Hope v. United States

23 Cl. Ct. 776, 68 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 5086, 1991 U.S. Claims LEXIS 491, 1991 WL 160503
CourtUnited States Court of Claims
DecidedAugust 16, 1991
DocketNo. 439-89T
StatusPublished

This text of 23 Cl. Ct. 776 (Hope v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Court of Claims primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Hope v. United States, 23 Cl. Ct. 776, 68 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 5086, 1991 U.S. Claims LEXIS 491, 1991 WL 160503 (cc 1991).

Opinion

OPINION

HORN, Judge.

On August 10, 1989, the plaintiffs, Grover H. Hope and Mary L. Hope, filed their original complaint under section 7422 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 7422 (1988)), claiming entitlement to the refund of income taxes, interest and penalties, they assert were “erroneously” and “illegally” assessed and collected with respect to the calendar years 1984, 1985 and 1986. The plaintiffs claim a charitable contribution deduction, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 170(a), (c) (1982 & Supp. II 1984), resulting from what plaintiffs allege was a “bargain sale” of Grover Hope’s property to the Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA) in 1984, in conjunction with the condemnation by the TTA for a proposed toll road extension. Plaintiffs further claim that they are entitled to carry the claimed deduction over into 1985 and 1986, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 170(d)(1)(A) (1982 & Supp. II 1984). In addition, plaintiffs also dispute penalties and interest assessed under 26 U.S.C. §§ 6653, 6661 (1982 & Supp. II 1984) for negligent or intentional disregard of the rules and substantial underpayment of taxes for tax years 1984, 1985 and 1986.

Jurisdiction in the United States Claims Court is undisputed. After the complaint was filed in this court, plaintiffs filed a Motion for Summary Judgment, asking this court to determine, as a matter of law, their entitlement to a charitable deduction in tax year 1984, or alternatively, in tax year 1986, in the amount of $1,781,089.50, for the alleged contribution of land to the TTA. The defendant filed a Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment and a Brief in Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary [778]*778Judgment in which the defendant maintains that the plaintiffs are not entitled to a charitable deduction as a matter of law. The defendant alleges that the issues of charitable intent and market value need not be addressed in the instant case because when the landowner was paid monies as a result of the condemnation proceedings, that amount represents just compensation for his property, leaving no remaining value to be donated and used as the basis for a charitable deduction. If the court disagrees, however, the defendant suggests, in the alternative, that plaintiffs’ request for summary judgment should be denied because there are issues of material fact in dispute regarding Mr. Hope’s charitable intent at the time the property was transferred, and regarding the fair market value of the condemned property.

After a courtroom conference in the case, the court requested additional briefing from both parties on the following issue:

After a negotiated settlement agreement to resolve ongoing litigation has been signed, as a result of which the litigation has been dismissed, and the taxpayer has received payment for the property condemned, whether there remains anything of value that a taxpayer may use as the basis for a charitable gift tax deduction?

Based on a careful review of the pleadings filed and the oral presentations offered by the parties, for the reasons discussed more fully below, the defendant’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment is, hereby, GRANTED.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiffs, Grover and Mary Hope, claim a refund of income taxes, interest and penalties for the taxable years 1984, 1985 and 1986, which is disputed by the government. The parties in this case, however, did agree to the following relevant facts for the purposes of the summary judgment proceedings. Plaintiff Grover Hope purchased a certain tract of land in Dallas County, Texas in 1969. In July, 1984, the TTA condemned and took possession of a 1.2 acre parcel in fee simple and an easement on a 0.08 acre parcel of Grover Hope’s tract to be used for an extension of the Dallas North Tollway. At a hearing in 1984 before the Special Commissioners appointed to determine the value of the condemned property, pursuant to Texas condemnation procedures, Grover Hope was awarded $607,396.45, which was deposited in the registry of the state court by the TTA. At that time, as allowed by the Texas Property Code, the TTA obtained the right to enter and use the land, pursuant to Tex. Prop.Code Ann. § 21.021(a) (Vernon 1984), while Grover Hope retained the right to litigate to obtain additional compensation from the TTA, up to the fair market value of the property. In 1986, Grover Hope filed objections to the commissioners’ findings in state court. Prior to the trial, the parties signed a Settlement Agreement, resulting in a dismissal of the lawsuit. Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement, executed on December 16, 1986, the TTA and Grover Hope agreed to a payment to Grover Hope of $2,257,533.50 for the condemned property, in settlement of the condemnation proceedings and ongoing litigation. Thus, as a result of the settlement, Grover Hope received an additional $1,650,137.05 in 1986, which, when added to the $607,396.45 previously awarded, equalled $2,257,532.50, as the full, agreed-upon compensation for the condemned property.

The settlement agreement, signed by Grover Hope and the TTA, states that,

Whereas, the Authority and [Grover] Hope desire to compromise and settle all claims and causes of action arising from and relating to said condemnation proceeding and intend that the full terms and conditions of the compromise and settlement be set forth in this Settlement Agreement.
and
In consideration for the settlement of the above referenced condemnation proceeding and the conveyance of the Property and Easement, the Authority shall pay [Grover] Hope ... the amount of____ ($2,257,533.50) which [Grover] Hope agrees to accept from the Authority as [779]*779the sufficient monetary consideration from it for the Property and Easement, and for any severance damages, or any damages to or diminution in the value of other lands belonging to [Grover] Hope, ... It being understood that this does not constitute an agreement that the amount being paid hereunder is the fair market value of the Property and Easement or any other interests being acquired, and it being further understood that said amount is a negotiated settlement of litigation between the parties hereto, and for any other claim [Grover] Hope may have against the Authority.

In addition, the Special Warranty Deed and the Grant of Easement With Special Warranty Deed, both signed by Grover Hope, contain the following language:

That GROVER H. HOPE ... for and in consideration of the sum of ... ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration to Grantor in hand paid by the TEXAS TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, ... the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged and confessed, has GRANTED, SOLD AND CONVEYED ... (the property) ...
and
The payment of the purchase price1

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Monongahela Navigation Co. v. United States
148 U.S. 312 (Supreme Court, 1893)
Bailey v. Anderson
326 U.S. 203 (Supreme Court, 1945)
Commissioner v. Duberstein
363 U.S. 278 (Supreme Court, 1960)
Armstrong v. United States
364 U.S. 40 (Supreme Court, 1960)
Adickes v. S. H. Kress & Co.
398 U.S. 144 (Supreme Court, 1970)
United States v. American Bar Endowment
477 U.S. 105 (Supreme Court, 1986)
Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.
477 U.S. 242 (Supreme Court, 1986)
Hernandez v. Commissioner
490 U.S. 680 (Supreme Court, 1989)
Transamerica Corporation v. The United States
902 F.2d 1540 (Federal Circuit, 1990)
Joiner v. City of Dallas
380 F. Supp. 754 (N.D. Texas, 1974)
Weil v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
82 F.2d 561 (Fifth Circuit, 1936)
Hale v. Lavaca County Flood Control District
344 S.W.2d 245 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1961)
State v. Jackson
388 S.W.2d 924 (Texas Supreme Court, 1965)
City of San Antonio v. Grandjean
41 S.W. 477 (Texas Supreme Court, 1898)
Sutton v. Commissioner
57 T.C. 239 (U.S. Tax Court, 1971)
Grinslade v. Commissioner
59 T.C. No. 56 (U.S. Tax Court, 1973)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
23 Cl. Ct. 776, 68 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 5086, 1991 U.S. Claims LEXIS 491, 1991 WL 160503, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hope-v-united-states-cc-1991.