[Verse 1] When Congress writes the tax code down in black and white Plain meaning rules unless the words don't shine their light But when the text gets murky, dig through history's pages Find what lawmakers intended through legislative stages [Chorus] Three principles guide the way we read the law Statutory construction, what the text says raw Judicial doctrines pierce the veil of fake design Economic substance draws the binding line [Verse 2] Courts won't let you dress up deals in fancy clothes Substance over form - they see what really shows Step transaction doctrine links your moves together Business purpose test - storms your tax-free weather [Chorus] Three principles guide the way we read the law Statutory construction, what the text says raw Judicial doctrines pierce the veil of fake design Economic substance draws the binding line [Verse 3] Section seventy-seven oh one letter O Codified the rules that make sham transactions go Pre-tax profit plus significant change of state Both requirements met or penalties await [Bridge] Tax Court specializes, knows the revenue game District Courts and Claims Court play a broader frame Circuit Courts review them, Supreme Court's at the peak IRS acquiesces when their position's weak [Chorus] Three principles guide the way we read the law Statutory construction, what the text says raw Judicial doctrines pierce the veil of fake design Economic substance draws the binding line [Outro] Nonacquiescence means they'll fight another day Canons of interpretation help words find their way From plain text to purpose, courts and code align Three principles of tax interpretation's shrine
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