2019-12-05
Continuing our series on Famous Tax Quotes (quotes from court opinions and rulings with language that is colorful or that concisely states an important tax principle) today's tax quote is:
[W]e will impose a penalty of $1,000 on [the petitioner in Tax Court] for continuing to advance his frivolous arguments.
We also warn petitioner that if he does not abandon his misguided and rejected positions-e.g., that he is not subject to tax or required to file returns-a greater penalty may be imposed in the future. If this penalty does not dissuade him, imposing the penalty on him for his hardheaded persistence in making frivolous arguments to avoid his obligation to pay tax may serve as a warning to other taxpayers considering these or similar arguments.
Staples v. Commr., T.C. Memo 2019-75