ROCO V. COMMISSIONER 121 T.C. 160 (2003) CASE BRIEF

ROCO V. COMMISSIONER

121 T.C. 160 (2003)

NATURE OF THE CASE: Roco (P) appealed a federal income tax deficiency and an accuracy-related penalty when P received a payment from the United States of $1,568,087 in 1997 as his share of the settlement proceeds in a qui tam action under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C.S. 3729 et seq.

FACTS: P sued the New York University Medical Center (NYUMC) in a qui tam action under the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. secs. 3729-3733 (2000). NYUMC agreed to pay $15,500,000 to the United States in settlement of the case. The United States paid P $1,568,087 in 1997 as his share of the settlement proceeds. The Department of Justice issued a Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, showing that it had paid P the monies. P researched tax cases, the Internal Revenue Code, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, tax publications, and tax treatises. None of those authorities discuss whether payments to a relator in a qui tam case are includable in the relator's gross income. P requested a private letter ruling. The agent assigned told P that he believed a qui tam payment is taxable because it is analogous to a reward, and that the IRS would rule that the qui tam payment was taxable unless P provided legal authorities for his position or withdrew his request for a ruling. P withdrew the letter ruling request. P did not report the qui tam payment on his State and Federal returns for 1997. D determined a deficiency and assessed a penalty. P appealed. P contends that, if qui tam payments are includable in gross income, taxpayers will be discouraged from bringing actions under the FCA.

ISSUE:

RULE OF LAW:

HOLDING AND DECISION:

LEGAL ANALYSIS:

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