Guidance Under Section 1502; Amendment of Tacking Rule Requirements of Life-Nonlife Consolidated Regulations, 39734-39737 [E7-14084]
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39734
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 139 / Friday, July 20, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Need for Correction
Federal Aviation Administration
As published, the final rule contains
errors in the summary and legal
description of the Class E4 airspace
area. Accordingly, pursuant to the
authority delegated to me, the summary
and legal description for the Class E4
airspace area at Aguadilla, PR,
incorporated by reference at § 71.1, 14
CFR 71.1, and published in the Federal
Register on May 8, 2007, (72 FR 25962),
is corrected by making the following
correcting amendment.
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA–2007–27594; Airspace
Docket No. 07–ASO–3]
Establishment of Class D and E
Airspace; Aguadilla, PR; Correction
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Correcting amendment.
AGENCY:
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
This document contains a
correction to the final rule (FAA–2007–
27594; 07–ASO–3), which was
published in the Federal Register of
May 8, 2007, (72 FR 25962), establishing
Class D and E airspace at Aguadilla, PR.
This action corrects errors in the
summary and legal description for the
Class E4 airspace at Aguadilla, PR.
DATES: Effective Date: Effective 0901
UTC, July 5, 2007. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this
incorporation by reference action under
title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part
51, subject to the annual revision of
FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of
conforming amendments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark D. Ward, Manager, System
Support Group, Eastern Service Center,
Federal Aviation Administration, P.O.
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320;
telephone (404) 305–5627.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
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Background
Federal Register Document 07–2250,
Docket No. FAA–2007–27594; 07–ASO–
3, published May 8, 2007, (72 FR
25962), establishes Class D and E4
airspace at Aguadilla, PR. Errors were
discovered in the summary and legal
description describing the Class E4
airspace area. In line 13 of the summary,
Class E should read Class D. In the legal
description for the Class E4 airspace, the
navigation aid, Borinquen VORTAC,
and geographical coordinates, Lat.
18°29′53″ N, long. 67°06′30″ W, were
omitted. This action corrects those
errors. Class E airspace designations for
airspace areas designated as an
extension to a Class D surface area are
published in Paragraph 6004 of FAA
Order 7400.9P, Airspace Designations
and Reporting Points, dated September
1, 2006, and effective September 15,
2006, which is incorporated by
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E
airspace designation listed in this
document will be published
subsequently in the Order.
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14:38 Jul 19, 2007
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Airspace, Incorporation by reference,
Navigation (air).
I In consideration of the foregoing, the
Federal Aviation Administration
corrects the adopted amendment, 14
CFR part 71, by making the following
correcting amendment:
PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,
CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS;
AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING
POINTS
1. The authority citation for part 71
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 40103, 40113,
40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–
1963 Comp., p. 389.
§ 71.1
[Corrected]
2. The incorporation by reference in
14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation
Administration Order 7400.9P, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points,
dated September 1, 2006, and effective
September 15, 2006, is amended as
follows:
I
Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas
Designated as an Extension to a Class D
Surface Area.
*
*
*
*
*
ASO PR E4 Aguadilla, PR [Corrected]
Rafael Hernandez Airport, PR
(Lat. 18°29′42″ N., long. 67°07′46″ W.)
Borinquen VORTAC
(Lat. 18°29′53″ N., long. 67°06′30″ W.)
That airspace extending upward from the
surface within 2.4 miles each side of the
Borinquen VORTAC 257° radial extending
from the 4.5 mile radius to 7 miles west of
the VORTAC. This Class E airspace area is
effective during the specific days and times
established in advance by a Notice to
Airmen. The effective days and times will
thereafter be continuously published in the
Airport/Facility Directory.
*
*
*
*
*
On page 25962, column 2, line 13 of the
Summary, correct the Class E and Class E4,
changing ‘‘Class E and Class E4’’ to ‘‘Class D
and E4’’.
*
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*
Frm 00008
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*
Fmt 4700
*
Sfmt 4700
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on April
26, 2007.
Mark D. Ward,
Group Manager, System Support Group,
Eastern Service Center.
[FR Doc. 07–3503 Filed 7–19–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–M
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
[TD 9342]
RIN 1545–BE85
Guidance Under Section 1502;
Amendment of Tacking Rule
Requirements of Life-Nonlife
Consolidated Regulations
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
ACTION: Final regulations and removal of
temporary regulations.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document contains final
regulations under section 1502
concerning the requirements for
including insurance companies in a lifenonlife consolidated return. These
regulations conform the consolidated
return rules to certain changes in law.
These regulations affect corporations
filing life-nonlife consolidated returns.
DATES: Effective Date: These regulations
are effective July 20, 2007.
Applicability Date: For dates of
applicability, see §§ 1.1502–47(b) and
1.1502–76(d).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ross
Poulsen (202) 622–7790 or Marcie
Barese (202) 622–7790 (not toll-free
numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 1504(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code permits life companies to
join in the filing of a consolidated return
with nonlife corporations with certain
restrictions, the principal one of which
is that a life company must be a member
of the affiliated group (without regard to
section 1504(b)(2)) for five taxable years
before it may join in the filing of the
consolidated group’s return. Section
1.1502–47 contains an exception to this
requirement (the tacking rule) for
transactions that meet certain
conditions. The original tacking rule
contained five conditions, including
‘‘the separation condition.’’
Before 1981, section 843 required all
insurance companies taxed under
Subchapter L to adopt a calendar year
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 139 / Friday, July 20, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
tax year. The consolidated return
regulations required all members of a
consolidated group to adopt the tax year
of the common parent, but, in order to
accommodate section 843, required a
fiscal-year consolidated group to change
its tax year to a calendar year if, on the
last day of its fiscal year, it included an
insurance company required by section
843 to use a calendar year (Old
§ 1.1502–76(a)(2)). In 1981, an
amendment to section 843 became
effective, providing that, under
regulations prescribed by the Secretary,
an insurance company joining in the
filing of a consolidated return may
adopt the fiscal year of the common
parent corporation.
On April 25, 2006, temporary
regulations (TD 9258) were published in
the Federal Register (71 FR 23856)
amending the tacking rule of the lifenonlife consolidated return regulations
and the regulations relating to taxable
years of members of a consolidated
group. A notice of proposed rulemaking
(REG–133036–05) cross-referencing
those temporary regulations was
published in the Federal Register (71
FR 23882) on the same day. The
temporary regulations removed the
separation condition of the tacking rule
and Old § 1.1502–76(a)(2).
On May 30, 2006, temporary
regulations (TD 9264) were published in
the Federal Register (71 FR 30591), in
part, amending the regulations relating
to taxable years of members of a
consolidated group. A notice of
proposed rulemaking (REG–134317–05)
cross-referencing those temporary
regulations was published in the
Federal Register (71 FR 30640) on the
same day. The temporary regulations
eliminated impediments to the
electronic filing of the statement made
under § 1.1502–76(b)(2)(ii).
The IRS and Treasury Department
considered several comments
responding to the proposed and
temporary regulations. After
consideration of these comments, the
final regulations adopt the provisions of
the proposed regulations without
substantive change and the
corresponding temporary regulations are
removed.
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Explanation and Summary of
Comments
Effective Date of § 1.1502–47
The IRS received two comments from
the public relating to the effective date
of Prop. Reg. § 1.1502–47 and Temp.
Reg. § 1.1502–47T. The proposed and
temporary regulations are effective for
taxable years for which the due date
(without extensions) for filing returns is
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14:38 Jul 19, 2007
Jkt 211001
after April 25, 2006, (their date of
publication). Several commentators
noted that the preamble to the
temporary regulations indicated that the
purpose of the separation condition was
largely eliminated in 1984 after
Congress repealed the three phase
system of life insurance company
taxation, and it became even less
relevant after Congress suspended
taxation on distributions from
policyholders surplus accounts made
during 2005 and 2006. On that basis,
these commentators requested that the
effective date of the final regulations be
applicable retroactively for all open tax
years. While making this request,
however, the commentators recognized
that retroactive application of the
regulations would present serious
administrative concerns. The IRS and
Treasury Department agree with the
commentators that retroactive
application of the final regulations
raises significant questions of
administrability. Therefore, in the
interest of sound tax administration, the
IRS and Treasury Department decline to
adopt this suggestion.
Alternatively, the commentators
requested that these final regulations be
applicable for returns due after the
effective date of the temporary
regulations. We agree with this
suggestion. Accordingly, the temporary
regulations are applicable to returns due
(without extensions) after April 25,
2006, and on or before the effective date
of these final regulations. These final
regulations are applicable to returns due
(without extensions) after their effective
date.
Comments on Prop. Reg. § 1.1502–76
and Temp. Reg. § 1.1502–76T
One commentator raised several
concerns with the proposal to remove
Old § 1.1502–76(a)(2). First, the
commentator reads both the language of
section 843 and the legislative history of
the amendment to section 843 as
demonstrating congressional intent to
create a choice, when an insurance
company joins a fiscal-year consolidated
group, of whether the group remains on
the fiscal year (requiring the joining
insurance member to adopt the fiscal
year) or adopts a calendar year tax year.
Amended section 843 provides that
(under regulations) an insurance
company joining in the filing of a
consolidated return ‘‘may adopt’’ the
taxable year of the common parent
corporation. The legislative history of
amended section 843 acknowledges that
‘‘[s]ome life companies may not want to
adopt a [fiscal] year * * *.’’ S. Rep. No.
94–938, at 455–56 (1976).
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Fmt 4700
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39735
The IRS and Treasury Department do
not agree with the commentator’s
interpretation of the statute or the
legislative history. The election
discussed in the legislative history is the
election under section 1504(c) allowing
a life company to join in the
consolidated return of a nonlife group.
The legislative history notes that ‘‘[i]f
this election is not made, existing law
will continue to apply.’’ The legislative
history goes on to state:
It is understood that although generally
companies will probably desire to file
consolidated returns with the life or other
mutual insurance companies, some may
choose to continue to file separate returns
under existing law. Where this occurs, it is
likely to arise from the fact that the parent
corporation (whose year the other members
joining in the filing of the consolidated
return must follow) uses a fiscal year as its
taxable year. Some life companies may not
want to adopt a taxable year other than a
calendar year since filings with State
insurance commissioners are required by
these life companies on a calendar year basis.
S. Rep. No. 94–938, at 455–56 (1976).
Rather than suggesting that the group
has an election to change its taxable
year when a newly-joining life company
does not desire to adopt the group’s
fiscal year, the legislative history
suggests that Congress expected, in such
cases, that no section 1504(c) election
would be made and the life company
would continue filing separately.
Further, the legislative history is clear
that Congress amended section 843 in
order to accommodate the consolidated
return rules relating to taxable years of
members of consolidated groups, not to
modify or override them.
The sole purpose of Old § 1.1502–
76(a)(2) was to conform the
consolidated rules to section 843. Once
section 843 was amended, not only was
the purpose of Old § 1.1502–76(a)(2)
eliminated, but Old § 1.1502–76(a)(2)
was no longer operative because it only
applies to groups with ‘‘an includible
insurance company required by section
843 to file its return on the basis of a
calendar year * * *.’’ For these reasons,
the IRS and Treasury Department
decline to create a regulatory election
allowing fiscal-year consolidated groups
to switch to a calendar year upon
including an insurance company in its
consolidated group.
Another comment noted that the
legislative history of the amendment to
section 843 contemplates that the
Secretary will write regulations that
require insurance companies adopting
the fiscal year of a consolidated group
to maintain adequate records
reconciling all of the items on its fiscal
year tax return with the corresponding
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 139 / Friday, July 20, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
items on its calendar year statements
filed with State insurance
commissioners. Since the amendment to
section 843, the input received by the
IRS and Treasury Department from
taxpayers has not suggested a need for
guidance in this area. However, the IRS
and Treasury Department welcome
comments on this topic.
The final comment suggested that a
rule be added allowing an insurance
company that joins a fiscal-year
consolidated group and leaves the group
before the end of the group’s tax year to
maintain its calendar year. The
comment observed that, without such a
rule, § 1.1502–76T(a) and section 843
create unnecessary work for such an
insurance company because upon
joining the group, the insurance
company would be required to adopt
the common parent’s fiscal year under
§ 1.1502–76T(a)(1) and upon leaving the
group, the insurance company would
have to readopt a calendar year under
section 843.
The IRS and Treasury Department
decline to adopt this suggestion because
they believe that the number of
taxpayers affected by such a scenario
would be too minimal to justify the
creation of a special rule.
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Special Analyses
It has been determined that this
Treasury decision is not a significant
regulatory action as defined in
Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a
regulatory assessment is not required.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) it has
been determined that a delayed effective
date is unnecessary because this rule
finalizes currently effective temporary
rules regarding including life insurance
companies in a life-nonlife consolidated
return. 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
these regulations primarily affect
affiliated groups of corporations with
one or more life insurance company
members, which tend to be larger
businesses. Moreover, the number of
taxpayers affected is minimal.
Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is
not required. Pursuant to section 7805(f)
of the Internal Revenue Code, the notice
of proposed rulemaking preceding these
regulations was submitted to the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration for comment
on its impact on small business.
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Drafting Information
The principal author of these
regulations is Marcie Barese, Office of
Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate).
However, other personnel from the IRS
and Treasury Department participated
in their development.
List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Adoption of Amendments to the
Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is
amended as follows:
I
PART 1—INCOME TAXES
Paragraph 1. The authority citation
for part 1 is amended by removing the
entries for §§ 1.1502–47T and 1.1502–
76T to read, in part, as follows:
I
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
Section 1.1502–47 also issued under 26
U.S.C. 1502, 1503(c) and 1504(c). * * *
I Par. 2. Section 1.1502–47 is amended
by revising paragraphs (b)(2) and
(d)(12)(v).
The revisions read as follows:
§ 1.1502–47 Consolidated returns by lifenonlife groups.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(2) Tacking rule effective dates—(i) In
general. Paragraph (d)(12)(v) of this
section applies to any original
consolidated Federal income tax return
due (without extensions) after July 20,
2007.
(ii) Prior law. For original
consolidated Federal income tax returns
due (without extensions) after April 25,
2006, and on or before July 20, 2007, see
§ 1.1502–47T as contained in 26 CFR
part 1 in effect on April 1, 2007. For
original consolidated Federal income
tax returns due (without extensions) on
or before April 25, 2006, see § 1.1502–
47 as contained in 26 CFR part 1 in
effect on April 1, 2006.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(12) * * *
(v) Tacking rule. The period during
which an old corporation is in existence
and a member of the group engaged in
active business is included in (or tacks
onto) the period for the new corporation
if the following four conditions listed in
this paragraph (d)(12)(v) are met. For
purposes of this paragraph (d)(12)(v), a
new corporation is a corporation
(whether or not newly organized) during
the period its eligibility depends upon
the tacking rule. The four conditions are
as follows—
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
(A) The first condition is that, at any
time, 80 percent or more of the new
corporation’s assets it acquired (other
than in the ordinary course of its trade
or business) were acquired from the old
corporation in one or more transactions
described in section 351(a) or 381(a).
This asset test is applied by using the
fair market values of assets on the date
they were acquired and without regard
to liabilities. Assets acquired in the
ordinary course of business will be
excluded from total assets only if they
were acquired after the new corporation
became a member of the group
(determined without section 1504(b)(2)).
In addition, assets that the old
corporation acquired from outside the
group in transactions not conducted in
the ordinary course of its trade or
business are not included in the 80
percent (but are included in total assets)
if the old corporation acquired those
assets within five calendar years before
the date of their transfer to the new
corporation.
(B) The second condition is that at the
end of the taxable year during which the
first condition is first met, the old
corporation and the new corporation
must both have the same tax character.
For purposes of this paragraph (d)(12),
a corporation’s tax character is the
section under which it would be taxed
(i.e., sections 11, 802, 821, or 831) if it
filed a separate return. If the old
corporation is not in existence (or
adopts a plan of complete liquidation) at
the end of that taxable year, this
paragraph (d)(12)(v)(B) will apply to the
old corporation’s taxable year
immediately preceding the beginning of
the taxable year during which the first
condition is first met.
(C) The third condition is that, at the
end of the taxable year during which the
first condition is first met, the new
corporation does not undergo a
disproportionate asset acquisition under
paragraph (d)(12)(viii) of this section.
(D) The fourth condition is that, if
there is more than one old corporation,
the first two conditions apply to all of
the corporations. Thus, the second
condition (tax character) must be met by
all of the old corporations transferring
assets taken into account in meeting the
test in paragraph (d)(12)(v)(A) of this
section.
*
*
*
*
*
§ 1.1502–47T
[Removed]
I Par. 3. Section 1.1502–47T is
removed.
I Par. 4. Section 1.1502–76 is amended
by revising paragraphs (a), (b)(2)(ii)(D),
and (d).
The revisions read as follows:
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§ 1.1502–76
group.
Taxable year of members of
39737
(ii) Prior law. For original
consolidated Federal income tax returns
due (without extensions) after April 25,
2006, and on or before July 20, 2007, see
§ 1.1502–76T as contained in 26 CFR
part 1 in effect on April 1, 2007. For
original consolidated Federal income
tax returns due (without extensions) on
or before April 25, 2006, see § 1.1502–
76 as contained in 26 CFR part 1 in
effect on April 1, 2006.
(2) Election to ratably allocate items
effective date—(i) In general. Paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(D) of this section applies to any
original consolidated Federal income
tax return due (without extensions) after
July 20, 2007.
(ii) Prior law. For original
consolidated Federal income tax returns
due (without extensions) after May 30,
2006, and on or before July 20, 2007, see
§ 1.1502–76T as contained in 26 CFR
part 1 in effect on April 1, 2007. For
original consolidated Federal income
tax returns due (without extensions) on
or before May 30, 2006, see § 1.1502–76
as contained in 26 CFR part 1 in effect
on April 1, 2006.
(a) Taxable year of members of group.
The consolidated return of a group must
be filed on the basis of the common
parent’s taxable year, and each
subsidiary must adopt the common
parent’s annual accounting period for
the first consolidated return year for
which the subsidiary’s income is
includible in the consolidated return. If
any member is on a 52–53-week taxable
year, the rule of the preceding sentence
shall, with the advance consent of the
Commissioner, be deemed satisfied if
the taxable years of all members of the
group end within the same 7-day
period. Any request for such consent
shall be filed with the Commissioner of
Internal Revenue, Washington, DC
20224, not later than the 30th day before
the due date (not including extensions
of time) for the filing of the consolidated
return.
(b) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) Election—(1) Statement. The
election to ratably allocate items under
this paragraph (b)(2)(ii) must be made in
a separate statement entitled, ‘‘THIS IS
AN ELECTION UNDER § 1.1502–
76(b)(2)(ii) TO RATABLY ALLOCATE
THE YEAR’S ITEMS OF [INSERT
NAME AND EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OF THE
MEMBER].’’ The election must be filed
by including a statement on or with the
returns including the items for the years
ending and beginning with S’s change
in status. If two or more members of the
same consolidated group, as a
consequence of the same plan or
arrangement, cease to be members of
that group and remain affiliated as
members of another consolidated group,
an election under this paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(D)(1) may be made only if it is
made by each such member. Each
statement must also indicate that an
agreement, as described in paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(D)(2) of this section, has been
entered into. Each party signing the
agreement must retain either the
original or a copy of the agreement as
part of its records. See § 1.6001–1(e).
(2) Agreement. For each election
under this paragraph (b)(2)(ii), the
member and the common parent of each
affected group must sign and date an
agreement. The agreement must—
(i) Identify the extraordinary items,
their amounts, and the separate or
consolidated returns in which they are
included;
(ii) Identify the aggregate amount to be
ratably allocated, and the portion of the
amount included in the separate and
consolidated returns; and
(iii) Include the name and employer
identification number of the common
parent (if any) of each group that must
take the items into account.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) Effective/applicability date—(1)
Taxable years of members of group
effective date. (i) In general. Paragraph
(a) of this section applies to any original
consolidated Federal income tax return
due (without extensions) after July 20,
2007.
Par. 6. For each entry in the
‘‘Location’’ column of the following
table, remove the language in the
‘‘Remove’’ column and add the language
in the ‘‘Add’’ column in its place:
Location
Remove
Add
§ 1.1502–35(c)(4)(ii)(B) .......................................
§ 1.1502–76(b)(2)(ii)(A)(2) ..................................
§ 1.1502–76T(b)(2)(ii)(D) ..................................
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(D) of § 1.1502–76T ...........
Kevin M. Brown,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and
Enforcement.
Approved: July 16, 2007.
Eric Solomon,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax
Policy).
[FR Doc. E7–14084 Filed 7–19–07; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 301
[TD 9344]
RIN 1545–BG24
Change to Office to Which Notices of
Nonjudicial Sale and Requests for
Return of Wrongfully Levied Property
Must Be Sent
BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
ACTION: Final and temporary
regulations.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document contains final
and temporary regulations relating to
the discharge of liens under section
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14:38 Jul 19, 2007
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§ 1.1502–76T
[Removed]
Par. 5. Section 1.1502–76T is
removed.
I
§ 1.502–35
[Amended]
§ 1.502–76
[Amended]
I
§ 1.1502–76(b)(2)(ii)(D).
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(D) of this section.
7425 and return of wrongfully levied
upon property under section 6343 of the
Internal Revenue Code (Code) of 1986.
These temporary regulations clarify that
such notices and claims should be sent
to the IRS official and office specified in
the relevant IRS publications. The
temporary regulations will affect parties
seeking to provide the IRS with notice
of a nonjudicial foreclosure sale and
parties making administrative requests
for return of wrongfully levied property.
The text of the temporary regulations
also serves as the text of the proposed
regulations set forth in the notice of
proposed rulemaking on this subject in
the Proposed Rules section in this issue
of the Federal Register.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 139 (Friday, July 20, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39734-39737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14084]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
[TD 9342]
RIN 1545-BE85
Guidance Under Section 1502; Amendment of Tacking Rule
Requirements of Life-Nonlife Consolidated Regulations
AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.
ACTION: Final regulations and removal of temporary regulations.
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SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations under section 1502
concerning the requirements for including insurance companies in a
life-nonlife consolidated return. These regulations conform the
consolidated return rules to certain changes in law. These regulations
affect corporations filing life-nonlife consolidated returns.
DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective July 20, 2007.
Applicability Date: For dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.
1.1502-47(b) and 1.1502-76(d).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ross Poulsen (202) 622-7790 or Marcie
Barese (202) 622-7790 (not toll-free numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 1504(c) of the Internal Revenue Code permits life companies
to join in the filing of a consolidated return with nonlife
corporations with certain restrictions, the principal one of which is
that a life company must be a member of the affiliated group (without
regard to section 1504(b)(2)) for five taxable years before it may join
in the filing of the consolidated group's return. Section 1.1502-47
contains an exception to this requirement (the tacking rule) for
transactions that meet certain conditions. The original tacking rule
contained five conditions, including ``the separation condition.''
Before 1981, section 843 required all insurance companies taxed
under Subchapter L to adopt a calendar year
[[Page 39735]]
tax year. The consolidated return regulations required all members of a
consolidated group to adopt the tax year of the common parent, but, in
order to accommodate section 843, required a fiscal-year consolidated
group to change its tax year to a calendar year if, on the last day of
its fiscal year, it included an insurance company required by section
843 to use a calendar year (Old Sec. 1.1502-76(a)(2)). In 1981, an
amendment to section 843 became effective, providing that, under
regulations prescribed by the Secretary, an insurance company joining
in the filing of a consolidated return may adopt the fiscal year of the
common parent corporation.
On April 25, 2006, temporary regulations (TD 9258) were published
in the Federal Register (71 FR 23856) amending the tacking rule of the
life-nonlife consolidated return regulations and the regulations
relating to taxable years of members of a consolidated group. A notice
of proposed rulemaking (REG-133036-05) cross-referencing those
temporary regulations was published in the Federal Register (71 FR
23882) on the same day. The temporary regulations removed the
separation condition of the tacking rule and Old Sec. 1.1502-76(a)(2).
On May 30, 2006, temporary regulations (TD 9264) were published in
the Federal Register (71 FR 30591), in part, amending the regulations
relating to taxable years of members of a consolidated group. A notice
of proposed rulemaking (REG-134317-05) cross-referencing those
temporary regulations was published in the Federal Register (71 FR
30640) on the same day. The temporary regulations eliminated
impediments to the electronic filing of the statement made under Sec.
1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii).
The IRS and Treasury Department considered several comments
responding to the proposed and temporary regulations. After
consideration of these comments, the final regulations adopt the
provisions of the proposed regulations without substantive change and
the corresponding temporary regulations are removed.
Explanation and Summary of Comments
Effective Date of Sec. 1.1502-47
The IRS received two comments from the public relating to the
effective date of Prop. Reg. Sec. 1.1502-47 and Temp. Reg. Sec.
1.1502-47T. The proposed and temporary regulations are effective for
taxable years for which the due date (without extensions) for filing
returns is after April 25, 2006, (their date of publication). Several
commentators noted that the preamble to the temporary regulations
indicated that the purpose of the separation condition was largely
eliminated in 1984 after Congress repealed the three phase system of
life insurance company taxation, and it became even less relevant after
Congress suspended taxation on distributions from policyholders surplus
accounts made during 2005 and 2006. On that basis, these commentators
requested that the effective date of the final regulations be
applicable retroactively for all open tax years. While making this
request, however, the commentators recognized that retroactive
application of the regulations would present serious administrative
concerns. The IRS and Treasury Department agree with the commentators
that retroactive application of the final regulations raises
significant questions of administrability. Therefore, in the interest
of sound tax administration, the IRS and Treasury Department decline to
adopt this suggestion.
Alternatively, the commentators requested that these final
regulations be applicable for returns due after the effective date of
the temporary regulations. We agree with this suggestion. Accordingly,
the temporary regulations are applicable to returns due (without
extensions) after April 25, 2006, and on or before the effective date
of these final regulations. These final regulations are applicable to
returns due (without extensions) after their effective date.
Comments on Prop. Reg. Sec. 1.1502-76 and Temp. Reg. Sec. 1.1502-76T
One commentator raised several concerns with the proposal to remove
Old Sec. 1.1502-76(a)(2). First, the commentator reads both the
language of section 843 and the legislative history of the amendment to
section 843 as demonstrating congressional intent to create a choice,
when an insurance company joins a fiscal-year consolidated group, of
whether the group remains on the fiscal year (requiring the joining
insurance member to adopt the fiscal year) or adopts a calendar year
tax year. Amended section 843 provides that (under regulations) an
insurance company joining in the filing of a consolidated return ``may
adopt'' the taxable year of the common parent corporation. The
legislative history of amended section 843 acknowledges that ``[s]ome
life companies may not want to adopt a [fiscal] year * * *.'' S. Rep.
No. 94-938, at 455-56 (1976).
The IRS and Treasury Department do not agree with the commentator's
interpretation of the statute or the legislative history. The election
discussed in the legislative history is the election under section
1504(c) allowing a life company to join in the consolidated return of a
nonlife group. The legislative history notes that ``[i]f this election
is not made, existing law will continue to apply.'' The legislative
history goes on to state:
It is understood that although generally companies will probably
desire to file consolidated returns with the life or other mutual
insurance companies, some may choose to continue to file separate
returns under existing law. Where this occurs, it is likely to arise
from the fact that the parent corporation (whose year the other
members joining in the filing of the consolidated return must
follow) uses a fiscal year as its taxable year. Some life companies
may not want to adopt a taxable year other than a calendar year
since filings with State insurance commissioners are required by
these life companies on a calendar year basis.
S. Rep. No. 94-938, at 455-56 (1976).
Rather than suggesting that the group has an election to change its
taxable year when a newly-joining life company does not desire to adopt
the group's fiscal year, the legislative history suggests that Congress
expected, in such cases, that no section 1504(c) election would be made
and the life company would continue filing separately. Further, the
legislative history is clear that Congress amended section 843 in order
to accommodate the consolidated return rules relating to taxable years
of members of consolidated groups, not to modify or override them.
The sole purpose of Old Sec. 1.1502-76(a)(2) was to conform the
consolidated rules to section 843. Once section 843 was amended, not
only was the purpose of Old Sec. 1.1502-76(a)(2) eliminated, but Old
Sec. 1.1502-76(a)(2) was no longer operative because it only applies
to groups with ``an includible insurance company required by section
843 to file its return on the basis of a calendar year * * *.'' For
these reasons, the IRS and Treasury Department decline to create a
regulatory election allowing fiscal-year consolidated groups to switch
to a calendar year upon including an insurance company in its
consolidated group.
Another comment noted that the legislative history of the amendment
to section 843 contemplates that the Secretary will write regulations
that require insurance companies adopting the fiscal year of a
consolidated group to maintain adequate records reconciling all of the
items on its fiscal year tax return with the corresponding
[[Page 39736]]
items on its calendar year statements filed with State insurance
commissioners. Since the amendment to section 843, the input received
by the IRS and Treasury Department from taxpayers has not suggested a
need for guidance in this area. However, the IRS and Treasury
Department welcome comments on this topic.
The final comment suggested that a rule be added allowing an
insurance company that joins a fiscal-year consolidated group and
leaves the group before the end of the group's tax year to maintain its
calendar year. The comment observed that, without such a rule, Sec.
1.1502-76T(a) and section 843 create unnecessary work for such an
insurance company because upon joining the group, the insurance company
would be required to adopt the common parent's fiscal year under Sec.
1.1502-76T(a)(1) and upon leaving the group, the insurance company
would have to readopt a calendar year under section 843.
The IRS and Treasury Department decline to adopt this suggestion
because they believe that the number of taxpayers affected by such a
scenario would be too minimal to justify the creation of a special
rule.
Special Analyses
It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a
significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866.
Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. Pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(3) it has been determined that a delayed effective date
is unnecessary because this rule finalizes currently effective
temporary rules regarding including life insurance companies in a life-
nonlife consolidated return. 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 these regulations primarily affect affiliated groups of
corporations with one or more life insurance company members, which
tend to be larger businesses. Moreover, the number of taxpayers
affected is minimal. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is not required.
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, the notice of
proposed rulemaking preceding these regulations was submitted to the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for
comment on its impact on small business.
Drafting Information
The principal author of these regulations is Marcie Barese, Office
of Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate). However, other personnel from
the IRS and Treasury Department participated in their development.
List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations
0
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows:
PART 1--INCOME TAXES
0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by removing
the entries for Sec. Sec. 1.1502-47T and 1.1502-76T to read, in part,
as follows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
Section 1.1502-47 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1502, 1503(c) and
1504(c). * * *
0
Par. 2. Section 1.1502-47 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(2) and
(d)(12)(v).
The revisions read as follows:
Sec. 1.1502-47 Consolidated returns by life-nonlife groups.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(2) Tacking rule effective dates--(i) In general. Paragraph
(d)(12)(v) of this section applies to any original consolidated Federal
income tax return due (without extensions) after July 20, 2007.
(ii) Prior law. For original consolidated Federal income tax
returns due (without extensions) after April 25, 2006, and on or before
July 20, 2007, see Sec. 1.1502-47T as contained in 26 CFR part 1 in
effect on April 1, 2007. For original consolidated Federal income tax
returns due (without extensions) on or before April 25, 2006, see Sec.
1.1502-47 as contained in 26 CFR part 1 in effect on April 1, 2006.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(12) * * *
(v) Tacking rule. The period during which an old corporation is in
existence and a member of the group engaged in active business is
included in (or tacks onto) the period for the new corporation if the
following four conditions listed in this paragraph (d)(12)(v) are met.
For purposes of this paragraph (d)(12)(v), a new corporation is a
corporation (whether or not newly organized) during the period its
eligibility depends upon the tacking rule. The four conditions are as
follows--
(A) The first condition is that, at any time, 80 percent or more of
the new corporation's assets it acquired (other than in the ordinary
course of its trade or business) were acquired from the old corporation
in one or more transactions described in section 351(a) or 381(a). This
asset test is applied by using the fair market values of assets on the
date they were acquired and without regard to liabilities. Assets
acquired in the ordinary course of business will be excluded from total
assets only if they were acquired after the new corporation became a
member of the group (determined without section 1504(b)(2)). In
addition, assets that the old corporation acquired from outside the
group in transactions not conducted in the ordinary course of its trade
or business are not included in the 80 percent (but are included in
total assets) if the old corporation acquired those assets within five
calendar years before the date of their transfer to the new
corporation.
(B) The second condition is that at the end of the taxable year
during which the first condition is first met, the old corporation and
the new corporation must both have the same tax character. For purposes
of this paragraph (d)(12), a corporation's tax character is the section
under which it would be taxed (i.e., sections 11, 802, 821, or 831) if
it filed a separate return. If the old corporation is not in existence
(or adopts a plan of complete liquidation) at the end of that taxable
year, this paragraph (d)(12)(v)(B) will apply to the old corporation's
taxable year immediately preceding the beginning of the taxable year
during which the first condition is first met.
(C) The third condition is that, at the end of the taxable year
during which the first condition is first met, the new corporation does
not undergo a disproportionate asset acquisition under paragraph
(d)(12)(viii) of this section.
(D) The fourth condition is that, if there is more than one old
corporation, the first two conditions apply to all of the corporations.
Thus, the second condition (tax character) must be met by all of the
old corporations transferring assets taken into account in meeting the
test in paragraph (d)(12)(v)(A) of this section.
* * * * *
Sec. 1.1502-47T [Removed]
0
Par. 3. Section 1.1502-47T is removed.
0
Par. 4. Section 1.1502-76 is amended by revising paragraphs (a),
(b)(2)(ii)(D), and (d).
The revisions read as follows:
[[Page 39737]]
Sec. 1.1502-76 Taxable year of members of group.
(a) Taxable year of members of group. The consolidated return of a
group must be filed on the basis of the common parent's taxable year,
and each subsidiary must adopt the common parent's annual accounting
period for the first consolidated return year for which the
subsidiary's income is includible in the consolidated return. If any
member is on a 52-53-week taxable year, the rule of the preceding
sentence shall, with the advance consent of the Commissioner, be deemed
satisfied if the taxable years of all members of the group end within
the same 7-day period. Any request for such consent shall be filed with
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Washington, DC 20224, not later
than the 30th day before the due date (not including extensions of
time) for the filing of the consolidated return.
(b) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) Election--(1) Statement. The election to ratably allocate items
under this paragraph (b)(2)(ii) must be made in a separate statement
entitled, ``THIS IS AN ELECTION UNDER Sec. 1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii) TO
RATABLY ALLOCATE THE YEAR'S ITEMS OF [INSERT NAME AND EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OF THE MEMBER].'' The election must be filed by
including a statement on or with the returns including the items for
the years ending and beginning with S's change in status. If two or
more members of the same consolidated group, as a consequence of the
same plan or arrangement, cease to be members of that group and remain
affiliated as members of another consolidated group, an election under
this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(D)(1) may be made only if it is made by each
such member. Each statement must also indicate that an agreement, as
described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(D)(2) of this section, has been
entered into. Each party signing the agreement must retain either the
original or a copy of the agreement as part of its records. See Sec.
1.6001-1(e).
(2) Agreement. For each election under this paragraph (b)(2)(ii),
the member and the common parent of each affected group must sign and
date an agreement. The agreement must--
(i) Identify the extraordinary items, their amounts, and the
separate or consolidated returns in which they are included;
(ii) Identify the aggregate amount to be ratably allocated, and the
portion of the amount included in the separate and consolidated
returns; and
(iii) Include the name and employer identification number of the
common parent (if any) of each group that must take the items into
account.
* * * * *
(d) Effective/applicability date--(1) Taxable years of members of
group effective date. (i) In general. Paragraph (a) of this section
applies to any original consolidated Federal income tax return due
(without extensions) after July 20, 2007.
(ii) Prior law. For original consolidated Federal income tax
returns due (without extensions) after April 25, 2006, and on or before
July 20, 2007, see Sec. 1.1502-76T as contained in 26 CFR part 1 in
effect on April 1, 2007. For original consolidated Federal income tax
returns due (without extensions) on or before April 25, 2006, see Sec.
1.1502-76 as contained in 26 CFR part 1 in effect on April 1, 2006.
(2) Election to ratably allocate items effective date--(i) In
general. Paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(D) of this section applies to any
original consolidated Federal income tax return due (without
extensions) after July 20, 2007.
(ii) Prior law. For original consolidated Federal income tax
returns due (without extensions) after May 30, 2006, and on or before
July 20, 2007, see Sec. 1.1502-76T as contained in 26 CFR part 1 in
effect on April 1, 2007. For original consolidated Federal income tax
returns due (without extensions) on or before May 30, 2006, see Sec.
1.1502-76 as contained in 26 CFR part 1 in effect on April 1, 2006.
Sec. 1.1502-76T [Removed]
0
Par. 5. Section 1.1502-76T is removed.
Sec. 1.502-35 [Amended]
Sec. 1.502-76 [Amended]
0
Par. 6. For each entry in the ``Location'' column of the following
table, remove the language in the ``Remove'' column and add the
language in the ``Add'' column in its place:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Location Remove Add
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Sec. 1.1502- Sec. 1.1502- Sec. 1.1502-
35(c)(4)(ii)(B). 76T(b)(2)(ii)(D). 76(b)(2)(ii)(D).
Sec. 1.1502- paragraph paragraph
76(b)(2)(ii)(A)(2). (b)(2)(ii)(D) of (b)(2)(ii)(D) of
Sec. 1.1502-76T. this section.
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Kevin M. Brown,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
Approved: July 16, 2007.
Eric Solomon,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. E7-14084 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P