Opinion
Bankruptcy No. 05-24382, Related to Doc. No. 64, Objection to Claim No. 14 of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Doc. No. 65, Objection to Claim No. 18 of Internal Revenue Service, Doc. No. 122, Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Doc. No. 126, Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Internal Revenue Service.
October 4, 2007
Donald R. Calaiaro, Esquire, Calaiaro, Corbett Brungo, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA, for Debtors.
Nicholas J. Lamberti, Esquire, Harrisburg, PA, for Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
Gerald A. Role, Esquire, Washington, DC, for Internal Revenue Service.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
The court's jurisdiction was not at issue. This Memorandum Opinion constitutes our findings of fact and conclusions of law.
The matters before the court are motions for summary judgment filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue ("DOR") and the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") with respect to Debtors' objections to their respective claims for employer withholding trust fund tax liabilities. The DOR's Claim No. 14 asserts an unsecured claim against Debtors in the total amount of $16,222.61, consisting of the following:
2003 unsecured nonpriority penalty for state income taxes $272.80 2002 unsecured nonpriority penalty for unpaid trust fund taxes $7,039.09 2004 unsecured priority for state personal income tax deficiency $197.41 2002 unsecured priority for unpaid trust fund taxes plus interest $8,713.31 The trust fund taxes relate to Pleasant Hills Construction Company ("PHCC"), a construction company of which Debtor Gary Hartman was the sole officer and director.The DOR has since concluded that Debtors do not owe state income tax for the year 2004. However, the DOR's proof of claim includes a claim for a penalty with respect to 2003 individual state income taxes in the amount of $272.80 for the 2003 tax year. That amount was not addressed by either party with respect to the DOR's motion for summary judgment so is still at issue.
At the time DOR's proof of claim was filed, Debtors had not filed their state income tax return for 2004. The return has since been filed and DOR concluded that no income tax is owed. See Motion for Summary Judgment filed by [DOR], Doc. No. 122 at 7. The proof of claim included a penalty amount of $197.41 with respect to the 2004 individual state income taxes. The DOR agreed to strike this penalty.
The IRS's Claim No. 18 asserts a priority claim against Debtors in the total amount of $51,742.60 consisting of the following:
We note that the amounts in the proofs of claim and in the motions for summary judgment differ slightly. For this Memorandum Opinion we use the amounts stated in the proofs of claim.
This Memorandum Opinion addresses Debtors' unpaid state and federal trust fund tax liabilities for 2002. For the reasons which follow we find that Debtor Gary Hartman is liable for the 2002 state and federal trust fund taxes. We also find that Mary Ann Hartman is not liable for the trust fund taxes.
FACTS
Mary Ann Hartman
We first address Mary Ann Hartman's liability for the state and federal trust fund taxes. On April 11, 2005, Mary Ann Hartman and Gary Hartman filed a joint chapter 11 which has since been converted to chapter 7. See note 4, supra. The taxing bodies allege that both Debtors are responsible for the unpaid trust fund taxes. However, it is not alleged, and there is no evidence, that Mary Ann Hartman is or was an officer or director of PHCC during the tax years in question. It is not disputed that her involvement with Gary Hartman's business was limited to occasional purchases for the business and as a signatory with Gary Hartman to an Indemnity Agreement between PHCC and Great American Insurance Company ("GAIC") whereby GAIC agreed, as surety, to provide bonds on behalf of PHCC for various construction projects and the Debtors agreed to be liable to GAIC for any losses GAIC might incur on those bonds. See Adversary 06-2597 (closed), Doc. No. 7, Exhibit A. The Indemnity Agreement was executed by Mary Ann Hartman in 1995 as secretary of PHCC. All other documents of record in this case indicate that Gary Hartman was the sole officer during the time periods to which the tax claims pertain. Neither the DOR nor the IRS allege that Mary Ann Hartman had any involvement with PHCC. All the undisputed facts recited by the DOR and the IRS refer only to actions of Gary Hartman who was the sole corporate officer of PHCC. Motion for Summary Judgment filed by [IRS], Exh. 101 (Gary Hartman's answers to interrogatories), Doc. No. 126. Answers to interrogatories supplied by Gary Hartman list employees and independent contractors of PHCC and Mary Ann Hartman's name does not appear on the list. Id.
The case was converted to chapter 7 on September 14, 2007, and transferred to another member of this Court but the objections to claims and the motions for summary judgment were filed before the conversion.
In response to an interrogatory propounded by the IRS requesting Debtors to identify "each and every individual who has knowledge concerning the subject matter of your objection, and fully describ[ing] the substance of his or her knowledge as it relates to those matters." Id. at Interrogatory #9. Gary Hartman responded stating that one Joanne Morgan was PHCC's office manager. Ms. Morgan is not involved in these objections to claims or motions for summary judgment. Gary Hartman also identified Mary Ann Hartman, stating that she had only
cursory knowledge of the unpaid employment tax liabilities of PHCC gained through various notices received by her husband and these proceedings. Mrs. Hartman has no first hand knowledge of the internal workings of the company or the events underlying these proceedings.
Id. These assertions were not challenged on this record. In its Response to Movants' Supplemental Brief, Doc. No. 147, the IRS states that
Movants [Debtors] acknowledge that Gary Hartman was a person responsible for the unpaid withholding taxes of PHCC. . . . The only remaining issue is whether debtor Gary Hartman willfully failed to pay over the withholding taxes.
Id.
Debtors' amended schedules state that although Mrs. Hartman made certain purchases for the business, most of the purchases were made by Gary Hartman. See Debtors' Amended Schedules, Doc. No. 27. The bankruptcy petition itself states that Mrs. Hartman is employed as a nurse by a Pittsburgh hospital. See Doc. No. 10. It is not represented, nor has any evidence been produced, that she has or ever had a position with PHCC. In addition, the specific allegations of the DOR and the IRS in pleadings with respect to the trust fund taxes name only Gary Hartman. As stated, Mary Ann Hartman is liable on the Indemnity Agreement to GAIC because she is a signatory to that agreement. Even though she signed the Indemnity Agreement as secretary of PHCC, that was in 1995 and there is no evidence that she was an officer of the business after that time. The only issues with respect to Mrs. Hartman, therefore, are those not addressed at this time; to-wit, the 2003 state income tax penalty, the 2004 federal income tax liability, and Debtors' 2004 refund claim. Insofar as the 2002 state and federal trust fund taxes are concerned, we find no evidence that Mary Ann Hartman is liable.
Although the Official Bankruptcy Forms require Debtors to indicate on Schedule F, Creditors Holding Unsecured Nonpriority Claims, whether the debts listed are those of husband, wife, joint, community or codebtor, only a few are marked either "H" or "W." See, e.g., Amended Schedules, Doc. No. 27/.
Gary Hartman
From the time PHCC was incorporated in 1990 until it ceased operations in September 2002, Debtor Gary Hartman and his brother Michael were each fifty percent shareholders in PHCC. See IRS's Motion for Summary Judgment, Doc. No. 126, Exh. 101, answer to Interrogatory #2; id. at Exh. 102, at 39. At the time the taxes in dispute accrued Gary Hartman was the sole corporate officer of PHCC. Motion for Summary Judgment filed by [IRS], Exh. 101 (Gary Hartman's answers to interrogatories), Doc. No. 126. The taxes that are the focus of this dispute are employer withholding taxes that were payable in March of 2002 through September of 2002. Gary Hartman asserts that GAIC was in control of PHCC at the relevant time and therefore he is not responsible for the taxes. He also asserts that he is not liable for these taxes because (1) a signature stamp was available and sometimes used for checks, (2) his brother Michael took care of the day to day business operations, (3) GAIC was in control of the corporation, and (4) Gary Hartman did not know that the taxes were not paid.
Mr. Hartman also asserts that the office manager of PHCC, Joanne Morgan, had authority to sign checks and Federal Forms 940 and 941. IRS's Motion for Summary Judgment, Doc. No. 126, Exh. 101, Answer to Interrogatory #9. There is no evidence on the record that connects her with any of the actions on which the DOR and the IRS base their claims. Although Gary Hartman asserted that his signature stamp could be used, there was no evidence besides his self-serving statement that it was used. It was Gary Hartman's responsibility as a responsible officer to investigate to make sure the taxes were paid. Use, non-use, or misuse of his signature stamp does not excuse his failure to pay the taxes or to make sure they were paid.
As noted, both Debtors were signatories to the Indemnity Agreement with GAIC with respect to performance bonds for PHCC. That Agreement was signed in February of 1995. Brief in Support of GAIC's Motion to Dismiss Complaint, Adversary No. 06-02597, Doc. No. 28 at 4. In the Indemnity Agreement, GAIC agreed to issue performance and payment bonds on projects awarded to PHCC and Debtors agreed to reimburse GAIC for any losses GAIC incurred with respect to the bonds on behalf of PHCC. Id. Upon default, the Indemnity Agreement specifically authorized GAIC to take over, or arrange for completion of, PHCC's bonded contract work "at the expense of the Contractor [i.e., PHCC] and Indemnitors [i.e., Debtors herein]." See Agreement of Indemnity, Exh. A to Motion to Dismiss filed by GAIC at Adv. No. 06-02597, Doc. No. 7. Neither the DOR nor the IRS were parties to the Indemnity Agreement and their claims against Debtors are not based on the indemnity. However, Gary Hartman denies liability on the ground that GAIC controlled PHCC. The facts belie this assertion.
At least by late 2001, PHCC began to experience financial difficulty. See Motion for Summary Judgment filed by [IRS], Doc. No. 126, Exhibit 101. As a result, on May 2, 2002, Gary Hartman sent a letter on behalf of PHCC to GAIC informing it that PHCC was financially unable to complete its bonded jobs and pay its suppliers. Shortly thereafter GAIC, acting pursuant to the Indemnity Agreement, assumed control of the completion of PHCC's jobs. Debtor asserted that at this time he was no longer in control of the company or its assets. Adv. No. 06-2596, Doc. No. 1 at 2. However, as late as September 17, 2002, Gary Hartman continued to identify himself in documents to customers and suppliers as President of PHCC. DOR's Motion for Summary Judgment, Doc. No. 122 at 7, ¶ 21; Motion for Summary Judgment filed by [IRS], Doc. No. 126, Exh. 103. Mr. Hartman also continued to sign checks and several 2002 federal employer's quarterly tax returns in the months following GAIC's taking control of PHCC's construction projects. Doc. No. 122 at 6, ¶ 18. Moreover, identifying himself as "Secretary/Treasurer" of PHCC, Gary Hartman signed a corporate resolution on April 30, 2002, stating that PHCC's board had authorized the opening of a checking account for PHCC requiring two signatures, his on behalf of PHCC, and that of Ed Kirsch for GAIC. See Motion for Summary Judgment filed by [DOR], Doc. No. 122, third unnumbered exhibit, at 12.
In his complaint filed at Adv. No. 06-2597, Gary Hartman asserted that GAIC took control of PHCC's assets and used them to complete PHCC's jobs. He also asserted that GAIC collected accounts receivable and did not make tax payments. However, in the Indemnity Agreement Debtors assigned, as of the date of the agreement, "[a]ny and all percentages retained and any and all sums that may be due or hereafter become due on account of any and all contracts referred to in the Bonds and all other contracts whether bonded or not in which the Contractor has an interest." Motion to Dismiss Case filed by [GAIC], Adv. No. 06-2597, Doc. No. 7, at Exhibit A. The assignment existed as of the date the Indemnity Agreement was executed and became effective upon PHCC's default on bonded jobs.
In Debtors' Supplemental Brief/Memorandum in Opposition to [IRS's] Motion for Summary Judgment, Doc. No. 143 at unnumbered page 3, Gary Hartman concedes that he was the responsible officer at the time taxes were payable but asserts that he was unaware that the taxes were not paid until after GAIC had assumed control of PHCC's accounts receivable. He states that he informed the new controlling company, GAIC, that it must pay the unpaid taxes, yet, he says, GAIC refused. Debtor's Affidavit in Opposition to the Motion for Summary Judgment, Doc. No. 137 at 2. Mr. Hartman alleges that he had no power to make payments without the permission of GAIC and was therefore unable to pay the taxes. Id. We find his contention to be without merit. First, this matter has been litigated before. In 2002, GAIC sued Debtors and PHCC in district court with respect to payment on the bonds and PHCC counterclaimed, alleging that GAIC was obligated to pay PHCC's tax obligations. As explained more fully in note 12, infra, GAIC's motion to dismiss Debtors' counterclaim was granted by the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. See Adv. 06-2597, Doc. No. 7, Exh. E, Order in Civil Action 02-1736. Then, in 2006, Debtors filed Adversary No. 06-2597 against GAIC again alleging, inter alia, that GAIC was liable for the taxes. The adversary was dismissed with prejudice by this court. Debtors' objections to claims are based upon the same transactions and assert substantially the same theories as to why Debtors are not liable for the taxes that they asserted in the district court and in the adversary proceeding in this court.
In the adversary GAIC filed a motion to withdraw the reference and the adversary documents were transmitted to the District Court. After this Bankruptcy Court entered an order dismissing the adversary with prejudice, the District Court dismissed the motion to withdraw the reference without prejudice and the adversary was closed. In its motion to dismiss the adversary, GAIC attached as exhibits pleadings filed in Civil Action 02-1736 filed by GAIC against PHCC and these Debtors. By order dated September 3, 2003, the District Court entered judgment for GAIC with costs and fees assessed against PHCC and Debtors. See Adv. 06-2597, Doc. No. 7, Exh. E.
As a result of Mr. Hartman's alleged lack of control over PHCC's finances and alleged lack of knowledge of the unpaid taxes, Debtors argue that the DOR and IRS are unable to meet their burden of proof that Debtor acted wilfully with regard to the unpaid trust fund taxes in question. Debtors accordingly object to the taxing bodies' claims. Furthermore, in a Protest Gary Hartman filed with the IRS in October of 2005, he stated that PHCC was unable to pay the taxes as early as the third quarter of 2001. See infra.
ANALYSIS
Summary judgment is appropriate when "there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and . . . the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Fed.R.Bankr.P. 7056. The undisputed facts establish that Gary Hartman was PHCC's responsible officer during the 2002 tax periods. Although the state and federal statutory requirements for imposition of liability on a responsible officer are different in one respect, we find that there is no genuine issue of material fact under either set of requirements and conclude that Mr. Hartman is liable for the trust fund taxes owed to the DOR and the IRS.
DOR relies on City of Philadelphia v. Penn Plastering Corp. 253 A.2d 247 (Pa. 1969) (rehearing denied) (under Pennsylvania law corporation and its officers were trustees ex maleficio with respect to taxes collected by corporation as agent for the city); Brown v. Commonwealth, 670 A.2d 1222 (Pa Cmwlth. 1996) (taxpayer liable for trust fund taxes for period in which he was active and controlling officer of corporation); and In re Grillo, 331 B.R. 614 (Bankr.D.N.J. 2005) (allowing civil penalty claims of the IRS with respect to unpaid trust fund taxes inasmuch as the president and majority shareholder had full access to corporate books and records and check signing authority and was aware that trust fund taxes were not paid but continued to allow corporation to pay expenses).
Mr. Hartman conceded that he was a responsible officer during the time that the state and federal taxes were not paid. Debtors' Supplemental Brief in Opposition to Respondent's [IRS] Motion for Summary Judgment, Doc. No. 143, at 3. Therefore, the issue with respect to state trust fund taxes is whether he has a defense to liability. We find that he does not.
Section 7319 of title 72 of Purdon's Statutes provides, in part, that "[e]very employer withholding tax . . . shall pay over to the department . . . the tax required to be deducted and withheld under this article." Section 7320 provides:
Every employer required to deduct and withhold tax under this article is hereby made liable for such tax For purposes of assessment and collection, any amount required to be withheld and paid over to the department and any additions to tax penalties and interest with respect thereto, shall be considered the tax of the employer. All taxes deducted and withheld from employes [sic] pursuant to this article or under color of this article shall constitute a trust fund for the Commonwealth and shall be enforceable against such employer, his representative or any other person receiving any part of such fund.
72 P.S. § 7320.
Gary Hartman does not deny that PHCC, his corporation, was an employer required to collect and pay over the tax. He asserts that after GAIC took over performance under its bonds, he did not know the taxes were not being paid by GAIC and that he had no ability to pay them while GAIC ran the project. He also denied that he was required to pay the tax on the basis that GAIC controlled the corporation. However, there is nothing of record to show that GAIC controlled the corporation and nothing in the cited sections requires knowledge or willfulness. We note that § 7320 states only that an employer shall be liable for unpaid taxes. The statute does not address the mental state of the employer nor does it address the issue of "willfulness." There are no case precedents regarding § 7320 that require proof of a specific mental state. Although some courts that have held an employer liable for overdue taxes have acknowledged the fact that the employer "knew" that the taxes were unpaid, knowledge is not dispositive.
In Brown v. Commonwealth, 670 A.2d 1222, 1224 (Pa.Cmwlth. 1996), the officer of the corporate taxpayer argued that loss of the power to control the payment of a corporation's funds means that the officer ceases to be personally liable for collection and payment of the corporation's trust fund taxes. The Commonwealth Court quoted City of Philadelphia v. Penn Plastering Corp., supra, 253 A.2d at 249, which held that a corporation and its officers were trustees ex maleficio with respect to the performance of the corporation's duty to collect and pay trust fund taxes. The Commonwealth Court noted that in City of Philadelphia v. B. Axe Co., 397 A.2d 51 (Pa.Cmwlth. 1979), in determining whether substantial evidence existed to find that an individual was the controlling corporate officer, it considered factors such as physical presence on the premises at relevant times, the ability to hire or fire and the signing of tax returns and payroll and other checks. Brown v. Commonwealth, supra, 670 A.2d at 1225. There is no mention of "willfulness" with respect to the nonpayment of state trust fund taxes in these cases, as there is none in § 7320. The court in Brown v. Commonwealth noted that after the bank in that case took "complete control" of the corporation, there was insufficient evidence to determine that the corporate officer could be held liable as a trustee ex maleficio. Id. In the instant case, the evidence establishes that GAIC did not have complete control. As noted above, the Indemnity Agreement among Debtors, PHCC, and GAIC authorized GAIC to take over or arrange for completion of PHCC's bonded contract work. The agreement provides, in pertinent part, that
In the event of any breach, delay or default asserted by the obligee in any said Bonds, or the Contractor has suspended or ceased work . . . or failed to pay obligations incurred . . . the Surety shall have the right, at its option and in its sole discretion . . ., to take possession of any part or all of the work under any contract . . . covered by any said Bonds, and at the expense of the Contractor and Indemnitors to complete or arrange for the completion of the same. . . .
Adv. No. 06-2597, Motion to Dismiss filed by [GAIC], Doc. No. 7, Exhibit A at ¶ Sixth. Moreover, courts have stressed the importance of holding responsible officers liable for unpaid taxes when they are the active and controlling officers of the company.
Under the Indemnity Agreement, GAIC had the right, but not the obligation, "to exercise all of the rights of the Contractor and Indemnitors . . . and in the name of the Contractor and Indemnitors to make, execute, and deliver any and all additional or other assignments, documents or papers deemed necessary and proper by the Surety in order to give full effect not only to the intent and meaning of the within assignments, but also to the full protection intended to be herein given to the Surety. . . . The Contractor and Indemnitors hereby ratify and confirm all acts and actions taken and done by the Surety as such attorney-in-fact." Adv. No. 06-2597, Motion to Dismiss filed by [GAIC], Doc. No. 7, Exhibit A at ¶ Eighteenth.
To hold otherwise would be to disregard the undisputed fact that corporations must act through individuals and where the individuals are the active and controlling officers and agents of the corporation and they fail to administer the trust responsibilities of the corporation, those responsibilities are imposed upon the individuals who are responsible for the performance of the trust duty.
Brown v. Commonwealth, supra, 670 A.2d at 1225. Further, Gary Hartman signed the corporate resolution regarding setting up a special checking account requiring that checks have both his signature and that of a representative of GAIC.
Gary Hartman's argument that he was no longer in control of PHCC and therefore is not responsible for the trust fund taxes owed to the state is without merit. In the case at hand Mr. Hartman was in control of the corporation at the relevant times. For example, he continued to refer to himself as president and designated to whom the company would make payments by signing PHCC's checks until September of 2002, notwithstanding his assertion that his brother was in control before GAIC took over PHCC's projects in April of 2002. See infra.
Debtor Gary Hartman asserts that a stamp with his signature was used but as a matter of state law, the liability for the taxes is his as the responsible corporate officer. See 72 P.S. § 7320. Mr. Hartman, of course, had to have authorized the creation and use of the stamp.
Furthermore, the state statute does not provide Debtor with a defense for being uninformed with respect to payment of the taxes. The statute states that the employer, his representative, or any other person receiving any part of such fund is responsible for paying to the Commonwealth all withheld taxes, plus penalties and interest. As the president of PHCC and its sole director, Mr. Hartman is clearly within the ambit of the statute. See City of Philadelphia v. Penn Plastering Corp., supra, 253 A.2d at 249 (Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that allegations that wage taxes were collected by the corporation as agent for the city and that controlling corporate officer failed to pay the taxes collected stated a cause of action against both corporation and its officer; under Pennsylvania law corporation and its officers were trustees ex maleficio). Based on the foregoing, Debtors' objection to the DOR's claim is overruled and the DOR's motion for summary judgment is granted.
Prepetition, GAIC commenced a civil action against Debtors with respect to Debtors' and PHCC's failure to fulfill their indemnity obligations under the Indemnity Agreement. PHCC filed an answer and counterclaim alleging that GAIC had breached its duty to pay the state and federal taxes at issue in this bankruptcy case. GAIC's motion to dismiss Debtors' counterclaim was granted by the district court. The parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement and release and the district court entered an order dismissing with prejudice all claims by and against GAIC and Debtors inter se. See Adv. No. 06-2597, Motion to Dismiss Case filed by [GAIC], Adv. Doc. No. 7.
The treatment of the IRS's claim for trust fund taxes is judged under a different standard. Unlike the Pennsylvania statute, § 6672 of title 26 of the United States Code includes a willfulness element. Section 6672 provides:
Any person required to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over any tax imposed by this title who willfully fails to collect such tax, or truthfully account for and pay over such tax, or willfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat any such tax or the payment thereof, shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be liable to a penalty equal to the total amount of the tax evaded, or not collected, or not accounted for and paid over.
In Greenberg v. U.S., 46 F.3d 239, 243 (3d Cir. 1994), the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held that, for purposes of § 6672, "Responsibility is a matter of status, duty, or authority, not knowledge." See also Quattrone Accountants, Inc. v. IRS, 895 F.2d 921, 927 (3d Cir. 1990). "Willfulness" is defined by the Court of Appeals as "a voluntary, conscious and intentional decision to prefer other creditors over the Government" with reckless disregard for whether taxes have been paid. Greenberg v. U.S., supra, 46 F.3d at 244, citing Brounstein v. U.S., 979 F.2d 952, 955-56 (3d Cir. 1992). In order for the nonpayment of tax to be willful, the responsible person "need only know that the taxes are due or act in reckless disregard of this fact." Greenberg v. U.S., supra, 46 F.3d at 244. Evil motive or bad purpose for the nonpayment are not necessary for liability. Id. The court further explained that any payment to creditors other than the Government, knowing that taxes are owed, constitutes willfulness. Id.
Gary Hartman asserted at first that he did not know that taxes were owed because GAIC had taken control of the corporation. As noted, the documentation Debtor relies on, i.e., the Indemnity Agreement, which is clear on its face, does not support the contention that GAIC had control of PHCC or its assets. To the contrary, the undisputed facts establish that Debtor retained control. Debtor continued to write checks, sign tax returns, and otherwise act on behalf of the corporation after the alleged loss of control to GAIC. He asserted that his brother, Michael, had the responsibility for day-to-day operations, including making payments to creditors and the Government, but there is no evidence other than Mr. Hartman's statements to support this contention. Even if this is true, however, Mr. Hartman remained a responsible officer in control of PHCC's affairs. The evidence establishes that he signed all quarterly tax returns from March of 2002 to September of 2002 and continued to pay suppliers, etc., until September of 2002. See IRS's Motion for Summary Judgment, Doc. No. 126, Exhibit 101. He asserts that his brother Michael paid the bills but the documents (checks and tax returns) have Debtor's signature. Debtor asserted that his signature stamp was used to pay obligations. Nonetheless, Gary Hartman, as the sole officer of PHCC who remained in control of the corporation, has the liability for the taxes.
Debtor filed an affidavit stating that his brother, Michael, "made the important decisions for PHCC" and that Debtor was not in control. Main Case Doc. No. 137 at 1. Even if Michael Hartman was also a responsible officer, Debtor, as a 50 percent shareholder and the president of PHCC, remained a responsible officer as well. See 26 U.S.C. § 6672 ("Any person required to collect . . . any tax . . . who willfully fails to collect such tax . . . shall . . . be liable to a penalty. . . .") (emphasis added).
Moreover, in deposition Debtor testified that he was the only officer and the only director of PHCC. See Motion for Summary Judgment filed by [IRS], Doc. No. 126, Exhibit 102, April 27, 2006, Deposition of Gary Hartman, at 65-66. Dual status as the sole officer and sole director is sufficient evidence of control and responsibility. To fall within the purview of 26 U.S.C. § 6672, one "must have significant, though not necessarily exclusive, control over the . . . finances." U.S. v. Vespe, 868 F.2d 1328, 1332 (3d Cir. 1989). The responsible officer has an affirmative duty to investigate whether the trust fund taxes are being paid to the government and, consequently, has a duty to remedy nonpayment. United States v. Vespe, 868 F.2d 1328, 1332 (3d Cir. 1989).
More to the point, we find that Gary Hartman had actual knowledge that trust fund taxes were unpaid well before he notified GAIC in April of 2002 that PHCC was unable to complete its bonded construction projects. In a "Protest" he submitted to the IRS (through counsel) dated October 22, 2005, Mr. Hartman admitted that PHCC became insolvent in 2001 and could not pay employment taxes from the third quarter of 2001 through the second quarter of 2002 when it ceased to operate after notifying GAIC in April of 2002 that PHCC was insolvent and unable to complete its bonded contracts. See Doc. 126, Exh. 101. Thus, it is clear that the employment taxes were unpaid, and that Gary Hartman knew they were not paid, long before GAIC was called upon to perform under its bond and while Gary Hartman was in control of PHCC.
Under Greenberg and Vespe, supra, Debtor, as PHCC's responsible officer and the person in control of the corporation as evidenced by his signature on tax returns and on checks used to pay creditors other than the IRS, willfully failed to pay the trust fund taxes. One who is an authorized signatory on the corporation's checking account, signs the majority of checks for creditors and who has the "authority to exercise managerial control," even if such control is not exercised, has the requisite significant control for purposes of 26 U.S.C. § 6672. Brounstein v. U.S., 979 F.2d 952, 955 (3d Cir. 1992) (emphasis added). It is no defense that the corporation was in financial distress. Greenberg v. U.S., supra, 46 F.3d at 244. The motion for summary judgment filed by the IRS will be granted.
Matter of Grillo, 331 B.R. 614 (Bankr.D.N.J. 2005), concerned civil penalty claims of the IRS against an individual chapter 11 debtor in connection with nonpayment of trust fund taxes by companies which the debtor husband had founded. The bankruptcy court held that because the president and majority shareholder had full access to corporate books and records and full check signing authority, he was a "responsible person" for purposes of assessment for willful failure to pay those taxes, notwithstanding the fact that he had, over time, ceded control of the companies' financial affairs to his sons. Further, after the debtor husband became aware that the taxes had not been paid, he continued to draw his salary and to permit the corporations to pay operational expenses while leaving the trust fund taxes unpaid. This, the court held, constituted willful failure to pay the trust fund taxes.
Accordingly, we find that (1) Gary Hartman was the responsible officer of PHCC during the time that the taxes were due, (2) he paid other creditors once he had knowledge that the taxes were overdue, and (3) at the time that GAIC stepped in under the Indemnity Agreement PHCC had already incurred liability for employment taxes which it had not paid and (4) GAIC's completion of jobs under its bonds did not relieve Gary Hartman from the obligation of monitoring, collecting, and paying over applicable trust fund taxes. Therefore, Debtors' objection to the IRS's claims is overruled and the IRS's motion for summary judgment is granted with respect to the trust fund taxes as to Gary Hartman.
Debtors assert in their objection to the IRS's claim that they paid in full their 2004 federal income tax liability and were owed a refund by the IRS. Objection to Claim Number 18 of the [IRS], Doc. No. 65. The IRS disputes that the tax was paid and denies that Debtors are due a refund. Answer of [IRS] to Objection to Claim, Doc. No. 89. Further proceedings are required regarding this disputed matter.
CONCLUSION
Debtors' objections to the claims of Pennsylvania DOR and the IRS regarding 2002 trusts fund taxes are overruled. The taxing bodies' motions for summary judgment are granted with respect to trust fund taxes for the periods claimed in 2002 as to Gary Hartman only and denied as to Mary Ann Hartman. Further proceedings with respect to the 2003 state tax penalty and the 2004 federal income tax issues will be separately scheduled.
An appropriate order will be entered.ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART DEBTORS' OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT FILED BY PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
AND NOW, this 4th ay of October, 2007, for the reasons expressed in the foregoing Memorandum Opinion
(1) it is ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that, with respect to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
(a) DOR's motion for summary judgment with respect to Debtors' Objection to Claim No. 14 filed by DOR is granted in part and denied in part. DOR's motion for summary judgment is granted with respect to Gary Hartman's liability for 2002 trust fund taxes and denied with respect to Mary Ann Hartman's liability for same;
(b) Debtors' objection to DOR's claim for 2002 trust fund taxes is overruled with respect to Gary Hartman and sustained with respect to Mary Ann Hartman;
(c) Debtors' objection to the DOR's claim for 2004 income taxes is sustained and DOR's motion for summary judgment with respect to the 2004 state income taxes is denied;
It is FURTHER ORDERED that a separate Judgment Order will be entered against Gary Hartman for the above stated 2002 trust fund tax liability.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that the DOR's 2003 penalty claim in the amount of in the amount of $272.80 for individual state income taxes is not capable of resolution on the record before the Court. Therefore, within 20 days hereof, the DOR and the Debtors shall provide notice to the Chapter 7 Trustee by serving same with a copy of all pleadings, briefs, and orders entered regarding the state's 2003 penalty claim for personal income taxes.
IT is FURTHER ORDERED that within 45 days hereof the Trustee shall join in this action as a moving party and shall file appropriate pleadings setting forth the Trustee's position(s) regarding this objection to claim and motion for summary judgment.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that a consent order resolving the matter may be filed on or before 90 days hereof. If a consent order is not filed within that time, a pretrial conference at which all counsel must appear shall be held on January 25, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., in Courtroom A, 54th Floor, US Steel Tower, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(2) It is further ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED, with respect to the Internal Revenue Service, that
(a) the IRS's motion for summary judgment with respect to Debtors' Objection to Claim No. 18 filed by the IRS is granted in part and denied in part. IRS's motion for summary judgment is granted with respect to Gary Hartman's liability for 2002 trust fund taxes and denied with respect to Mary Ann Hartman's liability for same;
(b) Debtors' objection to the IRS's claim for 2002 trust fund taxes is overruled with respect to Gary Hartman and sustained with respect to Mary Ann Hartman;
It is FURTHER ORDERED that a separate Judgment Order will be entered against Gary Hartman for the 2002 trust fund tax liability.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that Debtors' objection to the IRS's claim for 2004 individual income taxes and Debtors' claim to a refund for 2004 cannot be determined on the record before the Court. Therefore, within 20 days hereof, the IRS and the Debtors shall provide notice to the Chapter 7 Trustee by serving same with a copy of all pleadings, briefs, and orders entered regarding the 2004 federal (IRS) claim for personal income taxes and refund thereof.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that within 45 days hereof the Trustee shall join in this action as a moving party and shall file appropriate pleadings setting forth the Trustee's position(s) regarding this objection to claim and motion for summary judgment.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that a consent order resolving the matter may be filed on or before 90 days hereof. If a consent order is not filed within that time, a pretrial conference at which all counsel must appear shall be held on January 25, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., in Courtroom A, 54th Floor, US Steel Tower, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
JUDGMENT ORDER WITH RESPECT TO CLAIM NUMBER 18 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
AND NOW, this 4th day of October, 2007, it is ORDERED, for the reasons expressed in the foregoing Memorandum Opinion, that judgment in favor of the Internal Revenue Service is hereby entered against Gary Hartman in the amount of $48,742.68 as a civil penalty for the 2002 unpaid trust fund taxes of Pleasant Hills Construction Corporation, which amount is allowed as a priority claim.
JUDGMENT ORDER WITH RESPECT TO CLAIM NUMBER 14 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
AND NOW, this 4th day of October, 2007, it is ORDERED, for the reasons expressed in the foregoing Memorandum Opinion, that judgment in favor of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is hereby entered against Gary Hartman in the amount of $8.713.31 which amount is allowed as an unsecured priority claim, representing the unpaid 2002 trust fund tax liability, of Pleasant Hills Construction Corporation and $7,039.09 as an unsecured nonpriority civil penalty for the 2002 unpaid trust fund taxes of Pleasant Hills Construction Corporation.