Anselme O. Connor v. Comm'r of Internal Revenue, 770 F.2d 17 (2d Cir. 1985). · Go Syfert
Anselme O. Connor v. Comm'r of Internal Revenue, 770 F.2d 17 (2d Cir. 1985). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
G Cite
cited 3× by 3 distinct cases, last quoted 2009 · 2 courts↓ Fading · …has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions at p. 20 ✓
55 citation events (25 in the last 25 years) across 20 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Futia v. Roberts (nysd, 2023-11-28)
Treatment trajectory · 1985 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1985 2005 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 32 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Futia v. Roberts
S.D.N.Y. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
wages are income. the argument that they are not has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Vidurek v. Cassadine
S.D.N.Y. · 2021 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
wages are income. the argument that they are not has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Pugh (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
E.D.N.Y · 2010 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Schiff v. United States, 919 F.2d 830, 834 (2d Cir.1990) (“the average citizen knows that the payment of income taxes is legally required”); Connor, 770 F.2d at 20 (stating that the argument that wages are not income warrants the imposition of sanctions); see also United States v. Romero, 640 F.2d 1014, 1016 (9th Cir.1981) (“Compensation for labor or services, paid in the form of wages or salary, has been universally, [sic] held by the courts of this republic to be income, subject to the income tax laws currently applicable.”); Gray, 2008 WL 907384 , at *2 & n. 2 (collecting…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Sherwood v. Department of the Treasury
2d Cir. · 2010 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Ficalora v. Comm’r of Internal Revenue, 751 F.2d 85, 87 (2d Cir.1984); Connor v. Comm’r of Internal Revenue, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cameron v. MTA
2d Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
Section 61 of Title 26 defines “gross income” as “all income from whatever source derived,” 26 U.S.C. § 61 (a), and “the argument that [wages] are not [income] has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions.” Connor v. Comm’r Internal Revenue, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cameron v. MTA
2d Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
Section 61 of Title 26 defines “gross income” as “all income from whatever source derived,” 26 U.S.C. § 61 (a), and “the argument that [wages] are not [income] has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions.” Connor v. Comm’r Internal Revenue, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cuartero v. United States Attorney General
2d Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Cooper, 170 F.3d 691, 691 (7th Cir.1999) (“nonresident alien” argument has been rejected so often that it is “no longer merely frivolous,” but “frivolous squared”); Connor v. Comm’r, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (argument that wages are not income “has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions”); see also Internal Revenue Service, The Truth About Frivolous Tax Arguments (2007), available at http:/Avww.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/friv_ tax.pdf (describing frivolous arguments and warning taxpayers about th…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Turner v. United States
S.D. Ohio · 2005 · confidence medium
Bartley, 343 F.Supp.2d at 654 (citing Sisemore, 797 F.2d at 270 ; Coleman v. Commissioner, 791 F.2d 68, 70 (7th Cir.1986)); Sullivan v. United States, 788 F.2d 813, 815 (1st Cir.1986); Olson v. United States, 760 F.2d 1003, 1005 (9th Cir.1985); In re Hopkins, 192 B.R. 760, 762-63 (D.Nev. 1995); see also Rennie v. Internal Revenue Serv., 216 F.Supp.2d 1078, 1083 (E.D.Cal.2002); United States v. Connor, 898 F.2d 942, 943 (3rd Cir.1990) (“every court which has ever considered the issue *1061 has unequivocally rejected the argument that wages are not income.”); Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Saladino v. United States
Fed. Cl. · 2005 · confidence medium
Ledford cited the following authority for this proposition: E.g., Casper v. Comm’r, 805 F.2d 902, 906 (10th Cir.1986) ("Merely raising the argument that value received for labor does not constitute taxable income, but rather constitutes a nontaxable exchange of property, justifies the imposition of sanctions.”); Connor v. Comm’r, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (per curiam) ("Wages are income.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Fuselier v. United States
Fed. Cl. · 2004 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Casper v. Comm’r, 805 F.2d 902, 906 (10th Cir.1986) (“Merely raising the argument that value received for labor does not constitute taxable income, but rather constitutes a nontaxable exchange of property, justifies the imposition of sanctions.”); Connor v. Comm’r, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (“Wages are income.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Sumter v. United States
Fed. Cl. · 2004 · confidence medium
We, too, regularly impose sanctions in these cases.”); Connor v. Comm’r, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (per curiam) (“Wages are income.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Holt v. New Mexico Department of Taxation & Revenue
N.M. · 2002 · confidence medium
E.g., Cheek v. United States, 498 U.S. 192, 202 , 111 S.Ct. 604 , 112 L.Ed.2d 617 (1991) (recognizing the “duty to file a return and to treat wages as income ” and holding that a good faith misconception is a defense to federal criminal charges of willfully failing to file a federal income tax return and willfully attempting to evade income taxes) (emphasis added); 3 United States v. Gerads, 999 F.2d 1255, 1256 (8th Cir.1993) (per curiam) (holding that “wages are within the definition of income under the Internal Revenue Code and the Sixteenth Amendment, and are subject to taxation”); …
cited Cited as authority (rule) Abdo v. United States Internal Revenue Service
M.D.N.C. · 2002 · confidence medium
We will view arguments to the contrary as frivolous, which may subject the party asserting them to appropriate sanctions.”); Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (‘Wages are income.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Charles William Ledford v. United States
Fed. Cir. · 2002 · confidence medium
E.g., Casper v. Comm’r, 805 F.2d 902, 906 (10th Cir.1986) (“Merely raising the argument that value received for labor does not constitute taxable income, but rather constitutes a nontaxable exchange of property, justifies the -imposition of sanctions.”); Connor v. Comm’r, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (per curiam) (“Wages are income.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Bennie Lee Griffin v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
2d Cir. · 1997 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (rejecting similar argument that wages are not income and imposing sanctions).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Hale
Bankr. E.D. Ark. · 1996 · confidence medium
Tax protest eases like this one raise no genuine controversy; the underlying legal issues having long been settled.”); United States v. Silkman, 543 F.2d 1218, 1220 (8th Cir.1976), cert. denied, 431 U.S. 919 , 97 S.Ct. 2185 , 53 L.Ed.2d 230 (1977); McLaughlin v. Comm’r, 832 F.2d 986, 987 (7th Cir.1987) (In affirming imposition of sanctions by district court and imposing additional sanctions, court noted: “The notion that the federal income tax is contractual or otherwise consensual in nature is not only utterly without foundation but, despite McLaughlin’s protestations to the contrary,…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Jones
D.N.J. · 1995 · confidence medium
See also Wilcox v. Commissioner, 848 F.2d 1007, 1008 (9th Cir.1988) (rejecting claims that wages are not income and that paying taxes is voluntary); Coleman v. Commissioner, 791 F.2d 68, 70 (7th Cir. 1986) (rejecting arguments that wages are not taxable, that wages may not be taxed pursuant to the Sixteenth Amendment, and that the income tax is a “taking” in violation of the Fifth Amendment); Capps v. Eggers, 782 F.2d 1341 (5th Cir.1986) (rejecting claim that wages are not taxable as income) (citations omitted); Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (argument that wages are…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Walter A. Connor, Jr.
3rd Cir. · 1990 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Coleman v. Commissioner, 791 F.2d 68, 70 (7th Cir.1986); Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (per curiam); Perkins v. Commis *944 sioner, 746 F.2d 1187, 1188 (6th Cir.1984) (per curiam); Funk v. Commissioner, 687 F.2d 264, 264 (8th Cir.1982) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) John E. Hansen Imelda M. Hansen v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service
9th Cir. · 1987 · confidence medium
Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 19 (2d Cir.1985).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) John M. Casper v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
10th Cir. · 1986 · confidence medium
Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2nd Cir.1985); Lovell v. United States, 755 F.2d 517, 519 (7th Cir.1984); Perkins v. Commissioner, 746 F.2d 1187, 1188 (6th Cir.1984); Simanonok v. Commissioner, 731 F.2d 743, 744 (11th Cir. 1984); Funk v. Commissioner, 687 F.2d 264, 265 (8th Cir.1982); Lonsdale v. Commissioner, 661 F.2d 71, 72 (5th Cir.1981); United States v. Romero, 640 F.2d 1014, 1016 (9th Cir.1981); Wilson v. United States, 412 F.2d 694, 695 (1st Cir.1969); Commissioner v. Mendel, 351 F.2d 580, 582 (4th Cir.1965); United States v. Woodall, 255 F.2d 370, 372 (10th Cir.), cert. denied…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Robert Mills v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
4th Cir. · 1986 · confidence medium
Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir. 1985) (argument that wages are not income has been so frequently rejected that raising it warrants sanctions); Kasun v. United States, 671 F.2d 1059, 1061 (7th Cir. 1982) ("It is well settled that the cost of commuting is a nondeductible, personal expense."). 4 We may review the award of damages under Sec. 6673 only for abuse of discretion.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Chamberlain v. Krysztof
N.D.N.Y. · 1985 · confidence medium
He does not dispute that he earns “wages” from an “employer.” Wages are income, Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir. 1985) (per curiam); the federal income tax on wages is constitutional, id.; Ficalora v. Commissioner, 751 F.2d 85 (2d Cir.1984), cert. denied, — U.S.-, 105 S.Ct. 1869 , 85 L.Ed.2d 162 (1985).
discussed Cited "see" Hughes Brailey v. Secretary of Treasury, U.S.A., and Commissioner of Internal Revenue, U.S.A.
7th Cir. · 1991 · signal: see · confidence high
See Coleman, 792 F.2d at 72 (citing Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (argument that wages are not income has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions); see also Mclaughlin, 832 F.2d at 988 (this court imposed sanctions where appellant persisted in raising patently frivolous tax protester claims on appeal); Granado v. Commissioner, 792 F.2d 91, 94 (7th Cir.1986) ("litigants who pursue frivolous arguments before this court can expect sanctions").
discussed Cited "see" Gregory T. Granado v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
7th Cir. · 1986 · signal: see · confidence high
See Coleman, at 72 (citing Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (argument that wages are not income has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions)); see also Cameron v. I.R.S., 773 F.2d 126, 129-30 (7th Cir.1985) (although appeal raised one issue that court thought useful to comment on, the suit as a whole was frivolous and therefore justified the imposition of sanctions).
cited Cited "see" Horowitz
unknown court · Mary Ann\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Connor v. Commissioner, 770 F.2d 17 , 20 (2d Cir. 1985) ; *97 Crain v. Commissioner, 737 F.2d 1417 , 1418 (5th Cir. 1984) ; Cabirac v. Commissioner, 120 T.C. 163 , 167 (2003) .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Reynold Harvey
Tax Ct. · 2023 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Connor v. Commis- sioner, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir. 1985); Schiff v. Commissioner, 751 F.2d 116, 117 (2d Cir. 1984) (ruling that the argument that taxation of wage 5 [*5] income is unconstitutional is “wholly lacking in merit, is without any logical basis, and has been rejected countless times by [the Second Circuit] and others”), aff’g T.C.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Scott v. Commissioner (2×)
2d Cir. · 2009 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Connor v. Comm’r of Internal Revenue, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (“Wages are income.”); see also id. (noting that the assertion to the contrary “has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions”).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Scott v. Commissioner (2×)
2d Cir. · 2009 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Connor v. Comm’r of Internal Revenue, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (“Wages are income.”); see also id. (noting that the assertion to the contrary “has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions”).
cited Cited "see, e.g." Deyo v. Irs
2d Cir. · 2005 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Connor v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 770 F.2d 17 (2d Cir.1985).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Buckley v. Wilkins
Ohio · 2005 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Connor v. Commr. of Internal Revenue (C.A.2, 1985), 770 F.2d 17, 20 (“Wages are income. * * * The argument that they are not has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions”); United States v. Connor (C.A.3, 1990), 898 F.2d 942, 943 (“Every court which has ever considered the issue has unequivocally rejected the argument that wages are not income”); Stubbs v. Commr. of Internal Revenue Serv.
cited Cited "see, e.g." Weiss
Tax Ct. · 1992 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Connor v. Commissioner , supra ; Rowlee v. Commissioner , 80 T.C. 1111 , 1120 (1983) .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Norman E. Coleman v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Gary Holder v. Secretary of the Treasury and United States of America
7th Cir. · 1986 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See also, e.g., Connor v. CIR, 770 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1985) (the argument that wages are not income “has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions.”).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Anselme O. CONNOR, Petitioner-Appellant,
v.
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent-Appellee
1288, Docket 85-4031.
Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Aug 6, 1985.
770 F.2d 17
1985 U.S. App. LEXIS 21326
Anselme 0. Connor, New York City, submitted a brief pro se., Glenn L. Archer, Jr., Asst. Atty. Gen., Michael L. Paup, Carleton D. Powell, Gary D. Gray, Attys., Tax Div., Dept, of Justice, Washington, D.C., submitted a brief for the Commissioner.
Lumbard, Oakes, Per Curiam, Winter.
Cited by 49 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM:

Anselme 0. Connor (“taxpayer”) appeals from an order of the United States Tax Court, Cohen, J, dismissing his petition for a redetermination of his liability for personal income taxes for the year ended December 31, 1980. The tax court dismissed his petition because of a failure to prosecute and because of the frivolous nature of his arguments. The government seeks sanctions under Fed.R.App.P. 38, in the form of double costs and attorney’s fees, on the grounds that the taxpayer’s appeal from the tax court is also frivolous. We affirm the dismissal and impose sanctions pursuant to Rule 38.

On his 1980 form 1040, the taxpayer reported $34,804.93 in gross income, earned as a telephone serviceman for New York Telephone. However, the taxpayer reported no tax due, explaining at the bottom of the form that “I have taken an irrevocable vow of poverty and have received a directive from the head of my order and am therefore exempt from federal income tax.” The taxpayer demanded a refund of all the taxes his employer had withheld during the year.

On January 13, 1982, the Commissioner notified the taxpayer of a deficiency of $11,893.66, and of penalties under I.R.C.[*19] §§ 6651(a), 6653(a) of $3,115.28. On April 13, 1982, the taxpayer petitioned the tax court for a redetermination of his liability. In his petition, the taxpayer claimed, inter alia, that the Commissioner had not complied with internal procedures, had violated the taxpayer’s rights under the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, and Fourteenth Amendments, had violated the taxpayer’s priest/penitent and attorney/client privileges, had disregarded the bona fide character of the taxpayer’s church and order, had disregarded the taxpayer’s status as an ordained minister and a member of a religious order, had disregarded the taxpayer’s irrevocable vow of poverty, had erred by not contacting the taxpayer’s church and verifying the taxpayer’s status as an agent of the church, had erred in relying on the Service’s Internal/External rule as a basis for disregarding the taxpayer’s vow of poverty, had erred in stating that the taxpayer had negligently and intentionally disregarded revenue rules and regulations, and finally, had erred in finding that no income tax return had been filed by the taxpayer and assessing penalties for that failure.

On May 24, 1982, the Commissioner filed his answer, denying the taxpayer’s allegations. Over the next twenty-eight months, the Commissioner repeatedly attempted to resolve the case, but the taxpayer was uncooperative. The Commission then informed the taxpayer that it would seek penalties for delay and for filing a frivolous petition in the tax court.

On October 15, 1984, the tax court held a hearing on the taxpayer’s petition. At the hearing, the taxpayer dropped all of the arguments in his petition and merely asserted that “I have a Code here. There’s no where in there where I can find I am liable by filing a 1040.” The tax court affirmed the Commissioner, granted his motion to dismiss the petition for failure to prosecute, and assessed against the taxpayer a further $500 in damages for filing a petition primarily for delay, an award permitted by I.R.C. § 6673.

On this appeal, the taxpayer makes a number of arguments as part of his continuing delaying efforts. He first argues that the Commissioner was incorrect in assessing penalties for failure to file' under I.R.C. § 6651(a)(1), because he claims that the return was filed on time. However, he presented no evidence on the issue to the tax court, and the taxpayer carries the burden of proof, Tax Ct.R. 142; see also Beatty v. Commissioner, 667 F.2d 501 (5th Cir.1982) (tax protestor return not a return for purposes of the filing requirement).

The taxpayer also argues that the tax court agreed to give him an additional seven days after the October 15, 1984 hearing to file a new 1040 so that he could claim personal exemptions for his dependents and various deductions. We have read the transcript of the hearing, and find no such agreement. We also note that the taxpayer has had literally years to file a correct return but never did prior to the hearing, and that he makes no claim to have filed one since.

The taxpayer further argues that the tax court had no jurisdiction to hear his case, because the court has no jurisdiction to hear cases arising under Subtitle C, which he asserts is the subtitle that imposes income taxes. This argument is nonsense. Income taxes are imposed by I.R.C. § 1(d), which is within Subtitle A.

Next, the taxpayer argues that I.R.C. § 6673, which permits the tax court to award damages in an amount not to exceed $500 (since raised to $5,000) violates his constitutional right under the First Amendment to petition the government for redress of grievances. It does not. A taxpayer has no constitutional right to bring frivolous lawsuits. See Bill Johnson’s Restaurants, Inc. v. NLRB, 461 U.S. 731, 743, 103 S.Ct. 2161, 2170, 76 L.Ed.2d 277 (1983). He further argues that the statute is unconstitutionally vague, because it permits the tax court to award such damages whenever “it appears to the Tax Court that” the taxpayer has brought the action for delay. We find this language sufficiently precise to avoid any constitutional infirmity, especially in light of the appealability of any action taken by the tax court pursuant to it.

[*20] The taxpayer next argues that wages are not income but an exchange of property. As money is property and labor is property, so his argument goes, his work for wages is a non-taxable exchange of property. Wrong again. Wages are income. See, e.g., Schiff v. Commissioner, 751 F.2d 116, 117 (2d Cir.1984). The argument that they are not has been rejected so frequently that the very raising of it justifies the imposition of sanctions.

Finally, the taxpayer argues that because wages are property, a tax on them is a property tax, and because the tax the Commissioner is attempting to collect is not apportioned, it is unconstitutional. However, as we and innumerable other courts have repeatedly explained, wages are income, and income taxes do not have to be apportioned.

The Commissioner seeks double costs and attorney’s fees pursuant to Rule 38. We believe that such sanctions are entirely appropriate. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 38, the Commissioner is awarded double costs and $2,000 in attorney’s fees.

Affirmed.