PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY OF UTAH v. UNITED STATES (1969)

This case reaches us for the fifth time. See United States v. Portland Cement Co. of Utah in 293 F.2d 826, 315 F.2d 169, 338 F.2d 798, 378 F.2d 91. In the last case cited, we remanded the cause to the district court with directions to determine the amount of taxpayer's refund, if any, through application of the proportionate-profits method in determining the tax liability of appellant, an integrated miner-manufacturer. On remand, the trial court entered judgment based on the evidentiary record made during the fourth trial and in accord with the government's theory of the proper application of the proportionate-profits method and its computations made thereunder as presented during that trial. In the present appeal, the taxpayer contends that the evidence relating to the computation of tax introduced by the government at the fourth trial was admitted by the court only to support the government's theory of the proper basis of taxation and, its admission being so limited, that no opportunity was accorded taxpayer to attack, by cross-examination or otherwise, the accuracy of the computation. The government contends that the evidence was admitted for all purposes and that the judgment is thus soundly based. We find it unnecessary to reach the issue so raised.

Since the entry of the judgment in the instant case, this court has decided United States v. Ideal Basic Industries, Inc., 404 F.2d 122, rehearing and rehearing en banc denied January 20, 1969, cert. denied 395 U.S. 936, 89 S.Ct. 1997, 23 L.Ed.2d 450, June 2, 1969. The judgment in the case at bar does not purport to comply with the guidelines set down in Ideal for the proper application of the proportionate-profits theory and accordingly the case must be again remanded to the district court for further consideration in accord with Ideal.

The judgment is reversed and the case remanded with directions to allow the parties to present such evidence as may be proper under the dictates of Ideal.

Although I dissented in Ideal and continue to believe that that case is incorrectly decided I must now recognize it as representing the law of this circuit.

PER CURIAM.