us-irs-revenue-procedures-irb-2003-38-pdf•Internal Revenue Bulletin 2003-38 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue Procedures
Internal Revenue Bulletin 2003-38 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue Procedures
us-irs-revenue-procedures-irb-2003-38-pdfInternal Revenue Bulletin 2003-38 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue ProceduresGuidance
Preserve advance releases and the authoritative Internal Revenue Bulletin rendition; directory timestamps are file-publication metadata, not legal effective dates. HTML bulletins begin June 2003; earlier available issues require full PDF parsing. Whole bulletin rendition: numbered items are identified below; other legal material and publisher context remain included. This is not a new standalone advance release.
Bulletin No. 2003-38 September 22, 2003 HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE These synopses are intended only as aids to the reader in identifying the subject matter covered. They may not be relied upon as authoritative interpretations. INCOME TAX Rev. Rul. 2003–102, page 559. Self-insured medical reimbursement plans.This ruling holds that employer reimbursements of amounts paid by an employee to purchase nonprescription medicines and drugs are excludable from gross income under section 105(b) of the Code. However, amounts paid by an employee for dietary supplements that are merely beneficial to the general health of the employee or the employeeÊs spouse or dependents are not reimbursable or excludable from gross income under section 105(b). Rev. Rul. 2003–58 distinquished. Rev. Rul. 2003–103, page 568. LIFO; price indexes; department st ores.The July 2003 Bu- reau of Labor Statistics price ind exes are accepted for use by department stores employing the retail inventory and last-in, first-out inventory methods fo r valuing inventories for tax years ended on, or with reference to , July 31, 2003. T.D. 9071, page 560. REG–143679–02, page 592. Final, temporary, and proposed regulations under section 338 of the Code provide that the step transaction doctrine will not be applied if a taxpayer makes a valid section 338(h)(10) elec- tion with respect to a step in a multi-step transaction, even if the transaction would otherwise qualify as a reorganization if the step, standing alone, is a qualified stock purchase. REG–163974–02, page 595. Proposed regulations under section 817 of the Code propose removing provisions of the regulations that apply a look-through rule to assets of a nonregistered partnership for purposes of satisfying the diversification requirements of section 817(h). EMPLOYEE PLANS T.D. 9076, page 562. Final regulations under section 417(a)(7) of the Code relate to a special rule which permits the required written explanations of certain benefits to be provided by qualified retirement plans after the annuity starting date. Notice 2003–62, page 576. Mortality tables; retirement plans.This n otice seeks public comments with respect to the mortality tab les in effect under section 412(l)(7)(C) of the Code and sect ion 302(d)(7) of the Employee Retirement Income Securit y Act of 1974 (ERISA). Notice 2003–63, page 577. Weighted average interest rate update.The weighted average interest rate for September 2003 and the resulting permissible range of interest rates used to calculate current liability for purposes of the full funding limitation of section 412(c)(7) of the Code are set forth. Rev. Proc. 2003–72, page 578. EP determination letters; extension of application deadline for certain pre-approved plans.This procedure extends the deadline for filing EP determination letter requests for certain pre-approved qualified retirement plans. This procedure also extends the time for amending defined contribution plans to comply with regulations relating to required minimum distribu- tions. Rev. Procs. 2000–20, 2002–29, and 2003–44 modi- fied. (Continued on the next page) Finding Lists begin on page ii. EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS T.D. 9070, page 574. REG–142538–02, page 590. Temporary and proposed regulations under section 6104 of the Code provide guidance about the fees which the IRS and exempt organizations may charge for providing copies of ma- terial required to be publicly available. EMPLOYMENT TAX REG–144908–02, page 593. Proposed regulations under section 6302 of the Code provide an additional exception to the FUTA deposit requirements for employers. The regulations would relieve employers from mak- ing deposits of FUTA taxes for a quarter if the amount of accu- mulated Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes and withheld income taxes for the quarter is less than $2,500. ADMINISTRATIVE T.D. 9073, page 570. REG–140808–02, page 582. Temporary and proposed regulations under se ction 6103 of the Code describe the circumstances under wh ich officers and employees of the IRS, the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, and the Office of Treasury Inspector General f or Tax Administration may disclose return information for inve stigative purposes. The temporary regulations clarify and el aborate on the types and contexts in which investigative dis closures may be made. REG–140930–02, page 583. Proposed regulations provide procedures for current and for- mer IRS employees and contractors to follow when they re- ceive requests and subpoenas for IRS records and information. Theregulationsalsoprovideproceduresforthepublictofollow when seeking testimony or IRS records in nontax litigation. Announcement 2003–55, page 597. This document provides updated requirements for the private printing of Form 1099–B,Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions, and Form 1099–DIV,Dividends and Distributions. The rules and specifications for preparing other forms discussed in Rev. Proc. 2003–28, 2003–16 I.R.B. 759, remain the same. September 22, 20032003-38 I.R.B. The IRS Mission Provide AmericaÊs taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all. Introduction The Internal Revenue Bulletin is the authoritative instrument of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue for announcing official rulings and procedures of the Internal Revenue Service and for publishing Treasury Decisions, Executive Orders, Tax Conven- tions, legislation, court decisions, and other items of general interest. It is published weekly and may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents on a subscription basis. Bul- letin contents are consolidated semiannually into Cumulative Bulletins, which are sold on a single-copy basis. It is the policy of the Service to publish in the Bulletin all sub- stantive rulings necessary to promote a un iform application of the tax laws, including all rulings that s upersede, revoke, mod- ify, or amend any of those previously pub lished in the Bulletin. All published rulings apply retroacti vely unless otherwise indi- cated. Procedures relating solely to matters of internal man- agement are not published; howeve r, statements of internal practices and procedures that af fect the rights and duties of taxpayers are published. Revenue rulings represent the conclusions of the Service on the application of the law to the pivotal facts stated in the revenue ruling. In those based on positions taken in rulings to taxpayers or technical advice to Service field offices, identifying details and information of a confidential nature are deleted to prevent unwarranted invasions of privacy and to comply with statutory requirements. Rulings and procedures reported in the Bulletin do not have the force and effect of Treasury Department Regulations, but they may be used as precedents. Unpublished rulings will not be relied on, used, or cited as precedents by Service personnel in the disposition of other cases. In applying published rulings and procedures, the effect of subsequent legislation, regulations, court decisions, rulings, and procedures must be considered, and Service personnel and others concerned are cautioned against reaching the same conclusions in other cases unless the facts and circumstances are substantially the same. The Bulletin is divided into four parts as follows: Part I.—1986 Code. This part includes rulings and decisions based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Part II.—Treaties and Tax Legislation. This part is divided into two subparts as follows: Subpart A, Tax Conventions and Other Related Items, and Subpart B, Leg- islation and Related Committee Reports. Part III.—Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous. To the extent practicable, pertinent cross references to these subjects are contained in the other Parts and Subparts. Also included in this part are Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rul- ings. Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rulings are issued by the Department of the TreasuryÊs Office of the Assistant Sec- retary (Enforcement). Part IV.—Items of General Interest. This part includes notices of proposed rulemakings, disbar- ment and suspension lists, and announcements. The first Bulletin for each month includes a cumulative index for the matters published during the preceding months. These monthly indexes are cumulated on a semiannual basis, and are published in the first Bulletin of the succeeding semiannual period, respectively. The contents of this pu blication are not copyrighted and may be reprinted freely. A citation of the Internal Revenue Bulletin as the source would be appropriate. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. 2003-38 I.R.B.September 22, 2003 Part I. Rulings and Decisions Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Section 105.—Amounts Received Under Accident and Health Plans (Also Section 213: Medical, dental, etc., expenses.) Self-insured medical reimbursement plans.This ruling holds that employer reimbursements of amounts paid by an employee to purchase nonprescription medicines and drugs are excludable from gross income under section 105(b) of the Code. However, amounts paid by an employee for dietary supplements that are merely beneficial to the general health of the employee or the employee’s spouse or dependents are not reimbursable or ex- cludable from gross income under section 105(b). Rev. Rul. 2003–58 distinquished. Rev. Rul. 2003–102 ISSUE Are reimbursements by an employer of amounts paid by an employee for medicines, drugs, or dietary supplements purchased by the employee without a physician’s prescription excludable from gross income under § 105(b) of the Inter- nal Revenue Code? FACTS Employer N sponsors a health flexible spending arrangement (health FSA). The health FSA provides for the reimburse- ment of participating employees’ medical care expenses that are not covered by other insurance. Employee A is a participating employee in Employer N’s health FSA. Employee A purchases an antacid, an allergy medicine, a pain reliever, and a cold medicine from a pharmacy, none of which are purchased with a physician’s prescrip- tion. Employee A purchases these items for personal use, or for the use of Em- ployee A’s spouse or dependents, to alle- viate or treat personal injuries or sickness. Employee A also purchases dietary sup- plements (e.g., vitamins) without a physi- cian’s prescription to maintain the general health of Employee A, or Employee A’s spouse or dependents. Employee A sub- mits substantiated claims for all of these expenses, which have been incurred dur- ing the current plan year, to Employer N’s health FSA for reimbursement. Employee A is not compensated for these expenses by insurance or otherwise. LAW AND ANALYSIS Section 61(a)(1) provides that, except as otherwise provided in subtitle A, gross income includes compensation for ser- vices, including fees, commissions, fringe benefits, and similar items. Section 105(a) provides that amounts received by an employee through accident or health insurance for personal injuries or sickness are included in gross income to the extent such amounts (1) are attributable to contributions by the employer that were not includible in the gross income of the employee or (2) are paid by the employer. However, § 105(b) provides an excep- tion to the general rule requiring inclusion in income. Section 105(b) provides that, except in the case of amounts attributable to (and not in excess of) deductions al- lowed under § 213 (relating to medical ex- penses) for any prior taxable year, gross in- come does not include amounts paid, di- rectly or indirectly, to the taxpayer to re- imburse the taxpayer for expenses incurred by the taxpayer for the medical care (as de- fined in § 213(d)) of the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse or dependents (as de- fined in § 152). Section 105(e) states that amounts re- ceived under an accident or health plan for employees are treated as amounts received through accident or health insurance for purposes of § 105. Section 1.105–5(a) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that an accident or health plan is an arrange- ment for the payment of amounts to em- ployees in the event of personal injuries or sickness. Section 213(d)(1) defines “medical care” to include amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body. Section 1.213–1(e)(1)(ii) states that an expenditure that is merely beneficial to the general health of an individual, such as an expenditure for a vacation, is not an expenditure for medical care. Section 1.213–1(e)(1)(ii) alsostates that expendi- tures for “medicines and drugs” are expen- ditures for medical care. Section 1.213–1(e)(2) states that the term “medicine and drugs” includes only items that are legally procured and generally accepted as falling within the category of medicine and drugs. Section 1.213–1(e)(2) further provides that toi- letries (e.g., toothpaste), cosmetics (e.g., face creams) and sundry items are not “medicines and drugs” and that amounts expended for these items are not expendi- tures for “medical care.” Rev. Rul. 2003–58, 2003–22 I.R.B. 959, considers whether amounts paid by an individual for medicines that may be pur- chased without a prescription of a physi- cian are deductible under § 213. The rul- ing notes that § 213(b) permits an amount paid for a medicine or drug to be taken into account for the purposes of the § 213 de- duction for medical care expenses only if the medicine or drug is a prescribed drug or insulin. Section 213(d)(3) defines a “pre- scribed drug” as a drug or biological that requires a prescription of a physician for its use by an individual. The ruling con- cludes that amounts paid for medicines or drugs that may be purchased without a pre- scription of a physician are not taken into account pursuant to § 213(b) and are there- fore not deductible under § 213. Section 105(b) specifically refers to “expenses incurred by the taxpayer for...medicalcare,”asdefinedin § 213(d). There is no requirement in § 105(b) that the expense be allowed as a deduction for medical care under § 213(a) or that only medicines or drugs that re- quire a physician’s prescription be taken into account. Accordingly, the amount expended by Employee A to purchase the antacid, allergy medicine, pain reliever, and cold medicine without a physician’s prescrip- tion is an expenditure for medical care. Employer N’s health FSA reimbursement of Employee A’s cost for these items is therefore excludable under § 105(b), even though the cost would not have been de- ductible under § 213(a). However, the dietary supplements (e.g., the vitamins) are merely beneficial to Employee A or Employee A’s spouse or dependents’ gen- eral good health. Therefore, the cost of the dietary supplements is not an expense for medical care and is not reimbursable or excludable under § 105(b). 2003-38 I.R.B.559September 22, 2003 HOLDING Reimbursements by an employer of amounts paid by an employee for medicines and drugs purchased by the em- ployee without a physician’s prescription are excludable from gross income under § 105(b). However, amounts paid by an employee for dietary supplements that are merely beneficial to the general health of the employee or the employee’s spouse or dependents, are not reimbursable or excludable from gross income under § 105(b). EFFECT ON OTHER REVENUE RULINGS Rev. Rul. 2003–58 is distinguished. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue rulingisBarbaraE.PieoftheOfficeofDi- vision Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities). For further information regarding this revenue ruling, contact Ms. Pie at (202) 622–6080 (not a toll-free call). Section338.—CertainStock Purchases Treated as Asset Acquisitions 26 CFR 1.338–3: Qualification for the section 338 election. T.D. 9071 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Part 1 Effect of Section 338(h)(10) Elections in Certain Multi-step Transactions AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Final and temporary regula- tions. SUMMARY: This document gives effect to section 338(h)(10) elections in certain multi-step transactions. These regulations affect corporations and their shareholders. The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regula- tions set forth in the notice of proposed rulemaking (REG–143679–02) on this subject in this issue of the Bulletin. DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective on or after July 9, 2003. Applicability Date: For dates of appli- cability, see §1.338(h)(10)–1T(h). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Heins, Mary Goode or Reginald Mombrun at (202) 622–7930 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background A. Section 338 Generally In the case of any qualified stock pur- chase, section 338 allows a purchasing cor- poration to elect to treat the target corpora- tion as having sold all of its assets at the close of the acquisition date at fair mar- ket value and then treats the target corpo- ration as a new corporation that purchased all of its assets as of the beginning of the day after the acquisition date. Section 338 was enacted to replace former section 334(b)(2) and to repeal theKimbell-Dia- monddoctrine. See H.R. Rep. No. 97–760 at 536 (1982), 1982–2 C.B. 600, 632 (re- flecting that section 338 replaces “any non- statutory treatment of a stock purchase as an asset purchase under theKimbell-Di- amonddoctrine”). InKimbell-Diamond Milling Co. v. Commissioner, 14 T.C. 74, aff’dper curiam, 342 U.S. 827 (1951), the court held that the purchase of the stock of a target corporation for the purpose of ob- taining its assets through a prompt liquida- tion should be treated by the purchaser as a purchase of the target corporation’s assets with the purchaser receiving a cost basis in the assets. B. Revenue Ruling 2001–46 Rev. Rul. 2001–46, 2001–2 C.B. 321, considers whether the step transaction doctrine should apply to treat certain ac- quisitions of stock of a target corporation followed by mergers of the target corpora- tion into the acquiring corporation as re- organizations under section 368(a)(1)(A). In Situation 1 of that ruling, Corporation X owns all of the stock of Corporation Y. Pursuant to an integrated plan, X acquires all of the stock of Corporation T in a statutory merger of Y into T (the “Acqui- sition Merger”), with T surviving. In the Acquisition Merger, the T shareholders exchange their T stock for consideration, 70 percent of which is X voting stock and 30 percent of which is cash. Following the Acquisition Merger and as part of the plan, T merges into X in a statutory merger (the “Upstream Merger”). If viewed separately from the Upstream Merger, the Acquisi- tion Merger would qualify as a qualified stock purchase. If viewed separately from the Acquisition Merger, the Upstream Merger would qualify as a liquidation described in section 332. However, if the step transaction doctrine were applied to the Acquisition Merger and the Upstream Merger, the integrated transaction would be treated as an integrated acquisition of T's assets by X in a single statutory merger qualifying as a reorganization under sec- tion 368(a). Considering the appropriate treat- ment of the Acquisition Merger and the Upstream Merger, Rev. Rul. 2001–46 examines, among other authorities, Rev. Rul. 67–274, 1967–2 C.B. 141, and Rev. Rul. 90–95, 1990–2 C.B. 67. In Rev. Rul. 67–274, a corporation's acquisi- tion of stock of a target corporation that, viewed independently, qualifies as a re- organization under section 368(a)(1)(B), is followed by a liquidation of the target corporation into the acquiring corporation that, viewed independently, qualifies as a liquidation described in section 332. Rev. Rul. 67–274 holds that the transaction is an acquisition by theacquiring corpora- tion of the target corporation's assets in a reorganization under section 368(a)(1)(C). In Rev. Rul. 90–95, a subsidiary of the acquiring corporation merges into the target corporation with the target corpo- ration shareholders receiving solely cash in exchange for their stock. Immediately following this merger, the target corpora- tion merges into the acquiring corporation. Rev. Rul. 90–95 rules that the first step is accorded independent significance from the subsequent liquidation of the target corporation and, therefore, is treated as a qualified stock purchase, regardless of whether an election under section 338 is made. In Rev. Rul. 2001–46, the IRS con- cluded that treating the Acquisition Merger September 22, 20035602003-38 I.R.B. and the Upstream Merger as a single statu- tory merger of T into X would not violate the policy underlying section 338 because that treatment results in a transaction that qualifies as a reorganization under section 368(a)(1)(A) in which X acquires the as- sets of T with a carryover basis under sec- tion 362, not a cost basis under section 1012. Finally, Rev. Rul. 2001–46 states that the IRS and Treasury are considering whether to issue regulations that would re- flect the general principles of the revenue ruling, but would allow taxpayers to make an election under section 338(h)(10) with respect to a step in a multi-step transaction that, viewed independently, is a qualified stock purchase and is pursuant to a writ- ten agreement that requires, or permits, the purchasing corporation to cause a section 338(h)(10) election in respect of such step to be made. The IRS requested and re- ceived comments on this issue. Explanation of Provisions The IRS and Treasury have studied the comments received in response to the re- quest made in Rev. Rul. 2001–46, all of which urge the IRS and Treasury to al- low taxpayers to make section 338(h)(10) elections in certain transactions as contem- plated by Rev. Rul. 2001–46. These fi- nal and temporary regulations adopt this recommendation and provide that the step transaction doctrine will not be applied if a taxpayer makes a valid section 338(h)(10) election with respect to a step in a multi- step transaction, even if the transaction would otherwise qualify as a reorganiza- tion, if the step, standing alone, is a quali- fied stock purchase. The IRS and Treasury are continuing to study the other comments received. In particular, the IRS and Trea- sury are considering whether any amend- ments to the portion of the regulations un- der section 338 related to the corporate purchaser requirement are appropriate. Effective Date These final and temporary regulations are applicable to acquisitions of stock oc- curring on or after the date of publication of the regulations. Special Analyses These final and temporary regulations are necessary in order to p rovide taxpayers with immediate guidance regarding the validity of certain elections made under section 338(h)(10). Accordingly, good cause is found for dispensing with the notice and public procedure pursuant to 5U.S.C.553(b)(B)andwithprovidinga delayed effective date pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) and (3). For applicability of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, please refer to the cross-reference notice of proposed rulemaking (REG–143679–02) published elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin. These final and temporary regulations have been submitted to the Chief Counsel of Advocacy of the Small Business Ad- ministration for comment on their impact on small businesses. Drafting Information The principal authors of these final and temporary regulations are Daniel Heins and Mary Goode, Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate). However, other personnel from the IRS and Trea- sury Department participated in their development. ***** Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows: PART 1—INCOME TAXES Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by adding an entry in numerical order to read in part as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Section 1.338(h)(10)–1T also is- sued under 26 U.S.C. 337(d), 338 and 1502. *** Par. 2. Section 1.338–3 is amended by adding a sentence at the end of paragraph (c)(1)(i) to read as follows: §1.338–3 Qualification for the section 338 election. ***** (c) * * * (1) * * * (i) * * * See §1.338(h)(10)–1T (c)(2) for special rules concernin g section 338(h)(10) elections in cer tain multi-step transactions. Par. 3. Section 1.338(h)(10)–1 is amended as follows: 1. Paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3) and (c)(4) are redesignated as paragraphs (c)(3), (c)(4) and (c)(5) respectively. 2. A newly designated paragraph (c)(2) is added. The revisions and addition read as fol- lows: §1.338(h)(10)–1 Deemed asset sale and liquidation. ***** (c) * * * (2) [Reserved] For further guidance, see §1.338(h)(10)–1T(c)(2). ***** Par. 4. Section 1.338(h)(10)–1T is added to read as follows: §1.338(h)(10)–1T Deemed asset sale and liquidation (temporary). (a) through (c)(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.338(h)(10)–1(a) through (c)(1). (c)(2)Availability of section 338(h)(10) election in certain multi-step transactions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in §1.338–3(c)(1)(i), a section 338(h)(10) election may be made for T where P’s ac- quisition of T stock, viewed independently, constitutes a qualified stock purchase and, after the stock acquisition, T merges or liq- uidates into P (or another member of the affiliated group that includes P), whether or not, under relevant provisions of law, in- cluding the step transaction doctrine, the acquisition of the T stock and the merger or liquidation of T qualify as a reorganiza- tion described in section 368(a). If a sec- tion 338(h)(10) election is made in a case where the acquisition of T stock followed by a merger or liquidation of T into P qual- ifies as a reorganization described in sec- tion 368(a), for all federal tax purposes, P’s acquisition of T stock is treated as a qual- ified stock purchase and is not treated as part of a reorganization described in sec- tion 368(a). (c)(3) through (e) (Example 10) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.338(h)(10)–1(c)(3) through (e) (Exam- ple 10). (e)Example 11.Stock ac quisition followed by up- stream merger — without section 338(h)(10) election. (i) P owns all the stock of Y, a newly formed sub- sidiary. S owns all the stock of T. Each of P, S, T and 2003-38 I.R.B.561September 22, 2003 Y is a domestic corporation. P acquires all of the T stock in a statutory merger of Y into T, with T sur- viving. In the merger, S receives consideration con- sisting of 50% P voting stock and 50% cash. Viewed independently of any other step, P’s acquisition of T stock constitutes a qualified stock purchase. As part of the plan that includes P’s acquisition of the T stock, T subsequently merges into P. Viewed independently of any other step, T’s merger into P qualifies as a liq- uidation described in section 332. Absent the applica- tion of paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the step trans- action doctrine would apply to treat P’s acquisition of the T stock and T’s merger into P as an acquisition by P of T’s assets in a reorganization described in sec- tion 368(a). P and S do not make a section 338(h)(10) election with respect to P’s purchase of the T stock. (ii) Because P and S do not make an election un- der section 338(h)(10) for T, P’s acquisition of the T stock and T’s merger into P is treated as part of a re- organization described in section 368(a). Example 12.Stock acquisition followed by up- stream merger — with section 338(h)(10) election.(i) ThefactsarethesameasinExample 11exceptthatP and S make a joint election under section 338(h)(10 ) for T. (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section, as a result of the election under section 338(h )(10), for all federal tax purposes, P’s acquisition of the T stock is treated as a qualified stock purchase and P’s acquisition of the T stock is not treated as p art of a reorganization described in section 368(a). Example 13.Stock acquisition followed by brother-sister merger — with section 3 38(h)(10) election. (i) The facts are the same as inExample 12, except that, following P’s acquisition of the T stock, T merges into X, a domestic corporati on that is a wholly owned subsidiary of P. Viewed independently of any other step, T’s merger into X qualifies as a reorganization described in sect ion 368(a). Absent the application of paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the step transaction doctrine would apply to treat P’s acquisition of the T stock and T’s merger into X as an acquisition by X of T’s assets in a reorganization described in section 368(a). (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (c )(2) of this section, as a result of the election under section 338(h)(10), for all federal tax purposes, P’s acquisition of T stock is treated as a qualified sto ck purchase and P’s acquisi- tion of T stock is not treated as part of a reorganization described in section 368(a). Example 14.Stock acquis ition that does not qual- ify as a qualified stock purchase followed by upstream merger. (i) The facts are the same as inExample 11, except that, in the stat utory merger of Y into T, S re- ceives only P voting stock. (ii) Pursuant to section 1.338–3(c)(1)(i) and para- graph (c)(2) of this s ection, no election under sec- tion 338(h)(10) can be made with respect to P’s ac- quisition of the T stock because, pursuant to rele- vant provisions of l aw, including the step transac- tion doctrine, that acquisition followed by T’s merger into P is treated as a reorganization under section 368(a)(1)(A), a nd that acquisition, viewed indepen- dently of T’s merger into P, does not constitute a qual- ified stock purchase under section 338(d)(3). Accord- ingly, P’s acqu isition of the T stock and T’s merger into P is treated as a reorganization under section 368(a). (f) through (g) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.338(h)(10)–1(f) through (g). (h)Effective date.Thissectionisappli- cable to stock acquisitionsoccurringonor after July 9, 2003. ***** Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. Approved June 27, 2003. Pamela F. Olson, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 8, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 9, 2003, 68 F.R. 40766) Section 417.—Definitions and Special Rules for Purposes of Minimum Survivor Annuity Requirements 26 CFR 1.417(e)–1: Restrictions and valuations of distributions from plans subject to sections 401(a)(11) and 417. T.D. 9076 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Parts 1 and 602 Special Rules Under Section 417(a)(7) for Written Explanations Provided by Qualified Retirement Plans After Annuity Starting Dates AGENCY: Internal Revenue Servic e (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Final regulations. SUMMARY: This document contai ns fi- nal regulations relating to t he special rule added by the Small Business Jo b Protec- tion Act of 1996 which permit sthere- quired written explanation s of certain ben- efitstobeprovidedbyqu alified retirement plans to plan participan ts after the annuity starting date. These fi nal regulations af- fect sponsors and admin istrators of qual- ified retirement plan s, and participants in those plans. DATES:Effective Date: These regulations are effective July 16, 2003. Applicability Date: These regulations apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2004. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Walsh (202) 622–6090 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Paperwork Reduction Act The collection of information con- tained in these final regulations has been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) under control number 1545–1724. The collection of informa- tion in this final regulation is in§1.417(e)–1(b)(3)(iv)(B)and §1.417(e)–1(b)(3)(v)(A). This collec- tion of information is required by the IRS to ensure that the participant and the participant’s spouse consent to a form of distribution from a qualified retirement plan that may result in reduced periodic payments. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by the Of- fice of Management and Budget. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate and sugges- tions for reducing this burden should be sent to theInternal Revenue Service, Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer, W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC 20224, and to theOffice of Manage- ment and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents might become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103. Background This document contains am endments to 26 CFR part 1 under secti on 417(a)(7). September 22, 20035622003-38 I.R.B. On January 17, 2001, a notice of pro- posed rulemaking (REG–109481–99, 2001–1 C.B. 961 [66 FR 3916]) was published in theFederal Registerunder section 417(a)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. No public hearing was requested or held. Written comments responding to the notice of proposed rulemaking were received. After consideration of all the comments, the proposed regulations are adopted as amended by this Treasury de- cision. Section 401(a)(11) of the Internal Rev- enue Code provides that, subject to cer- tain exceptions, all distributions from a qualified plan must be made in the form of a qualified joint and survivor annuity (QJSA). One such exception is provided in section 417, which allows a participant to elect to waive the QJSA in favor of another form of distribution. Section 417(a)(2) provides that, for the waiver to be valid, the participant's spouse must consent to the waiver. Section 417(a)(3)(A) requires a qualified plan to provide to each partici- pant, within a reasonable period of time before the annuity starting date, a written explanation (QJSA explanation) that de- scribes the QJSA, the right to waive the QJSA, and the rights of the participant's spouse. Section 417(a)(7), which was added to the Code by section 1451(a) of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Public Law 104–188 (110 Stat. 1755) (SBJPA), creates an exception to the rules of section 417(a)(3)(A), effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 1996. Section 417(a)(7)(A) provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of section 417(a), a plan may furnish the QJSA explanation after the annuity start- ing date, as long as the applicable election period is extended for at least 30 days after the date on which the explanation is furnished. Thus, section 417(a)(7)(A) allows the annuity starting date to be a date that is earlier than the date the QJSA explanation is provided, thereby allowing the retroactive payment of benefits that are attributable to the period before the QJSA explanation is provided. Section 417(a)(7)(A)(ii) provides that the Sec- retary may limit the application of the provision permitting the selection of a retroactive annuity starting date by regula- tions, except that the regulations may not limit the period of time by which the annu- ity starting date precedes the furnishing of the written explanation other than by pro- viding that the retroactive annuity starting date may not be earlier than termination of employment. Section 205(c)(8) of the Employee Re- tirement Income Security Act of 1974, Public Law 93–406 (88 Stat. 829) (ERISA), provides a parallel rule to section 417(a)(7) of the Code that applies underTitleIofERISA,andauthorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations limiting the application of the general rule. Thus, Treasury regulations issued under section 417(a)(7) of the Code apply as well for purposes of section 205(c)(8) of ERISA. Explanation of Provisions In accordance with section 417(a)(7)(A), these regulations provide that the QJSA explanation may be fur- nished on or after the annuity starting date under certain circumstances. The regu- lations refer to the annuity starting date in such cases as the “retroactive annuity starting date”, define how payments are made in the case of a retroactive annuity starting date, and set conditions for the use of a retroactive annuity starting date. Like the proposed regulations, the fi- nal regulations provide that a retroactive annuity starting date may be used only if the plan provides for it and the partici- pant affirmatively elects to use the retroac- tive annuity starting date. If a participant affirmatively elects a retroactive annuity starting date, the participant must be put in approximately the same situation he or she would have been in had benefit pay- ments actually commenced on the retroac- tive annuity starting date. Accordingly, in the case where a participant affirmatively elects a retroactive annuity starting date, the plan benefits must be determined as of that retroactive annuity starting date (in- cluding the application of section 415 and, if applicable, section 417(e)(3) as of that retroactive annuity starting date). If the plan benefits are determined in that man- ner, future periodic payments for a partici- pant who elects a retroactive annuity start- ing date will be the same as the periodic payments that would have been paid to the participant had payments actually com- menced on the retroactive annuity start- ing date. In addition,the participant must receive a make-up amount to reflect any missed payments (with an appropriate ad- justment for interest from the date the pay- ments would have been made to the date of actual payment). Several commentators suggested that an adjustment for interest should not be required where the period between the retroactive annuity starting date and the date payments begin was less than three or four months. It was argued that the requirement of an interest adjustment in such a case may create burdens for the plan that are more significant than the additional money that may be paid to the participant. The Treasury Department and the IRS continue to believe that an appro- priate adjustment for interest is needed for make-up payments. Thus, the final regu- lations retain the rule that an appropriate adjustment is required for make-up pay- ments. The extent to which an adjustment is appropriate for a particular make-up payment depends on the facts and circum- stances related to that payment. The final regulations retain the rules from the proposed regulations that provide that the notice, consent, and election rules of section 417(a)(1), (2), and (3) apply to the retroactive payment of benefits but with several modifications. These modi- fications generally reflect the fact that the existing timing rules relating to notice and consent are generally determined with ref- erence to an annuity starting date that is af- ter the furnishing of the QJSA explanation byaperiodofupto90days. 1 If legisla- tion currently pending in Congress chang- ingthe90-dayQJSAelectionperiodto180 days is enacted, it is anticipated that the regulations will be modified to reflect that change. The final regulations also retain the special spousal consent rule provided for under the proposed regulations. Under this special rule, the participant’s spouse as of 1 For example, section 417(a)(1) provides that a participant may elect to waive the QJSA within the “applicable election period” which is defined by section 417(a)(6) as the 90-day period ending on the annuity starting date. Similarly, §1.417(e)–1(b)(3)(i) provides that the written consent of the plan participant and the participant's spouse must be made no more than 90 days before the annuity starting date. Also, §1.417(e)–1(b)(3)(ii) provides that the QJSA explanation must generally be provided no less than 30 days andno more than 90 days before the annuity starting date. 2003-38 I.R.B.563September 22, 2003 the time distributions actually commence must consent to the retroactive annuity starting date election, if the survivor pay- ments under the retroactive annuity are less than under a QJSA with an annuity starting date after the date the QJSA ex- planation was provided. This special rule applies even if the form of benefit that the participant elects as of the retroactive annuity starting date is a QJSA. Thus, for example, where a QJSA that begins after the QJSA explanation is furnished would provide $1,000 monthly to the participant with a survivor annuity of $500 monthly to the spouse, and a QJSA with a retroac- tive annuity starting date would provide $900 monthly to the participant with a survivor annuity of $450 monthly to the spouse, together with a $20,000 make-up payment to the participant, the participant would be required to obtain the consent of the current spouse in order to elect the retroactive annuity starting date. Spousal consent would be required in this example because the spouse has astatutory entitle- ment to a survivor benefit of at least $500 per month under a QJSA with a current annuity starting date. Various comments were received re- garding this spousal consent requirement. For example, it was suggested that spousal consent should not be required in the cases of short delay if the QJSA form is elected, or where the survivor benefit under the retroactive annuity starting date is at least 95% of the survivor annuity payable under a current QJSA, because requiring consent in such a case would create additional work and confusion and result in little benefit to the spouse. The regulations are not changed in this regard, as the Treasury Department and the IRS believe that spousal protection cannot be diminished below the statutorily pre- scribed QJSA without spousal consent. However, these regulations provide that such consent is only necessary where the survivor annuity is less than 50% of the amount of the annuity payable during the life of the participant under a currently commencing QJSA. Thus, in the example provided above, if the participant elected a QJSA with a retroactive annuity starting date and a 66 2/3% survivor annuity, the QJSA would provide $840 monthly to the participant with a survivor annuity of $560 to the participant’s spouse and a make-up payment of $18,666. Spousal consent is not required in such a case because the $560 survivor annuity exceeds the minimum permissible under a currently commencing QJSA. The proposed regulations impose an ad- ditional condition on the availability of a retroactive annuity starting date, regard- ing the permissible amount of the distri- bution under sections 417(e)(3) (if appli- cable) and 415. To satisfy this condition, the distribution must be adjusted, if neces- sary, to satisfy the requirements of sections 417(e)(3) (if applicable) and 415 where the date the distribution commences is substi- tuted for the annuity starting date. Several comments raised concerns re- garding the requirement that sections 415 and 417(e)(3) be satisfied as of the date of distribution as wellas the retroactive an- nuity starting date. Some commentators suggested that testing whether the distri- butions satisfy section 415 as of the date of distribution could be particularly restric- tive for multiemployer plans. The com- mentators noted, for example, that for a participant who left covered service under a multiemployer plan at age 60 and retires at age 68 under a plan with an age-62 nor- mal retirement age, the amount payable in the year of benefit commencement, as cal- culated for purposes of section 415, could well be higher than 100% of that partici- pant’s average compensation for his high three years and thus would violate section 415. 2 The IRS and Treasury Department be- lieve this second test is generally needed to stop participants from using the retroactive annuity starting date as a means of receiv- ing benefits in excess of the section 415 limits. However, the IRS and Treasury De- partment have weighed the importance of compliance with this requirement against the associated burdens and have concluded that testing for section 415 compliance as of the date distributions commence may not be needed in every case. Thus, the fi- nal regulations do not apply the require- ment that satisfaction of the benefit limi- tations of section 415 be demonstrated as of the date distributions commence in the case of a distribution that commences no more than twelve months after the retroac- tive annuity starting date, unless the form of benefit (as of the retroactive annuity starting date) is a form of benefit subject to the valuation rules of section 417(e)(3). For example, in the case of a life annuity distribution, compliance with section 415 need not be demonstrated as of the date of distribution where that date is no more than twelve months after the retroactive annuity starting date. However, if the distribution was a single sum distribution, compliance with section 415 would need to be tested as of the actual commencement date. Some commentators also objected to the rule in the proposed regulation that required the plan to comply with the valuation rules of section 417(e)(3) as of the date of distribution. The IRS and Treasury Department continue to believe that a participant should not be receiving a smaller lump sum through the election of a retroactive annuity starting date than would be available for a current annuity starting date. Accordingly, these regu- lations adopt the rules of the proposed regulations regarding the requirements of section 417(e)(3) witha clarification relat- ingtotheapplicationofsection417(e)(3). Under this clarification, in the case of a form of benefit that would have been subject to section 417(e)(3) if distribu- tions had commenced as of the retroactive annuity starting date, the distribution pur- suant to a retroactive annuity starting date election must be no less than the distribu- tion produced by applying the applicable interest rate and the applicable mortality table determined as of the date the dis- tribution commences to the annuity form that corresponds to the annuity form that was used to determine the benefit amount as of the retroactive annuity starting date. Thus, for example, if a distribution paid pursuant to an election of a retroactive annuity starting date is a single-sum dis- tribution that is based on the present value of the straight life annuity payable at nor- mal retirement age, then the amount of the distribution must be no less than the present value of the annuity payable at normal retirement age, determined as of the distribution date using the applicable mortality table and applicable interest rate that apply as of the distribution date. 2 After the comments relating to multiemployer plans were received, section415(b)(11) was amended by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Public Law No. 107–16, to provide that the 100% test of section 415(b)(1)(B) no longer applies to multiemployer plans. September 22, 20035642003-38 I.R.B. Likewise, if a distribution paid pursuant to an election of a retroactive annuity starting date is a single-sum distribution that is based on the present value of the early retirement annuity payable as of the retroactive annuity starting date, then the amount of the distribution must be no less than the present value of the early retire- ment annuity payable as of the distribution date, determined as of the distribution date using the applicable mortality table and applicable interest rate that apply as of the distribution date. The final regulations retain the rule of the proposed regulations that the deter- mination of whether the valuation rules of section 417(e)(3) apply is based upon the benefit form as of the retroactive an- nuity starting date. Accordingly, a dis- tribution option that is a non-decreasing benefit under §1.417(e)–1(d)(6) does not become subject to the valuation rules of section 417(e)(3) merely because of the make-up payments for the period between the retroactive annuity starting date and the date distributions actually commence. Similarly, the final regulations pro- vide that annuity payments that otherwise satisfy the requirements for a QJSA un- der section 417(b) will not fail to be treated as a QJSA for purposes of section 415(b)(2)(B) because a retroactive annuity starting date is elected and a make-up pay- ment is made. Further, to address concerns raised by commentators, these regulations provide that plan distributions may be considered to be a series of substantially equal periodic payments for purposes of section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv) even though the plan distributes a make-up payment to a participant who has elected a retroactive annuity starting date. One commentator suggested that make-up payments made pursuant to a retroactive annuity starting date should be considered to be part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments for purposes of the eligible rollover distribu- tion definition of section 402(c)(4)(A). However, these regulations do not address this issue. Section 1.402(c)–2, Q&A–6 provides that an adjustment in a payment that is part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments will be treated as part of the series of substantially equal periodic payments for purposes of section 402(c)(4)(A) where the adjustment was due solely to reasonable administrative error or delay. To ensure that any rule ap- plicable to make-up payments under this regulation is consistent with the rules gen- erally applicable to independent payments under Q&A–6, the IRS and Treasury De- partment anticipate reviewing these rules and issuing guidance. Two commentators suggested that de- fined contribution plans should be allowed to adopt provisions for retroactive annu- ity starting dates. One of these commen- tators suggests that the proposed regula- tions would prohibit a defined contribu- tion plan from making payments to cover amounts that were unpaid due to an admin- istrative oversight. This commentator adds that such a prohibition may cause the plan to fail to provide required distributions un- der section 401(a)(9). The IRS and Trea- sury Department continue to believe that the rules applicable to retroactive annuity starting dates are relevant only to defined benefit plans because the benefit provided by a defined contribution plan is equal to the account balance and the concerns ad- dressed in these regulations are generally not relevant in such a case. Moreover, the problem raised by the commentator ap- pears to relate to an administrative delay in making a payment (which is an issue covered under §1.401(a)–20, A–10(b)(3)), rather than the topic of these regulations. Inanyevent,aplanmustprovidealldistri- butionsrequiredbysection401(a)(9)and these regulations do not affect that require- ment. One commentator noted that some plans currently allow retroactive annuity starting dates in reliance upon a good faith interpretation of the statute and existing regulations. This commentator suggested that some of the sponsors of these plans may not wish to provide retroactive annuity starting dates in light of these regulations and requested that the IRS and Treasury Department confirm that plan sponsors who currently allow retroactive annuity starting dates will not violate the anti-cutback rules of section 411(d)(6) if they choose to amend these plans to re- strict the availability of retroactive annuity starting dates in the future. The issues raised in this comment are not addressed in this Treasury decision. It is anticipated that such plan amendments will be gov- erned by regulations to be issued under section 411(d)(6) pursuant to section 645 of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Public Law 107–16 (115 Stat. 117). 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. It is hereby certified that these regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This certification is based on the fact that the regulations require the collection of plan participants' written elections requesting qualified retirement plan distributions, and written spousal consent to these dis- tributions, under limited circumstances. It is anticipated that most small businesses affected by these regulations will be spon- sors of qualified retirement plans. Since these written participant elections and written spousal consents are required to be collected only for certain distributi ons, and since, in the case of a small plan, there will be relatively few distributi ons per year (and even fewer that are sub - ject to these requirements), smal lplans that provide distributions for wh ich this collection of information is req uired will only have to collect a small numb er of participant elections and spo usal consents as a result of these regulati ons. Accord- ingly, a Regulatory Flexib ility Analysis is not required. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Co de, the notice of proposed rulemaking p receding these regulations was submit tedtotheSmall Business Administra tion for comment on its impact on small bu siness. Drafting Information The principal authors of these regula- tions are Robert M. Walsh and Linda S. F. Marshall, Office of Division Counsel/As- sociate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury par- ticipated in their development. ***** Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 1 and 602 are amended as follows: 2003-38 I.R.B.565September 22, 2003 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 * * * Section 1.417(e)–1(b)(3) also issued under 26 U.S.C. 417(a)(7)(A)(ii); * * * Par. 2. Section 1.417(e)–1 is amended by: 1. Revising paragraphs (b)(3)(i), (b)(3)(ii) introductory text, and (b)(3)(ii)(C). 2. Redesignating paragraphs (b)(3)(iii) and (b)(3)(iv) as paragraphs (b)(3)(viii) and (b)(3)(ix), respectively. 3. Adding new paragraphs (b)(3)(iii) through (b)(3)(vii). The additions and revisions read as fol- lows: §1.417(e)–1 Restrictions and valuations of distributions from plans subject to sections 401(a)(11) and 417. ***** (b)* * * (1) * * * (3)***(i)Writtenconsentofthepar- ticipant and the participant's spouse to the distribution must be made not more than 90 days before the annuity starting date, and, except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b)(3)(iii) and (b)(3)(iv) of this section, no later than the annuity starting date. (ii) A plan must provide participants with the written explanation of the QJSA required by section 417(a)(3) no less than 30 days and no more than 90 days before the annuity starting date, except as pro- vided in paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this sec- tion regarding retroactive annuity starting dates. However, if the participant, after having received the written explanation of the QJSA, affirmatively elects a form of distribution and the spouse consents to that form of distribution (if necessary), a plan will not fail to satisfy the requirements of section 417(a) merely because the written explanation was provided to the participant less than 30 days before the annuity start- ing date, provided that the following con- ditions are met: ***** (C) The annuity starting date is after the date that the explanation of the QJSA is provided to the participant. ***** (iii) The plan may permit the annuity starting date to be before the date that any affirmative distribution election is made by the participant (and before the date that distribution is permitted to commence un- der paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(D) of this section), provided that, except as otherwise pro- vided in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this sec- tion regarding administrative delay, distri- butions commence not more than 90 days after the explanation of the QJSA is pro- vided. (iv)Retroactive annuity starting dates. (A) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section, pursuant to section 417(a)(7), a defined benefit plan is permitted to provide ben- efits based on a retroactive annuity start- ing date if the requirements described in paragraph (b)(3)(v) of this section are sat- isfied. A defined benefit plan is not re- quired to provide for retroactive annuity starting dates. If a plan does provide for a retroactive annuity starting date, it may impose conditions on the availability of a retroactive annuity starting date in addition to those imposed by paragraph (b)(3)(v) of this section, provided that imposition of those additional conditions does not vio- late any of the rules applicable to quali- fied plans. For example, a plan that in- cludes a single sum payment as a benefit option may limit the election of a retroac- tive annuity starting date to those partic- ipants who do not elect the single sum payment. A defined contribution plan is not permitted to have a retroactive annuity starting date. (B) For purposes of this section, a “retroactive annuity starting date” is an annuity starting date affirmatively elected by a participant that occurs on or before the date the written explanation required by section 417(a)(3) is provided to the participant. In order for a plan to treat a participant as having elected a retroactive annuity starting date, future periodic pay- ments with respect to a participant who elects a retroactive annuity starting date must be the same as the future periodic payments, if any, that would have been paid with respect to the participant had payments actually commenced on the retroactive annuity starting date. The par- ticipant must receive a make-up payment to reflect any missed payment or pay- ments for the period from the retroactive annuity starting date to the date of the actual make-up payment (with an appro- priate adjustment for interest from the date the missed payment or payments would have been made to the date of the actual make-up payment). Thus, the benefit determined as of the retroactive annuity starting date must satisfy the requirements of sections 417(e)(3), if applicable, and section 415 with the applicable interest rate and applicable mortality table deter- mined as of that date. Similarly, a partici- pant is not permitted to elect a retroactive annuity starting date that precedes the date upon which the participant could have otherwise started receiving benefits (e.g., in the case of an ongoing plan, the earlier of the participant's termination of employment or the participant's normal retirement age) under the terms of the plan in effect as of the retroactive annuity starting date. A plan does not fail to treat a participant as having elected a retroactive annuity starting date as described in this paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B) merely because the distributions are adjusted to the extent necessary to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(v)(B) and (C) of this sec- tion relating to sections 415 and 417(e)(3). (C) If the participant's spouse as of the retroactive annuity starting date would not be the participant's spouse determined as if the date distributions commence was the participant's annuity starting date, con- sent of that former spouse is not needed to waive the QJSA with respect to the retroac- tive annuity starting date, unless otherwise provided under a qualified domestic rela- tions order (as defined in section 414(p)). (D) A distribution payable pursuant to a retroactive annuity starting date election is treated as excepted from the present value requirements of paragraph (d) of this section under paragraph (d)(6) of this section if the distribution form would have been described in paragraph (d)(6) of this section had the distribution actually commenced on the retroactive annuity starting date. Similarly, annuity payments that otherwise satisfy the requirements of a QJSA under section 417(b) will not fail to be treated as a QJSA for purposes of section 415(b)(2)(B) merely because a retroactive annuity starting date is elected and a make-up payment is made. Also, for purposes of section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv), a distribution that would otherwise be one of a series of substantially equal peri- odic payments will be treated as one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments notwithstanding the distribution September 22, 20035662003-38 I.R.B. of a make-up payment provided for in paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B) of this section. (E) The following example illustrates the application of paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(D) of this section: Example. Under the terms of a defined benefit plan, participant A is entitled to a QJSA with a monthly payment of $1,500 beginning as of his annuity starting date. Due to administrative error, the QJSA explanation is provided to A after the annuity starting date. After receiving the QJSA explanation A elects a retroactive annuity starting date. Pursuant to this election, A begins to receive a monthly pay- ment of $1,500 and also receives a make-up payment of $10,000. Under these circumstances the monthly payments may be treated as a QJSA for purposes of section 415(b)(2)(B). In addition, the monthly payments of $1,500 and the make-up payment of $10,000 may be treated as part of as series of sub- stantially equal periodic payments for purpose of section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv). (v)Requirements applicable to retroac- tive annuity starting dates. A distribution is permitted to have a retroactive annuity starting date with respect to a participant's benefit only if the following requirements are met: (A) The participant's spouse (including an alternate payee who is treated as the spouse under a qualified domestic rela- tions order (QDRO), as defined in section 414(p)), determined as if the date distri- butions commence was the participant's annuity starting date, consents to the dis- tribution in a manner that would satisfy the requirements of section 417(a)(2). The spousal consent requirement of this paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) is satisfied if such spouse consents to the distribution under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section. The spousal consent requirement of this para- graph (b)(3)(v)(A) does not apply if the amount of such spouse's survivor annuity payments under the retroactive annuity starting date election is no less than the amount that the survivor payments to such spouse would have been under an optional form of benefit that would satisfy the requirements to be a QJSA under section 417(b) and that has an annuity starting date after the date that the explanation was provided. (B) The distribution (including ap- propriate interest adjustments) provided based on the retroactive annuity starting date would satisfy the requirements of section 415 if the date the distribution commences is substituted for the annuity starting date for all purposes, including for purposes of determining the appli- cable interest rateand the applicable mortality table. However, in the case of a form of benefit that would have been excepted from the present value require- ments of paragraph (d) of this section under paragraph (d)(6) of this section if the distribution had actually commenced on the retroactive annuity starting date, the requirement to apply section 415 as of the date distribution commences set forth in this paragraph (b)(3)(v)(B) does not ap- ply if the date distribution commences is twelve months or less from the retroactive annuity starting date. (C) In the case of a form of benefit that would have been subject to section 417(e)(3) and paragraph (d) of this section if distributions had commenced as of the retroactive annuity starting date, the distri- bution is no less than the benefit produced by applying the applicable interest rate and the applicable mortality table determined as of the date the distribution commences to the annuity form that corresponds to the annuity form that was used to determine the benefit amount as of the retroactive annuity starting date. Thus, for example, if a distribution paid pursuant to an elec- tion of a retroactive annuity starting date is a single-sum distribution that is based on the present value of the straight life annu- ity payable at normalretirement age, then the amount of the distribution must be no less than the present value of the annuity payable at normal retirement age, deter- mined as of the distribution date using the applicable mortality table and applicable interest rate that apply as of the distribu- tion date. Likewise, if a distribution paid pursuant to an election of a retroactive an- nuity starting date is a single-sum distribu- tion that is based on the present value of the early retirement annuity payable as of the retroactive annuity starting date, then the amount of the distribution must be no less than the present value of the early re- tirement annuity payable as of the distri- bution date, determined as of the distribu- tion date using the applicable mortality ta- ble and applicable interest rate that apply as of the distribution date. (vi)Timing of notice and consent re- quirements in the case of retroactive annu- ity starting dates. In the case of a retroac- tive annuity starting date, the date of the first actual payment of benefits based on the retroactive annuity starting date is sub- stituted for the annuity starting date for purposes of satisfying the timing require- ments for giving consent and providing an explanation of the QJSA provided in para- graphs (b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section, ex- cept that the substitution does not apply for purposes of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section. Thus, the written explanation re- quired by section 417(a)(3)(A) must gen- erally be provided no less than 30 days and no more than 90 days before the date of the first payment of benefits and the election to receive the distribution must be made after the written explanation is provided and on or before the date of the first pay- ment. Similarly, the written explanation mayalsobeprovidedlessthan30days prior to the first payment of benefits if the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section would be satisfied if the date of the first payment is substituted for the annuity starting date. (vii)Administrative delay.Aplanwill not fail to satisfy the 90-day timing re- quirements of paragraphs (b)(3)(iii) and (vi) of this section merely because, due solely to administrative delay, a distribu- tion commences more than 90 days after the written explanation of the QJSA is pro- vided to the participant. ***** Part 602—OMB CONTROL NUMBERS UNDER THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT Par. 3. The authority citation for part 602 continues to read as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805. Par. 4. In §602.101, paragraph (b) is amended by adding the following entry in numerical order to the table to read as fol- lows: §602.101 OMB Control numbers. ***** (b) * * * 2003-38 I.R.B.567September 22, 2003 CFR part or section where identified and described Current OMB Control No. ***** 1.417(e)–1............................................................................ 1545–1724 ***** Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. Approved June 9, 2003. Pamela F. Olson, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 15, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 16, 2003, 68 F.R. 41906) Section 472.—Last-in, First-out Inventories 26 CFR 1.472–1: Last-in, first-out inventories. LIFO; price indexes; department stores.The July 2003 Bureau of Labor Statistics price indexes are accepted for use by department stores employing the retail inventory and last-in, first-out inven- tory methods for valuing inventories for tax years ended on, or with reference to, July 31, 2003. Rev. Rul. 2003–103 The following Department Store In- ventory Price Indexes for July 2003 were issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The indexes are accepted by the Internal Revenue Service, under § 1.472–1(k) of the Income Tax Regulations and Rev. Proc. 86–46, 1986–2 C.B. 739, for ap- propriate applicationtoinventoriesof department stores employing the retail inventory and last-in, first-out inventory methods for tax years ended on, or with reference to, July 31, 2003. The Department Store Inventory Price Indexes are prepared on a national basis and include (a) 23 major groups of depart- ments, (b) three special combinations of the major groups — soft goods, durable goods, and miscellaneous goods, and (c) a store total, which covers all departments, including some not listed separately, ex- cept for the following: candy, food, liquor, tobacco, and contract departments. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, DEPARTMENT STORE INVENTORY PRICE INDEXES BY DEPARTMENT GROUPS (January 1941 = 100, unless otherwise noted) GroupsJuly 2002July 2003 Percent Change from July 2002 to July 2003 ¹ 1. PieceGoods .............................................486.4487.00.1 2. DomesticsandDraperies..................................577.3570.0-1.3 3. Women'sandChildren'sShoes.............................607.4613.91.1 4. Men'sShoes .............................................906.0831.2-8.3 5. Infants'Wear.............................................590.9573.3-3.0 6. Women'sUnderwear......................................526.3509.0-3.3 7. Women'sHosiery.........................................345.2346.90.5 8. Women's and Girls' Accessories............................517.0537.84.0 9. Women'sOuterwearandGirls'Wear........................342.0342.80.2 September 22, 20035682003-38 I.R.B. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, DEPARTMENT STORE INVENTORY PRICE INDEXES BY DEPARTMENT GROUPS (January 1941 = 100, unless otherwise noted) GroupsJuly 2002July 2003 Percent Change from July 2002 to July 2003 ¹ 10. Men'sClothing...........................................565.1533.3-5.6 11. Men'sFurnishings........................................573.1562.7-1.8 12. Boys'ClothingandFurnishings ............................455.1424.4-6.7 13. Jewelry..................................................887.6882.3-0.6 14. Notions .................................................795.1792.1-0.4 15. ToiletArticlesandDrugs..................................970.8992.02.2 16. FurnitureandBedding ....................................627.6619.9-1.2 17. FloorCoverings..........................................617.6587.3-4.9 18. Housewares..............................................752.9722.5-4.0 19. MajorAppliances.........................................221.4213.3-3.7 20. RadioandTelevision......................................48.445.3-6.4 21. Recreation and Education 2 .................................86.382.8-4.1 22. Home Improvements 2 .....................................125.8123.7-1.7 23. Auto Accessories 2 ........................................111.6111.4-0.2 Groups1–15:SoftGoods........................................555.9549.6-1.1 Groups16–20:DurableGoods...................................409.9394.3-3.8 Groups 21–23: Misc. Goods 2 ....................................96.694.0-2.7 Store Total 3 ..............................................502.8493.4-1.9 1 Absence of a minus sign before the percentage change in this column signifies a price increase. 2 Indexes on a January 1986 = 100 base. 3 The store total index covers all departments, including some not listed separately, except for the following: candy, food, liquor, tobacco and contract departments. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue ruling is Michael Burkom of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting). For further informa- tion regarding this revenue ruling, contact Mr. Burkom at (202) 622–7924 (not a toll-free call). 2003-38 I.R.B.569September 22, 2003 Section 6103.—Confidential- ity and Disclosure of Returns and Return Information 26 CFR 301.6103(k)(6)–1T: Disclosure of return in- formation by certain officers and employees for in- vestigative purposes (temporary). T.D. 9073 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Part 301 Disclosure of Return Information by Certain Officers and Employees for Investigative Purposes AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Temporary regulations. SUMMARY: This document contains temporary regulations relating to the dis- closure of return information pursuant to section 6103(k)(6) of the Internal Rev- enue Code. The temporary regulations describe the circumstances under which officers or employees of the IRS, the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, and the Office of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), in connection with official duties relating to any exam- ination, administrative appeal, collection activity, administrative, civil, or crimi- nal investigation, enforcement activity, ruling, negotiated agreement, prefiling activity, or other proceeding or offense under the internal revenue laws or related statutes, or in preparation for any proceed- ing described in section 6103(h)(2) (or investigationwhichmayresultinsucha proceeding), may disclose return infor- mation to the extent necessary to obtain informationrelatingtosuchofficialduties or to accomplish properly any activity connected with such official duties. The temporary regulations amend the exist- ing regulations to clarify and elaborate on the facts and circumstances in which disclosure pursuant to section 6103(k)(6) is authorized. The temporary regulations clarify that IRS and TIGTA officers and employees make the determination, based on the facts and circumstances, at the time of the disclosure, whether a disclosure is necessary to obtain the information sought, and that section 6103(k)(6) does not affect the authority or decision of IRS and TIGTA officers and employees to ini- tiate, or to conduct, an investigation, or to determine the nature of the investigation. The temporary regulations clarify that the return information of any taxpayer, not only the taxpayer under investigation, may be disclosed when necessary to obtain the information sought in an investigation. The temporary regulations clarify that sec- tion 6103(k)(6) permits IRS and TIGTA officers and employees to identify them- selves, their organizational affiliation with the IRS (e.g., Criminal Investigation (CI)) or TIGTA (e.g., Office of Investigations (OI)), and the nature of their investigation when making oral, written, or electronic contacts with third party witnesses. The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regula- tions (REG–140808–02) set forth in the notice of proposed rulemaking on this subject in this issue of the Bulletin. DATES:Effective Date:These temporary regulations are effective July 10, 2003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helene R. Newsome, 202–622–4570 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Under section 6103(a), returns and return information are confidential unless the Code authorizes disclosure. Section 6103(k)(6) authorizes an internal rev- enue officer or employee and an officer or employee of TIGTA, in connection with official duties relating to any audit, collection activity, civil or criminal tax investigation, or offense under the internal revenue laws or related statutes, to dis- close return information to a person other than the taxpayer to whom such return information relates (or his or her represen- tative) to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to obtain information not other- wise reasonably available with respect to the correct determination of tax, liability for tax, or the amount to be collected, or with respect to the enforcement of any other provision of the Code or related statutes. Disclosure is subject to situations and conditions prescribed by regulation. The temporary regulations amend the existing regulations to reflect a re- cent legislative amendment to section 6103(k)(6). The Consolidated Appropri- ations Act, 2001, Public Law 106–554 (114 Stat. 2763), was signed into law on December 21, 2000. Section 1 of that Act enacted into law H.R. 5662, the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000. Section 313(c) of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 amended section 6103(k)(6) to clarify that officers or employees of TIGTA are among those persons authorized to make disclosures under section 6103(k)(6). The temporary regulations also clarify the standard used in determining whether disclosures are authorized under section 6103(k)(6). Recent litigation indicates that there is some confusion as to the au- thority of IRS (and now TIGTA) officers and employees to make disclosures in cer- tain situations under section 6103(k)(6). The temporary regulations seek to address these issues. In particular, the temporary regulations address the issues surrounding the disclosures that occur when IRS or TIGTA officers and employees introduce themselves to third party witnesses or communicate in writing using,e.g.,offi- cial letterhead that reveals affiliation with IRS or TIGTA. The temporary regulations also clarify that section 6103(k)(6) does not limit IRS or TIGTA officers and em- ployees with respect to the initiation or conduct of an investigation. Finally, the temporary regulations clarify that section 6103 does not require IRS and TIGTA of- ficers or employees to contact a taxpayer for information before contacting third party witnesses. Explanation of Provisions The temporary regulations amend the existing regulations to clarify that there is a single, objective standard for all disclo- sures under section 6103(k)(6). This stan- dard is embodied in the definitions of the termsdisclosure of return information to the extent necessaryandinformation not otherwise reasonably available. The definition ofdisclosure of return information to the extent necessaryis a dis- closure of return information that an IRS or TIGTA officer or employee, based on September 22, 20035702003-38 I.R.B. the facts and circumstances known to the officer or employee at the time of the dis- closure, reasonably believes is necessary toobtaininformationtoperformproperly the official duties described by the tem- porary regulations, or to accomplish prop- erly the activities connected with carrying out those official duties. The termneces- saryin this context does not mean essen- tial or indispensable,but rather appropri- ate and helpful in obtaining the informa- tion sought. The definition ofinformation not oth- erwise reasonably availableis information that an IRS or TIGTA officer or employee reasonably believes, under the facts and circumstances known to the officer or em- ployee at the time of a disclosure, can- not be obtained in a sufficiently accurate or probative form, or in a timely manner, and without impairing the proper perfor- mance of the official duties described by the temporary regulations, without making the disclosure. Corroboration of informa- tion provided by, or concerning, a taxpayer is, by definition,information not otherwise reasonably availablefrom the taxpayer. In criminal cases, corroboration of informa- tion provided by the taxpayer is essential. SeeSmith v. United States,348U.S.147 (1954). The temporary regulations clarify that section 6103(k)(6) does not alter or af- fect the authority of IRS and TIGTA of- ficers or employees to decide whether or how to conduct an investigation. For ex- ample, in an action for wrongful disclo- sure under section 7431, the inquiry is whether the particular disclosure at issue was consistent with section 6103(k)(6), not the necessity of conducting an investiga- tion or the appropriateness of the means or methods chosen to conduct the inves- tigation. Thus, the temporary regulations remove the termnecessaryfrom several places in the existing regulations where the term may have implied a requirement, un- der section 6103(k)(6), that the informa- tion sought be necessary to or for an inves- tigation (e.g., §301.6103(k)(6)–1(a) (“dis- close . . . to obtain necessary informa- tion”)). Removal of the termnecessaryin these instances clarifies that the standard is whether disclosure is necessary to obtain the information sought, not whether the in- formation sought is necessary for the in- vestigation. SeeBarrett v. United States, 795F.2d446(5 th Cir. 1986). The temporary regulations also address certain issues that have arisen in criminal investigations, although similar issues may arise in civil investigations. Criminal investigations typically involve obtaining evidence and verifying taxpayer-supplied information through contacts with third party witnesses. A disclosure that a tax- payer is under criminal investigation may occur by various means including, but not limited to, direct oral, written, or electronic disclosure, or indirect disclosure by the introduction of the special agent through the presentation of a CI or OI badge, credential, or business card, or through the use of information document requests, summonses, or correspondence, about an identified taxpayer, on CI or OI letterhead or that bears a CI or OI return address or signature block. In litigation, taxpayers have asserted that CI special agents, by various means, wrongfully disclosed the criminal nature of the investigation of the taxpayers in the course of conducting third party witness interviews or inquiries. See,e.g.,Comyns v. United States,155 F. Supp. 2d 1344 (S.D. Fla. 2001),aff’d, 287 F.3d 1034 (11 th Cir. 2002);Payne v. United States, 91 F. Supp. 2d 1014 (S.D. Tex. 1999),rev’d, 289 F.3d 377 (5 th Cir. 2002);Gandy v. United States, 99–1 U.S. Tax Cas. (CCH) ¶ 50,237 (E.D. Tex. 1999),aff’d, 234 F.3d 281 (5 th Cir. 2000); Rhodes v. United States, 903 F. Supp. 819 (M.D. Pa. 1995);Diamond v. United States, 944 F.2d 431 (8 t h Cir. 1991). When CI special agents disclose to third party witnesses that a taxpayer is under criminal investigation, there is a risk that the disclosure may adversely affect the taxpayer’s reputation, particularly if the third party witnesses have no prior independent knowledge of the investi- gation. The government and third party witnesses have equally important interests at stake: the CI special agents’ authority to accurately identify themselves so as not to mislead third party witnesses, and the third party witnesses’ interest in know- ing that the inquiry involves a criminal investigation to fairly assess the situa- tion and protect their own interests. See Roebuck v. United States, 83 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) ¶ 99–2947 (E.D.N.C. 1999),aff’d, 84 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) ¶ 99–7051 (4 th Cir. 1999). This issue has concerned the De- partment of the Treasury and the Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, both of which have recommended legislation to clarify that CI special agents may identify themselves as CI special agents when con- tacting third party witnesses in the course of a criminal investigation. SeeStudy of Present-Law Taxpayer Confidentiality and Disclosure Provisions as Required by Section 3802 of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Vol. I: Study of General Disclosure Provisions (JCS–1–00), at 208–11, Joint Committee on Taxation, January 28, 2000; Report to the Congress on Scope and Use of Taxpayer Confidentiality and Disclo- sure Provisions, Vol. I: Study of General Provisions, at 51–52, Office of Tax Pol- icy, Department of the Treasury, October 2000. The temporary regulations clarify that section 6103(k)(6) permits, but does not require, IRS or TIGTA officers or em- ployees, including CI or OI special agents, to identify themselves, their organizational affiliation with the IRS or TIGTA, and the nature of the investigation, when making oral, written, or electronic contacts with third party witnesses. Moreover, the temporary regulations do not require IRS or TIGTA officers or employees to contact a taxpayer for in- formation before contacting a third party witness. The temporary regulations clar- ify that, if an IRS or TIGTA officer or employee reasonably believes, under the facts and circumstances, at the time of a disclosure, that information cannot be obtained from a taxpayer in a sufficiently accurate or probative form, or in a timely manner, without impairing the proper performance of official duties, then the officer or employee may disclose taxpayer identity or other return information in seeking information from a third party. For example, a taxpayer may be a reason- able source of routine business records, but not of records detailing alleged illegal transactions or sources of income. The facts and circumstances will help deter- mine the necessity of the disclosures, but IRS and TIGTA officers or employees have wide latitude to determine whether the taxpayer is a reasonable source of information. The temporary regulations clarify that disclosures are authorized to verify independently, or to corroborate, from third party sources, information ob- tained from or concerning the taxpayer. 2003-38 I.R.B.571September 22, 2003 The temporary regulations expand upon the list of official duties relating to tax ad- ministration for which disclosure, pursuant to section 6103(k)(6), is authorized, and clarify that this list is not exhaustive. Fi- nally, the temporary regulations retain the authority for IRS and TIGTA officers or employees to make section 6103(k)(6) dis- closures in certain personnel or claimant representative matters. 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 5 U.S.C. 553(b), the Administrative Procedure Act, does not apply to these reg- ulations, 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 section 7805(f), these tempo- rary regulations will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business. Drafting Information The principal author of these regula- tionsisHeleneR.Newsome,Officeofthe Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and Administration), Disclosure and Privacy Law Division. ***** 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 is amended by adding an entry in numerical order to read as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Section 301.6103(k)(6)–1T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 6103(k)(6); * * * §301.6103(k)(6)–1 [Removed] Par. 2. Section 301.6103(k)(6)–1 is removed. Par. 3. Section 301.6103(k)(6)–1T is added to read as follows: §301.6103(k)(6)–1T Disclosure of return information by certain officers and employees for investigative purposes (temporary). (a)General rule. (1) Pursuant to the provisions of section 6103(k)(6) and sub- ject to the conditions of this section, an internal revenue employee or an Office of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) employee, in connection with official duties relating to any examination, administrative appeal, collection activity, administrative, civil or criminal investigation, enforcement activ- ity, ruling, negotiated agreement, prefiling activity, or other proceeding or offense under the internal revenue laws or related statutes, or in preparation for any pro- ceeding described in section 6103(h)(2) (or investigation which may result in such a proceeding), may disclose return in- formation, of any taxpayer, to the extent necessary to obtain information relating to such official duties or to accomplish properly any activity connected with such official duties, including, but not limited to— (i) Establishing or verifying the correct- ness or completeness of any return or re- turn information; (ii) Determining the responsibility for filing a return, for making a return if none has been made, or for performing such acts as may be required by law concerning such matters; (iii) Establishing or verifying the liabil- ity (or possible liability) of any person, or the liability (or possible liability) at law or in equity of any transferee or fiduciary of any person, for any tax, penalty, interest, fine, forfeiture, or other imposition or of- fense under the internal revenue laws or re- lated statutes or the amount thereof for col- lection; (iv) Establishing or verifying miscon- duct (or possible misconduct) or other ac- tivity proscribed by the internal revenue laws or related statutes; (v) Obtaining the services of persons having special knowledge or technical skills (such as, but not limited to, knowl- edge of particular facts and circumstances relevant to a correct determination of a lia- bility described in paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section or skills relating to handwrit- ing analysis, photographic development, sound recording enhancement, or voice identification) or having recognized ex- pertise in matters involving the valuation of property if relevant to proper perfor- mance of official duties described in this paragraph; (vi) Establishing or verifying the fi- nancial status or condition and location of the taxpayer against whom collection activity is or may be directed, to locate assets in which the taxpayer has an inter- est, to ascertain the amount of any liability described in paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section for collection, or otherwise to ap- ply the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to establishment of liens against such assets, or levy, seizure, or sale on or of the assets to satisfy any such liability; (vii) Preparing for any proceeding de- scribed in section 6103(h)(2) or conduct- ing an investigation which may result in such a proceeding; or (viii) Obtaining, verifying, or establish- ing information concerned with making determinations regarding a taxpayer’s lia- bility under the Internal Revenue Code, in- cluding, but not limited to, the administra- tive appeals process and any ruling, nego- tiated agreement, or prefiling process. (2) Disclosure of return information for the purpose of obtaining information to carry out properly the official duties de- scribed by this paragraph, or any activity connected with the official duties, is autho- rized only if the internal revenue or TIGTA employee reasonably believes, under the facts and circumstances, at the time of a disclosure, the information is not other- wise reasonably available, or if the activ- ity connected with the official duties can- not occur properly without the disclosure. (3) Internal revenue and TIGTA em- ployees may identify themselves, their or- ganizational affiliation with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (e.g., Criminal In- vestigation (CI)) or TIGTA (e.g.,Officeof Investigations (OI)), and the nature of their investigation, when making an oral, writ- ten, or electronic contact with a third party witness through the use and presentation of any identification media (including, but not limited to, an IRS or TIGTA badge, credential, or business card) or through the use of an information document request, summons, or correspondence on IRS or September 22, 20035722003-38 I.R.B. TIGTA letterhead or which bears a return address or signature block that reveals af- filiation with the IRS or TIGTA. (4) This section does not address or affect the requirements under section 7602(c) (relating to contact of third par- ties). (b)Disclosure of return information in connection with certain personnel or claimant representative matters.Incon- nection with official duties relating to any investigation concerned with enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code, including enforcement of any rule, or directive prescribed by the Secretary or the Commissioner of Internal Revenue under any provision of the Internal Rev- enue Code, or the enforcement of any provision related to tax administration un- der the jurisdiction of the IRS or TIGTA, that affects or may affect the personnel or employment rights or status, or civil or criminal liability, of any former, current, or prospective employee of the Treasury Department or the rights of any person who is, or may be, a party to an adminis- trative action or proceeding pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 330 (relating to practice before the Treasury Department), an internal revenue or TIGTA employee is authorized to dis- close return information for the purpose of obtaining, verifying, or establishing other information which is or may be relevant and material to the investigation. (c)Definitions. The following defini- tions apply to this section— (1)Disclosure of return information to the extent necessarymeans a disclosure of return information which an internal rev- enue or TIGTA employee, based on the facts and circumstances, at the time of the disclosure, reasonably believes is neces- sary to obtain information to perform prop- erly the official duties described by this section, or to accomplish properly the ac- tivities connected with carrying out those official duties. The termnecessaryin this context does not mean essential or indis- pensable, but rather appropriate and help- ful in obtaining the information sought. Nor doesnecessaryin this context refer to the necessity of conducting an investiga- tion or the appropriateness of the means or methods chosen to conduct the investiga- tion. Section 6103(k)(6) does not limit or proscribe IRS or TIGTA officers and em- ployees with respect to the decision to ini- tiate or how to conduct an investigation. Disclosures under thissubparagraph, how- ever, may not be made indiscriminately or solely for the benefit of the recipient or as part of a negotiatedquid pro quoarrange- ment. This paragraph (c)(1) is illustrated by the following examples: Example 1. A revenue agent contacts a taxpayer’s customer regarding the customer’s purchases made from the taxpayer during the year under investigation. The revenue agent is able to obtain the purchase in- formation only by disclosing the taxpayer’s identity and the fact of the investigation. Depending on the facts and circumstances known to the revenue agent at the time of the disclosure, such as the way the cus- tomer maintains his records, it also may be necessary for the revenue agent to inform the customer of the date of the purchases and the types of merchandise involved for the customer to find the purchase infor- mation. Example 2. A revenue agent contacts a third party witness to obtain copies of invoices of sales made to a taxpayer under examination. The third party witness provides copies of the sales invoices in question a nd then asks the revenue agent for the current address of the taxpayer because the taxpayer still owes money to the third party witness. The revenue agen t may not disclose that current address because this disclosure would be only for the benefit of the third party wit- ness and not necessary to obtain informat ion for the examination. Example 3. A revenue agent contacts a third party witness to obtain copies of invoices o fsalesmadetoa taxpayer under examination. The third party witness agrees to provide copies of the sales invoices in ques- tion only if the revenue agent provi des him with the current address of the taxpayer because the taxpayer still owes money to the third party witness. The rev- enue agent may not disclose that c urrent address be- cause this disclosure would be a negotiatedquid pro quoarrangement. (2)Disclosure of return information to accomplish properly an activity connected with official dutiesmeans a disclosure of return information to carry out a function associated with official duties generally consistent with established practices and procedures. This paragraph (c)(2) is illus- trated by the following example: Example. A taxpayer fai led to file an income tax return and pay the taxes owed. After the taxes were assessed and the taxpayer was notified of the defi- ciencies, a revenue o fficer filed a notice of federal tax lien and then served a notice of levy on the taxpayer’s bank. The notices of lien and levy contained the tax- payer’s name, soc ial security number, amount of out- standing liability, and the tax period and type of tax involved. The taxpayer’s assets were levied to satisfy the tax debt, but it was determined that, prior to the levy, the revenue officer failed to issue the taxpayer a notice of right to hearing before the levy, as required by section 633 0. The disclosure of the taxpayer’s re- turn information in the notice of levy is authorized by section 6103(k)(6) despite the revenue officer’s fail- ure to issue the notice of right to hearing. The ulti- mate validity of the underlying levy is irrelevant to the issue of whether the disclosure was authorized by section 6103(k)(6). (3)Information not otherwise reason- ably availablemeans information that an internal revenue or TIGTA employee rea- sonably believes, under the facts and cir- cumstances, at the time of a disclosure, cannot be obtained in a sufficiently accu- rate or probative form, or in a timely man- ner, and without impairing the proper per- formance of the official duties described by this section, without making the disclo- sure. This definition does not require or create the presumption or expectation that an internal revenue or TIGTA employee must seek information from a taxpayer or authorized representative prior to contact- ing a third party witness in an investiga- tion. Moreover, an internal revenue or TIGTA employee may make a disclosure to a third party witness to corroborate in- formationprovidedbyataxpayer. This paragraph (c)(3) is illustrated by the fol- lowing examples: Example 1. A revenue agent is conducting a n examination of a taxpayer. The taxpayer refuses to cooperate or provide any information to the revenue agent. Information relating to the taxpayer’s exam- ination would be information not otherwise reason- ably available because of the taxpayer’s refusal to co- operate and supply any informatio n to the revenue agent. Therefore, the revenue agent may seek infor- mation from a third party witness. Neither the Inter- nal Revenue Code, IRS procedure s, nor these regula- tions require repeated contacting of an uncooperative taxpayer. Example 2. A special agent is conducting a crim- inal investigation of a taxpayer. The special agent has acquired certain information from the taxpayer. Al- though the special agent ha s no specific reason to dis- believe the taxpayer’s information, the special agent contacts several third partywitnesses to confirm the information. The specia l agent may contact third party witnesses to verify the correctness of the infor- mation provided by the taxpayer because the IRS is notrequiredtorelys olely on information provided by a taxpayer, and a special agent may take appropriate steps, including disclosures to third party witnesses under section 6103 (k)(6), to verify independently or corroborate information obtained from a taxpayer. (4)Internal revenue employeemeans, for purposes of this section, an officer or employee of the IRS or Office of Chief Counsel for the IRS. (5)TIGTA employeemeans an officer or employee of the Office of Treasury Inspec- tor General for Tax Administration. (d)Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of this section: Example 1. A revenue agent is conducting an ex- amination of a taxpayer. The taxpayer has been very 2003-38 I.R.B.573September 22, 2003 cooperative and has supplied copies of invoices as re- quested. Some of the taxpayer’s invoices show pur- chases that seem excessive in comparison to the size of the taxpayer’s business. The revenue agent con- tacts the taxpayer’s suppliers for the purpose of cor- roborating the invoices the taxpayer provided. In con- tacting the suppliers, the revenue agent discloses the taxpayer’s name, the dates of purchase, and the type of merchandise at issue. These disclosures are per- missible under section 6103(k)(6) because, under the facts and circumstances known to the revenue agent at the time of the disclosures, the disclosures were necessary to obtain information (corroboration of in- voices) not otherwise reasonably available because suppliers would be the only source available for cor- roboration of this information. Example 2. A revenue agent is conducting an ex- amination of a taxpayer. The revenue agent asks the taxpayer for business records to document the deduc- tion of the cost of goods sold shown on Schedule C of the taxpayer’s return. The taxpayer will not pro- vide the business records to the revenue agent, who contacts a third party witness for verification of the amount on the Schedule C. In the course of the con- tact, the revenue agent shows the Schedule C to the third party witness. This disclosure is not authorized under section 6103(k)(6). Section 6103( k)(6) permits disclosure only of return information, not the return (including schedules and attachments) itself. If nec- essary, a revenue agent may disclose re turn informa- tion extracted from a return when questioning a third party witness. Thus, the revenue agent could have extracted the amount of cost of goo ds sold from the Schedule C and disclosed that amount to the third party witness. Example 3. A special agent is cond ucting a crim- inal investigation of a taxpayer, a doctor, for tax eva- sion. Notwithstanding the records provided by the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s ba nk, the special agent decided to obtain information from the taxpayer’s pa- tients to verify amounts paid to the taxpayer for his services. Accordingly, th e special agent sent letters to the taxpayer’s patients to verify these amounts. In the letters, the agent disclosed that he was a special agent with IRS-CI and tha t he was conducting a crim- inal investigation of the taxpayer. Section 6103(k)(6) permits these disclosures to confirm the taxpayer’s in- come. The decision of whether to verify information already obtained is a matter of investigative judgment and is not limited by section 6103(k)(6). Example 4. Corporati on A requests a private letter ruling (PLR) as to the taxability of a merger with Corporation B. Corporation A has submitted insufficient info rmation about Corporation B to con- sider properly the tax consequences of the proposed merger. Accordingly, information is needed from Corporation B. Under section 6103(k)(6), the IRS may disclose Corporation A’s return information to Corporation B to the extent necessary to obtain information f rom Corporation B for the purpose of properly considering the tax consequences of the proposed merger that is the subject of the PLR. (e)Effective date. This section is appli- cable on July 10, 2003. Robert E. Wenzel, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Approved June 27, 2003. Pamela F. Olson, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 9, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 10, 2003, 68 F.R. 41073) Section 6104.—Publicity of Information Required From Certain Exempt Organizations and Certain Trusts 26 CFR 301.6104(b)–1: Publicity of information on certain information returns. T.D. 9070 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Part 301 Authority to Charge Fees for Furnishing Copies of Exempt Organizations’ Material Open to Public Inspection Under IRC §6104 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Temporary regulations. SUMMARY: These temporary regulations amend the existing regulations regarding fees for copies of exempt organizations’ material the IRS must make available to the public under section 6104 of the In- ternal Revenue Code (Code), to provide that copying fees shall be no more than under the fee schedule promulgated pur- suant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Commissioner) (the “IRS’ FOIA fee schedule”). The existing regulations authorize the IRS to charge fees for such copies, but do not stipulate the amount of the fees. These temporary regulations also make a conforming amendment to the ex- isting regulation concerning the fees that an exempt organization may charge for fur- nishing copies of such material when re- quired to do so, to provide that these fees shall be no more than the per-page copy- ing fee — without regard to any otherwise applicable fee exclusion for the first 100 pages — under the IRS’ FOIA fee sched- ule. The text of these temporary regula- tions also serves as the text of the proposed regulations (REG–142538–02) set forth in the notice of proposed rulemaking on this subject in this issue of the Bulletin. DATES: These temporary regulations are effective July 9, 2003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Tate, 202–622–4590 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The IRS’ obligation under section 6104 of the Code to make certain information open to public inspection is satisfied by making the information available to the public at such times and places as the IRS shall reasonably prescribe. The existing regulations provide that copies of the in- formation that the IRS must make open to public inspection shall be available to members of the public upon written re- quest. Currently, §301.6104(a)–6(d) pro- vides that the IRS will charge a “fee” for copies of material available to the public under section 6104(a)(1) of the Code, in- cluding approved applications for recogni- tion of tax-exempt status and supporting papers. Currently, §301.6104(b)–1(d)(4) provides that the Commissioner may pre- scribe a “reasonable fee” for copies of ma- terial available to the public under section 6104(b) of the Code, including certain in- formation furnished on exempt organiza- tion annual information returns. These temporary regulations amend the existing regulations to clarify that any fee assessedbytheIRSintheexerciseofits discretion, whether in the case of requests for photocopies, or for special media (e.g., computer printouts, transcripts, CD-ROM reproductions), shall be no more than the fee under the IRS’ FOIA fee sched- ule. For paper copies, the IRS’ FOIA fee schedule, at 26 CFR §601.702(f)(3)(iv), grants the first 100 pages free of charge to requesters other than commercial use requesters, but otherwise sets a per-page copying fee applicable to all requesters. The IRS’ FOIA fee schedule, at 26 CFR §601.702(f)(5)(iii)(B), also authorizes September 22, 20035742003-38 I.R.B. fees based on the actual costs of non-paper products, such as computer disks. Currently, §301.6104(d)–1(d)(3)(i) provides that an exempt organization re- quired to furnish copies to a requester may charge a copying fee corresponding to that which the IRS may charge. These tempo- rary regulations amend existing regulation §301.6104(d)–1(d)(3)(i) to make clear that an exempt organization may charge the applicable per-page copying fee — for any number of pages — under the IRS’ FOIA fee schedule. An exempt organization need not provide the first 100 pages of copies free of charge to requesters other than commercial use requesters as the IRS does. Through December 18, 2002, the IRS’ FOIA fee schedule set fees of $1.00 for the first page and $.15 for each sub- sequent page of exempt organization returns and related documents. 26 CFR §601.702(f)(5)(iv)(B). Effective Decem- ber 19, 2002, the fees are to be established by the Commissioner from time to time. 26 CFR §601.702(f) as updated at 67 FR 69673, 69682. Currently, the Commis- sioner has established fees of $.20 per page,upto8 1 /2by 14 inches, made by photocopy or similar process, and actual cost for other types of duplication. 31 CFR §1.7(g)(1)(i), (ii) and (iii). Explanation of Provisions Thesetemporaryregulations amend§301.6104(a)–6(d)and §301.6104(b)–1(d)(4) to provide that the fees the IRS charges for furnish- ing copies of materials available to the public under §301.6104(a)–6(d) and §301.6104(b)–1(d)(4) shall be no more than under the IRS’ FOIA fee schedule. These temporary regulations also amend §301.6104(d)–1(d)(3)(i) to make clear that an exempt organization may charge the applicable per-page copying fee under the IRS’ FOIA fee schedule — without regard to any otherwise applicable fee exclusion for the first 100 pages. 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 deter- mined that section 553(b) of the Admin- istrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these temporary reg- ulations. For applicability of the Regula- tory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) please refer to the cross-reference notice of proposed rulemaking published elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, these tempo- rary regulations will be submitted to the Chief Counsel of the Small Business Ad- ministration for comment on their impact on small businesses. Drafting Information The principal author of these temporary regulations is Sarah Tate, Office of Asso- ciate Chief Counsel (Procedure & Admin- istration), Disclosure & Privacy Law Divi- sion. Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is amended as follows: PART 301—PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION Par. 1. The authority citation for part 301 is amended by adding entries in nu- merical order to read in part as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. § 7805 * * * Section 301.6104(a)–6(d) is also issued under 5 U.S.C. §552 Section 301.6104(b)–1(d)(4) is also is- sued under 5 U.S.C. §552 Section 301.6104(d)–1(d)(3)(i) is also issued under 5 U.S.C. §552 * * * Par. 2. In §301.6104(a)–6(d), the fourth sentence is amended as follows: §301.6104(a)–6 Procedural rules for inspection. ***** (d)***AnyfeestheInternalRevenue Service may charge for furnishing copies under this section shall be no more than under the fee schedule promulgated pur- suant to section (a)(4)(A)(i) of the Free- dom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §552, by the Commissioner from time to time. Par. 3. In §301.6104(b)–1(d)(4), the last sentence is amended as follows: §301.6104(b)–1 Publicity of information on certain information returns. ***** (d) * * * Any fees the Internal Revenue Service may charge for furnishing copies under this section shall be no more than under the fee schedule promulgated pur- suant to section (a)(4)(A)(i) of the Free- dom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §552, by the Commissioner from time to time. Par. 4. In §301.6104(d)–1(d)(3)(i), the second sentence is amended as follows: §301.6104(d)–1 Public inspection and distribution of applications for tax exemption and annual information returns of tax-exempt organizations. ***** (d)* * * A fee is reasonable only if it is no more than the total of the applicable per-page copying charge prescribed by the fee schedule promulgated pursuant to sec- tion (a)(4)(A)(i) of the Freedom of Infor- mation Act, 5 U.S.C. §552, by the Com- missioner from time to time, and the ac- tual postage costs incurred by the organ- ization to send the copies. The applica- ble per-page copying charge shall be deter- mined without regard to any applicable fee exclusion provided in the fee schedule for an initial orde minimisnumber of pages (e.g.the first 100 pages). Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Approved July 1, 2003. Gregory Jenner, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. (Filed by the Office of the F ederal Register on July 8, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 9, 2003, 68 F.R. 40768) 2003-38 I.R.B.575September 22, 2003 Part III. Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous Comments on Mortality Tables Notice 2003–62 The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department request com- ments regarding the mortality tables used in determining current liability under § 412(l)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code and § 302(d)(7) of the Employee Re- tirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The Service and Treasury an- ticipate that in no event will there be any change in the mortality tables for plan years beginning before January 1, 2005. BACKGROUND Section 412 of the Code and § 302 of ERISA provide minimum funding requirements with respect to defined ben- efit and money purchase pension plans. Section 412(l) of the Code and § 302(d) of ERISA provide additional funding requirements for certain underfunded defined benefit pension plans, generally based on a plan’s unfunded current liabil- ity, as defined in § 412(l)(8) of the Code and § 302(d)(8) of ERISA. Section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii) of the Code and § 302(d)(7)(C)(ii) of ERISA provide that, for purposes of determining current liabil- ity, the mortality table used shall be the ta- ble prescribed by the Secretary. These sec- tions also set forth the basis for the Secre- tary to use in prescribing a mortality table. Under § 412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(I) of the Code and § 302(d)(7)(C)(ii)(I) of ERISA, the initial mortality table used in determining current liability under § 412(l)(7) of the Code and § 302(d)(7) of ERISA must be based on the prevailing commissioners’ standard table (described in § 807(d)(5)(A) of the Code) used to determine reserves for group an- nuity contracts issued on January 1, 1993. Rev. Rul. 95–28, 1995–1 C.B. 74, sets forth two gender-specific mortality tables for this purpose. Under § 412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(III) of the Code and § 302(d)(7)(C)(ii)(II) of ERISA, the Secretary of the Treasury is instructed to periodically (at least every 5 years) review any tables in effect under that subsection and, to the extent necessary, by regulation update the tables to re- flect the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in such ex- perience. Section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(II) of the Code and § 302(d)(7)(C)(ii)(II) of ERISA further provide that such tables shall take into account the results of avail- able independent studies of mortality of individuals covered by pension plans. Under § 412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(II) of the Code and § 302(d)(7)(C)(ii)(II) of ERISA, the earliest possible effective date for any new mortality tables is plan years beginning after December 31, 1999. Section 412(l)(7)(C)(iii)(I) of the Code and § 302(d)(7)(C)(iii)(I) of ERISA provide that, in the case of plan years beginning after December 31, 1995, the Secretary shall establish mortality tables which may be used (in lieu of the tables under § 412(l)(7)(C)(ii) of the Code and § 302(d)(7)(C)(ii) of ERISA) to determine current liability under § 412(l)(7) of the Code and § 302(d)(7) of ERISA for indi- viduals who are entitled to benefits under the plan on account of disability. The Secretary shall establish separate tables for individuals whose disabilities occur in plan years beginning before January 1, 1995, and for individuals whose disabil- ities occur in plan years beginning on or after such date. Section 412(l)(7)(C)(iii)(II) of the Code and § 302(d)(7)(C)(iii)(II) of ERISA provide that in the case of disabilities occurring in plan years beginning after December 31, 1994, the tables under § 412(l)(7)(C)(iii)(I) of the Code and § 302(d)(7)(C)(iii)(I) of ERISA shall apply only with respect to individuals de- scribed in each subclause who are disabled within the meaning of title II of the Social Security Act and the regulations thereun- der. Rev. Rul. 96–7, 1996–1 C.B. 59, sets forth the mortality tables established under § 412(l)(7)(C)(iii). In Rev. Rul. 95–28, the Service and Treasury requested comments regarding mortality tables to be used for determining current liability for plan years beginning after December 31, 1999. In Announcement 2000–7, 2000–1 C.B. 586, the Service and Treasury also requested comments regarding mortality tables to be used for determining current liability for plan years beginning after De- cember 31, 1999, but also indicated that it was anticipated that in no event would there be any change in the mortality tables for plan years beginning before January 1, 2001. To date, no change has been made in the mortality tables issued in Rev. Rul. 95–28 or Rev. Rul. 96–7. INDEPENDENT STUDIES OF MORTALITY OF INDIVIDUALS COVEREDBYPENSIONPLANS The Service and Treasury are aware of a number of reviews of mortality experi- ence for retirement plan participants un- dertaken by the Retirement Plans Experi- ence Committee of the Society of Actuar- ies. The most recent of these studies, ti- tled the RP–2000 Mortality Tables Report, publishedin2002andbasedonpension plan experience for the years 1990–94, was submitted to the Secretary in response to Announcement 2000–7. The Service and Treasury invite commentators to submit any other independent studies of pension plan experience. REFLECTION OF MORTALITY TRENDS As noted above, any updated mortal- ity tables the Secretary issues are to re- flect projected trendsin mortality expe- rience. In that regard, the Service and Treasury request the submission of studies regarding trends in mortality experience, whether or not the studies are limited to in- dividuals covered by pension plans. How- ever, to the extent that a study relating to mortality experienceis not limited to in- dividuals covered by pension plans, com- ments are requested about how such mor- tality trends might be modified to reflect the trends among individuals covered by pension plans. To the extent the Service and Treasury determine that it is appropriate to project increased longevity in the future, it will be necessary to determine the methodol- ogy to use in incorporating this increased longevity into the tables. The Service and Treasury are aware that mortality trends may be reflected on an ongoing basis through the use of the following types of mortality tables: September 22, 20035762003-38 I.R.B. •generational (i.e., tables that are up- dated each year through the use of pre- scribed projection factors. Thus, sepa- rate sets of mortality factors are deter- mined for each year of birth.) •modified generational (i.e., genera- tional tables that are applicable for grouped calendar years of birth) •sequentially static (i.e.,tablesthat are applicable for all calendar years of birth that are updated periodically through the use of prescribed projec- tion factors at prescribed times) The Service and Treasury request com- ments on these methods and any other methods commentators believe appro- priately reflect mortality trends. In par- ticular, the Service and Treasury request comments on the relative administrative complexities of the various methods of reflecting mortality trends. In addition, with regard to modified generational ta- bles, comments are requested as to the size of the calendar year groupings, and with regard to sequentially static tables, comments are requested as to how often such tables should be updated. OTHER FACTORS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT In addition to age and year of birth, there are other factors that have been demonstrated to be relevant in predicting an individual’s mortality. For example, as noted above, the current mortality tables used for purposes of determining current liability are gender specific. Comments are requested as to the extent that sepa- rate mortality tables should be prescribed that take into account gender or other factors, with particular attention paid to the administrative issues in applying such distinctions. Comments in this regard are specifically requested as to the how it would be determined which category an individual fits into, the extent to which an individual, once categorized, remains in that same category, the classification of in- dividuals for whom adequate information is unavailable, whether distinctions are applicable to beneficiaries, and the extent to which distinctions may overlap or work at cross purposes. Some examples of fac- tors that could be used to create separate mortality tables are the following: •gender (i.e., male versus female) •tobacco use (i.e., smoker versus non- smoker) •job classification (e.g., blue collar ver- sus white collar) •annuity size (i.e., high annuity amount versus low annuity amount) •Income (i.e.,highincomeversuslow income) Comments are also requested with regard to whether classification systems, if permitted, should be mandatory or op- tional. COMMENTS REQUESTED The Service and Treasury invite com- ments on the issues identified in this notice and other issues related to the mortality ta- bles used in the determination of current li- ability. Comments should be submitted by December 31, 2003, and should reference Notice 2003–62. Comments may be submitted to CC:PA:RU (Notice 2003–62), room 5203, Internal Revenue Service, Atten- tion: SE:T:EP:RA:T:A1, POB 7604 Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Comments may be hand delivered between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday to: CC:PA:RU (Notice 2003–62), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Ser- vice, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Alternatively, com- ments may be submitted via the Internet at Notice.Comments@irscounsel.treas.gov. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this notice is Lawrenece Isaacs of the Employee Plans, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Di- vision. For further information regarding this notice, please contact the Employee Plans’ taxpayer assistance telephone ser- vice at 1–877–829–5500 (a toll-free num- ber) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Mr. Isaacs can be reached at (202) 283–9888 (not a toll-free number). Weighted Average Interest Rate Update Notice 2003–63 Sections412(b)(5)(B)and 412(l)(7)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code provide that the interest rates used to calculate current liability for purposes of determining the full funding limitation under § 412(c)(7) and the required contribution under § 412(l) must be within a permissible range around the weighted average of the rates of interest on 30-year Treasury securities during the four-year period ending on the last day before the beginning of the plan year. Notice 88–73, 1988–2 C.B. 383, pro- vides guidelines for determining the weighted average interest rate and the re- sulting permissible range of interest rates used to calculate current liability for the purpose of the full funding limitation of § 412(c)(7) of the Code. Section 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(II) of the Code defines the applicable interest rate, which must be used for purposes of determining the minimum present value of a partici- pant’s benefit under § 417(e)(1) and (2), as the annual rate of interest on 30-year Treasury securities for the month before the date of distribution or such other time as the Secretary may by regulations pre- scribe. Section 1.417(e)–1(d)(3) of the In- come Tax Regulations provides that the ap- plicable interest rate for a month is the an- nual interest rate on 30-year Treasury se- curities 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 August 2003 is 5.31 percent. Pursuant to Notice 2002–26, 2002–1 C.B. 743, 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 February 2031. Section 405 of the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002 amended § 412(l)(7)(C) of the Code to provide that for plan years beginning in 2002 and 2003 the permissible range is extended to 120 percent. The following rates were determined for the plan years beginning in the month shown below. 2003-38 I.R.B.577September 22, 2003 MonthYear Weighted Average 90% to 110% Permissible Range 90% to 120% Permissible Range September20035.304.77 to 5.844.77 to 6.37 Drafting Information The principal authors of this notice are Paul Stern and Tony Montanaro of the Employee Plans, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. For fur- ther information regarding this notice, please contact the Employee Plans’ tax- payer assistance telephone service at 1–877–829–5500 (a toll-free number), between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Mr. Stern may be reached at 1–202–283–9703. Mr. Montanaro may be reached at 1–202–283–9714. The telephone numbers in the two preceding sentences are not toll-free. 26 CFR 601.201: Rulings and determination letters. (Also, Part I, §§ 401; 1.401(b)–1.) Rev. Proc. 2003–72 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1. PURPOSE ............................................................................................ 578 SECTION 2. BACKGROUND....................................................................................... 579 SECTION 3. EXTENSION OF TIME TO AMEND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS FOR FINAL AND TEMPORARY REGULATIONS UNDER § 401(A)(9) ...................................................... 579 SECTION 4. EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE DETERMINATION LETTER APPLICATIONS............................... 580 SECTION 5. PLANS THAT ARE AMENDED WITHIN THE GUST REMEDIAL AMENDMENT PERIOD..................... 580 SECTION 6. STREAMLINED COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANS THAT ARE NOT AMENDED WITHIN THE GUST REMEDIAL AMENDMENT PERIOD ............................................... 580 SECTION 7. EXAMPLES........................................................................................... 581 SECTION 8. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS..................................................................... 581 SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE..................................................................................... 581 DRAFTING INFO RMATION ...................................................................... .................. 581 SECTION 1. PUR POSE .01 This reve nue procedure extends until Januar y 31, 2004, the deadline for applying fo r determination letters for certain pre -approved qualified retirement plans (tha t is, master and prototype and volume su bmitter plans). A plan is eli- gible for this extension only if the plan’s GUST 1 remedia l amendment period ends on or after Se ptember 30, 2003, and before January 1, 2 004, and either (i) the plan is amended to c omply with GUST within the plan’s GUS T remedial amendment period, or (ii) a c ompliance fee of $250 is paid with the d etermination letter application. .02 This r evenue procedure also extends the time b y which defined contribution plans must be a mended to comply with final and tem porary regulations under § 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to required minimum distribu- tions, unt il the later of the end of the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2003, or t he end of the GUST remedial amendme nt period. 1 "GUST" refers to the following: •the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Pub. L. 103–465; •the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103–353; •the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104–188; •the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105–34; •the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105–206; and •the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, Pub. L. 106–554. September 22, 20035782003-38 I.R.B. SECTION 2. BACKGROUND .01 Under § 401(b), plan sponsors have a remedial amendment period in which to adopt plan amendments for GUST. The end of the GUST remedial amend- ment period is the deadline for making all GUST plan amendments and other plan amendments specifically enumerated in Rev. Proc. 99–23, 1999–1 C.B. 920. The GUST remedial amendment period also applies with respect to all disqualifying provisions of new plans adopted or ef- fective after December 7, 1994, and with respect to all plan amendments adopted after December 7, 1994, that would cause an existing plan to fail to be qualified. .02 Section 1.401(b)–1(e)(3) of the In- come Tax Regulations provides that the fil- ing of a determination letter request on or before the end of a remedial amendment period will extend the period until the expi- ration of 91 days after (i) the date on which notice of final determination with respec t to the request is issued by the Service, th e request is withdrawn, or the request is o th- erwise finally disposed of by the Ser vice; or (ii) the date on which a decision o fthe United States Tax Court regarding atimely filed petition for declaratory j udgment be- comes final. Accordingly, if a de termina- tion letter application is file donorbefore the end of a remedial amendment period, amendments that are includ ed with the ap- plication may be submitted in proposed (unadopted) form and need not be adopted before filing the determ ination letter appli- cation. Of course, all am endments needed to qualify the plan must then be adopted by the time described in § 1.401(b)–1(e)(3). .03 Generally, the GUS T remedial amendment period end ed on the later of February 28, 2002 ,orthelastdayof the first plan year b eginning on or after January 1, 2001. Ho wever, Rev. Proc. 2000–20, 2000–1 C. B. 553, (as modified by Rev. Proc. 200 0–27, 2000–1 C.B. 1272; Rev. Proc . 2001–55, 2001–2 C.B. 552; Rev. Proc. 2002–6, 2002–1 C.B. 203; Rev. Proc . 2002–29, 2002–1 C.B. 1176; Rev. Pro c. 2002–73, 2002–2 C.B. 932; and Noti ce 2001–42, 2001–2 C.B. 70) provide s an extension of the GUST remedial a mendment period for employers who, by the end of the GUST remedial amendment period (determined without regard to the extension), have adopted a pre-approved plan or certified their intent to adopt such a plan. If the requirements for the extension are satisfied, the GUST remedial amendment period for the em- ployer's plan will not end before the later of September 30, 2003, or the end of the 12 th month beginning after the date on which the Service issues a GUST opinion or advisory letter for the pre-approved plan. .04 Certain conditions must be met for aplantobeeligiblefortheextensionof the GUST remedial amendment period un- der Rev. Proc. 2000–20. One of these conditions is that a determination letter ap- plication for the plan must be filed within the extended GUST remedial amendment period if the employer is not able to rely directly on a favorable opinion or advi- sory letter under section 8 of Rev. Proc. 2003–6, 2003–1 I.R.B. 191. In accordance with § 1.401(b)–1(e)(3), employers that re- quest determination letters within the ex- tended GUST remedial amendment period may submit amendments that are in pro- posed form. .05 For plans eligible for the extension under Rev. Proc. 2000–20, the end of the GUST remedial amendment period is generally also the deadline for the adop- tion of plan amendments required by Rev. Rul. 2001–62, 2001–2 C.B. 632, regard- ing changes to the mortality tables under § 417(e); Rev. Rul. 2002–27, 2002–1 C.B. 925, regarding the incorporation of deemed § 125 compensationinaplan’s § 415(c)(3) definition of compensation; and Notice 2001–37, 2001–1 C.B. 1340, regarding changes made by the Com- munity Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 to the definitions of compensation in §§ 403(b)(3), 414(s)(2), and 415(c)(3). .06 Notice 2001–42 provides a remedial amendment period under § 401(b), ending no earlier than the end of the 2005 plan year, in which any needed retroactive re- medial plan amendments for the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107–16, (EGTRRA), must be adopted (the EGTRRA remedial amendment period). The availability of the EGTRRA remedial amendment period is conditioned on the timely adoption of re- quired good faith EGTRRA plan amend- ments. For plans eligible for the extension under Rev. Proc. 2000–20, the end of the GUST remedial amendment period is gen- erally also the deadline for the adoption of good faith EGTRRA plan amendments. 2 .07 Rev. Proc. 2002–29, as modified by Rev. Proc. 2003–10, 2003–2 I.R.B. 259, provides that defined contribution plans must be amended to the extent necessary to comply with final and temporary reg- ulations under § 401(a)(9). In general, these amendments must be adopted by the end of the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2003. However, spon- sors of pre-approved plans are required to amend their defined contribution plans by December 31, 2003, and, in the case of master and prototype plans, furnish copies of the amendments to adopting employers. Rev. Proc. 2002–29 also provides that if a plan is timely amended to comply with the final and temporary regulations under § 401(a)(9) and, as a result of the amend- ment, there is a disqualifying provision un- der § 401(b), the remedial amendment pe- riod with respect to the disqualifying pro- vision will end at the end of the EGTRRA remedial amendment period. .08 Rev. Proc. 2003–44, 2003–25 I.R.B. 1051, describes the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS), a comprehensive system of correction programs that permits plan sponsors to correct qualification failures and thereby preserve their plans’ tax-favored status. SECTION 3. EXTENSION OF TIME TO AMEND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS FOR FINAL AND TEMPORARY REGULATIONS UNDER § 401(a)(9) .01 The time by which d efined contri- bution plans must be amended to comply with the final and temporary regulations under § 401(a)(9) is extended to the later of the last day of the first plan year be- ginning on or af ter January 1, 2003, or the end of the GUST r emedial amendment pe- riod. This doe s not extend the December 31, 2003, dea dline for sponsors of pre-ap- proved plan s to amend their defined con- tribution p lans and, in the case of master and protot ype plans, furnish copies of the 2 In some cases, earlier adoption of good faith EGTRRA plan amendments may benecessary in order to avoid a decrease or elimination of benefits protectedby § 411(d)(6). See the discussion of § 411(d)(6) in section III of Notice 2001–42. 2003-38 I.R.B.579September 22, 2003 amendments to adopting employers. As provided in Rev. Proc. 2002–29, if, as a result of a timely plan amendment to com- ply with the final and temporary regula- tions under § 401(a)(9), there is a disqual- ifying provision under § 401(b), the reme- dial amendment period with respect to the disqualifying provision will end at the end of the EGTRRA remedial amendment pe- riod. .02 Sections 4 though 7, below, extend the time for filing determination letter ap- plications for certain pre-approved plans to January 31, 2004. If a determination let- ter application is filed by January 31, 2004, for a plan that is eligible for the extension, the filing will extend the plan’s GUST re- medial amendment period as provided in § 1.401(b)–1(e)(3). Accordingly, in this case, plan amendments for the final and temporary regulations under § 401(a)(9) would not have to be adopted prior to the 91 st day following issuance of the favor- able determination letter. SECTION 4. EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE DETERMINATION LETTER APPLICATIONS .01 An application for a determinat ion letter for an eligible plan that is filed af- ter the end of the plan’s GUST remed ial amendment period but on or before Jan- uary 31, 2004, will be deemed t ohave been filed within the plan’s GUST reme- dial amendment period for pu rposes of sat- isfying the conditions for the extension of the GUST remedial amendme nt period un- der Rev. Proc. 2000–20 as w ell as for pur- poses of § 1.401(b)–1(e) (3). Thus, the fil- ing of a determination letter application by January 31, 2004, for an eligible plan will extend the plan’s GUS T remedial amend- ment period through the 91 st day following issuance of a favor able determination let- ter. .02 A plan is an eli gible plan for purposes of this r evenue procedure if the plan’s GUST r emedial amendment period ends on o r after September 30, 2003, and befor e January 1, 2004, and the plan satisfie s either (i) the timely amend- ment require ments of section 5 or (ii) the streamline d compliance requirements of section 6. SECTION 5. PLANS THAT ARE AMENDED WITHIN THE GUST REMEDIAL AMENDMENT PERIOD .01 A plan satisfies the timely amend- ment requirements of this section 5 if the plan is amended to comply with GUST within the plan’s GUST remedial amend- ment period. For this purpose, a plan will be treated as having been amended to comply with GUST within the plan’s GUST remedial amendment period if plan amendments that represent abona fide effort to comply with the requirements of GUST have in fact been adopted (that is, they are not in proposed form) by the end of the plan’s GUST remedial amend- ment period (determined without regard to § 1.401(b)–1(e)(3)). .02 For purposes of this section,bona fideamendments that are adopted by the end of the GUST remedial amendment pe- riod that are made contingent on the re- ceipt of a favorable determination letter will be considered adopted by that date, provided such amendments become effec- tive (or would become effective, but for the Service's request for changes to th eamend- ments or additional amendments) u pon re- ceipt of a favorable determinati on letter without further action by the pla n sponsor. .03 The Service recognizes that e m- ployers may discover, after the e xpiration of the GUST remedial amendmen t period, that changes to their amendm ents or other amendments may be needed. S imilarly, the Service may request cha nges to amend- ments that employers subm it or additional amendments in connectio nwithdetermi- nation letter applica tions. The fact that, in connection with the determination let- ter process, the empl oyer adopts or submits in proposed form, or the Service requests, such changes or such additional amend- ments will not mean that the amendments the employer adopt ed by the end of the GUST remedial am endment period did not represent abon afideeffort to comply with the requiremen ts of GUST. SECTION 6. STRE AMLINED COMPLIANCE RE QUIREMENTS FOR PLANS THAT AR E NOT AMENDED WITHIN THE G UST REMEDIAL AMENDMENT P ERIOD .01 A plan satisfies the streamlined compliance requirements of this section 6 if (i) the plan does not satisfy the timely amendment requirements of section 5 but would not be a late amender without re- gard to GUST and the other requirements described in section 2; and (ii) an applica- tion for a determination letter for the plan, including payment of a compliance fee of $250, is submitted by January 31, 2004. This fee is in addition to the determination letter user fee under Rev. Proc. 2003–8, 2003–1 I.R.B. 236, or its successor, if applicable. .02Anapplicationsubmittedunder this section 6 should have the words “Rev. Proc. 2003–72” written on the top of the determination letter application form (generally Form 5307,Application for Determination for Adopters of Master or Prototype or Volume Submitter Plans). The $250 compliance fee is to be paid by check or money order, made payable to the U.S. Treasury, and with “Rev. Proc. 2003–72” written on the check or money order. This $250 compliance fee should notbe reported on Form 8717,User Fee for Employee Plan Determination Letter Request. The appropriate determination letter user fee under Rev. Proc. 2003–8 or its successor, if applicable, should be paid using a separate check or money order, with the words “User Fee” written on it and accompanied by a completed Form 8717. The completed application, with the two checks and all other required documents should be sent to the address indicated in the instructions for the deter- mination letter application form. .03 This section applies in lieu of Rev. Proc. 2003–44 to eligible plans that sat- isfy the requirements of this section, in- cluding plans for which determination let- ters would not have been required had the plans been timely amended to comply with GUST. For example, this section applies in lieu of Rev. Proc. 2003–44 to a standard- ized M&P plan that has not been amended to comply with GUST by September 30, 2003 (the end of the plan’s GUST reme- dial amendment period), provided an ap- plication for a determination letter for the plan, including payment of a compliance fee of $250, is submitted by January 31, 2004. Rev. Proc. 2003–44 applies to late amended or filed plans that are not eligi- ble plans or for which determination let- ter applications are not filed by January 31, 2004. September 22, 20035802003-38 I.R.B. SECTION 7. EXAMPLES .01 Assume an employer’s extended GUST remedial amendment period under Rev. Proc. 2000–20 ends on September 30, 2003, and the employer is required to file a determination letter application by then in order to meet the conditions for the extension. Provided the employer adopts its GUST-restated plan by September 30, 2003, a determination letter application for the plan that is filed by January 31, 2004, will be deemed to have been filed by September 30, 2003. Therefore, the plan will have met the conditions for the extended GUST remedial amendment period under Rev. Proc. 2000–20 and the period will be extended as provided in § 1.401(b)–1(e)(3). Therefore, assuming the issuance of a favorable determination letter, the GUST remedial amendment pe- riod for the plan will remain open through the 91 st day following the issuance of the letter. Thus, the employer will not be required to adopt plan amendments for the final and temporary regulations under § 401(a)(9), or any additional amendments required to be adopted as a condition of the favorable determination letter, prior to the 91 st day following issuance of the letter. .02 Assume the same facts, except the employer fails to adopt its GUST-restated plan by September 30, 2003. Provided the employer files a determination letter application by January 31, 2004, and in- cludes payment of the $250 compliance fee required by section 6, the applica- tion will be deemed to have been filed by September 30, 2003, regardless of whether the plan submitted with the application is in adopted or proposed form. Therefore, the plan will have met the conditions for the extended GUST remedial amendment period under Rev. Proc. 2000–20 and the period will be extended as provided in § 1.401(b)–1(e)(3). Therefore, assuming the issuance of a favorable determination letter, the GUST remedial amendment for the plan will remain open through the 91 st day following the issuance of the letter. Thus, the employer will not be required to adopt its proposed GUST amendments (if applicable), plan amendments for the final and temporary regulations under § 401(a)(9), or any additional amendments required to be adopted as a condition of the favorable determination letter, prior to the 91 st day following issuance of the letter. SECTION 8. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS Rev. Proc. 2000–20, Rev. Proc. 2002–29, and Rev. Proc. 2003–44 are modified. SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE This revenue procedure is effective September 22, 2003. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue procedure is James Flannery of the Em- ployee Plans, Tax Exempt and Gov- ernment Entities Division. For further information regarding this revenue proce- dure, please contact the Employee Plans’ taxpayer assistance telephone service at 1–877–829–5500 (a toll-free number), between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Fri- day. Mr. Flannery may be reached at 1–202–283–9888 (not a toll–free num- ber). 2003-38 I.R.B.581September 22, 2003 Part IV. Items of General Interest Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by Cross-Reference to Temporary Regulations Disclosure of Return Information by Certain Officers and Employees for Investigative Purposes REG–140808–02 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. 9073) relating to the disclosure of return information pursuant to sec- tion 6103(k)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. The temporary regulations describe the circumstances under which officers or employees of the IRS, the IRS Of- fice of Chief Counsel, and the Office of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), in connection with official duties relating to any exam- ination, administrative appeal, collection activity, administrative, civil or crimi- nal investigation, enforcement activity, ruling, negotiated agreement, prefiling activity, or other proceeding or offense under the internal revenue laws or related statutes, or in preparation for any proceed- ing described in section 6103(h)(2) (or investigationwhichmayresultinsucha proceeding), may disclose return infor- mation to the extent necessary to obtain informationrelatingtosuchofficialduties or to accomplish properly any activity connected with such official duties. The temporary regulations amend the exist- ing regulations to clarify and elaborate on the facts and circumstances in which disclosure pursuant to section 6103(k)(6) is authorized. The temporary regulations clarify that IRS and TIGTA officers and employees make the determination, based on the facts and circumstances, at the time of the disclosure, whether a disclosure is necessary to obtain the information sought, and that section 6103(k)(6) does not affect the authority or decision of IRS and TIGTA officers and employees to ini- tiate, or to conduct, an investigation, or to determine the nature of the investigation. The temporary regulations clarify that the return information of any taxpayer, not only the taxpayer under investigation, may be disclosed when necessary to obtain the particular information sought. The temporary regulations clarify that sec- tion 6103(k)(6) permits IRS and TIGTA officers and employees to identify them- selves, their organizational affiliation with the IRS (e.g., Criminal Investigation (CI)) or TIGTA (e.g., Office of Investigations (OI)), and the nature of their investigation when making oral, written, or electronic contacts with third party witnesses. DATES: Written and electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by October 8, 2003. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to CC:PA:RU (REG–140808–02), room 5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be deliv- ered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:RU (REG–140808–02), Courier’s Desk, In- ternal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Alterna- tively, taxpayers may submit comments electronically via theInternet directly to the IRS Internet site:www.irs.gov/regs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helene R. Newsome, 202–622–4570 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Under section 6103(a), returns and re- turn information are confidential unless the Internal Revenue Code (Code) authorizes disclosure. Section 6103(k)(6) authorizes an internal revenue officer or employee and an officer or employee of TIGTA, in connection with official duties relating to any audit, collection activity, civil or crim- inal tax investigation, or offense under the internal revenue laws or related statutes, to disclose return information to a person other than the taxpayer to whom such re- turn information relates (or his or her rep- resentative) to the extent that such dis- closure is necessary to obtain information not otherwise reasonably available with re- spect to the correct determination of tax, liability for tax, or the amount to be col- lected, or with respect to the enforcement of any other provision of the Code or re- lated statutes. Disclosure is subject to sit- uations and conditions prescribed by regu- lation. The proposed regulations amend the existing regulations to reflect a recent leg- islative amendment to section 6103(k)(6). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001, Public Law 106–554 (114 Stat. 2763), was signed into law on December 21, 2000. Section 1 of that Act enacted into law H.R. 5662, the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000. Sec- tion 313(c) of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 amended sec- tion 6103(k)(6) to clarify that officers or employees of TIGTA are among those persons authorized to make disclosures under section 6103(k)(6). The proposed regulations also clarify the standard used in determining whether disclosures are authorized under section 6103(k)(6). Recent litigation indicates that there is some confusion as to the au- thority of IRS (and now TIGTA) officers and employees to make disclosures in cer- tain situations under section 6103(k)(6). The proposed regulations seek to address these issues. In particular, the proposed regulations address the issues surrounding the disclosures that occur when IRS or TIGTA officers and employees introduce themselves to third party witnesses or communicate in writing using,e.g.,offi- cial letterhead that reveals affiliation with IRS or TIGTA. The proposed regulations also clarify that section 6103(k)(6) does not limit IRS or TIGTA officers and em- ployees with respect to the initiation or conduct of an investigation. Finally, the proposed regulations clarify that section 6103 does not require IRS and TIGTA of- ficers or employees to contact a taxpayer for information before contacting third party witnesses. September 22, 20035822003-38 I.R.B. The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. The preamble to the tempo- rary regulations contains a full explanation of the reasons underlying the issuance of the proposed 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 has also been determined that 5 U.S.C. 553(b), the Ad- ministrative Procedure Act does not apply to these regulations, and because the reg- ulation does not impose a collection of in- formation on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f), this notice of proposed rulemaking will be sub- mitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small BusinessAdministration for comment on its impact on small business. Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any electronic and writ- ten comments (a signed original and eight (8) copies) that are submitted timely to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury Department re- quest comments on the clarity of the pro- posed rules and how they can be made eas- ier to understand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copy- ing. A public hearing may be scheduled if requestedinwritingbyapersonthattimely submits written comments. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the hearing will be pub- lished in theFederal Register. Drafting Information The principal author of these regula- tionsisHeleneR.Newsome,Officeofthe Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and Administration), Disclosure and Privacy Law Division. ***** Proposed Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is pro- posedtobeamendedasfollows: PART 301—PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 301 is amended by adding an entry in numerical order to read as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Section 301.6103(k)(6)–1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 6103(k)(6); * * * Par. 2. Section 301.6103(k)(6)–1 is removed. Par. 3. Section 301.6103(k)(6)–1T is added to read as follows: [The text of this proposed section is the same as the text of §301.6103(k)(6)–1T published elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin]. Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on Jul y 9, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 10, 2003, 68 F.R. 41089) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Testimony or Production of Records in a Court or Other Proceeding REG–140930–02 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: This document contains proposed amendments to the existing reg- ulation that establishes the procedures to be followed by IRS officers and employees upon receipt of a request or demand for disclosure of IRS records or information. The purpose of the proposed amendments is to provide specific instructions and to clarify when the existing regulation does not apply because more specific proce- dures take precedence. The proposed amendments extend the application of the regulation to former IRS officers and employees as well as to persons who are or were under contract to the IRS. The proposed amendments would affect cur- rent and former IRS officers, employees and contractors and persons who make requests or demands for disclosure. DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by October 7, 2003. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:RU (REG–140930–02), room 5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-de- livered between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:RU (REG–140930–02), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Wash- ington, DC. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit electronic comments directly to IRS Internet site at:www.irs.gov/regs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Fish or J. Suzanne Sones, (202) 622–4590 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Paperwork Reduction Act The collection of information contained in this notice of proposed rulemaking has beensubmittedtotheOffice of Manage- ment and Budgetfor review in accor- dance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)). Comments on the collection of information should be sent to theOffice of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the Depart- ment of the Treasury, Office of Informa- tion and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, with copies to theInternal Revenue Service, Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer, W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC 20224. Comments on the collection of information should be re- ceived by September 8, 2003. Comments are specifically requested concerning: Whether the proposed collection of in- formation is necessary for the proper per- formance of the functions of the IRS, in- cluding whether the information will have practical utility; 2003-38 I.R.B.583September 22, 2003 The accuracy of the estimated burden associated with the proposed collection of information (see below); How the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected may be en- hanced; How the burden of complying with the proposed collection of information may be minimized, including through the appli- cation of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and Estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of service to provide information. The collection of information in this proposed regulation is in 26 CFR 301.9000–5(a). This information is re- quired to enable the authorizing official to make an informed decision as to whether to grant a request or demand in a non-IRS matter. This information will be used to inform the authorizing official of the back- ground of the non-IRS matter and to refine the scope of the testimony or disclosures sought. The collection of information is voluntary and required to obtain a benefit. The likely respondents are individuals, farms, business or other for-profit insti- tutions, nonprofit institutions, and small businesses or organizations. Estimated total annual reporting: 1,400 hours. Estimated average annual burden hours per respondent: 1 hour. Estimated number of respondents: 1,400. Estimated annual frequency of re- sponses: On occasion. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by the Of- fice of Management and Budget. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). Background This document contains proposed amendments to 26 CFR Part 301 under 5 USC 301. The existing regulation pro- vides procedures for IRS officers and employees to follow upon receipt of a request or demand for disclosure of IRS records or information. Under this pro- posed regulation, current and former IRS officers, employees and contractors may not disclose IRS records or information without first receiving authorization to do so. To conserve valuable resources, the IRS carefully considers the nature and cir- cumstances of a request or demand for IRS records or information prior to commit- ting resources to fulfilling the request or demand. If the IRS is a disinterested party or has no affected interest with respect to a request or demand and would consider the commitment of resources to comply with the request or demand inappropriate, the IRS may deny the request or demand for IRS records or information. For example, the IRS may deny a request by private litigants for the expert testimony of an IRS employee as to the federal tax rami- fications of various transactions based on information furnished by the private liti- gants. Such testimony could compromise the enforcement of the tax laws, should the IRS later conduct an examination of the tax consequences of the transactions. The proposed regulation provides more specificity regarding the content of a re- quest to allow an authorizing official to make an informed decision when autho- rizing or denying the request. Similarly, the proposed regulation provides more specific guidance to the authorizing offi- cials, or to current or former IRS officers, employees or contractors, who receive requests or demands for IRS records or information, as to the circumstances for authorization or denial of such requests. Additionally, the proposed regulation ap- plies to former IRS officers, employees or contractors whose previous access to IRS records or information may be the subject of such requests or demands. In such cases the IRS has an interest in protecting IRS records or information and should receive notice and have an opportunity to determine the extent to which disclosure should be permitted. Theexistingregulationat26CFR 301.9000–1(f) provides guidance for IRS officers and employees in state liquor, tobacco, firearms, or explosives cases. This proposed regulation does not con- tain such a provision because Treasury Department Order No. 120–01, effec- tive July 1, 1972, transferred from the IRS to the United States Bureau of Alco- hol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) those functions, powers and duties related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives. The ATF promulgated its own regulations guiding disclosure in testimony and in related matters, which can be found at 27 CFR 70.803. Effective January 24, 2003, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub- lic Law 107–296, divided ATF into two new agencies, the Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the Treasury Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE) in the Justice De- partment. Section 1111(c)(1)–(c)(2) of the Homeland Security Act transferred to ATFE the authorities and functions of ATF, except for the authorities and func- tions of ATF relating to the administration and enforcement of chapters 51 and 52 and sections 4181 and 4182 of the Code, and title 27, USC. Section 1111(d)(1), (d)(3) of the Homeland Security Act provided that TTB shall administer the authorities and functions of ATF not transferred to ATFE. Treasury Department Order No. 120–01, effective January 24, 2003, des- ignated TTB as the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The disclosure regulations found at 27 CFR 70.803 are still applicable to TTB. The existing regulation contains a dele- gation of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Commissioner of In- ternal Revenue (Commissioner) to respond to requests and demands for IRS records and information. This delegation has been deleted as unnecessary as it is contained in existing statutes and delegation orders. See,e.g., section 7804; Delegation Order 150–10. This proposed regulation reflects changes in format and definitions to make it easier to understand and apply. Explanation of Provisions Overview Under 5 USC 301, heads of Execu- tive or military departments may prescribe regulations for, among other things, the custody, use, and preservation of the de- partments’ records, papers, and property. Many departments and agencies have pro- mulgated regulations under 5 USC 301 to September 22, 20035842003-38 I.R.B. provide procedures for the disclosure of of- ficial records and information. Generally, these are termed Touhy regulations, after the Supreme Court’s decision inUnited States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen,340U.S.462 (1951). In that case, the Supreme Court held that an agency employee could not be held in contempt for refusing to disclose agency records or information when fol- lowing the instructions of his or her super- visor regarding the disclosure. As such, an agency’s Touhy regulations are the in- structions agency employees are to follow when those employees receive requests or demands to testify or otherwise disclose agency records or information. This proposed regulation expands the definition of IRS officers and employees to include both currentand former officers and employees. In addition, this proposed regulation extends to IRS contractors, in- cluding their current and former employ- ees. IRS records or information known by these persons retains the character of gov- ernment records or information, subject to the direction and control of the Com- missioner, even after the employment or contractual relationship has ended. This proposed regulation provides current and former IRS officers, employees and con- tractors with a procedure to follow when they receive requests and demands for IRS records and information. This proposed regulation is separated into six sections for ease of use. §301.9000–1 Definitions New definitions appear in this proposed regulation to delineate the difference in treatment between requests or demands for IRS records or information in (1) tax administration proceedings and other pro- ceedings in which the IRS or an IRS officer or employee acting in his or her official capacity is a party; (2) matters that do not involve the IRS, such as civil litigation between private parties; and (3) congres- sional matters. The proposed terminology is “IRS matters,” “non-IRS matters,” and “IRS congressional matters,” respectively. Previously, “IRS matters” were also called “referred cases.” By including former as well as current IRS officers and employees in the defini- tion of “IRS officers and employees,” this proposed regulation extends the reach of the proposed procedures. Similarly, a new definition extends the proposed procedures to reach current and former “IRS contrac- tors.” This proposed regulation defines “tes- timony authorization,” the longstanding term for the instructions to the testifying employee or the employee providing the information, and “authorizing official,” the employee with delegated authority to authorize testimony. In addition, this proposed regulation gives a more detailed definition of “internal revenue records or information.” §301.9000–2 Considerations in responding to a request or demand for IRSrecordsorinformation Testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information is not permitted if the testi- mony or disclosure would: violate a fed- eral statute or rule of procedure, violate a tax treaty or convention of the United States, violate a federal regulation, or re- veal classified national security informa- tion. This proposed regulation lists privi- leges that may be asserted in response to a request or demand. This proposed regulation specifically mentions section 6103 of the Code, as that is the primary statute governing disclo- sure of IRS records and information. The majority of the records and information sought in both IRS and non-IRS matters are returns and return information pro- tected by the confidentiality provisions of section 6103 of the Code. This proposed regulation provides a list of factors to consider in deciding whether to authorize testimony or disclosure in non-IRS matters, because requests and de- mands in non-IRS matters divert resources from the administration of the internal revenue laws and related statutes. These factors generally are aimed at the effect compliance with the request or demand would have on the IRS’s primary mission of enforcement of the internal revenue laws and related statutes. The factors in- clude the IRS’s anticipated commitment of time and anticipated expenditure of funds necessary to comply with the request or demand, the number of similar requests and their cumulative effect on the expendi- ture of IRS resources, the potential effect of a non-IRS matter on the administration of the internal revenue laws and related statutes, and the importance of the legal issues presented. The IRS also considers practical problems with complying with a request or demand for IRS records or information. §301.9000–3 Prohibition on disclosure of IRS records or information without testimony authorization The general rule is that, in response to a request or demand, an IRS officer, em- ployee or contractor may not provide testi- mony or IRS records or information unless the Commissioner, or a delegate, gives in- structions therefor. Such an instruction is called a “testimony authorization.” A “tes- timony authorization” includes an instruc- tion to testify or provide IRS records or in- formation in whole, in part or not at all. In the interim between receipt of a request or demand and the issuance of a testimony authorization, an IRS officer, employee or contractor may appear in person to advise that he or she is awaiting instructions (in the form of a testimony authorization). Testimony authorizations are required, for the most part, in situations involving court or congressional testimony. There are, however, exceptions to the require- ment of a testimony authorization. In an IRS matter in which the attorney or other representative of the government requests testimony, no testimony authorization is required. Similarly, this proposed regulation does not require a testimony authorization in an IRS matter in which the request or demand is for responses solely in writing, produced under the direction of government counsel, such as admissions, document production and written interrogatories to parties. Also, testimony authorization is not required if a former IRS officer, employee or contrac- tor receives a request or demand for IRS records or information that involve gen- eral knowledge gained while employed or under contract with the IRS. Finally, tes- timony authorization also is not required if more specific procedures of the Com- missioner apply to the disclosure. Such procedures include, for example, those relating to Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552) or Privacy Act (5 USC 552a) requests, disclosures in accordance with 26 CFR 601.702(d), disclosures to state tax agencies pursuant to section 6103(d) of the Code, or disclosures to the United States Department of Justice pursuant to 2003-38 I.R.B.585September 22, 2003 anex parteorder under section 6103(i)(1) of the Code. §301.9000–4 Procedure in the event of a request or demand for IRS records or information This proposed regulation gives specific instructions to IRS officers, employees and contractors who receive requests or demands for IRS records or information. An IRS officer, employee or contractor who receives a request or demand for IRS records or information (except for requests or demands in United States Tax Court cases, in personnel, labor relations, government contract, or IRS congres- sional matters, or in matters related to informant claims or the rules ofBivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971) (Bivens matters), or the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)) shall notify promptly the IRS Disclosure Officer servicing the IRS officer’s, employee’s or contractor’s geographic area and await instructions from an authorizing official. In the case of a request or demand on behalf of a petitioner in a United States Tax Court case, IRS officers, employees and contractors shall notify promptly the IRS Chief Counsel attorney assigned to the case and await instructions from an authorizing official. In the case of a re- quest or demand on behalf of an appellant, grievant, complainant or representative for IRSrecordsorinformationinaperson- nel, labor relations, government contract, Bivens or FTCA matter, or a matter related to informant claims, IRS officers, employ- ees or contractors shall notify promptly the IRS Associate Chief Counsel (General Le- gal Services) attorney assigned to the case. If there is no IRS Associate Chief Coun- sel (General Legal Services) attorney as- signed to the case, the IRS officer, em- ployee or contractor shall notify promptly the IRS Associate Chief Counsel (General Legal Services) attorney servicing the ge- ographic area. The IRS officer, employee or contractor shall then await instructions from an authorizing official. In the case of a request or demand in an IRS congres- sional matter, the IRS officer, employee or contractor shall notify promptly the IRS Office of Legislative Affairs and await in- structions. If, in response to a demand for IRS records or information, an authorizing of- ficial has not had a sufficient opportunity to issue a testimony authorization, or de- termines that denial of the demand for IRS records or information is proper, the autho- rizing official shall request the attorney or other representative of the government to oppose such demand and respectfully in- form the court, administrative agency or other authority, by appropriate action, that the authorizing official either has not yet issued a testimony authorization, or has is- sued a testimony authorization, to the IRS officer, employee or contractor, that denies permission, in whole or in part, to testify or disclose the IRS records or information. If the authorizing official denies a testimony authorization in whole or in part, the au- thorizing official shall request the attorney or other representative of the government to inform the court, administrative agency, or other authority of the reasons for not au- thorizing the testimony or the disclosure of the IRS records or information and to take such other action in opposition as may be appropriate (including, but not limited to, filing a motion to quash or a motion to re- move to federal district court). In addition to providing specific proce- dural instructions, this proposed regulation clarifies and updates the provision in the existing regulation pertaining to penalties that apply to IRS officers, employees and contractors in case of failure to follow the requirements of the proposed regulation. §301.9000–5 Written statement required by party seeking testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information in non-IRS matters This proposed regulation formalizes the practice of requiring a party who seeks tes- timony or disclosure of IRS records or in- formation for use in any non-IRS matter to provide detailed information that would enable the authorizing official to make an informed decision whether to grant or limit the request or demand. Such informa- tion is necessary to inform the authoriz- ing official of the factual background of the non-IRS matter. By contrast, generally the factual background information already is known to the authorizing official in an IRS matter. The factual background is also use- ful in refining the scope of the testimony or document production, thereby conserving IRS resources and avoiding waste. For ex- ample, a request for testimony may be ob- viated by providing IRS records or infor- mationinaformadmissibleincourtwith- out need for the presence of an IRS officer or employee, or by submission of a decla- ration under penalty of perjury pursuant to 28 USC 1746. This proposed regulation establishes requirements for a written statement set- ting forth particular information that will provide authorizing officials with the facts necessary to determine whether to grant or limit testimony or the disclosure of IRS records or information so as to comply with the law and conserve IRS resources. Parties in non-IRS matters sometimes serve process with extremely short time frames. The IRS will comply with such requests or demands only if the IRS has time to evaluate adequately the request. This proposed regulation establishes a reasonable time for compliance, generally, not less than fifteen (15) business days. Also, parties in non-IRS matters are some- times unaware that a request or demand does not supersede the confidentiality accorded to returns andreturn information under section 6103 of the Code. This proposed regulation generally requires a statement of the applicable exception under section 6103 of the Code that would permit the disclosure of returns and return information for the purpose sought. The authorizing official may waive the re- quirement of a written statement for good cause. §301.9000–6 Examples This proposed regulation gives exam- ples of testimony authorization situations that illustrate the principles of this pro- posed regulation. Special Analyses It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory as- sessment is not required. It has been de- termined that 5 U.S.C. 553(b), the Admin- istrative Procedure Act, does not apply to these proposed regulations. It is hereby certified that the collection of information in these regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a September 22, 20035862003-38 I.R.B. substantial number of small entities. This certification is based upon the fact that of the estimated 1,400 requests received an- nually, less than 500 of those requests are estimated to be received from small enti- ties. Moreover, the burden associated with complying with the collection of informa- tion in these regulations is estimated to be only 1 hour per respondent. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 USC chapter 6) is not required. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this notice of proposed rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advo- cacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small busi- nesses. Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, the IRS will consider any written (a signed original and eight (8) copies) or electronic comments that the IRS timely receives. The IRS and Treasury Department request comments on the clarity of the proposed rules and how they can be made easier to under- stand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writingbyanypersonwhotimelysubmits a written comment. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the public hearing will be published in theFederal Register. Drafting Information The principal authors of this proposed regulation are David Fish and J. Suzanne Sones, Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure & Administration), Disclosure & Privacy Law Division. ***** Proposed Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is pro- posedtobeamendedasfollows. PART 301—PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION Paragraph 1. The authority citation for Part 301 is amended by adding the follow- ing entries in numerical order to read as follows: Authority:26USC7805*** Section 301.9000–1 also issued under 5 USC 301 and 26 USC 6103(q) and 7804; Section 301.9000–2 also issued under 5 USC 301 and 26 USC 6103(q) and 7804; Section 301.9000–3 also issued under 5 USC 301 and 26 USC 6103(q) and 7804; Section 301.9000–4 also issued under 5 USC 301 and 26 USC 6103(q) and 7804; Section 301.9000–5 also issued under 5 USC 301 and 26 USC 6103(q) and 7804; Section 301.9000–6 also issued under 5 USC 301 and 26 USC 6103(q) and 7804; *** Par. 2. Section 301.9000–1 is revised and §§301.9000–2 through 301.9000–7 are added to read as follows: §301.9000–1 Definitions when used in §§ 301.9000–1 through 301.9000–6. (a)IRSrecordsorinformationmeans any material (including copies thereof) contained in the files (including paper, electronic or other media files) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), any in- formation relating to material contained in the files of the IRS, or any information acquired by an IRS officer or employee, while an IRS officer or employee, as a part of the performance of official duties or because of that IRS officer or em- ployee’s official status with respect to the administration of the internal revenue laws or any other laws administered by or concerning the IRS. IRS records or information includes, but is not limited to, returns and return information as those terms are defined in section 6103(b)(1) and (2) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), tax convention information as defined in section 6105 of the Code, infor- mation gathered during Bank Secrecy Act and money laundering investigations, and personnel records and other information pertaining to IRS officers and employ- ees. IRS records and information also includes information received, generated or collected by an IRS contractor pursuant to the contractor’s contract or agreement with the IRS. The term does not include records or information obtained by IRS officers and employees while under the direction and control of the United States Attorney’s Office during the conduct of a federal grand jury investigation. The term IRS records or information does include records or information obtained during the administrative stage of a criminal investi- gation (prior to the initiation of the grand jury), obtained from IRS files (such as transcripts or tax returns), or subsequently obtained by the IRS for use in a civil investigation. (b)IRS officers and employeesmeans all officers and employees of the United States appointed by, employed by, or sub- ject to the directions, instructions, or or- ders of the Commissioner or IRS Chief Counselandalsoincludessuchformerof- ficers and employees. (c)IRS contractormeans any person, including such person’s current and former employees, maintaining IRS records or in- formation pursuant to a contract or agree- ment with the IRS, and also includes for- mer contractors. (d) Arequestis any request for testi- mony of an IRS officer, employee or con- tractor or for production of IRS records or information, oral or written, by any person, which is not a demand. (e) Ademandis any subpoena or other order of any court, administrative agency or other authority, or the Congress, or a committee or subcommittee of the Con- gress, and any notice of deposition (ei- ther upon oral examination or written ques- tions), request for admissions, request for production of documents or things, writ- ten interrogatories to parties, or other no- tice of, request for, or service for discovery in a matter before any court, administrative agency or other authority. (f) AnIRS matteris any matter before any court, administrative agency or other authority in which the United States, the Commissioner, the IRS, or any IRS officer or employee acting in an official capacity, or any IRS officer or employee (including an officer or employee of IRS Chief Coun- sel’s office) in his or her individual capac- ity if the United States Department of Jus- tice or the agency has agreed to represent or provide representation to the IRS officer or employee, is a party and that is directly related to official business of the IRS or to any law administered by or concerning the IRS, including, but not limited to, ju- dicial and administrative proceedings de- scribed in section 6103(h)(4) and (l)(4) of the Code. 2003-38 I.R.B.587September 22, 2003 (g) AnIRS congressional matteris any matter before the Congress, or a commit- tee or subcommittee of the Congress, that is related to the administration of the inter- nal revenue laws or any other laws admin- isteredbyorconcerningtheIRS,ortoIRS records or information. (h) Anon-IRS matteris any matter that is not an IRS matter or an IRS congres- sional matter. (i) Atestimony authorizationis a written instruction or oral instruction memorialized in writingwithinareason- able period by an authorizing official that sets forth the scope of and limitations on proposed testimony and/or disclosure of IRS records or information issued in response to a request or demand for such IRS records or information. A testimony authorization may grant or deny authoriza- tion to testify or disclose IRS records or information and may make an authoriza- tion effective only upon the occurrence of a precedent condition, such as the receipt of a consent complying with the provi- sions of section 6103(c) of the Code. To authorize testimony means to issue the instruction describedin this paragraph (i). (j) Anauthorizing officialis a person with delegated authority to authorize tes- timony and the disclosure of IRS records or information. §301.9000–2 Considerations in responding to a request or demand for IRS records or information. (a)Situations in which disclosure shall not be authorized. Authorizing officials shall not permit testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information in response to requests or demands if— (1) Testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information would violate a federal statute including, but not limited to, sections 6103 or 6105 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC 552a), or a rule of procedure, such as the grand jury secrecy rule, Fed. R. Crim. P. 6(e); (2) Testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information would violate a specific federal regulation, including, but not limited to, 31 CFR 103.53; (3) Testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information would reveal clas- sified national security information, unless properly declassified; (4) Testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information would reveal the identity of an informant; or (5) Testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information would reveal inves- tigatory records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes which would permit interference with law en- forcement proceedings or would disclose investigative techniques and procedures, the effectiveness of which could thereby be impaired. (b)Assertion of privileges.Anyap- plicable privilege or protection under law may be asserted in response to a request or demand for testimony or disclosure of IRS records or information, including, but not limited to, the following— (1) Attorney-client privilege; (2) Attorney work product doctrine; and (3) Deliberative process (executive) privilege. (c)Non-IRS matters.Ifanyperson makes a request or demand for IRS records or information in connection with a non-IRS matter, authorizing officials shall take into account the following addi- tional factors in responding to such request or demand— (1) Whether the requester is a federal agency, or a state or local government or agency thereof; (2) Whether the demand was issued by a federal or state court, administrative agency or other authority; (3) The potential effect of the case on the administration of the internal revenue laws or any other laws administered by or concerning the IRS; (4) The importance of the legal issues presented; (5) Whether the IRS records or informa- tion are available from other sources; (6) The IRS’s anticipated commitment of time and anticipated expenditure of funds necessary to comply with the re- quest or demand; (7) The number of similar requests and their cumulative effect on the expenditure of IRS resources; (8) Whether the request or demand allows a reasonable time for compliance (generally, at least fifteen business days); (9) Whether the testimony or disclosure is appropriate under the rules of procedure governing the case or matter in which the request or demand arises; (10) Whether the request or demand in- volves expert witness testimony; (11) Whether the request or demand is for the testimony of an IRS officer, em- ployee or contractor who is without per- sonal knowledge of relevant facts; (12) Whether the request or demand is for the testimony of a presidential ap- pointee or senior executive and whether the testimony of a lower-level official would suffice; (13) Whether the procedures in §301.9000–5 have been followed; and (14) Any other relevant factors that may be brought to the attention of the authoriz- ing official. §301.9000–3 Testimony authorizations. (a)Prohibition on disclosure of IRS records or information without testimony authorization. Except as provided in para- graph (b) of this section, when a request or demand for IRS records or information is made, no IRS officer, employee or con- tractor shall testify or disclose IRS records or information to any court, administra- tive agency or other authority, or to the Congress, or to a committee or subcom- mittee of the Congress without a testimony authorization. However, an IRS officer, employee or contractor may appear in person to advise that he or she is awaiting instructions from an authorizing official with respect to the request or demand. (b)Exceptions. No testimony autho- rizationisrequiredinthefollowingcir- cumstances— (1) To respond to a request or demand for IRS records or information by an attor- ney or other government representative re- gardinganIRSmatter; (2) To respond solely in writing, under the direction of an attorney or other rep- resentative of the government, to requests and demands in IRS matters, including, but not limited to, admissions, document pro- duction, and written interrogatories to par- ties; (3) To respond to a request or demand issued to a former IRS officer, employee or contractor for expert or opinion tes- timony if the testimony involves general knowledge (such as information contained in published procedures of the IRS or the IRS Office of Chief Counsel) gained while September 22, 20035882003-38 I.R.B. the former IRS officer, employee or con- tractor was employed or under contract with the IRS; or (4) If a more specific procedure estab- lished by the Commissioner governs the disclosure of IRS records or information. These procedures include, but are not limited to, those relating to: procedures pursuant to 26 CFR 601.702(d), Freedom of Information Act requests pursuant to 5 USC 552, Privacy Act of 1974 requests pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a, disclosures to state tax agencies pursuant to section 6103(d) of the Code, and disclosures to the United States Department of Justice pursuant to anex parteorder under section 6103(i)(1) of the Code. §301.9000–4 Procedure in the event of a request or demand for IRS records or information. (a)Purpose and scope. This section prescribes procedures to be followed by IRS officers, employees and contractors upon receipt of a request or demand in mat- ters where a testimony authorization is or may be required. (b)Notification of the Disclosure Offi- cer. Except for requests or demands in United States Tax Court cases, in person- nel, labor relations, government contract, or IRS congressional matters, or in mat- ters related to informant claims or the rules ofBivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics,403U.S. 388 (1971) (Bivens matters), or the Fed- eral Tort Claims Act (FTCA), an IRS offi- cer, employee or contractor who receives a request or demand for IRS records or infor- mation for which a testimony authorization is or may be required shall notify promptly the Disclosure Officer servicing the IRS officer’s, employee’s or contractor’s geo- graphic area. Such IRS officer, employee or contractor shall await instructions from the authorizing official concerning the re- sponse to the request or demand. (c)Requests or demands in United States Tax Court cases. An IRS officer, employee or contractor who receives a request or demand for IRS records or information on behalf of a petitioner in a United States Tax Court case shall notify promptly the IRS Chief Counsel attorney assigned to the case. Such IRS Chief Counsel attorney shall notify promptly the authorizing official. The IRS officer, employee or contractor who received such request or demand shall await instructions from the authorizing official. (d)Requests or demands in person- nel, labor relations, government contract, Bivens or FTCA matters, or matters re- lated to informant claims. An IRS officer, employee or contractor who receives a request or demand, on behalf of an appellant, grievant, complainant or repre- sentative, for IRS records or information in a personnel, labor relations, govern- ment contract, Bivens or FTCA matter, or matter related to informant claims, shall notify promptly the IRS Associate Chief Counsel (General Legal Services) attorney assigned to the case. If no IRS Associate Chief Counsel (General Legal Services) attorney is assigned to the case, the IRS officer, employee or contractor shall no- tify promptly the IRS Associate Chief Counsel (General Legal Services) attorney servicing the geographic area. Such IRS Associate Chief Counsel (General Legal Services) attorney shall notify promptly the authorizing official. The IRS officer, employee or contractor who received such request or demand shall await instructions from the authorizing official. (e)Requests or demands in IRS con- gressional matters. An IRS officer, em- ployee or contractor who receives a request or demand in an IRS congressional mat- ter shall notify promptly the IRS Office of Legislative Affairs. The IRS officer, em- ployee or contractor who received such re- quest or demand shall await instructions from the authorizing official. (f)Opposition to a demand for IRS recordsorinformationinIRSandnon-IRS matters. If, in response to a demand for IRS records or information, an authorizing official has not had a sufficient opportunity to issue a testimony authorization, or de- termines that the demand for IRS records or information should be denied, the au- thorizing official shall request the attorney or other representative of the government to oppose such demand and respectfully inform the court, administrative agency or other authority, by appropriate action, that the authorizing official either has not yet issued a testimony authorization, or has is- sued a testimony authorization, to the IRS officer, employee or contractor, that denies permission to testify or disclose the IRS records or information. If the authorizing official denies authorization in whole or in part, the attorney or other representative of the government shall inform the court, administrative agency or other authority of the reasons the authorizing official gives for not authorizing the testimony or the disclosure of the IRS records or informa- tion or take such other action in opposition as may be appropriate (including, but not limited to, filing a motion to quash or a motion to remove to federal court). (g)Procedure in the event of an adverse ruling. In the event such court, adminis- trative agency, or other authority rules ad- versely with respect to the refusal to dis- close the IRS records or information pur- suant to the testimony authorization, or de- clines to defer a ruling until a testimony au- thorization has been received, the IRS of- ficer, employee or contractor who has re- ceived the request or demand shall, pur- suant to this section, respectfully decline to testify or disclose the IRS records or in- formation. (h)Penalties. Any IRS officer or em- ployee who discloses IRS records or infor- mation without following the provisions of this section or §301.9000–3, may be sub- ject to administrative discipline, up to and including dismissal. Any IRS officer, em- ployee or contractor may be subject to ap- plicable contractual sanctions and/or crim- inal penalties, including prosecution under 5 USC 552a(i), for willful disclosure in an unauthorized manner of information pro- tected by the Privacy Act, or under section 7213 of the Code, for willful disclosure in an unauthorized manner of return informa- tion. (i)No creation of benefit or sepa- rate privilege. Nothing in this section, and nothing in §§301.9000–1 through 301.9000–6, creates, is intended to cre- ate, or may be relied upon to create, any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party against the United States. Nothing in these regula- tions creates a separate privilege or basis to withhold IRS records or information. §301.9000–5 Written statement required for requests or demands in non-IRS matters. (a)Written statement. A request or de- mand for IRS records or information for use in a non-IRS matter shall be accompa- nied by a written statement made by or on behalf of the party seeking the testimony or 2003-38 I.R.B.589September 22, 2003 disclosure of IRS records or information, setting forth— (1) A brief description of the parties to and subject matter of the proceeding and the issues; (2)Asummaryofthetestimony,IRS records or information sought, the rele- vance to the proceeding, and the estimated volume of IRS records involved; (3) The time that will be required to present the testimony (on both direct and cross examination); (4) Whether any of the IRS records or information is a return or is return infor- mation (as defined in section 6103(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code)), or tax convention information (as defined in sec- tion 6105(c)(1) of the Code), and the statu- tory authority for the disclosure of such re- turn or return information (and, if no con- sent to disclose pursuant to section 6103(c) of the Code accompanies the request or de- mand, the reason such consent is not nec- essary); (5) Whether a declaration of an IRS of- ficer, employee or contractor under penal- ties of perjury pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1746 would suffice in lieu of deposition or trial testimony; (6) Whether deposition or trial testi- mony is necessary where IRS records are authenticated under applicable rules of ev- idence and procedure; (7) Whether IRS records or information are available from other sources; and (8) A statement that the request or de- mand allows a reasonable time (generally, at least fifteen business days) for compli- ance. (b)Permissible waiver of statement. The requirement of a written statement in paragraph (a) of this section may be waived by the authorizing official for good cause. §301.9000–6 Examples. The following examples illustrate the provisions of §§301.9000–1 through 301.9000–5: Example 1. A taxpayer sues a practitioner in state court for malpractice in connection with the practi- tioner’s preparation of a federal income tax return. The taxpayer subp oenas an IRS employee to testify concerning the IRS employee’s examination of the taxpayer’s federal income tax return. The taxpayer provides the sta tement required by §301.9000–5. This is a non-IRS matter. A testimony authorization would be required for the IRS employee to give such testimony . (In addition, the taxpayer would be required to execute an appropriate consent un- der section 6103(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code)). The IRS generally opposes an IRS officer’s, employee’s or contractor’s appearance in such cases because the IRS is a disinterested party with respect to the dispute and would consider the commitment of resources to comply with the subpoena inappropriate. Example 2. In a state judicial proceeding con- cerning child support, the child’s custodial parent subpoenas for a deposition an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent who is examining certain of the non-custodial parent’s post-divorce federal income tax returns. This is a non-IRS matter. The custodial parent submits with the subpoena the statement required by §301.9000–5 stating as the reason for the lack of taxpayer consent to disclosure that the non-custodial parent has refused to provide the con- sent. (Both a consent from the taxpayer complying with section 6103(c) and a testimony authorization would be required prior to the IRS agent testifying at the deposition.) Should taxpayer consent be obtained, where appropriate, the IRS may provide a declaration and/or certified return information of the taxpayer. A deposition would be unnecessary unde r the circumstances. Example 3. The chairperson of a congressional committee requests the appearance of an IRS em- ployee before the committee and committee staff to submit to questioning by committee staff concern- ing the procedures for processing federa lemploy- ment tax returns. This is an IRS congressional mat- ter. Even though questioning would not involve the disclosure of returns or return inf ormation, the ques- tioning would involve the disclosure of IRS records or information; therefore, a testimony authorization would be required. The IRS employ ee must contact the IRS Office of Legislative Affairs for instructions before appearing. Example 4. The IRS opens a crimina l investi- gation as to the tax liabilities of a taxpayer. This is an IRS matter. At some point during the crim- inal investigation, the IRS refers the matter to the United States Department of Justice, requesting the institution of a federal grand jury to investigate fur- ther potential criminal t ax violations. Subsequently, the United States Department of Justice approves the request and initiates a grand jury investigation. The grand jury subsequent ly indicts the taxpayer, and the taxpayer subpoenas an IRS special agent for testi- mony regarding the investigation. The records and information collect ed during the administrative stage of the investigation, including the taxpayer’s tax re- turns from IRS files, are IRS records and information. A testimony author ization is required for the IRS spe- cial agent to testify regarding this information. How- ever, no IRS testimony authorization is required re- garding the inf ormation collected by the IRS special agent when the IRS special agent was acting under the direction and control of theUnited States Attorney’s Office in the f ederal grand jury investigation. That information is not IRS records or information within the meaning of §301.9000–1(a). Example 5.Th e United States Department of Jus- tice attorney representing the IRS in a suit for refund requests testimony from an IRS revenue agent. This is an IRS mat ter. A testimony authorization would not be required in order for the IRS revenue agent to testify because the testimony was requested by gov- ernment c ounsel. Example 6. A state assistant attorney general, act- ing in accordance with a recommendation from his state’s department of revenue, is prosecuting a tax- payer under a state criminal law proscribing the inten- tional failure to file a state income tax return. The as- sistant attorney generalserves an IRS employee with a subpoena to testify concerning the taxpayer’s fed- eral income tax return filing history. This is a non-IRS matter. This is also a state judicial proceeding per- taining to tax administration within the meaning of section 6103(h)(4) and (b)(4). As such, the proce- dures of section 6103(h)(4) apply. A testimony au- thorization would be required for the testimony de- mand in the subpoena. Example 7. A former IRS revenue agent is re- quested to testify in a divorce proceeding. The re- quest seeks testimony explaining the meaning of en- tries appearing on one of the parties’ transcript of ac - count which is already in the possession of the parties. This is a non-IRS matter. No testimony authoriza- tion is required because the testimony requested fr om the former IRS employee involves general knowledge gained while the former IRS revenue agent was em- ployed with the IRS. §301.9000–7 Effective date. The provisions of §§301.9000–1 through 301.9000–6 apply to any request or demand for IRS records or information received by any IRS officer, employee or contractor on or after the date of publ i- cation of the Treasury decision adop ting these rules as final regulations in theFed- eral Register. David A. Mader, Assistant Deputy Commissione r of Internal Revenue. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 8, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 9, 2003, 68 F.R. 40850 ) Notice of Proposed Rulemaki ng by Cross Reference to Temp orary Regulations Authority to Charge Fees f or Furnishing Copies of Ex empt Organizations’ Mate rial Open to Public Inspecti on Under IRC §6104 REG–142538–02 AGENCY:Interna lRevenueService (IRS), Treasur y. ACTION:Notice o f proposed rulemak- ingbycrossref erence to temporary regu- lations. September 22, 20035902003-38 I.R.B. SUMMARY:In this issue of the Bulletin, the IRS is issuing temporary regulations (T.D. 9070) relating to fees for copies of exempt organizations’ material available to the public under section 6104 of the In- ternal Revenue Code (Code). The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations. DATES:Written and electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by November 13, 2003. ADDRESSES:Send submissions to CC:PA:RU (REG–142538–02), Room 5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, D.C. 20044. Submissions may be deliv- ered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to CC:PA:RU (REG–142538–02), Courier’s Desk, In- ternal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. Alter- natively, taxpayers may submit electronic comments directly to the IRS internet site at:www.irs.gov/regs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Sarah Tate, 202–622–4590 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The IRS’ obligation under section 6104 of the Code to make certain information open to public inspection is satisfied by making the information available to the public at such times and places as the IRS shall reasonably prescribe. The existing regulations provide that copies of the in- formation that the IRS must make open to public inspection shall be available to members of the public upon written request. Currently, §301.6104(a)–6(d) provides that the IRS will charge a “fee” for copies of material available to the pub- lic under section 6104(a)(1) of the Code, including approved applications for recog- nition of tax-exempt status and supporting papers. Currently, §301.6104(b)–1(d)(4) provides that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Commissioner) may prescribe a “reasonable fee” for copies of mate- rial available to the public under section 6104(b) of the Code, including certain information furnished on exempt organi- zation annual information returns. This notice of proposed rulemaking amends the existing regulations to clarify that any fee assessed by the IRS in the exercise of its discretion, whether in the case of requests for photocopies, or for special media (e.g., computer printouts, transcripts, CD-ROM reproductions), shall be no more than the fee that would be assessed under the fee schedule promul- gated pursuant to section (a)(4)(A)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. §552(a)(4)(A)(i), by the Com- missioner from time to time (the “IRS’ FOIA fee schedule”). For paper copies, the IRS’ FOIA fee schedule, at 26 CFR §601.702(f)(3)(iv), grants the first 100 pages free of charge to requesters other than commercial use requesters, but otherwise sets a per-page copying fee ap- plicable to all requesters. The IRS’ FOIA fee schedule, at 26 CFR §601.702(f)(5), authorizes fees based on the actual cost of non-paper products, such as computer disks. Currently, §301.6104(d)–1(d)(3)(i) provides that an exempt organization re- quired to furnish copies to a requester may charge a copying fee corresponding to that which the IRS may charge. This notice of proposed rulemaking amends the existing regulations to make clear that an exempt organization may charge the applicable per-page copying fee under the IRS’ FOIA fee schedule. An exempt organization need not provide the first 100 pages of copies free of charge to requesters other than commercial use requesters as the IRS does. Through December 18, 2002, the IRS’ FOIA fee schedule set fees of $1.00 for the first page and $.15 for each sub- sequent page of exempt organization returns and related documents. 26 CFR §601.702(f)(5)(iv)(B). Effective Decem- ber 19, 2002, the fees are to be established by the Commissioner from time to time. 26 CFR §601.702(f) as updated at 67 FR 69673, 69682. Currently, the Commis- sioner has established fees of $.20 per page,upto8 1 /2by 14 inches, made by photocopy or similar process, and actual cost for other types of duplication. 31 CFR §1.7(g)(1)(i), (ii) and (iii). Special Analyses It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory as- sessment is not required. It has also been determined that section 553(b) of the Ad- ministrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chap- ter 5) does not apply to these regulations, and because these regulations do not im- pose a collection of information on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this notice of proposed rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small businesses. Comments and Request for a Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, the IRS will consider any electronic or written com- ments (a signed original and eight (8) copies) that the IRS timely receives. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing may be scheduled if requested in writing by a person who timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is sched- uled, notice of the date, time, and place for the hearing will be published in the Federal Register. Drafting Information The principal author of this notice of proposed rulemaking is Sarah Tate, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure & Administration), Disclosure & Privacy Law Division. Proposed Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is pro- posed to be amended as follows: PART 301—PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION Para. 1. The authority citation for part 301 is amended by adding entries in nu- merical order to read as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. §7805 * * * Section 301.6104(a)–6(d) is also issued under 5 U.S.C. §552 Section 301.6104(b)–1(d)(4) is also is- sued under 5 U.S.C. §552 Section 301.6104(d)–1(d)(3)(i) is also issued under 5 U.S.C. §552 * * * 2003-38 I.R.B.591September 22, 2003 Par. 2. In §301.6104(a)–6(d), the fourth sentence is amended as follows: [The text of this proposed revision is the same as the text of §301.6104(a)–6(d)–T published elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin]. Par. 3. In §301.6104(b)–1(d)(4), the last sentence is amended as follows: [The text of this proposed re- vision is the same as the text of §301.6104(b)–1(d)(4)–T published else- where in this issue of the Bulletin]. Par. 4. In §301.6104(d)–1(d)(3)(i), the second sentence is amended as follows: [The text of this proposed re- vision is the same as the text of §301.6104(d)–1(d)(3)(i)–Tpublished elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin]. Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 8, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 9, 2003, 68 F.R. 40849) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by Cross-Reference to Temporary Regulations Effect of Section 338(h)(10) Elections in Certain Multi-Step Transactions REG–143679–02 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. 9071) that give effect to section 338(h)(10) elections made in certain multi-step transactions. The text of the temporary regulations published in this issue of the Bulletin also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. DATES: Written or electronic comments must be received by November 14, 2003. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:RU (REG–143679–02), room 5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through Friday be- tween the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to: CC:PA:RU (REG–143679–02), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20044. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit electronic comments directly to the IRS Internet site atwww.irs.gov/regs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations, Daniel Heins, Mary Goode or Reginald Mombrun at (202) 622–7930; concerning submissions of comments, Guy Traynor at (202) 622–7180 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Explanation of Provisions Temporary regulations (T.D. 9071) in this issue of the Bulletin amend the Income Tax Regulations (26 CFR part 1) relating to section 338. The text of those regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. The preamble to the tempo- rary regulations contains a full explanation of the reasons underlying the issues of the proposed regulations. Special Analyses It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a signifi- cant regulatory action as defined in Exec- utive Order 12866. Therefore, a regula- tory assessment is not required. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this no- tice of proposed rulemaking will be sub- mitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on their impact. It is hereby cer- tified that these regulations do not have a significant economic impact on a substan- tial number of small entities. The number of corporations affected is limited because section 338(h)(10) elections are made only in extraordinary circumstances, the sale of a business. Furthermore, these regulations only affect transactions in which the stock of the acquiring corporation is a significant part of the consideration. Accordingly, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chap- ter 6) does not apply. Comments and Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written comments (a signed original and eight (8) copies) that are submitted timely to the IRS. Alterna- tively, taxpayers may submit comments electronically via the Internet directly to the IRS Internet site atwww.irs.gov/regs. The IRS and Treasury Department request comments on the clarity of the proposed rules and how they can be made easier to understand. All comments will be avail- able for public inspection and copying. A public hearing may be scheduled if requested in writing by any person who timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing will be published in theFederal Register. Drafting Information The principal authors of these regula- tions are Daniel Heins and Mary Goode, Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Corpo- rate). 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 1.338(h)(10)–1 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 337(d), 338 and 1502. Par. 2. § 1.338(h)(10)–1 is amended as follows: 1. Paragraph (c)(2) is revised. 2. Paragraph (e)Examples 11through 14are added. The revision and additions read as fol- lows: §1.338(h)(10)–1 Deemed asset sale and liquidation. ***** (c) * * * September 22, 20035922003-38 I.R.B. (2) [The text of the proposed amend- ment to §1.338(h)(10)–1(c)(2) is the same as the text of §1.338(h)(10)–1T(c)(2) pub- lished elsewhere in this issue of the Bul- letin.] ***** (e) * * * Examples 11through14[The text of the proposed amendments to §1.338(h)(10)–1(e)Examples 11 through14is the same as the text of §1.338(h)(10)–1T(e)Examples 11through 14published elsewhere in the Bulletin.] Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 8, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 9, 2003, 68 F.R. 40848) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Federal Unemployment Tax Deposits—De Minimis Threshold REG–144908–02 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations relating to the de- posit of Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes. The proposed regulations would provide an additional exception to the FUTA deposit requirements for taxpayers that qualify for thede minimis exception to the deposit requirements ap- plicable to Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) and withheld income taxes. The regulations affect small employers required to make deposits of FUTA taxes. DATES: Written or electronically gener- ated comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by October 15, 2003. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:RU (REG–144908–02), room 5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through Friday be- tween the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to: CC:PA:RU (REG–144908–02), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit comments electronically via the Inter- net directly to the IRS Internet site at www.irs.gov/regs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations, Heather L. Dostaler, (202) 622–4940; concerning submissions of comments and requests for a public hear- ing, Treena Garrett of the Regulations Unit at (202) 622–7180 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The current rules relating to the de- posit of FUTA taxes require employers to deposit taxes on a quarterly basis. The only generally applicable exception to this requirement is for employers whose ac- cumulated FUTA taxes (i.e., FUTA taxes for the current quarter plus undeposited FUTA taxes for prior quarters) do not ex- ceed $100. These employers are not sub- ject to the deposit requirements until the quarter in which accumulated FUTA taxes exceed $100. Similarly, if FUTA tax liabil- ity for a calendar year exceeds deposits for the year, the employer may remit the bal- ance with the annual return only if it does not exceed $100. In all other cases, the bal- ance must be deposited with an authorized financial institution. An employer is also generally required to deposit FICA taxes and withheld in- come taxes (employment taxes) on at least a monthly basis and file a quarterly or an- nual employment tax return. For any re- turn period in which the employer’s total liability for these taxes is less than $2,500, the employer may satisfy its deposit obli- gation by remitting the tax with a timely filed employment tax return. An employer that qualifies for this exception with re- spect to employment taxes accumulated during a return period may, nevertheless, be required to deposit FUTA taxes for that period if the amount of accumulated FUTA taxes exceeds $100. Explanation of Provisions The proposed regulations would pro- vide an additional exception to the FUTA deposit requirements for employers that are permitted to satisfy their obligation to deposit employment taxes by remit- ting the taxes with the employment tax return (de minimisdepositors). Thus, an employer will not be required to deposit FUTA taxes for a quarter if the amount of the employer’s accumulated FICA taxes and withheld income taxes for the quarter is less than $2,500 and those taxes are remitted with the employer’s timely filed employment tax return for the quarter. The employer will remain subject to the FUTA deposit requirements and will be required to deposit accumulated FUTA taxes for any quarter in which the amount of accu- mulated FICA taxes and withheld income taxes is at least $2,500 and the amount of accumulated FUTA taxes exceeds $100. The proposed regulations would also permit an employer that is ade minimis depositor for the last calendar quarter of a year to remit the balance of its FUTA tax liability for the year with a timely filed return. These additional exemptions from the FUTA deposit requirements will lessen burdens on small business owners, especially those employing part-time or seasonal workers. Special Analyses It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory as- sessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Ad- ministrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chap- ter 5) does not apply to these regulations, and, because these regulations do not im- pose a collection of information on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this notice of proposed rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Adminis- tration for comment on their impact. Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration 2003-38 I.R.B.593September 22, 2003 will be given to any written (a signed orig- inal and eight (8) copies) and electronic comments that are submitted timely to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury specifically re- quest comments on the clarity of the pro- posed regulations and how they can be made easier to understand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing may 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 Heather L. Dostaler of the Of- fice of Associate Chief Counsel, Procedure and Administration (Administrative Provi - sions and Judicial Practice Division). ***** Proposed Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 31 is pro- posedtobeamendedasfollows: 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. In §31.6302(c)–3, paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) are revised to read as fol- lows: §31.6302(c)–3 Use of Government depositaries in connection with tax under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act. (a) * * * (2)Special rules—( i)De minimis rule for deposit of taxes attributable to pay- ments made after De cember 31, 2003.The provisions of para graph (a)(1) of this sec- tion do not apply t o a period described therein if the per iod ends after December 31, 2003, and th e taxpayer is ade minimis depositor of em ployment taxes as defined in §31.6302–1 (e) (Federal Insurance Con- tributions A ct (FICA) taxes and withheld income taxes ) for such period. A taxpayer is ade minim isdepositor of employment taxes for a period described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section if— (A) The period is a single calendar quarter and, under thede minimisrule of §31.6302–1(f)(4), the taxpayer is per- mitted to satisfy its obligation to deposit employment taxes accumulated during the quarter by remitting the taxes with a timely filed return; or (B) The period includes two or more calendar quarters and, under thede min- imisrule of §31.6302–1(f)(4), the taxpayer is permitted to satisfy its obligation to de- posit employment taxes accumulated dur- ing the last quarter in the period by remit- ting the taxes with a timely filed return. (ii)Special rule where accumulated amount does not exceed $100. The pro- visions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section do not apply with respect to a period de- scribed therein if the amount of the tax imposed by section 3301 for the period as computed under the provisions of section 6157 plus amounts not deposited for prior periods in the same calendar year does not exceed $100. Thus, an employer is not required to make a deposit for a period unless the tax for the period plus tax not deposited for prior periods exceeds $100. (iii) The provisions of this paragraph (a)(2) are illustrated by the following ex- amples. In the examples, A’s FUTA tax rate, after the credit for contributions to state unemployment funds, is assumed to be 0.8 percent. The examples are as fol- lows: Example 1. In 2004, Employer A makes quarterly returns of employment taxes. In the first quarter, A’s only employees are part-time workers B and C,whoareeachpaidanannualsalaryof$15,000 in semi-monthly installm ents. Both B and C claim single filing status with one exemption on Form W–4 and each is paid $3,750 during the first quarter. The employees’ share of FICA tax for the quarter is $573.75 (.0765 x ($3,750 + $3,750)), A’s matching FICA tax is also $573.75,and federal income tax withheld from B and C i s $518. Thus, the amount of accumulated employment taxes for the quarter ($1,665.50) is less than $2,500 and, under thede minimisrule of §31 .6302–1(f)(4), A is permitted to satisfy its obligation to deposit employment taxes by remitting the taxes with a timely filed return. A’s FUTA tax liabili ty for the first quarter is $60 (.008 x ($3,750 + $3,750)). Because A is ade minimis depositor under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section and A’s FUTA ta x liability does not exceed $100, both of the exceptions in this paragraph (a)(2) apply and A is not required to deposit FUTA taxes for the first calend ar quarter. Example 2. On April 16, 2004, A hires part-time workerD,whoisalsopaidanannualsalaryof $15,000 in s emi-monthly installments and who also claims single filing status with one exemption on Form W–4. During the second quarter, B and C are each paid $3,750 and D is paid $3,125. The employ- ees’ share of FICA tax for the quarter is $812.81 (.0765 x ($3,750 + $3,750 + $3,125)), A’s matching FICA tax is also $812.81, and federal income tax withheld from B, C, and D is $734. Again, the amount of accumulated employment taxes for the quarter ($2,359.62) is less than $2,500 and, under the de minimisrule of §31.6302–1(f)(4), A is permitted to satisfy its obligation to deposit employment taxes by remitting the taxes with a timely filed return. The FUTA tax applies only to the first $7,000 that each employee is paid during the calendar year. Thus, for both B and C, amounts paid in the second quarter are subjecttotheFUTAtaxonlytotheextenttheydo not exceed $3,250 (the $7,000 annual limit less first quarter wages of $3,750). A’s FUTA tax liability for the second quarter is $77 (.008 x ($3,250 + $3,250 + $3125)) and A has an accumulated FUTA tax liability in the amount of $137. Accordingly, the exception in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section does not apply. A is, however, ade minimisdepositor under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section and i s, therefore, not required to deposit FUTA taxes for the second calendar quarter. Example 3. On June 30, 2004, B and C quit employment with A. The following day, A hires E, a full-time employee who is paid an annual salary of $40,000 in semi-monthly installmen ts and who also claims single filing status with one exemption on Form W–4. During the third quarter, D is paid $3,750 and E is paid $10,000. The employee s’ share of FICA tax for the quarter is $1,051.88 (.0765 x ($3,750 + $10,000)), A’s matching FICA tax is also $1,051.88, and federal income tax withheld from D and E is $1,609. Thede minimisrule of §31.6302–1(f)(4) does not apply because the amount of accumulated employment taxes for the quar ter ($3,712.76) is not less than $2,500 and A may not satisfy its obligation to deposit employment taxes by remitting the taxes with a timely filed retur n. All amounts paid to D in the third quarter are subject to the FUTA tax because the total amount paid to D through the end of the quar- ter does not exceed the $ 7,000 annual limit. The tax alsoappliestothefirst$7,000paidtoE.A’sFUTAtax liability for the third quarter is $86 (.008 x ($3,750 + $7,000)) and A has an accumulated FUTA tax liabil- ity of $223. Because A is not ade minimisdepositor under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section and A’s ac- cumulated FUTA ta x liability exceeds $100, neither of the exceptions in this paragraph (a)(2) apply and A is required to deposit the accumulated FUTA tax lia- bility on or befo re October 31, 2004. (3)Requirement for deposit in lieu of payment with re turn. If the amount of tax reportable on areturnonForm940for a calendar ye ar beginning after December 31, 2003, exc eeds by more than $100 the sum of the am ount deposited by the em- ployer purs uant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section fo r such calendar year and the em- ployer do es not qualify as ade minimis deposito r under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section during the last quarter of the calen- dar yea r, the employer shall, on or before September 22, 20035942003-38 I.R.B. the last day of the first calendar month fol- lowing the calendar year for which the re- turn is required to be filed, deposit the bal- ance of the tax due with an authorized fi- nancial institution. If the amount of tax re- portable on a return on Form 940 for a cal- endar year beginning after December 31, 2003, does not exceedby more than $100 the sum of the amount deposited by the employer pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section for such calendar year or if the employer qualifies as ade minimisdepos- itor under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this sec- tion during the last quarter of the calendar year, the employer may, on or before the last day of the first calendar month follow- ing the calendar year for which the return is required to be filed, remit the balance of the tax at the time and place fixed for filing the return. ***** Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 16, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 17, 2003, 68 F.R. 42329) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Diversification Requirements for Variable Annuity, Endowment, and Life Insurance Contracts REG–163974–02 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: This document proposes re- moving provisions of the Income Tax Reg- ulations that apply a look-through rule to assets of a nonregistered partnership for purposes of satisfying the diversification requirements of section 817(h) of the In- ternal Revenue Code. The Treasury De- partment and the IRS believe that removal of these provisions will eliminate any pos- sible confusion regarding the prohibition on ownership of interests by the public in a nonregistered partnership funding a vari- able contract. DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by December 3, 2003. ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:RU (REG–163974–02), room 5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Comments may be hand deliv- ered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:RU (REG–163974–02), Courier's Desk, Inter- nal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Alterna- tively, taxpayers may submit electronic comments directly to the IRS internet site atwww.irs.gov/regs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Polfer, (202) 622–3970 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 817(d) defines a variable con- tract as an annuity contract, a life insur- ance contract, or a contract that provides funding of insurance on retired lives as described in section 807(c)(6). A vari- able contract must provide for the allo- cation of all or part of the amounts re- ceived under the contract to an account that is segregated from the general asset accounts (a segregated asset account) of the company under state law. In the case of an annuity contract, the amounts paid in, or the amounts paid out, must reflect the investment return and the market value of the segregated asset account. Section 817(d)(3)(A). In the case of a life insur- ance contract, the amount of the death ben- efit (or the period of coverage) must be ad- justed on the basis of the investment return and the market value of the account. Sec- tion 817(d)(3)(B). In the case of a contract for funding of insurance on retired lives, the amounts paid in, or the amounts paid out, must reflect the investment return and the market value of the account. Section 817(d)(3)(C). Section 817(h)(1) provides that a vari- able contract based on a segregated asset account shall not be treated as an annu- ity, endowment, or life insurance contract unless the segregated asset account is ade- quately diversified in accordance with reg- ulations prescribedby the Secretary. Un- der section 817(h)(1), if a segregated as- set account fails to be adequately diversi- fied for a period, then the contracts sup- ported by that segregated asset account shall not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts for that period and subsequent periods, even if the segre- gated asset account is adequately diversi- fied in those subsequent periods. Section 1.817–5(c)(1) defines period as a calendar quarter. If a segregated asset account is not adequately diversified, income earned by that segregated asset account is treated as ordinary income received or accrued by the policyholders. 1 Section 817(h) was enacted by Con- gress in the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (Public Law No. 98–369). Congress en- acted the diversification requirements of section 817(h) to “discourage the use of tax-preferred variable annuity and variable life insurance primarily as investment ve- hicles.” H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 98–861, at 1055 (1984). In section 817(h)(1), Con- gress granted the Secretary broad regu- latory authority to develop rules to carry out this intent. Pursuant to this authority, §1.817–5 sets forth the standards a segre- gated asset account must meet to be treated as adequately diversified within the mean- ing of section 817(h). Section 817(h)(4) provides a look-through rule under which taxpay- ers do not treat the interest in a regulated investment company (RIC) or trust as a single asset of the segregated asset account but rather apply the diversification tests by taking into account the assets of the RIC or trust. Section 817(h) further provides that the look-through rule applies only if all of the beneficial interests in a RIC or trust are held by one or more general or segregated asset accounts of insurance companies (or affiliated companies), or by fund managers (or affiliated compa- nies) in connection with the creation or management of the RIC or trust. “In authorizingTreasurytoprescribediver- sification standards, the conferees intend that the standards be designed to deny annuity or life insurance treatment for 1 Section 1.817–5(a)(2) provides a mechanism for insurance companies to avoid this result if certain enumerated correction procedures are satisfied. 2003-38 I.R.B.595September 22, 2003 investments that are publicly available to investors . . .” H.R. Conf. Rep. at 1055. Section 1.817–5(f)(1) of the regulations implements the Congressional directive to prescribe diversification standards by pro- viding that if look-through treatment is available, a beneficial interest in a RIC, real estate investment trust, partnership, or trust that is treated under sections 671 through 679 as owned by the grantor or another person (investment company, part- nership or trust) will not be treated as a single investment of a segregated asset ac- count for purposes of testing diversifica- tion. Instead, apro rataportion of each asset of the investment company, partner- ship, or trust will be treated as an asset of the segregated asset account. Section 1.817–5(f)(2) provides more detailed rules for determining whether look-through treatment is available. Un- der §1.817–5(f)(2)(i), the look-through rule applies to any investment company, partnership, or trust if: (A) all the benefi- cial interests in the investment company, partnership, or trust are held by one or more segregated asset accounts of one or more insurance companies; and (B) public access to such investment company, partnership, or trust is available exclu- sively through the purchase of a variable contract. Section 1.817–5(f)(iii) provides exceptions to the general ownership lim- itations of §1.817–5(f)(2)(i), specifically permitting life insurance company general accounts, managers of the investment company, partnership or trust, pension or retirement plan trustees, and certain indi- viduals whose investment falls into one of two limited classes. Under§1.817–5(f)(2)(ii),the look-through rule applies to a partner- ship interest that is not registered under a federal or state law regulating the offering or sale of securities. Unlike §1.817–5(f)(2)(i), satisfaction of the non-registered partnership look-through rule of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) is not explicitly conditioned on limiting the ownership of interests in the partnership to certain specified holders. Under §1.817–5(f)(2)(iii),the look-through rule applies to a trust that is treated under sections 671 through 679 as owned by the grantor or another person if substantially all of the assets of the trust are represented by Treasury securities. Section 1.817–5(g) provides examples of the application of the look-through rules of §1.817–5(f). Example (3) of §1.817–5(g) provides an example of the application of the §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) non-registered partnership look-through rule. Explanation of Provisions This document contains proposed amendments to 26 CFR part 1 under sec- tion 817(h). These proposed amendments would remove §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii), which requires taxpayers to look through an interest in a nonregistered partnership, as defined in §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii), to determine whether a segregated asset account sup- porting a variable contract is adequately diversified within the meaning of section 817(h) and §1.817–5. In addition, the proposed regulations would conform the other provisions of §1.817–5 to the re- moval of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii), and would remove Example (3) of §1.817–5(g). The application of §1.817–5(f)(2)(i) to interests in nonregistered partnerships will be unchanged by the removal of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii). Thus, look through treatment will be available for interests in a nonregistered partnership if: (A) all the beneficial interests in the nonregistered partnership (other than those described in §1.817–5(f)(3)) are held by one or more segregated asset accounts of one or more insurance companies; and (B) public ac- cess to such nonregistered partnership is available exclusively (except as otherwise permitted in §1.817–5(f)(3)) through the purchase of a variable contract. Reasons for Change The Treasury Department and the IRS are concerned that §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) is not consistent with Congressional in- tent because it is not explicitly subject to the public availability limitation of section 817(h). The Treasury Depart- ment and the IRS believe that removal of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) will eliminate any pos- sible confusion regarding the prohibition on ownership of interests by the public in a non-registered partnership funding a variable contract. In addition, the Treasury Department and the IRS understand that certain tax- payers are purchasing contracts invested in partnerships that rely on the nonregistered partnership rule of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) to satisfy the diversification requirements of section 817(h). The Treasury De- partment and the IRS are concerned that these contracts are funded by interests in partnerships that are also available to certain limited classes of investors, specifically individuals that are “quali- fied purchasers” within the meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 80a–2(a)(51) or “accredited investors” as defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933. 2 The Treasury Department and the IRS believe that Con- gress intended to treat qualified purchasers and accredited investors as part of the gen- eral public when determining whether an investment is available for the purchase by the general public. Elimination of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) will limit access to in- terests in non-registered partnerships to the same holders that are permitted under §1.817–5(f)(2)(i), which does not include either qualified investors or accredited investors. Proposed Effective Date The Treasury Department and the IRS intend revocation of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) and Example (3) of §1.817–5(g) to be effective on the date the final regulations are published in the Federal Register. The revocation will be effective for all investments in nonregistered partnerships, including investments made prior to the ef- fective date of the revocation that relied on the look-through rule of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) to satisfy the diversification requirements of section 817(h) and the regulations and do not meet the requirements of §1.817–5(f)(2)(i). However, arrangements 2 The Treasury Department and the IRS understand that many of the partnership interests that are available under these arrangements are interests in partnerships that operate as hedge funds, oftenestablishedandoperatedinforeignjurisdictions. In many cases, interests in these partnerships are available for purchase directly by the general public as well as through the purchase of a variable contract. Taxpayers that purchase a variable annuity or life insurance contract are indirectly investing in partnership interests that are available for direct investment by the general public. By indirectly investing in these partnership interests through thepurchase of a variable contract, taxpayers defer tax on partnership earnings that might otherwise be currently taxable. The Treasury Department and the IRS believe that these arrangements (often marketed as “insurance wrappers”) are the type of overly investment oriented insurance and annuity arrangements that Congress sought to prevent when it enactedthe diversification rules of section 817(h). September 22, 20035962003-38 I.R.B. in existence on the effective date of the revocation of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) will be considered to be adequately diversified if: (i) those arrangements were adequately diversifiedwithinthemeaningofsec- tion 817(h) prior to the revocation of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) and (ii) by the end of the last day of the second calendar quarter ending after the effective date of the regu- lation, the arrangements are brought into compliance with the final regulations. Special Analyses It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory as- sessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Ad- ministrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chap- ter 5) does not apply to these regulations, and because the regulations do not im- pose a collection of information on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, the notice of proposed rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Admin- istration for comment on their impact on small business. Comments and Request for a Public Hearing Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written comments (a signed original and eight (8) copies) or electronic comments that are timely sub- mitted to the IRS. The Treasury Depart- ment and the IRS specifically request com- ments on the clarity of the proposed rule and how it may be made easier to under- stand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing may be scheduled if requested in writing by any person that timely submits written or electronic comments. If a pub- lic hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the hearing will be pub- lished in theFederal Register. The Treasury Department and the IRS specifically request comments on: (1) whether revocation of §1.817–5(f)(2)(ii) necessitates other changes to the look-through rules of §1.817–5(f), in par- ticular whether the list of holders permitted by §1.817–5(f)(3) should be amended or expanded, and whether a non-pro-rata distribution of the investment returns of a segregated asset account should be per- mitted to take account of certain bonus payments to investment managers com- monly referred to as incentive payments, (2) whether §1.817–5 should be updated to take account of changes to variable contracts since the final regulations were published in 1986, and (3) whether regula- tions are needed to address when a holder of a variable contract will be treated as the owner of assets held in a segregated asset account and, therefore, required to include earnings on those assets in income. 3 Drafting Information The principal author of these propos ed regulations is James Polfer, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Finan cial In- stitutions and Products), Off ice of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Ser vice. How- ever, personnel from other of fices of the Treasury Department and the IRS partici- pated in their development. ***** Proposed Amendment to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 1—INCOME TAX Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by adding an entry in numerical order to read as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Section1.817–5alsoissuedunder26 U.S.C. 817(h). * * * Par. 2. Section 1.817–5 is amended as follows: 1. Paragraphs (f)(2)(ii) and (g)Example 3are removed. 2. Paragraph (f)(2)(iii) is redesignated as paragraph (f)(2)(ii). 3. Paragraph (g)Example 4is redesig- nated as paragraph (g)Example 3. Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner for Ser- vices and Enforcement. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on July 29, 2003, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for July 30, 2003, 68 F.R. 44689) Pub. 1179 (Rev. Proc. 2003–28),General Rules and Specifications for Substitute Forms 1096, 1098, 1099, 5498, W–2G, and 1042–S; Updated Announcement 2003–55 After Revenue Procedure 2003–28 was released for print, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (JGTRRA) of 2003 (Public Law 108–27), was signed into law. Effective for transactions after May 5, 2003, the new law reduced capi- tal gain rates and applied the new rates to qualified dividends. This required the IRS to revise forms and procedures affected by the changes. This document describes the changes and provides updated require- ments forForm 1099–B,Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions, andForm 1099–DIV,Dividends and Dis- tributions. The rules and specifications for preparing the other forms discussed in Rev. Proc. 2003–28, 2003–16 I.R.B. 759 re- main the same. *** Form 1099–B. Brokers and others re- porting the gain or (loss) onregulated fu- tures or foreign currencycontracts report the profit or (loss) realized in 2003 in box 6 and the portion of that amount that is post-May 5, 2003, is reported in box 6a. Likewise, the aggregate profit or (loss) is reportedinbox9,andtheportionofthat amount that is post-May 5, 2003, is re- ported in box 9a. 3 The Treasury Department and the IRS have issued a number of revenue rulings that provide guidance for determining whether the holder of a variable contract will be treated as the owner of assets held by a segregated asset account by virtue of the control the contract holder has over those assets.SeeRev. Rul. 2003–92, 2003–33 I.R.B. 350 (August 18, 2003); Rev. Rul. 2003–91, 2003–33 I.R.B. 347 (August 18, 2003); Rev. Rul. 82–54, 1982–1 C.B. 11; Rev. Rul. 81–225, 1981–2 C.B. 12; Rev. Rul. 80–274, 1980–2 C.B. 27; Rev. Rul. 77–85, 1977–1 C.B. 12.See also Christoffersen v. U.S., 749 F.2d 513 (8 th Cir. 1984),rev'g578 F. Supp. 398 (N.D. Iowa 1984). These rulings apply general concepts of ownership that have developed in case law to conclude that a contract holder was the owner of assets held in the account that supported the contract holder's annuity contract, and was therefore subject to current taxation on the earnings on those assets. 2003-38 I.R.B.597September 22, 2003 Form 1099–B has been reformatted to two forms per page to allow for the ad- ditional reporting. Exhibit 1 provides an example of the new form with the proper dimensions. Copy A of privately printed continuous substitute forms must be perfo- rated at each 11′′page depth. No perfora- tions are allowed between the 5 1 /2′′forms onasinglecopypageofCopyA. *** Form 1099–DIV. Form 1099–DIV was reformatted to two forms per page to al- low reporting of qualified dividends and post-May 5, 2003, capital gain distribu- tions at the new rates. Form 1099–DIV boxes and their titles are as follows (boxes 2c–2f have been rearranged): •Box 1a — Total ordinary dividends •Box1b—Qualifieddividends •Box 2a — Total capital gain distr. •Box2b—Post-May5capitalgain distr. •Box 2c — Qualified 5-year gain •Box 2d — Unrecap. Sec. 1250 gain •Box 2e — Section 1202 gain •Box 2f — Collectibles (28%) rate gain •Box 3 — Nontaxable distributions •Box 4 — Federal income tax withheld •Box 5 — Investment expenses •Box6—Foreigntaxpaid •Box 7 — Foreign country or U. S. pos- session •Box 8 — Cash liquidation distributions •Box 9 — Noncash liquidation distribu- tions Exhibit 2 provides an example of the new form with the proper dimensions. Copy A of privately printed continuous substitute forms must be perforated at each 11′′page depth. No perforations are allowed between the 5 1 /2′′forms on a single copy page of Copy A. *** If you are uncertain of any specification and want it clarified, submit a letter citing the specification, state your understanding and interpretation of the specification, and enclose an example of the form (if appro- priate) to: Internal Revenue Service Attn: Substitute Forms Program W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP 1111 Constitution Ave., NW Room 6411 Washington, DC 20224 Note:Allow at least 45 days for the IRS to respond. You may also contact the Substi- tute Forms Program Unit via email at *taxforms@irs.gov. Enter “Substitute Forms” on the subject line. September 22, 20035982003-38 I.R.B. 2003-38 I.R.B.599September 22, 2003 September 22, 20036002003-38 I.R.B. Definition of Terms Revenue rulings and revenue procedures (hereinafter referred to as “rulings”) that have an effect on previous rulings use the following defined terms to describe the ef- fect: Amplifieddescribes a situation where no change is being made in a prior pub- lished position, but the prior position is be- ingextendedtoapplytoavariationofthe fact situation set forth therein. Thus, if an earlier ruling held that a principle ap- plied to A, and the new ruling holds that the same principle also applies to B, the earlier ruling is amplified. (Compare withmodi- fied,below). Clarifiedis used in those instances where the language in a prior ruling is being made clear because the language has caused, or may cause, some confusion. It is not used where a position in a prior ruling is being changed. Distinguisheddescribes a situation where a ruling mentions a previously pub- lished ruling and points out an essential difference between them. Modifiedis used where the substance of a previously published position is being changed. Thus, if a prior ruling held that a principle applied to A but not to B, and the new ruling holds that it applies to both A and B, the prior ruling is modified because it corrects a published position. (Compare withamplifiedandclarified,above). Obsoleteddescribes a previously pub- lished ruling that is not considered deter- minative with respect to future transac- tions. This term is most commonly used in a ruling that lists previously published rul- ings that are obsoleted because of changes in laws or regulations. A ruling may also be obsoleted because the substance has been included in regulations subsequently adopted. Revokeddescribes situations where the position in the previously published ruling is not correct and the correct position is beingstatedinanewruling. Supersededdescribes a situation where the new ruling does nothing more than re- state the substance and situation of a previ- ously published ruling (or rulings). Thus, the term is used to republish under the 1986 Code and regulations the same po- sition published under the 1939 Code and regulations. The term is also used when it is desired to republish in a single rul- ing a series of situations, names, etc., that were previously published over a period of time in separate rulings. If the new rul- ing does more than restate the substance of a prior ruling, a combination of terms is used. For example,modifiedandsu- persededdescribes a situation where the substance of a previously published ruling is being changed in part and is continued without change in part and it is desired to restate the valid portion of the previously published ruling in a new ruling that is self contained. In this case, the previously pub- lished ruling is first modified and then, as modified, is superseded. Supplementedis used in situations in which a list, such as a list of the names of countries, is published in a ruling and that list is expanded by adding further names in subsequent rulings. After the original rul- ing has been supplemented several times, a new ruling may be published that includes the list in the original ruling and the ad- ditions, and supersedes all prior rulings in the series. Suspendedis used in rare situations to show that the previous published rul- ings will not be applied pending some future action such as the issuance of new or amended regulations, the outcome of cases in litigation, or the outcome of a Service study. Abbreviations The following abbreviations in current use and formerly used will appear in material published in the Bulletin. A—Individual. Acq.—Acquiescence. B—Individual. BE—Beneficiary. BK—Bank. B.T.A.—Board of Tax Appeals. C—Individual. C.B.—Cumulative Bulletin. CFR—Code of Federal Regulations. CI—City. COOP—Cooperative. Ct.D.—Court Decision. CY—County. D—Decedent. DC—Dummy Corporation. DE—Donee. Del. Order—Delegation Order. DISC—Domestic International Sales Corporation. DR—Donor. E—Estate. EE—Employee. E.O.—Executive Order. ER—Employer. ERISA—Employee Retirement Income Security Act. EX—Executor. F—Fiduciary. FC—Foreign Country. FICA—Federal Insurance Contributions Act. FISC—Foreign International Sales Company. FPH—Foreign Personal Holding Company. F.R.—Federal Register. FUTA—Federal Unemployment Tax Act. FX—Foreign corporation. G.C.M.—Chief Counsel’s Memorandum. GE—Grantee. GP—General Partner. GR—Grantor. IC—Insurance Company. I.R.B.—Internal Revenue Bulletin. LE—Lessee. LP—Limited Partner. LR—Lessor. M—Minor. Nonacq.—Nonacquiescence. O—Organization. P—Parent Corporation. PHC—Personal Holding Company. PO—Possession of the U.S. PR—Partner. PRS—Partnership. PTE—Prohibited Transaction Exemption. Pub. L.—Public Law. REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust. Rev. Proc.—Revenue Procedure. Rev. Rul.—Revenue Ruling. S—Subsidiary. S.P.R.—Statement of Procedural Rules. Stat.—Statutes at Large. T—Target Corporation. T.C.—Tax Court. T.D.—Treasury Decision. TFE—Transferee. TFR—Transferor. T.I.R.—Technical Information Release. TP—Taxpayer. TR—Trust. TT—Trustee. U.S.C.—United States Code. X—Corporation. Y—Corporation. Z—Corporation. 2003-38 I.R.B.iSeptember 22, 2003 Numerical Finding List 1 Bulletins 2003–27 through 2003–37 Announcements: 2003-45, 2003-28 I.R.B.73 2003-46, 2003-30 I.R.B.222 2003-47, 2003-29 I.R.B.124 2003-48, 2003-28 I.R.B.73 2003-49, 2003-32 I.R.B.339 2003-50, 2003-30 I.R.B.222 2003-51, 2003-37 I.R.B.555 2003-52, 2003-32 I.R.B.345 2003-53, 2003-32 I.R.B.345 2003-57, 2003-37 I.R.B.555 Notices: 2003-38, 2003-27 I.R.B.9 2003-39, 2003-27 I.R.B.10 2003-40, 2003-27 I.R.B.10 2003-41, 2003-28 I.R.B.49 2003-42, 2003-28 I.R.B.49 2003-43, 2003-28 I.R.B.50 2003-44, 2003-28 I.R.B.52 2003-45, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2003-46, 2003-28 I.R.B.53 2003-47, 2003-30 I.R.B.132 2003-48, 2003-30 I.R.B.133 2003-49, 2003-32 I.R.B.294 2003-50, 2003-32 I.R.B.295 2003-51, 2003-33 I.R.B.361 2003-52, 2003-32 I.R.B.296 2003-53, 2003-33 I.R.B.362 2003-54, 2003-33 I.R.B.363 2003-55, 2003-34 I.R.B.395 2003-56, 2003-34 I.R.B.396 2003-57, 2003-34 I.R.B.397 2003-58, 2003-35 I.R.B.429 2003-59, 2003-35 I.R.B.429 Proposed Regulations: REG-209377-89, 2003-36 I.R.B.521 REG-108639-99, 2003-35 I.R.B.431 REG-106736-00, 2003-28 I.R.B.60 REG-107618-02, 2003-27 I.R.B.13 REG-122917-02, 2003-27 I.R.B.15 REG-131997-02, 2003-33 I.R.B.366 REG-133791-02, 2003-35 I.R.B.493 REG-138495-02, 2003-37 I.R.B.541 REG-138499-02, 2003-37 I.R.B.541 REG-141669-02, 2003-34 I.R.B.408 REG-162625-02, 2003-35 I.R.B.500 REG-108676-03, 2003-36 I.R.B.523 REG-112039-03, 2003-35 I.R.B.504 REG-116914-03, 2003-32 I.R.B.338 REG-121122-03, 2003-37 I.R.B.550 Proposed Regulations— Continued: REG-129709-03, 2003-35 I.R.B.506 REG-130262-03, 2003-37 I.R.B.553 REG-132483-03, 2003-34 I.R.B.410 Revenue Procedures: 2003-45, 2003-27 I.R.B.11 2003-46, 2003-28 I.R.B.54 2003-47, 2003-28 I.R.B.55 2003-48, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2003-49, 2003-29 I.R.B.89 2003-50, 2003-29 I.R.B.119 2003-51, 2003-29 I.R.B.121 2003-52, 2003-30 I.R.B.134 2003-53, 2003-31 I.R.B.230 2003-54, 2003-31 I.R.B.236 2003-55, 2003-31 I.R.B.242 2003-56, 2003-31 I.R.B.249 2003-57, 2003-31 I.R.B.257 2003-58, 2003-31 I.R.B.262 2003-59, 2003-31 I.R.B.268 2003-60, 2003-31 I.R.B.274 2003-61, 2003-32 I.R.B.296 2003-62, 2003-32 I.R.B.299 2003-63, 2003-32 I.R.B.304 2003-64, 2003-32 I.R.B.306 2003-65, 2003-32 I.R.B.336 2003-66, 2003-33 I.R.B.364 2003-67, 2003-34 I.R.B.397 2003-68, 2003-34 I.R.B.398 2003-69, 2003-34 I.R.B.403 2003-70, 2003-34 I.R.B.406 2003-71, 2003-36 I.R.B.517 Revenue Rulings: 2003-70, 2003-27 I.R.B.3 2003-71, 2003-27 I.R.B.1 2003-72, 2003-33 I.R.B.346 2003-73, 2003-28 I.R.B.44 2003-74, 2003-29 I.R.B.77 2003-75, 2003-29 I.R.B.79 2003-76, 2003-33 I.R.B.355 2003-77, 2003-29 I.R.B.75 2003-78, 2003-29 I.R.B.76 2003-79, 2003-29 I.R.B.80 2003-80, 2003-29 I.R.B.83 2003-81, 2003-30 I.R.B.126 2003-82, 2003-30 I.R.B.125 2003-83, 2003-30 I.R.B.128 2003-84, 2003-32 I.R.B.289 2003-85, 2003-32 I.R.B.291 2003-86, 2003-32 I.R.B.290 2003-87, 2003-29 I.R.B.82 2003-88, 2003-32 I.R.B.292 2003-89, 2003-37 I.R.B.525 Revenue Rulings— Continued: 2003-90, 2003-33 I.R.B.353 2003-91, 2003-33 I.R.B.347 2003-92, 2003-33 I.R.B.350 2003-93, 2003-33 I.R.B.346 2003-94, 2003-33 I.R.B.357 2003-95, 2003-33 I.R.B.358 2003-96, 2003-34 I.R.B.386 2003-97, 2003-34 I.R.B.380 2003-98, 2003-34 I.R.B.378 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 2003-100, 2003-34 I.R.B.385 2003-101, 2003-36 I.R.B.513 Treasury Decisions: 9061, 2003-27 I.R.B.5 9062, 2003-28 I.R.B.46 9063, 2003-36 I.R.B.510 9064, 2003-36 I.R.B.508 9065, 2003-36 I.R.B.515 9066, 2003-36 I.R.B.509 9067, 2003-32 I.R.B.287 9068, 2003-37 I.R.B.538 9069, 2003-37 I.R.B.525 9072, 2003-37 I.R.B.527 9081, 2003-35 I.R.B.420 1 A cumulative list of all revenue rulings, revenue procedures, Treasury decisions, etc., published in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2003-1 through 2003-26 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2003-27, dated July 7, 2003. September 22, 2003ii2003-38 I.R.B. Findings List of Current Actions on Previously Published Items 1 Bulletins 2003-27 through 2003-37 Notices: 87-5 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 87-66 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 89-79 Modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-47, 2003-28 I.R.B.55 89-94 Modified by Notice 2003-50, 2003-32 I.R.B.295 94-46 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 95-50 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 95-53 Modified and superseded by Notice 2003-55, 2003-34 I.R.B.395 2001-4 Section III.C. superseded for 2004 and subsequent calendar years by Rev. Proc. 2003-64, 2003-32 I.R.B.306 2001-70 Amplified by Notice 2003-45, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2001-74 Amplified by Notice 2003-45, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2002-1 Amplified by Notice 2003-49, 2003-32 I.R.B.294 2003-36 Modified by Notice 2003-59, 2003-35 I.R.B.429 Proposed Regulations: REG-EE-86-88 (LR-279-81) Withdrawn by REG-122917-02, 2003-27 I.R.B.15 REG-105606-99 Withdrawn by REG-133791-02, 2003-35 I.R.B.493 Revenue Procedures: 66-50 Modified, amplified, and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-62, 2003-32 I.R.B.299 68-23 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 68-41 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-12 Amplified, modified, and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-51, 2003-29 I.R.B.121 81-40 Modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-62, 2003-32 I.R.B.299 89-12 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 89-21 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-53, 2003-31 I.R.B.230 90-19 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 90-32 Section4supersededby Rev. Proc. 2003-55, 2003-31 I.R.B.242 Section5supersededby Rev. Proc. 2003-56, 2003-31 I.R.B.249 Section6supersededby Rev. Proc. 2003-57, 2003-31 I.R.B.257 Section7supersededby Rev. Proc. 2003-59, 2003-31 I.R.B.268 Section8supersededby Rev. Proc. 2003-60, 2003-31 I.R.B.274 91-11 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 91-13 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 91-39 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 92-33 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 Revenue Procedures— Continued: 92-35 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 92-88 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 93-17 Obsoleted by REG-132483-03, 2003-34 I.R.B.408 94-46 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 95-10 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 95-11 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 95-39 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 96-17 Modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-69, 2003-34 I.R.B.402 96-30 Modified and amplified by Rev. Proc. 2003-48, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 96-38 Obsoleted by Rev. Proc. 2003-71, 2003-36 I.R.B.517 2000-12 Modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-64, 2003-32 I.R.B.306 2000-15 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-61, 2003-32 I.R.B.296 2002-9 Modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-45, 2003-27 I.R.B.11 Amplified and modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-50, 2003-29 I.R.B.119 Modified and amplified by Rev. Proc. 2003-63, 2003-32 I.R.B.304 Rev. Rul. 2003-81, 2003-30 I.R.B.126 2002-13 Revoked by Rev. Proc. 2003-68, 2003-34 I.R.B.398 1 A cumulative list of current actions on previously published items in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2003-1 through 2003-26 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2003-27, dated July 7, 2003. 2003-38 I.R.B.iiiSeptember 22, 2003 Revenue Procedures— Continued: 2002-33 Amplified and modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-50, 2003-29 I.R.B.119 2002-34 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-52, 2003-30 I.R.B.134 2002-45 Revoked by Rev. Proc. 2003-68, 2003-34 I.R.B.398 2003-3 Modified by Rev. Proc. 2003-48, 2003-29 I.R.B.86 2003-15 Modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2003-49, 2003-29 I.R.B.89 Revenue Rulings: 53-56 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 54-139 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 54-396 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 55-105 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 55-372 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-128 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-160 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-212 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-220 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-271 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-344 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 Revenue Rulings— Continued: 56-448 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-451 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-586 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-680 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 56-681 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 57-116 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 57-296 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 57-542 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 58-92 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 58-618 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 59-108 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 59-120 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 59-122 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 59-233 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 59-326 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 59-356 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 59-400 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 Revenue Rulings— Continued: 59-412 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 60-49 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 60-246 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 60-262 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 60-307 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 61-96 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 63-157 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 63-224 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 63-248 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 64-147 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 64-177 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 64-285 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 65-110 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 62-260 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 65-273 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 66-4 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 66-23 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 September 22, 2003iv2003-38 I.R.B. Revenue Rulings— Continued: 66-290 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 67-186 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 67-189 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 67-326 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 68-309 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 68-388 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 68-434 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 68-477 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 68-522 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 68-608 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 68-640 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 68-641 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 69-18 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 69-20 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 69-241 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 69-361 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 69-426 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 Revenue Rulings— Continued: 69-485 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 69-517 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 70-6 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 70-111 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 70-229 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 70-230 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 70-264 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 70-286 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 70-378 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 70-409 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 70-496 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 71-13 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 71-384 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 71-440 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 71-453 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 71-454 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 71-495 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 Revenue Rulings— Continued: 71-518 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 71-565 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 71-582 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 72-61 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 72-116 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 72-212 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 72-357 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 72-472 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 72-526 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 72-599 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 72-603 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 73-46 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 73-119 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 73-182 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 73-257 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 73-277 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 73-473 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 2003-38 I.R.B.vSeptember 22, 2003 Revenue Rulings— Continued: 73-490 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 73-498 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-6 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-59 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-73 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-83 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-87 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-211 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-376 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-476 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-521 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 74-610 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-53 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-54 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-105 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-106 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-107 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 Revenue Rulings— Continued: 75-111 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-134 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-160 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-174 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-179 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-212 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-248 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-298 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-341 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-426 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-468 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-515 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 75-561 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 76-44 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 76-67 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 76-90 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 76-225 Revoked by T.D. 9068, 2003–37538 Revenue Rulings— Continued: 76-239 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 76-329 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 76-347 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 76-535 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-41 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-81 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-150 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-256 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-284 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-321 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-343 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-405 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-456 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-482 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 77-483 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 78-89 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 78-287 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 September 22, 2003vi2003-38 I.R.B. Revenue Rulings— Continued: 78-441 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 79-29 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 79-71 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 79-82 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 79-104 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 79-116 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 79-314 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 79-410 Amplified by Rev. Rul. 2003-90, 2003-33 I.R.B.353 79-424 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 80-78 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 80-79 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 80-101 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 80-167 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 80-170 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 80-358 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 81-190 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 81-225 Clarified and amplified by Rev. Rul. 2003-92, 2003-33 I.R.B.350 Revenue Rulings— Continued: 81-247 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 82-164 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 82-226 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 83-101 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 83-119 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 84-28 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 84-30 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 85-55 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 85-136 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 86-52 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 87-1 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 88-7 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 89-72 Obsoleted by Rev. Rul. 2003-99, 2003-34 I.R.B.388 Treasury Decisions: 9033 Removed by T.D. 9065, 2003-36 I.R.B.515 2003-38 I.R.B.viiSeptember 22, 2003 *U.S. G.P.O.: 2003—496–919/60101
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