T.C. Memo. 2002-62
UNITED STATES TAX COURT
MILDRED I. CRISS, ET AL.,1 Petitioners v.
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Docket No. 9700-00, 9701-00, Filed March 5, 2002.
9702-00.
John M. Tkacik, Jr., for respondent.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
CHIECHI, Judge: These consolidated cases are before us on
respondent’s motion to dismiss for lack of prosecution and to
impose sanctions under section 66732 in the case at docket No.
1
Cases of the following petitioners are consolidated here-
with: Daryl E. Criss, docket No. 9701-00, and Criss Asset
Management Trust, docket No. 9702-00.
2
All section references are to the Internal Revenue Code
(continued...)
- 2 -
9700-00 (respondent’s motion in the case at docket No. 9700-00),
respondent’s motion to dismiss for lack of prosecution and to
impose sanctions under section 6673 in the case at docket No.
9701-00 (respondent’s motion in the case at docket No. 9701-00),
and respondent’s motion to hold petitioner in default in the case
at docket No. 9702-00 (respondent’s motion in the case at docket
No. 9702-00). (We shall refer collectively to those three
motions as respondent’s motions.) At the request of respondent,
on October 15, 2001, the Court held a trial in order to enable
respondent to present evidence to satisfy the burden of produc-
tion under section 7491(c) that respondent maintains respondent
has with respect to: (1) The accuracy-related penalty under
section 6662(a) that respondent determined for each of the
taxable years 1996 and 1997 in the notice of deficiency (notice)
issued to Mildred I. Criss (Ms. Criss) in the case at docket No.
9700-00; (2) the accuracy-related penalty under section 6662(a)
for each of the taxable years 1996 and 1997 that respondent
determined in the notice issued to Daryl E. Criss (Mr. Criss) in
the case at docket No. 9701-00; and (3) the addition to tax under
section 6651(a)(1) for the taxable year 1997 that respondent
determined in the notice issued to Criss Asset Management Trust
2
(...continued)
(Code) in effect at all relevant times. All Rule references are
to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.
- 3 -
(Criss Trust)3 in the case at docket No. 9702-00.4
Background
The record establishes and/or the parties do not dispute the
following:
At the time the respective petitions in these cases were
filed, Ms. Criss, Mr. Criss, and Criss Trust listed in those
petitions the same address in Massillon, Ohio.
Ms. Criss filed Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
(return), for each of the taxable years 1996 and 1997. During
respondent’s examination of Ms. Criss’ 1996 and 1997 returns and
thereafter, Ms. Criss provided no books, records, or other
information to respondent establishing the income reported and
the expense deductions claimed in those returns.
In the notice issued to Ms. Criss, respondent determined,
inter alia, that Ms. Criss is liable for each of the taxable
3
When referring in this Opinion to Criss Asset Management
Trust and Criss Trust, our use of the word “Trust” and any
similar words is for convenience only and is not intended to
convey any meaning or have any significance for Federal tax
purposes.
4
In the notice issued to Criss Trust, respondent also deter-
mined to impose the accuracy-related penalty under sec. 6662(a)
for each of the taxable years 1996 and 1997. At the trial,
respondent indicated that respondent was abandoning pursuing the
determinations in the notice issued to Criss Trust to impose the
penalty under sec. 6662(a) for each of the taxable years 1996 and
1997. In respondent’s brief filed after the trial, respondent
makes no reference to the addition to tax under sec. 6651(a)(1)
for the taxable year 1997 that respondent determined in the
notice issued to Criss Trust.
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years 1996 and 1997 for the accuracy-related penalty under
section 6662(a) because of: (1) Negligence or disregard of rules
or regulations under section 6662(b)(1) or (2) substantial
understatement of income tax under section 6662(b)(2).
Prior to and including the tax years 1996 and 1997, Mr.
Criss, Ms. Criss’ son, operated a trucking business.
Mr. Criss filed a return for each of the taxable years 1996
and 1997. According to the respective Schedules C, Profit or
Loss From Business (Schedule C), included with Mr. Criss’ 1996
and 1997 returns, Mr. Criss received income from his trucking
business of $115,483 for 1996 and $75,560 for 1997. In each of
Mr. Criss’ 1996 and 1997 Schedules C, Mr. Criss indicated that
his Schedule C trucking business income was reported by or
assigned to employer identification No. (EIN) XX-XXXXXXX, which
was the EIN for Criss Family Limited Partnership (Criss Partner-
ship).5
During respondent’s examination of Mr. Criss’ 1996 and 1997
returns and thereafter, Mr. Criss provided no books, records, or
other information to respondent establishing the income reported
and the expense deductions claimed in those returns. In the
notice that respondent issued to Mr. Criss, respondent deter-
5
When referring in this Opinion to Criss Family Limited
Partnership and Criss Partnership, our use of the word “Partner-
ship” and any similar words is for convenience only and is not
intended to convey any meaning for Federal tax purposes.
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mined, inter alia, that Mr. Criss is liable for each of the
taxable years 1996 and 1997 for the accuracy-related penalty
under section 6662(a) because of: (1) Negligence or disregard of
rules or regulations under section 6662(b)(1) or (2) substantial
understatement of income tax under section 6662(b)(2).
Criss Trust filed Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for
Estates and Trusts (trust return), for each of the taxable years
1996 and 1997. In Schedule K-1, Beneficiary’s Share of Income,
Deductions, Credits, etc. (Form 1041 Schedule K-1), that Criss
Trust included with each of its 1996 and 1997 trust returns,
Criss Trust indicated that Mr. Criss was a beneficiary and a
fiduciary of Criss Trust. In a separate Form 1041 Schedule K-1
that Criss Trust included with each of its 1996 and 1997 trust
returns, Criss Trust indicated that Ms. Criss was a beneficiary
of Criss Trust.
In each of its 1996 and 1997 trust returns, Criss Trust
deducted depreciation with respect to Ms. Criss’ personal resi-
dence that she had transferred to Criss Trust at a time that is
not disclosed by the record. Criss Trust also deducted other
amounts in its 1996 and 1997 trust returns for personal expenses
of Ms. Criss and/or Mr. Criss.
During respondent’s examination of Criss Trust’s 1996 and
1997 trust returns and thereafter, no books, records, or other
information was provided to respondent establishing (1) the
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jurisdiction under the laws of which Criss Trust was purportedly
organized, (2) the person who is authorized to act on behalf of
Criss Trust, and (3) that Criss Trust was at all relevant times a
trust cognizable for Federal tax purposes. Nor did Criss Trust
at any time provide any books, records, or other information to
respondent establishing the income reported and the expense
deductions claimed in Criss Trust’s 1996 and 1997 trust returns.
In the notice issued to Criss Trust, respondent determined,
inter alia, that Criss Trust is liable (1) for each of the
taxable years 1996 and 1997 for the accuracy-related penalty
under section 6662(a) and (2) for the taxable year 1997 for the
addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1).
Criss Partnership filed Form 1065, U.S. Partnership Return
of Income (partnership return), for each of the taxable years
1996 and 1997. Each of Criss Partnership’s 1996 and 1997 part-
nership returns reported that Criss Partnership’s principal
business was a trucking activity. In Schedule K-1, Partner’s
Share of Income, Credits, Deductions, etc., that Criss Partner-
ship included with each of its 1996 and 1997 partnership returns,
Criss Partnership indicated that Mr. Criss was a 12-percent
general partner, and Ms. Criss was an 88-percent limited partner,
of Criss Partnership. The income that Criss Partnership reported
in its 1996 and 1997 partnership returns was generated from
assets owned solely by Mr. Criss.
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During respondent’s examination of Criss Partnership’s 1996
and 1997 partnership returns and thereafter, no books, records,
or other information was provided to respondent establishing,
inter alia, that Criss Partnership was a partnership cognizable
for Federal tax purposes and that Ms. Criss owned a capital
interest in Criss Partnership during 1996 and 1997. Nor did
Criss Partnership at any time provide any books, records, or
other information to respondent establishing the income reported
and the expense deductions claimed in those returns and the
assets, if any, that had been transferred to Criss Partnership.
James Binge (Mr. Binge) was the return preparer for each of
Ms. Criss’ 1996 and 1997 returns, each of Mr. Criss’ 1996 and
1997 returns, each of Criss Trust’s 1996 and 1997 trust returns,
and each of Criss Partnership’s 1996 and 1997 partnership re-
turns. Respondent has identified Mr. Binge as an individual
involved with purported trusts used for tax avoidance purposes.
On August 31, 2001, respondent filed separate motions to
compel answers to interrogatories and to compel production of
documents in each of the cases at docket Nos. 9700-00 and 9701-
00. On September 19, 2001, the Court granted each of those
motions. Neither Ms. Criss nor Mr. Criss answered respondent’s
interrogatories or produced the documents requested by respon-
dent, as ordered by the Court on September 19, 2001.
On September 18, 2001, Ms. Criss in the case at docket No.
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9700-00 filed a motion to dismiss that case, which the Court
denied on September 19, 2001. On October 9, 2001, Ms. Criss in
the case at docket No. 9700-00 filed a motion for entry of
judgment in favor of petitioner in that case, which the Court
denied on October 10, 2001. On October 9, 2001, Ms. Criss in the
case at docket No. 9700-00 filed a motion to continue the trial
in that case, which the Court denied on October 10, 2001.
On October 9, 2001, Mr. Criss in the case at docket No.
9701-00 filed a motion for entry of judgment in favor of peti-
tioner in that case, which the Court denied on October 10, 2001.
On October 9, 2001, Mr. Criss in the case at docket No. 9701-00
filed a motion to continue the trial in that case, which the
Court denied on October 10, 2001.
On October 15, 2001, these cases were called from the
Court’s trial calendar at the Court’s trial session in Cleveland,
Ohio (Cleveland trial session). At that calendar call, there was
no appearance by or on behalf of Ms. Criss, Mr. Criss, and Criss
Trust. At that time, respondent orally moved to dismiss each of
these cases for failure to prosecute, and respondent requested,
and the Court held, a trial because, according to respondent,
respondent has the burden of production pursuant to section
7491(c) with respect to the respective penalties under section
6662(a) for 1996 and 1997 that respondent determined against Ms.
Criss and against Mr. Criss and with respect to the addition to
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tax under section 6651(a)(1) for 1997 that respondent determined
against Criss Trust.6 At the trial in these cases on October 15,
2001, there was no appearance by or on behalf of Ms. Criss, Mr.
Criss, or Criss Trust.
On November 13, 2001, respondent filed a written motion to
dismiss for lack of prosecution and to impose sanctions under
section 6673 in the case at docket No. 9700-00, a written motion
to dismiss for lack of prosecution and to impose sanctions under
section 6673 in the case at docket No. 9701-00, and a written
motion to hold petitioner in default in the case at docket No.
9702-00.
On December 3, 2001, the Court sua sponte issued an Order
(December 3, 2001 Show Cause Order) directing each party in the
case at docket No. 9702-00 in which Criss Asset Management Trust
is named as petitioner to
show cause in writing why the Court has jurisdiction
over this case, including the identity of any purported
fiduciary of petitioner and a detailed analysis of why
such purported fiduciary has the capacity to litigate
in the Court on behalf of petitioner.
On December 19, 2001, respondent filed a written response to
the December 3, 2001 Show Cause Order in which respondent con-
tended, inter alia, that
6
However, in the brief that respondent filed after the
trial, respondent makes no mention of respondent’s determination
that Criss Trust is liable for the addition to tax under sec.
6651(a)(1). See supra note 4.
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11. Criss Asset Management Trust failed to estab-
lish that a trustee, if authorized, acted on its behalf
when the purported petition was filed with the Court on
September 14, 2000.
12. Criss Asset Management Trust failed to file a
proper petition with this Court in that the petition
was not brought by and with the full descriptive name
of the fiduciary entitled to institute a case on its
behalf.
13. Since the petition in this case was not
brought by a party with proper capacity as required by
the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure, the
Court lacks jurisdiction in the above-entitled case [at
docket No. 9702-00].
On December 20, 2001, Criss Trust filed a response to the
December 3, 2001 Show Cause Order (Criss Trust’s response to the
December 3, 2001 Show Cause Order), which was signed by Terrence
A. Bentivegna (Mr. Bentivegna) who identified himself in that
response as “Trustee”. That response asserted that “Petitioner
does not believe that this Court has jurisdiction.” In support
of that position, Criss Trust’s response to the December 3, 2001
Show Cause Order set forth statements and contentions that the
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Court finds to be frivolous and/or groundless.7
7
Criss Trust’s response to the December 3, 2001 Show Cause
Order stated in pertinent part:
1. Petitioner petitioned this Court after having
received false and misleading information from the
respondent and attorneys David Wise and his asso-
ciate Carol Jackson. The respondent has failed to
properly assess any taxes in accordance with their
required administrative procedures, and yet ad-
vised the petitioner that the only method of dis-
agreeing with the purported tax liability was to
petition this Court.
* * * * * * *
3. This Courts’ [sic] order states “. . . petitioner
purports to be a trust . . .” Petitioner is a
trust, and the respondent has never been able to
prove otherwise. Nor does the respondent have the
right or ability to set aside a contract.
* * * * * * *
5. Petitioner does not want this false tax claim to
be litigated in court, and has petitioned this
Court to have this case removed from the docket as
having been petitioned in error due to the errone-
ous instructions given by the respondent.
WHEREFORE it is prayed that:
1. This Court dismiss this case at petitioner’s re-
quest as the original petition was issued in error
due to false directions given to petitioner by
respondent. Petitioner believes that he has the
right to correct his mistake and withdraw the
original petition.
2. This Court and the respondent recognize the peti-
tioner as a Trust and cease attempting to set
aside a contract in direct opposition to the Con-
stitution of the United States of America.
3. This court sanction the respondent for using this
(continued...)
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On January 16, 2002, petitioner in each of the cases at
docket Nos. 9700-00 and 9701-00 filed a response to respondent’s
motion in each such case to dismiss for lack of prosecution and
to impose sanctions under section 6673. On January 16, 2002,
Criss Trust filed a response to respondent’s motion to hold
petitioner in default in the case of docket No. 9702-00. Each of
those respective responses contained arguments and contentions
that the Court found in an Order dated January 17, 2002 (January
17, 2002 Order) to be frivolous and/or groundless. In the
January 17, 2002 Order that the Court issued in each of these
cases, the Court reminded each petitioner about section
6673(a)(1).8 The Court’s respective January 17, 2002 Orders in
7
(...continued)
Court for illegal purposes. Respondent has no
legal tax claim as petitioner has noted to respon-
dent and this Court on numerous occasions. With-
out a legal claim, respondent fraudulently in-
structed petitioner to use this Court to legiti-
mize his illegal attempt to deprive petitioner of
his assets.
* * * * * * *
4. This Court instruct the respondent to cease, now
and forever, harassment of petitioner.
8
Sec. 6673(a)(1) states:
SEC. 6673. SANCTIONS AND COSTS AWARDED BY COURTS.
(a) Tax Court Proceedings.--
(1) Procedures instituted primarily for de-
(continued...)
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the cases at docket Nos. 9700-00 and 9702-00 were not the first
occasions on which the Court reminded Ms. Criss and Criss Trust
about section 6673(a)(1).9
Discussion
Criss Trust
On December 3, 2001, the Court sua sponte issued the Decem-
ber 3, 2001 Show Cause Order regarding the Court’s jurisdiction
over the case at docket No. 9702-00.
Rule 60 provides in pertinent part:
(a) Petitioner: (1) Deficiency or Liability
8
(...continued)
lay, etc.--Whenever it appears to the Tax Court
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.
9
On Sept. 19, 2001, the Court issued a separate Order in
each of the cases at docket Nos. 9700-00 and 9702-00 with respect
to the motion filed by each petitioner to compel answers to
interrogatories. In each of those two Orders dated Sept. 19,
2001, the Court found that each such motion, including attach-
ments thereto, contained contentions, statements, and/or argu-
ments that the Court found to be groundless and/or frivolous, and
the Court reminded petitioner in each of those cases about sec.
6673(a)(1).
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Actions: A case shall be brought by and in the name of
the person against whom the Commissioner determined the
deficiency (in the case of a notice of deficiency)
* * * or by and with the full descriptive name of the
fiduciary entitled to institute a case on behalf of
such person. See Rule 23(a)(1). A case timely brought
shall not be dismissed on the ground that it is not
properly brought on behalf of a party until a reason-
able time has been allowed after objection for ratifi-
cation by such party of the bringing of the case; and
such ratification shall have the same effect as if the
case had been properly brought by such party. * * *
* * * * * * *
(c) Capacity: * * * The capacity of a fiduciary
or other representative to litigate in the Court shall
be determined in accordance with the law of the juris-
diction from which such person’s authority is derived.
The record does not establish where Criss Trust was orga-
nized. The petition in the case at docket No. 9702-00 listed an
address for Criss Trust in Massillon, Ohio,10 which is also the
service address used by the Court in that case. Assuming
arguendo that Criss Trust were a trust organized under the laws
of the State of Ohio, the administration of which is subject to
the laws of that State, under Ohio law, see Rule 60(c), a trustee
generally is the proper party authorized to act on behalf of a
trust. Firestone v. Galbreath, 976 F.2d 279, 284 (6th Cir.
1992); Saxton v. Seiberling, 48 Ohio St. 554, 29 N.E. 179 (1891);
10
The Ohio address listed in the petition in the case at
docket No. 9702-00 is the same address listed by petitioners in
the respective cases at docket Nos. 9700-00 and 9701-00.
- 15 -
see Ohio R. Civ. P. 17(A).11
In the case at docket No. 9702-00, Criss Trust has the
burden of proving that this Court has jurisdiction, see Fehrs v.
Commissioner, 65 T.C. 346, 348 (1975); Natl. Comm. to Secure
Justice in the Rosenberg Case v. Commissioner, 27 T.C. 837, 839
(1957), by establishing affirmatively all facts giving rise to
our jurisdiction, see Wheeler’s Peachtree Pharmacy, Inc. v.
Commissioner, 35 T.C. 177, 180 (1960); Consol. Cos. v. Commis-
sioner, 15 B.T.A. 645, 651 (1929). In order to meet that burden,
Criss Trust must provide evidence establishing who has the
authority to act on its behalf in the proceeding at docket No.
9702-00. See Natl. Comm. to Secure Justice in the Rosenberg Case
v. Commissioner, supra at 839-840; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. v.
Commissioner, 22 B.T.A. 686, 700 (1931).
On the instant record, we find that Criss Trust has failed
to establish who has the authority to act on its behalf in the
11
Ohio R. Civ. P. 17(A) provides in pertinent part:
RULE 17. Parties plaintiff and defendant; capacity
(A) Real party in interest. Every action shall be
prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest.
An executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, trustee
of an express trust, a party with whom or in whose name
a contract has been made for the benefit of another, or
a party authorized by statute may sue in his name as
such representative without joining with him the party
for whose benefit the action is brought. * * * [Empha-
sis added.]
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proceeding at docket No. 9702-00. We further find on that record
that the case at docket No. 9702-00 was not brought by and with
the full descriptive name of the fiduciary entitled to institute
a case on behalf of Criss Trust, as required by Rule 60(a)(1).
On the record before us, we conclude that we do not have juris-
diction over the case at docket No. 9702-00. Accordingly, we
shall dismiss that case for lack of jurisdiction.12
Ms. Criss and Mr. Criss
Neither Ms. Criss nor any authorized representative of Ms.
Criss appeared at the Court’s Cleveland trial session on October
15, 2001, at the call of these consolidated cases from the
Court’s trial calendar. Neither Mr. Criss nor any authorized
representative of Mr. Criss appeared at that calendar call.
At the trial held by the Court in the case at docket No.
9700-00, neither Ms. Criss nor any authorized representative of
Ms. Criss appeared. At the trial held by the Court in the case
at docket No. 9701-00, neither Mr. Criss nor any authorized
representative of Mr. Criss appeared.
The respective written responses by Ms. Criss and Mr. Criss
to respondent’s respective motions to dismiss for lack of prose-
cution and to impose sanctions under section 6673 in the cases at
12
Because we shall dismiss the case at docket No. 9702-00
for lack of jurisdiction, we shall deny respondent’s written
motion filed on Nov. 13, 2001, to hold Criss Trust in default in
that case.
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docket Nos. 9700-00 and 9701-00 do not contain any valid reason
why those cases should not be dismissed for lack of prosecution.
Those respective responses contained contentions and arguments
that the Court found in the Court’s January 17, 2002 Order to be
frivolous and/or groundless.
Section 7491(c) provides in pertinent part:
SEC. 7491. BURDEN OF PROOF.
(c) Penalties.–-Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of this title, the Secretary shall have the burden
of production in any court proceeding with respect to
the liability of any individual for any penalty * * *.
Section 6662(a) imposes an accuracy-related penalty equal to
20 percent of the underpayment of tax resulting from, inter alia,
negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, sec. 6662(b)(1),
or a substantial understatement of income tax, sec. 6662(b)(2).
For purposes of section 6662(a), an understatement is equal to
the excess of the amount of tax required to be shown in the tax
return over the amount of tax shown in the tax return, sec.
6662(d)(2)(A), and is substantial in the case of an individual if
it exceeds the greater of 10 percent of the tax required to be
shown in the return or $5,000, sec. 6662(d)(1)(A). For purposes
of section 6662(a), the term “negligence” includes any failure to
make a reasonable attempt to comply with the Code, and the term
“disregard” includes any careless, reckless, or intentional
disregard. Sec. 6662(c). Negligence has also been defined as a
lack of due care or failure to do what a reasonable person would
- 18 -
do under the circumstances. Leuhsler v. Commissioner, 963 F.2d
907, 910 (6th Cir. 1992), affg. T.C. Memo. 1991-179; Antonides v.
Commissioner, 91 T.C. 686, 699 (1988), affd. 893 F.2d 656 (4th
Cir. 1990).
The accuracy-related penalty under section 6662(a) does not
apply to any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there
was reasonable cause for, and that the taxpayer acted in good
faith with respect to, such portion. Sec. 6664(c)(1). The
determination of whether the taxpayer acted with reasonable cause
and in good faith depends on the pertinent facts and circum-
stances, including the taxpayer’s efforts to assess his or her
proper tax liability, the knowledge and experience of the tax-
payer, and the reliance on the advice of a professional, such as
an accountant. Sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. Reliance
on the advice of a professional, such as an accountant, does not
necessarily demonstrate reasonable cause and good faith unless,
under all the circumstances, such reliance was reasonable and the
taxpayer acted in good faith. Id. In the case of claimed
reliance on the accountant who prepared the taxpayer’s tax
return, the taxpayer must establish that correct information was
provided to the accountant and that the item incorrectly omitted,
claimed, or reported in the return was the result of the accoun-
tant’s error. Ma-Tran Corp. v. Commissioner, 70 T.C. 158, 173
(1978).
- 19 -
On the record before us, we find that respondent has satis-
fied the burden of production that respondent maintains respon-
dent has with respect to the respective accuracy-related penal-
ties under section 6662(a) that respondent determined to impose
on Ms. Criss and on Mr. Criss for the taxable years 1996 and
1997.13
Based on our examination of the entire record before us, we
shall grant respondent’s motion in each of the cases at docket
Nos. 9700-00 and 9701-00 in that we shall dismiss each of those
cases for failure by petitioner in each such case to prosecute
such case, and we shall enter a decision in each of those cases
sustaining the determinations that respondent made in the notice
to which each such case pertains.
In respondent’s motions in the cases at docket Nos. 9700-00
and 9701-00, respondent also asks the Court to impose a penalty
under section 6673(a)(1) on petitioner in each of those cases.
As grounds therefor, respondent contends that each of those
petitioners (1) instituted proceedings in the Court primarily for
delay, (2) advanced frivolous and groundless positions in such
proceedings, and (3) unreasonably failed to pursue administrative
remedies.
13
We are not deciding in the cases at docket Nos. 9700-00
and 9701-00 whether the Commissioner of Internal Revenue has the
burden of production in cases subject to sec. 7491(c) when a
taxpayer fails to appear for trial.
- 20 -
On the record before us, we find that Ms. Criss instituted
the proceedings in the case at docket No. 9700-00 primarily for
delay. We also find on that record that Ms. Criss’ position in
the case at docket No. 9700-00 was frivolous and/or groundless.
On the record before us, we shall impose a penalty on Ms. Criss
pursuant to section 6673(a)(1) in the amount of $3,000.
On the record before us, we find that Mr. Criss instituted
the proceedings in the case at docket No. 9701-00 primarily for
delay. We also find on that record that Mr. Criss’ position in
the case at docket No. 9701-00 was frivolous and/or groundless.
On the record before us, we shall impose a penalty on Mr. Criss
pursuant to section 6673(a)(1) in the amount of $20,000.
To reflect the foregoing,
An appropriate order of dis-
missal for lack of jurisdiction and
denying respondent’s motion will be
entered in the case at docket No.
9702-00, and an appropriate order
granting respondent’s motion and
decision will be entered in each of
the cases at docket Nos. 9700-00
and 9701-00 sustaining respondent’s
determinations and imposing a pen-
alty under section 6673(a)(1) in
each of those two cases.