Jeff Kaiser, P.C. and Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, A/K/A Jeffrey B. Kaiser v. State
Opinion
ACCEPTED 03-15-00019-CV 5459336 THIRD COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 5/28/2015 4:23:15 PM JEFFREY D. KYLE CLERK NO: 03-15-00019-CV __________________________________________________________________ FILED IN IN THE THIRD COURT OF APPEALS 3rd COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 6/1/2015 4:18:15 PM AT AUSTIN, TEXAS JEFFREY D. KYLE Clerk
JEFF KAISER, P.C. and JEFFERY BENEDICT KAISER
Appellants V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS
Appellee
On Appeal from the 98th Judicial District Court of Travis County, Texas, the Honorable John Wisser Presiding Trial Court Cause No. D-1-GV-13-000790
APPELLANTS’ BRIEF ON THE MERITS
George F. May State Bar No. 24037050 TWOMEY | MAY, PLLC 2 Riverway, 15th Floor Houston, Texas 77056 (713) 659-0000 Telephone (832) 201-8485 Facsimile george@twomeymay.com
Attorney for Appellants, Jeff Kaiser, P.C. and Jeffery Benedict Kaiser
ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
APPELLANTS AND COUNSEL: Jeff Kaiser, P.C. and Jeffery Benedict Kaiser
Appellate Counsel – Attorney in Charge:
George F. May State Bar No. 24037050 TWOMEY | MAY, PLLC 2 Riverway, 15th Floor Houston, Texas 77056 (713) 659-0000 (832) 201-8485 – Facsimile george@twomeymay.com
Appellate Co-Counsel and Trial Co-Counsel:
Jeffery B. Kaiser State Bar No. 11079300 Enterprise Bank Building 2211 Norfolk, Suite 528 Houston, Texas 77098 (713) 571-8000 (713) 571-8002 - Facsimile Email: jkaiser@kaiser-law.com
Trial counsel:
Harold “Hap” May State Bar No. 13264800 Attorney at Law Two Riverway, 15th Floor Houston, Texas 77056 (281) 407-5609 office (832) 201-7675 Facsimile HapMay@outlook.com
2 APPELLEE AND COUNSEL: The State of Texas
Appellate Counsel:
Sean O’Neill Assistant Attorney General Bankruptcy & Collections Division P.O. Box 12548, MC 008 Austin, Texas 78711-2548 (512) 475-4255 (512) 936-1409 – Facsimile Sean.Oneill@texasattorneygeneral.gov
Trial counsel:
John C. Adams State Bar No. Office of the Attorney General 300 W. 15th Street, Floor 8 Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 463-2173 (514) 482-8341 - Facsimile John.adams@texasattorneygeneral.gov
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL ........................................................4
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ..................................................................................6
STATEMENT OF THE CASE ..............................................................................9
ISSUES PRESENTED ..........................................................................................13
ISSUE 1: Is the State’s claim barred by the statute of limitations?
ISSUE 2: Did the trial court err in finding the Comptroller’s certification afforded the State the presumption when the State itself introduced evidence contradicting the certificate’s presumed correctness and in concluding that there was no fact issue to be decided because the presumption was unrebutted?
ISSUE 3: Did the trial court err in awarding attorney’s fees because the State failed to carry its evidentiary burden to establish the right to attorney’s fees or the amount of reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees?
STATEMENT OF FACTS ...................................................................................15
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT .............................................................................17
ARGUMENT ........................................................................................................20
I. Burden of Proof and Standard of Review .................................................20
II. The statute of limitations bars the State’s claims .....................................21
III. The State’s own evidence contradicted the Comptroller’s certification the presumption was lost or, at the very least, a question of fact was raised requiring the trial court to weigh the evidence ...............................34
4 IV. The trial court erred in awarding attorney’s fees .......................................38
CONCLUSION & PRAYER ................................................................................ 39
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ................................................................... 44
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE.............................................................................. 45
APPENDIX: Tab 1 (Final Judgment)
Tab 2 (Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law)
5 INDEX OF AUTHORITIES Cases:
Ayeni v. State, 440 S.W.3d 707 (Tex. App.—Austin 2013, no pet.) ...... 21 n. 4, 36
Baker v. Bullock, 529 S.W.2d 279 (Tex. Civ. App.—Austin 1975, writ ref’d n.r.e.) ...................................................35
Barclay v. Burge, 245 S.W.2d 1021 (Tex. Civ. App.—Beaumont 1952, no writ) ..........................................................20
BMC Software Belgium, N.V. v. Marchand, 83 S.W.3d 789 (Tex. 2002) .............21
Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175 (Tex. 1986) ...........................................................22
City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802 (Tex. 2005) ..........................................21
Dallas Merchant’s & Concessionaire’s Ass’n v. City of Dallas, 852 S.W.2d 489 (Tex. 1993) ..................................................................................31
Dodson v. Watson, 110 Tex. 355, 220 S.W. 771 (1920) .......................................34
Dow Chem. Co. v. Francis, 46 S.W.3d 237 (Tex. 2001) .......................................22
El Apple I, Ltd. v. Olivas, 370 S.W.3d 757 (Tex. 2012) ............................ 38-39, 41
Ford Motor Co. v. Ridgway, 135 S.W.3d 598 (Tex. 2004) ...................................22
General Motors Corp. v. Saenz, 873 S.W.2d 353 (Tex. 1993) ...................... 20, 35
Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 437, 103 S.Ct. 1933, 76 L.Ed.2d 40 (1983)....................................38
Marcus Cable Assocs. v. Krohn, 90 S.W.3d 697 (Tex. 2002) ...............................29
Ortiz v. Jones, 917 S.W.2d 770 (Tex. 1996) .........................................................21
Pace Corp. v. Jackson, 284 S.W.2d 340 (Tex. 1955)............................................20
6 Panhandle State Bank of Borger, 278 S.W.2d 622 (Tex. Civ. App.—Amarillo 1954, no writ) ............................................................31
Parker v. State, 40 S.W.3d 555 (Tex. App.—Austin 2001, no pet.) .....................37
Ragsdale v. Progressive Voters League, 801 S.W.2d 880 (Tex. 1990) ................38
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ACCEPTED 03-15-00019-CV 5459336 THIRD COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 5/28/2015 4:23:15 PM JEFFREY D. KYLE CLERK NO: 03-15-00019-CV __________________________________________________________________ FILED IN IN THE THIRD COURT OF APPEALS 3rd COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 6/1/2015 4:18:15 PM AT AUSTIN, TEXAS JEFFREY D. KYLE Clerk
JEFF KAISER, P.C. and JEFFERY BENEDICT KAISER
Appellants V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS
Appellee
On Appeal from the 98th Judicial District Court of Travis County, Texas, the Honorable John Wisser Presiding Trial Court Cause No. D-1-GV-13-000790
APPELLANTS’ BRIEF ON THE MERITS
George F. May State Bar No. 24037050 TWOMEY | MAY, PLLC 2 Riverway, 15th Floor Houston, Texas 77056 (713) 659-0000 Telephone (832) 201-8485 Facsimile george@twomeymay.com
Attorney for Appellants, Jeff Kaiser, P.C. and Jeffery Benedict Kaiser
ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
APPELLANTS AND COUNSEL: Jeff Kaiser, P.C. and Jeffery Benedict Kaiser
Appellate Counsel – Attorney in Charge:
George F. May State Bar No. 24037050 TWOMEY | MAY, PLLC 2 Riverway, 15th Floor Houston, Texas 77056 (713) 659-0000 (832) 201-8485 – Facsimile george@twomeymay.com
Appellate Co-Counsel and Trial Co-Counsel:
Jeffery B. Kaiser State Bar No. 11079300 Enterprise Bank Building 2211 Norfolk, Suite 528 Houston, Texas 77098 (713) 571-8000 (713) 571-8002 - Facsimile Email: jkaiser@kaiser-law.com
Trial counsel:
Harold “Hap” May State Bar No. 13264800 Attorney at Law Two Riverway, 15th Floor Houston, Texas 77056 (281) 407-5609 office (832) 201-7675 Facsimile HapMay@outlook.com
2 APPELLEE AND COUNSEL: The State of Texas
Appellate Counsel:
Sean O’Neill Assistant Attorney General Bankruptcy & Collections Division P.O. Box 12548, MC 008 Austin, Texas 78711-2548 (512) 475-4255 (512) 936-1409 – Facsimile Sean.Oneill@texasattorneygeneral.gov
Trial counsel:
John C. Adams State Bar No. Office of the Attorney General 300 W. 15th Street, Floor 8 Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 463-2173 (514) 482-8341 - Facsimile John.adams@texasattorneygeneral.gov
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL ........................................................4
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ..................................................................................6
STATEMENT OF THE CASE ..............................................................................9
ISSUES PRESENTED ..........................................................................................13
ISSUE 1: Is the State’s claim barred by the statute of limitations?
ISSUE 2: Did the trial court err in finding the Comptroller’s certification afforded the State the presumption when the State itself introduced evidence contradicting the certificate’s presumed correctness and in concluding that there was no fact issue to be decided because the presumption was unrebutted?
ISSUE 3: Did the trial court err in awarding attorney’s fees because the State failed to carry its evidentiary burden to establish the right to attorney’s fees or the amount of reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees?
STATEMENT OF FACTS ...................................................................................15
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT .............................................................................17
ARGUMENT ........................................................................................................20
I. Burden of Proof and Standard of Review .................................................20
II. The statute of limitations bars the State’s claims .....................................21
III. The State’s own evidence contradicted the Comptroller’s certification the presumption was lost or, at the very least, a question of fact was raised requiring the trial court to weigh the evidence ...............................34
4 IV. The trial court erred in awarding attorney’s fees .......................................38
CONCLUSION & PRAYER ................................................................................ 39
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ................................................................... 44
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE.............................................................................. 45
APPENDIX: Tab 1 (Final Judgment)
Tab 2 (Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law)
5 INDEX OF AUTHORITIES Cases:
Ayeni v. State, 440 S.W.3d 707 (Tex. App.—Austin 2013, no pet.) ...... 21 n. 4, 36
Baker v. Bullock, 529 S.W.2d 279 (Tex. Civ. App.—Austin 1975, writ ref’d n.r.e.) ...................................................35
Barclay v. Burge, 245 S.W.2d 1021 (Tex. Civ. App.—Beaumont 1952, no writ) ..........................................................20
BMC Software Belgium, N.V. v. Marchand, 83 S.W.3d 789 (Tex. 2002) .............21
Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175 (Tex. 1986) ...........................................................22
City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802 (Tex. 2005) ..........................................21
Dallas Merchant’s & Concessionaire’s Ass’n v. City of Dallas, 852 S.W.2d 489 (Tex. 1993) ..................................................................................31
Dodson v. Watson, 110 Tex. 355, 220 S.W. 771 (1920) .......................................34
Dow Chem. Co. v. Francis, 46 S.W.3d 237 (Tex. 2001) .......................................22
El Apple I, Ltd. v. Olivas, 370 S.W.3d 757 (Tex. 2012) ............................ 38-39, 41
Ford Motor Co. v. Ridgway, 135 S.W.3d 598 (Tex. 2004) ...................................22
General Motors Corp. v. Saenz, 873 S.W.2d 353 (Tex. 1993) ...................... 20, 35
Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 437, 103 S.Ct. 1933, 76 L.Ed.2d 40 (1983)....................................38
Marcus Cable Assocs. v. Krohn, 90 S.W.3d 697 (Tex. 2002) ...............................29
Ortiz v. Jones, 917 S.W.2d 770 (Tex. 1996) .........................................................21
Pace Corp. v. Jackson, 284 S.W.2d 340 (Tex. 1955)............................................20
6 Panhandle State Bank of Borger, 278 S.W.2d 622 (Tex. Civ. App.—Amarillo 1954, no writ) ............................................................31
Parker v. State, 40 S.W.3d 555 (Tex. App.—Austin 2001, no pet.) .....................37
Ragsdale v. Progressive Voters League, 801 S.W.2d 880 (Tex. 1990) ................38
Southland Life Ins. Co. v. Greenwade, 143 S.W.2d 648 (Tex. Civ. App.—Waco 1940), reversed by 159 S.W.2d at 858 ............. 21 n. 4, 36
Sundance Oil Co. v. Aztec Pipe & Supply Co., 576 S.W.2d 780 (Tex. 1978) ........................................................................... 20, 35
Tex. Workers’ Comp. Ins. Fund v. Del Indus., Inc., 35 S.W.3d 591 (Tex. 2000) ....................................................................................29
TracFone Wireless, Inc. v. Commission on State Emergency Commc’ns, 397 S.W.3d 173 (Tex. 2013) ..................................................................................32
Wilson v. State, 272 S.W.3d 686 (Tex. App.—Austin 2008, pet. denied) ............30
Statutes and Rules
Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code Ann. § 1.002(22) (West Supp. 2014) ....................... 24 n. 13
Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code Ann § 11.001(4)(B) (West Supp. 2014)................... 24 n. 13
Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code Ann § 11.001(5) (West Supp. 2014) ........................ 24 n. 13
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004(a)(3) .................................................. 33-34
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.051 ................................................. 33, 33 n. 21
Tex. Tax Code Ann § 111.008 (West 2015) .................................. 17, 23-25, 29-30
Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 111.013 (West 2015) ....................................... 12, 20, 34-37
Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 111.022 (West 2015) ................................. 17, 23-24, 29-30
Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 111.201 (West 2015) .............23-24, 25 n. 17, 29-30, 32-33 7 Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 111.204 (West 2015) .........................................................22
Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 111.205(a)(2) (West 2015)............... 22-23, 30 n. 20, 30-31
Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 171.302 (West 2015) ............................................... 24 n. 13
Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 171.309 (West 2015) ............................................... 24 n. 13
Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 171.152 (West 2015) .................................................. 22, 30
8 STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Appellants seek review of an erroneous final judgment in a franchise tax
collection lawsuit. Trial was to the bench. The parties entered into stipulation of
limited facts prior to trial, but the stipulation that “[t]he franchise taxes delinquent
from Jeff Kaiser, P.C. are accurately stated and quantified in Exhibit B to Plaintiffs
Original Petition in this case” was withdrawn without objection. (2 RR 32-34);1 (3
RR at Joint Ex. 1, unnumbered page 26, at stipulation 12). Exhibit B to the
Plaintiff’s Original Petition, which purported to be a certified claim for Texas
Franchise Tax, was never offered or entered into evidence.
The State failed to either initiate its lawsuit or file a lien within the statute of
limitations. Appellants plead and argued at trial that the State’s lawsuit was time
barred. (CR 11);2 (2 RR 7, 13, 38-40). The State argued that it did not have to file
a lien within the limitations period; arguing that the State had an unlimited time to
file a lien, and therefore the State effectively had an eternal right to initiate a
1 “MR. ADAMS: So No. 12, Your Honor, they want to withdraw No. 12. That's fine with me.
THE COURT: All right. Stipulation of fact agreement No. 12, the joint motion has been withdrawn.” 2 Defendant’s Original Answer, para. 2 asserting the affirmative defense that “Plaintiff’s claims are barred in whole or in part by the applicable statute of limitations.”
9 lawsuit. (2 RR 41-42).3 The State itself rebutted the Comptroller’s certificate of
delinquency by introducing, as Plaintiff’s Exhibit 4, Appellant Kaiser, P.C.’s
franchise tax reports that were processed by the Comptroller. (2 RR 21); 3 RR Ex.
4, pp. 10, 14, 17, 21). The Comptroller’s office had interlineated “zero” dollars as
the tax liability on the reports. (2 RR 26);4 (3 RR Ex. 4, lines 41 on pp. 10, 14, 17,
21). The State’s sole fact witness testified that she had reviewed but no personal
knowledge of the statements made in the Comptroller’s certificate, and admitted
that the Comptroller’s office had altered the tax reports to put “zero” as the tax due
without explanation. (2 RR 26-27).5 Although the State’s witness did not know
who in the Comptroller’s office had changed the amount due to “zero”, she
3 The State argued to the trial that “whenever the comptroller's office files a lien, even if it is some years after returns were filed, or some years after a deficiency determination was made, that that lien commences the running of the statute of limitation.” (2 RR 42, lns 6-10). 4 From the cross-examination of the State’s witness from the Comptroller’s office:
Q: And so you have submitted and testified to tax returns that someone at the comptroller's he lines has put a zero under "amount due"; is that correct?
A: Yes.
(2 RR 26). 5 From the re-direct examination of the State’s witness from the Comptroller’s office:
Q: So the only thing the comptroller's office has done is mark through the lines of amount due and put zero, with no further explanation?
A: Correct.
(2 RR 26-27).
10 speculated that whoever had done so might have meant to indicate “zero” payment
rather than “zero” amount due, but admitted that there was nothing on the altered
forms to indicate that her speculation was correct. (2 RR 26) (“Q: It does not note
that anywhere on this form, does it? A: No, it doesn't.”). The State thus
introduced evidence rebutting the Comptroller’s certificate and the presumption of
correctness was lost. The State introduced no other evidence to support the
correctness of the statements in the Comptroller’s certificate, did not explain the
contradictory evidence, and failed to carry its burden of proof. The burden never
shifted to Appellants.
At the very least, if the burden did shift, a fact issue was raised. The trial
court failed to weigh the evidence and treated the Comptroller’s certificate,
rebutted by the State itself, as conclusive.
The trial court issued findings of fact and conclusions of law including, inter
alia, that the statute of limitations did not bar the State’s claims and that the
Comptroller’s certificate was conclusive and no fact issues required a finding of
fact regarding a delinquency. Appellants challenge the following findings or
conclusions, which are asserted to be findings of fact by the trial court:
8. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has certified to the Texas Attorney General that Franchise Taxes are delinquent from Jeff Kaiser, P.C.
11 9. On October 27, 2014, the date of trial of this case, the sum of $34,776.53 in franchise taxes, penalties and interest was due from Jeff Kaiser, P.C.
13. The franchise taxes delinquent from Jeff Kaiser, P.C. are accurately stated and quantified in Exhibit B to Plaintiffs Original Petition in this case, a Certified Claim for Texas Franchise Tax from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.6
(CR 84-85). Appellants challenge the following findings or conclusions, which are
asserted to be conclusions of law by the trial court:
4. The State’s recording of its tax lien on April 15, 2013, commenced the running of the statute of limitation in this case.
5. The State’s filing of suit on August 2, 2013 was timely under Texas Tax Code § 111.202. The State’s cause of action for recovery of delinquent franchise taxes is not barred by the statute of limitation.
9. Pursuant to Texas Tax Code §111.013, the Texas Comptroller’s Certified Claim for Texas Franchise Tax constitutes prima facie evidence of:
(1) the stated tax or amount of the tax after all just and lawful offsets, payments, and credits have been allowed; (2) the stated amount of penalties and interest; (3) the delinquency of the amounts; and (4) the compliance of the comptroller with the applicable provisions of this code in computing and determining the amount due.
10. Neither Defendant Jeff Kaiser, P.C. nor Defendant Jeffery
6 Exhibit B was not introduced as evidence at trial.
12 Benedict Kaiser, a/k/a Jeffrey B. Kaiser offered evidence sufficient to overcome the statutory presumptions in favor of the State’s Certified Claim for Texas Franchise Tax.
(CR 86-87). The trial court found or held (contrary to this Court’s jurisprudence)
that the statute of limitations was effectively nullified by the State’s ability to file a
lien whenever it wished. Despite the conflicting evidence regarding the existence
and amount of any delinquency, which was introduced by the State itself, the trial
court did not engage in any weighing of the evidence.
The State’s evidence on attorney’s fees consisted entirely of general, non-
specific and non-particularized testimony of one attorney, who acknowledged that
specific billing records existed, were requested, but were not produced nor offered
into evidence.
ISSUES PRESENTED
ISSUE 1: The State is subject to a three year statute of limitations in initiating a lawsuit for delinquent franchise tax liabilities. The State must initiate a lawsuit within three years of the date the taxes were due. If the State files a lien against the taxpayer within the limitations period, then the State has three years from the date the lien was filed to initiate a lawsuit. The franchise tax reports at issue, for the tax years 2004 through 2007, were filed on December 22, 2008. The State filed a lien on April 15, 2013, after the time period allowed to initiate a lawsuit and only for the tax year 2004. The State initiated this lawsuit on August 2, 2013, well past the deadlines to initiate such a lawsuit.
Are the State’s claims barred by the statute of limitations?
ISSUE 2: The State has the burden to prove the amount a franchise 13 taxpayer owes and that the amount is unpaid. The State may shift the burden by filing a certificate of delinquency, which generally constitutes prima facie evidence of the delinquency raising a presumption of correctness. But such presumption is lost when contradicting evidence is introduced by the State. The burden never shifted and the State failed to meet its burden. At the very least, the State’s contradictory evidence raised fact issues requiring a weighing of the evidence, which the trial court did not do.
Did the trial court err in finding the Comptroller’s certification afforded the State the presumption when the State itself introduced evidence contradicting the certificate’s presumed correctness and in concluding that there was no fact issue to be decided because the presumption was unrebutted?
ISSUE 3: Regardless of the method used to prove attorney’s fees, the attorney’s testimony must be substantive, specific and detailed. Proof of fees requires time records or other documentary evidence or an attorney’s recollection of such records. Attorneys relying on recollection must refer to some type of record or documentation. If the attorney does not keep contemporaneous billing records, the attorney must reconstruct the work to provide enough information for the trial court to perform a meaningful review. In this case, the attorney testifying for the State admitted that billing records were kept, that they were requested by Appellant, and that the records were not provided. The attorney’s testimony was general, non-specific and did not provide the required reconstruction of the work.
Did the trial court err in awarding attorney’s fees because the State failed to carry its evidentiary burden to establish the right to attorney’s fees or the amount of reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees?
14 STATEMENT OF FACTS
Jeffrey Kaiser was an officer and director of Jeff Kaiser, P.C., which
forfeited its corporate charter on August 22, 2003. (3 RR Joint Ex., unnumbered
pp. 25-26, stipulations 6, 11). The franchise tax reports at issue are those of Jeff
Kaiser, P.C. for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. (CR 3-10). The reports
filed by Jeff Kaiser, P.C. stated the amount of franchise tax owed as: 2004 -
$3,264; 2005 - $5,242; 2006 - $3,905; and 2007 - $11,905. (3 RR Ex. 4, pp. 10,
14, 17, 21). Each report calculated interest and penalties as well. The reports for
each of these years were filed on December 22, 2008. (3 RR Joint Ex.,
unnumbered p. 25, stipulation 7). Four years, three months, and twenty-two days
later, on April 15, 2013, the State filed a lien in the amount of $5,628.35 for only
the 2004 tax period claiming the same tax due amount as stated in the report as
filed by Jeff Kaiser, P.C. plus additional penalties and interest. (Id., stipulation
11); (3 RR Ex. 2, unnumbered p. 8). There was no evidence offered of any liens
filed by the State for tax years 2005 through 2007.
There was no evidence offered of a determination of delinquency or a
jeopardy determination within the limitations period.7
The State initiated the instant lawsuit on August 2, 2013 seeking judgment
7 The State attached to its petition as Exhibit B a document entitled “Certified Claim for Franchise Tax” but this document was never offered or admitted into evidence.
15 for tax years 2004 through 2007. (CR 3-10). This lawsuit came five years after
the reports for each year were filed and outside the limitations period.8 The State
argued that the limitations statute allowed the State to sue within three years of
filing a lien and that the State’s ability to file a lien was not subject to any
limitations period. (2 RR 41-42). Thus, under the State’s theory, the State’s filing
of a lien for the 2004 tax year vitiated the limitations statute—apparently not just
for 2004 but for all tax years.
The Comptroller’s office received the filed reports and marked out the tax
due amount and interlineated by hand a “zero” as the amount due on each report.
(2 RR 26); (3 RR Ex. 4, lines 41 on unnumbered pp. 10, 14, 17, 21). On January 8,
2014, 5 years and 17 days after Jeff Kaiser, P.C. filed its reports, the Comptroller
filed a document entitled “TEXAS CERTIFICATE TO ATTORNEY GENERAL
OF FEE DELINQUENCY - FRANCHISE TAX” and “TRIAL CERT”. (3 RR Ex.
1, unnumbered p. 1).
The State’s sole fact witness testified that she had reviewed but no personal
knowledge of the statements made in the Comptroller’s certificate, and admitted
that the Comptroller’s office had altered the tax reports to put “zero” as the tax due
without explanation. (2 RR 26-27). The State offered no other evidence.
8 Even the lien filed for 2004 taxes does not rescue the State’s claim for 2004. The lien was
16 There was a stipulation of facts entered into by the parties but stipulation 12,
regarding the existence and correctness of a document attached to the State’s
petition purporting to be a “Certified Claim for Franchise Tax”, but which was
never offered or entered into evidence, was ordered withdrawn after the State told
the trial court that it did not object to the stipulation being withdrawn. (2 RR 32-
34);9 (3 RR at Joint Ex. 1, unnumbered page 26, at stipulation 12). The State never
sought to introduce evidence of any assessment by the Comptroller’s office other
than the January 8, 2014 “trial cert”.
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
The statute of limitations had passed when the State initiated this lawsuit.
The State had four years to assess taxes if it did not agree with the tax due as stated
in the filed reports. The State did not challenge or disagree with the tax due
amounts as stated in the reports filed, and there is no record of the State making
any jeopardy determination under Section 111.008 of the Texas Tax Code or a
deficiency determination under Section 111.022.
Thus, the State had three years from the date the taxes were due to file either
filed over four years after the 2004 report was filed; outside the limitation period. 9 “MR. ADAMS: So No. 12, Your Honor, they want to withdraw No. 12. That's fine with me.
THE COURT: All right. Stipulation of fact agreement No. 12, the joint motion has been withdrawn.”
17 a lien or a lawsuit. Because the reports were filed on December 22, 2008, the State
had until December 22, 2011 to file a lien or institute an action. If the State had
filed a lien within this limitation period then it would have had three years from the
date of the lien to initiate a lawsuit. On April 15, 2013, the State filed an untimely
lien for only the tax year 2004. The State’s lawsuit was not filed within the
limitations period. The State’s argument that it can file a lien anytime it wishes to,
and thus have eternity to sue a taxpayer, is without merit and is contrary to this
Court’s prior decisions. Because there is no evidence of liens filed for the tax
years 2005, 2006, or 2007, even under the State’s “eternity to sue” theory the
State’s claims only apply to 2004. The judgment should be reversed and judgment
rendered for Appellants because the State’s claims are barred by limitations.
Even if the State’s claims were not barred by limitations, the judgment
should be reversed because the Court impermissibly relieved the State of its burden
of proof. The State introduced into evidence a Comptroller’s “trial cert” dated
January 8, 2014. A certificate from the Comptroller is prima facie evidence of the
amount of an alleged delinquency. The certificate raises a rebuttable presumption
of correctness. However, in this case the State presented evidence that contradicts,
or could be reasonably interpreted as contradicting, the correctness of the
statements in the certificate. In such a case, the presumption is lost and the State
must meet its burden through other evidence and may not rely solely upon the
18 presumption. In this case, the State did not introduce any evidence other than the
certificate and relied entirely upon the presumption. The burden never shifted and
the State failed to meet its burden of proof. Even if the burden did shift, there was
a fact issue for the trier of fact and the trial court did not engage in a weighing of
evidence. The State itself introduced evidence and testimony that the Comptroller
marked out the amount due on the filed tax reports and wrote “zero” on the tax due
line of the reports. This evidence and testimony is in conflict with the statements
in the certificate. In this circumstance, as with a sworn account, the certificate is
deprived of its presumption of correctness.
The State offered no evidence other than the “trial cert”. The trial court
accepted the certificate as conclusive evidence and erred in finding that the State
had met its burden of proof without presenting any evidence other than the
certificate. The trial court’s findings and conclusions show that the trial court did
not engage in any weighing of evidence. The evidence was thus legally and
factually insufficient to support the trial court’s findings and to support the
judgment.
The State failed to carry its burden to prove that it was entitled to attorney’s
fees. The attorney testifying for the State admitted that billing records were kept,
that they were requested by Appellants, and that the records were not provided.
The State did not offer its attorney’s billing records into evidence. The State’s
19 attorney’s testimony was general, non-specific, and did not provide the required
reconstruction of the work. The evidence was factually and legally insufficient to
support an award of attorney’s fees.
ARGUMENT
I. Burden of Proof and Standard of Review.
The burden of proof is on the State as the plaintiff. See Pace Corp. v.
Jackson, 284 S.W.2d 340, 350 (Tex. 1955) (stating that the person asking for
action from the court has the burden of proof); Barclay v. Burge, 245 S.W.2d 1021,
1023 (Tex. Civ. App.—Beaumont 1952, no writ) (stating that usually the plaintiff
has the burden of proof). The State may provide prima facie evidence in the form
of a certificate from the Comptroller showing a delinquency to raise a rebuttable
presumption sufficient to shift the burden to the taxpayer. Tex. Tax Code §
111.013. However, when contradicting evidence that supports no delinquency is
contained in, or attached in support of, the certificate by the Comptroller, then the
certificate cannot support a presumption and is not prima facie burden-shifting
evidence. See General Motors Corp. v. Saenz, 873 S.W.2d 353, 359 (Tex. 1993)
(“Once . . . evidence contradicting the presumption has been offered, the
presumption disappears.”); see also Sundance Oil Co. v. Aztec Pipe & Supply Co.,
576 S.W.2d 780, 780-81 (Tex. 1978) (sworn account deficient and not prima facie
20 evidence of debt when movant’s own pleadings and exhibits raise fact question).10
The Court reviews a trial court’s conclusions of law de novo. BMC Software
Belgium, N.V. v. Marchand, 83 S.W.3d 789, 794 (Tex. 2002). The Court reviews a
trial court’s findings of fact for legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence by the
same standards applied to a jury verdict. Ortiz v. Jones, 917 S.W.2d 770, 772 (Tex.
1996).
In a legal sufficiency challenge, the Court reviews the evidence in the light
most favorable to the finding, crediting favorable evidence if a reasonable fact-
finder could and disregarding contrary evidence unless a reasonable fact-finder
could not. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 807 (Tex. 2005). A legal
sufficiency challenge should be sustained if the record reveals: (1) the complete
absence of a vital fact; (2) the court is barred by rules of law or evidence from
giving weight to the only evidence offered to prove a vital fact; (3) the evidence
offered to prove a vital fact is no more than a mere scintilla; or (4) the evidence
10 It appears that a Comptroller’s certificate that is insufficient to give rise to the presumption can be some evidence of a deficiency if the insufficient certificate is entered into evidence. See Southland Life Ins. Co. v. Greenwade, 143 S.W.2d 648, 650-51 (Tex. Civ. App.—Waco 1940), reversed by 159 S.W.2d at 858 (evidence insufficient to give rise to legal presumption could still be considered and weighed by the fact-finder); see also Ayeni v. State, 440 S.W.3d 707, 715-16 (Tex. App.—Austin 2013, no pet.) (J. Pemberton, concurring) (analyzing Southland Life to Comptroller’s certificate of deficiency in franchise tax case). However, in this case the trial court was the finder of fact and entered conclusions of law and findings of fact making clear that the judgment was based upon the presumption alone and not a weighing of evidence. (C.R. 84- 87) (trial court’s finding number 8 and conclusion number 9).
21 conclusively establishes the opposite of the vital fact. Id. at 810. More than a
scintilla of evidence exists if the evidence rises to a level that would enable
reasonable and fair-minded people to differ in their conclusions. Ford Motor Co. v.
Ridgway, 135 S.W.3d 598, 601 (Tex. 2004).
For a factual sufficiency challenge, the Court considers and weighs all the
evidence in the record, both supporting and against the finding, to decide whether
the finding should be set aside. See Dow Chem. Co. v. Francis, 46 S.W.3d 237,
242 (Tex. 2001). If the finding is so against the great weight and preponderance of
the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust then the judgment should be set
aside. Id.; Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986).
II. The statute of limitations bars the State’s claims
The limitations period began on December 22, 2008, when the reports for
the tax years at issue were filed. Pursuant to sections 111.204, 171.512, and
111.205(a)(2) of the tax code, the late filing date began the period of limitations:
BEGINNING OF PERIOD OF LIMITATION. In determining the beginning date for a period of limitation provided in this title, the date that a tax is due and payable is the day after the last day on which a payment is required by the chapter of this title imposing the tax.
Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 111.204. The “the day after the last day on which a
payment is required by the chapter of this title imposing the tax” is May 16—for
example, 2004 taxes are due and payable May 15, 2005. Id. § 171.152 (“DATE
22 ON WHICH PAYMENT IS DUE. [ . . . ] (c) Payment of the tax covering the
regular annual period is due May 15, of each year after the beginning of the regular
annual period.”). In the case at bar, however, because the reports were filed late,
the limitations period began when the reports were filed—December 22, 2008. Id.
§ 111.205(a)(2) (assessment limitation tolled until report is filed).
Under section 111.201 of the tax code, the State has only four years from the
date that the taxes becomes due and payable to make a tax assessment. Id. §
111.201 (“No tax imposed by this title may be assessed after four years from the
date that the tax becomes due and payable.”). The franchise taxes for tax years
2004 through 2007 became due and payable when Jeff Kaiser, P.C. filed its reports
on December 22, 2008. The State had until December 22, 2012 to assess taxes but
there is no evidence that the State did so.
Under section 111.202, the State must bring an action to collect delinquent
taxes, penalties, and interest within three years after a delinquency or jeopardy
determination has become due and payable. Id. § 111.202. There is no evidence
of a delinquency or jeopardy determination. Id. § 111.008 (requirements for
jeopardy determination); § 111.022 (requirements for deficiency determination).
Other than Jeff Kaiser, P.C.’s franchise tax reports, there is no evidence of a
deficiency or jeopardy determination or assessment by the Comptroller with four
23 years.11 Tex. Tax Code § 111.201 (West 2013) (4 year limitation to assess); §
111.008 (requirements for jeopardy determination); § 111.022 (requirements for
deficiency determination).
The State did not file a lien or this action within three years.12 Id. § 111.202
(action must be filed within 3 years of lien or deficiency or jeopardy
determination).
The record on appeal demonstrates the following facts, which establish that
the State’s claims are time barred:
(1) On August 22, 2003 the Texas Secretary of State forfeited Jeff Kaiser, P.C.’s corporate charter, making Jeff Kaiser, P.C. a “forfeited filing entity”.13
(2) On August 23, 2006, pursuant to Texas law, all claims by or against Jeff Kaiser, P.C. were extinguished.14
(3) On December 22, 2008, Jeff Kaiser, P.C. filed franchise tax reports for the tax years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 200715 showing the following
11 The only evidence of any kind of a deficiency determination is a January 8, 2014 Comptroller’s “trial” certificate, which was filed 5 years and 17 days after the franchise tax reports were filed. (3 RR Ex. 1, unnumbered p. 1). 12 The State filed an untimely lien on tax year 2004 only. (3 RR Ex. 2, unnumbered p. 8). 13 (3 RR at Joint Ex. 1, unnumbered page 26, at stipulation 8). Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code Ann. § 1.002(22) (West Supp. 2014), § 11.001(4)(B), (5); see also Tex. Tax Code Ann. §§ 171.302, 171.309 (West 2015). 14 Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code Ann. § 11.356(a) (West 2012) (“[A]n existing claim by or against a terminated filing entity is extinguished unless an action or proceeding is brought on the [existing] claim not later than the third anniversary of the date of termination.”). 15 (3 RR at Joint Ex. 1, unnumbered page 25, at stipulation 7).
24 taxes, penalties, and interest due (rounded up to nearest dollar):
Tax Year Tax Due 2004 $3,264 2005 $5,242 2006 $3,905 2007 $11,905
Total $21,316
(4) The Comptroller’s office received the franchise tax reports and crossed out the total amount due on line 41 of each report and interlineated “zero” as the “total amount due and payable”.16
(5) The Comptroller did not audit, assess, or otherwise disagree with the tax due on the reports filed by Jeff Kaiser, P.C. The record shows no deficiency determination under Tex. Tax Code § 111.008 and no deficiency determination at all other than the Comptroller’s “trial” certification on January 8, 2014.17
(6) Instead, on April 15, 2013,18 the Comptroller filed a tax lien for 2004 and subsequently filed this lawsuit. The tax lien filed for the 2004 tax year listed the amount of tax due as $3,263.81, which is the same amount of tax due as listed on Jeff Kaiser, P.C.’s 2004 report as filed. The lien also listed and penalties and interest through the date the lien was filed.19 No liens for tax years 2005, 2006, or 2007 were filed.
(7) On August 2, 2013, the State filed this lawsuit. In its lawsuit the State alleged the following deficiencies (rounded here into whole dollars):
16 (2 RR 26); (3 RR Ex. 4, lines 41 on unnumbered pp. 10, 14, 17, 21). 17 5 years, 17 days after Jeff Kaiser, P.C. filed reports for 2004 to 2007, which is well beyond the 4-year limitation on assessment. Tex. Tax Code § 111.201. 18 4 years, 3 months, 22 days after the 2004 report was filed. 19 (3 RR P’s Ex. 2).
25 Tax Year Tax Due Penalty & Interest Total 2004 $3,264 $2,321 $5,585 2005 $5,242 $3,431 $8,673 2006 $3,905 $2,254 $6,159 2007 $8,532 $4,168 $16,699
Total $20,943 $12,174 $37,116
The tax due amounts for each year, as alleged in the State’s petition, were the same as the amounts as on the reports filed by Jeff Kaiser, P.C., indicating the State was agreeing with the calculation of the tax due stated on the reports as filed. The only exception is 2007, in which the State alleged that the tax due amount was less than the amount stated on the filed report. The record is silent as to the reason the State’s allegations gave a credit or reduction on the tax due amount as shown on the 2007 report as filed.
(8) On January 8, 2014, the Comptroller filed a “Texas Certificate to Attorney General of Fee Delinquency” with the Attorney General’s office as stipulated in Stipulation No. 8. This “trial” certification of delinquency provided only totals for the years 2004 to 2007 and did not provide a yearly breakdown. This certification listed the delinquency on January 8, 2014 as: Tax Due - $20,941.26, Penalty - $4,188.24, Interest - $9,142.28, for a total of $34,271.78. The Tax Due amount listed was the same as alleged by the State in its previously filed petition and consistent with the amount reported by Jeff Kaiser, P.C.
The State accepted the tax due amounts listed on the filed reports. There
was no timely assessment of additional taxes, no jeopardy determination, and no
deficiency determination. There was no timely filed lien for the tax year 2004, and
no lien filed at all for tax years 2005, 2006, or 2007. The State did not timely file
this action and the State’s claims are barred by limitations.
In an attempt to escape limitations, the State argued at trial that it had
26 eternity to file a lien and, so long as the State then filed an action within 3 years of
the eternity it had to file a lien, its collection lawsuit was therefore timely.
Unfortunately for the State, this Court, citing the Texas Supreme Court, has
rejected similar “eternity” arguments because “[t]he three-year limitation granted
by the legislature would be extended indefinitely [. . .] rendering the statute
ineffective”. See Lawyers Surety Corp. v. State, 825 S.W.2d 803-04 (Tex. App.—
Austin 1992, no writ) (citing Hatcher v. State, 125 Tex. 84, 81 S.W.2d 499 (Tex.
1935)).
The State’s “eternity” argument relies upon a misinterpretation of section
111.202, which reads as follows:
SUIT LIMITATION. At any time within three years after a deficiency or jeopardy determination has become due and payable or within three years after the last recording of a lien, the comptroller may bring an action in the courts of this state, or any other state, or of the United States in the name of the people of the State of Texas to collect the amount delinquent together with penalties and interest.
Tex. Tax Code Ann. § 111.202. The State argues that there is no limitation on
when it can file a lien, thus the legislature’s 3-year limitation is rendered
ineffective because the State could delay for more than three years, in fact could
delay forever, filing a lien. As described below, this “eternity” argument is
strikingly similar to the argument rejected by this Court, albeit for other reasons, in
Lawyers Surety Corp. 27 In Lawyers Surety Corp., as in this case, the parties agreed that the 3-year
statute of limitation in section 111.202 had run. However, the State argued that the
3-year limitations period did not apply because the State was suing the surety on
the bond and not the taxpayer directly. Thus, under the State’s theory, there was
no limitations period and it effectively had eternity to sue the surety. This Court
rejected the State’s “eternity” argument, stating the following principle:
In this case, to allow recovery on the bond itself would effectively repeal § 111.202. If the State were able to initiate suit for taxes against the surety after the three-year limitation of § 111.202, the taxpayer would ultimately lose the statutory protection of this legislation because of the surety’s contractual right to recover on the bond itself. If the surety pays the debt which is at the time barred by limitation as against the principal, but is a valid obligation against the surety, such surety may recover against the principal. The three year limitation granted by the legislature would be extended indefinitely since the State could delay for more than three years before filing suit for the taxes against the sureties of these required bonds. The sureties would then pursue the principal taxpayer, rendering the statute ineffective. The principal would, in effect, be forced to defend a suit for these taxes more than three years after the final deficiency determination, which clearly violates the legislature’s language in § 111.202. Also, the surety itself would have no way of determining when its liability on these bonds expires.
The three-year limitation granted by the legislature would be extended indefinitely since the State could delay for more than three years before filing suit for the taxes against the sureties of these required bonds. The sureties would then pursue the principal taxpayer, rendering the statute ineffective. The principal would, in effect, be forced to defend a suit for these taxes more than three years after the final deficiency determination, which clearly violates the legislature’s language in § 111.202.
28 Lawyers Surety Corp., 825 S.W.2d at 803-04 (citations and internal quotation
marks omitted).
Further, following the Texas Supreme Court’s guidance on construing a
statute, the State’s “eternity” argument in this case fails as it did in Lawyers Surety
Corp. In construing a statute the Court’s purpose is to determine the Legislature’s
intent. Marcus Cable Assocs. v. Krohn, 90 S.W.3d 697, 706 (Tex. 2002). “As a
starting point, we construe statutes as written and, if possible, ascertain intent from
the statutory language. We may also consider other factors, including the object the
statute seeks to obtain, legislative history, and the consequences of a particular
construction. Moreover, we must always consider a statute as a whole and attempt
to harmonize its various provisions.” Id. (citations omitted).
Thus, section 111.202 (3-year limitation on bringing an action) should not be
read in isolation (as the State would have the Court read it in order to escape
limitations). Tex. Workers’ Comp. Ins. Fund v. Del Indus., Inc., 35 S.W.3d 591,
593 (Tex. 2000) (stating that Court is not to construe statutory language in
isolation but in the context of the entire statutory scheme). A section of a statute
must be read and harmonized with other sections. Id. In this case, section 111.202
(3-year limitation on bringing an action) must be read and harmonized in the
context of the entire statutory scheme, which would include sections 111.201 (4
year limitation to assess), 111.008 (requirements for jeopardy determination), and
29 111.022 (requirements for deficiency determination).
Under Section 111.202, “the Comptroller may bring an action to collect
delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest within three years after the deficiency has
become due and payable.” Wilson v. State, 272 S.W.3d 686, 689 (Tex. App.—
Austin 2008, pet. denied). But when franchise taxes are due and payable is a
moving target, depending upon the actions taken by the Comptroller and the State.
If the Comptroller does not disagree with the tax due amount on a franchise tax
report, the franchise tax becomes “due and payable” on the later of May 16 or the
day a late report is filed. Id. §§ 171.152 (taxes due and payable May 16; being the
day after report is due); 111.205(a)(2) (assessment limitation tolled until report is
filed). Thus, the limitations period ends 3-years after the later of May 16 or the
day the report is late-filed.
But section 111.201 allows the Comptroller four years “from the date that
the tax becomes due and payable” to assess franchise taxes. Tex. Tax Code §
111.201.20 If the Comptroller does disagree with the tax due amount on the filed
franchise tax report, then it may, within 4-years of the later of May 16 or date the
report is filed, make a jeopardy or deficiency determination. Id. §§ 111.008,
111.022. In that case the franchise taxes then become “due and payable” upon the
20 Under certain circumstances not relevant here, for example fraud or gross error, the Comptroller can assess taxes beyond this 4-year period. Tex. Tax Code § 111.205.
30 finality of that determination. Id. Thus, the limitations period ends 3-years after the
finality of the determination.
In the case at bar, the State offered no evidence of a jeopardy or deficiency
determination within the 4-year assessment limitation that would extend the 3-year
limitations on filing an action.
A lien must be filed during the time in which a tax may be assessed (being 4
years from when the taxes were due and payable) for the simple reason that, if the
State has no enforceable debt, then it has no right to file a lien. See Spicknall v.
Panhandle State Bank of Borger, 278 S.W.2d 622 (Tex. Civ. App.—Amarillo
1954, no writ) (“There can be no lien if there be no enforceable debt as a basis
therefor.”).
The State’s “eternity” to file a lien theory would require the Court to ignore
the “due and payable” assessment limitation and the entire statutory scheme. In
particular, the language and effect of section 111.205, which lists the
circumstances under which the State may assess after the 4-year limitation (and
implicitly excluding all other circumstances including the State’s “eternity”
theory). Tex. Tax Code § 111.205; see also Dallas Merchant’s &
Concessionaire’s Ass’n v. City of Dallas, 852 S.W.2d 489, 493 n. 7 (Tex. 1993)
(discussing the doctrine of expressio unius est exclusio alterius in the context of
statutory construction).
31 In this case the franchise taxes were “due and payable” on December 22,
2008. The State did not disagree with the tax due amount as stated on the franchise
tax reports as filed and did not make a jeopardy or deficiency determination, which
would have established a new “due and payable date”. In short, the State did not
assess taxes within the 4-year limitation period and so it did not extend the 3-year
limitation on bringing an action. The untimely filing of a lien on the 2004 taxes
does not restart the assessment limitations period. A lien must be filed within 4
years of the taxes being due and payable and in this case the State filed its lien too
late.
To the extent that there may be any ambiguity in section 111.201, or
ambiguity in the interplay between it and the other tax code sections setting the
“due and payable” date, Appellants note that the 3-year limitation from December
22, 2008 is appropriate in this case under the second cardinal rule recently
reiterated by the Texas Supreme Court:
Judicial construction of tax statutes eschews fuzzy math. Legislators must speak clearly, agencies heed assiduously, and courts review exactingly. Several cardinal, century-old principles dictate strictness in tax matters: (1) tax authorities cannot collect something that the law has not actually imposed; (2) imprecise statutes must be interpreted most strongly against the government, and in favor of the citizen; and (3) we will not extend the reach of an ambiguous tax by implication, nor permit tax collectors to stretch the scope of taxation beyond its clear bounds.
TracFone Wireless, Inc. v. Commission on State Emergency Commc’ns, 397 32 S.W.3d 173, 183 (Tex. 2013), The State invites the Court to interpret an imprecise
statute in favor of the government, and against the citizen, which is the opposite of
the Texas Supreme Court’s cardinal rule. The Court’s exacting review should
apply the 3-year limitation period from section 111.202 to this case and all the
State’s claims should be barred by limitations.
Alternatively, if the Court holds that the 3-year limitations period in section
111.201 is not applicable, the Court should still find the State’s claims subject to
the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, section 16.004’s 4-year statute of
limitations on the collection of a debt or the 4-year residual statute of limitations in
section 16.051. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 16.004(a)(3), 16.051.21 The
State’s cause of action accrued on December 22, 2008, the accrual (i.e. the “due
and payable” date) was not extended and, if section 111.201 does not apply, then
no provision of the tax code removes the State’s claims from the 4-year limitation
in section 16.004(a)(3).
In the further alternatively, if the Court holds that the State’s April 15, 2013
lien filing for the 2004 tax year did extend the limitations period, the Court should
limit the judgment to the alleged deficiency for the year 2004.
Finally, also in the further alternative, if the Court holds that the alleged
21 Sec. 16.051 reads as follows: “RESIDUAL LIMITATIONS PERIOD. Every action for which there is no express limitations period, except an action for the recovery of real property,
33 deficiencies for each tax year are not barred by section 111.201 or section
16.004(a)(3), then the Court should limit the judgment to the amounts due as
reported by Jeff Kaiser, P.C. because of the Comptroller’s failure to assess
additional taxes within section 111.202’s 4-year assessment limitation period.
III. The State’s own evidence contradicted the Comptroller’s certification the presumption was lost or, at the very least, a question of fact was raised requiring the trial court to weigh the evidence.
Texas Tax Code, section 111.013(a) provides that:
(a) In a suit involving the establishment or collection of a tax imposed under Title 2 or 3 of this code, a certificate of the comptroller that shows a delinquency is prima facie evidence of:
(1) the stated tax or amount of the tax, after all just and lawful offsets, payments, and credits have been allowed;
(2) the stated amount of penalties and interest;
(3) the delinquency of the amounts; and
(4) the compliance of the comptroller with the applicable provisions of this code in computing and determining the amount due.
Tex. Tax Code § 111.013(a). Well established law holds that prima facie evidence
is sufficient to establish a fact unless contradicted by other evidence. See Dodson
v. Watson, 110 Tex. 355, 220 S.W. 771, 772 (1920) (“Prima facie evidence is
merely that which suffices for the proof of a particular fact until contradicted and
must be brought not later than four years after the day the cause of action accrues.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.051.
34 overcome by other evidence.”). This Court has long held that the Comptroller’s
certification of delinquency raises a presumption that, if unrebutted, is sufficient to
establish, as a matter of law, the amount of tax owed. Baker v. Bullock, 529
S.W.2d 279, 281 (Tex. Civ. App.—Austin 1975, writ ref’d n.r.e.).
But when the party benefiting from a presumption introduces evidence
contrary to the evidence on which the presumption is based, the presumption is
lost. See General Motors Corp. v. Saenz, 873 S.W.2d 353, 359 (Tex. 1993)
(presumption disappears with introduction of contradictory evidence); see also
Sundance Oil Co. v. Aztec Pipe & Supply Co., 576 S.W.2d 780, 780-81 (Tex.
1978) (sworn account deficient and not prima facie evidence of the debt when the
movant’s own pleadings and exhibits raise a fact question of whether the
nonmovant was a party to the transaction).
The State itself rebutted the Comptroller’s certificate of delinquency by
introducing into evidence Appellant Kaiser, P.C.’s franchise tax reports processed
by the Comptroller as Plaintiff’s Exhibit 2. The State’s sole fact witness testified
that she had reviewed but no personal knowledge of the statements made in the
Comptroller’s certificate, and admitted that the Comptroller’s office had altered the
tax reports to put “zero” as the tax due without explanation. (2 RR 26-27).
The State relied entirely upon the presumption and introduced no other
evidence of a deficiency. The State failed to carry its burden and the burden never
35 shifted to Appellants.
Even if the burden did shift, a fact issue was raised by the State’s
introduction of evidence contrary to the certificate. There is a question of how
much evidence is sufficient to rebut the presumption that the certificate is correct.
See Ayeni v. State, 440 S.W.3d 707, 713 (Tex. App.—Austin 2013, no pet.) (J.
Pemberton concurring) (“[N]othing in section 111.013 purports to require
conclusive contrary evidence to rebut or join issue with a Comptroller’s
certificate.”) (emphasis in original). There is, however, no question that more than
a scintilla of rebuttable evidence raises a fact issue requiring a weighing of
evidence by the trier of fact—even if the weighing determines that the rebuttal
evidence does not to rise to the level of “conclusive”. See Southland Life Ins. Co.
v. Greenwade, 159 S.W.2d 854, 857 (Tex. 1942) (when contradicted evidence
raising presumption weighed against contradicting evidence by fact finder).
In this case the State itself supplied more than a scintilla of rebuttal evidence
sufficient, at the very least, to raise a fact issue and require a weighing by the
finder of fact. The State introduced evidence rebutting the Comptroller’s
certificate and raising a fact issue regarding a delinquency. Despite this conflicting
evidence regarding any delinquency, the trial court failed to weigh the evidence
and treated the Comptroller’s certificate, rebutted by the State itself, as conclusive.
The trial court’s made no finding of fact concerning the evidence of
36 delinquency. Instead, the trial court, in its conclusions of law, stated that:
“Pursuant to Texas Tax Code §111.013, the Texas Comptroller’s Certified Claim
for Texas Franchise Tax constitutes prima facie evidence of:
(1) the stated tax or amount of the tax after all just and lawful offsets, payments, and credits have been allowed; (2) the stated amount of penalties and interest; (3) the delinquency of the amounts; and (4) the compliance of the comptroller with the applicable provisions of this code in computing and determining the amount due.
(C.R. 87, conclusion 9). “Neither Defendant Jeff Kaiser, P.C. nor Defendant
Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, a/k/a Jeffrey B. Kaiser offered evidence sufficient to
overcome the statutory presumptions in favor of the State’s Certified Claim for
Texas Franchise Tax.” (C.R. 87, conclusion 10). The trial court did not consider
or weigh the contradicting evidence that the State itself entered into evidence. It
merely accepted the presumption as established and did not consider that the State
itself, rather than Appellants, had presented the contradictory evidence raising a
fact issue as to whether there was in fact a delinquency. The State’s evidence
raised an issue regarding taxes assessed and collected that was not addressed in the
certificate. See Parker v. State, 40 S.W.3d 555 (Tex. App.—Austin 2001, no pet.)
(certificate did not answer question of sales taxes collected from customers);
The State introduced no evidence other than the Comptroller’s “trial”
certificate and relied solely upon the presumption. Because the presumption was
lost, the Court should reverse and render. Alternatively, the Court should reverse 37 and remand for a new trial. At the very least a fact issue was raised by the State’s
contradictory evidence, the trial court did not weigh the evidence or make a factual
finding, and the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the trial
court’s findings.
IV. The trial court erred in awarding attorney’s fees
The award of attorney’s fees generally rests in the sound discretion of the
trial court. Ragsdale v. Progressive Voters League, 801 S.W.2d 880, 881 (Tex.
1990) (per curiam). But a party applying for an award of attorney’s fees under the
lodestar method bears the burden of documenting the hours expended on the
litigation and the value of those hours. Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 437,
103 S.Ct. 1933, 76 L.Ed.2d 40 (1983); El Apple I, Ltd. v. Olivas, 370 S.W.3d 757,
761 (Tex. 2012).
Regarding the State’s testimony and evidence (or lack thereof) supporting an
award of attorney’s fees, this case is strikingly similar to El Apple I, Ltd. v. Olivas.
In Olivas, the Texas Supreme Court reversed the award of attorneys’ fee award
because the plaintiff’s attorneys failed to provide sufficient details of the work they
actually performed. While the plaintiff’s attorneys presented testimony that they
spent 890 hours prosecuting the case, they based their fee request on generalities
did not introduce time records, billing statements, or invoices. They provided little
or no detail regarding which plaintiff’s attorney performed which task. As a result,
38 the Texas Supreme Court held that there was insufficient information for the trial
court to provide a meaningful review of their fee application. The Supreme Court
noted that it had never explained the proof necessary for an award of attorneys’
fees, it remanded the case so that the attorneys would have another opportunity to
present evidence of their fees. In this case the State had the Supreme Court’s
guidance from Olivas yet failed in the exact same manner as the Olivas plaintiffs.
The State failed to carry its burden to prove that it was entitled to attorney’s
fees. As in Olivas, in this case the State’s attorney’s testimony was general, non-
specific, and did not provide the required reconstruction of the work. (2 RR 27-31).
The case against an award of attorney’s fees is even stronger than it was in Olivas
because the attorney testifying for the State admitted that billing records were kept,
that they were requested by Appellants, and that the records were not provided. (2
RR 29-31). The State did not offer attorney’s billing records into evidence.
The State failed to present sufficient information for the trial court to
provide a meaningful review of their fee application. Following the Olivas
decision, the State has left the Court with little choice but to reverse and deny the
State’s attorney’s fee application. The evidence was simply insufficient, factually
and legally in light of Olivas.
CONCLUSION AND PRAYER
The State’s claims are barred by limitations. The limitations period began
39 when Appellant Jeff Kaiser, P.C. filed its franchise tax reports on December 22,
2008 and the taxes were due and payable. The State had until December 22,
2011, 3-years from when the taxes were due and payable, to initiate this lawsuit.
Even if the Tax Code did not contain this 3-year limitation, under the limitations
in the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the State’s action would be barred after
December 22, 2012. The State initiated this action on August 2, 2013. And the
State failed to take advantage of the Tax Code giving the State the ability to get a
second bite at the apple. If the State had, before December 22, 2012, made an
assessment, deficiency, or jeopardy determination, or filed a lien, the State could
have extended the time it had to initiate this action by an additional 3 years.
There is no evidence that the State took any of these actions before December 22,
2012. The evidence shows that the only action the State took (besides filing this
lawsuit outside of the limitations period) was to file a lien on April 15, 2013,
which was beyond the 4-year assessment limitation. This late-filed lien covered
only the tax year 2004 but was not in time to extend even an action limited to
2004. The State’s theory that it can file a lien at any time, and thus effectively
have eternity to sue a taxpayer, would vitiate the statutory limitations scheme, is
contrary to this Court’s precedent, and contrary to the rules of statutory
construction.
While a Comptroller’s certification of a delinquency is afforded the status
40 of prima facie evidence raising a presumption of correctness, if the State itself
introduces evidence contrary to the evidence raising the presumption, then the
presumption is lost and the burden never shifts. The State relied entirely upon the
presumption and introduced no other evidence. In fact, the State’s fact witness
admitted having no knowledge of the facts of this case other than having read and
relied upon the Comptroller’s “trial” certification. Thus, the evidence is factually
and legally insufficient to support the trial court’s findings of fact and the
judgment. The Court should reverse and render.
Even if the burden did shift, a fact issue was raised by the State’s
introduction of evidence contrary to the Comptroller’s certification and a
weighing of the evidence and a fact finding was required. The trial court did not
weigh the evidence and the Court should, alternatively, reverse and remand for a
new trial.
Finally, the State failed to meet its burden of proof to establish its right to
attorney’s fees. The only evidence to support attorney’s fees was the general,
non-particularized testimony of one attorney, who admitted that billing records
existed, were sought by Appellants in discovery, were never produced, and were
never offered into evidence. Pursuant to the Texas Supreme Court’s guidance in
El Apple I, Ltd. v. Olivas, the State failed to present sufficient information for the
trial court to provide a meaningful review of their fee application. The Court
41 should reverse and render judgment denying the State attorney’s fees or, in the
alternative, remand.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellant Jeff Kaiser
respectfully requests that the Court of Appeals reverse and render judgment for
Appellants that the State take nothing on its limitations-barred claims.
Additionally or alternatively, Appellants request that the Court reverse the award
of attorney’s fees. Alternatively, Appellants request that the judgment be reversed
in part to limit the judgment to only the tax year 2004 or, in the further alternative,
limited to the amounts reported by Jeff Kaiser, P.C. on its filed reports. In the
further alternative, Appellants request that the judgment be reversed and remanded
for a new trial. Appellants pray for any further relief to which they are entitled.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ George F. May/ ________________________ George F. May State Bar No. 24037050 TWOMEY | MAY, PLLC 2 Riverway, 15th Floor Houston, Texas 77056 (713) 659-0000 - Telephone (832) 201-8485 - Facsimile george@twomeymay.com
Attorneys for Appellant
42 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Tex. R. App. Pro. 9.4, the undersigned certifies this brief complies with the type-volume limitation of Tex. R. App. Pro 9.4(i)(2)(3).
1. EXCLUSIVE OF THE EXEMPTION PORTIONS IN TEX. R.APP. PRO 9.4(I)(1), THE BRIEF CONTAINS(select one):
A. 6,652 words, OR
B. ____ lines of text in monospaced typeface.
2. THE MOTION HAS BEEN PREPARED (select one):
A. in proportionally spaced typeface using:
Software Name and Version: Microsoft Word; P.C. 2013 in Times New Roman 14, or
B. in monospaced (nonproportionally spaced) typeface using:
Typeface name and number of characters per inch:
/s/ George F. May/ ________________________ George F. May
Date: May 28, 2015
43 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
As required by Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 6.3 and 9.5(b), (d), (e), I certify that I have served this document on all other parties, which are listed below on May 28, 2015 as follows:
Mr. John C. Adams Texas E-File/ E-Mail Office of the Attorney General 300 W. 15th Street, Floor 8 Austin, Texas 78701 E-Mail: John.adams@texasattorneygeneral.gov
Mr. Sean O’Neill Assistant Attorney General Bankruptcy & Collections Division P.O. Box 12548, MC 008 Austin, Texas 78711-2548 Email: Sean.Oneill@texasattorneygeneral.gov
Attorney for The State of Texas
By (check all that apply) personal delivery mail commercial delivery service X fax, email, or electronic service
/s/ George F. May/ George F. May
Date: May 28, 2015
Tab 1 (Final Judgment)
Tab 2 (Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law)
45 TAB 1 DC BK14336 PG222 Filed in The District Court Of ..,..,1-.·,v:,. r·o· •fit'-:1 , c;,,d"")v.....a. Texas
NO. D-1-GV-13-000790
THE STATE OF TEXAS IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
vs TRAVIS COUNTY. TEXAS
JEFF KAISER, P.C. AND JEFFERY BENEDICT KAISER, A/K/A JEFFREY B. KAISER 98TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
FINAL JUDGMENT
BE IT REMEMBERED that on October 27, 2014, the above-entitled and numbered cause came before the Court for trial; and the Court proceeded to consider the pleadings and the evidence admitted at trial, and the arguments of counsel; and the Court found that judgment should be rendered for Plaintiff; it is therefore ORDERED that Plaintiff: THE STATE OF TEXAS, recover from Defendants JEFF KAISER, P.C. AND JEFFERY BENEDICT KAISER, AIKJA JEFFREY B. KAISER. jointly and severally, the sum of $34,776.53, which sum represents the franchise tax. penalties and • interest, shown in the Comptroller's certificates admitted into evidence in this matter, plus interest at the statutory rate specified in Ch. 111.010 of the Texas Tax Code on those amounts from October 27. 2014 until paid; and it is further • ORDERED that Plaintiff: the State of Texas, recover from the Defendants JEFF KAISER, P.C. AND JEFFERY BENEDICT KAISER. AIKJA JEFFREY B. KAISER, jointly and severally, the sum of $2,500.00 as its reasonable and necessary attorney's fees; plus court costs herein incurred and court costs which may hereafter be incurred in the collection of this judgment if the same be necessary, for all of which execution and other process necessary to enforce this judgment may issue. This judgment finally disposes of all parties and all claims and is appealable. ;SI- ll · SIGNED this the ____ day of_....!.ouc..a...L.r..z..:-r&::z....c.;h:..c_t,_ __
81 TAB 2 Filed in The District Court of Travis County, Texas tf1J DEC 2 2 2014 D-1-GV-13-000790 At 0 '7.£i 1 ~M. Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza, ferk
THE STATE OF TEXAS IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
vs. TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS
JEFF KAISER, P .C. AND JEFFERY BENEDICT KAISER, 98TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT A/KIA JEFFREY B. KAISER
FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
On the 2ih day of October 27 2014, came on to be heard the above numbered and styled cause. Having heard the testimony, admitted exhibits into evidence, and entertained argument of counsel the Court makes the following findings and conclusions:
FINDINGS OF FACT 1. Jeff Kaiser, P.C. was a Texas Professional Corporation. 2. Jeff Kaiser, P.C. was incorporated on or about July 10, 2001 by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Texas Secretary of State. 3. Jeff Kaiser was the initial director of Jeff Kaiser, P.C. listed m the Articles of Incorporation. 4. Jeff Kaiser, P.C. did not file its first Franchise Tax/Public Information Report when due. 5. On January 28, 2003 , the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts forfeited the corporate privileges of Jeff Kaiser, P.C. because the corporation failed to file its first Franchise Tax/Public Information Report when that report was due. 6. The Texas Secretary of State forfeited the corporate charter of Jeff Kaiser, P.C. on August 22, 2003 . 7. On December 22, 2008, Jeff Kaiser, P.C. filed Franchise Tax Returns for calendar years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
84 8. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has certified to the Texas Attorney General that Franchise Taxes are delinquent from Jeff Kaiser, P.C. 9. On October 27, 2014, the date of trial of this case, the sum of $34,776.53 in franchise taxes, penalties and interest was due from Jeff Kaiser, P.C. 10. Jeff Kaiser, listed as the initial director of Jeff Kaiser, P .C. is the same person as Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, a/k/a Jeffrey B. Kaiser, the named individual defendant in this lawsuit. 11. Jeff Kaiser was the sole officer and director of Jeff Kaiser, P.C. 12. On April 15, 2013 , the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts filed a State Tax Lien against Jeff Kaiser, P.C. for the delinquent Franchise Taxes. 13. The franchise taxes delinquent from Jeff Kaiser, P.C. are accurately stated and quantified in Exhibit B to Plaintiffs Original Petition in this case, a Certified Claim for Texas Franchise Tax from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. 14. Plaintiff brought suit against Defendants pursuant to Section 171 .255 of the Texas Tax Code. 15. On August 8, 2008, Defendant Jeffery Benedict Kaiser filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Houston Division of the United States Bankruptcy Court; Case No. 08-35261. 16. The Plaintiff entered no appearance, nor filed any Proof of Claim in the Bankruptcy case of Jeffery Benedict Kaiser. 17. On July 15, 2009, Defendant Jeffery Benedict Kaiser was granted an unrestricted general discharge in the bankruptcy case. 18. On April 15, 2013 , nine (9) years and eight (8) months after the forfeiture of the corporate charter of Jeff Kaiser, P.C.; and three (3) years and eight (8) months after Defendant Jeffery Benedict Kaiser' s Bankruptcy Discharge, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts filed a tax lien against Jeff Kaiser, P.C. for the taxes allegedly owed by Defendant Jeff Kaiser, P.C. for the tax years 2004, 2005 , 2006, and 2007. 19. On August 2, 2013 , the State of Texas filed this lawsuit against Jeff Kaiser, P.C. , and the individual former officer/director of that corporation, Jeffery Benedict Kaiser. 20. August 2, 2013 is less than three years after April 15, 2013. 21. The attorney' s fee requested by Plaintiff, The State of Texas, in the amount of $2,500.00 is reasonable in this case.
85 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. This case was brought by the State of Texas to secure a judgment for delinquent franchise taxes against the permitted taxpayer, Jeff Kaiser, P.C. pursuant to Chapter 171 of the Texas Tax Code, and to impose personal liability for the delinquent franchise taxes on the individual defendant, Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, alk/a Jeffrey B. Kaiser, pursuant to Texas Tax Code §171.255. 2. In their Answer, Defendants raised the defense of the statute of limitation to Plaintiffs cause of action to recover delinquent franchise taxes. 3. The statute of limitation applicable to this case is Texas Tax Code § 111.202, which provides in part: "At any time within three years after a deficiency or jeopardy determination has become due and payable or within three years after the last recording of a lien, the comptroller may bring an action in the courts of this state ... " 4. The State's recording of its tax lien on April 15, 2013, commenced the running of the statute of limitation in this case. 5. The State's filing of suit on August 2, 2013 was timely under Texas Tax Code § 111.202. The State' s cause of action for recovery of delinquent franchise taxes is not barred by the statute of limitation. 6. In his Answer, Defendant Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, a/k/a Jeffrey B. Kaiser raised the defense of Discharge in Bankruptcy to his personal liability for the franchise taxes made the subject of this lawsuit. 7. At or prior to trial, Defendant Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, alk/a Jeffrey B. Kaiser abandoned the defense of Discharge in Bankruptcy to his personal liability for the franchise taxes made the subject of this lawsuit by failing to raise, argue or offer evidence to support the defense ofDischarge in Bankruptcy. 8. Regardless of Defendant's abandonment of the defense of Discharge in Bankruptcy, the taxes made the subject of this lawsuit are excepted from discharge in bankruptcy by the operation of Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(1)(B)(ii). That section excepts from discharge any taxes for which a return is required and for which the returns are filed after they were due, and after two years before the date of filing the petition in bankruptcy.
86 9. Pursuant to Texas Tax Code §111.013, the Texas Comptroller's Certified Claim for Texas Franchise Tax constitutes prima facie evidence of: ( 1) the stated tax or amount of the tax after all just and lawful offsets, payments, and credits have been allowed; (2) the stated amount of penalties and interest; (3) the delinquency of the amounts; and (4) the compliance of the comptroller with the applicable provisions of this code in computing and determining the amount due.
10. Neither Defendant Jeff Kaiser, P.C. nor Defendant Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, alkla Jeffrey B. Kaiser offered evidence sufficient to overcome the statutory presumptions in favor of the State' s Certified Claim for Texas Franchise Tax. ll. Pursuant to Texas Tax Code § 171.255. as an officer and director of Jeff Kaiser, P.C .. Defendant Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, a!k/a Jeffrey B. Kaiser is personally liable for the delinquent franchise taxes of Jeff Kaiser, P.C. that accrued after the corporate privileges of Jeff Kaiser, P.C. were forfeited for the failure to file a report or pay a tax or penalty and before such corporate privileges were revived. 12. Defendants Jeff Kaiser, P.C. and Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, a!k/a Jeffrey B. Kaiser are jointly and severally liable for the delinquent franchise taxes made the subject of this lawsuit. 13. Plaintiff, The State of Texas, is entitled to recover attorney's fees pursuant to TEx. GovT CODE ANN. § 2107.066. 14. Defendants Jeff Kaiser, P.C. and Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, a!k/a Jeffrey B. Kaiser are jointly and severally liable for the attorney's fees awarded to Plaintiff in this case.
Jeff Kaiser, P.C. and Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, A/K/A Jeffrey B. Kaiser v. State (Jeff Kaiser, P.C. and Jeffery Benedict Kaiser, A/K/A Jeffrey B. Kaiser v. State) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.