1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*8
R issued two separate statutory notices (notice A and notice B) to P dated Sept. 7, 1990, relating to P's tax liability for 1984, 1985, and 1986. P timely filed a petition contesting R's determinations made in notice A. P attached to its petition notice A but not notice B. P did not specifically refer to notice B or dispute R's determinations contained therein in the petition. After the expiration of the period for filing a petition, P filed a motion for leave to file amendments to petition to contest the deficiencies and additions to tax determined in notice B. P and R agree that notice B determined deficiencies in P's corporate income tax for 1984, 1985, and 1986.
98 T.C. 70">*70 OPINION
Nims,
This case is before the Court on petitioner's motion for leave to file amendments to petition filed pursuant to
Petitioner is a Cayman Island corporation with its registered 98 T.C. 70">*71 office in Grand Cayman, B.W.I. On September 7, 1990, respondent issued two separate statutory notices to petitioner which relate to petitioner's tax liability for the years 1984, 1985, and 1986. (Hereinafter, the two notices will be referred to as the notice of liability and the notice1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*10 of deficiency.)
The opening paragraph of the notice of liability states:
In accordance with the provisions of existing internal revenue laws, notice is given that the determination of your liability for withholding of income tax as source for the taxable years ended December 31, 1984, December 31, 1985 and December 31, 1986 discloses a deficiency of $ 8,071,168.00, $ 16,697,809.00 and $ 21,610,869.00, respectively.
A chart contained in the notice of liability sets forth the amounts of the deficiencies and additions to tax determined by respondent as follows:
Additions to tax | |||||
Year | Deficiency | Sec. 6651 | Sec. 6653(a)(1) | Sec. 6653(a)(1)(A) | Sec. 6656 |
1984 | $ 4,891,617 | $ 1,222,904 | 1 $ 244,581 | --- | $ 489,162 |
1985 | 10,119,885 | 2,529,971 | --- | 1,011,988 | |
1986 | 13,506,793 | 3,376,698 | --- | 2 $ 675,340 | 1,350,679 |
A Form 5278 (Statement-Income Tax Changes) attached to the notice of liability1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*11 provides that there were "adjustments to income" in the form of "interest income" for the years 1984, 1985, and 1986 in the amounts of $ 16,305,390, $ 33,732,950, and $ 45,022,643, respectively. After applying a tax equal to "30% of taxable income", the Form 5278 states that the "total corrected income tax liability" for 1984, 1985, and 1986 equals $ 4,891,617, $ 10,119,885, and $ 13,506,793, respectively. The top of the Form 5278 is marked "Return Form No. 1042".
The explanation of adjustments attached to the notice of liability states in part as follows:
It is determined that you received gross income in the form of interest from sources within the United States for nonresident aliens in the amount of $ 16,305,390.00, $ 33,732,950.00 and $ 45,022,643.00 * * * for the taxable years ending December 31, 1984, 1985 and 1986, respectively.
98 T.C. 70">*72 Since Annual Withholding Tax Returns * * * were not filed within the time prescribed by law * * * 25 percent of the tax is added thereto as provided by
The opening paragraph of the notice of deficiency states in part:
We have determined that there is a deficiency1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*12 (increase) in your income tax as shown above. This letter is a notice of deficiency sent to you as required by law. * * *
A chart contained in the notice of deficiency sets forth the amounts of the deficiencies and additions to tax determined by respondent as follows:
Additions to tax | |||
Sec. | Sec. | ||
Year | Deficiency | 6651 | 6653(a)(1) |
1984 | $ 75,201,750 | $ 18,800,437 | 1 $ 3,760,087 |
1985 | 94,427,746 | 23,606,936 | |
1986 | 183,659,906 | 45,914,976 | --- |
Additions to tax | |||
Sec. | Sec. | Sec. | |
Year | 6653(a)(1)(A) | 6655 | 6656 |
1984 | --- | $ 4,728,022 | $ 7,520,175 |
1985 | --- | 5,441,098 | 9,442,775 |
1986 | 2 $ 9,182,995 | 8,866,120 | 18,365,991 |
A Form 5278 attached to the notice of deficiency states that there were "adjustments to income" in the form of "gross receipts" for the years 1984, 1985, and 1986 in the amounts of $ 163,482,065, $ 205,277,709, and $ 399,260,666, respectively. After applying the section1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*13 11 corporate income tax rates (see sec. 882 -- Tax on Income of Foreign Corporations Connected with United States Business), the Form 5278 states that the "total corrected income tax liability" for 1984, 1985, and 1986 equals $ 75,201,750, $ 94,427,746, and $ 183,659,906, respectively. The top of the Form 5278 is marked "Return Form No. 1120F".
The explanation of adjustments attached to the notice of deficiency states in part as follows:
In the absence of adequate records, your taxable gross receipts for the 1984, 1985 and 1986 tax years have been computed on the basis of bank deposits. Since you failed to file an income tax return, your taxable income is increased $ 163,482,065, $ 205,277,709 and $ 399,260,666 for the 1984, 1985 and 1986 tax years, respectively. See Exhibit A.
98 T.C. 70">*73 Since Income Tax Returns * * * were not filed within the time prescribed by law * * * 25 percent of the tax is added thereto as provided by
On December 3, 1990, petitioner timely filed a petition with respect to its taxable years 1984, 1985, and 1986. Attached to the petition was a copy of the notice of liability. The notice1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*14 of deficiency was not attached to the petition.
The petition in relevant part alleges as follows:
InverWorld Ltd. ("Petitioner") hereby petitions for a redetermination of the tax deficiencies set forth by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in his Notice of Deficiency (bearing symbols DD:Austin:E:QRS:ES&P:90-D), dated September 7, 1990, and as the basis for its case alleges as follows:
1. Petitioner is a business with its registered office * * * [in] Grand Cayman, B.W.I. Petitioner has no principal place of business, principal office, or agency within the United States.
* * * Petitioner was not required to, and did not, file income tax returns for the years involved.
2. The Notice of Deficiency (a copy of which is attached hereto and marked Exhibit A) was mailed to Petitioner on September 7, 1990 * * *.
3. The deficiencies as determined by the Commissioner are for income taxes as set forth as follows:
Taxable Year | |
Ended December 31 | Tax |
1984 | $ 4,891,617 |
1985 | $ 10,119,885 |
1986 | $ 13,506,793 |
* * *
All of the foregoing amounts are in dispute.
4. The determination of tax set forth in the said Notice of Deficiency is based on the following errors:
(a) The Commissioner1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*15 erred in determining that Petitioner received gross income in the form of fixed or determinable, annual or periodic United States source gross interest income in the amount of $ 16,305,390 in Petitioner's taxable year ended 1984, in the amount of $ 33,732,950 in Petitioner's taxable year ended 1985, and in the amount of $ 45,022,643 in Petitioner's taxable year ended 1986, on which Petitioner was subject to tax at a 30% rate.
(b) The Commissioner erred in determining that * * * Petitioner was required to file Annual Withholding Tax Returns (Forms 1042) * * *.
5. The facts upon which Petitioner relies as the basis of the case are as follows:
(a) * * * Petitioner has never engaged in a trade or business in the United States, as defined in Code Section 864(b). Petitioner did not receive any U.S. source interest income during the years at issue.
98 T.C. 70">*74 * * *
(c) The Commissioner asserts that Petitioner owes close to $ 30,000,000 of United States income taxes due to its receipt of gross income in the form of fixed or determinable, annual or periodic United States source gross interest income. * * *
* * *
WHEREFORE, Petitioner prays that the Court * * *:
1. Determine that the Commissioner1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*16 erred as alleged in each assignment of error set forth in paragraph 4 above;
* * *
3. Find that there are no deficiencies in income tax for petitioner's tax years ended 1984, 1985, and 1986, and, therefore, that Petitioner also has no liability for penalties and interest for these years;
Petitioner did not specifically refer to the notice of deficiency or dispute respondent's determinations contained therein in the petition.
On January 25, 1991, respondent filed his answer to the petition. As relevant here, respondent's answer contained the following answers to petitioner's allegations. Respondent denied the last sentence of petitioner's allegation in paragraph 1 of the petition and admitted the entire allegation in paragraph 3 of the petition. With respect to paragraphs 4(a) and 4(b), respondent denied that he erred as alleged. Respondent admitted that the first sentence of paragraph 5(c) was correct.
As noted above, petitioner failed to attach the notice of deficiency to its petition and also failed in the petition to refer specifically to that notice or to dispute respondent's determinations made therein. As a result, on February 6, 1991, 1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*17 respondent assessed the amounts of the tax, additions to tax, and interest for the years ending 1984, 1985, and 1986 as determined in the notice of deficiency.
After the expiration of the period for filing a petition with respect to the notice of deficiency, petitioner filed a motion for leave to file amendments to petition pursuant to
In the present case we must decide whether petitioner should be allowed to amend its petition after the expiration of the time for filing a petition to contest the deficiencies determined in the notice of deficiency. For the reasons set forth below, we answer this inquiry in the negative.
A party may amend a pleading * * * by leave of Court * * * and leave shall be given freely when justice so requires. No amendment shall be allowed after expiration1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*18 of the time for filing the petition, however, which would involve conferring jurisdiction on the Court over a matter which otherwise would not come within its jurisdiction under the petition as then on file. * * *
Thus, under
The parties disagree whether the amendment to petition, lodged with the Court after the expiration of the time for filing a petition, would serve to confer jurisdiction on the Court over a matter which otherwise would not come within its jurisdiction under the petition as originally filed.
Petitioner advances two arguments in support of its motion. Petitioner first asserts that both the notice of liability and the notice of deficiency determined deficiencies in and additions to its corporate income tax liability for 1984, 1985, and 1986. Because petitioner timely filed a petition contesting the deficiencies determined in the notice of liability, petitioner concludes that the Court already has jurisdiction over its income tax liability1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*19 for the years in issue, and thus the amendment to petition would not confer any further jurisdiction on the Court. Petitioner alternatively argues that even if the notice of liability determined liabilities for withholding tax under sections 1441-1464, such tax liability 98 T.C. 70">*76 arises under subtitle A (chapter 3) of title 26. Consequently, because petitioner's liability for corporate income taxes determined in the notice of deficiency also arises under subtitle A (chapter 1) of title 26, petitioner asserts that this Court has jurisdiction over petitioner's entire income tax liability for the years in issue by virtue of its timely filed petition contesting the notice of liability.
Respondent agrees with petitioner that the notice of deficiency determined deficiencies in and additions to petitioner's corporate income tax for the years 1984, 1985, and 1986. Respondent contends, however, that the notice of liability determined liabilities in withholding tax and related additions to tax for the years 1984, 1985, and 1986. As such, respondent argues that because each notice determined deficiencies and additions to tax under separate theories of tax liability and from information1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*20 that is to be reported on separate and distinct tax returns, the respective notices must be considered independently. Accordingly, respondent concludes that in the absence of objective indicia in the petition as filed that petitioner intended to contest the determinations made in the notice of deficiency, the Court's jurisdiction is limited to petitioner's liability as determined in the notice of liability.
We first address petitioner's argument that the notice of liability determined deficiencies in its corporate income tax. At the outset, we note that petitioner does not contest the validity of the notice of liability. Petitioner asserts that a review of the entire notice, together with respondent's admissions in his answer, demonstrates that the notice of liability determined deficiencies in its corporate income tax for the years in issue. We are not so persuaded.
The opening paragraph of the notice of liability states:
In accordance with the provisions of existing internal revenue laws,
This paragraph is straightforward and complete. Respondent notified petitioner that he, respondent, determined a deficiency in petitioner's liability for withholding tax for the years 1984, 1985, and 1986 in the respective amounts of $ 8,071,168, 98 T.C. 70">*77 $ 16,697,809, and $ 21,610,869. Respondent asserts that the language used in the opening paragraph is identical to the language that the Internal Revenue Manual, section 4464.16, directs be used in determining a withholding tax liability. (Hereinafter the Internal Revenue Manual will be referred to as IRM.) IRM section 4464.16 directs:
When a notice of deficiency involves a deficiency in income tax required to be withheld at source under chapter 3 of the IRC, the opening paragraph will read as follows:
"In accordance with the provisions of existing internal revenue laws, notice is given that the determination of your liability for withholding of income tax as source for the taxable year end___ discloses a deficiency of $___. The attached statement shows the computation of the deficiency." [2 Audit, IRM (CCH), sec. 1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*22 4464.16, at 7906.]
The above language applies to a deficiency in income tax required to be withheld at source under chapter 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, which includes
Petitioner contends, however, that the language of IRM section 4464.16 supports its contention that the notice of liability determined income tax deficiencies because that section applies when the notice of deficiency involves a "deficiency in income tax required to be withheld." Petitioner's argument ignores the fact that the "deficiency in income tax" referred to in IRM section 4464.16 relates to tax that is "required to be withheld at source under chapter 3" of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., secs. 1441-1464). The tax imposed by
Respondent included a chart in the notice of liability showing the deficiency amounts determined for 1984, 1985, and 1986 to be $ 4,891,617, $ 10,119,885, and $ 13,506,793, respectively. These amounts are significantly less than the 98 T.C. 70">*78 amounts set forth in the opening paragraph of that notice. Respondent concedes that the amounts set forth in the opening paragraph are incorrect. He contends, however, that the correct amount of the determined deficiencies is set forth in the chart as well as on the attachments to the notice. Respondent also contends that petitioner contested the correct deficiency amounts and therefore was not misled by this error. (Notably, the two sets of deficiency amounts set forth in the notice of liability in no way correspond with the deficiency amounts determined in the notice of deficiency.)
Petitioner asserts that the attachments to the notice containing the correct deficiency amounts establish that the notice of liability determined deficiencies in income tax, rather than withholding tax. In this regard, petitioner first asserts that1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*24 respondent's use of Form 5278 as part of the statement portion of the notice dictates that it was to relate solely to "income tax returns". Petitioner directs our attention to IRM section 4464.22(1)(c), which provides in part:
(c) Form 5278 (Statement -- Income Tax Changes) * * *.
1 This form is used for all individual, corporate and fiduciary income tax returns for computation of the statutory deficiency.
[2 Audit, IRM (CCH), sec. 4464.22(1)(c), at 7907.]
In view of IRM section 4464.22(1)(c), together with the references in the Form 5278 to "adjustments to income" and "corrected income tax liability", respondent's use of Form 5278, standing alone, might create some confusion as to whether respondent determined deficiencies in withholding tax or income tax. However, the top of the Form 5278 is marked "Return Form No. 1042". Return Form 1042 is entitled "Annual Withholding Tax Return for United States Source Income of Foreign Persons". This reference to Form 1042 resolves any confusion as to the type of return that the adjustments relate to and, thus, the type of tax liability determined. See generally
Petitioner next points to the explanation1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*25 of adjustments as evidence that the notice of liability determined deficiencies in income tax. The explanation of adjustments states in part the following:
It is determined that you received gross income in the form of interest from sources within the United States for nonresident aliens in the amount 98 T.C. 70">*79 of $ 16,305,390.00, $ 33,732,950.00 and $ 45,022,643.00, * * * for the taxable years ending December 31, 1984, 1985 and 1986, respectively.
Since Annual Withholding Tax Returns * * * were not filed within the time prescribed by law * * * 25 percent of the tax is added thereto as provided by
Petitioner asserts that because the first paragraph states that petitioner received gross income rather than paid such amounts, respondent's determination must be with respect to income tax. In support of this assertion, petitioner cites
The first paragraph of the explanation of adjustments states that petitioner "received" U.S. source gross income in the form of interest income rather than "paid" such income to a foreign taxpayer. However, the paragraph also states that petitioner received this gross income "for nonresident aliens". Given the fact that petitioner is a foreign corporation and not an individual, the term "for nonresident aliens" must be read to mean people other than petitioner. See generally
(b) Income Items. -- * * * interest * * *.
[Emphasis added.]
98 T.C. 70">*80 In sum,
Lastly, petitioner asserts that respondent admits that the notice of liability determined deficiencies in income tax in his answer 1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*28 to the petition. Petitioner filed its petition in this case on the basis that respondent determined deficiencies in income tax. As such, petitioner points to respondent's answer to the petition and asserts that respondent admitted therein that he determined deficiencies in income tax, not withholding tax. Specifically, petitioner refers to respondent's answer to paragraphs 1, 3, and 5(c) of the petition. The gravamen of petitioner's argument is that if respondent did determine deficiencies in withholding tax, he would have clarified petitioner's contrary allegations in his answer. We fail to see the significance of petitioner's argument. Respondent's failure to clarify petitioner's allegations in no way transforms respondent's determination of a deficiency in withholding tax into a determination of a deficiency in corporate income tax. It is also significant to note that petitioner's allegations that respondent determined income tax deficiencies were tied to a statement of the deficiency amounts determined in the notice of liability. (See paragraphs 3 and 5 of the petition.) As such, respondent's general admissions in his answer can be read to mean that he agreed with petitioner1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*29 with respect to the amounts in dispute.
After careful scrutiny, we conclude that the notice of liability does not support petitioner's assertion that respondent determined deficiencies in its corporate income tax therein. We base this conclusion on the following: (1) The opening paragraph of the notice specifically states that respondent determined a withholding tax liability; (2) the top of Form 98 T.C. 70">*81 5278 refers to "Return Form No. 1042"; and (3) the explanation of adjustments specifically refers to petitioner's receipt of U.S. source interest income for nonresident alien individuals and petitioner's failure to file annual withholding tax returns. In reaching this conclusion, we are mindful that except for Internal Revenue Code sections relating to additions to tax, the notice of liability is silent as to the statutory (or regulatory) provisions under which respondent's determination is made. However, based on the specific indications in the notice of liability that respondent determined a withholding tax liability and the lack of any clear indication to the contrary, we cannot agree with petitioner that the notice of liability determined deficiencies in its corporate income1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*30 taxes. Accordingly, we hold that the notice of liability with respect to which petitioner filed its petition in this case determined deficiencies in withholding tax for the years in issue.
Our conclusion that respondent determined deficiencies in withholding tax liability under sections 1441-1464 in the notice of liability raises a jurisdictional question to which we next must turn. That question is whether the notice of liability which relates to withholding tax and the notice of deficiency which relates to corporate income tax must be considered independently for purposes of this Court's jurisdiction.
We believe our opinion in
Relying on
It follows from our decision in
Petitioner asserts, however, that
In our view, the rationale in
Petitioner relies on
In an income tax deficiency proceeding, the Court's jurisdiction is generally limited1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*35 by
In
Petitioner's reliance on
We now turn to the ultimate resolution of petitioner's motion for leave to amend its petition to contest the corporate income tax deficiencies determined in the notice of deficiency. Our consideration of the effect of the petition filed in this case is limited by the fact that this Court may exercise jurisdiction only to the extent authorized by Congress.
In
The fact that separate taxable years are contained in one notice of deficiency does not mean that each of such years is automatically raised by filing a petition contesting some of such years. The terms of the petition must be examined to ascertain which of the years has been put in issue by an indication that the determination for that year is disputed. [
Thus, under our holding in
In
Consistent with our holdings in
In the present case, there is nothing in the petition now 98 T.C. 70">*87 pending before us indicating that petitioner was contesting any of the corporate income tax deficiencies determined in the notice of deficiency. The petition does not (1) indicate the amount of any of the deficiencies determined in the notice of deficiency, (2) refer to or dispute any of respondent's determinations made in the notice of deficiency, or (3) refer to the notice of deficiency itself or have attached thereto a copy of the notice of deficiency. Rather, the only clear indication in the petition is that petitioner was solely contesting the withholding tax deficiencies determined in the notice of liability. The petition refers to the specific determinations made in the notice of liability and the amounts with respect thereto. Petitioner attached the notice of liability and only specifically referenced1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*43 that notice in the petition. Petitioner also specifically alleged that it was not subject to the flat 30-percent tax under section 881(a). In this regard, the deficiency determination in the notice of deficiency, in contrast, was based upon the net corporate income tax under section 11 (see sec. 882). In short, the petition now pending before us is completely devoid of any reference to the notice of deficiency and any of the determinations contained therein.
Petitioner nevertheless asserts that its prayer for relief is sufficient to invoke this Court's jurisdiction over the notice of deficiency. The prayer for relief in the petition provides in relevant part as follows:
WHEREFORE, Petitioner prays that the Court * * *:
1. Determine that the Commissioner erred as alleged in each assignment of error set forth in paragraph 4 above;
* * *
3. Find that there are no deficiencies in income tax for Petitioner's tax years ended 1984, 1985, and 1986, and, therefore, that Petitioner also has no liability for penalties and interest for these years;
In support of its assertion, petitioner relies on the language "Find that there are no deficiencies in income tax for Petitioner's tax years1992 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 8">*44 ended 1984, 1985, and 1986." We fail to see how this language indicates that petitioner was contesting any of the corporate income tax deficiencies determined in the notice of deficiency. This is particularly true when the first prayer for relief specifically refers to the assignment of errors that only relate to the determinations contained in the notice of liability. It seems to us that petitioner fails to appreciate 98 T.C. 70">*88 the distinction between contesting, in general, income tax deficiencies versus contesting respondent's specific deficiency determinations. We reject the notion that such a general statement in the prayer for relief, and nothing more, reflects petitioner's intent to contest the determinations in the notice of deficiency. There is simply no objective indication whatsoever in the petition to support such a conclusion.
For the foregoing reasons, we hold that this Court did not acquire jurisdiction over the corporate income tax deficiencies determined in the notice of deficiency by virtue of the petition filed herein. Petitioner's motion for leave to file amendments to petition will therefore be denied.
To reflect the foregoing,
1. Plus an addition to tax under sec. 6653(a)(2) equal to 50 percent of the interest payable on the deficiency.↩
2. Plus an addition to tax under sec. 6653(a)(1)(B) equal to 50 percent of the interest payable on the deficiency.↩
1. Plus an addition to tax under sec. 6653(a)(2) equal to 50 percent of the interest payable on the deficiency.↩
2. Plus an addition to tax under sec. 6653(a)(1)(B) equal to 50 percent of the interest payable on the deficiency.↩