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Famous Tax Quote #30 - A Judicial Moon

2010-08-17

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Continuing our series on Famous Tax Quotes (quotes from court opinions with language that is colorful or that concisely states an important tax principle) today's tax quote is:

Income tax "law" is not a matter of pure reason.  It is a composite of constitutional doctrine and interpretations of changing statutory provisions each having its history.  In ascertaining the meaning of those provisions, we must be guided by the light of Supreme Court decisions.  We are merely a reflector, serving as a judicial moon.

Choate v. Commissioner, 129 F.2d 684 (2d Cir. 1942)

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