Opinion
12875-20L
03-29-2023
RITA RENEE PILATE, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
ORDER
David Gustafson Judge.
This case was set for trial at the Court's session in Washington, D.C., beginning May 8, 2023. On March 28, 2023, the parties had a conference call with Judge Gustafson at the request of petitioner Rita Renee Pilate. Ms. Pilate, who is self-represented, expressed concern about her ability to respond to the Commissioner's pending motion for summary judgment. The Commissioner's counsel advised that the IRS expects to sponsor in late April a "Settlement Day" at which self-represented petitioners can consult with volunteers from the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics, and Ms. Pilate expressed an interest in participating. Ms. Pilate asked for a continuance of trial and an extension of her deadline for responding to the motion, in order to accommodate health issues she is facing and to allow time for her participation in "Settlement Day". The Court agreed to alter the motion briefing schedule and encouraged her to participate. It is
ORDERED that Ms. Pilate's oral request for a continuance is granted, in that this case is stricken from the Court's Washington, D.C, trial session beginning May 8, 2023; but the judge signing this order retains jurisdiction over this case. It is further
ORDERED that petitioner's oral request for an extension of the deadline by which she shall file a response to the Commissioner's motion for summary judgment is granted. Our previous order (Doc. 23) is vacated, insofar as it sets a deadline of March 27, 2023, and Ms. Pilate shall instead file her response no later than May 26, 2023. It is further
ORDERED that, no later than June 9, 2023, the Commissioner shall file and serve a reply (or, if petitioner has failed to file and serve a response, then the Commissioner shall file a status report).