PETTYJOHN v. COMMISSIONER

¶2MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

¶3DAWSON, JUDGE: This case was assigned to Special Trial Judge Robert N. Armen, Jr., pursuant to the provisions of section 7443A(b)(5) and Rules 180, 181, and 183. ¹ The Court agrees with and adopts the opinion of the Special Trial Judge, which is set forth below.

¶4OPINION OF THE SPECIAL TRIAL JUDGE

¶5ARMEN, SPECIAL TRIAL JUDGE: On August 25, 1999, respondent issued a notice of final determination denying petitioner's claim for abatement of interest for the taxable years 1993, 1994, and 1995. ² Petitioner timely filed a petition under section 6404(i) and Rules 280-284. ³

¶6*261 The issue for decision is whether respondent abused his discretion by denying petitioner's claim for abatement of interest for the taxable years 1993, 1994, and 1995. We hold that respondent did not abuse his discretion.

¶7FINDINGS OF FACT

¶8Many of the facts have been stipulated, and they are so found. Petitioner resided in Marietta, Georgia, at the time that her petition was filed with this Court.

¶9At the outset, we note that the record in this case leaves much to be desired. Nevertheless, we have carefully reviewed the evidence and done our best to make an appropriate disposition of the case.

A. PETITIONER'S PRACTICE OF DEDUCTING GIFTS TO FAMILY MEMBERS

¶10On her income tax returns for 1988 through 1995, petitioner deducted gifts that she made to various individuals, most if not all of whom were family members. These deductions served to reduce petitioner's taxable income and generate tax refunds for those years.

¶11Petitioner admits that her practice of deducting gifts to family members on her income tax returns was contrary to law. See sec. 170(c). Petitioner professes that she was motivated to do so by the desire to reduce the estate tax upon her death, see sec. 2001(a), and through*262 a misunderstanding of the $ 10,000 annual exclusion for gift tax purposes, see sec. 2503(b). ⁴

¶12Petitioner reckons that her practice of deducting gifts to family members on her income tax returns generated erroneous income tax refunds for 1988 through 1992 in the following amounts:

¶13       Year      Erroneous Refund  ¹

¶14       1988       $ 1,900

¶15       1989        4,600

¶16       1990        4,900

¶17       1991        5,400

¶18       1992        6,500

¶19                ______

¶20                23,300

¶21                ======

¶22*263 Respondent never examined any of petitioner's income tax returns for 1988 through 1992. ⁵ However, in 1996, respondent commenced examinations of petitioner's income tax returns for 1993 through 1995.

B. THE TAXABLE YEAR 1993

¶231. PETITIONER'S 1993 TAX RETURN AND NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY

¶24Petitioner timely filed a Federal income tax return for 1993. See sec. 6072(a).

¶25In or about July 1996, petitioner was notified in writing of the examination of her 1993 income tax return through the receipt of an examination report dated July 19, 1996. The examination report proposed, inter alia, to disallow the deduction petitioner claimed for gifts to family members of $ 16,539.

¶26On or about August 18, 1996, petitioner mailed a letter to respondent's Atlanta Service*264 Center, together with a personal check in the amount of $ 1,500, agreeing with the examination report insofar as the disallowance of the deduction for gifts to family members was concerned. Petitioner's letter and check were received by the Service Center on August 22, 1996. However, the letter was apparently not forwarded to the examining agent. Consequently, on September 19, 1996, respondent sent petitioner a notice of deficiency which was substantively identical to the examination report.

¶27On September 30, 1996, petitioner timely filed an imperfect petition for redetermination (assigned docket No. 21486-96) with this Court. See sec. 6213(a); Rule 34. On December 2, 1996, petitioner perfected her petition by filing a proper amended petition. Upon the filing of respondent's answer on March 28, 1997, the case was at issue. See Rule 38.

¶282. THE STIPULATED DECISION

¶29By letter dated June 10, 1997, respondent's Appeals Office in Atlanta, Georgia, mailed a proposed stipulated decision to petitioner. The proposed stipulated decision reflected a deficiency in petitioner's income tax for 1993 of $ 2,115 based solely on the disallowance of the deduction for gifts to family members. ⁶

¶30*265 Initially, petitioner refused to execute the proposed stipulated decision, even though she accepted the $ 2,115 deficiency, because "The IRS tax-examiners are at fault."

¶31   Since the IRS tax-examiners are responsible for allowing the

¶32   gift-giving for a total of eight years [petitioner wrote],

¶33   compound interest should be waived … . A deficiency occurred

¶34   because of complete and total failure of their job performance.

¶35   They were responsible, through their determination, for eight

¶36   years of erroneous refund checks.

¶37Ultimately, however, on October 14, 1997, petitioner executed the proposed stipulated decision, which was entered by the Court on November 17, 1997. See sec. 7459(a), (c).

¶38The stipulated decision included a number of stipulations by the parties, among them the following:

¶39     It is further stipulated that there is a prepayment credit

¶40   for the taxable year 1993 in the amount of $ 1,500. It is

¶41   stipulated that the deficiency for the taxable year 1993 is

¶42   computed without considering the prepayment credit of $ 1,500.

¶43            *   *   *   *   *   *   *

¶44*266      It is further stipulated that interest will be assessed as

¶45   provided by law on the deficiency in tax due from petitioner.

¶46On February 9, 1998, respondent assessed the $ 2,115 deficiency in income tax, together with interest of $ 602.67. On that same date, respondent also sent petitioner a notice of balance due.

¶473. PAYMENT OF PETITIONER'S ACCOUNT BALANCE

¶48As of February 9, 1998, petitioner's account balance was $ 1,217.67, calculated as follows:

¶49     Date      Event          Amount

¶50     ____      _____          ______

¶51   Aug. 22, 1996   Advance payment     ($ 1,500.00)

¶52   Feb. 9, 1998   Assessment/tax       2,115.00

¶53   Feb. 9, 1998   Assessment/interest     602.67

¶54                       _________

¶55                       1,217.67

¶56                       =========

¶57By October 13, 1999, petitioner's account was fully paid through: (1) The application of overpayments of income tax claimed by petitioner on her*267 1997 and 1998 income tax returns, see sec. 6402(a); (2) subsequent payments by petitioner; and (3) the abatement of interest, described infra in subdivision E of our Findings of Fact.

¶584. PETITIONER'S CLAIM FOR ABATEMENT OF INTEREST

¶59Using Form 843, petitioner filed with respondent on or about July 27, 1998, a Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement. In her claim, petitioner requested that interest on her 1993 deficiency in income tax be abated or refunded because of "IRS errors or delay", specifically, IRS tax examiners' "failure in job performance".

¶60See infra subdivision E of our Findings of Fact regarding action by respondent on petitioner's claim for abatement of interest.

C. THE TAXABLE YEAR 1994

¶611. PETITIONER'S 1994 TAX RETURN AND EXAMINATION REPORT

¶62Petitioner timely filed a Federal income tax return for 1994. See sec. 6072(a).

¶63On or about August 9, 1996, petitioner was notified of the examination of her 1994 income tax return. Notification of the examination apparently prompted petitioner to make an advance payment of $ 500, which was posted to petitioner's account on September 19, 1996.

¶64By an examination report dated October 1, 1996, respondent proposed a deficiency*268 in petitioner's income tax of $ 3,966, which was principally attributable to the disallowance of gifts to family members of $ 21,815. Petitioner agreed to the proposed deficiency. Accordingly, on October 28, 1996, respondent assessed a $ 3,966 deficiency in income tax, together with interest of $ 509.86. On that same date, respondent also sent petitioner a notice of balance due of $ 3,975.86 (i.e., deficiency of $ 3,966, plus interest of $ 509.86, less advance payment of $ 500).

¶652. PAYMENT OF PETITIONER'S ACCOUNT BALANCE

¶66As indicated, petitioner's account balance as of October 28, 1996, was $ 3,975.86. By April 3, 1997, petitioner's account was fully paid through: (1) A subsequent payment by petitioner; and (2) a levy on petitioner's account at the Lockheed Credit Union. ⁷

¶673. PETITIONER'S CLAIM FOR ABATEMENT OF INTEREST

¶68Using*269 Form 843, petitioner filed with respondent on or about September 4, 1998, a Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement. In her claim, petitioner requested that interest on her 1994 deficiency in income tax be abated or refunded because of "IRS errors or delay".

¶69See infra subdivision E of our Findings of Fact regarding action by respondent on petitioner's claim for abatement of interest.

D. THE TAXABLE YEAR 1995

¶701. PETITIONER'S 1995 TAX RETURN AND NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY

¶71Petitioner timely filed a Federal income tax return for 1995. See sec. 6072(a).

¶72In or about October 1996, petitioner was notified in writing of the examination of her 1995 income tax return through the receipt of an examination report dated October 4, 1996. The examination report proposed a deficiency in income tax of $ 9,698. The proposed deficiency was principally attributable to the disallowance of the deduction claimed by petitioner for gifts to family members of $ 37,510.

¶73On December 23, 1996, respondent sent petitioner a notice of deficiency which was substantively identical to the examination report. Petitioner did not timely file a petition with this Court. See sec. 6213(a). Rather, petitioner paid the deficiency*270 in tax, but not the interest thereon. Thus, on March 27, 1997, a payment of $ 9,698 was posted to petitioner's account.

¶74On May 26, 1997, respondent assessed the $ 9,698 deficiency in income tax, together with interest of $ 802.12. See secs. 6213(a), 6503(a)(1). On that same date, respondent also sent petitioner a notice of balance due regarding the unpaid interest.

¶752. PAYMENT OF PETITIONER'S ACCOUNT BALANCE

¶76As of May 26, 1997, petitioner's account balance was $ 802.12, calculated as follows:

¶77     Date      Event          Amount

¶78     ____      _____          ______

¶79   Mar. 27, 1997   Advance payment     ($ 9,698.00)

¶80   May 26, 1997   Assessment/tax       9,698.00

¶81   May 26, 1997   Assessment/interest     802.12

¶82                       _________

¶83                        802.12

¶84                       =========

¶85By April 15, 2000, petitioner's account was fully paid through: (1) A levy on a Georgia State income tax refund that*271 was due petitioner; and (2) the application of part of an overpayment of income tax claimed by petitioner on her 1999 Federal income tax return. See sec. 6402(a).

¶863. PETITIONER'S CLAIM FOR ABATEMENT OF INTEREST

¶87Using Form 843, petitioner filed with respondent on or about July 27, 1998, a Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement. In her claim, petitioner requested that interest on her 1995 deficiency in income tax be abated or refunded because of "IRS errors or delay". In this regard, petitioner recited in her claim:

¶88   Job failure by IRS strips taxpayer of their rights. Abatement of

¶89   interest should be easy.

¶90See infra subdivision E of our Findings of Fact regarding action by respondent on petitioner's claim for abatement of interest.

E. ACTION BY RESPONDENT ON PETITIONER'S CLAIMS FOR ABATEMENT

¶91By letter dated October 27, 1998, which referenced the taxable years 1993, 1994, and 1995, respondent's Problem Resolution Office in the Atlanta Service Center advised petitioner, in part, as follows:

¶92     We reviewed each one of your claims for abatement of

¶93   interest under the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section

¶94   6404(e)(1) & (2). For*272 1993 we have partially allowed your claim

¶95   for $ 89.63 in interest.

¶96     For 1994 and 1995, it has been determined that there were

¶97   no errors or delays relating to ministerial acts performed

¶98   during the audits of these two tax years. We have therefore,

¶99   issued a certified disallowance letter for both years. You may

¶100   appeal the decision to disallow these claims for 1994 and 1995.

¶101   You may also appeal the partial disallowance of your claim for

¶102   1993.

¶103By certified letter also dated October 27, 1998, which referenced just the taxable year 1993, the director of respondent's Atlanta Service Center advised petitioner of respondent's intention to abate interest on petitioner's $ 2,115 deficiency in income tax for 1993 for the period from August 22, 1996, to July 7, 1997. The letter stated, in part, as follows:

¶104   After an extensive review of your file, we have determined that

¶105   the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code Section 6404(e)(1)

¶106   apply to the following time period and amount:

¶107   Period: August 22, 1996 to July 7, 1997 Amount: $ 89.63

¶108   The reason for*273 the allowance of this amount is that there was a

¶109   ministerial delay in associating your reply to the original 30-

¶110   day letter with the case file. The reply was received in the

¶111   Atlanta Service Center on August 22, 1996. No action had been

¶112   taken in regards to this information until the Appeals Officer

¶113   presented you with a settlement on July 7, 1997. We have

¶114   therefore abated the accrual of interest on the balance of tax

¶115   owed after your payment of $ 1,500.00 (received on August 22,

¶116   1996) was applied. Your balance of $ 615.00 had interest accruals

¶117   totaling $ 89.63 for this time period.

¶118            *   *   *   *   *   *   *

¶119   … The interest abatement only applies to the period shown

¶120   above.

¶121   If your claim has not been allowed in full for the time period

¶122   and amount requested, you may request reconsideration with our

¶123   Appeals Office.

¶124   Interest will continue to be charged on any unpaid liability,

¶125   except for the above abatement period.

¶126Subsequently, respondent abated $ 89.63 of interest on petitioner's deficiency in income*274 tax for 1993.

¶127By a second certified letter also dated October 27, 1998, which referenced just the taxable years 1994 and 1995, the director of respondent's Atlanta Service Center advised petitioner of respondent's intention not to abate interest on the deficiencies in income taxes for those 2 years because "There were no delays or errors relating to the performance of [a] ministerial act". The letter also stated, in part, as follows:

¶128     Under Internal Revenue Code Section 6404(e)(1), interest

¶129   may only be abated on errors or delays that occur after the date

¶130   the Internal Revenue Service contacts the taxpayer in writing

¶131   with respect to the deficiency or payment. The amount accrued

¶132   prior to this date cannot be abated regardless of the period

¶133   that may have elapsed since the taxpayer's return was filed.

¶134   Your requests for abatement of interest were based on acts that

¶135   happened prior to the Internal Revenue Service's contacts with

¶136   you in respect to the deficiencies of 1994 and 1995 tax years.

¶137     Filing your 1988 through 1995 tax returns without an audit

¶138   being*275 performed to alert you that the "gift giving" deduction

¶139   should not be allowed happened prior to the Internal Revenue

¶140   Service's contacts with you in regards to the deficiencies.

¶141   Therefore, this time period does not qualify for abatement of

¶142   interest under Internal Revenue Code Section 6404(e)(1).

¶143     There were also no erroneous refunds, which were issued to

¶144   you due to errors or oversights by the Internal Revenue Service.

¶145   Under Internal Revenue Code Section 6404(e)(2), interest may be

¶146   abated with respect to a erroneous refund check. The Secretary

¶147   shall abate the assessment of all interest on any erroneous

¶148   refund until the date demand for repayment is made, unless (1)

¶149   the taxpayer (or related party) has in any way caused such

¶150   erroneous refund or (2) such erroneous refund exceeds $ 50,000.

¶151     In reviewing your claim for abatement of interest under the

¶152   "erroneous refund" provisions, it has been determined that all

¶153   refunds issued to you were based on the original filing of your

¶154   individual Form 1040*276 for each tax year. Your contention that the

¶155   Tax Examiners should have noticed and not allowed the tax free

¶156   gift-giving on your returns during processing could not be did

¶157   [sic] within the authority of the Internal Revenue Code.

¶158     Only mathematical or clerical errors are corrected during

¶159   the processing of returns in accordance with Internal Revenue

¶160   Code section 6213(b). …

¶161     All other assessments of tax must be made by using

¶162   deficiency procedures which allow a taxpayer to exercise his/her

¶163   appeal rights in cases where the taxpayer does not agree.

¶164   Therefore, tax issues that require any proof or documentation to

¶165   be presented by the taxpayer may not be corrected during

¶166   processing.

¶167            *   *   *   *   *   *   *

¶168     If you do not accept our findings, you may request

¶169   reconsideration with our Appeals Office.

¶170     Interest will continue to accrue on any unpaid liability.

¶171Petitioner exercised her administrative appeal rights. Thereafter, by letter dated August 4, 1999, an Appeals officer in respondent's*277 Atlanta Appeals Office advised petitioner that "Based upon a thorough review of your case my preliminary evaluation is that no additional interest abatement is appropriate." The Appeals officer further wrote:

¶172   Your position is that you should not be liable for interest for

¶173   the reason that IRS did not challenge your erroneous deductions

¶174   for unsupportable charitable contributions for a number of years

¶175   prior to the years for which you were audited. I regret that

¶176   this does not fall within the interest abatement provisions of

¶177   the Internal Revenue Code.

¶178Petitioner was given 15 days from the date of the letter to provide additional information for further consideration. The record does not reflect that petitioner submitted any additional information.

¶179Subsequently, by certified letter dated August 25, 1999, respondent issued a notice of final determination denying petitioner's claims for the abatement of interest for the taxable years 1993, 1994, and 1995.

F. TAX COURT LITIGATION

¶180On February 23, 2000, petitioner commenced an action in this Court by filing a petition, pursuant to section 6404(i) and Rules 280-284, for review of respondent's*278 failure to abate interest with respect to the taxable years 1993, 1994, and 1995. ⁸ Thereafter, on April 13, 2000, petitioner filed an amended petition, alleging, inter alia, that "My claim is failure (error) and delay in the audits of 1993, 1994 and 1995".

¶181OPINION

¶182In general, interest on a deficiency in income tax begins to accrue on the due date of the*279 return for such tax and continues to accrue, compounding daily, until payment is made. See secs. 6001(a), 6622(a).

¶183This Court may order an abatement of interest only if there is an abuse of discretion by the Commissioner in failing to abate interest. Sec. 6404(i), formerly 6404(g). In order to demonstrate an abuse of discretion, a taxpayer must prove that the Commissioner exercised his discretion arbitrarily, capriciously, or without sound basis in fact or law. See Rule 142(a); Lee v. Commissioner, 113 T.C. 145, 149 (1999); Woodral v. Commissioner, 112 T.C. 19, 23 (1999).

¶184The Commissioner has the authority to abate, in whole or in part, an assessment of interest on a deficiency if the accrual of such interest is attributable to an error or delay by an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), acting in his or her official capacity, in performing a ministerial act. See sec. 6404(e)(1). ⁹ An error or delay by the Commissioner can be taken into account only: (1) If it occurs after the Commissioner has contacted the taxpayer in writing with respect to the deficiency and (2) if no significant aspect of the error or delay is attributable to*280 the taxpayer. See sec. 6404(e)(1); Krugman v. Commissioner, 112 T.C. 230, 239 (1999); Nerad v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1999-376. Section 6404(e)(1) "does not therefore permit the abatement of interest for the period of time between the date the taxpayer files a return and the date the IRS commences an audit, regardless of the length of that time period." H. Rept. 99-426, at 844 (1985), 1986-3 C.B. (Vol. 2) 1, 844; S. Rept. 99-313, at 208 (1986), 1986-3 C.B. (Vol. 3) 1, 208.

¶185Congress did not intend*281 for section 6404(e) to be used routinely. Accordingly, we order abatement only "where failure to abate interest would be widely perceived as grossly unfair." Lee v. Commissioner, supra at 149; H. Rept. 99-426, supra at 844, 1986-3 C.B. (Vol. 2) at 844; S. Rept. 99-313, supra at 208, 1986-3 C.B. (Vol. 3) at 208.

¶186As we understand her argument, petitioner contends that respondent's failure to examine her income tax returns for 1988 through 1992 caused her to claim the same type of deductions, for which there was no basis in law, on her income tax returns for 1993, 1994, and 1995. Accordingly, in petitioner's view, interest on the deficiencies in income taxes for 1993, 1994, and 1995 should be abated because that interest is attributable to "errors or delay" on the part of respondent's tax examiners. ¹⁰

¶187*282

¶188In order for petitioner to prevail, there must be an error or delay in performing a ministerial act that is attributable to respondent. ¹¹ A "ministerial act" does not involve the exercise of judgment or discretion. Sec. 301.6404-2T(b)(1), Temporary Proced. & Admin. Regs., 52 Fed. Reg. 30163 (Aug. 13, 1987). Rather, a ministerial act means a procedural or mechanical act that occurs during the processing of a taxpayer's case after all prerequisites to the act, such as conferences and review by supervisors, have taken place. See id. Examples of ministerial acts are provided in the regulations. See sec. 301.6404-2T(b)(2), Temporary Proced. & Admin. Regs., 52 Fed. Reg. 30163 (Aug. 13, 1987). In contrast, a decision concerning the proper application of Federal tax law, or other applicable Federal or State law, is not a ministerial act. See sec. 301.6404-2T(b)(1), Temporary Proced. & Admin. Regs., supra. The mere passage of time does not establish error or delay in performing a ministerial act. Scott v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2000-369; Hawksley v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2000-354.

¶189*283 For purposes of section 6404(e), an error or delay cannot be considered, for each of the years in issue, for the period before the following operative date, because such date is the date on which respondent first contacted petitioner in writing concerning an audit procedure for the particular year in issue:

¶190      Operative Date       Taxable Year

¶191      ______________       ____________

¶192      July 19, 1996  ¹        1993

¶193      Aug. 9, 1996          1994

¶194      Oct. 4, 1996  1        1995

¶195See sec. 6404(e)(1); Krugman v. Commissioner, supra; Nerad v. Commissioner, supra.

¶196We turn now to petitioner's contention regarding why interest should be abated.

¶197Petitioner contends that interest on the deficiencies in income taxes*284 for 1993, 1994, and 1995 is attributable to "errors or delay" on respondent's part in failing to examine her income tax returns for 1988 through 1992 and alerting her to the fact that there was no basis in law for her deductions for gifts to family members. However, it is readily apparent that respondent's decision to examine, or not or examine, a taxpayer's income tax return for a particular taxable year involves the exercise of judgment and discretion. Respondent's decision in that regard is not, therefore, a ministerial act, see sec. 301.6404-2T(b)(1), Temporary Proced. & Admin. Regs., supra, and cannot provide a basis for abating interest under section 6404(e).

¶198Section 301.6404-2T(b)(1), Temporary Proced. & Admin. Regs., supra, may very well provide a sufficient foundation on which to enter decision for respondent. Nevertheless, we will review the relevant facts and circumstances for each of the years in issue in order to decide whether there was an error or delay by respondent in performing a ministerial act after the operative date (as identified supra p. 19) that might justify an abatement of interest.

A. THE TAXABLE YEAR 1993

¶199In or about July 1996, petitioner was notified*285 in writing of the examination of her 1993 income tax return through the receipt of an examination report (the so-called 30-day letter) dated July 19, 1996. Petitioner responded to the examination report timely by mailing a letter, together with a $ 1,500 check, which the Atlanta Service Center received on August 22, 1996. However, because petitioner's letter was apparently not forwarded to the examining agent, respondent sent petitioner a notice of deficiency, which prompted petitioner to file a petition with this Court. It was not until the following summer that respondent's Appeals Office in Atlanta sent petitioner a proposed stipulated decision reflecting a deficiency based solely on the disallowance of the deduction for gifts to family members.

¶200By a certified letter dated October 27, 1998, respondent exercised his discretion to abate interest for the period from August 22, 1996, to July 7, 1997, because of the "ministerial delay in associating your reply to the original 30-day letter with the case file." However, any delay after July 7, 1997, was attributable to petitioner's unjustified refusal to sign the proposed stipulated decision until mid-October, which delayed entry of*286 decision by the Court until mid-November. See sec. 6404(e)(1) ("an error or delay shall be taken into account only if no significant aspect of such error or delay can be attributed to the taxpayer involved"). Notably, the Court's decision included a stipulation by the parties that interest would be assessed "as provided by law on the deficiency in tax due from petitioner."

¶201In our view, the record does not reveal any ministerial error or delay by respondent, other than as conceded by respondent. Accordingly, we hold that respondent did not abuse his discretion in refusing to abate interest for the period from July 19 to August 21, 1996, and for the period from July 8, 1997, to October 13, 1999, the date on which petitioner's account was fully paid.

B. THE TAXABLE YEAR 1994

¶202On or about August 9, 1996, petitioner was notified of the examination of her 1994 income tax return. Notification of the examination apparently prompted petitioner to make an advance payment of $ 500, which was posted to petitioner's account on September 19, 1996. Shortly thereafter, by an examination report dated October 1, 1996, respondent proposed a deficiency in petitioner's income tax of $ 3,966, to which*287 petitioner agreed. On October 28, 1996, respondent assessed the deficiency and interest thereon.

¶203In our view, the record does not reveal any ministerial error or delay by respondent. Accordingly, we hold that respondent did not abuse his discretion in refusing to abate interest for the period from August 9, 1996, to April 3, 1997, the date on which petitioner's account was fully paid.

C. THE TAXABLE YEAR 1995

¶204In or about October 1996, petitioner was notified in writing of the examination of her 1995 income tax return through the receipt of an examination report dated October 4, 1996. Thereafter, on December 23, 1996, respondent sent petitioner a notice of deficiency, which was substantively identical to the examination report. ¹² Petitioner did not timely file a petition with this Court. Rather, petitioner paid the deficiency in tax, but not the interest thereon. Accordingly, on May 26, 1997, respondent assessed the deficiency, together with interest thereon, and sent petitioner a notice of balance due regarding the unpaid interest.

¶205*288 In our view, the record does not reveal any ministerial error or delay by respondent. Any delay in the assessment of the deficiency is attributable to petitioner, who could have consented in writing to the assessment at an earlier stage in the process. See sec. 6213(d). Further, interest accruing after the date on which the deficiency was paid is due to petitioner's failure to pay the outstanding interest and not due to a ministerial act on respondent's part. See Donovan v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2000-220; see also sec. 6404(e)(1) ("an error or delay shall be taken into account only if no significant aspect of such error or delay can be attributed to the taxpayer involved"). Accordingly, we hold that respondent did not abuse his discretion in refusing to abate interest for the period from October 4, 1996, to April 15, 2000, the date on which petitioner's account was fully paid.

D. SECTION 6404(e)(2)

¶206Finally, although petitioner does not cite or expressly rely on section 6404(e)(2), we think it appropriate to comment on that section.

¶207Section 6404(e)(2) provides, in pertinent part, that the Commissioner:

¶208   shall abate the assessment of all interest on any*289 erroneous

¶209   refund … until the date demand for repayment is made, unless

¶210   --

¶211        (A) the taxpayer (or a related party) has in any way

¶212     caused such erroneous refund ….

¶213Petitioner contends that the refunds that she received for the taxable years 1988 through 1995 were erroneous. What petitioner ignores, however, is that she precipitated the receipt of those refunds by filing income tax returns that claimed overpayments of income tax. Petitioner would apparently have respondent examine every return that claims an overpayment before issuing a refund check. Such an approach would be administratively impracticable, if not impossible. In any event, the law does not require the Commissioner to take such an approach; rather, the law requires taxpayers to take responsibility for their returns, something petitioner appears loath to do.

E. CONCLUSION

¶214We hold that respondent did not abuse his discretion in refusing to abate interest on the deficiencies in income taxes for any of the years in issue. Accordingly,

¶215Decision will be entered for respondent.