Court Opinion

ID: 4633759
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-11-21 03:14:36.432901+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:58:07.008757
License: Public Domain

Estate of Louis Barthelemy Alexandre Bordes, Deceased, Clemence Anne Madeleine Bordes, Marie Therese Jacqueline Bequette, Fernand Francois Joseph Alexandre Bordes, Rose Marie Helene Lataillade, Beneficiaries, Petitioners, v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, RespondentBordes v. CommissionerDocket No. 27045United States Tax Court19 T.C. 1093; 1953 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 218; March 19, 1953, Promulgated *218 Decision will be entered under Rule 50.  The decedent was a citizen and resident of France.  He died on September 21, 1943.  On the date of his death the decedent and his surviving spouse owned community property under the Civil Code of France which was situated in the United States.  Held, the entire value of the community property situated in the United States is includible in the decedent's gross estate under section 811 (e) (2) of the Code, as it applied to estates of decedents dying between October 22, 1942, and December 31, 1947, except that part thereof constituting less than one-half which was identified and traced to the separate property of the surviving spouse. Held, further, the estate is entitled to a proportionate deduction under section 861 of the Code for attorney's fees.  Charles Meyer, Esq., and Rene Loeb, Esq., for the petitioner.Rigmor O. Carlsen, Esq., for the respondent.  Harron, Judge.  HARRON *1093  The Commissioner has determined a deficiency in estate taxes in the amount of $ 30,526.86.  The decedent was a nonresident alien.  The deficiency is due principally to the inclusion in the gross estate by the respondent of the total value of shares of stock situated in the United States and comprising the community property of the decedent and his surviving spouse on the date of his death.The issues presented for decision are:(1) To what extent is the community property of the decedent and his surviving spouse, which was situated in the United States on the date of his death, includible in his gross estate under the provisions of section 811 (e) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, as it applied to estates*221  of decedents dying between October 22, 1942, and December 31, 1947?*1094  (2) Is the estate entitled to a proportionate deduction under section 861 of the Internal Revenue Code for attorney's fees?Other adjustments made by the Commissioner are not in dispute and will be given effect under Rule 50.The estate tax return was filed with the collector for the second district of New York.FINDINGS OF FACT.The facts which have been stipulated are found as facts and the stipulation is incorporated herein by this reference.The decedent died intestate on September 21, 1943, at Paris, France.  He was a citizen and resident of France and was not engaged in business in the United States.  He was survived by his wife, Clemence Anne Madeleine Bordes, and three children who are the beneficiaries of his estate and the petitioners in this proceeding.  No administration of the decedent's estate was necessary under French law, as the estate passed directly to the beneficiaries, and no administration proceedings have been instituted in either France or the United States.  The estate tax return was filed by the surviving spouse as a beneficiary and transferee.The estate tax return disclosed the*222  following assets, which were the community property of the decedent and his surviving spouse under the Civil Code of France, situated in the United States on the date of the decedent's death:Schedule B53 shares Allied Chemical & Dye Corp.$ 8,188.5080 shares American Can Co.7,120.00150 shares American Tel. & Tel. Co.23,400.001037 shares Electric Bond & Share Co.8,814.504900 shares General Electric Co.189,875.0060 shares General Motors Corporation3,217.50139 shares Union Pacific Railroad Co.31,421.50Total$ 272,037.00Schedule CCredit balance with Messrs. J. P. Morgan& Co., Inc., 23 Wall Street, New York$ 70,339.09The petitioners included in the gross estate one-half of the value of the shares of stock reported under Schedule B, and one-half of the credit balance with J. P. Morgan & Co. reported under Schedule C.  The following notation appears on Schedules B and C of the return:Mr. Louis Barthelemy Alexandre Bordes and his Wife Clemence Anne Madeleine Bordes, nee Bertera, were married under the system of Community of Goods by virtue of their marriage contract dated May 10th 1893.By reason of this contract one*223  half of the above assets belongs to the widow as of her own right and the other half only * * * constitutes the assets of the estate.*1095  No deductions whatever were claimed on the estate tax return. The following schedule was, however, attached to the estate tax return:Value of gross estate outside of the United States of America1. Stocks and bonds other than those in the United Statesof America$ 125,5702. Real estate109,4063. Furniture30,4334. Cash in bank47,397$ 312,806The respondent, in his notice of deficiency, made certain valuation adjustments not here in dispute which decreased the total of Schedule B to $ 271,632.38, included the entire sum of $ 271,632.38 in the gross estate under section 811 (e) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, and excluded from the gross estate under the provisions of section 863 (b) of the Internal Revenue Code, the portion of the credit balance with J. P. Morgan & Co. previously included in the gross estate by the petitioners.The decedent and Clemence Anne Madeleine Bertera were married on May 10, 1893, at Paris, France.  Prior to the marriage ceremony, the decedent and his future spouse entered into a marriage*224  contract which recites that they adopt as the basis of their marriage the regime of community of goods as established by the Civil Code of France with one modification, namely, they will not be responsible for each other's debts contracted prior to the marriage. If the parties had not entered into a marriage contract the regime of community of goods, i. e., the community property laws of France would have applied to their matrimonial property without the modification provided for in the marriage contract.Under the Civil Code of France, the assets of the marital community comprise all personal property owned by the spouses at the time of the marriage together with all personal property acquired by them during the marriage either by succession or donation provided the donor has not expressed a contrary intention, all income from whatever source received, and all real estate acquired during the marriage. 1 The husband has the sole management of the community property and of the individual property of the wife, if any.  2 After the marriage the spouses cannot change the status of the conjugal property.  Each spouse is considered a co-owner of an undivided half of all the property*225  in the community.  Either spouse may devise his moiety.  On the death of one, the surviving spouse retains his moiety and is entitled *1096  to a partition of the community property and to receive one-half thereof.  The other one-half falls into the estate of the deceased spouse. 3The surviving spouse and children of the decedent, as the sole beneficiaries of his estate, entered into an agreement dated June 1 and 8, 1948, and captioned, "Partition of the community of goods between Mr. and Mrs. BORDES and of the estate of Mr. BORDES." The "partition," or distribution agreement, provided for a division of the community property and a settlement of the estate among the beneficiaries. Court approval of the agreement was not required under French law as all the beneficiaries were of age.The agreement recited, inter alia, the following pertinent facts: That the respective contributions of property*226  to the community by the decedent and his surviving spouse at the time of the marriage, and their then value in francs, were as follows:DecedentPersonal effects, linen, jewelry and cash50,000Participation in Societe Ant. Dom. Bordes1,278,203Share in profits of above company100,000Total1,428,203WifePersonal effects, linen and jewelry6,000Dowry, comprising linen, furniture and cash210,000Total216,000That on March 19, 1927, the surviving spouse received an inheritance from her parents; and that the property received and its then value in francs were as follows: Furniture and laces 172,354 francs, stock in foreign companies 74 francs, total 172,428 francs. That the surviving spouse is entitled to a return or restitution of the property contributed by her to the community at the time of the marriage, and of the property inherited by her during the marriage, before a division is made of the assets of the community.  And that the surviving spouse is entitled to receive her one-half share of the community assets exclusive of her "returns."The agreement did not contain any schedules of the items comprising assets and liabilities.  The amount*227  of cash which was included in the wife's dowry is not specified.  The property acquired by the wife through inheritance remained her individual property subject to the management and control of the decedent.The stocks listed in Schedule B of the return were purchased by the decedent through J. P. Morgan & Co. and its French affiliate.  A *1097  statement from J. P. Morgan & Co. disclosed the dates of acquisition or exchange, and the cost of the various items of stock. The statement is incorporated herein by this reference.  Some of the holdings were increased by stock dividends or stock splits.  The transactions extend over a period beginning in June 1918.  The stock purchases, excluding fractional shares, were made prior to 1930 with but two exceptions.  On February 2, 1932, one hundred shares of General Electric Company stock were purchased for $ 1,887.50, and on March 6, 1935, one hundred and fifty shares of American Telephone and Telegraph Company stock were purchased for $ 15,825.The decedent was engaged in the import and export business in France.  Under the provisions of the marriage contract referred to above, the property brought into the community by each spouse was*228  not to be liable for the debts or liabilities of the other spouse contracted prior to the marriage. For this, or other reasons, an account was kept, beginning with a credit for the amount of the wife's dowry, between the firms in which the decedent was a partner and his surviving spouse. Statements of the account are available for 10 years.  4 The statements disclosed the items constituting the credits and charges to the account for each of the years.  With the exception of a minor item in 1932, the only credits were the addition of interest at the rate of 5 or 6 per cent a year.  The only year in which the account was charged with the purchase of securities was in 1932.  The statement for 1932 contains the following item:Purchase for her account on February 25, 1932, of:100 shares General Electric Co. at 18 3/4$ 1,875.00Brokerage12.75$ 1,887.50At exchange rate of 25.40Frs. 47,942.50The surviving spouse did not receive, *229  at any time during the existence of the marital community, either money or property as compensation for personal services actually rendered by her.One hundred shares of the General Electric Company stock, which formed part of the community property of the decedent and his surviving spouse on the date of his death, were purchased with funds derived originally from the separate property of the surviving spouse.The value at the date of death of 100 shares of General Electric Company stock was $ 3,862.50.The petitioners have included in the estate tax return the value (exclusive of the amount of the credit balance with J. P. Morgan & Co.) at the date of death of the gross estate situated outside of the United States.*1098  The estate has incurred and paid an expense of $ 12,500 for attorney's fees.The value, at the date of death, of the gross estate situated in the United States was $ 267,769.88.The value, at the date of death, of the entire gross estate whereever situated was $ 650,908.97.OPINION.Issue 1.  The first issue, concerning the extent to which the community property of the decedent and his surviving spouse is includible in the decedent's gross estate, arises *230  under section 811 (e) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, as it applied to estates of decedents dying between October 22, 1942, and December 31, 1947.  The pertinent provisions of the Code appear in the margin.  5*231  The parties are in accord that the assets situated in the United States were the community property of the decedent and his surviving spouse but disagree as to the quantum of the interest therein to be included in the decedent's gross estate. It has been stipulated that no part of the property was received "as compensation for personal services actually rendered by the surviving spouse or derived originally from such compensation."The petitioners contend, in the first instance, that the decedent's interest must be determined by reference to the laws of France; that under the regime of community of goods as established by the Civil Code of France the surviving spouse had an absolute interest and ownership in one-half of the community property, with the other half only forming a part of the decedent's estate.  Therefore, since the decedent had only a one-half interest in the community property under the law of France, only a one-half interest should be included in his gross estate. In the alternative, the petitioners argue that, in any event, a percentage of the community property constituting less than one-half should be excluded from the gross estate, based upon *1099  the *232  respective contributions of the spouses to the community at the time of the marriage and the amount of the inheritance received by the surviving spouse during the marriage.The respondent's main contention is that section 811 (e) (2) of the Code requires the inclusion in the decedent's gross estate of the entire value of the community property, except such part thereof as is clearly traceable to the separate property of the surviving spouse, and that the burden of identifying the property to be excluded rests upon the petitioners.  We agree with the respondent.The petitioners, in arguing that only one-half of the community property is includible in the decedent's gross estate because that was the extent of his interest in the property under the law of France, ignore the language and intent of the community property amendment to section 811 (e) made by section 402 (b) of the Revenue Act of 1942.  With the adoption of the amendment, effective as to estates of decedents dying after October 21, 1942, 6 any part of the community property owned by a decedent and the surviving spouse, to be excluded from the gross estate, had to fall within the exceptions contained in the statute itself. *233 Estate of Frank D. Neumann, 9 T. C. 1120, 1124; Estate of Joseph H. Heidt, 8 T. C. 969, 974, affd. per curiam 170 F.2d 1021">170 F. 2d 1021. The petitioners argue the law as it existed prior to the amendment.  See Estate of Paul M. Vandenhoeck, 4 T.C. 125">4 T. C. 125.The Supreme Court, in defining the constitutionality, purpose, and effect of the community property amendment, rejected an argument similar to the one advanced by the petitioners.  Fernandez v. Wiener, 326 U.S. 340">326 U.S. 340; United States v. Rompel, 326 U.S. 367">326 U.S. 367. We need not extend the opinion by a repetition here.  What the Supreme Court said in those opinions regarding the application of section 811 (e) (2) of the Code to the estates of citizens and residents of Louisiana and Texas, respectively, applies with*234  equal vigor to the estates of citizens and residents of France.The petitioners' second contention is that, in any event, a percentage of the community property should be excluded from the gross estate, with the percentage determined by using as a numerator, the contribution of the surviving spouse to the community at the time of the marriage plus the amount of her inheritance during marriage, and as a denominator, the contribution of the decedent to the community at the time of the marriage.The statute, in pertinent part, excludes from the gross estate such part of the community property "as may be shown to have been * * * derived originally * * * from separate property of the surviving spouse."*1100  The applicable regulations, Regulations 105, section 81.23, provide, in part, as follows:Property derived originally * * * from separate property of the spouse includes property that may be identified as (1) income yielded * * * by such separate property, and (2) property clearly traceable (by reason of acquisition in exchange, or other derivation) * * * to such separate property, or to such income.  * * * The burden of identifying the property which may be excluded from the *235  community interest rests upon the executor.The requirements of the regulation are reasonable and in accord with the intent of Congress.The basic fallacy in the petitioners' argument is the assumption that the statute does not require the petitioners to identify the property they seek to exclude and trace it to what was originally the separate property of the surviving spouse. That Congress intended an identification and tracing of the property to be excluded appears clear from a literal reading of the statute and a review of its legislative history.  7 The difficult problem of tracing was one of the considerations which led Congress to repeal the community property amendment in 1948.  8*236 In Estate of Joseph H. Heidt, supra, this Court, in passing upon the requirements of section 811 (e) (1) of the Code pertaining to joint property and community ownership transformed by the spouses into joint tenancy observed at page 976:It is obviously necessary that the taxpayer identify the proportion of joint property which he seeks to exclude from the gross estate as derived originally from "compensation for personal services actually performed" or from "separate property" if the intendment of the statute is to be carried out.And in Estate of Frank D. Neumann, supra, this Court, in construing the provision in section 811 (e) (2) of the Code excluding from the gross estate that part of the community property "shown to have been received as compensation for personal services actually rendered by the surviving spouse or derived originally from such compensation," held, that the petitioners had the burden of tracing the community property sought to be excluded from the gross estate, to the funds received by the surviving spouse as compensation for personal services rendered by her.It is, therefore, apparent that *237  the petitioners cannot discharge the burden imposed upon them by the statute by merely showing the *1101  respective contributions of the spouses to the community at its inception.  That fact alone may bear no relation to their respective economic contributions to the assets held in the community upon its dissolution.  That evidence may not be available to establish the essential facts and meet the petitioners' burden of proof does not alter the requirements of the statute, nor aid the petitioners here.  See e. g.  City Bank Farmers Trust Co., 41 B. T. A. 1, 4. The petitioners have adduced evidence establishing, and we have found as a fact, that of the community property in dispute 100 shares of General Electric Company stock were derived originally from the separate property of the surviving spouse. Accordingly, the value as of the date of death, ($ 3,862.50) of 100 shares of General Electric Company stock will be excluded from the gross estate. The petitioners have failed to identify and trace to the separate property of the surviving spouse the remaining portion of the community property they seek to exclude.  They have, therefore, failed in their*238  burden of proof and the respondent's determination must be sustained.Issue 2.  The remaining issue is whether the estate is entitled to a proportionate deduction, under section 861 of the Code, for attorney's fees which have been paid in the amount of $ 12,500.The pertinent provisions of the statute are printed in the margin.  9 The applicable regulations are Regulations 105, section 81.52.  The statute and regulations provide that a proportionate amount of administration expenses, debts, etc., may be deducted from the gross estate of a nonresident not a citizen.  The proportion of the expense to be deducted is determined by using as a numerator the gross estate situated in the United States, and as a denominator the entire gross estate wherever situated. In order to secure the deduction, the executor must include in the estate tax return the value at the date of death of the gross estate situated outside the United States.*239  The petitioners did not claim any deductions in the estate tax return. They did, however, include in the return a schedule setting forth a value at the date of death, of $ 312,806 for the gross estate situated outside of the United States.  In support of this figure the *1102  petitioners offered the testimony of Dr. Held, a French advocate, who prepared the estate tax return. They argue that the estate is entitled to a proportionate deduction determined by using as a numerator the sum of $ 341,965, which is the value of the assets in the United States, and as a denominator the sum of $ 654,771, which petitioners contend is the value of the entire gross estate wherever situated.The respondent concedes that a deduction for attorney's fees is proper but contends that the basis for determining the proportion of the expense to be allowed is not definitely ascertainable from the evidence.  He argues on brief that the "partition" or distribution agreement executed by the heirs in 1948 indicates a value for the entire gross estate wherever situated at variance with the value thereof as disclosed in the estate tax return.The value of the gross estate in the United States is not in*240  dispute.  The distribution agreement was not offered in evidence by the petitioners to establish the value of the gross estate situated outside of the United States.  The petitioners rely on the testimony of Dr. Held to establish that fact.  The discrepancy, if any, appears to result from the variations in the exchange rate of the French franc which the parties agree was mostly theoretical on the date of death. We have found as a fact that the petitioners included in the estate tax return the value (exclusive of the amount of the credit balance with J. P. Morgan & Co.) at the date of death of the gross estate situated outside of the United States.  Further, that the estate has incurred and paid an expense of $ 12,500 for attorney's fees.  We conclude that the estate is entitled to deduct from the gross estate a proportionate amount of the expense of $ 12,500 under section 861 of the Code.The proportion, however, of the expense to be deducted from the gross estate, as computed by the petitioners, is incorrect.  The petitioners in determining the value of the gross estate in the United States failed to delete the credit balance with J. P. Morgan & Co., which for the purposes of the*241  estate tax is considered as property situated outside of the United States.  See section 863 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The proportion of the expense to be deducted from the gross estate will be determined in accordance with our Findings of Fact.Decision will be entered under Rule 50.  Footnotes1. French Civil Code, sec. 1401.↩2. French Civil Code, secs. 1421, 1428.↩3. French Civil Code, sec. 1474.↩4. 1894, 1895, 1899, 1911, 1919, 1924, 1925, 1932, 1933, 1934.↩5. SEC. 811. GROSS ESTATE.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, except real property situated outside of the United States --* * * *(e) Joint and Community Interests.  --* * * *(2) Community Interests.  -- To the extent of the interest therein held as community property by the decedent and surviving spouse under the law of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or any foreign country, except such part thereof as may be shown to have been received as compensation for personal services actually rendered by the surviving spouse or derived originally from such compensation or from separate property of the surviving spouse. In no case shall such interest included in the gross estate of the decedent be less than the value of such part of the community property as was subject to the decedent's power of testamentary disposition.↩6. And repealed by section 351 (a) of the Revenue Act of 1948, effective January 1, 1948.↩7. H. Rept. No. 2333, 77th Cong., 2d Sess., pp. 35, 36, 37; S. Rept. No. 1631, 77th Cong., 2d Sess., pp. 231, 232.↩8. S. Rept. No. 1013, 80th Cong., 2d Sess. (1948), p. 27: The "tracing problem" arises under the 1942 amendments because of the need for identifying portions of the community contributed by each spouse. Establishing the fact that particular assets of the community are derived from "compensation for personal services actually rendered by the survivor * * *," is impossible in a great many instances.  Under the 1942 amendments this tracing problem is of far larger dimensions in community property states than in common law jurisdictions, where it is limited primarily to joint tenancies, tenancies by the entirety, and joint bank accounts.↩9. SEC. 861. NET ESTATE.(a) Deductions Allowed.  -- For the purpose of the tax the value of the net estate shall be determined, in the case of a nonresident not a citizen of the United States, by deducting from the value of that part of his gross estate (determined as provided in section 811), which at the time of his death is situated in the United States --(1) Expenses, losses, indebtedness, and taxes.  -- That proportion of the deductions specified in section 812 (b) (other than the deductions described in the following sentence) which the value of such part bears to the value of his entire gross estate, wherever situated. * * ** * * *(b) Condition of Allowance of Deductions.  -- No deductions shall be allowed in the case of a nonresident not a citizen of the United States unless the executor includes in the return required to be filed under section 864↩ the value at the time of his death of that part of the gross estate of such nonresident not situated in the United States.