Opinion
No. 11-70270 Tax Ct. No. 16366-09
09-21-2012
PHU M. AU; YVONNE D. AU, Petitioners - Appellants, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent - Appellee.
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
MEMORANDUM
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Appeal from a Decision of the
United States Tax Court
Before: WARDLAW, CLIFTON, and N.R. SMITH, Circuit Judges.
Phu M. and Yvonne D. Au appeal pro se from the Tax Court's decision, following a bench trial, upholding the Commissioner of Internal Revenue's deficiency and additions for tax year 2006. We have jurisdiction under 26 U.S.C. § 7482(a). We review de novo the Tax Court's legal conclusions, and for clear error its factual findings. Johanson v. Comm'r, 541 F.3d 973, 976 (9th Cir. 2008). We affirm.
The Tax Court properly upheld the tax deficiency because the Aus' gambling losses could only be deducted from gambling winnings. See 26 U.S.C. § 165(d) ("[l]osses from wagering transactions shall be allowed only to the extent of gains from such transactions")
The Tax Court did not clearly err by finding that the Aus were subject to the accuracy-related penalty for negligence under 26 U.S.C. § 6662(b) where they made no inquiry to confirm that their substantial deductions were allowable. See Sparkman v. Comm'r, 509 F.3d 1149, 1161 (9th Cir. 2007) ("The Tax Court's determination on a negligence penalty is reviewed for clear error.").
The Tax Court did not abuse its discretion in declining to appoint counsel where the Aus did not request counsel until the day of the trial and failed to show exceptional circumstances. See Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009) (standard of review and exceptional circumstances requirement).
The Aus' contention that they were forced to sign stipulations prior to trial is not supported by the record.
AFFIRMED.