MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
CHIECHI,
The issues for decision for petitioner's taxable year 2004 are: 12009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*141
(1) Is petitioner entitled to married filing separately filing status? We hold that he is not.
(2) Is petitioner entitled to certain itemized deductions in excess of those claimed in the tax return that he filed with Shirley R. Haigh? We hold that he is not.
(3) Is the distribution that Shirley R. Haigh received during 2004 from her individual retirement account subject to the additional tax under
(4) Does petitioner have total and taxable Social Security benefits in the respective amounts that respondent determined? We hold that he does.
(5) Is petitioner entitled to relief under
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found.
At the time petitioner filed the petition in this case, he resided in Iowa.
Petitioner is a licensed professional engineer who at times not disclosed by the record specialized in consulting on issues relating to environmental engineering and environmental law and regulation. At times not disclosed by the record, petitioner also spent a total of five years as a licensed financial advisor who performed consulting work for certain small business development corporations and their respective owners. In that role, petitioner aided minorities and women who wanted to establish small businesses by, inter alia, helping them (1) create the entities through which to conduct their respective businesses, (2) obtain loans, (3) establish accounting systems, including cost accounting systems, and (4) install appropriate accounting 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*142 and tax computer software. Petitioner did not prepare tax returns for his clients as part of the services that he performed as a licensed financial advisor.
In 1984, petitioner was involved in an automobile accident and suffered a broken neck. Beginning around 2000 petitioner became a patient at a pain clinic to which he was referred by certain staff at the Mayo Clinic. He has been taking certain prescription medications in order to alleviate the pain associated with the neck injury that he suffered in 1984.
On November 27, 2004, petitioner married Shirley R. Haigh (Ms. Haigh). (We shall refer to petitioner and Ms. Haigh as the Haighs.) Before their marriage, petitioner and Ms. Haigh executed a prenuptial agreement (prenuptial agreement) that required, inter alia, that they file joint tax returns during their marriage unless it was financially advantageous, and both parties agreed, to file separate tax returns.
In 2004, before petitioner and Ms. Haigh married and before she was 59-1/2 years old, Ms. Haigh received a distribution of $ 13,977.12 (IRA distribution) from her individual retirement account. The Hartford Life Insurance Co. (Hartford) reported that IRA distribution in Form 1099-R, 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*143 Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc. (Ms. Haigh's Form 1099-R), that it issued to Ms. Haigh for her taxable year 2004.
During 2004, petitioner received Social Security benefits totaling $ 18,986.20 from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA reported that total amount of benefits in Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099), that it issued to petitioner for his taxable year 2004.
Petitioner prepared his personal and business tax returns, including Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, that he prepared for Ms. Haigh and himself and that the Haighs timely filed for their taxable year 2004 (2004 joint return). Before petitioner prepared that return, Ms. Haigh gave him Ms. Haigh's Form 1099-R in which Hartford reported the $ 13,977.12 IRA distribution that she received during 2004. When petitioner was preparing the 2004 joint return, he knew that Ms. Haigh had received the IRA distribution in 2004 before she was 59-1/2 years old and that that so-called early distribution was subject to an additional tax.
In the 2004 joint return, the Haighs (1) included in income, inter alia, Ms. 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*144 Haigh's $ 13,977.12 IRA distribution, (2) showed total and taxable Social Security benefits of $ 18,437 and $ 2,788.13, respectively, adjusted gross income of $ 54,972.01, taxable income of $ 29,867.61, and total tax of $ 3,766, and (3) claimed total tax payments of $ 5,910.40 and a refund due of $ 2,144.40. In the 2004 joint return, the Haighs did not report any additional tax imposed by
On March 21, 2005, respondent issued Notice CP-16 to the Haighs. 4 In that notice, respondent informed the Haighs that they had incorrectly calculated the amount of taxable Social Security benefits shown in the 2004 joint return (petitioner's computational error) and that respondent had corrected that error. Respondent's correction of petitioner's computational error resulted in respective increases of (1) $ 12,883 in the adjusted gross income, (2) $ 13,852 in the taxable income, and (3) $ 2,078 in the total tax that the Haighs showed in that return. As a result of the adjustments in Notice CP-16, respondent 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*145 reduced the refund claimed in the 2004 joint return by $ 2,078 to $ 66.40 and applied that refund to an outstanding tax liability for the taxable year 2003. 5
On January 29, 2007, respondent issued Notice CP-2000 to the Haighs. 6 In that notice, respondent proposed the following three adjustments to the Haighs' 2004 joint return: (1) a 10-percent additional tax of $ 1,398 with respect to the IRA distribution that Ms. Haigh received in 2004, (2) an increase of $ 549 to petitioner's total Social 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*146 Security benefits, 7 and (3) an increase of $ 467 to petitioner's taxable Social Security benefits. 8
At no time before February 25, 2007, were petitioner and Ms. Haigh divorced or legally separated. On February 24, 2007, petitioner and Ms. Haigh 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*147 began living apart. On or about March 6, 2007, Ms. Haigh initiated a proceeding for divorce in the Iowa District Court, Woodbury County. That proceeding was still pending at the time of the trial in this case.
On February 24, 2007, petitioner sent a letter to respondent (petitioner's February 24, 2007 letter) to which he attached completed Form 12507, Innocent Spouse Statement (petitioner's Form 12507). In petitioner's Form 12507, petitioner indicated that when he was preparing the 2004 joint return Ms. Haigh showed him a document indicating that she had paid a penalty on her IRA distribution. In that form, petitioner also indicated that when he questioned Ms. Haigh about that document she "refused to contact the plan to obtain a statement showing how this amount [the penalty] was allocated." In both petitioner's February 24, 2007 letter and petitioner's Form 12507, petitioner requested that respondent permit him to file an amended tax return for his taxable year 2004 in order to elect married filing separately filing status (married filing separately status).
Respondent treated the receipt of petitioner's February 24, 2007 letter and petitioner's Form 12507 as the filing by petitioner 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*148 of Form 8857, Request for Innocent Spouse Relief, and began an investigation to determine whether he was eligible for relief under
On April 16, 2007, respondent issued to the Haighs a notice of deficiency for their taxable year 2004 (2004 notice). In the 2004 notice, respondent determined that the Haighs are subject to the 10-percent additional tax with respect to the IRA distribution that Ms. Haigh received in 2004 before she was 59-1/2 years old. Respondent also determined that petitioner received total and taxable Social Security benefits of $ 18,986 9 and $ 16,138, respectively. 10
On May 22, 2007, Ms. Haigh sent to respondent completed Form 12508, Questionnaire for Non-Requesting Spouse (Ms. Haigh's Form 12508). In that form, Ms. Haigh indicated 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*149 that petitioner had prepared the 2004 joint return and that she gave him her "W-2s and other documentation" before petitioner prepared that return. Ms. Haigh also indicated in Ms. Haigh's Form 12508 that "He [petitioner] asked about the withdrawal [the IRA distribution]. I gave him the statement from the bank. I told him I paid a penalty but did not know for sure about a tax consequence."
Respondent assigned an examiner (respondent's examiner) to review petitioner's request for relief under
Respondent's examiner denied petitioner's request for relief under Taxpayers are currently divorced, widowed, legally separated, or they lived apart prior to the claim * * * * * * * Solely attributable to the NRS [nonrequesting spouse] Erroneous items: 10% penalty 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*150 on early pension withdrawal * * * * * * * RS had full actual knowledge Explanation: income was reported on return, did not claim the 10% penalty on back of 1040, line 59 [Reproduced literally.]
Respondent's examiner also denied petitioner's request for relief under Taxpayers are currently divorced, widowed, legally separated, or they had been members of separate households prior to the claim for at least 12 consecutive months No economic hardship Explanation: no info given, he rec's over $ 1,000 a month in SS [Social Security] No marital abuse No poor mental or physical health No legal obligation established Background: RS - unknown NRS - unkn Involvement: RS - separate bank accounts NRS - Lifestyle changes: unknown NRS's elusiveness: none, RS prepared the returns Duty to inquire: he prepared the return, he knew about the pension withdrawal, NRS wthd the income before they were married, but she gave the 1099 to RS, the income was reported on return, penalty was not Living arrangements: married 11-27-2004 RS had knowledge or reason to know Explanation: income was reported on the return, did not claim 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*151 line 59 on 1040 No significant benefit gained Made a good faith effort to comply with the tax laws Explanation: has not filed 2006, but his only income is SS Unique circumstances: none Not meeting Tier II factors - deny claim Tier II consideration: Based on the above facts it is equitable to hold the RS liable for the balance. [H]ad actual knowledge, no hardship or abuse
On June 19, 2007, respondent's Cincinnati centralized innocent spouse operation (CCISO) sent to petitioner Letter 3661C (CCISO's June 19, 2007 letter). 11 In that letter, CCISO notified petitioner that it had denied his claim for relief under
On June 25, 2007, Ms. Haigh paid to respondent $ 1,726.61 as a bond against the deficiency that respondent determined in the 2004 notice and interest as provided by law as of that date. Around October 1, 2007, respondent applied that bond as a payment against that deficiency and that interest.
On July 6, 2007, petitioner sent to respondent a letter (petitioner's July 6, 2007 protest) in which he protested the denial of relief under
On January 15, 2008, respondent assigned an Appeals officer in respondent's Appeals Office (respondent's Appeals officer) to consider petitioner's July 6, 2007 protest. Respondent's Appeals officer sent three letters to petitioner, dated January 16, January 17, and February 4, 2008, respectively. In the letter dated January 16, 2008, respondent's Appeals officer explained to petitioner that respondent is not allowed under
On February 11, 2008, respondent's Appeals officer sent to petitioner another letter (February 11, 2008 letter). In that letter, respondent's Appeals officer again explained the propriety of respondent's determination with respect to petitioner's taxable Social Security benefits. In the February 11, 2008 letter, respondent's Appeals officer also informed petitioner: I disagree with your request to split the case into two married filing separate cases. I disagree with allowing an [sic] innocent spouse relief. You made the decision to file jointly, I don't find you meet the criteria to qualify for innocent spouse relief and the liability has been paid. Let me know in one week if you will agree. If not, I will forward your case for trial preparation.
In an Appeals Transmittal and Case Memo-INNSP dated February 22, 2008 (February 22, 2008 transmittal memo) that respondent's Appeals officer prepared, 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*154 respondent's Appeals officer set forth his conclusions with respect to the positions that petitioner took in petitioner's July 6, 2007 protest. With respect to petitioner's position that respondent erred in determining in the 2004 notice that petitioner's taxable Social Security benefits are $ 16,138, respondent's Appeals officer concluded in the February 22, 2008 transmittal memo: The petitioning husband didn't agree to the computation of the taxable social security, which was computational and mostly taxed [sic] by mathematical error procedures. * * * There should be no disagreement in this case, but the petitioner was unwilling or unable to understand the computations of the taxable social security income, and still maintains that he should be [sic] a refund from the original return.
With respect to petitioner's position that he is entitled to relief under In my examination of the facts of the case, I find a joint return [w]as filed,
With respect to petitioner's position that he is entitled to relief under
With respect to petitioner's position that he is entitled to relief under Under (f) there are factors that can be used to deter mine if equitable relief exists. a) There is no marital status now so either one can have relief. b) Is there no economic hardship for the taxpayers, even though questionable with Jeff allegedly in bankruptcy? c) There are no indications of abuse. d) I believe the facts are clear in the details of the workpapers that the taxpayer kept their distance and 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*156 did not know of the issues that created the deficiencies for the other spouse. e) Neither spouse has the legal obligation to the income tax liability of the other outside IRS joint liability provisions. f) The liability is attributable to each spouse as set out above. In response the criteria
OPINION
Petitioner has the burden of establishing that the determinations in the 2004 notice are wrong. See
It is petitioner's position that although Ms. Haigh and he filed the 2004 joint return, he is entitled to file an amended return for his taxable year 2004 in order to (1) change his married filing jointly status in the 2004 joint return to married filing separately status, (2) correct erroneous determinations that respondent made in the 2004 notice, and (3) claim itemized deductions in excess of those claimed in the 2004 joint return. What petitioner apparently fails to understand is that we have jurisdiction to redetermine in a trial de novo 13 a deficiency for a taxable year properly before us. See
It is petitioner's position that he is entitled to married filing separately status for his taxable year 2004. 142009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*159 In support of that position, petitioner argues that the 2004 joint return is void because he signed that return under duress.
In 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*160 order to prove that a taxpayer signed a joint return under duress, the taxpayer must show (1) that the taxpayer was unable to resist the demands of the taxpayer's spouse to sign the joint return and (2) that the taxpayer would not have signed the joint return absent the constraint that the taxpayer's spouse applied to the taxpayer's will.
We have found that petitioner prepared, and timely filed with Ms. Haigh, the 2004 joint return. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that Ms. Haigh demanded that he sign that return, let alone that she made demands that he was unable to resist. On that record, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he signed the 2004 joint return under duress. 152009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*161
In further support of his position that he is entitled for his taxable year 2004 to married filing separately status, petitioner argues that the 2004 joint return is void by operation of the law of the State of Iowa (Iowa law) and that respondent violated the
The
On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he is entitled for his taxable year 2004 to married filing separately status.
It is petitioner's position that he is entitled for his taxable year 2004 to certain itemized deductions in excess of those that the Haighs claimed in the 2004 joint return. Before considering whether petitioner is entitled to any such additional itemized deductions, we address petitioner's claim that respondent violated his right to due process under 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*163 the
The
In support of his argument under the
We have rejected petitioner's claim that he is entitled to file an amended return for his taxable year 2004. We conclude that respondent did not violate petitioner's rights under the
We turn now to whether petitioner is entitled for his taxable year 2004 to certain itemized deductions in excess of those that the Haighs claimed in the 2004 joint return. Petitioner presented no evidence in support of his position that he is entitled to any such additional deductions. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he is entitled for his taxable year 2004 to certain itemized deductions in excess of those 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*165 that the Haighs claimed in the 2004 joint return.
The parties stipulated: "Petitioner and respondent agree that the proposed adjustments in tax liability included in the notice of deficiency are correct." Petitioner also testified that those determinations are correct. Petitioner nonetheless claims that there are errors in the 2004 notice.
We turn first to respondent's determinations in the 2004 notice that during 2004 petitioner received total and taxable Social Security benefits of $ 18,986 and $ 16,138, respectively. We have found, and petitioner admits, that the Haighs reported in the 2004 joint return total Social Security benefits of only $ 18,437. We have found, and petitioner admits, that he received $ 18,986.20 in total Social Security benefits as reported by the SSA in Form SSA-1099 that it issued to petitioner for his taxable year 2004. On the record before us, we sustain respondent's determination that during 2004 petitioner received $ 18,986 16 of total Social Security benefits.
The portion of a taxpayer's total Social Security benefits that is taxable is determined under
We turn next to respondent's determination in the 2004 notice to impose the additional tax under SEC. 72. ANNUITIES; CERTAIN PROCEEDS OF ENDOWMENT AND LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS. (t) 10-Percent Additional Tax on Early Distributions from Qualified Retirement Plans. -- (1) Imposition of additional tax. -- If any taxpayer receives any amount from a qualified retirement plan (as defined in section 4974(c)), the taxpayer's tax under this chapter for the taxable year in which such amount is received shall be increased by an amount equal to 10 percent of the portion of such amount which is includible in gross income.
It is petitioner's position that he is entitled to relief under
As we understand it, petitioner claims that respondent violated (1) his right to confront witnesses under the
With respect to petitioner's claim under the
With respect to petitioner's claim under the
We turn now to petitioner's position that he is entitled to relief under
SEC. 6015. RELIEF FROM JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY ON JOINT RETURN. (b) Procedures For Relief From Liability Applicable to All Joint Filers. -- (1) In general. -- Under procedures prescribed by the Secretary, if -- (A) a joint return has been made for a taxable year; (B) 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*170 on such return there is an understatement of tax attributable to erroneous items of 1 individual filing the joint return; (C) the other individual filing the joint return establishes that in signing the return he or she did not know, and had no reason to know, that there was such understatement; (D) taking into account all the facts and circumstances, it is inequitable to hold the other individual liable for the deficiency in tax for such taxable year attributable to such understatement; and (E) the other individual elects (in such form as the Secretary may prescribe) the benefits of this subsection not later than the date which is 2 years after the date the Secretary has begun collection activities with respect to the individual making the election, then the other individual shall be relieved of liability for tax (including interest, penalties, and other amounts) for such taxable year to the extent such liability is attributable to such understatement.
SEC. 6662. IMPOSITION OF ACCURACY-RELATED PENALTY ON UNDERPAYMENTS. (d) 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*171 Substantial Understatment of Income Tax. -- * * * * * * * (2) Understatement. -- (A) In general. -- For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "understatment" means the excess of -- (i) the amount of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable year, over (ii) the amount of the tax imposed which is shown on the return, reduced by any rebate (within the meaning of section 6211(b)(2)).
We shall address only whether petitioner meets the requirements of
In support of his position that he meets the requirements of
On the record before us, we find that petitioner had actual knowledge of the understatement of tax attributable to the 10-percent additional tax with respect to Ms. Haigh's IRA distribution. On that record, we further find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he satisfies
On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he is entitled to relief under
SEC. 6015. RELIEF FROM JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY ON JOINT RETURN. (c) Procedures To Limit Liability for Taxpayers No Longer Married or Taxpayers Legally Separated or Not Living Together. -- (1) In general. -- Except as provided in this 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*174 subsection, if an individual who has made a joint return for any taxable year elects the application of this subsection, the individual's liability for any deficiency which is assessed with respect to the return shall not exceed the portion of such deficiency properly allocable to the individual under subsection (d). * * * * * * * (3) Election. -- (A) Individuals eligible to make election. -- (i) In general. -- An individual shall only be eligible to elect the application of this subsection if -- (I) at the time such election is filed, such individual is no longer married to, or is legally separated from, the individual with whom such individual filed the joint return to which the election relates; or (II) such individual was not a member of the same household as the individual with whom such joint return was filed at any time during the 12-month period ending on the date such election is filed.
We shall address only whether petitioner meets the requirements of
We have found: (1) On February 24, 2007, petitioner sent to respondent petitioner's February 24, 2007 letter to which he attached petitioner's Form 12507; (2) respondent treated the receipt of that letter and that Form 12507 as the filing by petitioner of Form 8857, Request for Innocent Spouse Relief, and began an investigation to determine whether he was eligible for relief under
On the record before us, we find that petitioner is not entitled to relief under
SEC. 6015. RELIEF FROM JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY ON JOINT RETURN. (f) Equitable Relief. -- Under procedures prescribed by the Secretary, if -- (1) taking into account all the facts and circumstances, it is inequitable to hold the individual liable for any unpaid 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*176 tax or any deficiency (or any portion of either); and (2) relief is not available to such individual under subsection (b) or (c), the Secretary may relieve such individual of such liability.
As directed by
Where, as here, the requesting spouse satisfies the threshold conditions,
Other factors that may be considered under
In making our determination under
With respect to the marital status factor, we have found that on February 24, 2007, petitioner and Ms. Haigh began living apart. 212009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*179 On the record before us, we find that petitioner and Ms. Haigh were separated at the time petitioner requested relief under
With respect to the economic hardship factor, 222009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*180 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*181 on the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing the amount of his basic living expenses. On that record, we also find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he would be unable to pay his basic living expenses if he were required to pay the portion of the deficiency determined in the 2004 notice that is attributable to the 10-percent additional tax with respect to Ms. Haigh's IRA distribution. 23 On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he would suffer economic hardship if not granted relief under
With respect to the knowledge factor, we have found: (1) Petitioner prepared the 2004 joint return; (2) in that return the Haighs included in income Ms. Haigh's $ 13,977.12 IRA distribution; (3) when he was preparing the 2004 joint return petitioner knew (a) that Ms. Haigh received the IRA distribution in 2004 before she was age 59-1/2 years old and (b) that that distribution was subject to the 10-percent additional tax; and (4) the Haighs did not report in the 2004 joint return the 10percent additional tax with respect to Ms. Haigh's IRA distribution. On the record before us, we find that petitioner had actual knowledge (1) that the IRA distribution that Ms. Haigh received in 2004 before she was 59-1/2 years old was includible in income and (2) 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*182 that that distribution was subject to the 10-percent additional tax.
With respect to the legal obligation factor, on the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that there is any agreement that provides that Ms. Haigh has a legal obligation to pay any outstanding tax liability that she and petitioner incurred while married.
With respect to the significant benefit factor, respondent does not dispute that petitioner did not receive a benefit beyond normal support from Ms. Haigh's IRA distribution. Normal support is not a significant benefit.
With respect to the compliance factor, respondent does not dispute that petitioner has made a good faith effort to comply with the tax laws for taxable years after 2004.
With respect to the abuse factor, we have found: (1) In 1984 petitioner was involved in an automobile accident and suffered a broken neck; (2) beginning around 2000 he became a patient at a pain clinic to which he was referred by certain staff at the Mayo Clinic; and (3) he takes certain prescription medications in order to alleviate the pain associated with the neck injury that he suffered 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*183 in 1984. Petitioner testified that, because of the pain medications that he takes, stressful situations can be disorienting and difficult for him. Petitioner asserts that Ms. Haigh abused him by intentionally creating stressful situations that could cause him to become disoriented. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that Ms. Haigh abused him.
With respect to the mental or physical health factor, as discussed above, we have found: (1) In 1984 petitioner was involved in an automobile accident and suffered a broken neck; (2) beginning around 2000 he became a patient at a pain clinic to which he was referred by certain staff at the Mayo Clinic; and (3) he takes certain prescription medications in order to alleviate the pain associated with the neck injury that he suffered in 1984. On the record before us, we find that petitioner had health issues at the time he signed the 2004 joint return and at the time he requested relief under
With respect to any other factors that are relevant to our determination of whether petitioner is entitled to relief under
Based upon our examination of the entire record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that it would be inequitable to hold him liable for the portion of the deficiency determined in the 2004 notice that is attributable to the 10-percent additional tax 2009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*185 with respect to Ms. Haigh's IRA distribution.
On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry his burden of establishing that he is entitled to relief under
We have considered all of the contentions and arguments of the parties that are not discussed herein, and we find them to be without merit, irrelevant, and/or moot. 252009 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 140">*186
To reflect the foregoing,
1. In addition to the issues for decision for petitioner's taxable year 2004 that are listed below in the text, there are other questions relating to certain determinations in the notice for that year that are computational in that their resolution flows automatically from our resolution of certain of the issues that we address herein.
2. All section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the year at issue. All Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.↩
3. Line 59 of the 2004 joint return is titled "Additional tax on IRAs, other qualified retirement plans, etc."↩
4. Internal Revenue Manual pt. 3.14.1.6.12.6 and 3.14.1.6.12.6.5 (Jan. 1, 2009) provides that Notice CP-16 is used to notify a taxpayer who has filed a tax return in which the taxpayer claimed a refund that (1) the taxpayer made one or more mathematical errors in that return, (2) the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Commissioner) corrected those mathematical errors, and (3) the Commissioner applied any corrected refund amount to offset other liabilities of the taxpayer.↩
5. Notice CP-16 does not specify whether the tax liability for the taxable year 2003 to which respondent applied the refund of $ 66.40 was attributable to petitioner or to Ms. Haigh, who were not married to each other during that year.↩
6. Notice CP-2000 is used to notify taxpayers of proposed adjustments to their tax liabilities.↩
7. The increase of $ 549 to petitioner's total Social Security benefits is the difference between (1) $ 18,986, the amount of total Social Security benefits that the SSA reported in Form SSA1099 that it issued to petitioner for petitioner's taxable year 2004, and (2) $ 18,437, the amount of total Social Security benefits that the Haighs reported in the 2004 joint return.↩
8. The increase of $ 467 to petitioner's taxable Social Security benefits is the difference between (1) $ 16,138, the portion of petitioner's total Social Security benefits of $ 18,986 that respondent proposed is taxable in Notice CP-2000 issued to the Haighs on Jan. 29, 2007, and (2) $ 15,671, the portion of petitioner's total Social Security benefits of $ 18,437 reported in the 2004 joint return that respondent calculated was taxable in Notice CP-16 issued to the Haighs on Mar. 21, 2005.↩
9. In the 2004 notice issued on Apr. 16, 2007, and in Notice CP-2000 issued on Jan. 29, 2007, respondent rounded to the nearest dollar the total amount of Social Security benefits that respondent determined petitioner received during 2004. For convenience, we generally shall do the same.↩
10. Respondent's determinations in the 2004 notice are identical to the adjustments that respondent proposed in Notice CP-2000 issued on Jan. 29, 2007.↩
11. The record does not contain CCISO's June 19, 2007 letter.↩
12. In a so-called stand-alone nondeficiency case, the standard of review under
13. At a trial de novo, both the taxpayer and the Commissioner may present evidence in support of their respective positions on the issues presented.↩
14. We have rejected petitioner's position that he is entitled to file an amended return for his taxable year 2004 in order, inter alia, to elect married filing separately status.
15. Petitioner contends that respondent failed to present evidence establishing that petitioner was not under duress when he signed the 2004 joint return. Petitioner, and not respondent, bears the burden of establishing that he signed the 2004 joint return under duress.
16. See
17. For the reasons stated above, we shall treat petitioner's claim under the
18. See
19. Assuming arguendo that the factual premises underlying petitioner's claim under the
20. In 1998, Congress repealed
21. On or about Mar. 6, 2007, Ms. Haigh initiated a proceeding for divorce in the Iowa District Court, Woodbury County.
22. In determining whether a requesting spouse will suffer economic hardship, (ii) (A) The taxpayer's age, employment status and history, ability to earn, number of dependents, and status as a dependent of someone else; (B) The amount reasonably necessary for food, clothing, housing (including utilities, home-owner insurance, home-owner dues, and the like), medical expenses (including health insurance), transportation, current tax payments (including federal, state, and local), alimony, child support, or other court-ordered payments, and expenses necessary to the taxpayer's production of income (such as dues for a trade union or professional organization, or child care payments which allow the taxpayer to be gainfully employed); (C) The cost of living in the geographic area in which the taxpayer resides; (D) The amount of property exempt from levy which is available to pay the taxpayer's expenses; (E) Any extraordinary circumstances such as special education expenses, a medical catastrophe, or natural disaster; and (F) Any other factor that the taxpayer claims bears on economic hardship and brings to the attention of the director.
23. Indeed, we have found (1) that on June 25, 2007, Ms. Haigh paid to respondent $ 1,726.61 as a bond against the deficiency that respondent determined in the 2004 notice and interest as provided by law as of that date and (2) that around Oct. 1, 2007, respondent applied that bond as a payment against that deficiency and that interest.↩
24. See
25. Respondent contends that our scope of review in this case should be limited to the administrative record that respondent developed before denying petitioner relief under