80_FR_55717 80 FR 55538 - Clarification of the Coordination of the Transfer Pricing Rules With Other Code Provisions

80 FR 55538 - Clarification of the Coordination of the Transfer Pricing Rules With Other Code Provisions

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 179 (September 16, 2015)

Page Range55538-55543
FR Document2015-23278

This document contains temporary regulations that clarify the coordination of the application of the arm's length standard and the best method rule under section 482 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) in conjunction with other provisions of the Code. The text of the temporary regulations also serves in part as the text of the proposed regulations (REG-139483-13) published in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register. This document also contains final regulations that add cross-references in the existing final regulations under section 482 to relevant sections of these temporary regulations.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 179 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 179 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55538-55543]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23278]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[TD 9738]
RIN 1545-BM72


Clarification of the Coordination of the Transfer Pricing Rules 
With Other Code Provisions

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Final and temporary regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document contains temporary regulations that clarify the 
coordination of the application of the arm's length standard and the 
best method rule under section 482 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) 
in conjunction with other provisions of the Code. The text of the 
temporary regulations also serves in part as the text of the proposed 
regulations (REG-139483-13) published in the Proposed Rules section of 
this issue of the Federal Register. This document also contains final 
regulations that add cross-references in the existing final regulations 
under section 482 to relevant sections of these temporary regulations.

DATES: Effective date: These regulations are effective on September 14, 
2015.
    Applicability date: For dates of applicability, see Sec.  1.482-
1T(j)(7)(i).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank W. Dunham III, (202) 317-6939 
(not a toll-free call).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Regulations under section 482 published in the Federal Register (33 
FR 5848) on April 16, 1968, provided guidance on methods for applying 
the arm's length standard to evaluate controlled transactions, 
including transfers of tangible and intangible property, the provision 
of services, and loans or advances. Subsequent revisions and updates of 
the transfer pricing regulations were published in the Federal Register 
on July 8, 1994, Dec. 20, 1995, May 13, 1996, Aug. 26, 2003, Aug. 4, 
2009, Dec. 22, 2011, and Aug. 27, 2013 (59 FR 34971, 60 FR 65553, 61 FR 
21955, 68 FR 51171, 74 FR 38830, 76 FR 80082, and 78 FR 52854, 
respectively).

[[Page 55539]]

Explanation of Provisions

I. Overview--Consistent Valuation of Controlled Transactions for All 
Code Purposes

    Section 482 authorizes the Secretary, and the regulations under 
section 482 authorize the IRS, to adjust the results of controlled 
transactions to clearly reflect the income of commonly controlled 
taxpayers in accordance with the arm's length standard and, in the case 
of the transfer of intangible property (within the meaning of section 
936(h)(3)(B)), so as to be commensurate with the income attributable to 
the intangible. While the determination of arm's length prices for 
controlled transactions is governed by section 482, the tax treatment 
of controlled transactions is also governed by other Code and 
regulatory rules applicable to both controlled and uncontrolled 
transactions. Controlled transactions always remain subject to section 
482 in addition to these generally applicable provisions. These 
temporary regulations clarify the coordination of section 482 and the 
regulations thereunder with such other Code and regulatory provisions.
    The coordination rules in these temporary regulations apply to 
controlled transactions, including controlled transactions that are 
subject in whole or part to both sections 367 and 482. Transfers of 
property subject to section 367 that occur between controlled taxpayers 
require a consistent and coordinated application of sections 367 and 
482 to the controlled transfer of property and any related transactions 
between controlled taxpayers. The controlled transactions may include 
transfers of property subject to section 367(a) or (e), transfers of 
intangible property subject to section 367(d) or (e), and the provision 
of services that contribute significantly to maintaining, exploiting, 
or further developing the transferred properties. All of the 
transactions (and any elements thereof) must be analyzed and valued on 
a consistent basis under section 482 in order to achieve the intended 
purposes of sections 367 and 482.
    The consistent analysis and valuation of transactions subject to 
multiple Code and regulatory provisions is required under the best 
method rule described in Sec.  1.482-1(c). A best method analysis under 
section 482 begins with a consideration of the facts and circumstances 
related to the functions performed, the resources employed, and the 
risks assumed in the actual transaction or transactions among the 
controlled taxpayers, as well as in any uncontrolled transactions used 
as comparables. See Sec.  1.482-1(c)(2)(i) and (d)(3). For example, if 
consideration of the facts and circumstances reveals synergies among 
interrelated transactions, an aggregate evaluation under section 482 
may provide a more reliable measure of an arm's length result than a 
separate evaluation of the transactions. In contrast, an inconsistent 
or uncoordinated application of section 482 to interrelated controlled 
transactions that are subject to tax under different Code and 
regulatory provisions may lead to inappropriate conclusions.
    The best method rule requires a determination of the arm's length 
result of controlled transactions under the method, and particular 
application of that method, that provides the most reliable measure of 
an arm's length result. Under the regulations, the reliability of the 
measure depends on the economics of the controlled transactions, not 
their formal character. See, e.g., Sec. Sec.  1.482-2A(e)(3)(vii) and 
1.482-3(c)(3)(ii)(D) (use of sales agent's commission as comparable for 
reseller's appropriate markup under the resale price method); 
Sec. Sec.  1.482-2A(e)(4)(iv) and 1.482-3(d)(3)(ii)(D) (use of 
purchasing agent's commission as comparable for producer's appropriate 
gross profit percentage under the cost-plus method); and Sec.  1.482-
9(i)(4) and (5), Examples 1 and 3 (reference to charges for transfers 
of property as relevant to the determination of a contingent-payment 
services charge). Realistic alternative transactions that, on a risk-
adjusted basis, reflect arrangements that are economically equivalent 
to those in the controlled transactions may provide the basis for 
application of unspecified methods to determine the most reliable 
measure of an arm's length result in the controlled transactions. See, 
e.g., Sec. Sec.  1.482-1(f)(2)(ii)(A), 1.482-3(e)(1), 1.482-4(d)(1), 
1.482-7(g)(8), and 1.482-9(h). Thus, although a taxpayer may choose 
among different transactional forms--for example, a long-term license, 
research and development services, a cost sharing arrangement, or a 
transfer subject to section 367--specified and unspecified methods 
applicable to each form will provide consistent arm's length results 
for economically equivalent transactions.
    Based upon taxpayer positions that the IRS has encountered in 
examinations and controversy, the Treasury Department and the IRS are 
concerned that certain results reported by taxpayers reflect an 
asserted form or character of the parties' arrangement that involves an 
incomplete assessment of relevant functions, resources, and risks and 
an inappropriately narrow analysis of the scope of the transfer pricing 
rules. In particular, the Treasury Department and the IRS are concerned 
about situations in which controlled groups evaluate economically 
integrated transactions involving economically integrated 
contributions, synergies, and interrelated value on a separate basis in 
a manner that results in a misapplication of the best method rule and 
fails to reflect an arm's length result. Taxpayers may assert that, for 
purposes of section 482, separately evaluating interrelated 
transactions is appropriate simply because different statutes or 
regulations apply to the transactions (for example, where section 367 
and the regulations thereunder apply to one transaction and the general 
recognition rules of the Code apply to another related transaction). 
These positions are often combined with inappropriately narrow 
interpretations of Sec.  1.482-4(b)(6), which provides guidance on when 
an item is considered similar to the other items identified as 
constituting intangibles for purposes of section 482. The 
interpretations purport to have the effect, contrary to the arm's 
length standard, of requiring no compensation for certain value 
provided in controlled transactions despite the fact that compensation 
would be paid if the same value were provided in uncontrolled 
transactions.
    As discussed in the following portion of this preamble, these 
temporary regulations address the aforementioned concerns by clarifying 
the coordination of the application of section 482 in conjunction with 
other Code and regulatory provisions in determining the proper tax 
treatment of controlled transactions.

II. Detailed Explanation of Provisions

A. Compensation Independent of the Form or Character of Controlled 
Transaction--Sec.  1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(A)

    New Sec.  1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(A) provides that arm's length 
compensation must be consistent with, and must account for all of, the 
value provided between the parties in a controlled transaction, without 
regard to the form or character of the transaction. For this purpose, 
it is necessary to consider the entire arrangement between the parties, 
as determined by the contractual terms, whether written or imputed in 
accordance with the economic substance of the arrangement, in light of 
the actual conduct of the parties. This requirement is consistent with 
the principles underlying the arm's length standard, which require 
arm's length compensation in controlled transactions equal to the 
compensation that would have occurred if a similar transaction

[[Page 55540]]

had occurred between similarly situated uncontrolled taxpayers. See 
Sec.  1.482-1(b)(1). Accordingly, no inference may be drawn from any 
provision in the section 482 regulations that any transfer of value may 
be made without arm's length compensation.

B. Aggregate or Separate Analysis, Depending on Economic 
Interrelatedness of Controlled Transactions, Including Synergies--Sec.  
1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(B)

    Section 1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(B) clarifies Sec.  1.482-1(f)(2)(i)(A), 
which provided that the combined effect of two or more separate 
transactions (whether before, during, or after the year under review) 
may be considered if such transactions, taken as a whole, are so 
interrelated that an aggregate analysis of such transactions provides 
the most reliable measure of an arm's length result determined under 
the best method rule of Sec.  1.482-1(c). Specifically, a new clause is 
added to clarify that this aggregation principle also applies for 
purposes of an analysis under multiple provisions of the Code or 
regulations. In addition, a new sentence elaborates on the aggregation 
principle by noting that consideration of the combined effect of two or 
more transactions may be appropriate to determine whether the overall 
compensation is consistent with the value provided, including any 
synergies among items and services provided. Finally, Sec.  1.482-
1T(f)(2)(i)(B) does not retain the statement in Sec.  1.482-
1(f)(2)(i)(A) that transactions generally will be aggregated only when 
they involve ``related products or services, as defined in Sec.  
1.6038A-3(c)(7)(vii).'' The eliminated sentence had the unintended 
potential to be misconstrued by taxpayers as limiting the aggregation 
analysis pursuant to the best method rule.

C. Aggregation and Allocation for Purposes of Coordinated Analysis 
Under Multiple Code or Regulatory Provisions--Sec. Sec.  1.482-
1T(f)(2)(i)(C) and 1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(D)

    Section 1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(C) provides that, for one or more 
controlled transactions governed by more than one provision of the Code 
and regulations, a coordinated best method analysis and evaluation of 
the transactions may be necessary to ensure that the overall value 
provided (including any synergies) is properly taken into account. A 
coordinated best method analysis of the transactions includes a 
consistent consideration of the facts and circumstances of the 
functions performed, resources employed, and risks assumed, and a 
consistent measure of the arm's length results, for purposes of all 
relevant Code and regulatory provisions. For example, situations in 
which a coordinated best method analysis and evaluation may be 
necessary include (1) two or more interrelated transactions when either 
all such transactions are governed by one regulation under section 482 
or all such transactions are governed by one subsection of section 367, 
(2) two or more interrelated transactions governed by two or more 
regulations under section 482, (3) a transfer of property subject to 
section 367(a) and an interrelated transfer of property subject to 
section 367(d), (4) two or more interrelated transactions where section 
367 applies to one transaction and the general recognition rules of the 
Code apply to another interrelated transaction, and (5) other 
circumstances in which controlled transactions require analysis under 
multiple Code and regulatory provisions.
    Section 1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(D) provides that it may be necessary to 
allocate the arm's length result that was properly determined under a 
coordinated best method analysis described in Sec.  1.482-
1T(f)(2)(i)(C) among the interrelated transactions. Any such allocation 
must be made using the method that, under the facts and circumstances, 
provides the most reliable measure of an arm's length result for each 
allocated amount.

D. Examples of Coordinated Best Method Analysis Under Multiple Code or 
Regulatory Provisions--Sec.  1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(E)

    Section 1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(E) provides eleven examples to illustrate 
the guidance in Sec.  1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(A) through (D). Examples 1 
through 4 are materially the same as the Examples in Sec.  1.482-
1(f)(2)(i)(B). The Treasury Department and the IRS do not intend for 
the revisions to those examples to be interpreted as substantive. The 
rest of the examples are new.
    Section 1.482-1T(f)(2)(ii)(B) replaces Sec.  1.482-1(f)(2)(ii)(B). 
The Example included in Sec.  1.482-1T(f)(2)(ii)(B) is materially the 
same as the old example and has been updated to replace the term 
``district director'' and to include cross-references to Examples 7 and 
8 in Sec.  1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(E). The Treasury Department and the IRS do 
not intend for the revisions to this example to be interpreted as 
substantive.
    No inference is intended as to the application of the provisions 
amended by these temporary regulations under current law. The IRS may, 
where appropriate, challenge transactions, including those described in 
these temporary regulations and this preamble, under currently 
applicable Code or regulatory provisions or judicial doctrines.

Effective/Applicability Date

    These regulations apply to taxable years ending on or after 
September 14, 2015.

Special Analyses

    Certain IRS regulations, including this one, are exempt from the 
requirements of Executive Order 12866, as supplemented and reaffirmed 
by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a regulatory impact assessment is 
not required. It has been determined that section 553(b) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to 
this regulation. For applicability of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. chapter 6), refer to the cross-referenced notice of proposed 
rulemaking published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. 
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, these 
regulations have been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of 
the Small Business Administration for comment on their impact on small 
business.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of these regulations is Frank W. Dunham III of 
the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (International). However, 
other personnel from the Treasury Department and the IRS participated 
in the development of the regulations.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

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

    Authority:  26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
    Sections 1.482-1 and 1.482-1T are also issued under 26 U.S.C. 
482. * * *


0
Par. 2. Section 1.482-0 is amended by revising the entries for Sec.  
1.482-1(f)(2)(i) and (f)(2)(ii)(B) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.482-0  Outline of regulations under section 482.

* * * * *


Sec.  1.482-1  Allocation of income and deductions among taxpayers.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *

[[Page 55541]]

    (2) * * *
    (i) [Reserved]
    (ii) * * *
    (B) [Reserved]
* * * * *

0
Par. 3. Section 1.482-1 is amended by revising paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and 
(f)(2)(ii)(B) and adding paragraph (j)(7) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.482-1  Allocation of income and deductions among taxpayers.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i)(A) through (E) [Reserved]. For further guidance see Sec.  
1.482-1T(f)(2)(i)(A) through (E).
    (ii) * * *
    (B) [Reserved]. For further guidance see Sec.  1.482-
1T(f)(2)(ii)(B).
* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (7) [Reserved]. For further guidance see Sec.  1.482-1T(j)(7).

0
 Par. 4. Section 1.482-1T is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.482-1T  Allocation of income and deductions among taxpayers 
(temporary).

    (a) through (f)(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance see Sec.  
1.482-1(a) through (f)(2).
    (i) Compensation independent of the form or character of controlled 
transaction--(A) In general. All value provided between controlled 
taxpayers in a controlled transaction requires an arm's length amount 
of compensation determined under the best method rule of Sec.  1.482-
1(c). Such amount must be consistent with, and must account for all of, 
the value provided between the parties in the transaction, without 
regard to the form or character of the transaction. For this purpose, 
it is necessary to consider the entire arrangement between the parties, 
as determined by the contractual terms, whether written or imputed in 
accordance with the economic substance of the arrangement, in light of 
the actual conduct of the parties. See, e.g., Sec.  1.482-
1(d)(3)(ii)(B) (identifying contractual terms) and (f)(2)(ii)(A) 
(regarding reference to realistic alternatives).
    (B) Aggregation. The combined effect of two or more separate 
transactions (whether before, during, or after the year under review), 
including for purposes of an analysis under multiple provisions of the 
Code or regulations, may be considered if the transactions, taken as a 
whole, are so interrelated that an aggregate analysis of the 
transactions provides the most reliable measure of an arm's length 
result determined under the best method rule of Sec.  1.482-1(c). 
Whether two or more transactions are evaluated separately or in the 
aggregate depends on the extent to which the transactions are 
economically interrelated and on the relative reliability of the 
measure of an arm's length result provided by an aggregate analysis of 
the transactions as compared to a separate analysis of each 
transaction. For example, consideration of the combined effect of two 
or more transactions may be appropriate to determine whether the 
overall compensation in the transactions is consistent with the value 
provided, including any synergies among items and services provided.
    (C) Coordinated best method analysis and evaluation. Consistent 
with the principles of paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A) and (B) of this section, 
a coordinated best method analysis and evaluation of two or more 
controlled transactions to which one or more provisions of the Code or 
regulations apply may be necessary to ensure that the overall value 
provided, including any synergies, is properly taken into account. A 
coordinated best method analysis would include a consistent 
consideration of the facts and circumstances of the functions 
performed, resources employed, and risks assumed in the relevant 
transactions, and a consistent measure of the arm's length results, for 
purposes of all relevant statutory and regulatory provisions.
    (D) Allocations of value. In some cases, it may be necessary to 
allocate one or more portions of the arm's length result that was 
properly determined under a coordinated best method analysis described 
in paragraph (f)(2)(i)(C) of this section. Any such allocation of the 
arm's length result determined under the coordinated best method 
analysis must be made using the method that, under the facts and 
circumstances, provides the most reliable measure of an arm's length 
result for each allocated amount. For example, if the full value of 
compensation due in controlled transactions whose tax treatment is 
governed by multiple provisions of the Code or regulations has been 
most reliably determined on an aggregate basis, then that full value 
must be allocated in a manner that provides the most reliable measure 
of each allocated amount.
    (E) Examples. The following examples illustrate the provisions of 
this paragraph (f)(2)(i). For purposes of the examples in this 
paragraph (E), P is a domestic corporation, and S1, S2, and S3 are 
foreign corporations that are wholly owned by P.

    Example 1. Aggregation of interrelated licensing, manufacturing, 
and selling activities. P enters into a license agreement with S1 
that permits S1 to use a proprietary manufacturing process and to 
sell the output from this process throughout a specified region. S1 
uses the manufacturing process and sells its output to S2, which in 
turn resells the output to uncontrolled parties in the specified 
region. In evaluating whether the royalty paid by S1 to P is an 
arm's length amount, it may be appropriate to evaluate the royalty 
in combination with the transfer prices charged by S1 to S2 and the 
aggregate profits earned by S1 and S2 from the use of the 
manufacturing process and the sale to uncontrolled parties of the 
products produced by S1.
    Example 2. Aggregation of interrelated manufacturing, marketing, 
and services activities. S1 is the exclusive Country Z distributor 
of computers manufactured by P. S2 provides marketing services in 
connection with sales of P computers in Country Z and in this regard 
uses significant marketing intangibles provided by P. S3 administers 
the warranty program with respect to P computers in Country Z, 
including maintenance and repair services. In evaluating whether the 
transfer prices paid by S1 to P, the fees paid by S2 to P for the 
use of P marketing intangibles, and the service fees earned by S2 
and S3 are arm's length amounts, it would be appropriate to perform 
an aggregate analysis that considers the combined effects of these 
interrelated transactions if they are most reliably analyzed on an 
aggregated basis.
    Example 3. Aggregation and reliability of comparable 
uncontrolled transactions. The facts are the same as in Example 2. 
In addition, U1, U2, and U3 are uncontrolled taxpayers that carry 
out functions comparable to those of S1, S2, and S3, respectively, 
with respect to computers produced by unrelated manufacturers. R1, 
R2, and R3 constitute a controlled group of taxpayers (unrelated to 
the P controlled group) that carry out functions comparable to those 
of S1, S2, and S3 with respect to computers produced by their common 
parent. Prices charged to uncontrolled customers of the R group 
differ from the prices charged to customers of U1, U2, and U3. In 
determining whether the transactions of U1, U2, and U3, or the 
transactions of R1, R2, and R3, would provide a more reliable 
measure of the arm's length result, it is determined that the 
interrelated R group transactions are more reliable than the wholly 
independent transactions of U1, U2, and U3, given the 
interrelationship of the P group transactions.
    Example 4. Non-aggregation of transactions that are not 
interrelated. P enters into a license agreement with S1 that permits 
S1 to use a proprietary process for manufacturing product X and to 
sell product X to uncontrolled parties throughout a specified 
region. P also sells to S1 product Y, which is manufactured by P in 
the United States and unrelated to product X. Product Y is resold by 
S1 to uncontrolled parties in the specified region. There is no 
connection

[[Page 55542]]

between product X and product Y other than the fact that they are 
both sold in the same specified region. In evaluating whether the 
royalty paid by S1 to P for the use of the manufacturing process for 
product X and the transfer prices charged for unrelated product Y 
are arm's length amounts, it would not be appropriate to consider 
the combined effects of these separate and unrelated transactions.
    Example 5. Aggregation of interrelated patents. P owns 10 
individual patents that, in combination, can be used to manufacture 
and sell a successful product. P anticipates that it could earn 
profits of $25x from the patents based on a discounted cash flow 
analysis that provides a more reliable measure of the value of the 
patents exploited as a bundle rather than separately. P licenses all 
10 patents to S1 to be exploited as a bundle. Evidence of 
uncontrolled licenses of similar individual patents indicates that, 
exploited separately, each license of each patent would warrant a 
price of $1x, implying a total price for the patents of $10x. Under 
paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section, in determining the arm's 
length royalty for the license of the bundle of patents, it would 
not be appropriate to use the uncontrolled licenses as comparables 
for the license of the bundle of patents, because, unlike the 
discounted cash flow analysis, the uncontrolled licenses considered 
separately do not reliably reflect the enhancement to value 
resulting from the interrelatedness of the 10 patents exploited as a 
bundle.
    Example 6. Consideration of entire arrangement, including 
imputed contractual terms--(i) P conducts a business (``Business'') 
from the United States, with a worldwide clientele, but until Date X 
has no foreign operations. The success of Business significantly 
depends on intangibles (including marketing, manufacturing, 
technological, and goodwill or going concern value intangibles, 
collectively the ``IP''), as well as ongoing support activities 
performed by P (including related research and development, central 
marketing, manufacturing process enhancement, and oversight 
activities, collectively ``Support''), to maintain and improve the 
IP and otherwise maximize the profitability of Business.
    (ii) On Date X, Year 1, P contributes the foreign rights to 
conduct Business, including the foreign rights to the IP, to newly 
incorporated S1. S1, utilizing the IP of which it is now the owner, 
commences foreign operations consisting of local marketing, 
manufacturing, and back office activities in order to conduct and 
expand Business in the foreign market.
    (iii) Later, on Date Y, Year 1, P and S1 enter into a cost 
sharing arrangement (``CSA'') to develop and exploit the rights to 
conduct the Business. Under the CSA, P is entitled to the U.S. 
rights to conduct the Business, and S1 is entitled to the rest-of-
the-world (``ROW'') rights to conduct the Business. P continues 
after Date Y to perform the Support, employing resources, 
capabilities, and rights that as a factual matter were not 
contributed to S1 in the Date X transaction, for the benefit of the 
Business worldwide. Pursuant to the CSA, P and S1 share the costs of 
P's Support in proportion to their reasonably anticipated benefit 
shares from their respective rights to the Business.
    (iv) P treats the Date X transaction as a transfer described in 
section 351 that is subject to 367 and treats the Date Y transaction 
as the commencement of a CSA subject to section 482 and Sec.  1.482-
7. P takes the position that the only platform contribution 
transactions (``PCTs'') in connection with the Date Y CSA consist of 
P's contribution of the U.S. Business IP rights and S1's 
contribution of the ROW Business IP rights of which S1 had become 
the owner on account of the prior Date X transaction.
    (v) Pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(i)(A) of this section, in 
determining whether an allocation of income is appropriate in Year 1 
or subsequent years, the Commissioner may consider the economic 
substance of the entire arrangement between P and S1, including the 
parties' actual conduct throughout their relationship, regardless of 
the form or character of the contractual arrangement the parties 
have expressly adopted. The Commissioner determines that the 
parties' formal arrangement fails to reflect the full scope of the 
value provided between the parties in accordance with the economic 
substance of their arrangement. Therefore, the Commissioner may 
impute one or more agreements between P and S1, consistent with the 
economic substance of their arrangement, that fully reflect their 
respective reasonably anticipated commitments in terms of functions 
performed, resources employed, and risks assumed over time. For 
example, because P continues after Date Y to perform the Support, 
employing resources, capabilities, and rights not contributed to S1, 
for the benefit of the Business worldwide, the Commissioner may 
impute another PCT on Date Y pursuant to which P commits to so 
continuing the Support. See Sec.  1.482-7(b)(1)(ii). The taxpayer 
may present additional facts that could indicate whether this or 
another alternative agreement best reflects the economic substance 
of the underlying transactions and course of conduct, provided that 
the taxpayer's position fully reflects the value of the entire 
arrangement consistent with the realistic alternatives principle.
    Example 7. Distinguishing provision of value from 
characterization--(i) P developed a collection of resources, 
capabilities, and rights (``Collection'') that it uses on an 
interrelated basis in ongoing research and development of computer 
code that is used to create a successful line of software products. 
P can continue to use the Collection on such interrelated basis in 
the future to further develop computer code and, thus, further build 
on its successful line of software products. Under Sec.  1.482-
7(g)(2)(ix), P determines that the interquartile range of the net 
present value of its own use of the Collection in future research 
and development and software product marketing is between $1000x and 
$1100x, and this range provides the most reliable measure of the 
value to P of continuing to use the Collection on an interrelated 
basis in future research, development, and exploitation. Instead, P 
enters into an exchange described in section 351 in which it 
transfers certain intangible property related to the Collection to 
S1 for use in future research, development, and exploitation but 
continues to perform the same development functions that it did 
prior to the exchange, now on behalf of S1, under express or implied 
commitments in connection with S1's use of the intangible property. 
P takes the position that a portion of the Collection, consisting of 
computer code and related instruction manuals and similar intangible 
property (Portion 1), was transferrable intangible property and was 
the subject of the section 351 exchange and compensable under 
section 367(d). P claims that another portion of the Collection 
consists of items that either do not constitute property for 
purposes of section 367 or are not transferrable (Portion 2). P then 
takes the position that the value of Portion 2 does not give rise to 
income under section 367(d) or gain under section 367(a).
    (ii) Under paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A) and (C) of this section, any 
part of the value in Portion 2 that is not taken into account in an 
exchange under section 367 must nonetheless be evaluated under 
section 482 and the regulations thereunder to determine arm's length 
compensation for any value provided to S1. Accordingly, even if P's 
assertion that certain items were either not property or not capable 
of being transferred were correct, arm's length compensation is 
nonetheless required for all of the value associated with P's 
contributions under the section 482 regulations. Alternatively, the 
Commissioner may determine under all the facts and circumstances 
that P's assertion is incorrect and that the transaction in fact 
constitutes an exchange of property subject to, and therefore to be 
taken into account under, section 367. Thus, whether any item that P 
identifies as being within Portion 2 is properly characterized as 
property under section 367 (transferable or otherwise) is irrelevant 
because any value in Portion 2 that is provided to S1 must be 
compensated by S1 in a manner consistent with the $1000x to $1100x 
interquartile range of the overall value.
    Example 8. Arm's length compensation for equivalent provisions 
of intangibles under sections 351 and 482. P owns the worldwide 
rights to manufacturing and marketing intangibles that it uses to 
manufacture and market a product in the United States (``US 
intangibles'') and the rest of the world (``ROW intangibles''). P 
transfers all the ROW intangibles to S1 in an exchange described in 
section 351 and retains the US intangibles. Immediately after the 
exchange, P and S1 entered into a CSA described in Sec.  1.482-7(b) 
that covers all research and development of intangibles conducted by 
the parties. A realistic alternative that was available to P and 
that would have involved the controlled parties performing similar 
functions, employing similar resources, and assuming similar risks 
as in the controlled transaction, was to transfer all ROW 
intangibles to S1 upon entering into the CSA in a platform 
contribution transaction described in Sec.  1.482-7(c), rather than 
in an exchange described in section 351 immediately before entering 
into the CSA. Under paragraph (f)(2)(i)(A) of this section, the 
arm's length compensation for the ROW intangibles must

[[Page 55543]]

correspond to the value provided between the parties, regardless of 
the form of the transaction. Accordingly, the arm's length 
compensation for the ROW intangibles is the same in both scenarios, 
and the analysis of the amount to be taken into account under 
section 367(d) pursuant to Sec. Sec.  1.367(d)-1T(c) and 1.482-4 
should include consideration of the amount that P would have charged 
for the realistic alternative determined under Sec.  1.482-7(g) (and 
Sec.  1.482-4, to the extent of any make-or-sell rights 
transferred). See Sec. Sec.  1.482-1(b)(2)(iii) and 1.482-4(g).
    Example 9. Aggregation of interrelated manufacturing and 
marketing intangibles governed by different statutes and 
regulations. The facts are the same as in Example 8 except that P 
transfers only the ROW intangibles related to manufacturing to S1 in 
an exchange described in section 351 and, upon entering into the 
CSA, then transfers the ROW intangibles related to marketing to S1 
in a platform contribution transaction described in Sec.  1.482-7(c) 
(rather than transferring all ROW intangibles only upon entering 
into the CSA or only in a prior exchange described in section 351). 
The value of the ROW intangibles that P transferred in the two 
transactions is greater in the aggregate, due to synergies among the 
different types of ROW intangibles, than if valued as two separate 
transactions. Under paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the 
arm's length standard requires these synergies to be taken into 
account in determining the arm's length results for the 
transactions.
    Example 10. Services provided using intangibles.--(i) P's 
worldwide group produces and markets Product X and subsequent 
generations of products, which result from research and development 
performed by P's R&D Team. Through this collaboration with respect 
to P's proprietary products, the members of the R&D Team have 
individually and as a group acquired specialized knowledge and 
expertise subject to non-disclosure agreements (collectively, 
``knowhow'').
    (ii) P arranges for the R&D Team to provide research and 
development services to create a new line of products, building on 
the Product X platform, to be owned and exploited by S1 in the 
overseas market. P asserts that the arm's length charge for the 
services is only reimbursement to P of its associated R&D Team 
compensation costs.
    (iii) Even though P did not transfer the platform or the R&D 
Team to S1, P is providing value associated with the use of the 
platform, along with the value associated with the use of the 
knowhow, to S1 by way of the services performed by the R&D Team for 
S1 using the platform and the knowhow. The R&D Team's use of 
intangible property, and any other valuable resources, in P's 
provision of services (regardless of whether the service effects a 
transfer of intangible property or valuable resources and regardless 
of whether the property is relatively high or low value) must be 
evaluated under the section 482 regulations, including the 
regulations specifically applicable to controlled services 
transactions in Sec.  1.482-9, to ensure that P receives arm's 
length compensation for any value (attributable to such property or 
services) provided to S1 in a controlled transaction. See Sec. Sec.  
1.482-4 and 1.482-9(m). Under paragraph (f)(2)(i)(A) of this 
section, the arm's length compensation for the services performed by 
the R&D Team for S1 must be consistent with the value provided to 
S1, including the value of the knowhow and any synergies with the 
platform. Under paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(B) and (C) of this section, the 
best method analysis may determine that the compensation is most 
reliably determined on an aggregate basis reflecting the 
interrelated value of the services and embedded value of the 
platform and knowhow.
    (iv) In the alternative, the facts are the same as above, except 
that P assigns to S1 all or a pertinent portion of the R&D Team and 
the relevant rights in the platform. P takes the position that, 
although the transferred platform rights must be compensated, the 
knowhow does not have substantial value independent of the services 
of any individual on the R&D Team and therefore is not an intangible 
within the meaning of Sec.  1.482-4(b). In P's view, S1 owes no 
compensation to P on account of the R&D Team, as S1 will directly 
bear the cost of the relevant R&D Team compensation. However, in 
assembling and arranging to assign the relevant R&D Team, and 
thereby making available the value of the knowhow to S1, rather than 
other employees without the knowhow, P is performing services for S1 
under imputed contractual terms based on the parties' course of 
conduct. Therefore, even if P's position were correct that the 
knowhow is not an intangible under Sec.  1.482-4(b), a position that 
the Commissioner may challenge, arm's length compensation is 
required for all of the value that P provides to S1 through the 
interrelated provision of platform rights, knowhow, and services 
under paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A), (B), and (C) of this section.
    Example 11. Allocating arm's length compensation determined 
under an aggregate analysis--(i) P provides services to S1, which is 
incorporated in Country A. In connection with those services, P 
licenses intellectual property to S2, which is incorporated in 
Country B. S2 sublicenses the intellectual property to S1.
    (ii) Under paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section, if an 
aggregate analysis of the service and license transactions provides 
the most reliable measure of an arm's length result, then an 
aggregate analysis must be performed. Under paragraph (f)(2)(i)(D) 
of this section, if an allocation of the value that results from 
such an aggregate analysis is necessary, for example, for purposes 
of sourcing the services income that P receives from S1 or 
determining deductible expenses incurred by S1, then the value 
determined under the aggregate analysis must be allocated using the 
method that provides the most reliable measure of the services 
income and deductible expenses.

    (ii)(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance see Sec.  1.482-
1(f)(2)(ii)(A).
    (B) Example. The following example illustrates this paragraph 
(f)(2)(ii):

    Example. P and S are controlled taxpayers. P licenses a 
proprietary process to S for S's use in manufacturing product X. 
Using its sales and marketing employees, S sells product X to 
related and unrelated customers outside the United States. If the 
license between P and S has economic substance, the Commissioner 
ordinarily will not restructure the taxpayer's transaction to treat 
P as if it had elected to exploit directly the manufacturing 
process. However, because P could have directly exploited the 
manufacturing process and manufactured product X itself, this 
realistic alternative may be taken into account under Sec.  1.482-
4(d) in determining the arm's length consideration for the 
controlled transaction. For examples of such an analysis, see 
Examples 7 and 8 in paragraph (f)(2)(i)(E) of this section and the 
Example in Sec.  1.482-4(d)(2).

    (iii) through (j)(6) [Reserved]. For further guidance see Sec.  
1.482-1(f)(2)(iii) through (j)(6).
    (7) Certain effective/applicability dates--(i) Paragraphs 
(f)(2)(i)(A) through (E) and (f)(2)(ii)(B) of this section apply to 
taxable years ending on or after September 14, 2015.
    (ii) Expiration date. The applicability of paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A) 
through (E) and (f)(2)(ii)(B) of this section expires on or before 
September 14, 2018.

John Dalrymple,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
    Approved: September 10, 2015.
Mark J. Mazur,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. 2015-23278 Filed 9-14-15; 11:15 am]
 BILLING CODE 4830-01-P



                                           55538            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 179 / Wednesday, September 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                                                          REVISIONS TO IFR ALTITUDES & CHANGEOVER POINT—Continued
                                                                                                              [Amendment 522, effective date October 15, 2015]

                                                                                     From                                                                                              To                                                    MEA

                                                 *2900—MOCA

                                                                                           § 95.6298 VOR FEDERAL AIRWAY V298 IS AMENDED TO READ IN PART

                                           PERTT, WA FIX ............................................................................       YAKIMA, WA VORTAC ...............................................................                   6600

                                                                                           § 95.6426 VOR FEDERAL AIRWAY V426 IS AMENDED TO READ IN PART

                                           CARLETON, MI VORTAC ............................................................                 SALFE, OH FIX ...........................................................................          *4000
                                              *3000—GNSS MEA
                                           SALFE, OH FIX .............................................................................      AMRST, OH FIX ..........................................................................                 #
                                              #UNUSABLE

                                                                                           § 95.6450 VOR FEDERAL AIRWAY V450 IS AMENDED TO READ IN PART

                                           MUSKEGON, MI VORTAC ...........................................................                  GIBER, MI FIX .............................................................................        *3000
                                              *2400—MOCA
                                           GIBER, MI FIX ..............................................................................     LUGGS, MI FIX ...........................................................................          *4000
                                              *2400—MOCA
                                           LUGGS, MI FIX .............................................................................      FLINT, MI VORTAC .....................................................................             *3000
                                              *2400—MOCA

                                                                                                                 Airway segment                                                                                               Changeover
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                points
                                                                               From                                                                                   To                                              Distance               From

                                                                                            § 95.8003 VOR FEDERAL AIRWAY CHANGEOVER POINT

                                                                                                  V2 IS AMENDED TO ADD CHANGEOVER POINT

                                           SEATTLE, WA VORTAC .................................................               ELLENSBURG, WA VORTAC ........................................                                      47      SEATTLE.

                                                                                                 V198 IS AMENDED TO ADD CHANGEOVER POINT

                                           SEATTLE, WA VORTAC .................................................               ELLENSBURG, WA VORTAC ........................................                                      47      SEATTLE.

                                                                                              V450 IS AMENDED TO DELETE CHANGEOVER POINT

                                           MUSKEGON, MI VORTAC ..............................................                 FLINT, MI VORTAC ........................................................                           54
                                              MUSKEGON



                                           [FR Doc. 2015–23265 Filed 9–15–15; 8:45 am]                           method rule under section 482 of the                                    Background
                                           BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                                Internal Revenue Code (Code) in
                                                                                                                 conjunction with other provisions of the                                   Regulations under section 482
                                                                                                                 Code. The text of the temporary                                         published in the Federal Register (33
                                           DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                                            regulations also serves in part as the text                             FR 5848) on April 16, 1968, provided
                                                                                                                 of the proposed regulations (REG–                                       guidance on methods for applying the
                                           Internal Revenue Service                                              139483–13) published in the Proposed                                    arm’s length standard to evaluate
                                                                                                                 Rules section of this issue of the Federal                              controlled transactions, including
                                           26 CFR Part 1                                                         Register. This document also contains                                   transfers of tangible and intangible
                                           [TD 9738]                                                             final regulations that add cross-                                       property, the provision of services, and
                                                                                                                 references in the existing final                                        loans or advances. Subsequent revisions
                                           RIN 1545–BM72                                                                                                                                 and updates of the transfer pricing
                                                                                                                 regulations under section 482 to
                                                                                                                 relevant sections of these temporary                                    regulations were published in the
                                           Clarification of the Coordination of the
                                                                                                                 regulations.                                                            Federal Register on July 8, 1994, Dec.
                                           Transfer Pricing Rules With Other
                                                                                                                                                                                         20, 1995, May 13, 1996, Aug. 26, 2003,
                                           Code Provisions
                                                                                                                 DATES:  Effective date: These regulations                               Aug. 4, 2009, Dec. 22, 2011, and Aug.
                                           AGENCY:  Internal Revenue Service (IRS),                              are effective on September 14, 2015.                                    27, 2013 (59 FR 34971, 60 FR 65553, 61
                                           Treasury.                                                               Applicability date: For dates of                                      FR 21955, 68 FR 51171, 74 FR 38830,
                                                                                                                                                                                         76 FR 80082, and 78 FR 52854,
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                                           ACTION: Final and temporary                                           applicability, see § 1.482–1T(j)(7)(i).
                                           regulations.                                                                                                                                  respectively).
                                                                                                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                           SUMMARY:  This document contains                                      Frank W. Dunham III, (202) 317–6939
                                           temporary regulations that clarify the                                (not a toll-free call).
                                           coordination of the application of the
                                                                                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                           arm’s length standard and the best


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                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 179 / Wednesday, September 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         55539

                                           Explanation of Provisions                               comparables. See § 1.482–1(c)(2)(i) and               pricing rules. In particular, the Treasury
                                           I. Overview—Consistent Valuation of                     (d)(3). For example, if consideration of              Department and the IRS are concerned
                                           Controlled Transactions for All Code                    the facts and circumstances reveals                   about situations in which controlled
                                           Purposes                                                synergies among interrelated                          groups evaluate economically integrated
                                                                                                   transactions, an aggregate evaluation                 transactions involving economically
                                              Section 482 authorizes the Secretary,                under section 482 may provide a more                  integrated contributions, synergies, and
                                           and the regulations under section 482                   reliable measure of an arm’s length                   interrelated value on a separate basis in
                                           authorize the IRS, to adjust the results                result than a separate evaluation of the              a manner that results in a
                                           of controlled transactions to clearly                   transactions. In contrast, an inconsistent            misapplication of the best method rule
                                           reflect the income of commonly                          or uncoordinated application of section               and fails to reflect an arm’s length
                                           controlled taxpayers in accordance with                 482 to interrelated controlled                        result. Taxpayers may assert that, for
                                           the arm’s length standard and, in the                   transactions that are subject to tax under            purposes of section 482, separately
                                           case of the transfer of intangible                      different Code and regulatory provisions              evaluating interrelated transactions is
                                           property (within the meaning of section                 may lead to inappropriate conclusions.                appropriate simply because different
                                           936(h)(3)(B)), so as to be commensurate                    The best method rule requires a                    statutes or regulations apply to the
                                           with the income attributable to the                     determination of the arm’s length result              transactions (for example, where section
                                           intangible. While the determination of                  of controlled transactions under the                  367 and the regulations thereunder
                                           arm’s length prices for controlled                      method, and particular application of                 apply to one transaction and the general
                                           transactions is governed by section 482,                that method, that provides the most                   recognition rules of the Code apply to
                                           the tax treatment of controlled                         reliable measure of an arm’s length                   another related transaction). These
                                           transactions is also governed by other                  result. Under the regulations, the                    positions are often combined with
                                           Code and regulatory rules applicable to                 reliability of the measure depends on                 inappropriately narrow interpretations
                                           both controlled and uncontrolled                        the economics of the controlled                       of § 1.482–4(b)(6), which provides
                                           transactions. Controlled transactions                   transactions, not their formal character.             guidance on when an item is considered
                                           always remain subject to section 482 in                 See, e.g., §§ 1.482–2A(e)(3)(vii) and                 similar to the other items identified as
                                           addition to these generally applicable                  1.482–3(c)(3)(ii)(D) (use of sales agent’s            constituting intangibles for purposes of
                                           provisions. These temporary regulations                 commission as comparable for reseller’s               section 482. The interpretations purport
                                           clarify the coordination of section 482                 appropriate markup under the resale                   to have the effect, contrary to the arm’s
                                           and the regulations thereunder with                     price method); §§ 1.482–2A(e)(4)(iv) and
                                           such other Code and regulatory                                                                                length standard, of requiring no
                                                                                                   1.482–3(d)(3)(ii)(D) (use of purchasing               compensation for certain value provided
                                           provisions.                                             agent’s commission as comparable for
                                              The coordination rules in these                                                                            in controlled transactions despite the
                                                                                                   producer’s appropriate gross profit                   fact that compensation would be paid if
                                           temporary regulations apply to                          percentage under the cost-plus method);
                                           controlled transactions, including                                                                            the same value were provided in
                                                                                                   and § 1.482–9(i)(4) and (5), Examples 1               uncontrolled transactions.
                                           controlled transactions that are subject                and 3 (reference to charges for transfers
                                           in whole or part to both sections 367                                                                            As discussed in the following portion
                                                                                                   of property as relevant to the                        of this preamble, these temporary
                                           and 482. Transfers of property subject to               determination of a contingent-payment
                                           section 367 that occur between                                                                                regulations address the aforementioned
                                                                                                   services charge). Realistic alternative               concerns by clarifying the coordination
                                           controlled taxpayers require a consistent               transactions that, on a risk-adjusted
                                           and coordinated application of sections                                                                       of the application of section 482 in
                                                                                                   basis, reflect arrangements that are                  conjunction with other Code and
                                           367 and 482 to the controlled transfer of               economically equivalent to those in the
                                           property and any related transactions                                                                         regulatory provisions in determining the
                                                                                                   controlled transactions may provide the               proper tax treatment of controlled
                                           between controlled taxpayers. The                       basis for application of unspecified
                                           controlled transactions may include                                                                           transactions.
                                                                                                   methods to determine the most reliable
                                           transfers of property subject to section                measure of an arm’s length result in the              II. Detailed Explanation of Provisions
                                           367(a) or (e), transfers of intangible                  controlled transactions. See, e.g.,
                                           property subject to section 367(d) or (e),                                                                    A. Compensation Independent of the
                                                                                                   §§ 1.482–1(f)(2)(ii)(A), 1.482–3(e)(1),               Form or Character of Controlled
                                           and the provision of services that                      1.482–4(d)(1), 1.482–7(g)(8), and 1.482–
                                           contribute significantly to maintaining,                                                                      Transaction—§ 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(A)
                                                                                                   9(h). Thus, although a taxpayer may
                                           exploiting, or further developing the                   choose among different transactional                     New § 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(A) provides
                                           transferred properties. All of the                      forms—for example, a long-term license,               that arm’s length compensation must be
                                           transactions (and any elements thereof)                 research and development services, a                  consistent with, and must account for
                                           must be analyzed and valued on a                        cost sharing arrangement, or a transfer               all of, the value provided between the
                                           consistent basis under section 482 in                   subject to section 367—specified and                  parties in a controlled transaction,
                                           order to achieve the intended purposes                  unspecified methods applicable to each                without regard to the form or character
                                           of sections 367 and 482.                                form will provide consistent arm’s                    of the transaction. For this purpose, it is
                                              The consistent analysis and valuation                length results for economically                       necessary to consider the entire
                                           of transactions subject to multiple Code                equivalent transactions.                              arrangement between the parties, as
                                           and regulatory provisions is required                      Based upon taxpayer positions that                 determined by the contractual terms,
                                           under the best method rule described in                 the IRS has encountered in                            whether written or imputed in
                                           § 1.482–1(c). A best method analysis                    examinations and controversy, the                     accordance with the economic
                                           under section 482 begins with a                         Treasury Department and the IRS are                   substance of the arrangement, in light of
                                           consideration of the facts and                          concerned that certain results reported               the actual conduct of the parties. This
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                                           circumstances related to the functions                  by taxpayers reflect an asserted form or              requirement is consistent with the
                                           performed, the resources employed, and                  character of the parties’ arrangement                 principles underlying the arm’s length
                                           the risks assumed in the actual                         that involves an incomplete assessment                standard, which require arm’s length
                                           transaction or transactions among the                   of relevant functions, resources, and                 compensation in controlled transactions
                                           controlled taxpayers, as well as in any                 risks and an inappropriately narrow                   equal to the compensation that would
                                           uncontrolled transactions used as                       analysis of the scope of the transfer                 have occurred if a similar transaction


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                                           55540        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 179 / Wednesday, September 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           had occurred between similarly situated                 of the arm’s length results, for purposes             preamble, under currently applicable
                                           uncontrolled taxpayers. See § 1.482–                    of all relevant Code and regulatory                   Code or regulatory provisions or judicial
                                           1(b)(1). Accordingly, no inference may                  provisions. For example, situations in                doctrines.
                                           be drawn from any provision in the                      which a coordinated best method
                                                                                                                                                         Effective/Applicability Date
                                           section 482 regulations that any transfer               analysis and evaluation may be
                                           of value may be made without arm’s                      necessary include (1) two or more                       These regulations apply to taxable
                                           length compensation.                                    interrelated transactions when either all             years ending on or after September 14,
                                                                                                   such transactions are governed by one                 2015.
                                           B. Aggregate or Separate Analysis,
                                                                                                   regulation under section 482 or all such              Special Analyses
                                           Depending on Economic
                                                                                                   transactions are governed by one
                                           Interrelatedness of Controlled                                                                                  Certain IRS regulations, including this
                                                                                                   subsection of section 367, (2) two or
                                           Transactions, Including Synergies—                                                                            one, are exempt from the requirements
                                                                                                   more interrelated transactions governed
                                           § 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(B)                                                                                        of Executive Order 12866, as
                                                                                                   by two or more regulations under
                                              Section 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(B) clarifies               section 482, (3) a transfer of property               supplemented and reaffirmed by
                                           § 1.482–1(f)(2)(i)(A), which provided                   subject to section 367(a) and an                      Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a
                                           that the combined effect of two or more                 interrelated transfer of property subject             regulatory impact assessment is not
                                           separate transactions (whether before,                  to section 367(d), (4) two or more                    required. It has been determined that
                                           during, or after the year under review)                 interrelated transactions where section               section 553(b) of the Administrative
                                           may be considered if such transactions,                 367 applies to one transaction and the                Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does
                                           taken as a whole, are so interrelated that              general recognition rules of the Code                 not apply to this regulation. For
                                           an aggregate analysis of such                           apply to another interrelated                         applicability of the Regulatory
                                           transactions provides the most reliable                 transaction, and (5) other circumstances              Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), refer
                                           measure of an arm’s length result                       in which controlled transactions require              to the cross-referenced notice of
                                           determined under the best method rule                   analysis under multiple Code and                      proposed rulemaking published
                                           of § 1.482–1(c). Specifically, a new                    regulatory provisions.                                elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
                                           clause is added to clarify that this                       Section 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(D) provides              Register. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of
                                           aggregation principle also applies for                  that it may be necessary to allocate the              the Internal Revenue Code, these
                                           purposes of an analysis under multiple                  arm’s length result that was properly                 regulations have been submitted to the
                                           provisions of the Code or regulations. In               determined under a coordinated best                   Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
                                           addition, a new sentence elaborates on                  method analysis described in § 1.482–                 Business Administration for comment
                                           the aggregation principle by noting that                1T(f)(2)(i)(C) among the interrelated                 on their impact on small business.
                                           consideration of the combined effect of                 transactions. Any such allocation must
                                           two or more transactions may be                                                                               Drafting Information
                                                                                                   be made using the method that, under
                                           appropriate to determine whether the                    the facts and circumstances, provides                   The principal author of these
                                           overall compensation is consistent with                 the most reliable measure of an arm’s                 regulations is Frank W. Dunham III of
                                           the value provided, including any                       length result for each allocated amount.              the Office of the Associate Chief
                                           synergies among items and services                                                                            Counsel (International). However, other
                                           provided. Finally, § 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(B)               D. Examples of Coordinated Best                       personnel from the Treasury
                                           does not retain the statement in § 1.482–               Method Analysis Under Multiple Code                   Department and the IRS participated in
                                           1(f)(2)(i)(A) that transactions generally               or Regulatory Provisions—§ 1.482–                     the development of the regulations.
                                           will be aggregated only when they                       1T(f)(2)(i)(E)
                                                                                                                                                         List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
                                           involve ‘‘related products or services, as                Section 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(E) provides
                                           defined in § 1.6038A–3(c)(7)(vii).’’ The                eleven examples to illustrate the                       Income taxes, Reporting and
                                           eliminated sentence had the unintended                  guidance in § 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(A)                    recordkeeping requirements.
                                           potential to be misconstrued by                         through (D). Examples 1 through 4 are                 Amendments to the Regulations
                                           taxpayers as limiting the aggregation                   materially the same as the Examples in
                                           analysis pursuant to the best method                    § 1.482–1(f)(2)(i)(B). The Treasury                     Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is
                                           rule.                                                   Department and the IRS do not intend                  amended as follows:
                                                                                                   for the revisions to those examples to be             PART 1—INCOME TAXES
                                           C. Aggregation and Allocation for
                                                                                                   interpreted as substantive. The rest of
                                           Purposes of Coordinated Analysis
                                                                                                   the examples are new.                                 ■ Paragraph 1. The authority citation
                                           Under Multiple Code or Regulatory                         Section 1.482–1T(f)(2)(ii)(B) replaces
                                           Provisions—§§ 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(C) and                                                                        for part 1 is amended by adding an entry
                                                                                                   § 1.482–1(f)(2)(ii)(B). The Example                   in numerical order to read in part as
                                           1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(D)                                    included in § 1.482–1T(f)(2)(ii)(B) is                follows:
                                              Section 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(C) provides                materially the same as the old example
                                           that, for one or more controlled                                                                                 Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
                                                                                                   and has been updated to replace the                      Sections 1.482–1 and 1.482–1T are also
                                           transactions governed by more than one                  term ‘‘district director’’ and to include             issued under 26 U.S.C. 482. * * *
                                           provision of the Code and regulations, a                cross-references to Examples 7 and 8 in
                                           coordinated best method analysis and                    § 1.482–1T(f)(2)(i)(E). The Treasury                  ■ Par. 2. Section 1.482–0 is amended by
                                           evaluation of the transactions may be                   Department and the IRS do not intend                  revising the entries for § 1.482–1(f)(2)(i)
                                           necessary to ensure that the overall                    for the revisions to this example to be               and (f)(2)(ii)(B) to read as follows:
                                           value provided (including any                           interpreted as substantive.                           § 1.482–0 Outline of regulations under
                                           synergies) is properly taken into                         No inference is intended as to the
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                                                                                                                                                         section 482.
                                           account. A coordinated best method                      application of the provisions amended                 *        *   *    *     *
                                           analysis of the transactions includes a                 by these temporary regulations under
                                           consistent consideration of the facts and               current law. The IRS may, where                       § 1.482–1 Allocation of income and
                                           circumstances of the functions                          appropriate, challenge transactions,                  deductions among taxpayers.
                                           performed, resources employed, and                      including those described in these                    *       *     *   *     *
                                           risks assumed, and a consistent measure                 temporary regulations and this                            (f) * * *


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                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 179 / Wednesday, September 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                            55541

                                              (2) * * *                                            the best method rule of § 1.482–1(c).                 S3 are foreign corporations that are
                                              (i) [Reserved]                                       Whether two or more transactions are                  wholly owned by P.
                                              (ii) * * *                                           evaluated separately or in the aggregate                 Example 1. Aggregation of interrelated
                                              (B) [Reserved]                                       depends on the extent to which the                    licensing, manufacturing, and selling
                                           *       *     *    *    *                               transactions are economically                         activities. P enters into a license agreement
                                           ■ Par. 3. Section 1.482–1 is amended by
                                                                                                   interrelated and on the relative                      with S1 that permits S1 to use a proprietary
                                                                                                   reliability of the measure of an arm’s                manufacturing process and to sell the output
                                           revising paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and                                                                             from this process throughout a specified
                                           (f)(2)(ii)(B) and adding paragraph (j)(7)               length result provided by an aggregate
                                                                                                                                                         region. S1 uses the manufacturing process
                                           to read as follows:                                     analysis of the transactions as compared
                                                                                                                                                         and sells its output to S2, which in turn
                                                                                                   to a separate analysis of each                        resells the output to uncontrolled parties in
                                           § 1.482–1 Allocation of income and                      transaction. For example, consideration               the specified region. In evaluating whether
                                           deductions among taxpayers.                             of the combined effect of two or more                 the royalty paid by S1 to P is an arm’s length
                                           *      *    *     *     *                               transactions may be appropriate to                    amount, it may be appropriate to evaluate the
                                             (f) * * *                                             determine whether the overall                         royalty in combination with the transfer
                                             (2) * * *                                             compensation in the transactions is                   prices charged by S1 to S2 and the aggregate
                                                                                                   consistent with the value provided,                   profits earned by S1 and S2 from the use of
                                             (i)(A) through (E) [Reserved]. For
                                                                                                                                                         the manufacturing process and the sale to
                                           further guidance see § 1.482–                           including any synergies among items
                                                                                                                                                         uncontrolled parties of the products
                                           1T(f)(2)(i)(A) through (E).                             and services provided.                                produced by S1.
                                             (ii) * * *                                               (C) Coordinated best method analysis                  Example 2. Aggregation of interrelated
                                             (B) [Reserved]. For further guidance                  and evaluation. Consistent with the                   manufacturing, marketing, and services
                                           see § 1.482–1T(f)(2)(ii)(B).                            principles of paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A) and             activities. S1 is the exclusive Country Z
                                           *      *    *     *     *                               (B) of this section, a coordinated best               distributor of computers manufactured by P.
                                                                                                   method analysis and evaluation of two                 S2 provides marketing services in connection
                                             (j) * * *                                                                                                   with sales of P computers in Country Z and
                                             (7) [Reserved]. For further guidance                  or more controlled transactions to
                                                                                                                                                         in this regard uses significant marketing
                                           see § 1.482–1T(j)(7).                                   which one or more provisions of the                   intangibles provided by P. S3 administers the
                                           ■ Par. 4. Section 1.482–1T is added to
                                                                                                   Code or regulations apply may be                      warranty program with respect to P
                                           read as follows:                                        necessary to ensure that the overall                  computers in Country Z, including
                                                                                                   value provided, including any                         maintenance and repair services. In
                                           § 1.482–1T Allocation of income and                     synergies, is properly taken into                     evaluating whether the transfer prices paid
                                           deductions among taxpayers (temporary).                 account. A coordinated best method                    by S1 to P, the fees paid by S2 to P for the
                                              (a) through (f)(2) [Reserved]. For                   analysis would include a consistent                   use of P marketing intangibles, and the
                                                                                                   consideration of the facts and                        service fees earned by S2 and S3 are arm’s
                                           further guidance see § 1.482–1(a)                                                                             length amounts, it would be appropriate to
                                           through (f)(2).                                         circumstances of the functions                        perform an aggregate analysis that considers
                                              (i) Compensation independent of the                  performed, resources employed, and                    the combined effects of these interrelated
                                           form or character of controlled                         risks assumed in the relevant                         transactions if they are most reliably
                                           transaction—(A) In general. All value                   transactions, and a consistent measure                analyzed on an aggregated basis.
                                           provided between controlled taxpayers                   of the arm’s length results, for purposes                Example 3. Aggregation and reliability of
                                           in a controlled transaction requires an                 of all relevant statutory and regulatory              comparable uncontrolled transactions. The
                                           arm’s length amount of compensation                     provisions.                                           facts are the same as in Example 2. In
                                                                                                                                                         addition, U1, U2, and U3 are uncontrolled
                                           determined under the best method rule                      (D) Allocations of value. In some
                                                                                                                                                         taxpayers that carry out functions
                                           of § 1.482–1(c). Such amount must be                    cases, it may be necessary to allocate                comparable to those of S1, S2, and S3,
                                           consistent with, and must account for                   one or more portions of the arm’s length              respectively, with respect to computers
                                           all of, the value provided between the                  result that was properly determined                   produced by unrelated manufacturers. R1,
                                           parties in the transaction, without                     under a coordinated best method                       R2, and R3 constitute a controlled group of
                                           regard to the form or character of the                  analysis described in paragraph                       taxpayers (unrelated to the P controlled
                                           transaction. For this purpose, it is                    (f)(2)(i)(C) of this section. Any such                group) that carry out functions comparable to
                                           necessary to consider the entire                        allocation of the arm’s length result                 those of S1, S2, and S3 with respect to
                                                                                                                                                         computers produced by their common
                                           arrangement between the parties, as                     determined under the coordinated best
                                                                                                                                                         parent. Prices charged to uncontrolled
                                           determined by the contractual terms,                    method analysis must be made using the                customers of the R group differ from the
                                           whether written or imputed in                           method that, under the facts and                      prices charged to customers of U1, U2, and
                                           accordance with the economic                            circumstances, provides the most                      U3. In determining whether the transactions
                                           substance of the arrangement, in light of               reliable measure of an arm’s length                   of U1, U2, and U3, or the transactions of R1,
                                           the actual conduct of the parties. See,                 result for each allocated amount. For                 R2, and R3, would provide a more reliable
                                           e.g., § 1.482–1(d)(3)(ii)(B) (identifying               example, if the full value of                         measure of the arm’s length result, it is
                                           contractual terms) and (f)(2)(ii)(A)                    compensation due in controlled                        determined that the interrelated R group
                                                                                                                                                         transactions are more reliable than the
                                           (regarding reference to realistic                       transactions whose tax treatment is
                                                                                                                                                         wholly independent transactions of U1, U2,
                                           alternatives).                                          governed by multiple provisions of the                and U3, given the interrelationship of the P
                                              (B) Aggregation. The combined effect                 Code or regulations has been most                     group transactions.
                                           of two or more separate transactions                    reliably determined on an aggregate                      Example 4. Non-aggregation of
                                           (whether before, during, or after the year              basis, then that full value must be                   transactions that are not interrelated. P
                                           under review), including for purposes of                allocated in a manner that provides the               enters into a license agreement with S1 that
                                           an analysis under multiple provisions of                most reliable measure of each allocated               permits S1 to use a proprietary process for
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                                           the Code or regulations, may be                         amount.                                               manufacturing product X and to sell product
                                                                                                                                                         X to uncontrolled parties throughout a
                                           considered if the transactions, taken as                   (E) Examples. The following examples               specified region. P also sells to S1 product Y,
                                           a whole, are so interrelated that an                    illustrate the provisions of this                     which is manufactured by P in the United
                                           aggregate analysis of the transactions                  paragraph (f)(2)(i). For purposes of the              States and unrelated to product X. Product Y
                                           provides the most reliable measure of an                examples in this paragraph (E), P is a                is resold by S1 to uncontrolled parties in the
                                           arm’s length result determined under                    domestic corporation, and S1, S2, and                 specified region. There is no connection



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                                           55542        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 179 / Wednesday, September 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           between product X and product Y other than              to their reasonably anticipated benefit shares        intangible property related to the Collection
                                           the fact that they are both sold in the same            from their respective rights to the Business.         to S1 for use in future research, development,
                                           specified region. In evaluating whether the                (iv) P treats the Date X transaction as a          and exploitation but continues to perform the
                                           royalty paid by S1 to P for the use of the              transfer described in section 351 that is             same development functions that it did prior
                                           manufacturing process for product X and the             subject to 367 and treats the Date Y                  to the exchange, now on behalf of S1, under
                                           transfer prices charged for unrelated product           transaction as the commencement of a CSA              express or implied commitments in
                                           Y are arm’s length amounts, it would not be             subject to section 482 and § 1.482–7. P takes         connection with S1’s use of the intangible
                                           appropriate to consider the combined effects            the position that the only platform                   property. P takes the position that a portion
                                           of these separate and unrelated transactions.           contribution transactions (‘‘PCTs’’) in               of the Collection, consisting of computer
                                              Example 5. Aggregation of interrelated               connection with the Date Y CSA consist of             code and related instruction manuals and
                                           patents. P owns 10 individual patents that,             P’s contribution of the U.S. Business IP rights       similar intangible property (Portion 1), was
                                           in combination, can be used to manufacture              and S1’s contribution of the ROW Business             transferrable intangible property and was the
                                           and sell a successful product. P anticipates            IP rights of which S1 had become the owner            subject of the section 351 exchange and
                                           that it could earn profits of $25x from the             on account of the prior Date X transaction.           compensable under section 367(d). P claims
                                           patents based on a discounted cash flow                    (v) Pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(i)(A) of this     that another portion of the Collection
                                           analysis that provides a more reliable                  section, in determining whether an allocation         consists of items that either do not constitute
                                           measure of the value of the patents exploited           of income is appropriate in Year 1 or                 property for purposes of section 367 or are
                                           as a bundle rather than separately. P licenses          subsequent years, the Commissioner may                not transferrable (Portion 2). P then takes the
                                           all 10 patents to S1 to be exploited as a               consider the economic substance of the entire         position that the value of Portion 2 does not
                                           bundle. Evidence of uncontrolled licenses of            arrangement between P and S1, including the           give rise to income under section 367(d) or
                                           similar individual patents indicates that,              parties’ actual conduct throughout their              gain under section 367(a).
                                           exploited separately, each license of each              relationship, regardless of the form or                  (ii) Under paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A) and (C) of
                                           patent would warrant a price of $1x,                    character of the contractual arrangement the          this section, any part of the value in Portion
                                           implying a total price for the patents of $10x.         parties have expressly adopted. The                   2 that is not taken into account in an
                                           Under paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section, in        Commissioner determines that the parties’             exchange under section 367 must
                                           determining the arm’s length royalty for the            formal arrangement fails to reflect the full          nonetheless be evaluated under section 482
                                           license of the bundle of patents, it would not          scope of the value provided between the               and the regulations thereunder to determine
                                           be appropriate to use the uncontrolled                  parties in accordance with the economic               arm’s length compensation for any value
                                           licenses as comparables for the license of the          substance of their arrangement. Therefore,            provided to S1. Accordingly, even if P’s
                                           bundle of patents, because, unlike the                  the Commissioner may impute one or more               assertion that certain items were either not
                                           discounted cash flow analysis, the                      agreements between P and S1, consistent               property or not capable of being transferred
                                           uncontrolled licenses considered separately             with the economic substance of their                  were correct, arm’s length compensation is
                                           do not reliably reflect the enhancement to              arrangement, that fully reflect their                 nonetheless required for all of the value
                                           value resulting from the interrelatedness of            respective reasonably anticipated                     associated with P’s contributions under the
                                           the 10 patents exploited as a bundle.                   commitments in terms of functions                     section 482 regulations. Alternatively, the
                                              Example 6. Consideration of entire                   performed, resources employed, and risks              Commissioner may determine under all the
                                           arrangement, including imputed contractual              assumed over time. For example, because P             facts and circumstances that P’s assertion is
                                           terms—(i) P conducts a business (‘‘Business’’)          continues after Date Y to perform the                 incorrect and that the transaction in fact
                                           from the United States, with a worldwide                Support, employing resources, capabilities,           constitutes an exchange of property subject
                                           clientele, but until Date X has no foreign              and rights not contributed to S1, for the             to, and therefore to be taken into account
                                           operations. The success of Business                     benefit of the Business worldwide, the                under, section 367. Thus, whether any item
                                           significantly depends on intangibles                    Commissioner may impute another PCT on                that P identifies as being within Portion 2 is
                                           (including marketing, manufacturing,                    Date Y pursuant to which P commits to so              properly characterized as property under
                                           technological, and goodwill or going concern            continuing the Support. See § 1.482–                  section 367 (transferable or otherwise) is
                                           value intangibles, collectively the ‘‘IP’’), as         7(b)(1)(ii). The taxpayer may present                 irrelevant because any value in Portion 2 that
                                           well as ongoing support activities performed            additional facts that could indicate whether          is provided to S1 must be compensated by S1
                                           by P (including related research and                    this or another alternative agreement best            in a manner consistent with the $1000x to
                                           development, central marketing,                         reflects the economic substance of the                $1100x interquartile range of the overall
                                           manufacturing process enhancement, and                  underlying transactions and course of                 value.
                                           oversight activities, collectively ‘‘Support’’),        conduct, provided that the taxpayer’s                    Example 8. Arm’s length compensation for
                                           to maintain and improve the IP and                      position fully reflects the value of the entire       equivalent provisions of intangibles under
                                           otherwise maximize the profitability of                 arrangement consistent with the realistic             sections 351 and 482. P owns the worldwide
                                           Business.                                               alternatives principle.                               rights to manufacturing and marketing
                                              (ii) On Date X, Year 1, P contributes the               Example 7. Distinguishing provision of             intangibles that it uses to manufacture and
                                           foreign rights to conduct Business, including           value from characterization—(i) P developed           market a product in the United States (‘‘US
                                           the foreign rights to the IP, to newly                  a collection of resources, capabilities, and          intangibles’’) and the rest of the world
                                           incorporated S1. S1, utilizing the IP of which          rights (‘‘Collection’’) that it uses on an            (‘‘ROW intangibles’’). P transfers all the ROW
                                           it is now the owner, commences foreign                  interrelated basis in ongoing research and            intangibles to S1 in an exchange described in
                                           operations consisting of local marketing,               development of computer code that is used             section 351 and retains the US intangibles.
                                           manufacturing, and back office activities in            to create a successful line of software               Immediately after the exchange, P and S1
                                           order to conduct and expand Business in the             products. P can continue to use the                   entered into a CSA described in § 1.482–7(b)
                                           foreign market.                                         Collection on such interrelated basis in the          that covers all research and development of
                                              (iii) Later, on Date Y, Year 1, P and S1             future to further develop computer code and,          intangibles conducted by the parties. A
                                           enter into a cost sharing arrangement                   thus, further build on its successful line of         realistic alternative that was available to P
                                           (‘‘CSA’’) to develop and exploit the rights to          software products. Under § 1.482–7(g)(2)(ix),         and that would have involved the controlled
                                           conduct the Business. Under the CSA, P is               P determines that the interquartile range of          parties performing similar functions,
                                           entitled to the U.S. rights to conduct the              the net present value of its own use of the           employing similar resources, and assuming
                                           Business, and S1 is entitled to the rest-of-the-        Collection in future research and                     similar risks as in the controlled transaction,
                                           world (‘‘ROW’’) rights to conduct the                   development and software product marketing            was to transfer all ROW intangibles to S1
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                                           Business. P continues after Date Y to perform           is between $1000x and $1100x, and this                upon entering into the CSA in a platform
                                           the Support, employing resources,                       range provides the most reliable measure of           contribution transaction described in
                                           capabilities, and rights that as a factual              the value to P of continuing to use the               § 1.482–7(c), rather than in an exchange
                                           matter were not contributed to S1 in the Date           Collection on an interrelated basis in future         described in section 351 immediately before
                                           X transaction, for the benefit of the Business          research, development, and exploitation.              entering into the CSA. Under paragraph
                                           worldwide. Pursuant to the CSA, P and S1                Instead, P enters into an exchange described          (f)(2)(i)(A) of this section, the arm’s length
                                           share the costs of P’s Support in proportion            in section 351 in which it transfers certain          compensation for the ROW intangibles must



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                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 179 / Wednesday, September 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                             55543

                                           correspond to the value provided between                a controlled transaction. See §§ 1.482–4 and          product X to related and unrelated customers
                                           the parties, regardless of the form of the              1.482–9(m). Under paragraph (f)(2)(i)(A) of           outside the United States. If the license
                                           transaction. Accordingly, the arm’s length              this section, the arm’s length compensation           between P and S has economic substance, the
                                           compensation for the ROW intangibles is the             for the services performed by the R&D Team            Commissioner ordinarily will not restructure
                                           same in both scenarios, and the analysis of             for S1 must be consistent with the value              the taxpayer’s transaction to treat P as if it
                                           the amount to be taken into account under               provided to S1, including the value of the
                                                                                                                                                         had elected to exploit directly the
                                           section 367(d) pursuant to §§ 1.367(d)–1T(c)            knowhow and any synergies with the
                                           and 1.482–4 should include consideration of             platform. Under paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(B) and           manufacturing process. However, because P
                                           the amount that P would have charged for the            (C) of this section, the best method analysis         could have directly exploited the
                                           realistic alternative determined under                  may determine that the compensation is most           manufacturing process and manufactured
                                           § 1.482–7(g) (and § 1.482–4, to the extent of           reliably determined on an aggregate basis             product X itself, this realistic alternative may
                                           any make-or-sell rights transferred). See               reflecting the interrelated value of the              be taken into account under § 1.482–4(d) in
                                           §§ 1.482–1(b)(2)(iii) and 1.482–4(g).                   services and embedded value of the platform           determining the arm’s length consideration
                                              Example 9. Aggregation of interrelated               and knowhow.                                          for the controlled transaction. For examples
                                           manufacturing and marketing intangibles                    (iv) In the alternative, the facts are the         of such an analysis, see Examples 7 and 8 in
                                           governed by different statutes and                      same as above, except that P assigns to S1 all        paragraph (f)(2)(i)(E) of this section and the
                                           regulations. The facts are the same as in               or a pertinent portion of the R&D Team and
                                                                                                                                                         Example in § 1.482–4(d)(2).
                                           Example 8 except that P transfers only the              the relevant rights in the platform. P takes the
                                           ROW intangibles related to manufacturing to             position that, although the transferred
                                                                                                                                                            (iii) through (j)(6) [Reserved]. For
                                           S1 in an exchange described in section 351              platform rights must be compensated, the
                                           and, upon entering into the CSA, then                   knowhow does not have substantial value               further guidance see § 1.482–1(f)(2)(iii)
                                           transfers the ROW intangibles related to                independent of the services of any individual         through (j)(6).
                                           marketing to S1 in a platform contribution              on the R&D Team and therefore is not an                  (7) Certain effective/applicability
                                           transaction described in § 1.482–7(c) (rather           intangible within the meaning of § 1.482–
                                                                                                                                                         dates—(i) Paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A) through
                                           than transferring all ROW intangibles only              4(b). In P’s view, S1 owes no compensation
                                           upon entering into the CSA or only in a prior           to P on account of the R&D Team, as S1 will           (E) and (f)(2)(ii)(B) of this section apply
                                           exchange described in section 351). The                 directly bear the cost of the relevant R&D            to taxable years ending on or after
                                           value of the ROW intangibles that P                     Team compensation. However, in assembling             September 14, 2015.
                                           transferred in the two transactions is greater          and arranging to assign the relevant R&D
                                                                                                                                                            (ii) Expiration date. The applicability
                                           in the aggregate, due to synergies among the            Team, and thereby making available the
                                           different types of ROW intangibles, than if             value of the knowhow to S1, rather than               of paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A) through (E) and
                                           valued as two separate transactions. Under              other employees without the knowhow, P is             (f)(2)(ii)(B) of this section expires on or
                                           paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the arm’s       performing services for S1 under imputed              before September 14, 2018.
                                           length standard requires these synergies to be          contractual terms based on the parties’ course
                                           taken into account in determining the arm’s             of conduct. Therefore, even if P’s position           John Dalrymple,
                                           length results for the transactions.                    were correct that the knowhow is not an               Deputy Commissioner for Services and
                                              Example 10. Services provided using                  intangible under § 1.482–4(b), a position that        Enforcement.
                                           intangibles.—(i) P’s worldwide group                    the Commissioner may challenge, arm’s                   Approved: September 10, 2015.
                                           produces and markets Product X and                      length compensation is required for all of the
                                                                                                   value that P provides to S1 through the               Mark J. Mazur,
                                           subsequent generations of products, which
                                           result from research and development                    interrelated provision of platform rights,            Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax
                                           performed by P’s R&D Team. Through this                 knowhow, and services under paragraphs                Policy).
                                           collaboration with respect to P’s proprietary           (f)(2)(i)(A), (B), and (C) of this section.           [FR Doc. 2015–23278 Filed 9–14–15; 11:15 am]
                                           products, the members of the R&D Team have                 Example 11. Allocating arm’s length
                                                                                                                                                         BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
                                           individually and as a group acquired                    compensation determined under an
                                           specialized knowledge and expertise subject             aggregate analysis—(i) P provides services to
                                           to non-disclosure agreements (collectively,             S1, which is incorporated in Country A. In
                                           ‘‘knowhow’’).                                           connection with those services, P licenses            DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                                              (ii) P arranges for the R&D Team to provide          intellectual property to S2, which is
                                           research and development services to create             incorporated in Country B. S2 sublicenses             Internal Revenue Service
                                           a new line of products, building on the                 the intellectual property to S1.
                                           Product X platform, to be owned and                        (ii) Under paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this          26 CFR Part 1
                                           exploited by S1 in the overseas market. P               section, if an aggregate analysis of the service
                                           asserts that the arm’s length charge for the            and license transactions provides the most
                                                                                                   reliable measure of an arm’s length result,           [TD 9729]
                                           services is only reimbursement to P of its
                                           associated R&D Team compensation costs.                 then an aggregate analysis must be
                                              (iii) Even though P did not transfer the             performed. Under paragraph (f)(2)(i)(D) of            RIN 1545–BJ42
                                           platform or the R&D Team to S1, P is                    this section, if an allocation of the value that
                                           providing value associated with the use of              results from such an aggregate analysis is            Basis in Interests in Tax-Exempt
                                           the platform, along with the value associated           necessary, for example, for purposes of
                                                                                                                                                         Trusts
                                           with the use of the knowhow, to S1 by way               sourcing the services income that P receives
                                           of the services performed by the R&D Team               from S1 or determining deductible expenses            Correction
                                           for S1 using the platform and the knowhow.              incurred by S1, then the value determined
                                           The R&D Team’s use of intangible property,              under the aggregate analysis must be                     In document 2015–19846, appearing
                                           and any other valuable resources, in P’s                allocated using the method that provides the          on pages 48249 through 48251 in the
                                           provision of services (regardless of whether            most reliable measure of the services income
                                                                                                   and deductible expenses.
                                                                                                                                                         issue of Wednesday, August 12, 2015,
                                           the service effects a transfer of intangible
                                           property or valuable resources and regardless
                                                                                                                                                         make the following correction:
                                                                                                      (ii)(A) [Reserved]. For further
                                           of whether the property is relatively high or           guidance see § 1.482–1(f)(2)(ii)(A).                     On page 48249, in the first column, on
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                                           low value) must be evaluated under the                                                                        the eighth line from the bottom, under
                                                                                                      (B) Example. The following example
                                           section 482 regulations, including the                                                                        the heading ‘‘DATES:’’ ‘‘August 13, 2015’’
                                           regulations specifically applicable to                  illustrates this paragraph (f)(2)(ii):
                                                                                                                                                         should read ‘‘August 12, 2015’’.
                                           controlled services transactions in § 1.482–9,            Example. P and S are controlled taxpayers.
                                           to ensure that P receives arm’s length                  P licenses a proprietary process to S for S’s         [FR Doc. C1–2015–19846 Filed 9–15–15; 8:45 am]
                                           compensation for any value (attributable to             use in manufacturing product X. Using its             BILLING CODE 1505–01–D
                                           such property or services) provided to S1 in            sales and marketing employees, S sells



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Document Created: 2018-02-26 10:16:23
Document Modified: 2018-02-26 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 September 14, 2015.
ContactFrank W. Dunham III, (202) 317-6939 (not a toll-free call).
FR Citation80 FR 55538 
RIN Number1545-BM72
CFR AssociatedIncome Taxes and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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