Court Opinion

ID: 4588637
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-11-20 18:42:28.989634+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:50:06.999944
License: Public Domain

PHILIP W. BLOOD, FRED H. VICKARY, AND HENRY R. MAYO, EXECUTORS OF THE WILL OF ARTHUR J. BLOOD, PETITIONERS, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RESPONDENT.Blood v. CommissionerDocket No. 39488.United States Board of Tax Appeals22 B.T.A. 1000; 1931 BTA LEXIS 2031; March 31, 1931, Promulgated 1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2031  1.  The value of shares of stock of J. B. Blood Co. for estate tax purposes determined.  2.  The decedent's life was insured by a number of policies under the terms of some of which the decedent had the right to change the beneficiary up to the date of his death while under the terms of others he had absolutely parted with his right to change the beneficiary.  Held, that no part of the value of those policies payable to other beneficiaries than the decedent's executors or his estate as to which the decedent had no right to change the beneficiary up to the date of his death should be included in the gross estate.  3.  The decedent left a residuary estate which might be invaded within the discretion of trustees for payment or distribution to the decedent's widow during the period of her life after which, if the residuary estate had not been exhausted, certain amounts were to be paid to charitable institutions.  Held, that the specified amounts of such contingent bequests are not deductible from the gross estate.  4.  The value of real estate owned by the decedent and wife as tenants by the entirety at date of decedent's death was properly included in the gross estate of1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2032  the decedent.  Henry R. Mayo, Esq., for the petitioners.  John E. Marshall, Esq., for the respondent.  SMITH 22 B.T.A. 1000">*1000  This is a proceeding for the redetermination of a deficiency in estate tax in the amount of $6,647.66.  The points in issue are: (1) The increase in value of the common stock in J. B. Blood Company from $100 to $143.80 per share.  (2) The increase in value of the first preferred stock in J. B. Blood Company from $100 to $116-2/3 per share.  (3) The inclusion in decedent's gross estate of the value of life insurance policies on the life of the decedent paid to beneficiaries other than the estate.  (4) Disallowance of claim for $15,000 for charitable bequests not yet paid under the terms of the will.  (5) The inclusion in decedent's gross estate of real estate owned by decedent and his wife as tenants by the entirety.  FINDINGS OF FACT.  1.  The petitioners are the executors of the estate of A. J. Blood, who died testate a resident of Massachusetts, December 22, 1925, leaving a widow and son him surviving.  22 B.T.A. 1000">*1001  2.  The executors duly filed an estate tax return for the estate of decedent and included in the gross1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2033  estate 1,200 shares of common stock of J. B. Blood Company at a fair market value of $100 per share at date of death, or $120,000, and 1,000 shares first preferred stock of J. B. Blood Company at $100 per share, or $100,000.  The Commissioner in the audit of the return increased the value of the common stock to $172,560, or at the rate of $143.80 per share, and the preferred stock to $116,666.66 or at the rate of $116-2/3 per share.  The J. B. Blood Company is a Massachusetts corporation.  All of its stock is closely held by members of the Blood family and employees of the corporation.  Its business consists "of retailing all items of food in large quantities, and small bakery stores, and selling bakery products from house to house, taking orders to be manufactured." There was no public market for the J. B. Blood Company shares of stock and on the back of each stock certificate it is provided that no common stock may be held by any other person than a director, officer, or employee of the corporation without the consent in writing of all the directors or vote of approval passed unanimously at a meeting of the board when all directors are present.  There were but few transactions1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2034  in the stock at or about the date of death of the decedent.  There was a sale on September 28, 1925, of 17 shares at $135.40 per share; on December 31, 1925, a sale of seven shares at the same price; on January 30, 1926, a sale of 30 shares at $136.75 per share; and on April 30, 1926, a sale of 1,158 shares of common stock at $140 each, this last sale being by the company to different officers and employees.  There have never been any sales of preferred stock except at par or $100 per share.  As late as June, 1926, 200 shares were sold to Philip W. Blood, individually, at $100 per share.  The Department of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts determined the value of the common stock for inheritance tax purposes at $114 per share and of the preferred stock at $100 per share.  The fair market value of the common stock at date of decedent's death was $135.40 per share and of the preferred stock $100 per share.  3.  The estate tax return filed by the petitioners listed life insurance policies in amounts paid to Helen B. Blood, widow of the decedent, and to Philip W. Blood, his son, in the aggregate amount of $121,989.82.  The petitioners included no part of this amount1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2035  in the gross estate of the decedent.  The Commissioner in the audit of the estate tax return has included the amount in excess of $40,000 or $81,989.82 in the gross estate.  Most of the insurance policies involved were taken out by the decedent in 1915 or prior thereto.  The decedent had no right to change 22 B.T.A. 1000">*1002  the beneficiary at the date of his death with respect to most of the policies.  In May, 1920, he absolutely assigned his interest in most of the policies to his wife and son.  Facts with regard to these policies are shown by the following statement: CompanyDate of policyDate assignedProceedsProvident Life5/31/06$5,036.20Provident Life5/31/065,088.01Provident Life6/17/222,011.56Provident Life6/17/223,017.34Provident Life6/17/225,028.90Mass. Mutual2/27/155/15/2015,174.10John Hancock2/24/1525,238.25N. E. Mut2/23/155/4/2025,324.91State Mutual11/12/145/21/2010,068.80Penn Mutual2/19/155/4/2025,271.75Boston Fruit & Produce Assn662.00Exchange Mut. Ben. Assn68.00Total121,989.82The first two policies above enumerated were 20-year endowment policies1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2036  maturing May 21, 1926.  They were both made payable to: Arthur J. Blood of Lynn, Essex County, State of Massachusetts, or to his assigns, upon the Thirty-first day of Fifth month, Nineteen hundred and twentysix provided the said Arthur J. Blood shall be living at that date.  But in the event of his decease before that date, then to pay at its Office aforesaid the said sum insured to his wife Nellie B. Blood if living; otherwise, to his executors, administrators or assigns, within sixty days after due notice and satisfactory proof in writing, of the death, during the continuance of this Policy, of the said person whose life is hereby assured as above.  * * * Each of these policies had a cash surrender value at the end of the tenth year and at the end of the fifteenth year, the amount at the end of the fifteenth year being $3,311.27.  The third, fourth, and fifth policies listed above were made payable to the insured's wife, "Nellie B. Blood, if living; otherwise to his Executors, Administrators or Assigns without right reserved to the Insured to change the Beneficiary." The record contains no evidence as to the date of issuance or the right of the decedent to change the beneficiary1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2037  in respect of the last two policies listed above, namely, those of the Boston Fruit & Produce Association and of the Exchange Mutual Benefit Association.  In May, 1920, the decedent absolutely assigned all of his interest in all of the other policies listed above except the seventh policy listed, namely, that of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company.  That policy was absolutely assigned to J. B. Blood Company of Lynn, Mass., its successors or assigns on February 25, 1915, and on April 17, 1918, J. B. Blood Company assigned the policy absolutely to Charles O. Blood.  On May 4, 1920, Charles O. Blood assigned the policy absolutely to Arthur J. Blood, the insured, and on May 22 B.T.A. 1000">*1003  20, 1920, the insured named as beneficiary his wife, Helen B. Blood, still reserving to himself the privileges of making further changes.  4.  The decedent, after making specific bequests to charity in his will, provided by the sixth paragraph thereof as follows: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real, personal and mixed, of which I may die seized or possessed, or to which I may be entitled at the time of my decease, I give, bequeath and devise to said Philip W. Blood, Fred1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2038  H. Vickary and Henry R. Mayo, but in trust, nevertheless, to hold, manage and pay over the net income thereof, at least quarter-yearly, to my said wife Helen B. Blood during her life, and I authorize and direct my trustees hereunder whenever they deem it necessary or desirable for the maintenance or comfort of my said wife, to pay over to or use for the benefit of my said wife, from time to time, such part (or even the whole) of the principal fund of this trust as to my said trustees seems wise.  Upon the death of my said wife I direct my trustees hereunder to pay over to the charities immediately hereinafter mentioned the amounts as immediately hereinafter set forth, * * * The testator then lists 11 charities to which it is provided that a total of $15,000 shall be paid upon the death of the decedent's widow.  The decedent's widow has never called upon the executors for any portion of the principal of the residuary estate to be distributed to her nor has any part of such principal been distributed.  The contingent bequests to charity have never been paid by the executors.  The petitioners, in the estate tax return, deducted from the gross estate $15,000 representing the contingent1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2039  bequests to charity.  This deduction was disallowed by the Commissioner in the determination of the deficiency.  5.  Under date of April 7, 1921, there was deeded to the decedent and Helen B. Blood, his wife, to hold as tenants by the entirety a house and lot situated at 9 Humphrey Terrace, Swampscott, Mass.  The petitioners included this property in the gross estate of the decedent at a valuation of $25,000.  The valuation was not changed by the Commissioner in the determination of the deficiency.  OPINION.  SMITH: 1 and 2.  The first question presented by this proceeding is the fair market value of certain shares of stock of the J. B. Blood Company owned by the decedent at the time of his death.  The common stock was listed in the estate tax return at $100 per share, as was also the preferred stock.  The respondent has determined that the fair market value of the common stock at the date of decedent's death was $143.80 and of preferred stock $116 2/3 per share.  The evidence shows that the only sales of the common stock at or about the date 22 B.T.A. 1000">*1004  of decedent's death were at a price of $135.40 per share and that the preferred stock never sold at a price in excess of $1001931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2040  per share.  Upon the entire record we find that the fair market value of the common stock was $135.40, and of the preferred stock, $100 per share.  3.  The third question for our consideration is whether there should be included in the gross estate any portion of the value of insurance policies upon the life of the decedent.  Section 302 of the Revenue Act of 1924, the applicable statute, provides, so far as material to the issue involved as follows: The value of the gross estate of the decedent shall be determined by including the value at the time of his death of all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, wherever situated - * * * (g) To the extent of the amount receivable by the executor as insurance under policies taken out by the decedent upon his own life; and to the extent of the excess over $40,000 of the amount receivable by all other beneficiaries as insurance under policies taken out by the decedent upon his own life.  The petitioners claim that all of the cinsurance policies on the life of the decedent were payable to others than the executors or the estate of the decedent; that at the date of the death of the decedent the decedent had no right1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2041  to change the beneficiaries; and that since he had no control over them they may not be included in the gross estate.  The evidence submitted in this proceeding does not fully sustain the contentions of the petitioners as to the facts.  The decedent clearly had the right to change the beneficiary on the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company policy at the date of his death, the value of which policy is stated in the estate tax return to have been $25,238.25.  An inspection of two of the policies issued by the Provident Life & Trust Company of Philadelphia, both dated May 31, 1906, were payable to the decedent if living on May 31, 1926.  These policies had a surrender value.  The decedent clearly had an interest in these policies at the date of his death, and for lack of evidence to the contrary we find that the value of that interest equaled the amounts paid to the decedent's widow, namely, $5,036.20 and $5,088.01.  He also apparently had an interest in the policies issued by the Boston Fruit & Produce Association and the Exchange Mutual Benefit Association, of $730.  We therefore find that the decedent had an interest in life insurance policies at the date of his death of the1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2042  value of $36,092.46.  An inspection of the applicable statute, section 302(g) of the Revenue Act of 1924, quoted above, shows that no part of the life insurance policies involved in this proceeding is to be included in the gross estate under the first clause of the paragraph.  The second clause of the paragraph requires the inclusion in the gross estate of the total amount receivable by all other beneficiaries than the 22 B.T.A. 1000">*1005  executor as insurance under policies taken out by the decedent upon his own life in excess of $40,000.  By the plain terms of the statute the total amount of the life insurance policies in question in excess of $40,000, or $81,989.82, is includable in the gross estate.  We must hold that the respondent in including this amount in the gross estate followed the letter of the law so far as section 302(g) of the taxing statute is concerned.  It is to be noted, however, that a majority of the policies involved were taken out prior to the effective date of the first estate tax act, namely, that of September 8, 1916.  In 1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2043 , the question before the Court was whether there should be included in the value of the gross estate life insurance policies payable in terms to beneficiaries other than the decedent and his estate, the plicies in question having all been issued subsequent to the effective date of the Revenue Act of 1921.  The Court observed: The statute in terms taxes transfers.  Like provisions in earlier acts have been generally upheld as imposing a tax on the privilege of transferring the property of a decedent at death, measured by the value of the interest transferred or which ceases at death.  * * * [Citing cases.] The Court then, after citing , observed: * * * But we think that the rule applied in Saltonstall v. , saltonstall, supra, to a succession tax is equally applicable to a transfer tax where, as here, the power of disposition is reserved exclusively to the transferor for his own benefit.  Such an outstanding power residing exclusively in a donor to recall a gift after it is made is a limitation on the gift which makes it incomplete as to1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2044  the donor as well as to the donee, and we think that the termination of such a power at death may also be the appropriate subject of a tax upon transfers.  * * * The plaintiff points to no requirement, constitutional or statutory, that the termination of the power of disposition of property by death whereby the transfer of property is completed, which we have said is here the subject of the tax, must be preceded by a transfer directly from the decedent to the recipient of his bounty, of the property subject to the power.  And we see no necessity to debate the question whether the policies themselves were so transferred, for we think the power to tax the privilege of transfer at death cannot be controlled by the mere choice of the formalities which may attend the donor's bestowal of benefits on another at death, or of the particular methods by which his purpose is effected, so long as he retains control over those benefits with power to direct their future enjoyment until his death.  Termination of the power of control at the time of death inures to the benefit of him who owns the property subject to the power and thus brings about, at death, the completion of that shifting of the1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2045  economic benefits of property which is the real subject of the tax, just as effectively as would its exercise, which latter may be subjected to a privilege tax, , * * * In 22 B.T.A. 1000">*1006  accordance with the decision of , we have many times held that insurance policies over which the decedent has power to change the beneficiary up to the date of death are includable in the gross estate.  ; ; ; ; . As we understand the decisions of the Supreme Court upon this point, it is that where the decedent has such an interest in a policy upon his life as permits him to change the beneficiary up to the date of death, the proceeds of the policy are includable in the gross estate; but that where the decedent has no such interest there is no authority for including1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2046  the value of the policy in the gross estate.  To be sure, in such case death gives to the beneficiary of the policy the right to demand the proceeds of the policy.  But nothing passes from the decedent's estate, and the estate of the decedent should not be burdened with a tax where there is no shifting of economic benefits which in any wise involves the estate of the decedent.  This is the interpretation which we have placed upon the statute in , wherein we said: The principle of law underlying this decision, i.e., that a named beneficiary under an insurance policy which does not reserve to the insured the power to change the beneficiary has a vested right of which he may not be deprived without consent, is basic in insurance law.  The cited case [ merely applied this principle to the incldence of the Revenue Act.  While the above decision is not so broad as petitioner contends, it does suggest the test to be applied - whether or not the right to the proceeds had vested in the named beneficiaries.  1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2047  The same general queston of law has been more fully discussed by the Supreme Court in three later cases, in all of which the opinion was rendered by the same learned Justice.  ; ; . The rule to be found in these cases is that "a transfer made subject to a power of revocation in the transferor, terminable at his death, is not complete until his death." Thus, if an insurance policy reserves to the insured alone, the power to change the beneficiary, no rights have vested in the beneficiary and the transfer is incomplete until the death of the insured.  If, however, the policy names a beneficiary without power of revocation or requires the beneficiary's consent, the transfer is complete.  The several policies before us must be tested by these principles.  That decision is controlling upon the question at issue.  It remains to be considered how much of the value, if any, of the insurance policies upon the life of the decedent should be included in the value of the gross estate. 1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2048  It is to be noted that section 302 of the Revenue Act of 1924 provides that there shall be included in the gross estate 22 B.T.A. 1000">*1007  insurance policies "to the extent of the excess over $40,000 of the amount receivable by all other beneficiaries as insurance under policies taken out by the decedent upon his own life." We have found that the amount receivable by all of the beneficiaries on such policies was $121,989.82.  If the decedent retained the right to change the beneficiary on all these policies, the total amount includable in the gross estate in respect of insurance policies would be $81,989.82, the amount included in the gross estate by the respondent on the audit of the return.  But since the decedent had the right to change the beneficiary on policies of a value of only $36,092.46, only that amount is includable in the gross estate.  4.  The fourth question in issue is whether there should be deducted from the value of the gross estate $15,000 for charitable bequests not yet paid under the terms of the will.  The petitioners rely upon 1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2049 , wherein the Court held that under a will giving the residuary estate to the testator's widow for life with authority to use from the principal any sum necessary to suitably maintain her "in as much comfort as she now enjoys" and giving property after her death to charities, gifts to charity were not so uncertain as to prevent deduction from gross income in computing the net estate under the provisions of the Revenue Act of 1918.  The applicable provision of the Revenue Act of 1924 is section 303, which provides so far as material: For the purpose of the tax the value of the net estate shall be determined - (a) In the case of a resident, by deducting from the value of the gross estate - * * * (3) The amount of all bequests, legacies, devises, or transfers, except bona fide sales for a fair consideration in money or money's worth, in contemplation of or intended to take effect in possession or enjoyment at or after the decedent's death, to or for the use of * * * any corporation organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, * * * no part of the1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2050  net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual, * * * It is to be noted in the present proceeding that there is no basis laid down by which it may be determined whether the residuary estate will be invaded for the purpose of making payments to the beneficiary, the decedent's widow.  The latter is left entirely to the discretion of the trustees.  Under the will the trustees are authorized: * * * whenever they deem it necessary or desirable for the maintenance or comfort of my said wife, to pay over to or use for the benefit of my said wife, from time to time, such part (or even the whole) of the principal fund of this trust as to my said trustees seems wise.  22 B.T.A. 1000">*1008  The facts in this case are substantially different from those which obtained in , upon which the petitioners rely.  In that case the decedent had given the residue of his estate to his wife for life with authority to use from the principal any sum "that may be necessary to suitably maintain her in as much comfort as she now enjoys." The Supreme Court observed - * * * The principal that could be used was only so1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2051  much as might be necessary to continue the comfort then enjoyed.  The standard was fixed in fact and capable of being stated in definite terms of money.  It was not left to the widow's discretion.  The income of the estate at the death of the testator and even after debts and specific legacies had been paid was more than sufficient to maintain the widow as required.  * * * Here the evidence does not show the income of the decedent's widow or how much the trustees might consider necessary or desirable for her maintenance or comfort.  The matter was left entirely to the discretion of the trustees.  Whether the charities would receive anything from the residuary estate was entirely contingent upon the action which might be taken by them.  Contingent bequests to charity are not a legal deduction from the gross estate.  . The contention of the respondent upon this point is sustained.  5.  The final point for decision is whether estates by the entirety in Massachusetts are includable in the gross estate to the full amount of the value of such estate.  The record contains no evidence as to whether the surviving spouse contributed1931 BTA LEXIS 2031">*2052  any amount for the purchase of the property.  The inclusion by the Commissioner of the entire value of such estate is sustained upon the authority of ; . Reviewed by the Board.  Judgment will be entered under Rule 50.