Avco Financial Services Consumer Discount Co. v. Director, Division of Taxation

494 A.2d 788, 100 N.J. 27, 1985 N.J. LEXIS 2345

• Court: Supreme Court of New Jersey
• Decided: June 26, 1985
• Status: Published

Opinions

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

O’HERN, J.

This appeal presents issues similar to those resolved in Silent Hoist & Crane Co. v. Director, Div. of Taxation, 100 N.J. 1 (1985), also decided today.

In this case, a Pennsylvania financial services company, linked through its national parent with New Jersey affiliated offices, protests the payment to New Jersey of a corporate income tax upon an apportioned share of the interest and service income it received from New Jersey borrowers. The amounts at stake are modest — $1308 for 1974 and $2123 for 1975, in comparison to the $150,000 in revenues derived from doing business in New Jersey during each of those years — but the issues are important. We agree with the Director of the Division of Taxation and the Appellate Division that the taxpayer had the “minimal connection” with New Jersey sufficient to sustain a tax that bears a “rational relationship between the income attributed to the State and the intrastate values of the enterprise.” Silent Hoist & Crane, supra, 100 N.J. at 8 (quoting Mobil Oil Corp. v. Commissioner of Taxes, 445 US. 425, 436-37, 100 S.Ct. 1223, 1231-32, 63 L.Ed.2d 510, 520 (1980)).

The differing considerations in this case are that (1) we do not deal with a contention by the Division that the taxpayer’s income can be reached as part of a “unitary business,” and (2) the tax involved is a corporate income tax rather than a corporate franchise tax. As we have seen, since Complete Auto Transit, Inc. v. Brady, 430 U.S. 274, 97 S.Ct. 1076, 51 L.Ed.2d 326 (1977), the constitutional analysis of state taxation of interstate commerce depends not on the label given the tax but on the economic effects of the tax. There being no charge that the tax discriminates against interstate commerce, analysis will focus again on the nexus or minimal connection of the activity taxed to the State, and the rational relationship of the fairly apportioned tax to the services provided by the State.

I.

The State Tax

The Corporation Income Tax Act (N.J.S.A. 54:10E-1 to -24), commonly referred to as a second tier tax (A. 1973, c. 170), imposes a direct corporate income tax (CIT) on corporations deriving income from sources within this state that are not subject to the tax imposed under the Corporation Business Tax Act (N.J.S.A. 54:10A-1 to -40). The new levy, approved June 7, 1973, is applicable to calendar and fiscal years ending after December 31, 1973. The current rate of tax is 7V4% of entire net income or such portion as is allocable to New Jersey. N.J.S.A. 54:10E-5.

To understand the tax, we must recall the history of state taxation of interstate commerce. Prior to 1973, New Jersey had only a- franchise tax although one of its components of value was measured by income. See Silent Hoist, supra, 100 N.J. at 11-12. Until Complete Auto Transit, it was thought that a direct tax on an exclusively interstate business, phrased solely in terms of a levy on the privilege of doing business in the state, was constitutionally forbidden. To meet this constitutional objection and to reach broader sources of revenue, the Report of the New Jersey Tax Policy Committee, Part V, “Non-Property Taxes in a Fair and Equitable Tax System,” (February 23, 1972) (Cahill Commission) recommended that New Jersey do as many other states had done, “by adding to their corporate franchise taxes, or by substituting for them, an income tax levied, not on the privilege, or the doing of business in the State, but on income derived from sources within the State.” Id. at 20.

The Committee recommended that New Jersey retain the corporate business franchise tax (CBT) for corporations to which it can be applied, and adopt this “second-tier net income tax” in recognition of the fact that “there is a good deal of room for broadening the scope” of the State’s tax base. Id. at 22. The Committee recognized the recent restraints that Congress had placed on state taxing powers under Pub.L. No. 86-272, but, relying on Clairol v. Kingsley, 57 N.J. 199 (1970), decided that there was still a considerable range of exclusively interstate business within the reach of a direct income tax. Cahill Commission, supra, at 22. The Committee concluded: “[Ejquity demands business carrying on activities in the State and exploiting the New Jersey market make some contribution to the costs of maintaining governmental operations and the services provided by the State * * *.” Id.

Like the CBT, the CIT is a tax on the corporation’s “entire net income,” measured in the first instance by its federal taxable income. See N.J.S.A. 54:10E-4. That “entire net income” is apportioned to New Jersey by the application of the three-part formula based on receipts, property and payroll within and without the State. N.J.S.A. 54:10E-6. To this allocated income is applied the tax rate of 774%. N.J.S.A. 54:10E-5.

In connection with the Corporation Income Tax Act, the Legislature passed the Corporation Business Activities Reporting Act, N.J.S.A. 14A:13-14 to -23. That act’s purpose

is to enable the Division of Taxation to obtain pertinent data from any foreign corporation which carries on an activity or owns or maintains property in this State but which has not obtained a certificate of authority to do business in New Jersey, to the end that a proper determination may be made as to whether such corporation is subject to any State tax.

[Associates Consumer Discount Co. v. Bozzarello, 149 N.J.Super. 358, 362 (App.Div.1977).]

See also American Bank & Trust Co. of Pennsylvania v. Lott, 99 N.J. 32 (1985) (N.J.S.A. 14A:13-20, requiring all foreign corporations to file a Notice of Business Activities Report, was not intended to apply to foreign banks).

N.J.S.A. 14A:13~15 requires a foreign corporation that, among other things, receives payments from persons residing in this state, or businesses located in this state, aggregating more than $25,000 (as plaintiff did here), to file a Notice of Business Activities Report. The Legislature viewed the receipt of such payments as at least a preliminary indication that a foreign corporation derived income from sources within New Jersey and was subject to the corporation income tax. By filing its report, Avco became subject to the Division’s scrutiny.

II.

The Taxpayer and its Activities

The taxpayer, Avco Financial Services Consumer Discount Company One, Inc. (Avco Pa.), is one of many subsidiaries of Avco Financial Services, Inc. (Avco) linked through Avco Financial Services Management Company (the Management Company) with over 900 branch offices nationwide. Avco Pa. is a Pennsylvania corporation. Among its branch offices are several on the New Jersey border, including Philadelphia, Levittown, Morrisville, and Easton. New Jersey residents have taken out consumer loans or purchased credit life, accident and health and credit property insurance through the Pennsylvania offices. Avco Pa. also purchased installment contracts from a New Jersey retailer. Avco, through its affiliates, also operates and maintains similar branch offices in New Jersey. The record does not disclose whether the borrower would have any conscious understanding that the Pennsylvania and New Jersey branch offices were of different subsidiaries since Avco has a policy that permits payments to be made on the loans made by the Pennsylvania branches at the New Jersey branches. The loan agreement is between a New Jersey borrower and Avco Pa. “and/or its Parent, Affiliates or Subsidiaries.” A sample promissory note in the stipulated exhibits was made payable to Avco Financial Services, Inc. [the parent], “and/or * * * its affiliates or subsidiaries.” Mailings from the parent or the management company to existing New Jersey customers invited the customer to refinance or extend existing credit lines. The mailings are warm and encourage the reader to resolve gift, tax and vacation problems, referring in generic terms to “Avco Financial Services,” the lender that “believes in you.” In addition, the Management Company also provides general radio advertising in New Jersey for the benefit of the parent and its affiliates.

Avco Pa. sends its own personnel into New Jersey to service accounts. Some customers were afforded “once or twice monthly visits” to remind borrowers of their obligations. Avco Pa. estimates that its branch managers spend “three to five percent” of their working hours in New Jersey. When loans are in default, Avco Pa. uses the New Jersey court system to enforce collections (about $3,000 per year), including wage garnishment and repossession of a few New Jersey automobiles. As a result of these activities, Avco Pa. estimates that its interest and other income for each of the years 1974 and 1975 was approximately $150,000.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 14A-.13-15, Avco Pa. filed a Notice of Business Activities Report with the defendant, Director, Division of Taxation (“Director”), for the taxable year beginning December 1, 1973 and ending November 30, 1974.¹ Avco Pa. reported that it received payments during the period from “persons residing in or business located in New Jersey” in excess of $25,000. Avco Pa. indicated that such payments were received in respect of notes held by its out-of-state offices. Avco Pa. disclaimed liability under the CIT in its report.

The Director asserted that Avco Pa. was liable for corporate income taxes with respect to Avco Pa.’s receipt of income from “sources within this state.” Eventually, Avco Pa. filed tax returns pursuant to the CIT for the taxable years ending November 30, 1974 and November 30, 1975. Each of these returns indicated that Avco Pa. derived no income from sources within New Jersey. Avco Pa. thereafter submitted an estimate to the Director that Avco Pa. received $150,000 in interest income from New Jersey resident borrowers for each of the taxable years in controversy.

The Director issued a final tax deficiency assessment against Avco Pa. with respect to each of the taxable years in question. Based upon Avco Pa.’s estimates regarding receipts from New Jersey residents, the Director assessed taxes of $1308.99 plus interest for 1974 and $2,123.46 plus interest for 1975.

On Avco Pa.’s appeal, the Tax Court ruled that the Director’s imposition of the Income Tax Act in this matter violates both the Due Process Clause and the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution, and granted Avco Pa.’s refund claim. 4 N.J.Tax 349 (1982). The Appellate Division reversed the Tax Court finding that there was

a rational relationship between plaintiff’s income attributed to New Jersey and the benefits conferred by New Jersey to justify the imposition of the tax levied here. The internal regulation of the credit market which enables plaintiff’s parent to accept payments and process loans; the administration of the Retail Installment Sales Act which regulates the issuance and transfer of the installment paper that plaintiff buys from Dean’s Appliance; the maintenance of the courts and the general regulation of collection processes that permit plaintiff to realize on loans which are in default, are all elements of such a foundation.

[193 N.J.Super. 503, 512 (1984).]

We granted the taxpayer’s petition for certification. 97 N.J. 624 (1984).

III.

A.

Does the Statute Apply to Income from Intangibles Without a Situs in New Jersey?

The taxpayer has contended that it earned no income in New Jersey and is therefore not subject to the tax. It contends that its loans, promissory notes and the interest and proceeds thereon are all intangible personal property and that the taxable situs of such an intangible is the domicile of the creditor. This is the sort of theoretical distinction that has historically encumbered analysis of state taxation. The underpinning of the argument rests on the maxim mobilia sequuntur person-am (movables follow the person). Like other maxims, this has been questioned for “staffing] a rule without disclosing the reasons for it.” Mobil, supra, 445 US. at 445, 100 S.Ct. at 1235, 63 L.Ed.2d at 526 (quoting First Bank Stock Corp. v. Minnesota, 301 US. 234, 241, 57 S.Ct. 677, 680, 81 L.Ed. 1061, 1065 (1937)). The Court equated the taxation of income from intangibles, not with situs, but with the relation the income bears “to benefits and privileges conferred by several States.” Mobil, supra, 445 US. at 446, 100 S.Ct. at 1236, 63 L.Ed.2d at 526. We believe that the CIT is related to benefits conferred by the State. It is direct in its reach, speaking, with certain exceptions, of a tax on income “derived from sources” in New Jersey. N.J.S.A. 54:10E-2. Putting aside traditional concepts relating to intangibles, the real source of Avco Pa.’s income is not a piece of paper, but New Jersey borrowers. In Chemical Realty Corp. v. Taxation Div. Director, 5 N.J.Tax 581, 593-94 (1983), the Tax Court reviewed the history of the CIT and concluded that the Legislature’s intent was not to restrict the taxation of intangibles to the place of commercial domicile. In that case, the subsidiary of a New York bank contested application of the CIT to income it derived from real estate financing activities in New Jersey. In the absence of a legislative intent that the mobilia maxim be construed as part of the CIT, interest income received from New Jersey borrowers is “derived from sources within New Jersey” under the act, and thus is subject to the constitutional reach of the State. Chemical Realty Corp., supra, 5 N.J.Tax at 605;² see also CIT Fin. Services, etc. v. Director, Div. of Taxation, 4 N.J.Tax 568, 578 (1982) (surrogate activities of New Jersey affiliates sustain conclusion that a Pennsylvania lender’s interest income from New Jersey residents is amenable to New Jersey taxation).

B.

Is There a Minimal Connection?

We agree with the Director and the Appellate Division that a sufficient showing has been made to satisfy this requirement. Concededly, there is no litmus test that will resolve the issue for all cases. We can best look to available precedent.

The taxpayer relies primarily on National Bellas Hess Inc. v. Illinois Rev. Dep’t, 386 U.S. 753, 87 S.Ct. 1389, 18 L.Ed. 2d 505 (1967), and Miller Bros. Co. v. Maryland, 347 U.S. 340, 74 S.Ct. 535, 98 L.Ed. 744 (1954). Both of those cases, involving sales taxes, were seen as involving “the almost total lack of contacts” between the seller and the state of delivery. National Geographic Soc. v. California Bd. of Equalization, 430 U.S. 551, 559, 97 S.Ct. 1386, 1391, 51 L.Ed.2d 631, 639 (1977). But where there is “some definite link, some minimum connection, between [the State and] the person * * * it seeks to tax,” the nexus will be met. Id. at 561, 97 S.Ct. at 1393, 51 L.Ed.2d at 640 (quoting Miller Bros., supra, 347 U.S. at 344-45, 74 S.Ct. at 538-39, 98 L.Ed. at 748). Thus, in Scripto, Inc. v. Carson, 362 U.S. 207, 80 S.Ct. 619, 4 L.Ed.2d 660 (1960), local solicitation by commission salesmen sufficed to provide the nexus.

In terms of constitutional analysis, the question turns on how the taxpayer has come into the state to work the market. We think here, at a minimum, that:

(1) the presence of Avco Pa.’s employees in the State to collect their overdue accounts evidenced a vigorous, systematic and persistent effort, aided by a substantial physical presence, to exploit the New Jersey market. See Clairol, Inc. v. Kings-ley, 109 N.J.Super. 22 (App.Div.), aff’d, 57 N.J. 199 (1970), dismissed for want of a substantial federal question, 402 U.S. 902, 91 S.Ct. 1377, 28 L.Ed.2 d 643 (1971); Tuition Plan of New Hampshire v. Taxation Div. Director, 4 N.J.Tax 470 (1982);

(2) the use by the taxpayer of its affiliate offices in New Jersey to receive payments “made possible the realization and continuance of valuable contractual relations” between Avco Pa. and its New Jersey borrowers. Standard Pressed Steel Co. v. Washington Dep’t of Revenue, 419 U.S. 560, 562, 95 S.Ct. 706, 708, 42 L.Ed.2d 719, 722 (1975); and

(3) the ongoing use of New Jersey’s courts and process to enforce its obligations demonstrates that the taxpayer’s activities enjoyed the protection and services for which the State is entitled to something in return. See National Geographic, supra, 430 U.S. at 561, 97 S.Ct. at 1392, 51 L.Ed.2d at 640.³

The taxpayer chooses to emphasize, as does the dissent, that the taxpayer does not maintain an office in New Jersey, nor own or lease property here, or have resident representatives. Had any of those factors been present, it would be paying the higher rates due under the Corporation Business Tax Act “ * * * for the privilege of having or exercising its corporate franchise in this State, or for the privilege of doing business, employing or owning capital or property, or maintaining an office, in this State.” N.J.S.A. 54:10A-2.

It is precisely the absence of these factors that requires us to explore the constitutional reach of the CIT, for their absence has not always been dispositive of the issue.

The requisite nexus was held to be shown when the out-of-state sales were arranged by the seller’s local agents working in the taxing State, Felt & Tarrant Co. v. Gallagher, 306 U.S. 62, 59 S.Ct. 376, 83 L.Ed. 488 (1939); General Trading Co. v. Tax Comm’n, 322 U.S. 335, 64 S.Ct. 1028, 88 L.Ed. 1309 (1944), and in cases of maintenance in the State of local retail store outlets by out-of-state mail-order sellers. Nelson v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., supra [312 US. 359, 61 S.Ct. 586, 85 L.Ed. 888 (1941)]; Nelson v. Montgomery Ward, 312 U.S. 373, 61 S.Ct. 593, 85 L.Ed. 897 (1941). In Scripto, Inc. v. Carson, 362 U.S. 207, 80 S.Ct. 619, 4 L.Ed.2d 660 (1960), the necessary basis was found in the case of a Georgia-based company that had “10 wholesalers, jobbers, or ‘salesman’ conducting continuous local solicitation in Florida and forwarding the resulting orders from that State to Atlanta for shipment of the ordered goods,” id., at 211, 80 S.Ct. 619, 4 L.Ed.2d 660, although maintaining no office or place of business in Florida, and having no property or regular full-time employees there,

[.National Geographic, supra, 430 U.S. at 556-57, 97 S. Ct. at 1390, 51 L.Ed. 2d at 637 (emphasis added).]

The dissent chides us for recalling these words of Scripto, which are reaffirmed in National Geographic. It calls attention to the number of wholesalers, salesmen, and jobbers who were active in Florida. However, the significance of Scripto lies not in the number of those persons, but in the fact that none was an employee of Scripto. They devoted only a part of their time to Scripto sales. Scripto, supra, 362 U.S. at 211, 80 S.Ct. at 621, 4 L.Ed.2d at 664. Even then, without in-state offices, without full-time resident employees, the Court found the “minimum connections” to be more than sufficient.

In considering then not what is absent, but what is present, we find distinctive contacts with the State of New Jersey not found in the precedent the taxpayer invokes. Unlike the mail order house in National Bellas Hess, or the department store in Miller Brothers, this seller of financial services has entered the taxing state to dun its customers, has used affiliated in-state offices for customers to drop payments, has used New Jersey credit service agencies, and has invoked the State’s process to enforce its contracts. Surely the New Jersey borrowers did not consider themselves visited with only the “slightest presence” when Avco Pa. knocked on their doors to collect its money. Surely the New Jersey taxpayers are entitled to something in return for the benefits that the State conferred upon the foreign lender.⁴

We therefore believe that, applying the principles that the Supreme Court has laid down, it is well within the “realm of permissible judgment” to conclude that there are sufficient minimum contacts between the taxpayer and the State to justify the imposition of the tax.

C.

Is There a Rational Relationship Between the Tax and the Instate Values?

The rationality of relationship almost springs forth from the arithmetic in this case. The test is whether the tax liability is “out of all appropriate proportion to the business transacted.” Hans Rees’ Sons, Inc. v. State of North Carolina ex rel. Maxwell, 283 U.S. 123, 135, 51 S.Ct. 385, 389, 75 L.Ed. 879, 908 (1931), cited in Silent Hoist, supra, 100 N.J. at 10.

In this case, as a result of application of the three-part formula, only a distinct appropriate portion of Avco Pa.’s income was subject to tax. Its entire net income was in excess of $5,000,000 for each of the taxable years. As a result of the formula, less than $20,000 of that was attributed to New Jersey, although approximately $150,000 per year was derived from New Jersey borrowers. The taxes assessed for 1974 and 1975 on the entire net incomes of $5,225,745 and $5,867,326, respectively, were $1308 and $2123. The formula appears to have done “the job it was developed to do.” Silent Hoist, supra, 100 N.J. at 10. In context, that amounts to a levy of less than 1% on the 1974 New Jersey gross, not a disproportionate factor considering the fact that branch managers spend 3 to 5% of their time in New Jersey. In light of the activities of the taxpayer in New Jersey to realize and continue these contractual relations, we cannot conclude that these figures are out of all appropriate proportion.

Nor is the Constitution offended because the taxpayer may have included some or all of the allocated $20,000 in income in its Pennsylvania returns. Each of the states cannot police the activities of the others to guarantee that some overlap may not occur. “Taxation in one state is not an immunization against taxation in other states.” West Publishing Co. v. McColgan, 27 Cal.2d 705, 710, 166 P.2d 861, 864, aff’d, 328 U.S. 823, 66 S.Ct. 1378, 90 L.Ed. 1603 (1946) (citations omitted); see Moorman Mfg. Co. v. Bair, 437 U.S. 267, 276-79, 98 S.Ct. 2340, 2346-47, 57 L.Ed.2d 197, 206-09 (1978); State Tax Comm’n of Utah v. Aldrich, 316 U.S. 174, 181, 62 S.Ct. 1008, 1011, 86 L.Ed. 1358,1370 (1942). Many states have joined the Multistate Tax Compact to eliminate or minimize that potential.

In the last analysis, a wise commentator has put the limits of state taxing power in the simple context of whether the State “has exceeded the bounds of decency” in asserting its taxing power. Professor Thomas Reed Powell, quoted in Hellerstein, “State Taxation Under the Commerce Clause: An Historical Perspective,” 29 Vand.L.Rev. 335, 350 (1976).

We are satisfied that given the homogeneous identity of Avco Pa. with its parent and management company, its own direct penetration of the New Jersey consumer finance market through its follow-up customer work, the employment of its New Jersey affiliates as collection offices, and its recurrent recourse to the protection that New Jersey’s courts afford it as creditor, its activities establish a connection with the State which far exceeds the “slightest presence” suggested by the dissent. Given the fair allocation of income that New Jersey has sought, these bounds of constitutional decency have been met and disclose the required “minimum contacts” and “rational relationship” necessary to sustain the tax.

The judgment of the Appellate Division is affirmed.

1 Although the taxable year of Avco Pa. commenced in December 1973, the Income Tax Act only taxes income received after its January 1, 1974 effective date. N.J.S.A. 54.-10E-2.

2 In Chemical, the Court found an insufficient level of minimal connection to satisfy due process.

3 0f course, we recognize that activities reasonably related to the foreclosure of a mortgage on New Jersey realty do not subject a foreign bank to the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Act because of such activities. American Bank & Trust Co. v. Lott, 99 N.J. 32, 36 (citing Op.Atty.Gen. No. 5 (April 18, 1961) at 110). But when a foreign corporation "has access to [state] courts to enforce any rights growing out of its transactions" in the state, that access may be considered as part of the minimal contacts sustaining the state’s jurisdiction over the foreign corporation. Carl F. W. Borgward G.M.B.H. v. Superior Court, 51 Cal.2d 72, 78, 330 P.2d 789, 793 (1958); see also Pope v. National Aero Finance Co., 220 Cal.App.26. 709, 33 CalRptr. 889 (1963) (systematic financing program enhanced by physical entrance to repossess aircraft and resort to aid of state courts demonstrate minimum contacts with state); Staley v. Homeland, Inc., 368 F.Supp. 1344 (E.D.N.C.1974) (that foreign seller could "freely use North Carolina law to enforce its obligations” related to mobile home purchases is a factor to be considered in sustaining jurisdiction over foreign-state seller).

4 We note in áddition that certain of Avco Pa.’s loan activities are subject to regulation in New Jersey. Turner v. Aldens, Inc., 179 N.I.Super. 596 (App.Div. 1981) (state consumers have protection of Retail Installment Sales Act no matter from where seller deals). When foreign state business activities are conducted under a state regulatory scheme, the state confers a benefit for which it may ask something in return. Evanston Ins. Co., Inc. v. Merin, 598 F.Supp. 1290, 1309 (D.N.J.1984) ("Notwithstanding [National Bellas Hess holding that the minimal link is not present when a taxpayer’s only connection with customers is by common carrier or mail] a state does have the power to impose tax liability on a seller if it has virtually any other contact with the state.” Sarokin, J., id. at 1306, citing Scripto and National Geographic).