2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 277">*277 Respondent's motion for summary judgment granted. Judgment entered for respondent.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
LARO, Judge: Petitioners, 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
Petitioners filed joint Federal income tax returns for 1994 and 1995 reflecting refunds for both years. These returns were later audited, and on or about April 19, 1999, respondent assessed income tax deficiencies and related penalties and interest against petitioners with respect2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 277">*278 to 1994 and 1995. Petitioners failed to pay fully the amounts assessed and in February 2000 ceased making monthly payments of $ 2,500 per month as mandated by an installment payment agreement. On or about May 7, 2001, respondent issued to petitioners 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, petitioners submitted a Form 12153, Request For A Collection Due Process Hearing. On January 10, 2002, petitioners submitted an offer in compromise and a collection information statement in connection with their request for a hearing. Respondent's Appeal officer determined that the offer in compromise should not be accepted because the offer and supporting financial information were incomplete. Petitioners did not provide the complete information. On January 17, 2002, a hearing was held between respondent's Appeals officer and petitioners' counsel Judy E. Hamilton. In connection with the hearing, the Appeals officer reviewed Internal Revenue Service transcripts of account for petitioners' 1994 and 1995 income tax liabilities.
On April 12, 2002, respondent sent petitioners2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 277">*279 a Notice of Determination Concerning Collection Action(s) Under
On July 11, 2003, respondent moved for summary adjudication on all issues presented in this case. On August 20, 2003, petitioners filed with the Court a reply to that motion.
Discussion
Summary judgment is intended to expedite litigation2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 277">*280 and avoid unnecessary and expensive trials.
As will be shown in the discussion that follows, petitioners 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. Petitioners' reply was2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 277">*281 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 consider "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, petitioners do 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 petitioners' account.
The Appeals officer satisfied the second requirement by considering the issues raised by petitioners. The only issue raised by petitioners was their inability to pay the liability in full and, in that regard, petitioners requested that they 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. Petitioners failed to submit a properly completed Form 656, Offer in Compromise, and the required financial information for the consideration of their request.
2003 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 277">*284 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. Petitioners failed to provide the information required in order to consider an alternative collection action.
Throughout the proceeding, petitioners' conduct demonstrates propensity to delay the collection of their 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 petitioners did receive a hearing under
Regarding petitioners' 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 the 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.