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United States Leading Case uncategorised

Gregory v Helvering

293 US 465 (1935)
JurisdictionUnited States
CourtUS Supreme Court
Year1935
StatusBinding authority

Summary

A transaction lacking business purpose beyond tax avoidance may be disregarded for tax purposes despite literal compliance with the tax code.

Key Principle

A transaction that has no business purpose other than tax avoidance may be disregarded for tax purposes even if it complies with the literal terms of the tax code (the economic substance doctrine).

Area of Law

tax

Related Cases

Commissioner of Taxation v Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (2012) 250 CLR 503

Statutory interpretation in tax law requires ascertaining meaning from text, context and purpose; beneficial construction favouring taxpayer is not appropriate.

Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (Statutory Construction) [2012] HCA 55

Tax legislation is construed by giving words their ordinary meaning in context; legislative purpose resolves ambiguity but cannot override clear statutory language.

Aid/Watch Inc v Commissioner of Taxation (2010) 241 CLR 539

An organisation engaged in political advocacy and law reform can qualify as charitable, as generating public debate on matters of public interest satisfies the public benefit requirement.

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