Court Opinion

ID: 4476265
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-01-16 21:11:55.956055+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:04:27.568372
License: Public Domain

Mejxott, J., concurring: With some reluctance I concur in the holding that the shares of stock had a value of only $135 per share on the basic date. In my opinion a higher figure might well have been adopted. I am persuaded to accept the lower one for two reasons r first because I agree with my associates that the Stock Exchange prices do not accurately reflect the fair market value of such a large block of stock and second because the value determined seems to be supported by substantial evidence. The result reached upon the last point seems to be the only one which could be reached upon the present record. I therefore concur in it though it is quite unfortunate that a question of such importance must be resolved upon a mere “failure of proof.” A few remarks upon the general subject may not be amiss. The evaluation of a reversion interest — the right to receive a sum of money after the death of another — is at best a difficult one. A reasonably close approximation may be made through the use of mortality tables as one factor and an assumed interest rate as another. Ithaca Trust Co. v. United States, 279 U. S. 151. The two factors, however, ought to be as accurate as possible. We have heretofore expressed the view that the table used by respondent is incorrect and “outmoded” in dealing with an annuity question. Anna L. Raymond, 40 B. T. A. 244; affd., 114 Fed. (2d) 140; certiorari denied, 311 U. S. 710. Disregarding the rule of stare decisis, the evidence in the instant proceeding would clearly justify a similar conclusion if the same question were involved. The correctness of the interest factor, to say the least, has not been demonstrated. In my judgment it is too high. While it is true that an overly high interest rate may tend to offset any increase in the life expectancy of the one having the income for life, this is a mere fortuitous circumstance. The result of using two incorrect factors may well be to increase the error. The present question is almost an “imponderable.” Whether this tribunal should attempt to formulate a new table based upon the best and most reliable statistics and using an interest factor other than that used by the respondent or by actuaries is debatable. However that may be, it is devoutly hoped the administrative authorities will ultimately devise one which will not be so vulnerable to attack as the one now in use.