Henry K. Bowring, Petitioner-appellant, v. Commissioner Internal Revenue Service, Respondent-appellee, 15 F.3d 1083 (9th Cir. 1994)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Henry K. Bowring appeals pro se the tax court's decision affirming the Commissioner of Internal Revenue's ("CIR") determination of deficiencies in income tax and additions to tax due for the tax years 1984 through 1988. Bowring contends that the tax court erred by sustaining the CIR's determinations of deficiencies and additions to tax because section 6201(b) (1) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) prohibits the assessment of estimated taxes. We have jurisdiction over appeals from the tax court pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7482, and we affirm.

The tax court's interpretation of a statute is a ruling on a question of law which we review de novo. Vakasovich, Inc. v. Commissioner, 790 F.2d 1409, 1413 (9th Cir. 1986).

Section 6201(b) (1) of the Code provides in relevant part that " [n]o unpaid amount of estimated income tax required to be paid under section 6654 or 6655 shall be assessed." 26 U.S.C. § 6201(b) (1). Sections 6654 and 6655 of the Code address the failure of individuals and corporations respectively to pay estimated income taxes. See 26 U.S.C. §§ 6654-55.

"If any person fails to make any return required by any internal revenue law or regulation ..., the Secretary shall make such return from his own knowledge and from such information as he can obtain through testimony or otherwise." 26 U.S.C. § 6020(b); see Roat v. Commissioner, 847 F.2d 1379, 1382 n. 1 (9th Cir. 1988).

The CIR's determinations of deficiencies and additions to tax are presumptively correct and the taxpayer bears the burden of producing evidence showing that the CIR's determinations are incorrect. Baxter v. Commissioner, 816 F.2d 493, 495 (9th Cir. 1987).

Here, Bowring failed to file income tax returns for the tax years 1984 through 1988. The CIR determined deficiencies by computing the amount of income tax owed based on Bowring's unreported income for those years. See 26 U.S.C. § 6020(b). The determination of deficiencies and additions to tax therefore were based on the actual amount of income tax owed and not based on any estimated tax as provided under section 6654. See 26 U.S.C. §§ 6211, 6654. Moreover, because the CIR never attempted to assess or collect the deficiencies, section 6201(b) (1) upon which Bowring exclusively relies to challenge the deficiencies, is inapplicable in this case. See 26 U.S.C. § 6201(b) (1). Aside from his reliance on section 6201(b) (1), Bowring presented no evidence to sustain his burden of showing that the CIR's determinations are incorrect. See Baxter, 816 F.2d at 495. Accordingly, the tax court did not err by affirming the CIR's determinations of deficiencies and additions to tax.

AFFIRMED.