Combs v. Department of Revenue

Taxpayer appeals from a judgment of the Oregon Tax Court granting summary judgment to the Department of Revenue (department). Taxpayer did not file an Oregon personal income tax return for the year 1996, although he received $28,019 in wages and $2,408 in unemployment compensation during that year. A magistrate upheld the department’s assessment of personal income taxes against taxpayer, and taxpayer appealed to the Tax Court. The Tax Court determined that taxpayer’s position on appeal was groundless and lacked any objective reasonable basis, and awarded the department $1,200 in damages. ORS…