T.C. Memo. 1995-594
UNITED STATES TAX COURT
STEVEN M. AND MICHELE E. GROW, Petitioners
v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Docket No. 20185-94. Filed December 14, 1995.
Steven M. and Michele E. Grow, pro se.
Amy Dyar Seals, for respondent.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
POWELL, Special Trial Judge: This case was assigned
pursuant to the provisions of section 7443A(b)(3) and Rules 180,
181, and 182.1
Respondent determined a deficiency in petitioners' Federal
income tax for the taxable year 1991 in the amount of $9,957.
1
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect for the
year in issue, and Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and
Procedure.
2
Petitioners resided in Cary, North Carolina, at the time they
filed their petition.
The issues are: (1) Whether petitioners are liable for
income tax on a distribution from a profit sharing plan pursuant
to section 402(a); and (2) whether petitioners are liable for an
early withdrawal penalty, on the same distribution, pursuant to
section 72(t).
FINDINGS OF FACT
In 1991, Stephen M. Grow (petitioner) worked for Dun &
Bradstreet, Inc. (Dun & Bradstreet) in Tampa, Florida, where he
lived with his family. During 1991, Dun & Bradstreet transferred
petitioner to Raleigh, North Carolina. Petitioner purchased a
house in nearby Cary, North Carolina, in October 1991. Because
petitioner was unable to sell his house in Tampa, he withdrew
$29,000 from his profit sharing plan at Dun & Bradstreet to make
a downpayment on the house in Cary. The withdrawal constituted
approximately one-half of the value of petitioner's account. No
portion of the withdrawn amount was rolled over into another
retirement account. Dun & Bradstreet sent petitioner a Form
1099-R reporting taxable income in the amount of $26,110,
consisting of the $29,000 withdrawal reduced by a prorated
portion of petitioner's investment in the contract.
On their jointly filed 1991 Federal income tax return,
petitioners did not report any income as a result of the
distribution. In the notice of deficiency, respondent determined
3
that petitioners were liable for income tax on the $26,110 shown
on Form 1099-R pursuant to section 408(d),2 and an early
withdrawal penalty on the same amount pursuant to section 72(t).
OPINION
Section 402(a) applies to distributions from any employees'
trust described in section 401(a) (including a profit sharing
plan) that is exempt from tax under section 501(a). Section
402(a) provides that, subject to certain exceptions not relevant
here, any amount distributed from such a trust shall be taxable
to the distributee, in the year of distribution, under section 72
(relating to annuities). Section 72(e) provides that an amount
not received as an annuity is includable in gross income, except
to the extent attributable to an individual's investment in the
contract.
Petitioner received a distribution from a profit sharing
plan.3 Since none of the exceptions in section 402 apply,
section 72 governs the taxability of the distribution. The
distribution was not received in the form of an annuity, so
section 72(e) requires that the distribution, reduced by a
proportionate share of petitioner's investment in the contract,
2
In the notice of deficiency, and throughout this litigation,
respondent has erroneously asserted that sec. 408(d) governs the taxability of
the distribution. Sec. 408(d) governs the taxability of distributions from
individual retirement accounts. Distributions from profit sharing plans are
covered by sec. 402(a).
3
Because neither party disputes the issue, we assume the profit
sharing plan constitutes a "qualified trust" within the meaning of sec.
401(a), which is exempt from tax under sec. 501(a).
4
be included in gross income. The Form 1099-R received by
petitioner excluded a proportionate share of petitioner's
investment in the contract. Accordingly, we hold petitioners
underreported their gross income by $26,110 in 1991.
Section 72(t)(1) imposes an additional tax on any amount
received from a qualified retirement plan, including a profit
sharing plan, equal to 10 percent of the portion of such amount
which is includible in gross income. Section 72(t)(2) exempts
distributions from the additional tax if the distributions are
made: (1) To an employee age 59-1/2 or older; (2) to a
beneficiary (or to the estate of the employee) on or after the
death of the employee; (3) on account of disability; (4) as part
of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made for
life; (5) to an employee after separation from service after
attainment of age 55; or (6) as dividends paid with respect to
corporate stock described in section 404(k).
Petitioner received a distribution from a qualified
retirement plan. None of the specifically enumerated exceptions
in section 72(t)(2) apply to exempt the distribution from the
additional tax. Therefore, we conclude petitioners are liable
for the additional tax imposed by section 72(t)(1) on the portion
of the distribution includible in gross income.
Petitioner asserts that the distribution should be exempt
from income tax and/or the additional tax imposed by sections
402(a) and 72. In support of this conclusion, petitioner argues
5
that the investment of the distribution in a house with a 30-year
mortgage is akin to a retirement account, and therefore, tax free
treatment of the distribution comports with the Congressional
intent underlying the tax treatment of retirement plans. Cf.
Harris v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1994-22 (which is contrary to
petitioner's argument). Petitioner further argues that the
distribution was made out of necessity, due to petitioners'
inability to sell their house, and as such, literal application
of the Internal Revenue Code is inappropriate.
While we sympathize with petitioners, we are not at liberty
to create exceptions to the Internal Revenue Code. It is a well-
established principle that "exemptions from taxation are not to
be implied; they must be unambiguously proved." United States v.
Wells Fargo Bank, 485 U.S. 351, 354 (1988).
To reflect the foregoing,
Decision will be entered
for respondent.