Court Opinion

ID: 4624475
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-11-21 02:55:13.524541+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:56:32.052636
License: Public Domain

APPEAL OF BAKER LUMBER CO.Baker Lumber Co. v. CommissionerDocket No. 3271.United States Board of Tax Appeals2 B.T.A. 907; 1925 BTA LEXIS 2223; October 19, 1925, Decided Submitted June 18, 1925.  *2223 C. O. Wellington, C.P.A., for the taxpayer.  Ellis W. Manning, Esq., for the Commissioner.  *907  Before JAMES, LITTLETON, SMITH, and TRUSSELL.  This appeal is from the determination of a deficiency in income and profits tax for the six-month period ended June 30, 1919, in the amount of $1,204.88.  The question in issue is whether the tax *908  should be computed on the basis of a separate return of the Baker Lumber Co. or on a consolidated return including the Baker Lumber Co., Baker Box Co., and Leominster Novelty Corporation.  FINDINGS OF FACT.  The Baker Lumber Co. conducts a retail lumber business in Worcester, Mass.  The Baker Box Co. manufactures and sells box shooks, and also deals in sawdust, shavings, etc.  The Leominster Novelty Corporation manufactures and sells advertising novelties, etc.  These companies occupied the same offices at 84 Foster Street, Worcester, Mass., and all were under the direct management of Charles Baker, who was the dominating and guiding spirit of each business.  The companies made advances from one to the other at various times and Charles Baker loaned the companies considerable amounts, without interest, in*2224  addition to endorsing the companies' notes when loans were obtained from banks.  He owned 100 per cent of the stock of the Leominster Novelty Corporation, 93.06 per cent of the stock of the Baker Lumber Co., and 86.98 per cent of the stock of the Baker Box Co., the remaining stock of the last two companies being owned by employees, as follows: Company.Name of individual.Per cent of stock.Baker Lumber CoCharles A. Swenson, superintendent of lumberyard.6.94Baker Box CoLeon M. Ludden, superintendent of box shop13.02The stock which stood in the names of the above employees was held by Charles Baker as collateral on demand notes issued to him by the respective individuals in payment for the stock.  The stock certificates were actually in Baker's possession during the first six months of 1919 and were under his control as much as though they were issued to him individually.  The stock was sold to the employees to be paid for out of dividends earned thereon, if desired, and under restrictions to the effect that no sale or transfer could be made by them until after Baker had first been given an option to purchase.  DECISION.  *2225  The deficiency determined by the Commissioner is disallowed.  ; .