1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*110 An order will be issued directing the parties to submit computations of the attorney's fees in anticipation of a supplemental order to be entered awarding attorney's fees to petitioner.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
PARR,
1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*111 FINDINGS OF FACT
Respondent determined deficiencies in and additions to petitioner's Federal income taxes for tax years 1986, 1987, and 1988. The case has been docketed, tried, and submitted to the Court for decision, but has not yet been decided. After trial, respondent made a jeopardy assessment on petitioner's property. On July 21, 1994, petitioner and his wife 2 requested an administrative review of the jeopardy assessment in accordance with section 7429(a)(2). In a letter dated July 27, 1994, respondent indicated that the jeopardy assessment would not be abated except for a downward adjustment in light of stipulations and concessions previously agreed to by the parties. In reality, however, respondent failed to reduce the amount of the assessment to reflect the full amount of these concessions until the matter was before the Court, and even after purportedly recomputing the amount, respondent still failed to take into account a $ 150,000 concession respondent had made at trial. On August 11, 1994, petitioner filed a motion for review of the jeopardy assessment and levy with the Court pursuant to Rule 56.
1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*112 In our opinion of August 30, 1994, we reviewed respondent's jeopardy assessment and levy pursuant to petitioner's motion made in accordance with section 7429(b)(2) and Rule 56. Because respondent did not prove that the jeopardy assessment and levy were reasonable, we ordered abatement of the jeopardy assessment and release of the levy.
Since our decision a number of motions have been filed by the parties. On September 23, 1994, respondent filed a motion for reconsideration pursuant to Rule 161 and a motion to stay the effect of our order. The Court denied both motions. The current motion for litigation fees and costs was filed on September 30, 1994. Initially, the Court granted respondent a 1-week extension to file a response. However, on November 7, 1994, respondent requested an additional 2 weeks for leave to file out of time for the following reason: [petitioner's] motion * * * presents an issue of first impression, that is, the consideration of a claim for attorney's fees and costs prior to the1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*113 conclusion of the litigation, and the respondent's response to the Motion * * * is presently under consideration and review by the respondent's National office.
While the issue of attorney's fees was pending, on November 29, 1994, petitioner filed a motion to enforce order abating jeopardy assessment and for contempt for respondent's failure to comply with our order of August 30, 1994. On November 30, 1994, we ordered respondent to take specific actions to comply with our order. We held in abeyance petitioner's motion for contempt pending assurance that respondent had indeed fully complied with our order. After conference calls with the parties on December 7 and December 14, 1994, the Court was assured that respondent had fully complied with our orders of August 30 and November 30, 1994. Accordingly, on December 15, 1994, we denied petitioner's motion for contempt.
OPINION
To the extent the Court determines that the motion for attorney's fees is not premature, respondent argues against an award of attorney's1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*114 fees. Respondent concedes that petitioner has exhausted administrative remedies and that he meets the net worth requirements of
Petitioner claims litigation and administrative costs incurred during the period July 15, 1994, through September 29, 1994, in the amount of $ 14,457.35. The amount reflects the cost of services provided by petitioner's lawyer Stevan Douglas Looney and his law partner M. Dwight Hurst, and petitioner's accountant, Peter Cooley, as well as amounts for New Mexico gross receipts Tax, Federal Express/postage, and photocopies. 3 The parties have not requested a hearing, and the Court has concluded that a hearing is not necessary. Rule 232(a) (3). We will decide the matter based upon the submissions of the parties.
1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*115
A taxpayer is a "prevailing party" in a court proceeding only if it is established that: (1) The position of the United States in the proceeding was not substantially justified; (2) the taxpayer substantially prevailed with respect to the amount in controversy or with respect to the most significant issue presented; and (3) the taxpayer met the net worth requirements of
The term "position of the United States" means the position taken by the United States in a judicial proceeding.
Respondent argues that petitioner has not met his burden of proving that respondent's position was not substantially justified. Respondent contends that at the time the jeopardy assessment was made, it was reasonable to believe petitioner intended to leave the United States and, therefore, a jeopardy assessment was appropriate. However, we found that it was no longer reasonable for respondent to maintain that belief in light of "new facts" -- i.e., that petitioner did not go to Canada -- discovered by respondent by the end of July. 4
In a jeopardy assessment case the burden is on respondent to prove the assessment and levy are reasonable, sec. 7429(g)(1), and in the instant1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*119 case the burden is on petitioner to prove that respondent's position was not substantially justified (i.e., unreasonable, see discussion
1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*121
The Supreme Court describes "substantially justified" as "justified in substance or in the main -- that is, justified to a degree that could satisfy a reasonable person."
Respondent directs us to our first opinion in support of her argument that she was substantially justified in making the jeopardy assessment: From the affidavits respondent presented, we can understand why respondent prior to July 11, 1994, may have believed that petitioner appeared to be designing quickly to depart from the United States or to conceal himself. [ From the affidavits respondent presented, we can understand why respondent prior to July 11, 1994, may have believed that petitioner appeared to be designing quickly to depart from the United States or to conceal himself. 1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*123
In a letter dated July 21, 1994, petitioner provided respondent with the information concerning his new address, his bank account, and the reasons why a jeopardy assessment was not reasonable under the circumstances. On July 27, 1994, after reviewing the information submitted by petitioner, respondent's Appeals officer notified petitioner that the Appeals officer would recommend that the jeopardy assessment should
Moreover, we find that the amount of the jeopardy assessment was inappropriate. Initially, respondent made a jeopardy assessment for taxes and additions to tax as follows:
Taxable Year | Tax | Additions to Tax |
1986 | $ 58,761 | $ 58,761 |
1987 | 43,247 | 43,247 |
1988 | 156,393 | 156,393 |
In the course of the administrative review respondent conceded that the posttrial assessment had to be adjusted to take into consideration stipulations and concessions previously agreed to by the parties. However, after purportedly recomputing the1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*125 amounts, respondent still failed to take into account a $ 150,000 concession she had made at trial.
Another badge of unreasonableness is that, in light of the reduced deficiency, respondent failed to consider the financial position of petitioner who had assets available to satisfy taxes due including: (1) An escrow account in the amount of $ 32,500 set up in compliance with a preexisting divorce agreement and to be used to pay the disputed Federal income taxes in this case; and (2) a second mortgage in the amount of $ 100,000 from the sale of petitioner's New Mexico property.
Accordingly, in light of the unreasonableness in making the assessment and the inappropriateness in the amount assessed, we hold that petitioner has met his burden of proving that respondent's position was not substantially justified.
Respondent makes other, purportedly "new" arguments. However, this Court has seen these arguments before. They are either matters previously brought to the Court's attention and considered in our original opinion or are irrelevant or immaterial because they involve actions by petitioner after the statutory time for judicial review expired. 6
1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*126 Accordingly, we hold that respondent's position was not substantially justified at the time of the judicial proceeding.
Respondent takes the position that (1) petitioner has not established that an award of attorney's fees in excess of the statutorily enumerated rate adjusted for inflation, under
1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*127
1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*128
Petitioner argues that he is entitled to an award of attorney's fees in excess of $ 75 per hour because the per-hour rates charged by his attorney are prevailing and reasonable rates in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 8 Moreover, petitioner would not have been able to retain other competent counsel and an accountant for less than the amount for which he was billed by his attorneys and accountant.
We do not think Congress meant that if the rates for all lawyers in the relevant city -- or even in the entire country -- come to exceed $ 75 per hour (adjusted for inflation), then that market-minimum rate will govern instead of the statutory cap. 1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*130 To the contrary, the "special factor" formulation suggests Congress thought that $ 75 an hour was generally quite enough public reimbursement for lawyers' fees, whatever the local or national market might be. * * * [
Similarly, an argument based on limited availability and a dearth of qualified tax attorneys has been rejected. The exception for "limited availability of qualified attorneys for the proceedings involved" must refer to attorneys "qualified for the proceedings" in some specialized sense, rather than just in their general legal competence. We think it refers to 1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*131 attorneys having some distinctive knowledge or specialized skill needful for the litigation in question -- as opposed to an extraordinary level of the general lawyerly knowledge and ability useful in all litigation. [
Petitioner has submitted an itemized billing summary of his attorney's hours and fees incurred from July 15 through September 29, 1994.
We do not regard the date of the deficiency notice as controlling for this purpose. We allow no costs incurred before August 3, 1994, the date of the letter from the Chief of the Office of Appeals. See
We find the hours incurred by the attorneys to be reasonable. Furthermore, we find the assistance of a second attorney (Mr. Hurst) to be 1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*133 reasonable in light of the complexity in the law and the exigency in alleviating the financial hardship imposed on petitioner by a jeopardy assessment. Moreover, Hurst is a certified public accountant, and his expertise in this area would be helpful. Mr. Hurst's time accounted for 5.4 of the 33.0 hours incurred by the attorneys for the month of August. His time consisted of assistance in preparing the motion for review of the jeopardy assessment. The itemized billing is descriptive, and the explanations of the services provided seem reasonable. Accordingly, we hold that the attorney's hours are reasonable. 9
1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*134 We hold that petitioner is entitled to an award of attorney's fees for the services provided as of August 3, 1994, and thereafter, at an hourly rate of $ 75 adjusted for COLA computed from October 1, 1981.
Petitioner seeks reimbursement for accountant's fees in the amount of $ 3,020. Petitioner attached an itemized billing summary for accountant services performed in connection with the jeopardy assessment from July 15 through September 22, 1994. The hourly rate requested for the accountant is $ 100 per hour. The itemized billing summary is vague and nondescriptive. Moreover, there are entries (e.g., 8/18/84, 8/25/94, and 8/31/94) where reference is made to discussions with the attorneys; however, the attorney's billing summary does not have an entry for those days. Petitioner has not justified the use of an accountant in addition to the two attorneys (one of the attorneys being a certified public accountant) in regard to the jeopardy assessment proceeding. Accordingly, we disallow petitioner's claim for costs for accountant's fees.
Petitioner also seeks reimbursement for other costs, including postage ($ 12.43), photocopies ($ 150.75), and sales tax ($ 9.48). Respondent1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*135 did not contest these amounts; therefore, we consider these amounts conceded.
In petitioner's itemized billing he claims amounts for New Mexico gross receipts tax attributable to attorney's fees and accountant's fees of $ 609.15 and $ 175.14, respectively. Since we have disallowed the accountant's fees, we similarly disallow recovery of the gross receipts tax related to those fees.
This Court has held that services of secretaries, word processors, and costs that are normally included in overhead should not be separately itemized as they are deemed part of the hourly rate.
Respondent argues that the gross receipts tax should be included1995 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 110">*136 in overhead and part of the attorney's hourly rate. Petitioner has not made an argument to the contrary. We hold that the gross receipts tax should be included in overhead and, therefore, is not recoverable.
Respondent makes no arguments that nor does she refer us to any instances in which petitioner unreasonably protracted the proceedings. Apart from a general statement to this effect in the first paragraph of page 1 of her response memorandum to petitioner's motion, no other reference is made. Accordingly, we could infer that respondent has abandoned this argument. Rule 232(c)(7).
Assuming, arguendo, that respondent has not abandoned such claim, we find no evidence that petitioner has unreasonably protracted these proceedings. To the contrary, petitioner has acted in a reasonable manner.
To reflect the foregoing and in accordance with the related opinion in this case,
1. All Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure, and all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code, unless otherwise indicated.↩
2. The jeopardy assessment was also addressed to "Luz Elena McWilliams". According to documents filed with petitioner's motion for review of the jeopardy assessment, the McWilliamses were divorced on Sept. 13, 1990. Luz Elena McWilliams is not a petitioner in this case. She was originally indicated as a petitioner; however, she neither signed the original petition nor ratified its filing on her behalf. Accordingly, we dismissed her from the case for lack of jurisdiction.↩
3. The breakdown of the costs is as follows:
Attorney's fees | $ 10,480.00 |
Gross receipts tax (attorney's fees) | 609.15 |
Accountant's fees | 3,020.00 |
Gross receipts tax (accountant's fees) | 175.54 |
Federal express/postage | 12.43 |
Photocopies | 150.75 |
Gross receipts tax | 9.48 |
Total | 14,457.35 |
4. "'Reasonable under the circumstances' as used in section 7429 'means something more than not arbitrary or capricious and something less than supported by substantial evidence.'"
5. In If the Government's position in initiating the jeopardy assessment was * * * unreasonable, * * * it is hard to fathom how the Government's position (in defending an unreasonable action) would be reasonable. * * * * * * In the instant action, the Government, through the Department of Justice, defended actions taken by the Internal Revenue Service which were unreasonable. [Therefore] The defense of the unreasonable actions of the Internal Revenue Service was itself unreasonable.
In
6. Sec. 7429(b)(3) requires that the Court determine
7. We note that in calculating the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), our precedent provides for the COLA to be calculated from Oct. 1, 1981, the date of the enactment of the Equal Access to Justice Act (codified at
We recognize that the decisions of the Courts of Appeals cited above do not support our precedent. However, due to the unique setting in which we decide this case (i.e., the jeopardy assessment proceeding was a summary proceeding which was not appealable, sec. 7429(f);
8. Petitioner's counsel Stevan Douglas Looney is an officer, director, and shareholder in the law firm of Crider, Calvert & Bingham, P.C., located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Looney has been an attorney for 14 years, and is licensed and in good standing in the State of New Mexico. His law partner, M. Dwight Hurst, assisted in the preparation of the motion for review of the jeopardy assessment under sec. 7429. Mr. Hurst is also an officer, director, and shareholder in the same law firm.↩
9. Petitioner submitted costs through Sept. 29, 1994. When the Government's underlying position is "not substantially justified," the taxpayer is entitled to recover all attorney's fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the vindication of his rights.
After our opinion in McWilliams I was issued and we ordered the levy released and the jeopardy assessment abated, petitioner was unjustifiably forced to file a motion to enforce the order. We invite petitioner to supplement his application of costs within 30 days from the date of this opinion, and for the parties to make part of the Rule 155 computation additional costs incurred in connection with the jeopardy assessment proceeding after Sept. 29, 1994.↩