Court Opinion

ID: 4593068
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-11-20 19:09:58.896418+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:50:58.773367
License: Public Domain

John W. Harrison, Petitioner, v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Respondent.  Clifford F. Harrison, Petitioner, v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, RespondentHarrison v. CommissionerDocket Nos. 47962, 47963United States Tax Court24 T.C. 46; 1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207; April 20, 1955, Filed 1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*207 Decisions will be entered for the respondent.  Exchange of Property for Stock and Securities -- Recognition of Gain -- Sec. 112 (b) (5) -- Sec. 112 (c) (1), I. R. C. 1939.  -- Partnership assets were exchanged for stock and drawing accounts in a new corporation.  Held, that the drawing accounts were not securities under section 112 (b) (5) and were taxable as "other property" under section 112 (c) (1).  Martin A. Rosenberg, Esq., for the petitioners.Urban C. Bergbauer, Esq., for the respondent.  Johnson, Judge.  JOHNSON24 T.C. 46">*46  Respondent determined deficiencies1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*208  in petitioners' income tax for the year 1947 as follows:Docket No.PetitionerDeficiency47962John W. Harrison$ 11,004.9847963Clifford F. Harrison12,130.89The following issues are presented:(1) Did the exchange of partnership assets for stock and drawing accounts take place in 1946 or 1947?(2) Was the exchange of partnership assets for stock and drawing accounts in the newly formed corporation an exchange where no gain or loss should be recognized under section 112 (b) (5) of the 1939 Code?(3) Are the deficiencies properly determined under section 112 (c) (1) of the 1939 Code?FINDINGS OF FACT.Some of the facts are stipulated and are incorporated herein by this reference.Petitioners are brothers and are residents of St. Louis, Missouri; they filed their 1947 individual income tax returns with the collector of internal revenue for the first district of Missouri.  During 1946, as partners, they operated the Harrison Lumber & Hardware Company, hereinafter referred to as the partnership. A partnership return for this business was filed with the collector of internal revenue for the first district of Missouri for the year 1946.On December 23, 1946, petitioners1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*209  and Clifford Greve, their attorney, executed articles of incorporation to incorporate their partnership business.  The corporation was known as the "Harrison Lumber & Hardware Company," hereinafter referred to as the corporation.  24 T.C. 46">*47 The corporation filed a 1947 return with the collector of internal revenue for the first district of Missouri but did not file one for 1946.The articles of incorporation authorized 1,050 shares of stock. Under date of January 3, 1947, 659 shares were issued to John W. Harrison, 390 shares to Clifford F. Harrison, and 1 share to Clifford Greve.  The articles of incorporation also stated that the following assets were transferred from the partnership:Cash$ 10,000Accounts receivable150,000Inventory of lumber and millwork on hand250,000Equipment, office furniture and fixtures1,500Automotive equipment20,500Mill equipment12,000Yard wagons and equipment11,000Total$ 455,000This property is subject to liabilities in the amount of$ 305,000leaving net value of $ 150,000.On December 28, 1946, the Missouri secretary of state issued a certificate of incorporation for the corporation.  A copy of this certificate 1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*210  and the articles of incorporation were filed for record on January 2, 1947.  The corporation received a certificate of authority to commence business on January 16, 1947.The partnership books were closed as of December 31, 1946; at this time the books reflected a partnership net worth of $ 242,400.62.  The books of the corporation were opened on January 2, 1947.  Journal entry No. 1, dated January 2, 1947, recorded the transfer of the partnership assets to the corporation; journal entry No. 2 recorded the transfer of partnership liabilities to the corporation.As of January 2, 1947, the following opening entry appears on the books of the corporation:Cash$ 15,246.00Accounts receivable159,780.64Clifford Greve142.86Deferred charges7,583.81Inventory313,178.79Fixed assets49,498.84Improvements2,995.65Vouchers payable$ 122,846.46Accrued wages payable3,036.65Notes payable to bankers180,000.00John W. Harrison, drawing44,019.92Clifford F. Harrison, drawing48,523.56Capital stock150,000.00The above entries represent all assets and all liabilities of the partnership as shown on its books as of December 31, 1946.24 T.C. 46">*48 1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*211   It was stipulated that the partnership goodwill as of January 1, 1947, was $ 255,317.20.The intention of the petitioners was to have the corporate charter issued by the secretary of state as of December 31, 1946, and that the new corporation would commence business as of January 1, 1947.The parties have stipulated, if the transfer of the partnership assets was effected in 1947 rather than in 1946, that the recognized gain to John W. Harrison is limited to "other property received in the amount of $ 44,019.92," and to Clifford F. Harrison that the recognized gain is "limited to other property received in the amount of $ 48,523.56."In the statement with the deficiency notice respondent explained the adjustment to John W. Harrison's 1947 income as follows:(a) It has been determined that you realized taxable income under the provisions of Section 112 (b) (5) of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent of "other property" received upon the transfer of assets of The Harrison Lumber & Hardware Co., a partnership, to a corporation of the same name, recognized in the total amount of the "other property" received, or $ 44,019.92, taxable as a long-term capital gain at 50%, or $ 22,009.96.1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*212  A similar adjustment was made for Clifford F. Harrison.The partnership property was exchanged for corporate stock and drawing accounts in 1947.OPINION.The first issue we must consider is whether the exchange of partnership assets for corporate stock and drawing accounts occurred in 1946 or 1947.  The petitioners contend that the exchange occurred in 1946 and under section 275 (c) 1 of the 1939 Code the statute of limitations would have run against respondent's determination.  It is respondent's contention that the exchange occurred in 1947.Under Missouri law the existence of a corporation1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*213  dates from the time of the filing of the articles of incorporation with the secretary of state. The certificate given by the secretary of state is evidence in the State courts of the existence of the corporation.  However, a corporation may not commence business until certain requirements are met, and a certificate authorizing it to commence business has been issued by the secretary of state. See secs. 351.070 and 351.075, R. S. Mo. 1949.Also, under State law the filing of the articles of incorporation by the secretary of state constitutes acceptance by the corporation of all 24 T.C. 46">*49  existing subscriptions to its shares, and thereupon subscribers for shares or their assignees shall be deemed to be stockholders of the corporation.  Sec. 351.175, R. S. Mo. 1949.Since the corporation filed its articles of incorporation in 1946, and since a certificate was issued by the secretary of state in 1946, the corporation did exist in 1946.  In addition, the articles of incorporation stated that petitioners and Greve subscribed to all the authorized capital stock; therefore, the corporation had bona fide shareholders in 1946.  However, according to the jurisprudence of Missouri, the articles1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*214  of incorporation are not proof conclusively that the stock was fully paid.  Raleigh Investment Co. v. Bunker, 285 Mo. 440">285 Mo. 440, 227 S.W. 121; Yardley v. Caruthersville Motor Co., 225 Mo. App. 321">225 Mo. App. 321, 35 S.W.2d 971. Therefore, the articles of incorporation are not proof conclusively that the partnership assets were transferred to the corporation in 1946.Let us briefly review the facts.  There was a partnership that closed its books as of December 31, 1946.  Also in 1946 there was a corporation with bona fide stockholders, but the corporate books show no record of any corporate property ownership until January 2, 1947.  No corporate tax return was filed for 1946.The articles of incorporation, dated December 23, 1946, stated that the petitioners gave $ 455,000 of assets subject to $ 305,000 of liabilities for $ 150,000 of corporate stock, but the corporate books as of January 2, 1947, show that $ 548,426.59 of assets subject to liabilities of $ 92,543.48 ($ 44,019.92 plus $ 48,523.56) to petitioners, and $ 305,883.11 to others, was exchanged for $ 150,000 of corporate stock. The discrepancy1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*215  between the stated values in the articles of incorporation and the actual book values was a result of a rough approximation on the part of petitioners' attorney when he drafted the articles of incorporation. It is significant that if the assets had in fact been transferred at the time the articles of incorporation had been drafted or immediately thereafter, there would have been no need for an approximation.  The books would have reflected the actual value of the assets involved in the transfer.The statement in the articles of incorporation that certain assets were transferred to the corporation is not conclusive proof of the transfer, particularly since there has been no showing that the assets were closed out of the partnership books prior to December 31, 1946.  Further, there is no showing that the assets were transferred to the corporate books prior to January 2, 1947.  Finally, the intention of the petitioners was that the corporation would commence business as of the first day of January 1947.  On these facts we can only conclude that the assets were transferred in 1947 and not 1946.  That statute of limitations is not a bar to the respondent's determination.24 T.C. 46">*50  Next, 1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*216  we shall consider the remaining two issues together, that is, was there an exchange under section 112 (b) (5), and if not, was there a gain within section 112 (c) (1).  First, we must consider whether the exchange of the partnership assets was within the provisions of section 112 (b) (5), that is, was there an exchange of property to a corporation by petitioners solely in exchange for stock and securities of the corporation, and immediately after the exchange were petititioners in control of the corporation, and, finally, was the amount of stock and securities received by petitioners substantially in proportion to their interest in the property prior to the exchange.  If the exchange was within section 112 (b) (5), no gain or loss would be recognized.Respondent contends that petitioners received something other than stock and securities in the exchange because drawing accounts are not securities within the contemplation of section 112 (b) (5).  Respondent determined that the drawing accounts were "other property" and under section 112 (c) (1)2 petitioners incurred a recognized gain in the exchange.  On the other hand, petitioners contend that they have complied with section 1121955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*217  (b) (5).The net worth of the partnership at the close of business on December 31, 1946, was $ 242,400.62.  There is no dispute that the $ 150,000 of capital stock was distributed to petitioners in the proportion of their interest in the partnership property. The question arises as to the $ 92,400.62 which is the difference between the partnership net worth and the stated value of the1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*218  capital stock. This $ 92,400.62 was credited on the corporate books as "John W. Harrison, Drawing $ 44,019.92" and "Clifford F. Harrison, Drawing $ 48,523.56." No explanation was given for the variance between $ 92,400.62 and the aggregate of the drawing account entries which amounted to $ 92,543.48.According to the stipulated facts the journal entry on the corporate books correctly reflected all of the partnership assets and liabilities as of December 31, 1946.  But upon careful examination of the record it appears that the corporate journal entries, denominated drawing accounts, did not have similar liability accounts in the partnership. Rather the drawing accounts' counterpart in the partnership was an undenominated net worth of at least $ 92,400.62.  It now appears, even though a goodwill account was not set up on the corporation's books, that this net worth was in the nature of partnership goodwill.24 T.C. 46">*51  By setting up part of the partnership net worth as drawing accounts, petitioners acquired a right to withdraw substantial sums from the corporation.  The record contains no evidence as to restrictions on the use of the drawing accounts.Now, if this exchange is to be within1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*219 section 112 (b) (5), the drawing accounts must come within the definition of "securities." In the past securities have been held to be such obligations as bonds, debenture notes, and subscription rights, but short-term notes for 3, 4, and 5 years are not deemed securities.  Neville Coke & Chemical Co., 3 T.C. 113, affd.  148 F.2d 599; Pacific Public Service Co., 4 T.C. 742, affd.  154 F.2d 713. Thus it would appear under prior decisions that "securities" are in the nature of long-term obligations.  When long-term obligations and stock are exchanged for property, the original interest in the business is continued and perpetuated, which is in accord with the underlying theory of a tax-free exchange.  The original interest is not retained where cash or short-term notes are given in exchange for property; similarly, the original interest is impaired when drawing accounts are given in exchange for property.It is our conclusion, considering the nature of the drawing accounts in this case, that they are not "securities" within the meaning of section 112 (b) (5).  Therefore, 1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*220  the exchange in these proceedings is one where property was exchanged for stock and other property.  Since stock and other property were involved in the exchange, section 112 (c) must be considered to determine whether petitioners had a taxable gain.Under section 112 (c) (1) if an exchange would be within the provisions of section 112 (b) (5), if it were not for the fact that the property received in exchange consists of not only stock and securities but also other property or money, then the gain, if any, to the recipient shall be recognized but in an amount not in excess of the sum of such money and the fair market value of such other property.Now the question arises, what is the fair market value of the drawing accounts?  No attempt has been made to show that the book value of the drawing accounts was not fair market value. No evidence was offered to show that the corporation could not pay the stated value of the drawing accounts, and no evidence was offered to show what might be a discounted value if the drawing accounts were assigned to others by petitioners.Notwithstanding the fact that the petitioners have not shown what might be a fair market value for the drawing accounts, 1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*221  they have attacked respondent's determination in another way.Petitioners maintain that all assets in excess of $ 455,000 (the value of the assets transferred according to the articles of incorporation) had an offsetting account on the corporate books as the petitioners' drawing accounts.  They contend that the excess over $ 455,000 was 24 T.C. 46">*52  goodwill even though no specific goodwill account has been set up on the corporate books.The parties have stipulated that the value of goodwill was $ 255,317.20.  Now, on brief, without proof that the stipulation was erroneous, petitioners argue that goodwill should be approximately $ 42,000, and the inference is that the fair market value of the drawing accounts could not exceed $ 42,000, the alleged value of goodwill. We think on the present facts that the actual value of goodwill is not important to this decision.  What is important is the fact that both parties agree that the corporation acquired something in value more than the net worth represented by $ 150,000 of corporate stock. Petitioners have not shown what might be a fair market value of the drawing accounts.  Nor have petitioners shown respondent's determination to be erroneous. 1955 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 207">*222  Therefore, on this record, respondent's determination must be sustained.Decisions will be entered for the respondent.  Footnotes1. SEC. 275. PERIOD OF LIMITATION UPON ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION.(c) Omission from Gross Income. -- If the taxpayer omits from gross income an amount properly includible therein which is in excess of 25 per centum of the amount of gross income stated in the return, the tax may be assessed, or a proceeding in court for the collection of such tax may be begun without assessment, at any time within 5 years after the return was filed.↩2. SEC. 112. RECOGNITION OF GAIN OR LOSS.(c) Gain from Exchanges Not Solely in Kind.  -- (1) If an exchange would be within the provisions of subsection (b) (1), (2), (3), or (5), or within the provisions of subsection (1), of this section if it were not for the fact that the property received in exchange consists not only of property permitted by such paragraph or by subsection (1) to be received without the recognition of gain, but also of other property or money, then the gain, if any, to the recipient shall be recognized, but in an amount not in excess of the sum of such money and the fair market value of such other property.↩