us-irs-notices-irb-2009-4-pdf•Internal Revenue Bulletin 2009-4 (PDF rendition): IRS Notices
Internal Revenue Bulletin 2009-4 (PDF rendition): IRS Notices
us-irs-notices-irb-2009-4-pdfInternal Revenue Bulletin 2009-4 (PDF rendition): IRS NoticesGuidance
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Bulletin No. 200 9-4 January 26, 2009 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 T.D. 9434, page 339. Final regulations under section 368 of the Code provide guid- ance on when and to what extent creditors of a corporation will be treated as proprietors of the corporation in determining whether continuity of interest is preserved in a potential reor- ganization. T.D. 9435, page 333. REG–150670–07, page 378. Final, temporary, and proposed regulations under section 355 of the Code narrow the reach of section 355(a)(3)(B) to harmo- nize its application with the application of section 355(b), con- sistent with the 2006 amendments to section 355(b), the 2007 proposed regulations under section 355(b), and the 2007 grant of authority that was provided in the Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007. Rev. Ruls. 65–286 and 76–54 obsoleted by T.D. 9435. REG–113462–08, page 379. Proposed regulations under section 7701(1) of the Code clarify that a disregarded entity is a person for purposes of regulations section 1.881–3. Notice 2009–8, page 347. This notice provides interim guidance on recently enacted sec- tion 457A of the Code which became effective January 1, 2009. Section 457A generally provides that compensation de- ferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan of a nonqualified entity is includible in gross income when there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the right to such compensa- tion. For this purpose, the term nonqualified deferred compen- sation plan has the meaning provided under section 409A(d), subject to some modifications, and the term nonqualified entity means (a) any foreign corporation unless substantially all of its income is (i) effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., or (ii) subject to a comprehensive for- eign income tax, and (b) any partnership unless substantially all of its income is allocated to persons other than (i) foreign persons with respect to whom such income is not subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax, and (ii) tax-exempt organi- zations. Rev. Proc. 2009–15, page 356. Section 305.This procedure provides temporary guidance regarding section 305 treatment of a stock distribution by a publicly traded regulated investment company (RIC) or real estate investment trust (REIT) in which the shareholders have an election to receive money or stock, subject to an aggregate limitation on the amount of money to be distributed. Rev. Proc. 2008–68 amplified and superseded. EMPLOYEE PLANS Notice 2009–2, page 344. Weighted average interest rate update; corporate bond indices; 30-year Treasury securities; segment rates. This notice contains updates for the corporate bond weighted average interest rate for plan years beginning in January 2009; the 24-month average segment rates; the funding transitional segment rates applicable for January 2009; and the minimum present value transitional rates for December 2008. (Continued on the next page) Fi nding Lists begin on page ii. Index for January begins on page iv. Notice 2009–8, page 347. This notice provides interim guidance on recently enacted sec- tion 457A of the Code which became effective January 1, 2009. Section 457A generally provides that compensation de- ferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan of a nonqualified entity is includible in gross income when there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the right to such compensa- tion. For this purpose, the term nonqualified deferred compen- sation plan has the meaning provided under section 409A(d), subject to some modifications, and the term nonqualified entity means (a) any foreign corporation unless substantially all of its income is (i) effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., or (ii) subject to a comprehensive for- eign income tax, and (b) any partnership unless substantially all of its income is allocated to persons other than (i) foreign persons with respect to whom such income is not subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax, and (ii) tax-exempt organi- zations. EMPLOYMENT TAX REG–158747–06, page 362. Proposed regulations under section 3402(t) of the Code have been issued relating to withholding. The regulations reflect changes in the law made by the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 that require federal, state, and local government entities to withhold income tax when making pay- ments to persons providing property or services. ADMINISTRATIVE T.D. 9437, page 341. Final regulations under section 7216 of the Code provide rules relating to the disclosure and use of tax return information by tax return preparers. The regulations provide updated guid- ance regarding the disclosure of a taxpayer’s social security number to a tax return preparer located outside of the United States. REG–160872–04, page 358. Proposed regulations under section 6707 of the Code imple- ment the amendments provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The regulations provide the rules relating to the assessment of penalties against material advisors who fail to timely file a true and complete return required under section 6111(a). January 26, 20092009–4 I.R.B. The IRS Mission Provide Americ a’s taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand an d 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 Secre- tary (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. 2009–4 I.R.B.January 26, 2009 January 26, 20092009–4 I.R.B. Part I. Rulings and Decisions Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Section 301.— Distributions of Property 26 CFR 1.301–1 0: Rules applicable with respect to distribution s of money and other property. This revenue p rocedure provides temporary guid- ance regardi ng certain stock distributions by publicly traded regul ated investment companies (RICs) and real estate i nvestment trust (REITs). See Rev. Proc. 2009-15, pag e 356. Section 305.—Distributions of Stock and Stock Rights 26 CFR 1.305–1: Stock dividends. This revenue procedure provides temporary guid- ance regarding certain stock distributions by publicly traded regulated investment companies (RICs) and real estate investment trust (REITs). See Rev. Proc. 2009-15, page 356. Section 355.—Distribution of Stock and Securities of a Controlled Corporation 26 CFR 1.355–2T(g): Guidance regarding the treat- ment of a controlled corporation under section 355(a)(3)(B). A temporary regulation narrows the reach of sec- tion 355(a)(3)(B) to harmonize its application with the application of section 355(b), consistent with the 2006 amendments to section 355(b), the 2007 pro- posed regulations under section 355(b), and the 2007 grant of authority that was provided in the Tax Tech- nical Corrections Act of 2007. See T.D. 9435, page 333. 26 CFR 1.35 5–2(g): Guidance regarding the treat- ment of a c ontrolled corporation under section 355(a)(3 )(B). Apropose d regulation narrows the reach of sec- tion 355( a)(3)(B) to harmonize its application with the appli cation of section 355(b), consistent with the 2006 amen dments to section 355(b), the 2007 pro- posed re gulations under section 355(b), and the 2007 grant of authority that was provided in the Tax Tech- nical Co rrections Act of 2007. See REG-150670-07, page 378. 26 CFR 1.355–1 : Distribution of stock and securities of a controlle d corporation. T.D. 9435 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Part 1 Guidance Regarding the Treatment of Stock of a Controlled Corporation Under Section 355(a)(3)(B) AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Final and temporary regula- tions. SUMMARY: This document contains final and temporary regulations that pro- vide guidance regarding the distribution of stock of a controlled corporation ac- quired in a transaction described in section 355(a)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). This action is necessary in light of amendments to section 355(b). These temporary regulations will affect corpo- rations and their shareholders. The text of these temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations (REG–150670–07) set forth in the notice of proposed rulemaking on this subject in this issue of the Bulletin. DATES:Effective Date: These final and temporary regulations are effective on De- cember 15, 2008. Applicability Date: For dates of appli- cability, see §1.355–2T(i). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russell P. Subin, (202) 622–7790 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background S ection 355 provides the rules for t ax-free distributions of the stock of cer- t ain controlled corporations. Since 2006 Congress has e nacted several amend- ments to secti on 355. See sections 202 and 507 of the T ax Increase Prevention and Reconcil iation Act of 2005, Public Law 109–222 ( 120 Stat. 345); Division A, Section 41 0oftheTaxReliefand Health Care A ct of 2006, Public Law 109–432 (12 0 Stat. 2922, 2963); Section 4(b) of the T ax Technical Corrections Act of 2007, Public Law 110–172 (121 Stat. 2 473, 2476) (Technical Correction s). Furthermore, the IRS and Treasu ry Department have issued proposed § 1.355–3 (REG–123365–03, 2007–23 I. R.B. 1357 [72 FR 26012] (May 8, 2007)), which would provide guidance regardin g satisfaction of the active trade or busine ss (ATB) requirement of section 355(b). Section 3 55(a) provides that, under cer- tain circ umstances, a corporation may dis- tribute s tock and securities in a corpora- tion it co ntrols to its shareholders and secu- rity hol ders without causing either the dis- tributi ng corporation (distributing) or its shareho lders and security holders to rec- ognize i ncome, gain, or loss. For this purpos e, control is defined under section 368(c) . Sectio ns 355(a)(1)(C) and 355(b)(1) genera lly require that distributing and the contro lled corporation (controlled) each be enga ged, immediately after the distri- bution , in the active conduct of a trade or busin ess. Section 355(b)(2)(A) provides that a corporation shall be treated as en- gaged in the active conduct of a trade or busin ess if and only if it is engaged in the activ e conduct of a trade or business. Secti on 355(b)(2)(B) requires that the tr ade or business have been actively cond ucted throughout the five-year pe- riod ending on the date of the distribu- tion (pre-distribution period). Section 355( b)(2)(C) provides that the trade or busi ness must not have been acquired in a t ransaction in which gain or loss was recognized, in whole or in part (tax- abl e transaction or taxable acquisition), wit hin the pre-distribution period. Sec- tio n 355(b)(2)(D) provides that control of a corporation that (at the time of ac- qu isition of control) was conducting the tr ade or business must not have been 2009–4 I.R.B.333January 26, 2009 directly or indirectly acquired by any distributee corporation or by distributing during the pre-distribution period in a tax- able transaction. For purposes of section 355(b)(2)(D), all distributee corporations that are members of the same affiliated group(asdefinedinsection1504(a)with- out regard to section 1504(b)) shall be treated as one distributee corporation. Section 355(b)(3)(A) provides that for purposes of determining whether a corpo- ration meets the requirements of section 355(b)(2)(A), all members of such cor- poration’s separate affiliated group (SAG) shall be treated as one corporation. Section 355(b)(3)(B) provides that for purposes of section 355(b)(3), the termSAGmeans, with respect to any corporation, the affili- ated group that would be determined under section 1504(a) if such corporation were the common parent and section 1504(b) did not apply. Section 355(b)(3)(C) pro- vides that if a corporation became a SAG member as a result of one or more taxable transactions, any trade or business con- ducted by such corporation (at the time that such corporation became such a mem- ber) shall be treated for purposes of section 355(b)(2) as acquired in a taxable trans- action. Section 355(b)(3)(A) through (C) are collectively referred to in this pream- ble as the SAG regime. In addition, for purposes of this preamble, the termDSAG means the SAG of which distributing is the common parent,CSAGmeans the SAG of which controlled is the common par- ent, and generally the “SAG” of a corpo- ration means the SAG of which such cor- poration is the common parent. In addi- tion, throughout this preamble, references to DSAG and CSAG include a reference to distributing and controlled, respectively, where such corporation is not the common parent of a SAG (for example, such corpo- ration has no subsidiaries). Section 355(a)(3)(B)provides that for purposes of section 355 (other than sec- tion 355(a)(1)(D)) and so much of sec- tion 356 as relates to section 355, stock of controlled acquired by distributing by reason of any transaction (i) which occurs within five years of the distribution of such stock, and (ii) which is a taxable transac- tion, shall not be treated as stock of con- trolled, but as other property (hot stock rule). Stock treated as other property un- der section 355(a)(3)(B) is referred to in this preamble as hot stock. Section 1.355–2(g) (as applied prior to the applicability of these temporary reg- ulations) (former §1.355–2(g)) provides that for purposes of section 355(a)(1)(A), stock of controlled acquired in a taxable transaction (other than a transaction de- scribed in §1.355–3(b)(4)(iii)) within the pre-distribution period shall not be treated as stock of controlled but shall be treated as “other property.” However, for pur- poses of section 355(a)(1)(D), the stock so acquired is stock of controlled. Section 355(b)(3)(D) provides that the Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of section 355(b)(3), includ- ing regulations that provide for the proper application of section 355(b)(2)(B), (C), and (D), and modify the application of sec- tion 355(a)(3)(B), in connection with the application of section 355(b)(3). Pursuant to this grant of authority, these temporary regulations modify the application of sec- tion 355(a)(3)(B) in order to harmonize the hot stock rule and section 355(b). Explanation of Provisions 1.Hot Stock Rule Inapplicable Where Controlled is a DSAG Member Congress enacted section 355(b)(3) because it was concerned that, prior to a distribution under section 355, corporate groups conducting business in separate corporate entities often had to undergo elaborate restructurings to place active businesses in the proper entities to satisfy the ATB requirement. See, for example, H.R. Rep. No. 109–304, at 53, 54 (2005). The effect of section 355(b)(3) is to treat a corporation’s SAG as a single corpora- tion for purposes of the ATB requirement. Consistent with this treatment, Congress enacted the Technical Corrections to clar- ify: that if a corporation became a member of a separate affiliated group as a result of one or more transactions in which gain or loss was recognized in whole or in part, any trade or business conducted by such corporation (at the time that such corporation became such a mem- ber) is treated for purposes of section 355(b)(2) as acquired in a transaction in which gain or loss was recognized in whole or in part. Accordingly, such an acquisition is subject to the provisions of section 355(b)(2)(C), and may qual- ifyasanexpansionofanexistingactive trade or business conducted by the dis- tributing corporation or the controlled corporation, as the case may be. The provision clarifies that the Trea- sury Department shall prescribe regu- lations that provide for the proper ap- plication of sections 355(b)(2)(B), (C), and (D) in the case of any corporation that is tested for active business under the separate affiliated group rule, and that modify the application of section 355(a)(3)(B) in the case of such a cor- poration in a manner consistent with the purposes of the provision. 153 Cong. Rec. S16057 (daily ed. Dec. 19, 2007) (Joint Committee on Taxation’s explanation of H.R. 4839, which expla- nation was printed in the Congressional Record at the request of Senator Baucus, who stated that the explanation expressed the Senate Finance Committee’s under- standing of the bill). Accordingly, the SAG regime affords a group a certain amount of flexibility regarding the satisfaction of the ATB requirement. For example, Congress indicated that, for purposes of section 355(b), in certain circumstances a stock acquisition will be treated in a manner comparable to an asset acquisition and, as such, may constitute an expansion of an existing trade or business. The IRS and Treasury Department have further interpreted the SAG regime to disregard acquisitions of additional stock of a cur- rent subsidiary SAG member for purposes of satisfying the ATB requirement. See proposed §1.355–3(b)(1)(ii). Although the SAG regime is not appli- cable for purposes of section 355(a)(3)(B), the Technical Corrections provide a spe- cific grant of regulatory authority indicat- ing that the application of the hot stock rule may be modified to apply in a manner consistent with the SAG regime of section 355(b)(3). Toward that end, these tem- porary regulations reflect the fundamental conclusion that the hot stock rule should not apply to any acquisition of stock of controlled where controlled is a DSAG member at any time after the acquisition (but prior to the distribution of controlled). Such a conclusion resolves conflicts that would otherwise arise under section 355(a)(3)(B) and section 355(b). For ex- ample, suppose distributing acquired all of January 26, 20093342009–4 I.R.B. controlled’s stock in ataxable transaction that qualified as an expansion of distribut- ing’s existing trade or business under the SAG regime, and later distributed all such stock within five years of the acquisition in an unrelated transaction. The distribution would satisfy the ATB requirement but, absent the rule reflected in these temporary regulations, could otherwise be fully tax- able under the hot stock rule. Such a result seems inconsistent with Congressional intent. Similarly, to achieve consistency with the SAG regime, if controlled is a DSAG member and distributing acquires additional controlled stock, such acquisi- tion should be disregarded for purposes of section 355(a)(3)(B). Therefore, these temporary regulations generally provide that controlled stock ac- quired by the DSAG within the pre-distri- bution period in a taxable transaction con- stitutes hot stock, except if controlled is a DSAG member at any time after the acqui- sition (but prior to the distribution of con- trolled). Accordingly, each of Rev. Rul. 76–54, 1976–1 C.B. 96, and Rev. Rul. 65–286, 1965–2 C.B. 92, is obsolete. 2.Transfers Among DSAG Members Consistent with the SAG regime, which treats the DSAG as a single corporation, transfers of controlled stock owned by DSAG members immediately before and immediately after the transfer are disre- garded and are not treated as acquisitions for purposes of the hot stock rule. Com- pare proposed §1.355–3(b)(1)(ii) (apply- ing a similar rule for purposes of the ATB requirement). 3.Hot Stock Rule Inapplicable to Acquisitions from Certain Affiliates Former §1.355–2(g) provided that the hot stock rule did not apply to acquisi- tions of controlled stock in a transaction described in §1.355–3(b)(4)(iii) (affili- ate exception). In other words, former §1.355–2(g) generally exempted from the hot stock rule an acquisition of con- trolled stock by distributing from a mem- ber of the affiliated group (as defined in §1.355–3(b)(4)(iv)) of which distributing was a member. Compare Notice 2007–60, 2007–2 C.B. 466 (IRS will not challenge applicability of §1.355–3(b)(4)(iii) to distributions effected on or before date temporary or final regulations modifying §1.355–3(b)(4)(iii)are published). These temporary regulations retain the affiliate exception of former §1.355–2(g) (includ- ing its treatment of stock described in section 1504(a)(4)). The IRS and Treasury Department, however, continue to study what impact transfers between affiliates should have on the satisfaction of the ATB requirement and the application of the hot stock rule and believe that, when finalized, the rules regarding the ATB requirement and the hot stock rule should generally be applied consistently with respect to trans- actions between affiliates. 4.Future Guidance Under Section 355(a)(3)(B) The IRS and Treasury Department are considering issuing additional guidance under section 355(a)(3)(B), as described in this section 4 of the preamble. Such guidance would be in addition to, rather than in replacement of, these temporary regulations. In this issue of the Bul- letin (REG–150670–07), comments are requested regarding these temporary reg- ulations and the issues described in this preamble. A.Dunn Trust and Predecessor Issues Section 355(a)(3)(B) applies to con- trolled stock acquired by reason of any transaction during thepre-distribution pe- riod in which gain or loss is recognized inwholeorinpart. Theprimarytypesof transactions for which the IRS and Trea- sury Department are considering issuing additional guidance generally involve the effect of indirect acquisitions and the ex- tent to which predecessor rules should apply for purposes of the hot stock rule. Although the IRS and Treasury Depart- ment are considering addressing in future guidance the issues arising in transactions described in this section 4.A. of the pre- amble, no inference should be drawn re- garding the present application of section 355(a)(3)(B), including these temporary regulations, to such transactions. For example, future guidance may ad- dress whether, in a situation where a corpo- ration that owns controlled stock joins the DSAG in a taxable transaction, the DSAG is treated as acquiring the controlled stock in a taxable transaction. Compare section 355(b)(3)(B); proposed §1.355–3(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(4)(i). Similarly, guidance may ad- dress the treatment of taxable acquisitions of controlled stock during the pre-distri- bution period by a corporation that subse- quently joins the DSAG in a nontaxable transaction. The IRS and Treasury Department are also considering issuing additional guidance that treats the DSAG as mak- ing any acquisition made by a prede- cessorofaDSAGmember. Compare H.R. Rep. No. 83–2543, at 38 (1954) (Conf. Rep.) (“by reason of” language of section 355(a)(3)(B) encompasses purchase of controlled stock by a corporation that is in control of distributing prior to “downstairs merger” by such purchaser into distributing). For this purpose, a predecessorofacorporation would be a corporation that transfers its assets to such corporation in a transaction to which section 381(a) applies. Such guidance would address the circumstances in which a predecessor of distributing (or predecessor of a DSAG member) effects an acquisitionof controlled stock described in section 355(a)(3)(B). Additionally, if a DSAG acquires stock of a corporation (target) during the pre-dis- tribution period in a taxable transaction and such target is subsequently acquired by controlled in a section 381(a) transaction, the earlier taxable acquisition of target stock may implicate section 355(a)(3)(B). A conceptually similar issue was ad- dressed inDunn Trust v. Commissioner, 86 T.C. 745 (1986),acq. (1998–1 C.B. 5 n. 4 (acquiescing in result only)), ex- cept that inDunn Trustthe target that was acquired by distributing was not subse- quently acquired by controlled in a section 381(a) transaction. Instead, inDunn Trust, distributing acquired stock of target in a taxable transaction and subsequently con- tributed such target stock (which stock could not have been distributed without vi- olating section 355(a)(3)(B)) to controlled in exchange for controlled stock in a non- taxable transaction. The Tax Court ruled that the controlled stock was not hot stock under section 355(a)(3)(B). Where dis- tributing acquires target stock in a taxable transaction, and the target is subsequently either combined with controlled in a non- taxable section 381(a) transaction or (as inDunn Trust)acquiredbycontrolledina nontaxable stock acquisition, the IRS and Treasury Department believe that such 2009–4 I.R.B.335January 26, 2009 acquisitions raise an issue as to whether target or controlled is the “real controlled” for purposes of section 355(a)(3)(B). Identifying the “real controlled” might be illustrated by the following example. Assume that distributing owns an amount of stock in controlled that constitutes con- trol within the meaning of section 368(c) but which does not meet the require- ments of section 1504(a)(2). Controlled, in turn, owns stock of a target subsidiary that satisfies the requirements of sec- tion 1504(a)(2). Distributing acquires additional target stock in a taxable trans- action, which stock is then contributed to controlled in exchange for additional controlled stock in a transaction to which section 351(a) applies. Assume that nei- ther controlled nor target joins the DSAG after either step. Thequestion under sec- tion 355(a)(3)(B) is whether a target whose stock is acquired by the DSAG in a taxable transaction should betreated as the “real controlled”, where such additional target stock is subsequently acquired by the ac- tual controlled (or, in some cases, a CSAG member) in a nontaxable transaction. The IRS and Treasury Department are consid- ering issuing guidance that would provide that a target whose stock is acquired by distributing in a taxable transaction may be treated as the “real controlled” for pur- poses of section 355(a)(3)(B) if, at the time of the distribution, the CSAG cannot satisfy the requirements of section 355(b) without taking intoaccount an ATB con- ducted by the target at the time the DSAG acquired the stock of the target in the tax- able transaction. In other words, section 355(a)(3)(B) could be implicated as a re- sult of an acquisition of target stock if the targetisengagedinanATBatthetime the DSAG acquires the target stock in a taxable transaction, the target stock is then acquired by controlled (or, in some cases, a CSAG member) prior to the distribution, and at the time of the distribution of the controlled stock the CSAG is not able to satisfy the requirements of section 355(b) without taking into account an ATB that was being conducted by the target at the time the DSAG acquired the target stock in the taxable transaction. B.Issuances of controlled stock outside the Dunn Trust or predecessor context The IRS and Treasury Department are considering additional guidance that would generally provide that issuances of controlled stock by controlled to dis- tributinginataxabletransactiondonot give rise to hot stock. For example, such an acquisition may occur where section 357(c) applies (see Rev. Rul. 78–442, 1978–2 C.B. 143) (distributing transfers a business to wholly-owned controlled, which assumes distributing’s liabilities)). As noted in Rev. Rul. 78–442, the IRS and Treasury Department believe that section 355(b)(2)(C) was not intended to apply to such an acquisition of a trade or business by controlled from distribut- ing under the facts of that ruling even if it is a taxable transaction because the acquisition was not from an “outside party”. “[F]or the same reasons, section 355(a)(3)[(B)] . . . is not applicable to the distribution” of controlled stock acquired in such a transaction. The IRS and Treasury Department re- quest comments regarding the extent to which issuances by controlled of con- trolled stock to distributing in taxable transactions should not give rise to hot stock, whether distributing must own some minimum percentage in controlled at the time of such issuance in order for such an acquisition to be excepted from sec- tion 355(a)(3)(B), and the extent to which such transactions are adequately addressed under section 355(a)(1)(B) (relating to device) and section 355(g) (relating to distributions involving disqualified invest- ment corporations). C.Redemptions of controlled stock Finally, the IRS and Treasury Depart- ment request comments regarding the effect of redemptions of controlled stock under section 355(a)(3)(B). Generally, if the controlled shares distributed by dis- tributing were not acquired by distributing during the pre-distribution period, such shares cannot be hot stock. Therefore, a redemption by controlled of its stock from unrelated parties generally should not cause any portion of distributing’s con- trolled stock to become hot stock. Such a rule may be distinguishable from the rule under section 355(b)(2)(D). SeeMcLaulin v. Commissioner, 276 F.3d 1269 (11th Cir. 2001) (applying section 355(b)(2)(D) when distributing acquired control of a subsidiary through a redemption of sub- sidiary stock), and Rev. Rul. 57–144, 1957–1 C.B. 123 (same). The distinction can be made based on the different focus of the provisions. Sec- tion 355(a)(3)(B) provides that controlled stock “acquired by the distributing corpo- ration” during the pre-distribution period in a taxable transaction is hot stock, and is directed at the property distributed to the distributing shareholders. In a redemption, generally no additional shares of stock are acquired by distributing and generally no additional value is distributed to the dis- tributing shareholders. In contrast, section 355(b)(2)(D) prohibits the acquisition of “control of a corporation.” Control is a req- uisite status in order for distributing to dis- tribute the stock of controlled to its share- holders under section 355. A redemption can confer this status on distributing with- out distributing’s acquiring any additional shares of stock. However, for purposes of section 355(a)(3)(B), the IRS and Treasury De- partment believe that a redemption of con- trolled stock from a shareholder other than distributing is the equivalent of distribut- ing’s purchase of controlled stock from the redeemed shareholder to the extent distributing is the source of funds for the redemption. Further, the IRS and Treasury Department are studying whether there are other situations in which distribut- ing’s increased percentage ownership in controlled resulting from redemptions of controlled stock from a shareholder other than distributing should be treated as hot stock. 5.Request for Comments In this issue of the Bulletin (REG–150670–07), the IRS and Treasury Department are requesting comments regarding these temporary regulations, including comments on whether section 355(a)(3)(B) should use the same defi- nition of taxable transaction as section 355(b), whether the exception for acquisi- tions from certain affiliates should be the same for both provisions, and the other issues described in this preamble. January 26, 20093362009–4 I.R.B. Effective/Applicability Date These temporary regulations are gener- ally applicable for distributions occurring after December 15, 2008. However, unless taxpayers elect otherwise, these temporary regulations do not apply to any distribu- tion occurring after December 15, 2008, that is pursuant to a transaction which is (1) made pursuant to an agreement which was binding on December 15, 2008, and at all times thereafter; (2) described in a ruling request submitted to the IRS on or before such date; or (3) described on or before such date in a public announcement or in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore, taxpayers may elect to apply these temporary regulations retroactively to distributions to which sec- tion 4(b) of the Technical Corrections ap- plies (generally to distributions occurring after May 17, 2006). Effect on Other Documents The following publications are obsolete as of the applicability of these temporary regulations: Rev. Rul. 76–54, 1976–1 C.B. 96. Rev. Rul. 65–286, 1965–2 C.B. 92. Special Analyses It has been determined that this Trea- sury decision is not a significant reg- ulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. These tem- porary regulations provide taxpayers with relief from the application of section 355(a)(3)(B) in certain situations. For this reason, it has been determined, pur- suant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), that good cause exists for dispensing with the notice and public comment procedures and that, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause exists to dispense with a delayed effective date. For the applicability of the Regulatory Flexibility Act refer to the Special Analyses section of the preamble to the cross-reference notice of proposed rulemaking published in this issue of the Bulletin. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, these regulations have been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on their impact on small business. Drafting Information The principal author of these temporary regulations is Russell P. Subin of the Of- fice of Associate Chief Counsel (Corpo- rate). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in their development. Availability of IRS Documents Documents published in the IRB cited in this preamble are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Gov- ernment Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. ***** 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 is amended by adding an entry in numerical order to read in part as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Section 1.355–2T(g) and (i) are also is- sued under 26 U.S.C. 355(b)(3)(D). * * * Par. 2. Section 1.355–0 is amended by amending the entry under §1.355–2 to paragraph (g) and add paragraph (i) to read as follows: §1.355–0 Outline of sections. ***** §1.355–2 Limitations. ***** (g) [Reserved]. ***** (i) [Reserved]. Par. 3. Section 1.355–0T is added to read as follows: §1.355–0T Outline of sections (temporary). This section lists the major paragraphs under §1.355–2T. §1.355–2T Limitations (temporary). (a) through (f)(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see the entries for §1.355–2(a) through (f)(2) in §1.355–0. (g) Recently acquired controlled stock under section 355(a)(3)(B). (1) Other property. (2) Exceptions. (3) DSAG. (4) Taxable transaction. (5) Examples. (h) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see the entry for §1.355–2(h) in §1.355–0. (i) Effective/applicability date. (1) In general. (2) Transition election. (3) Retroactive election. (4)Mannerofelection. (5) Prior law. (6) Expiration date. Par. 4. Section 1.355–1 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows: §1.355–1 Distribution of stock and securities of a controlled corporation. (a)Effective/applicability date of cer- tain sections. Except as otherwise pro- vided, this section and §§1.355–2 through 1.355–4 apply to transactions occurring after February 6, 1989. For transactions occurring on or before that date, see 26 CFR 1.355–1 through 1.355–4 (revised as of April 1, 1987). This section and §§1.355–2 through 1.355–4, other than §1.355–2(g) and (i) and §1.355–2T, do not reflect the amendments to section 355 made by the Revenue Act of 1987, the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, and the Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007. For the applicability date of §§1.355–2T(g), 1.355–5, 1.355–6, and 1.355–7, see §§1.355–2T(i), 1.355–5(e), 1.355–6(g), and 1.355–7(k), respectively. ***** Par. 5. Section 1.355–2 is amended by revising paragraph (g) and adding para- graph (i) to read as follows: §1.355–2 Limitations. ***** (g) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.355–2T(g). ***** (i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.355–2T(i). Par. 6. Section 1.355–2T is added to read as follows: 2009–4 I.R.B.337January 26, 2009 §1.355–2T Limitations (temporary). (a) through (f)(2) [Reserved]. For fur- ther guidance, see §1.355–2(a) through (f)(2). (g)Recently acquired controlled stock under section 355(a)(3)(B)—(1)Other property. Except as provided in paragraph (g)(2) of this section, for purposes of sec- tion 355(a)(1)(A), section 355(c), and so much of section 356 as relates to section 355, stock of a controlled corporation ac- quired by the DSAG in a taxable transac- tion (as defined in paragraph (g)(4) of this section) within the five-year period ending on the date of the distribution (pre-distri- bution period) shall not be treated as stock of the controlled corporation but shall be treated as “other property.” Transfers of controlled corporation stock that is owned by the DSAG immediately before and im- mediately after the transfer are disregarded and are not acquisitions for purposes of this paragraph (g)(1). (2)Exceptions. Paragraph (g)(1) of this section does not apply to an acquisition of stock of the controlled corporation— (i) If the controlled corporation is a DSAG member at any time after the ac- quisition (but prior to the distribution); or (ii) Described in §1.355–3(b)(4)(iii). (3)DSAG. For purposes of this para- graph (g), aDSAGis the distributing corporation’s separate affiliated group (the affiliated groupwhichwouldbede- termined under section 1504(a) if such corporation were the common parent and section 1504(b) did not apply) that con- sists of the distributing corporation as the common parent and allcorporations af- filiated with the distributing corporation through stock ownership described in sec- tion 1504(a)(1)(B) (regardless of whether the corporations are includible corpora- tions under section 1504(b)). For purposes of paragraph (g)(1) of this section, any reference to the DSAG is a reference to the distributing corporation if it is not the common parent of a separate affiliated group. (4)Taxable transaction—(i)Generally. For purposes of this paragraph (g), atax- able transactionis a transaction in which gain or loss was recognized in whole or in part. (ii)Dunn Trust and predecessor issues. [Reserved]. (5)Examples. The following exam- ples illustrate this paragraph (g). Assume that C, D, P, and S are corporations, X is an unrelated individual, each of the trans- actions is unrelated to any other transac- tion and, but for the issue of whether C stock is treated as “other property” under section 355(a)(3)(B), the distributions sat- isfy all of the requirements of section 355. No inference should be drawn from any of these examples as to whether any re- quirements of section 355 other than sec- tion 355(a)(3)(B), as specified, are satis- fied. Furthermore, the following defini- tions apply: (i)Purchaseis an acquisition that is a taxable transaction. (ii)Section 368(c) stockis stock consti- tuting control within the meaning of sec- tion 368(c). (iii)Section 1504(a)(2) stockis stock meeting the requirements of section 1504(a)(2). Example 1.Hot stock. For more than five years, D has owned section 368(c) stock but not section 1504(a)(2) stock of C. In year 6, D purchases addi- tional C stock from X. However, D does not own section 1504(a)(2) stock of C after the year 6 pur- chase. If D distributes all of its C stock within five years after the year 6 purchase, for purposes of section 355(a)(1)(A), section 355(c), and so much of section 356 as relates to section 355, the C stock purchased in year 6 would be treated as “other property.” See paragraph (g)(1) of this section. Example 2.C becomes a DSAG member.For more than five years, D has owned section 368(c) stock but not section 1504(a)(2) stock of C. In year 6, D purchases additional C stock from X such that D’s total ownership of C is section 1504(a)(2) stock. If D distributes all of its C stock within five years after the year 6 purchase, the distribution of the C stock purchased in year 6 wouldnot be treated as “other property” because C becomes a DSAG member. See paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section. The result would be the same if D did not own any C stock prior to year 6 and D purchased all of the C stock in year 6. See paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section. Similarly, if D did not own any C stock prior to year 6, D purchased 20 percent of the C stock in year 6, and then acquired all of the remaining C stock in year 7, the C stock purchased in year 6 and the C stock acquired in year 7 (even if purchased) wouldnot be treated as “other property” because C becomes a DSAG member. See paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section. Example 3.Intra-SAG transaction.Formore than five years, D has owned all of the stock of S. D and S, in the aggregate, have owned section 368(c) stock but not section 1504(a)(2) stock of C. There- fore, D and S are DSAG members, but C is not. In year 6, D purchases S’s C stock. If D distributes all of its C stock within five years after the year 6 pur- chase, the distribution of the C stock purchased in year 6 would not be treated as “other property”. D’s purchase of the C stock from S is disregarded for pur- poses of paragraph (g)(1) of this section because that C stock was owned by the DSAG immediately before and immediately after the purchase. See paragraph (g)(1) of this section. Example 4.Affiliate exception.Formorethan five years, P has owned 90 percent of the sole out- standing class of the stock of D and a portion of the stock of C, and X has owned the remaining 10 per- cent of the D stock. Throughout this period, D has owned section 368(c) stock but not section 1504(a)(2) stock of C. In year 6, D purchases P’s C stock. How- ever, D does not own section 1504(a)(2) stock of C after the year 6 purchase. If D distributes all of its C stock to X in exchange for X’s D stock within five years after the year 6 purchase, the distribution of the C stock purchased in year 6 would not be treated as “other property” because the C stock was purchased from a member (P) of the affiliated group (as defined in §1.355–3(b)(4)(iv)) of which D is a member, and P did not purchase that C stock within the pre-distribu- tion period. See paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section. (h) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.355–2(h). (i)Effective/applicability date—(1)In general. Paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of this section apply to distributions occur- ring after December 15, 2008. However, except as provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of this section do not apply to any distribution occurring after December 15, 2008, that is pursuant to a transaction which is— (i) Made pursuant to an agreement which was binding on December 15, 2008, and at all times thereafter; (ii) Described in a ruling request sub- mitted to the Internal Revenue Service on or before such date; or (iii) Described on or before such date in a public announcement or in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (2)Transition election. In the case of any distribution described in the second sentence of paragraph (i)(1) of this section, taxpayers may elect to apply all of para- graphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of this section. However, neither the distributing corpora- tion nor any person related to the distribut- ing corporation within the meaning of sec- tion 267(b) (determined immediately be- fore or immediately after the distribution) maymakesuchanelectionwithrespectto a distribution unless all such persons make such an election with respect to such dis- tribution. (3)Retroactive election. In the case of any distribution occurring on or before December 15, 2008, taxpayers may elect to apply all of paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of this section to distributions to which section 4(b) of the Tax Techni- January 26, 20093382009–4 I.R.B. cal Corrections Act of 2007, Public Law 110–172 (121 Stat. 2473, 2476) applies (generally applicableto distributions made after May 17, 2006, as provided in section 4(d) of that act). However, neither the distributingcorporationnoranypersonre- lated to the distributing corporation within the meaning of section 267(b) (determined immediately before or immediately after the distribution) may make such an elec- tion with respect to a distribution unless all such persons make such an election with respect to such distribution. (4)Manner of election. Taxpayers may make any election available under this paragraph (i) by applying the selected rule on its original or amended return. (5)Prior law. For distributions to which paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of this section do not apply, see §1.355–2(g), as contained in 26 CFR part 1, revised as of April 1, 2008. (6)Expiration date. The applicability of paragraph (i) of this section will expire on December 15, 2011. Steve T. Miller, (Acting) Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. Approved December 2, 2008. Eric Solomon, Assistant Secretary of theTreasury(TaxPolicy). (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on December 12, 2008, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for December 15, 2008, 73 F.R. 75946) Section 368.—Definitions Relating to Corporate Reorganizations 26 CFR 1.368–1: Purpose and scope of exception to reorganization exchanges. T.D. 9434 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Part 1 Creditor Continuity of Interest AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Final regulations. SUMMARY: This document contains fi- nal regulations providing guidance regard- ing when and to what extent creditors of a corporation will be treated as proprietors of the corporation in determining whether continuity of interest (“COI”) is preserved in a potential reorganization. These final regulations are necessary to provide clar- ity to parties engaging in reorganizations of insolvent corporations, both inside and outside of bankruptcy. These final regu- lations affect corporations, their creditors, and their shareholders. DATES:Effective Date:These final reg- ulations are effective on December 12, 2008. Applicability Date:For dates of appli- cability, see §1.368–1(e)(9). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Brenner (202) 622–7790, Douglas Bates (202) 622–7550, or Bruce Decker (202) 622–7550 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On March 10, 2005, the IRS and Trea- sury Department published a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG–163314–03, 2005–1 C.B. 835) in theFederal Regis- ter(70 FR 11903) proposing regulations that would provide guidance regarding the application of the nonrecognition rules of subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to transactions involving insolvent corporations and to other transactions that raise similar issues. No public hearing regarding the proposed regulations was requested or held. The IRS and Treasury Department have carefully considered the comments regarding the proposed regula- tions. The IRS and Treasury Department continue to consider the issues raised and to evaluate the complexity and necessity for valuation under the exchange of net value requirement. In the interim, these final regulations adopt the portion of the proposed regulations that deals with the circumstances in which (and the extent to which) creditors of acorporation will be treated as proprietors of the corporation in determining whether continuity of interest is preserved in a potential reorganization. Explanation of Provisions These final regulations provide that, in certain circumstances, stock received by creditors may count for continuity of in- terest purposes both inside and outside of bankruptcy proceedings. The expansion of the application of the G reorganization rules to reorganizations of insolvent corpo- rations outside of bankruptcy is consistent with Congress’ intent to facilitate the reha- bilitation of troubled corporations. S. Rep. No 96–1035, 96 th Sess. 35 (1980). Ac- cordingly, the final regulations adopt the rules proposed for creditors of an insol- vent target corporation outside of a title 11 or similar case in new §1.368–1(e)(6) with only minor modifications and clarifi- cations. The final regulations treat claims of the most senior class of creditors to re- ceive a proprietary interest in the issuing corporation and claimsof all equal classes of creditors (together, the senior claims) differently from the claims of classes of creditors junior to the senior claims (the junior claims). The final regulations treat such senior claims as representing propri- etary interests in the target corporation. While such senior claims, and all junior claims, are treated as representing a pro- prietary interest in the target corporation, the determination of the value of propri- etary interests in the target corporation rep- resented by the senior claims is made by calculating the average treatment for all senior claims. The final regulations pro- vide that the value of a proprietary inter- est in the target corporation represented by a senior claim is determined by multiply- ing the fair market value of the creditor’s claim by a fraction, the numerator of which is the fair market value of the proprietary interests in the issuing corporation that are received in the aggregate in exchange for the senior claims, and the denominator of which is the sum of the amount of money and the fair market value of all other con- sideration (including the proprietary inter- ests in the issuing corporation) received in the aggregate in exchange for such claims. In contrast to the treatment of the senior creditor class that receives stock of the is- suing corporation, the value of the propri- etary interest in the target corporation rep- resented by a junior claim is the fair mar- ket value of the junior claim. The effect of this rule is that there is 100 percent conti- nuity of interest if each senior claim is sat- 2009–4 I.R.B.339January 26, 2009 isfied with the same ratio of stock to non- stock consideration and no junior claim is satisfied with nonstock consideration. An example was added to the COI rule in response to a suggestion that the fi- nal regulations demonstrate the bifurca- tion of senior claims when the creditors of the class receive disproportionate amounts of acquiring corporation stock and other property. Also, in response to comments, a rule was added to the final regulations re- quiring that in the situation where there is only one class of creditors receiving stock, more than ade minimisamount of issuing corporation stock must be exchanged for the creditors’ proprietary interests relative to the total consideration received by the insolvent target corporation, its sharehold- ers, and its creditors, before the stock will be counted for purposes of COI. Special Analyses It has been determined that this Trea- sury decision is not a significant regula- tory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It has also been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these final regulations and, be- cause the regulations do not impose a col- lection 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 Code, the notice of pro- posed rulemaking preceding these regula- tions was submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Ad- ministration for comment on its impact on small business. Drafting Information The principal authors of these regula- tions are Jean Brenner, Douglas Bates, and Bruce Decker of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in their develop- ment. ***** Ado ption of Amendments to the Re gulations 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. Section 1.368–1 is amended by: 1. Adding a sentence after the fifth sen- tence of paragraph (e)(1)(i). 2. Adding a sentence at the end of para- graph (e)(1)(ii). 3. Revising paragraph (e)(3). 4. Redesignating paragraphs (e)(6), (e)(7), and (e)(8) as paragraphs (e)(7), (e)(8), and (e)(9) respectively, and adding a new paragraph (e)(6). 5. AddingExample 10to the end of newly designated paragraph (e)(8). 6. Adding a sentence at the end of newly designated paragraph (e)(9)(i). The additions and revisions read as fol- lows: §1.368–1 Purpose and scope of exception to reorganization exchanges. ***** (e) * * * (1) * * * (i) * * * See paragraph (e)(6) of this sec- tion for rules related to when a creditor’s claim against a target corporation is a pro- prietary interest in the corporation. * * * (ii) * * * A proprietary interest in the target corporation is not preserved to the extent that creditors (or former creditors) of the target corporation that own a pro- prietary interest in the corporation under paragraph (e)(6) of this section (or would be so treated if they had received the con- sideration in the potential reorganization) receive payment for the claim prior to the potential reorganization and such pay- ment would be treated as other property or money received in the exchange for purposes of section 356 had it been a dis- tribution with respect to stock. (3)Related person acquisitions. A pro- prietary interest in the target corporation is not preserved if, in connection with a potential reorganization, a person related (as defined in paragraph (e)(4) of this sec- tion) to the issuing corporation acquires, for consideration other than stock of the is- suing corporation, either a proprietary in- terest in the target corporation or stock of the issuing corporation that was furnished in exchange for a proprietary interest in the target corporation. The preceding sentence does not apply to the extent those persons who were the direct or indirect owners of the target corporation prior to the potential reorganization maintain a direct or indirect proprietary interest in the issuing corpora- tion. ***** (6)Creditors’ claims as proprietary in- terests—(i)In general. A creditor’s claim against a target corporation may be a pro- prietary interest in the target corporation if the target corporation is in a title 11 or sim- ilar case (as defined in section 368(a)(3)) or the amount of the target corporation’s liabilities exceeds thefair market value of its assets immediately prior to the poten- tial reorganization. In such cases, if any creditor receives a proprietary interest in the issuing corporation in exchange for its claim, every claim of that class of credi- tors and every claim of all equal and ju- nior classes of creditors (in addition to the claims of shareholders) is a proprietary in- terest in the target corporation immediately prior to the potential reorganization to the extent provided in paragraph (e)(6)(ii) of this section. (ii)Value of proprietary interest—(A) Claims of most senior class of creditor re- ceiving stock. A claim of the most senior class of creditors receiving a proprietary interest in the issuing corporation and a claim of any equal class of creditors will be treated as a proprietary interest in ac- cordance with the rules of this paragraph (e)(6)(ii). For a claim of the most senior class of creditors receiving a proprietary interest in the issuing corporation and a claim of any equal class of creditors, the value of the proprietary interest in the tar- get corporation represented by the claim is determined by multiplying the fair market value of the claim by a fraction, the numer- ator of which is the fair market value of the proprietary interests in the issuing cor- poration that are received in the aggregate in exchange for the claims of those classes of creditors, and the denominator of which is the sum of the amount of money and the fair market value of all other consid- eration (including the proprietary interests in the issuing corporation) received in the aggregate in exchange for such claims. If only one class (or one set of equal classes) of creditors receives stock, such class (or set of equal classes) is treated as the most senior class of creditors receiving stock. January 26, 20093402009–4 I.R.B. When only one class (or one set of equal classes) of creditors receives issuing cor- poration stock in exchange for a creditor’s proprietary interest in the target corpora- tion, such stock will be counted for mea- suring continuity of interest provided that the stock issued by the issuing corpora- tion is notde minimisin relation to the to- tal consideration received by the insolvent target corporation, its shareholders, and its creditors. (B)Claims of junior classes of creditor receiving stock. The value of a proprietary interest in the target corporation held by a creditor whose claim is junior to the claims of other classes of target claims which are receiving proprietary interests in the issu- ing corporation is the fair market value of the junior creditor’s claim. (iii)Bifurcated claims. If a creditor’s claim is bifurcated into a secured claim and an unsecured claim pursuant to an order in a title 11 or similar case (as defined in section 368(a)(3)) or pursuant to an agree- ment between the creditor and the debtor, the bifurcation of the claim and the alloca- tion of consideration to each of the result- ing claims will be respected in applying the rules of this paragraph (e)(6). (iv)Effect of treating creditors as pro- prietors. The treatment of a creditor’s claim as a proprietary interest in the tar- get corporation shall not preclude treating shares of the target corporation as propri- etary interests in the target corporation. ***** (8) * * * Example 10.Creditors treated as owning a pro- prietary interest.(i)More than one class of creditor receives issuing corporation stock. T has assets with a fair market value of $150x and liabilities of $200x. T has two classes of creditors: two senior creditors with claims of $25x each; and one junior creditor with a claim of $150x. T transfers all of its assets to P in exchange for $95x in cash and shares of P stock with a fair market value of $55x. Each T senior creditor receives $20x in cash and P stock with a fair market value of $5x in exchange for his claim. The T junior creditor receives $55x in cash and P stock with a fair market value of $45x in exchange for his claim. The T shareholders receive no consideration in exchange for their T stock. Under paragraph (e)(6) of this sec- tion, because the amount of T’s liabilities exceeds the fair market value of its assets immediately prior to the potential reorganization, the claims of the credi- tors of T may be proprietary interests in T. Because the senior creditors receiveproprietary interests in P in the transaction in exchange for their claims, their claims and the claim of the junior creditor and the T stock are treated as proprietary interests in T im- mediately prior to the transaction. Under paragraph (e)(6)(ii)(A) of this section, the value of the propri- etary interest of each of the senior creditors’ claims is $5x (the fair market value of the senior creditor’s claim, $25x, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is $10x, the fair market value of the propri- etary interests in the issuing corporation, P, received in the aggregate in exchange for the claims of all the creditors in the senior class, and the denominator of which is $50x, the sum of the amount of money and the fair market value of all other consideration (in- cluding the proprietary interests in P) received in the aggregate in exchange for such claims). Accordingly, $5x of the stock that each of the senior creditors re- ceives is counted in measuring continuity of inter- est. Under paragraph (e)(6)(ii)(B) of this section, the value of the junior creditor’s proprietary interest in T immediately prior to the transaction is $100x, the value of his claim. Thus, the value of the creditors’ proprietary interests in total is $110x and the creditors received $55x worth of P stock in total in exchange for their proprietary interests. Therefore, P acquired 50 percent of the value of theproprietary interests in T in exchange for P stock. Because a substantial part of the value of the proprietary interests in T is preserved, the continuity of interest requirement is satisfied. (ii)One class of creditor receives issuing corpo- ration stock and cash in disproportionate amounts.T has assets with a fair market value of $80x and liabil- ities of $200x. T has one class of creditor with two creditors, A and B, each having a claim of $100x. T transfers all of its assets to P for $60x in cash and shares of P stock with a fair market value of $20x. A receives $40x in cash in exchange for its claim. B receives $20x in cash and P stock with a fair mar- ket value of $20x in exchange for its claim. The T shareholders receive no consideration in exchange for their T stock. The P stock is notde minimisin rela- tion to the total consideration received. Under para- graph (e)(6) of this section, because the amount of T’s liabilities exceeds the fair market value of its assets immediately prior to the potential reorganization, the claims of the creditors of T may be proprietary inter- ests in T. Because the creditors of T received propri- etary interests in P in the transaction in exchange for their claims, their claims and the T stock are treated as proprietary interests in T immediately prior to the transaction. Under paragraph (e)(6)(ii)(A) of this sec- tion, the value of the proprietary interest of each of the senior creditors is $10x (the fair market value of a se- nior creditor’s claim, $40x, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is $20x, the fair market value of the proprietary interests in the issuing corporation, P, received in the aggregate in exchange for the claims of all the creditors in the class, and the denominator of which is $80x, the sum of the amount of money and the fair market value of all other consideration (in- cluding the proprietary interests in P) received in the aggregate in exchange for such claims). Accordingly, $10x of the cash that was received by A and $10x of the P stock that was received by B are counted in measuring continuity of interest. Thus, the value of the creditors’ proprietary interests in total is $20x and the creditors received $10x worth of P stock in total in exchange for their proprietary interests. Therefore, P acquired 50 percent of the value of the proprietary interests in T in exchange for P stock. Because a sub- stantial part of the value of the proprietary interests in T is preserved, the continuity of interest requirement is satisfied. (9) (i) * * * The sixth sentence of para- graph (e)(1)(i) of this section, the last sen- tence of paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, paragraph (e)(3) of this section, paragraph (e)(6) of this section, andExample 10of paragraph (e)(8) of this section apply to transactions occurring after December 12, 2008. ***** LindaE.Stiff, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. Approved December 3, 2008. Eric Solomon, Assistant Secretary of theTreasury(TaxPolicy). (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on December 11, 2008, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for December 12, 2008, 73 F.R. 75566) Section 7216.—Disclosure or Use of Information by Preparers of Returns 26 CFR 301.7216–3: Disclosure or use permitted only with the taxpayer’s consent. T.D. 9437 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Part 301 Amendments to the Section 7216 Regulations—Disclosure or Use of Information by Preparers of Returns AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Final and removal of temporary regulations. SUMMARY: This document contains fi- nal regulations that provide rules relating to the disclosure and use of tax return in- formation by tax return preparers. These regulations affect tax return preparers and provide updated guidance regarding the disclosure of a taxpayer’s social security number to a tax return preparer located outside of the United States. 2009–4 I.R.B.341January 26, 2009 DATES:Effective Date:These regulations are effective on December 16, 2008. ApplicabilityDate:See §301.7216–3(d), which states that the regulations apply to disclosures or uses of tax return information occurring on or after January 1, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Molly K. Donnelly, (202) 622–4940 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This document amends 26 CFR part 301. On December 8, 2005, the Trea- sury Department and the IRS pub- lished a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG–137243–02, 2006–1 C.B. 317) in theFederal Register(70 FR 72954) proposing amendments to the regulations under section 7216 (regarding the use or disclosure of tax return information by income tax return preparers). On January 3, 2008, the Treasury Department and the IRS issued final regulations under sec- tion 7216 (T.D. 9375, 2008–5 I.R.B. 344) applicable to disclosures or uses of tax return information occurring on or after January 1, 2009. Thus, T.D. 9375 replaced previously issued final regulations that remain applicable to disclosures or uses of tax return information occurring prior to January 1, 2009. T.D. 9375 included a revision of §301.7216–3(b)(4) which, for disclosures and uses of tax return information occur- ring on or after January 1, 2009, provided that an income tax return preparer located in the United States may not disclose the taxpayer’s social security number (SSN) to a tax return preparer located outside of the United States even if the taxpayer consents to the disclosure. On July 1, 2008, a temporary regu- lation (T.D. 9409, 2008–29 I.R.B. 118) was published in theFederal Regis- ter(73 FR 37804) that created a lim- ited exception to the rule prohibiting the disclosure of a taxpayer’s SSN out- side of the United States. This tempo- rary regulation modified the rules under §301.7216–3(b)(4). A notice of proposed rulemaking (REG–121698–08, 2008–29 I.R.B. 163) cross-referencing the tem- porary regulations was published in the Federal Registerfor the same day (73 FR 37910), requesting comments and setting a public hearing date. Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions The IRS and the Treasury Department requested written or electronic comments by September 30, 2008. Persons wish- ing to present oral comments at the pub- lic hearing scheduled for October 6, 2008, were to submit an outline of the topics to be discussed at the hearing by September 15, 2008, and written or electronic comments by September 30, 2008. No written or electronic comments or requests to speak at the hearing, together with the required outline of topics, were submitted, and the hearing was cancelled (73 FR 56534). The final regulations adopt the rules published in the proposed regulations without substantial change. The final regulations maintain the general rule in §301.7216–3(b)(4) providing that an in- come tax return preparer located in the United States may not disclose the tax- payer’s SSN to a tax return preparer lo- cated outside of the United States even if the taxpayer consents to the disclo- sure. The final regulations create a limited exception to the general rule providing that a tax return preparer located within the United States, including any territory or possession of the United States, may obtain consent to disclose the taxpayer’s SSN to a tax return preparer located out- side of the United States or any territory or possession of the United States only if the tax return preparer discloses the SSN through the use of an adequate protection safeguard as described in guidance pub- lished in the Internal Revenue Bulletin and verifies the maintenance of the adequate data protection safeguards in the request for the taxpayer’s consent pursuant to the specifications described in guidance pub- lished in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. The rules adopted in the final reg- ulations are substantially identical to those proposed in the notice of pro- posed rulemaking with the exception that §301.7216–3T(d), which set forth the effective date for the rules contained in the temporary regulations, was removed and not adopted in the final regulations because the identical effective date is cur- rently set forth in §301.7216–3(d). In addition, minor and non-substantive ed- its were made to provide grammatical consistency and clarity throughout the regulations. Additional guidance regard- ing the adequate data protection safeguard set forth in the regulations may be found in Revenue Procedure 2008–35, 2008–29 I.R.B. 132. See §601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b). 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 the regulations do not impose a collection of information on small entities, the Regu- latory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, the notice of proposed rulemaking preceding these reg- ulations were submitted to the Chief Coun- sel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on their im- pact on small business. Drafting Information The principal author of these regula- tions is Molly K. Donnelly, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and Administration). ***** Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is amended as follows: PART 301—PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read in part as fol- lows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Paragraph 2. Section 301.7216–3 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(4) to read as follows: §301.7216–3 Disclosure or use permitted only with the taxpayer’s consent. ***** (b) * * * January 26, 20093422009–4 I.R.B. (4)No consent to the disclosure of a taxpayer’s social security number to a return preparer outside of the United States with respect to a taxpayer filing areturnintheForm1040Series—(i)In general. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, a tax return pre- parer located within the United States, including any territory or possession of the United States, may not obtain consent to disclose the taxpayer’s social security number (SSN) with respect to a taxpayer filing a return in the Form 1040 Series, for example, Form 1040, Form 1040NR, Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ, to a tax re- turn preparer located outside of the United States or any territory or possession of the United States. Thus, if a tax return preparer located within the United States (including any territory or possession of the United States) obtains consent from an individual taxpayer to disclose tax return information to another tax return pre- parer located outside of the United States, as provided under §§301.7216–2(c) and 301.7216–2(d), the tax return preparer located in the United States may not dis- close the taxpayer’s SSN, and the tax return preparer must redact or otherwise mask the taxpayer’s SSN before the tax return information is disclosed outside of the United States. If a tax return preparer located within the United States initially receives or obtains a taxpayer’s SSN from another tax return preparer located outside of the United States, however, the tax re- turn preparer within the United States may, without consent, retransmit the taxpayer’s SSN to the tax return preparer located outside the United States that initially pro- videdtheSSNtothetaxreturnpreparer located within the United States. For pur- poses of this section, a tax return preparer located outside of the United States does not include a tax return preparer who is continuously and regularly employed in the United States or any territory or pos- session of the United States and who is in a temporary travel status outside of the United States. (ii)Exception.A tax return preparer lo- cated within the United States, including any territory or possession of the United States, may obtain consent to disclose the taxpayer’s SSN to a tax return preparer lo- cated outside of the United States or any territory or possession of the United States only if the tax return preparer within the United States discloses the SSN to a tax return preparer outside of the United States through the use of an adequate data protec- tion safeguard as defined by the Secretary in guidance published in the Internal Rev- enue Bulletin (see §601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter) and verifies the maintenance of the adequate data protection safeguards in the request for the taxpayer’s consent pursuant to the specifications described by the Secretary in guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. ***** §301.7216–3T [Removed] Paragraph 3. Section 301.7216–3T is removed. LindaE.Stiff, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. Approved December 10, 2008. Eric Solomon, Assistant Secretary of theTreasury(TaxPolicy). (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on December 15, 2008, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for December 16, 2008, 73 F.R. 76216) 2009–4 I.R.B.343January 26, 2009 Part III. Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous Update for Weighted Average Interest Rates, Yield Curves, and Segment Rates Notice 2009–2 This notice provides guidance as to the corporate bond weighted average interest rate and the permissible range of interest rates specified under § 412(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Internal Revenue Code as in ef- fect for plan years beginning before 2008. It also provides guidance on the corpo- rate bond monthly yield curve (and the corresponding spot segment rates), the 24-month average segment rates, and the funding transitional segment rates under § 430(h)(2). In addition, this no- tice provides guidance as to the interest rate on 30-year Treasury securities un- der § 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(II) as in effect for plan years beginning before 2008, the 30-year Treasury weighted average rate under § 431(c)(6)(E)(ii)(I), and the min- imum present value segment rates under § 417(e)(3)(D) as in effect for plan years beginning after 2007. CORPORATE BOND WEIGHTED AVERAGE INTEREST RATE Sections412(b)(5)(B)(ii)and 412(l)(7)(C)(i), as amended by the Pen- sion Funding Equity Act of 2004 and by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), provide that the interest rates used to cal- culate current liability and to determine the required contribution under § 412(l) for plan years beginning in 2004 through 2007 must be within a permissible range based on the weighted average of the rates of interest on amounts invested conser- vatively in long term investment grade corporate bonds during the 4-year period ending on the last day before the beginning of the plan year. Notice 2004–34, 2004–1 C.B. 848, pro- vides guidelines for determining the cor- porate bond weighted average interest rate and the resulting permissible range of in- terest rates used to calculate current liabil- ity. That notice establishes that the corpo- rate bond weighted average is based on the monthly composite corporate bond rate de- rived from designated corporate bond in- dices. The methodology for determining the monthly composite corporate bond rate as set forth in Notice 2004–34 continues to apply in determining that rate. See Notice 2006–75, 2006–2 C.B. 366. The composite corporate bond rate for December 2008 is 6.64 percent. Pursuant to Notice 2004–34, the Service has de- termined this rate as the average of the monthly yields for the included corporate bond indices for that month. The following corporate bond weighted average interest rate was determined for plan years beginning in the month shown below. For Plan Years Beginning inPermissible Range MonthYear Corporate Bond Weighted Average90%to100% January20096.29 5.67 6.29 YIELD CURVE AND SEGMENT RATES Generally for plan years beginning after 2007 (except for delayed effective dates for certain plans under sections 104, 105, and 106 of PPA), § 430 of the Code specifies the minimum funding require- ments that apply to single employer plans pursuant to § 412. Section 430(h)(2) spec- ifies the interest rates that must be used to determine a plan’s target normal cost and funding target. Under this provision, present value is generally determined us- ing three 24-month average interest rates (“segment rates”), each of which applies to cash flows during specified periods. However, an election may be made under § 430(h)(2)(D)(ii) to use the monthly yield curve in place of the segment rates. For plan years beginning in 2008 and 2009, a transitional rule under § 430(h)(2)(G) pro- vides that the segment rates are blended with the corporate bond weighted average as specified above. An election may be made under § 430(h)(2)(G)(iv) to use the segment rates without applying the transi- tional rule. Notice 2007–81, 2007–44 I.R.B. 899, provides guidelines for determining the monthly corporate bond yield curve, the 24-month average corporate bond segment rates, and the funding transitional segment rates used to compute the target normal cost and the funding target. Pursuant to Notice 2007–81, the monthly corporate bond yield curve derived from Decem- ber 2008 data is in Table I at the end of this notice. The spot first, second, and third segment rates for the month of De- cember 2008 are, respectively, 6.72, 7.12, and 6.36. The three 24-month average corporate bond segment rates applicable for January 2009 under the election of § 430(h)(2)(G)(iv) are as follows: First Segment Second Segment Third Segment 5.326.45 6.69 January 26, 20093442009–4 I.R.B. The transitional segment rates under § 430(h)(2)(G) applicable for January 2009, taking into account the corporate bond weighted average of 6.29 stated above, are as follows: For Plan Years Beginning in First Segment Second Segment Third Segment 2008 5.97 6.346.42 2009 5.64 6.40 6.56 30-YEAR TREASURY SECURITIES INTEREST RATES Section 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(II) (prior to amendment by PPA) defines the appli- cable interest rate, which must be used for purposes of determining the minimum present value of a participant’s benefit under § 417(e)(1) and (2), as the annual rate of interest on 30-year Treasury se- curities for the month before the date of distribution or such other time as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe. Section 1.417(e)–1(d)(3) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that the applica- ble interest rate for a month is the annual rate of interest on 30-year Treasury secu- rities as specified by the Commissioner for that month in revenue rulings, notices or other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. The rate of interest on 30-year Treasury securities for December 2008 is 2.87 per- cent. The Service has determined this rate as the monthly average of the daily deter- mination of yield on the 30-year Treasury bond maturing in May 2038. Generally for plan years beginning after 2007, § 431 specifies the mini- mum funding requirements that apply to multiemployer plans pursuant to § 412. Section 431(c)(6)(B)specifies a minimum amount for the full-funding limitation described in section 431(c)(6)(A), based on the plan’s current liability. Section 431(c)(6)(E)(ii)(I) provides that the inter- est rate used to calculate current liability for this purpose must be no more than 5 percent above and no more than 10 percent below the weighted average of the rates of interest on 30-year Treasury securities dur- ing the four-year period ending on the last day before the beginning of the plan year. Notice 88–73, 1988–2 C.B. 383, provides guidelines for determining the weighted average interest rate. The following rates were determined for plan years beginning in the month shown below. For Plan Years Beginning inPermissible Range MonthYear 30-Year Treasury Weighted Average 90%to 105% January2009 4.59 4.144.82 MINIMUM PR ESENT VALUE SEGMENT RA TES Generally for plan years beginning af- ter Decem ber 31, 2007, the applicable in- terest ra tes under § 417(e)(3)(D) are seg- ment rate s computed without regard to a 24-month a verage. For plan years begin- ning in 200 8 through 2011, the applica- ble intere st rate is the monthly spot seg- ment rate b lended with the applicable rate under § 41 7(e)(3)(A)(ii)(II) as in effect for plan y ears beginning in 2007. No- tice 2007 –81 provides guidelines for de- termining the minimum present value seg- ment rates . Pursuant to that notice, the minimum pr esent value transitional seg- ment rates determined for December 2008, taking in to account the December 2008 30-year T reasuryrateof2.87statedabove, are as fol lows: For Plan Years Beginning in First Segment Second Segment Third Segment 20083.643.72 3.57 20094.41 4.57 4.27 DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this notice is Tony Montanaro of the Employee Plans, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Di- vision. Mr. Montanaro may be e-mailed at RetirementPlanQuestions@irs.gov. 2009–4 I.R.B.345January 26, 2009 Table I Monthly Yield Curve for December 2008 Maturity YieldMaturity YieldMaturity YieldMaturity YieldMaturity Yield 0.55.4220.5 6.90 40.5 6.29 60.5 6.11 80.5 6.01 1.06.1021.06.8741.0 6.29 61.06.1081.06.01 1.56.6521.56.8441.56.2861.56.1081.56.01 2.07.0022.06.8142.06.2762.06.1082.06.01 2.5 7.14 22.5 6.78 42.5 6.27 62.5 6.09 82.5 6.01 3.07.1423.06.7643.06.2663.0 6.09 83.06.00 3.5 7.07 23.5 6.73 43.5 6.26 63.5 6.09 83.5 6.00 4.0 6.98 24.06.7044.0 6.25 64.0 6.09 84.06.00 4.5 6.90 24.56.6844.56.2464.56.0884.56.00 5.0 6.84 25.0 6.66 45.0 6.24 65.0 6.08 85.0 6.00 5.5 6.81 25.5 6.64 45.5 6.23 65.5 6.08 85.5 6.00 6.06.8126.06.6246.06.2366.06.0886.05.99 6.5 6.83 26.5 6.60 46.5 6.22 66.5 6.07 86.5 5.99 7.06.8727.0 6.58 47.06.2267.06.0787.05.99 7.5 6.93 27.56.5647.56.2167.56.0787.55.99 8.06.9928.0 6.55 48.06.2168.06.0688.05.99 8.57.0528.56.5348.5 6.20 68.5 6.06 88.5 5.99 9.0 7.10 29.0 6.52 49.0 6.20 69.0 6.06 89.0 5.99 9.57.1629.5 6.51 49.5 6.19 69.56.0689.55.98 10.07.2030.0 6.49 50.0 6.19 70.06.06 90.0 5.98 10.57.2430.56.4850.56.1870.56.0590.55.98 11.07.2731.06.47 51.0 6.1871.0 6.05 91.05.98 11.5 7.30 31.5 6.46 51.5 6.17 71.56.05 91.55.98 12.07.3132.0 6.4552.0 6.1772.0 6.05 92.0 5.98 12.5 7.32 32.5 6.43 52.5 6.16 72.5 6.0492.55.98 13.07.3233.06.42 53.0 6.1673.06.04 93.0 5.97 13.57.3133.56.4153.56.1673.56.0493.55.97 14.07.3034.06.40 54.06.15 74.06.0494.05.97 14.5 7.28 34.5 6.39 54.56.1574.5 6.0494.55.97 15.0 7.26 35.0 6.38 55.0 6.14 75.0 6.0395.05.97 15.5 7.24 35.5 6.37 55.5 6.14 75.5 6.0395.55.97 16.07.2136.06.37 56.0 6.1476.06.03 96.0 5.97 16.57.1836.56.3656.56.1376.56.0396.55.97 17.07.1437.0 6.3557.0 6.1377.06.0397.05.96 17.5 7.11 37.5 6.34 57.5 6.13 77.5 6.0297.55.96 18.07.0738.06.33 58.0 6.1278.06.02 98.0 5.96 18.5 7.04 38.5 6.32 58.5 6.12 78.5 6.0298.55.96 19.0 7.01 39.0 6.3259.06.12 79.0 6.02 99.0 5.96 19.5 6.97 39.56.3159.56.1179.56.0299.55.96 20.06.9440.06.3060.06.1180.06.01100.05.96 January 26, 20093462009–4 I.R.B. Interim Guidance Under Section 457A Notice 2009–8 PURPOSE This notice provides interim guidance on the application of § 457A to nonqual- ified deferred compensation plans of non- qualified entities. Section 457A gener- ally provides that any compensation that is deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan of a nonqualified entity is includible in gross income when there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the rights to such compensation. For purposes of § 457A, the termnonqualified deferred compensation planhas the same mean- ing as provided under § 409A(d), subject to certain modifications. For purposes of § 457A, the termnonqualified entitymeans (a) any foreign corporation unless substan- tially all of its income is (i) effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, or (ii) sub- ject to a comprehensive foreign income tax, and (b) any partnership unless sub- stantially all of its income is allocated to persons other than (i) foreign persons with respect to whom such income is not sub- ject to a comprehensive foreign income tax, and (ii) organizations which are ex- empt from tax under Title 26 of the United States Code. Section 457A is a provi- sion of the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008, Div. C of Pub. L. No. 110–343 (TEAMTRA), which was enacted on October 3, 2008. This guidance is intended as interim guidance to assist taxpayers in applying § 457A while the Treasury Department and the IRS consider further guidance on the application of § 457A. The Trea- sury Department and the IRS anticipate issuing further guidance on issues not ad- dressed by this notice. Future guidance may also modify the guidance provided in this notice, for example by expanding upon the definition of a nonqualified en- tity as set forth in this notice. In addition, certain provisions of this notice refer to interim guidance under Notice 2008–115, 2008–52 I.R.B. 1367 (Dec. 29, 2008) (reporting and withholding obligations under § 409A for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2008), and pro- posed regulations under § 409A (proposed § 1.409A–4, REG–148326–05, 2008–51 I.R.B. 1325 [73 Fed. Reg. 74380] (Dec. 8, 2008)). Future guidance under § 457A may need to be adapted to any future changes to the guidance provided in No- tice 2008–115 and the proposed § 409A regulations. However, as provided in the sectionentitled“EFFECTIVE DATE,” any future guidance under § 457A that would expand the coverage of § 457A will be prospective and will not apply to a service provider’s taxable year beginning before the issuance of such guidance. Comments are requested on all aspects of this notice. See the section entitled “REQUEST FOR COMMENTS”forin- formation on how to submit comments. INTERIM GUIDANCE ON APPLICATION OF § 457A A.Section 457A — In General Q–1 When is compensation includible in gross income under § 457A? A–1 As a general rule, § 457A provides that any compensation that is deferred under a nonqualified deferred compen- sation plan of a nonqualified entity is includible in gross income when there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the rights to such compensation. However, deferred compensation is not includible in gross income if the amount of the com- pensation is not determinable, in which case additional taxes apply to such com- pensation at the time the amount of such compensation becomes determinable and is includible in gross income. Section B of this notice (Q&A–2 through Q&A–4) addresses the definition of the termnon- qualified deferred compensation plan. Section C (Q&A–5 through Q&A–14) addresses which service providers are covered by § 457A and the definition of the termnonqualified entity. Section D (Q&A–15 through Q&A–18) addresses the calculation of the amount includi- ble in income under § 457A. Section E (Q&A–19 through Q&A–21) addresses when deferred amounts are considered to be not determinable. Section F (Q&A–22 through Q&A–23) addresses the appli- cation of the effective dates. Section G (Q&A–24 through Q&A–27) addresses is- sues related to the coordination of § 457A with § 409A. B.Definition of a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan Q–2 What is a nonqualified de- ferred compensation plan for purposes of § 457A? A–2 (a)General rule. Except as oth- erwise provided in this A–2, for purposes of § 457A, the termnonqualified de- ferred compensation planhas the meaning given such term under § 409A(d) and § 1.409A–1(a). With respect to an arrange- ment between a partner and a partnership, taxpayers may rely upon the applicable guidance under § 409A, which as of Jan- uary 9, 2008, included Notice 2005–1, Q&A–7, 2005–1 C.B. 274, § II.E of the preamble to the proposed § 409A reg- ulations published on October 4, 2005 (REG–158080–04, 2005–2 C.B. 786 [70 Fed. Reg. 57930]) and § III.G of the preamble to the final § 409A regulations published on April 17, 2007 (T.D. 9321, 2007–1 C.B. 1123 [72 Fed. Reg. 19234]). However, see Q&A–3 through Q&A–4 of this notice regarding the definition of substantial risk of forfeiture and the application of the short-term deferral rule for purposes of § 457A. (b)Equity appreciation rights.As provided in § 457A(d)(3)(A), the term nonqualified deferred compensation plan also includes any plan that provides a right to compensation based on the ap- preciation in value of a specified num- ber of equity units of the service re- cipient. Accordingly, except as other- wise provided in this paragraph A–2(b), § 1.409A–1(b)(5)(i)(B) (exception for cer- tain stock appreciation rights) does not apply for purposes of determining whether an arrangement provides for deferred compensation for purposes of § 457A. However, the exceptions from coverage under § 1.409A–1(b)(5)(i)(A) (exception for nonstatutory stock options on service recipient stock issued with an exercise price not less than fair market value at the date of grant and with no other defer- ral feature) and § 1.409A–1(b)(5)(i)(C) (exception for statutory stock options) ap- ply. Solely for purposes of this paragraph A–2(b), the exception from coverage un- der § 1.409A–1(b)(5)(i)(B) may be applied so that a stock appreciation right which by its terms at all times must be settled in service recipient stock, and is settled in service recipient stock (and otherwise 2009–4 I.R.B.347January 26, 2009 meets the requirements of that section), will be excluded from coverage under § 457A. In addition, for purposes of ap- plying the exception from coverage under § 1.409A–1(b)(5)(i)(A) to an equity in- terest in a non-corporate entity (meaning a right to purchase actual equity in such entity, and not a mere right to an amount equal to the appreciation in such equity), the rules of § 1.409A–1(b)(5)(i)(A) are appliedbyanalogy. (c)Short-term deferral exception.In applying § 1.409A–1(b)(4) (exception from the definition of deferred compen- sation for purposes of § 409A for certain short-term deferrals), the definition of sub- stantial risk of forfeiture in Q&A–3 of this notice is applied in lieu of the definition in § 1.409A–1(d). In addition, deferred compensation for purposes of § 457A does not include a § 457A short-term deferral (as defined in Q&A–4). Q–3 What is a substantial risk of forfei- ture for purposes of § 457A? A–3 (a)General rule. For purposes of § 457A, the rights of a person to compen- sation are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture only if such person’s rights to such compensationare conditioned upon the future performance of substantial ser- vices by such person. Thus, for example, the rights of a person to compensation (in- cluding a stock right) are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture merely be- cause those rights are subject to the oc- currence of a condition related to a pur- pose of the compensation, or are condi- tioned, directly or indirectly, upon the re- fraining from the performance of services. The addition of any risk of forfeiture af- ter the legally binding right to compensa- tion arises, or any extension of a period during which compensation is subject to a risk of forfeiture is disregarded for pur- poses of determining whether such com- pensation is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. However, an amount may be considered subjectto a substantial risk of forfeiture beyond the date or time at which the recipient otherwise could have elected to receive the compensation if the present value of such amount (disregard- ing, in determining the present value, the risk of forfeiture) is materially greater than the present value of the amount the recipi- ent otherwise could have elected to receive absent such risk of forfeiture. For purposes of determining whether an amount that is subject to a risk of forfeiture is materially greater than the amount the recipient oth- erwise could have elected to receive absent such risk of forfeiture, compensation, such as salary, that the service provider would receive for continuing to perform services is not taken into account. For example, if a bonus plan provides an election between a cash payment or restricted stock units with a present value that is materially greater (disregarding the risk of forfeiture) than the present value of such cash payment and that will be forfeited absent continued ser- vices for a period of years, the right to the restricted stock units generally is treated as subject to a substantialrisk of forfeiture. (b)Stock rights. For the application of the definition of a substantial risk of forfeiture to a stock right (as defined in § 1.409A–1(l)), see §1.409A–1(d)(2). (c)Enforcement of forfeiture condition. For rules on the determination of whether the risk of forfeiture is substantial with re- spect to the rights of a service provider that owns a significant amount of the total vot- ing power or value of the service recipient, see § 1.409A–1(d)(3). Q–4 What is a short-term deferral for purposes of § 457A (a § 457A short-term deferral)? A–4 (a)General rule. Deferred com- pensation for purposes of § 457A does not include a short-term deferral as pro- vided under § 457A(d)(3)(B) (a § 457A short-term deferral). The term§ 457A short-term deferralrefers to compensation that is paid not later than 12 months af- ter the end of the service recipient’s tax- able year during which the right to the pay- ment of the compensation is first no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. For purposes of this special rule, the ser- vice recipient is the person for whom the service provider is directly providing ser- vices at the time the right to the payment of such compensation is first no longer sub- ject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. In addition, as provided in Q&A–2(c), any amount qualifying as a short-term defer- ral under § 1.409A–1(b)(4), applied using the definition of substantial risk of forfei- ture for § 457A purposes as described in Q&A–3, does not constitute deferred com- pensation for purposes of § 457A. (b)Example. If on January 1, 2009, an employee is provided a right to a future payment of $10,000 if the employee continues providing services to his or her employer through January 1, 2011, and the amount is paid out not later than 12 months after the end of the employer’s taxable year that includes January 1, 2011, the arrangement is not subject to § 457A. However, if the amount is not paid to the employee before the end of that 12-month period, the arrangement is subject to § 457A and $10,000 is in- cludible in the employee’s gross income on January 1, 2011. C.Nonqualified Entities Q–5 To which types of service providers does § 457A apply? A–5 A service provider subject to § 457A may include an individual, cor- poration, subchapter S corporation, part- nership, personal service corporation (as defined in § 269A(b)(1)), noncorporate entity that would be a personal service cor- poration if it were a corporation, qualified personal service corporation (as defined in § 448(d)(2)), and noncorporate entity that would be a qualified personal service cor- poration if it were a corporation. A service provider may be subject to § 457A re- gardless of whether such person accounts for gross income from the performance of services under the cash receipts and dis- bursements method of accounting or under the accrual method of accounting. How- ever, an independent contractor is not a service provider subject to § 457A if an ar- rangement with respect to the independent contractor would be excluded from cov- erage under § 1.409A–1(f)(2) (generally excluding arrangements with indepen- dent contractors having multiple unrelated clients, but not excluding arrangements with such independent contractors that provide management services). Q–6 What is a nonqualified entity for purposes of § 457A? A–6 For purposes of § 457A, as pro- vided in § 457A(b), the termnonqualified entitymeans—(1) any foreign corporation unless substantially all of its income is (A) effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, or (B) subject to a comprehensive foreign in- come tax; and (2) any partnership unless substantially all of its income is allocated to persons other than (A) foreign persons with respect to whom such income is not subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax, and (B) organizations which are ex- empt from tax under Title 26 of the United States Code. Q–7 How is it determined whether an entity is a foreign corporation or a partner- January 26, 20093482009–4 I.R.B. ship for purposes of determining whether an entity is a nonqualified entity under § 457A? A–7 For purposes of § 457A, the term foreign corporationmeans a corporation as defined in § 7701(a)(3) that is not do- mestic as defined in § 7701(a)(4). For purposes of § 457A, the termpartner- shiphas the meaning given that term in § 7701(a)(2). Q–8 How is it determined whether sub- stantially all of a foreign corporation’s in- come is subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax? A–8 (a)In general. For purposes of § 457A, substantially all of the income of a foreign corporation is subject to a compre- hensive foreign income tax if, for the tax- able year of the foreign corporation ending with or within the service provider’s rele- vant taxable year (as determined in accor- dance with Q&A–13)— (i) either (A) the foreign corporation is eligible for the benefits of a comprehen- sive income tax treaty between its country of residence and the United States (as de- termined in accordance with Q&A–10), or (B) the foreign corporation demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it is resident for tax purposes in a foreign coun- try that has a comprehensive income tax; and (ii) the foreign corporation is not taxed by the foreign corporation’s country of res- idence under any regime or arrangement that is materially more favorable than the corporate income taxotherwise generally imposedbysuchcountry. (b)Exception where nonresidence source income is excluded.Notwithstand- ing paragraph A–8(a), substantially all of the income of a foreign corporation will not be treated as subject to a comprehen- sive foreign income tax if— (i) the foreign corporation’s taxable income determined under the laws of its country of residence excludes, in whole or in part, nonresidence source income realized by the foreign corporation; and (ii) the aggregate amount of nonresi- dence source income of the foreign corpo- ration that is excluded for the relevant tax- able year (the excluded amount) exceeds 20 percent of the gross income of the for- eign corporation. (c)Excluded income. For purposes of paragraph A–8(b)— (i) the foreign corporation’s taxable in- come under the laws of its country of res- idence excludes an item of nonresidence source income if the foreign corporation’s taxable income does not include such in- come, or excludes such income by means of exemption, exclusion (including an ex- clusion from gross income), deduction (in- cluding a dividends received deduction or dividends paid deduction (or similar pro- vision)), by means of taxation of such in- come at a rate of tax less than 50 percent of the generally applicable rate, or by other means; (ii) the foreign corporation’s gross in- come is defined as the foreign corpora- tion’s gross income as determined under the income tax laws of the foreign corpora- tion’s country of residence plus all nonres- idence source income of the foreign corpo- ration to the extent not otherwise included in the foreign corporation’s gross income; (iii) the termnonresidence source in- comemeans any items of income that would be included in gross income, deter- mined under the principles of § 61, from sources outside the foreign corporation’s country of residence, including dividends distributed by corporations that are not resident in the foreign corporation’s coun- try of residence; and (iv) an item of nonresidence source income is not included in the excluded amount to the extent that such item of nonresidence source income is—(A) ef- fectively connectedwith the conduct of a trade or business in the United States under § 882 and the regulations thereun- der that is not exempt from U.S. federal income tax pursuant to a treaty obliga- tion of the United States (for example, because the income is not attributable to a permanent establishment); (B) a dividend from a corporation that is domestic (within the meaning of § 7701(a)(4)); or (C) a dividend from a corporation substantially all of the income of which is subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax (deter- mined by applying the principles of this A–8). Q–9 How is it determined whether substantially all of a foreign corporation’s income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States? A–9 For purposes of § 457A, substan- tially all of the income of a foreign cor- poration is treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States if, for the taxable year of the foreign corporation ending with or within the service provider’s relevant tax- able year (as determined under Q&A–13), at least 80 percent of the gross income of the foreign corporation (as defined in para- graph A–8(c)(ii)) is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States under § 882 and the regu- lations thereunder that is not exempt from U.S. federal income tax pursuant to a treaty obligation of the United States (for exam- ple, because the income is not attributable to a permanent establishment). Q–10 When is a foreign person eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty for purposes of § 457A? A–10 For purposes of § 457A, the term comprehensive income tax treatymeans every income tax treaty of the United States in force as of January 9, 2009, other than the income taxtreaty with Bermuda and the income tax treaty with the Nether- lands Antilles. To be eligible for the benefits of such a comprehensive income tax treaty for purposes of § 457A, a for- eign person must be a resident within the meaning of such term under the relevant treaty and must satisfy any other relevant requirements of that treaty, including the requirements under any applicable limita- tion on benefits provision. Q–11 How is it determined whether substantially all of a partnership’s income for a taxable year is allocated to persons other than (A) foreign persons with respect to whom such income is not subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax and (B) organizations which are exempt from tax under Title 26 of the United States Code? A–11 (a)In general.Under § 457A(b)(2), a partnership is not a non- qualified entity with respect to a taxable year if it has income and substantially all of its income for the taxable year is allocated to persons not described in § 457A(b)(2)(A) or (B) (a person not described in § 457A(b)(2)(A) or (B) is referred to herein as aneligible person). Substantially all of a partnership’s income is treated for purposes of § 457A(b)(2) as allocated to eligible persons with respect to a taxable year only if at least 80 percent of the gross income of the partnership for such taxable year is allocated to eligible persons, as provided in paragraph A–11(e) below. The paragraphs of this A–11 below 2009–4 I.R.B.349January 26, 2009 provide guidance on whether substantially all of the income of a partnership that is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of a non- qualified deferred compensation plan is allocated to eligiblepersons, including determining—(i) the gross income of such a partnership; (ii) which persons may be treated as receiving allocations of such gross income; and (iii) which allocations of gross income will be treated as made to eligible persons. An item or portion of an item of gross income may be treated for purposes of this Q&A–11 as allocated to any one of (and only one of) the following: (i) a partnership, if the partnership is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of the nonqualified deferred compensation plan and subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax with respect to such income as provided in paragraph A–11(f), (ii) a partner of the partnership, or (iii) any direct or indirect owner of the partner. (b)Gross income and allocations for U.S. relevant partnerships. With respect to a U.S. relevant partnership that is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of a nonqual- ified deferred compensation plan, the termgross income of the partnership has the same meaning as for purposes of § 702(c) (see also §§ 1.702–1(c) and 1.704–1(b)(1)(vii)). A partnership is a U.S. relevant partnership if it either (i) is required to file a return of partnership income under § 6031 or (ii) determines the distributive share of income of any partner in accordance with § 704. If a U.S. relevant partnership allocates any income net of deductions, gross income is treated as being allocated to the partner who received the related allocation of net income to the extent such net income is derived from gross income (determined under § 702(c) principles). Allocations of income to the partners are the actual tax allocations of the partnership determined under § 704 for the partnership’s relevant taxable year under Q&A–13 of this notice. Gross income of a foreign partnership, or a domestic partnership that is treated under the laws of a foreign country as resident in that country for tax purposes, that is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of the nonquali- fied deferred compensation plan may be treated as allocated to the partnership. (c)Gross income and allocations for partnerships that are not U.S. relevant partnerships. Gross income of a partner- ship that is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that is not a U.S. relevant partnership is determined for the partnership’s relevant taxable year under Q&A–13 of this notice using any reasonable method that incor- porates the principles of § 61. Further, for purposes of this Q&A–11, gross income of a partnership that is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of a nonqualified plan and is not a U.S. relevant partnership is deemed allocated to a partner to the extent that the partner includes such income in its gross income on a current basis under the income tax laws of the country of which such partner is a resident (except if in- cluded in income solely by reason of an anti-deferral regime, for example, §§ 951 et seq., §§ 1293et seq., or comparable provisions of foreign law), whether or not such income is distributed to such person. Gross income of a partnership that is not a U.S. relevant partnership and that is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of the nonquali- fied deferred compensation plan may be treated as allocated tothe partnership. (d)Tiered ownership. (i) An item or portionofanitemofgrossincomeof the partnership that is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of a nonqualified deferred com- pensation plan that is allocated to a partner pursuant to paragraph A–11(b) or (c) may be treated as income allocated to any one direct or indirect owner of such partner that takes such income into account on a current basis under the income tax laws of the country of which such owner is a res- ident (except if included in income solely by reason of an anti-deferral regime, for example, §§ 951et seq., §§ 1293et seq., or comparable provisions of foreign law), whether or not such income is distributed to such owner. (ii) An item or portion of an item of gross income of the partnership that is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that is allo- cated pursuant to paragraph A–11(b) or (c) to a partner that is a trust or estate that is a United States person, as defined in § 7701(a)(30), may be treated as allocated to a beneficiary of the trust or estate if the beneficiary takes such income into account on a current basis. (e)Gross income allocations to eligible persons. Gross income is allocated to an eligible person to the extent— (i) gross income that is derived in an unrelated trade or business as described in § 512(a) is allocated to an organization subject to U.S. federal income tax on such income under § 511; (ii) gross income that is effectively con- nected with the conduct of a trade or busi- ness in the United States, within the mean- ing of § 871(b) or § 882(a), as applica- ble (effectively connected income), is allo- cated to a person subject to U.S. federal in- come tax on such income under § 871(b) or § 882(a), as applicable, and not exempt from U.S. federal income tax pursuant to a treaty obligation of the United States; (iii) gross income is allocated to a United States person (as defined in § 7701(a)(30)) other than (A) an organ- ization exempt from tax under Title 26 of the United States Code; (B) a domes- tic partnership within the meaning of § 7701(a)(30)(B); or (C) a trust or estate, except to the extent the trust or estate is subject to U.S. federal income tax in re- spect of such income and such income is neither included in the gross income of a beneficiary under § 652 or § 662 nor paid or permanently set aside for a charitable purpose within the meaning of § 642(c); or (iv) gross income that is not effectively connected income is allocated to a person that is not a United States person, as de- fined in § 7701(a)(30) (a foreign person) (a foreign person is deemed to include for these purposes and for purposes of para- graph A–11(f) below a domestic partner- ship that is the sponsor (see Q&A–14) of the nonqualified deferred compensation plan and that is treated under the laws of a foreign country as resident in that country for tax purposes), who is subject to a com- prehensive foreign income tax with respect to such income as provided in paragraph A–11(f) below. (f)Comprehensive Foreign Income Tax. For purposes of this A–11 a foreign person is subject to a comprehensive foreign in- come tax with respect to an item of income of the partnership only if both— (i) The foreign person takes such in- come into account on a current basis un- der the income tax laws of the country in which the foreign person is resident (ex- cept if included in income solely by reason of an anti-deferral regime, for example, §§ 951et seq., §§ 1293et seq., or compa- rable provisions of foreign law), whether or not such income is distributed to such foreign person; and January 26, 20093502009–4 I.R.B. (ii)(A) In the case of a foreign per- son that is not a nonresident alien indi- vidual—(I) the foreign person is an en- tity that is not fiscally transparent under the law of the entity’s jurisdiction (as de- fined in § 1.894–1(d)(3)(ii)) with respect to such income; (II) the foreign person satisfies the requirements of Q&A–8(a)(i) and (ii) treating the foreign person as the “foreign corporation” for this purpose; and (III) such income is not excluded from such foreign person’s taxable income by means of exemption, exclusion, dividends paid deduction or dividends received de- duction (or similar provision), by means of taxation of such income at a rate less than 50 percent of the generally applicable rate, or by other means; or (B) In the case of a foreign person that is a nonresident alien individual—(I) such nonresident alien individual is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, or such nonresident alien individual demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that such nonresident alienindividual is subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax; and (II) such income is not excluded from such foreign person’s taxable income by means of exemption, exclusion (including an exclusion from gross income), deduc- tion (including a dividends paid deduction or dividends received deduction (or sim- ilar provision)), by means of taxation of such income at a rate less than 50 percent of the generally applicable rate, or by other means. (g)Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this A–11. For pur- poses of Examples 1 through 3, assume the following. PRS is a domestic partner- ship. PRS has two partners, A, a domestic corporation that is not an organization ex- empt from tax under Title 26 of the United States Code, and B, an entity exempt from tax pursuant to § 501(a). Under the PRS partnership agreement, A is allocated the first $700 of net income, and any remain- ing net income is allocated 75% to A and 25% to B. Net losses are allocated 75% to A and 25% to B. Assume that B’s distribu- tive share of income of PRS does not con- stitute unrelated business taxable income to B and that all of PRS’ allocations of in- come, gain, loss and deduction satisfy the requirements of § 704. Example 1. For the taxable year ending on De- cember 31, 2009, PRS has $1,500 in gross income and no other gains, losses or deductions. Under the PRS partnership agreement, A is allocated the first $700 of net income, and the remaining $800 of net in- come is allocated $600 to A (75% x $800) and $200 to B (25% x $800). In 2009, PRS is not a nonqualified entity under § 457A(b)(2) and this Q&A–11 because $1,300 of gross income is allocated to A, which is at least 80% of the gross income of PRS (80% x $1,500 = $1,200). Example 2. For its taxable year ending Decem- ber 31, 2009, PRS has $1,000 in ordinary income, $300 of deductions (or net ordinary income of $700), $8,000 of gains, and no losses. Under the PRS partnership agreement, A is allocated the first $700 of net income, and the $8,000 of gain is allocated $6,000 to A (75% x $8,000) and $2,000 to B (25% x $8,000). In 2009, PRS is a nonqualified entity under § 457A(b)(2) and this Q&A–11 because $7,000 of gross income is allocated to A, which is less than 80% of the gross income of PRS (80% x $9,000 = $7,200). Example 3. For its taxable year ending December 31, 2009, PRS has a $1,400 net loss ($100 of gross income, $1,500 of deductions, and no other gains or losses). Under the PRS partnership agreement, A is allocated $1,050 of the net loss (75% x $1,400). B is allocated $350 of the net loss (25% x $1,400). Un- der § 702(c), A’s share of gross income of PRS is $75 (75% x $100). In 2009, PRS is a nonqualified entity under § 457A(b)(2) and this Q&A–11 because less than 80% of PRS’ gross income is allocated to A (80% x $100 = $80). Example 4. In 2009, K and B are partners in KB partnership, a partnership organized under the laws of foreign country 1 that is fiscally transparent under the laws of foreign country 1. KB is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and a U.S. relevant partnership hereunder. K is an entity organized under the laws of foreign country 2, and K is fiscally trans- parent under the laws of foreign country 2 and has in effect an election to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes. B is a domestic corporation that is not an organization exempt from tax under Ti- tle 26 of the United States Code. The owners of K are S, an individual who is a citizen and resident of for- eign country 3, and J, a foreign corporation. S is eli- gible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States and takes into account under the income tax laws of country 3 her share of gross income of K on a current basis, whether or not such income is distributed to S. S’s share of such in- come is taxed under the laws of country 3 at a rate not less than the generally applicable rate, is not oth- erwise excluded from S’s income and is not included in income by reason of an anti-deferral regime. J is not subject to tax on its share of income of K. Income of KB is not effectively connected income. KB is a calendar year taxpayer. Foreign country 1 does not impose a tax on the income of KB, and foreign coun- try 2 does not impose a tax on the income of K. Because KB is a U.S relevant partnership, KB must determine its gross income of KB for U.S. fed- eral tax purposes and whether at least 80% of this gross income is allocated during 2009 to eligible per- sons. (i) Gross income of KB allocated to B is income described in paragraph A–11(e)(iii) and is therefore allocated to an eligible person. (ii) Because K is fiscally transparent under the laws of country 2, gross income of KB allocated to K is not income subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax in the hands of K for purposes of para- graph A–11(f). However, gross income of KB that is taken into account by S is treated as gross income that is allocated to eligible persons because S is a nonres- ident alien individual who is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States and includes her share of K’s gross income on a current basis whether or not distributed to S, such income is taxed under the laws of country 3 at a rate not less than the generally applicable rate and not oth- erwise excluded from S’s income and is not included in income by reason of ananti-deferral regime. (iii) Gross income of KB that is allocated to K and taken into account by J is not income that is allocated to eligible persons because neither K nor J is subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax with respect to such income. Q–12 Does § 457A apply to deferred compensation that would have been de- ductible against income of a foreign corpo- ration which is taxable under § 882 if the compensation had been paid in cash on the date that such compensation ceased to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture? A–12 In the case of a foreign corpora- tion with income which is taxable under § 882, § 457A does not apply to compensa- tion that, had such compensation been paid in cash on the date that such compensation ceased to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, would have been deductible un- der the principles of § 882 and the regula- tions thereunder by such foreign corpora- tion against such income. If such compen- sation expense would not have been part of the corporation’s cost of goods sold, the compensationwillbeconsideredtohave been deductible by the foreign corpora- tion against such income only to the extent that the compensation would be properly allocated and apportioned to such income under the principles of § 1.861–8et seq. If such compensation expense would have been part of the corporation’s cost of goods sold, the compensation will be considered to have been deductible by the corporation against such income using any reasonable method that is satisfactory to the Secretary based on all facts and circumstances. Q–13 When is the determination made whether an entity is a nonqualified entity? A–13 (a)General rule. The determi- nation of whether an entity is a nonqual- ified entity is made as of the last day of each of the service provider’s taxable years in which the nonqualified deferred com- pensation is no longer subject to a sub- stantial risk of forfeiture and remains de- 2009–4 I.R.B.351January 26, 2009 ferred. Accordingly, if the plan sponsor becomes a nonqualified entity during a ser- vice provider’s taxable year and is a non- qualified entity as of the last day of the ser- vice provider’s taxable year, amounts de- ferred under the plan are subject to § 457A for that taxable year of the service provider and the amounts are includible in income to the extent that the amounts are not sub- ject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and have not previously been included in in- come. Similarly, if the plan sponsor ceases to be a nonqualified entity during a service provider’s taxable year, and is not a non- qualified entity as of the last day of the service provider’s taxable year, amounts deferred under the plan are not subject to § 457A for that taxable year of the ser- vice provider. Comments are requested regarding alternative approaches to deter- mine whether and when nonqualified de- ferred compensation becomes subject to § 457A where the nonqualified deferred compensation is no longer subject to a sub- stantial risk of forfeiture and is still de- ferred, and the entity becomes a nonqual- ified entity in a subsequent taxable year. See the section below entitled “Request for Comments” for information on the sub- mission of comments. (b)Special rule for partnerships. Whether a partnership is a nonqualified entity as of the last day of the service provider’s taxable year is determined based on the allocations (or deemed allo- cations) of gross income by the partnership for the partnership’s taxable year ending with or within the service provider’s tax- able year. If a partnership does not yet have a taxable year that has ended or ends on the last day of the service provider’s taxable year, a reasonable, good faith estimate of such allocation (or deemed al- location) of the partnership for its current taxable year must be used to determine whether it is a nonqualified entity. Q–14 How is it determined whether a nonqualified deferred compensation plan is a plan of a nonqualified entity? A–14 The determination of whether a nonqualified deferred compensation plan is a plan of a nonqualified entity (for pur- poses of this notice, whether a nonquali- fied entity is the “sponsor”, or one of the “sponsors”, of the plan) is determined as of the last day of the service provider’s relevant taxable year as determined under Q&A–13. For this purpose, with respect to any amount deferred under a plan, the sponsor of the plan is any entity or enti- ties which, if the entity paid the amount de- ferred in cash to the service provider in the relevant taxable year (as determined un- der Q&A–13), would be entitled to a com- pensation deduction under U.S. federal in- come tax principles. D.Amount Includible in Income Q–15 Does § 457A apply to a right to earnings on deferred compensation that is subject to § 457A? A–15 Yes. For purposes of § 457A and this notice, references to deferred com- pensation include references to income (whether actual or notional) attributable to such compensation or such income. When the right to earnings is specified under the terms of the plan, the legally binding right to earnings arises at the time of the deferral of the compensation to which the earnings relate. Accordingly, rights to reasonable earnings credited on at least an annual basis are includible in gross income under § 457A when the right to the earnings credited is no longer sub- ject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in Q&A–3 of this notice). The right to earnings that are not reasonable earnings, or that are not credited at least annually, will result in some or all of the earnings being treated as currently de- ferred amounts in accordance with rules analogous to the rules set forth in proposed § 1.409A–6(b)(2)(iii) (crediting of earn- ings and losses), § 1.409A–6(b)(2)(ii)(B) (use of an unreasonable actuarial assump- tion or method), and § 1.409A–6(b)(3)(ii) (account balance plans — unreasonable rate of return). Q–16 How is the amount includible in income under § 457A determined? A–16 Except as provided in Q&A–19 and Q&A–20, for purposes of § 457A, the amount includible in income is determined under the rules applicable to the determi- nation of amounts includible in income un- der § 409A(a). For the currently appli- cable rules, see Notice 2008–115, which provides certain rules including a rule per- mitting taxpayers to rely upon proposed § 1.409A–4. Q–17 If an amount is included in gross income under § 457A before the amount is paid to the service provider, is the amount also includible in income when the amount is paid to the service provider? A–17 To the extent a deferred amount is included in income under § 457A before the amount is paid to the service provider, the amount is not includible in income when the amount is paid to the service provider. However, after such amount is included in income by the service provider, § 457A may continue to apply to the right to future reasonable earnings on such pre- viously included amounts (see Q&A–15). For purposes of determining the amount previously included in income that is not includible in income at the time of the payment, taxpayers may rely upon rules that are the same as the rules of proposed §1.409A–4(f). Q–18 If an amount is included in in- come under § 457A before the amount is paid to the service provider, and before such amount is paid the right to the amount is forfeited or otherwise permanently lost, is the service provider entitled to a loss? A–18 Yes. If an amount is included in income under § 457A before the amount is paid to the service provider and, be- fore such amount is paid, the right to the amount is forfeited or otherwise perma- nently lost, the service provider may rely upon rules that are the same as the rules of proposed § 1.409A–4(g) for purposes of determining the availability of any loss. E.Deferred Amounts that are not Determinable Q–19 When is the deferred amount to which a service provider is entitled treated as not determinable for purposes of § 457A? A–19 (a)In general. For purposes of § 457A, the deferred amount to which a service provider is entitled is treated as not determinable if the deferred amount would be calculated under proposed § 1.409A–4(b)(2)(iv) (application of the general calculation rules to formula amounts), if such rule were effective. Un- der proposed § 1.409A–4(b)(2)(iv), for a plan that is not an account balance plan, an amount payable in a future taxable year is a formula amount (and thus not deter- minable) to the extent that the amount payable in a future taxable year is depen- dent upon factors that, after applying the assumptions and other rules set out in the proposed regulations, are not determinable January 26, 20093522009–4 I.R.B. as of the end of the service provider’s taxable year. This generally occurs where the amount of the payment (and not the timing of the payment) is unknown at the end of the taxable year because it is based upon factors that remain variable as of the end of the taxable year. For example, an annual bonus based on annual profits as of December 31, 2010 is a formula amount (and thus an indeterminable amount) at all times prior to December 31, 2010. However, the deferred amount is deter- minable as of December 31, 2010 because the information necessary to calculate the bonus exists, regardless of whether the calculation of the annual profits is readily available. Q–20 When is a deferred amount that is treated as not determinable at the time that the compensation is otherwise includible in gross income under § 457A required to be included in income? A–20 A deferred amount that is treated as not determinable at the time that the compensation is otherwise includible in gross income under § 457A is required to be included in gross income when the deferred amount becomes determinable. For purposes of calculating the amount includible in gross income at such time, the rules of Q&A–16 apply. Q–21 What additional taxes apply to a deferred amount that is treated as not deter- minable at the time that the compensation is otherwise includible in gross income un- der § 457A? A–21 When a deferred amount that is treated as not determinable at the time that the compensation is otherwise includible in gross income under § 457A becomes de- terminable and must be included in gross income, the tax for the taxable year in which the compensation is includible in gross income is increased by the sum of (a) an amount equal to 20 percent of the amount of the compensation and (b) the premium interest tax on the compensation. For purposes of this A–21, the premium interest tax is the amount of interest at the underpayment rate under § 6621 plus 1 percentage point on the underpayments that would have occurred had the deferred compensation been includible in gross in- come for the taxable year in which first deferred or, if later, the first taxable year in which the deferred compensation is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in Q&A–3 of this notice). For pur- poses of calculating the premium interest tax, rules analogous to the rules provided in proposed § 1.409A–4(d) apply, if such rule were effective. F.Effective Dates for Application of §457A Q–22 What is the effective date of § 457A? A–22 Section 457A applies to amounts deferred that are attributable to services performed after December 31, 2008. In the case of any amount deferred to which § 457A would not otherwise apply solely by reason of the fact that the amount is attributable to services performed before January 1, 2009, to the extent the amount deferred is not included in gross income in a taxable year beginning before 2018, that amount deferred is includible in gross income in the later of (a) the last taxable year beginning before January 1, 2018 or (b) the first taxable year in which there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the right to the amount deferred (as defined in Q&A–3 of this notice). Q–23 For purposes of applying the ef- fective date, how are the periods of service to which the compensation is attributable determined? A–23 (a)Services to which compensa- tion is attributable. (1)General rule: compensation attrib- utabletoaserviceperiodbasedonplan formula. If a service provider obtains a legally binding right to compensation un- der a plan on or before December 31, 2008, and as of December 31, 2008 that plan provides for benefit payments under a for- mula that relates to a specific period of ser- vice in a year (such as relating to compen- sation paid during that period), the com- pensation is attributable to that specific period, except as otherwise provided in this A–23. To the extent that, based on the terms of the plan as of December 31, 2008, compensation is not attributable to services performed in a particular period, then the compensation generally is attrib- utable to services performed during the year in which the employee obtains the legally binding right to the compensation. If a service provider is entitled to com- pensation only upon an involuntary sepa- ration from service, the amount attribut- able to services performed on or before December 31, 2008 is the amount the ser- vice provider would be entitled to based upon the years of service and compensa- tion earned as of December 31, 2008 (dis- regarding any requirement to perform fur- ther services). Any additional amount to which the service provider becomes enti- tled after December 31, 2008 due solely to additional services performed after De- cember 31, 2008 is attributable to service performed after December 31, 2008. A right to reasonable earnings on amounts deferred attributableto services performed before December 31, 2008 is treated as attributable to services performed before December 31, 2008, but only to the extent further services were not required after De- cember 31, 2008 to retain the right to the earnings. (2)Legally binding right. Compensa- tion is not attributable to a period of ser- vices prior to the date the service provider obtains a legally binding right to the com- pensation. A service provider does not have a legally binding right to compen- sation to the extent that compensation may be reduced unilaterally or eliminated by the service recipient or other person after the services creating the right to the compensation have been performed. However, if the facts and circumstances indicate that the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation is available or exercisable only upon a condition, or the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation lacks substantive signifi- cance, then the employee has a legally binding right to the compensation. For this purpose, compensation is not con- sidered subject to unilateral reduction or elimination merely because it may be re- duced or eliminated by operation of the objective terms of the plan, such as the application of a nondiscretionary, objec- tive provision creating a substantial risk of forfeiture. (See §§ 1.409A–1(b)(1) and 31.3121(v)(2)–1(b)(3)(i) for additional rules regarding when an employee obtains a legally binding right to compensation.) (3)Substantial risk of forfeiture.Tothe extent that under a plan’s terms as of De- cember 31, 2008, a service provider’s right to compensation is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in Q&A–3) in the form of a requirement to continue to perform substantial future services for the service recipient after December 31, 2008, the compensation generally is for services performed over the period of time 2009–4 I.R.B.353January 26, 2009 that the service provider is required to con- tinue to perform substantial future services for the service recipient and is attributed to that period on apro ratabasis, unless the compensation is attributable to a dif- ferent period under the rule in paragraph A–23(b)(1). For purposes of applying the effective date, if the substantial risk of for- feiture lapses after December 31, 2008, but before the substantial risk of forfei- ture would otherwise have lapsed under the terms of the plan as of December 31, 2008 if the service provider had continued providing services (such as due to death, disability or an acceleration of the vesting requirement), the allocation remains pro- rated over the period from when the ser- vice provider obtained the legally binding right to the payment to the date that the substantial risk of forfeiture would other- wise have lapsed under the terms of the plan as of December 31, 2008 if the service provider had continued providing services. (4)Plan terms as of December 31, 2008. A plan’s terms as of December 31, 2008, include only the plan’s terms as in effect on December 31, 2008, and do not include any amendment to such plan terms after December 31, 2008, even if the amendment to such plan terms is made effective retroactively to a date earlier than January 1, 2009. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of a plan may be amended retroactively to provide that a substantial risk of forfeiture that would otherwise lapse on or after January 1, 2009 will be treated as having lapsed effective before January 1, 2009, provided that the amendment is made in writing and effec- tive before July 1, 2009, and provided further that any shortening of the period during which a deferred amount was sub- ject to a substantial risk of forfeiture must beappliedconsistentlytoeveryservice provider participating in that arrangement or a substantially similar arrangement. (b)Examples. For purposes of these ex- amples, the description of the terms of the relevant plan refers to the terms of the plan as of December 31, 2008, except where otherwise provided. Example 1. Employee A obtains on January 1, 2006 a legally binding right to be paid $400,000 at the end of December, 2014, but only if A continues to be employed on December 31, 2010. In this case, apro rataportion of the compensation is attributable to services performed during 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, so that 60% of the amount deferred is at- tributable to services performed before 2009. Example 2. Employee C obtains on December 31, 2007 a legally binding right to be paid on Feb- ruary 1, 2014 an amount equal to 10% of employee C’s salary during the period from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009, and employee C’s salary is $400,000 for each of 2008 and 2009. In this case, the compensation is attributablepro ratato services performed in 2008 and 2009, so that 50% of the amount deferred is attributable to services performed in 2008. Example 3. Employee D obtains on December 31, 2007 a legally binding right to be paid on January 1, 2014 an amount equal to 20% of D’s highest annual salary times the number of years of service completed by D before January 1, 2010, but only if D remains employed through December 31, 2009. Employee D remains employed through December 31, 2009 and has an annual salary of $400,000 in 2008. Under the terms of the plan in this case, under the rule in paragraph A–23(a)(1), the compensation attributable to services performed in 2008 is the present value of $80,000 (20% of Employee D’s annual salary in 2008 times 1 year of service) payable on January 1, 2014. Example 4. Employee E obtains on December 31, 2008 a legally binding right to be paid $400,000 on February 1, 2010 (without any requirement of con- tinued employment). Under these facts and circum- stances, the compensation is not attributable to ser- vices performed in a period of time after December 31, 2008. Example 5. Employee F obtains on December 31, 2008 a stock appreciation right with a 10-year term and an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on December 31, 2008 (without any require- ment of continued employment in order to be able to exercise the right and receivepayment). Thecom- pensation is not attributable to services performed in a period of time after December 31, 2008. Example 6. Employee G obtains on January 1, 2008 a stock appreciation right with a 10-year term and an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on January 1, 2008, but the stock appreci- ation right can be exercised only after the employee has continued his or her employment for three more years (through December 31,2010). In this case, the amount deferred under the stock appreciation right is attributable to services performed from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010, so that one-third of the amount deferred is attributable to services per- formed before January 1, 2009. Example 7. Employee H obtains on January 1, 2000 a right to a retirement benefit payable solely upon separation from service (including separation from service due to death or disability) as a life an- nuity equal to a monthly payment of 3% multiplied by the average of the highest three years of com- pensation multiplied again by the number of years of service Employee H had completed with the ser- vice recipient. As of December 31, 2008, Employee H had completed 15 years of service and the aver- age of the highest three years of compensation was $250,000. The deferred amount attributable to ser- vices performed on or before December 31, 2008 equals the present value of the life annuity calculated using the years of service completed and the compen- sation earned as of December 31, 2008. Any increase in the deferred amount due to an additional year of service or an increase in compensation after Decem- ber 31, 2008 would be a deferred amount attributable to services performed after December 31, 2008. Example 8. Employee J obtains on January 1, 2008 a right to a bonus equal to 10% of the increase in the value of a pool of assets, calculable and payable one year after Employee J’s separation from service. Because any increase in the value through the date of payment would not be due to Employee J’s continued services, the entire deferred amount is attributable to services performed during 2008. Example 9. Employee K obtains on January 1, 2008 a right to an amount payable on January 1, 2014, but only if Employee K continues to provide services through December 31, 2010, or dies or becomes dis- abled before December 31, 2010. On July 1, 2010, Employee K dies. Because under the terms of the plan as of December 31, 2008, Employee K was re- quired to continue to provide services through De- cember 31, 2010, one-third of the deferred amount continues to be attributable to services performed be- fore January 1, 2009. Example 10. Employee L obtains on January 1, 2008 a right to an amount payable on January 1, 2014, but only if Employee L continues to provide services through December 31, 2010, or dies or becomes disabled before December 31, 2010. On January 1, 2010, the arrangement is amended so that Employee L is entitled to payment of the amount re- gardless of whether Employee L continues to provide services after December31, 2009. For purposes of the effective date of § 457A, this amendment is dis- regarded and only one-third of the amount deferred is treated as attributable to services performed on or before December 31, 2008. Example 11. Employee M obtains on January 1, 2008 a right to an amount payable on January 1, 2014, but only if Employee M continues to provide ser- vices through December 31, 2010, or dies or becomes disabled before December 31, 2010. On March 15, 2009, the arrangement is amended so that Employee M is entitled to payment of the amount regardless of whether Employee M continues to provide services after December 31, 2008. Provided that the same amendment is made and applied consistently to every service provider participating in the same or a sub- stantially similar arrangement sponsored by the same service recipient, the amendment is not disregarded for purposes of the effective date under § 457A and all of the amount deferred is treated as attributable to services performed on or before December 31, 2008. G.Coordination with § 409A Q–24 How does § 457A coordinate with§409A? A–24 Sections 457A and 409A may both apply to amounts deferred under the same arrangement. For purposes of ap- plying § 409A to arrangements covered by § 457A, rules similar to those address- ing arrangements subject to § 457(f) ap- ply. Accordingly, an inclusion in income under § 457A is treated as a payment for purposes of the short-term deferral rule un- der § 1.409A–1(b)(4). In addition, until further guidance, the inclusion in income January 26, 20093542009–4 I.R.B. under § 457A of earnings on amounts sub- ject to § 457A is treated as a payment in accordance with a fixed schedule of pay- ments if the earnings are reasonable, are credited at least annually, and are included in income under § 457A for the later of the taxable year in which such earnings are credited or when such amounts would otherwise be includible in income under § 457A. However, the right to an amount that is not subject to § 457A because it is a § 457A short-term deferral under Q&A–4 is subject to § 409A unless the arrange- ment also qualifies as a short-term deferral under § 1.409A–1(b)(4). Q–25 What transition rules apply under § 409A with respect to amounts covered by § 457A that are attributable to services performed before January 1, 2009? A–25 Solely with respect to a deferred amount attributable to services performed before January 1, 2009, a change in the time and form of payment to conform the date of distribution to the date the amount mayberequiredtobeincludedinincome under § 457A(d)(2) will not be treated as an impermissible acceleration under § 409A(a)(3) and § 1.409A–3(j)(1), pro- vided that such change in the time and form of payment is established in writing and effective on or before December 31, 2011. To the extent a deferred amount attributable to services performed before January 1, 2009 was earned and vested before December 31, 2004 and is not otherwise covered by § 409A due to the application of the effective date rules un- der § 1.409A–6, a change in the time and form of payment solely to conform the date of distribution to the date the amounts mayberequiredtobeincludedinincome under § 457A(d)(2) is not treated as a ma- terial modification of such arrangement under § 1.409A–6(a)(4), provided that such change in the time and form of pay- ment is established in writing and effective on or before December 31, 2011. Q–26 What transition rules apply under § 409A with respect to amounts covered by § 457A that are attributable to services performed after December 31, 2008? A–26 In general, the right to a deferred amount to which § 457A applies will not constitute a deferred amount under § 409A because the amount will be “paid” for pur- poses of the short-term deferral rule under § 1.409A–1(b)(4) no later than the time at which the right to the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Accordingly, a plan provision stating that an amount will be payable in cash at the time the amount is includible in income under § 457A will not be required because the right to payment of such amount will not be subject to § 409A. However, pay- ment timing issues under § 409A may arise if the right to a deferred amount becomes subject to § 457A in a future year (for ex- ample, because the plan sponsor becomes a nonqualified entity), or ceases to be sub- ject to § 457A in a future year (because the plan sponsor ceases to be a nonquali- fied entity before the right to the substan- tial risk of forfeiture lapses). In addition, payment timing issues may arise if earn- ings on deferred compensation become in- cludible in gross income under § 457A, to the extent such earnings would otherwise have been accumulated and paid at a de- ferred date. To address these issues, until further guidance the payment of a deferred amount during the service provider’s tax- able year in which such amount becomes includible in income under § 457A will not constitute an impermissible accelera- tion of a payment under § 409A(a)(3) or § 1.409A–3(j). However, plan provisions will still be necessary to address use of the § 457A short-term deferral rule (see Q&A–4). Q–27 What transition rules apply under § 409A with respect to certain back-to- back arrangements attributable to services performed before January 1, 2009? A–27 (a) If the service provider is also a service recipient (the intermediate service recipient) and maintains one or more non- qualified deferred compensation arrange- ments for its serviceproviders covered by § 457A under which any amount is attrib- utable to services performed before Jan- uary 1, 2009, a change in the time and form of payment of such amount solely to conform the date of payment to the date the amount is required to be included in income will not be treated as an imper- missible acceleration under § 409A(a)(3) and § 1.409A–3(j)(1), provided that such change in the time and form of payment is established in writing and effective on or before December 31, 2011. To the ex- tent a deferred amount covered by § 457A was earned and vested before December 31, 2004 and is not otherwise subject to § 409A due to the application of the effec- tive date rules under § 1.409A–6, a change in the time and form of payment solely to conform the date of distribution to the date the amount is required to be included in income under § 457A will not be treated as a material modification of such arrange- ment under § 1.409A–6(a)(4), provided that such change in the time and form of payment is established in writing and ef- fective on or before December 31, 2011. (b) With respect to a back-to-back ar- rangement under which a service provider provides services to a service recipient (the intermediate service recipient) that in turn provides services to another service recipient (the ultimate service recipient), to the extent the arrangement is covered by § 409A, all potential times and forms of payment under which the service provider may be paid a deferred amount by the intermediate service recipient must com- ply with the requirements of § 409A and § 1.409A–3. This means that the service provider must be payable upon a permissi- ble payment event, which may include the service provider’s separation from service. However, a nonqualified deferred com- pensation arrangement that provides for the service provider to be paid when the intermediate service recipient separates from service from the ultimate service re- cipient is not a permissible payment event. Nothing in this A–27 should be interpreted as changing this requirement. In addition, no opinion is expressed as to whether such an arrangement would satisfy the requirements of the transition guidance for periods before the effective date of the final § 409A regulations (January 1, 2009). For the applicable transition rules, see Notice 2007–86, 2007–46 I.R.B. 990. REQUEST FOR COMMENTS The Treasury Department and the IRS anticipate issuing additional guidance with respect to § 457A. The Treasury Depart- ment and the IRS request comments on the topics addressed in this notice, and any other issues arising under § 457A. The Treasury Department and the IRS specifi- cally request comments regarding the fol- lowing topics: 1. Whether and to what extent a lim- itation on benefits provision or exchange of information program is relevant to the determination of what is a “comprehensive income tax treaty.” 2009–4 I.R.B.355January 26, 2009 2. The extent to which a reimburse- ment arrangement with respect to a domes- tic taxpayer service recipient and a non- qualified entity that has agreed to share or reimburse the domestic taxpayer service recipient’s compensation costs should re- sult in the domestic taxpayer service recip- ient also being treated as a nonqualified en- tity. 3. The potential scope of the exception to the definition of substantial risk of for- feiture that may be provided by regulation under § 457A(d)(1)(B), relating to the sin- gle investment asset. 4. The proper treatment of trusts that are partners in a partnership and beneficia- ries of these trusts for purposes of deter- mining to whom income of a partnership is allocated under § 457A(b)(2). All materials submitted will be avail- able for public inspection and copying. Comments may be submitted to Internal Revenue Service, CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2009–8), Room 5203, PO Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may also be hand-delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of8a.m.and4p.m.totheCourier’sDesk at 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Wash- ington, DC 20224, Attn: CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2009–8), Room 5203. Submis- sions may also be sent electronically via the internet to the following email address: Notice.comments@irscounsel.treas.gov. Include the notice number (Notice 2009–8) in the subject line. EFFECTIVE DATE Until further guidance is issued, tax- payersmayrelyontherulesinthisno- tice for purposes of § 457A effective from October 3, 2008 (the date of enactment of TEAMTRA). Further guidance that would expand the coverage of § 457A will be prospective and will not apply to a service provider’s taxable years beginning before the issuance of such guidance. CONTACT INFORMATION For further information regarding this notice, contact Stephen Tackney of the Of- fice of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt & Government En- tities) at (202) 927–9639 (not a toll-free call). 26 CFR 601.601: Rules and regulations. (Also: Part I, §§ 301, 305.) Rev. Proc. 2009–15 SECTION 1. PURPOSE Rev. Proc. 2008–68, 2008–52 I.R.B. 1373, provides temporary guidance re- garding certain stock distributions by pub- licly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs). This revenue procedure ampli- fies and supersedes Rev. Proc. 2008–68 to extend the same treatment to publicly traded regulated investment companies (RICs). SECTION 2. BACKGROUND .01 Section 305(a) of the Internal Rev- enue Code (“Code”) provides that, except as otherwise provided in section 305, gross income does not include the amount of any distribution of the stock of a corporation made by such corporation to its sharehold- ers with respect to its stock. .02 Section 305(b)(1) provides that sec- tion 305(a) shall not apply to a distribution by a corporation of its stock, and the distri- bution shall be treated as a distribution of property to which section 301 applies, if the distribution is, at the election of any of the shareholders (whether exercised before or after the declaration thereof), payable either in its stock or in property. .03 Section 305(b)(2) provides that sec- tion 305(a) shall not apply to a distribution by a corporation of its stock, and the distri- bution shall be treated as a distribution of property to which section 301 applies, if the distribution (or a series of distributions of which such distribution is one) has the result of the receipt of property by some shareholders, and an increase in the pro- portionate interests of other shareholders in the assets or earnings and profits of the corporation. .04 Section 1.305–2(a) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that under sec- tion 305(b)(1), if any shareholder has the righttoanelectionoroptionwithrespect to whether a distribution shall be made ei- ther in money or any other property, or in stock or rights to acquire stock of the dis- tributing corporation, then, with respect to all shareholders, thedistribution of stock or rights to acquire stock is treated as a dis- tribution of property to which section 301 applies regardless of— (1) Whether the distribution is actually made in whole or in part in stock or in stock rights; (2) Whether the election or option is exercised or exercisable before or after the declaration of the distribution; (3) Whether the declaration of the dis- tribution provides that the distribution will be made in one medium unless the share- holder specifically requests payment in the other; (4) Whether the election governing the nature of the distribution is provided in the declaration of the distribution or in the cor- porate charter or arises from the circum- stances of the distribution; or (5) Whether all or part of the sharehold- ers have the election. .05 Section 1.305–1(b)(2) provides that where a corporation which regularly dis- tributes its earnings and profits, such as a regulated investment company, declares a dividend pursuant to which the share- holders may elect to receive either money or stock of the distributing corporation of equivalent value, the amount of the distribution of the stock received by any shareholder electing to receive stock will be considered to equal the amount of the money which could have been received instead. SECTION 3. SCOPE AND APPLICATION The Internal RevenueService will treat a distribution of stock by a corporation that qualifiesasaRICorasaREITunderpart I or II, respectively, of subchapter M of the Code as a distribution of property to which section 301 applies by reason of section 305(b), and the amount of such distribution of stock will be considered to equal the amount of the money which could have been received instead, if — (1) The distribution is made by the cor- poration to its shareholders with respect to its stock; (2) Stock of the corporation is publicly traded on an established securities market in the United States; (3) The distributionis declared with re- spect to a taxable year ending on or before December 31, 2009; (4) Pursuant to such declaration each shareholder may elect to receive the share- January 26, 20093562009–4 I.R.B. holder’s entire entitlement under the decla- ration in either money or stock of the dis- tributing corporation of equivalent value subject to a limitation on the amount of money to be distributed in the aggregate to all shareholders (the “Cash Limitation”), provided that— (a) such Cash Limitation is not less than 10% of the aggregate declared distribution, and (b) if too many shareholders elect to receive money, each shareholder electing to receive money will receive apro rata amount of money corresponding to the shareholder’s respective entitlement under the declaration, but in no event will any shareholder electing to receive money re- ceive less than 10% of the shareholder’s entire entitlement under the declaration in money; (5) The calculation of the number of shares to be received by any shareholder will be determined, as close as practicable to the payment date, based upon a formula utilizing market prices that is designed to equate in value the number of shares to be received with the amount of money that could be received instead. For purposes of applying subsection (4) of this Section 3, the value of the shares to be distributed shall be determined by using the formula described in the preceding sentence; and (6) With respect to any shareholder par- ticipating in a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”), the DRIP applies only to the ex- tent that, in the absence of the DRIP, the shareholder would have received the dis- tribution in money under subsection (4) of this Section 3. SECTION 4. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS Rev. Proc. 2008–68 is amplified and superseded. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE This revenue procedure is effective with respect to distributions declared on or after January 1, 2008. SECTION 6. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue procedure is T. Ian Russell of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate). For further information regarding this revenue procedure, contact T. Ian Russell at (202) 622–7550 (not a toll-free call). 2009–4 I.R.B.357January 26, 2009 Part IV. Items o fGeneralInterest Notice of Prop osed Rulemaking Section 6707 a nd the Failure to Furnish Inf ormation Regarding Re portable Transaction s REG–160872–04 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: This document contains pro- posed regulations under section 6707 of the Internal RevenueCode (Code), which provide the rules relating to the assessment of penalties against material advisors who fail to timely file a true and complete re- turn required under section 6111(a). The regulations implement the amendments to section 6707 by the American Jobs Cre- ation Act and promote material advisors’ compliance with the regulations under sec- tion 6111. These regulations affect mate- rial advisors responsible for disclosing re- portable transactions under section 6111. DATES: Written or electronic comments and request for a public hearing must be received by March 23, 2009. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–160872–04), room 5205, Internal Revenue Service, PO Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washing- ton, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–160872–04), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Ser- vice, 1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, 20224, or sent elec- tronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal athttp://www.regulations.gov(IRS REG–160872–04). FOR FU RTHER INFORMATION CONT ACT: Matthew S. Cooper, (202 ) 622–4940 (not a toll-free num- ber) ; concerning submissions of com- ment s and requests for a public hear- ing, Oluwafunmilayo Taylor of the Publications andRegulationBranchat (202) 622–718 0 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTAR Y INFORMATION: Background This document contains proposed amendments to the Procedure and Admin- istration Reg ulations (26 CFR Part 301) under sectio n 6707 of the Internal Revenue Code. Sectio n 6707 was originally added totheCodeby section 141(b) of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Public Law 98–369, 98 Stat. 494 . At that time, section 6707 imposed a pe nalty for failing to timely register a t ax shelter or for filing false or incomplete information with respect to the tax shelter registration. Treasury Regu- lation §30 1.6707–1T was issued shortly after sect ion 6707 became law. The Americ an Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Publ ic Law 108–357, 118 Stat. 1418, (AJC A) was enacted on October 22, 2004. AJCA section 816 amended section 6707 to imp ose a penalty on a material advisor w ho is required to file a return under sec tion 6111(a) with respect to any reportab le transaction, and who fails to file a timely r eturn or who files a return with false or incomplete information with re- spect to the reportable transaction. Section 6707, as amended, is effective for returns due afte r October 22, 2004. The amount of the pe nalty for failing to timely file or filing a return with false or incomplete inform ation with respect to any reportable transa ction other than a listed transaction is $50, 000. For listed transactions, the amount of the penalty is the greater of (1) $200, 000, or (2) 50 percent of the gross incom e derived by the material advisor with r espect to aid, assistance, or advice that t he material advisor provides with respe ct to the listed transaction before the date t he return is filed under section 6111. If th e penalty is imposed with respect to a list ed transaction and the failure or action subj ect to the penalty was intentional, the pena lty is the greater of (1) $200,000, or (2) 7 5 percent of the gross income derived by t he material advisor with respect to aid , assistance, or advice that the material adv isor provides with respect to the listed tra nsaction before the date the return is fil ed under section 6111. The provisions of section 670 7A(d) regarding rescission of the penalty apply to any penalty as- sessed under s ection 6707. To implement t he pertinent provi- sions of the AJ CA, the IRS and Treasury Department is sued interim guidance on section 6111 i n Notice 2004–80, 2004–2 C.B. 963, Dec ember 13, 2004; Notice 2005–17, 200 5–1 C.B. 606, February 22, 2005; Not ice 2005–22, 2005–1 C.B. 756, March 21 , 2005; and Notice 2006–6, 2006–1 C.B. 385, January 30, 2006 (see §601.601(d )(2)(ii)(b)). These notices provided gu idance to a material advisor required to file a return under section 6111, incl uding rules regarding the date by which th e material advisor must file the return and the information the mate- rial advis or must include on the return. Subsequen tly, the IRS and Treasury De- partment proposed amendments to the rules rel atingtothedisclosureofre- portable transactions by material advisors under sec tion 6111 (see Prop. Treas. Reg. §301.61 11–3, 71 FR 64501) and final- ized tho se proposed regulations as T.D. 9351, 20 07–38 I.R.B. 616, in theFederal Registe r(72 FR 43157). The IRS and Treasur y Department are now proposing rules r elating to the AJCA amendments to sectio n 6707. Rev. Pr oc. 2007–21, 2007–9 I.R.B. 613, wh ich was published on February 26, 2007, p rovides guidance to persons against whom a p enalty under section 6707 or 6707A i s assessed regarding procedures for re questing that the Commissioner of the In ternal Revenue Service rescind all or aport ion of these penalties with respect to arepo rtable transaction other than a listed trans action. Expla nation of Provisions These proposed regulations provide rule s reflecting the AJCA amendments to the s ection 6707 penalty for the failure to ti mely file a return under section 6111 or fo r filing a return with false or incom- plet e information regarding reportable tran sactions. The scope of the changes to t he section 6707 penalty provisions by the AJCA necessitates a change to the tem porary regulations promulgated under for mer section 6707. January 26, 20093582009–4 I.R.B. Under these proposed revisions, a penalty under section 6707 may be as- sessed against each material advisor re- quired to file a return under section 6111 who fails to file a timely return in ac- cordance with §301.6111–3(e) or files a return with false or incomplete infor- mation. Accordingly, if more than one material advisor is responsible for filing a return under section 6111 with respect to the same reportable transaction, a separate penalty under section 6707 may be as- sessed against each material advisor who fails to timely file a return or files a return with false or incomplete information. Additionally, §301.6707–1(b)(4) of these proposed regulations provides that incomplete informationmeans a Form 8918,“Material Advisor Disclosure State- ment”(or successor form), filed with the IRS that does not provide the informa- tion required under §301.6111–3(d). A return will not be considered incomplete when the information not provided on the Form 8918 (or successor form) is imma- terial or was not provided due to mistake or accident after the exercise of reason- able care. The proposed regulations also provide that material advisors who com- plete the form to the best of their ability and knowledge after the exercise of rea- sonable efforts to obtain the information will not be considered to have filed an incomplete form within the meaning of this section. A Form 8918 (or successor form), however, will be considered inten- tionally incomplete (and, in the case of a listed transaction, subject to the increased penalty imposed by section 6707(b)) when it omits information required to be pro- vided under §301.6111–3(d) and contains a statement that the omitted information will be provided upon request. False informationunder proposed §301.6707–1(b)(5) means information provided on a Form 8918 (or successor form) to the IRS that is untrue or incor- rect when the Form 8918 (or successor form) was filed. Information filed with the IRS will not be considered false when the return contains untrue or incorrect in- formation by mistake or accident after the exercise of reasonable care or when the untrue or incorrect information is immate- rial. Under proposed §301.6707–1(b)(6), the failure to timely file or the submission of false or incomplete information is in- tentional if the material advisor knew of the obligation to file a return under section 6111, and knowingly did not timely file a return with the IRS; or filed a return knowing that it was false or incomplete. In the case of a listed transaction, the failure to timely file a true and complete return will not be considered intentional if the material advisor remedies this failure by filing a true and complete return with the IRS prior to the earlier of the date that any taxpayer files a Form 8886 identifying the material advisor with respect to the reportable transaction in question or the date the IRS contacts the material advi- sor concerning the reportable transaction. This rule is intendedto encourage mate- rial advisors to correct material defects in their compliance with section 6111, and recognizes that by voluntarily correct- ing material defects the material advisors demonstrate an intent to comply with sec- tion 6111. The proposed regulations in §301.6707–1(c)(2) state that a separate penalty may be assessed against each ma- terial advisor for its own failure to timely file the required return. If multiple ma- terial advisors (all with filing obligations under section 6111) enter into a designa- tion agreement (within the meaning of §301.6111–3(f)) designating one material advisor to file the required return on behalf of all parties to the agreement, the section 6707 penalty may be imposed upon each party to the agreement if the material advisor designated to file the return either fails to timely file a return or files a return with false or incomplete information. In the case of a listed transaction, if the designated material advisor fails to timely file a true and complete return, a nondesignated material advisor will not be considered to have intentionally violated its obligations under section 6111 unless the nondesignated material advisor knew or should have known that the designated material advisor would fail to timely file a true and complete return. Section 301.6707–1(d) of these pro- posed regulations provides several exam- ples illustrating thepotential application of the section 6707 penalty. Included are examples showing that the gross in- come derived by the material advisor will be determined in accordance with §301.6111–3(b)(3)(ii) for purposes of cal- culating the amount of the penalty with respect to a listed transaction. Section 301.6707–1(e) of these pro- posed regulations restates the existing authority of the Secretary to prescribe the procedures to request rescission of a section 6707 penalty with respect to a non- listed reportable transaction by revenue procedure or other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. Rev. Proc. 2007–21 describes the procedures for re- questing rescission of a penalty assessed under section 6707, including the deadline by which a person must request rescission; the information the person must provide in the rescission request; the factors that weigh in favor of and against granting rescission; where the person must submit the rescission request; and the rules gov- erning requests for additional information from the person requesting rescission. These proposed regulations provide factors that the Commissioner (or the Commissioner’s delegate) should take into account during the determination whether to rescind all or a portion of any penalty imposed under section 6707. The proposed regulations generally adopt the list of factors stated in Rev. Proc. 2007–21, which factors are consistent with the legislative history of section 6707. See H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 755, 108 th Cong., 2d Sess. at 599 (2004). The factors identified in these proposed regulations do not represent an exclusive list, and no single factor will be determinative of whether to grant rescission in any particular case. Rather, the Commissioner (or the Commissioner’s delegate) will consider and weigh all relevant factors, regardless of whether the factor is included in this list, and will generally favor rescission when the relevant factors and circumstances suggest that sustaining assessment of the penalty is against equity and good conscience. One additional factor identified in the temporary regulations recently promul- gated under section 6707A as weighing in favor of granting rescission that is not proposed to be adopted for purposes of rescission of the penalty under section 6707 is the extent to which the penalty assessed is disproportionately larger than the tax benefit received. The material ad- visor does not receive a tax benefit from the reportable transaction, but rather bene- fits from the transaction through the gross 2009–4 I.R.B.359January 26, 2009 income derived for aiding, assisting, or advising on the transaction. The threshold of gross income for status as a material advisor under section 6111 in the case of a reportable transaction is $50,000 if substantially all of the tax benefits from the transaction are provided to natural persons (looking through any partner- ships, S corporations, or trusts). For all other nonlisted reportable transactions, the threshold amount is $250,000. The gross income levels necessary to be treated as a material advisor substantially ensure that any penalty imposed upon a material advisor under section 6707 will not be disproportionate to the benefit received by the material advisor. Because it is the policy of the IRS to administer penalties in a manner that pro- motes voluntary compliance with the tax laws, the fact that a material advisor vol- untarily files the form required under sec- tion 6111 prior to the earlier of: (i) the date that any taxpayer files a Form 8886 iden- tifying the material advisor with respect to the reportable transaction in question or (ii) the date the IRS contacts the material advisor concerning the reportable transac- tion will weigh strongly in favor of rescis- sion. See IRS Policy Statement 20–1 (June 29, 2004). The proposed regulations mirror Rev. Proc. 2007–21 in providing that a rescis- sion request is not the appropriate forum to contest whether the elements necessary to support a penalty under section 6707 exist. That question is for the examining agent, the IRS Office of Appeals, and the courts. A rescission determination is based on the premise that a violation of section 6707 exists but, nonetheless, the penalty should be rescinded (or abated). Accordingly, the proposed regulations provide that the Commissioner (or the Commissioner’s delegate) will not consider whether the material advisor in fact failed to comply with section 6111. Furthermore, these regulations provide that the Commissioner (or the Commissioner’s delegate) will not take into consideration doubt as to liability for, or collectibility of, the penalties in de- termining whether to rescind the penalty. Proposed Effective Date These regulations are proposed to apply to returns the due date of which is after the date the Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations is published in the Federal Register. Special Analyses It has been determined that these regu- lations are not a significant regulatory ac- tion as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section553(b)oftheAdministrativePro- cedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to this regulation and because the regulation does not impose a collection of information on small entities, the Regula- tory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this regula- tion has been submitted to the Chief Coun- sel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on the impact on small business. Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written (a signed origi- nal and eight (8) copies) or electronic com- ments that are submitted timely to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury Department request comments on the substance of the pro- posed regulations, as well as on the clar- ity of the proposed rules and how they can be made easier to understand. All comments submitted by the public will be made available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing will be sched- uled if requested in writing by any person that timely submits comments. If a pub- lic hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the public hearing will be published in theFederal Register. Drafting Information The principal author of these regula- tions is Matthew S. Cooper of the Office of the Associate ChiefCounsel (Procedure and Administration). ***** Proposed Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR Part 301 is pro- posed to be amended as follows: PART 301—PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Par. 2. Section 301.6707–1 is added to read as follows: §301.6707–1 Failure to furnish information regarding reportable transactions. (a)In general. A material advisor who is required to file a return under section 6111(a) with respect to any reportable transaction, who fails to file a timely re- turn in accordance with§301.6111–3(e) or who files a return with false or incomplete information with respect to the reportable transaction, will be subject to a penalty. The amount of the penalty for failing to timely file or filing a false or incomplete return with respect to any reportable trans- action other than a listed transaction is $50,000. The amount of the penalty with respect to a failure relating to any listed transaction is the greater of $200,000 or 50 percent of the gross income derived by the material advisorwith respect to aid, assistance, or advice that is provided with respect to the listed transaction before the date the return is filed under section 6111. If the failure or action subject to the penalty is with respect to a listed trans- action and is intentional, the penalty is the greater of $200,000 or 75 percent of the gross income derived by the material advisor with respect to aid, assistance, or advice that is provided with respect to the listed transaction before the date the return is filed under section 6111. For purposes of calculating the amount of the penalty with respect to a listed transaction, the gross income derived by the material advisor will be determined in accordance with §301.6111–3(b)(3)(ii). (b)Definitions—(1)Reportable trans- action. The term “reportable transaction” is defined in §1.6011–4(b)(1) of this chap- ter. (2)Listed transaction. The term “listed transaction” is defined in section 6707A(c) of the Code and §1.6011–4(b)(2) of this chapter. (3)Material Advisor.Theterm “material advisor” is defined in sec- January 26, 20093602009–4 I.R.B. tion 6111(b)(1) of the Code and §301.6111–3(b). (4)Incomplete information. For pur- poses of this section,incomplete informa- tionmeans a Form 8918,“Material Ad- visor Disclosure Statement”(or succes- sor form), filed with the IRS that does not provide the information required under §301.6111–3(d). Information filed with the IRS will not be considered incomplete when the information not provided on the Form 8918 (or successor form) is imma- terial or was not provided due to mistake or accident after the exercise of reason- able care. A material advisor who com- pletes the form to the best of their abil- ity and knowledge after the exercise of reasonable effort to obtain the information will not be considered to have filed in- complete information within the meaning of this section. A Form 8918 (or succes- sor form) will be considered to provide incomplete information when it omits in- formation required to be provided under §301.6111–3(d) and contains a statement that the omitted information will be pro- vided upon request. For listed transac- tions, a Form 8918 (or successor form) that omits information required to be provided under §301.6111–3(d) and contains a state- ment that the omitted information will be provided upon request will be considered an intentional submission of a return with incomplete information within the mean- ing of paragraph (b)(6) of this section. (5)False information. For purposes of this section,false informationmeans infor- mation provided on a Form 8918 (or suc- cessor form) filed with the IRS that is un- true or incorrect when the Form 8918 (or successor form) was filed. False informa- tion does not include information provided on a Form 8918 (or successor form) filed with the IRS that is immaterial or that is untrue or incorrect due to a mistake or ac- cident after the exercise of reasonable care. (6)Intentional. For purposes of this section, the failure to timely file a return or the submission of a return with false or incomplete information isintentionalif— (i) The material advisor knew of the obligation to file a return and knowingly did not timely file a return with the IRS; or (ii) The material advisor filed a return knowing that it was false or incomplete. (7)Derive. The term “derive” is de- fined in §301.6111–3(c)(3). (c)Assessment of penalty—(1)Individ- ual liability. If there is more than one ma- terial advisor who is responsible for fil- ing a return under section 6111 with re- spect to the same reportable transaction, a separate penalty under section 6707 may be assessed against each material advisor who fails to timely file or files a false or incomplete return. The determination of whether the failure or action subject to the penalty is intentional will also be made individually for each material ad- visor with respect to the same reportable transaction. The higher penalty will not apply to any material advisor whose failure to file timely or whose furnishing of false or incomplete information is unintentional. The failure to timely file a return, or fil- ing a return with false or incomplete infor- mation, will be considered unintentional if the material advisor subsequently files a true and complete return prior to the earlier of the date that any taxpayer files a Form 8886,“Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement”(or successor form), identify- ing the material advisor with respect to the reportable transaction in question or the date the IRS contacts the material advisor concerning the reportable transaction. (2)Designation agreements.Amate- rial advisor who is required to file a return undersection6111andwhoisapartytoa designation agreement within the meaning of §301.6111–3(f) is subject to a penalty under section 6707 if the designated ma- terial advisor fails to timely file a return or files a return with false or incomplete information. In the case of a listed trans- action, if the designated material advisor fails to timely file a return, or files a re- turn with false or incomplete information, the nondesignated material advisor who is a party to the designation agreement will not be treated as intentionally failing to file the return, or intentionally filing a re- turn with false or incomplete information, unless the nondesignated material advisor knew or should have known that the desig- nated material advisor would fail to timely file a true and complete return. (d)Examples. The rules of paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section are illustrated by the following examples: Example 1. Advisor A becomes a material advisor as defined under section 6111(b) and §301.6111–3(b) in the fourth quarter of 2009 with respect to a reportable transaction other than a listed transaction, and AdvisorB also becomes a material advisor in the same quarter with respect to the same reportable transaction. Subsequently, Advisors A and B fail to timely file the Form 8918. Because the section 6707 penalty applies to each material advisor independently, Advisors A and B each are subject to a penalty of $50,000. Example 2.SameasExample 1, except that Advi- sor B timely filed the Form 8918 with the IRS Office of Tax Shelter Analysis (OTSA). Advisors A and B did not enter into a designation agreement. Accord- ingly, only Advisor A is subject to a $50,000 penalty. Example 3. Advisor C becomes a material advi- sor to Client X on January 5, 2009, with respect to a listed transaction. Advisor C derives $400,000 in gross income from his advice to Client X because he expects to receive that amount from Client X, even though he has not yet received that amount. Advi- sor C unintentionally does not file a Form 8918. On January 5, 2010, Advisor C becomes a material advi- sor to Client Y with respect to the same type of listed transaction. The gross income Advisor C expects to receive from his advice to Client Y is $100,000. Ad- visor C does not become a material advisor with re- spect to any other client and unintentionally does not file a Form 8918. Advisor C is subject to a penalty of $250,000 (50 percent of the gross income he derived) under section 6707. Example 4.SameasExample 3, except that Ad- visor C files the Form 8918 on November 15, 2009, which is beyond the date prescribed for filing the dis- closure statement. Advisor C is subject to a $200,000 penalty under section 6707 because, as of the date he filed the Form 8918, the gross income Advisor C had received or expected to receive with respect to advice relating to the listed transaction did not include gross income for advice to Client Y. Example 5.SameasExample 3, except that Ad- visor C files the Form 8918 on February 15, 2010, which is beyond the date prescribed for filing the dis- closure statement. Advisor C is subject to a $250,000 penalty under section 6707 because, as of the date he filed the Form 8918, the gross income Advisor C had received or expected to receive with respect to ad- vice relating to the listed transaction included gross income for advice to Client X and Client Y. Example 6. Advisor D becomes a material advisor as defined under section 6111(b) and §301.6111–3(b) in the first quarter of 2009 with respect to a reportable transaction other than a listed transaction. Advisor D does not file a Form 8918 by April 30, 2009. The transaction is then identified as a listed transaction in published guidance on July 7, 2009. Advisor D knew that it had a new obligation to file a Form 8918 by October 31, 2009, and intention- ally fails to file the Form 8918. Advisor D is subject to only one penalty, in the amount of the greater of $200,000 or 75 percent of the gross income he derived from the transaction, for intentionally failing to disclose the listed transaction in accordance with §301.6111–3(d)(1) and (e). (e)Rescission authority—(1)In gen- eral.The Commissioner (or the Commis- sioner’s delegate) may rescind the section 6707 penalty if— (i) The violation relates to a reportable transaction that is not a listed transaction and 2009–4 I.R.B.361January 26, 2009 (ii) Rescinding the penalty would pro- mote compliance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and effective tax administration. (2)Requesting rescission. The Secre- tary may prescribe the procedures for a material advisor to request rescission of a section 6707 penalty by revenue procedure or other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. (3)Factors that weigh in favor of grant- ing rescission.In determining whether rescission would promote compliance with the requirements of the Code and effective tax administration, the Commissioner (or the Commissioner’s delegate) will take into account the following list of factors that weigh in favor of granting rescission. This is not an exclusive list and no single factor will be determinative of whether to grant rescission in any particular case. Rather, the Commissioner (or the Com- missioner’s delegate) will consider and weigh all relevant factors, regardless of whether the factor is included in this list. (i) The material advisor, upon becom- ing aware that it failed to properly disclose a reportable transaction, filed a complete and proper, albeit untimely, Form 8918 (or successor form). This factor will weigh strongly in favor of rescission provided that the material advisor files the form re- quired under section 6111 prior to the ear- lier of the date that any taxpayer files a Form 8886 identifying the material advisor with respect to the reportable transaction in question or the date the IRS contacts the material advisor concerning the reportable transaction. (ii) The material advisor’s failure to properly disclose the reportable transac- tion was due to an unintentional mistake of fact that existed despite the material advisor’s reasonable attempts to ascertain the correct facts with respect to the trans- action. (iii) The material advisor has an estab- lished history of properly disclosing other reportable transactions and complying with other tax laws, including compliance with any requests made by the IRS under section 6112, if applicable. (iv) The material advisor demonstrates that the failure to include on any return or statement any information required to be disclosed under section 6111 arose from events beyond the material advisor’s con- trol. (v) The material advisor cooperates with the IRS by providing timely infor- mation with respect to the transaction at issue that the Commissioner (or the Commissioner’s delegate) may request in consideration of the rescission request. In considering whether a material advisor co- operates with the IRS, the Commissioner (or the Commissioner’s delegate) will take into account whether the material advi- sor meets the deadlines described in Rev. Proc. 2007–21 (or successor document) (see §601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)) for complying with requests for additional information. (vi) Assessment of the penalty weighs against equity andgood conscience, in- cluding whether the material advisor demonstrates that there was reasonable cause for, and the material advisor acted in good faith with respect to, the failure to timely file or to include on any return any information required to be disclosed under section 6111. An important factor in determining reasonable cause and good faith is the extent of the material advi- sor’s efforts to determine whether there was a requirement to file the return re- quired under section 6111. The presence of reasonable cause, however, will not necessarily be determinative of whether to grant rescission. (4)Absence of favorable factors weighs against rescission. The absence of facts establishing the factors described in para- graph (e)(3) of this section weighs against granting rescission. The absence of any one of these factors, however, will not necessarily be determinative of whether to grant rescission. (5)Factors not considered. In deter- mining whether to grant rescission, the Commissioner (or the Commissioner’s delegate) will not consider doubt as to lia- bility for, or collectibility of, the penalties. (f)Effective/applicability date.The rules of this section apply to returns the due date for which is after the date the Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations is published in theFed- eral Register. Linda E. Stiff, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on December 19, 2008, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for December 22, 2008, 73 F.R. 78254) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Withholding Under Internal RevenueCodeSection3402(t) REG–158747–06 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: This document contains pro- posed regulations relating to withholding under section 3402(t) of the Internal Rev- enue Code (Code). The proposed regu- lations reflect changes in the law made by the Tax Increase Prevention and Rec- onciliation Act of 2005 that require Fed- eral, State, and local government entities to withhold income tax when making pay- ments to persons providing property or ser- vices. These proposed regulations provide guidance to assist the government entities in complying with section 3402(t). The regulations also provide certain guidance to persons receiving payments for property or services from government entities. This document also contains proposed amend- ments to regulations under sections 3406, 6011, 6051, 6071, and 6302 of the Code. DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by March 5, 2009. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–158747–06), room 5205, Internal Revenue Service, PO Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washing- ton, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–158747–06), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Ser- vice, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, or sent electroni- cally via the Federal eRulemaking Por- tal athttp://www.regulations.gov/(IRS REG–158747–06). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning these proposed regulations, Jean Casey, (202) 622–6040; concerning submissions of comments or to request a public hearing, Richard Hurst atRichard.A.Hurst@irscounsel.treas.gov or (202) 622–7180 (not toll-free numbers). January 26, 20093622009–4 I.R.B. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This document contains proposed amendments to 26 CFR Part 31 under sec- tion 3402(t) of the Code. This document also contains proposed amendments to 26 CFR Part 31 under sections 3406, 6011, 6051, 6071, and 6302 of the Code. Section 3402(t) of the Code was added by section 511 of the Tax Increase Pre- vention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, Public Law 109–222 (TIPRA), 120 Stat. 345, which was enacted into law on May 17, 2006. Section 3402(t)(1) provides that the Government of the United States, every State, every political subdivision thereof, and every instrumentality of the foregoing (including multi-State agen- cies) making any payment to any person providing any property or services (in- cluding any payment made in connection with a government voucher or certificate program which functions as a payment for property or services) shall deduct and withhold from such payment a tax in an amount equal to 3 percent of such pay- ment. Under the statute, section 3402(t) applies to payments made after December 31, 2010. Exceptions to section 3402(t) withhold- ing are contained in section 3402(t)(2). Section 3402(t)(2) provides that section 3402(t) withholding shall not apply to any payment— (A) Except as provided in section 3402(t)(2)(B), which is subject to with- holding under any other provision of chapter 24 (Collection of Income Tax at Source on Wages, sections 3401 through 3406) or chapter 3 (Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Corpora- tions, sections 1441 through 1464) of the Code; (B) Which is subject to withholding un- der section 3406 (backup withholding) and from which amounts are being withheld under such section; (C)Ofinterest; (D) For real property; (E) To any government entity subject to the requirements of section 3402(t)(1), any tax-exempt entity, or any foreign govern- ment; (F) Made pursuant to a classified or confidential contract described in section 6050M(e)(3); (G) Made by a political subdivision of a State (or any instrumentality thereof) which makes less than $100,000,000 of such payments annually; (H) Which is in connection with a pub- lic assistance or public welfare program for which eligibility is determined by a needs or income test; and (I) To any government employee not otherwise excludable with respect to his or her services as an employee. Section 3402(t)(3) provides for the co- ordination of section 3402(t) with other Code sections. Section 3402(t)(3) pro- vides that, for purposes of sections 3403 and3404andforpurposesofsomuchof subtitle F (except section 7205) as relates to chapter 24, payments to any person for property or services which are subject to withholding shall be treated as if such pay- ments were wages paid by an employer to an employee. The legislative history in connection with section 3402(t)indicates that “[t]he withholding requirement applies regard- less of whether the government entity making such payment is the recipient of the property or services.” H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 109–455, 109th Cong., 2d Sess. at 300 (2006). Further, the conference report also provides, with respect to the exception provided by section 3402(t)(2)(H), that “payments under government programs to provide health care or other services that are not based on the needs or income of the recipients are subject to withhold- ing, including programs where eligibility is based on the age of the beneficiary.” H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 109–455 at page 301. In addition, with respect to section 3402(t)(2)(A), the conference report states that section 3402(t) withholding “does not apply to payments of wages or to any other payment with respect to which mandatory (e.g., U.S.-source income of foreign taxpayers) or voluntary (e.g.,un- employment benefits) withholding applies under present law.” H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 109–455 at page 301. The origins of the provision indicate that it was conceived to address tax noncompliance. See also, “Options to Improve Tax Compliance and Reform Tax Expenditures” (JCS–2–05), Joint Committee on Taxation, Jan. 27, 2005. Notice 2008–38, 2008–13 I.R.B. 683, published by the IRS on March 31, 2008, invited public comments regarding guid- ance under section 3402(t). In particular, Notice 2008–38 requested comments on the application of section 3402(t) to credit cards and payment cards, payments to payees not subject toUnited States tax- ation, passthrough entities in which a government entity is a partner or owner, government contractors and subcontrac- tors, andde minimispayments. The notice also requested comments on when and how amounts withheld under section 3402(t) should be transmitted to the IRS. See §601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b). Many comments were received in re- sponse to Notice 2008–38, and the com- ments were taken into consideration in de- veloping the proposed regulations. Explanation of Provisions The proposed regulations provide rules about which government entities are sub- ject to the requirement of section 3402(t) withholding, which payments are subject to section 3402(t) withholding (and which are excepted from such withholding), when withholding is required on such pay- ments, and how government entities pay and report the tax to the IRS. The proposed regulations also include transition rules providing relief from liability for the tax imposed by section 3402(t) with respect to payments under existing contracts. The proposed regulations also provide tempo- rary relief from penalties and interest if a government entity makes a good faith effort but fails to withhold on payments as required under section 3402(t). The regulations provide guidance pri- marily on what government entities need to do to comply so that they can make timely preparations. The Treasury Depart- ment and IRS anticipate issuing further guidance to address questions raised by taxpayers who expect to receive payments subject to section 3402(t) withholding from government entities including, but not limited to, how to claim credits and how to claim the benefit of statutory ex- emptions from withholding under section 3402(t). Although some commenters re- quested that the Treasury Department and IRS issue guidance exempting payments from withholding where the 3-percent rate for withholding prescribed under section 3402(t) is expected to exceed either the profit margin in the taxpayer’s industry or theincometaxthetaxpayerwillowefor 2009–4 I.R.B.363January 26, 2009 reasons particular to the taxpayer’s busi- ness, the Treasury Department and IRS have determined that exemptions of this type would be contrary to the requirements of the statute. Commenters also requested that they be permitted to credit amounts withheld under section 3402(t) against Federal taxes other than income taxes, such as employment taxes. Consistent with the statute’s purpose of addressing income tax noncompliance, the Treasury Department and IRS propose to allow credits to be claimed only against income tax. Government Entities Subject to Section 3402(t) Section 3402(t)(1) applies to “the Gov- ernment of the United States, every State, every political subdivision thereof, and every instrumentality of the foregoing.” Section 3402(t) does not restrict the term the Government of the United Statesin any manner. Therefore, the entire Fed- eral government, including the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch, is subject to the require- ments of section 3402(t). Thus, Congress, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Executive Office of the President, Federal agencies, and all other components of the Federal government are included in the definition of Government of the United States and are required to withhold under section 3402(t). The termStateincludes the District of Columbia. See section 7701(a)(10) of the Code. For purposes of section 3402(t), the termStatedoes not include Indian tribal governments. Section 7871(a) prescribes when an Indian tribal government is to be treated as a State under the Code, and sec- tion 7871(a) does not provide that Indian tribal governments will be treated as States for purposes of section 3402(t). Conse- quently, the termpolitical subdivisionalso does not include a subdivision of an Indian tribal government. See section 7871(a) and (d). Accordingly, because Indian tribal governments and their subdivisions are not among the listed government entities sub- ject to section 3402(t), payments by Indian tribal governments and their subdivisions are not subject to the withholding require- ments of section 3402(t). The definition ofpolitical subdivision in the proposed regulations follows the definition in the section 103 regulations. Section 1.103–1(b) of the Income Tax Regulations provides, in part, that the term political subdivisiondenotes any division of any State or local government unit that is a municipal corporation or that has been delegated the right to exercise part of the sovereign power of the unit. Although the Code makes references to government instrumentalities in multi- ple sections, the Code and regulations do not currently provide a definition of instru- mentality. In Rev. Rul. 57–128, 1957–1 C.B. 311, the IRS adopted a six-factor test for use in determining what is an instru- mentality of a State or a political subdi- vision thereof for purposes of an excep- tion from the requirement to pay tax under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). The factors are: (1) whether the organization is used for a government pur- pose and performs a government function; (2) whether performance of its function is on behalf of one or more States or politi- cal subdivisions; (3) whether there are any private interests involved, or whether the States or political subdivisions involved have the powers and interests of an owner; (4) whether control and supervision of the organization is vested in public author- ity or authorities; (5) if express or im- plied statutory or other authority is nec- essary for the creation and/or use of such an instrumentality, and whether such au- thority exists; and (6) the degree of finan- cial autonomy and the source of its op- erating expenses. A number of revenue rulings published by the IRS illustrate the application of this test. See, for exam- ple, Rev. Rul. 65–26, 1965–1 C.B. 444; Rev. Rul. 65–196, 1965–2 C.B. 388; and Rev. Rul. 69–453, 1969–2 C.B. 182. See §601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b). The Treasury De- partment and IRS invite comments on use of the same or a similar test for purposes of section 3402(t). Persons Subject to Withholding Under Section 3402(t) Section 3402(t) applies to government payments to “persons” providing any property or services. Section 7701(a)(1) of the Code provides that, when used in the Code, where not otherwise distinctly expressed or manifestly incompatible with the intent thereof, the termpersonshall be construed to mean and include an individ- ual, a trust, estate, partnership, association, company, or corporation. Because no al- ternative definition ofpersonis provided in section 3402(t), the definition in sec- tion 7701(a)(1) and the regulations under section 7701(a)(1) applies. Therefore, section 3402(t) withholding can apply to payments for property or services to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, associations, companies, or corporations. Payments Subject toSection 3402(t) Withholding The proposed regulations provide that a payment subject to withholding arises when the government entity or its pay- ment administrator pays a person for pro- viding property or services. Under the proposed rules, the withholding require- ments of section 3402(t) will not apply to any payment that is less than the payment threshold amount, which is $10,000. The Treasury Department and IRS are propos- ing this payment threshold of $10,000 be- cause the burden of withholding on smaller transactions is likely to be substantial and outweigh the benefits of increased with- holding. This threshold corresponds to a minimum withholding of $300. Under the proposed rules, multiple pay- ments made by a government entity to any person generally would not be aggre- gated in determining whether the payment threshold amount has been met. How- ever, the proposed regulations provide an anti-abuse rule to ensure that the payment thresholdisnotmanipulatedtoavoidthe required withholding. If a government en- tity divides a payment into two or more separate payments primarily to avoid the payment threshold for one or more pay- ments, the separate payments would be treated as one payment made on the date that the first payment was made for pur- poses of this rule. For example, if a gov- ernment entity is scheduled to make a con- tractual payment to a person for landscap- ing services of $15,000 on July 2, 2011, but divides the payment into payments of $7,000 and $8,000 made on July 1, 2011, and July 2, 2011, respectively, the gov- ernment entity would be treated as having made a single payment of $15,000 on July 1, 2011. This anti-abuse rule would not ap- ply if the primary reason for division into separate payments is unrelated to section 3402(t). January 26, 20093642009–4 I.R.B. If a government entity makes a single payment of $10,000 or more to any person for more than one property or service pro- vided by that person, the government en- tity would be required to withhold on the payment. For example, if a person bills a government entity $5,000 each day for seven days for services provided each day, but the government entity makes one pay- ment of $35,000 in satisfaction of these bills, the payment threshold is applied to the $35,000 payment. Many commenters requested guidance on how the requirements of section 3402(t) apply to prime contractors and subcontrac- tors. Under the proposed rules, if a gov- ernment entity or its payment administra- tor makes a payment to a person that is sub- ject to withholding under section 3402(t), no subsequent transfer of cash or property by that person to another person is treated as a payment for section 3402(t) purposes. Thus, if the government entity enters into a contract with a prime contractor for prop- erty and services, and that prime contrac- tor separately contracts with subcontrac- tors for delivery of certain property and services, then withholding under section 3402(t) applies only to payments by the government entity or its payment adminis- trator to the prime contractor, and does not apply to successive payments by the prime contractor to its subcontractors. The proposed regulations apply to pay- ments made by the government entity or its payment administrator. For purposes of the proposed regulations, apayment ad- ministratoris any person that acts with re- spect to a payment solely as an agent for a government entity by making the payment on behalf of the government entity to a per- son providing property or services to, or on behalf of, the government entity. Transfers of funds from a government entity to a pay- ment administrator to be used by the pay- ment administrator, on the government en- tity’s behalf, to pay persons for providing property or services are not payments sub- ject to withholding under section 3402(t). However, if the government entity pays the payment administrator a fee for its ser- vices, the government entity would treat the fee as a payment subject to withhold- ing. The government entity is liable for the withholding required and responsible for all related reporting regardless of whether the government entity or its payment ad- ministrator makes the payment and regard- less of when the payment for property or services is made under this section. Credit Card Payments Many commenters questioned how the requirements of section 3402(t) apply to payments made by government credit card or payment card. Under the proposed reg- ulations, when a government entity or its payment administrator uses a credit card or payment card to pay a person for providing property or services, payment occurs at the point of sale when the government credit card or payment card is tendered and not when the government entity pays the credit card company. The government entity is liable for the withholding and reporting as- sociated with the payment, and this liabil- ityisnottransferredtoanyotherpartyin- volved in the credit card or payment card transaction, including, but not limited to, the acquiring bank, the issuing bank, or the credit card association. (The acquiring bank may be separately required to report amounts it pays under new section 6050W, which was enacted as part of the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008, Div. C of Pub- lic Law 110–289.) Section 3402(t)(2)(A)—Payments Subject to Withholding Under Chapter 3 or Chapter 24 and Section 3402(t)(2)(B)—Payments from Which Backup Withholding Is Withheld Section 3402(t)(2)(A) provides an ex- ception from the requirement of section 3402(t) for amounts that are subject to withholding under some other provision of chapter 3 or chapter 24 (other than section 3406). Thus, payments that are subject to withholding under the wage withhold- ing regime or the regime for withholding of tax on nonresident aliens and foreign corporations are exempt from withhold- ing under section 3402(t). Furthermore, consistent with the legislative history, amounts for which the payee may elect withholding are exempt from withhold- ing under section 3402(t), regardless of whether the payee in fact makes such an election. These payments include: (1) un- employment compensation as defined in section 85(b) (section 3402(p)(2)); (2) so- cial security benefits as defined in section 86(d) (section 3402(p)(1)(C)(i)); (3) any payment referred to in the second sentence of section 451(d) that is treated as insur- ance proceeds, relating to certain disaster payments received under the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, or Title II of the Disaster Assistance Act of 1988 (section 3402(p)(1)(C)(ii)); (4) any amount that is includible in gross income under sec- tion 77(a), relating to amounts received as loans from the Commodity Credit Corpo- ration that the taxpayer has elected to treat as income (section 3402(p)(1)(C)(iii)); and (5) any payment of an annuity to an individual. A special rule applies for payments subject to backup withholding. Section 3402(t)(2)(B) provides that a payment that is subject to 28 percent withholding under section 3406 (backup withholding) is not excepted from the requirement of 3 percent withholding under section 3402(t) unless backup withholding is actually be- ing deducted from the payment. Thus, if backup withholding is required with re- spect to a payment made by a government entity and the government entity performs backup withholding on the payment, sec- tion 3402(t) does not apply. If the gov- ernment entity fails to backup withhold on such a payment, the government entity would remain liable for backup withhold- ing regardless of whether it imposed with- holding under section 3402(t) with respect to the payment. Proposed amendments to the regulations under section 3406 clarify that if backup withholding is required, withholding under section 3402(t) is not required. Under the proposed regulations, pay- ments made to nonresident aliens or for- eign individuals that are exempt from United States taxation pursuant to a treaty would be exempt from withholding under section 3402(t) because such payments are subject to withholding absent applica- tion of the treaty. Specifically, absent a treaty, United States source fixed or de- terminable, annual or periodical (FDAP) income paid to a nonresident alien indi- vidual or foreign corporation is subject to withholding under chapter 3, except for income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (other than compensation for personal services) pur- suant to sections 1441 and 1442. Relevant examples of FDAP include salaries, com- pensation and emoluments. Imposing a new withholding require- ment on nonresident aliens and foreign 2009–4 I.R.B.365January 26, 2009 corporations that owe no United States tax would serve no purpose. Foreign persons that are exempt from withholding under sections 1441 and 1442 by reason of an income tax treaty are not the source of the tax noncompliance problem that section 3402(t) was enacted to address. Further, our existing documentation procedures are intended to ensure that those claim- ing treaty benefits are in fact entitled to treaty benefits. See, for example, Form W–8BEN, “Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding,”and Form 8233, “Exemp- tion From Withholding on Compensation for Independent (and Certain Depen- dent) Personal Services of a Nonresident Alien Individual.”Accordingly, the pro- posed regulations under section 3402(t) provide that the “subject to withholding under chapter 3” exception in section 3402(t)(2)(A) applies to payments with respect to which a foreign person claims a zero rate of tax under an income tax treaty. Thus, if a foreign person furnishes docu- mentation establishing entitlement to an exemption from withholding under chap- ter 3 by reason of an income tax treaty, government entities would not be required to withhold under section 3402(t) from payments to such person. Section 3402(t)(2)(C)—Interest Section 3402(t)(2)(C) provides that payments of interest are exempt from withholding. The proposed regulations do not provide a definition of interest. The Treasury Department and IRS request comments concerning whether a definition of interest is needed and if so, what that definition should be. Section 3402(t)(2)(D)—Payments for Real Property Section 3402(t)(2)(D) provides that payments for real property are not subject to section 3402(t). Because the exception is not limited to payments for fee own- ership, the proposed regulations provide that payments for real property include payments for leasing real property and leasehold improvements. Commenters asked whether real prop- erty included payments made under con- tracts for the construction of buildings or other public works. Neither the statute it- self nor the legislative history defines “real property” for purposes of section 3402(t). The proposed regulations adopt the po- sition that payments for the construction of buildings or public works are not pay- ments for real property excepted by sec- tion 3402(t)(2)(D). Payments for the con- struction of a building are payments for services to build the building and personal property to be used in the construction of the building rather than payments for real property. This position is consistent with statutes governing construction contracts of the Federal government. See, for ex- ample, 40 USC 3131–3134 (the “Miller Act”). Section 3402(t)(2)(E)—Payments to Government Entities Subject to Section 3402(t), Tax-Exempt Organizations, and Foreign Governments Section 3402(t)(2)(E) provides excep- tions from section 3402(t) withholding for payments to any government entity subject to the requirements of section 3402(t)(1), payments to any tax-exempt entity, and payments to any foreign government. The determination of whether an entity is a government entity such that payments it receives are exempt parallels the deter- mination whether the entity is a govern- ment entity required to withhold on pay- ments it makes. Thus, if a government entity is required to withhold under sec- tion 3402(t)(1), payments to that govern- ment entity are not subject to withhold- ing under section 3402(t). The proposed regulations also clarify that, even if no withholding is required on payments from a government entity because the govern- ment entity qualifies for the exception of section 3402(t)(2)(G) for political subdi- visions and instrumentalities making total payments of less than $100 million (dis- cussed later in this preamble), payments to that government entity are not subject to withholding. The proposed regulations define the termtax-exempt entityfor purposes of section 3402(t)(2)(E) as any organization exempt from federal income tax under sec- tion 501(a) as an organization described in section 501(c), 501(d), or section 401(a). Section 3402(t)(2)(F)—Payments Made Pursuant to a Classified or Confidential Contract Section 3402(t)(2)(F) provides an ex- ception from section 3402(t) withholding for payments made pursuant to a classified or confidential contract described in sec- tion 6050M(e)(3). Section 6050M(e)(3) describes a contract between a Federal ex- ecutive agency and another person if— (A) The fact of the existence of such contract or the subject matter of such contract has been designated and clearly marked or clearly represented, pursuant to the provisions of Federal law or an Execu- tive order, as requiring a specific degree of protection against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national security, or (B) The head of such Federal executive agency (or his designee), pursuant to regu- lations issued by such agency, determines, in writing, that filing the required return under section 6050M (related to informa- tion returns required to be filed by any Fed- eral executive agency with respect to per- sons receiving contracts) would interfere with the effective conduct of a confidential law enforcement or foreign counterintelli- gence activity. Section 3402(t)(2)(G)—The Exception for Political Subdivisions and Instrumentalities Making Total Payments Under $100,000,000 Section 3402(t)(2)(G) provides that payments made by certain smaller govern- ment entities are not subject to withhold- ing under section 3402(t). Specifically, a political subdivision of a State (or any instrumentality thereof) that makes less than $100,000,000 of payments for prop- erty or services annually (other than for payroll or of another type exempt from withholding under these proposed regu- lations) is not required to withhold under section 3402(t) on any of its payments. The proposed regulations provide a sim- ple rule for determining before each year starts whether the exception provided by section 3402(t)(2)(G) applies to a given political subdivision or instrumentality. The determination would be based on the payments made during the account- ing year of the political subdivision or instrumentality ending with or within the second preceding calendar year. For ex- January 26, 20093662009–4 I.R.B. ample, to determine whether the political subdivision or instrumentality is subject to withholding with respect to payments made in 2011, the proposed regulations would look to whether payments made by the political subdivision or instrumen- tality for its accounting year ending with or within the calendar year 2009 equaled or exceeded $100,000,000. For this pur- pose, the accounting year is considered to be the year used by the political sub- division or instrumentality to keep its accounting books and determine budgets. In most cases, political subdivisions and instrumentalities would be able to make a reasonably accurate estimate whether the exception applies before the end of the accounting year ending in 2009 based on budgetary projections. However, in cases where the payments are expected to be near the $100,000,000 threshold, the time between the end of the accounting year in 2009, when a definitive determination could be made, and December 31, 2010, should give the political subdivision or instrumentality sufficient time to prepare for withholding under section 3402(t) for payments made in 2011. In determining whether the political subdivision or instrumentality has made $100,000,000 of total payments, the pro- posed regulations would require that all payments for property and services made during the accounting year be considered with the exception of those payments qualifying for any of the exceptions pro- vided by §31.3402(t)–4(a) through (l) of the proposed regulations. For this pur- pose, payments that are less than the $10,000 payment threshold count toward the $100,000,000 test. This exception provided by section 3402(t)(2)(G) does not apply to the United States Government, States, or instrumen- talities of the United States Government or States. The Treasury Department and IRS request comments on the application of section 3402(t)(2)(G), particularly with regard to whether the rules for determining whether the exception applies would pro- vide adequate time to modify systems for compliance with section 3402(t), whether a special rule should be considered allow- ing the averaging of multiple accounting years for political subdivisions and in- strumentalities that have unusually high expenditures in a given accounting year, and whether the determination of total payments under the proposed regulations is practicable. Section 3402(t)(2)(H)—Payments in Connection with a Public Welfare or Public Assistance Plan Section 3402(t)(2)(H) provides an ex- ception from section 3402(t) withholding for any payment in connection with a pub- lic assistance or public welfare program for which eligibility is determined by a needs or income test. The proposed reg- ulations adopt a broad definition ofin con- nection withto include payments made to third parties under a public assistance or public welfare program for the benefit of the recipient of benefits under the program. The proposed regulations also are consis- tent with the legislative history in provid- ing that a program for which eligibility is determined under a needs or income test does not include a program under which el- igibility is based on age only (for example, Medicare). The proposed regulations pro- vide that, for purposes of this exception, a program providing disaster relief to vic- tims of a natural or other disaster is consid- ered to be a program for which eligibility is determined under a needs test. Section 3402(t)(2)(I)—Payments to a Government Employee with Respect to Services as an Employee Section 3402(t)(2)(I) provides an ex- ception from section 3402(t) withholding for payments to any government employee not otherwise excludable with respect to the employee’s services as an employee. The proposed regulations broadly inter- pret this exception to exclude from section 3402(t) withholding any form of compen- sation that is paid to the employee or on the employee’s behalf. For example, the proposed regulations exclude employer contributions to employee benefit and deferred compensation plans as well as employee contributions to such plans. This exception applies to any payments by an employer for fringe benefits or deferred compensation to, or for the benefit of, an employee. The proposed regulations provide that the section 3402(t)(2)(I) exclusion from section 3402(t) withholding also applies to: (a) travel reimbursements paid by a government entity to a government em- ployee under accountable plans within the meaning of section 62(c) for the in- dividual employee’s travel, lodging, and meal expenses; and (b) the government employee’s payments to third parties that provide travel, lodging, and meals that are reimbursable under such travel re- imbursement plans. Most payments for individual travel, lodging, and meal ex- penses would fall beneath the $10,000 payment threshold. Nevertheless, this ex- ception may be significant in determining whether the government entity making the payments qualifies for the exception under section 3402(t)(2)(G) for political subdivi- sions of a State (or their instrumentalities) making payments under $100,000,000, as payments under section 3402(t)(2)(I) are excluded when calculating the total amount of payments. Section 31.3401(a)–4(a) of the Em- ployment Tax Regulations provides that if a reimbursement or other expense al- lowance arrangement meets the require- ments of section 62(c) and §1.62–2 and the expenses are substantiated within a reasonable period of time, payments made under the arrangement that do not exceed the substantiated expenses are treated as paid under an accountable plan and are not wages. Thus, these payments would qualify for the exception under section 3402(t)(2)(I). By comparison, if the travel reimburse- ment or payment by the employer is not paid under an accountable plan, the re- imbursement would be treated as paid under a nonaccountable plan. Payments to the employee under a nonaccountable plan are includible in gross income and wages and subject to income tax with- holding under section 3402(a). Thus, such payments would be excepted from with- holding under section 3402(t) by section 3402(t)(2)(A). Exception for Certain Payments Received by Nonresident Alien Individuals and Foreign Corporations In general, in the case of a nonresi- dent alien individual or a foreign corpo- ration (foreign person), sections 872(a) and 882(b) provide that gross income for United States income tax purposes con- sists of (1) gross income derived from sources within the United States; and 2009–4 I.R.B.367January 26, 2009 (2) gross income derived from sources outside the United States (foreign source income), but only if it is effectively connected with a trade or business within the United States. The source of income is determined under sections 861 through 865. The source of income derived from the performance of services is the place where the services are performed as provided in sections 861(a)(3) and 862(a)(3), whereas the source of income from the purchase and sale of inventory property (other than unprocessed timber) is the location where the sale takes place as described in §1.861–7(c) of the Income Tax Regulations (see also sections 861(a)(6) and 862(a)(6)). Therefore, if a foreign person provides services or sells inventory property in a foreign country, it will have no United States income tax liability with respect to the income earned from providing the services or selling the property—even to a United States government entity—provided that the income is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Accordingly, the proposed regulations exclude such payments made to foreign persons from 3-percent withholding un- der section 3402(t). For administrative reasons, subjecting these foreign source payments to withholding under section 3402(t) would be unduly burdensome to the foreign persons receiving such pay- ments and the IRS. The foreign persons, most of whom are not presently United States income tax filers, would have to get taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) and file refund claims. Likewise, the IRS would have to issue TINs, process the claims, and refund all of the funds col- lected. Withholding on foreign source payments to foreign persons has no poten- tial to reduce tax noncompliance because the potential income resulting from the payments is not subject to United States income taxation. Procedures to be fol- lowed by government entities and foreign persons for purposes of claiming this ex- ception from section 3402(t) withholding will be issued at a later date. Exception for Payments to Indian Tribal Governments Indian tribal governments are not sub- ject to United States income tax. Subject- ing payments made by government entities to Indian tribal governments to withhold- ing under section 3402(t) would be un- duly burdensome for the same reasons dis- cussed above with respect to certain pay- ments made to foreign persons. Therefore, the proposed regulations except these pay- ments from 3-percent withholding under section 3402(t). Deposits and Reporting of Amounts Withheld Under Section 3402(t) In determining rules for reporting amounts withheld under section 3402(t), the Treasury Department and IRS have considered the administrative burden on government entities imposed by reporting, the need for payees to receive timely and accurate information about the amounts withheld, and the need for IRS systems to process the information reported. Many comments reflected a preference for using an existing system and adapting current forms and procedures to accommodate section 3402(t) withholding, rather than creating a new system and forms for such withholding. The commenters indicated that using an existing system would ease compliance by government entities and would ease the processing of the payment and reporting of such tax. The Treasury Department and IRS be- lieve the existing procedure for reporting nonwage withholding on Form 945,“An- nual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax,”and reporting payments subject to withholding on Form 1099–MISC,“Mis- cellaneous Income,”with slight modifi- cations to existing forms, would provide the most satisfactory method of payment and reporting. Because most government entities have a system for issuing Form 1099–MISC, using this system with mod- ifications for reportingsection3402(t) withholding should ease compliance. Ad- ditionally, using Form 1099–MISC would give payees the information they need to timely file their income tax returns claim- ing credit for the withholding. Because this system would be similar to the system used currently for reporting and paying nonwage income tax withholding, the IRS would be able to process the withholding timely and on a cost-effective basis. Accordingly, the proposed amendments to the regulations under section 6011 provide that payors required to withhold amounts under section 3402(t) must file Form 945 reporting the amounts withheld. Proposed amendmentsto the regulations under section 6302 further provide that the amounts withheld under section 3402(t) must be deposited and reported in the same manner as other nonwage withheld amounts, such as withholding on gam- bling winnings and pensions. Pursuant to existing regulations, such amounts are treated as if they were employment taxes for purposes of the deposit rules, but are subject to special rules for determining the payor’s deposit schedule, as provided in §31.6302–4. Additionally, proposed amendments to regulations under section 6051 provide that payors required to withhold amounts under section 3402(t) must file informa- tion returns and furnish payee statements on Form 1099–MISC reporting such pay- ments and tax withheld. Because this reporting would be done pursuant to regu- lations under section 6051, the exceptions provided in the regulations under section 6041 relating to Form 1099 would not apply (for example, the exception for pay- ments to corporations). Payments for Jury Duty, Utilities, and Fuel Surcharges Commenters asked whether jury duty pay is subject to withholding under section 3402(t). Jury duty pay generally will not meet the $10,000 payment threshold pro- vided in the proposed regulations. No spe- cial rule for jury duty pay is provided. Commenters also requested guidance about utility payments. Rates for utility services are generally prescribed through a State regulatory process. Commenters ex- pressed concern about the consequences of paying something less than the regulato- rily prescribed rate to the utility. In fact, utility companies—like all persons receiv- ing payments subject to withholding un- der section 3402(t)—would be paid the full amount charged, albeit in the form of a combination of a cash payment and a de- posit of tax made to the IRS. Therefore, un- less otherwise excepted, utility payments are subject to withholding under section 3402(t) on the same basis as payments for other property and services. Commenters also requested that fuel surcharges be exempted from withhold- ing, arguing that a fuel surcharge provided January 26, 20093682009–4 I.R.B. under a contract is merely a cost recov- ery mechanism used to garner the lowest possible rates for the government by con- trolling volatile cost components in bid calculations. Although the use of sepa- rately stated charges for certain costs may well serve this purpose in contracting, section 3402(t) provides no exception for fuel surcharges or any other separately stated cost item. Section 3402(t) requires withholding on payments made regardless of how the payee may apply them against costs. Therefore, the proposed regulations do not provide an exception for payments allocated to fuel surcharges or any other separately stated costs. Application of Section 3402(t) to Passthrough Entities Commenters requested guidance with respect to the application of section 3402(t) where either the payor or the payee is a partnership or S corporation (“passthrough entities”). With respect to payments from a passthrough entity, the proposed regulations provide that such payments are not generally subject to withholding under section 3402(t) unless 80 percent or more of the passthrough entity is owned by government entities that are required to withhold under section 3402(t)(1). With respect to payments to a passthrough entity,the proposed reg- ulations provide that such payments are generally subject to withholding under section 3402(t) unless 80 percent or more of the passthrough entity is owned by per- sons described in section 3402(t)(2)(E) (government entities required to with- hold under section 3402(t)(1), tax-exempt entities, and foreign governments). An 80-percent threshold is consistent with similar thresholds in various areas of the tax law. See, for example, section 775(b)(3) and §§1.414(c)–2(b)(2) and 301.7701(i)–1(d)(3)(i)(A). The proposed regulations also provide that, as a general rule, whether a passthrough entity is sub- ject to section 3402(t) is determined on the first day of the entity’s taxable year. The Treasury Department and IRS believe that this general rule simplifies compliance and administration by requiring one annual determination of whether a passthrough entity’s payments are subject to withhold- ing under section 3402(t). However, the proposed regulations provide that any ma- nipulation of the ownership percentage with an intent to avoid application of sec- tion 3402(t) would be recharacterized as appropriate to reflectthe actual ownership percentage. Effective Date and Transition Relief for Existing Contracts The proposed regulations provide that the regulations will generally be effective for payments made after the later of De- cember 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the publication of final reg- ulations. Commenters questioned whether section 3402(t) would apply to payments made under contracts in existence prior to the effective date of section 3402(t). They noted that many government entities are party to multi-year contracts. These con- tracts did not contemplate the withhold- ing of income tax from payments under the contracts. Future contracts can address the withholding requirement and its effect on the contractor’s cash flow. Accordingly, the proposed regulations provide that pay- ments made under written binding con- tracts in effect on the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months af- ter the publication of final regulations are not subject to withholding under section 3402(t), unless such contract is materially modified. Payments pursuant to contracts entered into after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the publication of final regulations will be sub- ject to section 3402(t). Under the proposed regulations, if there is a material modification to an existing contract after the later of the effective date of the legislation or six months after the issuance of final regulations under section 3402(t), the contractwould cease to be an existing contract for purposes of this tran- sition relief and payments under the con- tract would become subject to the with- holding requirements of section 3402(t). The Treasury Department and IRS are con- sidering whether contracts that contain the option of renewal should be considered new contracts as of the date of renewal. The final regulations may provide that a contract that is renewable as of a certain date is treated as a new contract on the first date the contract is renewed. The Treasury Department and IRS request comments on how option terms in contracts, including, but not limited to, options to renew, should affect the transition relief for payments un- der written binding contracts. Credit Against Income Tax The Treasury Department and IRS received numerous comments from tax- payers expecting to receive payments subject to section 3402(t) withholding. Most of these comments asked how tax- payers would take the credit for the section 3402(t) withholding. Section 31 provides the general crediting rule for withhold- ing of income tax. Specifically, section 31(a)(1) provides that “[t]he amount with- held as tax under chapter 24 shall be allowed to the recipient of the income as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle.” Chapter 24 includes section 3402(t), and section 31(a)(1) is in subtitle A, income taxes. Thus, by its terms, sec- tion 31(a)(1) applies to persons who have had income tax withheld from a payment pursuant to section 3402(t) and allows a credit against income tax only. Section 31(a)(2) provides the general rule on the timing of the allowance of the credit: “The amount so withheld during any calendar year shall be allowed as a credit for the taxable year beginning in such calendar year. If more than one tax- able year begins in a calendar year, such amount shall be allowed as a credit for the last taxable year so beginning.” Thus, absent a special rule, the rule of section 31(a)(2) generally applies for purposes of withholdings required under chapter 24, which includes section 3402(t). Section 31(c) provides a special rule solely for backup withholding. Under sec- tion 31(c), any credit allowed by section 31(a) for backup withholding under sec- tion 3406 must be allowed for the taxable year of the recipient of the income in which the income is received. Congress did not provide a similar exception for the timing of the credit for section 3402(t) withhold- ing. Section 31(c) is limited by its terms to section 3406 withholding only. Thus, the general rule of section 31(a)(2) applies to section 3402(t) withholding rather than the special rule of section 31(c). The effect of section 31(a)(2) is that fiscal year taxpayers may be entitled to take credit for withholding under section 3402(t) only in a taxable year subsequent to the taxable year in which the amount was withheld. For example, if amounts 2009–4 I.R.B.369January 26, 2009 were withheld under section 3402(t) from a June 30 fiscal year taxpayer during the period from January 1, 2011, to June 30, 2011, the taxpayer will be entitled to take credit for the withheld tax on its income tax return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, rather than its income tax return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. The Treasury Department and IRS rec- ognize that, in the case of fiscal year tax- payers, the application of the rule in sec- tion 31(a)(2) requiring that the credit be takeninthesecondoftwopossibletax- able years may be burdensome for taxpay- ers. The Treasury Department and IRS re- quest comments on what impact the timing rule in section 31(a)(2) described above for income tax credits will have on taxpay- ers that have tax withheld under section 3402(t). Crediting Against Estimated Income Tax Liability Taxpayers may take into account the income tax withheld under section 3402(t) and allowed as a credit under section 31 in determining estimated tax liability pur- suant to sections 6654 and 6655. With respect to individual taxpayers, section 6654(g)(1) provides that, for purposes of determining the application of the penalty for an individual’s failure to pay estimated tax, the amount of the credit allowed un- der section 31 for the taxable year shall be deemed a payment of estimated tax. As with other income tax withheld, an individual recipient may account for in- come tax withheld in computing estimated income tax liability on Form 1040–ES, “Estimated Tax for Individuals.”Because most individuals are calendar year tax- payers, the section 3402(t) withholding would generally be treated as a payment of estimated tax for the same calendar year, and the individual’s liability for other pay- ments of estimated tax for that year would be reduced. However, if the individual is a fiscal year taxpayer, the individual may not take into account the withholding for estimated tax purposes until the fiscal year that begins in the calendar year in which the tax is withheld. Similar rules apply to corporate taxpay- ers. In determining the amount of esti- mated tax required to be paid to avoid the section 6655 penalty applicable to corpo- rations for failure to pay estimated tax, section 6655(g)(1)(B) provides in effect that credits against tax under section 31 are taken into account. Thus, corporate taxpayers can also take into account the amount of credit allowed under section 31(a) in determining income tax liability and in computing estimated income tax li- ability. As with individual taxpayers, cor- porate taxpayers on a fiscal year could have the problem of delay in taking ac- count of the credit if withholding occurs in the part of the calendar year before the be- ginning of the fiscal year that begins in that calendar year. Credit Against Employment Taxes or Other Taxes Many commenters requested that tax- payers be allowed to take credit for section 3402(t) withholding with respect to em- ployment taxes or other taxes. The statute directs that crediting follow the rules under section 31(a), which provide for crediting against income tax. Where the statute per- mits income tax payments to be treated as employment tax payments, orvice versa, it makes specific provision for that treat- ment. See, for example, section 3507(d) (providing for the treatment of advance payments of the earned income credit as payments of the income tax withholding and FICA liability of the employer); sec- tion 3510(b) (providing that domestic em- ployment taxes are treated as taxes due for estimated tax purposes under section 6654); and section 31(b) (providing for the crediting against income tax of the special refund of social security tax under section 6413(c) applicable when an employee re- ceives wages from two or more employers in excess of the social security tax contri- bution and benefit base). The Code does not provide for withholding under section 3402(t) to be treated as payments of the taxpayer’s employment tax liability. Rate of Income Tax Withholding Some taxpayers requested that the Treasury Department and IRS provide for lower withholding rates for taxpayers with lower profit margins or lower marginal income tax rates. The statute provides for a uniform 3-percent rate of withhold- ing. Thus, the proposed regulations apply withholding at the 3-percent rate to all payments for services and property from which withholding under section 3402(t) is required to be made. Liability for Section 3402(t) Withholding in the Event of Failure to Withhold If a government entity fails to withhold the tax imposed by section 3402(t), section 3403 applies. Under section 3402(t)(3) and section 3403, the government entity is generally liable for the payment of the tax to the IRS unless it can prove that the payee has paid its income tax liability. Section 3403 provides that the em- ployer shall be liable for the payment of tax required to be deducted and withheld under chapter 24, and shall not be liable to any person for the amount of any such payment. Section 31.3403–1 of the Employment Tax Regulations provides that every em- ployer required to deduct and withhold the tax under section 3402 from the wages of an employee is liable for the payment of such tax whether or not it is collected from the employee by the employer. If, for ex- ample, the employer deducts less than the correct amount of tax, or if the employer fails to deduct any part of the tax, the em- ployer is nevertheless liable for the cor- rect amount of the tax. Section 3402(t)(3) provides that for purposes of section 3403, payments to any person for property or ser- vices that are subjectto withholding under section 3402(t) are treated as if such pay- ments were wages paid by an employer to an employee. Thus, sections 3402(t)(3) and 3403 es- tablish the liability of the government en- tity for the amount of the tax imposed by section 3402(t) if it fails to withhold. However, section 3402(d) provides an exception to the entity’s liability for income tax withholding in certain cases. Under this exception, if the entity required to withhold fails to do so, and thereafter the tax is paid, the tax will not be collected from the entity that failed to withhold. Thus, for purposes of section 3402(t), the government entity generally will be liable if it fails to withhold unless it is able to demonstrate, consistent with IRS procedures, that the taxpayer reported the amounts that were subject to withholding on its income tax return and paid the in- come tax due. January 26, 20093702009–4 I.R.B. Transition Rule for Penalties and Interest on Underpayments The proposed regulations provide a special transition rule for a government entity’s liability for interest and penalties with respect to the failure to pay the tax on payments for property and services made before January 1, 2012. Under the transition rule, a government entity would not be liable for penalties and interest with respect to liability for withholding im- posedbysection3402(t),onpaymentsfor property or services made before January 1, 2012, if the entity made a good faith effort to comply with the requirements of section 3402(t). However, this transition rule would not provide relief from liability for the amount of tax required to be with- held under section 3402(t). Proposed Effective Date These regulations are proposed to apply to payments made after the later of Decem- ber 31, 2010, or six months after the date of publication of final regulations. In addi- tion, the regulations will not apply to pay- ments under contracts existing on the later of December 31, 2010, or six months after the date of publication of final regulations. Special Analyses It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory as- sessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Ad- ministrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chap- ter 5) does not apply to this regulation, and because the regulation does not impose a collection of information on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to sec- tion 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this regulation has been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business. Comments and Requests for Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written (a signed origi- nal and eight (8) copies) or electronic com- ments that are timely submitted to the IRS. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by anypersonthattimelysubmitswrittenor electronic comments. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the hearing will be published in theFederal Register. Drafting Information The principal author of these proposed regulations is A. G. Kelley, Office of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Coun- sel(TaxExemptandGovernmentEnti- ties). However, other personnel from the IRS and the Treasury Department partici- pated in their development. ***** Proposed Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 31 is pro- posed to be amended as follows: PART 31—EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX AT SOURCE Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 31 continues to read in part as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Par. 2. The following §§31.3402(t)–0, 31.3402(t)–1, 31.3402(t)–2, 31.3402(t)–3, 31.3402(t)–4 and 31.3402(t)–5 are added, §31.3402(t)–6 is added and reserved, and 31.3402(t)–7 is added to read as follows: §31.3402(t)– 0 Outline of the Government withholding r egulations. This section lists paragraphs contained in §§31.3402(t)–1 through 31.3402(t)–5, and §31.3402(t)–7. §31.3402(t)–1 Withholding requirement on certain payments made by government entities. (a) In general. (b) Special rules. (c) Deposit and reporting requirements. (d) Effective/applicability date. §31.3402(t)–2 Government entities required to withhold under section 3402(t). (a) In general. (b) Government of the United States. (c) State. (d) Political Subdivision. (e) [Reserved]. (f) Possessions of the United States. (g) Passthrough entities. (h) Small entity exception. (i) Effective/applicability date. §31.3402(t)–3 Payments subject to withholding. (a) In general. (b) Payment threshold of $10,000. (c) No withholding on successive pay- ments. (d) Payments made through a payment administrator or to a contractor. (e) Payments by credit card or payment card. (f) Examples. (g) Effective/applicability date. §31.3402(t)–4 Certain payments excepted from withholding. (a) Payments subject to withholding un- der chapter 3 or chapter 24 (other than sec- tion 3406). (b) Payments subject to withholding un- der section 3406 with backup withholding deducted. (c) [Reserved]. (d) Payments for real property. (e) Payments to government entities, tax-exempt organizations, and foreign governments. (f) Payments made pursuant to a classi- fied or confidential contract. (g) Exception for political subdivisions or instrumentalities thereof making less than $100,000,000 of payments for prop- erty or services annually. (h) Payments made in connection with a public assistance or public welfare pro- gram. (i) Payments made to any government employee with respect to his or her ser- vices. (j) Payments received by nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations. (k) Payments to Indian tribal govern- ments. 2009–4 I.R.B.371January 26, 2009 (l) Payments in emergency or disaster situations. (m) Effective/applicability date. §31.3402(t)–5 Application to passthrough entities. (a) In general. (b) Definitions. (c) Payments from a passthrough entity. (d) Payments to a passthrough entity. (e) Effective/applicability date. §31.3402(t)–6 Crediting of tax withheld under section 3402(t). [Reserved]. §31.3402(t)–7 Effective date and transition rules. (a) General rule. (b) Exception for payments made under existing written binding contracts. (c) Good faith exception for interest and penalties on payments before January 1, 2012. §31.3402(t)–1 Withholding requirement on certain payments made by government entities. (a)In general. Except as provided in §§31.3402(t)–3(b) and 31.3402(t)–4, the Government of the United States, every State, every politicalsubdivision thereof, and every instrumentality of the forego- ing (including multi-State agencies) mak- ing any payment to any person providing any property or services shall deduct and withhold from such payment a tax in an amount equal to 3 percent of such pay- ment. (b)Special rules. See §31.3402(t)–2 for government entities required to withhold under this section, §31.3402(t)–3 for what constitutes a payment to a person for prop- erty or services and when such payment is deemed to occur for purposes of this sec- tion, and §31.3402(t)–4 for payments that are excepted from withholding under this section. (c)Deposit and reporting requirements. See §31.6302–4 for deposit requirements with respect to withholding under sec- tion 3402(t). See §§31.6011(a)–4(b) and 31.6051–5 for the reporting requirements with respect to withholding under section 3402(t). (d)Effective/applicability date.(1)Ex- cept as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, this section is effective for pay- ments by the Government of the United States, every State, every political subdivi- sion thereof, and everyinstrumentality of the foregoing (including multi-State agen- cies) to any person providing property or services made after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months af- ter the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). (2) Payments made under a written binding contract that was in effect on the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the publication in the Federal Registerof final regulations un- der section 3402(t), are not subject to the withholding requirements of this section. The preceding sentence does not apply to payments made underany contract that is materially modified after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). §31.3402(t)–2 Government entities required to withhold under section 3402(t). (a)In general.The requirement to withhold under section 3402(t) and §31.3402(t)–1(a) applies to the Govern- ment of the United States (see paragraph (b) of this section) and every State (see paragraph (c) of this section), as well as instrumentalities ofthe foregoing. The requirement also applies to political sub- divisions of every State (see paragraph (d) of this section), and their instrumentali- ties, unless the small entity exception of §31.3402(t)–4(g) applies. (b)Government of the United States. The Government of the United States in- cludes the legislative branch, the judicial branch, and the executive branch, and all components of the United States Govern- ment. Thus, departments and agencies are included within the definition of United States Government. (c)State.ThetermStateincludes the District of Columbia. However, an In- dian tribal government is not considered a State for purposes of section 3402(t) and §31.3402(t)–1(a). See section 7871(a). (d)Political subdivision.The termpo- litical subdivisionfor purposes of section 3402(t) and §31.3402(t)–1(a) is defined as a political subdivision within the meaning of §1.103–1(b) of this chapter, except that a subdivision of an Indian tribal govern- ment is not considered a political subdivi- sion. See section 7871(a) and (d). (e) [Reserved]. (f)Possessions of the United States. For purposes of section 3402(t) and §31.3402(t)–1(a), the government of a possession or territory of the United States is not treated as a government entity sub- ject to the withholding requirements of section 3402(t)(1). (g)Passthrough entities.See §31.3402(t)–5(c) for the treatment of pay- ments from certain passthrough entities as subject to the withholding requirements of §31.3402(t)–1. (h)Small entity exception.See §31.3402(t)–4(g) for the exception from the withholding requirements of §31.3402(t)–1 for political subdivisions and instrumentalities thereof making less than $100,000,000 of payments for prop- erty or services annually. (i)Effective/applicability date.This section is effective the later of January 1, 2011, or the date that is 6 months af- ter the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). §31.3402(t)–3 Payments subject to withholding. (a)In general.A payment is sub- ject to withholding for purposes of §§31.3402(t)–1 through 31.3402(t)–7 when paid by a government entity to any person, as defined in §301.7701–6(a) of this chapter, for property or services. If, however, the government entity uses a payment administrator to pay a per- son for property or services, payment occurs when the payment administrator pays such person. The government entity subject to the withholding requirements of §31.3402(t)–1 is liable for the with- holding required and responsible for all related reporting regardless of whether the government entity or its payment admin- istrator makes the payment for property or services. (b)Payment threshold of $10,000—(1) In general.The termpayment thresh- January 26, 20093722009–4 I.R.B. oldmeans an amount equal to $10,000. The withholding requirements of §31.3402(t)–1 will not apply to any pay- ment that is less than the payment thresh- old. Whether a payment is equal to or in excess of the payment threshold is deter- mined when the payment is made. (2)Payment threshold applied per pay- ment. If a government entity makes a sin- gle payment to a person for property or ser- vices combining charges for more than one transaction with the person, the determi- nation of whether the payment threshold provided by paragraph (b)(1) of this sec- tion applies will be based on the amount of the single payment, rather than the amount attributable to each separate transaction. Thus, if a government entity makes a sin- gle payment of $10,000 or more to a per- son, the government entity will be required to withhold on the payment, even if the payment is for more than one property or service. The same rule applies if a gov- ernment entity enters into multiple trans- actions with a single person, each of which would result in a payment of less than $10,000 if paid separately, but elects to make a single payment covering all the transactions such that the aggregated pay- ment is $10,000 or more. Under these cir- cumstances, the government entity is re- quired to withhold on the aggregated pay- ment. (3)Anti-abuse rule.If a government entity or payment administrator divides a payment or payments to any person for property or services into two or more payments primarily to avoid the $10,000 payment threshold provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section on one or more of these payments, the divided payments will be treated as a single payment made on the date that the first of these payments is made. (c)No withholding on successive pay- ments. If a government entity or its pay- ment administrator makes a payment that is subject to the withholding requirements of §31.3402(t)–1 to a person, no subse- quent transfer of cash or property from that payment by such person to another person is treated as a payment subject to with- holding for purposes of §§31.3402(t)–1 through 31.3402(t)–7. (d)Payments made through a payment administrator or to a contractor—(1)Def- inition—For purposes of this section— (i) Apayment administratoris any per- son that acts with respect to a payment solely as an agent for a government en- tity by making the payment on behalf of the government entity to a person provid- ing property or services to, or on behalf of, the government entity. (ii) A payment administrator is treated as a person providing property or services for purposes of the withholding require- ments of section 3402(t) to the extent it re- ceives a fee from the government entity for its services as a payment administrator for the government entity. (2)Payments to a contractor.If a per- son provides property or services to a gov- ernment entity under a contract and is not a payment administrator, the person, who is in privity with the government entity, is treated as the person providing prop- erty or services subject to withholding un- der section 3402(t) for all payments re- ceived from the government entity, regard- less of whether some payments the person receives relate to invoices for property or services provided by subcontractors. (3)Application of payment threshold. Where a government entity uses a payment administrator to make a payment, the de- termination of whether the payment meets the payment threshold is made at the time the payment administrator makes the pay- ment to the person providing property or services. If a government entity makes one transfer of funds to a payment administra- tor that is composed of a fee to compen- sate the payment administrator for its ser- vices and other funds that are to be paid to persons providing property or services, the determination of whether the payment threshold is met on the portion that is the feeismadeatthetimeofthetransferof funds to the payment administrator. (e)Payments by credit card or payment card.For purposes of section 3402(t), a payment made by a government entity by credit card or payment card to a person for property or services occurs when the credit card or payment card is tendered at the point of sale. The government entity is li- able for withholding under section 3402(t) and reporting associated with such with- holding. See section 6050W of the Inter- nal Revenue Code for separate reporting obligations imposed on the acquiring bank of the person receiving payment by credit card or payment card. (f)Examples.This section is illustrated by the following examples: Example 1. (i) Prime contractorXhas a con- tract with a government entity to provide services and property to the government entity.Xcontracts with numerous subcontractors to provide services and property in connection with the contract. While the engagement of any particular subcontractor is subject to approval by the government entity, the subcontrac- tors are not parties to the contract betweenXand the government entity, and the government entity is not a party to the contracts betweenXand subcontrac- tors. Under its contract with the government entity, Xsubmits an invoice for $48,000 for providing ser- vices and property to the government entity, includ- ing charges for services and property provided by two subcontractors,MandN. The invoice reflects charges of $16,000 forMand $2,000 forN. The government entity paysXthe entire amount of the invoice in one payment of $48,000.XpaysMforM’s billed portion of the invoice in a single payment of $16,000, andX paysNforN’s billed portion of the invoice in a single payment of $2,000. (ii) Under the facts of thisExample 1,Xis the per- son providing property or services to, or for the bene- fit of, the government entity with respect to the entire amount of the $48,000 payment under the invoice, including the charges for services or property pro- vided by its subcontractorsMandN.Xis not a pay- ment administrator (as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section) becauseXis not making payments solely as an agent of the government entity to per- sons providing property or services. Instead,Xmakes payments to subcontractorsMandNpursuant toX’s separate contracts with these subcontractors to which the government entity is not a party. Therefore, un- der paragraphs (a) and (d)(2) of this section, the en- tire amount of the $48,000 payment toXunder the invoice, including the charges for services and prop- erty provided by its subcontractorsMandN,isthe payment subject to withholding for purposes of sec- tion 3402(t). (iii) Under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the determination whether the payment meets the pay- ment threshold is based on the entire amount of the payment from the government entity toX. Withhold- ing under section 3402(t) applies to the government entity’s $48,000 payment toXbecause the payment meets the payment threshold and is not otherwise ex- cepted from section 3402(t) withholding. Thus, the payment is subject to withholding of 3 percent, or $1440. (iv) Payments made byXto the subcontractors, MandN, are not payments by the government entity or its payment administrator. Thus,X’s $16,000 pay- ment toMandX’s $2,000 payment toNfor services or property under the contract are not subject to with- holding under section 3402(t). See paragraphs (c) and (d)(2) of this section. (v) The government entity is liable for the $1440 withholding required under section 3402(t) on its payment toXand is responsible for the related report- ing required under §31.6051–5. See paragraph (a) of this section.Xis the person receiving the payment for purposes of reporting under §31.6051–5. Thus, the government entity is responsible for providing Xwith a Form 1099 including the entire amount of the payment ($48,000) and the entire amount of the withholding ($1440). 2009–4 I.R.B.373January 26, 2009 Example 2.(i)Zhas a contract with a govern- ment entity to make payments as an agent of the gov- ernment entity to persons providing services or prop- erty to, or on behalf of, the government entity. The only servicesZprovides under the contract are its ser- vices in acting as an agent for the government entity in making payments to persons providing property or services to, or on behalf of, the government. The gov- ernment entity transfers funds of $71,000 toZ,which includes a fee of $1,000 toZfor its services as an agent under the contract.Zthen makes payments of the $70,000 remainder of the funds to persons provid- ing property or services to, or on behalf of, the gov- ernment entity, including a single payment of $18,000 toPand a single payment of $7,000 toR. (ii) Under the facts of thisExample 2,Zis a pay- ment administrator (as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section) becauseZmakes payments solely as an agent for the government entity to persons provid- ing property or services to, or on behalf of, the gov- ernment entity. Under paragraphs (a) and (d) of this section,Zis not treated as a person providing prop- erty or services with respect to $70,000 of the transfer of funds (the amount of the funds to be paid to per- sons providing property or services to, or on behalf of, the government entity). BecauseZis not treated as a person providing property or services with re- spect to this $70,000 portion of the funds, this portion of the transfer of funds by the government entity to Zis not subject to withholding under section 3402(t) when transferred toZ. (iii) Under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, the payment administrator is treated as a person provid- ing property or services with respect to the portion of the $71,000 fund transfer that is a fee for its ser- vices as a payment administrator, or $1,000. Under paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the determination of whether the payment threshold is met with respect to the fee portion of the payment from the government entity toZis made at the time of the payment from the government entity toZ. Because the $1,000 fee portion of the payment falls beneath the $10,000 pay- ment threshold, withholding under section 3402(t) is not required with respect to that portion of the pay- ment. (iv)PandRare persons providing services or property to, or on behalf of, the government entity with respect to the payments they receive fromZ. (v) Withholding is required under section 3402(t) on the payment byZ, a payment administrator, to a person providing property or services to, or on be- half of, a government entity provided the payment meets the payment threshold and is not otherwise ex- cepted. Under paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the de- termination of whether the payment threshold is met on the paymentZmakes to a person providing prop- erty or services is made at the timeZpays the per- son providing property or services. Under the facts of thisExample 2,Z’s payment toPof $18,000 meets the payment threshold, and therefore withholding of $540 under section 3402(t) applies.Z’s payment to R of $7,000 does not meet the payment threshold, and therefore, no withholding under section 3402(t) is re- quired. (vi) The government entity, notZ, is liable for any withholding required under section 3402(t) on the payments fromZto persons providing property or ser- vices. Also, the government entity, notZ, is respon- sible for any reporting required under §31.6051–5 on the payment fromZto persons providing property or services. See paragraph (a) of this section. Each person providing property or services with respect to which withholding is required, notZ, is the person receiving the payment for purposes of the reporting required under §31.6051–5 if withholding under sec- tion 3402(t) applies. Thus, the government entity is responsible for issuingPa Form 1099 reflecting the amount of the payment fromZtoPof $18,000 and the amount of withholding of $540. (g)Effective/applicability date.This section is effective for payments by the Government of the United States, every State, every politicalsubdivision thereof, and every instrumentality of the forego- ing (including multi-State agencies) to any person providing property or services made after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). §31.3402(t)–4 Certain payments excepted from withholding. (a)Payments subject to withholding un- der chapter 3 or chapter 24 (other than section 3406)—(1)In general.Payments are excepted from withholding under sec- tion §31.3402(t)–1(a) if they are subject to withholding under chapter 3 of the Inter- nal Revenue Code (Code) or under sec- tions 3401 through 3405 of the Code (other than section 3402(t)). (2)Payments subject to withholding un- der chapter 3. Payments subject to with- holding under chapter 3 include those pay- ments that are subject to, but exempt from, withholding under chapter 3 on the ground that the payments are exempt from United States income tax pursuant to an income tax convention to which the United States is a party. (3)Payments subject to withholding at election of payee. For purposes of this exception from section 3402(t), payments for which the payee may elect withhold- ing are exempt from withholding under §31.3402(t)–1(a) regardless of whether the payee in fact makes such an election. These payments include— (i) Unemployment compensation as defined in section 85(b) (see section 3402(p)(2)); (ii) Social security benefits as de- fined in section 86(d) (see section 3402(p)(1)(C)(i)); (iii) Any payment referred to in the second sentence of section 451(d) that is treated as insurance proceeds, relating to certain disaster payments received under the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, or Title II of the Disaster Assistance Act of 1988 (see section 3402(p)(1)(C)(ii)); (iv) Any amount that is includible in gross income under section 77(a), relating to amounts received as loans from the Commodity Credit Corporation that the taxpayer has elected to treat as income (see section 3402(p)(1)(C)(iii)); and (v) Any payment of an annuity to an individual. (b)Payments subject to withholding un- der section 3406 with backup withhold- ing deducted. A payment is not subject to withholding under section 3402(t) if the payment is subject to withholding under section 3406, relating to backup withhold- ing, and if backup withholding is actually being withheld from such payment. (c) [Reserved]. (d)Payments for real property.Pay- ments for real property are not sub- ject to the withholding requirements of §31.3402(t)–1. For purposes of this excep- tion, the termpayments for real property includes the purchase and the leasing of real property. However, payments for the construction of buildings or other public works projects, such as bridges or roads, are not payments for real property. (e)Payments to government entities, tax-exempt organizations, and foreign governments—(1)Government entities. Payments are not subject to withholding under section 3402(t) if the payments are made to government entities that are subject to the withholding require- ments of section 3402(t)(1) pursuant to §31.3402(t)–2. For purposes of this ex- ception, payments togovernment entities that qualify for the exception for polit- ical subdivisions and instrumentalities making less than $100,000,000 of pay- ments for property and services annually, as provided by section 3402(t)(2)(G) and paragraph (g) of this section, are treated as payments to government entities that are subject to the withholding requirements of section 3402(t)(1). (2)Tax-exempt organizations.Pay- ments to an organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) as an organization described in section 501(c), 501(d), or 401(a) are not subject to with- holding under section 3402(t). (3)Foreign governments.Payments to foreign governments are not subject to January 26, 20093742009–4 I.R.B. withholding under section 3402(t). For purposes of this paragraph (e), a govern- ment of a possession or territory of the United States is treated as a foreign gov- ernment. (f)Payments made pursuant to a clas- sified or confidential contract.Payments made pursuant to a classified or con- fidential contract described in section 6050M(e)(3) are not subject to withhold- ing under section 3402(t). (g)Exception for political subdivisions or instrumentalities thereof making less than $100,000,000 of payments for prop- erty or services annually—(1)In general. Section 3402(t) withholding is not re- quired on payments made by a political subdivision of a State (or any instrumen- tality of a political subdivision of a State) that makes less than $100,000,000 of pay- ments for property or services annually. (2)Determination of whether an entity is a political subdivision of a State.The determination of whether an entity is a po- litical subdivision of a State is made under §31.3402(t)–2(d). (3)Determination of whether a political subdivision or instrumentality makes less than $100,000,000 of payments for prop- erty or services annually.The determina- tion of whether the exception provided by paragraph (g)(1) of this section applies is made for each calendar year. For purposes of any calendar year, the determination of whether a political subdivision or instru- mentality makes less than $100,000,000 of payments for property or services annu- ally is based on the total payments made by the entity for property or services in the entity’s accounting year ending with or within the second preceding calendar year. For purposes of this paragraph (g), payments that would have qualified for the exceptions from withholding under §31.3402(t)–4(a) through (l) had these regulations been in effect shall not be in- cluded in calculating the total payments made. However, payments that would have been excepted from withholding only because such payments were less than the $10,000 payment threshold contained in §31.3402(t)–3(b) are included in calcu- lating the total payments for purposes of this paragraph (g). Also, payments that were not subject to withholding under sec- tion 3402(t) solely based on the effective date rules or transition rules contained in §31.3402(t)–1(d), §31.3402(t)–2(i), §31.3402(t)–3(g),§31.3402(t)–4(m), §31.3402(t)–5(e), or §31.3402(t)–7 are included in calculating total payments for purposes of this paragraph (g). For purposes of this determination, the ac- counting year refers to the fiscal year (consisting of 12 months) or calendar year used by the government entity in setting its budgets and keeping its accounting books. If a political subdivision or in- strumentality was not in existence in the second preceding calendar year or if no 12-month accounting year exists ending in the second preceding calendar year, the determination of whether this exception applies for a calendar year shall be based on the total payments as projected for the accounting year consisting of 12 months ending in that calendar year. (4)Example. (i) Government entityX,which qualifies as a political subdivision or instrumentality thereof for the calendar years 2011 and 2012, uses a fiscal year ending June 30 to determine its budgets and to keep its accounting books. During its fiscal year ending June 30, 2009,Xmade payments to per- sons for property and services of $200,000,000, in- cluding $102,000,000 of payments that would have been excepted under §31.3402(t)–4(a) through (l) if section 3402(t) had been in effect. (ii) During its fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, Xmade payments for property and services of $210,000,000, including $106,000,000 that would have been excepted under §31.3402(t)–4(a) through (l) if section 3402(t) had been in effect. In addition, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010,Xmade $15,000,000 of payments that were below the pay- ment threshold of $10,000 in §31.3402(t)–3(b) if section 3402(t) had been in effect. (iii) For the calendar year 2011,Xdetermines whether it is eligible for the exception provided by this paragraph (g) based on the total paymentsXmade for its accounting year ending June 30, 2009. Be- cause total payments for this purpose exclude pay- ments that would be excepted under §31.3402(t)–4(a) through (l), total payments were $200,000,000 less $102,000,000, or $98,000,000. Therefore, for calen- dar year 2011,Xwould qualify for the exception pro- vided by this paragraph (g), and would not be required to withhold under section 3402(t). (iv) For the calendar year 2012,Xdetermines whether it is eligible for the exception provided by this paragraph (g) based on the total payments it made for its accounting year ending June 30, 2010. Because total payments for this purpose exclude payments that would have been excepted under §31.3402(t)–4(a) through (l), but include pay- ments below the payment threshold of $10,000 pro- vided under §31.3402(t)–3(b), total payments were $210,000,000 less $106,000,000, or $104,000,000. Therefore, for calendar year 2012,Xwould not qualify for the exception provided by this paragraph (g) and would be required to withhold under section 3402(t). (h)Payments made in connection with a public assistance or public welfare pro- gram—(1)In general.Section 3402(t) withholding shall not apply to payments made in connection with a public assis- tance or public welfare program for which eligibility is determined by a needs or in- come test. (2)Needs or income test.Eligibility for a public assistance or public welfare pro- gram is not considered to be determined by a needs or income test if eligibility for the program is based solely on the age of the beneficiary. A public assistance pro- gram providing disaster relief to victims of a natural or other disaster is consid- ered to be a program for which eligibil- ity is determined under a needs test. Pay- ments under government programs to pro- vide health care or other services that are not based on the needs or income of the re- cipient are subject to section 3402(t) with- holding, including programs where eligi- bility is based on the age of the beneficiary. (3)Payments to third parties.The ex- ception provided by this paragraph (h) also applies to payments made to third parties to provide benefits tobeneficiaries under a public assistance or public welfare pro- gram for which eligibility is determined by a needs or income test. (i)Payments made to any government employee with respect to his or her ser- vices. Section 3402(t) withholding shall not apply to payments made to any gov- ernment employee with respect to his or her services as an employee of the gov- ernment. This exception applies to con- tributions to deferred compensation plans on behalf of an employee, contributions to employee benefit plans on behalf of an employee, fringe benefits provided to em- ployees, and payments to employees under accountable plans for the individual travel expenses of the employee. This excep- tion also applies to payments made by the government employee under accountable plans to providers of the employee’s travel, meals, and lodging when the government employee is traveling on government busi- ness. (j)Payments received by nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations. Section 3402(t) withholding shall not ap- ply to any payment received by a non- resident alien individual or foreign corpo- ration (foreign person) for providing ser- vices or property if the payment is derived from sources outside the United States, as determined under sections 861, 862, 863, 2009–4 I.R.B.375January 26, 2009 and 865, and is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the foreign per- son. (k)Payments to Indian tribal govern- ments.Section 3402(t) withholding shall not apply to any payment made to an In- dian tribal government or its political sub- divisions. (l)Payments in emergency or disaster situations.The Secretary may provide by publication in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see §601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)ofthis chapter) for additional exceptions from section 3402(t) withholding for certain payments made in an emergency or dis- aster situation if the Secretary determines that withholding from the payments would impede a government entity’s efforts to respond to the emergency or disaster. (m)Effective/applicability date.This section is effective for payments by the Government of the United States, every State, every politicalsubdivision thereof, and every instrumentality of the forego- ing (including multi-State agencies) to any person providing property or services made after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). §31.3402(t)–5 Application to passthrough entities. (a)In general.This section sets forth rules that provide that section 3402(t)(1) does not apply to payments made by passthrough entities except as described in paragraph (c) of this section. In addition, the rules provide that section 3402(t)(1) applies to payments made to passthrough entities except as described in paragraph (d) of this section. (b)Definitions. The following defini- tions set forth the meaning of certain terms for purposes of this section: (1)Passthrough entity.Theterm passthrough entitymeans a partnership (for Federal income tax purposes) or an S corporation. (2)Owner.Thetermownermeans a partner (for Federal income tax purposes) or an S corporation shareholder. (3)Ownership percentage.Theterm ownership percentagemeans an owner’s interest, as a percentage, in partnership profits or capital (whichever is greater) in the case of a partnership, or an owner’s interest, as a percentage, in S corporation stock in the case of an S corporation. (4)Testing day.Thetermtesting day refers to the first day of a passthrough en- tity’s taxable year. (c)Payments from a passthrough en- tity—(1)General rule. Section 3402(t)(1) shall not apply to payments made by passthrough entities during the taxable year, except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. (2)Exception. Section 3402(t)(1) shall apply to any payment during the taxable year from a passthrough entity if the aggre- gate ownership percentage held, directly or indirectly, in the entity on the testing day by government entities described in section 3402(t)(1) is at least 80 percent. For purposes of this paragraph (c)(2), any manipulation of the ownership percentage with an intent to avoid application of sec- tion 3402(t) will be recharacterized as ap- propriate to reflectthe actual ownership percentage. (d)Payments to a passthrough en- tity—(1)General rule. Section 3402(t)(1) shall apply to payments made to passthrough entities during the taxable year, except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. (2)Exception. Section 3402(t)(1) shall not apply to any payment during a tax- able year to a passthrough entity if the aggregate ownership percentage held, di- rectly or indirectly, in the entity on the testing day by persons described in sec- tion 3402(t)(2)(E) isat least 80 percent. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(2), any manipulation of the ownership percentage with an intent to avoid application of sec- tion 3402(t) will be recharacterized as ap- propriate to reflectthe actual ownership percentage. (e)Effective/applicability date.This section is effective for payments by the Government of the United States, every State, every politicalsubdivision thereof, and every instrumentality of the forego- ing (including multi-State agencies) to any person providing property or services made after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). §31.3402(t)–6 Crediting of tax withheld under section 3402(t). [Reserved]. §31.3402(t)–7 Effective date and transition rules. (a)General Rule. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the require- ment to withhold under §31.3402(t)–1(a) applies to payments made after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in the Federal Registerof final regulations un- der section 3402(t). (b)Exception for payments made un- der existing written binding contracts. Payments made under a written binding contract that was in effect on the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regu- lations under section 3402(t), are not subject to the withholding requirements in §31.3402(t)–1. Thepreceding sentence does not apply to payments made under any contract that is materially modified after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). (c)Good faith exception for interest and penalties on payments made before Jan- uary 1, 2012.Government entities that make a good faith effort to comply with the provisions of these regulations will not be liable for penalties and interest with respect to income tax withholding under section 3402(t) that the government entity failed to withhold from payments made be- fore January 1, 2012. However, this provi- sion shall not relieve the government entity of liability for income tax that it failed to withhold. See, however, §31.3402(d)–1. Par. 3. Section 31.3406(g)–2 is amended by adding paragraphs (h) and (i) to read as follows: §31.3406(g)–2 Exception for reportable payment for which withholding is otherwise required. ***** (h)Certain payments made by govern- ment entities. A government entity that is required to withhold both on reportable payments pursuant to section 3406(a) and on certain payments pursuant to section January 26, 20093762009–4 I.R.B. 3402(t), must comply with the withhold- ing requirements of section 3406, and not section 3402(t), with respect to a payment to which both types of withholding would apply. Pursuant to section 3402(t)(2)(B), withholding under section 3402(t) shall not apply if amounts are being withheld under section 3406 with respect to a pay- ment. If a government entity fails to with- hold as required under section 3406, the payment will not be deemed to be subject to withholding under another provision of the Code for purposes of this paragraph (h). Thus, even if the government entity withholds on such payment pursuant to section 3402(t), it will remain liable for the amount required to be withheld under section 3406. (i)Effective/applicability date.Para- graph (h) relating to certain payments made by government entities applies to payments made by government entities under section 3402(t) made after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). Par. 4. Section 31.6011(a)–4 is amended by adding paragraphs (b)(6) and (d) to read as follows: §31.6011(a)–4 Returns of income tax withheld. ***** (b) * * * (6) Certain payments made by govern- ment entities subject to withholding under section 3402(t). ***** (d)Effective/applicability date. Para- graph (b)(6) relating to certain payments made by government entities subject to withholding under section 3402(t) applies to payments made by government entities under section 3402(t) made after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in the Federal Registerof final regulations un- der section 3402(t). Par. 5. Section 31.6051–5 is added to read as follows: §31.6051–5 Statement and information return required in case of withholding by government entities. (a)Statements required from govern- ment entities.Every government entity re- quired to deduct and withhold tax under section 3402(t) must furnish to the payee a written statement containing the informa- tion required by paragraph (d) of this sec- tion. (b)Information returns required from government entities. Every government entity required to furnish a payee statement under paragraph (a) of this section must file a duplicate of such statement with the Secretary. Such duplicate shall constitute an information return. (c)Prescribed form. The prescribed form for the statement required by this sec- tion is Form 1099–MISC,“Miscellaneous Income.” (d)Information required. Each state- ment on Form 1099–MISC must show the following— (1) The name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the person receiv- ing the payment subject to withholding un- der section 3402(t); (2) The amount of the payment with- held upon; (3) The amount of tax deducted and withheld under section 3402(t); (4) The name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the government entity filing the form; (5) A legend stating that such amount is being reported to the Internal Revenue Service; and (6) Such other information as is re- quired by the form. (e)Time for furnishing statements.The statement must be furnished to the payee no later than January 31 of the year follow- ing the calendar year in which the payment subject to withholding was made. (f)Cross references. For provisions re- lating to the time for filing the informa- tion returns required by this section and to extensions of the time for filing, see §§31.6071(a)–1(a)(3) and 1.6081–1(b)(3), respectively. For penalties applicable to failure to file information returns and fur- nish payee statements, see sections 6721 through 6724. (g)Effective/applicability date.This section is effective on the later of January 1, 2011, or the date that is 6 months af- ter the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). Par. 6. Section 31.6071(a)–1 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(3)(i) to read as follows: § 31.6071(a)–1 Time for filing returns and other documents. ***** (3)Informati on returns—(i)General rule. Each inf ormation return in respect of wagesasdefin ed in the Federal Insurance Contribution s Act or of income tax with- held from wage s which is required to be made under §3 1.6051–2 or of income tax withheld fro m payments by government entities as r equired under §31.6051–5 shall be file d on or before the last day of February (M arch 31 if filed electronically) of the year f ollowing the calendar year for which it is made, except that, if a tax return unde r §31.6011(a)–5(a) is filed as afinalret urnforaperiodendingpriorto December 3 1, the information statement shall be fi led on or before the last day of the second calendar month following the period for which the tax return is filed. ***** Par. 7. Section 31.6302–1 is amended by adding paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(E) and re- vising paragraph (n) to read as follows: §31.6302–1. Federal tax deposit rules for withheld income taxes and taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) attributable to payments made after December 31, 1992. ***** (e)***(1 )*** (iii) * * * (E) Certa in payments made by govern- ment enti ties under section 3402(t); and ***** (n)Effective/applicability date.Ex- cept for the deposit of employment taxes attributable to payments made by gov- ernment entities under section 3402(t), §§31.6302–1 through 31.6302–3 ap- ply with respect to the deposit of em- ployment taxes attributable to payments made after December 31, 1992. Section 31.6302–1(e)(1)(iii)(E) applies with re- spect to the deposit of employment taxes attributable to payments made by govern- ment entities under section 3402(t) made 2009–4 I.R.B.377January 26, 2009 after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in theFederal Registerof final regulations under section 3402(t). Par. 8. Section 31.6302–4 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(5) and adding paragraphs (b)(6) and (e) to read as fol- lows: §31.6302–4 Federal tax deposit rules for withheld income taxes attributable to nonpayroll payments made after December 31, 1993. ***** (b) * * * (5) Amounts withheld under section 3406, relating to backup withholding with respect to reportable payments; and (6) Amounts withheld under section 3402(t), relating to certain payments made by government entities. ***** (e)Effective/applicability date. Para- graph (b)(6) relating to certain payments made by government entities applies to payments made by government entities un- der section 3402(t) made after the later of December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the date of publication in the Federal Registerof final regulations un- der section 3402(t). Linda E. Stiff, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on December 4, 2008, 8:45 a. ̇ m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for December 5, 2008, 73 F.R. 74082) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by Cross-Reference to Temporary Regulations Guidance Regarding the Treatment of Stock of a Controlled Corporation Under Section 355(a)(3)(B) REG–150670–07 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking by cross-reference to temporary regula- tions. SUMMARY: In this issue of the Bulletin, the IRS is issuing temporary regulations (T.D. 9435) giving guidance regarding the distribution of stock of a controlled corpo- ration acquired in a transaction described in section 355(a)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. This action is necessary in light of amendments to section 355(b). The text of those regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. These regulations willaffect corporations and their shareholders. DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by March 16, 2009. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–150670–07), room 5203, Internal Revenue Service, PO Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washing- ton, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered Monday through Friday betweenthehoursof8a.m. and4p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–150670–07), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Ser- vice, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20224, or sent elec- tronically via the Federal eRulemak- ing Portal atwww.regulations.gov(IRS REG–150670–07). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations, Russell P. Subin, (202) 622–7790; concerning submission of com- ments and/or requests for a public hearing, Oluwafunmilayo (Funmi) Taylor, (202) 622–7180 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Explanation of Provisions Temporary regulations in this issue of the Bulletin amend the Income Tax Reg- ulations (26 CFR part 1) under section 355(a)(3)(B) regarding the distribution of stock of a controlled corporation ac- quired in a transaction described in section 355(a)(3)(B). The temporary regulations revise §1.355–2(g) to reflect issues arising under section 355(b)(3), as enacted by the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconcili- ation Act of 2005, Public Law 109–222 (120 Stat. 345), and modified by the Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007, Pub- lic Law 110–172 (121 Stat. 2473, 2476). The text of those regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. The preamble to the temporary regulations explains the amendments. 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 is hereby cer- tified that these regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a substan- tial number of small entities. This certi- fication is based on the fact that section 355(a)(3)(B) generally applies to parent- subsidiary groups of corporations, which tend to be larger businesses, and that these regulations primarily grant relief from the application of section 355(a)(3)(B) in cer- tain situations. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysisunder the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is not required. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, these regu- lations have been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Busi- ness Administration for comment on their impact on small business. Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written (a signed origi- nal and eight (8) copies)orelectroniccom- ments that are submitted timely to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury Department request comments on the clarity of the proposed rules and how they can be made easier to understand. As described in the preamble to the temporary regulations, comments are also requested regarding the overall approach taken in these proposed rules, including the extent to which the defini- tion of a taxable transaction should be the same under section 355(a)(3)(B) and sec- tion 355(b), and whether the exception for acquisitions from affiliates should be the same under those sections. Comments are also requested regarding the need for fu- ture guidance described in sections 4.A. January 26, 20093782009–4 I.R.B. and 4.B. of such preamble, relating to pre- decessors of distributing corporations, ac- quisitions involving corporations that join the distributing corporation’s separate af- filiated group, predecessors of controlled corporations, acquisitions involving cor- porations that join the controlled corpora- tion’s separate affiliated group, the appli- cation ofDunn Trust v. Commissioner, 86 T.C. 745 (1986), and the treatment of stock issuances by the controlled corpora- tion to the distributing corporation. Com- ments are also requested regarding the po- tential application of the hot stock rule to redemptions of controlled corporation stock described in section 4.C. of such pre- amble. With respect to redemptions, com- ments are specifically requested regard- ing the circumstances under which section 355(a)(3)(B) should apply. All comments will be available for pub- lic inspection and copying. A public hear- ing will be scheduled if requested in writ- ing by any person that timely submits writ- ten comments. If a public hearing is sched- uled, notice of the date, time, and place for the public hearing will be published in the Federal Register. Drafting Information The principal author of these regula- tions is Russell P. Subin of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in their development. ***** Proposed 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 is amended by adding an entry in numerical order to read in part as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Section 1.355–2(g) and (i) also issued under 26 U.S.C. 355(b)(3)(D). * * * Par. 2. Section 1.355–2 is amended by revising paragraph (g) and adding para- graph (i) to read as follows: §1.355–2 Limitations. ***** (g) [The text of the proposed amend- ments to §1.355–2(g) is the same as the text of §1.355–2T(g) published elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin]. ***** (i) [The text of the proposed amend- ments to §1.355–2(i) is the same as the text of §1.355–2T(i) published elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin]. Steve T. Miller, (Acting) Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on December 12, 2008, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for December 15, 2008, 73 F.R. 75979) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Conduit Financing Arrangements REG–113462–08 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations relating to conduit financing arrangements issued under the authority granted by section 7701(l) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). The pro- posed regulations apply to multiple-party financing arrangements that are effected through disregarded entities, and are nec- essary in order to determine which of those arrangements should be recharacterized under section 7701(l) and Treas. Reg. §1.881–3. DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by March 23, 2009. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–113462–08), In- ternal Revenue Service, room 5205, PO Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Wash- ington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through Friday betweenthehoursof8a.m. and4p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–113462–08), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Ser- vice, 1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20224, or sent elec- tronically via the Federal eRulemak- ing Portal atwww.regulations.govIRS REG–113462–08). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations, Quyen Huynh at (202) 622–3880 or John H. Seibert at (202) 622–3860; concerning submissions of comments, Oluwafunmilayo Taylor, at (202) 622–7180 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 7701(l) of the Code autho- rizes the Secretary to prescribe regula- tions recharacterizing any multiple-party financing transaction as a transaction di- rectly among any two or more of such parties where the Secretary determines that such recharacterization is appropriate to prevent the avoidance of any tax im- posed by the Code. In Treasury decision 8611, 1995–2 C.B. 286 [60 FR 40997], published August 10, 1995, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issuedimplementing regula- tions under Treas. Reg. §1.881–3 relating to conduit financing arrangements pur- suant to the authority granted by section 7701(l). In general, §1.881–3 allows the IRS to disregard the participation of one or more intermediate entities in a financing arrangement where such entities are acting as conduit entities, and to recharacterize the financing arrangement as a transaction directly between the remaining parties to the financing arrangement for purposes of imposing tax under sections 871, 881, 1441 and 1442 of the Code. Section 1.881–3(a)(2)(i)(A) of the regulations de- fines a financing arrangement to mean a series of financing transactions by which oneperson(thefinancing entity) advances money or other property, or grants rights to use property, and another person (the financed entity) receives money or other property, or rights to use property, if the advance and receipt are effected through one or more other persons (intermedi- ate entities). Except in cases to which §1.881–3(a)(2)(i)(B) (special rule for re- lated parties) applies, the regulations apply 2009–4 I.R.B.379January 26, 2009 only if financing transactions as defined in §1.881–3(a)(2)(ii) link the financing entity, each of the intermediate entities, and the financed entity. Since the publication of §1.881–3 on August 10, 1995, the Treasury De- partment and IRS issued the so-called “check-the-box” regulations, under §§301.7701–1 through 301.7701–3, ef- fective January 1, 1997 (T.D. 8697, 1997–1 C.B. 215 [61 FR 66854]). Section 301.7701–3 provides, in part, that an en- tity that is not classified as a corporation and that has a single owner may elect to be disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (a disregarded entity). The Treasury Department and IRS are aware that issues have arisen regarding the proper treatment of disregarded enti- ties under §1.881–3. These proposed reg- ulations clarify that a disregarded entity is a person for purposes of §1.881–3. Thus, transactions that a disregarded entity en- ters into will be taken into account for pur- poses of determining whether a financing arrangement exists. The Treasury Department and IRS are continuing to study conduit financ- ing arrangements and may issue separate guidance to address the treatment under §1.881–3 of certain hybrid instruments. Specifically, the Treasury Department and IRS are studying transactions where a financing entity advances cash or other property to an intermediate entity in ex- change for a hybrid instrument that is treated as debt under the laws of the for- eign jurisdiction where the intermediate entity is resident and is not treated as debt for U.S. federal tax purposes. The issue under consideration is whether such in- struments should constitute a financing transaction under §1.881–3(a)(2)(ii)(A) and part of a financing arrangement within the meaning of §1.881–3(a)(2)(i)(A). No inference should be drawn from the approaches described in this preamble re- garding the treatment of such instruments under current law, including judicial doc- trines with respect to conduit financing transactions. One possible approach is to treat all transactions involving such hybrid instru- ments between a financing entity and an intermediate entity as financing transac- tions under §1.881–3(a)(2)(ii)(A). Com- ments are requested on this approach, in- cluding whether and to what extent a con- nection or relationship between the issuer and recipient of the hybrid instrument (for example, an equity ownership percentage) should be required in order to treat such in- struments as financing transactions. Another possible approach is to add ad- ditional factors to consider in determin- ing when stock in a corporation (or other similar interest in a partnership or trust) may constitute a financing transaction un- der §1.881–3(a)(2)(ii)(B). The additional factors would focus on whether, based on the facts and circumstances surrounding the stock (or other similar interest in a part- nership or trust), the financing entity had sufficient legal rights to, or other practi- cal assurances regarding, the payment re- ceived by the intermediate entity to treat the stock as a financing transaction. Some possible factors to indicate the presence of a financing transaction might include: (1) Intent of the parties to pay all or substantially all payments received by the intermediate entity to the financing entity; (2) History of payment of amounts re- ceived by the intermediate entity to the fi- nancing entity; and (3) Precedence of the obligees over other creditors regarding the payment of interest and principal, currently or in bank- ruptcy. Comments are requested concerning other possible approaches and any addi- tional factors that theTreasury Department and IRS should consider in expanding the conduit financing regulations under §1.881–3. Explanation of Provisions Section 1.881–3(a)(2)(i)(C) of the pro- posed regulations provides that for pur- poses of this section, the termpersonin- cludes a business entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from its single mem- ber owner under §§301.7701–1 through 301.7701–3. Because a disregarded entity is a person, any transaction that it enters into will be taken into account for purposes of determining whether a conduit financ- ing arrangement exists. Theseproposedregulations alsomodifytheparenthetical in§1.881–3(a)(2)(ii)(A)(2)and §1.881–3(a)(2)(ii)(B)(1). The proposed regulations also correct a typographical error in §1.881–3(a)(3)(ii)(B) of the final regulations and update titles and cross-references in the final regulations. Special Analyses It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory as- sessment is not required. It is hereby cer- tified that this regulation will not have a significant economic impact on a substan- tial number of small entities. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not re- quired. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this notice of pro- posed rulemaking has been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for com- ment on its impact on small business. Comments and Requests for Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written (a signed origi- nal and eight (8) copies)orelectroniccom- ments that are submitted timely to the IRS. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by any person that timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is sched- uled, notice of the date, time, and place for the public hearing will be published in the Federal Register. Drafting Information The principal author of these regula- tions is Paul J. Carlino, Office of Associate Chief Counsel (International). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in their develop- ment. ***** Proposed 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 * * * Par. 2. Section 1.881–3 is amended by: January 26, 20093802009–4 I.R.B. 1. Removing the language “district di- rector” throughout this section and adding “director of field operations” in its place. 2.Removing the language “§1.1441–3(j)” throughout this section and adding “§1.1441–3(g)” in its place. 3.Removing the language “§1.1441–7(d)” throughout this section and adding “§1.1441–7(f)” in its place. 4. In the last sentence of paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(B), removing the second “fi- nanced” and adding “financing” in its place. 5.Removing the parenthetical language “(or a similar interest in a partnership or trust)” in paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(A)(2) and (a)(2)(ii)(B)(1)and adding “(or a similar interest in a partner- ship, trust, or other person)” in its place. 6. Adding a new paragraph (a)(2)(i)(C). 7. In paragraph (e), redesignatingEx- amples3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and25asExamples4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, respectively. 8. Adding a newExample 3in para- graph (e). 9. Adding a new sentence at the end of paragraph (f). The additions read as follows: §1.881–3 Conduit financing arrangements. ***** (a) * * * (2) * * * (i) * * * (C)Treatment of disregarded entities. For purposes of this section, the termper- sonincludes a business entity that is disre- garded as an entity separate from its sin- gle member owner under §§301.7701–1 through 301.7701–3. ***** (e)Examples.*** Example 3.Participation of a disregarded inter- mediate entity. (i) The facts are the same as inExam- ple 2, except that, in addition, FS is an entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, FP, under §301.7701–3. Under paragraph (a)(2)(i)(C) of this section, FS is a person and therefore may itself be an intermediate entity that is linked by financing transactions to other persons in a financing arrange- ment. The DS note held by FS and the FS note held by FP are financing transactions within the meaning of paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section, and together con- stitute a financing arrangement within the meaning of paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section. ***** (f)Effective/applicability date.*** Paragraph (a)(2)(i)(C) of this section is effective for payments made on or after the date of publication of the Treasury de- cision adopting these regulations as final regulations in theFederal Register. LindaE.Stiff, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on December 19, 2008, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for December 22, 2008, 73 F.R. 78252) 2009–4 I.R.B.381January 26, 2009 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 rulings 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. January 26, 2009i2009–4 I.R.B. Numerical Finding List 1 Bulletins 2009–1 through 2009–4 Announcements: 2009-1, 2009-1 I.R.B.242 Notices: 2009-1, 2009-2 I.R.B.250 2009-2, 2009-4 I.R.B.344 2009-3, 2009-2 I.R.B.250 2009-4, 2009-2 I.R.B.251 2009-5, 2009-3 I.R.B.309 2009-6, 2009-3 I.R.B.311 2009-7, 2009-3 I.R.B.312 2009-8, 2009-4 I.R.B.347 Proposed Regulations: REG-160872-04, 2009-4 I.R.B.358 REG-158747-06, 2009-4 I.R.B.362 REG-150670-07, 2009-4 I.R.B.378 REG-113462-08, 2009-4 I.R.B.379 Revenue Procedures: 2009-1, 2009-1 I.R.B.1 2009-2, 2009-1 I.R.B.87 2009-3, 2009-1 I.R.B.107 2009-4, 2009-1 I.R.B.118 2009-5, 2009-1 I.R.B.161 2009-6, 2009-1 I.R.B.189 2009-7, 2009-1 I.R.B.226 2009-8, 2009-1 I.R.B.229 2009-9, 2009-2 I.R.B.256 2009-10, 2009-2 I.R.B.267 2009-11, 2009-3 I.R.B.313 2009-12, 2009-3 I.R.B.321 2009-13, 2009-3 I.R.B.323 2009-14, 2009-3 I.R.B.324 2009-15, 2009-4 I.R.B.356 Revenue Rulings: 2009-1, 2009-2 I.R.B.248 2009-2, 2009-2 I.R.B.245 Treasury Decisions: 9434, 2009-4 I.R.B.339 9435, 2009-4 I.R.B.333 9436, 2009-3 I.R.B.268 9437, 2009-4 I.R.B.341 1 A cumulative list of all revenue rulings, revenue procedures, Treasury decisions, etc., published in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2008–27 through 2008–52 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2008–52, dated December 29, 2008. 2009–4 I.R.B.iiJanuary 26, 2009 Finding List of Current Actions on Previously Published Items 1 Bulletins 2009–1 through 2009–4 Notices: 2001-55 Modified by Notice 2009-1, 2009-2 I.R.B.250 2007-54 Obsoleted by T.D. 9436, 2009-3 I.R.B.268 2008-11 Obsoleted by T.D. 9436, 2009-3 I.R.B.268 2008-12 Obsoleted by T.D. 9436, 2009-3 I.R.B.268 Rev. Proc. 2009-11, 2009-3 I.R.B.313 2008-13 Obsoleted by T.D. 9436, 2009-3 I.R.B.268 List of forms modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-11, 2009-3 I.R.B.313 Modified and clarified by Notice 2009-5, 2009-3 I.R.B.309 2008-46 Obsoleted by T.D. 9436, 2009-3 I.R.B.268 Rev. Proc. 2009-11, 2009-3 I.R.B.313 Revenue Procedures: 2007-17 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-14, 2009-3 I.R.B.324 2007-71 Modified by Notice 2009-3, 2009-2 I.R.B.250 2008-1 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-1, 2009-1 I.R.B.1 2008-2 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-2, 2009-1 I.R.B.87 2008-3 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-3, 2009-1 I.R.B.107 2008-4 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-4, 2009-1 I.R.B.118 2008-5 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-5, 2009-1 I.R.B.161 Revenue Procedures— Continued: 2008-6 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-6, 2009-1 I.R.B.189 2008-7 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-7, 2009-1 I.R.B.226 2008-8 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-8, 2009-1 I.R.B.229 2008-9 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-9, 2009-2 I.R.B.256 2008-61 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-3, 2009-1 I.R.B.107 2008-68 Amplified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2009-15, 2009-4 I.R.B.356 Revenue Rulings: 65-286 Obsoleted by T.D. 9435, 2009-4 I.R.B.333 76-54 Obsoleted by T.D. 9435, 2009-4 I.R.B.333 1 A cumulative list of current actions on previously published items in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2008–27 through 2008–52 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2008–52, dated December 29, 2008. January 26, 2009iii2009–4 I.R.B. INDEX Internal Revenue Bulletins 2009–1 through 2009–4 The abbreviation and number in parenthesis following the index entry refer to the specific item; numbers in roman and italic type following the parenthesis refers to the Internal Revenue Bulletin in which the item may be found and the page number on which it appears. Key to Abbreviations: AnnAnnouncement CDCourt Decision DODelegation Order EOExecutive Order PLPublic Law PTEProhibited Transaction Exemption RPRevenue Procedure RRRevenue Ruling SPRStatement of Procedural Rules TCTax Convention TDTreasury Decision TDOTreasury Department Order EMPLOYEE PLANS Determination letters, issuing procedures (RP 6) 1,189 Full funding limitations, weighted average interest rates, seg- ments rates for: January 2009 (Notice 2) 4,344 Interim guidance under section 457A relating to deferred com- pensation of nonqualified entities (Notice 8) 4,347 Letter rulings: And determination letters, areas which will not be issued from: Associates Chief Counsel and Division Counsel (TE/GE) (RP 3) 1,107 Associate Chief Counsel (International) (RP 7) 1,226 And general information letters, procedures (RP 4) 1,118 User fees, request for letter rulings (RP 8) 1,229 Penalties: Categories of tax returns and claims for refund, tax return preparer penalty under section 6694 (RP 11) 3,313 Tax return preparer (TD 9436) 3,268 Qualified retirement plans: Covered compensation tables, permitted disparity (RR 2) 2, 245 Section 403(b) plans, written plan requirement (Notice 3) 2, 250 Regulations: 26 CFR 1.6060–1, amended; 1.6107–1, revised; 1.6109–2, amended; 1.6694–0 thru –4, revised; 1.6695–1, –2, revised; 1.6696–1, revised; 54.6060–1, added; 54.6107–1, added; 54.6109–1, added; 54.6694–1 thru –4, added; 54.6695–1, added; 54.6696–1, added; 54.7701–1, added; tax return pre- parer penalties under sections 6694 and 6695 (TD 9436) 3, 268 Technical advice to IRS employees (RP 5) 1,161 EMPLOYMENT TAX Letter rulings and information letters issued by Associate Of- fices, determination letters issued by Operating Divisions (RP 1) 1,1 Penalties: Categories of tax returns and claims for refund, tax return preparer penalty under section 6694 (RP 11) 3,313 Tax return preparer (TD 9436) 3,268 Proposed Regulations: 26 CFR 31.3402(t)–0 thru –6, added and reserved; 31.3402(t)–7, added;31.3406(g)–2, amended; 31.6011(a)–4, amended; 31.6051–5, added; 31.6071(a)–1, amended; 31.6302–1, –4, amended; withholding under section 3402(t) (REG–158747–06) 4,362 Qualification to file Form 944, Employer’s ANNUAL Federal Tax Return, or request to file Form 941, Employer’s QUAR- TERLY Federal Tax Return (RP 13) 3,323 Regulations: 26 CFR 31.6060–1, added; 31.6107–1, added; 31.6109–2, added; 31.6694–1 thru –4, added; 31.6695–1, added; 31.6696–1, added; 31.7701–1, added; tax return preparer penalties under sections 6694 and 6695 (TD 9436) 3,268 Technical Advice Memoranda (TAMs) (RP 2) 1,87 Withholding on payments by government entities for property and services (REG–158747–06) 4,362 ESTATE TAX Letter rulings and information letters issued by Associate Of- fices, determination letters issued by Operating Divisions (RP 1) 1,1 Penalties: Categories of tax returns and claims for refund, tax return preparer penalty under section 6694 (RP 11) 3,313 Tax return preparer (TD 9436) 3,268 Regulations: 26 CFR 20.6060–1, added; 20.6107–1, added; 20.6109–1, added; 20.6694–1 thru –4, added; 20.6695–1, added; 20.6696–1, added; 20.7701–1, added; 26.6060–1, added; 26.6107–1, added; 26.6109–1, added; 26.6694–1 thru –4, added; 26.6695–1, added; 26.6696–1, added; 26.7701–1, added; tax return preparer penalties under sections 6694 and 6695 (TD 9436) 3,268 Technical Advice Memoranda (TAMs) (RP 2) 1,87 EXCISE TAX Credits, calculation of volume of denaturants in alcohol for fuel credits (Notice 6) 3,311 Letter rulings and information letters issued by Associate Of- fices, determination letters issued by Operating Divisions (RP 1) 1,1 Penalties: Categories of tax returns and claims for refund, tax return preparer penalty under section 6694 (RP 11) 3,313 Tax return preparer (TD 9436) 3,268 2009–4 I.R.B.ivJanuary 26, 2009 EXCISE TAX—Cont. Regulations: 26 CFR 40.6060–1, added; 40.6107–1, added; 40.6109–1, added; 40.6694–1 thru –4, added; 40.6695–1, added; 40.6696–1, added; 40.7701–1, added; 41.6060–1, added; 41.6107–1, added; 41.6109–2, added; 41.6694–1 thru –4, added; 41.6695–1, added; 41.6696–1, added; 41.7701–1, added; 44.6060–1, added; 44.6107–1, added; 44.6109–1, added; 44.6694–1 thru –4, added; 44.6695–1, added; 44.6696–1, added; 44.7701–1, added; 55.6060–1, added; 55.6107–1, added; 55.6109–1, added; 55.6694–1 thru –4, added; 55.6695–1, added; 55.6696–1, added; 55.7701–1, added; 156.6060–1, added; 156.6107–1, added; 156.6109–1, added; 156.6694–1 thru –4, added; 156.6695–1, added; 156.6696–1, added; 156.7701–1, added; 157.6060–1, added; 157.6107–1, added; 157.6109–1, added; 157.6694–1 thru –4, added; 157.6695–1, added; 157.6696–1, added; 157.7701–1, added; 301.7701–15, amended; tax return preparer penal- ties under sections 6694 and 6695 (TD 9436) 3,268 Technical Advice Memoranda (TAMs) (RP 2) 1,87 EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS Annual notice to donors regarding pending and settled declara- tory judgment suits (Ann 1) 1,242 Letter rulings: And determination letters: Areas which will not be issued from Associates Chief Counsel and Division Counsel (TE/GE) (RP 3) 1,107 Exemption application determination letter rulings under sections 501 and 521 (RP 9) 2,256 And general information letters, procedures (RP 4) 1,118 User fees, request for letter rulings (RP 8) 1,229 Penalties: Categories of tax returns and claims for refund, tax return preparer penalty under section 6694 (RP 11) 3,313 Tax return preparer (TD 9436) 3,268 Regulations: 26 CFR 1.6060–1, amended; 1.6107–1, revised; 1.6109–2, amended; 1.6694–0 thru –4, revised; 1.6695–1, –2, revised; 1.6696–1, revised; 53.6060–1, added; 53.6107–1, added; 53.6109–1, added; 53.6694–1 thru –4, added; 53.6695–1, added; 53.6696–1, added; 53.7701–1, added; 56.6060–1, added; 56.6107–1, added; 56.6109–1, added; 56.6694–1 thru –4, added; 56.6695–1, added; 56.6696–1, added; 56.7701–1, added; tax return preparer penalties under sections 6694 and 6695 (TD 9436) 3,268 Technical advice to IRS employees (RP 5) 1,161 Tuition programs, modification to Notice 2001-55 (Notice 1) 2, 250 GIFT TAX Letter rulings and information letters issued by Associate Of- fices, determination letters issued by Operating Divisions (RP 1) 1,1 Penalties: Categories of tax returns and claims for refund, tax return preparer penalty under section 6694 (RP 11) 3,313 Tax return preparer (TD 9436) 3,268 Regulations: 26 CFR 25.6060–1, added; 25.6107–1, added; 25.6109–1, added; 25.6694–1 thru –4, added; 25.6695–1, added; 25.6696–1, added; 25.7701–1, added; tax return preparer penalties under sections 6694 and 6695 (TD 9436) 3,268 Technical Advice Memoranda (TAMs) (RP 2) 1,87 INCOME TAX Annual notice to donors regarding pending and settled declara- tory judgment suits (Ann 1) 1,242 Conduit financing arrangements (REG–113462–08) 4,379 Corporations: Creditor continuity of interest (TD 9434) 4,339 Transaction of interest, controlled foreign corporation (CFC), subpart F income partnership blocker (Notice 7) 3,312 Treatment of stock of a controlled corporation under section 355(a)(3)(B) (TD 9435) 4,333; (REG–150670–07) 4,378 Disclosure or use of information by preparers of returns (TD 9437) 4,341 Employer-provided vehicles, cents-per-mile valuation rule, max- imum vehicle values, 2009 (RP 12) 3,321 Interest: Investment: Federal short-term, mid-term, and long-term rates for: January 2009 (RR 1) 2,248 Interim guidance under section 457A relating to deferred com- pensation of nonqualified entities (Notice 8) 4,347 Interim standards under section 6694(a) (Notice 5) 3,309 Letter rulings: And determination letters, areas which will not be issued from: Associates Chief Counsel and Division Counsel (TE/GE) (RP 3) 1,107 Associate Chief Counsel (International) (RP 7) 1,226 And information letters issued byAssociate Offices, determi- nation letters issued by Operating Divisions (RP 1) 1,1 Money market fund, certain payments received from its invest- ment advisor to maintain per share net asset value of $1.00 (RP 10) 2,267 Penalties: Categories of tax returns and claims for refund, tax return preparer penalty under section 6694 (RP 11) 3,313 Tax return preparer (TD 9436) 3,268 Pre-Filing Agreement (PFA) program, extended (RP 14) 3,324 January 26, 2009v2009–4 I.R.B. INCOME TAX—Cont. Proposed Regulations: 26 CFR 1.355–2, amended; guidance regarding the treat- ment of stock of a controlled corporation under section 355(a)(3)(B) (REG–150670–07) 4,378 26 CFR 1.881–3, amended; conduit financing arrangements (REG–113462–08) 4,379 26 CFR 301.6707–1, added; section 6707 and the failure to furnish information regarding reportable transactions (REG–160872–04) 4,358 Regulations: 26 CFR 1.355–0 thru –2, amended; 1.355–0T, –2T, added; guidance regarding the treatment of stock of a controlled corporation under section 355(a)(3)(B) (TD 9435) 4,333 26 CFR 1.368–1, amended; creditor continuity of interest (TD 9434) 4,339 26 CFR 1.6060–1, amended; 1.6107–1, revised; 1.6109–2, amended; 1.6694–0 thru –4, revised; 1.6695–1, –2, re- vised; 1.6696–1, revised; 301.7701–15, amended; 602.101, amended; tax return preparer penalties under sections 6694 and 6695 (TD 9436) 3,268 26 CFR 301.7216–3, amended; 301.7216–3T, removed; amendments to the section 7216 regulations - disclosure or use of information by preparers of returns (TD 9437) 4,341 Section 6707 and the failure to furnish information regarding re- portable transactions (REG–160872–04) 4,358 Stocks: Section 305 REIT distributions of stock (RP 15) 4,356 Treatment of stock of a controlled corporation under section 355(a)(3)(B) (TD 9435) 4,333; (REG–150670–07) 4,378 Technical Advice Memoranda (TAMs) (RP 2) 1,87 Transferred basis, reorganization acquisition (Notice 4) 2,251 SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAX Letter rulings and information letters issued by Associate Of- fices, determination letters issued by Operating Divisions (RP 1) 1,1 Technical Advice Memoranda (TAMs) (RP 2) 1,87 2009–4 I.R.B.viJanuary 26, 2009 January 26, 20092009–4 I.R.B. 2009–4 I.R.B.January 26, 2009 January 26, 20092009–4 I.R.B. 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