MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
HALPERN, Judge: This case is before the Court to review a determination made by respondent's Appeals Office (Appeals) that respondent may proceed to collect by levy unpaid taxes with respect to petitioners' 1995 tax year (1995). We review that determination pursuant to
Unless otherwise indicated, all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.
FINDINGS OF FACT
The parties have filed a stipulation of facts, which, with accompanying exhibits (except for 2-R and 4-J 1), is incorporated herein by this reference. Petitioners resided in Atlanta, Georgia, at the time the petition was filed.
2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 135">*136 Petitioners filed a joint Federal income tax return for 1995 (the 1995 return), showing a balance due of $ 2,478.83. Respondent examined the 1995 return and determined a deficiency in tax of $ 5,282 (the deficiency). The examination concluded with petitioners signing an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 4549-CG, Income Tax Examination Changes (the Form 4549-GC). The Form 4549-CG recites only computational changes based on reported self-employment income and a reported pension distribution. By signing the Form 4549-CG, petitioners agreed to immediate assessment and collection of the deficiency and interest due to March 1, 1997, and waived their appeal rights with the IRS and their right to contest the deficiency in the Tax Court. Petitioner wife wrote the following on the signature page of the Form 4549-CG:
Upon receipt of this letter, I spoke with Mrs. Dillard on
January 31, 199[] [illegible]. She explained and was very
helpful in pointing out the additional taxes. We do not dispute
the amount and are presently in an installment agreement with
the IRS and will continue to make monthly payments to pay off
the amount in full. 2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 135">*137 Thank you.
Respondent computes that petitioners have a remaining, unpaid income tax liability for 1995 of $ 2,995.07 (the remaining liability). 2 On December 20, 2001, respondent issued to petitioners a notice of intent to levy and of petitioners' right to a hearing under
2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 135">*138 On January 24, 2003, Appeals mailed to petitioners a Notice of Determination Concerning Collection Action(s) Under
OPINION
I.
2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 135">*139 If a
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Appeals officer must determine whether and how to proceed with collection, taking into account, among other things, collection alternatives proposed by the taxpayer and whether any proposed collection action balances the need for the efficient collection of taxes with the legitimate concern of the taxpayer that the collection action be no more intrusive than necessary. See
We have jurisdiction to review the Appeals officer's determination where we have jurisdiction2005 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 135">*140 over the type of tax involved in the case.
Petitioners dispute the adjustments on the Form 4549-CG (the adjustments). They also argue that none of their 1995 income tax liability remains unpaid. Respondent argues that petitioners failed to raise the adjustments during the
While petitioners claim that they raised the adjustments at the
We sustain the determination.
To reflect the foregoing,
Decision will be entered for respondent.
1. Exhibit 2-R was admitted into evidence independent of the stipulation of facts. Exhibit 4-J was objected to by petitioner and not admitted at trial. On brief, respondent states that he no longer relies on Exhibit 4-J; therefore, we shall not receive it into evidence.↩
2. That amount is respondent's computation of the remaining liability as of approximately the time of trial. Respondent computes that amount as follows:
1995 Return Liability Payment
Return as filed $ 4,901.00 --
Withholding -- $ 2,422.17
Estimated tax penalty 120.63 --
Failure to pay penalty 12.39 --
Interest 15.22 --
Form 4549-CG 5,282.00 --
Payments -- 4,914.00
__________ _________
$ 10,331.24 $ 7,336.17
Remaining liability $ 2,995.07 --↩
3. A taxpayer receiving a notice of Federal tax lien has hearing rights similar to the hearing rights accorded a taxpayer receiving a notice of intent to levy. See
4. If a taxpayer signs a Form 4549-CG under duress or coercion, the waivers contained therein of the taxpayer's rights to contest the deficiency are invalid.