Although the Supreme Court refused to hear the case of Murphy v. IRS, the fight is not over! The National Whistleblower Center has issued this Action Alert, urging all supporters to email their Senators and Representatives and tell them to support the Civil Rights Tax Relief Act of 2007.
Click here for more info>>
In an order posted today on the its website, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will not be hearing the Murphy v. IRS appeal. Although this is a disappointing turn of events, whistleblower and civil rights advocates should continue the fight for tax justice, both in other judicial venues, and in the halls of Congress.
In response to the news, the National Whistleblower Center put out the following press release:
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NATIONAL WHISTLEBLOWER CENTER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 21, 2008
U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Murphy v. IRS
Advocates To Continue Pressing for Changes in Civil Rights Tax Law
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision not to grant certiorari in the case of Murphy v. IRS. The order, posted on the Court's website this morning, means that the IRS can continue to tax non-pecuniary compensatory damages awarded to victims of whistleblower retaliation and other civil rights violations. These damage awards, which are intended to make the victim "whole" again, include payments for loss of reputation and emotional distress.
The case was brought by Marrita Murphy, an environmental whistleblower who won her case before Department of Labor, and was awarded compensatory damages to vindicate her rights under six federal environmental whistleblower statutes. Murphy filed suit when the IRS demanded that she pay taxes on the "make-whole" award as if it were income. After having her case dismissed, Murphy filed an appeal.
After full briefing and oral argument, the Appeals court initially held that Murphy's award was not income and the tax on her damages violated the U.S. Constitution. Then, under pressure from the Bush Administration, the judges decided to rehear the case. In this ruling, Murphy II, the D.C. Circuit reversed its own previous decision, declaring that non-physical compensatory damages are taxable as gross income.
National Whistleblower Center General Counsel David K Colapinto, who represents Ms. Murphy, released the following statements regarding the Court's decision
"The DC Circuit's decision was contradictory and wrong. It will have a tragic impact on thousands of whistleblowers and victims of discrimination. We are not surprised though, that the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, as there was not a traditional "split in the circuits," as the DC Circuit was the first court to take this issue on. Given the DC Circuit's difficulty in dealing with this issue, I expect that it will be taken up in other courts across the country."
"It is unfair and unconstitutional to tax victims of discrimination and retaliation when the awards were simply compensation to make them whole again. The money is to restore a loss for personal injury; it is not income."
Unfortunately, as a result of the Court's decision not to hear the Murphy case, whistleblowers and other civil rights victims whose make whole compensatory damages awards are taxed will have to continue to fight the IRS through the courts. The only alternative to continued litigation is for Congress to change the tax code.
Currently pending before Congress is the Civil Rights Tax Relief Act of 2007 ("CRTRA"), H.R. 1540, which would end unfair taxation of noneconomic damages received by those who have suffered unlawful discrimination in the workplace or other violations of their employment rights.
The CRTRA was introduced in the House by Representative John Lewis (D-GA), who was joined by a bipartisan group of original CRTRA cosponsors, including Representatives Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Sander Levin (D-MI), Jim Ramstad (R-MN), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), and Phil English (R-PA). The Senate companion bill was introduced by Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
The CRTRA has broad bi-partisan support. It is supported by employer and employee advocacy groups alike because both business and employee organizations recognize that taxing non-economic make whole compensatory damages makes settlement more difficult and results in protracted litigation in employment disputes.
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The Supreme Court Justices were scheduled to have a conference this morning to rule on petitions for certiorari, including in the case of Murphy v. IRS.
We will keep you updated on any developments.
UPDATE: We just received word that the results of the conference will not be revealed until Monday morning. We will let you know as soon as we find out. Check back after the weekend!
The Supreme Court has distributed the Murphy v. IRS case for the Conference to be held on April 18, 2008. The Justices of the Supreme Court will decide on that date whether or not to grant the petition for certiorari filed on behalf of Ms. Murphy. It takes 4 votes to grant a petition.
Keep checking back (or sign up for our RSS feeds) for updates on this issue.
Attorneys working with the National Whistleblower Center have filed the reply brief in response to the Solicitor General’s brief regarding whether certiorari should be granted in a key Whistleblower/Civil Rights tax case that was filed with the Supreme Court by attorneys. The case is Murphy v. IRS, No. 07-802 (Supreme Court).
Click here to view the brief (PDF)>>>
The principal issue is whether the IRS can tax as “income” plaintiffs' court awards for non-physical compensatory damages, such as “make whole” awards for emotional distress and loss of reputation.
The case was brought by Marrita Murphy, an environmental whistleblowerwho won before the Department of Labor, and was awarded only compensatory damages to vindicate her rights under six federal environmental whistleblower statutes, and none of her damages were for lost wages. Murphy filed a tax refund suit when the IRS demanded that she pay taxes on the "make-whole" award.
The ruling in Murphy v. IRS will affect thousands of past and future victims of civil rights violations and whistleblower retaliation who are awarded compensatory damages for personal injuries. The following summarizes the arguments made on behalf of Ms. Murphy in the reply brief.
In her reply brief, Murphy argues that the D.C. Circuit’s final decision in Murphy v. IRS violates the “accession to wealth” test, which specifies that in order for damages to be within the scope of the “gross income” statute, 26 U.S.C. § 61(a), there must be some “accession” to the taxpayer’s wealth. Commissioner v. Glenshaw Glass Co., 348 U.S. 426, 430 (1955). The D.C. Circuit’s final decision conflicts with this controlling precedent and a long line of authorities holding that damages awarded to make a person “whole” or to restore a personal loss are not “income” or an “accession to wealth.”
Since the enactment of the modern tax code between 1913 and 1918, numerous court and administrative rulings held that personal injury damages, including compensatory damages for non-physical personal injury losses, are not “income.” The scope of the “gross income” statute (codified at 26 U.S.C. § 61(a)) and the subsequent versions of the personal injury statutory exclusions were expressly based on the limitations set forth in the Sixteenth Amendment. Any tax on damages that are not income is not a tax within the scope of those statutes and the Sixteenth Amendment.
Notably, the D.C. Circuit never held that the compensatory damages awarded to Murphy for emotional distress and loss of reputation are “income” under the controlling “accession to wealth” test under Glenshaw Glass. Instead, the court of appeals initially held in Murphy I that Murphy’s damages did not meet this test and were not “income,” but after vacating that decision, the D.C. Circuit decided that 26 U.S.C. § 61(a) was amended “by implication” to include this type of non-physical personal injury damages as “gross income” without deciding the “accession to wealth” test required by Glenshaw Glass. Simply put, gross income under Section 61(a) cannot include damages for non-physical injuries without satisfying the “accession to wealth” test.
The court of appeals in Murphy II, invented the fiction of an excise tax in this case, in an attempt to avoid the required “accession to wealth” test. After holding that Congress amended Section 61(a) “by implication” when it amended Section 104(a)(2) in 1996, the Murphy II court went on to uphold this imagined tax under Article I of the U.S. Constitution. In continuing its fiction of a judicially created excise tax, the court of appeals held that the excise was imposed on the “privilege” of using the “legal system” to “vindicate a statutory right.” To be sure, this is the first case in which any court has judicially created an excise tax on the right to use the legal system to vindicate a federal statutory right. However, the very troubling implications of such a tax on civil rights plaintiffs, whistleblowers and tort victims are so enormous as to warrant review by the Supreme Court.
A straightforward application of Glenshaw Glass shows that Murphy’s damages are not income because they were awarded to make her “whole” and to restore a personal injury or human capital loss. Murphy was not enriched by receiving “make whole” compensatory damages.
Murphy also argues that Supreme Court review is warranted to address important questions of federal law resulting from the 1996 amendments to the personal injury exclusion, 26 U.S.C. § 104(a)(2). The type of compensatory personal injury damages at issue here are commonly awarded under numerous federal anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation statutes, as well as in state tort actions. If these damages are taxed the government not only deprives the plaintiff of a “make whole” remedy to compensate for personal injury losses, such as emotional distress and damage to reputation, but there exists confusion about the applicability of the personal injury exemption in cases where the plaintiff also suffers a physical injury of physical sickness as well as emotional distress.
Unquestionably, the D.C. Circuit decided an important question of federal law in a manner that calls for this Court’s review. The taxing of personal injury damages in light of the 1996 amendments to Section 104(a)(2) affects not only the tax bar, but impacts employment law, torts, whistleblower law, and civil rights. Review by the Supreme Court is needed to resolve whether “make whole” personal injury damages are not income and not taxable.
The Solicitor General has filed the Government’s brief in opposition to the granting of certiorari in a key Whistleblower/Civil Rights tax case that was filed with the Supreme Court by attorneys working with the National Whistleblower Center. The case is Murphy v. IRS, No. 07-802 (Supreme Court).
The principal issue is whether the IRS can tax as “income” plaintiffs' court awards for non-physical compensatory damages, such as “make whole” awards for emotional distress and loss of reputation.
The case was brought by Marrita Murphy, an environmental whistleblower who won before the Department of Labor, and was awarded only compensatory damages to vindicate her rights under six federal environmental whistleblower statutes, and none of her damages were for lost wages. Murphy filed a tax refund suit when the IRS demanded that she pay taxes on the "make-whole" award.
In its brief, the Government argues that it may tax “make whole” damages to restore personal injury losses for emotional distress and damage to reputation. However, such damages were never considered income or taxed prior to 1996, and Congress has not changed the gross income statute or enacted any tax levying statute to specifically tax compensatory damages. The Government’s argument essentially equates “make whole” compensatory damages for personal injury losses to lottery winnings or windfalls, and ignores that damages for personal injury are not income.
The ruling in Murphy v. IRS will affect thousands of past and future victims of civil rights violations and whistleblower retaliation who are awarded compensatory damages for personal injuries.
Today we learned that the U.S. Government will receive a 30 day extension from the U.S. Supreme Court to file their reply brief in Murphy v. IRS (More on Murphy v. IRS here). This is the Solicitor's second 30 day extension, giving the government until March 17th to file the brief. Maybe they are banking on the luck of the Irish...or possibly they haven't been able to make sense of the Appeals court's decision yet either...
We will keep you posted.
Warning regarding litigation under the False Claims Act
The False Claims Act has one of the strongest whistleblower protection provisions in the United States. However, it has many complicated components and requirements which can harm any person that pursues such a claim without counsel. Due to the potential for a significant financial recovery, it is usually possible to retain an attorney for such an action. If, after reviewing this section, you believe that you may have an action arising under the False Claims Act and need an attorney, please complete our Attorney Referral Service / Report Fraud Now form.
What is the False Claims Act (Qui tam)?
The False Claims Act is 31 U.S.C. Sections 3729 through 3733. Qui tam, under the False Claims Act, allows persons and entities with evidence of fraud against federal programs or contracts to sue the wrongdoer on behalf of the United States Government. In Qui tam actions, the government has the right to intervene and join the action. If the government declines, the private plaintiff may proceed on his or her own. Some states have passed similar laws concerning fraud in state government contracts.
What Actions Are Considered Violations under the False Claims Act?
Who Can File a Qui tam Action?
Any persons or entities with evidence of fraud against federal programs or contracts may file a Qui tam lawsuit. If the government or a private party has already filed a False Claims Act lawsuit based on the same evidence as you, you cannot bring a lawsuit.
Where Should a Qui tam Action Be Filed?
A qui tam action must be confidentially filed under seal in federal district court in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. A copy of the complaint, with a written disclosure statement of substantially all material evidence and information in the plaintiff's possession, must be confidentially served on the U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for the district in which the complaint is brought. An action under the False Claims Act must be filed, in camera and under seal. The complaint and its contents must be kept confidential until the seal is lifted. The complaint is not served on the defendant. If the plaintiff violates the provisions of the seal, his or her complaint could be dismissed.
What Are the Civil Penalties Under the False Claims Act?
Violators of the False Claims Act are liable for three times the dollar amount that the government is defrauded and civil penalties of $5,000 to $10,000 for each false claim.
A qui tam plaintiff can receive between 15 and 30 percent of the total recovery from the defendant, whether through a favorable judgment or settlement. To be eligible to recover money under the Act, you must file a qui tam lawsuit. Merely informing the government about the violation is not enough. You only receive an award if, and after, the government recovers money from the defendant as a result of your suit.
What Are the Statutes Of Limitations for Filing a Qui Tam Lawsuit?
Under the False Claims Act, an action must be filed within the later of the following two time periods:
(One Circuit Court has interpreted the second provision as requiring that the action be filed not later than three years after the qui tam plaintiff rather than the government knows, or should have known about the violation.)
What Are the Whistleblower Protection Provisions in the False Claims Act?
Under Section 3730(h) of the False Claims Act, any employee who is discharged, demoted, harassed, or otherwise discriminated against because of lawful acts by the employee in furtherance of an action under the Act is entitled to all relief necessary to make the employee whole. Such relief may include:
You should be aware, however, that the scope of whistleblower protection under Section 3730(h) is an issue that currently divides the courts.
Many states have wrongful discharge or other employment laws that may provide other remedies for such discrimination.
The Statute of Limitation for filing a FCA retaliation case is different then that for filing a qui tam recovery case. Retaliation case must be filed under the statute of limitation applicable to the similar state wrongful discharge action.
What about State False Claims Acts?
Due to the success of the Federal False Claims Act, a growing number of states including New York, California, and Virginia, have enacted State versions of the False Claims Act. These laws permit whistleblowers to recover a “finders fee” for reporting fraud in state, local and municipal contracting.
What about Tax Fraud?
In 2006, Congress amended the Internal Revenue Code to permit whistleblower to obtain a reward for reporting tax fraud.
How can I get help?
If you need to speak to an attorney, you can contact us using the NWLDEF’s Attorney Referral Service / Report Fraud Now form.
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How can we help? Any information you provide is considered confidential and will not be shared outside of our organization. Requests for legal assistance are considered strictly confidential / attorney-client privileged.
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