us-irs-announcements-irb-2007-12-pdf•Internal Revenue Bulletin 2007-12 (PDF rendition): IRS Announcements
Internal Revenue Bulletin 2007-12 (PDF rendition): IRS Announcements
us-irs-announcements-irb-2007-12-pdfInternal Revenue Bulletin 2007-12 (PDF rendition): IRS AnnouncementsGuidance
Preserve advance releases and the authoritative Internal Revenue Bulletin rendition; directory timestamps are file-publication metadata, not legal effective dates. HTML bulletins begin June 2003; earlier available issues require full PDF parsing. Whole bulletin rendition: numbered items are identified below; other legal material and publisher context remain included. This is not a new standalone advance release.
Bulletin No. 200
7-12
March 19, 2007
HIGHLIGHTS
OF THIS ISSUE
These synopses are intended only as aids to the reader in
identifying the subject matter covered. They may not be
relied upon as authoritative interpretations.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Announcement 2007–31, page 769.
This document contains the annual report to the public con-
cerning Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) and the experi-
ence of the APA Program during calendar year 2006. This
document does not provide guidance regarding the application
of the arm’s length standard. Instead, it reports on the struc-
ture and activities of the APA Program.
INCOME TAX
Rev. Rul. 2007–14, page 747.
Obsolete revenue rulings.As part of the Service’s contin-
uing program of reviewing previously published guidance, this
ruling publishes a list of rulings and actions relating to decisions
of the Tax Court that are obsolete. Rev. Rul. 54–19 obso-
leted in part. Rev. Ruls. 55–132, 56–462, 56–518, 57–505,
58–370, 58–500, 69–212, and 71–477 obsoleted.
T.D. 9312, page 736.
REG–115403–05, page 767.
Temporary and proposed regulations under section 181 of the
Code provide rules relating to deductions for the cost of pro-
ducing film and television productions.
REG–100
841–97, page 763.
Propose
d regulations under section 6159 of the Code govern
the acce
ptance and rejection of installment agreements, the
terms of
those agreements and when they may be modified
or term
inated by the Service, and appeal procedures when
the Ser
vice makes a rejection or termination decision. The
princi
pal purpose of this project is to update the regulations
to reflect various amendments to section 6159 and related
statutes.
Notice 2007–17, page 748.
The IRS and Treasury anticipate the launch of a pilot program
to solicit greater input from the public in the initial development
of certain types of guidance projects. As a model for the pi-
lot program, the IRS and Treasury solicit input from interested
parties on whether it is appropriate to amend existing income
tax regulations to permit certain modifications to securitized
commercial mortgage loans.
Notice 2007–24, page 750.
This notice invites public comments on draft IRS forms to im-
plement a new information reporting requirement for charities
and certain other entities with respect to certain structured in-
surance contracts. The notice also solicits comments with re-
spect to a Congressionally mandated study being conducted
by Treasury and the IRS.
Notice 2007–25, page 760.
This notice provides modifications and additions to the adjusted
limitations on housing expenses for tax year 2006 published in
Notice 2006–87, 2006–43 I.R.B. 766, for purposes of sec-
tion 911 of the Code. Notice 2006–87 modified and supple-
mented.
(Continued on the next page)
Fi
nding Lists begin on page ii.
Rev. Proc. 2007–25, page 761.
This procedure provides additional guidance regarding the dis-
closure of certain penalties under section 6707A(e) of the Code
on forms filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Com-
mission. Rev. Proc. 2005–51, 2005–2 C.B. 296, provides
that a person who files SEC Form 10–K,AnnualReport, must
disclose in Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) of Form 10–K the re-
quirement to pay any penalty specified in section 2.05 of Rev.
Proc. 2005–51. This procedure describes how persons who
are required to file periodic reports under section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or required to be con-
solidated with another person for purposes of those reports,
but that file these periodic reports on a form other than a
Form 10–K, must make the appropriate disclosures on these
other reports in order to avoid additional penalties. Rev. Proc.
2005–51 amplified.
ESTATE TAX
REG–100841–97, page 763.
Proposed regulations under section 6159 of the Code govern
the acceptance and rejection of installment agreements, the
terms of those agreements and when they may be modified
or terminated by the Service, and appeal procedures when
the Service makes a rejection or termination decision. The
principal purpose of this project is to update the regulations
to reflect various amendments to section 6159 and related
statutes.
GIFT TAX
REG–100841–97, page 763.
Proposed regulations under section 6159 of the Code govern
the acceptance and rejection of installment agreements, the
terms of those agreements and when they may be modified
or terminated by the Service, and appeal procedures when
the Service makes a rejection or termination decision. The
principal purpose of this project is to update the regulations
to reflect various amendments to section 6159 and related
statutes.
EMPLOYMENT TAX
REG–100841–97, page 763.
Proposed regulations under section 6159 of the Code govern
the acceptance and rejection of installment agreements, the
terms of those agreements and when they may be modified
or terminated by the Service, and appeal procedures when
the Service makes a rejection or termination decision. The
principal purpose of this project is to update the regulations
to reflect various amendments to section 6159 and related
statutes.
Rev. Proc. 2007–25, page 761.
This procedure provides additional guidance regarding the dis-
closure of certain penalties under section 6707A(e) of the Code
on forms filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Com-
mission. Rev. Proc. 2005–51, 2005–2 C.B. 296, provides
that a person who files SEC Form 10–K,AnnualReport, must
disclose in Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) of Form 10–K the re-
quirement to pay any penalty specified in section 2.05 of Rev.
Proc. 2005–51. This procedure describes how persons who
are required to file periodic reports under section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or required to be con-
solidated with another person for purposes of those reports,
but that file these periodic reports on a form other than a
Form 10–K, must make the appropriate disclosures on these
other reports in order to avoid additional penalties. Rev. Proc.
2005–51 amplified.
EXCISE TAX
REG–100841–97, page 763.
Proposed regulations under section 6159 of the Code govern
the acceptance and rejection of installment agreements, the
terms of those agreements and when they may be modified
or terminated by the Service, and appeal procedures when
the Service makes a rejection or termination decision. The
principal purpose of this project is to update the regulations
to reflect various amendments to section 6159 and related
statutes.
Rev. Proc. 2007–25, page 761.
This procedure provides additional guidance regarding the dis-
closure of certain penalties under section 6707A(e) of the Code
on forms filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Com-
mission. Rev. Proc. 2005–51, 2005–2 C.B. 296, provides
that a person who files SEC Form 10–K,AnnualReport, must
disclose in Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) of Form 10–K the re-
quirement to pay any penalty specified in section 2.05 of Rev.
Proc. 2005–51. This procedure describes how persons who
are required to file periodic reports under section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or required to be con-
solidated with another person for purposes of those reports,
but that file these periodic reports on a form other than a
Form 10–K, must make the appropriate disclosures on these
other reports in order to avoid additional penalties. Rev. Proc.
2005–51 amplified.
(Continued on the next page)
March 19, 20072007–12 I.R.B.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Rev. Proc. 2007–25, page 761.
This procedure provides additional guidance regarding the dis-
closure of certain penalties under section 6707A(e) of the Code
on forms filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Com-
mission. Rev. Proc. 2005–51, 2005–2 C.B. 296, provides
that a person who files SEC Form 10–K,AnnualReport, must
disclose in Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) of Form 10–K the re-
quirement to pay any penalty specified in section 2.05 of Rev.
Proc. 2005–51. This procedure describes how persons who
are required to file periodic reports under section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or required to be con-
solidated with another person for purposes of those reports,
but that file these periodic reports on a form other than a
Form 10–K, must make the appropriate disclosures on these
other reports in order to avoid additional penalties. Rev. Proc.
2005–51 amplified.
2007–12 I.R.B.March 19, 2007
The IRS Mission
Provide America’s taxpayers top quality service by helping
them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by
applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all.
Introduction
The Internal Revenue Bulletin is the authoritative instrument of
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue for announcing official
rulings and procedures of the Internal Revenue Service and for
publishing Treasury Decisions, Executive Orders, Tax Conven-
tions, legislation, court decisions, and other items of general
interest. It is published weekly and may be obtained from the
Superintendent of Documents on a subscription basis. Bulletin
contents are compiled semiannually into Cumulative Bulletins,
which are sold on a single-copy basis.
It is the policy of the Service to publish in the Bulletin all sub-
stantive rulings necessary to promote a uniform application of
the tax laws, including all rulings that supersede, revoke, mod-
ify, or amend any of those previously published in the Bulletin.
All published rulings apply retroactively unless otherwise indi-
cated. Procedures relating solely to matters of internal man-
agement are not published; however, statements of internal
practices and procedures that affect the rights and duties of
taxpayers are published.
Revenue rulings represent the conclusions of the Service on the
application of the law to the pivotal facts stated in the revenue
ruling. In those based on positions taken in rulings to taxpayers
or technical advice to Service field offices, identifying details
and information of a confidential nature are deleted to prevent
unwarranted invasions of privacy and to comply with statutory
requirements.
Rulings and procedures reported in the Bulletin do not have the
force and effect of Treasury Department Regulations, but they
may be used as precedents. Unpublished rulings will not be
relied on, used, or cited as precedents by Service personnel in
the disposition of other cases. In applying published rulings and
procedures, the effect of subsequent legislation, regulations,
court decisions, rulings, and procedures must be considered,
and Service personnel and others concerned are cautioned
against reaching the same conclusions in other cases unless
the facts and circumstances are substantially the same.
The Bulletin is divided into four parts as follows:
Part I.—19
86 Code.
This part i
ncludes rulings and decisions based on provisions of
the Intern
al Revenue Code of 1986.
Part II.—Treaties and Tax Legislation.
This part is divided into two subparts as follows: Subpart A,
Tax Conventions and Other Related Items, and Subpart B, Leg-
islation and Related Committee Reports.
Part III.—Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous.
To the extent practicable, pertinent cross references to these
subjects are contained in the other Parts and Subparts. Also
included in this part are Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rul-
ings. Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rulings are issued by
the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Assistant Sec-
retary (Enforcement).
Part IV
.—Items of General Interest.
This par
t includes notices of proposed rulemakings, disbar-
ment an
d suspension lists, and announcements.
The last Bulletin for each month includes a cumulative index
for the matters published during the preceding months. These
monthly indexes are cumulated on a semiannual basis, and are
published in the last Bulletin of each semiannual period.
The c
ontents of this publication are not copyrighted and may be reprinted freely. A citation of the Internal Revenue Bulletin as the source would be appropriate.
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
March 19, 20072007–12 I.R.B.
Part I. Rulings and Decisions Under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986
Section 181.—Treatment of
Certain Qualified Film and
Television Productions
26 CFR 1.181–1T: Deduction for qualified film and
television production costs (temporary).
T.D. 9312
DEPARTMENT OF
THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Parts 1 and 602
Section 181 — Deduction for
Qualified Film and Television
Production Costs
AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service
(IRS), Treasury.
ACTION: Temporary regulation.
SUMMARY: This document contains tem-
porary regulations relating to deductions
for the cost of producing film and televi-
sion productions under section 181. These
temporary regulations reflect changes to
the law made by the American Jobs Cre-
ation Act of 2004 and the Gulf Opportu-
nity Zone Act of 2005, and affect taxpay-
ers that produce films and television pro-
ductions within the United States. The
text of these temporary regulations also
serves as the text of the proposed regu-
lations (REG–115403–05) set forth in the
notice of proposed rulemaking on this sub-
ject in this issue of the Bulletin.
DATE
S:Effective Date:These regulations
are e
ffective February 9, 2007.
Appl
icability Dates:For dates of appli-
cabi
lity, see §1.181–6T.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT: Bernard P. Harvey, (202)
622–3110 (not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act
These temporary regulations are being
issued without prior notice and public pro-
cedure pursuant to the Administrative Pro-
cedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553). For this reason,
the collections of information contained in
these regulations have been reviewed and,
pending receipt and evaluation of public
comments, approved by the Office of Man-
agement and Budget under control num-
ber 1545–2059. Responses to these collec-
tions of information are required to obtain
a tax benefit.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor,
and a person is not required to respond
to, a collection of information unless the
collection of information displays a valid
OMB control number.
For further information concerning this
collection of information, and where to
submit comments on the collection of in-
formation and the accuracy of the esti-
mated burden, and suggestions for reduc-
ing this burden, please refer to the pream-
ble of the cross-referencing notice of pro-
posedrulemakingpublishedinthisissueof
the Bulletin.
Books or records relating to a collection
of information must be retained as long
as their contents may become material in
the administration of any internal revenue
law. Generally, tax returns and tax return
information are confidential, as required
by 26 U.S.C. 6103.
Background
This document contains amendments to
26 CFR part 1 to provide regulations under
section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (Code). Section 181 was added to
the Code by section 244 of the American
Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Public Law No.
108–357 (118 Stat. 1418) (Oct. 22, 2004),
and was modified by section 403(e) of the
Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005, Public
Law No. 109–135 (119 Stat. 2577) (Dec.
21, 2005).
Explanation of Provisions
For several years, independent film-
makers and television producers have
moved production activities from the
United States to other countries. Fre-
quently, this has been motivated by credits
and other incentives offered by foreign
governments to attract the economic ben-
efits gained by hosting these productions.
Congress enacted section 181 to make do-
mestic production more attractive to these
taxpayers.
Section 181 permits the owner of a
qualified film or television production to
elect to deduct production costs in the year
the costs are paid or incurred in lieu of
capitalizing the costs and recovering them
through depreciation allowances if the ag-
gregate costs do not exceed $15 million for
each qualifying production ($20 million
if a significant amount of the production
costs are incurred in certain designated ar-
eas) (the “production cost limit”). A film
or television production is a qualified film
or television production if 75 percent of
the total compensation of the production
is compensation for services performed
in the United States by actors, directors,
producers, and other relevant production
personnel (the “75 percent test”).
Allowance of Deduction
The deduction under section 181 is al-
lowed for the cost of producing qualified
film and television productions for which
principal photography begins after Octo-
ber 22, 2004, and before January 1, 2009.
Production costs incurred before or after
thisperiodmaybedeductedsolongas
principal photography commences during
the period.
Section 181 refers to “the taxpayer”
who makes the election and takes the
deduction. The temporary regulations
provide that only the owner of the film or
television production may elect to deduct
production costs under section 181. Under
the regulations, the owner of the produc-
tion is deemed to be the person or persons
otherwise required to capitalize produc-
tion costs into the basis of the film or
television production under section 263A
(or the person or persons that would be
required to capitalize production costs if
subject to section 263A).
The production costs that must be taken
into account (for both the amount of the de-
duction and for the production cost limit)
are the amounts that, absent section 181,
are required to be capitalized under sec-
tion 263A (or the amounts that would be
required to be capitalized if the taxpayer
2007–12 I.R.B.736March 19, 2007
was subject to section 263A). Although a
film’s budget might be evidence that the
production costs will not exceed the pro-
duction cost limit, the budget is not the
same as production costs for purposes of
section 181. All production costs eligible
to be deducted under section 181 are sub-
ject to the production cost limit. Under the
temporary regulations, distribution costs
are specifically excluded from the defini-
tion of production costs under section 181,
consistent with the exclusion of distribu-
tion costs under section 263A.
Section 181 does not require the pro-
duction to be placed in service in order for
the producer to begin deducting produc-
tion costs, and there is no requirement that
the production ever be placed in service or
completed. However, the temporary reg-
ulations require that, at the time the elec-
tion is made and in any year that a deduc-
tion is claimed, a taxpayer must have a rea-
sonable basis for believing that the produc-
tion will be set for production (as defined
in American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants Statement of Position 00–2),
will be a qualified film or television pro-
duction upon completion, and will not ex-
ceed the production cost limit. For exam-
ple, a taxpayer that has developed a shoot-
ing script, has a well-documented budget,
and has obtained financing on the basis of
these facts is in a good position to deter-
mine whether it has a reasonable basis to
claim the deduction.
The temporary regulations treat the cost
of acquiring a production as a production
cost. This rule is premised upon the un-
derstanding that under section 1245, the
seller would recapture upon the sale of the
production any section 181 deduction that
the seller had claimed. In the case of a
sale between related parties, the purchaser
must treat the greater of the acquisition
cost or the seller’s production cost as the
purchaser’s production cost for purposes
of the production cost limit, notwithstand-
ing that the purchaser’s deduction under
section 181 is based on the purchaser’s ac-
tual acquisition cost.
In the film industry, once a prospec-
tive producer has determined the estimated
budget for a production, it usually must ob-
tain financing from a bank or other lender
to cover at least part of the production cost.
The producer may incur up-front costs in
obtaining such financing. The producer’s
pre-sale agreements with distributors may
be used as collateral for this financing.
Generally, the financier will be repaid di-
rectly by these distributors upon delivery
of the finished production. In addition, the
financier will usually require that the pro-
ducer obtain a completion guarantee (often
referred to as a completion bond) as a con-
dition of the loan. The completion guar-
antee is a guarantee that, if the production
costs exceed the budgeted costs or the loan
proceeds are mishandled, the film will still
be completed and/or the financier will be
made whole. A completion guarantee can
be satisfied in a number of ways. For ex-
ample, the guarantor may loan funds to the
producer to finish the production, may fin-
ish the production itself (although this is
rare), or may reimburse the financier for
the amount loaned to the producer (plus in-
terest and other charges). Generally, the
producer must pay an up-front amount in
order to obtain a completion guarantee.
The temporary regulations provide that
the costs of obtaining financing, including
premium costs for completion guarantees,
are production costs that are subject to the
production cost limit and are deductible
under section 181. In addition, if the com-
pletion guarantor loans additional funds to
the producer and the funds are expended
by the producer to complete the produc-
tion, or if the completion guarantor incurs
additional production costs on its own be-
half, the additional funds are production
costs under section 181.
Participations and residuals (P&R)
are defined in section 167(g)(7)(B), as
costs with respect to an item of prop-
ertydescribedinsection167(g)(6),the
amount of which by contract varies with
the amount of income earned in connec-
tion with the property. In the context of
film and television production, participa-
tions are payments to actors, directors, and
other talent based on a contractually-de-
fined measure of future income from the
production. Residuals are payments made
pursuant to collective-bargaining agree-
ments, such as those of the directors’ and
actors’ guilds, based upon non-theatri-
cal sales, under terms that differ between
video, free television, and pay television
sales. Participations are generally paid
by the producer but may be assumed by
a third-party distributor. On the other
hand, residuals are generally paid by a dis-
tributor out of its gross receipts from the
production. Industry accounting generally
treats participation payments made by dis-
tributors as a reduction in the producer’s
profit rather than a production cost, and
generally treats residual payments made
by distributors as a distribution cost.
Various comments were received with
respect to the treatment of P&R under
section 181. Some comments suggested
that taxpayers be permitted to elect to
deduct participation payments (rather than
capitalizing those payments into the ba-
sis of the production) under the income
forecast method rather than section 181.
Other comments suggested that Congress,
by specifically excluding P&R costs paid
or incurred by the taxpayer from the def-
inition of “qualified compensation” in
section 181(d)(3), intended these costs
to be excluded from the production cost
limit in section 181(a)(2). Comments
received also suggested that P&R costs
should be excluded for purposes of deter-
mining whether the production cost limit
is exceeded, but nonetheless should be
deductible production costs under section
181.
In addition, various comments ex-
pressed concerns about productions being
subsequently disqualified if P&R costs are
included in determining if the production
cost limit is exceeded. For example, a
taxpayer forecasts its production costs (in-
cluding a reasonable amount of P&R costs
based upon projected income from the
production) and basedupon this forecast
the taxpayer determines it has a reasonable
basis for making an election under section
181. However, if an unexpectedly large
amount of P&R is later paid as a result of
production earnings being much greater
than was initially expected, with the re-
sult that the total production cost exceeds
the production cost limit, the production
would become disqualified from treatment
under section 181.
The temporary regulations provide that
P&R costs are considered production costs
for purposes of the production cost limit.
The IRS and Treasury Department rec-
ognize that P&R costs are costs that are
generally subject to capitalization under
section 263A (see §1.263A–1(e)(2) and
§1.263A–1(e)(3)). Nonetheless, an ex-
plicit reference to P&R costs is provided in
the temporary regulations in order to avoid
any uncertainty with respect to these costs.
The IRS and Treasury Department be-
lieve that the statute requires P&R costs
March 19, 20077372007–12 I.R.B.
to be included in the production cost limit.
For example, the statute specifically pro-
vides that participations and residuals are
excluded from the definition of compensa-
tion for purposes of determining whether
the production was a qualified film or tele-
vision production, as defined in section
181(d)(1). This explicit exclusion is not
found in the production cost limit of sec-
tion 181(a)(2) or elsewhere in section 181.
In addition, the IRS and Treasury
Department are concerned that if P&R
costs were excluded from the definition
of production costs under section 181,
section 181(b) could cause them to be
nondeductible under any provision of the
Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, sec-
tion 181(b) states that no depreciation
or amortization deduction other than the
deduction provided under section 181 is
allowed for the basis of a qualified film or
television production for which an elec-
tion has been made. Therefore, if P&R
costs were excluded from the definition
of production costs under section 181, a
taxpayer wishing to expense P&R costs
under the holding ofAssociated Patentees,
4 T.C. 979 (1945), may be barred from do-
ing so under section 181(b), as the holding
in that case is explicit that a deduction un-
derAssociated Patenteesis a depreciation
deduction of basis.
Additionally, the IRS and Treasury
Department are concerned that a blanket
exclusion of participations from the def-
inition of production costs would allow
taxpayers to manipulate the total pro-
duction cost (and avoid the production
cost limit) by structuring compensation
as participation payments. Commentators
argued that this potential abuse could be
mitigated with an anti-abuse rule that treats
only those participations that are disguised
non-contingent or guaranteed payments,
where the talent incurs minimal risk of
non-payment (for example, participations
with a payment priority over distribution
cost repayment and/or production financ-
ing cost repayment) as production costs
subject to the production cost limit, but
does not treat other participation costs as
production costs.
The IRS and Treasury Department con-
sidered excluding from the amount to be
takenintoconsiderationasproduction
costs any residuals (payments to actors’
or directors’ guilds based on gross income
from exploitation in secondary markets)
that are paid by the distributor or other
third party, under the theory that these pay-
ments are costs of exploiting the finished
production. However, the same argument
could be advanced for participations con-
tingent on income, notwithstanding that
most participations are taken in lieu of
compensation for services (normally a
production cost). In addition, a payment
of residuals by a third party is still made
on the producer’s behalf, and the producer
remains the party with ultimate liability
for the payment. Thus, the temporary
regulations provide that P&R costs are
production costs that are deductible under
section 181 and are included in the pro-
duction cost limit.
Section 181(a)(2)(B)provides a higher
production cost limit for a qualified film or
television production “the aggregate cost
of which is significantly incurred” in a
designated area. Designated areas include
areas eligible for designation as low-in-
come communities or certain distressed
counties and isolated areas. However, nei-
ther the statute nor its legislative history
provides a definition for “significantly
incurred,” nor do they explain how the
standard should be applied. However,
Congress’ stated intent in enacting section
181 was to encourage economic activity in
these designated areas. Accordingly, the
temporary regulations provide two differ-
ent tests for establishing when production
costs have been significantly incurred in
a designated area. One test is based upon
production costs while the other is based
upon days of production. Under the first
of these tests, the temporary regulations
establish a 20 percent threshold for the
“significantly incurred” standard (similar
to the rules of §1.199–3(g)(3)). This test
compares productioncosts incurred in
first-unit principal photography that takes
place in a designated area to all produc-
tion costs incurred for first-unit principal
photography. First-unit principal photog-
raphy typically films the primary actors,
whereas second-unit principal photogra-
phy typically films shots that establish
location or context (exteriors of buildings,
crowds, cars passing). Production costs of
principal photography include, for exam-
ple, compensation toactors, directors and
other production personnel, location costs,
camera rental and insurance, and catering.
This 20 percent test is based upon produc-
tion costs incurred in first-unit principal
photography and ignores all other produc-
tion costs such as preproduction, editing,
and postproduction costs for purposes of
the “significantly incurred” requirement.
These other production costs often greatly
exceed principal photography costs, and
must be incurred where adequate produc-
tion facilities exist (and it is likely that
few such facilities are available in the
designated areas). The IRS and Treasury
Department believe that if all production
costs were taken into consideration in
determining whether the 20 percent “sig-
nificantly incurred” threshold had been
met, very few films would qualify for the
higher production cost limit, even if a sub-
stantial amount of principal photography
occurred in a designated area. However,
we request comments regarding whether
the exclusion of preproduction, editing,
and postproduction costs will unfairly im-
pact taxpayers.
Comments were received requesting
that consideration be given to developing
a “significantly incurred” test based upon
the number of days of principal photogra-
phy. The temporary regulations adopt this
suggestion and provide, as an alternative
to the 20 percent cost-based test, a “signif-
icantly incurred” test based upon the total
number of days of principal photography.
Under this test, if at least 50 percent of the
total days of principal photography take
place in a designated area, the produc-
tion will be deemed to have satisfied the
“significantly incurred” requirement of
section 181(a)(2)(B). This 50 percent test
may provide a simpler computation than
the 20 percent cost-based test and avoids
issues such as the allocation of salaries to
specific days of principal photography.
A taxpayer intending to utilize the $20
million production cost limit under sec-
tion 181(a)(2)(B) must maintain records
adequate to demonstrate that it has a rea-
sonable basis under the “significantly in-
curred” standard to support reliance on the
higher dollar limitation.
Election
The Conference report underlying sec-
tion 181 provides that, until the Secre-
tary publishes specific guidance, taxpay-
ers may make a valid election under sec-
tion 181 by claiming the deduction on the
taxpayer’s return for the year that produc-
tion costs are first incurred. H.R. Conf.
2007–12 I.R.B.738March 19, 2007
Rep. 108–755. The IRS published the
section 181 election requirements in No-
tice 2006–47, 2006–20 I.R.B. 892, May
15, 2006. See §601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b). The
notice also includes transition rules for tax-
payers that incurred costs during the period
prior to October 22, 2004 (the enactment
of section 181) for productions that qual-
ify under section 181 (that is, productions
for which principal photography began on
or after October 22, 2004). The temporary
regulations provide the same election re-
quirements and transition rules, along with
a requirement that the taxpayer have a rea-
sonable basis for claiming the deduction.
Many films are owned by a passthrough
entity with more than one owner. The tem-
porary regulations provide that if the pro-
duction is owned by a partnership, the elec-
tion is made at the partnership level.
Section 181(c)(2) provides that an elec-
tion under section 181 may not be revoked
without the consent of the Secretary. How-
ever, the election is effectively revoked if
the production costs exceed the produc-
tion cost limit or if the production fails to
be a qualified film or television produc-
tion. In recognition of the concerns ex-
pressed by commentators over the inclu-
sion of P&R costs in the definition of pro-
duction costs under section 181, and the
fact that the requirements of section 181
may ultimately not be met notwithstand-
ing a prior reasonable basis for believing
otherwise, the temporary regulations per-
mit taxpayers to revoke a section 181 elec-
tion by filing a statement with the return
for the taxable year in which the revoca-
tion is effective identifying the production
for which the election is revoked. The re-
turn for that taxable year must also report
compliance with the recapture provisions
discussed in “Special Rules” in this pream-
ble.
Qualified Film or Television Production
(definitions)
BoththeSenatereportandtheConfer-
ence report underlying section 181 state
that “the provision defines a qualified film
or television production as any produc-
tion of a motion picture (whether released
theatrically or directly to video cassette
or any other format); miniseries; scripted,
dramatic television episode; or movie of
the week” that satisfies the 75 percent
test. The definition provided in the Senate
report and the Conference report arguably
would exclude productions that do not fall
within these delineated categories, such
as reality programming, documentaries,
sports programs, news programs, variety
shows, game shows, live performances,
interview and talk shows, commercials
and “infomercials,” religious/inspirational
programming, educational programming,
exercise shows, training videos, and oth-
ers. Comments were received noting that
it appeared from the legislative history
that Congress intended for the provision
to apply only to a motion picture, minis-
eries, scripted dramatic television episode,
or movie of the week. Notwithstanding
the legislative history, section 181(d)(2)
itself defines a production as “property
described in section 168(f)(3).” Section
168(f)(3) property is “any film or video
tape.” Accordingly,the temporary regula-
tions adopt the broaderstatutory definition
provided in section168(f)(3) and specif-
ically define a production under section
181 to include any film or video tape
production the production cost of which
is subject to capitalization under section
263A.
Once a film or television production is
released or broadcast, the taxpayer may
face additional costs to prepare the produc-
tion for foreign distribution, rebroadcast
(for example, editing a theatrical film for
television), or release to the home video
market. Consistent with the approach
taken under the income forecast method
(see section 167(g)(5)(A)(ii)), these costs
are not treated as production costs of the
film or television production for purposes
of the production cost limit under section
181(a)(2), and no deduction may be taken
under section 181 for such costs.
Section 181(d)(1) compares qualified
compensation to total compensation in
applying the 75 percent test. Although
qualified compensation is defined by sec-
tion 181(d)(3)(A) as compensation for
services performed in the United States
by actors, directors,producers, and other
relevant production personnel, the 75
percent test compares this amount to the
“total compensation of the production.” In
order to be consistent with the definition
provided for in section 181(d)(3)(A), the
temporary regulations define “total com-
pensation of the production” as the total
amount of compensation paid for services
performed anywhere by actors, directors,
producers, and other relevant production
personnel in the production of the film
or television production. In addition, the
temporary regulations specifically provide
that the terms compensation and qualified
compensation include compensation paid
to persons who are not directly employed
by the producer.
The termqualified compensationis de-
fined as compensation for services by var-
ious participants performed “in the United
States.” The definition of “United States”
in section 7701(a)(9) includes the 50 states
and the District of Columbia. Although the
goal of section 181 is to encourage eco-
nomic activity within the United States as
defined in section 7701(a)(9), the use of
a standard based upon principal photogra-
phy requires the use of a slightly broader
definition that takes into account that the
physical act of principal photography may
take place on land, at sea, or in the air.
Consequently, the temporary regulations
provide that a service is performed in the
United States for purposes of the 75 per-
cent test if the principal photography to
which the service relates occurs within the
fifty states, the District of Columbia, the
territorial waters of the continental United
States, or the airspace or space above the
continental United States and its territorial
waters.
There are some services related to a pro-
duction that may physically take place at
a variety of places outside the control and
knowledge of the producer (for example,
training, rehearsal, and pre- and post-pro-
duction). However, the producer has direct
or indirect control and knowledge of the
shooting location of principal photography
with which these other services are associ-
ated. Therefore, the IRS and Treasury De-
partment believe that as a general rule the
75 percent test should be based upon the
locations where principal photography oc-
curs.
In this regard, the temporary regula-
tions provide a special rule for animated
productions. Although these produc-
tions may have a “principal photography”
analogue, the production process is com-
pletely different and the majority of the
work of the “talent” is performed inde-
pendent of the actual frame photography.
Computer-generatedanimation is not pho-
tographed at all. Hand-drawn animated
films involve the creation of a story-
board (sketches of the story action) by
March 19, 20077392007–12 I.R.B.
the principal artists. Once the storyboards
are approved, individual frames showing
important moments in the action called
“keyframes” are created by the principal
artists, after which the frames in between
these frames (the “in-betweens”) are pro-
duced by assistant animators. These in-be-
tweens are frequently outsourced overseas.
Background art is created separately. The
animation frames are transferred to plastic
cels with a copier or, in some cases, are
hand painted on the cels (or both). The
cels are then photographed against the
background art. Voice acting, music, and
Foley (sound effects) are recorded inde-
pendently. All of these elements are then
combined into the finished film.
The production process for computer
animation is similar, except that the prin-
cipal artists work directly with computer
programmers to create keyframe images in
the animation software. In-between work
is less likely to be outsourced, as the com-
puter can generate most in-between frames
from the keyframes themselves. Back-
ground art can be created within the com-
puter program or scanned in from physi-
cal artwork. Post-production is generally
done completely in the digital realm, and
the final product is output to disc.
The temporary regulations apply the 75
percent test to animated productions based
upon the production locations for (at least)
the keyframe animation, the in-between
animation, the animation photography, and
the recording of the voice acting perfor-
mances instead of the location where prin-
cipal photography takes place. A separate
rule is provided for productions that com-
bine animation and live action, taking into
account the production locations for the
animation functions in addition to the lo-
cation of principal photography.
Special Rules
The version of the legislation that be-
came section 181 (as originally passed
by the Senate) provided a deduction for
production costs up to $15 million, and
allowed production costs in excess of
$15 million to be depreciated using the
straight-line method over a 36-month pe-
riod. Jumpstart Our Business Strength
(JOBS) Act, S. 1637, 108
th
Cong. §321
(2003). The depreciation provision was
removed in conference, with the result
that the deduction does not apply to qual-
ified film or television productions with
an aggregate production cost in excess
of $15 million ($20 million if a signifi-
cant amount of the production costs are
incurred in designated areas.) Section
181 is silent as to what should happen
when a production appears to meet the
requirements of section 181 in the year
the election is first made, but fails to meet
those requirements thereafter (for exam-
ple, when the production cost exceeds $15
million, or when the production no longer
meets the 75 percent test).
The temporary regulations provide a re-
capture provision thatrequires the recap-
ture of any production costs previously de-
ducted under section 181 in the year the
election is voluntarily revoked or the pro-
duction fails to meet the requirements of
section 181. For property already placed
in service, the taxpayer must include in in-
come the difference between the aggregate
amount claimed under section 181 and the
depreciation that would have been other-
wise allowable with respect to the produc-
tion in the same years. For a production
not yet placed in service, the taxpayer must
include in income the aggregate amount
claimed under section 181. The struc-
ture of the recapture provision is intended
in part to alleviate concerns that includ-
ing P&R in the definition of production
costs under section 181 would cause tax-
payers to completely forgo the benefits of
section 181. Under the temporary regu-
lations, a taxpayer with a reasonable be-
lief that it is producing a qualified film or
television production, and that the produc-
tion cost will not exceed the production
cost limit, will be permitted to elect to cur-
rently deduct production costs under sec-
tion 181 with the understanding that a re-
capture may be required in a later year if
circumstances or expectations change. A
taxpayer that is required to recapture pre-
viously deducted production costs under
section 181 will nonetheless be permitted
to deduct otherwise allowable depreciation
expenses in future years.
Prior to the technical correction enacted
in the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005,
a taxpayer could potentially incur produc-
tion costs, deduct the production costs un-
der section 181 against ordinary income,
then sell the film after holding it for one
year and report the proceeds (including
the gain attributable to the basis reduc-
tion from the section 181 deduction) as a
long-term capital gain,effectively convert-
ing ordinary income to capital gain. This
potential “tax flip,” existed because, as
originally enacted, the statute did not spec-
ify that the deduction under section 181 is
a deduction for depreciation or amortiza-
tion, or state that it is subject to recapture
under section 1245. The technical correc-
tion specifically treats a deduction under
section 181 as a deduction for depreciation
or amortization that is subject to recapture
under section 1245, and the temporary reg-
ulations follow this rule.
Effective Date
The temporary regulations apply to
qualified film and television productions
with respect to which principal photogra-
phy or, in the case of an animated produc-
tion, in-between animation, commenced
on or after February 9, 2007 and before
January 1, 2009.
Effect on Other Documents
The following publications are modi-
fied as of February 9, 2007:
Notice 2006–47, 2006–20 I.R.B. 892,
is modified by removing section B.2. in
the INTERIM PROVISIONS of Notice
2006–20.
Rev. Proc. 2002–9, 2002–1 C.B. 327,
is modified and amplified to include the
automatic changes in methods of account-
ing in §1.181–2T(d)(2) and (e)(1) in the
APPENDIX of Rev. Proc. 2002–9.
Special Analyses
It has been determined that this Trea-
sury decision is not asignificant regula-
tory action as defined in Executive Order
12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment
is not required. It also has been determined
that section 553(b) and (d) of the Admin-
istrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter
5) does not apply to these regulations. For
applicability of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), please refer to the
Special Analyses section of the preamble
to the cross-reference notice of proposed
rulemaking published in this issue of the
Bulletin. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of
the Code, these regulations have been sub-
mitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy
of the Small Business Administration for
comment on its impact on small business.
2007–12 I.R.B.740March 19, 2007
Drafting Information
The principal author of these regula-
tionsisBernardP.Harvey,OfficeofAs-
sociate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and
Special Industries). However, other per-
sonnel from the IRS and Treasury Depart-
ment participated in their development.
*****
Amendments to the Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 1 and 602
are amended as follows:
PART 1—INCOME TAXES
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for
part 1 continues to read, in part, as follows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
Par. 2. Sections 1.181–0T through
1.181–6T are added to read as follows:
§1.181–0T Table of contents (temporary).
This section lists the table of contents
for §§1.181–1T through 1.181–6T.
§1.181–1T Deduction for qualified
film and television production costs
(temporary).
(a) Deduction.
(1) In general.
(2) Owner.
(3) Production costs.
(b) Limit on amount of pro
duction costs
and amount of deduction.
(1) In general.
(2)Higherlimitforprodu
ctions in cer-
tain areas.
(i) In general.
(ii) Significantly incur
red.
(iii) Animated film and t
elevision pro-
ductions.
(iv) Productions incorp
oratingbothlive
action and animation.
(v) Records required.
(c) No other depreciation
or amortiza-
tion deduction allowed.
§1.181–2T Election (temporary).
(a) Time and manner of making elec-
tion.
(b) Election by entity.
(c) Information required.
(1) Initial election.
(2) Subsequent taxable years.
(3) Deductions by more than one owner.
(d) Revocation of election.
(1) In general.
(2) Consent granted.
(e) Transition rules.
(1) Costs first paid or incurred prior to
October 23, 2004.
(2) Returns filed after June 14, 2006,
and before March 12, 2007.
(3) Information required.
§1.181–3T Qualified film or television
production (temporary).
(a) In general.
(b) Production.
(1) In general.
(2) Special rules for television produc-
tions.
(3) Exception for certain sexually ex-
plicit productions.
(c) Compensation.
(d) Qualified compensation.
(e) Special rule for acquired produc-
tions.
(f) Other definitions.
(1) Actors.
(2) Production personnel.
(3) United States.
§1.181–4T Special rules (temporary).
(a) Recapture.
(1) Applicability.
(2) Principal photography not com-
mencing prior to January 1, 2009.
(3) Amount of recapture.
(b) Recapture under section 1245.
§1.181–5T Examples (temporary).
§1.181–6T Effective date (temporary).
(a) In general.
(b) Application of regulation project
REG–115403–05 to pre-effective date
productions.
(c) Special rules for returns filed for
prior taxable years.
§1.181–1T Deduction for qualified
film and television production costs
(temporary).
(a)Deduction—(1)In general.The
owner (as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of
this section) of any film or television pro-
duction (as defined in §1.181–3T(b)) that
the owner reasonably expects will be, upon
completion, a qualified film or television
production (as defined in §1.181–3T(a))
for which the production costs (as defined
in paragraph (a)(3) of this section) will not
be in excess of the production cost limit
of paragraph (b) of this section may elect
to treat all production costs incurred by
the owner as an expense that is deductible
in the taxable year in which the costs are
paid (in the case of a taxpayer who uses the
cash method of accounting) or incurred (in
the case of a taxpayer who uses the accrual
method of accounting). This deduction is
subject to recapture if the owner’s expec-
tations prove to be inaccurate. This section
provides rules for determining who is the
owner of a production, what is a produc-
tion cost, and the maximum production
cost that may be incurred for a produc-
tion for which an election is made under
section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code
(Code). Section 1.181–2T provides rules
for making the election under section 181.
Section 1.181–3T provides definitions
and rules concerning qualified film and
television productions. Section 1.181–4T
provides special rules, including rules
for recapture of the deduction. Section
1.181–5T provides examples of the appli-
cation of §§1.181–1T through 1.181–4T,
while §1.181–6T provides the effective
date of §§1.181–1T through 1.181–5T.
(2)Owner. For purposes of this sec-
tion and §§1.181–2T through 1.181–6T,
the owner of a production is any taxpayer
that is required under section 263A to cap-
italize costs paid or incurred in producing
the production into the cost basis of the
production, or that would be required to
do so if section 263A applied to that tax-
payer. A taxpayer that obtains only a lim-
ited license or right to exploit a production,
or receives an interest or profit participa-
tion in a production as compensation for
services, generally is not an owner of the
production for purposes of this section and
§§1.181–2T through 1.181–6T.
(3)Production costs.(i)Theterm
production costsmeans all costs paid or
incurred by the owner in producing or
acquiring a production that are required,
absent the provisions of section 181, to
be capitalized under section 263A, or that
would be required to be capitalized if sec-
tion 263A applied to the owner. These
production costs specifically include,
but are not limited to, participations and
residuals, compensation paid for services,
compensation paid for property rights,
non-compensation costs, and costs paid
March 19, 20077412007–12 I.R.B.
or incurred in connection with obtaining
financing for the production (for example,
premiums paid or incurred to obtain a
completion bond for the production).
(ii) Production costs do not include
costspaidorincurredtodistributeorex-
ploit a production (including advertising
and print costs).
(iii) Production costs do not include
the costs to prepare a new release or new
broadcast of an existing film or video
after the initial release or initial broad-
cast of the film or video (for instance, the
preparation of a DVD release of a theatri-
cally-released film, or the preparation of
an edited version of a theatrically-released
film for television broadcast). Costs paid
or incurred to prepare a new release or
a new broadcast of a film or video that
has previously been released or broadcast,
therefore, are not taken into account for
purposes of paragraph (b) of this section,
and may not be deducted under this para-
graph (a).
(iv) If a production (or any right or
interest in a production) is acquired from
any person bearing a relationship to the
taxpayer described in section 267(b) or
section 707(b)(1), and the costs paid or
incurred to acquire the production are less
than the seller’s production cost, the pur-
chaser must treat the seller’s production
cost as a production cost of the acquired
production for purposes of determining
whether the aggregate production cost
paid or incurred with respect to the pro-
duction exceeds the applicable production
cost limit imposed under paragraphs (b)(1)
and (b)(2) of this section. Notwithstanding
this paragraph (a)(3)(iv), the taxpayer’s
deduction under section 181 is limited to
the taxpayer’s acquisition cost of the pro-
duction plus any further production costs
incurred by the taxpayer.
(v) The provisions of this paragraph (a)
apply notwithstanding the provisions of
section 167(g)(7)(D).
(b)Limitonamountofproductioncost
and amount of deduction—(1)In general.
Except as provided under paragraph (b)(2)
of this section, the deduction permitted un-
der section 181 does not apply in the case
of any production, the production cost of
which exceeds $15,000,000.
(2)Higher limit for productions in cer-
tain areas—(i)In general. This section
is applied by substituting $20,000,000 for
$15,000,000 in the case of any production
the aggregate production cost of which is
significantly incurred in an area eligible
for designation as—
(A) A low income community under
section 45D; or
(B) A distressed county or isolated
area of distress by the Delta Regional Au-
thority establishedunder 7 U.S.C section
2009aa–1.
(ii)Significantly incurred. The aggre-
gate production cost of a production is sig-
nificantly incurred within one or more ar-
eas specified in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this
section if—
(A) At least 20 percent of the total pro-
duction cost incurred in connection with
first-unit principal photography for the
production is incurred in connection with
first-unit principal photography that takes
place in such areas; or
(B) At least 50 percent of the total num-
ber of days of first-unit principal photog-
raphy for the production consists of days
during which first-unit principal photogra-
phy takes place in such areas.
(iii)Animated film and television pro-
ductions. For purposes of an animated
film or television production, the aggre-
gate production cost of the production is
significantly incurred within one or more
areas specified in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of
this section if—
(A) At least 20 percent of the total
production cost incurred in connection
with keyframe animation, in-between an-
imation, animation photography, and the
recording of voice acting performances for
the production is incurred in connection
with such activities that take place in such
areas; or
(B) At least 50 percent of the total num-
berofdaysofkeyframeanimation,in-be-
tween animation, animation photography,
and the recording of voice acting perfor-
mances for the production consists of days
during which such activities take place in
such areas.
(iv)Productions incorporating both
live action and animation. For purposes of
a production incorporating both live action
and animation, the aggregate production
cost of the production is significantly in-
curred within one or more areas specified
in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section if—
(A) At least 20 percent of the total pro-
duction cost incurred in connection with
first-unit principal photography, keyframe
animation, in-between animation, anima-
tion photography, and the recording of
voice acting performances for the produc-
tion is incurred in connection with such
activities that take place in such areas; or
(B) At least 50 percent of the total
number of days of first unit principal
photography, keyframe animation, in-be-
tween animation, animation photography,
and the recording of voice acting perfor-
mances for the production consists of days
during which such activities take place in
such areas.
(v)Records required. A taxpayer in-
tending to utilize the higher production
cost limit under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this
section must maintain records adequate to
demonstrate qualification under this para-
graph (b)(2).
(c)No other depreciation or amorti-
zation deduction allowed. (1) Except as
provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this sec-
tion, an owner that elects to deduct produc-
tion costs under section 181 with respect
to a production may not deduct production
costs for that production under any provi-
sion of the Code other than section 181 un-
less §1.181–4T(a) applies to the produc-
tion. In addition, except as provided in
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, an owner
that has, in a previous taxable year, de-
ducted any production cost of a production
under a provision of the Code other than
section 181 is ineligible to make an elec-
tion with respect to that production under
section 181.
(2)Anownermaymakeanelectionun-
der section 181 despite prior deductions
claimed for amortization of the cost of ac-
quiring or developing screenplays, scripts,
story outlines, motion picture production
rights to books and plays, and other simi-
lar properties for purposes of potential fu-
ture development or production of a pro-
duction under any provision of the Code
if such costs were incurred before the first
taxable year in which an election could be
made under §1.181–2T(a). However, the
production cost of the production does not
include costs that a taxpayer has begun to
amortize prior to the time that the produc-
tion is set for production (for further guid-
ance, see Rev. Proc. 2004–36, 2004–1
C.B. 1063, and §601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)of
this chapter).
2007–12 I.R.B.742March 19, 2007
§1.181–2T Election (temporary).
(a)Time and manner of making elec-
tion. (1) Except as provided in paragraph
(e) of this section, a taxpayer electing to
deduct the production cost of a production
under section 181 must do so in the time
and manner described in this paragraph (a).
Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2)
and (e) of this section, the election must
be made by the due date (including exten-
sions) for filing the taxpayer’s Federal in-
come tax return for the first taxable year
in which production costs (as defined in
§1.181–1T(a)(3)) have been paid or in-
curred. See §301.9100–2 of this chapter
for a six-month extension of this period
in certain circumstances. The election un-
der section 181 is made separately for each
production produced by the owner.
(2) An owner may not make an elec-
tion under paragraph (a)(1) of this section
until the first taxable year in which the
owner reasonably expects (based on all of
the facts and circumstances) that—
(i) The production will be set for pro-
duction and will, upon completion, be a
qualified film or television production; and
(ii) The aggregate production cost paid
or incurred with respect to the produc-
tion will, at no time, exceed the applica-
ble production cost limit set forth under
§1.181–1T(b) of the regulations.
(3) If the election under this paragraph
(a) is made in a taxable year subsequent to
the taxable year in which production costs
were first paid or incurred because para-
graph (a)(2) of this section was not sat-
isfied until such subsequent taxable year,
the election must be made in the first such
taxable year, and any production costs in-
curred prior to the taxable year in which
the taxpayer makes the election are treated
as production costs (except as provided in
§1.181–1T(c)(2)) that are deductible un-
der §1.181–1T(a) in the taxable year para-
graph (a)(2) of this section is first satisfied
and the election is made.
(b)Election by entity. In the case of a
production owned by an entity, the elec-
tion is made by the entity. For example,
the election is made for each member of
a consolidated group by the common par-
ent of the group, for each partner by the
partnership, or for each shareholder by the
S corporation. The election must be made
by the due date (including extensions) for
filing the return for the later of the taxable
year of the entity in which production costs
are first paid or incurred or the first taxable
year in which §1.181–2T(a)(2) is satisfied.
(c)Information required—(1)Initial
election. For each production to which
the election applies, the taxpayer must
attach a statement to the return stating that
the taxpayer is making an election under
section 181 and providing—
(i) The name (or other unique identify-
ing designation) of the production;
(ii) The date production costs were first
paid or incurred with respect to the produc-
tion;
(iii) The amount of production costs
(as defined in §1.181–1T(a)(3)) paid or in-
curred with respect to the production dur-
ing the taxable year (including costs de-
scribed in §1.181–2T(a)(3));
(iv) The aggregate amount of qual-
ified compensation (as defined in
§1.181–3T(d)) paid or incurred with re-
spect to the production during the tax-
able year (including costs described in
§1.181–2T(a)(3));
(v) The aggregate amount of compen-
sation (as defined in §1.181–3T(c)) paid
or incurred with respect to the production
during the taxable year (including costs de-
scribed in §1.181–2T(a)(3));
(vi) If the owner expects that the to-
tal production cost of the production will
be significantly paid or incurred in (or, if
applicable, if a significant portion of the
total number of days of principal photog-
raphy will occur in) one or more of the
areas specified in §1.181–1T(b)(2)(i), the
identity of the area or areas, the amount
of production costs paid or incurred (or
the number of days of principal photogra-
phy engaged in) for the applicable activi-
ties described in §1.181–1T(b)(2)(ii), (iii),
or (iv), as applicable, that take place within
such areas (including costs described in
§1.181–2T(a)(3)), and the total production
cost paid or incurred (or the total num-
ber of days of principal photography en-
gaged in) for such activities (whether or
not they take place in such areas), for the
taxable year (including costs described in
§1.181–2T(a)(3)); and
(vii) A declaration that the owner rea-
sonably expects (based on all of the facts
and circumstances at the time the election
was filed) both that the production will be
set for production (or has been set for pro-
duction) and will be a qualified film or
television production, and that the aggre-
gate production cost of the production paid
or incurred will not, at any time, exceed
the applicable dollar amount set forth un-
der §1.181–1T(b).
(2)Subsequent taxable years.Ifthe
owner pays or incurs additional production
costs in any taxable year subsequent to the
taxable year in which production costs are
first deducted under section 181, the owner
must attach a statement to its Federal in-
come tax return for that subsequent taxable
year providing—
(i) The name (or other unique identify-
ing designation) of the production;
(ii) The date the production costs were
first paid or incurred;
(iii) The amount of production costs
paid or incurred by the owner with respect
to the production during the taxable year;
(iv) The amount of qualified compen-
sation paid or incurred with respect to the
production during the taxable year;
(v) The aggregate amount of compen-
sation paid or incurred with respect to the
production during the taxable year, and the
aggregate amount of compensation paid or
incurred with respect to the production in
all prior taxable years;
(vi) If the owner expects that the to-
tal production cost of the production will
be significantly paid or incurred in (or, if
applicable, if a significant portion of the
total number of days of principal photog-
raphy will occur in) one or more of the
areas specified in §1.181–1T(b)(2)(i), the
identity of the area or areas, the amount
of production costs paid or incurred (or
the number of days of principal photogra-
phy engaged in) for the applicable activi-
ties described in §1.181–1T(b)(2)(ii), (iii),
or (iv), as applicable, that take place within
such areas, and the total production cost
paid or incurred (or the number of days
of principal photography engaged in) for
such activities (whether or not they take
place in such areas), for the taxable year;
and
(vii) A declaration that the owner con-
tinues to reasonably expect (based on all of
the facts and circumstances at the time the
election was filed) both that the production
will be set for production (or has been set
for production) and will be a qualified film
or television production, and that the ag-
gregate production cost of the production
paid or incurred will not, at any time, ex-
ceed the applicable dollar amount set forth
under §1.181–1T(b).
March 19, 20077432007–12 I.R.B.
(3)Deductions by more than one owner.
If more than one taxpayer will claim de-
ductions under section 181 with respect to
the production for the taxable year, each
owner (but not the members of an entity
who are issued a Schedule K–1 by the en-
tity with respect to their interest in the pro-
duction) must provide a list of the names
and taxpayer identification numbers of all
such taxpayers, the dollar amount that each
such taxpayer is entitled to deduct under
section 181, and the information required
by paragraphs (c)(1)(iii) through (vi) and
(c)(2)(iii) through (vi) of this section for all
owners.
(d)Revocation of election—(1)In gen-
eral. An election made under this section
may not be revoked without the consent of
the Secretary.
(2)Consent granted. The Secretary’s
consent to revoke an election under this
section with respect to a particular produc-
tion will be granted if the owner—
(i) Files a Federal income tax return
in which the owner complies with the
recapture provisions of §1.181–4T(a)
to recapture the amount described in
§1.181–4T(a)(3); and
(ii) Attaches a statement to the owner’s
return clearly indicating the name (or
other unique identifying designation) of
the production, and stating that the elec-
tion under section 181 with respect to that
production is being revoked pursuant to
§1.181–2T(d)(2).
(e)Transition rules—(1)Costs first
paid or incurred prior to October 23,
2004. If a taxpayer begins principal pho-
tography of a production after October 22,
2004, but first paid or incurred production
costs before October 23, 2004, the tax-
payer is entitled to make an election under
this section with respect to those costs. If,
before June 15, 2006, the taxpayer filed its
Federal tax return for the taxable year in
which production costs were first paid or
incurred, and if the taxpayer wants to make
a section 181 election for that taxable year,
the taxpayer may make the election either
by—
(i) Filing an amended Federal tax return
for the taxable year in which production
costs were first paid or incurred, and for all
subsequent affected taxable year(s), on or
before November 15, 2006, provided that
all of these years are open under the period
of limitations for assessment under section
6501(a); or
(ii) Filing a Form 3115, “Application
for Change in Accounting Method,” for
the first or second taxable year ending
on or after December 31, 2005, in accor-
dance with the administrative procedures
issued under §1.446–1(e)(3)(ii) for ob-
taining the Commissioner’s automatic
consent to a change in accounting method
(for further guidance, for example, see
Rev. Proc. 2002–9, 2002–1 C.B. 327,
and §601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter).
This change in method of accounting re-
sults in a section 481 adjustment. Further,
any limitations on obtaining the automatic
consent of the Commissioner do not ap-
ply to a taxpayer seeking to change its
method of accounting under this para-
graph (e)(1). Moreover, the taxpayer must
includeonline1aoftheForm3115the
designated automatic accounting method
change number “100”.
(2) Returns filed after June 14, 2006,
and before March 12, 2007. If, after June
14, 2006, and before March 12, 2007, the
owner of a film or television production
filed its original Federal income tax return
for a taxable year ending after October 22,
2004, without making an election under
section 181 for production costs first paid
or incurred after October 22, 2004, and if
the taxpayer wants to make an election un-
der section 181 for production costs first
paid or incurred during that taxable year,
the taxpayer must make the election within
the time provided by paragraph (a) of this
section and in the manner provided in para-
graph (c)(1) of this section, except that
the election statement attached to the re-
turn must include the information required
in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (vi) of this
section.
(3)Information required. If, in accor-
dance with paragraph (e)(1) of this section,
the taxpayer is making an election for a
prior taxable year by filing amended Fed-
eral tax return(s), the statement and infor-
mation required by paragraphs (c)(1) and
(c)(2) of this section must be attached to
each amended return. If, in accordance
with paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the
taxpayer is making a section 181 election
for a prior taxable year by filing a Form
3115 for the first or second taxable year
ending on or after December 31, 2005,
the statement and information required by
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this sec-
tion must be attached to the Form 3115.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, the
amount of the cost or compensation paid or
incurred for the production must only in-
clude the amount paid or incurred in tax-
able years prior to the year of change (for
further guidance on year of change, see
section 5.02 of Rev. Proc. 2002–9 and
§601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter).
§1.181–3T Qualified film or television
production (temporary).
(a)In general.Thetermqualified film
or television productionmeans any pro-
duction (as defined in paragraph (b) of this
section) if not less than 75 percent of the
total amount of compensation (as defined
in paragraph (c) of this section) paid with
respect to the production is qualified com-
pensation (as defined in paragraph (d) of
this section).
(b)Production—(1)In general.Ex-
cept as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of
this section, for purposes of this section
and §§1.181–1T, 1.181–2T, 1.181–4T,
1.181–5T, and 1.181–6T, a film or tele-
vision production (or production) means
any film or video (including digital video)
production the production cost of which
is subject to capitalization under section
263A, or that would be would be subject
to capitalization if section 263A applied to
the owner of the production.
(2)Special rules for television produc-
tions. Each episode of a television series
is a separate production to which the rules,
limitations, and election requirements of
this section and §§1.181–1T, 1.181–2T,
1.181–4T, 1.181–5T, and 1.181–6T apply.
A taxpayer may elect to deduct production
costs under section 181 only for the first
44 episodes of a television series (includ-
ing pilot episodes).A television series
may include more than one season of pro-
gramming.
(3)Exception for certain sexually ex-
plicit productions. A production does not
include property with respect to which
records are required to be maintained un-
der 18 U.S.C. 2257. Section 2257 of Title
18 requires maintenance of certain records
with respect to any book, magazine, pe-
riodical, film, videotape, or other matter
that—
(i) Contains one or more visual depic-
tions made after November 1, 1990, of ac-
tive sexually explicit conduct; and
(ii) is produced in whole or in part with
materials that have been mailed or shipped
2007–12 I.R.B.744March 19, 2007
in interstate or foreign commerce, or is
shipped or transported or is intended for
shipment or transportation in interstate or
foreign commerce.
(c)Compensation.Thetermcompen-
sationmeans, for purposes of this section
and §1.181–2T(c), all payments made by
the owner (whether paid directly by the
owner or paid indirectly on the owner’s
behalf) for services performed by actors
(as defined in paragraph (f)(1) of this
section), directors, producers, and other
relevant production personnel (as defined
in paragraph (f)(2) of this section) with
respect to the production. Indirect pay-
ments on the owner’s behalf include, for
example, payments by a partner on behalf
of an owner that is a partnership, pay-
ments by a shareholder on behalf of an
owner that is a corporation, and payments
by a contract producer on behalf of an
owner. Payments for services include all
elements of compensation as provided for
in §1.263A–1(e)(2)(i)(B) and (3)(ii)(D).
Compensation is not limited to wages
reported on Form W–2, “Wage and Tax
Statement,” and includes compensation
paid to independent contractors. How-
ever, solely for purposes of paragraph (a)
of this section, the term “compensation”
does not include participations and resid-
uals (as defined in section 167(g)(7)(B)).
See §1.181–1T(a)(3) for additional rules
concerning participations and residuals.
(d)Qualified compensation.Theterm
qualified compensationmeans, for pur-
poses of this section and §1.181–2T(c),
all payments made by the owner (whether
paid directly by the owner or paid in-
directly on the owner’s behalf) paid for
services performed in the United States (as
defined in paragraph (f)(3) of this section)
by actors, directors,producers, and other
relevant production personnel with respect
to the production. A service is performed
in the United States for purposes of this
paragraph (d) if the principal photography
to which the compensated service relates
occurs within the United States and the
person performing the service is physi-
cally present in the United States. For
purposes of an animated film or animated
television production, the location where
production activities such as keyframe
animation, in-between animation, anima-
tion photography, and the recording of
voice acting performances are performed
is considered in lieu of the location of
principal photography. For purposes of
a production incorporating both live ac-
tion and animation, the location where
production activities such as keyframe an-
imation, in-between animation, animation
photography, and the recording of voice
acting performances for the production is
considered in addition to the location of
principal photography.
(e)Special rule for acquired produc-
tions. A taxpayer who acquires an unfin-
ished production from a prior owner must
take into account all compensation paid by
or on behalf of the seller and any previ-
ous owners in determining if the produc-
tion is a qualified film or television pro-
duction as defined in paragraph (a) of this
section. Any owner seeking to deduct as a
production cost either the cost of acquiring
a production or any subsequent production
costs should obtain from the seller detailed
records concerning the compensation paid
with respect to the production in order to
demonstrate the eligibility of the produc-
tion under section 181.
(f)Other definitions. The following
definitions apply for purposes of this sec-
tion and §§1.181–1T, 1.181–2T, 1.181–4T,
1.181–5T, and 1.181–6T:
(1)Actors.Thetermactorsincludes
players, newscasters, or any other persons
who are compensated for their perfor-
mance or appearance in a production.
(2)Production personnel.Theterm
production personnelincludes, for exam-
ple, writers, choreographers, and com-
posers providing services during produc-
tion, casting agents, camera operators, set
designers, lighting technicians, make-up
artists, and others who are compensated
for providing services directly related to
producing the production.
(3)United States.ThetermUnited
Statesincludes the 50 states, the District
of Columbia, the territorial waters of the
continental United States, the airspace or
space over the continental United States
and its territorial waters, and the seabed
and subsoil of those submarine areas that
are adjacent to the territorial waters of the
continental United States and over which
the United States has exclusive rights, in
accordance with international law, with re-
spect to the exploration and exploitation of
natural resources. The term United States
does not include possessions and territo-
ries of the United States (or the airspace or
space over these areas).
§1.181–4T Special rules (temporary).
(a)Recapture—(1)Applicability.The
rules of this paragraph (a) apply notwith-
standing whether a taxpayer has satisfied
the requirements of §1.181–2T(d). A tax-
payer that, with respect to a production,
claimed a deduction under section 181 in
any taxable year in an amount in excess of
the amount that would be allowable as a
deduction for that year in the absence of
section 181 must recapture deductions as
provided for in paragraph (a)(3) of this sec-
tion for the production in the first taxable
year in which—
(i) The aggregate production cost of the
production exceeds the applicable produc-
tion cost limit under §1.181–1T(b);
(ii) The owner no longer reasonably ex-
pects (based on all of the facts and cir-
cumstances at the time the election was
filed) both that the production will be set
for production (or has been set for produc-
tion) and will be a qualified film or tele-
vision production, and that the aggregate
production cost of the production paid or
incurred will not, at any time, exceed the
applicable dollar amount set forth under
§1.181–1T(b); or
(iii) the taxpayer revokes the election
pursuant to §1.181–2T(d).
(2)Principal photography not com-
mencing prior to January 1, 2009.Ifa
taxpayer claims a deduction under sec-
tion 181 with respect to a production for
which principal photography does not
commence prior to January 1, 2009, the
taxpayer must recapture deductions as
provided for in paragraph (a)(3) of this
section in the taxpayer’s taxable year that
includes December 31, 2008.
(3)Amount of recapture. A taxpayer
subject to recapture under this §1.181–4T
must, in the taxable year in which recap-
ture is triggered, include in the taxpayer’s
gross income and add to the taxpayer’s ad-
justed basis in the property—
(i) For a production that is placed in ser-
vice in a taxable year prior to the taxable
year in which recapture is triggered, the
difference between the aggregate amount
claimed as a deduction under section 181
with respect to the production in all such
prior taxable years and the aggregate de-
preciation deductions that would have
been allowable with respect to the prop-
erty for such prior taxable years (or that
the taxpayer could have elected to deduct
March 19, 20077452007–12 I.R.B.
in the taxable year that the property was
placed in service) with respect to the pro-
duction under the taxpayer’s method of
accounting; or
(ii) For a production that has not been
placed in service, the aggregate amount
claimed as a deduction under section 181
with respect to the production in all such
prior taxable years.
(b)Recapture under section 1245.For
purposes of recapture under section 1245,
any deduction allowed under section 181 is
treated as a deduction allowable for amor-
tization.
§1.181–5T Examples (temporary).
The following examples illustrate
the application of §§1.181–1T through
1.181–4T:
Example 1. X, a corporation using a calendar
taxable year, is a producer of films. X is the owner
(within the meaning of §1.181–1T(a)(2)) of film
ABC. X incurs production costs in year 1, but does
not commence principal photography for film ABC
until year 2. In year 1, X reasonably expects, based
on all of the facts and circumstances, that film ABC
will be set for production and will be a qualified film
or television production, and that at no time will the
production cost of film ABC exceed the applicable
production cost limit of §1.181–1T(b). Provided
that X satisfies all other requirements of §§1.181–1T
through 1.181–4T and §1.181–6T, X may deduct
in year 1 the production costs for film ABC that X
incurred in year 1.
Example 2. The facts are the same as inExample
1. In year 2, X begins, but does not complete, prin-
cipal photography for film ABC. Most of the scenes
that X films in year 2 are shot outside the United
States and, as of December 31, year 2, less than 75
percent of the total compensation paid with respect to
film ABC is qualified compensation. Nevertheless,
X still reasonably expects, based on all of the facts
and circumstances, that film ABC will be a qualified
film or television production, and that at no time will
the production cost of film ABC exceed the applica-
ble production cost limit of §1.181–1T(b). Provided
that X satisfies all other requirements of §§1.181–1T
through 1.181–4T and §1.181–6T, X may deduct in
year 2 the production costs for film ABC that X in-
curred in year 2.
Example 3. The facts are the same as inExam-
ple 2. In year 3, X continues, but does not complete,
production of film ABC. Due to changes in the ex-
pected production cost of film ABC, X no longer ex-
pects film ABC to qualify under section 181. X files
a statement with its return for year 3 identifying the
film and stating that X revokes its election under sec-
tion 181. X includes in income in year 3 the deduc-
tions claimed in year 1 and in year 2 as provided for
in §1.181–4T. X has successfully revoked its election
pursuant to §1.181–2T(d).
Example 4. The facts are the same as inExam-
ple 2. In year 3, X completes production of film
ABC at a cost of $14.5 million and places it into ser-
vice. ABC is an unexpected success in year 4, caus-
ing participation payments to drive the total produc-
tion cost of film ABC above $15 million in year 4.
X includes in income in year 4 as recapture under
§1.181–4T(a) the difference between the deductions
claimed in year 1, year 2, and year 3, and the de-
ductions that it would have claimed under the income
forecast method described insection 167(g) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code, a method that was allowable for
the film in year 3 (the year the film was placed in ser-
vice). Because X calculated the recapture amount by
comparing actual deductions to deductions under the
income forecast method, Xmust use this method to
calculate deductions for film ABC for year 4 and in
subsequent taxable years.
§1.181–6T Effective date (temporary).
(a)In general. (1) Section 181 ap-
plies to productions commencing after Oc-
tober 22, 2004, and shall not apply to pro-
ductions commencing after December 31,
2008. Except as provided in paragraphs
(b) and (c) of this section, §§1.181–1T
through 1.181–5T apply to productions,
the first day of principal photography for
which occurs on or after February 9, 2007,
and before January 1, 2009. In the case
of an animated production, this paragraph
(a) should be applied by substituting “in-
between animation” in place of “princi-
pal photography”. Productions involving
both animation and live-action photogra-
phy may use either standard.
(2) The applicability of §§1.181–1T
through 1.181–5T expires on February 8,
2010.
(b)Application of regulation project
REG–115403–05 to pre-effective date
productions. A taxpayer may apply
§§1.181–1T through 1.181–5T to pro-
ductions, the first day of principal pho-
tography (or “in-between” animation)
for which occurs after October 22, 2004,
and before February 9, 2007, provided
that the taxpayer applies all provisions
in §§1.181–1T through 1.181–5T to the
productions.
(c)Special rules for returns filed for
prior taxable years. If before March 12,
2007, an owner of a film or television pro-
duction began principal photography (or
“in-between” animation) for the produc-
tion after October 22, 2004, and filed its
original Federal income tax return for the
year such costs were first paid or incurred
without making an election under section
181 for the costs of the production, and if
the taxpayer wants to make an election un-
der section 181 for such taxable year, see
§1.181–2T(e) for the time and manner of
making the election.
PART 602—OMB CONTROL
NUMBERS UNDER THE PAPERWORK
REDUCTION ACT
Par. 3. The authority citation for part
602 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805.
Par. 4. In §602.101, paragraph (b) is
amended by adding the following entry in
numerical order to the table to read as fol-
lows:
§602.101 OMB Control numbers.
*****
(b) * * *
CFR part or section where
identified and described
Current OMB
Control No.
*****
1.181–1Tand1.181–2T........................................................... 1545–2059
*****
2007–12 I.R.B.746March 19, 2007
Kevin M. Brown,
Deputy Commissioner for
Services and Enforcement.
Approved February 1, 2007.
Eric Solomon,
Assistant Secretary of
theTreasury(TaxPolicy).
(Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on February 8,
2007, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal
Register for February 9, 2007, 72 F.R. 6155)
Section 7805.—Rules
and Regulations
26 CFR 301.7805–1: Rules and regulations.
Obsolete revenue rulings.As part
of the Service’s continuing program of
reviewing previously published guid-
ance, this ruling publishes a list of rul-
ings and actions relating to decisions of
theTaxCourtthatareobsolete. Rev.
Rul. 54–19 obsoleted in part. Rev.
Ruls. 55–132, 56–462, 56–518, 57–505,
58–370, 58–500, 69–212, and 71–477 ob-
soleted.
Rev. Rul. 2007–14
The Internal Revenue Service is con-
tinuing its program of reviewing guidance
(including revenue rulings, revenue pro-
cedures, notices, and actions relating to
decisions of the Tax Court) published in
the Internal Revenue Bulletin to identify
items that are obsolete because (1) the
applicable statutory provisions have been
changed or repealed; (2) the matter is
specifically covered by statute, regula-
tions, or subsequent published position; or
(3) the facts on which the position is based
no longer occur or are not sufficiently de-
scribed to permit clear application of the
current statute and regulations.
The following revenue ruling is par-
tially obsolete. Rev. Rul. 54–19, 1954–1
C.B. 179, is obsolete with respect to the in-
come tax conclusion, but not with respect
to the estate taxconclusion.
In addition, the rulings listed below are
obsolete.
R
ulingNo.C.B.Citation
Rev. Rul. 55–1321955–1 C.B. 213
Rev. Rul. 56–4621956–2 C.B. 20
Rev. Rul. 56–5181956–2 C.B. 25
Rev. Rul. 57–5051957–2 C.B. 50
Rev. Rul. 58–3701958–2 C.B. 14
Rev. Rul. 58–5001958–2 C.B. 21
Rev. Rul. 69–2121969–1 C.B. 34
Rev. Rul. 71–4771971–2 C.B. 479
Furthermore, in light of the amend-
ments to § 104(a)(2) of the Internal Rev-
enue Code under § 1605 of the Small
Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Pub.
L. No. 104–188, 110 Stat. 1838 (1996),
certain acquiescences to decisions are ob-
solete. These amendments make clear
that Congress intended “that the exclusion
from gross income [under § 104(a)(2)]
only applies to damages received on ac-
count of a personal physical injury or
physical sickness”, and thus damages re-
ceived on account of personal nonphysical
injuries or nonphysical sickness generally
wouldberequiredtobeincludedingross
income. H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 737, 104
th
Cong., 2d Sess. 301 (1996), 1996–3 C.B.
1041. Consequently, acquiescences to the
following decisions are withdrawn:
Hawkins v. Commissioner,6B.T.A.
1023 (1927),acq., VII–1 C.B. 14 (1928).
McDonald v. Commissioner,9B.T.A.
1340 (1928),acq., VII–2 C.B. 26 (1928).
DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal author of this revenue rul-
ing is Christina M. Glendening of the Of-
fice of Associate Chief Counsel (Income
Tax and Accounting). For further informa-
tion regarding this revenue ruling, contact
Ms. Glendening at (202) 622–4920 (not a
toll-free call).
March 19, 20077472007–12 I.R.B.
Part III. Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous
Modifications of Commercial
Mortgage Loans Held by a
REMIC
Notice 2007–17
I. PURPOSE
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and
the Department of theTreasury (Treasury)
receive many requests from the public to
resolve issues through published guidance.
Available resources limit the number of is-
sues that can be addressed. As a result,
publication of guidance on many impor-
tant tax issues is often delayed. Illustra-
tive of the requests for guidance received
by the IRS and Treasury is a recent request
for an expansion of the permitted types of
modifications to loan obligations held by
a real estate mortgage investment conduit
(“REMIC”). This request relates to guid-
ance in a narrow, technical area of the tax
law, where the need for guidance is driven
by market changes with which taxpayers
may be more familiar than are the IRS and
Treasury.
The IRS and Treasury have made, and
continue to make, efforts to develop ways
of publishing guidance in a more timely
and efficient manner. As part of this effort,
the IRS and Treasury anticipate the launch
of a pilot program to solicit greater input
from the public in the initial development
of certain guidance projects.
Under this pilot program, the IRS and
Treasury would publish a notice for each
guidance project selected for the program.
The notice would identify research, back-
ground documents, drafts of proposed
guidance and other work products, and
ask interested parties to provide them.
These written submissions from the public
will help the IRS and Treasury determine
whether it is appropriate to publish guid-
ance. If so, the IRS and Treasury expect
that increased public participation in the
preliminary stages of certain guidance
development would provide a significant
benefit to taxpayers by permitting IRS
and Treasury to hasten the publication of
a greater number of guidance projects. It
is anticipated that notices issued under
the pilot program would follow the model
of this notice, relating to modifications
of commercial loan obligations held by a
REMIC.
As this and additional projects are com-
pleted, the IRS and Treasury will review
and evaluate the pilot program. Com-
ments on the program may be solicited,
and IRS and Treasury will consider pub-
lishing guidelines for future projects.
As a model for the pilot program, the
IRS and Treasury solicit input, in the spe-
cific format described below, on whether
it is appropriate to amend existing income
tax regulations to permit certain modifica-
tions to securitized commercial mortgage
loans.
II. BACKGROUND
The REMIC provisions contained in
Part IV of subchapter M of Chapter 1 of
the Internal Revenue Code (sections 860A
- 860G) provide for a pass-through vehicle
that issues multiple classes of interests
in pools of residential and commercial
mortgage loans. All of the income from
the mortgage loans in the REMIC is taxed
to the holders of the regular and residual
interests in the REMIC. Among the re-
quirements for qualification are that the
mortgage loans held by the REMIC must
consist of “qualified mortgages” that are
principally secured by an interest in real
property. All of a REMIC’s loans must be
acquired on the startup day of the REMIC
or within three months thereafter, except
that the REMIC may exchange a defective
loan for a “qualified replacement mort-
gage” for up to two years.
Section 1.860G–2(b)(1) of the Income
Tax Regulations provides that, subject to
certain exceptions describedinsection
1.860G–2(b)(3), if an obligation is sig-
nificantly modified, then the modified
obligation is treated as one that was newly
issued in exchange for the unmodified
obligation that it replaced. If such a sig-
nificant modification occurs after the obli-
gation has been contributed to the REMIC
and the modified obligation is not a qual-
ified replacement mortgage, the modified
obligation will not be a qualified mort-
gage and the deemed disposition of the
unmodified obligation will be a prohibited
transaction under section 860F(a)(2). Sec-
tion 1.860G–2(b)(2) defines a “significant
modification” as any change in the terms
of an obligation that would be treated as
an exchange of obligations under section
1001 and the related regulations. The
treatment of specific loan modifications as
deemed exchanges is addressed in section
1.1001–3. Section 1.1001–3 defines a loan
modification and provides that a modifi-
cation that is significant will be treated as
a deemed exchange of the original loan for
a new loan.
Section 1.860G–2(b)(3) sets forth four
types of loan modifications that are ex-
pressly permitted without regard to the
section 1001 modification rules. The four
permitted modifications are: (i) changes
in the terms of the obligation occasioned
by default or a reasonably foreseeable de-
fault; (ii) assumption of the obligation; (iii)
waiver of a due-on-sale clause or a due on
encumbrance clause; and (iv) conversion
of an interest rate by a mortgagor pursuant
to the terms of a convertible mortgage.
The present REMIC regulations were
adopted in 1992 at a time when the mort-
gage-backed securities market involved
primarily residential mortgage loans.
Since the adoption of the REMIC reg-
ulations, the securitization of commercial
real estate mortgages has become more
common. The four types of modifications
that are expressly permitted without re-
gard to the section 1001 modification rules
cover the most common changes affecting
residential mortgage loans, but may not
cover the range of likely changes in com-
mercial mortgage loans.
To accommodate commercial mort-
gage loans, the IRS and Treasury are
considering whether the present REMIC
regulations should be amended to reflect
the evolution of market practices in the
mortgage-backed securities industry. In
particular, the IRS and Treasury are con-
sidering whether the regulations should be
amended to provide exceptions for certain
modifications of commercial mortgage
loans. In doing so, the IRS and Treasury
are considering whether such changes
would be consistent with the policy un-
derlying existing regulatory provisions
and Congressional intent in enacting the
REMIC rules.
2007–12 I.R.B.748March 19, 2007
III. REQUEST FOR SUBMISSIONS
A. In General
The determination of whether to amend
the REMIC rules requires extensive legal
and policy analysis, as well as a better un-
derstanding of commercial mortgage se-
curities industry practices. Consequently,
the IRS and Treasury are requesting writ-
ten submissions from taxpayers, industry
associations, and other interested parties
to aid the IRS and Treasury in determin-
ing whether it is appropriate to amend the
REMIC regulations by expanding the list
of permitted loan modifications to include
certain modificationsincurred in connec-
tion with commercial mortgages.
B. Format of Submissions
Submissions should include draft
changes to the REMIC regulations and
a policy memorandum. It is anticipated
that the draft amendment will include
proposed exceptions for new types of per-
missible loan modifications that reflect
routine industry practices in connection
with commercial mortgage loans.
The policy memorandum should dis-
cuss:
1. the evolution of market practices
in the securitization of commercial mort-
gages in REMIC form;
2. the relevant REMIC policy consid-
erations affecting restrictions on mortgage
loan modifications;
3. the authority under current law for
amending the regulations to include excep-
tions for commercial mortgages;
4. the relationship between the section
1001 modification rules and the separate
REMIC modification rules;
5. an analysis of the extent to which the
four existing exceptions for mortgages and
any proposed exceptions for commercial
mortgages constitute departures from the
section 1001 modification rules;
6. the purpose and background of the
four existing exceptions for modifications
of mortgages in the REMIC modification
rules (including policies that might fa-
vor allowing assumptions and waivers of
due on sale clauses in programs intending
to assist residential housing acquisitions
(e.g., tax-exempt single family housing
bonds, VA & FHA insured mortgages));
7. examples of what are considered to
be common changes requested by borrow-
ers to the terms of commercial mortgages
and an explanation of why such changes
are requested by borrowers;
8. an explanation of each proposed
exception for commercial mortgages, in-
cluding (i) how each proposed exception
is consistent with the underlying existing
regulatory provisions and Congressional
intent in enacting the REMIC rules, (ii)
whether the proposed exception relates to
a common change; and (iii) how each pro-
posed exception would accommodate a le-
gitimate business concern;
9. each proposed exception illustrated
by one or more examples;
10. whether there are alternatives to re-
solve industry issues related to commercial
mortgage loan modifications other than
through amending the regulations and the
feasibility of such alternatives (e.g.,draft-
ing documents to permit certain changes
to the terms of the commercial mortgage
loan to avoid triggering a significant mod-
ification under section 1.1001–3);
11. identification of the types of tax-
payers and other interested persons who
are affected by the inability to modify com-
mercial mortgage loans once the loan is
placed in a REMIC and how they are af-
fected;
12. an estimate of how many taxpayers
and other interested persons are directly
and indirectly affected by an inability to
modify commercial mortgage loans;
13. potential consequences to the in-
dustry if changes are not made to the reg-
ulations to permit certain changes to the
terms of the commercial mortgage loans;
and
14. because some or all of the proposed
exceptions for commercial mortgage loans
will likely constitute a significant modifi-
cation under section 1.1001–3, a discus-
sion of the resulting tax consequences to
the REMIC of deemed exchange treatment
under section 1001 (e.g., how would the
existing REMIC rules treat a gain or loss
from a deemed exchange).
C. Communication with Submitting
Parties during the Drafting Process
Written submissions should fully de-
velop the issues set forth in part III., B.,
above. A dialogue between submitting
parties and IRS and Treasury personnel
during the drafting process may help en-
sure that submissions are as comprehen-
sive as possible. Consequently, the IRS
and Treasury encourage submitting parties
to contact or meet with IRS and Treasury
personnel during the initial development
of their submissions.
IV. IRS AND TREASURY REVIEW OF
SUBMISSIONS
A. Meetings with a Submitting Party
A submitting party may be asked to
meet informally with personnel from IRS
and Treasury. These meetings are intended
to be used to explore the proposals and
the analysis supporting those proposals set
forthinawrittensubmissionandtogather
additional facts and information. Discus-
sions at these meetings may focus on the
legal and policy justifications for each pro-
posal, relevant industry practices, and any
other issues of concern raised by IRS and
Treasury personnel. At the end of these
meetings, the IRS and Treasury may re-
quest a submitting party to provide ad-
ditional factual development or legal re-
search. The IRS and Treasury may also
request additional meetings to the extent
necessary to clarify any remaining issues.
Any solicitation of input from inter-
ested persons will be done within the
requirements of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act. The IRS does not intend
to form advisory committees during this
process. Although input is welcome, in-
terested parties will not be invited to enter
into negotiations or to participate in the
decision-making process with respect to
the proposed resolution of any issue.
B. IRS and Treasury Review and
Decision-Making
After IRS and Treasury personnel have
met with submitting parties and have been
provided with any additional information
requested, IRS and Treasury personnel
will further review all submitted mate-
rial, and develop any additional legal
and policy analysis. After the review
process is completed, the IRS and Trea-
sury will decide whether it is appropriate
to publish guidance that permits certain
modifications to commercial real estate
loans. If guidance is appropriate, the IRS
and Treasury intend to publish proposed
amendments to the REMIC regulations
permitting additional types of modifica-
tions to commercial real estate loans.
March 19, 20077492007–12 I.R.B.
V. DEADLINE AND ADDRESS FOR
SUBMISSIONS
Written submissions should be sub-
mitted no later than Monday, April
30, 2007, to Internal Revenue Service,
CC:PA:LPD:RU (Notice 2007–17), room
5203, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin
Station, Washington, DC 20044. Sub-
missions may be hand delivered be-
tween the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
to CC:PA:LPD:RU (Notice 2007–17),
Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Service,
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washing-
ton, DC 20224. Alternatively, submis-
sions may be submitted via the Internet at
Notice.Comments@irscounsel.treas.gov
(Notice 2007–17). All submissions will
be available for public inspection and
copying in their entirety. Therefore, sub-
missions received by the IRS and Trea-
sury should not include taxpayer-specific
information of a confidential nature. Sub-
missions should include the name and
telephone number of a person to contact.
VI. DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal author of this notice is
Diana Imholtz of the Office of Associate
Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and
Products). For further information regard-
ing this notice, contact Ms. Imholtz at
202–622–3930 (not a toll-free call).
Reporting on Acquisitions
of Interests in Insurance
Contracts in Which Certain
Tax-Exempt Organizations
Hold an Interest
Notice 2007–24
PURPOSE
This notice invites public comments on
draft IRS forms to implement a new in-
formation reporting requirement for chari-
ties and certain other entities with respect
to certain structuredinsurance contracts
explained below. Public comments are
also invited with respect to a Congression-
ally mandated study being conducted by
the Department of the Treasury (the Trea-
sury) and the Internal Revenue Service
(the Service). The new reporting require-
ments and study are required by section
6050V of the Internal Revenue Code (the
Code), which was added by section 1211
of the Pension Protection Act of 2006,
Pub. L. No. 109–280, 120 Stat. 780
(2006) (PPA). In general, section 1211 of
the PPA imposes a new information report-
ing requirement on organizations (includ-
ing certain government entities) to which
contributions are deductible for Federal in-
come, estate or gift tax purposes and which
acquire an applicable insurance contract
in a reportable acquisition after August
17, 2006, but on or before August 17,
2008. To enable these organizations to sat-
isfy the requirements of section 6050V, the
Treasury and the Service designed Form
8921,Transactions Involving a Pool of Ap-
plicable Insurance Contracts,andForm
8922,Applicable Insurance Contract In-
formation Return (For Tax-Exempt Orga-
nizations and Government Entities under
Section 6050V). Copies of the draft forms,
and their instructions, are attached to this
notice. The information collected on the
forms and the public comments will assist
the Treasury and the Service in conducting
the study mandated under section 1211 of
the PPA.
BACKGROUND
Recently, there has been an increase
in transactions involving the acquisition
of life insurance contracts under arrange-
ments in which both a tax-exempt organ-
ization and private investors have an in-
terest in a contract. Under such arrange-
ments, private investors often provide cap-
ital used to fund the purchase of the life in-
surance contracts (and, sometimes, annu-
ity and endowment contracts). Both the
private investors and the tax-exempt or-
ganization have an interest, directly or in-
directly, in the contracts and receive cash,
either while the contracts are in force or
upon the death of the insured individual.
LEGISLATION
Section 6050V of the Code requires
each applicable exempt organization that
makes a reportable acquisition of an ap-
plicable insurance contract to file an in-
formation return at a prescribed time and
in a prescribed form. The information re-
porting requirement applies to reportable
acquisitions after August 17, 2006, but
before August 17, 2008. Penalties under
sections 6721 and 6724(d)(1)(B)(iv) apply
to applicable exempt organizations that do
not file an information return as required
under section 6050V.
For purposes of section 6050V of the
Code, an applicable exempt organization
is generally a religious, charitable, scien-
tific, literary, educational, amateur sports
or similar organization, a fraternal soci-
ety operating on a lodge system, a gov-
ernmental organization (including an In-
dian Tribal Government), a Veterans’ or-
ganization, a cemetery company, or an em-
ployee stock ownership plan. A reportable
acquisition is the acquisition by an appli-
cable exempt organization of a direct or
indirect interest in anapplicable insurance
contract in any case in which the acquisi-
tion is a part of a structured transaction in-
volving a pool of such contracts. An ap-
plicable insurance contract is any life in-
surance, annuity, or endowment contract in
which both an applicable exempt organiza-
tion and a person other than an applicable
exempt organization have directly or indi-
rectly held an interest (whether or not at the
same time). Exceptions apply in the case
of persons with an insurable interest in the
insured independent of the applicable ex-
empt organization, named beneficiaries, or
in limited circumstances, trust beneficia-
ries or trustees. For example, under section
6050V(d)(2)(B)(ii), an insurance contract
is not an applicable insurance contract if
the applicable exempt organization’s sole
interest in the contract is as a named bene-
ficiary.
The Treasury and the Service intend
that Form 8921 will be used to report in-
formation to the Service about structured
transactions under which there have been
reportable acquisitions of applicable insur-
ance contracts made by an applicable ex-
empt organization. Form 8922 will be used
to report information to the Service about
the applicable insurance contracts that are
part of a structured transaction required to
be reported on a Form 8921.
Generally, on Form 8921, an applicable
exempt organization would:
•Report information on the transaction
itself, including information about the
applicable exempt organization, other
participants in the transaction, and the
cash flows associated with the transac-
tion.
2007–12 I.R.B.750March 19, 2007
•Assign a unique structured transaction
identifier (STI) to each transaction as
provided on the form and the instruc-
tions.
•Provide a description of the alloca-
tion formulas, interest rates, and other
terms that govern the financial ar-
rangement between the applicable
exempt organization and the other par-
ticipants in the transaction.
•Attach copies of documents related to
the reportable acquisition, including
any contracts covering the relation-
ships between the applicable exempt
organization and the persons other than
the applicable exempt organization.
Generally, on Form 8922 an applicable
exempt organization would:
•Report information on the underlying
applicable insurance contracts, includ-
ing information about the issuers of the
contracts and the individuals insured
under the contracts.
•Use the STI assigned on Form 8921
that specifically relates to the underly-
ing applicable insurance contracts.
•Attach a representative copy of the ap-
plicable insurance contract.
It is anticipated that a separate Form 8922
will be required with respect to a sin-
gle transaction if the transaction involves
more than one issuer, or more than one
type of applicable insurance contract.
In addition to imposing the new in-
formation reporting requirements, section
1211 of the PPA requires the Treasury and
the Service to undertake a study on the
use by applicable exempt organizations of
applicable insurance contracts for the pur-
pose of sharing with investors the benefits
of the applicable exempt organization’s
insurable interest in individuals insured
under such contracts. It also requires the
Treasury and the Service to address in the
study whether these activities are consis-
tent with the tax-exempt status of certain
applicable exempt organizations. The
study may address whether such arrange-
mentsareormaybeusedtoimproperly
shelter income from tax. The study will
be based, in part, on information received
from applicable exempt organizations on
Forms 8921 and 8922 and the public com-
ments. A report on the study is due to the
Senate Finance Committee and the House
Ways and Means Committee in 2009.
REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
The Treasury and the Service request
comments on draft Forms 8921 and 8922.
In addition to comments on the draft forms
more generally, the Treasury and the Ser-
vice specifically request comments on (i)
the clarity of the forms and instructions
and how they can be made easier to un-
derstand, (ii) the availability of the infor-
mation that is requested on the forms with-
out new or additional recordkeeping on the
part of the filers, (iii) the relevance of the
requested information to the study man-
dated by section 1211 of the PPA, (iv) the
use of such structured insurance transac-
tions to improperly shelter income from
tax, (v) the meaning of the term “direct
or indirect interest” in an applicable insur-
ance contract, (vi) the meaning of the term
“structured transaction involving a pool”
of applicable insurance contracts, and (vii)
the application of the unrelated business
income tax under section 511 of the Code
on the inside buildup of income.
The Treasury and the Service also re-
quest comments more generally to assist
in the required study, especially on: (i) the
purpose of transactions that are the subject
of the study, other than to raise money for
the applicable exempt organizations, (ii)
the use of life insurance and annuity con-
tracts by applicable exempt organizations
in transactions that do not involve the par-
ticipation of persons that are not tax-ex-
empt, and (iii) in the case of an applica-
ble insurance contract in which a charity,
as defined under State law, has an inter-
est, the appropriate treatment of amounts
received by the charity as a death benefit in
light of (A) the charity’s role in the trans-
action, (B) how the charity financed the
acquisition of its interest, (C) whether the
charity’s activities with respect to the con-
tract are substantially related to the char-
ity’s exempt purpose or function, and (D)
any other relevant factors.
Written comments on draft Forms 8921
and 8922 and the study mandated under
section 1211 of the PPA should be sent
to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2007–24),
Room 5203, Internal Revenue Service,
P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station,
Washington, D.C. 20044. Alternatively,
comments may be hand delivered between
the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
MondaytoFridaytoCC:PA:LPD:PR
(Notice 2007–24), Courier’s Desk, Inter-
nal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Com-
ments may also be transmitted electron-
ically via the following e-mail address:
Notice.Comments@irscounsel.treas.gov.
Please include “Notice 2007–24” in the
subject line of any electronic communica-
tions.
All comments will be available for pub-
lic inspection and copying. Because orga-
nizations will need to begin filing Forms
8921 and 8922 as soon as possible in 2007,
comments, if any, on Forms 8921 and 8922
must be received byMarch 16, 2007.
Written comments on the study man-
dated under section 1211 of the PPA should
be received byAugust 22, 2007.
DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal author of this notice is
Stephen J. Coleman of the Office of Asso-
ciate Chief Counsel (Procedure & Admin-
istration). For further information regard-
ing this notice, contact Stephen J. Coleman
at (202) 622–4910 (not a toll-free call).
March 19, 20077512007–12 I.R.B.
2007–12 I.R.B.752March 19, 2007
March 19, 20077532007–12 I.R.B.
2007–12 I.R.B.754March 19, 2007
March 19, 20077552007–12 I.R.B.
2007–12 I.R.B.756March 19, 2007
March 19, 20077572007–12 I.R.B.
2007–12 I.R.B.758March 19, 2007
March 19, 20077592007–12 I.R.B.
Revised Housing Cost
Amounts Eligible for Exclusion
or Deduction
Notice 2007–25
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
This notice provides modifications
and additions to the adjusted limitations
on housing expenses published in No-
tice 2006–87, 2006–43 I.R.B. 766, for
purposes of section 911 of the Internal
Revenue Code (Code).
SECTION 2. BACKGROUND
Notice 2006–87 provides an adjusted
limitation on housing expenses for a quali-
fied individual incurring housing expenses
in 2006 in one or more of the identi-
fied high cost localities to use (in lieu
of the otherwise applicable limitation of
$24,720) in determining his or her housing
expenses under section 911(c)(2)(A) of the
Code. Notice 2006–87 also requests com-
ments on the average housing costs for
specific locations thatdiffer significantly
from the amounts provided in the notice.
In response to comments received on
Notice 2006–87, the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) and the Treasury Depart-
ment are publishing certain modifications
and additions to the 2006 housing expense
table in Notice 2006–87. The adjusted
limitations on housing expenses provided
in section 3 supersede and replace the
adjusted limitations on housing expenses
for 2006 for those specific locations pro-
vided in Notice 2006–87. The adjusted
limitations on housing expenses provided
in section 4 address locations within coun-
tries with high housing costs that were not
identified in Notice 2006–87, and provide
an adjusted limitation on housing expenses
for 2006 for these locations. A complete
table of the adjusted limitations on housing
expenses for 2006 is available on the IRS
website athttp://www.irs.gov/formspubs
under the link “What’s Hot in forms and
publications”.
The IRS and the Treasury Department
continue to work on guidance for hous-
ing expenses for 2007. Based on prelimi-
nary indications, the 2007 adjusted limita-
tions on housing expenses for some loca-
tions may be lower than the 2006 adjusted
limitations on housing expenses in Notice
2006–87 for those locations. The IRS and
the Treasury Department intend to provide
guidance for housing expenses for 2007 as
soon as possible.
SECTION 3. MODIFIED ADJUSTED
LIMITATIONS ON HOUSING
EXPENSES FOR SPECIFIC
LOCATIONS IDENTIFIED IN NOTICE
2006–87
CountryLocation
LimitationonHousing
Expenses (daily)
Limitation on Housing
Expenses (full year)
AustriaVienna78.9728,824
BermudaBermuda197.2672,000
JapanNagoya103.5237,786
JapanOsaka-Kobe145.3053,036
NorwayOslo83.7630,573
RussiaMoscow207.4575,720
UkraineKiev89.9832,844
SECTION 4. ADJUSTED
LIMITATIONS ON HOUSING
EXPENSES FOR LOCATIONS NOT
INCLUDED IN NOTICE 2006–87
CountryLocation
LimitationonHousing
Expenses (daily)
Limitation on Housing
Expenses (full year)
ChinaBeijing131.5148,000
ChinaShanghai147.9554,000
IndiaMumbai156.1957,011
IndiaNew Delhi73.7526,920
IndonesiaJakarta103.4937,776
QatarDoha95.3034,786
Saudi ArabiaJeddah84.0230,667
Saudi ArabiaRiyadh84.0230,667
2007–12 I.R.B.760March 19, 2007
CountryLocation
LimitationonHousing
Expenses (daily)
Limitation on Housing
Expenses (full year)
SwitzerlandZurich105.2038,398
TaiwanTaipei122.4244,685
United Arab EmiratesAbu Dhabi82.1229,973
United Arab EmiratesDubai116.3142,452
United KingdomBasingstoke112.6041,099
United KingdomGibraltar122.2444,616
United KingdomSurrey121.5144,350
SECTION 5. EFFECT ON OTHER
DOCUMENTS
Notice 2006–87 is modified and supple-
mented.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE
This notice is effective for taxable years
beginning on or after January 1, 2006.
SECTION 7. DRAFTING
INFORMATION
The principal author of this notice
is Paul J. Carlino of the Office of Asso-
ciate Chief Counsel (International). For
further information regarding this notice,
contact Mr. Carlino at (202) 622–3840
(not a toll-free call).
26 CFR 601.105: Examination of returns and claims
for refund, credit, or abatement; determination of
correct tax liability.
(Also: Part 1, §§ 6011, 6662, 6662A, 6707A;
1.6011–4.)
Rev. Proc. 2007–25
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
This revenue procedure amplifies Rev.
Proc. 2005–51, 2005–2 C.B. 296, which
provides guidance to persons who may be
required to pay certain penalties under sec-
tions 6662(h), 6662A, or 6707A of the In-
ternal Revenue Code, and who may be
required under section 6707A(e) to dis-
close those penalties on reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”).
SECTION 2. BACKGROUND
.01 Section 6707A(e), as added by
the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004,
Pub. L. No. 108–357, 118 Stat. 1418,
requires a person that is required to file
periodic reports under section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or
is required to be consolidated with another
person for purposes of those reports, to
disclose in those reports for the periods
specified by the Secretary the requirement
to pay the penalties set forth in section
6707A(e)(2).
.02 Section 4 of Rev. Proc. 2005–51
sets forth the report on which the disclo-
sures must be made, the information that
must be disclosed, and the deadlines by
which persons must make the disclosures
on reports filed with the SEC in order to
avoid additional penalties under section
6707A(e).
.03 Section 4.01 of Rev. Proc. 2005–51
specifically provides that a person who
files SEC Form 10–K,Annual Report, pur-
suant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Secu-
rities Exchange Act of 1934, either sep-
arately or consolidated with another per-
son, must disclose in Item 3 (Legal Pro-
ceedings) of Form 10–K the requirement
to pay any penalty specified in section 2.05
of Rev. Proc. 2005–51.
.04 After the issuance of Rev. Proc.
2005–51, questions arose regarding per-
sons required to file periodic reports under
section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Ex-
change Act of 1934, or required to be con-
solidated with another person for purposes
of those reports, but that file these periodic
reports on a form other than a Form 10–K.
SECTION 3. SCOPE
This revenue procedure applies to any
person required to pay any penalty de-
scribed in section 2.05 of Rev. Proc.
2005–51 that is also required to file pe-
riodic reports under section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
on a form other than a Form 10–K or is
required to be consolidated with another
person for purposes of those reports.
SEC
TION 4. APPLICATION
.01 A person who files Form 10–KSB,
Annual Report of Small Business Issuers,
pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Se-
curities Exchange Act of 1934, either sepa-
rately or consolidated with another person,
must disclose in Item 3 (Legal Proceed-
ings) of Form 10–KSB the requirement to
pay any penalty specified in section 2.05
of Rev. Proc. 2005–51.
.02 A person who files Form 11–K,An-
nual Report of Employee Stock Purchase,
Savings and Similar Plans, must disclose
in the Form 11–K, under the subheading
“Legal Proceedings”, the requirement to
pay any penalty specified in section 2.05
of Rev. Proc. 2005–51.
.03 A person who files Form 20–F,An-
nual Report of Foreign Private Issuers,
pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Se-
curities Exchange Act of 1934, either sepa-
rately or consolidated with another person,
must disclose in Item 8 (Financial Infor-
mation) of Form 20–F, under the subhead-
ing “Legal Proceedings”, the requirement
to pay any penalty specified in section 2.05
of Rev. Proc. 2005–51.
.04 A person who files Form 40–F,An-
nual Report of Certain Canadian Issuers,
pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Se-
curities Exchange Act of 1934, either sepa-
rately or consolidated with another person,
must disclose in the Annual Information
Form filed as part of the Form 40–F, un-
der the subheading “Legal Proceedings”,
the requirement to pay any penalty speci-
fied in section 2.05 of Rev. Proc. 2005–51.
.05 A person who files Form N–SAR,
Annual Report of Registered Investment
Companies,pursuanttosection13or15(d)
March 19, 20077612007–12 I.R.B.
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
either separately or consolidated with an-
other person, must disclose in Sub-Item
77E (Legal Proceedings) of Form N–SAR
the requirement to pay any penalty speci-
fied in section 2.05 of Rev. Proc. 2005–51.
.06 A person who files Form N–CSR,
Annual Report of Registered Investment
Companies,pursuanttosection13or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, either separately or consolidated
with another person, must disclose in
Item 1 (Reports to Stockholders) of Form
N–CSR, under the subheading “Legal
Proceedings”, the requirement to pay any
penalty specified in section 2.05 of Rev.
Proc. 2005–51.
.07 The same procedures described
in sections 4.02 and 4.03 of Rev. Proc.
2005–51 regarding the information that
must be disclosed and the deadlines by
which persons must make the disclosures
on reports filed with the SEC that apply
to Form 10–K apply to Forms 10–KSB,
11–K, 20–F, 40–F, N–SAR, and N–CSR,
as applicable.
SECTION 5. EFFECT ON OTHER
DOCUMENTS
Rev. Proc. 2005–51, 2005–2 C.B. 296,
is amplified.
SECTION 6. PAPERWORK
REDUCTION ACT
The collections of information in Rev.
Proc. 2005–51 have been previously
reviewed and approved by the Office
of Management and Budget in accor-
dance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
(44 U.S.C. 3507) under control number
1545–1956. This revenue procedure does
not make substantive changes to those
collections of information.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor,
and a person is not required to respond
to, a collection of information unless the
collection of information displays a valid
OMB control number.
SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE
This revenue procedure is effective for
any penalty specified in section 2.05 of
Rev. Proc. 2005–51 that relates to a return
or statement the due date for which is after
October 22, 2004.
SECTION 8. DRAFTING
INFORMATION
The principal author of this revenue
procedure is Matthew S. Cooper of the
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Procedure & Administration). For further
information regarding this revenue proce-
dure, contact Matthew S. Cooper at (202)
622–4940 (not a toll-free call).
2007–12 I.R.B.762March 19, 2007
Part IV. Items of General Interest
Withdrawal of Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking
andNoticeofProposed
Rulemaking
Agreements for Payment of
Tax Liabilities in Installments
REG–100841–97
AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service
(IRS), Treasury.
ACTION: Withdrawal of notice of pro-
posed rulemaking and notice of proposed
rulemaking.
SUMMARY: This document withdraws
the notice of proposed rulemaking pub-
lished in theFederal Registeron Decem-
ber 31, 1997 (REG–100841–97, 1998–1
C.B. 588 [62 FR 68241]) and contains
proposed regulations relating to the pay-
ment of tax liabilities in installments. The
proposed regulations reflect changes to the
law made by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights
II, the Internal Revenue Service Restruc-
turing and Reform Act of 1998, and the
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
DATES: Written or electronic comments
and requests for a public hearing must be
received by June 4, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send submissions to:
CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–100841–97), room
5203, Internal Revenue Service, POB
7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washing-
ton, DC 20044. Submissions may be
hand delivered Monday through Friday
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–100841–97),
Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Service,
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Wash-
ington, DC. Alternatively, taxpayers may
submit comments electronically directly
to the IRS Internet site atwww.irs.gov/regs
or via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
www.regulations.gov(indicate IRS and
REG–100841–97).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT: Concerning the regulations,
G. William Beard, (202) 622–3620; con-
cerning submissions of comments or re-
quests for a hearing, Kelly Banks, (202)
622–7180 (not toll-free numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On December 31, 1997, a notice of
proposed rulemaking (REG–100841–97;
62 FR 68241) reflecting changes made to
section 6159 of the Internal Revenue Code
(Code) by section 202 of the Taxpayer
Bill of Rights II, Public Law 104–168
(110 Stat. 1452, 1457) was published in
theFederal Register. That proposed rule
was not acted upon prior to the enactment
of the Internal Revenue Service Restruc-
turing and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA
1998), Public Law 105–206, section 3462
(112 Stat. 685, 764), which made further
amendments to section 6159. Section 843
of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004
(AJCA), Public Law 108–357 (118 Stat.
1418, 1600), also made changes to section
6159. This document amends the prior
notice of proposed rulemaking. It contains
proposed amendments to the Procedure
and Administration Regulations (26 CFR
part 301) under section 6159 reflecting the
amendment of the Code by RRA 1998, the
Taxpayer Bill of Rights II, and the AJCA.
Installment Agreements under Section
6159
Consistent with its mission of applying
the tax laws with integrity and fairness
to all, the IRS generally expects that all
taxpayers will pay the total amount due,
regardless of amount, at the time the Code
requires that the tax be paid. See Policy
Statement P–5–2, Collecting Principles
(Approved February 17, 2000), reprinted
at IRM 1.2.1.5.2. When attempting to re-
solve a tax delinquency, the IRS will work
with taxpayers to achieve full payment
of all tax, penalties, and interest. Where
payment in full cannot immediately be
achieved, the IRS may allow taxpayers to
pay over time through installment agree-
ments.
Explanation of Provisions
The proposed regulations allow the
IRS to enter into agreements for the full
or partial payment of any unpaid tax in in-
stallments. The regulations provide rules
for the submission of proposed installment
agreements, the processing, acceptance,
and rejection of such agreements by the
IRS, the termination or modification of
existing agreements, and the appeal of re-
jections, modifications, and terminations
to the IRS Office of Appeals (Appeals).
The majority of these provisions are un-
changed from what was contained in the
prior regulations or reflect longstanding
IRS administrative practice. The rules
regarding when a proposed installment
agreement becomes pending, restrictions
on collection activity while an agreement
is pending or in effect, and the suspension
of the statute of limitations for collection
are nearly identical to the provisions in
existing §301.6331–4. The only change
was a clarification that the IRS will not
be precluded from filing suit or a proof of
claim in bankruptcy for the full amount of
the liabilities owed, regardless of whether
the installment agreement provides for
full or partial payment of the liabilities at
issue.
Taxpayers may request administrative
review of IRS decisions to modify or ter-
minate installment agreements pursuant to
section 6159(e), added to the Code by sec-
tion 202 of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights II.
Taxpayers may appeal rejections of pro-
posed installment agreements under sec-
tion 7122(d), added to the Code by section
3462 of RRA 1998. The proposed regu-
lations allow taxpayers to appeal a termi-
nation, modification, or rejection of an in-
stallment agreement to Appeals provided
they request the appeal in the manner spec-
ified by the IRS.
The previous notice of proposed rule-
making contained a more detailed pro-
cedure for seeking review of decisions
to terminate or modify agreements. That
proposed regulation has not been adopted.
These regulations contain a less detailed
procedure because procedures for appeal-
ing differ depending on the IRS operating
division handling the case, the size of the
tax liability, or the type of tax at issue.
For example, some taxpayers may be able
to request an appeal by telephone while
others will be required to submit a formal
March 19, 20077632007–12 I.R.B.
written request. See Publication 1660,
Collection Appeal Rights.
The proposed regulations incorporate
the provisions of section 6159(c), added to
the Code by section 3467 of RRA 1998.
That section requires the IRS to accept
a proposed installment agreement for in-
come taxes under certain circumstances.
The regulations alsoincorporate section
3506 of RRA 1998, which requires the IRS
to send each taxpayer with an installment
agreement an annual statement showing
the balance due at the beginning of the
year, the payments made during the year,
and the remaining balance due at the end
of the year.
Section 843 of the AJCA amended
section 6159(a) to allow the IRS to enter
into installment agreements that provide
for partial (as well as full) payment of
a tax liability. The proposed regulations
incorporate this change. Because a partial
payment installment agreement could be
confused with a compromise of the liabil-
ity, the proposed regulations clarify that
an installment agreement does not reduce
the amount of taxes, interest, or penalties
owed.SeeH. Rep. No. 108–755, 108
th
Cong., 2d Sess., 2005 U.S.C.C.A.N. 1341
(October 7, 2004).
The proposed regulations also clarify
that the IRS may enter into an install-
ment agreement that, by its terms, ends
upon the expiration of the period of limi-
tations on collection in section 6502 and
§301.6502–1, or at some prior date. A
partial payment installment agreement
that ends prior to the expiration of the col-
lection period of limitations would allow
the IRS to collect the balance of the tax
liability against any property belonging to
the taxpayer or request the Department of
Justice to institute a judicial action to re-
duce the liability to judgment or take other
actions to enforce the federal tax lien.
The proposed regulations do not limit the
authority of the IRS to enter into partial
payment installment agreements that run
to the end of the collection period.
Section 843 of the AJCA amended sec-
tion 6159(c) to exclude partial payment
installment agreements from the scope
of installment agreements that must be
accepted by the IRS. The proposed regula-
tions provide that installment agreements
guaranteed under section 6159(c) must
provide for the full payment of the liabil-
ities.
Section 843 of the AJCA added new
section 6159(d), requiring the IRS to
review partial payment installment agree-
ments every two years. (Former subsec-
tions (d) and (e) were redesignated (e) and
(f).) The primary purpose of the review
is to determine whether the financial con-
dition of the taxpayer has significantly
changed so as to warrant an increase in the
value of the payments being made.See
H. Rep. No. 108–755, 108
th
Cong., 2d
Sess., 2005 U.S.C.C.A.N. 1341 (October
7, 2004). The proposed regulations reflect
this requirement.
The proposed regulations clarify the ap-
plication of payments made pursuant to
installment agreements. Consistent with
Revenue Procedure 2002–26, 2002–1 C.B.
746, all payments will be applied in the
best interests of the Government, unless
the installment agreement provides other-
wise. Current regulations provide rules for
when the IRS may terminate an agreement
but do not expressly provide that a tax-
payer and the IRS may agree to end an
agreement. The proposed regulations clar-
ify that an installment agreement may be
terminated by agreement between the tax-
payer and the IRS, or may be superceded
by a new agreement.
Proposed Effective Date
These regulations are proposed to be
effective upon publication in theFederal
Registerof the final regulations.
Special Analyses
It has been determined that this notice
of proposed rulemaking is not a significant
regulatory action as defined in Executive
Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory as-
sessment is not required. It also has been
determined that section 553(b) of the Ad-
ministrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chap-
ter 5) does not apply to these regulations
and, because these regulations do not im-
pose a collection of information under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. sec-
tion 3501), the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply to these
regulations. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of
the Code, this notice of proposed rulemak-
ing will be submitted to the Chief Counsel
for Advocacy of the Small Business Ad-
ministration for comment on its impact on
small business.
Comments and Requests for a Public
Hearing
Before these proposed regulations are
adopted as final regulations, consider
ation
will be given to any written comments
(a signed original and eight (8) copies
)
or electronic comments that are submit
ted
timely to the IRS. The IRS generally re-
quests any comments on the clarity of t
he
proposed rule and how it may be made eas
-
ier to understand. All comments will
be
available for public inspection and
copy-
ing. A public hearing may be schedule
dif
requested in writing by a person that
timely
submits written or electronic comm
ents. If
a public hearing is scheduled, noti
ce of the
date, time, and place for the heari
ng will
be published in theFederal Regist
er.
Drafting Information
The principal author of these regula-
tions is G. William Beard, Office of As-
sociate Chief Counsel (Procedure and Ad-
ministration), Collection, Bankruptcy &
Summonses Division.
*****
Withdrawal of Proposed Regulations
Accordingly, under the authority of 26
U.S.C. 7805, the notice of proposed rule-
making (REG–100841–97) that was pub-
lished in theFederal Registeron Decem-
ber 31, 1997 (62 FR 68241) is withdrawn.
Proposed Amendments to the
Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is pro-
posed to be amended as follows:
PART 301—PROCEDURE AND
ADMINISTRATION
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for
part 301 continues to read in part as fol-
lows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
Par. 2. Section 301.6159–0 is added to
read as follows:
§301.6159–0 Table of contents.
This section lists the major captions
that appear in the regulations under
§301.6159–1.
2007–12 I.R.B.764March 19, 2007
§301.6159–1 Agreements for the payment
of tax liabilities in installments.
(a) Authority.
(b) Procedures for submission and con-
sideration of proposed installment agree-
ments.
(c) Acceptance, form, and terms of in-
stallment agreements.
(d) Rejection of a proposed installment
agreement.
(e) Modification or termination of in-
stallment agreements by the Internal Rev-
enue Service.
(f) Effect of installment agreement or
pending installment agreement on collec-
tion activity.
(g) Suspension of the statute of limita-
tions on collection.
(h) Annual statement.
(i) Biannual review of partial payment
installment agreements.
(j) Cross reference.
(k) Effective date.
Par. 3. Section 301.6159–1 is revised
to read as follows:
§301.6159–1 Agreements for payment of
tax liabilities in installments.
(a)Authority. The Commissioner may
enter into a written agreement with a tax-
payer that allows the taxpayer to make
scheduled periodic payments of any tax
liability if the Commissioner determines
that such agreement will facilitate full or
partial collection of the tax liability.
(b)Procedures for submission and con-
sideration of proposed installment agree-
ments—(1)In general. A proposed install-
ment agreement must be submitted accord-
ing to the procedures, and in the form and
manner, prescribed by the Commissioner.
(2)When a proposed installment agree-
ment becomes pending. A proposed in-
stallment agreement becomes pending
when it is accepted for processing. The
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may not
accept a proposed installment agreement
for processing following reference of a
case involving the liability that is the sub-
ject of the proposed installment agreement
to the Department of Justice for prosecu-
tion or defense. The proposed installment
agreement remains pending until the IRS
accepts the proposal, the IRS notifies the
taxpayer that the proposal has been re-
jected, or the proposal is withdrawn by the
taxpayer. If a proposed installment agree-
ment that has been accepted for processing
does not contain sufficient information to
permit the IRS to evaluate whether the
proposal should be accepted, the IRS will
request the taxpayer to provide the needed
additional information. If the taxpayer
does not submit the additional information
that the IRS has requested within a reason-
able time period after such a request, the
IRS may reject the proposed installment
agreement.
(3)Revised proposals of installment
agreements submitted following rejection.
If, following the rejection of a proposed
installment agreement, the IRS determines
that the taxpayer made a good faith re-
vision of the proposal and submitted the
revision within 30 days of the date of re-
jection, the provisions of this section shall
apply to that revised proposal. If, how-
ever, the IRS determines that a revision
was not made in good faith, the provisions
ofthissectiondonotapplytotherevision
and the appeal period in paragraph (d)(3)
of this section continues to run from the
date of the original rejection.
(c)Acceptance, form, and terms of in-
stallment agreements—(1)Acceptance of
an installment agreement—(i)In general.
A proposed installment agreement has not
been accepted until the IRS notifies the
taxpayer or the taxpayer’s representative
of the acceptance. Except as provided
in paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section, the
Commissioner has the discretion to accept
or reject any proposed installment agree-
ment.
(ii)Acceptance does not reduce liabil-
ities. The acceptance of an installment
agreement by the IRS does not reduce
the amount of taxes, interest, or penalties
owed. (However, penalties may continue
to accrue at a reduced rate pursuant to
section 6651(h).)
(iii)Guaranteed installment agree-
ments. In the case of a liability of an
individual for income tax, the Commis-
sioner shall accept a proposed installment
agreement if, as of the date the individual
proposes the installment agreement—
(A) The aggregate amount of the liabil-
ity (not including interest, penalties, addi-
tions to tax, and additional amounts) does
not exceed $10,000;
(B) The taxpayer (and, if the liabil-
ity relates to a joint return, the taxpayer’s
spouse) has not, during any of the preced-
ing five taxable years—
(1)Failedtofileanyincometaxreturn;
(2) Failed to pay any required income
tax; or
(3) Entered into an installment agree-
ment for the payment of any income tax;
(C) The Commissioner determines that
the taxpayer is financially unable to pay
the liability in full when due (and the tax-
payer submits any information the Com-
missioner requires to make that determina-
tion);
(D) The installment agreement requires
full payment of the liability within three
years; and
(E) The taxpayer agrees to comply with
the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code for the period the agreement is in
effect.
(2)Form of installment agreements.An
installment agreement must be in writing.
A written installment agreement may take
the form of a document signed by the tax-
payer and the Commissioner or a written
confirmation of an agreement entered into
by the taxpayer and the Commissioner that
is mailed or personally delivered to the tax-
payer.
(3)Terms of installment agreements.(i)
Except as otherwise provided in this sec-
tion, an installment agreement is effective
from the date the IRS notifies the taxpayer
or the taxpayer’s representative of its ac-
ceptance until the date the agreement ends
by its terms or until it is superceded by a
new installment agreement.
(ii) By its terms, an installment agree-
ment may end upon the expiration of the
period of limitations on collection in sec-
tion 6502 and §301.6502–1, or at some
prior date.
(iii) As a condition to entering into an
installment agreement with a taxpayer, the
Commissioner may require that—
(A) The taxpayer agree to a reasonable
extension of the period of limitations on
collection; and
(B) The agreement contain terms that
protect the interests of the Government.
(iv) Except as otherwise provided in an
installment agreement, all payments made
under the installment agreement will be
applied in the best interests of the Govern-
ment.
(v) While an installment agreement is
in effect, the Commissioner may request,
March 19, 20077652007–12 I.R.B.
and the taxpayer must provide, a financial
condition update at any time.
(vi) At any time after entering into an
installment agreement, the Commissioner
and the taxpayer may agree to modify or
terminate an installment agreement or may
agree to a new installment agreement that
supercedes the existing agreement.
(d)Rejection of a proposed installment
agreement—(1)Whenaproposedinstall-
ment agreement becomes rejected.Apro-
posed installment agreement has not been
rejected until the IRS notifies the taxpayer
or the taxpayer’s representative of the re-
jection, the reason(s)for rejection, and the
righttoanappeal.
(2)Independent administrative review.
The IRS may not notify a taxpayer or tax-
payer’s representative of the rejection of
an installment agreement until an indepen-
dent administrative review of the proposed
rejection is completed.
(3)Appeal of rejection of a proposed
installment agreement. The taxpayer may
administratively appeal a rejection of a
proposed installment agreement to the IRS
Office of Appeals (Appeals) if, within the
30-day period commencing the day after
the taxpayer is notified of the rejection, the
taxpayer requests an appeal in the manner
provided by the Commissioner.
(e)Modification or termination of
installment agreements by the Internal
Revenue Service—(1)Inadequate infor-
mation or jeopardy. The Commissioner
may terminate an installment agreement if
the Commissioner determines that—
(i) Information which was provided
to the IRS by the taxpayer or the tax-
payer’s representative in connection with
the granting of the installment agreement
was inaccurate or incomplete in any mate-
rial respect; or
(ii) Collection of any liability to which
the installment agreement applies is in
jeopardy.
(2)Change in financial condition, fail-
ure to timely pay an installment or an-
other Federal tax liability, or failure to
provide requested financial information.
The Commissioner may modify or termi-
nate an installment agreement if—
(i) The Commissioner determines that
the financial condition of a taxpayer that
is party to the agreement has significantly
changed; or
(ii) A taxpayer that is party to the in-
stallment agreement fails to—
(A) Timely pay an installment in ac-
cordance with the terms of the installment
agreement;
(B) Pay any other Federal tax liability
when the liability becomes due; or
(C) Provide a financial condition update
requested by the Commissioner.
(3)Notice. Unless the Commissioner
determines that collection of the tax is in
jeopardy, the Commissioner will notify the
taxpayer in writing at least 30 days prior
to modifying or terminating an installment
agreement pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) or
(2) of this section. The notice provided
pursuant to this section must briefly de-
scribe the reason for the intended modifi-
cation or termination. Upon receiving no-
tice, the taxpayer may provide information
showing that the reason for the proposed
modification or termination is incorrect.
(4)Appeal of modification or termina-
tion of an installment agreement.The
taxpayer may administratively appeal the
modification or termination of an install-
ment agreement to Appeals if, following
issuance of the notice required by para-
graph (e)(3) of this section and prior to the
expiration of the 30-day period commenc-
ingthedayafterthemodificationorter-
mination is to take effect, the taxpayer re-
quests an appeal in the manner provided by
the Commissioner.
(f)Effect of installment agreement or
pending installment agreement on collec-
tion activity—(1)In general.Nolevymay
be made to collect a tax liability that is the
subject of an installment agreement dur-
ing the period that a proposed installment
agreement is pending with the IRS, for 30
days immediately following the rejection
of a proposed installment agreement, dur-
ing the period that an installment agree-
ment is in effect, and for 30 days imme-
diately following the termination of an in-
stallment agreement. If, prior to the expi-
ration of the 30-day period following the
rejection or termination of an installment
agreement, the taxpayer appeals the rejec-
tion or termination decision, no levy may
be made while the rejection or termination
is being considered by Appeals. This sec-
tion will not prohibit levy to collect the li-
ability of any person other than the person
or persons named in the installment agree-
ment.
(2)Exceptions. Paragraph (f)(1) of this
section shall not prohibit levy if the tax-
payer files a written notice with the IRS
that waives the restriction on levy imposed
by this section, the IRS determines that the
proposed installment agreement was sub-
mitted solely to delay collection, or the
IRS determines that collection of the tax
to which the installment agreement or pro-
posed installment agreement relates is in
jeopardy.
(3)Other actions by the IRS while levy
is prohibited—(i)In general.TheIRSmay
take actions other than levy to protect the
interests of the Government with regard
to the liability identified in an installment
agreement or proposed installment agree-
ment. Those actions include, for exam-
ple—
(A) Crediting an overpayment against
the liability pursuant to section 6402;
(B) Filing or refiling notices of Federal
tax lien; and
(C) Taking action to collect from any
person who is not named in the installment
agreement or proposed installment agree-
ment but who is liable for the tax to which
the installment agreement relates.
(ii)Proceedings in court. Except as oth-
erwise provided in this paragraph (f)(3)(ii),
the IRS will not refer a case to the Depart-
ment of Justice for the commencement
of a proceeding in court, against a per-
son named in an installment agreement or
proposed installment agreement, if levy
to collect the liability is prohibited by
paragraph (f)(1) of this section. Without
regard to whether a person is named in an
installment agreement or proposed install-
ment agreement, however, the IRS may
authorize the Department of Justice to file
a counterclaim or third-party complaint
in a refund action or to join that person
in any other proceeding in which liability
for the tax that is the subject of the install-
ment agreement or proposed installment
agreement may be established or disputed,
including a suit against the United States
under 28 U.S.C. 2410. In addition, the
United States may file a claim in any
bankruptcy proceeding or insolvency ac-
tion brought by or against such person. If
a person named in an installment agree-
ment is joined in a proceeding, the United
States obtains a judgment against that per-
son, and the case is referred back to the
IRS for collection, collection will con-
tinue to occur pursuant to the terms of the
installment agreement. Notwithstanding
the installment agreement, any claim or
2007–12 I.R.B.766March 19, 2007
suit permitted will be for the full amount
of the liabilities owed.
(g)Suspension of the statute of limita-
tions on collection. The statute of limita-
tions under section 6502 for collection of
any liability shall be suspended during the
period that a proposed installment agree-
ment relating to that liability is pending
with the IRS, for 30 days immediately fol-
lowing the rejection of a proposed install-
ment agreement, and for 30 days immedi-
ately following the termination of an in-
stallment agreement. If, within the 30 days
following the rejection or termination of an
installment agreement, the taxpayer files
an appeal with Appeals, the statute of lim-
itations for collection shall be suspended
while the rejection or termination is being
considered by Appeals. The statute of lim-
itations for collection shall continue to run
if an exception under paragraph (f)(2) of
this section applies and levy is not prohib-
ited with respect to the taxpayer.
(h)Annual statement. The Commis-
sioner shall provide each taxpayer who is
party to an installment agreement under
this section with an annual statement set-
ting forth the initial balance owed at the
beginning of the year, the payments made
during the year, and the remaining balance
as of the end of the year.
(i)Biannual review of partial payment
installment agreements. The Commis-
sioner shall perform a review of the tax-
payer’s financial condition in the case of a
partial payment installment agreement at
least once every two years. The purpose
of this review is to determine whether the
taxpayer’s financial condition has signifi-
cantly changed so as to warrant an increase
in the value of the payments being made
or termination of the agreement.
(j)Cross reference. Pursuant to sec-
tion 6601(b)(1), the last day prescribed
for payment is determined without regard
to any installment agreement, including
for purposes of computing penalties and
interest provided by the Internal Rev-
enue Code. For special rules regarding
the computation of the failure to pay
penalty while certain installment agree-
ments are in effect, see section 6651(h)
and §301.6651–1(a)(4).
(k)Effective date.Thissectionisappli-
cable on the date final regulations are pub-
lished in theFederal Register.
Par. 4. Section 301.6331–4 is revised
to read as follows:
§301.6331–4 Restrictions on levy while
installment agreements are pending or in
effect.
Cross-reference. For provisions relat-
ing to the making of levies while an install-
ment agreement is pending or in effect, see
§301.6159–1.
Mark E. Matthews,
Deputy Commissioner for
Services and Enforcement.
(Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on March 2, 2007,
8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register
for March 5, 2007, 72 F.R. 9712)
Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking by
Cross-Reference to
Temporary Regulation
Section 181 — Deduction for
Qualified Film and Television
Production Costs
REG–115403–05
AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service
(IRS), Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
by cross reference to temporary regulation.
SUMMARY: In this issue of the Bulletin,
the IRS is issuing temporary regulations
(T.D. 9312) under section 181 of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code relating to deductions
for costs of producing qualified film and
television productions. These temporary
regulations reflect changes to the law
made by the American Jobs Creation Act
of 2004 and the Gulf Opportunity Zone
Act of 2005, and affect taxpayers that
produce films and television productions
within the United States. This action is
necessary to provide guidance for the ap-
plication of section 181. The text of the
temporary regulations also serves as the
text of these proposed regulations. This
document also provides notice of a public
hearing on these proposed regulations.
DATES: Written comments and requests
for a public hearing must be received by
May 10, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send submissions to:
CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–115403–05), room
5203, Internal Revenue Service, PO Box
7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washing-
ton, DC 20044. Submissions may be
hand delivered Monday through Friday
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–115403–05),
Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Service,
1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Wash-
ington, DC, or sent electronically, via
the IRS Internet site atwww.irs.gov/regs
or via the Federal eRulemaking Por-
tal athttp://www.Regulations.gov/(IRS
REG–115403–05).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT: Concerning the regulations,
Bernard P. Harvey, (202) 622–3110; con-
cerning submissions and to request a
hearing, Kelly Banks, (202) 622–7180
(not toll-free numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act
The collections of information con-
tained in this notice of proposed rulemak-
ing have been submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget for review in
accordance with the Paperwork Reduc-
tion Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)).
Comments on the collections of infor-
mation should be sent to the Office of
Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Of-
ficer for the Department of the Treasury,
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, with
copies to theInternal Revenue Service,
Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer,
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC
20224. Comments on the collection of
information should be received by April
10, 2007. Comments are specifically re-
quested concerning:
Whether the proposed collection of in-
formation is necessary for the proper per-
formance of the functions of the Internal
Revenue Service, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
The accuracy of the estimated burden
associated with the proposed collection of
information;
How the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected may be en-
hanced;
How the burden of complying with the
proposed collection of information may be
minimized, including through the appli-
cation of automated collection techniques
March 19, 20077672007–12 I.R.B.
or other forms of information technology;
and
Estimates of capital or start-up costs
and costs of operation, maintenance, and
purchase of service to provide information.
The collection of information in this
proposed regulation is in §1.181–2T(c).
Thisinformationisrequiredtoverifythat
the production cost of the film or televi-
sion production for which the deduction
under section 181 of the Internal Rev-
enue Code is claimed does not exceed
the statutory production cost limit, that at
least 75 percent of the compensation from
the production is compensation for ser-
vices performed in the United States, that
production costs deducted under section
181(a)(2)(B) are substantiallyincurredin
the specific areas designated in section
181(a)(2)(B), and that, in situations in
which more than one taxpayer is claiming
a deduction for a single production, the
total deduction for the production does
not exceed the statutory limit. The col-
lection of information is mandatory. The
likely recordkeepers are business or other
for-profit institutions, and small busi-
nesses or organizations.
Estimated total annual recordkeeping
burden: 1,500 hours.
The estimated annual burden per
recordkeeper varies from 2 to 4 hours,
depending on individual circumstances,
with an estimated average of 3 hours.
Estimated number of recordkeepers:
500.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor,
and a person is not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays
a valid control number assigned by the Of-
fice of Management and Budget.
Books or records relating to a collection
of information must be retained as long
as their contents may become material in
the administration of any internal revenue
law. Generally, tax returns and tax return
information are confidential, as required
by 26 U.S.C. 6103.
Background
The temporary regulations in this issue
of the Bulletin contain amendments to 26
CFR part 1 to provide regulations under
section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (Code). Section 181 was added to
the Code by section 244 of the American
Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Public Law No.
108–357 (118 Stat. 1418) (Oct. 22, 2004),
and was modified by section 403(e) of the
Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005, Public
Law No. 109–135 (119 Stat. 2577) (Dec.
21, 2005).
Explanation of Provisions
The temporary regulations in this issue
of the Bulletin amend the Income Tax Reg-
ulations (26 CFR part 1) to add regulations
under section 181 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (Code). The text of the tem-
porary regulations also serves as the text of
these proposed regulations. The preamble
to the temporary regulations explains these
proposed regulations.
Special Analyses
It has been determined that this notice
of proposed rulemaking is not a signifi-
cant regulatory action as defined in Ex-
ecutive Order 12866. Therefore, a regu-
latory assessment is not required. It also
has been determined that section 553(b)
and (d) of the Administrative Procedure
Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to
these regulations. It is hereby certified that
this regulation will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number
of small entities. The proposed regula-
tions impose a collection of information on
small entities in order to demonstrate eligi-
bility for tax benefits under the statute, and
this collection of information will require
recordkeeping. This collection of informa-
tion is discussed elsewhere in this pream-
ble. However, the recordkeeping required
by this collection of information does not
differ significantly from the recordkeeping
that a taxpayer must perform in order to de-
termine whether the taxpayer is eligible to
claim a deduction under the statute. Con-
sequently, the economic impact on small
entities resulting from the recordkeeping
required under this regulation isde min-
imis. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility
analysis is not required. We request com-
ment on the accuracy ofthis certification.
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code,
this regulation has been submitted to the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration for comment on
its impact on small business.
Comments and Requests for a Public
Hearing
Before these proposed regulations are
adopted as final regulations, consideration
will be given to any written comments
(a signed original and eight (8) copies) or
electronically generated comments that are
submitted timely to the IRS. The IRS and
Treasury Department generally request
comments on the clarity of the proposed
rule and how it may be made easier to
understand. All comments will be avail-
able for public inspection and copying.
A public hearing may be scheduled if re-
quested in writing by a person who timely
submits comments. If a public hearing is
scheduled, notice of the date, time, and
place for the hearing will be published in
theFederal Register.
Drafting Information
The principal author of these regula-
tions is Bernard P. Harvey, Office of As-
sociate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and
Special Industries). However, other per-
sonnel from the IRS and Treasury Depart-
ment participated in their development.
*****
Proposed Amendments to the
Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended
as follows:
PART 1—INCOME TAXES
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for
part 1 continues read as follows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
Par. 2. Sections 1.181–0 through
1.181–6 are added as follows:
§1.181-0 Table of contents.
[The text of this proposed section is the
same as the text of §1.181-0T published
elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin.]
§1.181–1 Deduction for qualified film and
television production costs.
[The text of this proposed section is the
same as the text of §1.181–1T published
elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin.]
2007–12 I.R.B.768March 19, 2007
§1.181–2 Election.
[The text of this proposed section is the
same as the text of §1.181–2T published
elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin.]
§1.181–3 Qualified film or television
production.
[The text of this proposed section is the
same as the text of §1.181–3T published
elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin.]
§1.181–4 Special rules.
[The text of this proposed section is the
same as the text of §1.181–4T published
elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin.]
§1.181–5 Examples.
[The text of this proposed section is the
same as the text of §1.181–5T published
elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin.]
§1.181–6 Effective date.
[The text of this proposed section is the
same as the text of §1.181–6T published
elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin.]
Kevin M. Brown,
Deputy Commissioner for
Services and Enforcement.
(Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on February 8,
2007, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal
Register for February 9, 2007, 72 F.R. 6190)
Announcement and Report Concerning Advance Pricing Agreements
Announcement 2007–31
February 26, 2007
This Announcement is issued pursuant to § 521(b) of Pub. L. 106–170, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act
of 1999, which requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the public concerning Advance Pricing Agreements
(APAs) and the APA Program. The first report covered calendar years 1991 through 1999. Subsequent reports covered separately
each calendar year 2000 through 2005. This eighth report describes the experience, structure and activities of the APA Program
during calendar year 2006. It does not provide guidance regarding the application of the arm’s length standard.
Matthew W. Frank
Director, Advance Pricing Agreement Program
Background
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 482 providesthat the Secretary may distribute, apportion, or allocate gross income, deductions,
credits, or allowances between or among two or more commonly controlled businesses if necessary to reflect clearly the income
of such businesses. Under the § 482 regulations, the standard to beapplied in determining the true taxable income of a controlled
business is that of a business dealing at arm’s length with an unrelated business. The arm’s length standard has also been
adopted by the international community and is incorporated intothe transfer pricing guidelines issued by the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). OECD,TRANSFER PRICING GUIDELINES FOR MULTINATIONAL
ENTERPRISES AND TAX ADMINISTRATORS (1995). Transfer pricing issues by their nature are highly factual and have
traditionally been one of the largest issues identified by the IRS in its audits of multinational corporations. The APA Program
is designed to resolve actual or potential transfer pricing disputes in a principled, cooperative manner, as an alternative to the
traditional examination process. An APA is a binding contract between the IRS and a taxpayer by which the IRS agrees not to
seek a transfer pricing adjustment under IRC § 482 for a covered transaction if the taxpayer files its tax return for a covered
year consistent with the agreed transfer pricing method (TPM). In 2006, the IRS and taxpayers executed 82 APAs and amended
three APAs.
Since 1991, with the issuance of Rev. Proc. 91–22, 1991–1 C.B. 526, the IRS has offered taxpayers, through the APA Program,
the opportunity to reach an agreement in advance of filing a tax return on the appropriate TPM to be applied to related party
transactions. In 1996, the IRS issued internal procedures for processing APA requests. Chief Counsel Directives Manual
(CCDM), ¶¶ 42.10.10 – 42.10.16 (November 15, 1996). Also in 1996, the IRS updated Rev. Proc. 91–22 with the release of Rev.
Proc. 96–53, 1996–2 C.B. 375. In 1998, the IRS published Notice 98–65, 1998–2 C.B. 803, which set forth streamlined APA
procedures for small business taxpayers. Then on July 1, 2004, the IRS updated and superseded both Rev. Proc. 96–53 and Notice
98–65 by issuing Rev. Proc. 2004–40, 2004–2 C.B. 50, effective for all APA requests filed on or after August 19, 2004.
On December 19, 2005, the IRS again updatedthe procedural rules for processing and administering APAs with the release of
Rev. Proc. 2006–9, 2006–2 I.R.B. 278. Rev. Proc. 2006–9 supersedes Rev. Proc. 2004–40 and is effective for all APA requests
filed on or after February 1, 2006.
March 19, 20077692007–12 I.R.B.
Advance Pricing Agreements
An APA generally combines an agreement between a taxpayer andthe IRS on an appropriate TPM for the transactions at issue
(Covered Transactions) with an agreement between the U.S. andone or more foreign tax authorities (under the authority of the
mutual agreement process of our income tax treaties) that the TPM is correct. With such a“bilateral” APA, the taxpayer ordinarily
is assured that the income associated with the Covered Transactions will not be subject to double taxation by the U.S. and the
foreign jurisdiction. It is the policy of the United States, as reflected in §§ 2.08 and 7 of Rev. Proc. 2006–9, to encourage
taxpayers that enter the APA Program to seek bilateral or multilateral APAs when competent authority procedures are available
with respect to the foreign country or countries involved. However, the IRS may execute an APA with a taxpayer without
reaching a competent authority agreement (a “unilateral” APA).
A unilateral APA is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS establishing an approved TPM for U.S. tax purposes. A
unilateral APA binds the taxpayer and the IRS, but does not prevent foreign tax administrations fromtaking different positions on
the appropriate TPM for a transaction. As stated in § 7.07 of Rev. Proc. 2006–9, should a transaction covered by a unilateral
APA be subject to double taxation as the result of an adjustment by a foreign tax administration, the taxpayer may seek relief
by requesting that the U.S. Competent Authority consider initiating a mutual agreement proceeding pursuant to an applicable
income tax treaty (if any).
When a unilateral APA involves taxpayers operating in a country that is a treaty partner, information relevant to the APA
(including a copy of the APA and APA annual reports) may be provided to the treaty partner under normal rules and principles
governing the exchange of information under income tax treaties.
The APA Program
An IRS team headed by an APA team leader is responsible for the consideration of each APA. As of December 31, 2006, the
APA Program had 20 team leaders. The team leader is responsible for organizing the IRS APA team. The IRS APA team leader
arranges meetings with the taxpayer, secures whatever information is necessary from the taxpayer to analyze the taxpayer’s related
party transactions and the available facts under the arm’s length standard of IRC § 482 and the regulations thereunder, and leads
the discussions with the taxpayer.
The APA team generally includes an economist, an internationalexaminer, LMSB field counsel, and, in a bilateral case, a U.S.
Competent Authority analyst who leads the discussions with the treaty partner. The economist may be from the APA Program or
the IRS field organization. As of December 31, 2006, the APA Program had eight economists. The APA team may also include an
LMSB International Technical Advisor, other LMSB exam personnel, and an Appeals Officer.
The APA Process
The APA process is voluntary. Taxpayers submit an application for an APA, together with a user fee as set forth in Rev. Proc.
2006–9, § 4.12. The APA process can be broken into five phases: (1)application; (2) due diligence; (3) analysis; (4) discussion
and agreement; and (5) drafting, review, and execution.
(1)A
pplication
In many APA cases, the taxpayer’s application is preceded by a pre-file conference with the APA staff in which the taxpayer
can solicit the informal views of the APA Program. Pre-file conferences can occur on an anonymous basis, although a taxpayer
must disclose its identity when it applies for an APA. Taxpayersmust file the appropriate user fee on or before the due date,
including extensions, of the tax return for the first taxable year that the taxpayer proposes to be covered by the APA. (If the
taxpayer receives an extension to file its taxreturn, it must file its user fee no later than the actual filing date of the return.) Many
taxpayers file a user fee first and then follow up with a full application later. The procedures for pre-file conferences, user fees,
and applications can be found in §§ 3 and 4 of Rev. Proc. 2006–9.
The APA application can be a relatively modest document for small businesses. Section 9 of Rev. Proc. 2006–9 describes
the special APA procedures for small business taxpayers. For most taxpayers, however, the APA application is a substantial
document filling several binders.
2007–12 I.R.B.770March 19, 2007
The application is assigned to an APA team leader who is responsible for the case. The APAteam leader’s first responsibility is to
organize the APA team. This involves contacting the appropriate LMSB International Territory Manager to secure the assignment
of an international examiner to the APA case and the LMSB Counsel’s office to secure a field counsel lawyer. In a bilateral
case, the U.S. Competent Authority will assign a U.S. Competent Authority analyst to the team. In a large APA case, the
international examiner may invite his or her manager and other LMSB personnel familiar with the taxpayer to join the team. If
the APA may affect taxable years in Appeals,the appropriate appellate conferee will be invited to join the team. In appropriate
cases, the APA team leader contacts the Manager, LMSB International Technical Advisors, to determine whether to include a
technical advisor on the team. The IRS APA team will generallyinclude a technical advisor if the APA request concerns cost
sharing, or a complex intangibles or services transaction. The APA team leader then distributes copies of the APA application to
all team members and sets up an opening conference with the taxpayer. The APA office strives to hold this opening conference
within 45 days of the assignment of the case to a team leader. At the opening conference, the APA team leader proposes a case
plan designed, if feasible, to complete a unilateral APA or, inthe case of a bilateral APA, the recommended U.S. negotiating
position within 12 months from the date the full application is filed. The actual median and average times for completing
unilateral APAs, recommended negotiating positions for bilateral APAs, and APAs for small business taxpayers are shown below
in Tables 2, 5, and 11, respectively.
(2)D
ueDiligence
The APA team must satisfy itself that the relevant facts submittedby the taxpayer are complete and accurate. This due diligence
aspect of the APA is vital to the process.It is because of this due diligence that the IRS can reachadvance agreements with
taxpayers in the highly factual setting of transfer pricing.Due diligence can proceed in a number of ways. Typically, the APA
team leader will submit in advance of the opening conference a list of questions to the taxpayer for discussion at the conference.
The opening conference may result in additional questions and an agreement to meet one or more times in the future. These
questions and meetings are not an audit and are focused on the transfer pricing issues associated with the transactions in the
taxpayer’s application, or such other transactions that the taxpayer and the IRS may agree to add.
(3)A
nalysis
A significant part of the analytical work associated with anAPA is done typically by the APA economist and/or an IRS field
economist assigned to the case. The analysis may result in the need for additional information. Once the IRS APA team has
completed its due diligence and analysis, it begins discussions with the taxpayer over the various aspects of the APA including the
covered transactions, the TPM, the selection of comparable transactions, asset intensity and otheradjustments, the appropriate
critical assumptions, the APA term, and other key issues. The APA team leader will discuss particularly difficult issues with his or
her managers, but generally the APA teamleader is empowered to negotiate the APA.
(4)D
iscussionandAgreement
The discussion and agreement phase differs for bilateral and unilateral cases. In a bilateral case, the discussions proceed in two
parts and involve two IRS offices — the APA Program and the U.S. Competent Authority. In thefirst part, the APA team will
attempt to reach a consensus with the taxpayer regarding the recommended position that the U.S.Competent Authority should
take in negotiations with its treaty partner. This recommended U.S. negotiating position is a paper drafted by the APA team
leader and signed by the APA Director that provides the APA Program’s view of the best TPM for the Covered Transaction,
taking into account IRC § 482 and the regulations thereunder, the relevant tax treaty, and the U.S. Competent Authority’s
experience with the treaty partner.
The experience of the APA office and the U.S. Competent Authority is that APA negotiations are likely to proceed more rapidly
with a foreign competent authority if the U.S. negotiating position is fully supported by the taxpayer. Consequently, the APA
office works together with the taxpayer in developing the recommended U.S. negotiating position. On occasion, the APA team
will agree to disagree with a taxpayer. In these cases, the APA office will send a recommended U.S. negotiating position to the
U.S. Competent Authority thatincludes elements with which the taxpayer does not agree. This disagreement is noted in the
paper. The APA team leader also solicits the views of the field members of the APA team, and, in the vast majority of APA
cases, the international examiner, LMSB field counsel, and other IRS field team members concur in the position prepared by
the APA team leader.
Once the APA Program completes the recommended U.S. negotiating position, the APA process shifts from the APA Program
to the U.S. Competent Authority. The U.S. Competent Authority analyst assigned to theAPA takes the recommended U.S.
negotiating position and prepares the final U.S. negotiating position, which is then transmitted to the foreign competent authority.
The negotiations with the foreign competent authority are conducted by the U.S. Competent Authority analyst, most often in
face-to-face negotiating sessions conducted periodically throughout the year. At the request of the U.S. Competent Authority
analyst, the APA team leader may continue to assist the negotiations.
March 19, 20077712007–12 I.R.B.
In unilateral APA cases, the discussions proceed solely betweenthe APA Program and the taxpayer. In a unilateral case, the
taxpayer and the APA Program must reachagreement to conclude an APA. As in bilateral cases, the APA team leader almost
always will achieve a consensus with the IRS field personnel assigned to the APA team regarding the final APA. The APA
Program has a procedure in which the IRS field personnel are solicited formally for their concurrence in the final APA. This
concurrence, or any item in disagreement, is noted in a memorandum prepared by the APA team leader that accompanies the final
APA sent forward for review and execution.
(5)D
rafting,Review,andExecution
Once the IRS and the taxpayer reach agreement, the drafting of the final APA generally takes little time because the APA
Program has developed standard language that is incorporated into every APA. The current version of this language is found
in Attachment A. APAs are reviewed by the APA Branch Chiefand the APA Director. In addition, the team leader prepares a
summary memorandum for the Associate Chief Counsel (International) (ACC(I)). On March 1, 2001, the ACC(I) delegated to
the APA Director the authority to execute APAs on behalf of the IRS.SeeChief Counsel Notice CC–2001–016. The APA is
executed for the taxpayer by an appropriate corporate officer.
Model APA at Attachment A
[§ 521(b)(2)(B)]
Attachment A contains the current version of the model APA language.
The Current APA Office Structure, Composition, and Operation
In 2006, the APA office consisted of four branches with Branches 1 and 3 staffed with APA team leaders and Branch 2 staffed
with economists. Branch 4, the APA West Coast branch, is headquartered in Laguna Niguel, California, with an additional office
in San Francisco, and is staffed with both team leaders and economists.
Overall, the APA staff increased by seven, to 40 from 33, from the end of 2005 to the end of 2006. Three team leaders, three
economists, and a branch chief were added to the Program.
As of December 31, 2006, the APA staff was as follows:
The staffing increase in 2006 was achieved through the hiring ofeight persons and the addition of a second person detailed to
the APA Program from the IRS Appeals Office. This hiring, most of which occurred mid-year, allowed the APA Program to
realize a 6 percent increase in staffing in 2006 over 2005 measured by total work hours and a 12 percent increase in staffing
for the second half of 2006 over the same period in 2005, again measured by total work hours. The change in APA staffing
levels over the last six years is reflected in the table below.
2007–12 I.R.B.772March 19, 2007
Hours of APA attorneys, economists, and paralegal staff by year (excluding holiday and leave)
APAIssue/
IndustryCoordinationTeams
In May 2005, the IRS Chief Counsel announced a series of initiatives to improve APA Program performance. One initiative was
to increase specialization within the office by creating teams of select individuals to handle all cases of a particular type. The
purpose was to increase efficiency, quality, and consistency.
The APA Program selected five categories ofcases for specialization – cases involving cost sharing arrangements, financial
products, the semiconductor industry, the automotive industry, and the pharmaceutical industry. These categories were selected
because they each had a sufficient number of cases and commonality of issues to warrant their assignment to teams. Cases falling
within these five categories have historically accounted for about 40 percent of theAPA Program’s case load (excluding Small
Business Taxpayer (“SBT”) cases) and more than half of its totalcase time. At the end of 2006, cases within these five categories
account for 31 of the 90 non-SBT cases pending in the office thatwere either unilateral APAs or bilateral APAs that had not
yet been forwarded to Competent Authority.
March 19, 20077732007–12 I.R.B.
Staffing of the coordination teams at the end of 2006 is indicated below.
The APA Program is mindful that the purpose of the coordination effort is not to impose the same transfer pricing method on all
taxpayers in an industry. The appropriate transfer pricing method remains a case-by-case determination, influenced by numerous
factors that are not common to all companies operating in a particular industry. While the coordination effort may result in the
APA Program promoting a commonapproach on some issues where appropriate, the Program expects that the greater industry
familiarity developed through the coordination effort will also allow it to develop a more sophisticated understanding of issues
that will permit more tailored approaches, thereby promoting more (appropriately) varied results than might otherwise be the case.
A
PATraining
In 2006, the APA office continued its trainingactivities. Training sessions addressed APA-related current developments, new APA
office practices and procedures, and international tax law issues. The training materials used for new hires are available to the
public through the APA internet site athttp://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/article/0,,id=96221,00.html.Thesematerials
do not constitute guidance on the application of the arm’s length standard and are not to be relied upon or cited as precedent.
APA Program Statistical Data
[§ 521(b)(2)(C) and (E)]
The statistical information required under § 521(b)(2)(C) is contained in Tables 1 and 10 below; the information required
under § 521(b)(2)(E) is contained in Tables 2 and 3 below:
2007–12 I.R.B.774March 19, 2007
TABLE 1: APA APPLICATIONS, EXECUTED APAs, AND PENDING APAs
UnilateralBilateralMultilateral
Year
Total
Cumulative
Total
APA applications filed during year
2006
42671091037
All APAs executed
Year 20064239182692
1991–20052823208610
APA renewals executed during year
2006
211435180
Revised or Amended APAs executed
during year 2006
21333
Pending requests for APAs46203249
Pending requests for new
APAs
30137167
Pending requests for renewal
APAs
166682
APAs canceled or revoked0005
APAs withdrawn31316121
TABLE 2: MONTHS TO COMPLETE APAs
Months to Complete Advance Pricing Agreements in Year 2006
All NewAll RenewalsAll Combined
Average33.9Average27.5Average31.2
Median35.3Median25.9Median28.1
Unilateral
New
Unilateral
Renewals
Unilateral
Combined
Average22.0Average18.5Average20.3
Median22.9Median17.4Median18.7
Bilateral/Multilateral
New
Bilateral/Multilateral
Renewals
Bilateral/Multilateral
Combined
Average43.6Average40.9Average42.7
Median45.4Median38.5Median43.7
March 19, 20077752007–12 I.R.B.
TABLE 3: APA COMPLETION TIME – MONTHS PER APA
Months
Number
of APAsMonths
Number
of APAsMonths
Number
of APAsMonths
Number
of APAs
118335252
2192361531
3120371541
4212383551
522139561
623840257
724141258
825142591
9226243160
102272441613
11328245162
1212946263
1313024764
14311482651
1563214966
16133350367
1713451368
TABLE 4: RECOMMENDED NEGOTIATING POSITIONS
Recommended Negotiating Positions Completed in Year 200662
TABLE 5: MONTHS TO COMPLETE RECOMMENDED NEGOTIATING POSITIONS
NewRenewalCombined
Average26.1Average26.5Average26.2
Median23.9Median28.9Median23.9
2007–12 I.R.B.776March 19, 2007
TABLE 6: RECOMMENDED NEGOTIATING POSITIONS COMPLETION TIME – MONTHS PER APA
MonthsNumberMonthsNumberMonthsNumberMonthsNumber
117433249
218334350
31935511
42013652
5121337153
62223854
7223539551
812464056
925141157
1026142581
1122714359
1228444260
132924561
1430346621
1533124763
163224864
Tables 7 and 8 below show how long each APA request pending at the end of 2006 has been in the system as measured from
the filing date of the APA submission. The numbers for pending unilateral and bilateral cases differ from the numbers in
Table 1 because Tables 7 and 8 reflect only cases for which submissions have been received while Table 1 includes any case
for which a user fee has been paid.
TABLE 7: UNILATERAL APAs – TIME IN INVENTORY – MONTHS PER APA
Months
Number
of APAsMonths
Number
of APAsMonths
Number
of APAsMonths
Number
of APAs
128415122
29161232
31017241
421151825
511211926
62132027
71114211281
March 19, 20077772007–12 I.R.B.
TABLE 8: BILATERAL APAs – TIME IN INVENTORY – MONTHS PER APA
Months
Number
of APAsMonths
Number
of APAsMonths
Number
of APAsMonths
Number
of APAs
112755379
228154380
3102945581
4730356282
533135783
6832258184
7733659285
843456086
913526187
105366288
11737163892
125386490
134396591
14740466192
1534167293
1654226894
1724336995
1814417096
19145171197
20546172298
215477399
22548374100-1051
23949175106-110
2450576111-115
2525177116-1201
26452781
Of the 218 cases in the APA Program’s inventory shown in Tables 7 and 8, 108 cases (all of which are reflected in Table 8) are
bilateral cases that have been forwarded to the Competent Authority office for discussion with a treaty partner. This leaves 110
cases in the APA Program’s active inventory at the end of 2006 that are either unilateral APAs (35 cases) or bilateral APAs for
which the APA Program has not yet completed a recommended negotiating position (75 cases).
The table below shows the average age (in months) of the 110 active cases in inventory at the end of 2006, along with a
comparison of the number of active cases and their average ageat year-end for each year back to 2002. The table also shows the
same information for cases that were at least 6 months old or 1 year old (the latter being a subset of the former) at the end of
each year to allow comparison without potential distortions caused by year-to-year variations in the number of cases received in
the latter half or during the course of the year.
2007–12 I.R.B.778March 19, 2007
TABLE 9: NUMBER AND AVERAGE AGE OF ACTIVE CASES IN INVENTORY AT YEAR-END
20022003200420052006
Active cases80106130133110
Average age (months)14.115.115.213.210.6
Active cases 6+ months40781068781
Average age (months)25.519.417.818.513.0
Active cases 1+ year2246605532
Average age (months)38.926.824.223.319.4
TABLE 10: SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER APAs
Small Business Tax
payer APAs Completed in Year 2006
19
New10
Renewals9
Unilateral15
Bilateral4
TABLE 11: MONTHS TO COMPLETE SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER APAs
Months to Complete Small Business Taxpayer APAs in Year 2006
NewRenewalCombined
Average24.2Average21.4Average22.9
Median20.9Median21.2Median21.2
TABLE 12: INDUSTRIES COVERED
1
Industry Involved – NAICS CodesNumber
Electronic equipment, appliance and component manufacturing – 33510–12
Wholesale trade, durable goods – 42110–12
Computer and electronic product manufacturing – 3347–9
Chemical manufacturing – 3254–6
Information service and data processing services – 5144–6
Miscellaneous manufacturing – 3394–6
1
The categories in this table are drawn from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), which has replaced the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. NAICS
was developed jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to provide new comparability in statistics about business activity across North America.
March 19, 20077792007–12 I.R.B.
Industry Involved – NAICS Codes — ContinuedNumber
Machinery manufacturing – 3334–6
Food manufacturing – 3111–3
Securities, commodity contracts and other intermediary and related activities – 5231–3
Transportation equipment manufacturing – 3361–3
Wholesale trade, nondurable goods – 4221–3
Motor vehicle and parts dealers – 4411–3
Beverage and tobacco manufacturing – 3121–3
Fabricated metal manufacturing – 3321–3
Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores – 4511–3
Food and beverage stores – 4451–3
Air transportation – 4811–3
Clothing and clothing accessories stores – 4481–3
Broadcasting and telecommunications – 5131–3
Plastics and rubber products manufacturing – 3261–3
Petroleum and coal manufacturing – 3241–3
Wood product manufacturing – 3211–3
Water transportation – 4831–3
Publishing industries – 5111–3
Motion pictures and sound recording industries – 5121–3
Trades or Businesses
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(i)]
The nature of the relationships between the related organizations, trades, or businesses covered by APAs executed in 2006 is
set forth in Table 13 below:
TABLE 13: NATURE OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN RELATED ENTITIES
RelationshipNumber of APAs
Foreign Parent – U.S. Subsidiary (-ies)42
Unilateral21
Bilateral21
U.S. Parent – Foreign Subsidiary (-ies)36
Unilateral15
Bilateral21
Foreign Company and U.S. branch(es)0
Unilateral0
Bilateral0
Partnership4
Unilateral≤3
Bilateral≤3
2007–12 I.R.B.780March 19, 2007
Relationship — ContinuedNumber of APAs
U.S. Company and non-U.S. branch(es)0
Unilateral0
Bilateral0
Covered Transactions
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(ii)]
The controlled transactions covered by APAs executed in 2006 are set forth in Table 14 and Table 15 below:
TABLE 14: TYPES OF COVERED TRANSACTIONS
Transaction TypeNumber
Sale of tangible property into the U.S.41
Use of intangible property by Non-U.S. entity25
Sale of tangible property from the U.S.18
Performance of services by Non-U.S. entity16
Use of intangible property by U.S. entity11
Performance of services by U.S. entity11
R&D cost sharing – U.S. parent≤3
R&D cost sharing – Non-U.S. parent≤3
Financial products – U.S. parent≤3
Other≤3
TABLE 15: TYPES OF SERVICES INCLUDED IN COVERED TRANSACTIONS
Intercompany Services Involved in the Covered TransactionsNumber
Distribution24
Technical support services20
Marketing19
Logistical support19
Administrative19
Sales support14
Product support11
Management11
Communication service10
Purchasing10
Research and development7
Accounting6
Headquarters costs6
Manufacturing services6
March 19, 20077812007–12 I.R.B.
Intercompany Services Involved in the Covered Transactions — ContinuedNumber
Legal4
Contract research & development≤3
Warranty services≤3
Assembly≤3
Billing services≤3
Testing and installation services≤3
Business Functions Performed and Risks Assumed
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(ii)]
The general descriptions of the business functions performed and risks assumed by the organizations, trades, or businesses whose
results are tested in the Covered Transactions in the APAs executed in 2006 are set forth in Tables 16 and 17 below:
TABLE 16: FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY THE TESTED PARTY
Functions PerformedNumber
Distribution functions64
Marketing functions44
Manufacturing41
Transportation and warehousing30
Managerial, legal, accounting, finance, personnel, and other support services29
Product assembly and/or packaging25
Purchasing and materials management24
Research and development17
Technical training and tech support for salesstaff (including sub-distributors)17
Product testing and quality control17
Product design and engineering12
Licensing of intangibles11
Product service (repairs, etc.)11
Process engineering7
Engineering and construction related services5
Consulting services≤3
Trading and risk management of financial products≤3
TABLE 17: RISKS ASSUMED BY THE TESTED PARTY
Risks AssumedNumber
Market risks, including fluctuations incosts, demand, pricing, & inventory89
Credit and collection risks67
General business risks (e.g., related to ownership of PP&E)60
2007–12 I.R.B.782March 19, 2007
Risks Assumed — ContinuedNumber
Financial risks, including interest rates & currency36
Product liability risks32
R&D risks17
Discussion
The majority of APAs have Covered Transactions that involve numerous business functions and risks. For instance, with respect
to functions, companies that manufacture products typically conduct research and development,engage in product design and
engineering, manufacture the product, market and distribute the product, and perform support functions such as legal, finance,
and human resources services. Regarding risks, companies are subject to market risks, R&D risks, financial risks, credit and
collection risks, product liability risks, and general business risks. In the APA evaluation process, a significant amount of time and
effort is devoted to understanding how the functions and risksare allocated among the controlled group of companies that are
party to the Covered Transactions.
In its APA submission, the taxpayer must provide a functional analysis. The functional analysis identifies the economic activities
performed, the assets employed, the economic costs incurred, and the risks assumed by each of the controlled parties. The
importance of the functional analysis derives from the fact that economic theory posits that there is a positive relationship between
risk and expected return and that different functions provide different value and have different opportunity costs associated with
them. It is important that the functional analysis go beyond simplycategorizing the tested party as,say, a distributor. It should
provide more specific information because, in theexample of distributors, not all distributors undertake similar functions and risks.
The functional analysis is critical in determining the TPM (including the selection of comparables). In evaluating the functional
analysis, the APA Program considers contractual terms between the controlled parties and the consistency of the conduct of the
parties with respect to the allocation of risk. In accordancewith the section 482 regulations, the APA Program also gives
consideration to the ability of controlled parties to fund losses that might be expected to occur as a result of the assumption of
risk. Another relevant factor considered in evaluating the functional analysis is the extent to which a controlled party exercises
managerial or operational control over thebusiness activities that directly influence the amount of income or loss realized.
The section 482 regulations posit that parties at arm’s length will ordinarily bear a greater share of those risks over which
they have relatively more control.
In addition to the functional analysis, the APA evaluation process considers broader economic factors and conditions including the
economic condition of theparticular industry.
Related Organizations, Trades, or Businesses Whose Prices or Results are Tested to Determine
Compliance with APA Transfer Pricing Methods
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(iii)]
The related organizations, trades, or businesses whose prices orresults are tested to determine compliance with TPMs prescribed
in APAs executed in 2006 are set forth in Table 18 below:
TABLE 18: RELATED ORGANIZATIONS, TRADES, OR BUSINESSES WHOSE PRICES OR RESULTS ARE TESTED
2
Type of OrganizationNumber
Multiple tested parties37
U.S. distributor31
U.S. provider of services14
U.S. manufacturer13
Non-U.S. manufacturer12
Non-U.S. distributor10
2
“Multiple tested parties” includes covered transactions that utilize profit splits, CUPs, and CUTs.
March 19, 20077832007–12 I.R.B.
Type of Organization — ContinuedNumber
Non-U.S. provider of services5
Non-U.S. licensee of intangible property5
U.S. licensee of intangible property≤3
U.S. dealer in financial products≤3
U.S. participant in cost sharing agreement≤3
Other≤3
Transfer Pricing Methods and the Circumstances Leading to the Use of Those Methods
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(iv)]
The TPMs used in APAs executed in 2006 are set forth in Tables 19–20 below:
TABLE 19: TRANSFER PRICING METHODS USED FOR TRANSFERS OF
TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE PROPERTY
3
TPM UsedNumber
CPM: PLI is operating margin25
Residual profit split20
CPM: PLI is Berry ratio11
CPM: PLI is markup on total costs10
Unspecified method8
CPM: PLI is gross margin6
CUT (intangibles only)≤3
Other profit split≤3
CPM: PLI is other PLI≤3
Cost Plus Method (tangibles only)≤3
CUP (tangibles only) – not based on published market data≤3
CPM: PLI is markup on other costs≤3
Resale Price Method (tangibles only)≤3
CPM: PLI is return on assets or capital employed≤3
CUP (tangibles only) – based on published market data≤3
TABLE 20: TRANSFER PRICING METHODS USED FOR SERVICES
TPM UsedNumber
CPM: PLI is markup on total costs11
Cost plus a markup4
Cost with no markup4
3
Profit Level Indicators (PLIs) used with the Comparable Profit Method ofTreas. Reg. § 1.482–5, and as used in these TPM tables, are as follows: (1) operating margin (ratio of operating
profit to sales); (2) Berry ratio (ratio of gross profit to operating expenses); (3) gross margin (ratio of gross profit to sales); (4) markup on total costs (percentage markup on total costs); and
(5) rate of return on assets or capital employed (ratio of operating profit to operating assets).
2007–12 I.R.B.784March 19, 2007
TPM Used — ContinuedNumber
CPM: PLI is operating margin≤3
CPM: PLI is Berry ratio≤3
Comparable Uncontrolled Transaction≤3
Other≤3
Discussion
The TPMs used in APAs completed during 2006 were based on the section 482 regulations. Under Treas. Reg. § 1.482–3, the
arm’s length amount for controlled transfers of tangible property may be determinedusing the Comparable Uncontrolled Price
(CUP) method, the Resale Price Method, the Cost Plus Method, the Comparable Profits Method (CPM), or the Profit Split
Method. Under Treas. Reg. § 1.482–4, the arm’s length amount for controlled transfers of intangible property may be determined
using the Comparable Uncontrolled Transaction (CUT) method, CPM, or the Profit Split Method. An “Unspecified Method” may
be used for both tangible and intangible property if it provides a more reliable result than the enumerated methods under the best
method rule of Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(c). For transfers involving the provision of services, Treas. Reg. § 1.482–2(b) provides that
services performed for the benefit of another member of a controlled group should bear an arm’s length charge, either deemed
to be equal to the cost of providing the services or an amount that would have been charged between independent parties. In
addition, Treas. Reg. § 1.482–2(a) provides rules concerning the proper treatment of loans or advances.
Treas. Reg. § 1.482–7 provides rules for qualified cost sharing arrangements under which the parties agree to share the costs
of development of intangibles in proportion to their shares ofreasonably anticipated benefits. APAs involving cost sharing
arrangements generally address both themethod of allocating costs among the parties as well as determining the appropriate
amount of the “buy-in” payment due for the transfer of pre-existing intangibles to the controlled participants. In 2006, the
APA Program completed more than half a dozen cost sharing and/or buy-in APAs, including both outbound and inbound
transactions. The majority of these were unilateral, but the APA Program also completed its recommendations on three
additional bilateral cost sharing/buy-in cases and sent thoseon to Competent Authority. The methods used in the buy-in cases
included valuations based on comparable uncontrolled transactions, on discounted cash flows, and on market capitalization.
In addition, the Program is currently working on approximatelyhalf a dozen more cases involving cost sharing/buy-ins, split
about evenly between bilateral and unilateral.
In reviewing the TPMs applicable to transfers of tangible and intangible property reflected in Table 19, the majority of the APAs
followed the specified methods. However,several points should be made. The section 482 regulations note that for transfers
of tangible property, the CUP method will generally be the mostdirect and reliable measure of an arm’s length price for the
Controlled Transaction if sufficiently reliable comparable transactions can be identified. Treas. Reg. § 1.482–3(b)(2)(ii)(A). It
was the experience of the APA Program in 2006, that in the cases that came into the APA Program, sufficiently reliable CUP
transactions were difficult to find.
Similar to the CUP method, for transfers of intangible property, the CUT method will generally provide the most reliable measure
of an arm’s length result if sufficiently reliable comparables may be found. Treas. Reg. § 1.482–4(c)(2)(ii). It has generally been
difficult to identify external comparables, and APAs using the CUT method tend to rely on internal transactions between the
taxpayer and unrelated parties.In 2006, three or fewer Covered Transactions utilized the CUT TPM.
The Cost Plus Method (tangibles only) and Resale Price Method were each applied in 2006 in three or fewer APAs. See Treas.
Reg. § 1.482–3(c), (d).
The CPM is frequently applied in APAs. That is because reliable public data on comparable business activities of independent
companies may be more readily available than potential CUP data, and comparability of resources employed, functions, risks, and
other relevant considerations are more likely to exist than comparability of product. The CPM also tends to be less sensitive than
other methods to differences in accounting practices between the tested party and comparable companies,e.g., classification of
expenses as cost of goods sold or operating expenses. Treas. Reg. §1.482–3(c)(3)(iii)(B), and –3(d)(3)(iii)(B). In addition, the
degree of functional comparability required to obtain a reliable result under the CPM is generally less than required under the
Resale Price or Cost Plus methods because differences in functions performed often are reflected in operating expenses, and
thus taxpayers performing different functions may have very different gross profit margins but earn similar levels of operating
profit. Treas. Reg. § 1.482–5(c)(2).
Table 19 reflects more than 54 uses of the CPM (with varying PLIs) in Covered Transactions involving tangible or intangible
property. In some APAs, the CPM was also used concurrently with other methods.
March 19, 20077852007–12 I.R.B.
The CPM has proven to be versatile in partbecause of the various PLIs that can be used in connection with the method. Reaching
agreement on the appropriate PLI has beenthe subject of much discussion in many ofthe cases, and it depends heavily on the
facts and circumstances. Some APAs have called for different PLIs to apply to different parts of the Covered Transactions
or with one PLI used as a check against the primary PLI.
The CPM was also used regularly with services as the Covered Transactions in APAsexecuted in 2006. There were at least 13
services Covered Transactions using the CPM method with variousPLIs according to the specific facts of the taxpayers involved.
Table 20 reflects the methods used to determine the arm’s length results for APAs involving services transactions.
In 2006, 20 APAs involving tangible or intangible property used the Residual Profit Split Method. Treas. Reg. § 1.482–6(c)(3). In
residual profit split cases, routine contributions by the controlled parties are allocated routine market returns, and the residual
income is allocated among the controlled taxpayers based upon the relative value of their contributions of non-routine intangible
property to the relevant business activity.
Profit splits have also been used in a number of financial product APAs in which the primary income-producing functions
are performed in more than one jurisdiction.
Critical Assumptions
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(v)]
Critical A
ssumptions used in APAs executed in 2006 are described in Table 21 below:
TABLE 21: CRITICAL ASSUMPTIONS
Critical Assumptions involving the following:Number of APAs
Materia
l changes to the business
82
Material changes to tax and/or financial accounting practices82
Other financial ratio7
Assets
will remain substantially same
4
Cost allocations4
Minimum sales volume≤3
Chang
es in affiliated companies
≤3
Limit on product line revenues≤3
Currency fluctuations≤3
Mater
ial sales fluctuations
≤3
Catastrophic events≤3
Limit on sales to related parties≤3
Majo
r regulatory changes
≤3
Sales territories substantially same≤3
Profit projections hold≤3
Oth
er
4
2007–12 I.R.B.786March 19, 2007
Discussion
APAs include critical assumptions upon which their respective TPMs depend. A critical assumption is any fact (whether or not
within the control of the taxpayer) related to the taxpayer, a third party, an industry, or business and economic conditions, the
continued existence of which is material to the taxpayer’s proposed TPM. Critical assumptions might include, for example, a
particular mode of conducting business operations, a particularcorporate or business structure, or a range of expected business
volume. Rev. Proc. 2006–9, § 4.05. Failure to meet a critical assumption may render an APA inappropriate or unworkable. Most
APAs contain only the standard criticalassumption language set forth in Appendix B of the Model APA (Attachment A to this
Announcement and Report). Where appropriate, additional critical assumption language may be added but the APA Program
generally seeks to limit additionalcritical assumption language to objective, measurable benchmarks.
A critical assumption may change or fail to materialize due to changes in economic circumstances, such as a fundamental and
dramatic change in the economic conditions of a particular industry. In addition,a critical assumption may change or fail to
materialize due to a taxpayer’s actions that are initiated for good faith business reasons, such as a change in business strategy,
mode of conducting operations, or the cessation or transfer of a business segment or entity covered by the APA.
If a critical assumption has not been met, the APA may be revisedby agreement of the parties. If such an agreement cannot be
achieved, the APA is canceled. If a critical assumption has not beenmet, it requires taxpayer’s notice to and discussion with the
Service, and, in the case of a bilateral APA, competent authority consideration. Rev. Proc. 2006–9, § 11.05, 11.06.
Sources of Comparables, Selection Criteria, and the Nature of Adjustments to Comparables and Tested Parties
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(v), (vi), and (vii)]
The sources of comparables, selection criteria, and rationale used in determining the selection criteria for APAs executed in
2006 are described in Tables 22 through 24 below. Various formulas for making adjustments to comparables are included as
Attachment B.
TABLE 22: SOURCES OF COMPARABLES
Sources
Number of Times This
Source Used
Compustat73
Worldscope19
Disclosure13
Global Vantage10
Mergent7
Amadeus5
Japanese Accounts and Data on Enterprises (“JADE”)4
Taxpayer’s information on competition4
Moody’s≤3
Other6
March 19, 20077872007–12 I.R.B.
TABLE 23: COMPARABLES SELECTION CRITERIA
Selection Criteria Considered
Number of Times This
Criterion Used
Comparable functions90
Comparable risks71
Comparable industry59
Comparable products43
Comparable intangibles38
Comparable terms10
TABLE 24: ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPARABLES OR TESTED PARTIES
AdjustmentNumber of Times Used
Balance sheet adjustments
Inventory64
Payables62
Receivables62
Property, plant, equipment16
Other≤3
Accounting adjustments
LIFO to FIFO inventory accounting29
Accounting reclassifications (e.g., from COGS to operating expenses)7
Marketing/ Procurement≤3
Other7
Profit level indicator adjustments (used to “back into” one PLI from another)
Operating expense≤3
Other≤3
Miscellaneous adjustments
Research & development≤3
Advertising≤3
Foreign exchange≤3
Other≤3
Discussion
At the core of most APAs are comparables. The APA Program works closely with taxpayers to find the best and most reliable
comparables for each Covered Transaction. In some cases, CUPs or CUTs can be identified. In other cases, comparable business
activities of independent companies are used in applying the CPM or a profit split method. Generally, in the APA Program’s
experience since 1991, CUPs and CUTs have been most often derived from the internal transactions of the taxpayer.
2007–12 I.R.B.788March 19, 2007
For profit-based methods in which comparable business activities or functions of independent companies are sought, the APA
Program typically has selectedthem using a three-part process. First, a pool of potential comparables has been identified
through broad searches. From this pool, companies having transactions that are clearly not comparable to those of the tested
party have been eliminated through the use of quantitative and qualitative analyses,i.e., quantitative screens and business
descriptions. Then, based on a review of available descriptive and financial data, a set of comparable transactions or business
activities of independent companies has been finalized. The comparability of the finalized set hasthen been enhanced through the
application of adjustments.
S
ourcesofComparables
Comparables used in APAs can be U.S. or foreign, depending on the relevant market, the type of transaction being evaluated,
the availability of relevant data, and the results of the functional and risk analyses. In general, comparables have been located
by searching a variety of databases that provide data on U.S. publicly traded companies and on a combination of public and
private non-U.S. companies. Table 22 shows the various databases and other sources used in selecting comparables for
the APAs executed in 2006.
Although comparables were most often identified from the databases cited in Table 22, in some cases comparables were found
from other sources, such as comparables derived internally from taxpayer transactions with third parties.
S
electingComparables
Initial pools of potential comparables generally are derived from the databases using a combination of industry and keyword
identifiers. Then, the pool is refined using a variety of selection criteria specific to the transaction or business activity being
tested and the TPM being used.
The listed databases allow for searches byindustrial classification, by keywords, or by both. These searches can yield a number of
companies whose business activities may or may not be comparable to those of the entity being tested. Therefore, comparables
based solely on industry classification or keyword searches are rarely used in APAs. Instead, the pool of comparables is examined
closely, and companies are selected based on a combination of screens, business descriptions, andotherinformationfoundinthe
companies’ Annual Reports to shareholders and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Business activities are required to meet certain basic comparability criteria to be considered comparables. Functions, risks,
economic conditions, and the property (product or intangible) and services associated with the transaction must be comparable.
Determining comparability can be difficult – the goal has been to use comparability criteria restrictive enough to eliminate
business activities that are not comparable, but yet not so restrictive as to have no comparables remaining. The APA Program
normally has begun with relatively strict comparability criteria and then has relaxed them slightly if necessary to derive a pool
of reliable comparables. A determination on the appropriate size of the comparables set, as well as the business activities that
comprise the set, is highly fact-specific anddepends on the reliability of the results.
In addition, the APA Program, consistent with the section 482 regulations, generally has looked at the results of comparables over
a multi-year period. Often thishas been a three-year or a five-year period, but other periods are sometimes used depending on the
circumstances of the controlled transaction. Using a shorter period might result in the inclusion of comparables in different stages
of economic development or use of atypical years of a comparable due to cyclical fluctuations in business conditions.
Many Covered Transactions have been tested with comparables that have been chosen using additional criteria and/or screens.
These include sales level criteria and testsfor financial distress and product comparability. These common selection criteria and
screens have been used to increase the overall comparability ofa group of companies and as a basis for further research. The
sales level screen, for example, has been used to remove companies that, due to their size, might face fundamentally different
economic conditions from those of the transaction or business activities being tested. In addition, APA analyses have incorporated
selection criteria related to removing companies experiencing “financial distress” because of concerns that companies in financial
distress often have experienced unusual circumstances that render them not comparable to the business activity being tested.
These criteria include an unfavorable auditor’s opinion, bankruptcy, failure to comply with financial obligations (e.g.,debt
covenants), and, in certain circumstances,operating losses in a given number of years.
An additional important class of selection criteria is the development and ownership of intangible property. In some cases in
which the business activity being tested is manufacturing, several criteria have been used to ensure, for example, that if the
controlled entity does not own significant manufacturing intangibles or conduct research and development (R&D), then neither
will the comparables. These selection criteria have included determining the importance of patents to a company or screening
for R&D expenditures as a percentage of sales. Again, quantitative screens related to identifying comparables with significant
intangible property generally have been used in conjunction with an understanding of the comparable derived from publicly
available business information.
March 19, 20077892007–12 I.R.B.
Selection criteria relating to asset comparability and operating expense comparability have also been used at times. A screen of
property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) as a percentage of sales or assets, combined with a reading of a company’s SEC filings,
has been used to help ensure that distributors (generally lower PP&E) were not compared with manufacturers (generally higher
PP&E), regardless of their industry classification. Similarly, a test involving the ratio of operating expenses to sales has helped to
determine whether a company undertakes a significant marketing and distribution function.
Table 25 shows the number of times various screens were used in APAs executed in 2006:
TABLE 25: COMPARABILITY SCREENS
Comparability/Financial Distress ScreenTimes Used
Comparability screens used
Sales48
R&D/ sales43
Foreign sales/ total sales15
Advertising expense/ sales14
PP&E/ sales6
SG&A/ sales5
Non-startup or start-up5
PP&E/ total assets≤3
Operating expenses/ sales≤3
Non-startup or startup≤3
Government sales/ sales≤3
Inventory/ sales≤3
Intangible property/ total assets≤3
Work in process inventory/ total inventory≤3
Financial distress
Bankruptcy48
Losses in one or more years33
Unfavorable auditor’s opinion31
Stopped filing public documents≤3
No sales growth≤3
AdjustingComparables
After the comparables have been selected, theregulations require that “[i]f there are material differences between the controlled
and uncontrolled transactions, adjustments must be made if the effect of such differences on prices or profits can be ascertained
with sufficient accuracy to improve the reliability of the results.” Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(d)(2). In almost all cases involving
income-statement-based PLIs used in the CPM or the Residual Profit Split Method, certain “asset intensity” or “balance sheet”
adjustments for factors that have generallyagreed-upon effects on profits are calculated. In addition, in specific cases, additional
adjustments are performed to improve reliability.
The most common balance sheet adjustments used in APAs are adjustments for differences in accounts receivable, inventories,
and accounts payable. The APA Program generally has required adjustments for receivables, inventory, and payables based on the
principle that there is an opportunity cost for holding assets. For these assets, it is generally assumed that the cost is appropriately
measured by the interest rate on short-term debt.
2007–12 I.R.B.790March 19, 2007
To compare the profits of two business activities with different relative levels of receivables, inventory, or payables, the APA
Program estimates the carrying costs of eachitem and adjusts profits accordingly. Although different formulas have been used in
specific APA cases, Attachment B presents one set of formulas used in many APAs. Underlying these formulas are the notions
that (1) balance sheet items normally should be expressed as mid-year averages, (2) formulas should try to avoid using data items
that are being tested by the TPM (for example, if sales are controlled, then the denominator of the balance sheet ratio should not
be sales), (3) a short term interest rate should be used, and (4) aninterest factor should recognize the average holding period
of the relevant asset. During the course of 2006, the APA Program often used an interest rate equal to LIBOR (3 months) plus
200 basis points for purposes of calculating adjustments for accounts receivable and accounts payable for U.S. companies.
However, the facts and circumstances surrounding a given case will ultimately determine the reliability of making balance sheet
adjustments and the selection of the most reliable interest rate.
The APA Program also requires that data be compared on a consistent accounting basis. For example, although financial
statements may be prepared on a first-in first-out (FIFO) basis, cross-company comparisons are less meaningful if one or more of
the comparables use last-in first-out (LIFO) inventory accounting methods. This adjustment directly affects costs of goods sold
and inventories, and therefore affects both profitability measures and inventory adjustments.
Still important in some cases is the adjustment for differences in relative levels of PP&E between a tested business activity and the
comparables. Ideally, comparables and the business activity being tested will have fairly similar relative levels of PP&E, since
major differences can be a sign of fundamentally different functions and risks. Typically, the PP&E adjustment is made using a
medium term interest rate. During the course of 2006, the APA Program often used the Corporate Bonds (Moody’s) Baa rate as
the interest rate for purposes of calculating adjustments for inventory and PP&E for U.S. companies. Again, however, the facts
and circumstances surrounding a given case will ultimately determine the reliability of making balance sheet adjustments and
the selection of the most reliable interest rate.
Additional adjustments used less frequently include those for differences in other balance sheet items, operating expenses, R&D,
or currency risk. Accounting adjustments, such as reclassifying items from cost of goods sold to operating expenses, are also
made when warranted to increase reliability. Often, data are not available for both the controlled and uncontrolled transactions
in sufficient detail to allow for these types of adjustments.
The adjustments made to comparables or tested parties inAPAsexecutedin2006arereflectedinTable24above.
Ranges, Targets, and Adjustment Mechanisms
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(viii)–(ix)]
The types of ranges, targets, and adjustment mechanisms usedin APAs executed in 2006 are described in Table 26 and 27 below.
TABLE 26: RANGES AND TARGETS
4
TypeofRangeorTargetNumber
Interquartile range68
Specific point (royalty)18
Specific point within CPM range (not floor or ceiling)13
Full range5
Floor (i.e., result must be no less than x)4
Specific point (profit split)≤3
Specific point (CUP)≤3
Ceiling (i.e., result must be no more than x)≤3
Narrower range within interquartile range≤3
Other5
4
The numbers do not include TPMs with cost or cost-plus methodologies.
March 19, 20077912007–12 I.R.B.
TABLE 27: ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS
Adjustment mechanismNumber
Taxpayer makes an adjustment: to specified point or royalty rate41
Taxpayer makes an adjustment: to closest edge of single year28
Taxpayer makes an adjustment: to closest edge of multi-year average20
Taxpayer makes an adjustment: to median of current year12
Taxpayer makes an adjustment: tomedian of multi-year average11
Taxpayer makes an adjustment: to other≤3
Other≤3
Discussion
Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(e)(1) states that sometimes a pricing method will yield “a single result that is the most reliable measure of
an arm’s length result.” Sometimes, however, a method may yield “a range of reliable results,” called the “arm’s length range.” A
taxpayer whose results fall within the arm’s length range will not be subject to adjustment.
Under Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(e)(2)(i), such a range is normally derived by considering a set of more than one comparable
uncontrolled transaction of similar comparability and reliability. If these comparables are of very high quality, as defined in the
section 482 regulations, then under Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(e)(2)(iii)(A), the arm’s length range includes the results of all of the
comparables (from the least to the greatest). However, the APA Program has only rarely identifiedcases meeting the requirements
for the full range. If the comparables are of lesser quality, then under Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(e)(2)(iii)(B), “the reliability of the
analysis must be increased, when it is possible to do so, by adjusting the range through application of a valid statistical method to
the results of all of the uncontrolled comparables.” One such method, the “interquartile range,” is ordinarily acceptable, although
a different statistical method “may be applied if it provides a more reliable measure.” The “interquartile range” is defined as,
roughly, the range from the 25th to the 75th percentile of the comparables’ results. See Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(e)(2)(iii)(C). The
interquartile range was used 68 times in 2006.
Thirty-eight or more Covered Transactions reflected on Table 26 were tested against a single, specific result. Thirteen of these
Covered Transactions involved a CPM in which the taxpayer agreedto a “point.” Some APAs – deliberately infrequent – specify
not a point or a range, but a “floor” or a “ceiling”. When a floor is used, the tested party’s result must be greater than or equal to
some particular value. When a ceiling is used, the tested party’sresult must be less than or equal to some particular value. Four
APAs executed in 2006 used a floor and three or fewer used a ceiling.
Some APAs look to a tested party’s resultsover a period of years (multi-year averaging) to determine whether a taxpayer has
complied with the APA. In 2006, rolling multi-year averaging was used for 15 Covered Transactions. Ten of those used three-year
averages. Nine Covered Transactions useda cumulative multi-year average, while 18 Covered Transactions used term averages
and three or fewer Covered Transactions used partial term averages.
A
djustments
Under Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(e)(3), if a taxpayer’s results fall outside the arm’s length range, the Service may adjust the result
“to any point within the arm’s length range.” Accordingly, anAPA may permit or require a taxpayer to make an intercompany
adjustment after the year’s end to put the year’s results within the range, or at the point specified by the APA. Similarly, to enforce
the terms of an APA, the Service may make such an adjustment.When the APA specifies a range, the adjustment is sometimes to
the closest edge of the range, and sometimes to another point suchas the median of the interquartile range. Depending on the facts
of each case, automatic adjustments are notalways permitted. APAs may specify that in such a case there will be a negotiation
between the competent authorities involved to determine whether and to what extent an adjustment should be made. APAs may
permit automatic adjustments unless the result is far outside the range specified in the APA. Thus, APAs provide flexibility and
efficiency, permitting adjustments when normal business fluctuations and uncertaintiespush the result somewhat outside the range.
Where a taxpayer’s actual transactions do not comply with the TPM, a taxpayer must nonetheless report its taxable income in an
amount consistent with the TPM (an APA primary adjustment), as further discussed in § 11.02 of Rev. Proc. 2006–9.
2007–12 I.R.B.792March 19, 2007
APA Term and Rollback Lengths
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(x)]
The various term lengths for APAs executed in 2006 are set forth in Table 28 below:
TABLE 28: TERMS OF APAs
APA Term in YearsNumber of APAs
10
21
36
43
546
68
79
86
91
10 or more2
The number of rollback years to which an APA TPM was applied in 2006 is set forth in Table 29 below:
TABLE 29: NUMBER OF YEARS COVERED BY ROLLBACK OF APA TPM
Number of Rollback YearsNumber of APAs
11
24
33
42
5ormore5
Nature of Documentation Required
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(xi)]
APAs executed in 2006 required that taxpayers provide various documents with their annual reports. These documents are
described in Table 30 below:
March 19, 20077932007–12 I.R.B.
TABLE 30: NATURE OF DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED
Documentation
Number of
Times
Required
Statement identifying all material differences between Taxpayer’s business operations during APA Year
and description of Taxpayer’s business operations contained in Taxpayer’s request for APA, or if there
have been no such material differences, a statement to that effect
82
Description of any failure to meet Critical Assumptions or, if there have been none, a statement to
that effect
82
Statement identifying all material changes in Taxpayer’s accounting methods and classifications,
and methods of estimation, from those described or used in Taxpayer’s request for APA, or if there
have been none, statement to that effect
82
Description of, reason for, and financial analysis of, any Compensating Adjustments with respect to
APA Year, including means by which any Compensating Adjustment has been or will be satisfied
82
Financial analysis demonstrating Taxpayer’s compliance with TPM82
Organizational chart82
Financial statements as prepared in accordance with US GAAP71
Certified public accountant’s opinion that financial statements present fairly financial position of
Taxpayer and the results of its operations, in accordance with US GAAP
71
Financial statements as prepared in accordance with a foreign GAAP15
Certified public accountant’s opinion that financial statements present fairly financial position of
Taxpayer and the results of its operations, in accordance with a foreign GAAP
11
Book to tax reconciliations9
Schedule of costs and expenses (e.g., intercompany allocations)8
Certified public accountant’s review of financial statements8
Various work papers7
United States income tax return5
Profit & Loss statement4
Changes in entity classifications4
Changes in Taxpayer notice information≤3
Description of special accounting treatment for certain income items≤3
Reconciliation of foreign to US GAAP≤3
Other4
Approaches for Sharing of Currency or Other Risks
[§ 521(b)(2)(D)(xii)]
During 2006, there were 36 tested parties that faced financial risks, including interest rate and currency risks. In appropriate cases,
APAs may provide specific approaches for dealing with currency risk, such as adjustment mechanisms and/or critical assumptions.
2007–12 I.R.B.794March 19, 2007
Efforts to Ensure Compliance with APAs
[§ 521(b)(2)(F)]
As described in Rev. Proc. 2006–9, § 11.01, APA taxpayers are required to file annual reports to demonstrate compliance with the
terms and conditions of the APA. The filing and review of annual reports is a critical part of the APA process. Through annual
report review, the APA Program monitors taxpayer compliance with the APA on a contemporaneous basis. Annual report review
provides current information on the success or problems associated with the various TPMs adopted in the APA process.
All reports received by the APA office are tracked by one designated APA team leader who also has the primary responsibility
for annual report review. Other APA team leaders and economists assist in this review, especially when the team leader who
negotiated the case is available since that person will already be familiar with the relevant facts and terms of the agreement. Once
received by the APA office, the annual report is sent out to the district personnel with exam jurisdiction over the taxpayer.
The statistics for the review of APA annual reports are reflected in Table 31 below. As of December 31, 2006, there were 256
pending annual reports. In 2006, 537 reports were closed.
TABLE 31: STATISTICS OF ANNUAL REPORTS
Number of APA annual reports pending as of December 31, 2006256
Number of APA annual reports closed in Year 2006537
Number of APA annual reports requiring adjustment in Year 200612
Number of taxpayers involved in adjustments6
Number of APA annual report cases over one year old93
March 19, 20077952007–12 I.R.B.
ATTACHMENT A
Model APA – Based on Revenue Procedure 2006–9
ADVANCE PRICING AGREEMENT
between
[Insert Taxpayer’s Name]
and
THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
PARTIES
The Parties to
this Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) are the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and [Insert Taxpayer’s Name],
EIN
.
RECITALS
[Insert Taxpayer Name] is the common parent of an affiliated group filing consolidated U.S. tax returns (collectively referred to
as “Taxpayer”), and is entering into this APA on behalf of itself and other members of its consolidated group.
Taxpayer’s p
rincipal place of business is [City, State]. [Insert general description of taxpayer and other relevant parties].
This APA contains the Parties’ agreement on the best method for determining arm’s-length prices of the Covered Transactions
under I.R.C. section 482, any applicable tax treaties, and the Treasury Regulations.
{If renewal, add}[Taxpayer and IRS previously entered into an APA covering taxable years ending
to,
executed on
.]
AGREEMENT
The Parties agree as follows:
1.Covered Transactions. This APA applies to the Covered Transactions, as defined in Appendix A.
2.Transf
er Pricing Method. Appendix A sets forth the Transfer Pricing Method (TPM) for the Covered Transactions.
3.Term. This APA applies to Taxpayer’s taxable years ending
through(APA Term).
4.Operation.
a. Revenu
e Procedure 2006–9 governs the interpretation, legal effect, and administration of this APA.
b. Nonfactual oral and written representations, within themeaning of sections 10.04 and 10.05 of Revenue Procedure 2006–9
(including any proposals to use particular TPMs), made in conjunction with the APA Request constitute statements made in
compromise negotiations within the meaning of Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
5.Compliance.
a. Taxp
ayer must report its taxable income in an amount that is consistent with Appendix A and all other requirements of this
APA on i
ts timely filed U.S. Return. However, if Taxpayer’s timely filed U.S. Return for an APA Year is filed prior to, or no later
than 60
days after, the effective date of this APA, then Taxpayer must report its taxable income for that APA Year in an amount that
is cons
istent with Appendix A and all other requirements of this APA either on the original U.S. Return or on an amended U.S.
Return
filed no later than 120 days after the effective date of this APA, or through suchother means as may be specified herein.
b. {Insert when U.S. Group or Foreign Group contains more than one member.}[This APA addresses the arm’s-length
nature of prices charged or received in theaggregate between Taxpayer and ForeignParticipants with respect to the Covered
Transactions. Except as explicitly provided, this APA does notaddress and does not bind the IRS with respect to prices charged
or received, or the relative amounts of income or loss realized, by particular legal entities that are members of U.S. Group or
that are members of Foreign Group.]
c. For each taxable year covered by this APA (APA Year), if Taxpayer complies with the terms and conditions of this APA, then
the IRS will not make or propose any allocation or adjustment under I.R.C. section 482 to the amounts charged in the aggregate
between Taxpayer and Foreign Participant[s]with respect to the Covered Transactions.
2007–12 I.R.B.796March 19, 2007
d. If Taxpayer does not comply with the terms and conditions of this APA, then the IRS may:
i. enforce the terms and conditions of this APA and make or propose allocations or adjustments under I.R.C. section 482
consistent with this APA;
ii. cancel or revoke this APA under section 11.06 of Revenue Procedure 2006–9; or
iii. revise this APA, if the Parties agree.
e. Taxpayer must timely file an Annual Report (an original and four copies) for each APA Year in accordance with Appendix C
and section 11.01 of Revenue Procedure 2006–9. Taxpayer must file the Annual Report for all APA Years through the APA Year
ending [insert year] by [insert date]. Taxpayer must file the Annual Report for each subsequent APA Year by [insert month and
day] immediately following the close of that APA Year. (If any date falls on a weekend or holiday, the Annual Report shall be
due on the next date that is not a weekend or holiday.) The IRS may request additional information reasonably necessary to
clarify or complete the Annual Report. Taxpayer will provide such requested information within 30 days. Additional time may
be allowed for good cause.
f. The IRS will determine whether Taxpayer has complied with this APA based on Taxpayer’s U.S. Returns, Financial
Statements, and other APA Records, for the APA Term and any other year necessary to verifycompliance. For Taxpayer to
comply with this APA, an independent certified public accountant must{use the following or an alternative}render an opinion
that Taxpayer’s Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, Taxpayer’s financial position under U.S. GAAP.
g. In accordance with section 11.04 of Revenue Procedure 2006–9, Taxpayer will (1) maintain its APA Records, and (2) make
them available to the IRS in connection with an examination under section 11.03. Compliance with this subparagraph constitutes
compliance with the record-maintenanceprovisions of I.R.C. sections 6038A and 6038C for the Covered Transactions for any
taxable year during the APA Term.
h. The True Taxable Income within the meaning of Treasury Regulations sections 1.482–1(a)(1) and (i)(9) of a member of an
affiliated group filing a U.S. consolidated return will be determined under the I.R.C. section 1502 Treasury Regulations.
i.{Optional for US Parent Signatories}To the extent that Taxpayer’s compliance with this APA depends on certain acts of
Foreign Group members, Taxpayer will ensure thateach Foreign Group member will perform such acts.
6.Critical Assumptions. This APA’s critical assumptions, within the meaning of Revenue Procedure 2006–9, section 4.05, appear
in Appendix B. If any critical assumption has not been met, then Revenue Procedure 2006–9, section 11.06, governs.
7.Disclosure. This APA, and any background information related to this APA or the APA Request, are: (1) considered “return
information” under I.R.C. section 6103(b)(2)(C); and (2) not subject to public inspection as a “written determination” under I.R.C.
section 6110(b)(1). Section 521(b) of Pub. L. 106–170 provides that the Secretary of the Treasury must prepare a report for public
disclosure that includes certain specifically designated information concerning all APAs, including this APA, in a form that does
not reveal taxpayers’ identities, trade secrets, and proprietary or confidential business or financial information.
8.Disputes. If a dispute arises concerning the interpretation of this APA, the Parties will seek a resolution by the IRS Associate
Chief Counsel (International) to the extent reasonably practicable, before seeking alternative remedies.
9.Materiality. In this APA the terms “material” and “materially” will be interpreted consistently with the definition of “material
facts” in Revenue Procedure 2006–9, section 11.06(4).
10.Section Captions. This APA’s section captions, which appear initalics, are for convenience and reference only. The captions
do not affect in any way the interpretation or application of this APA.
11.Terms and Definitions. Unless otherwise specified, terms in the plural include the singular and vice versa. Appendix D
contains definitions for capitalized terms not elsewhere defined in this APA.
12.Entire Agreement and Severability. This APA is the complete statement of the Parties’ agreement. The Parties will sever,
delete, or reform any invalid or unenforceable provision in this APA to approximate the Parties’ intent as nearly as possible.
13.Successor in Interest. This APA binds, and inures to the benefitof, any successor in interest to Taxpayer.
14.Notice. Any notices required by this APA or Revenue Procedure 2006–9 must be in writing. Taxpayer will send notices to the
IRS at the address and in the manner set forth in Revenue Procedure 2006–9, section 4.11. The IRS will send notices to:
March 19, 20077972007–12 I.R.B.
Taxpayer Corporation
Attn: Jane Doe, Sr. Vice President (Taxes)
1000 Any Road
Any City, USA 10000
(phone:
)
15.Effective Date and Counterparts. This APA is effective starting on the date, or later date of the dates, upon which all Parties
execute this APA. The Parties may execute this APA in counterparts, with each counterpart constituting an original.
WITNESS,
The Parties have executed this APA on the dates below.
[Taxpayer Name in all caps]
By:
Date:,20
Jane Doe
Sr. Vice President (Taxes)
IRS
By:
Date:,20
Matthew W. Frank
Director, Advance Pricing Agreement Program
APPENDIX A
COVERED TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSFER PRICING METHOD (TPM)
1. Cover
ed Transactions.
[Define the Covered Transactions.]
2. TPM.
{Note:
If appropriate, adapt language from the following examples.}
[The Tested Party is
.]
•CUP Method
The TPM
is the comparable uncontrolled price (CUP) method. The Arm’s Length Range of the price charged for
is bet
ween
andper unit.
•CUT Method
The TPM is the CUT Method. The Arm’s Length Range of the royalty charged for the license of
is between
%and% of [Taxpayer’s, Foreign Participants’, or other specified party’s] Net Sales Revenue. [Insert definition of net
sales revenue or other royalty base.]
•Res
ale Price Method (RPM)
The TPM is the resale price method (RPM). The Tested Party’s Gross Margin for any APA Year is defined as follows: the
Tested Party’s gross profit divided by its sales revenue (as those terms are defined in Treasury Regulations sections 1.482–5(d)(1)
and (2)) for that APA Year. The Arm’s Length Range is between
%and%, and the Median of the Arm’s Length
Range is
%.
2007–12 I.R.B.798March 19, 2007
•Cost Plus Method
The TPM is the cost plus method. The Tested Party’s Cost Plus Markup is defined as follows for any APA Year: the Tested
Party’s ratio of gross profit to production costs (as those terms are defined in Treasury Regulations sections 1.482–3(d)(1)
and (2)) for that APA Year. The Arm’s Length Range is between
%and%, and the Median of the Arm’s Length
Range is
%.
•CPM with Berry Ratio PLI
The TPM is the comparable profits method (CPM). The profit level indicator is a Berry Ratio. The Tested Party’s Berry
Ratio is defined as follows for any APA Year: the Tested Party’s gross profit divided by its operating expenses (as those terms
are defined in Treasury Regulations sections 1.482–5(d)(2) and (3)) for that APA Year. The Arm’s Length Range is between
and, and the Median of the Arm’s Length Range is.
•CPM using an Operating Margin PLI
The TPM is the comparable profits method (CPM). The profit level indicator is an operating margin. The Tested Party’s
Operating Margin is defined as follows for any APA Year: the Tested Party’s operating profit divided by its sales revenue (as
those terms are defined in Treasury Regulations section 1.482–5(d)(1) and (4)) for that APA Year. The Arm’s Length Range is
between
%and%, and the Median of the Arm’s Length Range is%.
•CPM using a Three-year Rolling Average Operating Margin PLI
The TPM is the comparable profits method (CPM). The profit level indicator is an operating margin. The Tested Party’s
Three-Year Rolling Average operating margin is defined as follows for any APA Year: the sum of the Tested Party’s operating
profit (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations section 1.482–5(d)(4) for that APA Year and the two preceding years,
divided by the sum of its sales revenue (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations section 1.482–5(d)(1)) for that APA
Year and the two preceding years. The Arm’s Length Range is between
%and%, and the Median of the Arm’s
Length Range is
%.
•Residual Profit Split Method
The TPM is the residual profit split method. [Insert description of routine profit level determinations and residual
profit-split mechanism].
[Insert additional provisions as needed.]
3. Application of TPM.
For any APA Year, if the results of Taxpayer’s actual transactions produce a [price per unit, royalty rate for the Covered
Transactions] [or] [Gross Margin, Cost Plus Markup, Berry Ratio, Operating Margin, Three-Year Rolling Average Operating
Margin for the Tested Party] within the Arm’s Length Range,then the amounts reported onTaxpayer’s U.S. Return must
clearly reflect such results.
For any APA year, if the results of Taxpayer’s actual transactions produce a [price per unit, royalty rate] [or] [Gross Margin,
Cost Plus Markup, Berry Ratio, Operating Margin, Three-Year Rolling Average Operating Margin for the Tested Party] outside
the Arm’s Length Range, then amounts reported on Taxpayer’s U.S. Return must clearly reflect an adjustment that brings the
[price per unit, royalty rate] [or] [Tested Party’s Gross Margin, Cost Plus Markup, Berry Ratio, Operating Margin, Three-Year
Rolling Average Operating Margin] to the Median.
For purposes of this Appendix A, the “results of Taxpayer’s actual transactions” means the results reflected in Taxpayer’s and
Tested Party’s books and records as computed under U.S. GAAP [insert another relevant accounting standard if applicable], with
the following adjustments:
(a) [The fair value of stock-based compensation as disclosed in the Tested Party’s audited financial statements shall be treated as
an operating expense]; and
(b) To the extent that the results in any prior APA Year are relevant (for example, to compute a multi-year average), such results
shall be adjusted to reflect the amount of any adjustment made for that prior APA Year under this Appendix A.
4. APA Revenue Procedure Treatment
If Taxpayer makes a primary adjustment under the terms of this Appendix A, Taxpayer mayelect APA Revenue Procedure
Treatment in accordance with section 11.02(3) of Revenue Procedure 2006–9.
[Insert additional provisions as needed.]
March 19, 20077992007–12 I.R.B.
APPENDIX B
CRITICAL ASSUMPTIONS
This APA’s critical assumptions are:
1. The business activities, functions performed, risks assumed,assets employed, and financial and tax accounting methods and
classifications [and methods of estimation]of Taxpayer in relation to the Covered Transactions will remain materially the same as
described or used in Taxpayer’s APA Request. A mere change in business results will not be a material change.
[Insert additional provisions as needed.]
APPENDIX C
APA RECORDS AND ANNUAL REPORT
APA RECORDS
The APA Records will consist of:
1. All documents listed below for inclusion in the Annual Report,as well as all documents, notes, work papers, records, or other
writings that support the information provided in such documents.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Annual Report will include two copies of a properly completed APA Annual Report Summary in the form of Exhibit E to this
APA, one copy of the form bound with, and one copy bound separately from, the rest of the Annual Report. In addition, the
Annual Report will include a table of contents and the information and exhibits identified below, organized as follows.
1. Statements that fully identify,describe, analyze, and explain:
a. All material differences between any of the U.S. Entities’ business operations (including functions, risks assumed, markets,
contractual terms, economic conditions, property, services, and assets employed) during the APA Year and the description of
the business operations contained in the APA Request. If there have been no material differences, the Annual Report will
include a statement to that effect.
b. All material changes in the U.S. Entities’ accounting methods and classifications, and methods of estimation, from those
described or used in Taxpayer’s request for this APA. If any such change was made to conform to changes in U.S. GAAP (or
other relevant accounting standards), Taxpayer will specifically identify such change. If there has been no material change in
accounting methods and classifications or methods of estimation, the Annual Report will include a statement to that effect.
c. Any change to the Taxpayer notice information in section 14 of this APA.
d. Any failure to meet any critical assumption. If there hasbeen no failure, the Annual Report will include a statement
to that effect.
e. Any change to any entity classification for federal income taxpurposes (including any change that causes an entity to be
disregarded for federal income tax purposes) of any Worldwide Group member that is a party to the Covered Transactions or
is otherwise relevant to the TPM.
f. The amount, reason for, and financial analysis of any compensating adjustments under paragraph 4 of Appendix A and
Revenue Procedure 2006–9, section 11.02(3), for the APA Year, including but not limited to:
i. the amounts paid or received by each affected entity;
ii. the character (such as capital, ordinary, income, expense) and country source of the funds transferred, and the specific
affected line item(s) of any affected U.S. Return; and
iii. the date(s) and means by which the payments are or will be made.
g. The amounts, description, reason for,and financial analysis of any book-tax difference relevant to the TPM for the APA
Year, as reflected on Schedule M–1 or Schedule M–3 of the U.S. Return for the APA Year.
2. The Financial Statements, and any necessary account detailto show compliance with the TPM, with a copy of the independent
certified public accountant’s opinion required by paragraph 5(f) of this APA.
2007–12 I.R.B.800March 19, 2007
3. A financial analysis that reflects Taxpayer’s TPM calculations for the APA Year. The calculations must reconcile with and
reference the Financial Statements in sufficient account detail to allow the IRS to determine whether Taxpayer has complied
with the TPM.
4. An organizational chart for the Worldwide Group, revised annually to reflect all ownership or structural changes of entities
that are parties to the Covered Transactions or are otherwise relevant to the TPM.
5. A copy of the APA.
APPENDIX D
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions control for all purposes of this APA. The definitions appear alphabetically below:
TermDefinition
Annual ReportA report within the meaning of Revenue Procedure 2006–9, section 11.01.
APAThis Advance Pricing Agreement, which is an “advance pricing agreement” within the
meaning of Revenue Procedure 2006–9, section 2.04.
APA RecordsThe records specified in Appendix C.
APA RequestTaxpayer’s request for this APA dated, including any amendments or
supplemental or additional information thereto.
Covered Transaction(s)This term is defined in Appendix A.
Financial StatementsFinancial statements preparedin accordance with U.S. GAAP and stated in U.S. dollars.
Foreign GroupWorldwide Group members that are not U.S. persons.
Foreign Participants[namethe foreign entities involved in Covered Transactions].
I.R.C.The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C., as amended.
Pub. L. 106–170The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.
Revenue Procedure 2006–9Rev. Proc. 2006–9, 2006–2 I.R.B. 278.
Transfer Pricing Method (TPM)Atransfer pricing method within the meaning of Treasury Regulations section 1.482–1(b)
and Revenue Procedure 2006–9, section 2.04.
U.S. GAAPU.S. generally-accepted accounting principles.
U.S. GroupWorldwide Group members that are U.S. persons.
U.S. ReturnFor each taxable year, the “returns with respect to income taxes under subtitle A” that
Taxpayer must “make” in accordance with I.R.C. section 6012. {Or substitute for
partnership:For each taxable year, the “return” that Taxpayer must “make” in accordance
with I.R.C. section 6031.}
Worldwide GroupTaxpayer and all organizations, trades, businesses, entities, or branches (whether or not
incorporated, organized in the United States,or affiliated) owned or controlled directly or
indirectly by the same interests.
March 19, 20078012007–12 I.R.B.
APPENDIX E
APA ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY FORM
The APA Annual Report Summary on the next page is a required APA Record. The APA Team Leader has supplied some of
the information requested on the form. Taxpayer is to supply the remaining information requested by the form and submit the
form as part of its Annual Report.
APA Annual
Report
SUMMARY
Department of the Treasury—
Internal Revenue Service
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(International)
Advance Pricing Agreement Program
APA no.
Team Leader
Economist
Intl Examiner
CA Analyst
Taxpayer Name:
Taxpayer EIN:NAICS:
APA Term: Taxable years endingto.
Original APA [ ] Renewal APA [ ]
Annual Report due dates:
,200for all APA Years through APA Year ending in 200; for each APA Year
thereafter, on
[month and day] immediately following the close of the APA Year.
Principal foreign country(ies) involved in covered transaction(s):
Type of APA: [ ] unilateral [ ] bilateral with
Tested party is [ ] US [ ] foreign [ ] both
Approximate dollar volume of covered transactions (on an annual basis) involving tangible goods
and services:
[ ] N/A [ ] <$50 million [ ] $50–100 million [ ] $100–250 million [ ] $250–500 million
[ ] >$500 million
APA tests on (check all that apply):
[]annualbasis[]multi-year basis [ ] term basis
APA provides (check all that apply) a:
[ ] range [ ] point [ ] floor only [ ] ceiling only [ ] other
APA Information
APA provides for adjustment (check all that apply) to:
[ ] nearest edge [ ] median [ ] other point
2007–12 I.R.B.802March 19, 2007
APA date executed:,200
This APA Annual Report Summary is for APA Year(s) ending in 200and was filed on,
200
Check here [ ] if Annual Report was filed after original due date but in accordance with extension.
Has this APA been amended or changed? [ ] yes [ ] noEffective Date:
Has Taxpayer complied with all APA terms and conditions? [ ] yes [ ] no
Were all the critical assumptions met? [ ] yes [ ] no
Has a Primary Compensating Adjustment been made in any APA Year covered by this Annual
Report?
[ ] yes [ ] noIf yes, which year(s): 200
Have any necessary Secondary Compensating Adjustments been made? [ ] yes [ ] no
Did Taxpayer elect APA Revenue Procedure treatment? [ ] yes [ ] no
Any change to the entity classification of a party to the APA? [ ] yes [ ] no
Taxpayer notice information contained in the APA remains unchanged? [ ] yes [ ] no
APA Annual
Report
Information
(to be completed
by the Taxpayer)
Taxpayer’s current US principal place of business: (City, State)
Financial analysis reflecting TPM calculations[ ] yes [ ] no
Financial statements showing compliance with TPM(s)[ ] yes [ ] no
Schedule M–1 or M–3 book-tax differences[ ] yes [ ] no
Current organizational chart of relevant portion of world-wide group[ ] yes [ ] no
Attach copy of APA[ ] yes [ ] no
Other APA records and documents included:
[The information required in the following section should be tailored to the particular case]
[]yes[
]no
[]yes[]no
[]yes[]no
[]yes
[]no
APA Annual
Report
Checklist of
Key Contents
(to be completed
by the Taxpayer)
[]yes[]no
Authorized RepresentativePhoneNumberAffiliation and AddressContact
Information
March 19, 20078032007–12 I.R.B.
ATTACHMENT B
FORMULAS FOR B
ALANCE SHEET ADJUSTMENTS
D
efinitionsofVariables:
AP= average accounts payable
AR= average trade
accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debt
cogs= cost of goods sold
INV= average inventory, stated on FIFO basis
opex= operating e
xpenses (general, sales, administrative, and depreciation expenses)
PPE= property, plant, and equipment,net of accumulated depreciation
sales= net sales
tc= total cost
(cogs + opex, as defined above)
h= average accounts payable or trade accounts receivable holding period, stated as a fraction of a year
i= interest rate
t= entity bei
ng tested
c= comparable
E
quations:
If Cost of Goods Sold is controlled (generally, sales in denominator of PLI):
Receivables Adjustment (“RA”):RA = {[(AR
t
/ sales
t
)xsales
c
]-AR
c
}x{i/[1+(ixh
c
)]}
Payables Adjustment (“PA”):PA = {[(AP
t
/ sales
t
)xsales
c
]-AP
c
}x{i/[1+(ixh
c
)]}
Inventory Adjustment (“IA”):IA = {[(INV
t
/ sales
t
)xsales
c
]-INV
c
}xi
PP&E Adjustment (“PPEA”):PPEA = {[(PPE
t
/ sales
t
)xsales
c
] - PPE
c
}xi
If Sales are controlled (generally,costs in the denominator of PLI):
5
Recei
vables Adjustment (“RA”):
RA = {[
(AR
t
/tc
t
)xtc
c
]-AR
c
} x {i/[1+(i x h
c
)]}
Payables Adjustment (“PA”):PA = {[(AP
t
/tc
t
)xtc
c
]-AP
c
} x {i/[1+(i x h
c
)]}
Inventory Adjustment (“IA”):IA = {[(INV
t
/tc
t
)xtc
c
]-INV
c
}xi
PP&E
Adjustment (“PPEA”):
PPEA
={[(PPE
t
/tc
t
)xtc
c
]-PPE
c
}xi
Then Adjust Comparables as Follows:
adjusted sales
c
= sales
c
+RA
adjusted cogs
c
= cogs
c
+PA-IA
adjusted opex
c
= opex
c
- PPEA
5
Depending on the specific facts, the equations below may use total costs (“tc”) or cost of goods sold (“cogs”).
2007–12 I.R.B.804March 19, 2007
Definition of Terms
Revenue rulings and revenue procedures
(hereinafter referred to as “rulings”) that
have an effect on previous rulings use the
following defined terms to describe the ef-
fect:
Amplifieddescribes a situation where
no change is being made in a prior pub-
lished position, but the prior position is be-
ingextendedtoapplytoavariationofthe
fact situation set forth therein. Thus, if
an earlier ruling held that a principle ap-
plied to A, and the new ruling holds that the
same principle also applies to B, the earlier
ruling is amplified. (Compare withmodi-
fied,below).
Clarifiedis used in those instances
where the language in a prior ruling is be-
ing made clear because the language has
caused, or may cause, some confusion.
It is not used where a position in a prior
ruling is being changed.
Distinguisheddescribes a situation
where a ruling mentions a previously pub-
lished ruling and points out an essential
difference between them.
Modifiedis used where the substance
of a previously published position is being
changed. Thus, if a prior ruling held that a
principle applied to A but not to B, and the
new ruling holds that it applies to both A
and B, the prior ruling is modified because
it corrects a published position. (Compare
withamplifiedandclarified, above).
Obsoleteddescribes a previously pub-
lished ruling that is not considered deter-
minative with respect to future transac-
tions. This term is most commonly used in
a ruling that lists previously published rul-
ings that are obsoleted because of changes
in laws or regulations. A ruling may also
be obsoleted because the substance has
been included in regulations subsequently
adopted.
Revokeddescribes situations where the
position in the previously published ruling
is not correct and the correct position is
beingstatedinanewruling.
Supersededdescribes a situation where
the new ruling does nothing more than re-
state the substance and situation of a previ-
ously published ruling (or rulings). Thus,
the term is used to republish under the
1986 Code and regulations the same po-
sition published under the 1939 Code and
regulations. The term is also used when
it is desired to republish in a single rul-
ing a series of situations, names, etc., that
were previously published over a period of
time in separate rulings. If the new rul-
ing does more than restate the substance
of a prior ruling, a combination of terms
is used. For example,modifiedandsu-
persededdescribes a situation where the
substance of a previously published ruling
is being changed in part and is continued
without change in part and it is desired to
restate the valid portion of the previously
published ruling in a new ruling that is self
contained. In this case, the previously pub-
lished ruling is first modified and then, as
modified, is superseded.
Supplementedis used in situations in
which a list, such as a list of the names of
countries, is published in a ruling and that
list is expanded by adding further names in
subsequent rulings. After the original rul-
ing has been supplemented several times, a
new ruling may be published that includes
the list in the original ruling and the ad-
ditions, and supersedes all prior rulings in
the series.
Suspendedis used in rare situations
to show that the previous published rul-
ings will not be applied pending some
future action such as the issuance of new
or amended regulations, the outcome of
cases in litigation, or the outcome of a
Service study.
Abbreviations
The fol
lowing abbreviations in current use
and for
merly used will appear in material
publis
hedintheBulletin.
A—Individual.
Acq.—A
cquiescence.
B—Individual.
BE—Beneficiary.
BK—Bank
.
B.T.A.—Board of Tax Appeals.
C—Individual.
C.B.—Cu
mulative Bulletin.
CFR—Code of Federal Regulations.
CI—City.
COOP—Coo
perative.
Ct.D.—Court Decision.
CY—County.
D—Decede
nt.
DC—Dummy Corporation.
DE—Donee.
Del. Order
—Delegation Order.
DISC—Domestic International Sales Corporation.
DR—Donor.
E—Estate.
EE—Employee.
E.O.—Executive Order.
ER—Emp
loyer.
ERISA—Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
EX—Executor.
F—Fiduc
iary.
FC—Foreign Country.
FICA—Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
FISC—Fo
reign International Sales Company.
FPH—Foreign Personal Holding Company.
F.R.—Federal Register.
FUTA—Fed
eral Unemployment Tax Act.
FX—Foreign corporation.
G.C.M.—Chief Counsel’s Memorandum.
GE—Grante
e.
GP—General Partner.
GR—Grantor.
IC—Insura
nce Company.
I.R.B.—Internal Revenue Bulletin.
LE—Lessee.
LP—Limited
Partner.
LR—Lessor.
M—Minor.
Nonacq.—No
nacquiescence.
O—Organization.
P—Parent Corporation.
PHC—Persona
l Holding Company.
PO—Possession of the U.S.
PR—Partner.
PRS—Pa
rtnership.
PTE—Prohibited Transaction Exemption.
Pub. L.—Public Law.
REIT—Re
al Estate Investment Trust.
Rev. Proc.—Revenue Procedure.
Rev. Rul.—Revenue Ruling.
S—Subsi
diary.
S.P.R.—Statement of Procedural Rules.
Stat.—Statutes at Large.
T—Target
Corporation.
T.C.—Tax Court.
T.D.—Treasury Decision.
TFE—Trans
feree.
TFR—Transferor.
T.I.R.—Technical Information Release.
TP—Taxpay
er.
TR—Trust.
TT—Trustee.
U.S.C.—Uni
ted States Code.
X—Corporation.
Y—Corporation.
Z—Corporat
ion.
March 19, 2007i2007–12 I.R.B.
Numerical Finding List
1
Bulletins 2007–1 through 2007–12
Announcements:
2007-1, 2007-1 I.R.B.243
2007-2, 2007-2 I.R.B.263
2007-3, 2007-4 I.R.B.376
2007-4, 2007-7 I.R.B.518
2007-5, 2007-4 I.R.B.376
2007-6, 2007-4 I.R.B.376
2007-7, 2007-4 I.R.B.377
2007-8, 2007-5 I.R.B.416
2007-9, 2007-5 I.R.B.417
2007-10, 2007-6 I.R.B.464
2007-11, 2007-6 I.R.B.464
2007-12, 2007-6 I.R.B.465
2007-13, 2007-7 I.R.B.519
2007-14, 2007-7 I.R.B.519
2007-15, 2007-8 I.R.B.596
2007-16, 2007-8 I.R.B.597
2007-17, 2007-8 I.R.B.597
2007-18, 2007-9 I.R.B.625
2007-19, 2007-7 I.R.B.521
2007-20, 2007-8 I.R.B.599
2007-21, 2007-9 I.R.B.630
2007-22, 2007-9 I.R.B.631
2007-23, 2007-10 I.R.B.665
2007-24, 2007-10 I.R.B.681
2007-25, 2007-10 I.R.B.682
2007-26, 2007-10 I.R.B.682
2007-27, 2007-11 I.R.B.733
2007-28, 2007-10 I.R.B.683
2007-29, 2007-11 I.R.B.733
2007-30, 2007-11 I.R.B.734
2007-31, 2007-12 I.R.B.769
2007-32, 2007-11 I.R.B.734
Notices:
2007-1, 2007-2 I.R.B.254
2007-2, 2007-2 I.R.B.254
2007-3, 2007-2 I.R.B.255
2007-4, 2007-2 I.R.B.260
2007-5, 2007-3 I.R.B.269
2007-6, 2007-3 I.R.B.272
2007-7, 2007-5 I.R.B.395
2007-8, 2007-3 I.R.B.276
2007-9, 2007-5 I.R.B.401
2007-10, 2007-4 I.R.B.354
2007-11, 2007-5 I.R.B.405
2007-12, 2007-5 I.R.B.409
2007-13, 2007-5 I.R.B.410
2007-14, 2007-7 I.R.B.501
2007-15, 2007-7 I.R.B.503
2007-16, 2007-8 I.R.B.536
2007-17, 2007-12 I.R.B.748
Notices— Continued:
2007-18, 2007-9 I.R.B.608
2007-19, 2007-11 I.R.B.689
2007-20, 2007-9 I.R.B.610
2007-21, 2007-9 I.R.B.611
2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.670
2007-23, 2007-11 I.R.B.690
2007-24, 2007-12 I.R.B.750
2007-25, 2007-12 I.R.B.760
Proposed Regulations:
REG-100841-97, 2007-12 I.R.B.763
REG-157711-02, 2007-8 I.R.B.537
REG-159444-04, 2007-9 I.R.B.618
REG-115403-05, 2007-12 I.R.B.767
REG-152043-05, 2007-2 I.R.B.263
REG-161919-05, 2007-6 I.R.B.463
REG-125632-06, 2007-5 I.R.B.415
REG-147144-06, 2007-10 I.R.B.680
Revenue Procedures:
2007-1, 2007-1 I.R.B.1
2007-2, 2007-1 I.R.B.88
2007-3, 2007-1 I.R.B.108
2007-4, 2007-1 I.R.B.118
2007-5, 2007-1 I.R.B.161
2007-6, 2007-1 I.R.B.189
2007-7, 2007-1 I.R.B.227
2007-8, 2007-1 I.R.B.230
2007-9, 2007-3 I.R.B.278
2007-10, 2007-3 I.R.B.289
2007-11, 2007-2 I.R.B.261
2007-12, 2007-4 I.R.B.354
2007-13, 2007-3 I.R.B.295
2007-14, 2007-4 I.R.B.357
2007-15, 2007-3 I.R.B.300
2007-16, 2007-4 I.R.B.358
2007-17, 2007-4 I.R.B.368
2007-18, 2007-5 I.R.B.413
2007-19, 2007-7 I.R.B.515
2007-20, 2007-7 I.R.B.517
2007-21, 2007-9 I.R.B.613
2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.675
2007-23, 2007-10 I.R.B.675
2007-24, 2007-11 I.R.B.692
2007-25, 2007-12 I.R.B.761
Revenue Rulings:
2007-1, 2007-3 I.R.B.265
2007-2, 2007-3 I.R.B.266
2007-3, 2007-4 I.R.B.350
2007-4, 2007-4 I.R.B.351
2007-5, 2007-5 I.R.B.378
2007-6, 2007-5 I.R.B.393
2007-7, 2007-7 I.R.B.468
2007-8, 2007-7 I.R.B.469
Revenue Rulings— Continued:
2007-9, 2007-6 I.R.B.422
2007-10, 2007-10 I.R.B.660
2007-11, 2007-9 I.R.B.606
2007-12, 2007-11 I.R.B.685
2007-13, 2007-11 I.R.B.684
2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
2007-15, 2007-11 I.R.B.687
Tax Conventions:
2007-23, 2007-10 I.R.B.665
Treasury Decisions:
9298, 2007-6 I.R.B.434
9299, 2007-6 I.R.B.460
9300, 2007-2 I.R.B.246
9301, 2007-2 I.R.B.244
9302, 2007-5 I.R.B.382
9303, 2007-5 I.R.B.379
9304, 2007-6 I.R.B.423
9305, 2007-7 I.R.B.479
9306, 2007-6 I.R.B.420
9307, 2007-7 I.R.B.470
9308, 2007-8 I.R.B.523
9309, 2007-7 I.R.B.497
9310, 2007-9 I.R.B.601
9311, 2007-10 I.R.B.635
9312, 2007-12 I.R.B.736
1
A cumulative list of all revenue rulings, revenue procedures, Treasury decisions, etc., published in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2006–27 through 2006–52 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin
2006–52, dated December 26, 2006.
2007–12 I.R.B.iiMarch 19, 2007
Finding List of Current Actions on
Previously Published Items
1
Bulletins 2007–1 through 2007–12
Notices:
2002-45
Modified by
Notice 2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.670
2005-29
Modified and superseded by
Notice 2007-4, 2007-2 I.R.B.260
2005-86
Modified by
Notice 2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.670
2006-2
Modified and superseded by
Notice 2007-4, 2007-2 I.R.B.260
2006-50
Amplified, clarified, and modified by
Notice 2007-11, 2007-5 I.R.B.405
2006-87
Modified and supplemented by
Notice 2007-25, 2007-12 I.R.B.760
Proposed Regulations:
REG-208270-86
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-4, 2007-7 I.R.B.518
REG-121509-00
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-17, 2007-8 I.R.B.597
REG-141901-05
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-7, 2007-4 I.R.B.377
REG-142270-05
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-2, 2007-2 I.R.B.263
REG-125632-06
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-26, 2007-10 I.R.B.682
REG-127819-06
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-5, 2007-4 I.R.B.376
REG-136806-06
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-6, 2007-4 I.R.B.376
Hearing cancelled by
Ann. 2007-19, 2007-7 I.R.B.521
Revenue Procedures:
98-20
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-12, 2007-4 I.R.B.354
2000-38
Modified by
Rev. Proc. 2007-16, 2007-4 I.R.B.358
2000-50
Modified by
Rev. Proc. 2007-16, 2007-4 I.R.B.358
2001-42
Modified and amplified by
Rev. Proc. 2007-19, 2007-7 I.R.B.515
2002-9
Modified and amplified by
Rev. Proc. 2007-14, 2007-4 I.R.B.357
Modified by
Rev. Proc. 2007-16, 2007-4 I.R.B.358
2004-11
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-16, 2007-4 I.R.B.358
2004-65
Modified and superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-20, 2007-7 I.R.B.517
2005-12
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-17, 2007-4 I.R.B.368
2005-51
Amplified by
Rev. Proc. 2007-25, 2007-12 I.R.B.761
2005-69
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-15, 2007-3 I.R.B.300
2005-74
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-24, 2007-11 I.R.B.692
2006-1
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-1, 2007-1 I.R.B.1
2006-2
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-2, 2007-1 I.R.B.88
2006-3
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-3, 2007-1 I.R.B.108
2006-4
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-4, 2007-1 I.R.B.118
Revenue Procedures— Continued:
2006-5
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-5, 2007-1 I.R.B.161
2006-6
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-6, 2007-1 I.R.B.189
2006-7
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-7, 2007-1 I.R.B.227
2006-8
Superseded by
Rev. Proc. 2007-8, 2007-1 I.R.B.230
2006-35
Modified by
Rev. Proc. 2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.675
Revenue Rulings:
54-19
Obsoleted in part by
Rev. Rul. 2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
55-132
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
56-462
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
56-518
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
57-505
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
58-370
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
58-500
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
69-141
Modified by
Notice 2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.670
69-212
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
69-587
Revoked by
Rev. Rul. 2007-12, 2007-11 I.R.B.685
71-477
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-14, 2007-12 I.R.B.747
1
A cumulative list of current actions on previously published items in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2006–27 through 2006–52 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2006–52, dated December 26,
2006.
March 19, 2007iii2007–12 I.R.B.
Revenue Rulings— Continued:
75-161
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-8, 2007-7 I.R.B.469
76-188
Obsoleted by
Rev. Rul. 2007-8, 2007-7 I.R.B.469
78-330
Modified by
Rev. Rul. 2007-8, 2007-7 I.R.B.469
81-225
Clarified and amplified by
Rev. Rul. 2007-7, 2007-7 I.R.B.468
92-19
Supplemented in part by
Rev. Rul. 2007-10, 2007-10 I.R.B.660
96-51
Amplified by
Rev. Rul. 2007-12, 2007-11 I.R.B.685
2002-41
Modified by
Notice 2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.670
2003-43
Modified by
Notice 2007-2, 2007-2 I.R.B.254
2003-92
Clarified and amplified by
Rev. Rul. 2007-7, 2007-7 I.R.B.468
2003-102
Modified by
Notice 2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.670
2005-24
Modified by
Notice 2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.670
2005-76
Supplemented and superseded by
Rev. Rul. 2007-4, 2007-4 I.R.B.351
2006-36
Modified by
Notice 2007-22, 2007-10 I.R.B.670
Treasury Decisions:
9263
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-22, 2007-9 I.R.B.631
9276
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-20, 2007-8 I.R.B.599
Ann. 2007-21, 2007-9 I.R.B.630
9278
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-9, 2007-5 I.R.B.417
Ann. 2007-10, 2007-6 I.R.B.464
Treasury Decisions— Continued:
9286
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-8, 2007-5 I.R.B.416
9298
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-32, 2007-11 I.R.B.734
9303
Corrected by
Ann. 2007-25, 2007-10 I.R.B.682
2007–12 I.R.B.ivMarch 19, 2007
March 19, 20072007–12 I.R.B.
INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETIN
The Introduction at the beginning of this issue describes the purpose and content of this publication. The weekly Internal Revenue
Bulletin is sold on a yearly subscription basis by the Superintendent of Documents. Current subscribers are notified by the Superin-
tendent of Documents when their subscriptions must be renewed.
CUMULATIVE BULLETINS
The contents of this weekly Bulletin are consolidated semiannually into a permanent, indexed, Cumulative Bulletin. These are
sold on a single copy basis andare notincluded as part of the subscription to the Internal Revenue Bulletin. Subscribers to the weekly
Bulletin are notified when copies of the Cumulative Bulletin are available. Certain issues of Cumulative Bulletins are out of print
and are not available. Persons desiring available Cumulative Bulletins, which are listed on the reverse, may purchase them from the
Superintendent of Documents.
ACCESS THE INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETIN ON THE INTERNET
You may view the Internal Revenue Bulletin on the Internet at www.irs.gov. Under information for: select Businesses. Under
related topics, select More Topics. Then select Internal Revenue Bulletins.
INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETINS ON CD-ROM
Internal Revenue Bulletins are available annually as part ofPublication 1796 (Tax Products CD-ROM). The CD-ROM can be
purchased from National Technical Information Service (NTIS) on the Internet at www.irs.gov/cdorders (discount for online orders)
or by calling 1-877-233-6767. The first release is available in mid-December and the final release is available in late January.
HOW TO ORDER
Check the publications and/or subscription(s) desired on the reverse, complete the order blank, enclose the proper remittance,
detach entire page, and mail to the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh PA, 15250–7954. Please allow two to
six weeks, plus mailing time, for delivery.
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REVENUE BUL
LETIN
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ov) or write to the IRS Bulletin Unit, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC 20224
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