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35.1.1 
Tax Court Jurisdiction and Proceedings

35.1.1.1 
(08-11-2004)
Introduction

  1. The United States Tax Court is established as a court of record under
    Article I of the Constitution by section 7441 of the Internal Revenue Code.
    The Tax Court’s jurisdiction is generally prescribed by section 7442,
    but specific grants of jurisdiction are interspersed throughout the Code.
    The procedure under which the court operates is prescribed in sections 7451
    through 7465. Pursuant to its statutory authority in section 7453, the court
    has promulgated Rules of Practice and Procedure under which it operates. Except
    in proceedings conducted under sections 7436(c) and 7463, the rules of evidence
    applicable in the Tax Court are the rules of evidence applicable in trials
    without a jury in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
    Section 7453. The specific Internal Revenue Code provisions conferring Tax
    Court jurisdiction are discussed in subsequent text.

35.1.1.2 
(08-11-2004)
Types of Proceedings

  1. The Tax Court has jurisdiction to redetermine whether deficiencies determined
    by the Commissioner are correct. The provisions of sections 6211 through 6216
    relate to deficiency proceedings.

  2. Other jurisdictional grants by Congress to the Tax Court are listed
    below (and described at CCDM 35.1.1.3 through CCDM 35.1.1.16):

    • Claims for relief from joint and several liability (section 6015(e))

    • Review of final partnership administrative adjustments (section 6226)

    • Review where an administrative adjustment request is not allowed in full
      (section 6228)

    • Review of partnership adjustments of a large partnership (section 6247)

    • Review where an administrative adjustment request is not allowed in full
      for a large partnership (section 6252)

    • Redetermination of interest on deficiencies or overpayments determined
      by the Tax Court (section 7481(c))

    • Interest abatement claims (section 6404(i))

    • Actions for administrative costs (section 7430(f)(2))

    • Enforcement of overpayment decision by the Tax Court if not refunded by
      the Service within 120 days after the decision of the court has become final
      (section 6512(b)(2))

    • Modification of final decision in an estate tax case to reflect interest
      paid pursuant to section 6166 (section 7481(d))

    • Review of the reasonableness and appropriateness of a jeopardy assessment
      where taxpayer has petitioned the Tax Court to redetermine a deficiency (section 7429(b)(2)(B))

    • Review of sale by the Service of seized property pending decision by the
      Tax Court in a deficiency proceeding (section 6863(b)(3)(C))

    • Review of collection due process cases (sections 6320 & 6330)

    • Disclosure actions (section 6110(f)(3))

  3. See CCDM 35.1.1.18 for other proceedings in the Tax Court involving
    various declaratory judgments and worker classification cases under section
    7436 where Congress has given specific grants of jurisdiction to the Tax Court.

35.1.1.3 
(08-11-2004)
Claims for Relief from Joint and Several Liability

  1. Section 6015(e) grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to determine relief
    from joint and several liability under section 6015. The Tax Court has jurisdiction
    to determine relief from joint and several liability under section 6015
    when a petitioner raises a claim for relief under this section in several
    contexts, e.g., a deficiency proceeding under section 6213(a), a stand-alone
    proceeding under section 6015(e), or a collection due process proceeding
    under section 6330. The court reviews the Service’s determinations
    under section 6015(b) and (c) de novo but reviews the Service’s
    determinations under section 6015(f) for abuse of discretion. Section
    6015(e)(1)(A) is effective with respect to any liability for tax arising after
    July 22, 1998, and any liability for tax arising on or before such date but
    remaining unpaid as of that date. See T.C. Rules 320–325.

35.1.1.4 
(08-11-2004)
Review of Final Partnership Administrative Adjustments

  1. Section 6226, effective for partnership years beginning after September
    3, 1982, grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to determine all partnership items
    for the partnership for the partnership year to which a notice of final partnership
    administrative adjustments relates, the proper allocation of such items among
    the partners, and the applicability of any penalty, addition to tax, or additional
    amount that relates to an adjustment to a partnership item. A decision under
    section 6226 has the same force and effect as a regular Tax Court decision
    and is reviewable as such. See T.C. Rules 240–251.

35.1.1.5 
(08-11-2004)
Review of Partnership Administrative Adjustments Where Administrative
Adjustment Request Is Not Allowed in Full

  1. Section 6228, effective for partnership years beginning after September
    3, 1982, grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to determine those partnership
    items to which the part of the tax matters partner’s request under section 6227
    not allowed by the Commissioner relates and those items with respect to which
    the Commissioner asserts adjustments as offsets. A decision under section 6228
    has the same force and effect as a regular Tax Court decision and is reviewable
    as such. See T.C. Rules 240–251.

35.1.1.6 
(08-11-2004)
Review of Final Partnership Administrative Adjustments for Large
Partnership

  1. Section 6247, effective for partnership years ending on or after December
    31, 1997, grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to determine all partnership items
    for the large partnership for the partnership year to which a notice of final
    partnership administrative adjustments relates, the proper allocation of such
    items among the partners, and the applicability of any penalty, addition to
    tax, or additional amount for which the partnership may be liable under section 6242(b).
    A decision under section 6247 has the same force and effect as a regular
    Tax Court decision and is reviewable as such. See T.C.
    Rules 300–305.

35.1.1.7 
(08-11-2004)
Review of Large Partnership Administrative Adjustments Where Administrative
Adjustment Request Is Not Allowed in Full

  1. Section 6252, effective for partnership years ending on or after
    December 31, 1997, grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to determine those large
    partnership items to which the part of the tax matters partner’s request
    under section 6251 not allowed by the Commissioner relates and those
    items with respect to which the Commissioner asserts adjustments as offsets.
    A decision under section 6252 has the same force and effect as a regular
    Tax Court decision and is reviewable as such. See T.C.
    Rules 300–305.

35.1.1.8 
(08-11-2004)
Statutory Interest Determinations

  1. Section  7481(c), effective for assessments of deficiencies redetermined
    by the Tax Court and made after November 10, 1988, grants the Tax Court jurisdiction
    to resolve disputes that arise over the Commissioner’s post-decision
    computation of interest. The Tax Court may redetermine interest in either
    of the following situations: (1) an assessment has been made by the Secretary
    under section 6215, which includes interest, and the taxpayer has paid
    the entire amount of the deficiency plus interest claimed by the Secretary;
    or (2) the Tax Court finds under section 6512(b) that the taxpayer has
    made an overpayment. If the court determines either that the taxpayer has
    made an overpayment of interest or that the Secretary has made an underpayment
    of interest, the court will enter an order determining an overpayment of tax
    pursuant to section 6512(b)(1). A decision with respect to overpayment
    of interest is reviewable on appeal in the same manner as a decision of the
    Tax Court with respect to the deficiency. See T.C. Rule
    261.

35.1.1.9 
(08-11-2004)
Interest Abatement Claims

  1. Section 6404(i), effective for requests for abatement made after
    July 30, 1996, grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to determine whether the
    Commissioner’s failure to abate interest under section 6404 was
    an abuse of discretion. A Tax Court decision under section 6404 is reviewable
    on appeal in the same manner as a regular decision of the Tax Court but only
    as to the matters determined in such decision. See T.C.
    Rules 280–284.

35.1.1.10 
(08-11-2004)
Actions for Administrative Costs

  1. Section 7430(f)(2), effective with respect to proceedings commenced
    after November 10, 1988, establishes jurisdiction in the Tax Court to decide
    appeals of taxpayers from decisions by the Internal Revenue Service denying
    awards for reasonable administrative costs within the meaning of section 7430(c)(2). See T.C. Rules 270–274 and CCDM 35.10.1.2.

35.1.1.11 
(08-11-2004)
Enforcement of Overpayment Decisions

  1. Section 6512(b)(2) grants jurisdiction for the Tax Court to order the
    Commissioner to refund the amount of an overpayment redetermined by the Tax
    Court but not paid within 120 days after the Tax Court decision is final,
    together with statutory interest thereon. Pursuant to section 6512(b)(2),
    as amended by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, effective July 30, 1997, an
    order of the Tax Court disposing of a motion to enforce the overpayment determination
    is reviewable in the same manner as a decision of the Tax Court but only with
    respect to the matters determined in such order. See T.C.
    Rule 260.

35.1.1.12 
(08-11-2004)
Modification of Decisions in I.R.C. § 6166 Estate Tax
Cases

  1. Section 7481(d), effective with respect to Tax Court cases for
    which a decision was not final on November 11, 1988, establishes jurisdiction
    in the Tax Court to reopen a case in order to modify a final decision affected
    by the extension of time for payment of an estate tax deficiency under section 6166. See T.C. Rule 262 and CCDM 35.9.1.3.2.3.

35.1.1.13 
(08-11-2004)
Review of Jeopardy Assessments in Ongoing Tax Court Cases

  1. Section 7429(b)(2)(B), effective for assessments or levies made on or
    after July 1, 1989, establishes jurisdiction in the Tax Court to review in
    the same manner as a United States District Court the reasonableness of the
    jeopardy assessment or levy made for deficiencies that are presently and properly
    before the Tax Court for redetermination. Any Tax Court determination under
    section 7429(b)(2)(B) is final and conclusive and is not reviewable in any
    other court. See T.C. Rule 56.

35.1.1.14 
(08-11-2004)
Review of Certain Sales of Seized Property

  1. Section 6863(b)(3)(C), effective February 8, 1989, for review of the
    Commissioner’s determination to sell certain seized property, establishes
    jurisdiction in the Tax Court to order a stay or approval or disapproval,
    pending resolution of the underlying tax deficiency, of the sale by the Service
    of the seized property. Any order of the court disposing of a motion filed
    under section 6863(b)(3)(C) is reviewable on appeal in the same manner
    as a decision of the Tax Court with respect to the deficiency.
    See
    T.C. Rule 57.

35.1.1.15 
(08-11-2004)
Review of Collection Due Process

  1. Section 6330, effective with respect to collection actions commenced
    after January 19, 1999, grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to review the lien
    or levy determination made by the Office of Appeals under sections 6320 or
    6330. See T.C. Rules 330–334.

35.1.1.16 
(08-11-2004)
Disclosure Actions

  1. Section 6110(f)(3) establishes jurisdiction in the Tax Court to review
    determinations by the Commissioner with respect to whether, and to what extent,
    written determinations and background file documents may be disclosed to the
    public. See T.C. Rules 220–229A.

35.1.1.17 
(08-11-2004)
Injunction Authority

  1. Ancillary to the primary jurisdiction for redetermining deficiencies,
    section 6243(a) of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 (TAMRA)
    amended section 6213(a), effective November 11, 1988, to grant the Tax Court
    authority to enjoin a premature assessment or collection of the deficiency,
    which is the subject matter of a notice of deficiency timely petitioned to
    the Tax Court. The Tax Court has promulgated T.C. Rule 55, effective July
    1, 1990, to implement its jurisdiction to restrain assessment or collection.
    Any order by the Tax Court resolving such an injunction proceeding is treated
    as, and may be appealed, as a final decision of the Tax Court, pursuant to
    section 7482(a)(3), effective November 11, 1988.

35.1.1.18 
(08-11-2004)
Declaratory Judgment and Other Proceedings

35.1.1.18.1 
(08-11-2004)
Introduction

  1. Under specific jurisdictional grants by Congress listed below and described
    at CCDM 35.1.1.18.2 through 35.1.1.18.8, the Tax Court has jurisdiction to
    review certain administrative determinations by the Commissioner:

    • Treatment of items other than partnership items with respect to an oversheltered
      return (section 6234(c))

    • Status and classification of organizations under section 501(c)(3)
      (section 7428)

    • Determination of worker classification (section 7436)

    • Qualification of certain retirement plans (section 7476)

    • Valuation of certain gifts (section 7477)

    • Status of certain governmental obligations (bonds) (section 7478)

    • Eligibility of an estate with respect to installment payments under section 6166
      (section 7479).

35.1.1.18.2 
(08-11-2004)
Declaratory Judgment Relating to Oversheltered Return

  1. Section 6234(c) grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to make a declaration
    with respect to the Commissioner’s determination on all items other
    than partnership items and affected items (which require partnership level
    determinations as described in section 6230(a)(2)(A)(i)) for the taxable
    year to which a notice of adjustment relates. Any such declaration has the
    force and effect of a Tax Court decision and is reviewable as such. See T.C. Rules 310–316.

35.1.1.18.3 
(08-11-2004)
Declaratory Judgment Relating to Qualification of Exempt Organization

  1. Section 7428 grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to make a declaration
    with respect to the Commissioner’s determination (or failure to make
    a determination) of initial or continuing qualification of an organization
    under section 501(c)(3) or with respect to its initial or continuing
    classification as a private foundation, as defined in section 509(a),
    or a private operating foundation, as defined in section 4942(j)(3).
    Any such declaration has the force and effect of a Tax Court decision and
    is reviewable as such. See T.C. Rules 210–218.

35.1.1.18.4 
(08-11-2004)
Declaratory Judgment Relating to Worker Classification

  1. Section 7436 grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to make a declaration
    with respect to the Commissioner’s determination that one or more individuals
    performing services for such person are employees of such person for purposes
    of Subtitle C, Employment Taxes, and that such person is not entitled to treatment
    under subsection (a) of section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978 with respect
    to such individual. The Tax Court has jurisdiction to determine whether such
    determination by the Commissioner is correct and the proper amount of employment
    tax under such determination. Any such declaration has the force and effect
    of a Tax Court decision and is reviewable as such, unless the proceedings
    are conducted under the small case procedures described in section 7463. See T.C. Rules 290–294.

35.1.1.18.5 
(08-11-2004)
Declaratory Judgment Relating to Qualification of Retirement Plan

  1. Section 7476 grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to make a declaration
    with respect to the Commissioner’s determination (or failure to make
    a determination) of the initial or continuing qualification of a retirement
    plan. Any such declaration has the force and effect of a Tax Court decision
    and is reviewable as such. See T.C. Rules 210–218.

35.1.1.18.6 
(08-11-2004)
Declaratory Judgment Relating to Gift Valuation

  1. Section 7477, effective for gifts made after August 5, 1997, grants
    the Tax Court jurisdiction to make a declaration with respect to the Commissioner’s
    determination of the value of any gift shown on the return of any gift tax
    imposed by Chapter 12 of the Code. Any such declaration has the force and
    effect of a Tax Court decision and is reviewable as such.
    See
    T.C. Rules 210–218.

35.1.1.18.7 
(08-11-2004)
Declaratory Judgment Relating to Government Obligations

  1. Section 7478 grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to make a declaration
    with respect to the Commissioner’s determination (or failure to make
    a determination) regarding whether interest on prospective obligations will
    be excludable from gross income under section 103(a). Any such declaration
    has the force and effect of a Tax Court decision and is reviewable as such. See T.C. Rules 210–218. Tax Court decisions relating
    to governmental obligations may only be reviewed by the United States Court
    of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. See section
    7482(b)(3).

35.1.1.18.8 
(08-11-2004)
Declaratory Judgment Relating to Eligibility of an Estate to Make
Installment Payments under Section 6166

  1. Section 7479, effective for estates of decedents dying after August
    5, 1997, grants the Tax Court jurisdiction to make a declaration with respect
    to the Commissioner’s determination (or failure to make a determination)
    regarding whether an estate is eligible to make an installment payment election
    under section 6166 and whether the extension of time provided in section 6166
    has ceased to apply. Any such declaration has the force and effect of a Tax
    Court decision and is reviewable as such. See T.C. Rules
    210–218.

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