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California Judge Dismisses Coinbase User’s Bid to Block IRS Summons

The judge said the petitioner missed the 90-day deadline to serve the U.S. Attorney General.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín in the Northern District of California dismissed Roger Metz’s petition over a service-of-process defect.
  • Metz had sought to quash an IRS summons for his Coinbase records tied to a 2022 audit, arguing the request was overbroad and violated his privacy.
  • The court did not reach the merits of those claims and dismissed the case without prejudice, allowing Metz to refile if he follows service rules.
  • Federal rules required Metz to serve the local U.S. Attorney, the IRS, and the U.S. Attorney General within 90 days, and he acknowledged missing the Attorney General.
  • Coverage situates the ruling in a broader shift as new Form 1099-DA broker reporting rolls out beginning in 2026, which is expected to automate more crypto tax reporting and lessen reliance on summonses.