constructive dividends section 301(c)

Funds that a corporation distributes to a shareholder with respect to its stock are taxed to the shareholder as dividends to the extent of the corporation's earnings and profits. Secs. 301(c), 316. Any excess is considered to be a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the shareholder's basis in the [*10] corporation, and any remaining amount is taxable to the shareholder as a gain from the sale or exchange of property. See sec. 301(c)(2) and (3); Truesdell v. Commissioner, 89 T.C. 1280, 1295-1298 (1987). Characterization of a distribution as a dividend does not depend upon a formal dividend declaration. See Boulware v. United States, 552 U.S. 421, 429 [101 AFTR 2d 2008-1065] (2008); Truesdell v. Commissioner, 89 T.C. at 1295; see also Noble v. Commissioner, 368 F.2d 439, 442 [18 AFTR 2d 5982] (9th Cir. 1966), aff'g T.C. Memo. 1965-84. Corporate funds that a controlling shareholder diverts to personal use are generally characterized as constructive distributions to the shareholder for tax purposes. See Erickson v. Commissioner, 598 F.2d 525, 531 [44 AFTR 2d 79-5241] (9th Cir. 1979), aff'g in part, rev'g in part T.C. Memo. 1976-147; Strong v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2005-125. Such a diversion may occur where a controlling shareholder causes a corporation to pay his or her personal expenses and the payment is made without expectation of repayment or without a bona fide intent that it be in repay[pg. 942] ment of a shareholder loan. See Hood v. Commissioner, 115 T.C. 172, 179-180 (2000); see also Noble v. Commissioner, 368 F.2d at 443; Clark v. Commissioner, 266 F.2d 698, 710-711 (9th Cir. 1959), aff'g in part, rev'g in part and remanding T.C. Memo. 1957-129.




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