Court Opinion

ID: 4608511
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-11-20 19:42:52.661822+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:53:43.263760
License: Public Domain

A. D. SAENGER, PETITIONER, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RESPONDENT.  ABRAHAM D. SAENGER, PETITIONER, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RESPONDENT.  SAENGERS, INC., PETITIONER, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RESPONDENT.Saenger v. CommissionerDocket Nos. 85631, 88079, 88080.United States Board of Tax Appeals38 B.T.A. 1295; 1938 BTA LEXIS 759; December 6, 1938, Promulgated *759  Where on August 16, 1932, petitioner A. D. Saenger owned all the capital stock of two Louisiana corporations, which in turn owned all the capital stock of a third Louisiana corporation, and on August 16, 1932, all three corporations were consolidated under provisions of the Louisiana law into a new Louisiana corporation, Saenger Corporation, all the capital stock of which was issued to A. D. Saenger, and at the time of the consolidation two of the corporations were in debt to the United States for Federal income taxes in the total amount of $227,154.22, and on January 4, 1934, the Saenger Corporation was still in debt to the United States for $223,404.22 of the above mentioned liabilities originally determined against two of its consolidating corporations, and notwithstanding such liability it transferred to petitioner A. D. Saenger, without consideration, assets having a net value of $54,047.57, at which time the Saenger Corporation was hopelessly insolvent, it is held, that petitioner A. D. Saenger is liable as a transferee of assets of the Saenger Corporation to the extent of the $54,047.57 received.  S. L. Herold, Esq., for the petitioners.  R. P. Hertzog, Esq.*760 , for the respondent.  BLACK *1295  These proceedings, which have been consolidated, involve alleged transferee liabilities determined by the respondent against petitioners as transferees under the provisions of section 311 of the Revenue Act of 1928.  The alleged liability against petitioner A. D. Saenger in Docket No. 85631 is for $65,808.05 asserted against him as a transferee of assets of A. D. Saenger, Inc., against which corporation a deficiency in income tax for the year 1929 in the amount of $65,808.05 has been *1296  finally determined and assessed.  ; affd., ; certiorari denied, . The alleged liability against petitioner Abraham D. Saenger (same person as A. D. Saenger) in Docket No. 88079 is for $161,346.17, asserted against petitioner as a transferee of assets of A. and J., Inc., against which corporation the respondent has determined a deficiency in income tax for the year 1931 in the amount of $161,346.17.  The deficiency against the corporation has been approved by this Board.  *761 . The alleged liability against petitioner Saengers, Inc., in Docket No. 88080 is for the same deficiency as is involved in Docket No. 88079, except that the alleged liability was asserted against Saengers, Inc., as a transferee of a transferee (Saenger Corporation) of assets of A. and J., Inc.  In his brief, however, the "respondent concedes that there is no basis for holding Saengers, Inc., liable for any portion of the deficiencies involved." FINDINGS OF FACT.  Petitioner A. D. Saenger is the same person as petitioner Abraham D. Saenger, and is an individual and a citizen of the State of Louisiana.  Bertha H. Saenger is his wife.  Petitioner Saengers, Inc., is a corporation organized in 1934 and existing under the laws of the State of Louisiana.  A. and J., Inc., was organized as a corporation on March 1, 1927, under the laws of the State of Louisiana.  Except for qualifying shares issued to Harry K. Oliphint all of its capital stock was issued 50 percent to A. D. Saenger and 50 percent to J. H. Saenger, a brother of A. D. Saenger.  On August 7, 1929, A. D. Saenger caused to be organized under the laws of the State of Louisiana*762  a corporation called A. D. Saenger, Inc.  He acquired the entire capital stock of the new corporation in exchange for his shares of stock in A. and J., Inc.  On the same day J. H. Saenger caused to be organized under the laws of the State of Louisiana a new corporation called J. H. Saenger, Inc.  He acquired the entire capital stock of the new corporation in exchange for his shares of stock in A. and J., Inc.  J. H. Saenger died February 6, 1932.  Prior to August 16, 1932, A. D. Saenger, through succession proceedings due to his brother's death, became the owner of all of the capital stock of J. H. Saenger, Inc.On or about August 16, 1932, the entire board of directors of A. and J., Inc., held a special meeting and unanimously adopted a resolution as follows: RESOLVED that Harry K. Oliphant, as Secretary of this corporation, be and he is hereby authorized for and in the name and in behalf of this corporation to *1297  sign an agreement or Articles of Consolidation of this corporation with A. D. Saenger, Incorporated, and J. H. Saenger, Incorporated into a new corporation to be styled SAENGER CORPORATION, according to the terms and provisions of the proposed Act of Consolidation, *763  a copy of which has been laid before this meeting and made part of these minutes.  At or about the same time, the entire board of directors of A. D. Saenger, Inc., and the entire board of directors of J. H. Saenger, Inc., held special meetings and adopted, respectively, resolutions identical with the above resolution adopted by the board of directors of A. and J., Inc., except for the substitution of the appropriate corporate name so as to make all three resolutions consistent one with the others.  On August 16, 1932, as authorized by sections 47 to 51, inclusive, of Act 250 of the Legislature of Louisiana of 1928 (secs. 1127 to 1131, inclusive, ch. I, title XIV, Dart's Louisiana General Statutes, 1932), the three corporations, together with the stockholders thereof, jointly agreed to an act of consolidation and the three named corporations were duly consolidated into a new corporation, the Saenger Corporation.  The amount of stock subscribed by each of the consolidating corporations in the consolidated corporation was 10,000 shares, thus making a total of 30,000 shares subscribed.  All these shares were issued to A. D. Saenger except one qualifying share which was issued to*764  his nominee and of which he remained the beneficial owner.  The fair market value of the net assets of the three consolidating corporations at the time of the consolidation was $334,000.  Three thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars of the deficiency determined and assessed against A. D. Saenger, Inc., has been paid, and $62,058.05 of that deficiency remains unpaid.  No part of the deficiency determined against A. and J., Inc., has been paid.  The unpaid deficiencies in income taxes against A. D. Saenger, Inc., for 1929 in the amount of $62,058.05 and Against A. and J., Inc., for 1931 in the amount of $161,346.17 can not be collected from those two corporations as neither corporation has any assets from which collection may be made.  On October 30, 1933, Charles Rosen and Sidney L. Herold, testamentary executors of the succession of J. H. Saenger, were authorized and empowered to file suit in the First Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Caddo, State of Louisiana, against the Saenger Corporation for $64,271.33 or for such other amount as may be due and owing to the succession of J. H. Saenger by the Saenger Corporation.  The suit was filed and on November 29, 1933, the*765  succession of J. H. Saenger recovered a judgment against the Saenger Corporation in the amount of $64,271.33, with interest thereon at 5 percent a year from November 9, 1933, and all costs of suit.  On *1298  December 4, 1933, a writ of fieri facias was issued to the sheriff of the Parish of Caddo, who executed it on December 6 and 7, 1933, by seizing and taking into his official possession 2,500 shares of stock of the Sarance Investment Corporation and certain real estate against which there were outstanding mortgages and liens, exclusive of taxes, in the total amount of $262,592.40.  On January 4, 1934, the Saenger Corporation transferred assets having a net value of $54,047.57 to A. D. Saenger without consideration.  On January 10, 1934, the Saenger Corporation transferred assets having a net value of $23,012.21 to the Saranac Investment Corporation, the stock of which was in the official possession of the sheriff of Caddo Parish.  During January 1934 petitioner Saengers, Inc., was organized with a paid in capital stock of $50,000.  Stock of the par value of $50,000, except qualifying shares, was issued to A. D. Saenger for $50,000 in cash.  On January 17, 1934, the*766  property seized by the sheriff was duly and fairly appraised as having a present value in cash of $120,000 for the stock of the Saranac Investment Corporation and $156,500 for the real estate, or a total appraised value of $276,500; and on the same day the sheriff at public auction sold all of the property seized to Saengers, Inc., for the total sum of $262,500, which amount was accounted for on the sheriff's return of the writ as follows: Retained by Saengers, Inc. to satisfy all prior existing privileges and mortgages$257,000.00Sheriff's costs and city and state taxes4,800.38Succession of J. H. Saenger in full settlement of proceeds of sale of property seized699.62Total sale price at public auction$262,500.00After the transfer on January 4, 1934, of the assets having a net value of $54,047.57 to A. D. Saenger and the transfer on January 10, 1934, of assets having a net value of $23,012.21 to the Saranac Investment Corporation, and the sale by the sheriff on January 17, 1934, to Saengers, Inc., the Saenger Corporation was without assets.  OPINION.  BLACK: In view of the respondent's concession in his brief that, due to the fact that Saengers, Inc. *767  , purchased all of the remaining assets of the Saenger Corporation at the sheriff's sale for a full and adequate consideration, "there is no basis for holding Saengers Inc. liable for any portion of the deficiencies involved", we need not discuss the errors assigned in that proceeding.  The respondent's determination in Docket No. 88080 is accordingly reversed.  *1299  In Docket No. 85631 petitioner A. D. Saenger contends that he is not liable as a transferee for any part of the $65,808.05 deficiency finally determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc., and that the Board should so decide.  In Docket No. 88079 petitioner Abraham D. Saenger (same person as A. D. Saenger) concedes that he is liable as a transferee for any deficiency that may finally be determined against A. and J., Inc., for the year 1931, but only to the extent, however, of the $54,047.57 transferred to him without consideration by the newly consolidated company, the Saenger Corporation, on January 4, 1934.  Although the respondent in Docket No. 85631 determined that petitioner was liable as transferee for a deficiency determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc., in the amount of $65,808.05, and although the respondent*768  in Docket No. 88079 determined that petitioner was liable as transferee for a deficiency determined against A. and J., Inc., in the amount of $161,346.17, or a total transferee liability against petitioner of $227,154.22 for deficiencies determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc., and A. and J., Inc., the respondent in his brief now merely contends that in view of the fact that A. D. Saenger has only received assets having a net value of $54,047.57, "it is evident that A. D. Saenger should be held liable for the deficiencies of A. & J. Inc., and A. D. Saenger, Inc., to the extent of said sum of $54,047.57 and respondent requests the Board to so hold." It is therefore apparent that the only remaining difference between the parties involved in these proceedings is whether petitioner A. D. Saenger is liable as a transferee for any part of the $65,808.05 deficiency finally determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc.  Since the petitioner in Docket No. 88079 concedes that he is liable for any deficiency that may finally be determined against A. and J., Inc., to the extent of $54,047.57, and since the respondent concedes that he is not entitled to collect any more than $54,047.57 on account of*769  the total deficiencies of $227,154.22 determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc., and A. and J., Inc., the question of whether A. D. Saenger is liable as a transferee for any part of the $65,808.05 deficiency finally determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc., would be a moot question except for the fact that the deficiency of $161,346.17 against A. and J., Inc., for the year 1931 determined by the respondent and approved by this Board has not yet become final.  On the other hand, if A. D. Saenger is liable as a transferee to the extent of $54,047.57 on account of the deficiency of $65,808.05 finally determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc., the question of the correctness of our decision in the proceedings of A. and J., Inc., Docket No. 80815 would likewise become moot for the reason that the respondent concedes that he is not entitled to collect any more than $54,047.57 on account of *1300  the total deficiencies he has determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc., and A. and J., Inc., for the years 1929 and 1931, respectively.  The respondent in Docket No. 85631 determined that A. D. Saenger was liable to the extent of $65,808.05, plus interest, as a transferee of assets of A. D. Saenger, *770  Inc.  This determination was grounded upon the transfer of all of the assets of A. D. Saenger, Inc., to the Saenger Corporation on August 16, 1932, and a simultaneous receipt by petitioner of all of the capital stock, except qualifying shares, of the Saenger Corporation, thus leaving A. D. Saenger, Inc., without any assets to pay its $65,808.05 liability for taxes due the United States.  In making this determination the respondent was evidently relying upon such cases as ; ; and . But regardless of the basis for the respondent's determination he now contends that A. D. Saenger is liable in Docket No. 85631 as well as in Docket No. 88079 as a transferee of property of Saenger Corporation to the extent of the $54,047.57 received by him from that corporation without consideration on January 4, 1934, and apparently he relies upon no other ground. As far as Docket No. 85631 is concerned, petitioner has limited his discussion in his brief to the contention that he did not become liable as a transferee of property of*771  A. D. Saenger, Inc., by reason of the consolidation which took place on August 16, 1932.  He argues this point in his brief as follows: The documentary evidence shows that on August 16, 1932, the three corporations were consolidated.  At that date A. D. Saenger, the present petitioner, owned all the stock of A. D. Saenger, Inc., and of J. H. Saenger, Inc.  As a result of the merger, [sic] he owned all of the stock of the consolidated corporation, which was given the name and style of Saenger Corporation.  No assets whatever were transferred to him in this reorganization.  He owned all of the stock in A. D. Saenger, Inc., and J. H. Saenger, Inc., respectively.  These two corporations owned all of the stock of A. & J. Inc.  The result of the consolidation was that A. D. Saenger then owned all of the stock of Saenger Corporation, which was nothing but A. & J. Inc., with a new name.  He received no assets of any kind or character; he was in no different position, so far as respected assets, from that which he occupied at the moment prior to the reorganization.  He simply changed his position from that of a stockholder in the holding company to a stockholder in the operating company. *772  By the simplification of the corporate structure he simply put himself one step nearer immediate and direct ownership.  In no sense could it be said that he was a transferee.  The consolidation in question was consummated under the provisions of sections 47 to 51, inclusive, of Act 250 of the Legislature of Louisiana of 1928 (secs. 1127 to 1131, inclusive, ch. I, title XIV, Dart's Louisiana General Statutes, 1932), the material parts of which *1301  we have set out in the margin.1 These provisions of the law of Louisiana relating to the consolidation of existing corporations are substantially the same as sections 7 to 11, inclusive, of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York.  Book 6, McKinney's Consolidated Laws of New York.  Section 11 2 of the New York law, just as section 1131 V of the Louisiana law, provides that "such new *1302  corporation shall succeed to and be liable to pay and discharge all such debts and liabilities of each of the corporations consolidated in the same manner as if such new corporation had itself incurred the obligation or liability * * *." (Italics supplied.) In *773 ; affd., , we considered the effect of section 11 of the New York law and held that the newly organized consolidated corporation was directly and primarily liable for the deficiencies in tax, if any, of its components as taxpayer, and that it was not secondarily liable as a transferee of the assets of its consolidating corporations.  Cf. United Statesv. Oswego Falls Corporation (Not reported.); . We think the same principles are applicable in the instant proceedings and that under section 1131 V of the Louisiana law, the Saenger Corporation became directly and primarily liable as a taxpayer rather than as a transferee for the deficiency of $65,808.05 determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc., as well as for the deficiency of $161,346.17 determined against A. and J., Inc.  *774  On January 4, 1934, the Saenger Corporation still owed the United States $223,404.22, exclusive of interest, on account of the two deficiencies determined against two of its consolidating corporations.  Without paying any part of this liability, it distributed to petitioner A. D. Saenger without consideration assets having a net value of $54,047.57.  At that time the balance of its assets, with the possible exception of $23,012.21, was in the official possession of the sheriff of Caddo Parish, who had seized them to satisfy a judgment obtained against the Saenger Corporation for $64,271.33.  On January 10, 1934, the Saenger Corporation transferred the remaining assets of $23,012.21 to the Saranac Investment Corporation, all the stock of which was in the official possession of the sheriff on January 4, 1934, when the $54,047.57 was transferred to petitioner.  The assets in the possession of the sheriff were sold on January 17, 1934, for an amount insufficient to satisfy the judgment and the existing mortgages.  Thereafter the Saenger Corporation was without any assets.  Upon these facts petitioner A. D. Saenger concedes that he is liable as a transferee of assets of the Saenger Corporation*775  to the extent of $54,047.57, providing it is finally determined that the $161,346.17 deficiency against A. and J., Inc., is correct.  It is our opinion, however, and we hold accordingly, that the petitioner A. D. Saenger is liable as a transferee of assets of the Saenger Corporation to the extent of $54,047.57 in any event for the reason that, as expressed above, the Saenger Corporation became directly and primarily liable as a taxpayer for the full deficiency of $65,808.05 that has been finally determined against A. D. Saenger, Inc., as well as for the full deficiency of $161,346.17 which we have recently approved against *1303  A. and J., Inc.  The Saenger Corporation's liability for each of these deficiencies is primary and not secondary.  Cf. In Docket No. 85631 the respondent is entitled to a decision holding petitioner liable as a transferee of assets of the Saenger Corporation to the extent of $54,047.57 plus interest thereon provided by law from January 4, 1934, with the provision, however, that, if and when petitioner pays any part of the liability of $54,047.57 in Docket No. 88079, the liability in Docket No. 85631*776  will be reduced pro tanto. Cf. . In Docket No. 88079 the respondent is entitled to a decision holding petitioner liable as a transferee of assets of the Saenger Corporation to the extent of $54,047.57, plus interest thereon provided by law from January 4, 1934, with the provision, however, that, if and when petitioner pays any part of the liability of $54,047.57 in Docket No. 85631, the liability in Docket No. 88079 will be reduced pro tanto.In Docket No. 88080 there is no transferee liability.  In Docket No. 88080 decision will be entered that there is no liability as transferee.  In Docket Nos. 85631 and 88079 decision will be entered as directed in the last paragraph of the foregoing opinion.Footnotes1. 1127.  MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION.  I.  Any two or more domestic corporations formed for the purpose of carrying on the same or similar business * * * may be (a) merged into one of such domestic corporations, or (b) consolidated into a new corporation to be formed under this act * * *.  1128.  MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION - JOINT AGREEMENT.  The merger or consolidation of corporations can be effected only as a result of a joint agreement entered into and filed as follows * * * [not necessary to set out in detail here].  * * * 1131.  EFFECT OF MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION.  Upon the consummation of the merger or consolidation as provided in the last preceding section, the effect of such merger or consolidation shall be that: I.  The several parties to the joint agreement shall be one corporation, which shall be (a) in the case of merger, that one of the constituent corporations into which it has been agreed the others shall be merged and which shall survive the merger for that purpose, or (b) in the case of consolidation, the new corporation into which it has been agreed the others shall be consolidated; II.  The separate existence of the constituent corporations shall cease, except that of the surviving corporation in the case of merger.  III.  The surviving or new corporation, as the case may be, shall possess all the rights, privileges and franchises possessed by each of the former corporations so merged or consolidated except that such surviving or new corporation shall not thereby acquire authority to engage in any business or exercise any right which a corporation may not be formed under this act to engage in or exercise.  IV.  All of the property of whatsoever kind or description of each of the constituent corporations, and all debts due on whatever account to any of them, including subscriptions for shares and other choses in action belonging to any of them shall be taken and be deemed to be transferred to and invested in such surviving or new corporation, as the case may be, without further act or deed.  V.  The surviving or new corporation shall be responsible for all the liabilities and obligations of each of the corporations merged or consolidated, in the same manner as if such surviving or new corporation had itself incurred such liabilities or obligations; but the liabilities of such constituent corporations or of their shareholders, directors or officers shall not be affected, nor shall the rights of the creditors thereof or of any persons dealing with such corporations be impaired by such merger or consolidation, and any claim existing or action or proceeding pending by or against any of such constituent corporations may be prosecuted to judgment as if such merger or consolidation had not taken place, or the surviving or new corporation may be proceeded against or substituted in its place.  [Acts 1928, No. 250, § 51.] ↩2. 11.  Rights of creditors of old corporations.↩ - The rights of creditors of any corporation that shall be so consolidated shall not in any manner be impaired, nor any liability or obligation for the payment of any money due or to become due to any person or persons, or any claim or demand for any cause existing against any such corporation or against any stockholder thereof be released or impaired by any such consolidation; but such new corporation shall succeed to and be held liable to pay and discharge all such debts and liabilities of each of the corporations consolidated in the same manner as if such new corporation had itself incurred the obligation or liability to pay such debt or damages and the stockholders of the respective corporations consolidated shall continue, subject to all the liabilities, claims and demands existing against them as such, at or before the consolidation; and no action or proceeding then pending before any court or tribunal in which any corporation that may be so consolidated is a party, or in which any such stockholder is a party, shall abate or be discontinued by reason of such consolidation, but may be prosecuted to final judgment, as though no consolidation had been entered into; or such new corporation may be substituted as a party in place of any corporation so consolidated, by order of the court in which such action or proceeding may be pending.