Sananikone v. United States of America

Filing 118

ORDER signed by Judge Morrison C. England, Jr on 12/2/10 ORDERING the Defendant/Counterclaimant United States is not entitled to summary judgment as to its counterclaim. The United States' Motion 84 for Summary Judgment is accordingly DENIED. (Becknal, R)

Sananikone v. United States of America

Doc. 118

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 AND RELATED COUNTERCLAIMS 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Plaintiff Puongpun Sananikone ("Sananikone"), a former official of American Steel Frame, Inc. ("ASFI"), has sued the government for (1) a refund of taxes that were assessed against and collected from him; and (2) the abatement of the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty under 26 U.S.C. § 6672 ("TFRP") that was imposed upon him. /// /// /// 1 (ECF No. 1.) ----oo0oo---v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Defendant. PUONGPUN SANANIKONE, Plaintiff, MEMORANDUM AND ORDER No. 2:07-cv-01434-MCE-EFB UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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In its Answer, Defendant/Counterclaimant United States of America ("United States" or "government") counterclaimed against Counterclaim Defendant Michael Goodman ("Goodman"), another ASFI executive, to reduce to judgment an outstanding tax assessment made against him pursuant to the TFRP for ASFI's withholding income and social security taxes ("trust fund taxes"). Goodman

answered the United States' Counterclaim and counterclaimed for a refund of overpaid income taxes for the calendar year 2006. No. 22.) Presently before the Court is a Motion for Summary Judgment brought by the United States against Goodman pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 56.1 (ECF No. 84.) For the reasons (ECF

set forth below, the United States' Motion will be denied.2

BACKGROUND3

ASFI was a commercial and residential light-gauge steeltruss manufacturing and installation company based in Stockton, California. On or around May 14, 2001, Jacob Intveld

("Intveld"), then-President of ASFI, hired Michael Goodman to be the Director of the Commercial Steel Truss Division.

Unless otherwise noted, all future references to Rule or Rules are to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Because oral argument will not be of material assistance, the Court orders this matter submitted on the briefs. E.D. Cal. Local Rule 230(g). The factual assertions in this section are found in the non-moving party's Mem. P. & A. Opp'n Mot. Summ. J. (ECF. No. 88.) unless otherwise specified. 2
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According to the United States, on October 4, 2001, during a meeting of ASFI's Board of Directors ("Board"), Goodman was appointed President, filling the vacancy Intveld created when he resigned. Def.'s Mem. P. & A. Supp. Mot. Summ. J. 7.

Goodman states that his appointment as interim president was never made official or memorialized with an employment contract. Instead he maintains simply that he was "thrust in the position if only as the titular head and assumed certain functions as interim president." Mem. P. & A. Opp'n Mot. Summ. J. 4-5.

Goodman admits to signing "certain documents which need[ed] the signature of an officer" but denies he was ever "involved in the company's finances." Id. at 5. To support his position that his

duties did not include collecting and paying employment taxes, Goodman relies on the deposition of ASFI's former bookkeeper, Charlene Amarante. (ECF No. 88-3.) Amarante Dep. 205:12-206:7, Aug. 25, 2009.

On the other hand, as proof of Goodman's

financial authority at ASFI, the government cites a letter from Goodman to Board Chairman Sananikone dated October 9, 2001, in which Goodman expressed hope to work out ASFI's vendor problems, "includ[ing] the IRS." 9. (ECF No. 84-1.) Def.'s Mem. P. & A. Supp. Mot. Summ. J.

Goodman counters that he did not have the

authority to decide which creditors were to be paid or release payment for the checks he signed because those decisions were made exclusively by the Board. On October 2, 2006, the United States, through its agent, the Secretary of the Treasury, made an assessment of $75,632.53 against Goodman pursuant to the TFRP for the tax period ended December 31, 2001. 3

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The assessment was made due to Goodman's "willful failure to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over the withheld Trust Fund taxes of [ASFI]." Id. at 6. The government alleges that

Goodman is liable for the tax assessment because as President of ASFI during the fourth quarter of 2001, he bore the responsibility to ensure the corporation paid its required trust fund taxes. While Goodman acknowledges that he signed documents

as ASFI's President, he claims he was only a titular president and had no authority over financial matters of the corporation. Therefore, he denies being responsible for ASFI's delinquent taxes.

STANDARD

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provide for summary judgment when "the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). One of the

principal purposes of Rule 56 is to dispose of factually unsupported claims or defenses. 477 U.S. 317, 325 (1986). /// /// /// /// /// 4 Celotex Corp. v. Catrett,

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Rule 56 also allows a court to grant summary adjudication on part of a claim or defense. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a) ("A party

seeking to recover upon a claim...may...move...for a summary judgment in the party's favor upon all or any part thereof."); see also Allstate Ins. Co. v. Madan, 889 F. Supp. 374, 378-79 (C.D. Cal. 1995); France Stone Co., Inc. v. Charter Township of Monroe, 790 F. Supp. 707, 710 (E.D. Mich. 1992). In considering a motion for summary judgment, the court must examine all the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. U.S. v. Diebold, Inc., 369 U.S. 654, 655 (1962).

Once the moving party meets the requirements of Rule 56 by showing that there is an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party's case, the burden shifts to the party resisting the motion, who "must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial." 477 U.S. 242, 256 (1986). Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.,

Genuine factual issues must exist that

"can be resolved only by a finder of fact, because they may reasonably be resolved in favor of either party." Id. at 250.

In judging evidence at the summary judgment stage, the court does not make credibility determinations or weigh conflicting evidence. See T.W. Elec. v. Pac. Elec. Contractors Ass'n,

809 F.2d 626, 630-631 (9th Cir. 1987), citing Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986). /// /// /// /// /// 5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 /// /// /// /// A.

ANALYSIS Responsible Person Under 26 U.S.C. § 6672

Employers are required to withhold federal income and social security taxes from employees' wages for each pay period and remit those withheld taxes to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). See 26 U.S.C. §§ 3102(a), 3402(a); see also Davis v. Employers hold

United States, 961 F.2d 867, 869 (9th Cir. 1992).

the withheld amounts in trust for the government between the time the taxes are withheld from the employees and the time the employer remits them to the IRS. 26 U.S.C. § 7501. Employers See

may not use withheld funds to pay other business expenses. 26 U.S.C. §§ 3102(b), 3403, 7501(a).

Regardless of whether or

not the employer actually remits the withheld taxes to the IRS, employees are credited with the amounts for income tax and social security purposes. See Slodov v. United States, 436 U.S. 238, To prevent the government's

243 (1978); Davis, 961 F.2d at 869.

loss of withheld amounts not paid by the employer but credited to the employee, 26 U.S.C. § 6672 provides that: 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 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.

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26 U.S.C. § 6672(a).

It is well-settled law that a person liable

under this section need not be a person who performs all three functions (collecting, accounting for, and paying over), but rather need only be a person responsible for the collection of third-party taxes. Slodov, 436 U.S. at 250.

There is a two-step inquiry when determining liability under Section 6672. First, a court must determine whether the assessed If that test is met,

person meets the "responsible person" test.

a court must then determine whether the responsible person "willfully fail[ed] to collect,...account for, and pay over the tax[es]." § 6672(a). The government bears the initial burden of Palmer v. United However, there is a

proof when it brings suit to collect taxes. States, 116 F.3d 1309, 1312 (9th Cir. 1997).

presumption of correctness applied to tax assessments, so long as such assessments are supported by a "minimal fact foundation." Id. Here, the United States has established its prima facie case

through its production of IRS Forms 4340, Certificates of Assessments and Payments. See Koff v. United States, 3 F.3d

1297, 1298 (9th Cir. 1993); Hughes v. United States, 953 F.2d 531, 535 (9th Cir. 1992). The burden of persuasion accordingly

shifts to Goodman to prove that either (1) he is not a responsible person under the statute; or (2) he did not willfully fail to collect, account for, or pay over the trust fund taxes. /// /// /// /// /// 7

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To prove Goodman was a responsible person under the statute, the government relies on Purcell v. United States, 1 F.3d 932 (9th Cir. 1993). In that case, the United States Court of

Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that if a person "had the authority required to exercise significant control over the corporation's financial affairs, regardless of whether he exercised such control in fact," then that person was "responsible" under the statute. Purcell, 1 F.3d at 937. The

government also cites a long line of cases establishing the factors courts use when determining whether a particular person had significant control, including: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The ability to sign checks on behalf of the corporation or to prevent a check's issuance; The authority to control distributions of payroll; The authority to control payroll accounts; The authority and control to pay the payroll taxes; The authority to sign and prepare corporate tax returns; The authority to hire and fire employees; The authority to control the financial affairs of the corporation; An individual's status as an officer, shareholder, or director of the corporation; and An individual's entrepreneurial stake in the corporation.

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See Def.'s Mem. P. & A. Supp. Mot. Summ. J. 21 (internal citations omitted). On October 5, 2001, ASFI's Board appointed Goodman President and Advisory Director of the company. In a document titled "Job

Duties of President of ASFI, his duties included the following: "[e]valuate techniques and strategies to minimize the company's tax liabilities,...[r]eview monthly financial statements for all department activities,...and [c]oordinate and review an overall compensation plan." Id. at 23. 8

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The government claims that Goodman "was significantly involved in the finances of the company...[with] check signing authority. " Id. at 24. himself. Goodman signed payroll and reimbursement checks to He signed a contract amending company obligations (with

Schuler Homes, Inc.) and also signed a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition on behalf of ASFI. Goodman signed IRS Form 4180, Report

of Interview with Individual Relative to Trust Fund Recovery Penalty or Personal Liability for Excise Tax on August 1, 2003, which states that he was "[r]esponsible for all financial obligations of [ASFI] During October 2001 thr[ough] December 2001." Finally, at least three administrative employees tendered

their letters of resignation to Goodman during the fourth quarter of 2001. In assessing the propriety of summary judgment, however, the court must credit all inferences supported by [the non-moving party's] evidence. Blackhorn v. City of Orange, 485 F.3d 463,

470 (9th Cir. 2007) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 255). Goodman denies that he possessed any "power to

authorize the payment of any funds on behalf of ASFI," nor the "authority to determine which creditors should be paid." P. & A. Opp'n Mot. Summ. J. 9. Mem. of

Goodman had not seen the document

titled "Job Duties of President of ASFI" until it was shown to him during the discovery stage of this suit, therefore, he claims he should not be held responsible for duties found within it. did not learn of ASFI's substantial trust fund tax liability until a revenue agent contacted him on August 1, 2003. /// /// 9 He

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While he admits that he was named interim President by the ASFI's Board, he denies being given any additional authority at that time or ever. Instead, his duties remained basically the same as

those he had before being appointed President, namely, directing manufacturing operations. Goodman signed documents needing an

officer's signature only when he was specifically directed to do so by the ASFI's Board or Controller. The Board asked Goodman to

meet with Schuler Homes because he had a good working relationship with them, so he complied. Goodman insists that he did not participate in the decisionmaking process at ASFI. Staff left resignation letters on his

desk because he was the only person left in the company, not because of his level of authority. Further, he was the only

person left in the company because he agreed to stay on to help close the company and file for bankruptcy. After the resignation of ASFI's Controller on November 30, 2001, Goodman found tax returns on the Controller's desk. He

immediately called Long Truong ("Truong"), a Director of ASFI to tell him about the tax returns. Truong said he would take care

of them and came to the office within fifteen minutes of Goodman's call, whereupon he took the returns with him and left. The Board maintained complete authority over all financial matters of ASFI, deciding who would be paid and when. Even after

Goodman become an authorized check co-signer on December 13, 2001, all checks required Truong's approval before being released for payment. The only checks Goodman signed were for salaries or

reimbursements for Goodman and the bookkeeper while closing down the business. 10

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Finally, Goodman had no financial stake as either an investor or stockholder in the business either before or after being appointed interim President. Taking the aforementioned evidence in the light most favorable to Goodman, the trier of fact may conclude that he was not a "responsible person" according to Section 6672. As the

starkly contrasting arguments outlined above illuminate, any number of disputed facts on the issue of Goodmans's true authority prevent the government's motion from being granted.4

B.

Willful Failure to Truthfully Collect, Account for, or Pay Over Trust Fund Taxes Under 26 U.S.C. § 6672

The Ninth Circuit has "construed the term `willfullness' for purposes of failing to pay over withholding taxes as a `voluntary, conscious and intentional act to prefer other creditors over the United States.'" Phillips v. United States, 73 F.3d 939, 942 (9th Cir. 1996) (quoting Klotz v. United States, 602 F.2d 920, 923 (9th Cir. 1979); Davis v. United States, 961 F.2d 867, 871 (9th Cir. 1992)). The court distinguishes

"reckless disregard" from actual knowledge of whether the trust fund taxes are being paid, saying reckless disregard may sufficiently establish willfulness. Id. (citing Sorenson v.

United States, 521 F.2d 325, 329 (9th Cir. 1975); Teel v. United States, 529 F.2d 903, 905 (9th Cir. 1976). ///

Despite Goodman's reference in his opposition that summary judgment be granted in his favor sua sponte, that request is not properly before the Court. 11

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Recklessness will be found if a responsible person "fails to investigate or correct mismanagement after being notified of a default in the payment of withholding tax." 943. According to the government, the undisputed facts show that Goodman allowed other creditors of ASFI to be paid after he knew of ASFI's delinquent trust fund tax liability. Supp. Mot. Summ. J. 6. Def.'s Reply Phillips, 73 F.3d at

Goodman disputes that he allowed other

creditors of ASFI to be paid, and further disputes that he knew of the delinquent trust fund tax liability while employed at ASFI. Instead, Goodman claims he had no financial duties or Significantly,

responsibility in his role of interim President.

he states that he did not learn of the delinquent taxes until a revenue agent visited him on August 1, 2003. The United States goes on to argue that Goodman's "failure to investigate and correct ASFI's failure to pay its taxes [c]onstitute[s] reckless disregard sufficient to establish willfulness in this context." 7. Def.'s Reply Supp. Mot. Summ. J. The

See Phillips, 73 F.3d 939, 942-43 (9th Cir. 1996).

government omits the remainder of the quote, however, which makes it clear that "failure to investigate and correct... [c]onstitute[s] reckless disregard...after being notified of a default in the payment of withholding tax." Id. (emphasis added). Goodman, for his part, denies being notified of a default in the payment of withholding tax until August 1, 2003, over two and a half years after he left ASFI's employment. /// /// 12

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The government attempts to bring that claim into question by citing a report of an IRS interview of Goodman, who admitted that he was "advised of the payroll taxes due" when he was appointed President, and was "[r]esponsible for all financial obligations of [ASFI]" during his time as President. Summ. J. 13. Def.'s Reply Supp. Mot.

That statement, however, was not signed under oath

and the government does not unequivocally attest to any knowledge by Goodman that the taxes were not only due but delinquent. Subsequently, Goodman declared under penalty of perjury that he (1) had no knowledge that ASFI was delinquent in employment taxes until August 1, 2003; and (2) had no involvement in the company's finances. Answer Countercl. & Countercl. 3 (ECF No. 22-1);

Goodman Decl. 19-23, Sept. 20, 2010 (ECF No. 88-4). The Court must credit all inferences supported by the nonmoving party's evidence when deciding a motion for summary judgment. See supra. Here, 26 U.S.C. § 6672 requires a

responsible person willfully fail to collect, account for or pay over trust fund taxes or exercise reckless disregard for the payment of the taxes in order to be found liable. The government

fails to resolve genuine disputes of material fact as to when Goodman learned of ASFI's delinquent tax liability. The United

States argues that Goodman learned of the delinquency during the fourth quarter of 2001. Goodman testifies he did not learn of Given that stark

the delinquency until August 1, 2003.

discrepancy, the issue of willfullness cannot be resolved at the summary judgment stage. /// /// 13

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CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, the Defendant/Counterclaimant United States is not entitled to summary judgment as to its counterclaim. The United States' Motion for Summary Judgment is

accordingly DENIED. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: December 2, 2010

_____________________________ MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR. UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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