Additional First Year Depreciation Deduction, 50152-50171 [2019-20035]
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50152
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2019 / Proposed Rules
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
[REG–106808–19]
RIN 1545–BP32
Additional First Year Depreciation
Deduction
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking;
partial withdrawal of a notice of
proposed rulemaking.
Background
This document contains
proposed regulations that provide
guidance regarding the additional first
year depreciation deduction under
section 168(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code (Code). These proposed
regulations reflect and clarify the
increase of the benefit and expansion of
the universe of qualifying property,
particularly to certain classes of used
property, made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act. These proposed regulations
generally affect taxpayers who deduct
depreciation for qualified property
acquired and placed in service after
September 27, 2017. This document also
provides notice of a public hearing on
these proposed regulations. Finally, this
document withdraws a portion of the
proposed regulations published on
August 8, 2018.
DATES: Written or electronic comments
must be received by November 25, 2019.
Outlines of topics to be discussed at the
public hearing scheduled for
Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 10
a.m. must be received by October 23,
2019. If no outlines of topics are
received by October 23, 2019, the public
hearing will be cancelled.
ADDRESSES: Submit electronic
submissions via the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov (indicate IRS and
REG–106808–19) by following the
online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted to the
Federal eRulemaking Portal, comments
cannot be edited or withdrawn. The
Department of the Treasury (Treasury
Department) and the IRS will publish
for public availability any comment
received to its public docket, whether
submitted electronically or in hard
copy. Send hard copy submissions to:
CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–106808–19), Room
5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O.
Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station,
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions
may be hand-delivered Monday through
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and
This document contains proposed
amendments to the Income Tax
Regulations (26 CFR part 1) under
section 168(k) of the Code. Section
168(k) was added to the Code by section
101 of the Job Creation and Worker
Assistance Act of 2002, Public Law 107–
147 (116 Stat. 21). Section 168(k) allows
an additional first year depreciation
deduction in the placed-in-service year
of qualified property. Subsequent
amendments to section 168(k) increased
the percentage of the additional first
year depreciation deduction from 30
percent to 50 percent (to 100 percent for
property acquired and placed in service
after September 8, 2010, and generally
before January 1, 2012), extended the
placed-in-service date generally through
December 31, 2019, and made other
changes.
On December 22, 2017, section 168(k)
and related provisions were amended by
sections 12001(b)(13), 13201, and 13204
of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Public
Law 115–97 (131 Stat. 2054) (the ‘‘Act’’)
to provide further changes to the
additional first year depreciation
deduction. Unless otherwise indicated,
all references to section 168(k)
hereinafter are references to section
168(k) as amended by the Act.
The Treasury Department and the IRS
published proposed regulations
interpreting section 168(k) on August 8,
2018 (the August Proposed Regulations)
(83 FR 39292). This notice of proposed
rulemaking withdraws § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(i) through (iii) and
Examples 19 through 22 in § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(3)(vi) of the August Proposed
Regulations, and proposes in their place
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(v)(A) through (E) and
Examples 26 through 30 in § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(3)(vii)(Z) through (DD),
respectively. This notice of proposed
rulemaking also withdraws § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(3)(iii)(C) and Example 18 in
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(vi) of the August
Proposed Regulations, and proposes in
their place § 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(C) and
Examples 31 through 34 in § 1.168(k)–
AGENCY:
SUMMARY:
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4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–106808–
19), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue
Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20224.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Concerning the proposed regulations,
Elizabeth R. Binder or Kathleen Reed,
(202) 317–7005; concerning submissions
of comments and outlines of topics, the
hearing, or to be placed on the building
access list to attend the hearing, Regina
L. Johnson, (202) 317–6901 (not toll-free
numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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2(b)(3)(vii)(EE) through (HH),
respectively. The August Proposed
Regulations, with modifications in
response to comments and testimony
received, were adopted as final
regulations, issued concurrently with
these proposed regulations and
published elsewhere in this issue of the
Federal Register (the Final Regulations).
Explanation of Provisions
These proposed regulations propose
amendments to the Final Regulations to
provide taxpayers with guidance that is
not addressed in the Final Regulations
regarding the application of section
168(k). Specifically, these proposed
regulations contain amendments to
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(2), (3), and (5) of the
Final Regulations, each of which
provides rules relevant to the definition
of qualified property for purposes of the
additional first year depreciation
deduction under section 168(k). These
proposed regulations also amend
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(v) by adding special
rules for consolidated groups.
Additionally, these proposed
regulations amend § 1.168(k)–2(c) by
adding rules regarding components
acquired or self-constructed after
September 27, 2017, for larger selfconstructed property for which
manufacture, construction, or
production began before September 28,
2017. Further, these proposed
regulations amend § 1.168(k)–2(g)(11) by
adding rules regarding the application
of the mid-quarter convention, as
determined under section 168(d). These
additional proposed rules respond to
comments received on the August
Proposed Regulations as well as address
certain issues identified after additional
study. This Explanation of Provisions
section describes each of the proposed
rules contained in this document.
1. Property Excluded From the
Additional First Year Depreciation
Deduction by Section 168(k)(9)
Section 1.168(k)–2(b)(2)(ii)(F) of the
Final Regulations provides that
qualified property does not include any
property that is primarily used in a
trade or business described in section
163(j)(7)(A)(iv). Section 1.168(k)–
2(b)(2)(ii)(G) of the Final Regulations
provides that qualified property does
not include any property used in a trade
or business that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness, as defined in
section 163(j)(9), if the floor plan
financing interest, as defined in section
163(j)(9), related to such indebtedness is
taken into account under section
163(j)(1)(C) for the taxable year. Sections
1.168(k)–2(b)(2)(ii)(F) and (G) of the
Final Regulations apply to property
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placed in service by the taxpayer in a
taxable year beginning after December
31, 2017.
A. Lessor Leasing Property to a Trade or
Business Described in Section 168(k)(9)
Several commenters to the August
Proposed Regulations requested
guidance on whether a taxpayer that
leases property to a trade or business
described in section 168(k)(9) is eligible
to claim the additional first year
depreciation for the property, and they
recommend allowing the additional first
year depreciation deduction (assuming
all other requirements are met). The
Treasury Department and the IRS agree
with the commenters’ recommendation,
provided the lessor is not described in
section 168(k)(9)(A) or (B). Accordingly,
these proposed regulations amend
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(2)(ii)(F) and (G) to
provide that such exclusion from the
additional first year depreciation
deduction does not apply to lessors of
property to a trade or business described
in section 168(k)(9) so long as the lessor
is not described in such Code section.
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B. Property Described in Section
168(k)(9)(A)
The Treasury Department and the IRS
are aware that taxpayers and
practitioners have questioned how to
determine whether property is primarily
used in a trade or business described in
section 168(k)(9)(A). For depreciation
purposes, § 1.167(a)–11(b)(4)(iii)(b) and
(e)(3)(iii) classify property according to
its primary use. The Treasury
Department and the IRS believe that the
same standard should apply for
purposes of section 168(k)(9)(A).
Accordingly, these proposed regulations
amend § 1.168(k)–2(b)(2)(ii)(F) to
provide that for purposes of section
168(k)(9)(A) and § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(2)(ii)(F), the term primarily used
has the same meaning as that term is
used in § 1.167(a)–11(b)(4)(iii)(b) and
(e)(3)(iii) for classifying property.
C. Property Described in Section
168(k)(9)(B)
A commenter to the August Proposed
Regulations requested guidance on
when floor plan financing is ‘‘taken into
account’’ for purposes of section
168(k)(9)(B). The commenter believed
that section 168(k)(9)(B) does not apply
when a taxpayer does not deduct
interest in excess of the sum of the
amounts calculated under section
163(j)(1)(A) and (B). The Treasury
Department and the IRS do not believe
that section 163(j) is optional. However,
the Treasury Department and the IRS
agree that, for purposes of section
168(k)(9)(B), floor plan financing
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interest is not taken into account by a
trade or business that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness if the sum of the
amounts calculated under section
163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for the trade or
business for the taxable year equals or
exceeds the business interest, as defined
in section 163(j)(5) (including
carryforwards of disallowed business
interest under section 163(j)(2)), which
includes floor plan financing interest of
the trade or business, for the taxable
year. Accordingly, these proposed
regulations amend § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(2)(ii)(G) to provide that solely for
purposes of section 168(k)(9)(B) and
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(2)(ii)(G), floor plan
financing interest is not taken into
account for the taxable year by a trade
or business that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness if the sum of the
amounts calculated under section
163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for the trade or
business for the taxable year equals or
exceeds the business interest, as defined
in section 163(j)(5), for the taxable year.
If floor plan financing interest is taken
into account for a taxable year by a trade
or business that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness, the Treasury
Department and the IRS are aware that
taxpayers and practitioners have
questioned whether the additional first
year depreciation deduction is not
allowed for property placed in service
by that trade or business in any
subsequent taxable year. In such a case,
the additional first year depreciation
deduction for subsequent taxable years
would not be allowed, even if the
amount of the floor plan financing
interest taken into account for the
current taxable year is de minimis. For
this reason, the Treasury Department
and the IRS have decided that, for
purposes of section 168(k)(9)(B), the
determination of whether a trade or
business that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness has taken into
account floor plan financing interest is
made annually. Accordingly, these
proposed regulations amend § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(2)(ii)(G) to provide that if the trade
or business has taken floor plan
financing interest into account pursuant
to § 1.168(k)–2(b)(2)(ii)(G) for a taxable
year, § 1.168(k)–2(b)(2)(ii)(G) applies to
any property placed in service by that
trade or business in that taxable year.
2. Used Property
A. Depreciable Interest
As a result of comments received on
the August Proposed Regulations
regarding sale-leaseback transactions,
the Treasury Department and the IRS
have determined that it is appropriate to
provide an exception to the depreciable
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interest rule in the Final Regulations
when the taxpayer disposes of property
within a short period of time after the
taxpayer placed such property in
service. Accordingly, these proposed
regulations amend § 1.168(k)–2 by
adding paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(B)(4) to
provide that if (a) a taxpayer acquires
and places in service property, (b) the
taxpayer or a predecessor did not
previously have a depreciable interest in
the property, (c) the taxpayer disposes
of the property to an unrelated party
within 90 calendar days after the date
the property was originally placed in
service by the taxpayer (without taking
into account the applicable convention),
and (d) the taxpayer reacquires and
again places in service the property, the
taxpayer’s depreciable interest in the
property during that 90-day period is
not taken into account for determining
whether the property was used by the
taxpayer or a predecessor at any time
prior to its reacquisition by the
taxpayer. The 90-day period is
consistent with the period of time
specified in section 168(k)(2)(E)(iii). To
prevent the churning of assets, this
proposed rule does not apply if the
taxpayer reacquires and again places in
service the property during the same
taxable year the taxpayer disposed of
the property. The proposed regulations
also define an unrelated party as
meaning a person not described in
section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B), and § 1.179–
4(c)(1)(ii) or (iii), or (c)(2).
B. Application to Partnerships
One commenter to the August
Proposed Regulations asked for
clarification regarding a partner’s
depreciable interest in property held by
a partnership. The Treasury Department
and the IRS clarify in these proposed
regulations the extent to which a person
is treated as having a depreciable
interest in property by virtue of being a
partner in a partnership that holds the
property.
Under the August Proposed
Regulations, each partner is treated as
having owned and used the partner’s
proportionate share of partnership
property for purposes of determining
whether a section 743(b) basis
adjustment meets the used property
acquisition requirements of section
168(k)(2)(E)(ii). Consistent with this
approach, a person should be
considered as having a depreciable
interest in a portion of property if the
person is a partner in the partnership
while the partnership owns the
property. The same rule should apply
whether a current partner purchases
property directly from the partnership
or a person acquires property that the
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partnership previously owned while the
person was a partner.
These proposed regulations amend
§ 1.168(k)–2 by adding paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(B)(5) to provide that a partner
is considered to have a depreciable
interest in a portion of property equal to
the partner’s total share of depreciation
deductions with respect to the property
as a percentage of the total depreciation
deductions allocated to all partners with
respect to that property during the
current calendar year and five calendar
years immediately prior to the
partnership’s current year. For this
purpose, only the portion of the current
calendar year and previous 5-year
period during which the partnership
owned the property and the person was
a partner is taken into account. The
Treasury Department and the IRS
believe that this provides an accurate
reflection of the partner’s prior
depreciable interest in the property.
C. Series of Related Transactions
Section 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(C) of the
August Proposed Regulations provides
that, in the case of a series of related
transactions, property is treated as
directly transferred from the original
transferor to the ultimate transferee, and
the relationship between the original
transferor and the ultimate transferee is
tested immediately after the last
transaction in the series (related
transactions rule).
A commenter requested clarification
on whether the related transactions rule
applies only to test relatedness under
section 179(d)(2)(A) or whether this rule
applies more broadly for purposes of all
of the rules under section
168(k)(2)(E)(ii). For example, if, in a
series of related transactions, A transfers
property to B in exchange for cash and
B transfers property to C in a
nonrecognition transaction in exchange
for stock or other property, the
commenter states that it is not clear
whether the related transactions rule is
intended to test only the relatedness
between A and C under section
179(d)(2)(A). If this rule is intended to
apply more broadly, the commenter
states that it is not clear whether the
rule also determines the basis of the
property or whether B’s prior use of the
property is relevant.
The commenter also requested
clarification on whether the related
transactions rule applies to transactions
described in § 1.168(k)–2(f)(1)(iii) of the
August Proposed Regulations (qualified
property that is transferred in a
transaction described in section
168(i)(7) in the same taxable year that
the qualified property is placed in
service by the transferor). For example,
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if a person purchased qualified property
and contributed it to a partnership in a
transaction described in section 721 in
the same taxable year, the commenter
questioned whether the related
transactions rule would treat the
transfer as occurring directly between
the original seller and the partnership,
assuming that the initial acquisition of
the property by the person and the
person’s transfer of such property to the
partnership are part of a series of related
transactions.
The Treasury Department and the IRS
intended to apply the related
transactions rule only for purposes of
testing the relatedness of the parties
under section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) in a
series of related transactions. The
related transactions rule was not
intended to test relatedness between the
parties involved in a transaction
described in section 168(i)(7).
These proposed regulations amend
§ 1.168(k)–2 by revising paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C) to provide rules for a series
of related transactions (proposed related
transactions rule). The proposed related
transactions rule generally provides that
the relationship between the parties
under section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) in a
series of related transactions is tested
immediately after each step in the
series, and between the original
transferor and the ultimate transferee
immediately after the last transaction in
the series.
The Treasury Department and the IRS
believe that the relationship between
the parties in a series of related
transactions should not be tested in
certain cases. Accordingly, the proposed
related transactions rule provides that a
party in the series that is neither the
original transferor nor the ultimate
transferee is disregarded in applying the
relatedness test if the party placed in
service and disposed of the property in
the party’s same taxable year or did not
place the property in service. The
proposed related transactions rule also
provides that any step in a series of
related transactions that is neither the
original step nor the ultimate step is
disregarded for purposes of testing
relatedness if the step is a transaction
described in § 1.168(k)–2(g)(1)(iii) (that
is, a transfer of property in a transaction
described in section 168(i)(7) in the
same taxable year that the property is
placed in service by the transferor)
(§ 1.168(k)–2(f)(1)(iii) of the August
Proposed Regulations). Finally, these
proposed regulations provide that the
proposed related transactions rule does
not apply when all transactions in the
series are described in § 1.168(k)–
2(g)(1)(iii) or to a syndication
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transaction described in § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(3)(vi).
The commenter also requested
clarification on the application of the
related transactions rule in transactions
involving sections 179(d)(2)(B) and
1563. For example, if there is a series of
related transactions involving a sale of
qualified property between two
corporations that also become members
of the same controlled group, section
179(d)(2)(B) would require testing
whether the two corporations are
component members of the same
controlled group for purposes of section
1563. Under section 1563 and the
regulations issued thereunder, a
corporation is generally a component
member of a controlled group if it is a
member of the controlled group for at
least one half of the days in the relevant
taxable year. See § 1.1563–1(b). If the
corporations both become members of
the controlled group pursuant to a series
of related transactions ending in the first
half of the taxable year, the corporations
should be component members for
purposes of section 179(d)(2)(B).
However, if the series of related
transactions ends in the second half of
the taxable year, the commenter
questioned whether the related
transactions rule applies to treat the two
corporations as non-members prior to
the end of the series of related
transactions, in which case the
purchaser of the qualified property may
be eligible for immediate expensing
(setting aside the potential application
of section 179(d)(2)(A)).
The Treasury Department and the IRS
also received comments concerning the
application of section 179(d)(2)(B) to
Example 21 of § 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(vi) in
the August Proposed Regulations. In
response, the Treasury Department and
the IRS have proposed new rules
covering the application of section
179(d)(2)(B) to acquisitions of
depreciable property between members
of the same consolidated group, as
explained in the following section of
this Explanation of Provisions.
D. Application to Members of a
Consolidated Group
i. Overview of Used Property
Acquisition Requirements
Section 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(A) of the
August Proposed Regulations and the
Final Regulations lists the following
three requirements that must be
satisfied in order for acquisitions of
used property to qualify for the
additional first year depreciation
deduction (used property acquisition
requirements). First, the property must
not have been used by the taxpayer or
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a predecessor at any time prior to the
acquisition (No Prior Use Requirement).
Second, the acquisition of the property
must satisfy § 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(A)(2)
of the August Proposed Regulations and
the Final Regulations, which requires
that (a) the property was not acquired
from a related person (within the
meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and
§ 1.179–4(c)(1)(ii)) (Related Party
Requirement), (b) the property was not
acquired by one component member of
a controlled group from another
component member of the same
controlled group (Component Member
Requirement), and (c) the basis of the
property in the hands of the acquirer is
not determined, in whole or in part, by
reference to the adjusted basis in the
hands of the transferor. Third, the
acquisition of the property must meet
the requirements of section 179(d)(3)
and § 1.179–4(d) (concerning like-kind
exchanges and involuntary
conversions).
ii. Application of the Used Property
Acquisition Requirements to
Consolidated Groups
Section 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3) of
the August Proposed Regulations
provides special rules applying the No
Prior Use Requirement to consolidated
groups. Section 1.168(k)–
2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(i) of the August
Proposed Regulations treats a member
that acquires depreciable property as
having a prior depreciable interest in
such property if the consolidated group
had a depreciable interest at any time
prior to the member’s acquisition of the
property (Group Prior Use Rule). For
these purposes, a consolidated group is
treated as having a depreciable interest
in property during the period in which
any current or previous member of the
consolidated group had a depreciable
interest in the property while a member
of the consolidated group. Section
1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(ii) of the
August Proposed Regulations provides
that, for purposes of applying the No
Prior Use Requirement, a member is
treated as having a depreciable interest
in property prior to the time of its
acquisition if, as part of a series of
related transactions, the property is
acquired by a member of a consolidated
group and a corporation that had a
depreciable interest in the property
becomes a member of that consolidated
group (Stock and Asset Acquisition
Rule). For purposes of applying these
two rules, § 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(iii)
of the August Proposed Regulations
provides that, if the acquisition of
property is part of a series of related
transactions that also includes one or
more transactions in which the
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transferee of the property ceases to be a
member of a consolidated group, then
whether the taxpayer is a member of a
consolidated group is tested
immediately after the last transaction in
the series.
Commenters have asked for
clarification regarding the application of
the Group Prior Use Rule to situations
in which a consolidated group
terminates as a result of all of its
members joining another consolidated
group, including as a result of a reverse
acquisition as defined in § 1.1502–
75(d)(3). By its terms, the Group Prior
Use Rule applies only to the acquisition
of property by a member of a
consolidated group. Thus, the Treasury
Department and the IRS have
determined that this rule should apply
only as long as the consolidated group
remains in existence, as determined
under § 1.1502–75(d) and other
applicable law.
Several commenters also have
requested confirmation that a member of
a consolidated group that is treated as
having a depreciable interest in property
solely as a result of the application of
the Group Prior Use Rule does not
continue to be treated under that rule as
having a depreciable interest in the
property after the member leaves the
consolidated group (that is,
deconsolidates). Commenters have
noted that, if a former member
continues to be treated as having a
depreciable interest in the property after
deconsolidation, the Stock and Asset
Acquisition Rule could apply whenever
one consolidated group acquires from
another consolidated group both
qualified property and the stock of a
member of that second consolidated
group (the target member), even if the
target member had no actual depreciable
interest in the qualified property (as
opposed to a depreciable interest arising
solely from the application of the Group
Prior Use Rule).
The Treasury Department and the IRS
did not intend the Group Prior Use Rule
to continue to apply to a member of a
consolidated group after the member
leaves that consolidated group. By its
terms, the Group Prior Use Rule applies
only as long as a corporation remains a
member of a consolidated group.
Therefore, when a member
deconsolidates, it does not continue to
be treated under that rule as having a
depreciable interest in the property.
Accordingly, a departing member does
not continue to have a depreciable
interest in the property unless it
actually owned such property.
Further, the Treasury Department and
the IRS intended the Stock and Asset
Acquisition Rule to apply only when
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50155
the member whose stock is acquired had
an actual depreciable interest in the
qualified property that also is acquired
as part of the same series of related
transactions. Accordingly, these
proposed regulations clarify that the
phrase ‘‘a corporation that had a
depreciable interest in the property’’ in
the Stock and Asset Acquisition Rule
refers only to a corporation that has
such an interest without regard to the
application of the Group Prior Use Rule.
iii. Sales of Property Between Members
of the Same Consolidated Group
(Example 21 in § 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(vi) of
the August Proposed Regulations)
The Treasury Department and the IRS
have received comments regarding the
interaction of the August Proposed
Regulations for consolidated groups
with the statutorily prescribed Related
Party Requirement and Component
Member Requirement, as illustrated by
Example 21 in § 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(vi) of
the August Proposed Regulations
(Former Example 21). Generally, a
corporation qualifies as a component
member of a controlled group if the
corporation was a member of such
controlled group during the majority of
the corporation’s taxable year. See
section 1563(b). In addition, the taxable
year of a member of a consolidated
group ends for all Federal income tax
purposes at the end of the day on which
its status as a member changes. See
§ 1.1502–76(b). Therefore, commenters
have questioned how the August
Proposed Regulations for consolidated
groups could apply to treat the
Component Member Requirement as
satisfied if a member acquires
depreciable property from another
member of the same consolidated group
(selling group) and, as part of an
integrated plan that includes the
acquisition, the acquiring member
deconsolidates from the selling group.
In Former Example 21, Parent is the
common parent of a consolidated group
that includes F Corporation (F) and G
Corporation (G). G has a depreciable
interest in certain equipment
(Equipment #3). As part of a series of
related transactions, (1) G sells
Equipment #3 to F, and then (2) Parent
sells all of its F stock to X Corporation
(X), the common parent of an unrelated
consolidated group. Based on those
facts, Former Example 21 concludes
that the Group Prior Use Rule does not
apply to treat F as previously having a
depreciable interest in Equipment #3
because F’s status as a member of the
Parent consolidated group is tested
immediately after the last transaction in
the related series, at which point F has
ceased to be a member of the Parent
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consolidated group. Former Example 21
relies on the same analysis to conclude
that the Related Party Requirement and
Component Member Requirement are
also satisfied, and that, assuming all
other relevant requirements are
satisfied, F would be eligible to claim
the additional first year depreciation
deduction for Equipment #3.
Commenters also have requested
guidance concerning the amount,
location, and timing of the additional
first year depreciation deduction in
transactions similar to the transaction
described in Former Example 21. In
particular, commenters have asked
whether the deduction should be
reported on the consolidated return of
the Parent consolidated group (that is,
the selling group) or on the consolidated
return of the X consolidated group (that
is, the acquiring group), and whether
the deduction would be limited by
section 168(i)(7). Commenters have
noted that, if F were treated as placing
Equipment #3 in service while a
member of the Parent consolidated
group, the deduction might be reported
on the consolidated return of the Parent
group. In addition, because the
transaction between F and G is an
intercompany transaction, section
168(i)(7)(B)(ii) might apply to limit the
amount of the deduction to an amount
equaling G’s gain from the transaction.
One commenter further noted that, even
if section 168(i)(7)(B)(ii) did not apply
to the transaction, any amount of the
deduction in excess of G’s gain
nevertheless might be disallowed under
§ 1.1502–13 as a noncapital,
nondeductible amount.
Commenters have asserted that these
potential results regarding the location
(the Parent consolidated group) and the
amount (an amount not in excess of G’s
gain) of the deduction would be
improper based on the legislative
history of section 168(k), which
indicates that Congress intended to
stimulate economic activity and
promote capital investment. See H.
Rept. 115–409, at 232 (2017) (‘‘The
Committee believes that providing full
expensing for certain business assets
lowers the cost of capital for tangible
property used in a trade or business.
With lower costs of capital, the
Committee believes that businesses will
be encouraged to purchase equipment
and other assets, which will promote
capital investment and provide
economic growth.’’); H. Rept. 107–251,
at 20 (2001) (‘‘The Committee believes
that allowing additional first-year
depreciation will accelerate purchases
of equipment, promote capital
investment, modernization, and growth,
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and will help to spur an economic
recovery.’’).
The Treasury Department and the IRS
agree with commenters that, in
situations similar to Former Example
21, the additional first year depreciation
deduction should be reported on the
consolidated return of the acquiring
group rather than the selling group.
With respect to Former Example 21, the
Treasury Department and the IRS note
that F made the economic outlay for
Equipment #3, which was included in
the amount paid by X for F’s stock.
Additionally, F’s acquisition of
Equipment #3 and Parent’s sale of the F
stock to X occur as part of the same
series of related transactions; thus, at
the time of F’s acquisition of Equipment
#3, the parties expected F to
deconsolidate from the Parent
consolidated group, and the substance
of the transaction is the same as if F first
became a member of the X consolidated
group and then acquired Equipment #3.
Furthermore, F’s purchase of Equipment
#3 is the type of activity that section
168(k) was intended to encourage—if F
had become a member of the X
consolidated group before purchasing
Equipment #3, it is clear that F, as a
member of the X consolidated group,
would be allowed the deduction in its
full amount.
Moreover, in circumstances similar to
Former Example 21, the statute and
regulations disregard a transitory
acquisition of depreciable property
when the property is acquired and
disposed of within 90 calendar days.
See section 168(k)(2)(E)(iii) and
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(vi) and (b)(4)(iv)
(concerning syndication transactions) of
the Final Regulations; see also
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(4) of these
proposed regulations (concerning de
minimis uses of property).
To ensure that the additional first year
depreciation deduction is reported on
the acquiring group’s consolidated
return in circumstances like those
described in Former Example 21,
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(v)(C) of these
proposed regulations (Proposed
Consolidated Acquisition Rule)
provides that, if a member of a
consolidated group acquires depreciable
property from another member of the
same consolidated group (that is, the
selling group) in a taxable transaction,
and if the transferee member ceases to
be a member of the selling group in a
series of related transactions that
includes the property acquisition within
90 calendar days of the date of the
property acquisition, then (1) the
disposition and acquisition of the
property are treated as occurring one
day after the date on which the
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transferee member ceases to be a
member of the selling group
(Deconsolidation Date) for all Federal
income tax purposes, and (2) the
transferee member is treated as placing
the depreciable property in service not
earlier than one day after the
Deconsolidation Date for purposes of
claiming depreciation or the investment
credit.
The Proposed Consolidated
Acquisition Rule would ensure that the
used property acquisition requirements,
including the No Prior Use Requirement
and the Related Party Requirement, are
satisfied in cases similar to Former
Example 21. With respect to the No
Prior Use Requirement, because the
proposed rule treats the transferee
member as acquiring the property after
it ceases to be a member of the selling
group, the transferee member is not
attributed the selling group’s usage of
the property under the Group Prior Use
Rule. The Related Party Requirement
and Component Member Requirements
would be tested using the same analysis.
The Proposed Consolidated
Acquisition Rule applies the same
treatment for purposes of determining
whether the transaction is covered by
section 168(i)(7)(B)(ii). Therefore,
because the acquisition is not treated as
occurring between members of the same
consolidated group, if the transferee
member is eligible to claim the
additional first year depreciation
deduction, then section 168(i)(7)(B)(ii)
will not apply to limit the amount of the
deduction.
In order to allow the deduction to the
appropriate party, the Proposed
Consolidated Acquisition Rule also
provides that the transferee member is
treated as placing the property in
service not earlier than one day after the
Deconsolidation Date for purposes of
sections 167 and 168 and §§ 1.46–3(d)
and 1.167(a)–11(e)(1). In so providing,
the Treasury Department and the IRS
intend to prohibit the transferee member
from claiming the additional first year
depreciation deduction on the selling
group’s consolidated return. The rule
also prevents the transferee member
from claiming regular depreciation or
the investment credit with respect to the
acquired property during the period
after the transferee member acquires the
property but before it leaves the selling
group. Example 28 (that is, revised
Former Example 21) in proposed
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(vii)(BB) illustrates the
application of the Proposed
Consolidated Acquisition Rule to the
acquisition of depreciable property by
one member of a consolidated group
from another member of the same
consolidated group.
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iv. Deemed Acquisitions of Depreciable
Property Between Members of the Same
Consolidated Group
Commenters have noted that issues
similar to those in Former Example 21
also arise in the context of deemed
acquisitions of property within a
consolidated group resulting from an
election under either section 338(h)(10)
or section 336(e). The Treasury
Department and the IRS have
determined that deemed acquisitions of
property should be treated the same as
actual acquisitions of property. Thus,
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(v)(D) of these
proposed regulations provides a rule
(Proposed Consolidated Deemed
Acquisition Rule) that applies if (1) the
transferee member acquires the stock of
another member of the same group that
holds depreciable property (target) in a
qualified stock purchase or a qualified
stock disposition for which a section
338 election or a section 336(e) election
for a disposition described in § 1.336–
2(b)(1), respectively, is made, and (2)
the transferee member and target cease
to be members of the consolidated group
within 90 calendar days of the
acquisition date (within the meaning of
§ 1.338–2(c)(1)) or disposition date
(within the meaning of § 1.336–1(b)(8))
as part of the same series of related
transactions that includes the
acquisition. The Proposed Consolidated
Deemed Acquisition Rule does not
apply to qualified stock dispositions
described in section 355(d)(2) or (e)(2)
because the rules applicable to such
dispositions do not treat a new target
corporation as acquiring assets from an
unrelated person. See § 1.336–2(b)(2).
If the Proposed Consolidated Deemed
Acquisition Rule applies, then (a) the
acquisition date or disposition date, as
applicable, is treated as the date that is
one day after the date on which the
transferee member and target cease to be
members of the consolidated group
(Deconsolidation Date) for all Federal
income tax purposes, and (b) new target
is treated as placing the depreciable
property in service not earlier than one
day after the Deconsolidation Date for
purposes of sections 167 and 168 and
§§ 1.46–3(d) and 1.167(a)–11(e)(1).
Without the proposed rule, new target
might be treated as having a depreciable
interest in the assets new target is
deemed to acquire by virtue of the
Group Prior Use Rule because old target,
a member of the same consolidated
group, had a depreciable interest in
those assets. If applicable, the proposed
rule prevents new target from being
treated as having a depreciable interest
in the assets by moving the acquisition
date or disposition date to the day after
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the Deconsolidation Date. New target is
therefore a member of the acquiring
group at the time it is deemed to acquire
the assets. Similar to the Proposed
Consolidated Acquisition Rule, this
deemed acquisition rule also provides
that the transferee member is treated as
placing the property in service not
earlier than one day after the
Deconsolidation Date for purposes of
sections 167 and 168 and §§ 1.46–3(d)
and 1.167(a)–11(e)(1). Example 29 in
proposed § 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(vii)(CC)
illustrates the application of the rule to
the deemed acquisition of depreciable
property by one member of a
consolidated group from another
member of the same consolidated group
pursuant to a section 338(h)(10)
election.
Neither the Proposed Consolidated
Acquisition Rule nor the Proposed
Consolidated Deemed Acquisition Rule
applies if the property that is acquired
(or deemed acquired) is subsequently
disposed of by the transferee member or
new target, respectively, in a transaction
that is part of the same series of related
transactions as the actual or deemed
acquisition of the property. For special
rules governing the transfer of property
in a series of related transactions, see
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(C) of these
proposed regulations. For special rules
governing property placed in service
and disposed of in the same taxable
year, see § 1.168(k)–2(g)(1).
3. Acquisition of Property
A. Definition of Binding Contract for
Acquisition of Entity
The Treasury Department and the IRS
are aware that taxpayers and
practitioners are having difficulty
applying the binding contract rules in
the August Proposed Regulations to
transactions involving the acquisition of
an entity. Because those rules were
written to apply to the purchase of an
asset instead of an entity, the Treasury
Department and the IRS recognize that
a binding contract rule for an
acquisition of a trade or business, or an
entity, is needed. Accordingly, these
proposed regulations amend § 1.168(k)–
2 by adding paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G) to
provide that a contract to acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of a trade
or business or to acquire an entity (for
example, a corporation, a partnership,
or a limited liability company) is
binding if it is enforceable under State
law against the parties to the contract.
The presence of a condition outside the
control of the parties, including, for
example, regulatory agency approval,
will not prevent the contract from being
a binding contract. Further, the fact that
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50157
insubstantial terms remain to be
negotiated by the parties to the contract,
or that customary conditions remain to
be satisfied, does not prevent the
contract from being a binding contract.
This proposed rule also applies to a
contract for the sale of the stock of a
corporation that is treated as an asset
sale as a result of an election under
section 338.
B. Property Not Acquired Pursuant to a
Written Binding Contract
The Treasury Department and the IRS
also are aware that, in some cases, a
taxpayer may acquire property that was
not pursuant to a written binding
contract. If such property is not selfconstructed property, a qualified film,
television, or live theatrical production,
or a specified plant, these proposed
regulations amend § 1.168(k)–2 by
adding paragraph (b)(5)(v) to provide
that the acquisition date of property
acquired pursuant to a contract that is
not a written binding contract is the
date on which the taxpayer paid or
incurred more than 10 percent of the
total cost of the property, excluding the
cost of any land and preliminary
activities such as planning and
designing, securing financing,
exploring, or researching. This 10percent proposed rule is the same as the
safe harbor provided in § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(5)(iv)(B)(2) of the Final Regulations
for determining the acquisition date of
self-constructed property. This
proposed rule does not apply to the
acquisition of a trade or business, or an
entity. The Treasury Department and
the IRS request comments on this
proposed rule.
4. Components
Multiple commenters to the August
Proposed Regulations requested an
election similar to the one provided in
section 3.02(2)(b) of Rev. Proc. 2011–26
(2011–16 I.R.B. 664 (April 18, 2011)) for
components acquired or selfconstructed after September 27, 2017, of
larger self-constructed property for
which the manufacture, construction, or
production of the larger self-constructed
property begins before September 28,
2017.
The Treasury Department and the IRS
have determined that it is appropriate to
allow a taxpayer to elect to treat one or
more components acquired or selfconstructed after September 27, 2017, of
certain larger self-constructed property
as being eligible for the additional first
year depreciation deduction under
section 168(k). The larger selfconstructed property must be qualified
property under section 168(k)(2), as in
effect before the enactment of the Act,
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for which the manufacture,
construction, or production began
before September 28, 2017. However,
the election is not available for
components of larger self-constructed
property when such property is not
eligible for any additional first year
depreciation deduction under section
168(k) (for example, property described
in section 168(k)(9) and placed in
service by the taxpayer in any taxable
year beginning after December 31, 2017,
or qualified improvement property
placed in service by the taxpayer after
December 31, 2017). These proposed
regulations amend § 1.168(k)–2 by
adding paragraph (c) to provide for this
election. These proposed regulations
also provide rules regarding installation
costs and the determination of the basis
attributable to the manufacture,
construction, or production before
January 1, 2020, for longer production
period property or certain aircraft
property described in section
168(k)(2)(B) or (C). Additionally, these
proposed regulations provide the time
and manner of making the election, and
examples to illustrate the proposed
rules.
These proposed regulations also
amend § 1.168(k)–2(e)(1)(iii) to provide
rules regarding the determination of the
basis attributable to the manufacture,
construction, or production before
January 1, 2027, for longer production
period property or certain aircraft
property described in section
168(k)(2)(B) or (C).
Commenters to the August Proposed
Regulations requested guidance on
whether property acquired before
September 28, 2017, by a trade or
business described in section
168(k)(9)(A) is eligible for the additional
first year depreciation deduction
provided by section 168(k) as in effect
before the enactment of the Act.
Another commenter requested
clarification on whether any of the costs
of property acquired before September
28, 2017, pursuant to a written binding
contract, and placed in service after
2017 are eligible for the additional first
year depreciation deduction under
section 168(k). Property acquired before
September 28, 2017, is eligible for the
additional first year depreciation
deduction provided by section 168(k) as
in effect before the enactment of the Act
provided such property is qualified
property under section 168(k) as in
effect before the enactment of the Act.
However, if the taxpayer makes the
election in proposed § 1.168(k)–2(c), as
described above, for components
acquired or self-constructed after
September 27, 2017, those components
are eligible for the additional first year
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depreciation deduction under section
168(k). Such election, however, does not
apply to, among other things, property
described in section 168(k)(9) and
placed in service in a taxable year
beginning after December 31, 2017.
5. Special Rules: Mid-Quarter
Convention
The Treasury Department and the IRS
are aware that taxpayers and
practitioners have questioned whether
the unadjusted depreciable basis of
qualified property for which the
additional first year depreciation
deduction is claimed is taken into
account in determining whether the
mid-quarter convention under section
168(d) and § 1.168(d)–1 applies for the
taxable year. The Treasury Department
and the IRS agree that a rule is
necessary and that it should be
consistent with the definition of
depreciable basis in § 1.168(d)–1(b)(4).
Accordingly, the proposed regulations
amend § 1.168(k)–2 by adding paragraph
(g)(11) to provide that in determining
whether the mid-quarter convention
applies for a taxable year under section
168(d)(3) and § 1.168(d)–1, the
depreciable basis, as defined in
§ 1.168(d)–1(b)(4), for the taxable year
the qualified property is placed in
service by the taxpayer, is not reduced
by the allowed or allowable additional
first year depreciation deduction for that
taxable year.
Proposed Applicability Date
These regulations are proposed to
apply to qualified property placed in
service or planted or grafted, as
applicable, by the taxpayer during or
after the taxpayer’s taxable year that
includes the date of publication of a
Treasury decision adopting these rules
as final regulations in the Federal
Register. These regulations also are
proposed to apply to components
acquired or self-constructed after
September 27, 2017, of larger selfconstructed property for which the
manufacture, construction, or
production begins before September 28,
2017, and that is qualified property
under section 168(k)(2) as in effect
before the enactment of the Act and
placed in service by the taxpayer during
or after the taxpayer’s taxable year that
includes the date of publication of a
Treasury decision adopting these rules
as final regulations in the Federal
Register. Pending the issuance of final
regulations, a taxpayer may choose to
rely on these proposed regulations, in
their entirety, to qualified property
acquired and placed in service or
planted or grafted, as applicable, after
September 27, 2017, by the taxpayer
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during taxable years ending on or after
September 28, 2017. Pending the
issuance of final regulations, a taxpayer
also may choose to rely on these
proposed regulations, in their entirety,
to components acquired or selfconstructed after September 27, 2017, of
larger self-constructed property for
which the manufacture, construction, or
production begins before September 28,
2017, and that is qualified property
under section 168(k)(2) as in effect
before the enactment of the Act and
placed in service by the taxpayer during
taxable years ending on or after
September 28, 2017. If a taxpayer
chooses to rely on these proposed
regulations, the taxpayer must
consistently apply all rules of these
proposed regulations.
Special Analyses
I. Regulatory Planning and Review—
Economic Analysis
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
direct agencies to assess costs and
benefits of available regulatory
alternatives and, if regulation is
necessary, to select regulatory
approaches that maximize net benefits
(including (i) potential economic,
environmental, and public health and
safety effects, (ii) potential distributive
impacts, and (iii) equity). Executive
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance
of quantifying both costs and benefits,
reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and
promoting flexibility.
These proposed regulations have been
designated as subject to review under
Executive Order 12866 pursuant to the
Memorandum of Agreement (April 11,
2018) (MOA) between the Treasury
Department and the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
regarding review of tax regulations. The
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs has designated these proposed
regulations as significant under section
1(b) of the MOA. Accordingly, the OMB
has reviewed these proposed
regulations.
A. Background
i. Bonus Depreciation Generally
In general, section 168(k) allows
taxpayers to immediately deduct some
portion of investment in certain types of
physical capital, what is colloquially
known as bonus depreciation. The Act
changed section 168(k) in several ways.
Arguably most substantially, the Act
increased the bonus percentage as it
applies to property generally acquired
after September 27, 2017, which
accelerates depreciation deductions.
The Act also removed the ‘‘original use’’
requirement, meaning that taxpayers
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could claim bonus depreciation on
‘‘used’’ property. The Act made several
other modest changes to the operation of
section 168(k). First, it excluded from
the definition of qualified property any
property used by rate-regulated utilities
and firms (primarily automobile
dealerships) with ‘‘floor plan financing
indebtedness’’ as defined under section
163(j). Furthermore, section
168(k)(2)(a)(ii)(IV) and (V) allowed
qualified film, television, and live
theatrical productions (as defined under
Section 181) to qualify for bonus
depreciation.
The regulations under § 1.168(k)–2
generally provide structure and clarity
for the implementation of section
168(k). However, Treasury and the IRS
determined that there remained several
outstanding issues requiring
clarification that should be subject to
notice and comment. First, these
proposed regulations address some
ambiguities related to the operation of
section 168(k)(9), which describes some
property that is ineligible for bonus
depreciation. Second, these proposed
regulations create a de minimis rule
which provides that a taxpayer will not
be deemed to have had a prior
depreciable interest in a property—and
thus that property will be eligible for
bonus depreciation in that taxpayer’s
hands—if the taxpayer previously
disposed of that property within 90 days
of the date on which that property was
placed in service. Third, these proposed
regulations clarify the interpretation of
an example in the August Proposed
Regulations regarding an asset
acquisition as part of a sale of a member
of a controlled group from one group to
another. Fourth, these proposed
regulations modify the treatment of
series of related transactions. Finally,
these proposed regulations provide that
certain components of larger selfconstructed property can be eligible for
the increased bonus depreciation
percentage even if the construction of
such larger self-constructed property
began before September 28, 2017.
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B. No-Action Baseline
The Treasury Department and the IRS
have assessed the benefits and costs of
the proposed regulations relative to a
no-action baseline reflecting anticipated
Federal income tax-related behavior in
the absence of these proposed
regulations.
C. Economic Analysis of NPRM
This section describes the main
provisions of these proposed regulations
and provides a qualitative economic
analysis of each one.
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i. Property Excluded From Bonus
Depreciation by Section 168(k)(9)
As discussed above, section 168(k)(9)
provides that property used by certain
businesses is not eligible for bonus
depreciation. These businesses include
certain rate-regulated utilities and motor
vehicle dealerships with floor plan
financing indebtedness.
These proposed regulations first
clarify that those taxpayers that lease
property to such businesses described
by section 168(k)(9) may claim bonus
depreciation, so long as other
requirements of section 168(k) are met.
This approach broadly follows the
existing normalization rules (which
provide generally for the reconciliation
of tax income and book income for
regulatory purposes for utilities), which
provides that lessors to public utilities
are not bound by such rules so long as
they themselves are not a public utility.
The Treasury Department and the IRS
project that this guidance will be easy
for taxpayers to interpret and comply
with. Additionally, this decision allows
businesses to receive some share of the
economic benefit of section 168(k). To
the extent that lessors can claim bonus
depreciation, it is plausible that the
market-clearing lease price for such
assets will fall, potentially enabling
some expansions of output and
contributing to economic growth.
These proposed regulations next
clarify which businesses fall under the
umbrella of section 168(k)(9)(A)
(utilities) and section 168(k)(9)(B)
(dealerships with floor plan financing
indebtedness). For utilities, these
proposed regulations clarify that the
‘‘primary use’’ of an item described in
the Code is consistent with how primary
use is determined in existing regulations
under section 167. This application
should be familiar to taxpayers, and
thus relatively easy to comply with.
The statutory language of section
168(k)(9)(B) is somewhat more
ambiguous, and thus more substantive
clarifications were necessary. First,
section 168(k)(9)(B) provides that
dealerships with floor plan financing
indebtedness are ineligible for bonus
depreciation ‘‘if the floor plan financing
interest was taken into account under
[section 163(j)(1)(C)].’’ These proposed
regulations clarify that such interest is
in fact ‘‘taken into account’’ only if the
firm in fact received a benefit from
section 163(j)(1)(C)—i.e., if total
business interest expense (including
floor plan financing interest) exceeds
business interest income plus 30
percent of adjusted taxable income. This
decision allows more firms to claim
bonus depreciation than if the Treasury
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50159
Department and the IRS had made the
opposite interpretation (deeming all
dealerships with floor plan financing
interest to be ineligible for bonus
depreciation, regardless of whether the
firm received a benefit from section
163(j)(1)(C)).
The Treasury Department and the IRS
have undertaken an analysis of the
investment effects of this provision,
under the assumption that 10 to 50
percent of affected taxpayers would
have come to the opposite interpretation
in the absence of the proposed
regulations. Using tax return data and
parameters from the literature on the
effect of bonus depreciation on
investment, this analysis has found that
this provision would increase
investment by an annual maximum of
$20 to $90 million, although this range
would likely decrease over time as
uncertainty over the interpretation of
the statute is resolved. Additionally,
these proposed regulations will resolve
a substantial compliance uncertainty
facing these taxpayers.
An additional ambiguity in section
168(k)(9)(B) pertains to the length of
time that the section applies to a given
firm. The section refers to a ‘‘trade or
business that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness . . . if the floor
plan financing interest related to such
indebtedness was taken into account
under [section 163(j)(1)(C)]’’. Consider a
firm (Example A) that received a benefit
from section 163(j)(C)(1) in tax year
2018 (meaning that its interest
deduction would have been smaller if
not for section 163(j)(C)(1)) but not in
tax year 2019 or any other later year.
One interpretation of the statute would
deem that firm forever ineligible for
bonus depreciation, in 2019 and later.
The Treasury Department and the IRS
came to the opposite conclusion and
deemed that section 168(k)(9)(B) is
determined on an annual basis: For
example, the firm in Example A of this
part of the Special Analysis section
would not be eligible for bonus
depreciation in 2018, but so long as the
other requirements were met, it would
be eligible for bonus depreciation in
2019. As with the interpretation of
‘‘taken into account,’’ this interpretation
enables more firms to be eligible for
bonus depreciation in more years,
potentially increasing investment by
such firms. The Treasury Department
and the IRS expect that some taxpayers
would have come to a different
conclusion regarding the interpretation
of this timing in the absence of these
proposed regulations. Therefore, this
provision could also have some
economic effects. The Treasury
Department and the IRS engaged in an
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analysis on these effects based on
historical tax data, parameter values
from the economic literature for the
effect of bonus depreciation on
investment, and assumptions regarding
taxpayer interpretations in the absence
of these proposed regulations. The
result of this analysis projects that this
provision will cause investment to
increase in this industry by no greater
than $55 million in any year, and
approximately $25 million per year on
average over the period from 2019 to
2028. The Treasury Department and the
IRS additionally project that some share
of this increased investment will reduce
investment in other industries through
crowd-out effects.
Importantly, the estimated effect of
this provision interacts substantially
with the rule that floor plan financing
is ‘‘taken into account’’ only if the firm
in fact received a benefit from section
163(j)(1)(C). In the absence of the
proposed regulations, the Treasury
Department and the IRS project that
some share of taxpayers in this industry
would have interpreted section
168(k)(9)(B) as rendering them ineligible
for bonus depreciation in substantially
all circumstances. Therefore, the effect
of both provisions together is less than
the sum of each of the provisions
considered independently. In total, the
Treasury Department and the IRS have
determined that the effect of both rules
related to section 168(k)(9)(B), when
considered together, would have a
maximum annual effect on investment
in the range of $65 million to $90
million and declining over time as
uncertainty over the interpretation of
the statute is resolved.
ii. Prior Depreciable Interest
In general, to be eligible for bonus
depreciation, a given property may not
have been owned by the same firm in
the past. This requirement was
instituted by Congress in order to
prevent ‘‘churning’’ of assets, whereby a
firm could sell and soon thereafter
repurchase the same asset in order to
claim the 100 percent deduction. The
August Proposed Regulations defined
‘‘ownership’’ for this purpose as having
a prior depreciable interest. Section
1.168(k)–2 finalizes this interpretation.
These proposed regulations introduce
an exception, providing that a taxpayer
does not have a depreciable interest in
a given property if the taxpayer
disposed of the property within 90 days
of the initial date when the property
was placed in service (so long as the
asset is not repurchased and placed in
service again within the same taxable
year). The Treasury Department and the
IRS primarily instituted this rule in
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order to coordinate with the syndication
transaction rules of section
168(k)(E)(2)(iii). The Treasury
Department and the IRS do not
anticipate substantial economic effects
of this provision. Nevertheless, it will
generally have the effect of causing
more property to be eligible for bonus
depreciation (increasing incentives to
invest), while minimizing incentives for
wasteful churning of assets.
Furthermore, these proposed
regulations clarify that partners in a
partnership hold a depreciable interest
in the property held by that partnership,
and that the share of the property to
which this applies equals the partner’s
share of the depreciation deductions of
the partnership over a certain period.
The Treasury Department and the IRS
have determined that this provides an
accurate reflection of the partner’s prior
depreciable interest in the property, and
therefore aligns tax consequences and
economic consequences, which is
generally favorable for economic
efficiency. However, as is the case with
the ‘‘prior use’’ rules generally, the
Treasury Department and the IRS do not
project this provision to substantially
affect behavior.
iii. Group Prior Use Rule
These proposed regulations clarify
several aspects of the ‘‘Group Prior Use
Rule.’’ Under that rule, all members of
a consolidated group are treated as
having had a depreciable interest in a
property if any member of the
consolidated group had such a
depreciable interest. First, these
proposed regulations clarify that the
rule ceases to be in effect once the
consolidated group terminates as a
result of joining another consolidated
group. Second, these proposed
regulations clarify that the Group Prior
Use Rule does not apply to a
corporation after it deconsolidates from
the consolidated group, so long as that
corporation did not in fact own that
property. As is the case with the prior
use rules generally, the Treasury
Department and the IRS do not
anticipate large economic effects as a
result of this section of these proposed
regulations.
iv. Purchases of Assets as Part of
Acquisition of Entire Business
Additionally, these proposed
regulations clarify the proper procedure
for certain purchases of assets by a given
corporation from a related party that are
a part of an integrated plan involving
the selling of that corporation from one
group to another. Specifically, these
proposed regulations provide that the
deduction for bonus depreciation is
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allowed in such circumstances, and
should be claimed by the acquiring
group. These proposed regulations
provide for a similar treatment in the
case of deemed acquisitions in the case
of an election under section 338(h)(10)
or section 336(e). These rules cause the
tax treatment to reflect the economic
reality, in which the acquiring group is
bearing the economic outlay of the asset
purchase, and that acquiring group had
no economic prior depreciable interest.
By aligning the tax consequences with
the economic allocations, this treatment
minimizes potential distortions caused
by the anti-churning rules.
v. Component Rule Election
In 2010, Congress increased the bonus
percentage from 50 percent to 100
percent for property placed in service
between September 9, 2010 and
December 31, 2011. In 2011, the IRS
issued Revenue Procedure 2011–26 to
allow taxpayers to elect to have the 100
percent bonus rate apply to components
of larger self-constructed property
whose construction began before
September 9, 2010, so long as (1) the
components were acquired (or selfconstructed) after than that date and (2)
the larger self-constructed property
itself qualifies for bonus depreciation
generally. These proposed regulations
provide an analogous rule, replacing
September 9, 2010 with September 27,
2017. This provision will allow more
property to qualify for 100 percent
bonus depreciation. Furthermore, this
provision provides neutrality between
taxpayers who acquire distinct, smaller
pieces of depreciable property and those
taxpayers that invest a similar amount
in fewer, larger pieces of depreciable
property whose construction takes place
over a longer period of time. By treating
similar taxpayers (and similar choices)
similarly, this rule enhances economic
efficiency by minimizing tax-related
distortions. However, the Treasury
Department and the IRS project these
rules to have only a modest effect on
future economic decisions. These rules
affect only taxpayers (1) that acquire (or
self-construct) components after the
date of enactment of these proposed
regulations and (2) for whom the
construction of the larger selfconstructed property began prior to
September 28, 2017 (approximately 21
months ago). The Treasury Department
and the IRS expect relatively few
taxpayers to be affected by this
provision going forward.
vi. Series of Related Transactions
The August Proposed Regulations
provided that, in a series of related
transactions, the relationship between
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the transferor and transferee of an asset
was determined only after the final
transaction in the series (the ‘‘Series of
Related Transaction Rule’’).
Commenters had expressed confusion
regarding whether this applies to testing
whether parties are related under
section 179(d)(2), or whether it applies
more broadly (e.g., in determining
whether the taxpayer had a prior
depreciable interest). These proposed
regulations clarify that this Series of
Related Transaction Rule is intended
only to test the relatedness of two
parties.
These proposed regulations further
revise the Series of Related Transaction
Rule to address its application in
various situations. Under these
proposed regulations, the relatedness is
tested after each step of the series of
related transactions, with the substantial
exception that any intermediary (i.e., a
taxpayer other than the original
transferor or ultimate transferee) is
disregarded so long as that intermediary
(1) never places the property in service
or (2) disposes of the property in the
same taxable year in which it was
placed in service. This would tend to
eliminate the benefit of the Series of
Related Transaction Rule in cases where
intermediate transferees maintained use
of the property for a non-trivial length
of time. The Treasury Department and
the IRS project that this interpretation
will prevent abuse. The Treasury
Department and the IRS do not predict
substantial economic effects of this
provision.
vii. Miscellaneous
Lastly, these proposed regulations put
forward rules to the extent existing
regulations apply in slightly new
contexts. In particular, these proposed
regulations clarify when a binding
contract is in force to acquire all or
substantially all the assets of a trade or
business. Additionally, consistent with
the rules of § 1.168(d)–1(b)(4), these
proposed regulations provide that, for
the purpose of determining whether the
mid-quarter convention applies,
depreciable basis is not reduced by the
amount of bonus depreciation. The
Treasury Department and the IRS do not
anticipate large economic effects of
these clarifications, though the
additional clarity of these regulations
will likely reduce compliance burdens.
II. Paperwork Reduction Act
The collection of information in these
proposed regulations are in proposed
§ 1.168(k)–2(c). The collection of
information in proposed § 1.168(k)–2(c)
is an election that a taxpayer may make
to treat one or more components
acquired or self-constructed after
September 27, 2017, of certain larger
self-constructed property as being
eligible for the 100-percent additional
first year depreciation deduction under
section 168(k). The larger selfconstructed property must be qualified
property under section 168(k)(2) as in
50161
effect before the enactment of the Act
and for which the manufacture,
construction, or production began
before September 28, 2017. The election
is made by attaching a statement to a
Federal income tax return indicating
that the taxpayer is making the election
under proposed § 1.168(k)–2(c) and
whether the taxpayer is making the
election for all or some of the
components described in proposed
§ 1.168(k)–2(c).
For purposes of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3507(d)) (PRA), the reporting burden
associated with proposed § 1.168(k)–2(c)
will be reflected in the PRA submission
associated with income tax returns in
the Form 1120 series, Form 1040 series,
Form 1041 series, and Form 1065 series
(for OMB control numbers, see chart at
the end of this part II of this Special
Analysis section). The estimate for the
number of impacted filers with respect
to the collection of information
described in this part is 0 to 137,000
respondents. Historical data was not
available to directly estimate the
number of impacted filers. This estimate
assumes that no more than 10 percent
of income tax return filers with a
nonzero entry on Form 4562 Line 14
(additional first year depreciation
deduction) will make this election (5
percent in the case of filers of Form
1040 series). The IRS estimates the
number of affected filers to be the
following:
TAX FORMS IMPACTED
Number of
respondents
(estimated)
Collection of information
Section 1.168(k)–2(c) Election for components of larger self-constructed
property for which the manufacture, construction, or production begins before September 28, 2017.
0–137,000
Forms to which the information may be attached
Form 1120 series, Form 1040 series, Form 1041 series, and Form 1065 series.
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Source: IRS:RAAS:KDA (CDW 6–1–19).
The current status of the PRA
submissions related to the tax forms that
will be revised as a result of the
information collections in the section
168(k) regulations is provided in the
accompanying table. As described
above, the reporting burdens associated
with the information collections in the
regulations are included in the
aggregated burden estimates for OMB
control numbers 1545–0123 (which
represents a total estimated burden time
for all forms and schedules for
corporations of 3.157 billion hours and
total estimated monetized costs of
$58.148 billion ($2017)), 1545–0074
(which represents a total estimated
burden time, including all other related
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forms and schedules for individuals, of
1.784 billion hours and total estimated
monetized costs of $31.764 billion
($2017)), and 1545–0092 (which
represents a total estimated burden
time, including all other related forms
and schedules for trusts and estates, of
307,844,800 hours and total estimated
monetized costs of $9.950 billion
($2016)). The overall burden estimates
provided for the OMB control numbers
below are aggregate amounts that relate
to the entire package of forms associated
with the applicable OMB control
number and will in the future include,
but not isolate, the estimated burden of
the tax forms that will be created or
revised as a result of the information
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collections in the regulations. These
numbers are therefore unrelated to the
future calculations needed to assess the
burden imposed by the regulations.
These burdens have been reported for
other regulations that rely on the same
OMB control numbers to conduct
information collections under the PRA,
and the Treasury Department and the
IRS urge readers to recognize that these
numbers are duplicates and to guard
against over counting the burden that
the regulations that cite these OMB
control numbers imposed prior to the
Act. No burden estimates specific to the
forms affected by the regulations are
currently available. The Treasury
Department and the IRS have not
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estimated the burden, including that of
any new information collections, related
to the requirements under the
regulations. For the OMB control
numbers discussed in above, the
Treasury Department and the IRS
estimate PRA burdens on a taxpayertype basis rather than a provisionspecific basis. Those estimates would
capture changes made by the Act, the
final regulations under section 168(k),
and those that arise out of discretionary
authority exercised in these proposed
regulations and other regulations that
affect the compliance burden for those
forms.
The Treasury Department and the IRS
request comments on all aspects of
information collection burdens related
to the proposed regulations, including
estimates for how much time it would
take to comply with the paperwork
Form
Type of filer
Form 1040 ...............................
Individual (NEW Model) ..........
burdens described above for each
relevant form and ways for the IRS to
minimize the paperwork burden. In
addition, when available, drafts of IRS
forms are posted for comment at https://
apps.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/
draftTaxForms.htm. IRS forms are
available at https://www.irs.gov/formsinstructions. Forms will not be finalized
until after they have been approved by
OMB under the PRA.
OMB No.(s)
1545–0074
Status
Published in the Federal Register on 7/20/18. Public Comment period closed on 9/18/18.
Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/07/20/2018-15627/proposed-collection-comment-requestfor-regulation-project.
Form 1041 ...............................
Trusts and estates ..................
1545–0092
Published in the Federal Register on 4/4/18. Public Comment period closed on 6/4/18.
Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/04/04/2018-06892/proposed-collection-comment-requestfor-form-1041.
Forms 1065 and 1120 .............
Business (NEW Model) ..........
1545–0123
Published in the Federal Register on 10/8/18. Public Comment period closed on 12/10/18.
Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/09/2018-21846/proposed-collection-comment-requestfor-forms-1065-1065-b-1066-1120-1120-c-1120-f-1120-h-1120-nd.
III. Regulatory Flexibility Act
It is hereby certified that these
proposed regulations will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
within the meaning of section 601(6) of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
chapter 6).
Section 168(k) generally affects
taxpayers that own and use depreciable
property in their trades or businesses or
for their production of income. The
reporting burden in proposed
§ 1.168(k)–2(c) generally affects
taxpayers that elect to have the 100
Form
Form
Form
Form
Form
percent additional first year
depreciation deduction apply to
components that are acquired or selfconstructed after September 27, 2017, of
depreciable property for which the
manufacture, construction, or
production began before September 28,
2017, and was completed generally
before January 1, 2020. The election is
made by attaching a statement to a
Federal income tax return indicating
that the taxpayer is making the election
under proposed § 1.168(k)–2(c) and
whether the taxpayer is making this
election for all or some of the
components described in § 1.168(k)–
2(c).
For purposes of the PRA, the Treasury
Department and the IRS estimate that
there are 0 to 181,500 respondents of all
sizes that are likely to be impacted by
this collection of information. Only a
small proportion of these filers are
likely to be small entities (business
entities with gross receipts of $25
million or less pursuant to section
448(c)(1)). The Treasury Department
and the IRS estimate the number of
filers affected by proposed § 1.168(k)–
2(c) to be the following:
Gross receipts of $25 million or less
Gross receipts over $25 million
1040 ............................
1065 ............................
1120 ............................
1120S .........................
0–12,000 Respondents (estimated) ................................
0–1,250 Respondents (estimated) ..................................
0–1,750 Respondents (estimated) ..................................
0–2,500 Respondents (estimated) ..................................
0–32,500
0–35,000
0–11,000
0–41,000
Respondents
Respondents
Respondents
Respondents
(estimated).
(estimated).
(estimated).
(estimated).
Total ..............................
0–29,500 Respondents (estimated) ................................
0–152,000 Respondents (estimated).
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Source: IRS:RAAS:KDA (CDW 6–1–19).
Regardless of the number of small
entities potentially affected by these
proposed regulations, the Treasury
Department and the IRS have concluded
that proposed § 1.168(k)–2(c) will not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
As a result of all changes in these
proposed regulations, the Treasury
Department and the IRS estimate that
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18:58 Sep 23, 2019
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individual taxpayers who have gross
receipts of $25 million or less and
experience an increase in burden will
incur an average increase of 0 to 3
hours, and business taxpayers that have
gross receipts of $25 million or less and
experience an increase in burden will
incur an average increase of 0 to 2 hours
(Source: IRS:RAAS (8–28–2019)).
Because the election in proposed
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§ 1.168(k)–2(c) is one of several changes
in these proposed regulations, the
Treasury Department and the IRS expect
the average increase in burden to be less
for the collection of information in
proposed § 1.168(k)–2(c) than the
average increase in burden in the
preceding sentence. The Treasury
Department and the IRS also note that
many taxpayers with gross receipts of
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$25 million or less may experience a
reduction in burden as a result of all
changes in these proposed regulations.
Additionally: (1) Many small
businesses are not required to capitalize
under section 263(a) the amount paid or
incurred for the acquisition of
depreciable tangible property that costs
$5,000 or less if the business has an
applicable financial statement or costs
$500 or less if the business does not
have an applicable financial statement,
pursuant to § 1.263(a)–1(f)(1); (2) many
small businesses are no longer required
to capitalize under section 263A the
costs to construct, build, manufacture,
install, improve, raise, or grow
depreciable property if their average
annual gross receipts are $25,000,000 or
less; and (3) a small business that
capitalizes costs of depreciable tangible
property may deduct under section 179
up to $1,020,000 (2019 inflation
adjusted amount) of the cost of such
property placed in service during the
taxable year if the total cost of
depreciable tangible property placed in
service during the taxable year does not
exceed $2,550,000 (2019 inflation
adjusted amount). Therefore, the
Treasury Department and the IRS have
determined that a substantial number of
small entities will not be subject to
these proposed regulations. Finally,
proposed § 1.168(k)–2(c) applies only if
the taxpayer chooses to make an
election to a more favorable rule.
Consequently, the Treasury Department
and the IRS hereby certify that these
proposed regulations will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the
Code, this notice of proposed
rulemaking will be submitted to the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration for comment
on its impact on small business.
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IV. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Section 202 of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires
that agencies assess anticipated costs
and benefits and take certain other
actions before issuing a final rule that
includes any Federal mandate that may
result in expenditures in any one year
by a state, local, or tribal government, in
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of
$100 million in 1995 dollars, updated
annually for inflation. In 2019, that
threshold is approximately $154
million. These proposed regulations do
not include any Federal mandate that
may result in expenditures by state,
local, or tribal governments, or by the
private sector in excess of that
threshold.
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V. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
Executive Order 13132 (entitled
‘‘Federalism’’) prohibits an agency from
publishing any rule that has federalism
implications if the rule either imposes
substantial, direct compliance costs on
state and local governments, and is not
required by statute, or preempts state
law, unless the agency meets the
consultation and funding requirements
of section 6 of the Executive Order.
These proposed regulations do not have
federalism implications and do not
impose substantial direct compliance
costs on state and local governments or
preempt state law within the meaning of
the Executive Order.
Comments and Public Hearing
Before these proposed regulations are
adopted as final regulations,
consideration will be given to any
comments that are submitted timely to
the IRS as prescribed in this preamble
under the ADDRESSES heading. The
Treasury Department and the IRS
request comments on all aspects of the
proposed rules. All comments will be
available at https://www.regulations.gov
or upon request.
A public hearing is scheduled on
November 13, 2019, beginning at 10
a.m. in the Auditorium of the Internal
Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224.
Due to building security procedures,
visitors must enter at the Constitution
Avenue entrance. In addition, all
visitors must present photo
identification to enter the building.
Because of access restrictions, visitors
will not be admitted beyond the
immediate entrance area more than 30
minutes before the hearing starts. For
more information about having your
name placed on the building access list
to attend the hearing, see the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this preamble.
The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3)
apply to the hearing. Persons who wish
to present oral comments at the hearing
must submit an outline of the topics to
be discussed and the time to be devoted
to each topic by October 23, 2019.
Submit a signed paper or electronic
copy of the outline as prescribed in this
preamble under the ADDRESSES heading.
A period of 10 minutes will be allotted
to each person making comments. An
agenda showing the scheduling of the
speakers will be prepared after the
deadline for receiving outlines has
passed. Copies of the agenda will be
available free of charge at the hearing.
If no outline of the topics to be
discussed at the hearing is received by
October 23, 2019, the public hearing
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50163
will be cancelled. If the public hearing
is cancelled, a notice of cancellation of
the public hearing will be published in
the Federal Register.
Drafting Information
The principal authors of these
proposed regulations are Kathleen Reed
and Elizabeth R. Binder of the Office of
Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax
and Accounting). However, other
personnel from the Treasury
Department and the IRS participated in
their development.
Partial Withdrawal of Proposed
Regulations
Under the authority of 26 U.S.C. 7805
and 26 U.S.C. 1502, § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(i) through (iii),
§ 1.168(k)–2(b)(3)(iii)(C), and § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(3)(vi) Examples 18 through 22 of
the notice of proposed rulemaking
(REG–104397–18) published in the
Federal Register on August 8, 2018 (83
FR 39292) are withdrawn.
Statement of Availability
IRS Revenue Procedures and Notices
cited in this preamble are published in
the Internal Revenue Bulletin (or
Cumulative Bulletin) and are available
from the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Publishing Office,
Washington, DC 20402, or by visiting
the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov.
List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Proposed Amendments to the
Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 1—INCOME TAXES
Paragraph 1. The authority citation
for part 1 is amended by adding an entry
for § 1.168(k)–2 in numerical order to
read in part as follows:
■
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
*
*
*
*
*
Section 1.168(k)-2 also issued under 26
U.S.C. 1502.
*
*
*
*
*
■ Par. 2. Section 1.168(k)–0 is amended
by adding entries for § 1.168(k)–
2(b)(3)(iii)(C), (b)(3)(v), (b)(5)(iii)(G),
(b)(5)(v), (c), and (g)(11); and adding an
entry for § 1.168(k)–2(h)(4) to read as
follows:
§ 1.168(k)–0
*
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Table of contents.
*
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*
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§ 1.168(k)–2 Additional first year
depreciation deduction for property
acquired and placed in service after
September 27, 2017.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(iii) * * *
(C) Special rules for a series of related
transactions.
*
*
*
*
*
(v) Application to members of a
consolidated group.
*
*
*
*
*
(5) * * *
(iii) * * *
(G) Acquisition of a trade or business or an
entity.
*
*
*
*
*
(v) Determination of acquisition date for
property not acquired pursuant to a written
binding contract.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Election for components of larger selfconstructed property for which the
manufacture, construction, or production
begins before September 28, 2017.
(1) In general.
(2) Eligible larger self-constructed property.
(i) In general.
(ii) Exceptions.
(3) Eligible components.
(i) In general.
(ii) Acquired components.
(iii) Self-constructed components.
(4) Special rules.
(i) Installation costs.
(ii) Property described in section
168(k)(2)(B).
(5) Computation of additional first year
depreciation deduction.
(i) Election is made.
(ii) Election is not made.
(6) Time and manner for making election.
(i) Time for making election.
(ii) Manner of making election.
(7) Examples.
*
*
*
*
*
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(g) * * *
(11) Mid-quarter convention.
(h) * * *
(4) Regulation project REG–106808–
19.
■ Par. 3. Section 1.168(k)–2 is amended
by:
■ 1. At the end of paragraph (a)(1),
adding ‘‘, except as provided in
paragraph (c) of this section’’;
■ 2. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(F);
■ 3. Adding three sentences at the end
of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G);
■ 4. Adding paragraphs (b)(2)(iii)(F),
(G), and (H);
■ 5. Adding paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(B)(4)
and (5), (b)(3)(iii)(C), (b)(3)(v), and
(b)(3)(vii)(Y) through (HH);
■ 6. Revising the last sentence in
paragraph (b)(5)(ii)(A);
■ 7. In the first sentence in paragraph
(b)(5)(iii)(A), removing the word ‘‘A’’ at
the beginning of the sentence and
adding ‘‘Except as provided in
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Jkt 247001
paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G) of this section,
a’’ in its place;
■ 8. In the first sentence in paragraph
(b)(5)(iii)(B), removing the word ‘‘A’’ at
the beginning of the sentence and
adding ‘‘Except as provided in
paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G) of this section,
a’’ in its place;
■ 9. Adding paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G);
■ 10. In the penultimate sentence in
paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(C)(1), removing the
period at the end of the sentence and
adding ‘‘, except as provided in
paragraph (c) of this section.’’ in its
place;
■ 11. In the penultimate sentence in
paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(C)(2), removing the
period at the end of the sentence and
adding ‘‘, except as provided in
paragraph (c) of this section.’’ in its
place;
■ 12. Adding paragraph (b)(5)(v);
■ 13. Revising the second sentence in
paragraph (b)(5)(viii) introductory text;
■ 14. Adding paragraph (c);
■ 15. Adding two sentences at the end
of paragraph (e)(1)(iii);
■ 16. Adding paragraph (g)(11);
■ 17. In introductory paragraph (h)(1),
removing ‘‘paragraphs (h)(2) and (3)’’
and adding ‘‘paragraphs (h)(2), (3), and
(4)’’ in its place; and
■ 18. Adding paragraph (h)(4).
The additions and revisions read as
follows:
§ 1.168(k)–2 Additional first year
depreciation deduction for property
acquired and placed in service after
September 27, 2017.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) * * *
(F) Primarily used in a trade or
business described in section
163(j)(7)(A)(iv), and placed in service by
the taxpayer in any taxable year
beginning after December 31, 2017. For
purposes of section 168(k)(9)(A) and
this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(F), the term
primarily used has the same meaning as
that term is used in § 1.167(a)–
11(b)(4)(iii)(b) and (e)(3)(iii) for
classifying property. This paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(F) does not apply to property
that is leased to a trade or business
described in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv) by a
lessor’s trade or business that is not
described in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv) for
the taxable year; or
(G) * * * Solely for purposes of
section 168(k)(9)(B) and this paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(G), floor plan financing interest
is not taken into account for the taxable
year by a trade or business that has had
floor plan financing indebtedness if the
sum of the amounts calculated under
section 163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for the trade
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or business for the taxable year equals
or exceeds the business interest, as
defined in section 163(j)(5), of the trade
or business for the taxable year (which
includes floor plan financing interest). If
the trade or business has taken floor
plan financing interest into account
pursuant to this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G)
for a taxable year, this paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(G) applies to any property
placed in service by that trade or
business in that taxable year. This
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G) does not apply to
property that is leased to a trade or
business that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness by a lessor’s
trade or business that has not had floor
plan financing indebtedness during the
taxable year or that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness but did not take
into account floor plan financing
interest for the taxable year pursuant to
this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G).
(iii) * * *
(F) Example 6. In 2019, a financial
institution buys new equipment for $1
million and then leases this equipment to a
lessee that primarily uses the equipment in
a trade or business described in section
163(j)(7)(A)(iv). The financial institution is
not described in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv). As a
result, paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(F) of this section
does not apply to this new equipment.
Assuming all other requirements are met, the
financial institution’s purchase price of $1
million for the new equipment qualifies for
the additional first year depreciation
deduction under this section.
(G) Example 7. In 2019, F, an automobile
dealer, buys new computers for $50,000 for
use in its trade or business of selling
automobiles. For purposes of section 163(j),
F has the following for 2019: $1,000 of
adjusted taxable income, $40 of business
interest income, $400 of business interest
(which includes $100 of floor plan financing
interest). The sum of the amounts calculated
under section 163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for F for
2019 is $340 ($40 + ($1,000 × 30 percent)).
F’s business interest, which includes floor
plan financing interest, for 2019 is $400. As
a result, F’s floor plan financing interest is
taken into account by F for 2019 pursuant to
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G) of this section.
Accordingly, F’s purchase price of $50,000
for the computers does not qualify for the
additional first year depreciation deduction
under this section.
(H) Example 8. The facts are the same as
in Example 7 in paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(G) of
this section. In 2020, F buys new copiers for
$30,000 for use in its trade or business of
selling automobiles. For purposes of section
163(j), F has the following for 2020: $1,300
of adjusted taxable income, $40 of business
interest income, $400 of business interest
(which includes $100 of floor plan financing
interest). The sum of the amounts calculated
under section 163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for F for
2020 is $430 ($40 + ($1,300 × 30 percent)).
F’s business interest, which includes floor
plan financing interest, for 2020 is $400. As
a result, F’s floor plan financing interest is
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not taken into account by F for 2020 pursuant
to paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G) of this section.
Assuming all other requirements are met, F’s
purchase price of $30,000 for the copiers
qualifies for the additional first year
depreciation deduction under this section.
(3) * * *
(iii) * * *
(B) * * *
(4) De minimis use of property. If a
taxpayer acquires and places in service
property, the taxpayer or a predecessor
did not previously have a depreciable
interest in the property, the taxpayer
disposes of the property to an unrelated
party within 90 calendar days after the
date the property was originally placed
in service by the taxpayer, without
taking into account the applicable
convention, and the taxpayer reacquires
and again places in service the property,
the taxpayer’s depreciable interest in the
property during that 90-day period is
not taken into account for determining
whether the property was used by the
taxpayer or a predecessor at any time
prior to its reacquisition by the taxpayer
under paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(A)(1) and
(b)(3)(iii)(B)(1) of this section. This
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(B)(4) does not apply
if the taxpayer reacquires and again
places in service the property during the
same taxable year the taxpayer disposed
of the property. For purposes of this
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(B)(4), an unrelated
party is a person not described in
section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B), and § 1.179–
4(c)(1)(ii) or (iii), or (c)(2).
(5) Partner’s prior depreciable interest
in property held by partnership. Solely
for purposes of applying paragraphs
(b)(3)(iii)(A)(1) and (b)(3)(iii)(B)(1) and
(2) of this section, a person is treated as
having a depreciable interest in a
portion of property prior to the person’s
acquisition of the property if the person
was a partner in a partnership at any
time the partnership owned the
property. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, the portion of property that a
partner is treated as having a
depreciable interest in is equal to the
total share of depreciation deductions
with respect to the property allocated to
the partner as a percentage of the total
depreciation deductions with respect to
that property allocated to all partners
during the current calendar year and
five calendar years immediately prior to
the partnership’s current year. If the
person was not a partner in the
partnership for this entire period, or if
the partnership did not own the
property for the entire period, only the
period during which the person was a
partner and the partnership owned the
property is taken into account for
purposes of determining a partner’s
share of depreciation deductions.
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(C) Special rules for a series of related
transactions—(1) In general. Solely for
purposes of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this
section, the relationship between parties
under section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) in a
series of related transactions is tested
immediately after each step in the
series, and between the original
transferor and the ultimate transferee
immediately after the last transaction in
the series. A series of related
transactions may include, for example,
a transfer of partnership assets followed
by a transfer of an interest in the
partnership that owned the assets; or a
disposition of property and disposition,
directly or indirectly, of the transferor or
transferee of the property.
(2) Special rules—(i) Property placed
in service and disposed of in same
taxable year or property not placed in
service. Any party in a series of related
transactions that is neither the original
transferor nor the ultimate transferee is
disregarded (disregarded party) for
purposes of testing the relationships
under paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this
section if the party places in service and
disposes of the depreciable property
subject to the series, other than in a
transaction described in paragraph
(g)(1)(iii) of this section, during the
party’s same taxable year or if the party
does not place in service the depreciable
property subject to the series for use in
the party’s trade or business or
production of income. In this case, the
relationship is tested between the party
from which the disregarded party
acquired the depreciable property and
the party to which the disregarded party
disposed of the depreciable property. If
the series has consecutive disregarded
parties, the relationship is tested
between the party from which the first
disregarded party acquired the
depreciable property and the party to
which the last disregarded party
disposed of the depreciable property.
The rules for testing the relationships in
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section
continue to apply for the other
transactions in the series and for the last
transaction in the series.
(ii) All section 168(i)(7) transactions.
This paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C) does not
apply if all transactions in a series of
related transactions are described in
paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this section
(section 168(i)(7) transactions in which
property is transferred in the same
taxable year that the property is placed
in service by the transferor).
(iii) One or more section 168(i)(7)
transactions. Any step in a series of
related transactions that is neither the
original step nor the ultimate step is
disregarded (disregarded step) for
purposes of testing the relationships
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50165
under paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this
section if the step is a transaction
described in paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this
section. In this case, the relationship is
not tested between the transferor and
transferee of that transaction. Instead,
the relationship is tested between the
transferor in the disregarded step and
the party to which the transferee in the
disregarded step disposed of the
depreciable property, and the transferee
in the disregarded step and the party to
which the transferee in the disregarded
step disposed of the depreciable
property. If the series has consecutive
disregarded steps, the relationship is
tested between the transferor in the first
disregarded step and the party to which
the transferee in the last disregarded
step disposed of the depreciable
property, and the transferee in the last
disregarded step and the party to which
the transferee in the last disregarded
step disposed of the depreciable
property. The rules for testing the
relationships in paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section continue
to apply for the other transactions in the
series and for the last transaction in the
series.
(iv) Syndication transaction. This
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C) does not apply to
a syndication transaction described in
paragraph (b)(3)(vi) of this section.
(v) Application of paragraph (g)(1) of
this section. Paragraph (g)(1) of this
section applies to each step in a series
of related transactions.
*
*
*
*
*
(v) Application to members of a
consolidated group—(A) In general.
Solely for purposes of applying
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(1) of this section,
if a member of a consolidated group, as
defined in § 1.1502–1(h), acquires
depreciable property in which the group
had a depreciable interest at any time
prior to the member’s acquisition of the
property, the member is treated as
having a depreciable interest in the
property prior to the acquisition. For
purposes of this paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A),
a consolidated group is treated as
having a depreciable interest in property
during the time any current or previous
member of the group had a depreciable
interest in the property while a member
of the group.
(B) Certain acquisitions pursuant to a
series of related transactions. Solely for
purposes of applying paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(A) of this section, if a series of
related transactions includes one or
more transactions in which property is
acquired by a member of a consolidated
group, and one or more transactions in
which a corporation that had a
depreciable interest in the property,
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determined without regard to the
application of paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of
this section, becomes a member of the
group, the member that acquires the
property is treated as having a
depreciable interest in the property
prior to the time of its acquisition.
(C) Sale of depreciable property to a
member that leaves the group. Except as
otherwise provided in paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(E) of this section, if a member
of a consolidated group (transferee
member) acquires from another member
of the same group (transferor member)
depreciable property in an acquisition
meeting the requirements of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(A) of this section without
regard to section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) or
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this section,
and if, as part of the same series of
related transactions that includes the
acquisition, the transferee member
ceases to be a member of the
consolidated group within 90 calendar
days of the date of the acquisition,
then—
(1) The transferor member is treated
as disposing of, and the transferee
member is treated as acquiring, the
depreciable property one day after the
date on which the transferee member
ceases to be a member of the
consolidated group (Deconsolidation
Date) for all Federal income tax
purposes; and
(2) The transferee member is treated
as placing the depreciable property in
service not earlier than one day after the
Deconsolidation Date for purposes of
sections 167 and 168 and §§ 1.46–3(d)
and 1.167(a)–11(e)(1).
(D) Deemed sales of depreciable
property under section 338 or 336(e) to
a member that leaves the group. This
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(D) applies only if a
member of a consolidated group
(transferee member) acquires the stock
of another member of the same group
that holds depreciable property (target)
in either a qualified stock purchase for
which a section 338 election is made or
a qualified stock disposition described
in § 1.336–2(b)(1) for which a section
336(e) election is made. Except as
otherwise provided in paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(E) of this section, if the target
would be eligible for the additional first
year depreciation deduction under this
section with respect to the depreciable
property without regard to paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(A) of this section, and if the
transferee member and the target cease
to be members of the group within 90
calendar days of the acquisition date,
within the meaning of § 1.338–2(c)(1), or
disposition date, within the meaning of
§ 1.336–1(b)(8), as part of the same
series of related transactions that
includes the acquisition, then—
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(1) The acquisition date or disposition
date, as applicable, is treated as the date
that is one day after the Deconsolidation
Date for all Federal income tax
purposes; and
(2) New target is treated as placing the
depreciable property in service not
earlier than one day after the
Deconsolidation Date for purposes of
sections 167 and 168 and §§ 1.46–3(d)
and 1.167(a)–11(e)(1).
(E) Disposition of depreciable
property pursuant to the same series of
related transactions. Paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(C) of this section does not
apply if, following the acquisition of
depreciable property, the transferee
member disposes of such property
pursuant to the same series of related
transactions that includes the property
acquisition. Paragraph (b)(3)(v)(D) of
this section does not apply if, following
the deemed acquisition of depreciable
property, the target disposes of such
property pursuant to the same series of
related transactions that includes the
deemed acquisition. See paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C) of this section for rules
regarding the transfer of property in a
series of related transactions. See also
paragraph (g)(1) of this section for rules
regarding property placed in service and
disposed of in the same taxable year.
*
*
*
*
*
(vii) * * *
(Y) Example 25. (1) On September 5, 2017,
Y, a calendar-year taxpayer, acquires and
places in service a new machine (Machine
#1), and begins using Machine #1 in its
manufacturing trade or business. On
November 1, 2017, Y sells Machine #1 to Z,
then Z leases Machine #1 back to Y for 4
years, and Y continues to use Machine #1 in
its manufacturing trade or business. The
lease agreement contains a purchase option
provision allowing Y to buy Machine #1 at
the end of the lease term. On November 1,
2021, Y exercises the purchase option in the
lease agreement and buys Machine #1 from
Z. The lease between Y and Z for Machine
#1 is a true lease for Federal tax purposes.
(2) Because Y, a calendar-year taxpayer,
placed in service and disposed of Machine #1
during 2017, Machine #1 is not eligible for
the additional first year depreciation
deduction for Y pursuant to § 1.168(k)–
1(g)(1)(i).
(3) The use of Machine #1 by Y prevents
Z from satisfying the original use
requirement of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this
section. However, Z’s acquisition of Machine
#1 satisfies the used property acquisition
requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this
section. Assuming all other requirements are
met, Z’s purchase price of Machine #1
qualifies for the additional first year
depreciation deduction for Z under this
section.
(4) During 2017, Y sold Machine #1 within
90 calendar days of placing in service
Machine #1. Pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(B)(4) of this section, Y’s depreciable
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interest in Machine #1 during that 90-day
period is not taken into account for
determining whether Machine #1 was used
by Y or a predecessor at any time prior to its
reacquisition by Y on November 1, 2021.
Accordingly, assuming all other requirements
are met, Y’s purchase price of Machine #1 on
November 1, 2021, qualifies for the
additional first year depreciation deduction
for Y under this section.
(Z) Example 26. Parent owns all of the
stock of B and C, which are members of the
Parent consolidated group. C has a
depreciable interest in Equipment #1. During
2018, C sells Equipment #1 to B. Prior to this
acquisition, B never had a depreciable
interest in Equipment #1. B’s acquisition of
Equipment #1 does not satisfy the used
property acquisition requirements of
paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section for two
reasons. First, B and C are related parties
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(B)
and § 1.179–4(c)(2)(iii). Second, pursuant to
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this section, B is
treated as previously having a depreciable
interest in Equipment #1 because B is a
member of the Parent consolidated group and
C, while a member of the Parent consolidated
group, had a depreciable interest in
Equipment #1. Accordingly, B’s acquisition
of Equipment #1 is not eligible for the
additional first year depreciation deduction.
(AA) Example 27—(1) Facts. Parent owns
all of the stock of D and E, which are
members of the Parent consolidated group. D
has a depreciable interest in Equipment #2.
No other current or previous member of the
Parent consolidated group has ever had a
depreciable interest in Equipment #2 while a
member of the Parent consolidated group.
During 2018, D sells Equipment #2 to BA, a
person not related, within the meaning of
section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) and § 1.179–4(c),
to any member of the Parent consolidated
group. In an unrelated transaction during
2019, E acquires Equipment #2 from BA or
another person not related to any member of
the Parent consolidated group within the
meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) and
§ 1.179–4(c).
(2) Analysis. Pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(A) of this section, E is treated as
previously having a depreciable interest in
Equipment #2 because E is a member of the
Parent consolidated group and D, while a
member of the Parent consolidated group,
had a depreciable interest in Equipment #2.
As a result, E’s acquisition of Equipment #2
does not satisfy the used property acquisition
requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this
section. Thus, E’s acquisition of Equipment
#2 is not eligible for the additional first year
depreciation deduction. The results would be
the same if, after selling Equipment #2 to BA,
D had ceased to be a member of the Parent
consolidated group prior to E’s acquisition of
Equipment #2.
(BB) Example 28—(1) Facts. Parent owns
all of the stock of B and S, which are
members of the Parent consolidated group. S
has a depreciable interest in Equipment #3.
No other current or previous member of the
Parent consolidated group has ever had a
depreciable interest in Equipment #3 while a
member of the Parent consolidated group. X
is the common parent of a consolidated
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group and is not related, within the meaning
of section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) and § 1.179–
4(c), to any member of the Parent
consolidated group. No member of the X
consolidated group has ever had a
depreciable interest in Equipment #3 while a
member of the X consolidated group. On
January 1, 2019, B purchases Equipment #3
from S. On February 15, 2019, as part of the
same series of related transactions that
includes B’s purchase of Equipment #3,
Parent sells all of the stock of B to X. Thus,
B leaves the Parent consolidated group at the
end of the day on February 15, 2019, and
joins the X consolidated group on February
16, 2019. See § 1.1502–76(b).
(2) Application of paragraph (b)(3)(v)(C) of
this section. B was a member of the Parent
consolidated group when B acquired
Equipment #3 from S, another member of the
same group. Paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this
section generally treats each member of a
consolidated group as having a depreciable
interest in property during the time any
member of the group had a depreciable
interest in such property while a member of
the group. However, B acquired Equipment
#3 in a transaction meeting the requirements
of paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A) of this section,
without regard to section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B)
or paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this section, and
Parent sold all of the stock of B to X within
90 calendar days of B’s acquisition of
Equipment #3 as part of the same series of
related transactions that included B’s
acquisition of Equipment #3. Thus, under
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(C) of this section, B’s
acquisition of Equipment #3 is treated as
occurring on February 16, 2019, for all
Federal income tax purposes.
(3) Eligibility for the additional first year
depreciation deduction. B’s acquisition of
Equipment #3 on February 16, 2019, under
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(C) of this section satisfies
the requirement in paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(1)
of this section because B does not have a
prior depreciable interest in Equipment #3.
In addition, because no member of the X
consolidated group previously had a
depreciable interest in Equipment #3 while a
member of the X consolidated group, B is not
treated as previously having a depreciable
interest in Equipment #3 under paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(A) of this section. Further, because
the relation between S and B is tested as if
B acquired Equipment #3 while a member of
the X consolidated group, S and B are neither
members nor component members of the
same controlled group on February 16, 2019.
Therefore, section 179(d)(2)(A) and (B) and
§ 1.179–4(c)(1)(ii) and (iii) are satisfied. If the
other requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)
of this section are satisfied, B is treated as
placing Equipment #3 in service on a date
not earlier than February 16, 2019, while a
member of the X consolidated group.
Accordingly, assuming all other requirements
of this section are satisfied, B is eligible to
claim the additional first year depreciation
deduction for Equipment #3 on that date. In
addition, because the sale of Equipment #3
is deemed to occur between S, a member of
the Parent consolidated group, and B, a
member of the X consolidated group, the
transaction is not between members of the
same consolidated group and thus is not
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covered by section 168(i)(7)(B)(ii). Therefore,
B’s deduction is not limited by section
168(i)(7)(A) when B is treated, under
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(C) of this section, as
placing Equipment #3 in service on a date
not earlier than February 16, 2019.
(CC) Example 29—(1) Facts. The facts are
the same as Example 28 in paragraph
(b)(3)(viii)(BB)(1) of this section, except that
S owns all of the stock of T (rather than a
depreciable interest in Equipment #3), which
is a member of the Parent consolidated
group; T has a depreciable interest in
Equipment #3; B acquires all of the stock of
T (instead of a depreciable interest in
Equipment #3) on January 1, 2019; and S and
B make a section 338(h)(10) election for B’s
qualified stock purchase.
(2) Application of paragraph (b)(3)(v)(D) of
this section. As a result of the section
338(h)(10) election, Old T is treated as
transferring all of its assets, including
Equipment #3, to an unrelated person in a
single transaction in exchange for
consideration at the close of the acquisition
date and then transferring the consideration
received to S in liquidation. In turn, New T
is treated as acquiring all of its assets,
including Equipment #3, from an unrelated
person in exchange for consideration on the
following day. See § 1.338–1(a)(1). New T
was a member of the Parent consolidated
group on January 1, 2019, the date that New
T acquired Equipment #3. Paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(A) of this section generally treats
each member of a consolidated group as
having a depreciable interest in property
during the time any member of the group had
a depreciable interest in such property while
a member of the group. However, New T
would be eligible for the additional first year
depreciation deduction under this section
without regard to paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of
this section, and Parent sold all of its B stock
to X within 90 calendar days of New T’s
acquisition of Equipment #3 as part of the
same series of related transactions that
included the acquisition, thereby causing B
and New T to cease to be members of the
Parent consolidated group at the end of the
day on February 15, 2019. Thus, paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(D) applies to treat the acquisition
date as February 16, 2019, for all Federal
income tax purposes.
(3) Eligibility for the additional first year
depreciation deduction. Pursuant to
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(D), Old T is treated as
selling its assets to an unrelated person on
February 16, 2019, and New T is treated as
acquiring those assets on the following day,
February 17, 2019. If the other requirements
of paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A) of this section are
satisfied, New T is treated as placing
Equipment #3 in service on a date not earlier
than February 17, 2019, while a member of
the X consolidated group. Accordingly,
assuming all other requirements of this
section are satisfied, New T is eligible to
claim the additional first year depreciation
deduction for Equipment #3 when New T
places Equipment #3 in service. In addition,
the amount of the deduction is not limited
by section 168(i)(7)(A).
(DD) Example 30—(1) Facts. G, which is
not a member of a consolidated group, has a
depreciable interest in Equipment #4. Parent
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owns all the stock of H, which is a member
of the Parent consolidated group. No member
of the Parent consolidated group has ever had
a depreciable interest in Equipment #4 while
a member of the Parent consolidated group,
and neither Parent nor H is related to G
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) or
(B) and § 1.179–4(c). During 2018, G sells
Equipment #4 to a person not related to G,
Parent, or H within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) or (B) and § 1.179–4(c). In a
series of related transactions, during 2019,
Parent acquires all of the stock of G, and H
purchases Equipment #4 from an unrelated
person.
(2) Analysis. In a series of related
transactions, G became a member of the
Parent consolidated group, and H, also a
member of the Parent consolidated group,
acquired Equipment #4. Because G
previously had a depreciable interest in
Equipment #4, pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(B) of this section, H is treated as
having a depreciable interest in Equipment
#4. As a result, H’s acquisition of Equipment
#4 does not satisfy the used property
acquisition requirements of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii) of this section. Accordingly, H’s
acquisition of Equipment #4 is not eligible
for the additional first year depreciation
deduction.
(EE) Example 31. (1) In a series of related
transactions, a father sells a machine to an
unrelated individual in December 2019 who
sells the machine to the father’s daughter in
January 2020 for use in the daughter’s trade
or business. Pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section, the time to test
whether the parties are related is
immediately after each step in the series, and
between the original transferor and the
ultimate transferee immediately after the last
transaction in the series. As a result, the
following relationships are tested under
section 179(d)(2)(A): The father and the
unrelated individual, the unrelated
individual and the father’s daughter, and the
father and his daughter.
(2) Because the individual is not related to
the father within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–4(c)(ii), the
individual’s acquisition of the machine
satisfies the used property acquisition
requirement of paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of
this section. Accordingly, assuming all other
requirements of this section are satisfied, the
individual’s purchase price of the machine
qualifies for the additional first year
depreciation deduction under this section.
(3) The individual and the daughter are not
related parties within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–4(c)(ii). However,
the father and his daughter are related parties
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A)
and § 1.179–4(c)(ii). Accordingly, the
daughter’s acquisition of the machine does
not satisfy the used property acquisition
requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this
section and is not eligible for the additional
first year depreciation deduction.
(FF) Example 32. (1) The facts are the same
as in Example 31 of paragraph
(b)(3)(viii)(EE)(1) of this section, except that
instead of selling to an unrelated individual,
the father sells the machine to his son in
December 2019 who sells the machine to his
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sister (the father’s daughter) in January 2020.
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this
section, the time to test whether the parties
are related is immediately after each step in
the series, and between the original transferor
and the ultimate transferee immediately after
the last transaction in the series. As a result,
the following relationships are tested under
section 179(d)(2)(A): The father and his son,
the father’s son and his sister, and the father
and the father’s daughter.
(2) Because the father and his son are
related parties within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–4(c)(ii), the son’s
acquisition of the machine does not satisfy
the used property acquisition requirements of
paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section.
Accordingly, the son’s acquisition of the
machine is not eligible for the additional first
year depreciation deduction.
(3) The son and his sister are not related
parties within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–4(c)(ii). However,
the father and his daughter are related parties
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A)
and § 1.179–4(c)(ii). Accordingly, the
daughter’s acquisition of the machine does
not satisfy the used property acquisition
requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this
section and is not eligible for the additional
first year depreciation deduction.
(GG) Example 33. (1) In June 2018, DA, an
individual, bought and placed in service a
new machine from an unrelated party for use
in its trade or business. In a series of related
transactions, DA sells the machine to DB and
DB places it in service in October 2019, DB
sells the machine to DC and DC places it in
service in December 2019, and DC sells the
machine to DD and DD places it in service
in January 2020. DA and DB are related
parties within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–4(c)(ii). DB and DC
are related parties within the meaning of
section 179(d)(2)(B) and § 1.179–4(c)(iii). DC
and DD are not related parties within the
meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–
4(c)(ii), or section 179(d)(2)(B) and § 1.179–
4(c)(iii). DA is not related to DC or to DD
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A)
and § 1.179–4(c)(ii). All parties are calendar
year taxpayers.
(2) DA’s purchase of the machine in June
2018 satisfies the original use requirement of
paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section and,
assuming all other requirements of this
section are met, qualifies for the additional
first year depreciation deduction under this
section.
(3) Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of
this section, the time to test whether the
parties in the series of related transactions
are related is immediately after each step in
the series, and between the original transferor
and the ultimate transferee immediately after
the last transaction in the series. However,
because DB placed in service and disposed of
the machine in the same taxable year, DB is
disregarded pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C)(2)(i) of this section. As a result,
the following relationships are tested under
section 179(d)(2)(A) and (B): DA and DC, DC
and DD, and DA and DD.
(4) Because DA is not related to DC within
the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and
§ 1.179–4(c)(ii), DC’s acquisition of the
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machine satisfies the used property
acquisition requirement of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of this section. Accordingly,
assuming all other requirements of this
section are satisfied, DC’s purchase price of
the machine qualifies for the additional first
year depreciation deduction under this
section.
(5) Because DC is not related to DD and DA
is not related to DD within the meaning of
section 179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–4(c)(ii), or
section 179(d)(2)(B) and § 1.179–4(c)(iii),
DD’s acquisition of the machine satisfies the
used property acquisition requirement of
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of this section.
Accordingly, assuming all other requirements
of this section are satisfied, DD’s purchase
price of the machine qualifies for the
additional first year depreciation deduction
under this section.
(HH) Example 34. (1) In June 2018, EA, an
individual, bought and placed in service a
new machine from an unrelated party for use
in his trade or business. In a series of related
transactions, EA sells the machine to EB and
EB places it in service in September 2019, EB
transfers the machine to EC in a transaction
described in paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this
section and EC places it in service in
November 2019, and EC sells the machine to
ED and ED places it in service in January
2020. EA and EB are not related parties
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A)
and § 1.179–4(c)(ii). EB and EC are related
parties within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(B) and § 1.179–4(c)(iii). EB and ED
are related parties within the meaning of
section 179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–4(c)(ii), or
section 179(d)(2)(B) and § 1.179–4(c)(iii). EC
and ED are not related parties within the
meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–
4(c)(ii), or section 179(d)(2)(B) and § 1.179–
4(c)(iii). EA is not related to EC or to ED
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A)
and § 1.179–4(c)(ii). All parties are calendar
year taxpayers.
(2) EA’s purchase of the machine in June
2018 satisfies the original use requirement of
paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section and,
assuming all other requirements of this
section are met, qualifies for the additional
first year depreciation deduction under this
section.
(3) Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of
this section, the time to test whether the
parties in the series of related transactions
are related is immediately after each step in
the series, and between the original transferor
and the ultimate transferee immediately after
the last transaction in the series. However,
because EB placed in service and transferred
the machine in the same taxable year in a
transaction described in paragraph (g)(1)(iii)
of this section, the section 168(i)(7)
transaction between EB and EC is
disregarded pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C)(2)(iii) of this section. As a result,
the following relationships are tested under
section 179(d)(2)(A) and (B): EA and EB, EB
and ED, EC and ED, and EA and ED.
(4) Because EA is not related to EB within
the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and
§ 1.179–4(c)(ii), EB’s acquisition of the
machine satisfies the used property
acquisition requirement of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of this section. Accordingly,
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assuming all other requirements of this
section are satisfied, EB’s purchase price of
the machine qualifies for the additional first
year depreciation deduction under this
section. Pursuant to paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of
this section, EB is allocated 2⁄12 of its 100percent additional first year depreciation
deduction for the machine, and EC is
allocated the remaining portion of EB’s 100percent additional first year depreciation
deduction for the machine.
(5) EC is not related to ED and EA is not
related to ED within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–4(c)(ii), or section
179(d)(2)(B) and § 1.179–4(c)(iii). However,
EB and ED are related parties within the
meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and § 1.179–
4(c)(ii), or section 179(d)(2)(B) and § 1.179–
4(c)(iii). Accordingly, ED’s acquisition of the
machine does not satisfy the used property
acquisition requirements of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii) of this section and is not eligible for
the additional first year depreciation
deduction.
*
*
*
*
*
(5) * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) * * * For determination of
acquisition date, see paragraph
(b)(5)(ii)(B) of this section for property
acquired pursuant to a written binding
contract, paragraph (b)(5)(iv) of this
section for self-constructed property,
and paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section
for property not acquired pursuant to a
written binding contract.
*
*
*
*
*
(iii) * * *
(G) Acquisition of a trade or business
or an entity. A contract to acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of a trade
or business or to acquire an entity (for
example, a corporation, a partnership,
or a limited liability company) is
binding if it is enforceable under State
law against the parties to the contract.
The presence of a condition outside the
control of the parties, including, for
example, regulatory agency approval,
will not prevent the contract from being
a binding contract. Further, the fact that
insubstantial terms remain to be
negotiated by the parties to the contract,
or that customary conditions remain to
be satisfied, does not prevent the
contract from being a binding contract.
This paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G) also applies
to a contract for the sale of the stock of
a corporation that is treated as an asset
sale as a result of an election under
section 338.
*
*
*
*
*
(v) Determination of acquisition date
for property not acquired pursuant to a
written binding contract. Except as
provided in paragraphs (b)(5)(iv), (vi),
and (vii) of this section, the acquisition
date of property that the taxpayer
acquires pursuant to a contract that does
not meet the definition of a written
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binding contract in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)
of this section, is the date on which the
taxpayer paid (in the case of a cash basis
taxpayer) or incurred (in the case of an
accrual basis taxpayer) more than 10
percent of the total cost of the property,
excluding the cost of any land and
preliminary activities such as planning
and designing, securing financing,
exploring, or researching. This
paragraph (b)(5)(v) does not apply to an
acquisition described in paragraph
(b)(5)(iii)(G) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(viii) * * * Unless the facts
specifically indicate otherwise, assume
that the parties are not related within
the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) or
(B) and § 1.179–4(c), paragraph (c) of
this section does not apply, and the
parties do not have predecessors:
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Election for components of larger
self-constructed property for which the
manufacture, construction, or
production begins before September 28,
2017—(1) In general. A taxpayer may
elect to treat any acquired or selfconstructed component, as described in
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, of the
larger self-constructed property, as
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this
section, as being eligible for the
additional first year depreciation
deduction under this section, assuming
all requirements of section 168(k) and
this section are met. The taxpayer may
make this election for one or more such
components.
(2) Eligible larger self-constructed
property—(i) In general. Solely for
purposes of this paragraph (c) and
except as provided in paragraph
(c)(2)(ii) of this section, the larger selfconstructed property must be qualified
property under section 168(k)(2), as in
effect on the day before the date of the
enactment of the Act, for which the
taxpayer begins the manufacture,
construction, or production before
September 28, 2017. The determination
of when manufacture, construction, or
production of the larger self-constructed
property begins is made in accordance
with the rules in § 1.168(k)–
1(b)(4)(iii)(B). A larger self-constructed
property is property that is
manufactured, constructed, or produced
by the taxpayer for its own use in its
trade or business or for its production of
income, or property that is
manufactured, constructed, or produced
for the taxpayer by another person
under a written binding contract, as
defined in § 1.168(k)–1(b)(4)(ii), that is
entered into prior to the manufacture,
construction, or production of the
property for use by the taxpayer in its
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trade or business or for its production of
income. If the taxpayer enters into a
written binding contract, as defined in
paragraph (b)(5)(iii) of this section,
before September 28, 2017, with another
person to manufacture, construct, or
produce the larger self-constructed
property and the manufacture,
construction, or production of this
property begins after September 27,
2017, paragraph (b)(5)(iv) of this section
applies and paragraph (c) of this section
does not apply.
(ii) Exceptions. This paragraph (c)
does not apply to any larger selfconstructed property that meets at least
one of the following criteria—
(A) Is placed in service by the
taxpayer before September 28, 2017;
(B) Is placed in service by the
taxpayer after December 31, 2019, or for
property described in section
168(k)(2)(B) or (C) as in effect on the day
before the date of the enactment of the
Act, after December 31, 2020;
(C) Does not meet the original use
requirement in section 168(k)(2)(A)(ii)
as in effect on the day before the date
of the enactment of the Act;
(D) Is described in section 168(k)(9)
and § 1.168(k)–2(b)(2)(ii)(F) or (G);
(E) Is described in section 168(g)(1)(F)
and (g)(8) (electing real property trade or
business) or section 168(g)(1)(G)
(electing farming business) and placed
in service by the taxpayer in any taxable
year beginning after December 31, 2017;
(F) Is qualified leasehold
improvement property, as defined in
section 168(e)(6) as in effect on the day
before amendment by section
13204(a)(1) of the Act, and placed in
service by the taxpayer after December
31, 2017;
(G) Is qualified restaurant property, as
defined in section 168(e)(7) as in effect
on the day before amendment by section
13204(a)(1) of the Act, and placed in
service by the taxpayer after December
31, 2017;
(H) Is qualified retail improvement
property, as defined in section 168(e)(8)
as in effect on the day before
amendment by section 13204(a)(1) of
the Act, and placed in service by the
taxpayer after December 31, 2017;
(I) Is qualified improvement property
as defined in § 1.168(b)–1(a)(5)(i)(A)
(placed in service by the taxpayer after
December 31, 2017); or
(J) Is included in a class of property
for which the taxpayer made an election
under section 168(k)(7) (formerly
section 168(k)(2)(D)(iii)) not to deduct
the additional first year depreciation
deduction.
(3) Eligible components—(i) In
general. Solely for purposes of this
paragraph (c), a component of the larger
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50169
self-constructed property, as described
in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, must
be qualified property under section
168(k)(2) and paragraph (b) of this
section.
(ii) Acquired components. Solely for
purposes of this paragraph (c), a binding
contract, as defined in paragraph
(b)(5)(iii) of this section, to acquire a
component of the larger self-constructed
property must be entered into by the
taxpayer after September 27, 2017.
(iii) Self-constructed components.
Solely for purposes of this paragraph (c),
the manufacture, construction, or
production of a component of the larger
self-constructed property must begin
after September 27, 2017. The
determination of when manufacture,
construction, or production of the
component begins is made in
accordance with the rules in paragraph
(b)(5)(iv)(B) of this section.
(4) Special rules—(i) Installation
costs. If the taxpayer pays or incurs
costs, including labor costs, to install a
component of the larger self-constructed
property, as described in paragraph
(c)(2) of this section, such costs are
eligible for additional first year
depreciation under this section,
assuming all requirements are met, only
if the component being installed meets
the requirements in paragraph (c)(3) of
this section.
(ii) Property described in section
168(k)(2)(B). For purposes of this
paragraph (c), the unadjusted
depreciable basis, as defined in
§ 1.168(b)–1(a)(3), of qualified property
in section 168(k)(2)(B), as in effect on
the day before the date of the enactment
of the Act, is limited to the property’s
unadjusted depreciable basis
attributable to the property’s
manufacture, construction, or
production before January 1, 2020. The
amounts of unadjusted depreciable basis
attributable to the property’s
manufacture, construction, or
production before January 1, 2020, are
referred to as ‘‘progress expenditures.’’
Rules similar to the rules in section
4.02(1)(b) of Notice 2007–36 (2007–17
I.R.B. 1000) (see § 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of
this chapter) apply for determining
progress expenditures.
(5) Computation of additional first
year depreciation deduction—(i)
Election is made. Before determining
the allowable additional first year
depreciation deduction for property for
which the taxpayer makes the election
specified in this paragraph (c), the
taxpayer must determine the portion of
the unadjusted depreciable basis, as
defined in § 1.168(b)–1(a)(3), of the
larger self-constructed property,
including all components, attributable
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to the component that meets the
requirements of paragraph (c)(3) of this
section (component basis). The
additional first year depreciation
deduction for the component basis is
determined by multiplying such
component basis by the applicable
percentage for the placed-in-service year
of the larger self-constructed property.
The additional first year depreciation
deduction for the remaining unadjusted
depreciable basis of the larger selfconstructed property, as described in
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, is
determined by multiplying such
remaining unadjusted depreciable basis
by the phase-down percentage in
section 168(k)(8) applicable to the
placed-in-service year of the larger selfconstructed property. For purposes of
this paragraph (c), the remaining
unadjusted depreciable basis of the
larger self-constructed property is equal
to the unadjusted depreciable basis, as
defined in § 1.168(b)–1(a)(3), of the
larger self-constructed property,
including all components, reduced by
the sum of the component basis of the
components for which the taxpayer
makes the election specified in this
paragraph (c). If the phase-down
percentage in section 168(k)(8) is zero
for the placed-in-service year of the
larger self-constructed property, none of
the components of the larger selfconstructed property qualify for the
additional first year depreciation
deduction under this section.
(ii) Election is not made. If the
taxpayer does not make the election
specified in this paragraph (c), the
additional first year depreciation
deduction for the larger self-constructed
property, including all components, that
is qualified property under section
168(k)(2), as in effect on the day before
the date of the enactment of the Act, is
determined by multiplying the
unadjusted depreciable basis, as defined
in § 1.168(b)–1(a)(3), of the larger selfconstructed property, including all
components, by the phase-down
percentage in section 168(k)(8)
applicable to the placed-in-service year
of the larger self-constructed property.
(6) Time and manner for making
election—(i) Time for making election.
The election specified in this paragraph
(c) must be made by the due date,
including extensions, of the Federal tax
return for the taxable year in which the
taxpayer placed in service the larger
self-constructed property.
(ii) Manner of making election. The
election specified in this paragraph (c)
must be made by attaching a statement
to such return indicating that the
taxpayer is making the election
provided in this paragraph (c) and
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whether the taxpayer is making the
election for all or some of the
components described in paragraph
(c)(3) of this section. The election is
made separately by each person owning
qualified property (for example, for each
member of a consolidated group by the
common parent of the group, by the
partnership (including a lower-tier
partnership), or by the S corporation).
(7) Examples. The application of this
paragraph (c) is illustrated by the
following examples. Unless the facts
specifically indicate otherwise, assume
that the larger self-constructed property
is qualified property under section
168(k)(2) as in effect on the day before
the date of the enactment of the Act, and
the components acquired or selfconstructed after September 27, 2017,
are qualified property under section
168(k)(2) and paragraph (b) of this
section.
(i) Example 1. (A) BC, a calendar year
taxpayer, is engaged in a trade or business
described in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv). In
December 2015, BC decided to construct an
electric generation power plant for its own
use. This plant is property described in
section 168(k)(2)(B) as in effect on the day
before the date of the enactment of the Act.
However, the turbine for the plant had to be
manufactured by another person for BC. In
January 2016, BC entered into a written
binding contract with CD to acquire the
turbine. BC received the completed turbine
in August 2017 at which time BC incurred
the cost of the turbine. The cost of the turbine
is 11 percent of the total cost of the electric
generation power plant to be constructed by
BC. BC began constructing the electric
generation power plant in October 2017 and
placed in service this new power plant,
including all component parts, in 2020.
(B) BC uses the safe harbor test in
§ 1.168(k)–1(b)(4)(iii)(B)(2) to determine
when physical work of a significant nature
begins for the electric generation power
plant. Because the turbine that was
manufactured by CD for BC is more than 10
percent of the total cost of the electric
generation power plant, physical work of a
significant nature for this plant began before
September 28, 2017. None of BC’s
expenditures for components of the power
plant that are acquired or self-constructed
after September 27, 2017, are eligible for the
election specified in this paragraph (c)
because the power plant is described in
section 168(k)(9)(A) and paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(F) of this section and, therefore, are
not eligible for the election pursuant to
paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(D) of this section.
Assuming all requirements are met under
section 168(k)(2) as in effect on the day
before the date of the enactment of the Act,
the unadjusted depreciable basis of the
power plant, including all components,
attributable to its construction before January
1, 2020, is eligible for the 30-percent
additional first year depreciation deduction
pursuant to section 168(k)(8).
(ii) Example 2. (A) In August 2017, BD, a
calendar-year taxpayer, entered into a written
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binding contract with CE for CE to
manufacture a locomotive for BD for use in
its trade or business. Before September 28,
2017, BD incurred $500,000 of expenses for
the locomotive, which is more than 10
percent of the total cost of the locomotive.
After September 27, 2017, BD incurred
$4,000,000 of expenses for components of the
locomotive. These components were
acquired or self-constructed after September
27, 2017. In February 2019, CE delivered the
locomotive to BD and BD placed in service
the locomotive. The total cost of the
locomotive is $4,500,000. The locomotive is
property described in section 168(k)(2)(B) as
in effect on the day before the date of the
enactment of the Act. On its timely filed
Federal income tax return for 2019, BD made
the election specified in this paragraph (c).
(B) BD uses the safe harbor test in
§ 1.168(k)–1(b)(4)(iii)(B)(2) to determine
when physical work of a significant nature
begins for the locomotive. Because BD had
incurred more than 10 percent of the total
cost of the locomotive before September 28,
2017, physical work of a significant nature
for this locomotive began before September
28, 2017. Because BD made the election
specified in this paragraph (c), the cost of
$4,000,000 for the locomotive’s components
acquired or self-constructed after September
27, 2017, qualifies for the 100-percent
additional first year depreciation deduction,
assuming all other requirements are met. The
remaining cost of the locomotive is $500,000
and such amount qualifies for the 40-percent
additional first year depreciation deduction
pursuant to section 168(k)(8).
(iii) Example 3. (A) In March 2017, BE, a
calendar-year taxpayer, decided to construct
qualified leasehold improvement property, as
defined in section 168(e)(6) as in effect on the
day before enactment of the Act, for its own
use in its trade or business. This qualified
leasehold improvement property also met the
definition of qualified improvement property
as defined in section 168(k)(3) as in effect on
the day before enactment of the Act. Physical
work of a significant nature for this qualified
leasehold improvement property began
before September 28, 2017. After September
27, 2017, BE acquired components of the
qualified leasehold improvement property at
a cost of $100,000. BE placed in service the
qualified leasehold improvement property in
February 2018.
(B) Because BE placed in service the
qualified leasehold improvement property
after December 31, 2017, none of BE’s
expenditures of $100,000 for components of
the qualified leasehold improvement
property that are acquired after September
27, 2017, are eligible for the election
specified in this paragraph (c) pursuant to
paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(F) of this section.
Additionally, BE’s unadjusted depreciable
basis of the qualified leasehold improvement
property, including all components, is not
eligible for any additional first year
depreciation deduction under section 168(k)
and this section nor under section 168(k) as
in effect on the day before enactment of the
Act.
*
*
*
(e) * * *
(1) * * *
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*
*
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2019 / Proposed Rules
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS2
(iii) * * * The amounts of unadjusted
depreciable basis attributable to the
property’s manufacture, construction, or
production before January 1, 2020, are
referred to as ‘‘progress expenditures.’’
Rules similar to the rules in section
4.02(1)(b) of Notice 2007–36 (2007–17
I.R.B. 1000) (see § 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of
this chapter) apply for determining
progress expenditures.
*
*
*
*
*
(g) * * *
(11) Mid-quarter convention. In
determining whether the mid-quarter
convention applies for a taxable year
under section 168(d)(3) and § 1.168(d)–
1, the depreciable basis, as defined in
§ 1.168(d)–1(b)(4), for the taxable year
the qualified property is placed in
service by the taxpayer is not reduced
by the allowed or allowable additional
first year depreciation deduction for that
taxable year. See § 1.168(d)–1(b)(4).
(h) * * *
(4) Regulation project REG–106808–
19—(i) In general. Except as provided in
paragraph (h)(4)(ii) of this section, the
rules of this section in this regulation
project REG–106808–19 apply to—
(A) Qualified property under section
168(k)(2) that is placed in service by the
taxpayer during or after the taxpayer’s
taxable year that includes the date of
publication of a Treasury decision
adopting these rules as final regulations
in the Federal Register;
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:58 Sep 23, 2019
Jkt 247001
(B) A specified plant for which the
taxpayer properly made an election to
apply section 168(k)(5) and that is
planted, or grafted to a plant that was
previously planted, by the taxpayer
during or after the taxpayer’s taxable
year that includes the date of
publication of a Treasury decision
adopting these rules as final regulations
in the Federal Register; and
(C) Components acquired or selfconstructed after September 27, 2017, of
larger self-constructed property for
which manufacture, construction, or
production begins before September 28,
2017, and that is qualified property
under section 168(k)(2) as in effect
before the enactment of the Act and
placed in service by the taxpayer during
or after the taxpayer’s taxable year that
includes the date of publication of a
Treasury decision adopting these rules
as final regulations in the Federal
Register.
(ii) Early application of regulation
project REG–106808–19. A taxpayer may
rely on the provisions of this section in
this regulation project REG–106808–19,
in its entirety, for—
(A) Qualified property under section
168(k)(2) acquired and placed in service
after September 27, 2017, by the
taxpayer during the taxpayer’s taxable
year ending on or after September 28,
2017, and ending before the taxpayer’s
taxable year that includes the date of
publication of a Treasury decision
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Fmt 4701
Sfmt 9990
50171
adopting these rules as final regulations
in the Federal Register;
(B) A specified plant for which the
taxpayer properly made an election to
apply section 168(k)(5) and that is
planted, or grafted to a plant that was
previously planted, after September 27,
2017, by the taxpayer during the
taxpayer’s taxable year ending on or
after September 28, 2017, and ending
before the taxpayer’s taxable year that
includes the date of publication of a
Treasury decision adopting these rules
as final regulations in the Federal
Register; and
(C) Components acquired or selfconstructed after September 27, 2017, of
larger self-constructed property for
which manufacture, construction, or
production begins before September 28,
2017, and that is qualified property
under section 168(k)(2) as in effect
before the enactment of the Act and
placed in service by the taxpayer during
the taxpayer’s taxable year ending on or
after September 28, 2017, and ending
before the taxpayer’s taxable year that
includes the date of publication of a
Treasury decision adopting these rules
as final regulations in the Federal
Register.
Kirsten Wielobob,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and
Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2019–20035 Filed 9–17–19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50152-50171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20035]
[[Page 50151]]
Vol. 84
Tuesday,
No. 185
September 24, 2019
Part III
Department of the Treasury
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Internal Revenue Service
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26 CFR Part 1
Additional First Year Depreciation Deduction; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2019 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 50152]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
[REG-106808-19]
RIN 1545-BP32
Additional First Year Depreciation Deduction
AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; partial withdrawal of a notice
of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations that provide
guidance regarding the additional first year depreciation deduction
under section 168(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). These
proposed regulations reflect and clarify the increase of the benefit
and expansion of the universe of qualifying property, particularly to
certain classes of used property, made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
These proposed regulations generally affect taxpayers who deduct
depreciation for qualified property acquired and placed in service
after September 27, 2017. This document also provides notice of a
public hearing on these proposed regulations. Finally, this document
withdraws a portion of the proposed regulations published on August 8,
2018.
DATES: Written or electronic comments must be received by November 25,
2019. Outlines of topics to be discussed at the public hearing
scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 10 a.m. must be received
by October 23, 2019. If no outlines of topics are received by October
23, 2019, the public hearing will be cancelled.
ADDRESSES: Submit electronic submissions via the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov (indicate IRS and REG-106808-19)
by following the online instructions for submitting comments. Once
submitted to the Federal eRulemaking Portal, comments cannot be edited
or withdrawn. The Department of the Treasury (Treasury Department) and
the IRS will publish for public availability any comment received to
its public docket, whether submitted electronically or in hard copy.
Send hard copy submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-106808-19), Room 5203,
Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station,
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered Monday through
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-
106808-19), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations,
Elizabeth R. Binder or Kathleen Reed, (202) 317-7005; concerning
submissions of comments and outlines of topics, the hearing, or to be
placed on the building access list to attend the hearing, Regina L.
Johnson, (202) 317-6901 (not toll-free numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This document contains proposed amendments to the Income Tax
Regulations (26 CFR part 1) under section 168(k) of the Code. Section
168(k) was added to the Code by section 101 of the Job Creation and
Worker Assistance Act of 2002, Public Law 107-147 (116 Stat. 21).
Section 168(k) allows an additional first year depreciation deduction
in the placed-in-service year of qualified property. Subsequent
amendments to section 168(k) increased the percentage of the additional
first year depreciation deduction from 30 percent to 50 percent (to 100
percent for property acquired and placed in service after September 8,
2010, and generally before January 1, 2012), extended the placed-in-
service date generally through December 31, 2019, and made other
changes.
On December 22, 2017, section 168(k) and related provisions were
amended by sections 12001(b)(13), 13201, and 13204 of the Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act, Public Law 115-97 (131 Stat. 2054) (the ``Act'') to provide
further changes to the additional first year depreciation deduction.
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to section 168(k)
hereinafter are references to section 168(k) as amended by the Act.
The Treasury Department and the IRS published proposed regulations
interpreting section 168(k) on August 8, 2018 (the August Proposed
Regulations) (83 FR 39292). This notice of proposed rulemaking
withdraws Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(i) through (iii) and
Examples 19 through 22 in Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vi) of the August
Proposed Regulations, and proposes in their place Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(3)(v)(A) through (E) and Examples 26 through 30 in Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(3)(vii)(Z) through (DD), respectively. This notice of proposed
rulemaking also withdraws Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(C) and Example 18
in Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vi) of the August Proposed Regulations, and
proposes in their place Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(C) and Examples 31
through 34 in Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vii)(EE) through (HH),
respectively. The August Proposed Regulations, with modifications in
response to comments and testimony received, were adopted as final
regulations, issued concurrently with these proposed regulations and
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register (the Final
Regulations).
Explanation of Provisions
These proposed regulations propose amendments to the Final
Regulations to provide taxpayers with guidance that is not addressed in
the Final Regulations regarding the application of section 168(k).
Specifically, these proposed regulations contain amendments to Sec.
1.168(k)-2(b)(2), (3), and (5) of the Final Regulations, each of which
provides rules relevant to the definition of qualified property for
purposes of the additional first year depreciation deduction under
section 168(k). These proposed regulations also amend Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(3)(v) by adding special rules for consolidated groups.
Additionally, these proposed regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c) by
adding rules regarding components acquired or self-constructed after
September 27, 2017, for larger self-constructed property for which
manufacture, construction, or production began before September 28,
2017. Further, these proposed regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2(g)(11)
by adding rules regarding the application of the mid-quarter
convention, as determined under section 168(d). These additional
proposed rules respond to comments received on the August Proposed
Regulations as well as address certain issues identified after
additional study. This Explanation of Provisions section describes each
of the proposed rules contained in this document.
1. Property Excluded From the Additional First Year Depreciation
Deduction by Section 168(k)(9)
Section 1.168(k)-2(b)(2)(ii)(F) of the Final Regulations provides
that qualified property does not include any property that is primarily
used in a trade or business described in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv).
Section 1.168(k)-2(b)(2)(ii)(G) of the Final Regulations provides that
qualified property does not include any property used in a trade or
business that has had floor plan financing indebtedness, as defined in
section 163(j)(9), if the floor plan financing interest, as defined in
section 163(j)(9), related to such indebtedness is taken into account
under section 163(j)(1)(C) for the taxable year. Sections 1.168(k)-
2(b)(2)(ii)(F) and (G) of the Final Regulations apply to property
[[Page 50153]]
placed in service by the taxpayer in a taxable year beginning after
December 31, 2017.
A. Lessor Leasing Property to a Trade or Business Described in Section
168(k)(9)
Several commenters to the August Proposed Regulations requested
guidance on whether a taxpayer that leases property to a trade or
business described in section 168(k)(9) is eligible to claim the
additional first year depreciation for the property, and they recommend
allowing the additional first year depreciation deduction (assuming all
other requirements are met). The Treasury Department and the IRS agree
with the commenters' recommendation, provided the lessor is not
described in section 168(k)(9)(A) or (B). Accordingly, these proposed
regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(2)(ii)(F) and (G) to provide that
such exclusion from the additional first year depreciation deduction
does not apply to lessors of property to a trade or business described
in section 168(k)(9) so long as the lessor is not described in such
Code section.
B. Property Described in Section 168(k)(9)(A)
The Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that taxpayers and
practitioners have questioned how to determine whether property is
primarily used in a trade or business described in section
168(k)(9)(A). For depreciation purposes, Sec. 1.167(a)-
11(b)(4)(iii)(b) and (e)(3)(iii) classify property according to its
primary use. The Treasury Department and the IRS believe that the same
standard should apply for purposes of section 168(k)(9)(A).
Accordingly, these proposed regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(2)(ii)(F) to provide that for purposes of section 168(k)(9)(A) and
Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(2)(ii)(F), the term primarily used has the same
meaning as that term is used in Sec. 1.167(a)-11(b)(4)(iii)(b) and
(e)(3)(iii) for classifying property.
C. Property Described in Section 168(k)(9)(B)
A commenter to the August Proposed Regulations requested guidance
on when floor plan financing is ``taken into account'' for purposes of
section 168(k)(9)(B). The commenter believed that section 168(k)(9)(B)
does not apply when a taxpayer does not deduct interest in excess of
the sum of the amounts calculated under section 163(j)(1)(A) and (B).
The Treasury Department and the IRS do not believe that section 163(j)
is optional. However, the Treasury Department and the IRS agree that,
for purposes of section 168(k)(9)(B), floor plan financing interest is
not taken into account by a trade or business that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness if the sum of the amounts calculated under
section 163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for the trade or business for the taxable
year equals or exceeds the business interest, as defined in section
163(j)(5) (including carryforwards of disallowed business interest
under section 163(j)(2)), which includes floor plan financing interest
of the trade or business, for the taxable year. Accordingly, these
proposed regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(2)(ii)(G) to provide
that solely for purposes of section 168(k)(9)(B) and Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(2)(ii)(G), floor plan financing interest is not taken into account
for the taxable year by a trade or business that has had floor plan
financing indebtedness if the sum of the amounts calculated under
section 163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for the trade or business for the taxable
year equals or exceeds the business interest, as defined in section
163(j)(5), for the taxable year.
If floor plan financing interest is taken into account for a
taxable year by a trade or business that has had floor plan financing
indebtedness, the Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that
taxpayers and practitioners have questioned whether the additional
first year depreciation deduction is not allowed for property placed in
service by that trade or business in any subsequent taxable year. In
such a case, the additional first year depreciation deduction for
subsequent taxable years would not be allowed, even if the amount of
the floor plan financing interest taken into account for the current
taxable year is de minimis. For this reason, the Treasury Department
and the IRS have decided that, for purposes of section 168(k)(9)(B),
the determination of whether a trade or business that has had floor
plan financing indebtedness has taken into account floor plan financing
interest is made annually. Accordingly, these proposed regulations
amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(2)(ii)(G) to provide that if the trade or
business has taken floor plan financing interest into account pursuant
to Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(2)(ii)(G) for a taxable year, Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(2)(ii)(G) applies to any property placed in service by that trade
or business in that taxable year.
2. Used Property
A. Depreciable Interest
As a result of comments received on the August Proposed Regulations
regarding sale-leaseback transactions, the Treasury Department and the
IRS have determined that it is appropriate to provide an exception to
the depreciable interest rule in the Final Regulations when the
taxpayer disposes of property within a short period of time after the
taxpayer placed such property in service. Accordingly, these proposed
regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2 by adding paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(B)(4) to provide that if (a) a taxpayer acquires and places
in service property, (b) the taxpayer or a predecessor did not
previously have a depreciable interest in the property, (c) the
taxpayer disposes of the property to an unrelated party within 90
calendar days after the date the property was originally placed in
service by the taxpayer (without taking into account the applicable
convention), and (d) the taxpayer reacquires and again places in
service the property, the taxpayer's depreciable interest in the
property during that 90-day period is not taken into account for
determining whether the property was used by the taxpayer or a
predecessor at any time prior to its reacquisition by the taxpayer. The
90-day period is consistent with the period of time specified in
section 168(k)(2)(E)(iii). To prevent the churning of assets, this
proposed rule does not apply if the taxpayer reacquires and again
places in service the property during the same taxable year the
taxpayer disposed of the property. The proposed regulations also define
an unrelated party as meaning a person not described in section
179(d)(2)(A) or (B), and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(1)(ii) or (iii), or (c)(2).
B. Application to Partnerships
One commenter to the August Proposed Regulations asked for
clarification regarding a partner's depreciable interest in property
held by a partnership. The Treasury Department and the IRS clarify in
these proposed regulations the extent to which a person is treated as
having a depreciable interest in property by virtue of being a partner
in a partnership that holds the property.
Under the August Proposed Regulations, each partner is treated as
having owned and used the partner's proportionate share of partnership
property for purposes of determining whether a section 743(b) basis
adjustment meets the used property acquisition requirements of section
168(k)(2)(E)(ii). Consistent with this approach, a person should be
considered as having a depreciable interest in a portion of property if
the person is a partner in the partnership while the partnership owns
the property. The same rule should apply whether a current partner
purchases property directly from the partnership or a person acquires
property that the
[[Page 50154]]
partnership previously owned while the person was a partner.
These proposed regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2 by adding
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(B)(5) to provide that a partner is considered to
have a depreciable interest in a portion of property equal to the
partner's total share of depreciation deductions with respect to the
property as a percentage of the total depreciation deductions allocated
to all partners with respect to that property during the current
calendar year and five calendar years immediately prior to the
partnership's current year. For this purpose, only the portion of the
current calendar year and previous 5-year period during which the
partnership owned the property and the person was a partner is taken
into account. The Treasury Department and the IRS believe that this
provides an accurate reflection of the partner's prior depreciable
interest in the property.
C. Series of Related Transactions
Section 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(C) of the August Proposed Regulations
provides that, in the case of a series of related transactions,
property is treated as directly transferred from the original
transferor to the ultimate transferee, and the relationship between the
original transferor and the ultimate transferee is tested immediately
after the last transaction in the series (related transactions rule).
A commenter requested clarification on whether the related
transactions rule applies only to test relatedness under section
179(d)(2)(A) or whether this rule applies more broadly for purposes of
all of the rules under section 168(k)(2)(E)(ii). For example, if, in a
series of related transactions, A transfers property to B in exchange
for cash and B transfers property to C in a nonrecognition transaction
in exchange for stock or other property, the commenter states that it
is not clear whether the related transactions rule is intended to test
only the relatedness between A and C under section 179(d)(2)(A). If
this rule is intended to apply more broadly, the commenter states that
it is not clear whether the rule also determines the basis of the
property or whether B's prior use of the property is relevant.
The commenter also requested clarification on whether the related
transactions rule applies to transactions described in Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(f)(1)(iii) of the August Proposed Regulations (qualified property
that is transferred in a transaction described in section 168(i)(7) in
the same taxable year that the qualified property is placed in service
by the transferor). For example, if a person purchased qualified
property and contributed it to a partnership in a transaction described
in section 721 in the same taxable year, the commenter questioned
whether the related transactions rule would treat the transfer as
occurring directly between the original seller and the partnership,
assuming that the initial acquisition of the property by the person and
the person's transfer of such property to the partnership are part of a
series of related transactions.
The Treasury Department and the IRS intended to apply the related
transactions rule only for purposes of testing the relatedness of the
parties under section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) in a series of related
transactions. The related transactions rule was not intended to test
relatedness between the parties involved in a transaction described in
section 168(i)(7).
These proposed regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2 by revising
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C) to provide rules for a series of related
transactions (proposed related transactions rule). The proposed related
transactions rule generally provides that the relationship between the
parties under section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) in a series of related
transactions is tested immediately after each step in the series, and
between the original transferor and the ultimate transferee immediately
after the last transaction in the series.
The Treasury Department and the IRS believe that the relationship
between the parties in a series of related transactions should not be
tested in certain cases. Accordingly, the proposed related transactions
rule provides that a party in the series that is neither the original
transferor nor the ultimate transferee is disregarded in applying the
relatedness test if the party placed in service and disposed of the
property in the party's same taxable year or did not place the property
in service. The proposed related transactions rule also provides that
any step in a series of related transactions that is neither the
original step nor the ultimate step is disregarded for purposes of
testing relatedness if the step is a transaction described in Sec.
1.168(k)-2(g)(1)(iii) (that is, a transfer of property in a transaction
described in section 168(i)(7) in the same taxable year that the
property is placed in service by the transferor) (Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(f)(1)(iii) of the August Proposed Regulations). Finally, these
proposed regulations provide that the proposed related transactions
rule does not apply when all transactions in the series are described
in Sec. 1.168(k)-2(g)(1)(iii) or to a syndication transaction
described in Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vi).
The commenter also requested clarification on the application of
the related transactions rule in transactions involving sections
179(d)(2)(B) and 1563. For example, if there is a series of related
transactions involving a sale of qualified property between two
corporations that also become members of the same controlled group,
section 179(d)(2)(B) would require testing whether the two corporations
are component members of the same controlled group for purposes of
section 1563. Under section 1563 and the regulations issued thereunder,
a corporation is generally a component member of a controlled group if
it is a member of the controlled group for at least one half of the
days in the relevant taxable year. See Sec. 1.1563-1(b). If the
corporations both become members of the controlled group pursuant to a
series of related transactions ending in the first half of the taxable
year, the corporations should be component members for purposes of
section 179(d)(2)(B). However, if the series of related transactions
ends in the second half of the taxable year, the commenter questioned
whether the related transactions rule applies to treat the two
corporations as non-members prior to the end of the series of related
transactions, in which case the purchaser of the qualified property may
be eligible for immediate expensing (setting aside the potential
application of section 179(d)(2)(A)).
The Treasury Department and the IRS also received comments
concerning the application of section 179(d)(2)(B) to Example 21 of
Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vi) in the August Proposed Regulations. In
response, the Treasury Department and the IRS have proposed new rules
covering the application of section 179(d)(2)(B) to acquisitions of
depreciable property between members of the same consolidated group, as
explained in the following section of this Explanation of Provisions.
D. Application to Members of a Consolidated Group
i. Overview of Used Property Acquisition Requirements
Section 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(A) of the August Proposed Regulations
and the Final Regulations lists the following three requirements that
must be satisfied in order for acquisitions of used property to qualify
for the additional first year depreciation deduction (used property
acquisition requirements). First, the property must not have been used
by the taxpayer or
[[Page 50155]]
a predecessor at any time prior to the acquisition (No Prior Use
Requirement). Second, the acquisition of the property must satisfy
Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of the August Proposed Regulations
and the Final Regulations, which requires that (a) the property was not
acquired from a related person (within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(1)(ii)) (Related Party Requirement),
(b) the property was not acquired by one component member of a
controlled group from another component member of the same controlled
group (Component Member Requirement), and (c) the basis of the property
in the hands of the acquirer is not determined, in whole or in part, by
reference to the adjusted basis in the hands of the transferor. Third,
the acquisition of the property must meet the requirements of section
179(d)(3) and Sec. 1.179-4(d) (concerning like-kind exchanges and
involuntary conversions).
ii. Application of the Used Property Acquisition Requirements to
Consolidated Groups
Section 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3) of the August Proposed
Regulations provides special rules applying the No Prior Use
Requirement to consolidated groups. Section 1.168(k)-
2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(i) of the August Proposed Regulations treats a
member that acquires depreciable property as having a prior depreciable
interest in such property if the consolidated group had a depreciable
interest at any time prior to the member's acquisition of the property
(Group Prior Use Rule). For these purposes, a consolidated group is
treated as having a depreciable interest in property during the period
in which any current or previous member of the consolidated group had a
depreciable interest in the property while a member of the consolidated
group. Section 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(ii) of the August Proposed
Regulations provides that, for purposes of applying the No Prior Use
Requirement, a member is treated as having a depreciable interest in
property prior to the time of its acquisition if, as part of a series
of related transactions, the property is acquired by a member of a
consolidated group and a corporation that had a depreciable interest in
the property becomes a member of that consolidated group (Stock and
Asset Acquisition Rule). For purposes of applying these two rules,
Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(iii) of the August Proposed
Regulations provides that, if the acquisition of property is part of a
series of related transactions that also includes one or more
transactions in which the transferee of the property ceases to be a
member of a consolidated group, then whether the taxpayer is a member
of a consolidated group is tested immediately after the last
transaction in the series.
Commenters have asked for clarification regarding the application
of the Group Prior Use Rule to situations in which a consolidated group
terminates as a result of all of its members joining another
consolidated group, including as a result of a reverse acquisition as
defined in Sec. 1.1502-75(d)(3). By its terms, the Group Prior Use
Rule applies only to the acquisition of property by a member of a
consolidated group. Thus, the Treasury Department and the IRS have
determined that this rule should apply only as long as the consolidated
group remains in existence, as determined under Sec. 1.1502-75(d) and
other applicable law.
Several commenters also have requested confirmation that a member
of a consolidated group that is treated as having a depreciable
interest in property solely as a result of the application of the Group
Prior Use Rule does not continue to be treated under that rule as
having a depreciable interest in the property after the member leaves
the consolidated group (that is, deconsolidates). Commenters have noted
that, if a former member continues to be treated as having a
depreciable interest in the property after deconsolidation, the Stock
and Asset Acquisition Rule could apply whenever one consolidated group
acquires from another consolidated group both qualified property and
the stock of a member of that second consolidated group (the target
member), even if the target member had no actual depreciable interest
in the qualified property (as opposed to a depreciable interest arising
solely from the application of the Group Prior Use Rule).
The Treasury Department and the IRS did not intend the Group Prior
Use Rule to continue to apply to a member of a consolidated group after
the member leaves that consolidated group. By its terms, the Group
Prior Use Rule applies only as long as a corporation remains a member
of a consolidated group. Therefore, when a member deconsolidates, it
does not continue to be treated under that rule as having a depreciable
interest in the property. Accordingly, a departing member does not
continue to have a depreciable interest in the property unless it
actually owned such property.
Further, the Treasury Department and the IRS intended the Stock and
Asset Acquisition Rule to apply only when the member whose stock is
acquired had an actual depreciable interest in the qualified property
that also is acquired as part of the same series of related
transactions. Accordingly, these proposed regulations clarify that the
phrase ``a corporation that had a depreciable interest in the
property'' in the Stock and Asset Acquisition Rule refers only to a
corporation that has such an interest without regard to the application
of the Group Prior Use Rule.
iii. Sales of Property Between Members of the Same Consolidated Group
(Example 21 in Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vi) of the August Proposed
Regulations)
The Treasury Department and the IRS have received comments
regarding the interaction of the August Proposed Regulations for
consolidated groups with the statutorily prescribed Related Party
Requirement and Component Member Requirement, as illustrated by Example
21 in Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vi) of the August Proposed Regulations
(Former Example 21). Generally, a corporation qualifies as a component
member of a controlled group if the corporation was a member of such
controlled group during the majority of the corporation's taxable year.
See section 1563(b). In addition, the taxable year of a member of a
consolidated group ends for all Federal income tax purposes at the end
of the day on which its status as a member changes. See Sec. 1.1502-
76(b). Therefore, commenters have questioned how the August Proposed
Regulations for consolidated groups could apply to treat the Component
Member Requirement as satisfied if a member acquires depreciable
property from another member of the same consolidated group (selling
group) and, as part of an integrated plan that includes the
acquisition, the acquiring member deconsolidates from the selling
group.
In Former Example 21, Parent is the common parent of a consolidated
group that includes F Corporation (F) and G Corporation (G). G has a
depreciable interest in certain equipment (Equipment #3). As part of a
series of related transactions, (1) G sells Equipment #3 to F, and then
(2) Parent sells all of its F stock to X Corporation (X), the common
parent of an unrelated consolidated group. Based on those facts, Former
Example 21 concludes that the Group Prior Use Rule does not apply to
treat F as previously having a depreciable interest in Equipment #3
because F's status as a member of the Parent consolidated group is
tested immediately after the last transaction in the related series, at
which point F has ceased to be a member of the Parent
[[Page 50156]]
consolidated group. Former Example 21 relies on the same analysis to
conclude that the Related Party Requirement and Component Member
Requirement are also satisfied, and that, assuming all other relevant
requirements are satisfied, F would be eligible to claim the additional
first year depreciation deduction for Equipment #3.
Commenters also have requested guidance concerning the amount,
location, and timing of the additional first year depreciation
deduction in transactions similar to the transaction described in
Former Example 21. In particular, commenters have asked whether the
deduction should be reported on the consolidated return of the Parent
consolidated group (that is, the selling group) or on the consolidated
return of the X consolidated group (that is, the acquiring group), and
whether the deduction would be limited by section 168(i)(7). Commenters
have noted that, if F were treated as placing Equipment #3 in service
while a member of the Parent consolidated group, the deduction might be
reported on the consolidated return of the Parent group. In addition,
because the transaction between F and G is an intercompany transaction,
section 168(i)(7)(B)(ii) might apply to limit the amount of the
deduction to an amount equaling G's gain from the transaction. One
commenter further noted that, even if section 168(i)(7)(B)(ii) did not
apply to the transaction, any amount of the deduction in excess of G's
gain nevertheless might be disallowed under Sec. 1.1502-13 as a
noncapital, nondeductible amount.
Commenters have asserted that these potential results regarding the
location (the Parent consolidated group) and the amount (an amount not
in excess of G's gain) of the deduction would be improper based on the
legislative history of section 168(k), which indicates that Congress
intended to stimulate economic activity and promote capital investment.
See H. Rept. 115-409, at 232 (2017) (``The Committee believes that
providing full expensing for certain business assets lowers the cost of
capital for tangible property used in a trade or business. With lower
costs of capital, the Committee believes that businesses will be
encouraged to purchase equipment and other assets, which will promote
capital investment and provide economic growth.''); H. Rept. 107-251,
at 20 (2001) (``The Committee believes that allowing additional first-
year depreciation will accelerate purchases of equipment, promote
capital investment, modernization, and growth, and will help to spur an
economic recovery.'').
The Treasury Department and the IRS agree with commenters that, in
situations similar to Former Example 21, the additional first year
depreciation deduction should be reported on the consolidated return of
the acquiring group rather than the selling group. With respect to
Former Example 21, the Treasury Department and the IRS note that F made
the economic outlay for Equipment #3, which was included in the amount
paid by X for F's stock. Additionally, F's acquisition of Equipment #3
and Parent's sale of the F stock to X occur as part of the same series
of related transactions; thus, at the time of F's acquisition of
Equipment #3, the parties expected F to deconsolidate from the Parent
consolidated group, and the substance of the transaction is the same as
if F first became a member of the X consolidated group and then
acquired Equipment #3. Furthermore, F's purchase of Equipment #3 is the
type of activity that section 168(k) was intended to encourage--if F
had become a member of the X consolidated group before purchasing
Equipment #3, it is clear that F, as a member of the X consolidated
group, would be allowed the deduction in its full amount.
Moreover, in circumstances similar to Former Example 21, the
statute and regulations disregard a transitory acquisition of
depreciable property when the property is acquired and disposed of
within 90 calendar days. See section 168(k)(2)(E)(iii) and Sec.
1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vi) and (b)(4)(iv) (concerning syndication
transactions) of the Final Regulations; see also Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(4) of these proposed regulations (concerning de minimis
uses of property).
To ensure that the additional first year depreciation deduction is
reported on the acquiring group's consolidated return in circumstances
like those described in Former Example 21, Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(v)(C)
of these proposed regulations (Proposed Consolidated Acquisition Rule)
provides that, if a member of a consolidated group acquires depreciable
property from another member of the same consolidated group (that is,
the selling group) in a taxable transaction, and if the transferee
member ceases to be a member of the selling group in a series of
related transactions that includes the property acquisition within 90
calendar days of the date of the property acquisition, then (1) the
disposition and acquisition of the property are treated as occurring
one day after the date on which the transferee member ceases to be a
member of the selling group (Deconsolidation Date) for all Federal
income tax purposes, and (2) the transferee member is treated as
placing the depreciable property in service not earlier than one day
after the Deconsolidation Date for purposes of claiming depreciation or
the investment credit.
The Proposed Consolidated Acquisition Rule would ensure that the
used property acquisition requirements, including the No Prior Use
Requirement and the Related Party Requirement, are satisfied in cases
similar to Former Example 21. With respect to the No Prior Use
Requirement, because the proposed rule treats the transferee member as
acquiring the property after it ceases to be a member of the selling
group, the transferee member is not attributed the selling group's
usage of the property under the Group Prior Use Rule. The Related Party
Requirement and Component Member Requirements would be tested using the
same analysis.
The Proposed Consolidated Acquisition Rule applies the same
treatment for purposes of determining whether the transaction is
covered by section 168(i)(7)(B)(ii). Therefore, because the acquisition
is not treated as occurring between members of the same consolidated
group, if the transferee member is eligible to claim the additional
first year depreciation deduction, then section 168(i)(7)(B)(ii) will
not apply to limit the amount of the deduction.
In order to allow the deduction to the appropriate party, the
Proposed Consolidated Acquisition Rule also provides that the
transferee member is treated as placing the property in service not
earlier than one day after the Deconsolidation Date for purposes of
sections 167 and 168 and Sec. Sec. 1.46-3(d) and 1.167(a)-11(e)(1). In
so providing, the Treasury Department and the IRS intend to prohibit
the transferee member from claiming the additional first year
depreciation deduction on the selling group's consolidated return. The
rule also prevents the transferee member from claiming regular
depreciation or the investment credit with respect to the acquired
property during the period after the transferee member acquires the
property but before it leaves the selling group. Example 28 (that is,
revised Former Example 21) in proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vii)(BB)
illustrates the application of the Proposed Consolidated Acquisition
Rule to the acquisition of depreciable property by one member of a
consolidated group from another member of the same consolidated group.
[[Page 50157]]
iv. Deemed Acquisitions of Depreciable Property Between Members of the
Same Consolidated Group
Commenters have noted that issues similar to those in Former
Example 21 also arise in the context of deemed acquisitions of property
within a consolidated group resulting from an election under either
section 338(h)(10) or section 336(e). The Treasury Department and the
IRS have determined that deemed acquisitions of property should be
treated the same as actual acquisitions of property. Thus, Sec.
1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(v)(D) of these proposed regulations provides a rule
(Proposed Consolidated Deemed Acquisition Rule) that applies if (1) the
transferee member acquires the stock of another member of the same
group that holds depreciable property (target) in a qualified stock
purchase or a qualified stock disposition for which a section 338
election or a section 336(e) election for a disposition described in
Sec. 1.336-2(b)(1), respectively, is made, and (2) the transferee
member and target cease to be members of the consolidated group within
90 calendar days of the acquisition date (within the meaning of Sec.
1.338-2(c)(1)) or disposition date (within the meaning of Sec. 1.336-
1(b)(8)) as part of the same series of related transactions that
includes the acquisition. The Proposed Consolidated Deemed Acquisition
Rule does not apply to qualified stock dispositions described in
section 355(d)(2) or (e)(2) because the rules applicable to such
dispositions do not treat a new target corporation as acquiring assets
from an unrelated person. See Sec. 1.336-2(b)(2).
If the Proposed Consolidated Deemed Acquisition Rule applies, then
(a) the acquisition date or disposition date, as applicable, is treated
as the date that is one day after the date on which the transferee
member and target cease to be members of the consolidated group
(Deconsolidation Date) for all Federal income tax purposes, and (b) new
target is treated as placing the depreciable property in service not
earlier than one day after the Deconsolidation Date for purposes of
sections 167 and 168 and Sec. Sec. 1.46-3(d) and 1.167(a)-11(e)(1).
Without the proposed rule, new target might be treated as having a
depreciable interest in the assets new target is deemed to acquire by
virtue of the Group Prior Use Rule because old target, a member of the
same consolidated group, had a depreciable interest in those assets. If
applicable, the proposed rule prevents new target from being treated as
having a depreciable interest in the assets by moving the acquisition
date or disposition date to the day after the Deconsolidation Date. New
target is therefore a member of the acquiring group at the time it is
deemed to acquire the assets. Similar to the Proposed Consolidated
Acquisition Rule, this deemed acquisition rule also provides that the
transferee member is treated as placing the property in service not
earlier than one day after the Deconsolidation Date for purposes of
sections 167 and 168 and Sec. Sec. 1.46-3(d) and 1.167(a)-11(e)(1).
Example 29 in proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vii)(CC) illustrates the
application of the rule to the deemed acquisition of depreciable
property by one member of a consolidated group from another member of
the same consolidated group pursuant to a section 338(h)(10) election.
Neither the Proposed Consolidated Acquisition Rule nor the Proposed
Consolidated Deemed Acquisition Rule applies if the property that is
acquired (or deemed acquired) is subsequently disposed of by the
transferee member or new target, respectively, in a transaction that is
part of the same series of related transactions as the actual or deemed
acquisition of the property. For special rules governing the transfer
of property in a series of related transactions, see Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(3)(iii)(C) of these proposed regulations. For special rules
governing property placed in service and disposed of in the same
taxable year, see Sec. 1.168(k)-2(g)(1).
3. Acquisition of Property
A. Definition of Binding Contract for Acquisition of Entity
The Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that taxpayers and
practitioners are having difficulty applying the binding contract rules
in the August Proposed Regulations to transactions involving the
acquisition of an entity. Because those rules were written to apply to
the purchase of an asset instead of an entity, the Treasury Department
and the IRS recognize that a binding contract rule for an acquisition
of a trade or business, or an entity, is needed. Accordingly, these
proposed regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2 by adding paragraph
(b)(5)(iii)(G) to provide that a contract to acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of a trade or business or to acquire an
entity (for example, a corporation, a partnership, or a limited
liability company) is binding if it is enforceable under State law
against the parties to the contract. The presence of a condition
outside the control of the parties, including, for example, regulatory
agency approval, will not prevent the contract from being a binding
contract. Further, the fact that insubstantial terms remain to be
negotiated by the parties to the contract, or that customary conditions
remain to be satisfied, does not prevent the contract from being a
binding contract. This proposed rule also applies to a contract for the
sale of the stock of a corporation that is treated as an asset sale as
a result of an election under section 338.
B. Property Not Acquired Pursuant to a Written Binding Contract
The Treasury Department and the IRS also are aware that, in some
cases, a taxpayer may acquire property that was not pursuant to a
written binding contract. If such property is not self-constructed
property, a qualified film, television, or live theatrical production,
or a specified plant, these proposed regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2
by adding paragraph (b)(5)(v) to provide that the acquisition date of
property acquired pursuant to a contract that is not a written binding
contract is the date on which the taxpayer paid or incurred more than
10 percent of the total cost of the property, excluding the cost of any
land and preliminary activities such as planning and designing,
securing financing, exploring, or researching. This 10-percent proposed
rule is the same as the safe harbor provided in Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(5)(iv)(B)(2) of the Final Regulations for determining the
acquisition date of self-constructed property. This proposed rule does
not apply to the acquisition of a trade or business, or an entity. The
Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on this proposed rule.
4. Components
Multiple commenters to the August Proposed Regulations requested an
election similar to the one provided in section 3.02(2)(b) of Rev.
Proc. 2011-26 (2011-16 I.R.B. 664 (April 18, 2011)) for components
acquired or self-constructed after September 27, 2017, of larger self-
constructed property for which the manufacture, construction, or
production of the larger self-constructed property begins before
September 28, 2017.
The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that it is
appropriate to allow a taxpayer to elect to treat one or more
components acquired or self-constructed after September 27, 2017, of
certain larger self-constructed property as being eligible for the
additional first year depreciation deduction under section 168(k). The
larger self-constructed property must be qualified property under
section 168(k)(2), as in effect before the enactment of the Act,
[[Page 50158]]
for which the manufacture, construction, or production began before
September 28, 2017. However, the election is not available for
components of larger self-constructed property when such property is
not eligible for any additional first year depreciation deduction under
section 168(k) (for example, property described in section 168(k)(9)
and placed in service by the taxpayer in any taxable year beginning
after December 31, 2017, or qualified improvement property placed in
service by the taxpayer after December 31, 2017). These proposed
regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2 by adding paragraph (c) to provide
for this election. These proposed regulations also provide rules
regarding installation costs and the determination of the basis
attributable to the manufacture, construction, or production before
January 1, 2020, for longer production period property or certain
aircraft property described in section 168(k)(2)(B) or (C).
Additionally, these proposed regulations provide the time and manner of
making the election, and examples to illustrate the proposed rules.
These proposed regulations also amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2(e)(1)(iii)
to provide rules regarding the determination of the basis attributable
to the manufacture, construction, or production before January 1, 2027,
for longer production period property or certain aircraft property
described in section 168(k)(2)(B) or (C).
Commenters to the August Proposed Regulations requested guidance on
whether property acquired before September 28, 2017, by a trade or
business described in section 168(k)(9)(A) is eligible for the
additional first year depreciation deduction provided by section 168(k)
as in effect before the enactment of the Act. Another commenter
requested clarification on whether any of the costs of property
acquired before September 28, 2017, pursuant to a written binding
contract, and placed in service after 2017 are eligible for the
additional first year depreciation deduction under section 168(k).
Property acquired before September 28, 2017, is eligible for the
additional first year depreciation deduction provided by section 168(k)
as in effect before the enactment of the Act provided such property is
qualified property under section 168(k) as in effect before the
enactment of the Act. However, if the taxpayer makes the election in
proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c), as described above, for components
acquired or self-constructed after September 27, 2017, those components
are eligible for the additional first year depreciation deduction under
section 168(k). Such election, however, does not apply to, among other
things, property described in section 168(k)(9) and placed in service
in a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017.
5. Special Rules: Mid-Quarter Convention
The Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that taxpayers and
practitioners have questioned whether the unadjusted depreciable basis
of qualified property for which the additional first year depreciation
deduction is claimed is taken into account in determining whether the
mid-quarter convention under section 168(d) and Sec. 1.168(d)-1
applies for the taxable year. The Treasury Department and the IRS agree
that a rule is necessary and that it should be consistent with the
definition of depreciable basis in Sec. 1.168(d)-1(b)(4). Accordingly,
the proposed regulations amend Sec. 1.168(k)-2 by adding paragraph
(g)(11) to provide that in determining whether the mid-quarter
convention applies for a taxable year under section 168(d)(3) and Sec.
1.168(d)-1, the depreciable basis, as defined in Sec. 1.168(d)-
1(b)(4), for the taxable year the qualified property is placed in
service by the taxpayer, is not reduced by the allowed or allowable
additional first year depreciation deduction for that taxable year.
Proposed Applicability Date
These regulations are proposed to apply to qualified property
placed in service or planted or grafted, as applicable, by the taxpayer
during or after the taxpayer's taxable year that includes the date of
publication of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as final
regulations in the Federal Register. These regulations also are
proposed to apply to components acquired or self-constructed after
September 27, 2017, of larger self-constructed property for which the
manufacture, construction, or production begins before September 28,
2017, and that is qualified property under section 168(k)(2) as in
effect before the enactment of the Act and placed in service by the
taxpayer during or after the taxpayer's taxable year that includes the
date of publication of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as
final regulations in the Federal Register. Pending the issuance of
final regulations, a taxpayer may choose to rely on these proposed
regulations, in their entirety, to qualified property acquired and
placed in service or planted or grafted, as applicable, after September
27, 2017, by the taxpayer during taxable years ending on or after
September 28, 2017. Pending the issuance of final regulations, a
taxpayer also may choose to rely on these proposed regulations, in
their entirety, to components acquired or self-constructed after
September 27, 2017, of larger self-constructed property for which the
manufacture, construction, or production begins before September 28,
2017, and that is qualified property under section 168(k)(2) as in
effect before the enactment of the Act and placed in service by the
taxpayer during taxable years ending on or after September 28, 2017. If
a taxpayer chooses to rely on these proposed regulations, the taxpayer
must consistently apply all rules of these proposed regulations.
Special Analyses
I. Regulatory Planning and Review--Economic Analysis
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess costs
and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits
(including (i) potential economic, environmental, and public health and
safety effects, (ii) potential distributive impacts, and (iii) equity).
Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both
costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting
flexibility.
These proposed regulations have been designated as subject to
review under Executive Order 12866 pursuant to the Memorandum of
Agreement (April 11, 2018) (MOA) between the Treasury Department and
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding review of tax
regulations. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has
designated these proposed regulations as significant under section 1(b)
of the MOA. Accordingly, the OMB has reviewed these proposed
regulations.
A. Background
i. Bonus Depreciation Generally
In general, section 168(k) allows taxpayers to immediately deduct
some portion of investment in certain types of physical capital, what
is colloquially known as bonus depreciation. The Act changed section
168(k) in several ways. Arguably most substantially, the Act increased
the bonus percentage as it applies to property generally acquired after
September 27, 2017, which accelerates depreciation deductions. The Act
also removed the ``original use'' requirement, meaning that taxpayers
[[Page 50159]]
could claim bonus depreciation on ``used'' property. The Act made
several other modest changes to the operation of section 168(k). First,
it excluded from the definition of qualified property any property used
by rate-regulated utilities and firms (primarily automobile
dealerships) with ``floor plan financing indebtedness'' as defined
under section 163(j). Furthermore, section 168(k)(2)(a)(ii)(IV) and (V)
allowed qualified film, television, and live theatrical productions (as
defined under Section 181) to qualify for bonus depreciation.
The regulations under Sec. 1.168(k)-2 generally provide structure
and clarity for the implementation of section 168(k). However, Treasury
and the IRS determined that there remained several outstanding issues
requiring clarification that should be subject to notice and comment.
First, these proposed regulations address some ambiguities related to
the operation of section 168(k)(9), which describes some property that
is ineligible for bonus depreciation. Second, these proposed
regulations create a de minimis rule which provides that a taxpayer
will not be deemed to have had a prior depreciable interest in a
property--and thus that property will be eligible for bonus
depreciation in that taxpayer's hands--if the taxpayer previously
disposed of that property within 90 days of the date on which that
property was placed in service. Third, these proposed regulations
clarify the interpretation of an example in the August Proposed
Regulations regarding an asset acquisition as part of a sale of a
member of a controlled group from one group to another. Fourth, these
proposed regulations modify the treatment of series of related
transactions. Finally, these proposed regulations provide that certain
components of larger self-constructed property can be eligible for the
increased bonus depreciation percentage even if the construction of
such larger self-constructed property began before September 28, 2017.
B. No-Action Baseline
The Treasury Department and the IRS have assessed the benefits and
costs of the proposed regulations relative to a no-action baseline
reflecting anticipated Federal income tax-related behavior in the
absence of these proposed regulations.
C. Economic Analysis of NPRM
This section describes the main provisions of these proposed
regulations and provides a qualitative economic analysis of each one.
i. Property Excluded From Bonus Depreciation by Section 168(k)(9)
As discussed above, section 168(k)(9) provides that property used
by certain businesses is not eligible for bonus depreciation. These
businesses include certain rate-regulated utilities and motor vehicle
dealerships with floor plan financing indebtedness.
These proposed regulations first clarify that those taxpayers that
lease property to such businesses described by section 168(k)(9) may
claim bonus depreciation, so long as other requirements of section
168(k) are met. This approach broadly follows the existing
normalization rules (which provide generally for the reconciliation of
tax income and book income for regulatory purposes for utilities),
which provides that lessors to public utilities are not bound by such
rules so long as they themselves are not a public utility. The Treasury
Department and the IRS project that this guidance will be easy for
taxpayers to interpret and comply with. Additionally, this decision
allows businesses to receive some share of the economic benefit of
section 168(k). To the extent that lessors can claim bonus
depreciation, it is plausible that the market-clearing lease price for
such assets will fall, potentially enabling some expansions of output
and contributing to economic growth.
These proposed regulations next clarify which businesses fall under
the umbrella of section 168(k)(9)(A) (utilities) and section
168(k)(9)(B) (dealerships with floor plan financing indebtedness). For
utilities, these proposed regulations clarify that the ``primary use''
of an item described in the Code is consistent with how primary use is
determined in existing regulations under section 167. This application
should be familiar to taxpayers, and thus relatively easy to comply
with.
The statutory language of section 168(k)(9)(B) is somewhat more
ambiguous, and thus more substantive clarifications were necessary.
First, section 168(k)(9)(B) provides that dealerships with floor plan
financing indebtedness are ineligible for bonus depreciation ``if the
floor plan financing interest was taken into account under [section
163(j)(1)(C)].'' These proposed regulations clarify that such interest
is in fact ``taken into account'' only if the firm in fact received a
benefit from section 163(j)(1)(C)--i.e., if total business interest
expense (including floor plan financing interest) exceeds business
interest income plus 30 percent of adjusted taxable income. This
decision allows more firms to claim bonus depreciation than if the
Treasury Department and the IRS had made the opposite interpretation
(deeming all dealerships with floor plan financing interest to be
ineligible for bonus depreciation, regardless of whether the firm
received a benefit from section 163(j)(1)(C)).
The Treasury Department and the IRS have undertaken an analysis of
the investment effects of this provision, under the assumption that 10
to 50 percent of affected taxpayers would have come to the opposite
interpretation in the absence of the proposed regulations. Using tax
return data and parameters from the literature on the effect of bonus
depreciation on investment, this analysis has found that this provision
would increase investment by an annual maximum of $20 to $90 million,
although this range would likely decrease over time as uncertainty over
the interpretation of the statute is resolved. Additionally, these
proposed regulations will resolve a substantial compliance uncertainty
facing these taxpayers.
An additional ambiguity in section 168(k)(9)(B) pertains to the
length of time that the section applies to a given firm. The section
refers to a ``trade or business that has had floor plan financing
indebtedness . . . if the floor plan financing interest related to such
indebtedness was taken into account under [section 163(j)(1)(C)]''.
Consider a firm (Example A) that received a benefit from section
163(j)(C)(1) in tax year 2018 (meaning that its interest deduction
would have been smaller if not for section 163(j)(C)(1)) but not in tax
year 2019 or any other later year. One interpretation of the statute
would deem that firm forever ineligible for bonus depreciation, in 2019
and later. The Treasury Department and the IRS came to the opposite
conclusion and deemed that section 168(k)(9)(B) is determined on an
annual basis: For example, the firm in Example A of this part of the
Special Analysis section would not be eligible for bonus depreciation
in 2018, but so long as the other requirements were met, it would be
eligible for bonus depreciation in 2019. As with the interpretation of
``taken into account,'' this interpretation enables more firms to be
eligible for bonus depreciation in more years, potentially increasing
investment by such firms. The Treasury Department and the IRS expect
that some taxpayers would have come to a different conclusion regarding
the interpretation of this timing in the absence of these proposed
regulations. Therefore, this provision could also have some economic
effects. The Treasury Department and the IRS engaged in an
[[Page 50160]]
analysis on these effects based on historical tax data, parameter
values from the economic literature for the effect of bonus
depreciation on investment, and assumptions regarding taxpayer
interpretations in the absence of these proposed regulations. The
result of this analysis projects that this provision will cause
investment to increase in this industry by no greater than $55 million
in any year, and approximately $25 million per year on average over the
period from 2019 to 2028. The Treasury Department and the IRS
additionally project that some share of this increased investment will
reduce investment in other industries through crowd-out effects.
Importantly, the estimated effect of this provision interacts
substantially with the rule that floor plan financing is ``taken into
account'' only if the firm in fact received a benefit from section
163(j)(1)(C). In the absence of the proposed regulations, the Treasury
Department and the IRS project that some share of taxpayers in this
industry would have interpreted section 168(k)(9)(B) as rendering them
ineligible for bonus depreciation in substantially all circumstances.
Therefore, the effect of both provisions together is less than the sum
of each of the provisions considered independently. In total, the
Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that the effect of both
rules related to section 168(k)(9)(B), when considered together, would
have a maximum annual effect on investment in the range of $65 million
to $90 million and declining over time as uncertainty over the
interpretation of the statute is resolved.
ii. Prior Depreciable Interest
In general, to be eligible for bonus depreciation, a given property
may not have been owned by the same firm in the past. This requirement
was instituted by Congress in order to prevent ``churning'' of assets,
whereby a firm could sell and soon thereafter repurchase the same asset
in order to claim the 100 percent deduction. The August Proposed
Regulations defined ``ownership'' for this purpose as having a prior
depreciable interest. Section 1.168(k)-2 finalizes this interpretation.
These proposed regulations introduce an exception, providing that a
taxpayer does not have a depreciable interest in a given property if
the taxpayer disposed of the property within 90 days of the initial
date when the property was placed in service (so long as the asset is
not repurchased and placed in service again within the same taxable
year). The Treasury Department and the IRS primarily instituted this
rule in order to coordinate with the syndication transaction rules of
section 168(k)(E)(2)(iii). The Treasury Department and the IRS do not
anticipate substantial economic effects of this provision.
Nevertheless, it will generally have the effect of causing more
property to be eligible for bonus depreciation (increasing incentives
to invest), while minimizing incentives for wasteful churning of
assets.
Furthermore, these proposed regulations clarify that partners in a
partnership hold a depreciable interest in the property held by that
partnership, and that the share of the property to which this applies
equals the partner's share of the depreciation deductions of the
partnership over a certain period. The Treasury Department and the IRS
have determined that this provides an accurate reflection of the
partner's prior depreciable interest in the property, and therefore
aligns tax consequences and economic consequences, which is generally
favorable for economic efficiency. However, as is the case with the
``prior use'' rules generally, the Treasury Department and the IRS do
not project this provision to substantially affect behavior.
iii. Group Prior Use Rule
These proposed regulations clarify several aspects of the ``Group
Prior Use Rule.'' Under that rule, all members of a consolidated group
are treated as having had a depreciable interest in a property if any
member of the consolidated group had such a depreciable interest.
First, these proposed regulations clarify that the rule ceases to be in
effect once the consolidated group terminates as a result of joining
another consolidated group. Second, these proposed regulations clarify
that the Group Prior Use Rule does not apply to a corporation after it
deconsolidates from the consolidated group, so long as that corporation
did not in fact own that property. As is the case with the prior use
rules generally, the Treasury Department and the IRS do not anticipate
large economic effects as a result of this section of these proposed
regulations.
iv. Purchases of Assets as Part of Acquisition of Entire Business
Additionally, these proposed regulations clarify the proper
procedure for certain purchases of assets by a given corporation from a
related party that are a part of an integrated plan involving the
selling of that corporation from one group to another. Specifically,
these proposed regulations provide that the deduction for bonus
depreciation is allowed in such circumstances, and should be claimed by
the acquiring group. These proposed regulations provide for a similar
treatment in the case of deemed acquisitions in the case of an election
under section 338(h)(10) or section 336(e). These rules cause the tax
treatment to reflect the economic reality, in which the acquiring group
is bearing the economic outlay of the asset purchase, and that
acquiring group had no economic prior depreciable interest. By aligning
the tax consequences with the economic allocations, this treatment
minimizes potential distortions caused by the anti-churning rules.
v. Component Rule Election
In 2010, Congress increased the bonus percentage from 50 percent to
100 percent for property placed in service between September 9, 2010
and December 31, 2011. In 2011, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2011-
26 to allow taxpayers to elect to have the 100 percent bonus rate apply
to components of larger self-constructed property whose construction
began before September 9, 2010, so long as (1) the components were
acquired (or self-constructed) after than that date and (2) the larger
self-constructed property itself qualifies for bonus depreciation
generally. These proposed regulations provide an analogous rule,
replacing September 9, 2010 with September 27, 2017. This provision
will allow more property to qualify for 100 percent bonus depreciation.
Furthermore, this provision provides neutrality between taxpayers who
acquire distinct, smaller pieces of depreciable property and those
taxpayers that invest a similar amount in fewer, larger pieces of
depreciable property whose construction takes place over a longer
period of time. By treating similar taxpayers (and similar choices)
similarly, this rule enhances economic efficiency by minimizing tax-
related distortions. However, the Treasury Department and the IRS
project these rules to have only a modest effect on future economic
decisions. These rules affect only taxpayers (1) that acquire (or self-
construct) components after the date of enactment of these proposed
regulations and (2) for whom the construction of the larger self-
constructed property began prior to September 28, 2017 (approximately
21 months ago). The Treasury Department and the IRS expect relatively
few taxpayers to be affected by this provision going forward.
vi. Series of Related Transactions
The August Proposed Regulations provided that, in a series of
related transactions, the relationship between
[[Page 50161]]
the transferor and transferee of an asset was determined only after the
final transaction in the series (the ``Series of Related Transaction
Rule''). Commenters had expressed confusion regarding whether this
applies to testing whether parties are related under section 179(d)(2),
or whether it applies more broadly (e.g., in determining whether the
taxpayer had a prior depreciable interest). These proposed regulations
clarify that this Series of Related Transaction Rule is intended only
to test the relatedness of two parties.
These proposed regulations further revise the Series of Related
Transaction Rule to address its application in various situations.
Under these proposed regulations, the relatedness is tested after each
step of the series of related transactions, with the substantial
exception that any intermediary (i.e., a taxpayer other than the
original transferor or ultimate transferee) is disregarded so long as
that intermediary (1) never places the property in service or (2)
disposes of the property in the same taxable year in which it was
placed in service. This would tend to eliminate the benefit of the
Series of Related Transaction Rule in cases where intermediate
transferees maintained use of the property for a non-trivial length of
time. The Treasury Department and the IRS project that this
interpretation will prevent abuse. The Treasury Department and the IRS
do not predict substantial economic effects of this provision.
vii. Miscellaneous
Lastly, these proposed regulations put forward rules to the extent
existing regulations apply in slightly new contexts. In particular,
these proposed regulations clarify when a binding contract is in force
to acquire all or substantially all the assets of a trade or business.
Additionally, consistent with the rules of Sec. 1.168(d)-1(b)(4),
these proposed regulations provide that, for the purpose of determining
whether the mid-quarter convention applies, depreciable basis is not
reduced by the amount of bonus depreciation. The Treasury Department
and the IRS do not anticipate large economic effects of these
clarifications, though the additional clarity of these regulations will
likely reduce compliance burdens.
II. Paperwork Reduction Act
The collection of information in these proposed regulations are in
proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c). The collection of information in proposed
Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c) is an election that a taxpayer may make to treat
one or more components acquired or self-constructed after September 27,
2017, of certain larger self-constructed property as being eligible for
the 100-percent additional first year depreciation deduction under
section 168(k). The larger self-constructed property must be qualified
property under section 168(k)(2) as in effect before the enactment of
the Act and for which the manufacture, construction, or production
began before September 28, 2017. The election is made by attaching a
statement to a Federal income tax return indicating that the taxpayer
is making the election under proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c) and whether
the taxpayer is making the election for all or some of the components
described in proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c).
For purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3507(d)) (PRA), the reporting burden associated with proposed Sec.
1.168(k)-2(c) will be reflected in the PRA submission associated with
income tax returns in the Form 1120 series, Form 1040 series, Form 1041
series, and Form 1065 series (for OMB control numbers, see chart at the
end of this part II of this Special Analysis section). The estimate for
the number of impacted filers with respect to the collection of
information described in this part is 0 to 137,000 respondents.
Historical data was not available to directly estimate the number of
impacted filers. This estimate assumes that no more than 10 percent of
income tax return filers with a nonzero entry on Form 4562 Line 14
(additional first year depreciation deduction) will make this election
(5 percent in the case of filers of Form 1040 series). The IRS
estimates the number of affected filers to be the following:
Tax Forms Impacted
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Forms to which the
Collection of information respondents information may be
(estimated) attached
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 1.168(k)-2(c) Election for 0-137,000 Form 1120 series,
components of larger self- Form 1040 series,
constructed property for which Form 1041 series,
the manufacture, construction, or and Form 1065
production begins before series.
September 28, 2017.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: IRS:RAAS:KDA (CDW 6-1-19).
The current status of the PRA submissions related to the tax forms
that will be revised as a result of the information collections in the
section 168(k) regulations is provided in the accompanying table. As
described above, the reporting burdens associated with the information
collections in the regulations are included in the aggregated burden
estimates for OMB control numbers 1545-0123 (which represents a total
estimated burden time for all forms and schedules for corporations of
3.157 billion hours and total estimated monetized costs of $58.148
billion ($2017)), 1545-0074 (which represents a total estimated burden
time, including all other related forms and schedules for individuals,
of 1.784 billion hours and total estimated monetized costs of $31.764
billion ($2017)), and 1545-0092 (which represents a total estimated
burden time, including all other related forms and schedules for trusts
and estates, of 307,844,800 hours and total estimated monetized costs
of $9.950 billion ($2016)). The overall burden estimates provided for
the OMB control numbers below are aggregate amounts that relate to the
entire package of forms associated with the applicable OMB control
number and will in the future include, but not isolate, the estimated
burden of the tax forms that will be created or revised as a result of
the information collections in the regulations. These numbers are
therefore unrelated to the future calculations needed to assess the
burden imposed by the regulations. These burdens have been reported for
other regulations that rely on the same OMB control numbers to conduct
information collections under the PRA, and the Treasury Department and
the IRS urge readers to recognize that these numbers are duplicates and
to guard against over counting the burden that the regulations that
cite these OMB control numbers imposed prior to the Act. No burden
estimates specific to the forms affected by the regulations are
currently available. The Treasury Department and the IRS have not
[[Page 50162]]
estimated the burden, including that of any new information
collections, related to the requirements under the regulations. For the
OMB control numbers discussed in above, the Treasury Department and the
IRS estimate PRA burdens on a taxpayer-type basis rather than a
provision-specific basis. Those estimates would capture changes made by
the Act, the final regulations under section 168(k), and those that
arise out of discretionary authority exercised in these proposed
regulations and other regulations that affect the compliance burden for
those forms.
The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on all aspects
of information collection burdens related to the proposed regulations,
including estimates for how much time it would take to comply with the
paperwork burdens described above for each relevant form and ways for
the IRS to minimize the paperwork burden. In addition, when available,
drafts of IRS forms are posted for comment at https://apps.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/draftTaxForms.htm. IRS forms are available at https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions. Forms will not be finalized until after
they have been approved by OMB under the PRA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form Type of filer OMB No.(s) Status
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1040............................. Individual (NEW Model)... 1545-0074 Published in the Federal
Register on 7/20/18. Public
Comment period closed on 9/
18/18.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/07/20/2018-15627/proposed-collection-comment-request-for-regulation-project.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1041............................. Trusts and estates....... 1545-0092 Published in the Federal
Register on 4/4/18. Public
Comment period closed on 6/4/
18.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/04/04/2018-06892/proposed-collection-comment-request-for-form-1041.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forms 1065 and 1120................... Business (NEW Model)..... 1545-0123 Published in the Federal
Register on 10/8/18. Public
Comment period closed on 12/
10/18.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/09/2018-21846/proposed-collection-comment-request-for-forms-1065-1065-b-1066-1120-1120-c-1120-f-1120-h-1120-nd.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. Regulatory Flexibility Act
It is hereby certified that these proposed regulations will not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities within the meaning of section 601(6) of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6).
Section 168(k) generally affects taxpayers that own and use
depreciable property in their trades or businesses or for their
production of income. The reporting burden in proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(c) generally affects taxpayers that elect to have the 100 percent
additional first year depreciation deduction apply to components that
are acquired or self-constructed after September 27, 2017, of
depreciable property for which the manufacture, construction, or
production began before September 28, 2017, and was completed generally
before January 1, 2020. The election is made by attaching a statement
to a Federal income tax return indicating that the taxpayer is making
the election under proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c) and whether the
taxpayer is making this election for all or some of the components
described in Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c).
For purposes of the PRA, the Treasury Department and the IRS
estimate that there are 0 to 181,500 respondents of all sizes that are
likely to be impacted by this collection of information. Only a small
proportion of these filers are likely to be small entities (business
entities with gross receipts of $25 million or less pursuant to section
448(c)(1)). The Treasury Department and the IRS estimate the number of
filers affected by proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c) to be the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross receipts of Gross receipts over
Form $25 million or less $25 million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1040................... 0-12,000 Respondents 0-32,500 Respondents
(estimated). (estimated).
Form 1065................... 0-1,250 Respondents 0-35,000 Respondents
(estimated). (estimated).
Form 1120................... 0-1,750 Respondents 0-11,000 Respondents
(estimated). (estimated).
Form 1120S.................. 0-2,500 Respondents 0-41,000 Respondents
(estimated). (estimated).
-------------------------------------------
Total................... 0-29,500 Respondents 0-152,000
(estimated). Respondents
(estimated).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: IRS:RAAS:KDA (CDW 6-1-19).
Regardless of the number of small entities potentially affected by
these proposed regulations, the Treasury Department and the IRS have
concluded that proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c) will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As a result
of all changes in these proposed regulations, the Treasury Department
and the IRS estimate that individual taxpayers who have gross receipts
of $25 million or less and experience an increase in burden will incur
an average increase of 0 to 3 hours, and business taxpayers that have
gross receipts of $25 million or less and experience an increase in
burden will incur an average increase of 0 to 2 hours (Source: IRS:RAAS
(8-28-2019)). Because the election in proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c) is
one of several changes in these proposed regulations, the Treasury
Department and the IRS expect the average increase in burden to be less
for the collection of information in proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c) than
the average increase in burden in the preceding sentence. The Treasury
Department and the IRS also note that many taxpayers with gross
receipts of
[[Page 50163]]
$25 million or less may experience a reduction in burden as a result of
all changes in these proposed regulations.
Additionally: (1) Many small businesses are not required to
capitalize under section 263(a) the amount paid or incurred for the
acquisition of depreciable tangible property that costs $5,000 or less
if the business has an applicable financial statement or costs $500 or
less if the business does not have an applicable financial statement,
pursuant to Sec. 1.263(a)-1(f)(1); (2) many small businesses are no
longer required to capitalize under section 263A the costs to
construct, build, manufacture, install, improve, raise, or grow
depreciable property if their average annual gross receipts are
$25,000,000 or less; and (3) a small business that capitalizes costs of
depreciable tangible property may deduct under section 179 up to
$1,020,000 (2019 inflation adjusted amount) of the cost of such
property placed in service during the taxable year if the total cost of
depreciable tangible property placed in service during the taxable year
does not exceed $2,550,000 (2019 inflation adjusted amount). Therefore,
the Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that a substantial
number of small entities will not be subject to these proposed
regulations. Finally, proposed Sec. 1.168(k)-2(c) applies only if the
taxpayer chooses to make an election to a more favorable rule.
Consequently, the Treasury Department and the IRS hereby certify that
these proposed regulations will not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities.
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this notice of proposed
rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small
business.
IV. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires
that agencies assess anticipated costs and benefits and take certain
other actions before issuing a final rule that includes any Federal
mandate that may result in expenditures in any one year by a state,
local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private
sector, of $100 million in 1995 dollars, updated annually for
inflation. In 2019, that threshold is approximately $154 million. These
proposed regulations do not include any Federal mandate that may result
in expenditures by state, local, or tribal governments, or by the
private sector in excess of that threshold.
V. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
Executive Order 13132 (entitled ``Federalism'') prohibits an agency
from publishing any rule that has federalism implications if the rule
either imposes substantial, direct compliance costs on state and local
governments, and is not required by statute, or preempts state law,
unless the agency meets the consultation and funding requirements of
section 6 of the Executive Order. These proposed regulations do not
have federalism implications and do not impose substantial direct
compliance costs on state and local governments or preempt state law
within the meaning of the Executive Order.
Comments and Public Hearing
Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations,
consideration will be given to any comments that are submitted timely
to the IRS as prescribed in this preamble under the ADDRESSES heading.
The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on all aspects of
the proposed rules. All comments will be available at https://www.regulations.gov or upon request.
A public hearing is scheduled on November 13, 2019, beginning at 10
a.m. in the Auditorium of the Internal Revenue Building, 1111
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224. Due to building security
procedures, visitors must enter at the Constitution Avenue entrance. In
addition, all visitors must present photo identification to enter the
building. Because of access restrictions, visitors will not be admitted
beyond the immediate entrance area more than 30 minutes before the
hearing starts. For more information about having your name placed on
the building access list to attend the hearing, see the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble.
The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3) apply to the hearing. Persons who
wish to present oral comments at the hearing must submit an outline of
the topics to be discussed and the time to be devoted to each topic by
October 23, 2019. Submit a signed paper or electronic copy of the
outline as prescribed in this preamble under the ADDRESSES heading. A
period of 10 minutes will be allotted to each person making comments.
An agenda showing the scheduling of the speakers will be prepared after
the deadline for receiving outlines has passed. Copies of the agenda
will be available free of charge at the hearing.
If no outline of the topics to be discussed at the hearing is
received by October 23, 2019, the public hearing will be cancelled. If
the public hearing is cancelled, a notice of cancellation of the public
hearing will be published in the Federal Register.
Drafting Information
The principal authors of these proposed regulations are Kathleen
Reed and Elizabeth R. Binder of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(Income Tax and Accounting). However, other personnel from the Treasury
Department and the IRS participated in their development.
Partial Withdrawal of Proposed Regulations
Under the authority of 26 U.S.C. 7805 and 26 U.S.C. 1502, Sec.
1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(i) through (iii), Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(3)(iii)(C), and Sec. 1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(vi) Examples 18 through 22
of the notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-104397-18) published in the
Federal Register on August 8, 2018 (83 FR 39292) are withdrawn.
Statement of Availability
IRS Revenue Procedures and Notices cited in this preamble are
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (or Cumulative Bulletin) and
are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Publishing Office, Washington, DC 20402, or by visiting the IRS website
at https://www.irs.gov.
List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Proposed Amendments to the Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 1--INCOME TAXES
0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by adding an
entry for Sec. 1.168(k)-2 in numerical order to read in part as
follows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
* * * * *
Section 1.168(k)-2 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1502.
* * * * *
0
Par. 2. Section 1.168(k)-0 is amended by adding entries for Sec.
1.168(k)-2(b)(3)(iii)(C), (b)(3)(v), (b)(5)(iii)(G), (b)(5)(v), (c),
and (g)(11); and adding an entry for Sec. 1.168(k)-2(h)(4) to read as
follows:
Sec. 1.168(k)-0 Table of contents.
* * * * *
[[Page 50164]]
Sec. 1.168(k)-2 Additional first year depreciation deduction for
property acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(iii) * * *
(C) Special rules for a series of related transactions.
* * * * *
(v) Application to members of a consolidated group.
* * * * *
(5) * * *
(iii) * * *
(G) Acquisition of a trade or business or an entity.
* * * * *
(v) Determination of acquisition date for property not acquired
pursuant to a written binding contract.
* * * * *
(c) Election for components of larger self-constructed property
for which the manufacture, construction, or production begins before
September 28, 2017.
(1) In general.
(2) Eligible larger self-constructed property.
(i) In general.
(ii) Exceptions.
(3) Eligible components.
(i) In general.
(ii) Acquired components.
(iii) Self-constructed components.
(4) Special rules.
(i) Installation costs.
(ii) Property described in section 168(k)(2)(B).
(5) Computation of additional first year depreciation deduction.
(i) Election is made.
(ii) Election is not made.
(6) Time and manner for making election.
(i) Time for making election.
(ii) Manner of making election.
(7) Examples.
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(11) Mid-quarter convention.
(h) * * *
(4) Regulation project REG-106808-19.
0
Par. 3. Section 1.168(k)-2 is amended by:
0
1. At the end of paragraph (a)(1), adding ``, except as provided in
paragraph (c) of this section'';
0
2. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(F);
0
3. Adding three sentences at the end of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G);
0
4. Adding paragraphs (b)(2)(iii)(F), (G), and (H);
0
5. Adding paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(B)(4) and (5), (b)(3)(iii)(C),
(b)(3)(v), and (b)(3)(vii)(Y) through (HH);
0
6. Revising the last sentence in paragraph (b)(5)(ii)(A);
0
7. In the first sentence in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(A), removing the word
``A'' at the beginning of the sentence and adding ``Except as provided
in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G) of this section, a'' in its place;
0
8. In the first sentence in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(B), removing the word
``A'' at the beginning of the sentence and adding ``Except as provided
in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G) of this section, a'' in its place;
0
9. Adding paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G);
0
10. In the penultimate sentence in paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(C)(1), removing
the period at the end of the sentence and adding ``, except as provided
in paragraph (c) of this section.'' in its place;
0
11. In the penultimate sentence in paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(C)(2), removing
the period at the end of the sentence and adding ``, except as provided
in paragraph (c) of this section.'' in its place;
0
12. Adding paragraph (b)(5)(v);
0
13. Revising the second sentence in paragraph (b)(5)(viii) introductory
text;
0
14. Adding paragraph (c);
0
15. Adding two sentences at the end of paragraph (e)(1)(iii);
0
16. Adding paragraph (g)(11);
0
17. In introductory paragraph (h)(1), removing ``paragraphs (h)(2) and
(3)'' and adding ``paragraphs (h)(2), (3), and (4)'' in its place; and
0
18. Adding paragraph (h)(4).
The additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 1.168(k)-2 Additional first year depreciation deduction for
property acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) * * *
(F) Primarily used in a trade or business described in section
163(j)(7)(A)(iv), and placed in service by the taxpayer in any taxable
year beginning after December 31, 2017. For purposes of section
168(k)(9)(A) and this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(F), the term primarily used
has the same meaning as that term is used in Sec. 1.167(a)-
11(b)(4)(iii)(b) and (e)(3)(iii) for classifying property. This
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(F) does not apply to property that is leased to a
trade or business described in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv) by a lessor's
trade or business that is not described in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv) for
the taxable year; or
(G) * * * Solely for purposes of section 168(k)(9)(B) and this
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G), floor plan financing interest is not taken
into account for the taxable year by a trade or business that has had
floor plan financing indebtedness if the sum of the amounts calculated
under section 163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for the trade or business for the
taxable year equals or exceeds the business interest, as defined in
section 163(j)(5), of the trade or business for the taxable year (which
includes floor plan financing interest). If the trade or business has
taken floor plan financing interest into account pursuant to this
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G) for a taxable year, this paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(G) applies to any property placed in service by that trade
or business in that taxable year. This paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G) does not
apply to property that is leased to a trade or business that has had
floor plan financing indebtedness by a lessor's trade or business that
has not had floor plan financing indebtedness during the taxable year
or that has had floor plan financing indebtedness but did not take into
account floor plan financing interest for the taxable year pursuant to
this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G).
(iii) * * *
(F) Example 6. In 2019, a financial institution buys new
equipment for $1 million and then leases this equipment to a lessee
that primarily uses the equipment in a trade or business described
in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv). The financial institution is not
described in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv). As a result, paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(F) of this section does not apply to this new equipment.
Assuming all other requirements are met, the financial institution's
purchase price of $1 million for the new equipment qualifies for the
additional first year depreciation deduction under this section.
(G) Example 7. In 2019, F, an automobile dealer, buys new
computers for $50,000 for use in its trade or business of selling
automobiles. For purposes of section 163(j), F has the following for
2019: $1,000 of adjusted taxable income, $40 of business interest
income, $400 of business interest (which includes $100 of floor plan
financing interest). The sum of the amounts calculated under section
163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for F for 2019 is $340 ($40 + ($1,000 x 30
percent)). F's business interest, which includes floor plan
financing interest, for 2019 is $400. As a result, F's floor plan
financing interest is taken into account by F for 2019 pursuant to
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(G) of this section. Accordingly, F's purchase
price of $50,000 for the computers does not qualify for the
additional first year depreciation deduction under this section.
(H) Example 8. The facts are the same as in Example 7 in
paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(G) of this section. In 2020, F buys new
copiers for $30,000 for use in its trade or business of selling
automobiles. For purposes of section 163(j), F has the following for
2020: $1,300 of adjusted taxable income, $40 of business interest
income, $400 of business interest (which includes $100 of floor plan
financing interest). The sum of the amounts calculated under section
163(j)(1)(A) and (B) for F for 2020 is $430 ($40 + ($1,300 x 30
percent)). F's business interest, which includes floor plan
financing interest, for 2020 is $400. As a result, F's floor plan
financing interest is
[[Page 50165]]
not taken into account by F for 2020 pursuant to paragraph
(b)(2)(ii)(G) of this section. Assuming all other requirements are
met, F's purchase price of $30,000 for the copiers qualifies for the
additional first year depreciation deduction under this section.
(3) * * *
(iii) * * *
(B) * * *
(4) De minimis use of property. If a taxpayer acquires and places
in service property, the taxpayer or a predecessor did not previously
have a depreciable interest in the property, the taxpayer disposes of
the property to an unrelated party within 90 calendar days after the
date the property was originally placed in service by the taxpayer,
without taking into account the applicable convention, and the taxpayer
reacquires and again places in service the property, the taxpayer's
depreciable interest in the property during that 90-day period is not
taken into account for determining whether the property was used by the
taxpayer or a predecessor at any time prior to its reacquisition by the
taxpayer under paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(A)(1) and (b)(3)(iii)(B)(1) of
this section. This paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(B)(4) does not apply if the
taxpayer reacquires and again places in service the property during the
same taxable year the taxpayer disposed of the property. For purposes
of this paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(B)(4), an unrelated party is a person not
described in section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B), and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(1)(ii)
or (iii), or (c)(2).
(5) Partner's prior depreciable interest in property held by
partnership. Solely for purposes of applying paragraphs
(b)(3)(iii)(A)(1) and (b)(3)(iii)(B)(1) and (2) of this section, a
person is treated as having a depreciable interest in a portion of
property prior to the person's acquisition of the property if the
person was a partner in a partnership at any time the partnership owned
the property. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the portion of
property that a partner is treated as having a depreciable interest in
is equal to the total share of depreciation deductions with respect to
the property allocated to the partner as a percentage of the total
depreciation deductions with respect to that property allocated to all
partners during the current calendar year and five calendar years
immediately prior to the partnership's current year. If the person was
not a partner in the partnership for this entire period, or if the
partnership did not own the property for the entire period, only the
period during which the person was a partner and the partnership owned
the property is taken into account for purposes of determining a
partner's share of depreciation deductions.
(C) Special rules for a series of related transactions--(1) In
general. Solely for purposes of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section,
the relationship between parties under section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) in a
series of related transactions is tested immediately after each step in
the series, and between the original transferor and the ultimate
transferee immediately after the last transaction in the series. A
series of related transactions may include, for example, a transfer of
partnership assets followed by a transfer of an interest in the
partnership that owned the assets; or a disposition of property and
disposition, directly or indirectly, of the transferor or transferee of
the property.
(2) Special rules--(i) Property placed in service and disposed of
in same taxable year or property not placed in service. Any party in a
series of related transactions that is neither the original transferor
nor the ultimate transferee is disregarded (disregarded party) for
purposes of testing the relationships under paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1)
of this section if the party places in service and disposes of the
depreciable property subject to the series, other than in a transaction
described in paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this section, during the party's
same taxable year or if the party does not place in service the
depreciable property subject to the series for use in the party's trade
or business or production of income. In this case, the relationship is
tested between the party from which the disregarded party acquired the
depreciable property and the party to which the disregarded party
disposed of the depreciable property. If the series has consecutive
disregarded parties, the relationship is tested between the party from
which the first disregarded party acquired the depreciable property and
the party to which the last disregarded party disposed of the
depreciable property. The rules for testing the relationships in
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section continue to apply for the
other transactions in the series and for the last transaction in the
series.
(ii) All section 168(i)(7) transactions. This paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C) does not apply if all transactions in a series of
related transactions are described in paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this
section (section 168(i)(7) transactions in which property is
transferred in the same taxable year that the property is placed in
service by the transferor).
(iii) One or more section 168(i)(7) transactions. Any step in a
series of related transactions that is neither the original step nor
the ultimate step is disregarded (disregarded step) for purposes of
testing the relationships under paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this
section if the step is a transaction described in paragraph (g)(1)(iii)
of this section. In this case, the relationship is not tested between
the transferor and transferee of that transaction. Instead, the
relationship is tested between the transferor in the disregarded step
and the party to which the transferee in the disregarded step disposed
of the depreciable property, and the transferee in the disregarded step
and the party to which the transferee in the disregarded step disposed
of the depreciable property. If the series has consecutive disregarded
steps, the relationship is tested between the transferor in the first
disregarded step and the party to which the transferee in the last
disregarded step disposed of the depreciable property, and the
transferee in the last disregarded step and the party to which the
transferee in the last disregarded step disposed of the depreciable
property. The rules for testing the relationships in paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section continue to apply for the other
transactions in the series and for the last transaction in the series.
(iv) Syndication transaction. This paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C) does
not apply to a syndication transaction described in paragraph
(b)(3)(vi) of this section.
(v) Application of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. Paragraph
(g)(1) of this section applies to each step in a series of related
transactions.
* * * * *
(v) Application to members of a consolidated group--(A) In general.
Solely for purposes of applying paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(1) of this
section, if a member of a consolidated group, as defined in Sec.
1.1502-1(h), acquires depreciable property in which the group had a
depreciable interest at any time prior to the member's acquisition of
the property, the member is treated as having a depreciable interest in
the property prior to the acquisition. For purposes of this paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(A), a consolidated group is treated as having a depreciable
interest in property during the time any current or previous member of
the group had a depreciable interest in the property while a member of
the group.
(B) Certain acquisitions pursuant to a series of related
transactions. Solely for purposes of applying paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of
this section, if a series of related transactions includes one or more
transactions in which property is acquired by a member of a
consolidated group, and one or more transactions in which a corporation
that had a depreciable interest in the property,
[[Page 50166]]
determined without regard to the application of paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A)
of this section, becomes a member of the group, the member that
acquires the property is treated as having a depreciable interest in
the property prior to the time of its acquisition.
(C) Sale of depreciable property to a member that leaves the group.
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(3)(v)(E) of this section,
if a member of a consolidated group (transferee member) acquires from
another member of the same group (transferor member) depreciable
property in an acquisition meeting the requirements of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(A) of this section without regard to section 179(d)(2)(A)
or (B) or paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this section, and if, as part of
the same series of related transactions that includes the acquisition,
the transferee member ceases to be a member of the consolidated group
within 90 calendar days of the date of the acquisition, then--
(1) The transferor member is treated as disposing of, and the
transferee member is treated as acquiring, the depreciable property one
day after the date on which the transferee member ceases to be a member
of the consolidated group (Deconsolidation Date) for all Federal income
tax purposes; and
(2) The transferee member is treated as placing the depreciable
property in service not earlier than one day after the Deconsolidation
Date for purposes of sections 167 and 168 and Sec. Sec. 1.46-3(d) and
1.167(a)-11(e)(1).
(D) Deemed sales of depreciable property under section 338 or
336(e) to a member that leaves the group. This paragraph (b)(3)(v)(D)
applies only if a member of a consolidated group (transferee member)
acquires the stock of another member of the same group that holds
depreciable property (target) in either a qualified stock purchase for
which a section 338 election is made or a qualified stock disposition
described in Sec. 1.336-2(b)(1) for which a section 336(e) election is
made. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(3)(v)(E) of this
section, if the target would be eligible for the additional first year
depreciation deduction under this section with respect to the
depreciable property without regard to paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this
section, and if the transferee member and the target cease to be
members of the group within 90 calendar days of the acquisition date,
within the meaning of Sec. 1.338-2(c)(1), or disposition date, within
the meaning of Sec. 1.336-1(b)(8), as part of the same series of
related transactions that includes the acquisition, then--
(1) The acquisition date or disposition date, as applicable, is
treated as the date that is one day after the Deconsolidation Date for
all Federal income tax purposes; and
(2) New target is treated as placing the depreciable property in
service not earlier than one day after the Deconsolidation Date for
purposes of sections 167 and 168 and Sec. Sec. 1.46-3(d) and 1.167(a)-
11(e)(1).
(E) Disposition of depreciable property pursuant to the same series
of related transactions. Paragraph (b)(3)(v)(C) of this section does
not apply if, following the acquisition of depreciable property, the
transferee member disposes of such property pursuant to the same series
of related transactions that includes the property acquisition.
Paragraph (b)(3)(v)(D) of this section does not apply if, following the
deemed acquisition of depreciable property, the target disposes of such
property pursuant to the same series of related transactions that
includes the deemed acquisition. See paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C) of this
section for rules regarding the transfer of property in a series of
related transactions. See also paragraph (g)(1) of this section for
rules regarding property placed in service and disposed of in the same
taxable year.
* * * * *
(vii) * * *
(Y) Example 25. (1) On September 5, 2017, Y, a calendar-year
taxpayer, acquires and places in service a new machine (Machine #1),
and begins using Machine #1 in its manufacturing trade or business.
On November 1, 2017, Y sells Machine #1 to Z, then Z leases Machine
#1 back to Y for 4 years, and Y continues to use Machine #1 in its
manufacturing trade or business. The lease agreement contains a
purchase option provision allowing Y to buy Machine #1 at the end of
the lease term. On November 1, 2021, Y exercises the purchase option
in the lease agreement and buys Machine #1 from Z. The lease between
Y and Z for Machine #1 is a true lease for Federal tax purposes.
(2) Because Y, a calendar-year taxpayer, placed in service and
disposed of Machine #1 during 2017, Machine #1 is not eligible for
the additional first year depreciation deduction for Y pursuant to
Sec. 1.168(k)-1(g)(1)(i).
(3) The use of Machine #1 by Y prevents Z from satisfying the
original use requirement of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section.
However, Z's acquisition of Machine #1 satisfies the used property
acquisition requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section.
Assuming all other requirements are met, Z's purchase price of
Machine #1 qualifies for the additional first year depreciation
deduction for Z under this section.
(4) During 2017, Y sold Machine #1 within 90 calendar days of
placing in service Machine #1. Pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(B)(4) of this section, Y's depreciable interest in
Machine #1 during that 90-day period is not taken into account for
determining whether Machine #1 was used by Y or a predecessor at any
time prior to its reacquisition by Y on November 1, 2021.
Accordingly, assuming all other requirements are met, Y's purchase
price of Machine #1 on November 1, 2021, qualifies for the
additional first year depreciation deduction for Y under this
section.
(Z) Example 26. Parent owns all of the stock of B and C, which
are members of the Parent consolidated group. C has a depreciable
interest in Equipment #1. During 2018, C sells Equipment #1 to B.
Prior to this acquisition, B never had a depreciable interest in
Equipment #1. B's acquisition of Equipment #1 does not satisfy the
used property acquisition requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of
this section for two reasons. First, B and C are related parties
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.179-
4(c)(2)(iii). Second, pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this
section, B is treated as previously having a depreciable interest in
Equipment #1 because B is a member of the Parent consolidated group
and C, while a member of the Parent consolidated group, had a
depreciable interest in Equipment #1. Accordingly, B's acquisition
of Equipment #1 is not eligible for the additional first year
depreciation deduction.
(AA) Example 27--(1) Facts. Parent owns all of the stock of D
and E, which are members of the Parent consolidated group. D has a
depreciable interest in Equipment #2. No other current or previous
member of the Parent consolidated group has ever had a depreciable
interest in Equipment #2 while a member of the Parent consolidated
group. During 2018, D sells Equipment #2 to BA, a person not
related, within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) and Sec.
1.179-4(c), to any member of the Parent consolidated group. In an
unrelated transaction during 2019, E acquires Equipment #2 from BA
or another person not related to any member of the Parent
consolidated group within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B)
and Sec. 1.179-4(c).
(2) Analysis. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this
section, E is treated as previously having a depreciable interest in
Equipment #2 because E is a member of the Parent consolidated group
and D, while a member of the Parent consolidated group, had a
depreciable interest in Equipment #2. As a result, E's acquisition
of Equipment #2 does not satisfy the used property acquisition
requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section. Thus, E's
acquisition of Equipment #2 is not eligible for the additional first
year depreciation deduction. The results would be the same if, after
selling Equipment #2 to BA, D had ceased to be a member of the
Parent consolidated group prior to E's acquisition of Equipment #2.
(BB) Example 28--(1) Facts. Parent owns all of the stock of B
and S, which are members of the Parent consolidated group. S has a
depreciable interest in Equipment #3. No other current or previous
member of the Parent consolidated group has ever had a depreciable
interest in Equipment #3 while a member of the Parent consolidated
group. X is the common parent of a consolidated
[[Page 50167]]
group and is not related, within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A)
or (B) and Sec. 1.179-4(c), to any member of the Parent
consolidated group. No member of the X consolidated group has ever
had a depreciable interest in Equipment #3 while a member of the X
consolidated group. On January 1, 2019, B purchases Equipment #3
from S. On February 15, 2019, as part of the same series of related
transactions that includes B's purchase of Equipment #3, Parent
sells all of the stock of B to X. Thus, B leaves the Parent
consolidated group at the end of the day on February 15, 2019, and
joins the X consolidated group on February 16, 2019. See Sec.
1.1502-76(b).
(2) Application of paragraph (b)(3)(v)(C) of this section. B was
a member of the Parent consolidated group when B acquired Equipment
#3 from S, another member of the same group. Paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A)
of this section generally treats each member of a consolidated group
as having a depreciable interest in property during the time any
member of the group had a depreciable interest in such property
while a member of the group. However, B acquired Equipment #3 in a
transaction meeting the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A) of
this section, without regard to section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) or
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this section, and Parent sold all of the
stock of B to X within 90 calendar days of B's acquisition of
Equipment #3 as part of the same series of related transactions that
included B's acquisition of Equipment #3. Thus, under paragraph
(b)(3)(v)(C) of this section, B's acquisition of Equipment #3 is
treated as occurring on February 16, 2019, for all Federal income
tax purposes.
(3) Eligibility for the additional first year depreciation
deduction. B's acquisition of Equipment #3 on February 16, 2019,
under paragraph (b)(3)(v)(C) of this section satisfies the
requirement in paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(1) of this section because B
does not have a prior depreciable interest in Equipment #3. In
addition, because no member of the X consolidated group previously
had a depreciable interest in Equipment #3 while a member of the X
consolidated group, B is not treated as previously having a
depreciable interest in Equipment #3 under paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of
this section. Further, because the relation between S and B is
tested as if B acquired Equipment #3 while a member of the X
consolidated group, S and B are neither members nor component
members of the same controlled group on February 16, 2019.
Therefore, section 179(d)(2)(A) and (B) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(1)(ii)
and (iii) are satisfied. If the other requirements of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(A) of this section are satisfied, B is treated as
placing Equipment #3 in service on a date not earlier than February
16, 2019, while a member of the X consolidated group. Accordingly,
assuming all other requirements of this section are satisfied, B is
eligible to claim the additional first year depreciation deduction
for Equipment #3 on that date. In addition, because the sale of
Equipment #3 is deemed to occur between S, a member of the Parent
consolidated group, and B, a member of the X consolidated group, the
transaction is not between members of the same consolidated group
and thus is not covered by section 168(i)(7)(B)(ii). Therefore, B's
deduction is not limited by section 168(i)(7)(A) when B is treated,
under paragraph (b)(3)(v)(C) of this section, as placing Equipment
#3 in service on a date not earlier than February 16, 2019.
(CC) Example 29--(1) Facts. The facts are the same as Example 28
in paragraph (b)(3)(viii)(BB)(1) of this section, except that S owns
all of the stock of T (rather than a depreciable interest in
Equipment #3), which is a member of the Parent consolidated group; T
has a depreciable interest in Equipment #3; B acquires all of the
stock of T (instead of a depreciable interest in Equipment #3) on
January 1, 2019; and S and B make a section 338(h)(10) election for
B's qualified stock purchase.
(2) Application of paragraph (b)(3)(v)(D) of this section. As a
result of the section 338(h)(10) election, Old T is treated as
transferring all of its assets, including Equipment #3, to an
unrelated person in a single transaction in exchange for
consideration at the close of the acquisition date and then
transferring the consideration received to S in liquidation. In
turn, New T is treated as acquiring all of its assets, including
Equipment #3, from an unrelated person in exchange for consideration
on the following day. See Sec. 1.338-1(a)(1). New T was a member of
the Parent consolidated group on January 1, 2019, the date that New
T acquired Equipment #3. Paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this section
generally treats each member of a consolidated group as having a
depreciable interest in property during the time any member of the
group had a depreciable interest in such property while a member of
the group. However, New T would be eligible for the additional first
year depreciation deduction under this section without regard to
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this section, and Parent sold all of its B
stock to X within 90 calendar days of New T's acquisition of
Equipment #3 as part of the same series of related transactions that
included the acquisition, thereby causing B and New T to cease to be
members of the Parent consolidated group at the end of the day on
February 15, 2019. Thus, paragraph (b)(3)(v)(D) applies to treat the
acquisition date as February 16, 2019, for all Federal income tax
purposes.
(3) Eligibility for the additional first year depreciation
deduction. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(v)(D), Old T is treated as
selling its assets to an unrelated person on February 16, 2019, and
New T is treated as acquiring those assets on the following day,
February 17, 2019. If the other requirements of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(A) of this section are satisfied, New T is treated as
placing Equipment #3 in service on a date not earlier than February
17, 2019, while a member of the X consolidated group. Accordingly,
assuming all other requirements of this section are satisfied, New T
is eligible to claim the additional first year depreciation
deduction for Equipment #3 when New T places Equipment #3 in
service. In addition, the amount of the deduction is not limited by
section 168(i)(7)(A).
(DD) Example 30--(1) Facts. G, which is not a member of a
consolidated group, has a depreciable interest in Equipment #4.
Parent owns all the stock of H, which is a member of the Parent
consolidated group. No member of the Parent consolidated group has
ever had a depreciable interest in Equipment #4 while a member of
the Parent consolidated group, and neither Parent nor H is related
to G within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) or (B) and Sec.
1.179-4(c). During 2018, G sells Equipment #4 to a person not
related to G, Parent, or H within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) or (B) and Sec. 1.179-4(c). In a series of related
transactions, during 2019, Parent acquires all of the stock of G,
and H purchases Equipment #4 from an unrelated person.
(2) Analysis. In a series of related transactions, G became a
member of the Parent consolidated group, and H, also a member of the
Parent consolidated group, acquired Equipment #4. Because G
previously had a depreciable interest in Equipment #4, pursuant to
paragraph (b)(3)(v)(B) of this section, H is treated as having a
depreciable interest in Equipment #4. As a result, H's acquisition
of Equipment #4 does not satisfy the used property acquisition
requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section. Accordingly,
H's acquisition of Equipment #4 is not eligible for the additional
first year depreciation deduction.
(EE) Example 31. (1) In a series of related transactions, a
father sells a machine to an unrelated individual in December 2019
who sells the machine to the father's daughter in January 2020 for
use in the daughter's trade or business. Pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section, the time to test whether the
parties are related is immediately after each step in the series,
and between the original transferor and the ultimate transferee
immediately after the last transaction in the series. As a result,
the following relationships are tested under section 179(d)(2)(A):
The father and the unrelated individual, the unrelated individual
and the father's daughter, and the father and his daughter.
(2) Because the individual is not related to the father within
the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii), the
individual's acquisition of the machine satisfies the used property
acquisition requirement of paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of this
section. Accordingly, assuming all other requirements of this
section are satisfied, the individual's purchase price of the
machine qualifies for the additional first year depreciation
deduction under this section.
(3) The individual and the daughter are not related parties
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii).
However, the father and his daughter are related parties within the
meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii).
Accordingly, the daughter's acquisition of the machine does not
satisfy the used property acquisition requirements of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii) of this section and is not eligible for the additional
first year depreciation deduction.
(FF) Example 32. (1) The facts are the same as in Example 31 of
paragraph (b)(3)(viii)(EE)(1) of this section, except that instead
of selling to an unrelated individual, the father sells the machine
to his son in December 2019 who sells the machine to his
[[Page 50168]]
sister (the father's daughter) in January 2020. Pursuant to
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section, the time to test
whether the parties are related is immediately after each step in
the series, and between the original transferor and the ultimate
transferee immediately after the last transaction in the series. As
a result, the following relationships are tested under section
179(d)(2)(A): The father and his son, the father's son and his
sister, and the father and the father's daughter.
(2) Because the father and his son are related parties within
the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii), the
son's acquisition of the machine does not satisfy the used property
acquisition requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section.
Accordingly, the son's acquisition of the machine is not eligible
for the additional first year depreciation deduction.
(3) The son and his sister are not related parties within the
meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii). However,
the father and his daughter are related parties within the meaning
of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii). Accordingly, the
daughter's acquisition of the machine does not satisfy the used
property acquisition requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this
section and is not eligible for the additional first year
depreciation deduction.
(GG) Example 33. (1) In June 2018, DA, an individual, bought and
placed in service a new machine from an unrelated party for use in
its trade or business. In a series of related transactions, DA sells
the machine to DB and DB places it in service in October 2019, DB
sells the machine to DC and DC places it in service in December
2019, and DC sells the machine to DD and DD places it in service in
January 2020. DA and DB are related parties within the meaning of
section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii). DB and DC are related
parties within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.179-
4(c)(iii). DC and DD are not related parties within the meaning of
section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii), or section
179(d)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(iii). DA is not related to DC or
to DD within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-
4(c)(ii). All parties are calendar year taxpayers.
(2) DA's purchase of the machine in June 2018 satisfies the
original use requirement of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section
and, assuming all other requirements of this section are met,
qualifies for the additional first year depreciation deduction under
this section.
(3) Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section, the
time to test whether the parties in the series of related
transactions are related is immediately after each step in the
series, and between the original transferor and the ultimate
transferee immediately after the last transaction in the series.
However, because DB placed in service and disposed of the machine in
the same taxable year, DB is disregarded pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C)(2)(i) of this section. As a result, the following
relationships are tested under section 179(d)(2)(A) and (B): DA and
DC, DC and DD, and DA and DD.
(4) Because DA is not related to DC within the meaning of
section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii), DC's acquisition of
the machine satisfies the used property acquisition requirement of
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of this section. Accordingly, assuming
all other requirements of this section are satisfied, DC's purchase
price of the machine qualifies for the additional first year
depreciation deduction under this section.
(5) Because DC is not related to DD and DA is not related to DD
within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii),
or section 179(d)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(iii), DD's acquisition
of the machine satisfies the used property acquisition requirement
of paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of this section. Accordingly,
assuming all other requirements of this section are satisfied, DD's
purchase price of the machine qualifies for the additional first
year depreciation deduction under this section.
(HH) Example 34. (1) In June 2018, EA, an individual, bought and
placed in service a new machine from an unrelated party for use in
his trade or business. In a series of related transactions, EA sells
the machine to EB and EB places it in service in September 2019, EB
transfers the machine to EC in a transaction described in paragraph
(g)(1)(iii) of this section and EC places it in service in November
2019, and EC sells the machine to ED and ED places it in service in
January 2020. EA and EB are not related parties within the meaning
of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii). EB and EC are
related parties within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(B) and Sec.
1.179-4(c)(iii). EB and ED are related parties within the meaning of
section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii), or section
179(d)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(iii). EC and ED are not related
parties within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-
4(c)(ii), or section 179(d)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(iii). EA is
not related to EC or to ED within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii). All parties are calendar year
taxpayers.
(2) EA's purchase of the machine in June 2018 satisfies the
original use requirement of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section
and, assuming all other requirements of this section are met,
qualifies for the additional first year depreciation deduction under
this section.
(3) Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section, the
time to test whether the parties in the series of related
transactions are related is immediately after each step in the
series, and between the original transferor and the ultimate
transferee immediately after the last transaction in the series.
However, because EB placed in service and transferred the machine in
the same taxable year in a transaction described in paragraph
(g)(1)(iii) of this section, the section 168(i)(7) transaction
between EB and EC is disregarded pursuant to paragraph
(b)(3)(iii)(C)(2)(iii) of this section. As a result, the following
relationships are tested under section 179(d)(2)(A) and (B): EA and
EB, EB and ED, EC and ED, and EA and ED.
(4) Because EA is not related to EB within the meaning of
section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii), EB's acquisition of
the machine satisfies the used property acquisition requirement of
paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of this section. Accordingly, assuming
all other requirements of this section are satisfied, EB's purchase
price of the machine qualifies for the additional first year
depreciation deduction under this section. Pursuant to paragraph
(g)(1)(iii) of this section, EB is allocated \2/12\ of its 100-
percent additional first year depreciation deduction for the
machine, and EC is allocated the remaining portion of EB's 100-
percent additional first year depreciation deduction for the
machine.
(5) EC is not related to ED and EA is not related to ED within
the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii), or
section 179(d)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.179-4(c)(iii). However, EB and ED
are related parties within the meaning of section 179(d)(2)(A) and
Sec. 1.179-4(c)(ii), or section 179(d)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.179-
4(c)(iii). Accordingly, ED's acquisition of the machine does not
satisfy the used property acquisition requirements of paragraph
(b)(3)(iii) of this section and is not eligible for the additional
first year depreciation deduction.
* * * * *
(5) * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) * * * For determination of acquisition date, see paragraph
(b)(5)(ii)(B) of this section for property acquired pursuant to a
written binding contract, paragraph (b)(5)(iv) of this section for
self-constructed property, and paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section for
property not acquired pursuant to a written binding contract.
* * * * *
(iii) * * *
(G) Acquisition of a trade or business or an entity. A contract to
acquire all or substantially all of the assets of a trade or business
or to acquire an entity (for example, a corporation, a partnership, or
a limited liability company) is binding if it is enforceable under
State law against the parties to the contract. The presence of a
condition outside the control of the parties, including, for example,
regulatory agency approval, will not prevent the contract from being a
binding contract. Further, the fact that insubstantial terms remain to
be negotiated by the parties to the contract, or that customary
conditions remain to be satisfied, does not prevent the contract from
being a binding contract. This paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G) also applies to
a contract for the sale of the stock of a corporation that is treated
as an asset sale as a result of an election under section 338.
* * * * *
(v) Determination of acquisition date for property not acquired
pursuant to a written binding contract. Except as provided in
paragraphs (b)(5)(iv), (vi), and (vii) of this section, the acquisition
date of property that the taxpayer acquires pursuant to a contract that
does not meet the definition of a written
[[Page 50169]]
binding contract in paragraph (b)(5)(iii) of this section, is the date
on which the taxpayer paid (in the case of a cash basis taxpayer) or
incurred (in the case of an accrual basis taxpayer) more than 10
percent of the total cost of the property, excluding the cost of any
land and preliminary activities such as planning and designing,
securing financing, exploring, or researching. This paragraph (b)(5)(v)
does not apply to an acquisition described in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(G)
of this section.
* * * * *
(viii) * * * Unless the facts specifically indicate otherwise,
assume that the parties are not related within the meaning of section
179(d)(2)(A) or (B) and Sec. 1.179-4(c), paragraph (c) of this section
does not apply, and the parties do not have predecessors:
* * * * *
(c) Election for components of larger self-constructed property for
which the manufacture, construction, or production begins before
September 28, 2017--(1) In general. A taxpayer may elect to treat any
acquired or self-constructed component, as described in paragraph
(c)(3) of this section, of the larger self-constructed property, as
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, as being eligible for
the additional first year depreciation deduction under this section,
assuming all requirements of section 168(k) and this section are met.
The taxpayer may make this election for one or more such components.
(2) Eligible larger self-constructed property--(i) In general.
Solely for purposes of this paragraph (c) and except as provided in
paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, the larger self-constructed
property must be qualified property under section 168(k)(2), as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Act, for
which the taxpayer begins the manufacture, construction, or production
before September 28, 2017. The determination of when manufacture,
construction, or production of the larger self-constructed property
begins is made in accordance with the rules in Sec. 1.168(k)-
1(b)(4)(iii)(B). A larger self-constructed property is property that is
manufactured, constructed, or produced by the taxpayer for its own use
in its trade or business or for its production of income, or property
that is manufactured, constructed, or produced for the taxpayer by
another person under a written binding contract, as defined in Sec.
1.168(k)-1(b)(4)(ii), that is entered into prior to the manufacture,
construction, or production of the property for use by the taxpayer in
its trade or business or for its production of income. If the taxpayer
enters into a written binding contract, as defined in paragraph
(b)(5)(iii) of this section, before September 28, 2017, with another
person to manufacture, construct, or produce the larger self-
constructed property and the manufacture, construction, or production
of this property begins after September 27, 2017, paragraph (b)(5)(iv)
of this section applies and paragraph (c) of this section does not
apply.
(ii) Exceptions. This paragraph (c) does not apply to any larger
self-constructed property that meets at least one of the following
criteria--
(A) Is placed in service by the taxpayer before September 28, 2017;
(B) Is placed in service by the taxpayer after December 31, 2019,
or for property described in section 168(k)(2)(B) or (C) as in effect
on the day before the date of the enactment of the Act, after December
31, 2020;
(C) Does not meet the original use requirement in section
168(k)(2)(A)(ii) as in effect on the day before the date of the
enactment of the Act;
(D) Is described in section 168(k)(9) and Sec. 1.168(k)-
2(b)(2)(ii)(F) or (G);
(E) Is described in section 168(g)(1)(F) and (g)(8) (electing real
property trade or business) or section 168(g)(1)(G) (electing farming
business) and placed in service by the taxpayer in any taxable year
beginning after December 31, 2017;
(F) Is qualified leasehold improvement property, as defined in
section 168(e)(6) as in effect on the day before amendment by section
13204(a)(1) of the Act, and placed in service by the taxpayer after
December 31, 2017;
(G) Is qualified restaurant property, as defined in section
168(e)(7) as in effect on the day before amendment by section
13204(a)(1) of the Act, and placed in service by the taxpayer after
December 31, 2017;
(H) Is qualified retail improvement property, as defined in section
168(e)(8) as in effect on the day before amendment by section
13204(a)(1) of the Act, and placed in service by the taxpayer after
December 31, 2017;
(I) Is qualified improvement property as defined in Sec. 1.168(b)-
1(a)(5)(i)(A) (placed in service by the taxpayer after December 31,
2017); or
(J) Is included in a class of property for which the taxpayer made
an election under section 168(k)(7) (formerly section
168(k)(2)(D)(iii)) not to deduct the additional first year depreciation
deduction.
(3) Eligible components--(i) In general. Solely for purposes of
this paragraph (c), a component of the larger self-constructed
property, as described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, must be
qualified property under section 168(k)(2) and paragraph (b) of this
section.
(ii) Acquired components. Solely for purposes of this paragraph
(c), a binding contract, as defined in paragraph (b)(5)(iii) of this
section, to acquire a component of the larger self-constructed property
must be entered into by the taxpayer after September 27, 2017.
(iii) Self-constructed components. Solely for purposes of this
paragraph (c), the manufacture, construction, or production of a
component of the larger self-constructed property must begin after
September 27, 2017. The determination of when manufacture,
construction, or production of the component begins is made in
accordance with the rules in paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(B) of this section.
(4) Special rules--(i) Installation costs. If the taxpayer pays or
incurs costs, including labor costs, to install a component of the
larger self-constructed property, as described in paragraph (c)(2) of
this section, such costs are eligible for additional first year
depreciation under this section, assuming all requirements are met,
only if the component being installed meets the requirements in
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
(ii) Property described in section 168(k)(2)(B). For purposes of
this paragraph (c), the unadjusted depreciable basis, as defined in
Sec. 1.168(b)-1(a)(3), of qualified property in section 168(k)(2)(B),
as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Act, is
limited to the property's unadjusted depreciable basis attributable to
the property's manufacture, construction, or production before January
1, 2020. The amounts of unadjusted depreciable basis attributable to
the property's manufacture, construction, or production before January
1, 2020, are referred to as ``progress expenditures.'' Rules similar to
the rules in section 4.02(1)(b) of Notice 2007-36 (2007-17 I.R.B. 1000)
(see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter) apply for determining
progress expenditures.
(5) Computation of additional first year depreciation deduction--
(i) Election is made. Before determining the allowable additional first
year depreciation deduction for property for which the taxpayer makes
the election specified in this paragraph (c), the taxpayer must
determine the portion of the unadjusted depreciable basis, as defined
in Sec. 1.168(b)-1(a)(3), of the larger self-constructed property,
including all components, attributable
[[Page 50170]]
to the component that meets the requirements of paragraph (c)(3) of
this section (component basis). The additional first year depreciation
deduction for the component basis is determined by multiplying such
component basis by the applicable percentage for the placed-in-service
year of the larger self-constructed property. The additional first year
depreciation deduction for the remaining unadjusted depreciable basis
of the larger self-constructed property, as described in paragraph
(c)(2) of this section, is determined by multiplying such remaining
unadjusted depreciable basis by the phase-down percentage in section
168(k)(8) applicable to the placed-in-service year of the larger self-
constructed property. For purposes of this paragraph (c), the remaining
unadjusted depreciable basis of the larger self-constructed property is
equal to the unadjusted depreciable basis, as defined in Sec.
1.168(b)-1(a)(3), of the larger self-constructed property, including
all components, reduced by the sum of the component basis of the
components for which the taxpayer makes the election specified in this
paragraph (c). If the phase-down percentage in section 168(k)(8) is
zero for the placed-in-service year of the larger self-constructed
property, none of the components of the larger self-constructed
property qualify for the additional first year depreciation deduction
under this section.
(ii) Election is not made. If the taxpayer does not make the
election specified in this paragraph (c), the additional first year
depreciation deduction for the larger self-constructed property,
including all components, that is qualified property under section
168(k)(2), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of
the Act, is determined by multiplying the unadjusted depreciable basis,
as defined in Sec. 1.168(b)-1(a)(3), of the larger self-constructed
property, including all components, by the phase-down percentage in
section 168(k)(8) applicable to the placed-in-service year of the
larger self-constructed property.
(6) Time and manner for making election--(i) Time for making
election. The election specified in this paragraph (c) must be made by
the due date, including extensions, of the Federal tax return for the
taxable year in which the taxpayer placed in service the larger self-
constructed property.
(ii) Manner of making election. The election specified in this
paragraph (c) must be made by attaching a statement to such return
indicating that the taxpayer is making the election provided in this
paragraph (c) and whether the taxpayer is making the election for all
or some of the components described in paragraph (c)(3) of this
section. The election is made separately by each person owning
qualified property (for example, for each member of a consolidated
group by the common parent of the group, by the partnership (including
a lower-tier partnership), or by the S corporation).
(7) Examples. The application of this paragraph (c) is illustrated
by the following examples. Unless the facts specifically indicate
otherwise, assume that the larger self-constructed property is
qualified property under section 168(k)(2) as in effect on the day
before the date of the enactment of the Act, and the components
acquired or self-constructed after September 27, 2017, are qualified
property under section 168(k)(2) and paragraph (b) of this section.
(i) Example 1. (A) BC, a calendar year taxpayer, is engaged in a
trade or business described in section 163(j)(7)(A)(iv). In December
2015, BC decided to construct an electric generation power plant for
its own use. This plant is property described in section
168(k)(2)(B) as in effect on the day before the date of the
enactment of the Act. However, the turbine for the plant had to be
manufactured by another person for BC. In January 2016, BC entered
into a written binding contract with CD to acquire the turbine. BC
received the completed turbine in August 2017 at which time BC
incurred the cost of the turbine. The cost of the turbine is 11
percent of the total cost of the electric generation power plant to
be constructed by BC. BC began constructing the electric generation
power plant in October 2017 and placed in service this new power
plant, including all component parts, in 2020.
(B) BC uses the safe harbor test in Sec. 1.168(k)-
1(b)(4)(iii)(B)(2) to determine when physical work of a significant
nature begins for the electric generation power plant. Because the
turbine that was manufactured by CD for BC is more than 10 percent
of the total cost of the electric generation power plant, physical
work of a significant nature for this plant began before September
28, 2017. None of BC's expenditures for components of the power
plant that are acquired or self-constructed after September 27,
2017, are eligible for the election specified in this paragraph (c)
because the power plant is described in section 168(k)(9)(A) and
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(F) of this section and, therefore, are not
eligible for the election pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(D) of
this section. Assuming all requirements are met under section
168(k)(2) as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment
of the Act, the unadjusted depreciable basis of the power plant,
including all components, attributable to its construction before
January 1, 2020, is eligible for the 30-percent additional first
year depreciation deduction pursuant to section 168(k)(8).
(ii) Example 2. (A) In August 2017, BD, a calendar-year
taxpayer, entered into a written binding contract with CE for CE to
manufacture a locomotive for BD for use in its trade or business.
Before September 28, 2017, BD incurred $500,000 of expenses for the
locomotive, which is more than 10 percent of the total cost of the
locomotive. After September 27, 2017, BD incurred $4,000,000 of
expenses for components of the locomotive. These components were
acquired or self-constructed after September 27, 2017. In February
2019, CE delivered the locomotive to BD and BD placed in service the
locomotive. The total cost of the locomotive is $4,500,000. The
locomotive is property described in section 168(k)(2)(B) as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Act. On
its timely filed Federal income tax return for 2019, BD made the
election specified in this paragraph (c).
(B) BD uses the safe harbor test in Sec. 1.168(k)-
1(b)(4)(iii)(B)(2) to determine when physical work of a significant
nature begins for the locomotive. Because BD had incurred more than
10 percent of the total cost of the locomotive before September 28,
2017, physical work of a significant nature for this locomotive
began before September 28, 2017. Because BD made the election
specified in this paragraph (c), the cost of $4,000,000 for the
locomotive's components acquired or self-constructed after September
27, 2017, qualifies for the 100-percent additional first year
depreciation deduction, assuming all other requirements are met. The
remaining cost of the locomotive is $500,000 and such amount
qualifies for the 40-percent additional first year depreciation
deduction pursuant to section 168(k)(8).
(iii) Example 3. (A) In March 2017, BE, a calendar-year
taxpayer, decided to construct qualified leasehold improvement
property, as defined in section 168(e)(6) as in effect on the day
before enactment of the Act, for its own use in its trade or
business. This qualified leasehold improvement property also met the
definition of qualified improvement property as defined in section
168(k)(3) as in effect on the day before enactment of the Act.
Physical work of a significant nature for this qualified leasehold
improvement property began before September 28, 2017. After
September 27, 2017, BE acquired components of the qualified
leasehold improvement property at a cost of $100,000. BE placed in
service the qualified leasehold improvement property in February
2018.
(B) Because BE placed in service the qualified leasehold
improvement property after December 31, 2017, none of BE's
expenditures of $100,000 for components of the qualified leasehold
improvement property that are acquired after September 27, 2017, are
eligible for the election specified in this paragraph (c) pursuant
to paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(F) of this section. Additionally, BE's
unadjusted depreciable basis of the qualified leasehold improvement
property, including all components, is not eligible for any
additional first year depreciation deduction under section 168(k)
and this section nor under section 168(k) as in effect on the day
before enactment of the Act.
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(1) * * *
[[Page 50171]]
(iii) * * * The amounts of unadjusted depreciable basis
attributable to the property's manufacture, construction, or production
before January 1, 2020, are referred to as ``progress expenditures.''
Rules similar to the rules in section 4.02(1)(b) of Notice 2007-36
(2007-17 I.R.B. 1000) (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter)
apply for determining progress expenditures.
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(11) Mid-quarter convention. In determining whether the mid-quarter
convention applies for a taxable year under section 168(d)(3) and Sec.
1.168(d)-1, the depreciable basis, as defined in Sec. 1.168(d)-
1(b)(4), for the taxable year the qualified property is placed in
service by the taxpayer is not reduced by the allowed or allowable
additional first year depreciation deduction for that taxable year. See
Sec. 1.168(d)-1(b)(4).
(h) * * *
(4) Regulation project REG-106808-19--(i) In general. Except as
provided in paragraph (h)(4)(ii) of this section, the rules of this
section in this regulation project REG-106808-19 apply to--
(A) Qualified property under section 168(k)(2) that is placed in
service by the taxpayer during or after the taxpayer's taxable year
that includes the date of publication of a Treasury decision adopting
these rules as final regulations in the Federal Register;
(B) A specified plant for which the taxpayer properly made an
election to apply section 168(k)(5) and that is planted, or grafted to
a plant that was previously planted, by the taxpayer during or after
the taxpayer's taxable year that includes the date of publication of a
Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the
Federal Register; and
(C) Components acquired or self-constructed after September 27,
2017, of larger self-constructed property for which manufacture,
construction, or production begins before September 28, 2017, and that
is qualified property under section 168(k)(2) as in effect before the
enactment of the Act and placed in service by the taxpayer during or
after the taxpayer's taxable year that includes the date of publication
of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the
Federal Register.
(ii) Early application of regulation project REG-106808-19. A
taxpayer may rely on the provisions of this section in this regulation
project REG-106808-19, in its entirety, for--
(A) Qualified property under section 168(k)(2) acquired and placed
in service after September 27, 2017, by the taxpayer during the
taxpayer's taxable year ending on or after September 28, 2017, and
ending before the taxpayer's taxable year that includes the date of
publication of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as final
regulations in the Federal Register;
(B) A specified plant for which the taxpayer properly made an
election to apply section 168(k)(5) and that is planted, or grafted to
a plant that was previously planted, after September 27, 2017, by the
taxpayer during the taxpayer's taxable year ending on or after
September 28, 2017, and ending before the taxpayer's taxable year that
includes the date of publication of a Treasury decision adopting these
rules as final regulations in the Federal Register; and
(C) Components acquired or self-constructed after September 27,
2017, of larger self-constructed property for which manufacture,
construction, or production begins before September 28, 2017, and that
is qualified property under section 168(k)(2) as in effect before the
enactment of the Act and placed in service by the taxpayer during the
taxpayer's taxable year ending on or after September 28, 2017, and
ending before the taxpayer's taxable year that includes the date of
publication of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as final
regulations in the Federal Register.
Kirsten Wielobob,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2019-20035 Filed 9-17-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P