Greene v. Commissioner

RUSSELL S. GREENE, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

Greene v. Commissioner

No. 15225-98

United States Tax Court

T.C. Memo 2000-26; 2000 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 30; 79 T.C.M. 1408;

January 21, 2000., Filed

---

">*30 Decision will be entered under Rule 155.

P, maintaining that income tax could not constitutionally

   be imposed on his earnings, did not file income tax returns for

   the taxable years 1992 through 1996. R determined deficiencies

   for individual income taxes and self-employment taxes

   attributable to compensation, interest, dividends, and capital

   gain received by P. R further determined an addition to tax

   under sec. 6651(a), I.R.C., for failure to file.

     HELD: P is subject to Federal income tax statutes and is

   liable for the deficiencies determined by R.

     HELD, FURTHER, P is liable for the sec. 6651(a), I.R.C.,

   delinquency addition to tax for failure to file.

     HELD, FURTHER, on the Court's own motion, P is liable for a

   penalty in the amount of $ 1,000, pursuant to sec. 6673(a),

   I.R.C., for asserting a frivolous and groundless position in

   this proceeding.

">*31 Russell S. Greene, pro se.

Mark A. Weiner, for respondent.

Nims, Arthur L., III

---

NIMS

">*32 MEMORANDUM OPINION

NIMS, JUDGE: Respondent determined the following deficiencies and additions to tax with respect to petitioner's Federal income taxes for the taxable years 1992 through 1996:

   Taxable     Income Tax      Addition to Tax

   Year      Deficiency      Sec. 6651(a)(1)

   _______     __________      _______________

   1992      $ 4,494          $ 1,020

   1993       3,757            730

   1994       9,079           2,180

   1995       7,764           1,914

   1996       7,121           1,378

After concessions, the issues remaining for decision are:

(1) Whether petitioner failed to report income from wages, nonemployee compensation, interest, dividends, and capital gain upon which petitioner">*33 is liable for individual Federal income taxes;

(2) whether petitioner is liable for self-employment taxes pursuant to section 1401 on income earned in the form of nonemployee compensation; and

(3) whether petitioner is liable for the section 6651(a)(1) addition to tax for failure to timely file income tax returns for the taxable years 1992 through 1996.

Unless otherwise indicated, all section references are to sections of the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the years in issue, and all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.

This case was submitted fully stipulated, and the facts are so found. The stipulations of the parties, with accompanying exhibit, are incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Russell S. Greene resided in Oxnard, California, at the time of filing his petition in this case. Petitioner maintains that he is not subject to Federal income taxes. He did not file tax returns for the taxable years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996. He stipulated, however, to having received income from the following sources, in the amounts and of the types stated:

        Payor &     1992   1993   1994   1995   1996

      ">*34   (Type)      ____   ____   ____   ____   ____

       of Income

       _________

Ventura County Shuttle, Inc. $ 6,712 $ 5,291  $ 308

 (wages)

Survival Systems Staffing        9,134 35,976

 Center

 (wages)

St. Bernarine of Siena Church       600  1,800 $ 1,000

 (wages)

Sandra Jo Ann Nickerson                21,249 $ 25,943

 (wages)

Padre Serra Parish        2,955

 (nonemployee compensation)

St. Maximilian Kolbe Church       1,600  5,585   8,000   9,540

 (nonemployee compensation)

Patrick McDonald, Paddy Music              850

 (nonemployee compensation)

St. Judes Catholic Church               2,900

 (nonemployee compensation)

Chesne Boren Music                    850

 (nonemployee compensation)

Bank of America           18

 (interest)

Atlantic Financial Federal     33

 Savings Bank

 (interest)

Jobee Development Company        1,125   800   2,250   1,012

 (dividend)

Marvin Goodson, Alvin Duras --   916

 Co-Trustees

 (capital gain)

The amounts listed above as wages and nonemployee compensation were paid to petitioner in consideration ">*35 of contractual services performed by him. The amounts identified as interest, dividend, and capital gain were likewise received by petitioner as personal earnings.

DISCUSSION

Petitioner contends that Federal income tax statutes, including sections 1, 3, 61, and 1401, may not constitutionally be applied to a private independent contractor or citizen such as himself. He argues that to subject persons who are not employees of a Government-created or -sanctioned entity to the tax laws both contravenes the language of the statutes and constitutes a violation of due process. He additionally claims that, because he is contesting the power to tax rather than the amount of tax, the burden of proof in this matter should rest upon respondent.

Conversely, respondent asserts that income received by petitioner is taxable pursuant to the explicit terms of the Internal Revenue Code. Respondent further contends that petitioner's constitutional arguments are without merit, and, as petitioner has presented no other evidence rebutting the determinations made by respondent, the deficiencies and additions to tax should be sustained.

We agree with respondent that the Federal income tax statutes are properly">*36 applicable to petitioner. We therefore conclude that petitioner is liable for the deficiencies as determined by respondent and that petitioner's failure to file income tax returns justifies imposing the delinquency addition to tax.

As a threshold matter, we observe that petitioner's efforts to shift the burden of proof to respondent on constitutional grounds are meritless. The burden of proof rests on the taxpayer, except in certain situations not relevant here. See Rule 142(a). Furthermore, this burden of proof has been uniformly applied, regardless of whether the taxpayer's arguments addressed the amount or the constitutionality of the tax. See, e.g., Larsen v. Commissioner, 765 F.2d 939">765 F.2d 939, 765 F.2d 939">941 (9th Cir. 1985); Abrams v. Commissioner, 82 T.C. 403">82 T.C. 403, 82 T.C. 403">405 (1984); Kish v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1998-16; Minguske v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1997-573; Frami v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1997-509; Fisher v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1996-277.

As a general rule, sections 1 and 3 impose a Federal tax on the taxable income of every individual. ">*37 Section 61(a) defines gross income for purposes of calculating such taxable income as "all income from whatever source derived" and specifies that compensation for services, gains from dealings in property, interest, and dividends are included within this broad definition. See sec. 61(a)(1), (3), (4), (7).

Section 1401 then imposes an additional tax on the self- employment income of every individual, both for old age, survivors, and disability insurance and for hospital insurance. The term "self- employment income" denotes "net earnings from self-employment". Sec. 1402(b). "Net earnings from self-employment", in turn, means "the gross income derived by an individual from any trade or business carried on by such individual, less the deductions allowed by this subtitle which are attributable to such trade or business". Sec. 1402(a).

Petitioner contends that private independent contractors and citizens are not properly included within the meaning of "individual" or "person" as used in the tax code and that to treat them as such contravenes the principles of due process. In petitioner's view, only employees of Government-created or Government-sanctioned entities may constitutionally be">*38 subjected to individual income tax. Under petitioner's theory, the prohibited disparity results from taxing those whose income derives in some way from a legislatively authorized entity in the same manner as those who do not receive a similar benefit.

This Court has repeatedly held taxpayers to be liable for taxes on income accruing from self-employment, sole proprietorship, or nonemployee activities, despite the tax protester rhetoric advanced in contending for the opposite result. See, e.g., Kish v. Commissioner, supra; Minguske v. Commissioner, supra; Frami v. Commissioner, supra; Fisher v. Commissioner, supra. Arguments by such individuals that they do not hold the status of "taxpayer" or "person" within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code have been summarily dismissed as well. See, e.g., Kish v. Commissioner, supra; Fisher v. Commissioner, supra.

Petitioner's position is untenable. Since petitioner has offered no further evidence establishing that respondent's determinations are erroneous, we hold that petitioner">*39 is liable for the deficiencies as determined by respondent.

In addition, section 6651(a) provides, in relevant part, as follows:

SEC. 6651. FAILURE TO FILE TAX RETURN OR TO PAY TAX.

   (a) Addition to the Tax. -- In case of failure --

        (1) to file any return required under authority of

     subchapter A of chapter 61 * * * , on the date prescribed

     therefor (determined with regard to any extension of time

     for filing), unless it is shown that such failure is due to

     reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, there

     shall be added to the amount required to be shown as tax on

     such return 5 percent of the amount of such tax if the

     failure is for not more than 1 month, with an additional 5

     percent for each additional month or fraction thereof

     during which such failure continues, not exceeding 25

     percent in the aggregate.

The Supreme Court has characterized the foregoing section as imposing a civil penalty to ensure timely filing of tax returns and as placing on the taxpayer "the heavy burden of proving both (1) that the failure did not result from 'willful neglect,' and">*40 (2) that the failure was 'due to reasonable cause'", in order to escape the penalty. United States v. Boyle, 469 U.S. 241">469 U.S. 241, 469 U.S. 241">245, 83 L. Ed. 2d 622">83 L. Ed. 2d 622, 105 S. Ct. 687">105 S. Ct. 687 (1985). "Willful neglect" denotes "a conscious, intentional failure or reckless indifference." Id. "Reasonable cause" correlates to "ordinary business care and prudence". 469 U.S. 241">Id. at 246 & n.4; sec. 301.6651-1(c)(1), Proced. & Admin. Regs.

Here, petitioner did not file tax returns in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, or 1996. Furthermore, he has offered no reason for this failure to file other than his belief that income tax could not constitutionally be imposed on his earnings. In light of the extensive authority rejecting similar arguments, we conclude that petitioner's failure to file was not due to reasonable cause. We therefore hold that petitioner is liable for the section 6651(a) delinquency addition to tax.

Finally, section 6673(a) authorizes this Court to impose a penalty on its own motion and reads in pertinent part:

SEC. 6673. SANCTIONS AND COSTS AWARDED BY COURTS.

   (a) Tax Court Proceedings.--

     (1) Procedures instituted primarily for delay, etc. --

   Whenever it appears to the Tax Court">*41 that --

        (A) proceedings before it have been instituted or

     maintained by the taxpayer primarily for delay,

        (B) the taxpayer's position in such proceeding is

     frivolous or groundless, or

        (C) the taxpayer unreasonably failed to pursue

     available administrative remedies,

   the Tax Court, in its decision, may require the taxpayer to pay

   to the United States a penalty not in excess of $ 25,000.

On this record, we find that petitioner's position is frivolous and groundless. The body of case law unequivocally upholding the constitutionality of the income tax statues and rejecting countless tax protester challenges thereto leaves petitioner's contentions without merit or support. Accordingly, a penalty is awarded to the United States in the amount of $ 1,000.

To reflect the foregoing,

Decision will be entered under Rule 155.