Larry D. Bowen Family Found. v. Commissioner

T.C. Memo. 1999-149

UNITED STATES TAX COURT

LARRY D. BOWEN FAMILY FOUND., Petitioner v.
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

Docket No. 23088-96X. Filed May 3, 1999.

William J. Tully (an officer), for petitioner.

Kirk M. Paxson, for respondent.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

LARO, Judge: Petitioner petitioned the Court to declare

whether petitioner qualifies for exempt status under section

501(c)(3). See sec. 7428. The parties dispute whether

petitioner meets the operational test of section 1.501(c)(3)-1,

Income Tax Regs. We hold it does not. Unless otherwise stated,

section references are to the applicable versions of the Internal
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Revenue Code. Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of

Practice and Procedure.

Background

We decide this case on the basis of the entire

administrative record, see Rule 217(b)(1), which is incorporated

herein by this reference. Petitioner's mailing address was in

Ontario, California, when its petition was filed.

William J. Tully is a promoter of tax-exempt entities.

Larry Don Bowen and his wife Virginia (collectively, the Bowens)

attended one of Mr. Tully's seminars and later paid him to form a

tax-exempt family foundation for them. Mr. Tully formed a

corporation named "Larry D. Bowen Family Foundation" (the

petitioner herein), with five "members", five directors, and four

officers. The corporation's officers are the Bowens, Mr. Tully,

and the Bowens' son, Michael Bowen. The corporation's directors

are the same four officers and the Bowens' other son, Larry

Albert Bowen. The corporation's "members" are unidentified.

Mr. Tully filed articles of incorporation and bylaws for

petitioner with the Nevada Secretary of State. The articles

state that petitioner's primary purpose is "TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL

ASSISTANCE FOR THE NEEDY." The bylaws state that petitioner's

primary purpose is that set forth in the articles. The bylaws

further state that "Nothing herein contained shall be construed
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to prevent any Director from receiving compensation for services

to the Corporation rendered in a capacity other than Director."

On April 12, 1994, petitioner filed with the Commissioner a

Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Application), in which it

sought recognition as a tax-exempt entity. The Application

reported that petitioner's activities were: (1) Supplying money,

goods or services to the poor, (2) providing services for the

aged, and (3) providing aid to the handicapped. The information

that petitioner provided to the Commissioner on and with the

Application was vague as to the specifics of these activities.

The Application stated generally that

The primary objective of the foundation is to offer
financial assistance, mostly in the form of actual cash
and credit, on a professional basis and approach, to
those people who are in immediate need, such as the
homeless, the sick, and any other person whose needs
are temporary in nature, as verses [sic] those who are
in actual need of longterm financial assistance.

The Application indicated that petitioner had not currently begun

any activity, except for organizational activities, and that

petitioner was not going to begin operating until after the

Commissioner recognized it as tax exempt. As to sources of

financial support, the Application stated,

At the present time this organization does not have any
procedure for the generation of income other than * * *

* * * * * * *
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(a) Direct donations from the general
public at large,

(b) Larger sums from various fund
raising activities,

(c) A possible "thrift store" type
operation, and

(d) Donations of property (both
personal and real) which can be
turned into cash, and

(e) Various others as may be
recommended and implemented by the
organization.

On June 14, 1994, the Commissioner mailed petitioner a

letter seeking clarification of the information that it had

provided him on and with the Application. The letter was

specific as to the information that the Commissioner needed to

rule on petitioner's requested exempt status and listed the name

and phone number of a person at the Internal Revenue Service to

contact with any questions. The letter stated: "We can only

recognize you as exempt in advance of operations if you are able

to describe your proposed operations in sufficient detail to

enable us to determine that you will be organized and operated in

accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Code."

On July 6, 1994, petitioner mailed the Commissioner a

response to his letter. The response was vague as to answers to

the questions set forth in the Commissioner's letter and did not

explain in detail petitioner's proposed activities or operation.
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On September 20, 1994, the Commissioner mailed petitioner

another letter seeking specificity as to petitioner's

organization, activities, and operation. The letter explained

that the Commissioner needed specific information before he could

rule that petitioner was exempt from taxation under section

501(c)(3). The letter, citing and quoting Rev. Proc. 90-27, sec.

5.02, 1990-1 C.B. 514, 515, stated that

.02 Exempt status will be recognized in advance of
operations if proposed operations can be described in
sufficient detail to permit a conclusion that the
organization will clearly meet the particular
requirements of the section under which exemption is
claimed. A mere restatement of purposes or a statement
that proposed activities will be in furtherance of such
purposes will not satisfy this requirement. The
organization must fully describe the activities in
which it expects to engage, including the standards,
criteria, procedures or other means adopted or planned
for carrying out the activities, the anticipated
sources of receipts, and the nature of contemplated
expenditures. Where the organization cannot
demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Service that its
proposed activities will be exempt, a record of actual
operations may be required before a ruling or
determination letter will be issued. * * *

The letter set forth questions as to specific information that

the Commissioner needed to rule on petitioner's requested

exemption and listed the name and phone number of the person at

the Internal Revenue Service to contact with any questions.

By way of an undated letter to the Commissioner, petitioner

responded to the Commissioner's letter of September 20, 1994.

This response was no more informative than the prior response as

to the specifics of petitioner's organization, activities, or
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operation. The latest response regurgitated many of the same

statements as set forth on the prior response.

On December 13, 1994, the Commissioner issued to petitioner

a 30-day letter, reflecting the Commissioner's determination that

petitioner did not qualify under section 501(c)(3) because it

failed the operational test of section 1.501(c)(3)-1(c), Income

Tax Regs. Approximately 1 month later, Mr. Tully, in his

capacity as petitioner's vice president, notified the

Commissioner that petitioner was appealing that determination,

and approximately 6 months after that, Mr. Tully met with one of

respondent's Appeals officers to discuss petitioner's case.

Shortly after this meeting, petitioner filed with the

Commissioner an amended Form 1023. As amended, petitioner's Form

1023 stated that

the primary purpose of the foundation, as stated in its
oroginal [sic] application for exemption, * * * [was]
amended to read as follows:

"The primary purpose of the foundation will be to
raise funds for financially strap families living
within the immediate area of the foundation's base of
operation with all funds being administered by other
IRS approved 501(c)(3) charitable organizations such as
the Salvation Army, United Way and the Catholic
Church".

* * * the foundation will limit its currect [sic] fund
raising activities to raising funds directly from its
officers, directors and their immediate families,
friends and business associates.

The amended Form 1023 did not list specifics as to petitioner's

operations, including the manner in which petitioner would effect
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its amended primary purpose. The amended Form 1023 did not

address any safeguards against private inurement.

On April 9, 1996, the Commissioner mailed a letter to

Mr. Tully, in his capacity as petitioner's vice president,

explaining that petitioner had not yet described its operations

in sufficient detail. The letter set forth four groups of

information that the Commissioner lacked as to petitioner

including a definition of the term "financially strap" as set

forth in the amended Form 1023.

By way of an undated letter, Mr. Tully responded to the

Commissioner's letter of April 9, 1996. The response was

generally vague as to the information sought. As to the

definition of the term "financially strap", the letter stated:

This organization defines the term "financially
strap" as a temporary condition wherein the person, or
family, under consideration is without "immediate funds
in sufficient amount to provide the very necessities of
life for the present day, or week, at most".

It is not to bail out any person or family from
their current financial psoition [sic]. Rather, it is
a temporary means of relief that is intended to assist
that person or family in their immediate need of foods
and or lodging for at least a day or two, perhaps a
week at the most until they can get on relief or find
other assistance, if that be the case.

It is to make sure that the person or persons in
question do not have to go hungry over night or not
have a safe place to stay.

Included in this immediate need might be
considered a doctor appointment for life threatening
situations.
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On July 24, 1996, the Commissioner issued to petitioner a

final adverse determination letter. The letter stated:

Our adverse determination was made for the following
reason(s):

You did not meet the operational test under
section 1.501(c)(3)-1 of the Income Tax
Regulations. In order to qualify under Code
section 501(c)(3), an organization must be
both organized and operated exclusively for
one or more purposes specified in that
section. You did not describe your proposed
activities in sufficient detail as required
by section 1.501(c)(3)-1 of the Regulations.

Discussion

The Commissioner has determined that petitioner does not

meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3). Petitioner must

prove this determination wrong. See Rule 217(c)(2)(A); Church of

Scientology of Cal. v. Commissioner, 83 T.C. 381, 491 (1984),

affd. 823 F.2d 1310 (9th Cir. 1987); Church By Mail, Inc. v.

Commissioner, 765 F.2d 1387, 1391 (9th Cir. 1985), affg. T.C.

Memo. 1984-349. In order to do so, the administrative record

upon which this case is to be decided must contain enough

evidence to support a finding contrary to the grounds set forth

in the notice of determination, and petitioner must demonstrate

the merits of its claim by at least a preponderance of the

evidence. See Estate of Gilford v. Commissioner, 88 T.C. 38, 51

(1987); see also Rule 217(c)(2)(A); Fed. R. Evid. 301. If

petitioner fails its burden, the Commissioner will prevail. See

Rockwell v. Commissioner, 512 F.2d 882, 885 (9th Cir. 1975),
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affg. T.C. Memo. 1972-133; American Pipe & Steel Corp. v.

Commissioner, 243 F.2d 125, 126 (9th Cir. 1957), affg. 25 T.C.

351 (1955); Estate of Gilford v. Commissioner, supra at 51.

Section 501 provides:

(a) Exemption From Taxation.--An organization
described in subsection (c) * * * shall be exempt from
taxation under this subtitle unless such exemption is
denied under section 502 or 503.

* * * * * * *

(c) List of Exempt Organizations.--The following
organizations are referred to in subsection (a):

* * * * * * *

(3) Corporations, and any community
chest, fund, or foundation, organized and
operated exclusively for religious,
charitable, scientific, testing for public
safety, literary, or educational purposes,
* * * no part of the net earnings of which
inures to the benefit of any private
shareholder or individual, no substantial
part of the activities of which is carrying
on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to
influence legislation, * * * and which does
not participate in, or intervene in * * * any
political campaign on behalf of (or in
opposition to) any candidate for public
office.

From this text, we understand that an organization is entitled to

exempt status if it is organized and operated exclusively for

charitable purposes. See also sec. 1.501(c)(3)-1(a)(1), Income

Tax Regs. We also understand that an organization that fails

this test does not qualify for exempt status under section

501(c)(3). See also id.
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Respondent focuses entirely on petitioner's failure to

satisfy its burden as to the operational test. So do we.

Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(c), Income Tax Regs., provides as follows

as to the operational test:

(c) Operational test.--(1) Primary activities. An
organization will be regarded as "operated exclusively"
for one or more exempt purposes only if it engages
primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of
such exempt purposes specified in section 501(c)(3).
An organization will not be so regarded if more than an
insubstantial part of its activities is not in
furtherance of an exempt purpose.

(2) Distribution of earnings. An organization is
not operated exclusively for one or more exempt
purposes if its net earnings inure in whole or in part
to the benefit of private shareholders or individuals.
* * *

From the text of these regulations, we understand that an

organization is not operated exclusively for one or more exempt

purposes if its net earnings inure in whole or in part to the

benefit of private shareholders or individuals. See sec.

1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(2), Income Tax Regs. The concept of private

inurement as expressed therein ensures that the organization

serves public rather than private interests. See Church of

Scientology of Cal. v. Commissioner, supra at 491. Tax exemption

is a matter of legislative grace; it is not a matter of right.

See Christian Echoes Natl. Ministry, Inc. v. United States,

470 F.2d 849, 857 (10th Cir. 1972).

We have previously observed that the opportunity for abuse

is present when the affairs of an organization are controlled by
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its creators. See Bubbling Well Church of Universal Love, Inc.

v. Commissioner, 74 T.C. 531, 535 (1980), affd. 670 F.2d 104 (9th

Cir. 1981). In such a situation, therefore, we require an open

and candid disclosure of all facts bearing upon the organization,

its operations, and its finances so that we may be assured that

we are not sanctioning an abuse of the revenue laws by granting a

claimed exemption. See id.; see also sec. 1.6033-2(h)(2), Income

Tax Regs. (an organization that is exempt from tax, whether or

not required to file an annual information return, must submit

any additional information that the Commissioner requires to

inquire into its exempt status). Where such a disclosure is not

made, the logical inference is that the facts, if disclosed,

would show that the taxpayer fails to meet the requirements of

section 501(c)(3). See Bubbling Well Church of Universal Love,

Inc. v. Commissioner, supra at 535.

Petitioner leaves us no choice but to draw such an inference

here. The record is devoid of sufficient documentation or other

substantive information regarding petitioner's organization,

activities, or operations. What little information petitioner

did provide, pursuant to respondent's requests, was extremely

vague and, in our view, simply an attempt by petitioner to avoid

disclosing the requested information. Petitioner has completely

failed to establish its entitlement to receive tax-exempt status.
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We also note that petitioner has failed to prosecute

properly its case.1 Petitioner failed to file a brief, as

ordered by the Court and required by Rule 151, and it has failed

to explain its failure to do so. We have previously treated such

inaction by a party as an abandonment of those issues not

addressed. See Calcutt v. Commissioner, 84 T.C. 716, 721 (1985).

We also have held that the failure to file a brief may justify

the dismissal of all issues as to which a taxpayer has the burden

of proof. See Stringer v. Commissioner, 84 T.C. 693, 708 (1985),

affd. without published opinion 789 F.2d 917 (4th Cir. 1986).

We sustain respondent's determination.

Decision will be entered

for respondent.

1
Petitioner's representative, Mr. Tully, is no stranger to
litigation. He has filed cases in this Court on at least 3 prior
occasions, see Tully v. Commissioner, Order of this Court dated
Jan. 8, 1998, dismissing the case for failure to prosecute,
vacated and remanded with unpublished opinion 164 F.3d 631 (9th
Cir. 1998), with instructions to dismiss petition for lack of
jurisdiction; Tully v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1997-310, on
appeal (9th Cir., July 29, 1997); Oliver Family Found. v.
Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1997-220, he has or is prosecuting the
appeal of two of these cases before the Court of Appeals for the
Ninth Circuit, and he prosecuted one case before a California
district court, see Tully v. Kaply, 81 A.F.T.R.2d 98-2125 (C.D.
Cal. 1998).