Richard F. Hanson, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service; United States Ofamerica, Defendants-appellees, 980 F.2d 737 (9th Cir. 1992)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Richard Hanson appeals pro se the district court's dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction of his action challenging the Internal Revenue Service's ("IRS") collection of Hanson's federal tax liabilities for tax years 1983-85. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo a district court's dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, Kruso v. International Tel. & Tel. Corp., 872 F.2d 1416, 1421 (9th Cir. 1989), cert. denied, 496 U.S. 937 (1990), and we affirm.

* Background

Hanson filed a Civil Complaint in the Nature of Mandamus seeking a jury trial in connection with a $36,750.68 tax assessment by the IRS. Hanson sought to have the assessment reduced to a judgment before a jury in an Article III Court prior to his payment of the tax. The Government answered and then moved to dismiss on the ground that the Anti-Injunction Act, 26 U.S.C. § 7421 ("Act"), precluded the district court from exercising jurisdiction over Hanson's action and on the ground that Hanson's complaint failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. Hanson opposed the motion. The district court concluded that Hanson's action had the purpose of restraining the assessment and collection of federal taxes and, therefore, was barred by the Act. Accordingly, the district court granted the Government's motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

On appeal, Hanson contends the district court erred by determining it lacked jurisdiction to hear Hanson's action because it was not prohibited by the Anti-Injunction Act.¹ 

II

Merits

The United States, as sovereign, may not be sued without its consent, and the terms of consent define the district court's jurisdiction to hear the suit. United States v. Testan, 424 U.S. 392, 399 (1976). A waiver may not be implied but must be "unequivocally expressed." United States v. King, 395 U.S. 1, 4 (1969). The Anti-Injunction Act prohibits a taxpayer from bringing a "suit for the purpose of restraining the assessment or collection of any tax...." 26 U.S.C. § 7421(a). The Act is enforced strictly. See Maxfield v. U.S. Postal Serv., 752 F.2d 433, 434 (9th Cir. 1984).

The district court must dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction any suit falling within the Act's proscription. Elias v. Connett, 908 F.2d 521, 523 (9th Cir. 1990). Thus, ordinarily, once a tax has been assessed, the taxpayer's only recourse is to appeal to the tax court or to pay the tax in full and then sue for a refund in district court. See United States v. Condo, 782 F.2d 1502, 1506 (9th Cir. 1986). Nevertheless, under Enochs v. Williams Packing & Navigation Co., 370 U.S. 1, 7 (1962), injunctive relief is available if the taxpayer can demonstrate that (1) under no circumstance could the Government prevail on the merits of its claim, and (2) the taxpayer will be irreparably harmed if the injunction is not granted. Enochs, 370 U.S. at 7. The taxpayer bears the burden of establishing both prongs of the Enochs test. See Elias, 908 F.2d at 525.

Here, although Hanson characterizes his complaint as an action in the nature of mandamus, his action attempts to impede the IRS's collection activities. Thus, Hanson's action falls within the Act's proscription and is barred unless Hanson satisfies both prongs of the Enochs test. Hanson has failed to demonstrate that the Government can under no circumstance prevail. The IRS is not required to reduce a tax assessment to judgment prior to instituting administrative collection activity. See Enochs, 370 U.S. at 7 (purpose of section 7421(a) is to permit the collection of taxes without judicial intervention). Hanson also has failed to demonstrate that he will suffer irreparable harm if the collection of taxes is not enjoined. See Bob Jones University v. Simon, 416 U.S. 725, 745 (1974) (mere financial hardship insufficient to establish irreparable injury). Hanson has an adequate legal remedy: he may pay the tax and sue for a refund. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(a) (1); 26 U.S.C. §§ 6532, 7422; Church of Scientology v. United States, 920 F.2d 1481, 1489 (9th Cir. 1990) ("courts have repeatedly held that the opportunity to sue for a refund is an adequate remedy at law which bars the granting of an injunction."), cert. denied, 111 S. Ct. 2258 (1991). Thus, Hanson has failed to satisfy either prong of the Enochs test. See Hughes v. United States, 953 F.2d 531, 536 (9th Cir. 1992).

Because Hanson's action sought to restrain the collection of federal taxes and did not fall within any exception to the Act, the district court correctly dismissed the action for lack of jurisdiction. See id.² 

AFFIRMED.