Renziehausen v. Commissioner

8 B.T.A. 87, 1927 BTA LEXIS 2946

• Court: United States Board of Tax Appeals
• Decided: September 17, 1927
• Docket: Docket Nos. 10658, 7458.
• Status: Published

Opinion

OPINION.

Arundell:

In the case of Henry Schuetz, Jr., respondent determined an overassessment for 1919; hence, the Board is without jurisdiction of the issue raised for that year. Appeal of R. P. Hazzard Co., 4 B. T. A. 150; and Appeal of Cornelius Cotton Mills, 4 B. T. A. 255.

The first issue in Renziehausen’s appeal is that respondent erred in refusing to allow deductions from the income of 1918, 1919, and 1920 for obsolescence of intangibles of the Large Distilling Co., of which he was sole proprietor, resulting from prohibition legislation based upon an alleged March. 1, 1913, value for such intangibles of $1,000,000. The issue has already been decided adversely to the petitioner by the Circuit Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, in Red Wing Malting Co. v. Willcuts, 15 Fed. (2d) 626, and by this Board in Appeal of Manhattan Brewing Co., 6 B. T. A. 952; and on this issue we must find for respondent.

The second issue, which is alternative to the first, is that respondent erred in refusing to allow a deduction for 1919 for obsoleteness of the intangibles of the Large Distilling Co., resulting from prohibition legislation, based upon an alleged cost of $578,281.12. Petitioner contends that if the Board holds against him on the first issue then it must find that the intangibles of the Large Distilling Co. were wholly destroyed on January 16,1919, when ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment was completed by the required number of States, and that he is entitled to a loss deduction for that year measured by the cost of the intangibles, which cost he computes as follows:

For services rendered by petitioner without compensation 1884 to 1913 (29 years at $15,000 per annum)_$435,000.00

Advertising, 1899 to 1913_ 82, 500. 02

Leakage, 1899 to 1913_ 55,781.10

Trade-mark acquired for cash, July 19, 1897_ 5, 000.00

Total cost of intangibles_ 578,281.12

The facts preclude such finding. The mere ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment did not destroy the business of the Large Distilling Co. or render its intangibles obsolete, for it continued to carry on the business after January 16,1919, and after the Eighteenth Amendment and enforcement legislation became effective in 1920, under' the same trade-marks, trade-name, and trade-brand, although modified somewhat as to methods by reason of such legislation. Prior to 1919 the Large Distilling Co. sold its product before it was manufactured to the wholesale liquor trade and made delivery in bulk in an unmatured state at its bonded warehouses. Beginning with 1919 its whiskey was matured in bonded warehouses, bottled in bond, and disposed of to the wholesale and retail drug trade or others holding Government permits. As late as 1922, the last year we have for review,-the Large Distilling Co. was still disposing of its whiskey stock under the same trade-marks, trade-name, and trade-brands, and there is no record evidence as to when, if at all, the business was finally terminated. Prohibition wrought changes in the method of doing business and in the character of its clientele, but the business which it carried on both before and after prohibition became effective, and throughout all of the years under review, was essentially the same. We see no proper grounds upon which to base a deduction for 1919 or any other year on appeal for obsoleteness of intangibles of the Large Distilling Co.

The third issue in Renziehausen’s appeal is that respondent erred in refusing to allow deductions from the income of 1918, 1919, 1920, and 1921 for obsolescence of the tangible property of the Large Distilling Co. Petitioner contends that with the imposition of war-time prohibition and the progress made in 1918 toward final adoption of the Eighteenth .Amendment it became apparent in that year that the business of the Large Distilling Co. would have to be wound up within four years, and that the depreciated value of the tangible assets at January 1, 1918, less salvage value, should be obsolesced over the period February 1, 1918, to November 30, 1921. The petitioner Renziehausen testified at the hearing that because of the progress of national prohibition in 1918 he became convinced in that year that “ the jig was up ”; that the distilling part of the business was through for all time and the business as a whole would have to be wound up in about four years; and that he did not discover until some time in 1919 that the Large Distilling Co. could continue distilling whiskey for medicinal purposes. The Large Distilling Co. resumed distilling operations in 1919 and continued such operations until forced to discontinue in November, 1921, by virtue of the enactment of the Willis-Campbell Act and failure to secure a permit to continue distilling operations as provided in that Act.

Obsolescence, we have held, is the state or process of becoming obsolete, and the state of obsoleteness is reached when the property which can not be used for any other purpose is no longer useful for the purpose for which it was acquired. Appeal of Columbia Malting Co., 1 B. T. A. 999; Appeal of Manhattan Brewing Co., 6 B. T. A. 952. The right to an obsolescence deduction must be based upon substantial reasons for believing that assets would become obsolete prior to the end of their ordinary useful life; and it must have been known, or believed to have been known, to a reasonable degree of certainty, under all the facts and circumstances, when that event would likely occur. Appeal of Colmribia Malting Co., supra; Appeal of Cleveland Home Brewing Co., 1 B. T. A. 87. Under the circumstances of this case it can not be held that the tangible assets of the Large Distilling Co. were in a state or condition of becoming obsolete in 1918,1919, or 1920. Renziehausen thought he was through in 1918, but his convictions were based upon a lack of knowledge of his lawful rights; and in 1919 he resumed distilling operations and continued to carry on such operations until the enactment of the Willis-Campbell Act on or about November 23, 1921. The plant facilities of the Large Distilling Co. were being used at the close of 1919 and 1920 for the purposes for which they had been acquired, and apparently without any diminution as to usage prior to prohibition legislation. It was the passage of the Willis-Campbell Act in 1921 which prohibited the manufacture of medicinal whiskey except under permits issued by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and the continued refusal of that officer to issue such permits, which forced the petitioner to discontinue distilling operations and rendered the plant facilities of the Large Distilling Co., other than its bonded warehouses, obsolete; and this event could not have been foreseen in 1918, 1919, or 1920. As Renziehausen testified, the passage of the Willis-Campbell Act came suddenly, like a bolt out of a clear sky, and he did not at the time consider the passage of that Act possible. We find no error in respondent’s refusal to allow deductions from the income of 1918, 1919, and 1920, for obsolescence of the tangible properties of the Large Distilling Co. As to 1921, we think obsoleteness of the tangible properties, other than the bonded warehouses, took place wholly within that year, by virtue of the enactment of the Willis-Campbell Act and the continued refusal of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to issue permits, under that Act, for the manufacture of medicinal whiskey. As to the amount of the deduction for that year, we leave that for determination under the next issue.

The fourth issue in Renziehausen’s appeal, which is alternative to the third, is that the respondent erred in refusing to allow a deduction for 1921 for obsoleteness of the tangible properties of the Large Distilling Co. We think that the tangible properties of the Large Distilling Co., other than its bonded warehouses, were rendered entirely obsolete in 1921 by virtue of the enactment of the Willis-Campbell Act, which prohibited the manufacture of medicinal whiskey except under permits issued by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and the continued refusal of that officer to issue such permits. We have set out in the- findings of fact the cost of these properties, the depreciation sustained thereon, and the salvage value thereof, and upon the basis of those facts we find that the petitioner is entitled to a loss deduction, for 1921, for obsoleteness of the tangible properties of the Large Distilling Co., exclusive of the loss on bonded warehouses, of $147,582.06.

As to the four bonded warehouses, we are of the opinion that petitioner suffered no deductible loss in 1921 in respect thereof. Unlike the other plant facilities which had become obsolete and were abandoned, the warehouses were continued in use for the purpose for which they had been constructed. It is true that these facilities were being used at only 50 per cent of their maximum capacity, and existing conditions at the close of 1921 indicated no greater usage in the future; but the very fact that the facilities were in use is sufficient proof that they had not reached the end of their useful life. Obso-leteness connotes lack of usefulness and absence of value; and where facilities are being used, whether at maximum or a lesser capacity, neither of these factors are present. The extent to which facilities are being used is of no importance whatever, for if they are being put to any use at all the very opposite of a state of obsoleteness is indicated.

However, it is apparent that the passage of the Willis-Campbell Act, on November 23, 1921, and the continued refusal of the Commissioner of Internal Kevenue to issue permits for the manufacture of medicinal whiskey, precluded the possibility of any further use for these warehouses than for the storage of the whiskey on hand on November 23, 1921. For this reason, we are of the opinion that the passage of the Willis-Campbell Act marked the beginning of the obsolescence of these warehouses. When the whiskey stored in these warehouses has been finally withdrawn, the latter will have no useful purpose in petitioner’s business, and because of type of construction they can not be adapted or converted to any other purpose than the storage of whiskey in bulk. This latter^fact, coupled with those of location and cost of demolition, indicate that at the close of the obsolescence period the value of these warehouses will be nil. It is impracticable to measure the obsolescence period in terms of years, since it is impossible to foretell the length of time which will pass before the whiskey will be withdrawn. A measure, then, to determine the annual deduction for obsolescence, other than that of effluxion of time, must be applied here.

The warehouses in question had a total capacity of 55,000 barrels; and, while there is no evidence in the record bearing directly on this point, we are inclined to believe, from such facts as we have, that this capacity did not exceed the normal needs of the business. The evidence shows that no wdiiskey was manufactured between May, 1917, and December 31 of that year, because of the restrictions imposed, by the “Food Control” acts, upon the use and transportation of cereals and grains for beverage purposes; and that on January 1, 1918, there were 35,365 barrels of whiskey stored in these warehouses. Had it not been for the restriction imposed by the “ Food Control ” acts, petitioner could have continued to manufacture whiskey during 1917, and the quantity of whiskey on hand, at January 1, 1918, would have been greater by at least the normal production of the fall and winter distilling season of 1917. Considering these circumstances in conjunction with what is common knowledge — that reserve facilities are indispensable in a growing manufacturing business- — we are led to the conclusion that the total capacity of the warehouses was needed in petitioner’s business.

The situation confronting this petitioner, then, on November 23, 1921, when the Willis-Campbell Act was passed, was precisely one in which the useful and valuable capacity of the four bonded warehouses was reduced from 55,000 to 27,393 barrels, with definite indications that no greater capacity could.be used, or would be needed, in the future, and that as the whiskey, then on hand, was withdrawn the useful and valuable capacity would be correspondingly diminished.

The deduction for obsolescence, we believe, like those for depreciation and depletion, should be based upon actualities, as nearly as that may be possible; and this is necessary if the deduction is to be a “reasonable” one as the statute contemplates. To require that the entire obsolescence should be spread and deducted from income as the remaining 27,393 barrels of whiskey, at the close of 1921, are withdrawn, would result in postponing the entire obsolescence deduction to years subsequent to 1921, when as a matter of fact obsolescence was sustained in that year to the extent of the reduction in the useful and valuable capacity of the warehouses. In view of the foregoing, it is our opinion rthat the petitioner is entitled to a deduction, for 1921, for obsolescence of the warehouses, in an amount representing the same proportion of the depreciated cost as the number of barrels representing the reduction in the useful and valuable capacity, plus the number of barrels withdrawn from November 24, to December 31, 1921, to wit: 27,607, bears to 55,000; and that for 1922 petitioner is entitled to a like deduction based upon the proportion which the number of barrels withdrawn during that year, to wit; 1,761, bears to 55,000, or in such manner that when the entire amount of the whiskey has been withdrawn the entire cost of the buildings shall be returned by way of obsolescence and depreciation.

The fifth issue in Eenziehausen’s appeal, which is alternative to the four preceding it, is that respondent erred in refusing to permit deductions from the income for 1918, 1919, 1920, and 1921, for obsolescence of the tangible and intangible properties of the Large Distilling Co.; and for reasons given in our consideration of the first four issues, we hold the respondent committed error only in respect of his denial of a deduction, for 1921, for obsolescence of the four bonded warehouses.

The sixth issue in Eenziehausen’s appeal and the first issue of Henry Schuetz, Jr., is that respondent erred in refusing to permit deductions for obsolescence of good will in computing the income of the partnership of Schuetz, Renziehausen & Co. for 1918, 1919, and 1920. The issue has already been decided adversely to the petitioners in Red Wing Malting Co. v. Willcuts, 15 Fed. (2d) 626, and in Appeal of Manhattan Brewing Co., 6 B. T. A. 952, and upon authority of these cases we find respondent’s action in denying the claimed deductions is proper.

At the hearing the parties placed in evidence a joint exhibit showing the cost of the physical properties of the Large Distilling Co. at January 1, 1918, and the depreciation sustained in 1918, 1919, 1920, and 1921; and the respondent conceded error in failing to allow deductions for depreciation in those years. The deduction to which the petitioner Renziehausen is entitled for depreciation of the physical assets of the Large Distilling Co. is $16,224.15 for 1918 and $16,173.70 for each of the years 1919 and 1920. For 1921 the petitioner is entitled to a deduction for depreciation, including obsolescence of the bonded warehouses, in the amount of $50,088.70, and to no further deduction for depreciation of the other physical assets enumerated in the findings of fact, because the deduction allowed for that year, in this opinion, for obsoleteness, is inclusive of depreciation. For 1922 Renziehausen is entitled to a deduction for -depreciation, including obsolescence, of the bonded warehouses, in the amount of $2,827.33. This disposes of the seventh issue in Renziehausen’s appeal.

The eighth issue in Renziehausen’s appeal is that respondent erred in including in income for 1920 an alleged profit of $31,015.50 from the sale of certain whiskey. At the hearing respondent conceded error as to this issue; and the parties stipulated that as a result of this adjustment the net income shown in the deficiency notice for 1921 and 1922 should be increased $1,637.14 and $5,248.44, respectively.

The ninth issue in Renziehausen’s appeal is that respondent erred in refusing to tax the profit from the sale of certain whiskey in 1922 as a capital gain at 12% per cent, as provided in section 206 of the Revenue Act of 1921. The whiskey in question was that which had been carried on the books of the Large Distilling Co. in the account captioned “ Old Whiskey.” Petitioner contends that this whiskey was not a part of stock in trade, but his own investment, which had been held for profit for more than two years at the date of the sale; and that the profit derived from the sale thereof in 1922 is a capital gain, subject to tax at 12% per cent.

Section 206 of the Revenue Act of 1921, so far as material here, reads as follows:

That for the purposes of this title:

(1) The term “ capital gain ” means taxable gain from the sale or exchange of capital assets consummated after December 31, 1921;

* * $ * * * *

(6) The term “capital assets” as used in this section means property acquired and held by the taxpayer for profit or investment for more than two years (whether or not connected with his trade or business), but does not include property held for the personal use or consumption of the taxpayer or his family, or stock in trade of the taxpayer or other property of a kind which would properly be included in the inventory of the taxpayer if on hand at the close of the taxable year.

Renzieliausen, for be and the Large Distilling Co. are the same person, was engaged in the business of distilling and selling whiskey, and as incidents to the conduct of such business, he bought and sold the product of his own plant whenever warehouse receipts were avaiable for purchase, and he matured the excess of each season’s production and sold it to the trade. The petitioner was engaged in more than a distilling business; he was also trading in whiskey. Whiskey was his stock in trade. Beginning in 1908, the excess production of each distilling season was charged on the books of the Large Distilling Co. to the “ Old Whiskey ” account. As this whiskey matured, or perhaps in some cases prior to complete maturity, the whiskey was sold by, and through the organization of the Large Distilling Co. It is not in evidence whether the profits from the sale of this whiskey, as sales were made in prior years, were included in the earnings of the Large Distilling Co. or withdrawn by the petitioner, or credited to his account. The whiskey sold in 1922 was a part of the whiskey carried in this account and represented the accumulation of excess production of several distilling seasons. It was property of a kind which would properly have been included in the petitioner’s inventory, had it been on hand at the close of the year 1922, and, therefore, does not come within the statutory definition of capital assets.

Petitioner makes the alternative contention that all of the income of the Large Distilling Co. for 1922 should be treated as capital gain, since the business was being liquidated from November, 1921, and the inventory became a frozen capital asset when liquidation began. But neither does this contention appear to us to be tenable-Whatever stock in trade the Large Distilling Co. had on hand when liquidation commenced continued to be inventoriable stock in trade until disposed of. Its character was not in the least changed because of the fact that the business was in process of liquidation. We find no error in respondent’s action in refusing to treat the profit derived from the sale of old whiskey in 1922 as a capital gain.

The second issue in the appeal of Henry Schuetz, Jr., is that respondent erred in determining a profit of $260.25 from the sale of certain real property in 1920. No evidence was adduced in support of this allegation of error and the issue is not touched upon in the brief filed by the petitioner after the hearing. The issue has been abandoned, apparently, by the petitioner.

Beviewed by the Board.

In the Appeal of Frederick G. Renziehausen, Docket No. 10658, order of redetermi/nation will be entered on 15 days’ notice, in accordance with Rule 50. In the Appeal of Henry Schuetz, Jr., Docket No. 71¡£8, 'judgment will be entered for respondent as to tKe years 1918, 19%0, and 19M, and an order of dismissal as to the year 1919.