DAVID NUFFER, District Judge.
The United States of America ("United States") filed this action on February 2, 2015, seeking to reduce to judgment federal tax assessments against T.J. Enterprises & Acoustical, Inc. ("T.J. Enterprises") and to foreclose related tax liens against real property located at 480 West Century Drive, Murray, Utah 84123 (the "Subject Property").
The Gurule Defendants also filed a joint Motion for Summary Judgment ("Gurule Motion for Summary Judgment"),
The parties agree that the United States' federal tax assessments against T.J. Enterprises should be reduced to judgment. However, the United States has failed to meet its burden to establish that T.J. Enterprises has an interest in the Subject Property, or that the United States otherwise has valid and enforceable tax liens on the Subject Property. Therefore, as discussed below, the U.S. Motion for Summary Judgment
1. T.J. Enterprises was incorporated in Utah by Teddy Gurule in 1997.
2. Teddy Gurule was the President and sole owner of T.J. Enterprises.
3. In 2003, T.J. Enterprises began having significant tax related difficulties and other serious financial problems, which continued until T.J. Enterprises went out of business in 2010.
4. T.J. Enterprises filed quarterly federal employment tax (Form 941) returns for the tax periods ending: 6/30/2003, 9/30/2003, 12/31/2003, 3/31/2004, 6/30/2004, 9/30/2004, 12/31/2004, 3/31/2005, 12/31/2005, 3/31/2006, 6/30/2006, 9/30/2006, 12/31/2006, 3/31/2007, 6/30/2007, 9/30/2007, 12/31/2007, 6/30/2009, 9/30/2009, and 3/31/2010. Each of those returns showed a balance due for the relevant tax period; however, T.J. Enterprises failed to make payments of those taxes when they were due.
5. For the quarter ending 12/31/2009, T.J. Enterprises failed to file a quarterly federal employment tax (Form 941) return. After examination, the IRS assessed the balance due for that quarter.
6. On the following dates, a duly-authorized delegate of the Secretary of Treasury made timely assessments of liability for the unpaid quarterly federal employment taxes, penalties, and interest as follows:
7. Despite timely notice and demand for payment of the tax assessments described above, T.J. Enterprises has neglected or refused to make full payment of the assessed amounts to the United States.
8. T.J. Enterprises filed federal unemployment tax (Form 940) returns for the 2007 and 2010 tax years. Each of those returns showed a balance due for the relevant tax period; however, T.J. Enterprises failed to make payments of those taxes when they were due.
9. On the following dates, a duly-authorized delegate of the Secretary of Treasury made timely assessments of liability for the unpaid federal unemployment taxes, penalties, and interest as follows:
10. Despite timely notice and demand for payment of the tax assessments described above, T.J. Enterprises has neglected or refused to make full payment of the assessed amounts to the United States.
11. T.J. Enterprises filed a federal corporation income tax (Form 1120) return for the 2008 tax year. T.J. Enterprises' Form 1120 showed a balance due for the relevant tax period; however, T.J. Enterprises failed to make payments of those taxes when they were due.
12. On the following dates, a duly-authorized delegate of the Secretary of Treasury made timely assessments of liability for the unpaid federal income taxes, penalties, and interest as follows:
13. Despite timely notice and demand for payment of the tax assessments described above, T.J. Enterprises has neglected or refused to make full payment of the assessed amounts to the United States.
14. For the tax period ending 12/31/2006, T.J. Enterprises failed to file Form W-2s for its employees, as required by 26 U.S.C. § 6051.
15. Pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6721(e), the IRS made a timely assessment of liability for the unpaid Section 6721 penalty as follows:
16. Despite timely notice and demand for payment of the tax assessments described above, T.J. Enterprises has neglected or refused to make full payment of the assessed amounts to the United States.
17. T.J. Enterprises made a request for installment agreement on May 12, 2005, which the IRS accepted on October 24, 2005.
18. The installment agreement was terminated in April 2006 after T.J. Enterprises failed to make payment, and notice of the termination of the installment agreement was sent to T.J. Enterprises on April 8, 2006.
19. As of April 28, 2017, the outstanding balances of the assessments against T.J. Enterprises are as follows:
20. The total outstanding balance of the assessments against T.J. Enterprises at issue in this lawsuit is $2,711,768.64, as of April 28, 2017.
21. T.J. Enterprises does not dispute the assessments or balances due for any of the tax periods at issue in this case.
22. Despite timely notice and demand for payment of the tax assessments for each of the tax periods at issue in this matter, T.J. Enterprises neglected or refused to make full payment of the assessed amounts to the United States.
23. As a result of T.J. Enterprises' failure to pay the employment taxes, unemployment taxes, income taxes, and civil penalties described above, and in order to provide notice to third parties entitled to notice of the statutory liens under 26 U.S.C. § 6323, the IRS filed Notices of Federal Tax Liens ("NFTL") regarding the tax assessments with the County Recorder of Salt Lake County, Utah.
24. The United States filed and re-filed its NFTLs pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6323 as follows:
25. In order to provide additional notice to potential subsequent purchasers and third parties entitled to notice of the statutory liens under 26 U.S.C. § 6323, the IRS filed Notices of Federal Tax Liens and NFTL re-filings as to Gurule Properties, as alter ego, nominee, or transferee of T.J. Enterprises, regarding the tax assessments with the County Recorder of Salt Lake County, Utah, as follows:
26. The Subject Property consists of one parcel of real property located at 480 West Century Drive, Murray, Utah 84123.
27. The Subject Property is more-particularly described in Paragraph 27 of the United States Complaint.
28. Prior to the purchase of the Subject Property, T.J. Enterprises leased commercial space for approximately $1,700 per month.
29. In or about July 2005, Teddy Gurule's mother (Linda Gurule) was attending a church which is located immediately adjacent to the Subject Property and "300 yards or so" from the property T.J. Enterprises was renting at the time.
30. Linda Gurule observed a sign placard with words to the effect that the building was for sale by the owner.
31. Linda Gurule asked Teddy Gurule to make contact with the owner and see if they (Linda and Teddy) could negotiate agreeable terms for the purchase with the owner.
32. Linda Gurule and Teddy Gurule were involved in negotiating the purchase of the Subject Property from RDLC Management and, on July 27, 2005, Teddy Gurule signed a Note, Deed of Trust and Assignment of Rents, and other documents related to the purchase of the Subject Property on behalf of "Gurule Properties, Inc."
33. The purchase price for the Subject Property was $310,000.
34. Linda Gurule's husband, Barry Wickel, provided the initial down-payment to RDLC Management in the amount of $30,000.
35. T.J. Enterprises neither paid nor provided any of the money used by GPI for the down payment paid to RDLC Management.
36. GPI was incorporated on July 28, 2005.
37. Linda Gurule is the sole shareholder of GPI.
38. Linda Gurule and Teddy Gurule are Officers of GPI.
39. Linda Gurule, Teddy Gurule, and Teddy's wife (Linda Gurule) are Directors of GPI.
40. The Subject Property was purchased through a contract and the execution of a Note with RDLC Management ("RDLC Management Note").
41. On August 5, 2005, GPI, by and through Ted Gurule, executed the RDLC Management Note for payment of the balance of the purchase price of $280,000.
42. On August 5, 2005, RDLC Management executed and delivered a Warranty Deed in favor and for the benefit of GPI, which was recorded with in the office of the Salt Lake Count Recorder on August 5, 2005, at 3:56 p.m.
43. On August 5, 2005, GPI executed and delivered a Deed of Trust and Assignment of Rents in favor of RDLC Management to secure payment due under the Note, which was recorded in the office of the Salt Lake County Recorder on August 5, 2005 at the same time as the Warranty Deed.
44. T.J. Enterprises paid no money to RDLC Management for any purpose on August 5, 2005, or to anyone else in connection with the purchase of the Subject Property.
45. T.J. Enterprises had no agreement, written or otherwise, with RDLC Management or GPI in connection with the purchase of the Subject Property.
46. T.J. Enterprises never held title to the Subject Property in its own name and never transferred the Subject Property to GPI.
47. In addition to acting on GPI's behalf in purchasing the Subject Property, Teddy Gurule had signature authority on GPI's bank account, filed GPI's federal tax returns, and signed documents that purported to encumber the Subject Property.
48. GPI engaged in no business activities other than holding title to the Subject Property, and nobody other than T.J. Enterprises has occupied the property since GPI obtained title to the Subject Property.
49. The terms of repayment for the $280,000 RDLC Management Note required monthly payments of $2,000 and bi-annual balloon payments of $30,000, for a total of $84,000 per year.
50. Payments on the RDLC Management Note were made through First American Title Company.
51. T.J. Enterprises and GPI entered into two commercial lease agreements for the Subject Property, under which T.J. Enterprises contracted to make regular monthly rent payments to GPI in the amount of $7,007.49. The lease agreements covered the time period of August 5, 2005 through December 31, 2009. During this time, T.J. Enterprises often made rent payments by making payments on the RDLC Management Note directly to First American Title Company.
52. During the period from August 2005 through 2008, T.J. Enterprises paid at least $262,263 towards the RDLC Management Note.
53. GPI's income tax returns for 2005 through 2008 show the amount of money paid from T.J. Enterprises towards the RDLC Management Note as income.
54. GPI has since filed amended income tax returns for 2005 through 2008, claiming that no income was received by GPI for those years and stating that "Gurule Properties received no income/rent. The rent was paid to the title company."
55. T.J. ceased all business operations sometime in 2010.
56. Prior to its dissolution and during the time that it occupied the Subject Property, T.J. Enterprises paid utility bills, property taxes, and upkeep and maintenance expenses related to the Subject Property as required under its lease agreement.
57. Prior to its dissolution, T.J. Enterprises enjoyed exclusive use of the Subject Property.
58. T.J. Enterprises, GPI, and Linda Gurule are the main defendants in this action. All other defendants were named by the United States pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7403(b) as parties that may claim an interest in the Subject Property.
60. Both Linda Gurule and Teddy Gurule's brother (Terry Gurule) testified at length that they loaned tens of thousands of dollars to T.J. Enterprises over the years.
61. Linda Gurule's purported interest in the property is based upon a Deed of Trust, Assignment of Deed of Trust, and Affidavit of Correction to Deed of Trust.
62. Terry Gurule worked as an employee at T.J. Enterprises.
63. Terry Gurule was severely injured in a motorcycle accident and received a cash settlement from a claim arising from injuries he sustained in the accident.
64. From the proceeds of the settlement, Terry Gurule made a series of loans to T.J. Enterprises.
65. Terry Gurule purchased a residential property by taking out a mortgage in his own name and on his own credit. The purpose of the purchase of the residential property was to provide a place for Teddy Gurule and his wife, Jennifer, to live with the agreement that Teddy and Jennifer would make all of the mortgage payments, and pay all other expenses associated with the residential property, holding Terry Gurule harmless from the risk of foreclosure or loss of the property.
66. In 2008, Terry Gurule perceived that T.J. Enterprises was having serious financial problems, including tax problems.
67. Concerned about being repaid for the loans, Terry Gurule obtained a Deed of Trust form from the internet and modified it.
68. The Deed of Trust identifies Terry Gurule as the "lender." "T.J. Enterprises and Acoustical (A.K.A. Gurule Properties, Inc.)" as the "borrower," and secures repayment of $350,000 plus interest against the Subject Property.
69. Terry Gurule is not a lawyer and did not seek or receive any legal assistance or advice in preparing the Deed of Trust.
70. Terry Gurule demanded that Ted Gurule, Linda Gurule, and Jennifer Gurule sign the Deed of Trust so he could record it and secure repayment of his money and the value of the residential property in the event it was lost.
71. On March 17, 2008, Teddy Gurule as an agent for T.J. Enterprises, and Jennifer Gurule and Linda Gurule, each as individuals, signed the Deed of Trust, as prepared by Terry Gurule.
72. The Deed of Trust was recorded on the records of the Salt Lake County Recorder on March 18, 2008.
73. On August 25, 2011, Terry Gurule prepared and executed an Assignment of Deed of Trust that assigns original "Deed of Trust from T.J. Enterprises & Acoustical, Inc." to "Linda Lee Roach, aka Linda Lee Gurule."
74. At that time, Terry Gurule was in need of money to fund his bankruptcy case, and believed the Deed of Trust to be essentially worthless because of federal tax liens or other debts, and made the assignment to Linda Gurule in exchange for payment of $3,000.
75. The Assignment of Deed of Trust was recorded on the records of the Salt Lake County Recorder on August 25, 2011.
77. On December 14, 2014, T.J. Enterprises, Teddy Gurule, GPI, and Linda Gurule executed and recorded an Affidavit of Correction to Deed of Trust.
78. The Affidavit of Correction to Deed of Trust was signed by Teddy Gurule and Linda Gurule on December 18, 2014 to change the identity of the "borrower" in the original Deed of Trust and Assignment of Deed of Trust from T.J. Enterprises to GPI.
79. The debt owed by T.J. Enterprises to Terry Gurule has not been fully satisfied.
80. Neither Linda Gurule nor Terry Gurule ever loaned money to GPI.
81. RDLC Management was named as a defendant in this matter under 26 U.S.C. § 7403(b) as a party that may claim an interest in the Subject Property. On May 6, 2015, RDLC Management filed a document with the Court stating that its Note had been paid in full and that it had no interest in the Subject Property.
82. The State of Utah, Tax Commission, was named as a defendant in this matter under 26 U.S.C. § 7403(b) as a party that may claim an interest in the Subject Property. On April 21, 2015, State of Utah, Tax Commission, filed a Disclaimer of Interest, stating that the State has no interest in the Subject Property.
83. The State of Utah, Department of Workforce Services, was named as a defendant in this matter under 26 U.S.C. § 7403(b) as a party that may claim an interest in the Subject Property. On May 27, 2015, the State of Utah, Department of Workforce Services, filed a Disclaimer of Interest, stating that the State has no interest in the Subject Property.
84. Salt Lake County, Utah was named as a defendant in this matter under 26 U.S.C. § 7403(b) as a party that may claim an interest in the Subject Property. On March 8, 2017, the County and the United States stipulated as to the priority of the parties' respective liens.
85. The Workers Compensation Fund of Utah was named as a defendant in this matter under 26 U.S.C. § 7403(b) as a party that may claim an interest in the Subject Property. The Workers Compensation Fund of Utah disclaimed interest in the Subject Property and was granted dismissal from this action.
86. Certified Reprographics, Inc. was named as a defendant in this matter under 26 U.S.C. § 7403(b) as a party that may claim an interest in the Subject Property. Certified Reprographics claims an interest in the Subject Property by virtue of a judgment lien recorded upon the property on October 22, 2012.
87. Checkline, Inc. d/b/a Check Max, and New Hampshire Insurance Company, a member company of American International Group, Inc. were named as defendants in this matter under 26 U.S.C. § 7403(b) as a party that may claim an interest in the Subject Property. After failing to respond to the United States' Complaint, default was entered against them on September 12, 2016. The United States filed a Motion for Entry of Default Judgment against these two entities, which has been granted.
88. Savage Scaffold & Equipment, Inc. was named as a defendant in this matter under 26 U.S.C. § 7403(b) as a party that may claim an interest in the Subject Property. On July 27, 2016, Savage Scaffold filed a disclaimer of interest with the Court, stating that it has no interest in the Subject Property.
Summary judgment is appropriate if "there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law."
The moving party "bears the initial burden of making a prima facie demonstration of the absence of a genuine issue of material fact and entitlement to judgment as a matter of law."
As a preliminary matter, the Gurule Defendants argue that the United States' claim is barred by the statute of limitations under the Utah Fraudulent Transfer Act (UFTA).
In Count I of its Complaint, the United States asserts that it is entitled to reduce to judgment: (1) each of the 21 quarters of unpaid federal employment taxes (Form 941) spanning from the quarter ending 6/30/2003 through the quarter ending 3/31/2010 assessed against T.J. Enterprises; (2) the unpaid unemployment taxes (Form 940) for the tax years ending 12/31/2007 and 12/31/2010 assessed against T.J. Enterprises; (3) the unpaid federal income taxes for the tax year ending 12/31/2008 assessed against T.J. Enterprises; and (4) the unpaid civil penalty for the tax period ending 12/31/2006 assessed against T.J. Enterprises.
In an action brought to collect federal taxes, the government bears the initial burden of proof as to whether valid assessments have been made.
Therefore, the U.S. Motion for Summary Judgment is granted in part with respect to Count I of the Complaint. The United States has a perfected lien interest in all property and rights to property belonging to T.J. Enterprises, as of the date the tax liabilities were assessed. A judgment in favor of the United States and against T.J. Enterprises will be entered in the amount of $2,711,768.64, as of April 28, 2017, plus statutory interest and other statutory additions pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §§ 6601, 6621, and 662, and 28 U.S.C. § 1961(c), until the balance is paid.
Counts II, III, and V of the Complaint address the Subject Property. Although title to the Subject Property is held by GPI, in Counts II and III, the United States claims that T.J. Enterprises has an interest in the Subject Property, either through GPI as T.J. Enterprises' nominee, alter ego, or transferee;
Under 26 U.S.C. § 6321, a lien arises in favor of the United States "upon all property and rights to property, whether real or personal," belonging to a taxpayer who neglects or refuses to pay tax after demand.
Therefore, the determination of whether the United States is entitled to foreclose tax liens against the Subject Property involves a two-step inquiry. First, Utah law is applied to determine the nature of T.J. Enterprises' interest in the Subject Property.
Under Utah law, a party may retain a beneficial interest in property through various trust theories. The United States has conceded that the undisputed material facts demonstrate GPI is not T.J. Enterprises' transferee or alter ego.
Therefore, the only remaining claim raised by the United States to establish a property interest under Utah law is a resulting trust.
The undisputed material facts demonstrate that T.J. Enterprises does not have a beneficial interest in the Subject Property through a purchase money resulting trust. GPI entered into a contract with RDLC Management to purchase the Subject Property for $310,000. T.J. Enterprises was not a party to the contract. It is undisputed that T.J. Enterprises did not pay the initial down payment (directly or indirectly) and was not obligated on the RDLC Management Note. While T.J. Enterprises paid a significant portion of the Note directly to the lender, such payments were made in the form of rent payments under a lease contract with GPI. If T.J. Enterprises had failed to make a payment, T.J. Enterprise would have been liable to GPI on the lease contract and GPI would have been liable to RDLC Management on the Note. T.J. Enterprises did not in fact or effectively purchase the Subject Property and never held title to the Subject Property. Under these facts, a resulting trust did not arise to make T.J. Enterprises the beneficial owner of the Subject Property. Therefore, GPI is entitled to summary judgment on Counts II and III of the Complaint.
Because T.J. Enterprises does not have a legal interest in the Subject Property under Utah law, the United States has failed to identify a "property" or "right to property" subject to the federal tax lien statute. Therefore, the liens against the Subject Property are invalid and summary judgment is granted in favor of GPI on Count V of the Complaint.
In Count IV, the United States seeks to set aside the Deed of Trust assigned to Linda Gurule.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the U.S. Motion for Summary Judgment
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Gurule Motion for Summary Judgment
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Count IV of the Complaint DENIED as moot.
The clerk of the court is directed to close the case.