DocketNumber： Docket No. 15433-16S.
Citation Numbers： 2017 T.C. Summary Opinion 77, 2017 Tax Ct. Summary LEXIS 77
Judges： PANUTHOS
Filed Date： 10/3/2017
Status： Non-Precedential
Modified Date： 11/21/2020
Decision will be entered for respondent.
PANUTHOS,
Petitioner seeks review under
The issue for decision is whether petitioner is entitled to relief from joint and several liability under
Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. The stipulation of facts and the accompanying exhibits are incorporated herein by this reference. Petitioner resided in California when his petition was timely filed.
Petitioner and Colleen Harris began residing together in January 2012. Petitioner and Mrs. Harris*78 were married on December 21, 2012, and at the time of trial continued to reside together as husband and wife. They consult with each other in financial matters, and each contributes to the household finances. They have separate bank accounts, in addition to their two shared bank accounts, and they pay household bills using all of these bank accounts.
Petitioner has a real estate license and an insurance license and has completed some college credits. At the time of trial petitioner worked in the insurance industry, primarily in group health insurance. During 2012 petitioner was employed by three separate companies, earning wages totaling $3,877. Petitioner also received nonemployee compensation of $3,074 from Global Contact Solutions, LLC, which was reported to him on a Form 1099-MISC.
Petitioner and Mrs. Harris electronically filed a timely joint 2012 Form 1040 on April 15, 2013. Petitioner's occupation was listed as "sales", and Mrs. Harris' occupation was listed as "securities/compliance". The 2012 Form 1040 reported petitioner's wages of $3,877 and Mrs. Harris' income from three Schedules C, Profit or Loss From Business, totaling $71,684.*79 3 Petitioner and Mrs. Harris reported total tax of $7,649 and Federal income tax withheld of $154. When they filed their return they made an additional payment of $3,200, resulting in unpaid tax of $4,295.4
Petitioner and Mrs. Harris were both involved in the preparation of the 2012 tax return. Mrs. Harris input the data for the return, and petitioner provided documents, discussed with her the issues relating to the preparation of the return, and reviewed and approved the return before it was filed.
When petitioner and Mrs. Harris filed the 2012 Form 1040, petitioner knew that there was an amount of unpaid tax for 2012.
Petitioner and Mrs. Harris timely prepared and filed joint Federal income tax returns for tax years 2013 through 2016, reporting income as follows:
| 2013 | $14,371 | $106,410 |
| 2014 | (1) | 130,084 |
| 2015 | 37,450 | 211,266 |
| 2016 | 46,883 | 169,852 |
1Petitioner's income for 2014 was not made a part of the record.
In 2015 the IRS conducted a review of unreported income for petitioner and Mrs. Harris' taxable year 2013. The IRS determined that their adjusted gross income for 2013 was $150,707 instead of $106,410*80 as originally reported on their 2013 Form 1040. On August 6, 2015, petitioner and Mrs. Harris made an advance payment of $8,560 for the additional tax owed for 2013. On September 21, 2015, the IRS assessed for taxable year 2013: (1) additional income tax of $15,988 and (2) an accuracy-related penalty of $1,371.
Petitioner testified that the assessment was the result of Mrs. Harris' receiving a distribution from a retirement account in 2013, which they did not properly report as taxable income on their 2013 Form 1040 because they are "laymen". Petitioner also testified that when "it was brought to our attention we did adjust the payment promptly."
Before her marriage to petitioner, Mrs. Harris filed Federal income tax returns for taxable years 2007 through 2011 with a filing status of single. Mrs. Harris, who was working as an independent contractor for Guardian Life Insurance, did not have any Federal income tax withheld on this income. Since there was no income tax withholding and/or estimated tax payments, there was a balance due on each of the returns for taxable years 2007 through 2011.5 Mrs. Harris did not remit payment with her returns for taxable*81 years 2007 through 2011, and for each of these years after the filing of the return she requested an installment agreement. The IRS initially granted Mrs. Harris' request for an installment agreement for each year, but each of these installment agreements was subsequently terminated because she did not have sufficient income tax withholding or estimated tax payments in the subsequent year.
When the joint 2012 Form 1040 was filed on April 15, 2013, petitioner knew about Mrs. Harris' underpayments of tax and failed installment agreements for taxable years 2007 through 2011 and that she still had balances due for those years and was in the process of applying for an offer-in-compromise (OIC).
Mrs. Harris submitted a Form 656, Offer in Compromise, for taxable years 2007 through 2012, signed and dated May 23, 2013, which the IRS received on June 10, 2013. She offered a $5,000 lump-sum payment to compromise the total balance due for all six years, stating that she could not afford to pay the entire amount because "[t]he amount owed is so great that I will not be able to pay my monthly obligations" such as rent, utilities, and groceries. Mrs. Harris also stated that she would use a distribution*82 from her
For reasons unclear from the record, petitioner was not included as an applicant on Mrs. Harris' Form 656 or the addendum despite the fact that she included the 2012 joint income tax liability in her offers.
After the IRS accepted Mrs. Harris' OIC, it then made a separate assessment of the balance due for 2012 against petitioner. Petitioner submitted to respondent four separate Forms 656-L, Offer in Compromise (Doubt as to Liability), on October 26, November 30, and December 22, 2014, and January 19, 2015, respectively. In each Form*83 656-L petitioner offered either zero or $1 to compromise the liability and asserted that the tax could not be assessed against him because the 2012 liability had been included in Mrs. Harris' OIC, which the IRS had accepted. The IRS subsequently denied each of petitioner's applications for an OIC, stating that he did not raise an "issue regarding the accuracy or correctness of your tax liability."
On March 19, 2015, the IRS received petitioner's Form 8857, Request for Innocent Spouse Relief. In his Form 8857 petitioner asserted that initially Mrs. Harris was working with the IRS in finalizing her OIC for only her separate liabilities for taxable years 2007 through 2011 and that "it was advised that she include the balance of our unpaid 2012 tax liability". Petitioner also asserted that the Form 656 that Mrs. Harris filed "should have included my name as my information was used in the worksheets and assessments". In the financial statement section of the Form 8857 petitioner listed total monthly income of $10,666 and total monthly expenses totaling $9,180. Petitioner listed the following assets: (1) a vehicle with a fair market value of $15,000 and a note with a balance of $20,000 and*84 (2) cash in his bank accounts totaling $286. Petitioner did not provide documentation or other evidence to substantiate the amounts listed on his Form 8857 or his assertion that his income was included in determining Mrs. Harris' eligibility for an OIC.
The IRS issued a final Appeals determination, dated May 18, 2016, denying petitioner's request for relief from joint and several liability. Petitioner timely filed a petition in which he asserted that "[t]he original offer in compromise was directed incorrectly when originally filed. My income & debts were used in determination of ability to pay." On August 25, 2016, respondent issued a notice of filing of petition and right to intervene to the nonrequesting spouse, Mrs. Harris, who chose not to intervene in this case.
Generally, married taxpayers may elect to file a joint Federal income tax return.
Where, as here, the liability arises from an underpayment of tax reported as due on the return, relief from joint and several liability is available only under
Petitioner, as the requesting spouse, bears the burden of proving that he is entitled to relief under
The revenue procedure lists seven threshold conditions, all of which a spouse must meet to qualify for relief under
Once the threshold requirements have been satisfied, the Commissioner considers whether the requesting spouse qualifies for streamlined relief.
In the absence of a streamlined relief determination, the Commissioner conducts a fact-specific inquiry to determine whether it "is inequitable to hold an individual liable for all or part of any*87 unpaid tax or deficiency arising from a joint return."
We consult these guidelines when reviewing the Commissioner's denial of relief, but we are not bound by them as our analysis and determination ultimately turn on an evaluation of all the facts and circumstances.
A critical inquiry for this case is whether petitioner either knew or had reason to know that the liability shown on the 2012 Form 1040 would not be paid. Petitioner reviewed the 2012 Form 1040 before it was filed*88 and was aware that he and Mrs. Harris did not remit sufficient payment with the return. Petitioner did not sign the 2012 Form 1040 under duress. Additionally, before the filing of the joint 2012 Form 1040, petitioner was aware that Mrs. Harris (1) had a history of not paying her income tax liabilities when due, (2) currently had outstanding liabilities for tax years 2007 through 2011, and (3) was applying for an OIC. This factor does not weigh in petitioner's favor.
Another critical inquiry is whether failure to grant relief would cause petitioner economic hardship. Respondent asserts that petitioner has not shown that he will suffer economic hardship if relief is not granted. Petitioner asserts that he and Mrs. Harris have "simple finances" and that not granting him relief would cause hardship.
The Commissioner explains in
In addition, the IRS considers the requesting spouse's current income, including how the requesting spouse's income compares to Federal poverty guidelines, and assets in comparison with his or her expenses.
At trial petitioner testified that he and Mrs. Harris had purchased a house in the last year6 and that their only other assets are their vehicles and modest amounts in their bank accounts, including a savings account with a current balance of $1,600.7 Petitioner also testified that he and Mrs. Harris do not keep balances on their credit cards and that their current debts are the mortgage on their home, a note on their vehicle with a balance of approximately $19,000, and the 2012 outstanding tax liability.
Petitioner and Mrs. Harris had household income of $169,852 for 2016 and, assuming a similar income level for 2017, this amount is greater than $40,600, which is 250% of the applicable Federal poverty line amount.8 Petitioner is 50 years old, remains employed, and estimates that his income level for 2017 will be similar to his income level for 2016.9 Considering the amounts listed on his Form 8857, petitioner's monthly*91 income exceeds monthly expenses by $1,486 ($10,666 − $9,180 = $1,486). Petitioner also asserts that he owns a home and a vehicle and has funds available in his separate and joint bank accounts, all of which are available to satisfy the outstanding liability. Petitioner has not provided bank account statements, mortgage statements, or other documents or evidence to support his assertions about his income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
Considering all the facts and circumstances, petitioner also has not met his burden to prove that, on the basis of his current income, assets, and liabilities, he would suffer economic hardship if relief were not granted.
We find that the remaining five factors set forth in
Additionally, although he and Mrs. Harris timely filed their income tax returns for tax years 2013 through 2016, they did not report (1) petitioner's income from his Form 1099-MISC on their joint 2012 Form 1040 and (2) Mrs. Harris' retirement distribution on their joint 2013 Form 1040.
Petitioner further asserts that it is inequitable to hold him liable for the 2012 liability because he should have been a party to the OIC. Petitioner testified that Mrs. Harris originally planned to include only taxable years 2007 through 2011 on her Form 656 and then someone at the IRS suggested: "[S]ince she's got a balance, we can roll everything all together and take care of 2012 as well." Petitioner asserts that he should have been included on the application for the OIC because the IRS considered the total household income to compute Mrs. Harris' eligibility for an OIC and that his inclusion in the application was discussed with representatives from the IRS. Petitioner's*93 assertions seem reasonable since the OIC was submitted after the filing of the joint 2012 Form 1040.
The Secretary may compromise any civil or criminal case arising under the internal revenue laws.
Petitioner was not an applicant on Mrs. Harris' Form 656.10 Thus, when the IRS accepted the offer as set forth in Mrs. Harris' Form 656 and addendum, only her liability for taxable year 2012 was compromised. Because petitioner and Mrs. Harris elected joint filing status for their 2012 Form 1040, the entire 2012 liability could still be assessed against him once the IRS accepted Mrs. Harris' OIC and she was relieved from liability.*94
Considering the circumstances of Mrs. Harris' OIC, we are not persuaded that petitioner is entitled to relief under
The Court further notes that under "Offer Terms" on page 4 of the Form 656 signed and submitted by Mrs. Harris, the terms listed for an OIC include the following: I am submitting an offer as an individual for a joint liability * * * I understand if the liability sought to be compromised is the joint and individual liability of myself and my co-obligor(s) and I am submitting this offer to compromise my individual liability*95 only, then if this offer is accepted, it does not release or discharge my coobligor( s) from liability. The United States still reserves all rights of collection against the co-obligor(s).
On the basis of the record before the Court, we conclude that petitioner is not entitled to relief under
We are not unsympathetic to petitioner's plight;11 however, we are bound by the statute as written and the accompanying regulations when consistent therewith.
To reflect the foregoing,
1. Unless otherwise indicated, subsequent section references are to the Internal Revenue Code (Code) in effect at all relevant times, and all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.↩
2. The Court uses the term "IRS" to refer to administrative actions taken outside of these proceedings. The Court uses the term "respondent" to refer to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, who is the head of the IRS and is respondent in this case, and to refer to actions taken in connection with this case.↩
3. The record reflects that petitioner did not report his nonemployee compensation of $3,074 on the 2012 Form 1040. It does not appear that the IRS made any adjustments with respect to this unreported income.↩
4. Additionally, on April 10, 2015, the California Franchise Tax Board sent to the IRS petitioner's California State income tax overpayment of $1,950 and the IRS applied this overpayment against the balance of tax due for 2012.↩
5. The parties stipulated that although Mrs. Harris "received a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement annually from Guardian Life Insurance, she was an independent contractor for the company" and that "due to insufficient federal tax withholdings" she owed Federal income tax for taxable years 2007 through 2011. The record does not reflect balances due for Mrs. Harris' taxable years 2007 through 2011.↩
6. Petitioner testified that purchase price for the house was $520,000 and the current balance on the mortgage is $507,000.↩
7. Petitioner testified about the current balances of his bank accounts, estimating that "I think one of them has got $15 * * * another $300 on the shared accounts, and then I think I'm $29 in my personal checking right now, and $1,600 in my personal savings." Petitioner did not provide bank account statements or other evidence to support his testimony.↩
8. The parties stipulated the applicable Federal poverty guidelines. The applicable Federal poverty line amount for 2017 for a household of two persons living in the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia is $16,240. $16,240 x 250% = $40,600.↩
9. Petitioner also asserts that because he earned only $6,951 ($3,877 reported wages % $3,074 unreported nonemployee income) for 2012, if he had filed a separate tax return he would not have owed income tax. As discussed, the relevant inquiry to determine relief under
10. Although petitioner submitted four separate Forms 656-L, he is not seeking review of the IRS' determination to reject these offers. As previously discussed, petitioner has not raised the issue of the correctness or accuracy of the 2012 tax liability; instead he has raised only the issues of (1) whether the IRS' acceptance of Mrs. Harris' OIC relieves him from his joint and several liability for the 2012 unpaid tax and (2) whether he is eligible for relief from joint and several liability under
11. It appears that petitioner did not realize the legal implications of electing joint filing status for 2012 combined with the failure to include himself as an applicant on Mrs. Harris' Form 656 and addendum. Petitioner testified that he and Mrs. Harris elected joint filing status for their 2012 Form 1040 because it was "appropriate to our end of the year end status." Mrs. Harris did not testify, and some of the circumstances surrounding the OIC, including the specific advice she received from IRS employees while preparing her Form 656 and addendum, are unclear. It certainly would have been reasonable and appropriate for the IRS to advise Mrs. Harris of the possible consequences of submitting an OIC without petitioner as an applicant when a joint return was filed for 2012.