us-irs-revenue-procedures-irb-2003-34-pdf•Internal Revenue Bulletin 2003-34 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue Procedures
Internal Revenue Bulletin 2003-34 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue Procedures
us-irs-revenue-procedures-irb-2003-34-pdfInternal Revenue Bulletin 2003-34 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue ProceduresGuidance
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. 2003-34 August 25, 2003 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. INCOME TAX Rev. Rul. 2003–96, page 386. Lease stripping transaction.This ruling discusses whether section 482 of the Code may apply to allow allocations of the income and deductions arising from a lease stripping trans- action entered into by parties that were unrelated at the time the income is stripped from the lease, solely on the basis that the parties were acting in concert or with a common goal or purpose, to arbitrarily shift income or deductions among them- selves. Rev. Rul. 2003–97, page 380. Deductibility of interest.This ru ling provides guidance on whether interest accruing on a note is deductible under section 163(a) of the Code, and whether the deduction is disallowed under section 163(1), when a corp oration issues units, each consisting of instruments in th e form of a note and a forward contract to purchase a quanti ty of the corporationÊs common stock. The holding of this ru ling is modified for units issued on or before August 22, 2003 . This ruling also requests com- ments concerning possible regulations under section 163(1). Rev. Rul. 2003–98, page 378. Deduction rules; compensatory stock options.This ruling ad- dresses the application of the deduction rules under section 83(h) of the Code with regard to the exercise or disposition of compensatory stock options following certain corporate trans- actions. Rev. Rul. 2003–99, page 388. Obsolete revenue rulings.This ruling publishes a list of previ- ously published rulings that have been identified as no longer determinative with respect to future transactions. Rev. Rul. 2003–100, page 385. LIFO; price indexes; department stores.The June 2003 Bu- reau of Labor Statistics price indexes are accepted for use by department stores employing the retail inventory and last-in, first-out inventory methods for valuing inventories for tax years ended on, or with reference to, June 30, 2003. REG–132483–03, page 410. Proposed regulations under section 141 of the Code revise the definition of nonqualified bonds contained in regulations sec- tion 1.141–12 by reducing the amount of outstanding bonds that are nonqualified bonds. Second, the proposed regulations simplify the rules for determining which bonds will be treated as the nonqualified bonds for purposes of the remedial action rules under sections 1.141–12 and 1.142–2. Finally, they clar- ify the remedial action rules applicable to bonds issued prior to May 16, 1997 (the effective date of the current private activity bond regulations). A public hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2003. Rev. Proc. 93–17 obsolete for actions that occur on or after May 16, 1997. REG–141669–02, page 408. Proposed regulations under s ection 6724 of the Code provide rules designed to determine whether the correction of a failure to file a correct informatio nreturnisconsideredpromptfor purposes of waiving info rmation reporting penalties. A public hearing is scheduled for October 21, 2003. Notice 2003–55, page 395. This notice concerns the federal tax treatment of lease strips. Notice 95–53 modified and superseded. (Continued on the next page) Anno uncements of Disbarments and Suspensions begin on page 414. Finding Lists begin on page ii. Notice 2003–56, page 396. Equity investment prior to allocation.The Treasury Depart- ment and the Service announce that they will amend section 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(ii) of the temporary regulations to provide an exception permitting certain equity investments made on or af- ter the date the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund publishes a Notice of Allocation Availability in the Federal Register, and before the receipt of a new markets tax credit al- location under section 45D(f)(2), to be designated as qualified equity investments under section 45D(b)(1)(C) of the Code. Rev. Proc. 2003–68, page 398. This procedure restates and modifies Rev. Procs. 2002–13 and 2002–45. The modifications include permitting the use of expected term in connection with the safe harbor valuation method and the ability to recalculate the option value under certain circumstances. Rev. Procs. 2002–13 and 2002–45 revoked. Rev. Proc. 2003–70, page 406. This procedure provides the domestic asset/liabi lity percent- ages and domestic investment yields needed by for eign in- surance companies to compute their minimum effe ctively con- nected net investment income for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2001. EXCISE TAX Rev. Proc. 2003–68, page 398. This procedure restates and modifies Rev. Procs. 2002–13 and 2002–45. The modifications include permitting the use of expected term in connection with the safe harbor valuation method and the ability to recalculate the option value under certain circumstances. Rev. Procs. 2002–13 and 2002–45 revoked. TAX CONVENTIONS Notice 2003–57, page 397. This notice provides circumstances under which no Form 3520 or Form 3520–A with respect to certain Canadian retirement plans is required with respect to the 2002 taxable year, and guidance concerning compliance with Forms 3520 and 3520–A when required. ADMINISTRATIVE REG–141669–02, page 408. Proposed regulations under section 6724 of the Code provide rules designed to determine whether the correction of a failure to file a correct information return is considered prompt for purposes of waiving information reporting penalties. A public hearing is scheduled for October 21, 2003. Rev. Proc. 2003–67, page 397. Low-income housing tax credit.This procedure publishes the amounts of unused housing credit carryovers allocated to qual- ified states under section 42(h)(3)(D) of the Code for calendar year 2003. Rev. Proc. 2003–69, page 403. This procedure provides the requirements for completing and submitting Form 8655,Reporting Agent Authorization for Magnetic Tape/Electronic Filers. Rev. Proc. 96–17 modi- fied and superseded. August 25, 20032003-34 I.R.B. The IRS Mission Provide AmericaÊs 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. Bul- letin contents are consolidated 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 un iform application of the tax laws, including all rulings that s upersede, revoke, mod- ify, or amend any of those previously pub lished in the Bulletin. All published rulings apply retroacti vely unless otherwise indi- cated. Procedures relating solely to matters of internal man- agement are not published; howeve r, statements of internal practices and procedures that af fect 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.—1986 Code. This part includes rulings and decisions based on provisions of the Internal 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 TreasuryÊs Office of the Assistant Sec- retary (Enforcement). Part IV.—Items of General Interest. This part includes notices of proposed rulemakings, disbar- ment and suspension lists, and announcements. The first 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 first Bulletin of the succeeding semiannual period, respectively. The contents of this pu blication 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. 2003-34 I.R.B.August 25, 2003 Part I. Rulings and Decisions Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Section 83.—Property Transferred in Connection With Performance of Services 26 CFR 1.83–6: Deduction by employer. Deduction rules; compensatory stock options.This ruling addresses the appli- cation of the deduction rules under section 83(h) of the Code with regard to the exer- cise or disposition of compensatory stock options following certain corporate trans- actions. Rev. Rul. 2003–98 ISSUE Under § 83 of the Internal Revenue Code, in the situations described below, which corporation is entitled to deduct the compensation income includible in Em- ployee's gross income as a result of Em- ployee's exercise or disposition of a non- statutory option? FACTS Situation 1. On January 1, 2003, Em- ployee begins employment with Company M and is granted a nonstatutory option to purchase a number of shares of M common stock (“the M Option”). The M Option has no readily ascertainable fair market value when it is granted and is not exercisable until January 1, 2006. On November 15, 2006, Company N acquires all of the outstanding shares of M for cash. N does not make an election un- der § 338(g) to treat its acquisition of M as a deemed acquisition of the assets of M, thus treating it instead as an acquisition of the stock of M. Thereafter, M conducts its business as a wholly owned subsidiary of N. M and N are accrual basis taxpay- ers, and each has a taxable year ending on September 30. On the acquisition date, either pursuant to the terms of the M Option or in response to an offer from N, Employee surrenders the M Option to N, and, in exchange, N grants an exercisable nonstatutory option to acquire a number of shares of N com- mon stock (“the N Option”) to Employee. The N Option has no readily ascertainable fair market value. On January 15, 2007, while still employed by M, Employee ex- ercises the N Option and receives substan- tially vested N shares from N. Situation 2. The facts are the same as in Situation 1, except that, under the terms of the N Option, N has the ability to can- cel the option at any time in exchange for a payment in cash or in value-equivalent substantially vested N shares. On January 15, 2007, N cancels the N Option in ex- change for a payment (in cash or shares) to Employee. Situation 3. The facts are the same as in Situation 1, except that the M Option is not exchanged for the N Option on the acqui- sition date. Instead, the M Option remains outstanding after the acquisition date un- til January 15, 2007, when either pursuant to the terms of the M Option or with Em- ployee's agreement, N cancels the M Op- tion and pays the excess of the fair mar- ket value of the stock purchasable under the option over the option's exercise price in cash or in value-equivalent substantially vested N shares to Employee. Situation 4. The facts are the same as in Situation 1, except that on November 15, 2006, M and N merge under state law, with N as the surviving corporation. The merger qualifies as a complete liquidation within the meaning of § 332. LAW AND ANALYSIS Under § 83(a), when property is trans- ferred to any person in connection with the performance of services, the service provider must include in gross income (as compensation income) the excess of the fair market value of the property, deter- mined at the first time that the transferee's rights in the property are either trans- ferrable or not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (“substantially vested”), over the amount (if any) paid for the property. Section 83(e)(3) provides that § 83 does not apply to the transfer of an op- tion without a readily ascertainable fair market value on the date of grant. Under § 1.83–7 of the Income Tax Regulations, § 83 applies at the time such an option is exercised, or otherwise disposed of. If the option is exercised, § 83(a) applies to the transfer of property pursuant to the exer- cise. Under § 1.83–7(a), if the option is sold or otherwise disposed of in an arm's length transaction, §§ 83(a) and 83(b) apply to the transfer of money or other property received in the same manner as §§ 83(a) and 83(b) would have applied to the transfer of property pursuant to an exercise of the option. Under § 1.83–7T, the preceding sentence does not apply to a sale or other disposition of the option to a person related to the service provider that occurs on or after July 2, 2003. For this purpose, a person is not related to the service provider if the person is the service recipient with respect to the option or the grantor of the option. Thus, in each of the above Situations, because the M Option has no readily ascer- tainable fair market value when granted, § 83 does not apply to the option at that time. Rather, § 83(a) applies to the con- sideration received by Employee upon the disposition of the M Option in the case of Situation 3 and the exercise or disposition of the N Option in the case of Situations 1, 2, and 4. Under § 83(h) and § 1.83–6(a)(1), the service recipient is allowed a compen- sation expense deduction, under § 162, for the amount included in the service provider's gross income under § 83(a). Under the general timing rule of § 83(h), the deduction is allowed for the service recipient's taxableyear in which or with which ends the service provider's taxable year in which the amount is included in gross income. Section 1.83–6(a)(3) pro- vides an exception to that rule: in cases where the property transferred is substan- tially vested upon transfer, the deduction is allowed to the service recipient under its method of accounting. Section 1.83–6(d)(1) generally pro- vides that, if a shareholder of a corpora- tion transfers property to an employee (or independent contractor) of the corporation in consideration for services performed by the employee for the corporation, the transaction is considered a contribution of the property by the shareholder to the corporation and, immediately thereafter, a transfer of the propertybythecorporation to the employee. The transfer of property to the employee is considered to be in consideration for services performed by the employee for the corporation if either the property is substantially nonvested at the time of transfer or if an amount 2003-34 I.R.B.378August 25, 2003 is includible in the gross income of the employee at the time of transfer under the rules of § 83. See § 1.1032–3 for special rules that may apply to a corporation's transfer of its own stock to any person in consideration of services performed for another corporation or partnership. Section 332(a) provides that no gain or loss is recognized on the receipt by a corporation (the acquiring corporation) of property distributed in complete liquida- tion of another corporation (the liquidating corporation). Section 381(a)(1) provides, in part, that, where the assets of a liquidating corpora- tion are distributed to the acquiring corpo- ration in a transaction to which § 332 ap- plies, the acquiringcorporation succeeds to and takes into account, as of the close of the day of distribution, the items described in § 381(c) of the liquidating corporation, subject to the conditions and limitations described in §§ 381(b) and (c). In a transaction to which § 381(a) ap- plies, § 381(c)(16) permits the acquiring corporation to deduct an assumed obliga- tion of the liquidating corporation, as if it were the liquidating corporation, when that obligation is paid or accrued (1) if such obligation gives rise to a liability after the date of distribution and (2) if the liquidat- ing corporation would have been entitled to deduct that liability in computing tax- able income were that liability paid or ac- crued by the liquidating corporation. See § 1.381(c)(16)–1(a)(1). Section 1.381(c)(16)–1(a)(4) provides that an obligation of a liquidating corpora- tion gives rise to a liability when the liabil- ity would be accruable by a taxpayer using the accrual method of accounting, notwith- standing the fact that the liquidating cor- poration is not using the accrual method of accounting. See § 1.461–1(a)(2). Section 1.461–1(a)(2)(i) provides that, under an accrual method of accounting, a liability is incurred, and generally is taken into account for federal income tax pur- poses, in the taxable year in which: (1) all the events have occurred that establish the fact of the liability, (2) the amount of the li- ability can be determined with reasonable accuracy, and (3) economic performance has occurred with respect the liability. A liability with respect to an option gener- ally is incurred and taken into account in the year in which the employee exercises the option because thatis when the liability becomes fixed and determinable with rea- sonable accuracy. Therefore, for purposes of § 381(c)(16), an option generally gives rise to a liability when it is exercised. In Situations 1, 2, and 4, the substitu- tion of the M Option for the N Option does not cause Employee to recognize compen- sation income under § 83(a). In Situations 1 and 4, Employee recognizes compensa- tion income under § 83(a) in 2007, which is Employee's taxable year in which the N Option is exercised. In Situations 2 and 3, Employee also recognizes compensa- tion income under § 83(a) in 2007, which is Employee's taxable year in which N can- cels the substituted N Option or cancels the M Option. Applying § 83(h) and § 1.83–6 to Situ- ations 1, 2, and 3, because M is the service recipient with respect to either the M Op- tion or the N Option, M, and only M, is permitted to deduct the compensation in- cludible in Employee's gross income as a result of the disposition of the M Option or the exercise or disposition of the N Op- tion. Although N actually pays the cash or transfers its stock directly to Employee, such payment (or transfer) is treated as a cash capital contribution by N to M (and M is treated as purchasing the stock from Ninthecaseofastocktransfertothe Employee) and as a payment of cash (or transfer of stock) by M to the Employee. See §§ 1.83–6(d)(1), 1.1032–3(b)(1), and 1.1032–3(e), Example 8. Because the con- sideration received by Employee upon the disposition of the M Option or the exer- cise or disposition of the N Option is ei- ther cash or substantially vested N shares, the § 1.83–6(a)(3) exception to the general timing rule for deductions in § 83(h) ap- plies. Accordingly, to the extent that the compensation is otherwise deductible, M, and only M, is entitled to deduct the com- pensation, using its method of accounting, for its taxable year ending September 30, 2007. In Situation 4, because the merger of M into N qualifies as a liquidation within the meaning of § 332, under § 381, N succeeds to and takes into account those tax items of M described in § 381(c). Because (1) N as- sumed the obligation of M pursuant to the N Option, (2) after the date of the merger, the N Option gives rise to a liability under § 1.461–1(a)(2) by reason of its exercise, and (3) the liability, if paid or accrued by M would have been deductible in computing M's taxable income, N is entitled to deduct that item when paid or accrued as if it were M. See § 381(c)(16). Under § 83(h) and § 1.83–6(a), N is entitled to a deduction for the amount of compensation income (if any) included in the gross income of Employee under § 83(a). The amount of compensation in- come (if any) included in the gross income of Employee is determined on January 15, 2007, when the option is exercised and the stock transferred to Employee. Because the stock is substantially vested when transferred to Employee, to the extent that the compensation recognized by Employee in Situation 4 is otherwise deductible, the deduction is allowed in accordance with N's method of account- ing. Thus, the deduction is allowed for N's taxable year ending September 30, 2007. HOLDINGS In Situations 1, 2, and 3, the compen- sation attributable to Employee's disposi- tion of the M Option or exercise or dispo- sition of the N Option, if it is otherwise de- ductible, is deductible by M. In Situation 4, the compensation, if it is otherwise de- ductible, is deductible by N, as if it were M. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue ruling is Norm Paul of the Office of Di- vision Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities). For further information regarding this rev- enue ruling, contact Norm Paul or Robert Misner at (202) 622–6030 (not a toll-free number). Section 162.—Trade or Business Expenses If one participant in a transaction claims to realize rental or other income from property and another par- ticipant claims the deductions related to that income, will the separation of income from related deductions be disallowed and will the transaction be a lease strip that is a listed transaction subject to the requirements of section 6111. See Notice 2003-55, page 395. August 25, 20033792003-34 I.R.B. Section 163.—Interest 26 CFR 1.163–1: Interest deduction in general. (Also § 7805(b)(8); 301.7805–1.) Deductibility of interest.This ruling provides guidance on whether interest ac- cruing on a note is deductible under section 163(a) of the Code, and whether the de- duction is disallowed under section 163(1), when a corporation issues units, each con- sisting of instruments in the form of a note and a forward contract to purchase a quan- tity of the corporation’s common stock. The holding of this ruling is modified for units issued on or before August 22, 2003. This ruling also requests comments con- cerning possible regulations under section 163(1). Rev. Rul. 2003–97 ISSUE Under the facts presented below, if a corporation issues units, each consisting of instruments in the form of a 5-year note and a 3-year forward contract to purchase a quantity of the corporation's common stock, is the “interest” accruing on the note deductible under § 163(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and not disallowed under § 163(l)? FACTS On August 18, 2003 (“Issue Date”),X, a corporation, issues units, each consist- ing of instruments in the form of a 3-year forward contract to purchase a quantity of X's common stock (“Purchase Contract”) and a 5-year note issued byX(“Note”) (to- gether, a “Purchase-Contract/Note unit”). The Purchase Contract requires the holder to purchase, andXto sell, on August 18, 2006 (“Settlement Date”), a quantity ofX's common stock that is determined by ref- erence to the market price of the stock on the Settlement Date. The Note has a stated maturity date of August 18, 2008 (“Matu- rity Date"). Under the Purchase Contract, on the Settlement Date the holder must pay an amount (“Settlement Price”) that is equal to the stated principal amount of the Note. If the market price ofX's common stock on the Settlement Date falls within a spe- cific range of market prices (bounded by a “lower limit” based on the market price on the Issue Date and an “upper limit” equal to approximately 120 percent of the lower limit), the quantity of stock deliverable un- der the Purchase Contract will have a mar- ket value equal to the Settlement Price. If the market price on the Settlement Date is less than the lower limit or greater than the upper limit, the quantity of stock that is deliverable under the Purchase Contract is the quantity that would be deliverable if the market price on that date were equal to the lower limit or the upper limit, respectively. Xallocates the purchase price of a Pur- chase-Contract/Note unit between the Pur- chase Contract and the Note according to their respective fair market values, as if the Purchase Contract and the Note were sepa- rate instruments. The amount allocated to the Note is equal to the Note's stated prin- cipal amount. The Note contained in a Purchase-Con- tract/Note unit is pledged to secure the holder's obligation to pay the Settlement Price under the Purchase Contract. As de- scribed below, the holder, however, has the legal right to separate the Note from the Purchase-Contract/Note unit in either of two ways (producing a “Separated Note”). The holder is not economically compelled to keep a unit unseparated. The holder may separate the Note from the Purchase-Contract/Note unit before the Settlement Date without paying the Settlement Price. To do so, the holder must transfer the unit toX's agent (“Pur- chase Contract Agent”) together with a specific zero-coupon Treasury security (“Strip”), and then the holder will receive a “Purchase-Contract/Strip unit” together with the Separated Note (a “conversion”). The Strip contained in the Purchase-Con- tract/Strip unit replaces the Note as collat- eral. Once a holder has effected a conver- sion, the holder may transfer the Note and retain the Purchase-Contract/Strip unit or transfer the Purchase-Contract/Strip unit and retain the Note. The Strips mature shortly before the Settlement Date and pay an amount equal to the Settlement Price. On the Settlement Date,Xwill apply the proceeds from the Strip contained in any Purchase-Contract/Strip unit to satisfy the holder's obligation to pay the Settlement Price under the associated Purchase Con- tract. In addition, before the completion of a successful remarketing (described below), the holder of a Purchase-Contract/Note unit or a Purchase-Contract/Strip unit may transfer the unit to the Purchase Contract Agent together with cash in an amount equal to the Settlement Price and receive a quantity of shares ofX's common stock together with the Separated Note or the Strip (a “settlement with separate cash”). The Note provides for quarterly pay- ments of amounts denominated as inter- est, including a payment on the Settlement Date. This interest is payable at a single fixed rate (“Initial Rate”). The Notes are required to be remarketed on specific dates before the Settlement Date, including May 15, 2006, and August 15, 2006 (“Final Re- marketing Date”). A successful remarket- ing of the Notes generally will result in the sale of the Notes to new holders effective on the next quarterly interest payment date (for example, May 18, 2006, and August 18, 2006) and will establish a new interest rate (“Reset Rate”), which will be effec- tive after the remarketing for the remaining term of the Notes. The Note is not subject to optional re- demption byXat any time. Neither the written terms of the Note nor any other understanding or agreement requires the Note to be paid in, or converted into,X's stock. Similarly, neither the written terms of the Note nor any other understanding or agreement grantsXan option to pay the Note in, or convert the Note into,X's stock. Xenters into a contract with an in- vestment bank,Y, to serve as remarketing agent.Ywill attempt to remarket the Notes with a Reset Rate that will permit the Notes to be sold for an amount equal to at least 100 percent of, and up to a target of 100 1 /2percent of, a specific price (“Minimum Required Price”). There is no upper limit on the Reset Rate. For a remarketing on the Final Remarketing Date, the Minimum Required Price is the aggregate stated principal amount of the remarketed Notes. For remarketings before the Final Remarketing Date, the Minimum Required Price is the amount that could be invested in then-available zero-coupon Treasury securities (“Trea- sury Zeros”) that mature shortly before the Settlement Date and pay an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate stated principal amount of the remarketed Notes, plus the aggregate interest at the Initial Rate that would have been payable on the Notes on the Settlement Date if the Notes had not been remarketed. 2003-34 I.R.B.380August 25, 2003 The remarketings will include all of the Notes contained in Purchase-Con- tract/Note units on the remarketing dates. In addition, holders of Separated Notes may elect to include those Notes in the remarketings. If a remarketing succeeds, the interest rate on all the Notes will be changed from the Initial Rate to the Reset Rate for the remaining term of the Notes, whether or not they were included in the remarketing. A remarketing will not occur if a condi- tion precedent to the remarketing (for ex- ample, the existence of an effective regis- tration statement for the Notes) is not ful- filled. Moreover, even if all conditions are satisfied and a remarketing does oc- cur, the remarketing will not succeed ifY is unable to obtain the Minimum Required Price. (In either case, the remarketing is said to “fail.”) On the Issue Date, it is sub- stantially certain that a remarketing of the Notes will succeed. In the case of a Separated Note, if all of the remarketings fail, then, on the Set- tlement Date, the holder of the Note will have the right to put the Note toXin ex- change for cash equal to the Note's stated principal amount plus any accrued but un- paid interest. If such a Note is not put to X, the Initial Rate will remain in effect for that Note until the Maturity Date. In the case of a Note contained in a Pur- chase-Contract/Note unit, if all of the re- marketings fail,Xwill exercise its rights as a secured party to dispose of the Notes in accordance with applicable law and sat- isfy in full the holder's obligation to pur- chaseX's common stock under the Pur- chase Contract. As a result, the holder will receive the interest payment due on the Settlement Date and the amount ofX's common stock deliverable under the Pur- chase Contract. If a remarketing succeeds, the remar- keting proceeds (or the proceeds of the Treasury Zeros in the case of a success- ful remarketing before the Final Remarket- ing Date) must be used byXin the fol- lowing manner. If a Note was part of a Purchase-Contract/Note unit on the date of the successful remarketing,Xmust ap- ply an amount equal to the stated principal amount of the Note to satisfy the former holder's obligation to pay the Settlement Price under the associated Purchase Con- tract. In addition,Xmust pay the former holder cash in an amount equal to the interest (at the Initial Rate) that would have been payable to the holder on the Settlement Date had the Notes not been remarketed. If the successful remarket- ing occurs before the Final Remarketing Date, this amount will be paid out of the proceeds of the Treasury Zeros. If the successful remarketing occurs on the Final Remarketing Date, the amount will be paid out ofX's own funds.Xwill make similar payments to the former holders of any participating Separated Notes. Ywill receive a remarketing fee of one quarter of one percent of the Minimum Re- quired Price. This remarketing fee will be paid first from the excess, if any, of the re- marketing proceeds over the Minimum Re- quired Price and then, if necessary, byX from its own funds. If any proceeds in ex- cess of the Minimum Required Price are notappliedtotheremarketingfee(thatis, if the proceeds are between 100 1 /4percent and 100 1 /2percent of the Minimum Re- quired Price), these excess proceeds will be distributed to the former holders of the remarketed Notes (including any partici- pating Separated Notes). Purchase-Contract/Note units are listed on a national securities exchange. Pur- chase-Contract/Strip units and Separated Notes are not so listed but are freely assign- able without restrictions on their transfer- ability. The Purchase Contract provides that, in the event ofX's bankruptcy, the Pur- chase Contract will terminate and the asso- ciated Note or Strip will be released to the holder. On the Issue Date,Xreasonably believes, based on advice from counsel, that this provision will be enforceable in bankruptcy and will result in the holder of a Purchase-Contract/Note unit being treated as a creditor in any bankruptcy proceeding. BasedonthetermsoftheNoteand other facts and circumstances, if the Note were issued independently of the Purchase Contract in a transaction that did not link the rights and obligations under the Note with the rights and obligations under the Purchase Contract, then the Note would qualify as debt for federal income tax pur- poses, interest accruing on the Note would be deductible unless § 163(l) applies, and, under § 1.1001–3 of the Income Tax Regu- lations, the Note in existence before a suc- cessful remarketing would continue to ex- ist after the remarketing. That is, the Note would not be treated as having been retired in conjunction with the issuance of a new debt instrument that bears an interest rate equal to the Reset Rate. LAW AND ANALYSIS As stated above, the Note would qualify as debt for federal income tax purposes if it were issued independently of the Purchase Contract in a transaction that did not link the rights and obligations under the Note with the rights and obligations under the Purchase Contract. Upon the earlier of a conversion, a settlement with separate cash, or a successful remarketing of the Note, the Note will no longer be linked with the Purchase Contract. At that time, the Note will qualify as debt for federal income tax purposes. Interest accruing on the Note after that time will be deductible under § 163(a). On the other hand, during the time that the Note is contained in a Purchase-Con- tract/Note unit, there is an issue of whether the bundle of rights and obligations re- sulting from the unit should be treated for federal income tax purposes as consisting of a debt instrument and a stock purchase contract. An important initial inquiry bear- ing on whether the Note may be separately analyzed for federal income tax purposes is whether the Note is separable from the Purchase-Contract/Note unit. Even if the Note is separable,however,various features of the Note and Purchase Con- tract raise the possibility that, for federal income tax purposes, the Purchase-Con- tract/Note unit nevertheless is treated as some other combination of instruments. For example, a Purchase-Contract/Note unit could be treated as a prepaid forward contract to purchase a variable quantity ofX's stock together with options (1) to acquire a Note by tendering a Strip to be combined into a Purchase-Contract/Strip unit or (2) to purchase a Note for cash by settling the forward contract early, together with a commitment byXto issue new Notes in the context of a “remarket- ing.” The correct characterization for fed- eral income tax purposes of a transaction creating multiple rights and obligations August 25, 20033812003-34 I.R.B. depends on the facts and circumstances of the particular transaction. In deciding among multiple potential characteriza- tions, the tax law seeks to find the best match between the bundle of rights and obligations and one or more categories of widely recognized instruments. In the instant case, the form chosen for the com- ponents of the unit reflects one reasonable division of the bundle of rights and obli- gations in the unit. Consequently, it is appropriate to begin the analysis of the issuer's tax consequences with respect to the unit by treating the unit as comprising these two components—namely, the Note and the Purchase Contract. After the Note has been identified as one of the components of the Purchase- Contract/Note unit, determining whetherX may deduct the amounts identified as in- terest on the Note contained in the Pur- chase-Contract/Note unit involves a multi- step analysis: •Is the Note separable from the associ- ated Purchase Contract? •If the Note is separable from the Pur- chase Contract but is not in fact sepa- rated from the Purchase Contract, does the Note qualify as debt? •If the Note qualifies as debt, does § 163(l)preventXfrom deducting the interest that accrues on the Note? Is the Note separable from the associated Purchase Contract? Two factors are particularly important in analyzing whether the Note should be treated as separable from the Purchase Contract: whether the Purchase Contract and Note are separately transferable, and whether any factors (economic or other- wise) prevent the holder from effecting such a separate transfer. Separate Transferability Rev. Rul. 88–31, 1988–1 C.B. 302, holds that a share of common stock and a contingent payment right issued together as an investment unit are separate items of property for federal income tax purposes because they are separately tradable on a national securities exchange shortly af- ter issuance. Similarly, in cases involving bond-warrant investment units in which the bond and warrant were separately trad- able, several courts have stated indicta that, because of the potential for separate trading, the bond and warrant were prop- erly treated as separate instruments.See Chock Full O'Nuts Corp. v. United States, 453F.2d300(2dCir. 1971);Hunt Foods and Industries, Inc. v. Commissioner, 57 T.C. 633 (1972). In contrast, when fi- nancial instruments cannot be separately traded, the courts have generally treated them as a single instrument.See Univer- sal Castings Corp. v. Commissioner,37 T.C. 107 (1961) (finding that a corpora- tion's notes were “locked” to its stock by a shareholders' agreement so that neither the note nor the stock could be sold without the other, and therefore holding that the notes and stock constituted a“single investment” and the notes did not qualify as debt),aff'd, 303 F.2d 620 (7th Cir. 1962).Cf. De Coppet v. Commissioner, 38 B.T.A. 1381 (1938) (finding that an investment corpora- tion's stock was “stapled” to a bank's stock through a trust arrangement so that neither could be sold without the other, and there- fore holding that no part of the basis of the taxpayer's stapled stock could be rec- ognized as a loss when the stock of the in- vestment corporation became worthless), aff'd, 108 F.2d 787 (2d Cir.),cert. denied, 310 U.S. 646 (1940). These authorities in- dicate that, unless a holder has a legal right to separate linked instruments, they gener- ally cannot be considered separable. Economic Compulsion The existence of a mere legal right to separate is insufficient for the Note and Purchase Contract to be considered sep- arable. If the characterization of an in- strument or a transaction for federal in- come tax purposes either depends on, or could be affected by, the existence of a per- son's legal right or option to elect a cer- tain course of action, the tax consequences often depend on whether the exercise (or nonexercise) of the right or option is eco- nomically compelled based on all the facts and circumstances.See American Realty Trust v. United States, 498 F.2d 1194, 1199 (4th Cir. 1974) (upholding a ver- dict that a transaction was a good-faith sale and lease-back with a repurchase op- tion, in part because the seller was not under “economic compulsion” to exercise the option);Roberts v. Commissioner, 71 T.C. 311, 323 (1978) (holding that a trust was not a mere conduit used by the taxpayer to obtain installment sale treat- ment under § 453 for a stock sale, in part because the trustees were under “no le- gal commitment or economic compulsion” to resell the stock when they did),aff'd, 643 F.2d 654 (9 th Cir. 1981); Rev. Rul. 2003–7, 2003–5 I.R.B. 363 (holding that a collateralized forward contract to sell stock is not a current sale if the shareholder is not economically compelled to deliver the pledged shares);see also Comtel Corp. v. Commissioner, 45 T.C. 294, 307 (1965) (arrangement for stock purchase and sub- sequent sale of stock pursuant to an “op- tion” was characterized as in substance a financing arrangement, in part because the Court concluded, after evaluation of the economic terms of the transaction, that tax- payer was “practically compelled” to exer- cise the option),aff'd, 376 F.2d 791, 796 (2d Cir.) (rejecting taxpayer's argument that it was not “economically compelled” to exercise the option),cert. denied,389 U.S. 929 (1967);cf. Rev. Rul. 82–150, 1982–2 C.B. 110 (treating the holder of an option to purchase stock as the current owner because the holder paid 70 percent of the stock's value for the option and the strike price of the option was 30 percent of the stock's value). For a Note to become separated from the Purchase-Contract/Note unit and trans- ferable separately, one of three events must occur: (1) the holder effects a conversion, (2) the holder effects a settlement with sep- arate cash, or (3) a successful remarketing occurs. If all of the remarketings fail, a Note in a Purchase-Contract/Note unit in effect will be exchanged on the Settlement Date for theXstock that is due to the holder under the Purchase Contract. Notwithstanding these conditions and possibilities, however, under the facts stated in this ruling, the holder has the unrestricted legal right to separate the Note from the Purchase-Contract/Note unit and transfer the Note separately, and is not economically compelled to keep the unit unseparated. The need to take certain steps to effect a separation does not contradict the separateness that can ultimately be achieved. On the Issue Date, it is substantially certain that the remarket- ing will succeed; thus, the consequences of a hypothetical remarketing failure are not controlling. Accordingly, in light of all the facts and circumstances, when the 2003-34 I.R.B.382August 25, 2003 Notes and Purchase Contracts were issued they were separable instruments. If the Note is separable from the Purchase Contract but is not in fact separated from the Purchase Contract, doestheNotequalifyasdebt? Whether an instrument is debt for fed- eral income tax purposes depends on the facts and circumstances of each case. No particular fact is conclusive in making such a determination.John Kelley Co. v. Com- missioner, 326 U.S. 521 (1946). Among the factors considered by the courts are (1) whether there is an unconditional promise topayasumcertaininmoneyonaspe- cific date, (2) the intent of the parties, and (3) the holder's right to enforce the pay- ment of principal and interest.Bauer v. Commissioner, 748 F.2d 1365, 1368 (9 th Cir. 1984);Estate of Mixon v. United States, 464 F.2d 394, 402 (5 th Cir. 1972); Gilbert v. Commissioner, 248 F.2d 399, 402 (2d Cir. 1957);Litton Business Sys- tems, Inc. v. Commissioner, 61 T.C. 367, 377 (1973) (“Was there a genuine inten- tion to create a debt, with a reasonable ex- pectation of repayment, and did that inten- tion comport with the economic reality of creating a debtor-creditor relationship?”), acq., 1974–2 C.B. 3. In form, the transaction provides for investors to make an initial payment of moneythatwillberepaidtotheholder of a Note upon the maturity of the Note. Although the Note is pledged as collat- eral for satisfaction of the separate Pur- chase Contract, the payment obligation un- der that contract is intended to be satisfied out of the proceeds of the remarketing of the Note. However, an initial holder is ob- ligated in all events to acquireX's stock and will not itself receive the principal pay- ment on the Note unless the holder takes action to separate the Note from the Pur- chase Contract. A question is thus presented whether the amount paid by an initial holder should be characterized as the purchase price for the Note or as a prepayment on the Pur- chase Contract, with the actual Notes be- ing issued byXonly if and when there is a conversion, a settlement for separate cash, or a successful remarketing. An important consideration in answering this question is whether the issuance and acquisition of the units create debt characteristics. On the one hand, in addition to the con- ditions necessary to cause a separation of the Note from the Purchase-Contract/Note unit as described above, the following fac- tors suggest that the amount paid by a holder to acquire a unit could be treated simply as a prepayment of the Settlement Price under the Purchase Contract: 1. Ownership of a Purchase-Con- tract/Note unit exposes the holder to no risk of loss from a decline in the value of the Note because (i) if the Note is sold through a successful remarketing, the holder of a Pur- chase-Contract/Note unit is assured of having on the Settlement Date the amount necessary to satisfy the holder's obligation under the Purchase Contract; and (ii) if all remarketings fail, the holder of a Purchase-Con- tract/Note unit nevertheless receives the stock the acquisition of which is provided for under the Purchase Contract. 2. Ownership of a Purchase-Con- tract/Note unit provides the holder virtually no opportunity for gain from an increase in the value of the Note because the Initial Rate will be reset and the gain to be received from a remarketing is limited to 25 basis points. 3. Absent bankruptcy or the holder's de- cision to effect a conversion or a set- tlement with separate cash, the holder of a Purchase-Contract/Note unit will receiveX'sstockinalleventsunder the Purchase Contract and will not re- ceive any payments on the Note other than accrued interest and a distribu- tion of excess proceeds in the event of a successful remarketing. 4. Upon a successful remarketing of the Note prior to the Final Remarketing Date, the holder will receive on the Settlement Date an amount equal to interest at the Initial Rate rather than the amount earned on the Treasury Ze- ros purchased with the proceeds from the remarketing. On the other hand, the form in which the transaction is cast is a debt instrument, with a term that is substantially certain to last 5 years, with current interest pay- ments, and with a remarketing that is to occur no later than 3 years after the Issue Date and that is not considered to be a reis- suance under § 1001. In addition, the Note has a critical debt characteristic even before the Note is sep- arated from the Purchase Contract because the Purchase Contract provides that, in the event ofX's bankruptcy, the Purchase Contract will terminate and the associ- ated Note will be released to the holder; and on the Issue Date,Xreasonably be- lieves, based on the advice of counsel, that the provision will be enforceable in bankruptcy and will result in the holders being treated as creditors in the bank- ruptcy proceeding. The existence of these bankruptcy rights is an important debt characteristic.See P.M. Finance Corp. v. Commissioner, 302 F.2d 786, 789–90 (3d Cir. 1962) (describing the right to share with general creditors in a corporation's assets in the event of dissolution or liqui- dation as “a most significant characteristic of the creditor-debtor relationship”); Nestlé Holdings, Inc. v. Commissioner,94 T.C. 803, 813–14 (1990) (distinguishing mandatorily redeemable preferred stock from debt in part because preferred stock- holders are always subordinate to creditors in liquidation). In this context, the foregoing debt char- acteristics are sufficient to cause a Note in- cluded in a Purchase Contract/Note unit to be treated as debt for federal income tax purposes. If the Note qualifies as debt, does § 163(l) prevent X from deducting the interest that accrues on the Note? Section 163(l)(1) disallows a deduc- tion for any interest paid or accrued on a “disqualified debt instrument.” Section 163(l)(2) defines a “disqualified debt in- strument” as indebtedness of a corporation that is payable in equity of the issuer or a related party. Section 163(l)(3) pro- vides that indebtedness shall be treated as “payable in equity” of the issuer or a related party only if (A) a substantial amount of the principal or interest is re- quired to be paid in or converted into, or at the option of the issuer or a related party is payable in or convertible into, such equity; (B) a substantial amount of the principal or interest is required to be determined, or at the option of the issuer or a related party is determined, by reference to the value of such equity; or (C) the indebt- edness is part of an arrangement that is August 25, 20033832003-34 I.R.B. reasonably expected to result in a trans- action described in (A) or (B). Section 163(l)(3) further provides that principal or interest shall be treated as required to be so paid, converted, or determined if it may be required at the option of the holder or a related party and there is a substantial certainty the option will be exercised. The legislative history of § 163(l)statesthatan instrument is treated as payable in stock if it is part of an arrangement designed to result in payment with or by reference to such stock, including certain issuances of a forward contract in connection with the issuance of debt, nonrecourse debt that is secured principally by such stock, or certain debt instruments that are con- vertible at the holder's option when it is substantially certain that the right will be exercised.SeeH.R. Conf. Rep. No. 220, 105 th Cong., 1 st Sess. 523–24 (1997), 1997–4 (Vol. 2) C.B. 1993–94. All of the interest payments on all of the Notes will be made in cash. The princi- pal payments on Separated Notes as well as Notes that have been sold in a remarket- ing will also be made in cash. Thus, if there is a successful remarketing, the principal payments on all of the Notes will be made in cash at the end of the 5-year term. If all of the remarketings fail, however,X's obli- gation to pay the stated principal amount of the Notes contained in the Purchase-Con- tract/Note units will be offset against the obligation of the holders to pay the Set- tlement Price on the Purchase Contracts. In that case, although the Note contained in a Purchase-Contract/Note unit techni- cally will be applied in satisfaction of the holder's obligation to pay the Settlement Price rather than paid in stock, the holder will effectively receiveX'sstockinsatis- faction of the stated principal amount of the Note. Thus, the Note may be consid- ered to be “paid in” or “converted into”X's stock for purposes of § 163(l)(3). Even without either a provision in the written terms of the Notes or any other understanding or agreement, in certain sit- uations the facts and circumstances might support a conclusion that the issuance was part of an arrangement reasonably expected, in effect, to giveXan option either to repay the Note withX's stock or to convert the Note intoX’s stock, or otherwise to result in such a repayment or conversion. For example, ifXdoes not use its best efforts to make the remarketing succeed and all of the remarketings fail, the holder in effect will be compelled to receiveX'sstockinsatisfactionofthe stated principal amount of the Note. In the instant transaction, however, sev- eral critical facts and contractual provi- sions support a contrary conclusion: 1.Xhas contracted to have the Notes re- marketed and such an undertaking is subject to the requirements and sanc- tions of the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C. 77a–77aa (2000); 2. It is substantially certain that a remar- keting of the Notes will succeed (in which case the Notes will remain out- standing until the Maturity Date and consequently will not be paid in, or converted into,X's stock); 3. The remarketing dates and the Matu- rity Date are such that the Notes will remain outstanding after the remar- keting for a period that is significant both absolutely and relative to the to- tal term of the Notes; and 4. On the Maturity Date,Xwill have an obligation to pay the principal amount of the Notes. Thus, absent specific evidence of bad faith with respect toX's performance of its obligation to remarket the Notes, these critical facts and contractual provisions support the conclusion that the transaction is not reasonably expected to giveXan option to pay the Notes in, or convert them into,X's stock, or to otherwise result in such a repayment or conversion. Conclusion The interest accruing on a Note con- tained in a Purchase-Contract/Note unit is deductible under § 163(a), and the deduc- tion is not disallowed under § 163(l). Four factors critical to this conclusion are: Critical Factor I. The holder has the unrestricted legal right to convert the Purchase-Contract/Note unit into a Purchase-Contract/Strip unit or to settle the Purchase Contract with sep- arate cash and retain the Note, and the holder is not economically compelled to keep the unit unseparated. Critical Factor II. The Purchase Con- tract provides that, in the event ofX's bankruptcy, the Purchase Contract will terminate and the associated Note or Strip will be released to the holder; and, on the Issue Date,Xreasonably believes, based on advice from coun- sel, that the provision would be en- forceable in bankruptcy and would re- sult in the holder of a Purchase-Con- tract/Note unit being treated as a cred- itor in the bankruptcy proceeding. Critical Factor III. The period the Notes will remain outstanding after a remarketing is significant, both abso- lutely and relative to the total term of the Notes. For purposes of this factor, Notes are considered to remain out- standing only during the period when they are not subject to redemption at the option of the issuer. Critical Factor IV. On the Issue Date, it is substantially certain that a remar- keting of the Notes will succeed. For purposes of this factor, a remarketing of the Notes is not substantially certain to succeed if the Reset Rate is capped. HOLDING Under the facts presented, the interest accruing on a Note contained in a Pur- chase-Contract/Note unit is deductible un- der § 163(a), and the deduction is not dis- allowed under § 163(l). PROSPECTIVE APPLICATION Under the authority of § 7805(b)(8), the holding of this revenue ruling will not be applied adversely with respect to a unit that was issued on or before August 22, 2003, provided that interest accruing on the unit would be deductible under this rev- enue ruling if— (1) Critical Factor II required only that, under the transaction documents, in the event of the issuer's bankruptcy, the Pur- chase Contract will terminate and the as- sociated Note or Treasury security will be released to the holder; and (2) Critical Factor IV required only that the issuer of the unit undertook a legal obli- gation to attempt to cause a remarketing to succeed and reasonably believed that a re- marketing would succeed. REQUEST FOR COMMENTS The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department are considering whether to issue regulations under § 163(l) 2003-34 I.R.B.384August 25, 2003 to address the policy issues raised by the transaction described in this ruling. The Internal Revenue Service and the Trea- sury Department request comments as to whether regulations should be promul- gated and, if so, what these regulations should provide. Comments should be submitted by October 22, 2003. Comments may be submitted to CC:PA:RU (Rev. Rul. 2003–97), room 5203, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604 Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Comments may be hand delivered between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Fri- day to CC:PA:RU (Rev. Rul. 2003–97), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Ser- vice, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Alternatively, com- ments may be submitted via the Internet at Notice.Comments@irscounsel.treas.gov. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue rul- ing is Charles Culmer of the Office of As- sociate Chief Counsel (Financial Institu- tions and Products). For further informa- tion regarding this revenue ruling, contact Mr. Culmer at (202) 622–3960 (not a toll-free call). Section 472.—Last-in, First-out Inventories 26 CFR 1.472–1: Last-in, first-out inventories. LIFO; price indexes; department stores.The June 2003 Bureau of Labor Statistics price indexes are accepted for use by department stores employing the retail inventory and last-in, first-out inven- tory methods for valuing inventories for tax years ended on, or with reference to, June 30, 2003. Rev. Rul. 2003–100 The following Department Store In- ventory Price Indexes for June 2003 were issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The indexes are accepted by the Internal Revenue Service, under § 1.472–1(k) of the Income Tax Regulations and Rev. Proc. 86–46, 1986–2 C.B. 739, for ap- propriate applicationtoinventoriesof department stores employing the retail inventory and last-in, first-out inventory methods for tax years ended on, or with reference to, June 30, 2003. The Department Store Inventory Price Indexes are prepared on a national basis and include (a) 23 major groups of depart- ments, (b) three special combinations of the major groups — soft goods, durable goods, and miscellaneous goods, and (c) a store total, which covers all departments, including some not listed separately, ex- cept for the following: candy, food, liquor, tobacco, and contract departments. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, DEPARTMENT ST ORE INVENTORY PRICE INDEXES BY DEPARTMENT G ROUPS (January 1941 = 100, unless otherwise no ted) GroupsJune 2002June 2003 Percent Change from June 2002 to June 2003 ¹ 1. PieceGoods .............................................494.9464.3-6.2 2. DomesticsandDraperies..................................577.6557.0-3.6 3. Women'sandChildren'sShoes.............................634.3629.1-0.8 4. Men'sShoes .............................................905.7849.5-6.2 5. Infants'Wear.............................................603.3588.9-2.4 6. Women'sUnderwear......................................525.1516.1-1.7 7. Women'sHosiery.........................................346.5348.90.7 8. Women's and Girls' Accessories............................537.2547.92.0 9. Women'sOuterwearandGirls'Wear........................369.7362.9-1.8 10. Men'sClothing...........................................580.7541.8-6.7 11. Men'sFurnishings........................................581.7570.2-2.0 12. Boys'ClothingandFurnishings ............................475.7449.6-5.5 13. Jewelry..................................................897.0877.8-2.1 14. Notions .................................................805.4791.4-1.7 15. ToiletArticlesandDrugs..................................981.0990.00.9 16. FurnitureandBedding ....................................626.2619.0-1.0 17. Floor Coveri ngs.......................................... 616.6586.6-4.9 18. Housewares..............................................756.2726.0-4.0 19. MajorAppliances.........................................221.0214.1-3.1 20. RadioandTelevision......................................49.445.4-8.1 21. Recreation and Education 2 .................................86.283.1-3.6 22. Home Improvements 2 .....................................125.5125.4-0.1 23. Aut o Accessories 2 ........................................ 110.9111.50.5 August 25, 20033852003-34 I.R.B. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, DEPARTMENT STORE INVENTORY PRICE INDEXES BY DEPARTMENT GROUPS (January 1941 = 100, unless otherwise noted) GroupsJune 2002June 2003 Percent Change from June 2002 to June 2003 ¹ Groups1–15:SoftGoods........................................571.9559.5-2.2 Groups16–20:DurableGoods...................................411.5395.6-3.9 Groups 21–23: Misc. Goods 2 ....................................96.494.4-2.1 Store Total 3 ..............................................512.9500.1-2.5 1 Absence of a minus sign before the percentage change in this column signifies a price increase. 2 Indexes on a January 1986 = 100 base. 3 The store total index covers all departments, including some not listed separately, except for the following: candy, food, liquor, tobacco and contract departments. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue rul- ing is Michael Burkom Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Account- ing). For further information regarding this revenue ruling, contact Mr. Burkom at (202) 622–7924 (not a toll-free call). Section 482.—Allocation of Income and Deductions Among Taxpayers 26 CFR 1.482–1: Reallocation of income and deduc- tions among unrelated parties to a lease strip. Lease stripping transaction.This rul- ing discusses whether section 482 of the Code may apply to allow allocations of the income and deductions arising from a lease stripping transaction entered into by parties that were unrelated at the time the income is stripped from the lease, solely on the basis that the parties were acting in concert or with a common goal or pur- pose, to arbitrarily shift income or deduc- tions among themselves. Rev. Rul. 2003–96 ISSUE Whether section 482 may apply to al- low allocations of the income and deduc- tions arising from the property that is the subject of a lease stripping transaction en- tered into and effected among parties that wereunrelateduptoandincludingthetime income is stripped from the lease pursuant to a plan promoted to realize tax benefits for one or more of the parties, solely on the basis that at such time the parties were act- inginconcertorwithacommongoalor purpose to arbitrarily shift income or de- ductions among themselves. FACTS A, a foreign corporation, purchases property from B, an equipment leasing company. At the time of the purchase, the property was subjectto pre-existing end user leases with varying terms extending over future years. A is not engaged in a trade or business within the United States and is exempt from U.S. taxation on U.S. source income, if any, from the end user leases under an applicable income tax treaty. A sells the right to all future rental income attributable to the end user leases to C. D, a domestic corporation, is the parent of an affiliated group of corporations that files a U.S. consolidated income tax return. After the rights to the future rental income have been sold to C, A transfers the leased property subject to the end user leases to E, a domestic corporation, in a purported section 351 transaction entered into with D where immediately after the transaction, A has non-voting preferred stock in E and D has 100% of the voting stock of E. E is a member of the D consolidated group (the “D group”) after the purported section 351 transaction. Subsequent depreciation deductions from the leased property are reflected on the consolidated return for the D group. The foregoing steps were undertaken pursuant to a plan promoted by P to A, B, C, and the D group to achieve U.S. income tax benefits for one or more of the parties. A, B, C, the D group, and P were unre- latedtooneanotheratalltimesuptoand including the time the income is stripped from the leases in the transaction between A and C, and A and D also were unre- lated to one another throughout the period in which tax benefits are claimed with re- spect to the lease stripping transaction. LAW AND ANALYSIS Section 482 provides, in part: In the case of two or more organiza- tions, trades, or businesses (whether or not incorporated, whether or not orga- nized in the United States, and whether or not affiliated) owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the same in- terests, the Secretary may distribute, apportion, or allocate gross income, deductions, credits, or allowances be- tween or among such organizations, trades, or businesses, if he determines that such distribution, apportionment, or allocation is necessary in order to prevent evasion of taxes or clearly to reflect the income of any of such orga- nizations. In determining whether or not two or more organizations, trades, or businesses are controlled directly or indirectly by the 2003-34 I.R.B.386August 25, 2003 same interests, control is defined to in- clude any kind of control, direct or indi- rect, whether legally enforceable or not, and however exercisable or exercised, in- cluding control resulting from the actions of two or more taxpayers acting in concert or with a common goal or purpose. Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(i)(4). It is the reality of control that is decisive, not its form or the mode of its exercise.Id.; Ach v. Commis- sioner, 42 T.C. 114 (1964),aff'd, 358 F.2d 342 (6th Cir.),cert. denied,385U.S.899 (1966). A presumption of control arises if income or deductions have been arbitrarily shifted. Treas. Reg. § 1.482–1(i)(4). Theissueundersection482iswhether an allocation between or among organiza- tions, trades, or businesses owned or con- trolled by the same interests is necessary to prevent the evasion of taxes or clearly to reflect the income of any of such orga- nizations, trades or businesses. Therefore, situations in which two or more taxpay- ers act in concert to control another organ- ization, trade or business with a common goal or purpose to arbitrarily shift income or deductions between one or more of such taxpayers and the controlled organization, trade or business are brought within the ap- plication of section 482 by the reference in section 1.482–1(i)(4) to “control resulting from the actions of two or more taxpayers acting in concert or with a common goal or purpose.” An example would be three equal and otherwise unrelated shareholders in a corporation that, acting in concert, indi- vidually purchase from or sell items to the corporation at prices that differ from those that would be charged by unrelated parties in similar circumstances. Even though none of the shareholders individ- ually has actual or effective control of the corporation, where the shareholders act in concert with a common goal of shifting income or deductions from or to the cor- poration, section 1.482–1(i)(4) provides that each shareholder is considered to control the corporation for purposes of the application of section 482.See, e.g., B. Forman Co., Inc. v. Commissioner,453 F.2d 1144 (2d Cir. 1972),cert. denied, 407 U.S. 934,rehearing denied,409U.S. 899 (1972),aff'g in part,andrev'ginpart, 54 T.C. 912 (1970);South Texas Rice Warehouse Co. v. Commissioner,366 F.2d 890 (5th Cir. 1966),aff'g43 T.C. 540 (1965),cert. denied, 386 U.S. 1016 (1967). By contrast, the fact that unrelated parties engage in a transaction does not by itself evidence the type of control nec- essary to satisfy the “acting in concert or with a common goal or purpose” require- ment of section 1.482–1(i)(4), regardless of whether such transaction may be viewed as having arbitrarily shifted income be- tween the otherwise unrelated parties. An application of section 1.482–1(i)(4) to this type of situation would be inconsistent with the policies underlying section 482, which provides for allocations between or among organizations, trades or businesses “owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the same interests.” Under the facts, the lease stripping transaction occurred among parties that themselves were unrelated to one another up to and including the time the income is stripped from the leases. Up to and includ- ing the time the income is stripped from the leases, there were not two or more of such parties and another organization, trade or business which such parties acted in concert to control.Accordingly, at that time, the parties did not “act in concert or with a common goal or purpose” within the meaning of section 1.482–1(i)(4). HOLDING The facts described up to and includ- ing the time the income is stripped from the leases do not support the application of section 482 to allow the allocation among the parties of the income and deductions arising from the property that is the sub- ject of the lease stripping transaction. The fact that parties that were unrelated up to and including the time of a transaction engage in that transaction in an attempt to arbitrarily shiftincome or deductions among themselves does not by itself evi- dence the type of control necessary to sat- isfy the “acting in concert or with a com- mon goal or purpose” requirement of sec- tion 1.482–1(i)(4). This ruling does not ad- dress whether A is considered to control E for purposes of the application of section 482 by reason of A and D entering into the purported section 351 transaction with E. No inference is intended concerning the treatment of lease stripping transac- tions for federal income tax purposes. The Internal Revenue Service will challenge lease stripping transactions on other legal grounds.SeeNotice 2003–55, 2003–34 I.R.B. 395, August 25, 2003. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal authors of this revenue ruling are Sheila Ramaswamy and J. Peter Luedtke of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (International). For further infor- mation regarding this revenue ruling, con- tact Sheila Ramaswamy at 202–622–3870 or J. Peter Luedtke at 202–435–5265 (not toll-free calls). Section 6011.—General Requirement of Return, Statement, or List 26 CFR 1.6011–4(b)(2) If one participant in a transaction claims to real- ize rental or other income from property and another participant claims the deductions related to that in- come, will the separation of income from related de- ductions be disallowed and will the transaction be a lease strip that is a listed transaction subject to the re- quirements of sections 6011 and 1.6011-4(b)(2). See Notice 2003-55, page 395. Section 6111.—Registration of Tax Shelters If one participant in a transaction claims to realize rental or other income from property and another par- ticipant claims the deductions related to that income, will the separation of income from related deductions be disallowed and will the transaction be a lease strip that is a listed transaction subject to the requirements of section 6111. See Notice 2003-55, page 395. Section 6112.—Organizers and Sellers of Potentially Abusive Tax Shelters Must Keep Lists of Investors If one participant in a transact ion claims to realize rental or other income from prop erty and another par- ticipant claims the deducti ons related to that income, will the separation of incom e from related deductions be disallowed and will the t ransaction be a lease strip that is a listed transactio n subject to the requirements of section 6112. See Notic e 2003-55, page 395. Section 7805.—Rules and Regulations 26 CFR 301.7805–1: Rules and regulations. Rev. Rul. 2003-97 provides guidance on whether interest accruing on a note is deductible under section August 25, 20033872003-34 I.R.B. 163(a), and whether the deduction is disallowed un- der section 163(1), when a corporation issues units, each consisting of instruments in the form of a note and a forward contract to purchase a quantity of the corporation’s common stock. The holding of the rev- enue ruling is modified for units issued on or before August 22, 2003. See Rev. Rul. 2003-97, page 380. Obsolete revenue rulings.This ruling publishes a list of previously published rul- ings that have been identified as no longer determinative with respect to future trans- actions. Rev. Rul. 2003–99 The Internal Revenue Service is con- tinuing its program of reviewing rulings (including revenue rulings, revenue proce- dures, and notices) published in the Inter- nal Revenue Bulletin to identify and pub- lish lists of those rulings that, although not specifically revoked or superseded, are no longer considered determinative because (1) the applicable statutory provisions or regulations have been changed or repealed; (2) the ruling position is specifically cov- ered by statute, regulations, or subsequent published position; or (3) the facts set forth no longer exist or are not sufficiently de- scribed to permit clear application of the current statute and regulations. This revenue ruling publishes a list of rulings that have been identified under the Service's review program as no longer be- ing determinative. The rulings are catego- rized by the Associate Chief Counsel of- fices that have primary jurisdiction over the subject matter of the rulings being ob- soleted. Accordingly, the rulings listed below are hereby declared obsolete. Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting) Ruling No.C.B. Citation Rev. Rul. 70–2861970–1 C.B. 113 Rev. Proc. 68–411968–2 C.B. 943 Notice 95–501995–2 C.B. 333 Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries) Ruling No.C.B. Citation Rev. Rul. 77–4051977–2 C.B. 381 Rev. Rul. 79–291979–1 C.B. 358 Rev. Proc. 89–121989–1 C.B. 798 Rev. Proc. 91–131991–1 C.B. 477 Rev. Proc. 92–331992–1 C.B. 782 Rev. Proc. 92–351992–1 C.B. 790 Rev. Proc. 92–881992–1 C.B. 496 Rev. Proc. 94–461994–2 C.B. 688 Rev. Proc. 95–101995–1 C.B. 501 Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate) Ruling No.C.B. Citation Rev. Rul. 54–1391954–1 C.B. 105 Rev. Rul. 54–396 1 1954–2 C.B. 147 Rev. Rul. 56–1281956–1 C.B. 442 Rev. Rul. 56–1601956–1 C.B. 633 Rev. Rul. 56–2121956–1 C.B. 170 Rev. Rul. 56–2201956–1 C.B. 191 Rev. Rul. 56–2711956–1 C.B. 440 1 Rev. Rul. 54–396 was declared obsolete by T.D. 8885, 2000–1 C.B. 1260, 1261, and is included in this ruling to allow easier confirmation of its obsoletestatus. 2003-34 I.R.B.388August 25, 2003 Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate) Ruling No.C.B. Citation Rev. Rul. 56–3441956–2 C.B. 195 Rev. Rul. 56–4481956–2 C.B. 130 Rev. Rul. 56–4511956–2 C.B. 208 Rev. Rul. 56–5861956–2 C.B. 214 Rev. Rul. 56–6801956–2 C.B. 597 Rev. Rul. 56–6811956–2 C.B. 597 Rev. Rul. 57–2961957–2 C.B. 234 Rev. Rul. 58–921958–1 C.B. 174 Rev. Rul. 59–1081959–1 C.B. 72 Rev. Rul. 59–1201959–1 C.B. 74 Rev. Rul. 59–1221959–1 C.B. 230 Rev. Rul. 59–2331959–2 C.B. 106 Rev. Rul. 59–3261959–2 C.B. 197 Rev. Rul. 59–4001959–2 C.B. 114 Rev. Rul. 59–4121959–2 C.B. 108 Rev. Rul. 60–491960–1 C.B. 148 Rev. Rul. 60–2461960–2 C.B. 462 Rev. Rul. 60–2621960–2 C.B. 114 Rev. Rul. 61–961961–1 C.B. 68 Rev. Rul. 64–1471964–1 C.B. 136 Rev. Rul. 64–1771964–1 C.B. 141 Rev. Rul. 65–1101965–1 C.B. 438 Rev. Rul. 66–23 2 1966–1 C.B. 67 Rev. Rul. 66–2901966–2 C.B. 112 Rev. Rul. 67–1861967–1 C.B. 81 Rev. Rul. 67–1891967–1 C.B. 255 Rev. Rul. 67–3261967–2 C.B. 143 Rev. Rul. 68–3881968–2 C.B. 122 Rev. Rul. 68–4341968–2 C.B. 137 Rev. Rul. 69–181969–1 C.B. 188 Rev. Rul. 69–201969–1 C.B. 202 Rev. Rul. 69–2411969–1 C.B. 200 Rev. Rul. 69–4261969–2 C.B. 48 Rev. Rul. 70–61970–1 C.B. 172 Rev. Rul. 70–1111970–1 C.B. 184 Rev. Rul. 70–3781970–2 C.B. 178 2 Rev. Rul. 66–23 was declared obsolete by T.D. 8760, 1998–1 C.B. 803, 805, and is included in this ruling to allow easier confirmation of its obsolete status. August 25, 20033892003-34 I.R.B. Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate) Ruling No.C.B. Citation Rev. Rul. 70–4091970–2 C.B. 79 Rev. Rul. 70–4961970–2 C.B. 74 Rev. Rul. 71–3841971–2 C.B. 181 Rev. Rul. 71–4401971–2 C.B. 326 Rev. Rul. 72–611972–1 C.B. 281 Rev. Rul. 72–2121972–1 C.B. 291 Rev. Rul. 72–4721972–2 C.B. 202 Rev. Rul. 72–6031972–2 C.B. 517 Rev. Rul. 73–2571973–1 C.B. 189 Rev. Rul. 73–2771973–1 C.B. 296 Rev. Rul. 73–4731973–2 C.B. 115 Rev. Rul. 73–4901973–2 C.B. 110 Rev. Rul. 73–4981973–2 C.B. 316 Rev. Rul. 74–731974–1 C.B. 254 Rev. Rul. 74–871974–1 C.B. 72 Rev. Rul. 74–2111974–1 C.B. 76 Rev. Rul. 74–4761974–2 C.B. 104 Rev. Rul. 74–6101974–2 C.B. 288 Rev. Rul. 75–541975–1 C.B. 293 Rev. Rul. 75–1601975–1 C.B. 112 Rev. Rul. 75–1741975–1 C.B. 252 Rev. Rul. 75–1791975–1 C.B. 103 Rev. Rul. 75–2121975–1 C.B. 107 Rev. Rul. 75–2481975–1 C.B. 125 Rev. Rul. 75–4681975–2 C.B. 115 Rev. Rul. 75–5151975–2 C.B. 117 Rev. Rul. 75–5611975–2 C.B. 129 Rev. Rul. 76–901976–1 C.B. 101 Rev. Rul. 76–2391976–1 C.B. 90 Rev. Rul. 76–3471976–2 C.B. 253 Rev. Rul. 77–811977–1 C.B. 97 Rev. Rul. 77–1501977–1 C.B. 88 Rev. Rul. 77–2561977–2 C.B. 96 Rev. Rul. 77–2841977–2 C.B. 97 Rev. Rul. 77–3211977–2 C.B. 98 Rev. Rul. 77–4561977–2 C.B. 102 Rev. Rul. 77–4831977–2 C.B. 244 2003-34 I.R.B.390August 25, 2003 Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate) Ruling No.C.B. Citation Rev. Rul. 78–891978–1 C.B. 272 Rev. Rul. 78–2871978–2 C.B. 146 Rev. Rul. 78–4411978–2 C.B. 152 Rev. Rul. 79–711979–1 C.B. 151 Rev. Rul. 79–821979–1 C.B. 141 Rev. Rul. 79–1041979–1 C.B. 263 Rev. Rul. 79–3141979–2 C.B. 132 Rev. Rul. 80–791980–1 C.B. 191 Rev. Rul. 80–1011980–1 C.B. 70 Rev. Rul. 80–3581980–2 C.B. 110 Rev. Rul. 81–1901981–2 C.B. 84 Rev. Rul. 81–2471981–2 C.B. 87 Rev. Rul. 82–1641982–2 C.B. 77 Rev. Rul. 83–1191983–2 C.B. 57 Rev. Rul. 84–301984–1 C.B. 114 Rev. Rul. 85–551985–1 C.B. 323 Rev. Rul. 85–1361985–2 C.B. 194 Rev. Rul. 86–521986–1 C.B. 204 Rev. Rul. 87–11987–1 C.B. 132 Rev. Proc. 91–111991–1 C.B. 470 Rev. Proc. 91–391991–2 C.B. 694 Rev. Proc. 95–111995–1 C.B. 505 Rev. Proc. 95–391995–2 C.B. 399 Associate Chief Counsel (International) Ruling No.C.B. Citation Rev. Rul. 561953–1 C.B. 303 Rev. Rul. 55–1051955–1 C.B. 94 Rev. Rul. 55–3721955–1 C.B. 339 Rev. Rul. 57–1161957–1 C.B. 245 Rev. Rul. 57–5421957–2 C.B. 462 Rev. Rul. 58–6181958–2 C.B. 430 Rev. Rul. 59–3561959–2 C.B. 177 Rev. Rul. 60–3071960–2 C.B. 214 Rev. Rul. 63–1571963–2 C.B. 296 Rev. Rul. 63–2241963–2 C.B. 297 Rev. Rul. 63–2481963–2 C.B. 623 August 25, 20033912003-34 I.R.B. Associate Chief Counsel (International) Ruling No.C.B. Citation Rev. Rul. 64–2851964–2 C.B. 184 Rev. Rul. 65–2601965–2 C.B. 243 Rev. Rul. 65–2731965–2 C.B. 240 Rev. Rul. 66–41966–1 C.B. 177 Rev. Rul. 68–3091968–1 C.B. 338 Rev. Rul. 68–4771968–2 C.B. 317 Rev. Rul. 68–5221968–2 C.B. 320 Rev. Rul. 68–6081968–2 C.B. 309 Rev. Rul. 68–6401968–2 C.B. 321 Rev. Rul. 68–6411968–2 C.B. 325 Rev. Rul. 69–3611969–1 C.B. 193 Rev. Rul. 69–4851969–2 C.B. 158 Rev. Rul. 69–5171969–2 C.B. 149 Rev. Rul. 70–2291970–1 C.B. 164 Rev. Rul. 70–2301970–1 C.B. 166 Rev. Rul. 70–2641970–1 C.B. 165 Rev. Rul. 71–131971–1 C.B. 217 Rev. Rul. 71–4531971–2 C.B. 292 Rev. Rul. 71–4541971–2 C.B. 294 Rev. Rul. 71–4951971–2 C.B. 311 Rev. Rul. 71–5181971–2 C.B. 293 Rev. Rul. 71–5651971–2 C.B. 266 Rev. Rul. 71–5821971–2 C.B. 274 Rev. Rul. 72–1161972–1 C.B. 220 Rev. Rul. 72–3571972–2 C.B. 456 Rev. Rul. 72–5261972–2 C.B. 450 Rev. Rul. 72–5991972–2 C.B. 458 Rev. Rul. 73–461973–1 C.B. 342 Rev. Rul. 73–1191973–1 C.B. 348 Rev. Rul. 73–1821973–1 C.B. 350 Rev. Rul. 74–61974–1 C.B. 191 Rev. Rul. 74–59 3 1974–1 C.B. 183 Rev. Rul. 74–831974–1 C.B. 184 Rev. Rul. 74–3761974–2 C.B. 215 Rev. Rul. 74–5211974–2 C.B. 208 Rev. Rul. 75–531975–1 C.B. 234 3 Rev. Rul. 74–59 was declared obsolete by T.D. 8708, 1997–1 C.B. 137, 139, and is included in this ruling to allow easier confirmation of its obsolete status. 2003-34 I.R.B.392August 25, 2003 Associate Chief Counsel (International) Ruling No.C.B. Citation Rev. Rul. 75–1051975–1 C.B. 29 Rev. Rul. 75–1061975–1 C.B. 31 Rev. Rul. 75–1071975–1 C.B. 32 Rev. Rul. 75–1111975–1 C.B. 251 Rev. Rul. 75–1341975–1 C.B. 33 Rev. Rul. 75–2981975–2 C.B. 290 Rev. Rul. 75–3411975–2 C.B. 308 Rev. Rul. 75–4261975–2 C.B. 292 Rev. Rul. 76–441976–1 C.B. 127 Rev. Rul. 76–671976–1 C.B. 208 Rev. Rul. 76–3291976–2 C.B. 223 Rev. Rul. 76–5351976–2 C.B. 219 Rev. Rul. 77–411977–1 C.B. 226 Rev. Rul. 77–3431977–2 C.B. 255 Rev. Rul. 77–4821977–2 C.B. 242 Rev. Rul. 79–1161979–1 C.B. 213 Rev. Rul. 79–4241979–2 C.B. 405 Rev. Rul. 80–781980–1 C.B. 171 Rev. Rul. 80–1671980–1 C.B. 176 Rev. Rul. 80–1701980–1 C.B. 285 Rev. Rul. 82–2261982–2 C.B. 156 Rev. Rul. 83–1011983–2 C.B. 147 Rev. Rul. 84–281984–1 C.B. 177 Rev. Rul. 88–71988–1 C.B. 269 Rev. Rul. 89–721989–1 C.B. 257 Rev. Proc. 68–231968–1 C.B. 821 Rev. Proc. 90–191990–1 C.B. 495 Notice 87–51987–1 C.B. 416 Notice 87–661987–2 C.B. 376 Notice 94–461994–1 C.B. 356 The Service will continue to review other rulings to ascertain those that, for the reasons stated above, are inapplicable to future transactions. Therefore, failure to include any particular ruling in the above list should not be construed as an indication that the ruling necessarily is determinative with respect to future trans- actions. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue ruling is Marnette Myers of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting). For further information regarding the rulings obsoleted in this revenue ruling, contact the following per- sons from the appropriate Associate Chief Counsel offices (not a toll-free call): August 25, 20033932003-34 I.R.B. NameAssociate Chief CounselTelephone No. Marnette MyersIncome Tax and Accounting(202) 622–4920 Louis SolomonPassthroughs and Special Industries(202) 622–3010 Wayne MurrayCorporate(202) 622–7700 Kelly Myers KoganInternational(202) 622–3810 2003-34 I.R.B.394August 25, 2003 Part III. Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous Accounting for Lease Strips and Other Stripping Transactions Notice 2003–55 Notice 95–53, 1995–2 C.B. 334, ad- dresses certain tax consequences of lease strips or stripping transactions. Lease strips are transactions in which one par- ticipant claims to realize rental or other income from property and another par- ticipant claims the deductions related to that income (for example, depreciation or rental expenses). Lease strips may take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, those in the following examples. (a)A lease strip effected through a transferred basis transaction. In exchange for consideration, one participant sells, assigns, or otherwise transfers (“assigns”) the right to receive future payments under a lease of tangible property, and treats the amount realized from the assignment as its current income. The participant later transfers the property (subject to the lease) in a transaction intended to qualify as a transferred basis transaction, such as a transaction described in § 351 of the Inter- nal Revenue Code. The transferee often is not identified until after the transferor has assigned the future payments. Typically, the transferor (or a partner in a partnership that is a transferor) is generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax or has available net operating losses, and the equity of the transferee is owned predominantly by persons other than the transferor. (b)A lease strip effected through a transfer of an interest in a partnership (or other pass-through entity). In exchange for consideration, the partnership assigns its right to receive future payments under a lease of tangible property and allocates the amount realized from the assignment to its current partners (many of whom are generally not subject to federal income tax or have available net operating losses). The partnership retains the underlying property, and thereafter, there is a transfer or redemption of a partnership interest by one or more partners to whom the partner- ship allocated the income that it reported from the assignment. The transfer or re- demption is structured to avoid a reduction in the basis of partnership property. (c)A lease strip effected by a single par- ticipant. A participant assigns its right to receive future payments under a lease of tangible property at a time when that par- ticipant is not subject to U.S. federal in- cometaxorinamannerinwhichthere- alized amount is not includible in comput- ing the participant's U.S. federal income tax and that same participant or a successor claims deductions related to that income for purposes of U.S. federal income tax. In addition to transactions described above, this notice applies to lease strips involving licenses of intangible property, service contracts, leaseholds or other non-fee interests in property, and the prepayment, front-loading, or retention (rather than assignment) of rights to re- ceive future payments. DISCUSSION The Internal Revenue Service has con- cluded that lease strips improperly sepa- rate income from related deductions and generally do not produce the tax conse- quences desired by the participants. De- pending on the facts of a particular case, the Service may apply one or more Code sections or theories to challenge a lease strip. For example, the Service may ap- ply §§ 165, 269, 382, 446(b), 701, or 704. The Service also may challenge certain as- signments or accelerations of future pay- ments as financings. Finally, the Service, as appropriate, may assert that there is no valid partnership or may apply various ju- dicial doctrines, such as the doctrines of assignment-of-income, business purpose, substance-over-form, step transaction, or sham. Recently, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held that the partnershipusedinaleasestripwasnot a valid partnership because the partici- pants did not join together for a non-tax business purpose.Andantech L.L.C. v. Commissioner, Nos. 02–1213; 02–1215, (D.C. Cir. June 17, 2003), 2003 U.S. App. LEXIS 11908,aff'g in part and remanding for reconsideration of other issuesT.C. Memo 2002–97 (2002). Also, inNicole Rose v. Commissioner, 320 F.3d 282 (2d Cir. 2002),aff’g per curiam117 T.C. 328 (2001), the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the Tax Court’s determination that a lease transfer did not have economic substance. Transactions that are the same as, or substantially similar to, the lease strips described in this notice are identified as “listed transactions” for purposes of § 1.6011–4(b)(2) of the Income Tax Regulations and §§ 301.6111–2(b)(2) and 301.6112–1(b)(2) of the Proce- dure and Administration Regulations. Independent of their classification as “listed transactions” for purposes of §§ 1.6011–4(b)(2), 301.6111–2(b)(2), and 301.6112–1(b)(2), transactions that are the same as, or substantially similar to, the transaction described in this notice may already be subject to the disclosure requirements of § 6011, the tax shelter registration requirements of § 6111, or the list maintenance requirements of § 6112 (§§ 1.6011–4, 301.6111–1T, 301.6111–2, and 301.6112–1). Persons required to register these tax shelters who have failed to register the shelters may be subject to the penalty under § 6707(a). Persons re- quired to maintain a list of investors under § 6112 may be subject to the penalty under § 6708(a) if the requirements of § 6112 are not satisfied. Finally, the Service may impose penal- ties on participants in lease strip transac- tions or, as applicable, on persons who par- ticipate in the promotion or reporting of lease strips, including the accuracy-related penalty under § 6662 and the return pre- parer penalty under § 6694. In addition, the Service is currently evaluating other situations in which tax benefits are claimed as a result of transac- tions in which the ownership of property has been separated from the right to in- come from the property. For example, the Service is evaluating situations in which, in exchange for consideration, one participant assigns its interest in property but retains the right to income from the property, and, by allocating all of its basis to the transferred property and none to the retained future payments, the transferor claims a loss on the transfer. This Notice 2003–55 modifies and su- persedes Notice 95–53. August 25, 20033952003-34 I.R.B. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this notice is Pamela Lew of the Office of Assistant Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products). For further information regard- ing this notice, contact Ms. Lew at (202) 622–3950 (not a toll-free call). Section 45D.—New Markets Tax Credit Notice 2003–56 PURPOSE The purpose of this notice is to an- nounce that the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service will amend § 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(ii) of the temporary In- come Tax Regulations to provide an ad- ditional exception permitting certain eq- uity investments made before the receipt of a new markets tax credit allocation under § 45D(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code to be designated as qualified equity invest- ments under § 45D(b)(1)(C). BACKGROUND Section 45D(a)(1) provides a new mar- kets tax credit on certain credit allowance dates described in § 45D(a)(3) with re- spect to a qualified equity investment in a qualified community development entity (CDE). Section 45D(b)(1)(C) provides that an equity investment in a CDE is a qualified equity investment only if the CDE desig- nates the investment as a qualified equity investment. Section 45D(c)(1) provides that an en- tity is a CDE only if, among other require- ments, the entity is certified by the Secre- tary of the Treasury Department as a CDE. Section 45D(b)(2) provides that the maximum amount of equity investments issued by a CDE that may be designated by the CDE as qualified equity invest- ments shall not exceed the portion of the new markets tax credit limitation set forth in § 45D(f)(1) that is allocated to the CDE by the Secretary under § 45D(f)(2). Section 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(i) pro- vides that, except as provided in § 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(ii), an equity invest- ment in an entity is not eligible to be designated as a qualified equity invest- ment if it is made before the entity enters into an allocation agreement with the Sec- retary. An “allocation agreement” is an agreement between the Secretary and a CDE relating to a new markets tax credit allocation under § 45D(f)(2). Section 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(ii) provides that, notwithstanding § 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(i), an equity investment in an entity is eligi- ble to be designated as a qualified equity investment if — (A) the equity investment is made on or after April 20, 2001; (B) the entity in which the equity investment is made is certified by the Secretary as a CDE under § 45D(c) before January 1, 2003; (C) the entity in which the equity investment is made receives notification of the credit allocation (with the actual receipt of such creditallocation contin- gent upon subsequently entering into an allocation agreement)from the Secretary before January 1, 2003; and (D) the equity investment otherwise satisfies the require- ments of § 45D and § 1.45D–1T. The Secretary has delegated certain administrative functions relating to the new markets tax credit program to the Under Secretary (Domestic Finance), who in turn has delegated those functions to the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). The del- egated administrative functions include CDE certifications and new markets tax credit allocations. Notice 2003–9, 2003–5 I.R.B. 369, announces that the Treasury Depart- ment and the Service will amend § 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(ii) to provide that, notwithstanding § 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(i), an equity investment in an entity is eligible to be designated as a qualified equity in- vestment under § 1.45D–1T(c)(1)(iii) if— (1) the equity investment is made on or after April 20, 2001; (2) the designation of the equity investment as a qualified equity investment is made for a credit al- location received pursuant to an allocation application submitted to the CDFI Fund no later than August 29, 2002; and (3) the equity investment otherwise satisfies the requirements of § 45D and § 1.45D–1T. DISCUSSION In order to encourage equity in- vestments in CDEs, the Treasury De- partment and the Service will amend § 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(ii) to provide an ad- ditional exception permitting an equity investment made on or after the date the CDFI Fund publishes a Notice of Allocation of Availability (NOAA) in theFederal Registerto be designated as a qualified equity investment. Ac- cordingly, § 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(ii) will be revised to provide that, notwithstanding § 1.45D–1T(c)(3)(i), an equity investment in an entity is eligible to be designated as a qualified equity investment under § 1.45D–1T(c)(1)(iii) if: 1. The equity investment is made on or after the date the CDFI Fund publishes a NOAA in theFederal Register; 2. The designation of the equity invest- ment as a qualified equity investment is made for a credit allocation received pur- suant to an allocation application submit- ted to the CDFI Fund under that NOAA; and 3. The equity investment otherwise satisfies the requirements of § 45D and §1.45D–1T. If the entity in which the equity invest- ment is made does not receive an alloca- tion under that NOAA, the equity invest- ment will not be eligible to be designated as a qualified equity investment under fu- ture NOAAs. The temporary regulations will be re- vised to incorporate the guidance set forth in this notice and Notice 2003–9. The re- vision to the temporary regulations reflect- ing the additional exception under this no- tice will be effective for equity investments made on or after July 18, 2003. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this notice is Paul Handleman of the Office of Asso- ciate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries). For further infor- mation regarding this notice, contact Mr. Handleman at (202) 622–3040 (not a toll-free call) 2003-34 I.R.B.396August 25, 2003 Canadian Retirement Plan Trust Reporting Notice 2003–57 Section 1. General Foreign Trust Reporting Requirements for Certain Canadian Retirement Plans Internal Revenue Code section 6048 re- quires information reporting with respect to certain foreign trusts. Persons sub- ject to these information reporting rules must file Form 3520 (Annual Return to Report Transactions With Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts)or Form 3520–A (Annual Information Return ofForeignTrustWithaU.S.Owner), as ap- plicable. In Notice 2003–25, 2003–18 I.R.B. 855, Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service recognized that some taxpay- ers with interests in certain Canadian retirement savings plans, as well as the custodians of such plans, were unfamiliar with the requirements for filing Forms 3520 and 3520–A. Accordingly, Notice 2003–25 provides an automatic extension until August 15, 2003, for any person who is required to file a 2002 Form 3520 or Form 3520–A with respect to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (“RRSP”), Reg- istered Retirement Income Fund (“RRIF”) or other eligible plan within the meaning of section 3 of Revenue Procedure 2002–23, 2002–1 C.B. 744. Notice 2003–25 further provides that Treasury and the IRS are considering establishing for future tax- able years a simplified reporting regime for RRSPs and persons with interests in RRSPs and coordinating the reporting re- quirements with the election described in section 4 of Revenue Procedure 2002–23. Section 2. Relief from 2002 Foreign Trust Reporting Requirements for Certain Canadian Retirement Plans Treasury and the IRS are cont inuing to work toward implementat ion of an al- ternative, simplified re porting regime for Canadian retirement plan s for future tax- able years. Treasury an dtheIRShave concluded, however, t hat additional relief with respect to 2002 Fo rm 3520 and Form 3520–A reporting req uirements should be provided to RRSPs and RRIFs and their beneficiaries. First, with respect to the 2002 taxable year, if the beneficiary of an RRSP or RRIF (a) makes or has made an election with respect to the plan in accordance with section 4 of Revenue Procedure 2002–23 or section 3 of this notice, (b) complies or has complied with the annual report- ing requirements of Revenue Procedure 2002–23 for the taxable year, and (c) re- ceived no distributions from the plan dur- ing his or her 2002 taxable year, then no Form 3520 or Form 3520–A with respect to the plan is required. Second, an individual, RRSP or RRIF that has filed or files a Form 3520 or Form 3520–A for the 2002 taxable year that does not provide all appropriate information may be requested by the IRS to provide such information. Unless the IRS re- quests such information and the individual or plan fails to provide the IRS with the informationidentifiedinsuchrequest,no individual or plan that has filed or files a Form 3520 or Form 3520–A with respect to the 2002 taxable year will be subject to failure to file penalties. The individual or plan should write the following on the top of the first page of the Form 3520 or Form 3520–A: “CANADIAN RRSP” OR “CANADIAN RRIF” as the case may be. Section 3. Automatic Extension of Time to Make Election Described in Section 4 of Revenue Procedure 2002–23 Section 4 of Revenue Procedure 2002–23 provides procedures under which a beneficiary of an RRSP or RRIF may elect to defer U.S. income tax on the beneficiary's share of income accru ed in the plan until that income is distri buted to the beneficiary. A beneficiary m akes this election by attaching to his o rher timely filed (including extensio ns) United States federal income tax return for the current year the statement desc ribed in section 4.01. The election ap plies to the beneficiary’s current taxa ble year and all subsequent taxable years. P ursuant to section 301.9100–2(b) thr ough (d) of the Procedure and Administrat ion Regula- tions, an individual who t imely filed his or her United States fed eral income tax return for the 2002 taxa ble year without making the election de scribed in section 4 of Revenue Procedur e 2002–23 with respect to an RRSP or R RIF, and who wouldliketomaketh e election for the 2002 taxable year, may make the elec- tion by filing an amended 2002 federal income tax return by the date that is 6 months after the due date of the return, excluding extensions, and attaching to the amended return the statement described in section 4.01 of Revenue Procedure 2002–23. The individual must provide the following statement at the top of the amended return: “FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 301.9100–2.” The principal author of this notice is Amanda A. Ehrlich of the Office of As- sociate Chief Counsel (International). For further information regarding this notice, contact Amanda A. Ehrlich or Willard W. Yates at (202) 622–3880 (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 I, § 42; 1.42–14.) Rev. Proc. 2003–67 SECTION 1. PURPOSE This revenue procedure publishes the amounts of unused housing credit carry- overs allocated to qualified states under § 42(h)(3)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code for calendar year 2003. SECTION 2. BACKGROUND Rev. Proc. 92–31, 1992–1 C.B. 775, provides guidance to state housing credit agencies of qualified states on the pro- cedure for requesting an allocation of unused housing credit carryovers under §42(h)(3)(D).Section4.06ofRev. Proc. 92–31 provides that the Internal Rev- enue Service will publish in the Internal Revenue Bulletin the amount of unused housing credit carryovers allocated to qualified states for a calendar year from a national pool of unused credit authority (the National Pool). This revenue proce- dure publishes these amounts for calendar year 2003. SECTION 3. PROCEDURE The unused housing cr edit carryover amount allocated fr om the National Pool by the Secretary to each qualified state for calendar year 2003 is as follows: August 25, 20033972003-34 I.R.B. Qualified StateAmount Allocated Alabama $133,549 California1,045,289 Connecticut103,008 Florida497,496 Indiana183,335 Kentucky121,832 Maine38,532 Maryland162,471 Massachusetts191,335 Michigan299,169 Minnesota149,421 Mississippi85,484 Missouri168,854 Nebraska51,472 New Hampshire37,954 New Jersey255,705 New York570,257 Ohio339,974 Oregon104,824 Rhode Island31,842 South Carolina122,257 Tennessee172,566 Texas648,316 Utah68,947 Vermont18,354 Virginia217,105 Washington180,654 SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE This revenue procedure is effective for allocations of housing credit dollar amounts attributable to the National Pool component of a qualified state’s housing credit ceiling for calendar year 2003. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this procedure is Christopher J. Wilson of the Office of As- sociate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries). For further informa- tion regarding this revenue procedure, con- tact Mr. Wilson at (808) 539–2874 or Susan Reaman at (202) 622–3040 (not toll- free calls). 26 CFR 601.105: Examination of returns and claims for refund, credit, or abatement; determination of correct tax liability. (Also, Part 1, 280G.) Rev. Proc. 2003–68 SECTION 1. PURPOSE This revenue procedure provides guid- ance on the valuation of stock options solely for purposes of §§ 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. This revenue procedure restates and modifies Revenue Procedure 2002–13, 2002–1 C.B. 549, as modified by Revenue Procedure, 2002–45, 2002–27 I.R.B 40. SECTION 2. BACKGROUND Section 280G denies a deduction for any excess parachute payment. Section 4999 imposes a nondeductible 20-percent excise tax on the recipient of any excess parachute payment, within the meaning of §280G(b). An excess parachute payment is defined in § 280G(b)(1) as an amount equal to the excess of any parachute payment over the portion of the disqualified individual’s base amount that is allocated to such pay- ment. Section 280G(b)(2)(A) defines a parachute payment as any payment in the nature of compensation to (or for the benefit of) a disqualified individual if (i) such payment is contingent on a change in the ownership of a corporation, the effective control of a corporation, or the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation (a change in own- ership or control), and (ii) the aggregate present value of the payments in the nature of compensation which are contingent on such change equals or exceeds an amount equal to 3 times the base amount. A parachute payment also includes any payment in the nature of compensation to, or for the benefit of, a disqualified individual if the payment is pursuant to an agreement that violates any generally enforced securities laws or regulations. A payment in the nature of compen- sation for purposes of § 280G includes thetransferofanoption(includinganop- tion to which § 421 applies), without re- gard to whether the option has a readily ascertainable fair market value within the meaning of § 83. An option is consid- ered transferred when the option becomes substantially vested (within the meaning of § 1.83–3(b) and (j) of the Income Tax Reg- ulations). Thus, for purposes of § 280G, stock options must be valued when a pay- ment in the nature of compensation in- cludes the transfer of a stock option, such as the grant or vesting of a stock option, in connection with a change in ownership or control. This revenue procedure provides guidance on the valuation of a stock option for this purpose. However, this revenue procedure does not apply for purposes of valuing a payment in cash (or property), even though the amount of the payment is determined by reference to the cancel- lation of a stock option. Pursuant to §1.280G–1, Q/A–13, the value of an option is determined under all the facts and circumstances in the partic- ular case. Factors relevant to such a de- termination include, but are not limited to: the difference between the option’s exer- cise price and the value of the property sub- ject to the option at the time of vesting; the probability of the value of such property increasing or decreasing; and the length of the period during which the option can be exercised. For purposes of Q/A–13, val- uation may be determined by any method prescribed by the Commissioner in pub- lished guidance of general applicability. The determination of when there has been a change in ownership or control for purposes of section 280G is made under § 1.280G–1, Q/A–27 through Q/A–29. Section 1.280G–1, Q/A–33, provides that, to the extent provided in published guidance of general applicability, an ini- tial estimate of the value of an option is permitted to be made, with the valuation subsequently re-determined, and the base amount reallocated. Rev. Proc. 98–34, 1998–1 C.B. 983, provides a methodology for the valuation of certain stock options for purposes of gift, estate, and generation-skipping trans- fer taxes. The methodology described in Rev. Proc. 98–34 is an option pricing model that takes into account factors sim- ilar to those established by the Financial 2003-34 I.R.B.398August 25, 2003 Accounting Standards Board in Account- ing for Stock-Based Compensation, State- ment of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Fin. Accounting Standards Bd. 1995) (FAS 123). The methodology in Rev. Proc. 98–34 applies only to the val- uation of a nonpublicly traded stock op- tion for stock that, on the valuation date, is publicly traded on an established securi- ties market. Concurrently with the issuance of pro- posed regulations under section 280G (see § 1.280G–1 of the Proposed Income Tax Regulations at 67 Fed. Reg. 7630), Rev. Proc. 2002–13 was issued concerning the valuation of stock options (including a safe harbor valuation method) for purposes of §§ 280G and 4999. Rev. Proc. 2002–45 modified various portions of Rev. Proc. 2002–13. This revenue procedure restates and fur- ther modifies Rev. Proc. 2002–13 and Rev. Proc. 2002–45 to address additional issues regarding the valuation of stock op- tions in connection with a change in own- ership or control under §§ 280G and 4999. SECTION 3. STOCK OPTION VALUATION .01General rule.A taxpayer may value a stock option, without regar dto whether the option is on publicly o r non- publicly traded stock, using a ny valuation method that (i) is consistent w ith generally accepted accounting princip les (such as FAS 123 or a successor standa rd) and (ii) takes into account the f actors pro- vided in § 1.280G–1, Q/A 13. The safe harbor method provided in section 4 of this revenue procedure and Rev. Proc. 98–34 are considered c onsistent with generally accepted ac counting principles and take into account the factors provided in § 1.280G–1, Q/A 13. For purposes of §§ 280G and 4999 an d this revenue procedure, the va lueofastockoptionwill not be considered properly determined if the option is val ued solely by reference to the spread be tween the exercise price of the option an d the value of the stock atthetimeoft he change in ownership or control. .02Payment da te.For purposes of this revenue proc edure, the valuation date is the payment dat e as determined in accordance with§280G. Thus, the valuation of a stock option is determined based on the spread, the volatility of the underlying stock, the option term, and any other relevant factors as of that date. .03Substitution of an option.If, in ad- dition to vesting, there is, contingent on the change in ownership or control, a substitu- tion of an option on different stock for the option, the valuation is based on the sub- stituted option. .04Recalculation.Pursuant to § 1.280G–1, Q/A–33, for purposes of §§ 280G and 4999, the payor is permitted to re-determine the value of an option, during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the change in ownership or control (the re-determination period), in accordance with thisrevenue procedure. Recalculation is permitted if, during the re-determination period, either of the fol- lowing occurs: (1) there is a change in the term of the option due to a termination of employment, or (2) there is a change in the volatility of the stock. Without regard to whether the value of the option will be re-determined, an initial determination of the value of the option must be made in accordance with this revenue procedure. This initial valuation is the amount of the payment, subject to adjustment as otherwise applicable (e.g., pursuant to § 1.280G–1, Q/A–24). This amount is used both to determine whether there are parachute payments and to cal- culate excess parachute payments and any excise tax liability associated with the transfer of the option. A recalculation under this revenue procedure must be determined as of the date of payment used in the initial calcula- tion (i.e., the valuation date). Thus, while the term assumption and the volatility assumption are permitted to be re-deter- mined, the spread and the interest rate assumptions continue to be determined as of the valuation date. Forpurposesofre-determiningthe value of the option, an employer is permit- ted to use a method other than the method used in making the initial determination, provided that both methods are otherwise permitted under this revenue procedure. If the value of an option is recalculated under this revenue procedure, parachute payments and excess parachute payments must be recalculated using the re-de- termined valuation. However, the base amount does not have to be re-appor- tioned; instead, the base amount allocated to the parachute payment is permitted to remain the same, with any adjustment to the excise tax made with respect to the option. This adjustment may be claimed only by filing an amended return for the taxable year that includes the payment date. SECTION 4. VALUATION SAFE HARBOR .01In general.The safe harbor val- uation method provided by this revenue procedure is based on the Black-Scholes model and takes into account, as of the valuation date, the following factors: (1) the volatility of the underlying stock, (2) the exercise price of the option, (3) the value of the stock at the time of the val- uation (the “spot price”), and (4) the term of the option on the valuation date. The safe harbor value of the option equals (i) the number of shares covered by the op- tions multiplied by (ii) the spot price of the stock,andthenmultipliedby(iii)aval u- ation factor determined using the f actors described above and reflected in t he Ta- ble at the end of this revenue proce dure. Other relevant factors, includi ng risk-free rate of interest and assumption s related to dividend yields, are included in the Table. To determine the valuation f actor, the tax- payer must determine the vo latility, spread, and option term factors, a s described be- low. To rely on this revenu e procedure, as- sumptions made for purpo sesofthisrev- enue procedure and the d etermination of each factor must be reas onable and consis- tent with assumption s made with respect to other options that m ay be valued in con- nection with the ch ange in ownership or control. .02Volatility.Th e taxpayer must deter- mine whether the vo latility of the under- lying stock is lo w, medium, or high. If the valuation i s based on a substituted op- tion pursuant t o section 3.03, volatility is determined ba sed on the stock under the substituted o ption. For this purpose, a low volatility s tock has an annual standard de- viation of 3 0 percent or less. A medium volatilit y stock has an annual standard de- viation gr eater than 30 percent but less than 70 percen t. A high volatility stock has an annual st andard deviation of 70 percent or greater . If the stock is publicly traded on August 25, 20033992003-34 I.R.B. an established securities market (or other- wise), the expected volatility of the under- lying stock used for purposes of volatility under this revenue procedure must be the volatility for the most recent year disclosed in the most recent financial statements of the corporation. If the stock is not publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, but the stock is required to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the volatility for such stock is assumed to be the same as the volatility for a comparable corporation that is publicly traded. For this purpose, whether a corpo- ration is considered comparable is deter- mined by comparing relevant characteris- tics such as industry, corporate size, earn- ings, market capitalization, and debt-eq- uity structure. If the stock is not publicly traded and the corporation is not required to register under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the taxpayer must assume medium volatility. If the stock is not re- quired to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but the corporation voluntarily registers its stock and its stock is publicly traded, the corporation must use the volatility of the underlying stock. .03Spread between exercise price and spot price.The factor based on the spread between the exercise price and the spot price is calculated by dividing thespotpricebytheexercisepriceand subtracting 1. If the stock is not publicly traded, the determination of the spot price for this purpose must be reasonable and consistent with the price, if any, otherwise determined for the stock in connection with the transaction giving rise to the change in ownership or control under § 280G(b)(2)(A). For purposes of deter- mining the factor based on the spread between the exercise price and the spot price under the Table, the resulting per- centage may be rounded down to the next lowest interval. If this factor exceeds 220%, this safe harbor valuation method cannot be used to value the stock option. .04Term of the option.The term of the option is the number of full months be- tween the valuation date and the latest date on which the option will expire. For pur- poses of determining the term factor un- der the table, the number of full months may be rounded down to the next lowest 12-month interval. If the term of the op- tion exceeds 10 years (120 months), then this safe harbor valuation method cannot be used to value the stock option. If the re- maining term of the option is less than 12 months, the taxpayer may round down to the 3-month interval. For purposes of this paragraph, the taxpayer is permitted to use the expected term of the option calculated in accordance with Rev. Proc. 98–34. SECTION 5. EXAMPLE E is an employee of Corporation A, a publicly traded corporation. On Septem- ber 1, 2004, in connection with E’s perfor- mance of services, A grants E options to purchase 100,000 shares of A stock at $10 per share. The options are exercisable for 10 years. The options will vest on Septem- ber 1, 2007, if E continues to be employed by A through that date, or on a change in ownership or control, if earlier. Under the terms of the option, if E’s employment is terminated after the option is vested, the option must be exercised on or before the date that is 3 months after the termination of employment. On September 15, 2005, Corporation B acquires all of the stock of A, and A is merged into B. Contingent on the change in ownership, E’s options become fully vested and are converted into B options with the same aggregate spread and the same ratio between the exercise price and the value of the stock (determined imme- diately before the conversion). At the time of the vesting, A stock has a fair market value of $20, and B stock has a fair mar- ket value of $50. Thus, in connection with the change in ownership, E receives fully vested options for 40,000 shares of B stock with an exercise price of $25. The date of the vesting and substitution is the payment date and, therefore, the valuation date. Using a valuation method that complies with this revenue procedure, B determines that, as of the valuation date, it is reason- able to assume that the volatility of B stock is .25, that the remaining expected term of the option is 36 months, and that the risk-free interest rate is 5%. B determines that the value of the option is $1,096,000 (or $27.40 per share). Without regard to the change in own- ership, this payment was contingent only on continued performance of services for Corporation A for a specified period of time and the payment is attributable, in part, to the performance of services before the date the payment was made. Therefore, the portion of the payment that is contin- gent on the change in ownership is deter- mined under § 1.280G–1, Q/A–24(c). The acceleration of the vesting of a stock option is considered to significantly increase the value of the payment. Therefore, the fu- ture value of the payment is assumed to be equal to the payment. Under § 1.280G–1, Q/A–31 and 32, the present value of the option is determined to be $975,000. The vesting of the option has been acceler- ated by 23 full months. Therefore, the portion of the payment that is contingent on the change in ownership is $373,080, the sum of (1) $121,000 (the amount by which $1,096,000, exceeds $975,000), and (2) $252,080 (23 months times 1% times $1,096,000). The value of the payment related to the options, $373,080, is taken into account for purposes of determining whether A has received parachute payments and, if so, the portion of the parachute payments that are excess parachute payments. For purposes of this example, assume E is receiving parachute payments and that $50,000 in base amount is allocated to this payment. In that case, $323,080 of the payment is an excess parachute payment, and the ex- cise tax under section 4999 is $64,616. B must satisfy its obligations under section 4999(c) with respect to this amount, and E is responsible for the excise tax related to this payment for E’s 2005 taxable year. B cannot claim the amount of the excess parachute payment as a deduction. On July 1, 2006, E’s employment is ter- minated, shortening the term of the option. As a result, the actual term of the option, measured from the date of the change in ownership, is 12 months (the 9 full months that E was employed following the change in ownership plus the 3 months following a termination of employment during which E can exercise the option). B decides to recalculate the value of the options as of the valuation date inaccordance with sec- tion 3.04 of this revenue procedure, using the value of B stock at the change of own- ership, $50, and the exercise price of $25 a share. In addition, B uses the same 5% risk-free assumption rate used in the ini- tial valuation. Finally, B determines that .25 continues to be a reasonable assump- tion for volatility. The value of the option, as recalculated, is $1,030,000 (or $25.75 a share). 2003-34 I.R.B.400August 25, 2003 This value is then used to re-determine the portion of the payment that is contin- gent on the change in ownership under § 1.280G–1, Q/A–24(c). This amount is $350,800, the sum of (1) $113,900 (the amount by which the value of the pay- ment, $1,030,000, exceeds the present value of the payment, determined to be $916,100), and (2) $236,900 (23 times 1% times $1,030,000). Using the base amount initially allocated to this payment, $50,000, the portion of the payment that is an excess parachute payment is $300,800, and the excise tax is $60,160. E is per- mitted to file an amended return for 2005 using the revised calculations as a basis for claiming a refund of $4,456. SECTION 6. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS Rev. Proc. 2002–13, 2002–1 C.B. 549, and Rev. Proc. 2002–45, 2002–27 I.R.B. 40, are revoked as of January 1, 2004. SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE This revenue procedure is effective Jan- uary 1, 2004. Taxpayers are permitted to apply this revenue procedure with respect to a change in ownership or control occur- ring prior to such date. SECTION 8. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this procedure is Erinn Madden of the Office of Chief Counsel of the Division Counsel/Asso- ciate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities. However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury De- partment participated in its development. For further information regarding this revenue procedure, contact Ms. Madden (202) 622–6030 (not a toll-free call). TABLE Term (months)31224364860728496108120 VolatilitySpread Factor* 200%66.8%67.3%67.9%68.4%69.0%69.5%69.9%70.3%70.7%71.0%71.2% 180%64.5%65.0%65.7%66.4%67.1%67.7%68.3%68.8%69.3%69.6%69.9% 160%61.8%62.4%63.3%64.1%65.0%65.8%66.5%67.1%67.7%68.1%68.5% 140%58.6%59.4%60.4%61.5%62.5%63.5%64.4%65.1%65.8%66.4%66.9% 120%54.9%55.8%57.1%58.4%59.7%60.9%62.0%62.9%63.7%64.5%65.1% 100%50.4%51.5%53.2%54.8%56.4%57.9%59.1%60.3%61.3%62.2%63.0% 80%44.9%46.3%48.5%50.6%52.6%54.3%55.9%57.3%58.5%59.6%60.5% 60%38.0%40.0%42.9%45.6%48.0%50.1%52.0%53.7%55.2%56.5%57.6% 40%29.3%32.3%36.3%39.7%42.6%45.2%47.4%49.4%51.2%52.7%54.1% 20%18.1%23.3%28.5%32.7%36.2%39.3%41.9%44.3%46.4%48.2%49.9% 0%6.4%13.6%19.9%24.7%28.8%32.3%35.4%38.1%40.5%42.7%44.7% -20%0.6%5.4%11.2%16.1%20.4%24.2%27.6%30.6%33.4%35.9%38.1% -40%0%0.9%4.1%7.9%11.6%15.2%18.5%21.7%24.6%27.3%29.9% Low -60%0%0.0%0.6%2.0%4.0%6.4%9.0%11.6%14.3%16.8%19.3% August 25, 20034012003-34 I.R.B. Term (months)31224364860728496108120 VolatilitySpread Factor* 200%66.8%67.4%68.6%69.9%71.1%72.2%73.1%73.9%74.5%75.0%75.4% 180%64.5%65.2%66.7%68.2%69.6%70.9%71.9%72.8%73.5%74.1%74.6% 160%61.8%62.7%64.5%66.3%68.0%69.4%70.6%71.6%72.5%73.2%73.7% 140%58.6%59.8%62.0%64.2%66.1%67.7%69.1%70.3%71.2%72.0%72.7% 120%54.9%56.4%59.2%61.7%63.9%65.8%67.4%68.8%69.9%70.8%71.6% 100%50.4%52.5%55.9%58.9%61.5%63.7%65.5%67.0%68.3%69.4%70.3% 80%44.9%47.9%52.2%55.7%58.7%61.2%63.2%65.0%66.5%67.7%68.8% 60%38.2%42.6%47.8%52.0%55.4%58.3%60.6%62.7%64.3%65.8%67.0% 40%30.0%36.3%42.7%47.6%51.6%54.8%57.6%59.9%61.8%63.5%64.9% 20%20.3%29.1%36.8%42.5%47.0%50.8%53.9%56.5%58.8%60.7%62.3% 0%10.4%21.2%30.0%36.4%41.6%45.8%49.4%52.4%55.0%57.2%59.1% -20%3.0%13.0%22.2%29.2%34.9%39.7%43.7%47.2%50.2%52.8%55.0% -40%0.3%5.7%13.8%20.8%26.8%32.0%36.4%40.4%43.8%46.8%49.5% Medium -60%0%1.2%5.9%11.4%16.9%22.1%26.7%31.0%34.8%38.3%41.4% 200%66.8%68.1%70.7%73.1%75.0%76.6%77.8%78.8%79.5%80.0%80.4% 180%64.5%66.1%69.1%71.7%73.9%75.6%77.0%78.1%78.9%79.5%79.9% 160%61.8%63.8%67.3%70.3%72.7%74.6%76.1%77.3%78.2%78.9%79.4% 140%58.6%61.3%65.3%68.6%71.3%73.4%75.1%76.4%77.4%78.2%78.8% 120%54.9%58.3%63.0%66.8%69.7%72.1%73.9%75.4%76.6%77.4%78.1% 100%50.6%55.0%60.4%64.6%67.9%70.6%72.6%74.3%75.6%76.6%77.3% 80%45.3%51.1%57.4%62.2%65.9%68.8%71.1%73.0%74.4%75.6%76.5% 60%39.1%46.6%54.0%59.4%63.5%66.8%69.4%71.4%73.1%74.4%75.4% 40%31.7%41.4%50.0%56.1%60.7%64.4%67.3%69.6%71.5%73.0%74.2% 20%23.2%35.4%45.3%52.1%57.4%61.5%64.8%67.4%69.6%71.3%72.7% 0%14.3%28.5%39.6%47.4%53.3%57.9%61.6%64.7%67.1%69.1%70.8% -20%6.4%20.8%32.9%41.5%48.1%53.4%57.6%61.1%64.0%66.4%68.3% -40%1.5%12.7%24.8%34.0%41.4%47.3%52.2%56.3%59.7%62.5%64.8% High -60%0.1%5.2%15.2%24.3%32.1%38.8%44.4%49.1%53.2%56.6%59.5% *Spot (market) Price/Exercise Price — 1 or (S/X–1) 2003-34 I.R.B.402August 25, 2003 26 CFR 601.602: Tax forms and instructions. (Also Part 1, §§ 3504, 6011, 6061, 6302; 31.3504–1, 31.6011(a)–7, 31.6061–1, 31.6302–1.) Rev. Proc. 2003–69 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1. PURPOSE ............................................................................................ 403 SECTION 2. BACKGROUND....................................................................................... 403 SECTION 3. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO REV. PROC. 96–17.......................................................... 404 SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS......................................................................................... 404 SECTION 5. SCOPE OF REPORTING AGENT AUTHORIZATION...................................................... 404 SECTION 6. COMPLETING A REPORTING AGENT AUTHORIZATION................................................ 406 SECTION 7. SUBMITTING A REPORTING AGENT AUTHORIZATION................................................. 406 SECTION 8. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CONTACTS............................................................ 406 SECTION 9. OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS....................................................................... 406 SECTION 10. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS.................................................................... 406 SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE.................................................................................... 406 SECTION 1. PURPOSE .01 This revenue procedure provides the requirements for completing and submit- ting Form 8655,Reporting Agent Autho- rization for Magnetic Tape/Electronic Fil- ers (“Authorization”). An Authorization allows a taxpayer to designate a Reporting Agent (“Agent”) to perform the following acts on behalf of the taxpayer: (1) Sign and file on magnetic tape or electronically Form 940,Employer’s An- nual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return; and Form 941,Employer’s Quar- terly Federal Tax Return. (2) Sign and file on paper Form 940–PR,Planilla Para La Declaración Anual Del Patrono — La Contribución Federal Para El Desempleo (FUTA);Form 941–PR,Planilla Para La Declaracion Trimestral Del Patrono — La Contribu- cion Federal Al Seguro Social Y Al Seguro Medicare; Form 941–SS,Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands); Form 943,Employer’s Annual Tax Return for Agricultural Em- ployees; Form 943–PR,Planilla Para La Declaración Anual De La Contribución Del Patrono De Empleados Agrícolas; Form 945,Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax; Form 1042,Annual Withholding Tax Return For U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons;andForm CT–1,Employer’s Annual Railroad Re- tirement Tax Return. (3) Make federal tax deposits (“FTDs”) and other federal tax payments (“FTPs”) and submit FTD information and FTP information electronically for the taxes deposited and payments reported on Form 720,Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return; Form 940,Employer’s An- nual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return; Form 941,Employer’s Quar- terly Federal Tax Return; Form 943, Employer’s Annual Tax Return for Agri- cultural Employees; Form 945,Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax; Form 990–C,Farmer’s Cooperative Asso- ciation Income Tax Return; Form 990–PF, Return of Private Foundation or Section 4947(a)(1) Nonexempt Charitable Trust Treated as a Private Foundation;Form 990–T,Exempt Organization Business In- come Tax Return; Form 1041,U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts;Form 1042,Annual Withholding Tax Return For U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons; Form 1120,U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return;andFormCT–1,Employer’s Annual Railroad Retirement Tax Return. (4) Receive duplicate copies of official notices, correspondence, deposit require- ments, tax rates, transcripts, or other infor- mation with respect to the tax returns de- scribed in section 1.01(1) or (2) of this rev- enue procedure. (5) Receive duplicate copies of official notices, correspondence, deposit require- ments, tax rates, transcripts, or other infor- mation with respect to FTDs and FTPs. .02 The technical specifications for filing Authorization information are pub- lished separately in Publication 1474, Technical Specifications Guide For Re- porting Agent Authorization For Magnetic Tape/Electronic Filers And Federal Tax Depositors. SECTION 2. BACKGROUND .01 Section 1.6011–1 of the Income Tax Regulations and section 31.6011(a)–7 of the Employment Taxes and Collection of Income Tax at Source Regulations (“Em- ployment Tax Regulations”) provide that each return required under the regulations, together with any prescribed copies or sup- porting data, must be filled in and dis- posed of in accordance with the applicable August 25, 20034032003-34 I.R.B. forms, instructions, and regulations. Sec- tion 31.6011(a)–7 provides that the return may be made by an agent authorized by the person required to make the return. .02 Section 31.6061–1 of the Employ- ment Tax Regulations provides that a re- turn may be signed for the taxpayer by an agent who is duly authorized in accordance withsection31.6011(a)–7tomakethere- turn. Section 1.6061–1 provides that a re- turnmaybesignedbyanagentwhoisduly authorized under section 1.6012–1(a)(5) or (b) to make the return. .03 Section 31.6302–1 of the Employ- ment Tax Regulations provides the rules for depositing employment taxes. Sec- tion 31.6302–1(h) implements section 6302(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, which requires the use of an electronic fund transfer system for the collection of federal depository taxes. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (“EFTPS”) is the electronic fund transfer system de- veloped to collect these taxes. Rev. Proc. 97–33, 1997–2 C.B. 371, provides gen- eral information about EFTPS, and Rev. Proc. 98–32, 1998–1 C.B. 935, provides information about EFTPS programs for Agents making FTDs and FTPs on behalf of multiple taxpayers. .04 The Service has prescribed Form 8655 as the appropriate authorization form for a taxpayer to use to designate an Agent to perform the following acts on behalf of the taxpayer: (1) Sign and file Form 940 and Form 941 on magnetic tape or electronically. (2) Sign and file certain tax returns on paper. (3) Make FTDs and FTPs and submit FTD information and FTP information electronically for certain tax returns. (4) Receive duplicate copies of official notices, correspondence, deposit require- ments, tax rates, transcripts, or other infor- mation with respect to the returns filed by the Agent. (5) Receive duplicate copies of official notices, correspondence, deposit require- ments, tax rates, transcripts, or other in- formation with respect to FTDs and FTPs submitted or to be submitted by the Agent. SECTION 3. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO REV. PROC. 96–17 .01 This revenue p rocedure modi- fies and supersed es Rev. Proc. 96–17, 1996–1 C.B. 633, by making the follow- ing changes to Rev. Proc. 96–17: (1) Form 945,Annual Return of With- held Federal Income Tax, can no longer be filedonmagnetictape or electronically. (2) AnAuthorizationmaynowbeused to allow an Agent to sign and file on pa- per Form 940–PR, Form 941–PR, Form 941–SS, Form 943, Form 943–PR, Form 945, Form 1042, and Form CT–1. (3) AnAuthorizationmaynowbeused to allow an Agent to make FTDs and FTPs for the taxes reported on Form 720, Form 940, Form 941, Form 943, Form 945, Form 990–C, Form 990–PF, Form 990–T, Form 1041, Form 1042, Form 1120, and Form CT–1. (4) All references to submitting FTD information on magnetic tape are removed because the magnetic tape FTD program was terminated by Notice 99–42, 1999–2 C.B. 325. (5) The procedures in section 2.05 of Rev. Proc. 96–17 are removed to eliminate the references to an election box that is no longer on Form 8655. (6) Sections 5.01 and 5.02 clarify that an Agent may provide information that will assist the Service in determining whether it is appropriate to grant relief from penalties that may arise from returns filedandFTDsandFTPsmadebythe Agent. (7) Section 5.04 clarifies the effect of submitting a new Authorization. (8) Section 6.05 updates the informa- tion regarding the requirement to replace a previously submitted Authorization. (9) Section 7.02 adds a requirement that an Agent must submit an Agent’s List on magnetic tape if the number of tax- payer/clients exceeds 100. (10) Section 8 updates the contact infor- mation. (11) Section 9 updates the list of other related documents. SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS .01Reporting Agent. A Repor ting Agent (“Agent”) is an accou nting service, franchiser, bank, service bureau, or other entity authorized to per form one or more of the following acts on behalf of a tax- payer: (1) Sign and file on magneti ctapeor electronically Form 94 0 and Form 941. (2) Sign and file on paper Form 940–PR, Form 941–PR, Form 941–SS, Form 943, Form 943–PR, Form 945, Form 1042, and Form CT–1. (3) Make FTDs and FTPs and submit FTD information and FTP information electronically for the taxes reported on Form 720, Form 940, Form 941, Form 943, Form 945, Form 990–C, Form 990–PF, Form 990–T, Form 1041, Form 1042, Form 1120, and Form CT–1. .02Reporting Agent Authorization.A Reporting Agent Authorization (“Autho- rization”) allows a taxpayer to designate an Agent to sign and to file on mag- netic tape or electronically Form 940 and Form 941; to sign and file on paper Form 940–PR, Form 941–PR, Form 941–SS, Form 943, Form 943–PR, Form 945, Form 1042, and Form CT–1; and to make FTDs and FTPs and submit FTD information and FTP information electronically for the taxes deposited and reported on the forms listed in section 1.01 of this revenue proce- dure. The Authorization may also permit the Agent to receive duplicate copies of official notices, correspondence, deposit requirements, tax rates, transcripts, or other information with respect to these tax returns. In addition, an Authorization may permit the Agent to receive duplicate copies of official notices, correspondence, deposit requirements, tax rates, transcripts, or other information with respect to FTDs and FTPs. The Service has prescribed Form 8655 as the appropriate authoriza- tion form for a taxpayer to use to designate an Agent. .03Reporting Agent’s List.AReport- ing Agent’s List (“Agent’s List”) identi- fies all taxpayers for whom an Agent will file tax returns, make FTDs and FTPs, or submit FTD information and FTP informa- tion electronically. Aseparate Authoriza- tion must be submitted for each taxpayer on the Agent’s List. SECTION 5. SCOPE OF REPORTING AGENT AUTHORIZATION .01 The scope of a n Authorization for the filing of fo rms listed on Form 8655 is as follows: (1) A taxpayer may a uthorize an Agent to sign and fil e on the taxpayer’s behalf all or any of the fo rms listed on Form 8655. 2003-34 I.R.B.404August 25, 2003 (2) A taxpayer may authorize an Agent to receive duplicate copies of notices, cor- respondence, deposit requirements, tax rates, transcripts or other information with respect to the returns filed by the Agent. (3) An Authorization that permits an Agent to make returns also permits an Agent to request information or submit informationonthereturnsfiledbythe Agent, including any information con- cerning penalties that may arise from the returns. It further permits the Agent to provide information that will assist the Service in determining whether it would be appropriate to grant relief from any penalties that may arise from the returns. (4) An Authorization does not permit the Agent to request the abatement of any penalties that may arise from the returns filedbytheAgentorinanyotherwayto perform any acts that constitute represen- tation of the taxpayer as set forth in section 601.501(b)(13) of the Statement of Proce- dural Rules. .02ThescopeofanAuthorizationfor making FTDs and FTPs and submitting FTD information and FTP information electronically is as follows: (1) A taxpayer may authorize an Agent to prepare and make FTDs and FTPs for any taxes reported on any of the forms listed on Form 8655 and submit FTD in- formation and FTP information electroni- cally on the taxpayer’s behalf. (2) Regardless of the taxpayer’s desig- nated method, an Agent must make FTD payments and submit payment information through the EFTPS system for a taxpayer that is required to make FTD payments and submit FTD information through the EFTPS system pursuant to section 6302(h) of the Code. (3) A taxpayer may authorize an Agent to receive duplicate copies of notices and correspondence for FTDs and FTPs made by the Agent for the taxpayer. (4) An Authorization that permits an Agent to make FTDs and FTPs also per- mits the Agent to request information or submit information on the FTDs and FTPs submitted by the Agent, including any in- formation concerning penalties that may arise from the FTDs and FTPs. It further permits the Agent to provide information that will assist the Service in determining whether it would be appropriate to grant re- lief from any penalties that may arise from the FTDs or FTPs. (5) An Authorization does not permit the Agent to request the abatement of any penalties that may arise from the FTDs or FTPs submitted by the Agent or in any other way to perform any acts that con- stitute representation of the taxpayer as set forth in section 601.501(b)(13) of the Statement of Procedural Rules. .03 An Authorization becomes effective forthetaxperioddesignatedbytheAgent and taxpayer and remains in effect for sub- sequent periods until revoked by the tax- payer, terminated by the Agent, or termi- nated by the Service, subject to the follow- ing: (1) In the case of an Agent filing a re- turn on behalf of a taxpayer, the Service must accept the Authorization and Agent's List before the Agent may file the return. (2) In the case of an Agent using EFTPS to make a FTD or FTP on behalf of a taxpayer, the Agent must comply with the requirements of Rev. Proc. 98–32, 1998–1 C.B. 935, before the Agent may make the FTD or FTP and submit the FTD information or FTP information electron- ically. (3) See section 9 of this revenue proce- dure for a list of other applicable revenue procedures. .04 A new Authorization must be sub- mitted for any increase or decrease in the scope of the authority of an Agent to act on behalf of the taxpayer, or if the taxpayer appoints a new Agent. Receipt by the Ser- vice of a new Authorization terminates the authority of the prior Agent to file tax re- turns and make FTDs or FTPs for tax peri- ods beginning on or after the effective date of the new Authorization. A new Autho- rization also terminates the authority of the prior Agent to receive duplicate copies of notices. The prior Agent, however, may present information regarding taxpayer ac- counts for the tax periods beginning before the effective date of the new Authoriza- tion, and the Service may disclose other- wise confidential tax information relating to the returns filed by the Agent or relating to FTDs and FTPs made by the Agent, un- less the taxpayer specifically revokes the prior Agent's authorization to present in- formation and receive otherwise confiden- tial tax information relating to the returns filedbytheAgentorrelatingtotheFTDs and FTPs made by the Agent. .05AnAuthorizationfiledunderthis revenue procedure does not constitute the appointment of a recognized representa- tive as described in section 601.502 of the Statement of Procedural Rules. .06 An Authorization does not relieve the taxpayer of the responsibility to ensure that all tax returns are filed timely; all FTPs are made timely; and any taxes, required to be deposited, are deposited timely. .07AnAgentmayuseanAuthorization to file paper forms listed on Form 8655 on behalf of a taxpayer only if— (1) The late receipt of payroll informa- tion from a taxpayer has jeopardized the timely submission of the taxpayer’s return; (2) The paper forms amend returns filed under the magnetic tape or electronic filing programs referenced in section 9 of this revenue procedure; (3) The rejection of a magnetic tape/electronic filing has jeopardized the timely submission of the taxpayer’s return; (4) The forms are listed in section 4.01(2) of this revenue procedure; or (5) The magnetic tape/electronic filing coordinator for an Agent participating in a magnetic tape/electronic filing program referenced in section 9 of this revenue pro- cedure has requested paper returns. .08AnAgentcoveredbyForm8655 may prepare a paper tax return for the taxpayer’s signature. A taxpayer’s autho- rized representative that is not an Agent covered by Form 8655 must have a valid power of attorney in accordance with sec- tion 601.504(6) of the Statement of Pro- cedural Rules (usually Form 2848,Power of Attorney and Declaration of Represen- tative) to sign and file a paper tax return on behalf of the taxpayer. .09 Each paper tax return must be signed by the taxpayer, by the taxpayer’s authorized representative, or by an Agent permitted in section 5.07 of this revenue procedure to file returns on behalf of the taxpayer. .10 The Agent must keep a copy of each Authorization at the Agent’s princi- pal place of business for examination by the Service until the period of limitations for assessment for the last return filed un- der that Authorization expires. August 25, 20034052003-34 I.R.B. SECTION 6. COMPLETING A REPORTING AGENT AUTHORIZATION .01 An Authorization may be submitted on Form 8655 or any other document that clearly contains the same information re- quired to be provided on Form 8655. The taxpayer may strike out the nonapplicable portions of the Form 8655. An Agent may fax the Authorization to the Service. .02 An Authorization must be signed by the taxpayer, an authorized representative holding a power of attorney that specifi- cally authorizes the representative to sign returns on behalf of the taxpayer, or a per- son who is duly authorized in accordance with section 31.6011(a)–7 of the Employ- ment Tax Regulations. If the Authoriza- tion provides that the Agent is authorized to receive tax return notices, correspon- dence, deposit requirements, tax rates and transcripts from the Service, or discuss taxpayer account information with Servic e representatives and is signed by a person other than the taxpayer, the authorized rep- resentative or other duly authorize dperson signing the Authorization must be a utho- rized both to receive, and to desig nate oth- ers to receive, tax return inform ation (as definedinsection6103(b)(2))o fthetax- payer. .03AnAuthorizationexecutedaf ter December 31, 2001, must be mad eon Form 8655 (with a revision da te of July 2000 or later) or its equiva lent. .04 Except to the extent prov ided in sec- tion 6.05 of this revenue pr ocedure, an Au- thorization will remain in effect until the Service receives a new A uthorization. .05 A revised Authorizat ion is not re- quired to replace an Aut horization made on Form 8655 with a revis ion date before October 1995 (or its eq uivalent) that was previously submitted to the Service by an Agent if the Authoriz ation places no re- striction on the me dium for filing Forms 941 and 940, and the Agent advises the taxpayer/client that its Forms 941 and/or 940maybefilede lectronically and that the taxpayer/cl ient has the option to re- ject electroni c filing for Forms 941 and 940. An Agent m ay use the most effi- cient and tim ely method of clearly provid- ing this noti fication to the taxpayer/client. A taxpayer/ client’s rejection of electronic filing for F orm 941 or 940 must be sub- mitted in w riting to the Agent, and the Agent must immediately remove any tax- payer/client that rejects electronic filing for Form 941 or 940 from its electronic fil- ing taxpayer/client base. SECTION 7. SUBMITTING A REPORTING AGENT AUTHORIZATION .01 An Agent that wishes to use an Authorization to file on magnetic tape or electronically Form 940 and Form 941, or make FTDs or FTPs, and submit FTD in- formation or FTP information electroni- cally,mustformallyapplytotheService for these privileges. Currently, the re- quired information for the applications for magnetic tape or electronic filing of Form 940 and Form 941 and participation in EFTPS are contained in the documents listed in section 9 of this revenue proce- dure. The applications covered in these documents must be accompanied by the individual Authorizations, signed as pro- vided in section 6.02 of this revenue pro- cedure, and an Agent’s List (if required by the applicable revenue procedure). .02 The Agent’s List must contain each taxpayer’s employer identification num- ber. Agent’s Lists may be filed on mag- netic tape or electronically, if appropriate, but if the number of taxpayer/clients ex- ceeds 100, the Agent’s List must be filed on magnetic tape. For specific information concerning the requirements for submit- ting and updating Agent’s Lists, see Publi- cation 1474, the Service contacts listed in section 8 of this revenue procedure, and the documents listed in section 9 of this rev- enue procedure. SECTION 8. INTERNA LREVENUE SERVICE CONTACTS .01Publication1474maybeobtained electronically via the Internal Revenue Service Internet web site (IRS web site) at http://www.irs.gov. In addition, requests for Publication 1474 and questions re- garding this revenue procedure may be addressed to the Service at the following address: Interna l Revenue Service Accounts Management Service Center MS 6748 RA F Team 1973 N Rulo n White Blvd Ogden, UT 8 4201 .02 The principal author of this rev- enue procedure is Michael Hara of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Pro- cedure and Administration), Administra- tive Provisions and Judicial Practice Divi- sion. Mr. Hara may be contacted at (202) 622–4910 (not a toll-free number). SECTION 9. OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS The programs requiring an Authoriza- tion as a prerequisite to participation are described in the following documents: (1) For magnetic tape filing of Forms 940 and/or 941, see Rev. Proc. 96–18, 1996–1 C.B. 637. (2) For electronic filing of Form 941, see Rev. Proc. 99–39, 1999–2 C.B. 532. (3) For electronic filing of Form 940, see Rev. Proc. 2001–9, 2001–1 C.B. 328. (4) For participation in EFTPS, see Rev. Proc. 98–32, 1998–1 C.B. 935. SECTION 10. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS This revenue procedure modifies and supersedes Rev. Proc. 96–17, 1996–1 C.B. 633. SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE This revenue procedure is effective Au- gust 25, 2003. 26 CFR 601.105: Examination of returns and claims for refund, credit, or abatement; determination of correct tax liability. Rev. Proc. 2003–70 SECTION 1. PURPOSE This revenue procedure provides the domestic asset/liab ility percentages and domestic investment yields needed by for- eign life insurance companies and foreign property and liabil ity insurance compa- nies to compute the ir minimum effectively connected net inv estment income under section 842(b) o f the Internal Revenue Code for taxabl e years beginning after December 31, 20 01. Instructions are pro- vided for comp uting foreign insurance companies' li abilities for the estimated tax and insta llment payments of estimated 2003-34 I.R.B.406August 25, 2003 tax for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2001. For more specific guidance regarding the computation of the amount of net investment income to be included by a foreign insurance company on its U.S. income tax return, see Notice 89–96, 1989–2 C.B. 417. For the domestic asset/liability percentage and domestic in- vestment yield, as well as instructions for computing foreign insurance companies' liabilities for estimated tax and installment payments of estimated tax for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000, see Rev. Proc. 2002–58, 2002–40 I.R.B. 644. SECTION 2. CHANGES .01 DOMESTIC ASSET/LIABILITY PERCENTAGES FOR 2002. The Secre- tary determines the domestic asset/liabilit y percentage separately for life insurance companies and property and liability in- surance companies. For the first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001, the relevant domestic asset/liability p er- centages are: 123.3 percent for foreign life insura nce companies, and 171.9 percent for foreign property an d liability insurance companies. .02 DOMESTIC INVESTMENT YIELDS FOR 2002. The Secretary is required to prescribe separate d omestic in- vestment yields for foreign lif e insurance companies and for foreign prop erty and liability insurance companie s. For the first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001, the relevant domestic investment yields are: 7.0 percent for foreign life insurance companies, and 5.7 percent for foreign property and li- ability insurance companies. .03 SOURCE OF DATA FOR 2002. The section 842(b) percentages to be used for the 2002 tax year are based on tax re- turn data following the same methodology used for the 2001 year. SECTION 3. APPLICATION — ESTIMATED TAXES To compute estimated tax and the in- stallment payments of estimated tax due for taxable years beginning after Decem- ber 31, 2001, a foreign insurance com- pany must compute its estimated tax pay- ments by adding to its income other than net investment income the greater of (i) its net investment income as determined un- der section 842(b)(5), that is actually ef- fectively connectedwith the conduct of a trade or business within the United States for the relevant period, or (ii) the mini - mum effectively connected net investme nt income under section 842(b) that would re- sult from using the most recently avai lable domestic asset/liability percentag e and do- mestic investment yield. Thus, for i nstall- ment payments due after the publi cation of this revenue procedure, the dom estic as- set/liability percentages an dthedomestic investment yields provided in this revenue procedure must be used to compute the minimum effectively connected net invest- ment income. However, if the due date of an installment is less than 20 days after the date this revenue procedure is published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin, the as- set/liability percentages and domestic in- vestment yields provided in Rev. Proc. 2002–58 may be used to compute the mini- mum effectively connected net investment income for such installment. For further guidance in computing estimated tax, see Notice 89–96. SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE This revenue procedure is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2001. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue procedure is Garrett D. Gregory of the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (International). For further information regarding this revenue procedure, please contact Mr. Gregory at (202) 622–4461 (not a toll-free call), or write to the Internal Revenue Service, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (International), 1111 Con- stitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20224, Attention: CC:INTL:Br5, Room 4554. August 25, 20034072003-34 I.R.B. Part IV. Items of General Interest Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Public Hearing Waiver of Information Reporting Penalties – Determining Whether Correction is Prompt REG–141669–02 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing. SUMMARY: This document contains pro- posed regulations relating to waiver un- der section 6724 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) of a penalty imposed by sec- tion 6721 for failure to file a correct in- formation return. The proposed regula- tions provide guidance on the requirement of prompt correction of the failure to file or file correctly. The proposed regula- tions provide that the IRS will deem infor- mation returns promptly corrected if cor- rected within 30 days of the required fil- ing date, or by August 1 following that re- quired filing date. After August 1, a cor- rection is prompt if made by the time an- nounced by the IRS in published guidance. The proposed regulations do not change the rules for determining reasonable cause for waiving the penalty for failure to fur- nish correct payee statements under sec- tion 6722 or the time to comply with other information reporting requirements under section 6723. DATES: Written and electronic comments are due by October 7, 2003. Requests to speak (with outlines of topics to be dis- cussed) at the public hearing scheduled for October 21, 2003, are due by September 30, 2003. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:RU (REG–141669–02), Room 5526, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Commenters may hand deliver submissions Monday through Friday be- tween the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to: CC:PA:RU (REG–141669–02), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Alternatively, commenters may sub- mit comments electronically to the IRS Internet site atwww.irs.gov/regs.The publichearingwillbeheldintheIRSAu- ditorium, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations, contact Robert A. Desilets, Jr. at (202) 622–4910; concerning sub- missions of comments, the hearing, and/or to be placed on the building access list to attend the hearing, Treena Garrett at (202) 622–7180 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This document contains proposed amendments to the Procedure and Ad- ministration Regulations (26 CFR part 301) under section 6724(a) of the Code. Section 301.6724–1(d)(1)(ii)(D) of the proposed regulations will clarify when a correction of an information return is prompt for purposes of establishing reasonable cause to waive the penalty under section 6721 of the Code. Existing §301.6724–1(d)(1)(ii)(D), adopted on De- cember 31, 1991 (56 FR 67178), provides in pertinent part that a correction is prompt if it occurs on the earliest date of a regular submission of corrections, defining regu- lar submissions as occurring at intervals of 30 or fewer days. Many information return filers have urged the IRS to replace the 30-day correction interval with an interval corresponding to the schedule for tiered penalties. Explanation of Provisions I. Section 6721 Section 6721 imposes penalties on fail- ures to file, or file correct, information re- turns. Section 6721 creates a three-tiered penalty structure to encourage timely fil- ing and prompt correction of errors in pre- viously filed returns. Congress enacted the three-tiered penalty structure in the Om- nibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Public Law 101–239, 103 Stat. 2388, 2389). Section 6721 generally imposes a penalty in the amount of $50 for each re- turn with respect to which a failure occurs, but not to exceed $250,000 per person per calendar year. However, if a filer corrects a failure within 30 days after the required filing date, the penalty with respect to such return shall be $15 in lieu of $50, but not to exceed $75,000 per filer per calendar year. Moreover, if a filer corrects a failure more than 30 days after the required filing date, but before August 1 of the calendar year in which the required filing date oc- curs, the penalty with respect to each return shall be $30 in lieu of $50, but not to ex- ceed $150,000 per filer per calendar year. Section 6721 provides these penalties to encourage prompt corrections of failures to file, or file correct, information returns. H.R. Rep. 101–386, at 648–649 (1989). II. Section 6724 Section 6724(a) provides for a waiver of information reporting penalties under sec- tions 6721 through 6723 if the failure giv- ing rise to such penalties was due to rea- sonable cause and not willful neglect. Un- der §301.6724–1(a) of the regulations, to prove reasonable cause for a failure, the filer must establish either that there are sig- nificant mitigating factors with respect to the failure or that the failure arose from an event beyond the filer's control (an im- pediment). In addition, the filer must have acted in a responsible manner both before and after the failure. Under §301.6724–1(d) of the regula- tions, a filer is considered as acting in a responsible manner if the filer exercises reasonable care,i.e., the care that a rea- sonably prudent person would use under the circumstances in the course of busi- ness in determining filing obligations and in handling account information such as account numbers and balances. Section 301.6724–1(d) of the regulations also refers to the promptness of correction,i.e., when the filer undertook significant steps to avoid or mitigate the failure. Section 301.6724–1(d)(1)(ii)(D) cur- rently provides, in part, that a correction is considered prompt if it is made within 30 days after the date of removal of an impediment or discovery of a failure, or on the earliest date thereafter on which a regular submission of corrections occurs. 2003-34 I.R.B.408August 25, 2003 Submissions are regular only if they occur at intervals of 30 days or fewer. Under the 30-day rule, a filer of a large number of information returns that discovers errors over a period of several months would be required to submit multiple corrections in a series of filings. Information return filers have urged the IRS to allow filers to “bundle” their corrections,i.e.,submit the corrected information returns less fre- quently according to a defined timetable. The IRS agrees that the current rule may be burdensome and that bundling should be permitted. The proposed regulations provide that a correction of an information return is prompt if the filer makes the correction within 30 days of the required filing date, or by August 1 following that required fil- ing date. After August 1, a correction is prompt if the filer makes the correction by the date or dates announced in guidance governing the electronic or magnetic fil- ing of information returns, or in other guid- ance including forms and instructions. It is anticipated that the date or dates will be in November and/or December of the calendar year in which the required filing date occurs. After the dates announced in the guidance, the proposed regulations provide that a correction is prompt if it is made within 30 days after the date the im- pediment is removed or the failure is dis- covered. The proposed regulations apply solely for the purpose of determining whether there is reasonable cause for waiving the penalty for failure to file correct informa- tion returns imposed by section 6721. The proposed regulations do not apply for the purpose of determining whether there is reasonable cause for waiving the penal- ties imposed by sections 6722 and 6723. The IRS and Treasury Department believe that a filer should correct promptly a fail- ure to furnish a correct payee statement or a failure to satisfy the reporting require- ments described in section 6724(d)(2) and (3) with regard to sections 6722 and 6723, respectively. Therefore, the proposed reg- ulations retain the 30-day correction pe- riod for waiving the penalties imposed by sections 6722 and 6723. The proposed regulations do not affect or alter the tiered penalty rate schedule of section 6721. To ensure that a reduced penalty amount under section 6721 will apply, in the event that the IRS does not grant a reasonable cause waiver, a filer should file correct information returns with the IRS within 30 days after the required filing date, or before August 1 of the cal- endar year in which the required filing date occurs. Proposed Effective Date The proposed regulations apply to cor- rections of information returns made after the date of publication of a Treasury deci- sion adopting the proposed regulations as final regulations in theFederal Register. However, filers may cite these rules for purposes of requesting a reasonable cause waiver prior to the date that the proposed regulations become final. 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 has also been determined that section 553(b) of the Ad- ministrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chap- ter 5) does not apply to these proposed reg- ulations, and because the proposed regu- lations do not impose a collection of in- formation on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. 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 Publ ic Hearing Before adoption of these proposed regulations as final regulations, the IRS will consider any electronic or written comments (a signed original and eight (8) copies) that a commenter submits timely (in the manner described in the ADDRESSESportion of this preamble) to the IRS. The IRS and the Treasury De- partment request comments on the clarity of the proposed regulations and how they can be easier to understand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. Written comments on the proposed regulations are due by October 7, 2003. A public hearing has been scheduled for October 21, 2003, beginning at 10 a.m. in the IRS Auditorium, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. All visitors must present photo identification to enter the building. Because of access restrictions, visitors will not be admitted beyond the immediate en- trance area more than 30 minutes before the hearing starts. For information about having your name placed on the build- ing access list to attend the hearing, see theFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTportion of this preamble. The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3) ap- ply to the hearing. Persons who wish to present oral comments must submit elec- tronic or written comments and an outline of the topics for discussion and the time for each topic (a signed original and eight (8) copies) by September 30, 2003. Each per- sonmakingcommentswillhave10min- utes to present comments. The IRS will prepare an agenda showing the scheduling of the speakers after the deadline for re- viewing outlines has passed. Copies of the agendawillbeavailablefreeofchargeat the hearing. Drafting Information The principal author of thes e proposed regulations is Robert A. De silets, Jr., Of- fice of the Associate Chief Counsel (Pro- cedure and Administratio n), Administra- tive Provisions and Ju dicial Practice Divi- sion. However, other p ersonnel from the IRS and the Treasury D epartment partici- patedintheirdevel opment. ***** Proposed Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is pro- posed to be amended as follows: Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read in part as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Par. 2. Section 301.6724–1 is amended by: 1. Revising paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(D). 2. Adding paragraph (d)(3). The revision and addition read as fol- lows: §301.6724–1 Reasonable cause. ***** (d) * * * (1) * * * August 25, 20034092003-34 I.R.B. (ii) * * * (D) Correcting the failure as promptly as possible upon removal of the impedi- ment or discovery of the failure. A person may correct a failure by filing or correct- ing the information return, by furnishing or correcting the payee statement, or by providing or correcting the information to satisfy the specified information reporting requirement with respect to which the fail- ure occurs. This paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(D) does not apply with respect to informa- tion that specific information reporting rules prohibit the filer from altering. See §1.6045–4(i)(5) of this chapter. In the case of a waiver of a penalty imposed by section 6722 or 6723 of the Internal Revenue Code, correction is prompt if it is made within 30 days after the date of removal of the impediment or discovery of the failure. For purposes of section 6721 of the Internal Revenue Code, a correction is prompt if the Internal Revenue Service receives the correction— (i) On or before 30 days after the re- quired filing date; (ii) On or before August 1 following that required filing date; (iii) On or before the date or dates an- nounced in guidance governing the elec- tronic or magnetic filing of information re- turns; (iv) On or before the date or dates an- nounced in other guidance including forms and instructions; or (v) Within 30 days after the date the im- pediment is removed or the failure is dis- covered if the correction is not submitted within the time frames set forth in para- graphs (d)(1)(ii)(D)(i) through (iv). ***** (3) [Reserved] For further guidance, see §301.6724–1T(d)(3). ***** Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner for S er- vices and Enforcement. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 8, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 9, 2003, 68 F.R. 4 0857) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Public Hearing Remedial Actions for Tax-Exempt Bonds REG–132483–03 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing. SUMMARY: This document contains pro- posed regulations that amend the final reg- ulations that provide certain permitted re- medial actions for tax-exempt bonds is- sued by state and local governments. This document also contains a notice of public hearing on these proposed regulations. DATES: Written or electronic comments must be received by October 14, 2003. Outlines of topics to be discussed at the public hearing scheduled for November 4, 2003, at 10 a.m., must be received by Oc- tober 14, 2003. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to CC:PA:RU (REG–132483–03), room 5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through Friday be- tween the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:RU (REG–132483–03), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit comments electronically to the IRS Inter- net site atwww.irs.gov/regs. The public hearing will be held in the Auditorium, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Consti- tution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the regulations, Gary W. Bornholdt, (202) 622–3980; con- cerning submissions of comments, the hearing, and requests to be placed on the building access list to attend the meeting, Sonya M. Cruse, (202) 622–7180 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) provides that, generally, in- terest on any State or local bond is not in- cluded in gross income. However, this ex- clusion does not apply to any private activ- ity bond that is not a qualified bond. A. Governmental Bonds Under section 141, a bond is a private activity bond if the bond is issued as part of an issue that meets either (1) the private business use test and the private security or payment test (the private business tests), or (2) the private loan financing test. The private business use test is met if more than 10 percent of the proceeds of an issue are to be used for any private busi- ness use. Section 141(b)(6) defines private business use as use directly or indirectly in a trade or business that is carried on by any person other than a governmental unit. The private security or payment test is met if the payment of the principal of, or the interest on, more than 10 percent of the proceeds of an issue is directly or in- directly (1) secured by an interest in prop- erty used or to be used for a private busi- ness use, (2) secured by an interest in pay- ments in respect of such property, or (3) to be derived from payments, whether or not to the issuer, in respect of property, or bor- rowed money, used or to be used for a pri- vate business use. The private loan financing test is satis- fied if more than the lesser of $5 million or 5 percent of the proceeds of an issue are to be used to make or finance loans to persons other than governmental units. Under §1.141–2(d) of the Income Tax Regulations, an issue is an issue of private activity bonds if the issuer reasonably ex- pects, as of the issue date, that the issue will meet either the private business tests or the private loan financing test. Under §1.141–2(d), an issue is also an issue of private activity bonds if the issuer takes a deliberate action, subsequent to the issue date, that causes the conditions of either the private business tests or the private loan financing test to be met. Section 1.141–12 sets forth certain re- medial actions that prevent a deliberate ac- tion with respect to property financed by an issue from causing that issue to meet the private business use test or the private loan 2003-34 I.R.B.410August 25, 2003 financing test. Specifically, if an issuer satisfies certain conditions, an issuer may take one of the following three remedial actions to cure a deliberate action. First, the issuer may redeem or defease the non- qualified bonds. However, a defeasance is not a permitted remedial action if the pe- riod between the issue date and the first call date of the bonds is more than 10 1 /2 years (the 10 1 /2year limitation). Second, if the deliberate action is a disposition of the bond-financed property for which the consideration is exclusively cash, and cer- tain other requirements are met, the issuer may use the cash for an alternative quali- fying use. Third, in certain cases, the fa- cility with respect to which the deliberate actionoccursmaybeusedinanalterna- tive qualifying manner (for example, the facility may be used for a qualifying pur- pose by a nongovernmental person or used by a 501(c)(3) organization rather than a governmental person). The second and third types of remedial action may cause a deemed reissuance of the nonqualified bonds (that is, a deemed issuance of new bonds to refund the nonqualified bonds) for certain purposes of the Code. Section 1.141–12(j) provides that the percentage of outstanding bonds that are nonqualified bonds equals the highest percentage of private business use in any 1-year period commencing with the de- liberate action. In addition, §1.141–12(j) provides that the determination of the bonds of an issue that are treated as the nonqualified bonds must be made on a pro ratabasis, except that, for purposes of the remedial action that involves the redemption or defeasance of the nonqual- ified bonds, an issuer may treat bonds with longer maturities (determined on a bond-by-bond basis) as the nonqualified bonds. In general, §1.141–15 provides that §1.141–12 applies to bonds issued on or after May 16, 1997, that are subject to section 1301 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. However, issuers may apply the remedial action provisions in §1.141–12 to any bonds to which §1.141–12 does not otherwise apply. B. Qualified 501(c)(3) Bonds Under section 141(e), a qualified 501(c)(3) bond issued under section 145 may be a qualified bond. Section 145(a) provides that, in general, a qualified 501(c)(3) bond is any private activity bond issued as part of an issue if: (1) all of the property that is to be provided by the net proceeds of the issue is to be owned by a 501(c)(3) organization or a govern- mental unit; and (2) such bond would not be a private activity bond if section 501(c)(3) organizations were treated as governmental units with respect to their activities that do not constitute unrelated trades or businesses, determined by ap- plying section 513(a). For this purpose, the private business tests are applied by using “5 percent” instead of “10 percent” each place it appears and “net proceeds” for “proceeds” each place it appears. Sec- tion 1.145–2 provides, in general, that §§1.141–0 through 1.141–15 apply to section 145(a). C. Exempt Facility Bonds Under section 141(e), an exempt facil- itybondissuedundersection142maybe a qualified bond. Under section 142(a), an exempt facility bond is any bond issued as part of an issue if 95 percent or more of the net proceeds are to be used to provide cer- tain exempt facilities. Under §1.142–2, if less than 95 percent of the net proceeds of an exempt facility bond are actually used to provide an ex- empt facility, and for no other purpose, the issue will be treated as meeting the use of proceeds requirement of section 142(a) if the issue meets a reasonable expectations test, and the issuer takes the remedial ac- tion described §1.142–2. The reasonable expectations test requires that the issuer must have reasonably expected on the is- sue date of the bonds that at least 95 per- cent of the net proceeds of the issue would be used to provide an exempt facility and for no other purpose for the entire term of the bonds (disregarding any redemption provisions). The remedial action provided in §1.142–2 requires that the issuer redeem or defease the nonqualified bonds of the is- sue. However, a defeasance is not a per- mitted remedial action if it does not satisfy the 10 1 /2year limitation on defeasances. For purposes of §1.142–2, the nonqual- ified bonds are a portion of the outstand- ingbondsinanamountthat,ifthere- maining bonds were issued on the date on which the failure to properly use the pro- ceeds occurs, at least 95 percent of the net proceeds of the remaining bonds would be used to provide an exempt facility. If no proceeds have been spent to provide an ex- empt facility, all of the outstanding bonds are nonqualified bonds. The nonqualified bonds must be determined on apro rataba- sis, except that an issuer may treat bonds with longer maturities (determined on a bond-by-bond basis) as the nonqualified bonds. In general, §1.141–16 provides that §1.142–2 applies to bonds issued on or after May 16, 1997. However, §1.142–2, together with certain other regulations, may be applied in whole, but not in part, to bonds outstanding on May 16, 1997. D. Prior Remedial Action Rules Prior to the release of §§1.141–12 and 1.142–2, Rev. Proc. 93–17 (1993–1 C.B. 507), provided remedial action rules. Rev. Proc. 93–17 does not contain the 10 1 /2year limitation on defeasances. The preamble to the regulations that include §§1.141–12 and 1.142–2 providesthat for actions that occur on or after May 16, 1997, Rev. Proc. 93–17 is obsolete. Explanation of Provisions Comments have been received suggest- ing that the definition of the amount of nonqualified bonds contained in §1.141–12 be limited to the excess of the actual amount of the private business use or private loans over the permitted amount of private business use or private loans under section 141. The comments note that this approach is consistent with the statutory language of section 141, which permits certainde minimisamounts of private business use and private loans without jeopardizing the tax-exempt status of bonds, and with the definition of the amount of nonqualified bonds contained in §1.142–2. The comments also suggest simplify- ing the rules for determining the bonds to be treated as the nonqualified bonds. The comments recommend granting an issuer greater discretion in its selection of bonds, to the extent that the issuer, through such selection, does not effectively extend the remaining weighted average maturity of the bond issue with respect to which the deliberate action occurred. Finally, the comments request clarifica- tion of the remedial action rules applicable August 25, 20034112003-34 I.R.B. to bonds issued prior to May 16, 1997. In particular, the comments request that issuers be permitted to apply §§1.141–12 and 1.142–2 to bonds issued before May 16, 1997, without regard to the 10 1 /2year limitation on defeasances contained in those regulations. The comments indicate that it is unfair to require issuers to comply with the 10 1 /2year limitation for bonds issued prior to the release of §§1.141–12 and 1.142–2 because issuers could not have known about the limitation when structuring those bonds. The proposed regulations generally adopt these suggestions. First, the proposed regulations reduce the amount of outstanding bonds that are nonqualified bonds under §1.141–12. The proposed regulations provide that the non- qualified bonds are a portion of the out- standing bonds in an amount that, if the re- maining bonds were issued on the date on which the deliberate action occurs, the re- maining bonds would not satisfy the pri- vate business use test or private loan fi- nancing test, as applicable. For this pur- pose, the amount of private business use is the greatest percentage of private busi- ness use in any one-year period commenc- ing with the deliberate action. Second, the proposed regulations amend the provisions of §1.141–12 re- lating to redemption or defeasance and the provisions of §1.142–2 relating to allocations of nonqualified bonds. Under the proposed regulations, allocations of nonqualified bonds must be made on a pro ratabasis, except that an issuer may treat any bonds of an issue as the nonqual- ified bonds so long as (i) the remaining weighted average maturity of the issue, determined as of the date on which the nonqualified bonds are redeemed or de- feased (determination date), and excluding from the determination the nonqualified bonds redeemed or defeased by the is- suer, is not greater than (ii) the remaining weighted average maturity of the issue, determined as of the determination date, but without regard to the redemption or defeasance of any bonds (including the nonqualified bonds) occurring on the de- termination date. Finally, the proposed regulations amend §§1.141–15(e) and 1.141–16(c) to provide that for bonds issued before May 16, 1997, issuers may apply §§1.141–12 and 1.142–2 without regard to the 10 1 /2 year limitation on defeasances contained in those regulations. Proposed Effective Dates The proposed regulations that amend §§1.141–12 and 1.142–2 will apply to de- liberate actions or failures to properly use proceeds, as applicable, that occur on or after the date of publication of final reg- ulations in theFederal Register,tothe extent §1.141–12 or 1.142–2, as applica- ble, applies to the bonds. The proposed regulations that amend §§1.141–15(e) and 1.141–16(c) will apply to bonds issued be- fore May 16, 1997, that are subject to §§1.141–12 or 1.142–2, as applicable, for purposes of deliberate actions or failures to properly use proceeds, as applicable, that occur on or after April 21, 2003. Is- suers may apply the proposed regulations to deliberate actions or failures to prop- erly use proceeds, as applicable, that oc- cur on or after April 21, 2003 and be- fore the date of publication of final regu la- tions in theFederal Register,totheexte nt (1) §1.141–12 or §1.142–2, as applicabl e, applies to the bonds, and (2) with re spect to the amendments to §§1.141–15(e )and 1.141–16(c), the bonds were issue dbefore May 16, 1997. 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 has also 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 the regulations do not im- pose a collection of information on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this notice of proposed rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for com- ment on its impact on small business. Comments and Pu blic Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written comments that are submitted timely (preferably a signed original and eight (8) copies) to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury request comments on the clarity of the proposed regulations and how they may be made easier to un- derstand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing has been scheduled for November 4, 2003, at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washing- ton, DC. Because of access restrictions, visitors will not be admitted beyond the lobby more than 30 minutes before the hearing starts. For information about having your name placed on the building access list to attend the hearing, see the “FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CON- TACT” section of this preamble. The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3) ap- ply to the hearing. Persons who wish to present oral com- ments at the hearing must submit written comments by October 14, 2003, and sub- mit an outline of the topics to be discussed and the amount of time to be devoted to each topic by October 14, 2003. A period of 10 minutes will be allotted to each person for making comments. An agenda showing the scheduling of the speakers will be prepared after the deadline for receiving outlines has passed. Copies of the agenda will be available free of charge at the hearing. Comments are requested on all aspects of the proposed regulations. Drafting Information The principal authors of these regula- tions are Rebecca L. Harrigal a nd Gary W. Bornholdt, Office of Assoc iate Chief Counsel (Tax-Exempt and G overnment Entities), IRS, and Bruce M. Serchuk, Of- fice of Tax Policy, Treas ury Department. However, other personne lfromtheIRS and Treasury Departmen t participated in their development. ***** Proposed Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be 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 * * * 2003-34 I.R.B.412August 25, 2003 Par. 2. Section 1.141–0 is amended by adding an entry to the table for §1.141–16(d) to read as follows: §1.141–0 Table of contents. ***** §1.141–16 Effective dates for qualified private activity bond provisions. ***** (d) Certain remedial actions. ***** Par. 3. In §1.141–12, paragraphs (j) and (k)Example 8are revised to read as follows: §1.141–12 Remedial Actions. ***** (j)Nonqualified bonds—(1)Amount of nonqualified bonds. The nonqualified bonds are a portion of the outstanding bonds in an amount that, if the remaining bonds were issued on the date on which the deliberate action occurs, the remain- ing bonds would not satisfy the private business use test or private loan financ- ing test, as applicable. For this purpose, the amount of private business use is the greatest percentage of private business use in any one-year period commencing with the deliberate action. (2)Allocation of nonqualified bonds. Allocations of nonqualified bonds must be made on apro ratabasis, except that, for purposes of paragraph (d) of this section (relating to redemption or defeasance), an issuer may treat any bonds of an issue as the nonqualified bonds so long as— (i) The remaining weighted average maturity of the issue, determined as of the date on which the nonqualified bonds are redeemed or defeased (determination date), and excluding from the determina- tion the nonqualified bonds redeemed or defeased by the issuer in accordance with this section, is not greater than (ii) The remaining weighted average maturity of the issue, determined as of the determination date, but without regard to the redemption or defeasance of any bonds (including the nonqualified bonds) occurring on the determination date. (k) * * * Example 8.Comp liance after remedial action. In 2000, City G issues bonds with proceeds of $10 million to finance a courthouse. The bonds have a weighted average maturity that does not exceed 120 percent of the reasonablyexpected economic life of the courthouse. G uses $1 million of the proceeds for a private business use and more than 10 percent of the debtserviceontheissueissecuredbyprivatesecurity or payments. In 2004, in abona fideand arm’s length arrangement, G enters into a management contract with a nongovernmental person that results in private business use of 40 percent of the courthouse per year during the remaining term of the bonds. G immedi- ately redeems the nonqualified bonds, or 44.44 per- cent of the outstanding bonds. This is the portion of the outstanding bonds that, if the remaining bonds were issued on the date on which the deliberate ac- tion occurs, the remaining bonds would not satisfy the private business use test, if the amount of private business use is the greatest percentage of private b usi- ness use in any one-year period commencing with the deliberate action (50 percent). This percentage is computed by dividing the percentage of the faci lity used for a government use (50 percent) by the min- imum amount of government use required (90 per- cent), and subtracting the resulting percenta ge (55.56 percent) from 100 percent (44.44 percent). For pur- poses of subsequently applying section 141 to the is- sue, G may continue to use all of the proce eds of the outstanding bonds in the same manner (that is, for the courthouse and the private business use) without causing the issue to meet the private b usiness use test. The issue, however, continues to meet the private se- curity or payment test. The result would be the same if G, instead of redeeming the bo nds, established a defeasance escrow for those bonds, provided that the requirement of paragraph(d)(4)ofthissectionwas met. Par. 4. Section 1.141–15 is ame nded as follows: 1. Paragraph (b)(4) is added. 2. Paragraph (e) is revised. The amendments read as follow s: §1.141–15 Effective dates. ***** (b)Effective dates.*** (4)Certain remedial actions . For bonds subject to §1.141–12, the pr ovisions of §§1.141–12(j) and 1.141–12 (k),Example 8, apply to deliberate acti ons that occur on or after the date of public ation of final reg- ulations in theFederal Re gisterand may be applied by issuers to deliberate actions that occur on or after A pril 21, 2003, and beforethedateofpubl ication of final reg- ulations in theFeder al Register. ***** (e)Permissive application of certain sections—(1)In general. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section and this paragraph (e), the following sections may each be applied by issuers to any bonds— (i) Section 1.141–3(b)(4); (ii) Section 1.141–3(b)(6); and (iii) Section 1.141–12. (2)Transition rule for pre-effective date bonds. For purposes of paragraphs (e)(1) and (h) of this section, issuers may apply §1.141–12 to bonds issued before May 16, 1997, without regard to paragraph (d)(4) thereof with respectto deliberate actions that occur on or after April 21, 2003. ***** Par. 5. Section 1.141–16 is amended by revising paragraph (c) and adding para- graph (d) to read as follows: §1.141–16 Effective dates for qualified private activity bond provisions. ***** (c)Permissive application. The regu- lations designated in paragraph (a) of this section may be applied by issuers in whole, but not in part, to bonds outstanding on the effective date. For this purpose, is- suers may apply §1.142–2 without regard to paragraph (c)(3) thereof to failures to properly use proceeds that occur on or af- ter April 21, 2003. (d)Certain remedial actions.For bonds subject to §1.142–2, the provisions of §1.142–2(e) apply to failures to prop- erly use proceeds that occur on or after the date of publication of final regulations in theFederal Registerand may be ap- pliedbyissuerstofailurestoproperlyuse proceeds that occur on or after April 21, 2003, and before the date of publication of final regulations in theFederal Register. Par. 6. Section 1.142–0 is amended by revising the entries to the table for §1.142–2 paragraph (d), (d)(1) and (d)(2) to read as follows: §1.142–0 Table of contents. ***** §1.142–2 Remedial actions. ***** (d)***** (1) Amount of nonqualified bonds. (2) Allocation of nonqualified bonds. ***** Par. 7. Section 1.142–2 is amended by revising paragraph (e) to read as follows: §1.142–2 Remedial actions. August 25, 20034132003-34 I.R.B. ***** (e)Nonqualified bonds—(1)Amount of nonqualified bonds. The nonqualified bonds are a portion of the outstanding bonds in an amount that, if the remaining bonds were issued on the date on which the failure to properly use the proceeds occurs, at least 95 percent of the net pro- ceeds of the remaining bonds would be used to provide an exempt facility. If no proceeds have been spent to provide an exempt facility, all of the outstanding bonds are nonqualified bonds. (2)Allocation of nonqualified bonds. Allocations of nonqualified bonds must be made on apro ratabasis, except that an is- suer may treat any bonds of an issue as the nonqualified bonds so long as— (i) The remaining weighted average maturity of the issue, determined as of the date on which the nonqualified bonds are redeemed or defeased (determination date), and excluding from the determina- tion the nonqualified bonds redeemed or defeased by the issuer in accordance with this section, is not greater than (ii) The remaining weighted average maturity of the issue, determined as of the determination date, but without regard to the redemption or defeasance of any bonds (including the nonqualified bonds) occurring on the determination date. Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner for Ser- vices and Enforcement. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 18, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 21, 2003, 68 F.R. 43059) Announcement of Disciplinary Actions Involving Attorneys, Certified Public Accountants, Enrolled Agents, and Enrolled Actuaries — Suspensions, Censures, Disbarments, and Resignations Announcement 2003-50 Under Title 31, Code of Federal Regu- lations, Part 10, attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, and enrolled actuaries may not accept assistance from, or assist, any person who is under disbar- ment or suspension from practice before the Internal Revenue Service if the assis- tance relates to a matter constituting prac- tice before the Internal Revenue Service and may not knowingly aid or abet another person to practice before the Internal Rev- enue Service during a period of suspen- sion, disbarment, or ineligibility of such other person. To enable attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, and enrolled actuaries to identify persons to whom these restrictions apply, the Director, Of- fice of Professional Responsibility will announce in the Internal Revenue Bulletin their names, their city and state, their pro- fessional designation, the effective date of disciplinary action, and the period of suspension. This announcement will ap- pear in the weekly Bulletin at the earliest practicable date after such action and will continue to appear in the weekly Bulletins for five successive weeks. Suspensions From Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service After Notice and an Opportunity for a Proceeding Under Title 31, Code of Federal Regu- lations, Part 10, after notice and an oppor- tunity for a proceeding before an adminis- trative law judge, the following individuals have been placed under suspension from practice before the Internal Revenue Ser- vice: NameAddressDesignationEffective Date Arnold, JohnClovis, CAEnrolled AgentFebruary 13, 2003 to August 12, 2003 2003-34 I.R.B.414August 25, 2003 Disbarments From Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service After Notice and an Opportunity for a Proceeding Under Title 31, Code of Federal Regu- lations, Part 10, after notice and an oppor- tunity for a proceeding before an adminis- trative law judge, the following individuals have been disbarred from practice before the Internal Revenue Service: NameAddressDesignationEffective Date Kalajian, ThomasLaguna Hills, CACPAOctober 2, 2002 Messman, CarlaOuting, MNEnrolled AgentJanuary 9, 2003 Consent Suspensions From Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service Under Title 31, Code of Federal Regu- lations, Part 10, an attorney, certified pub- lic accountant, enrolled agent, or enrolled actuary, in order to avoid institution or con- clusion of a proceeding for his or her dis- barment or suspension from practice be- fore the Internal Revenue Service, may of- fer his or her consent to suspension from such practice. The Director, Office of Pro- fessional Responsibility, in his discretion, may suspend an attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent or enrolled ac- tuary in accordance with the consent of- fered. The following individuals have been placed under consent suspension from practice before the Internal Revenue Ser- vice: NameAddressDesignationDate of Suspension Kemp, BartSonoma, CAAttorneyMarch 15, 2003 to November 15, 2003 Marks, GaryHewlett, NYCPAMarch 24, 2003 to March 23, 2004 Fehl, KennethPalo Alto, CAAttorneyApril 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 Cohen, PeterEdison, NJCPAApril 3, 2003 to May 2, 2005 Kohn, MichaelSt. Louis, MOAttorneyIndefinite from April 30, 2003 Sogamoso, CarlosBellflower,CAEnrolled AgentIndefinite from May 1, 2003 Huston, JamesKingman, AZCPAMay 1, 2003 to April 30, 2006 Halleran, EdwardCarle Place, NYEnrolled AgentIndefinite from May 1, 2003 August 25, 20034152003-34 I.R.B. NameAddressDesignationDate of Suspension Marshall, E. PeterGlens Falls, NYCPAMay 1, 2003 to April 30, 2006 Bell, RosannaIrvington, NYCPAIndefinite from May 8, 2003 Kingsley, StevenWeston, CTCPAIndefinite from May 15, 2003 Schawe, RudolphBrenham, TXEnrolled AgentMay 22, 2003 to October 21, 2004 Scheve, MichaelBaltimore, MDCPAIndefinite from May 27, 2003 McKenzie, DawnaFort Smith, AREnrolled AgentIndefinite from June 2, 2003 Suen, MingSan Francisco, CAEnrolled AgentIndefinite from June 3, 2003 Reyes, RupertoPlacentia, CAEnrolled AgentJune 10, 2003 to December 9, 2005 Garmo, GeorgisW. Bloomfield, MICPAIndefinite from June 10, 2003 Holmes, James L.Burlington, NCEnrolled AgentIndefinite from June 18, 2003 Brooks, SandraSan Diego, CAEnrolled AgentIndefinite from June 20, 2003 Malley, WayneCupertino, CAEnrolled AgentIndefinite from June 27, 2003 Leininger, BarbaraLutz, FLEnrolled AgentIndefinite from June 27, 2003 2003-34 I.R.B.416August 25, 2003 Expedited Suspensions From Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service Under Title 31, Code of Federal Regu- lations, Part 10, the Director, Office of Pro- fessional Responsibility, is authorized to immediately suspend from practice before the Internal Revenue Service any practi- tioner who, within five years from the date the expedited proceeding is instituted (1) has had a license to practice as an attorney, certified public accountant, or actuary sus- pended or revoked for cause or (2) has been convicted of certain crimes. The following individuals have been placed under suspension from practice before the Internal Revenue Service by virtue of the expedited proceeding provi- sions: NameAddressDesignationDate of Suspension Radwick, PeterWoodinville, WACPAIndefinite from March 10, 2003 Jellinger, RichardAnoka, MNAttorneyIndefinite from March 10, 2003 Deen, BillyMansfield, TXCPAIndefinite from March 10, 2003 Dougherty Jr, WilliamNewport News, VAAttorneyIndefinite from March 10, 2003 Abood, NormanOregon, OHAttorneyIndefinite from March 10, 2003 Matis, VendelRedlands, CAAttorneyIndefinite from March 31, 2003 Workman, AndrewPanama City, FLCPAIndefinite from March 31, 2003 Bagwell, Jr., NoelCunningham, TNAttorneyIndefinite from March 31, 2003 O’Brien, BrienSioux City, IAAttorneyIndefinite from March 31, 2003 Boykoff, FranklinPleasantville, NYAttorneyIndefinite from March 31, 2003 McKinnon, MarvaStatesville, NCAttorneyIndefinite from March 31, 2003 Bailey, Scott K.Eden Prairie, MNAttorneyIndefinite from March 31, 2003 August 25, 20034172003-34 I.R.B. NameAddressDesignationDate of Suspension Kim, KunAtlanta, GACPAIndefinite from March 31, 2003 Massari III, DomenicTampa, FLAttorneyIndefinite from May 12, 2003 Haugabrook II, TyroneValdosta, GAAttorneyIndefinite from May 19, 2003 Wester, JosephMontgomery, ALCPAIndefinite from May 19, 2003 Smercina, DavidSolon, OHCPAIndefinite from May 19, 2003 Pullings, RetnaWashington, DCAttorneyIndefinite from May 19, 2003 Boyd, JamesMendota Heights, MNAttorneyIndefinite from May 20, 2003 Spindler, JudithOmaha, NEAttorneyIndefinite from May 20, 2003 Wintroub, EdwardOmaha, NEAttorneyIndefinite from May 20, 2003 Brinker, PeterOmaha, NEAttorneyIndefinite from May 21, 2003 Valdes, AlfredoOld Greenwich, CTCPAIndefinite from May 21, 2003 Cruise, MichaelLincoln, NEAttorneyIndefinite from May 22, 2003 Schoppert, ThomasMinot, NDAttorneyIndefinite from June 2, 2003 White, PaulSmithfield, NCEnrolled AgentIndefinite from June 2, 2003 Brier, MichaelProvidence, RICPAIndefinite from June 16, 2003 2003-34 I.R.B.418August 25, 2003 Resignations of Enrolled Agents Under Title 31, Code of Federal Regu- lations, Part 10, an enrolled agent, in or- der to avoid the institution or conclusion of a proceeding for his or her disbarment or suspension from practice before the In- ternal Revenue Service, may offer his or her resignation as an enrolled agent. The Director, Office of Professional Responsi- bility, in his discretion, may accept the of- fered resignation. The Director, Office of Professional Responsibility, has accepted offers of resignation as an enrolled agent from the following individuals: NameAddressDate of Designation Evans, CarolineTiverton, RIMay 7, 2003 Censure Issued by Consent Under Title 31, Code of Federal Reg- ulations, Part 10, in lieu of a proceeding being instituted or continued, an attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent, or enrolled actuary, may offer his or her consent to the issuance of a censure. Cen- sure is a public reprimand. The following individuals have con- sented to the issuance of a Censure: NameAddressDesignationDate of Censure Pargas, Carlos B.Miami, FLCPAMarch 19, 2003 Malkasian, GarySacramento, CACPAMarch 27, 2003 Wilcox, Ronald E.Mt. Carmel, ILCPAApril 29, 2003 Wood, David T.Shawneetown, ILCPAMay 27, 2003 August 25, 20034192003-34 I.R.B. 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 being 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 following abbreviations in current use and formerly used will appear in material published in the Bulletin. A—Individual. Acq.—Acquiescence. B—Individual. BE—Beneficiary. BK—Bank. B.T.A.—Board of Tax Appeals. C—Individual. C.B.—Cumulative Bulletin. CFR—Code of Federal Regulations. CI—City. COOP—Cooperative. Ct.D.—Court Decision. CY—County. D—Decedent. 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—Employer. ERISA—Employee Retirement Income Security Act. EX—Executor. F—Fiduciary. FC—Foreign Country. FICA—Federal Insurance Contributions Act. FISC—Foreign International Sales Company. FPH—Foreign Personal Holding Company. F.R.—Federal Register. FUTA—Federal Unemployment Tax Act. FX—Foreign corporation. G.C.M.—Chief Counsel’s Memorandum. GE—Grantee. GP—General Partner. GR—Grantor. IC—Insurance Company. I.R.B.—Internal Revenue Bulletin. LE—Lessee. LP—Limited Partner. LR—Lessor. M—Minor. Nonacq.—Nonacquiescence. O—Organization. P—Parent Corporation. PHC—Personal Holding Company. PO—Possession of the U.S. PR—Partner. PRS—Partnership. PTE—Prohibited Transaction Exemption. Pub. L.—Public Law. REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust. Rev. Proc.—Revenue Procedure. Rev. Rul.—Revenue Ruling. S—Subsidiary. S.P.R.—Statement of Procedural Rules. Stat.—Statutes at Large. T—Target Corporation. T.C.—Tax Court. T.D.—Treasury Decision. TFE—Transferee. TFR—Transferor. T.I.R.—Technical Information Release. TP—Taxpayer. TR—Trust. TT—Trustee. U.S.C.—United States Code. X—Corporation. Y—Corporation. Z—Corporation. 2003-34 I.R.B.iAugust 25, 2003 Numerical Finding List 1 Bulletins 2003–27 through 2003–33 Announcements: 2003-45, 2003-28 I.R.B.73 2003-46, 2003-30 I.R.B.222 2003-47, 2003-29 I.R.B.124 2003-48, 2003-28 I.R.B.73 2003-49, 2003-32 I.R.B.339 2003-50, 2003-30 I.R.B.222 2003-52, 2003-32 I.R.B.345 2003-53, 2003-32 I.R.B.345 Notices: 2003-38, 2003-27 I.R.B.9 2003-39, 2003-27 I.R.B.10 2003-40, 2003-27 I.R.B.10 2003-41, 2003-28 I.R.B.49 2003-42, 2003-28 I.R.B.49 2003-43, 2003-28 I.R.B.50 2003-44, 2003-28 I.R.B.52 2003-45, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2003-46, 2003-28 I.R.B.53 2003-47, 2003-30 I.R.B.132 2003-48, 2003-30 I.R.B.133 2003-49, 2003-32 I.R.B.294 2003-50, 2003-32 I.R.B.295 2003-51, 2003-33 I.R.B.361 2003-52, 2003-32 I.R.B.296 2003-53, 2003-33 I.R.B.362 2003-54, 2003-33 I.R.B.363 Proposed Regulations: REG-106736-00, 2003-28 I.R.B.60 REG-107618-02, 2003-27 I.R.B.13 REG-122917-02, 2003-27 I.R.B.15 REG-131997-02, 2003-33 I.R.B.366 REG-116914-03, 2003-32 I.R.B.338 Revenue Procedures: 2003-45, 2003-27 I.R.B.11 2003-46, 2003-28 I.R.B.54 2003-47, 2003-28 I.R.B.55 2003-48, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2003-49, 2003-29 I.R.B.89 2003-50, 2003-29 I.R.B.119 2003-51, 2003-29 I.R.B.121 2003-52, 2003-30 I.R.B.134 2003-53, 2003-31 I.R.B.230 2003-54, 2003-31 I.R.B.236 2003-55, 2003-31 I.R.B.242 2003-56, 2003-31 I.R.B.249 2003-57, 2003-31 I.R.B.257 2003-58, 2003-31 I.R.B.262 2003-59, 2003-31 I.R.B.268 Revenue Procedures— Continued: 2003-60, 2003-31 I.R.B.274 2003-61, 2003-32 I.R.B.296 2003-62, 2003-32 I.R.B.299 2003-63, 2003-32 I.R.B.304 2003-64, 2003-32 I.R.B.306 2003-65, 2003-32 I.R.B.336 2003-66, 2003-33 I.R.B.364 Revenue Rulings: 2003-70, 2003-27 I.R.B.3 2003-71, 2003-27 I.R.B.1 2003-72, 2003-33 I.R.B.346 2003-73, 2003-28 I.R.B.44 2003-74, 2003-29 I.R.B.77 2003-75, 2003-29 I.R.B.79 2003-76, 2003-33 I.R.B.355 2003-77, 2003-29 I.R.B.75 2003-78, 2003-29 I.R.B.76 2003-79, 2003-29 I.R.B.80 2003-80, 2003-29 I.R.B.83 2003-81, 2003-30 I.R.B.126 2003-82, 2003-30 I.R.B.125 2003-83, 2003-30 I.R.B.128 2003-84, 2003-32 I.R.B.289 2003-85, 2003-32 I.R.B.291 2003-86, 2003-32 I.R.B.290 2003-87, 2003-29 I.R.B.82 2003-88, 2003-32 I.R.B.292 2003-90, 2003-33 I.R.B.353 2003-91, 2003-33 I.R.B.347 2003-92, 2003-33 I.R.B.350 2003-93, 2003-33 I.R.B.346 2003-94, 2003-33 I.R.B.357 2003-95, 2003-33 I.R.B.358 Treasury Decisions: 9061, 2003-27 I.R.B.5 9062, 2003-28 I.R.B.46 9067, 2003-32 I.R.B.287 1 A cumulative list of all revenue rulings, revenue procedures, Treasury decisions, etc., published in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2003-1 through 2003-26 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2003-27, dated July 7, 2003. August 25, 2003ii2003-34 I.R.B. Findings List of Current Actions on Previously Published Items 1 Bulletins 2003–27 through 2003–33 Notices: 89-79 Modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-47, 2003-28 I.R.B.55 89-94 Modified by Notice 2003-50, 2003-32 I.R.B.295 2001-4 Section III.C. superseded for 2004 and subsequent calendar years by Rev. Proc. 2003-64, 2003-32 I.R.B.306 2001–70 Amplified by Notice 2003-45, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2001–74 Amplified by Notice 2003-45, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2002-1 Amplified by Notice 2003-49, 2003-32 I.R.B.294 Proposed Regulations: EE-86-88 (LR-279-81) Withdrawn by REG-122917-02, 2003-27 I.R.B.15 Revenue Procedures: 66-50 Modified,amplified,andsupersededby Rev. Proc. 2003-62, 2003-32 I.R.B.299 77-12 Amplified, modified, and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-51, 2003-29 I.R.B.121 81-40 Modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-62, 2003-32 I.R.B.299 89-21 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-53, 2003-31 I.R.B.230 90-32 Section 4 superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-55, 2003-31 I.R.B.242 Section 5 superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-56, 2003-31 I.R.B.249 Section 6 superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-57, 2003-31 I.R.B.257 Section 7 superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-59, 2003-31 I.R.B.268 Revenue Procedures— Continued: Section8supersededby Rev. Proc. 2003-60, 2003-31 I.R.B.274 96-30 Modified and amplified by Rev. Proc. 2003-48, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2000-12 Modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-64, 2003-32 I.R.B.306 2000–15 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-61, 2003-32 I.R.B.296 2002-9 Modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-45, 2003-27 I.R.B.11 Amplified and modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-50, 2003-29 I.R.B.119 Modified and amplified by Rev. Proc. 2003-63, 2003-32 I.R.B.304 Rev. Rul. 2003-81, 2003-30 I.R.B.126 2002-33 Amplified and modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-50, 2003-29 I.R.B.119 2002-34 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-52, 2003-30 I.R.B.134 2003-3 Modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-48, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2003-15 Modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-49, 2003-29 I.R.B.89 Revenue Rulings: 79-410 Amplified by Rev. Rul. 2003-90, 2003-33 I.R.B.353 81-225 Clarified and amplified by Rev. Rul. 2003-92, 2003-33 I.R.B.350 1 A cumulative list of current actions on previously published items in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2003-1 through 2003-26 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2003-27, dated July 7, 2003. 2003-34 I.R.B.iiiAugust 25, 2003 *U.S. Government Printing Office:2003—496–919/60097
Setzen Sie Ihre Recherche in ChatGPT oder Claude fort
Verbinden Sie Omnilex, um den Rechtskorpus über Ihren KI-Assistenten zu durchsuchen.