1974 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 97">*97 The Court entered a decision in this case on Mar. 28, 1974, showing a deficiency in income tax due from the petitioner for the taxable year 1965 in the amount of $ 3,660,205.49. For the taxable year 1966 a deficiency of $ 1,109,568.91 is due. In order to stay assessment and collection of the tax the petitioner proposes to offer under
62 T.C. 300">*301 OPINION
On March 28, 1974, the decision in Adolph Coors Co., docket No. 2840-69, was entered, showing the following deficiencies in income tax:
| 1965 | $ 3,660,205.49 |
| 1966 | 1,109,568.91 |
| Total | 4,769,774.40 |
Petitioner's appeal must be filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on or before 1974 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 97">*99 June 26, 1974. Petitioner has filed a motion asking that this Court approve and accept a bond with surety consisting of an "Irrevocable Letter of Credit" issued by the First National Bank of Denver in the amount of $ 9,539,548.40. This is double 1 the amount of the deficiencies redetermined by this Court and is the maximum amount of the bond required by
Petitioner asserts, and respondent does not disagree, 1974 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 97">*100 that the bond and the "Irrevocable Letter of Credit":
absolutely obligates, guarantees and binds the First National Bank of Denver to pay to the Internal Revenue Service the aforesaid income tax deficiency liabilities upon the final decision by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The bond unconditionally assures payment to Internal Revenue Service of the aforesaid deficiencies, plus statutory interest, which shall ultimately be redetermined by the Court of Appeals, by reason of the Irrevocable Letter of Credit obligation of the First National Bank of Denver. The First National Bank of Denver as the surety-obligor with Coors as the principal, absolutely assures payment to the Internal Revenue Service for the subject income tax deficiency liabilities for the years 1965 and 1966.
62 T.C. 300">*302 At the oral argument on this motion held on May 22, 1974, petitioner indicated that the First National Bank of Denver4 would honor on presentation a sight draft for the full amount of the deficiencies, if any, plus interest following review by the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
1974 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 97">*101 The filing of a petition in the Tax Court stays the assessment and collection of any deficiencies until a decision is entered. See sec. 6213 (a). If no bond is filed prior to notice of appeal, assessment and collection will not be delayed after the entry of decision. See
Section 7482 confers jurisdiction on the various United States Courts of Appeals to review decisions of this Court. Section 7483 provides the method whereby such review may be obtained.
In order for the petitioner to postpone or avert assessment and collection of $ 4,769,774.40 plus statutory interest, it must file a bond "with surety approved by the Tax Court."
(a) Upon Notice of Appeal. -- Notwithstanding any provision of law imposing restrictions on the assessment and collection of deficiencies, the review under (1) on or before the time his notice1974 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 97">*102 of appeal is filed has filed with the Tax Court a bond in a sum fixed by the Tax Court not exceeding double the amount of the portion of the deficiency in respect of which the notice of appeal is filed, and with surety approved by the Tax Court, conditioned upon the payment of the deficiency as finally determined, together with any interest, additional amounts, or additions to the tax provided for by law, or (2) has filed a jeopardy bond under the income or estate tax laws.
(b) Cross References. -- (1) For requirement of additional security notwithstanding this section, see section 7482(c)(3). (2) For deposit of United States bonds or notes in lieu of sureties, see
It is the purpose of such bond to assure the respondent that the deficiencies as redetermined by this Court and affirmed or modified by a reviewing court will be paid. Because
We have not previously had occasion to approve a surety such as the one involved here. We are reluctant to approve a surety which may create some doubt as to collectibility of a deficiency which becomes final. 5 But in the instant case we find the surety to be adequate because there is an unconditional promise to pay any liability finally determined and the bank has sufficient financial resources.
To be distinguished from this case involving approval of the surety are cases decided by us involving the amount of the bond and a deposit of collateral in lieu of surety.
In view of our conclusion that
1. The proposed bond is just 40 cents short of being exactly double the deficiencies redetermined.↩
2. All statutory references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, unless otherwise indicated.↩
3. Respondent states that under
4. The First National Bank of Denver showed total resources on Dec. 31, 1973, of $ 1,031,278,000. Moody's Bank & Finance Manual, Feb. 15, 1974.↩
5. Respondent, of course, does not object to a corporate surety on the list of sureties approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. See Circular 570,
