2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 296">*296 Respondent's motion for summary judgment granted.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
LARO, Judge: Petitioner, while residing in Murrieta, California, petitioned the Court under
We shall grant respondent's motion for summary judgment. Section references are to the applicable versions of the Internal Revenue Code. Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Background
Petitioner filed a delinquent Federal income tax return for 1989. Respondent sent a notice of deficiency to petitioner with respect to his income tax liability for that year. Petitioner then petitioned the Court contesting his liability specified in the notice of deficiency. Because the petition was2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 296">*297 not filed within the time prescribed by
On or about April 18, 1994, an income tax deficiency and related penalties and interest were assessed against petitioner with respect to 1989. Petitioner failed to pay fully the amounts assessed. On or about May 7, 2001, respondent issued to petitioner a letter entitled "Final Notice -Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing Under
On or about June 8, 2001, petitioner submitted a Form 12153, Request For A Collection Due Process Hearing. On January 10, 2002, petitioner submitted an offer in compromise and a collection information statement in connection with his request for a hearing. Respondent's Appeals officer determined that the offer in compromise should not be accepted because the offer and supporting financial information were incomplete. Petitioner did not comply with the Appeals officer's request to provide the complete information. On January 17, 2002, a hearing was held between respondent's Appeals officer and petitioner's counsel Judy E. Hamilton. In connection with the hearing, the Appeals officer reviewed2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 296">*298 Internal Revenue Service transcripts of account for petitioner's 1989 tax liability.
On April 12, 2002, respondent sent petitioner a Notice of Determination Concerning Collection Action(s) under
On July 8, 2002, respondent filed with the Court a Motion2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 296">*299 to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and to Strike as to Trust Fund Recovery Penalty Liabilities on the basis that the Court did not have jurisdiction under
On July 11, 2003, respondent moved for summary adjudication as to the remaining issues. On August 20, 2003, petitioner filed with the Court a reply to that motion.
Discussion
Summary judgment is intended to expedite litigation and avoid unnecessary and expensive trials.
As will be shown in the discussion that follows, petitioner has raised no genuine issue as to any material fact. Respondent supported his motion for summary judgment with the pleadings, exhibits, and an affidavit of one of his attorneys. Petitioner's reply was supported by materials not responsive to the merits of respondent's motion. The reply also did not set forth any specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial. We view "the pleadings, answers to interrogatories, depositions, admissions, and any other acceptable materials, together with the affidavits", and find no genuine issue as to any material fact.
Under
Here, petitioner does not dispute the existence or the amount of an underlying tax liability. Therefore, the proper standard for our review of respondent's determination is abuse of discretion. Under
Here, the Appeals officer addressed all these matters. He satisfied the first requirement by reviewing the Internal Revenue Service transcripts of petitioner's account.
The Appeals officer satisfied the second requirement by considering the issues raised by petitioner. 2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 296">*303 The only issue raised by petitioner was his inability to pay the liability in full, and, in that regard, petitioner requested that he be allowed to satisfy the liability through an offer in compromise. The Appeals officer addressed this request by reviewing the information submitted, explaining that it was incomplete, and asking for additional information. Petitioner failed to submit a properly completed Form 656, Offer in Compromise, and the required financial information for the consideration of his request.
As to the third requirement, the Appeals officer properly balanced the need for efficient collection of taxes through the proposed levy against the concern that any collection action be no more intrusive than necessary. Petitioner failed to provide the information required in order to consider an alternative collection action.
Throughout the proceeding, petitioner's conduct demonstrates propensity to cause delay in collecting his outstanding tax liabilities. We sustain respondent's determination regarding the proposed levy as a permissible exercise of discretion. We note as to the allegations set forth in the petition that petitioner did receive a hearing under
Regarding the petitioner's request to refer this case to a different forum, we observe that this Court has jurisdiction over the appeal of the administrative determinations where the underlying tax liability concerns unpaid income taxes, as opposed to certain other taxes. See, e.g.,
We have considered all arguments raised by the parties and have found those arguments not discussed herein to be irrelevant and/or without merit. Accordingly,
An appropriate order and decision will be entered for respondent.