Verizon Online LLC v. Horbal
Verizon Online LLC v. Horbal
Opinion
**179 These appeals arise out of a determination by the Tax Commissioner of Virginia that television set top boxes owned by Verizon Online LLC ("Verizon") and used in its cable television business are "intangible personal property" not subject to local taxation under Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a). The Tax Commissioner directed Chesterfield County to issue refunds to Verizon for local taxes it paid for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010 on set top boxes it owned. Upon judicial review, the circuit court upheld the Tax Commissioner's determination that Verizon's set top boxes are not subject to local taxation. However, as to the taxes Verizon paid for tax years 2008 and 2009, the circuit court ruled that Verizon *411 was not entitled to refunds for those years due to its failure to file a timely appeal with the local commissioner of revenue. **180 We will affirm that part of the circuit court's judgment ruling that Verizon's set top boxes are not subject to local taxation under Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a). We will reverse that part of the circuit court's judgment ruling that Verizon is not entitled to refunds for tax years 2008 and 2009. As we hold herein, the issue of the timeliness of Verizon's local appeal was not preserved for review by the circuit court.
I. LOCAL TAXATION OF VERIZON'S SET TOP BOXES
A. Background
Verizon leases television set top boxes, also referred to as "converters," to customers in Chesterfield County for use in the cable television business. 1 A set top box "converts a digital television signal to analog for viewing on a conventional set" or "enables cable or satellite television to be viewed." Verizon's set top boxes are used to deliver a cable service called "FiOS."
For tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010, Joseph A. Horbal, Commissioner of Revenue for Chesterfield County ("Horbal"), assessed local property taxes upon Verizon's set top boxes based on Verizon's annual reports of business personal property for those years. Subsequently, Verizon filed a local appeal with Horbal asserting that it had erroneously classified its set top boxes as ordinary tangible property on its returns for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010. Verizon argued that the set top boxes should instead be classified as "intangible personal property" under Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a) and requested a refund of $1,003,657. 2 Horbal denied Verizon's appeal, stating that the set top boxes were "machinery" subject to local taxation. 3
**181 Verizon appealed the determination of Horbal to the Tax Commissioner pursuant to Code § 58.1-3983.1(D). 4 Following a response filed by Chesterfield County, the Tax Commissioner determined that the converters were classified as "intangible personal property" under Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a) and, thus, not taxable by the County. The Tax Commissioner remanded the case to the County "to issue refunds for the 2008 through 2010 tax years in accordance with [the Tax Commissioner's] determination."
Horbal filed an application for judicial review of the determination of the Tax Commissioner in the circuit court pursuant to Code §§ 58.1-3983.1(G), - 3984. 5 Horbal asserted that the Tax Commissioner's determination was erroneous because the set top boxes were subject to local taxation as "machines" under Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a). The circuit court granted Verizon's motion for summary judgment, ruling that the set top boxes are "intangible personal property" not subject to local taxation under Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a). 6 In reaching its decision, the circuit court found the statutory language contained in Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a) ambiguous and considered "various amendments to the *412 relevant statutes" to conclude that "it was the legislature's intent to exclude cable set top box converters and tuners from the definition of 'machines and tools.' " 7
B. Analysis
Horbal asserts that the circuit court erred in ruling that the language in Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a) is ambiguous and considering **182 "extrinsic evidence." Horbal contends that set top boxes fall within the plain meaning of "machines," which are to be taxed locally as tangible personal property.
Upon judicial review of a determination by the Tax Commissioner, the burden is on Horbal "to show that the ruling of the Tax Commissioner is erroneous." Code § 58.1-3983.1(G). "The State Tax Commissioner's determination is presumed valid."
City of Richmond v. Virginia Elec. & Power Co.
,
Under Code § 58.1-1100, "[i]ntangible personal property, including capital of a trade or business of any person, firm or corporation ... is hereby segregated for state taxation only." Code § 58.1-1101 classifies certain personal property, tangible in fact, as "intangible personal property." With specific regard to cable television businesses, "[p]ersonal property, tangible in fact, used in cable television businesses" is classified as "intangible personal property." Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a). However, "[m]achines and tools, motor vehicles, delivery equipment, trunk and feeder cables, studio equipment, antennae and office furniture and equipment of such businesses shall not be defined as intangible personal property for purposes of this chapter and shall be taxed locally as tangible personal property."
It is undisputed that the set top boxes are personal property used in Verizon's cable television business. Therefore, the set top boxes are classified as "intangible personal property" not subject to local taxation unless they fall within one of the enumerated exceptions. Code §§ 58.1-1100, -1101(A)(2a);
see
Daily Press, Inc. v. City of Newport News
,
In determining the plain meaning of the word "machines" as it relates to Verizon's set top boxes, we consider the text of House Bill 827, printed as Chapter 692 of the Acts of Assembly of 1984.
8
"[T]he underlying enacted legislation is found in the Acts of the General Assembly and is the complete and accurate statutory law in Virginia."
Eberhardt v. Fairfax County Emps. Ret. Sys. Bd. of Trs.
,
2. Personal property, tangible in fact, used in manufacturing, mining, radio or television broadcasting,cable television,dairy, dry cleaning or laundry businesses, except machinery and tools, motor vehicles and delivery equipment of such businessesand the trunk and feeder cables, studio equipment, tuners, converters, antennae and office furniture and equipment of cable television businesses;
2 (a). Personal property, tangible in fact, used in cable television businesses, except machines and tools, motor vehicles and delivery equipment of such businesses, trunk and feeder cables, studio equipment, antennae and office furniture and equipment of such businesses.
1984 Va. Acts, ch. 692.
The deletions and additions reflected in Chapter 692 of the Acts of Assembly of 1984 reveal that the General Assembly created **184 a separate subsection for cable television businesses and removed "tuners" and "converters" from the list of property subject to local taxation. The text of the new subsection 2(a) uses the phrase "machines and tools" instead of the phrase "machinery and tools" in subsection 2. Although Horbal argues that the use of the phrase "machines and tools" should be viewed as a "replacement" for the terms "tuners" and "converters" so as to broaden the scope of property subject to local taxation, the plain language of the enactment does not support this interpretation. To the contrary, the deletion of "tuners" and "converters" from the list of property subject to local taxation supports the opposite conclusion. The Acts plainly evince an intent that "personal property ... used in cable television businesses" includes tuners and converters. 1984 Va. Acts, ch. 692.
Even if there were doubt as to whether the General Assembly intended to delete tuners and converters from the list of property subject to local taxation, this doubt must be resolved in favor of Verizon. Code §§ 58.1-1100 and -1101(A)(2a) are general tax statutes that we construe against the government and in favor of the taxpayer.
Daily Press
,
Accordingly, we conclude that Verizon's set top boxes are not subject to local taxation under Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a). Because **185 the circuit court correctly rejected Horbal's interpretation of Code § 58.1-1101(A)(2a), we find no error in its judgment on this issue.
II. PRESERVATION OF ISSUE REGARDING TIMELINESS OF VERIZON'S APPEAL
A. Background
Verizon initiated its local appeal of the 2008, 2009, and 2010 tax assessments by letter to Horbal dated December 28, 2010. In response by letter dated January 28, 2011, Horbal stated that Verizon's appeal was "incomplete" and that Horbal would consider Verizon's appeal when it was in compliance with the requirements of Code § 58.1-3983.1(B)(2). 9 Verizon submitted an "amended *414 appeal" to Horbal by letter dated June 22, 2011. By letter dated July 14, 2011, which Horbal designated as a "Final Local Determination," Horbal denied Verizon's appeal, while stating that he "deemed" Verizon's appeal as "complete" and "qualifying as a local appeal."
On August 26, 2011, Verizon filed an administrative appeal with the Tax Commissioner pursuant to Code § 58.1-3983.1(D). 10 The County filed a response in which it argued that Verizon's set top boxes are "machines" within the ordinary meaning of that word and, therefore, subject to local taxation. The County did not raise any issue regarding the timeliness of Verizon's local appeal or assert that the Tax Commissioner was without jurisdiction to hear the matter.
When Horbal filed his application for judicial review following the Tax Commissioner's determination, he asserted that the Tax Commissioner exceeded his jurisdiction by ordering refunds for tax years 2008 and 2009. Specifically, Horbal argued that Verizon **186 failed to file its local appeal of the assessments for those years within one year from the last day of the tax year for which the assessments were made or within one year from the date of the assessments as required by Code § 58.1-3983.1(B)(1). 11 Granting in part Horbal's motion for summary judgment, the circuit court ruled that Verizon failed to timely file its local appeal of the 2008 and 2009 tax assessments.
B. Analysis
On appeal to this Court, Verizon asserts the circuit court erred in ruling that Verizon was not entitled to refunds of taxes paid for tax years 2008 and 2009. Verizon contends that the issue regarding the timeliness of Verizon's local appeal was not presented to the Tax Commissioner and, therefore, was waived. We agree.
Under Code § 58.1-3983.1(G), which provides for judicial review of the Tax Commissioner's determination by the circuit court, the party challenging the determination must "show that the ruling of the Tax Commissioner is erroneous with respect to the part challenged." Thus, in such proceedings, the circuit court acts in the role of an appellate court.
Cf.
French v. Virginia Marine Res. Comm'n
,
Similar to appeals from agency decisions under the VAPA, principles of procedural default, such as those protected by
*415
Rules 5:25 and 5A:18,
12
apply to determinations of the Tax Commissioner judicially challenged under Code § 58.1-3983.1(G).
See, e.g.,
French
,
It is undisputed that the issue of the timeliness of Verizon's local appeal of the tax assessments for tax years 2008 and 2009 was not raised in the proceedings before the Tax Commissioner. Pursuant to Code § 58.1-3983.1(D)(3), the local commissioner of revenue or other assessing official is provided with "an opportunity to respond to the appeal [to the Tax Commissioner]" and "participate in the proceedings." In fact, the County did submit a response to the Tax Commissioner in which it argued that Verizon's set top boxes are machines and, therefore, subject to local taxation. The issue of whether Verizon appealed the 2008 and 2009 tax assessments to Horbal within the time period provided for in Code § 58.1-3983.1(B), however, was not argued. Accordingly, that issue could not be raised for the first time in the proceedings for judicial review by the circuit court and argued by Horbal as a basis for reversal of the Tax Commissioner's determination.
**188
Although Horbal argues that the time period for filing a local appeal provided for in Code § 58.1-3983.1(B) is a matter of subject matter jurisdiction that may be raised at any time, we do not agree. In
Board of Supervisors v. Board of Zoning Appeals
,
**189 Because the issue regarding the timeliness of Verizon's local appeal under *416 Code § 58.1-3983.1(B) was not preserved for review by the circuit court, the circuit court erred in ruling that Verizon was not entitled to refunds of the taxes paid for tax years 2008 and 2009.
III. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we will affirm that part of the circuit court's judgment affirming the determination of the Tax Commissioner and ruling that Verizon's set top boxes are not subject to local taxation. We will reverse that part of the circuit court's judgment reversing the determination of the Tax Commissioner and ruling that Verizon is not entitled to refunds of taxes paid for tax years 2008 and 2009. Accordingly, we will enter final judgment in favor of Verizon on this issue. Therefore, the judgment is affirmed in part and reversed in part, and the matter is remanded for the circuit court to direct the Commissioner of Revenue to issue refunds to Verizon for tax years 2008 and 2009 in addition to the refund for tax year 2010 that was upheld by the circuit court.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
The parties entered into a joint stipulation of facts "for all purposes in this case."
As legal authority for its appeal, Verizon cited Code § 58.1-3983.1(B) (providing for appeal to the local commissioner of revenue from local business tax assessment) and Code § 58.1-3980(A) (providing for application to local commissioner of revenue for correction of local tax assessment).
In his letter denying Verizon's appeal, Horbal relied upon and quoted from language in an order entered by the Chesterfield County Circuit Court in
Comcast of Chesterfield County, Inc. v. Board of Supervisors for Chesterfield County
, Record No. CL07-1003,
Code § 58.1-3983.1(D) provides for an appeal to the Tax Commissioner by any person whose administrative appeal to the local commissioner of the revenue or other assessing official pursuant to Code § 58.1-3983.1(B) has been denied.
Code § 58.1-3983.1(G) permits the taxpayer or local commissioner of revenue to apply to the circuit court for judicial review pursuant to Code § 58.1-3984 of a final determination of the Tax Commissioner.
Both parties filed motions for summary judgment. The circuit court granted in part and denied in part Horbal's motion for summary judgment, ruling that Verizon did not timely file its local appeal of the 2008 and 2009 tax assessments. We address this ruling in Part II of this opinion.
After concluding that the legislature intended to exclude converters and tuners from "machines and tools," the circuit court also noted that it found the Tax Commissioner's reasoning "compelling" and the reasoning set forth in the Circuit Court of Arlington County Circuit Court's opinion in Arlington Cable Partners v. County of Arlington , Record No. 26719 (March 20, 1987) "persuasive." Although Horbal assigns error to the circuit court's reliance on the reasoning of these decisions, our resolution of this issue makes it unnecessary for us to address these assignments of error.
Chapter 692 of the Acts of Assembly of 1984 is titled "An Act to amend and reenact § 58-405 of the Code of Virginia, relating to intangible personal property." Code § 58-405 is the predecessor to Code § 58.1-1101.
Code § 58.1-3983.1(B)(2) (governing administrative appeals to local commissioner of revenue by persons assessed with local business tax) provides that "[t]he appeal shall be filed in good faith and sufficiently identify the taxpayer, the tax period covered by the challenged assessment, the amount in dispute, the remedy sought, each alleged error in the assessment, the grounds upon which the taxpayer relies, and any other facts relevant to the taxpayer's contention."
Code § 58.1-3983.1(D)(1) provides, in pertinent part, that "[a]ny person whose administrative appeal to the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing official pursuant to subsection B has been denied in whole or in part may appeal the determination ... within 90 days of the date of the determination."
Verizon's appeal of Horbal's determination to the Tax Commissioner was timely filed within the 90-day period required by § 58.1-3983.1(D)(1). Horbal's argument is that the only avenue for appeal to the Tax Commissioner was through a local appeal of the tax assessment pursuant to Code § 58.1-3983.1(B)(1). Horbal does not argue that the review of the 2008 and 2009 tax assessments was not properly before him since Code § 58.1-3980(A) (providing for application to local commissioner of revenue for correction of local tax assessment) permits an application for correction within three years from the last day of the tax year for which the assessment is made. He argues, however, that because Verizon chose to proceed "exclusively under [Code] § 58.1-3983.1," instead of a direct appeal to the circuit court under Code § 58.1-3984, Verizon's local appeal was required to be filed within the time limitation set forth in Code § 58.1-3983.1(B)(1). And, according to Horbal, since only the local appeal of the 2010 tax assessment was filed within the time limitation set forth in Code § 58.1-3983.1(B)(1), the Tax Commissioner lacked jurisdiction to consider the appeals for the 2008 and 2009 tax assessments.
Rules 5:25 and 5A:18 require preservation of issues for appellate review by this Court and the Court of Appeals respectively.
Code § 15.2-2314 states, in pertinent part, that "[a]ny person ... aggrieved by any decision of the board of zoning appeals ... may file with the clerk of the circuit court for the county or city a petition .. specifying the grounds on which aggrieved within 30 days after the final decision of the board."
Horbal's reliance on
Town of Leesburg v. Loudoun National Bank
,
Reference
- Full Case Name
- VERIZON ONLINE LLC v. Joseph A. HORBAL, Commissioner of the Revenue for Chesterfield County Joseph A. Horbal, Commissioner of the Revenue for Chesterfield County v. Verizon Online LLC
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published