Opinion
22450-22S
10-26-2022
MARY HELMS & DANNIE HELMS, DECEASED, Petitioners v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
ORDER
Kathleen Kerrigan Chief Judge
On October 21, 2022, correspondence from Mary Helms was filed as a petition to commence the above-docketed case. Although that document was signed only by Mary Helms, it indicated dispute of an attached notice of deficiency for taxable year 2020 issued to Dannie Helms and Mary Helms. The petition also appeared to indicate the Dannie Helms was deceased. In accordance therewith and to protect all potential parties, the case opened was captioned in the names of both Mary Helms and Dannie Helms, Deceased. However, intentions as to the status of this litigation with respect to Dannie Helms, Deceased, remain unclear.
In general, Rule 60(a) of the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure directs that a case shall be brought by the individual against whom a deficiency or liability has been asserted or by a fiduciary legally authorized to institute a case on behalf of such person. The burden of proving that the Court has jurisdiction is on the taxpayer, and unless the petition is filed by the taxpayer or someone lawfully authorized to act on his or her behalf, the Court lacks jurisdiction. Fehrs v. Commissioner, 65 T.C. 346, 348 (1975). Merely being named executor in a will is not sufficient, nor is reliance on an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 56, Notice of Fiduciary Relationship, absent court appointment. While such may suffice before the IRS, it is not adequate before the Tax Court, which is entirely separate from the IRS.
Given the foregoing, this matter now raises the jurisdictional question of whether the case, insofar as it may purport to be an appeal by or on behalf of Dannie Helms, Deceased, or the estate, was filed by a fiduciary or personal representative duly appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction and legally entitled to institute a case on behalf of Dannie Helms, Deceased, or the estate.
Upon due consideration, it is
ORDERED that, on or before December 7, 2022, Mary Helms shall file a report advising whether Mary Helms or any other person has been duly appointed the executor, personal representative, or fiduciary for the Estate of Dannie Helms, Deceased, by a court of competent jurisdiction, attaching thereto the corresponding letters of administration or letters testamentary. Failure to comply with this Order may result in partial dismissal of the instant case as to Dannie Helms, Deceased, or other appropriate action by this Court.