13 T.C. 919">*919 The Commissioner has determined a deficiency in petitioner's income tax for the year 1944 of $ 981.93 and deficiencies in petitioner's excess profits tax for the years 1943 and 1944 in the respective amounts of $ 8,436.84 and1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*17 $ 1,076.71. The deficiencies are explained, in pertinent part, in a statement attached to the deficiency notice, as follows:

1943 and 1944

Depletion is calculated by the percentage method, since the cost of the oil-producing properties is held to be the adjusted cost to the predecessor owners, which was nominal. It is held that the properties were acquired through a nontaxable reorganization.

The petitioner, by appropriate assignments of error, contests the Commissioner's determination as to depletion for both 1943 and 1944. Petitioner contends that in both years it is entitled to depletion based on cost instead of percentage depletion. It is petitioner's contention that it acquired its properties in a taxable transaction and not in a nontaxable reorganization; therefore, it is not restricted to its predecessor's cost basis.

13 T.C. 919">*920 FINDINGS OF FACT.

The stipulated facts are found as stipulated.

The petitioner is a Delaware corporation, with its principal office in Tyler, Texas. Its income and excess profits tax returns for the years 1943 and 1944 were filed with the collector of internal revenue for the second district of Texas, at Dallas, Texas.

Trapshooter Reilly Oil1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*18 & Royalties Co., hereinafter referred to as the predecessor corporation, was organized under the laws of the State of Oklahoma on October 3, 1928. On July 18, 1940, there were 237,927.21 shares of issued and outstanding voting common stock of the predecessor corporation.

Prior to the formulation and adoption of the plan of reorganization hereinafter referred to, the predecessor corporation divided certain, but not all, of its oil properties into a number of units of direct interest. The predecessor corporation sold some of such units to its stockholders and, in some instances, to persons other than stockholders. The specific properties so divided into units, the number of units into which the properties were divided, and the number of units sold by the predecessor corporation are as set forth hereinafter.

The predecessor corporation owned at July 18, 1940, the following properties: 10 producing oil wells located on the Mitchell lease in Gregg County, Texas, known as Wells Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, less direct interests which had been sold and were represented by certificates of direct interest as follows:

1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*19 The percentages of the wells owned by the predecessor corporation after the sale of the units as above stated were as follows:

In addition to the above wells, the predecessor corporation owned on July 18, 1940, various and sundry royalties and leases. The value of the above described properties at July 18, 1940, was as follows: 13 T.C. 919">*921

In conformity with the petition filed by the creditors of the predecessor corporation, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, on December 15, 1937, adjudged the predecessor corporation a bankrupt and appointed1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*20 Hugh E. Exum of Amarillo, Texas, as a trustee in a proceeding under section 77-B of the National Bankruptcy Act, as amended. On September 23, 1938, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas entered an order removing the predecessor corporation from the provisions of section 77-B of the National Bankruptcy Act and placing it under the provisions of chapter X of that act. Among the properties of the predecessor corporation included in the orders of September 23, 1938, and December 15, 1937, were the properties represented by the units described above.

By orders dated May 16 and July 18, 1940, the court approved the plan of reorganization referred to herein.

Pursuant to the plan of reorganization, the court directed that a new corporation be formed and directed the trustee of the properties of the predecessor corporation and of the properties represented by the outstanding units to sell a sufficient amount of those properties to realize the cash required for the consummation and effectuation of the plan of reorganization. The cash realized from the sale of the properties was, pursuant to the court's order and in conformity with the plan of reorganization, 1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*21 used for the purpose of paying to the creditors (both judgment and unsecured) the amounts of their claims and for the purpose of purchasing at a value fixed by the court the units of direct interest. The court fixed a value on each outstanding share of stock of the predecessor corporation and directed in the plan of reorganization that those of the stockholders who so desired might elect to surrender their stockholdings to the predecessor corporation and to receive cash at the value fixed by the court for each share of stock. The court found the value of each share of outstanding stock 13 T.C. 919">*922 of the predecessor corporation and the value of each of the units of interest to be as follows:

Prior to the date on which the court assumed jurisdiction, the predecessor corporation owned certain oil property in Harris County, Texas, referred to herein as Ashton No. 1 Pool. This1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*22 property was divided into 1,000 units of direct interest, and 685.15 units were sold. These properties later became partially worthless and were sold by the trustee and no adjustment or refund was made to the unit holders. In the plan of reorganization the court recognized the interests of the unit holders and accorded the outstanding units a value for redemption of $ 0.3648 per unit.

Pursuant to the plan of reorganization there were surrendered to the predecessor corporation 48,094.73 shares of its outstanding stock, for which those surrendering such shares received from the trustee the amount of $ 0.7296 per share.

Under the plan of reorganization J. Ray Brown was permitted to exchange 25,831.21 shares of stock in the predecessor corporation, 102.35 units in the Ashton No. 1 Pool, 4,221.30 units in the Super-gusher Pool, 69 units in the Mitchell No. 1 Pool, and 25.25 units in the Mitchell No. 2 Pool for Well No. 3. The units of interest and the shares of stock in the predecessor corporation owned by Brown are included in the outstanding shares of stock of the predecessor corporation and the outstanding units in the properties referred to above.

Pursuant to the plan of reorganization1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*23 the trustee sold four wells, Nos. 2, 5, 8, and 10, for $ 115,000 and sold all of the sundry leases and royalties for $ 14,100. From the cash realized the trustee paid all debts and claims and redeemed for cash, at values fixed by the court, all outstanding certificates of stock and interests of all holders who elected to take cash redemption.

The properties of the predecessor corporation remaining after the above described sales of property to raise cash for the purposes referred to were transferred by the trustee to the new corporation pursuant to the plan of reorganization as adopted by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. In conformity with the plan of reorganization the new corporation, in exchange for the properties of the predecessor corporation, issued common stock to the stockholders of the predecessor corporation and the owners of units of interests who 13 T.C. 919">*923 surrendered to the predecessor corporation their stock and unit holdings.

During 1940 and in conformity with the plan of reorganization, 164,001.27 shares out of a total outstanding of 237,927.21 shares in the predecessor corporation were surrendered by the owners thereof to the predecessor1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*24 corporation for cancellation and the owners of such stock received therefor a proportionate part of the stock in the new corporation; 48,094.73 shares were surrendered for cash; and 25,831.21 shares owned by Brown were surrendered in part for Well No. 3, as above stated.

Out of 685.15 outstanding units of interest in the Ashton No. 1 Pool, 477.65 units were surrendered to the predecessor corporation and the owners thereof received a proportionate part of the stock in the new corporation; 105.15 units were surrendered for cash; and 102.35 units owned by Brown were surrendered in part for Well No. 3.

Out of 24,826.79 units outstanding in the Super-gusher Pool, 15,594.52 units were surrendered to the predecessor corporation and the owners of such units received a proportionate part of the stock in the new corporation; 5,010.97 units were surrendered for cash; and 4,221.30 units owned by Brown were surrendered in part for Well No. 3.

Out of 116.20 outstanding units in the Mitchell No. 1 Pool, 39.20 units were surrendered to the predecessor corporation and the owners thereof received therefor a proportionate part of the stock in the new corporation; 8 units were surrendered for cash; and1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*25 69 units were surrendered by Brown in part for Well No. 3.

Out of 76.20 outstanding units in the Mitchell No. 2 Pool, 41.26 units were surrendered by the owners thereof to the predecessor corporation and such owners received therefor a proportionate part of the stock in the new corporation; 9.69 units were surrendered for cash; and 25.25 units owned by Brown were surrendered in part for Well No. 3.

The proportionate interests in the stock of the new corporation received as heretofore stated were based upon values of the stock in the predecessor corporation which were exchanged for stock in the new corporation and the values of the units of interest as specified by the court. The total value of the outstanding stock of the new corporation was based upon and measured by the value of the stock of the predecessor corporation which was redeemed for stock in the new corporation and the units of interests exchanged for stock in the new corporation; that is to say, the total value of the outstanding stock of the new corporation exactly equaled the value placed by the court on the shares of stock in the old corporation exchanged for stock in the new corporation, plus the values of the units1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*26 of interests exchanged for stock in the new corporation.

13 T.C. 919">*924 Shares of stock in the new corporation were distributed among the participating shareholders in the predecessor corporation and the participating unit holders at values equaling the values of the stock in the predecessor corporation and the values of the units. No persons other than the shareholders in the predecessor corporation became stockholders in the new corporation. The unit holders who became stockholders in the new corporation were also stockholders in the predecessor corporation.

Upon the issuance of the stock in the new corporation, $ 135,920.25 was the fair market value of the depletable oil in place. At November 7, 1940, the date of acquisition of the oil properties by the new corporation, those properties had oil reserves of 300,000 barrels, and oil production therefrom amounted to 30,825.98 barrels in 1943 and 33,475.09 barrels in 1944.

All of the outstanding stock of the predecessor corporation was voting stock and all of the outstanding stock of the new corporation immediately after the adoption and consummation of the plan of reorganization and thereafter was voting stock.

Pursuant to the plan 1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*27 of reorganization, after the acquisition of the shares of stock and units of those stockholders and unit holders who elected to take cash, the remaining assets of the predecessor corporation were transferred to the new corporation, which, in consideration for the assets so transferred to it, issued its capital stock to the stockholders and unit holders of the predecessor corporation who elected to take stock in the petitioner, on the basis determined in the plan and approved by the court.

The par value of the stock in the new corporation, which was voting stock and constituted the only class of stock issued by the new corporation, was $ 1 per share.

In exchange for the 164,001.27 shares of stock in the predecessor corporation the holders thereof received 108,777.5696 shares of stock in the new corporation (164,001.27 x .7296 x 100/110 = 108,777.5696).

In exchange for the 477.65 units in the Ashton No. 1 Pool the holders thereof received 158.4061 shares of stock in the new corporation (477.65 x .3648 x 100/110 = 158.4061).

In exchange for the 15,594.52 units in the Super-gusher Pool the holders thereof received 6,532.4683 shares of stock in the new corporation (15,594.52 x .4608 x 100/1101949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*28 = 6,532.4683).

In exchange for 39.20 units in the Mitchell No. 1 Pool the owners thereof received 1,280.7103 shares of stock in the new corporation (39.20 X 35.9383 X 100/110 = 1,280.7103).

In exchange for 41.26 units in the Mitchell No. 2 Pool the holders thereof received 1,348.0129 shares of stock in the new corporation (41.26 X 35.9383 X 100/110 = 1,348.0129).

13 T.C. 919">*925 OPINION.

The only question we have to decide in the instant case is the amount of depletion deduction which petitioner is entitled to receive in each of the taxable years 1943 and 1944.

Respondent in his determination of the deficiencies computed depletion on the percentage basis. He did this on his determination that the transactions by which petitioner acquired its oil properties amounted to a nontaxable reorganization and that by reason of that fact petitioner is required to take the basis of cost of its predecessor, which was only a nominal amount, and, therefore, petitioner gets a larger deduction from percentage depletion than it would from depletion based on cost.

Petitioner, on the other hand, contends that it acquired its oil properties in a transaction which was taxable to the transferor and, therefore, 1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*29 it is entitled to a basis of cost to it, which it alleges was $ 135,920.25, and that depletion based on cost is $ 4,587.25 greater than respondent has allowed for 1943 and $ 5,040.51 greater than respondent has allowed for 1944.

There are no differences between the parties on the basic facts. The only difference is the legal interpretation which is to be given to those facts.

It is clear, of course, that petitioner is a corporation resulting from the reorganization of its predecessor, Trapshooter Reilly Oil & Royalties Co. But not every reorganization comes within the nontaxable provisions of the statute. So our task is to examine the several provisions of the statute and determine whether the transfer by which petitioner acquired its properties was nontaxable, as respondent contends, or was taxable, as petitioner maintains.

We think the provisions of the statute which are applicable to the facts of the instant case are section 112 (a), (b) (3) and (4), (g) and (h) of the Internal Revenue Code. ¹ It is also our view that the transfer 13 T.C. 919">*926 by the predecessor corporation through the trustee in bankruptcy to petitioner of the remainder of its assets falls within the provisions1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*30 of 112 (b) (3) and/or (4) if the reorganization requirements of the statute have been met.

1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*31 In arguing that the transfers were a reorganization within the provisions of section (g) and (h), respondent first contends that section 112 (g) (1) (C) is applicable. (C) reads: "the acquisition by one corporation, in exchange solely for all or a part of its voting stock, of substantially all the properties of another corporation * * *." In arguing that the foregoing provision of the reorganization statute applies, it is respondent's contention that the several transactions detailed in our findings of fact should be viewed separately and that when so viewed petitioner acquired all the property of its predecessor corporation in exchange solely for all or part of its voting stock. It is our view that the several transactions can not properly be viewed separately, but must be viewed as integrated steps to effect the reorganization of the predecessor corporation. When this is done, it is clear that petitioner did not acquire substantially all the properties of the predecessor corporation; it acquired only a part of them, which part was much less than "substantially all." Therefore, we hold there was no reorganization under section 112 (g) (1) (C). Richard K. Mellon, 12 T.C. 90.1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*32 Cf. United Light & Power Co., 38 B. T. A. 477; affd., 105 Fed. (2d) 866; certiorari denied, 308 U.S. 574">308 U.S. 574.

Respondent next contends that there was a reorganization under section 112 (g) (1) (D), which reads: "a transfer by a corporation of all or a part of its assets to another corporation if immediately after the transfer the transferor or its shareholders or both are in control of the corporation to which the assets are transferred * * *." It is clear, of course, that a considerable part of the assets of the predecessor corporation were, under the plan of reorganization, transferred to petitioner. The question is, After the transfer was the predecessor corporation or its shareholders in control of petitioner? It is clear that the transferor corporation was not in control of petitioner because under the plan of reorganization it ceased to exist, but 13 T.C. 919">*927 that fact does not impair the validity of the reorganization. Estate of John B. Lewis, 10 T.C. 1080; affd., 176 Fed. (2d) 646.

Were the transferor's stockholders in control of petitioner1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*33 immediately after the transfer? We think they were. The only requirement of subparagraph (h) is that after the transfer of the assets by the predecessor corporation to the new corporation the predecessor corporation itself or its shareholders must own at least 80 per cent of the voting stock of the new corporation and at least 80 per cent of all other classes of its stock. The facts in the instant case show that immediately after the transfer of the assets from the predecessor corporation to the new corporation approximately 68.93 per cent of the predecessor corporation's old shareholders owned 100 per cent of all of the outstanding and voting stock of the new corporation. Petitioner contends that the conditions of section 112 (g) (1) (D) and (h) were not met because only 68.93 per cent of the stockholders of the predecessor were represented in the transferee corporation (petitioner), some having had their stock redeemed for cash and property, and, therefore, the requisite control or continuity did not exist in the transferee (petitioner). Petitioner contends that the words "its shareholders" appearing in the statute mean 100 per cent of the shareholders of transferor and that1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*34 the 80 per cent appearing in section 112 (h) of the code, defining control, means 80 per cent of that 100 per cent. We do not think this contention of petitioner can be supported. Section 112 (h) defines "control" as used in section 112 as follows:

* * * the ownership of stock possessing at least 80 per centum of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and at least 80 per centum of the total number of shares of all other classes of stock of the corporation.

In Toklan Royalty Corporation v. Jones, 58 Fed. Supp. 967; appeal dismissed (CCA-10), 147 Fed. (2d) 987, a reorganization was involved under section 112 (g) (1) (D) of the code, the same provision as that with which we are presently concerned. In that case one of the findings of fact of the court was:

Imperial Royalties Company transferred its principal assets and properties to Toklan Royalty Corporation on April 15, 1940, pursuant to the Plan for the transfer of certain assets to Toklan Royalty Corporation, and on that date 75.5% of the shareholders of Imperial Royalties Company had subscribed to shares of stock in Toklan Royalty 1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*35 Corporation, offered pursuant to said Plan, and 75.5% of the shareholders in Imperial Royalties Company owned, on said date, 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Toklan Royalty Corporation, of all authorized classes. No person who was not a shareholder in Imperial Royalties Company owned any of the outstanding capital stock of Toklan Royalty Corporation on said date.

13 T.C. 919">*928 The court held in that case that there was a nontaxable reorganization under section 112 (g) (1) (D), notwithstanding that only 75.5 per cent of the stockholders of the transferor continued their interest in the successor corporation. The holding of the court was based on the fact that those stockholders of the predecessor corporation represented by the 75.5 per cent owned all the stock of the transferee corporation and there was, therefore, the continuing interest required by section 112 (h).

We think that likewise we should hold in the instant case that, notwithstanding that only 68.93 per cent of the stockholders of the predecessor corporation went into the successor corporation, there was a nontaxable reorganization under section 112 (g) (1) (D). This is so because these stockholders who made1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*36 up 68.93 per cent of the stockholders of the old corporation owned 100 per cent of the stock of the new corporation. Therefore, the continuing interest required by section 112 (h) was fulfilled. It goes without saying that if this 68.93 per cent of the stockholders of the predecessor corporation had owned less than 80 per cent of the stock of the successor corporation (petitioner) there would have been no reorganization, because the 80 per cent control provided in (h) would not have existed.

Respondent also contends that the transfer by the predecessor corporation to petitioner was a reorganization under section 112 (b) (10) of the Code. ² Petitioner contends that it is obvious that section 112 (b) (10) is not applicable in the instant case; that this section is applicable only to reorganization under 77-B or chapter X of the Bankruptcy Act, wherein control is vested in a corporation's creditors and not its shareholders. In the instant case the petitioner argues that since:

* * * the shareholders were in control and not the creditors, it in no way meets the test of an insolvency reorganization to which Section 112 (b) (10) applies. The section refers to insolvent corporations1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*37 which might be, for purposes of reorganization, in control of creditors. Regulations 111, Sec. 29.112 (b) (10)-1 (added by TD 5402, CB 1944, p. 229, approved Sept. 5, 1944) in referring to Section 110 (b) (10) states, in part, -- "The determinative and controlling 13 T.C. 919">*929 factors are the corporation's insolvency and the effective command by the creditors over its property." The predecessor corporation in the case at bar was not insolvent, its creditors were at no time in control, and its stockholders were at all times in control of the corporation.

Having decided that there was a nontaxable reorganization under section 112 (g) (1) (D), we find it unnecessary to decide whether section 112 (b) (10) is applicable.

1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*38 The petitioner acquired its oil properties in a nontaxable reorganization. Therefore, it follows that it takes the same basis of cost for its oil properties as its predecessor corporation. The Commissioner's use of percentage depletion in his determination of the deficiencies must be approved.

Decision will be entered for the respondent.

Disney, J., dissenting: The whole point of this case depends upon the meaning of "its stockholders" in section 112 (g) (1) (D) of the code in defining reorganization. The majority view is that 68.93 per cent of a corporation's stockholders comprises "its stockholders" within the statute. I must disagree. The statutory expression must mean (a) all of the stockholders, or (b) substantially all of the stockholders, or (c) some of the stockholders. Obviously 68.93 per cent is not all, nor substantially all, of those holding stock, and the majority does not so view the matter. It simply concludes that, since 68.93 per cent of the predecessor corporation's old shareholders owned 100 per cent of the outstanding and voting stock of the new corporation, there was reorganization, and cites Toklan Royalty Corporation v. Jones, 58 Fed. Supp. 967,1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*39 where it was held that where 75.5 per cent of the old stockholders owned 100 per cent of the stock of the new corporation there was reorganization under section 112 (g) (1) (D) of the code. The case merely states the facts and the above conclusion, without analysis of the question. The majority here, in similarly concluding, does not state whether it considers 68.93 per cent of the stockholders all of them, or only a part. It could not mean the former; if the latter is meant, then it follows that any part, at least any substantial part, of a corporation's stockholders satisfies the statute. But, if so, then say 49 per cent is sufficient, and we might have one part, 49 per cent, reorganizing into one new corporation, and another substantial part, for example, 51 per cent, likewise reorganizing into still another corporation. But since continuity of the corporate organization is of the essence of reorganization, under cases so numerous as to require no collation, more than one reorganized corporation appears impossible -- from which it follows that even if "its stockholders" does not necessarily mean full 100 per cent, it must at least mean so 13 T.C. 919">*930 many that another portion1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*40 could not reorganize into another corporation. It is obvious, I think, that 68.93 per cent of the stockholders does not satisfy such a requirement. Of course the fact that they have 100 per cent control of the transferee corporation is not the test, though it is given controlling weight by the majority -- since it is nowhere stated what "its stockholders" does require.

In my opinion, a reading of section 112 (g) of the code discloses at once that Congress never intended that 68.93 per cent of a corporation's stockholders are "its stockholders," for three times in the ten lines of that subsection, when it was desired to express less than all of a category, specific language so expressed: (a) "all or a part" of voting stock was the expression when less than all was meant; (b) "substantially all" was applied to "properties" when less than all was being required; and (c) "all or a part" was applied to assets when all were not required to be transferred. Can it be reasonably doubted, then, that Congress would likewise in the same subsection (in fact in the same sentence) carefully designate less than all of "its stockholders" if it so intended? This textual analysis is consonant1949 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 15">*41 with the underlying idea of the continuity of organization necessary to defer taxation. The statutory scheme is "as a general rule to recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of property and to provide for specific exception in situations which are expressly described." Union Pacific Railroad Co., 32 B. T. A. 383; Evert A. Bancker, 31 B. T. A. 14. I do not find place in such a plan for an exchange where under the statute a corporation must be represented by "its stockholders," but only 68.93 per cent take part. I would hold that there was no reorganization under section 112 (g) (1) (D). Therefore, I respectfully dissent.