Opinion · Supreme Court of the United States

Handy & Harman v. Burnet

Handy & Harman v. Burnet, 284 U.S. 136 (1931)

Type
Opinion
Court
Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction
Federal
Date
1931-11-23
Topic
general

Mr. Justice * Butler delivered the opinion of' the. Court. Petitioner claims that it and Hamilton & DeLoss, Inc., were affiliated corporations as defined by § 240 of the Revenue Act of 1918 and that it is entitled to have its net income and invested capital for 1918 and the first month of 1919 determined on the basis of consolidated returns. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue held *138 them not affiliated, rejected petitioner’s claim for abatement for 1918 and asserted a deficiency for 1919.

Citator

UpLaw has not yet analyzed Handy & Harman v. Burnet. The absence of a flag is not a finding that it is good law.

Cited by
107 opinions

Headnotes

  1. Tax Law — Consolidated Returns — Purpose of Affiliation Provisions The purpose of the affiliated-corporation consolidated-return provision is to require taxes to be levied according to the true net income and invested capital resulting from and employed in a single business enterprise, even though that enterprise is conducted through more than one corporation, and to secure substantial equality as between the shareholders who ultimately bear the tax burden. 284 U.S. at 140
  2. Tax Law — Consolidated Returns — Requirements for Affiliation Consolidated returns will not make against inequality or evasion unless the same interests are the beneficial owners in like proportions of substantially all of the stock of each of the corporations sought to be treated as affiliated. 284 U.S. at 140
  3. Tax Law — Consolidated Returns — "Control" of Stock Affiliation requires control of substantially all of the stock, not merely control of the corporations; an indefinite and uncertain control of stock without title, beneficial ownership, or legal means to enforce it, resting solely on acquiescence, the exigencies of business, or other considerations having no binding force, is not sufficient to satisfy the statute. 284 U.S. at 140–141
  4. Tax Law — Consolidated Returns — Business Unit Insufficient The carrying on of a business unit by two or more corporations does not in itself constitute affiliation within the meaning of the statute. 284 U.S. at 140
  5. Tax Law — Consolidated Returns — Statutory Construction It would require very plain language to show that Congress intended to permit consolidated returns to depend on a basis so indefinite and uncertain as control of stock without title, beneficial ownership, or legal means to enforce it. 284 U.S. at 141
HANDY HARMANv. BURNET,284 U.S. 136(1931)
52 S.Ct. 51
HANDY HARMANv. BURNET, COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE.
CERTIORARI TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT.
No. 14.
Argued October 19, 1931.
Decided November 23, 1931.
Section 240 of the Revenue Act of 1918 provides that "affiliated" corporations shall make a consolidated return of net income and invested capital; and domestic corporations shall be deemed affiliated if substantially all their stock "is owned or controlled by the same interests."Held:1. That the purpose was to require taxes to be levied according to the true net income and invested capital resulting from and employed in a single business enterprise, even though it were conducted by means of more than one corporation, and to secure substantial equality as between shareholders who ultimately bear the burden. P. 140. 2. Such returns will not make against inequality or evasion unless the same interests are the beneficial owners in like proportions of substantially all of the stock of each of such corporations; an indefinite and uncertain control of stock, without title, beneficial ownership or legal means to enforce it, but resting solely on acquiescence, the exigencies of business or other considerations having no binding force, is not sufficient. P. 141.47 F.2d 184, affirmed.
CERTIORARI,283 U.S. 813, to review a judgment affirming a
decision of the Board of Tax Appeals.17 B.T.A. 980.
Mr. William C. Breedfor petitioner.

Where two or more corporations are operating as a business and economic unit, actual control of the stock of the minority is sufficient whether or not based upon legally enforceable means.Kile Morgan Co. v.Commissioner,41 F.2d 925;J. RogersFlannery Co. v.Commissioner,42 F.2d 11;Pelican IceCo. v.Commissioner,37 F.2d 285;Great Lakes Hotel Co. v.Commissioner,Page 13730 F.2d 1;Burnet, Commissioner, v.Wilshire Oil Co.,46 F.2d 975, C.C.A.-9;Commissionerv.Richfield Oil Co.,42 F.2d 360;Mahoning Coal R. Co. v.United States,41 F.2d 533;Eby Shoe Co. v.United States,44 F.2d 273;Ullman Mfg. Co. v.United States, 67 Ct. Cls. 104; Appeal of Hagerstown Shoe Co.,1 B.T.A. 666; Appeal of Isse Koch Co.,1 B.T.A. 624.

The word "controlled" as it appears in the statute is unqualified. The court below, in restricting that word to a control based upon legally enforceable means, refused to give to it its accepted meaning and made it practically synonymous with the word "owned." Statutory words are presumed to be used in their ordinary sense. The legislature is presumed to have used no superfluous words, and every word in a statute must be accorded a meaning. In construing taxing statutes, it is most important that they be given their literal meaning.United Statesv.Merriam,263 U.S. 179,187;Lynchv.Alworth-Stephen Co.,267 U.S. 364,370.

The legislative history of the Act furnishes abundant evidence that Congress used these words in their broad and natural sense.Assistant Attorney General Youngquist, with whomSolicitorGeneral ThacherandMessrs. Whitney North Seymour, Sewall Key, andJohn H. McEverswere on the brief, for respondent.
MR. JUSTICE BUTLER delivered the opinion of the Court.
Petitioner claims that it and Hamilton DeLoss, Inc., were affiliated corporations as defined by § 240 of the Revenue Act of 1918 and that it is entitled to have its net income and invested capital for 1918 and the first month of 1919 determined on the basis of consolidated returns. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue heldPage 138them not affiliated, rejected petitioner's claim for abatement for 1918 and asserted a deficiency for 1919. The Board of Tax Appeals approved the Commissioner's determination (17 B.T.A. 980) and upon petition for review the Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed.47 F.2d 184. That decision being in conflict with decisions of other Circuit Courts of Appeals,1this Court granted certiorari.283 U.S. 813.

The pertinent provisions of the section follow (40 Stat. 1081):

"§ 240(a). That corporations which are affiliated within the meaning of this section shall, under regulations to be prescribed by the Commissioner with the approval of the Secretary, make a consolidated return of net income and invested capital for the purposes of this title [Title II] and Title III, and the taxes thereunder shall be computed and determined upon the basis of such return: . . .

"(b). For the purpose of this section two or more domestic corporations shall be deemed to be affiliated . . . (2) if substantially all the stock of two or more corporations is owned or controlled by the same interests."

Petitioner carried on the business of dealing in gold and silver bullion and specie and furnishing to silversmiths silver rolled into sheets or coils. In 1916 its officers caused Hamilton DeLoss, Inc., to be organized, to erect a factory and to take over the work of its stamping department.Page 139During the taxable periods six men owned 93.71 per cent. of the stock of petitioner. The same men owned over 75 per cent. of the stock of Hamilton DeLoss, Inc. Hamilton did not own or control any of the stock of petitioner. Twenty per cent. of the stock of the new company was issued to him and he became its president. He gave to a bank his notes endorsed by DeLoss to obtain money to pay for the stock. Before the beginning of 1918 he executed an irrevocable stock power to one Higgins, and the latter, by like instrument, assigned the stock to DeLoss, who deposited it with the bank as collateral security for the payment of Hamilton's notes. Hamilton failed to pay and, February 1, 1919, after the expiration of the tax periods, DeLoss paid the notes and took over the stock.

Prior to that time Hamilton attended all the stockholders' meetings but never voted in opposition to the owners of the majority stock of both corporations. Hamilton DeLoss, Inc., paid him a salary at the rate of $10,000 per year, but the other officers of that corporation, being officers, directors or employees of the petitioner, received their compensation from the latter, although a large part of their time was devoted to the business of the former. During the taxable periods the corporations were operated as a business unit, and Hamilton DeLoss, Inc., sustained a net loss.

It may be assumed that the pledge as collateral was also to protect DeLoss as endorser. But it does not appear that, as between him and Hamilton, he was entitled to control voting power, or to have the stock transferred to him of record, or to have any use or benefit therefrom unless and until required to pay the notes. It was not held by or for him. The losses sustained by Hamilton DeLoss, Inc., did not, in respect of that stock, directly or indirectly result to his disadvantage. The section requires control of substantially all of the stock; control ofPage 140the corporations is not enough.2The carrying on of a business unit by two or more corporations does not in itself constitute affiliation. The shares of Hamilton DeLoss, Inc., owned by the six shareholders did not constitute substantially all of its stock.3We assume in favor of petitioner that they, through their power over Hamilton's official position and salary, their ability to dominate both corporations or by other means, were in position effectually to influence him in respect of the voting, use or disposition of the stock issued to him, and thus as a practical matter to exert a kind of control called by counsel "actual" to distinguish it from a legally enforceable control.

The purpose of § 240 was, by means of consolidated returns, to require taxes to be levied according to the true net income and invested capital resulting from and employed in a single business enterprise, even though it was conducted by means of more than one corporation. Subsection (b) clearly reflects the intention, by means of such returns, to secure substantial equality as between shareholders who ultimately bear the burden. That intention is shown by the legislative history and was given effect by the regulations contemporaneously promulgated.4It requiresPage 141no discussion to show that such returns will not make against inequality or evasion unless the same interests are the beneficial owners in like proportions of substantially all of the stock of each of such corporations.Alameda Investment Co. v.McLaughlin,28 F.2d 81.Montana Mercantile Co. v.Rasmusson,28 F.2d 916.Commissionerv.Adolph HirschCo.,30 F.2d 645,646.Commissioner of Internal Revenuev.City Button Works,49 F.2d 705. Affiliation on any other basis would not make against inequality or evasion. It would require very plain language to show that Congress intended to permit consolidated returns to depend on a basis so indefinite and uncertain as control of stock without title, beneficial ownership or legal means to enforce it. Control resting solely on acquiescence, the exigencies of business or other considerations having no binding force is not sufficient to satisfy the statute.Judgment affirmed.
  1. Page 138Ice Service Co. v.Commissioner,30 F.2d 230, andCommissionerv.Adolph Hirsch Co.30 F.2d 645. (C.C.A.-2.)United Statesv.Cleveland, P. E.R. Co.,42 F.2d 413. (C.C.A.-6.)American Auto Trimming Co. v.Lucas,37 F.2d 801. (App.D.C.)J. Rogers Flannery Co. v.Commissioner,42 F.2d 11. (C.C.A.-3.)Pelican Ice Co. v.Commissioner,37 F.2d 285. (C.C.A.-5.)Great Lakes Hotel Co. v.Commissioner,30 F.2d 1. (C.C.A.-7.)Burnetv.Wilshire Oil Co.,46 F.2d 975. (C.C.A.-9.) ↩
  2. Page 140 It was so held inIce Service Co. v.Commissioner,30 F.2d 230,231;Commissionerv.Adolph Hirsch Co.,30 F.2d 645,646;American Auto Trimming Co. v.Lucas,37 F.2d 801,803;United Statesv.Cleveland, P. E.R. Co.,42 F.2d 413,419;Commissionerv.Gong Bell Mfg. Co.,48 F.2d 205,206;Onondaga Co. v.Commissioner,50 F.2d 397,399. ↩
  3. Page 140United Statesv.Cleveland, P. E.R. Co.,42 F.2d 413,419.Burnetv.Bank of Italy,46 F.2d 629,630.Jos.Denunzio Fruit Co. v.Commissioner,49 F.2d 41.WadhamsCo. v.United States, 67 Ct. Cl. 235. ↩
  4. Page 140 Treasury Regulations 41, Art. 77; § 1331(a), Revenue Act of 1921,42 Stat. 319. § 336, House Bill 12863; § 240(b), same Bill; Senate Report No. 617 (Senate Documents, Vol. 4, Document 310, 65th Congress, 3d Session); H.R. Conference Report No. 1037, p. 15, same session. Regulations 45 (1920 ed.) Arts. 631, 633. ↩