David K. Winterroth v. Commissioner.
U.S. Tax Court, Dkt. No. 13833-12, TC Memo. 2014-28, February 12, 2014.
[Appealable, barring stipulation to the contrary, to CA-9.—CCH.]
[ Code Sec. 61]
Gross income: Wages: Deficiencies.–
An individual was liable for taxes on unreported wages received from his employer. The IRS showed that the taxpayer had received wage income, as well as a distribution from an IRA. The IRS issued deficiencies for the years at issue and the taxpayer was liable for the tax on that income.—CCH.
[ Code Secs. 6651, 6654 and 6673]
Penalties, civil: Additions to tax: Failure to file returns: Failure to pay tax: Failure to pay estimated tax: Frivolous arguments.–
An individual was subject to additions to tax for failure to file returns and failure to pay taxes. His failure was due to willful neglect and not reasonable cause. Further, the taxpayer persistently raised frivolous arguments, despite warnings by the court, and so was liable for a penalty for instituting proceedings primarily for purposes of delay. Finally, the taxpayer was liable for a penalty for failure to pay estimated tax for one year, but not for another year, since he was not shown to have a tax obligation for the year prior to the one at issue.—CCH.
David K. Winterroth, pro se; Fred Edward Green, Jr., for respondent.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
FOLEY, Judge: The issues for decision are whether petitioner is liable for income tax deficiencies relating to 2008, 2009, and 2010 (years in issue); [*2] additions to tax pursuant to sections 6651(a)(1) and (2) and 6654; and a section 6673 penalty. 1
FINDINGS OF FACT
In 2008, 2009, and 2010 petitioner received wages from Republic Services of $57,519, $58,593, and $58,479, respectively. In 2009, petitioner received an individual retirement account (IRA) distribution of $2,000. Petitioner did not file Federal income tax returns or pay taxes relating to the years in issue, and respondent prepared substitutes for returns (SFRs) relating to these years. On February 27, 2012, respondent sent petitioner a notice of deficiency and determined deficiencies of $8,488, $8,794, and $8,063 relating to 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively. In addition, respondent determined that petitioner was liable for section 6651(a)(1) and (2) additions to tax relating to the years in issue and section 6654 additions to tax relating to 2008 and 2009. On May 31, 2012, petitioner, while residing in Nevada, timely filed a petition with the Court. At trial, on October 30, 2013, respondent moved for the imposition of a section 6673 penalty.
[*3] OPINION
Petitioner contends that he has no Federal income tax liability but admits that he received from Republic Services compensation of $57,519, $58,593, and $58,479 relating to 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively. 2 In addition, respondent established that petitioner received an IRA distribution of $2,000 relating to 2009. See Weimerskirch v. Commissioner, 596 F.2d 358, 360-362 (9th Cir. 1979) (holding that the Commissioner's determination relating to unreported income is presumed correct where it is supported by a “minimal evidentiary foundation”), rev'g 67 T.C. 672 (1977). Therefore, petitioner had income of $57,519, $60,593, and $58,479 relating to 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively, and was required to file tax returns relating to these years. See secs. 61(a), 6011(a), 6012(a).
Section 6651(a)(1) and (2) provides that a taxpayer shall be liable for additions to tax for failure to timely file a return and failure to timely pay tax, unless it is shown that such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. Pursuant to section 7491(c), respondent bears the burden of production [*4] relating to these additions to tax. See Higbee v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. 438, 446 (2001). Respondent established that petitioner failed to file his returns and failed to pay the amounts shown on the 2008, 2009, and 2010 SFRs. See sec. 7491(c); Wheeler v. Commissioner, 127 T.C. 200, 206 (2006), aff'd, 521 F.3d 1289 (10th Cir. 2008). Petitioner's failure to timely file returns and timely pay his tax liabilities was the result of willful neglect and not reasonable cause. See sec. 6651(a)(1) and (2). Accordingly, he is liable for these additions to tax. See id.
Respondent further determined that petitioner was liable for section 6654 additions to tax relating to 2008 and 2009. To satisfy his burden of production, respondent must establish that petitioner was required, pursuant to section 6654(d)(1)(B), to make annual payments. 3 See Wheeler v. Commissioner, 127 T.C. at 211. Respondent failed to establish that petitioner had a 2007 tax liability and thus did not establish that petitioner was obligated to make a 2008 payment. See id. With respect to 2009, however, respondent met his burden (i.e., he established that petitioner did not file a 2008 return and was obligated, but failed, to make the 2009 requisite payment). Accordingly, petitioner is not liable for a [*5] section 6654 addition to tax relating to 2008 but is liable for a section 6654 addition to tax relating to 2009.
Petitioner instituted this proceeding primarily for delay and, despite this Court's warnings, persistently asserted frivolous contentions. We therefore impose a $10,000section 6673(a)(1) penalty.
Contentions we have not addressed are irrelevant, moot, or meritless.
To reflect the foregoing,
An appropriate order and decision will be entered.
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