us-irs-notices-irb-2004-27-pdf•Internal Revenue Bulletin 2004-27 (PDF rendition): IRS Notices
Internal Revenue Bulletin 2004-27 (PDF rendition): IRS Notices
us-irs-notices-irb-2004-27-pdfInternal Revenue Bulletin 2004-27 (PDF rendition): IRS NoticesGuidance
Preserve advance releases and the authoritative Internal Revenue Bulletin rendition; directory timestamps are file-publication metadata, not legal effective dates. HTML bulletins begin June 2003; earlier available issues require full PDF parsing. Whole bulletin rendition: numbered items are identified below; other legal material and publisher context remain included. This is not a new standalone advance release.
Bulletin No. 200 4-27 July 6, 2004 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. 2004–63, page 6. Special use value; farms; interest rates.The 2004 interest rates to be used in computing the special use value of farm real property for which an election is made under section 2032A of the Code are listed for estates of decedents. Rev. Rul. 2 004–66, page 4. Federal ra tes; adjusted federal rates; adjusted federal long-term rate and the long-term exempt rate.For pur- poses of se ctions 382, 642, 1274, 1288, and other sections of the Cod e, tables set forth the rates for July 2004. T.D. 9131, page 2. Final regulations amend the regulations under sections 263A and 448 of the Code to allow taxpayers changing a method of accounting under those sections to take any adjustment un- der section 481(a) resulting from the change into account over the same number of taxable years that applies to taxpayers changing a method of accounting under the general adminis- trative procedures issued by the Service. Notice 2004–43, page 10. This notice provides transition relief for individuals in states where high deductible health plans (HDHPs) are not available because state laws require health plans to provide certain ben- efits with a low or no deductible. Rev. Pro c. 2004–38, page 10. This pro cedure informs owners of qualified low-income hous- ing proj ects how to obtain the waiver of annual recertification of tena nt income provided in section 42(g)(8)(B) of the Code. New For m 8877,Request for Waiver of Annual Income Recer- tifica tion Requirement for the Low-Income Housing Credit,will be used to make the request. Rev. Proc. 94–64 superseded. EMPLOYEE PLANS Rev. Rul. 2004–65, page 1. Post-retirement health benefits; waiver.This ruling holds that an employer has reduced retiree health coverage, within the meaning of section 420(c)(2)(E) of the Code, if an individual who has coverage for retiree health benefits (“covered individ- ual”) accepts an offer from the employer to waive the coverage in exchange for enhanced pension benefits. Announce ment 2004–57, page 15. Age-discr imination regulations; proposed withdrawal. Proposed regulations that would have interpreted the provi- sions of s ections 411(b)(1)(H) and 411(b)(2) of the Code will be withdr awn. The mandatory technical advice cases involving cash bala nce conversions will not be processed while these issues ar e under consideration by Congress. EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS Announcement 2004–55, page 15. Mid-South Transportation Management, Inc., of Cincinnati, OH, no longer qualifies as an organization to which contributions aredeductibleundersection170oftheCode. (Conti nued on the next page) Fi nding Lists begin on page ii. ESTATE TAX Rev. Rul. 2004–64, page 7. Tax reimbursement clause.This ruling addresses issues presented with respect to a trust whose grantor is treated as itsowner. Itaddressesthegifttaxconsequenceswhenthe grantor pays the income tax attributable to the inclusion of thetrust’sincomeinthegrantor’staxableincome. Italsoad- dresses the estate tax consequences if, pursuant to the gov- erning instrument or applicable local law, the grantor may or must be reimbursed by the trust for that income tax. GIFT TAX Rev. Rul. 2004–64, page 7. Tax reimbursement clause.This ruling addresses issues presented with respect to a trust whose grantor is treated as itsowner. Itaddressesthegifttaxconsequenceswhenthe grantor pays the income tax attributable to the inclusion of thetrust’sincomeinthegrantor’staxableincome. Italsoad- dresses the estate tax consequences if, pursuant to the gov- erning instrument or applicable local law, the grantor may or must be reimbursed by the trust for that income tax. July 6, 20042004–27 I.R.B. The IRS Mission Provide America’s taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all. Introduction The Internal Revenue Bulletin is the authoritative instrument of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue for announcing official rulings and procedures of the Internal Revenue Service and for publishing Treasury Decisions, Executive Orders, Tax Conven- tions, legislation, court decisions, and other items of general interest. It is published weekly and may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents on a subscription basis. Bulletin contents are compiled semiannually into Cumulative Bulletins, which are sold on a single-copy basis. It is the policy of the Service to publish in the Bulletin all sub- stantive rulings necessary to promote a uniform application of the tax laws, including all rulings that supersede, revoke, mod- ify, or amend any of those previously published in the Bulletin. All published rulings apply retroactively unless otherwise indi- cated. Procedures relating solely to matters of internal man- agement are not published; however, statements of internal practices and procedures that affect the rights and duties of taxpayers are published. Revenue rulings represent the conclusions of the Service on the application of the law to the pivotal facts stated in the revenue ruling. In those based on positions taken in rulings to taxpayers or technical advice to Service field offices, identifying details and information of a confidential nature are deleted to prevent unwarranted invasions of privacy and to comply with statutory requirements. Rulings and procedures reported in the Bulletin do not have the force and effect of Treasury Department Regulations, but they may be used as precedents. Unpublished rulings will not be relied on, used, or cited as precedents by Service personnel in the disposition of other cases. In applying published rulings and procedures, the effect of subsequent legislation, regulations, court decisions, rulings, and procedures must be considered, and Service personnel and others concerned are cautioned against reaching the same conclusions in other cases unless the facts and circumstances are substantially the same. The Bulletin is divided into four parts as follows: Part I.—19 86 Code. This part i ncludes rulings and decisions based on provisions of the Intern al Revenue Code of 1986. Part II.—Treaties and Tax Legislation. This part is divided into two subparts as follows: Subpart A, Tax Conventions and Other Related Items, and Subpart B, Leg- islation and Related Committee Reports. Part III.—Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous. To the extent practicable, pertinent cross references to these subjects are contained in the other Parts and Subparts. Also included in this part are Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rul- ings. Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rulings are issued by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Assistant Sec- retary (Enforcement). Part IV .—Items of General Interest. This par t includes notices of proposed rulemakings, disbar- ment an d suspension lists, and announcements. The last Bulletin for each month includes a cumulative index for the matters published during the preceding months. These monthly indexes are cumulated on a semiannual basis, and are published in the last Bulletin of each semiannual period. The c ontents of this publication are not copyrighted and may be reprinted freely. A citation of the Internal Revenue Bulletin as the source would be appropriate. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. 2004–27 I.R.B.July 6, 2004 Part I. Rulings and Decisions Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Section 42.—Low-Income Housing Credit The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 263A.—Capital- ization and Inclusion in Inventory Costs of Cer- tain Expenses 26 CFR 1.263A–7: Changing a method of accounting under section 263A. Final regulations provide that any section 481(a) adjustment resulting from a change in method of ac- counting under section 263A may be taken into ac- count over the same number of taxable years that ap- plies to taxpayers changing a method of accounting under the general administrative procedures issued by the Service. See T.D. 9131, page 2. Section 280G.—Golden Parachute Payments Federal short-term, mid-term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 382.—Limitation on Net Operating Loss Carryforwards and Certain Built-In Losses Following Ownership Change The adjusted applicable federal long-term rate is set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 412.—Minimum Funding Standards The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 420.—Transfers of Excess Pension Assets to Retiree Health Accounts 26 CFR 1.420–1: Significant reduction in retiree health coverage during the cost maintenance period. Post-retirement health benefits; waiver.This ruling holdsthat an employer has reduced retiree health coverage, within the meaning of section 420(c)(2)(E) of the Code, if an individual who has cover- age for retiree health benefits (“covered individual”) accepts an offer from the em- ployer to waive the coverage in exchange for enhanced pension benefits. Rev. Rul. 2004–65 ISSUE Has an employer reduced retiree health coverage, within the meaning of § 420(c)(3)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code, if an individual who has cover- age for retiree health benefits (“covered individual”) accepts an offer from the em- ployer to waive such coverage in exchange for enhanced pension benefits? FACTS Employer M maintains Plan X, a sin- gle-employer defined benefit plan quali- fied under § 401(a) of the Code with a plan year ending June 30. Plan X contains a re- tiree health benefits account that satisfies the requirements of § 401(h). Under Plan X, Employer M is permitted to make qual- ified transfers of excess pension assets, in accordance with § 420, to such account from time to time to fund applicable health benefits. On June 30, 2002, Employer M makes a qualified transfer of excess pen- sion assets to the § 401(h) account. Ef- fective July 1, 2004, Employer M offers to covered individuals the opportunity to re- ceive enhanced pension benefits in return for waiving their applicable health bene- fits. LAW AND ANALYSIS Section 420(a) provides that if there is a qualified transfer of any excess pension assets of a defined benefit plan (other than a multiemployer plan) to a health benefits account which is part of such a plan, the related trust shall not be treated as failing to meet the requirements of § 401(a) or (h) solely by reason of such transfer. In addi- tion, no amount shall be includible in gross income of the employer solely by reason of such transfer, and such transfer shall not be treated as an employer reversion for pur- poses of § 4980 or as a prohibited transac- tion for purposes of § 4975. Among the requirements for a trans- fer to be a qualified transfer as defined in § 420(b) is that the minimum cost requirements of § 420(c)(3) must be sat- isfied. Section 420(c)(3)(A) provides, in relevant part, that each group health plan or arrangement under which applicable health benefits are provided must provide that the applicable employer cost for each taxable year during the cost maintenance period shall not be less than the higher of the applicable employer costs for each of the two (2) taxable years immediately preceding the taxable year of the qualified transfer. Section 420(c)(3)(B) defines ap- plicable employer cost, and § 420(c)(3)(C) allows the minimum cost requirement to be applied separately with regard to in- dividuals eligible for benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Under § 420(c)(3)(D), the cost maintenance pe- riod is the period of five (5) taxable years beginning with the taxable year in which the qualified transfer occurs. Section 420(c)(3)(E) provides that the Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to prevent an employer who sig- nificantly reduces retiree health coverage during the cost maintenance period from being treated as satisfying the minimum cost requirement. Section 420(e)(1)(C) defines “applica- ble health benefits” to mean health bene- fits or coverage which are provided to (i) retired employees who, immediately be- fore the qualified transfer, are entitled to receive such benefitsupon retirement and who are entitled to pension benefits under the plan, and (ii) their spouses and depen- dents. Section 1.420–1 of the Income Tax Regulations provides guidance pursuant to § 420(c)(3)(E) regarding when an em- ployer is considered tohave significantly reduced retiree health coverage during the cost maintenance period. Section 1.420–1(b) provides, in general, that there is a significant reduction if, for any tax- able year beginning on or after January 1, 2002, that is included in the cost mainte- nance period, either the employer-initiated 2004–27 I.R.B.1July 6, 2004 reduction percentage for that year exceeds 10%, or the sum of the employer-initiated reduction percentage for that taxable year and all prior taxableyears during the cost maintenance period exceeds 20%. The employer-initiated reduction percentage for any taxable year equals the number of individuals (retired employees plus their spouses and dependents) receiving cov- erage for applicable health benefits as of the day before the first day of the taxable year whose coverage for applicable health benefits ended during the taxable year by reason of employer action, divided by the total number of such individuals receiving coverage for applicable health benefits as of the day before the first day of the taxable year. Section 1.420–1(b)(4) defines the term “employer action” for purposes of deter- mining the employer-initiated reduction percentage. An individual’s eligibility for applicable health benefits ends during a taxable year by reason of employer action if, on any day within the taxable year, the individual’s eligibility for applicable health benefits ends as a result of a plan amendment or any other action of the em- ployer (e.g., the sale of all or a part of the employer’s business) that, in conjunction with the plan terms, has the effect of end- ing the individual’s eligibility. An employer’s offer to covered individ- uals to waive their retiree health benefit coverage in exchange for an incentive of- fered by the employer, such as enhanced pension benefits, is employer action under § 1.420–1(b)(4). Accordingly, if a covered individual accepts the offer to waive such coverage, the cessation of coverage will be treated as an employer-initiated reduc- tion in coverage for purposes of determin- ing whether the employer has significantly reduced retiree health coverage during the cost maintenance period. HOLDING An employer has reduced retiree health coverage, within the meaning of § 420(c)(3)(E), if an individual who has coverage for retiree health benefits (“cov- ered individual”) accepts an offer from the employer to waive such coverage in exchange for enhanced pension benefits. This ruling does not address other tax consequences that could arise from the of- fer. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue rul- ing is Diane S. Bloom of the Employee Plans, Tax Exempt and Government En- tities Division. For further information regarding this revenue ruling, contact the Employee Plans taxpayer assistance tele- phone service between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, by calling (877) 829–5500 (a toll-free number). Ms. Bloom may be reached at (202) 283–9888 (not a toll-free number). Section 448.—Limitation on Use of Cash Method of Accounting 26 CFR 1.448–1: Limitation on the use of the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting. T.D. 9131 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Part 1 Administrative Simplification of Section 481(a) Adjustment Periods in Various Regulations AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Final regulations. SUMMARY: This document contains amendments to regulations under sections 263A and 448 of the Internal Revenue Code. The amendments apply to tax- payers changing a method of accounting under the regulations and are necessary to conform the rules governing those changes to the rules provided in general guidance issued by the IRS for changing a method of accounting. Specifically, the amendments will allow taxpayers chang- ing their method of accounting under the regulations to take any adjustment under section 481(a) resulting from the change into account over the same number of tax- able years that is provided in the general guidance. DATES:Effective Date: These regulations are effective on or after June 16, 2004. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:ChristianWood, 202–622–4930 (not a toll-free num- ber). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On May 12, 2003, the IRS and Treasury published in theFederal Register(68 FR 25310) proposed amendments to the regu- lations (REG–142605–02, 2003–23 I.R.B. 1010) under sections 263A and 448 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). These amendments pertain to the period for tak- ing into account the adjustment required under section 481 to prevent duplications or omissions of amounts resulting from a change in method of accounting under sec- tion 263A or 448. Neither public com- ments in response to the proposed regula- tions nor any request to speak at a public hearing were received. The proposed reg- ulations under sections 263A and 448 are adopted as revised by this Treasury deci- sion. The proposed regulations provided that they are applicable to taxable years ending on or after the date those regulations are published as final regulations. However, the proposed regulations allowed taxpay- ers to rely on them for taxable years end- ing on or after May 12, 2003, by filing a Form 3115, “Application for Change in Accounting Method,” in the time and man- ner provided in the regulations (in the case of a change in method of accounting un- der section 448) or applicable administra- tive procedure (in the case of a change in method of accounting under section 263A) for such a taxable year that reflects a sec- tion 481 adjustment period that is consis- tent with the proposed regulations. Tax- payers may continue to rely on the pro- posed regulations for taxable years ending on or after May 12, 2003, but ending be- fore June 16, 2004. Special Analyses It has been determined that this Trea- sury decision is not asignificant regula- tory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations, and because July 6, 200422004–27 I.R.B. these regulations do not impose a collec- tion of information on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chap- ter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to sec- tion 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, the notice of proposed rulemaking preced- ing these regulations was submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business. Drafting Information The principal authors of these reg- ulations are Christian Wood and Grant Anderson of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in their development. ***** Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows: PART 1—INCOME TAXES Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read, in part, as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Par. 2. In §1.263A–7, paragraph (b)(2)(ii) is revised to read as follows: §1.263A–7 Changing a method of accounting under section 263A. ***** (b) * * * (2) * * * (ii) Adjustment required by section 481(a). In the case of any taxpayer re- quired or permitted to change its method of accounting for any taxable year under section 263A and the regulations thereun- der, the change will be treated as initiated by the taxpayer for purposes of the ad- justment required by section 481(a). The taxpayer must take the net section 481(a) adjustment into account over the section 481(a) adjustment period as determined under the applicable administrative pro- cedures issued under § 1.446–1(e)(3)(ii) for obtaining the Commissioner’s consent to a change in accounting method (for example, see Rev. Proc. 2002–9, 2002–1 C.B. 327, and Rev. Proc. 97–27, 1997–1 C.B. 680 (also see § 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter). This paragraph applies to taxable years ending on or after June 16, 2004. ***** Par. 3. Section 1.448–1 is amended as follows: 1. Paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(3)(i) are revised. 2. Paragraphs (g)(3)(ii) and (g)(3)(iii) are removed. 3. Paragraph (g)(3)(iv) is redesignated as paragraph (g)(3)(ii) and the introductory language is revised. 4. Paragraph (g)(6) is removed. 5. Paragraph (i)(1) is amended by re- moving the language “and (4)” and adding “(4), and (5)” in its place. 6. Paragraph (i)(5) is added. The revisions and addition read as fol- lows: §1.448–1 Limitation on the use of the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting. ***** (g) * * * (2) * * * (i)In general. Except as otherwise pro- vided in paragraphs (g)(2)(ii) and (g)(3) of this section, a taxpayer required by this section to change from the cash method must take the net section 481(a) adjust- ment into account over the section 481(a) adjustment period as determined under the applicable administrative procedures issued under §1.446–1(e)(3)(ii) for ob- taining the Commissioner’s consent to a change in accounting method (for exam- ple, see Rev. Proc. 2002–9, 2002–1 C.B. 327, and Rev. Proc. 97–27, 1997–1 C.B. 680 (also see § 601.601(d)(2) of this chap- ter), provided the taxpayer complies with the provisions of paragraph (h)(2) or (3) of this section for its first section 448 year. ***** (3) * * * (i)Cessation of trade or business.If the taxpayer ceases to engage in the trade or business to which the section 481(a) adjustment relates, or if the taxpayer op- erating the trade or business terminates existence, and such cessation or termina- tion occurs prior to the expiration of the adjustment period described in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section, the tax- payer must take into account, in the taxable year of such cessation or termination, the balance of the adjustment not previously taken into account in computing taxable income. For purposes of this paragraph (g)(3)(i), the determination as to whether a taxpayer has ceased to engage in the trade or business to which the section 481(a) ad- justment relates, or has terminated its exis- tence, is to be made under the principles of §1.446–1(e)(3)(ii) and its underlying ad- ministrative procedures. (ii)De minimis rule for a taxpayer other than a cooperative.Notwithstanding para- graph (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, a taxpayer other than a cooperative (within the meaning of section 1381(a)) that is required to change from the cash method by this section may elect to use, in lieu of the adjustment period described in para- graph (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, the adjustment period forde minimissection 481(a) adjustments provided in the ap- plicable administrative procedure issued under §1.446–1(e)(3)(ii) for obtaining the Commissioner’s consent to a change in accounting method. A taxpayer may make an election under thisparagraph (g)(3)(ii) only if — ***** (i) * * * (5)Effective date of paragraph (g)(2)(i). Paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this sec- tion applies to taxable years ending on or after June 16, 2004. Mark E. Matthews, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. Approved June 1, 2004. Gregory F. Jenner, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy). (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on June 15, 2004, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for June 16, 2004, 69 F.R. 33571) Section 467.—Certain Payments for the Use of Property or Services The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. 2004–27 I.R.B.3July 6, 2004 Section 468.—Special Rules for Mining and Solid Waste Reclamation and Closing Costs The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 482.—Allocation of Income and Deductions Among Taxpayers Federal short-term, mid-term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 483.—Interest on Certain Deferred Payments The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 642.—Special Rules for Credits and Deductions Federal short-term, mid-term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 671.—Trust Income, Deductions, and Credits Attributable to Grantors and Others as Substantial Owners What are the gift tax consequences if the grantor of a trust with respect to which the grantor is treated as the owner of the trust under subpart E, part I, subchap- ter J, chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code (subpart E), pays the income tax attributable to the inclusion of the trust’s income in the grantor’s taxable income, and what are the estate tax consequences if, pursuant to the governing instrument or applicable local law, the grantor may or must be reimbursed by the trust for that income tax? See Rev. Rul. 2004-64, page 7. Section 807.—Rules for Certain Reserves The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 846.—Discounted Unpaid Losses Defined The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 1274.—Determi- nation of Issue Price in the Case of Certain Debt Instru- ments Issued for Property (Also sections 42, 280G, 382, 412, 467, 468, 482, 483, 642, 807, 846, 1288, 7520, 7872.) Federal rates; adjusted federal rates; adjusted federal long-term rate and the long-term exempt rate.For purposes of sections 382, 642, 1274, 1288, and other sections of the Code, tables set forth the rates for July 2004. Rev. Rul. 2004–66 This revenue ruling provides vari- ous prescribed rates for federal income tax purposes for July 2004 (the current month). Table 1 contains the short-term, mid-term, and long-term applicable fed- eral rates (AFR) for the current month for purposes of section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. Table 2 contains the short-term, mid-term, and long-term adjusted applicable federal rates (adjusted AFR) for the current month for purposes of section 1288(b). Table 3 sets forth the adjusted federal long-term rate and the long-term tax-exempt rate described in section 382(f). Table 4 contains the ap- propriate percentages for determining the low-income housing credit described in section 42(b)(2) for buildings placed in service during the current month. Table 5 contains the federalrate for determining the present value of annuity, an interest for life or for a term of years, or a remainder or a reversionary interest for purposes of section 7520. Finally, Table 6 contains the blended annual rate for 2004 for purposes of section 7872. July 6, 200442004–27 I.R.B. REV. RUL. 2004–66 TABLE 1 Applicable Federal Rates (AFR) for July 2004 Period for Compounding AnnualSemiannualQuarterlyMonthly Short-term AFR2.26%2.25%2.24%2.24% 110% AFR2.50%2.48%2.47%2.47% 120% AFR2.72%2.70%2.69%2.68% 130% AFR2.95%2.93%2.92%2.91% Mid-term AFR4.11%4.07%4.05%4.04% 110% AFR4.53%4.48%4.46%4.44% 120% AFR4.94%4.88%4.85%4.83% 130% AFR5.36%5.29%5.26%5.23% 150% AFR6.20%6.11%6.06%6.03% 175% AFR7.25%7.12%7.06%7.02% Long-term AFR5.34%5.27%5.24%5.21% 110% AFR5.88%5.80%5.76%5.73% 120% AFR6.42%6.32%6.27%6.24% 130% AFR6.97%6.85%6.79%6.75% REV. RUL. 2004–66 TABLE 2 Rates Under Section 382 for July 2004 Perio d for Compounding AnnualSemiannualQuarterlyMonthly Short-term adjusted AFR 1.78%1.77%1.77%1.76% Mid-term adjusted AFR3.34%3.31%3.30%3.29% Long-term adjusted AFR 4.72%4.67%4.64%4.63% REV. RUL. 2004–66 TABLE 3 Rates Under Section 382 for July 2004 Adjusted federal long-term rate for the current month4.72% Long-term tax-exempt rate for ownership changes during the current month (the highest of the adjusted federal long-term rates for the current month and the prior two months.) 4.72% REV. RUL. 2004–66 TABLE 4 A ppropriate Percentages Under Section 42(b)(2) for July 2004 Appropriate percentage for the 70% present value low-income housing credit 8.10% Appropriate percentage for the 30% present value low-income housing credit 3.47% 2004–27 I.R.B.5July 6, 2004 REV. RUL. 2004–66 TABLE 5 Rate Under Section 7520 for July 2004 Applicable fe deral rate for determining the present value ofan annuity, an interest for life or a term of years, or a remainder or reversionary interest 5.0% REV. RUL. 200 4–66 TABLE 6 Blended Annual Rate for 2004 Section 7872(e)(2) blended annual rate for 2004 1.98% Section 1288.—Treatment of Original Issue Discount on Tax-Exempt Obligations The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 2032A.—Valuation of Certain Farm, etc., Real Property 26 CFR 20.2032A–4: Method of valuing farm real property. Special use value; farms; interest rates.The 2004 interest rates to be used in computing the special use value of farm real property for which an election is made under section 2032A of the Code are listed for estates of decedents. Rev. Rul. 2004–63 This revenue ruling contains a list of the average annual effective interest rates on new loans under the Farm Credit System. This revenue ruling also contains a list of the states within each Farm Credit System Bank Chartered Territory. Under § 2032A(e)(7)(A)(ii) of the In- ternal Revenue Code, rates on new Farm Credit System Bank loans are used in com- puting the special use value of real prop- erty used as a farm for which an election is made under § 2032A. The rates in this revenue ruling may be used by estates that value farmland under § 2032A as of a date in 2004. Average annual effective interest rates, calculated in accordance with § 2032A(e)(7)(A) and § 20.2032A–4(e) of the Estate Tax Regulations, to be used under § 2032A(e)(7)(A)(ii), are set forth in the accompanying Table of Interest Rates (Table 1). The states within each Farm Credit System Bank Chartered Territory are set forth in the accompanying Table of Farm Credit System Bank Chartered Territories (Table 2). Rev. Rul. 81–170, 1981–1 C.B. 454, contains an illustrative computation of an average annual effective interest rate. The rates applicable for valuation in 2003 are in Rev. Rul. 2003–53, 2003–1 C.B. 969. For rate information for years prior to 2003, see Rev. Rul. 2002–26, 2002–1 C.B. 906, and other revenue rulings that are refer- enced therein. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue rul- ing is Lane Damazo of the Office of the As- sociate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries). For further informa- tion regarding this revenue ruling, contact Lane Damazo at (202) 622–3090 (not a toll-free call). REV. RU L. 2004–63 TABLE 1 TABLE O F INTEREST RATES (Year o f Valuation 2004) Farm Credit System Bank Servicing State in Which Property is Located Rate AgFir st,FCB ........................................................ 8.32 AgriB ank,FCB ...................................................... 6.93 CoBan k,ACB ....................................................... 6.64 Texa s,FCB.......................................................... 6.59 U.S. AgBank,FCB................................................... 6.84 July 6, 200462004–27 I.R.B. REV. RUL. 2004–63 TABLE 2 TABLE OF FARM CREDIT SYSTEM BANK CHARTERED TERRITORIES Farm Credit System BankLocation of Property AgFirst,FCB ............................................ Delaware,DistrictofColumbia,Florida,Georgia,Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia. AgriBank,FCB .......................................... Arkansas,Illinois,Indiana,Iowa,Kentucky,Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Wyoming. CoBank,ACB ........................................... Alaska,Connecticut,Idaho,Maine,Massachusetts,Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington. Texas,FCB.............................................. Alabama,Louisiana,Mississippi,Texas. U.S. Agban k,FCB........................................ Arizona, C alifornia, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada, Ok lahoma, Utah Section 2036.—Transfers With Retained Life Estate 26 CFR 20.2036–1: Transfers with retained life es- tate. What are the gift tax consequences if the grantor of a trust with respect to which the grantor is treated as the owner of the trust under subpart E, part I, subchap- ter J, chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code (subpart E), pays the income tax attributable to the inclusion of the trust’s income in the grantor’s taxable income, and what are the estate tax consequences if, pursuant to the governing instrument or applicable local law, the grantor may or must be reimbursed by the trust for that income tax? See Rev. Rul. 2004-64, page 7. Section 2501.—Imposition of Tax What are the gift tax consequences if the grantor of a trust with respect to which the grantor is treated as the owner of the trust under subpart E, part I, subchap- ter J, chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code (subpart E), pays the income tax attributable to the inclusion of the trust’s income in the grantor’s taxable income, and what are the estate tax consequences if, pursuant to the governing instrument or applicable local law, the grantor may or must be reimbursed by the trust for that income tax? See Rev. Rul. 2004-64, page 7. Section 2511.—Transfers in General 26 CFR 25.2511–1: Transfers in general. (Also §§ 671, 2036, 2501, 2512; 20.2036–1, 25.2511–2.) Tax reimbursement clause.This ruling addresses issues presented with re- spect to a trust whose grantor is treated as its owner. It addresses the gift tax consequences when the grantor pays the income tax attributable to the inclusion of the trust’s income in the grantor’s taxable income. It also addresses the estate tax consequences if, pursuant to the govern- ing instrument or applicable local law, the grantor may or must be reimbursed by the trust for that income tax. Rev. Rul. 2004–64 ISSUES With respect to a trust whose grantor is treated as the owner of the trust under subpart E, part I, subchapter J, chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code (subpart E), what are the gift tax consequences when the grantor pays the income tax attribut- able to the inclusion of the trust’s income in the grantor’s taxable income, and what are the estate tax consequences if, pursuant to the governing instrument or applicable local law, the grantor may or must be re- imbursed by the trust for that income tax? FACTS In Year 1,A, a United States citizen, establishes and funds Trust, an irrevoca- ble inter vivos trust, for the benefit ofA’s descendants. The governing instrument of Trust requires that the trustee be a person not related or subordinate toAwithin the meaning of § 672(c) of the Internal Rev- enue Code.Aappoints a trustee that sat- isfies this requirement. Trust is governed by the laws of State. Under the terms of Trust,Aretains no beneficial interest in or power over Trust income or corpus that would cause the transfer to Trust to consti- tute an incomplete gift for federal gift tax purposes, or that would cause Trust cor- pus to be included inA’s gross estate for federal estate tax purposes onA’s death. However,Aretains sufficient powers with respect to Trust so thatAis treated as the owner of Trust under subpart E. During Year 1, Trust receives taxable income of $10x. Pursuant to § 671,Ain- cludes the $10xinA’s taxable income. As a result,A’s personal income tax liability for Year 1 increases by $2.5x.Adies in Year 3. As of the date ofA’s death, the fair market value of Trust’s assets is $150x. Situation 1: Neither State law nor the governing instrument of Trust contains any provision requiring or permitting the trustee to distribute toAamounts sufficient to satisfyA’s income tax liability attribut- able to the inclusion of Trust’s income in A’s taxable income. Accordingly,Apays 2004–27 I.R.B.7July 6, 2004 the additional $2.5xliability fromA’s own funds. Situation 2: The governing instrument of Trust provides that ifAis treated as the owner of any portion of Trust pursuant to the provisions of subpart E for any taxable year, the trustee shall distribute toAfor the taxable year, income or principal sufficient to satisfyA’s personal income tax liability attributable to the inclusion of all or part of Trust’s income inA’s taxable income. Accordingly, the trustee distributes $2.5x toAto reimburseAfor the $2.5xincome tax liability. Situation 3: The governing instrument of Trust provides that ifAis treated as the owner of any portion of Trust pursuant to the provisions of subpart E for any taxable year, the trustee may, in the trustee’s dis- cretion, distribute toAfor the taxable year, income or principal sufficient to satisfyA’s personal income tax liability attributable to the inclusion of all or part of Trust’s in- come inA’s taxable income. Pursuant to the exercise of the trustee’s discretionary power, the trustee distributes $2.5xtoAto reimburseAfor the $2.5xincome tax lia- bility. LAW AND ANALYSIS Under § 671, if the grantor of a trust is treated as the owner of any portion of the trust under subpart E, those items of in- come, deductions, and credits against tax of the trust that are attributable to that por- tion of the trust must be included in com- puting the taxable income of the grantor. Section 2501 imposes a tax on the trans- fer of property by gift by an individual, res- ident or nonresident. Section 2511(a) pro- vides that the gift tax applies whether the transfer is in trust or otherwise, whether the gift is direct or indirect, and whether the property is real or personal, tangible or in- tangible. Section 2512(b) provides that the gift tax applies only to the extent that property is transferred for less than an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth. Section 25.2511–2(b) of the Gift Tax Regulations provides that a gift is com- plete and subject to gift tax to the extent thedonorhassopartedwithdominionand control as to leave in the donor no power to change the disposition of the property, whether for the benefit of the donor, or any other person. Section 25.2511–1(c)(1) provides that the gift tax applies with respect to any transaction in which an interest in prop- erty is gratuitously passed or conferred on another regardless of the means or de- vice employed. Thus, the gift tax may apply if one party forgives or fails to collect on the indebtedness of another. Section 25.2511–1(a);Estate of Lang v. Commissioner, 64 T.C. 404 (1975),aff’d, 613F.2d770(9 th Cir. 1980); Rev. Rul. 81–264, 1981–2 C.B. 185. Similarly, the gift tax applies if one person gratuitously pays the tax liability of another.Doerr v. United States, 819 F.2d 162 (7 th Cir. 1987) (donor’s payment of the donee’s state gift tax liability constitutes an additional gift to the donee). Section 2036(a)(1) provides that the value of the gross estate shall include the value of all property to the extent of any interest therein of which the decedent has at any time made a transfer (except in the case of abona fidesale for an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth), by trust or otherwise, under which the decedent has retained for life or for any period not ascertainable without reference to the decedent’s death or for any period that does not in fact end before death the possession or enjoyment of, or the right to theincomefrom,theproperty. Section 20.2036–1(b)(2) of the Estate Tax Regulations provides that the use, possession, right to income, or other en- joyment of transferred property is treated as having been retained by the decedent to the extent that the transferred property is to be applied towards the discharge of a legal obligation of the decedent.Estate of Prudowsky v. Commissioner,55T.C.890 (1971),aff’d, 465 F.2d 62 (7 th Cir. 1972) (property held under the state Uniform GiftstoMinorsActwasincludedinthe decedent’s gross estate under § 2036(a)(1) because decedent, as custodian, retained the power to use the property to satisfy the decedent’s legal obligation to support the minor for whose benefit the custo- dianship was established);Richards v. Commissioner, T.C.M. 1965–263,aff’d, 375F.2d997(10 th Cir. 1967) (trust corpus includible in decedent’s gross estate under § 2036(a)(1) becausemandatory distri- butions of trust income to the decedent’s spouse satisfied the decedent’s spousal support obligation). On the other hand, § 2036 generally does not apply when trust property may be used to satisfy the decedent’s legal obligations only in the discretion of the trustee, whether or not the discretion is exercised by the trustee. Commissioner v. Estate of Douglas,143 F.2d 961 (3d Cir. 1944),acq.1944 C.B. 7;Estate of Mitchell v. Commissioner,55 T.C. 576 (1970),acq.1971–2 C.B. 3. In the present situations, Trust includes provisions that causeAto be treated as the owner of Trust under subpart E and, as a result, to be liable for any income tax attributable to Trust’s income. Thus, even thoughAis not a Trust beneficiary, any income taxApays that is attributable to Trust’s income is paid in discharge ofA’s own liability, imposed onAby§671. InSituation 1,A’s payment of the $2.5x income tax liability does not constitute a gift byAto Trust’s beneficiaries for fed- eral gift tax purposes becauseA, not Trust, is liable for the taxes. In contrast, in the sit- uation presented inDoerr v. United States, cited above, the donor’s payment was for the donee’s tax liabilityand, as a result, the payment constituted an additional gift to the donee. In addition, no portion of Trust is includible inA’s gross estate for federal estate tax purposes under § 2036, because Ahas not retained the right to have trust property expended in discharge ofA’s le- gal obligation. InSituation 2, the governing instrument of Trust requires the trustee to reimburse Afrom Trust’s assets for the amount of income taxApays that is attributable to Trust’s income.A’s payment of the $2.5x income tax liability does not constitute a gift byA, becauseAis liable for the tax. The trustee’s distribution of $2.5xtoAas reimbursement for the income tax payment byAis not a gift by the trust beneficiaries toA, because the distribution from Trust is mandated by the terms of the trust instru- ment. However,Ahas retained the right to have trust property expended in discharge ofA’s legal obligation.A’s retained right to receive reimbursement attributable to Trust’s income causes the full value of Trust’s assets atA’s death ($150x)to be included inA’s gross estate under § 2036(a)(1). The result would be the same if, under applicable state law, the trustee must, unless the governing instru- ment provides otherwise, reimburseAfor July 6, 200482004–27 I.R.B. A’s personal income tax liability attribut- able to the inclusion of all or part of the Trust’s income inA’s taxable income, and the governing instrument does not provide otherwise. InSituation 3, the governing instrument of Trust provides the trustee with the dis- cretion to reimburseAfrom Trust’s as- sets for the amount of income taxApays that is attributable to Trust’s income. As is the case inSituation 1andSituation 2, A’s payment of the $2.5xincome tax lia- bility does not constitute a gift byAbe- causeAis liable for the income tax. Fur- ther, the $2.5xpaid toAfrom Trust as reimbursement forA’s income tax pay- ment was distributed pursuant to the exer- cise of the trustee’s discretionary author- ity granted under the terms of the trust in- strument. Accordingly, this payment is not a gift by the trust beneficiaries toA. In addition, assuming there is no under- standing, express or implied, betweenA and the trustee regarding the trustee’s ex- ercise of discretion, the trustee’s discre- tion to satisfyA’s obligation would not alone cause the inclusion of the trust inA’s gross estate for federal estate tax purposes. This is the case regardless of whether or not the trustee actually reimbursesAfrom Trust assets for the amount of income tax Apays that is attributable to Trust’s in- come. The result would be the same if the trustee’s discretion to reimburseAfor this income tax is granted under applica- ble state law rather than under the gov- erning instrument. However, such discre- tion combined with other facts (including but not limited to: an understanding or pre-existing arrangement betweenAand the trustee regarding the trustee’s exercise of this discretion; a power retained byA to remove the trustee and nameAas suc- cessor trustee; or applicable local law sub- jecting the trust assets to the claims ofA’s creditors) may cause inclusion of Trust’s assets inA’s gross estate for federal estate tax purposes. HOLDINGS When the grantor of a trust, who is treated as the owner of the trust under sub- part E, pays the income tax attributable to the inclusion of the trust’s income in the grantor’s taxable income, the grantor is not treated as making a gift of the amount of the tax to the trust beneficiaries. If, pur- suant to the trust’s governing instrument or applicable local law, the grantor must be reimbursed by the trust for the income tax payable by the grantor that is attributable to the trust’s income, the full value of the trust’s assets is includible in the grantor’s gross estate under § 2036(a)(1). If, how- ever, the trust’s governing instrument or applicable local law gives the trustee the discretion to reimburse the grantor for that portion of the grantor’s income tax lia- bility, the existence of that discretion, by itself (whether or not exercised) will not cause the value of the trust’s assets to be includible in the grantor’s gross estate. PROSPECTIVE APPLICATION The Internal Revenue Service will not apply the estate tax holding inSituation 2of this revenue ruling adversely to a grantor’s estate with respect to any trust created before October 4, 2004. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue ruling is Elizabeth Madigan of the Of- fice of the Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries). For further information regarding this rev- enue ruling, contact Ms. Madigan at (202) 622–3090 (not a toll-free call). Section 2512.—Valuation of Gifts What are the gift tax consequences if the grantor of a trust with respect to which the grantor is treated as the owner of the trust under subpart E, part I, subchap- ter J, chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code (subpart E), pays the income tax attributable to the inclusion of the trust’s income in the grantor’s taxable income, and what are the estate tax consequences if, pursuant to the governing instrument or applicable local law, the grantor may or must be reimbursed by the trust for that income tax? See Rev. Rul. 2004-64, page 7. Section 7520.—Valuation Tables The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. Section 7872.—Treatment of Loans With Below-Market Interest Rates The adjusted applicable federal short-term, mid- term, and long-term rates are set forth for the month of July 2004. See Rev. Rul. 2004-66, page 4. 2004–27 I.R.B.9July 6, 2004 Part III. Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous Health Savings Accounts—Transition Relief for State Mandates Notice 2004–43 PURPOSE This notice provides transition relief for individuals in states where high deductible health plans (HDHPs) as described in sec- tion 223(c)(2) are not available because state laws require health plans to provide certain benefits without regard to a de- ductible or below the minimum annual de- ductible of section 223(c)(2)(A)(i). The transition relief covers months before Jan- uary 1, 2006, for state requirements in ef- fect on January 1, 2004. BACKGROUND Section 1201 of the Medicare Prescrip- tion Drug, Improvement, and Moderniza- tion Act of 2003, Pub. L. 108–173, added section 223 to the Internal Revenue Code to permit eligible individuals to estab- lish health savings accounts (HSAs) for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003. An “eligible individual” under section 223(c)(1) must be covered by a “high deductible health plan” (HDHP). An HDHP under section 223(c)(2) must satisfy certain requirements with respect to minimum annual deductibles and max- imum out-of-pocket expenses. However, section 223(c)(2)(C) permits a safe har- bor for the absence of a preventive care deductible. An eligible individual may also have certain permitted insurance and permitted coverage under section 223(c)(1)(B). Notice 2004–23, 2004–15 I.R.B. 725, describes a safe harbor for preventive care benefitsthatmaybeprovidedbyanHDHP without a deductible or with a deductible below the minimum annual deductible for an HDHP. In addition, the notice indicates that whether health care required by state law without regard to a deductible is “pre- ventive” will be based on the standards set forth in Notice 2004–23 and other guid- ance issued by the IRS, rather than on how the benefits are characterized by state law. Several states currently require that health plans provide certain benefits without regard to a deductible or with a deductible below the minimum an- nual deductible requirements of section 223(c)(2) (e.g., first-dollar coverage or coverage with a low deductible). These health plans are not HDHPs under section 223(c)(2) and individuals covered under these health plans are not eligible to con- tribute to HSAs. Because of the short period between the enactment of HSAs and the effective date of section 223, these states have had insufficient time to modify their laws to conform to the standards of section 223. Thus, it isappropriate to pro- vide transition relief that treats HDHPs as qualifying under section 223(c)(2) when thesolereasontheplansarenotHDHPs is because of state-mandated benefits. During the transition period, otherwise eligible individuals covered under these plans will be treated as eligible individuals for purposes of section 223(c)(1) and may contribute to an HSA. APPLICATION For months before January 1, 2006, a health plan which would otherwise qual- ify as an HDHP under section 223(c)(2), except that it complies with state law requirements that certain benefits be pro- vided without a deductible or below the minimum annual deductible of section 223(c)(2)(A)(i), will be treated as an HDHP for purposes of section 223(c)(2), if the disqualifying benefits are required by state law in effect on January 1, 2004. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this notice is Shoshanna Tanner of the Office of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Coun- sel(TaxExemptandGovernmentEnti- ties). For further information regarding this notice, contact Ms. Tanner at (202) 622–6080 (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; 1.42–5.) Rev. Proc. 2004–38 SECTION 1. PURPOSE This revenue procedure informs owners of qualified low-income housing projects how to obtain the waiver from the Inter- nal Revenue Service of the annual recer- tification of tenant income (waiver) pro- vided in § 42(g)(8)(B) of the Internal Rev- enue Code. SECTION 2. BACKGROUND Section 1.42–5 of the Income Tax Regulations provides the minimum requirements that a housing credit agency’s (Agency’s) compliance mon- itoring procedure must contain to sat- isfy its compliance monitoring du- ties under § 42(m)(1)(B)(iii). Section 1.42–5(b)(1)(vi) provides that an Agency must require an owner to keep records for each qualified low-income building in the project that show for each year in the compliance period the annual income cer- tifications of each low-income tenant per unit. Section 1.42–5(b)(1)(vii) provides that an Agency must require an owner to keep documents for each qualified low-in- come building in its project for each year in the compliance period that support each low-income tenant’sincome certification. Section 1.42–5(c)(1)(iii) provides that an Agency must require an owner to certify at least annually that, for the preceding 12-month period, the owner has received an annual income certification from each low-income tenant and documentation supporting that certification. Section 42(g)(8)(B) provides that on application by the taxpayer, the Secretary may waive any annual recertification of tenant income for purposes of § 42(g) if the entire building is occupied by low-income tenants (a 100 percent low-income build- ing). Low-income tenants are individuals occupying a rent-restricted unit in a qual- ified low-income housing project whose July 6, 2004102004–27 I.R.B. combined income satisfies the § 42(g)(1) income limitation elected by the owner of the project. SECTION 3. SCOPE This revenue procedure applies to Agencies and owners of qualified low-in- come housing projects that consist entirely of 100 percent low-income buildings. SECTION 4. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A WAIVER UNDER § 42(g)(8)(B) An owner applying for the waiver for its 100 percent low-income building must (1) complete and sign the applicable por- tions of the Form 8877,Request for Waiver of Annual Recertification Requirement for the Low-Income Housing Credit, (2) have the Agency responsible for monitoring the building for compliance with § 42 sign the applicable portion of the form, and (3) file the form with the Service pursuant to the instructions accompanying the form. A copy of the 2004 version of Form 8877 is included in the appendix to this rev- enue procedure. The Service will notify the owner whether the request for waiver has been approved or denied. See section 5.02 of this revenue procedure for the pe- riod the waiver is in effect. SECTION 5. EFFECT OF OBTAINING A WAIVER UNDER § 42(g)(8)(B) .01 If an owner of a 100 percent low-income building obtains a waiver of the annual income recertification from the Service, the owner will be ex- empt from the recertification require- ments of § 1.42–5(b)(1)(vi) and (vii) and § 1.42–5(c)(1)(iii). As a result, the owner is not required under those sections to (1) keep records that show an annual income recertification of all the low-income ten- ants in the building who have previously had their annual income verified, docu- mented, and certified; (2) maintain docu- mentation to support that recertification; or (3) certify to the Agency responsible for monitoring the building for compli- ance with § 42 that it has received this information. .02 The waiver takes effect on the date the Service approves the waiver. Once the waiver takes effect, it remains in ef- fect until the end of the 15-year compli- ance period (defined in§42(i)(1)),unless the waiver is revoked, in which case the waiver ceases to be in effect on the date of revocation. See sections 5.04 and 5.05 of this revenue procedure regarding revoca- tions. .03 Obtaining the waiver will not pre- vent an owner from having to produce doc- umentation to verify the owner’s compli- ance with § 42 upon an examination of the owner’s federal income tax return. Thus, for example, the owner must keep records and documentation that show the income of tenants upon initial occupancy of any residential unit in the building. In addi- tion, except as provided in section 5.01 of this revenue procedure, obtaining the waiver will not prevent an owner from having to satisfy the requirements of the compliance monitoring procedure adopted by the Agency responsible for monitoring the building for compliance with § 42. .04 The Service may revoke the waiver if the building ceases to be a 100 percent low-income building or if the Service de- termines that an owner has violated § 42 in a manner that is sufficiently serious to war- rant revocation. In any case, the Service will revoke the waiver if the Agency re- quests, in accordance with the instructions to Form 8877, that the Service revoke the waiver. .05 A waiver will be automatically re- voked if there is a change in the owner- ship for federal tax purposes of the 100 percent low-income building (including a change resulting from a termination of a partnership under § 708). In this case, the owner that received the waiver must notify the Service of the revocation in accordance with the instructions to Form 8877. The new owner may apply for a waiver. .06 An Agency’s compliance mon- itoring procedure will not fail to sat- isfy § 42(m)(1)(B)(iii) solely because the 100 percent low-income buildings to which the waiver applies have been exempted from the recertification re- quirements of § 1.42–5(b)(1)(vi) and (vii) and § 1.42–5(c)(1)(iii). Nonethe- less, the Agency’s compliance moni- toring procedure must continue to re- quire that an owner satisfy the require- ments in § 1.42–5(b)(1)(vi) and (vii) and § 1.42–5(c)(1)(iii) upon a tenant’s initial occupancy of any residential rental unit in the building. .07 A 100 percent low-income building to which the waiver applies continues to be subject to the review requirements of § 1.42–5(c)(2). SECTION 6. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS Rev. Proc. 94–64, 1994–2 C.B. 797, is superseded. Waivers obtained under Rev. Proc. 94–64 are not affected by this rev- enue procedure. SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE This revenue procedure is effective for applications filed on or after July 6, 2004. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue procedure is David Selig of the Of- fice of the Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries). For further information regarding this rev- enue procedure, contact Mr. Selig at (202) 622–3040 (not a toll-free call). APPENDIX 2004 Version of Form 8877 2004–27 I.R.B.11July 6, 2004 July 6, 2004122004–27 I.R.B. 2004–27 I.R.B.13July 6, 2004 July 6, 2004142004–27 I.R.B. Part IV. Items of General Interest Deletions From Cumulative List of Organizations Contributions to Which are Deductible Under Section 170 of the Code Announcement 2004–55 The name of an organization that no longer qualifies as an organization de- scribed in section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is listed below. Generally, the Service will not disallow deductions for contributions made to a listed organization on or before the date of announcement in the Internal Revenue Bulletin that an organization no longer qualifies. However, the Service is not precluded from disallowing a deduction for any contributions made after an or- ganization ceases to qualify under section 170(c)(2) if the organization has not timely filed a suit for declaratory judgment under section 7428 and if the contributor (1) had knowledge of the revocation of the ruling or determination letter, (2) was aware that such revocation was imminent, or (3) was in part responsible for or was aware of the activities or omissions of the organization that brought about this revocation. If on the other hand a suit for declara- tory judgment has been timely filed, con- tributions from individuals and organiza- tions described in section 170(c)(2) that are otherwise allowable will continue to be deductible. Protection under section 7428(c) would begin on July 6, 2004, and would end on the date the court first deter- mines that the organization is not described in section 170(c)(2) as more particularly set forth in section 7428(c)(1). For indi- vidual contributors, the maximum deduc- tion protected is $1,000, with a husband and wife treated as one contributor. This benefit is not extended to any individual, in wholeorinpart,fortheactsoromissions of the organization that were the basis for revocation. Mid-South Transportation Management, Inc., Cincinnati, OH Age-Discrimination Regulations Announcement 2004–57 On December 11, 2002, Treasury and the IRS published proposed regulations under §§ 411(b)(1)(H) and 411(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). 67Fed. Reg.76123. The proposed reg- ulations would provide guidance under the statutory age-discrimination rules for all qualified plans, including cash balance pension plans. The proposed regula- tions set forth specific conditions under which cash balance plans and cash balance conversions would not be considered to violate these age-discrimination rules. 1 Thousands of comment letters were submitted on the proposed regulations, including comments from older and longer-service employees who stated that they had been adversely affected by cash balance conversions. Other comments set forth employer concerns that the reg- ulations would create issues for certain traditional defined benefit plans that had not previously been considered age-dis- criminatory. Section 205 of the Consolidated Ap- propriations Act, 2004, Pub. L. 108–199, (the “Act”) provides that none of the funds made available in the Act may be used to issue any rule or regulation that im- plements the proposedage-discrimination regulations or any regulations reaching similar results. Additionally, the Act re- quires the Secretary of the Treasury to pro- pose legislation providing transition relief for older and longer-service participants affected by cash balance conversions. The Administration’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2005 includes a legislative proposal addressing cash balance plans and con- versions to cash balance plans. The leg- islative proposal would require companies converting to cash balance plans to pro- tect current employees through a five-year “hold harmless” period and would prohibit any benefit wear-away. The proposal also would provide rules under which cash bal- ance formulas would not be considered age-discriminatory and rules regarding in- terest crediting rates. The proposal would provide similar rules for other types of hy- brid plans and hybrid plan conversions. Treasury and the IRS are withdrawing the proposed age-discrimination regu- lations issued in December 2002. This will provide Congress an opportunity to review and consider the Administra- tion’s legislative proposal and to address cash balance and other hybrid plan issues through legislation. Treasury and the IRS do not intend to issue guidance on com- pliance with the age-discrimination rules of §§ 411(b)(1)(H) and 411(b)(2) of the Code for cash balance plans, cash balance conversions, or other hybrid plans or hy- brid plan conversions while these issues are under consideration by Congress. Beginning September 15, 1999, cases in which an application for a determination letter or a plan under examination involved a cash balance conversion were required to be submitted to the Washington, D.C. office of the IRS for technical advice on the conversion’s effect on the plan’s qualified status. Many such cases were submitted and are still pending. Treasury and the IRS do not intend to process these technical advice cases while cash balance plan and cash balance conversion issues are under consideration by Congress. 1 At the same time, Treasury and the IRS published proposed nondiscriminationregulations for cash balance plans under § 401(a)(4) of the Code. In Announcement 2003–22, 2003–1 C.B. 847, Treasury and the IRS announced that the proposed regulations under § 401(a)(4) would be withdrawn because they raised unintended obstacles for employers that wanted to provide transition relief in cash balance conversions. 2004–27 I.R.B.15July 6, 2004 Definition of Terms Revenue rulings and revenue procedures (hereinafter referred to as “rulings”) that have an effect on previous rulings use the following defined terms to describe the ef- fect: Amplifieddescribes a situation where no change is being made in a prior pub- lished position, but the prior position is be- ingextendedtoapplytoavariationofthe fact situation set forth therein. Thus, if an earlier ruling held that a principle ap- plied to A, and the new ruling holds that the same principle also applies to B, the earlier ruling is amplified. (Compare withmodi- fied,below). Clarifiedis used in those instances where the language in a prior ruling is be- ing made clear because the language has caused, or may cause, some confusion. It is not used where a position in a prior ruling is being changed. Distinguisheddescribes a situation where a ruling mentions a previously pub- lished ruling and points out an essential difference between them. Modifiedis used where the substance of a previously published position is being changed. Thus, if a prior ruling held that a principle applied to A but not to B, and the new ruling holds that it applies to both A and B, the prior ruling is modified because it corrects a published position. (Compare withamplifiedandclarified, above). Obsoleteddescribes a previously pub- lished ruling that is not considered deter- minative with respect to future transac- tions. This term is most commonly used in a ruling that lists previously published rul- ings that are obsoleted because of changes in laws or regulations. A ruling may also be obsoleted because the substance has been included in regulations subsequently adopted. Revokeddescribes situations where the position in the previously published ruling is not correct and the correct position is beingstatedinanewruling. Supersededdescribes a situation where the new ruling does nothing more than re- state the substance and situation of a previ- ously published ruling (or rulings). Thus, the term is used to republish under the 1986 Code and regulations the same po- sition published under the 1939 Code and regulations. The term is also used when it is desired to republish in a single rul- ing a series of situations, names, etc., that were previously published over a period of time in separate rulings. If the new rul- ing does more than restate the substance of a prior ruling, a combination of terms is used. For example,modifiedandsu- persededdescribes a situation where the substance of a previously published ruling is being changed in part and is continued without change in part and it is desired to restate the valid portion of the previously published ruling in a new ruling that is self contained. In this case, the previously pub- lished ruling is first modified and then, as modified, is superseded. Supplementedis used in situations in which a list, such as a list of the names of countries, is published in a ruling and that list is expanded by adding further names in subsequent rulings. After the original rul- ing has been supplemented several times, a new ruling may be published that includes the list in the original ruling and the ad- ditions, and supersedes all prior rulings in the series. Suspendedis used in rare situations to show that the previous published rul- ings will not be applied pending some future action such as the issuance of new or amended regulations, the outcome of cases in litigation, or the outcome of a Service study. Abbreviations The fol lowing abbreviations in current use and for merly used will appear in material publis hedintheBulletin. A—Individual. Acq.—A cquiescence. B—Individual. BE—Beneficiary. BK—Bank . B.T.A.—Board of Tax Appeals. C—Individual. C.B.—Cu mulative Bulletin. CFR—Code of Federal Regulations. CI—City. COOP—Coo perative. Ct.D.—Court Decision. CY—County. D—Decede nt. DC—Dummy Corporation. DE—Donee. Del. Order —Delegation Order. DISC—Domestic International Sales Corporation. DR—Donor. E—Estate. EE—Employee. E.O.—Executive Order. ER—Emp loyer. ERISA—Employee Retirement Income Security Act. EX—Executor. F—Fiduc iary. FC—Foreign Country. FICA—Federal Insurance Contributions Act. FISC—Fo reign International Sales Company. FPH—Foreign Personal Holding Company. F.R.—Federal Register. FUTA—Fed eral Unemployment Tax Act. FX—Foreign corporation. G.C.M.—Chief Counsel’s Memorandum. GE—Grante e. GP—General Partner. GR—Grantor. IC—Insura nce Company. I.R.B.—Internal Revenue Bulletin. LE—Lessee. LP—Limited Partner. LR—Lessor. M—Minor. Nonacq.—No nacquiescence. O—Organization. P—Parent Corporation. PHC—Persona l Holding Company. PO—Possession of the U.S. PR—Partner. PRS—Pa rtnership. PTE—Prohibited Transaction Exemption. Pub. L.—Public Law. REIT—Re al Estate Investment Trust. Rev. Proc.—Revenue Procedure. Rev. Rul.—Revenue Ruling. S—Subsi diary. S.P.R.—Statement of Procedural Rules. Stat.—Statutes at Large. T—Target Corporation. T.C.—Tax Court. T.D.—Treasury Decision. TFE—Trans feree. TFR—Transferor. T.I.R.—Technical Information Release. TP—Taxpay er. TR—Trust. TT—Trustee. U.S.C.—Uni ted States Code. X—Corporation. Y—Corporation. Z—Corporat ion. July 6, 2004i2004–27 I.R.B. Numerical Finding List 1 Bulletin 2004–27 Announcements: 2004-55, 2004-27 I.R.B.15 2004-57, 2004-27 I.R.B.15 Notices: 2004-43, 2004-27 I.R.B.10 Revenue Procedures: 2004-38, 2004-27 I.R.B.10 Revenue Rulings: 2004-63, 2004-27 I.R.B.6 2004-64, 2004-27 I.R.B.7 2004-65, 2004-27 I.R.B.1 2004-66, 2004-27 I.R.B.4 Treasury Decisions: 9131, 2004-27 I.R.B.2 1 A cumulative list of all revenue rulings, revenueprocedures, Treasury decisions, etc., publishedin Internal Revenue Bulletins 2004–1 through 2004–26 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2004–26, dated June 28, 2004. 2004–27 I.R.B.iiJuly 6, 2004 Findings List of Current Actions on Previously Published Items 1 Bulletin 2004–27 Revenue Procedures: 94-64 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2004-38, 2004-27 I.R.B.10 1 A cumulative list of current actions on previously published items in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2004–1 through 2004–26 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2004–26, dated June 28, 2004. July 6, 2004iii2004–27 I.R.B. *U.S.Government Printing Office: 2004—304–778/60142 INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETIN The Introduction at the beginning of this issue describes the purpose and content of this publication. The weekly Internal Revenue Bulletin is sold on a yearly subscription basis by the Superintendent of Documents. Current subscribers are notified by the Superin- tendent of Documents when their subscriptions must be renewed. CUMULATIVE BULLETINS The contents of this weekly Bulletin are consolidated semiannually into a permanent, indexed, Cumulative Bulletin. These are sold on a single copy basis andare notincluded as part of the subscription to the Internal Revenue Bulletin. Subscribers to the weekly Bulletin are notified when copies of the Cumulative Bulletin are available. Certain issues of Cumulative Bulletins are out of print and are not available. Persons desiring available Cumulative Bulletins, which are listed on the reverse, may purchase them from the Superintendent of Documents. ACCESS THE INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETIN ON THE INTERNET You may view the Internal Revenue Bulletin on the Internet at www.irs.gov. Under information for: select Businesses. Under related topics, select More Topics. Then select Internal Revenue Bulletins. INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETINS ON CD-ROM Internal Revenue Bulletins are available annually as part ofPublication 1976 (Tax Products CD-ROM). The CD-ROM can be purchased from National Technical Information Service (NTIS) on the Internet at www.irs.gov/cdorders (discount for online orders) or by calling 1-877-233-6767. The first release is available in mid-December and the final release is available in late January. HOW TO ORDER Check the publications and/or subscription(s) desired on the reverse, complete the order blank, enclose the proper remittance, detach entire page, and mail to the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh PA, 15250–7954. Please allow two to six weeks, plus mailing time, for delivery. WE WELCOME COMMENTS ABOUT THE INTERNAL REVENUE BUL LETIN If you have c omments concerning the format or production of the Internal Revenue Bulletin or suggestions for improving it, we would be p leased to hear from you. You can e-mail us your suggestions or comments through the IRS Internet Home Page (www.irs.g ov) or write to the IRS Bulletin Unit, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC 20224 Internal Revenue Service W ashington,DC20224 Official B usiness Penalty for Private Use, $300
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