Robinson v. Comm'r, 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995). · Go Syfert
Robinson v. Comm'r, 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
G Cite
cited 2× by 2 distinct cases, last quoted 1996 · …the best indication of the worth at p. 38
cited 2× by 2 distinct cases, last quoted 1997 · …the best indicator of the worth of the taxpayers' claims. at p. 38 ≈ altered
228 citation events (89 in the last 25 years) across 21 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 1996 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1996 2011 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited "but see" Charles Francisco Cecilia Francisco v. United States (2×) also: Cited "see"
3rd Cir. · 2001 · signal: but see · confidence high
But see Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 137 n. 15, 1994 WL 26303 (1994), ("In the case of a settlement that includes damages both includable in income under sec. 61(a) and excludable from income under sec. 104(a)(2), the Court generally determines the deductibility of any underlying legal fees by allocating the fees in the same proportion as the excludable and in-cludable portions of the settlement.”) (citing Stocks v. Commissioner, 98 T.C. 1, 18 , (1992)), aff’d 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir.1995); Metzger v. Commissioner, 88 T.C. 834, 860 , 1987 WL 49302 (1987) (same), aff'd, 845 F.2d 101…
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) McCann v. Commissioner (3×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see"
5th Cir. · 2004 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
although the tax court is not bound by a state court's allocation of settlement proceeds, it must give 'proper regard' to allocations made by state courts when such allocations are entered by the court in a bona fide adversary proceeding.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Guillotte v. Knowlin
E.D. La. · 2025 · confidence medium
A motion to reopen should be denied “where the evidence to be pRroebsinensotend v .w Ca.Is.R a.vailable at trial, or could have been obtained with reasonable diligence.” , 70 F.3d 34, 39 (5th Cir. 1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ray v. CIR (2×) also: Cited "see"
5th Cir. · 2023 · confidence medium
“The Tax Court’s denial of a motion to reopen the record for admission of additional evidence is not subject to review except upon a demonstration of extraordinary circumstances which reveal a clear abuse of discretion.” Robinson v. Comm’r, 70 F.3d 34, 39 (5th Cir. 1995) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Snarr v. United States
E.D. Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
Tex. July 14, 2015) (“A judge may not be asked to testify about [her] mental processes in reaching a judicial opinion.” (quoting Robinson v. Comm’r of Internal Revenue, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 519 U.S. 824 (1996))); see also United States v. Edwards, 39 F. Supp. 2d 692, 705 (M.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Garcia v. United States
E.D. Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
Rector v. Johnson, 120 F.3d 551, 562 (5th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 1120 (1998); accord In re Robinson, 917 F.3d 856 , 865 n.14 (5th Cir. 2019), cert. denied, 140 S. Ct. 1128 (2020); Perillo v. Johnson, 79 F.3d 441, 444 (5th Cir. 1996) (“[W]e have made clear that Rule 6 does not authorize fishing expeditions.” (internal citation and quotation marks omitted)). 25 Revenue, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 519 U.S. 824 (1996))); see also United States v. Edwards, 39 F. Supp. 2d 692, 705 (M.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dennis Lee Tomasik v. State of Michigan
Mich. Ct. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
As explained by the federal district court in Bliss v Fisher, 714 F Supp 2d 223, 224 (D Mass, 2010) (cleaned up), “The overwhelming authority . . . makes it clear that a judge may not be compelled to testify concerning the mental processes used in formulating official judgments or the reasons that motivated him in the performance of his official duties.” See also United States v Morgan, 313 -11- US 409, 422; 61 S Ct 999 ; 85 L Ed 1429 (1941); Fayerweather v Ritch, 195 US 276, 307 ; 25 S Ct 58 ; 49 L Ed 193 (1904); Robinson v Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 70 F3d 34, 38 (CA 5, 1995); In …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Vulcan Society, Inc.
E.D.N.Y · 2012 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Williams II, 137 F.3d at 952 (“An award of lost future earnings is a common-law tort remedy.”); Robinson v. C.I.R., 70 F.3d 34, 36 (5th Cir.1995) (damages for “injury to credit reputation” were “damages for tort-like personal injuries”); Varela v. Another Way, No. 06-CV-796 (PCT)(SMM), 2006 WL 2091711 , at *2 (D.Ariz.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bliss v. Fisher
D. Mass. · 2010 · confidence medium
The plaintiffs now seek to depose Mark Sturdy, the clerk magistrate who presided at the show-cause hearing, asserting that “[i]n order to raise the issue of false testimony and distortion of evidence ... the testimony of Clerk Magistrate Sturdy is essential.” The circumstances under which a party may compel a judge to testify concerning official matters are limited. “[T]he overwhelming authority ... makes it clear that a judge may not be compelled to testify concerning the mental processes used in formulating official judgments or the reasons that motivated him in the performance of his …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ciarlone v. City of Reading
E.D. Pa. · 2009 · confidence medium
U.S. v. Roebuck, 271 F.Supp.2d 712, 718 (D.Virgin Islands 2003) (citing U.S. v. Morgan, 313 U.S. 409, 422 , 61 S.Ct. 999 , 85 L.Ed. 1429 (1941); Fayerweather v. Ritch, 195 U.S. 276, 306-07 , 25 S.Ct. 58 , 49 L.Ed. 193 (1904); Grant v. Shalala, 989 F.2d at 1344-45 ; Robinson v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir.1995); United States v. Edwards, 39 F.Supp.2d 692 (M.D.La.1999)). “[Ojnly in the most extraordinary cases, such as a strong showing of bad faith or improper behavior by a judge or quasi-judicial officer or where circumstances were such to overcome the presumptio…
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States Ex Rel. Internal Revenue Service v. O'Cheskey (In Re Chama Land & Cattle Co.)
5th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
Robinson v. Comm’r, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir.1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Roth
S.D.N.Y. · 2004 · confidence medium
United States v. Morgan, 313 U.S. 409, 422 , 61 S.Ct. 999 , 85 L.Ed. 1429 (1941); Fayerweather v. Ritch, 195 U.S. 276, 306-07 , 25 S.Ct. 58 , 49 L.Ed. 193 (1904); Grant v. Shalala, 989 F.2d 1332, 1344-45 (3d Cir.1993); Robinson v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir. 1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Peaco v. Commissioner
3rd Cir. · 2002 · confidence medium
This is particularly so where the allocation of damages within the settlement agreement is “driven by tax considerations and [does] not reflect the true value of settled claims.” Id. (citing Robinson v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34, 37-38 (5th Cir.1995)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) In re Valencia
Bankr. D.N.M. · 2002 · confidence medium
Robinson v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir.1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rozpad v. Commissioner (2×) also: Cited "see"
1st Cir. · 1998 · confidence medium
On the other hand, when the interest component of a personal injury settlement can be *4 delineated with accuracy and ease — as when there has been a jury verdict and an ensuing judgment that contains separate itemizations of damages and interest — a subsequent settlement that does not purport to make a different allocation is quite logically viewed as including a pro rata share of interest. 3 See Robinson v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir.1995), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 117 S.Ct. 83 , 136 L.Ed.2d 40 (1996); Delaney, 99 F.3d at 24 n. 3.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rozpad v. Commissioner (2×) also: Cited "see"
1st Cir. · 1998 · confidence medium
See id. at 25-26 ; accordRobinson, 70 F.3d at 38 (holding explicitly that the jury's verdict furnishes "the best indication" of how to prorate an ensuing settlement).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Delaney v. IRS (2×) also: Cited "see"
1st Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
Robinson ________ v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir. 1995) (approving Tax ____________ Court's allocation of settlement proceeds based on percentage of damages represented by each element in jury award, where Tax Court went beyond terms of agreement settling action against bank for wrongful failure to release lien).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Delaney v. Commissioner (2×) also: Cited "see"
1st Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
Robinson v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir.1995) (approving Tax Court’s allocation of settlement proceeds based on percentage of damages represented by each element in jury award, where Tax Court went beyond terms .of agreement settling action against bank for wrongful failure to release lien).
discussed Cited "see" Green v. CIR (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
5th Cir. · 2007 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Comm’r, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir. 1995); Srivastava v. Comm’r, 220 F.3d 353, 365 (5th Cir. 2000) (“We review the allocations made by the Tax Court only for clear error.”), overruled on other grounds by Comm’r v. Banks, 543 U.S. 426 (2005).
discussed Cited "see" Green v. Commissioner (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
5th Cir. · 2007 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. *867 Comm’r, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir.1995); Srivastava v. Comm’r, 220 F.3d 353, 365 (5th Cir.2000) (“We review the allocations made by the Tax Court only for clear error.”), overruled on other grounds by Comm’r v. Banks, 543 U.S. 426 , 125 S.Ct. 826 , 160 L.Ed.2d 859 (2005).
cited Cited "see" Trotter v. Perdue Farms, Inc.
D. Del. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 1994 WL 26303 (1994), rev’d in part on other grounds, 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir.1995), cert. denied 519 U.S. 824 , 117 S.Ct. 83 , 136 L.Ed.2d 40 (1996).
discussed Cited "see" Francisco v. United States
3rd Cir. · 2001 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34, 37-38 (5th Cir. 1995) (holding that the settling parties were not adversaries in determining the allocation of the settlement for tax purposes and that its 5% allocation to taxable punitive damages, after a sizable punitive damages judgment, was not credible), cert. denied, 519 U.S. 824 (1996); Taggi v. United States, 35 F.3d 93, 96 (2d Cir. 1994) ("The Tax Court consistently has stressed the importance of a bona fide dispute over excludable damages."); Threlkeld v. Commissioner, 87 T.C. 1294, 1307 (1986) ("the specific allocation contained in the sett…
cited Cited "see" RAMEY v. COMMISSIONER
Tax Ct. · 2001 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 (1994) , affd. in part, revd. in part 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) ; Peaco v. Commissioner, T.C.
cited Cited "see" Quantum Co. Trust v. Commissioner
Tax Ct. · 2000 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 127 (1994) , affd. in part, revd. in part on another ground and remanded 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
discussed Cited "see" Peaco v. Commissioner
Tax Ct. · 2000 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 (1994) (stating, under similar circumstances, that the Court's holding need not be consistent with the terms *141 of a settlement agreement when those terms do not reflect the realities of the settlement), affd. in part, revd. in part, and remanded on other grounds 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
discussed Cited "see" San Francisco Baseball Associates L.P. v. United States
N.D. Cal. · 2000 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 70 F.3d 34, 37-38 (5th Cir.1995) (upholding tax court’s rejection of parties’ allocation in the settlement agreement of 95 percent of the settlement proceeds to mental anguish so as to minimize tax liability and basing allocation instead on jury’s actual award made before the parties settled).
discussed Cited "see" Burditt v. Commissioner
Tax Ct. · 1999 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, supra. The determination of whether the parties are adversarial for this purpose is a question of fact. 3 See Robinson v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34 , 38 (5th Cir. 1995) , affg. in part, revg. in part on another ground and remanding 102 T.C. 116 (1994) . 1. *150 LINDSEY SETTLEMENT [28] The notice of deficiency determined that petitioners must include the entire $ 550,000 Lindsey settlement in gross income.
discussed Cited "see" Gregg v. Commissioner (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
Tax Ct. · 1999 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 126 (1994) *30 (compensatory damages for compromised economic rights that arise from a contract are not excludable under section 104(a)(2) ), affd. in part, revd. in part on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) ; Baca v. Commissioner, T.C.
discussed Cited "see" Rozpad v. Commissioner
Tax Ct. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34 , 38 (5th Cir. 1995) , affg. in part, revg. in part and remanding in part 102 T.C. 116 (1994) ; see also United States v. Burke, 504 U.S. 229 , 237 (1992) ; Alexander v. Commissioner, 72 F.3d 938 , 942 (1st Cir. 1995) , affg.
discussed Cited "see" Hughes A. Bagley and Marilyn B. Bagley v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
8th Cir. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir.1995) (Tax Court did not err in.basing settlement allocation upon jury verdict, “the best indicator of the worth of the [taxpayers’] claims.”), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 117 S.Ct. 83 , 136 L.Ed.2d 40 (1996).
discussed Cited "see" Dye v. United States
10th Cir. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See Delaney v. Commissioner, 99 F.3d 20, 25 (1st Cir.1996) (approving Tax Court’s allocation of settlement proceeds based on percentage of damages represented by each element in jury award) (citing Robinson v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir.1995), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 117 S.Ct. 83 , 136 L.Ed.2d 40 (1996)); see generally Commissioner v. Miller, 914 F.2d 586, 592 (4th Cir. 1990), aff'd after remand, 60 F.3d 823 (4th Cir.1995) (table) (discussing “a myriad of ways” in which litigation proceeds which were not allocated by the parties might be allocated by the tax court).
discussed Cited "see" Hughes A. Bagley v. CIR
8th Cir. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir. 1995) (Tax Court did not err in basing settlement allocation upon jury verdict, "the best indicator of the worth of the [taxpayers'] claims."), cert. denied, 117 S. Ct. 83 (1997).
cited Cited "see" Reisman
unknown court · Robert P.\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 126 (1994) , affd. in part and revd. in part on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
cited Cited "see" Bradley
unknown court · Robert A.\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 (1994) , affd. on this issue and revd. in part. 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) ; Burditt II v. Commissioner, T.C.
cited Cited "see" Wells
unknown court · Peter J.\"" · signal: see · confidence high
Ed. 2d 34 (1992) ; see Robinson v. Commissioner , 102 T.C. 116 , 125-126 (1994) , affd. in part, revd. in part and remanded on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
cited Cited "see" Taylor
unknown court · Norman H.\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 127 (1994) , affd. in part, revd. in part, and remanded on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
discussed Cited "see" Commissioner
unknown court · Maurice B.\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 129 (1994) (stating that "this Court will not blindly accept the terms contained in a settlement agreement," especially when those terms are tax-motivated), affd. in part, revd. in part and remanded on other grounds 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
discussed Cited "see" Lindsey
unknown court · Mary Ann\"" · signal: see · confidence high
Ed. 2d 34 , 112 S. Ct. 1867 (1992) ; see Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 126 (1994), *120 affd. in part and revd. in part on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) ; see also Fono v. Commissioner, 79 T.C. 680 , 692 (1982) , affd. without published opinion 749 F.2d 37 (9th Cir. 1984) .
discussed Cited "see" Emerson
unknown court · Mary Ann\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 126 (1994), *93 affd. in part, revd. in part on another ground 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) ; see also Fono v. Comm'r, 79 T.C. 680 , 692 (1982) , affd. without published opinion 749 F.2d 37 (9th Cir. 1984) .
discussed Cited "see" Green
unknown court · Mary Ann\"" · signal: see · confidence high
Ed. 2d 34 (1992) ; see Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 126 (1994) , affd. in part and revd. in part on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) ; see also Fono v. Commissioner, 79 T.C. 680 , 692 (1982) , affd. without published opinion 749 F.2d 37 (9th Cir. 1984) .
cited Cited "see" Sherman
unknown court · Julian I.\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 127 (1994) , affd. in part, revd. in part on another ground and remanded 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
discussed Cited "see" Moulton (2×)
unknown court · Joseph H.\"" · signal: see · confidence high
United States v. Burke , supra at 235 n.6 ; see Robinson v. Commissioner , 102 T.C. 116 , 125-126 (1994) , affd. in part and revd. in part on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
cited Cited "see" HAMBLIN
unknown court · D. Irvin\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 126 (1994) , affd. in part, revd. in part on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
cited Cited "see" HAMBLIN
unknown court · D. Irvin\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 126 (1994) , affd. in part, revd. in part on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
discussed Cited "see" WATERS (2×)
unknown court · D. Irvin\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 126 (1994) , affd. in part, revd. in part on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) .
cited Cited "see" D'Amico
unknown court · Carolyn P.\"" · signal: see · confidence high
See Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116 , 127 (1994) , affd. in part, revd. in part, and remanded on another issue 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995) ; Seay v. Commissioner, 58 T.C. 32 , 37 (1972) .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." In re: Philips Recalled CPAP, Bi-Level PAP, and Mechanical Ventilator Products Litigation; King v. Cornerstone, et al.
W.D. Pa. · 2026 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Ed. 193 (1904); Grant v. Shalala, 989 F.2d 1332 , 1344–45 (3d Cir. 1993); see also Robinson v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir. 1995); United States v. Edwards, 39 F. Supp.2d 692 (M.D.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." ARCONIC CORPORATION v. NOVELIS INC.
W.D. Pa. · 2022 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Ed. 193 (1904); Grant v. Shalala, 989 F.2d 1332 , 1344–45 (3d Cir. 1993); see also Robinson v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir. 1995); United States v. Edwards, 39 F. Supp.2d 692 (M.D.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Carol E. Holliday
Tax Ct. · 2021 · signal: see also · confidence low
Id. at 867-868 ; see also Robinson v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 116, 126 (1994) (noting that the determination of the nature of the claims settled “is generally made by reference to the settlement agreement in light of the surrounding circumstances”), aff’d in part, rev’d in part, and remanded on another issue, 70 F.3d 34 (5th Cir. 1995).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Adkins v. State
Ala. Crim. App. · 2004 · signal: see also · confidence medium
United States v. Morgan, 313 U.S. 409, 422 , 61 S.Ct. 999 , 85 L.Ed. 1429 (1941); Fayerweather v. Ritch, 195 U.S. 276, 306-07 , 25 S.Ct. 58 , 49 L.Ed. 193 (1904); Grant v. Shalala, 989 F.2d 1332, 1344-45 (3d Cir.1993); see also Robinson v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 70 F.3d 34, 38 (5th Cir.1995); United States v. Edwards, 39 F.Supp.2d 692 (M.D.La.1999). `[J]udges are under no obligation to divulge the reasons that motivated them in their official acts; the mental processes employed in formulating the decision may not be probed.' United States v. Cross, 516 F.Supp. 700, 707 (M.D.Ga.1981)…
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Robinson
v.
Commissioner
94-41023.
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Dec 5, 1995.
70 F.3d 34
Garza, Garwood, Duhé.
Published
[*36] REYNALDO G. GARZA, Circuit Judge:

I.

BACKGROUND

Edward and Sandra Robinson obtained a $60,000,000 jury verdict against a bank for wrongful failure to release a lien. This $60,-000,000 included $6,000,000 for lost profits, $1,500,000 for mental anguish, and $50,000,-000 in punitive damages. The Robinsons then settled their claims against the bank for $10,000,000 plus the release of a judgment that the bank held against the petitioners in the amount of $691,972.43 while the trial court was considering the bank’s motion for a new trial. In the final judgment reflecting the settlement, which was drafted by the parties and signed by the trial judge, 95% of the settlement proceeds were allocated to mental anguish and 5% were allocated to lost profits.

The Robinsons received $4,935,152.43 of the settlement proceeds after paying attorneys’ fees and costs. Of that amount, they only reported five percent of the proceeds ($246,758) — the amount allocated to lost profits — as income on their 1987 joint income tax return. They contended that the other 95% was excludable under Section 104(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code as “damages received ... on account of personal injuries or sickness.” [1]

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) considered 95%, rather than 5%, of the proceeds to be taxable, and recomputed the Robinsons’ taxable income by adding 90% of the proceeds received by the Robinsons ($4,400,000). This added income eliminated a carried forward net-operating-loss deduction claimed in the 1988 tax year, and the IRS noticed deficiencies for the 1987 and 1988 tax years. The Robinsons then petitioned the Tax Court for redetermination, arguing that 95% of the settlement proceeds were excludable under Section 104.

At trial, the IRS discovered and asserted an additional deficiency based on the Robinson’s discharge-of-indebtedness income from the bank’s release of the $691,972.43 judgment in conjunction with the settlement. The Tax Court allowed the IRS to amend its pleadings to assert this discharge-of-indebtedness income.

After hearing the evidence and the parties’ arguments, the Tax Court rendered judgment. It first found that the allocation of the settlement proceeds did not reflect the damages that the Robinsons suffered. Instead, the Robinsons were allowed to allocate the settlement proceeds in a manner that minimized their tax liability. The Tax Court therefore refused to recognize the allocation contained in the final judgment, and reallocated the settlement proceeds among the various elements of damages that the jury awarded the Robinsons in their suit against the bank.

The Tax Court allocated the settlement proceeds based on the relationship of certain amounts awarded to the Robinsons by the jury. Because the Tax Court agreed that the punitive damages may have been reduced on appeal, it first allocated the proceeds based on the amounts awarded by the jury for compensatory damages. It then allocated the remaining balance to punitive damages. Using this method, the Tax Court allocated the proceeds as follows:

Actual Damages: Percentage Damages of Damages
Lost Profits $6,000,000 60.893
Other Business Damages 175,000 1.776
Injury to Credit Reputation 85,000 .863
Mental Anguish 1,500,000 15.223
Punitive Damages: 2,093,360 21.245
Settlement Less Prejudgment Interest $9,853,360 100.000
Prejudgment Interest 146,640
Total Settlement Payment $10,000,000

The Tax Court then allocated the settlement proceeds based on the percentage of damages attributed to each item of damage. It therefore allocated 37.331% of the proceeds — the amounts attributable to punitive damages (21.245%), mental anguish (14.223%) and injury to credit reputation (.863%) — to damages for tort-like personal injuries. The Tax Court then held that $1,787,599.30 — the 37.331% of the net pay[*37] ment (less prejudgment interest) [2] attributable to tort-like injuries — -was excludable under Section 104, and that the balance of the net payment (including prejudgment interest) was includable in the Robinsons’ 1987 gross income.

The Commissioner of Internal Revenue then appealed the Tax Court’s exclusion of the portion of settlement proceeds allocable to punitive damages. The Robinsons cross-appealed, arguing that the Tax Court erred in its allocation of the proceeds, its refusal to subpoena the trial judge who presided over their suit against the bank, and its refusal to reopen the record to allow them to demonstrate deductions that would offset the discharge-of-indebtedness income.

II.

THE COMMISSIONER’S APPEAL

The Tax Court held that the portion of the Robinsons’ settlement attributable to punitive damages was excludable from their gross income as “damages received ... on account of personal injuries or sickness” under Section 104(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. [3] The Commissioner appeals from this holding, arguing that, because they are not intended to compensate plaintiffs for personal injuries, punitive damages are not excluda-ble from gross income under Section 104(a)(2). This Court recently held that punitive damages awarded under Texas law are not intended to compensate, and are therefore not excludable under Section 104(a)(2). [4] Accordingly, we reverse the Tax Court on this issue and hold that the portion of the Robinsons’ settlement proceeds allocable to punitive damages are not excludable under Section 104(a)(2).

Because the proceeds allocable to punitive damages are not excludable, the Robinsons must include the 24.241% of $4,788,511.72, the net settlement payment (less prejudgment interest), [5] as well as 24.241% of the $691,972.43 discharge of indebtedness. However, because the parties agreed that the Robinsons were allowed to deduct the non-excludable portions of part of the discharged indebtedness, namely the $55,337.44 in interest and $57,875.91 in attorney fees, the Rob-insons should be allowed to deduct an additional 24.241% of these amounts.

III.

THE ROBINSONS’ CROSS-APPEAL

A.

THE ALLOCATION OF THE SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS

The Robinsons contend that the Tax Court erred in reallocating the settlement proceeds among the various types of damages that they suffered. They argue that the Tax Court failed to give “proper regard” to the state court trial judge’s allocation of ninety-five percent of the settlement proceeds to mental anguish and five percent to lost profits.

Although the Tax Court is not bound by a state court’s allocation of settlement proceeds, it must give “proper regard” to allocations made by state courts when such allocations are entered by the court in a bona fide adversary proceeding. [6] In the case at bar, however, the Tax Court found that the allocation was not entered in a bona fide adversary proceeding. Further, it found that the state trial court simply “rubber stamped” a judgment drafted by the Robinsons’ attorneys. Therefore, the Tax Court did not consider itself bound by the state court’s allocation, and reallocated the settlement proceeds.

[*38] The Tax Court’s findings that the allocation was not entered into in an adversary proceeding and that the judgment was simply “rubber stamped” by the state court are findings of fact, which this Court will only disturb upon a finding of clear error. [7] We hold that the trial court did not err in its factual findings. The testimony of the attorneys who represented the Robinsons in their suit against the bank supports the Tax Court’s finding that the bank allowed the Robinsons to allocate the settlement proceeds in any manner they wished. [8] This testimony alone supports a finding that the Robinsons and the bank were not adversarial in the allocation of the settlement proceeds. The circumstances surrounding the state court judge’s entry of judgment also support the trial court’s findings. The parties presented the final judgment to the trial judge at his home in the evening. The meeting at the judge’s home lasted no longer than one hour, and neither the final judgment nor the settlement agreement were discussed in detail during that meeting. Therefore, the Tax Court did not err in failing to give proper regard to the state court judgment’s allocation of settlement proceeds.

The Tax Court also did not err in its allocation of the proceeds. Its allocation was based upon the jury verdict, the best indication of the worth of the Robinsons’ claims. We therefore affirm the Tax Court’s reallocation.

B.

REFUSAL TO SUBPOENA THE STATE COURT JUDGE

The Robinsons contend that the Tax Court erred in refusing to allow them to subpoena the state court judge to testify as to his understanding and knowledge of the final judgment and what went into its determination. The Robinsons served a subpoena on the state court judge, who in turn moved to quash the subpoena on the ground that the taxpayers sought to question him regarding the mental processes employed by him in entering the Final Judgment. The Tax Court quashed the subpoena. We review the Tax Court’s quashing of a subpoena for abuse of discretion. [9]

A judge may not be asked to testify about his mental processes in reaching a judicial opinion. [10] The sole reason that the Robinsons attempted to subpoena the state court judge was to show that he considered the merits of the allocation contained in the Final Judgment rather than simply rubber stamping a judgment drafted by the Robin-sons. There is no way that the trial judge could be asked about such matters without inquiring into his mental processes. In fact, the whole purpose of the subpoena was to delve into the judge’s mental processes. Therefore, we hold that the Tax Court did not err in quashing the subpoena.

C.

REFUSAL TO REOPEN THE RECORD

The Robinsons contend that the Tax Court erred in refusing to reopen the record to allow them to present evidence of deductions that offset the discharge-of-indebtedness income. When the evidence revealed that the Robinsons received a release of a $691,971 judgment that the bank held against Taxpayers, the Tax Court allowed the Commissioner to amend its pleading to assert the additional discharge-of-indebtedness income. The Rob-[*39] insons then moved that the record be left open for additional submissions on the issue. The Tax Court denied the motion, and later denied a motion made by the Robinsons to reopen the record for submission of evidence of offsetting deductions.

The Tax Court’s denial of a motion to reopen the record for admission of additional evidence is “not subject to review except upon a demonstration of extraordinary circumstances which reveal a clear abuse of discretion.” [11] Further, such motions should be denied where the evidence to be presented was available at trial, or could have been obtained with reasonable diligence. [12]

We hold that the Tax Court did not err in denying the motion to reopen because, through the exercise of reasonable diligence, the Robinsons could have obtained the evidence of offsetting deductions. The Robin-sons were made aware — through both the Commissioner’s interrogatories propounded to them during discovery and through the evidence obtained during the depositions of the attorneys that represented the Robinsons in the state court litigation — that diseharge-of-indebtedness income was an issue in the case. Therefore, they should have obtained evidence of offsetting deductions before the close of trial.

IV.

CONCLUSION

We REVERSE the Tax Court’s judgment to the extent that it held that the punitive damages portion of the settlement proceeds were excludable under Section 104(a)(2), REMAND this case to the Tax Court for entry of a judgment in accordance with this opinion, and AFFIRM the remainder of the Tax Court’s opinion.

2

. The Tax Court held that 100% of the amount allocated to prejudgment interest was includable in income.

4

. Estate of Moore v. Commissioner, 53 F.3d 712, 716 (5th Cir.1995).

5

. The Tax Court held that 100% of the prejudgment interest was included in income. The Rob-insons did not appeal this holding.

6

. Cf. Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Estate of Bosch, 387 U.S. 456, 463-64, 87 S.Ct. 1776, 1781-82, 18 L.Ed.2d 886 (1967) (quoting S. Rept. No. 1013, 80th Cong., 2d Sess., pt. 2, at 4 (1948)).

7

. Switzer v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 52 F.3d 1294, 1298 (5th Cir.1995).

8

. The Robinsons' lead counsel testified as follows:

I asked [the Bank's counsel], would there be any objection on their part on how [a settlement] would be structured if we went in and set the [judgment based on the jury verdict] aside. He said, "None.”
He said, "We don’t care how you do it, just so it is paid and we can get it over with, and we will cooperate with you in any way you see fit. If you can get any tax benefit, fine.” If you-you know, he didn't have any ax to grind. He didn’t care. He made it plain.
9

. Tiberi v. CIGNA Ins. Co., 40 F.3d 110, 112 (5th Cir.1994).

10

. Washington v. Strickland, 693 F.2d 1243, 1263 (5th Cir.1982), rev'd on other grounds, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). See United States v. Morgan, 313 U.S. 409, 421-22, 61 S.Ct. 999, 1004-05, 85 L.Ed. 1429 (1941).

11

. Devore v. Commissioner, 963 F.2d 280, 282 (9th Cir.1992).

12

. See, e.g., Tweeddale v. Commissioner, 841 F.2d 643, 646 (5th Cir.1988).