Understanding Residency Under a Tax Treaty: The Case of Georges Simenon v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue

Understanding Residency Under a Tax Treaty: The Case of Georges Simenon v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue

The 1965 court case of Georges Simenon v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue is a pivotal case in U.S. tax law that explores what determines whether an individual is a ‘resident’ of a foreign country under a tax treaty. This case highlights the complexities of tax treaties and the factors that influence residency status for tax purposes.




Case Overview

Title and Court

  • Full title: Georges Simenon, Petitioner, v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
  • Court: Tax Court of the United States
  • Date: September 29, 1965
  • Citation: 44 T.C. 820 (U.S.T.C. 1965)

Parties Involved:

  • Petitioner: Georges Simenon, a Belgian citizen and professional writer.
  • Respondent: Commissioner of Internal Revenue, represented by Charles M.Greenspan.

Tax Treaty and Relevant Provisions: The tax treaty in question is the income tax convention between the United States and France, effective January 1, 1945. Article 7 of the treaty is pivotal, stating that royalties derived from one contracting state by a resident of the other contracting state shall be exempt from taxation in the former state, provided the resident does not have a “permanent establishment” there.

Case Facts:

  • Simenon, a Belgian national, entered the U.S. on a permanent visa in 1947 and maintained a residence there while working as an author.
  • He relocated to Europe with his family in March 1955, living in France until June 1956 before moving to Switzerland.
  • Simenon received royalties from U.S. sources in 1955 after moving to France, claiming these were exempt under the U.S.-France tax treaty.

Legal Issues and Court’s Analysis:

1. Permanent Establishment:

  • The court needed to determine if Simenon had a “permanent establishment” in the U.S. during any part of 1955. The court found that Simenon maintained an office at his home in Connecticut until March 19, 1955, which constituted a permanent establishment.

2. Residency Status:

  • The core issue was whether Simenon was a “resident” of France under the tax treaty. The court held that he failed to prove his residency in France for French tax purposes. The decision emphasized that Simenon’s stay in France did not meet the criteria of residency under French tax laws, which was necessary to claim tax exemption under Article 7 of the treaty.

3. Tax Obligations:

  • Since Simenon had a permanent establishment in the U.S. during part of the tax year and failed to prove French residency, the court ruled that his U.S. source royalties were taxable in the United States.

Key Determinations and Basis:

  • The court upheld the respondent’s determination based on IRC section 871(c), asserting that royalties from U.S. sources received while Simenon had a permanent establishment in the U.S. were taxable.
  • The court referenced several cases, including
    Jules Samann v. Commissioner and John Ernest Goldring v.Commissioner,
    to support its interpretation of “permanent establishment” and residency under the tax treaty.

Comparative Case Law Analysis:

  • Jules Samann v. Commissioner: Similar to Simenon’s case, this case involved the interpretation of “permanent establishment” under a tax treaty. The court upheld the “at any time” rule, stating that having a permanent establishment at any time during the taxable year makes the income taxable in the U.S.
  • John Ernest Goldring v. Commissioner: This case reinforced the criteria for determining abandonment of U.S. residency, which was relevant to Simenon’s claims about his residency status changes.

Legislative and Interpretative Guidance:

  • The court emphasized the legislative intent behind tax treaties to avoid double taxation and promote clarity in international tax obligations.
  • The interpretation of “resident” for the purposes of a tax treaty relies heavily on the laws of the country claiming the resident status, in this case, French tax law.




The case of Georges Simenon v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue provides valuable insights into the determination of residency under a tax treaty. The court’s decision underscored the importance of maintaining clear evidence of residency status and the presence of a permanent establishment when claiming tax exemptions under international treaties. This case remains a critical reference for understanding the intersection of U.S. tax law and international tax treaties.