Carr Enter., Inc., a Corp. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952 (8th Cir. 1983). · Go Syfert
Carr Enter., Inc., a Corp. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952 (8th Cir. 1983). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
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cited 5× by 5 distinct cases, 2019–2023 · 2 courts · …it is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel. at p. 953
51 citation events (35 in the last 25 years) across 19 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Pounds v. U.S. Small Business Administration (moed, 2023-08-28)
Treatment trajectory · 1983 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1983 2004 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 43 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Pounds v. U.S. Small Business Administration
E.D. Mo. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
it is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Volvo Financial Services v. Centur Inc. Exp.
D. Neb. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
it is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Vessell Property Management LLC v. GPJ Sweet Distributions, LLC
E.D. Mo. · 2022 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
it is well settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Saffaf v. Ally Financial, Inc.
E.D. Mo. · 2021 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
it is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Aaron Carlson Corporation v. Cohen
D. Minnesota · 2020 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
it is well settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Cosmos Granite (Central) LLC v. River City Granite & Stone Works LLC
E.D. Mo. · 2019 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
it is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Cosmos Granite (Central) LLC v. River City Granite & Stone Works LLC
E.D. Mo. · 2019 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
it is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) First Choice Enterprises, Inc., A South Dakota Corporation v. Town-Link LLC, A Minnesota Limited Liability Company; Manny Shellito, An Individual; Manny Shellito v. First Choice Enterprises, Inc, A South Dakota Corporation; Jeff Olson; Cory Ramsey; And Jed Lindstrom
D.S.D. · 2026 · confidence medium
“While 28 U.S.C. § 1654 protects parties rights to plead and conduct their own cases, . that right has never been interpreted to allow an individual to appear for a corporation pro se.” Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Myers v. Affton Diner, LLC
E.D. Mo. · 2025 · confidence medium
See United States v. Van Stelton, 988 F.2d 70 (8th Cir. 1993) (per curiam); Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (per curiam); Painters Dist.
cited Cited as authority (rule) OrthoArkansas PA v. Episode Solutions LLC
E.D. Ark. · 2024 · confidence medium
Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Estate of Gary T. Worster v. Ridgecrest SNF Operations, LLC
D. Neb. · 2024 · confidence medium
Servs., Inc., 401 F.3d 950 , 951 (8th Cir. 2005) (quoting Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. 1501 Rockwater Lane, North Little Rock, AR 72114
E.D. Ark. · 2024 · confidence medium
Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) 5J's Holding, LLC v. Old South Trading Co., LLC
E.D. Mo. · 2023 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Lylalele, Inc., 221 F.3d 1345 (8th Cir. 2000) (“[C]orporations and trusts cannot appear in federal court without legal representation.”); Rowland v. Cal. Men's Colony, 506 U.S. 194 , 201–02 (1993) (“It has been the law for the better part of two centuries ... that a corporation may appear in the federal courts only through licensed counsel…”); Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (“It is settled law that a corporation may be represented only corporation fails to comply with a court order to obtain counsel.” Woods…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Indigo Marketplace LLC v. Farmop Capital LLC
E.D. Ark. · 2023 · confidence medium
FarmOp Capital, LLC (Doc. 33). 108 Order (Doc. 36). 109 Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (per curiam) (“It is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel.”); see also Strong Delivery Ministry Ass’n v. Bd. of Appeals of Cook Cnty., 543 F.2d 32, 33 (7th Cir. 1976) (per curiam) (“It is admitted that a corporation can only appear by attorney. . . .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Johnson v. State of Nebraska
D. Neb. · 2023 · confidence medium
Servs., Inc., 401 F.3d 950 , 951 (8th Cir. 2005) (quoting Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Painters Local Union No. 1265 v.International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council No. 58, AFL-CIO
W.D. Mo. · 2022 · confidence medium
Mo. 2003) (recognizing the law requires “that only a lawyer may speak for a corporation in court”) (citing Carr Enterps., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983)) (emphasis in original).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Artice v. Epworth Children and Family Services
E.D. Mo. · 2021 · confidence medium
United States v. Van Stelton, 988 F.2d 70 (8th Cir. 1993); Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983); Painters Dist.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Holmon
E.D. Mo. · 2020 · confidence medium
Rowland v. California Men’s Colony, 506 U.S. 194, 201-02 (1993); Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Cape Dogwood Redevelopment Corp. v. Global Bowling, LLC
E.D. Mo. · 2020 · confidence medium
Mo. Feb. 6, 2008) (citing Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hall v. Inmate Services Corporation
E.D. Ark. · 2020 · confidence medium
Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Rich Poisel's Roofing v. Travelers Property Casualty Company of America
D. Neb. · 2020 · confidence medium
However, “It is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel.” Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Enslein v. Di Mase
W.D. Mo. · 2019 · confidence medium
Men’s Colony, Unit II Men’s Advisory Council, 506 U.S. 194, 201-02 (1993) (noting “it has been the law for the better part of two centuries…that a corporation may appear in federal courts only through licensed counsel.”); Carr Enters. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (citations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Van Donslear v. Wiles
D.S.D. · 2019 · confidence medium
Carr Enters. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (reasoning that § 1654 “has never been interpreted to allow an individual to appear for a corporation pro se.”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Heritage Home for Funerals Inc. v. Heritage Cremation Provider, LLC
D.S.D. · 2019 · confidence medium
Carr Enters. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (reasoning that § 1654 “has never been interpreted to allow an individual to appear for a corporation pro se.”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Alpha Land Co. v. Little
E.D. Cal. · 2006 · confidence medium
This interpretation of Section 1654 — that the beneficial owner of the claim being asserted is the only person permitted to appear in propria persona — is reflected in holdings barring nonattorneys from representing corporations (e.g., Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983)), partnerships (e.g., Eagle Associates v. Bank of Montreal, 926 F.2d 1305, 1308-10 (2d Cir.1991)), unincorporated associations (e.g., Church of the New Testament v. United States, 783 F.2d 771, 773-74 (9th Cir.1986) (church)), and, most importantly here, trusts (C.E.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) KWHK Broadcasting Co. v. Sanders (In re Bozeman)
Bankr. W.D. Ark. · 1998 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Ackra Direct Marketing Corp. v. Fingerhut Corp., 86 F.3d 852 (8th Cir.1996); United States v. Van Stelton, 988 F.2d 70 , 70 (8th Cir.1993); Can Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983); In re Brown (Brown v. Granite Financial Services Coip.), 1997 WL 311508 (Bankr.E.D.Ark.
cited Cited as authority (rule) In Re Bellerive Springs Building Corp.
Bankr. E.D. Mo. · 1991 · confidence medium
Osborn v. Bank of United States, 22 U.S. (9 Wheat.) 738, 830 , 6 L.Ed. 204 (1824); Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983) (citations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hadlock v. Baechler
W.D. Ark. · 1991 · confidence medium
“It is well settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel, [citations omitted] While 28 U.S.C. § 1654 protects parties right to plead and conduct their own cases, that right has never been interpreted to allow an individual to appear for a corporation pro se.” Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jones v. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
2d Cir. · 1983 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Osborn v. Bank of United States, 22 U.S. (9 Wheat.) 738, 830 , 6 L.Ed. 204 (1824) (“[a] corporation ... can appear only by attorney 1 );” Richdel, Inc. v. Sunspool Corp., 699 F.2d 1366 (Fed.Cir.1983) (per curiam); Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983) (per curiam); Southwest Express Co. v. ICC, supra, 670 F.2d at 55 ; In re Victor Publishers, Inc., 545 F.2d 285, 286 (1st Cir.1976) (per curiam); Strong Delivery Ministry Association v. Board of Appeals of Cook County, 543 F.2d 32, 33-34 (7th Cir.1976) (per curiam); In re Highley, 459 F.2d 554, 5…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Walter L. Jones v. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
2d Cir. · 1983 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Osborn v. Bank of United States, 22 U.S. (9 Wheat.) 738, 830 , 6 L.Ed. 204 (1824) ("[a] corporation ... can appear only by attorney' );" Richdel, Inc. v. Sunspool Corp., 699 F.2d 1366 (Fed.Cir.1983) (per curiam); Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983) (per curiam); Southwest Express Co. v. ICC, supra, 670 F.2d at 55 ; In re Victor Publishers, Inc., 545 F.2d 285, 286 (1st Cir.1976) (per curiam); Strong Delivery Ministry Association v. Board of Appeals of Cook County, 543 F.2d 32, 33-34 (7th Cir.1976) (per curiam); In re Highley, 459 F.2d 554, 555 (9…
discussed Cited "see" Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Administrative District Council of Eastern Missouri v. Riley Flooring and Cabinets, LLC
E.D. Mo. · 2023 · signal: see · confidence high
See Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983) (“It is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel.”); Joda, LLC v. Ace NC Sys., LLC, No. 4:09 CV 1197 CDP, 2014 WL 2217279 , at *1 (E.D.
discussed Cited "see" In re: Inglewood Womans Club, Inc.
9th Cir. BAP · 2017 · signal: see · confidence high
See 28 U.S.C. § 1654 (“In all courts of the 22 United States the parties may plead and conduct their own cases 23 personally or by counsel.”) Although federal statutes protect an 24 individual’s right to conduct her own litigation, that right has 25 never been interpreted to allow a corporation to appear pro se. 26 See Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952 , 953 27 (8th Cir. 1983).
cited Cited "see" Jones v. Correctional Medical Services
8th Cir. · 2005 · signal: see · confidence high
See Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983).
cited Cited "see" Jones Ex Rel. Jones v. Correctional Medical Services, Inc.
8th Cir. · 2005 · signal: see · confidence high
See Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Virgil J. Van Stelton Carol Van Stelton Van Stelton Farms, Ltd.
8th Cir. · 1993 · signal: see · confidence high
See Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983) (per curiam).
cited Cited "see" In Re Elshiddi Enterprises, Inc.
Bankr. E.D. Mo. · 1991 · signal: see · confidence high
See, Carr Enterprises, Inc. v. United States of America, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983).
discussed Cited "see" Wilkinson v. United States
W.D.N.C. · 1990 · signal: see · confidence high
See Carr Enter *581 prises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 954 (8th Cir.1983); United States v. Hickox, 356 F.2d 969, 972 (5th Cir.1966); United States v. Boucher, 735 F.Supp. 987 (D.Col.1990); United States v. Clardson, 1989 U.S.Dist.
cited Cited "see, e.g." Jackson v. Lycos
D. Minnesota · 2019 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (citing cases); United States v. Johnson, No. 16-CR-0193 (WMW/BRT), 2019 WL 913161 , at *4 (D.
cited Cited "see, e.g." Carpenters Pension Trust Fund of Kansas City v. Bradford Interior Group, LLC
W.D. Mo. · 2018 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Men’s Colony, 506 U.S. 194, 202 (1993) (citations omitted); see also Carr Enters., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (citations omitted).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Interest of E.I., Jr.
N.D. · 2005 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g. , Carr Enter., Inc. v. United States , 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir. 1983) (the plaintiff corporation’s appearance through a non-attorney agent would be sufficient alone to affirm the district court’s judgment against the plaintiff); Merco Constr.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Wetzel v. Schlenvogt
N.D. · 2005 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Carr Enter., Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983) (the plaintiff corporation’s appearance through a non-attorney agent would be sufficient alone to affirm the district court’s judgment against the plaintiff); Merco Constr.
cited Cited "see, e.g." Amteco, Inc. v. Bway Corp.
E.D. Mo. · 2003 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Can' Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 698 F.2d 952, 953 (8th Cir.1983) ("It is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel").
discussed Cited "see, e.g." SFN Shareholders Grantor Trust v. Indiana Department of State Revenue
Ind. T.C. · 1992 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, eg., Carr Enterprises v. United States (D.S.D.1982), 539 F.Supp. 528 , aff'd, (8th Cir.1983), 698 F.2d 952 (disregarding corporate entity created to shield shareholders from liability for federal tax liens); Burger Man, Inc. v. Jordan Paper Prod., Inc. (1976), 170 Ind.App. 295, 316 , 352 N.E.2d 821, 834 , trans. denied (debts of subsidiary attributed to parent to prevent fraud and injustice) 1 W.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
CARR ENTERPRISES, INC., a Corporation, Appellant,
v.
UNITED STATES of America, Appellee
82-1766.
Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Feb 7, 1983.
698 F.2d 952
Gene Carr, Secretary Treasurer, Carr Enterprises Inc., appellant pro se., Glenn L. Archer, Jr., Asst. Atty. Gen., Michael L. Paup, William S. Estabrook, Mary L. Fahey, Attys., Tax Div., Dept, of Justice, Washington, D.C., for appellee; Philip N. Hogen, U.S. Atty., Sioux Falls, S.D., of counsel.
Arnold, Henley, Gibson.
Cited by 46 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM.

Carr Enterprises, Inc. appeals from the judgment of the district court, 539 F.Supp. 528, [1] finding tax liens on the Buffalo Trail Motel to be valid. The motel had been conveyed to the corporation by Gene and Frances Carr. The corporation had filed suit in state court to quiet title, contending that federal tax liens on the property were invalid. The United States removed the case to federal court and counterclaimed on the basis that the transfer was a fraudulent conveyance under South Dakota law. On this appeal the corporation claims that the[*953] filing of the liens deprived the Carrs of due process of law, that the conveyance of the property to the corporation was not fraudulent, and that the federal tax liens were invalid. We affirm.

In September 1975, the Carrs purchased the motel and at the same time formed Carr Enterprises, Inc. under South Dakota laws, ostensibly to avoid the South Dakota usury law limiting the interest rate on loans to individuals. The Carrs were soon thereafter involved in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service over the Carrs’ income tax liabilities for 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975. Gene Carr litigated his 1972 and 1973 tax liability in Tax Court. A deficiency for taxable year 1973 was assessed against Frances Carr in February, 1977. On May 25, 1978 the Tax Court ruled adversely to Gene Carr, finding additional taxes due for the taxable years 1972 and 1973. Further deficiencies were assessed against both Carrs in March 1979 for the taxable years 1974 and 1975. [2]

On May 29, 1978, the Carrs transferred their interest in the Buffalo Trail Motel, as well as their personal residence, to Carr Enterprises. At the same time, the motor vehicles owned by the Carrs were transferred to another corporation, D.C. Services Corporation, owned by the Carrs. The only consideration for these transfers was an issuance of stock by the corporations to the Carrs. On May 29, 1978, Gene Carr also transferred his majority stock in the two corporations to a church known as the Life Science Church, which appears to have been formed no earlier than May 25, 1978. Also on May 29,1978, Gene Carr signed a printed form “vow of poverty” in connection with the formation of this church. The three church “trustees,” who signed an acceptance of the church charter on May 29,1978, were Gene Carr, Frances Carr and a Donna J. Hiles. Gene Carr was ordained as a minister of this church on May 25, 1978, although he testified that both before and after this occurrence he was a practicing Roman Catholic. The Carrs continued to control the motel, and to reside in the residence conveyed to the corporation.

The Government filed the tax liens against the motel on July 2, 1979 (for the liabilities of both Carrs for taxable years 1974 and 1975) and on July 29,1980 (for the liability of Frances Carr for taxable year 1973) in the office of the Tripp County Register of Deeds. This suit was then filed.

This appeal is plagued by two procedural infirmities. The first is Gene Carr’s appearance for the corporation. Though the corporation was represented by an attorney in the district court, Gene Carr, the corporation’s secretary/treasurer appears on the appeal brief for the corporation, “pro se”. Gene Carr is a chiropractor, and currently owns no interest in Carr Enterprises. The United States has filed a motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute pursuant to Eighth Circuit Rule 13, based on this pro se representation. It is settled law that a corporation may be represented only by licensed counsel. Southwest Exp. Co. v. ICC, 670 F.2d 53 (5th Cir.1982); In re K.M.A., Inc., 652 F.2d 398 (5th Cir.1981); Strong Delivery Ministry Association v. Board of Appeals of Cook County, 543 F.2d 32 (7th Cir.1976). While 28 U.S.C. § 1654 protects parties rights to plead and conduct their own cases, that right has never been interpreted to allow an individual to appear for a corporation pro se.

Second, the corporation has no standing to assert the rights of the individual taxpayers. See Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 509-510, 95 S.Ct. 2197, 2210-2211, 45 L.Ed.2d 343 (1975); Barrows v. Jackson, 346 U.S. 249, 255, 73 S.Ct. 1031, 1034, 97 L.Ed. 1586 (1953); Tileston v. Ullman, 318 U.S. 44, 46, 63 S.Ct. 493, 494, 87 L.Ed. 603 (1943). Where, as here, taxpayers are urging their personal due process rights, the corporation is not the proper party to appear before the court.

While these grounds are sufficient for affirmance, we will briefly examine the merits of the case.

[*954] Appellant claims that the assessment of tax deficiencies for the years 1974 and 1975 violated the Carrs’ fifth amendment and due process rights. This claim is wholly unsubstantiated. A demand for the deficiencies was sent to the Carrs on October 17,1978. The record shows that an IRS agent made repeated attempts to examine the Carr’s records, but that Gene Carr continually refused to make the records available, claiming various excuses. The taxpayers had the burden of showing that they were entitled to the deductions they claimed. Interstate Transit Lines v. Commissioner, 319 U.S. 590, 63 S.Ct. 1279, 87 L.Ed. 1607 (1943). The taxpayers are also required to maintain records and make them available to the government so that a determination of tax liability can be made. 26 U.S.C. §§ 6001, 7602 and regulations. The district court found that the Carrs failed to make their records available, and that the government’s decision to assess tax deficiencies on that basis was neither arbitrary, nor a denial of due process.

Secondly, appellant urges that the tax liens were invalid and ineffective against the Buffalo Trail Motel, arguing that the corporation was a bona fide purchaser, and that there had been no audit by the IRS. The district court found that as the tax difficulties reached a climax in May, 1978

The Carrs therefore concocted a rather involved scheme to put their property beyond the reach of Government process, by first putting the bulk of their property in shell corporations, then by placing a majority of the stock in the corporations into a freshly formed “church”. This court cannot allow the Carrs to get the benefit of these sham transfers.

The district court found that the May 29, 1978 transfer of the motel to the corporation was fraudulent conveyance under South Dakota law (S.D.C.L. § 54-8-1) and that the tax liens were valid against the motel property. Fraud is a question of fact. S.D.C.L. 54-8-4, First National Bank of Beresford v. Anderson, 291 N.W.2d 444 (S.D.1980).

The arguments asserted by the Carrs are totally lacking in merit.

The findings of fact are not clearly erroneous, and indeed are compelled by the record before the district court, and there was no error of law. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the district court. As we determine that the appeal is frivolous, it is ordered that appellant pay double costs.

1

. The Honorable Donald J. Porter, United States District Court for the District of South Dakota, Central Division.

2

. The deficiencies against both Carrs for 1974 and 1975 total approximately $110,000; the deficiency against Frances Carr for 1973 is approximately $1,500.