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Corporations - Capital Reduction Surplus As A Source Of Divided Payments, John B. Huck

Michigan Law Review

At the beginning of 1936, plaintiff, a Wisconsin corporation, had an earned surplus deficit of $106,134.89, and a surplus of $685,642.89 created by a reduction of capital stock. Net earnings for 1936 were $121,515.96, none of which were distributed as dividends. An undistributed profits surtax was assessed on the entire current net earnings. Plaintiff sued for a partial refund under an amendment providing retroactive relief for corporations which were prohibited by law from paying dividends during the existence of a deficit in accumulated earnings at the time when the tax was paid. The district court denied relief. On appeal, held …