Court Opinion

ID: 9643633
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 20:35:58.786955+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:27:54.238185
License: Public Domain

MATHEWS, Circuit Judge
(dissenting in part).
The return filed by petitioner on March 15, 1934, was “a return required by this title,” 4 within the meaning of § 291 of the Revenue Act of 1932, and was filed “within the time prescribed by law.” Hence, there was no ground for imposing a penalty. This conclusion is not inconsistent with the holding that the return filed by petitioner was not “the return” contemplated in § 275(a) of the Act. Section 275(a) is a statute of limitations and should be strictly construed against the taxpayer invoking it. Section 291 is a penal statute and should be strictly construed against the Government. The majority opinion recognizes, but fails to give effect to this distinction. The Board’s decision, insofar as it holds petitioner subject to a penalty, should be reversed. In other respects, it should be affirmed.

 Title I (§§ 1-322) of the Revenue Act of 1932, 26 U.S.C.A.Int.Rev.Aets, page 482 et seq.