Law School Resources

Case Briefs, Hypos, Class Notes, Outlines, & Analysis

















Law School Resources

Tax Law

I.       A Look Forward

II.    A Glimpse Backwards

A.     The Income Tax and the Constitution

1.      Power to Tax – Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 – vests Congress with "…the power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises."

2.      Limits on Power to Tax – Article 1, Sec 2, Cl 3 and Sec 9 Cl 4 require that Direct Taxes be Apportioned  among the several states.

3.      16th Amendment – provides that Taxes shall NOT be s:t the Rule of Apportionment

IV. Tax Practitioner's Tools

A.     Legislative Materials – IRC

B.     Administrative Materials

1.      Regs issued by Treasury Dept

2.      Rulings –

a.       Private Letter Rulings – may be relied upon by the person to whom it is issued. For Others, it provides Guidance.

b.      Revenue Rulings

C.     Judicial Materials – Where Taxpayer may take their case

1.      Tax Court

a.       Devoted solely to Tax cases

b.      Do NOT have to Pay alleged Deficiency prior to filing

c.       "90-day Letter" from IRS is key – must file w/in 90 Days after Mailing of Deficiency Letter (i.e. Date on the IRS 90-day Letter)

·        If Tax Court filing sent postage prepaid (properly addressed to Wash, DC), Postmark on Mailing to tax Court determines if this date is met.

d.      Non-Jury Trial

e.       Appeal goes to Ct of Appeals for the taxpayer's District (11th Circ for Ala) per the Golson case, Tax Ct MUST follow the Appellate Courts holding for the T's District

2.      Federal District Ct

a.       Must Pay Deficiency and sue for refund

b.      Jury Trial Available

c.       Appeal goes to Ct of Appeals for the taxpayer's District (11th Circ for Ala)

NOTE: Per Flora 362 US 145, if entire Deficiency NOT paid, MUST go to Tax Court UNLESS tax is a Divisible Tax, such as Trust Fund tax  (i.e payroll tax w/held)

3.      Court of Fed'l Claims

a.       Must Pay Deficiency and sue for refund

b.      Non-Jury Trial

c.       Appeal goes to Ct of Fed'l Appeals

 NOTE: Per Flora 362 US 145, if entire Deficiency NOT paid, MUST go to Tax Court UNLESS tax is a Divisible Tax, such as Trust Fund tax  (i.e. payroll tax w/held)

...more