81_FR_21866 81 FR 21795 - Deemed Distributions Under Section 305(c) of Stock and Rights to Acquire Stock

81 FR 21795 - Deemed Distributions Under Section 305(c) of Stock and Rights to Acquire Stock

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 71 (April 13, 2016)

Page Range21795-21808
FR Document2016-08248

This document contains proposed regulations regarding deemed distributions of stock and rights to acquire stock. The proposed regulations would resolve ambiguities concerning the amount and timing of deemed distributions that are or result from adjustments to rights to acquire stock. The proposed regulations also would provide additional guidance to withholding agents regarding their current withholding and information reporting obligations under chapters 3 and 4 with respect to these deemed distributions. The proposed regulations would affect corporations issuing rights to acquire stock, their shareholders and holders of these rights, and withholding agents with respect to these deemed distributions.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21795-21808]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08248]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[REG-133673-15]
RIN 1545-BN07


Deemed Distributions Under Section 305(c) of Stock and Rights to 
Acquire Stock

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations regarding deemed 
distributions of stock and rights to acquire stock. The proposed 
regulations would resolve ambiguities concerning the amount and timing 
of deemed distributions that are or result from adjustments to rights 
to acquire stock. The proposed regulations also would provide 
additional guidance to withholding agents regarding their current 
withholding and information reporting obligations under chapters 3 and 
4 with respect to these deemed distributions. The proposed regulations 
would affect corporations issuing rights to acquire stock, their 
shareholders and holders of these rights, and withholding agents with 
respect to these deemed distributions.

DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing 
must be received by July 12, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-133673-15), Room 
5203, Internal Revenue Service, PO Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, 
Washington, DC, 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered Monday through 
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-
133673-15), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC, 20224 or sent electronically, via the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov (indicate IRS and 
REG-133673-15).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations 
under section 305, Maurice M. LaBrie, (202) 317-5322; concerning the 
proposed regulations under sections 860G, 861, 1441, 1461, 1471, and 
1473, Subin Seth, (202) 317-6942; concerning the proposed regulations 
under section 6045B, Pamela Lew, (202) 317-7053; concerning submission 
of comments, contact Regina Johnson, (202) 317-6901 (not toll-free 
numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background and Explanation of Provisions

1. Overview

    This document contains proposed regulations that amend 26 CFR part 
1 under sections 305, 860G, 861, 1441, 1461, 1471, 1473, and 6045B of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code) concerning deemed 
distributions that are or result from adjustments to rights to acquire 
stock.
    Final regulations under section 305 were published in the Federal 
Register on July 12, 1973 (TD 7281, 38 FR 18531), and amendments to 
those final regulations were published in the Federal Register on 
October 15, 1974 (TD 7329, 39 FR 36860), and in the Federal Register on 
December 21, 1995 (TD 8643, 60 FR 66134).
    Final regulations under sections 1441 and 1461 were published in 
the Federal

[[Page 21796]]

Register on October 14, 1997 (TD 8734, 62 FR 53387), and the following 
amendments to those final regulations were published in the Federal 
Register on: December 31, 1998 (TD 8804, 63 FR 72187); December 30, 
1999 (TD 8856, 64 FR 73412); May 22, 2000 (TD 8881, 65 FR 32186); 
August 1, 2006 (TD 9272, 71 FR 43366); July 14, 2008 (TD 9415, 73 FR 
40172) (corrected on August 6, 2008 (73 FR 45612)); January 23, 2012 
(TD 9572, 77 FR 3109); December 5, 2013 (TD 9648, 78 FR 73081); March 
6, 2014 (TD 9658, 79 FR 12726) (corrected on July 1, 2014 (79 FR 
37175)); and, September 18, 2015 (TD 9734, 80 FR 56866). Final 
regulations under sections 1471 and 1473 were published in the Federal 
Register on January 28, 2013 (TD 9610, 78 FR 5874) (corrected on 
September 10, 2013 (78 FR 55202)), and the amendments to those final 
regulations were published as temporary regulations in the Federal 
Register on March 6, 2014 (TD 9657, 79 FR 12812) (corrected on July 1, 
2014 (79 FR 37175)).
    Final regulations under section 6045B were published in the Federal 
Register on October 18, 2010 (TD 9504, 75 FR 64072), and amendments to 
those final regulations were published in the Federal Register on April 
18, 2013 (TD 9616, 78 FR 23116).

2. Amount and Timing of Deemed Distributions Under Section 305(c)

A. Application of Section 305(b) and (c) Generally
    Section 305 and the regulations thereunder apply to actual and 
deemed distributions by a corporation of its own stock and rights to 
acquire its own stock. Section 305(a) provides the general rule that 
the receipt of these distributions is not included in the gross income 
of the recipient; however, under section 305(b)(1) through (b)(5) 
certain actual and deemed distributions of stock and stock rights are 
treated as distributions of property to which section 301 applies. For 
example, under section 305(b)(2), if a distribution (or series of 
distributions) by a corporation has the result of a receipt of property 
by some shareholders and an increase in the proportionate interests of 
other shareholders in the assets or earnings and profits of the 
corporation, all the distributions are treated as distributions of 
property to which section 301 applies.
    Section 305(c) authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to 
treat changes in the conversion ratio of instruments convertible into 
stock and other events having similar effects as distributions to 
shareholders whose proportionate interests in the assets or earnings 
and profits of the corporation are increased by such events.
    Under section 305(d)(1) and current Sec.  1.305-1(d), for purposes 
of section 305 and the regulations thereunder, the term stock includes 
rights to acquire stock, and under section 305(d)(2), for purposes of 
section 305(b) and (c) and the regulations thereunder, the term 
shareholder includes a holder of rights to acquire stock. For purposes 
of this preamble:
    The term actual shareholder means a holder of stock (not including 
rights to acquire stock).
    The term deemed shareholder means a holder of a right to acquire 
stock.
    The term deemed distribution means a transaction or event, other 
than an actual distribution of stock, money, or other property, that is 
a distribution under section 305(b) and (c).
    The term applicable adjustment means an adjustment to a right to 
acquire stock, including an increase or reduction in conversion ratio, 
conversion price, option price, or number of shares the holder would 
receive upon conversion or exercise.
    The term right to acquire stock means any right to acquire stock, 
whether pursuant to a convertible instrument (such as a debt instrument 
that is convertible into shares of stock), a warrant, subscription 
right, or stock right issued by the corporation that issued or will 
issue the underlying stock, or any other right to acquire stock of the 
corporation issuing such right (whether settled in stock or in cash).
    Under current Sec.  1.305-1(b)(1), when a distribution of stock 
(including a right to acquire stock) is a distribution of property to 
which sections 305(b) and 301 apply, the amount of the distribution is 
the fair market value, on the date of the distribution, of the stock or 
right to acquire stock that is distributed.
B. Application of Section 305(b) and (c) to Adjustments to Rights To 
Acquire Stock
    A corporation may issue rights to acquire its stock in a number of 
forms, including warrants, subscription rights, options, convertible 
instruments that give the holder a right to convert the instruments 
into shares of stock in the issuing corporation, and similar 
instruments. In any of these forms, rights to acquire stock may provide 
for applicable adjustments that grant deemed shareholders economic 
benefits that correspond to distributions of stock, cash, or other 
property made to actual shareholders. Similarly, rights to acquire 
stock may provide for adjustments to prevent actual shareholders' 
interests from being diluted as a result of distributions of stock, 
cash, or other property to deemed shareholders (that is, holders of 
rights to acquire stock).
    An applicable adjustment to a convertible instrument may consist of 
an increase in the number of shares of stock a holder would receive 
upon conversion. Similarly, an applicable adjustment to a warrant, 
subscription right, stock right, option, or similar right to acquire 
stock may consist of an increase in the number of shares the holder 
would receive upon exercise. In either situation, the applicable 
adjustment may have the effect of increasing the deemed shareholders' 
proportionate interests in the assets or earnings and profits of the 
corporation. If this increase has a result described in section 305(b), 
then under section 305(c) the applicable adjustment is a deemed 
distribution to the deemed shareholder, and section 301 applies to the 
deemed distribution.
    Under current Sec.  1.305-7(b)(1), an applicable adjustment made 
pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable adjustment formula that has the 
effect of preventing dilution of a shareholder's interest is not a 
deemed distribution of stock to which sections 305(b) and 301 apply. 
However, also under current Sec.  1.305-7(b)(1), an applicable 
adjustment to compensate for a distribution of cash or property to 
actual shareholders that is taxable under section 301, 356(a)(2), 
871(a)(1)(A), 881(a)(1), 852(b), or 857(b) is not considered as made 
pursuant to such a bona fide, reasonable adjustment formula, and 
therefore may be a distribution to which sections 305(b) and 301 apply.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that, under 
section 305(b) and (c) and the regulations thereunder, it is clear that 
an applicable adjustment is a deemed distribution to which section 301 
applies, if: (i) The applicable adjustment increases the proportionate 
interest of an actual shareholder or a deemed shareholder in the 
corporation's assets or earnings and profits; (ii) such increase in 
proportionate interest has a result described in section 305(b); and 
(iii) the anti-dilution exception of Sec.  1.305-7(b)(1) does not 
apply. For example, it has been the position of the Treasury Department 
and the IRS for over forty years that, under section 305(b) and (c) and 
the regulations thereunder, an increase in the conversion ratio of a 
convertible debt instrument may be treated as a deemed distribution to 
the deemed shareholder that holds the instrument, and, if so treated, 
section

[[Page 21797]]

301 applies to the deemed distribution. See Rev. Rul. 75-513 (1975-2 CB 
114) (section 301 applied to deemed distribution where conversion ratio 
of convertible debentures increased due to payment of cash dividend to 
common shareholders); and Rev. Rul. 76-186 (1976-1 CB 86) (same; basis 
of the convertible debentures was increased by the value of the deemed 
distribution); cf. Rev. Rul. 77-37 (1977-1 CB 85) (no deemed 
distribution because anti-dilution exception of Sec.  1.305-7(b) 
applied where distribution to actual shareholders was tax-free under 
section 355).
    The current regulations are unclear, however, as to the amount of a 
deemed distribution to a deemed shareholder. The current regulations 
may reasonably be interpreted as providing either that such a deemed 
distribution is treated as a distribution of a right to acquire stock 
(the amount of which is the fair market value of the right), or that 
such a distribution is treated as a distribution of the actual stock to 
which the right relates (the amount of which is the fair market value 
of the stock). Accordingly, for deemed distributions to deemed 
shareholders occurring before final regulations are published, the IRS 
will not challenge either position.
    The current regulations are also unclear as to the timing of such a 
distribution. Under the proposed regulations, such a distribution 
generally would be deemed to occur at the time the applicable 
adjustment occurs, in accordance with the instrument setting forth the 
terms of the right to acquire stock, but in no event later than the 
date of the distribution of cash or property that results in the deemed 
distribution (taking into account Sec.  1.305-3(b)).
    These proposed regulations would amend the current regulations 
under section 305(b) and (c) only to clarify the amount and timing of 
such deemed distributions, not the fact of their occurrence, which is 
clear under current law.
C. Summary of Proposed Regulations
i. Amount of Deemed Distributions
    After studying this area, the Treasury Department and the IRS have 
concluded that a deemed distribution of a right to acquire stock is 
more accurately viewed as a distribution of additional rights to 
acquire stock, the amount of which is the fair market value of the 
right.
    Under the terms of a convertible instrument, a distribution of cash 
or property to actual shareholders may increase the number of shares 
the holder of the convertible instrument would receive upon conversion. 
Similarly, a distribution of cash or property to actual shareholders 
may increase the number of shares the holder of other rights to acquire 
stock, such as warrants or options, would receive upon exercise. In 
either case, the increase is an applicable adjustment and a deemed 
distribution of additional rights to acquire stock to the holders of 
the rights to acquire stock. Under the proposed regulations, the amount 
of the deemed distribution would be the excess of (i) the fair market 
value of the right to acquire stock immediately after the applicable 
adjustment over (ii) the fair market value of the right to acquire 
stock without the applicable adjustment. In determining the fair market 
value of a right to acquire stock, any particular facts pertaining to 
the deemed shareholder's rights, including the number of actual shares 
of stock or rights to acquire stock held by such deemed shareholder, 
would be disregarded.
    Also, under the terms of a convertible debt instrument or other 
right to acquire stock, a payment of cash or property to the holder may 
cause a reduction in the number of shares the holder would receive upon 
conversion or exercise. Such a reduction is an applicable adjustment 
that increases the actual shareholders' proportionate interests in the 
assets or earnings and profits of the corporation. Thus, the applicable 
adjustment results in a deemed distribution of stock to the actual 
shareholders, and section 301 applies to the deemed distribution. Under 
the proposed regulations, the amount of this deemed distribution would 
be the fair market value of the stock deemed distributed, determined in 
accordance with Sec.  1.305-3(e), Examples 8 and 9 (relating to deemed 
distributions to shareholders resulting from certain redemptions of 
stock from other shareholders). See also Tax Revenue Act of 1969: 
Hearings on H.R. 13270 Before the House Ways and Means Comm., 91st 
Cong. 1st Sess., pt. 14, 5196-98 (1969).
ii. Timing of Deemed Distributions
    When an applicable adjustment is or results in a deemed 
distribution under proposed Sec.  1.305-7(c)(1) or (2), the deemed 
distribution occurs at the time such applicable adjustment occurs, in 
accordance with the instrument setting forth the terms of the right to 
acquire stock, but in no event later than the date of the distribution 
of cash or property that results in the deemed distribution (taking 
into account Sec.  1.305-3(b)). For such an applicable adjustment 
relating to a right to acquire publicly-traded stock, if the instrument 
setting forth the terms of such right does not set forth the date and 
time the applicable adjustment occurs, the deemed distribution would 
occur immediately prior to the opening of business on the ex-dividend 
date for the distribution of cash or property that results in the 
deemed distribution. For such an applicable adjustment relating to a 
right to acquire non-publicly traded stock, if the instrument setting 
forth the terms of such right does not set forth the date and time the 
applicable adjustment occurs, the deemed distribution occurs on the 
date that a holder is legally entitled to the distribution of cash or 
property that results in the deemed distribution.

3. Withholding Under Chapters 3 and 4 on Deemed Distributions Under 
Section 305(c)

    This section provides a discussion of the proposed rules regarding 
deemed distributions under section 305(c). Section 4 of the preamble 
provides a discussion of the proposed rules regarding substitute 
dividend payments that are deemed payments determined with respect to a 
deemed distribution under section 305(c). The proposed rules that would 
apply for deemed payments are analogous to the proposed rules that 
would apply to deemed distributions.
A. Background
    Sections 1441 and 1442 (referred to herein as ``chapter 3'') 
require all persons having the control, receipt, custody, disposal, or 
payment of items of income subject to withholding of any nonresident 
alien, foreign partnership, or foreign corporation to withhold tax at a 
30-percent rate unless a reduced rate of withholding applies. Amounts 
subject to withholding include amounts from sources within the United 
States that are fixed or determinable annual or periodical income, 
which generally includes, among other things, interest, dividends, and 
similar types of investment income. Sec.  1.1441-2(b)(1)(i). Under 
Sec.  1.1441-2(e)(1), ``a payment'' is considered made to a person ``if 
that person realizes income whether or not such income results from an 
actual transfer of cash or other property.'' For this purpose, a 
payment is considered made when the amount would be includible in the 
income of the beneficial owner under the U.S. tax principles governing 
the cash basis method of accounting. Sec.  1.1441-2(e)(1).
    On March 18, 2010, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act 
of 2010, Public Law 111-147 (H.R. 2847), added chapter 4 to the Code 
(sections 1471 through 1474, commonly known as ``FATCA''). Chapter 4

[[Page 21798]]

generally requires a withholding agent to withhold tax at a 30-percent 
rate on a ``withholdable payment'' (as defined in Sec.  1.1473-1(a)) 
made to a foreign financial institution (FFI) unless the FFI has 
entered into an agreement described in section 1471(b) to obtain status 
as a participating FFI or the FFI is deemed to have satisfied the 
requirements of section 1471(b). Chapter 4 also generally requires a 
withholding agent to withhold tax at a 30-percent rate on a 
withholdable payment made to a nonfinancial foreign entity (NFFE) 
unless the NFFE has provided information to the withholding agent with 
respect to the NFFE's substantial U.S. owners or has certified that it 
has no such owners. See section 1472.
    These proposed regulations would provide guidance to withholding 
agents regarding their obligations to withhold under chapters 3 and 4 
on deemed distributions under section 305(c). Withholding agents have 
commented that ambiguities in the current law have made it difficult 
for them to satisfy their withholding obligations. In particular, 
withholding agents have commented that these deemed distributions often 
occur when there is no cash payment that corresponds to the deemed 
distribution, which makes it difficult for them to satisfy their 
withholding obligation on the date of the deemed distribution. In 
addition, withholding agents commented that they often lack knowledge 
of the fact that a deemed distribution on a security has been made and 
are therefore unable to withhold on the date of the deemed 
distribution.
B. Amendments to Chapter 3
i. Withholding on Deemed Distributions, and New Exception for Deemed 
Distributions on Specified Securities
    Proposed Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4)(i) would clarify that a withholding 
agent has an obligation to withhold on a deemed distribution (as 
defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) that is made on a security. Proposed 
Sec.  1.1441-7(a)(4) would clarify that an issuer of a security upon 
which a deemed distribution is made and any person that holds directly 
or indirectly (for example, through an account maintained for an 
intermediary) a security on behalf of the beneficial owner of the 
security, or a flow-through entity that owns directly or indirectly 
(through another flow-through entity) a security, is considered to have 
custody of or control over the deemed distribution made on the security 
and, therefore, is a withholding agent with respect to the 
distribution.
    Under current Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(1), a withholding agent does not 
have an obligation to withhold on a payment when it lacks control over, 
or custody of, money or property of the recipient, or knowledge of the 
facts giving rise to the payment (the general exception). This general 
exception does not apply when, in relevant part, the payment is a 
distribution with respect to stock. The proposed regulations, however, 
would allow a withholding agent (other than the issuer of the specified 
security) to benefit from a new exception to withholding in proposed 
Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4) for deemed distributions (as defined in Sec.  
1.305-1(d)(7)) of stock or a right to acquire stock on a specified 
security (as defined in Sec.  1.6045-1(a)(14)). Under this new 
exception, a withholding agent (other than the issuer of the specified 
security) would have an obligation to withhold on such a deemed 
distribution only if, before the due date (not including extensions) 
for filing Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source 
Income of Foreign Persons, with respect to the calendar year in which 
the deemed distribution occurred, either (i) the issuer meets its 
reporting requirements under Sec.  1.6045B-1 (by furnishing an issuer 
statement or publicly reporting the information required under that 
section) or (ii) the withholding agent has actual knowledge that a 
deemed distribution has occurred, in which case the obligation to 
withhold would not arise until January 15 of the year following the 
calendar year of the deemed distribution.
ii. When and How To Withhold
    Once the requirements of proposed Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4)(i) have been 
satisfied, a withholding agent would have an obligation to withhold on 
a deemed distribution. Except as provided in Sec.  1.1441-5 regarding 
the time to withhold for partnerships and trusts, under proposed Sec.  
1.1441-2(d)(4)(ii), a withholding agent would be required to satisfy 
its withholding obligation by withholding on the earliest of (i) the 
date on which a future cash payment is made with respect to the 
security; (ii) the date on which the security is sold, exchanged, or 
otherwise disposed of (including a transfer of the security to another 
account not maintained by the withholding agent or a termination of the 
account relationship); or (iii) the due date (not including extensions) 
for filing Form 1042 with respect to the calendar year in which the 
deemed distribution occurred. Under this approach, a withholding agent 
that continues to directly or indirectly hold or own the security when 
the requirements of proposed Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4)(i) are satisfied 
generally would be able to satisfy its withholding obligation by 
withholding on future cash payments on the security (for example, an 
interest payment on a convertible bond). If, however, the security is 
disposed of before sufficient future cash payments have been made on 
the security, the withholding agent would be required to withhold at 
the time of disposition and generally would be expected to do so by, 
for example, withholding on the proceeds from the disposal, liquidating 
other property held in custody for the beneficial owner, or obtaining 
other funds directly or indirectly from the beneficial owner to satisfy 
the withholding.
    If there are not sufficient future cash payments on the security 
and the security has not been disposed of or transferred before the due 
date (not including extensions) for filing Form 1042 with respect to 
the calendar year in which the deemed distribution occurred, then, to 
avoid having to pay the tax out of the withholding agent's own funds, 
the withholding agent may apply current Sec.  1.1461-2(b) in order to 
collect the underwithheld amount. Under these rules, the withholding 
agent can satisfy the tax by withholding on other cash payments made to 
the same beneficial owner or by liquidating other property held in 
custody for the beneficial owner or over which it has control. The 
proposed regulations would amend current Sec.  1.1461-2(b) to clarify 
that a withholding agent may obtain the property from which to withhold 
under these rules through additional contributions obtained directly or 
indirectly from the beneficial owner. The proposed regulations also 
would add a sentence to current Sec.  1.1461-2(b) to clarify that a 
withholding agent that satisfies its obligation to withhold under Sec.  
1.1461-2(b) will not be subject to any penalties for failure to deposit 
or failure to pay under sections 6656, 6672, and 7202 when it deposits 
the amounts obtained in this manner by the due date (not including 
extensions) for filing Form 1042 with respect to the calendar year in 
which the deemed distribution occurred. These clarifications reflect 
the IRS interpretation of current Sec.  1.1461-2(b) in applying these 
penalties, and thus no penalties will be imposed for withholding agents 
that apply these rules to satisfy their obligations to withhold before 
the effective date of these regulations.
    When the requirements of proposed Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4)(i) are 
satisfied after a withholding agent has terminated its relationship 
with the beneficial owner

[[Page 21799]]

of the security, the withholding agent would remain liable for any 
underwithheld amount with respect to the deemed distribution. In order 
to avoid having to pay the tax due out of the withholding agent's own 
funds, before terminating an account relationship, a withholding agent 
should make arrangements with the beneficial owner to ensure that the 
withholding agent can satisfy any tax due, such as by retaining funds 
or other property of the owner.
iii. Foreign Entities Assuming Withholding Responsibilities
    Proposed Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4)(iii) would provide that a withholding 
agent may treat certain foreign entities (qualified intermediaries, 
withholding foreign partnerships, withholding foreign trusts, and U.S. 
branches treated as U.S. persons) as assuming primary chapter 3 
withholding responsibilities for a deemed distribution on a specified 
security only if (i) the withholding agent provides the foreign entity 
with a copy of the issuer statement described in Sec.  1.6045B-1(b)(1) 
within 10 days of the issuer furnishing the statement to the holder of 
record or its nominee, or (ii) the issuer has met the public reporting 
requirements under Sec.  1.6045B-1(a)(3). The foreign entity would have 
an obligation to withhold on the deemed distribution only if it 
receives a copy of the issuer statement or if the issuer has met the 
public reporting requirements by the due date (not including 
extensions) for filing Form 1042 with respect to the calendar year in 
which the deemed distribution occurred. A withholding agent that fails 
to provide a copy of the issuer statement to a foreign entity (in the 
absence of public reporting) would not be permitted to treat the 
foreign entity as having assumed primary withholding responsibilities 
for the deemed distribution and would therefore have to withhold and 
report based on the information that it has regarding the recipient of 
the deemed distribution. The purpose of this proposed rule is to ensure 
that foreign entities that assume primary withholding responsibilities 
for deemed distributions will possess the information described in 
Sec.  1.6045B-1 to meet their withholding and information reporting 
obligations, as these entities (or their nominees) may not be holders 
of record that otherwise would receive the issuer statement described 
in Sec.  1.6045B-1(b)(1).
iv. Reliance on Issuer Information Reporting
    Under proposed Sec.  1.1441-3(c)(5), a withholding agent (other 
than the issuer of the specified security) would be permitted to rely 
on the information that an issuer provides on an issuer statement 
described in Sec.  1.6045B-1(b)(1) or on a public Web site described in 
Sec.  1.6045B-1(a)(3) to determine the proper amount of withholding on 
a deemed distribution on a specified security unless it knows that the 
information is incorrect or unreliable. Additionally, a foreign entity 
that has assumed primary withholding responsibilities would be 
permitted to rely on the copy of the issuer statement described in 
Sec.  1.6045B-1(b)(1) that it receives from another withholding agent 
under the circumstances described in proposed Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4)(iii) 
unless it knows that the information is incorrect or unreliable.
v. Other Changes to Current Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(1)
    The proposed regulations would add language to Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(1) 
to clarify that a withholding agent does not lack control over money or 
property if it directs another person to make a payment, and that a 
withholding agent does not lack knowledge of the facts that give rise 
to a payment merely because the withholding agent does not know the 
character or source of the payment for U.S. tax purposes. The proposed 
regulations also would add an example to Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(1) of when a 
withholding agent lacks knowledge of the facts that give rise to a 
payment. These clarifications and the example are consistent with 
similar rules in current Sec.  1.1471-2(a)(4)(i) that apply for chapter 
4 purposes.
    The proposed regulations also would make nonsubstantive changes to 
reorganize the structure of current Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(1).
C. Amendments to Chapter 4
    The proposed regulations would modify the regulations under chapter 
4 to provide guidance similar to the rules described in proposed 
Sec. Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(1), 1.1441-2(d)(4), 1.1441-3(c)(5), and 1.1441-
7(a)(4) for withholding on a deemed distribution (as defined in Sec.  
1.305-1(d)(7)) that is a withholdable payment under chapter 4. The 
amendment to proposed Sec.  1.1461-2(b) that clarifies that a 
withholding agent may obtain additional contributions of property 
directly or indirectly from a beneficial owner and the new sentence 
added to proposed Sec.  1.1461-2(b) regarding penalties also would 
apply to withholding agents adjusting underwithholding under chapter 4 
through cross-reference in Sec.  1.1474-2(b). The proposed regulations 
also would make nonsubstantive changes to reorganize the structure of 
current Sec.  1.1471-2(a)(4)(i), which are consistent with the 
organizational changes proposed for current Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(1).

4. A Substitute Dividend May Include Deemed Payments

    Section 1.861-3(a)(6) provides that a substitute dividend payment 
made to a transferor in a securities lending transaction or sale-
repurchase transaction is sourced in the same manner as a dividend on 
the transferred securities. The regulations define a substitute 
dividend payment as ``a payment, made to the transferor of a security 
in a securities lending transaction or a sale-repurchase transaction, 
of an amount equivalent to a dividend distribution which the owner of 
the transferred security is entitled to receive during the term of the 
transaction.'' These proposed regulations would modify Sec.  1.861-
3(a)(6) to clarify that a substitute dividend payment includes a deemed 
payment made in the amount (as determined under Sec.  1.305-7(c)(4)) of 
a deemed distribution (as defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)).
    These proposed regulations would provide that the general exception 
to withholding in Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(1)(i) does not apply for deemed 
payments (as defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)). However, proposed Sec.  
1.1441-2(d)(4) would allow a withholding agent to benefit from the same 
exception to withholding that would apply to deemed distributions (as 
defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) on a specified security for deemed 
payments (as defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) that are determined with 
respect to a deemed distribution on a specified security. Thus, a 
withholding agent would have an obligation to withhold on such a deemed 
payment only if, before the due date (not including extensions) for 
filing Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income 
of Foreign Persons, with respect to the calendar year in which the 
deemed distribution on a specified security occurred, either (i) the 
issuer meets its reporting requirements under Sec.  1.6045B-1 (by 
furnishing an issuer statement or publicly reporting the information 
required under that section) or (ii) the withholding agent has actual 
knowledge that a deemed distribution has occurred, in which case the 
obligation to withhold would not arise until January 15 of the year 
following the calendar year of the deemed distribution or the deemed 
payment. If a withholding agent has an obligation to withhold on a 
deemed payment (as defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) under Sec.  1.1441-
2(d)(4)(i), it would be required

[[Page 21800]]

to withhold subject to the rules regarding when and how to withhold in 
proposed Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4)(ii) and the rules regarding foreign 
entities that assume withholding responsibilities in Sec.  1.1441-
2(d)(4)(iii). These proposed regulations also would modify the 
regulations under chapter 4 to provide similar guidance with respect to 
deemed payments that are withholdable payments.

5. Issuer Reporting Under Section 6045B

    To facilitate broker reporting of a security's adjusted basis to 
the holder of the security under section 6045, section 6045B provides 
that, according to the forms or regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary, an issuer of a specified security (for example, stock, a 
convertible debt instrument, or a warrant) must report certain 
information relating to an organizational action that affects the basis 
of the security to both the IRS and the holders of the security. Under 
section 6045B and current Sec.  1.6045B-1, an issuer must file an 
issuer return (Form 8937, Report of Organizational Actions Affecting 
Basis of Securities) with the IRS by the earlier of 45 days after the 
organizational action or January 15 of the calendar year following the 
organizational action. In addition, the issuer must send a written 
statement (for example, a copy of the issuer return) to holders by 
January 15 of the calendar year following the organizational action. In 
lieu of filing the issuer return with the IRS and furnishing the 
written statement to holders, current Sec.  1.6045B-1(a)(3) permits an 
issuer to post the required information on its public Web site by the 
due date for reporting the issuer return to the IRS. Under current 
Sec.  1.6045B-1, however, an issuer is not required to send a statement 
to exempt recipients, such as C corporations and foreign persons, nor 
is an issuer required to file an issuer return if the issuer reasonably 
determines that all of the holders of the security are exempt 
recipients. An issuer must comply with current Sec.  1.6045B-1 for an 
organizational action that occurs on or after the applicability date 
prescribed in current Sec.  1.6045B-1(j). For example, an issuer of a 
convertible debt instrument must comply with current Sec.  1.6045B-1 
for an organizational action that occurs after December 31, 2015.
    An applicable adjustment, including a conversion ratio adjustment, 
is an organizational action that often will affect the holder's basis 
in a specified security. For example, the instructions to Form 8937 
provide that if a conversion ratio adjustment on a convertible debt 
instrument occurring after December 31, 2015, results in a distribution 
under section 305(c) (for example, because it is made in conjunction 
with a cash distribution to shareholders), the issuer of the debt 
instrument must file Form 8937.
    Brokers and withholding agents have expressed concerns about the 
difficulty of complying with their reporting and withholding 
obligations in the absence of information about the fact and amount of 
a deemed distribution under section 305(c), including a deemed 
distribution under section 305(c) resulting from an applicable 
adjustment. Even after December 31, 2015, when issuers are generally 
required to report an applicable adjustment on a convertible debt 
instrument, brokers and withholding agents may not have the necessary 
information to comply with their reporting and withholding obligations 
because of the exempt recipient exception for providing a written 
statement (and assuming that the issuer does not choose the public 
reporting alternative). In response to these concerns, Sec.  1.6045B-
1(i)(2) of the proposed regulations would require that an issuer 
provide an issuer return to the IRS and a written statement to each 
holder of record of a specified security (or to the holder's nominee) 
relating to a deemed distribution under section 305(c) on the security, 
without regard to any of the general exceptions in the current 
regulations under section 6045B or in the instructions to Form 8937. 
The proposed regulations, like the current regulations, permit an 
issuer to not provide an issuer return to the IRS or a written 
statement to the holders regarding the deemed distribution if the 
issuer satisfies the public reporting requirements in current Sec.  
1.6045B-1(a)(3).

6. Reporting for U.S. Persons

    Section 1.6045B-1 generally applies when a deemed distribution 
affects the basis of a specified security. It is expected that similar 
principles would apply under section 6042 with respect to reporting of 
deemed distributions made to U.S. persons on Form 1099-DIV. Comments 
are requested on the implementation of Form 1099-DIV reporting on these 
amounts.

Proposed Effective/Applicability Date

    The proposed regulations under section 305 would apply to deemed 
distributions occurring on or after the date of publication of the 
Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the 
Federal Register. A taxpayer, however, may rely on these proposed 
regulations for deemed distributions under section 305(c) that occur 
prior to such date. For purposes of determining the amount of a deemed 
distribution to a deemed shareholder occurring prior to the date of 
publication, a taxpayer may determine the amount of the deemed 
distribution by treating such distribution either as a distribution of 
a right to acquire stock or as a distribution of the actual stock to 
which the right relates.
    The proposed regulations under sections 860G, 861, 1441, 1461, 
1471, and 1473 would apply to payments made on or after the date of 
publication. A withholding agent, however, may rely on the proposed 
regulations under sections 861, 1441, 1471, and 1473 for all deemed 
distributions under section 305(c) or, to the extent applicable, deemed 
payments (as defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) occurring on or after 
January 1, 2016 until the date of publication. No inference as to the 
application of these provisions under current law is intended by 
permitting reliance on these proposed regulations. A withholding agent 
also may rely on the proposed regulations under section 1461 for any 
payments occurring on or after January 1, 2016 until the date of 
publication, including for any deemed distribution under section 305(c) 
or deemed payment (as defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) for which the 
withholding agent failed to withhold.
    Section 1.6045B-1(i)(2) would apply to a deemed distribution under 
section 305(c) occurring on or after the date of publication. In 
addition, an issuer would report the amount and timing of a deemed 
distribution in accordance with the proposed regulations under section 
305 for a deemed distribution occurring on or after the date of 
publication. For purposes of reporting the amount of a deemed 
distribution occurring prior to the date of publication, an issuer may 
determine the amount of the deemed distribution by treating such 
distribution either as a distribution of a right to acquire stock, or 
as a distribution of the shares of stock that would be received upon 
exercise of the right. In addition, an issuer may rely on Sec.  1.305-
7(c)(5) of the proposed regulations to determine the date of a deemed 
distribution occurring prior to the date of publication.

Statement of Availability of IRS Documents

    IRS Revenue Rulings cited in this preamble are published in the 
Internal Revenue Bulletin (or Cumulative Bulletin) and are available 
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, DC 20402, or by visiting the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov.

[[Page 21801]]

Effect on Other Documents

    The IRS will modify, clarify, or obsolete publications as necessary 
to conform to these proposed regulations as of the date of publication 
of the Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in 
the Federal Register. See, e.g., Rev. Rul. 75-513 (1975-2 CB 114) and 
Rev. Rul. 76-186 (1976-1 CB 186). The IRS solicits comments as to 
whether other publications should be modified, clarified, or obsoleted.

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 also has been determined that section 553(b) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to 
these regulations.
    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), it 
is hereby certified that the proposed regulations under section 6045B 
in this document will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Any effect on small entities by 
the rules in the proposed regulations flows directly from section 403 
of the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, Division B of 
Public Law 110-343 (122 Stat. 3765, 3854 (2008)) (the Act).
    Section 403(d) of the Act added section 6045B, which requires an 
issuer, including an issuer that is a small entity, to report certain 
information relating to any organizational action by the issuer that 
affects the basis of a specified security. In general, an issuer 
reports the information required under section 6045B to the IRS and to 
holders or nominees on Form 8937. The proposed regulations limit 
reporting to the information necessary to meet the Act's requirements. 
In addition, the proposed regulations retain the rule in the current 
regulations under section 6045B that permits an issuer to report each 
action publicly on its Web site instead of filing a return and 
furnishing each holder or nominee a statement about the action. The 
proposed regulations therefore do not add to the statutory impact on 
small entities but instead eases this impact to the extent the statute 
permits. Moreover, any economic impact on small entities is expected to 
be minimal.
    Therefore, because the proposed regulations in this document will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
    Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this notice of proposed 
rulemaking has been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the 
Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small 
business.

Comments and Requests for Public Hearing

    Before the proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, 
consideration will be given to any comments that are submitted timely 
to the IRS as prescribed in this preamble under the ``Addresses'' 
heading. The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on all 
aspects of the proposed regulations. All comments will be available for 
public inspection and copying upon request, or at www.regulations.gov. 
A public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by any 
person that timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is 
scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the public hearing 
will be published in the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these regulations are: With respect to the 
regulations under section 305, Maurice M. LaBrie of the Office of 
Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate); with respect to the regulations 
under sections 860G, 861, 1441, 1461, 1471, and 1473, Subin Seth of the 
Office of Associate Chief Counsel (International); and with respect to 
the regulations under section 6045B, Pamela Lew of the Office of 
Associate Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products), all 
within the Office of Chief Counsel, IRS. Other personnel from the 
Treasury Department and the IRS participated in developing the 
regulations.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAX REGULATIONS

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

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

0
Par. 2. Section 1.305-1 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (b)(3) and (d).
0
2. Adding paragraph (e).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  1.305-1  Stock dividends.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) For rules determining the amount of the distribution for 
certain transactions, such as periodic redemptions or applicable 
adjustments (as defined in Sec.  1.305-7(a)) of rights to acquire stock 
that are treated as distributions under section 305(b) and (c), see 
Sec.  1.305-7 and Examples 6, 7, 8, 9, and 15 of Sec.  1.305-3(e).
* * * * *
    (d) Definitions. For purposes of section 305, this section, and 
Sec. Sec.  1.305-2 through 1.305-7:
    (1) Stock. The term stock means actual stock or a right to acquire 
stock.
    (2) Actual stock. The term actual stock means stock issued by a 
corporation, excluding rights to acquire stock as defined in paragraph 
(d)(3) of this section.
    (3) Right to acquire stock. The term right to acquire stock means--
    (i) A right of a holder of a convertible instrument (including a 
debt instrument that is convertible into shares of stock and stock that 
is convertible into shares of another class of stock) to convert the 
instrument into one or more shares of stock of the corporation issuing 
the instrument;
    (ii) A warrant, subscription right, stock right, or other option to 
acquire shares of stock of the corporation issuing the instrument;
    (iii) A right to acquire stock of the corporation issuing such 
right similar to the rights described in paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (ii) 
of this section; and
    (iv) A right to receive an amount of cash or other property 
determined in whole or in part by reference to the value of a specified 
number of shares of stock (whether or not in lieu of such stock) of the 
corporation issuing the right.
    (4) Shareholder. The term shareholder means a holder of actual 
stock or a holder of a right to acquire stock.
    (5) Actual shareholder. The term actual shareholder means a holder 
of actual stock.
    (6) Deemed shareholder. The term deemed shareholder means a holder 
of a right to acquire stock.
    (7) Deemed distribution. The term deemed distribution means a 
transaction or event, other than an actual distribution of cash or 
property, that constitutes a distribution under section 305(b) and (c). 
An applicable adjustment to a right to acquire stock is not and does 
not result in a deemed distribution if either--

[[Page 21802]]

    (i) The right to acquire stock is a nonqualified stock option 
without a readily ascertainable fair market value (see section 83(e) 
and Sec.  1.83-7), or
    (ii) Section 83(a) applies to the right to acquire stock or the 
stock to which the right relates or the stock is subject to a 
substantial risk of forfeiture, and the holder of the right has not 
made an election under section 83(b).
    (e) Effective/applicability date. Paragraphs (b)(3) and (d) of this 
section apply to deemed distributions under section 305(b) and (c) 
occurring on or after the date of publication of the Treasury decision 
adopting these rules as final regulations in the Federal Register. A 
taxpayer, however, may rely on these proposed regulations for deemed 
distributions under section 305(c) that occur prior to such date. For 
purposes of determining the amount of a deemed distribution to a deemed 
shareholder occurring prior to such date, a taxpayer may determine the 
amount of the deemed distribution by treating such distribution either 
as a distribution of a right to acquire stock or as a distribution of 
the actual stock to which the right relates.
0
Par. 3. Section 1.305-3 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraph (e) introductory text,
0
Example (6)(ii),
0
Example (7)(ii) and (iii).
0
2. Adding paragraph (f).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  1.305-3  Disproportionate distributions.

* * * * *
    (e) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
section 305(b)(2) to distributions of stock and rights to acquire stock 
and the application of section 305(c) to deemed distributions of stock 
and rights to acquire stock. * * *

    Example 6. * * *
    (ii) M pays an annual cash dividend on the class A stock. At the 
beginning of the second year, when the conversion ratio is increased 
to 1.05 shares of class A stock for each share of class B stock, an 
applicable adjustment occurs, as defined in Sec.  1.305-7(a), and a 
distribution of rights to acquire 0.05 shares of class A stock is 
deemed made under section 305(c) and Sec.  1.305-7(c)(1) with 
respect to each share of class B stock. The proportionate interests 
of the class B shareholders in the assets or earnings and profits of 
M are increased, and the transaction has the effect described in 
section 305(b)(2). Accordingly, sections 305(b)(2) and 301 apply to 
the transaction. The amount of the deemed distribution is determined 
in accordance with Sec.  1.305-7(c)(4)(ii), and the date and time of 
the deemed distribution are determined in accordance with Sec.  
1.305-7(c)(5).
    Example 7.  * * *
    (ii) In 2017, a $1 cash dividend per share is declared and paid 
on the class B stock. Pursuant to the terms of the class B stock, on 
the date of payment, the conversion ratio of the class B stock is 
reduced. The reduction in conversion ratio is an applicable 
adjustment, as defined in Sec.  1.305-7(a). Under section 305(c) and 
Sec.  1.305-7(c)(2), the reduction is a deemed distribution of stock 
to the class A shareholders, since their proportionate interest in 
the assets or earnings and profits of the corporation is increased, 
and the transaction has the effect described in section 305(b)(2). 
Accordingly, sections 305(b)(2) and 301 apply to the transaction. 
The amount of the distribution is determined in accordance with 
Sec.  1.305-7(c)(4)(ii), and the date and time of the deemed 
distribution are determined in accordance with Sec.  1.305-7(c)(5).
    (iii) In the following year a cash dividend is paid on the class 
A stock but not on the class B stock, and the conversion ratio of 
the class B stock increases. The increase in the conversion ratio of 
the class B shares is an applicable adjustment. Under section 305(c) 
and Sec.  1.305-7(c)(1), the adjustment is a deemed distribution of 
rights to acquire stock to the class B shareholders since their 
proportionate interest in the assets or earnings and profits of the 
corporation is increased, and the transaction has the effect 
described in section 305(b)(2). Accordingly, sections 305(b)(2) and 
301 apply to the transaction. The amount of the distribution is 
determined in accordance with Sec.  1.305-7(c)(4)(i), and the date 
and time of the deemed distribution are determined in accordance 
with Sec.  1.305-7(c)(5).
* * * * *
    (f) Effective/applicability date. The first sentence of paragraph 
(e) of this section and Examples 6 and 7 of paragraph (e) of this 
section apply to deemed distributions under section 305(c) occurring on 
or after the date of publication of the Treasury decision adopting 
these rules as final regulations in the Federal Register. A taxpayer, 
however, may rely on these proposed regulations for deemed 
distributions under section 305(c) that occur prior to such date. For 
purposes of determining the amount of a deemed distribution to a deemed 
shareholder occurring prior to the date of publication, a taxpayer may 
determine the amount of the deemed distribution by treating such 
distribution either as a distribution of a right to acquire stock or as 
a distribution of the actual stock to which the right relates.
0
Par. 4. Section 1.305-7 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1.305-7  Certain transactions treated as distributions.

    (a) Applicable adjustment. For purposes of section 305, Sec. Sec.  
1.305-1 through 1.305-6, and this section, the term applicable 
adjustment means an adjustment to a right to acquire stock (as defined 
in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(3)), including--
    (1) With respect to a convertible instrument and a holder thereof, 
an increase in the conversion ratio or a reduction in the conversion 
price of such instrument;
    (2) With respect to a warrant, subscription right, stock right, 
option, or other similar right and a holder thereof, an increase in the 
number of shares to be received by the holder upon exercise or a 
reduction in exercise price;
    (3) With respect to a convertible instrument and a holder of actual 
stock into which such instrument may be converted, an increase in the 
conversion price or a reduction in the conversion ratio of such 
instrument;
    (4) With respect to a warrant, subscription right, stock right, 
option, or similar right and a holder of actual stock into which such 
instrument is exercisable, an increase in the exercise price or a 
reduction in the number of shares to be received by the holder upon 
exercise; and
    (5) An adjustment in the terms of a right to acquire stock having 
an effect similar to the effects of the adjustments described in 
paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section, including, for 
example, an extension or reduction of the term during which a right to 
acquire stock may be exercised.
    (b) Transactions treated as distributions--(1) In general. Under 
section 305(c), an applicable adjustment, a change in redemption price, 
a difference between redemption price and issue price, a redemption 
that is treated as a distribution to which section 301 applies, or any 
transaction (including a recapitalization) having a similar effect on 
the interest of any shareholder is treated as a distribution of stock 
to which sections 305(b) and 301 apply if such transaction increases a 
shareholder's proportionate interest in the assets or earnings and 
profits of the corporation deemed to make such distribution, and the 
distribution has the result described in section 305(b)(2), (3), (4), 
or (5). Depending upon the facts presented, the distribution may be 
deemed to be made in shares of actual stock or in additional rights to 
acquire stock (which, in either case, may be common or preferred 
stock).
    (c) Applicable adjustment to right to acquire stock--(1) Increase 
in deemed shareholder's proportionate interest. Under section 305(c), 
if an applicable adjustment has the effect of increasing a deemed 
shareholder's proportionate interest in the assets or earnings and 
profits of the corporation, and if such increase has the effect 
described in section 305(b)(2), (3), (4) or (5), the

[[Page 21803]]

applicable adjustment is a deemed distribution to the deemed 
shareholder of a right to acquire stock, and section 301 applies to the 
deemed distribution. Applicable adjustments that can have this effect 
include, with respect to a convertible instrument, an increase in the 
conversion ratio or the number of shares of stock to be received upon 
conversion or a reduction in the conversion price.
    (2) Increase in actual shareholder's proportionate interest. If an 
applicable adjustment has the effect of reducing a deemed shareholder's 
proportionate interest in the assets or earnings and profits of the 
corporation and thereby increasing an actual shareholder's 
proportionate interest, and if such increase has the effect described 
in section 305(b)(2), (3), (4), or (5), then the applicable adjustment 
is a deemed distribution of stock to the actual shareholder, and 
section 301 applies to the deemed distribution. Applicable adjustments 
that can have this effect include, with respect to a convertible 
instrument, a reduction in the conversion ratio or in the number of 
shares to be received upon conversion, or an increase in the conversion 
price.
    (3) Exception. For purposes of applying section 305(c) in 
conjunction with section 305(b), an applicable adjustment that is made 
pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable adjustment formula (including but 
not limited to an applicable adjustment made to compensate for a 
distribution of stock to another shareholder) and that has the effect 
of preventing dilution of the proportionate interest of the holders of 
actual stock or rights to acquire stock does not result in a deemed 
distribution of stock. An applicable adjustment that is made to 
compensate for a cash or property distribution to another shareholder 
and that is taxable under section 301, 356(a)(2), 871(a)(1)(A), 
881(a)(1), 852(b), or 857(b) is not made pursuant to a bona fide 
adjustment formula described in the preceding sentence.
    (4) Amount of deemed distribution--(i) Deemed distribution to 
deemed shareholder. For a deemed distribution under section 305(b) and 
(c) that is made to a deemed shareholder and is an applicable 
adjustment, the amount of the deemed distribution is the excess of--
    (A) The fair market value of the right to acquire stock held by the 
deemed shareholder immediately after the applicable adjustment, over
    (B) The fair market value, determined immediately after the 
applicable adjustment, of such right to acquire stock as if no 
applicable adjustment had occurred.
    (ii) Deemed distribution to actual shareholder. For a deemed 
distribution under section 305(b) and (c) that is made to an actual 
shareholder and results from an applicable adjustment, the amount of 
the deemed distribution is the fair market value of the stock deemed 
distributed, determined in accordance with the methodology set forth in 
Sec.  1.305-3(e), Examples 8 and 9.
    (iii) Fair market value standard. In determining the fair market 
value of a right to acquire stock for purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(4),
    (A) Any particular facts pertaining to the deemed shareholder, 
including the number of rights or shares such deemed shareholder owns, 
will be disregarded, and
    (B) Any value or reduction in value attributable to the possibility 
of future applicable adjustments that may result from actual or deemed 
distributions will not be taken into account.
    (5) Date and time of deemed distribution. When an applicable 
adjustment is a deemed distribution under paragraphs (c)(1) or (2) of 
this section, the deemed distribution occurs at the time such 
applicable adjustment occurs, in accordance with the instrument setting 
forth the terms of the right to acquire stock, but in no event later 
than the date of the distribution of cash or property that results in 
the deemed distribution (taking into account Sec.  1.305-3(b)). For 
such applicable adjustment relating to a right to acquire publicly-
traded stock, if the instrument setting forth the terms of such right 
does not set forth the time the applicable adjustment occurs, the 
deemed distribution occurs immediately prior to the opening of business 
on the ex-dividend date for the distribution of the cash or property 
that results in the deemed distribution. For such an applicable 
adjustment relating to a right to acquire non-publicly traded stock, if 
the instrument setting forth the terms of such right does not set forth 
the time the applicable adjustment occurs, the deemed distribution 
occurs on the date that a holder is legally entitled to the 
distribution of cash or property that results in the deemed 
distribution.
    (6) Examples. The following examples and the examples in Sec. Sec.  
1.305-3(e) and 1.305-5(d) illustrate the application of section 305(c) 
and paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this section.

    Example 1.  (i) Facts. Corporation U has two classes of actual 
stock outstanding, class A and class B. Each class B share is 
convertible into class A stock. In accordance with a bona fide, 
reasonable antidilution provision, the conversion price is adjusted 
downward if the corporation transfers class A stock to anyone for 
consideration below the conversion price. The corporation sells 
class A stock to the public at the current market price, which is 
below the conversion price. Pursuant to the antidilution provision, 
the conversion price is adjusted downward.
    (ii) Analysis. Although such a reduction in conversion price is 
an applicable adjustment, under paragraph (c)(3) of this section the 
reduction is not a distribution under section 305(c) for the 
purposes of section 305(b).
    Example 2. (i) Facts. Corporation X has outstanding one class of 
actual common stock and convertible debt securities. The convertible 
securities have a bona fide, reasonable antidilution provision that 
provides for an increase in conversion ratio in the event stock 
dividends or rights to acquire stock are distributed to the common 
shareholders. Corporation X distributes to the common shareholders 
an actual stock dividend that results in an increase in the 
conversion ratio of the convertible securities. Pursuant to the 
antidilution provision, the conversion ratio is increased.
    (ii) Analysis. Under section 305(d) and Sec.  1.305-1(d)(4), the 
holders of convertible securities are shareholders for purposes of 
section 305(b) and (c). The convertible securities are rights to 
acquire stock and are stock for purposes of section 305. The 
increase in conversion ratio caused by the distribution of the stock 
dividend to the common shareholders is an applicable adjustment. 
Because the applicable adjustment is made pursuant to a bona fide, 
reasonable adjustment formula within the meaning of paragraph (c)(3) 
of this section, the applicable adjustment is not a deemed 
distribution under section 305(c) of rights to acquire stock.
    Example 3.  (i) Facts. Corporation X has outstanding one class 
of publicly-traded common stock and convertible debt securities. The 
terms of the convertible securities provide for an increase in the 
conversion ratio in the event stock, cash, or property is 
distributed to the holders of the common stock. Corporation X 
distributes cash to the holders of the common stock, and the 
distribution results in an increase in the conversion ratio of the 
convertible securities.
    (ii) Analysis. Under section 305(d) and Sec.  1.305-1(d)(5), the 
holders of the convertible securities are shareholders for purposes 
of section 305(b) and (c). The conversion rights in the convertible 
securities are rights to acquire stock (as defined in Sec.  1.305-
1(d)(3)) and is stock for purposes of section 305. The increase in 
conversion ratio resulting from the cash distribution to the holders 
of common stock is an applicable adjustment. Because the applicable 
adjustment is not made pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable 
adjustment formula within the meaning of paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section, it is a deemed distribution to the holders of the 
convertible securities of rights to acquire stock under section 
305(c) and paragraph (c)(1) of this section. Because the 
proportionate interests of these deemed shareholders in the assets 
or earnings and profits of Corporation X are increased by the change 
in conversion ratio, the distribution has the result described in 
section 305(b)(2) and is treated as a

[[Page 21804]]

distribution to which section 301 applies. The amount of the deemed 
distribution is determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(4)(i) of 
this section, and the date and time of the deemed distribution are 
determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(5) of this section.

    (d) Recapitalizations--(1) In general. A recapitalization (whether 
or not an isolated transaction) will be deemed to result in a 
distribution to which section 305(c) and this section apply if--
    (i) It is pursuant to a plan to periodically increase a 
shareholder's proportionate interest in the assets or earnings and 
profits of the corporation, or
    (ii) A shareholder owning preferred stock with dividends in arrears 
exchanges his stock for other stock and, as a result, increases his 
proportionate interest in the assets or earnings and profits of the 
corporation. An increase in a preferred shareholder's proportionate 
interest occurs in any case where the fair market value or the 
liquidation preference, whichever is greater, of the stock received in 
the exchange (determined immediately following the recapitalization), 
exceeds the issue price of the preferred stock surrendered.
    (2) Amount of distribution. In a case to which paragraph (d)(1)(ii) 
of this section applies, the amount of the distribution deemed under 
section 305(c) to result from the recapitalization is the lesser of--
    (i) The amount by which the fair market value or the liquidation 
preference, whichever is greater, of the stock received in the exchange 
(determined immediately following the recapitalization) exceeds the 
issue price of the preferred stock surrendered, or
    (ii) The amount of the dividends in arrears.
    (3) Definition. For purposes of applying paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) 
of this section with respect to stock issued before July 12, 1973, the 
term issue price of the preferred stock surrendered shall mean the 
greater of the issue price or the liquidation preference (not including 
dividends in arrears) of the stock surrendered.
    (4) Examples. For an illustration of the application of this 
paragraph (d), see Example 12 of Sec.  1.305-3(e) and Examples 1, 2, 3, 
and 6 of Sec.  1.305-5(d).
    (e) Redemption premiums with respect to preferred stock. Under 
section 305(c), if a redemption premium exists with respect to a class 
of preferred stock under the circumstances described in Sec.  1.305-
5(b) and the other requirements of this section are met, the 
distribution will be deemed made with respect to such preferred stock, 
in stock of the same class. Accordingly, the preferred shareholders are 
considered under section 305(b)(4) and (c) to have received a deemed 
distribution of preferred stock to which section 301 applies.
    (f) Coordination with section 871(m). For coordination of sections 
305 and 871(m), see Sec.  1.871-15(c)(2)(ii).
    (g) Effective date. This section applies to deemed distributions 
under section 305(c) occurring on or after the date of publication of 
the Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the 
Federal Register. A taxpayer, however, may rely on these proposed 
regulations for deemed distributions under section 305(c) that occur 
prior to such date. For purposes of determining the amount of a deemed 
distribution to a deemed shareholder occurring prior to the date of 
publication, a taxpayer may determine the amount of the deemed 
distribution by treating such distribution either as a distribution of 
a right to acquire stock or as a distribution of the actual stock to 
which the right relates.


Sec.  1.860G-3  [Amended]

0
Par. 5. Section 1.860G-3(b)(1) is amended by removing the language 
``1.1441-2(d)(4)'' in the last sentence, and adding the language 
``1.1441-2(d)(1)(ii)(C)'' in its place, and by removing the language 
``1.1441-5(b)(2)(i)(A), and'' and adding the language ``1.1441-
5(b)(2)(i)(A), 1.1471-2(a)(4)(i)(B)(4), and'' in its place.
0
Par. 6. Section 1.861-3 is amended by:
0
1. In paragraph (a)(6), removing ``A substitute dividend payment is a 
payment'' in the first sentence and adding ``A substitute dividend 
payment is a payment or a deemed payment'' in its place, and adding a 
new second sentence.
0
2. In paragraph (d), replacing the third sentence with a new sentence.
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.861-3.  Dividends.

    (a) * * * * *
    (6) Substitute dividend payments. * * * A deemed payment is a 
payment deemed to have been made in the amount (as determined under 
Sec.  1.305-7(c)(4)) of a deemed distribution (as defined in Sec.  
1.305-1(d)(7)) that the owner of the transferred security is entitled 
to during the term of the transaction. * * *
* * * * *
    (d) Effective/applicability date. * * * Paragraph (a)(6) of this 
section applies to payments made on or after the date of publication of 
the Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the 
Federal Register; however, a taxpayer may rely on the rule in the 
second sentence of paragraph (a)(6) of this section for all deemed 
distributions (as defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) occurring on or after 
January 1, 2016, until the date of publication of a Treasury decision 
adopting these rules as final regulations in the Federal Register. * * 
*
0
Par. 7. Section 1.1441-2 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (d)(1) and (4).
0
2. Amending paragraph (f) by removing the language ``(d)(4)'' in the 
second sentence and adding in its place ``(d)(1)(ii)(C),'' and adding a 
fourth and fifth sentence.
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-2  Amounts subject to withholding.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) General rule--(i) Control or custody and knowledge. Except as 
provided in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, a withholding agent 
has an obligation to withhold under section 1441 only to the extent 
that, at any time between the date that the obligation to withhold 
would arise (but for the provisions of this paragraph (d)) and the due 
date (including extensions) for filing Form 1042 with respect to the 
calendar year in which the payment occurs, it has--
    (A) Control over, or custody of, money or property owned by the 
recipient or beneficial owner from which to withhold an amount; and
    (B) Knowledge of the facts that give rise to the payment.
    (ii) Exception not available. The exception from the obligation to 
withhold under paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section does not apply if--
    (A) The withholding agent is related (within the meaning of section 
482) to the recipient or the beneficial owner of the payment;
    (B) The payment is a distribution with respect to stock (including 
a deemed distribution (as defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) of stock or a 
right to acquire stock); see, however, paragraph (d)(4) of this 
section, which provides a limited exception from the obligation to 
withhold on a deemed distribution;
    (C) The amounts are described in Sec.  1.860G-3(b)(1) (regarding 
certain partnership allocations of REMIC net income with respect to a 
REMIC residual interest);
    (D) The lack of control over or custody of money or property from 
which to withhold is part of a pre-arranged plan known to the 
withholding

[[Page 21805]]

agent to avoid withholding under section 1441, 1442, or 1443; or
    (E) The payment is a deemed payment (as defined in Sec.  1.861-
3(a)(6)); see, however, paragraph (d)(4) of this section, which 
provides a limited exception from the obligation to withhold on a 
deemed payment.
    (iii) Documentation. Any exception from withholding pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section applies without a requirement that 
documentation be furnished to the withholding agent. However, 
documentation may have to be furnished for purposes of the information 
reporting provisions under chapter 61 of the Code and backup 
withholding under section 3406.
    (iv) Scope of exception. The exception from withholding under this 
paragraph (d) is not a determination that the amounts are not fixed or 
determinable annual or periodical income, nor is it an exception from 
reporting the amount under Sec.  1.1461-1(b) and (c).
    (v) Lack of money or property or lack of knowledge. A withholding 
agent does not lack control over money or property for purposes of this 
paragraph (d)(1) if the withholding agent directs another party to make 
the payment. Thus, for example, a principal does not cease to have 
control over a payment when it contracts with a paying agent to make 
the payments to its account holders in lieu of paying the account 
holders directly. Further, a withholding agent does not lack knowledge 
of the facts that give rise to a payment merely because the withholding 
agent does not know the character or source of the payment for U.S. tax 
purposes. See Sec.  1.1441-3(d)(1) for rules addressing a withholding 
agent's obligations when the withholding agent has knowledge of the 
facts that give rise to the payment, but the character or source of the 
payment is not known.

    (vi) Example.  A, an individual, owns stock in DC, a domestic 
corporation, through a custodian, Bank 1. A also has a money market 
account at Bank 2. DC pays a dividend of $1,000 that is deposited in 
A's custodial account at Bank 1. A then directs Bank 1 to transfer 
$1,000 to A's money market account at Bank 2. With respect to the 
payment of the dividend into A's custodial account with Bank 1, both 
DC and Bank 1 are withholding agents making a payment of an amount 
subject to withholding for which they have custody, control, and 
knowledge. See Sec. Sec.  1.1441-2(b)(1) and 1.1441-7(a)(1). 
Therefore, both DC and Bank 1 have an obligation to withhold on the 
payment unless they can reliably associate the payment with 
documentation sufficient to treat the respective payees as not 
subject to withholding under chapter 3. With respect to the wire 
transfer of $1,000 from A's account at Bank 1 to A's account at Bank 
2, neither Bank 1 nor Bank 2 is required to withhold on the transfer 
because neither bank has knowledge of the facts that gave rise to 
the payment. Even though Bank 1 is a custodian for A's stock in DC 
and has knowledge regarding the $1,000 dividend paid to A, once Bank 
1 credits the $1,000 dividend to A's account, the $1,000 becomes A's 
property. When A transfers the $1,000 to its account at Bank 2, this 
is a separate transfer about which Bank 1 has no knowledge regarding 
the type of payment made. Further, Bank 2 only has knowledge that it 
receives $1,000 to be credited to A's account but has no knowledge 
regarding the type of payment made. Accordingly, Bank 1 and Bank 2 
have no withholding obligation with respect to the transfer from A's 
custodial account at Bank 1 to A's money market account at Bank 2.
* * * * *
    (4) Deemed distributions under section 305(c) and deemed payments--
(i) General rule. Subject to the rules in this paragraph (d)(4)(i) and 
paragraph (d)(4)(iii) of this section, and any other exception to 
withholding (for example, under Sec.  1.1441-4), a withholding agent 
has an obligation to withhold on a deemed distribution (as defined in 
Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) or a deemed payment (as defined in Sec.  1.861-
3(a)(6)) on a security. However, a withholding agent other than the 
issuer of a specified security (as defined in Sec.  1.6045-1(a)(14)) 
has an obligation to withhold on a deemed distribution (as defined in 
Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) on a specified security or a deemed payment (as 
defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) that is determined with respect to a 
deemed distribution on a specified security only if:
    (A) The issuer of the specified security reports the information 
required under Sec.  1.6045B-1 regarding the deemed distribution before 
the due date (not including extensions) for the withholding agent to 
file Form 1042 for the calendar year in which the deemed distribution 
or the deemed payment occurred; or
    (B) The withholding agent has actual knowledge of the deemed 
distribution before the due date (not including extensions) for it to 
file Form 1042 for the calendar year in which the deemed distribution 
or the deemed payment occurred, but in such case the requirements of 
this paragraph (d)(4)(i) will not be considered to be met until January 
15 of the year following the calendar year in which the deemed 
distribution or the deemed payment occurred.
    (ii) Time to withhold on a deemed distribution or deemed payment. 
After the requirements of paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section have been 
met, except as provided in Sec.  1.1441-5 regarding the time to 
withhold for partnerships and trusts, a withholding agent must withhold 
on a deemed distribution (as defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) or a 
deemed payment (as defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) on the earliest of:
    (A) The date on which a payment of cash is made with respect to the 
security or the securities lending or sales-repurchase transaction;
    (B) The date on which the security is sold, exchanged, or otherwise 
disposed of (including a transfer of the security to a separate account 
not maintained by the withholding agent or a termination of the account 
relationship); or
    (C) The due date (not including extensions) for the withholding 
agent to file Form 1042 for the calendar year in which the deemed 
distribution or the deemed payment occurred.
    (iii) Treatment of foreign entities assuming withholding 
responsibilities. Notwithstanding Sec.  1.1441-1(b)(1), a withholding 
agent may not treat a foreign entity as having assumed primary 
withholding responsibility under Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(5), Sec.  1.1441-
1(b)(2)(iv), Sec.  1.1441-5(c)(2)(i), or Sec.  1.1441-5(e)(5)(v) for a 
deemed distribution (as defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) on a specified 
security (as defined in Sec.  1.6045-1(a)(14)) or a deemed payment (as 
defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) that is determined with respect to a 
deemed distribution on a specified security unless the withholding 
agent has provided the foreign entity a copy of the issuer statement 
described in Sec.  1.6045B-1(b)(1) within 10 days of the issuer 
furnishing the statement to the holder of record (or its nominee), or 
the issuer has met the public reporting requirements described in Sec.  
1.6045B-1(a)(3). A foreign entity described in the preceding sentence 
has an obligation to withhold on the deemed distribution or the deemed 
payment (unless an exception to withholding under section 1441 applies) 
if it receives a copy of the statement described in Sec.  1.6045B-
1(b)(1) or the issuer has met the public reporting requirements 
described in Sec.  1.6045B-1(a)(3) by the due date (not including 
extensions) for filing Form 1042 with respect to the calendar year in 
which the deemed distribution or the deemed payment occurred. See Sec.  
1.1441-3(c)(5)(i) for when the foreign entity may rely on the copy of 
the issuer statement that it receives to determine the amount to 
withhold.
    (iv) Examples. The following examples illustrate when a withholding 
agent must satisfy its obligation to withhold under paragraph (d)(4) of 
this section on a deemed distribution.

    Example 1  (i) Facts. WA is a U.S. custodian that holds a 
convertible debt instrument (CDI) of Corporation X that is a 
specified security (as defined in Sec.  1.6045-

[[Page 21806]]

1(a)(14)) on behalf of A, a foreign person. On March 1 of Year 1, 
there is a change in the conversion ratio of the CDI that is treated 
as a deemed distribution under Sec.  1.305-7(b) and (c). On March 15 
of Year 1, Corporation X makes an interest payment on the CDI to WA 
as custodian for A. On April 1 of Year 1, Corporation X reports the 
information required under Sec.  1.6045B-1 regarding the deemed 
distribution on its public Web site. On April 15 of Year 1, 
Corporation X makes another interest payment on the CDI to WA as 
custodian for A.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section, WA 
does not have an obligation to withhold on the deemed distribution 
on the CDI that it holds on behalf of A until April 1 of Year 1, the 
date on which Corporation X satisfied its reporting requirements 
under Sec.  1.6045B-1 regarding the deemed distribution. WA must 
withhold on the April 15 cash payment, which is the earliest of the 
dates specified in paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this section for 
withholding on the deemed distribution.
    Example 2 (i) Facts. The facts are the same as in Example 1, 
except that an interest payment is not made on the Corporation X CDI 
on April 15 of Year 1, and the CDI is transferred to a separate 
account of A that is not maintained by WA on April 15 of Year 1.
    (ii) Analysis. Because WA is a withholding agent under Sec.  
1.1441-7(a)(4) with respect to the deemed distribution on March 1 of 
Year 1 and Corporation X reports the information required under 
Sec.  1.6045B-1, WA is required to satisfy the withholding 
obligation even though the CDI was transferred before a cash payment 
is made with respect to the CDI. WA does not have an obligation to 
withhold on the deemed distribution until April 1 of Year 1, the 
date on which Corporation X reported the conversion ratio adjustment 
as required by Sec.  1.6045B-1 regarding the deemed distribution. WA 
must withhold upon the transfer of the CDI to an account not 
maintained by WA on April 15 of Year 1, which is the earliest of the 
dates specified in paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this section for 
withholding.
    Example 3  (i) Facts. The facts are the same as in Example 2, 
except that the CDI is transferred to a separate account of A that 
is not maintained by WA on March 30 of Year 1.
    (ii) Analysis. Because WA is a withholding agent under Sec.  
1.1441-7(a)(4) with respect to the deemed distribution on March 1 of 
Year 1 and Corporation X has satisfied its reporting requirements 
with respect to the deemed distribution, WA is required to satisfy 
the withholding obligation even though the CDI was transferred 
before WA received the issuer reporting from Corporation X under 
Sec.  1.6045B-1 regarding the deemed distribution. WA does not have 
an obligation to withhold on the deemed distribution until April 1 
of Year 1, the date on which Corporation X satisfied its reporting 
requirements under Sec.  1.6045B-1 regarding the deemed 
distribution. Because neither of the events specified in paragraphs 
(d)(4)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section occurred after April 1 of Year 
1, WA must satisfy its withholding obligation by the due date (not 
including extensions) for filing Form 1042 (that is, by March 15 of 
Year 2), as provided in paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(C) of this section. WA 
may apply Sec.  1.1461-2(b) in order to collect the underwithheld 
amount.
* * * * *
    (f) Effective/applicability date. * * * Paragraphs (d)(1) and 
(d)(4) of this section apply to payments made on or after the date of 
publication of the Treasury decision adopting these rules as final 
regulations in the Federal Register. A withholding agent may, however, 
rely on the rules in paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(4) of this section for 
all deemed distributions (as defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) or deemed 
payments (as defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) occurring on or after 
January 1, 2016, until the date of publication of a Treasury decision 
adopting these rules as final regulations in the Federal Register.
0
Par. 8. Section 1.1441-3 is amended by:
0
1. Adding paragraph (c)(5).
0
2. Amending paragraph (i) by removing the language ``paragraphs (g) and 
(h)'' and adding in its place ``paragraphs (c)(5), (g), and (h)''.
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-3  Determination of amounts to be withheld.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (5) Reliance rule for applicable adjustments--(i) In general. For 
purposes of determining the amount of a deemed distribution (as defined 
in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) on a specified security (as defined in Sec.  
1.6045-1(a)(14)) or a deemed payment (as defined in Sec.  1.861-
3(a)(6)) that is determined with respect to a deemed distribution on a 
specified security, a withholding agent other than the issuer of the 
specified security (as defined in Sec.  1.6045-1(a)(14)) may rely on 
the information provided by the issuer under Sec.  1.6045B-1 (or a copy 
of the issuer statement in the circumstances described in Sec.  1.1441-
2(d)(4)(iii)) unless it knows that such information is incorrect or 
unreliable. See Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4) for a withholding agent's 
obligation to withhold on a deemed distribution or a deemed payment.
    (ii) Effective/applicability date. Paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this 
section applies to payments made on or after the date of publication of 
the Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the 
Federal Register. A withholding agent may, however, rely on the rules 
in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section for all deemed distributions (as 
defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) or deemed payments (as defined in Sec.  
1.861-3(a)(6)) occurring on or after January 1, 2016, until the date of 
publication of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as final 
regulations in the Federal Register.
* * * * *
0
Par. 9. Section 1.1441-7 is amended by:
0
1. Redesignating paragraph (a)(4) as (a)(5) and adding a second and 
third sentence to newly redesignated (a)(5).
0
2. Adding a new paragraph (a)(4).
0
3. Amending paragraph (g) by removing the language ``paragraphs 
(a)(4)'' and adding in its place ``paragraphs (a)(5).''
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-7  General provisions relating to withholding agents.

    (a) * * *
    (4) Withholding agent with respect to deemed distributions under 
section 305(c). Any person that issues or holds directly or indirectly 
(for example, through an account maintained for another intermediary) 
on behalf of a beneficial owner, or a flow through entity that owns 
directly or indirectly (through another flow-through entity), a 
security upon which a deemed distribution (as defined in Sec.  1.305-
1(d)(7)) is made has custody of or control over the deemed 
distribution. See Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4) for a withholding agent's 
obligation to withhold on the deemed distribution and Sec.  1.1441-
3(c)(5)(i) for when a withholding agent may rely on the information 
reported by the issuer under Sec.  1.6045B-1 to determine the amount to 
withhold.
    (5) * * * Paragraph (a)(4) of this section applies to payments made 
on or after the date of publication of the Treasury decision adopting 
these rules as final regulations in the Federal Register. A withholding 
agent may, however, rely on the rules in paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section for all deemed distributions (as defined in Sec.  1.305-
1(d)(7)) occurring on or after January 1, 2016, until the date of 
publication of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as final 
regulations in the Federal Register.
0
Par. 10. Section 1.1461-2 is amended by revising the second sentence to 
paragraph (b), adding a fourth sentence to paragraph (b), and adding a 
second and third sentence to paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.1461-2  Adjustments for overwithholding or underwithholding of 
tax.

* * * * *
    (b) Withholding of additional tax when underwithholding occurs. * * 
* In the alternative, the withholding agent may satisfy the tax from 
property that it holds in custody for the beneficial owner, property 
over which it has

[[Page 21807]]

control, or additional contributions of property obtained directly or 
indirectly from the beneficial owner. * * * A withholding agent that 
adjusts its underwithholding under the procedure described in this 
paragraph (b) will not be subject to any penalties or additions to tax 
described in Sec.  1.1461-1(a)(2) if it timely deposits the amounts 
that it withholds from future payments, proceeds from the liquidation 
of property, or additional contributions of property obtained directly 
or indirectly from the beneficial owner. * * *
    (d) * * * Paragraph (b) of this section applies to payments made on 
or after the date of publication of the Treasury decision adopting 
these rules as final regulations in the Federal Register. A withholding 
agent may, however, rely on the rules in paragraph (b) of this section 
for payments occurring on or after January 1, 2016, until the date of 
publication of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as final 
regulations in the Federal Register.
0
Par. 11. Section 1.1471-2 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A), redesignating paragraph (B) as new 
paragraph (E), and adding new paragraphs (B) through (D).
0
2. Amending paragraph (c) by adding a third and fourth sentence.
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  1.1471-2  Requirement to deduct and withhold tax on withholdable 
payments to certain FFIs.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4)(i)(B) of 
this section, a withholding agent has an obligation to withhold under 
chapter 4 only to the extent that, at any time between the date that 
the obligation to withhold would arise (but for the provisions of this 
paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A)) and the due date (including extensions) for 
filing Form 1042 (including extensions) with respect to the calendar 
year in which the payment occurs, it has--
    (1) Control over, or custody of, money or property owned by the 
recipient or beneficial owner from which to withhold an amount, and
    (2) Knowledge of the facts that give rise to the payment.
    (B) Exception not available. The exception from the obligation to 
withhold under paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A) of this section does not apply 
if--
    (1) The withholding agent is related (within the meaning of section 
482) to the recipient or the beneficial owner of the payment;
    (2) The payment is with respect to stock (including a deemed 
distribution (as defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) of stock or a right to 
acquire stock) or other securities; however, the limited exception from 
the obligation to withhold on a deemed distribution provided in Sec.  
1.1441-2(d)(4) also applies to a deemed distribution that is a 
withholdable payment under chapter 4;
    (3) The lack of control over or custody of money or property from 
which to withhold is part of a pre-arranged plan known to the 
withholding agent to avoid withholding under section 1471 or 1472;
    (4) The amounts are described in Sec.  1.860G-3(b)(1) (regarding 
certain partnership allocations of REMIC net income with respect to a 
REMIC residual interest);
    (5) Any of the special rules described in Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(2) or 
(3), regarding the obligation of a withholding agent with respect to 
cancellation of debt or the satisfaction of tax liability following 
underwithholding by a withholding agent, apply with respect to the 
payment (by applying such rules to payments that are withholdable 
payments under chapter 4); or
    (6) The payment is a deemed payment (as defined in Sec.  1.861-
3(a)(6)); however, the limited exception from the obligation to 
withhold on a deemed payment provided in Sec.  1.1441-2(d)(4) also 
applies to a deemed payment that is determined with respect to a deemed 
distribution on a specified security and that is a withholdable payment 
under chapter 4.
    (C) Documentation. Any exception from withholding pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A) of this section applies without a requirement 
that documentation be furnished to the withholding agent. However, 
documentation may have to be furnished for purposes of the information 
reporting provisions under chapter 61 of the Code and backup 
withholding under section 3406.
    (D) Lack of money or property or lack of knowledge. A withholding 
agent does not lack control over money or property for purposes of this 
paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A) if the withholding agent directs another party 
to make the payment. Thus, for example, a principal does not cease to 
have control over a payment when it contracts with a paying agent to 
make the payments to its account holders in lieu of paying the account 
holders directly. Further, a withholding agent does not lack knowledge 
of the facts that give rise to a payment merely because the withholding 
agent does not know the character or source of the payment for U.S. tax 
purposes. See paragraph (a)(5) of this section for rules addressing a 
withholding agent's obligations when the withholding agent has 
knowledge of the facts that give rise to the payment, but the character 
or source of the payment is not known.
* * * * *
    (c) * * * Paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section applies to payments 
made on or after the date of publication of the Treasury decision 
adopting these rules as final regulations in the Federal Register. A 
withholding agent may, however, rely on the rules in paragraph 
(a)(4)(i) of this section (together with the rules in Sec.  1.1441-
2(d)(4)), for all deemed distributions (as defined in Sec.  1.305-
1(d)(7)) or deemed payments (as defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) that 
are withholdable payments occurring on or after January 1, 2016, until 
the date of publication of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as 
final regulations in the Federal Register.
0
Par. 12. Section 1.1473-1 is amended by:
0
1. Amending paragraph (a)(2)(vii)(A) by adding a sentence to the end of 
the paragraph.
0
2. Adding paragraph (d)(7).
0
3. Amending paragraph (f) by adding a third and fourth sentence.
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.1473-1  Section 1473 definitions.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (vii) * * *
    (A) * * * For purposes of determining the amount of a deemed 
distribution (as defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) on a specified 
security (as defined in Sec.  1.6045-1(a)(14)) or a deemed payment (as 
defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) that is determined with respect to a 
deemed distribution on a specified security, a withholding agent other 
than the issuer of the specified security may rely on issuer reporting 
by applying the rule under Sec.  1.1441-3(c)(5)(i) to deemed 
distributions or deemed payments that are withholdable payments under 
chapter 4.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (7) Withholding agent with respect to deemed distributions under 
section 305(c). Any person that issues or holds directly or indirectly 
(for example, through an account maintained for another intermediary) 
on behalf of a beneficial owner or a flow through entity that owns 
directly or indirectly (through another flow-through entity), a 
security upon which a deemed distribution (as defined in Sec.  1.305-

[[Page 21808]]

1(d)(7)) is made has custody of or control over the deemed 
distribution.
* * * * *
    (f) * * * Paragraphs (a)(2)(vii) and (d)(7) of this section apply 
to payments made on or after the date of publication of the Treasury 
decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the Federal 
Register. A withholding agent may, however, rely on the rules in 
paragraphs (a)(2)(vii) and (d)(7) of this section for all deemed 
distributions (as defined in Sec.  1.305-1(d)(7)) or deemed payments 
(as defined in Sec.  1.861-3(a)(6)) that are withholdable payments 
occurring on or after January 1, 2016, until the date of publication of 
a Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the 
Federal Register.
0
Par. 13. Section 1.6045B-1 is amended by adding paragraph (i) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  1.6045B-1  Returns relating to actions affecting basis of 
securities.

* * * * *
    (i) Deemed distribution under section 305(c)--(1) In general. This 
paragraph (i) provides special rules for an organizational action 
resulting in a deemed distribution under section 305(c) that affects 
the basis of a specified security, including a deemed distribution 
resulting from an applicable adjustment (for example, a conversion 
ratio adjustment). See paragraph (j) of this section to determine when 
this section applies to an organizational action that affects the basis 
of a specified security. For example, under paragraph (j)(4) of this 
section, this section applies to a deemed distribution under section 
305(c) resulting from an applicable adjustment to a convertible debt 
instrument if the deemed distribution occurs on or after January 1, 
2016, and the deemed distribution could affect the basis of the 
convertible debt instrument.
    (2) Mandatory reporting. Notwithstanding any other provision in 
this section (including the reporting exceptions for exempt recipients 
in paragraphs (a)(4) and (b)(5) of this section), for an organizational 
action described in paragraph (i)(1) of this section the issuer must 
file an issuer return in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of 
this section and issuer statements in accordance with paragraphs 
(b)(1), (2), and (3) of this section. However, the requirement to file 
an issuer return and issuer statement in accordance with the preceding 
sentence does not apply if the issuer satisfies the public reporting 
requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
    (3) Information required to be reported. For purposes of paragraph 
(i)(2) of this section, an issuer must provide the information required 
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, including--
    (i) The date of the deemed distribution under section 305(c) as 
determined in accordance with Sec.  1.305-7(c)(5) (pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section); and
    (ii) The amount of the deemed distribution under section 305(c) as 
determined in accordance with Sec.  1.305-7(c)(4) (pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(1)(v) of this section).
    (4) Effective/applicability date. Paragraph (i)(2) of this section 
applies to a deemed distribution under section 305(c) occurring on or 
after the date of publication of the Treasury decision adopting these 
rules as final regulations in the Federal Register. For purposes of 
paragraphs (a)(1)(v) and (i)(3)(ii) of this section, an issuer must 
determine the amount of a deemed distribution under section 305(c) in 
accordance with Sec.  1.305-7(c)(4) for a deemed distribution occurring 
on or after the date of publication. For purposes of reporting the 
amount of a deemed distribution occurring prior to the date of 
publication, an issuer may determine the amount of the deemed 
distribution by treating such distribution either as a distribution of 
a right to acquire stock in accordance with Sec.  1.305-7(c)(4), or as 
a distribution of the shares of stock that would be received upon 
exercise of the right. For purposes of paragraphs (a)(1)(iv) and 
(i)(3)(i) of this section, an issuer must determine the date of a 
deemed distribution under section 305(c) occurring on or after the date 
of publication in accordance with Sec.  1.305-7(c)(5). An issuer, 
however, may rely on Sec.  1.305-7(c)(5) to determine the date of a 
deemed distribution that occurs prior to the date of publication.
* * * * *

John M. Dalrymple,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2016-08248 Filed 4-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4830-01-P



                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                          21795

                                                    circumstances (e.g., telephone call,                        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 504, 551 et seq.               adjustments to rights to acquire stock.
                                                    personal interview, etc.) under which it                ■ 50. Add § 1025.69 to subpart H to read               The proposed regulations also would
                                                    was made;                                               as follows:                                            provide additional guidance to
                                                       (D) A brief statement of the substance                                                                      withholding agents regarding their
                                                    of the matters discussed; and                           § 1025.69    Separation of functions.                  current withholding and information
                                                       (E) Whether the person making the                      An employee or agent engaged in the                  reporting obligations under chapters 3
                                                    communication persisted in doing so                     performance of investigative or                        and 4 with respect to these deemed
                                                    after being advised that the                            prosecuting functions for the                          distributions. The proposed regulations
                                                    communication was prohibited.                           Commission in a case, other than a                     would affect corporations issuing rights
                                                       (3) Filing. All communications and                   Commissioner, may not, in that or a                    to acquire stock, their shareholders and
                                                    statements forwarded to the Secretariat                 factually related case, participate or                 holders of these rights, and withholding
                                                    or Presiding Officer under this section                 advise in the decision, recommended                    agents with respect to these deemed
                                                    shall be placed in a public file which                  decision, or agency review of the                      distributions.
                                                    shall be associated with, but not made                  recommended decision, except as
                                                    a part of, the record of the proceedings                                                                       DATES:  Written or electronic comments
                                                                                                            witness or counsel in public                           and requests for a public hearing must
                                                    to which the communication or                           proceedings.
                                                    statement pertains.                                                                                            be received by July 12, 2016.
                                                                                                            ■ 51. Revise § 1025.70 to read as
                                                       (4) Service on parties. The Secretariat                                                                     ADDRESSES: Send submissions to:
                                                                                                            follows:
                                                    or the Presiding Officer, as appropriate,                                                                      CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–133673–15), Room
                                                    shall serve a copy of each                              § 1025.70    General provisions.                       5203, Internal Revenue Service, PO Box
                                                    communication and statement                                The Equal Access to Justice Act, 5                  7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington,
                                                    forwarded under this section on all                     U.S.C. 504 (called ‘‘the EAJA’’ in this                DC, 20044. Submissions may be hand-
                                                    parties to the proceedings. However, if                 subpart), provides for the award of                    delivered Monday through Friday
                                                    the parties are numerous, or if the                     attorney fees and other expenses to                    between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
                                                    Secretary or Presiding Officer, as                      eligible persons who are parties to                    to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–133673–15),
                                                    appropriate, determine that service of                  certain adversary adjudicative                         Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue
                                                    the communication or statement would                    proceedings before the Commission.                     Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW.,
                                                    be unduly burdensome, he/she, in lieu                   Applications for such fees and expenses                Washington, DC, 20224 or sent
                                                    of service, may notify all parties in                   may be made according to the EAJA, as                  electronically, via the Federal
                                                    writing that the communication or                       interpreted by the federal courts and                  eRulemaking Portal at
                                                    statement has been made and filed and                   guidance provided by the U.S.                          www.regulations.gov (indicate IRS and
                                                    that it is available for inspection and                 Department of Justice.                                 REG–133673–15).
                                                    copying.                                                                                                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                       (5) Service on maker. The Secretariat                1025.71 and 1025.72 and Appendix I to Part             Concerning the proposed regulations
                                                    or the Presiding Officer, as appropriate,               1025 [Removed]                                         under section 305, Maurice M. LaBrie,
                                                    shall forward to the person who made                    ■ 52. Remove §§ 1025.71 and 1025.72                    (202) 317–5322; concerning the
                                                    the prohibited ex parte communication                   and appendix I to part 1025.                           proposed regulations under sections
                                                    a copy of each communication or                                                                                860G, 861, 1441, 1461, 1471, and 1473,
                                                                                                              Dated: April 5, 2016.
                                                    statement filed under this section.                                                                            Subin Seth, (202) 317–6942; concerning
                                                       (f) Effect of ex parte communications.               Todd A. Stevenson,
                                                                                                            Secretary, Consumer Product Safety                     the proposed regulations under section
                                                    No prohibited ex parte communication
                                                                                                            Commission.                                            6045B, Pamela Lew, (202) 317–7053;
                                                    shall be considered as part of the record
                                                    for decision unless introduced into                     [FR Doc. 2016–08125 Filed 4–12–16; 8:45 am]            concerning submission of comments,
                                                    evidence by a party to the proceedings.                 BILLING CODE 6355–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                   contact Regina Johnson, (202) 317–6901
                                                       (g) Sanctions. A person or party who                                                                        (not toll-free numbers).
                                                    makes a prohibited ex parte                                                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                    communication, or who encourages or                     DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                             Background and Explanation of
                                                    solicits another to make any such                                                                              Provisions
                                                    communication, may be subject to                        Internal Revenue Service
                                                    sanctions including but not limited to                                                                         1. Overview
                                                    exclusion from the proceedings and an                   26 CFR Part 1                                            This document contains proposed
                                                    adverse ruling on the issue which is the                                                                       regulations that amend 26 CFR part 1
                                                                                                            [REG–133673–15]
                                                    subject of the prohibited                                                                                      under sections 305, 860G, 861, 1441,
                                                    communication. A person, not a party to                 RIN 1545–BN07                                          1461, 1471, 1473, and 6045B of the
                                                    the proceeding, who makes or causes to                                                                         Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code)
                                                    be made an ex parte communication                       Deemed Distributions Under Section
                                                                                                                                                                   concerning deemed distributions that
                                                    prohibited by paragraph (b) of this                     305(c) of Stock and Rights to Acquire
                                                                                                                                                                   are or result from adjustments to rights
                                                    section shall be subject to all sanctions               Stock
                                                                                                                                                                   to acquire stock.
                                                    provided in this section if such person                 AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS),                  Final regulations under section 305
                                                    subsequently becomes a party to the                     Treasury.                                              were published in the Federal Register
                                                    proceeding.                                                                                                    on July 12, 1973 (TD 7281, 38 FR
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                            ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
                                                                                                                                                                   18531), and amendments to those final
                                                    Subpart H—Implementation of the
                                                                                                            SUMMARY:   This document contains                      regulations were published in the
                                                    Equal Access to Justice Act in
                                                                                                            proposed regulations regarding deemed                  Federal Register on October 15, 1974
                                                    Adjudicative Proceedings With the
                                                                                                            distributions of stock and rights to                   (TD 7329, 39 FR 36860), and in the
                                                    Commission
                                                                                                            acquire stock. The proposed regulations                Federal Register on December 21, 1995
                                                    ■ 49. The authority citation for part                   would resolve ambiguities concerning                   (TD 8643, 60 FR 66134).
                                                    1025, subpart H, is revised to read as                  the amount and timing of deemed                          Final regulations under sections 1441
                                                    follows:                                                distributions that are or result from                  and 1461 were published in the Federal


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                                                    21796                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    Register on October 14, 1997 (TD 8734,                  proportionate interests in the assets or               adjustments to prevent actual
                                                    62 FR 53387), and the following                         earnings and profits of the corporation                shareholders’ interests from being
                                                    amendments to those final regulations                   are increased by such events.                          diluted as a result of distributions of
                                                    were published in the Federal Register                     Under section 305(d)(1) and current                 stock, cash, or other property to deemed
                                                    on: December 31, 1998 (TD 8804, 63 FR                   § 1.305–1(d), for purposes of section 305              shareholders (that is, holders of rights to
                                                    72187); December 30, 1999 (TD 8856, 64                  and the regulations thereunder, the term               acquire stock).
                                                    FR 73412); May 22, 2000 (TD 8881, 65                    stock includes rights to acquire stock,                   An applicable adjustment to a
                                                    FR 32186); August 1, 2006 (TD 9272, 71                  and under section 305(d)(2), for                       convertible instrument may consist of
                                                    FR 43366); July 14, 2008 (TD 9415, 73                   purposes of section 305(b) and (c) and                 an increase in the number of shares of
                                                    FR 40172) (corrected on August 6, 2008                  the regulations thereunder, the term                   stock a holder would receive upon
                                                    (73 FR 45612)); January 23, 2012 (TD                    shareholder includes a holder of rights                conversion. Similarly, an applicable
                                                    9572, 77 FR 3109); December 5, 2013                     to acquire stock. For purposes of this                 adjustment to a warrant, subscription
                                                    (TD 9648, 78 FR 73081); March 6, 2014                   preamble:                                              right, stock right, option, or similar right
                                                    (TD 9658, 79 FR 12726) (corrected on                       The term actual shareholder means a                 to acquire stock may consist of an
                                                    July 1, 2014 (79 FR 37175)); and,                       holder of stock (not including rights to               increase in the number of shares the
                                                    September 18, 2015 (TD 9734, 80 FR                      acquire stock).                                        holder would receive upon exercise. In
                                                    56866). Final regulations under sections                   The term deemed shareholder means                   either situation, the applicable
                                                    1471 and 1473 were published in the                     a holder of a right to acquire stock.                  adjustment may have the effect of
                                                    Federal Register on January 28, 2013                       The term deemed distribution means                  increasing the deemed shareholders’
                                                    (TD 9610, 78 FR 5874) (corrected on                     a transaction or event, other than an                  proportionate interests in the assets or
                                                    September 10, 2013 (78 FR 55202)), and                  actual distribution of stock, money, or                earnings and profits of the corporation.
                                                    the amendments to those final                           other property, that is a distribution                 If this increase has a result described in
                                                    regulations were published as                           under section 305(b) and (c).                          section 305(b), then under section
                                                    temporary regulations in the Federal                       The term applicable adjustment                      305(c) the applicable adjustment is a
                                                    Register on March 6, 2014 (TD 9657, 79                  means an adjustment to a right to                      deemed distribution to the deemed
                                                    FR 12812) (corrected on July 1, 2014 (79                acquire stock, including an increase or                shareholder, and section 301 applies to
                                                    FR 37175)).                                             reduction in conversion ratio,                         the deemed distribution.
                                                      Final regulations under section 6045B                 conversion price, option price, or                        Under current § 1.305–7(b)(1), an
                                                    were published in the Federal Register                  number of shares the holder would                      applicable adjustment made pursuant to
                                                    on October 18, 2010 (TD 9504, 75 FR                     receive upon conversion or exercise.                   a bona fide, reasonable adjustment
                                                                                                               The term right to acquire stock means               formula that has the effect of preventing
                                                    64072), and amendments to those final
                                                                                                            any right to acquire stock, whether                    dilution of a shareholder’s interest is not
                                                    regulations were published in the
                                                                                                            pursuant to a convertible instrument                   a deemed distribution of stock to which
                                                    Federal Register on April 18, 2013 (TD
                                                                                                            (such as a debt instrument that is                     sections 305(b) and 301 apply. However,
                                                    9616, 78 FR 23116).
                                                                                                            convertible into shares of stock), a                   also under current § 1.305–7(b)(1), an
                                                    2. Amount and Timing of Deemed                          warrant, subscription right, or stock                  applicable adjustment to compensate for
                                                    Distributions Under Section 305(c)                      right issued by the corporation that                   a distribution of cash or property to
                                                                                                            issued or will issue the underlying                    actual shareholders that is taxable under
                                                    A. Application of Section 305(b) and (c)
                                                                                                            stock, or any other right to acquire stock             section 301, 356(a)(2), 871(a)(1)(A),
                                                    Generally
                                                                                                            of the corporation issuing such right                  881(a)(1), 852(b), or 857(b) is not
                                                       Section 305 and the regulations                      (whether settled in stock or in cash).                 considered as made pursuant to such a
                                                    thereunder apply to actual and deemed                      Under current § 1.305–1(b)(1), when a               bona fide, reasonable adjustment
                                                    distributions by a corporation of its own               distribution of stock (including a right               formula, and therefore may be a
                                                    stock and rights to acquire its own                     to acquire stock) is a distribution of                 distribution to which sections 305(b)
                                                    stock. Section 305(a) provides the                      property to which sections 305(b) and                  and 301 apply.
                                                    general rule that the receipt of these                  301 apply, the amount of the                              The Treasury Department and the IRS
                                                    distributions is not included in the gross              distribution is the fair market value, on              have concluded that, under section
                                                    income of the recipient; however, under                 the date of the distribution, of the stock             305(b) and (c) and the regulations
                                                    section 305(b)(1) through (b)(5) certain                or right to acquire stock that is                      thereunder, it is clear that an applicable
                                                    actual and deemed distributions of stock                distributed.                                           adjustment is a deemed distribution to
                                                    and stock rights are treated as                                                                                which section 301 applies, if: (i) The
                                                    distributions of property to which                      B. Application of Section 305(b) and (c)               applicable adjustment increases the
                                                    section 301 applies. For example, under                 to Adjustments to Rights To Acquire                    proportionate interest of an actual
                                                    section 305(b)(2), if a distribution (or                Stock                                                  shareholder or a deemed shareholder in
                                                    series of distributions) by a corporation                  A corporation may issue rights to                   the corporation’s assets or earnings and
                                                    has the result of a receipt of property by              acquire its stock in a number of forms,                profits; (ii) such increase in
                                                    some shareholders and an increase in                    including warrants, subscription rights,               proportionate interest has a result
                                                    the proportionate interests of other                    options, convertible instruments that                  described in section 305(b); and (iii) the
                                                    shareholders in the assets or earnings                  give the holder a right to convert the                 anti-dilution exception of § 1.305–
                                                    and profits of the corporation, all the                 instruments into shares of stock in the                7(b)(1) does not apply. For example, it
                                                    distributions are treated as distributions              issuing corporation, and similar                       has been the position of the Treasury
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    of property to which section 301                        instruments. In any of these forms,                    Department and the IRS for over forty
                                                    applies.                                                rights to acquire stock may provide for                years that, under section 305(b) and (c)
                                                       Section 305(c) authorizes the                        applicable adjustments that grant                      and the regulations thereunder, an
                                                    Secretary to prescribe regulations to                   deemed shareholders economic benefits                  increase in the conversion ratio of a
                                                    treat changes in the conversion ratio of                that correspond to distributions of stock,             convertible debt instrument may be
                                                    instruments convertible into stock and                  cash, or other property made to actual                 treated as a deemed distribution to the
                                                    other events having similar effects as                  shareholders. Similarly, rights to                     deemed shareholder that holds the
                                                    distributions to shareholders whose                     acquire stock may provide for                          instrument, and, if so treated, section


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                           21797

                                                    301 applies to the deemed distribution.                 receive upon conversion. Similarly, a                  terms of such right does not set forth the
                                                    See Rev. Rul. 75–513 (1975–2 CB 114)                    distribution of cash or property to actual             date and time the applicable adjustment
                                                    (section 301 applied to deemed                          shareholders may increase the number                   occurs, the deemed distribution would
                                                    distribution where conversion ratio of                  of shares the holder of other rights to                occur immediately prior to the opening
                                                    convertible debentures increased due to                 acquire stock, such as warrants or                     of business on the ex-dividend date for
                                                    payment of cash dividend to common                      options, would receive upon exercise. In               the distribution of cash or property that
                                                    shareholders); and Rev. Rul. 76–186                     either case, the increase is an applicable             results in the deemed distribution. For
                                                    (1976–1 CB 86) (same; basis of the                      adjustment and a deemed distribution of                such an applicable adjustment relating
                                                    convertible debentures was increased by                 additional rights to acquire stock to the              to a right to acquire non-publicly traded
                                                    the value of the deemed distribution);                  holders of the rights to acquire stock.                stock, if the instrument setting forth the
                                                    cf. Rev. Rul. 77–37 (1977–1 CB 85) (no                  Under the proposed regulations, the                    terms of such right does not set forth the
                                                    deemed distribution because anti-                       amount of the deemed distribution                      date and time the applicable adjustment
                                                    dilution exception of § 1.305–7(b)                      would be the excess of (i) the fair market             occurs, the deemed distribution occurs
                                                    applied where distribution to actual                    value of the right to acquire stock                    on the date that a holder is legally
                                                    shareholders was tax-free under section                 immediately after the applicable                       entitled to the distribution of cash or
                                                    355).                                                   adjustment over (ii) the fair market                   property that results in the deemed
                                                       The current regulations are unclear,                 value of the right to acquire stock                    distribution.
                                                    however, as to the amount of a deemed                   without the applicable adjustment. In
                                                                                                                                                                   3. Withholding Under Chapters 3 and 4
                                                    distribution to a deemed shareholder.                   determining the fair market value of a
                                                                                                                                                                   on Deemed Distributions Under Section
                                                    The current regulations may reasonably                  right to acquire stock, any particular
                                                                                                                                                                   305(c)
                                                    be interpreted as providing either that                 facts pertaining to the deemed
                                                    such a deemed distribution is treated as                shareholder’s rights, including the                       This section provides a discussion of
                                                    a distribution of a right to acquire stock              number of actual shares of stock or                    the proposed rules regarding deemed
                                                    (the amount of which is the fair market                 rights to acquire stock held by such                   distributions under section 305(c).
                                                    value of the right), or that such a                     deemed shareholder, would be                           Section 4 of the preamble provides a
                                                    distribution is treated as a distribution               disregarded.                                           discussion of the proposed rules
                                                    of the actual stock to which the right                     Also, under the terms of a convertible              regarding substitute dividend payments
                                                    relates (the amount of which is the fair                debt instrument or other right to acquire              that are deemed payments determined
                                                    market value of the stock). Accordingly,                stock, a payment of cash or property to                with respect to a deemed distribution
                                                    for deemed distributions to deemed                      the holder may cause a reduction in the                under section 305(c). The proposed
                                                                                                            number of shares the holder would                      rules that would apply for deemed
                                                    shareholders occurring before final
                                                                                                            receive upon conversion or exercise.                   payments are analogous to the proposed
                                                    regulations are published, the IRS will
                                                                                                            Such a reduction is an applicable                      rules that would apply to deemed
                                                    not challenge either position.
                                                                                                            adjustment that increases the actual                   distributions.
                                                       The current regulations are also
                                                    unclear as to the timing of such a                      shareholders’ proportionate interests in               A. Background
                                                    distribution. Under the proposed                        the assets or earnings and profits of the
                                                                                                            corporation. Thus, the applicable                         Sections 1441 and 1442 (referred to
                                                    regulations, such a distribution                                                                               herein as ‘‘chapter 3’’) require all
                                                    generally would be deemed to occur at                   adjustment results in a deemed
                                                                                                            distribution of stock to the actual                    persons having the control, receipt,
                                                    the time the applicable adjustment                                                                             custody, disposal, or payment of items
                                                    occurs, in accordance with the                          shareholders, and section 301 applies to
                                                                                                            the deemed distribution. Under the                     of income subject to withholding of any
                                                    instrument setting forth the terms of the                                                                      nonresident alien, foreign partnership,
                                                    right to acquire stock, but in no event                 proposed regulations, the amount of this
                                                                                                            deemed distribution would be the fair                  or foreign corporation to withhold tax at
                                                    later than the date of the distribution of                                                                     a 30-percent rate unless a reduced rate
                                                                                                            market value of the stock deemed
                                                    cash or property that results in the                                                                           of withholding applies. Amounts
                                                                                                            distributed, determined in accordance
                                                    deemed distribution (taking into                                                                               subject to withholding include amounts
                                                                                                            with § 1.305–3(e), Examples 8 and 9
                                                    account § 1.305–3(b)).                                                                                         from sources within the United States
                                                                                                            (relating to deemed distributions to
                                                       These proposed regulations would                                                                            that are fixed or determinable annual or
                                                                                                            shareholders resulting from certain
                                                    amend the current regulations under                                                                            periodical income, which generally
                                                                                                            redemptions of stock from other
                                                    section 305(b) and (c) only to clarify the                                                                     includes, among other things, interest,
                                                                                                            shareholders). See also Tax Revenue Act
                                                    amount and timing of such deemed                                                                               dividends, and similar types of
                                                                                                            of 1969: Hearings on H.R. 13270 Before
                                                    distributions, not the fact of their                                                                           investment income. § 1.1441–2(b)(1)(i).
                                                                                                            the House Ways and Means Comm., 91st
                                                    occurrence, which is clear under current                                                                       Under § 1.1441–2(e)(1), ‘‘a payment’’ is
                                                                                                            Cong. 1st Sess., pt. 14, 5196–98 (1969).
                                                    law.                                                                                                           considered made to a person ‘‘if that
                                                                                                            ii. Timing of Deemed Distributions                     person realizes income whether or not
                                                    C. Summary of Proposed Regulations
                                                                                                               When an applicable adjustment is or                 such income results from an actual
                                                    i. Amount of Deemed Distributions                       results in a deemed distribution under                 transfer of cash or other property.’’ For
                                                      After studying this area, the Treasury                proposed § 1.305–7(c)(1) or (2), the                   this purpose, a payment is considered
                                                    Department and the IRS have concluded                   deemed distribution occurs at the time                 made when the amount would be
                                                    that a deemed distribution of a right to                such applicable adjustment occurs, in                  includible in the income of the
                                                    acquire stock is more accurately viewed                 accordance with the instrument setting                 beneficial owner under the U.S. tax
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                                                    as a distribution of additional rights to               forth the terms of the right to acquire                principles governing the cash basis
                                                    acquire stock, the amount of which is                   stock, but in no event later than the date             method of accounting. § 1.1441–2(e)(1).
                                                    the fair market value of the right.                     of the distribution of cash or property                   On March 18, 2010, the Hiring
                                                      Under the terms of a convertible                      that results in the deemed distribution                Incentives to Restore Employment Act
                                                    instrument, a distribution of cash or                   (taking into account § 1.305–3(b)). For                of 2010, Public Law 111–147 (H.R.
                                                    property to actual shareholders may                     such an applicable adjustment relating                 2847), added chapter 4 to the Code
                                                    increase the number of shares the holder                to a right to acquire publicly-traded                  (sections 1471 through 1474, commonly
                                                    of the convertible instrument would                     stock, if the instrument setting forth the             known as ‘‘FATCA’’). Chapter 4


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                                                    21798                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    generally requires a withholding agent                     Under current § 1.1441–2(d)(1), a                   proposed § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(i) are
                                                    to withhold tax at a 30-percent rate on                 withholding agent does not have an                     satisfied generally would be able to
                                                    a ‘‘withholdable payment’’ (as defined                  obligation to withhold on a payment                    satisfy its withholding obligation by
                                                    in § 1.1473–1(a)) made to a foreign                     when it lacks control over, or custody                 withholding on future cash payments on
                                                    financial institution (FFI) unless the FFI              of, money or property of the recipient,                the security (for example, an interest
                                                    has entered into an agreement described                 or knowledge of the facts giving rise to               payment on a convertible bond). If,
                                                    in section 1471(b) to obtain status as a                the payment (the general exception).                   however, the security is disposed of
                                                    participating FFI or the FFI is deemed                  This general exception does not apply                  before sufficient future cash payments
                                                    to have satisfied the requirements of                   when, in relevant part, the payment is                 have been made on the security, the
                                                    section 1471(b). Chapter 4 also generally               a distribution with respect to stock. The              withholding agent would be required to
                                                    requires a withholding agent to                         proposed regulations, however, would                   withhold at the time of disposition and
                                                    withhold tax at a 30-percent rate on a                  allow a withholding agent (other than                  generally would be expected to do so
                                                    withholdable payment made to a                          the issuer of the specified security) to               by, for example, withholding on the
                                                    nonfinancial foreign entity (NFFE)                      benefit from a new exception to                        proceeds from the disposal, liquidating
                                                    unless the NFFE has provided                            withholding in proposed § 1.1441–                      other property held in custody for the
                                                    information to the withholding agent                    2(d)(4) for deemed distributions (as                   beneficial owner, or obtaining other
                                                    with respect to the NFFE’s substantial                  defined in § 1.305–1(d)(7)) of stock or a              funds directly or indirectly from the
                                                    U.S. owners or has certified that it has                right to acquire stock on a specified                  beneficial owner to satisfy the
                                                    no such owners. See section 1472.                       security (as defined in § 1.6045–                      withholding.
                                                                                                            1(a)(14)). Under this new exception, a                    If there are not sufficient future cash
                                                       These proposed regulations would                     withholding agent (other than the issuer               payments on the security and the
                                                    provide guidance to withholding agents                  of the specified security) would have an               security has not been disposed of or
                                                    regarding their obligations to withhold                 obligation to withhold on such a                       transferred before the due date (not
                                                    under chapters 3 and 4 on deemed                        deemed distribution only if, before the                including extensions) for filing Form
                                                    distributions under section 305(c).                     due date (not including extensions) for                1042 with respect to the calendar year
                                                    Withholding agents have commented                       filing Form 1042, Annual Withholding                   in which the deemed distribution
                                                    that ambiguities in the current law have                Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of                   occurred, then, to avoid having to pay
                                                    made it difficult for them to satisfy their             Foreign Persons, with respect to the                   the tax out of the withholding agent’s
                                                    withholding obligations. In particular,                 calendar year in which the deemed                      own funds, the withholding agent may
                                                    withholding agents have commented                       distribution occurred, either (i) the                  apply current § 1.1461–2(b) in order to
                                                    that these deemed distributions often                   issuer meets its reporting requirements                collect the underwithheld amount.
                                                    occur when there is no cash payment                     under § 1.6045B–1 (by furnishing an                    Under these rules, the withholding
                                                    that corresponds to the deemed                          issuer statement or publicly reporting                 agent can satisfy the tax by withholding
                                                    distribution, which makes it difficult for              the information required under that                    on other cash payments made to the
                                                    them to satisfy their withholding                       section) or (ii) the withholding agent has             same beneficial owner or by liquidating
                                                    obligation on the date of the deemed                    actual knowledge that a deemed                         other property held in custody for the
                                                    distribution. In addition, withholding                  distribution has occurred, in which case               beneficial owner or over which it has
                                                    agents commented that they often lack                   the obligation to withhold would not                   control. The proposed regulations
                                                    knowledge of the fact that a deemed                     arise until January 15 of the year                     would amend current § 1.1461–2(b) to
                                                    distribution on a security has been made                following the calendar year of the                     clarify that a withholding agent may
                                                    and are therefore unable to withhold on                 deemed distribution.                                   obtain the property from which to
                                                    the date of the deemed distribution.                                                                           withhold under these rules through
                                                                                                            ii. When and How To Withhold                           additional contributions obtained
                                                    B. Amendments to Chapter 3                                 Once the requirements of proposed                   directly or indirectly from the beneficial
                                                    i. Withholding on Deemed                                § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(i) have been satisfied, a             owner. The proposed regulations also
                                                    Distributions, and New Exception for                    withholding agent would have an                        would add a sentence to current
                                                    Deemed Distributions on Specified                       obligation to withhold on a deemed                     § 1.1461–2(b) to clarify that a
                                                    Securities                                              distribution. Except as provided in                    withholding agent that satisfies its
                                                                                                            § 1.1441–5 regarding the time to                       obligation to withhold under § 1.1461–
                                                       Proposed § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(i) would                   withhold for partnerships and trusts,                  2(b) will not be subject to any penalties
                                                    clarify that a withholding agent has an                 under proposed § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(ii), a                 for failure to deposit or failure to pay
                                                    obligation to withhold on a deemed                      withholding agent would be required to                 under sections 6656, 6672, and 7202
                                                    distribution (as defined in § 1.305–                    satisfy its withholding obligation by                  when it deposits the amounts obtained
                                                    1(d)(7)) that is made on a security.                    withholding on the earliest of (i) the                 in this manner by the due date (not
                                                    Proposed § 1.1441–7(a)(4) would clarify                 date on which a future cash payment is                 including extensions) for filing Form
                                                    that an issuer of a security upon which                 made with respect to the security; (ii)                1042 with respect to the calendar year
                                                    a deemed distribution is made and any                   the date on which the security is sold,                in which the deemed distribution
                                                    person that holds directly or indirectly                exchanged, or otherwise disposed of                    occurred. These clarifications reflect the
                                                    (for example, through an account                        (including a transfer of the security to               IRS interpretation of current § 1.1461–
                                                    maintained for an intermediary) a                       another account not maintained by the                  2(b) in applying these penalties, and
                                                    security on behalf of the beneficial                    withholding agent or a termination of                  thus no penalties will be imposed for
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                                                    owner of the security, or a flow-through                the account relationship); or (iii) the due            withholding agents that apply these
                                                    entity that owns directly or indirectly                 date (not including extensions) for filing             rules to satisfy their obligations to
                                                    (through another flow-through entity) a                 Form 1042 with respect to the calendar                 withhold before the effective date of
                                                    security, is considered to have custody                 year in which the deemed distribution                  these regulations.
                                                    of or control over the deemed                           occurred. Under this approach, a                          When the requirements of proposed
                                                    distribution made on the security and,                  withholding agent that continues to                    § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(i) are satisfied after a
                                                    therefore, is a withholding agent with                  directly or indirectly hold or own the                 withholding agent has terminated its
                                                    respect to the distribution.                            security when the requirements of                      relationship with the beneficial owner


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                           21799

                                                    of the security, the withholding agent                  of the specified security) would be                    reorganize the structure of current
                                                    would remain liable for any                             permitted to rely on the information that              § 1.1471–2(a)(4)(i), which are consistent
                                                    underwithheld amount with respect to                    an issuer provides on an issuer                        with the organizational changes
                                                    the deemed distribution. In order to                    statement described in § 1.6045B–1(b)(1)               proposed for current § 1.1441–2(d)(1).
                                                    avoid having to pay the tax due out of                  or on a public Web site described in
                                                                                                                                                                   4. A Substitute Dividend May Include
                                                    the withholding agent’s own funds,                      § 1.6045B–1(a)(3) to determine the
                                                                                                                                                                   Deemed Payments
                                                    before terminating an account                           proper amount of withholding on a
                                                    relationship, a withholding agent                       deemed distribution on a specified                        Section 1.861–3(a)(6) provides that a
                                                    should make arrangements with the                       security unless it knows that the                      substitute dividend payment made to a
                                                    beneficial owner to ensure that the                     information is incorrect or unreliable.                transferor in a securities lending
                                                    withholding agent can satisfy any tax                   Additionally, a foreign entity that has                transaction or sale-repurchase
                                                    due, such as by retaining funds or other                assumed primary withholding                            transaction is sourced in the same
                                                    property of the owner.                                  responsibilities would be permitted to                 manner as a dividend on the transferred
                                                                                                            rely on the copy of the issuer statement               securities. The regulations define a
                                                    iii. Foreign Entities Assuming                                                                                 substitute dividend payment as ‘‘a
                                                                                                            described in § 1.6045B–1(b)(1) that it
                                                    Withholding Responsibilities                                                                                   payment, made to the transferor of a
                                                                                                            receives from another withholding agent
                                                       Proposed § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(iii) would                 under the circumstances described in                   security in a securities lending
                                                    provide that a withholding agent may                    proposed § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(iii) unless it               transaction or a sale-repurchase
                                                    treat certain foreign entities (qualified               knows that the information is incorrect                transaction, of an amount equivalent to
                                                    intermediaries, withholding foreign                     or unreliable.                                         a dividend distribution which the
                                                    partnerships, withholding foreign trusts,                                                                      owner of the transferred security is
                                                    and U.S. branches treated as U.S.                       v. Other Changes to Current § 1.1441–                  entitled to receive during the term of the
                                                    persons) as assuming primary chapter 3                  2(d)(1)                                                transaction.’’ These proposed
                                                    withholding responsibilities for a                         The proposed regulations would add                  regulations would modify § 1.861–
                                                    deemed distribution on a specified                      language to § 1.1441–2(d)(1) to clarify                3(a)(6) to clarify that a substitute
                                                    security only if (i) the withholding agent              that a withholding agent does not lack                 dividend payment includes a deemed
                                                    provides the foreign entity with a copy                 control over money or property if it                   payment made in the amount (as
                                                    of the issuer statement described in                    directs another person to make a                       determined under § 1.305–7(c)(4)) of a
                                                    § 1.6045B–1(b)(1) within 10 days of the                 payment, and that a withholding agent                  deemed distribution (as defined in
                                                    issuer furnishing the statement to the                  does not lack knowledge of the facts that              § 1.305–1(d)(7)).
                                                    holder of record or its nominee, or (ii)                give rise to a payment merely because                     These proposed regulations would
                                                    the issuer has met the public reporting                 the withholding agent does not know                    provide that the general exception to
                                                    requirements under § 1.6045B–1(a)(3).                   the character or source of the payment                 withholding in § 1.1441–2(d)(1)(i) does
                                                    The foreign entity would have an                        for U.S. tax purposes. The proposed                    not apply for deemed payments (as
                                                    obligation to withhold on the deemed                    regulations also would add an example                  defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6)). However,
                                                    distribution only if it receives a copy of              to § 1.1441–2(d)(1) of when a                          proposed § 1.1441–2(d)(4) would allow
                                                    the issuer statement or if the issuer has               withholding agent lacks knowledge of                   a withholding agent to benefit from the
                                                    met the public reporting requirements                   the facts that give rise to a payment.                 same exception to withholding that
                                                    by the due date (not including                          These clarifications and the example are               would apply to deemed distributions (as
                                                    extensions) for filing Form 1042 with                   consistent with similar rules in current               defined in § 1.305–1(d)(7)) on a
                                                    respect to the calendar year in which                   § 1.1471–2(a)(4)(i) that apply for chapter             specified security for deemed payments
                                                    the deemed distribution occurred. A                     4 purposes.                                            (as defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6)) that are
                                                    withholding agent that fails to provide                    The proposed regulations also would                 determined with respect to a deemed
                                                    a copy of the issuer statement to a                     make nonsubstantive changes to                         distribution on a specified security.
                                                    foreign entity (in the absence of public                reorganize the structure of current                    Thus, a withholding agent would have
                                                    reporting) would not be permitted to                    § 1.1441–2(d)(1).                                      an obligation to withhold on such a
                                                    treat the foreign entity as having                                                                             deemed payment only if, before the due
                                                                                                            C. Amendments to Chapter 4                             date (not including extensions) for filing
                                                    assumed primary withholding
                                                    responsibilities for the deemed                           The proposed regulations would                       Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax
                                                    distribution and would therefore have to                modify the regulations under chapter 4                 Return for U.S. Source Income of
                                                    withhold and report based on the                        to provide guidance similar to the rules               Foreign Persons, with respect to the
                                                    information that it has regarding the                   described in proposed §§ 1.1441–                       calendar year in which the deemed
                                                    recipient of the deemed distribution.                   2(d)(1), 1.1441–2(d)(4), 1.1441–3(c)(5),               distribution on a specified security
                                                    The purpose of this proposed rule is to                 and 1.1441–7(a)(4) for withholding on a                occurred, either (i) the issuer meets its
                                                    ensure that foreign entities that assume                deemed distribution (as defined in                     reporting requirements under
                                                    primary withholding responsibilities for                § 1.305–1(d)(7)) that is a withholdable                § 1.6045B–1 (by furnishing an issuer
                                                    deemed distributions will possess the                   payment under chapter 4. The                           statement or publicly reporting the
                                                    information described in § 1.6045B–1 to                 amendment to proposed § 1.1461–2(b)                    information required under that section)
                                                    meet their withholding and information                  that clarifies that a withholding agent                or (ii) the withholding agent has actual
                                                    reporting obligations, as these entities                may obtain additional contributions of                 knowledge that a deemed distribution
                                                                                                            property directly or indirectly from a                 has occurred, in which case the
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    (or their nominees) may not be holders
                                                    of record that otherwise would receive                  beneficial owner and the new sentence                  obligation to withhold would not arise
                                                    the issuer statement described in                       added to proposed § 1.1461–2(b)                        until January 15 of the year following
                                                    § 1.6045B–1(b)(1).                                      regarding penalties also would apply to                the calendar year of the deemed
                                                                                                            withholding agents adjusting                           distribution or the deemed payment. If
                                                    iv. Reliance on Issuer Information                      underwithholding under chapter 4                       a withholding agent has an obligation to
                                                    Reporting                                               through cross-reference in § 1.1474–2(b).              withhold on a deemed payment (as
                                                      Under proposed § 1.1441–3(c)(5), a                    The proposed regulations also would                    defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6)) under
                                                    withholding agent (other than the issuer                make nonsubstantive changes to                         § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(i), it would be required


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                                                    21800                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    to withhold subject to the rules                        after December 31, 2015, results in a                  occur prior to such date. For purposes
                                                    regarding when and how to withhold in                   distribution under section 305(c) (for                 of determining the amount of a deemed
                                                    proposed § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(ii) and the                   example, because it is made in                         distribution to a deemed shareholder
                                                    rules regarding foreign entities that                   conjunction with a cash distribution to                occurring prior to the date of
                                                    assume withholding responsibilities in                  shareholders), the issuer of the debt                  publication, a taxpayer may determine
                                                    § 1.1441–2(d)(4)(iii). These proposed                   instrument must file Form 8937.                        the amount of the deemed distribution
                                                    regulations also would modify the                          Brokers and withholding agents have                 by treating such distribution either as a
                                                    regulations under chapter 4 to provide                  expressed concerns about the difficulty                distribution of a right to acquire stock or
                                                    similar guidance with respect to deemed                 of complying with their reporting and                  as a distribution of the actual stock to
                                                    payments that are withholdable                          withholding obligations in the absence                 which the right relates.
                                                    payments.                                               of information about the fact and                         The proposed regulations under
                                                                                                            amount of a deemed distribution under                  sections 860G, 861, 1441, 1461, 1471,
                                                    5. Issuer Reporting Under Section 6045B                 section 305(c), including a deemed                     and 1473 would apply to payments
                                                       To facilitate broker reporting of a                  distribution under section 305(c)                      made on or after the date of publication.
                                                    security’s adjusted basis to the holder of              resulting from an applicable adjustment.               A withholding agent, however, may rely
                                                    the security under section 6045, section                Even after December 31, 2015, when                     on the proposed regulations under
                                                    6045B provides that, according to the                   issuers are generally required to report               sections 861, 1441, 1471, and 1473 for
                                                    forms or regulations prescribed by the                  an applicable adjustment on a                          all deemed distributions under section
                                                    Secretary, an issuer of a specified                     convertible debt instrument, brokers                   305(c) or, to the extent applicable,
                                                    security (for example, stock, a                         and withholding agents may not have                    deemed payments (as defined in
                                                    convertible debt instrument, or a                       the necessary information to comply                    § 1.861–3(a)(6)) occurring on or after
                                                    warrant) must report certain information                with their reporting and withholding                   January 1, 2016 until the date of
                                                    relating to an organizational action that               obligations because of the exempt                      publication. No inference as to the
                                                    affects the basis of the security to both               recipient exception for providing a                    application of these provisions under
                                                    the IRS and the holders of the security.                written statement (and assuming that                   current law is intended by permitting
                                                    Under section 6045B and current                         the issuer does not choose the public                  reliance on these proposed regulations.
                                                    § 1.6045B–1, an issuer must file an                     reporting alternative). In response to                 A withholding agent also may rely on
                                                    issuer return (Form 8937, Report of                     these concerns, § 1.6045B–1(i)(2) of the               the proposed regulations under section
                                                    Organizational Actions Affecting Basis                  proposed regulations would require that                1461 for any payments occurring on or
                                                    of Securities) with the IRS by the earlier              an issuer provide an issuer return to the              after January 1, 2016 until the date of
                                                    of 45 days after the organizational action              IRS and a written statement to each                    publication, including for any deemed
                                                    or January 15 of the calendar year                      holder of record of a specified security               distribution under section 305(c) or
                                                    following the organizational action. In                 (or to the holder’s nominee) relating to               deemed payment (as defined in § 1.861–
                                                    addition, the issuer must send a written                a deemed distribution under section                    3(a)(6)) for which the withholding agent
                                                    statement (for example, a copy of the                   305(c) on the security, without regard to              failed to withhold.
                                                    issuer return) to holders by January 15                 any of the general exceptions in the                      Section 1.6045B–1(i)(2) would apply
                                                    of the calendar year following the                      current regulations under section 6045B                to a deemed distribution under section
                                                    organizational action. In lieu of filing                or in the instructions to Form 8937. The               305(c) occurring on or after the date of
                                                    the issuer return with the IRS and                      proposed regulations, like the current                 publication. In addition, an issuer
                                                    furnishing the written statement to                     regulations, permit an issuer to not                   would report the amount and timing of
                                                    holders, current § 1.6045B–1(a)(3)                      provide an issuer return to the IRS or a               a deemed distribution in accordance
                                                    permits an issuer to post the required                  written statement to the holders                       with the proposed regulations under
                                                    information on its public Web site by                   regarding the deemed distribution if the               section 305 for a deemed distribution
                                                    the due date for reporting the issuer                   issuer satisfies the public reporting                  occurring on or after the date of
                                                    return to the IRS. Under current                        requirements in current § 1.6045B–                     publication. For purposes of reporting
                                                    § 1.6045B–1, however, an issuer is not                  1(a)(3).                                               the amount of a deemed distribution
                                                    required to send a statement to exempt                                                                         occurring prior to the date of
                                                    recipients, such as C corporations and                  6. Reporting for U.S. Persons                          publication, an issuer may determine
                                                    foreign persons, nor is an issuer                          Section 1.6045B–1 generally applies                 the amount of the deemed distribution
                                                    required to file an issuer return if the                when a deemed distribution affects the                 by treating such distribution either as a
                                                    issuer reasonably determines that all of                basis of a specified security. It is                   distribution of a right to acquire stock,
                                                    the holders of the security are exempt                  expected that similar principles would                 or as a distribution of the shares of stock
                                                    recipients. An issuer must comply with                  apply under section 6042 with respect                  that would be received upon exercise of
                                                    current § 1.6045B–1 for an                              to reporting of deemed distributions                   the right. In addition, an issuer may rely
                                                    organizational action that occurs on or                 made to U.S. persons on Form 1099–                     on § 1.305–7(c)(5) of the proposed
                                                    after the applicability date prescribed in              DIV. Comments are requested on the                     regulations to determine the date of a
                                                    current § 1.6045B–1(j). For example, an                 implementation of Form 1099–DIV                        deemed distribution occurring prior to
                                                    issuer of a convertible debt instrument                 reporting on these amounts.                            the date of publication.
                                                    must comply with current § 1.6045B–1
                                                    for an organizational action that occurs                Proposed Effective/Applicability Date                  Statement of Availability of IRS
                                                    after December 31, 2015.                                  The proposed regulations under                       Documents
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                       An applicable adjustment, including a                section 305 would apply to deemed                        IRS Revenue Rulings cited in this
                                                    conversion ratio adjustment, is an                      distributions occurring on or after the                preamble are published in the Internal
                                                    organizational action that often will                   date of publication of the Treasury                    Revenue Bulletin (or Cumulative
                                                    affect the holder’s basis in a specified                decision adopting these rules as final                 Bulletin) and are available from the
                                                    security. For example, the instructions                 regulations in the Federal Register. A                 Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
                                                    to Form 8937 provide that if a                          taxpayer, however, may rely on these                   Government Printing Office,
                                                    conversion ratio adjustment on a                        proposed regulations for deemed                        Washington, DC 20402, or by visiting
                                                    convertible debt instrument occurring                   distributions under section 305(c) that                the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov.


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                            21801

                                                    Effect on Other Documents                               regulatory flexibility analysis is not                   The revisions and addition read as
                                                      The IRS will modify, clarify, or                      required.                                              follows:
                                                    obsolete publications as necessary to                     Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the
                                                                                                                                                                   § 1.305–1   Stock dividends.
                                                    conform to these proposed regulations                   Code, this notice of proposed
                                                                                                            rulemaking has been submitted to the                   *       *     *     *     *
                                                    as of the date of publication of the                                                                              (b) * * *
                                                    Treasury decision adopting these rules                  Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
                                                                                                            Business Administration for comment                       (3) For rules determining the amount
                                                    as final regulations in the Federal                                                                            of the distribution for certain
                                                    Register. See, e.g., Rev. Rul. 75–513                   on its impact on small business.
                                                                                                                                                                   transactions, such as periodic
                                                    (1975–2 CB 114) and Rev. Rul. 76–186                    Comments and Requests for Public                       redemptions or applicable adjustments
                                                    (1976–1 CB 186). The IRS solicits                       Hearing                                                (as defined in § 1.305–7(a)) of rights to
                                                    comments as to whether other                                                                                   acquire stock that are treated as
                                                    publications should be modified,                          Before the proposed regulations are
                                                                                                            adopted as final regulations,                          distributions under section 305(b) and
                                                    clarified, or obsoleted.                                                                                       (c), see § 1.305–7 and Examples 6, 7, 8,
                                                                                                            consideration will be given to any
                                                    Special Analyses                                        comments that are submitted timely to                  9, and 15 of § 1.305–3(e).
                                                       Certain IRS regulations, including this              the IRS as prescribed in this preamble                 *       *     *     *     *
                                                    one, are exempt from the requirements                   under the ‘‘Addresses’’ heading. The                      (d) Definitions. For purposes of
                                                    of Executive Order 12866, as                            Treasury Department and the IRS                        section 305, this section, and §§ 1.305–
                                                    supplemented and reaffirmed by                          request comments on all aspects of the                 2 through 1.305–7:
                                                                                                            proposed regulations. All comments                        (1) Stock. The term stock means
                                                    Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a
                                                                                                            will be available for public inspection                actual stock or a right to acquire stock.
                                                    regulatory impact assessment is not                                                                               (2) Actual stock. The term actual
                                                    required. It also has been determined                   and copying upon request, or at
                                                                                                            www.regulations.gov. A public hearing                  stock means stock issued by a
                                                    that section 553(b) of the Administrative                                                                      corporation, excluding rights to acquire
                                                    Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does                 will be scheduled if requested in writing
                                                                                                            by any person that timely submits                      stock as defined in paragraph (d)(3) of
                                                    not apply to these regulations.                                                                                this section.
                                                       Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility               written comments. If a public hearing is
                                                                                                            scheduled, notice of the date, time, and                  (3) Right to acquire stock. The term
                                                    Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), it is hereby                                                                         right to acquire stock means—
                                                    certified that the proposed regulations                 place for the public hearing will be
                                                                                                            published in the Federal Register.                        (i) A right of a holder of a convertible
                                                    under section 6045B in this document                                                                           instrument (including a debt instrument
                                                    will not have a significant economic                    Drafting Information                                   that is convertible into shares of stock
                                                    impact on a substantial number of small                                                                        and stock that is convertible into shares
                                                    entities. Any effect on small entities by                 The principal authors of these
                                                                                                            regulations are: With respect to the                   of another class of stock) to convert the
                                                    the rules in the proposed regulations                                                                          instrument into one or more shares of
                                                    flows directly from section 403 of the                  regulations under section 305, Maurice
                                                                                                            M. LaBrie of the Office of Associate                   stock of the corporation issuing the
                                                    Energy Improvement and Extension Act                                                                           instrument;
                                                    of 2008, Division B of Public Law 110–                  Chief Counsel (Corporate); with respect
                                                                                                                                                                      (ii) A warrant, subscription right,
                                                    343 (122 Stat. 3765, 3854 (2008)) (the                  to the regulations under sections 860G,
                                                                                                                                                                   stock right, or other option to acquire
                                                    Act).                                                   861, 1441, 1461, 1471, and 1473, Subin
                                                                                                                                                                   shares of stock of the corporation
                                                       Section 403(d) of the Act added                      Seth of the Office of Associate Chief
                                                                                                                                                                   issuing the instrument;
                                                    section 6045B, which requires an issuer,                Counsel (International); and with
                                                                                                                                                                      (iii) A right to acquire stock of the
                                                    including an issuer that is a small                     respect to the regulations under section
                                                                                                                                                                   corporation issuing such right similar to
                                                    entity, to report certain information                   6045B, Pamela Lew of the Office of
                                                                                                                                                                   the rights described in paragraphs
                                                    relating to any organizational action by                Associate Chief Counsel (Financial
                                                                                                                                                                   (d)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section; and
                                                    the issuer that affects the basis of a                  Institutions and Products), all within                    (iv) A right to receive an amount of
                                                    specified security. In general, an issuer               the Office of Chief Counsel, IRS. Other                cash or other property determined in
                                                    reports the information required under                  personnel from the Treasury                            whole or in part by reference to the
                                                    section 6045B to the IRS and to holders                 Department and the IRS participated in                 value of a specified number of shares of
                                                    or nominees on Form 8937. The                           developing the regulations.                            stock (whether or not in lieu of such
                                                    proposed regulations limit reporting to                 List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1                      stock) of the corporation issuing the
                                                    the information necessary to meet the                                                                          right.
                                                    Act’s requirements. In addition, the                      Income taxes, Reporting and                             (4) Shareholder. The term shareholder
                                                    proposed regulations retain the rule in                 recordkeeping requirements.                            means a holder of actual stock or a
                                                    the current regulations under section                   Proposed Amendments to the                             holder of a right to acquire stock.
                                                    6045B that permits an issuer to report                  Regulations                                               (5) Actual shareholder. The term
                                                    each action publicly on its Web site                                                                           actual shareholder means a holder of
                                                    instead of filing a return and furnishing                 Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is                        actual stock.
                                                    each holder or nominee a statement                      proposed to be amended as follows:                        (6) Deemed shareholder. The term
                                                    about the action. The proposed                                                                                 deemed shareholder means a holder of
                                                                                                            PART 1—INCOME TAX REGULATIONS
                                                    regulations therefore do not add to the                                                                        a right to acquire stock.
                                                    statutory impact on small entities but                                                                            (7) Deemed distribution. The term
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                                                                                                            ■ Paragraph 1. The authority citation
                                                    instead eases this impact to the extent                 for part 1 continues to read in part as                deemed distribution means a transaction
                                                    the statute permits. Moreover, any                      follows:                                               or event, other than an actual
                                                    economic impact on small entities is                                                                           distribution of cash or property, that
                                                    expected to be minimal.                                     Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *                    constitutes a distribution under section
                                                       Therefore, because the proposed                      ■ Par. 2. Section 1.305–1 is amended                   305(b) and (c). An applicable
                                                    regulations in this document will not                   by:                                                    adjustment to a right to acquire stock is
                                                    have a significant economic impact on                   ■ 1. Revising paragraphs (b)(3) and (d).               not and does not result in a deemed
                                                    a substantial number of small entities, a               ■ 2. Adding paragraph (e).                             distribution if either—


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                                                    21802                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                       (i) The right to acquire stock is a                     Example 7. * * *                                    adjustment to a right to acquire stock (as
                                                    nonqualified stock option without a                        (ii) In 2017, a $1 cash dividend per share          defined in § 1.305–1(d)(3)), including—
                                                    readily ascertainable fair market value                 is declared and paid on the class B stock.                (1) With respect to a convertible
                                                                                                            Pursuant to the terms of the class B stock, on         instrument and a holder thereof, an
                                                    (see section 83(e) and § 1.83–7), or
                                                                                                            the date of payment, the conversion ratio of           increase in the conversion ratio or a
                                                       (ii) Section 83(a) applies to the right
                                                                                                            the class B stock is reduced. The reduction
                                                    to acquire stock or the stock to which                  in conversion ratio is an applicable
                                                                                                                                                                   reduction in the conversion price of
                                                    the right relates or the stock is subject               adjustment, as defined in § 1.305–7(a). Under          such instrument;
                                                    to a substantial risk of forfeiture, and the            section 305(c) and § 1.305–7(c)(2), the                   (2) With respect to a warrant,
                                                    holder of the right has not made an                     reduction is a deemed distribution of stock            subscription right, stock right, option, or
                                                    election under section 83(b).                           to the class A shareholders, since their               other similar right and a holder thereof,
                                                       (e) Effective/applicability date.                    proportionate interest in the assets or                an increase in the number of shares to
                                                    Paragraphs (b)(3) and (d) of this section               earnings and profits of the corporation is             be received by the holder upon exercise
                                                    apply to deemed distributions under                     increased, and the transaction has the effect          or a reduction in exercise price;
                                                    section 305(b) and (c) occurring on or                  described in section 305(b)(2). Accordingly,              (3) With respect to a convertible
                                                                                                            sections 305(b)(2) and 301 apply to the                instrument and a holder of actual stock
                                                    after the date of publication of the
                                                                                                            transaction. The amount of the distribution is         into which such instrument may be
                                                    Treasury decision adopting these rules                  determined in accordance with § 1.305–
                                                    as final regulations in the Federal                                                                            converted, an increase in the conversion
                                                                                                            7(c)(4)(ii), and the date and time of the
                                                    Register. A taxpayer, however, may rely                 deemed distribution are determined in                  price or a reduction in the conversion
                                                    on these proposed regulations for                       accordance with § 1.305–7(c)(5).                       ratio of such instrument;
                                                    deemed distributions under section                         (iii) In the following year a cash dividend            (4) With respect to a warrant,
                                                    305(c) that occur prior to such date. For               is paid on the class A stock but not on the            subscription right, stock right, option, or
                                                    purposes of determining the amount of                   class B stock, and the conversion ratio of the         similar right and a holder of actual stock
                                                    a deemed distribution to a deemed                       class B stock increases. The increase in the           into which such instrument is
                                                                                                            conversion ratio of the class B shares is an           exercisable, an increase in the exercise
                                                    shareholder occurring prior to such
                                                                                                            applicable adjustment. Under section 305(c)            price or a reduction in the number of
                                                    date, a taxpayer may determine the                      and § 1.305–7(c)(1), the adjustment is a
                                                    amount of the deemed distribution by                                                                           shares to be received by the holder upon
                                                                                                            deemed distribution of rights to acquire stock         exercise; and
                                                    treating such distribution either as a                  to the class B shareholders since their                   (5) An adjustment in the terms of a
                                                    distribution of a right to acquire stock or             proportionate interest in the assets or
                                                                                                                                                                   right to acquire stock having an effect
                                                    as a distribution of the actual stock to                earnings and profits of the corporation is
                                                                                                            increased, and the transaction has the effect          similar to the effects of the adjustments
                                                    which the right relates.
                                                    ■ Par. 3. Section 1.305–3 is amended                    described in section 305(b)(2). Accordingly,           described in paragraphs (a)(1) through
                                                    by:                                                     sections 305(b)(2) and 301 apply to the                (a)(4) of this section, including, for
                                                    ■ 1. Revising paragraph (e) introductory                transaction. The amount of the distribution is         example, an extension or reduction of
                                                    text,                                                   determined in accordance with § 1.305–                 the term during which a right to acquire
                                                                                                            7(c)(4)(i), and the date and time of the               stock may be exercised.
                                                    ■ Example (6)(ii),
                                                                                                            deemed distribution are determined in                     (b) Transactions treated as
                                                    ■ Example (7)(ii) and (iii).
                                                                                                            accordance with § 1.305–7(c)(5).                       distributions—(1) In general. Under
                                                    ■ 2. Adding paragraph (f).
                                                       The revisions and addition read as                   *      *      *    *    *                              section 305(c), an applicable
                                                    follows:                                                   (f) Effective/applicability date. The               adjustment, a change in redemption
                                                                                                            first sentence of paragraph (e) of this                price, a difference between redemption
                                                    § 1.305–3   Disproportionate distributions.             section and Examples 6 and 7 of                        price and issue price, a redemption that
                                                    *      *     *    *     *                               paragraph (e) of this section apply to                 is treated as a distribution to which
                                                       (e) Examples. The following examples                 deemed distributions under section                     section 301 applies, or any transaction
                                                    illustrate the application of section                   305(c) occurring on or after the date of               (including a recapitalization) having a
                                                    305(b)(2) to distributions of stock and                 publication of the Treasury decision                   similar effect on the interest of any
                                                    rights to acquire stock and the                         adopting these rules as final regulations              shareholder is treated as a distribution
                                                    application of section 305(c) to deemed                 in the Federal Register. A taxpayer,                   of stock to which sections 305(b) and
                                                    distributions of stock and rights to                    however, may rely on these proposed                    301 apply if such transaction increases
                                                    acquire stock. * * *                                    regulations for deemed distributions                   a shareholder’s proportionate interest in
                                                       Example 6. * * *                                     under section 305(c) that occur prior to               the assets or earnings and profits of the
                                                       (ii) M pays an annual cash dividend on the           such date. For purposes of determining                 corporation deemed to make such
                                                    class A stock. At the beginning of the second           the amount of a deemed distribution to                 distribution, and the distribution has
                                                    year, when the conversion ratio is increased            a deemed shareholder occurring prior to                the result described in section 305(b)(2),
                                                    to 1.05 shares of class A stock for each share          the date of publication, a taxpayer may                (3), (4), or (5). Depending upon the facts
                                                    of class B stock, an applicable adjustment
                                                    occurs, as defined in § 1.305–7(a), and a               determine the amount of the deemed                     presented, the distribution may be
                                                    distribution of rights to acquire 0.05 shares           distribution by treating such                          deemed to be made in shares of actual
                                                    of class A stock is deemed made under                   distribution either as a distribution of a             stock or in additional rights to acquire
                                                    section 305(c) and § 1.305–7(c)(1) with                 right to acquire stock or as a distribution            stock (which, in either case, may be
                                                    respect to each share of class B stock. The             of the actual stock to which the right                 common or preferred stock).
                                                    proportionate interests of the class B                  relates.                                                  (c) Applicable adjustment to right to
                                                    shareholders in the assets or earnings and                                                                     acquire stock—(1) Increase in deemed
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                                                                                                            ■ Par. 4. Section 1.305–7 is revised to
                                                    profits of M are increased, and the                                                                            shareholder’s proportionate interest.
                                                                                                            read as follows:
                                                    transaction has the effect described in section                                                                Under section 305(c), if an applicable
                                                    305(b)(2). Accordingly, sections 305(b)(2) and          § 1.305–7 Certain transactions treated as              adjustment has the effect of increasing
                                                    301 apply to the transaction. The amount of             distributions.
                                                    the deemed distribution is determined in
                                                                                                                                                                   a deemed shareholder’s proportionate
                                                    accordance with § 1.305–7(c)(4)(ii), and the              (a) Applicable adjustment. For                       interest in the assets or earnings and
                                                    date and time of the deemed distribution are            purposes of section 305, §§ 1.305–1                    profits of the corporation, and if such
                                                    determined in accordance with § 1.305–                  through 1.305–6, and this section, the                 increase has the effect described in
                                                    7(c)(5).                                                term applicable adjustment means an                    section 305(b)(2), (3), (4) or (5), the


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                                21803

                                                    applicable adjustment is a deemed                       stock as if no applicable adjustment had               downward if the corporation transfers class
                                                    distribution to the deemed shareholder                  occurred.                                              A stock to anyone for consideration below
                                                    of a right to acquire stock, and section                   (ii) Deemed distribution to actual                  the conversion price. The corporation sells
                                                                                                            shareholder. For a deemed distribution                 class A stock to the public at the current
                                                    301 applies to the deemed distribution.
                                                                                                                                                                   market price, which is below the conversion
                                                    Applicable adjustments that can have                    under section 305(b) and (c) that is                   price. Pursuant to the antidilution provision,
                                                    this effect include, with respect to a                  made to an actual shareholder and                      the conversion price is adjusted downward.
                                                    convertible instrument, an increase in                  results from an applicable adjustment,                    (ii) Analysis. Although such a reduction in
                                                    the conversion ratio or the number of                   the amount of the deemed distribution                  conversion price is an applicable adjustment,
                                                    shares of stock to be received upon                     is the fair market value of the stock                  under paragraph (c)(3) of this section the
                                                    conversion or a reduction in the                        deemed distributed, determined in                      reduction is not a distribution under section
                                                    conversion price.                                       accordance with the methodology set                    305(c) for the purposes of section 305(b).
                                                                                                            forth in § 1.305–3(e), Examples 8 and 9.                  Example 2. (i) Facts. Corporation X has
                                                       (2) Increase in actual shareholder’s                                                                        outstanding one class of actual common
                                                    proportionate interest. If an applicable                   (iii) Fair market value standard. In
                                                                                                                                                                   stock and convertible debt securities. The
                                                    adjustment has the effect of reducing a                 determining the fair market value of a                 convertible securities have a bona fide,
                                                    deemed shareholder’s proportionate                      right to acquire stock for purposes of                 reasonable antidilution provision that
                                                    interest in the assets or earnings and                  this paragraph (c)(4),                                 provides for an increase in conversion ratio
                                                    profits of the corporation and thereby                     (A) Any particular facts pertaining to              in the event stock dividends or rights to
                                                    increasing an actual shareholder’s                      the deemed shareholder, including the                  acquire stock are distributed to the common
                                                    proportionate interest, and if such                     number of rights or shares such deemed                 shareholders. Corporation X distributes to the
                                                                                                            shareholder owns, will be disregarded,                 common shareholders an actual stock
                                                    increase has the effect described in
                                                                                                            and                                                    dividend that results in an increase in the
                                                    section 305(b)(2), (3), (4), or (5), then the                                                                  conversion ratio of the convertible securities.
                                                    applicable adjustment is a deemed                          (B) Any value or reduction in value
                                                                                                            attributable to the possibility of future              Pursuant to the antidilution provision, the
                                                    distribution of stock to the actual                                                                            conversion ratio is increased.
                                                    shareholder, and section 301 applies to                 applicable adjustments that may result                    (ii) Analysis. Under section 305(d) and
                                                    the deemed distribution. Applicable                     from actual or deemed distributions will               § 1.305–1(d)(4), the holders of convertible
                                                    adjustments that can have this effect                   not be taken into account.                             securities are shareholders for purposes of
                                                    include, with respect to a convertible                     (5) Date and time of deemed                         section 305(b) and (c). The convertible
                                                    instrument, a reduction in the                          distribution. When an applicable                       securities are rights to acquire stock and are
                                                    conversion ratio or in the number of                    adjustment is a deemed distribution                    stock for purposes of section 305. The
                                                                                                            under paragraphs (c)(1) or (2) of this                 increase in conversion ratio caused by the
                                                    shares to be received upon conversion,                                                                         distribution of the stock dividend to the
                                                    or an increase in the conversion price.                 section, the deemed distribution occurs
                                                                                                            at the time such applicable adjustment                 common shareholders is an applicable
                                                       (3) Exception. For purposes of                                                                              adjustment. Because the applicable
                                                                                                            occurs, in accordance with the
                                                    applying section 305(c) in conjunction                                                                         adjustment is made pursuant to a bona fide,
                                                                                                            instrument setting forth the terms of the              reasonable adjustment formula within the
                                                    with section 305(b), an applicable
                                                                                                            right to acquire stock, but in no event                meaning of paragraph (c)(3) of this section,
                                                    adjustment that is made pursuant to a
                                                                                                            later than the date of the distribution of             the applicable adjustment is not a deemed
                                                    bona fide, reasonable adjustment
                                                                                                            cash or property that results in the                   distribution under section 305(c) of rights to
                                                    formula (including but not limited to an
                                                                                                            deemed distribution (taking into                       acquire stock.
                                                    applicable adjustment made to                                                                                     Example 3. (i) Facts. Corporation X has
                                                                                                            account § 1.305–3(b)). For such
                                                    compensate for a distribution of stock to                                                                      outstanding one class of publicly-traded
                                                                                                            applicable adjustment relating to a right
                                                    another shareholder) and that has the                                                                          common stock and convertible debt
                                                                                                            to acquire publicly-traded stock, if the
                                                    effect of preventing dilution of the                                                                           securities. The terms of the convertible
                                                                                                            instrument setting forth the terms of
                                                    proportionate interest of the holders of                                                                       securities provide for an increase in the
                                                                                                            such right does not set forth the time the             conversion ratio in the event stock, cash, or
                                                    actual stock or rights to acquire stock
                                                                                                            applicable adjustment occurs, the                      property is distributed to the holders of the
                                                    does not result in a deemed distribution
                                                                                                            deemed distribution occurs immediately                 common stock. Corporation X distributes
                                                    of stock. An applicable adjustment that
                                                                                                            prior to the opening of business on the                cash to the holders of the common stock, and
                                                    is made to compensate for a cash or
                                                                                                            ex-dividend date for the distribution of               the distribution results in an increase in the
                                                    property distribution to another                                                                               conversion ratio of the convertible securities.
                                                                                                            the cash or property that results in the
                                                    shareholder and that is taxable under                                                                             (ii) Analysis. Under section 305(d) and
                                                                                                            deemed distribution. For such an
                                                    section 301, 356(a)(2), 871(a)(1)(A),                                                                          § 1.305–1(d)(5), the holders of the convertible
                                                                                                            applicable adjustment relating to a right
                                                    881(a)(1), 852(b), or 857(b) is not made                                                                       securities are shareholders for purposes of
                                                                                                            to acquire non-publicly traded stock, if
                                                    pursuant to a bona fide adjustment                                                                             section 305(b) and (c). The conversion rights
                                                                                                            the instrument setting forth the terms of              in the convertible securities are rights to
                                                    formula described in the preceding
                                                                                                            such right does not set forth the time the             acquire stock (as defined in § 1.305–1(d)(3))
                                                    sentence.
                                                                                                            applicable adjustment occurs, the                      and is stock for purposes of section 305. The
                                                       (4) Amount of deemed distribution—
                                                                                                            deemed distribution occurs on the date                 increase in conversion ratio resulting from
                                                    (i) Deemed distribution to deemed
                                                                                                            that a holder is legally entitled to the               the cash distribution to the holders of
                                                    shareholder. For a deemed distribution                                                                         common stock is an applicable adjustment.
                                                                                                            distribution of cash or property that
                                                    under section 305(b) and (c) that is                                                                           Because the applicable adjustment is not
                                                                                                            results in the deemed distribution.
                                                    made to a deemed shareholder and is an                     (6) Examples. The following examples                made pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable
                                                    applicable adjustment, the amount of                    and the examples in §§ 1.305–3(e) and                  adjustment formula within the meaning of
                                                    the deemed distribution is the excess                                                                          paragraph (c)(3) of this section, it is a deemed
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                                                                                                            1.305–5(d) illustrate the application of
                                                    of—                                                                                                            distribution to the holders of the convertible
                                                                                                            section 305(c) and paragraphs (a), (b)                 securities of rights to acquire stock under
                                                       (A) The fair market value of the right               and (c) of this section.
                                                    to acquire stock held by the deemed                                                                            section 305(c) and paragraph (c)(1) of this
                                                                                                              Example 1. (i) Facts. Corporation U has              section. Because the proportionate interests
                                                    shareholder immediately after the                                                                              of these deemed shareholders in the assets or
                                                                                                            two classes of actual stock outstanding, class
                                                    applicable adjustment, over                             A and class B. Each class B share is                   earnings and profits of Corporation X are
                                                       (B) The fair market value, determined                convertible into class A stock. In accordance          increased by the change in conversion ratio,
                                                    immediately after the applicable                        with a bona fide, reasonable antidilution              the distribution has the result described in
                                                    adjustment, of such right to acquire                    provision, the conversion price is adjusted            section 305(b)(2) and is treated as a



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                                                    21804                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    distribution to which section 301 applies.              same class. Accordingly, the preferred                  in the Federal Register; however, a
                                                    The amount of the deemed distribution is                shareholders are considered under                       taxpayer may rely on the rule in the
                                                    determined in accordance with paragraph                 section 305(b)(4) and (c) to have                       second sentence of paragraph (a)(6) of
                                                    (c)(4)(i) of this section, and the date and time        received a deemed distribution of                       this section for all deemed distributions
                                                    of the deemed distribution are determined in
                                                    accordance with paragraph (c)(5) of this
                                                                                                            preferred stock to which section 301                    (as defined in § 1.305–1(d)(7)) occurring
                                                    section.                                                applies.                                                on or after January 1, 2016, until the
                                                                                                               (f) Coordination with section 871(m).                date of publication of a Treasury
                                                       (d) Recapitalizations—(1) In general.                For coordination of sections 305 and                    decision adopting these rules as final
                                                    A recapitalization (whether or not an                   871(m), see § 1.871–15(c)(2)(ii).                       regulations in the Federal Register.
                                                    isolated transaction) will be deemed to                    (g) Effective date. This section applies             * * *
                                                    result in a distribution to which section               to deemed distributions under section                   ■ Par. 7. Section 1.1441–2 is amended
                                                    305(c) and this section apply if—                       305(c) occurring on or after the date of                by:
                                                       (i) It is pursuant to a plan to                      publication of the Treasury decision                    ■ 1. Revising paragraphs (d)(1) and (4).
                                                    periodically increase a shareholder’s                   adopting these rules as final regulations               ■ 2. Amending paragraph (f) by
                                                    proportionate interest in the assets or                 in the Federal Register. A taxpayer,                    removing the language ‘‘(d)(4)’’ in the
                                                    earnings and profits of the corporation,                however, may rely on these proposed                     second sentence and adding in its place
                                                    or                                                      regulations for deemed distributions                    ‘‘(d)(1)(ii)(C),’’ and adding a fourth and
                                                       (ii) A shareholder owning preferred                  under section 305(c) that occur prior to                fifth sentence.
                                                    stock with dividends in arrears                         such date. For purposes of determining                     The revisions and addition read as
                                                    exchanges his stock for other stock and,                the amount of a deemed distribution to                  follows:
                                                    as a result, increases his proportionate                a deemed shareholder occurring prior to
                                                    interest in the assets or earnings and                  the date of publication, a taxpayer may                 § 1.1441–2 Amounts subject to
                                                    profits of the corporation. An increase                                                                         withholding.
                                                                                                            determine the amount of the deemed
                                                    in a preferred shareholder’s                            distribution by treating such                           *       *    *    *      *
                                                    proportionate interest occurs in any case               distribution either as a distribution of a                 (d) * * *
                                                    where the fair market value or the                      right to acquire stock or as a distribution                (1) General rule—(i) Control or
                                                    liquidation preference, whichever is                    of the actual stock to which the right                  custody and knowledge. Except as
                                                    greater, of the stock received in the                   relates.                                                provided in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this
                                                    exchange (determined immediately                                                                                section, a withholding agent has an
                                                    following the recapitalization), exceeds                § 1.860G–3        [Amended]                             obligation to withhold under section
                                                    the issue price of the preferred stock                  ■  Par. 5. Section 1.860G–3(b)(1) is                    1441 only to the extent that, at any time
                                                    surrendered.                                            amended by removing the language                        between the date that the obligation to
                                                       (2) Amount of distribution. In a case                ‘‘1.1441–2(d)(4)’’ in the last sentence,                withhold would arise (but for the
                                                    to which paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this                   and adding the language ‘‘1.1441–                       provisions of this paragraph (d)) and the
                                                    section applies, the amount of the                      2(d)(1)(ii)(C)’’ in its place, and by                   due date (including extensions) for
                                                    distribution deemed under section                       removing the language ‘‘1.1441–                         filing Form 1042 with respect to the
                                                    305(c) to result from the recapitalization              5(b)(2)(i)(A), and’’ and adding the                     calendar year in which the payment
                                                    is the lesser of—                                       language ‘‘1.1441–5(b)(2)(i)(A), 1.1471–                occurs, it has—
                                                       (i) The amount by which the fair                     2(a)(4)(i)(B)(4), and’’ in its place.                      (A) Control over, or custody of, money
                                                    market value or the liquidation                         ■ Par. 6. Section 1.861–3 is amended                    or property owned by the recipient or
                                                    preference, whichever is greater, of the                by:                                                     beneficial owner from which to
                                                    stock received in the exchange                          ■ 1. In paragraph (a)(6), removing ‘‘A                  withhold an amount; and
                                                    (determined immediately following the                   substitute dividend payment is a                           (B) Knowledge of the facts that give
                                                    recapitalization) exceeds the issue price               payment’’ in the first sentence and                     rise to the payment.
                                                    of the preferred stock surrendered, or                  adding ‘‘A substitute dividend payment                     (ii) Exception not available. The
                                                       (ii) The amount of the dividends in                  is a payment or a deemed payment’’ in                   exception from the obligation to
                                                    arrears.                                                its place, and adding a new second                      withhold under paragraph (d)(1)(i) of
                                                       (3) Definition. For purposes of                      sentence.                                               this section does not apply if—
                                                    applying paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of                   ■ 2. In paragraph (d), replacing the third                 (A) The withholding agent is related
                                                    this section with respect to stock issued               sentence with a new sentence.                           (within the meaning of section 482) to
                                                    before July 12, 1973, the term issue price                 The additions read as follows:                       the recipient or the beneficial owner of
                                                    of the preferred stock surrendered shall                                                                        the payment;
                                                    mean the greater of the issue price or the              § 1.861–3.    Dividends.                                   (B) The payment is a distribution with
                                                    liquidation preference (not including                      (a) * * * * *                                        respect to stock (including a deemed
                                                    dividends in arrears) of the stock                         (6) Substitute dividend payments.                    distribution (as defined in § 1.305–
                                                    surrendered.                                            * * * A deemed payment is a payment                     1(d)(7)) of stock or a right to acquire
                                                       (4) Examples. For an illustration of                 deemed to have been made in the                         stock); see, however, paragraph (d)(4) of
                                                    the application of this paragraph (d), see              amount (as determined under § 1.305–                    this section, which provides a limited
                                                    Example 12 of § 1.305–3(e) and                          7(c)(4)) of a deemed distribution (as                   exception from the obligation to
                                                    Examples 1, 2, 3, and 6 of § 1.305–5(d).                defined in § 1.305–1(d)(7)) that the                    withhold on a deemed distribution;
                                                       (e) Redemption premiums with                         owner of the transferred security is                       (C) The amounts are described in
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                                                    respect to preferred stock. Under section               entitled to during the term of the                      § 1.860G–3(b)(1) (regarding certain
                                                    305(c), if a redemption premium exists                  transaction. * * *                                      partnership allocations of REMIC net
                                                    with respect to a class of preferred stock              *      *     *    *     *                               income with respect to a REMIC
                                                    under the circumstances described in                       (d) Effective/applicability date. * * *              residual interest);
                                                    § 1.305–5(b) and the other requirements                 Paragraph (a)(6) of this section applies                   (D) The lack of control over or
                                                    of this section are met, the distribution               to payments made on or after the date                   custody of money or property from
                                                    will be deemed made with respect to                     of publication of the Treasury decision                 which to withhold is part of a pre-
                                                    such preferred stock, in stock of the                   adopting these rules as final regulations               arranged plan known to the withholding


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                              21805

                                                    agent to avoid withholding under                        Bank 1 nor Bank 2 is required to withhold              withhold on a deemed distribution (as
                                                    section 1441, 1442, or 1443; or                         on the transfer because neither bank has               defined in § 1.305–1(d)(7)) or a deemed
                                                       (E) The payment is a deemed payment                  knowledge of the facts that gave rise to the           payment (as defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6))
                                                    (as defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6)); see,                   payment. Even though Bank 1 is a custodian             on the earliest of:
                                                                                                            for A’s stock in DC and has knowledge                     (A) The date on which a payment of
                                                    however, paragraph (d)(4) of this                       regarding the $1,000 dividend paid to A,
                                                    section, which provides a limited                       once Bank 1 credits the $1,000 dividend to
                                                                                                                                                                   cash is made with respect to the security
                                                    exception from the obligation to                        A’s account, the $1,000 becomes A’s                    or the securities lending or sales-
                                                    withhold on a deemed payment.                           property. When A transfers the $1,000 to its           repurchase transaction;
                                                       (iii) Documentation. Any exception                   account at Bank 2, this is a separate transfer            (B) The date on which the security is
                                                    from withholding pursuant to paragraph                  about which Bank 1 has no knowledge                    sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed
                                                    (d)(1)(i) of this section applies without               regarding the type of payment made. Further,           of (including a transfer of the security to
                                                    a requirement that documentation be                     Bank 2 only has knowledge that it receives             a separate account not maintained by
                                                    furnished to the withholding agent.                     $1,000 to be credited to A’s account but has           the withholding agent or a termination
                                                                                                            no knowledge regarding the type of payment             of the account relationship); or
                                                    However, documentation may have to                      made. Accordingly, Bank 1 and Bank 2 have
                                                    be furnished for purposes of the                                                                                  (C) The due date (not including
                                                                                                            no withholding obligation with respect to the          extensions) for the withholding agent to
                                                    information reporting provisions under                  transfer from A’s custodial account at Bank
                                                    chapter 61 of the Code and backup                                                                              file Form 1042 for the calendar year in
                                                                                                            1 to A’s money market account at Bank 2.
                                                    withholding under section 3406.                                                                                which the deemed distribution or the
                                                                                                            *       *    *      *     *                            deemed payment occurred.
                                                       (iv) Scope of exception. The exception                  (4) Deemed distributions under                         (iii) Treatment of foreign entities
                                                    from withholding under this paragraph                   section 305(c) and deemed payments—                    assuming withholding responsibilities.
                                                    (d) is not a determination that the                     (i) General rule. Subject to the rules in              Notwithstanding § 1.1441–1(b)(1), a
                                                    amounts are not fixed or determinable                   this paragraph (d)(4)(i) and paragraph                 withholding agent may not treat a
                                                    annual or periodical income, nor is it an               (d)(4)(iii) of this section, and any other             foreign entity as having assumed
                                                    exception from reporting the amount                     exception to withholding (for example,                 primary withholding responsibility
                                                    under § 1.1461–1(b) and (c).                            under § 1.1441–4), a withholding agent                 under § 1.1441–1(e)(5), § 1.1441–
                                                       (v) Lack of money or property or lack                has an obligation to withhold on a                     1(b)(2)(iv), § 1.1441–5(c)(2)(i), or
                                                    of knowledge. A withholding agent does                  deemed distribution (as defined in                     § 1.1441–5(e)(5)(v) for a deemed
                                                    not lack control over money or property                 § 1.305–1(d)(7)) or a deemed payment                   distribution (as defined in § 1.305–
                                                    for purposes of this paragraph (d)(1) if                (as defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6)) on a                   1(d)(7)) on a specified security (as
                                                    the withholding agent directs another                   security. However, a withholding agent                 defined in § 1.6045–1(a)(14)) or a
                                                    party to make the payment. Thus, for                    other than the issuer of a specified                   deemed payment (as defined in § 1.861–
                                                    example, a principal does not cease to                  security (as defined in § 1.6045–1(a)(14))             3(a)(6)) that is determined with respect
                                                    have control over a payment when it                     has an obligation to withhold on a                     to a deemed distribution on a specified
                                                    contracts with a paying agent to make                   deemed distribution (as defined in                     security unless the withholding agent
                                                    the payments to its account holders in                  § 1.305–1(d)(7)) on a specified security               has provided the foreign entity a copy
                                                    lieu of paying the account holders                      or a deemed payment (as defined in                     of the issuer statement described in
                                                    directly. Further, a withholding agent                  § 1.861–3(a)(6)) that is determined with               § 1.6045B–1(b)(1) within 10 days of the
                                                    does not lack knowledge of the facts that               respect to a deemed distribution on a                  issuer furnishing the statement to the
                                                    give rise to a payment merely because                   specified security only if:                            holder of record (or its nominee), or the
                                                    the withholding agent does not know                        (A) The issuer of the specified                     issuer has met the public reporting
                                                    the character or source of the payment                  security reports the information                       requirements described in § 1.6045B–
                                                    for U.S. tax purposes. See § 1.1441–                    required under § 1.6045B–1 regarding                   1(a)(3). A foreign entity described in the
                                                    3(d)(1) for rules addressing a                          the deemed distribution before the due                 preceding sentence has an obligation to
                                                    withholding agent’s obligations when                    date (not including extensions) for the                withhold on the deemed distribution or
                                                    the withholding agent has knowledge of                  withholding agent to file Form 1042 for                the deemed payment (unless an
                                                    the facts that give rise to the payment,                the calendar year in which the deemed                  exception to withholding under section
                                                    but the character or source of the                      distribution or the deemed payment                     1441 applies) if it receives a copy of the
                                                    payment is not known.                                   occurred; or                                           statement described in § 1.6045B–1(b)(1)
                                                       (vi) Example. A, an individual, owns stock              (B) The withholding agent has actual                or the issuer has met the public
                                                    in DC, a domestic corporation, through a                knowledge of the deemed distribution                   reporting requirements described in
                                                    custodian, Bank 1. A also has a money                   before the due date (not including                     § 1.6045B–1(a)(3) by the due date (not
                                                    market account at Bank 2. DC pays a                     extensions) for it to file Form 1042 for               including extensions) for filing Form
                                                    dividend of $1,000 that is deposited in A’s             the calendar year in which the deemed
                                                    custodial account at Bank 1. A then directs
                                                                                                                                                                   1042 with respect to the calendar year
                                                                                                            distribution or the deemed payment                     in which the deemed distribution or the
                                                    Bank 1 to transfer $1,000 to A’s money
                                                    market account at Bank 2. With respect to the           occurred, but in such case the                         deemed payment occurred. See
                                                    payment of the dividend into A’s custodial              requirements of this paragraph (d)(4)(i)               § 1.1441–3(c)(5)(i) for when the foreign
                                                    account with Bank 1, both DC and Bank 1 are             will not be considered to be met until                 entity may rely on the copy of the issuer
                                                    withholding agents making a payment of an               January 15 of the year following the                   statement that it receives to determine
                                                    amount subject to withholding for which                 calendar year in which the deemed                      the amount to withhold.
                                                    they have custody, control, and knowledge.              distribution or the deemed payment                        (iv) Examples. The following
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                                                    See §§ 1.1441–2(b)(1) and 1.1441–7(a)(1).               occurred.                                              examples illustrate when a withholding
                                                    Therefore, both DC and Bank 1 have an                      (ii) Time to withhold on a deemed                   agent must satisfy its obligation to
                                                    obligation to withhold on the payment unless            distribution or deemed payment. After
                                                    they can reliably associate the payment with
                                                                                                                                                                   withhold under paragraph (d)(4) of this
                                                    documentation sufficient to treat the
                                                                                                            the requirements of paragraph (d)(4)(i)                section on a deemed distribution.
                                                    respective payees as not subject to                     of this section have been met, except as                 Example 1 (i) Facts. WA is a U.S.
                                                    withholding under chapter 3. With respect to            provided in § 1.1441–5 regarding the                   custodian that holds a convertible debt
                                                    the wire transfer of $1,000 from A’s account            time to withhold for partnerships and                  instrument (CDI) of Corporation X that is a
                                                    at Bank 1 to A’s account at Bank 2, neither             trusts, a withholding agent must                       specified security (as defined in § 1.6045–



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                                                    21806                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    1(a)(14)) on behalf of A, a foreign person. On          including extensions) for filing Form 1042              of publication of a Treasury decision
                                                    March 1 of Year 1, there is a change in the             (that is, by March 15 of Year 2), as provided           adopting these rules as final regulations
                                                    conversion ratio of the CDI that is treated as          in paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(C) of this section. WA          in the Federal Register.
                                                    a deemed distribution under § 1.305–7(b) and            may apply § 1.1461–2(b) in order to collect
                                                    (c). On March 15 of Year 1, Corporation X               the underwithheld amount.                               *      *    *     *     *
                                                    makes an interest payment on the CDI to WA                                                                      ■ Par. 9. Section 1.1441–7 is amended
                                                                                                            *      *      *    *     *
                                                    as custodian for A. On April 1 of Year 1,                                                                       by:
                                                                                                               (f) Effective/applicability date. * * *              ■ 1. Redesignating paragraph (a)(4) as
                                                    Corporation X reports the information
                                                    required under § 1.6045B–1 regarding the                Paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(4) of this                    (a)(5) and adding a second and third
                                                    deemed distribution on its public Web site.             section apply to payments made on or                    sentence to newly redesignated (a)(5).
                                                    On April 15 of Year 1, Corporation X makes              after the date of publication of the                    ■ 2. Adding a new paragraph (a)(4).
                                                    another interest payment on the CDI to WA               Treasury decision adopting these rules                  ■ 3. Amending paragraph (g) by
                                                    as custodian for A.                                     as final regulations in the Federal
                                                       (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (d)(4)(i) of
                                                                                                                                                                    removing the language ‘‘paragraphs
                                                                                                            Register. A withholding agent may,                      (a)(4)’’ and adding in its place
                                                    this section, WA does not have an obligation            however, rely on the rules in paragraphs
                                                    to withhold on the deemed distribution on                                                                       ‘‘paragraphs (a)(5).’’
                                                                                                            (d)(1) and (d)(4) of this section for all                  The addition reads as follows:
                                                    the CDI that it holds on behalf of A until
                                                    April 1 of Year 1, the date on which                    deemed distributions (as defined in
                                                    Corporation X satisfied its reporting                   § 1.305–1(d)(7)) or deemed payments (as                 § 1.1441–7 General provisions relating to
                                                    requirements under § 1.6045B–1 regarding                defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6)) occurring on                withholding agents.
                                                    the deemed distribution. WA must withhold               or after January 1, 2016, until the date                   (a) * * *
                                                    on the April 15 cash payment, which is the              of publication of a Treasury decision                      (4) Withholding agent with respect to
                                                    earliest of the dates specified in paragraph            adopting these rules as final regulations               deemed distributions under section
                                                    (d)(4)(ii) of this section for withholding on           in the Federal Register.                                305(c). Any person that issues or holds
                                                    the deemed distribution.                                ■ Par. 8. Section 1.1441–3 is amended                   directly or indirectly (for example,
                                                       Example 2 (i) Facts. The facts are the same
                                                                                                            by:                                                     through an account maintained for
                                                    as in Example 1, except that an interest
                                                                                                            ■ 1. Adding paragraph (c)(5).                           another intermediary) on behalf of a
                                                    payment is not made on the Corporation X
                                                    CDI on April 15 of Year 1, and the CDI is               ■ 2. Amending paragraph (i) by                          beneficial owner, or a flow through
                                                    transferred to a separate account of A that is          removing the language ‘‘paragraphs (g)                  entity that owns directly or indirectly
                                                    not maintained by WA on April 15 of Year                and (h)’’ and adding in its place                       (through another flow-through entity), a
                                                    1.                                                      ‘‘paragraphs (c)(5), (g), and (h)’’.                    security upon which a deemed
                                                       (ii) Analysis. Because WA is a withholding              The addition reads as follows:                       distribution (as defined in § 1.305–
                                                    agent under § 1.1441–7(a)(4) with respect to                                                                    1(d)(7)) is made has custody of or
                                                    the deemed distribution on March 1 of Year              § 1.1441–3        Determination of amounts to be
                                                                                                            withheld.
                                                                                                                                                                    control over the deemed distribution.
                                                    1 and Corporation X reports the information
                                                                                                                                                                    See § 1.1441–2(d)(4) for a withholding
                                                    required under § 1.6045B–1, WA is required              *       *     *    *     *
                                                    to satisfy the withholding obligation even                                                                      agent’s obligation to withhold on the
                                                                                                               (c) * * *                                            deemed distribution and § 1.1441–
                                                    though the CDI was transferred before a cash               (5) Reliance rule for applicable
                                                    payment is made with respect to the CDI. WA                                                                     3(c)(5)(i) for when a withholding agent
                                                                                                            adjustments—(i) In general. For                         may rely on the information reported by
                                                    does not have an obligation to withhold on
                                                    the deemed distribution until April 1 of Year           purposes of determining the amount of                   the issuer under § 1.6045B–1 to
                                                    1, the date on which Corporation X reported             a deemed distribution (as defined in                    determine the amount to withhold.
                                                    the conversion ratio adjustment as required             § 1.305–1(d)(7)) on a specified security                   (5) * * * Paragraph (a)(4) of this
                                                    by § 1.6045B–1 regarding the deemed                     (as defined in § 1.6045–1(a)(14)) or a                  section applies to payments made on or
                                                    distribution. WA must withhold upon the                 deemed payment (as defined in § 1.861–                  after the date of publication of the
                                                    transfer of the CDI to an account not                   3(a)(6)) that is determined with respect
                                                    maintained by WA on April 15 of Year 1,
                                                                                                                                                                    Treasury decision adopting these rules
                                                                                                            to a deemed distribution on a specified                 as final regulations in the Federal
                                                    which is the earliest of the dates specified in         security, a withholding agent other than
                                                    paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this section for                                                                        Register. A withholding agent may,
                                                                                                            the issuer of the specified security (as                however, rely on the rules in paragraph
                                                    withholding.
                                                       Example 3 (i) Facts. The facts are the same          defined in § 1.6045–1(a)(14)) may rely                  (a)(4) of this section for all deemed
                                                    as in Example 2, except that the CDI is                 on the information provided by the                      distributions (as defined in § 1.305–
                                                    transferred to a separate account of A that is          issuer under § 1.6045B–1 (or a copy of                  1(d)(7)) occurring on or after January 1,
                                                    not maintained by WA on March 30 of                     the issuer statement in the                             2016, until the date of publication of a
                                                    Year 1.                                                 circumstances described in § 1.1441–                    Treasury decision adopting these rules
                                                       (ii) Analysis. Because WA is a withholding           2(d)(4)(iii)) unless it knows that such
                                                    agent under § 1.1441–7(a)(4) with respect to
                                                                                                                                                                    as final regulations in the Federal
                                                                                                            information is incorrect or unreliable.                 Register.
                                                    the deemed distribution on March 1 of Year              See § 1.1441–2(d)(4) for a withholding
                                                    1 and Corporation X has satisfied its                                                                           ■ Par. 10. Section 1.1461–2 is amended
                                                                                                            agent’s obligation to withhold on a                     by revising the second sentence to
                                                    reporting requirements with respect to the
                                                    deemed distribution, WA is required to                  deemed distribution or a deemed                         paragraph (b), adding a fourth sentence
                                                    satisfy the withholding obligation even                 payment.                                                to paragraph (b), and adding a second
                                                    though the CDI was transferred before WA                   (ii) Effective/applicability date.                   and third sentence to paragraph (d) to
                                                    received the issuer reporting from                      Paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section applies             read as follows:
                                                    Corporation X under § 1.6045B–1 regarding               to payments made on or after the date
                                                    the deemed distribution. WA does not have               of publication of the Treasury decision                 § 1.1461–2 Adjustments for
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                                                    an obligation to withhold on the deemed                 adopting these rules as final regulations               overwithholding or underwithholding of tax.
                                                    distribution until April 1 of Year 1, the date          in the Federal Register. A withholding                  *     *     *     *    *
                                                    on which Corporation X satisfied its
                                                                                                            agent may, however, rely on the rules in                  (b) Withholding of additional tax
                                                    reporting requirements under § 1.6045B–1
                                                    regarding the deemed distribution. Because              paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section for all             when underwithholding occurs. * * * In
                                                    neither of the events specified in paragraphs           deemed distributions (as defined in                     the alternative, the withholding agent
                                                    (d)(4)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section occurred          § 1.305–1(d)(7)) or deemed payments (as                 may satisfy the tax from property that it
                                                    after April 1 of Year 1, WA must satisfy its            defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6)) occurring on                holds in custody for the beneficial
                                                    withholding obligation by the due date (not             or after January 1, 2016, until the date                owner, property over which it has


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                              21807

                                                    control, or additional contributions of                    (2) The payment is with respect to                  character or source of the payment for
                                                    property obtained directly or indirectly                stock (including a deemed distribution                 U.S. tax purposes. See paragraph (a)(5)
                                                    from the beneficial owner. * * * A                      (as defined in § 1.305–1(d)(7)) of stock               of this section for rules addressing a
                                                    withholding agent that adjusts its                      or a right to acquire stock) or other                  withholding agent’s obligations when
                                                    underwithholding under the procedure                    securities; however, the limited                       the withholding agent has knowledge of
                                                    described in this paragraph (b) will not                exception from the obligation to                       the facts that give rise to the payment,
                                                    be subject to any penalties or additions                withhold on a deemed distribution                      but the character or source of the
                                                    to tax described in § 1.1461–1(a)(2) if it              provided in § 1.1441–2(d)(4) also                      payment is not known.
                                                    timely deposits the amounts that it                     applies to a deemed distribution that                  *      *      *     *    *
                                                    withholds from future payments,                         is a withholdable payment under                           (c) * * * Paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this
                                                    proceeds from the liquidation of                        chapter 4;                                             section applies to payments made on or
                                                    property, or additional contributions of                   (3) The lack of control over or custody             after the date of publication of the
                                                    property obtained directly or indirectly                of money or property from which to                     Treasury decision adopting these rules
                                                    from the beneficial owner. * * *                        withhold is part of a pre-arranged plan                as final regulations in the Federal
                                                       (d) * * * Paragraph (b) of this section              known to the withholding agent to                      Register. A withholding agent may,
                                                    applies to payments made on or after                    avoid withholding under section 1471                   however, rely on the rules in paragraph
                                                    the date of publication of the Treasury                 or 1472;                                               (a)(4)(i) of this section (together with the
                                                    decision adopting these rules as final                     (4) The amounts are described in
                                                                                                                                                                   rules in § 1.1441–2(d)(4)), for all deemed
                                                    regulations in the Federal Register. A                  § 1.860G–3(b)(1) (regarding certain
                                                                                                                                                                   distributions (as defined in § 1.305–
                                                    withholding agent may, however, rely                    partnership allocations of REMIC net
                                                                                                                                                                   1(d)(7)) or deemed payments (as defined
                                                    on the rules in paragraph (b) of this                   income with respect to a REMIC
                                                                                                                                                                   in § 1.861–3(a)(6)) that are withholdable
                                                    section for payments occurring on or                    residual interest);
                                                                                                               (5) Any of the special rules described              payments occurring on or after January
                                                    after January 1, 2016, until the date of
                                                                                                            in § 1.1441–2(d)(2) or (3), regarding the              1, 2016, until the date of publication of
                                                    publication of a Treasury decision
                                                                                                            obligation of a withholding agent with                 a Treasury decision adopting these rules
                                                    adopting these rules as final regulations
                                                                                                            respect to cancellation of debt or the                 as final regulations in the Federal
                                                    in the Federal Register.
                                                    ■ Par. 11. Section 1.1471–2 is amended                  satisfaction of tax liability following                Register.
                                                                                                            underwithholding by a withholding                      ■ Par. 12. Section 1.1473–1 is amended
                                                    by:
                                                    ■ 1. Revising paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A),                   agent, apply with respect to the                       by:
                                                    redesignating paragraph (B) as new                      payment (by applying such rules to                     ■ 1. Amending paragraph (a)(2)(vii)(A)
                                                    paragraph (E), and adding new                           payments that are withholdable                         by adding a sentence to the end of the
                                                    paragraphs (B) through (D).                             payments under chapter 4); or                          paragraph.
                                                    ■ 2. Amending paragraph (c) by adding                      (6) The payment is a deemed payment                 ■ 2. Adding paragraph (d)(7).
                                                    a third and fourth sentence.                            (as defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6)); however,              ■ 3. Amending paragraph (f) by adding
                                                       The revisions and addition read as                   the limited exception from the                         a third and fourth sentence.
                                                    follows:                                                obligation to withhold on a deemed                        The additions read as follows:
                                                                                                            payment provided in § 1.1441–2(d)(4)                   § 1.1473–1   Section 1473 definitions.
                                                    § 1.1471–2 Requirement to deduct and
                                                    withhold tax on withholdable payments to
                                                                                                            also applies to a deemed payment that
                                                                                                            is determined with respect to a deemed                    (a) * * *
                                                    certain FFIs.                                                                                                     (2) * * *
                                                                                                            distribution on a specified security and
                                                    *      *     *    *     *                                                                                         (vii) * * *
                                                       (a) * * *                                            that is a withholdable payment under
                                                                                                            chapter 4.                                                (A) * * * For purposes of
                                                       (4) * * *                                                                                                   determining the amount of a deemed
                                                       (i) * * *                                               (C) Documentation. Any exception
                                                                                                            from withholding pursuant to paragraph                 distribution (as defined in § 1.305–
                                                       (A) In general. Except as provided in
                                                                                                            (a)(4)(i)(A) of this section applies                   1(d)(7)) on a specified security (as
                                                    paragraph (a)(4)(i)(B) of this section, a
                                                                                                            without a requirement that                             defined in § 1.6045–1(a)(14)) or a
                                                    withholding agent has an obligation to
                                                                                                            documentation be furnished to the                      deemed payment (as defined in § 1.861–
                                                    withhold under chapter 4 only to the
                                                                                                            withholding agent. However,                            3(a)(6)) that is determined with respect
                                                    extent that, at any time between the date
                                                                                                            documentation may have to be                           to a deemed distribution on a specified
                                                    that the obligation to withhold would
                                                                                                            furnished for purposes of the                          security, a withholding agent other than
                                                    arise (but for the provisions of this
                                                                                                            information reporting provisions under                 the issuer of the specified security may
                                                    paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A)) and the due date
                                                                                                            chapter 61 of the Code and backup                      rely on issuer reporting by applying the
                                                    (including extensions) for filing Form
                                                                                                            withholding under section 3406.                        rule under § 1.1441–3(c)(5)(i) to deemed
                                                    1042 (including extensions) with
                                                                                                               (D) Lack of money or property or lack               distributions or deemed payments that
                                                    respect to the calendar year in which
                                                                                                            of knowledge. A withholding agent does                 are withholdable payments under
                                                    the payment occurs, it has—
                                                       (1) Control over, or custody of, money               not lack control over money or property                chapter 4.
                                                    or property owned by the recipient or                   for purposes of this paragraph                         *      *    *      *    *
                                                    beneficial owner from which to                          (a)(4)(i)(A) if the withholding agent                     (d) * * *
                                                    withhold an amount, and                                 directs another party to make the                         (7) Withholding agent with respect to
                                                       (2) Knowledge of the facts that give                 payment. Thus, for example, a principal                deemed distributions under section
                                                    rise to the payment.                                    does not cease to have control over a                  305(c). Any person that issues or holds
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                                                       (B) Exception not available. The                     payment when it contracts with a                       directly or indirectly (for example,
                                                    exception from the obligation to                        paying agent to make the payments to                   through an account maintained for
                                                    withhold under paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A) of                its account holders in lieu of paying the              another intermediary) on behalf of a
                                                    this section does not apply if—                         account holders directly. Further, a                   beneficial owner or a flow through
                                                       (1) The withholding agent is related                 withholding agent does not lack                        entity that owns directly or indirectly
                                                    (within the meaning of section 482) to                  knowledge of the facts that give rise to               (through another flow-through entity), a
                                                    the recipient or the beneficial owner of                a payment merely because the                           security upon which a deemed
                                                    the payment;                                            withholding agent does not know the                    distribution (as defined in § 1.305–


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                                                    21808                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    1(d)(7)) is made has custody of or                         (3) Information required to be                      DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
                                                    control over the deemed distribution.                   reported. For purposes of paragraph
                                                    *      *     *     *     *                              (i)(2) of this section, an issuer must                 34 CFR Chapter III
                                                       (f) * * * Paragraphs (a)(2)(vii) and                 provide the information required under                 [Docket ID ED–2016–OSERS–0022; CFDA
                                                    (d)(7) of this section apply to payments                paragraph (a)(1) of this section,                      Number: 84.421B.]
                                                    made on or after the date of publication                including—
                                                    of the Treasury decision adopting these                                                                        Proposed Priorities, Requirements,
                                                                                                               (i) The date of the deemed
                                                    rules as final regulations in the Federal                                                                      and Definitions—Disability Innovation
                                                                                                            distribution under section 305(c) as                   Fund—Transition Work-Based
                                                    Register. A withholding agent may,                      determined in accordance with § 1.305–
                                                    however, rely on the rules in paragraphs                                                                       Learning Model Demonstrations
                                                                                                            7(c)(5) (pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(iv)
                                                    (a)(2)(vii) and (d)(7) of this section for              of this section); and                                  AGENCY:  Office of Special Education and
                                                    all deemed distributions (as defined in                                                                        Rehabilitative Services, Department of
                                                    § 1.305–1(d)(7)) or deemed payments (as                    (ii) The amount of the deemed
                                                                                                                                                                   Education.
                                                    defined in § 1.861–3(a)(6)) that are                    distribution under section 305(c) as
                                                                                                                                                                   ACTION: Proposed priorities,
                                                    withholdable payments occurring on or                   determined in accordance with § 1.305–
                                                                                                                                                                   requirements, and definitions.
                                                    after January 1, 2016, until the date of                7(c)(4) (pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(v)
                                                    publication of a Treasury decision                      of this section).                                      SUMMARY:    The Assistant Secretary for
                                                    adopting these rules as final regulations                  (4) Effective/applicability date.                   Special Education and Rehabilitative
                                                    in the Federal Register.                                Paragraph (i)(2) of this section applies to            Services proposes priorities,
                                                    ■ Par. 13. Section 1.6045B–1 is                         a deemed distribution under section                    requirements, and definitions under the
                                                    amended by adding paragraph (i) to read                 305(c) occurring on or after the date of               Disability Innovation Fund (DIF)
                                                    as follows:                                             publication of the Treasury decision                   Program. The Assistant Secretary may
                                                                                                            adopting these rules as final regulations              use these priorities, requirements, and
                                                    § 1.6045B–1 Returns relating to actions                                                                        definitions for competitions in fiscal
                                                    affecting basis of securities.                          in the Federal Register. For purposes of
                                                                                                                                                                   year (FY) 2016 and later years. The
                                                    *      *    *      *     *                              paragraphs (a)(1)(v) and (i)(3)(ii) of this
                                                                                                                                                                   Assistant Secretary takes this action to
                                                       (i) Deemed distribution under section                section, an issuer must determine the
                                                                                                                                                                   identify, develop, implement, and
                                                    305(c)—(1) In general. This paragraph                   amount of a deemed distribution under                  evaluate effective work-based learning
                                                    (i) provides special rules for an                       section 305(c) in accordance with                      models that will help students with
                                                    organizational action resulting in a                    § 1.305–7(c)(4) for a deemed distribution              disabilities prepare for postsecondary
                                                    deemed distribution under section                       occurring on or after the date of                      education and competitive integrated
                                                    305(c) that affects the basis of a                      publication. For purposes of reporting                 employment. The models must be
                                                    specified security, including a deemed                  the amount of a deemed distribution                    delivered through a coordinated system
                                                    distribution resulting from an applicable               occurring prior to the date of                         of transition services.
                                                    adjustment (for example, a conversion                   publication, an issuer may determine                   DATES: We must receive your comments
                                                    ratio adjustment). See paragraph (j) of                 the amount of the deemed distribution                  on or before May 13, 2016.
                                                    this section to determine when this                     by treating such distribution either as a              ADDRESSES: Submit your comments
                                                    section applies to an organizational                    distribution of a right to acquire stock in            through the Federal eRulemaking Portal
                                                    action that affects the basis of a                      accordance with § 1.305–7(c)(4), or as a               or by postal mail, commercial delivery,
                                                    specified security. For example, under                  distribution of the shares of stock that               or hand delivery. We will not accept
                                                    paragraph (j)(4) of this section, this                  would be received upon exercise of the                 comments submitted by fax or by email
                                                    section applies to a deemed distribution                right. For purposes of paragraphs                      or those submitted after the comment
                                                    under section 305(c) resulting from an                  (a)(1)(iv) and (i)(3)(i) of this section, an           period. To ensure that we do not receive
                                                    applicable adjustment to a convertible                  issuer must determine the date of a                    duplicate copies, please submit your
                                                    debt instrument if the deemed                           deemed distribution under section                      comments only once. In addition, please
                                                    distribution occurs on or after January 1,              305(c) occurring on or after the date of               include the Docket ID at the top of your
                                                    2016, and the deemed distribution                                                                              comments.
                                                                                                            publication in accordance with § 1.305–
                                                    could affect the basis of the convertible                                                                         • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
                                                                                                            7(c)(5). An issuer, however, may rely on
                                                    debt instrument.                                                                                               www.regulations.gov to submit your
                                                                                                            § 1.305–7(c)(5) to determine the date of
                                                       (2) Mandatory reporting.                                                                                    comments electronically. Information
                                                                                                            a deemed distribution that occurs prior
                                                    Notwithstanding any other provision in                                                                         on using Regulations.gov, including
                                                    this section (including the reporting                   to the date of publication.
                                                                                                                                                                   instructions for accessing agency
                                                    exceptions for exempt recipients in                     *       *    *      *     *                            documents, submitting comments, and
                                                    paragraphs (a)(4) and (b)(5) of this                    John M. Dalrymple,                                     viewing the docket, is available on the
                                                    section), for an organizational action                                                                         site under the ‘‘Help’’ tab.
                                                                                                            Deputy Commissioner for Services and
                                                    described in paragraph (i)(1) of this
                                                                                                            Enforcement.                                              • Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery,
                                                    section the issuer must file an issuer                                                                         or Hand Delivery: If you mail or deliver
                                                                                                            [FR Doc. 2016–08248 Filed 4–12–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    return in accordance with paragraphs                                                                           your comments about these proposed
                                                    (a)(1) and (2) of this section and issuer               BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                   regulations, address them to RoseAnn
                                                    statements in accordance with                                                                                  Ashby, U.S. Department of Education,
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    paragraphs (b)(1), (2), and (3) of this                                                                        400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5057,
                                                    section. However, the requirement to                                                                           Potomac Center Plaza (PCP),
                                                    file an issuer return and issuer                                                                               Washington, DC 20202–5076.
                                                    statement in accordance with the                                                                                  Privacy Note: The U.S. Department of
                                                    preceding sentence does not apply if the                                                                       Education’s (Department) policy is to make
                                                    issuer satisfies the public reporting                                                                          all comments received from members of the
                                                    requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this                                                                       public available for public viewing in their
                                                    section.                                                                                                       entirety on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at



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Document Created: 2016-04-13 03:11:18
Document Modified: 2016-04-13 03:11:18
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking.
DatesWritten or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by July 12, 2016.
ContactConcerning the proposed regulations under section 305, Maurice M. LaBrie, (202) 317-5322; concerning the proposed regulations under sections 860G, 861, 1441, 1461, 1471, and 1473, Subin Seth, (202) 317-6942; concerning the proposed regulations under section 6045B, Pamela Lew, (202) 317-7053; concerning submission of comments, contact Regina Johnson, (202) 317-6901 (not toll-free numbers).
FR Citation81 FR 21795 
RIN Number1545-BN07
CFR AssociatedIncome Taxes and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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