Thursday, June 30, 2011

Court Reviews Whether the Tennessee-Based Income of a Delaware Limited Partnership are subject to Taxation in Tennessee

H.J. HEINZ COMPANY, L.P. v. LOREN L. CHUMLEY, COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE, STATE OF TENNESSEE (Tenn. Ct. App. June 29, 1011)

Plaintiff/Appellant H.J. Heinz Company, LP, is a Delaware limited partnership that manufactures, sells and distributes food products. Plaintiff operates a facility in Nashville, Tennessee. The issue in this case is whether Plaintiff's income from its investment in HJH One, LLC, is subject to taxation, on an apportionment basis, in Tennessee.

The trial court determined that the earnings constituted business earnings as defined by the relevant statutes, and that the Department of Revenue's assessment of franchise and excise taxes on the earnings was constitutional. The trial court further determined that the apportionment formula used by the Department was correct. The trial court awarded summary judgment to the Commissioner, and Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

Opinion may be found at:
http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2011/hjheinz_062911.pdf