Tamberella v. Commissioner

139 F. App'x 319
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Second Circuit
DecidedJuly 14, 2005
DocketDocket No. 04-2593AG
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 139 F. App'x 319 (Tamberella v. Commissioner) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Tamberella v. Commissioner, 139 F. App'x 319 (2d Cir. 2005).

Opinion

SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner-appellant Joseph Tamberella appeals a March 5, 2004 decision and Memorandum Opinion of the United States Tax Court, which concluded that a $89,840 payment to Tamberella from his former employer, ATC-Vancom of Nevada Limited Partnership, Inc. (ATC), pursuant to a settlement agreement, was not excludable from gross income because it was not received on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness. In addition, the Tax Court concluded that Tamberalla was hable for penalties pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §§ 6651(a)(1) and 6662 for the late filing of his tax return and for the negligent underpayment of taxes, respectively. We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history of the case. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

Tamberella argues that the Tax Court erroneously concluded that the $89,840 settlement payment was not ex-dudable from gross income. Rather, Tamberella contends, the entire $89,840 portion of the settlement award is excludable from gross income because it represents compensation for personal physical injuries and physical sickness triggered by ATC’s conduct; specifically, it represents compensation for Tamberella’s hypertension, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. We disagree.

Section 61(a) of the Internal Revenue Code defines “gross income” broadly as “all income from whatever source derived.” 26 U.S.C. § 61(a) (2000). However, amounts received as damages, by suit or settlement, “on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness” are ex-cludable from “gross income.” Id. § 104(a)(2). It is well established that “gross income” is to be broadly construed, while exclusions from income are to be narrowly construed. See Comm’r v. Schleier, 515 U.S. 323, 328, 115 S.Ct. 2159, 132 L.Ed.2d 294 (1995); see also United States v. Burke, 504 U.S. 229, 248, 112 S.Ct. 1867, 119 L.Ed.2d 34 (1992) (Souter, J., concurring in the judgment); Taggi v. United States, 35 F.3d 93, 95 (2d Cir.1994).

Two independent requirements must be met before proceeds from a settlement may be excluded under section 104(a)(2). “First, the taxpayer must demonstrate that the underlying cause of action giving rise to the recovery is based upon tort or tort type rights.” Schleier, 515 U.S. at 337 (internal quotation marks omitted); see 26 C.F.R. § 1.104-1(c). Second, the taxpayer must show that the damages were received on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness. Schleier, 515 U.S. at 337 (internal quotation marks omitted);1 see 26 U.S.C. 104(a)(2).

[322]*322Whether a settlement payment is excludable turns on the intent of the payor in making the payment, which is a factual inquiry that we review for clear error. See Agar v. Comm’r, 290 F.2d 283, 284 (2d Cir.1961) (per curiam) (“[T]he ultimate inquiry is into the ‘basic reason’ for the company’s payment.”); Madison Recycling Assoc, v. Comm’r, 295 F.3d 280, 285 (2d Cir.2002). In undertaking this analysis, courts may focus on the nature of the claim underlying the award of damages, rather than on the validity of the claim. See Burke, 504 U.S. at 237; see also Pipitone v. United States, 180 F.3d 859, 862 (7th Cir.1999); Robinson v. Comm’r, 102 T.C. 116, 126, 1994 WL 26303 (1994). Where the express language of the settlement agreement indicates the nature of the underlying claim being settled and allocates the award among various claims, then the terms of the agreement are generally binding for tax purposes. See Robinson, 102 T.C. at 127; see also Pipitone, 180 F.3d at 863-64. However, when the settlement agreement does not expressly indicate the nature of the claims to be settled, as in the present case, we look to all the facts and circumstances to discern the payor’s intent. See Robinson, 102 T.C. at 127; see also Pipitone, 180 F.3d at 864-65.

Tamberella’s argument must fail because the Tax Court’s factual determination that he did not receive the $89,840 settlement payment on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness is not clearly erroneous. The Tax Court relied on the letter ATC’s counsel sent to Tamberella, which recounted Tamberella’s settlement offer. The letter explained that Tamberella wanted $45,000 compensation for back wages and additionally sought reinstatement, but that in lieu of reinstatement, Tamberella was willing to accept an additional payment for a total award of $150,000. Tamberella ultimately received only $115,000, and the settlement agreement specifically stated that the portion not at issue here was to compensate Tamberella for lost back wages. The Tax Court consequently concluded that the $89,840 balance constituted compensation paid to Tamberella to waive his right to seek reinstatement of employment, as well as an earlier rejected arbitrator’s award, and was therefore not on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness. Based on the record viewed in its entirety, we cannot conclude that the Tax Court’s conclusion that the settlement award was not on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness is clearly erroneous, and accordingly Tamberella necessarily cannot establish that the damages are ex-cludable from gross income.2

[323]*323Tamberella additionally argues that the Tax Court erroneously imposed penalties pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6651(a)(1) for the late filing of his tax return. A taxpayer who fails to timely file a tax return is hable for a mandatory penalty under 26 U.S.C. § 6651(a)(1) unless the taxpayer can show that there was “reasonable cause” for the late filing and it was not due to “willful neglect.” 26 U.S.C. § 6651(a)(1). Tamberella contends that there was reasonable cause for the late filing of his tax return because he was suffering “from severe mental incapacity.” We disagree.

‘Whether a factor constitutes ‘reasonable cause’ for late filing under § 6651(a)(1) is reviewed de novo.” Martin v. Comrn’r, 147 F.3d 147 (2d Cir.1998). In Marrin v. Commissioner, this Court declined to find “reasonable cause” where, inter alia, the taxpayer’s claim that he was “incapacitated” was undermined by his continuous engagement in securities and futures transactions.

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Bluebook (online)
139 F. App'x 319, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/tamberella-v-commissioner-ca2-2005.