1998 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 410">*419 D. PETITIONERS' GIFTS OF HOME AND ROCK HILL STOCKThe Helmlys made the following gifts of Home stock in 1992:
No. of shares | Donee | Percent of stock |
Gifts on 1/28/92: |
|
100 | Wanda Helmly Davis | .128% |
100 | Lisa Ann Helmly | .128 |
|
Gifts on 12/29/92: |
|
800 | Robert Helmly Jr., trust | 1.03 |
800 | William Helmly trust | 1.03 |
800 | Wanda Helmly Davis trust | 1.03 |
800 | Robert Helmly Jr., trust | 1.03 |
800 | William Helmly trust | 1.03 |
800 | Lisa Ann Helmly trust | 1.03 |
800 | Wanda Helmly Davis trust | 1.03 |
800 | Lisa Ann Helmly trust | 1.03 |
100 | Jason Cole Davis trust | .128 |
100 | Robin E. Helmly trust | .128 |
100 | Phallan Nicole Helmly trust | .128 |
100 | Arden Lin Helmly trust | .128 |
100 | William Travus Helmly trust | .128 |
100 | Preston Fhorest Helmly trust | .128 |
100 | Melissa Grace Davis | .128 |
Mary Anne and Frank Barnes made the following gifts of Rock Hill stock in 1992:
| | Percent of |
No. of shares | Donee | nonvotine stock |
Gifts on 12/22/92: |
|
1,470 | Frank S. Barnes III | .89% |
1,470 | Bryant G. Barnes | .89 |
1,470 | Anne B. Grant | .89 |
1,470 | Mary Lea B. Taylor | .89 |
|
Gifts on 12/30/92: |
|
80 | Rita B. Shaw, trust | .049 |
80 | James Bryant Grant trust | .049 |
80 | Benjamin Lea Grant trust | .049 |
80 | Catherine Iverson Grant trust | .049 |
80 | Michael Francis Taylor trust | .049 |
80 | Robert Graves Taylor trust | .049 |
80 | David Bryant Barnes trust | .049 |
80 | Emily Ann Barnes trust | .049 |
80 | Amanda Emily Barnes trust | .049 |
">*420 On December 30, 1992, Frank Barnes gave 6,000 shares of Rock Hill nonvoting common stock to Mary Anne Barnes. This stock was about 2.45 percent of the total authorized and issued common (both voting and nonvoting) stock, and about 3.64 percent of the total nonvoting common stock.
Louise and Edwin Barnes made the following gifts of Rock Hill stock on December 23, 1992:
| | Percent of |
No. of shares | Donee | stock |
1,900 | Susan B. Ellis | 1.15% |
1,900 | Frances T. Barnes | 1.15 |
1,900 | Edwin Barnes, Jr. | 1.15 |
On December 31, 1992, Edwin Barnes gave 4,500 shares of Rock Hill nonvoting common stock to Louise Barnes. This stock was about 1.84 percent of the total authorized and issued common (both voting and nonvoting) stock, and about 2.73 percent of the total nonvoting common stock.
Jean and John Barnes made the following gifts of Rock Hill stock on December 26, 1992:
| | Percent of |
No. of shares | Donee | stock |
1,900 | John Barnes, Jr. | 1.15% |
1,900 | Jean S. Barnes trust | 1.15 |
1,900 | Charles D. Barnes trust | 1.15 |
On December 31, 1992, John Barnes gave 4,500 shares of Rock Hill nonvoting common stock to Jean Barnes. This stock was about 1.84 percent of the total authorized and">*421 issued common (both voting and nonvoting) stock, and about 2.73 percent of the total nonvoting common stock.
Rock Hill stock and Home stock were not registered or traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, over the counter, or listed in National Quotation Bureau price reports (the pink sheets).
E. PETITIONERS' GIFT TAX RETURNS AND THE NOTICES OF DEFICIENCYThe Helmlys each agreed to treat each of their gifts as being made one-half by the other under section 2513. Mary Ann and Frank Barnes, Louise and Edwin Barnes, and Jean and John Barnes also elected to split their gifts under section 2513.
AUS Consultants, Valuation Services Group (AUS), 1998 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 410">*422 stock was $ 220 on December 1, 1992. Based on that estimate, Frank and Mary Anne Barnes each reported on their 1992 gift tax returns that the fair market value of Rock Hill's stock was $ 220 per share, and Louise and Edwin Barnes and John and Jean Barnes each reported on their 1992 gift tax returns that the fair market value of Rock Hill's stock was $ 221 per share.
II. OPINIONThe issues for decision are the fair market values of Home and Rock Hill stock that petitioners gave to their children and grandchildren in 1992.
A. FAIR MARKET VALUEFair market value is the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts. United States v. Cartwright, 411 U.S. 546">411 U.S. 546, 411 U.S. 546">551, 36 L. Ed. 2d 528">36 L. Ed. 2d 528, 93 S. Ct. 1713">93 S. Ct. 1713 (1973); sec. 25.2512-1, Gift Tax Regs. The fair market value of stock is a question of fact. Hamm v. Commissioner, 325 F.2d 934">325 F.2d 934, 325 F.2d 934">938 (8th Cir. 1963), affg. T.C. Memo 1961-347. If selling prices for stock in a closely held corporation which is not listed on any exchange are not">*423 available, then we decide its fair market value by considering factors such as the company's net worth, earning power, dividend-paying capacity, management, goodwill, position in the industry, the economic outlook in its industry, and the values of publicly traded stock of comparable corporations. Estate of Andrews v. Commissioner, 79 T.C. 938">79 T.C. 938, 79 T.C. 938">940 (1982); see sec. 25.2512-2(f), Gift Tax Regs. The weight to be given to these or other evidentiary factors depends on the facts of each case. Sec. 25.2512-2(f), Gift Tax Regs.
B. EXPERT TESTIMONYBoth parties called expert witnesses to give their opinions about the value of the Home and Rock Hill stock that petitioners gave to their children and grandchildren in 1992. We may accept or reject expert">*424 testimony according to our own judgment, and we may be selective in deciding what parts of an expert's opinion, if any, we will accept. Parker v. Commissioner, 86 T.C. 547">86 T.C. 547, 86 T.C. 547">562 (1986).
The expert witnesses at trial were: Dr. Scott D. Hakala (Hakala), for respondent, and George B. Hawkins (Hawkins), for petitioner. Their opinions and the positions of the parties as to the per share value of Home and Rock Hill stock at issue in these cases are as follows:
">*425 C. STOCK VALUES BEFORE CONSIDERING DISCOUNTS1. HAWKINS' ANALYSIS
We believe Hawkins appropriately used the income capitalization 1998 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 410">*426 dividend yield or capitalization of latest year's dividends, and dividend yield on capitalization for 3- year average dividends. He properly compared dividends paid by Home and Rock Hill to those paid by the guideline companies, excluding special nonrecurring dividends.
2. IMPORTANCE OF DIVIDEND YIELD
Respondent contends that Hawkins gave too much weight to the capitalization of dividends and the capitalization of 3-year average dividends multiples. Respondent points out that section 25.2512-2(f)(2), Gift Tax Regs., and Rev. Rul. 59-60, 1959-1 C.B. 237, state that dividend-paying capacity should be considered in estimating the value of closely held stock, and that the regulation does not say to consider actual dividends. Respondent contends that the capitalization of dividends method is unreliable and rarely used because the payment of dividends allegedly has little effect on the price of stock. We disagree.
Hawkins gave more weight to actual dividends than to price to earnings and price to gross cash-flow ratios because Home and Rock Hill have significantly lower dividend payout ratios than the guideline companies. The dividend payout rates">*427 1998 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 410">*428 significant factor because they are the principal means by which a prospective shareholder could obtain a return on his or her investment in Home and Rock Hill.
Where there are no sales available from which to ascertain the fair market value of closely held stock, courts have considered the amount of dividends which the corporation has paid. See Estate of Newhouse v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 193">94 T.C. 193, 94 T.C. 193">217 (1990); Estate of Leyman v. Commissioner, 40 T.C. 100">40 T.C. 100, 40 T.C. 100">119 (1963), remanded on other grounds 344 F.2d 763">344 F.2d 763 (6th Cir. 1965); Estate of Tebb v. Commissioner, 27 T.C. 671">27 T.C. 671, 27 T.C. 671">675 (1957); Estate of Oman v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1987-71 (Government expert used valuation based in part on capitalization of dividends). Dividends paid can be more important than dividend-paying capacity in appraising minority interests because a minority shareholder cannot force the company to pay dividends even if it has the capacity to do so. Pratt, Valuing a Business: The Analysis and Appraisal of Closely Held Companies 227 (1996).
Respondent relies on Driver v. United States, 1976 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13277">1976 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13277, 76-2 U.S. Tax Cas. (CCH) P13,155, 38 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 6315 (W.D. Wis. 1976),">*429 for the proposition that dividends are not a significant factor in valuing closely held stock. In Driver, the decedent made gifts of a majority of the stock in a closely held telephone company in Wisconsin. The donee of the stock in Driver received a majority interest in and control of the company; in contrast, the donees of Rock Hill nonvoting stock had no right to participate in any decision related to the company, and the donees of Home stock had about 1 percent of the voting stock. Thus, the donees here could not force the companies to pay dividends or salaries.
3. SMALL STOCK PREMIUM
Hawkins included a small stock premium Estate of Jung v. Commissioner, 101 T.C. 412">101 T.C. 412, 101 T.C. 412">444 (1993), we declined to apply a small stock premium because the taxpayer's expert did not provide evidence that an investment in the corporation in question was riskier simply because of its small size. Like the expert in Estate of Jung, Hawkins did not show that Home and Rock Hill">*430 were riskier merely because they are small. On the contrary, he concluded that Home and Rock Hill are financially sound and that investments in Home and Rock Hill were much less risky than in other comparably sized companies since the business of Home and Rock Hill is highly regulated.
4. HAKALA'S ANALYSIS
We believe that Hakala did not adequately consider that: (a) Neither Home nor Rock Hill stock is likely to be sold, (b) the Barnes and Helmly families intend to retain control of their companies, (c) Home and Rock Hill paid low dividends, (d) Rock Hill nonvoting stock had no right to participate in any decision related to the company and Home voting stock had about a 1-percent vote that was ineffectual, and (e) an owner of a 1-percent interest in either Home or Rock Hill would find it hard to resell his or her interest. Hakala admitted that Rock ">*431 Hill will not be sold or taken public.
Hakala used the market or guideline company approach to estimate the value of Home and Rock Hill stock, but he excluded three companies that Hawkins used as comparables 1998 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 410">*432 conclude that Hawkins' methodology was reasonable, except for his use of a small company stock premium.
D. DISCOUNTS1. LACK OF MARKETABILITY
A discount for lack of marketability may apply to minority interests in closely held corporations because there is no ready market for those shares. Estate of Andrews v. Commissioner, 79 T.C. 938">79 T.C. 953. Respondent agrees that petitioners are entitled to lack of marketability discounts for Home and Rock Hill stock.
Hawkins applied a 40-percent discount for lack of marketability to his estimate of the value ($ 360.93) of the Home stock, and a 45-percent discount to the value ($ 337.87) of the Rock Hill stock. Hakala applied discounts of 25 percent for lack of marketability to his estimate of the values of the Home ($ 518) and Rock Hill ($ 546) stock.
We agree with Hawkins' use of 40 and 45 percent discounts because: (a) The Barnes family has controlled Rock Hill for 80 years and the Helmly and Barnes families have controlled Home for 50 years; (b) both families intend to keep control of the companies; (c) the families have taken steps such as implementing a voting trust, bringing the younger generations into">*433 the business, and buying insurance to avoid having to sell shares to pay death taxes; (d) Home and Rock Hill pay much lower dividends than the guideline companies; 1998 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 410">*434 profitability, history, risk, speculativeness, or growth. However, Hakala also failed to compare the companies in the studies to Home and Rock Hill on those points.
Hawkins and Hakala mostly cited the same studies. Hakala cited eight studies in which the average discount for lack of marketability ranged from 30 percent to 60 percent. He acknowledged that the typical discount cited for restricted stock Wallace v. United States, 566 F. Supp. 904">566 F. Supp. 904, 566 F. Supp. 904">917 (D. Mass. 1981) (voting shares appraised 5 percent higher than nonvoting shares); Kosman v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1996-112 (nonvoting ">*435 shares discounted by 4 percent); Estate of Winkler v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1989-231.
Hawkins applied a discount of 3.66 percent for lack of voting power to the value ($ 337.87) of the Rock Hill stock. Hawkins based this discount on a study of 43 public companies with voting and nonvoting shares. The study found that the average discount for nonvoting stock was 3.66 percent. Hakala discounted the nonvoting stock of Rock Hill by an additional 5 percent. We find that Hawkins' use of a 3.66-percent discount for nonvoting stock was reasonable.
3. CONCLUSION -- DISCOUNTS
Based on the arguments of the parties and the record, we conclude that discounts for lack of marketability of 40 percent for the Home stock and 45 percent for the Rock Hill stock are appropriate. We further conclude that a 3.66-percent discount for nonvoting stock is appropriate for the Rock Hill stock. See Estate of Lauder v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1994-527 (40% discount for lack of liquidity or marketability); Martin v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1985-424 (70% discount for marketability/minority considerations).
E. CONCLUSIONWe conclude">*436 that the fair market value per share of the stock of Home that the Helmlys gave to their children and grandchildren was $ 227.41 per share in January and December 1992, and that the fair market value of the stock of Rock Hill that the Barneses gave to their children was $ 201.12 per share on December 22, 23, and 26, 1992, and $ 193.34 per share on December 30, 1992. Footnotes
1. Cases of the following petitioners are consolidated herewith: John M. Barnes, Donor, docket No. 13851-96; Edwin L. Barnes, Donor, docket No. 13852-96; Frank S. Barnes, Jr., Donor, docket No. 13856-96; Mary Anne G. Barnes, Donor, docket No. 13857-96; Jean D. Barnes, Donor, docket No. 13896-96; Vera W. Helmly, Donor, docket No. 14049-96; and Robert L. Helmly, Donor, docket No. 14050-96.↩
2. On Dec. 22, 1992, immediately before the gifts in question, the voting common stock of Rock Hill was held as, follows:
↩ | Number of | |
Stockholder | shares | Percentage |
Estate of Ladson A. Barnes | 33,348 | 41.69% |
Edwin L. Barnes | 13,866 | 17.33 |
John M. Barnes | 13,867 | 17.33 |
Frank S. Barnes, Jr. | 13,867 | 17.33 |
Rebecca B. Francis, Trustee | 3,000 | 3.75 |
for Ladson Barnes, Jr., Trust |
Oma W. Barnes | 1,655 | 2.07 |
Ladson A. Barnes, Jr. | 397 | .50 |
|
Total | 80,000 | 100.00% |
3. On Dec. 22, 1992, immediately before the gifts in question, the nonvoting common stock of Rock Hill was held as follows:
↩ | Number of | |
Stockholder | shares | Percentage |
Estate of Ladson A. Barnes | 68,198 | 41.39% |
Edwin L. Barnes | 18,893 | 11.47 |
John M. Barnes | 18,156 | 11.02 |
Frank S. Barnes, Jr. | 18,198 | 11.05 |
Rebecca B. Francis, Trustee | 0 | 0 |
Oma W. Barnes | 3,262 | 1.98 |
Ladson A. Barnes, Jr. | 6,340 | 3.85 |
Edwin L. Barnes, Jr. | 1,536 | 0.93 |
Mary Lea B. Tyler | 1,645 | 1.00 |
Estate of Francis M. Barnes | 13,642 | 8.28 |
Charles Douglas Barnes | 1,831 | 1.11 |
Anne B. Grant | 1,645 | 1.00 |
Bryant G. Barnes | 1.620 | 0.98 |
Frank S. Barnes, III | 1,620 | 0.98 |
Mary Anne G. Barnes | 430 | 0.26 |
Louise B. Barnes | 580 | 0.35 |
Susan Sanders Barnes | 1,500 | 0.91 |
Frances Talbert Barnes | 1,536 | 0.93 |
Jean D. Barnes | 430 | 0.26 |
John M. Barnes, Jr. | 1,831 | 1.11 |
J. Barnes, Jr., & C. Barnes, |
Trustees | 338 | 0.21 |
Jean S. Barnes | 1,493 | 0.91 |
Susan B. Ellis | 36 | 0.02 |
|
Total | 164,760 | 100.00% |
4. Rock Hill's financial statement for 1987 and 1988 audited by KPMG Peat Marwick shows capital expenses of $ 5,410,879 for 1988. The audited financial statement for 1988 and 1989 shows capital expenses of $ 5,680,152 for 1988. The record does not explain the $ 269,273 difference.↩
1. This includes $ 8 for a special nonrecurring dividend which Rock Hill declared on Dec. 29, 1992, payable on Dec. 30, 1992.↩
5. Immediately before the gifts in question, Home common stock was held as follows:
↩Shareholder | Number of shares | Percentage |
Rock Hill | 38,800 | 49.77% |
Robert L. Helmly, Sr. | 11,772 | 15.10 |
Vera W. Helmly | 4,145 | 5.32 |
Edwin L. Barnes | 2,073 | 2.66 |
John M. Barnes | 1,890 | 2.42 |
Frank S. Barnes, Jr. | 1,626 | 2.09 |
D.C. Bishop | 1,600 | 2.05 |
Estate of Harold H. Harvey | 1,600 | 2.05 |
F.M. and Winona Peagler | 1,200 | 1.54 |
Lisa Helmly | 1,045 | 1.34 |
John C. Guerry, Sr. | 1,000 | 1.28 |
Wanda Helmly Davis | 840 | 1.08 |
Ladson A. Barnes, Jr. | 814 | 1.04 |
Richard E. Briscoe | 800 | 1.03 |
Robert L. Helmly, Jr. | 780 | 1.00 |
Rebecca B. Francis, Trustee | 721 | 0.92 |
William Shellie Helmly | 680 | 0.87 |
Sara Helmly Carroll | 505 | 0.65 |
Dozier H. Helmly | 500 | 0.64 |
Jewel O. Helmly | 500 | 0.64 |
Estate of Francis M. Barnes | 460 | 0.59 |
Bryant G. Barnes | 320 | 0.41 |
Frank S. Barnes, III | 320 | 0.41 |
Estate of Ladson A. Barnes | 320 | 0.41 |
George F. Briscoe | 320 | 0.41 |
Ann Fishburne Briscoe | 320 | 0.41 |
Richard E. Briscoe, III | 320 | 0.41 |
Mary Anne G. Barnes | 282 | 0.36 |
Stephen Shellie Helmly | 240 | 0.31 |
Winona H. Peagler | 228 | 0.29 |
Mary Elizabeth Williams |
Littlefield | 160 | 0.21 |
Charles D. Barnes | 138 | 0.18 |
John M. Barnes, Jr. | 138 | 0.18 |
Jean S. Barnes | 137 | 0.18 |
Wandell K. Harvey | 116 | 0.15 |
Carroll H. Harvey | 114 | 0.15 |
Troy M. Harvey | 114 | 0.15 |
Bennie H. Ordel | 114 | 0.15 |
Patricia H. Welch | 114 | 0.15 |
Lila G. Bobo | 110 | 0.14 |
Edwin L. Barnes, Jr. | 104 | 0.13 |
Frances T. Barnes | 104 | 0.13 |
Susan S. Barnes | 104 | 0.13 |
S.A. or Virginia Helmly | 100 | 0.13 |
Mary Lea Tyler | 100 | 0.13 |
Jean D. Barnes | 82 | 0.11 |
Julie Elizabeth Helmly | 80 | 0.10 |
Melissa Grace Davis | 10 | 0.01 |
Total | 77,960 | 100.00% |
2. This includes $ 13 for a special nonrecurring dividend resulting from concerns about impending tax law changes.↩
1. This includes $ 12 for a special nonrecurring dividend resulting from the sale of Home's inter-est in Telecom U.S.A.↩
6. The AUS appraisals were admitted into evidence for the limited purpose of showing that they were sources fo the factual descriptions of Home and Rock Hill used in the report prepared by respondent's expert.↩
7. Petitioners bear the burden of proving that respondent's determinations in the notices of deficiency are erroneous, 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), and respondent bears the burden of proving the increased gift tax deficiencies resulting from respondent's amended answers. Rule 142(a). However, on this record, our conclusions are not affected by who bears the burden of proof.
1. Hawkins said that Rock Hill stock was worth $ 179.03 per share as of Dec. 30, 1992, because of the $ 8 special dividend payable on Dec. 30, 1992.↩
8. The income capitalization method is used to estimate the fair market value of income-producing property by considering the present value of the future stream of income to be produced by that property. See Estate of Bennett v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1989-681, affd. 935 F.2d 1285">935 F.2d 1285↩ (4th Cir. 1991).
9. The market value or public guideline company method is used to estimate the fair market value of a company's stock by comparing it with the stock of similar, publicly traded (i.e., "guideline") companies.↩
10. Dividend payout equals dividends (excluding special dividends) per share divided by the net income available per share. It measures the extent to which the company pays its earnings to shareholders.↩
11. A small stock premium is an increase in the discount rate used to capitalize the earnings of the stock of small companies (smaller than S&P 500) on the theory that their average rates of return are higher than thos of large companies. See Pratt, Valuing a Business: The Analysis and Appraisal of Closely Held Companies 165 (1996).↩
12. Hakala did not use as comparables Concord Telephone, Mid-Plains Telephone, and North Pittsburgh Systems.↩
13. We denied respondent's posttrial motion to reopen the record to supplement Hakala's report because of the risk of prejudice to petitioners.↩
14. Stocks with low dividends typically suffer more from lack of marketability than stocks with high dividends. Pratt, supra at 358.↩
15. Under SEC Rule 144(b), 17 C.F.R. sec. 230.144 (1984)↩, restricted securities eventually become freely tradeable through either registration or the passage of time.
16. The values of Home and Rock Hill stock reported on petitioners' returns ($ 230 and $ 220 $ 221 respectively) are admissions by petitioners and will not be overcome without cogent evidence that they are wrong. Waring v. Commissioner, 412 F.2d 800">412 F.2d 800, 412 F.2d 800">801 (3d Cir. 1969), affg. per curiam T.C. Memo 1968-126; Estate of Hall v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 312">92 T.C. 312, 92 T.C. 312">337-338↩ (1989). Petitioners have met this burden.
Document Info
Docket Number: Tax Ct. Dkt. No. 13850-96. Docket No. 13851-96, 13852-96, 13856-96, 13857-96, 13896-96, 14049-96, 14050-96.
Citation Numbers: 76 T.C.M. 881, 1998 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 410, 1998 T.C. Memo. 413
Judges: COLVIN
Filed Date: 11/17/1998
Precedential Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 4/18/2021