- 35 - Whether a shareholder withdrawal constitutes a bona fide loan or a dividend involves a question of fact that turns on a consideration of all of the surrounding facts and circumstances. Alterman Foods, Inc. v. United States, supra at 875. Some of the relevant facts are: (1) The extent to which the shareholder controls the corporation; (2) the earnings and dividend history of the corporation; (3) the magnitude of the withdrawal and whether a ceiling existed to limit the amount to be withdrawn from the corporation; (4) how the withdrawal was recorded on the books and records; (5) whether promissory notes were executed; (6) whether interest was paid or accrued; (7) whether security was given for the withdrawal; (8) whether there was a set maturity date; (9) whether the shareholder was in a position to repay the withdrawal; (10) whether the corporation ever undertook to enforce repayment; and (11) whether there was any indication the shareholder attempted to repay the amount withdrawn. Id. at 877 n.7; see also Dolese v. United States, 605 F.2d 1146, 1153 (10th Cir. 1979); Thielking v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1987-227, affd. without published opinion 855 F.2d 856 (8th Cir. 1988). Unfettered control of a corporation by a shareholder weighs in favor of a constructive dividend characterization, as does a corporate history of not declaring and paying dividends in spite of substantial earnings and profits. Busch v. Commissioner, 728Page: Previous 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 Next
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