docket No. 3729-22, filed 6/1/23.

There are two (count ’em, two) years at issue before Judge Elizabeth A. (“Tex”) Copeland, and Ann frivols both. Judge Tex Copeland gives Ann enough somber reasoning and copious citation of precedent to justify the sixty Georges Ann paid for this.

“Implicit in the statements relied upon by [the petitioner] to the effect that the system is based upon voluntary compliance is the known fact that, in spite of its extensive bureaucracy and technical equipment, the manpower and facilities of the IRS for policing compliance by every taxpayer are limited and that the effectiveness of the system depends upon the taxpayer’s voluntary obedience to the law. These statements certainly were never intended to suggest that the internal revenue laws were self-destructive. Yet, this is precisely what petitioner’s argument comes down to, for if [the petitioner was] correct,  Congress has supplied every taxpayer with a facile device for totally avoiding all liability by simply declaring that he does not choose to comply. We cannot find that Congress ever intended any such absurd result.

“The result would be absurd, and the very argument is absurd. Waltner, T.C. Memo. 2014-35, at *56–57 (footnote omitted).” Transcript, at pp. 9-10.

Ann is obviously a Hendrickson follower. For the Waltner story, see my blogpost “Cracking Up,” 2/27/14.

So Ann gets hit with tax, and the two Section 6651(a) add-ons, failure to file and failure to pay. But she only gets one Section 6654 adsd-on, failure to file ES, for nonfiling and nonpaying ES in Year Two. Now Ann had income beside salary and wages. She had nonemployee income (1099-MISC), interest, and royalties in both years. But IRS can prove only one year.

“However, section 6654(e)(2) exempts a taxpayer from the section 6654 addition to tax if the taxpayer did not have a tax liability in the preceding 12-month tax year and was a citizen or resident of the United States.  For this case, we will focus on subparagraph (B) of this exception, which requires Ms. Dunlap to not have a tax liability in tax years [Year Minus One] and [Year One] (the preceding tax years for the years in issue). The record is devoid of any evidence showing that Ms. Dunlap had a tax liability in [Year Minus One]. She does have a tax liability for [Year One]. Thus, respondent has met his burden of production as to tax year [Two], but not as to tax year [One]. We accordingly hold that Ms.Dunlap is not liable for the section 6654 addition to tax for tax year [One], but is liable for such addition to taxfor tax year [Two].” Transcript, at p. 17.

Lest Ann grow too elated, Judge Tex Copeland gives her a Section 6673 yellow card, at no extra charge.

Taishoff says it should be simple enough, even with the post-COVID logjams, for IRS’ counsel to pull a transcript of Ann’s Year Minus One. And 3SOL is nothing to the point; IRS wouldn’t be contesting any tax incident of that year, only that there was a liability reported.

Yes, I know, you can spare me the comments and e-mails: I know Bogie never said that line. Notwithstanding anything therein or elsewhere to the contrary or at material variance therewith (as my paid-by-the-word colleagues would say), that line has gone down as part of the canon, and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the country’s done for.

Come to think of it, the country may well…but this is a nonpolitical blog.

Anyway, coming to the point (and I can hear my readers saying “There is one? How quaint.”), yesterday’s Zoomstravaganza, under the masterful guidance of Judge Ronald L. (“Ingenuity”) Buch, was well worth the time spent by the panel and audience. In addition to a thorough discussion of the variations between USTC discovery and FRCP in the Art. IIIs, we got to hear the viewpoints of OCC, a white shoe, and LITC. The facial expressions of Golden Gopher LITC honcho Caleb (“The”) Smith alone were worth the time. I’d only suggest that The Smith not play poker, even with friends.

But seriously folks, I asked whether these webinars could be recorded and made available on the USTC website for future viewing, for the benefit of those unable to attend at this time. I inquired using the Q&A function while the program was going on. Ms. Siegel, the czar of Public Affairs, replied that the program was not being recorded.

True, but it should have been. The remote mock trials run on the website during COVID by CSTJ Lewis (“It’s That Name Again”) Carluzzo were an enormous help. They should be continued.

As for discovery, it’s an area where even seasoned attorneys have come seriously unglued; to say nothing of self-representeds who never heard of Branerton but have watched one CLE about “win your case at discovery” and blast off all kinds of impermissible demands ten seconds after they file their petition.

Anything that might educate the parties coming to The Glasshouse in The City That Avoided Default, to save even a few of the endless wasted replies and orders in response to endless wasted discovery motions, must be greeted with loud cheers. Especially by Tax  Court’s hardlaboring intake clerks and flailing datestampers.

Surely recording and making available these useful guides on the USTC website is not beyond the capacity of the Genius Baristas and 18Fs.

So how ’bout it, Ch J Kathleen (“TBS = The Big Shillelagh”) Kerrigan?

Before you beat me up as a conspiracy theorist, I am aware that most if not all of what is ascribed to malice is actually stupidity. While one must assume that every adversary and counterparty knows everything one knows, one cannot assume that adversary or counterparty will draw the correct conclusion therefrom.

Which leads me to Salacoa Stone Quarry, LLC, Eco Terra 2017 Fund, LLC, Tax Matters Partner, T. C. Memo. 2023-68, filed 5/31/23. It’s the usual Dixieland boondockery, 106 acres of scrub bought for $304K, syndicated exactly a year later for $24.8 million. Love those dilithium crystals.

IRS moves for summary J on the 6751(b) Boss Hoss.

The Salacoa Stones want discovery, because the dates on the penalty lead sheet vary.

Judge Albert G. (“Scholar Al”) Lauber expends the usual somber reasoning and copious citation of precedent, both Tax Court and 11 Cir, to blow off the Salacoa Stones’ trusty attorneys’ attempt to freeze the puck. All that is necessary is the right signature from the right person in the right place before Word One of chops is breathed to the Salacoa Stones. As the Man from Mumbai put it, “The door is shut; we may not look behind.”

But why all these summary J cases to nail down Boss Hossery?

I posit that Section 6751(b)’s avowed purpose was to prevent the bludgeoning of taxpayers with the threat of penalties into unfair settlements. OK, but what happens after the Boss Hoss signs on the dotted line? Then the penalty jack is hoisted to the maintop. The Salacoa Stones are confronted with a 40% gross overvaluation misstatement chop, with the 20% five-and-ten as a fallback.

Remember, Hewitt put paid to IRS’ tactic of decapitating syndicated easements without expensive trials featuring expensive expert witnesses, by means of “highly contestable readings of what it means to be perpetual.”

So how to avoid said trials now? How about flaunting the aforesaid penalty jack early by way of summary J, to evoke a sense of dread in the hearts of the syndicated highrollers who wrote off telephonic gains based upon this marked-up mudflat?

But The Flesh Was Weak

Add-ons for failure to file returns, and pay the sums withheld, for FICA/FUTA/ITW have outs for reasonable cause. But as STJ Eunkyong (“N’Yawk”) Choi tells us and Donald S. Tracy, T. C. Sum. Op. 2023-20, filed 5/30/23, there’s a higher bar for trust funds than ordinary income tax.

“In determining whether a taxpayer’s failure to pay was reasonable, the Court will also consider the nature of the tax at issue. Treas. Reg. § 301.6651-1(c)(2) (‘[C]ircumstances which . . . may constitute reasonable cause for nonpayment of income taxes may not constitute reasonable cause for failure to pay over taxes described in section 7501 that are collected or withheld from any other person.’). However, the Court must still give consideration ‘to all the facts and circumstances of the taxpayer’s financial situation.” Id.; see also Fran Corp., 164 F.3d at 819 (stating that taxpayers are not subject to heightened scrutiny for failure to pay trust fund taxes, and the type of tax in issue is only one fact for courts to consider).” T. C. Sum. Op. 2023-20, at p. 6.

And unlike the Art. III big boys and girls, pore l’il ol’ Art. II Tax Court has no equitable powers.

But STJ N’Yawk has a heart. This Donald has a sad story. He’s 92 years old.

“A Navy veteran, petitioner had long been determined disabled because of hearing loss and a back injury that had worsened with time.  He was nearly deaf and had significant balance difficulties. Petitioner also suffered from joint disease in his knees and hips (which were in poor condition and needed replacing), atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and cardiopulmonary disease. As he took the steps necessary to close his law practice, petitioner’s assistant of more than 25 years helped him in his daily business operations while another attorney substantially worked petitioner’s cases. In addition, he relied on a part-time aide for his daily living activities, including grocery shopping, errands, laundry, cooking,  and cleaning. During this time, petitioner also cared for his dying wife of 55 years.

“An attorney, petitioner had an ethical obligation to his remaining clients. He could not simply close his practice and walk away. Although petitioner’s law practice continued to operate, it was not he who did the bulk of the work. Petitioner’s assistant and another attorney kept the law practice operating until it closed.” T. C. Sum. Op. 2023-20, at p. 2.

The assistant is the one who failed to follow the systems Donald had put in place for assuring collection, reporting, and payment of trust funds.

“…the assistant, privy to the law practice’s declining income and fearful of losing her job, did not perform the duties assigned to her in relation to petitioner’s employment taxes.” Idem. As as soon as Donald found out, he got the returns filed and the withholdings paid.

IRS gave Donald a partial abatement of the add-ons. STJ N’Yawk gives him the rest.

Now just because you’re sick, you’re not off the hook for filing and paying.

“Illness or incapacity generally does not prevent a taxpayer from filing returns where the taxpayer is able to continue his business affairs despite the illness or incapacity. (‘[A] taxpayer’s selective inability to perform his or her tax obligations, while performing their regular business, does not excuse failure to file.”). Further, failure to timely file is not excused by a taxpayer’s reliance on an agent, and such reliance is not reasonable cause for a late filing under section 6651(a)(1).” T. C. Sum. Op. 2023-20, at p. 5 (Citations omitted).

But Donald’s systems save the day, both for late filing and for late paying.

“Notwithstanding petitioner’s many difficulties due to his failing health and advanced age, petitioner was diligent in exercising ordinary business care and prudence. He had systems in place to ensure tax compliance. Petitioner’s systems had not previously failed him in his approximately 60 years of solo law practice. It was reasonable, and not willfully neglectful, for petitioner to trust his systems’ continued reliability. Further, it was not petitioner’s reliance on his assistant but his inability to adequately supervise her (due to his failing health and advanced age) that caused his failure to file. Petitioner acted quickly to file the outstanding returns upon discovering he was out of compliance.  Had he been able to supervise his assistant properly, petitioner would have ensured that the returns were filed.” T. C. Sum. Op. 2023-20, at p. 5.

So STJ N’Yawk doesn’t need to consider hardship. Donald wins.

Takeaway- Be systematic. Old or young, be systematic.

As United States Tax Court is closed for the holiday, there will be no post other than this. I ask that readers place a candle in a window, if possible, in remembrance (electric preferred). Someone gave their todays for your todays, and your tomorrows.