1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*159
Petitioner, a foreign insurance company doing business in the United States (other than life or mutual) incurred British income taxes and business expense at its London office, connected with income from sources within the United States, but not definitely allocable thereto.
1 T.C. 1166">*1167 OPINION.
These cases, duly consolidated, involve deficiencies determined in income taxes and alleged overpayments claimed as follows:
Income tax | Overpayment | ||
Year | Docket No. | deficiency | claimed |
1938 | 109903 | $ 10,580.87 | $ 31,505.73 |
1939 | 112303 | 20,976.59 | 8,534.95 |
The questions presented (identical as to each year) involve the deductibility by a foreign insurance company of business expenses, interest paid, and income taxes paid to a foreign country. The facts were stipulated in writing, a separate stipulation being filed for each of the taxable years. They are, however, identical, except for the figures contained. In material part the stipulation for the year 1938 (and for 1939, except for the use of different figures) is as follows:
The petitioner is a foreign corporation, organized and existing under the laws of Great Britain. During the year 1938 it was engaged in the fire and marine insurance business within the United States, maintaining1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*161 its principal United States office in New York City; and it was engaged in the business of fire, marine, accident and life insurance at one or more places outside the United States. It commenced business in the United States in 1871. In 1938 the petitioner was subject to United States income tax as an insurance company other than life or mutual as defined in Section 204 of the Revenue Act of 1938.
In connection with the transaction of its fire and marine insurance business (including the investment of funds relating thereto), the petitioner incurred and paid ordinary and necessary business expenses of £ 62,728 in 1938 at its Home Office in London, England, which were connected with its income from sources within the United States but could not definitely be allocated thereto. For the purpose of apportioning the said expenses to United States income, the petitioner's gross income from sources within the United States was $ 6,154,722.21 or $ 5,582,020.93 or some intermediate figure, depending upon the correctness of including therein (1) interest as follows: (a) $ 35,882.08 from United States Treasury Bonds, (b) $ 4,174.89 from United States Treasury Notes, (c) $ 11,156.25 from1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*162 Home Owners' Loan Corporation Bonds, Series "F" and "G", (d) $ 311. from Reconstruction Finance Corporation Notes, Series "N", (e) $ 29,370.22 from bonds of various States of the United States or political subdivisions thereof, or total interest of $ 80,894.44, and (2) $ 491,806.84, representing 85 percent of the amount of dividends received by the petitioner from domestic corporations which were subject to taxation under Title I of the Revenue Act of 1938 (the petitioner was not subject to United States tax on any of the six items so excluded from the petitioner's gross income from sources within the United States); and the gross income from all sources of the petitioner's fire and marine departments was 1 T.C. 1166">*1168 $ 17,875,569.67, which included all income from sources within the United States. The respondent allowed the petitioner a deduction of $ 90,884.23 for unallocable Home Office expenses, computed by applying to £ 62,728 the ratio of $ 5,582,020.93 to $ 17,875,569.67. The parties are agreed that the respondent's computation was correct if none of the items described in (1) and (2) above was properly includible in gross income from sources within the United States for purposes1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*163 of computing the applicable ratio. Otherwise, upon the Court's determination that one or more of such items was properly includible, the parties will agree upon the amount of the deduction.
As a British corporation the petitioner is subject to British income tax upon its income and profits from all sources, including its income from sources within the United States. The petitioner incurred and paid a standard British income tax liability of £ 174,025 upon the 1938 income and profits from all sources of its Fire, Marine and Accident Departments; and it incurred and paid a liability of £ 25,753 for National Defence Contribution, an additional British income tax imposed upon such income and profits. Each of such liabilities was connected with the petitioner's income from sources within the United States but could not definitely be allocated thereto. For the purpose of apportioning such British income tax liabilities to United States income, the petitioner's gross income from sources within the United States was as stated in paragraph II hereof; and the gross income from all sources of its Fire, Marine and Accident Departments was $ 22,353,543.32, * which included all income 1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*164 from sources within the United States. The respondent allowed the petitioner a deduction of $ 231,469.89 for unallocable British income taxes, computed by applying to the sum of £ 174,025 (standard tax) and £ 25,753 (National Defence Contribution) the ratio of $ 5,582,020.93 to $ 22,353,543.32. The parties are agreed that the respondent's computation was correct if no part of the interest and dividends detailed in paragraph II hereof was properly includible in gross income from sources within the United States for purposes of computing the applicable ratio. Otherwise, upon the Court's determination that one or more of such items of income was properly includible in gross income from sources within the United States, the parties will agree upon the amount of the deduction.
During 1938 the petitioner had outstanding three issues of securities called "Union Debenture Stock," "West of Scotland Debenture Stock" and "British General Debenture Stock", the aggregate par or face value of which varied from £ 1,469,884 at the beginning of the year to £ 1,467,121 at the end of the year. The "Union Debenture Stock" was issued in 1907 for the purpose of raising funds for the petitioner to1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*165 acquire the outstanding stock of the Union Assurance Society, Ltd., a British insurance corporation which is engaged in business in various parts of the world including the United States. The "West of Scotland Debenture Stock" and "British General Debenture Stock" were issued in 1924 and 1926, respectively, for the purpose of raising funds for the petitioner to acquire the outstanding stock of the West of Scotland Insurance Co., Ltd., and the British General Insurance Co., Ltd., respectively, each of which is a British insurance corporation. The West of Scotland Insurance Co., Ltd. has never engaged in 1 T.C. 1166">*1169 business in the United States; the British General Insurance Co., Ltd. is engaged in business in various parts of the world including the United States. No part of the income of these three companies was included in the petitioner's income either from sources within the United States or elsewhere; the petitioner paid no tax thereon, and no part thereof was included in the net income upon which the deficiency herein asserted was computed. Shortly after each issuance the petitioner did acquire substantially all the stock of each such company as respectively named above.
1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*166 In 1938 the petitioner incurred and paid interest of £ 15,480 on its outstanding "Union Debenture Stock," £ 17,721 on its outstanding "West of Scotland Debenture Stock" and £ 18,975 on its outstanding "British General Debenture Stock", or total interest of £ 52,176. It is agreed that if the Court determines that the payments of interest to the petitioner's Debenture Stock holders were "connected with income from sources within the United States", within the meaning of section 232 (a) of the Revenue Act of 1938, then the petitioner is entitled to a deduction for such interest computed by applying to £ 52,176 the ratio of its gross income from sources within the United States to its gross income from all sources. It is further agreed that for purposes of computing the amount of the deduction, if any is allowable, the petitioner's gross income from sources within the United States was as stated in paragraph II hereof, and its gross income from all sources was $ 43,608,950.19, ** which included all income from sources within the United States.
Throughout the year 1938, without consideration of any liability created by the petitioner's Debenture Stock issues, it owned assets, located1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*167 in the United States, which exceeded by at least $ 6,000,000 its liabilities to United States policyholders and creditors.
There are submitted herewith, and as a part of this Stipulation, photostatic copies of the certificates evidencing the petitioner's "Union Debenture Stock", "West of Scotland Debenture Stock" and "British General Debenture Stock" (Exhibits "A", "B" and "C", respectively), and photostatic copies of the trust indenture securing each such issue (Exhibits "D", "E" and "F", respectively).
During the year 1938 the petitioner owned substantially all the outstanding stock of three United States insurance corporations, the American Central Insurance Company, the California Insurance Company and the Commercial Union Fire Insurance Company of New York. The American Central Insurance Company was organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of Missouri in 1853. A controlling interest in its outstanding stock was acquired by the petitioner through cash purchase in 1916. During 1938 the petitioner owned 19,985 1/4 of its 20,000 outstanding shares. The California Insurance Company was organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of California in 1864. 1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*168 A controlling interest in its outstanding stock was acquired by the petitioner through cash purchase in 1913. During 1938 the petitioner owned 24,945 of its 25,000 outstanding shares. The Commercial Union Fire Insurance Company of New York was incorporated at the instance of the petitioner in 1890 under the laws of the State of New York. The petitioner originally subscribed to all its stock and has since owned it all, except qualifying shares. Each of such companies is engaged in the fire insurance business in the United States. None has ever engaged in business in England, nor been authorized to do so. Under British law, due to the petitioner's substantial ownership and control of its 1 T.C. 1166">*1170 American subsidiaries, the petitioner is subject to British income tax and National Defence Contribution on the net income and profits of such subsidiaries, computed in the same manner as its own income and profits, and without regard to dividends received from them. Such profits are included with those resulting from the petitioner's own operations and are assessed for tax against the petitioner. In 1938 the petitioner's American subsidiaries realized income and profits aggregating1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*169 $ 500,036.91 which were subjected to British income tax of $ 175,012.92 and they realized income and profits aggregating $ 299,916.00 which were subjected to National Defence Contribution of $ 14,995.80. The said taxes were imposed upon and paid by the petitioner and were apart from and in addition to the British income tax and National Defence Contribution referred to in paragraph III hereof. The petitioner was not reimbursed for such payments. During 1938 the petitioner received dividends from its three American subsidiary companies in the aggregate amount of $ 522,881.57. The petitioner's income from sources within the United States, as hereinbefore set forth, did not include the profits of the said American subsidiaries, except that there was included in the petitioner's gross income from sources within the United States the dividends received from them, of which 85 per cent was allowed as a credit under section 204 (a) (2) (B) of the Revenue Act of 1938 and only 15 per cent was taxed to the petitioner by the United States. The respondent allowed as a deduction no part of the British income tax or National Defence Contribution paid by the petitioner on the income and profits1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*170 of its American subsidiaries.
The petitioner duly filed its United States income tax return for the calendar year 1938 with the Collector of Internal Revenue for the Third New York District. * * *
* * * *
In addition, at the hearing the parties stipulated the following:
The ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred and paid by petitioner at its home office in London, in connection with its fire and marine insurance business, itemized by years, were:
Directors' | ||||
Rent rates | fees and | |||
Year | and taxes | Advertising | auditors' | Law costs |
fees | ||||
1938 | £ 7,295 | £ 389 | £ 6,373 | £ 132 |
1939 | 7,685 | 410 | 6,722 | 139 |
Printing | ||||
Year | Postage | and | Salaries | Total |
stationery | ||||
1938 | £ 1,173 | £ 1,255 | £ 46,111 | £ 62,728 |
1939 | 1,237 | 1,323 | 48,638 | 66,164 |
1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*171 The petitioner advances three contentions. They will be stated and discussed separately.
I. --
The petitioner, a foreign insurance corporation (other than life or mutual) engaged in business within the United States, is subject to tax under section 204 of the Revenue Act of 1938. The Commissioner, in computing petitioner's deductions from income within the United States for business expenses incurred at the home office in London, and for British income taxes paid, used the ratio provided by Regulations 1 T.C. 1166">*1171 101, article 119-10, under the authority of section 232 (a), Revenue Act of 1938, that is, ratio of gross income from sources within the United States to gross income from all sources. He did not, however, include in the income from sources within the United States (a) certain nontaxable interest received by the petitioner, and (b) 85 percent of dividends received by the petitioner from domestic corporations. This was upon the theory, as advanced in the respondent's brief, that under section 204 (e) 1 the allowance of those items would result in a double deduction, the petitioner having already had the benefit of nontaxability upon both the1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*172 interest and the 85 percent of dividends from domestic corporations by reason of the provisions of section 204 (a), 2 taxing the petitioner upon "special class net income" defined as net income from sources within the United States, minus credit for interest on obligations of the United States and its instrumentalities (which covers the interest here in question), and minus the credit for dividends received from domestic corporations, as provided by section 26 (b).
1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*173 The petitioner points out that the respondent's position has been sustained in , and , but first "respectfully asks that this question be reviewed
We have considered in detail these points of disagreement upon the conclusion reached in the two decisions above named. Considering the patent differences in approach to the taxation of insurance companies and other corporations, as shown in the history of the legislation, we can not agree that decisions involving other corporations, such as , or , cited by the petitioner, are helpful here. The latter case1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*176 is by the court specially distinguished from the
* * * Accordingly, your committee recommends that the disallowance be applied to all classes of tax-exempt income except interest. * * *
Since the dividends received by petitioner from its American subsidiaries were, to the extent of 85 percent thereof, tax exempted through the effect of section 26 (b) of the Revenue Act of 1938, it is apparent that section 24 (a) (5) can on this point at most apply only to interest, even as relates to ordinary corporations and without considering the separate scheme of taxation of insurance companies. Nor do we find irreconcilable conflict between section 204 1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*178 (d) and section 204 (e), under the interpretation given section 204 (e) by the
In the alternative, petitioner suggests that though, in the Revenue Act of 1928, interpreted by the
We are not convinced that the conclusion expressed in
II. --
The petitioner seeks and the Commissioner denies deduction of certain interest paid within the taxable years upon certain debenture stock. It is agreed that the amounts paid were interest and there appears no denial that it was interest upon indebtedness. The deduction is opposed upon the ground that the petitioner being a foreign corporation, the interest is deductible under sections 232 (a) 41943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*182 and 119 (b) 5 of the Revenue Act of 1938 only if "connected with income from sources within the United States," and "can not definitely be allocated to some item or class of gross income" outside the United States; and that here the interest paid has no connection with income from sources within the United States, but can definitely be allocated to income from foreign sources. The principal point made by the 1 T.C. 1166">*1175 respondent is that the money was borrowed to purchase and used to purchase the stock of1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*181 three British insurance companies, no part of the income of which was included in petitioner's income taxed by the United States, and that therefore there is no connection between the interest paid and income from sources within the United States. The petitioner, on the other hand, argues that the indebtedness was general, that the purpose for which the borrow was used is immaterial, that both petitioner's assets abroad and in the United States are subject to execution for payment of the debt, and that such constitutes the necessary connection with income from sources within the United States under the statute. The petitioner relies upon There the Court of Claims concluded that amounts paid by a British corporation were interest, and said:
Interest paid on borrowed money, of course, has a connection with all of the company's investments, including its investments in the United States, and, therefore, plaintiff is entitled to deduct a ratable part of this interest.
The respondent points out, however, in substance, that the court there had nothing before it except the mere fact that money was borrowed, and that the purpose in borrowing was not specified, while here the money was secured for a specific use, which can be allocated to particular gross income, that is, the income upon the investments which the petitioner made in the stock of the three British corporations. In our opinion, the distinction is well founded. So far as appears from the opinion in the
III. --
The petitioner seeks deduction of certain taxes paid to the British Government, by which they were laid upon the net income and profits of three domestic corporations organized under the laws of New York, Missouri, and California, respectively, substantially all of the stock of which was owned by the petitioner. Under British law, the petitioner, it is stipulated, is subject to British income tax and national defence contribution on the net income of such subsidiaries "computed in the same manner as its own income and profits, and without regard to dividends received from them." During the taxable years the petitioner received from the subsidiaries dividends as follows: In 1938, $ 522,881.57; in 1939, $ 522,881.55. In 1938 the American subsidiaries1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*186 realized income and profits in the amount of $ 789,952.91 and in 1939, $ 277,409.66; which amounts were subjected to British tax. Petitioner's income from the subsidiaries included only the dividends above stated, and thereof 85 percent was allowed as a credit under section 204 (a) (2) (B) of the Revenue Act of 1938.
The petitioner contends that under section 204 (c) (3), Revenue Act of 1938, it is entitled to deduct "Taxes as provided in section 1 T.C. 1166">*1177 23 (c)"; 6 and that the latter section allows it to deduct all taxes. The petitioner argues that section 24 (a) (5) 7 does not apply, and that the taxes in question are allocable to income from sources within the United States, received by the petitioner in the form of dividends from its domestic subsidiaries. The respondent's position is, in effect, that the taxes paid to Great Britain are based not upon income received, but upon a fiction of British law that the income and profits of the subsidiaries are the income of the parent corporation, and that the petitioner is actually seeking to add to the tax law of the United States a deduction for which no provision is therein made. He points out that one seeking deduction must1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*187 point to an applicable statute, and show compliance with its exact terms. .
1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*188 The difficulty we find in following petitioner's argument is that it applies regardless of whether the petitioner in fact had income from its American subsidiaries. They might have income and profits without paying dividends, or might pay dividends in years when they had no earnings or profits, or less than dividends paid. In fact, as above seen, in 1939 their income and profits and therefore the amount taxed by the British Government amounted to only $ 277,409.66, whereas dividends paid to the petitioner were $ 522,881.55; while in 1938 the income and profits were $ 799,952.91 (upon which the British tax upon petitioner was computed) though only $ 522,881.57 was received as dividends. In such a situation, under section 24 (a) (5) no deduction may be allowed if it is "allocable to one or more classes of income other than interest * * * wholly exempt from the taxes imposed by this title." If we assume that, as petitioner argues, the tax here is allocable to sources within the United States, nevertheless, in case the petitioner receives no dividends, though the income and profits are taxed to it by the British Government, then the United States can not tax to the petitioner any income1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*189 from the subsidiaries, and we appear asked to allow a deduction allocable to a class of income "wholly exempt from the 1 T.C. 1166">*1178 taxes imposed by this title" within the text of section 24 (a) (5). It is true, as petitioner suggests, that the income taxed by the British Government in one sense had its source within the United States, but that was as income of other corporations, and taxed by the United States as such. As income
Plainly, in that case, the British tax for which deduction is sought, being upon the income and profits in nowise subject to tax by the United States
The language of sections 232 and 119 (b) further indicate that "sources within the United States" are those of the petitioner, and not of another from whom the income is obtained. , cited by the petitioner, involved1943 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159">*192 a loss from sources directly connected with the petitioner's own income, no situation such as herein involved. Though we have above discussed an example involving petitioner's income above dividends received, we think the same principles apply to dividends in fact received. Though the
The petitioner, in the alternative, asks for deduction of "15 per cent of the allocable British income taxes claimed, representing that part of such taxes attributable to the taxable portion of the dividends received from its domestic subsidiaries." We discern in the statute, however, no basis for such allowance of a percentage of the taxes paid. The income, after credit given, was 15 percent of
*. This figure includes all the gross income which produced the net income upon which the petitioner's British tax liabilities were imposed. It includes Accident Department income, since the tax liabilities include Accident Department profits, which cannot be segregated.↩
**. This figure includes all gross income from all sources of the petitioner's Fire, Marine, Accident and Life Departments.↩
1. SEC. 204. INSURANCE COMPANIES OTHER THAN LIFE OR MUTUAL.
* * * *
(e) Double Deductions. -- Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the same item to be twice deducted.↩
2. SEC. 204. INSURANCE COMPANIES OTHER THAN LIFE OR MUTUAL.
(a) Imposition of Tax. --
* * * *
(1) In general. -- In lieu of the tax imposed by sections 13 and 14, there shall be levied, collected, and paid for each taxable year upon the special class net income of every insurance company (other than a life or mutual insurance company) a tax of 16 1/2 per centum of the mount thereof.
(2) Special class net income of foreign companies. -- In the case of a foreign insurance company (other than a life or mutual insurance company), the special class net income shall be the net income from sources within the United States minus the sum of --
(A) Interest on obligations of the United States and its instrumentalities. -- The credit provided in section 26 (a).
(B) Dividends received. -- The credit provided in section 26 (b).
* * * *↩
3. SEC. 204. INSURANCE COMPANIES OTHER THAN LIFE OR MUTUAL.
* * * *
(d) Deductions of Foreign Corporations. -- In the case of a foreign corporation the deductions allowed in this section shall be allowed to the extent provided in Supplement I in the case of a foreign corporation engaged in trade or business within the United States or having an office or place of business therein.↩
4. SEC. 232. DEDUCTIONS.
(a) In General. -- In the case of a foreign corporation the deductions shall be allowed only if and to the extent that they are connected with income from sources within the United States; and the proper apportionment and allocation of the deductions with respect to sources within and without the United States shall be determined as provided in section 119, under rules and regulations prescribed by the Commissioner with the approval of the Secretary.↩
5. SEC. 119. INCOME FROM SOURCES WITHIN UNITED STATES.
* * * *
(b) Net Income from Sources in United States. -- From the items of gross income specified in subsection (a) of this section there shall be deducted the expenses, losses, and other deductions properly apportioned or allocated thereto and a ratable part of any expenses, losses, or other deductions which can not definitely be allocated to some item or class of gross income. The remainder, if any, shall be included in full as net income from sources within the United States.↩
6. SEC. 23. DEDUCTIONS FROM GROSS INCOME.
In computing net income there shall be allowed as deductions:
* * * *
(c) Taxes Generally. -- Taxes paid or accrued within the taxable year, except --
* * * *
(2) income, war-profits, and excess-profits taxes imposed by the authority of any foreign country or possession of the United States; but this deduction shall be allowed in the case of a taxpayer who does not signify in his return his desire to have to any extent the benefits of section 131 (relating to credit for taxes of foreign countries and possessions of the United States).↩
7. SEC. 24. ITEMS NOT DEDUCTIBLE.
(a) General Rule. -- In computing net income no deduction shall in any case be allowed in respect of --
* * * *
(5) Any amount otherwise allowable as a deduction which is allocable to one or more classes of income other than interest (whether or not any amount of income of that class or classes is received or accrued) wholly exempt from the taxes imposed by this title.↩