Court Opinion

ID: 4497582
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-01-23 18:15:30.168869+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:04:05.107668
License: Public Domain

*986OPINION.
MaRquette
: We are of the opinion that there was no intention on the part of the stockholders and officers of Ter Bush & Powell, Inc., to declare dividends on October 31, and December 31, 1919, or that the entire amount credited to the stockholders on those dates should be withdrawn by them. They were advised by an attorney that Ter Bush & Powell, Inc., was a personal service corporation and that they would have to report the corporation’s income in their personal returns, regardless of whether or not it was actually distributed, and the distribution was made on the books although it was not intended that the amounts so distributed should actually be withdrawn. It is apparent to us that the petitioner and Powell did not intend to withdraw these amounts from the business and that the book distribution would not have been made except for the fact that they were advised by their attorney that Ter Bush & Powell, Inc., was a personal service corporation and that they would be charged with the income of the corporation, even if it were not distributed. It may be further pointed out that the corporation did not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to pay to the petitioner and Powell the amounts credited to them on the corporation’s books. Since there was no intention to declare a dividend of the full amount of surplus and earnings or that they should be withdrawn, we are of the opinion that the petitioner should be charged only with the amount of such surplus earnings as he actually withdrew.
Order of redetermination will be entered on 15 days’ notice, under Bule 50.