Brief Fact Summary. Respondent received an employee bonus of $22,000. He reported this as income but later found out he was really only entitled to $11,000.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. If one receives income under a claim of right and without restriction, then it is income for that taxable year.
The claim of right interpretation of the tax laws has long been used to give finality to that period, and is now deeply rooted in the federal tax system.
View Full Point of LawIssue. Should the bonus be included in Respondent’s 1944 income tax return?
Held. Justice Black issued the opinion for the Supreme Court of the United States in holding that Respondent was properly required to report the bonus as income for the 1944 tax year.
Dissent. Justice Douglas issued a dissenting opinion arguing that the issue the Court should have examined is whether or not Respondent is entitled to a refund of his tax paid.
Discussion. The Supreme Court found that since Respondent received the money under a claim of right and without restriction on the disposition, then it was properly reported for the tax year 1944. The fact that he was mistaken as to his right to the money does not change the rule of which tax year it should be included in.