Arbitrage Guidance for Tax-Exempt Bonds, 46582-46599 [2016-16558]

Agencies

• Internal Revenue Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 137 (Monday, July 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46582-46599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16558]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[TD 9777]
RIN 1545-BG41; RIN 1545-BH38


Arbitrage Guidance for Tax-Exempt Bonds

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Final regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations on the arbitrage 
restrictions under section 148 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) 
applicable to tax-exempt bonds and other tax-advantaged bonds issued by 
State and local governments. These final regulations amend existing 
regulations to address certain market developments, simplify certain 
provisions, address certain technical issues, and make existing 
regulations more administrable. These final regulations affect State 
and local governments that issue tax-exempt and other tax-advantaged 
bonds.

DATES: Effective Date: These final regulations are effective on July 
18, 2016.
    Applicability Date: For dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.  
1.141-15, 1.148-11, 1.150-1(a)(2)(iii), and 1.150-2(j).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Spence Hanemann, (202) 317-6980 (not a 
toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The collection of information contained 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 1545-1347. The collection of information 
in these final regulations is in Sec.  1.148-4(h)(2)(viii), which 
contains a requirement that the issuer maintain in its records a 
certificate from the hedge provider. For a hedge to be a qualified 
hedge, existing regulations require, among other items, that the actual 
issuer identify the hedge on its books and records. The identification 
must specify the hedge provider, the terms of the contract, and the 
hedged bonds. These final regulations require that the identification 
also include a certificate from the hedge provider specifying certain 
information regarding the hedge.
    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.
    Books and 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 amendments to the Income Tax Regulations (26 
CFR part 1) on the arbitrage investment restrictions under section 148 
of the Code and related provisions. On June 18, 1993, the Department of 
the Treasury (the Treasury Department) and the IRS published 
comprehensive final regulations in the Federal Register (TD 8476, 58 FR 
33510) on the arbitrage investment restrictions and related provisions 
for tax-exempt bonds under sections 103, 148, 149, and 150, and, since 
that time, those final regulations have been amended in certain limited 
respects (the regulations issued in 1993 and the amendments thereto 
collectively are referred to as the Existing Regulations).
    A notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal 
Register (72 FR 54606; REG-106143-07) on September 26, 2007 (the 2007 
Proposed Regulations). The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed 
amendments to the Existing Regulations. Comments on the 2007 Proposed 
Regulations were received and a public hearing was held on January 30, 
2008.
    Another notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal 
Register (78 FR 56842; REG-148659-07) on September 16, 2013 (the 2013 
Proposed Regulations). The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed 
additional amendments to the Existing Regulations (the 2007 Proposed 
Regulations and the 2013 Proposed Regulations collectively are referred 
to as the Proposed Regulations). Comments on the 2013 Proposed 
Regulations were received and a public hearing was held on February 5, 
2014. The 2013 Proposed Regulations addressed the definition of issue 
price, among other topics.
    A partial withdrawal of notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of 
proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register (80 FR 36301; 
REG-138526-14) on June 24, 2015, re-proposing amendments to the 
definition of issue price. After consideration of all the comments, the 
remaining portions of the Proposed Regulations are adopted as amended 
by this Treasury decision (the Final Regulations).

[[Page 46583]]

Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions

    This section discusses significant aspects of the comments received 
from the public regarding the Proposed Regulations. It also explains 
the revisions made in the Final Regulations.

1. Section 1.148-1 Definitions and Elections

A. Working Capital Expenditures and Replacement Proceeds Definition
i. Introduction
    The Existing Regulations impose various restrictions on the use of 
tax-exempt bond financing for working capital expenditures. One way the 
Existing Regulations limit working capital financings is through the 
concept of replacement proceeds, a special category of funds included 
within the broad definition of gross proceeds to which the arbitrage 
investment restrictions under section 148 apply. Under the Existing 
Regulations, replacement proceeds arise if an issuer reasonably expects 
as of the issue date that: (1) The term of an issue will be longer than 
reasonably necessary for the governmental purposes of the issue; and 
(2) there will be available amounts (as defined in the Existing 
Regulations) for expenditures of the type being financed during the 
period the issue remains outstanding longer than necessary. The 
Existing Regulations provide certain safe harbors that prevent the 
creation of replacement proceeds.
ii. Modified Safe Harbor for Short-Term Working Capital Financings
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to shorten the bond maturity 
necessary to satisfy the safe harbor for most short-term working 
capital financings from two years to 13 months to conform with the 
permitted temporary investment period for working capital expenditures 
under Sec.  1.148-2(e)(3) and the administrative standard in Rev. Proc. 
2002-31, 2002-1 CB 916. One commenter suggested extending this safe 
harbor to all working capital expenditure financings, rather than just 
those for restricted working capital expenditures (as defined in the 
Existing Regulations). This change, which would be implemented by 
deleting the word ``restricted'' from the safe harbor, would conform 
the safe harbor to the proposed extension of the temporary investment 
period for working capital expenditure financings in the 2013 Proposed 
Regulations (see section 2 of this preamble). The change also would 
benefit issuers by expanding the eligible purposes for short-term 
working capital financings to include extraordinary working capital 
expenditures. The Final Regulations adopt this comment.
iii. New Safe Harbor for Longer-Term Working Capital Financings
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to add a new safe harbor 
that would prevent the creation of replacement proceeds for longer-term 
working capital financings to enhance certainty for issuers 
experiencing financial distress. This new safe harbor would require an 
issuer to: (1) Determine the first year in which it expects to have 
available amounts for working capital expenditures; (2) monitor for 
actual available amounts in each year beginning with the year it first 
expects to have such amounts; and (3) apply such available amounts in 
each year either to redeem or to invest in (or some combination of 
redeeming and investing in) certain tax-exempt bonds (eligible tax-
exempt bonds). The safe harbor would require any amounts invested in 
eligible tax-exempt bonds to be invested (or reinvested) continuously, 
so long as the bonds using the safe harbor remain outstanding. In a 
narrow exception to this requirement, the safe harbor would permit such 
amounts not to be invested during a period of no more than 30 days per 
fiscal year in which such amounts are pending reinvestment. These 
requirements aimed to minimize the burden on the tax-exempt bond 
market.
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to require an issuer to test 
for available amounts on the first day of its fiscal year and to apply 
such amounts to redeem or invest in eligible tax-exempt bonds within 90 
days. Commenters sought greater flexibility with respect to the timing 
of testing the yearly available amounts and the use of such available 
amounts, based on considerations associated with potential 
unrepresentative cash positions on particular dates and potential 
expected short-term cash needs to finance governmental purposes.
    To promote administrability and consistency, the Final Regulations 
retain the first day of the fiscal year as the required annual testing 
date for available amounts. The Treasury Department and the IRS have 
concluded that commenters' suggested solutions were complex in 
application and could produce a result that is unrepresentative of 
available amounts throughout the rest of the year. By requiring testing 
on the first day of the fiscal year, the Final Regulations provide an 
administrable testing date that mirrors the general rule for other 
replacement proceeds, under which an issuer also must determine its 
available amounts on the first day of every fiscal year during the 
period when its bonds are outstanding longer than reasonably necessary. 
To address commenters' concerns about the need for greater flexibility 
to address short-term cash flow deficits, the Final Regulations include 
several other revisions to this safe harbor for longer-term working 
capital financings. The Final Regulations reduce the total amount the 
issuer must apply to redeem or invest in eligible tax-exempt bonds to 
take into account the expenditure of available amounts during the first 
90 days of the fiscal year and amounts held in bona fide debt service 
funds to the extent that those amounts are included in available 
amounts. Further, the Final Regulations allow an issuer to sell 
eligible tax-exempt bonds acquired pursuant to the safe harbor, 
provided that the proceeds of that sale are used within 30 days for a 
governmental purpose (working capital or otherwise) and the issuer has 
no other available amounts that it could use for that purpose. 
Alternatively, an issuer may sell such investments and use those 
amounts to redeem eligible tax-exempt bonds. Together, these amendments 
to the Proposed Regulations aim to address issuers' concerns about cash 
flows in a manner consistent with the existing restrictions on 
financing working capital expenditures with bonds outstanding longer 
than reasonably necessary.
    Commenters also urged a small, but significant, change to the 
definition of ``available amount'' to address situations in which an 
issuer has proceeds of more than one bond issue that finance working 
capital expenditures. The definition of available amount in the 
Existing Regulations specifically excludes proceeds of ``the'' issue, 
but not proceeds of other issues. The use of this existing definition 
for the new safe harbor would have the effect of requiring an issuer to 
apply proceeds of other issues to redeem or invest in eligible tax-
exempt bonds to meet the safe harbor rather than using such proceeds 
for the intended governmental purpose. The Final Regulations adopt this 
comment and revise the definition of available amount to exclude 
proceeds of ``any'' issue.
    Commenters also recommended that the maximum amount required to be 
applied under the safe harbor to redeem or invest in eligible tax-
exempt bonds be reduced from that proposed under the Proposed 
Regulations, which would set that maximum amount at an amount equal to 
the outstanding principal of the bonds subject to the safe harbor. The

[[Page 46584]]

commenters' suggestion would reduce the maximum amount in the Proposed 
Regulations by the amount of certain other eligible tax-exempt bonds 
redeemed by the issuer. The Final Regulations do not adopt this 
recommendation. The Final Regulations retain the measure of the maximum 
amount required to be applied to redeem or invest in eligible tax-
exempt bonds under this safe harbor at the outstanding principal amount 
of the relevant bonds to ensure that issuers redeem the bonds that are 
the subject of the safe harbor whenever possible.
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to define eligible tax-
exempt bonds for purposes of the new safe harbor to mean those tax-
exempt bonds that are not subject to the alternative minimum tax (non-
AMT tax-exempt bonds). Commenters requested clarification that eligible 
tax-exempt bonds for these investments also include certain State and 
Local Government Series securities (SLGS or, individually, a SLGS 
security), specifically Demand Deposit SLGS, and certain interests in 
regulated investment companies that invest in tax-exempt bonds and pass 
through to their owners income at least 95 percent of which is tax-
exempt under section 103. The commenters noted that these two types of 
investments are included in the existing definition of tax-exempt bonds 
for purposes of the arbitrage investment restrictions. Commenters noted 
particularly that Demand Deposit SLGS are much easier to acquire than 
tax-exempt bonds and also have limited arbitrage potential. The purpose 
of the requirement to redeem or invest available amounts in certain 
tax-exempt bonds is to reduce the burden on the tax-exempt bond market 
of longer-term tax-exempt bonds issued for working capital expenditure 
financings. Although Demand Deposit SLGS are taxable obligations that 
do not reduce the burden on the tax-exempt bond market, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS recognize that including these as eligible tax-
exempt bonds provides issuers a simple method of investing with little 
possibility of earning arbitrage. An interest in a regulated investment 
company that invests in non-AMT tax-exempt bonds is easier to buy and 
sell than a bond, and purchasing such an interest reduces the burden on 
the tax-exempt bond market. Thus, paralleling the existing definition 
of ``tax-exempt bonds'' applicable for purposes of the arbitrage 
investment restrictions, the Final Regulations clarify that eligible 
tax-exempt bonds include both Demand Deposit SLGS and an interest in a 
regulated investment company if at least 95% of the income to the 
holder is from non-AMT tax-exempt bonds.
    Commenters also recommended that the Final Regulations expressly 
address the treatment of refunding bonds issued to refinance working 
capital expenditures for purposes of the new safe harbor. The Final 
Regulations provide that this safe harbor applies to refunding bonds in 
the same way that it applies to other bonds.
iv. Other Technical Changes to Working Capital Rules
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to remove a restriction 
against financing a working capital reserve, a complex restriction that 
penalized those State and local governments that previously have 
maintained the least amount of reserves. Commenters supported this 
change. The Final Regulations adopt this change as proposed.
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to expand the factors listed 
in an anti-abuse rule that may justify a bond maturity in excess of 
those in the safe harbors that prevent the creation of replacement 
proceeds to include extraordinary working capital items. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS received no unfavorable comments on this change. 
The Final Regulations adopt this change as proposed.
    Commenters also raised several issues with respect to the working 
capital rules that the Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded 
are beyond the scope of this project and, therefore, did not address in 
the Final Regulations (see section 12 of this preamble).

2. Section 1.148-2 General Arbitrage Yield Restriction Rules--Temporary 
Period Spending Exception to Yield Restriction

    The Existing Regulations provide various temporary periods for 
investment of proceeds of tax-exempt bonds without yield restriction. 
No express temporary period covers proceeds used for working capital 
expenditures that are not restricted working capital expenditures, such 
as extraordinary working capital items. The 2013 Proposed Regulations 
proposed to broaden the existing 13 month temporary period for 
restricted working capital expenditures to include all working capital 
expenditures. One commenter supported and none opposed this proposed 
change. The Final Regulations adopt this change as proposed.

3. Section 1.148-3 General Arbitrage Rebate Rules

A. Arbitrage Rebate Computation Credit
    The Existing Regulations allow an issuer to take a credit against 
payment of arbitrage rebate to help offset the cost of computing 
rebate. The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to increase the credit 
and proposed to add an inflation adjustment to this credit, based on 
changes in the Consumer Price Index. The Treasury Department and the 
IRS received no comments on this change. The Final Regulations adopt 
this change as proposed.
B. Recovery of Overpayment of Rebate
    Generally, under the Existing Regulations, an issuer computes the 
amount of arbitrage rebate that it owes under a method that future 
values payments and receipts on investments using the yield on the bond 
issue. Under this method, an arbitrage payment made on one computation 
date is future valued to the next computation date to determine the 
amount of arbitrage rebate owed on that subsequent computation date. 
The Existing Regulations provide that an issuer may recover an 
overpayment of arbitrage rebate with respect to an issue of tax-exempt 
bonds if the issuer establishes to the satisfaction of the Commissioner 
that an overpayment occurred. The Existing Regulations further define 
an overpayment as the excess of ``the amount paid'' to the United 
States for an issue under section 148 over the sum of the rebate amount 
for that issue as of the most recent computation date and all amounts 
that are otherwise required to be paid under section 148 as of the date 
the recovery is requested. Thus, even if the future value of the 
issuer's arbitrage rebate payment on a computation date, computed under 
the method for determining arbitrage rebate, is greater than the 
issuer's rebate amount on that date, an issuer is only entitled to a 
refund to the extent that the amount actually paid exceeds that rebate 
amount. The Existing Regulations limit the amount of the refund in this 
manner because the Treasury Department and the IRS were concerned about 
whether the IRS had statutory authority to pay interest on arbitrage 
rebate payments. To permit a refund in an amount calculated in whole or 
in part based upon a future value of the amount actually paid would 
effectively result in an interest payment on that payment.
    An example in the Existing Regulations has caused confusion because 
it could be interpreted to mean that an issuer can receive a refund of 
a rebate payment when the future value of

[[Page 46585]]

such rebate payment exceeds the rebate amount on the next computation 
date, even though the actual amount of the previous rebate payment does 
not exceed the rebate amount on that next computation date. The 
Proposed Regulations proposed to make a technical amendment to this 
example to conform this example to the intended scope of recovery of an 
overpayment of arbitrage rebate.
    Commenters recommended broadening the scope of recovery of 
overpayments of arbitrage rebate to permit future valuing of the amount 
actually paid in computing the amount of the overpayment. Because the 
Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that they lack the 
statutory authority to pay interest on overpayments of arbitrage 
rebate, the Final Regulations adopt this change as proposed.

4. Section 1.148-4 Yield on an Issue of Bonds

A. Joint Bond Yield Authority
    The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to eliminate a provision in 
the Existing Regulations that permits computation of a single joint 
bond yield for two or more issues of qualified mortgage bonds or 
qualified student loan bonds. The 2007 Proposed Regulations solicited 
public comments on the feasibility of establishing generally 
applicable, objective standards for joint bond yield computations. Two 
commenters representing student loan lenders sought to retain this 
provision and described certain facts on which they believed that the 
joint computation of yield on student loan bonds might be based. 
However, in 2010, Congress terminated the Federal Family Education Loan 
Program (FFELP), effectively eliminating the program for which most 
student loan bonds were issued yet not affecting State supplemental 
student loan bond programs. Health Care and Education Reconciliation 
Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152, section 2201, 124 Stat 1029, 1074 
(2010). Given the elimination of the FFELP and the highly factual 
nature of the requests for joint bond yield computations, the Final 
Regulations adopt the proposed elimination of the joint bond yield 
authority provision. In addition, however, in recognition of the 
administrative challenges for loan yield calculations in these 
portfolio loan programs, the Final Regulations extend the availability 
of yield reduction payments to include qualified student loans and 
qualified mortgage loans generally (see section 5.A. of this preamble).
B. Modification of Yield Computation for Yield-to-Call Premium Bonds
    The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to simplify the yield 
calculations for certain callable bonds issued with significant amounts 
of bond premium (sometimes called yield-to-call bonds) to focus on the 
redemption date that results in the lowest yield on the particular 
premium bond (rather than the more complex existing focus on the lowest 
yield on the issue). The Treasury Department and the IRS did not 
receive any adverse comments regarding this proposed change, received 
one question that raised issues beyond the scope of this project (see 
section 12 of this preamble), and received a favorable comment 
regarding this proposed change. The Final Regulations adopt this change 
as proposed.
C. Integration of Hedges
    The Existing Regulations permit issuers to compute the yield on an 
issue by taking into account payments under ``qualified hedges.'' 
Generally, under the Existing Regulations, to be a qualified hedge, the 
hedge must be interest based, the terms of the hedge must correspond 
closely with the terms of the hedged bonds, the issuer must duly 
identify the hedge, and the hedge must contain no significant 
investment element. The Existing Regulations provide two ways in which 
a qualified hedge may be taken into account in computing yield on the 
issue, known commonly as ``simple integration'' and ``super 
integration.'' In the case of simple integration all net payments and 
receipts on the qualified hedge and the hedged bonds are taken into 
account in determining the yield on the bonds, such that generally 
these hedged bonds are treated as variable yield bonds for arbitrage 
purposes. In the case of super integration, certain hedged bonds are 
treated as fixed yield bonds, and the qualified hedge must meet 
additional eligibility requirements beyond those for simple 
integration. These additional eligibility requirements focus on 
assuring that the terms of the hedge and the hedged bonds sufficiently 
correspond so as to warrant treating the hedged bonds as fixed yield 
bonds for arbitrage purposes.
i. Cost-of-Funds Hedges
    The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to clarify that for purposes 
of applying the definition of periodic payment to determine whether a 
hedge has a significant investment element, a ``specified index'' (upon 
which periodic payments are based) is deemed to include payments under 
a cost-of-funds swap, thereby eliminating any doubt that cost-of-funds 
swaps can be qualified hedges. One commenter supported this 
clarification and none opposed it. One commenter proposed an amendment 
that is beyond the scope of this project (see section 12 of this 
preamble). The Final Regulations adopt this clarification as proposed.
ii. Taxable Index Hedges
    One of the eligibility requirements for a qualified hedge under the 
Existing Regulations is that the hedge be interest based. For simple 
integration, one of the factors used in determining whether a variable-
to-fixed interest rate hedge is interest based focuses on whether the 
variable interest rate on the hedged bonds and the floating interest 
rate on the hedge are ``substantially the same, but not identical to'' 
one another. For super integration purposes, such rates must be 
``reasonably expected to be substantially the same throughout the term 
of the hedge.'' Issuers have raised interpretative questions about how 
to apply these rules to hedges based on taxable interest rate indices 
(taxable indices) because interest rates on taxable indices generally 
do not correspond as closely as interest rates on tax-exempt market 
indices to actual market interest rates on tax-exempt, variable-rate 
bonds. These interpretative questions are particularly important for 
hedges based on taxable indices (taxable index hedges) used with 
advance refunding bond issues because issuers generally need to use the 
qualified hedge rules or some other regime to determine with certainty 
the yield on the tax-exempt advance refunding bonds to comply with the 
applicable arbitrage yield restrictions on investments in defeasance 
escrows.
    The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to clarify that taxable 
index hedges are eligible for simple integration but also included 
detailed provisions that prescribed the correlation of interest rates 
needed for taxable index hedges to qualify for simple integration. 
Commenters generally criticized the proposed interest rate correlation 
test for simple integration of taxable index hedges as excessively 
complex or unworkable in various respects. One commenter urged 
elimination of this rate correlation test as unnecessary on the grounds 
that other proposed changes in the 2007 Proposed Regulations, including 
particularly the provision limiting the size and scope of hedges 
(described in section 4.C.iii of this preamble), were sufficient to 
control the parameters of taxable index hedges for purposes of simple 
integration. The Final Regulations clarify that a taxable index

[[Page 46586]]

hedge is an interest based contract and adopt the comment to eliminate 
the interest rate correlation test for taxable index hedges. The Final 
Regulations also clarify that the difference between the interest rate 
used on the hedged bonds and that used to compute payments on the hedge 
will not prevent the hedge from being an interest based contract if the 
two interest rates are substantially similar.
    The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to treat taxable index 
hedges as ineligible for super integration (except in the case of 
certain anticipatory hedges). Commenters requested an exception to this 
general prohibition on super integration for instances in which the 
variable rate on hedged bonds and the variable rate used to determine 
the hedge provider's payments to the issuer under the hedge are both 
based on a taxable index and are identical (or nearly so) to one 
another. The Final Regulations generally adopt the proposed rule that 
taxable index hedges are ineligible for super integration but, in 
response to the comments, add an exception for hedges in which the 
hedge provider's payments are based on an interest rate identical to 
that on the hedged bonds, because these hedges are perfect hedges that 
clearly result in a fixed yield. The Treasury Department and the IRS do 
not adopt commenters' request to permit super integration when the 
taxable-index-based interest rates for both the hedge and the hedged 
bonds are nearly identical but not perfectly so. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS have concluded that such a rule would add 
unnecessary complexity to the Final Regulations and that commenters' 
concerns are largely resolved by the extension in the Final Regulations 
of yield reduction payments to address basis differences between 
indexes used in hedges and underlying interest rates on hedged bonds in 
advance refundings (discussed elsewhere in this section of the 
preamble). The Final Regulations remove references to the particular 
taxable index called ``LIBOR,'' without inference.
    Commenters also sought other specific exceptions to the prohibition 
on super integration. One commenter noted that taxable index hedges 
cost less than hedges based on a tax-exempt index and recommended 
allowing super integration of taxable index hedges with mortgage 
revenue bonds to facilitate compliance with arbitrage restrictions on 
the yield of the financed mortgages. The Treasury Department and the 
IRS have concluded that the Final Regulations adequately address the 
commenter's concerns by permitting simple integration of taxable index 
hedges and by allowing yield reduction payments for qualified mortgage 
loans to facilitate compliance with the arbitrage investment 
restrictions (see section 5.A. of this preamble).
    Other commenters suggested that the proposed prohibition on super 
integration of taxable index hedges should be prospective. This 
provision in the Final Regulations applies to bonds sold on or after 
the date that is 90 days after publication of the Final Regulations in 
the Federal Register, and does not apply to bonds sold prior to that 
date or to hedges on those bonds, regardless of when the issuer enters 
into such a hedge, unless the issuer avails itself of permissive 
application under Sec.  1.148-11(l)(1) of these Final Regulations.
    The 2007 Proposed Regulations also proposed to modify the yield 
reduction payment rules to permit issuers to make yield reduction 
payments on certain hedged advance refunding issues. This proposed 
provision effectively would allow yield reduction payments to cover the 
basis differences between the hedge and the hedged bonds in certain 
circumstances in which super integration was unavailable to address 
those basis differences, such as when taxable index swaps hedge the 
interest rate on advance refunding bonds. Commenters requested 
clarification of which bonds in the issue must be hedged for the issuer 
to be eligible to make yield reduction payments under the proposed 
provision. The Final Regulations eliminate the term ``hedged bond 
issue'' to clarify that the yield reduction payment is narrowly 
targeted to the portion of the issue that funds the defeasance escrow 
and otherwise adopt this change as proposed.
iii. Size and Scope of a Qualified Hedge
    The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to add an express 
requirement that limits the size and scope of a qualified hedge to a 
level that is reasonably necessary to hedge the issuer's risk with 
respect to interest rate changes on the hedged bonds. Generally, the 
purpose of this proposed limitation is to clarify that certain 
leveraged hedges are not qualified hedges.
    The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed an example of a hedge of the 
appropriate size and scope, based on the principal amount and the 
reasonably expected interest requirements of the hedged bonds. One 
commenter suggested clarifying this size and scope limitation to 
provide more flexibility for anticipatory hedges that are entered into 
before the issuance of the hedged bonds. The Final Regulations adopt 
the size and scope limitation as proposed and clarify that this 
limitation applies to anticipatory hedges based on the reasonably 
expected terms of the hedged bonds to be issued.
iv. Correspondence of Payments for Simple Integration
    The Existing Regulations require that, for a hedge to be a 
qualified hedge, the payments received by the issuer from the hedge 
provider under the contract correspond closely in time to either the 
specific payments being hedged on the hedged bonds or specific payments 
required to be made pursuant to the bond documents, regardless of the 
hedge, to a sinking fund, debt service fund, or similar fund maintained 
for the issue of which the hedged bond is a part. The 2007 Proposed 
Regulations proposed to treat payments as corresponding closely in time 
for this purpose if the payments were made within 60 calendar days of 
each other.
    One commenter recommended increasing the permitted period for 
corresponding payments from 60 days to 90 days to accommodate a range 
of conventions used in the swap market. The Final Regulations adopt 
this comment.
v. Identification of Qualified Hedges
    The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to extend the time for an 
issuer to identify a qualified hedge from three days to 15 days and to 
clarify that these are calendar days. The 2013 Proposed Regulations 
proposed to add a requirement that the identification of a qualified 
hedge include a certificate from the hedge provider containing certain 
information. Under the 2013 Proposed Regulations, one element required 
to be certified by the hedge provider is that the rate being paid by 
the bonds' issuer on the hedge is comparable to the rate that would be 
paid by a similarly situated issuer of taxable debt.
    Several commenters recommended clarifying the date on which the 15-
day period for identification of a hedge commences. The Final 
Regulations clarify that the date on which the 15-day period begins is 
the date on which the parties enter into a binding agreement to enter 
into the hedge (as distinguished from the closing date of the hedge or 
start date for payments on the hedge, if different).
    Several commenters suggested permitting a party other than the 
issuer to identify the hedge on its books and records, but such changes 
are beyond the scope of this project (see section 12 of this preamble).

[[Page 46587]]

    One commenter supported the requirement of a hedge provider's 
certificate. Two other commenters recommended eliminating this 
requirement as both unnecessary and burdensome in that it exceeds the 
requirements for other financial contracts related to tax-exempt bond 
yield. These commenters recommended that, if the pricing of the hedge 
is a concern, the regulations should provide other methods for 
establishing fair pricing. These commenters, however, acknowledged that 
many issuers already use some form of hedge provider's certificate and 
that the provisions in the Proposed Regulations reflect to some degree 
the standard provisions of such certificates. In the alternative, these 
commenters recommended that the hedge provider's certificate should 
focus on factual aspects of establishing a qualified hedge, rather than 
on legal conclusions, and offered specific suggestions to that effect. 
For example, these commenters suggested that issuers also should be 
required to demonstrate their efforts to establish that the hedge 
pricing does not include compensation for underwriting or other 
services, rather than to obtain a certification to that effect. These 
commenters further suggested that the representation in the Proposed 
Regulations that the terms of the hedge were agreed to between a 
willing buyer and a willing seller in a bona fide, arm's length 
transaction was unnecessary and required a legal conclusion outside the 
hedge provider's knowledge. Further, the commenters noted that 
comparable hedges on taxable debt with counterparties similar to State 
and local government issuers may be rare and recommended that issuers 
be required to establish that the rate on the hedge is comparable to 
the rate that the hedge provider would charge for a similar hedge with 
a counterparty similar to the issuer, but without a reference to debt 
obligations other than tax-exempt bonds.
    The Final Regulations retain the requirement for a hedge provider's 
certificate because the hedge provider is uniquely positioned to 
validate pricing information needed to determine whether a hedge meets 
the requirements for being a qualified hedge. The Final Regulations 
retain the certification regarding an arm's length transaction between 
a willing buyer and a willing seller as one primarily based on fact and 
commonly obtained by issuers under current practices. In response to 
public comments, the Final Regulations amend the other required 
certifications to focus on factual aspects of the hedging transaction. 
In light of the evolving regulatory environment for swaps, however, the 
Final Regulations omit the certification that the issuer's rate on the 
hedge is comparable to the rate that would be paid by a similarly 
situated issuer of taxable debt. The Final Regulations reserve the 
authority for the Commissioner to add additional certifications in 
guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. In developing any 
future guidance, the Treasury Department and the IRS may look to the 
market for swaps on taxable debt and consider the availability of 
appropriate comparable rates.
vi. Accounting for Modifications and Terminations
a. Modifications and Terminations of Qualified Hedges
    The Existing Regulations provide that a termination of a qualified 
hedge includes any sale or other disposition of the hedge by the issuer 
or the acquisition by the issuer of an offsetting hedge. The Existing 
Regulations further provide that a deemed termination of a qualified 
hedge occurs when the hedged bonds are redeemed, when the hedge ceases 
to be a qualified hedge, or when the modification or assignment of the 
hedge results in a deemed exchange under section 1001. The issuer takes 
termination payments resulting from a deemed or actual termination of 
an integrated hedge into account in computing yield on the bonds.
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed guidance on the treatment of 
modifications and terminations of qualified hedges. The 2013 Proposed 
Regulations also proposed to eliminate the ambiguous existing standard 
that triggered terminations for offsetting hedges. The 2013 Proposed 
Regulations proposed that a modification, including an actual 
modification, an acquisition of another hedge, or an assignment, 
results in a deemed termination of a hedge if the modification is 
material and results in a deemed disposition under section 1001.
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to simplify the treatment of 
deemed terminations to provide that a material modification of a 
qualified hedge (that otherwise would result in a deemed termination) 
does not result in such a termination if the modified hedge is a 
qualified hedge. For this purpose, the 2013 Proposed Regulations 
proposed to require re-testing of the modified hedge for compliance 
with the requirements for a qualified hedge at the time of the 
modification, with adjustments. In doing this re-testing, the 2013 
Proposed Regulations proposed to disregard any off-market value of the 
existing hedge at the time of modification. In addition, the 2013 
Proposed Regulations proposed to measure the time period for 
identification of the modified hedge from the date of the modification. 
Finally, the 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to omit the requirement 
for a hedge provider's certificate for the modified hedge. Commenters 
supported these changes. The Final Regulations adopt these proposed 
changes with one modification: Assignment of a hedge is no longer given 
as an example of a modification. The Final Regulations remove this 
example not because an assignment is not a modification, but because 
under the regulations under section 1001 an assignment generally does 
not result in a deemed exchange.
    Commenters sought confirmation that the proposed rules for 
modifications of qualified hedges in the 2013 Proposed Regulations 
would replace an existing rule regarding such modifications that is set 
forth in the first sentence of section 5.1 of Notice 2008-41, 2008-1 CB 
742. That sentence generally provides that a modification of a 
qualified hedge does not result in a deemed termination if the issuer 
does not expect the modification to change the yield on the hedged 
bonds over their remaining term by more than 0.25% and the modified 
hedge is integrated with the bonds. The Final Regulations provide 
comprehensive rules for determining when a modification of a qualified 
hedge results in a termination and, therefore, supersede the first 
sentence of section 5.1 of Notice 2008-41. The Final Regulations have 
no effect on the remainder of Notice 2008-41. See the section in this 
preamble entitled ``Effect on Other Documents.''
b. Continuations of Qualified Hedges in Refundings
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations similarly proposed to simplify the 
treatment of a qualified hedge upon a refunding of the hedged bonds 
when no actual termination of the associated hedge occurs. If the hedge 
meets the requirements for a qualified hedge of the refunding bonds as 
of the issue date of the refunding bonds, with certain exceptions, the 
2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to treat the hedge as continuing as 
a qualified hedge of the refunding bonds instead of being terminated. 
The Treasury Department and the IRS received favorable comments 
regarding this proposed change and one comment beyond the scope of this 
project (see section 12 of this preamble). The Final Regulations adopt 
this change as proposed.

[[Page 46588]]

    The Existing Regulations provide special rules for terminations of 
super-integrated qualified hedges. A termination is disregarded and 
these special rules do not apply if, based on the facts and 
circumstances, the yield will not change. The 2013 Proposed Regulations 
proposed to apply these special rules to a modified super-integrated 
qualified hedge that is eligible for continued simple integration. 
Commenters sought clarification of the effect of this rule on super 
integration treatment. The purpose of this rule is to determine whether 
a modified super-integrated qualified hedge that continues to qualify 
for simple integration also would continue to qualify for super 
integration. The Final Regulations clarify that the applicable test is 
the test under the Existing Regulations for determining when to 
disregard terminations of super-integrated qualified hedges.
c. Terminations of Hedges at Fair Market Value
    The Proposed Regulations proposed to modify the amounts taken into 
account for a deemed termination or actual termination of a qualified 
hedge. For an actual termination of a qualified hedge, the 2013 
Proposed Regulations proposed to limit the amount of the hedge 
termination payment treated as made or received on the hedged bonds to 
an amount that is (i) no greater than the fair market value of the 
qualified hedge if paid by the issuer, and (ii) no less than the fair 
market value of the qualified hedge if received by the issuer. For a 
deemed termination of a qualified hedge, the 2013 Proposed Regulations 
proposed that the amount of the deemed termination payment is equal to 
the fair market value of the qualified hedge on the termination date.
    Commenters recommended that, for an actual termination, the amount 
actually paid or received by the issuer in connection with the 
termination should be considered the fair market value of the qualified 
hedge. The commenters further recommended that, for a deemed 
termination, the issuer should be able to rely on bid-side quotations 
from the hedge provider and other providers for purposes of determining 
the fair market value of the qualified hedge on the termination date. 
The commenters indicated that, in all cases, the termination amounts, 
whether actual or deemed, reflect the ``bid side'' of the hedge market. 
Because of concerns about the pricing of a hedge in determining the 
amount to be paid as a termination payment, the Final Regulations 
retain the rule that the amount of a termination payment that may be 
taken into account for arbitrage purposes is the fair market value of 
the qualified hedge on the termination date. The Final Regulations 
simplify the Proposed Regulations by providing a uniform fair market 
value standard for both actual and deemed terminations. Although the 
Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that bona fide market 
quotations may be used to support fair market value determinations, the 
Treasury Department and the IRS have concerns about further 
specification of particular types of market quotations for purposes of 
proper reflection of fair market value in various circumstances. 
Accordingly, the Final Regulations provide that the fair market value 
of a qualified hedge upon termination is based on all of the facts and 
circumstances.

5. Section 1.148-5 Yield and Valuation of Investments

A. Yield Reduction Payment Rules
    For certain limited situations, the Existing Regulations permit 
payment of yield reduction payments to the United States to satisfy 
yield restriction requirements on certain investments. The 2007 
Proposed Regulations proposed to expand these situations to permit 
issuers to make yield reduction payments to cover nonpurpose 
investments that an issuer purchases on a date when the issuer is 
unable to purchase SLGS because the Treasury Department has suspended 
sales of SLGS.
    Three commenters favored the proposed expansion of the availability 
of yield reduction payments when SLGS are unavailable. One commenter 
expressed concern that the proposed provision may not address the 
circumstance in which a SLGS sale suspension is in effect when an 
issuer commits to purchase investments, but SLGS sales resume before 
settlement on that purchase. The Final Regulations clarify that an 
issuer is permitted to make yield reduction payments if it enters into 
an agreement to purchase investments on a date when SLGS sales are 
suspended.
    The commenter also recommended extending the availability of yield 
reduction payments to cover the circumstance in which an issuer is 
uncertain whether the Treasury Department may suspend SLGS sales in the 
future after an issuer has subscribed to purchase SLGS and before the 
issuance of those SLGS. Although the Treasury Department reserves full 
discretion to manage its borrowings, including SLGS, it has been the 
Treasury Department's practice to honor all outstanding SLGS 
subscriptions received before it suspends SLGS sales. Accordingly, the 
Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that yield reduction 
payments are not needed in this circumstance, and the Final Regulations 
do not adopt this comment.
    In addition, in comments regarding the proposed elimination of the 
Commissioner's authority to compute a joint yield for two or more 
issues of qualified mortgage bonds or qualified student loan bonds, one 
commenter requested that issuers of qualified student loan bonds be 
permitted to make yield reduction payments for all qualified student 
loans, not just those under the FFELP. The Treasury Department and the 
IRS recognize that the ability to make yield reduction payments for 
qualified student loans and qualified mortgage loans would provide 
issuers an administrable alternative to the rarely used authority to 
compute a joint bond yield on issues of such bonds. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS also recognize that these portfolio loan 
programs have particular administrative challenges with loan yield 
compliance due to the large number of loans. Accordingly, in connection 
with the elimination of that joint bond yield authority under the Final 
Regulations, the Treasury Department and the IRS adopt this comment and 
expand the availability of yield reduction payments to include 
qualified student loans and qualified mortgage loans generally.
    Commenters requested permission to make yield reduction payments in 
several other situations not provided in the Proposed Regulations. The 
Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded these amendments are 
beyond the scope of this project and, therefore, did not address them 
in the Final Regulations (see section 12 of this preamble).
B. Valuation of Investments
    The Existing Regulations provide guidance on how to value 
investments allocated to an issue but leave some ambiguity about when 
the present value and the fair market value methods of valuation are 
permitted or required. The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to 
clarify that the fair market value method of valuation generally is 
required for any investment on the date the investment is first 
allocated to an issue or first ceases to be allocated to an issue as a 
consequence of a deemed acquisition or a deemed disposition.
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations did not propose to distinguish 
between purpose investments and nonpurpose investments. One commenter 
urged clarification that purpose investments

[[Page 46589]]

must be valued at present value at all times. This commenter further 
suggested that the rules clearly distinguish between purpose and 
nonpurpose investments. The Treasury Department and the IRS recognize 
that purpose investments are special investments that are intended to 
pass on the benefits of the lower borrowing costs of tax-exempt bond 
financings to eligible beneficiaries of the particular authorized tax-
exempt bond program (for example, eligible first-time low and moderate 
income homebuyers who receive qualified mortgage loans financed with 
qualified mortgage bonds). Accordingly, the Final Regulations adopt 
these comments.
    The Existing Regulations include an exception to the mandatory fair 
market value rule for reallocations of investments between tax-exempt 
bond issues as a result of the transferred proceeds rule under Sec.  
1.148-9(b) or the universal cap rule under Sec.  1.148-6(b)(2). To 
remove a disincentive against retiring tax-exempt bonds with taxable 
bonds when the fair market value of the investments allocable to the 
tax-exempt bonds would cause investment yield to exceed the tax-exempt 
bond yield, the 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to change this 
exception to the fair market value rule to require that only the issue 
from which the investment is allocated consist of tax-exempt bonds.
    Commenters generally viewed this change favorably. One commenter 
suggested clarifying an ambiguity in the Existing Regulations regarding 
when a reallocation from one issue to another occurs ``as a result of'' 
the universal cap rule. The Final Regulations clarify that the 
exception to fair market valuation for investments reallocated as a 
result of the universal cap rule applies narrowly to circumstances in 
which investments are deallocated from an issue as a result of the 
universal cap rule and are reallocated to another issue without further 
action as a result of an existing pledge of the investment to the other 
issue (for example, a pledge of investments to multiple bond issues 
secured by common security under a master indenture). In these 
circumstances, the issuer has not structured the transaction to benefit 
from the market valuation of the nonpurpose investments.
    This commenter also suggested providing a safe harbor for when an 
issuer may liquidate escrow investments after a taxable refunding 
without concern that the Commissioner would exercise his anti-abuse 
authority to value the investment at fair market value. This comment is 
beyond the scope of this project (see section 12 of this preamble).
    Commenters also recommended broad interpretations or expansions of 
the exception to fair market valuation for investments reallocated as a 
result of the universal cap rule to cover various types of transactions 
involving investments that secure a tax-exempt bond issue and that are 
liquidated at a profit so long as the investment proceeds of the 
liquidated investments are used to retire tax-exempt bonds early. In 
one representative scenario, an issuer using funds other than tax-
exempt bond proceeds created a yield-restricted escrow fund to defease 
tax-exempt bonds for which it retained the call rights. If the fair 
market value of investments in the escrow appreciated, the issuer would 
issue taxable bonds and use a portion of the proceeds of the taxable 
bonds to redeem the tax-exempt bonds. Applying universal cap 
principles, the investments would cease to be allocated to the tax-
exempt bonds when the tax-exempt bonds were redeemed and the 
investments would be allocated to the taxable refunding bonds not as a 
result of a pre-existing pledge but as replacement proceeds. If the 
investments were valued at fair market value, the yield on the escrow 
would exceed the yield on the tax-exempt bonds resulting in arbitrage 
bonds. The bonds would not be arbitrage bonds if the regulations 
permitted these escrow investments to be valued at present value at the 
time of the refunding. Another scenario for which the commenters 
requested using the present value of investments rather than fair 
market value involves liquidating the appreciated investments in a 
defeasance escrow to redeem the tax-exempt issue rather than issuing 
taxable refunding bonds.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS have concerns about potential 
unintended consequences and circumvention of arbitrage investment 
restrictions in these and other similar transactions. In the first 
scenario, the issuer has structured the transaction specifically to 
benefit from an appreciation of the escrow investments in a manner 
inconsistent with the arbitrage restrictions. In the second scenario, 
the use of present value would allow the issuer to realize the 
investment return in contravention of the statutory requirements to 
take into account any gain or loss on the disposition of a nonpurpose 
investment. Accordingly, except for the technical clarification of the 
limited application of universal cap deallocations under this rule, the 
Final Regulations adopt as proposed the revised exception to fair 
market valuation for investments reallocated as a result of the 
transferred proceeds rule or the universal cap rule.
C. Fair Market Value of Treasury Obligations
    The Existing Regulations provide a general rule that the fair 
market value of an investment is the price at which a willing buyer 
would purchase the investment from a willing seller in a bona fide, 
arm's length transaction. For United States Treasury obligations that 
are traded on the open market, trading values at the time of trades are 
used to establish fair market values. The Existing Regulations further 
provide a special rule, aimed primarily at non-transferrable, non-
tradable SLGS, that the fair market value of a United States Treasury 
obligation that is purchased directly from the United States Treasury 
is its purchase price. This special rule properly indicates that the 
fair market value of a United States Treasury obligation that is 
purchased directly from the United States is its purchase price on the 
original purchase date, but this provision is ambiguous regarding how 
to determine the fair market value of such an obligation on dates after 
the original purchase date.
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to clarify that, on the 
original purchase date only, the fair market value of such an 
obligation, including a SLGS security, is its purchase price. The 2013 
Proposed Regulations further proposed that, on any date other than the 
original purchase date, the fair market value of a SLGS security is its 
redemption price. One commenter objected to the valuation of a SLGS 
security at other than its purchase price upon a deemed acquisition or 
deemed disposition. United States Treasury obligations other than SLGS 
may be purchased and sold on the open market. SLGS, however, are 
nontransferable obligations that may be purchased or redeemed only from 
the United States Treasury. For this reason, the 2013 Proposed 
Regulations proposed that the fair market value of a SLGS security on 
any date other than its purchase date is the redemption price 
determined by the United States Treasury under applicable regulations 
for the SLGS program. The Final Regulations adopt this change as 
proposed.
D. Modified Fair Market Value Safe Harbor for Guaranteed Investment 
Contracts
    The Existing Regulations provide a safe harbor for establishing the 
fair market value of a guaranteed investment contract. This safe harbor 
generally relies on a prescribed bidding

[[Page 46590]]

procedure, including requirements that all bidders be given an equal 
opportunity to bid with no opportunity to review other bids before 
providing a bid (that is, the ``no last look'' rule) and that the bid 
specifications be provided to prospective bidders ``in writing.'' The 
2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to amend this safe harbor to 
accommodate electronic bidding procedures by: (1) Permitting bid 
specifications to be sent electronically over the Internet or by fax; 
and (2) providing that no impermissible last look occurs if in effect 
all bidders have an equal opportunity for a last look. One commenter 
noted an ambiguity in this proposed change. In response to this 
comment, the Final Regulations clarify that bids must be in writing and 
timely disseminated and that a writing may be in electronic form and 
may be disseminated by fax, email, an Internet-based Web site, or other 
electronic medium that is similar to an Internet-based Web site and 
regularly used to post bid specifications. The Final Regulations 
otherwise adopt this change as proposed.
E. External Commingled Investment Funds
    The Existing Regulations provide certain preferential rules for the 
treatment of administrative costs of certain widely held external 
commingled funds. Under the Existing Regulations, a fund is treated as 
widely held if the fund, on average, has more than 15 unrelated 
investors and each investor maintains a prescribed minimum average 
investment in the fund. The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to allow 
additional smaller investors to invest in an external commingled fund 
without disqualifying the fund so long as at least 16 unrelated 
investors each maintain the required minimum average investment in the 
fund.
    One commenter suggested that the regulations should require that a 
specified percentage of the unrelated investors hold a specified 
percentage of the daily average value of the fund's assets. The Final 
Regulations do not adopt this comment, because it is inconsistent with 
the purpose of the proposed change to enable a fund to become even more 
widely held by accommodating an unlimited number of small investors 
without restriction so long as at least 16 unrelated investors each 
maintain the required minimum average investment in the fund. The 
commenter also suggested other amendments beyond the scope of this 
project (see section 12 of this preamble). The Final Regulations adopt 
this change as proposed.

6. Section 1.148-8 Small Issuer Exception to Rebate Requirement--Pooled 
Bonds

    The 2007 Proposed Regulations proposed to amend the Existing 
Regulations to conform to changes made to section 148(f)(4)(D) by 
section 508 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 
2005, Public Law 109-222, 120 Stat. 345, which eliminated a rule that 
permitted a pool bond issuer to ignore its pool bond issue in computing 
whether it had exceeded its $5 million limit for purposes of the small 
issuer rebate exception. The Treasury Department and the IRS received 
no comments regarding this proposed change. The Final Regulations adopt 
this change as proposed.

7. Section 1.148-10 Anti-Abuse Rules and Authority of Commissioner

    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to amend the Commissioner's 
authority to depart from the arbitrage regulations when an issuer 
enters into a transaction for a principal purpose of obtaining a 
material financial advantage based on the difference between tax-exempt 
and taxable interest rates in a manner inconsistent with the purposes 
of section 148, from that ``necessary to clearly reflect the economic 
substance of the transaction'' to that ``necessary to prevent such 
financial advantage.'' The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to remove 
the references to ``economic substance'' to prevent confusion of the 
Commissioner's authority under this arbitrage anti-abuse rule with the 
economic substance doctrine under general federal tax principles. No 
substantive change was intended.
    Commenters suggested that this proposed change would give unduly 
broad discretion to the Commissioner and would reduce certainty of the 
applicability of published guidance. These commenters recommended 
limiting the Commissioner's authority to that necessary ``to reflect 
the economics of the transaction to prevent such financial advantage.'' 
The Final Regulations adopt this comment.

8. Section 1.148-11 Transition Provision for Certain Guarantee Funds

    The Existing Regulations include a transition rule that allows 
certain State perpetual trust funds (for example, certain State 
permanent school funds) to pledge funds to guarantee tax-exempt bonds 
without resulting in arbitrage-restricted replacement proceeds. The 
2013 Proposed Regulations proposed to include changes proposed in 
Notice 2010-5, 2010-2 IRB 256, to increase the amount of tax-exempt 
bonds that such funds could guarantee under this special rule. Further, 
in response to comments received on Notice 2010-5, the 2013 Proposed 
Regulations proposed to extend this special rule to cover certain tax-
exempt bonds issued to finance public charter schools, which may be 
501(c)(3) organizations. The Treasury Department and the IRS received 
no comments on these proposed changes. The Final Regulations adopt 
these changes as proposed.

9. Section 1.150-1 Definitions

A. Definition of Tax-Advantaged Bonds

    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed a new definition of tax-
advantaged bonds. The Treasury Department and the IRS received no 
comments regarding this new definition. The Final Regulations 
substitute ``tax benefit'' for ``subsidy'' in describing tax-advantaged 
bonds but otherwise adopt the definition as proposed.
B. Definition of Issue
    The Existing Regulations provide that tax-exempt bonds and taxable 
bonds are not part of the same issue. The 2013 Proposed Regulations 
proposed to clarify that taxable tax-advantaged bonds and other taxable 
bonds are part of different issues and that different types of tax-
advantaged bonds are parts of different issues. The Treasury Department 
and IRS received one comment supporting this proposed change and no 
opposing comments. The Final Regulations adopt this change as proposed.
C. Definition and Treatment of Grants
    The 2013 Proposed Regulations proposed that the existing definition 
of grant for arbitrage purposes applies for purposes of other tax-
exempt bond provisions. The 2013 Proposed Regulations also proposed to 
clarify that the character and nature of a grantee's use of proceeds 
generally is taken into account in determining whether arbitrage and 
other applicable requirements of the issue are met.
    Commenters requested confirmation that the proposed rule preserves 
the existing rule that an issuer spends proceeds used for grants for 
purposes of the arbitrage investment restrictions when the issuer makes 
the grant to an unrelated third-party. Thus, for example, if the 
grantee uses the grant to reimburse its expenditures, the reimbursement 
allocation rules do not apply. The 2013 Proposed Regulations expressly 
proposed the special grant expenditure rule for arbitrage purposes

[[Page 46591]]

as an example of a specific exception to the proposed general rule. 
Commenters also suggested other amendments to the rules for grants that 
are beyond the scope of this project (see section 12 of this preamble). 
The Final Regulations adopt these changes as proposed.

10. Section 1.141-15 Effective Dates

    The Final Regulations include certain technical amendments to final 
regulations (TD 9741) that were published in the Federal Register on 
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 (80 FR 65637). Those final regulations 
provide guidance on allocation and accounting rules and certain 
remedial actions for purposes of the private activity bond restrictions 
under section 141 of the Internal Revenue Code that apply to tax-exempt 
bonds issued by State and local governments.
    The technical amendments amend the applicability dates to include a 
transition rule for refunding bonds, provided that the weighted average 
maturity of the refunding bonds is no longer than that of the refunded 
bonds or, in the case of certain short-term obligations, no longer than 
120 percent of the weighted average reasonably expected economic life 
of the facilities financed. The technical amendments also clarify 
permissive application of certain provisions to outstanding bonds.

11. Revenue Procedure 97-15

    Revenue Procedure 97-15, 1997-1 CB 635, provides a program under 
which an issuer of tax-exempt bonds may request a closing agreement 
with respect to outstanding bonds to prevent the interest on those 
bonds from being includible in gross income of the bondholders or being 
treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of the alternative 
minimum tax as a result of an action subsequent to the issue date of 
the bonds that causes the bonds to fail to meet certain requirements 
relating to the use of proceeds. Notice 2008-31, 2008-1 CB 592, also 
provides a voluntary closing agreement program for tax-exempt bonds and 
tax credit bonds. The scope of the violations that can be remedied 
under Notice 2008-31 is broader than that under Rev. Proc. 97-15. As a 
result, this Treasury Decision obsoletes Rev. Proc. 97-15.

12. Comments Beyond the Scope of the Proposed and Final Regulations

    Commenters submitted additional suggestions for revisions to the 
Existing Regulations. These suggestions include: (1) Adding a new safe 
harbor to prevent the creation of replacement proceeds specifically for 
grants and extraordinary working capital financings (and redefining 
``extraordinary working capital''); (2) adding new rules for using 
proceeds to fund working capital reserves; (3) providing how an issuer 
should allocate certain expenses related to yield-to-call premium bonds 
for computing yield on the issue; (4) revising the rules for 
determining if an interest rate cap contains a significant investment 
element; (5) permitting a conduit borrower to identify a qualified 
hedge on its books and records; (6) providing a safe harbor for when an 
issuer may liquidate escrow investments for purposes of valuation of 
investments; (7) revising the proceeds-spent-last expenditure rule to 
permit financing of certain payments on hedges; (8) permitting yield 
reduction payments on investments purchased to defease zero-coupon 
bonds; (9) providing yield reduction payments for a basis difference 
under circumstances other than those in the Proposed Regulations; (10) 
exempting external comingled funds that are operated by a government on 
a not-for-profit basis from the requirements for administrative costs 
of such funds to be included in qualified administrative costs of 
investments; (11) establishing an economic life for grants based on the 
benefit of the grant to the grantor; (12) providing rules for grant 
repayments; and (13) explaining how certain rules in the Proposed 
Regulations would apply to very specific facts. These comments identify 
issues that are beyond the scope of the Proposed Regulations and thus 
are not addressed in the Final Regulations.

Applicability Dates

    The Final Regulations generally apply to bonds that are sold on or 
after October 17, 2016. Certain provisions related to hedges on bonds 
apply to hedges that are entered into or modified on or after October 
17, 2016. The Final Regulations also permit issuers to apply certain of 
the amended provisions to bonds sold before October 17, 2016. For 
specific dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.  1.141-15, 1.148-11, 
1.150-1, and 1.150-2.

Effect on Other Documents

    As of July 18, 2016, Revenue Procedures 95-47 and 97-15 are 
obsoleted and Notice 2008-41 is modified.

Special Analyses

    Certain IRS regulations, including this one, are exempt from the 
requirements of Executive Order 12866, as supplemented and reaffirmed 
by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a regulatory impact assessment is 
not required. It has also been determined that section 553(b) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to 
these regulations. 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 collection 
of information in these regulations is required for hedging 
transactions entered into primarily between larger State and local 
governments and large counterparties. It is also based on the fact that 
the estimated recordkeeping burden for all issuers and counterparties 
is relatively small and the reasonable costs of that burden do not 
constitute a significant economic impact. Accordingly, 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 Code, 
the proposed regulations preceding these final regulations were 
submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration for comment on their impact on small business. No 
comments were received.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these regulations are Johanna Som de 
Cerff, Spence Hanemann, and Lewis Bell of the Office of Associate Chief 
Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products), IRS. However, other 
personnel from the Treasury Department and the IRS participated in 
their development.

Availability of IRS Documents

    IRS revenue procedures and notices cited in these final regulations 
are made available by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

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:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by removing 
the entry for Sec.  1.148-6 to read in part as follows:

    Authority:  26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *


0
Par. 2. Section 1.141-0 is amended by:
0
1. Revising the entry for Sec.  1.141-15(l)(2).

[[Page 46592]]

0
2. Adding an entry for Sec.  1.141-15(l)(3).
0
3. Adding an entry for Sec.  1.141-15(n).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.141-0  Table of contents.

* * * * *


Sec.  1.141-15  Effective/applicability dates.

* * * * *
    (l) * * *
    (2) Refunding bonds.
    (3) Permissive application.
* * * * *
    (n) Effective/applicability dates for certain regulations relating 
to certain definitions.
* * * * *

0
Par. 3. Section 1.141-1 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1.141-1  Definitions and rules of general application.

    (a) In general. For purposes of Sec. Sec.  1.141-0 through 1.141-
16, the following definitions and rules apply: The definitions in this 
section, the definitions in Sec.  1.150-1, the definition of placed in 
service in Sec.  1.150-2(c), the definition of reasonably required 
reserve or replacement fund in Sec.  1.148-2(f), and the definitions in 
Sec.  1.148-1 of bond year, commingled fund, fixed yield issue, higher 
yielding investments, investment, investment proceeds, issue price, 
issuer, nonpurpose investment, purpose investment, qualified guarantee, 
qualified hedge, reasonable expectations or reasonableness, rebate 
amount, replacement proceeds, sale proceeds, variable yield issue and 
yield.
* * * * *

0
Par. 4. Section 1.141-15 is amended by:
0
1. Redesignating paragraph (l)(2) as (l)(3).
0
2. Adding new paragraph (l)(2).
0
3. Amending the first sentence of redesignated paragraph (l)(3) by 
adding ``Except as otherwise provided in this section,'' at the 
beginning of the sentence and removing the word ``Issuers'' and adding 
the word ``issuers'' in its place.
0
4. Adding paragraph (n).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.141-15  Effective/applicability dates.

* * * * *
    (l) * * *
    (2) Refunding bonds. Except as otherwise provided in this section, 
Sec. Sec.  1.141-1(e), 1.141-3(g)(2)(v), 1.141-6, and 1.145-2(b)(4), 
(5), and (c)(2) do not apply to any bonds sold on or after January 25, 
2016, to refund a bond to which these sections do not apply, provided 
that the weighted average maturity of the refunding bonds is no longer 
than--
    (i) The remaining weighted average maturity of the refunded bonds; 
or
    (ii) In the case of a short-term obligation that the issuer 
reasonably expects to refund with a long-term financing (such as a bond 
anticipation note), 120 percent of the weighted average reasonably 
expected economic life of the facilities financed.
* * * * *
    (n) Effective/applicability dates for certain regulations relating 
to certain definitions. Sec.  1.141-1(a) applies to bonds that are sold 
on or after October 17, 2016.

0
Par. 5. Section 1.148-0(c) is amended by:
0
1. Revising the entry for Sec.  1.148-2(e)(3).
0
2. Adding an entry for Sec.  1.148-3(d)(4).
0
3. Revising the entry for Sec.  1.148-5(d)(2).
0
4. Revising the entry for Sec.  1.148-8(d).
0
5. Removing the entries for Sec.  1.148-8(d)(1) and (2).
0
6. Revising the entry for Sec.  1.148-10(e).
0
7. Adding entries for Sec.  1.148-11(k).
0
8. Revising the entries for Sec.  1.148-11(l).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-0  Scope and table of contents.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *


Sec.  1.148-2  General arbitrage yield restriction rules.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) Temporary period for working capital expenditures.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.148-3  General arbitrage rebate rules.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) Cost-of-living adjustment.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.148-5  Yield and valuation of investments.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) Mandatory valuation of certain yield restricted investments at 
present value.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.148-8  Small issuer exception to rebate requirement.

* * * * *
    (d) Pooled financings--treatment of conduit borrowers.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.148-10  Anti-abuse rules and authority of Commissioner.

* * * * *
    (e) Authority of the Commissioner to prevent transactions that are 
inconsistent with the purpose of the arbitrage investment restrictions.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.148-11  Effective/applicability dates.

* * * * *
    (k) Certain arbitrage guidance updates.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Valuation of investments in refunding transactions.
    (3) Rebate overpayment recovery.
    (4) Hedge identification.
    (5) Hedge modifications and termination.
    (6) Small issuer exception to rebate requirement for conduit 
borrowers of pooled financings.
    (l) Permissive application of certain arbitrage updates.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Computation credit.
    (3) Yield reduction payments.
    (4) External commingled funds.

0
Par. 6. Section 1.148-1 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraph (c)(4)(i)(B)(1).
0
2. Removing the ``or'' at the end of paragraph (c)(4)(i)(B)(2).
0
3. Removing the period at the end of paragraph (c)(4)(i)(B)(3) and 
adding in its place a semicolon and the word ``or''.
0
4. Adding paragraph (c)(4)(i)(B)(4).
0
5. Revising paragraph (c)(4)(ii).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-1  Definitions and elections.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) * * *
    (1) For the portion of an issue that is to be used to finance 
working capital expenditures, if that portion is not outstanding longer 
than the temporary period under Sec.  1.148-2(e)(3) for which the 
proceeds qualify;
* * * * *
    (4) For the portion of an issue (including a refunding issue) that 
is to be used to finance working capital expenditures, if that portion 
satisfies paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) Safe harbor for longer-term working capital financings. A 
portion of an issue used to finance working capital expenditures 
satisfies this paragraph (c)(4)(ii) if the issuer meets the 
requirements of paragraphs (c)(4)(ii)(A) through (E) of this section.
    (A) Determine first testing year. On the issue date, the issuer 
must

[[Page 46593]]

determine the first fiscal year following the applicable temporary 
period under Sec.  1.148-2(e) in which it reasonably expects to have 
available amounts (first testing year), but in no event can the first 
day of the first testing year be later than five years after the issue 
date.
    (B) Application of available amount to reduce burden on tax-exempt 
bond market. Beginning with the first testing year and for each 
subsequent fiscal year for which the portion of the issue that is the 
subject of this safe harbor remains outstanding, the issuer must 
determine the available amount as of the first day of each fiscal year. 
Then, except as provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(D) of this section, 
within the first 90 days of that fiscal year, the issuer must apply 
that amount (or if less, the available amount on the date of the 
required redemption or investment) to redeem or to invest in eligible 
tax-exempt bonds (as defined in paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(E) of this 
section). For this purpose, available amounts in a bona fide debt 
service fund are not treated as available amounts.
    (C) Continuous investment requirement. Except as provided in this 
paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(C), any amounts invested in eligible tax-exempt 
bonds under paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(B) of this section must be invested 
continuously in such tax-exempt bonds to the extent provided in 
paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(D) of this section.
    (1) Exception for reinvestment period. Amounts previously invested 
in eligible tax-exempt bonds under paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(B) of this 
section that are held for not more than 30 days in a fiscal year 
pending reinvestment in eligible tax-exempt bonds are treated as 
invested in eligible tax-exempt bonds.
    (2) Limited use of invested amounts. An issuer may spend amounts 
previously invested in eligible tax-exempt bonds under paragraph 
(c)(4)(ii)(B) of this section within 30 days of the date on which they 
cease to be so invested to make expenditures for a governmental purpose 
on any date on which the issuer has no other available amounts for such 
purpose, or to redeem eligible tax-exempt bonds.
    (D) Cap on applied or invested amounts. The maximum amount that an 
issuer is required to apply under paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(B) of this 
section or to invest continuously under paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(C) of this 
section with respect to the portion of an issue that is the subject of 
this safe harbor is the outstanding principal amount of such portion. 
For purposes of this cap, an issuer receives credit towards its 
requirement to invest available amounts in eligible tax-exempt bonds 
for amounts previously invested under paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(B) of this 
section that remain continuously invested under paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(C) 
of this section.
    (E) Definition of eligible tax-exempt bonds. For purposes of 
paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section, eligible tax-exempt bonds means 
any of the following:
    (1) A bond the interest on which is excludable from gross income 
under section 103 and that is not a specified private activity bond (as 
defined in section 57(a)(5)(C)) subject to the alternative minimum tax;
    (2) An interest in a regulated investment company to the extent 
that at least 95 percent of the income to the holder of the interest is 
interest on a bond that is excludable from gross income under section 
103 and that is not interest on a specified private activity bond (as 
defined in section 57(a)(5)(C)) subject to the alternative minimum tax; 
or
    (3) A certificate of indebtedness issued by the United States 
Treasury pursuant to the Demand Deposit State and Local Government 
Series program described in 31 CFR part 344.
* * * * *

0
Par. 7. Section 1.148-2 is amended by revising the heading of paragraph 
(e)(3) and revising paragraph (e)(3)(i) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-2  General arbitrage yield restriction rules.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) Temporary period for working capital expenditures--(i) General 
rule. The proceeds of an issue that are reasonably expected to be 
allocated to working capital expenditures within 13 months after the 
issue date qualify for a temporary period of 13 months beginning on the 
issue date. Paragraph (e)(2) of this section contains additional 
temporary period rules for certain working capital expenditures that 
are treated as part of a capital project.
* * * * *

0
Par. 8. Section 1.148-3 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraph (d)(1)(iv).
0
2. Adding paragraph (d)(4).
0
3. Revising Example 2(iii)(D) of paragraph (j).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-3  General arbitrage rebate rules.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iv) On the last day of each bond year during which there are 
amounts allocated to gross proceeds of an issue that are subject to the 
rebate requirement, and on the final maturity date, a computation 
credit of $1,400 for any bond year ending in 2007 and, for bond years 
ending after 2007, a computation credit in the amount determined under 
paragraph (d)(4) of this section; and
* * * * *
    (4) Cost-of-living adjustment. For any calendar year after 2007, 
the $1,400 computation credit set forth in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this 
section shall be increased by an amount equal to such dollar amount 
multiplied by the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 
1(f)(3) for such year, as modified by this paragraph (d)(4). In 
applying section 1(f)(3) to determine this cost-of-living adjustment, 
the reference to ``calendar year 1992'' in section 1(f)(3)(B) shall be 
changed to ``calendar year 2006.'' If any such increase determined 
under this paragraph (d)(4) is not a multiple of $10, such increase 
shall be rounded to the nearest multiple thereof.
* * * * *
    (j) * * *

    Example 2. * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (D) If the yield during the second computation period were, 
instead, 7.0000 percent, the rebate amount computed as of July 1, 
2004, would be $1,320,891. The future value of the payment made on 
July 1, 1999, would be $1,471,007. Although the future value of the 
payment made on July 1, 1999 ($1,471,007), exceeds the rebate amount 
computed as of July 1, 2004 ($1,320,891), Sec.  1.148-3(i) limits 
the amount recoverable as a defined overpayment of rebate under 
section 148 to the excess of the total ``amount paid'' over the sum 
of the amount determined under the future value method to be the 
``rebate amount'' as of the most recent computation date and all 
other amounts that are otherwise required to be paid under section 
148 as of the date the recovery is requested. Because the total 
amount that the issuer paid on July 1, 1999 ($1,042,824.60), does 
not exceed the rebate amount as of July 1, 2004 ($1,320,891), the 
issuer would not be entitled to recover any overpayment of rebate in 
this case.
* * * * *

0
Par. 9. Section 1.148-4 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraph (a).
0
2. Revising paragraph (b)(3)(i).
0
3. Adding two sentences at the end of paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(A).
0
4. Revising the heading and introductory text of paragraph (h)(2)(v).
0
5. Revising the last sentence of paragraph (h)(2)(v)(B).
0
6. Adding a sentence at the end of paragraph (h)(2)(vi).
0
7. Revising paragraph (h)(2)(viii).

[[Page 46594]]

0
8. Revising paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(A).
0
9. Redesignating paragraphs (h)(3)(iv)(B) through (E) as paragraphs 
(h)(3)(iv)(E) through (H) respectively.
0
10. Adding new paragraphs (h)(3)(iv)(B), (C), and (D).
0
11. Revising newly redesignated paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(E).
0
12. Revising the first sentence in newly redesignated paragraph 
(h)(3)(iv)(F).
0
13. Revising newly redesignated paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(G).
0
14. Revising the first sentence in newly redesignated paragraph 
(h)(3)(iv)(H).
0
15. Adding a sentence at the end of paragraph (h)(4)(i)(C).
0
16. Adding paragraphs (h)(4)(i)(C)(1) and (2).
0
17. Adding paragraph (h)(4)(iv).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-4  Yield on an issue of bonds.

    (a) In general. The yield on an issue of bonds is used to apply 
investment yield restrictions under section 148(a) and to compute 
rebate liability under section 148(f). Yield is computed under the 
economic accrual method using any consistently applied compounding 
interval of not more than one year. A short first compounding interval 
and a short last compounding interval may be used. Yield is expressed 
as an annual percentage rate that is calculated to at least four 
decimal places (for example, 5.2525 percent). Other reasonable, 
standard financial conventions, such as the 30 days per month/360 days 
per year convention, may be used in computing yield but must be 
consistently applied. The yield on an issue that would be a purpose 
investment (absent section 148(b)(3)(A)) is equal to the yield on the 
conduit financing issue that financed that purpose investment.
    (b) * * *
    (3) Yield on certain fixed yield bonds subject to optional early 
redemption--(i) In general. If a fixed yield bond is subject to 
optional early redemption and is described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of 
this section, the yield on the issue containing the bond is computed by 
treating the bond as redeemed at its stated redemption price on the 
optional redemption date that would produce the lowest yield on that 
bond.
* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) * * * Solely for purposes of determining if a hedge is a 
qualified hedge under this section, payments that an issuer receives 
pursuant to the terms of a hedge that are equal to the issuer's cost of 
funds are treated as periodic payments under Sec.  1.446-3 without 
regard to whether the payments are calculated by reference to a 
``specified index'' described in Sec.  1.446-3(c)(2). Accordingly, a 
hedge does not have a significant investment element under this 
paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(A) solely because an issuer receives payments 
pursuant to the terms of a hedge that are computed to be equal to the 
issuer's cost of funds, such as the issuer's actual market-based tax-
exempt variable interest rate on its bonds.
* * * * *
    (v) Interest-based contract and size and scope of hedge. The 
contract is primarily interest-based (for example, a hedge based on a 
debt index, including a tax-exempt debt index or a taxable debt index, 
rather than an equity index). In addition, the size and scope of the 
hedge under the contract is limited to that which is reasonably 
necessary to hedge the issuer's risk with respect to interest rate 
changes on the hedged bonds. For example, a contract is limited to 
hedging an issuer's risk with respect to interest rate changes on the 
hedged bonds if the hedge is based on the principal amount and the 
reasonably expected interest payments of the hedged bonds. For 
anticipatory hedges under paragraph (h)(5) of this section, the size 
and scope limitation applies based on the reasonably expected terms of 
the hedged bonds to be issued. A contract is not primarily interest 
based unless--
* * * * *
    (B) * * * For this purpose, differences that would not prevent the 
resulting bond from being substantially similar to another type of bond 
include: a difference between the interest rate used to compute 
payments on the hedged bond and the interest rate used to compute 
payments on the hedge where one interest rate is substantially similar 
to the other; the difference resulting from the payment of a fixed 
premium for a cap (for example, payments for a cap that are made in 
other than level installments); and the difference resulting from the 
allocation of a termination payment where the termination was not 
expected as of the date the contract was entered into.
    (vi) * * * For this purpose, such payments will be treated as 
corresponding closely in time under this paragraph (h)(2)(vi) if they 
are made within 90 calendar days of each other.
* * * * *
    (viii) Identification--(A) In general. The actual issuer must 
identify the contract on its books and records maintained for the 
hedged bonds not later than 15 calendar days after the date on which 
there is a binding agreement to enter into a hedge contract (for 
example, the date of a hedge pricing confirmation, as distinguished 
from the closing date for the hedge or start date for payments on the 
hedge, if different). The identification must specify the name of the 
hedge provider, the terms of the contract, the hedged bonds, and 
include a hedge provider's certification as described in paragraph 
(h)(2)(viii)(B) of this section. The identification must contain 
sufficient detail to establish that the requirements of this paragraph 
(h)(2) and, if applicable, paragraph (h)(4) of this section are 
satisfied. In addition, the existence of the hedge must be noted on the 
first form relating to the issue of which the hedged bonds are a part 
that is filed with the Internal Revenue Service on or after the date on 
which the contract is identified pursuant to this paragraph 
(h)(2)(viii).
    (B) Hedge provider's certification. The hedge provider's 
certification must--
    (1) Provide that the terms of the hedge were agreed to between a 
willing buyer and willing seller in a bona fide, arm's-length 
transaction;
    (2) Provide that the hedge provider has not made, and does not 
expect to make, any payment to any third party for the benefit of the 
issuer in connection with the hedge, except for any such third-party 
payment that the hedge provider expressly identifies in the documents 
for the hedge;
    (3) Provide that the amounts payable to the hedge provider pursuant 
to the hedge do not include any payments for underwriting or other 
services unrelated to the hedge provider's obligations under the hedge, 
except for any such payment that the hedge provider expressly 
identifies in the documents for the hedge; and
    (4) Contain any other statements that the Commissioner may provide 
in guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii) of this chapter.
    (3) * * *
    (iv) Accounting for modifications and terminations--(A) 
Modification defined. A modification of a qualified hedge includes, 
without limitation, a change in the terms of the hedge or an issuer's 
acquisition of another hedge with terms that have the effect of 
modifying an issuer's risk of interest rate changes or other terms of 
an existing qualified hedge. For example, if the issuer enters into a 
qualified hedge that is an interest rate swap under which it receives 
payments based on the Securities Industry and Financial Market 
Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap

[[Page 46595]]

Index and subsequently enters a second hedge (with the same or 
different provider) that limits the issuer's exposure under the 
existing qualified hedge to variations in the SIFMA Municipal Swap 
Index, the new hedge modifies the qualified hedge.
    (B) Termination defined. A termination means either an actual 
termination or a deemed termination of a qualified hedge. Except as 
otherwise provided, an actual termination of a qualified hedge occurs 
to the extent that the issuer sells, disposes of, or otherwise actually 
terminates all or a portion of the hedge. A deemed termination of a 
qualified hedge occurs if the hedge ceases to meet the requirements for 
a qualified hedge; the issuer makes a modification (as defined in 
paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(A) of this section) that is material either in 
kind or in extent and, therefore, results in a deemed exchange of the 
hedge and a realization event to the issuer under section 1001; or the 
issuer redeems all or a portion of the hedged bonds.
    (C) Special rules for certain modifications when the hedge remains 
qualified. A modification of a qualified hedge that otherwise would 
result in a deemed termination under paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(B) of this 
section does not result in such a termination if the modified hedge is 
re-tested for qualification as a qualified hedge as of the date of the 
modification, the modified hedge meets the requirements for a qualified 
hedge as of such date, and the modified hedge is treated as a qualified 
hedge prospectively in determining the yield on the hedged bonds. For 
purposes of this paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(C), when determining whether the 
modified hedge is qualified, the fact that the existing qualified hedge 
is off-market as of the date of the modification is disregarded and the 
identification requirement in paragraph (h)(2)(viii) of this section 
applies by measuring the time period for identification from the date 
of the modification and without regard to the requirement for a hedge 
provider's certification.
    (D) Continuations of certain qualified hedges in refundings. If 
hedged bonds are redeemed using proceeds of a refunding issue, the 
qualified hedge for the refunded bonds is not actually terminated, and 
the hedge meets the requirements for a qualified hedge for the 
refunding bonds as of the issue date of the refunding bonds, then no 
termination of the hedge occurs and the hedge instead is treated as a 
qualified hedge for the refunding bonds. For purposes of this paragraph 
(h)(3)(iv)(D), when determining whether the hedge is a qualified hedge 
for the refunding bonds, the fact that the hedge is off-market with 
respect to the refunding bonds as of the issue date of the refunding 
bonds is disregarded and the identification requirement in paragraph 
(h)(2)(viii) of this section applies by measuring the time period for 
identification from the issue date of the refunding bonds and without 
regard to the requirement for a hedge provider's certification.
    (E) General allocation rules for hedge termination payments. Except 
as otherwise provided in paragraphs (h)(3)(iv)(F), (G), and (H) of this 
section, a payment made or received by an issuer to terminate a 
qualified hedge, or a payment deemed made or received for a deemed 
termination, is treated as a payment made or received, as appropriate, 
on the hedged bonds. Upon an actual termination or a deemed termination 
of a qualified hedge, the amount that an issuer may treat as a 
termination payment made or received on the hedged bonds is the fair 
market value of the qualified hedge on its termination date, based on 
all of the facts and circumstances. Except as otherwise provided, a 
termination payment is reasonably allocated to the remaining periods 
originally covered by the terminated hedge in a manner that reflects 
the economic substance of the hedge.
    (F) Special rule for terminations when bonds are redeemed. Except 
as otherwise provided in this paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(F) and in paragraph 
(h)(3)(iv)(G) of this section, when a qualified hedge is deemed 
terminated because the hedged bonds are redeemed, the termination 
payment as determined under paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(E) of this section is 
treated as made or received on that date. * * *
    (G) Special rules for refundings. When there is a termination of a 
qualified hedge because there is a refunding of the hedged bonds, to 
the extent that the hedged bonds are redeemed using the proceeds of a 
refunding issue, the termination payment is accounted for under 
paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(E) of this section by treating it as a payment on 
the refunding issue, rather than the hedged bonds. In addition, to the 
extent that the refunding issue is redeemed during the period to which 
the termination payment has been allocated to that issue, paragraph 
(h)(3)(iv)(F) of this section applies to the termination payment by 
treating it as a payment on the redeemed refunding issue.
    (H) Safe harbor for allocation of certain termination payments. A 
payment to terminate a qualified hedge does not result in that hedge 
failing to satisfy the applicable provisions of paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(E) 
of this section if that payment is allocated in accordance with this 
paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(H). * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (C) * * * A hedge based on a taxable interest rate or taxable 
interest index cannot meet the requirements of this paragraph 
(h)(4)(i)(C) unless either--
    (1) The hedge is an anticipatory hedge that is terminated or 
otherwise closed substantially contemporaneously with the issuance of 
the hedged bond in accordance with paragraph (h)(5)(ii) or (iii) of 
this section; or
    (2) The issuer's payments on the hedged bonds and the hedge 
provider's payments on the hedge are based on identical interest rates.
* * * * *
    (iv) Consequences of certain modifications. The special rules under 
paragraph (h)(4)(iii) of this section regarding the effects of 
termination of a qualified hedge of fixed yield hedged bonds apply to a 
modification described in paragraph (h)(3)(iv)(C) of this section. 
Thus, such a modification is treated as a termination for purposes of 
paragraph (h)(4)(iii) of this section unless the rule in paragraph 
(h)(4)(iii)(C) applies.
* * * * *
Par. 10. Section 1.148-5 is amended by:

0
1. Revising paragraph (c)(3).
0
2. Revising paragraphs (d)(2) and (3).
0
3. Revising the last sentence in paragraph (d)(6)(i) and adding a 
sentence at the end of the paragraph.
0
4. Revising paragraphs (d)(6)(iii)(A)(1) and (6).
0
5. Revising the second sentence of paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-5  Yield and valuation of investments.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) Applicability of special yield reduction rule. Paragraph (c) 
applies only to investments that are described in at least one of 
paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through (ix) of this section and, except as 
otherwise expressly provided in paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through (ix) of 
this section, that are allocated to proceeds of an issue other than 
gross proceeds of an advance refunding issue.
    (i) Nonpurpose investments allocated to proceeds of an issue that 
qualified for certain temporary periods. Nonpurpose investments 
allocable to proceeds of an issue that qualified for one of the 
temporary periods available for capital projects, working capital 
expenditures, pooled financings, or investment proceeds under Sec.  
1.148-2(e)(2), (3), (4), or (6), respectively.

[[Page 46596]]

    (ii) Investments allocable to certain variable yield issues. 
Investments allocable to a variable yield issue during any computation 
period in which at least 5 percent of the value of the issue is 
represented by variable yield bonds, unless the issue is an issue of 
hedge bonds (as defined in section 149(g)(3)(A)).
    (iii) Nonpurpose investments allocable to certain transferred 
proceeds. Nonpurpose investments allocable to transferred proceeds of--
    (A) A current refunding issue to the extent necessary to reduce the 
yield on those investments to satisfy yield restrictions under section 
148(a); or
    (B) An advance refunding issue to the extent that investment of the 
refunding escrows allocable to the proceeds, other than transferred 
proceeds, of the refunding issue in zero-yielding nonpurpose 
investments is insufficient to satisfy yield restrictions under section 
148(a).
    (iv) Purpose investments allocable to qualified student loans and 
qualified mortgage loans. Purpose investments allocable to qualified 
student loans and qualified mortgage loans.
    (v) Nonpurpose investments allocable to gross proceeds in certain 
reserve funds. Nonpurpose investments allocable to gross proceeds of an 
issue in a reasonably required reserve or replacement fund or a fund 
that, except for its failure to satisfy the size limitation in Sec.  
1.148-2(f)(2)(ii), would qualify as a reasonably required reserve or 
replacement fund, but only to the extent the requirements in paragraphs 
(c)(3)(v)(A) or (B) of this section are met. This paragraph (c)(3)(v) 
includes nonpurpose investments described in this paragraph that are 
allocable to transferred proceeds of an advance refunding issue, but 
only to the extent necessary to satisfy yield restriction under section 
148(a) on those proceeds treating all investments allocable to those 
proceeds as a separate class.
    (A) The value of the nonpurpose investments in the fund is not 
greater than 15 percent of the stated principal amount of the issue, as 
computed under Sec.  1.148-2(f)(2)(ii).
    (B) The amounts in the fund (other than investment earnings) are 
not reasonably expected to be used to pay debt service on the issue 
other than in connection with reductions in the amount required to be 
in that fund (for example, a reserve fund for a revolving fund loan 
program).
    (vi) Nonpurpose investments allocable to certain replacement 
proceeds of refunded issues. Nonpurpose investments allocated to 
replacement proceeds of a refunded issue, including a refunded issue 
that is an advance refunding issue, as a result of the application of 
the universal cap to amounts in a refunding escrow.
    (vii) Investments allocable to replacement proceeds under a certain 
transition rule. Investments described in Sec.  1.148-11(f).
    (viii) Nonpurpose investments allocable to proceeds when State and 
Local Government Series Securities are unavailable. Nonpurpose 
investments allocable to proceeds of an issue, including an advance 
refunding issue, that an issuer purchases if, on the date the issuer 
enters into the agreement to purchase such investments, the issuer is 
unable to subscribe for State and Local Government Series Securities 
because the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal 
Service, has suspended sales of those securities.
    (ix) Nonpurpose investments allocable to proceeds of certain 
variable yield advance refunding issues. Nonpurpose investments 
allocable to proceeds of the portion of a variable yield issue used for 
advance refunding purposes that are deposited in a yield restricted 
defeasance escrow if--
    (A) The issuer has entered into a qualified hedge under Sec.  
1.148-4(h)(2) with respect to all of the variable yield bonds of the 
issue allocable to the yield restricted defeasance escrow and that 
hedge is in the form of a variable-to-fixed interest rate swap under 
which the issuer pays the hedge provider a fixed interest rate and 
receives from the hedge provider a floating interest rate;
    (B) Such qualified hedge covers a period beginning on the issue 
date of the hedged bonds and ending on or after the date on which the 
final payment is to be made from the yield restricted defeasance 
escrow; and
    (C) The issuer restricts the yield on the yield restricted 
defeasance escrow to a yield that is not greater than the yield on the 
issue, determined by taking into account the issuer's fixed payments to 
be made under the hedge and by assuming that the issuer's variable 
yield payments to be paid on the hedged bonds are equal to the floating 
payments to be received by the issuer under the qualified hedge and are 
paid on the same dates (that is, such yield reduction payments can only 
be made to address basis risk differences between the variable yield 
payments on the hedged bonds and the floating payments received on the 
hedge).
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) Mandatory valuation of certain yield restricted investments at 
present value. A purpose investment must be valued at present value, 
and except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b)(3) and (d)(3) of 
this section, a yield restricted nonpurpose investment must be valued 
at present value.
    (3) Mandatory valuation of certain investments at fair market 
value--(i) In general. Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs 
(d)(3)(ii) and (d)(4) of this section, a nonpurpose investment must be 
valued at fair market value on the date that it is first allocated to 
an issue or first ceases to be allocated to an issue as a consequence 
of a deemed acquisition or deemed disposition. For example, if an 
issuer deposits existing nonpurpose investments into a sinking fund for 
an issue, those investments must be valued at fair market value as of 
the date first deposited into the fund.
    (ii) Exception to fair market value requirement for transferred 
proceeds allocations, certain universal cap allocations, and commingled 
funds. Paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section does not apply if the 
investment is allocated from one issue to another as a result of the 
transferred proceeds allocation rule under Sec.  1.148-9(b) or is 
deallocated from one issue as a result of the universal cap rule under 
Sec.  1.148-6(b)(2) and reallocated to another issue as a result of a 
preexisting pledge of the investment to secure that other issue, 
provided that, in either circumstance (that is, transferred proceeds 
allocations or universal cap deallocations), the issue from which the 
investment is allocated (that is, the first issue in an allocation from 
one issue to another issue) consists of tax-exempt bonds. In addition, 
paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section does not apply to investments in a 
commingled fund (other than a bona fide debt service fund) unless it is 
an investment being initially deposited in or withdrawn from a 
commingled fund described in Sec.  1.148-6(e)(5)(iii).
* * * * *
    (6) * * *
    (i) * * * On the purchase date, the fair market value of a United 
States Treasury obligation that is purchased directly from the United 
States Treasury, including a State and Local Government Series 
Security, is its purchase price. The fair market value of a State and 
Local Government Series Security on any date other than the purchase 
date is the redemption price for redemption on that date.
* * * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (1) The bid specifications are in writing and are timely 
disseminated to potential providers. For purposes of this paragraph 
(d)(6)(iii)(A)(1), a writing may

[[Page 46597]]

be in electronic form and may be disseminated by fax, email, an 
internet-based Web site, or other electronic medium that is similar to 
an internet-based Web site and regularly used to post bid 
specifications.
* * * * *
    (6) All potential providers have an equal opportunity to bid. If 
the bidding process affords any opportunity for a potential provider to 
review other bids before providing a bid, then providers have an equal 
opportunity to bid only if all potential providers have an equal 
opportunity to review other bids. Thus, no potential provider may be 
given an opportunity to review other bids that is not equally given to 
all potential providers (that is, no exclusive ``last look'').
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (B) * * * For purposes of this paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B), a fund is 
treated as widely held only if, during the immediately preceding fixed, 
semiannual period chosen by the fund (for example, semiannual periods 
ending June 30 and December 31), the fund had a daily average of more 
than 15 investors that were not related parties, and at least 16 of the 
unrelated investors each maintained a daily average amount invested in 
the fund that was not less than the lesser of $500,000 and one percent 
(1%) of the daily average of the total amount invested in the fund 
(with it being understood that additional smaller investors will not 
disqualify the fund). * * *
* * * * *

0
Par. 11. Section 1.148-6 is amended by:
0
1. Revising the second sentence of paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(A).
0
2. Removing paragraph (d)(4)(iii).
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  1.148-6  General allocation and accounting rules.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (A) * * * Except as otherwise provided, available amount excludes 
proceeds of any issue but includes cash, investments, and other amounts 
held in accounts or otherwise by the issuer or a related party if those 
amounts may be used by the issuer for working capital expenditures of 
the type being financed by an issue without legislative or judicial 
action and without a legislative, judicial, or contractual requirement 
that those amounts be reimbursed.
* * * * *

0
Par. 12. Section 1.148-7 is revised by:
0
1. Revising paragraph (c)(3)(v).
0
2. Revising paragraph (i)(6)(ii).
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-7  Spending exceptions to the rebate requirement.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (v) Representing repayments of grants (as defined in Sec.  1.150-
1(f)) financed by the issue.
* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (6) * * *
    (ii) Repayments of grants (as defined in Sec.  1.150-1(f)) financed 
by the issue.
* * * * *

0
Par. 13. Section 1.148-8(d) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-8  Small issuer exception to rebate requirement.

* * * * *
    (d) Pooled financings--treatment of conduit borrowers. A loan to a 
conduit borrower in a pooled financing qualifies for the small issuer 
exception, regardless of the size of either the pooled financing or of 
any loan to other conduit borrowers, only if--
    (1) The bonds of the pooled financing are not private activity 
bonds;
    (2) None of the loans to conduit borrowers are private activity 
bonds; and
    (3) The loan to the conduit borrower meets all the requirements of 
the small issuer exception.
* * * * *

0
Par. 14. Section 1.148-10 is amended by:
0
1. Revising the last sentence of paragraph (a)(4).
0
2. Revising the heading and first sentence of paragraph (e).
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-10  Anti-abuse rules and authority of Commissioner.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * * These factors may be outweighed by other factors, such as 
bona fide cost underruns, an issuer's bona fide need to finance 
extraordinary working capital items, or an issuer's long-term financial 
distress.
* * * * *
    (e) Authority of the Commissioner to prevent transactions that are 
inconsistent with the purpose of the arbitrage investment restrictions. 
If an issuer enters into a transaction for a principal purpose of 
obtaining a material financial advantage based on the difference 
between tax-exempt and taxable interest rates in a manner that is 
inconsistent with the purposes of section 148, the Commissioner may 
exercise the Commissioner's discretion to depart from the rules of 
Sec.  1.148-1 through Sec.  1.148-11 as necessary to reflect the 
economics of the transaction to prevent such financial advantage. * * *
* * * * *

0
Par. 15. Section 1.148-11 is amended by:
0
1. Redesignating paragraphs (d)(1)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) 
as paragraphs (d)(1)(i)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F), respectively.
0
2. Revising the heading of paragraph (d)(1) and adding introductory 
text to paragraph (d)(1)(i).
0
3. Revising newly redesignated paragraphs (d)(1)(i)(B), (D), and (F).
0
4. Adding new paragraph (d)(1)(ii).
0
5. Adding paragraph (k).
0
6. Revising paragraph (l).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.148-11  Effective/applicability dates.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) Certain perpetual trust funds--(i) A guarantee by a fund 
created and controlled by a State and established pursuant to its 
constitution does not cause the amounts in the fund to be pledged funds 
treated as replacement proceeds if--
* * * * *
    (B) The corpus of the guarantee fund may be invaded only to support 
specifically designated essential governmental functions (designated 
functions) carried on by political subdivisions with general taxing 
powers or public elementary and public secondary schools;
* * * * *
    (D) The issue guaranteed consists of obligations that are not 
private activity bonds (other than qualified 501(c)(3) bonds) 
substantially all of the proceeds of which are to be used for 
designated functions;
* * * * *
    (F) As of the sale date of the bonds to be guaranteed, the amount 
of the bonds to be guaranteed by the fund plus the then-outstanding 
amount of bonds previously guaranteed by the fund does not exceed a 
total amount equal to 500 percent of the total costs of the assets held 
by the fund as of December 16, 2009.
    (ii) The Commissioner may, by published guidance, set forth 
additional circumstances under which guarantees

[[Page 46598]]

by certain perpetual trust funds will not cause amounts in the fund to 
be treated as replacement proceeds.
* * * * *
    (k) Certain arbitrage guidance updates--(1) In general. Sections 
1.148-1(c)(4)(i)(B)(1); 1.148-1(c)(4)(i)(B)(4); 1.148-1(c)(4)(ii); 
1.148-2(e)(3)(i); 1.148-3(d)(1)(iv); 1.148-3(d)(4); 1.148-4(a); 1.148-
4(b)(3)(i); 1.148-4(h)(2)(ii)(A); 1.148-4(h)(2)(v); 1.148-4(h)(2)(vi); 
1.148(h)(4)(i)(C); 1.148-5(c)(3); 1.148-5(d)(2); 1.148-5(d)(3); 1.148-
5(d)(6)(i); 1.148-5(d)(6)(iii)(A); 1.148-5(e)(2)(ii)(B); 1.148-6(d)(4); 
1.148-7(c)(3)(v); 1.148-7(i)(6)(ii); 1.148-10(a)(4); 1.148-10(e); 
1.148-11(d)(1)(i)(B); 1.148-11(d)(1)(i)(D); 1.148-11(d)(1)(i)(F); and 
1.148-11(d)(1)(ii) apply to bonds sold on or after October 17, 2016.
    (2) Valuation of investments in refunding transactions. Section 
1.148-5(d)(3) also applies to bonds refunded by bonds sold on or after 
October 17, 2016.
    (3) Rebate overpayment recovery. (i) Section 1.148-3(i)(3)(i) 
applies to claims arising from an issue of bonds to which Sec.  1.148-
3(i) applies and for which the final computation date is after June 24, 
2008. For purposes of this paragraph (k)(3)(i), issues for which the 
actual final computation date is on or before June 24, 2008, are deemed 
to have a final computation date of July 1, 2008, for purposes of 
applying Sec.  1.148-3(i)(3)(i).
    (ii) Section 1.148-3(i)(3)(ii) and (iii) apply to claims arising 
from an issue of bonds to which Sec.  1.148-3(i) applies and for which 
the final computation date is after September 16, 2013.
    (iii) Section 1.148-3(j) applies to bonds subject to Sec.  1.148-
3(i).
    (4) Hedge identification. Section 1.148-4(h)(2)(viii) applies to 
hedges that are entered into on or after October 17, 2016.
    (5) Hedge modifications and termination. Section 1.148-
4(h)(3)(iv)(A) through (H) and (h)(4)(iv) apply to--
    (i) Hedges that are entered into on or after October 17, 2016;
    (ii) Qualified hedges that are modified on or after October 17, 
2016 with respect to modifications on or after such date; and
    (iii) Qualified hedges on bonds that are refunded on or after 
October 17, 2016 with respect to the refunding on or after such date.
    (6) Small issuer exception to rebate requirement for conduit 
borrowers of pooled financings. Section 1.148-8(d) applies to bonds 
issued after May 17, 2006.
    (l) Permissive application of certain arbitrage updates--(1) In 
general. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (l), issuers 
may apply the provisions described in paragraph (k)(1), (2), and (5) in 
whole, but not in part, to bonds sold before October 17, 2016.
    (2) Computation credit. Issuers may apply Sec.  1.148-3(d)(1)(iv) 
and (d)(4) for bond years ending on or after October 17, 2016.
    (3) Yield reduction payments. Issuers may apply Sec.  1.148-5(c)(3) 
for investments purchased on or after October 17, 2016.
    (4) External commingled funds. Issuers may apply Sec.  1.148-
5(e)(2)(ii)(B) with respect to costs incurred on or after July 18, 
2016.

0
Par. 16. Section 1.150-1 is amended by:
0
1. Adding paragraph (a)(2)(iii).
0
2. Adding a definition for ``tax-advantaged bond'' in alphabetical 
order to paragraph (b).
0
3. Revising paragraph (c)(2).
0
4. Adding paragraph (f).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.150-1  Definitions.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) Special effective date for definitions of tax-advantaged 
bond, issue, and grant. The definition of tax-advantaged bond in 
paragraph (b) of this section, the revisions to the definition of issue 
in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, and the definition and rules 
regarding the treatment of grants in paragraph (f) of this section 
apply to bonds that are sold on or after October 17, 2016.
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    Tax-advantaged bond means a tax-exempt bond, a taxable bond that 
provides a federal tax credit to the investor with respect to the 
issuer's borrowing costs, a taxable bond that provides a refundable 
federal tax credit payable directly to the issuer of the bond for its 
borrowing costs under section 6431, or any future similar bond that 
provides a federal tax benefit that reduces an issuer's borrowing 
costs. Examples of tax-advantaged bonds include qualified tax credit 
bonds under section 54A(d)(1) and build America bonds under section 
54AA.
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) Exceptions for different types of tax-advantaged bonds and 
taxable bonds. Each type of tax-advantaged bond that has a different 
structure for delivery of the tax benefit that reduces the issuer's 
borrowing costs or different program eligibility requirements is 
treated as part of a different issue under this paragraph (c). Further, 
tax-advantaged bonds and bonds that are not tax-advantaged bonds are 
treated as part of different issues under this paragraph (c). The 
issuance of tax-advantaged bonds in a transaction with other bonds that 
are not tax-advantaged bonds must be tested under the arbitrage anti-
abuse rules under Sec.  1.148-10(a) and other applicable anti-abuse 
rules (for example, limitations against window maturity structures or 
unreasonable allocations of bonds).
* * * * *
    (f) Definition and treatment of grants--(1) Definition. Grant means 
a transfer for a governmental purpose of money or property to a 
transferee that is not a related party to or an agent of the 
transferor. The transfer must not impose any obligation or condition to 
directly or indirectly repay any amount to the transferor or a related 
party. Obligations or conditions intended solely to assure expenditure 
of the transferred moneys in accordance with the governmental purpose 
of the transfer do not prevent a transfer from being a grant.
    (2) Treatment. Except as otherwise provided (for example, Sec.  
1.148-6(d)(4), which treats proceeds used for grants as spent for 
arbitrage purposes when the grant is made), the character and nature of 
a grantee's use of proceeds are taken into account in determining which 
rules are applicable to the bond issue and whether the applicable 
requirements for the bond issue are met. For example, a grantee's use 
of proceeds generally determines whether the proceeds are used for 
capital projects or working capital expenditures under section 148 and 
whether the qualified purposes for the specific type of bond issue are 
met.

0
Par. 17. Section 1.150-2(d)(3) is amended by:
0
1. Amending paragraph (a) by adding an entry for Sec.  1.150-2(j)(3).
0
2. Revising paragraphs (d)(3) and (j)(1).
0
3. Adding paragraph (j)(3).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.150-2  Proceeds of bonds used for reimbursement.

    (a) * * *
    (j) * * *
    (3) Nature of expenditure.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) Nature of expenditure. The original expenditure is a capital 
expenditure, a cost of issuance for a bond, an expenditure described in 
Sec.  1.148-6(d)(3)(ii)(B) (relating to certain extraordinary working 
capital items), a grant (as defined in Sec.  1.150-1(f)), a

[[Page 46599]]

qualified student loan, a qualified mortgage loan, or a qualified 
veterans' mortgage loan.
* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (1) In general. Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of 
this section apply to all allocations of proceeds of reimbursement 
bonds issued after June 30, 1993.
* * * * *
    (3) Nature of expenditure. Paragraph (d)(3) of this section applies 
to bonds that are sold on or after October 17, 2016.

John Dalrymple,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.

    Approved: June 28, 2016.
Mark J. Mazur,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 2016-16558 Filed 7-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4830-01-P