STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals
APPEAL FROM ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT
The Honorable Paige J. Gossett, Administrative Law Judge
Anonymous Taxpayer,
(Gary Patriot) ………………………………………… Appellant-Petitioner
v.
SC Department of Revenue…………………………Respondent-Respondent
_______________________________________________________
Motion for Rehearing _______________________________________
1. On April 8, 2008 the Honorable Jasper M. Cureton, A.J., SC Court of Appeals handed down his order dismissing the above captioned appeal due to Appellant’s failure to pay the unowed taxes or post a bond. On the grounds of SC Code section 12-60-3370 (failure to pay the actual taxes or post a bond). This order should be recalled and Appellant allowed to proceed on appeal.
2. These are proposed taxes and not a final assessment until the Appellant process has been concluded. Therefore the proposed or possible assessment is not yet final and the requirement for prepayment does not yet apply.
3. Appellant is unable to pay the proposed assessment because the figures are way out of line compared to what he actually owes. DOR is not authorized by the State legislature to collect taxes which are not owed.
4. Appellant is a working man who has no assets and very little income. He is unable to pay or post bond for the assessment which is known by all to be excessive.
Prepayment as condition of appeal is discrimination based on wealth. The interpretation of the law by able tax lawyer for Respondent violates the equal access to the courts provision in the SC and U.S. Constitutions.
5. As a citizen of the state of SC, Appellant has a right to access to the courts and to appeal. The Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the equivalent provision in the SC Constitution provide that taxpayer has a right to appeal. The Due Process Clause does not limit Appellate rights to wealthy individuals and corporations. A denial of a right to appeal would be a denial of Constitutional rights of an honest citizen of SC.
The criminal element in our society has Constitutional rights which they frequently use to escape justice. If criminals and violent people have rights under the Dues Process Clause, then so do taxpayers.
6. Code Section 12-60-3370 starts by saying, “Except as otherwise provided…”. Under said code provision as well as under Due Process rights of both state and federal Constitutions, “Otherwise provided” clearly means the right to appeal. Therefore taxpayer fits inside this exception.
7. Said Code section also provides that Petitioner must pay or post taxes “not including penalties or civil fines”. A large portion of the proposed assessment against taxpayer consists of penalties and civil fines. However, the Judge required taxpayer to pay the penalties even though the statute provides otherwise. The Administrative Law Court has not made a separate finding on penalties. Further the penalties and interest vary with time.
8. In Conclusion Appellant requests this case not be dismissed and that he be allowed to complete his appeal.
April 21, 2008
__________________________
Gary Patriot, Pro Se
Greer, SC 29651
THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA In The Court of Appeals ________ APPEAL FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW Paige Gossett, Administrative Law Judge _________ Case No. 07-xxx _________ South Carolina Department of Revenue, Respondent, v. Gary Patriot Appellant.
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PROOF OF SERVICE
__________
I certify that I have served the above attached pleading on opposing counsel by depositing a copy of it in the United States Mail, postage prepaid, on below date, 2008 addressed to:
Ronald Urban, Chief Counsel for Litigation
301 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29211.
Date: April 21, 2008
Gary Patriot, Pro Se
Greer, SC 29651