1 The Honorable Richard A. Jones
7 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 8 FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE 9
10 GEORGE G. ALEXANDER, ) ) Case No. 2:19-cv-00652 11 Plaintiff, ) 12 ) ORDER v. ) 13 ) INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, ) 14 URSULA GILLIS AGENT, CFO, ) STEVE BAKER, AGENT, ) 15 ) Defendants. ) 16 ____________________________________)
17 This matter comes before the Court on the United States’ motion to dismiss (Dkt. # 18 10), Plaintiff’s objection and motion for more definitive statements (Dkt. # 13) and the 19 United States’ motion to strike or dismiss Plaintiff’s amended complaint (Dkt. # 17). For 20 the following reasons, the United States’ motion to dismiss is GRANTED. Dkt. # 10. 21 Plaintiff’s motion is DENIED (Dkt. # 13) and the United States’ motion to strike is 22 GRANTED (Dkt. # 17). I. BACKGROUND 23 Pro se Plaintiff George Alexander initially brought this suit in Skagit County 24 1 Superior Court on March 28, 2019. Dkt. # 1-1. Plaintiff’s complaint appears to concern 2 a controversy related to federal taxes and seeks a declaration that he does not owe 3 outstanding federal income taxes and civil penalties for tax year 2015. Dkt. # 1-1 at 13- 4 16. On May 2, 2019, the Government timely removed the action to this Court. Dkt. # 1. The Government now moves to dismiss Plaintiff’s complaint for lack of subject matter 5 jurisdiction, failure to state a claim, and failure to comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 11, LCR 6 10(e)(4), and Washington Superior Court Civil Rule (“CR”) 11(a). Dkt. # 10. 7 II. DISCUSSION 8 A. United States’ Motion to Dismiss 9 The Government argues that Plaintiff’s claims are barred by the doctrine of 10 sovereign immunity and must be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction 11 pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1). Dkt. # 10 at 7. The Court agrees. The United States is immune from lawsuit unless it has unequivocally waived its immunity. Balser v. Dep’t 12 of Justice, 327 F.3d 903, 907 (9th Cir. 2003). Plaintiff bears the burden of establishing 13 the United States consents to be sued. Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1107 (9th Cir. 14 1995). Otherwise, a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over claims against the United 15 States. Balser, 327 F.3d at 907. 16 Here, Plaintiff asserts claims against the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and 17 two IRS employees,1 in their official capacity. As the Government correctly notes, the proper defendant in this action is the United States. Dkt. # 10 at 7. See Blackmar v. 18 Guerre, 342 U.S. 512, 514 (1952) (Absent explicit language authorizing suit, a federal 19 agency may not be sued in its own name); see also Sierra Club v. Whitman, 268 F.3d 20 898, 901 (9th Cir. 2001) (In sovereign immunity analysis, any lawsuit against an agency 21 of the United States or against an officer of the United States in his or her official 22 capacity is considered an action against the United States). 23 1 Although Plaintiff identifies Steve Baker and Ursula Gillis as individual defendants, he 24 does not allege any claims against them in their individual capacities. 1 With respect to Plaintiff’s claims against the United States, there has been no 2 showing that the United States has, (1) explicitly consented to the suit under the terms of 3 a statute or, (2) waived sovereign immunity. United States v. Sherwood, 312 U.S. 584, 4 590 (1941). First, Plaintiff’s claims for declaratory judgment are prohibited by the Declaratory Judgment Act which expressly omits from its scope any matter “with respect 5 to Federal taxes.” Bob Jones University v. Simon, 416 U.S. 725, 742 n.7, n. 15 (1974). 6 Plaintiff’s claims are also prohibited by the Anti-Injunction Act (“AIA”), which 7 has been broadly construed to deprive courts of jurisdiction to enjoin any type of IRS 8 activity that may, even indirectly, affect the assessment or collection of taxes. See Bob 9 Jones University v. Simon, 416 U.S. 725, 736 (1974). At its core, Plaintiff’s complaint 10 appears to be based on the allegation that he does not owe federal taxes for the periods in 11 question. Although there are limited exceptions to the AIA, Plaintiff does not allege any facts to establish the applicability of those exceptions to his claims.2 In addition, 12 Plaintiff fails to allege any facts to suggest that he fully paid his federal taxes for the tax 13 periods at issue, as required to dispute any assessed tax in federal district court. 14 Hutchison v. United States, 677 F.2d 1322, 1325 (9th Cir. 1982); see also Dkt. # 10-1. 15 To the extent Plaintiff is attempting to allege quiet title, wrongful levy, or damages 16 claims, these claims similarly fail because Plaintiff does not plead any facts or legal 17 authority to show that there was a waiver of sovereign immunity. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s complaint must be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Because 18 the Court concludes that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this action, it will not 19 consider the Government’s remaining arguments. 20 21
22 2 On June 26, 2019, Plaintiff filed a document titled “Notice; Claim; Praecipe; Writ; and Memorial for Declaratory Judgment; and Injunctive Relief Prayer.” Dkt. # 11. The Court 23 construes this as Plaintiff’s response to the Government’s motion to dismiss. Plaintiff’s response is largely incoherent and fails to address any of the Government’s arguments 24 regarding lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Dkt. # 11. 1 B. Plaintiff’s Objection and Motion for a More Definitive Statement 2 Nearly a month after the noting date, Plaintiff filed a second document, again 3 objecting to the Government’s motion to dismiss and requesting a “more definitive 4 statement regarding legal definitions and grammar being used in Defendant’s documents, and offers of obligations, and proceedings.” Dkt. # 13. Plaintiff has already been 5 afforded the opportunity to respond to the Government’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. # 11) 6 and the Court will not entertain Plaintiff’s second, untimely, objection. 7 In the same motion, Plaintiff requests a “more definitive statement regarding legal 8 definitions and grammar being used in Defendant’s documents, and offers of obligations, 9 and proceedings.” Dkt. # 13. To the extent it is decipherable, Plaintiff appears to 10 challenge this Court’s jurisdiction and request dismissal of his case. Dkt. # 13 at 21. 11 Specifically, Plaintiff argues that he was not properly “identified” in this action because his name appears in all capital letters in the case caption and correspondence from the 12 Internal Revenue Service. Dkt. # 14 at 5-10. Plaintiff’s argument is frivolous and 13 entirely without merit. Ford v. Pryor, 552 F.3d 1174, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008). Plaintiff’s 14 motion for a more definitive statement is DENIED. Dkt. # 13. 15 C. United States’ Motion to Strike or Dismiss 16 On September 27, 2019, Plaintiff also filed an amended complaint. Dkt. # 16. 17 Plaintiff’s amended complaint is untimely and was filed without leave from this Court. Under Fed. R. Civ. P.
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1 The Honorable Richard A. Jones
7 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 8 FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE 9
10 GEORGE G. ALEXANDER, ) ) Case No. 2:19-cv-00652 11 Plaintiff, ) 12 ) ORDER v. ) 13 ) INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, ) 14 URSULA GILLIS AGENT, CFO, ) STEVE BAKER, AGENT, ) 15 ) Defendants. ) 16 ____________________________________)
17 This matter comes before the Court on the United States’ motion to dismiss (Dkt. # 18 10), Plaintiff’s objection and motion for more definitive statements (Dkt. # 13) and the 19 United States’ motion to strike or dismiss Plaintiff’s amended complaint (Dkt. # 17). For 20 the following reasons, the United States’ motion to dismiss is GRANTED. Dkt. # 10. 21 Plaintiff’s motion is DENIED (Dkt. # 13) and the United States’ motion to strike is 22 GRANTED (Dkt. # 17). I. BACKGROUND 23 Pro se Plaintiff George Alexander initially brought this suit in Skagit County 24 1 Superior Court on March 28, 2019. Dkt. # 1-1. Plaintiff’s complaint appears to concern 2 a controversy related to federal taxes and seeks a declaration that he does not owe 3 outstanding federal income taxes and civil penalties for tax year 2015. Dkt. # 1-1 at 13- 4 16. On May 2, 2019, the Government timely removed the action to this Court. Dkt. # 1. The Government now moves to dismiss Plaintiff’s complaint for lack of subject matter 5 jurisdiction, failure to state a claim, and failure to comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 11, LCR 6 10(e)(4), and Washington Superior Court Civil Rule (“CR”) 11(a). Dkt. # 10. 7 II. DISCUSSION 8 A. United States’ Motion to Dismiss 9 The Government argues that Plaintiff’s claims are barred by the doctrine of 10 sovereign immunity and must be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction 11 pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1). Dkt. # 10 at 7. The Court agrees. The United States is immune from lawsuit unless it has unequivocally waived its immunity. Balser v. Dep’t 12 of Justice, 327 F.3d 903, 907 (9th Cir. 2003). Plaintiff bears the burden of establishing 13 the United States consents to be sued. Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1107 (9th Cir. 14 1995). Otherwise, a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over claims against the United 15 States. Balser, 327 F.3d at 907. 16 Here, Plaintiff asserts claims against the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and 17 two IRS employees,1 in their official capacity. As the Government correctly notes, the proper defendant in this action is the United States. Dkt. # 10 at 7. See Blackmar v. 18 Guerre, 342 U.S. 512, 514 (1952) (Absent explicit language authorizing suit, a federal 19 agency may not be sued in its own name); see also Sierra Club v. Whitman, 268 F.3d 20 898, 901 (9th Cir. 2001) (In sovereign immunity analysis, any lawsuit against an agency 21 of the United States or against an officer of the United States in his or her official 22 capacity is considered an action against the United States). 23 1 Although Plaintiff identifies Steve Baker and Ursula Gillis as individual defendants, he 24 does not allege any claims against them in their individual capacities. 1 With respect to Plaintiff’s claims against the United States, there has been no 2 showing that the United States has, (1) explicitly consented to the suit under the terms of 3 a statute or, (2) waived sovereign immunity. United States v. Sherwood, 312 U.S. 584, 4 590 (1941). First, Plaintiff’s claims for declaratory judgment are prohibited by the Declaratory Judgment Act which expressly omits from its scope any matter “with respect 5 to Federal taxes.” Bob Jones University v. Simon, 416 U.S. 725, 742 n.7, n. 15 (1974). 6 Plaintiff’s claims are also prohibited by the Anti-Injunction Act (“AIA”), which 7 has been broadly construed to deprive courts of jurisdiction to enjoin any type of IRS 8 activity that may, even indirectly, affect the assessment or collection of taxes. See Bob 9 Jones University v. Simon, 416 U.S. 725, 736 (1974). At its core, Plaintiff’s complaint 10 appears to be based on the allegation that he does not owe federal taxes for the periods in 11 question. Although there are limited exceptions to the AIA, Plaintiff does not allege any facts to establish the applicability of those exceptions to his claims.2 In addition, 12 Plaintiff fails to allege any facts to suggest that he fully paid his federal taxes for the tax 13 periods at issue, as required to dispute any assessed tax in federal district court. 14 Hutchison v. United States, 677 F.2d 1322, 1325 (9th Cir. 1982); see also Dkt. # 10-1. 15 To the extent Plaintiff is attempting to allege quiet title, wrongful levy, or damages 16 claims, these claims similarly fail because Plaintiff does not plead any facts or legal 17 authority to show that there was a waiver of sovereign immunity. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s complaint must be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Because 18 the Court concludes that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this action, it will not 19 consider the Government’s remaining arguments. 20 21
22 2 On June 26, 2019, Plaintiff filed a document titled “Notice; Claim; Praecipe; Writ; and Memorial for Declaratory Judgment; and Injunctive Relief Prayer.” Dkt. # 11. The Court 23 construes this as Plaintiff’s response to the Government’s motion to dismiss. Plaintiff’s response is largely incoherent and fails to address any of the Government’s arguments 24 regarding lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Dkt. # 11. 1 B. Plaintiff’s Objection and Motion for a More Definitive Statement 2 Nearly a month after the noting date, Plaintiff filed a second document, again 3 objecting to the Government’s motion to dismiss and requesting a “more definitive 4 statement regarding legal definitions and grammar being used in Defendant’s documents, and offers of obligations, and proceedings.” Dkt. # 13. Plaintiff has already been 5 afforded the opportunity to respond to the Government’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. # 11) 6 and the Court will not entertain Plaintiff’s second, untimely, objection. 7 In the same motion, Plaintiff requests a “more definitive statement regarding legal 8 definitions and grammar being used in Defendant’s documents, and offers of obligations, 9 and proceedings.” Dkt. # 13. To the extent it is decipherable, Plaintiff appears to 10 challenge this Court’s jurisdiction and request dismissal of his case. Dkt. # 13 at 21. 11 Specifically, Plaintiff argues that he was not properly “identified” in this action because his name appears in all capital letters in the case caption and correspondence from the 12 Internal Revenue Service. Dkt. # 14 at 5-10. Plaintiff’s argument is frivolous and 13 entirely without merit. Ford v. Pryor, 552 F.3d 1174, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008). Plaintiff’s 14 motion for a more definitive statement is DENIED. Dkt. # 13. 15 C. United States’ Motion to Strike or Dismiss 16 On September 27, 2019, Plaintiff also filed an amended complaint. Dkt. # 16. 17 Plaintiff’s amended complaint is untimely and was filed without leave from this Court. Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(1)(B), a party may amend its pleading once as a matter of 18 course “if the pleading is one to which a responsive pleading is required, 21 days after 19 service of a responsive pleading or 21 days after service of a motion under Rule 12(b), 20 (e), or (f), whichever is earlier.” If, as in this case, the deadline to file an amended 21 pleading has already passed, amendment is only permitted with the opposing party’s 22 consent or the Court’s leave. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2). Here, Plaintiff filed his amended 23 complaint several months after the United States served its motion to dismiss with the 24 Government’s consent or the leave of this Court. The United States’ motion to strike the 1 amended complaint is GRANTED (Dkt. # 17) and Plaintiff’s amended complaint is 2 STRICKEN. 3 III. CONCLUSION 4 For the foregoing reasons, the United States’ motion to dismiss is GRANTED. Dkt. # 10. Plaintiff’s objection and motion for more definitive statements is DENIED. 5 Dkt. # 13. The United States’ motion to strike Plaintiff’s amended complaint is 6 GRANTED. Dkt. # 17. 7
8 Dated this 4th day of February, 2020. 9 A 10 11 The Honorable Richard A. Jones 12 United States District Judge
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