Forstmann v. Ferguson

BODINE, District Judge.

These suits are brought for the recovery of taxes improperly levied and assessed. Part of the money was paid to one collector and part to another. The jurisdiction is conceded.

In 1918 Mrs. Forstmann was the owner of two blocks of stock in the Forstmann & Huffman Company. The Alien Property Custodian, as a stockholder, brought two suits in this court against various parties. The important bearing is that dividends upon Mrs. Forstmann’s stock were, by court order, impounded in the treasury of the company. The dividends were, in 1919 $82,115, and in 1920 $113,150. Both were finally paid in 1921, with interest, after the suits had been dismissed.

Mrs. Forstmann, after receipt of the dividends, filed amended tax returns showing the dividends as additional income in each of the years when the same would have been received, but for the government’s restraining orders, and paid the taxes accordingly. The plaintiff was then assessed upon the dividends received in 1921, and an additional tax was accordingly levied. The government’s position is that the tax is upon income received, which is, of course, true; but the only thing which prevented an earlier receipt of the money was the government’s own acts. With one hand it deprived the plaintiff of her income, and with the other it levied a larger tax, when it permitted her to take her income, than could have been levied if the government had not stopped its receipt. The government not only taxes as Congress has authorized, but by deferring payment it takes a larger share than would have been possible but for the executive activities. Obviously the plaintiff is entitled to the refund of the taxes so improperly assessed.

The plaintiff, however, bases her right here to recover the taxes paid in excess of those which should have been levied against the Forstmann & Huffman Company as fiduciary, they having made returns. When the dividends were declared, they were held by the Forstmann & Huffman Company subject to the order of this court. They were income accumulated in trust for an unascertained person, and were also held £or future distribution, and as such were subject to taxation according to the provisions of the Revenue Act then in force. The obligation of the corporation was absolute, and the beneficiary, when she received the income, was relieved from further tax.

Judgment may be entered for the plaintiff for the sums paid, deducting, however, ths sums which should have been paid by the fiduciary.