80 FR 31837 - Substantial Business Activities
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 107 (June 4, 2015)
Internal Revenue Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 107 (June 4, 2015)
| Page Range | 31837-31843 | |
| FR Document | 2015-13541 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 31837-31843] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-13541] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Part 1 [TD 9720] RIN 1545-BK85 Substantial Business Activities AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Final regulations. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations regarding when an expanded affiliated group will be considered to have substantial business activities in a foreign country. These regulations affect certain domestic corporations and partnerships (and certain parties related to them), and foreign corporations that acquire substantially all of the properties of such domestic corporations or partnerships. DATES: Effective date: These regulations are effective on June 4, 2015. Applicability date: For date of applicability, see Sec. 1.7874- 3(f). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Levine, (202) 317-6937 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On June 6, 2006, temporary regulations under section 7874 (TD 9265) were published in the Federal Register (71 FR 32437) concerning the treatment of a foreign corporation as a surrogate foreign corporation (2006 temporary regulations). A notice of proposed rulemaking (REG- 112994-06) cross-referencing the 2006 temporary regulations was published in the same issue of the Federal Register (71 FR 32495). On July 28, 2006, Notice 2006-70 (2006-2 CB 252) was published, announcing a modification to the effective date contained in the 2006 temporary regulations. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b). On June 12, 2009, the 2006 temporary regulations and the related notice of proposed rulemaking were withdrawn and replaced with new temporary regulations (2009 temporary regulations), which generally apply to acquisitions completed on or after June 9, 2009. TD 9453 (74 FR 27920). A notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-112994-06) cross-referencing the 2009 temporary regulations was published in the same issue of the Federal Register (74 FR 27947). On June 12, 2012, the 2009 temporary regulations and the related notice of proposed rulemaking were withdrawn and replaced with new temporary regulations (2012 temporary regulations), which generally apply to acquisitions completed on or after June 7, 2012. TD 9592 (77 FR 34785). A notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-107889-12) cross- referencing the 2012 temporary regulations was published in the same issue of the Federal Register (77 FR 34887). No public hearing was requested or held; however, comments were received. All comments are available at www.regulations.gov or upon request. After consideration of the comments, the 2012 temporary regulations are adopted as final regulations with the modifications described in this preamble. The 2012 temporary regulations are removed. Explanation of Revisions and Summary of Comments A. General Approach A foreign corporation generally is treated as a surrogate foreign corporation under section 7874(a)(2)(B) if pursuant to a plan (or a series of related transactions): (i) The foreign corporation completes after March 4, 2003, the direct or indirect acquisition of substantially all of the properties held directly or indirectly by a domestic corporation (acquisition); (ii) after the acquisition, at least 60 percent of the stock (by vote or value) of the foreign corporation is held by former shareholders of the domestic corporation by reason of holding stock in the domestic corporation; and (iii) after the acquisition, the expanded affiliated group that includes the foreign corporation (EAG) does not have substantial business activities in the foreign country in which, or under the law of which, the foreign corporation is created or organized (relevant foreign country), when compared to the total business activities of the EAG. Similar provisions apply if a foreign corporation acquires substantially all of the properties constituting a trade or business of a domestic partnership. The 2009 temporary regulations provided that whether an EAG will be considered to have substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country is based on all the facts and circumstances and, unlike the 2006 temporary regulations, did not provide a safe harbor. The 2012 temporary regulations replaced this facts-and-circumstances test with a bright-line rule describing the threshold of activities required for an EAG to be considered to have substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country. Under this bright-line rule, an EAG will be considered to have substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country only if at least 25 percent of the group employees, group assets, and group income are located or derived in the relevant foreign country. Some comments criticized this approach and asserted that there is insufficient support for this bright-line rule in the legislative history. In addition, some comments recommended reverting to a general facts and circumstances test, along with a safe harbor, given the difficulty of formulating a bright-line rule that produces appropriate results in all circumstances. As an alternative, comments suggested that the failure to satisfy the bright-line rule could establish a rebuttable presumption that an EAG does not have substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country. After consideration of the comments, the Department of the Treasury (Treasury Department) and the IRS have concluded that the bright-line rule in the 2012 temporary regulations is consistent with section 7874 and its underlying policies. In addition, the bright-line rule has proven more administrable than a facts-and-circumstances test and has the benefit of providing certainty in applying section 7874 to particular transactions. As a result, these final regulations retain the bright-line rule subject to certain modifications, which are described in this preamble. B. Threshold of Business Activities As described in section A of this preamble, the 2012 temporary regulations provide that an EAG will be considered to have substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country only if at least 25 percent of its group employees, group assets, and group income are located or derived in the relevant foreign country. Comments addressed both the magnitude of the 25-percent threshold and the requirement that each of the group employees, group assets, and group income tests must be satisfied. Although one comment stated that a 25-percent threshold is a reasonable measure of substantiality, other comments stated that it is overly [[Page 31838]] stringent, asserting that it is unlikely that an EAG would have 25 percent of its business activities in any one country given the global nature of commerce. Another comment suggested that an EAG should only be required to satisfy the 25-percent threshold with respect to two out of the three tests provided that the average of all three tests is at least 25 percent. After consideration of these comments, the Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that requiring an EAG to satisfy a 25-percent threshold for all three tests in order to be considered to have substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country is consistent with the policies underlying section 7874. Accordingly, the final regulations retain the 25-percent threshold for all three tests in the 2012 temporary regulations. C. Standards for Determining Group Employees, Group Assets, and Group Income The 2012 temporary regulations provide standards for determining which employees, assets, and income are group employees, group assets, and group income, respectively, for purposes of determining if the EAG has substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country. All employees of members of the EAG constitute group employees. Group income generally is limited to the gross income of members of the EAG from transactions occurring in the ordinary course of business with customers that are not related persons. In order to constitute group assets, assets must be tangible personal property or real property used or held for use in the active conduct of a trade or business by members of the EAG. A comment questioned the need for these different standards and suggested applying the same standard for determining the employees, assets, and income that are taken into account, with the one standard being based on whether the employees, assets, or income relate to the active conduct of a trade of business. The comment acknowledged, however, that, under this alternative approach, special rules would be necessary to exclude gain from the sale of capital assets and section 1231 property from group income and to address situations in which an EAG has primarily passive income and only a small active business. The Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that it is not necessary for the definitions of group employees, group assets, and group income to be based on the same standard, as they measure different facets of an EAG's business activities. In addition, the standards used in the 2012 temporary regulations are commonly used in other areas of the tax law and therefore are more administrable than the recommended alternative. Consequently, the final regulations do not adopt this recommendation. D. Applicable Date Section 7874(a)(2)(B)(iii) provides that the determination of whether an EAG has substantial business activities is made after an acquisition described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(i). Under the 2012 temporary regulations, group assets and the number of group employees are measured as of the ``applicable date,'' and group income and employee compensation are calculated for a one-year ``testing period'' ending on the applicable date. The applicable date, which must be applied consistently, is either the date on which the acquisition is completed (acquisition date) or the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which the acquisition is completed. The 2012 temporary regulations permit taxpayers to use the latter date because certain information required for the tests may not be readily determinable as of the acquisition date if the acquisition is not completed on the last day of the month. A comment suggested that the definition of applicable date be modified to be either the acquisition date or, for transactions involving unrelated parties, the first date on which the written agreement to effect the acquisition becomes binding. The comment stated that this change would allow taxpayers sufficient opportunity to unwind their contractual commitments if it appears that the EAG would not be treated as having substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country. Because a written agreement may become binding long before the date on which the acquisition is completed, the Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that this change would be inconsistent with section 7874(a)(2)(B)(iii), which looks to whether the EAG has substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country after the acquisition. In addition, as the comment noted, taxpayers may condition the closing of the acquisition on the EAG's having substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country after the acquisition. Accordingly, the final regulations do not adopt this suggestion. E. Determining the Members of the EAG 1. In General The 2012 temporary regulations provide that the EAG that includes the foreign acquiring corporation is determined as of the close of the acquisition date. One comment requested that this standard be clarified to provide that the EAG includes both the foreign acquiring corporation and the domestic entity that it acquires, but that it excludes entities that are disposed of (or substantially all the assets of which are disposed of) before the acquisition. The Treasury Department and the IRS believe that it is clear under the 2012 temporary regulations that the EAG generally does not include an entity that is disposed of before the acquisition. Nonetheless, in response to this comment and for the avoidance of doubt, the final regulations are modified to further clarify that an entity that is not a member of the EAG on the acquisition date is not a member of the EAG, even though the entity would have qualified as a member if the EAG were determined at some earlier point during the testing period. The disposition of substantially all the assets of an entity may or may not cause it to cease to be a member of the EAG, depending on whether the entity remains in existence on the acquisition date. The final regulations also clarify that, consistent with the requirement under section 7874(a)(2)(B) to take into account all events that occur ``pursuant to a plan (or series of related transactions)'' in determining whether an entity is a surrogate foreign corporation, members of the EAG are determined taking into account all transactions related to the acquisition, even if they occur after the acquisition date. This clarification is consistent with the rule provided in section 2.03(b)(i) of Notice 2014-52 (2014-42 IRB 712), which provides that all transactions related to an acquisition must be taken into account for purposes of determining the members of an EAG, a U.S- parented group, and a foreign-parented group. 2. Treatment of Partnerships The 2012 temporary regulations provide that, for purposes of the substantial business activities test, a partnership is treated as a corporation that is a member of an EAG if, in the aggregate, more than 50 percent (by value) of its interests are owned by one or more members of the EAG (deemed corporation rule). A comment stated that the deemed corporation rule would not treat a partnership owning more [[Page 31839]] than 50 percent of the stock of the foreign acquiring corporation or its corporate partners as members of the EAG because the partnership is not otherwise owned by a member of the EAG. For example, assume that P, a corporation, owns (by value) 75 percent of the interests of PS, a domestic partnership. PS forms FA, a foreign corporation, and transfers substantially all of its assets constituting a trade or business to FA in exchange for all the stock of FA. According to the comment, neither PS nor P is treated as a member of the EAG that includes FA under the 2012 temporary regulations. The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that this result is inappropriate. Accordingly, the final regulations provide that, in determining the corporations that are members of the EAG, each partner in a partnership is treated as holding its proportionate share of the stock held by the partnership (look-through rule). This rule is consistent with the rules provided in Sec. 1.7874-1(e) (disregarding certain affiliate-owned stock) and section 2.03(b)(i) of Notice 2014-52 (addressing subsequent transfers of stock of the foreign acquiring corporation). The final regulations coordinate the application of the deemed corporation rule with the look-through rule by providing that the look-through rule applies first and without regard to the deemed corporation rule. The result is that the look-through rule applies only for purposes of determining whether an entity that is actually a corporation for U.S. income tax purposes is a member of the EAG. Then, once those corporate entities are identified, the deemed corporation rule applies to treat certain partnerships in which those corporate entities are partners as corporations that are members of the EAG. F. Anti-Abuse Rule The 2012 temporary regulations contain an anti-abuse rule pursuant to which the following items are not taken into account in the numerator, but are taken into account in the denominator, for purposes of the group employees, group assets, and group income tests: (i) Any group assets, group employees, or group income attributable to business activities that are associated with property or liabilities the transfer of which is disregarded under section 7874(c)(4) (generally, if the transfer is part of a plan with a principal purpose of avoiding the purposes of section 7874); (ii) any group assets or group employees located in, or group income derived in, the relevant foreign country as part of a plan with a principal purpose of avoiding the purposes of section 7874; and (iii) any group assets or group employees located in, or group income derived in, the relevant foreign country if such group assets or group employees, or the business activities to which such group income is attributable, are subsequently transferred to another country in connection with a plan that existed at the time of the acquisition. A comment suggested modifying the anti-abuse rule by revising the first prong and eliminating the second prong. The comment stated that the first prong of the rule should exclude items from both the numerator and the denominator for consistency. Although such a rule may, for example, produce appropriate results in the case of certain transfers through which the EAG acquires assets from shareholders, it would not produce appropriate results for certain other transfers, such as distributions of assets by EAG members to shareholders. Accordingly, the final regulations adopt this suggestion for items associated with a transfer of property to the EAG that is disregarded under section 7874(c)(4), but retain the rule in the 2012 temporary regulations in all other cases. The comment also suggested eliminating the second prong of the anti-abuse rule because it relies on an inherently subjective determination and has the potential to detract from the certainty provided by the bright-line rule. Although the same argument could be made for eliminating the third prong, the comment recommended retaining the third prong because the statute looks to whether the EAG has substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country after the acquisition. The Treasury Department and the IRS believe, in this context, that it is appropriate to bolster bright-line rules with anti-abuse rules. Furthermore, the Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that the second prong of the rule is necessary because otherwise a member of the EAG may be able to relocate assets or employees or shift income to the relevant foreign country without engaging in a ``transfer'' that would implicate the first prong. Accordingly, the final regulations do not adopt this suggestion. G. Comments on Specific Tests This section discusses comments that are specific to each of the group employees, group assets, and group income tests. 1. Group Employees The 2012 temporary regulations set forth two prongs of the group employees test, both of which must be satisfied based on individuals who are employees of members of the EAG (group employees). The first prong is satisfied if, on the applicable date, the number of group employees based in the relevant foreign country is at least 25 percent of the total number of group employees. The second prong is satisfied if, during the one-year testing period, the employee compensation incurred with respect to group employees based in the relevant foreign country is at least 25 percent of the total employee compensation incurred with respect to all group employees. The final regulations adopt the definition of the terms ``group employees'' and ``employee compensation'' in the 2012 temporary regulations, subject to certain modifications. Under the 2012 temporary regulations and the final regulations, a group employee is considered to be based in the relevant foreign country only if the employee spent more time providing services in that country than in any other country during the testing period. One comment noted that other potential approaches might be more reflective of where the employee's activities take place, but nevertheless suggested that the standard in the 2012 temporary regulations be retained for its simplicity. The Treasury Department and the IRS agree with this comment, and the final regulations retain this standard. The 2012 temporary regulations do not specify the standard for determining if an individual is an employee for purposes of the group employees test. One comment suggested that individuals who are treated as employees under either U.S. federal tax principles or under applicable local country law should be treated as employees for this purpose. In response to this comment, and to simplify the application of the group employees test, the final regulations provide that whether individuals are employees must be determined for all members of the EAG under U.S. federal tax principles or for all members of the EAG based on the relevant tax laws (in general, for each member of the EAG, the tax law to which that member is subject). For example, if the EAG has two members, FA, the foreign acquiring corporation that is subject to the tax law of Country A, and USP, the domestic entity, the EAG may determine its employees either (i) under U.S. federal tax principles, or (ii) based on the tax law of Country A for those individuals who perform services for FA and U.S. federal tax law for those individuals who perform services for USP. [[Page 31840]] A comment suggested taking into account independent contractors for purposes of the group employees test in certain circumstances, as they may constitute the majority of the workforce in certain industries. The comment further suggested as a possible approach that the rule include only those independent contractors who perform core functions of the business. The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that it is not appropriate to include independent contractors for this purpose given, at least in some cases, the transient nature of their relationships with the member of the EAG for which they perform services. In addition, the Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that taking into account independent contractors based on whether they perform core functions of the business would add undue complexity. Accordingly, this comment is not adopted. Comments requested clarification of when employee compensation is deemed to be incurred, as well as the standard for determining the amount of compensation. One comment recommended that the compensation be treated as incurred in the period for which it would be deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In response to these comments, and to simplify the determination of employee compensation, the final regulations provide that employee compensation is treated as incurred when it would be deductible by the employer as compensation, and the amount of employee compensation equals the amount that would be deductible by the employer as compensation. Both the timing and the amount of the deduction for all employee compensation must be determined for all group employees under U.S. federal income tax principles or for all group employees based on the relevant tax laws. 2. Group Assets Under the 2012 temporary regulations, the group assets test is satisfied if, on the applicable date, the value of the group assets located in the relevant foreign country is at least 25 percent of the total value of all group assets. The term group assets means tangible personal property or real property used or held for use in the active conduct of a trade or business by members of the EAG, provided such property is owned (or leased from a non-member) by members of the EAG at the close of the acquisition date. Group assets must be valued consistently using either their adjusted tax basis or fair market value. A group asset that is leased, however, is valued at eight times the annual rent. The final regulations adopt the definition of the term ``group assets'' in the 2012 temporary regulations, subject to the modifications discussed below. The 2012 temporary regulations provide that a group asset is considered to be located in the relevant foreign country only if the asset was physically present in such country (i) at the close of the acquisition date, and (ii) for more time than in any other country during the testing period. One comment stated that the requirement that an asset be present in the relevant country on the acquisition date is problematic for highly mobile assets (such as aircraft and vessels) and therefore should be eliminated. The comment also suggested, as an alternative, special rules for determining the location of assets, including, depending on the type of asset: (i) Applying a proportionate approach based on the source of income produced from the asset during the testing period, (ii) ignoring the asset for purposes of the group asset test (for example, an asset used in space), or (iii) treating the asset as located outside of the relevant foreign country (for example, an offshore drilling rig located exclusively in international waters). The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that providing special rules to address all types of assets in all fact patterns would be unduly complex. The Treasury Department and the IRS agree, however, that relief should be provided for assets that are mobile in nature and are used in transportation activities, like vessels, aircraft, and motor vehicles. Accordingly, the final regulations provide that such assets do not have to be physically present in the relevant foreign country at the close of the acquisition date, and need only be physically present in such country for more time than in any other country during the testing period, to be considered present in the relevant foreign country. The 2012 temporary regulations provide that group assets include certain property rented by members of the EAG and treat the value of such rented property as equal to eight times the net annual rent paid or accrued with respect to such property. One comment stated that valuing all rented assets at eight times the net annual rent is potentially distortive and suggested that the multiple instead be based on the type of asset (for example, based on the applicable recovery period of the asset under section 168). After consideration of these comments, the Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that the benefits of using different multiples for different classes of rented assets would be outweighed by the complexity and difficulty of determining appropriate multiples and classes. Consequently, the final regulations retain the rule in the 2012 temporary regulations. A comment suggested excluding from the test certain assets that are owned and maintained by third parties, such as computer servers. The comment noted that start-up companies may be especially reliant on such assets, and their ability to satisfy the bright-line rule may depend on the location of such assets and whether they are viewed as leased by the company or as being used by the third party to provide a service to the company. The Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that these types of assets do not merit special treatment, and the final regulations do not adopt this comment. 3. Group Income Under the 2012 temporary regulations, the group income test is satisfied if, during the one-year testing period, group income derived in the relevant foreign country is at least 25 percent of the total group income. The term group income means the gross income of members of the EAG from transactions occurring in the ordinary course of business with customers that are not related persons. The final regulations adopt the definition of the term ``group income'' in the 2012 temporary regulations, subject to the modifications discussed below. The 2012 temporary regulations state that group income is considered to be derived in the relevant foreign country only if it is derived from a transaction with a customer located in that country. One comment stated that this standard is difficult to apply in practice because it is difficult to determine where a customer is located in certain contexts. The comment suggested instead that income be treated as derived in a relevant foreign country if the services, goods, or other property are sold for use, consumption, or disposition within that country. The comment also suggested that special rules for certain financial income could be developed based on the current rules for determining whether such income is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted in the United States. The Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that the location of the customer provides a more accurate and less manipulable measure of the business activities of the EAG than the suggested alternative. Accordingly, the final regulations retain the standard in the 2012 temporary regulations. [[Page 31841]] A comment also suggested that the group income test be based on gross receipts rather than gross income. The comment stated that gross receipts may be a more appropriate standard because (i) the amount of gross income will depend on the choice of inventory accounting method, (ii) the gross receipts standard would take into account sales that generate losses or no income, and (iii) an EAG's gross income will be reduced if there are intermediate transactions among members of the EAG. The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that gross income should be the standard for determining group income, as this standard better reflects the location of an EAG's profitable business activities. In addition, gross income is a standard used in analogous contexts. See, for example, Sec. 1.884-5(e)(3)(i)(B) (regarding the substantial presence test for purposes of determining whether a foreign corporation is a qualified resident of a foreign country for treaty purposes). Thus, the final regulations do not adopt this comment. However, to simplify the application of the group income test, the final regulations provide that group income must be determined consistently for all members of the EAG using either U.S. federal income tax principles or relevant financial statements, in general, defined as financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). H. Effective/Applicability Date The final regulations apply to acquisitions completed on or after June 3, 2015. Special Analyses It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations, and because the regulations do not impose a collection of information on small entities, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) do not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, the notice of proposed rulemaking preceding this regulation was submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business. Drafting Information The principal author of these regulations is David A. Levine of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (International). However, other personnel from the Treasury Department and the IRS participated in their development. List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1 Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows: PART 1--INCOME TAXES 0 Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is revised by adding an entry for Sec. 1.7874-3 to read as follows: Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Section 1.7874-3 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 7874(c)(6) and (g). * * * 0 Par. 2. Section 1.7874-3T is removed. 0 Par. 3. Section 1.7874-3 is added to read as follows: Sec. 1.7874-3 Substantial business activities. (a) Scope. This section provides rules regarding when an expanded affiliated group will be considered to have substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country when compared to the total business activities of the expanded affiliated group for purposes of section 7874(a)(2)(B)(iii). Paragraph (b) of this section provides the threshold of business activities that constitute substantial business activities. Paragraph (c) of this section describes certain items that are not taken into account as located or derived in the relevant foreign country. Paragraph (d) of this section provides definitions and certain rules of application. Paragraph (e) of this section provides rules regarding the treatment of partnerships for purposes of this section. Paragraph (f) of this section provides the effective/ applicability dates. (b) Threshold of business activities. The expanded affiliated group will be considered to have substantial business activities in the relevant foreign country after an acquisition described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(i) when compared to the total business activities of the expanded affiliated group only if, subject to paragraph (c) of this section, each of the tests described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section is satisfied. (1) Group employees--(i) Number of employees. The number of group employees based in the relevant foreign country is at least 25 percent of the total number of group employees on the applicable date. (ii) Employee compensation. The employee compensation incurred with respect to group employees based in the relevant foreign country is at least 25 percent of the total employee compensation incurred with respect to all group employees during the testing period. (2) Group assets. The value of the group assets located in the relevant foreign country is at least 25 percent of the total value of all group assets on the applicable date. (3) Group income. The group income derived in the relevant foreign country is at least 25 percent of the total group income during the testing period. (c) Items not to be considered--(1) General rule. Except to the extent provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the following items are not taken into account in the numerator, but are taken into account in the denominator, for each of the tests described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section: (i) Any group assets, group employees, or group income attributable to business activities that are associated with properties or liabilities the transfer of which is disregarded under section 7874(c)(4). (ii) Any group assets or group employees located in, or group income derived in, the relevant foreign country as part of a plan with a principal purpose of avoiding the purposes of section 7874. (iii) Any group assets or group employees located in, or group income derived in, the relevant foreign country if such group assets or group employees, or the business activities to which such group income is attributable, are subsequently transferred to another country in connection with a plan that existed at the time of the acquisition described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(i). (2) Transfers of properties to the expanded affiliated group. Any group assets, group employees, or group income attributable to business activities that are associated with property that is transferred to the expanded affiliated group in a transfer that is disregarded under section 7874(c)(4) are not taken into account in the numerator or the denominator for each of the tests described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section. (d) Definitions and application of rules. The following definitions and rules apply for purposes of this section: (1) The term acquisition date means the date on which the acquisition [[Page 31842]] described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(i) is completed. (2) The term applicable date means either of the following dates, applied consistently for all purposes of this section: (i) The acquisition date; or (ii) The last day of the month immediately preceding the month that includes the acquisition date. (3) The term employee compensation means all amounts incurred by members of the expanded affiliated group that directly relate to services performed by group employees (including, for example, wages, salaries, deferred compensation, employee benefits, and employer payroll taxes). Employee compensation with respect to a particular group employee is treated as incurred when it would be deductible by the employer as compensation, and the amount of employee compensation equals the amount that would be deductible by the employer as compensation. Both the timing and the amount of the deduction for employee compensation must be determined for all group employees under U.S. federal income tax principles or for all group employees based on the relevant tax laws. Employee compensation is determined in U.S. dollars, translated, if necessary, using the weighted average exchange rate (as defined in Sec. 1.989(b)-1) for the testing period. (4) The term expanded affiliated group means, with respect to an acquisition described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(i), the affiliated group defined in section 7874(c)(1) determined as of the close of the acquisition date, but taking into account all transactions related to the acquisition. Thus, for example, the expanded affiliated group does not include a corporation wholly owned by a member of the expanded affiliated group during a portion of the testing period if, before the end of the testing period, the member sells all of its stock in the corporation to a person that is not a member of the expanded affiliated group. The term member of the expanded affiliated group means an entity included in the expanded affiliated group. A reference to a member of the expanded affiliated group includes a predecessor with respect to such member. (5) The term group assets means tangible personal property or real property used or held for use in the active conduct of a trade or business by members of the expanded affiliated group, provided such property is either owned or, in the circumstances described below, rented by members of the expanded affiliated group at the close of the acquisition date. A group asset is considered to be located in the relevant foreign country only if the asset was physically present in such country at the close of the acquisition date and the asset was physically present in such country for more time than in any other country during the testing period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a group asset that is mobile in nature and is used in a transportation activity, such as a vessel, an aircraft, or a motor vehicle, is considered to be located in the relevant foreign country if the asset was physically present in such country for more time than in any other country during the testing period, regardless of whether the asset was physically present in such country at the close of the acquisition date. Group assets must be valued on a gross basis (that is, not reduced by liabilities) by consistently using for all group assets of the expanded affiliated group either the adjusted tax basis or fair market value determined in U.S. dollars, translated, if necessary, at the spot rate determined under the principles of Sec. 1.988-1(d)(1), (2), and (4). Tangible personal property or real property that is rented by members of the expanded affiliated group from a person other than a member of the expanded affiliated group is also treated as a group asset, provided such property is used in the active conduct of a trade or business and is being rented by members of the expanded affiliated group at the close of the acquisition date. For purposes of this section, a group asset that is rented is valued at eight times the net annual rent paid or accrued with respect to the property by members of the expanded affiliated group. (6) The term group employees means all individuals who are employees of members of the expanded affiliated group. Whether individuals are employees must be determined for all members of the expanded affiliated group under U.S. federal tax principles or for all members of the expanded affiliated group based on the relevant tax laws. A group employee is considered to be based in the relevant foreign country only if the employee spent more time providing services in such country than in any other single country during the testing period. (7) The term group income means gross income of members of the expanded affiliated group from transactions occurring in the ordinary course of business with customers that are not related persons. Group income must be determined consistently for all members of the expanded affiliated group either under U.S. federal income tax principles or as reflected in the relevant financial statements. Group income is translated into U.S. dollars, if necessary, using the weighted average exchange rate (as defined in Sec. 1.989(b)-1) for the testing period. Group income is considered derived in the relevant foreign country only if it is derived from a transaction with a customer located in such country. (8) The term net annual rent means the annual rent paid or accrued with respect to property, less any payments received or accrued from subleasing such property (or other similar arrangement). (9) The term related person has the meaning specified in section 954(d)(3), except that section 954(d)(3) is applied by substituting ``one or more members of the expanded affiliated group'' for ``a controlled foreign corporation'' and ``the controlled foreign corporation'' each place they appear. (10) The term relevant financial statements means financial statements prepared consistently for all members of the expanded affiliated group in accordance with either U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) used for consolidated financial statement purposes, but, if, after the acquisition described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(i), financial statements will not be prepared consistently for all members of the expanded affiliated group in accordance with either U.S. GAAP or IFRS, then, for each member, financial statements prepared in accordance with either U.S. GAAP or IFRS. (11) The term relevant foreign country means the foreign country in which, or under the law of which, the foreign corporation described in section 7874(a)(2)(B) was created or organized. (12) The term relevant tax law means, for purposes of determining whether a particular individual who performs services for a member of the expanded affiliated group is an employee for purposes of paragraph (d)(6) of this section and the timing and amount of employee compensation for a particular employee of a member of the expanded affiliated group for purposes of paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the tax law to which the member is subject. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the tax law to which a member is subject does not distinguish between whether an individual is an employee, or, for example, an independent contractor, then for this purpose the relevant tax law is considered to be U.S. federal tax law. (13) The term testing period means the one-year period ending on the applicable date. [[Page 31843]] (e) Treatment of partnerships--(1) Stock held by a partnership. In determining the members of the expanded affiliated group for purposes of this section, each partner in a partnership, as determined without regard to the application of paragraph (e)(2) of this section, shall be treated as holding its proportionate share of the stock held by the partnership, as determined under the rules and principles of sections 701 through 777. (2) Business activities of a partnership. For purposes of this section, if one or more members of the expanded affiliated group, as determined after the application of paragraph (e)(1) of this section, own, in the aggregate, more than 50 percent (by value) of the interests in a partnership, the partnership will be treated as a corporation that is a member of the expanded affiliated group. Thus, all items of such a partnership are taken into account for purposes of this section. No items of a partnership are taken into account for purposes of this section unless the partnership is treated as a member of the expanded affiliated group pursuant to this paragraph (e)(2). (f) Effective/applicability dates. This section applies to acquisitions that are completed on or after June 3, 2015. For acquisitions completed before June 3, 2015, see Sec. 1.7874-3T as contained in 26 CFR part 1 revised as of April 1, 2015. John Dalrymple, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. Approved: May 20, 2015. Mark J. Mazur, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy). [FR Doc. 2015-13541 Filed 6-3-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4830-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 31837
■ 1. The authority citation for part 200, temporary regulations (2009 temporary circumstances and, unlike the 2006
subpart A is revised to read, in part, as regulations), which generally apply to temporary regulations, did not provide
follows: acquisitions completed on or after June a safe harbor. The 2012 temporary
Dated: June 1, 2015. 9, 2009. TD 9453 (74 FR 27920). A regulations replaced this facts-and-
Brent J. Fields,
notice of proposed rulemaking (REG– circumstances test with a bright-line
112994–06) cross-referencing the 2009 rule describing the threshold of
Secretary.
temporary regulations was published in activities required for an EAG to be
[FR Doc. 2015–13627 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am] considered to have substantial business
the same issue of the Federal Register
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P (74 FR 27947). On June 12, 2012, the activities in the relevant foreign
2009 temporary regulations and the country. Under this bright-line rule, an
related notice of proposed rulemaking EAG will be considered to have
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY were withdrawn and replaced with new substantial business activities in the
temporary regulations (2012 temporary relevant foreign country only if at least
Internal Revenue Service regulations), which generally apply to 25 percent of the group employees,
acquisitions completed on or after June group assets, and group income are
26 CFR Part 1 7, 2012. TD 9592 (77 FR 34785). A located or derived in the relevant
[TD 9720] notice of proposed rulemaking (REG– foreign country.
107889–12) cross-referencing the 2012 Some comments criticized this
RIN 1545–BK85 approach and asserted that there is
temporary regulations was published in
the same issue of the Federal Register insufficient support for this bright-line
Substantial Business Activities
(77 FR 34887). No public hearing was rule in the legislative history. In
AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), requested or held; however, comments addition, some comments recommended
Treasury. were received. All comments are reverting to a general facts and
ACTION: Final regulations. available at www.regulations.gov or circumstances test, along with a safe
upon request. After consideration of the harbor, given the difficulty of
SUMMARY: This document contains final comments, the 2012 temporary formulating a bright-line rule that
regulations regarding when an regulations are adopted as final produces appropriate results in all
expanded affiliated group will be regulations with the modifications circumstances. As an alternative,
considered to have substantial business described in this preamble. The 2012 comments suggested that the failure to
activities in a foreign country. These temporary regulations are removed. satisfy the bright-line rule could
regulations affect certain domestic establish a rebuttable presumption that
corporations and partnerships (and Explanation of Revisions and Summary an EAG does not have substantial
certain parties related to them), and of Comments business activities in the relevant
foreign corporations that acquire A. General Approach foreign country.
substantially all of the properties of After consideration of the comments,
such domestic corporations or A foreign corporation generally is the Department of the Treasury
partnerships. treated as a surrogate foreign (Treasury Department) and the IRS have
corporation under section 7874(a)(2)(B) concluded that the bright-line rule in
DATES: if pursuant to a plan (or a series of the 2012 temporary regulations is
Effective date: These regulations are related transactions): (i) The foreign consistent with section 7874 and its
effective on June 4, 2015. corporation completes after March 4, underlying policies. In addition, the
Applicability date: For date of 2003, the direct or indirect acquisition bright-line rule has proven more
applicability, see § 1.7874–3(f). of substantially all of the properties held administrable than a facts-and-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: directly or indirectly by a domestic circumstances test and has the benefit of
David A. Levine, (202) 317–6937 (not a corporation (acquisition); (ii) after the providing certainty in applying section
toll-free number). acquisition, at least 60 percent of the 7874 to particular transactions. As a
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: stock (by vote or value) of the foreign result, these final regulations retain the
corporation is held by former bright-line rule subject to certain
Background shareholders of the domestic modifications, which are described in
On June 6, 2006, temporary corporation by reason of holding stock this preamble.
regulations under section 7874 (TD in the domestic corporation; and (iii)
9265) were published in the Federal after the acquisition, the expanded B. Threshold of Business Activities
Register (71 FR 32437) concerning the affiliated group that includes the foreign As described in section A of this
treatment of a foreign corporation as a corporation (EAG) does not have preamble, the 2012 temporary
surrogate foreign corporation (2006 substantial business activities in the regulations provide that an EAG will be
temporary regulations). A notice of foreign country in which, or under the considered to have substantial business
proposed rulemaking (REG–112994–06) law of which, the foreign corporation is activities in the relevant foreign country
cross-referencing the 2006 temporary created or organized (relevant foreign only if at least 25 percent of its group
regulations was published in the same country), when compared to the total employees, group assets, and group
issue of the Federal Register (71 FR business activities of the EAG. Similar income are located or derived in the
32495). On July 28, 2006, Notice 2006– provisions apply if a foreign corporation relevant foreign country. Comments
70 (2006–2 CB 252) was published, acquires substantially all of the addressed both the magnitude of the 25-
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
announcing a modification to the properties constituting a trade or percent threshold and the requirement
effective date contained in the 2006 business of a domestic partnership. that each of the group employees, group
temporary regulations. See The 2009 temporary regulations assets, and group income tests must be
§ 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b). On June 12, 2009, provided that whether an EAG will be satisfied. Although one comment stated
the 2006 temporary regulations and the considered to have substantial business that a 25-percent threshold is a
related notice of proposed rulemaking activities in the relevant foreign country reasonable measure of substantiality,
were withdrawn and replaced with new is based on all the facts and other comments stated that it is overly
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:38 Jun 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 C:\SHEILA\04JNR1.SGM 04JNR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_31944/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 31843
(e) Treatment of partnerships—(1) zone from 8 p.m. on May 24, 2015 from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4,
Stock held by a partnership. In through 10 a.m. on September 13, 2015. 2015.
determining the members of the This action is necessary and intended to (8) Lakeside Labor Day Fireworks,
expanded affiliated group for purposes ensure safety of life on the navigable Lakeside, OH. The safety zone listed in
of this section, each partner in a waters immediately prior to, during, and 33 CFR 165.941(a)(27) will be enforced
partnership, as determined without immediately after fireworks events.
from 9:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on
regard to the application of paragraph During the aforementioned period, the
September 5, 2015.
(e)(2) of this section, shall be treated as Coast Guard will enforce restrictions
holding its proportionate share of the upon, and control movement of, vessels (9) Washington Township Firefighters
stock held by the partnership, as in a specified area immediately prior to, Summerfest, Toledo, OH. The safety
determined under the rules and during, and immediately after fireworks zone listed in 33 CFR 165.941(a)(2) will
principles of sections 701 through 777. events. During the enforcement period, be enforced from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
(2) Business activities of a no person or vessel may enter any safety on June 27, 2015.
partnership. For purposes of this zone without permission of the Captain (10) Revolution 3 Triathlon, Cedar
section, if one or more members of the of the Port. Point, OH. The safety zone listed in 33
expanded affiliated group, as DATES: The regulations in 33 CFR CFR 165.941(a)(60) will be enforced
determined after the application of 165.941 listed below will be enforced at from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on each day of
paragraph (e)(1) of this section, own, in various times between 8 p.m. on May September 12–13, 2015.
the aggregate, more than 50 percent (by 24, 2015 through 10 a.m. on September
value) of the interests in a partnership, 13, 2015. (11) Red, White and Blues Bang
the partnership will be treated as a Fireworks, Huron, OH. The safety zone
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
corporation that is a member of the listed in 33 CFR 165.941(a)(22) will be
you have questions on this notice, call enforced from 10:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
expanded affiliated group. Thus, all
or email LT Jennifer M. Disco,
items of such a partnership are taken on July 4, 2015.
Waterways Branch Chief, Marine Safety
into account for purposes of this (12) Huron Riverfest Fireworks,
Unit Toledo, 420 Madison Ave., Suite
section. No items of a partnership are Huron, OH. The safety zone listed in 33
700, Toledo, Oh, 43604; telephone (419)
taken into account for purposes of this CFR 165.941(a)(23) will be enforced
418–6023; email Jennifer.M.Disco@
section unless the partnership is treated from 10:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July
uscg.mil.
as a member of the expanded affiliated
10, 2015.
group pursuant to this paragraph (e)(2). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast
(f) Effective/applicability dates. This Guard will enforce the safety zones Under the provisions of 33 CFR
section applies to acquisitions that are listed in 33 CFR 165.941, Safety Zones; 165.23, entry into, transiting, or
completed on or after June 3, 2015. For Annual Events in the Captain of the Port anchoring within these safety zones
acquisitions completed before June 3, Detroit Zone, at the following times for during an enforcement period is
2015, see § 1.7874–3T as contained in the following events: prohibited unless authorized by the
26 CFR part 1 revised as of April 1, (1) Put-In-Bay Chamber of Commerce Captain of the Port Detroit or his
2015. Fireworks, Put-In-Bay, OH. The safety designated representative. Vessels that
zone listed in 33 CFR 165.941(a)(57) wish to transit through the safety zones
John Dalrymple,
will be enforced between from 9:45 p.m. may request permission from the
Deputy Commissioner for Services and until 10:15 p.m. on July 4, 2015.
Enforcement. Captain of the Port Detroit or his
(2) Catawba Island Club Fireworks, designated representative. Requests
Approved: May 20, 2015. Catawba Island, OH. The safety zone must be made in advance and approved
Mark J. Mazur, listed in 33 CFR 165.941(a)(21) will be by the Captain of Port Detroit before
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax enforced from 9:40 p.m. to 10:05 p.m.
Policy).
transits will be authorized. Approvals
on July 2, 2015. will be granted on a case by case basis.
[FR Doc. 2015–13541 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am] (3) Catawba Island Club Fireworks, The Captain of the Port Detroit may be
BILLING CODE 4830–01–P Catawba Island, OH. The safety zone contacted via U.S. Coast Guard Sector
listed in 33 CFR 165.941(a)(28) will be Detroit on channel 16, VHF–FM. The
enforced from 9:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on
Coast Guard will give notice to the
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND September 6, 2015.
public via a Broadcast to Mariners that
SECURITY (4) Toledo Fourth of July Fireworks,
the regulation is in effect.
Toledo, OH. The safety zone listed in 33
Coast Guard CFR 165.941(a)(54) will be enforced This notice is issued under authority
from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4, of 33 CFR 165.23 and 5 U.S.C. 552(a).
33 CFR Part 165 2015. If the Captain of the Port Detroit
[Docket No. USCG–2015–0375] (5) Bay Point Fireworks Display, determines that the enforcement of
Marblehead, OH. The safety zone listed these safety zones need not occur as
RIN 1625–AA00 in 33 CFR 165.941(a)(58) will be stated in this notice, he or she may
enforced from 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on suspend such enforcement and notify
Safety Zones; Annual Events in the July 3, 2015. the public of the suspension via a
Captain of the Port Detroit Zone
(6) Catawba Island Club Memorial Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. Day Fireworks, Catawba Island, OH. Dated: May 14, 2015.
ACTION: Notice of enforcement of The safety zone listed in 33 CFR
165.941(a)(56) will be enforced from Scott B. Lemasters,
regulation.
9:15 p.m. to 9:35 p.m. on May 24, 2015. Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will enforce (7) Luna Pier Fireworks Show, Luna Port Detroit.
the safety zones for annual marine Pier, MI. The safety zone listed in 33 [FR Doc. 2015–13667 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am]
events in the Captain of the Port Detroit CFR 165.941(a)(16) will be enforced BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:38 Jun 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 C:\SHEILA\04JNR1.SGM 04JNR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_31944/page/7.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:23:53
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:23:53
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Final regulations. | |
| Contact | David A. Levine, (202) 317-6937 (not a toll-free number). | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 31837 | |
| RIN Number | 1545-BK85 | |
| CFR Associated | Income Taxes and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR