Opinion

Pioneer Real Estate Co. v. Commissioner

  • 47 B.T.A. 886
  • 1942 BTA LEXIS 635
Court
United States Board of Tax Appeals
Filed
Oct 13, 1942
Status
Published
Author
Disney
On the bench
Abttndell, Disney
Cited by
7 cases

Modified on other grounds by Estate of Worcester v. Commissioner, 1 T.C.M. 527 (1943)

The opinion

Disney,

dissenting: I can not agree with the conclusion reached by the majority opinion on the second point, that is, holding that interest upon a condemnation award is not ordinary income. In my opinion, since in the condemnation proceeding the property is taken and valued as of a certain date, the amount ultimately paid above the aAvard proper, that is, the value of the land taken or other damages, is compensation for the delay in the payment of the award, that is, compensation for the use of money, which is the essential definition of interest. Had the award been paid at the same time as the taking of the property, or the ascertainment of the amount of damages, no additional sums would have been required to pay the obligation of the government or municipality condemning the property. The effect is that the taxpayer’s money is being detained and used by the con-demnor and, although in a very general sense the whole amount paid is “just compensation” to the condemnee, in a more accurate and particular sense only the amount of the award, for property or damages, is compensation for- such property or damages, and, in my opinion, in the matter of income taxes we should view the situation in the more particular meaning of the term “compensation.” The “interest” is paid for delay in payment only. As I view the question, Commissioner v. Kieselbach, 127 Fed. (2d) 359, states the better rule on this question, when it holds that interest is ordinary income. I therefore respectfully dissent.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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