1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 267">*267 An appropriate order will be issued, and decisions will be entered for respondent.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
GALE,
Respondent determined the following Federal income tax deficiencies, additions to tax, and penalties with respect to Mrs. Stafford:
Additions to Tax and Penalties | |||
Year | Deficiency | Sec. 6651(a)(1) | Sec. 6662(a) |
1989 | $ 3,539 | --- | $ 708 |
1990 | 10,521 | --- | 1,490 |
1991 | 2,066 | $ 104 | --- |
1992 | 3,700 | 642 | --- |
1993 | 1,524 | --- | --- |
Respondent determined the following Federal income tax deficiencies and additions to tax with respect to petitioner James E. Stafford (Mr. Stafford):
Additions to Tax | |||
Year | Deficiency | Sec. 6651(a)(1) | Sec. 6654 |
1989 | $ 3,539 | $ 885 | $ 239 |
1990 | 11,440 | 2,092 | 34 |
1991 | 2,066 | 104 | --- |
1992 | 3,700 | 240 | --- |
1993 | 1,721 | 100 | --- |
The deficiencies in income taxes are based on respondent's determinations that petitioners1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 267">*270 failed to report income in the following respects: (1) Although Mrs. Stafford filed Federal income tax returns for the tax years 1989, 1990, and 1993 reporting wage income earned in her individual capacity, she failed to report her 50-percent share of community property income earned by Mr. Stafford in his individual capacity for those years; (2) Mrs. Stafford failed to file Federal income tax returns for 1991 and 1992 and thus failed to report her 50-percent share of community property income earned by Mr. Stafford in his individual capacity for those years; and (3) Mr. Stafford failed to file Federal income tax returns for any year at issue and thus failed to report his 50-percent share of community property income earned by petitioners in their individual capacities.
Respondent determined that Mrs. Stafford received the following wage income:
Year | Payor | Amount |
1989 | North Forest Independent | |
School District | $ 3,670 | |
Molly Maid of Champions | 421 | |
1990 | North Forest Independent | |
School District | 10,875 | |
1993 | Tarkington Independent | |
School District | 6,769 |
Respondent determined that Mr. Stafford received the following wage and pension income:
Year | Payor | Amount |
1989 | BP Exploration | $ 44,763 |
1990 | BP Exploration | 30,572 |
BP Exploration | ||
(1099-R pension income) | 39,073 | |
Carlton Accountants | 6,362 | |
Texas Employment Comm'n | 4,774 | |
1991 | Carlton Accountants | 6,289 |
Accountants on Call | 31,280 | |
1992 | Accountants on Call | 53,600 |
1993 | Accountants on Call | 27,060 |
1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 267">*271 Hence, respondent determined that petitioners' total community property income for each year at issue is as follows:
1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | |
Wage income | $ 48,854 | $ 52,583 | $ 37,569 | $ 53,600 | $ 33,829 |
Pension income | 39,073 |
Respondent further determined that each petitioner's 50 percent share of the above-noted total community property income is as follows:
1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | |
Wage income | $ 24,427 | $ 26,292 | $ 18,785 | $ 26,800 | $ 16,914 |
Pension income | 19,537 |
Respondent also determined that because Mrs. Stafford filed Federal income tax returns for 1989, 1990, and 1993 reporting the wage income she received in her individual capacity for those years, her respective share of unreported community property income is reduced by the amounts so reported; i.e., $ 4,090 (1989); $ 10,875 (1990); and $ 6,769 (1993). Thus, respondent determined that Mrs. Stafford's unreported community property income is as follows:
1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | |
Wage income | $ 20,337 | $ 15,416 | $ 18,784 | $ 26,800 | $ 10,145 |
Pension income | 19,537 |
When petitioners refused to stipulate any matter proposed by respondent, an order to show cause1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 267">*272 why such matters should not be deemed stipulated pursuant to
Petitioners are currently married and were so during the years at issue. They resided in Kingwood, Texas, at the time their petitions were filed. Mrs. Stafford filed Federal income tax returns for 1989, 1990, and 1993, electing married filing separate status, and reporting the previously noted wage income earned in her individual capacity. However, she failed to report her share of community property income on these tax returns. Mrs. Stafford did not file Federal income tax returns for 1991 and 1992, and her failure to do so for these 2 years was not due to reasonable cause.
Mr. Stafford did not file Federal income tax returns for 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993, and1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 267">*273 his failure to do so for all years was not due to reasonable cause. Mr. Stafford received an IRA distribution in 1990 which was an early distribution to which a 10-percent penalty applies. The additions to tax pursuant to
Petitioners are further deemed to have stipulated to the following documents that respondent proposed for stipulation: (1) Copies of Forms W-2 documenting Mrs. Stafford's wage income, as determined in the notice of deficiency, from North Forest Independent School District in the amounts of $ 3,669.74 (1989) and $ 10,875.25 (1990), from Molly Maid of Champions in the amount of $ 420.68 (1989), and from Tarkington Independent School District in the amount of $ 6,769.32 (1993); (2) copies of BP Exploration Forms W-2 and employee earnings histories documenting Mr. Stafford's wage income, as determined in the notice of deficiency, in the amounts of $ 44,763.00 (1989) and $ 30,572.00 (1990); (3) a copy of the canceled check (front and back) and bank deposit ticket with respect to the 1099-R distribution paid to Mr. Stafford, as determined in the notice of deficiency, 1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 267">*274 in the amount of $ 39,072.53 from BP Exploration for the taxable year 1990; (4) copies of Accountants On Call Forms W-2 and detailed payroll registers documenting Mr. Stafford's wage income, as determined in the notice of deficiency, in the amounts of $ 31,280 (1991), $ 53,600 (1992), and $ 27,060 (1993); (5) copies of Forms W-2 from Carlton Accountants documenting Mr. Stafford's wage income, as determined in the notice of deficiency, in the amounts of $ 6,361.88 (1990) and $ 6,288.75 (1991); and (6) copies of canceled checks and claimant master file from the Texas Employment Commission documenting Mr. Stafford's unemployment compensation in the amount of $ 4,774 (1990) as determined in the notice of deficiency. Petitioners also stipulated to the Federal income tax returns filed by Mrs. Stafford for 1989, 1990, and 1993 on which she reported income in the amounts of $ 4,090, $ 10,875, and $ 6,769, respectively. The stipulated documents also include Forms W-4 signed by Mrs. Stafford (1989, 1990, and 1993) and by Mr. Stafford (1989). The above-listed documentary evidence identifies Texas as petitioners' State of residence during the tax years at issue. Texas is a community property 1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 267">*275 State. See
Summary judgment is appropriate "if the pleadings, * * * admissions, and any other acceptable materials * * * show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that a decision may be rendered as a matter of law."
However, the party opposing summary judgment may not rely upon the mere allegations or denials in his pleadings, but "must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial."
Mr. Stafford raised identical arguments regarding the BATF and a lack of implementing regulations in
The deemed stipulations in these cases establish that petitioners were married and residents of Texas, a community property State, during the tax years at issue. Thus, on the facts here presented, each petitioner is liable for the tax on his or her respective1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 267">*278 share of community property income. See
Moreover, every item of income that respondent determined was received by each petitioner individually is supported by documentation to which petitioners are deemed to have stipulated, including the Federal income tax returns filed by Mrs. Stafford reporting wage income earned in her individual capacity. Statements in a tax return are admissions.
Mrs. Stafford is deemed to have stipulated that she failed to report her share of community property income on her 1989, 1990, and 1993 Federal income tax returns and that she filed no income tax returns in 1991 and 1992. Mr. Stafford is deemed to have stipulated that he failed to file Federal income tax returns for all years at issue. Consequently, the records in these cases amply support respondent's determinations of the amounts of income that petitioners received in their individual capacities, the years of receipt, and petitioners' 1997 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 267">*280 liabilities for their respective shares of community property income.
Finally, petitioners are deemed to have stipulated that the IRA distribution Mr. Stafford received in 1990 was an early distribution to which a 10-percent penalty applies. 4
Accordingly, there is no genuine issue of material fact as to the deficiencies, and a decision may be rendered as a matter of law. Respondent's motion for summary judgment as to this issue with respect to both Mr. and Mrs. Stafford will be granted.
Accordingly, no genuine issue of material fact remains regarding the
The
Petitioners are advised of the provisions of
1. Unless otherwise indicated, all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure. All section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the years at issue.↩
2. Mrs. Stafford's petition recites that she was unaware of her obligation to report her share of community property income although she did not raise this point in response to respondent's motion for summary judgment or in any other filings with the Court. In any event, it is well settled that, under the circumstances here presented, one spouse is required to report as income his or her share of the other spouse's earnings. See
3. The Internal Revenue Code of 1954 was enacted by the 83d Congress on Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 3. The Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as heretofore, hereby, or hereafter amended was redesignated as the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by the 99th Congress on Oct. 22, 1986, Pub. L. 99-514, sec. 2(a), 100 Stat. 2095.↩
4. See sec. 72(t)(1).↩
5. Respondent determined in the notice of deficiency with respect to Mrs. Stafford that all or part of the underpayment for 1990 and 1991 is due to negligence or intentional disregard of rules or regulations.↩