Fernandez v. United States (In Re Fernandez)

130 B.R. 757, 1991 Bankr. LEXIS 1182, 71 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 4669, 1991 WL 160490
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Michigan
DecidedAugust 14, 1991
Docket19-01867
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 130 B.R. 757 (Fernandez v. United States (In Re Fernandez)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Michigan primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Fernandez v. United States (In Re Fernandez), 130 B.R. 757, 1991 Bankr. LEXIS 1182, 71 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 4669, 1991 WL 160490 (Mich. 1991).

Opinion

OPINION

JAMES D. GREGG, Bankruptcy Judge.

I. ISSUES

The cross motions for summary judgment in this adversary proceeding raise three issues involving the liability of the Debtors for failure to account for and pay over various taxes to the government. First, whether the Debtors are each responsible persons, within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. § 6672 (hereinafter “I.R.C.”), who were required, and willfully failed, to collect, account for, and pay to the government withheld income and FICA taxes due for the second, third and fourth quarters of 1984, and the first quarter of 1985. Second, if the Debtors are liable for failure to withhold, whether these taxes are dis-chargeable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(7). Third, whether the Debtors, federal income tax liability for the year 1985 is dischargeable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 523(a)(7) & 507(a)(7).

II. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The Plaintiffs, Alfredo Medina Fernandez (hereinafter “Fernandez”) and Linda Medina (hereinafter “Medina”) sometimes collectively referred to as the “Debtors,” filed a voluntary petition for relief under chapter seven of the Bankruptcy Code on April 4, 1989. This adversary proceeding was filed on October 2, 1989, against the United States of America (hereinafter “Internal Revenue Service,” “I.R.S.,” or “government”) to determine whether certain federal taxes are dischargeable.

*760 The Debtors assert that the I.R.S. has wrongfully made an assessment against them for failure to withhold income taxes and social security taxes which were to be withheld by Medina Construction Co., Inc. during 1984 and 1985. This type of assessment is commonly termed a “100 percent penalty” for failure to withhold “trust fund taxes.” 1 Although the Debtors admit they are the incorporators of Medina Construction Co. (hereinafter “Medina Construction”), they deny any liability for the trust fund taxes. In the alternative, they assert even if they are liable for failure to withhold, the taxes are dischargeable as a penalty pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(7). Also, the Debtors claim that personal federal income tax assessments for the year 1985 are dischargeable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 523(a)(7) & 507(a)(7). 2

In response, the I.R.S. contends the assessments are valid and are nondischargeable as taxes pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(1). Also, the I.R.S. asserts the federal income tax is nondischargeable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 523(a)(1) & 507(a)(7).

The court has jurisdiction over this adversary proceeding. 28 U.S.C. § 1334. This matter is a core proceeding and the court has the authority to enter a final order or judgement. 28 U.S.C. §§ 157(b)(1) & 157(b)(2)(B) & (I). The parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgement and each contend they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

III. FACTS

The Debtors are married and started their business, Medina Construction Company, in 1983 as a sole proprietorship. 3 The purpose of the company was to perform cement work as a minority subcontractor for state funded projects. In March, 1984, the company incorporated by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Michigan Department of Commerce. Both Debtors signed the articles as incorpo-rators. After filing the articles, Medina Construction was informally operated and did not conform to corporate formalities. The corporation did not issue shares of stock, hold director or shareholder meetings, or appoint officers.

Fernandez acted as President of the corporation. His duties included bidding prices on contracts, executing contracts, paying creditors and employees, and hiring and firing employees. He also worked as a foreman or laborer on projects in the field. Although Medina was an incorporator of the business, her role was much less defined. Her duties were more secretarial or clerical in nature. She was responsible for issuing and signing checks when Fernandez was not in the office, determining employee payroll including calculating withholding taxes, certifying wages for the prime contractor, and communicating with the company accountant. She signed certified wage forms as the “Secretary/Treasurer” of Medina Construction.

In April, 1983, the Debtors opened a checking account with Michigan National Bank on behalf of Medina Construction. Both Fernandez and Medina were listed as signatories on the checking account. Only one of their signatures was necessary to issue a check. The majority of checks is *761 sued by Medina Construction were issued and signed solely by Medina. This account was Medina Construction’s only checking account when it operated as a sole proprietorship and as a corporation. The Debtors made nearly all payments necessary for the business through this account including paying employee wages. Both Debtors made withdrawals and deposits of corporate funds on this account.

During most of its existence, Medina Construction was a subcontractor for Mus-kegon Asphalt Paving Company (hereinafter “Muskegon Asphalt”). In order to pay its employee’s wages, Medina Construction sent certified wage forms to Mus-kegon Asphalt who then advanced a single check for the wages. Medina Construction deposited the check in the corporate checking account and then issued separate, individual checks to its employees for salaries.

Nearly from its inception, Medina Construction failed to remit its payroll taxes to the government. Both Debtors were aware of the delinquent taxes. Fernandez signed nearly all of Medina Construction’s payroll tax returns (Form 941). The company’s accountant taught Medina how to calculate withholding taxes and informed her the procedure for paying the taxes. Yet, neither Debtor paid the taxes.

During the period the taxes were not being paid, the Debtors continued to sign and issue checks on behalf of Medina Construction to pay other creditors, including suppliers and employee wages. The Debtors continued to pay net payroll each week and neglected paying withholding taxes. The main reason the Debtors paid other creditors rather than the government was to continue the corporation’s business operations.

On August 11,1986, the I.R.S. assessed a 100 percent penalty against the Debtors in the amount of $37,108.50. In addition, the Debtors were assessed tax liabilities for failure to pay over federal income taxes.

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Bluebook (online)
130 B.R. 757, 1991 Bankr. LEXIS 1182, 71 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 4669, 1991 WL 160490, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/fernandez-v-united-states-in-re-fernandez-miwb-1991.