Recent Court Ruling on Self-Prepared Tax Returns | Tax Tip of the Week | No. 54

A couple had prepared their own tax returns for several years using a popular tax preparation software product.  The wife reported expenses for her real estate business and unrelated losses on a Schedule C.  Most of these deductions were inaccurately reported.  Adjustments to this schedule resulted in most of the taxpayer’s taxable income to be significantly reduced.  As a result, the IRS assessed accuracy-related penalties.The couple decided to appeal the penalties in Tax Court.  At trial, the wife said that they consistently filled out their tax returns using this software and she consistently confused capital gains and losses with ordinary income and expenses.  She believed the tax software would accurately prepare their return.In rejecting the taxpayer’s software misuse (even if unintentional or accidental) as a defense to the penalties, the Tax Court noted that “tax preparation software is only as good as the information one inputs into it.”  Relying on a tax professional’s advice can establish reasonable cause and good faith to avoid a penalty, but the taxpayers did not rely on a professional - they self-prepared the returns.Reference: Lam, TC Memo 2010-82Give us a call if you have any questions about your tax return.As always, you can contact us in Dayton at 937-436-3133 and in Xenia at 937-372-3504. Or visit our web site.Rick Prewitt - the guy behind TTW...until next week.