1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*92
5 T.C. 673">*673 These consolidated proceedings involve deficiencies in estate tax as follows:
Petitioner | Docket No. | Deficiency |
Estate of John H. Eckhardt | 3511 | $ 10,233.75 |
Estate of Kate L. Eckhardt | 3512 | 11,804.86 |
5 T.C. 673">*674 The major portion of the deficiency in each proceeding arises from respondent's determination that separate trusts created by the decedents, under which each decedent was given a life estate in the other decedent's trust, were reciprocal and made in consideration of each other. He has therefore treated each decedent as the real settlor of the trust created by the other decedent, and has determined that the value of the corpus of the trust created for the benefit of the decedent is includible in that decedent's gross estate1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*94 under
An additional issue involving the estate of Kate L. Eckhardt arises from respondent's determination that the value of a reversionary interest of an
A Federal estate tax return was filed for each estate with the collector for the twenty-eighth district of New York.
FINDINGS OF FACT.
Kate L. Eckhardt died May 6, 1941, at the age of 70 years, survived by her husband, John H. Eckhardt; her only child, Alice E. Becker; a grandson, Dean Becker, and a great grandson, Dean Becker, Jr. By the terms of her will, probated in Erie County, New York, her daughter, Alice E. Becker, was named as executrix and sole beneficiary. The Federal estate tax return filed for her estate showed gross assets valued at $ 219,052.73, and claimed deductions of $ 59,838.65.
John H. Eckhardt, the surviving husband of Kate L. Eckhardt, died on June 20, 1941, at the age of 72 years. 1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*95 Surviving him were his daughter, Alice E. Becker; his grandson, Dean Becker; and a great grandson, Dean Becker, Jr. Under his will, probated in Erie County, New York, his daughter, Alice E. Becker, was named as executrix and sole beneficiary. The Federal estate tax return filed for his estate showed gross assets valued at $ 271,844.30 and claimed deductions of $ 61,834.03.
For many years prior to 1920 the decedents had jointly operated a department store, located at the intersection of Broadway and Fillmore Avenue, Buffalo, New York. The store was located on two 5 T.C. 673">*675 parcels of real estate, hereinafter called parcel 1 and parcel 2. Parcel 1 was acquired by the decedents jointly in 1895. Parcel 2 was owned by John H. Eckhardt individually and his wife had no interest therein prior to July 2, 1905. An adjoining vacant1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*96 tract, hereinafter called parcel 3, was jointly acquired by the decedents in 1926. It remained vacant until 1940. During 1920 the decedents sold their department store business, but continued to own the real estate. They leased the building to the purchasers of the store business and also leased parcel 3. The decedents also continuously maintained a joint bank account and joint safe deposit box after 1920. In addition, they each kept various savings and checking accounts.
For the years 1930, 1933, 1934, and 1935 the decedents filed separate income tax returns, which were prepared for them by the same person and were sworn to by the decedents on the same day before the same notary public. The returns of John H. Eckhardt for these years showed net income ranging from $ 18,274 to $ 53,884, and the returns of Kate L. Eckhardt showed net income ranging from $ 2,633 to $ 8,826. The decedents had always lived substantially within their income.
Shortly prior to June 1, 1935, Mrs. Becker had some discussions with her father about creating a trust of his interest in the store property at Broadway and Fillmore Avenue. Thereafter, and on or about June 1, 1935, she went to an attorney 1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*97 who specialized in drafting trust agreements. As a result of this visit, the attorney went to see John H. Eckhardt at Eckhardt's summer home and discussed a trust. He then prepared a draft of a proposed trust which he gave to Mrs. Becker on June 11, 1935. Thereupon, Mrs. Becker showed the draft to her father, who made several suggestions and changes, among them a correction in respect to the title to the real estate known as parcel 2. The attorney had prepared the draft thinking that each of the decedents had a one-half interest in the three parcels. The attorney then advised Mrs. Becker that her father should convey a one-half interest in parcel 2 to Mrs. Eckhardt.
At some time prior to June 16 or June 17, 1935, Mrs. Becker called the attorney on the telephone and told him that her mother wanted to make a trust of her interest in the Broadway-Fillmore Avenue property. Thereafter, and on either June 16 or June 17, 1935, Mrs. Eckhardt came to the attorney's office, accompanied by Mrs. Becker, and discussed a proposed trust. She told the attorney that she wished to give a life estate to her husband and then to her daughter and her grandson. The attorney then made and completed1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*98 a draft of such trust on June 20, 1935. On the same day he made a final draft of the John H. Eckhardt trust.
On July 2, 1935, both decedents and Alice E. Becker executed and 5 T.C. 673">*676 acknowledged before the attorney, the following series of deeds, which were recorded on the respective dates hereinafter set forth:
John and Kate Eckhardt to Alice E. Becker, covering all of parcel No. 1, recorded July 3, 1935, at 3:54 p. m.
Alice E. Becker to John and Kate Eckhardt, covering all of parcel No. 1, recorded July 3, 1935 at 3:55 p. m.
John and Kate Eckhardt to Alice E. Becker, covering parcel No. 3, recorded July 3, 1935, at 3:56 p. m.
Alice E. Becker to John and Kate Eckhardt, covering parcel No. 3, recorded July 3, 1935, at 3:57 p. m.
John H. Eckhardt to Kate L. Eckhardt, conveying an undivided one-half interest in parcel No. 2, recorded July 3, 1935, at 3:58 p. m., internal revenue documentary stamps in the amount of $ 15 being attached to the deed.
John H. Eckhardt to Kate L. Eckhardt, Alice E. Becker, and Gertrude Siffringer, as trustees of a trust created by John H. Eckhardt for the benefit of Kate L. Eckhardt, et al., under a trust agreement dated July 2, conveying an undivided 1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*99 one-half interest in parcels Nos. 1, 2, and 3, recorded July 3, 1935, at 4:02 p. m.
Kate L. Eckhardt to Kate L. Eckhardt, Alice E. Becker, and Gertrude Siffringer, as trustees of the trust created by John H. Eckhardt for the benefit of Kate L. Eckhardt, et al., under trust agreement dated July 2, 1935, conveying "all her dower interest in the undivided one-half interest in certain lands conveyed by John H. Eckhardt under deed dated July 2, 1935, to Kate L. Eckhardt, Alice E. Becker, and Gertrude Siffringer as trustees of the trust created by John H. Eckhardt for the benefit of Kate L. Eckhardt, et al., under trust agreement dated July 2, 1935," which was followed by a description of parcel No. 2, recorded July 3, 1935 at 4:03 p. m.
On July 2, 1935, John H. Eckhardt executed and acknowledged a trust agreement conveying his undivided one-half interest in parcels 1, 2, and 3 to Kate L. Eckhardt, Alice E. Becker, and Gertrude Siffringer as trustees; under the provisions of the trust the trustees were to pay the income to Kate L. Eckhardt for life and upon her death to Alice E. Becker for life, and upon the death of Alice E. Becker the principal was to be paid to any persons appointed by1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*100 the will of Alice E. Becker, or, in default thereof, then to Dean Becker, and, if he be not living, then to his issue equally, and, in default of such issue, to the heirs at law of Kate L. Eckhardt. In the event Alice E. Becker predeceased Kate L. Eckhardt, then on the death of Kate L. Eckhardt the income was payable to Dean Becker and the principal was payable to him upon his reaching the age of 35 years. In the event Dean Becker predeceased Kate L. Eckhardt the principal was payable to the appointees under the will of Kate L. Eckhardt, and, in default thereof, to the issue of Dean Becker, and, if there be no issue, then to the heirs at law of Kate L. Eckhardt. In the event Dean Becker died prior to the expiration of his trust the principal was payable to the appointees under his will, and, in default of appointment, to his issue equally, and, in default of issue, to the heirs at law of Kate L. Eckhardt.
5 T.C. 673">*677 On July 2, 1935, Kate L. Eckhardt executed and acknowledged, as trustee, an acceptance of the John H. Eckhardt trust, and on July 3, 1935, Gertrude Siffringer, a cousin of Mrs. Becker, did likewise.
On July 8, 1935, Kate L. Eckhardt executed a deed to herself, Alice 1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*101 E. Becker, and Gertrude Siffringer, "as Trustees of the trust created by Kate L. Eckhardt for the benefit of John H. Eckhardt, et al., under Trust Agreement dated July 8th, 1935," conveying her undivided one-half interest in parcels 1, 2, and 3. On the same day, Kate L. Eckhardt executed and acknowledged a trust agreement naming herself, Alice E. Becker, and Gertrude Siffringer as trustees. The corpus of the trust consisted of her one-half interest in parcels 1, 2, and 3. By the terms of the trust the trustees were to pay the trust income to John H. Eckhardt for life, and, upon his death, to Alice E. Becker for life, and, upon her death, the principal was to be paid to the appointees under her will, and, in default of said appointment, to Dean Becker, if alive, and, if he were then not living, to his issue equally, and, in default of issue, to the heirs at law of Alice E. Becker, excluding, however, Otto Becker, her former husband, and the grantor. In the event Alice E. Becker predeceased John H. Eckhardt the income was payable to Dean Becker, and the principal was payable to him upon his reaching the age of 35 years. In the event Dean Becker predeceased John H. Eckhardt the principal1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*102 was payable to the appointees under John H. Eckhardt's will, and, in default of appointment, was payable to the heirs at law of Alice E. Becker, excluding Otto Becker and the grantor. If Dean Becker survived John H. Eckhardt, but died prior to the expiration of the trust, the principal was payable to the appointees under his will, and, in default of appointment, to his issue equally, and, in default thereof, to the heirs at law of Alice E. Becker, excluding Otto Becker and the grantor. On July 8, 1935, the trustees acknowledged their acceptance of the foregoing trust.
The interest of each decedent in the real estate which was conveyed in trust as hereinbefore set forth was valued at approximately $ 60,000.
Article second of the John H. Eckhardt trust and article second of the Kate L. Eckhardt trust authorized the allocation by the respective trustees of such sums of principal as would be necessary for the comfortable maintenance and support of, in the former trust, the beneficiaries, Kate L. Eckhardt and Alice E. Becker, and, in the latter trust, the beneficiaries, John H. Eckhardt and Alice E. Becker, and, in each trust, for the comfortable maintenance, support, and education of1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*103 Dean Everett Becker. Article third of each trust describes the powers and discretion of the respective trustees in identical language. Article fourth of each trust describes additional discretionary powers of the respective trustees in identical language. Article fifth 5 T.C. 673">*678 of each trust provided in identical language for additions to the trust, spendthrift clauses and that the trusts should be irrevocable, for trustee's commissions, and for other powers of and succession to the trusteeship. In all respects except as to parties and beneficiaries and as hereinbefore described, the trust instruments are identical.
The attorney who drew the trust instruments did not discuss John H. Eckhardt's trust with Kate L. Eckhardt nor did he discuss Kate L. Eckhardt's trust with John H. Eckhardt. The attorney had discussed the tax consequences of the transactions with Mrs. Becker and had advised her not to inform either of her parents of the other parent's contemplated trust. However, from June 20 to July 2, 1935, Kate L. Eckhardt knew of the intended creation of the John H. Eckhardt trust and knew of the intended subject matter thereof. On July 2, 1935, Kate L. Eckhardt executed a 1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*104 deed to the trustees of the John H. Eckhardt trust which recited that the trust was "for the benefit of Kate L. Eckhardt, et al." Neither Mrs. Becker nor the attorney ever instructed either of the decedents not to discuss the intended creation of their trusts with each other. The trusts which the decedents executed were irrevocable, and at the time of their execution each decedent was worth approximately $ 100,000, not including the real estate interests so conveyed in trust.
Shortly after July 1935 the trustees leased the real estate hereinabove described to the decedents jointly for a term of 20 years and thereafter the decedents jointly operated the property. In 1940 they constructed a new department store building on this real estate and subleased the premises to a newly formed corporation, John H. Eckhardt, Inc. Each decedent was an officer, director, and stockholder therein. The decedents financed the construction of the building in part by borrowing $ 100,000 from the Liberty Bank of Buffalo, New York, giving their joint note in that amount as security. The decedents were jointly actively engaged in operating the department store until their deaths.
Gertrude Siffringer, 1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*105 named as a trustee of each trust, was a relative and served as trustee without compensation. She was named trustee in each instance to avoid the possibility of a merger of the separate estates of Alice E. Becker under the trusts.
Prior to the execution of his trust in his wife's favor, John H. Eckhardt knew of his wife's intention to create a trust in his favor. Prior to the execution of her trust in her husband's favor, Kate L. Eckhardt knew of her husband's intention to create a trust in her favor.
The trust created by John H. Eckhardt on July 2, 1935, was executed in consideration of the trust created by Kate L. Eckhardt on July 8, 1935. The trust created by Kate L. Eckhardt on July 8, 1935, was 5 T.C. 673">*679 executed in consideration of the trust created by John H. Eckhardt on July 2, 1935.
John H. Eckhardt was also a grantor of the trust and conveyed to the trustees cash and securities having a value of $ 51,037.74. On the date of the creation of the trust Alice E. Becker was 45 years of age, having been born July 9, 1889, and Dean Becker was 18 years of 1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*107 age, having been born April 25, 1916. At the date of the hearing, two children had been born to Dean Becker; namely, Dean E. Becker, Jr., born June 23, 1940, and John Eckhardt Becker, born December 8, 1941.
The trust created by Kate L. Eckhardt on April 6, 1935, was not a transfer intended to take effect in possession or enjoyment at or after her death.
OPINION.
1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*109 In determining the question presented, all the facts and circumstances attendant upon the creation and execution of the trusts must be carefully scrutinized, for the transactions had their genesis within the intimate family circle. The respondent's determination that there was a concert of action or at least a tacit agreement between the husband and wife is presumptively correct, and the burden of proving the error of such determination is upon the petitioners. In this type of situation, where the subject matter of each trust is the same, where the beneficial interests are the same, and where the trusts have been executed within such a short time of each other, the discharge of the burden is difficult, and this is especially so where both grantors are deceased.
We have carefully examined and considered all the oral and documentary evidence adduced at the hearing. From such examination and consideration, we can not find that the trusts were created independently of each other. Rather, the reasonable inferences to be drawn from much of the testimony is that each grantor knew of the other grantor's contemplated trust and that the trusts were made in consideration of each other.
It1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*110 should be noted at the outset that both of the decedents during their entire married life were unusually intimate in their financial and 5 T.C. 673">*681 business affairs. They habitually consulted with each other in connection with personal and business matters. For many years prior to 1920 they had jointly operated a department store in Buffalo, New York. Subsequent to the execution of the trusts which are involved in this proceeding, they again formed a business enterprise to jointly operate a department store. They had for many years maintained a joint bank account and a joint safe deposit box. The subject matter of the two trusts was also jointly owned real estate. It would seem a paradox that, having jointly managed their personal and business affairs over the entire course of their married life, in their advanced years they would each conceive a plan to create a trust independently of the other, especially since the provisions of each trust were so similar and they were created and executed almost simultaneously. The two trust instruments, which contained many provisions, were substantially identical. Under each trust the spouse and the daughter, Alice E. Becker, received 1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*111 successive life estates, with the principal to be paid upon the death of Alice E. Becker to the appointees under her will. To hold that, under these circumstances, the trusts were independently created would be to disregard the realities of life.
The petitioners admit that from June 20 to July 2, 1935, Kate L. Eckhardt knew of the intended creation of the John H. Eckhardt trust and knew of the subject matter thereof. Apparently, she also knew that she was a beneficiary under the trust, for on July 2, 1935, she signed her husband's trust indenture as trustee and also on the same date executed a deed to the trustees of the John H. Eckhardt trust which contained a recital that the trust was for her benefit. It is also significant that the attorney who drew both trusts completed a draft of Kate's trust on June 20, 1935, and on the same date completed the final draft of John H. Eckhardt's trust. The petitioners also admit that neither John Eckhardt nor Kate Eckhardt had been instructed not to discuss the creation of their respective trusts with each other. In view of this and their joint actions during their marital life, it is unreasonable to assume that such discussions did not take1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*112 place. It is also important to note that on July 2, 1935, both decedents executed a series of deeds in connection with the property which was placed in trust, all of which was preparatory to the placing of the property in such condition that both trusts could be created.
The chief witness in behalf of the petitioners was decedents' daughter, Mrs. Becker. She was the sole legatee under the will of each of the decedents and obviously was a biased witness. Her testimony was not impressive. She was adamant in stating that neither of the decedents knew of the intended execution of the other decedent's trust, but when asked to give an explanation of such testimony she was unable to do so except to state that she knew that fact to be true. She 5 T.C. 673">*682 insisted on these assertions, although she admitted that the decedents had not been instructed to withhold the information about the creation of the respective trusts from each other and that she was not always in their presence.
The record also contains testimony that the reason for the execution of the trusts was that each of the decedents wished to be relieved of the burden of the management of the real estate and of the annoyance1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*113 in dealing with tenants. Yet within a short time after the execution of the trusts the decedents leased the property from the trustees for a term of twenty years. Thereafter, they erected a building, formed a new corporation to hold the lease, and subleased the property. Each of the decedents was an officer, stockholder, and director in this corporation, and each took an active part in the management of the property. In view of the conduct of the decedents subsequent to the creation of the trusts, it seems apparent that the reason for the creation of the trusts could not have been a desire to relieve the decedents from the management of the property.
It is therefore concluded that John H. Eckhardt and Kate L. Eckhardt did not create their respective trusts independently of each other and without any prior concert of action or understanding. From the evidence, we are satisfied that these trusts were executed under such circumstances as would justify the respondent in determining that they were reciprocal and executed in consideration of one another. The evidence submitted in behalf of the petitioners was not sufficient to rebut the presumption of the correctness of that determination. 1945 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*114 It is therefore held that the undivided one-half interest of each decedent in the real property was, in effect, exchanged by them, and that for estate tax purposes each decedent should be regarded as the real settlor of the trust nominally created by the other. Since each decedent retained a life estate in the trust created by him, the value of the corpus of such trust is includible in his gross estate under
5 T.C. 673">*683 Under the trust indenture, the trust income was payable to Dean during the period of the trust, and, in the discretion of the trustees, a part of the principal could be used for his benefit. It was also provided that he was to receive 10 percent of the principal upon his attaining the age of 30 years, and an additional 10 percent every two years thereafter, until at the age of 40, he was to receive the entire balance of the principal. If he died before attaining the age of 40, the principal was to go to his surviving issue, and, in the event that he died prior to that time without issue, his mother, Alice E. Becker, was to receive the principal. If Alice died without issue and was survived by Kate L. Eckhardt, then the principal was to go to Kate or to such persons as she might appoint by will, and, in default of such appointment, to Kate's heirs.
In the
It is clear that decedent intended to make a complete gift for the benefit of her grandson. The principal was payable to him in gradual installments until at the age of 40 years he was to receive the entire amount. The decedent's death could not, therefore, enlarge his estate or affect his interests. In the
Accordingly,
1.
The value of the gross estate of the decedent shall be determined by including the value at the time of his death of all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, wherever situated, except real property situated outside of the United States --
* * * *
(c) Transfers in Contemplation of, or Taking Effect at Death. -- To the extent of any interest therein of which the decedent has at any time made a transfer, by trust or otherwise, in contemplation of or intended to take effect in possession or enjoyment at or after his death, or of which he has at any time made a transfer, by trust or otherwise, under which he has retained for his life or for any period not ascertainable without reference to his death or for any period which does not in fact end before his death (1) the possession or enjoyment of, or the right to the income from, the property, or (2) the right, either alone or in conjunction with any person, to designate the persons who shall possess or enjoy the property or the income therefrom; except in case of a bona fide sale for an adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth. * * *↩