2004 Tax Ct. Summary LEXIS 41">*41 PURSUANT TO INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 7463(b), THIS OPINION MAY NOT BE TREATED AS PRECEDENT FOR ANY OTHER CASE.
GOLDBERG, Special Trial Judge: This case was heard pursuant to the provisions of
Respondent determined a deficiency in petitioners' Federal income tax of $ 1,991 for the taxable year 2000. The issue remaining for decision is whether Social Security disability benefits petitioners received are includable in their gross income.1 Petitioners resided in Chula Vista, California, on the date the petition was filed in this case.
2004 Tax Ct. Summary LEXIS 41">*42 Petitioners filed a joint Federal income tax return for taxable year 2000. They did not report any income from Social Security disability benefits. Respondent determined that petitioners received $ 15,053 in disability benefits during 2000, and that $ 12,795 of this amount was includable in petitioners' gross income.
Petitioners do not dispute receiving the amount of benefits respondent determined. Rather, petitioners argue that disability benefits, as such, should not be included in gross income. Petitioners base their position upon advice they received from an accountant and IRS employees, who told petitioners that disability payments are not taxable. However, despite the advice to the contrary, it is clear under Federal tax law that Social Security disability benefits are included in gross income to the same extent as other Social Security benefits.
Petitioners argue that they "have a prenuptial agreement that stipulates separate property, wages and/ or earnings". We interpret petitioners' argument to be that, pursuant to the prenuptial agreement, their income should not be combined for purposes of applying
Petitioners also stress that IRS employees advised them that disability benefits are not taxable. Neither the Commissioner nor this Court is bound by advice given to a taxpayer which is based2004 Tax Ct. Summary LEXIS 41">*44 upon a mistake of law.
Reviewed and adopted as the report of the Small Tax Case Division.
Decision will be entered for respondent.
1. The Court, in an order dated Dec. 1, 2003, held that a notice of deficiency issued to petitioners for taxable year 1999 was invalid because it did not reflect petitioners' last known address. Because the jurisdiction of this Court requires a valid notice of deficiency, petitioners' case was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction insofar as it related to 1999, and this Court may not address at this time issues raised by petitioners with respect to that year. Petitioners do not dispute the only other adjustment in the notice of deficiency for taxable year 2000, the inclusion in income of capital gain dividends of $ 15.↩