Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court took on this case because of a split between two circuit courts. In the first case, Blount v. Commr., the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the Tax Court and excluded the insurance proceeds that accrued as a result of the death of the shareholder. In the Connelly case, the Tax Court once again included the insurance proceeds in the estate. The 8th Circuit affirmed the Tax Court, and the Supreme Court now unanimously affirmed the 8th Circuit, thus negating the decision of the 11th Circuit in Blount.
Connelly v. United States
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See Also
U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Inclusion of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance in Value of Company for Estate Tax Purposes
The U.S. Supreme Court took on this case because of a split between two circuit courts. In the first case, Blount v. Commr., the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the Tax Court and excluded the insurance proceeds that accrued as a result of the death of the shareholder since there was a binding liability to pay the proceeds to the estate of the decedent. In the Connelly case, the Tax Court once again included the insurance proceeds in the estate. The 8th Circuit affirmed the Tax Court, and the Supreme Court now unanimously affirmed the 8th Circuit, thus negating the decision of the 11th Circuit in Blount.