150 T.C. No. 10

UNITED STATES TAX COURT

DYNAMO HOLDINGS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 

DYNAMO, GP, INC., TAX MATTERS PARTNER, Petitioner v.

COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

BEEKMAN VISTA, INC., Petitioner v. 

COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

Docket Nos. 2685-11, 8393-12. Filed May 7, 2018.

In these consolidated cases C, a corporation, and P, a

partnership, share common ownership. During the years in issue C

transferred property to P. R argues that the transfers were gifts

among the ultimate beneficial owners. R argues in the alternative that

the transfers were for less than fair market value and that the amounts

of the discount are subject to withholding tax under I.R.C. secs. 1442

and 1445(e)(3). R determined that penalties under I.R.C. sec. 6662(a)

applied to the adjustments in the P proceeding and also determined

additions to tax under I.R.C. sec. 6651(a)(1) and penalties under

I.R.C. sec. 6656(a) against C.

In Graev v. Commissioner, 149 T.C. __ (Dec. 20, 2017),

supplementing 147 T.C. 460 (2016), we held that in cases where the

Commissioner bears the burden of production with respect to
2

penalties under I.R.C. sec. 7491(c), the burden of production includes

evidence of written supervisory approval of penalties as required by

I.R.C. sec. 6751(b)(1). Under I.R.C. sec. 7491(c), R “shall have the

burden of production in any court proceeding with respect to the

liability of any individual for any penalty, addition to tax, or

additional amount imposed by this title.”

R filed a motion to reopen the record to supplement existing

proof of supervisory approval. C and P moved for dismissal as to the

penalties because R did not meet the burden of production with

respect to penalties under I.R.C. sec. 7491(c).

Held: In a partnership-level proceeding R does not bear the

burden of production with respect to penalties under I.R.C. sec.

7491(c).

Held, further, where the Commissioner does not bear the

burden of production as to penalties, the lack of supervisory approval

of penalties may be raised as a defense to those penalties.

Held, further, C and P did not raise the lack of supervisory

approval of penalties as a defense to penalties, and therefore the

defense is waived.

Held, further, the motion to reopen the record will be denied.

Held, further, the motion to dismiss as to penalties will be

denied.

Martin R. Press, Edward A. Marod, Clinton R. Losego, Lu-Ann M.

Dominguez, Alan S. Lederman, and John W. Terwilleger, for petitioners.
3

David B. Flassing, Lisa M. Goldberg, William G. Merkle, Timothy A.

Sloane, and G. Roger Markley, for respondent.

BUCH, Judge: The issue before us is whether we should grant the

Commissioner’s motion to reopen the record to receive further evidence

concerning supervisory approval of the penalties that are at issue. In deciding this

issue, we must confront the question of whether the Commissioner bears the

burden of production with respect to penalties under section 7491(c) in a

partnership-level proceeding.

1

Petitioners in these consolidated cases are Beekman Vista, Inc. (Beekman

Vista), a U.S. corporation, and Dynamo GP, Inc. (Dynamo GP), the tax matters

partner of Dynamo Holdings Limited Partnership (Dynamo), a partnership. The

Commissioner determined an addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1) and a

penalty under section 6656(a) against Beekman Vista and determined that a

penalty under section 6662(a) applies to the adjustments for Dynamo. In the past

we have questioned whether the Commissioner bears the burden of production

with respect to penalties under section 7491(c) in a partnership-level proceeding,

1All section references are to the Internal Revenue Code (Code) in effect at

all relevant times, and all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice

and Procedure, unless otherwise indicated.
4

but we have never expressly ruled on the issue. We hold that the Commissioner

does not bear the burden of production with respect to penalties in a partnershiplevel proceeding.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Beekman Vista is a Delaware corporation that is wholly owned by a

Canadian entity. It is a property development company that specializes in

developing property in southern Florida, and its principal place of business is

Florida. Dynamo is a partnership formed in Delaware with its principal place of

business is Florida. Like Beekman Vista, Dynamo is in the business of property

development and specializes in developing property in southern Florida. Dynamo

and Beekman Vista have at least one direct owner in common and share other

indirect beneficial owners. 

During 2005, 2006, and 2007, the years in issue, there were transfers of

property among Beekman Vista, Dynamo, and entities owned by each of them. 

The Commissioner principally argues that those transfers were gifts among the

beneficial owners of Beekman Vista and Dynamo. Beekman Vista and Dynamo

GP argue that the transfers were sales paid for with loans that were eventually

repaid. If we find bona fide loans, the Commissioner argues that the transfers

were for less than fair market value and that the discounts were constructive
5

distributions subject to withholding taxes. Beekman Vista and Dynamo GP argue

that the transfers were for fair market value. We will address these issues in a

separate opinion.

The Commissioner examined Beekman Vista’s income tax returns for tax

years ending June 30, 2004 through 2008, and Dynamo’s partnership returns for

2005, 2006, and 2007. 

The income tax examination of Beekman Vista’s returns led to an

examination of whether Beekman Vista properly withheld taxes under section

1442. On February 1, 2012, the Commissioner issued a notice of deficiency to

Beekman Vista for 2005 and 2006. The Commissioner determined that Beekman

Vista was liable for withholding taxes and for an addition to tax under section

6651(a)(1) and a penalty under section 6656(a) for each year. Beekman Vista

filed a timely petition challenging the deficiencies, the additions to tax, and the

penalties. In an amendment to answer the Commissioner asserted an increased

deficiency, an increase to the addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1), and an

increase to the amount of the section 6656(a) penalty for each year. 

The Commissioner issued a notice of final partnership administrative

adjustment (FPAA) with respect to Dynamo for 2005, 2006, and 2007 on

December 28, 2010. In addition to various adjustments to partnership items, the
6

Commissioner determined the applicability of accuracy-related penalties under

section 6662(a) and (b)(1) and (2) for negligence and substantial understatements

of income tax. 

In their respective petitions, neither Beekman Vista nor Dynamo GP raised

the issue of whether the Commissioner complied with the supervisory approval

requirement of section 6751(b). The cases were consolidated, and a two-week

trial was held in early 2017.

On December 20, 2017, the Court issued an Opinion in Graev v.

Commissioner (Graev III), 149 T.C. ___ (Dec. 20, 2017), supplementing 147 T.C.

460 (2016). In Graev III, 149 T.C. at ___ (slip op. at 14), we held that in cases in

which the Commissioner bears the burden of production with respect to penalties

under section 7491(c), the burden of production includes evidence of written

supervisory approval of penalties as required by section 6751(b)(1). On December

21, 2017, we issued an order in these consolidated cases directing the parties’

attention to Graev III and ordering the Commissioner to file a response to both

address the effect of section 6751(b) on these cases and to direct the Court to any

evidence of section 6751(b) supervisory approval in the record. Beekman Vista

and Dynamo GP were also given the opportunity to respond to the December 21,

2017, order.
7

On January 19, 2018, the Commissioner filed his response. He observes

that, under section 6751(b)(2)(A), supervisory approval is not required for

additions to tax under section 6651. As for the penalties under sections 6656(a)

and 6662(a), the Commissioner argues that he does not bear the burden of

production because neither Beekman Vista nor any of Dynamo’s partners were

individuals. He further argues that, even if he does bear the burden of production

with respect to penalties under sections 6656(a) and 6662(a), he has met that

burden.

To establish that he complied with the supervisory approval requirement

under section 6751(b) for the section 6662(b)(2) substantial understatement of

income tax penalty asserted against Dynamo, the Commissioner directs us to

documents titled Substantial Understatement Penalty Worksheet for 2006 and

2007.

2

 These worksheets were signed by Team Manager Niveen Malaty. 

According to the Commissioner’s response to the Court’s December 21, 2017,

order, Team Manager Malaty is the supervisor of the revenue agent who initially

determined the penalties.

2Although the FPAA purported to determine an accuracy-related penalty for

each year 2005 through 2007, the Commissioner argues that no penalty was

asserted for 2005 because the FPAA adjustments resulted in a net reduction of

Dynamo’s income.
8

To establish that he complied with the supervisory approval requirement

with respect to the penalties under section 6656(a) that were determined in the

notice of deficiency, the Commissioner directs us to a letter transmitting the

examination report to the taxpayer’s representative. The letter is signed by Team

Manager Malaty and transmits an examination report containing penalty

determinations made by the revenue agent. The Commissioner again represents

that Team Manager Malaty is the supervisor of the revenue agent who initially

determined the penalties. The Commissioner also directs us to a Form 5701,

Notice of Proposed Adjustment, for 2005 and 2006 that was signed by Team

Manager Richard Blumenthal. The Commissioner represents that Team Manager

Blumenthal is the supervisor for one of the revenue agents working on the matter. 

The Commissioner did not direct the Court to any evidence in the record

concerning supervisory approval of the increased penalties asserted against

Beekman Vista in the amendment to answer.3

On January 26, 2018, Beekman Vista and Dynamo GP filed a response to

the December 21, 2017, order. They argue that the Commissioner bears the

burden of production for the section 6656(a) penalty at issue in the Beekman Vista

3All of the documents relied on by the Commissioner to establish

supervisory approval were offered at trial by the petitioners and admitted into

evidence over objections by the Commissioner.
9

deficiency proceeding and the section 6662(a) penalty at issue in the Dynamo

partnership-level proceeding. They also argue that the Commissioner did not meet

the burden of production with respect to supervisory approval as required by

section 6751(b) because the Commissioner did not establish that Team Manager

Malaty and Team Manager Blumenthal were the appropriate supervisors to

approve the penalty determinations.

On February 2, 2018, both the Commissioner and petitioners filed motions

with the Court. The Commissioner filed a motion to reopen the record, arguing

that the Court should reopen the record to allow additional testimony from the

supervisors and revenue agents involved in the cases to reinforce the evidence of

supervisory approval. The Commissioner asserts that petitioners will not be

prejudiced because they will have the opportunity to interview the witnesses. 

Notably, the Commissioner does not indicate any intent to offer evidence of

supervisory approval of the increased penalties asserted in his amendment to

answer.

Petitioners filed a motion to dismiss as to the penalties under sections 6656

and 6662. They argue that the Commissioner bears the burden of production

under section 7491(c) and must meet the supervisory approval requirement under

section 6751(b) as a part of that burden. They also argue that the Commissioner
10

did not meet that burden because he did not establish that Team Manager Malaty

and Team Manager Blumenthal were immediate supervisors. They contend that

because the Commissioner did not meet his burden the Court should dismiss as to

the penalties under sections 6656 and 6662.

OPINION

Under section 7491(c) the Commissioner “shall have the burden of

production in any court proceeding with respect to the liability of any individual

for any penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount imposed by this title.” We

will deny the Commissioner’s motion to reopen the record because, under the

applicable statutes, the Commissioner does not bear the burden of production with

respect to penalties in a corporate or partnership-level proceeding. We will deny

petitioners’ motion to dismiss as to these penalties for the same reason. As to the

increased penalties first raised in his amendment to answer, we will deny the

motion to reopen the record, because the Commissioner did not offer through his

motion any evidence to support the supervisory approval of those penalties. 

I. Reopening the Record

Whether to reopen a record is a matter left to the discretion of the Court. In

his motion to reopen the record the Commissioner cites United States v. Byrd, 403

F.3d 1278 (11th Cir. 2005), an opinion of the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh
11

Circuit, the court to which these cases can be appealed. In Byrd, that Court of

Appeals adopted a four-part inquiry to aid courts in determining whether they

should reopen a record. Id. at 1283-1284. The four factors are (1) the timeliness

of the motion, (2) the character of the testimony to be offered, (3) the effect of

granting the motion, and (4) the reasonableness of the request. Id. at 1284. The

factor most relevant to these cases is the third: the effect of granting the motion. 

If we conclude that granting a motion to reopen the record would not affect the

outcome of the cases, the motion should be denied. Granting such a motion would

be a meaningless gesture if it would not affect the outcome, and it would be a

waste of judicial resources. See Butler v. Commissioner, 114 T.C. 276, 287

(2000). Accordingly, we turn to the question of what would be the effect, if any,

of granting the Commissioner’s motion.

II. Penalties at Issue

The notice of deficiency issued to Beekman Vista determined for each year

an addition to tax under section 6651(a) for failure to file and a penalty under

section 6656 for failure to make deposits. The FPAA issued with respect to

Dynamo determined the applicability of an accuracy-related penalty under section

6662(a). Additions to tax under section 6651 are not subject to the supervisory

approval requirement of section 6751. See sec. 6751(b)(2)(A). Accordingly,
12

whether there was supervisory approval for the section 6651(a) addition to tax is

not an issue we need to consider.

III. Burden of Production Under Section 7491(c)

Under section 7491(c) the Commissioner “shall have the burden of

production in any court proceeding with respect to the liability of any individual

for any penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount imposed by this title.” Here,

we have a consolidated proceeding involving the liability of a corporation

(Beekman Vista) and determinations relating to a partnership (Dynamo). We will

address each proceeding separately.

A. Beekman Vista

The first, and perhaps easiest, issue to address is the Commissioner’s burden

of production as to the section 6656 penalty determined against Beekman Vista in

the notice of deficiency. In NT, Inc. v. Commissioner, 126 T.C. 191 (2006), the

Court held that the Commissioner does not bear the burden of production under

section 7491(c) with respect to penalties asserted against a corporation. The

Court’s analysis was succinct and direct: “Section 7491(c) applies specifically

only to the liability of an ‘individual for any penalty, addition to tax, or additional

amount imposed by this title.’ Petitioner is not an individual; it is a corporation.” 

NT, Inc. v. Commissioner, 126 T.C. at 195 (citation omitted) (quoting section
13

7491(c)). The holding in NT, Inc. is unaffected by our holding in Graev III. The

Commissioner does not bear the burden of production regarding the liability of a

corporation for penalties. As a result, the Commissioner does not have the burden

of production as to supervisory approval under section 6751(b) for a penalty

determined against a corporation in a notice of deficiency.

B. Dynamo

We have previously considered whether the Commissioner bears the burden

of production with regard to penalties determined in partnership-level

proceedings. At times we have taken the Commissioner’s burden for granted. 

See, e.g., RERI Holdings I, LLC v. Commissioner, 149 T.C. ___, ___ (slip op. at

33) (July 3, 2017); Curtis Inv. Co. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2017-150, at

*37. In several cases we have examined the statute but expressly declined to rule

on whether the burden of production lies with the Commissioner with respect to

penalties. See, e.g., Palmer Ranch Holdings, Ltd. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo.

2014-79, at *43-*44, aff’d in part, rev’d in part, and remanded, 812 F.3d 982 (11th

Cir. 2016); Santa Monica Pictures, LLC v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2005-104,

89 T.C.M. (CCH) 1157, 1225 (2005). In those cases we found that we did not

need to address the issue because the Commissioner had met the burden of
14

production, regardless of whether he was required to do so. Now we must address

this issue.

1. Written Supervisory Approval Under Section 6751(b)(1)

The question of whether the Commissioner bears the burden of production

for penalties under section 7491(c) in partnership-level proceedings has become

more pressing. In Graev III we held that the Commissioner’s burden of

production includes evidence of written supervisory approval as required by

section 6751(b)(1). Graev III, 149 T.C. at ___ (slip op. at 14). Under section

6751(b) there must be written supervisory approval by the immediate supervisor of

the individual making the determination unless the additions to tax are under

section 6651, 6654, or 6655, or the penalties are automatically calculated through

electronic means.

4

In these cases the Commissioner directed us to evidence of supervisory

approval of accuracy-related penalties determined under section 6662(a), but that

evidence is inconclusive, particularly as to the question of whether the approving

official was the immediate supervisor of the person who initially determined the

penalties. If the Commissioner bears the burden of production in these cases, it is

4The Commissioner does not argue that the penalties were automatically

calculated through electronic means. 
15

not clear that he has met that burden. If the Commissioner does not bear the

burden of production, then the burden lies with petitioners.

2. Partnership-Level Proceedings

Under a plain reading of the statutes governing partnership-level

proceedings, such proceedings are not with respect to the liabilities of individuals. 

Under section 6221 the tax treatment of partnership items

5

 is determined at the

partnership level. The applicability of any penalty, addition to tax, or additional

amount that relates to an adjustment to a partnership item is also determined at the

partnership level. Secs. 6221, 6226(f). The Commissioner conducts a

partnership-level administrative proceeding to determine adjustments to

partnership items and the applicability of any penalty, addition to tax, or additional

amount relating to those adjustments. That proceeding may result in an FPAA. 

Sec. 6223(a)(2). Under section 6226, the Tax Court has jurisdiction to review an

FPAA upon the filing of a timely petition of a tax matters partner or a notice

partner. In a proceeding brought in the Tax Court, the Court has jurisdiction to

determine the tax treatment of all partnership items for the taxable year at issue,

5A partnership item is “any item required to be taken into account for the

partnership’s taxable year under any provision of subtitle A to the extent

regulations prescribed by the Secretary provide that * * * such item is more

appropriately determined at the partnership level than at the partner level.” Sec.

6231(a)(3). 
16

not just those included in the FPAA, and the applicability of any penalty, addition

to tax, or additional amount relating to those adjustments. Sec. 6226(f). 

Once a partnership-level proceeding is final, the liability of the partners, if

any, may be determined in a partner-level proceeding, which may involve a

computational adjustment or a notice of deficiency. See sec. 6230(a). In that

partner-level proceeding a partner may raise defenses to penalties and additions to

tax. Sec. 301.6221-1(d), Proced. & Admin. Regs.

The very nature of a partnership-level proceeding is inconsistent with

section 7491(c), which focuses on liability. A partnership-level proceeding

determines the treatment of partnership items and the applicability of a penalty at

the partnership level, but not the liability of any partner for either tax or penalties. 

If a partner’s liability is affected by a partnership-level determination, the partner’s

liability, if any, is determined later at the partner level. Desmet v. Commissioner,

581 F.3d 297, 302 (6th Cir. 2009), aff’g in part, remanding in part Domulewicz v.

Commissioner, 129 T.C. 11 (2007). And even if the applicability of a penalty is

determined at the partnership level, that penalty may not apply to any particular

partner.6 Therefore, under a plain reading of the applicable statutes, section

6For example, the Court might determine at the partnership level that a

substantial understatement penalty is applicable, but partner-level computations

(continued...)
17

7491(c) does not apply, and the Commissioner does not bear the burden of

production with respect to penalties and additions to tax in a partnership-level

proceeding.

Not only do partnership-level proceedings not determine liabilities, but they

also are not proceedings with respect to individuals. See sec. 7491(c). 

Partnerships themselves are not individuals. Sec. 761(a). The term “individual” is

not explicitly defined in the Code. When a term is not defined, we give it its

ordinary meaning. FDIC v. Meyer, 510 U.S. 471, 476 (1994); Gates v.

Commissioner, 135 T.C. 1, 6 (2010). Black’s Law Dictionary 892 (10th ed. 2014)

defines the word “individual” as “1. Existing as an indivisible entity. 2. Of,

relating to, or involving a single person or thing, as opposed to a group.” 

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 593 (10th ed. 1996) defines “individual”

as “a particular being or thing as distinguished from a class, species, or collection:

[such] as * * * a single human being”. The “single human being” definition is

consistent with the Code. Section 7701(a)(1) defines a person as “an individual, a

trust, estate, partnership, association, company or corporation”, making clear that

an individual is distinct from any of the other entities on the list.

6

(...continued)

may reveal that a particular partner, or perhaps no partner, meets the threshold for

a substantial understatement of income tax. See sec. 6662(d).
18

Section 7491(c) does not focus on parties but on the nature of the

proceeding. Partners are treated as the parties to a partnership-level proceeding,

Chef’s Choice Produce, Ltd. v. Commissioner, 95 T.C. 388, 395 (1990), but the

proceeding itself is conducted at the partnership level. It is the partnership return

that is examined; it is partnership items that are adjusted; and it is partnership

items and the applicability of penalties that are determined in a partnership-level

proceeding. See, e.g., sec. 6226(f); sec. 301.6221-1(c), Proced. & Admin Regs. 

Defenses to penalties that are unique as to any particular partner (individual or

otherwise) are not part of the partnership-level proceeding. Sec. 301.6226(f)-1(a),

Proced. & Admin Regs. In contrast, section 7491(c) applies “in any court

proceeding with respect to the liability of any individual for any penalty”.

We can infer from other Code provisions that Congress did not intend

section 7491(c) to apply in a partnership-level proceeding. For example, section

7430 allows for the awarding of costs and fees to a prevailing party. Sec. 7430(a). 

As noted above, in a partnership-level proceeding the partners are treated as

parties. Sec. 6226(c). Thus, when applying the net worth requirements under that

statute, we have looked to the partners as the parties, because the statute focuses

on a prevailing party. See, e.g., Foothill Ranch Co. P’ship v. Commissioner, 110

T.C. 94, 99 (1998). But section 7491(c) does not focus on “parties”.
19

A close examination of the prevailing party rule within section 7430 helps

to sharpen the distinction. The definition of prevailing party in section 7430(c)(4)

refers to 28 U.S.C. sec. 2412(d)(2)(B), which defines a party for the purposes of

actions to recover legal fees. In defining “party” for purposes of that provision,

Congress listed individuals separately from “any owner of an unincorporated

business, or any partnership” in the definition of party. In contrast, section 7491(c)

does not contain any reference to owners of an unincorporated business. Had

Congress wanted to include the owners of an unincorporated business in the effect

of section 7491(c), it knew how to do so.

There is evidence within section 7491 itself that Congress intended to

narrowly define the scope of section 7491(c). Whereas section 7491(c) refers to

the “liability of any individual for any penalty” (emphasis added), the burdenshifting rule of section 7491(a) speaks of the “liability of the taxpayer for any tax”

(emphasis added), and section 7491(a)(2)(C) makes it clear that burden shifting

under subsection (a) explicitly applies to “partnership[s]” (emphasis added). But

section 7491(c) is explicitly limited to proceedings with respect to the liability of

any individual. As we reasoned in Santa Monica Pictures, LLC v. Commissioner,

89 T.C.M. (CCH) at 1225, “[p]lainly, by using the different terms ‘individual’ and

‘taxpayer’, Congress intended to distinguish the two terms.” 
20

3. Administrative and Judicial Efficiency

There are practical concerns in partnership-level proceedings that make this

the only reasonable approach. Because partnerships are not individuals, the only

other potential approach would be to determine who has the burden of production

by looking through to the taxpaying partners. But the hallmark of a partnership

item, and by extension a partnership-level proceeding, is that it is common to all

partners. Grigoraci v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2002-202, 84 T.C.M. (CCH)

186, 189 (2002). 

The practical effect of applying section 7491(c) in a partnership-level

proceeding would be to require the Commissioner and the Court to identify the

ultimate taxpaying partners of a partnership to determine who bears the burden of

production as to penalties. In cases with tiered partnership structures the

Commissioner and the Court would spend time and resources to identify the

ultimate taxpaying partners, something the TEFRA notice provisions are designed

to avoid. See sec. 6223(c). And in a partnership in which one of the ultimate

taxpaying partners is a corporation and another is an individual, the Commissioner

would bear the burden of production as to one partner but not the other. As

applied in cases like these, the Court might need to render separate holdings if the
21

Commissioner did not have the burden of production as to one partner but had the

burden of production (and failed to meet it) as to another partner.

4. Conclusion

The Commissioner does not bear the burden of production with respect to

penalties in a partnership-level proceeding. To the extent RERI Holdings I and

Curtis Inv. Co. state that the Commissioner has the burden of production with

respect to penalties in partnership proceedings, they are not followed. 

Our conclusion that the Commissioner does not bear the burden of

production under section 7491(c) does not necessarily mean that the

Commissioner’s motion to reopen the record should be denied. A taxpayer may

raise the lack of supervisory approval as a defense to penalties, Graev III, 149 T.C.

___, and if that issue were validly raised, the Commissioner might want to

supplement the record to respond. But Dynamo GP did not raise the lack of

penalty approval in its petition, at trial, or on brief. It was not until the Court

directed the parties’ attention to Graev III, after the record was closed and the case

was fully submitted, that petitioners challenged the sufficiency of the written

penalty approval in the record. And even then, Dynamo GP did not seek to reopen

the record to dispute whether penalty approval occurred. Consequently, we
22

consider the defense to have been waived. Rule 151; Petzoldt v. Commissioner,

92 T.C. 661, 683 (1989).

This brings us back to the third factor in Byrd: whether granting a motion

to reopen the record would affect the outcome of the case. The Commissioner did

not have the burden of production as to supervisory approval under section

6751(b), and Dynamo GP did not challenge supervisory approval. There is no

need for the Commissioner to supplement the record as to the penalty asserted in

the Dynamo proceeding because, even if he supplemented the record, it would

have no effect on the outcome of the section 6751(b) issue.

III. Penalties Raised in the Amendment to Answer

We have concluded that, as to those items included in the notice of

deficiency issued to Beekman Vista and the FPAA issued with respect to Dynamo,

the Commissioner does not have the burden of production as to penalties under

section 7491(c). We have another burden issue we must consider: the increase in

the section 6656 penalty that was asserted in the Commissioner’s amendment to

answer in Beekman Vista.7

7The Commissioner also asserted an increased addition to tax under section

6651, but supervisory approval is not required for that addition to tax. Sec.

6751(b)(2)(A).
23

The Commissioner bears the burden of proof on any new matter, increases

in deficiency, or affirmative defenses pleaded in his answer. Rule 142(a); Shea v.

Commissioner, 112 T.C. 183, 190-191 n.10 (1999). The Commissioner filed an

amendment to answer that, among other things, increased the amount of the

section 6656 penalty against Beekman Vista. The Commissioner has the burden

of proof on the increase. Rader v. Commissioner, 143 T.C. 376, 389 (2014).

The Commissioner’s motion to reopen the record is silent as to supervisory

approval of the penalty amount that was first asserted in the amendment to answer. 

The Commissioner, in his January 19, 2018, response to the Court’s December 21,

2017, order does not cite any evidence in the record of supervisory approval of the

determination to increase the penalty in the amendment to answer. And in his

motion to reopen the record, the Commissioner does not proffer any evidence

regarding supervisory approval of the determination to assert an increased penalty

amount in the amendment to answer.

Because the Commissioner did not proffer any information concerning

supplementing the record as to the penalty for which he has the burden of proof,

there is no basis for us to reopen the record for any such proof that might exist. 
24

IV. Motion To Dismiss

We also must deny petitioners’ motion to dismiss as to penalties. That

motion asks that we dismiss as to penalties because the Commissioner did not

meet his burden under section 7491(c). But as we have held, the Commissioner

does not bear the burden of production as to penalties in partnership-level or

corporate proceedings. The Commissioner did not fail to meet his burden of

production, because the burden was not his to meet as to those penalties included

in the notice of deficiency and the FPAA. As for the increased penalty asserted by

the Commissioner in his amendment to answer in Beekman Vista, the question of

whether the Commissioner met his burden of proof is an issue to be resolved on

the merits, which we will address in a separate opinion.

V. Conclusion

Section 7491(c) imposes the burden of production on the Commissioner “in

any court proceeding with respect to the liability of any individual for any penalty,

addition to tax, or additional amount” imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. 

A partnership is not an individual, and a partnership-level proceeding is not a

proceeding with respect to the liability of any individual. Consequently, the

Commissioner does not bear the burden of production with respect to penalties,

additions to tax, or additional amounts in a partnership-level proceeding. Because
25

reopening the record would not affect the outcome of these proceedings, the

Commissioner’s motion to reopen the record will be denied. And because the

Commissioner does not bear the burden of production, petitioners’ motion to

dismiss will likewise be denied.

An appropriate order will be issued.

Reviewed by the Court.

MARVEL, FOLEY, GALE, THORNTON, GOEKE, HOLMES,

GUSTAFSON, PARIS, MORRISON, KERRIGAN, LAUBER, NEGA, PUGH,

and ASHFORD, JJ., agree with this opinion of the Court. 

VASQUEZ, J., did not participate in the consideration of this opinion.