136 F.2d 676 | 9th Cir. | 1943
The question presented here is whether a statutory consolidation of banks under the National Bank Act, 12 U.S.C.A. § 34a, involves liability for documentary stamp tax under § 800 and Schedules A-3, A-8, and A-9, Title VIII, Revenue Act of 1926, as amended, 26 U.S.C.A. Int.Rev.Acts, pages 284, 289, 297.
In 1935 a state bank, the Spokane and Eastern Trust Company, consolidated with the First National Bank of Seattle under the name of Seattle-First National Bank. Upon the ratification of the consolidation agreement by the stockholders the comptroller of the currency issued the necessary certificate of approval, reciting that the directors and shareholders of both banks had complied with the provisions of the Act.
The Spokane and Eastern Trust Company owned real estate whereon its banking house was located and securities in which a portion of its capital and surplus was invested. It had title also to securities as trustee, executor, guardian, etc. Stamps for the documentary tax required by the statute in the case of conveyances of real estate and transfers of stocks and bonds were not purchased nor affixed to any documents. The collector exacted a tax from the consolidated bank on the theory that the •consolidation had resulted in taxable transfers. On a suit for refund the bank had judgment and the government appeals.
The Act of November 7, 1918, as amended February 25, 1927, 12 U.S.C.A. § 34a,
In the case before us no deed, assignment or other instrument was executed to transfer real estate, stocks, bonds, or other property whether held in a fiduciary capacity or owned outright by the bank. The -certificates were not endorsed, nor was there any delivery or change of possession other than that which may be implied from the consolidation. The government contends, however, that the transfers did not occur solely by operation of law, but that the execution of the consolidation agreement, itself an affirmative voluntary act, effected the transfers; hence the agreement was a taxable instrument within the purview of the Revenue Act and regulations thereunder.
In this circuit the point has been determined adversely to the position of the Treasury in the United States v. Merchants Nat. Trust & Savings Bank, 101 F.2d 399. Further elaboration of the discussion there would serve merely to encumber the reports. The Court of Appeals of the Second Circuit in City Bank Farmers Trust Co. v. Hoey, 125 F.2d 577, has reached a different conclusion and apparently the First Circuit has also, State Street Trust Co. v. Hassett, 134 F.2d 156, so that if we are wrong the government is in a favorable position to ask that we be set right.
Affirmed.