Wade V. Shang - Page 3




                                         -3-                                          
          answer.  Respondent seeks to set forth facts regarding the                  
          determination of the civil fraud penalties without reliance on              
          collateral estoppel.  On May 31, 2007, petitioner filed his                 
          objection to respondent’s motion for leave to file amendment to             
          answer.  On October 15, 2007, hearing was held on the motion in             
          San Francisco, California.                                                  
                                     Discussion                                       
               Rule 41 governs amended and supplemental pleadings.  Rule              
          41(a) covers amendments generally and provides in effect that               
          after a responsive pleading is served or after 30 days if no                
          responsive pleading is permitted, “a party may amend a pleading             
          only by leave of Court or by written consent of the adverse                 
          party, and leave shall be given freely when justice so requires.”           
          Rule 41(a) reflects “a liberal attitude toward amendment of                 
          pleadings.”  60 T.C. 1089 (explanatory note accompanying                    
          promulgation of Rule 41).  Because the parties have framed this             
          issue as though leave were necessary for respondent to amend his            
          answer, we will assume arguendo that it is.                                 
               Whether leave will be granted to file an amendment to answer           
          is a question falling within the sound discretion of the Court,             
          and the disposition of such a motion turns largely on whether the           
          matter is raised timely so as not to prejudice the taxpayer.                
          Waterman v. Commissioner, 91 T.C. 344, 349-350 (1988); Ross Glove           
          Co. v. Commissioner, 60 T.C. 569, 595 (1973).                               







Page:  Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  Next 

Last modified: March 27, 2008