In re: Giacchi — bankruptcy — affirmance — Roth

Today the Third Circuit rejected a debtor’s argument that certain tax liabilities were dischargeable in bankruptcy. The opening paragraph of the opinion:

In this appeal, we must determine whether Internal Revenue Service Forms 1040, filed after the IRS has made an assessment of the taxpayer’s liability, constitute “returns” for purposes of determining the dischargeability in bankruptcy of tax debts under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(1)(B). Thomas Giacchi did not file tax returns on time for the years 2000, 2001, or 2002. Instead, he filed the forms years after they were due and after the Internal Revenue Service had assessed a liability against him. In 2010 and 2012, Giacchi filed for bankruptcy, and in 2013 he sought to discharge his tax liability for the years 2000, 2001, and 2002. The District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Court’s order denying the discharge. We will affirm the District Court’s ruling.

Joining Roth were Fisher and Greenaway. The case was decided without oral argument.