DocketNumber： Docket No. 107496
Judges： Opper
Filed Date： 11/20/1942
Status： Precedential
Modified Date： 10/19/2024
*34
Holder of bonds received in a prior year in exchange for stock,
*101 Respondent determined deficiencies in income tax of $ 74.84 and $ 1,340.48 for the years 1938 and 1939, respectively. Petitioner claims an overpayment of $ 3,051.13 for 1938.
Petitioner charges that respondent erred in computing the long term taxable gain on the disposition of certain bonds in 1939 by holding that since the cost basis had been previously recovered the entire amount received constituted*35 gain, 50 percent of which was taxable under
FINDINGS OF FACT.
The facts stipulated by the parties are hereby found accordingly. The situation giving rise to the controversy, so far as we consider it material, was in substance as follows:
Petitioner is the executor of the estate of Isadore L. Myers, who died March 27, 1941. The Federal income tax returns for the years in question were duly filed with the collector of internal revenue at Baltimore, Maryland.
In 1930 Myers, who will sometimes hereinafter be referred to as the taxpayer, or decedent, owned 2,220 shares (1,850 common and 370 preferred) of the American Cement Tile Manufacturing Co. (hereinafter referred to as American), a Pennsylvania corporation with its principal place*36 of business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. American's stock was closely held. Out of 6,000 authorized shares (5,000 common and 1,000 preferred), 300 (250 common and 50 preferred) were held in its treasury; taxpayer held the above mentioned 2,220; J. de S. Freund and his wife together owned 2,598 shares (2,165 common and 433 preferred); I. H. Freund held 450 shares (375 common and 75 preferred); S. B. Myers held 300 shares (250 common and 50 preferred) and H. C. Riale held 132 shares (110 common and 22 preferred).
Under date of September 4, 1930, American stockholders entered into an agreement with the Federal Cement Tile Co., an Illinois corporation (hereinafter referred to as Federal) which desired to take over the business and most of the assets of American, wherein the *102 stockholders represented that they had caused to be organized a Delaware corporation (American Liquidation Co., hereinafter referred to as Delaware) to which American would assign its lands, buildings, sidings, machinery and equipment, molds and forms, furniture, fixtures, and patents, and at their election would cause Delaware to acquire all or any part of American's capital stock. They agreed to cause*37 Delaware to transfer to Federal the assets, exclusive of the stock, for $ 609,900, payable $ 292,000 in cash and $ 317,900 in bonds of Federal. The stockholders further agreed to transfer to Federal the outstanding capital stock of American for $ 282,100, payable in bonds of Federal. The remaining assets of American, valued at $ 148,767.66, were to be transferred to Delaware. It was agreed that bonds of Federal for the aggregate sum of $ 600,000 were to be dated October 10, 1930, were to bear interest at 6 percent per annum, payable semiannually, and were to be payable serially $ 50,000 in each year on October 10, 1931, through 1935 and $ 350,000 on October 10, 1936. The bonds were to be secured by first mortgage or deed of trust on all Federal's real property, including buildings.
On September 2, 1930, Delaware was incorporated and on September 10, 1930, its directors ratified and adopted the above agreement and approved and adopted a plan of reorganization of American and Delaware. The plan provided as follows:
(a) Delaware was to issue 1,900 shares of its total authorized 3,000 shares to American in consideration of the agreement of American to transfer to Delaware all the*38 above mentioned assets, 150 shares of treasury stock of American and any other assets which might be assigned by American under the agreement of September 4, 1930.
(b) American was to reduce its capital stock from $ 600,000 face value to $ 300,000 face value, to be represented by 3,000 shares of which 150 would be treasury stock.
(c) American would distribute to the holders of its shares, exclusive of treasury stock, the 1,900 shares of Delaware.
(d) Delaware would then acquire the 2,850 outstanding shares of American in exchange for 950 shares of Delaware.
(e) Delaware would transfer to Federal the 3,000 shares of American and the plant and working assets of American.
(f) Federal would pay $ 282,100 in Federal bonds for the stock of American and $ 292,000 in cash and $ 317,900 in Federal bonds for the plant and working assets of American, and
(g) Delaware would distribute the cash and Federal bonds ratably to its stockholders.
In carrying out the plan, Delaware on October 13, 1930, authorized the assignment of the plant and working assets and 3,000 shares of American stock to Federal, but by subsequent authorization the assignment was made directly from American to Federal, and similarly*39 on *103 October 20, 1930, Delaware assigned the cash and bonds of Federal to the stockholders of Delaware. The taxpayer received cash in the sum of $ 102,272.58 and bonds having face value and maturity dates as follows:
| Due Date | Face value |
| Oct. 10, 1931 | $ 27,500 |
| Oct. 10, 1932 | 15,000 |
| Oct. 10, 1933 | 35,000 |
| Oct. 10, 1934 | 40,000 |
| Oct. 10, 1935 | 50,000 |
| Oct. 10, 1936 | 67,500 |
| Total | 235,000 |
After the above transactions Delaware held former assets of American, principally accounts receivable, of a net book value of $ 145,096.05. Delaware was formed for the purpose of receiving and liquidating those assets of American which Federal did not desire to acquire or which the stockholders of American did not desire to transfer, and for the purpose of discharging the contingent and other liabilities assumed or retained by American stockholders. Delaware continued in existence and engaged in carrying out these purposes. American was not immediately dissolved, but the assets retained by it were being liquidated by Federal in 1930 and 1931. A return of its operations for the last two months of 1930 was included in a consolidated return filed by Federal for the year 1930; the result*40 of the operations being a net loss. Thereafter American was inactive but had not been dissolved up to December 31, 1939.
In the agreement of September 4, 1930, American stockholders, including the taxpayer, had covenanted to indemnify Federal against all contingent liabilities of American. Federal thereafter made claim under this covenant against the stockholders and in settlement of the claim taxpayer in 1931 returned to Federal its bonds having a face value of $ 12,500.
In his income tax return for the year 1930 the taxpayer reported a capital gain of $ 102,272.58, being all the cash received by him as a stockholder of Delaware in that year. He appended to his return a statement reading as follows:
Stock of the American Liquidation Co. was received in 1930, pursuant to a plan of reorganization, both as a distribution by the American Cement Tile Mfg. Co. and in exchange for the stock of Am. C. T. Mfg. Co. which had been acquired by the undersigned prior to 1913 and in 1914, 1916, and 1919 (actual years of acquisition after 1913 being specified in each case).
Pursuant to said plan of reorganization, the Am. Liquidation*41 Co. distributed securities excluded from taxable income under
Under
Taxpayer's income tax return for 1930 was examined in the office of the internal revenue agent in charge for the district where the return was filed and at that time taxpayer furnished the agent with a copy of an opinion on the legal consequences of the transaction which had been prepared by Kixmiller, Baar and Morris, the attorneys who directed the reorganization. In the opinion it was stated,
(a) The entire basis for the stock originally held is thus regarded as now represented by the bonds.
(b) Each interested individual is furnished with a statement * * * showing the items of cost or basic value which make up the total basis applicable to his stock in the Am. *42 C. T. Mfg. Co., which has become his basis for the bonds acquired. This basis is allocable ratably to any amount of bonds. Upon the payment of the bonds or upon sale or other disposition, the amount by which the proceeds thus received is in excess of the basis for the bonds disposed of will represent a taxable profit, to be reported in the year of realization.
Thereafter the internal revenue agent in charge sent the taxpayer a letter dated October 8, 1932, stating that his office was recommending to respondent that the 1930 return be accepted as correct. No deficiency in income tax liability for the year 1930 has been determined by respondent.
In the case of two related stockholders respondent determined income tax deficiencies for 1930 by notices of deficiency dated February 28, 1933, on the basis that the entire gain derived was taxable and not limited to the amount of cash received. These stockholders appealed to the Board of Tax Appeals, which held that there was no deficiency, and on appeal by respondent the Board's decision was affirmed,
On October 10, 1931, $ 15,000 par value*43 of taxpayer's bonds matured and were paid in full by Federal. In his income tax return for 1931 taxpayer reported the transaction showing proceeds of $ 15,000, basis of $ 6,597.51, and capital gain of $ 8,402.49. The detail of the transaction was accompanied by a statement reading as follows:
These bonds were acquired pursuant to a plan of organization [
On October 10, 1932, Federal defaulted in the payment of the principal amount of $ 50,000 then due on the serial maturity of its bonds and on the interest due on all the outstanding bonds. Thereafter principal payments were made on the taxpayer's bonds as follows: *105
| Date of payment | Amount |
| Feb. 15, 1937 | $ 33,200.00 |
| Ang. 15, 1937 | 22,825.00 |
| Jan. 3, 1938 | 52,665.58 |
| May5, 1938 | 19,761.88 |
| Jan. 6, 1939 | 19,523.84 |
| Total | 147,976.30 |
Taxpayer did not report the receipt of the $ 56,025 in his income tax return for 1937. In his income tax return for 1938 he reported a long term capital gain of $ 32,059.58, reporting receipts of $ 128,452.46 giving the dates as January 5 and*44 May 5, 1938, and showing the cost or other basis as $ 96,392.88. Fifty percent of the gain, or $ 16,029.79, was recognized as a long term capital gain on distribution of assets held for more than 24 months. Attached to the return was a statement reading as follows:
Schedule F -- Capital Gains
Note A. These bonds were acquired in 1930, in a reorganization, in exchange for stock acquired at various dates prior thereto. The cost, 1913 value, and other bases for such stock has been used as the basis for the bonds.
Note B. In the retirement of these bonds, payments on account were made at various dates in 1937 and 1938, aggregating the amount stated above. The payments received in 1937 amounted to less than basis.
The proceeds of $ 19,523.84 received in 1939 were not reported as income in the taxpayer's return for that year. There was attached to his return a statement reading as follows:
Schedule F. (Long Term Capital Gains and Losses -- Assets Held for more than 24 Months)
On January 6, 1939, a payment of $ 19,523.84 was received on bonds of the Federal-American Cement Tile Company. These bonds were acquired in 1930 in a reorganization of the American Cement Tile Company and the*45 Federal Cement Tile Company. In the reorganization stock of the American Cement Tile Company was exchanged solely for cash and bonds. See
The taxpayer's returns for the years 1930 to 1939, inclusive, were filed on the basis of cash receipts and disbursements.
The facts are such that the statute of limitations now bars the assessment and collection of the deficiency in income tax for the year 1930. The income tax attributable to the excess of the proceeds of the bonds received in 1938 and 1939 over the basis used by petitioner is $ 3,051.13 for 1938, and $ 1,266.24 for 1939. If the transaction in 1930 was a taxable transaction in its entirety so that the gain on disposition of the *106 stock is to be measured by the excess of*46 the cash and fair market value of the bonds received over the basis of the stock exchanged therefor, and if the bonds at that time were worth $ 147,976.30, then the taxpayer's income tax liability for 1930 was understated by $ 5,576.90. If the bonds and cash received by the taxpayer in 1930 were taxable to him as a dividend and if the bonds had a fair market value when received of $ 147,976.30, then the taxpayer's income tax liability for the year 1930 was understated by $ 32,048.69.
American and Federal had net sales and net earnings for the period January 1, 1926, to September 30, 1930, as follows:
| American | Federal | |||
| Year | ||||
| Sales | Earnings | Sales | Earnings | |
| 1926 | $ 1,181,944.45 | $ 84,252.01 | $ 1,171,594.84 | 2 $ (25,090.09) |
| 1927 | 795,518.95 | 55,917.43 | 962,722.32 | 26,185.34 |
| 1928 | 797,210.36 | 66,042.87 | 1,556,674.06 | 324,688.58 |
| 1929 | 918,981.66 | 79,150.54 | 1,471,920.20 | 281,641.62 |
| 1 1930 *47 | 566,883.93 | 885,215.46 | 80,353.79 | |
| Consolidated | ||
| Year | ||
| Sales | Earnings | |
| 1926 | $ 2,353,539.29 | $ 59,161.92 |
| 1927 | 1,758,241.27 | 82,102.77 |
| 1928 | 2,353,884.42 | 390,731.45 |
| 1929 | 2,390,901.86 | 360,792.16 |
| 1,452,099.39 | 72,552.40 | |
The average annual consolidated net earnings for the period above covered were approximately $ 203,229. American had average annual net earnings of approximately $ 55,000 for this period.
As shown by the books of American its assets and liabilities as of the dates indicated were as follows:
| American Company Balance Sheets | ||
| Dec. 31, 1926 | Dec. 31, 1929 | |
| Assets | ||
| Cash | $ 45,197.87 | $ 69,281.95 |
| Notes receivable | 5,500.00 | |
| Accounts receivable | 252,180.86 | 278,996.63 |
| Less reserve for bad debts | 20,000.00 | |
| Accounts receivable, net | 232,180.86 | 278,996.63 |
| Inventories: | ||
| Raw materials | 37,890.91 | |
| Finished goods | 125,884.18 | |
| Inventories | 163,771.09 | 174,764.42 |
| Deferred charges | ||
| Land | 26,000.00 | 26,000.00 |
| Other capital assets: | ||
| Buildings | 165,557.14 | 230,529.59 |
| Machinery and equip | 137,495.14 | 231,485.87 |
| Furniture and fix | 2,970.28 | 8,918.57 |
| Experimental machines | 3,333.39 | |
| Total other capital assets | 306,022.56 | 474,267.42 |
| Less reserves for depreciation | 1 | 161,194.89 |
| Other capital assets, net | 306,022.56 | 313,072.53 |
| Patents | 40,000.00 | 40,000.00 |
| Other assets: | ||
| Advanced commissions | 4,531.49 | 2,721.30 |
| Officers life insurance (at cost) | 14,813.50 | 18,614.00 |
| Total other assets | 19,344.99 | 21,335.30 |
| Total Assets | 838,017.37 | 923,450.83 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Notes payable | $ 70,000.00 | |
| Accounts payable: | ||
| Fed.-Amer. Cement Tile Co | ||
| Other | 71,550.65 | $ 71,105.68 |
| Reserve for uncompleted contracts | ||
| Capital stock: | ||
| Preferred (less treasury stock) | 100,000.00 | 100,000.00 |
| Common (less treasury stock) | 500,000.00 | 488,000.00 |
| Total capital stock | 600,000.00 | 588,000.00 |
| Surplus | 96,466.72 | 264,345.15 |
| Total Liabilities and Capital | 838,017.37 | 923,450.83 |
| American Company Balance Sheets | ||
| Sept. 30, 1930 | Dec. 31, 1930 | |
| Assets | ||
| Cash | $ 31,661.14 | |
| Notes receivable | 282.50 | |
| Accounts receivable | 338,346.59 | $ 90,070.69 |
| Less reserve for bad debts | ||
| Accounts receivable, net | 338,346.59 | 90,070.69 |
| Inventories: | ||
| Raw materials | 45,566.52 | |
| Finished goods | 120,016.92 | |
| Inventories | 165,583.44 | |
| Deferred charges | 11,915.45 | |
| Land | 26,000.00 | |
| Other capital assets: | ||
| Buildings | 181,180.19 | |
| Machinery and equip | 137,951.70 | |
| Furniture and fix | 3,189.68 | |
| Experimental machines | 3,358.91 | |
| Total other capital assets | 325,680.48 | |
| Less reserves for depreciation | 2 18,000.00 | |
| Other capital assets, net | 307,680.48 | |
| Patents | 40,000.00 | |
| Other assets: | ||
| Advanced commissions | ||
| Officers life insurance (at cost) | 19,805.00 | |
| Total other assets | 19,805.00 | |
| Total Assets | 941,274.60 | 90,070.69 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Notes payable | $ 75,000.00 | |
| Accounts payable: | ||
| Fed.-Amer. Cement Tile Co | $ 12,655.75 | |
| Other | 20,930.84 | |
| Reserve for uncompleted contracts | 6,500.00 | |
| Capital stock: | ||
| Preferred (less treasury stock) | 100,000.00 | |
| Common (less treasury stock) | 488,000.00 | 105,100.00 |
| Total capital stock | 588,000.00 | 105,100.00 |
| Surplus | 250,843.76 | (27,685.06) |
| Total Liabilities and Capital | 941,274.60 | 90,070.69 |
*107 As shown by the books of American, its assets and liabilities as of October 1, 1930, as adjusted to give effect to all reorganization transactions were as follows:
| Assets | |||
| Current assets: | |||
| Cash: | |||
| Checking accounts | $ 25,955.60 | ||
| Working funds | 7,060.39 | ||
| Petty cash | 388.43 | ||
| Erection advances | 4,847.63 | ||
| 38,252.05 | |||
| Accounts receivable: | |||
| Trade | $ 203,279.51 | ||
| Advances to employes | 135.35 | ||
| Due from former stockholders | 932.06 | ||
| 204,346.92 | |||
| Note receivable | 282.50 | ||
| Inventories | 165,694.46 | ||
| 408,575.93 | |||
| Deferred charges: | |||
| Taxes and insurance | 875.96 | ||
| Group insurance | 1,558.13 | ||
| Interest | 501.22 | ||
| 2,935.30 | |||
| Total assets | 411,511.23 | ||
| Liabilities and Capital | |||
| Current liabilities: | |||
| Trade accounts payable | 10,457.12 | ||
| Accrued payroll | 4,107.59 | ||
| Notes payable | 75,000.00 | ||
| Commissions payable | 3,717.08 | ||
| 93,281.79 | |||
| Reserves: | |||
| Uncompleted contracts | $ 6,500.00 | ||
| Federal income tax | 2,457.40 | ||
| $ 8,957.40 | |||
| Capital stock and surplus: | |||
| Capital stock outstanding | 300,000.00 | ||
| Surplus | 9,272.04 | ||
| 309,272.04 | |||
| Total liabilities and capital | 411,511.23 | ||
*50 *108 As shown by the books of Federal, its assets and liabilities as of the dates indicated were as follows:
| Federal Company Balance Sheets | |||
| Dec. 31, 1926 | Dec. 31, 1929 | ||
| Assets | |||
| Cash | $ 17,272.73 | $ 200,930.35 | |
| Notes receivable | 47,765.00 | 17,520.00 | |
| Accounts receivable: | |||
| American Cement Tile Manufacturing Co | |||
| Other | 267,311.45 | 345,500.30 | |
| Total ac. rec | 267,311.45 | 345,500.30 | |
| Inventories: | |||
| Raw materials | 76,460.71 | 69,600.26 | |
| Work in progress | 16,508.49 | ||
| Finished goods | 113,583.05 | 106,077.27 | |
| Materials in transit | 194.01 | ||
| Supplies | |||
| Total inventories | 190,043.76 | 192,380.03 | |
| Investments | 300.00 | 86,631.19 | |
| Deferred charges (prepaid expenses) | 1,357.57 | 1,147.22 | |
| Land | 62,129.00 | 62,129.00 | |
| Other capital assets: | |||
| Buildings | 308,147.45 | 146,153.50 | |
| Machinery and equipment | 196,639.83 | 269,767.20 | |
| Furniture and fixtures | 4,810.83 | 7,094.13 | |
| Appreciation of buildings | 163,001.80 | ||
| Total other capital assets | 509,598.11 | 586,016.63 | |
| Less reserves for depreciation | 202,090.24 | 269,731.12 | |
| Other capital assets, net | 307,507.87 | 316,285.51 | |
| Patents | 75,001.00 | 75,000.00 | |
| Good will | |||
| Other assets: | |||
| Investment in subsidiaries: | |||
| Continental Cement Tile Co | 165,000.00 | ||
| American Cement Tile Manufacturing | |||
| Co | |||
| Cost of incompleted contracts | 5,136.97 | ||
| Claim for refund of Federal taxes | 15,248.31 | ||
| Total other assets | 185,385.28 | ||
| Total Assets | 1,154,074.66 | 1,297,523.60 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Notes payable | 170,000.00 | ||
| Accounts payable | 47,863.73 | 11,111.98 | |
| First mortgage 6% gold bonds | |||
| Accrued expenses: | |||
| Taxes | 4,850.00 | 5,539.87 | |
| Interest | |||
| Other | 14,086.84 | 34,598.21 | |
| Total accrued expenses | 18,936.84 | 40,138.08 | |
| Reserves: | |||
| Contingencies | 192,292.34 | 200,000.00 | |
| Federal income tax | 34,200.00 | ||
| Erection sales in suspense | 39,090.50 | ||
| Total reserves | 192,292.34 | 273,290.50 | |
| Capital stock: | |||
| Preferred stock (less stock in treasury) | $ 281,500.00 | $ 291,500.00 | |
| Common stock (less stock in treasury) | 296,000.00 | 300,000.00 | |
| Total cap. stock | 577,500.00 | 591,500.00 | |
| Surplus: | |||
| Earned | 147,481.75 | 218,481.24 | |
| From appreciation of land and buildings | 163,001.80 | ||
| Total surplus | 147,481.75 | 381,483.04 | |
| Total Liabilities and Capital | 1,154,074.66 | 1,297,523.60 | |
| Federal Company Balance Sheets | |||
| Sept. 30, 1930 | Dec. 31, 1930 | ||
| Assets | |||
| Cash | $ 19,011.60 | $ 87,972.83 | |
| Notes receivable | 7,070.00 | 7,256.31 | |
| Accounts receivable: | |||
| American Cement Tile Manufacturing Co | 12,655.75 | ||
| Other | 311,145.57 | 210,163.22 | |
| Total ac. rec | 311,145.57 | 222,818.97 | |
| Inventories: | |||
| Raw materials | 56,417.17 | 88,572.56 | |
| Work in progress | 9,885.94 | 4,080.71 | |
| Finished goods | 109,983.43 | 184,818.42 | |
| Materials in transit | |||
| Supplies | 10,944.55 | ||
| Total inventories | 176,286.54 | 288,416.24 | |
| Investments | 226,776.88 | 1,500.00 | |
| Deferred charges (prepaid expenses) | 4,115.69 | 5,410.52 | |
| Land | 62,129.00 | 200,900.00 | |
| Other capital assets: | |||
| Buildings | 146,233.50 | 435,813.54 | |
| Machinery and equipment | 286,017.30 | 489,424.71 | |
| Furniture and fixtures | 8,726.88 | 14,843.32 | |
| Appreciation of buildings | 163,001.80 | 163,001.80 | |
| Total other capital assets | 603,979.48 | 1,103,083.37 | |
| Less reserves for depreciation | 285,313.76 | 297,559.60 | |
| Other capital assets, net | 318,665.72 | 805,523.77 | |
| Patents | 75,000.00 | 35,466.58 | |
| Good will | 1.00 | ||
| Other assets: | |||
| Investment in subsidiaries: | |||
| Continental Cement Tile Co | |||
| American Cement Tile Manufacturing | |||
| Co | 69,532.61 | ||
| Cost of incompleted contracts | |||
| Claim for refund of Federal taxes | |||
| Total other assets | 69,532.61 | ||
| Total Assets | 1,200,201.00 | 1,724,798.83 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Notes payable | |||
| Accounts payable | 21,777.75 | 23,800.56 | |
| First mortgage 6% gold bonds | 600,000.00 | ||
| Accrued expenses: | |||
| Taxes | 5,837.77 | 5,742.94 | |
| Interest | 8,100.00 | ||
| Other | 38,208.60 | 34,621.71 | |
| Total accrued expenses | 44,046.37 | 48,464.65 | |
| Reserves: | |||
| Contingencies | |||
| Federal income tax | 19,283.02 | 1,792.98 | |
| Erection sales in suspense | 24,247.52 | 8,799.86 | |
| Total reserves | 43,530.54 | 10,592.84 | |
| Capital stock: | |||
| Preferred stock (less stock in treasury) | $ 291,500.00 | $ 291,500.00 | |
| Common stock (less stock in treasury) | 300,000.00 | 300,000.00 | |
| Total cap. stock | 591,500.00 | 591,500.00 | |
| Surplus: | |||
| Earned | 336,344.54 | 152,841.18 | |
| From appreciation of land and buildings | 163,001.80 | 297,599.60 | |
| Total surplus | 499,346.34 | 450,440.78 | |
| Total Liabilities and Capital | 1,200,201.00 | 1,724,798.83 | |
*52 *109 As of April 30, 1930, the plants of the American Cement Tile Manufacturing Co. were appraised by the American Appraisal Co. This company found and reported, as shown by its certificate of appraisal dated May 22, 1930, that the "sound values" of the plants of said company were as follows:
| Land | $ 80,900.00 |
| Railroad sidings | 20,778.04 |
| Industrial tracts | 7,260.31 |
| Buildings and improvements | 261,371.45 |
| Machinery and equipment | 121,970.96 |
| Moulds and forms | 63,224.47 |
| Road equipment | 5,953.66 |
| Total | 561,458.89 |
These values were said in the report to be based upon the following considerations:
Land upon its present utility with full consideration of prevailing market conditions.
Buildings and Equipment upon their cost of reproduction new in accordance with market prices current at the date of this appraisal for labor, material, and equipment, less an allowance for accrued depreciation in accordance with their age and condition, and with full consideration of their remaining expectancy of useful life as parts of a going concern.
As of June 30, 1930, the plant of the Federal Cement Tile Co. was appraised by the American Appraisal Co., which found and reported, as shown*53 by its certificate of appraisal dated July 23, 1930, that the "sound value" of the plant of said company was as follows:
| Land | $ 120,000.00 |
| Railroad sidings | 2,293.73 |
| Industrial tracks | 1,678.36 |
| Buildings and improvements | 265,438.72 |
| Machinery and equipment | 135,593.30 |
| Special forming equipment | 100,379.15 |
| Patterns | 2,381.63 |
| Total | 627,764.89 |
| Chicago, Illinois: | |
| Office furniture and fixtures | $ 9,850.39 |
| Detroit, Michigan: | |
| Office furniture and fixtures | 791.50 |
| Total | 638,406.78 |
*110 These values were said to be based upon the same considerations as were applied with respect to the properties of the American Cement Tile Manufacturing Co., as above stated.
On October 13, 1930, the average for BAA industrial bonds as compiled by Moody's Investors Service stood at 6.23 percent yield, corresponding to a price of about 95 for bonds of this quality. The BAA classification is the lowest carried by Moody's. This average was constructed by the Moody Co. by using 25 bonds selected by them and having an average 20-year maturity.
As of September 9, 1930, American Asphalt Roof Corporation 6 1/2 percent first mortgage bonds, due 1932 to 1936, were quoted at par*54 to 102 for average maturities, according to the National Quotation Book, and as of November 29, 1930, the American Asphalt Roof Corporation bonds were quoted at 96 to par for the latest maturities. In round figures this company had fixed assets of $ 514,000 and a debt of $ 185,000. Earnings, as reported on December 30, 1930, 1 available for interest charges were $ 10,614. Interest charges were $ 16,000. This company had current assets of $ 248,000, including cash in the amount of $ 42,900.
Article IV, section 3, of the trust indenture securing the bond issue provided that upon default the trustees, on the request of a majority of the holders of the outstanding bonds, should take over the property or proceed by legal process to protect the interests of the bondholders. Ordinarily the concurrence of holders of 25 percent of bonds is sufficient.
Earnings of industrial companies are likely to fluctuate from year to year.
The construction*55 business generally in 1930 was in a decline which it had been in since 1926.
The bonds were in denominations of $ 5,000 each. This fact would make them less salable.
The bonds in question had a fair market value of not less than $ 147,976.50 when they were received by decedent in 1930.
OPINION.
These facts, of course, are basically comparable to those in
There is no true "estoppel" in this proceeding any more than in
What that new basis was, however, remains to be decided. It is almost trite to point out that the general rule under
Of this there is no specific proof. The principal disputed question of fact to which the evidence at the hearing was directed was the fair market value of the bonds when they were received and not that of the stock which was given in exchange. We think it fair to say, however, that ordinarily properties exchanged for one another can be assumed to be of equal value. There may be exceptions where one party to the transaction obtains the better of the deal, but no suggestion *112 *58 is made by respondent that this is such a situation and the case was not tried upon that theory. We proceed, therefore, from the premise that in this case the fair market value of the stock and assets transferred, less the cash received, which was the cost and therefore the basis of the bonds, was substantially equal to the fair market value of the bonds at that time. See
The factual controversy as to the fair market value of the bonds we have determined in petitioner's favor. On the evidence we think there can be no reasonable doubt that the bonds when received were worth at least $ 147,976.30, and we have so found as a fact. Without reviewing the evidence in any detail, the financial position of the debtor, general business conditions, and the terms of the instruments make it appear unlikely in the extreme that such obligations would then have been worth less than 75 percent of their face value. On that valuation there was no taxable gain in these years. We therefore find it unnecessary to decide how much, if any, more than the figure given these bonds may have been worth.
So*59 far we have discussed the transaction on the assumption that it was an exchange. Respondent's brief continually refers to it as a "distribution" or as a "dividend." Without deciding whether this was technically an exchange or a distribution, it seems evident that if it was the latter it would have to be treated as a distribution in liquidation or out of capital. The new company, Delaware, which distributed the proceeds of the exchange to its stockholders, had no accumulated earnings and profits. Cf.
Nor is the Court in any position to sustain respondent's affirmative defense of recoupment to the extent of the claimed overpayment in view of the "controlling evidences of the Congressional purpose by the enactment of sections 607 and 609*61 [Revenue Act of 1928] to require refund to the taxpayer of an overpayment, even though he has failed to pay taxes for other periods, whenever their collection is barred by limitation,"
Murdock,