Back in the day when the US Tax Court website served some useful purpose, thereon appeared a statement that ran something like this: “Generally, a Tax Court Opinion is issued in a regular case when the Tax Court believes it involves a sufficiently important legal issue or principle.” “Generally, a Memorandum Opinion is issued in a regular case that does not involve a novel legal issue. A Memorandum Opinion addresses cases where the law is settled or factually driven.”  See my blogpost “One Size Fits Most,” 3/4/21.

So one expects a full-dress Tax Court Opinion to have a certain gravitas; if not an Olympian pronouncement, or one accompanied with Sinaiatical tablets, then at least an oracular quality.

Today Judge Gale decides his colleagues can dismiss a petition seeking to review denial of Section 7430(a)(1) administrative expenses, in Robert Stein & Elaine Stein, 156 T. C. 11, filed 6/17/21. Especially since IRS agrees.

It’s not as if Section 7459(d) mandatory entry of decision for IRS is in play. Rob & Elaine must have had at least some kind of claim that they prevailed in whatever throwdown they had with IRS.

So after plowing through Wagner, Davidson, Jacobson, and Mainstay Business Solutions, all of which I’ve blogged, he decides they can. Now all we need are worker classifications and 501(c)(3) knockouts.  

Or maybe Tax Court should adopt its own version of FRCP 41.

“Because there is no Rule that governs motions for voluntary dismissal, we look to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to guide our consideration of such motions. See Rule 1(b), (d). Under rule 41(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a plaintiff may voluntarily dismiss a civil action without a court order either by filing a notice of dismissal before the opposing party serves an answer or a motion for summary judgment or by filing a stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have appeared. Otherwise, a case may be dismissed at a plaintiff’s request only by court order. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(2). A court ‘enjoys broad discretion in determining whether to allow a voluntary dismissal’ pursuant to rule 41(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and such a dismissal should generally be granted ‘unless the defendant will suffer clear legal prejudice, other than the mere prospect of a subsequent lawsuit, as a result.’ When a court issues an order granting a voluntary dismissal, the dismissal is deemed to be without prejudice and the lawsuit is treated as if it had never been filed.” 156 T. C. 11, at pp. 4-5. (Citations omitted).  

Judge, you just wrote the Rule. Now just ask Ch J Maurice B (“Mighty Mo”) Foley to adopt it.