Sam E. Scott - Page 26




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              Initially, the filing of a joint return does not, per se,               
         make the joint filers equal “owners” of any refund of tax from               
         said return.  Instead, each joint filer is apportioned an                    
         interest in the overpayment to the extent he or she contributed              
         to the overpayment.  See Gens v. United States, 230 Ct. Cl. 42,              
         673 F.2d 366 (1982).  In that regard, petitioner has not shown               
         that any portion of the overpayments for the years 1999 through              
         2002 was attributable to his wife.  Without such information, we             
         cannot find that there was any abuse of discretion in not                    
         adjusting or reversing the offsets.                                          
              Conclusion and Holding--Although petitioner’s filings were              
         sparse and terse, we have carefully considered his summary                   
         contentions.  To the extent that we have not addressed any                   
         particular aspect of his contentions, they are not worthy of                 
         further consideration or comment.  We hold that respondent’s                 
         determination to pursue collection by filing Notices of Federal              
         Tax Liens was not an abuse of discretion.  In this case where                
         petitioner has not shown how a compromise of his liability would             
         promote effective tax administration coupled with his admission              
         that his assets are sufficient to pay the outstanding tax                    
         liability, respondent’s refusal to consider alternatives is not              
         an abuse of discretion.  Petitioner’s contention in this regard              
         has been that the filing of a lien will affect his credit and                
         ability to sell or transfer assets.  Those reasons do not, per               






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