DIRKES v. COMMISSIONER

DALE I. DIRKES, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

DIRKES v. COMMISSIONER

No. 11924-98

United States Tax Court

T.C. Memo 2001-98; 2001 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 124; 81 T.C.M. (CCH) 1541;

April 24, 2001, Filed

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An order granting respondent's motion for summary judgment will be issued, and decision will be entered pursuant to

Rule 155.

Dale I. Dirkes, pro se.

Frederick W. Krieg, for respondent.

Dawson, Howard A., Jr.

Dinan, Daniel J.

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DAWSON; DINAN

MEMORANDUM OPINION

DAWSON, JUDGE: This case was assigned to Special Trial Judge Daniel J. Dinan pursuant to the provisions of section 7443A(b)(5). ¹ The Court agrees with and adopts the opinion of the Special Trial Judge, which is set forth below.

OPINION OF THE SPECIAL TRIAL JUDGE

DINAN, SPECIAL TRIAL JUDGE: This matter is before the Court on respondent's Motion for Summary Judgment filed pursuant to Rule 121(a). Petitioner filed Petitioner's Objection to Respondent's Motion for Summary Judgment. As explained below, we will grant respondent's Motion for Summary Judgment.

BACKGROUND

On April 7, 1998, respondent mailed a notice of deficiency to petitioner determining a deficiency in his Federal income tax for 1993 of $ 71,280 and additions to tax pursuant to section 6651(a)(1) and section 6654(a) of $ 13,143 and $ 2,115.63, respectively. Respondent determined that petitioner failed to timely file his income tax return for the year in issue, failed to pay estimated taxes, and failed to report the following amounts includable in income:

   Capital gain           $ 137,835

   Interest                 13

   Prior year refund            227

   Wages                103,582

Respondent also determined that petitioner was entitled to a standard deduction of $ 3,100 and that petitioner's filing status was "married filing separate return".

Petitioner timely filed his petition with the Court on July 6, 1998. In his petition, petitioner alleged, in pertinent part:

     4. The determination of the tax set forth in said notice of

   deficiency is based upon the following errors:

        A. The Commissioner has erroneously alleged that the

     petitioner received two hundred forty-one thousand, six

     hundred and fifty-seven dollars, ($ 241,657), as total

     income.

        B. The Commissioner has erroneously alleged that the

     petitioner received a capital gain of one hundred thirty-

     seven thousand, eight hundred and thirty-five dollars,

     ($ 137,835).

                 * * * * * * *

        D. The Commissioner has erroneously alleged that the

     petitioner owes a delinquency penalty pursuant to Internal

     Revenue Code section 6651(a)(1) in the amount of thirteen

     thousand, one hundred and forty-three dollars, ($ 13,143).

        E. The Commissioner has erroneously alleged that

     petitioner owes a penalty of two thousand, one hundred

     fifteen dollars and sixty-three cents ($ 2,115.63), for

     failure to file adequate quarterly estimates pursuant to

      Internal Revenue Code section 6654.

Further, petitioner alleges:

     5. The facts upon which the petitioner relies, as the basis

   of the petitioner's case, are as follows:

        A. To the best of petitioner's information, knowledge

     and belief, the petitioner's total income was approximately

     one hundred three thousand, eight hundred seventy-seven

     dollars and twenty-four cents, ($ 103,877.24). This is the

     sum of the following:

     Approximate base salary:      $ 70,174.14

     Deferred compensation plan:       224.97

     Incentive Stock Option (ISO):     33,183.75

     Interest:                 13.38

     Wages for sports officiating:       54.00

     Federal income tax refund:        227.00

                       __________

      Total               103,877.24

     See exhibits B, C, D, and E.([²])

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         C. The petitioner's failure to file federal income tax

     returns in a timely manner is NOT due to or resultant from

     willful neglect.

        D. The petitioner's failure to file federal income tax

     returns in a timely manner IS due to and resultant from

     reasonable cause.

In his Motion for Summary Judgment respondent, for the purpose of this motion, concedes the capital gain adjustment in the statutory notice of deficiency in the amount of $ 137,835 (Adjustment I.A.) and the sections 6651(a)(1) and 6654(a) additions to tax.

The statutory notice of deficiency allowed a standard deduction of $ 3,100 for 1993 (Adjustment I.D.) because petitioner had not filed a 1993 Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Subsequently, petitioner substantiated itemized deductions of $ 10,880 for an increased deduction of $ 7,780 over the statutory notice standard deduction, and respondent concedes that amount.

The statutory notice of deficiency allowed one exemption and determined that petitioner's tax liability was to be determined using "married filing separate return" tax rates. Petitioner's petition assigned no error to these determinations.

DISCUSSION

Summary judgment is appropriate "if the pleadings, answers to interrogatories, depositions, admissions, and any other acceptable materials, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that a decision may be rendered as a matter of law." Rule 121(b); Sundstrand Corp. v. Commissioner, 98 T.C. 518">98 T.C. 518, 520 (1992), affd. 17 F.3d 965">17 F.3d 965 (7th Cir. 1994); Naftel v. Commissioner, 85 T.C. 527">85 T.C. 527, 529 (1985). Summary judgment is intended to expedite litigation and avoid unnecessary and expensive trials. See Florida Peach Corp. v. Commissioner, 90 T.C. 678">90 T.C. 678, 681 (1988); Espinoza v. Commissioner, 78 T.C. 412">78 T.C. 412, 415-416 (1982). The moving party bears the burden of proving that there is no genuine issue of material fact, and factual inferences will be made in a manner most favorable to the party opposing summary judgment. See Dahlstrom v. Commissioner, 85 T.C. 812">85 T.C. 812, 821 (1985).

As previously discussed, the issues framed by the pleadings in this case are: (1) Whether petitioner failed to report capital gain of $ 137,835; (2) whether petitioner failed to report interest income of $ 13; (3) whether petitioner should have reported as income a $ 227 State tax refund; (4) whether petitioner failed to report wages of $ 103,582; (5) whether petitioner is liable for an addition to tax pursuant to section 6651(a)(1) of $ 13,143; and (6) whether petitioner is liable for an addition to tax pursuant to section 6654(a) of $ 2,115.63.

As we have stated, supra, respondent for the purpose of his motion, concedes the capital gain adjustment of $ 137,835.

Petitioner admits having received interest income of $ 13 (petition par. 5.A.).

Petitioner admits having received a (state) tax refund of $ 227 (petition par. 5.A.).

Petitioner admits having received wages of $ 103,636.86 (petition par. 5.A.). ³

Respondent concedes that petitioner is not liable for an addition to tax pursuant to section 6651(a)(1).

Respondent concedes that petitioner is not liable for an addition to tax pursuant to section 6654(a).

CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated herein, we find and hold that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact remaining for litigation in this case and that a decision may be rendered as a matter of law.

To reflect the foregoing,

An order granting respondent's motion for summary judgment will be issued, and decision will be entered pursuant to

Rule 155.

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Footnotes

• 1. Unless otherwise indicated, section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the year in issue. Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.↩

• 2. Exhibit B consists of four copies of Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, issued by MCI Communications Corp. to petitioner for 1993. These Forms W-2 show that petitioner received wages, tips and other income totaling $ 103,582.86. This amount included deferred compensation plan income of $ 224.97 and incentive stock options of $ 33,183.75. Exhibit C is a Form 1099-INT issued by Community Credit Union to petitioner for 1993 showing that he received interest income of $ 13.38. Exhibit D is a Texas Sports Officials, Inc. Officiating Pay Summary showing that petitioner was paid $ 54 in 1993. Exhibit E is a Kentucky Form 1099-G showing that petitioner received a State tax refund of $ 227 in 1993.↩

• 3. Included in petitioner's income figure of $ 103,636.86 is $ 54 for sports officiating. The $ 54 is not included in respondent's "wages" adjustment of $ 103,582, and respondent does not assert a claim for the amount.↩