Free Answer to Amended Complaint - District Court of Federal Claims - federal

Case 1:06-cv-00311-VJW

Document 8

Filed 06/29/2006

Page 1 of 5

No. 06-311 T Judge Victor J. Wolski ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC., Plaintiff, v. THE UNITED STATES, Defendant. __________________ ANSWER __________________ The United States, in answer to the complaint, denies each allegation contained therein that is not admitted or otherwise expressly addressed below. The United States further: 1. Admits that this action is brought under Sections 6532 and 7422 of the Internal Revenue Code seeking to recover federal excise taxes and statutory interest, but states that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegation that the taxes were paid to the United States with respect to the quarters ended June 30, 2001 through June 30, 2005. 2. States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 2.

-1-

Case 1:06-cv-00311-VJW

Document 8

Filed 06/29/2006

Page 2 of 5

3.

States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to plaintiff's employer identification number for purposes of reporting to the Internal Revenue Service. Denies that plaintiff's identification number as pleaded in paragraph 3 is reflected on all returns and claims described in the complaint.

4. 5.

Admits the allegation contained in paragraph 4. States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegation contained in paragraph 5.

6.

Avers that jurisdiction, to the extent it exists in this case, is conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 1491.

7. 8.

Avers that "venue" is conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 1491. Admits that plaintiff seeks to recover federal excise taxes, but states that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to whether plaintiff overpaid its federal communication excise taxes.

9.

States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 9.

10.

States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 10.

11.

States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 11.

12.

States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 12, but admits that the excise tax under 26 U.S.C. § 4251 does not apply to plaintiff's long distance telephone

-2-

Case 1:06-cv-00311-VJW

Document 8

Filed 06/29/2006

Page 3 of 5

service to the extent such services are nontaxable under Notice 2006-50, which was issued by the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service on May 25, 2006. 13. States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 13. 14. 15. 16. Paragraph 14 expresses a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. Paragraph 15 expresses a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. Paragraph 16 expresses a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. To the extent it also is making factual allegations, states that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of those allegations. 17. 18. 19. Paragraph 17 expresses a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. Paragraph 18 expresses a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 19. 20. Paragraph 20 expresses a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. To the extent it also is making a factual allegation, states that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of that allegation. 21. 22. Paragraph 21 expresses a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 22. 23. Paragraph 23 expresses a legal conclusion to which no response is necessary. To the extent it also is making a factual allegation, states that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of that allegation.

-3-

Case 1:06-cv-00311-VJW

Document 8

Filed 06/29/2006

Page 4 of 5

24.

States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to whether plaintiff overpaid excise taxes and whether defendant has refunded any amounts plaintiff has claimed.

25.

Admits that the excise tax under 26 U.S.C. § 4251 does not apply to plaintiff's long distance telephone service to the extent such services are nontaxable under Notice 200650, I.R.B. 2006-25, which was issued by the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service on May 25, 2006.

26.

States that its attorneys currently lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 26.

-4-

Case 1:06-cv-00311-VJW

Document 8

Filed 06/29/2006

Page 5 of 5

WHEREFORE, the United States prays that the Court allow the parties sufficient time to determine the amount, if any, of overpayment of telephone excise taxes due to plaintiff. Respectfully submitted, s/Jacob Christensen JACOB E. CHRISTENSEN Attorney of Record U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division Court of Federal Claims Section Post Office Box 26 Ben Franklin Post Office Washington, D.C. 20044 Voice: (202) 307-0878 Fax: (202) 514-9440 Email: [email protected] EILEEN J. O'CONNOR Assistant Attorney General DAVID GUSTAFSON Chief, Court of Federal Claims Section STEVEN I. FRAHM Assistant Chief June 29, 2006 s/Steven Frahm Of Counsel

-5-