Court Opinion

ID: 4497236
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-01-23 18:15:19.649732+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:49:28.369277
License: Public Domain

*1094OPINION.
Milliken:
The first issue relates to the computation of invested capital for the calendar year 1918. The asset in question is the permanent record card used by the petitioner in its business. The record evidences no dispute as to the fact that the record cards are and have been the property of the petitioner since 1906 and that the stock of the corporation was specifically issued therefor. The Commissioner has classified the record cards as intangible property and allowed the value of the cards for invested capital purposes subject to the statutory limitation. The petitioner contends that the record cards are tangible property and should be subjected to no limitation for invested capital purposes. The question to be determined by us, therefore, is whether the record cards are tangible or intangible property. Apparently, there is no dispute as to the value of the asset, but if there be such, the testimony of the experts qualified to pass upon their value convinces us that the cards had a value of not less than $62,000.
The business of the petitioner is the filling of the prescriptions of . the oculists as brought to them by the patient. It does not test the eyes. It carries no stock. Its business is to make to order glasses ( *1095conforming to the individual requirements of each customer. The lenses are ground in strict conformity with the prescription of the oculists. It is the duty of the petitioner to make such special adjustments of the frames as best suits the facial measurements and requirements of each customer. The petitioner preserves by means of the record cards, full data and history relating to each customer and files these cards for safe keeping in a vault. As customers come to them for additional services the record card is used for the purpose of supplying the measurements necessary for giving the service. The evidence abundantly proves their value and continued use in the business.
The terms “ tangible property ” and “ intangible property ” have so many different meanings and shades of meaning that their significance can be gathered, for the purposes of this inquiry, only from the statute itself. Congress, in section 325(a) of the Revenue Act of 1918, has laid down certain specific definitions. The asset here in question does not fall into any of the specific definitions enumerated. The Commissioner contends that the asset in question is intangible property. It seems to us the term “ intangible property ” as used in the statute should be construed to mean property of a character similar to patents, good will, and the specific kinds of property enumerated in the same clause. With respect'to property not clearly of such a character, it is our duty to decide whether it is tangible or intangible.
The record cards are not similar in character to patents, copyrights, secret processes and formulae, trade-marks, trade-brands, or franchises. It is the insistence of the Commissioner that the cards are good will. The good will of the business does not ordinarily attach to a physical asset. Good will usually results from and is built up from the transactions which the customer has with the merchant, the excellence of the article manufactured and sold, the integrity and courtesy of the merchant and the good opinion which the customer has of the merchant and his wares. The record cards can not be measured exclusively by the last-mentioned standards. The article sold may not have been satisfactory, or the integrity of the merchant may have been questioned, in which event the record cards would not supply the good will that would have been lacking. The cards remained as a continuing and permanent asset, regardless of the good will of the business, and could possibly have been used by another oculist meriting more fully the good will of his customers, with a resultant larger profit from the optical business, or perchance, with the reverse situation obtaining. The cards were fixed assets, while the good will of the firm owning them depended upon the factors hereinbefore mentioned. Indeed, the record cards served a purpose similar to the patterns and drawings of the manufacturer. *1096The record cards contained the minute specifications and details from which additional glasses could be and were supplied. Such being the case, we must hold that the cards in question were tangible property.
The second issue relates to salaries, or additional compensation which the petitioner seeks to deduct for the calendar year 1918. During the year 1917 the three officers, directors and stockholders had a meeting and determined that the salaries for the year 1917, which they deemed to be reasonable, should be as follows: Charles F. Wall, $11,000; William L. Wall, $8,500; and J. Harry Bowers, $8,000. The corporation credited the salaries of the individuals named and they reported the same in their individual tax returns for the year 1917. The petitioner maintained its books of account and reported its income on the accrual basis. It is claimed, although the record is silent as to the reason, that the Commissioner disallowed the deductions for 1917, whereupon the petitioner seeks the deduction in the return filed for the calendar year 1918. It is also in evidence that the petitioner claimed, and was allowed, for the calendar year 1918, salary deductions for that year in the amount of $27,500, representing salary to Charles F. Wall of $11,000; William L. Wall of $8,500; and J. Harry Bowers of $8,000. We are of the opinion that the taxpayer is not entitled to the additional deduction claimed. The deductions pertain to the calendar year 1917. However, we have before us only the year 1918 and make no specific findings other than as concerns the deduction for the year 1918. The determination of the Commissioner relative to the second issue is approved.
Order of redetermination will be entered on 15 days’ notice, under Rule 50.
LaNSdoN, Marquette, and SteeNhageN dissent.