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INTERTAN, INC., Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RespondentInterTAN, Inc. v. Comm'rNo. 9599-02
United States Tax Court T.C. Memo 2004-1; 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5;January 5, 2004, Filed2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*5 Petitioner held liable for accuracy related penalty..
Raymond P. Wexler andDavid C. Kung , for petitioner.James M. Cascino ,David B. Flassing , andJohn J. Comeau , for respondent.Chiechi, Carolyn P.CHIECHIMEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
CHIECHI, Judge: Respondent determined to impose a $ 1,000,81
6662(a) 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*6 During a period of time not disclosed by the record, the bank syndicate extended a revolving credit facility (revolving credit facility) to certain of petitioner's operating subsidiaries and extended a $ 40 million term loan (term loan) to its operating subsidiary ITC. As of June 30, 1993, petitioner's operating subsidiaries were in default under the 1990 bank agreement, and fr76,000,000 (approximately $ 14,179,000) under the revolving credit facility and $ 40 million under the term loan were due and payable.FOR VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, receipt hereof is hereby
acknowledged, the undersigned and each of them (if more than
one) 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*7 guarantee(s)
payment on demand to Royal Bank of Canada (hereinafter called
the "Bank") of all debts and liabilities, present or
future, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or
not, at any time owing by InterTAN Canada Ltd. (hereinafter
called the "customer") [ITC] to the Bank or remaining
unpaid by the customer to the Bank, heretofore or hereafter
incurred or arising and whether incurred by or arising from
agreement or dealings between the Bank and the customer or by or
from agreement or dealings with any third party by which the
Bank may be or become in any manner whatsoever a creditor of the
customer or however otherwise incurred or arising anywhere
within or outside the country [Canada] where this guarantee is
executed and whether the customer be bound alone or with another
or others and whether as principal or surety (such debts and
liabilities being hereinafter called the "liabilities");
the liability of the undersigned hereunder being limited to the
sum of Twenty-One Million Canadian (C$ 21,000,000.00) Dollars
[approximately2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*8 $ 16,382,100 on June 30, 1993] together with
interest * * *
AND THE UNDERSIGNED AND EACH OF THEM (IF MORE THAN ONE) HEREBY
JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY AGREE(S) WITH THE BANK AS FOLLOWS:
* * * * * * *
(5) All indebtedness and liability, present and future, of the
customer to the undersigned [petitioner] or any of them are
hereby assigned to the Bank and postponed to the liabilities,
and all moneys received by the undersigned * * * shall be
received in trust for the Bank and forthwith upon receipt shall
be paid over to the Bank, the whole without in any way limiting
or lessening the liability of the undersigned under the
foregoing guarantee; and this assignment and postponement is
independent of the said guarantee and shall remain in full
effect notwithstanding that the liability of the undersigned or
any of them under the said guarantee may be extinct. The term
"Liabilities", as previously defined, for purposes of
the postponement feature provided by this agreement, and this
section in particular, 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*9 includes any funds advanced or held at
the disposal of the customer under any line(s) of credit.
At some point between July 1 and October 22, 1992, it was determined that petitioner's anticipated Federal income tax (tax) for its tax year ended June 30, 1993, would be approximately $ 4.1 million. Petitioner retained Price Waterhouse to review its tax planning options and to make recommendations to minimize petitioner's anticipated tax for that year (Price Waterhouse's review and recommendation).
Steve Wolf (Mr. Wolf) was the Price Waterhouse partner responsible for Price Waterhouse's review and recommendation. Bruce Thorpe (Mr. Thorpe) was the senior manager assigned to Price Waterhouse's review and recommendation. Dale Bond (Mr. Bond) was a senior associate assigned to Price Waterhouse's review and recommendation and worked under the supervision of Mr. Thorpe. Douglas Saunders (Mr. Saunders), who worked in Price Waterhouse's office in Mississauga, Ontario (Mississauga office), 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*10 1993 as vice president and controller.2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*11
As part of Price Waterhouse's review and recommendation, Price Waterhouse conducted a study of ITC's earnings and profits (ITC's E& P study). ITC's E& P study was necessary in order to determine whether ITC had sufficient earnings and profits to pay a dividend to petitioner that would generate sufficient foreign tax credits to minimize petitioner's anticipated tax liability for its taxable year ended June 30, 1993. ITC's E& P study was very complex and time-consuming. 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*12 regarding the viability of ITC's paying a dividend to petitioner. Mr. Thorpe reviewed and approved that memorandum. The January 13, 1993 interoffice memorandum stated in pertinent part:
Our planning idea involves paying another dividend from InterTAN
Canada [ITC] to generate deemed paid credits that the U.S.
parent [petitioner] can use to offset the tax on the Subpart F
income. Since InterTAN Canada will have a deficit in its post-
1986 E& P pool, the dividend will have to be paid out of pre-
1987 E& P. When a foreign corporation pays a dividend when there
is a deficit in its post-1986 E& P pool,
Notice 87-54 requiresthe deficit be carried back to offset E& P in pre-1987 years. If
InterTAN Canada's deficit in its post-1986 E& P pool is within a
certain range, InterTAN Canada will be able to pay a small
dividend out of 1985 E& P and bring up approximately $ 8 million
of deemed paid foreign taxes. If the deficit in the post-1986 E&
P pool is too small, the effective tax rate on the 1985 E& P
that remains after carryback of the deficit will be too low for
the2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*13 planning strategy to work. If the deficit in the pool is too
large, the carryback will eliminate all of the 1985 E& P.
With our current projections for the fiscal year 1993 loss, the
planning idea appears to be viable, but it relies on taking a
position that we feel is unclear. InterTAN Canada has filed for
a $ 17 million (Canadian) refund due to the carryback of the
fiscal year 1992 loss. We have accrued the refund as a
receivable and increased the 1992 E& P for the amount of the
refund. Regulationssection 1.905-3T discusses adjustments to the
E& P pool for refunds received. However, Revenue Ruling
64146 states that for purposes of paying dividends, a refund due
to the carryback of a net operating loss increases the E& P of
the loss year. Relying uponRevenue Ruling 64-146, 1964-1 C.B. 129, 1964 IRB LEXIS 201 and accruing
the refund related to the 1992 loss will put the deficit in the
post-1986 E& P pool at a level that will make the planning
strategy possible.On April 22, 1993, Mr. Saunders, who was at that time petitioner's vice president and corporate controller, had a meeting2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*14 (April 22, 1993 meeting) with Mr. Wolf, Mr. Thorpe, and Mr. Bond. Mr. Thorpe prepared a written summary of that meeting dated April 22, 1993 (April 22, 1993 meeting summary). The April 22, 1993 meeting summary stated in pertinent part under the heading "PLANNING IDEAS":
Avoid withholding tax in Canada by making dividend a repayment
of paid-in capital. We must first create some paid-in capital.
This can possibly be done by having ITI [petitioner] contribute
a $ 30 million note * * * from Canada [ITC] to Canada. Canada
will then pay the dividend and ITI will make another loan to
Canada. The IRS shouldn't really care because the U.S. tax
result is the same as if the planning had not been done. Doug
will look into the Canadian tax issues. We need to clear all
this with MTC [Price Waterhouse's Multi-State Consulting group].
On June 15, 1993, Mr. Bond prepared on behalf of Mr. Thorpe a memorandum addressed to Keith Wettlaufer (Mr. Wettlaufer), senior vice president of petitioner and of ITC for finance and administration (June 15, 1993 memorandum). Mr. Thorpe reviewed and initialed that memorandum. The June 15, 1993 memorandum2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*15 set forth Price Waterhouse's suggestions as to the steps necessary to effect a dividend from ITC to petitioner that would avoid Canadian withholding tax and generate sufficient foreign tax credits to minimize petitioner's anticipated tax liability for its taxable year ended June 30, 1993. The June 15, 1993 memorandum stated:
As you requested, this memorandum outlines the steps we feel are
necessary to pay a dividend from InterTAN Canada Ltd (Canada)
[ITC] to InterTAN, Inc. (ITI) [petitioner] and avoid the
Canadian withholding tax.
1. Prior to paying the dividend, Canada should repay all or
a portion of the note payable to ITI.
2. ITI should then make a cash contribution to Canada. The
purpose of this step is to increase Canada's paid in
capital so the dividend can be considered a return of
capital for Canadian tax purposes. This step should also be
completed prior to paying the dividend.
3. Canada should pay the dividend on or before June 30,
1993.
4. During the 1st quarter2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*16 of the next fiscal year ITI can
make a new loan to Canada.
We feel that the steps outlined above are necessary to help
prevent the Internal Revenue Service from reclassifying the
transaction as something other than a dividend and disallowing
ITI's deemed paid foreign tax credits associated with the
dividend. We also feel that varying the dollar amounts involved
in the various steps by a significant amount (say $ 1 million)
will help reduce exposure. The actual amounts to be paid will be
determined after final projections are completed. It is our
understanding from previous conversations with Doug Saunders
that this transaction will avoid the Canadian withholding tax.
On June 15, 1993, the June 15, 1993 memorandum was sent by facsimile to Mr. Wettlaufer. On June 24, 1993, a copy of the June 15, 1993 memorandum was sent by facsimile to Mr. Saunders who was in Paris, France.
After reviewing the June 15, 1993 memorandum, Mr. Saunders suggested certain changes to the steps of the proposed transaction outlined in that memorandum. Mr. Saunders suggested that, instead of contributing cash2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*17 to ITC, petitioner should purchase preferred stock from ITC and ITC should redeem that preferred stock. Mr. Saunders made that suggestion because he was concerned that the contribution of cash described in the June 15, 1993 memorandum would not result in paid-in capital for Canadian withholding tax purposes. In that event, the payment of a dividend by ITC to petitioner would have the undesirable result of triggering the imposition of such a tax.
Mr. Bond prepared a memorandum to petitioner's tax file dated June 28, 1993 (June 28, 1993 file memorandum). That memorandum incorporated the suggestion made by Mr. Saunders to avoid imposition of the Canadian withholding tax. The June 28, 1993 file memorandum stated in pertinent part:
We have recommended to Doug Saunders that InterTAN Canada Ltd.
(Canada) [ITC] pay a dividend of $ 20 million (U.S.) to InterTAN,
Inc. (ITI) [petitioner]. Our recommendation was based upon a
number of scenarios regarding Canada's current year loss and the
balance in Canada's post-1986 pool of earnings and profits (E&
P). We have considered the dividend's consequences based upon E&
P calculated under2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*18 what we consider to be the correct methods as
well as E& P calculated consistently with the methods used in
prior years, some of which we believe to be improper. Our
calculations and recommendation are based upon the Company's
best estimates of income (loss) for Canada and ITI available at
this time.
With a $ 20 million dividend from Canada, ITI's U.S. tax for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1993 will be approximately $ 1.2
million. Without the dividend and the benefit of the associated
deemed paid foreign tax credits, ITI's U.S. tax liability will
be approximately $ 4.9 million. In the "best case"
dividend scenario, ITI will have approximately $ 3.3 million of
excess credits.
* * * * * * *
In order to avoid the Canadian withholding tax, the Company
plans to structure the transaction as a return of capital for
Canadian tax purposes while still being considered a dividend
for U.S. tax purposes. The Company plans to take the following
action:
1. Canada will borrow $ 202004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*19 million (U.S.) from the bank and
repay a portion of its debt owed to ITI.
2. ITI will use the $ 20 million to purchase a new class of
preferred stock issued by Canada.
3. Canada will redeem the preferred stock for $ 20
million. It is imperative that this step be accomplished
before the end of the fiscal year.
4. After the end of the fiscal year, ITI will make a new
loan to Canada.
Doug Saunders believes this will permit the Company to avoid the
Canadian withholding tax since the transfer of funds to the U.S.
should not constitute a dividend for Canadian tax purposes.
Whereas, the U.S. tax laws rely more on substance, the Canadian
tax laws rely heavily on form.
Sometime after June 15, 1993, and before June 28, 1993, Mr. Bond prepared a memorandum to petitioner's tax file (Mr. Bond's draft June 1993 file memorandum). 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*20 During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, Canada [ITC] will
pay a dividend to ITI [petitioner]. It may be possible to avoid
Canadian withholding tax on the dividend if the paid-up capital
of Canada can be increased prior to the payment of the dividend.
In order to increase Canada's paid-up capital before paying the
dividend the transaction will be accomplished according to the
following steps:
1. Canada will repay the loan from ITI.
2. ITI will recontribute the cash to Canada.
3. Canada will pay the dividend.
4. ITI will make a new loan to Canada.
* * * * * * *
CONCLUSIONS
1. The various steps involved in the transaction should be
respected for U.S. tax purposes. However, it will be beneficial
to spread the steps over time and vary the amounts involved in
each step.
* * * * * * *
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
1. The dividend from Canada is expected to make significant
2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*21 deemed paid foreign tax credits available to ITI. Therefore, it
is reasonable to expect the IRS to review the transaction. Under
the step transaction doctrine, the IRS may be able to challenge
the validity of the dividend and the deemed paid foreign tax
credits with two arguments.
The economic situations of both ITI and Canada are the same
after transaction [sic] as they were before the transaction.
Canada has an obligation due to ITI both before and after the
transaction. In addition, the cash ends up back in Canada after
ITI makes the new loan. Therefore, the IRS may attempt to take a
position stating that the entire transaction is simply a sham
undertaken to generate deemed paid foreign tax credits for ITI.
To the extent the amounts in each step of the transaction are
comparable and the length of time lapsing between each step is
short, the IRS will be able to build a better case for this
position.
To gain a better understanding of the likelihood of the IRS
challenging the transaction under the step transaction theory,
we2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*22 contacted Larry Portnoy and Tom Bretz/PW-WNTS who helped
develop the series of steps to accomplish the transaction. They
did not think there would be a problem with the transaction
structured in this manner. Tom Bretz also suggested using
different dollar amounts in each step of the transaction. He
also mentioned spreading the steps out over some length of time.
In particular, he thought it important to make the new loan
after the end of the fiscal year.
On June 30, 1993, prior to the actions described below which took place on that date, ITC's account, number XXX-X529-6 (ITC's Royal Bank account), at the Royal Bank of Canada (Royal Bank) had a balance of $ 687,499.91. On July 2, 1993, 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*23 below.
On June 30, 1993, Royal Bank received a letter (June 30, 1993 letter) from Louis G. Neumann (Mr. Neumann), petitioner's vice president, secretary, and general counsel and ITC's vice president and secretary. The June 30, 1993 letter stated in pertinent part:
In confirmation of our recent conversation it is hereby
requested that you affect [sic] the following transactions on
behalf of InterTAN Inc. [petitioner] and its subsidiary InterTAN
Canada Ltd [ITC]:
1. The sum of US$ 20,000,000.00 is to be advanced to
InterTAN Canada Ltd. by Royal Bank and deposited to account
number XXX-X529-6.
2. The enclosed cheque [dated June 29, 1993] 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*24 in the sum of
US$ 20,000,000.00 drawn on account number XXX-X529-6 [ITC's
Royal Bank account] and made payable to InterTAN Inc. is to
be deposited in InterTAN's account number XXX-X402-4
[petitioner's Royal Bank account] in repayment of a loan.
3. InterTAN's enclosed cheque [dated June 30, 1993] in the
amount of US$ 20,000,000.00 is to be deposited into account
number XXX-X529-6 in combination for the issuance of
InterTAN Canada Ltd. preferred shares.
4. The enclosed cheque [dated June 29, 1993] in the amount
of [US]$ 20,000,000.00 drawn on account number XXX-X529-6
is to then be deposited in InterTAN's account number 302-
X402-4 in payment for the redemption of 200,000 InterTAN
Canada Ltd. preferred shares.
On June 30, 1993, pursuant to the June 30, 1993 letter, the following actions occurred:
1. A check dated June 29, 1993, drawn upon ITC's Royal Bank account and payable to petitioner in the amount of $ 20 million, was presented to Royal Bank. Pursuant2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*25 to the June 30, 1993 letter, Royal Bank deposited that check into petitioner's Royal Bank account. Royal Bank honored that check, which resulted in an overdraft of $ 19,379,772.65 in ITC's Royal Bank account (ITC's overdraft) as of the close of business on June 30, 1993. Royal Bank permitted ITC's overdraft because: (1) Pursuant to the guarantee and assignment agreement, all indebtedness and liabilities of ITC to petitioner were assigned to Royal Bank (assignment) and were postponed to any debt and liabilities of ITC to Royal Bank, including any funds advanced under any line of credit by Royal Bank to ITC (postponement), and petitioner was required to hold in trust for and pay to Royal Bank any money that it received from ITC; (2) petitioner and ITC made a commitment to Royal Bank that the $ 20 million withdrawn from ITC's Royal Bank account and deposited into petitioner's Royal Bank account on June 30, 1993, would be redeposited into ITC's Royal Bank account on July 2, 1993, the first Canadian federal and bank business day after June 30, 1993, in order to satisfy ITC's overdraft; and (3) pursuant to the guarantee and assignment agreement, petitioner guaranteed ITC's overdraft to the2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*26 extent of $ 16,382,100. 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*27 at Royal Bank and payable to petitioner in the amount of $ 20 million, was presented to Royal Bank. Pursuant to the June 30, 1993 letter, Royal Bank deposited that check into petitioner's Royal Bank account.
On July 2, 1993, Royal Bank received a letter (July 2, 1993 letter) from Mr. Neumann. The July 2, 1993 letter stated in pertinent part:
Would you please accomplish the following on behalf of InterTAN
Inc. [petitioner] and its wholly owned subsidiary InterTAN
Canada Ltd. [ITC]:
1. The enclosed cheque in the amount of US$ 20,000,000.00
drawn on InterTAN Inc. account number XXX-X402-4
[petitioner's Royal Bank account] is to be deposited in
InterTAN Canada Ltd. account number XXX-X529-6 as a loan
from InterTAN Inc. to InterTAN Canada Ltd.
2. Withdraw the sum of US$ 20,000,000.00 from the account
of InterTAN Canada Ltd. account number XXX-X529-6 to
satisfy an overdraft owing to Royal Bank by InterTAN Canada
Ltd.
On July 2, 1993, pursuant to the July 2, 1993 letter, the following actions occurred:
2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*28 4. The check enclosed with the July 2, 1993 letter that was drawn upon petitioner's Royal Bank account at Royal Bank and payable to ITC in the amount of $ 20 million was presented to Royal Bank. Pursuant to the July 2, 1993 letter, Royal Bank deposited that check into ITC's Royal Bank account.
5. Royal Bank debited ITC's Royal Bank account in the amount of $ 20 million, which ITC had received from petitioner on July 2, 1993, as described above as action 4, in order to satisfy ITC's overdraft. (We shall refer collectively to the above-described actions 1 through 5 as the disputed transaction and individually as steps 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 as the case may be.)
On March 15, 1994, petitioner filed Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, for its taxable year ended June 30, 1993 (petitioner's 1993 return), with the Internal Revenue Service Center in Austin, Texas. In that return, petitioner reported dividends received of $ 52,486,578, of which $ 20 million was the dividend that petitioner reported it received from ITC, and foreign dividend gross-up under section 78 of $ 18,295,867. 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*29 tax credits of $ 1,146,387. 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*30 1992, and 1993. On October 8, 1996, petitioner mailed to respondent a letter on petitioner's letterhead, entitled "STATEMENT FURNISHED UNDER
REVENUE PROCEDURE 94-69 ", which respondent received on October 11, 1996 (October 11, 1996 disclosure letter). Price Waterhouse had drafted that letter. The October 11, 1996 disclosure letter stated in pertinent part:
As previously disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in
July 1995, and on September 24, 1996, InterTAN, Inc.
[petitioner] is facing under Internal Revenue Code Section
905(c) a potential redetermination of the foreign tax credits
claimed on its U.S. income tax returns for the years ended June
30, 1990 through June 30, 1993. The redetermination could
arise from a potential deficit in the post-1986 pool of
foreign taxes for InterTAN Canada Ltd. (InterTAN Canada)
[ITC]. In this eventuality, InterTAN, Inc. 's foreign tax
credits would be required to be redetermined pursuant to
Treasury RegulationSection 1.905-3T(d)(4)(iv) with notification
made by InterTAN Inc. pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section
2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*311.905-4T(b) .
The dividends paid by InterTAN Canada from the 1988 through 1992
tax years are as follows:
Deemed-paid
Tax Type of Foreign Tax Grossed-up
Year Dividend Amount Credit Dividend
____ ________ ______ ___________ ___________
1988 Preferred $ 23,910,500 $ 15,720,834 $ 39,631,334
Stock
Redemption
1989 Preferred 13,570,739 8,745,782 22,316,521
Stock
Redemption
1992 Preferred 20,000,000 18,236,696 38,236,696
Stock
Redemption
InterTAN Canada incurred losses in the 1990 through 1992 tax
years and carried them back to obtain refunds of Canadian income
taxes. The refunds obtained are as follows:
Tax Year for Amount of
Which Taxes Refund in Exchange Amount of Refund in
Originally Paid 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*32 Canadian $ Rate U.S. $
_______________ __________ ________ ___________________
6/30 /88 $ 901,411 .8141 $ 733,868
6/30 /89 16,621,759 .8320 13,829,147
6/30 /90 9,782,191 .8610 8,422,855
The reductions to InterTAN Canada's post-1986 pool of foreign
taxes resulting from the distributions and the refunds could
create a deficit in the pool. Presently, however, it is unclear
whether InterTAN Canada's post1986 pool of taxes is, in fact, in
a deficit position. The uncertainty arises from two factors.First, in the examination of InterTAN Inc's 1986 through 1988
tax returns, the IRS has proposed to recharacterize the June 30,
1989 preferred stock redemption. The taxpayer reflected the
transaction as a dividend distribution; but the IRS has argued
the instrument was debt and the distribution, a repayment.
Should the IRS position be sustained, there would have been no
deemed distribution of2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*33 foreign taxes to reduce the post-1986
pool. The examination is currently in the jurisdiction of the
appellate division of the IRS. In addition, Revenue Canada is
currently examining InterTAN Canada's income tax returns and has
proposed adjustments that could significantly increase the
balance of InterTAN Canada's pool of foreign taxes. The
characterization of the 1989 distribution as a repayment of debt
or significant assessments by Revenue Canada could each
independently affect InterTAN Canada's pool of foreign tax such
that the pool would not have a deficit balance. [Emphasis added;
footnotes omitted.]
On December 17, 2001, respondent accepted Form 870-AD, Offer to Waive Restrictions on Assessment and Collection of Tax Deficiency and to Accept Overassessment (Form 870-AD), which petitioner had signed and submitted to respondent with respect to petitioner's taxable years ended June 30, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994. With respect to petitioner's taxable year ended June 30, 1993, Form 870-AD reflected petitioner's agreement to an overassessment of $ 712,316. That agreement was explained in Form2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*34 3610, Audit Statement, and Form 5278, Statement -- Income Tax Change, which were prepared on November 27, 2001 (collectively, respondent's November 27, 2001 audit report). In respondent's November 27, 2001 audit report, respondent determined that: (1) Petitioner's income attributable to the claimed dividend from ITC should be decreased by $ 38,236,696, representing a decrease of dividends received of $ 20,000,000 and a decrease in foreign dividend gross-up under section 78 of $ 18,236,696; (2) the foreign tax credits that petitioner claimed as a result of the claimed dividend income from ITC were disallowed; and (3) petitioner had a loss of $ 8,906,122 attributable to a net operating loss carried back from petitioner's taxable year ended June 30, 1995.
On February 7, 2002, respondent issued a notice of deficiency (notice) to petitioner. In that notice, respondent determined that petitioner is liable for the year at issue for the accuracy-related penalty under
section 6662(a) . That is because respondent determined that there was an understatement of $ 5,004,095 in petitioner's 1993 return that was attributable to the foreign tax credits which petitioner claimed with respect to the2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*35 $ 20 million dividend that it reported it received from ITC and that that understatement is substantial within the meaning ofsection 6662(d)(1)(A) and (B) .OPINION
Petitioner bears the burden of proving that the determination in the notice is erroneous.
Rule 142(a) ;Welch v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111">290 U.S. 111 , 290 U.S. 111">115, 78 L. Ed. 212">78 L. Ed. 212, 54 S. Ct. 8">54 S. Ct. 8, 1933-2 C.B. 112 (1933).Section 6662(a) imposes an accuracy-related penalty equal to 20 percent of the tax resulting from a substantial understatement of income tax. An understatement is equal to the excess of the amount of tax required to be shown in the tax return over the amount of tax shown in such return, seesec. 6662(d)(2)(A) , and is substantial in the case of a corporation if the amount of the understatement for the taxable year exceeds the greater of 10 percent of the tax required to be shown in the tax2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*36 return for that year or $ 10,000, seesec. 6662(d)(1)(A) and (B) .The amount of the understatement may be reduced to the extent that it is attributable to, inter alia, the tax treatment of an item for which there is or was substantial authority. See
sec. 6662(d)(2)(B)(i) . The substantial authority standard is an objective standard involving an analysis of the law and the application of the law to relevant facts.Sec. 1.6662-4(d)(2) , Income Tax Regs. That standard is not so stringent that a taxpayer's treatment must be one that has a greater than 50-percent likelihood of being sustained in litigation. See id. However, the substantial authority standard is more stringent than the reasonable basis standard as defined insection 1.6662-3(b)(3) , Income Tax Regs.Sec. 1.6662-4(d)(2) , Income Tax Regs. There may be substantial authority for more than one position with respect to the same item.Sec. 1.6662-4(d)(3)(i) , Income Tax Regs.In order to satisfy the substantial authority standard of
section 6662(d)(2)(B)(i) , a taxpayer must show that the weight of the authorities supporting the tax return treatment of2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*37 an item is substantial in relation to the weight of authorities supporting contrary treatment.Antonides v. Commissioner, 91 T.C. 686">91 T.C. 686 , 91 T.C. 686">702 (1988), affd.893 F.2d 656">893 F.2d 656 (4th Cir. 1990);sec. 1.6662- 4(d)(3)(i) , Income Tax Regs. All authorities relevant to the tax treatment of an item, including the authorities contrary to the treatment, are taken into account in determining whether substantial authority exists.Sec. 1.6662-4(d)(3)(i) , Income Tax Regs. The weight of authorities is determined in light of the pertinent facts and circumstances. Id. The weight accorded an authority depends on its relevance and persuasiveness and the type of document providing the authority.Sec. 1.6662-4(d)(3)(ii) , Income Tax Regs. An authority which is materially distinguishable on its facts or otherwise inapplicable to the tax treatment at issue is not particularly relevant and is not substantial authority. Id. There may be substantial authority for the tax treatment of an item despite the absence of certain types of authority. Id. Thus, a taxpayer may have substantial authority for a position even where it is supported only by2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*38 a well-reasoned construction of the pertinent statutory provision as applied to the relevant facts. Id.The amount of the understatement may also be reduced to the extent that it is attributable to, inter alia, an item for which the relevant facts affecting the item's tax treatment were adequately disclosed in the return or in a statement attached to the return.
Sec. 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii) . In order to satisfy the adequate disclosure standard ofsection 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii) , a taxpayer must disclose the relevant facts on a properly completed form (i.e., Form 8275, Disclosure Statement (Form 8275)) attached to the return or to a qualified amended return.Sec. 1.6662-4(f)(1) , Income Tax Regs. InRevenue Procedure 94-69, 1994-2 C.B. 804 (Revenue Procedure 94-69 ), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) promulgated procedures under which certain taxpayerssection 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii) . UnderRevenue Procedure 94-69 , a qualifying taxpayer may submit a statement to the IRS which will qualify as adequate disclosure undersection 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii) and the regulations thereunder if, inter alia, the statement2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*39 discloses "information that reasonably may be expected to apprise the Internal Revenue Service of the identity of the item, its amount, and the nature of the controversy or potential controversy."Rev. Proc. 94-69, sec. 3.02(2), 1994-2 C. B. at 806 .If the disputed transaction is a tax shelter within the meaning of
section 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii) , a taxpayer may not avoid liability for the accuracy-related penalty by adequately disclosing the transaction in question.Sec. 6662(d)(2)(C)(i)(I) . Moreover, in the case of a tax shelter, in order to avoid liability for the accuracy-related penalty, a taxpayer not only must demonstrate that there is or was substantial authority for the tax return treatment of the transaction in question, but also must prove that it reasonably believed that that treatment is more likely than not the proper treatment.Sec. 6662(d)(2)(C)(i)(II) .2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*40 The accuracy-related penalty under
section 6662(a) does not apply to any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was reasonable cause for, and that the taxpayer acted in good faith with respect to, such portion.Sec. 6664(c)(1) . The determination of whether the taxpayer acted with reasonable cause and in good faith depends on the pertinent facts and circumstances, including the taxpayer's efforts to assess such taxpayer's proper tax liability, the knowledge and experience of the taxpayer, and the reliance on the advice of a professional, such as an accountant.Sec. 1.6662-4(b)(1) , Income Tax Regs. Reliance on the advice of a professional, such as an accountant, does not necessarily demonstrate reasonable cause and good faith unless, under all the circumstances, such reliance was reasonable and the taxpayer acted in good faith. Id. In this connection, a taxpayer must demonstrate that its reliance on the advice of a professional concerning substantive tax law was objectively reasonable.Chamberlain v. Commissioner, 66 F.3d 729">66 F.3d 729 , 66 F.3d 729">732-733 (5th Cir. 1995), affg. in part and revg. in partT.C. Memo. 1994-228 ;Goldman v. Commissioner, 39 F.3d 402">39 F.3d 402 , 39 F.3d 402">408 (2d Cir. 1994),2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*41 affg.T.C. Memo. 1993-480 . In the case of claimed reliance on the accountant who prepared the taxpayer's tax return, the taxpayer must establish that correct information was provided to the accountant and that the item incorrectly omitted, claimed, or reported in the return was the result of the accountant's error.Westbrook v. Commissioner, 68 F.3d 868">68 F.3d 868 , 68 F.3d 868">881 (5th Cir. 1995), affg.T.C. Memo. 1993-634 ;Weis v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 473">94 T.C. 473 , 94 T.C. 473">487 (1990);Ma-Tran Corp. v. Commissioner, 70 T.C. 158">70 T.C. 158 , 70 T.C. 158">173 (1978).In the instant case, respondent determined that there was an understatement of $ 5,004,095 in petitioner's 1993 return that was attributable to the foreign tax credits which petitioner claimed with respect to the $ 20 million dividend that it reported it received from ITC and that that understatement is substantial within the meaning of
section 6662(d)(1)(A) and (B) . In support of that determination, respondent advances two alternative positions. First, respondent argues: The disputed transaction is a tax shelter within the meaning ofsection 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii) ; petitioner's treatment of the disputed transaction in petitioner's2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*42 1993 return is not supported by substantial authority; petitioner did not reasonably believe that its treatment of the disputed transaction was more likely than not the proper treatment; and petitioner did not have reasonable cause for, or act in good faith with respect to, its treatment of the disputed transaction in petitioner's 1993 return. Alternatively, respondent argues that, even if the disputed transaction were not a tax shelter within the meaning of6662(d)(2)(C)(ii) , petitioner's treatment of the disputed transaction is not supported by substantial authority; the relevant facts affecting the tax treatment of the disputed transaction were not adequately disclosed in petitioner's 1993 return or in the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter; and petitioner did not have reasonable cause for, or act in good faith with respect to, its treatment of the disputed transaction in petitioner's 1993 return (respondent's alternative position).With respect to respondent's position that the disputed transaction is a tax shelter within the meaning of
section 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii) , petitioner argues that the disputed transaction did not have any of the common indicia of a tax shelter (e. g., marketing2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*43 by a promoter, dissemination of a confidential prospectus, and a special fee or premium paid to a promoter). According to petitioner, the disputed transaction was nothing more than normal dividend planning that was typical of multinational companies like petitioner.We need not resolve the parties' dispute over whether the disputed transaction is a tax shelter within the meaning of
section 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii) . That is because, assuming arguendo that we were to accept petitioner's argument and find that the disputed transaction is not a tax shelter under that section, on the record before us, we accept respondent's alternative position that petitioner is nonetheless liable for the accuracy-related penalty undersection 6662(a) .With respect to respondent's argument under respondent's alternative position that there is and was no substantial authority for petitioner's tax treatment of the disputed transaction, petitioner counters that its reporting of the disputed transaction in petitioner's 1993 return "was mandated by the provisions of Code
sections 301 and 302 ." On the record before us, we reject petitioner's position.In structuring and implementing the disputed transaction, petitioner2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*44 was not motivated by any nontax business purpose; petitioner's sole intention was to generate a tax benefit in the form of foreign tax credits. The disputed transaction resulted in no change in the economic position of either petitioner or ITC.
sections 302 and 301 .sections 302 and 301 have no application to, and do not constitute substantial authority undersection 6662(d)(2)(B)(i) 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*45 and the regulations thereunder for petitioner's tax treatment of, the disputed transaction.2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*46 In addition to relying on
sections 302 and 301 as substantial authority for its tax treatment of the disputed transaction, petitioner relies onEstate of Crellin v. Commissioner, 203 F.2d 812">203 F.2d 812 (9th Cir. 1953), affg.17 T.C. 781">17 T.C. 781 (1951), andSoreng v. Commissioner, 158 F.2d 340">158 F.2d 340 (7th Cir. 1946), affg.4 T.C. 870">4 T.C. 870 (1945). Both of those cases involved the declaration of a dividend, and not the purported issuance and the purported immediate redemption of stock undersection 302 . Estate of Crellin and Soreng are materially distinguishable from the instant case and do not constitute substantial authority for petitioner's tax treatment of the disputed transaction.Sec. 1.6662- 4(d)(3)(ii) , Income Tax Regs.On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry its burden of showing that there is or was substantial authority within the meaning of
section 6662(d)(2)(B)(i) and the regulations thereunder for the position that it took in petitioner's 1993 return with respect to the disputed transaction.section 6662(d)(2)(B)(i) . 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*472004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*48 With respect to respondent's argument under respondent's alternative position that there was no adequate disclosure of the relevant facts affecting the tax treatment of the disputed transaction in petitioner's 1993 return or in the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter, respondent contends that: (1) Petitioner did not attach Form 8275 to petitioner's 1993 return as required by
section 1.6662-4(f)(1) and (2) , Income Tax Regs., and (2) the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter failed to provide information that reasonably could have been expected to apprise the IRS of the nature of the controversy or potential controversy that the disputed transaction raised. Petitioner does not dispute respondent's position concerning petitioner's failure to attach Form 8275 to petitioner's 1993 return, but disputes respondent's position concerning the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter.According to respondent, the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter failed to disclose that
the purported dividend was "paid" solely to generate
deemed foreign tax credits, the funds to "pay" the
"dividend" were furnished by RBC [Royal Bank], the
"dividend" was prearranged to be and was2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*49 returned by
petitioner to ITC the next business day, etc. * * *
Petitioner counters that the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter qualifies as a qualified amended return under
Revenue Procedure 94-69 because it contained information that reasonably could have been expected to apprise the IRS of the nature of the controversy or potential controversy that the disputed transaction raised. According to petitioner, the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter
disclosed the preferred stock redemption, its treatment of the
proceeds of the redemption, the amount of the proceeds, and the
fact that Respondent was currently challenging Petitioner's
characterization of a prior ITC preferred stock redemption.Petitioner maintains that the information set forth in the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter was sufficient under
Revenue Procedure 94- 69 to constitute adequate disclosure of the disputed transaction undersection 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii) and the regulations thereunder.On the record before us, we agree with respondent that the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter did not reasonably apprise the IRS of the nature of the controversy or2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*50 potential controversy that the disputed transaction raised, as required by
Revenue Procedure 94-69 . The only potential controversy revealed in that letter was a redetermination of the foreign tax credits claimed by petitioner because of a potential deficit in ITC's post-1986 pool of foreign taxes (ITC's pool of foreign taxes). 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*51 next bank business day after June 30, 1993, petitioner purportedly lent ITC the $ 20 million that it received from ITC on June 30, 1993, in the purported redemption of ITC's preferred stock; 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*52 disclosed within the meaning ofsection 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii) , the regulations thereunder, andRevenue Procedure 94-69 the relevant facts affecting the tax treatment of the disputed transaction in petitioner's 1993 return or in the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter. Assuming arguendo that we had found that the disputed transaction was not a tax shelter within the meaning ofsection 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii) , we conclude that the amount of the understatement attributable to the disputed transaction would not be reduced undersection 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii) .With respect to respondent's argument under respondent's alternative position that petitioner did not have reasonable cause for, or act in good faith with respect to, its treatment of the disputed transaction in petitioner's 1993 return, petitioner counters that petitioner relied generally on Price Waterhouse for tax compliance and tax planning, that the disputed transaction was based upon recommendations that Price Waterhouse made, and that Price Waterhouse prepared petitioner's 1993 return. According to petitioner, it was reasonable for it to rely upon Price Waterhouse's advice because Mr. Saunders knew that Price Waterhouse was a2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*53 reputable accounting firm with expertise in tax matters.
Respondent contends that petitioner failed to provide Price Waterhouse all of the necessary information regarding the disputed transaction, including the following:
the funds for the purported dividend were to be provided by an
overdraft of ITC's RBC [Royal Bank] account guaranteed by
petitioner; * * * that preferred stock would be purportedly
issued and redeemed on the same day * * *; and that petitioner
had committed to RBC to return the purported dividend to ITC's
RBC account the next business day. * * * In addition, [Mr.] Bond
testified that he did not know if PW [Price Waterhouse] was
aware of petitioner's guarantee of ITC's debts to RBC * * *.
Respondent further contends that, even if petitioner had provided Price Waterhouse all the necessary information regarding the disputed transaction, petitioner failed to follow the advice given by Price Waterhouse to petitioner because petitioner failed to (1) vary the amount involved in each step of the disputed transaction and (2) spread those steps "over some length of time."
With respect to respondent's2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*54 contention that petitioner did not provide Price Waterhouse all the necessary information regarding the disputed transaction, on the instant record, we agree with respondent. At trial, Mr. Bond testified that he did not know whether anyone at Price Waterhouse was aware of the guarantee and assignment agreement at the time Price Waterhouse was advising petitioner concerning the disputed transaction. The disputed transaction, as initially proposed by Price Waterhouse and as modified by Mr. Saunders, required, as the initial step of that transaction, that ITC make a payment to petitioner on an outstanding loan from petitioner to ITC. Under the guarantee and assignment agreement, any payment by ITC to petitioner "shall be received in trust for the [Royal] Bank and paid over to the Bank". On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to establish that Price Waterhouse was aware of the foregoing guarantee and assignment agreement at the time Price Waterhouse was advising petitioner about the disputed transaction or at the time Price Waterhouse was preparing petitioner's 1993 return.
In addition to failing to establish that petitioner made Price Waterhouse aware of the provisions2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*55 of the guarantee and assignment agreement that would apply if the disputed transaction were effected, on the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to establish that it made Price Waterhouse aware at the time Price Waterhouse was advising petitioner about the disputed transaction or at the time Price Waterhouse was preparing petitioner's 1993 return that steps 4 and 5 (i.e., petitioner's relending $ 20 million to ITC and ITC's using that $ 20 million to repay the $ 20 million that it borrowed from Royal Bank on June 30, 1993) were to, and did, take place on the next Canadian bank business day (i.e., July 2, 1993) 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*56 Not only did petitioner not provide Price Waterhouse all the necessary information regarding the disputed transaction, on the record before us, we find that petitioner failed to follow the advice that Price Waterhouse gave it based upon the information that petitioner made available to Price Waterhouse at the time the disputed transaction was being planned. The June 15, 1993 memorandum from Mr. Bond to Mr. Wettlaufer, petitioner's and ITC's senior vice president for finance and administration, advised petitioner that "varying the dollar amounts involved in the various steps by a significant amount (say $ 1 million) will help reduce exposure" to the IRS's "reclassifying the transaction as something other than a dividend and disallowing * * * [ITC's] deemed paid foreign tax credits associated with the dividend." 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*57 Mr. Bond's draft June 1993 file memorandum also advised petitioner that the dollar amount in each step of the disputed transaction should be varied. In addition, that memorandum advised petitioner that the steps of the disputed transaction should be spread out "over some length of time". 2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*58 due to ITI both before
and after the transaction. In addition, the cash ends up back in
Canada after ITI makes the new loan. Therefore, the IRS may
attempt to take a position stating that the entire transaction
is simply a sham undertaken to generate deemed paid foreign tax
credits for ITI. To the extent the amounts in each step of the
transaction are comparable and the length of time lapsing
between each step is short, the IRS will be able to build a
better case for this position.
Petitioner did not follow the advice in Mr. Bond's draft June 1993 file memorandum. The dollar amount in each step of the disputed transaction was the same, i.e., $ 20 million. Moreover, the first three steps of the disputed transaction (i.e., ITC's purportedly borrowing $ 20 million from Royal Bank to make a payment to petitioner on an outstanding loan from petitioner to ITC, the purported issuance of ITC's preferred stock to petitioner in exchange for that $ 20 million, and ITC's purported redemption of that preferred stock for that $ 20 million) occurred virtually simultaneously on June 30, 1993, and the last two steps (i.e., petitioner's2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*59 relending $ 20 million to ITC and ITC's using that $ 20 million to repay the $ 20 million that it borrowed from Royal Bank on June 30, 1993) occurred virtually simultaneously on July 2, 1993, the next Canadian bank business day.
If, as petitioner claims, it relied on Price Waterhouse's advice set forth in the June 15, 1993 memorandum and in Mr. Bond's draft June 1993 file memorandum, it seems to us that petitioner would have followed such advice or would have been able to explain why it ignored such advice, which it has not.
The June 28, 1993 file memorandum from Mr. Bond is the only written memorandum from Price Waterhouse personnel that sets forth the steps of the disputed transaction as they occurred. However, that memorandum did not provide any advice by Price Waterhouse about the tax consequences of those steps. Instead, the June 28, 1993 file memorandum merely set forth what petitioner intended to do, as follows:
In order to avoid the Canadian withholding tax, the Company
plans to structure the transaction as a return of capital for
Canadian tax purposes while still being considered a dividend
for U.S. tax purposes. The Company plans to take2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*60 the following
action:
1. Canada will borrow $ 20 million (U.S.) from the bank and
repay a portion of its debt owed to ITI.
2. ITI will use the $ 20 million to purchase a new class of
preferred stock issued by Canada.
3. Canada will redeem the preferred stock for $ 20
million. It is imperative that this step be
accomplished before the end of the fiscal year.
4. After the end of the fiscal year, ITI will make a new
loan to Canada.
Doug Saunders believes this will permit the Company to avoid the
Canadian withholding tax since the transfer of funds to the U.S.
should not constitute a dividend for Canadian tax purposes.
Whereas, the U.S. tax laws rely more on substance, the Canadian
tax laws rely heavily on form. The only advice in the June 28,
1993 file memorandum is attributed to Mr. Saunders and concerns
the Canadian withholding tax issue.
With respect to respondent's argument under respondent's alternative position that petitioner did not have reasonable cause2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*61 for, or act in good faith with respect to, its treatment of the disputed transaction in petitioner's 1993 return, petitioner further counters that it relied on oral advice (Mr. Wolf's alleged oral advice) given by Mr. Wolf, the Price Waterhouse partner responsible for Price Waterhouse's review and recommendation, to Mr. Saunders. In this connection, Mr. Saunders testified that Mr. Wolf orally advised him that the disputed transaction would be respected if challenged by respondent. The only evidence of Mr. Wolf's alleged oral advice is Mr. Saunder's uncorroborated testimony, which was self-serving to petitioner.
Wichita Terminal Elevator Co. v. Commissioner, 6 T.C. 1158">6 T.C. 1158, 6 T.C. 1158">1165 (1946) , affd.162 F.2d 513">162 F.2d 513 (10th Cir. 1947). We are unwilling to rely on Mr. Saunders' testimony regarding Mr. Wolf's alleged oral advice.2004 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 5">*62 On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to establish that it provided all the necessary information concerning the disputed transaction to Price Waterhouse. On that record, we further find that petitioner has failed to establish that it followed the advice of Price Waterhouse with respect to the disputed transaction. On the record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry its burden of proving that there was reasonable cause for, and that it acted in good faith with respect to, the underpayment in this case.
Based upon our examination of the entire record before us, we find that petitioner has failed to carry its burden of establishing that petitioner is not liable for the accuracy-related penalty under
section 6662(a) .We have considered all of the contentions and arguments of petitioner and respondent that are not discussed herein, and we find them to be without merit, irrelevant, and/or moot.
To reflect the foregoing,
Decision will be entered for respondent.
Footnotes
1. Unless otherwise noted, currency amounts are denominated in United States dollars. ↩
2. All section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the year at issue. All Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.↩
3. The record does not disclose whether petitioner was liable as of June 30, 1993, as guarantor under the bank agreement.↩
4. Petitioner was the only signatory to the guarantee and assignment.↩
5. In 1970, Mr. Saunders began working for Price Waterhouse as a staff assistant in its Toronto office. He became a staff accountant in 1971, a senior staff accountant in 1973, a supervisor in 1975, a manager in 1977, and a partner in 1980. After becoming a manager in 1977, Mr. Saunders transferred to Price Waterhouse's Mississauga office. During his tenure at Price Waterhouse, Mr. Saunders was involved in dividend planning for multinational clients. In that role, Mr. Saunders reviewed proposed transactions of such clients in order to identify any potential Canadian tax issues, such as the Canadian nonresident withholding tax on dividends. Mr. Saunders did not provide any advice about the United States tax consequences of any such proposed transactions.↩
6. Mr. Saunders remained as vice president and controller of petitioner until his retirement. The record does not disclose the precise date on which Mr. Saunders retired from petitioner. As of the time of the trial in this case, Mr. Saunders was working for petitioner under a three-year consulting arrangement.
7. The complexity of ITC's E&P study related, inter alia, to a deficit in ITC's post-1986 earnings and profits pool and certain losses of ITC that had been carried back to its prior taxable years and had thereby created refunds. Such refunds complicated the calculation of ITC's post-1986 foreign income taxes and post-1986 undistributed earnings.↩
8. Mr. Saunders did not review Mr. Bond's draft June 1993 file memorandum prior to the trial in this case.↩
9. July 1, 1993, was Canada Day, a federal and bank holiday in Canada.↩
10. The $ 3,552.67 overdraft interest charged to ITC on July 2, 1993, was reversed on July 16, 1993, and new overdraft interest charges in the amounts of $ 101.48 and $ 12,211.91 were imposed.↩
11. Pursuant to the guarantee and assignment agreement, the assignment and postponement were independent of petitioner's guarantee under such agreement and were to remain in full force and effect even though the liability of petitioner as guarantor under that agreement may have been extinct.↩
12. The foreign dividend gross-up under sec. 78 of $ 18,295,867 claimed in petitioner's 1993 return included foreign dividend gross-up under sec. 78 of $ 18,236,696 attributable to the claimed dividend from ITC and $ 59,170 attributable to petitioner's Belgium subsidiary.↩
13. The total tax before and after foreign tax credits also reflected an alternative minimum tax of $ 927,944 and an environmental tax of $ 62,417.↩
14. Respondent's examination of the year at issue began before July 23, 1998. We conclude that
sec. 7491(c)↩ is not applicable in the instant case.15. The parties do not dispute that petitioner is the type of taxpayer to which the rules of
Revenue Procedure 94-69↩ apply.16. With respect to whether the disputed transaction resulted in any change in the economic position of petitioner or ITC, Mr. Saunders testified as follows:
Q InterTAN Canada's [ITC's] financial position before this
transaction began was exactly the same as it was after this
transaction began. Correct?
A That's correct.
Q InterTANU.S. 's [petitioner's] financial position before
this transaction began was exactly the same as its financial
condition after this transaction began.
A Except for the deemed foreign tax credits. Yes.
Q Other than -- of course, other than for tax benefits, it
was the same. Right?
A Yes.↩
17. Instead of having petitioner purportedly contribute money to ITC and having ITC declare a dividend payable to petitioner as two steps of the transaction in question, the steps of the disputed transaction consisting of the purported issuance of ITC's preferred stock and the purported immediate redemption of that stock were used in order to help avoid the Canadian nonresident withholding tax on dividends.↩
18. Petitioner also argues that, even if the purported issuance and the purported immediate redemption of ITC's preferred stock lacked economic substance or are otherwise disregarded for tax purposes, there nonetheless is substantial authority for treating the remaining steps of the disputed transaction as a dividend from ITC to petitioner. On the record before us, we reject that argument. The disputed transaction did not involve the declaration of a dividend by ITC to petitioner. If we were to disregard the purported issuance and the purported immediate redemption of ITC's preferred stock, the steps of the disputed transaction that would remain are: (1) A purported loan by Royal Bank to ITC, (2) a purported repayment by ITC to petitioner of an outstanding loan from petitioner to ITC, and (3) a purported loan by petitioner to ITC in order to pay off the purported loan by Royal Bank to ITC. Petitioner cites no authority or facts that would support the recharacterization of those remaining steps as a dividend.↩
19. The reason for a possible redetermination of ITC's pool of foreign taxes disclosed in the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter was the possibility that, for reasons undisclosed by the record, a prior claimed dividend from ITC to petitioner would be characterized as a repayment of a loan and a reassessment by Canada of ITC's Canadian taxes.↩
20. As noted above, the purported redemption of ITC's preferred stock was disclosed in the October 11, 1996 disclosure letter. However, none of the remaining steps of the disputed transaction was disclosed in that letter.↩
21. July 1, 1993, was a bank holiday in Canada.↩
22. It is significant that the June 15, 1993 memorandum from Mr. Bond to Mr. Wettlaufer did not even outline the steps of the disputed transaction as they occurred. Instead, that memorandum referred to: (1) ITC's making a payment to petitioner on an outstanding loan; (2) a cash contribution to ITC by petitioner; (3) the declaration of a dividend by ITC to petitioner; and (4) petitioner's making a new loan to ITC in the first quarter of the next fiscal year.↩
23. It is significant that Mr. Bond's draft June 1993 file memorandum did not even outline the steps of the disputed transaction as they occurred. Instead, that memorandum referred to: (1) ITC's making a payment to petitioner on an outstanding loan; (2) a cash contribution to ITC by petitioner; (3) the declaration of a dividend by ITC to petitioner; and (4) petitioner's making a new loan to ITC.↩
24. At the time of the trial in this case, Mr. Saunders was performing services for petitioner under a consulting arrangement.↩
Document Info
Docket Number: No. 9599-02
Judges: "Chiechi, Carolyn P."
Filed Date: 1/5/2004
Precedential Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 4/18/2021