Accurate Electric Co. (Guam) Inc. v. Government of Guam

Accurate, seeking refund of Guam income taxes for the years ending 1960, 1961 and 1962, appeals from a judgment dismissing its claim with prejudice and granting the government’s counterclaim.

Four of the five specifications of error challenge the trial court’s findings and conclusion that Accurate (rather than an affiliated company) was taxable for profits realized on the “materials” portion of certain construction work. The government’s determination is presumptively correct, and it is the taxpayer’s burden to demonstrate its incorrectness. Fulton Container Co. v. United States, 355 F.2d 319, 324 (9th Cir. 1966). We cannot say that the findings of the trial court were clearly erroneous.

The fifth specification, abuse of discretion in refusing to grant appellant’s motion for a new trial, is also without merit. Neither the court nor the government misled appellant. Appellant alone bears the responsibility for the choice of evidence it presented at trial, and it is not entitled to guidance from the court or government on how to conduct a legal proceeding.

Affirmed.