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holding that where the statute granted the commissioner of revenue discretion to require a taxpayer to consolidate tax returns, rational-basis review of decision to not apply decision retroactively was appropriate
Summary of this case from Ashley Capital, LLC v. Dep't of TreasuryOpinion
Docket Nos. 119601, 120048.
Submitted April 9, 1992, at Lansing.
Decided March 1, 1993, at 9:25 A.M.
Honigman, Miller, Schwartz Cohn (by Benjamin O. Schwendener, Jr., and Alan M. Valade), for Guardian Industries Corporation. Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Thomas L. Casey, Solicitor General, and Russell E. Prins and Terry P. Gomoll, Assistant Attorneys General, for the Department of Treasury.
Howard Howard (by Patrick R. Van Tiflin and Todd Chamberlain), for Cargill, Incorporated, Cargill Leasing Corporation, North Star Steel Company, and Magnimet Corporation.
Amicus Curiae (Docket No. 119601):
Howard Howard (by Patrick R. Van Tiflin), for Cargill, Incorporated, Cargill Leasing Corporation, North Star Steel Company, and Magnimet Corporation.
Before: REILLY, P.J., and HOLBROOK, JR., and MARILYN KELLY, JJ.
These cases have been consolidated for appeal and involve a challenge to the availability of tax refunds for plaintiffs under Michigan's Single Business Tax Act (SBTA). MCL 208.1 et seq.; MSA 7.558(1) et seq. In case No. 119601, the state Department of Treasury, Revenue Division, (Treasury) appeals as of right from an order of the Court of Claims granting summary disposition to plaintiff Guardian Industries (Guardian) under MCR 2.116(C)(10). It claims error in the ruling that Guardian's solicitation of business in "target states" established a nexus between Guardian and the states sufficient to avoid the Michigan single business tax. It asserts, also, that procedural errors occurred below which mandate reversal. We reverse and remand.
In case No. 120048, plaintiffs Cargill et al. appeal as of right from an order of the Court of Claims. Treasury cross appeals. Cargill, Incorporated, (Cargill) argues that the court erred by ruling that the Commissioner of Revenue had discretion to deny its request to file an amended consolidated single business tax return. Plaintiff North Star claims error in the court's finding that North Star's solicitation of business in "target states" did not render it taxable in those states, but rather in Michigan. Treasury argues on cross appeal that the court erred in ruling that certain tax allocation payments between Cargill and Cargill Leasing Corporation were intercorporate transactions of a "substantial" nature. We affirm in part and reverse in part.
THE FACTS IN CASE NO. 119601
Guardian's principal place of business is in Michigan. It solicits sales in various target states with activities which include calling on customers and taking orders. In its lawsuit, Guardian claimed that, because it was subject to taxation for sales in the target states, Treasury erred in including its sales there as Michigan sales. The alleged error increased the percentage of Guardian's total tax base attributable to Michigan and raised its Michigan taxes for the tax years 1982-1985.
In its answer to Guardian's second amended complaint, Treasury alleged that some of Guardian's activities exceeded the mere solicitation of sales. It assumed as true that Guardian's remaining activities consisted of solicitation only of sales. Based on that, Guardian filed a motion for summary disposition. The Court of Claims granted the motion, ruling that mere solicitation established a nexus sufficient to permit target states to levy a business privilege type tax on Guardian.
THE FACTS IN CASE NO. 120048
Cargill owns the outstanding stock of Cargill Leasing Corporation, North Star Steel Company and Magnimet Corporation. A portion of the intercorporate business between Cargill Leasing and Cargill derives from the leasing of tangible personal property. However, the primary source of Cargill Leasing's intercorporate income consists of tax benefit payments from Cargill. The Commissioner of Revenue rejected Cargill's request to file a retroactive consolidated tax return with Cargill Leasing for the tax years 1982 and 1983. The Court of Claims affirmed the ruling but allowed consolidation for the tax years 1984-1985.
Plaintiff North Star sought to exclude from Michigan sales approximately $120 million in sales which it alleged were taxable in other states. The parties stipulated that North Star's activities in the target states did not exceed the solicitation of sales of tangible personal property.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MICHIGAN SINGLE BUSINESS TAX ACT
A principal question in both cases is whether a taxpayer's solicitation of business in foreign states, alone, creates a sufficient nexus with the states that they may tax the sales. Treasury alleges that it does not. It argues that, if foreign states were to tax plaintiffs based merely on their solicitation of business, they would violate PL 86-272 and the federal constitution.
Michigan's single business tax is a consumption type value-added tax which imposes a tax consequence on the value added to a product at each step of its production and distribution. See Caterpillar, Inc v Dep't of Treasury, 440 Mich. 400; 488 N.W.2d 182 (1992), cert den ___ US ___; 121 L Ed 2d 567 (1992); Trinova Corp v Dep't of Treasury, 433 Mich. 141, 149; 445 N.W.2d 428 (1989), aff'd 498 U.S. 358; 111 S Ct 818; 112 L Ed 2d 884 (1991). If a taxpayer's business activity takes place only partially in Michigan, only a portion of it may constitutionally be taxed in Michigan. Trinova, supra. A state may not tax value earned outside its borders. Id.
The single business tax is calculated using the taxpayer's tax base. One factor in determining the tax base is the percentage of the taxpayer's total sales made "in this state." MCL 208.51; MSA 7.558(51). Sales of tangible personal property are considered to have been made in this state if the taxpayer is not taxable for them in the purchaser's state. MCL 208.52(b); MSA 7.558(52)(b).
Section 42 of the SBTA provides:
For purposes of apportionment of the tax base from business activities under this act, a taxpayer is taxable in another state if, (a) in that state he is subject to a business privilege tax, a net income tax, a franchise tax measured by net income, a franchise tax for the privilege of doing business or a corporate stock tax, a tax of the type imposed under this act, or (b) that state has jurisdiction to subject the taxpayer to 1 or more of the taxes regardless of whether, in fact, the state does or does not. [MCL 208.42; MSA 7.558(42).]
Michigan may not tax a sale of tangible personal property if: (1) the state to which the property is shipped taxes the transaction, or (2) the state has jurisdiction to impose any of the taxes listed in § 42.
FEDERAL PUBLIC LAW 86-272 DOES NOT SUPPLY THE APPROPRIATE STANDARD
Defendant argues initially that federal Public Law 86-272 determines whether target states can tax plaintiffs for soliciting business. It alleges that PL 86-272 establishes the minimum nexus standard for constitutional due process. That law provides:
Imposition of net income tax
(a) No State, or political subdivision thereof, shall have power to impose, for any taxable year ending after September 14, 1959, a net income tax on the income derived within such State by any person from interstate commerce if the only business activities within such State by or on behalf of such person during such taxable year are either, or both, of the following:
(1) the solicitation of orders by such person, or his representative, in such State for sales of tangible personal property, which orders are sent outside the State for approval or rejection, and, if approved, are filled by shipment or delivery from a point outside the State; and
(2) the solicitation of orders by such person, or his representative, in such State in the name of or for the benefit of a prospective customer of such person, if orders by such customer to such person to enable such customer to fill orders resulting from such solicitation are orders described in paragraph (1). [ 15 U.S.C. § 381.]
Section 381 prevents a state from imposing a net income tax on a foreign taxpayer if the taxpayer's only connection with the state is the solicitation of business there. The legislative history of § 381 reveals that Congress had a rather limited purpose in enacting PL 86-272. See Heublein, Inc v South Carolina Tax Comm, 409 U.S. 275, 279; 93 S Ct 483; 34 L Ed 2d 472 (1972). The enactment occurred as a result of the United States Supreme Court's decision in Northwestern States Portland Cement Co v Minnesota, 358 U.S. 450; 79 S Ct 357; 3 L Ed 2d 421 (1959). Northwestern held that a foreign corporation's net income from interstate operations may be subjected to state taxation so long as it has an adequate nexus with the taxing state. Congress wrote § 381 to clearly define a lower limit for the exercise of a state's power to impose a net income tax. Clarity to remove uncertainty was its primary goal. Heublein, 280. See also Quill v North Dakota Tax Comm'r, 504 US ___, ___, n 9; 112 S Ct 1904, 1915, n 9; 119 L Ed 2d 91, 109, n 9 (1992).
It is apparent from the legislative history of PL 86-272 that the act was limited in scope and was not intended to apply to taxes other than net income taxes. What is less clear is what a net income tax encompasses. Statutorily, it is defined as "any tax imposed on, or measured by, net income." 15 U.S.C. § 383. No known federal cases have defined "measured by net income." However, whether a tax is a net income tax should not be determined by the state's labeling of the tax. See Wisconsin Dep't of Revenue v William Wrigley, Jr, Co, 505 US ___; 112 S Ct 2447; 120 L Ed 2d 174 (1992).
In the Wrigley case, the United States Supreme Court applied § 381 to Wisconsin's corporate franchise tax. It ruled that Wisconsin cannot impose its franchise tax on foreign corporations whose only activity within the state is the solicitation of business. Wisconsin's franchise tax is measured by a taxpayer's entire Wisconsin net income. Wis Stat 71.23(2). Other states' franchise taxes are not measured by net income, hence are not limited by § 381. See 72 Pa Stat Ann Taxation and Fiscal Affairs, § 7602(b)(1)(Purdon); Clairol Inc v Commonwealth, 513 Pa. 74; 518 A.2d 1165 (1986).
Public Law 86-272 does not prevent a state from levying taxes listed under § 42 of the SBTA which are not imposed on or measured by net income. Eligible taxes include a franchise tax on the privilege of doing business, a business privilege tax or a corporate stock tax. MCL 208.42; MSA 7.558(42). Therefore, we conclude that § 381 does not provide the minimum nexus standard appropriate for determining whether foreign states' taxation of plaintiffs would violate the due process or the interstate commerce clauses.
Resolution of whether a single business type tax is "measured by" net income is not necessary for our determination of this case. Therefore, we do not decide whether foreign states can impose a single business type tax on mere solicitation or whether Michigan can impose the single business tax on foreign taxpayers for mere solicitation.
MERE SOLICITATION IS SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT CONSTITUTIONAL DUE PROCESS NEXUS
Foreign states may not impose taxes on the mere solicitation of business if the taxes violate either the due process or interstate commerce clauses of the federal constitution. US Const, Am XIV; US Const, art I, § 8, cl 3. The United States Supreme Court recently distinguished between application of the two clauses to tax cases. Quill, supra. In Quill, the Court observed that the due process clause and the commerce clause are closely related but that they differ fundamentally in several respects. Id. Each poses distinct limitations on a taxing power of the state and each addresses different constitutional concerns. Quill, supra. Although Congress may have plenary power to regulate commerce between the states, it lacks power to authorize a violation of the due process clause.
To satisfy due process, a state tax may be levied only when there exists some definite link, some minimum connection between a state and the person, property or transaction taxed. Quill, 504 US ___; 119 L Ed 2d 102, citing Miller Bros Co v Maryland, 347 U.S. 340, 344-345; 74 S Ct 535; 98 L Ed 744 (1954). The due process clause requires, also, that income attributed to a state for tax purposes must be rationally related to "values connected with the taxing State." Quill, 504 US ___; 119 L Ed 2d 102, citing Moorman Mfg Co v Bair, 437 U.S. 267, 273; 98 S Ct 2340; 57 L Ed 2d 197 (1978).
In Quill, the state of North Dakota imposed a use tax on property purchased for use or consumption within the state. Quill, supra. None of plaintiff's employees worked or lived in North Dakota. Plaintiff sold office equipment and supplies in the state using catalogs, advertisements and telephone calls. In ruling that there was no due process violation, the Supreme Court concluded that
. . . Quill has purposefully directed its activities at North Dakota residents, that the magnitude of those contacts are more than sufficient for due process purposes, and that the use tax is related to the benefits Quill receives from access to the State. We therefore agree with the North Dakota Supreme Court's conclusion that the Due Process Clause does not bar enforcement of that State's use tax against Quill. [504 US ___; 119 L Ed 2d 104.]Quill is important, because it refutes defendant's argument that mere solicitation establishes a due process nexus only for the collection of use taxes, not for the imposition of other taxes. See Scripto, Inc v Carson, 362 U.S. 207; 80 S Ct 619; 4 L Ed 2d 660 (1960). In Scripto, the United States Supreme Court upheld the use-tax collection duty imposed on Scripto based on mere solicitation. Id. Although Quill also involved a use tax, from the discussion there, we believe the Court implicitly recognized that the due process nexus standard is the same for all tax cases. The standard inquires whether the taxpayer had fair warning that its activity may subject it to the jurisdiction of a foreign sovereign. Shaffer v Heitner, 433 U.S. 186, 218; 97 S Ct 2569; 53 L Ed 2d 683 (1977). See also Int'l Shoe Co v Washington, 326 U.S. 310; 66 S Ct 154; 90 L Ed 95 (1945).
Quill held that a foreign corporation which purposefully benefits from the economic market of a state may subject itself to that state's in personam jurisdiction even if not physically present there. The Court did not indicate that the due process nexus standard for use tax collection cases differs from that applicable to other tax cases. See also Allied Signal, Inc v Director, Division of Taxation, 504 US ___; 112 S Ct 2251; 119 L Ed 2d 533 (1992).
As in Quill, plaintiffs in these cases purposefully availed themselves of the benefits of an economic market in the target states. It is undisputed that they solicited sales in target states. Unlike the plaintiff in Quill, the plaintiffs here did more than solicit business through the use of the mail and telephone. Moreover, they are not mail order companies. Cf. Quill, supra; Nat'l Bellas Hess, Inc v Dep't of Revenue of Illinois, 386 U.S. 753; 87 S Ct 1389; 18 L Ed 2d 505 (1967). In conclusion, plaintiffs' solicitation activities constituted such minimum contacts with the target states that plaintiffs could not successfully maintain a due process challenge to taxation on those activities by the target states.
PLAINTIFFS' SOLICITATION ACTIVITIES MUST ALSO SATISFY THE COMMERCE CLAUSE NEXUS STANDARD
The conclusion that due process does not prevent target states from taxing plaintiffs does not end our legal inquiry, however. A tax may withstand a due process challenge but violate the commerce clause. See Quill, supra. Foreign states may not impose taxes on the mere solicitation of business if the taxes violate the interstate commerce clause. US Const, art I, § 8, cl 3.
In contrast to the minimum connection nexus standard necessary to withstand a due process challenge, a higher nexus standard must be met to withstand a commerce clause challenge. Faced with a commerce clause challenge, courts will sustain a tax so long as it: (1) is applied to an activity which has a substantial nexus with the taxing state, (2) is fairly apportioned, (3) does not discriminate against interstate commerce, and (4) is fairly related to services provided by the taxing state. Complete Auto Transit, Inc v Brady, 430 U.S. 274, 285; 97 S Ct 1076; 51 L Ed 2d 326 (1977).
Before addressing the last three prongs of the commerce clause test, we must initially determine whether plaintiffs' activities were sufficient to establish a substantial nexus with the target states. Unlike the minimum connection due process nexus standard, the commerce clause substantial nexus standard limits the reach of state taxing authority to ensure that state taxation does not unduly burden interstate commerce. Quill, supra.
In Quill, the United States Supreme Court followed a bright line test established twenty-five years earlier to determine whether the tax in question violated the commerce clause. See Nat'l Bellas Hess, Inc, supra. Bellas Hess stands for the proposition that a vendor, whose only contacts with the taxing state are by mail or common carrier, lacks the substantial nexus required by the commerce clause. In Quill, the Court held that the taxpayer must have some "physical presence" in the target state to establish a substantial nexus with it. Quill, supra. The Court recognized that a substantial nexus may be created by the presence of a small sales force, plant or office of the taxpayer within the state. Since Quill had no physical presence in North Dakota, the Court found that the imposition of the use tax did violate the commerce clause. However, the Court recognized that Congress has the ultimate power to resolve the commerce clause problem and might do so, given that the Court found no due process violation. Quill, supra.
As in Quill, here the crucial question is whether the mere solicitation of business creates a substantial nexus with target states to withstand a commerce clause challenge to taxation. In case No. 119601, the trial court granted summary disposition to Guardian, finding no genuine issues of material fact. MCR 2.116(C)(10). The ruling was premised on the belief that mere solicitation is sufficient to withstand any constitutional challenge. However, after Quill, it is abundantly clear that Guardian must show a physical presence within a target state to establish a substantial nexus to it. Guardian must allege and prove that a target state tax as described in § 42 would not violate the commerce clause. MCL 208.42; MSA 7.558(42). Only then could Guardian successfully challenge application of Michigan's single business tax to its sales in the target state.
A motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10) tests whether there is factual support for a claim. The court must consider the pleadings, affidavits, depositions, admissions and other documentary evidence available to it. Dumas v Auto Club Ins Ass'n, 168 Mich. App. 619, 626; 425 N.W.2d 480 (1988), rev'd on other grounds 437 Mich. 521 (1991). In deciding on it, the court must give the benefit of reasonable doubt to the nonmoving party. It determines whether a record might be developed which would leave open an issue upon which reasonable minds could differ. Hutchinson v Allegan Co Bd of Road Comm'rs (On Remand), 192 Mich. App. 472, 480; 481 N.W.2d 807 (1992). The moving party has the initial burden of supporting its position by affidavits, depositions, admissions or other documentary evidence. Ward v Frank's Nursery Crafts, Inc, 186 Mich. App. 120, 134; 463 N.W.2d 442 (1990). The party opposing the motion then has the burden of showing a genuine issue for trial by affidavits or other documentary evidence. Hutchinson, 481.
Guardian asserted in its second amended complaint that its business activity in the target states was limited to the mere solicitation of sales. It called on customers, secured orders from them and expanded its markets in the destination states. Defendant alleged in its answer that it was without sufficient knowledge on the matter. It alleged that some of Guardian's activities exceeded the mere solicitation of business. It assumed as true that Guardian's remaining activities consisted of solicitation only of sales.
Guardian's motion for summary disposition was based solely on defendant's admission that Guardian's activities consisted of the solicitation only of sales. Guardian submitted no affidavits with its motion. In response, defendant alleged that it lacked knowledge of the identity of the target states and of the particular activities conducted by Guardian there. Defendant submitted an untimely affidavit by David Kirvan, the Administrator of the Single Business Tax Division. Kirvan indicated that audit reports did not show in which states Guardian sold its products or the activities Guardian actually conducted in them.
In response to defendant's answer to its motion for summary disposition, Guardian submitted untimely affidavits by sales managers Karl Straky and Patrick O'Malley. Straky and O'Malley managed Guardian's sales force and directed its marketing and inventories. They indicated that solicitation generally consists of calling on customers, including potential customers, taking orders and forwarding comments and complaints to the plant located in Michigan.
We conclude that summary disposition was inappropriately granted, because a genuine issue of fact exists regarding the extent of Guardian's solicitation activities within each target state. A target state that taxed Guardian's solicitation activities would be in violation of the commerce clause if Guardian's employees were never present within the state. The record is unclear whether Guardian's employees were present in each target state.
Defendant's admission and Guardian's untimely filed affidavits were not enough to support Guardian's motion for summary disposition. The mere solicitation of sales, standing alone, is insufficient to establish the substantial nexus required to withstand a commerce clause challenge to taxation. Therefore, we reverse the grant of summary disposition and remand, finding that a record might be developed which would leave open an issue upon which reasonable minds might differ.
In case No. 120048, the parties entered into a stipulation that Cargill's activities did not exceed the solicitation of sales as contemplated under PL 86-272. The term "solicitation of orders," which we deem equivalent to the term "solicitation of sales," has recently been defined by the United States Supreme Court. Wrigley, supra. Solicitation of orders involves activities entirely ancillary to requests to purchase, activities serving no independent business functions apart from their connection to the solicitation of orders. Wrigley, supra.
Case No. 120048 was tried by the Court of Claims on its merits. The Court concluded that mere solicitation was insufficient to meet the nexus requirements under PL 86-272. In so doing, it applied an inappropriate nexus standard to determine whether plaintiffs are taxable in target states. The appropriate inquiry is whether the taxation of plaintiffs' activities withstands constitutional due process clause and commerce clause challenges. As previously noted, plaintiffs' solicitation activities constituted such minimum contacts with the target states that plaintiffs cannot successfully maintain a due process clause challenge to taxation. See Quill, supra.
The tougher question is whether plaintiffs' activities within target states established the substantial nexus with those states to support taxation in the face of a commerce clause challenge. In this case, plaintiffs stipulated that their activities were limited to the solicitation of sales. As earlier indicated, if mere solicitation of sales is its only activity within other states, the taxpayer cannot successfully challenge application of Michigan's single business tax to its sales in those states. Plaintiffs had the burden of proving that they were taxable in target states. They would not be taxable in target states if the taxation were violative of the commerce clause. We are unable to determine from the record whether plaintiffs had a physical presence in each of the target states or whether their activities there exceeded mere solicitation. Without such activities, target states could not tax plaintiffs. Therefore, we conclude that plaintiffs have failed to meet their burden. We affirm the Court of Claims' judgment for defendant on this issue.
THE PROCEDURAL ERRORS ISSUE HAS BEEN RENDERED MOOT
In case No. 119601, Treasury argues that procedural errors occurred in the Court of Claims which mandate reversal. Due to our holding that summary disposition was inappropriately granted, we find the issue has been rendered moot.
THE COMMISSIONER HAD DISCRETION TO IMPOSE A PROSPECTIVE-ONLY LIMITATION
In case No. 120048, plaintiffs argue that the Commissioner of Revenue had no authority to impose a prospective-only limitation on the filing of consolidated single business tax returns. They assert that the commissioner was without authority to require them to obtain approval before filing combined tax returns. Section 77 of the SBTA provides in part:
The commissioner may require or permit the filing of a consolidated or combined return by an affiliated group of corporations which are Michigan taxpayers. [MCL 208.77; MSA 7.558(77).]
When we seek to determine the intent of the Legislature, we first examine the specific language used. People v Hawkins, 181 Mich. App. 393, 396; 448 N.W.2d 858 (1989). The Legislature is presumed to have intended the meaning it plainly expressed. Frasier v Model Coverall Service, Inc, 182 Mich. App. 741, 744; 453 N.W.2d 301 (1990). If the meaning of the language is clear, judicial construction is normally neither necessary nor permitted. Nat'l Exposition Co v Detroit, 169 Mich. App. 25, 29; 425 N.W.2d 497 (1988).
We find the language of § 77 to be clear. The SBTA gives the Commissioner of Revenue discretion to allow consolidation of tax returns. We will uphold the commissioner's decision not to allow consolidation retroactively, unless there is no rational basis for it. See Clarke-Gravely Corp v Dep't of Treasury, 412 Mich. 484, 489; 315 N.W.2d 517 (1982).
In this case, plaintiffs argue that the Clarke-Gravely "rational basis" standard should not be applied to decisions of the commissioner made under the SBTA. They assert that the commissioner has more discretion under the income tax act than under the SBTA. We disagree and find that the slight variation in phraseology between the two statutes relied on by plaintiffs is merely a grammatical simplification.
Consolidated filings have been made available under the SBTA to ease taxpayers' administrative expenses, thereby encouraging multi-state corporations to remain or become active in Michigan. W R Grace Co v Dep't of Treasury, 115 Mich. App. 69, 72; 320 N.W.2d 62 (1982). Denying retroactive consolidation does not defeat this purpose. Multi-state corporations are expected to assess the relative advantages of a particular filing status in advance of filing. Moreover, unnecessary administrative burdens could be created if corporations were allowed retroactively to consolidate their tax returns.
Therefore, we determine that the Commissioner of Revenue had a rational basis to prevent the retroactive consolidation of plaintiffs' corporate tax returns. The Court of Claims did not err in holding that the commissioner has the inherent discretionary authority to impose a prospective-only limitation to consolidation of returns filed under the SBTA.
THE TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS WERE A FUNCTION OF CONTROL AND OWNERSHIP
Treasury argues on cross appeal that the court erred by allowing Cargill Leasing and Cargill to file consolidated tax returns for the tax years 1984-1985. Section 77 of the SBTA permits the commissioner to allow affiliated corporations to file a consolidated return if their intercorporate transactions are of a "substantial" nature. The determination whether the nature of intercorporate transactions is substantial cannot focus on control, ownership or financing arrangements, or any combination of those factors. See MCL 208.77(b); MSA 7.558(77)(b).
The trial court concluded that Cargill's acquisition of federal and state tax benefits and its leasing of tangible personal property from Cargill Leasing were intercorporate transactions of a substantial nature. They did not involve control, ownership or financing arrangements. The court noted that the transactions, lumping together both tax allocation benefits and rental payments, ranged from a low of $12.6 million to $16.5 million for the years in question.
Cargill's tax benefit payments to Cargill Leasing were necessitated by the accounting method selected under federal law to allocate tax liabilities and benefits. Treas Reg § 1.1552-1(a); 26 C.F.R. § 1.1552-1(a). The payments to Cargill Leasing were an aspect of Cargill's ownership and control of Cargill Leasing in that they (1) took place only because of the existence of the parent-subsidiary relationship; and (2) Cargill used the relationship to gain a tax advantage by filing consolidated federal returns, thereby preventing Cargill Leasing from using its losses and credits to offset its own taxes in other years. Therefore, we conclude that the trial court erred. The tax benefit payments to Cargill Leasing directly involved Cargill's ownership and control of Cargill Leasing.
The trial court was correct in concluding that Cargill's rental payments to Cargill Leasing did not involve Cargill's ownership, control or financing arrangement with Cargill Leasing. However, the court did not specifically address whether the payments, standing alone, were of a substantial nature. It did not separate the rental payments from the tax benefit payments. No evidence was introduced establishing the amount of rent Cargill paid to Cargill Leasing for tax years 1984-1985.
The record suggests that the rental payments may have constituted a relatively small portion of the total value of the intercorporate transactions. In 1982, the intercorporate payments from Cargill to Cargill Leasing exceeded $15 million. Apparently, only $100,000 to $110,000 of this amount was for rent. Laurence Neer, the state income tax manager for Cargill, suggested that the intercorporate rental payments would be insufficient, standing alone, to satisfy the requirements of § 77.
Based on the record, we conclude that plaintiffs failed to meet their burden of proving that Cargill's rental payments to Cargill Leasing satisfied the requirements of § 77. Therefore, the Court of Claims erred by allowing consolidation of plaintiffs' tax returns for 1984-1985.
Case No. 120048 is affirmed in part and reversed in part. Case No. 119601 is reversed and remanded. We do not retain jurisdiction.