Robert J. Littfin and Evelyn K. Littfin; Gilbert J. Mcgoughand Carol M. Mcgough; and Russell P. Kramer, Jr.and Sharon D. Kramer, Petitioners-appellants, v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Respondent-appellee, 17 F.3d 1345 (10th Cir. 1994)

Robert and Evelyn Littfin, Gilbert and Carol McGough, and Russell and Sharon Kramer (collectively, "taxpayers"), Appellants in the above-captioned cases, appeal from orders of the United States Tax Court holding that it lacked jurisdiction over Appellants' petitions for redetermination of interest on tax deficiencies. Because the three cases arise from the same circumstances, we consolidated the appeals.

In 1984, 1986, and 1989, the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service issued statutory notices of deficiency to the taxpayers, asserting deficiencies in income tax and additions for various taxable years. The taxpayers individually filed petitions in the United States Tax Court contesting the alleged deficiencies. Settlement negotiations ensued, ultimately resulting in offers of settlement by the Commissioner. The offers of settlement remained open for periods ranging from eighteen months to seven years and were finally accepted by the taxpayers shortly before the offers were to expire. The parties then entered into stipulated decisions disposing of their cases, which decisions were entered by the Tax Court. Those stipulated decisions stated that "there are deficiencies in income taxes due from the [taxpayers] for [specific taxable years]," and that "effective upon the entry of this decision by the Court, [taxpayers] waive the restrictions contained in I.R.C. Sec. 6213(a) prohibiting assessment and collection of the deficiency (plus statutory interest) until the decision of the Tax Court becomes final."

Several months after these stipulated decisions became final, the taxpayers each filed motions to re-determine interest on the deficiency pursuant to I.R.C. Sec. 7481(c) and Tax Court Rule 261. Each of the taxpayers' motions requested "a re-determination of the liability set forth by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in the Commissioner's Assessment of Tax Liability, ... and ... [an] Abatement of Interest because of delays and errors of the [Commissioner] due to ministerial acts, under 26 U.S.C. 6404(e) and [an] abatement of interest for illegality under 26 U.S.C. 6404(a) (3)." Essentially, the taxpayers argued that the I.R.S. had improperly delayed action on these cases for several years pending resolution of related criminal cases, thus unfairly subjecting the taxpayers to increased interest liabilities. The Tax Court denied each of the taxpayers' petitions, concluding that it lacked the authority to review the Commissioner's determinations on abatement of interest. The taxpayers appeal.

The Second Circuit has recently addressed the identical issues raised in this appeal in a case arising out of the same circumstances. See Bax v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 13 F.3d 54, 1993 WL 535885 (2d Cir. 1993). We agree with the reasoning of the Second Circuit and we affirm on the grounds set forth in that opinion.¹ 

AFFIRMED.