UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

United States of America

v. Civil No. 08-mc-76-SM

Gregg E. Chase

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

This case involves a petition to enforce an Internal Revenue

Service (IRS) Summons brought pursuant to the provisions of 26

U.S.C. §§ 7402(b) and 7604(a). 

The summonses were issued to taxpayer Gregg E. Chase seeking

to have him testify and produce all documents and records in his

possession or control concerning income earned in the years 2000,

2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007, and records of all assets and

liabilities from October 15, 2007 to May 15, 2008. The summonses

directed taxpayer to appear on May 21, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. 

Taxpayer did not appear and has not complied with the summonses. 

The records sought are not in the possession of the IRS, all

administrative steps have been taken, and the taxpayer’s

testimony and records are necessary to determine tax liability. 

(Exhibit A attached to Petition to Enforce). 

The taxpayer personally appeared pro se in response to the

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Order to Show Cause and filed no responsive pleading of any type. 

DISCUSSION

In order to enforce its summons the IRS must show: (1) that

the summons was issued for a legitimate purpose; (2) that the

information sought may be relevant to that purpose; (3) that the

information is not already in the IRS’ possession; and (4) that

the administrative steps required by the Internal Revenue Code

for issuance and service of the summons have been followed. 

United States v. Powell, 379 U.S. 48, 57-58 (1964); United States

v. LaSalle National Bank, 437 U.S. 298, 313-314 (1978). The IRS

generally makes this showing a prima facie case on these four

elements through the affidavit or declaration of the agent. 

United States v. Sancetta, M.D., P.C., 788 F.2d 67, 71 (2nd Cir.

1986); United States v. Garden State National Bank, 607 F.2d 61,

68 (3rd Cir. 1979); United States v. Will, 671 F.2d 963 (6th Cir.

1982). 

The burden is then upon the taxpayer to show that the

summons is invalid or enforcement would be an abuse of the

Court’s process. United States v. Powell, 379 U.S. at 58; United

States v. LaSalle National Bank, 437 U.S. at 316. The respondent

must prove specific facts to support a legally sufficient

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rebuttal or defense. See United States v. KIS, 658 F.2d 526,

536-539 (7th Cir. 1981), cert. denied sub nom., Salkin v. United

States, 455 U.S. 1018 (1982). 

The taxpayer has not disputed any of the government’s prima

facie case. In fact, he does not seek to avoid his taxes but has

not produced the requested records. The government has met its

burden. The defendant has not met his burden.

It is recommended that the taxpayer, Gregg E. Chase, be

ordered to obey the summonses and that he be ordered to appear on

January 22, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at 80 Daniel Street, Portsmouth,

New Hampshire, before J.L. Shing, to give testimony and produce

all books and records in his possession or control required and

called for by the terms of the summonses of May 7, 2008. 

It is further recommended that the government be awarded its

costs. 

Any objections to this report and recommendation must be

filed within ten days of receipt of this notice. Failure to file

objections within the specified time waives the right to appeal

the district court’s order. See Unauthorized Practice of Law

Committee v. Gordon, 979 F.2d 11, 13-14 (1st Cir. 1992); United

States v. Valencia-Copete, 792 F.2d 4, 6 (1st Cir. 1986).

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James R. Muirhead

United States Magistrate Judge

Date: December 2, 2008

cc: Gregg E. Chase, pro se

 Seth R. Aframe, Esq.

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