IRS method of proving income

The Seo case illustrated the importance of documenting the source of all deposits. This support documentation and notations on the check are necessary whehter or not the taxpayer filed tax returns


Blake Hyun Seo v. Commissioner

Dkt. No. 21622-05 , TC Memo. 2009-106, May 19, 2009.


A nonfiler whose income was reconstructed using the bank deposits method was liable for deficiencies, failure to file and pay penalties and the underpayment of estimated tax penalty. The individual provided no evidence that he had reasonable cause for his failure to file or pay; furthermore, he did not qualify under any exceptions to the underpayment penalty. The individual's bank account documents, obtained through IRS summonses, were properly used to reconstruct income for the three tax years using the bank deposits method. The revenue agent excluded transfers between bank accounts and did not include portions of checks not deposited in bank accounts. The individual's arguments that certain bank deposits belonged to his brother-in-law, certain deposits were loans or gifts, and certain deposits were proceeds from insurance claims, real estate refinancing or a home equity line of credit were not credible since he offered only his uncorroborated testimony that was deemed vague and self-serving. He was denied gambling loss deductions in two tax years where no gambling winnings were included in his income and denied the loss in the third year because, although gambling winnings were reported, he failed to provide evidence of his losses.





Blake Hyun Seo, pro se; Richard J. Hassebrock, for respondent.





MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION



CHIECHI, Judge: Respondent determined the following deficiencies in, and additions to, petitioner's Federal income tax (tax):





Additions to Tax

Sec. 6651(a)(1)
Year Deficiency 1 Sec. 6651(a)(2) Sec. 6654(a)

2000 $251,430 $56,571.75 * $583.14

2001 132,318 29,771.55 * 5,287.91

2002 51,412 11,567.70 * 1,718.05

1All section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in
effect for the years at issue. All Rule references are to the Tax
Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.

*Amount to be determined at a later date pursuant to
sec. 6651(a)(2) and (c).





The issues remaining for decision are: 2



(1) Does petitioner have for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 unreported income as determined by respondent under the bank deposits method? We hold that he does to the extent stated herein.



(2) Is petitioner entitled for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 to deduct certain gambling losses? We hold that he is not.



(3) Does petitioner have unreported interest income for each of his taxable years 2000 and 2001? We hold that he does.



(4) Is petitioner liable for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 for the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1)? We hold that he is.



(5) Is petitioner liable for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 for the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(2)? We hold that he is.



(6) Is petitioner liable for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 for the addition to tax under section 6654(a)? We hold that he is.





FINDINGS OF FACT



Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found except as stated below. 3



Petitioner's address shown in the petition in this case was in Ohio.




Bank Accounts


During the years at issue, petitioner maintained in his name or in the name of an entity (discussed below) certain bank accounts over which he had control and/or signature authority.



During 2000, petitioner maintained at Huntington National Bank two checking accounts in his name (petitioner's checking account No. 5210 and petitioner's checking account No. 4730) and a savings account (petitioner's savings account) in his name. During 2001 and 2002, petitioner maintained petitioner's checking account No. 4730 and petitioner's savings account.



During 2000, petitioner maintained at Fifth Third Bank a checking account (Seo & Leonard account) in the name of Seo & Leonard Co. (Seo & Leonard).



During 2001, petitioner maintained at Fifth Third Bank a bank account (petitioner's Fifth Third Bank account) in his name. 4



During 2002, petitioner maintained at Huntington National Bank a money management account (Amnesia Lounge account) in the name of Amnesia Lounge, LLC (Amnesia Lounge), an Ohio limited liability company that petitioner formed on December 1, 2001. 5




Certain Deposits Into Petitioner's Bank Accounts


During 2000, petitioner deposited a total of $338,472.32 6 into petitioner's checking account No. 5210. Included in that total amount were the following deposits that petitioner claims are not includible in his income:





Date of Description and
Deposit Payor of Item Deposited

Check for $25 issued by First USA
1/7/00 and payable to petitioner

Check for $450 issued by Eric
Chang (Mr. Chang) and payable to
1/14/00 petitioner

Check for $1,713.83 issued by
Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.
(Countrywide), and payable to
1/14/00 petitioner

Check for $83.62 issued by
Farmers Insurance Group of Cos.
(Farmers Insurance) and payable to
1/18/00 petitioner

Check for $72,084.96 issued by
Midland Title Security, Inc.
(Midland Title), and payable to
1/18/00 Stephen T. Hutchinson

Check for $30,000 issued by
Beneficial and payable to
petitioner and Harry Wood (Mr.
1/25/00 Wood)

Check for $1,000 issued by CMACO
Investments, Inc. (CMACO
Investments), and payable to Seo &
1/31/00 Leonard

Check for $25 issued by First USA
2/14/00 and payable to petitioner

Check for $269.86 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
Innova Funding, Inc. (Innova
2/15/00 Funding)

Check for $19.21 issued by The
Dispatch Printing Co. (Dispatch
2/15/00 Printing) and payable to petitioner

Check for $25,000 issued by
Firelands Federal Credit Union
(Firelands) and payable to
2/16/00 petitioner

Check for $152.66 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
2/18/00 petitioner

Check for $151.76 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
3/9/00 petitioner

Check for $70,000 issued by
Clyde-Findlay Area Credit Union
(Clyde-Findlay) and payable to
4/5/00 petitioner 1

Check for $168.95 issued by
ABN-AMRO Mortgage Group, Inc.
(ABN-AMRO), and payable to
4/19/00 petitioner 2

Check for $550 issued by Franklin
County, Ohio (Franklin County), and
4/19/00 payable to Seo Investment Group 3

Check for $14,000 issued by Mr.
Wood and Cynthia Wood (Ms. Wood)
4/27/00 and payable to petitioner 4

1On Apr. 5, 2000, petitioner deposited into
petitioner's checking account No. 5210 only
$60,100 of the check for $70,000 issued by
Clyde-Findlay.

2The check for $168.95 issued by ABN-AMRO that
petitioner deposited into petitioner's checking
account No. 5210 on Apr. 19, 2000, bears the
following computer-generated notation: "FOR
PAYMENT OF ESCROW TO MORTGAGOR".

3The check for $550 issued by Franklin County
that petitioner deposited into petitioner's
checking account No. 5210 on Apr. 19, 2000, bears
the following computer-generated notation:
"WARRANT NUMBER 2000144137".

4The check for $14,000 issued by Mr. Wood and
Ms. Wood that petitioner deposited into
petitioner's checking account No. 5210 on Apr.
27, 2000, bears the following handwritten
notation: "Loan on Houses".





During 2000, a total of $228,876.73 was deposited into the Seo & Leonard account, all of which petitioner claims is not includible in his income.



During 2000, petitioner deposited a total of $186,926.97 into petitioner's checking account No. 4730. Included in that total amount were the following deposits that petitioner claims are not includible in his income:





Date of Description and
Deposit Payor of Item Deposited

Check for $10 issued by Farmers
6/19/00 Insurance and payable to petitioner

Check for $47.70 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
6/19/00 petitioner

Check for $214.44 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
6/19/00 petitioner

Check for $449.44 issued by
Ricart and payable to Leonard and
7/7/00 Associates

Check for $10 issued by Farmers
7/10/00 Insurance and payable to petitioner

Check for $19.87 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
7/10/00 petitioner

Check for $608.16 issued by
ABN-AMRO and payable to petitioner
8/11/00 1

Check for $450.61 issued on
behalf of petitioner by the Direct
Pay Service of Huntington National
Bank and payable to Standard
8/25/00 Federal 2

Check for $25,000 issued by
9/7/00 Firelands and payable to petitioner

20 checks, each for $25, issued
by First USA and payable to
9/15/00 petitioner

Three checks, each for $450.61,
issued by ABN-AMRO and payable to
9/19/00 petitioner 3

Check for $26 issued by Paul M.
Herbert, Civil Account, Clerk of
the Court, Franklin County
Municipal Court, and payable to
9/29/00 petitioner

Check for $599.68 issued by
10/18/00 Ricart and payable to petitioner

Check for $47,189.66 issued by
Leonard and Associates and payable
11/1/00 to petitioner

Check for $65 issued by Charter
11/7/00 Bank and payable to petitioner 4

Check for $15.37 issued by First
11/7/00 USA and payable to petitioner

Check for $18,000 issued by, and
11/30/00 payable to, petitioner

Check for $33,562.58 issued by
Old Republic and payable to LA
12/14/00 Construction

Check for $200 issued by Allen M.
Lo (Mr. Lo) and Erika E.K. Lo (Ms.
12/21/00 Lo) and payable to petitioner 5

Check for $4,100 issued by
Leonard and Associates and payable
12/26/00 to petitioner

1The check for $608.16 issued by ABN-AMRO that
petitioner deposited into petitioner's checking
account No. 4730 on Aug. 11, 2000, bears the
following computer-generated notation: "FOR
PAYMENT OF ESCROW TO MORTGAGOR"

2The funds that Direct Bill Pay Service of
Huntington National Bank used to issue the check
for $450.61 that petitioner deposited into
petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on Aug.
25, 2000, were obtained from that account on May
1, 2000.

3The three checks, each for $450.61, issued by
ABN-AMRO that petitioner deposited into
petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on Sept.
19, 2000, bear the following computer-generated
notation: "FOR MISAPPLICATION REVERSAL".

4The check for $65 issued by Charter Bank that
petitioner deposited into petitioner's checking
account No. 4730 on Nov. 7, 2000, bears the
following computer-generated notation: "TAX FEE
REFUND".

5The check for $200 issued by Mr. Lo and Ms. Lo
that petitioner deposited into petitioner's
checking account No. 4730 on Dec. 21, 2000, bears
the following handwritten notation: "Christmas
2000".





During 2001, petitioner deposited a total of $462,873.14 into petitioner's checking account No. 4730. Included in that total amount were the following deposits that petitioner claims are not includible in his income:





Date of Description and
Deposit Payor of Item Deposited

Check for $4,150 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
petitioner, AMRO Mortgage Group,
1/26/01 and Leonard and Associates

Check for $3,056.17 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
petitioner and Franklin Art Glass
2/7/01 Studios, Inc.

Check for $1,592.82 issued by M&I
2/8/01 Bank and payable to petitioner 1

Check for $155.42 issued by the
City of Columbus and payable to
3/2/01 petitioner 2

Transfer of $15,295.48 from a
bank account not disclosed by the
3/6/01 record 3

Check for $500 issued by Farmers
3/6/01 Insurance and payable to petitioner

Check for $482.71 issued by
Maguire and Schneider and payable
3/19/01 to petitioner 4

Check for $43.31 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
4/4/01 petitioner

Check for $500 issued by HER,
Inc. (HER), and payable to
4/4/01 petitioner

Check for $2 issued by Old
4/5/01 Republic and payable to petitioner

Check for $741 issued by ABN-AMRO
5/1/01 and payable to petitioner 5

Check for $13,000 issued by Mr.
5/31/01 Chang and payable to petitioner

Check for $13,000 issued by
6/1/01 Firelands and payable to petitioner

Check for $177.47 issued by
ABN-AMRO and payable to petitioner
6/6/01 6

Check for $522.11 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
6/21/01 petitioner

Check for $228.61 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
7/11/01 petitioner

Check for $2,000 issued by Mr.
7/27/01 Chang and payable to petitioner

8/15/01 Cash of $5,000

Check for $5,000 issued by Bank
One, on behalf of Mr. Chang, and
8/15/01 payable to petitioner

Check for $31.02 issued by United
Guaranty and payable to ABN-AMRO or
9/4/01 petitioner

Check for $100 issued by Mr. Lo
and Ms. Lo and payable to
9/27/01 petitioner 7

12/5/01 Cash of $9,000

12/12/01 Cash of $9,980

12/13/01 Cash of $9,980

1The check for $1,592.82 issued by M&I Bank
that petitioner deposited into petitioner's
checking account No. 4730 on Feb. 8, 2001, bears
the following computer-generated notation:
"OVERPAYMENT".

2The check for $155.42 issued by the City of
Columbus that petitioner deposited into
petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on Mar. 2,
2001, bears the following computer-generated
notation: "WARRANT TO THE CITY TREASURER".

3The parties stipulated that the deposit of
$15,295.48 into petitioner's checking account No.
4730 on Mar. 6, 2001, was a "Transfer from
[petitioner's checking] Account 4730". That
stipulation is clearly contrary to the facts that
we have found are established by the record, and
we shall disregard it. See Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
v. Commissioner, 93 T.C. 181, 195 (1989). The
record establishes, and we have found, that on
Mar. 6, 2001, there was a transfer of $15,295.48
into petitioner's checking account No. 4730, and
not a transfer of that amount from that account.

4The check for $482.71 issued by Maguire and
Schneider that petitioner deposited into
petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on Mar.
19, 2001, bears the following handwritten
notation: "Refund".

5The check for $741 issued by ABN-AMRO that
petitioner deposited into petitioner's checking
account No. 4730 on May 1, 2001, bears the
following computer-generated notation: "FOR
PAYMENT OF MISCELLANEOUS ESCROW".

6The check for $177.47 issued by ABN-AMRO that
petitioner deposited into petitioner's checking
account No. 4730 on June 6, 2001, bears the
following computer-generated notation: "FOR
PAYMENT OF ESCROW TO MORTGAGOR".

7The check for $100 issued by Mr. Lo and Ms. Lo
that petitioner deposited into petitioner's
checking account No. 4730 on Sept. 27, 2001,
bears the following handwritten notation:
"B-day!"





During 2001, petitioner deposited a total of $8,868.51 into petitioner's Fifth Third Bank account, none of which petitioner claims is excludable from his income.



During 2002, petitioner deposited a total of $163,688.31 into petitioner's checking account No. 4730. Included in that total amount were the following deposits that petitioner claims are not includible in his income:





Date of Description and
Deposit Payor of Item Deposited

Check for $317.44 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
1/31/02 petitioner

Check for $124 issued by Paul M.
Herbert, Clerk of Court,
Criminal/Bail Account, Franklin
County Municipal Court, and payable
1/31/02 to petitioner

Check for $270.13 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
3/28/02 petitioner

Check for $5.42 issued by
American Electric Power and payable
4/9/02 to petitioner 1

Check for $377.11 issued by
Farmers Insurance and payable to
12/10/02 petitioner

Check for $100 issued by Mr. Lo
and Ms. Lo and payable to
12/27/02 petitioner 2

1The check for $5.42 issued by American
Electric Power that petitioner deposited into
petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on Apr. 9,
2002, bears the following computer-generated
notation: "REFUNDING FINAL BILL CREDIT BALANCE ON
ACCOUNT".

2The check for $100 issued by Mr. Lo and Ms. Lo
that petitioner deposited into petitioner's
checking account No. 4730 on Dec. 27, 2002, bears
the following handwritten notation: "X-mas!"





During 2002, petitioner deposited a total of $28,685 into petitioner's Amnesia Lounge account. Included in that total amount were the following deposits that petitioner claims are not includible in his income:





Date of Description and
Deposit Payor of Item Deposited

Check for $1,000 issued by
petitioner and payable to
1/8/02 Huntington

Check for $2,100 issued by
petitioner and payable to Amnesia
2/12/02 Lounge

Check for $2,000 issued by
petitioner and payable to Amnesia
2/19/02 Lounge






Certain Loans to Petitioner


On December 23, 1999, petitioner borrowed a total of $60,000 from Innova Funding as part of an agreement to refinance certain real property (refinancing agreement) that petitioner owned in Ohio. After using most of the proceeds of that loan to pay certain of his obligations relating to the refinancing of that property, petitioner received cash of $13,643.06. Midland Celtic Title acted as the settlement agent for purposes of the refinancing agreement.



On October 31, 2000, petitioner borrowed $71,550 from Innova Funding.



On August 15, 2001, petitioner borrowed $10,000 from Mr. Chang.



On December 26, 2001, petitioner borrowed $50,000 from Reyanh D. Phung (Reyanh Phung). On a date not disclosed by the record in December 2001, Amnesia Lounge and Reyanh Phung entered into a security agreement (Amnesia Lounge security agreement) with respect to that loan. That agreement provided in pertinent part:



THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT * * * is made * * * between Amnesia Lounge, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company, ("Debtor") and Reyanh D. Phung ("Secured Party").



This Security Agreement is entered into with respect to a loan * * * made by Secured Party to the sole member of Debtor which is evidenced by a promissory note * * * of December 26, 2001 in the principal amount of Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($50,000.00).




Respondent's Examination of Petitioner's Taxable Years 2000, 2001, and 2002


Petitioner did not file a tax return, and did not pay any tax, for any of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002.



Respondent assigned a revenue agent (respondent's revenue agent) to examine petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. During his examination of petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002, respondent's revenue agent sent a letter to petitioner in which respondent's revenue agent indicated that petitioner must file a tax return for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 or provide respondent's revenue agent with an explanation of why he was not required to file a tax return for each of those years. Petitioner did not respond to that letter.



Because petitioner failed to cooperate with respondent's revenue agent, respondent's revenue agent issued summonses on behalf of respondent to Huntington National Bank and Fifth Third Bank in order to obtain certain documents (bank account documents) relating to any bank accounts over which petitioner had control or signature authority, including copies of bank statements, checks deposited into those accounts, and deposit slips.



Huntington National Bank and Fifth Third Bank provided to respondent's revenue agent the summonsed bank account documents. Respondent's revenue agent analyzed those documents in order to reconstruct petitioner's income for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 under the bank deposits method. In conducting that analysis, respondent's revenue agent took into account any deposits that were made during those years into petitioner's bank accounts. 7 Respondent's revenue agent used the bank account documents to determine which deposits should be, and which deposits should not be, included in petitioner's income for each of petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. 8



Respondent prepared a substitute for return for each of petitioner's taxable years 2000 (substitute for return for 2000), 2001 (substitute for return for 2001), and 2002 (substitute for return for 2002). Each of those substitutes for returns consisted of the following documents: (1) IRC Section 6020(b) Certification ( section 6020(b) certification), (2) a transcript of petitioner's account for the taxable year for which respondent prepared the substitute for return, (3) Form 4549, Income Tax Examination Changes, and (4) Form 886-A, Explanation of Items. Each section 6020(b) certification certified that the pages attached thereto constituted a valid substitute for return under section 6020(b).



The substitute for return for 2000 showed, inter alia, (1) total income of $726,789 consisting of (a) income of $685,341 that respondent determined under the bank deposits method, 9 (b) income of $40,300 that petitioner received from certain casinos, and (c) "Interest Income" of $1,148, (2) a mortgage interest deduction of $84,176, and (3) total tax of $251,430. The 2000 substitute for return also showed that petitioner's total tax for his taxable year 1999 was $9,825.



The substitute for return for 2001 showed, inter alia, (1) total income of $469,187 consisting of (a) income of $468,042 that respondent determined under the bank deposits method 10 and (b) "Interest Income" of $1,145, (2) a mortgage interest deduction of $109,489, and (3) total tax of $132,318.



The substitute for return for 2002 showed, inter alia, (1) total income of $183,279 that respondent determined under the bank deposits method, 11 (2) a mortgage interest deduction of $27,587, and (3) total tax of $51,412.




Notice of Deficiency


On August 16, 2005, respondent issued to petitioner a notice with respect to, inter alia, his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. 12



In the notice, respondent determined for petitioner's taxable year 2000 (1) that petitioner had total unreported income of $726,789 consisting of (a) income of $685,341 that respondent determined under the bank deposits method, 13 (b) income of $40,300 from "gambling winnings", and (c) "Interest Income" of $1,148 and (2) that petitioner is entitled to deduct mortgage interest of $84,176. In determining petitioner's income under the bank deposits method for his taxable year 2000, respondent did not include the deposits of (1) the check for $47,189.66 issued by Leonard and Associates that petitioner deposited into petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on November 1, 2000, and (2) the check for $18,000 issued by, and payable to, petitioner that he deposited into that account on November 30, 2000.



In the notice, respondent determined for petitioner's taxable year 2001 (1) that petitioner had total unreported income of $469,187 consisting of (a) income of $468,042 14 that respondent determined under the bank deposits method and (b) "Interest Income" of $1,145 and (2) that petitioner is entitled to deduct mortgage interest of $109,489.



In the notice, respondent determined for petitioner's taxable year 2002 (1) that petitioner had total unreported income of $183,279 that respondent determined under the bank deposits method 15 and (2) that petitioner is entitled to deduct mortgage interest of $27,587. In determining petitioner's income under the bank deposits method for his taxable year 2002, respondent did not include the deposits of (1) the check for $1,000 issued by petitioner that he deposited into petitioner's Amnesia Lounge account on January 8, 2002, (2) the check for $2,100 issued by petitioner that he deposited into that account on February 12, 2002, and (3) the check for $2,000 issued by petitioner that he deposited into that account on February 19, 2002. 16



In the notice, respondent also determined that petitioner is liable for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 for the additions to tax under sections 6651(a)(1) and (2) and 6654(a).





OPINION



Petitioner bears the burden of proving error in the determinations for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 that remain at issue. 17 See Rule 142(a); Welch v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111, 115 (1933).



Before turning to the issues presented, we shall evaluate certain of the evidence on which the parties rely. In support of his position with respect to each of the issues presented, petitioner relies primarily on his own testimony. We found that testimony to be in certain material respects general, vague, conclusory, uncorroborated, questionable, and/or self-serving. We are not required to, and we shall not, rely on petitioner's testimony in order to establish his respective positions with respect to the issues presented. See, e.g., Tokarski v. Commissioner, 87 T.C. 74, 77 (1986).



In support of respondent's position with respect to each of the issues presented, respondent relies on, inter alia, the testimony of respondent's revenue agent. We found respondent's revenue agent to be credible.




Unreported Income Under the Bank Deposits Method


In the notice, respondent determined that petitioner has unreported income calculated under the bank deposits method for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. 18 At trial and/or on brief, petitioner disputed only certain of the deposits that respondent determined to be income under that method.



We turn first to what we understand to be petitioner's position that all of the deposits during 2000 into the Seo & Leonard account over which petitioner had control and/or signature authority are not includible in his income because those deposits belonged to his brother-in-law, and not to him. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that position was his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposits during 2000 totaling $228,876.73 into the Seo & Leonard account over which he had control and/or signature authority are not includible in his income for that year.



We turn now to petitioner's position that certain deposits into petitioner's bank accounts during each of the years at issue are not includible in his income for each of those years because each of those deposits constituted one of the following: (1) A withdrawal from, or a check drawn on, one of petitioner's bank accounts, (2) a personal loan to petitioner or the repayment of a personal loan that he had made to another person, (3) a refund of petitioner's moneys held in an escrow account, (4) a refund of other moneys of petitioner, (5) a gift to petitioner, (6) a cash advance to petitioner from a credit card company, (7) proceeds that petitioner received with respect to an insurance claim, (8) proceeds that petitioner received from the refinancing of certain real property, (9) a transfer from one of petitioner's bank accounts to another of his accounts, (10) proceeds that petitioner received from a home equity line of credit, or (11) a check payable to another person and drawn on the same account into which it was deposited.



Withdrawals From, and Checks Drawn On, Petitioner's Bank Accounts



It is petitioner's position that respondent erroneously included in petitioner's income certain withdrawals from, and checks drawn on, petitioner's bank accounts. On the record before us, we reject that argument. That is because respondent calculated petitioner's income under the bank deposits method for each of the years at issue solely on the basis of deposits into the accounts over which petitioner had control and/or signature authority during each of those years, and not on the basis of withdrawals from, and checks drawn on, those accounts.



Alleged Personal Loans



It is petitioner's position that the following deposits are not includible in his income because those deposits represented personal loans to him or the repayment of personal loans that he had made to others:





Account Into Which
Date of
Deposit Deposit Was Made Item Deposited

Check for $450
Petitioner's issued by Mr. Chang
checking account No. and payable to
1/14/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $30,000
issued by Beneficial
Petitioner's and payable to
checking account No. petitioner and Mr.
1/25/00 5210 Wood

Check for $25,000
Petitioner's issued by Firelands
checking account No. and payable to
2/16/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $70,000
issued by
Petitioner's Clyde-Findlay and
checking account No. payable to
4/5/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $14,000
issued by Mr. Wood
Petitioner's and Ms. Wood and
checking account No. payable to
4/27/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $25,000
Petitioner's issued by Firelands
checking account No. and payable to
9/7/00 4730 petitioner

Check for
$47,189.66 issued by
Leonard and
Petitioner's Associates and
checking account No. payable to
11/1/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $4,100
issued by Leonard
Petitioner's and Associates and
checking account No. payable to
12/26/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $13,000
Petitioner's issued by Mr. Chang
checking account No. and payable to
5/31/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $13,000
Petitioner's issued by Firelands
checking account No. and payable to
6/1/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $2,000
Petitioner's issued by Mr. Chang
checking account No. and payable to
7/27/01 4730 petitioner

Petitioner's
checking account No.
8/15/01 4730 Cash of $5,000

Check for $5,000
issued by Bank One,
Petitioner's on behalf of Mr.
checking account No. Chang, and payable
8/15/01 4730 to petitioner

Petitioner's
checking account No.
12/5/01 4730 Cash of $9,000

Petitioner's
checking account No.
12/12/01 4730 Cash of $9,980

Petitioner's
checking account No.
12/13/01 4730 Cash of $9,980





We turn first to the check for $30,000 issued by Beneficial, the checks for $25,000 and $13,000 issued by Firelands, the check for $70,000 issued by Clyde-Findlay, the check for $4,100 issued by Leonard and Associates, and the checks for $450, $13,000, and $2,000 issued by Mr. Chang. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposits of those checks are not includible in his income is copies of those checks and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposits of those checks are not includible in his income for the respective taxable years at issue during which he made those deposits.



We turn now to the check for $14,000 issued by Mr. Wood and Ms. Wood. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposit of the $14,000 check in question is not includible in his income is a copy of that check and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. The check for $14,000 issued by Mr. Wood and Ms. Wood bears the following handwritten notation: "Loan on Houses". The record does not disclose who wrote that notation, when it was written, and what it means. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $14,000 issued by Mr. Wood and Ms. Wood is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the check for $25,000 issued by Firelands. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented the proceeds of a certain car loan. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that allegation on brief is a copy of the $25,000 check in question. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $25,000 issued by Firelands is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the check for $47,189.66 issued by Leonard and Associates that petitioner deposited into petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on November 1, 2000. Petitioner maintains that respondent erroneously included that deposit in his income. Petitioner is wrong. We have found that respondent did not include in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2000 the deposit of the check for $47,189.66 issued by Leonard and Associates.



We turn now to the check for $5,000 issued by Bank One on behalf of Mr. Chang ($5,000 Bank One check). Although petitioner did not place at issue at trial, and does not place at issue on brief, the deposit of $5,000 cash that he made into petitioner's checking No. account 4730 on the same day (i.e., August 15, 2001) on which he deposited the $5,000 Bank One check, we shall also consider that cash deposit. 19 We have found that on August 15, 2001, the date on which petitioner deposited both the $5,000 Bank One check and $5,000 cash, petitioner borrowed $10,000 from Mr. Chang. It is petitioner's position that the deposit of the $5,000 Bank One check is not includible in his income because that check represented a personal loan from Mr. Chang to petitioner. On the record before us, we find that the two deposits that petitioner made on August 15, 2001, of the $5,000 Bank One check and $5,000 cash represented the proceeds of the $10,000 loan that Mr. Chang made to him on that date. On that record, we further find that those two deposits are not includible in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2001.



We turn now to the cash deposits of $9,000, $9,980, and $9,980 (petitioner's three 2001 cash deposits at issue). It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that those cash deposits are not includible in his income because they represented loans from Reyanh Phung to petitioner. In support of that allegation on brief, petitioner relies on the Amnesia Lounge security agreement that pertained to the $50,000 that petitioner borrowed from Reyanh Phung. There is no evidence in the record establishing that petitioner's three 2001 cash deposits at issue represented part of the proceeds of that loan. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that those three 2001 cash deposits are not includible in his income for his taxable year 2001.



Alleged Refunds of Moneys Held in Escrow



It is petitioner's position that the following deposits are not includible in his income because those deposits represented refunds of petitioner's moneys held in escrow:





Account Into Which
Date of
Deposit Deposit Was Made Item Deposited

Check for
$1,713.83 issued by
Petitioner's Countrywide and
checking account No. payable to
1/14/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $1,000
issued by CMACO
Petitioner's Investments and
checking account No. payable to Seo &
1/31/00 5210 Leonard

Check for $168.95
Petitioner's issued by ABN-AMRO
checking account No. and payable to
4/19/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $608.16
Petitioner's issued by ABN-AMRO
checking account No. and payable to
8/11/00 4730 petitioner

Three checks, each
for $450.61, issued
Petitioner's by ABN-AMRO and
checking account No. payable to
9/19/00 4730 petitioner

Check for
Petitioner's $1,592.82 issued by
checking account No. M&I Bank and payable
2/8/01 4730 to petitioner

Check for $741
Petitioner's issued by ABN-AMRO
checking account No. and payable to
5/1/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $177.47
Petitioner's issued by ABN-AMRO
checking account No. and payable to
6/6/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $31.02
issued by United
Petitioner's Guaranty and payable
checking account No. to ABN-AMRO or
9/4/01 4730 petitioner





We turn first to the check for $1,713.83 issued by Countrywide. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income is a copy of that check and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $1,713.83 issued by Countrywide is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the check for $1,000 issued by CMACO Investments and the check for $31.02 issued by United Guaranty. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposits of those checks are not includible in his income because those checks represented refunds of his moneys held in escrow. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that allegation on brief is copies of the check for $1,000 issued by CMACO Investments and the check for $31.02 issued by United Guaranty. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposits of those checks are not includible in his income for the respective taxable years at issue during which he made those deposits.



We turn now to the checks for $168.95, $608.16, and $177.47 issued by ABN-AMRO. Although petitioner claimed at trial that the deposits of those latter two checks are not includible in his income because those checks represented refunds of petitioner's moneys held in escrow, it was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he advances that claim with respect to the remaining check. Each of those three checks in question is payable to petitioner and bears the following computer-generated notation: "FOR PAYMENT OF ESCROW TO MORTGAGOR". We believe that ABN-AMRO generated that notation, that those checks represented payments of escrowed moneys to the mortgagor, and that petitioner was the mortgagor to which that notation referred. On the record before us, we find that the deposits of the checks for $168.95, $608.16, and $177.47 issued by ABN-AMRO are not includible in petitioner's income for the respective taxable years during which he made those deposits.



We turn now to the three checks, each for $450.61, issued by ABN-AMRO. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposits of those checks are not includible in his income is copies of those checks and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. The three checks, each for $450.61, issued by ABN-AMRO bear the following computer-generated notation: "FOR MISAPPLICATION REVERSAL". There is no reliable evidence in the record explaining what that notation means. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the three checks, each for $450.61, issued by ABN-AMRO are not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the check for $1,592.82 issued by M&I Bank. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented a refund of his money held in escrow. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that allegation on brief is a copy of that check. The $1,592.82 check in question bears the following computer-generated notation: "OVERPAYMENT". There is no evidence in the record explaining what that notation means. 20 On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $1,592.82 issued by M&I Bank is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2001.



We turn now to the check for $741 issued by ABN-AMRO. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income is a copy of that check and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. The $741 check in question bears the following computer-generated notation: "FOR PAYMENT OF MISCELLANEOUS ESCROW". There is no reliable evidence in the record explaining what that notation means. 21 On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $741 issued by ABN-AMRO is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2001.



Alleged Refunds of Certain Other Moneys



It is petitioner's position that the following deposits are not includible in his income because those deposits represented refunds of certain moneys that petitioner had paid to others:





Account Into Which
Date of
Deposit Deposit Was Made Item Deposited

Check for $83.62
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
1/18/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $269.86
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to Innova
2/15/00 5210 Funding

Check for $19.21
Petitioner's issued by Dispatch
checking account No. Printing and payable
2/15/00 5210 to petitioner

Check for $152.66
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
2/18/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $151.76
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
3/9/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $550
issued by Franklin
Petitioner's County and payable
checking account No. to Seo Investment
4/19/00 5210 Group

Check for $10
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
6/19/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $47.70
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
6/19/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $214.44
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
6/19/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $449.44
Petitioner's issued by Ricart and
checking account No. payable to Leonard
7/7/00 4730 and Associates

Check for $10
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
7/10/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $19.87
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
7/10/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $26
issued by Paul M.
Herbert, Civil
Account, Clerk of
the Court, Franklin
Petitioner's County Municipal
checking account No. Court, and payable
9/29/00 4730 to petitioner

Check for $599.68
Petitioner's issued by Ricart and
checking account No. payable to
10/18/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $65
Petitioner's issued by Charter
checking account No. Bank and payable to
11/7/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $155.42
issued by the City
Petitioner's of Columbus and
checking account No. payable to
3/2/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $500
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
3/6/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $482.71
issued by Maguire
Petitioner's and Schneider and
checking account No. payable to
3/19/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $43.31
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
4/4/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $500
Petitioner's issued by HER and
checking account No. payable to
4/4/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $522.11
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
6/21/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $228.61
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
7/11/01 4730 petitioner

Check for $317.44
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
1/31/02 4730 petitioner

Check for $124
issued by Paul M.
Herbert, Clerk of
Court, Criminal/Bail
Account, Franklin
Petitioner's County Municipal
checking account No. Court, and payable
1/31/02 4730 to petitioner

Check for $270.13
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
3/28/02 4730 petitioner

Check for $5.42
issued by American
Petitioner's Electric Power and
checking account No. payable to
4/9/02 4730 petitioner

Check for $377.11
issued by Farmers
Petitioner's Insurance and
checking account No. payable to
12/10/02 4730 petitioner





We turn first to the 16 checks issued by Farmers Insurance (16 Farmers Insurance checks). It is petitioner's position that the deposits of the 16 checks in question are not includible in his income because those checks represented refunds of insurance premiums that he had overpaid. Petitioner testified with respect to all of the 16 Farmers Insurance checks, except (1) the check for $83.62 that he deposited into petitioner's checking account No. 5210 on January 18, 2000, (2) the check for $269.86 that he deposited into that account on February 15, 2000, (3) the check for $152.66 that he deposited into that account on February 18, 2000, and (4) the check for $151.76 that he deposited into that account on March 9, 2000. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposits of those four checks are not includible in his income because those checks represented refunds of insurance premiums that he had overpaid. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposits of the four of the 16 Farmers Insurance checks with respect to which he did not testify are not includible in his income is copies of those checks. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposits of the 12 of the 16 Farmers Insurance checks with respect to which he testified are not includible in his income is copies of those checks and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposits of the 16 Farmers Insurance checks are not includible in his income for the respective taxable years at issue during which he made those deposits.



We turn now to the check for $19.21 issued by Dispatch Printing. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented a refund of money that he prepaid for a certain delivery. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that allegation on brief is a copy of the $19.21 check in question. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the check for $19.21 issued by Dispatch Printing is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the checks for $449.44 and $599.68 issued by Ricart (Ricart checks). It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposits of those checks are not includible in his income because those checks represented refunds of deposits that were made with respect to certain car leases. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that allegation on brief is copies of the Ricart checks. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the respective deposits of the Ricart checks are not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the check for $65 issued by Charter Bank. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposit of the $65 check in question is not includible in his income because that check represented a "tax fee refund." The $65 check in question bears the following computer-generated notation: "TAX FEE REFUND". We believe that Charter Bank generated that notation and that that check represented a refund to petitioner of a certain tax fee. On the record before us, we find that the check for $65 issued by Charter Bank is not includible in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the check for $155.42 issued by the City of Columbus. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented a refund of money that he had paid with respect to a certain warrant. The $155.42 check in question bears the following computer-generated notation: "WARRANT TO THE CITY TREASURER". We believe that the City of Columbus generated that notation and that that check represented a refund to petitioner of moneys that he had paid with respect to a "WARRANT TO THE CITY TREASURER" of Columbus, Ohio. On the record before us, we find that the deposit of the check for $155.42 issued by the City of Columbus is not includible in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2001.



We turn now to the check for $550 issued by Franklin County. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented a refund of money that he had advanced with respect to a certain bond. The $550 check in question bears the following computer-generated notation: "WARRANT NUMBER 2000144137". We believe that Franklin County generated that notation and that that check represented a refund to petitioner of moneys that he had paid with respect to a certain warrant. On the record before us, we find that the deposit of the check for $550 issued by Franklin County is not includible in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the check for $26 issued by the Franklin County Municipal Court. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented a refund of money that he had paid with respect to a certain bond. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that allegation on brief is a copy of the $26 check in question. The $26 check in question reflects that that check was issued by Paul M. Herbert, Civil Account, Clerk of the Court, Franklin County Municipal Court. There is no evidence in the record explaining why that check was issued to petitioner. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $26 issued by the Franklin County Municipal Court is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the check for $500 issued by HER. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented a refund of a deposit that he made with respect to a certain real estate offer. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that allegation on brief is a copy of the $500 check in question. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the check for $500 issued by HER is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2001.



We turn now to the check for $482.71 issued by Maguire and Schneider. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented a refund of certain attorney's fees. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that allegation on brief is a copy of the $482.71 check in question. That check bears the following handwritten notation: "Refund". The record does not disclose who wrote that notation, when it was written, and what it means. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the check for $482.71 issued by Maguire and Schneider is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2001.



We turn now to the check for $124 issued by the Franklin County Municipal Court. It is petitioner's position that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented a refund of money that he had paid with respect to a certain bond. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that position is a copy of that check and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. The $124 check in question reflects that that check was issued by Paul M. Herbert, Clerk of Court, Criminal/Bail Account, Franklin County Municipal Court. There is no reliable evidence in the record explaining why that check was issued to petitioner. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $124 issued by the Franklin County Municipal Court is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2002.



We turn now to the check for $5.42 issued by American Electric Power. It is petitioner's position that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented a refund of a certain credit due to him. The check for $5.42 issued by American Electric Power bears the following computer-generated notation: "REFUNDING FINAL BILL CREDIT BALANCE ON ACCOUNT". We believe that American Electric Power generated that notation and that that check represented a refund of a credit that was due to petitioner from that utility company. On the record before us, we find that the check for $5.42 issued by American Electric Power is not includible in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2002.



Alleged Gifts



It is petitioner's position that the following deposits are not includible in his income because those deposits represented certain gifts to him:





Account Into Which
Date of
Deposit Deposit Was Made Item Deposited

Check for $200
Petitioner's issued by Mr. Lo and
checking account No. Ms. Lo and payable
12/21/00 4730 to petitioner

Check for $100
Petitioner's issued by Mr. Lo and
checking account No. Ms. Lo and payable
9/27/01 4730 to petitioner

Check for $100
Petitioner's issued by Mr. Lo and
checking account No. Ms. Lo and payable
12/27/02 4730 to petitioner





It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposits of the checks in question issued by Mr. Lo and Ms. Lo are not includible in his income because those checks represented Christmas or birthday gifts to him. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that allegation on brief is copies of those checks. The check for $200 issued by Mr. Lo and Ms. Lo that petitioner deposited on December 21, 2000, bears the handwritten notation "Christmas 2000"; the check for $100 issued by Mr. Lo and Ms. Lo that petitioner deposited on September 27, 2001, bears the handwritten notation "B-day!"; and the check for $100 issued by Mr. Lo and Ms. Lo that petitioner deposited on December 27, 2002, bears the handwritten notation "X-mas!" The record does not disclose who wrote those notations and when they were written. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposits of the checks in question issued by Mr. Lo and Ms. Lo are not includible in his income for the taxable years at issue during which he made those deposits.



Alleged Cash Advances From Credit Card Company



It is petitioner's position that the following deposits are not includible in his income because they represented cash advances to him from a company (namely, First USA) that issued a credit card to him:





Account Into Which
Date of
Deposit Deposit Was Made Item Deposited

Check for $25
Petitioner's issued by First USA
checking account No. and payable to
1/7/00 5210 petitioner

Check for $25
Petitioner's issued by First USA
checking account No. and payable to
2/14/00 5210 petitioner

20 checks, each
for $25, issued by
Petitioner's First USA and
checking account No. payable to
9/15/00 4730 petitioner

Check for $15.37
Petitioner's issued by First USA
checking account No. and payable to
11/7/00 4730 petitioner





We note initially that the record does not establish that during the years at issue petitioner had a credit card that First USA had issued to him.



Petitioner testified with respect to all of the checks issued by First USA, except (1) the check for $25 that he deposited into petitioner's checking account No. 5210 on January 7, 2000, and (2) the check for $15.37 that he deposited into petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on November 7, 2000. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that the deposits of those two checks are not includible in his income because they represented cash advances from First USA to him. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposits of the checks issued by First USA with respect to which he did not testify are not includible in his income is copies of those checks. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposits of the checks issued by First USA with respect to which he testified are not includible in his income is copies of those checks and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposits of the checks issued by First USA are not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



Alleged Proceeds From an Insurance Claim



It is petitioner's position that the following deposits are not includible in his income because those checks represented proceeds that he received as a result of certain insurance claims that he had filed with respect to certain property:





Account Into Which
Date of
Deposit Deposit Was Made Item Deposited

Check for $4,150
issued by Farmers
Insurance and
payable to
petitioner, AMRO
Petitioner's Mortgage Group, and
checking account No. Leonard and
1/26/01 4730 Associates

Check for
$3,056.17 issued by
Farmers Insurance
and payable to
Petitioner's petitioner and
checking account No. Franklin Art Glass
2/7/01 4730 Studios, Inc.





The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposits of the checks for $4,150 and $3,056.17 issued by Farmers Insurance are not includible in his income is copies of those checks and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposits of the checks for $4,150 and $3,056.17 issued by Farmers Insurance are not includible in his income for his taxable year 2001.



Alleged Proceeds From the Refinancing of Certain Real Property



It is petitioner's position that the following deposits are not includible in his income because those deposits represented proceeds that he received from the refinancing of certain real property that he owned:





Account Into Which
Date of
Deposit Deposit Was Made Item Deposited

Check for
$72,084.96 issued by
Petitioner's Midland Title and
checking account No. payable to Stephen
1/18/00 5210 T. Hutchinson

Check for
$33,562.58 issued by
Petitioner's Old Republic and
checking account No. payable to LA
12/14/00 4730 Construction

Check for $2
Petitioner's issued by Old
checking account No. Republic and payable
4/5/01 4730 to petitioner





We turn first to the check for $72,084.96 issued by Midland Title. In support of his position that the deposit of the $72,084.96 check in question is not includible in his income, petitioner relies on a copy of that check and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. Petitioner also appears to rely on a certain settlement statement (property settlement statement). We have found based on that settlement statement that (1) on December 23, 1999, petitioner borrowed a total of $60,000 from Innova Funding as part of an agreement to refinance certain real property that he owned in Ohio; (2) after using most of the proceeds of that loan to pay certain of his obligations relating to the refinancing of that property petitioner received cash of $13,643.06; and (3) Midland Celtic Title acted as the settlement agent for purposes of the refinancing agreement. Neither the property settlement statement nor any other evidence in the record establishes that the check for $72,084.96 issued by Midland Title represented proceeds from the refinancing of certain property that petitioner owned. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $72,084.96 issued by Midland Title is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn now to the check for $33,562.58 issued by Old Republic. In support of his position that the deposit of the $33,562.58 check in question is not includible in his income because that check represented proceeds from the refinancing of certain real property that he owned, petitioner relies on a copy of that check and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. Petitioner also appears to rely on a document relating to a certain mortgage (mortgage document). Consistent with that document, the parties stipulated that on October 31, 2000, petitioner borrowed $71,550 from Innova Funding. Neither the mortgage document nor any other evidence in the record establishes that the check for $33,562.58 issued by Old Republic represented proceeds from the refinancing of certain real property that petitioner owned. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $33,562.58 issued by Old Republic is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.



We turn finally to the check for $2 issued by Old Republic. The only evidence that petitioner presented to establish that the deposit of that check is not includible in his income because that check represented proceeds from the refinancing of certain real property that he owned is a copy of that check and his own testimony on which we are unwilling to rely. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the deposit of the check for $2 issued by Old Republic is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2001.



Alleged Transfers Between Petitioner's Bank Accounts



It is petitioner's position that the following deposits are not includible in his income because those deposits represented transfers from one of petitioner's bank accounts to another one of petitioner's accounts:





Account Into Which
Date of
Deposit Deposit Was Made Item Deposited

Transfer of
$15,295.48 from a
Petitioner's bank account not
checking account No. disclosed by the
3/6/01 4730 record

Check for $1,000
Petitioner's issued by petitioner
Amnesia Lounge and payable to
1/8/02 account Huntington

Check for $2,100
Petitioner's issued by petitioner
Amnesia Lounge and payable to
2/12/02 account Amnesia Lounge

Check for $2,000
Petitioner's issued by petitioner
Amnesia Lounge and payable to
2/19/02 account Amnesia Lounge





We turn first to the transfer of $15,295.48 into petitioner's checking account No. 4730 from an account not disclosed by the record. It was not until petitioner filed his opening brief that he alleges that that transfer is not includible in his income because that deposit represented a transfer from one of his bank accounts to another one of his bank accounts. The parties stipulated that the $15,295.48 deposit in question was a "Transfer from Account 4730". We have rejected that stipulation as clearly contrary to the facts that we have found are established by the record. 22 We do not understand, and the record does not disclose, how a transfer of $15,295.48 into petitioner's checking account No. 4730 could be a transfer from that account. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the account from which the transfer of $15,295.48 was made was an account of petitioner. On that record, we further find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the transfer of $15,295.48 into petitioner's checking account No. 4730 is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2001.



We turn now to the checks issued by petitioner and payable to Amnesia Lounge (Amnesia Lounge checks) that petitioner deposited into petitioner's Amnesia Lounge account on January 8 and February 12 and 19, 2002. Petitioner maintains that respondent erroneously included those deposits in his income. Petitioner is wrong. We have found that respondent did not include in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2002 the deposits of the Amnesia Lounge checks.



Alleged Proceeds From a Home Equity Line of Credit



It is petitioner's position that respondent erroneously included in petitioner's income the deposit of the check for $18,000 issued by, and payable to, petitioner that he deposited into petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on November 30, 2000. Petitioner is wrong. We have found that respondent did not include in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2000 the deposit of the check for $18,000 issued by, and payable to, petitioner.



Alleged Check Drawn on Petitioner's Account



It is petitioner's position that the check for $450.61 issued on behalf of petitioner by the Direct Pay Service of Huntington National Bank (Direct Pay Service check) that he deposited into petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on August 25, 2000, is not includible in his income. That is because, according to petitioner, that check was drawn on his own bank account. The record establishes that the funds that Direct Bill Pay Service of Huntington National Bank used to issue the check for $450.61 that petitioner deposited into petitioner's checking account No. 4730 on August 25, 2000, were obtained from that account on May 1, 2000. The record, however, does not disclose why Standard Federal, the payee of the Direct Pay Service check, did not cash that check and why petitioner deposited that check into petitioner's checking account No. 4730, the account on which it was drawn. 23 Thus, we are unable to conclude on the record before us that the deposit of the Direct Pay Service check is not includible in petitioner's income. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that the Direct Pay Service check is not includible in his income for his taxable year 2000.




Alleged Gambling Losses


As we understand it, it is petitioner's position that he incurred certain gambling losses for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 and that therefore he is not liable for the deficiency that respondent determined for each of those years.



Petitioner is entitled for each of the years at issue to deduct gambling losses only to the extent of his gambling winnings for each of those years. See sec. 165(d). In the notice, respondent determined that petitioner has income from gambling winnings only for petitioner's taxable year 2000. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he incurred any gambling losses during any of the taxable years at issue that would result in his not being liable for the respective deficiencies that respondent determined for those years.




Unreported Interest Income


Petitioner argues for the first time on brief that he is not liable for tax on the interest income that respondent determined for each of his taxable years 2000 and 2001. Petitioner makes no argument, and offered no evidence at trial, in support of that position. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he is not liable for tax on the interest income that respondent determined for each of his taxable years 2000 and 2001.




Additions to Tax


It is respondent's position that petitioner is liable for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 for additions to tax under sections 6651(a)(1) and (2) and 6654(a).



Section 6651(a)(1) imposes an addition to tax for failure to file timely a return. 24 Section 6651(a)(2) imposes an addition to tax for failure to pay timely the amount shown as tax in a return. 25 The respective additions to tax under section 6651(a)(1) and (2) do not apply if the respective failures to file timely and to pay timely are due to reasonable cause, and not willful neglect. Sec. 6651(a)(1) and (2). Section 6654(a) imposes an addition to tax in the case of an underpayment of estimated tax by an individual. 26 The addition to tax under that section is mandatory unless petitioner qualifies under one of the exceptions in section 6654(e). 27



Respondent must carry the burden of production with respect to the additions to tax under sections 6651(a)(1) and (2) and 6654(a) that respondent determined for each of petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. Sec. 7491(c); Higbee v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. 438, 446-447 (2001). To satisfy respondent's burden of production, respondent must come forward with "sufficient evidence indicating that it is appropriate to impose" the additions to tax. Higbee v. Commissioner, supra at 446. Although respondent bears the burden of production with respect to the additions to tax under sections 6651(a)(1) and (2) and 6654(a) that respondent determined for each of petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002, respondent "need not introduce evidence regarding reasonable cause * * * or similar provisions. * * * the taxpayer bears the burden of proof with regard to those issues." Id. at 446.



We turn first to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1). We have found that petitioner did not file a return for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. On the record before us, we find that respondent has carried respondent's burden of production under section 7491(c) with respect to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1) that respondent determined for each of those years.



Petitioner's only argument on brief with respect to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1) that respondent determined for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 is that he is not liable for that addition to tax because he "incurred losses in those years". We have sustained virtually all of respondent's determinations in the notice. As a result, petitioner does not have a loss for any of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he is not liable for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 for the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1).



We turn now to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(2) that respondent determined for each of petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. That section applies only in the case of an amount of tax shown in a return. Cabirac v. Commissioner, 120 T.C. 163, 170 (2003). For purposes of section 6651(a)(2), a return prepared by the Commissioner under section 6020(b) is treated as the return filed by the taxpayer. Sec. 6651(g)(2); Cabirac v. Commissioner, supra at 170. Petitioner did not file a return for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. Respondent prepared a substitute for return under section 6020(b) for each of those years. The respective substitutes for returns that respondent prepared under section 6020(b) for the years at issue showed (1) for 2000 total tax of $251,430, (2) for 2001 total tax of $132,318, and (3) for 2002 total tax of $51,412. We have found that petitioner failed to pay timely the tax shown in each of those substitutes for returns. On the record before us, we find that respondent has carried respondent's burden of production under section 7491(c) with respect to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(2) that respondent determined for each of petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002.



Petitioner advances the same argument on brief with respect to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(2) that he advances with respect to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1). That is to say, according to petitioner, he is not liable for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 for the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(2) because he "incurred losses in those years". As discussed above, we have sustained virtually all of respondent's determinations in the notice. As a result, petitioner does not have a loss for any of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he is not liable for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 for the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(2).



We turn finally to the addition to tax under section 6654(a) that respondent determined for each of petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. We have found (1) that the substitute for return for 2000 showed that petitioner's total tax for his taxable year 1999 was $9,825, (2) that petitioner did not file a return for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002, and (3) that petitioner did not make any estimated tax payments for his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002. On the record before us, we find that respondent has carried respondent's burden of production under section 7491(c) with respect to the addition to tax under section 6654(a) that respondent determined for each of petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002.



Petitioner does not argue, and the record does not establish, that he qualifies under any of the exceptions listed in section 6654(e). On the record before us, we find that petitioner is liable for the addition to tax under section 6654(a) that respondent determined for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002.



We have considered all of the contentions and arguments of the parties that are not discussed herein, and we find them to be without merit, irrelevant, and/or moot. 28



To reflect the foregoing and the concessions of respondent,



Decision will be entered under Rule 155.


2 The notice of deficiency involved in this case (notice) pertains to petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. Petitioner did not properly place at issue any of the determinations in that notice for his taxable year 2003.

In addition to the issues remaining for decision for petitioner's taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 that are listed below in the text, there are other questions relating to certain determinations in the notice for those years that are computational in that their resolution flows automatically from our resolution of certain of the issues that we address herein.

3 In violation of Rule 143(b), petitioner alleges on brief various facts (petitioner's alleged facts) not stipulated by the parties and not otherwise supported by the record in this case. We shall not consider or rely on petitioner's alleged facts.

4 The record does not disclose the type of account that petitioner maintained at Fifth Third Bank in his name.

5 We shall refer to all of the above-described accounts over which petitioner had control and/or signature authority (i.e., petitioner's checking account No. 5210, petitioner's checking account No. 4730, petitioner's savings account, the Seo & Leonard account, petitioner's Fifth Third Bank account, and the Amnesia Lounge account) as petitioner's bank accounts.

6 The parties made mathematical errors in stipulating certain of the total amounts of monthly deposits into petitioner's bank accounts during each of the years at issue. Those erroneous stipulations are clearly contrary to the facts that we have found are established by the record in this case. We have found the correct total amounts deposited into petitioner's bank accounts during each of the years at issue that are established by the record. See Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. v. Commissioner, 93 T.C. 181, 195 (1989).

7 In calculating petitioner's income under the bank deposits method for each of his taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002, respondent's revenue agent included only the amounts that were deposited into the bank accounts over which petitioner had control and/or signature authority during each of the years at issue. In the event that petitioner deposited only a portion of a check into one of those accounts, respondent's revenue agent included in petitioner's income only the portion deposited and did not include in petitioner's income the portion not deposited.

8 For example, respondent's revenue agent used the bank account documents to determine whether a deposit into one of petitioner's bank accounts during the years at issue was a transfer from another one of those accounts. In reconstructing petitioner's income for each of those years, respondent's revenue agent excluded any deposit that he determined was such a transfer.

9 Respondent determined that $59,207 of the $685,341 of income that respondent determined under the bank deposits method for petitioner's taxable year 2000 was "Rents Received".

10 Respondent determined that $67,740 of the $468,042 of income that respondent determined under the bank deposits method for petitioner's taxable year 2001 was "Rents Received".

11 Respondent determined that $22,437 of the $183,279 that respondent determined under the bank deposits method for petitioner's taxable year 2002 was "Rents Received".

12 See supra note 2.

13 See supra note 9.

14 See supra note 10.

15 See supra note 11.

16 The parties stipulated that respondent determined in the notice that the following checks "represented taxable income to the petitioner": (1) The check for $1,000 issued by petitioner that he deposited into petitioner's Amnesia Lounge account on Jan. 8, 2002, (2) the check for $2,100 issued by petitioner that he deposited into that account on Feb. 12, 2002, and (3) the check for $2,000 issued by petitioner that he deposited into that account on Feb. 19, 2002. That stipulation is clearly contrary to the facts that we have found are established by the record, and we shall disregard it. See Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. v. Commissioner, 93 T.C. at 195. The record establishes, and we have found, that respondent did not include in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2002 (1) the check for $1,000 issued by petitioner that he deposited into petitioner's Amnesia Lounge account on Jan. 8, 2002, (2) the check for $2,100 issued by petitioner that he deposited into that account on Feb. 12, 2002, and (3) the check for $2,000 issued by petitioner that he deposited into that account on Feb. 19, 2002.

17 Petitioner does not claim that the burden of proof shifts to respondent under sec. 7491(a). In any event, petitioner has failed to establish that he satisfies the requirements of sec. 7491(a)(1) and (2). On the record before us, we find that the burden of proof does not shift to respondent under sec. 7491(a).

18 See supra note 7.

19 The parties stipulated that respondent included in petitioner's income for each of the years at issue all of the deposits into petitioner's bank accounts during each of those years, except certain deposits that the parties stipulated. The parties did not stipulate that respondent did not include in petitioner's income for his taxable year 2001 the deposit of $5,000 cash on Aug. 15, 2001.

20 If the notation "OVERPAYMENT" means that M&I Bank was refunding an overpayment of mortgage interest that petitioner had deducted for a prior taxable year, a question arises as to whether that refund constitutes income to petitioner.

21 If the notation "FOR PAYMENT OF MISCELLANEOUS ESCROW" means that ABN-AMRO was making a payment of escrowed moneys to petitioner to which he was entitled as the seller of certain property, a question arises as to whether that payment constitutes income to petitioner.

22 See table note 3, supra p. 9.

23 If Standard Federal was required to pay certain income to petitioner and if, instead of paying him that income, it returned the Direct Pay Service check to him, a question arises as to whether that check constitutes income to petitioner.

24 The addition to tax imposed under sec. 6651(a)(1) is equal to 5 percent of the amount of tax required to be shown in the return, with an additional 5 percent to be added for each month or partial month during which the failure to file timely a return continues, not to exceed 25 percent in the aggregate. As pertinent here, the addition to tax imposed under sec. 6651(a)(1) is reduced by the amount of the addition to tax imposed under sec. 6651(a)(2) for each month or partial month to which additions to tax under sec. 6651(a)(1) and (2) apply. See sec. 6651(c).

25 The addition to tax imposed under sec. 6651(a)(2) is equal to 0.5 percent of the amount shown as tax in the return, with an additional 0.5 percent to be added for each month or partial month during which the failure to pay the amount shown as tax in the return continues, not to exceed 25 percent in the aggregate.

26 For purposes of sec. 6654(a), it is necessary to determine whether there is an underpayment of a required installment of estimated tax. See sec. 6654(a) and (b). In this connection, the amount of any required installment is 25 percent of the required annual payment. Sec. 6654(d)(1)(A). The required annual payment is equal to the lesser of (1) 90 percent of the tax shown in the return for the taxable year or, if no return was filed, 90 percent of the tax for such year, or (2) if the individual filed a return for the preceding taxable year, 100 percent of the tax shown in such return. Sec. 6654(d)(1)(B).

27 Sec. 6654(e) provides that no addition to tax shall be imposed under sec. 6654(a) for any taxable year if (1) the tax shown in the return for such taxable year (or, if no return is filed, the tax), reduced by the credit allowable under sec. 31 is less than $1,000, sec. 6654(e)(1); (2) the preceding taxable year was a taxable year of 12 months, the individual did not have any liability for such preceding taxable year, and the individual was a citizen or resident of the United States throughout such preceding taxable year, sec. 6654(e)(2); (3) the Secretary of the Treasury determines that by reason of casualty, disaster, or other unusual circumstances the imposition of such addition to tax would be against equity and good conscience, sec. 6654(e)(3)(A); or (4) the Secretary determines that during the taxable year for which the estimated payments are required or in the taxable year preceding such taxable year, the taxpayer retired after having attained the age of 62 or became disabled and the underpayment of any estimated tax was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, sec. 6654(e)(3)(B).

28 We note that one of petitioner's arguments on brief appears to be that he is entitled to deduct for his respective taxable years 2000, 2001, and 2002 mortgage interest of $84,176, $109,489, and $27,587. However, in the notice respondent allowed those amounts of mortgage interest deductions for those respective taxable years.