Court Opinion

ID: 4336835
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-11-14 03:02:10.807295+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:47:11.412848
License: Public Domain

JOSHUA D. SWANSON, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RespondentSwanson v. Comm'rNo. 12116-05United States Tax CourtT.C. Memo 2007-337; 2007 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 353; 94 T.C.M. 456; November 13, 2007, Filed2007 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 353">*353 Larry D. Harvey, for petitioner.Randall L. Preheim, for respondent.Vasquez, Juan F.JUAN F. VASQUEZMEMORANDUM OPINIONVASQUEZ, Judge: This case is before the Court on respondent's motion for summary judgment pursuant to Rule 121. 1 After a concession, 2 the sole issue for decision is whether petitioner can exclude from income wages earned during 2002 from working in Antarctica.BackgroundAt the time he filed the petition, petitioner resided in Rochester, Minnesota. During 2002, petitioner performed services at McMurdo Station in Ross Island, Antarctica. On his 2002 Federal income tax return, petitioner excluded wage income earned and received during 2002 for services performed in Antarctica.DiscussionI. Summary JudgmentRule 121(a) provides that either party may move for summary judgment upon all or any part of the legal issues in controversy. Full or partial summary judgment may be granted only if it is demonstrated 2007 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 353">*354 that no genuine issue exists as to any material fact and that the legal issues presented by the motion may be decided as a matter of law. See Rule 121(b); Sundstrand Corp. v. Commissioner, 98 T.C. 518">98 T.C. 518, 98 T.C. 518">520 (1992), affd. 17 F.3d 965">17 F.3d 965 (7th Cir. 1994). We conclude that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that a decision may be rendered as a matter of law.II. In GeneralSection 61(a) provides that gross income means all income from whatever source derived. Accordingly, citizens of the United States generally are taxed on income earned outside the geographical boundaries of the United States unless the income is specifically excluded from gross income. Specking v. Comm'r, 117 T.C. 95">117 T.C. 95, 117 T.C. 95">101-102 (2001), affd. sub nom. Haessly v. Comm'r, 68 Fed. Appx. 44">68 Fed. Appx. 44 (9th Cir. 2003), affd. sub nom. Umbach v. Comm'r, 357 F.3d 1108">357 F.3d 1108 (10th Cir. 2003). Exclusions from income are construed narrowly, and taxpayers must bring themselves within the clear scope of the exclusion. Id.III. Section 911In Arnett v. Comm'r, 126 T.C. 89">126 T.C. 89, 126 T.C. 89">91-96 (2006) (Arnett I), affd. 473 F.3d 790">473 F.3d 790 (7th Cir. 2007) (Arnett II), we addressed the arguments made by the parties herein regarding section 911. 2007 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 353">*355 The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit agreed with our analysis of section 911 and affirmed our conclusion that Antarctica is not a "foreign country" pursuant to section 911 and the regulations thereunder. Arnett v. Comm'r, 473 F.3d 790">473 F.3d at 799. We shall not repeat our analysis from Arnett I herein. We follow our analysis and holding in 126 T.C. 89">Arnett I and the analysis and holding of the Court of Appeals in 473 F.3d 790">Arnett II. 32007 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 353">*356 IV. ConclusionAccordingly, for the reasons stated in 126 T.C. 89">Arnett I, 473 F.3d 790">Arnett II, and herein, we conclude that petitioner cannot exclude from gross income wages earned during 2002 from working in Antarctica.To reflect the foregoing,An appropriate order and decision will be entered.Footnotes1. Unless otherwise indicated, all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure, and all section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the year in issue.↩2. Respondent concedes that no penalty pursuant to sec. 6662↩ is due from petitioner for 2002.3. In Arnett v. Comm'r, 126 T.C. 89">126 T.C. 89 (2006), affd. 473 F.3d 790">473 F.3d 790 (7th Cir. 2007), we concluded our Opinion with a citation of sec. 863(d) suggesting that sec. 863(d) provided an additional reason to rule against the taxpayer. 126 T.C. 89">Id. at 96 ("See also sec. 863(d) (providing that income earned in Antarctica by a U.S. person is sourced in the United States)."). In Arnett v. Comm'r, 473 F.3d 790">473 F.3d at 797, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit addressed sec. 863(d) in greater detail, stating:At the outset, we think that it is important to note that considering Antarctica not to be a "foreign country" is compatible with the general statutory scheme. Notably, section 911 is found under subtitle A, chapter 1, subchapter N of the IRC, which is designated "Tax Based on Income from Sources Within or Without the United States." Part I of this subchapter, entitled "Source Rules and Other General Rules Relating to Foreign Income," deems any activity in Antarctica to be "space or ocean activity." In turn, the United States is designated the source country of income from such activity when earned by a citizen of the United States. 26 U.S.C. § 863(d). Although this provision does not provide a definitive answer as to whether Antarctica is a "foreign country," it supports the conclusion that section 911 is not intended to apply to income earned for services provided in Antarctica.We take this opportunity to state our agreement with the Court of Appeals' conclusion set forth above. See also HCSC-Laundry v. United States, 450 U.S. 1">450 U.S. 1, 450 U.S. 1">6, 101 S. Ct. 836">101 S. Ct. 836, 67 L. Ed. 2d 1">67 L. Ed. 2d 1↩ (1981).