CALCRIM No. 2845. Determining Income: Specific Items Method
Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions (2023 edition)
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2845.Determining Income: Specific Items Method
In this case, the People are [also] using the specific items method to try to
prove that the defendant had unreported taxable income. I will now
explain the specific items method.
In order to prove that the defendant received unreported taxable income
under the specific items method, the People must prove that:
1. The defendant received income during <insert year
alleged>;
2. The income the defendant received was taxable;
AND
3. The income the defendant received was substantially greater than
the income (he/she) reported on (his/her) tax return for
<insert year alleged>.
If you have a reasonable doubt about whether the People have proved 1,
2, or 3, you must find that the People have not proved under the specific
items method that the defendant had unreported taxable income.
[If, on the other hand, you conclude that the defendant did have
unreported taxable income, you must still decide whether the People
have proved all elements of the crimes[s] charged [in Count[s] ].]
New January 2006
BENCH NOTES
Instructional Duty
It is unclear if the court has a sua sponte duty to instruct on the specific items
method of proof. If the prosecution is relying on this method and another method of
proof, the court should instruct on both methods. (See United States v. Meriwether
(5th Cir. 1971) 440 F.2d 753, 756-757 [reversed because instructions on specific
items and net worth method not sufficiently clear].)
The court must also give the appropriate instruction on the elements of the offense
charged.
Give the bracketed sentence that begins with “If, on the other hand, you conclude”
in every case, unless the court is giving CALCRIM No. 2846, Proof of Unreported
Taxable Income: Must Still Prove Elements of Offense.
AUTHORITY
• Specific Items Method Explained. United States v. Hart (6th Cir. 1995) 70 F.3d
854, 860; United States v. Black (D.C. Cir. 1988) 843 F.2d 1456, 1459; United
711
States v. Marabelles (9th Cir. 1984) 724 F.2d 1374, 1379, fn. 3.
CALCRIM No. 2845 TAX CRIMES
712
© Judicial Council of California.
