1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*92
K, an exempt social club, owned a replica of a pirate ship which it used 1 day each year in staging a mock invasion of Tampa. The invasion was followed by a parade. K owned the concession rights along the parade route and negotiated contracts with others to provide seats and refreshments. K received a percentage of the net receipts from such concessions. K also contracted with another for the production and sale of logbooks and received a percentage of the net receipts from the sale of such logbooks and from the sale of advertising contained in them. Each year, K engaged in a number of other social activities. K established a fund to maintain the ship, which was moored to a dock for 364 days a year where it could be viewed by the public.
1. The gross income which K received from the concessions and the sales of the logbooks is unrelated business taxable income within the meaning of
2. The expenses of staging the invasion and parade are not "directly connected with the production" of the income from the concessions and the sale of the logbooks within the meaning of
3. The income earned by a special ship fund did not constitute exempt function income within the meaning of
80 T.C. 755">*755 The Commissioner determined the following deficiencies in the petitioner's Federal income taxes: 80 T.C. 755">*756
Tax year ended | Deficiency |
2/28/75 | $ 2,944 |
2/29/76 | 2,920 |
2/28/77 | 3,160 |
After a concession by the petitioner, the issues for decision are: (1) Whether the income which the petitioner, an exempt social club, received from certain concessions and the sale of souvenirs in connection with an annual mock invasion and parade staged by it constitutes unrelated business taxable income within the meaning of
1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*97 FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts have been stipulated, and those facts are so found.
The petitioner, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla (the Krewe), is a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida with its principal place of business at Tampa, Fla., at the time it filed its petition in this case. The Krewe filed its Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990) for fiscal years ending February 28, 1975, February 29, 1976, and February 28, 1977, with the Internal Revenue Service Center, Chamblee, Ga. We shall refer to a fiscal year by the calendar year in which it ends. The Krewe did not file Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return (Form 990-T) for 1975, 1976, or 1977.
The Krewe was organized in 1904 and incorporated in 1911. According to its original articles of incorporation, the "object of * * * [the Krewe] shall be to hold annually in the city of Tampa a Carnival Ball, and such other social affairs as it may elect to have." In 1940, the Krewe received a determination by the Commissioner that it was exempt from tax as a social club under
During each of the years in issue, the Krewe sponsored a number of social events. Its social calendar began each April with the holding of the annual membership meeting. During 1976 and 1977, it held a King's Dinner and a Queen's Party. In November, the Krewe sponsored the King's Debutante Ball. In January, it sponsored the Gasparilla Tea Dance, at which the contestants for queen appeared. February was the busiest month on the Krewe's social calendar and included such events as the Captain's Ball, the Coronation Ball, and the Ybor City Night Parade and Closing Party.
In early February of each year, the Krewe staged its principal activity, a mock invasion of the city of Tampa. For such purpose, the Krewe had arranged for the construction of the Jose Gaspar, a replica of a West Indian bark used by pirates in the 18th century and named after a buccaneer who roamed the Gulf of Mexico in early Florida history. The ship was the only full-rigged pirate vessel known to be in commission. It was built of steel, had1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*99 three masts, was 165 feet long, 35 feet wide, and 95 feet in height.
On the invasion day, Krewe members were made up with grease paint to look like pirates, complete with whiskers and scarred visages, and they were issued blank ammunition for use during the invasion and parade. At 10:30 a.m., the Jose Gaspar began the annual invasion with approximately 500 Krewe members, their guests, ship attendants, entertainers, and press members aboard. The ship was tugged across Hillsborough Bay followed by a flotilla of other craft. The ship fired thundering salutes from specially designed cannons, and the Krewe members fired pistols and muzzle loaders, and made a lot of noise. Upon landing, the pirates debarked and, after token resistance, captured the city of Tampa. The mayor surrendered the city to the pirates, and the Jolly Roger was run up the flagstaff of City Hall.
Following the surrender of the city, there was an annual parade, lasting approximately 2 1/2 hours and including 40 to 50 floats, 18 to 20 bands, a number of horse units, drill teams, and "special feature" units. Some members of the Krewe rode on 80 T.C. 755">*758 the floats and discharged their weapons; other Krewe members walked1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*100 along the parade route and handed out "gold" doubloons to children and other spectators. Still other members of the Krewe served as marshalls controlling the parade and assisting the police in maintaining order along the parade route.
The Gasparilla invasion and parade attracted large crowds. The events were promoted by the Chamber of Commerce, and during the years 1975 through 1977, it was estimated that each year the crowd exceeded a half million people. There were no vacant hotel rooms within 50 miles of Tampa.
During the years in issue, the Krewe expended the following amounts in connection with the invasion and parade:
1975 | 1976 | 1977 | |
Insurance -- invasion and parade | $ 6,546.29 | $ 8,147.23 | $ 8,701.44 |
Ammunition and guns | 12,570.98 | 17,544.90 | 20,560.73 |
Luncheons -- ship and shore | 3,772.63 | 4,378.07 | 3,151.57 |
Marshals and horses | 667.50 | 353.10 | 675.67 |
Jeeps, cars, and drivers | 794.35 | 992.74 | 895.00 |
Music for boat | 830.54 | 580.00 | 580.00 |
Music for parade | 2,749.46 | 2,326.10 | 2,725.71 |
Float equipment and maintenance | 7,148.93 | 9,402.90 | 8,731.57 |
New float construction | 1,806.67 | 2,021.93 | 1,250.01 |
Miscellaneous hauling and supplies | 2,166.29 | 2,124.52 | 2,258.00 |
Regatta, Navy, etc. | 308.13 | 255.53 | 368.97 |
Special features | 2,748.57 | 2,372.52 | 4,136.02 |
Prizes for floats | 2,424.23 | 2,518.34 | 2,954.64 |
Police working luncheon | 257.41 | 233.66 | 298.64 |
Total | 44,781.98 | 53,251.54 | 57,287.31 |
1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*101 During the years in issue, the city of Tampa awarded concession rights along the parade route to the Krewe. The Krewe entered into contracts with the American Legion of Tampa (American Legion) and with the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Tampa (Jaycees) to furnish seating and to sell food and beverages along the parade route, and under such contracts, the Krewe received 50 percent of the net income from such concessions. It also entered into contracts with the Martin Advertising Agency, Inc. (Martin), to produce and sell the official logbook of the Gasparilla Festival, and under such contracts, the Krewe received 40 percent of the net income from the sales of such logbooks and 30 percent of the income from the sale of advertising in the logbooks. As a result of such 80 T.C. 755">*759 contracts, the Krewe received the following income from the American Legion, the Jaycees, and Martin:
American Legion | |
1975 | $ 377.65 |
1976 | 276.15 |
1977 | 367.08 |
1975 | 1976 | 1977 | |
Jaycees | |||
Income | $ 21,314.10 | $ 25,350.59 | $ 23,931.47 |
Expenses | 7,633.09 | 9,306.67 | 8,744.78 |
Net profit | 13,681.01 | 16,043.92 | 15,186.69 |
50% share to Krewe | 6,840.50 | 8,021.96 | 7,593.34 |
Martin | |||
Advertising sales | 17,351.75 | 14,121.25 | 18,420.50 |
Expenses | 12,691.75 | 10,656.95 | 13,364.75 |
Net revenue | 4,660.00 | 3,464.30 | 5,055.75 |
30% share to Krewe | 1,398.00 | 1,039.29 | 1,516.25 |
Logbook sales | 1,602.00 | 2,774.00 | 2,004.00 |
Expenses | 450.50 | 743.50 | 501.00 |
Net revenue | 1,151.50 | 2,030.50 | 1,503.00 |
40% share to Krewe | 460.60 | 812.20 | 601.20 |
1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*102 Other than on invasion day, the Jose Gaspar was stowed in a berth "in a very visible spot" near downtown Tampa where the Krewe provided a marker containing historical information. The public were not permitted to board the vessel, but they were permitted to take photographs and view the ship from the pier without charge.
Participation in the events sponsored by the Krewe was restricted to the members and their guests. To become a member, a person had to be sponsored by two regular members and approved by a membership committee and by the board of directors of the Krewe. During the years in issue, members included dentists, merchants, insurance salesmen, bankers, and lawyers.
The Krewe levied annual assessments on its members, and during the years at issue, the bulk of its revenue was derived from such assessments. In addition, the Krewe derived revenue from other sources, including interest from savings 80 T.C. 755">*760 accounts and Treasury bills. Such interest amounted to $ 4,620.49 for 1975, $ 4,259.97 for 1976, and $ 4,709.97 for 1977.
The Krewe also levied a special assessment on its new members to be deposited in a "special ship fund." However, the money could be used for other1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*103 purposes upon approval of the board of directors and, in fact, was used for another purpose on at least one occasion. In its financial statements, the Krewe reported that on such fund, it received interest of $ 1,073.34 in 1975, $ 1,332.72 in 1976, and $ 2,029.26 in 1977.
In his notice of deficiency, the Commissioner determined that the income which the Krewe received from the American Legion, the Jaycees, and Martin and as interest on its savings accounts and Treasury bills was unrelated business taxable income subject to the tax on such income. On brief, the Krewe conceded that the interest on its general funds, other than the special ship fund, is taxable.
OPINION
We must ultimately decide whether the concession income (that is, the income from the American Legion, the Jaycees, and Martin) and interest on the special ship fund received by the Krewe is unrelated business taxable income within the meaning of (1) General rule. -- Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term "unrelated business taxable income" means the1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*104 gross income derived by any organization from any unrelated trade or business (as defined in section 513) regularly carried on by it, less the deductions allowed by this chapter which are directly connected with the carrying on of such trade or business, both computed with the modifications provided in subsection (b). * * * * (3) Special rules applicable to organizations described in (A) General rule. -- In the case of an organization described in (B) Exempt function income. -- For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "exempt function income" means the gross income from dues, fees, 80 T.C. 755">*761 charges, or similar amounts paid by members of the organization as consideration for providing such members or their dependents or guests goods, facilities, or services1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*105 in furtherance of the purposes constituting the basis for the exemption of the organization to which such income is paid. Such term also means all income (other than an amount equal to the gross income derived from any unrelated trade or business regularly carried on by such organization computed as if the organization were subject to paragraph (1)), which is set aside -- (i) for a purpose specified in section 170(c)(4), * * * * * * * including reasonable costs of administration directly connected with a purpose described in clause (i) * * *. If during the taxable year, an amount which is attributable to income so set aside is used for a purpose other than that described in clause (i) * * *, such amount shall be included, under subparagraph (A), in unrelated business taxable income for the taxable year.
In 1940, the Krewe was determined by the Commissioner to be exempt as a social club, and it has never sought or secured a determination that it qualified for exemption under any other provision of
Now we can turn to the issue concerning the construction of
For taxable years beginning before January 1, 1970, social clubs were not subject to the tax on unrelated business income under section 511. Thus, unless its exemption was revoked, such a club was not taxable on its income. See and compare
The Tax Reform Act of 1969, Pub. L. 91-172, 83 Stat. 487, subjected social clubs to the tax on unrelated business income for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1969. Such 80 T.C. 755">*763 provision resulted from a proposal by the Treasury Department, and in explanation of its proposal, the Treasury Explanation stated:
under the proposal,
In discussing the application of the unrelated business tax to social clubs, the Ways and Means Committee1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*110 report provided, in part:
The bill also imposes a tax on investment income of organizations which are exempt on the grounds of mutuality or common membership. Social clubs, for example, are operated for the benefit of members and any profit derived from rendering the services to members is used by the club for the benefit of the members. Therefore, where a social club has income from interest, dividends, rents, royalties, etc., this income reduces the members' costs below the actual cost of providing the personal facilities made available by the organization. Because of this,
The Senate Finance Committee report also stated:
Since the tax exemption for social clubs and other groups is designed to allow individuals to join together to provide recreational or social facilities or other benefits on a mutual basis, without tax consequences, the tax exemption operates1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*111 properly only when the sources of income of the organization are limited to receipts from the membership. Under such circumstances, the individual is in substantially the same position as if he had spent his income on pleasure or recreation (or other benefits) without the intervening separate organization. However, where the organization receives income from sources outside the membership, such as income from investments * * *, upon which no tax is paid, the membership receives a benefit not contemplated by the exemption in that untaxed dollars can be used by the organization to provide pleasure or recreation (or other benefits) to its membership. For example, if a social club were to receive $ 10,000 of untaxed income from investments in securities, it could use that $ 10,000 to reduce the cost or increase the services it provides to its members. In such a case, the exemption is no longer simply allowing individuals to join together for recreation or pleasure without tax consequences. Rather, it is bestowing a substantial additional advantage to the members of the club by allowing 80 T.C. 755">*764 tax-free dollars to be used for their personal recreational or pleasure purposes. The1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*112 extension of the exemption to such investment income is, therefore, a distortion of its purpose. [S. Rept. 91-552 (1969),
Such legislative history demonstrates clearly that the rules of
In support of its position, the Krewe relies on certain statements contained in the Senate Finance Committee report:
Both the House bill and the committee amendments extend the unrelated business income tax to all exempt organizations (except United States instrumentalities created and made tax exempt by a specific act of Congress). The organizations newly made subject to this tax include churches and conventions or associations of churches, social welfare organizations,
80 T.C. 755">*765 As under present law,
[S. Rept. 91-552,
From such statements, the Krewe argues that all the organizations subjected to the unrelated business tax by that legislation are subject to the "regularly carried on" requirement. However, in our view, such an interpretation of the committee report takes the underlined sentence out of context and disregards the legislative history dealing particularly with the treatment of social clubs. The quoted material indicates that the unrelated business tax is being made applicable to virtually all exempt organizations, and some of those organizations are subject to the general rule of
1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*116 The next issue for decision is whether the Krewe is entitled to offset the expenses of staging the invasion and parade against the concession income received by it. The resolution of such issue depends upon whether the expenses of staging the invasion and parade were "directly connected with the production" of the concession income within the meaning of
The term "directly connected with" is also used in
We are convinced that to carry out the purpose of
Moreover, the adoption of the interpretation urged by the Krewe would frustrate the purpose of
The last issue for decision is whether interest from the special ship account constituted exempt function income. The Krewe maintains that for 364 days a year, the ship was moored at a pier in downtown Tampa where it could be viewed by the public; thus, it argues that during such time, the ship served an educational purpose and that therefore the interest from the special ship fund was used for a purpose described in 80 T.C. 755">*768 section 170(c)(4). The Commissioner disputes that the interest from such fund was set aside as required by
The Krewe did provide a marker setting forth historical information, but the public was not allowed aboard the ship. Other than to state that the fund was established to maintain the ship, and that the public could look at such ship from the pier, the Krewe introduced no evidence showing that the income from the fund was used for an educational purpose. The record shows that the ship was constructed to participate in the mock invasion, and the mere fact that at other times, it was available for the public to view is not enough to show that the income from the special ship fund served an educational purpose. Accordingly, we hold that the Krewe has failed to prove that the income from the special ship fund constituted exempt function income. 4
1983 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 92">*122
1. All statutory references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as in effect during the years in issue.↩
2.
3. The Krewe has not argued that the concession income received by it was exempt function income within the meaning of
4. We need not and do not pass on the meaning of the "set aside" requirement of