Court Opinion

ID: 2757497
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-12-04 15:07:32.426703+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:20:31.878388
License: Public Domain

SYLLABUS

(This syllabus is not part of the opinion of the Court. It has been prepared by the Office of the Clerk for the
convenience of the reader. It has been neither reviewed nor approved by the Supreme Court. Please note that, in the
interest of brevity, portions of any opinion may not have been summarized.)

               United Parcel Serv. Gen. Servs. Co. v. Dir., Div. of Taxation (A-16/17-13) (072421)

(NOTE: The Court did not write a plenary opinion in this case. Instead, the Court affirms the judgment of
the Appellate Division substantially for the reasons expressed in Judge Lihotz’s written opinion, which is
published at 430 N.J. Super. 1 (App. Div. 2013).)

Argued September 23, 2014 -- Decided December 4, 2014

PER CURIAM

        In this appeal, the Court considers the propriety of the New Jersey Division of Taxation’s (the Division)
assessment of late payment and tax amnesty penalties under the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Act, N.J.S.A.
54:49-6(a), N.J.S.A. 54:53-17, -18, against plaintiffs, five subsidiaries of United Parcel Service of America (UPS).

          UPS and its affiliates used a cash management system that included routine inter-company fund transfers.
Plaintiffs ascribed no tax consequence to these inter-company transfers on their corporate tax returns. After a tax
audit, the Division concluded that the inter-company transfers constituted loans as to which interest income should
be imputed. The Division assessed unpaid taxes on the imputed income, late payment penalties under N.J.S.A.
54:49-6(a), and tax amnesty penalties under N.J.S.A. 54:53-17 and N.J.S.A. 54:53-18. Plaintiffs filed complaints in
Tax Court contesting the Division’s actions. Following a trial, the Tax Court determined that the Division
reasonably concluded that the inter-company fund transfers constituted loans as to which interest should be imputed
for purposes of the Corporate Business Tax Act. United Parcel Serv. Gen. Servs. Co. v. Dir., Div. of Taxation, 25
N.J. Tax. 1, 24 (2009). The Tax Court also concluded, however, that the Division abused its discretion in denying
plaintiffs’ application for a waiver of late payment penalties under N.J.S.A. 54:49-11(a) and N.J.A.C. 18:2-2.7, and
incorrectly assessed an amnesty penalty on plaintiffs under N.J.S.A. 54:53-17 and -18. Id. at 50, 54.

          The Appellate Division affirmed the Tax Court’s decision. United Parcel Serv. Gen. Servs. Co. v. Dir.,
Div. of Taxation, 430 N.J. Super. 1, 17 (App. Div. 2013). The panel agreed with the Tax Court that plaintiffs were
entitled to a waiver of late payment penalties under N.J.S.A. 54:49-11(a) and N.J.A.C. 18:2-2.7, which permits a
waiver of late penalties if the taxpayer shows a “reasonable cause” for its failure to pay the taxes when due. The
panel agreed that, because plaintiffs’ initial position that no tax consequences arose from the inter-company fund
transfers was reasonable under existing law, they had reasonable cause for their late payment of taxes on the
imputed income at issue. Id. at 10-14. The panel also agreed with the Tax Court that the tax amnesty statutes,
N.J.S.A. 54:53-17 and -18, are inapplicable to a taxpayer, such as plaintiffs, who timely filed all applicable tax
returns, paid all reported taxes, and was later found to owe additional taxes after an audit. Id. at 14-17. This Court
granted certification. 216 N.J. 5 (2013).

HELD: The judgment of the Appellate Division is AFFIRMED substantially for the reasons expressed in Judge
Lihotz’s opinion.

1. Although the Court underscores the deference afforded to the Division’s determinations in tax matters, it concurs
with the conclusion of the Tax Court and the Appellate Division that the Division improperly exercised its discretion
in this case. A taxpayer’s showing of “[a]n honest misunderstanding of fact or law that is reasonable in light of the
experience, knowledge and education of the taxpayer” supports a finding of “reasonable cause.” N.J.A.C. 18:2-
2.7(d)(1)(i). Such a finding is warranted here. As the Tax Court observed, with no directly pertinent legal authority
then in existence, “genuine questions of fact and law existed concerning the propriety of the Director’s imputation of
interest” with respect to plaintiffs’ fund transfers conducted under the UPS cash management system. United Parcel
Serv. Gen. Servs. Co., 25 N.J. Tax. at 50. Indeed, citing N.J.A.C. 18:2-2.7(b)’s standard for the grant of an
abatement, the Division acknowledged in writing that one of the plaintiffs had demonstrated “reasonable cause in
this matter.” The Court therefore agrees with the Appellate Division and affirms the Tax Court’s finding that the

                                                           1
Division did not exercise properly the discretion that the Legislature afforded to it in N.J.S.A. 54:49-11(a) when it
declined to waive late payment penalties imposed on plaintiffs. (pp. 3-4)

2. The penalty provisions of both tax amnesty statutes require the Division to impose a penalty on “a taxpayer who
has failed to pay any State tax” before the day upon which it is due. N.J.S.A. 54:53-17(a), -18(a). Neither statute
expressly indicates whether a taxpayer who timely files tax returns, pays all reported tax liabilities, and is found to
be liable for additional taxes following an audit, such as plaintiffs here, has “failed to pay” New Jersey taxes, and
therefore should be assessed a penalty. Ibid. Applying traditional principles of statutory construction, the Court
relies upon the State Treasurer’s testimony in the hearings that led to the enactment of the 1996 amnesty statute,
N.J.S.A. 54:53-17, testimony incorporated into statements of the Legislative committee that reviewed the
legislation: “the bill’s penalties will not be applied to deficiencies assessed pursuant to a question of law or fact
uncovered through routine audits of taxpayers otherwise in compliance with filing and payment requirements of
State taxes.” Assembly Appropriations Comm. Statement to Assembly Comm. Substitute for Assembly Bill No.
1420 (Feb. 5, 1996). Guided by the legislative history, the Court concurs with the Tax Court and the Appellate
Division that N.J.S.A. 54:53-17 and -18 were not intended to authorize or mandate a tax amnesty penalty in the
setting of this case. (pp. 4-7)

       CHIEF JUSTICE RABNER and JUSTICES LaVECCHIA, ALBIN, PATTERSON, FERNANDEZ-
VINA, and SOLOMON join in this opinion. JUDGE CUFF (temporarily assigned) did not participate.

                                                           2
                                      SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                      A-16/17 September Term 2013
                                                 072421

UNITED PARCEL SERVICE GENERAL
SERVICES CO.; UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
CO.; UPS TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.;
UPS WORLDWIDE FORWARDING INC.; UPS
WORLDWIDE FORWARDING INC., as
Successor in Interest to UPS AIR
FORWARDING, INC.,

    Plaintiffs-Respondents
    and Cross-Appellants,

         v.

DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF
TAXATION,

    Defendant-Appellant
    and Cross-Respondent.

         Argued September 23, 2014 – Decided December 4, 2014

         On certification to the Superior Court,
         Appellate Division, whose opinion is
         reported at 430 N.J. Super. 1 (2013).

         Marlene G. Brown, Senior Deputy Attorney
         General, argued the cause for appellant and
         cross-respondent (John J. Hoffman, Acting
         Attorney General; Melissa H. Raksa,
         Assistant Attorney General, of counsel).

         Mitchell A. Newmark argued the cause for
         respondents and cross-appellants (Morrison &
         Foerster, attorneys).

    PER CURIAM

    This appeal arises from the New Jersey Division of

Taxation’s assessment of late payment and tax amnesty penalties

                                1
under the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Act, N.J.S.A.

54:49-6(a), N.J.S.A. 54:53-17, -18, against plaintiffs, five

subsidiaries of United Parcel Service of America (UPS).

    Following a trial, the Tax Court determined that the

Division reasonably had concluded that two categories of

routine, inter-company transfers of funds, conducted by

plaintiffs as part of the cash management system used by UPS and

its affiliates, constituted loans as to which interest should be

imputed for purposes of the Corporate Business Tax Act.     United

Parcel Serv. Gen. Servs. Co. v. Dir., Div. of Taxation, 25 N.J.

Tax 1, 24 (2009).   However, the Tax Court concluded that the

Division improperly had denied plaintiffs’ application for a

waiver of late payment penalties under N.J.S.A. 54:49-11(a) and

N.J.A.C. 18:2-2.7, and that the Division incorrectly had

assessed a five percent amnesty penalty on plaintiffs pursuant

to N.J.S.A. 54:53-17 and -18.   Id. at 50, 54.   The Appellate

Division affirmed the Tax Court’s determination with respect to

the late payment and tax amnesty penalties, adopting Judge

Kuskin’s comprehensive findings of fact and concurring with his

detailed analysis of the relevant provisions of the Corporate

Business Tax Act.   United Parcel Serv. Gen. Servs. Co. v. Dir.,

Div. of Taxation, 430 N.J. Super. 1, 17 (App. Div. 2013).    We

granted certification.   216 N.J. 5 (2013).

                                 2
    We affirm, substantially for the reasons stated by the

Appellate Division, and add the following brief comments.

    First, notwithstanding the outcome in this matter, we

underscore the deference afforded to the determinations of the

Division, whose expertise in the complex and specialized subject

of tax law “is entitled to great respect by the courts.”

Metromedia, Inc. v. Dir., Div. of Taxation, 97 N.J. 313, 327

(1984); see also Koch v. Dir., Div. of Taxation, 157 N.J. 1, 8

(1999); Yilmaz, Inc. v. Dir., Div. of Taxation, 390 N.J. Super.

435, 440 (App. Div.), certif. denied, 192 N.J. 69 (2007).     The

Legislature has conferred upon the Division substantial

discretion to determine whether to “remit or waive the payment

of the whole or any part of any penalty” imposed upon a taxpayer

for a late filing.   N.J.S.A. 54:49-11(a); see also N.J.A.C.

18:2-2.7.

    However, we concur with the conclusion of the Tax Court and

the Appellate Division that, in the factual setting of this

case, the Division improperly exercised its discretion.     We note

that under N.J.A.C. 18:2-2.7(c)(4), the pendency of an “action

or proceeding for judicial determination may constitute

reasonable cause, until the time in which the taxpayer has

exhausted its administrative or judicial remedies,” provided

that “[t]he action or proceeding involves a question or issue

affecting whether or not the . . . entity is required to . . .

                                 3
pay tax; [t]he action or proceeding is not based on a position

which is frivolous; and [t]he facts and circumstances for such

taxable period or periods are identical or virtually identical

to those of the taxable period or periods covered by the action

or proceeding.”   N.J.A.C. 18:2-2.7(c)(4).   A taxpayer’s showing

of “[a]n honest misunderstanding of fact or law that is

reasonable in light of the experience, knowledge and education

of the taxpayer” supports a finding of “reasonable cause.”

N.J.A.C. 18:2-2.7(d)(1)(i).   Such a finding is warranted here.

    As the Tax Court observed, with no directly pertinent legal

authority then in existence, “genuine questions of fact and law

existed concerning the propriety of the Director’s imputation of

interest” with respect to plaintiffs’ disputed transfers

conducted under the UPS cash management system.    United Parcel

Serv. Gen. Servs. Co., supra, 25 N.J. Tax at 50.   Indeed, citing

N.J.A.C. 18:2-2.7(b)’s standard for the grant of an abatement,

the Division acknowledged in writing that one of the plaintiffs

had demonstrated “reasonable cause in this matter.”    We

therefore agree with the Appellate Division and affirm the Tax

Court’s finding that the Division did not exercise properly the

discretion that the Legislature afforded to it in N.J.S.A.

54:49-11(a) when it declined to waive late payment penalties

imposed on plaintiffs.

                                 4
    Second, we concur with the Appellate Division that neither

of the tax amnesty statutes that govern this case clearly

indicates whether the Legislature intended to authorize the

imposition of a tax amnesty penalty against a taxpayer in

plaintiffs’ circumstances.   United Parcel Serv. Gen. Servs. Co.,

supra, 430 N.J. Super. at 15-16.       The penalty provisions of both

tax amnesty statutes require the Division to impose a penalty on

“a taxpayer who has failed to pay any State tax” before the day

upon which it is due.   N.J.S.A. 54:53-17(a), -18(a).      Neither

statute expressly indicates whether a taxpayer who timely files

tax returns, pays all reported tax liabilities and is found to

be liable for additional taxes following an audit, has “failed

to pay” New Jersey taxes, and therefore should be assessed a

penalty.   Ibid.

    Applying traditional principles of statutory construction,

“we look to the legislative history to aid in determining the

legislative intent of” a statute whose plain language is subject

to more than one reasonable interpretation.      Oberhand v. Dir.,

Div. of Taxation, 193 N.J. 558, 568 (2008).      We rely upon the

State Treasurer’s testimony in the hearings that led to the

enactment of the 1996 amnesty statute, N.J.S.A. 54:53-17,

testimony incorporated into statements of the Legislative

committee that reviewed the legislation:      “the bill’s penalties

will not be applied to deficiencies assessed pursuant to a

                                   5
question of law or fact uncovered through routine audits of

taxpayers otherwise in compliance with filing and payment

requirements of State taxes.”    Assembly Appropriations Comm.

Statement to Assembly Comm. Substitute for Assembly Bill No.

1420 (Feb. 5, 1996); see also Senate Budget & Appropriations

Comm. Statement to Senate Comm. Substitute for Senate Bill No.

675 (Feb. 15, 1996).1

     Guided by the legislative history, we concur with the Tax

Court and the Appellate Division that N.J.S.A. 54:53-17 and -18

were not intended to authorize or mandate a tax amnesty penalty

in the setting of this case.    As the parties agree, and as the

Tax Court found, plaintiffs timely filed their corporate tax

returns and paid the taxes reported to be due in those returns.

United Parcel Serv. Gen. Servs. Co., supra, 25 N.J. Tax at 53.

Further, as the parties agree, and as the Tax Court found, the

Division discovered the bases for its assessments against

plaintiffs during an audit of plaintiffs’ tax returns.    Ibid.

1We acknowledge that the State Treasurer did not provide
analogous testimony during the legislative hearings that led to
the 2002 amnesty statute, N.J.S.A. 54:53-18, but note that the
language of the penalty provisions of N.J.S.A. 54:53-17 and
N.J.S.A. 54:53-18 is identical, and that no contrary statement
was made during the hearings that led to the 2002 tax amnesty
statute. Assembly Appropriations Comm. Statement to Assembly
Comm. for Assembly Bill No. 2001 (Mar. 4, 2002) (substituted by
S16/404); Senate Budget and Appropriations Comm. Statement to
Senate Comm. Substitute for Senate Bill Nos. 16 and 404 (Feb.
21, 2002).
                                  6
Accordingly, we concur with the Tax Court’s conclusion, affirmed

by the Appellate Division, that the Division improperly assessed

tax amnesty penalties on plaintiffs pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54:53-

17 and -18.

    The judgment of the Appellate Division is affirmed.

     CHIEF JUSTICE RABNER and JUSTICES LaVECCHIA, ALBIN,
PATTERSON, FERNANDEZ-VINA, and SOLOMON join in this opinion.
JUDGE CUFF (temporarily assigned) did not participate.

                                7
                 SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

NO.    A-16/17                                 SEPTEMBER TERM 2013

ON CERTIFICATION TO            Appellate Division, Superior Court

UNITED PARCEL SERVICE GENERAL
SERVICES CO.; UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
CO.; UPS TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.;
UPS WORLDWIDE FORWARDING INC.; UPS
WORLDWIDE FORWARDING INC., as
Successor in Interest to UPS AIR
FORWARDING, INC.,

      Plaintiffs-Respondents
      and Cross-Appellants,

             v.

DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF
TAXATION,

      Defendant-Appellant
      and Cross-Respondent.

DECIDED               December 4, 2014
                 Chief Justice Rabner                            PRESIDING
OPINION BY                 Per Curiam
CONCURRING/DISSENTING OPINIONS BY
DISSENTING OPINION BY

  CHECKLIST                              AFFIRM
  CHIEF JUSTICE RABNER                        X
  JUSTICE LaVECCHIA                           X
  JUSTICE ALBIN                               X
  JUSTICE PATTERSON                           X
  JUSTICE FERNANDEZ-VINA                      X
  JUSTICE SOLOMON                             X
  JUDGE CUFF (t/a)                -------------------------   ---------------------
  TOTALS                                      6

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