Whitehead v. Director of Revenue, 80077

Decision Date24 February 1998
Docket NumberNo. 80077,80077
Citation962 S.W.2d 884
PartiesMitchell C. WHITEHEAD, Respondent, v. DIRECTOR OF REVENUE, Appellant.
CourtMissouri Supreme Court

Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, Atty. Gen., Evan J. Buchheim, Asst. Atty. Gen., Jefferson City, for Appellant.

Thomas L. Williams, Roberts, Fleischaker, Williams, Wilson & Powell, Joplin, for Respondent.

PER CURIAM.

The Director of Revenue (director) appeals a decision finding that the director's assessment under section 143.751.4 1 was barred by the statute of limitations contained in section 143.711.1. The decision of the Administrative Hearing Commission is affirmed.

Whitehead was president of Midwest All Cargo, Inc., (Midwest). Midwest did not file employer withholding tax returns for September and October 1990, but it did file withholding tax returns for December 1990 to August 1991. Midwest did not, however, pay any withholding taxes to the director for any of these periods.

On October 6, 1995, the director issued a penalty assessment against Whitehead under section 143.751.4 in the amount of Midwest's unpaid withholding taxes for December 1990 to August 1991. The director also issued a notice of deficiency to Whitehead as a responsible party under section 143.241.2 for Midwest's unpaid withholding taxes for September and October 1990. Whitehead appealed both assessments to the administrative hearing commission (AHC).

Although the matter was not raised by any party, the AHC determined that the statute of limitations in section 143.711 barred the assessment under section 143.751.4 for the period of December 1990 to August 1991. The director's assessment under section 143.241.2 for September and October 1990 was upheld by the AHC. Only the director appeals.

A decision of the AHC is to be upheld if it is authorized by law and supported by competent and substantial evidence upon the whole record, unless the result is clearly contrary to the reasonable expectations of the general assembly. Becker Electric Company v. Director of Revenue, 749 S.W.2d 403, 405 (Mo. banc 1988). The director argues that the AHC erred in raising the matter of the statute of limitations sua sponte.

The penalty in this case was included as a part of the notice of deficiency sent to the taxpayers. In deficiency proceedings the AHC's jurisdiction is de novo, even to the extent the AHC may change the director's assessment on grounds not previously raised by either the taxpayer in a protest or by the director in a deficiency notice. See Matteson v. Director of Revenue, 909 S.W.2d 356, 360 (Mo....

To continue reading

Request your trial
3 cases
  • State Bd. of Registration for the Healing Arts v. Trueblood
    • United States
    • Missouri Court of Appeals
    • May 1, 2012
    ...with the observation that “[t]he legislature's intent was for the Commission to render the agency's decision”); Whitehead v. Dir. of Revenue, 962 S.W.2d 884, 885 (Mo. banc 1998) (“In [tax] deficiency proceedings the AHC's jurisdiction is de novo, even to the extent the AHC may change the di......
  • Jones v. Director of Revenue
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • December 22, 1998
    ...AHC if its decision is authorized by law and supported by competent and substantial evidence upon the entire record. Whitehead v. Director of Revenue, 962 S.W.2d 884, 885 (Mo. banc The Director does not attack the AHC's calculations. Rather, he challenges the AHC's redetermination of tax li......
  • Fidelity Security Life Ins., v. Director Of Revenue
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • December 5, 2000
    ...whole record, and when the decision is not clearly contrary to the reasonable expectations of the General Assembly. Whitehead v. Director of Revenue, 962 S.W.2d 884, 885 (Mo. banc 1998); sec. 621.193.1 With respect to questions of law, this Court conducts a de novo review. Delta Air Lines, ......

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT