Larry R. Bradshaw v. Commissioiner of the Internal Revenue Service
Opinion
Larry R. Bradshaw, proceeding pro se, appeals the decision by the tax court finding him liable for deficiencies in income tax for the years 2004, 2005, and 2006, as well as for penalties for his failure to file income tax returns and pay estimated taxes. Bradshaw does not contest the tax itself, but nonetheless avers that he should not be required to pay. After a thorough review of the record, we reject this argument and affirm.
We review the decision of the tax court’s factual findings for clear error and its legal conclusions de novo. Estate of Whitt v. Commissioner, 751 F.2d 1548, 1556 (11th Cir. 1985). The Commissioner’s determination of a deficiency is presumed correct and the taxpayer has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that it is incorrect. Id. A taxpayer’s bank deposits provide prima facie evidence of income, and the taxpayer has the burden of proving that the bank deposits are not taxable income. Tokarski v. Commissioner, 87 T.C. 74, 77, 1986 WL 22155 (1986).
Bradshaw concedes on appeal that the underlying tax is lawful, and additionally he does not offer evidence disputing that *194 he received the allegedly taxable income. Accordingly, he has abandoned any claim of error with respect to the tax court’s determination of the tax. See Marek v. Singletary, 62 F.3d 1295, 1298 n. 2 (11th Cir. 1995) (“Issues not clearly raised in the briefs are considered abandoned.”). Instead, Bradshaw attacks the fairness and integrity of the IRS officials who effected the tax as well as of the tax court that reviewed his challenge. However, Mr. Bradshaw fails to support his significant assertions with evidence. As such, we reject them, and affirm the decision of the tax court, which properly concluded that Bradshaw has failed to adduce evidence disputing the prima facie case established through his bank deposits. See Tokarski, 87 T.C. at 76.
For these reasons, we affirm.
AFFIRMED.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Larry R. BRADSHAW, Petitioner—Appellant, v. COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, Respondent—Appellee
- Status
- Unpublished