Shaughnessy v. Commissioner of Corporations & Taxation

This petition for abatement of an inheritance tax (G. L. c. 65, § 27) was heard in a Probate Court on the pleadings and on a statement of agreed facts. The judge reserved and reported the case. G. L. c. 215, § 13.

The decedent, Herbert A. Shaughnessy, was president and treasurer of Shaughnessy & Ahern Company at the time of his death on March 6, 1968. At a “special meeting” held on May 27,1968, the stockholders and directors of the company voted to pay the decedent’s widow “at the annual rate of $16,250 for two years,” such payments to be made in equal weekly installments. The Commissioner…