1 Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the

year in issue, and Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and

Procedure.

T.C. Memo. 1995-594

UNITED STATES TAX COURT

STEVEN M. AND MICHELE E. GROW, Petitioners

v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

Docket No. 20185-94. Filed December 14, 1995.

Steven M. and Michele E. Grow, pro se.

Amy Dyar Seals, for respondent.

MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

POWELL, Special Trial Judge: This case was assigned

pursuant to the provisions of section 7443A(b)(3) and Rules 180,

181, and 182.1

Respondent determined a deficiency in petitioners' Federal

income tax for the taxable year 1991 in the amount of $9,957. 
2

Petitioners resided in Cary, North Carolina, at the time they

filed their petition.

The issues are: (1) Whether petitioners are liable for

income tax on a distribution from a profit sharing plan pursuant

to section 402(a); and (2) whether petitioners are liable for an

early withdrawal penalty, on the same distribution, pursuant to

section 72(t).

FINDINGS OF FACT 

In 1991, Stephen M. Grow (petitioner) worked for Dun &

Bradstreet, Inc. (Dun & Bradstreet) in Tampa, Florida, where he

lived with his family. During 1991, Dun & Bradstreet transferred

petitioner to Raleigh, North Carolina. Petitioner purchased a

house in nearby Cary, North Carolina, in October 1991. Because

petitioner was unable to sell his house in Tampa, he withdrew

$29,000 from his profit sharing plan at Dun & Bradstreet to make

a downpayment on the house in Cary. The withdrawal constituted

approximately one-half of the value of petitioner's account. No

portion of the withdrawn amount was rolled over into another

retirement account. Dun & Bradstreet sent petitioner a Form

1099-R reporting taxable income in the amount of $26,110,

consisting of the $29,000 withdrawal reduced by a prorated

portion of petitioner's investment in the contract.

On their jointly filed 1991 Federal income tax return,

petitioners did not report any income as a result of the

distribution. In the notice of deficiency, respondent determined
3

 

2 In the notice of deficiency, and throughout this litigation,

respondent has erroneously asserted that sec. 408(d) governs the taxability of

the distribution. Sec. 408(d) governs the taxability of distributions from

individual retirement accounts. Distributions from profit sharing plans are

covered by sec. 402(a).

 

3 Because neither party disputes the issue, we assume the profit

sharing plan constitutes a "qualified trust" within the meaning of sec.

401(a), which is exempt from tax under sec. 501(a). 

that petitioners were liable for income tax on the $26,110 shown

on Form 1099-R pursuant to section 408(d),2 and an early

withdrawal penalty on the same amount pursuant to section 72(t).

OPINION

Section 402(a) applies to distributions from any employees'

trust described in section 401(a) (including a profit sharing

plan) that is exempt from tax under section 501(a). Section

402(a) provides that, subject to certain exceptions not relevant

here, any amount distributed from such a trust shall be taxable

to the distributee, in the year of distribution, under section 72

(relating to annuities). Section 72(e) provides that an amount

not received as an annuity is includable in gross income, except

to the extent attributable to an individual's investment in the

contract.

Petitioner received a distribution from a profit sharing

plan.3 Since none of the exceptions in section 402 apply,

section 72 governs the taxability of the distribution. The

distribution was not received in the form of an annuity, so

section 72(e) requires that the distribution, reduced by a

proportionate share of petitioner's investment in the contract,
4

be included in gross income. The Form 1099-R received by

petitioner excluded a proportionate share of petitioner's

investment in the contract. Accordingly, we hold petitioners

underreported their gross income by $26,110 in 1991.

Section 72(t)(1) imposes an additional tax on any amount

received from a qualified retirement plan, including a profit

sharing plan, equal to 10 percent of the portion of such amount

which is includible in gross income. Section 72(t)(2) exempts

distributions from the additional tax if the distributions are

made: (1) To an employee age 59-1/2 or older; (2) to a

beneficiary (or to the estate of the employee) on or after the

death of the employee; (3) on account of disability; (4) as part

of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made for

life; (5) to an employee after separation from service after

attainment of age 55; or (6) as dividends paid with respect to

corporate stock described in section 404(k).

Petitioner received a distribution from a qualified

retirement plan. None of the specifically enumerated exceptions

in section 72(t)(2) apply to exempt the distribution from the

additional tax. Therefore, we conclude petitioners are liable

for the additional tax imposed by section 72(t)(1) on the portion

of the distribution includible in gross income.

Petitioner asserts that the distribution should be exempt

from income tax and/or the additional tax imposed by sections

402(a) and 72. In support of this conclusion, petitioner argues
5

that the investment of the distribution in a house with a 30-year

mortgage is akin to a retirement account, and therefore, tax free

treatment of the distribution comports with the Congressional

intent underlying the tax treatment of retirement plans. Cf.

Harris v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1994-22 (which is contrary to

petitioner's argument). Petitioner further argues that the

distribution was made out of necessity, due to petitioners'

inability to sell their house, and as such, literal application

of the Internal Revenue Code is inappropriate. 

While we sympathize with petitioners, we are not at liberty

to create exceptions to the Internal Revenue Code. It is a wellestablished principle that "exemptions from taxation are not to

be implied; they must be unambiguously proved." United States v.

Wells Fargo Bank, 485 U.S. 351, 354 (1988). 

To reflect the foregoing,

Decision will be entered

for respondent.