80_FR_33515 80 FR 33402 - Partnership Transactions Involving Equity Interests of a Partner

80 FR 33402 - Partnership Transactions Involving Equity Interests of a Partner

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 113 (June 12, 2015)

Page Range33402-33412
FR Document2015-14405

This document contains final and temporary regulations that prevent a corporate partner from avoiding corporate-level gain through transactions with a partnership involving equity interests of the partner. These regulations affect partnerships and their partners. The text of these temporary regulations serves as the text of proposed regulations (REG-149518-03) published in the Proposed Rules section in this issue of the Federal Register.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 113 (Friday, June 12, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 113 (Friday, June 12, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33402-33412]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14405]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[TD 9722]
RIN 1545-BM35


Partnership Transactions Involving Equity Interests of a Partner

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Final and temporary regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document contains final and temporary regulations that 
prevent a corporate partner from avoiding corporate-level gain through 
transactions with a partnership involving equity interests of the 
partner. These regulations affect partnerships and their partners. The 
text of these temporary regulations serves as the text of proposed 
regulations (REG-149518-03) published in the Proposed Rules section in 
this issue of the Federal Register.

DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective on June 12, 
2015.
    Applicability Date: For dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.  
1.337(d)-3T(i) and 1.732-1T(c)(5).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the final and temporary 
regulations, Kevin I. Babitz, (202) 317-6852.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The General Utilities Doctrine and Its Repeal

    In General Utilities & Operating Co. v. Helvering, 296 U.S. 200 
(1935), the Supreme Court held that corporations generally could 
distribute appreciated property to their shareholders without the 
recognition of any corporate level gain (the General Utilities 
doctrine). Beginning in 1969, Congress enacted a series of exceptions 
to the General Utilities doctrine, starting with certain non-
liquidating distributions of depreciable property. In the Tax Equity 
and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Public Law 97-248, 96 Stat. 324, 
Congress enacted current section 311(b) (originally designated as 
section 311(d)), which required a corporation to recognize gain on 
appreciated property distributed to a shareholder in redemption of 
shares. In 1984, Congress enacted legislation that required gain 
recognition for all non-liquidating distributions. Finally, as part of 
the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99-514, 100 Stat. 2085, (the 
Act), Congress repealed what remained of the General Utilities doctrine 
by enacting section 336(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to apply 
gain and loss recognition to liquidating distributions. Under current 
law, sections 311(b) and 336(a) of the Code require a corporation that 
distributes appreciated property to its shareholders to recognize gain 
determined as if the property were sold to the shareholders for its 
fair market value. Additionally, section 631 of the Act added section 
337(d) to the Code to permit the Secretary to prescribe regulations 
that are necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the 
General Utilities repeal, ``including regulations to ensure that [the 
repeal of the General Utilities doctrine] may not be circumvented 
through the use of any provision of law or regulations.''

1992 Proposed Regulations

    After the enactment of sections 311(b) and 337(d), the Treasury 
Department and the IRS became aware of transactions in which taxpayers 
used a partnership to postpone or avoid completely gain generally 
required to be recognized under section 311(b). In one example of this 
transaction, a corporation entered into a partnership and contributed 
appreciated property. The partnership then acquired stock of that 
corporate partner, and later made a liquidating distribution of this 
stock to the corporate partner. Under section 731(a), the corporate 
partner did not recognize gain on the partnership's distribution of its 
stock. By means of this transaction, the corporation had disposed of 
the appreciated property it formerly held and had acquired its own 
stock, permanently avoiding its gain in the appreciated property. If 
the corporation had directly exchanged the appreciated property for its 
own stock, section 311(b) would have required the

[[Page 33403]]

corporation to recognize gain upon the exchange.
    In response to this type of transaction, the Treasury Department 
and the IRS issued Notice 89-37, 1989-1 CB 679, on March 9, 1989. 
Notice 89-37 announced that future regulations under section 337(d) 
would address the use of partnerships to avoid the repeal of the 
General Utilities doctrine. Specifically, the Treasury Department and 
the IRS determined that, in certain circumstances, the acquisition (or 
ownership) by a partnership of stock in one of its corporate partners 
(or stock of any member of the affiliated group of which the partner is 
a member) results in avoidance of the repeal of the General Utilities 
doctrine. Such avoidance occurs to the extent that a corporate partner, 
in substance, relinquishes an interest in appreciated property in 
exchange for an interest in its stock (or the stock of an affiliate). 
The Notice provided that section 311(b), rather than section 731(a), 
would apply when a partner received a distribution of its own stock, 
and that the partner would recognize gain whenever a pre-distribution 
transaction has the economic effect of an exchange of appreciated 
property for the partner's own stock.
    On December 15, 1992, the Treasury Department and the IRS published 
a notice of proposed rulemaking under section 337(d) (PS-91-90, REG-
208989-90, 1993-1 CB 919) in the Federal Register (57 FR 59324) 
addressing partnership transactions involving stock of a partner (the 
1992 proposed regulations). The 1992 proposed regulations adopted two 
rules to protect the repeal of the General Utilities doctrine: the 
deemed redemption rule (the 1992 deemed redemption rule) and the 
distribution rule (the 1992 distribution rule). The 1992 proposed 
regulations also provided de minimis and inadvertence exceptions to 
these two rules.
    The 1992 deemed redemption rule addressed pre-distribution 
transactions involving corporate partner stock owned or acquired by the 
partnership. The Treasury Department and the IRS believed that certain 
of these transactions created the economic effect of an exchange of 
appreciated property for corporate partner stock. The 1992 deemed 
redemption rule provided that a corporate partner recognizes gain at 
the time of, and to the extent that, any transaction (or series of 
transactions) has the economic effect of an exchange by the partner of 
its interest in appreciated property for an interest in its stock (or 
the stock of any member of the affiliated group of which such partner 
is a member) owned, acquired, or distributed by the partnership.
    The 1992 distribution rule provided that a partnership's 
distribution to a partner of the partner's stock is treated as a 
redemption or an exchange of the stock of the partner for a portion of 
the partner's partnership interest with a value equal to the 
distributed stock. Thus, the 1992 distribution rule applied section 
311(b) principles to the distribution to trigger gain to the corporate 
partner, rather than applying section 731, which would not have 
required gain recognition. The 1992 distribution rule ensured that 
section 311(b) would apply to any acquisition by the corporate partner 
of its own stock where the 1992 deemed redemption rule had not applied. 
The preamble to the 1992 proposed regulations indicated that commenters 
on the Notice raised concerns that the 1992 distribution rule could 
duplicate gain recognition and suggested a modified approach. However, 
the 1992 proposed regulations rejected the modified approach as overly 
complex.
    As noted previously, the 1992 proposed regulations applied to stock 
of a partner, to stock of a partner's affiliate, and to other equity 
interests in the partner or affiliate. The 1992 proposed regulations 
used a modified affiliation standard to determine whether a partner and 
another corporation were affiliates. The 1992 proposed regulations 
treated a corporation as an affiliate of a partner at the time of a 
deemed redemption or distribution by the partnership if, immediately 
thereafter, the partner and corporation were members of an affiliated 
group as defined in section 1504(a) without regard to section 1504(b) 
(section 337(d) affiliation). On January 19, 1993, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS issued Notice 93-2, 1993-1 CB 292, which stated 
that the 1992 proposed regulations would be amended to limit the 
application of the regulations to transactions in which section 337(d) 
affiliation existed immediately before the deemed redemption or 
distribution. The Treasury Department and the IRS indicated that 
further study was required for cases in which section 337(d) 
affiliation did not exist prior to a distribution of stock by a 
partnership to a corporate partner, but resulted from the distribution.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS received several written 
comments in response to Notice 89-37, the 1992 proposed regulations, 
and Notice 93-2. Commenters largely supported the 1992 deemed 
redemption rule, though some suggested modifications. Some commenters, 
however, opposed the 1992 distribution rule, asserting that the rule is 
overly broad and inconsistent with the deemed redemption rule. These 
comments are discussed in detail in the Explanation of Provisions 
section of this preamble.
    After considering these comment letters, and taking into account 
subsequent changes in relevant law as described in part 1 of this 
preamble, the Treasury Department and the IRS are withdrawing the 1992 
proposed regulations and simultaneously issuing temporary and final 
regulations that also serve as the text of new proposed regulations 
published in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal 
Register.

Explanation of Provisions

    The purpose of these regulations authorized under section 337(d) is 
to prevent corporate taxpayers from using a partnership to circumvent 
gain required to be recognized under section 311(b) or section 336(a). 
These regulations, including the rules governing the amount and timing 
of recognized gain, must be applied in a manner consistent with, and 
which reasonably carries out, this purpose.
    These regulations apply when a partnership, either directly or 
indirectly, owns, acquires, or distributes Stock of the Corporate 
Partner (as defined in part 1 of this preamble). Under these 
regulations, a Corporate Partner (as defined in part 1 of this 
preamble) may recognize gain when it is treated as acquiring or 
increasing its interest in Stock of the Corporate Partner held by a 
partnership in exchange for appreciated property in a manner that 
avoids gain recognition under section 311(b) or section 336(a). The 
regulations also provide exceptions under which a Corporate Partner is 
not required to recognize gain.
    These regulations retain the 1992 deemed redemption rule with the 
modifications described in part 2 of this preamble. However, these 
regulations remove the 1992 distribution rule in response to comments. 
In its place, these regulations apply the deemed redemption rule to 
partnership distributions of Stock of the Corporate Partner to the 
Corporate Partner as though the partnership amended its agreement, 
immediately before the distribution, to allocate 100 percent of the 
distributed stock to the Corporate Partner.

1. Scope and Definitions

    These regulations apply to certain partnerships that hold stock of 
a Corporate Partner. For this purpose, a ``Corporate Partner'' is 
defined as a

[[Page 33404]]

person that holds or acquires an interest in a partnership and that is 
classified as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. The 
regulations define ``Stock of the Corporate Partner'' expansively to 
include the Corporate Partner's stock, or other equity interests, 
including options, warrants, and similar interests, in the Corporate 
Partner or a corporation that controls (within the meaning of section 
304(c)) the Corporate Partner. Stock of the Corporate Partner also 
includes interests in any entity to the extent that the value of the 
interest is attributable to Stock of the Corporate Partner.
    These definitions of Corporate Partner and Stock of the Corporate 
Partner are consistent with those set forth in the 1992 proposed 
regulations except for two changes. First, these regulations modify the 
definition of Stock of the Corporate Partner. Based on changes in the 
law and comments received, the Treasury Department and the IRS have 
determined that the scope of the definition of ``Stock of a Partner'' 
in the 1992 proposed regulations was too narrow in certain instances 
and too broad in others. These regulations broaden the definition of 
Stock of a Corporate Partner to include stock or other equity interests 
of any corporation that controls the Corporate Partner within the 
meaning of section 304(c) (section 304(c) control), whereas the 1992 
proposed regulations' definition was limited to stock or other equity 
interests issued by the Corporate Partner and its section 337(d) 
affiliates. Section 304(c) control generally exists when there is 
ownership of stock of a corporation possessing at least 50 percent of 
the total combined voting power of all classes of the corporation's 
stock that is entitled to vote or at least 50 percent of the value of 
the shares of all classes of stock of the corporation, while control of 
a corporation under section 1504(a)(2) requires ownership of stock of 
the corporation possessing at least 80 percent of the total voting 
power of the stock of the corporation and at least 80 percent of the 
total value of the stock of the corporation. The Treasury Department 
and the IRS believe the lower threshold for control set forth in 
section 304(c) is the more appropriate standard for this purpose 
because General Utilities repeal could be avoided by acquiring stock of 
a corporation that owns less than 80 percent of the vote and value of 
the Corporate Partner's stock. In addition, these regulations narrow 
the definition of Stock of a Corporate Partner to exclude stock of any 
corporation that does not possess section 304(c) control of the 
Corporate Partner, even if the corporation is a section 337(d) 
affiliate or a member of the same consolidated group as the Corporate 
Partner. The enactment of sections 732(f) and 755(c) subsequent to the 
issuance of the 1992 proposed regulations generally have served to 
prevent abusive transactions involving partnerships that own stock of 
lower tier section 337(d) affiliates of the Corporate Partner. 
Accordingly, these regulations do not apply to a partnership that owns, 
acquires, or distributes stock of any section 337(d) affiliate of the 
Corporate Partner unless that affiliate possesses section 304(c) 
control of the Corporate Partner. The Treasury Department and the IRS 
continue to study the application of these provisions and plan to issue 
additional guidance as needed to address further abuses in this area. 
Comments are requested regarding such guidance.
    Second, these regulations add an exception for certain related-
party partners. Under this exception, Stock of the Corporate Partner 
does not include any stock or other equity interest held or acquired by 
a partnership if all interests in the partnership's capital and profits 
are held by members of an affiliated group defined in section 1504(a) 
that includes the Corporate Partner. Thus, these regulations do not 
apply if, for example, a domestic corporation and its wholly owned 
domestic subsidiary (each of which is an includible corporation under 
section 1504(b)) are the only partners in a partnership and either 
corporation contributes stock of another affiliate. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS have determined that this additional exception 
is appropriate because the purpose of these regulations is not 
implicated if a partnership is owned entirely by affiliated 
corporations. The Treasury Department and the IRS invite comments on 
whether this exception should be extended, for example, to partnerships 
owned by controlled foreign corporations that are owned entirely by a 
single affiliated group.
    For partnerships that hold Stock of the Corporate Partner, these 
regulations apply to a transaction (or series of transactions) that is 
a ``Section 337(d) Transaction.'' These regulations define a Section 
337(d) Transaction as a transaction that has the effect of an exchange 
by a Corporate Partner of its interest in appreciated property for an 
interest in Stock of the Corporate Partner owned, acquired, or 
distributed by a partnership. For example, a Section 337(d) Transaction 
may occur if: (i) A Corporate Partner contributes appreciated property 
to a partnership that owns Stock of the Corporate Partner; (ii) a 
partnership acquires Stock of the Corporate Partner; (iii) a 
partnership that owns Stock of the Corporate Partner distributes 
appreciated property to a partner other than the Corporate Partner; 
(iv) a partnership distributes stock of the Corporate Partner to the 
Corporate Partner; or (v) a partnership agreement is amended in a 
manner that increases a Corporate Partner's interest in the Stock of 
the Corporate Partner (including in connection with a contribution to, 
or distribution from, a partnership).
    If a partnership engages in a Section 337(d) Transaction, the 
Corporate Partner must recognize gain. The regulations define a ``Gain 
Percentage'' that the partnership uses to quantify the amount of gain 
recognized. The computation of the Gain Percentage is set forth in part 
2 of this preamble.

2. Deemed Redemption Rule

    These regulations largely retain the 1992 deemed redemption rule. 
If a transaction is a Section 337(d) Transaction described in part 1 of 
this preamble, a Corporate Partner must recognize gain under the deemed 
redemption rule. To determine the amount of gain, the Corporate Partner 
must first determine the amount of appreciated property (other than 
Stock of the Corporate Partner) effectively exchanged for Stock of the 
Corporate Partner (by value) and then calculate the amount of taxable 
gain recognized.
    These regulations set forth general principles that apply in 
determining the amount of appreciated property effectively exchanged 
for Stock of the Corporate Partner. These general principles require 
that the Corporate Partner's economic interest with respect to both 
Stock of the Corporate Partner and all other appreciated property of 
the partnership be determined based on all facts and circumstances, 
including the allocation and distribution rights set forth in the 
partnership agreement. The deemed redemption rule applies only to the 
extent that the transaction has the effect of an exchange by the 
Corporate Partner of its interest in appreciated property for Stock of 
the Corporate Partner. Thus, these regulations do not apply to the 
extent a transaction has the effect of an exchange by a Corporate 
Partner of non-appreciated property for Stock of the Corporate Partner 
or has the effect of an exchange by a Corporate Partner of appreciated 
property for property other than Stock of the Corporate Partner.
    A Corporate Partner must recognize gain under these regulations 
even if the

[[Page 33405]]

Section 337(d) Transaction would not otherwise change the Corporate 
Partner's allocable share of gain under section 704(c). For example, if 
a Corporate Partner contributes appreciated property to a newly-formed 
partnership and an individual contributes cash that the partnership 
subsequently uses to purchase Stock of the Corporate Partner, then the 
purchase of the stock is a Section 337(d) Transaction even though the 
Corporate Partner's allocable share of gain in the appreciated property 
under section 704(c) is the same before and after the purchase. The 
Treasury Department and the IRS believe that this gain recognition is 
appropriate because a Section 337(d) Transaction may create an 
immediate benefit to the Corporate Partner equivalent to the benefit 
associated with the redemption of corporate stock in exchange for 
appreciated property. See Example 4 of Sec.  1.337(d)-3T(h) in these 
regulations.
    If the Corporate Partner has an existing interest in the 
partnership's Stock of the Corporate Partner prior to the Section 
337(d) Transaction, the deemed redemption rule applies only with 
respect to the Corporate Partner's incremental increase in the Stock of 
the Corporate Partner. For example, changing allocations to increase a 
Corporate Partner's interest in the Stock of the Corporate Partner from 
50 percent to 80 percent and to decrease the Corporate Partner's 
interest in other appreciated property from 80 percent to 50 percent 
would have the effect of an exchange by the Corporate Partner of the 
30-percent incremental decrease in its interest in the appreciated 
property for the 30-percent incremental increase in the Stock of the 
Corporate Partner. See Example 5 of Sec.  1.337(d)-3T(h) in these 
regulations.
    For purposes of recognizing gain under the deemed redemption rule, 
the Corporate Partner's interest in an identified share of Stock of the 
Corporate Partner will never be less than the Corporate Partner's 
largest interest (by value) in that share of Stock of the Corporate 
Partner that was taken into account when the partnership previously 
determined whether there had been a Section 337(d) Transaction 
(regardless of whether the Corporate Partner recognized gain in the 
earlier transaction). See Example 6 of Sec.  1.337(d)-3T(h) in these 
regulations. This rule ensures that alternating increases and decreases 
in a Corporate Partner's interest in Stock of the Corporate Partner do 
not cause duplicate gain recognition. This limitation does not apply if 
any reduction in the Corporate Partner's interest in the identified 
share of Stock of the Corporate Partner occurred as part of a plan or 
arrangement to circumvent the purpose of these regulations. See Example 
7 of Sec.  1.337(d)-3T(h) in these regulations.
    In certain limited circumstances, a partnership's acquisition of 
Stock of the Corporate Partner does not have the effect of an exchange 
of appreciated property for that stock. For example, as one commenter 
asserted, if a partnership with an operating business uses the cash 
generated in that business to purchase Stock of the Corporate Partner, 
the deemed redemption rule should not apply to the stock purchase 
because the Corporate Partner's share in appreciated property has not 
been reduced, and thus no exchange has occurred. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS acknowledge that such stock acquisitions would 
not contravene the purposes of these regulations. Accordingly, these 
regulations adopt this comment and do not apply to stock purchases or 
other transactions that do not have the effect of an exchange of 
appreciated property for Stock of the Corporate Partner.
    If a transaction is a Section 337(d) Transaction, the deemed 
redemption rule requires the Corporate Partner to recognize a 
percentage of its total gain in partnership appreciated property equal 
to a fraction, the numerator of which is the Corporate Partner's 
interest (by value) in appreciated property effectively exchanged for 
Stock of the Corporate Partner under the deemed redemption rule, and 
the denominator of which is the Corporate Partner's interest (by value) 
in appreciated property immediately before the Section 337(d) 
Transaction. This fraction is defined in these regulations as the 
``Gain Percentage.'' The Corporate Partner's gain under the deemed 
redemption rule equals the product of (i) the Corporate Partner's Gain 
Percentage and (ii) the gain from the appreciated property that is the 
subject of the exchange that the that the Corporate Partner would 
recognize if, immediately before the Section 337(d) Transaction, all 
assets of the partnership and any assets contributed to the partnership 
in the section 337(d) Transaction were sold in a fully taxable 
transaction for cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of 
such property (taking into account section 7701(g)), reduced, but not 
below zero, by any gain the Corporate Partner is required to recognize 
with respect to the appreciated property in the Section 337(d) 
Transaction under any other section of the Code. For example, if a 
Corporate Partner would be allocated $100x of tax gain on a sale of 
appreciated partnership property (other than Stock of the Corporate 
Partner) and the Corporate Partner's interest in that appreciated 
partnership property (determined under all facts and circumstances) is 
$500x, and if the partnership engages in a Section 337(d) Transaction 
that reduces the Corporate Partner's interest in appreciated 
partnership property by $200x and increases the Corporate Partner's 
interest in Stock of the Corporate Partner by $200x, then the Corporate 
Partner's Gain Percentage equals 40% (200x/500x), and the Corporate 
Partner's gain under the deemed redemption rule is $40x (40% of $100x).
    The gain from the hypothetical sale used to compute gain under the 
deemed redemption rule is determined by applying the principles of 
section 704(c), which generally requires the partnership to take into 
account variations between the adjusted tax basis and fair market value 
of partnership property at the time it is contributed to the 
partnership and upon certain other events that allow or require the 
value of partnership property to be redetermined under Sec.  1.704-
1(b)(2)(iv)(f). See Examples 3 and 5 of Sec.  1.337(d)-3T(h) in these 
regulations. A partner's share of gain under section 704(c) for this 
purpose includes any remedial allocations under Sec.  1.704-3(d) for a 
partnership that has elected under section 704(c) to report notional 
items of offsetting tax gain and loss to its partners to eliminate 
distortions that may arise when the partnership's total tax gain or 
loss on the sale of partnership property is less than all partners' 
aggregate share of gain or loss from the property.
    These regulations also contain two rules related to the effect of 
the deemed redemption rule on partner and partnership basis. First, 
these regulations require the Corporate Partner to increase its basis 
in its partnership interest by an amount equal to the gain that the 
Corporate Partner recognizes in a Section 337(d) Transaction. This 
basis increase is necessary to prevent the Corporate Partner from 
recognizing gain a second time when the partnership liquidates (or, if 
property is distributed to the Corporate Partner, when that property is 
sold).
    Second, the regulations require the partnership to increase its 
adjusted tax basis in the appreciated property that is treated as the 
subject of a Section 337(d) Transaction by the amount of gain that the 
Corporate Partner recognized with respect to that property as a result 
of the Section 337(d) Transaction. This basis

[[Page 33406]]

increase applies regardless of whether the partnership has elected 
under section 754 to adjust the basis of partnership property. This 
rule prevents the Corporate Partner from recognizing gain a second time 
when the partnership sells the property that was effectively exchanged 
under the deemed redemption rule.
    One commenter suggested that when a partnership owns or acquires 
stock in a Corporate Partner's subsidiary or a sister of the Corporate 
Partner and the stock is not issued as part of the transaction, the 
deemed redemption rule should not apply unless and until a subsequent 
transaction relating to the stock creates tax consequences that are 
inconsistent with General Utilities repeal. As discussed in part 1 of 
this preamble, these regulations only apply to Stock of a Corporate 
Partner, which under these regulations, does not include stock in a 
Corporate Partner's sister corporation or subsidiary unless such 
corporation possesses section 304(c) control of the Corporate Partner. 
Such control could exist, if, for example, a Corporate Partner's 
subsidiary were to own so-called ``hook stock'' in the Corporate 
Partner. If such control of the Corporate Partner does exist, then it 
is appropriate to treat stock of a Corporate Partner's subsidiary or 
sister corporation as Stock of the Corporate Partner because the value 
of that sister or subsidiary corporation's stock owned or acquired by 
the partnership is in part attributable to the Corporate Partner's 
stock.
    Another commenter suggested that the deemed redemption rule is no 
longer necessary. The commenter explained that the acquisition of Stock 
of the Corporate Partner is not the appropriate time to impose tax and 
that the 1992 distribution rule and changes in the law since 1989 make 
it more difficult to exit a partnership tax-free. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS do not adopt this comment because a Section 
337(d) Transaction may create an immediate benefit to the Corporate 
Partner equivalent to the benefit associated with the redemption of 
corporate stock in exchange for appreciated property. If the deemed 
redemption rule does not apply at the time of this exchange, the 
Corporate Partner can defer paying tax on this economic benefit in a 
manner that is inconsistent with section 311(b).

3. Partnership Distributions of Stock of the Corporate Partner

    The 1992 distribution rule required a Corporate Partner to 
recognize gain when the partnership distributes Stock of the Corporate 
Partner to the Corporate Partner. Commenters noted a number of concerns 
with this rule and recommended eliminating it.
    Several commenters noted that the rule was overly broad because it 
could cause the Corporate Partner to recognize gain in an amount that 
exceeded the appreciation in property effectively exchanged for the 
stock. For example, the rule could require a Corporate Partner to 
recognize gain upon a partnership's distribution of appreciated Stock 
of the Corporate Partner even though the partnership held no other 
appreciated property. One commenter stated that the 1992 distribution 
rule would therefore require the Corporate Partner to recognize gain on 
appreciation inherent in its partnership interest, even though the 
distribution does not implicate the repeal of the General Utilities 
doctrine and even though section 1032 provides for nonrecognition of 
gain on the distribution. The commenter maintained that the 1992 
distribution rule should not apply when a Corporate Partner merely 
exchanges an indirect interest in its own stock for a direct interest 
in its own stock.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS agree with these comments and 
adopt new rules governing the tax consequences of a distribution of 
Stock of the Corporate Partner to that Corporate Partner. Instead of 
adopting the 1992 distribution rule, these regulations extend the 
deemed redemption rule to certain distributions to the Corporate 
Partner of Stock of the Corporate Partner. These new rules governing 
distributions apply only if the distributed stock has previously been 
the subject of a Section 337(d) Transaction or becomes the subject of a 
Section 337(d) Transaction as a result of the distribution (a section 
337(d) distribution). Additionally, these regulations do not apply to a 
distribution to the Corporate Partner of the Stock of the Corporate 
Partner to which section 732(f) applies at the time of the 
distribution. If the deemed redemption rule applies to a distribution, 
these regulations deem the partnership to amend its agreement 
immediately before the distribution to allocate 100 percent of the 
distributed stock to the Corporate Partner and to allocate an 
appropriately reduced interest in other partnership property away from 
the Corporate Partner. This deemed allocation is solely for purposes of 
recognizing gain under these regulations, and no inference is intended 
with regard to the treatment of such allocations generally.
    If a distribution is a section 337(d) distribution, then in 
addition to any gain recognized under the deemed redemption rule upon 
the distribution of Stock of the Corporate Partner to the Corporate 
Partner, these regulations also require the Corporate Partner to 
recognize gain to the extent that the partnership's basis in the 
distributed Stock of the Corporate Partner exceeds the Corporate 
Partner's basis in its partnership interest (as reduced by any cash 
distributed in the transaction) immediately before the distribution. 
Recognition of gain in this circumstance is necessary to prevent the 
Corporate Partner from shifting basis away from its own stock onto 
other property of the partnership. The regulations provide an exception 
to this additional gain recognition rule if the gain recognition or 
basis reduction rules of section 732(f) apply at the time of the 
distribution. Although this exception generally ensures that gain 
recognized as a result of these regulations will not be duplicated as a 
result of section 732(f), duplication may still result in certain 
circumstances. For example, if a Corporate Partner recognizes gain 
under section 337(d) on a partnership distribution and section 732(f) 
does not apply to the distribution because the section 732(f) control 
requirement is not satisfied at the time of the distribution, but the 
control requirement is subsequently satisfied triggering section 
732(f), then the Corporate Partner could recognize gain under both 
provisions. The Treasury Department and the IRS invite comments on how 
the rules in these regulations should be coordinated with section 
732(f).
    These regulations set forth two rules under sections 337 and 732 to 
coordinate the effects of the rule requiring gain recognition when the 
Stock of the Corporate Partner is stepped down on a section 337(d) 
distribution with existing rules for determining the basis of property 
upon partnership distributions. The first rule applies for purposes of 
determining the basis of property distributed to the Corporate Partner 
(other than the basis of the Corporate Partner in its own stock), the 
basis of the Corporate Partner's remaining partnership interest, and 
the partnership's basis in undistributed Stock of the Corporate 
Partner, and for purposes of computing gain on the distribution. For 
these purposes, the basis of Stock of the Corporate Partner distributed 
to the Corporate Partner equals the greater of: (i) The partnership's 
basis of that distributed Stock of the Corporate Partner immediately 
before the distribution, or (ii) the fair market value of that 
distributed Stock of the

[[Page 33407]]

Corporate Partner immediately before the distribution less the 
Corporate Partner's allocable share of gain from all of the Stock of 
the Corporate Partner if the partnership sold all of its assets in a 
fully taxable transaction for cash in an amount equal to the fair 
market value of such property (taking into account section 7701(g)) 
immediately before the distribution. See Examples 2 and 3 of Sec.  
1.337(d)-3T(h) in these regulations. This special rule is necessary to 
prevent basis from shifting away from distributed Stock of the 
Corporate Partner to other property. This basis shift could occur, for 
example, upon a distribution of less than all of the partnership's 
Stock of the Corporate Partner to the Corporate Partner. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS request comments on this rule, including 
comments on whether its objectives would be better achieved through 
guidance under section 732 providing that on a distribution of a 
partial interest in partnership property, the basis of the distributed 
property in the hands of the distributee partner is determined by 
taking the principles of section 704(c) into account.
    A second rule applies when a Corporate Partner receives both Stock 
of the Corporate Partner and other property in a section 337(d) 
distribution. Under this rule, the basis to be allocated to the 
properties distributed under section 732(a) or (b) is allocated first 
to the Stock of the Corporate Partner before taking into account the 
distribution of any other property (other than cash). Therefore, before 
taking into account the distribution of other property, the Corporate 
Partner will reduce its basis in its partnership interest by the 
Corporate Partner's basis in the distributed Stock of the Corporate 
Partner (but not below zero). The Corporate Partner will determine its 
basis in other distributed partnership property and in its remaining 
partnership interest after giving effect to this reduction. This rule, 
which governs the application of sections 732(a) and 732(b), is being 
promulgated pursuant to the specific statutory grant of authority in 
section 337(d)(1) to ensure that the purposes of the repeal of the 
General Utilities doctrine are not circumvented through the use of any 
provision of law or regulations.
    When a Corporate Partner receives a partnership distribution of its 
own stock, it is unclear under existing law whether the Corporate 
Partner has basis in that stock. (See, for example, Rev. Rul. 2006-2, 
2006-1 CB 261.) The resolution of this question is beyond the scope of 
these regulations. However, because the distribution to a Corporate 
Partner of its own stock affects the Corporate Partner's basis in other 
distributed property and any retained partnership interest, these 
regulations require the partnership and the Corporate Partner to 
determine the basis of other distributed property and any retained 
partnership interest by reference to the partnership's basis in the 
distributed Stock of the Corporate Partner. That is, the Corporate 
Partner determines its basis in other distributed property and in any 
retained partnership interest as though the distributed stock was stock 
other than Stock of the Corporate Partner. Similarly, the regulations 
compute any gain recognition on the distribution by comparing the 
Corporate Partner's basis in its partnership interest to the basis of 
that Stock of the Corporate Partner in the hands of the partnership 
(without regard to whether the Corporate Partner can have basis in the 
distributed stock). No inference is intended with respect to the 
question of whether a corporation has or does not have basis in its own 
stock.

4. De Minimis and Inadvertence Exceptions

    These regulations retain the de minimis and inadvertence exceptions 
from the 1992 proposed regulations, but make small modifications to the 
de minimis rule to reduce burden. As set forth in these regulations, 
the de minimis rule provides that these regulations do not apply to a 
Corporate Partner if three conditions are satisfied. These conditions 
are tested upon the occurrence of a Section 337(d) Transaction and upon 
any subsequent revaluation event described in Sec.  1.704-
1(b)(2)(iv)(f).
    The first condition requires that both the Corporate Partner and 
any persons related to the Corporate Partner under section 267(b) or 
section 707(b) own, in the aggregate, less than five percent of the 
partnership. The second condition requires that the partnership hold 
Stock of the Corporate Partner worth less than two percent of the value 
of the partnership's gross assets, including Stock of the Corporate 
Partner. The third condition requires that the partnership has never, 
at any point in time, held more than $1,000,000 in Stock of the 
Corporate Partner or more than two percent of any particular class of 
Stock of the Corporate Partner. The 1992 proposed regulations contained 
similar conditions, but capped the permissible value of the 
partnership's Stock of the Corporate Partner at $250,000.
    These regulations provide a special rule that applies if the 
conditions of the de minimis rule are satisfied at the time of a 
Section 337(d) Transaction, but are not satisfied at the time of a 
subsequent Section 337(d) Transaction or revaluation event described in 
Sec.  1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f). This rule provides that, solely for 
purposes of the deemed redemption rule, a Corporate Partner may 
determine its gain on the subsequent acquisition or revaluation event 
as if it had already recognized gain at the previous event. 
Accordingly, the Corporate Partner would only recognize gain with 
respect to appreciation arising between the earlier acquisition or 
revaluation event and the subsequent event. Neither the Corporate 
Partner nor the partnership increases its basis by the gain the 
Corporate Partner would have recognized if the de minimis rule did not 
apply to the prior acquisition or revaluation event.
    These regulations also contain an inadvertence exception. The 
inadvertence exception provides that these regulations do not apply to 
Section 337(d) Transactions in which the partnership satisfies two 
requirements. First, the partnership must dispose of, by sale or 
distribution, the Stock of the Corporate Partner before the due date 
(including extensions) of its federal income tax return for the taxable 
year in which the partnership acquired the stock (or in which the 
Corporate Partner joined the partnership, if applicable). Second, the 
partnership must not have distributed the Stock of the Corporate 
Partner to the Corporate Partner or a person possessing section 304(c) 
control of the Corporate Partner. Other than broadening and narrowing 
the scope of related distributees as a result of the modified 
definition of Stock of the Corporate Partner, this inadvertence 
exception is generally unchanged from the 1992 proposed regulations. 
However, the Treasury Department and the IRS will consider comments 
with respect to removing the prohibition against distributions of Stock 
of the Corporate Partner to the Corporate Partner in light of the 
enactment of section 737, which requires a partner to recognize gain on 
property with built-in gain contributed to a partnership when the 
partnership distributes other property to the partner within seven 
years of the contribution.

5. Tiered Partnerships

    The Treasury Department and the IRS are concerned that taxpayers 
could use tiered partnerships to circumvent these regulations. 
Therefore, these regulations require taxpayers to apply these 
regulations to tiered partnerships in a

[[Page 33408]]

manner consistent with the regulations' purpose. See Example 8 of Sec.  
1.337(d)-3T(h) in these regulations.

Effective/Applicability Date

    These regulations apply to transactions occurring on or after June 
12, 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. For the applicability of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), refer to the Special Analyses 
section of the preamble to the cross-referenced notice of proposed 
rulemaking published in the Proposed Rules section in this issue of the 
Federal Register. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, these 
regulations have been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of 
the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small 
business.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these regulations are Joseph R. Worst and 
Kevin I. Babitz, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs 
and Special Industries). 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.

Amendment to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows:

PART I--INCOME TAXES

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by adding an 
entry in numerical order to read as follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
    Section 1.337(d)-3T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 337(d). * * *


0
Par. 2. Section 1.337(d)-3T is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.337(d)-3T  Gain recognition upon certain partnership 
transactions involving a partner's stock (temporary).

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to prevent corporate 
taxpayers from using a partnership to circumvent gain required to be 
recognized under section 311(b) or section 336(a). The rules of this 
section, including the determination of the amount of gain, must be 
applied in a manner that is consistent with and that reasonably carries 
out this purpose.
    (b) In general. This section applies when a partnership, either 
directly or indirectly, owns, acquires, or distributes Stock of the 
Corporate Partner (within the meaning of paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section). Under paragraphs (d) or (e) of this section, a Corporate 
Partner (within the meaning of paragraph (c)(1) of this section) is 
required to recognize gain when a transaction has the effect of the 
Corporate Partner acquiring or increasing an interest in its own stock 
in exchange for appreciated property in a manner that contravenes the 
purpose of this section as set forth in paragraph (a) of this section. 
Paragraph (f) of this section sets forth exceptions under which a 
Corporate Partner does not recognize gain.
    (c) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
this section:
    (1) Corporate Partner. A Corporate Partner is a person that is 
classified as a corporation for federal income tax purposes and holds 
or acquires an interest in a partnership.
    (2) Stock of the Corporate Partner--(i) In general. With respect to 
a Corporate Partner, Stock of the Corporate Partner includes the 
Corporate Partner's stock, or other equity interests, including 
options, warrants, and similar interests, in the Corporate Partner or a 
corporation that controls (within the meaning of section 304(c)) the 
Corporate Partner. Stock of the Corporate Partner also includes 
interests in any entity to the extent that the value of the interest is 
attributable to Stock of the Corporate Partner.
    (ii) Affiliated partner exception. Stock of the Corporate Partner 
does not include any stock or other equity interests held or acquired 
by a partnership if all interests in the partnership's capital and 
profits are held by members of an affiliated group as defined in 
section 1504(a) that includes the Corporate Partner.
    (3) Section 337(d) Transaction. A Section 337(d) Transaction is a 
transaction (or series of transactions) that has the effect of an 
exchange by a Corporate Partner of its interest in appreciated property 
for an interest in Stock of the Corporate Partner owned, acquired, or 
distributed by a partnership. For example, a Section 337(d) Transaction 
may occur when--
    (i) A Corporate Partner contributes appreciated property to a 
partnership that owns Stock of the Corporate Partner;
    (ii) A partnership acquires Stock of the Corporate Partner;
    (iii) A partnership that owns Stock of the Corporate Partner 
distributes appreciated property to a partner other than a Corporate 
Partner;
    (iv) A partnership distributes Stock of the Corporate Partner to 
the Corporate Partner; or
    (v) A partnership agreement is amended in a manner that increases a 
Corporate Partner's interest in Stock of the Corporate Partner 
(including in connection with a contribution to, or distribution from, 
a partnership).
    (4) Gain Percentage. A Corporate Partner's Gain Percentage equals a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the Corporate Partner's interest 
(by value) in appreciated property effectively exchanged for Stock of 
the Corporate Partner under the test described in paragraphs (d)(1) and 
(2) of this section, and the denominator of which is the Corporate 
Partner's interest (by value) in that appreciated property immediately 
before the Section 337(d) Transaction. Paragraph (d) of this section 
requires a partnership to multiply the Gain Percentage by the Corporate 
Partner's aggregate gain in appreciated property to determine gain 
recognized under this section.
    (d) Deemed redemption rule--(1) In general. A Corporate Partner in 
a partnership that engages in a Section 337(d) Transaction recognizes 
gain at the time, and to the extent, that the Corporate Partner's 
interest in appreciated property (other than Stock of the Corporate 
Partner) is reduced in exchange for an increased interest in Stock of 
the Corporate Partner, as determined under paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section. This section does not apply to the extent a transaction has 
the effect of an exchange by a Corporate Partner of non-appreciated 
property for Stock of the Corporate Partner or has the effect of an 
exchange by a Corporate Partner for property other than Stock of the 
Corporate Partner.
    (2) Corporate Partner's Interest in Partnership Property. The 
Corporate Partner's interest with respect to both Stock of the 
Corporate Partner and the appreciated property that is the subject of 
the exchange is determined based on all facts and circumstances, 
including the allocation and distribution rights set forth in the 
partnership agreement. The Corporate Partner's interest in an 
identified share of Stock of the Corporate Partner will never be less 
than the Corporate Partner's largest interest (by value) in that share 
of Stock of the Corporate Partner that was taken into account when the 
partnership previously determined whether there had been a Section 
337(d) Transaction with respect to such share (regardless of

[[Page 33409]]

whether the Corporate Partner recognized gain in the earlier 
transaction). See Example 6 of paragraph (h) of this section. However, 
this limitation will not apply if any reduction in the Corporate 
Partner's interest in the identified share of Stock of the Corporate 
Partner occurred as part of a plan or arrangement to circumvent the 
purpose of this section. See Example 7 of paragraph (h) of this 
section.
    (3) Amount of gain recognized on the exchange. The amount of gain 
the Corporate Partner recognizes under paragraph (d)(1) of this section 
equals the product of the Corporate Partner's Gain Percentage and the 
gain from the appreciated property that is the subject of the exchange 
that the Corporate Partner would recognize if, immediately before the 
Section 337(d) Transaction, all assets of the partnership and any 
assets contributed to the partnership in the Section 337(d) Transaction 
were sold in a fully taxable transaction for cash in an amount equal to 
the fair market value of such property (taking into account section 
7701(g)), reduced, but not below zero, by any gain the Corporate 
Partner is required to recognize with respect to the appreciated 
property in the Section 337(d) Transaction under any other provision of 
this chapter. This gain is computed taking into account allocations of 
tax items applying the principles of section 704(c), including any 
remedial allocations under Sec.  1.704-3(d).
    (4) Basis adjustments--(i) Corporate Partner's basis in the 
partnership interest. The basis of the Corporate Partner's interest in 
the partnership is increased by the amount of gain that the Corporate 
Partner recognizes under this paragraph (d).
    (ii) Partnership's basis in partnership property. The partnership's 
adjusted tax basis in the appreciated property that is treated as the 
subject of the exchange under this paragraph (d) is increased by the 
amount of gain recognized with respect to that property by the 
Corporate Partner as a result of that exchange, regardless of whether 
the partnership has an election in effect under section 754.
    (e) Distribution of Stock of the Corporate Partner--(1) In general. 
This paragraph (e) applies to distributions to the Corporate Partner of 
Stock of the Corporate Partner to which section 732(f) does not apply 
and that have previously been the subject of a Section 337(d) 
Transaction or become the subject of a Section 337(d) Transaction as a 
result of the distribution. Upon the distribution of Stock of the 
Corporate Partner to the Corporate Partner, paragraph (d) of this 
section will apply as though immediately before the distribution the 
partners amended the partnership agreement to allocate to the Corporate 
Partner a 100 percent interest in that portion of the Stock of the 
Corporate Partner that is distributed and to allocate an appropriately 
reduced interest in other partnership property away from the Corporate 
Partner.
    (2) Basis rules--(i) Basis allocation on distributions of stock and 
other property. If, as part of the same transaction, a partnership 
distributes Stock of the Corporate Partner and other property (other 
than cash) to the Corporate Partner, see Sec.  1.732-1T(c)(1)(iii) for 
a rule allocating basis first to the Stock of the Corporate Partner 
before the distribution of the other property.
    (ii) Computation of Basis. For purposes of determining the basis of 
property distributed to the Corporate Partner (other than the basis of 
the Corporate Partner in its own stock), the basis of the Corporate 
Partner's remaining partnership interest, and the partnership's basis 
in undistributed Stock of the Corporate Partner, and for purposes of 
computing gain under paragraph (e)(3) of this section, the 
partnership's basis of Stock of the Corporate Partner distributed to 
the Corporate Partner equals the greater of--
    (A) The partnership's basis of that distributed Stock of the 
Corporate Partner immediately before the distribution, or
    (B) The fair market value of that distributed Stock of the 
Corporate Partner immediately before the distribution less the 
Corporate Partner's allocable share of gain from all of the Stock of 
the Corporate Partner if the partnership sold all of its assets in a 
fully taxable transaction for cash in an amount equal to the fair 
market value of such property (taking into account section 7701(g)) 
immediately before the distribution.
    (3) Gain recognition. The Corporate Partner will recognize gain on 
a distribution of Stock of the Corporate Partner to the Corporate 
Partner to the extent that the partnership's basis in the distributed 
Stock of the Corporate Partner (as determined under paragraph 
(e)(2)(ii) of this section) exceeds the Corporate Partner's basis in 
its partnership interest (as reduced by any cash distributed in the 
transaction) immediately before the distribution.
    (f) Exceptions--(1) De minimis rule--(i) In general. This section 
does not apply to a Corporate Partner if at the time that the 
partnership acquires Stock of the Corporate Partner or at the time of a 
revaluation event as described in Sec.  1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) (without 
regard to whether or not the partnership revalues its assets)--
    (A) The Corporate Partner and any persons related to the Corporate 
Partner under section 267(b) or section 707(b) own in the aggregate 
less than five percent of the partnership;
    (B) The partnership holds Stock of the Corporate Partner with a 
value of less than two percent of the partnership's gross assets 
(including the Stock of the Corporate Partner); and
    (C) The partnership has never, at any point in time, held in the 
aggregate--
    (1) Stock of the Corporate Partner with a fair market value greater 
than $1,000,000; or
    (2) More than two percent of any particular class of Stock of the 
Corporate Partner.
    (ii) De minimis rule ceases to apply. If a partnership satisfies 
the conditions of the de minimis rule of paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section upon an acquisition of Stock of the Corporate Partner or 
revaluation event as described in Sec.  1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), but later 
fails to satisfy the conditions of the de minimis rule upon a 
subsequent acquisition or revaluation event, then solely for purposes 
of paragraph (d) of this section, the Corporate Partner may compute its 
gain on the subsequent acquisition or revaluation event as if it had 
already recognized gain at the previous event. Neither the Corporate 
Partner nor the partnership increases its basis by the gain the 
Corporate Partner would have recognized if the de minimis rule of 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section did not apply to the prior acquisition 
or revaluation event.
    (2) Inadvertence rule. Unless acquired as part of a plan to 
circumvent the purpose of this section, this section does not apply to 
Stock of the Corporate Partner that--
    (i) Is disposed of (by sale or distribution) by the partnership 
before the due date (including extensions) of its federal income tax 
return for the taxable year during which the Stock of the Corporate 
Partner is acquired (or for the taxable year in which the Corporate 
Partner becomes a partner, whichever is applicable); and
    (ii) Is not distributed to the Corporate Partner or a corporation 
possessing section 304(c) control of the Corporate Partner.
    (g) Tiered partnerships. The rules of this section shall apply to 
tiered partnerships in a manner that is consistent with the purpose set 
forth in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (h) Examples. The following examples illustrate the principles of 
this section.

[[Page 33410]]

All amounts in the following examples are reported in millions of 
dollars:

    Example 1. Deemed redemption rule--contribution of Stock of a 
Corporate Partner. (i) In Year 1, X, a corporation, and A, an 
individual, form partnership AX as equal partners in all respects. X 
contributes Asset 1 with a fair market value of $100 and a basis of 
$20. A contributes X stock, which is Stock of the Corporate Partner, 
with a basis and fair market value of $100.
    (ii) Because A and X are equal partners in AX in all respects, 
the partnership formation causes X's interest in X stock to increase 
from $0 to $50 and its interest in Asset 1 to decrease from $100 to 
$50. Thus, the partnership formation is a Section 337(d) Transaction 
because the formation has the effect of an exchange by X of $50 of 
Asset 1 for $50 of X stock.
    (iii) X must recognize gain under paragraph (d) of this section 
with respect to Asset 1 to prevent the circumvention of section 
311(b) principles. X's gain equals the product of X's Gain 
Percentage and the gain from Asset 1 that X would recognize 
(decreased, but not below zero, by any gain that X recognized with 
respect to Asset 1 in the Section 337(d) Transaction under any other 
provision of this chapter) if, immediately before the Section 337(d) 
Transaction, all assets were sold in a fully taxable transaction for 
cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of such property. 
If Asset 1 had been sold in a fully taxable transaction immediately 
before the formation of partnership AX, X's allocable share of gain 
would have been $80. X's Gain Percentage is 50% (equal to a 
fraction, the numerator of which is X's $50 interest in Asset 1 
effectively exchanged for X stock, and the denominator of which is 
X's $100 interest in Asset 1 immediately before the Section 337(d) 
Transaction). Thus, X recognizes $40 of gain ($80 multiplied by 50%) 
under the deemed redemption rule in paragraph (d) of this section. 
Under paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section, X's basis in its AX 
partnership interest increases from $20 to $60. Under paragraph 
(d)(4)(ii) of this section, AX's basis in Asset 1 increases from $20 
to $60 because Asset 1 is the appreciated property treated as the 
subject of the exchange.

    Example 2. Distribution of Stock of the Corporate Partner--pro 
rata distribution. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1(i). AX 
liquidates in Year 9, when Asset 1 and the X stock each have a fair 
market value of $200. X and A each receive 50% of Asset 1 and 50% of 
the X stock in the liquidation. At the time AX liquidates, X's basis 
in its AX partnership interest is $60 and A's basis in its AX 
partnership interest is $100.
    (ii) When AX liquidates, X's interests in its stock and in Asset 
1 do not change. Thus, the liquidation is not a Section 337(d) 
Transaction because it does not have the effect of an exchange by X 
of appreciated property for Stock of the Corporate Partner.
    (iii) Paragraph (e) of this section applies because the 
distributed X stock was the subject of a previous Section 337(d) 
Transaction and because section 732(f) does not apply. Under Sec.  
1.732-1T(c)(1)(iii), the distribution to X of X stock is deemed to 
immediately precede the distribution of 50% of Asset 1 to X for 
purposes of determining X's basis in the distributed property. For 
purposes of determining X's basis in Asset 1 and X's gain on 
distribution, the basis of the distributed X stock is treated as 
$50, the greater of $50 (50% of the stock's $100 basis in the hands 
of the partnership), or $50, the fair market value of that 
distributed X stock ($100) less X's allocable share of gain from the 
distributed X stock if AX had sold all of its assets in a fully 
taxable transaction for cash in an amount equal to the fair market 
value of such property immediately before the distribution ($50). 
Thus, X reduces its basis in its partnership interest by $50 prior 
to the distribution of Asset 1. Accordingly, X's basis in the 
distributed portion of Asset 1 is $10. Because AX's basis in the 
distributed X stock immediately before the distribution ($50) does 
not exceed X's basis in its AX partnership interest immediately 
before the distribution ($60), X recognizes no gain under paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section.

    Example 3. Distribution of Stock of the Corporate Partner--non 
pro rata distribution. (i) The facts are the same as Example 2(i), 
except that when AX liquidates, X receives 75% of the X stock and 
25% of Asset 1 and A receives 25% of the X stock and 75% of Asset 1.
    (ii) The liquidation of AX causes X's interest in X stock to 
increase from $100 to $150 and its interest in Asset 1 to decrease 
from $100 to $50. Thus, AX's liquidating distributions of X stock 
and Asset 1 to X are a Section 337(d) Transaction because the 
distributions have the effect of an exchange by X of $50 of Asset 1 
for $50 of X stock.
    (iii) X must recognize gain with respect to Asset 1 to prevent 
the circumvention of section 311(b) principles. Under paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section, paragraph (d) of this section is applied as 
if X and A amended the AX partnership agreement to allocate to X a 
100% interest in the distributed portion of the X stock. X must 
recognize gain equal to the product of X's Gain Percentage and the 
gain from Asset 1 that X would have recognized (decreased, but not 
below zero, by any gain X recognized with respect to Asset 1 in the 
Section 337(d) Transaction under any other provision of this 
chapter) if, immediately before the Section 337(d) Transaction, AX 
had sold all of its assets in a fully taxable transaction for cash 
in an amount equal to the fair market value of such property.
    (iv) If Asset 1 had been sold in a fully taxable transaction 
immediately before the amendment of the AX partnership agreement, 
X's allocable share of gain would have been $90, or the sum of X's 
$40 remaining gain under section 704(c) and $50 of the $100 post-
contribution appreciation. X's Gain Percentage is 50% (equal to a 
fraction, the numerator of which is X's $50 interest in Asset 1 
effectively exchanged for X stock, and the denominator of which is 
X's $100 interest in Asset 1 immediately before the Section 337(d) 
Transaction). Thus, X recognizes $45 of gain ($90 multiplied by 50%) 
under the deemed redemption rule in paragraph (d) of this section. 
Under paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section, X's basis in its AX 
partnership interest increases from $60 to $105. Under paragraph 
(d)(4)(ii) of this section, AX's basis in Asset 1 increases from $60 
to $105 because Asset 1 is the appreciated property treated as the 
subject of the exchange.
    (v) Paragraph (e) of this section applies because the 
distributed X stock was the subject of a previous Section 337(d) 
Transaction and because section 732(f) does not apply. Under Sec.  
1.732-1T(c)(1)(iii), AX is treated as first distributing the X stock 
to X before the distribution of 25% of Asset 1. For purposes of 
determining X's basis in Asset 1 and X's gain on distribution, the 
basis of the distributed X stock is treated as $100, the greater of 
$75 (75% of the stock's $100 basis in the hands of the partnership) 
or $100, the fair market value of the distributed X stock ($150) 
less X's allocable share of gain if the partnership had sold all of 
the X stock immediately before the distribution for cash in an 
amount equal to its fair market value ($50). Thus, X will reduce its 
basis in its partnership interest by $100 prior to the distribution 
of Asset 1. Accordingly, X's basis in the distributed portion of 
Asset 1 is $5. Because AX's basis in the distributed X stock 
immediately before the distribution as computed for purposes of this 
section ($100) does not exceed X's basis in its AX partnership 
interest immediately before the distribution ($105), X recognizes no 
additional gain under paragraph (e)(3) of this section.

    Example 4. Deemed redemption rule--subsequent purchase of Stock 
of the Corporate Partner. The facts are the same as Example 1(i), 
except that A contributes cash of $100 instead of X stock. In a 
later year, when the value of Asset 1 has not changed, AX uses the 
contributed cash to purchase X stock for $100. AX's purchase of X 
stock has the effect of an exchange by X of appreciated property for 
X stock, and thus, is a Section 337(d) Transaction. X must recognize 
gain at the time, and to the extent, that X's share of appreciated 
property (other than X stock) is reduced in exchange for X stock. 
Thus, the consequences of the partnership's purchase of X stock are 
the same as those described in Example 1(ii) and (iii), resulting in 
X recognizing $40 of gain.

    Example 5. Change in allocation ratios--amendment of partnership 
agreement. (i) The facts are the same as Example 2(i), except that 
in Year 9, AX does not liquidate, and the AX partnership agreement 
is amended to allocate to X 80% of the income, gain, loss, and 
deduction from the X stock and to allocate to A 80% of the income, 
gain, loss, and deduction from Asset 1. If AX had sold the 
partnership assets immediately before the change to the partnership 
agreement, X would have been allocated $90 of gain from Asset 1 and 
$50 of gain from the X stock.
    (ii) The amendment to the AX partnership agreement causes X's 
interest in its stock to increase from $100 (50% of the stock value 
immediately before the amendment of the agreement) to $160 (80% of 
stock value immediately following amendment of agreement) and its 
interest in Asset 1 to decrease from $100 to $40. Thus, the 
amendment of the partnership agreement is a Section 337(d) 
Transaction because the amendment has the effect of an exchange by X 
of $60 of Asset 1 for $60 of its stock.

[[Page 33411]]

    (iii) X must recognize gain equal to the product of X's Gain 
Percentage and the gain from Asset 1 that X would have recognized 
(decreased, but not below zero, by any gain X recognized with 
respect to Asset 1 in the Section 337(d) Transaction under any other 
provision of this chapter) if, immediately before the Section 337(d) 
Transaction, AX had sold all of its assets in a fully taxable 
transaction for cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of 
such property. If Asset 1 had been sold in a fully taxable 
transaction immediately before the amendment of the AX partnership 
agreement, X's allocable share of gain would have been $90, or the 
sum of X's $40 remaining gain under section 704(c) and 50% of the 
$100 post-contribution appreciation. X's Gain Percentage is 60% 
(equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is X's $60 interest in 
Asset 1 effectively exchanged for X stock, and the denominator of 
which is X's $100 interest in Asset 1 immediately before the Section 
337(d) Transaction). Thus, X recognizes $54 of gain ($90 multiplied 
by 60%) under the deemed redemption rule in paragraph (d) of this 
section. Under paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section, X's basis in its 
AX partnership interest increases from $60 to $114. Under paragraph 
(d)(4)(ii) of this section, AX's basis in Asset 1 increases from $60 
to $114 because Asset 1 is the appreciated property treated as the 
subject of the exchange.

    Example 6. Change in allocation ratios--admission and exit of a 
partner. (i) The facts are the same as Example 1(i). In addition, in 
Year 2, when the values of Asset 1 and the X stock have not changed, 
B contributes $100 of cash to AX in exchange for a one-third 
interest in the partnership. Upon the admission of B as a partner, 
X's interest in Asset 1 decreases from $50 to $33.33, and its 
interest in B's contributed cash increases. B's admission is not a 
Section 337(d) Transaction because it does not have the effect of an 
exchange by X of its interest in Asset 1 for X stock. Accordingly, X 
does not recognize gain under paragraph (d) of this section.
    (ii) In Year 9, when the values of Asset 1 and the X stock have 
not changed, the partnership distributes $50 of cash and 50% of 
Asset 1 (valued at $50) to B in liquidation of B's interest. X and A 
are equal partners in all respects after the distribution. Upon the 
liquidation of B's interest, X's interest in Asset 1 decreases from 
$33.33 to $25, and its interest in X stock increases from $33.33 to 
$50. AX's liquidation of B's interest has the effect of an exchange 
by X of appreciated property for X stock, and thus, is a Section 
337(d) Transaction.
    (iii) Pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this section, X's interest 
in X stock and other appreciated property held by the partnership is 
determined based on all facts and circumstances, including 
allocation and distribution rights in the partnership agreement. 
However, paragraph (d)(2) of this section also requires that X's 
interest in its stock for purposes of paragraph (d) will never be 
less than the Corporate Partner's largest interest (by value) in 
those shares of Stock of the Corporate Partner taken into account 
when the partnership previously determined whether there had been a 
Section 337(d) Transaction (regardless of whether the Corporate 
Partner recognized gain in the earlier transaction). Although X's 
interest in X stock increases to $50 upon AX's liquidation of B's 
interest, X's largest interest previously taken into account under 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section was $50. Thus, X's interest in its 
stock is not considered to be increased, and X therefore recognizes 
no gain under paragraph (d) of this section, provided that the 
transactions did not occur as part of a plan or arrangement to 
circumvent the purpose of this section.

    Example 7. Change in allocation ratios--plan to circumvent 
purpose of this section. (i) In Year 1, X, a corporation, and A, an 
individual, contribute a small amount of capital to newly-formed 
partnership AX, with X receiving a 99% interest in AX and A 
receiving a 1% interest in AX. AX borrows $100 from a third-party 
lender and uses the proceeds to purchase X stock, which is Stock of 
the Corporate Partner. Later, as part of a plan or arrangement to 
circumvent the purposes of this section, A contributes $100 of cash, 
which AX uses to repay the loan, and X contributes Asset 1 with a 
fair market value of $100 and basis of $20. After these 
contributions, A and X are equal partners in AX in all respects.
    (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this section, X's interest 
in X stock and other appreciated property held by the partnership is 
determined based on all facts and circumstances, including 
allocation and distribution rights in the partnership agreement. 
Generally pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this section, X's interest 
in X stock for purposes of paragraph (d) will never be less than the 
Corporate Partner's largest interest (by value) in those shares of 
Stock of the Corporate Partner taken into account when the 
partnership previously determined whether there had been a Section 
337(d) Transaction (regardless of whether the Corporate Partner 
recognized gain in the earlier transaction). This limitation does 
not apply, however, if the reduction in X's interest in X's stock 
occurred as part of a plan or arrangement to circumvent the purpose 
of this section. Because the transactions described in this example 
are part of a plan or arrangement to circumvent the purpose of this 
section, the limitation in paragraph (d)(2) of this section does not 
apply. Accordingly, the deemed redemption rule under paragraph (d) 
of this section applies to the transactions with the consequences 
described in Example 1(iii) of this section, resulting in X 
recognizing $40 of gain.

    Example 8. Tiered partnership. (i) In Year 1, X, a corporation, 
and A, an individual, form partnership UTP. X contributes Asset 1 
with a fair market value of $80 and a basis of $0 in exchange for an 
80% interest in UTP. A contributes $20 of cash in exchange for a 20% 
interest in UTP. UTP and B, an individual, form partnership LTP as 
equal partners. UTP contributes Asset 1 and $20 of cash. B 
contributes X stock, which is Stock of the Corporate Partner, with a 
basis and fair market value of $100.
    (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section, the rules of 
this section shall apply to tiered partnerships in a manner that is 
consistent with the purpose set forth in paragraph (a) of this 
section. Pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section, if X is in a 
partnership that engages in a Section 337(d) Transaction, X must 
recognize gain at the time, and to the extent, that X's share of 
appreciated property is reduced in exchange for X stock. The 
formation of LTP causes X's interest in X stock to increase from $0 
to $40 and its interest in Asset 1 to decrease from $64 to $32. 
Thus, LTP's formation is a Section 337(d) Transaction because the 
formation has the effect of an exchange by X of $32 of Asset 1 for 
$32 of X stock.
    (iii) X must recognize gain with respect to Asset 1 to prevent 
the circumvention of section 311(b) principles. X must recognize 
gain equal to the product of X's Gain Percentage and the gain from 
Asset 1 (decreased, but not below zero, by any gain X recognized 
with respect to Asset 1 in the Section 337(d) Transaction under any 
other provision of this chapter) that X would recognize if, 
immediately before the Section 337(d) Transaction, all assets were 
sold in a fully taxable transaction for cash in an amount equal to 
the fair market value of such property. If Asset 1 had been sold in 
a fully taxable transaction immediately before LTP's formation, X's 
allocable share of gain would have been $80 pursuant to section 
704(c). X's Gain Percentage is 50% (equal to a fraction, the 
numerator of which is X's $32 interest in Asset 1 effectively 
exchanged for X stock, and the denominator of which is X's $64 
interest in Asset 1 immediately before the Section 337(d) 
Transaction). Thus, X recognizes $40 of gain ($80 multiplied by 50%) 
under the deemed redemption rule in paragraph (d) of this section. 
Under paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (d)(4)(ii) of this section, X's basis 
in its UTP partnership interest increases from $0 to $40, UTP's 
basis in its LTP partnership interest increases from $20 to $60, and 
LTP's basis in Asset 1 increases from $0 to $40 pursuant to 
paragraph (g) of this section.

    (i) Effective/applicability date. This section applies to 
transactions occurring on or after June 12, 2015.
    (j) Expiration date. This section expires on June 11, 2018.

0
Par. 3. Section 1.732-1 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(5) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.732-1  Basis of distributed property other than money.

* * * * *
    (c) * * * (1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.732-
1T(c)(1).
* * * * *
    (5) Effective/applicability date--(i) In general. This paragraph 
(c) applies to distributions of property from a partnership that occur 
on or after December 15, 1999.
    (ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.732-
1T(c)(5)(ii).
* * * * *

0
Par. 4. Section 1.732-1T is added to read as follows:

[[Page 33412]]

Sec.  1.732-1T  Basis of distributed property other than money 
(temporary).

    (a) and (b) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.732-1(a) 
and (b).
    (c) Allocation of basis among properties distributed to a partner--
(1) General rule--(i) Unrealized receivables and inventory items. 
Except as provided in paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section, the basis 
to be allocated to properties distributed to a partner under section 
732(a)(2) or (b) is allocated first to any unrealized receivables (as 
defined in section 751(c)) and inventory items (as defined in section 
751(d)(2)) in an amount equal to the adjusted basis of each such 
property to the partnership immediately before the distribution. If the 
basis to be allocated is less than the sum of the adjusted bases to the 
partnership of the distributed unrealized receivables and inventory 
items, the adjusted basis of the distributed property must be decreased 
in the manner provided in Sec.  1.732-1(c)(2)(i). See Sec.  1.460-
4(k)(2)(iv)(D) for a rule determining the partnership's basis in long-
term contract accounted for under a long-term contract method of 
accounting.
    (ii) Other distributed property. Any basis not allocated to 
unrealized receivables or inventory items under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section or to stock of persons that control the corporate partner 
or to the corporate partner's stock under paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this 
section is allocated to any other property distributed to the partner 
in the same transaction by assigning to each distributed property an 
amount equal to the adjusted basis of the property to the partnership 
immediately before the distribution. However, if the sum of the 
adjusted bases to the partnership of such other distributed property 
does not equal the basis to be allocated among the distributed 
property, any increase or decrease required to make the amounts equal 
is allocated among the distributed property as provided in Sec.  1.732-
1(c)(2).
    (iii) Stock distributed to the corporate partner. If a partnership 
makes a distribution described in Sec.  1.337(d)-3T(e)(1), then for 
purposes of this section, the basis to be allocated to properties 
distributed under section 732(a)(2) or (b) is allocated first to the 
Stock of the Corporate Partner, as defined in Sec.  1.337(d)-3T(c)(2), 
before the distribution of any other property (other than cash). The 
amount allocated to the Stock of the Corporate Partner is as provided 
in Sec.  1.337(d)-3T(e)(2).
    (2) through (5)(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.732-1(c)(2) through (c)(5)(i).
    (ii) Exception. Nothwithstanding paragraph (c)(5)(i), the first 
sentence of each of paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(ii) of this 
section, and paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section in its entirety, 
apply to distributions of Stock of the Corporate Partner, as defined in 
Sec.  1.337(d)-3T(c)(2), that occur on or after June 12, 2015.
    (d) and (e) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.732-1(d) 
and (e).
    (f) Expiration date. This section expires on June 11, 2018.

John Dalrymple,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
    Approved: June 1, 2015.
Mark J. Mazur,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. 2015-14405 Filed 6-11-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P



                                                  33402                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  Approach Procedures at the airport. The                 Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace areas                  the recognition of any corporate level
                                                  FAA is taking this action to enhance the                extending upward from 700 feet or more                 gain (the General Utilities doctrine).
                                                  safety and management of IFR                            above the surface of the earth.                        Beginning in 1969, Congress enacted a
                                                  operations at the airport.                              *      *      *       *      *                         series of exceptions to the General
                                                                                                          ACE KS E5 Tribune, KS [New]                            Utilities doctrine, starting with certain
                                                  Regulatory Notices and Analyses
                                                                                                                                                                 non-liquidating distributions of
                                                     The FAA has determined that this                     Tribune Municipal Airport, KS
                                                                                                            (Lat. 38°27′05″ N., long. 101°45′00″ W.)
                                                                                                                                                                 depreciable property. In the Tax Equity
                                                  regulation only involves an established                                                                        and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982,
                                                  body of technical regulations for which                   That airspace extending upward from 700
                                                                                                          feet above the surface within a 6.5-mile
                                                                                                                                                                 Public Law 97–248, 96 Stat. 324,
                                                  frequent and routine amendments are                     radius of Tribune Municipal Airport.                   Congress enacted current section 311(b)
                                                  necessary to keep them operationally                                                                           (originally designated as section 311(d)),
                                                  current. Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is               Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on June 5, 2015.           which required a corporation to
                                                  not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’                 Christopher L. Southerland,                            recognize gain on appreciated property
                                                  under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not                 Acting Manager, Operations Support Group,              distributed to a shareholder in
                                                  a ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT                        ATO Central Service Center.                            redemption of shares. In 1984, Congress
                                                  Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44                  [FR Doc. 2015–14287 Filed 6–11–15; 8:45 am]            enacted legislation that required gain
                                                  FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3)                   BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                 recognition for all non-liquidating
                                                  does not warrant preparation of a                                                                              distributions. Finally, as part of the Tax
                                                  regulatory evaluation as the anticipated                                                                       Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99–514,
                                                  impact is so minimal. Since this is a                   DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                             100 Stat. 2085, (the Act), Congress
                                                  routine matter that only affects air traffic                                                                   repealed what remained of the General
                                                  procedures and air navigation, it is                    Internal Revenue Service                               Utilities doctrine by enacting section
                                                  certified that this rule, when                                                                                 336(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
                                                  promulgated, does not have a significant                26 CFR Part 1                                          (Code) to apply gain and loss
                                                  economic impact on a substantial                        [TD 9722]                                              recognition to liquidating distributions.
                                                  number of small entities under the                                                                             Under current law, sections 311(b) and
                                                  criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.             RIN 1545–BM35                                          336(a) of the Code require a corporation
                                                  Environmental Review                                                                                           that distributes appreciated property to
                                                                                                          Partnership Transactions Involving
                                                                                                                                                                 its shareholders to recognize gain
                                                    The FAA has determined that this                      Equity Interests of a Partner
                                                                                                                                                                 determined as if the property were sold
                                                  action qualifies for categorical exclusion              AGENCY:  Internal Revenue Service (IRS),               to the shareholders for its fair market
                                                  under the National Environmental                        Treasury.                                              value. Additionally, section 631 of the
                                                  Policy Act in accordance with FAA                                                                              Act added section 337(d) to the Code to
                                                                                                          ACTION: Final and temporary
                                                  Order 1050.1E. ‘‘Environmental                                                                                 permit the Secretary to prescribe
                                                                                                          regulations.
                                                  Impacts: Policies and Procedures,’’                                                                            regulations that are necessary or
                                                  paragraph 311a. This airspace action is                 SUMMARY:   This document contains final                appropriate to carry out the purposes of
                                                  not expected to cause any potentially                   and temporary regulations that prevent                 the General Utilities repeal, ‘‘including
                                                  significant environmental impacts, and                  a corporate partner from avoiding                      regulations to ensure that [the repeal of
                                                  no extraordinary circumstances exist                    corporate-level gain through                           the General Utilities doctrine] may not
                                                  that warrant preparation of an                          transactions with a partnership                        be circumvented through the use of any
                                                  environmental assessment.                               involving equity interests of the partner.             provision of law or regulations.’’
                                                  List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71                      These regulations affect partnerships
                                                                                                                                                                 1992 Proposed Regulations
                                                                                                          and their partners. The text of these
                                                   Airspace, Incorporation by reference,                  temporary regulations serves as the text
                                                  Navigation (air).                                                                                                 After the enactment of sections 311(b)
                                                                                                          of proposed regulations (REG–149518–                   and 337(d), the Treasury Department
                                                  Adoption of the Amendment                               03) published in the Proposed Rules                    and the IRS became aware of
                                                                                                          section in this issue of the Federal                   transactions in which taxpayers used a
                                                    In consideration of the foregoing, the
                                                                                                          Register.                                              partnership to postpone or avoid
                                                  Federal Aviation Administration
                                                  amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:                       DATES:  Effective Date: These regulations              completely gain generally required to be
                                                                                                          are effective on June 12, 2015.                        recognized under section 311(b). In one
                                                  PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,                           Applicability Date: For dates of                     example of this transaction, a
                                                  B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR                      applicability, see §§ 1.337(d)–3T(i) and               corporation entered into a partnership
                                                  TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND                             1.732–1T(c)(5).                                        and contributed appreciated property.
                                                  REPORTING POINTS                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                                 The partnership then acquired stock of
                                                                                                          Concerning the final and temporary                     that corporate partner, and later made a
                                                  ■ 1. The authority citation for part 71                                                                        liquidating distribution of this stock to
                                                                                                          regulations, Kevin I. Babitz, (202) 317–
                                                  continues to read as follows:                                                                                  the corporate partner. Under section
                                                                                                          6852.
                                                    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103,                                                                  731(a), the corporate partner did not
                                                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR,                                                                   recognize gain on the partnership’s
                                                  1959–1963 Comp., p. 389.                                Background                                             distribution of its stock. By means of
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                                                                                                                                                                 this transaction, the corporation had
                                                  § 71.1   [Amended]                                      The General Utilities Doctrine and Its                 disposed of the appreciated property it
                                                  ■ 2. The incorporation by reference in                  Repeal                                                 formerly held and had acquired its own
                                                  14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9Y,                         In General Utilities & Operating Co. v.              stock, permanently avoiding its gain in
                                                  Airspace Designations and Reporting                     Helvering, 296 U.S. 200 (1935), the                    the appreciated property. If the
                                                  Points, dated August 6, 2014, and                       Supreme Court held that corporations                   corporation had directly exchanged the
                                                  effective September 15, 2014, is                        generally could distribute appreciated                 appreciated property for its own stock,
                                                  amended as follows:                                     property to their shareholders without                 section 311(b) would have required the


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                          33403

                                                  corporation to recognize gain upon the                  partner is a member) owned, acquired,                  1992 distribution rule, asserting that the
                                                  exchange.                                               or distributed by the partnership.                     rule is overly broad and inconsistent
                                                     In response to this type of transaction,                The 1992 distribution rule provided                 with the deemed redemption rule.
                                                  the Treasury Department and the IRS                     that a partnership’s distribution to a                 These comments are discussed in detail
                                                  issued Notice 89–37, 1989–1 CB 679, on                  partner of the partner’s stock is treated              in the Explanation of Provisions section
                                                  March 9, 1989. Notice 89–37 announced                   as a redemption or an exchange of the                  of this preamble.
                                                  that future regulations under section                   stock of the partner for a portion of the                 After considering these comment
                                                  337(d) would address the use of                         partner’s partnership interest with a                  letters, and taking into account
                                                  partnerships to avoid the repeal of the                 value equal to the distributed stock.                  subsequent changes in relevant law as
                                                  General Utilities doctrine. Specifically,               Thus, the 1992 distribution rule applied               described in part 1 of this preamble, the
                                                  the Treasury Department and the IRS                     section 311(b) principles to the                       Treasury Department and the IRS are
                                                  determined that, in certain                             distribution to trigger gain to the                    withdrawing the 1992 proposed
                                                  circumstances, the acquisition (or                      corporate partner, rather than applying                regulations and simultaneously issuing
                                                  ownership) by a partnership of stock in                 section 731, which would not have                      temporary and final regulations that also
                                                  one of its corporate partners (or stock of              required gain recognition. The 1992                    serve as the text of new proposed
                                                  any member of the affiliated group of                   distribution rule ensured that section                 regulations published in the Proposed
                                                  which the partner is a member) results                  311(b) would apply to any acquisition                  Rules section of this issue of the Federal
                                                  in avoidance of the repeal of the General               by the corporate partner of its own stock              Register.
                                                  Utilities doctrine. Such avoidance                      where the 1992 deemed redemption rule
                                                                                                                                                                 Explanation of Provisions
                                                  occurs to the extent that a corporate                   had not applied. The preamble to the
                                                  partner, in substance, relinquishes an                  1992 proposed regulations indicated                      The purpose of these regulations
                                                  interest in appreciated property in                     that commenters on the Notice raised                   authorized under section 337(d) is to
                                                  exchange for an interest in its stock (or               concerns that the 1992 distribution rule               prevent corporate taxpayers from using
                                                  the stock of an affiliate). The Notice                  could duplicate gain recognition and                   a partnership to circumvent gain
                                                  provided that section 311(b), rather than               suggested a modified approach.                         required to be recognized under section
                                                  section 731(a), would apply when a                      However, the 1992 proposed regulations                 311(b) or section 336(a). These
                                                  partner received a distribution of its                  rejected the modified approach as                      regulations, including the rules
                                                  own stock, and that the partner would                   overly complex.                                        governing the amount and timing of
                                                  recognize gain whenever a pre-                             As noted previously, the 1992                       recognized gain, must be applied in a
                                                  distribution transaction has the                        proposed regulations applied to stock of               manner consistent with, and which
                                                  economic effect of an exchange of                       a partner, to stock of a partner’s affiliate,          reasonably carries out, this purpose.
                                                  appreciated property for the partner’s                  and to other equity interests in the                     These regulations apply when a
                                                  own stock.                                              partner or affiliate. The 1992 proposed                partnership, either directly or indirectly,
                                                     On December 15, 1992, the Treasury                   regulations used a modified affiliation                owns, acquires, or distributes Stock of
                                                  Department and the IRS published a                      standard to determine whether a partner                the Corporate Partner (as defined in part
                                                  notice of proposed rulemaking under                     and another corporation were affiliates.               1 of this preamble). Under these
                                                  section 337(d) (PS–91–90, REG–208989–                   The 1992 proposed regulations treated a                regulations, a Corporate Partner (as
                                                  90, 1993–1 CB 919) in the Federal                       corporation as an affiliate of a partner at            defined in part 1 of this preamble) may
                                                  Register (57 FR 59324) addressing                       the time of a deemed redemption or                     recognize gain when it is treated as
                                                  partnership transactions involving stock                distribution by the partnership if,                    acquiring or increasing its interest in
                                                  of a partner (the 1992 proposed                         immediately thereafter, the partner and                Stock of the Corporate Partner held by
                                                  regulations). The 1992 proposed                         corporation were members of an                         a partnership in exchange for
                                                  regulations adopted two rules to protect                affiliated group as defined in section                 appreciated property in a manner that
                                                  the repeal of the General Utilities                     1504(a) without regard to section                      avoids gain recognition under section
                                                  doctrine: the deemed redemption rule                    1504(b) (section 337(d) affiliation). On               311(b) or section 336(a). The regulations
                                                  (the 1992 deemed redemption rule) and                   January 19, 1993, the Treasury                         also provide exceptions under which a
                                                  the distribution rule (the 1992                         Department and the IRS issued Notice                   Corporate Partner is not required to
                                                  distribution rule). The 1992 proposed                   93–2, 1993–1 CB 292, which stated that                 recognize gain.
                                                  regulations also provided de minimis                    the 1992 proposed regulations would be                   These regulations retain the 1992
                                                  and inadvertence exceptions to these                    amended to limit the application of the                deemed redemption rule with the
                                                  two rules.                                              regulations to transactions in which                   modifications described in part 2 of this
                                                     The 1992 deemed redemption rule                      section 337(d) affiliation existed                     preamble. However, these regulations
                                                  addressed pre-distribution transactions                 immediately before the deemed                          remove the 1992 distribution rule in
                                                  involving corporate partner stock owned                 redemption or distribution. The                        response to comments. In its place,
                                                  or acquired by the partnership. The                     Treasury Department and the IRS                        these regulations apply the deemed
                                                  Treasury Department and the IRS                         indicated that further study was                       redemption rule to partnership
                                                  believed that certain of these                          required for cases in which section                    distributions of Stock of the Corporate
                                                  transactions created the economic effect                337(d) affiliation did not exist prior to              Partner to the Corporate Partner as
                                                  of an exchange of appreciated property                  a distribution of stock by a partnership               though the partnership amended its
                                                  for corporate partner stock. The 1992                   to a corporate partner, but resulted from              agreement, immediately before the
                                                  deemed redemption rule provided that                    the distribution.                                      distribution, to allocate 100 percent of
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                                                  a corporate partner recognizes gain at                     The Treasury Department and the IRS                 the distributed stock to the Corporate
                                                  the time of, and to the extent that, any                received several written comments in                   Partner.
                                                  transaction (or series of transactions)                 response to Notice 89–37, the 1992
                                                  has the economic effect of an exchange                  proposed regulations, and Notice 93–2.                 1. Scope and Definitions
                                                  by the partner of its interest in                       Commenters largely supported the 1992                     These regulations apply to certain
                                                  appreciated property for an interest in                 deemed redemption rule, though some                    partnerships that hold stock of a
                                                  its stock (or the stock of any member of                suggested modifications. Some                          Corporate Partner. For this purpose, a
                                                  the affiliated group of which such                      commenters, however, opposed the                       ‘‘Corporate Partner’’ is defined as a


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                                                  33404                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  person that holds or acquires an interest               of the Corporate Partner, even if the                  that owns Stock of the Corporate
                                                  in a partnership and that is classified as              corporation is a section 337(d) affiliate              Partner; (ii) a partnership acquires Stock
                                                  a corporation for federal income tax                    or a member of the same consolidated                   of the Corporate Partner; (iii) a
                                                  purposes. The regulations define ‘‘Stock                group as the Corporate Partner. The                    partnership that owns Stock of the
                                                  of the Corporate Partner’’ expansively to               enactment of sections 732(f) and 755(c)                Corporate Partner distributes
                                                  include the Corporate Partner’s stock, or               subsequent to the issuance of the 1992                 appreciated property to a partner other
                                                  other equity interests, including                       proposed regulations generally have                    than the Corporate Partner; (iv) a
                                                  options, warrants, and similar interests,               served to prevent abusive transactions                 partnership distributes stock of the
                                                  in the Corporate Partner or a corporation               involving partnerships that own stock of               Corporate Partner to the Corporate
                                                  that controls (within the meaning of                    lower tier section 337(d) affiliates of the            Partner; or (v) a partnership agreement
                                                  section 304(c)) the Corporate Partner.                  Corporate Partner. Accordingly, these                  is amended in a manner that increases
                                                  Stock of the Corporate Partner also                     regulations do not apply to a                          a Corporate Partner’s interest in the
                                                  includes interests in any entity to the                 partnership that owns, acquires, or                    Stock of the Corporate Partner
                                                  extent that the value of the interest is                distributes stock of any section 337(d)                (including in connection with a
                                                  attributable to Stock of the Corporate                  affiliate of the Corporate Partner unless              contribution to, or distribution from, a
                                                  Partner.                                                that affiliate possesses section 304(c)                partnership).
                                                     These definitions of Corporate Partner               control of the Corporate Partner. The                     If a partnership engages in a Section
                                                  and Stock of the Corporate Partner are                  Treasury Department and the IRS                        337(d) Transaction, the Corporate
                                                                                                          continue to study the application of                   Partner must recognize gain. The
                                                  consistent with those set forth in the
                                                                                                          these provisions and plan to issue                     regulations define a ‘‘Gain Percentage’’
                                                  1992 proposed regulations except for
                                                                                                          additional guidance as needed to                       that the partnership uses to quantify the
                                                  two changes. First, these regulations
                                                                                                          address further abuses in this area.                   amount of gain recognized. The
                                                  modify the definition of Stock of the
                                                                                                          Comments are requested regarding such                  computation of the Gain Percentage is
                                                  Corporate Partner. Based on changes in
                                                                                                          guidance.                                              set forth in part 2 of this preamble.
                                                  the law and comments received, the
                                                                                                             Second, these regulations add an
                                                  Treasury Department and the IRS have                                                                           2. Deemed Redemption Rule
                                                                                                          exception for certain related-party
                                                  determined that the scope of the                                                                                  These regulations largely retain the
                                                                                                          partners. Under this exception, Stock of
                                                  definition of ‘‘Stock of a Partner’’ in the                                                                    1992 deemed redemption rule. If a
                                                                                                          the Corporate Partner does not include
                                                  1992 proposed regulations was too                       any stock or other equity interest held                transaction is a Section 337(d)
                                                  narrow in certain instances and too                     or acquired by a partnership if all                    Transaction described in part 1 of this
                                                  broad in others. These regulations                      interests in the partnership’s capital and             preamble, a Corporate Partner must
                                                  broaden the definition of Stock of a                    profits are held by members of an                      recognize gain under the deemed
                                                  Corporate Partner to include stock or                   affiliated group defined in section                    redemption rule. To determine the
                                                  other equity interests of any corporation               1504(a) that includes the Corporate                    amount of gain, the Corporate Partner
                                                  that controls the Corporate Partner                     Partner. Thus, these regulations do not                must first determine the amount of
                                                  within the meaning of section 304(c)                    apply if, for example, a domestic                      appreciated property (other than Stock
                                                  (section 304(c) control), whereas the                   corporation and its wholly owned                       of the Corporate Partner) effectively
                                                  1992 proposed regulations’ definition                   domestic subsidiary (each of which is                  exchanged for Stock of the Corporate
                                                  was limited to stock or other equity                    an includible corporation under section                Partner (by value) and then calculate the
                                                  interests issued by the Corporate Partner               1504(b)) are the only partners in a                    amount of taxable gain recognized.
                                                  and its section 337(d) affiliates. Section              partnership and either corporation                        These regulations set forth general
                                                  304(c) control generally exists when                    contributes stock of another affiliate.                principles that apply in determining the
                                                  there is ownership of stock of a                        The Treasury Department and the IRS                    amount of appreciated property
                                                  corporation possessing at least 50                      have determined that this additional                   effectively exchanged for Stock of the
                                                  percent of the total combined voting                    exception is appropriate because the                   Corporate Partner. These general
                                                  power of all classes of the corporation’s               purpose of these regulations is not                    principles require that the Corporate
                                                  stock that is entitled to vote or at least              implicated if a partnership is owned                   Partner’s economic interest with respect
                                                  50 percent of the value of the shares of                entirely by affiliated corporations. The               to both Stock of the Corporate Partner
                                                  all classes of stock of the corporation,                Treasury Department and the IRS invite                 and all other appreciated property of the
                                                  while control of a corporation under                    comments on whether this exception                     partnership be determined based on all
                                                  section 1504(a)(2) requires ownership of                should be extended, for example, to                    facts and circumstances, including the
                                                  stock of the corporation possessing at                  partnerships owned by controlled                       allocation and distribution rights set
                                                  least 80 percent of the total voting                    foreign corporations that are owned                    forth in the partnership agreement. The
                                                  power of the stock of the corporation                   entirely by a single affiliated group.                 deemed redemption rule applies only to
                                                  and at least 80 percent of the total value                 For partnerships that hold Stock of                 the extent that the transaction has the
                                                  of the stock of the corporation. The                    the Corporate Partner, these regulations               effect of an exchange by the Corporate
                                                  Treasury Department and the IRS                         apply to a transaction (or series of                   Partner of its interest in appreciated
                                                  believe the lower threshold for control                 transactions) that is a ‘‘Section 337(d)               property for Stock of the Corporate
                                                  set forth in section 304(c) is the more                 Transaction.’’ These regulations define a              Partner. Thus, these regulations do not
                                                  appropriate standard for this purpose                   Section 337(d) Transaction as a                        apply to the extent a transaction has the
                                                  because General Utilities repeal could                  transaction that has the effect of an                  effect of an exchange by a Corporate
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                                                  be avoided by acquiring stock of a                      exchange by a Corporate Partner of its                 Partner of non-appreciated property for
                                                  corporation that owns less than 80                      interest in appreciated property for an                Stock of the Corporate Partner or has the
                                                  percent of the vote and value of the                    interest in Stock of the Corporate                     effect of an exchange by a Corporate
                                                  Corporate Partner’s stock. In addition,                 Partner owned, acquired, or distributed                Partner of appreciated property for
                                                  these regulations narrow the definition                 by a partnership. For example, a Section               property other than Stock of the
                                                  of Stock of a Corporate Partner to                      337(d) Transaction may occur if: (i) A                 Corporate Partner.
                                                  exclude stock of any corporation that                   Corporate Partner contributes                             A Corporate Partner must recognize
                                                  does not possess section 304(c) control                 appreciated property to a partnership                  gain under these regulations even if the


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                          33405

                                                  Section 337(d) Transaction would not                    interest in the identified share of Stock              $100x of tax gain on a sale of
                                                  otherwise change the Corporate                          of the Corporate Partner occurred as part              appreciated partnership property (other
                                                  Partner’s allocable share of gain under                 of a plan or arrangement to circumvent                 than Stock of the Corporate Partner) and
                                                  section 704(c). For example, if a                       the purpose of these regulations. See                  the Corporate Partner’s interest in that
                                                  Corporate Partner contributes                           Example 7 of § 1.337(d)–3T(h) in these                 appreciated partnership property
                                                  appreciated property to a newly-formed                  regulations.                                           (determined under all facts and
                                                  partnership and an individual                              In certain limited circumstances, a                 circumstances) is $500x, and if the
                                                  contributes cash that the partnership                   partnership’s acquisition of Stock of the              partnership engages in a Section 337(d)
                                                  subsequently uses to purchase Stock of                  Corporate Partner does not have the                    Transaction that reduces the Corporate
                                                  the Corporate Partner, then the purchase                effect of an exchange of appreciated                   Partner’s interest in appreciated
                                                  of the stock is a Section 337(d)                        property for that stock. For example, as               partnership property by $200x and
                                                  Transaction even though the Corporate                   one commenter asserted, if a                           increases the Corporate Partner’s
                                                  Partner’s allocable share of gain in the                partnership with an operating business                 interest in Stock of the Corporate
                                                  appreciated property under section                      uses the cash generated in that business               Partner by $200x, then the Corporate
                                                  704(c) is the same before and after the                 to purchase Stock of the Corporate                     Partner’s Gain Percentage equals 40%
                                                  purchase. The Treasury Department and                   Partner, the deemed redemption rule                    (200x/500x), and the Corporate Partner’s
                                                  the IRS believe that this gain recognition              should not apply to the stock purchase                 gain under the deemed redemption rule
                                                  is appropriate because a Section 337(d)                 because the Corporate Partner’s share in               is $40x (40% of $100x).
                                                  Transaction may create an immediate                     appreciated property has not been                         The gain from the hypothetical sale
                                                  benefit to the Corporate Partner                        reduced, and thus no exchange has                      used to compute gain under the deemed
                                                  equivalent to the benefit associated with               occurred. The Treasury Department and                  redemption rule is determined by
                                                  the redemption of corporate stock in                    the IRS acknowledge that such stock                    applying the principles of section
                                                  exchange for appreciated property. See                  acquisitions would not contravene the                  704(c), which generally requires the
                                                  Example 4 of § 1.337(d)–3T(h) in these                  purposes of these regulations.                         partnership to take into account
                                                  regulations.                                            Accordingly, these regulations adopt                   variations between the adjusted tax
                                                     If the Corporate Partner has an                      this comment and do not apply to stock                 basis and fair market value of
                                                  existing interest in the partnership’s                  purchases or other transactions that do                partnership property at the time it is
                                                  Stock of the Corporate Partner prior to                 not have the effect of an exchange of                  contributed to the partnership and upon
                                                  the Section 337(d) Transaction, the                     appreciated property for Stock of the                  certain other events that allow or
                                                  deemed redemption rule applies only                     Corporate Partner.                                     require the value of partnership
                                                  with respect to the Corporate Partner’s                    If a transaction is a Section 337(d)                property to be redetermined under
                                                  incremental increase in the Stock of the                Transaction, the deemed redemption                     § 1.704–1(b)(2)(iv)(f). See Examples 3
                                                  Corporate Partner. For example,                         rule requires the Corporate Partner to                 and 5 of § 1.337(d)–3T(h) in these
                                                  changing allocations to increase a                      recognize a percentage of its total gain               regulations. A partner’s share of gain
                                                  Corporate Partner’s interest in the Stock               in partnership appreciated property                    under section 704(c) for this purpose
                                                  of the Corporate Partner from 50 percent                equal to a fraction, the numerator of                  includes any remedial allocations under
                                                  to 80 percent and to decrease the                       which is the Corporate Partner’s interest              § 1.704–3(d) for a partnership that has
                                                  Corporate Partner’s interest in other                   (by value) in appreciated property                     elected under section 704(c) to report
                                                  appreciated property from 80 percent to                 effectively exchanged for Stock of the                 notional items of offsetting tax gain and
                                                  50 percent would have the effect of an                  Corporate Partner under the deemed                     loss to its partners to eliminate
                                                  exchange by the Corporate Partner of the                redemption rule, and the denominator                   distortions that may arise when the
                                                  30-percent incremental decrease in its                  of which is the Corporate Partner’s                    partnership’s total tax gain or loss on
                                                  interest in the appreciated property for                interest (by value) in appreciated                     the sale of partnership property is less
                                                  the 30-percent incremental increase in                  property immediately before the Section                than all partners’ aggregate share of gain
                                                  the Stock of the Corporate Partner. See                 337(d) Transaction. This fraction is                   or loss from the property.
                                                  Example 5 of § 1.337(d)–3T(h) in these                  defined in these regulations as the                       These regulations also contain two
                                                  regulations.                                            ‘‘Gain Percentage.’’ The Corporate                     rules related to the effect of the deemed
                                                     For purposes of recognizing gain                     Partner’s gain under the deemed                        redemption rule on partner and
                                                  under the deemed redemption rule, the                   redemption rule equals the product of                  partnership basis. First, these
                                                  Corporate Partner’s interest in an                      (i) the Corporate Partner’s Gain                       regulations require the Corporate
                                                  identified share of Stock of the                        Percentage and (ii) the gain from the                  Partner to increase its basis in its
                                                  Corporate Partner will never be less                    appreciated property that is the subject               partnership interest by an amount equal
                                                  than the Corporate Partner’s largest                    of the exchange that the that the                      to the gain that the Corporate Partner
                                                  interest (by value) in that share of Stock              Corporate Partner would recognize if,                  recognizes in a Section 337(d)
                                                  of the Corporate Partner that was taken                 immediately before the Section 337(d)                  Transaction. This basis increase is
                                                  into account when the partnership                       Transaction, all assets of the partnership             necessary to prevent the Corporate
                                                  previously determined whether there                     and any assets contributed to the                      Partner from recognizing gain a second
                                                  had been a Section 337(d) Transaction                   partnership in the section 337(d)                      time when the partnership liquidates
                                                  (regardless of whether the Corporate                    Transaction were sold in a fully taxable               (or, if property is distributed to the
                                                  Partner recognized gain in the earlier                  transaction for cash in an amount equal                Corporate Partner, when that property is
                                                  transaction). See Example 6 of                          to the fair market value of such property              sold).
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                                                  § 1.337(d)–3T(h) in these regulations.                  (taking into account section 7701(g)),                    Second, the regulations require the
                                                  This rule ensures that alternating                      reduced, but not below zero, by any gain               partnership to increase its adjusted tax
                                                  increases and decreases in a Corporate                  the Corporate Partner is required to                   basis in the appreciated property that is
                                                  Partner’s interest in Stock of the                      recognize with respect to the                          treated as the subject of a Section 337(d)
                                                  Corporate Partner do not cause                          appreciated property in the Section                    Transaction by the amount of gain that
                                                  duplicate gain recognition. This                        337(d) Transaction under any other                     the Corporate Partner recognized with
                                                  limitation does not apply if any                        section of the Code. For example, if a                 respect to that property as a result of the
                                                  reduction in the Corporate Partner’s                    Corporate Partner would be allocated                   Section 337(d) Transaction. This basis


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                                                  33406                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  increase applies regardless of whether                  Partner. Commenters noted a number of                  gain recognized under the deemed
                                                  the partnership has elected under                       concerns with this rule and                            redemption rule upon the distribution
                                                  section 754 to adjust the basis of                      recommended eliminating it.                            of Stock of the Corporate Partner to the
                                                  partnership property. This rule prevents                   Several commenters noted that the                   Corporate Partner, these regulations also
                                                  the Corporate Partner from recognizing                  rule was overly broad because it could                 require the Corporate Partner to
                                                  gain a second time when the                             cause the Corporate Partner to recognize               recognize gain to the extent that the
                                                  partnership sells the property that was                 gain in an amount that exceeded the                    partnership’s basis in the distributed
                                                  effectively exchanged under the deemed                  appreciation in property effectively                   Stock of the Corporate Partner exceeds
                                                  redemption rule.                                        exchanged for the stock. For example,                  the Corporate Partner’s basis in its
                                                     One commenter suggested that when                    the rule could require a Corporate                     partnership interest (as reduced by any
                                                  a partnership owns or acquires stock in                 Partner to recognize gain upon a                       cash distributed in the transaction)
                                                  a Corporate Partner’s subsidiary or a                   partnership’s distribution of appreciated              immediately before the distribution.
                                                  sister of the Corporate Partner and the                 Stock of the Corporate Partner even                    Recognition of gain in this circumstance
                                                  stock is not issued as part of the                      though the partnership held no other                   is necessary to prevent the Corporate
                                                  transaction, the deemed redemption                      appreciated property. One commenter                    Partner from shifting basis away from its
                                                  rule should not apply unless and until                  stated that the 1992 distribution rule                 own stock onto other property of the
                                                  a subsequent transaction relating to the                would therefore require the Corporate                  partnership. The regulations provide an
                                                  stock creates tax consequences that are                 Partner to recognize gain on                           exception to this additional gain
                                                  inconsistent with General Utilities                     appreciation inherent in its partnership               recognition rule if the gain recognition
                                                  repeal. As discussed in part 1 of this                  interest, even though the distribution                 or basis reduction rules of section 732(f)
                                                  preamble, these regulations only apply                  does not implicate the repeal of the                   apply at the time of the distribution.
                                                  to Stock of a Corporate Partner, which                  General Utilities doctrine and even                    Although this exception generally
                                                  under these regulations, does not                       though section 1032 provides for                       ensures that gain recognized as a result
                                                  include stock in a Corporate Partner’s                  nonrecognition of gain on the                          of these regulations will not be
                                                  sister corporation or subsidiary unless                 distribution. The commenter                            duplicated as a result of section 732(f),
                                                  such corporation possesses section                      maintained that the 1992 distribution                  duplication may still result in certain
                                                  304(c) control of the Corporate Partner.                rule should not apply when a Corporate                 circumstances. For example, if a
                                                  Such control could exist, if, for                       Partner merely exchanges an indirect                   Corporate Partner recognizes gain under
                                                  example, a Corporate Partner’s                          interest in its own stock for a direct                 section 337(d) on a partnership
                                                  subsidiary were to own so-called ‘‘hook                 interest in its own stock.                             distribution and section 732(f) does not
                                                  stock’’ in the Corporate Partner. If such                  The Treasury Department and the IRS                 apply to the distribution because the
                                                  control of the Corporate Partner does                   agree with these comments and adopt                    section 732(f) control requirement is not
                                                  exist, then it is appropriate to treat stock            new rules governing the tax
                                                                                                                                                                 satisfied at the time of the distribution,
                                                  of a Corporate Partner’s subsidiary or                  consequences of a distribution of Stock
                                                                                                                                                                 but the control requirement is
                                                  sister corporation as Stock of the                      of the Corporate Partner to that
                                                                                                                                                                 subsequently satisfied triggering section
                                                  Corporate Partner because the value of                  Corporate Partner. Instead of adopting
                                                                                                                                                                 732(f), then the Corporate Partner could
                                                  that sister or subsidiary corporation’s                 the 1992 distribution rule, these
                                                                                                                                                                 recognize gain under both provisions.
                                                  stock owned or acquired by the                          regulations extend the deemed
                                                                                                                                                                 The Treasury Department and the IRS
                                                  partnership is in part attributable to the              redemption rule to certain distributions
                                                                                                                                                                 invite comments on how the rules in
                                                  Corporate Partner’s stock.                              to the Corporate Partner of Stock of the
                                                                                                                                                                 these regulations should be coordinated
                                                     Another commenter suggested that                     Corporate Partner. These new rules
                                                                                                                                                                 with section 732(f).
                                                  the deemed redemption rule is no                        governing distributions apply only if the
                                                  longer necessary. The commenter                         distributed stock has previously been                     These regulations set forth two rules
                                                  explained that the acquisition of Stock                 the subject of a Section 337(d)                        under sections 337 and 732 to
                                                  of the Corporate Partner is not the                     Transaction or becomes the subject of a                coordinate the effects of the rule
                                                  appropriate time to impose tax and that                 Section 337(d) Transaction as a result of              requiring gain recognition when the
                                                  the 1992 distribution rule and changes                  the distribution (a section 337(d)                     Stock of the Corporate Partner is
                                                  in the law since 1989 make it more                      distribution). Additionally, these                     stepped down on a section 337(d)
                                                  difficult to exit a partnership tax-free.               regulations do not apply to a                          distribution with existing rules for
                                                  The Treasury Department and the IRS                     distribution to the Corporate Partner of               determining the basis of property upon
                                                  do not adopt this comment because a                     the Stock of the Corporate Partner to                  partnership distributions. The first rule
                                                  Section 337(d) Transaction may create                   which section 732(f) applies at the time               applies for purposes of determining the
                                                  an immediate benefit to the Corporate                   of the distribution. If the deemed                     basis of property distributed to the
                                                  Partner equivalent to the benefit                       redemption rule applies to a                           Corporate Partner (other than the basis
                                                  associated with the redemption of                       distribution, these regulations deem the               of the Corporate Partner in its own
                                                  corporate stock in exchange for                         partnership to amend its agreement                     stock), the basis of the Corporate
                                                  appreciated property. If the deemed                     immediately before the distribution to                 Partner’s remaining partnership interest,
                                                  redemption rule does not apply at the                   allocate 100 percent of the distributed                and the partnership’s basis in
                                                  time of this exchange, the Corporate                    stock to the Corporate Partner and to                  undistributed Stock of the Corporate
                                                  Partner can defer paying tax on this                    allocate an appropriately reduced                      Partner, and for purposes of computing
                                                  economic benefit in a manner that is                    interest in other partnership property                 gain on the distribution. For these
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                                                  inconsistent with section 311(b).                       away from the Corporate Partner. This                  purposes, the basis of Stock of the
                                                                                                          deemed allocation is solely for purposes               Corporate Partner distributed to the
                                                  3. Partnership Distributions of Stock of                of recognizing gain under these                        Corporate Partner equals the greater of:
                                                  the Corporate Partner                                   regulations, and no inference is                       (i) The partnership’s basis of that
                                                     The 1992 distribution rule required a                intended with regard to the treatment of               distributed Stock of the Corporate
                                                  Corporate Partner to recognize gain                     such allocations generally.                            Partner immediately before the
                                                  when the partnership distributes Stock                     If a distribution is a section 337(d)               distribution, or (ii) the fair market value
                                                  of the Corporate Partner to the Corporate               distribution, then in addition to any                  of that distributed Stock of the


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         33407

                                                  Corporate Partner immediately before                    because the distribution to a Corporate                   These regulations provide a special
                                                  the distribution less the Corporate                     Partner of its own stock affects the                   rule that applies if the conditions of the
                                                  Partner’s allocable share of gain from all              Corporate Partner’s basis in other                     de minimis rule are satisfied at the time
                                                  of the Stock of the Corporate Partner if                distributed property and any retained                  of a Section 337(d) Transaction, but are
                                                  the partnership sold all of its assets in               partnership interest, these regulations                not satisfied at the time of a subsequent
                                                  a fully taxable transaction for cash in an              require the partnership and the                        Section 337(d) Transaction or
                                                  amount equal to the fair market value of                Corporate Partner to determine the basis               revaluation event described in § 1.704–
                                                  such property (taking into account                      of other distributed property and any                  1(b)(2)(iv)(f). This rule provides that,
                                                  section 7701(g)) immediately before the                 retained partnership interest by                       solely for purposes of the deemed
                                                  distribution. See Examples 2 and 3 of                   reference to the partnership’s basis in                redemption rule, a Corporate Partner
                                                  § 1.337(d)–3T(h) in these regulations.                  the distributed Stock of the Corporate                 may determine its gain on the
                                                  This special rule is necessary to prevent               Partner. That is, the Corporate Partner                subsequent acquisition or revaluation
                                                  basis from shifting away from                           determines its basis in other distributed              event as if it had already recognized
                                                  distributed Stock of the Corporate                      property and in any retained                           gain at the previous event. Accordingly,
                                                  Partner to other property. This basis                   partnership interest as though the                     the Corporate Partner would only
                                                  shift could occur, for example, upon a                  distributed stock was stock other than                 recognize gain with respect to
                                                  distribution of less than all of the                    Stock of the Corporate Partner.                        appreciation arising between the earlier
                                                  partnership’s Stock of the Corporate                    Similarly, the regulations compute any                 acquisition or revaluation event and the
                                                  Partner to the Corporate Partner. The                   gain recognition on the distribution by                subsequent event. Neither the Corporate
                                                  Treasury Department and the IRS                         comparing the Corporate Partner’s basis                Partner nor the partnership increases its
                                                  request comments on this rule,                          in its partnership interest to the basis of            basis by the gain the Corporate Partner
                                                  including comments on whether its                       that Stock of the Corporate Partner in                 would have recognized if the de
                                                  objectives would be better achieved                     the hands of the partnership (without                  minimis rule did not apply to the prior
                                                  through guidance under section 732                      regard to whether the Corporate Partner                acquisition or revaluation event.
                                                  providing that on a distribution of a                   can have basis in the distributed stock).                 These regulations also contain an
                                                  partial interest in partnership property,               No inference is intended with respect to               inadvertence exception. The
                                                  the basis of the distributed property in                the question of whether a corporation                  inadvertence exception provides that
                                                  the hands of the distributee partner is                 has or does not have basis in its own                  these regulations do not apply to
                                                  determined by taking the principles of                  stock.                                                 Section 337(d) Transactions in which
                                                  section 704(c) into account.                                                                                   the partnership satisfies two
                                                     A second rule applies when a                         4. De Minimis and Inadvertence                         requirements. First, the partnership
                                                  Corporate Partner receives both Stock of                Exceptions                                             must dispose of, by sale or distribution,
                                                  the Corporate Partner and other                           These regulations retain the de                      the Stock of the Corporate Partner before
                                                  property in a section 337(d)                                                                                   the due date (including extensions) of
                                                                                                          minimis and inadvertence exceptions
                                                  distribution. Under this rule, the basis                                                                       its federal income tax return for the
                                                                                                          from the 1992 proposed regulations, but
                                                  to be allocated to the properties                                                                              taxable year in which the partnership
                                                                                                          make small modifications to the de
                                                  distributed under section 732(a) or (b) is                                                                     acquired the stock (or in which the
                                                                                                          minimis rule to reduce burden. As set
                                                  allocated first to the Stock of the                                                                            Corporate Partner joined the
                                                                                                          forth in these regulations, the de
                                                  Corporate Partner before taking into                                                                           partnership, if applicable). Second, the
                                                                                                          minimis rule provides that these
                                                  account the distribution of any other                                                                          partnership must not have distributed
                                                                                                          regulations do not apply to a Corporate
                                                  property (other than cash). Therefore,                                                                         the Stock of the Corporate Partner to the
                                                                                                          Partner if three conditions are satisfied.
                                                  before taking into account the                                                                                 Corporate Partner or a person possessing
                                                                                                          These conditions are tested upon the
                                                  distribution of other property, the                                                                            section 304(c) control of the Corporate
                                                                                                          occurrence of a Section 337(d)                         Partner. Other than broadening and
                                                  Corporate Partner will reduce its basis
                                                  in its partnership interest by the                      Transaction and upon any subsequent                    narrowing the scope of related
                                                  Corporate Partner’s basis in the                        revaluation event described in § 1.704–                distributees as a result of the modified
                                                  distributed Stock of the Corporate                      1(b)(2)(iv)(f).                                        definition of Stock of the Corporate
                                                  Partner (but not below zero). The                         The first condition requires that both               Partner, this inadvertence exception is
                                                  Corporate Partner will determine its                    the Corporate Partner and any persons                  generally unchanged from the 1992
                                                  basis in other distributed partnership                  related to the Corporate Partner under                 proposed regulations. However, the
                                                  property and in its remaining                           section 267(b) or section 707(b) own, in               Treasury Department and the IRS will
                                                  partnership interest after giving effect to             the aggregate, less than five percent of               consider comments with respect to
                                                  this reduction. This rule, which governs                the partnership. The second condition                  removing the prohibition against
                                                  the application of sections 732(a) and                  requires that the partnership hold Stock               distributions of Stock of the Corporate
                                                  732(b), is being promulgated pursuant to                of the Corporate Partner worth less than               Partner to the Corporate Partner in light
                                                  the specific statutory grant of authority               two percent of the value of the                        of the enactment of section 737, which
                                                  in section 337(d)(1) to ensure that the                 partnership’s gross assets, including                  requires a partner to recognize gain on
                                                  purposes of the repeal of the General                   Stock of the Corporate Partner. The                    property with built-in gain contributed
                                                  Utilities doctrine are not circumvented                 third condition requires that the                      to a partnership when the partnership
                                                  through the use of any provision of law                 partnership has never, at any point in                 distributes other property to the partner
                                                  or regulations.                                         time, held more than $1,000,000 in                     within seven years of the contribution.
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                                                     When a Corporate Partner receives a                  Stock of the Corporate Partner or more
                                                  partnership distribution of its own                     than two percent of any particular class               5. Tiered Partnerships
                                                  stock, it is unclear under existing law                 of Stock of the Corporate Partner. The                    The Treasury Department and the IRS
                                                  whether the Corporate Partner has basis                 1992 proposed regulations contained                    are concerned that taxpayers could use
                                                  in that stock. (See, for example, Rev.                  similar conditions, but capped the                     tiered partnerships to circumvent these
                                                  Rul. 2006–2, 2006–1 CB 261.) The                        permissible value of the partnership’s                 regulations. Therefore, these regulations
                                                  resolution of this question is beyond the               Stock of the Corporate Partner at                      require taxpayers to apply these
                                                  scope of these regulations. However,                    $250,000.                                              regulations to tiered partnerships in a


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                                                  33408                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  manner consistent with the regulations’                 must be applied in a manner that is                       (iii) A partnership that owns Stock of
                                                  purpose. See Example 8 of § 1.337(d)–                   consistent with and that reasonably                    the Corporate Partner distributes
                                                  3T(h) in these regulations.                             carries out this purpose.                              appreciated property to a partner other
                                                                                                             (b) In general. This section applies                than a Corporate Partner;
                                                  Effective/Applicability Date                            when a partnership, either directly or                    (iv) A partnership distributes Stock of
                                                     These regulations apply to                           indirectly, owns, acquires, or distributes             the Corporate Partner to the Corporate
                                                  transactions occurring on or after June                 Stock of the Corporate Partner (within                 Partner; or
                                                  12, 2015.                                               the meaning of paragraph (c)(2) of this                   (v) A partnership agreement is
                                                                                                          section). Under paragraphs (d) or (e) of               amended in a manner that increases a
                                                  Special Analyses                                                                                               Corporate Partner’s interest in Stock of
                                                                                                          this section, a Corporate Partner (within
                                                    It has been determined that this                      the meaning of paragraph (c)(1) of this                the Corporate Partner (including in
                                                  Treasury Decision is not a significant                  section) is required to recognize gain                 connection with a contribution to, or
                                                  regulatory action as defined in                         when a transaction has the effect of the               distribution from, a partnership).
                                                  Executive Order 12866, as                               Corporate Partner acquiring or                            (4) Gain Percentage. A Corporate
                                                  supplemented by Executive Order                         increasing an interest in its own stock                Partner’s Gain Percentage equals a
                                                  13563. Therefore, a regulatory                          in exchange for appreciated property in                fraction, the numerator of which is the
                                                  assessment is not required. For the                     a manner that contravenes the purpose                  Corporate Partner’s interest (by value) in
                                                  applicability of the Regulatory                         of this section as set forth in paragraph              appreciated property effectively
                                                  Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), refer             (a) of this section. Paragraph (f) of this             exchanged for Stock of the Corporate
                                                  to the Special Analyses section of the                  section sets forth exceptions under                    Partner under the test described in
                                                  preamble to the cross-referenced notice                 which a Corporate Partner does not                     paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section,
                                                  of proposed rulemaking published in                     recognize gain.                                        and the denominator of which is the
                                                  the Proposed Rules section in this issue                   (c) Definitions. The following                      Corporate Partner’s interest (by value) in
                                                  of the Federal Register. Pursuant to                    definitions apply for purposes of this                 that appreciated property immediately
                                                  section 7805(f) of the Code, these                      section:                                               before the Section 337(d) Transaction.
                                                  regulations have been submitted to the                     (1) Corporate Partner. A Corporate                  Paragraph (d) of this section requires a
                                                  Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small                 Partner is a person that is classified as              partnership to multiply the Gain
                                                  Business Administration for comment                     a corporation for federal income tax                   Percentage by the Corporate Partner’s
                                                  on its impact on small business.                        purposes and holds or acquires an                      aggregate gain in appreciated property
                                                                                                          interest in a partnership.                             to determine gain recognized under this
                                                  Drafting Information                                       (2) Stock of the Corporate Partner—(i)              section.
                                                    The principal authors of these                        In general. With respect to a Corporate                   (d) Deemed redemption rule—(1) In
                                                  regulations are Joseph R. Worst and                     Partner, Stock of the Corporate Partner                general. A Corporate Partner in a
                                                  Kevin I. Babitz, Office of the Associate                includes the Corporate Partner’s stock,                partnership that engages in a Section
                                                  Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and                         or other equity interests, including                   337(d) Transaction recognizes gain at
                                                  Special Industries). However, other                     options, warrants, and similar interests,              the time, and to the extent, that the
                                                  personnel from the Treasury                             in the Corporate Partner or a corporation              Corporate Partner’s interest in
                                                  Department and the IRS participated in                  that controls (within the meaning of                   appreciated property (other than Stock
                                                  their development.                                      section 304(c)) the Corporate Partner.                 of the Corporate Partner) is reduced in
                                                                                                          Stock of the Corporate Partner also                    exchange for an increased interest in
                                                  List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1                       includes interests in any entity to the                Stock of the Corporate Partner, as
                                                    Income taxes, Reporting and                           extent that the value of the interest is               determined under paragraph (d)(2) of
                                                  recordkeeping requirements.                             attributable to Stock of the Corporate                 this section. This section does not apply
                                                                                                          Partner.                                               to the extent a transaction has the effect
                                                  Amendment to the Regulations                                                                                   of an exchange by a Corporate Partner
                                                                                                             (ii) Affiliated partner exception. Stock
                                                    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is                         of the Corporate Partner does not                      of non-appreciated property for Stock of
                                                  amended as follows:                                     include any stock or other equity                      the Corporate Partner or has the effect
                                                                                                          interests held or acquired by a                        of an exchange by a Corporate Partner
                                                  PART I—INCOME TAXES                                     partnership if all interests in the                    for property other than Stock of the
                                                                                                          partnership’s capital and profits are                  Corporate Partner.
                                                  ■ Paragraph 1. The authority citation                                                                             (2) Corporate Partner’s Interest in
                                                                                                          held by members of an affiliated group
                                                  for part 1 is amended by adding an entry                                                                       Partnership Property. The Corporate
                                                                                                          as defined in section 1504(a) that
                                                  in numerical order to read as follows:                                                                         Partner’s interest with respect to both
                                                                                                          includes the Corporate Partner.
                                                    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *                          (3) Section 337(d) Transaction. A                   Stock of the Corporate Partner and the
                                                    Section 1.337(d)–3T also issued under 26              Section 337(d) Transaction is a                        appreciated property that is the subject
                                                  U.S.C. 337(d). * * *                                    transaction (or series of transactions)                of the exchange is determined based on
                                                  ■ Par. 2. Section 1.337(d)–3T is added                  that has the effect of an exchange by a                all facts and circumstances, including
                                                  to read as follows:                                     Corporate Partner of its interest in                   the allocation and distribution rights set
                                                                                                          appreciated property for an interest in                forth in the partnership agreement. The
                                                  § 1.337(d)–3T Gain recognition upon                     Stock of the Corporate Partner owned,                  Corporate Partner’s interest in an
                                                  certain partnership transactions involving a            acquired, or distributed by a                          identified share of Stock of the
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                                                  partner’s stock (temporary).                            partnership. For example, a Section                    Corporate Partner will never be less
                                                    (a) Purpose. The purpose of this                      337(d) Transaction may occur when—                     than the Corporate Partner’s largest
                                                  section is to prevent corporate taxpayers                  (i) A Corporate Partner contributes                 interest (by value) in that share of Stock
                                                  from using a partnership to circumvent                  appreciated property to a partnership                  of the Corporate Partner that was taken
                                                  gain required to be recognized under                    that owns Stock of the Corporate                       into account when the partnership
                                                  section 311(b) or section 336(a). The                   Partner;                                               previously determined whether there
                                                  rules of this section, including the                       (ii) A partnership acquires Stock of                had been a Section 337(d) Transaction
                                                  determination of the amount of gain,                    the Corporate Partner;                                 with respect to such share (regardless of


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                          33409

                                                  whether the Corporate Partner                           paragraph (d) of this section will apply               of a revaluation event as described in
                                                  recognized gain in the earlier                          as though immediately before the                       § 1.704–1(b)(2)(iv)(f) (without regard to
                                                  transaction). See Example 6 of                          distribution the partners amended the                  whether or not the partnership revalues
                                                  paragraph (h) of this section. However,                 partnership agreement to allocate to the               its assets)—
                                                  this limitation will not apply if any                   Corporate Partner a 100 percent interest                  (A) The Corporate Partner and any
                                                  reduction in the Corporate Partner’s                    in that portion of the Stock of the                    persons related to the Corporate Partner
                                                  interest in the identified share of Stock               Corporate Partner that is distributed and              under section 267(b) or section 707(b)
                                                  of the Corporate Partner occurred as part               to allocate an appropriately reduced                   own in the aggregate less than five
                                                  of a plan or arrangement to circumvent                  interest in other partnership property                 percent of the partnership;
                                                  the purpose of this section. See Example                away from the Corporate Partner.                          (B) The partnership holds Stock of the
                                                  7 of paragraph (h) of this section.                        (2) Basis rules—(i) Basis allocation on             Corporate Partner with a value of less
                                                     (3) Amount of gain recognized on the                 distributions of stock and other                       than two percent of the partnership’s
                                                  exchange. The amount of gain the                        property. If, as part of the same                      gross assets (including the Stock of the
                                                  Corporate Partner recognizes under                      transaction, a partnership distributes                 Corporate Partner); and
                                                  paragraph (d)(1) of this section equals                 Stock of the Corporate Partner and other                  (C) The partnership has never, at any
                                                  the product of the Corporate Partner’s                  property (other than cash) to the                      point in time, held in the aggregate—
                                                  Gain Percentage and the gain from the                   Corporate Partner, see § 1.732–                           (1) Stock of the Corporate Partner
                                                  appreciated property that is the subject                1T(c)(1)(iii) for a rule allocating basis              with a fair market value greater than
                                                  of the exchange that the Corporate                      first to the Stock of the Corporate                    $1,000,000; or
                                                  Partner would recognize if, immediately                 Partner before the distribution of the                    (2) More than two percent of any
                                                  before the Section 337(d) Transaction,                  other property.                                        particular class of Stock of the Corporate
                                                  all assets of the partnership and any                      (ii) Computation of Basis. For                      Partner.
                                                  assets contributed to the partnership in                purposes of determining the basis of                      (ii) De minimis rule ceases to apply.
                                                  the Section 337(d) Transaction were                     property distributed to the Corporate                  If a partnership satisfies the conditions
                                                  sold in a fully taxable transaction for                 Partner (other than the basis of the                   of the de minimis rule of paragraph
                                                  cash in an amount equal to the fair                     Corporate Partner in its own stock), the               (f)(1) of this section upon an acquisition
                                                  market value of such property (taking                   basis of the Corporate Partner’s                       of Stock of the Corporate Partner or
                                                  into account section 7701(g)), reduced,                 remaining partnership interest, and the                revaluation event as described in
                                                  but not below zero, by any gain the                     partnership’s basis in undistributed                   § 1.704–1(b)(2)(iv)(f), but later fails to
                                                  Corporate Partner is required to                        Stock of the Corporate Partner, and for                satisfy the conditions of the de minimis
                                                  recognize with respect to the                           purposes of computing gain under                       rule upon a subsequent acquisition or
                                                  appreciated property in the Section                     paragraph (e)(3) of this section, the                  revaluation event, then solely for
                                                  337(d) Transaction under any other                      partnership’s basis of Stock of the                    purposes of paragraph (d) of this
                                                  provision of this chapter. This gain is                 Corporate Partner distributed to the                   section, the Corporate Partner may
                                                  computed taking into account                            Corporate Partner equals the greater of—               compute its gain on the subsequent
                                                  allocations of tax items applying the                      (A) The partnership’s basis of that                 acquisition or revaluation event as if it
                                                  principles of section 704(c), including                 distributed Stock of the Corporate                     had already recognized gain at the
                                                  any remedial allocations under § 1.704–                 Partner immediately before the                         previous event. Neither the Corporate
                                                  3(d).                                                   distribution, or                                       Partner nor the partnership increases its
                                                     (4) Basis adjustments—(i) Corporate                     (B) The fair market value of that                   basis by the gain the Corporate Partner
                                                  Partner’s basis in the partnership                      distributed Stock of the Corporate                     would have recognized if the de
                                                  interest. The basis of the Corporate                    Partner immediately before the                         minimis rule of paragraph (f)(1) of this
                                                  Partner’s interest in the partnership is                distribution less the Corporate Partner’s              section did not apply to the prior
                                                  increased by the amount of gain that the                allocable share of gain from all of the                acquisition or revaluation event.
                                                  Corporate Partner recognizes under this                 Stock of the Corporate Partner if the                     (2) Inadvertence rule. Unless acquired
                                                  paragraph (d).                                          partnership sold all of its assets in a                as part of a plan to circumvent the
                                                     (ii) Partnership’s basis in partnership              fully taxable transaction for cash in an               purpose of this section, this section does
                                                  property. The partnership’s adjusted tax                amount equal to the fair market value of               not apply to Stock of the Corporate
                                                  basis in the appreciated property that is               such property (taking into account                     Partner that—
                                                  treated as the subject of the exchange                  section 7701(g)) immediately before the                   (i) Is disposed of (by sale or
                                                  under this paragraph (d) is increased by                distribution.                                          distribution) by the partnership before
                                                  the amount of gain recognized with                         (3) Gain recognition. The Corporate                 the due date (including extensions) of
                                                  respect to that property by the Corporate               Partner will recognize gain on a                       its federal income tax return for the
                                                  Partner as a result of that exchange,                   distribution of Stock of the Corporate                 taxable year during which the Stock of
                                                  regardless of whether the partnership                   Partner to the Corporate Partner to the                the Corporate Partner is acquired (or for
                                                  has an election in effect under section                 extent that the partnership’s basis in the             the taxable year in which the Corporate
                                                  754.                                                    distributed Stock of the Corporate                     Partner becomes a partner, whichever is
                                                     (e) Distribution of Stock of the                     Partner (as determined under paragraph                 applicable); and
                                                  Corporate Partner—(1) In general. This                  (e)(2)(ii) of this section) exceeds the                   (ii) Is not distributed to the Corporate
                                                  paragraph (e) applies to distributions to               Corporate Partner’s basis in its                       Partner or a corporation possessing
                                                  the Corporate Partner of Stock of the                   partnership interest (as reduced by any                section 304(c) control of the Corporate
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                                                  Corporate Partner to which section                      cash distributed in the transaction)                   Partner.
                                                  732(f) does not apply and that have                     immediately before the distribution.                      (g) Tiered partnerships. The rules of
                                                  previously been the subject of a Section                   (f) Exceptions—(1) De minimis rule—                 this section shall apply to tiered
                                                  337(d) Transaction or become the                        (i) In general. This section does not                  partnerships in a manner that is
                                                  subject of a Section 337(d) Transaction                 apply to a Corporate Partner if at the                 consistent with the purpose set forth in
                                                  as a result of the distribution. Upon the               time that the partnership acquires Stock               paragraph (a) of this section.
                                                  distribution of Stock of the Corporate                  of the Corporate Partner or at the time                   (h) Examples. The following examples
                                                  Partner to the Corporate Partner,                                                                              illustrate the principles of this section.


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                                                  33410                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  All amounts in the following examples                   immediately precede the distribution of 50%            $60 to $105. Under paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this
                                                  are reported in millions of dollars:                    of Asset 1 to X for purposes of determining            section, AX’s basis in Asset 1 increases from
                                                                                                          X’s basis in the distributed property. For             $60 to $105 because Asset 1 is the
                                                     Example 1. Deemed redemption rule—                   purposes of determining X’s basis in Asset 1           appreciated property treated as the subject of
                                                  contribution of Stock of a Corporate Partner.           and X’s gain on distribution, the basis of the         the exchange.
                                                  (i) In Year 1, X, a corporation, and A, an              distributed X stock is treated as $50, the                (v) Paragraph (e) of this section applies
                                                  individual, form partnership AX as equal                greater of $50 (50% of the stock’s $100 basis          because the distributed X stock was the
                                                  partners in all respects. X contributes Asset           in the hands of the partnership), or $50, the          subject of a previous Section 337(d)
                                                  1 with a fair market value of $100 and a basis          fair market value of that distributed X stock          Transaction and because section 732(f) does
                                                  of $20. A contributes X stock, which is Stock           ($100) less X’s allocable share of gain from           not apply. Under § 1.732–1T(c)(1)(iii), AX is
                                                  of the Corporate Partner, with a basis and fair         the distributed X stock if AX had sold all of          treated as first distributing the X stock to X
                                                  market value of $100.                                   its assets in a fully taxable transaction for          before the distribution of 25% of Asset 1. For
                                                     (ii) Because A and X are equal partners in           cash in an amount equal to the fair market             purposes of determining X’s basis in Asset 1
                                                  AX in all respects, the partnership formation           value of such property immediately before              and X’s gain on distribution, the basis of the
                                                  causes X’s interest in X stock to increase from         the distribution ($50). Thus, X reduces its            distributed X stock is treated as $100, the
                                                  $0 to $50 and its interest in Asset 1 to                basis in its partnership interest by $50 prior         greater of $75 (75% of the stock’s $100 basis
                                                  decrease from $100 to $50. Thus, the                    to the distribution of Asset 1. Accordingly,           in the hands of the partnership) or $100, the
                                                  partnership formation is a Section 337(d)               X’s basis in the distributed portion of Asset          fair market value of the distributed X stock
                                                  Transaction because the formation has the               1 is $10. Because AX’s basis in the                    ($150) less X’s allocable share of gain if the
                                                  effect of an exchange by X of $50 of Asset 1            distributed X stock immediately before the             partnership had sold all of the X stock
                                                  for $50 of X stock.                                     distribution ($50) does not exceed X’s basis           immediately before the distribution for cash
                                                     (iii) X must recognize gain under paragraph          in its AX partnership interest immediately             in an amount equal to its fair market value
                                                  (d) of this section with respect to Asset 1 to          before the distribution ($60), X recognizes no         ($50). Thus, X will reduce its basis in its
                                                  prevent the circumvention of section 311(b)             gain under paragraph (e)(3) of this section.           partnership interest by $100 prior to the
                                                  principles. X’s gain equals the product of X’s                                                                 distribution of Asset 1. Accordingly, X’s basis
                                                                                                             Example 3. Distribution of Stock of the
                                                  Gain Percentage and the gain from Asset 1                                                                      in the distributed portion of Asset 1 is $5.
                                                                                                          Corporate Partner—non pro rata distribution.
                                                  that X would recognize (decreased, but not                                                                     Because AX’s basis in the distributed X stock
                                                                                                          (i) The facts are the same as Example 2(i),
                                                  below zero, by any gain that X recognized                                                                      immediately before the distribution as
                                                                                                          except that when AX liquidates, X receives
                                                  with respect to Asset 1 in the Section 337(d)                                                                  computed for purposes of this section ($100)
                                                                                                          75% of the X stock and 25% of Asset 1 and              does not exceed X’s basis in its AX
                                                  Transaction under any other provision of this           A receives 25% of the X stock and 75% of
                                                  chapter) if, immediately before the Section                                                                    partnership interest immediately before the
                                                                                                          Asset 1.                                               distribution ($105), X recognizes no
                                                  337(d) Transaction, all assets were sold in a              (ii) The liquidation of AX causes X’s
                                                  fully taxable transaction for cash in an                                                                       additional gain under paragraph (e)(3) of this
                                                                                                          interest in X stock to increase from $100 to           section.
                                                  amount equal to the fair market value of such           $150 and its interest in Asset 1 to decrease
                                                  property. If Asset 1 had been sold in a fully           from $100 to $50. Thus, AX’s liquidating                  Example 4. Deemed redemption rule—
                                                  taxable transaction immediately before the              distributions of X stock and Asset 1 to X are          subsequent purchase of Stock of the
                                                  formation of partnership AX, X’s allocable              a Section 337(d) Transaction because the               Corporate Partner. The facts are the same as
                                                  share of gain would have been $80. X’s Gain             distributions have the effect of an exchange           Example 1(i), except that A contributes cash
                                                  Percentage is 50% (equal to a fraction, the             by X of $50 of Asset 1 for $50 of X stock.             of $100 instead of X stock. In a later year,
                                                  numerator of which is X’s $50 interest in                  (iii) X must recognize gain with respect to         when the value of Asset 1 has not changed,
                                                  Asset 1 effectively exchanged for X stock,              Asset 1 to prevent the circumvention of                AX uses the contributed cash to purchase X
                                                  and the denominator of which is X’s $100                                                                       stock for $100. AX’s purchase of X stock has
                                                                                                          section 311(b) principles. Under paragraph
                                                  interest in Asset 1 immediately before the                                                                     the effect of an exchange by X of appreciated
                                                                                                          (e)(1) of this section, paragraph (d) of this
                                                  Section 337(d) Transaction). Thus, X                                                                           property for X stock, and thus, is a Section
                                                                                                          section is applied as if X and A amended the
                                                  recognizes $40 of gain ($80 multiplied by                                                                      337(d) Transaction. X must recognize gain at
                                                                                                          AX partnership agreement to allocate to X a
                                                  50%) under the deemed redemption rule in                                                                       the time, and to the extent, that X’s share of
                                                                                                          100% interest in the distributed portion of            appreciated property (other than X stock) is
                                                  paragraph (d) of this section. Under                    the X stock. X must recognize gain equal to
                                                  paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section, X’s basis in                                                              reduced in exchange for X stock. Thus, the
                                                                                                          the product of X’s Gain Percentage and the             consequences of the partnership’s purchase
                                                  its AX partnership interest increases from              gain from Asset 1 that X would have
                                                  $20 to $60. Under paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this                                                                 of X stock are the same as those described in
                                                                                                          recognized (decreased, but not below zero, by          Example 1(ii) and (iii), resulting in X
                                                  section, AX’s basis in Asset 1 increases from           any gain X recognized with respect to Asset            recognizing $40 of gain.
                                                  $20 to $60 because Asset 1 is the appreciated           1 in the Section 337(d) Transaction under
                                                  property treated as the subject of the                                                                            Example 5. Change in allocation ratios—
                                                                                                          any other provision of this chapter) if,
                                                  exchange.                                                                                                      amendment of partnership agreement. (i) The
                                                                                                          immediately before the Section 337(d)
                                                                                                                                                                 facts are the same as Example 2(i), except
                                                     Example 2. Distribution of Stock of the              Transaction, AX had sold all of its assets in
                                                                                                                                                                 that in Year 9, AX does not liquidate, and the
                                                  Corporate Partner—pro rata distribution. (i)            a fully taxable transaction for cash in an             AX partnership agreement is amended to
                                                  The facts are the same as in Example 1(i). AX           amount equal to the fair market value of such          allocate to X 80% of the income, gain, loss,
                                                  liquidates in Year 9, when Asset 1 and the              property.                                              and deduction from the X stock and to
                                                  X stock each have a fair market value of $200.             (iv) If Asset 1 had been sold in a fully            allocate to A 80% of the income, gain, loss,
                                                  X and A each receive 50% of Asset 1 and                 taxable transaction immediately before the             and deduction from Asset 1. If AX had sold
                                                  50% of the X stock in the liquidation. At the           amendment of the AX partnership agreement,             the partnership assets immediately before the
                                                  time AX liquidates, X’s basis in its AX                 X’s allocable share of gain would have been            change to the partnership agreement, X
                                                  partnership interest is $60 and A’s basis in            $90, or the sum of X’s $40 remaining gain              would have been allocated $90 of gain from
                                                  its AX partnership interest is $100.                    under section 704(c) and $50 of the $100               Asset 1 and $50 of gain from the X stock.
                                                     (ii) When AX liquidates, X’s interests in its        post-contribution appreciation. X’s Gain                  (ii) The amendment to the AX partnership
                                                  stock and in Asset 1 do not change. Thus, the           Percentage is 50% (equal to a fraction, the            agreement causes X’s interest in its stock to
                                                  liquidation is not a Section 337(d)                     numerator of which is X’s $50 interest in              increase from $100 (50% of the stock value
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                                                  Transaction because it does not have the                Asset 1 effectively exchanged for X stock,             immediately before the amendment of the
                                                  effect of an exchange by X of appreciated               and the denominator of which is X’s $100               agreement) to $160 (80% of stock value
                                                  property for Stock of the Corporate Partner.            interest in Asset 1 immediately before the             immediately following amendment of
                                                     (iii) Paragraph (e) of this section applies          Section 337(d) Transaction). Thus, X                   agreement) and its interest in Asset 1 to
                                                  because the distributed X stock was the                 recognizes $45 of gain ($90 multiplied by              decrease from $100 to $40. Thus, the
                                                  subject of a previous Section 337(d)                    50%) under the deemed redemption rule in               amendment of the partnership agreement is
                                                  Transaction and because section 732(f) does             paragraph (d) of this section. Under                   a Section 337(d) Transaction because the
                                                  not apply. Under § 1.732–1T(c)(1)(iii), the             paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section, X’s basis in      amendment has the effect of an exchange by
                                                  distribution to X of X stock is deemed to               its AX partnership interest increases from             X of $60 of Asset 1 for $60 of its stock.



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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                            33411

                                                     (iii) X must recognize gain equal to the             Transaction (regardless of whether the                 paragraph (a) of this section. Pursuant to
                                                  product of X’s Gain Percentage and the gain             Corporate Partner recognized gain in the               paragraph (d)(1) of this section, if X is in a
                                                  from Asset 1 that X would have recognized               earlier transaction). Although X’s interest in         partnership that engages in a Section 337(d)
                                                  (decreased, but not below zero, by any gain             X stock increases to $50 upon AX’s                     Transaction, X must recognize gain at the
                                                  X recognized with respect to Asset 1 in the             liquidation of B’s interest, X’s largest interest      time, and to the extent, that X’s share of
                                                  Section 337(d) Transaction under any other              previously taken into account under                    appreciated property is reduced in exchange
                                                  provision of this chapter) if, immediately              paragraph (d)(1) of this section was $50.              for X stock. The formation of LTP causes X’s
                                                  before the Section 337(d) Transaction, AX               Thus, X’s interest in its stock is not                 interest in X stock to increase from $0 to $40
                                                  had sold all of its assets in a fully taxable           considered to be increased, and X therefore            and its interest in Asset 1 to decrease from
                                                  transaction for cash in an amount equal to              recognizes no gain under paragraph (d) of              $64 to $32. Thus, LTP’s formation is a
                                                  the fair market value of such property. If              this section, provided that the transactions           Section 337(d) Transaction because the
                                                  Asset 1 had been sold in a fully taxable                did not occur as part of a plan or arrangement         formation has the effect of an exchange by X
                                                  transaction immediately before the                      to circumvent the purpose of this section.             of $32 of Asset 1 for $32 of X stock.
                                                  amendment of the AX partnership agreement,                 Example 7. Change in allocation ratios—               (iii) X must recognize gain with respect to
                                                  X’s allocable share of gain would have been             plan to circumvent purpose of this section. (i)        Asset 1 to prevent the circumvention of
                                                  $90, or the sum of X’s $40 remaining gain               In Year 1, X, a corporation, and A, an                 section 311(b) principles. X must recognize
                                                  under section 704(c) and 50% of the $100                individual, contribute a small amount of               gain equal to the product of X’s Gain
                                                  post-contribution appreciation. X’s Gain                capital to newly-formed partnership AX,                Percentage and the gain from Asset 1
                                                  Percentage is 60% (equal to a fraction, the             with X receiving a 99% interest in AX and              (decreased, but not below zero, by any gain
                                                  numerator of which is X’s $60 interest in               A receiving a 1% interest in AX. AX borrows            X recognized with respect to Asset 1 in the
                                                  Asset 1 effectively exchanged for X stock,              $100 from a third-party lender and uses the            Section 337(d) Transaction under any other
                                                  and the denominator of which is X’s $100                proceeds to purchase X stock, which is Stock           provision of this chapter) that X would
                                                  interest in Asset 1 immediately before the              of the Corporate Partner. Later, as part of a          recognize if, immediately before the Section
                                                  Section 337(d) Transaction). Thus, X                    plan or arrangement to circumvent the                  337(d) Transaction, all assets were sold in a
                                                  recognizes $54 of gain ($90 multiplied by               purposes of this section, A contributes $100           fully taxable transaction for cash in an
                                                  60%) under the deemed redemption rule in                of cash, which AX uses to repay the loan, and          amount equal to the fair market value of such
                                                  paragraph (d) of this section. Under                    X contributes Asset 1 with a fair market value         property. If Asset 1 had been sold in a fully
                                                  paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section, X’s basis in       of $100 and basis of $20. After these                  taxable transaction immediately before LTP’s
                                                  its AX partnership interest increases from              contributions, A and X are equal partners in           formation, X’s allocable share of gain would
                                                  $60 to $114. Under paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this         AX in all respects.                                    have been $80 pursuant to section 704(c). X’s
                                                  section, AX’s basis in Asset 1 increases from              (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this           Gain Percentage is 50% (equal to a fraction,
                                                  $60 to $114 because Asset 1 is the                      section, X’s interest in X stock and other             the numerator of which is X’s $32 interest in
                                                  appreciated property treated as the subject of          appreciated property held by the partnership           Asset 1 effectively exchanged for X stock,
                                                  the exchange.                                           is determined based on all facts and                   and the denominator of which is X’s $64
                                                     Example 6. Change in allocation ratios—              circumstances, including allocation and                interest in Asset 1 immediately before the
                                                  admission and exit of a partner. (i) The facts          distribution rights in the partnership                 Section 337(d) Transaction). Thus, X
                                                  are the same as Example 1(i). In addition, in           agreement. Generally pursuant to paragraph             recognizes $40 of gain ($80 multiplied by
                                                  Year 2, when the values of Asset 1 and the              (d)(2) of this section, X’s interest in X stock        50%) under the deemed redemption rule in
                                                  X stock have not changed, B contributes $100            for purposes of paragraph (d) will never be            paragraph (d) of this section. Under
                                                  of cash to AX in exchange for a one-third               less than the Corporate Partner’s largest              paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (d)(4)(ii) of this
                                                  interest in the partnership. Upon the                   interest (by value) in those shares of Stock of        section, X’s basis in its UTP partnership
                                                  admission of B as a partner, X’s interest in            the Corporate Partner taken into account               interest increases from $0 to $40, UTP’s basis
                                                  Asset 1 decreases from $50 to $33.33, and its           when the partnership previously determined             in its LTP partnership interest increases from
                                                  interest in B’s contributed cash increases. B’s         whether there had been a Section 337(d)                $20 to $60, and LTP’s basis in Asset 1
                                                  admission is not a Section 337(d) Transaction           Transaction (regardless of whether the                 increases from $0 to $40 pursuant to
                                                  because it does not have the effect of an               Corporate Partner recognized gain in the               paragraph (g) of this section.
                                                  exchange by X of its interest in Asset 1 for            earlier transaction). This limitation does not
                                                  X stock. Accordingly, X does not recognize              apply, however, if the reduction in X’s                  (i) Effective/applicability date. This
                                                  gain under paragraph (d) of this section.               interest in X’s stock occurred as part of a plan       section applies to transactions occurring
                                                     (ii) In Year 9, when the values of Asset 1           or arrangement to circumvent the purpose of            on or after June 12, 2015.
                                                  and the X stock have not changed, the                   this section. Because the transactions
                                                                                                          described in this example are part of a plan             (j) Expiration date. This section
                                                  partnership distributes $50 of cash and 50%
                                                  of Asset 1 (valued at $50) to B in liquidation          or arrangement to circumvent the purpose of            expires on June 11, 2018.
                                                  of B’s interest. X and A are equal partners in          this section, the limitation in paragraph (d)(2)       ■ Par. 3. Section 1.732–1 is amended by
                                                  all respects after the distribution. Upon the           of this section does not apply. Accordingly,           revising paragraphs (c)(1) and (5) to read
                                                  liquidation of B’s interest, X’s interest in            the deemed redemption rule under paragraph             as follows:
                                                  Asset 1 decreases from $33.33 to $25, and its           (d) of this section applies to the transactions
                                                  interest in X stock increases from $33.33 to            with the consequences described in Example             § 1.732–1 Basis of distributed property
                                                  $50. AX’s liquidation of B’s interest has the           1(iii) of this section, resulting in X                 other than money.
                                                  effect of an exchange by X of appreciated               recognizing $40 of gain.
                                                                                                                                                                 *      *    *     *     *
                                                  property for X stock, and thus, is a Section               Example 8. Tiered partnership. (i) In Year
                                                  337(d) Transaction.                                     1, X, a corporation, and A, an individual,               (c) * * * (1) [Reserved]. For further
                                                     (iii) Pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this           form partnership UTP. X contributes Asset 1            guidance, see § 1.732–1T(c)(1).
                                                  section, X’s interest in X stock and other              with a fair market value of $80 and a basis            *      *    *     *     *
                                                  appreciated property held by the partnership            of $0 in exchange for an 80% interest in UTP.            (5) Effective/applicability date—(i) In
                                                  is determined based on all facts and                    A contributes $20 of cash in exchange for a            general. This paragraph (c) applies to
                                                  circumstances, including allocation and                 20% interest in UTP. UTP and B, an
                                                                                                                                                                 distributions of property from a
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                                                  distribution rights in the partnership                  individual, form partnership LTP as equal
                                                  agreement. However, paragraph (d)(2) of this            partners. UTP contributes Asset 1 and $20 of           partnership that occur on or after
                                                  section also requires that X’s interest in its          cash. B contributes X stock, which is Stock            December 15, 1999.
                                                  stock for purposes of paragraph (d) will never          of the Corporate Partner, with a basis and fair          (ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance,
                                                  be less than the Corporate Partner’s largest            market value of $100.                                  see § 1.732–1T(c)(5)(ii).
                                                  interest (by value) in those shares of Stock of            (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (g) of this
                                                                                                                                                                 *      *    *     *     *
                                                  the Corporate Partner taken into account                section, the rules of this section shall apply
                                                  when the partnership previously determined              to tiered partnerships in a manner that is             ■ Par. 4. Section 1.732–1T is added to
                                                  whether there had been a Section 337(d)                 consistent with the purpose set forth in               read as follows:


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                                                  33412                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  § 1.732–1T Basis of distributed property                  (ii) Exception. Nothwithstanding                     CFR 165.939(a)(13) will be enforced
                                                  other than money (temporary).                           paragraph (c)(5)(i), the first sentence of             from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 3,
                                                     (a) and (b) [Reserved]. For further                  each of paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(ii)            2015.
                                                  guidance, see § 1.732–1(a) and (b).                     of this section, and paragraph (c)(1)(iii)                Pursuant to 33 CFR 165.23, entry into,
                                                     (c) Allocation of basis among                        of this section in its entirety, apply to              transiting, or anchoring within these
                                                  properties distributed to a partner—(1)                 distributions of Stock of the Corporate                safety zones during an enforcement
                                                  General rule—(i) Unrealized receivables                 Partner, as defined in § 1.337(d)–                     period is prohibited unless authorized
                                                  and inventory items. Except as provided                 3T(c)(2), that occur on or after June 12,              by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his
                                                  in paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section,               2015.                                                  designated representative. Those
                                                  the basis to be allocated to properties                   (d) and (e) [Reserved]. For further                  seeking permission to enter one of these
                                                  distributed to a partner under section                  guidance, see § 1.732–1(d) and (e).                    safety zones may request permission
                                                  732(a)(2) or (b) is allocated first to any                (f) Expiration date. This section                    from the Captain of Port Buffalo via
                                                  unrealized receivables (as defined in                   expires on June 11, 2018.                              channel 16, VHF–FM. Vessels and
                                                  section 751(c)) and inventory items (as                 John Dalrymple,                                        persons granted permission to enter one
                                                  defined in section 751(d)(2)) in an                     Deputy Commissioner for Services and                   of these safety zones shall obey the
                                                  amount equal to the adjusted basis of                   Enforcement.                                           directions of the Captain of the Port
                                                  each such property to the partnership                     Approved: June 1, 2015.                              Buffalo or his designated representative.
                                                  immediately before the distribution. If                 Mark J. Mazur,
                                                                                                                                                                 While within a safety zone, all vessels
                                                  the basis to be allocated is less than the                                                                     shall operate at the minimum speed
                                                                                                          Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax
                                                  sum of the adjusted bases to the                        Policy).                                               necessary to maintain a safe course.
                                                  partnership of the distributed                                                                                    This notice is issued under authority
                                                                                                          [FR Doc. 2015–14405 Filed 6–11–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  unrealized receivables and inventory                                                                           of 33 CFR 165.939 and 5 U.S.C. 552(a).
                                                                                                          BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
                                                  items, the adjusted basis of the                                                                               In addition to this notice in the Federal
                                                  distributed property must be decreased                                                                         Register, the Coast Guard will provide
                                                  in the manner provided in § 1.732–                                                                             the maritime community with advance
                                                                                                          DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                 notification of these enforcement
                                                  1(c)(2)(i). See § 1.460–4(k)(2)(iv)(D) for a
                                                                                                          SECURITY                                               periods via Broadcast Notice to
                                                  rule determining the partnership’s basis
                                                  in long-term contract accounted for                     Coast Guard                                            Mariners or Local Notice to Mariners. If
                                                  under a long-term contract method of                                                                           the Captain of the Port Buffalo
                                                  accounting.                                             33 CFR Part 165                                        determines that this safety zone need
                                                     (ii) Other distributed property. Any                                                                        not be enforced for the full duration
                                                  basis not allocated to unrealized                       [Docket No. USCG–2015–0421]                            stated in this notice he or she may use
                                                  receivables or inventory items under                                                                           a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to grant
                                                                                                          Safety Zones; Annual Events in the                     general permission to enter the
                                                  paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section or to               Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone
                                                  stock of persons that control the                                                                              respective safety zone.
                                                  corporate partner or to the corporate                   AGENCY:  Coast Guard, DHS.                               Dated: June 1, 2015.
                                                  partner’s stock under paragraph                         ACTION: Notice of enforcement of                       B.W. Roche,
                                                  (c)(1)(iii) of this section is allocated to             regulation.                                            Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
                                                  any other property distributed to the                                                                          Port Buffalo.
                                                  partner in the same transaction by                      SUMMARY:    At various times throughout
                                                                                                                                                                 [FR Doc. 2015–14475 Filed 6–11–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  assigning to each distributed property                  the month of July, the Coast Guard will
                                                                                                          enforce certain safety zones that are                  BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
                                                  an amount equal to the adjusted basis of
                                                  the property to the partnership                         codified in regulation. This action is
                                                  immediately before the distribution.                    necessary and intended for the safety of
                                                                                                          life and property on navigable waters                  DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
                                                  However, if the sum of the adjusted                                                                            SECURITY
                                                  bases to the partnership of such other                  during this event. During each
                                                  distributed property does not equal the                 enforcement period, no person or vessel                Coast Guard
                                                  basis to be allocated among the                         may enter the respective safety zone
                                                  distributed property, any increase or                   without the permission of the Captain of               33 CFR Part 165
                                                  decrease required to make the amounts                   the Port Buffalo.
                                                                                                          DATES: The regulations in 33 CFR                       [USCG–2012–0375]
                                                  equal is allocated among the distributed
                                                  property as provided in § 1.732–1(c)(2).                165.939(a)(13) will be enforced on July                RIN 1625–AA00
                                                     (iii) Stock distributed to the corporate             3, 2015 from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
                                                  partner. If a partnership makes a                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If                    Safety Zone, Milwaukee Harbor,
                                                  distribution described in § 1.337(d)–                   you have questions on this notice, call                Milwaukee, WI
                                                  3T(e)(1), then for purposes of this                     or email Waterways Management                          AGENCY:  Coast Guard, DHS.
                                                  section, the basis to be allocated to                   Division, Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, 1
                                                                                                          Fuhrmann Blvd. Buffalo, NY 14203;                      ACTION: Notice of enforcement of
                                                  properties distributed under section                                                                           regulation.
                                                  732(a)(2) or (b) is allocated first to the              Coast Guard telephone 716–843–9343,
                                                  Stock of the Corporate Partner, as                      email SectorBuffaloMarineSafety@                       SUMMARY:   The Coast Guard will enforce
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                                                  defined in § 1.337(d)–3T(c)(2), before                  uscg.mil.                                              the safety zone in Milwaukee Harbor,
                                                  the distribution of any other property                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast                   Milwaukee, WI for annual fireworks
                                                  (other than cash). The amount allocated                 Guard will enforce the Safety Zones;                   displays in the Captain of the Port Lake
                                                  to the Stock of the Corporate Partner is                Annual Events in the Captain of the Port               Michigan zone at specified times from
                                                  as provided in § 1.337(d)–3T(e)(2).                     Buffalo Zone listed in 33 CFR 165.939                  June 6, 2015 until September 12, 2015.
                                                     (2) through (5)(i) [Reserved]. For                   for the following events:                              This action is necessary and intended to
                                                  further guidance, see § 1.732–1(c)(2)                      Tom Graves Memorial Fireworks, Port                 ensure safety of life on the navigable
                                                  through (c)(5)(i).                                      Bay, NY; The safety zone listed in 33                  waters immediately prior to, during, and


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Document Created: 2018-02-22 10:16:23
Document Modified: 2018-02-22 10:16:23
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal and temporary regulations.
DatesEffective Date: These regulations are effective on June 12, 2015.
ContactConcerning the final and temporary regulations, Kevin I. Babitz, (202) 317-6852.
FR Citation80 FR 33402 
RIN Number1545-BM35
CFR AssociatedIncome Taxes and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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