80_FR_11642 80 FR 11600 - Information Returns; Winnings From Bingo, Keno, and Slot Machines

80 FR 11600 - Information Returns; Winnings From Bingo, Keno, and Slot Machines

DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 42 (March 4, 2015)

Page Range11600-11607
FR Document2015-04437

This document contains proposed regulations under section 6041 regarding the filing of information returns to report winnings from bingo, keno, and slot machine play. The proposed regulations affect persons who pay winnings of $1,200 or more from bingo and slot machine play, $1,500 or more from keno, and recipients of such payments. This document also provides a notice of a public hearing on these proposed regulations.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11600-11607]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-04437]


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DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Parts 1 and 31

[REG-132253-11]
RIN 1545-BL68


Information Returns; Winnings From Bingo, Keno, and Slot Machines

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations under section 6041 
regarding the filing of information returns to report winnings from 
bingo, keno, and slot machine play. The proposed regulations affect 
persons who pay winnings of $1,200 or more from bingo and slot machine 
play, $1,500 or more from keno, and recipients of such payments. This 
document also provides a notice of a public hearing on these proposed 
regulations.

DATES: Written or electronic comments must be received by June 2, 2015. 
Outlines of topics to be discussed at the public hearing scheduled for 
June 17, 2015 at 10 a.m. must be received by June 2, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA: LPD:PR (REG-132253-11), Room 
5205, 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-
132253-11), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC, or sent electronically, via the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov (IRS REG-132253-11). 
The public hearing will be held in the IRS Auditorium, Internal Revenue 
Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations, 
David Bergman, (202) 317-6844; concerning submissions of comments, the 
hearing, or to be placed on the building access list to attend the 
hearing, Oluwafunmilayo P. Taylor (202) 317-6901 (not toll-free 
numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This document contains proposed regulations to Title 26 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations under section 6041 of the Internal Revenue Code. 
The proposed regulations would update and simplify the existing 
information reporting requirements under Sec.  7.6041-1 of the 
Temporary Income Tax Regulations under the Tax Reform Act of 1976 for 
persons who make reportable payments of bingo, keno, or slot machine 
winnings. The updated requirements are proposed to be set forth in a 
new Sec.  1.6041-10 of the regulations. Accordingly, when Sec.  1.6041-
10 of the proposed regulations becomes final, the regulations under 
Sec.  7.6041-1 will be removed.
    Section 6041 generally requires information reporting by every 
person engaged in a trade or business who, in the course of such trade 
or business, makes payments of gross income of $600 or more in any 
taxable year. The current regulatory reporting thresholds for winnings 
from bingo, keno, and slot machines deviate from this general rule. 
Prior to the adoption of the current thresholds in 1977, reporting from 
bingo, keno, and slot machines was based a sliding scale threshold tied 
to the amount of the wager and required the wager odds to be at least 
300 to 1. On January 7, 1977, temporary regulation Sec.  7.6041-1 was 
published establishing reporting thresholds for payments of winnings 
from bingo, keno, and slot machine play in the amount of $600. In 
Announcement 77-63, 1977-8 IRB 25, the IRS announced that it would not 
assert penalties for failure to file information returns before May 1, 
1977, to allow the casino industry to submit, and the IRS to consider, 
information regarding the industry's problems in complying with the 
reporting requirements. After considering the evidence presented by the 
casino industry, the IRS announced in a press release that effective 
May 1, 1977, information reporting to the IRS would be required on 
payments of winnings of $1,200 or more from a bingo game or a slot 
machine play, and $1,500 or more from a keno game net of the wager. On 
June 30, 1977, Sec.  7.6041-1 was amended to raise the reporting 
thresholds for winnings from a bingo game and slot machine play to 
$1,200, and the reporting threshold for winnings from a keno game to 
$1,500.
    Section 7.6041-1(c) provides that bingo, keno, and slot machine 
winnings are reported on the Form W-2G, ``Certain Gambling Winnings.'' 
The payor must provide a copy of the Form W-2G to the payee by January 
31 of the year following the year in which the reportable payment is 
made, and the payor must file the Form W-2G with the IRS by February 28 
of the year following the year in which the reportable payment is made. 
The Form W-2G must include, among other things, the name, address, and 
taxpayer identification number of the payee and a general description 
of the two forms of identification used to verify this information.

Explanation of Provisions

    The current regulations governing information reporting of winnings 
from bingo, keno, and slot machine play were published in 1977. There 
have been significant changes in gaming industry technology since that 
time. For instance, today many gaming establishments employ electronic 
slot machines and other mechanisms, such as player's cards, that permit 
electronic tracking of wagers and/or winnings. In addition, there have 
been many changes in the tax information reporting regime since the 
late 1970s, such as the enactment of backup withholding and 
requirements for electronic filing of information returns, including 
the Form W-2G. Current regulations under Sec.  7.6041-1 of

[[Page 11601]]

the Temporary Income Tax Regulations do not take these changes into 
account. Accordingly, the Treasury Department and the IRS think the 
regulations for reporting winnings from bingo, keno, and slot machine 
play need to be updated in light of these developments and that there 
are opportunities to reduce burden and simplify reporting. The changes 
proposed by this document are intended to accomplish these goals. In 
addition, the Treasury Department and the IRS specifically request 
comments on certain topics addressed by the regulations.

Filing Requirement

    Proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(a) retains the general rule from Sec.  
7.6041-1 of the Temporary Income Tax Regulations that every person 
engaged in a trade or business who, in the course of its trade or 
business, pays reportable gambling winnings must make an information 
return with respect to such payments. Proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(a) 
clarifies that, consistent with current law and as provided in Sec.  
1.6041-1(b) of the regulations, the term ``persons engaged in a trade 
or business'' includes not only those engaged in a trade or business 
for profit or gain, but also organizations whose activities are not for 
profit or gain, such as tax-exempt organizations and governmental 
entities.
    Proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(b) sets thresholds for when winnings from 
bingo, keno, and slot machine play will be treated as reportable 
gambling winnings and subject to reporting. Existing Sec.  7.6041-1(b) 
of the Temporary Income Tax Regulations sets one threshold for bingo 
and slots, and a different threshold for keno. In addition, under Sec.  
7.6041-1(b) of the Temporary Income Tax Regulations, winnings from a 
keno game are reduced by the amount wagered in that game in determining 
whether the reporting threshold is satisfied, whereas for bingo and 
slot machine play winnings are not reduced by the amount wagered in 
determining whether the reporting threshold is satisfied.
    Under the proposed regulations, the reporting thresholds for 
winnings from bingo, keno and slot machine play (other than 
electronically tracked slot machine play) remain the same as under the 
existing regulations. These thresholds are intended to reach a balance 
between reporting burden and compliance risk. Based on over 35 years of 
experience with the current thresholds, the IRS thinks they are 
sufficient at this time to verify correct reporting of wagering income. 
Accordingly, Sec.  1.6041-10(b) of the proposed regulations provides 
that reportable gambling winnings means (i) $1,200 or more in the case 
of one bingo game or slot machine play, and (ii) $1,500 or more in the 
case of one keno game. However, advances in technology in the nearly 
four decades since the existing rules were adopted may overcome the 
compliance concerns that prompted the higher reporting thresholds and 
may warrant reducing the thresholds for bingo, keno, and slots to $600, 
consistent with other information reporting thresholds under Sec.  
6041(a). Accordingly, the IRS and Treasury will continue to monitor the 
effectiveness of the existing (and proposed) reporting thresholds, and 
may propose to reduce those thresholds at a future time. Comments are 
specifically requested regarding the proposed reporting thresholds, 
including the feasibility of reducing those thresholds to $600 at a 
future time, whether electronically tracked slot machine play should 
have a separate reporting threshold, and whether the amounts should be 
uniform for bingo, keno, and slot machine play.
    In addition, the proposed regulations retain the rule from Sec.  
7.6041-1(b) of the Temporary Income Regulations that, in determining 
whether the reporting threshold is satisfied, the amount of the 
winnings from bingo or slot machine play is not reduced by the amount 
wagered, but the amount of winnings from one keno game is reduced by 
the amount wagered in that one game. Allowing the winnings from one 
keno game to be reduced by the amount wagered in that one game has been 
permitted by the regulations for over 35 years. This rule has been 
relied upon by payors and is an established norm in the gaming 
industry. The proposed regulations do not permit the winnings from one 
bingo game or slot machine pull to be reduced by the amount wagered in 
that one game or pull because the IRS does not have data indicating 
that this is feasible. Comments are requested regarding whether 
reportable gambling winnings in the case of bingo and slot machine play 
(other than electronically tracked slot machine play) should be 
determined by netting the wager against the winnings as with keno.
    The proposed regulations also include new rules for determining the 
reporting threshold for electronically tracked slot machine play. Under 
Sec.  1.6041-10(b)(1) of the proposed regulations, electronically 
tracked slot machine play means slot machine play where an electronic 
player system that is controlled by the gaming establishment (such as 
through the use of a player's card or similar system) records the 
amount a specific individual won and wagered on slot machine play. The 
new reporting threshold rules for electronically tracked slot machine 
play rules are intended to simplify reporting by allowing payors to 
leverage their existing technology and processes to report winnings 
from electronically tracked slot machine play. In addition, these 
changes are intended to facilitate reporting that more closely reflects 
gross income that will be reported by payees on their individual income 
tax returns. See Notice 2015-21 for more information on computing gross 
income attributable to electronically tracked slot machine play. 
Comments are specifically requested with respect to the definitions of 
session and electronically tracked slot machine play.
    Under these new rules, gambling winnings for electronically tracked 
slot machine play must be reported when two criteria are met: (i) The 
total amount of winnings earned from electronically tracked slot 
machine play during a single session netted against the total amount of 
wagers placed on electronically tracked slot machines during the same 
session is $1,200 or more; and (ii) at least one single win during the 
session (without regard to the amount wagered) equals or exceeds 
$1,200. The first criterion helps to implement the safe harbor for 
computing gross income attributable to electronically tracked slot 
machine play described in Notice 2015-21. The second criterion is 
intended to be consistent with the casino industry's current practice 
of gathering payee information when a player wins a single jackpot that 
satisfies the reporting threshold. The $1,200 threshold for each 
criterion is intended to balance reporting burden and compliance risk 
as discussed previously. Pursuant to Sec.  1.6041-10(b)(3) of the 
proposed regulations, a session begins when a patron places the first 
wager on a particular type of game at the payor's gaming establishment 
and ends when the patron places his or her last wager on the same type 
of game before the end of the same calendar day at the same 
establishment. Under this rule, reporting with respect to 
electronically tracked slot machine play is not required if no single 
win (without reduction for the amount of the wager) meets the $1,200 
reporting threshold or if the net amount of winnings reduced by the 
amount of all wagers for the session is less than $1,200. However, if 
the $1,200 reporting threshold for a single win is satisfied and all 
winnings from electronically tracked slot machine play during a session 
netted against all

[[Page 11602]]

wagers on electronically tracked slot machine play during that session 
are $1,200 or more, gambling winnings for the session must be reported 
on a Form W-2G.
    Proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(b)(2) also includes several clarifications 
regarding the definition of reportable gambling winnings. First, the 
proposed regulations clarify that all winnings from all cards played 
during one bingo game are combined and that all winnings from all 
``ways'' on a multi-way keno ticket are combined. Second, the proposed 
regulations clarify that winnings from different types of games are not 
combined to determine whether the reporting thresholds are satisfied, 
and that bingo, keno, electronically tracked slot machine play, and 
slot machine play that is not electronically tracked are all different 
types of games.
    Proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(b)(4) also adds a definition of the term 
``slot machine'' to these information reporting regulations. Under this 
definition, a slot machine is a device that, by application of the 
element of chance, may deliver or entitle the person playing or 
operating the device to receive cash, premiums, merchandise, or tokens, 
whether or not the device is operated by inserting a coin, token, or 
similar object. The definition of slot machine in the proposed 
regulations is intended to be consistent with Sec.  44.4402-1(b)(1) of 
the Wagering Tax Regulations.

Filing and Form and Content of the Information Return

    Proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(d) retains the requirement in Sec.  
7.6041-1(c) of the Temporary Income Tax Regulations that a payor of 
reportable gambling winnings file a Form W-2G, ``Certain Gambling 
Winnings,'' or successor form, on or before February 28 (or March 31, 
if filed electronically) of the year following the calendar year in 
which the reportable gambling winnings were paid. Outdated references 
to the place of filing have been replaced with a requirement that the 
return is filed with the appropriate Internal Revenue Service location 
designated in the instructions to the form.
    Proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(g) requires a payor of reportable gambling 
winnings to provide a statement of the reportable gambling winnings to 
each payee on or before January 31st of the calendar year after the 
calendar year in which the gambling winnings were paid. Although Sec.  
7.6041-1 of the Temporary Income Tax Regulations does not address when 
to provide statements to the payees, the proposed regulations are a 
restatement of the requirement to furnish statements to payees in 
section 6041(d). In addition, proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(i) clarifies 
that the rules for reporting winnings from bingo, keno, and slot 
machine play under proposed Sec.  1.6041-10 do not apply to payments 
made to foreign persons. Instead, gambling winnings paid to a foreign 
person are generally subject to 30 percent withholding under sections 
1441(a) and 1442(a) and are reportable on Form 1042, Annual Withholding 
Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons, and Form 1042-S, 
Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding. Proposed 
Sec.  1.6041-10(e) retains the rules in Sec.  7.6041-1(c) of the 
Temporary Regulations regarding the information that is required on the 
return, including the requirement that the payor describe on the return 
the two types of identification relied on to verify the payee's 
identity. However, proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(e) now requires that one of 
the forms of identification include the payee's photograph to ensure 
that certain safeguards are in place to properly identify the payee. In 
addition, under proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(f), the type of identification 
that is acceptable has been expanded.

Payee Identification

    Section 7.6041-1(c)(3) of the Temporary Income Tax Regulations, 
which has been in place since 1977, provides that the identification 
verifying the payee's identity must include the payee's social security 
number. According to those regulations, examples of acceptable 
identification include a driver's license, a social security card, or a 
voter registration card. However, today most forms of identification do 
not include a person's social security number. Therefore, many payees 
do not have identification that contains the payee's social security 
number and, even if they do, they may not have this identification with 
them at the time that they receive a payment of reportable gambling 
winnings. To address this issue, Sec.  1.6041-10(f) of the proposed 
regulations provides that, in addition to government-issued 
identification, a properly completed Form W-9 signed by the payee is an 
acceptable form of identification to verify the payee's identifying 
information. This rule is consistent with procedures currently used by 
many payors to address the fact that most forms of identification do 
not contain social security numbers. Accordingly, payors who verify 
payee information using identification set forth in proposed Sec.  
1.6041-10(f) before the date that final regulations implementing these 
provisions are published in the Federal Register will be treated as 
meeting the requirements of Sec.  7.6041-1(c) of the Temporary Income 
Tax Regulations.

Aggregate Reporting Method

    Proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(h) provides an alternative method for 
reporting multiple winnings from bingo, keno, and slots. Under current 
regulations, each payment of gambling winnings from a single bingo or 
keno game, or slot machine play that meets the reporting threshold is 
required to be reported on a Form W-2G to the same payee. To simplify 
reporting, proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(h) would allow a payor who makes 
more than one payment of reportable gambling winnings to the same payee 
from the same type of game during the same session to report the 
aggregate amount of such reportable gambling winnings on one Form W-2G. 
This aggregate reporting method may be used at the payor's option. 
Proposed Sec.  1.6041-10(h)(3) sets forth certain recordkeeping 
requirements for a payor using the aggregate reporting method.

Gambling Winnings Other Than Bingo, Keno, and Slot Machine Play

    These proposed regulations apply to reporting of gambling winnings 
from bingo, keno, and slot machine play. The Treasury Department and 
the IRS are aware that taxpayers required to report winnings from pari-
mutuel gambling may have concerns, similar to those addressed in these 
proposed regulations, relating to when wagers with respect to horse 
races, dog races, and jai alai may be treated as identical. Identical 
wagers are combined and offset against winnings to determine proceeds 
from the wager for purposes of determining whether the reporting 
thresholds are satisfied. The Treasury Department and the IRS intend to 
amend the regulations under Sec.  31.3402(q)-1 in a manner consistent 
with these proposed regulations and request comments from the public on 
this topic. In addition, comments are requested regarding whether the 
aggregate reporting method should be available for gambling winnings 
other than winnings from bingo, keno, and slot machine play.

Proposed Effective/Applicability Date

    These regulations are proposed to apply to payments made on or 
after the date of publication of the Treasury decision adopting these 
rules as final regulations in the Federal Register.

Special Analyses

    It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is 
not a significant regulatory action as defined

[[Page 11603]]

in Executive Order 12866, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563. 
Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It has been 
determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 
U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations. It is hereby 
certified that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. This certification is based on 
the fact that this rule merely provides guidance as to the timing and 
filing of information reporting returns for payors who make reportable 
payments of bingo, keno, or slot machine winnings and who are required 
by section 6041 to make returns reporting those payments. The 
requirement for payors to make information returns is imposed by 
statute and not these regulations. In addition, this rule is reducing 
the existing burden on payors to comply with the statutory requirement 
by simplifying the process for payors to verify payees' identities 
using a broader range of documents that are more readily available and 
also by allowing payors to reduce the number of information returns 
they issue if they adopt the new aggregate reporting methodology in the 
regulations. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 6) is not required. 
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this notice 
of proposed rulemaking has been submitted to the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact 
on small business.

Comments and Public Hearing

    Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, 
consideration will be given to any written comments (a signed original 
and eight (8) copies) or electronic comments that are submitted timely 
to the IRS. In addition to the requests for comments noted in the 
Background Section, Treasury and the IRS request comments on any other 
aspects of the proposed rules, and any other issues relating to the 
payment of bingo, keno, and slot machine winnings that are not 
addressed in the proposed regulations. All comments will be available 
at www.regulations.gov for public inspection and copying.
    A public hearing has been scheduled for June 17, 2015, beginning at 
10 a.m. in the IRS Auditorium, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. 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 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 Sec.  601.601(a)(3) apply to the hearing. Persons who 
wish to present oral comments at the hearing must submit electronic or 
written comments and an outline of the topics to be discussed and the 
time to be devoted to each topic (signed original and eight (8) copies) 
and an outline of the topics to be discussed and the time to be devoted 
to each topic by June 2, 2015. A period of 10 minutes will be allotted 
to each person for 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.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of these proposed regulations is Charles W. 
Gorham, formerly of the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel 
(Procedure and Administration).

List of Subjects

26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

26 CFR Part 31

    Employment Taxes and Collection of Income Tax at Source.

Proposed Amendment to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 1 and 31 are proposed to be amended as 
follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read in 
part as follows:

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

0
Par. 2. Section 1.6041-10 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.6041-10  Return of information as to payments of winnings from 
bingo, keno, and slot machine play.

    (a) In general. Every person engaged in a trade or business (as 
defined in Sec.  1.6041-1(b)) and who, in the course of such trade or 
business, makes a payment of reportable gambling winnings (defined in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section) must make an information return with 
respect to such payment. Unless the provisions of paragraph (h) of this 
section (regarding aggregate reporting) apply, a separate information 
return is required with respect to each payment of reportable gambling 
winnings.
    (b) Definitions--(1) Electronically tracked slot machine play. For 
purposes of this section, the term ``electronically tracked slot 
machine play'' means slot machine play using an electronic player 
system that is controlled by the gaming establishment (such as through 
the use of a player's card or similar system) that records the amount a 
specific individual won and wagered on slot machine play.
    (2) Reportable gambling winnings. (i) For purposes of this section, 
the term ``reportable gambling winnings'' is defined as follows:
    (A) For bingo, the term ``reportable gambling winnings'' means 
winnings of $1,200 or more from one bingo game, without reduction for 
the amount wagered. All winnings received from all wagers made during 
one bingo game are combined (for example, all winnings from all cards 
played during one bingo game are combined).
    (B) For keno, the term ``reportable gambling winnings'' means 
winnings of $1,500 or more from one keno game reduced by the amount 
wagered on the same keno game. All winnings received from all wagers 
made during one keno game are combined (for example, all winnings from 
all ``ways'' on a multi-way keno ticket are combined).
    (C) For slot machine play (other than electronically tracked slot 
machine play as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section), the term 
``reportable gambling winnings'' means winnings of $1,200 or more from 
one slot machine play, without reduction for the amount wagered.
    (D) For electronically tracked slot machine play (as defined in 
(b)(1) of this section), the term ``reportable gambling winnings'' 
means net winnings of $1,200 or more, but only if the winnings from at 
least one electronically tracked slot machine play during the session, 
without reduction for any amount wagered, is $1,200 or more. For 
purposes of this paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, net winnings 
is determined by combining the amount of all winnings from all 
electronically tracked slot machine play during the session reduced by 
the amount of all wagers from all electronically tracked slot machine 
play during the same session.
    (ii) Winnings and wagers from different types of games are not 
combined to determine if the reporting threshold is satisfied. Bingo, 
keno, and

[[Page 11604]]

slot machine play are different types of games. Electronically tracked 
slot machine play and slot machine play that is not electronically 
tracked are different types of games.
    (iii) Winnings include the fair market value of a payment in any 
medium other than cash.
    (iv) The amount wagered in the case of a free play is zero.
    (v) For purposes of paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, with 
respect to electronically tracked slot machine play, if the amount 
wagered during a session exceeds the amount won during the same 
session, the amount of winnings is zero.
    (3) Session. For purposes of this section, a session of play begins 
when a patron places the first wager on a particular type of game at a 
gaming establishment and ends when the patron places his or her last 
wager on the same type of game before the end of the same calendar day 
at the same gaming establishment. For purposes of this section, the 
time is determined by the time zone of the location where the patron 
places the wager. A session of play is always determined with reference 
to a calendar day (24-hour period from 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.) and 
ends no later than the end of that calendar day. Nothing in this 
section prohibits a payor from terminating a session for any reason 
before the end of that calendar day.
    (4) Slot machine. The term ``slot machine'' means a device that, by 
application of the element of chance, may deliver, or entitle the 
person playing or operating the device to receive cash, premiums, 
merchandise, or tokens whether or not the device is operated by 
insertion of a coin, token, or similar object.
    (c) Examples. The following examples illustrate the provisions of 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section:

    Example 1.  At 10 a.m., A wagers $20 at casino R on one play on 
a slot machine that is not electronically tracked. A wins $1,200 
from this wager. At 2 p.m. on the same day, A wagers $100 on one 
keno game at casino R. A wins $1,550 from that wager. A makes no 
other wagers that day:
    (i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section, A's $1,200 in 
winnings from slot machine play that is not electronically tracked 
are not reduced by the amount wagered. Therefore, the $1,200 
winnings from slot machine play that is not electronically tracked 
are reportable gambling winnings. R must report the $1,200 in 
winnings from slot machine play that it pays to A.
    (ii) Under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, because 
winnings from different types of games are not combined to determine 
whether the threshold for reportable gambling winnings is satisfied, 
A's winnings from slot machine play that is not electronically 
tracked are not combined with A's winnings from keno. A's winnings 
from keno are below the $1,500 reporting threshold for keno, because 
the gross amount of $1,550 that A won is reduced by the $100 amount 
that A wagered. R is therefore not required to report the winnings 
from keno that it pays to A under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B) of this 
section.
    Example 2.  Between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. on the same day, B 
places five wagers of $20 each at casino Q on slot machine play that 
is not electronically tracked. B wins a total of $1,600 during that 
period of time as follows: an $800 win on the first play, no win on 
the second play, no win on the third play, a $600 win on the fourth 
play, and a $200 win on the fifth play. Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) 
of this section, winnings from slot machine play that is not 
electronically tracked are not combined to determine whether the 
reporting threshold is satisfied. Therefore, none of B's winnings is 
a reportable gambling winning and Q is not required to report 
winnings from slot machine play that it pays to B.
    Example 3.  During one session at casino R, C places two $20 
wagers on one electronically tracked slot machine and three $20 
wagers on a different electronically tracked slot machine. The first 
four wagers result in no wins. The fifth wager results in a win of 
$2,000. C makes no further wagers on any games at R during the same 
session. C's combined winnings for the session ($2,000) reduced by 
C's combined wagers for the session ($100) is $1,900, which is over 
the $1,200 threshold described in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this 
section. In addition, C had one win in the same session of $1,200 or 
more ($2,000 win). Therefore, under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this 
section, R paid reportable gambling winnings with respect to 
electronically tracked slot machine play of $1,900. Accordingly, R 
must report the winnings of $1,900 that it paid to C.
    Example 4.  Assume the same facts as in Example 3, except that 
the fourth wager results in an $800 win and the fifth wager results 
in a $1,000 win. C's combined winnings for the session of $1,800 
($800 + $1,000) reduced by C's combined wagers placed during the 
session of $100 is $1,700. However, C did not have a single win 
during that session of $1,200 or more, as required under paragraph 
(b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, for there to be reportable gambling 
winnings from electronically tracked slot machine play. Accordingly, 
R is not required to report the winnings from the session from 
electronically tracked slot machine play that it pays to C.
    Example 5. During one session, D places ten $200 wagers on 
electronically tracked slot machine play at casino S. The first nine 
wagers result in no wins. The last wager results in a $1,500 win. 
D's combined winnings for the session ($1,500) reduced by D's 
combined wagers placed during the session ($2,000) did not result in 
any net winnings from electronically tracked slot machine play 
during the session. Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, 
gambling winnings from a session of electronically tracked slot 
machine play are not reportable gambling winnings unless they 
include a single win of $1,200 or more and the net amount of all 
winnings during the session reduced by all wagers placed during the 
session is $1,200 or more. Here, there was a single win of $1,500, 
which exceeds the threshold for a single win under paragraph 
(b)(2)(i)(D) of this section. However, because the net amount of the 
winnings reduced by all the wagers placed during the session is not 
$1,200 or more, paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section is not 
satisfied. Therefore, during the session, D did not have reportable 
gambling winnings with respect to electronically tracked slot 
machine play during the session and S is not required to report the 
winnings it pays D with respect to electronically tracked slot 
machine play during this session.
    Example 6.  During one session, E places five $20 wagers at 
casino T on slot machine play that is not electronically tracked. 
The first four wagers result in no wins. The fifth wager results in 
a win of $1,200. During the same session, E also places five $20 
wagers at casino T on slot machine play that is electronically 
tracked. The first four wagers result in no wins. The fifth wager 
results in a win of $1,400. E makes no wagers on any other games at 
T during that session. Under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, 
winnings from slot machine play that is not electronically tracked 
and winnings from electronically tracked slot machine play are not 
combined. However, even without combining the winnings from both 
types of slot machine play, T paid reportable gambling winnings with 
respect to both the slot machine play that is not electronically 
tracked, and electronically tracked slot machine play as follows:
    (i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section, E's $1,200 of 
winnings from slot machine play that is not electronically tracked 
is not reduced by the amount wagered, even though all of E's wagers 
were placed during the same session. Accordingly, the $1,200 of 
winnings from slot machine play that is not electronically tracked 
meets the threshold in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section and T 
must report the $1,200 in winnings from slot machine play that is 
not electronically tracked that it pays to E.
    (ii) Because E's combined winnings from electronically tracked 
slot machine play during the session ($1,400) reduced by E's 
combined wagers on electronically tracked slot machine play placed 
during the session ($100) is $1,200 or more ($1,400 - $100 = $1,300) 
and E had at least one win during the same session of $1,200 or more 
(a win of $1,400), under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, T 
paid E reportable gambling winnings with respect to electronically 
tracked slot machine play. Accordingly, T must also report winnings 
from the electronically tracked slot machine play during the session 
of $1,300 that it pays to E.
    Example 7.  During the same session, F makes five $20 wagers at 
casino V on slot machine play that is electronically tracked on the 
same slot machine. The first three wagers result in no wins. The 
fourth wager results in a win of $900. The fifth wager results in

[[Page 11605]]

a win of $1,100. After the fifth wager, F uses free play to make a 
wager. The free play wager occurs during the same session as the 
five wagers and is also electronically tracked. As a result of the 
free play, F wins $1,200. In this case, there are reportable 
gambling winnings from electronically tracked slot machine play. 
Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, F's combined winnings 
from electronically tracked slot machine play during the session 
($3,200) reduced by F's combined wagers placed on electronically 
tracked slot machine play during the session (($20 x 5) + 0 = $100) 
is $3,100, and F had at least one win in the same session of $1,200 
or more (a win of $1,200 from the free play). Accordingly, V must 
report the $3,100 of winnings from the electronically tracked slot 
machine play during the session that it pays to F.
    Example 8.  Between 11 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Day 1, G makes 
five $20 wagers at casino W on slot machine play that is 
electronically tracked. The first four wagers placed on Day 1 result 
in no wins. The fifth wager placed on Day 1 results in an $800 win. 
Between 12:00 a.m. and 12:15 a.m. on Day 2, G makes two $20 wagers 
on the same slot machine at casino W that is electronically tracked. 
The first wager placed on Day 2 results in a win of $600. The second 
wager placed on Day 2 results in a win of $900.
    (i) Under paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(D) and (b)(3) of this section, 
the winnings from one session of electronically tracked slot machine 
play are not combined with the winnings from another session of 
electronically tracked slot machine play for purposes of determining 
reportable gambling winnings. In this case, G engaged in 
electronically tracked slot machine play during two sessions, even 
though he played the same type of game on the same machine at the 
same gambling establishment. Therefore, each session must be 
analyzed to determine whether there were reportable gambling 
winnings from electronically tracked slot machine play.
    (ii) During the session on Day 1, G won $800. Because no single 
win was $1,200 or more on Day 1, there were no reportable gambling 
winnings from electronically tracked slot machine play on Day 1 
under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, and W does not have to 
report the winnings from electronically tracked slot machine play on 
Day 1 that it paid to G.
    (iii) During the session on Day 2, G won $600 and $900. Because 
no single win was $1,200 or more on Day 2, there were no reportable 
gambling winnings from electronically tracked slot machine play on 
Day 2 under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, and W does not 
have to report the winnings from electronically tracked slot machine 
play on Day 2 that it paid to G.

    (d) Prescribed form; time and place for filing the return. The 
return described in paragraph (a) of this section is a Form W-2G, 
``Certain Gambling Winnings'' or successor form. The Form W-2G must be 
filed with the appropriate Internal Revenue Service location designated 
in the instructions to the form on or before February 28 (March 31, if 
filed electronically) of the year following the calendar year in which 
the reportable gambling winnings were paid. See section 6011 and Sec.  
1.6011-2 for requirements to file electronically.
    (e) Information included on the return. Each return required by 
paragraph (a) of this section must contain:
    (1) The name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the 
payor;
    (2) The name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the 
payee;
    (3) A general description of the two types of identification (as 
described in paragraph (f) of this section), one of which must have the 
payee's photograph on it, that the payor relied on to verify the 
payee's name, address, and taxpayer identification number;
    (4) The date and amount of payment;
    (5) The type of wagering transaction (bingo, keno, slot machine 
play, or electronically tracked slot machine play);
    (6) In the case of a bingo or keno game, any number, color, or 
other designation assigned to the game for which the payment is made;
    (7) In the case of slot machine play (including electronically 
tracked slot machine play), the identification number of the slot 
machine(s) (for example, location and asset number);
    (8) Any other information required by the form, instructions, 
revenue procedure, or other applicable guidance published in the 
Internal Revenue Bulletin. In the case of aggregate reporting under 
paragraph (h) of this section, the amount of the payment in paragraphs 
(e)(4) is the aggregate amount of payments of reportable gambling 
winnings from the same type of game (bingo, keno, slot machine play, or 
electronically tracked slot machine play) made to the same payee during 
the same session (as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section). 
Unless otherwise provided in forms, instructions, or other guidance, in 
the case of aggregate reporting under paragraph (h) of this section the 
information required by paragraphs (e)(5), (6), (7) of this section, 
and this paragraph (e)(8) must be maintained by the payor as described 
in paragraph (h)(3) of this section.
    (f) Identification. The following items are treated as 
identification for purposes of paragraph (e)(3) of this section--
    (1) Government-issued identification (for example, a driver's 
license, passport, social security card, military identification card, 
or voter registration card) in the name of the payee; and
    (2) A Form W-9, ``Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and 
Certification,'' signed by the payee, that includes the payee's name, 
address, taxpayer identification number, and other information required 
by the form. A Form W-9 is not acceptable for this purpose if the payee 
has modified the form (other than pursuant to instructions to the form) 
or if the payee has deleted the jurat or other similar provisions by 
which the payee certifies or affirms the correctness of the statements 
contained on the form.
    (g) Furnishing a statement to the payee. Every payor required to 
make a return under paragraph (a) of this section must also make and 
furnish to each payee, with respect to each payment of reportable 
gambling winnings, a written statement that contains the information 
that is required to be included on the return under paragraph (e) of 
this section. The payor must furnish the statement to the payee on or 
before January 31st of the year following the calendar year in which 
payment of the reportable gambling winnings is made. The statement will 
be considered furnished to the payee if it is provided to the payee at 
the time of payment or if it is mailed to the payee on or before 
January 31st of the year following the calendar year in which payment 
was made.
    (h) Aggregate reporting of bingo, keno, and slot machine winnings--
(1) In general. In lieu of filing a separate information return for 
each payment of reportable gambling winnings as required by paragraph 
(a) of this section, a payor may use the aggregate reporting method 
(defined in paragraph (h)(2) of this section) to report reportable 
gambling winnings from bingo, keno, or slot machine play (including 
electronically tracked slot machine play). A payor using the aggregate 
reporting method to file information returns under paragraph (a) of 
this section must also furnish statements to the payee under paragraph 
(g) of this section using the aggregate reporting method.
    (2) Aggregate reporting method defined. (i) The aggregate reporting 
method is a method of reporting more than one payment of reportable 
gambling winnings from the same type of game (bingo, keno, slot machine 
play, or electronically tracked slot machine play) made to the same 
payee during the same session (as defined in this paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section) on one information return or statement.
    (ii) A payor may use the aggregate reporting method for payments to 
some payees and not others, at its own discretion. In addition, with 
respect to a single payee, the payor may use the aggregate reporting 
method to report

[[Page 11606]]

winnings from one type of game, but not for winnings from another type 
of game.
    (iii) Failure to report some reportable gambling winnings from a 
particular type of game during one session to a particular payee under 
the aggregate reporting method (for whatever reason, including because 
the winnings are not permitted to be reported using the aggregate 
reporting method under paragraph (h)(4) of this section) will not 
disqualify the payor from using the aggregate reporting method to 
report other reportable gambling winnings from that type of game during 
that session to that payee.
    (3) Recordkeeping under the aggregate reporting method. A payor 
using the aggregate reporting method must maintain a record of every 
payment of reportable gambling winnings from the same type of game made 
to the same payee during the session that will be reported using the 
aggregate reporting method. Every individual that the payor has 
determined is responsible for an entry in the record must confirm the 
information in the entry by signing the record in a manner that will 
enable the signature to be associated with the relevant entry. Each 
payment of a reportable gambling winning made to the same payee and 
reported under the aggregate reporting method must have its own entry 
in the record, however, the information required by paragraphs (e)(1), 
(2), and (3) of this section is not required to be recorded more than 
one time per session. A payor that uses the aggregate reporting method 
must retain a copy of the record in its files. The record (which may be 
electronic provided the requirements set forth in forms, instructions, 
or guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin are met) must 
include the following information about each payment:
    (i) The payee's signature confirming the information in the record;
    (ii) The information required under paragraph (e) of this section;
    (iii) The time of the win resulting in the reportable gambling 
winnings;
    (iv) Except in the case of electronically tracked slot machine 
play, the total amount of reportable gambling winnings;
    (v) In the case of electronically tracked slot machine play--
    (A) The total amount of the winnings during the session from 
electronically tracked slot machine play; and
    (B) The total amount of the wagers placed during the session on 
electronically tracked slot machine play;
    (vi) The amount of reportable gambling winnings;
    (vii) The method of payment to the payee (for example, cash, check, 
voucher, token, or chips); and
    (viii) The name and gaming license number of the individual that 
the payor has determined is responsible for ensuring that the entry 
with respect to the reportable gambling winnings (including the general 
description of two types of identification used to verify the payee's 
name, address, and taxpayer identification number) is complete and 
accurate. Such individual may or may not be the same individual who 
prepared the entry.
    (4) When the aggregate reporting method may not be used. A payor 
cannot use the aggregate reporting method if--
    (i) The payee is a foreign person;
    (ii) The payor knows or has reason to know that the person making 
the wager is not the person entitled to the winnings or is not the only 
person entitled to the winnings (regardless of whether the person 
making the wager furnishes a Form 5754, ``Statement by Person(s) 
Receiving Gambling Winnings,'' or successor form); or
    (iii) Backup withholding under section 3406(a) applies to the 
payment.
    (5) Examples. The following examples illustrate the provisions of 
this paragraph (h):

    Example 1.  On Day 1, C places five wagers at casino R on five 
different slot machines that are not electronically tracked. The 
first two wagers result in no win. The third wager results in a 
$1,500 win. The fourth wager results in a $2,500 win. The fifth 
wager results in an $800 win:
    (i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section, there are 
reportable gambling winnings from the slot machine play that is not 
electronically tracked of $4,000 ($1,500 + $2,500). The $800 win is 
not a reportable gambling winning from slot machine play that is not 
electronically tracked because it does not equal or exceed the 
$1,200 threshold.
    (ii) Because all of the amounts were won on the same type of 
game (even though each of the winnings occurred on different 
machines) during the same session, R is permitted to use the 
aggregate reporting method under this paragraph (h). If R decides 
not to use the aggregate reporting method and meets the requirements 
of paragraph (h), a separate Form W-2G would have to be filed and 
furnished for the payment of reportable gambling winnings of $1,500 
and for the payment of reportable gambling winnings of $2,500. 
However, if R decides to use the aggregate reporting method, R may 
report total reportable gambling winnings from slot machine play 
that is not electronically tracked of $4,000 ($1,500 + $2,500) on 
one Form W-2G.
    Example 2. Assume the same facts as Example 1, except that in 
addition to the winnings described in Example 1, at 1 a.m. on Day 2, 
C wins $3,250 from one slot machine play that is not electronically 
tracked at casino R. Even though C played the same type of game 
(slot machines that are not electronically tracked) on Day 1 and Day 
2, because under paragraph (b)(3) of this section the win at 1 a.m. 
on Day 2 is a win during a new session, under paragraph (h)(2)(i) of 
this section the $3,250 of reportable gambling winnings cannot be 
aggregated with the reportable gambling winnings of $4,000 from Day 
1 on a single Form W-2G. Accordingly, if R uses the aggregate 
reporting method, R must file two Forms W-2G with respect to C's 
reportable gambling winnings on Day 1 and Day 2. R must report 
$4,000 of reportable gambling winnings from slot machine play paid 
to C on Day 1 on the first Form W-2G, and $3,250 of reportable 
gambling winnings from slot machine play paid to C on Day 2 on the 
second Form W-2G.
    Example 3.  At 2 p.m. on Day 1, D won $2,000 (after reducing the 
amount of the win by the amount wagered) playing one keno game at 
casino S. D provides S with his driver's license. The driver's 
license has D's photograph on it, as well as D's name and address. 
The driver's license does not include D's social security number. D 
cannot remember his social security number and has no other 
identification at the time with his social security number on it. D 
does not provide S with his social security number before S pays the 
winnings to D. Because D cannot remember his social security number, 
D cannot complete and sign a Form W-9. S deducts and withholds $560 
(28 percent of $2,000) under the backup withholding provisions of 
section 3406(a) and pays the remaining $1,440 in winnings to D. D 
returns to casino S and at 6 p.m. on Day 1 wins $1,500 (after 
reducing the amount of the win by the amount wagered) in one keno 
game. D provides S with his driver's license as well as D's social 
security card. S generally uses the aggregate reporting method and 
in all cases where it is used, S complies with the requirements of 
this paragraph (h). At 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Day 1, D wins an 
additional $1,800 and $1,700 (after reducing the amount of the win 
by the amount wagered), respectively, from two different keno games. 
For each of these two wins, an employee of S obtains the information 
from D required by this paragraph (h):
    (i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B) of this section, each of D's 
wins from the four games of keno on Day 1 ($2,000, $1,500, $1,700, 
and $1,800) are reportable gambling winnings. Because D's first win 
on Day 1 was at 2 p.m. and D's last win on Day 1 was at 10 p.m., all 
of D's reportable gambling winnings from keno are won during the 
same session. Because S satisfies the requirements of paragraph 
(h)(2)(i), S may use the aggregate reporting method to report D's 
reportable gambling winnings from keno. However, pursuant to 
paragraph (h)(4)(iii) of this section, the $2,000 payment made to D 
at 2 p.m. cannot be reported under the aggregate reporting method 
because that payment was subject to backup withholding. Accordingly, 
if S uses the aggregate reporting method under this paragraph (h), S 
will have to file two Forms W-2G with respect to D's reportable 
gambling winnings from keno on

[[Page 11607]]

Day 1. On the first Form W-2G, S will report $2,000 of reportable 
gambling winnings and $560 of backup withholding with respect to the 
2 p.m. win from keno, and on the second Form W-2G S will report 
$5,000 of reportable gambling winnings from keno (representing the 
three payments of $1,500, $1,700, and $1,800 that D won between 6 
p.m. and 10 p.m. on Day 1).
    Example 4.  In one session on Day 1, E won five reportable 
gambling winnings from five different bingo games at a casino T. T 
generally uses the aggregate reporting method and in all cases where 
it is used, T complies with the requirements of this paragraph (h). 
Although E signed the entry in the record T maintains for payment of 
the first four reportable gambling winnings, E refuses to sign the 
entry in the record for the fifth payment of reportable gambling 
winnings. T may use the aggregate reporting method for the first 
four payments of reportable gambling winnings to E. However, because 
the entry in the record for the fifth payment of reportable gambling 
winnings does not include E's signature, that payment may not be 
reported under the aggregate reporting method. Accordingly, if T 
uses the aggregate reporting method under paragraph (h) of this 
section, T must prepare two Forms W-2G as follows: On the first Form 
W-2G, T must report the first four payments of reportable gambling 
winnings from bingo made to E on Day 1. On the second Form W-2G, T 
must report the fifth payment of reportable gambling winnings from 
bingo made to E on Day 1.

    (i) Payments to foreign persons. See Sec.  1.6041-4 regarding 
payments to foreign persons. See Sec.  1.6049-5(d) for determining 
whether the payee is a foreign person.
    (j) Effective/applicability date. This section applies to payments 
of reportable gambling winnings from bingo, keno, slot machine play, 
and electronically tracked slot machine play made on or after the date 
these regulations are published as final regulations in the Federal 
Register. For payments made before that date, other than payments from 
electronically tracked slot machine play, payors may rely on the 
provisions of these proposed regulations.

PART 31--EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX AT SOURCE

0
Par. 3. The authority citation for part 31 continues to read in part as 
follows:

    26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *


Sec.  31.3406(g)-2  [Amended]

0
Par. 4. In Sec.  31.3406(g)-2, paragraph (d)(3) is amended by removing 
the text ``Sec.  7.6041-1'' and adding the text ``Sec.  1.6041-10'' in 
its place.
* * * * *

John Dalrymple,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2015-04437 Filed 3-3-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P



                                                      11600                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                         3. Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.                    more from keno, and recipients of such                based a sliding scale threshold tied to
                                                      Department of Energy, Building                          payments. This document also provides                 the amount of the wager and required
                                                      Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–5B,                   a notice of a public hearing on these                 the wager odds to be at least 300 to 1.
                                                      1000 Independence Avenue SW.,                           proposed regulations.                                 On January 7, 1977, temporary
                                                      Washington, DC 20585–0121. If                           DATES: Written or electronic comments                 regulation § 7.6041–1 was published
                                                      possible, please submit all items on a                  must be received by June 2, 2015.                     establishing reporting thresholds for
                                                      compact disc (CD), in which case it is                  Outlines of topics to be discussed at the             payments of winnings from bingo, keno,
                                                      not necessary to include printed copies.                public hearing scheduled for June 17,                 and slot machine play in the amount of
                                                         4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda                 2015 at 10 a.m. must be received by                   $600. In Announcement 77–63, 1977–8
                                                      Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,                     June 2, 2015.                                         IRB 25, the IRS announced that it would
                                                      Building Technologies Program, 950                      ADDRESSES: Send submissions to:                       not assert penalties for failure to file
                                                      L’Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 600,                          CC:PA: LPD:PR (REG–132253–11),                        information returns before May 1, 1977,
                                                      Washington, DC 20024. Telephone:                        Room 5205, Internal Revenue Service,                  to allow the casino industry to submit,
                                                      (202) 586–2945. If possible, please                     P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station,                  and the IRS to consider, information
                                                      submit all items on a CD, in which case                 Washington, DC 20044. Submissions                     regarding the industry’s problems in
                                                      it is not necessary to include printed                  may be hand-delivered Monday through                  complying with the reporting
                                                      copies.                                                 Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and                requirements. After considering the
                                                         No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be                   4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–132253–                   evidence presented by the casino
                                                      accepted.                                               11), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue                 industry, the IRS announced in a press
                                                         Docket: The docket is available for                  Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW.,                release that effective May 1, 1977,
                                                      review at www.regulations.gov,                          Washington, DC, or sent electronically,               information reporting to the IRS would
                                                      including Federal Register notices,                                                                           be required on payments of winnings of
                                                                                                              via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
                                                      public meeting attendee lists and                                                                             $1,200 or more from a bingo game or a
                                                                                                              http://www.regulations.gov (IRS REG–
                                                      transcripts, comments, and other                                                                              slot machine play, and $1,500 or more
                                                                                                              132253–11). The public hearing will be
                                                      supporting documents/materials. All                                                                           from a keno game net of the wager. On
                                                                                                              held in the IRS Auditorium, Internal
                                                      documents in the docket are listed in                                                                         June 30, 1977, § 7.6041–1 was amended
                                                                                                              Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution
                                                      the www.regulations.gov index.                                                                                to raise the reporting thresholds for
                                                                                                              Avenue NW., Washington, DC.
                                                      However, not all documents listed in                                                                          winnings from a bingo game and slot
                                                                                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      machine play to $1,200, and the
                                                      the index may be publicly available,
                                                                                                              Concerning the proposed regulations,                  reporting threshold for winnings from a
                                                      such as information that is exempt from
                                                                                                              David Bergman, (202) 317–6844;                        keno game to $1,500.
                                                      public disclosure.
                                                                                                              concerning submissions of comments,                      Section 7.6041–1(c) provides that
                                                         The Secretary of Energy has approved
                                                                                                              the hearing, or to be placed on the                   bingo, keno, and slot machine winnings
                                                      publication of this notice of proposed
                                                                                                              building access list to attend the                    are reported on the Form W–2G,
                                                      rulemaking.
                                                                                                              hearing, Oluwafunmilayo P. Taylor                     ‘‘Certain Gambling Winnings.’’ The
                                                        Issued in Washington, DC, on February 25,             (202) 317–6901 (not toll-free numbers).
                                                      2015.
                                                                                                                                                                    payor must provide a copy of the Form
                                                                                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            W–2G to the payee by January 31 of the
                                                      Kathleen B. Hogan,
                                                                                                              Background                                            year following the year in which the
                                                      Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy                                                                         reportable payment is made, and the
                                                      Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable               This document contains proposed                     payor must file the Form W–2G with the
                                                      Energy.                                                 regulations to Title 26 of the Code of                IRS by February 28 of the year following
                                                      [FR Doc. 2015–04503 Filed 3–3–15; 8:45 am]              Federal Regulations under section 6041                the year in which the reportable
                                                      BILLING CODE 6450–01–P                                  of the Internal Revenue Code. The                     payment is made. The Form W–2G must
                                                                                                              proposed regulations would update and                 include, among other things, the name,
                                                                                                              simplify the existing information                     address, and taxpayer identification
                                                      DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY                                  reporting requirements under § 7.6041–                number of the payee and a general
                                                                                                              1 of the Temporary Income Tax                         description of the two forms of
                                                      Internal Revenue Service                                Regulations under the Tax Reform Act                  identification used to verify this
                                                                                                              of 1976 for persons who make                          information.
                                                      26 CFR Parts 1 and 31                                   reportable payments of bingo, keno, or
                                                                                                              slot machine winnings. The updated                    Explanation of Provisions
                                                      [REG–132253–11]
                                                                                                              requirements are proposed to be set                      The current regulations governing
                                                      RIN 1545–BL68                                           forth in a new § 1.6041–10 of the                     information reporting of winnings from
                                                                                                              regulations. Accordingly, when                        bingo, keno, and slot machine play were
                                                      Information Returns; Winnings From                                                                            published in 1977. There have been
                                                                                                              § 1.6041–10 of the proposed regulations
                                                      Bingo, Keno, and Slot Machines                                                                                significant changes in gaming industry
                                                                                                              becomes final, the regulations under
                                                      AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS),                 § 7.6041–1 will be removed.                           technology since that time. For instance,
                                                      Treasury.                                                 Section 6041 generally requires                     today many gaming establishments
                                                      ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking                   information reporting by every person                 employ electronic slot machines and
                                                                                                              engaged in a trade or business who, in                other mechanisms, such as player’s
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                                                      and notice of public hearing.
                                                                                                              the course of such trade or business,                 cards, that permit electronic tracking of
                                                      SUMMARY:   This document contains                       makes payments of gross income of                     wagers and/or winnings. In addition,
                                                      proposed regulations under section                      $600 or more in any taxable year. The                 there have been many changes in the tax
                                                      6041 regarding the filing of information                current regulatory reporting thresholds               information reporting regime since the
                                                      returns to report winnings from bingo,                  for winnings from bingo, keno, and slot               late 1970s, such as the enactment of
                                                      keno, and slot machine play. The                        machines deviate from this general rule.              backup withholding and requirements
                                                      proposed regulations affect persons who                 Prior to the adoption of the current                  for electronic filing of information
                                                      pay winnings of $1,200 or more from                     thresholds in 1977, reporting from                    returns, including the Form W–2G.
                                                      bingo and slot machine play, $1,500 or                  bingo, keno, and slot machines was                    Current regulations under § 7.6041–1 of


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                            11601

                                                      the Temporary Income Tax Regulations                    reportable gambling winnings means (i)                amount a specific individual won and
                                                      do not take these changes into account.                 $1,200 or more in the case of one bingo               wagered on slot machine play. The new
                                                      Accordingly, the Treasury Department                    game or slot machine play, and (ii)                   reporting threshold rules for
                                                      and the IRS think the regulations for                   $1,500 or more in the case of one keno                electronically tracked slot machine play
                                                      reporting winnings from bingo, keno,                    game. However, advances in technology                 rules are intended to simplify reporting
                                                      and slot machine play need to be                        in the nearly four decades since the                  by allowing payors to leverage their
                                                      updated in light of these developments                  existing rules were adopted may                       existing technology and processes to
                                                      and that there are opportunities to                     overcome the compliance concerns that                 report winnings from electronically
                                                      reduce burden and simplify reporting.                   prompted the higher reporting                         tracked slot machine play. In addition,
                                                      The changes proposed by this document                   thresholds and may warrant reducing                   these changes are intended to facilitate
                                                      are intended to accomplish these goals.                 the thresholds for bingo, keno, and slots             reporting that more closely reflects gross
                                                      In addition, the Treasury Department                    to $600, consistent with other                        income that will be reported by payees
                                                      and the IRS specifically request                        information reporting thresholds under                on their individual income tax returns.
                                                      comments on certain topics addressed                    § 6041(a). Accordingly, the IRS and                   See Notice 2015–21 for more
                                                      by the regulations.                                     Treasury will continue to monitor the                 information on computing gross income
                                                                                                              effectiveness of the existing (and                    attributable to electronically tracked slot
                                                      Filing Requirement
                                                                                                              proposed) reporting thresholds, and                   machine play. Comments are
                                                        Proposed § 1.6041–10(a) retains the                   may propose to reduce those thresholds                specifically requested with respect to
                                                      general rule from § 7.6041–1 of the                     at a future time. Comments are                        the definitions of session and
                                                      Temporary Income Tax Regulations that                   specifically requested regarding the                  electronically tracked slot machine play.
                                                      every person engaged in a trade or                      proposed reporting thresholds,
                                                      business who, in the course of its trade                                                                         Under these new rules, gambling
                                                                                                              including the feasibility of reducing                 winnings for electronically tracked slot
                                                      or business, pays reportable gambling                   those thresholds to $600 at a future
                                                      winnings must make an information                                                                             machine play must be reported when
                                                                                                              time, whether electronically tracked slot             two criteria are met: (i) The total amount
                                                      return with respect to such payments.                   machine play should have a separate
                                                      Proposed § 1.6041–10(a) clarifies that,                                                                       of winnings earned from electronically
                                                                                                              reporting threshold, and whether the                  tracked slot machine play during a
                                                      consistent with current law and as                      amounts should be uniform for bingo,
                                                      provided in § 1.6041–1(b) of the                                                                              single session netted against the total
                                                                                                              keno, and slot machine play.
                                                      regulations, the term ‘‘persons engaged                                                                       amount of wagers placed on
                                                                                                                 In addition, the proposed regulations
                                                      in a trade or business’’ includes not only              retain the rule from § 7.6041–1(b) of the             electronically tracked slot machines
                                                      those engaged in a trade or business for                Temporary Income Regulations that, in                 during the same session is $1,200 or
                                                      profit or gain, but also organizations                  determining whether the reporting                     more; and (ii) at least one single win
                                                      whose activities are not for profit or                  threshold is satisfied, the amount of the             during the session (without regard to the
                                                      gain, such as tax-exempt organizations                  winnings from bingo or slot machine                   amount wagered) equals or exceeds
                                                      and governmental entities.                              play is not reduced by the amount                     $1,200. The first criterion helps to
                                                        Proposed § 1.6041–10(b) sets                          wagered, but the amount of winnings                   implement the safe harbor for
                                                      thresholds for when winnings from                       from one keno game is reduced by the                  computing gross income attributable to
                                                      bingo, keno, and slot machine play will                 amount wagered in that one game.                      electronically tracked slot machine play
                                                      be treated as reportable gambling                       Allowing the winnings from one keno                   described in Notice 2015–21. The
                                                      winnings and subject to reporting.                      game to be reduced by the amount                      second criterion is intended to be
                                                      Existing § 7.6041–1(b) of the Temporary                 wagered in that one game has been                     consistent with the casino industry’s
                                                      Income Tax Regulations sets one                         permitted by the regulations for over 35              current practice of gathering payee
                                                      threshold for bingo and slots, and a                    years. This rule has been relied upon by              information when a player wins a single
                                                      different threshold for keno. In addition,              payors and is an established norm in the              jackpot that satisfies the reporting
                                                      under § 7.6041–1(b) of the Temporary                    gaming industry. The proposed                         threshold. The $1,200 threshold for each
                                                      Income Tax Regulations, winnings from                   regulations do not permit the winnings                criterion is intended to balance
                                                      a keno game are reduced by the amount                   from one bingo game or slot machine                   reporting burden and compliance risk as
                                                      wagered in that game in determining                     pull to be reduced by the amount                      discussed previously. Pursuant to
                                                      whether the reporting threshold is                      wagered in that one game or pull                      § 1.6041–10(b)(3) of the proposed
                                                      satisfied, whereas for bingo and slot                   because the IRS does not have data                    regulations, a session begins when a
                                                      machine play winnings are not reduced                   indicating that this is feasible.                     patron places the first wager on a
                                                      by the amount wagered in determining                    Comments are requested regarding                      particular type of game at the payor’s
                                                      whether the reporting threshold is                      whether reportable gambling winnings                  gaming establishment and ends when
                                                      satisfied.                                              in the case of bingo and slot machine                 the patron places his or her last wager
                                                        Under the proposed regulations, the                   play (other than electronically tracked               on the same type of game before the end
                                                      reporting thresholds for winnings from                  slot machine play) should be                          of the same calendar day at the same
                                                      bingo, keno and slot machine play                       determined by netting the wager against               establishment. Under this rule,
                                                      (other than electronically tracked slot                 the winnings as with keno.                            reporting with respect to electronically
                                                      machine play) remain the same as under                     The proposed regulations also include              tracked slot machine play is not
                                                      the existing regulations. These                         new rules for determining the reporting               required if no single win (without
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                                                      thresholds are intended to reach a                      threshold for electronically tracked slot             reduction for the amount of the wager)
                                                      balance between reporting burden and                    machine play. Under § 1.6041–10(b)(1)                 meets the $1,200 reporting threshold or
                                                      compliance risk. Based on over 35 years                 of the proposed regulations,                          if the net amount of winnings reduced
                                                      of experience with the current                          electronically tracked slot machine play              by the amount of all wagers for the
                                                      thresholds, the IRS thinks they are                     means slot machine play where an                      session is less than $1,200. However, if
                                                      sufficient at this time to verify correct               electronic player system that is                      the $1,200 reporting threshold for a
                                                      reporting of wagering income.                           controlled by the gaming establishment                single win is satisfied and all winnings
                                                      Accordingly, § 1.6041–10(b) of the                      (such as through the use of a player’s                from electronically tracked slot machine
                                                      proposed regulations provides that                      card or similar system) records the                   play during a session netted against all


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                                                      11602                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      wagers on electronically tracked slot                   addition, proposed § 1.6041–10(i)                     meeting the requirements of § 7.6041–
                                                      machine play during that session are                    clarifies that the rules for reporting                1(c) of the Temporary Income Tax
                                                      $1,200 or more, gambling winnings for                   winnings from bingo, keno, and slot                   Regulations.
                                                      the session must be reported on a Form                  machine play under proposed § 1.6041–
                                                                                                                                                                    Aggregate Reporting Method
                                                      W–2G.                                                   10 do not apply to payments made to
                                                         Proposed § 1.6041–10(b)(2) also                      foreign persons. Instead, gambling                       Proposed § 1.6041–10(h) provides an
                                                      includes several clarifications regarding               winnings paid to a foreign person are                 alternative method for reporting
                                                      the definition of reportable gambling                   generally subject to 30 percent                       multiple winnings from bingo, keno,
                                                      winnings. First, the proposed                           withholding under sections 1441(a) and                and slots. Under current regulations,
                                                      regulations clarify that all winnings                   1442(a) and are reportable on Form                    each payment of gambling winnings
                                                      from all cards played during one bingo                  1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return                   from a single bingo or keno game, or slot
                                                      game are combined and that all                          for U.S. Source Income of Foreign                     machine play that meets the reporting
                                                      winnings from all ‘‘ways’’ on a multi-                  Persons, and Form 1042–S, Foreign                     threshold is required to be reported on
                                                      way keno ticket are combined. Second,                   Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to                a Form W–2G to the same payee. To
                                                      the proposed regulations clarify that                   Withholding. Proposed § 1.6041–10(e)                  simplify reporting, proposed § 1.6041–
                                                      winnings from different types of games                  retains the rules in § 7.6041–1(c) of the             10(h) would allow a payor who makes
                                                      are not combined to determine whether                   Temporary Regulations regarding the                   more than one payment of reportable
                                                      the reporting thresholds are satisfied,                 information that is required on the                   gambling winnings to the same payee
                                                      and that bingo, keno, electronically                    return, including the requirement that                from the same type of game during the
                                                      tracked slot machine play, and slot                     the payor describe on the return the two              same session to report the aggregate
                                                      machine play that is not electronically                 types of identification relied on to verify           amount of such reportable gambling
                                                      tracked are all different types of games.               the payee’s identity. However, proposed               winnings on one Form W–2G. This
                                                         Proposed § 1.6041–10(b)(4) also adds                 § 1.6041–10(e) now requires that one of               aggregate reporting method may be used
                                                      a definition of the term ‘‘slot machine’’               the forms of identification include the               at the payor’s option. Proposed
                                                      to these information reporting                          payee’s photograph to ensure that                     § 1.6041–10(h)(3) sets forth certain
                                                      regulations. Under this definition, a slot              certain safeguards are in place to                    recordkeeping requirements for a payor
                                                      machine is a device that, by application                properly identify the payee. In addition,             using the aggregate reporting method.
                                                      of the element of chance, may deliver or                under proposed § 1.6041–10(f), the type
                                                      entitle the person playing or operating                 of identification that is acceptable has              Gambling Winnings Other Than Bingo,
                                                      the device to receive cash, premiums,                   been expanded.                                        Keno, and Slot Machine Play
                                                      merchandise, or tokens, whether or not                                                                          These proposed regulations apply to
                                                      the device is operated by inserting a                   Payee Identification                                  reporting of gambling winnings from
                                                      coin, token, or similar object. The                       Section 7.6041–1(c)(3) of the                       bingo, keno, and slot machine play. The
                                                      definition of slot machine in the                       Temporary Income Tax Regulations,                     Treasury Department and the IRS are
                                                      proposed regulations is intended to be                  which has been in place since 1977,                   aware that taxpayers required to report
                                                      consistent with § 44.4402–1(b)(1) of the                provides that the identification verifying            winnings from pari-mutuel gambling
                                                      Wagering Tax Regulations.                               the payee’s identity must include the                 may have concerns, similar to those
                                                                                                              payee’s social security number.                       addressed in these proposed
                                                      Filing and Form and Content of the
                                                                                                              According to those regulations,                       regulations, relating to when wagers
                                                      Information Return
                                                                                                              examples of acceptable identification                 with respect to horse races, dog races,
                                                         Proposed § 1.6041–10(d) retains the                  include a driver’s license, a social                  and jai alai may be treated as identical.
                                                      requirement in § 7.6041–1(c) of the                     security card, or a voter registration                Identical wagers are combined and
                                                      Temporary Income Tax Regulations that                   card. However, today most forms of                    offset against winnings to determine
                                                      a payor of reportable gambling winnings                 identification do not include a person’s              proceeds from the wager for purposes of
                                                      file a Form W–2G, ‘‘Certain Gambling                    social security number. Therefore, many               determining whether the reporting
                                                      Winnings,’’ or successor form, on or                    payees do not have identification that                thresholds are satisfied. The Treasury
                                                      before February 28 (or March 31, if filed               contains the payee’s social security                  Department and the IRS intend to
                                                      electronically) of the year following the               number and, even if they do, they may                 amend the regulations under
                                                      calendar year in which the reportable                   not have this identification with them at             § 31.3402(q)–1 in a manner consistent
                                                      gambling winnings were paid. Outdated                   the time that they receive a payment of               with these proposed regulations and
                                                      references to the place of filing have                  reportable gambling winnings. To                      request comments from the public on
                                                      been replaced with a requirement that                   address this issue, § 1.6041–10(f) of the             this topic. In addition, comments are
                                                      the return is filed with the appropriate                proposed regulations provides that, in                requested regarding whether the
                                                      Internal Revenue Service location                       addition to government-issued                         aggregate reporting method should be
                                                      designated in the instructions to the                   identification, a properly completed                  available for gambling winnings other
                                                      form.                                                   Form W–9 signed by the payee is an                    than winnings from bingo, keno, and
                                                         Proposed § 1.6041–10(g) requires a                   acceptable form of identification to                  slot machine play.
                                                      payor of reportable gambling winnings                   verify the payee’s identifying
                                                      to provide a statement of the reportable                information. This rule is consistent with             Proposed Effective/Applicability Date
                                                      gambling winnings to each payee on or                   procedures currently used by many                       These regulations are proposed to
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                                                      before January 31st of the calendar year                payors to address the fact that most                  apply to payments made on or after the
                                                      after the calendar year in which the                    forms of identification do not contain                date of publication of the Treasury
                                                      gambling winnings were paid. Although                   social security numbers. Accordingly,                 decision adopting these rules as final
                                                      § 7.6041–1 of the Temporary Income                      payors who verify payee information                   regulations in the Federal Register.
                                                      Tax Regulations does not address when                   using identification set forth in
                                                      to provide statements to the payees, the                proposed § 1.6041–10(f) before the date               Special Analyses
                                                      proposed regulations are a restatement                  that final regulations implementing                     It has been determined that this notice
                                                      of the requirement to furnish statements                these provisions are published in the                 of proposed rulemaking is not a
                                                      to payees in section 6041(d). In                        Federal Register will be treated as                   significant regulatory action as defined


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           11603

                                                      in Executive Order 12866, as                            addition, all visitors must present photo             this section) must make an information
                                                      supplemented by Executive Order                         identification to enter the building.                 return with respect to such payment.
                                                      13563. Therefore, a regulatory                          Because of access restrictions, visitors              Unless the provisions of paragraph (h)
                                                      assessment is not required. It has been                 will not be admitted beyond the                       of this section (regarding aggregate
                                                      determined that section 553(b) of the                   immediate entrance area more than 30                  reporting) apply, a separate information
                                                      Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.                  minutes before the hearing starts. For                return is required with respect to each
                                                      chapter 5) does not apply to these                      information about having your name                    payment of reportable gambling
                                                      regulations. It is hereby certified that                placed on the building access list to                 winnings.
                                                      this rule will not have a significant                   attend the hearing, see the FOR FURTHER                  (b) Definitions—(1) Electronically
                                                      economic impact on a substantial                        INFORMATION CONTACT section of this                   tracked slot machine play. For purposes
                                                      number of small entities. This                          preamble.                                             of this section, the term ‘‘electronically
                                                      certification is based on the fact that this               The rules of § 601.601(a)(3) apply to              tracked slot machine play’’ means slot
                                                      rule merely provides guidance as to the                 the hearing. Persons who wish to                      machine play using an electronic player
                                                      timing and filing of information                        present oral comments at the hearing                  system that is controlled by the gaming
                                                      reporting returns for payors who make                   must submit electronic or written                     establishment (such as through the use
                                                      reportable payments of bingo, keno, or                  comments and an outline of the topics                 of a player’s card or similar system) that
                                                      slot machine winnings and who are                       to be discussed and the time to be                    records the amount a specific individual
                                                      required by section 6041 to make                        devoted to each topic (signed original                won and wagered on slot machine play.
                                                      returns reporting those payments. The                   and eight (8) copies) and an outline of                  (2) Reportable gambling winnings. (i)
                                                      requirement for payors to make                          the topics to be discussed and the time               For purposes of this section, the term
                                                      information returns is imposed by                       to be devoted to each topic by June 2,                ‘‘reportable gambling winnings’’ is
                                                      statute and not these regulations. In                   2015. A period of 10 minutes will be                  defined as follows:
                                                      addition, this rule is reducing the                     allotted to each person for making                       (A) For bingo, the term ‘‘reportable
                                                      existing burden on payors to comply                     comments. An agenda showing the                       gambling winnings’’ means winnings of
                                                      with the statutory requirement by                       scheduling of the speakers will be                    $1,200 or more from one bingo game,
                                                      simplifying the process for payors to                   prepared after the deadline for receiving             without reduction for the amount
                                                      verify payees’ identities using a broader               outlines has passed. Copies of the                    wagered. All winnings received from all
                                                      range of documents that are more                        agenda will be available free of charge               wagers made during one bingo game are
                                                      readily available and also by allowing                  at the hearing.                                       combined (for example, all winnings
                                                      payors to reduce the number of                                                                                from all cards played during one bingo
                                                      information returns they issue if they                  Drafting Information                                  game are combined).
                                                      adopt the new aggregate reporting                         The principal author of these                          (B) For keno, the term ‘‘reportable
                                                      methodology in the regulations.                         proposed regulations is Charles W.                    gambling winnings’’ means winnings of
                                                      Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility                     Gorham, formerly of the Office of the                 $1,500 or more from one keno game
                                                      Analysis under the Regulatory                           Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and                reduced by the amount wagered on the
                                                      Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 6) is                 Administration).                                      same keno game. All winnings received
                                                      not required. Pursuant to section 7805(f)                                                                     from all wagers made during one keno
                                                      of the Internal Revenue Code, this                      List of Subjects                                      game are combined (for example, all
                                                      notice of proposed rulemaking has been                  26 CFR Part 1                                         winnings from all ‘‘ways’’ on a multi-
                                                      submitted to the Chief Counsel for                                                                            way keno ticket are combined).
                                                                                                                Income taxes, Reporting and                            (C) For slot machine play (other than
                                                      Advocacy of the Small Business                          recordkeeping requirements.
                                                      Administration for comment on its                                                                             electronically tracked slot machine play
                                                      impact on small business.                               26 CFR Part 31                                        as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this
                                                                                                                Employment Taxes and Collection of                  section), the term ‘‘reportable gambling
                                                      Comments and Public Hearing                                                                                   winnings’’ means winnings of $1,200 or
                                                                                                              Income Tax at Source.
                                                         Before these proposed regulations are                                                                      more from one slot machine play,
                                                      adopted as final regulations,                           Proposed Amendment to the                             without reduction for the amount
                                                      consideration will be given to any                      Regulations                                           wagered.
                                                      written comments (a signed original and                   Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 1 and 31                     (D) For electronically tracked slot
                                                      eight (8) copies) or electronic comments                are proposed to be amended as follows:                machine play (as defined in (b)(1) of this
                                                      that are submitted timely to the IRS. In                                                                      section), the term ‘‘reportable gambling
                                                      addition to the requests for comments                   PART 1—INCOME TAXES                                   winnings’’ means net winnings of
                                                      noted in the Background Section,                                                                              $1,200 or more, but only if the winnings
                                                      Treasury and the IRS request comments                   ■ Paragraph 1. The authority citation                 from at least one electronically tracked
                                                      on any other aspects of the proposed                    for part 1 continues to read in part as               slot machine play during the session,
                                                      rules, and any other issues relating to                 follows:                                              without reduction for any amount
                                                      the payment of bingo, keno, and slot                        Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805* * *                    wagered, is $1,200 or more. For
                                                      machine winnings that are not                           ■ Par. 2. Section 1.6041–10 is added to               purposes of this paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of
                                                      addressed in the proposed regulations.                  read as follows:                                      this section, net winnings is determined
                                                      All comments will be available at                                                                             by combining the amount of all
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                                                      www.regulations.gov for public                          § 1.6041–10 Return of information as to               winnings from all electronically tracked
                                                      inspection and copying.                                 payments of winnings from bingo, keno,                slot machine play during the session
                                                         A public hearing has been scheduled                  and slot machine play.                                reduced by the amount of all wagers
                                                      for June 17, 2015, beginning at 10 a.m.                   (a) In general. Every person engaged                from all electronically tracked slot
                                                      in the IRS Auditorium, Internal Revenue                 in a trade or business (as defined in                 machine play during the same session.
                                                      Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue                      § 1.6041–1(b)) and who, in the course of                 (ii) Winnings and wagers from
                                                      NW., Washington, DC. Due to building                    such trade or business, makes a                       different types of games are not
                                                      security procedures, visitors must enter                payment of reportable gambling                        combined to determine if the reporting
                                                      at the Constitution Avenue entrance. In                 winnings (defined in paragraph (b)(2) of              threshold is satisfied. Bingo, keno, and


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                                                      11604                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      slot machine play are different types of                reportable gambling winnings is satisfied, A’s        electronically tracked slot machine play are
                                                      games. Electronically tracked slot                      winnings from slot machine play that is not           not reportable gambling winnings unless they
                                                      machine play and slot machine play                      electronically tracked are not combined with          include a single win of $1,200 or more and
                                                                                                              A’s winnings from keno. A’s winnings from             the net amount of all winnings during the
                                                      that is not electronically tracked are
                                                                                                              keno are below the $1,500 reporting                   session reduced by all wagers placed during
                                                      different types of games.                               threshold for keno, because the gross amount          the session is $1,200 or more. Here, there was
                                                         (iii) Winnings include the fair market               of $1,550 that A won is reduced by the $100           a single win of $1,500, which exceeds the
                                                      value of a payment in any medium other                  amount that A wagered. R is therefore not             threshold for a single win under paragraph
                                                      than cash.                                              required to report the winnings from keno             (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section. However, because
                                                         (iv) The amount wagered in the case                  that it pays to A under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B)        the net amount of the winnings reduced by
                                                      of a free play is zero.                                 of this section.                                      all the wagers placed during the session is
                                                         (v) For purposes of paragraph                           Example 2. Between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.             not $1,200 or more, paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of
                                                      (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, with respect              on the same day, B places five wagers of $20          this section is not satisfied. Therefore, during
                                                                                                              each at casino Q on slot machine play that            the session, D did not have reportable
                                                      to electronically tracked slot machine                  is not electronically tracked. B wins a total         gambling winnings with respect to
                                                      play, if the amount wagered during a                    of $1,600 during that period of time as               electronically tracked slot machine play
                                                      session exceeds the amount won during                   follows: an $800 win on the first play, no win        during the session and S is not required to
                                                      the same session, the amount of                         on the second play, no win on the third play,         report the winnings it pays D with respect to
                                                      winnings is zero.                                       a $600 win on the fourth play, and a $200             electronically tracked slot machine play
                                                         (3) Session. For purposes of this                    win on the fifth play. Under paragraph                during this session.
                                                      section, a session of play begins when                  (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section, winnings from slot         Example 6. During one session, E places
                                                      a patron places the first wager on a                    machine play that is not electronically               five $20 wagers at casino T on slot machine
                                                                                                              tracked are not combined to determine                 play that is not electronically tracked. The
                                                      particular type of game at a gaming
                                                                                                              whether the reporting threshold is satisfied.         first four wagers result in no wins. The fifth
                                                      establishment and ends when the patron                  Therefore, none of B’s winnings is a                  wager results in a win of $1,200. During the
                                                      places his or her last wager on the same                reportable gambling winning and Q is not              same session, E also places five $20 wagers
                                                      type of game before the end of the same                 required to report winnings from slot                 at casino T on slot machine play that is
                                                      calendar day at the same gaming                         machine play that it pays to B.                       electronically tracked. The first four wagers
                                                      establishment. For purposes of this                        Example 3. During one session at casino            result in no wins. The fifth wager results in
                                                      section, the time is determined by the                  R, C places two $20 wagers on one                     a win of $1,400. E makes no wagers on any
                                                      time zone of the location where the                     electronically tracked slot machine and three         other games at T during that session. Under
                                                      patron places the wager. A session of                   $20 wagers on a different electronically              paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, winnings
                                                                                                              tracked slot machine. The first four wagers           from slot machine play that is not
                                                      play is always determined with
                                                                                                              result in no wins. The fifth wager results in         electronically tracked and winnings from
                                                      reference to a calendar day (24-hour                    a win of $2,000. C makes no further wagers            electronically tracked slot machine play are
                                                      period from 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.)                 on any games at R during the same session.            not combined. However, even without
                                                      and ends no later than the end of that                  C’s combined winnings for the session                 combining the winnings from both types of
                                                      calendar day. Nothing in this section                   ($2,000) reduced by C’s combined wagers for           slot machine play, T paid reportable
                                                      prohibits a payor from terminating a                    the session ($100) is $1,900, which is over           gambling winnings with respect to both the
                                                      session for any reason before the end of                the $1,200 threshold described in paragraph           slot machine play that is not electronically
                                                      that calendar day.                                      (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section. In addition, C had      tracked, and electronically tracked slot
                                                         (4) Slot machine. The term ‘‘slot                    one win in the same session of $1,200 or              machine play as follows:
                                                                                                              more ($2,000 win). Therefore, under                      (i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this
                                                      machine’’ means a device that, by
                                                                                                              paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, R paid        section, E’s $1,200 of winnings from slot
                                                      application of the element of chance,                   reportable gambling winnings with respect to          machine play that is not electronically
                                                      may deliver, or entitle the person                      electronically tracked slot machine play of           tracked is not reduced by the amount
                                                      playing or operating the device to                      $1,900. Accordingly, R must report the                wagered, even though all of E’s wagers were
                                                      receive cash, premiums, merchandise,                    winnings of $1,900 that it paid to C.                 placed during the same session. Accordingly,
                                                      or tokens whether or not the device is                     Example 4. Assume the same facts as in             the $1,200 of winnings from slot machine
                                                      operated by insertion of a coin, token,                 Example 3, except that the fourth wager               play that is not electronically tracked meets
                                                      or similar object.                                      results in an $800 win and the fifth wager            the threshold in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this
                                                         (c) Examples. The following examples                 results in a $1,000 win. C’s combined                 section and T must report the $1,200 in
                                                                                                              winnings for the session of $1,800 ($800 +            winnings from slot machine play that is not
                                                      illustrate the provisions of paragraphs
                                                                                                              $1,000) reduced by C’s combined wagers                electronically tracked that it pays to E.
                                                      (a) and (b) of this section:                            placed during the session of $100 is $1,700.             (ii) Because E’s combined winnings from
                                                         Example 1. At 10 a.m., A wagers $20 at               However, C did not have a single win during           electronically tracked slot machine play
                                                      casino R on one play on a slot machine that             that session of $1,200 or more, as required           during the session ($1,400) reduced by E’s
                                                      is not electronically tracked. A wins $1,200            under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section,         combined wagers on electronically tracked
                                                      from this wager. At 2 p.m. on the same day,             for there to be reportable gambling winnings          slot machine play placed during the session
                                                      A wagers $100 on one keno game at casino                from electronically tracked slot machine              ($100) is $1,200 or more ($1,400 ¥ $100 =
                                                      R. A wins $1,550 from that wager. A makes               play. Accordingly, R is not required to report        $1,300) and E had at least one win during the
                                                      no other wagers that day:                               the winnings from the session from                    same session of $1,200 or more (a win of
                                                         (i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this             electronically tracked slot machine play that         $1,400), under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this
                                                      section, A’s $1,200 in winnings from slot               it pays to C.                                         section, T paid E reportable gambling
                                                      machine play that is not electronically                    Example 5. During one session, D places            winnings with respect to electronically
                                                      tracked are not reduced by the amount                   ten $200 wagers on electronically tracked slot        tracked slot machine play. Accordingly, T
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                                                      wagered. Therefore, the $1,200 winnings                 machine play at casino S. The first nine              must also report winnings from the
                                                      from slot machine play that is not                      wagers result in no wins. The last wager              electronically tracked slot machine play
                                                      electronically tracked are reportable                   results in a $1,500 win. D’s combined                 during the session of $1,300 that it pays to
                                                      gambling winnings. R must report the $1,200             winnings for the session ($1,500) reduced by          E.
                                                      in winnings from slot machine play that it              D’s combined wagers placed during the                    Example 7. During the same session, F
                                                      pays to A.                                              session ($2,000) did not result in any net            makes five $20 wagers at casino V on slot
                                                         (ii) Under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this              winnings from electronically tracked slot             machine play that is electronically tracked on
                                                      section, because winnings from different                machine play during the session. Under                the same slot machine. The first three wagers
                                                      types of games are not combined to                      paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section,               result in no wins. The fourth wager results
                                                      determine whether the threshold for                     gambling winnings from a session of                   in a win of $900. The fifth wager results in



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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           11605

                                                      a win of $1,100. After the fifth wager, F uses          (March 31, if filed electronically) of the            includes the payee’s name, address,
                                                      free play to make a wager. The free play                year following the calendar year in                   taxpayer identification number, and
                                                      wager occurs during the same session as the             which the reportable gambling winnings                other information required by the form.
                                                      five wagers and is also electronically tracked.
                                                                                                              were paid. See section 6011 and                       A Form W–9 is not acceptable for this
                                                      As a result of the free play, F wins $1,200.
                                                      In this case, there are reportable gambling             § 1.6011–2 for requirements to file                   purpose if the payee has modified the
                                                      winnings from electronically tracked slot               electronically.                                       form (other than pursuant to
                                                      machine play. Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of              (e) Information included on the                    instructions to the form) or if the payee
                                                      this section, F’s combined winnings from                return. Each return required by                       has deleted the jurat or other similar
                                                      electronically tracked slot machine play                paragraph (a) of this section must                    provisions by which the payee certifies
                                                      during the session ($3,200) reduced by F’s              contain:                                              or affirms the correctness of the
                                                      combined wagers placed on electronically                   (1) The name, address, and taxpayer                statements contained on the form.
                                                      tracked slot machine play during the session            identification number of the payor;
                                                      (($20 × 5) + 0 = $100) is $3,100, and F had
                                                                                                                                                                       (g) Furnishing a statement to the
                                                                                                                 (2) The name, address, and taxpayer                payee. Every payor required to make a
                                                      at least one win in the same session of $1,200
                                                                                                              identification number of the payee;                   return under paragraph (a) of this
                                                      or more (a win of $1,200 from the free play).
                                                      Accordingly, V must report the $3,100 of
                                                                                                                 (3) A general description of the two               section must also make and furnish to
                                                      winnings from the electronically tracked slot           types of identification (as described in              each payee, with respect to each
                                                      machine play during the session that it pays            paragraph (f) of this section), one of                payment of reportable gambling
                                                      to F.                                                   which must have the payee’s                           winnings, a written statement that
                                                         Example 8. Between 11 p.m. and 11:59                 photograph on it, that the payor relied               contains the information that is required
                                                      p.m. on Day 1, G makes five $20 wagers at               on to verify the payee’s name, address,
                                                      casino W on slot machine play that is
                                                                                                                                                                    to be included on the return under
                                                                                                              and taxpayer identification number;                   paragraph (e) of this section. The payor
                                                      electronically tracked. The first four wagers              (4) The date and amount of payment;
                                                      placed on Day 1 result in no wins. The fifth                                                                  must furnish the statement to the payee
                                                                                                                 (5) The type of wagering transaction
                                                      wager placed on Day 1 results in an $800                                                                      on or before January 31st of the year
                                                                                                              (bingo, keno, slot machine play, or
                                                      win. Between 12:00 a.m. and 12:15 a.m. on                                                                     following the calendar year in which
                                                      Day 2, G makes two $20 wagers on the same               electronically tracked slot machine
                                                                                                                                                                    payment of the reportable gambling
                                                      slot machine at casino W that is                        play);
                                                                                                                                                                    winnings is made. The statement will be
                                                      electronically tracked. The first wager placed             (6) In the case of a bingo or keno
                                                                                                                                                                    considered furnished to the payee if it
                                                      on Day 2 results in a win of $600. The second           game, any number, color, or other
                                                                                                                                                                    is provided to the payee at the time of
                                                      wager placed on Day 2 results in a win of               designation assigned to the game for
                                                      $900.                                                                                                         payment or if it is mailed to the payee
                                                                                                              which the payment is made;
                                                         (i) Under paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(D) and (b)(3)            (7) In the case of slot machine play               on or before January 31st of the year
                                                      of this section, the winnings from one session          (including electronically tracked slot                following the calendar year in which
                                                      of electronically tracked slot machine play             machine play), the identification                     payment was made.
                                                      are not combined with the winnings from                                                                          (h) Aggregate reporting of bingo, keno,
                                                      another session of electronically tracked slot          number of the slot machine(s) (for
                                                                                                              example, location and asset number);                  and slot machine winnings—(1) In
                                                      machine play for purposes of determining                                                                      general. In lieu of filing a separate
                                                      reportable gambling winnings. In this case, G              (8) Any other information required by
                                                      engaged in electronically tracked slot                  the form, instructions, revenue                       information return for each payment of
                                                      machine play during two sessions, even                  procedure, or other applicable guidance               reportable gambling winnings as
                                                      though he played the same type of game on               published in the Internal Revenue                     required by paragraph (a) of this section,
                                                      the same machine at the same gambling                   Bulletin. In the case of aggregate                    a payor may use the aggregate reporting
                                                      establishment. Therefore, each session must             reporting under paragraph (h) of this                 method (defined in paragraph (h)(2) of
                                                      be analyzed to determine whether there were                                                                   this section) to report reportable
                                                      reportable gambling winnings from
                                                                                                              section, the amount of the payment in
                                                                                                              paragraphs (e)(4) is the aggregate                    gambling winnings from bingo, keno, or
                                                      electronically tracked slot machine play.                                                                     slot machine play (including
                                                         (ii) During the session on Day 1, G won              amount of payments of reportable
                                                      $800. Because no single win was $1,200 or               gambling winnings from the same type                  electronically tracked slot machine
                                                      more on Day 1, there were no reportable                 of game (bingo, keno, slot machine play,              play). A payor using the aggregate
                                                      gambling winnings from electronically                   or electronically tracked slot machine                reporting method to file information
                                                      tracked slot machine play on Day 1 under                play) made to the same payee during the               returns under paragraph (a) of this
                                                      paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this section, and W           same session (as defined in paragraph                 section must also furnish statements to
                                                      does not have to report the winnings from                                                                     the payee under paragraph (g) of this
                                                                                                              (b)(3) of this section). Unless otherwise
                                                      electronically tracked slot machine play on                                                                   section using the aggregate reporting
                                                      Day 1 that it paid to G.                                provided in forms, instructions, or other
                                                                                                              guidance, in the case of aggregate                    method.
                                                         (iii) During the session on Day 2, G won
                                                      $600 and $900. Because no single win was                reporting under paragraph (h) of this                    (2) Aggregate reporting method
                                                      $1,200 or more on Day 2, there were no                  section the information required by                   defined. (i) The aggregate reporting
                                                      reportable gambling winnings from                       paragraphs (e)(5), (6), (7) of this section,          method is a method of reporting more
                                                      electronically tracked slot machine play on             and this paragraph (e)(8) must be                     than one payment of reportable
                                                      Day 2 under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(D) of this              maintained by the payor as described in               gambling winnings from the same type
                                                      section, and W does not have to report the              paragraph (h)(3) of this section.                     of game (bingo, keno, slot machine play,
                                                      winnings from electronically tracked slot                  (f) Identification. The following items            or electronically tracked slot machine
                                                      machine play on Day 2 that it paid to G.                                                                      play) made to the same payee during the
                                                                                                              are treated as identification for purposes
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                                                        (d) Prescribed form; time and place                   of paragraph (e)(3) of this section—                  same session (as defined in this
                                                      for filing the return. The return                          (1) Government-issued identification               paragraph (b)(3) of this section) on one
                                                      described in paragraph (a) of this                      (for example, a driver’s license,                     information return or statement.
                                                      section is a Form W–2G, ‘‘Certain                       passport, social security card, military                 (ii) A payor may use the aggregate
                                                      Gambling Winnings’’ or successor form.                  identification card, or voter registration            reporting method for payments to some
                                                      The Form W–2G must be filed with the                    card) in the name of the payee; and                   payees and not others, at its own
                                                      appropriate Internal Revenue Service                       (2) A Form W–9, ‘‘Request for                      discretion. In addition, with respect to
                                                      location designated in the instructions                 Taxpayer Identification Number and                    a single payee, the payor may use the
                                                      to the form on or before February 28                    Certification,’’ signed by the payee, that            aggregate reporting method to report


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                                                      11606                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      winnings from one type of game, but not                    (vii) The method of payment to the                 machine play that is not electronically
                                                      for winnings from another type of game.                 payee (for example, cash, check,                      tracked at casino R. Even though C played
                                                         (iii) Failure to report some reportable              voucher, token, or chips); and                        the same type of game (slot machines that are
                                                                                                                 (viii) The name and gaming license                 not electronically tracked) on Day 1 and Day
                                                      gambling winnings from a particular                                                                           2, because under paragraph (b)(3) of this
                                                      type of game during one session to a                    number of the individual that the payor               section the win at 1 a.m. on Day 2 is a win
                                                      particular payee under the aggregate                    has determined is responsible for                     during a new session, under paragraph
                                                      reporting method (for whatever reason,                  ensuring that the entry with respect to               (h)(2)(i) of this section the $3,250 of
                                                      including because the winnings are not                  the reportable gambling winnings                      reportable gambling winnings cannot be
                                                      permitted to be reported using the                      (including the general description of                 aggregated with the reportable gambling
                                                      aggregate reporting method under                        two types of identification used to verify            winnings of $4,000 from Day 1 on a single
                                                      paragraph (h)(4) of this section) will not              the payee’s name, address, and taxpayer               Form W–2G. Accordingly, if R uses the
                                                                                                              identification number) is complete and                aggregate reporting method, R must file two
                                                      disqualify the payor from using the                                                                           Forms W–2G with respect to C’s reportable
                                                      aggregate reporting method to report                    accurate. Such individual may or may                  gambling winnings on Day 1 and Day 2. R
                                                      other reportable gambling winnings                      not be the same individual who                        must report $4,000 of reportable gambling
                                                      from that type of game during that                      prepared the entry.                                   winnings from slot machine play paid to C
                                                      session to that payee.                                     (4) When the aggregate reporting                   on Day 1 on the first Form W–2G, and $3,250
                                                         (3) Recordkeeping under the aggregate                method may not be used. A payor                       of reportable gambling winnings from slot
                                                      reporting method. A payor using the                     cannot use the aggregate reporting                    machine play paid to C on Day 2 on the
                                                      aggregate reporting method must                         method if—                                            second Form W–2G.
                                                                                                                 (i) The payee is a foreign person;                    Example 3. At 2 p.m. on Day 1, D won
                                                      maintain a record of every payment of
                                                                                                                 (ii) The payor knows or has reason to              $2,000 (after reducing the amount of the win
                                                      reportable gambling winnings from the                                                                         by the amount wagered) playing one keno
                                                      same type of game made to the same                      know that the person making the wager                 game at casino S. D provides S with his
                                                      payee during the session that will be                   is not the person entitled to the                     driver’s license. The driver’s license has D’s
                                                      reported using the aggregate reporting                  winnings or is not the only person                    photograph on it, as well as D’s name and
                                                      method. Every individual that the payor                 entitled to the winnings (regardless of               address. The driver’s license does not
                                                      has determined is responsible for an                    whether the person making the wager                   include D’s social security number. D cannot
                                                      entry in the record must confirm the                    furnishes a Form 5754, ‘‘Statement by                 remember his social security number and has
                                                      information in the entry by signing the                 Person(s) Receiving Gambling                          no other identification at the time with his
                                                                                                              Winnings,’’ or successor form); or                    social security number on it. D does not
                                                      record in a manner that will enable the
                                                                                                                 (iii) Backup withholding under                     provide S with his social security number
                                                      signature to be associated with the                                                                           before S pays the winnings to D. Because D
                                                      relevant entry. Each payment of a                       section 3406(a) applies to the payment.
                                                                                                                                                                    cannot remember his social security number,
                                                      reportable gambling winning made to                        (5) Examples. The following examples               D cannot complete and sign a Form W–9. S
                                                      the same payee and reported under the                   illustrate the provisions of this                     deducts and withholds $560 (28 percent of
                                                      aggregate reporting method must have                    paragraph (h):                                        $2,000) under the backup withholding
                                                      its own entry in the record, however,                      Example 1. On Day 1, C places five wagers          provisions of section 3406(a) and pays the
                                                      the information required by paragraphs                  at casino R on five different slot machines           remaining $1,440 in winnings to D. D returns
                                                      (e)(1), (2), and (3) of this section is not             that are not electronically tracked. The first        to casino S and at 6 p.m. on Day 1 wins
                                                                                                              two wagers result in no win. The third wager          $1,500 (after reducing the amount of the win
                                                      required to be recorded more than one
                                                                                                              results in a $1,500 win. The fourth wager             by the amount wagered) in one keno game.
                                                      time per session. A payor that uses the                 results in a $2,500 win. The fifth wager              D provides S with his driver’s license as well
                                                      aggregate reporting method must retain                  results in an $800 win:                               as D’s social security card. S generally uses
                                                      a copy of the record in its files. The                     (i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this           the aggregate reporting method and in all
                                                      record (which may be electronic                         section, there are reportable gambling                cases where it is used, S complies with the
                                                      provided the requirements set forth in                  winnings from the slot machine play that is           requirements of this paragraph (h). At 8 p.m.
                                                      forms, instructions, or guidance                        not electronically tracked of $4,000 ($1,500 +        and 10 p.m. on Day 1, D wins an additional
                                                      published in the Internal Revenue                       $2,500). The $800 win is not a reportable             $1,800 and $1,700 (after reducing the amount
                                                      Bulletin are met) must include the                      gambling winning from slot machine play               of the win by the amount wagered),
                                                                                                              that is not electronically tracked because it         respectively, from two different keno games.
                                                      following information about each
                                                                                                              does not equal or exceed the $1,200                   For each of these two wins, an employee of
                                                      payment:                                                threshold.                                            S obtains the information from D required by
                                                         (i) The payee’s signature confirming                    (ii) Because all of the amounts were won           this paragraph (h):
                                                      the information in the record;                          on the same type of game (even though each               (i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B) of this
                                                         (ii) The information required under                  of the winnings occurred on different                 section, each of D’s wins from the four games
                                                      paragraph (e) of this section;                          machines) during the same session, R is               of keno on Day 1 ($2,000, $1,500, $1,700, and
                                                         (iii) The time of the win resulting in               permitted to use the aggregate reporting              $1,800) are reportable gambling winnings.
                                                      the reportable gambling winnings;                       method under this paragraph (h). If R decides         Because D’s first win on Day 1 was at 2 p.m.
                                                                                                              not to use the aggregate reporting method and         and D’s last win on Day 1 was at 10 p.m.,
                                                         (iv) Except in the case of
                                                                                                              meets the requirements of paragraph (h), a            all of D’s reportable gambling winnings from
                                                      electronically tracked slot machine play,               separate Form W–2G would have to be filed             keno are won during the same session.
                                                      the total amount of reportable gambling                 and furnished for the payment of reportable           Because S satisfies the requirements of
                                                      winnings;                                               gambling winnings of $1,500 and for the               paragraph (h)(2)(i), S may use the aggregate
                                                         (v) In the case of electronically                    payment of reportable gambling winnings of            reporting method to report D’s reportable
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                                                      tracked slot machine play—                              $2,500. However, if R decides to use the              gambling winnings from keno. However,
                                                         (A) The total amount of the winnings                 aggregate reporting method, R may report              pursuant to paragraph (h)(4)(iii) of this
                                                      during the session from electronically                  total reportable gambling winnings from slot          section, the $2,000 payment made to D at 2
                                                      tracked slot machine play; and                          machine play that is not electronically               p.m. cannot be reported under the aggregate
                                                                                                              tracked of $4,000 ($1,500 + $2,500) on one            reporting method because that payment was
                                                         (B) The total amount of the wagers                   Form W–2G.                                            subject to backup withholding. Accordingly,
                                                      placed during the session on                               Example 2. Assume the same facts as                if S uses the aggregate reporting method
                                                      electronically tracked slot machine play;               Example 1, except that in addition to the             under this paragraph (h), S will have to file
                                                         (vi) The amount of reportable                        winnings described in Example 1, at 1 a.m.            two Forms W–2G with respect to D’s
                                                      gambling winnings;                                      on Day 2, C wins $3,250 from one slot                 reportable gambling winnings from keno on



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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 42 / Wednesday, March 4, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                          11607

                                                      Day 1. On the first Form W–2G, S will report            ‘‘§ 7.6041–1’’ and adding the text                    holidays. The telephone number is 202–
                                                      $2,000 of reportable gambling winnings and              ‘‘§ 1.6041–10’’ in its place.                         366–9329.
                                                      $560 of backup withholding with respect to              *      *   *      *     *                               See the ‘‘Public Participation and
                                                      the 2 p.m. win from keno, and on the second                                                                   Request for Comments’’ portion of the
                                                      Form W–2G S will report $5,000 of                       John Dalrymple,                                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
                                                      reportable gambling winnings from keno                  Deputy Commissioner for Services and                  below for further instructions on
                                                      (representing the three payments of $1,500,             Enforcement.                                          submitting comments. To avoid
                                                      $1,700, and $1,800 that D won between 6                 [FR Doc. 2015–04437 Filed 3–3–15; 8:45 am]            duplication, please use only one of
                                                      p.m. and 10 p.m. on Day 1).                             BILLING CODE 4830–01–P                                these three methods.
                                                         Example 4. In one session on Day 1, E won                                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
                                                      five reportable gambling winnings from five                                                                   you have questions on this rule, call or
                                                      different bingo games at a casino T. T                  DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                email Petty Officer John K. Jennings,
                                                      generally uses the aggregate reporting method           SECURITY                                              Sector Miami Prevention Department,
                                                      and in all cases where it is used, T complies                                                                 Coast Guard; telephone (305) 535–4317,
                                                      with the requirements of this paragraph (h).            Coast Guard                                           email John.K.Jennings@uscg.mil. If you
                                                      Although E signed the entry in the record T                                                                   have questions on viewing or submitting
                                                      maintains for payment of the first four                 33 CFR Part 165                                       material to the docket, call Cheryl
                                                      reportable gambling winnings, E refuses to                                                                    Collins, Program Manager, Docket
                                                      sign the entry in the record for the fifth              [Docket Number USCG–2015–0024]
                                                                                                                                                                    Operations, telephone (202) 366–9826.
                                                      payment of reportable gambling winnings. T              RIN 1625–AA00                                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                      may use the aggregate reporting method for
                                                      the first four payments of reportable                   Safety Zone; Rotary Club of Fort                      Table of Acronyms
                                                      gambling winnings to E. However, because                Lauderdale New River Raft Race, New
                                                                                                                                                                    DHS Department of Homeland Security
                                                      the entry in the record for the fifth payment           River; Fort Lauderdale, FL                            FR Federal Register
                                                      of reportable gambling winnings does not                                                                      NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
                                                      include E’s signature, that payment may not             AGENCY:   Coast Guard, DHS.
                                                      be reported under the aggregate reporting               ACTION:   Notice of proposed rulemaking.              A. Public Participation and Request for
                                                      method. Accordingly, if T uses the aggregate                                                                  Comments
                                                                                                              SUMMARY:   The Coast Guard proposes to
                                                      reporting method under paragraph (h) of this                                                                    We encourage you to participate in
                                                                                                              establish a temporary safety zone on the
                                                      section, T must prepare two Forms W–2G as                                                                     this rulemaking by submitting
                                                                                                              waters of the New River in Fort
                                                      follows: On the first Form W–2G, T must                                                                       comments and related materials. All
                                                      report the first four payments of reportable
                                                                                                              Lauderdale, Florida during the Rotary
                                                                                                              Club of Fort Lauderdale New River Raft                comments received will be posted
                                                      gambling winnings from bingo made to E on                                                                     without change to http://
                                                      Day 1. On the second Form W–2G, T must                  Race, on Saturday, April 18, 2015. The
                                                                                                              safety zone will encompass the waters                 www.regulations.gov and will include
                                                      report the fifth payment of reportable                                                                        any personal information you have
                                                      gambling winnings from bingo made to E on               between Esplanade Park to just east of
                                                                                                              the Southeast 3rd Avenue Bridge.                      provided.
                                                      Day 1.
                                                                                                              Approximately 100 participants will                   1. Submitting Comments
                                                         (i) Payments to foreign persons. See                 attend the race. The safety zone is                      If you submit a comment, please
                                                      § 1.6041–4 regarding payments to                        necessary to ensure the safety of the                 include the docket number for this
                                                      foreign persons. See § 1.6049–5(d) for                  participants, participant vessels, and the            rulemaking, indicate the specific section
                                                      determining whether the payee is a                      general public during the event. Persons              of this document to which each
                                                      foreign person.                                         and vessels, except those participating               comment applies, and provide a reason
                                                                                                              in the event, are prohibited from                     for each suggestion or recommendation.
                                                         (j) Effective/applicability date. This
                                                                                                              entering, transiting through, anchoring               You may submit your comments and
                                                      section applies to payments of
                                                                                                              in, or remaining within the regulated                 material online at http://
                                                      reportable gambling winnings from
                                                                                                              area unless authorized by the Captain of              www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail, or
                                                      bingo, keno, slot machine play, and                     the Port Miami or a designated
                                                      electronically tracked slot machine play                                                                      hand delivery, but please use only one
                                                                                                              representative.                                       of these means. If you submit a
                                                      made on or after the date these
                                                      regulations are published as final                      DATES:  Comments and related material                 comment online, it will be considered
                                                      regulations in the Federal Register. For                must be received by the Coast Guard on                received by the Coast Guard when you
                                                      payments made before that date, other                   or before April 3, 2015.                              successfully transmit the comment. If
                                                      than payments from electronically                         Requests for public meetings must be                you fax, hand deliver, or mail your
                                                                                                              received by the Coast Guard on or before              comment, it will be considered as
                                                      tracked slot machine play, payors may
                                                                                                              April 3, 2015.                                        having been received by the Coast
                                                      rely on the provisions of these proposed
                                                      regulations.                                            ADDRESSES: You may submit comments                    Guard when it is received at the Docket
                                                                                                              identified by docket number using any                 Management Facility. We recommend
                                                      PART 31—EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND                            one of the following methods:                         that you include your name and a
                                                      COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX AT                               (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:                     mailing address, an email address, or a
                                                                                                              http://www.regulations.gov.                           telephone number in the body of your
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      SOURCE
                                                                                                                (2) Fax: 202–493–2251.                              document so that we can contact you if
                                                      ■ Par. 3. The authority citation for part                 (3) Mail or Delivery: Docket                        we have questions regarding your
                                                      31 continues to read in part as follows:                Management Facility (M–30), U.S.                      submission.
                                                                                                              Department of Transportation, West                       To submit your comment online, go to
                                                          26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *                                Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,                  http://www.regulations.gov, type the
                                                                                                              1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                           docket number USCG–2015–0024 in the
                                                      § 31.3406(g)–2     [Amended]
                                                                                                              Washington, DC 20590–0001. Deliveries                 ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH.’’
                                                      ■ Par. 4. In § 31.3406(g)–2, paragraph                  accepted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,                   Click on ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ on the
                                                      (d)(3) is amended by removing the text                  Monday through Friday, except federal                 line associated with this rulemaking.


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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:32:04
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:32:04
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing.
DatesWritten or electronic comments must be received by June 2, 2015. Outlines of topics to be discussed at the public hearing scheduled for June 17, 2015 at 10 a.m. must be received by June 2, 2015.
ContactConcerning the proposed regulations, David Bergman, (202) 317-6844; concerning submissions of comments, the hearing, or to be placed on the building access list to attend the hearing, Oluwafunmilayo P. Taylor (202) 317-6901 (not toll-free numbers).
FR Citation80 FR 11600 
RIN Number1545-BL68
CFR Citation26 CFR 1
26 CFR 31
CFR AssociatedIncome Taxes; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Employment Taxes and Collection of Income Tax at Source

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