Stephen and Ann Schwalbach v. Commissioner

111 T.C. No. 9UNITED STATES TAX COURT
STEPHEN AND ANN SCHWALBACH, Petitioners v.
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Docket No. 17502-97. Filed September 8, 1998.
Ps rented a building to a personal service
corporation for use in a business activity in which P
materially participated. On Ps' 1994 Federal income
tax return, Ps offset the rental income with unrelated
passive losses. Relying on secs. 1.469-2(f)(6) and
1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., R determined that Ps
could not offset the rental income with the passive
losses because the rental income was recharacterized as
nonpassive income. Ps argue that sec. 1.469-2(f)(6),
Income Tax Regs., is invalid as applied to them because
the meaning of the word "activity" as used therein does
not include attributing a C corporation's activity to a
material participant in that activity without reference
to sec. 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., which, Ps argue,
is invalid because R prescribed the rules of that
section without complying with the notice and comment
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA),
5 U.S.C. sec. 553(b) and (c) (1994).
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Held: R complied with the notice and comment
requirements of the APA, id., when R prescribed sec.
1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., and neither that section
nor sec. 1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs., is invalid
due to a lack of compliance with those requirements.
Jay B. Kelly, for petitioners.
Blaine C. Holiday, for respondent.
LARO, Judge: Petitioners petitioned the Court to
redetermine respondent's determination of an $11,869 deficiency
in their 1994 Federal income tax and a $2,374 accuracy-related
penalty under section 6662(a). Following concessions by
petitioners, the primary issue left to be decided is whether
sections 1.469-2(f)(6) and 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., are
valid as applied to recharacterize the rental income of an
individual who rents property to a personal service corporation
for use in a business in which the individual materially
participates. We hold they are. We also decide whether
petitioners are liable for the accuracy-related penalty
determined by respondent. We hold they are not. Unless
otherwise indicated, section references are to the Internal
Revenue Code in effect for the subject year. Rule references are
to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure. Dollar amounts
are rounded to the nearest dollar.
FINDINGS OF FACT
Some facts have been stipulated. The stipulations of fact
and the exhibits submitted therewith are incorporated herein by
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this reference. Petitioners resided in River Falls, Wisconsin,
when they petitioned the Court. They filed a joint 1994 Federal
income tax return which was prepared by a certified public
accountant (the C.P.A.). Petitioners presented the C.P.A. with
all relevant information to prepare the return, and he prepared
the return based on his understanding of the tax law. As of the
time that the C.P.A. prepared the return, he had been practicing
accountancy as a C.P.A. for approximately 20 years, and he had
performed work for petitioners, including preparing their
individual and business tax returns, for at least 16 years.
Petitioners rely on the C.P.A. for business and tax advice.
Stephen Schwalbach (Dr. Schwalbach) practices dentistry in
River Falls. He is employed full time by Associated Dentists of
River Falls, f.k.a. River Falls Dental Association (Associated
Dentists), a personal service corporation that he owns equally
with another dentist named Timothy Knotek. Associated Dentists'
business is based in a building (the River Falls building) owned
by petitioners and let to Associated Dentists under a lease dated
January 1, 1992.
Petitioners' 1994 Schedule E, Supplemental Income and Loss,
reported net income of $50,556 on the rental of the River Falls
building to Associated Dentists. This schedule also reported
that petitioners had realized a $1,670 loss renting a commercial
building sited in Hudson, Wisconsin, and that they had realized
$877 of net income renting a residential house sited in River
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Falls. Petitioners also reported on this schedule that they had
realized a $10,148 passive loss on an investment in an S
corporation named Golfview Heights, Inc., and that they had
realized a $6,297 passive loss on an investment in a partnership
named South Main Dental Partners. Petitioners took into account
all these items of income and loss, the effect of which was that
they reported net passthrough and rental income of $33,318
($50,556 + ($10,148) + ($6,297) + ($1,670) + $877).
Respondent determined that the three losses aggregating
$18,115 (($10,148) + ($6,297) + ($1,670)) could offset only the
$877 gain, resulting in an adjustment (increase) in income of
$17,238. According to the notice of deficiency:
On Schedule E, Part I of your 1994 return, in regards
to property B [i.e., the River Falls building], you
reported a net profit of $50,556. This property is
related to your corporation for which you are a
material participant. You further offset passive
losses of $16,445 from other companies shown on
Schedule E, Part II against the non-passive income from
related property B. Internal Revenue Code section 469
changes the net income from the related rental property
B from non-passive to passive income.[1]
Further, on Schedule E, Part V of your 1994 return,
your total net profit that you reported on your return
was $33,318. However, it has been determined that your
total net profit on Schedule E is $50,556. Your
increase in net profit of $17,238 is based on the
unallowable loss of $17,238 * * * as summarized below.
1
Actually, the regulations under sec. 469 change the net
income from the rental property from passive to nonpassive
income. Based on our reading of the entire notice of deficiency,
we conclude that respondent's mischaracterization in the notice
of deficiency is merely a typographical error.
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Therefore, your taxable income for 1994 is increased by
$17,238.
Passive losses as corrected:
Loss from Schedule E, Property A, Part I $1,670
Loss from Schedule E, Part II 16,445
Total corrected passive losses 18,115
Allowable passive income:
Profit from Schedule E, Property C, Part I 877
Unallowable loss 17,238
On June 21, 1993, Dr. Schwalbach paid $16,050 for a 5/6
interest in 6,000 shares of stock in a corporation named
Impression Delivery Corp. (Impression); the total purchase price
was $19,266. Approximately 3 weeks later, the 6,000 shares were
sold for $7,374, and 6 days after the sale, Dr. Schwalbach
purchased an interest in another 4,100 shares of Impression.
Petitioners did not recognize a loss in 1993 on the sale of the
stock because the C.P.A. considered the purchase-sale-purchase as
a "wash sale" under section 1091. In 1994, petitioners, upon the
advice of the C.P.A., reported a short-term capital loss of
$16,050 on their 1994 Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses, with
respect to Impression's stock. The C.P.A. rendered his advice
after ascertaining that Impression had ceased operations and was
facing litigation over allegedly fraudulent practices.
Respondent disallowed the $16,050 loss reported by
petitioners. According to the notice of deficiency, "It has not
been established that the company known as Impression Delivery
Corp. was insolvent or out of business in the year 1994.
Further, it has not been established that you had an adjusted
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basis in this company in order to claim this loss." Petitioners
concede that they may not deduct this loss for 1994.
Respondent also determined that petitioners were liable for
the accuracy-related penalty under section 6662(a), on account of
negligence. Respondent determined that this penalty applied to
the total underpayment shown in the notice of deficiency. The
total underpayment was attributable to the disallowed capital
loss, the increased income from the passive loss adjustment, and
two de minimis computational adjustments.
OPINION
The instant dispute involves the recharacterization rule of
section 1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs., and the attribution rule
of section 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs. Respondent used these
rules to recharacterize petitioners' rental income from the River
Falls building from passive income to nonpassive income.
Petitioners do not argue that respondent misapplied these rules
or that the Commissioner lacked the authority to prescribe them.
Petitioners' sole argument is that section 1.469-2(f)(6),
Income Tax Regs., is invalid as applied to them because,
petitioners allege, the Commissioner prescribed section
1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., which is necessary to apply the
recharacterization rule to a material participant of a C
corporation's activity, without complying with the notice and
comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA),
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5 U.S.C. sec. 553(b) and (c) (1994). The notice and comment
requirements of the APA provide:
(b) General notice of proposed rule making shall
be published in the Federal Register * * *. The notice
shall include--
(1) a statement of the time, place, and
nature of public rule making proceedings;
(2) reference to the legal authority
under which the rule is proposed; and
(3) either the terms or substance of the
proposed rule or a description of the
subjects and issues involved.
Except when notice or hearing is required by statute,
this subsection does not apply--
(A) to interpretative rules, general
statements of policy, or rules of agency
organization, procedure, or practice; or
(B) when the agency for good cause finds
(and incorporates the finding and a brief
statement of reasons therefor in the rules
issued) that notice and public procedure
thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or
contrary to the public interest.
(c) After notice required by this section, the
agency shall give interested persons an opportunity to
participate in the rule making through submission of
written data, views, or arguments with or without
opportunity for oral presentation. After consideration
of the relevant matter presented, the agency shall
incorporate in the rules adopted a concise general
statement of their basis and purpose. * * * [5 U.S.C.
sec. 553(b) and (c).]
We disagree with petitioners' assertion that sections
1.469-2(f)(6) and 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., are invalid when
applied to a material participant of an activity conducted by a
C corporation. Section 1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs., was
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prescribed by the Commissioner under the broad regulatory
authority that Congress delegated to him through sections
469(l)(1) and 7805,2 T.D. 8417, 1992-1 C.B. 173-174, and is
effective for taxable years ending after May 10, 1992, sec.
1.469-11(a)(1), Income Tax Regs. That section provides in
relevant part:
§ 1.469-2. Passive activity loss.-- * * *
* * * * * * *
(f)(6) Property rented to a nonpassive activity.
An amount of the taxpayer's gross rental activity
income for the taxable year from an item of property
equal to the net rental activity income for the year
2
In relevant part, sec. 469(l) provides:
(l) Regulations.--The Secretary [or his delegate,
see sec. 7701(a)(11)(B)] shall prescribe such
regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry
out provisions of * * * section [469], including
regulations--
(1) which specify what constitutes an
activity, material participation, or active
participation for purposes of this section,
(2) which provide that certain items of
gross income will not be taken into account
in determining income or loss from any
activity * * *,
(3) requiring net income or gain from a
limited partnership or other passive activity
to be treated as not from a passive activity
* * *
Sec. 7805(a) generally provides that the "Secretary * * * [or his
delegate, see sec. 7701(a)(11)(B)] shall prescribe all needful
rules and regulations for the enforcement of [the Internal
Revenue Code]".
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from that item of property is treated as not from a
passive activity if the property--
(i) Is rented for use in a trade or
business activity * * * in which the
taxpayer materially participates * * * for
the taxable year; * * *
The fact that section 1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs, was
prescribed by the Commissioner pursuant in part to the specific
grant of authority stated in section 469(l)(1), and that section
1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs., contains substantive rules that
are legislative in character, means that the promulgation of
section 1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs., is not excepted from the
notice and comment requirements of the APA, supra. See Chevron,
U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S.
837, 843-844 (1984); Bankers Life & Cas. Co. v. United States,
142 F.3d 973, 978-979 (7th Cir. 1998); Water Quality Association
Employees' Benefit Corp. v. United States, 795 F.2d 1303, 1305
(7th Cir. 1986); Wing v. Commissioner, 81 T.C. 17, 28 (1983); see
also Schaefer v. Commissioner, 105 T.C. 227, 229-231 (1995) (sec.
1.469-2T(c)(7)(iv), Temporary Income Tax Regs., 53 Fed. Reg.
5686, 5716 (Feb. 25, 1988), is a legislative regulation because
it was issued under the specific grant of authority contained in
sec. 469(l)(2)).
Section 1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs., was issued on
May 15, 1992, and it reads nearly verbatim as it appeared when it
was proposed on February 25, 1988. See Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, 53 Fed. Reg. 5733 (Feb. 25, 1988) (text of section
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1.469-2T(f)(6), Temporary Income Tax Regs., 53 Fed. Reg. 5686,
5723 (Feb. 25, 1988), served as the text of the proposed
regulations). The notice of proposed rulemaking complied with
the notice and comment requirements of the APA, supra; inter
alia, it set forth by cross-reference the substance of the
proposed regulations, including the subjects, issues, and rules
involved, and it invited written comments. 53 Fed. Reg. 5733.
The notice of proposed rulemaking also invited requests for a
public hearing and stated that a public hearing would be held,
upon the request of any commentator, at a time and place to be
published in the Federal Register. Id.Section 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., was prescribed by the
Commissioner under the broad regulatory authority that Congress
delegated to him through sections 469(l) and 7805, T.D. 8565,
1994-2 C.B. 81, 83, and is generally effective for taxable years
ending after May 10, 1992, sec. 1.469-11(a)(1), Income Tax Regs.
Section 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., provides:
§ 1.469-4. Definition of activity.--(a) Scope and
purpose. This section sets forth the rules for
grouping a taxpayer's trade or business activities and
rental activities for purposes of applying the passive
activity loss and credit limitation rules of section
469. A taxpayer's activities include those conducted
through C corporations that are subject to section 469
* * *. [Sec. 1.469-1T(b)(4), Temporary Income Tax
Regs., 53 Fed. Reg. 5686, 5701 (Feb. 25, 1988),
provides that a C corporation is subject to section 469
if it is a personal service corporation.]
The second sentence of section 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs.,
which contains the attribution rule in dispute, is a change from
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two previous sets of proposed regulations which the Commissioner
issued to define the word "activity". With respect to both sets
of proposed regulations, the Commissioner issued a notice of
proposed rulemaking that set forth (either in the document or by
cross-reference to another document) the substance of the
proposed regulations, including the subjects, issues, and rules
involved, and invited written comments and requests for a public
hearing.3 54 Fed. Reg. 20606 (May 12, 1989) (first set of
proposed regulations); 57 Fed. Reg. 20802 (May 15, 1992) (second
set of proposed regulations). The notice of proposed rulemaking
on the first set of proposed regulations stated that a public
hearing would be held, upon the request of any commentator, at a
time and place to be published in the Federal Register. 54 Fed.
Reg. 20606-20607. The notice of proposed rulemaking on the
second set of proposed regulations referenced a separate document
that stated that the Commissioner was holding a hearing on the
proposed regulations on July 24, 1992, at 1:30 p.m., in room
7400, Internal Revenue Service Building, 1111 Constitution
Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 57 Fed. Reg. 20805. On June 15,
1992, the Commissioner announced that the hearing had been
3
When the Commissioner issued the notice of proposed
rulemaking on the first set of proposed regulations, he also
issued temporary regulations defining the word "activity". See
sec. 1.469-4T, Temporary Income Tax Regs., 54 Fed. Reg. 20527,
20542 (May 12, 1989). The text of the temporary regulations
served as the text of the proposed regulations. 54 Fed. Reg.
20527, 20606.
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changed to September 3, 1992, at 10 a.m., in room 2615, Internal
Revenue Service Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 57 Fed. Reg. 23356 (June 3, 1992). As is true
in the case of section 1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs., the fact
that section 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs, was prescribed by the
Commissioner pursuant in part to the specific grant of authority
stated in section 469(l), and that section 1.469-4(a), Income Tax
Regs., contains substantive rules that are legislative in
character, means that the promulgation of section 1.469-4(a),
Income Tax Regs., is not excepted from the notice and comment
requirements of the APA, 5 U.S.C. sec. 553(b) and (c) (1994).
See Chevron, U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council,
Inc., 467 U.S. at 843-844; Bankers Life & Cas. Co. v. United
States, 142 F.3d at 978-979; Water Quality Association Employees'
Benefit Corp. v. United States, 795 F.2d at 1305; Wing v.
Commissioner, 81 T.C. at 28; see also Schaefer v. Commissioner,
105 T.C. at 229-231 (sec. 1.469-2T(c)(7)(iv), Temporary Income
Tax Regs., 53 Fed. Reg. 5716, is a legislative regulation because
it was issued under the specific grant of authority contained in
sec. 469(l)(2)).
Section 469, the section of the Code to which sections
1.469-2(f)(6) and 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., relate, was
enacted by Congress as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA),
Pub. L. 99-514, sec. 501(a), 100 Stat. 2085, 2233, in response to
congressional concern that certain categories of taxpayers were
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engaging in activities which generated losses in order to use
those losses to escape taxation on income from unrelated
activities. See Schaefer v. Commissioner, 105 T.C. at 230.
Section 469, which is generally effective for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1986, TRA sec. 501(c)(1), 100 Stat.
2241, was designed by Congress to thwart a taxpayer's attempt to
reduce taxable income by losses which were attributable to
activities in which the taxpayer did not materially participate;
i.e., passive activities. Section 469 generally prevents a
taxpayer from deducting passive activity losses from income
unrelated to a passive activity, requiring that passive losses be
used only to offset passive income. A passive activity loss
includes all losses from passive activities, and a rental
activity is generally defined by section 469(c)(2) to be a
"passive activity". Passive income does not include certain
types of income such as portfolio income (i.e., interest,
dividends, annuities, or royalties), gain on the disposition of
property, and earned income. Sec. 469(e).
The linchpin of section 469 is the determination of each
activity in which a taxpayer participates, and Congress delegated
to the Commissioner the responsibility of prescribing the meaning
of the word "activity". See sec. 469(l)(1). The first set of
proposed regulations set forth a voluminous and complex
mechanical test for determining a taxpayer's activities. See
54 Fed. Reg. 20527, 20606 (May 12, 1989); see also sec. 1.469-4T,
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Temporary Income Tax Regs., 54 Fed. Reg. 20543 (serves as text of
proposed regulations). As applicable herein, section
1.469-4T(b)(2)(ii)(B), Temporary Income Tax Regs., 54 Fed. Reg.
20543, provided:
(B) Operations conducted through
nonpassthrough entities. For purposes of
applying section 469 and the regulations
thereunder, a taxpayer's activities do not
include operations that the taxpayer conducts
through one or more entities (other than
passthrough entities). The following example
illustrates the operation of this paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(B):
Example. (i) A, an individual, owns
stock of X, a closely held corporation * * *
that is directly engaged in the conduct of a
real estate development business. A
participates in X's real estate development
business, but does not own any interest in
the business other than through ownership of
the stock of X.
(ii) X is subject to section 469 * * *
and does not hold the real estate development
business through another entity.
Accordingly, for purposes of section 469 and
the regulations thereunder, the operations of
X's real estate development business are
treated as part of X's activities.
(iii) A is also subject to section 469 *
* *, but A's only interest in the real estate
development business is held through X. X is
a C corporation and therefore is not a
passthrough entity. Thus, for purposes of
section 469 and the regulations thereunder,
A's activities do not include the operations
of X's real estate development business.
Accordingly, A's participation in X's
business is not participation in an activity
of A, and is not taken into account in
determining whether A materially participates
* * * or significantly participates * * * in
any activity. * * *
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Following comments and a hearing on the first set of
proposed regulations, see Announcement 89-110, 1989-36 I.R.B. 27(Sept. 5, 1989), the Commissioner withdrew the proposed
regulations and allowed the related temporary regulations to
expire under the 3-year sunset provision of section 7805(e)(2).
See 57 Fed. Reg. 20803. The Commissioner's actions were driven,
in part, by public criticism that the proposed regulations were
"overly long and complex, burdensome for small taxpayers, and
mechanically inflexible." Id. Contemporaneously with the
withdrawal of the proposed regulations, the Commissioner, on May
15, 1992, issued a second set of proposed regulations defining
the word "activity". 57 Fed. Reg. 20802. In contrast with the
first set, the second set contained a simple "facts-and-
circumstances approach to identify a taxpayer's activities." Id.In further contrast with the first set of proposed regulations,
the second set did not address the treatment of activities which
were conducted through a C corporation in which the taxpayer
owned an interest.
The Commissioner finalized the proposed regulations defining
the word "activity" in late 1994 to read in relevant part as set
forth above in section 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs. T.D. 8565,
1994-2 C.B. 81, 83. Before doing so, the Commissioner considered
the comments that were proffered on the subject. 59 Fed. Reg.
50485, 50486 (Oct. 4, 1994). As was true with respect to the
first set of proposed regulations, but which was untrue with
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respect to the second set, the final regulations addressed the
treatment of activities which were conducted through a C
corporation. In a complete reversal from the position stated in
the first set of proposed regulations, the final regulations
provided an attribution rule under which a taxpayer's activities
include activities conducted through a C corporation subject to
section 469. Sec. 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs. In line with
this attribution rule, the preamble to the final regulations
stated:
A commentator requested clarification on whether
activities conducted through a C corporation may be
grouped with activities not conducted through the C
corporation. The final regulations clarify that in
determining whether a taxpayer materially or
significantly participates in an activity, a taxpayer
may group that activity with activities conducted
through C corporations that are subject to section 469
(that is, personal service and closely held C
corporations). [T.D. 8565, 1994-2 C.B. at 82.]
As we understand the thrust of petitioners' argument, an
application of section 1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs., to the
material participant of a C corporation activity is vague
because, absent regulations, the meaning of the word "activity"
does not attribute to an individual the activities of a C
corporation. According to petitioners, the breadth of the word
"activity" must be known in order to apply the rules of section
469 and the regulations thereunder, and the Commissioner did not
settle on a meaning for that word until he issued section
1.469-4, Income Tax Regs., in 1994. Even then, petitioners
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claim, the attribution rule set forth in section 1.469-4(a),
Income Tax Regs., is a substantial change from the rules set
forth in the proposed regulations, which, petitioners allege,
means that the Commissioner should have given notice and allowed
comment on the attribution rule pursuant to the APA, 5 U.S.C.
sec. 553(b) and (c) (1994). Because the Commissioner did not,
petitioners conclude, the attribution rule of section 1.469-4(a),
Income Tax Regs., is invalid, which, in turn, invalidates the
recharacterization rule of section 1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax
Regs., to the extent that it attributes the activities of a C
corporation to an individual who materially participates in that
activity.
We disagree with petitioners' assertion that sections
1.469-2(f)(6) and 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., are invalid as
applied in the instant case. With respect to section
1.469-2(f)(6), Income Tax Regs., and section 469 in general, the
uncertainty as to the breadth of a provision does not mean that
it is inoperative until regulations are issued clarifying the
breadth of it. See SEC v. Chenery Corp., 332 U.S. 194, 201-203
(1947); Jacks v. Crabtree, 114 F.3d 983, 985-986 (9th Cir. 1997);
Trans City Life Ins. Co. v. Commissioner, 106 T.C. 274, 299-300
(1996). In the absence of regulations, a provision may be
interpreted in light of all pertinent evidence, textual and
contextual, of its meaning. See Commissioner v. Soliman,
506 U.S. 168, 174 (1993); Crane v. Commissioner, 331 U.S. 1, 6-7
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(1947); Old Colony R.R. Co. v. Commissioner, 284 U.S. 552, 560
(1932). Although Congress instructed the Commissioner to
prescribe regulations under section 469 which would specify what
constitutes an activity, see sec. 469(l)(1), this does not mean
that section 469 or the regulations thereunder require the
Commissioner to define the word "activity" in order for the
statutory and regulatory provisions to be effective. We find
nothing in the statutory text, or in its legislative history,
that conditions the effectiveness of section 469 on the issuance
of regulations. See Trans City Life Ins. Co. v. Commissioner,
106 T.C. at 299-300; Estate of Neumann v. Commissioner, 106 T.C.
216 (1996); H Enters. Intl., Inc. v. Commissioner, 105 T.C. 71,
81-85 (1995).
As to petitioners' assertion concerning the new language
that appeared in section 1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., the change
in language from the proposed regulations was substantial; up
until the final regulations, the Commissioner had not publicly
taken the position that an individual's activities could include
activities conducted through a C corporation. The mere fact,
however, that the Commissioner adopted a new position in section
1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., does not necessarily mean that the
Commissioner was required to give another notice and allow
another comment period on that position. The Commissioner is not
required by the APA, supra, to include in proposed regulations
every precise rule that ultimately appears in the final
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regulations. American Paper Inst. v. EPA, 660 F.2d 954, 959 n.13
(4th Cir. 1981); California Citizens Band Association v. United
States, 375 F.2d 43, 48 (9th Cir. 1967); Logansport Broadcasting
Corp. v. United States, 210 F.2d 24, 28 (D.C. Cir. 1954). The
consensus among the Courts of Appeals is that a final rule must
differ substantially from a proposed rule in order to require
another round of notice and comment, but even when it does differ
substantially, the final rule will not require another notice and
comment period if it is "in character with the original proposal"
and a "logical outgrowth" of the notice and comments on the
proposed rule. National Mining Association v. Mine Safety &
Health Admin., 116 F.3d 520, 530-531 (D.C. Cir. 1997); Alabama
Power Co. v. OSHA, 89 F.3d 740, 745 (11th Cir. 1996); Rybachek v.
EPA, 904 F.2d 1276, 1287-1288 (9th Cir. 1990); American Med.
Association v. United States, 887 F.2d 760, 767 (7th Cir. 1989);
Chemical Manufacturers Association v. EPA, 870 F.2d 177, 203 (5th
Cir. 1989); United Steelworkers of Am., AFL-CIO-CLC v.
Pendergrass, 855 F.2d 108, 113 (3d Cir. 1988); Natural Resources
Defense Council, Inc. v. EPA, 824 F.2d 1258, 1282-1285 (1st Cir.
1987); National Black Media Coalition v. FCC, 791 F.2d 1016, 1022
(2d Cir. 1986); American Paper Inst. v. EPA, 660 F.2d at 959
n.13. Whether a final rule meets such a test rests on whether
"'the purposes of notice and comment have been adequately
served.'" Northwest Tissue Ctr. v. Shalala, 1 F.3d 522, 528 n.7
(7th Cir. 1993) (quoting Fertilizer Inst. v. EPA, 935 F.2d 1303,
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1311 (D.C. Cir. 1991)); American Water Works Association v. EPA,
40 F.3d 1266, 1274 (D.C. Cir. 1994) (quoting Fertilizer Inst. v.
EPA, 935 F.2d at 1311). The critical inquiry is whether
commentators have had a fair opportunity to present their views
on the final plan in a way that the Commissioner might find
convincing. American Water Works Association v. EPA, 40 F.3d at
1274; Fertilizer Inst. v. EPA, supra; United Steelworkers of Am.,
AFL-CIO-CLC v. Marshall, 647 F.2d 1189, 1225 (D.C. Cir. 1980);
BASF Wyandotte Corp. v. Costle, 598 F.2d 637, 642 (1st Cir.
1979); South Terminal Corp. v. EPA, 504 F.2d 646, 658 (1st Cir.
1974); see also American Med. Association v. United States, 887
F.2d at 768; Natural Resources Defense Council v. EPA, 824 F.2d
at 1283; American Transfer & Storage Co. v. ICC, 719 F.2d 1283,
1303 (5th Cir. 1983); Wing v. Commissioner, 81 T.C. at 33-35.
Stated differently, the Commissioner's final regulations are not
subject to another notice and comment period where the proposed
regulations fairly apprise interested persons of subjects and
issues that may be addressed in the final regulations. Wing v.
Commissioner, 81 T.C. at 35; see also Small Refiner Lead
Phase-Down Task Force v. EPA, 705 F.2d 506, 547 (D.C. Cir. 1983);
American Iron & Steel Inst. v. EPA, 568 F.2d 284, 293 (3d Cir.
1977). The purposes of notice and comment are adequately served
when proposed rules generate diverse public comment, are fair to
affected parties, and give affected parties an opportunity to
develop evidence in the record. Association of Am. R.R. v.
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Department of Transp., 38 F.3d 582, 589 (D.C. Cir. 1994); Small
Refiner Lead Phase-Down Task Force v. EPA, 705 F.2d at 547.
The purpose of notice and comment is not adequately served, on
the other hand, where interested persons could not reasonably
anticipate the final rules from the proposed rules. Natural
Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. EPA, 863 F.2d 1420, 1429
(9th Cir. 1988); see also American Water Works Association v.
EPA, 40 F.3d at 1275; Anne Arundel County v. EPA, 963 F.2d 412,
418 (D.C. Cir. 1992). Where the final rules deviate too sharply
from the proposed rules, notice is inadequate. AFL-CIO v.
Donovan, 757 F.2d 330, 338 (D.C. Cir. 1985); Small Refiner Lead
Phase-Down Task Force v. EPA, 705 F.2d at 547.
Our review of the evolution of section 1.469-4(a), Income
Tax Regs., leads us to conclude that the amendments contained
therein are in character with the original scheme for section 469
and the regulations thereunder and are a logical outgrowth of the
comments which were made on the two sets of proposed regulations.
The Commissioner offered affected persons the opportunity to
develop an evidentiary record on the promulgation of section
1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs., by inviting them to comment
publicly on the substance of each set of the proposed
regulations. The first set of proposed regulations dealt
specifically with the attribution rule stating that a
corporation's activities will not be attributed to an individual
who conducts the activity through the corporation. Although the
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second set of proposed regulations was silent on this rule,
including whether the Commissioner was considering abandoning it,
we read nothing in the second set of proposed regulations that
would lead us to believe that the Commissioner was proposing to
retain the rule.4 Given the additional fact that the
Commissioner not only invited comments on both sets of the
proposed regulations, but held hearings as well, we do not
believe that commentators were deprived of their right to comment
on the matter included in section 1.469-4, Income Tax Regs. The
first and second set of proposed regulations fairly apprised
interested parties of the wide range of issues that the
Commissioner had to address in the final rules defining the word
"activity", and the fact that the Commissioner invited comments
on both sets of proposed regulations allowed commentators to
express their views on the final plan in a way that the
Commissioner could find convincing. The fact that persons who
were interested in the matter of section 1.469-4, Income Tax
4
Petitioners assert that agents of the Commissioner stated
publicly that the lack of an attribution rule, as it applied to C
corporations in the first set of proposed regulations, would be
retained in the final regulations. We give these assertions no
weight. Even assuming arguendo that the statements were made,
these oral statements are not binding on the Commissioner.
Martin's Auto Trimming, Inc. v. Riddell, 283 F.2d 503, 506 (9th
Cir. 1960); Darling v. Commissioner, 49 F.2d 111, 113 (4th Cir.
1931) (Government is not bound by agents acting beyond the scope
of their authority), affg. 19 B.T.A. 337 (1930); Fortugno v.
Commissioner, 41 T.C. 316, 323-324 (1963), affd. 353 F.2d 429(3d Cir. 1965); see also Wilkinson v. United States, 157 Ct. Cl.
847, 304 F.2d 469, 474, 475 (1962).
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Regs., could have seen and anticipated an attribution rule
therein may also be understood from the legislative history of
section 469. The legislative history speaks directly to an
attribution rule, stating explicitly:
The conferees believe that clarification is desirable
regarding the regulatory authority provided to the
Treasury with regard to the definition of income that
is treated as portfolio income or as otherwise not
arising from a passive activity. The conferees intend
that this authority be exercised to protect the
underlying purpose of the passive loss provision, i.e.,
preventing the sheltering of positive income sources
through the use of tax losses derived from passive
business activities.
Examples where the exercise of such authority may
(if the * * * [Commissioner] so determines) be
appropriate include the following: * * * related party
leases or sub-leases, with respect to property used in
a business activity, that have the effect of reducing
active business income and creating passive income. *
* * [H. Conf. Rept. 99-841 (Vol. II), at II-197
(1986), 1986-3 C.B. (Vol. 4) 147.]
In sum, we believe that the purposes of notice and comment
were adequately served in the Commissioner's promulgation of
section 1.469-4, Income Tax Regs. The Commissioner adopted the
attribution rule pursuant to an explicit congressional grant of
authority, and commentators had a fair opportunity to present
their views on the contents of that rule. The rule derives
directly from the legislative history to section 469, and it is
both in character with the original proposal for section 469, and
the regulations thereunder, and a logical outgrowth of the two
rounds of notice and comment on the proposed regulations.
Whereas petitioners would force the Commissioner to comply with
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the APA, supra, upon the issuance of any taxpayer-unfriendly
rule, the APA, id., does not require such a Draconian result.
We sustain respondent's determination on this issue. In so
doing, we decline petitioners' invitation to allow them to apply
the rules of section 1.469-4T(b)(ii)(B), Temporary Income Tax
Regs., 54 Fed. Reg. 20543, in lieu of the rules stated in section
1.469-4(a), Income Tax Regs. Simply put, the effective date and
transition rules related to the regulatory rules under section
469 do not allow them to use it. See sec. 1.469-11, Income Tax
Regs.
As to the accuracy-related penalty, section 6662(a) imposes
an accuracy-related penalty equal to 20 percent of the portion of
an underpayment that is attributable to, among other things,
negligence. Petitioners will avoid this charge if the record
shows that they were not negligent; i.e., they made a reasonable
attempt to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code, and they were not careless, reckless, or in intentional
disregard of rules or regulations. Sec. 6662(c); Accardo v.
Commissioner, 942 F.2d 444, 452 (7th Cir. 1991), affg. 94 T.C. 96(1990); Drum v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1994-433, affd. without
published opinion 61 F.3d 910 (9th Cir. 1995); see also Allen v.
Commissioner, 925 F.2d 348, 353 (9th Cir. 1991) (negligence
defined as a lack of due care or a failure to do what a
reasonable and prudent person would do under similar
circumstances), affg. 92 T.C. 1 (1989). Good faith reliance on
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the advice of counsel or a qualified accountant can, in certain
circumstances, be a defense to the accuracy-related penalty for
negligence. See, e.g., Ewing v. Commissioner, 91 T.C. 396,
423-424 (1988), affd. without published opinion 940 F.2d 1534(9th Cir. 1991); Jackson v. Commissioner, 86 T.C. 492, 539-540
(1986), affd. 864 F.2d 1521 (10th Cir. 1989); Pessin v.
Commissioner, 59 T.C. 473, 489 (1972); Conlorez Corp. v.
Commissioner, 51 T.C. 467, 475 (1968). In those cases, the
taxpayer must establish: (1) The adviser had sufficient
expertise to justify reliance, (2) the taxpayer provided
necessary and accurate information to the adviser, and (3) the
taxpayer actually relied in good faith on the adviser’s judgment.
See Ellwest Stereo Theatres v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1995-610.
The record shows that petitioners acted reasonably with
respect to the items reported on their 1994 tax return. They
consulted their long-time business and tax adviser, an
experienced and knowledgeable accountant, and they supplied him
with the information necessary to prepare their return. The
C.P.A. advised petitioners on what he believed was the correct
reporting position of the items reported in the return, and
petitioners relied on and followed his advice. Under the facts
herein, we believe that petitioners' reliance on the C.P.A. to
prepare a correct return was reasonable, and we hold for them on
this issue.
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In reaching our holdings herein, we have considered all
arguments by the parties for contrary holdings, and, to the
extent not discussed above, find those arguments to be irrelevant
or without merit. To reflect the foregoing,
Decision will be entered
for respondent as to the
deficiency, and for
petitioners as to the
accuracy-related penalty.