Chief Justice DURHAM, opinion of the Court:
¶ 1 Appellants, Arthur Benjamin and Gail Benjamin (deceased), have challenged the determination that they were resident individuals for Utah income tax purposes in 2003 and 2004 (the audit period). The Utah State Tax Commission (the Commission) found that the Benjamins were subject to Utah income tax under either test for resident individual laid out in Utah Code section 59-10-103(1)(q)(i). The Commission also upheld a 10 percent negligence penalty on the unpaid taxes pursuant to Utah Code section 59-1-401(7)(a)(i).
¶ 2 The Benjamins have now appealed the Commission's decision to this court. We hold that the Commission properly determined that the Benjamins qualify as resident individuals. We also uphold the negligence penalty because the Benjamins lacked a good faith basis for nonpayment.
¶ 3 The Benjamins originally established domicile in Utah around 1995 after moving
¶ 4 Prior to the stock sale, Mr. Benjamin received advice from several individuals outlining the procedures he should follow to change his tax domicile from Utah to Nevada. On August 29, 2003, Mr. Benjamin received detailed advice from Mr. Bassett, a Utah attorney representing Datamark, regarding a change of domicile. The attorney specifically discussed whether Mr. Benjamin would "incur Utah capital gains on a possible near-term sale" of the Data-mark stock if the Benjamins immediately moved to Nevada, where the stock sale would not be taxed. The attorney offered Mr. Benjamin a number of suggestions on how to establish a Nevada domicile that would provide a "good-faith basis in defending against a challenge by the Utah State Tax Commission." The attorney, noting the short period between the time to establish Nevada domicile and the time of the stock sale, concluded that there was less than a 50 percent chance of prevailing against a Commission audit if the Benjamins attempted to establish domicile in Nevada. Mr. Benjamin was dissatisfied with the advice, describing it as "by the book" and "very uncreative to boot."
¶ 5 On September 2, 2003, Mr. Benjamin received guidance from an investment advisor summarizing certain factors that could be important in demonstrating a change of domicile to Nevada, including the need to "actually set up residence" in Nevada. On September 24, 2003, Mr. Benjamin received additional advice from a Utah accountant discussing the actions a taxpayer can undertake to support a domicile claim. This advice included the sale of the Utah principal residence, not spending more than 183 days per year in Utah, and maintaining more contacts in Nevada than with any other state.
¶ 6 Also in September of 2003, the Benjamins each obtained Nevada driver's licenses, registered to vote in Nevada, and established Nevada bank accounts. They purchased several vehicles in Utah, which they registered and insured in Nevada, to be kept at the Nevada residence. The Benjamins changed their mailing address to the Nevada residence for certain periodicals, bills, and utility invoices. The Benjamins still used their Utah residence throughout the audit period for some mailing purposes.
¶ 7 The Benjamins did not join any organizations or clubs in Nevada, with the exception of their casino memberships. Nor did they participate in or contribute to charitable organizations in Nevada during the audit period. The Benjamins did, however, remain on the board of directors for several charitable organizations and companies, many of which were located in Utah. During the audit period, Mr. Benjamin established a charitable foundation that supported an aquarium in Utah.
¶ 9 Credit card and bank statements from the audit period indicate that most of the Benjamins' basic necessities, such as food, fuel, and clothing, were purchased in Utah. Mr. Benjamin maintained Utah-based health insurance and used Utah doctors for his medical care. The Benjamins also continued to use a Utah veterinary clinic for their pets.
¶ 10 Mr. Benjamin continued to work for Datamark's successor, eCollege, based out of Salt Lake City. Although Mr. Benjamin's job required extensive traveling, his main office was located in Salt Lake City. In September of 2004, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin each signed a Last Will and Testament in Salt Lake City, Utah, which was witnessed and notarized by a Utah attorney. These documents declared Florida as their state of domicile, not Nevada or Utah. During the Commission's formal hearing, Mr. Benjamin testified that when he and his wife purchased the Nevada residence it was Florida, not Nevada, where they intended to retire. Mr. Benjamin further testified that on or before March 27, 2004, they had purchased a home in Florida and had a car shipped to the Florida residence.
¶ 11 In March of 2004, Mrs. Benjamin filed a lawsuit in Utah District Court for unpaid child support against her former spouse, stating that "she currently reside(s) in Utah." There was no evidence that the Benjamins used the Nevada court system during the audit period. After Mrs. Benjamin's death in December of 2004, Mr. Benjamin listed the Sandy, Utah, home as decedents' place of residence on the death certificate. He also listed his Utah address on the form. Mrs. Benjamin was buried in Utah. Mr. Benjamin signed a petition for probate in Utah District Court stating his wife was domiciled in Salt Lake County at the time of her death.
¶ 12 In 2005, the Auditing Division conducted an audit of the Benjamins for the period of August 22, 2003, through December 31, 2004. Using the Benjamins' credit and debit card information, bank statements, health care invoices and bills, expense reports, travel itineraries, and calendars, the auditor concluded that Mr. Benjamin was present in Utah for at least 213 days in 2003 and at least 234 days in 2004. Of the 51 days in 2003 that the auditor determined that Mr. Benjamin was conclusively outside of Utah, only 15 were spent in Nevada. Similarly for 2004, the auditor determined that Mr. Benjamin was outside of Utah for 73 days, of which only 18 were attributable to Nevada. Using the same methodology, the auditor determined that Mrs. Benjamin was present in Utah for at least 248 days in 2003 and at least 185 days in 2004. On February 13, 2006, the Auditing Division issued a Statutory Notice of Audit Change for the tax year and a Statutory Notice of Estimated Income Tax for the tax year. Subsequently, the Auditing Division found that the underpayment of tax was due to negligence and imposed a 10 percent negligence penalty under Utah Code section 59-1-401(7)(a)(i).
¶ 13 The Benjamins appealed the assessments and a formal hearing was held before the Commission on June 4, 2008. The Commission issued its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a final decision on December 11, 2008. The Commission determined that the Benjamins qualified as Utah resident individuals under Utah Code section 59-10-103(1)(q)(i)(A) (the domicile test) and, alternatively, under 59-10-103(1)(q)(i)(B) (the statutory test). As a result, all income earned by the Benjamins during the audit
¶ 14 With respect to the domicile test, the Commission found that when the facts were examined in their entirety, the Benjamins' actions did not demonstrate an intent to abandon their Utah domicile or an intent to remain in Nevada permanently. Accordingly, the Benjamins never lost their Utah domicile during the audit period. The Commission additionally held in the alternative that the Benjamins qualified as resident individuals pursuant to the statutory test for having maintained a permanent place of abode in Utah and spending at least 183 days in Utah in both 2003 and 2004.
¶ 15 The Commission concluded that the Benjamins acted negligently by ignoring advice they received from Mr. Bassett and other professional advisors. In addition, the Commission noted that the Benjamins affirmatively represented themselves as domiciled in Utah, not Nevada. As a result, the Commission held that the negligence penalty was properly imposed because the Benjamins did not base their nonpayment on any legitimate, good faith interpretation of an arguable point of law.
¶ 16 The Benjamins properly filed a Petition for Review with this court on February 11, 2009. We have jurisdiction pursuant to Utah Code section 78A-3-102(3)(e)(ii) (Supp. 2010).
Our standard of review for this case is specified by statute:
UTAH CODE ANN. § 59-1-610(1) (2008).
¶ 17 The Commission's imposition of a negligence penalty will be upheld unless "contrary to law or otherwise erroneous." Vermax of Fla., Inc. v. Utah State Tax Comm'n, 906 P.2d 314, 315 (Utah Ct.App. 1995) (quoting Tummurru Trades, Inc. v. Utah State Tax Comm'n, 802 P.2d 715, 720 (Utah 1990)).
¶ 18 The Benjamins challenge the Commission's holding that they were domiciled in Utah during the audit period. The Benjamins do not contest the finding that they satisfy the statutory test under Utah Code section 59-10-103, but argue that non-Utah source income cannot be taxed if they are found to be resident individuals under the statutory test (rather than under the domicile test). Finally, the Benjamins maintain that the imposition of the 10 percent negligence penalty was unsupported by law or fact. We reject each of these arguments in turn.
The Utah Code defines a "resident individual" as either
¶ 19 The Commission held that the Benjamins were domiciled in Utah during the audit period. The determination of domicile is one of fact. See O'Rourke v. Utah State Tax Comm'n, 830 P.2d 230, 232 (Utah 1992). For purposes of reviewing the Commission's findings of fact, we apply a substantial evidence standard. Salt Lake City S. R.R. v. Utah State Tax Comm'n, 1999 UT 90, ¶ 7, 987 P.2d 594. "Substantial evidence is that quantum and quality of relevant evidence that is adequate to convince a reasonable mind to support a conclusion." Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). We "must review the entire record before the court and consider all the evidence that both supports and detracts from the Commission's findings." Clements v. Utah State Tax Comm'n, 893 P.2d 1078, 1081 (Utah Ct.App.1995); see also Grace Drilling Co. v. Bd. of Review, 776 P.2d 63, 68 (Utah Ct.App.1989) ("In undertaking [a review applying the substantial evidence standard], this court will not substitute its judgment as between two reasonably conflicting views, even though we may have come to a different conclusion had the case come before us for de novo review."). The Commission's interpretations of the statutory provisions of domicile, however, are questions of law reviewed for correctness. Utah Code Ann. § 59-1-610(1)(b).
¶ 20 The relevant portions of domicile are outlined in the Utah Administrative Code as follows:
UTAH ADMIN. CODE r. 865-9I-2(A) (2010). Intent will be determined based on "the totality of the facts and circumstances surrounding the situation," and the taxpayer's statement of intent is only one factor of many to be considered. "In determining whether a party has established a Utah domicile, the factfinder may accord the party's activities greater weight than his or her declaration of intent." Clements, 893 P.2d at 1081 (citing Allen v. Greyhound Lines, Inc., 583 P.2d 613, 614 (Utah 1978)). Utah Administrative Code rule 884-24P-52 contains a nonexhaustive list of objective factors helpful in determining domicile.
¶ 22 On the other hand, numerous indicia of domicile exist to sustain the Commission's decision. The Benjamins continued to own and occupy their Sandy home, claiming it as their primary residence and receiving a residential exemption for property tax purposes. The Benjamins' opening brief before this court argues that because there was no economic necessity to sell the Sandy home and because they would be traveling to Utah frequently for Mrs. Benjamin's medical treatment, they felt the use of the Utah residence would be more convenient and comfortable than hotels. They frequently used their Utah bank accounts during the audit period while they rarely used their Nevada accounts. Most of their necessities, such as food, fuel, and clothing, were purchased in Utah. They continued to receive nearly all their pet services at a veterinary clinic in Utah. There is no evidence on the record that they used any such services in Nevada. The Benjamins maintained numerous contacts in Utah, including remaining on boards of businesses and nonprofit organizations with strong connections to Utah. The Benjamins had no such connections in Nevada, with the exception of memberships in casinos.
¶ 23 Furthermore, the Benjamins' own statements and actions provide substantial evidence to uphold the Commission's determination that they never abandoned their Utah domicile. Mrs. Benjamin filed a lawsuit in Utah during the audit period and represented that "she currently reside(s) in Utah and previously resided in California." The Benjamins also created new wills and trusts during the audit period in which they listed Florida, not Nevada, as their place of domicile.
¶ 24 Considering the abundant evidence that the Benjamins did not intend to abandon their Utah domicile in favor of Nevada against the limited evidence detracting from it, we find that the Commission's holding is supported by substantial evidence. As residents who never lost their Utah domicile pursuant to the domicile test, the Benjamins were subject to Utah income tax during the audit period.
¶ 25 The Commission found that the Benjamins satisfied both prongs of the statutory test for resident individuals. See UTAH CODE ANN. § 59-10-103(1)(q)(i)(B). Specifically, it is undisputed that the Benjamins maintained their Sandy residence throughout the audit period, and an auditor found that the Benjamins spent at least 183 days in Utah for both tax years within the audit period. The Benjamins therefore concede that they satisfied the statutory test. However, they argue that the Commission failed to make the necessary finding under the statutory test that the Benjamins were not domiciled in Utah. We disagree.
¶ 26 The Commission held that the Benjamins were "Utah resident individuals regardless of whether they changed their domicile
¶ 27 The Benjamins concede that if they are found to be Utah resident individuals under the domicile test, then the proceeds from Mr. Benjamin's sale of Datamark stock are subject to taxation by Utah. As explained above, we hold that the Benjamins were domiciled in Utah during the audit period and thus owe taxes on those proceeds. However, the Benjamins argue that if they qualify as Utah resident individuals under the statutory test, but not under the domicile test, their stock sale proceeds are not subject to Utah taxation. The Benjamins argue that a Utah taxpayer "domiciled in another state is not subject to Utah tax on non-Utah source income." We disagree, as this argument is based on a misreading of the Utah Code. We take this opportunity to clarify why all Utah resident individuals are subject to taxation on such proceeds.
¶ 28 Pursuant to statute, Utah imposes taxes on all "state taxable income." UTAH CODE ANN. § 59-10-104(2)(a) ("resident individual"); id. § 59-10-116(1)(a) ("nonresident individual"). The term "state taxable income" is defined by Utah Code section 59-10-103(1)(w). Within that definition, "resident individuals" and "nonresident individuals" are treated differently; taxation for nonresident individuals is limited to "the portion of the amount [assessed to resident individuals] that is derived from Utah sources." Id. § 59-10-103(1)(w)(ii)(B). Taxation for resident individuals has no such limitation. Importantly, no distinction is made between resident individuals who qualify under the domicile test versus the statutory test.
¶ 29 As a result, it makes no difference whether a taxpayer qualifies as a resident individual under either the domicile or statutory test. All Utah resident individuals are subject to taxation for all "state taxable income," which would include the proceeds from Mr. Benjamin's stock sale.
¶ 30 The Utah Code provides the Commission with the authority to assess a negligence penalty for nonpayment of taxes owed. See UTAH CODE ANN. § 59-1-401(7)(a)(i)
¶ 31 Here, the Commission noted that the Benjamins had received professional advice from several individuals and chose not to take the steps suggested by those advisors. Additionally, the Commission found that the Benjamins' affirmative representations indicating their Utah domiciliary on court filings, probate documents, and on Mrs. Benjamin's death certificate all established inconsistency in their claim that they based the nonpayment of taxes on a legitimate, good faith interpretation of an arguable point of law. Therefore, the Commission found that the Benjamins' actions were negligent and that the Auditing Division had properly imposed the additional penalty.
¶ 32 We agree that the Benjamins did not base the nonpayment of taxes on any legitimate, good faith interpretation of an arguable point of law. Mr. Benjamin received detailed advice on the measures necessary to establish an intent to abandon Utah domicile.
¶ 33 Additionally, the Benjamins made affirmative statements in court filings and public documents during the audit period indicating that they were residents of Utah. They also benefited from a residential exemption they received for listing their Sandy home as their primary residence. Despite these representations, Mr. Benjamin filed a Utah return in 2003 claiming that he was not a Utah resident.
¶ 34 Finally, the Benjamins concede that they met the statutory test for resident individuals. As explained above, the Utah Code clearly states that Utah resident individuals are subject to taxation for all "state taxable income." The Benjamins' interpretation of a domicile requirement for taxing the stock sale's proceeds was incorrect as a matter of law. A "reasonable investigation" into the Utah Code would have revealed the requirement that all Utah resident individuals pay taxes on such proceeds. As a result, the Benjamins lacked a good faith interpretation of the taxation requirements governing Utah resident individuals.
¶ 35 The Benjamins took affirmative legal actions to maintain a Utah domicile for strategic reasons, precluding any justifiable argument that they had a legitimate, good faith interpretation of an arguable point of law to excuse them from nonpayment of taxes. Furthermore, the Benjamins clearly satisfied the statutory test, even if they did not meet the domicile test, and thus owed taxes on all "state taxable income" as Utah resident individuals. We therefore uphold the negligence penalty.
¶ 36 We hold that the Commission correctly determined that the Benjamins were domiciled in Utah during the audit period and are
¶ 37 While individuals can make a good faith interpretation of an arguable point of law to excuse them from a negligence penalty, in cases where taxpayers make legal representations of Utah residency they may be precluded from any such claims. As a result of their legal representations of Utah residency, coupled with their concession that they satisfied the statutory test for Utah resident individuals, the Benjamins' failure to file Utah income tax returns was negligent. We therefore affirm the Commission's imposition of a 10 percent negligence penalty.
¶ 38 Associate Chief Justice DURRANT, Justice PARRISH, Justice NEHRING, and Justice LEE concur in Chief Justice DURHAM's opinion.