1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*143
Petitioner William H. Hoptowit, a "noncompetent Indian," received income from the operation of a "smokeshop" on the Yakima Indian Reservation during 1975 and 1976. In 1976, he also received per diem payments in return for services performed as a member of the Yakima Tribal Council.
78 T.C. 137">*137 In these consolidated cases, respondent determined deficiencies in petitioners' Federal income taxes as follows:
Docket No. | Petitioner | Year | Deficiency |
7095-79 | William Hoptowit | ||
and Elaine A. Hoptowit | 1975 | $ 12,608.40 | |
7096-79 | Elaine A. Hoptowit | 1976 | 1,216.00 |
7097-79 | William H. Hoptowit | 1976 | 38,484.38 |
In an amendment to his answer, respondent alleges an increased deficiency in the income tax of petitioner William H. Hoptowit for 1976 (docket No. 7097-79) resulting from the 78 T.C. 137">*138 inclusion of an additional $ 9,000 in his taxable income for that year. It has been agreed that there is no deficiency in the income tax of petitioner Elaine A. Hoptowit for 1976 (docket No. 7096-79).
The issues for decision are:
(1) Whether income earned by an enrolled member of the Yakima Indian Nation from the sale of tobacco products in a "smokeshop" on the Yakima Reservation is subject to Federal1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*145 income taxation.
(2) Whether amounts received in return for services performed as a member of the Yakima Tribal Council are subject to Federal income taxation.
FINDINGS OF FACT
Petitioners William H. Hoptowit and Elaine A. Hoptowit, husband and wife, resided in Toppenish, Wash., at the time they filed the petitions herein. They filed a joint Federal income tax return for 1975 and separate (as married individuals filing separately) Federal income tax returns for 1976 with the Internal Revenue Service Center, Ogden, Utah.
Petitioner William H. Hoptowit (hereinafter petitioner) is a noncompetent, enrolled member of the Yakima Indian Nation (the tribe). 2 During 1975 and 1976, he owned and operated a business in Mabton, Wash., known as the Mabton Smokeshop (the smokeshop). The smokeshop business was conducted within the boundaries of the Yakima Indian Reservation (sometimes referred to as the reservation) on property held in trust for the benefit of another member of the tribe. The property, known as Allotment No. Odd Tract No. 5076, was held by petitioner under a lease prepared and approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, in accordance with applicable1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*146 regulations. 3
1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*147 78 T.C. 137">*139 Petitioner was authorized to conduct his smokeshop business by the Yakima Tribal Council (the council), the governing body of the tribe. The council permitted petitioner to operate the business during 1975 and 1976 in accordance with Resolution T-22-75, which had been adopted by the council on September 10, 1974. The resolution provided that only members of the tribe could obtain permits to operate smokeshops and be employed at smokeshops on the reservation. Under the resolution, petitioner was required to purchase all of his cigarette inventory from the tobacco warehouse of the tribe, which he did.
One of the council's purposes in adopting Resolution T-22-75 was to obtain funds through tribal taxation of cigarette sales in order to provide social services for needy members of the tribe. The resolution was approved by the Secretary of the Interior. The Bureau of Indian Affairs administered the distribution of, and payments received for, cigarettes wholesaled by the tribe.
During 1975 and 1976, petitioner derived net profits from his smokeshop business in the respective amounts of $ 40,308.10 and $ 70,993.52. 4 Petitioner reported these profits from the operation of1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*148 his business on Schedule C of the joint Federal income tax return that he filed for 1975 and on Schedule C of the separate Federal income tax return that he filed for 1976; however, he excluded the profits from his reported gross income on the ground that they were exempt from taxation pursuant to the treaty with the Yakimas, 12 Stat. 951 (1855) (the treaty).
During 1976, in addition to operating the smokeshop, petitioner served as an elected member of the council. The 78 T.C. 137">*140 council, which consists of 14 members who serve 4-year terms, 5 was established in its present form by a resolution of the general council adopted in 1944. 6
1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*149 As governing officials, members of the council have the duty to protect and preserve the treaty and to continuously serve the best interests of the people of the tribe. In performing their duties, council members are required to travel a great deal to hearings and meetings concerning the tribe. They receive per diem payments for days on which they actually serve in their official capacity. The per diem amounts are determined by the council in its annual budget resolution, which is subject to the approval of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
During 1976, petitioner received from the tribe per diem payments totaling $ 18,000 in return for services performed as a member of the council. The funds from which petitioner's per diem payments were made were originally held in trust by the U.S. Government for the benefit of the tribe. 7 These funds were distributed to the tribe in accordance with the council's annual budget resolution. The tribe did not withhold income or FICA taxes from the $ 18,000 paid to petitioner for his services as a council member, and he did not include that amount in his taxable income for 1976.
1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*150 The Yakima Indian Reservation comprises 1,367,405 acres. Of this acreage, 842,978 acres are tribally owned, 274,988 acres are allotted to tribal members, 23 acres are Government owned, and 249,416 acres are owned by non-Indians. These lands were reserved from some 10,800,000 acres that were ceded to the United States in the treaty. Article II of the treaty provides that the reservation "shall be set apart * * * for the exclusive use and benefit" of the tribe. The treaty further provides, in pertinent part, as follows:
78 T.C. 137">*141 Article IV. In consideration of the above cession, the United States agree to pay to the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians, in addition to the goods and provisions distributed to them at the time of signing this treaty, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, in the following manner, that is to say: sixty thousand, to be expended under the direction of the President of the United States, the first year after the ratification of this treaty, in providing for their removal to the reservation, breaking up and fencing farms, building houses for them, supplying them with provisions and suitable outfit, and for such other objects as he may deem 1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*151 necessary, and the remainder in annuities, as follows: for the first five years after the ratification of the treaty, ten thousand dollars each year, commencing September first, 1856; for the next five years, eight thousand dollars each year; for the next five years, six thousand dollars per year; and for the next five years, four thousand per year.
All which sums of money shall be applied to the use and benefit of said Indians, under the direction of the President of the United States, who may from time to time determine, at his discretion, upon what beneficial objects to expend the same for them. And the superintendent of Indian affairs, or other proper officer, shall each year inform the President of the wishes of the Indians in relation thereto.
Article V. The United States further agree to establish at suitable points within said reservation, within one year after the ratification hereof, two schools, erecting the necessary buildings, keeping them in repair, and providing them with furniture, books, and stationery, one of which shall be an agricultural and industrial school, to be located at the agency, and to be free to the children of the said confederated tribes and bands 1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*152 of Indians, and to employ one superintendent of teaching and two teachers; to build two blacksmiths' shops, to one of which shall be attached a tin shop, and to the other a gunsmith's shop; one carpenter's shop, one wagon and ploughmaker's shop, and to keep the same in repair and furnished with the necessary tools; to employ one superintendent of farming and two farmers, two blacksmiths, one tinner, one gunsmith, one carpenter, one wagon and ploughmaker, for the instruction of the Indians in trades and to assist them in the same; to erect one saw-mill and one flouring-mill, keeping the same in repair and furnished with the necessary tools and fixtures; to erect a hospital, keeping the same in repair and provided with the necessary medicines and furniture, and to employ a physician; and to erect, keep in repair, and provided with the necessary furniture, the buildings required for the accommodation of the said employees. The said buildings and establishments to be maintained and kept in repair as aforesaid, and the employees to be kept in service for the period of twenty years.
And in view of the fact that the head chief of the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians is expected, 1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*153 and will be called upon, to perform many services of a public character, occupying much of his time, the United States further agrees to pay to the said confederated tribes and bands of Indians five hundred dollars per year, for the term of twenty years after the ratification hereof, as a salary for such person as the said (954) confederated tribes and bands of Indians may select to be their head chief; to build for him at a suitable point on the reservation a comfortable house and properly 78 T.C. 137">*142 furnish the same, and to plough and fence ten acres of land. The said salary to be paid to, and the same house to be occupied by, such head chief so long as he may continue to hold that office.
And it is distinctly understood and agreed that * * * all the expenditures and expenses contemplated in this article of this treaty shall be defrayed by the United States, and shall not be deducted from the annuities agreed to be paid to said confederated tribes and bands of Indians. Nor shall the cost of transporting the goods for the annuity payments be charged upon the annuities, but shall be defrayed by the United States.
* * * *
Article VII. The annuities of the aforesaid confederated tribes1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*154 and bands of Indians shall not be taken to pay the debts of individuals.
Respondent determined that both the smokeshop income and the per diem payments received by petitioner were income taxable to him.
OPINION
It is true, as petitioner points out, that ambiguous language in a treaty1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*155 or statute is to be construed in favor of Indians. See, e.g.,
With respect to the smokeshop income, petitioner emphasizes the provision in article II of the treaty stating that the reservation shall be set apart for the "exclusive use and benefit" of the tribe. 1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*156 Petitioner argues that this language exempts income received by members of the tribe "as a result of the use of reservation land and resources." He contends that the smokeshop business, conducted on reservation land and regulated by the council, was "merged with and indistinguishable from the reservation thereby being for the exclusive use and benefit of the Yakima Nation." Petitioner argues that, therefore, the smokeshop income must be held to be tax exempt "because to tax such income would benefit persons other than the Yakima Nation membership."
The treaty nowhere expressly deals with the question of taxation of the tribe or its members. Although the general language relied upon by petitioner can be read as a limitation on State authority to tax income generated on the reservation (see
In
Based on the "derived-directly-from-the-land" standard enunciated in
It may be true, as petitioner argues, that his smokeshop would not have existed during 1975 and 1976 but for its location on reservation land. 81982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*161 In this limited sense, petitioner's 78 T.C. 137">*145 smokeshop business can be characterized, as he suggests, as "inseparable from and a part of" the reservation. However, petitioner did not receive the smokeshop income principally "as a result of the use of reservation land and resources." The mere fact that petitioner's business was located on reservation land is not determinative. The income was earned primarily through a combination of petitioner's labor, the sale of tobacco products (none of which were grown on reservation land, so1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*160 far as it appears from the record), and the marketing of a claimed exemption from State taxes. 9 In these circumstances, imposition of the income tax on petitioner's smokeshop income is not inconsistent with article II of the treaty; any exemption with respect to "reservation land and resources" would not extend to income only incidentally and not directly attributable to such land and resources. Compare
We also think it clear that the per diem payments received by petitioner in 1976 for services performed as a member of the council are not exempt from Federal income taxation. So far as these payments are concerned, this case is not distinguishable in any material respect from either
In both
Petitioner argues that
Petitioner contends that, when interpreted in light of the fact that "extra distributions" of tribal wealth to chiefs were contemplated by treaty negotiators, the language he relies 78 T.C. 137">*147 upon in articles V and VII of the treaty "can reasonably be read to imply an income tax exemption" for payments to tribal chiefs, including per diem payments to council members. However, as previously noted, we are not free to grant an income tax exemption to petitioner by implication. Furthermore, in our view, the language relied upon by petitioner is completely unambiguous; it has nothing to do with taxation on its face and is simply not broad enough to include an exemption from tax for the per diem payments. Compare
Petitioner also relies upon the "exclusive use and benefit" language in article II of the treaty, previously discussed in connection with the smokeshop income, in arguing that the per diem payments are tax exempt. His position is that, in order to have1982 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 143">*165 the exclusive use and benefit of the reservation, individual members of the tribe may not be subjected to taxation on any amounts having their origin in revenues derived by the tribe as a whole directly from reservation lands. 13 We think this argument is precluded by
Finally, petitioner relies upon
The statutory provision relied upon by petitioner does not purport to deal with the question of taxation. Even if we assume that timber sales proceeds would be exempt from tax under
To reflect the foregoing,
1. Cases of the following petitioners are consolidated herewith: Elaine A. Hoptowit, docket No. 7096-79, and William H. Hoptowit, docket No. 7097-79.↩
2. The term "noncompetent Indian," as used in cases such as the instant one, refers to one who has been allotted land that is held in trust for him by the United States and who, therefore, may not alienate or encumber that land without the consent of the United States. The term does not denote mental incapacity. See
3. Allotment No. Odd Tract No. 5076 is held in trust pursuant to the provisions of the General Allotment Act of 1887, ch. 119, 24 Stat. 388,
4. These net profits figures are the amounts reported by petitioner on his returns less the deductions for the expense of an office in the home allowed by respondent in the notices of deficiency.↩
5. Seven members are elected every 2 years.↩
6. The general council comprises all members of the tribe. Members of the council are elected by the general council. As previously noted, the council is the governing body of the tribe.↩
7. Approximately 90 percent of the funds held in trust by the U.S. Government for the benefit of the tribe were generated from "trust resources." The remaining 10 percent of tribal funds results from interest earned on various moneys deposited with and invested by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Approximately 83 percent of all tribal income is directly attributable to sales of timber located on tribal land held in trust for the benefit of the tribe by the U.S. Government.↩
8. The profitability of the smokeshops licensed by the council was to a large extent dependent upon a claimed tribal exemption from State cigarette and sales taxes. During the years in question, smokeshop operators did not collect such taxes from the purchasers of cigarettes and other tobacco products, and a large majority of their sales were to non-Indians who traveled to the reservation to take advantage of the bargain prices. See
9. See note 8
10. We have considered an alternative argument made by petitioner concerning his claimed exemption for the smokeshop income and find it to be without merit. Even if the treaty does provide an exemption from taxation with respect to the person for whom Allotment No. Odd Tract No. 5076 is held in trust, such an exemption would not apply to petitioner as lessee of the land. See
11. All pertinent provisions of the treaty are quoted in our findings of fact,
12. The 20-year period commenced upon ratification of the treaty in 1859.↩
13. See note 7 and the accompanying text,