82_FR_29844 82 FR 29719 - Regulations Regarding Withholding of Tax on Certain U.S. Source Income Paid to Foreign Persons, Information Reporting and Backup Withholding on Payments Made to Certain U.S. Persons, and Portfolio Interest Treatment; Correction

82 FR 29719 - Regulations Regarding Withholding of Tax on Certain U.S. Source Income Paid to Foreign Persons, Information Reporting and Backup Withholding on Payments Made to Certain U.S. Persons, and Portfolio Interest Treatment; Correction

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 125 (June 30, 2017)

Page Range29719-29728
FR Document2017-13634

This document contains corrections to final and temporary regulations (TD 9808), which were published in the Federal Register on Friday, January 6, 2017 (82 FR 2046). These regulations are related to withholding of tax on certain U.S. source income paid to foreign persons, information reporting and backup withholding with respect to payments made to certain U.S. persons, and portfolio interest paid to nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29719-29728]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13634]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[TD 9808]
RIN 1545-BL17
 RIN 1545-BN74


Regulations Regarding Withholding of Tax on Certain U.S. Source 
Income Paid to Foreign Persons, Information Reporting and Backup 
Withholding on Payments Made to Certain U.S. Persons, and Portfolio 
Interest Treatment; Correction

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Correcting amendment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document contains corrections to final and temporary 
regulations (TD 9808), which were published in the Federal Register on 
Friday, January 6, 2017 (82 FR 2046). These regulations are related to 
withholding of tax on certain U.S. source income paid to foreign 
persons, information reporting and backup withholding with respect to 
payments made to certain U.S. persons, and portfolio interest paid to 
nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations.

DATES: 
    Effective Date: These corrections are effective June 30, 2017.
    Applicability Date: The corrections to Sec. Sec.  1.1441-0; 1.1441-
1(b)(7)(ii)(B), (e)(3)(iv)(B) and (C), (e)(4)(ii)(B)(11), 
(e)(4)(ix)(D), (e)(5)(ii) through (e)(5)(ii)(B), (e)(5)(ii)(D) through 
(e)(5)(v)(B)(3), (e)(5)(v)(B)(5) through (e)(5)(v)(D), and (f) through 
(f)(4); 1.1441-1T; 1.1441-3(d)(1); 1.1441-4; 1.6045-1(m)(2)(ii) and 
(n)(12)(ii); and 1.6049-5(c)(1) through (c)(4) are applicable on 
January 6, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Lee, (202) 317-6942 (not a toll-
free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The final and temporary regulations that are the subject of these 
corrections are Sec. Sec.  1.1441-0, 1.1441-1, 1.1441-1T, 1.1441-3, 
1.1441-4, 1.6045-1, and 1.6049-5, promulgated under sections 1441, 
6045, 6049, and 7805 of the Internal Revenue Code. These regulations 
affect persons making payments of U.S. source income to foreign persons 
and persons making payments to certain U.S. persons subject to 
reporting and backup withholding.

Need for Correction

    As published, the final regulations contain a number of items that 
need to be corrected or clarified. Several portions of TD 9808 could 
not be incorporated due to inaccurate amendatory instructions. Most of 
the correcting amendments to TD 9808 are needed to clarify or correct 
the results of these inaccurate amendatory instructions. The correcting 
amendments also include the addition, deletion, or modification of 
regulatory language to clarify the relevant provisions to meet their 
intended purposes, specifically to make a conforming change to the 
entry in the table of contents (Sec.  1.1441-0) for Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(4)(ix); to correct typographical errors in Sec. Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(4)(ix)(D), 1.1441-1T(c)(3)(ii), and 1.1441-3(d)(1); to clarify 
that allowances for electronic signatures in Sec.  1.1441-
1T(e)(4)(i)(B) and use of third party repository in Sec.  1.1441-
1T(e)(4)(iv)(E) are limited to Forms W-8; to remove an obsolete cross-
reference

[[Page 29720]]

to Sec.  1.1441-4(h); and to return Sec.  1.6045-1(m)(2)(ii) and 
(n)(12)(ii) to the way those provisions read prior to unnecessary 
revisions in TD 9808.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Correction of Publication

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is corrected by making the following 
correcting amendments:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

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

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


0
Par. 2. Section 1.1441-0 is amended by adding an entry for Sec.  
1.1441-1(e)(4)(viii)(C); revising the entries for Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(4)(ix), (e)(5)(v)(A), (f), and (f)(2); and removing the entries 
for Sec.  1.1441-1(f)(2)(i) and (ii).
    The addition and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-0   Outline of regulation provisions for section 1441.

* * * * *


Sec.  1.1441-1   Requirement for the deduction and withholding of tax 
on payments to foreign persons.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (viii) * * *
    (C) Reliance on a prior version of a withholding certificate.
    (ix) Certificates to be furnished to withholding agent for each 
obligation unless exception applies.
* * * * *
    (5) * * *
    (v) * * *
    (A) In general.
* * * * *
    (f) Effective/applicability date.
* * * * *
    (2) Lack of documentation for past years.
* * * * *

0
Par. 3. Section 1.1441-1 is amended by:
0
1. Adding paragraph (b)(7)(ii)(B);
0
2. Adding paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(B) and (C);
0
3. Revising paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(B)(11);
0
4. Revising the last sentence of paragraph (e)(4)(ix)(D);
0
5. Revising paragraphs (e)(5)(ii) introductory text through 
(e)(5)(ii)(B);
0
6. Removing paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(C) and redesignating paragraph 
(e)(5)(ii)(D) as new paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(C);
0
7. Adding new paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(D) and removing paragraph 
(e)(5)(ii)(E);
0
8. Revising paragraphs (e)(5)(iii) through (e)(5)(v)(B)(3);
0
9. Adding paragraph (e)(5)(v)(B)(5) through (e)(5)(v)(D); and
0
10. Revising the heading of paragraph (f), and paragraphs (f)(1) 
through (4).
    The addition and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-1   Requirement for the deduction and withholding of tax 
on payments to foreign persons.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (7) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.1441-
1T(b)(7)(ii)(B).
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (B) General requirements. A withholding statement must be provided 
prior to the payment of a reportable amount and must contain the 
information specified in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C) of this section. The 
statement must be updated as often as required to keep the information 
in the withholding statement correct prior to each subsequent payment. 
The withholding statement forms an integral part of the withholding 
certificate provided under paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section, and 
the penalties of perjury statement provided on the withholding 
certificate shall apply to the withholding statement. The withholding 
statement may be provided in any manner the nonqualified intermediary 
and the withholding agent mutually agree, including electronically. If 
the withholding statement is provided electronically as part of a 
system established by the withholding agent or nonqualified 
intermediary to provide the statement, however, there must be 
sufficient safeguards to ensure that the information received by the 
withholding agent is the information sent by the nonqualified 
intermediary and all occasions of user access that result in the 
submission or modification of the withholding statement information 
must be recorded. In addition, the electronic system must be capable of 
providing a hard copy of all withholding statements provided by the 
nonqualified intermediary. A withholding statement may otherwise be 
transmitted by a nonqualified intermediary via email or facsimile to a 
withholding agent under the requirements specified in paragraph 
(e)(4)(iv)(D) of this section (substituting the term withholding 
statement for the term Form W-8 or the term document, as applicable). A 
withholding agent will be liable for tax, interest, and penalties in 
accordance with paragraph (b)(7) of this section to the extent it does 
not follow the presumption rules of paragraph (b)(3) of this section or 
Sec. Sec.  1.1441-5(d) and (e)(6), and 1.6049-5(d) for any payment of a 
reportable amount, or portion thereof, for which it does not have a 
valid withholding statement prior to making a payment. A withholding 
agent may not treat as valid an allocation of a payment to a chapter 4 
withholding rate pool of U.S. payees described in paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(A) of this section or an allocation of a payment to a 
chapter 4 withholding rate pool of recalcitrant account holders 
described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2) of this section unless the 
withholding agent identifies the nonqualified intermediary maintaining 
the account (as described in Sec.  1.1471-5(b)(5)) as a participating 
FFI (including a reporting Model 2 FFI) or registered deemed-compliant 
FFI (including a reporting Model 1 FFI) by applying the rules of Sec.  
1.1471-3(d)(4). Additionally, in the case of a withholdable payment 
that is an amount subject to withholding made on or after April 1, 
2017, a withholding agent may not treat as valid an allocation of the 
payment to a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees unless the 
nonqualified intermediary identifies the pool of U.S. payees as one 
described in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2)(iii) (or by describing 
such payees consistent with the description provided in Sec.  1.1471-
3(c)(3)(ii)(B)(2)(iii)).
    (C) Content of withholding statement. The withholding statement 
provided by a nonqualified intermediary must contain the information 
required by this paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C).
    (1) In general. Except as otherwise provided by paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(C)(2) and (3) of this section), the withholding statement 
provided by a nonqualified intermediary must contain the information 
required by this paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1).
    (i) Except as otherwise provided in (e)(3)(iv)(A) of this section 
(which excludes reporting of information with respect to certain U.S. 
persons on the withholding statement), the withholding statement must 
contain the name, address, TIN (if any), and the type of documentation 
(documentary evidence, Form W-9, or type of Form W-8) for every person 
from whom documentation has been received by the nonqualified 
intermediary and provided to the withholding agent and whether that 
person is a U.S. exempt recipient, a U.S. non-exempt recipient, or a 
foreign person. See paragraphs (c)(2), (20), and

[[Page 29721]]

(21) of this section for the definitions of foreign person, U.S. exempt 
recipient, and U.S. non-exempt recipient. In the case of a foreign 
person, the statement must indicate whether the foreign person is a 
beneficial owner or an intermediary, flow-through entity, U.S. branch, 
or territory financial institution described in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of 
this section and include the type of recipient, based on recipient 
codes applicable for chapter 3 purposes used for filing Forms 1042-S, 
if the foreign person is a recipient as defined in Sec.  1.1461-
1(c)(1)(ii).
    (ii) The withholding statement must allocate each payment, by 
income type, to every payee required to be reported on the withholding 
statement for whom documentation has been provided (including U.S. 
exempt recipients except as provided in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(A) of this 
section). Any payment that cannot be reliably associated with valid 
documentation from a payee shall be treated as made to an unknown payee 
in accordance with the presumption rules of paragraph (b) of this 
section and Sec. Sec.  1.1441-5(d) and (e)(6) and 1.6049-5(d). For this 
purpose, a type of income is determined by the types of income required 
to be reported on Forms 1042-S or 1099, as appropriate. Notwithstanding 
the preceding sentence, deposit interest (including original issue 
discount) described in section 871(i)(2)(A) or 881(d) and interest or 
original issue discount on short-term obligations as described in 
section 871(g)(1)(B) or 881(e) is only required to be allocated to the 
extent it is required to be reported on Form 1099 or Form 1042-S. See 
Sec.  1.6049-8 (regarding reporting of bank deposit interest to certain 
foreign persons). If a payee receives income through another 
nonqualified intermediary, flow-through entity, or U.S. branch or 
territory financial institution described in paragraph (e)(2)(iv) of 
this section (other than a U.S. branch or territory financial 
institution treated as a U.S. person), the withholding statement must 
also state, with respect to the payee, the name, address, and TIN, if 
known, of the other nonqualified intermediary or U.S. branch from which 
the payee directly receives the payment or the flow-through entity in 
which the payee has a direct ownership interest. If another 
nonqualified intermediary, flow-through entity, or U.S. branch fails to 
allocate a payment, the name of the nonqualified intermediary, flow-
through entity, or U.S. branch that failed to allocate the payment 
shall be provided with respect to such payment.
    (iii) If a payee is identified as a foreign person, the 
nonqualified intermediary must specify the rate of withholding to which 
the payee is subject, the payee's country of residence and, if a 
reduced rate of withholding is claimed, the basis for that reduced rate 
(e.g., treaty benefit, portfolio interest, exempt under section 
501(c)(3), 892, or 895). The allocation statement must also include the 
TINs of those foreign persons for whom such a number is required under 
paragraph (e)(4)(vii) of this section or Sec.  1.1441-6(b)(1) 
(regarding claims for treaty benefits for which a TIN is provided 
unless a foreign tax identifying number described in Sec.  1.1441-
6(b)(1) is provided). In the case of a claim of treaty benefits, the 
nonqualified intermediary's withholding statement must also state 
whether the limitation on benefits and section 894 statements required 
by Sec.  1.1441-6(c)(5) have been provided, if required, in the 
beneficial owner's Form W-8 or associated with such owner's documentary 
evidence.
    (iv) The withholding statement must also contain any other 
information the withholding agent reasonably requests in order to 
fulfill its obligations under chapter 3 and chapter 61 of the Code, and 
section 3406.
    (2) Nonqualified intermediary withholding statement for 
withholdable payments. This paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2) modifies the 
requirements of a withholding statement described in paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this section that is provided by a nonqualified 
intermediary with respect to a reportable amount that is a withholdable 
payment. For such a payment, the requirements applicable to a 
withholding statement described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(A) through 
(e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this section shall apply, except that--
    (i) The withholding statement must include the chapter 4 status 
(using the applicable status code used for filing Form 1042-S) and GIIN 
(when required for chapter 4 purposes under Sec.  1.1471-3(d)) of each 
other intermediary or flow-through entity that is a foreign person and 
that receives the payment, excluding an intermediary or flow- through 
entity that is an account holder of or interest holder in a withholding 
foreign partnership, withholding foreign trust, or intermediary acting 
as a qualified intermediary for the payment;
    (ii) If the nonqualified intermediary that is a participating FFI 
or registered deemed-compliant FFI provides a withholding statement 
described in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2) (describing an FFI 
withholding statement), the withholding statement may include chapter 4 
withholding rate pools with respect to the portions of the payment 
allocated to nonparticipating FFIs and recalcitrant account holders (to 
the extent permitted on an FFI withholding statement described in that 
paragraph) in lieu of providing specific payee information with respect 
to such persons on the statement (including persons subject to chapter 
4 withholding) as described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this 
section;
    (iii) If the nonqualified intermediary provides a withholding 
statement described in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(3) (describing a 
chapter 4 withholding statement), the withholding statement may include 
chapter 4 withholding rate pools with respect to the portions of the 
payment allocated to nonparticipating FFIs; and
    (iv) For a payment allocated to a payee that is a foreign person 
(other than a person included in a chapter 4 withholding rate pool 
described in paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section) 
that is reported on a withholding statement described in Sec.  1.1471-
3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2) or (3), the withholding statement must include the 
chapter 4 status of the payee (unless an exception applies for purposes 
of providing such status under chapter 4) and, for a payee other than 
an individual, the recipient code for chapter 4 purposes used for 
filing Form 1042-S; and
    (v) To the extent that a withholdable payment is not reportable on 
a Form 1042-S, Form 1099 under the rules of chapter 61, or Form 8966 
``FATCA Report,'' no allocation of the payment is required on the 
withholding statement.
    (3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.1441-
1T(e)(3)(iv)(C)(3).

    (4) Example.  This example illustrates the principles of 
paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C) of this section. WA makes a withholdable 
payment of U.S. source dividends to NQI, a nonqualified 
intermediary. NQI provides WA with a valid intermediary withholding 
certificate under paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section that 
includes NQI's certification of its status for chapter 4 purposes as 
a participating FFI. NQI provides a withholding statement on which 
NQI allocates 20% of the payment to a chapter 4 withholding rate 
pool of recalcitrant account holders of NQI for purposes of chapter 
4 and allocates 80% of the payment equally to A and B, individuals 
that are account holders of NQI. NQI also provides WA with valid 
beneficial owner withholding certificates from A and B establishing 
their status as foreign persons entitled to a 15% rate of 
withholding under an applicable income tax treaty. Because NQI has 
certified its status as a participating FFI, withholding under 
chapter 4 is not required with respect to NQI. See Sec.  1.1471-
2(a)(4). Based on the documentation NQI provided to WA with respect 
to A and B, WA can reliably associate

[[Page 29722]]

the payment with valid documentation on the portion of the payment 
allocated to them and, because the payment is a withholdable 
payment, may rely on the allocation of the payment for NQI's 
recalcitrant account holders in a chapter 4 withholding rate pool in 
lieu of payee information with respect to such account holders. See 
paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2) of this section for the special rules for 
a withholding statement provided by a nonqualified intermediary for 
a withholdable payment. Also see Sec.  1.1471-2(a) for WA's 
withholding requirements under chapter 4 with respect to the portion 
of the payment allocated to NQI's recalcitrant account holders and 
Sec.  1.1441-3(a)(2) for coordinating withholding under chapter 3 
for payments to which withholding is applied under chapter 4.

* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (B) * * *
    (11) Documentary evidence that is not generally renewed or amended 
(such as a certificate of incorporation).
* * * * *
    (ix) * * *
    (D) * * * See Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(9)(v) for a similar reliance rule 
that applies for purposes of chapter 4.
    (5) * * *
    (ii) Definition of qualified intermediary. With respect to a 
payment to a foreign person, the term qualified intermediary means a 
person that is a party to a withholding agreement with the IRS where 
such person is--
    (A) A foreign financial institution that is a participating FFI 
(including a reporting Model 2 FFI), a registered deemed-compliant FFI 
(including a reporting Model 1 FFI), an FFI treated as a deemed-
compliant FFI under an applicable IGA that is subject to due diligence 
and reporting requirements with respect to its U.S. accounts similar to 
those applicable to a registered deemed-compliant FFI under Sec.  
1.1471-5(f)(1), excluding a U.S. branch of any of the foregoing 
entities, or any other category of FFI identified in a qualified 
intermediary withholding agreement as eligible to act as a qualified 
intermediary;
    (B) A foreign branch or office of a U.S. financial institution or a 
foreign branch or office of a U.S. clearing organization that is either 
a reporting Model 1 FFI or agrees to the reporting requirements 
applicable to a participating FFI with respect to its U.S. accounts;
* * * * *
    (D) Any other person acceptable to the IRS.
    (iii) Withholding agreement--(A) In general. The IRS may, upon 
request, enter into a withholding agreement with a foreign person 
described in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this section pursuant to such 
procedures as the IRS may prescribe in published guidance (see Sec.  
601.601(d)(2) of this chapter). Under the withholding agreement, a 
qualified intermediary shall generally be subject to the applicable 
withholding and reporting provisions applicable to withholding agents 
and payors under chapters 3, 4, and 61 of the Code, section 3406, the 
regulations under those provisions, and other withholding provisions of 
the Code, except to the extent provided under the agreement.
    (B) Terms of the withholding agreement. The withholding agreement 
shall specify the obligations of the qualified intermediary under 
chapters 3 and 4 including, for a qualified intermediary that is an 
FFI, the documentation, withholding, and reporting obligations required 
of a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI (including a 
reporting Model 1 FFI as defined in Sec.  1.1471-1(b)(114)) with 
respect to each branch of the qualified intermediary other than a U.S. 
branch that is treated as a U.S. person under paragraph (b)(2)(iv)(A) 
of this section. The withholding agreement will specify the type of 
certifications and documentation upon which the qualified intermediary 
may rely to ascertain the classification (e.g., corporation or 
partnership), status (i.e., U.S. or foreign and chapter 4 status) of 
beneficial owners and payees who receive reportable amounts, reportable 
payments, and withholdable payments collected by the qualified 
intermediary for purposes of chapters 3, 4, and 61, section 3406, and, 
if necessary, entitlement to the benefits of a reduced rate under an 
income tax treaty. The withholding agreement shall specify if, and to 
what extent, the qualified intermediary may assume primary withholding 
responsibility in accordance with paragraph (e)(5)(iv) of this section. 
It shall also specify the extent to which applicable return filing and 
information reporting requirements are modified so that, in appropriate 
cases, the qualified intermediary may report payments to the IRS on an 
aggregated basis, without having to disclose the identity of beneficial 
owners and payees. However, the qualified intermediary may be required 
to provide to the IRS the name and address of those foreign customers 
who benefit from a reduced rate under an income tax treaty pursuant to 
the withholding agreement for purposes of verifying entitlement to such 
benefits, particularly under an applicable limitation on benefits 
provision. Under the withholding agreement, a qualified intermediary 
may agree to act as an acceptance agent to perform the duties described 
in Sec.  301.6109-1(d)(3)(iv)(A) of this chapter. The withholding 
agreement may specify the manner in which applicable procedures for 
adjustments for underwithholding and overwithholding, including refund 
procedures, apply to qualified intermediaries and the extent to which 
applicable procedures may be modified. In particular, a withholding 
agreement may allow a qualified intermediary to claim refunds of 
overwithheld amounts. In addition, the withholding agreement shall 
specify the manner in which the IRS will verify compliance with the 
agreement, including the time and manner for which a qualified 
intermediary will be required to certify to the IRS regarding its 
compliance with the withholding agreement (including its performance of 
a periodic review) and the types of information required to be 
disclosed as part of the certification. In appropriate cases, the IRS 
may require review procedures be performed by an approved reviewer (in 
addition to those performed as part of the periodic review) and may 
conduct a review of the reviewer's findings. The withholding agreement 
may include provisions for the assessment and collection of tax in the 
event that failure to comply with the terms of the withholding 
agreement results in the failure by the withholding agent or the 
qualified intermediary to withhold and deposit the required amount of 
tax. Further, the withholding agreement may specify the procedures by 
which amounts withheld are to be deposited, if different from the 
deposit procedures under the Code and applicable regulations. To 
determine whether to enter a withholding agreement and the terms of any 
particular withholding agreement, the IRS will consider the type of 
local know-your-customer laws and practices to which the entity is 
subject (if the entity is an FFI), as well as the extent and nature of 
supervisory and regulatory control exercised under the laws of the 
foreign country over the foreign entity.
    (iv) Assignment of primary withholding responsibility. Any person 
(whether a U.S. person or a foreign person) who meets the definition of 
a withholding agent under Sec.  1.1441-7(a) (for payments subject to 
chapter 3 withholding) and Sec.  1.1473-1(d) (for withholdable 
payments) is required to withhold and deposit any amount withheld under 
Sec. Sec.  1.1461-1(a) and 1.1474-1(b) and to make the returns 
prescribed by Sec. Sec.  1.1461-1(b) and (c), and by 1.1474-1(c), and 
(d). Under its qualified intermediary withholding

[[Page 29723]]

agreement, a qualified intermediary may, however, inform a withholding 
agent from which it receives a payment that it will assume the primary 
obligation to withhold, deposit, and report amounts under chapters 3 
and 4 of the Code and/or under chapter 61 and section 3406 of the Code. 
For assuming withholding obligations as described in the previous 
sentence, a qualified intermediary that assumes primary withholding 
responsibility for payments made to an account under chapter 3 is also 
required to assume primary withholding responsibility under chapter 4 
for payments made to the account that are withholdable payments. 
Additionally, a qualified intermediary may represent that it assumes 
chapter 61 reporting and section 3406 obligations for a payment when 
the qualified intermediary meets the requirements of Sec.  1.6049-
4(c)(4)(i) or (ii) for the payment. If a withholding agent makes a 
payment of an amount subject to withholding under chapter 3, a 
reportable payment (as defined in section 3406(b)), or a withholdable 
payment to a qualified intermediary that represents to the withholding 
agent that it has assumed primary withholding responsibility for the 
payment, the withholding agent is not required to withhold on the 
payment. The withholding agent is not required to determine that the 
qualified intermediary actually performs its primary withholding 
responsibilities. A qualified intermediary that assumes primary 
withholding responsibility under chapters 3 and 4 or primary reporting 
and backup withholding responsibility under chapter 61 and section 3406 
is not required to assume primary withholding responsibility for all 
accounts it has with a withholding agent but must assume primary 
withholding responsibility for all payments made to any one account 
that it has with the withholding agent.
    (v) Withholding statement--(A) In general. A qualified intermediary 
must provide each withholding agent from which it receives reportable 
amounts as a qualified intermediary with a written statement (the 
withholding statement) containing the information specified in 
paragraph (e)(5)(v)(B) of this section. A withholding statement is not 
required, however, if all of the information a withholding agent needs 
to fulfill its withholding and reporting requirements is contained in 
the withholding certificate. The qualified intermediary withholding 
agreement will require the qualified intermediary to include 
information in its withholding statement relating to withholdable 
payments for purposes of withholding under chapter 4 as described in 
paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(2) of this section. The withholding statement 
forms an integral part of the qualified intermediary's qualified 
intermediary withholding certificate, and the penalties of perjury 
statement provided on the withholding certificate shall apply to the 
withholding statement as well. The withholding statement may be 
provided in any manner, and in any form, to which qualified 
intermediary and the withholding agent mutually agree, including 
electronically. If the withholding statement is provided 
electronically, the statement must satisfy the requirements described 
in paragraph (e)(3)(iv) of this section (applicable to a withholding 
statement provided by a nonqualified intermediary). The withholding 
statement shall be updated as often as necessary for the withholding 
agent to meet its reporting and withholding obligations under chapters 
3, 4, and 61 and section 3406. For purposes of this section, a 
withholding agent will be liable for tax, interest, and penalties in 
accordance with paragraph (b)(7) of this section to the extent it does 
not follow the presumption rules of paragraph (b)(3) of this section, 
Sec. Sec.  1.1441-5(d) and (e)(6), and 1.6049-5(d) for a payment, or 
portion thereof, for which it does not have a valid withholding 
statement prior to making a payment.
    (B) Content of withholding statement. The withholding statement 
must contain sufficient information for a withholding agent to apply 
the correct rate of withholding on payments from the accounts 
identified on the statement and to properly report such payments on 
Forms 1042-S and Forms 1099, as applicable. The withholding statement 
must--
    (1) Designate those accounts for which the qualified intermediary 
acts as a qualified intermediary;
    (2) Designate those accounts for which qualified intermediary 
assumes primary withholding responsibility under chapter 3 and chapter 
4 of the Code and/or primary reporting and backup withholding 
responsibility under chapter 61 and section 3406;
    (3) If applicable, designate those accounts for which the qualified 
intermediary is acting as a qualified securities lender with respect to 
a substitute dividend paid in a securities lending or similar 
transaction;
* * * * *
    (5) Provide information regarding withholding rate pools, as 
described in paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C) of this section.
    (C) Withholding rate pools--(1) In general. Except to the extent it 
has assumed both primary withholding responsibility under chapters 3 
and 4 of the Code and primary Form 1099 reporting and backup 
withholding responsibility under chapter 61 and section 3406 with 
respect to a payment, a qualified intermediary shall provide as part of 
its withholding statement the chapter 3 withholding rate pool 
information that is required for the withholding agent to meet its 
withholding and reporting obligations under chapters 3 and 61 of the 
Code and section 3406. See, however, paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(2) of this 
section for when a qualified intermediary may provide a chapter 4 
withholding rate pool (as described in paragraph (c)(48) of this 
section) with respect to a payment that is a withholdable payment. A 
chapter 3 withholding rate pool is a payment of a single type of 
income, determined in accordance with the categories of income reported 
on Form 1042-S, that is subject to a single rate of withholding paid to 
a payee that is a foreign person and for which withholding under 
chapter 4 does not apply. A chapter 3 withholding rate pool may be 
established by any reasonable method on which the qualified 
intermediary and a withholding agent agree (e.g., by establishing a 
separate account for a single chapter 3 withholding rate pool, or by 
dividing a payment made to a single account into portions allocable to 
each chapter 3 withholding rate pool). A qualified intermediary may 
include a separate pool for account holders that are U.S. exempt 
recipients or may include such accounts in a chapter 3 withholding rate 
pool to which withholding does not apply. The withholding statement 
must identify the chapter 4 exemption code (as provided in the 
instructions to Form 1042-S) applicable to the chapter 3 withholding 
rate pools contained on the withholding statement. To the extent a 
qualified intermediary does not assume primary Form 1099 reporting and 
backup withholding responsibility under chapter 61 and section 3406, a 
qualified intermediary's withholding statement must establish a 
separate withholding rate pool for each U.S. non-exempt recipient 
account holder that the qualified intermediary has disclosed to the 
withholding agent unless the qualified intermediary uses the 
alternative procedures in paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(3) of this section or 
the account holder is a payee that the qualified intermediary is 
permitted to include in a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. 
payees. A qualified intermediary that is a participating FFI or 
registered deemed- compliant FFI

[[Page 29724]]

may include a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees on a 
withholding statement by applying the rules under paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(A) of this section (by substituting ``qualified 
intermediary'' for ``nonqualified intermediary'') with respect to an 
account that it maintains (as described in Sec.  1.1471-5(b)(5)) for 
the payee of the payment. A qualified intermediary shall determine 
withholding rate pools based on valid documentation that it obtains 
under its withholding agreement with the IRS, or if a payment cannot be 
reliably associated with valid documentation, under the applicable 
presumption rules. If a qualified intermediary has an account holder 
that is another intermediary (whether a qualified intermediary or a 
nonqualified intermediary) or a flow- through entity, the qualified 
intermediary may combine the account holder information provided by the 
other intermediary or flow-through entity with the qualified 
intermediary's direct account holder information to determine the 
qualified intermediary's chapter 3 withholding rate pools and each of 
the qualified intermediary's chapter 4 withholding rate pools to the 
extent provided in its withholding agreement with the IRS.
    (2) Withholding rate pool requirements for a withholdable payment. 
This paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(2) modifies the requirements of a 
withholding statement described in paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(1) of this 
section provided by a qualified intermediary with respect to a 
withholdable payment (including a reportable amount that is a 
withholdable payment). For such a payment, the regulations applicable 
to a withholding statement described in paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(1) of 
this section shall apply, except that--
    (i) If the qualified intermediary provides a withholding statement 
described in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2) (describing an FFI 
withholding statement), the withholding statement may include a chapter 
4 withholding rate pool with respect to the portion of the payment 
allocated to a single pool of recalcitrant account holders (without the 
need to subdivide into the pools described in Sec.  1.1471-4(d)(6)), 
including both account holders of the qualified intermediary and of any 
participating FFI, registered deemed-compliant FFI, or other qualified 
intermediary for whom the first-mentioned qualified intermediary 
receives the payment, and nonparticipating FFIs (to the extent 
permitted) in lieu of reporting chapter 3 withholding rate pools with 
respect to such persons as described in paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(1) of 
this section); or
    (ii) If the qualified intermediary provides a withholding statement 
described in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(3) (describing a chapter 4 
withholding statement), the withholding statement may include a chapter 
4 withholding rate pool with respect to the portion of the payment 
allocated to nonparticipating FFIs.
    (3) Alternative procedure for U.S. non-exempt recipients. If 
permitted under its withholding agreement with the IRS, a qualified 
intermediary may, by mutual agreement with a withholding agent, 
establish a single zero withholding rate pool that includes U.S. non-
exempt recipient account holders for whom the qualified intermediary 
has provided Forms W-9 prior to the withholding agent paying any 
reportable payments, as defined in the qualified intermediary 
withholding agreement, and foreign persons for which no withholding is 
required under chapters 3 and 4, and may include payments allocated to 
a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees. In such a case, the 
qualified intermediary may also establish a separate withholding rate 
pool (subject to 28-percent withholding, or other applicable statutory 
back-up withholding tax rate) that includes only U.S. non-exempt 
recipient account holders for whom a qualified intermediary has not 
provided Forms W-9 prior to the withholding agent paying any reportable 
payments. If a qualified intermediary chooses the alternative procedure 
of this paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(3), the qualified intermediary must 
provide the information required by its withholding agreement to the 
withholding agent no later than January 15 of the year following the 
year in which the payments are paid. Failure to provide such 
information will result in the application of penalties to the 
qualified intermediary under sections 6721 and 6722, as well as any 
other applicable penalties, and may result in the termination of the 
qualified intermediary's withholding agreement with the IRS. A 
withholding agent shall not be liable for tax, interest, or penalties 
for failure to backup withhold or report information under chapter 61 
of the Code due solely to the errors or omissions of the qualified 
intermediary. If a qualified intermediary fails to provide the 
allocation information required by this paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(3), with 
respect to U.S. non-exempt recipients, the withholding agent shall 
report the unallocated amount paid from the withholding rate pool to an 
unknown recipient, or otherwise in accordance with the appropriate Form 
1099 and the instructions accompanying the form.

    (D) Example. The following example illustrates the application 
of paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C) of this section for a qualified 
intermediary providing chapter 4 withholding rate pools on an FFI 
withholding statement provided to a withholding agent. WA makes a 
payment of U.S. source interest that is a withholdable payment to 
QI, a qualified intermediary that is an FFI and a non-U.S. payor (as 
defined in Sec.  1.6049-5(c)(5)), and A and B are account holders of 
QI (as defined under Sec.  1.1471-5(a)) and are both U.S. non-exempt 
recipients (as defined in paragraph (c)(21) of this section). Ten 
percent of the payment is attributable to both A and B. A has 
provided WA with a Form W-9, but B has not provided WA with a Form 
W-9. QI assumes primary withholding responsibility under chapters 3 
and 4 with respect to the payment, 80 percent of which is allocable 
to foreign payees who are account holders other than A and B. As a 
participating FFI, QI is required to report with respect to its U.S. 
accounts under Sec.  1.1471-4(d) (as incorporated into its qualified 
intermediary agreement). Provided that QI reports A's account as a 
U.S. account under the requirements referenced in the preceding 
sentence, QI is not required to provide WA with a Form W-9 from A 
and may instead include A in a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of 
U.S. payees, allocating 10% of the payment to this pool. See Sec.  
1.6049-4(c)(4)(iii) concerning when reporting under section 6049 for 
a payment of interest is not required when an FFI that is a non-U.S. 
payor reports an account holder receiving the payment under its 
chapter 4 requirements. With respect to B, the interest payment is 
subject to backup withholding under section 3406. Because B is a 
recalcitrant account holder of QI for withholdable payments and 
because QI assumes primary chapter 4 withholding responsibility, 
however, QI may include the portion of the payment allocated to B 
with the remaining 80% of the payment for which QI assumes primary 
withholding responsibility. WA can reliably associate the full 
amount of the payment based on the withholding statement and does so 
regardless of whether WA knows B is a U.S. non-exempt recipient that 
is receiving a portion of the payment. See Sec.  31.3406(g)-1(e) 
(providing exemption to backup withholding when withholding was 
applied under chapter 4).

* * * * *
    (f) Effective/applicability date--(1) In general. Except as 
otherwise provided in paragraphs (e)(4)(ix)(D), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of 
this section, this section applies to payments made on or after January 
6, 2017. (For payments made after June 30, 2014 (except for payments to 
which paragraph (e)(4)(ix)(D) applies, in which case, substitute March 
5, 2014, for June 30, 2014), and before January 6, 2017, see this 
section as in effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1, as revised April 
1, 2016. For payments made after

[[Page 29725]]

December 31, 2000, and before July 1, 2014, see this section as in 
effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1, as revised April 1, 2013.)
    (2) Lack of documentation for past years. A taxpayer may elect to 
apply the provisions of paragraphs (b)(7)(i)(B), (ii), and (iii) of 
this section, dealing with liability for failure to obtain 
documentation timely, to all of its open tax years, including tax years 
that are currently under examination by the IRS. The election is made 
by simply taking action under those provisions in the same manner as 
the taxpayer would take action for payments made after December 31, 
2000.
    (3) Section 871(m) transactions. Paragraphs (b)(4)(xxi), 
(b)(4)(xxiii), (e)(3)(ii)(E), and (e)(6) of this section apply to 
payments made on or after September 18, 2015.
    (4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.1441-1T(f)(4).
* * * * *

0
Par. 4. Section 1.1441-1T is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-1T  Requirement for the deduction and withholding of tax 
on payments to foreign persons (temporary).

    (a) through (b)(7)(ii)(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see 
Sec.  1.1441-1(a) through (b)(7)(ii)(A).
    (B) Special rules for establishing that income is effectively 
connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. A withholding 
certificate received after the date of payment to claim under Sec.  
1.1441-4(a)(1) that income is effectively connected with the conduct of 
a U.S. trade or business will be considered effective as of the date of 
the payment if the certificate contains a signed affidavit (either at 
the bottom of the form or on an attached page) that states that the 
information and representations contained on the certificate were 
accurate as of the time of the payment. The signed affidavit must also 
state that the beneficial owner has included the income on its U.S. 
income tax return for the taxable year in which it is required to 
report the income or, alternatively, that the beneficial owner intends 
to include the income on a U.S. income tax return for the taxable year 
in which it is required to report the income and the due date for 
filing such return (including any applicable extensions) is after the 
date on which the affidavit is signed. A certificate received within 30 
days after the date of the payment will not be considered to be 
unreliable solely because it does not contain the affidavit described 
in the preceding sentences.
    (b)(7)(iii) through (c)(2)(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see 
Sec.  1.1441-1(b)(7)(iii) through (c)(2)(i).
    (ii) Dual residents. Individuals will not be treated as U.S. 
persons for purposes of this section for a taxable year or any portion 
of a taxable year for which they are a dual resident taxpayer (within 
the meaning of Sec.  301.7701(b)-7(a)(1) of this chapter) who is 
treated as a nonresident alien pursuant to Sec.  301.7701(b)-7(a)(1) of 
this chapter for purposes of computing their U.S. tax liability.
    (c)(3) through (c)(3)(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see 
Sec.  1.1441-1(c)(3) through (c)(3)(i).
    (ii) Nonresident alien individual. The term nonresident alien 
individual means persons described in section 7701(b)(1)(B), alien 
individuals who are treated as nonresident aliens pursuant to Sec.  
301.7701(b)-7 of this chapter for purposes of computing their U.S. tax 
liability, or an alien individual who is a resident of Puerto Rico, 
Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, or American Samoa as determined under Sec.  301.7701(b)-1(d) 
of this chapter. An alien individual who has made an election under 
section 6013(g) or (h) to be treated as a resident of the United States 
is nevertheless treated as a nonresident alien individual for purposes 
of withholding under chapter 3 of the Code and the regulations 
thereunder.
    (c)(4) through (c)(38)(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see 
Sec.  1.1441-1(c)(4) through (c)(38)(i).
    (ii) Hold mail instruction. Notwithstanding the provisions of 
paragraph (i) of this section, an address that is subject to a hold 
mail instruction can be used as a permanent residence address if the 
person has also provided the withholding agent with documentary 
evidence establishing residence in the country in which the person 
claims to be a resident for tax purposes. If, after a withholding 
certificate is provided, a person's permanent residence address is 
subsequently subject to a hold mail instruction, this is a change in 
circumstances requiring the person to provide the documentary evidence 
described in this paragraph (c)(38)(ii) in order to use the address as 
a permanent residence address.
    (c)(39) through (e)(2)(ii)(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see 
Sec.  1.1441-1(c)(39) through (e)(2)(ii)(A).
    (B) Requirement to collect foreign TIN and date of birth beginning 
January 1, 2017. Beginning January 1, 2017, a beneficial owner 
withholding certificate provided to document an account that is 
maintained at a U.S. branch or office of a financial institution is 
required to contain the account holder's foreign TIN and, in the case 
of an individual account holder, the account holder's date of birth in 
order for the withholding agent to treat such withholding certificate 
as valid under paragraph (e)(2) of this section. For withholding 
certificates associated with payments made on or after January 1, 2018, 
if an account holder does not have a foreign TIN, the account holder is 
required to provide a reasonable explanation for its absence (e.g., the 
country of residence does not provide TINs) in order for the 
withholding certificate not to be considered invalid as a result of the 
application of this paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B). A withholding certificate 
that does not contain the account holder's date of birth will not be 
considered invalid as a result of the application of this paragraph 
(e)(2)(ii)(B) if the withholding agent has the account holder's date of 
birth information in its files.
    (e)(3) through (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, 
see Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(3) through (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2).
    (3) Alternative withholding statement. In lieu of a withholding 
statement containing all of the information described in paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this section, a withholding agent may accept from a 
nonqualified intermediary a withholding statement that meets all of the 
requirements of this paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(3) with respect to a 
payment. This alternative withholding statement may only be provided by 
a nonqualified intermediary that provides the withholding agent with 
the withholding certificates from the beneficial owners (i.e., not 
documentary evidence) before the payment is made.
    (i) The withholding statement is not required to contain 
information that is also included on a withholding certificate (e.g., 
name, address, TIN (if any), chapter 4 status, GIIN (if any)). The 
withholding statement is also not required to specify the rate of 
withholding to which each foreign payee is subject, provided that all 
of the information necessary to make such determination is provided on 
the withholding certificate. A withholding agent that uses an 
alternative withholding statement may not apply a different rate from 
that which the withholding agent may reasonably conclude from the 
information on the withholding certificate.
    (ii) The withholding statement must allocate the payment to every 
payee required to be reported as described in paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(C)(1)(ii) of this section.

[[Page 29726]]

    (iii) The withholding statement must also contain any other 
information the withholding agent reasonably requests in order to 
fulfill its obligations under chapters 3, 4, and 61 of the Code, and 
section 3406.
    (iv) The withholding statement must contain a representation from 
the nonqualified intermediary that the information on the withholding 
certificates is not inconsistent with any other account information the 
nonqualified intermediary has for the beneficial owners for determining 
the rate of withholding with respect to each payee.
    (e)(3)(iv)(C)(4) through (e)(4)(i)(A) [Reserved]. For further 
guidance, see Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(3)(iv)(C)(4) through (e)(4)(i)(A).
    (B) Electronic signatures. A withholding agent, regardless of 
whether the withholding agent has established an electronic system 
pursuant to paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(A) or (e)(4)(iv)(C) of this section, 
may accept a withholding certificate (other than a Form W-9) with an 
electronic signature, provided the electronic signature meets the 
requirements of paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(B)(3)(ii) of this section. In 
addition, the withholding certificate must reasonably demonstrate to 
the withholding agent that the form has been electronically signed by 
the recipient identified on the form (or a person authorized to sign 
for the person identified on the form). For example, a withholding 
agent may treat as validly signed a withholding certificate that has, 
in the signature block, the name of the person authorized to sign, a 
time and date stamp, and a statement that the certificate has been 
electronically signed. However, a withholding agent may not treat a 
withholding certificate with a typed name in the signature line and no 
other information as validly signed.
    (e)(4)(ii) through (e)(4)(ii)(A)(1) [Reserved]. For further 
guidance, see Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(ii) through (e)(4)(ii)(A)(1).
    (2) Documentary evidence for treaty claims and treaty statements. 
Documentary evidence described in Sec.  1.1441-6(c)(3) or (4) and a 
statement regarding entitlement to treaty benefits described in Sec.  
1.1441-6(c)(5)(i) (treaty statement) shall remain valid until the last 
day of the third calendar year following the year in which the 
documentary evidence is provided to the withholding agent except as 
provided in paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(B) of this section. Notwithstanding 
the validity period prescribed in this paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(A)(2), a 
treaty statement will cease to be valid if a change in circumstances 
makes the information on the statement unreliable or incorrect. For 
accounts opened and treaty statements obtained prior to January 6, 
2017, the treaty statement will expire January 1, 2019.
    (e)(4)(ii)(B) through (e)(4)(iv)(B)(4) [Reserved]. For further 
guidance, see Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(ii)(B) through (e)(4)(iv)(B)(4).
    (C) Form 8233. A withholding agent may establish a system for a 
beneficial owner or payee to provide Form 8233 electronically, provided 
the system meets the requirements of paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(B)(1) through 
(4) of this section (replacing ``Form W-8'' with ``Form 8233'' each 
place it appears).
    (D) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(4)(iv)(D).
    (E) Third party repositories. A withholding certificate (other than 
a Form W-9) will be considered furnished for purposes of this section 
(including paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this section) by the person 
providing the certificate, and a withholding agent may rely on an 
otherwise valid withholding certificate received electronically from a 
third party repository, if the withholding certificate was uploaded or 
provided to a third party repository and there are processes in place 
to ensure that the withholding certificate can be reliably associated 
with a specific request from the withholding agent and a specific 
authorization from the person providing the certificate (or an agent of 
the person providing the certificate) for the withholding agent making 
the request to receive the withholding certificate. Each request and 
authorization must be associated with a specific payment, and, as 
applicable, a specific obligation maintained by a withholding agent. A 
third party repository may also be used for withholding statements, and 
a withholding agent may also rely on an otherwise valid withholding 
statement, if the intermediary providing the withholding certificates 
and withholding statement through the repository provides an updated 
withholding statement in the event of any change in the information 
previously provided (e.g., a change in the composition of a partnership 
or a change in the allocation of payments to the partners) and ensures 
there are processes in place to update withholding agents when there is 
a new withholding statement (and withholding certificates, as 
necessary) in the event of any change that would affect the validity of 
the prior withholding certificates or withholding statement. A third 
party repository, for purposes of this paragraph, is an entity that 
maintains withholding certificates (including certificates accompanied 
by withholding statements) but is not an agent of the applicable 
withholding agent or the person providing the certificate. The 
following examples illustrate the provisions of this paragraph 
(e)(4)(iv)(E):

    Example 1. A, a foreign corporation, completes a Form W-8BEN-E 
and a Form W-8ECI and uploads the forms to X, a third party 
repository (X is an entity that maintains withholding certificates 
on an electronic data aggregation site). WA, a withholding agent, 
enters into a contract with A under which it will make payments to A 
of U.S. source FDAP that are not effectively connected with A's 
conduct of a trade or business in the United States. X is not an 
agent of WA or A. Prior to receiving a payment, A sends WA an email 
with a link that authorizes WA to access A's Form W-8BEN-E on X's 
system. The link does not authorize WA to access A's Form W-8ECI. 
X's system meets the requirements of a third party repository, and 
WA can treat the Form W-8BEN-E as furnished by A.
    Example 2.  The facts are the same as Example 1 of this 
paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(E), and WA and A enter into a second contract 
under which WA will make payments to A that are effectively 
connected with A's conduct of a trade or business in the United 
States. A sends WA an email with a link that gives WA access to A's 
Form W-8ECI on X's system. The link in this second email does not 
give WA access to A's Form W-8BEN-E. A's email also clearly 
indicates that the link is associated with payments received under 
the second contract. X's system meets the requirements of a third 
party repository, and WA can treat the Form W-8ECI as furnished by 
A.
    Example 3.  FP is a foreign partnership that is acting on behalf 
of its partners, A and B, who are both foreign individuals. FP 
completes a Form W-8IMY and uploads it to X, a third party 
repository. FP also uploads Forms W-8BEN from both A and B and a 
valid withholding statement allocating 50% of the payment to A and 
50% to B. WA is a withholding agent that makes payments to FP as an 
intermediary for A and B. FP sends WA an email with a link to its 
Form W-8IMY on X's system. The link also provides WA access to FP's 
withholding statement and A's and B's Forms W-8BEN. FP also has 
processes in place that ensure it will provide a new withholding 
statement or withholding certificate to X's repository in the event 
of a change in the information previously provided that affects the 
validity of the withholding statement and that ensure it will update 
WA if there is a new withholding statement. X's system meets the 
requirements of a third party repository, and WA can treat the Form 
W-8IMY (and withholding statement) as furnished by FP. In addition, 
because FP is acting as an agent of A and B, the beneficial owners, 
WA can treat the Forms W-8BEN for A and B as furnished by A and B.

    (e)(4)(v) through (f)(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see 
Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(v) through (f)(3).

[[Page 29727]]

    (4) Effective/applicability date. This section applies to payments 
made on or after January 6, 2017.
    (g) Expiration date. The applicability of this section expires on 
December 30, 2019.


Sec.  1.1441-3   [Amended]

0
Par. 5. Section 1.1441-3 is amended by removing the second instance of 
the word ``is'' in the last sentence of paragraph (d)(1).


Sec.  1.1441-4   [Amended]

0
Par. 6. Section 1.1441-4 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph 
(h).

0
Par. 7. Section 1.6045-1 is amended by revising paragraphs (m)(2)(ii) 
and (n)(12)(ii) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.6045-1   Returns of information of brokers and barter 
exchanges.

* * * * *
    (m) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Delayed effective date for certain options--(A) 
Notwithstanding paragraph (m)(2)(i) of this section, if an option, 
stock right, or warrant is issued as part of an investment unit 
described in Sec.  1.1273-2(h), paragraph (m) of this section applies 
to the option, stock right, or warrant if it is acquired on or after 
January 1, 2016.
    (B) Notwithstanding paragraph (m)(2)(i) of this section, if the 
property referenced by an option (that is, the property underlying the 
option) is a debt instrument that is issued by a non-U.S. person or 
that provides for one or more payments denominated in, or determined by 
reference to, a currency other than the U.S. dollar, paragraph (m) of 
this section applies to the option if it is granted or acquired on or 
after January 1, 2016.
* * * * *
    (n) * * *
    (12) * * *
    (ii) Effective/applicability date. Paragraph (n)(12)(i) of this 
section applies to a debt instrument described in paragraph 
(n)(12)(i)(A) or (B) of this section that is acquired on or after 
February 18, 2016. However, a broker may rely on paragraph (n)(12)(i) 
of this section for a debt instrument described in paragraph 
(n)(12)(i)(A) or (B) of this section acquired before February 18, 2016.
* * * * *

0
Par. 8. Section 1.6049-5 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (c)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.6049-5  Interest and original issue discount subject to 
reporting after December 31, 1982.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) Documentary evidence for offshore obligations and certain other 
obligations--(i) A payor may rely on documentary evidence described in 
Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(5)(i) instead of a beneficial owner withholding 
certificate described in Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(2)(i) in the case of an 
amount paid outside the United States (as described in paragraph (e) of 
this section) with respect to an offshore obligation, or, in the case 
of broker proceeds described in Sec.  1.6045-1(c)(2), to the extent 
provided in Sec.  1.6045-1(g)(1)(i). For purposes of this section, the 
term offshore obligation means--
    (A) An account maintained at an office or branch of a bank or other 
financial institution located outside the United States; or
    (B) An obligation as defined in Sec.  1.6049-4(f)(3) (other than an 
account described in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) of this section), contract, 
or other instrument with respect to which the payor is either engaged 
in business as a broker or dealer in securities or a financial 
institution (as defined in Sec.  1.1471-5(e)) that engages in 
significant activities at an office or branch located outside the 
United States. For purposes of the preceding sentence, an office or 
branch of such payor shall be considered to engage in significant 
activities with respect to an obligation when it participates 
materially and actively in negotiating the obligation under the 
principles described in Sec.  1.864-4(c)(5)(iii) (substituting the term 
``obligation'' for the term ``stock or security'').
    (ii) A payor may rely on documentary evidence if the payor has 
established procedures to obtain, review, and maintain documentary 
evidence sufficient to establish the identity of the payee and the 
status of that person as a foreign person; and the payor obtains, 
reviews, and maintains such documentary evidence in accordance with 
those procedures. A payor maintains the documents reviewed for purposes 
of this paragraph (c)(1) by retaining an original, certified copy, or 
photocopy (including a microfiche, electronic scan, or similar means of 
electronic storage) of the documents reviewed for as long as it may be 
relevant to the determination of the payor's obligation to report under 
Sec.  1.6049-4 and this section and noting in its records the date on 
which the document was received and reviewed. Documentary evidence 
furnished for a payment of an amount subject to withholding under 
chapter 3 of the Code or that is a chapter 4 reportable amount under 
Sec.  1.1474-1(d)(2) must contain all of the information that is 
necessary to complete a Form 1042-S for that payment. See Sec. Sec.  
1.1471-3(c) and 1.1471-4(c) for additional documentation requirements 
to identify a payee or account holder for chapter 4 purposes that may 
apply in addition to the requirements under paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (iii) Even if an account or obligation (as defined in Sec.  1.6049-
4(f)(3)) is not maintained outside the United States (maintained in the 
United States), a payor may rely on documentary evidence associated 
with a withholding certificate described in Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(3)(iii) 
with respect to the persons for whom an entity acting as an 
intermediary collects the payment. A payor may also rely on documentary 
evidence associated with a flow-through withholding certificate for 
payments treated as made to foreign partners of a nonwithholding 
foreign partnership, as defined in Sec.  1.1441-1(c)(28), the foreign 
beneficiaries of a foreign simple trust, as defined in Sec.  1.1441-
1(c)(24), or foreign owners of a foreign grantor trust, as defined in 
Sec.  1.1441-1(c)(26), even though the partnership or trust account is 
an obligation maintained in the United States.
    (iv) For accounts opened on or after July 1, 2014, and before 
January 1, 2015, and for obligations entered into on or after July 1, 
2014, and before January 1, 2015, a payor may continue to apply the 
rules of Sec.  1.6049-5(c)(1) and (c)(4) as in effect and contained in 
26 CFR part 1 revised April 1, 2013, rather than this paragraph (c)(1) 
and paragraph (c)(4) of this section. A payor that applies the rules of 
Sec.  1.6049-5(c)(1) and (c)(4) as in effect and contained in 26 CFR 
part 1 revised April 1, 2013, to an account or obligation must also 
apply Sec.  1.1441-6(c)(2) (to the extent applicable) and Sec.  1.6049-
5(e) both as in effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1 revised April, 
2013, with respect to the account or obligation.
    (2) Other applicable rules. The provisions of Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(4)(i) through (xii) (regarding who may sign a certificate, 
validity period of certificates and documentary evidence, retention of 
certificates, reliance rules, etc.) shall apply (by substituting the 
term ``payor'' for the term ``withholding agent'' and disregarding the 
fact that the provisions under Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4) only apply to 
amounts subject to withholding under chapter 3 of the Code) to 
withholding certificates and documentary evidence furnished for 
purposes of this section. See Sec.  1.1441-1(b)(2)(vii) for provisions

[[Page 29728]]

dealing with reliable association of a payment with documentation.
    (3) Standards of knowledge. A payor may not rely on a withholding 
certificate or documentary evidence described in paragraph (c)(1) or 
(4) of this section if it has actual knowledge or reason to know that 
any information or certification stated in the certificate or 
documentary evidence is unreliable. A payor has reason to know that 
information or certifications are unreliable only if the payor would 
have reason to know under the provisions of Sec.  1.1441-7(b)(2) and 
(3) that the information and certifications provided on the certificate 
or in the documentary evidence are unreliable or, in the case of a Form 
W-9 (or an acceptable substitute), it cannot reasonably rely on the 
documentation as set forth in Sec.  31.3406(h)-3(e) of this chapter 
(see the information and certification described in Sec.  31.3406(h)-
3(e)(2)(i) through (iv) of this chapter that are required in order for 
a payor reasonably to rely on a Form W-9). The provisions of Sec.  
1.1441-7(b)(2) and (3) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(3) irrespective of the type of income to which Sec.  1.1441-7(b)(2) 
is otherwise limited. The exemptions from reporting described in 
paragraphs (b)(10) and (11) of this section shall not apply if the 
payor has actual knowledge that the payee is a U.S. person who is not 
an exempt recipient.
    (4) Special documentation rules for certain payments. This 
paragraph (c)(4) modifies the provisions of paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section for payments of amounts that are not subject to withholding 
under chapter 3 of the Code, other than amounts described in paragraph 
(d)(3)(iii) of this section (dealing with U.S. short-term OID and U.S. 
source deposit interest described in section 871(i)(2)(A) or 
881(d)(3)). Amounts are not subject to withholding under chapter 3 of 
the Code if they are not included in the definition of amounts subject 
to withholding under Sec.  1.1441-2(a) (e.g., deposit interest with 
foreign branches of U.S. banks, foreign source income, or broker 
proceeds). A payor may rely upon documentation in lieu of documentary 
evidence (as described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section) or a 
written statement (as defined in Sec.  1.1471-1(b)(150)) or another 
statement to the extent permitted in paragraphs (c)(4)(i) through (iii) 
of this section, until the payor knows or has reason to know of a 
change in circumstance that makes the documentation unreliable or 
incorrect (as defined in Sec.  1.1441-1(e)) when the payor does not 
have customer information for the payee that includes any of the U.S. 
indicia described in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(C)(1). Further, a payor 
may maintain such documentation or documentary evidence as required in 
paragraph (c)(4)(iv) of this section.
    (i) Statement in lieu of documentary evidence with respect to 
accounts. If under the local laws, regulations, or practices of a 
country in which an account is maintained, it is not customary to 
obtain documentary evidence described in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section with respect to the type of account, the payor may, instead of 
obtaining a beneficial owner withholding certificate described in Sec.  
1.1441-1(e)(2)(i) or documentary evidence described in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section, establish a payee's foreign status based on the 
statement described in this paragraph (c)(4)(i) (or such substitute 
statement as the Internal Revenue Service may prescribe) made on an 
account opening form. However, see, also Sec.  1.1471-4(c) or an 
applicable IGA for additional documentation requirements that may apply 
to a participating FFI (including a reporting Model 2 FFI) for 
determining the status of its account holders for chapter 4 purposes. 
The statement referred to in this paragraph (c)(4)(i) must appear near 
the signature line and must state, ``By opening this account and 
signing below, the account owner represents and warrants that he/she/it 
is not a U.S. person for purposes of U.S. Federal income tax and that 
he/she/it is not acting for, or on behalf of, a U.S. person. A false 
statement or misrepresentation of tax status by a U.S. person could 
lead to penalties under U.S. law. If your tax status changes and you 
become a U.S. citizen or a resident, you must notify us within 30 
days.'' Additionally, a payor may, instead of obtaining a beneficial 
owner withholding certificate described in Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(2)(i) or 
Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(3)(ii) or documentary evidence described in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section, establish a payee's foreign status based on a 
written statement described in paragraph Sec.  1.1471-1(b)(150) to the 
extent a payor uses such written statement to establish a payee's 
chapter 4 status and is permitted to use the written statement under 
Sec.  1.1471-3(d) (by substituting the term ``payor'' for the term 
``withholding agent'') without any other documentary evidence.
    (ii) Documentation under IGA. A payor that is a reporting Model 1 
FFI or reporting Model 2 FFI may rely upon documentation or information 
establishing a payee's status that is permitted under an applicable IGA 
for determining whether the account of the payee is other than a U.S. 
account and regardless of whether such documentation or certification 
is described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section or Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(2).
    (iii) Maintenance of documentation and written statement. A payor 
maintains documentation if it either maintains the documentary evidence 
as described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section or retains a record of 
the documentary evidence reviewed if the payor is not required to 
retain copies of the documentation pursuant to the payor's AML due 
diligence (as defined in Sec.  1.1471-1(b)(4)). A payor retains a 
record of documentary evidence reviewed by noting in its records the 
type of documentation reviewed, the date the document was reviewed, the 
document's identification number (if any), and whether such 
documentation contained any U.S. indicia described in Sec.  1.1441-
7(b)(8). Any statement described in paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this 
section, must be retained in accordance with Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(6)(iii).
* * * * *

Martin V. Franks,
Chief, Publications and Regulations Branch, Legal Processing Division, 
Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and Administration).
[FR Doc. 2017-13634 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P



                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                         29719

                                                having an individual broker’s license                   the examinee may challenge that result                 withholding of tax on certain U.S.
                                                (see § 111.11(b) and (c)(2)) and its                    by filing a written appeal with the                    source income paid to foreign persons,
                                                license would be revoked by operation                   Office of Trade at the Headquarters of                 information reporting and backup
                                                of law under the provisions of 19 U.S.C.                U.S. Customs and Border Protection,                    withholding with respect to payments
                                                1641(b)(5) and § 111.45(a) before the                   Attn: Broker Management Branch,                        made to certain U.S. persons, and
                                                next scheduled examination, CBP may                     within 60 calendar days after the date of              portfolio interest paid to nonresident
                                                authorize a special examination for a                   the written notice provided for in                     alien individuals and foreign
                                                prospective applicant for an individual                 paragraph (e) of this section. CBP will                corporations.
                                                license who would serve as the required                 provide to the examinee written notice                 DATES:
                                                licensed member or officer. CBP may                     of the decision on the appeal. If the CBP                 Effective Date: These corrections are
                                                also authorize a special examination for                decision on the appeal affirms the result              effective June 30, 2017.
                                                an individual for purposes of continuing                of the examination, the examinee may                      Applicability Date: The corrections to
                                                the business of a sole proprietorship                   request review of the decision on the                  §§ 1.1441–0; 1.1441–1(b)(7)(ii)(B),
                                                broker. A special examination for an                    appeal by writing to the Executive                     (e)(3)(iv)(B) and (C), (e)(4)(ii)(B)(11),
                                                individual may also be authorized by                    Assistant Commissioner, Office of                      (e)(4)(ix)(D), (e)(5)(ii) through
                                                CBP if a brokerage firm loses the                       Trade, U.S. Customs and Border                         (e)(5)(ii)(B), (e)(5)(ii)(D) through
                                                individual broker who was exercising                    Protection, within 60 calendar days after              (e)(5)(v)(B)(3), (e)(5)(v)(B)(5) through
                                                responsible supervision and control                     the date of the notice on that decision.               (e)(5)(v)(D), and (f) through (f)(4);
                                                over an office in another district (see                                                                        1.1441–1T; 1.1441–3(d)(1); 1.1441–4;
                                                § 111.19(d)) and the permit for that                    § 111.96    [Amended]
                                                                                                                                                               1.6045–1(m)(2)(ii) and (n)(12)(ii); and
                                                additional district would be revoked by                 ■ 5. In § 111.96:                                      1.6049–5(c)(1) through (c)(4) are
                                                operation of law under the provisions of                ■ a. Paragraph (a) is amended by                       applicable on January 6, 2017.
                                                19 U.S.C. 1641(c)(3) and § 111.45(b)                    removing the word ‘‘written’’ from the                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                before the next scheduled examination.                  second sentence and removing the                       Nancy Lee, (202) 317–6942 (not a toll-
                                                A request for a special examination                     phrase ‘‘$200 examination fee’’ in the                 free number).
                                                must be submitted to the Executive                      second sentence and adding in its place
                                                                                                                                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                Assistant Commissioner, Office of                       the phrase ‘‘$390 examination fee’’; and
                                                Trade, in writing and must describe the                 ■ b. Paragraph (e) is amended by                       Background
                                                circumstances giving rise to the need for               removing the words ‘‘United States                       The final and temporary regulations
                                                the examination. If the request is                      Customs Service’’ and adding in their                  that are the subject of these corrections
                                                granted, the Executive Assistant                        place the words ‘‘U.S. Customs and                     are §§ 1.1441–0, 1.1441–1, 1.1441–1T,
                                                Commissioner, Office of Trade or his/                   Border Protection, or paid by other CBP-               1.1441–3, 1.1441–4, 1.6045–1, and
                                                her designee, will notify the prospective               approved payment method’’.                             1.6049–5, promulgated under sections
                                                examinee of the exact time and place for                  Dated: June 27, 2017.                                1441, 6045, 6049, and 7805 of the
                                                the examination. If the individual                      Elaine C. Duke,                                        Internal Revenue Code. These
                                                attains a passing grade on the special                                                                         regulations affect persons making
                                                                                                        Deputy Secretary.
                                                examination, the application for the                                                                           payments of U.S. source income to
                                                                                                        [FR Doc. 2017–13829 Filed 6–29–17; 8:45 am]
                                                license may be submitted in accordance                                                                         foreign persons and persons making
                                                with § 111.12. The examinee will be                     BILLING CODE 9111–14–P
                                                                                                                                                               payments to certain U.S. persons subject
                                                responsible for all additional costs                                                                           to reporting and backup withholding.
                                                incurred by CBP in preparing and
                                                administering the special examination                   DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                             Need for Correction
                                                that exceed the $390 examination fee                                                                              As published, the final regulations
                                                prescribed in § 111.96(a), and those                    Internal Revenue Service
                                                                                                                                                               contain a number of items that need to
                                                additional costs must be reimbursed to                                                                         be corrected or clarified. Several
                                                CBP before the examination is given.                    26 CFR Part 1
                                                                                                                                                               portions of TD 9808 could not be
                                                   (d) Failure to appear for examination.               [TD 9808]                                              incorporated due to inaccurate
                                                If a prospective examinee advises the                                                                          amendatory instructions. Most of the
                                                Office of Trade at the Headquarters of                  RIN 1545–BL17                                          correcting amendments to TD 9808 are
                                                U.S. Customs and Border Protection,                     RIN 1545–BN74                                          needed to clarify or correct the results
                                                Attn: Broker Management Branch,                                                                                of these inaccurate amendatory
                                                electronically in a manner specified by                 Regulations Regarding Withholding of
                                                                                                                                                               instructions. The correcting
                                                CBP at least 2 working days prior to the                Tax on Certain U.S. Source Income
                                                                                                                                                               amendments also include the addition,
                                                date of a regularly scheduled                           Paid to Foreign Persons, Information
                                                                                                                                                               deletion, or modification of regulatory
                                                examination that he will not appear for                 Reporting and Backup Withholding on
                                                                                                                                                               language to clarify the relevant
                                                the examination, CBP will refund the                    Payments Made to Certain U.S.
                                                                                                                                                               provisions to meet their intended
                                                $390 examination fee referred to in                     Persons, and Portfolio Interest
                                                                                                                                                               purposes, specifically to make a
                                                paragraph (b) of this section. No refund                Treatment; Correction
                                                                                                                                                               conforming change to the entry in the
                                                of the examination fee or additional                    AGENCY:  Internal Revenue Service (IRS),               table of contents (§ 1.1441–0) for
                                                reimbursed costs will be made in the                    Treasury.                                              § 1.1441–1(e)(4)(ix); to correct
                                                case of a special written examination                                                                          typographical errors in §§ 1.1441–
                                                                                                        ACTION: Correcting amendment.
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                                                provided for under paragraph (c) of this                                                                       1(e)(4)(ix)(D), 1.1441–1T(c)(3)(ii), and
                                                section.                                                SUMMARY:   This document contains                      1.1441–3(d)(1); to clarify that
                                                *      *    *      *     *                              corrections to final and temporary                     allowances for electronic signatures in
                                                   (f) Appeal of failing grade on                       regulations (TD 9808), which were                      § 1.1441–1T(e)(4)(i)(B) and use of third
                                                examination. If an examinee fails to                    published in the Federal Register on                   party repository in § 1.1441–
                                                attain a passing grade on the                           Friday, January 6, 2017 (82 FR 2046).                  1T(e)(4)(iv)(E) are limited to Forms W–
                                                examination taken under this section,                   These regulations are related to                       8; to remove an obsolete cross-reference


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                                                29720                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                to § 1.1441–4(h); and to return § 1.6045–               ■  7. Adding new paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(D)               as applicable). A withholding agent will
                                                1(m)(2)(ii) and (n)(12)(ii) to the way                  and removing paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(E);                  be liable for tax, interest, and penalties
                                                those provisions read prior to                          ■ 8. Revising paragraphs (e)(5)(iii)                   in accordance with paragraph (b)(7) of
                                                unnecessary revisions in TD 9808.                       through (e)(5)(v)(B)(3);                               this section to the extent it does not
                                                                                                        ■ 9. Adding paragraph (e)(5)(v)(B)(5)                  follow the presumption rules of
                                                List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1                       through (e)(5)(v)(D); and                              paragraph (b)(3) of this section or
                                                  Income taxes, Reporting and                           ■ 10. Revising the heading of paragraph                §§ 1.1441–5(d) and (e)(6), and 1.6049–
                                                recordkeeping requirements.                             (f), and paragraphs (f)(1) through (4).                5(d) for any payment of a reportable
                                                                                                           The addition and revisions read as                  amount, or portion thereof, for which it
                                                Correction of Publication                               follows:                                               does not have a valid withholding
                                                  Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is                                                                                statement prior to making a payment. A
                                                corrected by making the following                       § 1.1441–1 Requirement for the deduction
                                                                                                        and withholding of tax on payments to
                                                                                                                                                               withholding agent may not treat as valid
                                                correcting amendments:                                  foreign persons.                                       an allocation of a payment to a chapter
                                                                                                                                                               4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees
                                                PART 1—INCOME TAXES                                     *       *    *     *     *
                                                                                                                                                               described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(A) of
                                                                                                           (b) * * *
                                                                                                                                                               this section or an allocation of a
                                                ■ Paragraph 1. The authority citation                      (7) * * *
                                                                                                           (ii) * * *                                          payment to a chapter 4 withholding rate
                                                for part 1 continues to read in part as
                                                                                                           (B) [Reserved]. For further guidance,               pool of recalcitrant account holders
                                                follows:                                                                                                       described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2) of
                                                                                                        see § 1.1441–1T(b)(7)(ii)(B).
                                                    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *                                                                            this section unless the withholding
                                                                                                        *       *    *     *     *                             agent identifies the nonqualified
                                                ■  Par. 2. Section 1.1441–0 is amended                     (e) * * *
                                                by adding an entry for § 1.1441–                                                                               intermediary maintaining the account
                                                                                                           (3) * * *
                                                1(e)(4)(viii)(C); revising the entries for                                                                     (as described in § 1.1471–5(b)(5)) as a
                                                                                                           (iv) * * *
                                                § 1.1441–1(e)(4)(ix), (e)(5)(v)(A), (f), and               (B) General requirements. A                         participating FFI (including a reporting
                                                (f)(2); and removing the entries for                    withholding statement must be                          Model 2 FFI) or registered deemed-
                                                § 1.1441–1(f)(2)(i) and (ii).                                                                                  compliant FFI (including a reporting
                                                                                                        provided prior to the payment of a
                                                   The addition and revisions read as                                                                          Model 1 FFI) by applying the rules of
                                                                                                        reportable amount and must contain the
                                                follows:                                                                                                       § 1.1471–3(d)(4). Additionally, in the
                                                                                                        information specified in paragraph
                                                                                                                                                               case of a withholdable payment that is
                                                                                                        (e)(3)(iv)(C) of this section. The
                                                § 1.1441–0 Outline of regulation provisions                                                                    an amount subject to withholding made
                                                for section 1441.                                       statement must be updated as often as
                                                                                                                                                               on or after April 1, 2017, a withholding
                                                                                                        required to keep the information in the
                                                *      *     *       *      *                                                                                  agent may not treat as valid an
                                                                                                        withholding statement correct prior to
                                                                                                                                                               allocation of the payment to a chapter
                                                § 1.1441–1 Requirement for the deduction                each subsequent payment. The
                                                                                                                                                               4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees
                                                and withholding of tax on payments to                   withholding statement forms an integral
                                                                                                                                                               unless the nonqualified intermediary
                                                foreign persons.                                        part of the withholding certificate                    identifies the pool of U.S. payees as one
                                                *     *      *    *     *                               provided under paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of                described in § 1.1471–
                                                  (e) * * *                                             this section, and the penalties of perjury             3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2)(iii) (or by describing
                                                  (4) * * *                                             statement provided on the withholding                  such payees consistent with the
                                                  (viii) * * *                                          certificate shall apply to the                         description provided in § 1.1471–
                                                  (C) Reliance on a prior version of a                  withholding statement. The withholding                 3(c)(3)(ii)(B)(2)(iii)).
                                                withholding certificate.                                statement may be provided in any                          (C) Content of withholding statement.
                                                  (ix) Certificates to be furnished to                  manner the nonqualified intermediary                   The withholding statement provided by
                                                withholding agent for each obligation                   and the withholding agent mutually                     a nonqualified intermediary must
                                                unless exception applies.                               agree, including electronically. If the                contain the information required by this
                                                *     *      *    *     *                               withholding statement is provided                      paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C).
                                                  (5) * * *                                             electronically as part of a system                        (1) In general. Except as otherwise
                                                  (v) * * *                                             established by the withholding agent or                provided by paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2)
                                                  (A) In general.                                       nonqualified intermediary to provide                   and (3) of this section), the withholding
                                                                                                        the statement, however, there must be                  statement provided by a nonqualified
                                                *     *      *    *     *
                                                                                                        sufficient safeguards to ensure that the               intermediary must contain the
                                                  (f) Effective/applicability date.
                                                                                                        information received by the withholding                information required by this paragraph
                                                *     *      *    *     *                               agent is the information sent by the                   (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1).
                                                  (2) Lack of documentation for past                    nonqualified intermediary and all                         (i) Except as otherwise provided in
                                                years.                                                  occasions of user access that result in                (e)(3)(iv)(A) of this section (which
                                                *     *      *    *     *                               the submission or modification of the                  excludes reporting of information with
                                                ■ Par. 3. Section 1.1441–1 is amended                   withholding statement information must                 respect to certain U.S. persons on the
                                                by:                                                     be recorded. In addition, the electronic               withholding statement), the withholding
                                                ■ 1. Adding paragraph (b)(7)(ii)(B);                    system must be capable of providing a                  statement must contain the name,
                                                ■ 2. Adding paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(B) and                hard copy of all withholding statements                address, TIN (if any), and the type of
                                                (C);                                                    provided by the nonqualified                           documentation (documentary evidence,
                                                ■ 3. Revising paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(B)(11);              intermediary. A withholding statement                  Form W–9, or type of Form W–8) for
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                                                ■ 4. Revising the last sentence of                      may otherwise be transmitted by a                      every person from whom
                                                paragraph (e)(4)(ix)(D);                                nonqualified intermediary via email or                 documentation has been received by the
                                                ■ 5. Revising paragraphs (e)(5)(ii)                     facsimile to a withholding agent under                 nonqualified intermediary and provided
                                                introductory text through (e)(5)(ii)(B);                the requirements specified in paragraph                to the withholding agent and whether
                                                ■ 6. Removing paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(C)                   (e)(4)(iv)(D) of this section (substituting            that person is a U.S. exempt recipient,
                                                and redesignating paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(D)               the term withholding statement for the                 a U.S. non-exempt recipient, or a foreign
                                                as new paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(C);                         term Form W–8 or the term document,                    person. See paragraphs (c)(2), (20), and


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                              29721

                                                (21) of this section for the definitions of                (iii) If a payee is identified as a foreign         respect to the portions of the payment
                                                foreign person, U.S. exempt recipient,                  person, the nonqualified intermediary                  allocated to nonparticipating FFIs and
                                                and U.S. non-exempt recipient. In the                   must specify the rate of withholding to                recalcitrant account holders (to the
                                                case of a foreign person, the statement                 which the payee is subject, the payee’s                extent permitted on an FFI withholding
                                                must indicate whether the foreign                       country of residence and, if a reduced                 statement described in that paragraph)
                                                person is a beneficial owner or an                      rate of withholding is claimed, the basis              in lieu of providing specific payee
                                                intermediary, flow-through entity, U.S.                 for that reduced rate (e.g., treaty benefit,           information with respect to such
                                                branch, or territory financial institution              portfolio interest, exempt under section               persons on the statement (including
                                                described in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this               501(c)(3), 892, or 895). The allocation                persons subject to chapter 4
                                                section and include the type of                         statement must also include the TINs of                withholding) as described in paragraph
                                                recipient, based on recipient codes                     those foreign persons for whom such a                  (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this section;
                                                applicable for chapter 3 purposes used                  number is required under paragraph                        (iii) If the nonqualified intermediary
                                                for filing Forms 1042–S, if the foreign                 (e)(4)(vii) of this section or § 1.1441–               provides a withholding statement
                                                person is a recipient as defined in                     6(b)(1) (regarding claims for treaty                   described in § 1.1471–3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(3)
                                                § 1.1461–1(c)(1)(ii).                                   benefits for which a TIN is provided                   (describing a chapter 4 withholding
                                                   (ii) The withholding statement must                  unless a foreign tax identifying number                statement), the withholding statement
                                                allocate each payment, by income type,                  described in § 1.1441–6(b)(1) is                       may include chapter 4 withholding rate
                                                to every payee required to be reported                  provided). In the case of a claim of                   pools with respect to the portions of the
                                                on the withholding statement for whom                   treaty benefits, the nonqualified                      payment allocated to nonparticipating
                                                documentation has been provided                         intermediary’s withholding statement                   FFIs; and
                                                (including U.S. exempt recipients                       must also state whether the limitation                    (iv) For a payment allocated to a
                                                except as provided in paragraph                         on benefits and section 894 statements                 payee that is a foreign person (other
                                                (e)(3)(iv)(A) of this section). Any                     required by § 1.1441–6(c)(5) have been                 than a person included in a chapter 4
                                                payment that cannot be reliably                         provided, if required, in the beneficial               withholding rate pool described in
                                                associated with valid documentation                     owner’s Form W–8 or associated with                    paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2)(ii) and (iii) of
                                                                                                        such owner’s documentary evidence.                     this section) that is reported on a
                                                from a payee shall be treated as made
                                                                                                           (iv) The withholding statement must                 withholding statement described in
                                                to an unknown payee in accordance
                                                                                                        also contain any other information the                 § 1.1471–3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2) or (3), the
                                                with the presumption rules of paragraph                 withholding agent reasonably requests
                                                (b) of this section and §§ 1.1441–5(d)                                                                         withholding statement must include the
                                                                                                        in order to fulfill its obligations under              chapter 4 status of the payee (unless an
                                                and (e)(6) and 1.6049–5(d). For this                    chapter 3 and chapter 61 of the Code,
                                                purpose, a type of income is determined                                                                        exception applies for purposes of
                                                                                                        and section 3406.                                      providing such status under chapter 4)
                                                by the types of income required to be                      (2) Nonqualified intermediary
                                                reported on Forms 1042–S or 1099, as                                                                           and, for a payee other than an
                                                                                                        withholding statement for withholdable                 individual, the recipient code for
                                                appropriate. Notwithstanding the                        payments. This paragraph
                                                preceding sentence, deposit interest                                                                           chapter 4 purposes used for filing Form
                                                                                                        (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2) modifies the                          1042–S; and
                                                (including original issue discount)                     requirements of a withholding statement
                                                described in section 871(i)(2)(A) or                                                                              (v) To the extent that a withholdable
                                                                                                        described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of             payment is not reportable on a Form
                                                881(d) and interest or original issue                   this section that is provided by a
                                                discount on short-term obligations as                                                                          1042–S, Form 1099 under the rules of
                                                                                                        nonqualified intermediary with respect                 chapter 61, or Form 8966 ‘‘FATCA
                                                described in section 871(g)(1)(B) or                    to a reportable amount that is a
                                                881(e) is only required to be allocated to                                                                     Report,’’ no allocation of the payment is
                                                                                                        withholdable payment. For such a                       required on the withholding statement.
                                                the extent it is required to be reported                payment, the requirements applicable to                   (3) [Reserved]. For further guidance,
                                                on Form 1099 or Form 1042–S. See                        a withholding statement described in                   see § 1.1441–1T(e)(3)(iv)(C)(3).
                                                § 1.6049–8 (regarding reporting of bank                 paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(A) through
                                                deposit interest to certain foreign                                                                               (4) Example. This example illustrates the
                                                                                                        (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this section shall
                                                persons). If a payee receives income                                                                           principles of paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C) of this
                                                                                                        apply, except that—                                    section. WA makes a withholdable payment
                                                through another nonqualified                               (i) The withholding statement must                  of U.S. source dividends to NQI, a
                                                intermediary, flow-through entity, or                   include the chapter 4 status (using the                nonqualified intermediary. NQI provides WA
                                                U.S. branch or territory financial                      applicable status code used for filing                 with a valid intermediary withholding
                                                institution described in paragraph                      Form 1042–S) and GIIN (when required                   certificate under paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this
                                                (e)(2)(iv) of this section (other than a                for chapter 4 purposes under § 1.1471–                 section that includes NQI’s certification of its
                                                U.S. branch or territory financial                      3(d)) of each other intermediary or flow-              status for chapter 4 purposes as a
                                                institution treated as a U.S. person), the              through entity that is a foreign person                participating FFI. NQI provides a
                                                withholding statement must also state,                                                                         withholding statement on which NQI
                                                                                                        and that receives the payment,
                                                                                                                                                               allocates 20% of the payment to a chapter 4
                                                with respect to the payee, the name,                    excluding an intermediary or flow-                     withholding rate pool of recalcitrant account
                                                address, and TIN, if known, of the other                through entity that is an account holder               holders of NQI for purposes of chapter 4 and
                                                nonqualified intermediary or U.S.                       of or interest holder in a withholding                 allocates 80% of the payment equally to A
                                                branch from which the payee directly                    foreign partnership, withholding foreign               and B, individuals that are account holders
                                                receives the payment or the flow-                       trust, or intermediary acting as a                     of NQI. NQI also provides WA with valid
                                                through entity in which the payee has                   qualified intermediary for the payment;                beneficial owner withholding certificates
                                                a direct ownership interest. If another                    (ii) If the nonqualified intermediary               from A and B establishing their status as
                                                                                                                                                               foreign persons entitled to a 15% rate of
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                                                nonqualified intermediary, flow-through                 that is a participating FFI or registered
                                                                                                        deemed-compliant FFI provides a                        withholding under an applicable income tax
                                                entity, or U.S. branch fails to allocate a
                                                                                                                                                               treaty. Because NQI has certified its status as
                                                payment, the name of the nonqualified                   withholding statement described in                     a participating FFI, withholding under
                                                intermediary, flow-through entity, or                   § 1.1471–3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2) (describing an             chapter 4 is not required with respect to NQI.
                                                U.S. branch that failed to allocate the                 FFI withholding statement), the                        See § 1.1471–2(a)(4). Based on the
                                                payment shall be provided with respect                  withholding statement may include                      documentation NQI provided to WA with
                                                to such payment.                                        chapter 4 withholding rate pools with                  respect to A and B, WA can reliably associate



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                                                29722                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                the payment with valid documentation on                 procedures as the IRS may prescribe in                 acceptance agent to perform the duties
                                                the portion of the payment allocated to them            published guidance (see § 601.601(d)(2)                described in § 301.6109–1(d)(3)(iv)(A) of
                                                and, because the payment is a withholdable              of this chapter). Under the withholding                this chapter. The withholding
                                                payment, may rely on the allocation of the              agreement, a qualified intermediary                    agreement may specify the manner in
                                                payment for NQI’s recalcitrant account
                                                holders in a chapter 4 withholding rate pool
                                                                                                        shall generally be subject to the                      which applicable procedures for
                                                in lieu of payee information with respect to            applicable withholding and reporting                   adjustments for underwithholding and
                                                such account holders. See paragraph                     provisions applicable to withholding                   overwithholding, including refund
                                                (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2) of this section for the special        agents and payors under chapters 3, 4,                 procedures, apply to qualified
                                                rules for a withholding statement provided              and 61 of the Code, section 3406, the                  intermediaries and the extent to which
                                                by a nonqualified intermediary for a                    regulations under those provisions, and                applicable procedures may be modified.
                                                withholdable payment. Also see § 1.1471–                other withholding provisions of the                    In particular, a withholding agreement
                                                2(a) for WA’s withholding requirements                  Code, except to the extent provided                    may allow a qualified intermediary to
                                                under chapter 4 with respect to the portion             under the agreement.                                   claim refunds of overwithheld amounts.
                                                of the payment allocated to NQI’s recalcitrant
                                                account holders and § 1.1441–3(a)(2) for                  (B) Terms of the withholding                         In addition, the withholding agreement
                                                coordinating withholding under chapter 3 for            agreement. The withholding agreement                   shall specify the manner in which the
                                                payments to which withholding is applied                shall specify the obligations of the                   IRS will verify compliance with the
                                                under chapter 4.                                        qualified intermediary under chapters 3                agreement, including the time and
                                                                                                        and 4 including, for a qualified                       manner for which a qualified
                                                *       *     *     *     *                                                                                    intermediary will be required to certify
                                                   (4) * * *                                            intermediary that is an FFI, the
                                                                                                        documentation, withholding, and                        to the IRS regarding its compliance with
                                                   (ii) * * *                                                                                                  the withholding agreement (including
                                                   (B) * * *                                            reporting obligations required of a
                                                   (11) Documentary evidence that is not                participating FFI or registered deemed-                its performance of a periodic review)
                                                generally renewed or amended (such as                   compliant FFI (including a reporting                   and the types of information required to
                                                a certificate of incorporation).                        Model 1 FFI as defined in § 1.1471–                    be disclosed as part of the certification.
                                                                                                        1(b)(114)) with respect to each branch of              In appropriate cases, the IRS may
                                                *       *     *     *     *                                                                                    require review procedures be performed
                                                   (ix) * * *                                           the qualified intermediary other than a
                                                   (D) * * * See § 1.1471–3(c)(9)(v) for a              U.S. branch that is treated as a U.S.                  by an approved reviewer (in addition to
                                                similar reliance rule that applies for                  person under paragraph (b)(2)(iv)(A) of                those performed as part of the periodic
                                                purposes of chapter 4.                                  this section. The withholding agreement                review) and may conduct a review of
                                                   (5) * * *                                            will specify the type of certifications                the reviewer’s findings. The
                                                   (ii) Definition of qualified                         and documentation upon which the                       withholding agreement may include
                                                intermediary. With respect to a payment                 qualified intermediary may rely to                     provisions for the assessment and
                                                to a foreign person, the term qualified                 ascertain the classification (e.g.,                    collection of tax in the event that failure
                                                intermediary means a person that is a                   corporation or partnership), status (i.e.,             to comply with the terms of the
                                                party to a withholding agreement with                   U.S. or foreign and chapter 4 status) of               withholding agreement results in the
                                                the IRS where such person is—                           beneficial owners and payees who                       failure by the withholding agent or the
                                                   (A) A foreign financial institution that             receive reportable amounts, reportable                 qualified intermediary to withhold and
                                                is a participating FFI (including a                     payments, and withholdable payments                    deposit the required amount of tax.
                                                reporting Model 2 FFI), a registered                    collected by the qualified intermediary                Further, the withholding agreement may
                                                deemed-compliant FFI (including a                       for purposes of chapters 3, 4, and 61,                 specify the procedures by which
                                                reporting Model 1 FFI), an FFI treated                  section 3406, and, if necessary,                       amounts withheld are to be deposited,
                                                as a deemed-compliant FFI under an                      entitlement to the benefits of a reduced               if different from the deposit procedures
                                                applicable IGA that is subject to due                   rate under an income tax treaty. The                   under the Code and applicable
                                                diligence and reporting requirements                    withholding agreement shall specify if,                regulations. To determine whether to
                                                with respect to its U.S. accounts similar               and to what extent, the qualified                      enter a withholding agreement and the
                                                to those applicable to a registered                     intermediary may assume primary                        terms of any particular withholding
                                                deemed-compliant FFI under § 1.1471–                    withholding responsibility in                          agreement, the IRS will consider the
                                                5(f)(1), excluding a U.S. branch of any                 accordance with paragraph (e)(5)(iv) of                type of local know-your-customer laws
                                                of the foregoing entities, or any other                 this section. It shall also specify the                and practices to which the entity is
                                                category of FFI identified in a qualified               extent to which applicable return filing               subject (if the entity is an FFI), as well
                                                intermediary withholding agreement as                   and information reporting requirements                 as the extent and nature of supervisory
                                                eligible to act as a qualified                          are modified so that, in appropriate                   and regulatory control exercised under
                                                intermediary;                                           cases, the qualified intermediary may                  the laws of the foreign country over the
                                                   (B) A foreign branch or office of a U.S.             report payments to the IRS on an                       foreign entity.
                                                financial institution or a foreign branch               aggregated basis, without having to                       (iv) Assignment of primary
                                                or office of a U.S. clearing organization               disclose the identity of beneficial                    withholding responsibility. Any person
                                                that is either a reporting Model 1 FFI or               owners and payees. However, the                        (whether a U.S. person or a foreign
                                                agrees to the reporting requirements                    qualified intermediary may be required                 person) who meets the definition of a
                                                applicable to a participating FFI with                  to provide to the IRS the name and                     withholding agent under § 1.1441–7(a)
                                                respect to its U.S. accounts;                           address of those foreign customers who                 (for payments subject to chapter 3
                                                *       *     *     *     *                             benefit from a reduced rate under an                   withholding) and § 1.1473–1(d) (for
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                                                   (D) Any other person acceptable to the               income tax treaty pursuant to the                      withholdable payments) is required to
                                                IRS.                                                    withholding agreement for purposes of                  withhold and deposit any amount
                                                   (iii) Withholding agreement—(A) In                   verifying entitlement to such benefits,                withheld under §§ 1.1461–1(a) and
                                                general. The IRS may, upon request,                     particularly under an applicable                       1.1474–1(b) and to make the returns
                                                enter into a withholding agreement with                 limitation on benefits provision. Under                prescribed by §§ 1.1461–1(b) and (c),
                                                a foreign person described in paragraph                 the withholding agreement, a qualified                 and by 1.1474–1(c), and (d). Under its
                                                (e)(5)(ii) of this section pursuant to such             intermediary may agree to act as an                    qualified intermediary withholding


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                         29723

                                                agreement, a qualified intermediary                     payments for purposes of withholding                   assumed both primary withholding
                                                may, however, inform a withholding                      under chapter 4 as described in                        responsibility under chapters 3 and 4 of
                                                agent from which it receives a payment                  paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(2) of this section.             the Code and primary Form 1099
                                                that it will assume the primary                         The withholding statement forms an                     reporting and backup withholding
                                                obligation to withhold, deposit, and                    integral part of the qualified                         responsibility under chapter 61 and
                                                report amounts under chapters 3 and 4                   intermediary’s qualified intermediary                  section 3406 with respect to a payment,
                                                of the Code and/or under chapter 61 and                 withholding certificate, and the                       a qualified intermediary shall provide as
                                                section 3406 of the Code. For assuming                  penalties of perjury statement provided                part of its withholding statement the
                                                withholding obligations as described in                 on the withholding certificate shall                   chapter 3 withholding rate pool
                                                the previous sentence, a qualified                      apply to the withholding statement as                  information that is required for the
                                                intermediary that assumes primary                       well. The withholding statement may be                 withholding agent to meet its
                                                withholding responsibility for payments                 provided in any manner, and in any                     withholding and reporting obligations
                                                made to an account under chapter 3 is                   form, to which qualified intermediary                  under chapters 3 and 61 of the Code and
                                                also required to assume primary                         and the withholding agent mutually                     section 3406. See, however, paragraph
                                                withholding responsibility under                        agree, including electronically. If the                (e)(5)(v)(C)(2) of this section for when a
                                                chapter 4 for payments made to the                      withholding statement is provided                      qualified intermediary may provide a
                                                account that are withholdable                           electronically, the statement must                     chapter 4 withholding rate pool (as
                                                payments. Additionally, a qualified                     satisfy the requirements described in                  described in paragraph (c)(48) of this
                                                intermediary may represent that it                      paragraph (e)(3)(iv) of this section                   section) with respect to a payment that
                                                assumes chapter 61 reporting and                        (applicable to a withholding statement                 is a withholdable payment. A chapter 3
                                                section 3406 obligations for a payment                  provided by a nonqualified                             withholding rate pool is a payment of a
                                                when the qualified intermediary meets                   intermediary). The withholding                         single type of income, determined in
                                                the requirements of § 1.6049–4(c)(4)(i)                 statement shall be updated as often as                 accordance with the categories of
                                                or (ii) for the payment. If a withholding               necessary for the withholding agent to                 income reported on Form 1042–S, that
                                                agent makes a payment of an amount                      meet its reporting and withholding                     is subject to a single rate of withholding
                                                subject to withholding under chapter 3,                 obligations under chapters 3, 4, and 61                paid to a payee that is a foreign person
                                                a reportable payment (as defined in                     and section 3406. For purposes of this
                                                                                                                                                               and for which withholding under
                                                section 3406(b)), or a withholdable                     section, a withholding agent will be
                                                                                                                                                               chapter 4 does not apply. A chapter 3
                                                payment to a qualified intermediary that                liable for tax, interest, and penalties in
                                                                                                                                                               withholding rate pool may be
                                                represents to the withholding agent that                accordance with paragraph (b)(7) of this
                                                                                                                                                               established by any reasonable method
                                                it has assumed primary withholding                      section to the extent it does not follow
                                                                                                                                                               on which the qualified intermediary and
                                                responsibility for the payment, the                     the presumption rules of paragraph
                                                                                                                                                               a withholding agent agree (e.g., by
                                                withholding agent is not required to                    (b)(3) of this section, §§ 1.1441–5(d) and
                                                                                                                                                               establishing a separate account for a
                                                withhold on the payment. The                            (e)(6), and 1.6049–5(d) for a payment, or
                                                                                                                                                               single chapter 3 withholding rate pool,
                                                withholding agent is not required to                    portion thereof, for which it does not
                                                                                                                                                               or by dividing a payment made to a
                                                determine that the qualified                            have a valid withholding statement
                                                                                                        prior to making a payment.                             single account into portions allocable to
                                                intermediary actually performs its                                                                             each chapter 3 withholding rate pool). A
                                                primary withholding responsibilities. A                    (B) Content of withholding statement.
                                                                                                        The withholding statement must                         qualified intermediary may include a
                                                qualified intermediary that assumes                                                                            separate pool for account holders that
                                                                                                        contain sufficient information for a
                                                primary withholding responsibility                                                                             are U.S. exempt recipients or may
                                                                                                        withholding agent to apply the correct
                                                under chapters 3 and 4 or primary                                                                              include such accounts in a chapter 3
                                                                                                        rate of withholding on payments from
                                                reporting and backup withholding                                                                               withholding rate pool to which
                                                                                                        the accounts identified on the statement
                                                responsibility under chapter 61 and                                                                            withholding does not apply. The
                                                                                                        and to properly report such payments
                                                section 3406 is not required to assume                                                                         withholding statement must identify the
                                                                                                        on Forms 1042–S and Forms 1099, as
                                                primary withholding responsibility for                                                                         chapter 4 exemption code (as provided
                                                                                                        applicable. The withholding statement
                                                all accounts it has with a withholding                                                                         in the instructions to Form 1042–S)
                                                                                                        must—
                                                agent but must assume primary                              (1) Designate those accounts for                    applicable to the chapter 3 withholding
                                                withholding responsibility for all                      which the qualified intermediary acts as               rate pools contained on the withholding
                                                payments made to any one account that                   a qualified intermediary;                              statement. To the extent a qualified
                                                it has with the withholding agent.                         (2) Designate those accounts for                    intermediary does not assume primary
                                                   (v) Withholding statement—(A) In                     which qualified intermediary assumes                   Form 1099 reporting and backup
                                                general. A qualified intermediary must                  primary withholding responsibility                     withholding responsibility under
                                                provide each withholding agent from                     under chapter 3 and chapter 4 of the                   chapter 61 and section 3406, a qualified
                                                which it receives reportable amounts as                 Code and/or primary reporting and                      intermediary’s withholding statement
                                                a qualified intermediary with a written                 backup withholding responsibility                      must establish a separate withholding
                                                statement (the withholding statement)                   under chapter 61 and section 3406;                     rate pool for each U.S. non-exempt
                                                containing the information specified in                    (3) If applicable, designate those                  recipient account holder that the
                                                paragraph (e)(5)(v)(B) of this section. A               accounts for which the qualified                       qualified intermediary has disclosed to
                                                withholding statement is not required,                  intermediary is acting as a qualified                  the withholding agent unless the
                                                however, if all of the information a                    securities lender with respect to a                    qualified intermediary uses the
                                                withholding agent needs to fulfill its                  substitute dividend paid in a securities               alternative procedures in paragraph
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                                                withholding and reporting requirements                  lending or similar transaction;                        (e)(5)(v)(C)(3) of this section or the
                                                is contained in the withholding                         *      *     *     *     *                             account holder is a payee that the
                                                certificate. The qualified intermediary                    (5) Provide information regarding                   qualified intermediary is permitted to
                                                withholding agreement will require the                  withholding rate pools, as described in                include in a chapter 4 withholding rate
                                                qualified intermediary to include                       paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C) of this section.                pool of U.S. payees. A qualified
                                                information in its withholding                             (C) Withholding rate pools—(1) In                   intermediary that is a participating FFI
                                                statement relating to withholdable                      general. Except to the extent it has                   or registered deemed- compliant FFI


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                                                29724                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                may include a chapter 4 withholding                        (ii) If the qualified intermediary                  appropriate Form 1099 and the
                                                rate pool of U.S. payees on a                           provides a withholding statement                       instructions accompanying the form.
                                                withholding statement by applying the                   described in § 1.1471–3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(3)                  (D) Example. The following example
                                                rules under paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(A) of                  (describing a chapter 4 withholding                    illustrates the application of paragraph
                                                this section (by substituting ‘‘qualified               statement), the withholding statement                  (e)(5)(v)(C) of this section for a qualified
                                                intermediary’’ for ‘‘nonqualified                       may include a chapter 4 withholding                    intermediary providing chapter 4
                                                intermediary’’) with respect to an                      rate pool with respect to the portion of               withholding rate pools on an FFI
                                                account that it maintains (as described                 the payment allocated to                               withholding statement provided to a
                                                in § 1.1471–5(b)(5)) for the payee of the               nonparticipating FFIs.                                 withholding agent. WA makes a payment of
                                                                                                                                                               U.S. source interest that is a withholdable
                                                payment. A qualified intermediary shall                    (3) Alternative procedure for U.S.                  payment to QI, a qualified intermediary that
                                                determine withholding rate pools based                  non-exempt recipients. If permitted                    is an FFI and a non-U.S. payor (as defined
                                                on valid documentation that it obtains                  under its withholding agreement with                   in § 1.6049–5(c)(5)), and A and B are account
                                                under its withholding agreement with                    the IRS, a qualified intermediary may,                 holders of QI (as defined under § 1.1471–5(a))
                                                the IRS, or if a payment cannot be                      by mutual agreement with a                             and are both U.S. non-exempt recipients (as
                                                reliably associated with valid                          withholding agent, establish a single                  defined in paragraph (c)(21) of this section).
                                                documentation, under the applicable                     zero withholding rate pool that includes               Ten percent of the payment is attributable to
                                                presumption rules. If a qualified                                                                              both A and B. A has provided WA with a
                                                                                                        U.S. non-exempt recipient account
                                                intermediary has an account holder that                                                                        Form W–9, but B has not provided WA with
                                                                                                        holders for whom the qualified                         a Form W–9. QI assumes primary
                                                is another intermediary (whether a                      intermediary has provided Forms W–9                    withholding responsibility under chapters 3
                                                qualified intermediary or a nonqualified                prior to the withholding agent paying                  and 4 with respect to the payment, 80
                                                intermediary) or a flow- through entity,                any reportable payments, as defined in                 percent of which is allocable to foreign
                                                the qualified intermediary may combine                  the qualified intermediary withholding                 payees who are account holders other than A
                                                the account holder information                          agreement, and foreign persons for                     and B. As a participating FFI, QI is required
                                                provided by the other intermediary or                   which no withholding is required under                 to report with respect to its U.S. accounts
                                                flow-through entity with the qualified                  chapters 3 and 4, and may include                      under § 1.1471–4(d) (as incorporated into its
                                                intermediary’s direct account holder                                                                           qualified intermediary agreement). Provided
                                                                                                        payments allocated to a chapter 4
                                                information to determine the qualified                                                                         that QI reports A’s account as a U.S. account
                                                                                                        withholding rate pool of U.S. payees. In               under the requirements referenced in the
                                                intermediary’s chapter 3 withholding                    such a case, the qualified intermediary                preceding sentence, QI is not required to
                                                rate pools and each of the qualified                    may also establish a separate                          provide WA with a Form W–9 from A and
                                                intermediary’s chapter 4 withholding                    withholding rate pool (subject to 28-                  may instead include A in a chapter 4
                                                rate pools to the extent provided in its                percent withholding, or other applicable               withholding rate pool of U.S. payees,
                                                withholding agreement with the IRS.                     statutory back-up withholding tax rate)                allocating 10% of the payment to this pool.
                                                   (2) Withholding rate pool                            that includes only U.S. non-exempt                     See § 1.6049–4(c)(4)(iii) concerning when
                                                requirements for a withholdable                         recipient account holders for whom a                   reporting under section 6049 for a payment
                                                payment. This paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(2)                                                                        of interest is not required when an FFI that
                                                                                                        qualified intermediary has not provided
                                                                                                                                                               is a non-U.S. payor reports an account holder
                                                modifies the requirements of a                          Forms W–9 prior to the withholding                     receiving the payment under its chapter 4
                                                withholding statement described in                      agent paying any reportable payments. If               requirements. With respect to B, the interest
                                                paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(1) of this section               a qualified intermediary chooses the                   payment is subject to backup withholding
                                                provided by a qualified intermediary                    alternative procedure of this paragraph                under section 3406. Because B is a
                                                with respect to a withholdable payment                  (e)(5)(v)(C)(3), the qualified                         recalcitrant account holder of QI for
                                                (including a reportable amount that is a                intermediary must provide the                          withholdable payments and because QI
                                                withholdable payment). For such a                       information required by its withholding                assumes primary chapter 4 withholding
                                                payment, the regulations applicable to a                agreement to the withholding agent no                  responsibility, however, QI may include the
                                                withholding statement described in                                                                             portion of the payment allocated to B with
                                                                                                        later than January 15 of the year
                                                                                                                                                               the remaining 80% of the payment for which
                                                paragraph (e)(5)(v)(C)(1) of this section               following the year in which the                        QI assumes primary withholding
                                                shall apply, except that—                               payments are paid. Failure to provide                  responsibility. WA can reliably associate the
                                                   (i) If the qualified intermediary                    such information will result in the                    full amount of the payment based on the
                                                provides a withholding statement                        application of penalties to the qualified              withholding statement and does so regardless
                                                described in § 1.1471–3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2)                intermediary under sections 6721 and                   of whether WA knows B is a U.S. non-
                                                (describing an FFI withholding                          6722, as well as any other applicable                  exempt recipient that is receiving a portion
                                                statement), the withholding statement                   penalties, and may result in the                       of the payment. See § 31.3406(g)–1(e)
                                                may include a chapter 4 withholding                     termination of the qualified                           (providing exemption to backup withholding
                                                                                                                                                               when withholding was applied under
                                                rate pool with respect to the portion of                intermediary’s withholding agreement
                                                                                                                                                               chapter 4).
                                                the payment allocated to a single pool                  with the IRS. A withholding agent shall
                                                of recalcitrant account holders (without                not be liable for tax, interest, or                    *      *      *     *     *
                                                the need to subdivide into the pools                    penalties for failure to backup withhold                  (f) Effective/applicability date—(1) In
                                                described in § 1.1471–4(d)(6)), including               or report information under chapter 61                 general. Except as otherwise provided
                                                both account holders of the qualified                   of the Code due solely to the errors or                in paragraphs (e)(4)(ix)(D), (f)(2), and
                                                intermediary and of any participating                   omissions of the qualified intermediary.               (f)(3) of this section, this section applies
                                                FFI, registered deemed-compliant FFI,                   If a qualified intermediary fails to                   to payments made on or after January 6,
                                                or other qualified intermediary for                     provide the allocation information                     2017. (For payments made after June 30,
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                                                whom the first-mentioned qualified                      required by this paragraph                             2014 (except for payments to which
                                                intermediary receives the payment, and                  (e)(5)(v)(C)(3), with respect to U.S. non-             paragraph (e)(4)(ix)(D) applies, in which
                                                nonparticipating FFIs (to the extent                    exempt recipients, the withholding                     case, substitute March 5, 2014, for June
                                                permitted) in lieu of reporting chapter 3               agent shall report the unallocated                     30, 2014), and before January 6, 2017,
                                                withholding rate pools with respect to                  amount paid from the withholding rate                  see this section as in effect and
                                                such persons as described in paragraph                  pool to an unknown recipient, or                       contained in 26 CFR part 1, as revised
                                                (e)(5)(v)(C)(1) of this section); or                    otherwise in accordance with the                       April 1, 2016. For payments made after


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                          29725

                                                December 31, 2000, and before July 1,                      (b)(7)(iii) through (c)(2)(i) [Reserved].           maintained at a U.S. branch or office of
                                                2014, see this section as in effect and                 For further guidance, see § 1.1441–                    a financial institution is required to
                                                contained in 26 CFR part 1, as revised                  1(b)(7)(iii) through (c)(2)(i).                        contain the account holder’s foreign TIN
                                                April 1, 2013.)                                            (ii) Dual residents. Individuals will               and, in the case of an individual
                                                   (2) Lack of documentation for past                   not be treated as U.S. persons for                     account holder, the account holder’s
                                                years. A taxpayer may elect to apply the                purposes of this section for a taxable                 date of birth in order for the
                                                provisions of paragraphs (b)(7)(i)(B), (ii),            year or any portion of a taxable year for              withholding agent to treat such
                                                and (iii) of this section, dealing with                 which they are a dual resident taxpayer                withholding certificate as valid under
                                                liability for failure to obtain                         (within the meaning of § 301.7701(b)–                  paragraph (e)(2) of this section. For
                                                documentation timely, to all of its open                7(a)(1) of this chapter) who is treated as             withholding certificates associated with
                                                tax years, including tax years that are                 a nonresident alien pursuant to                        payments made on or after January 1,
                                                currently under examination by the IRS.                 § 301.7701(b)–7(a)(1) of this chapter for              2018, if an account holder does not have
                                                The election is made by simply taking                   purposes of computing their U.S. tax                   a foreign TIN, the account holder is
                                                action under those provisions in the                    liability.                                             required to provide a reasonable
                                                                                                           (c)(3) through (c)(3)(i) [Reserved]. For            explanation for its absence (e.g., the
                                                same manner as the taxpayer would take
                                                                                                        further guidance, see § 1.1441–1(c)(3)                 country of residence does not provide
                                                action for payments made after
                                                                                                        through (c)(3)(i).                                     TINs) in order for the withholding
                                                December 31, 2000.                                         (ii) Nonresident alien individual. The              certificate not to be considered invalid
                                                   (3) Section 871(m) transactions.                     term nonresident alien individual                      as a result of the application of this
                                                Paragraphs (b)(4)(xxi), (b)(4)(xxiii),                  means persons described in section                     paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B). A withholding
                                                (e)(3)(ii)(E), and (e)(6) of this section               7701(b)(1)(B), alien individuals who are               certificate that does not contain the
                                                apply to payments made on or after                      treated as nonresident aliens pursuant                 account holder’s date of birth will not
                                                September 18, 2015.                                     to § 301.7701(b)–7 of this chapter for                 be considered invalid as a result of the
                                                   (4) [Reserved]. For further guidance,                purposes of computing their U.S. tax                   application of this paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B)
                                                see § 1.1441–1T(f)(4).                                  liability, or an alien individual who is               if the withholding agent has the account
                                                *      *     *     *      *                             a resident of Puerto Rico, Guam, the                   holder’s date of birth information in its
                                                                                                        Commonwealth of Northern Mariana                       files.
                                                ■ Par. 4. Section 1.1441–1T is revised to               Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or                      (e)(3) through (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2)
                                                read as follows:                                        American Samoa as determined under                     [Reserved]. For further guidance, see
                                                § 1.1441–1T Requirement for the                         § 301.7701(b)–1(d) of this chapter. An                 § 1.1441–1(e)(3) through (e)(3)(iv)(C)(2).
                                                deduction and withholding of tax on                     alien individual who has made an                          (3) Alternative withholding statement.
                                                payments to foreign persons (temporary).                election under section 6013(g) or (h) to               In lieu of a withholding statement
                                                                                                        be treated as a resident of the United                 containing all of the information
                                                   (a) through (b)(7)(ii)(A) [Reserved].
                                                                                                        States is nevertheless treated as a                    described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of
                                                For further guidance, see § 1.1441–1(a)
                                                                                                        nonresident alien individual for                       this section, a withholding agent may
                                                through (b)(7)(ii)(A).
                                                                                                        purposes of withholding under chapter                  accept from a nonqualified intermediary
                                                   (B) Special rules for establishing that              3 of the Code and the regulations                      a withholding statement that meets all
                                                income is effectively connected with the                thereunder.                                            of the requirements of this paragraph
                                                conduct of a U.S. trade or business. A                     (c)(4) through (c)(38)(i) [Reserved].               (e)(3)(iv)(C)(3) with respect to a
                                                withholding certificate received after                  For further guidance, see § 1.1441–                    payment. This alternative withholding
                                                the date of payment to claim under                      1(c)(4) through (c)(38)(i).                            statement may only be provided by a
                                                § 1.1441–4(a)(1) that income is                            (ii) Hold mail instruction.                         nonqualified intermediary that provides
                                                effectively connected with the conduct                  Notwithstanding the provisions of                      the withholding agent with the
                                                of a U.S. trade or business will be                     paragraph (i) of this section, an address              withholding certificates from the
                                                considered effective as of the date of the              that is subject to a hold mail instruction             beneficial owners (i.e., not documentary
                                                payment if the certificate contains a                   can be used as a permanent residence                   evidence) before the payment is made.
                                                signed affidavit (either at the bottom of               address if the person has also provided                   (i) The withholding statement is not
                                                the form or on an attached page) that                   the withholding agent with                             required to contain information that is
                                                states that the information and                         documentary evidence establishing                      also included on a withholding
                                                representations contained on the                        residence in the country in which the                  certificate (e.g., name, address, TIN (if
                                                certificate were accurate as of the time                person claims to be a resident for tax                 any), chapter 4 status, GIIN (if any)).
                                                of the payment. The signed affidavit                    purposes. If, after a withholding                      The withholding statement is also not
                                                must also state that the beneficial owner               certificate is provided, a person’s                    required to specify the rate of
                                                has included the income on its U.S.                     permanent residence address is                         withholding to which each foreign
                                                income tax return for the taxable year in               subsequently subject to a hold mail                    payee is subject, provided that all of the
                                                which it is required to report the income               instruction, this is a change in                       information necessary to make such
                                                or, alternatively, that the beneficial                  circumstances requiring the person to                  determination is provided on the
                                                owner intends to include the income on                  provide the documentary evidence                       withholding certificate. A withholding
                                                a U.S. income tax return for the taxable                described in this paragraph (c)(38)(ii) in             agent that uses an alternative
                                                year in which it is required to report the              order to use the address as a permanent                withholding statement may not apply a
                                                income and the due date for filing such                 residence address.                                     different rate from that which the
                                                return (including any applicable                           (c)(39) through (e)(2)(ii)(A) [Reserved].           withholding agent may reasonably
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                                                extensions) is after the date on which                  For further guidance, see § 1.1441–                    conclude from the information on the
                                                the affidavit is signed. A certificate                  1(c)(39) through (e)(2)(ii)(A).                        withholding certificate.
                                                received within 30 days after the date of                  (B) Requirement to collect foreign TIN                 (ii) The withholding statement must
                                                the payment will not be considered to                   and date of birth beginning January 1,                 allocate the payment to every payee
                                                be unreliable solely because it does not                2017. Beginning January 1, 2017, a                     required to be reported as described in
                                                contain the affidavit described in the                  beneficial owner withholding certificate               paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1)(ii) of this
                                                preceding sentences.                                    provided to document an account that is                section.


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                                                29726                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                   (iii) The withholding statement must                 change in circumstances makes the                      (including certificates accompanied by
                                                also contain any other information the                  information on the statement unreliable                withholding statements) but is not an
                                                withholding agent reasonably requests                   or incorrect. For accounts opened and                  agent of the applicable withholding
                                                in order to fulfill its obligations under               treaty statements obtained prior to                    agent or the person providing the
                                                chapters 3, 4, and 61 of the Code, and                  January 6, 2017, the treaty statement                  certificate. The following examples
                                                section 3406.                                           will expire January 1, 2019.                           illustrate the provisions of this
                                                   (iv) The withholding statement must                     (e)(4)(ii)(B) through (e)(4)(iv)(B)(4)              paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(E):
                                                contain a representation from the                       [Reserved]. For further guidance, see                     Example 1. A, a foreign corporation,
                                                nonqualified intermediary that the                      § 1.1441–1(e)(4)(ii)(B) through                        completes a Form W–8BEN–E and a Form
                                                information on the withholding                          (e)(4)(iv)(B)(4).                                      W–8ECI and uploads the forms to X, a third
                                                certificates is not inconsistent with any                  (C) Form 8233. A withholding agent                  party repository (X is an entity that maintains
                                                other account information the                           may establish a system for a beneficial                withholding certificates on an electronic data
                                                nonqualified intermediary has for the                   owner or payee to provide Form 8233                    aggregation site). WA, a withholding agent,
                                                beneficial owners for determining the                   electronically, provided the system                    enters into a contract with A under which it
                                                rate of withholding with respect to each                meets the requirements of paragraph                    will make payments to A of U.S. source
                                                payee.                                                  (e)(4)(iv)(B)(1) through (4) of this section           FDAP that are not effectively connected with
                                                                                                        (replacing ‘‘Form W–8’’ with ‘‘Form                    A’s conduct of a trade or business in the
                                                   (e)(3)(iv)(C)(4) through (e)(4)(i)(A)
                                                                                                                                                               United States. X is not an agent of WA or A.
                                                [Reserved]. For further guidance, see                   8233’’ each place it appears).                         Prior to receiving a payment, A sends WA an
                                                § 1.1441–1(e)(3)(iv)(C)(4) through                         (D) [Reserved]. For further guidance,               email with a link that authorizes WA to
                                                (e)(4)(i)(A).                                           see § 1.1441–1(e)(4)(iv)(D).                           access A’s Form W–8BEN–E on X’s system.
                                                   (B) Electronic signatures. A                            (E) Third party repositories. A                     The link does not authorize WA to access A’s
                                                withholding agent, regardless of                        withholding certificate (other than a                  Form W–8ECI. X’s system meets the
                                                whether the withholding agent has                       Form W–9) will be considered furnished                 requirements of a third party repository, and
                                                established an electronic system                        for purposes of this section (including                WA can treat the Form W–8BEN–E as
                                                pursuant to paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(A) or                  paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this section)            furnished by A.
                                                (e)(4)(iv)(C) of this section, may accept               by the person providing the certificate,                  Example 2. The facts are the same as
                                                a withholding certificate (other than a                 and a withholding agent may rely on an                 Example 1 of this paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(E), and
                                                                                                        otherwise valid withholding certificate                WA and A enter into a second contract under
                                                Form W–9) with an electronic signature,
                                                                                                                                                               which WA will make payments to A that are
                                                provided the electronic signature meets                 received electronically from a third                   effectively connected with A’s conduct of a
                                                the requirements of paragraph                           party repository, if the withholding                   trade or business in the United States. A
                                                (e)(4)(iv)(B)(3)(ii) of this section. In                certificate was uploaded or provided to                sends WA an email with a link that gives WA
                                                addition, the withholding certificate                   a third party repository and there are                 access to A’s Form W–8ECI on X’s system.
                                                must reasonably demonstrate to the                      processes in place to ensure that the                  The link in this second email does not give
                                                withholding agent that the form has                     withholding certificate can be reliably                WA access to A’s Form W–8BEN–E. A’s
                                                been electronically signed by the                       associated with a specific request from                email also clearly indicates that the link is
                                                recipient identified on the form (or a                  the withholding agent and a specific                   associated with payments received under the
                                                person authorized to sign for the person                authorization from the person providing                second contract. X’s system meets the
                                                                                                        the certificate (or an agent of the person             requirements of a third party repository, and
                                                identified on the form). For example, a
                                                                                                                                                               WA can treat the Form W–8ECI as furnished
                                                withholding agent may treat as validly                  providing the certificate) for the                     by A.
                                                signed a withholding certificate that                   withholding agent making the request to                   Example 3. FP is a foreign partnership that
                                                has, in the signature block, the name of                receive the withholding certificate. Each              is acting on behalf of its partners, A and B,
                                                the person authorized to sign, a time                   request and authorization must be                      who are both foreign individuals. FP
                                                and date stamp, and a statement that the                associated with a specific payment, and,               completes a Form W–8IMY and uploads it to
                                                certificate has been electronically                     as applicable, a specific obligation                   X, a third party repository. FP also uploads
                                                signed. However, a withholding agent                    maintained by a withholding agent. A                   Forms W–8BEN from both A and B and a
                                                may not treat a withholding certificate                 third party repository may also be used                valid withholding statement allocating 50%
                                                with a typed name in the signature line                 for withholding statements, and a                      of the payment to A and 50% to B. WA is
                                                                                                        withholding agent may also rely on an                  a withholding agent that makes payments to
                                                and no other information as validly                                                                            FP as an intermediary for A and B. FP sends
                                                signed.                                                 otherwise valid withholding statement,                 WA an email with a link to its Form W–8IMY
                                                   (e)(4)(ii) through (e)(4)(ii)(A)(1)                  if the intermediary providing the                      on X’s system. The link also provides WA
                                                [Reserved]. For further guidance, see                   withholding certificates and                           access to FP’s withholding statement and A’s
                                                § 1.1441–1(e)(4)(ii) through                            withholding statement through the                      and B’s Forms W–8BEN. FP also has
                                                (e)(4)(ii)(A)(1).                                       repository provides an updated                         processes in place that ensure it will provide
                                                   (2) Documentary evidence for treaty                  withholding statement in the event of                  a new withholding statement or withholding
                                                claims and treaty statements.                           any change in the information                          certificate to X’s repository in the event of a
                                                Documentary evidence described in                       previously provided (e.g., a change in                 change in the information previously
                                                § 1.1441–6(c)(3) or (4) and a statement                 the composition of a partnership or a                  provided that affects the validity of the
                                                                                                                                                               withholding statement and that ensure it will
                                                regarding entitlement to treaty benefits                change in the allocation of payments to
                                                                                                                                                               update WA if there is a new withholding
                                                described in § 1.1441–6(c)(5)(i) (treaty                the partners) and ensures there are                    statement. X’s system meets the requirements
                                                statement) shall remain valid until the                 processes in place to update                           of a third party repository, and WA can treat
                                                last day of the third calendar year                     withholding agents when there is a new                 the Form W–8IMY (and withholding
                                                following the year in which the                         withholding statement (and withholding                 statement) as furnished by FP. In addition,
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                                                documentary evidence is provided to                     certificates, as necessary) in the event of            because FP is acting as an agent of A and B,
                                                the withholding agent except as                         any change that would affect the                       the beneficial owners, WA can treat the
                                                provided in paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(B) of                  validity of the prior withholding                      Forms W–8BEN for A and B as furnished by
                                                this section. Notwithstanding the                       certificates or withholding statement. A               A and B.
                                                validity period prescribed in this                      third party repository, for purposes of                  (e)(4)(v) through (f)(3) [Reserved]. For
                                                paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(A)(2), a treaty                    this paragraph, is an entity that                      further guidance, see § 1.1441–1(e)(4)(v)
                                                statement will cease to be valid if a                   maintains withholding certificates                     through (f)(3).


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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                           29727

                                                   (4) Effective/applicability date. This                § 1.6049–5 Interest and original issue                 withholding under chapter 3 of the
                                                section applies to payments made on or                   discount subject to reporting after                    Code or that is a chapter 4 reportable
                                                after January 6, 2017.                                   December 31, 1982.                                     amount under § 1.1474–1(d)(2) must
                                                   (g) Expiration date. The applicability                *       *    *     *     *                             contain all of the information that is
                                                                                                            (c) * * *                                           necessary to complete a Form 1042–S
                                                of this section expires on December 30,
                                                                                                            (1) Documentary evidence for offshore               for that payment. See §§ 1.1471–3(c) and
                                                2019.
                                                                                                         obligations and certain other                          1.1471–4(c) for additional
                                                § 1.1441–3       [Amended]                               obligations—(i) A payor may rely on                    documentation requirements to identify
                                                                                                         documentary evidence described in                      a payee or account holder for chapter 4
                                                ■ Par. 5. Section 1.1441–3 is amended                    § 1.1471–3(c)(5)(i) instead of a beneficial            purposes that may apply in addition to
                                                by removing the second instance of the                   owner withholding certificate described                the requirements under paragraph (c) of
                                                word ‘‘is’’ in the last sentence of                      in § 1.1441–1(e)(2)(i) in the case of an               this section.
                                                paragraph (d)(1).                                        amount paid outside the United States                     (iii) Even if an account or obligation
                                                § 1.1441–4       [Amended]
                                                                                                         (as described in paragraph (e) of this                 (as defined in § 1.6049–4(f)(3)) is not
                                                                                                         section) with respect to an offshore                   maintained outside the United States
                                                ■ Par. 6. Section 1.1441–4 is amended                    obligation, or, in the case of broker                  (maintained in the United States), a
                                                by removing and reserving paragraph                      proceeds described in § 1.6045–1(c)(2),                payor may rely on documentary
                                                (h).                                                     to the extent provided in § 1.6045–                    evidence associated with a withholding
                                                                                                         1(g)(1)(i). For purposes of this section,              certificate described in § 1.1441–
                                                ■ Par. 7. Section 1.6045–1 is amended                    the term offshore obligation means—
                                                by revising paragraphs (m)(2)(ii) and                                                                           1(e)(3)(iii) with respect to the persons
                                                                                                            (A) An account maintained at an                     for whom an entity acting as an
                                                (n)(12)(ii) to read as follows:                          office or branch of a bank or other                    intermediary collects the payment. A
                                                § 1.6045–1 Returns of information of                     financial institution located outside the              payor may also rely on documentary
                                                brokers and barter exchanges.                            United States; or                                      evidence associated with a flow-through
                                                                                                            (B) An obligation as defined in                     withholding certificate for payments
                                                *       *     *    *     *
                                                                                                         § 1.6049–4(f)(3) (other than an account                treated as made to foreign partners of a
                                                   (m) * * *                                             described in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) of                 nonwithholding foreign partnership, as
                                                   (2) * * *                                             this section), contract, or other                      defined in § 1.1441–1(c)(28), the foreign
                                                   (ii) Delayed effective date for certain               instrument with respect to which the                   beneficiaries of a foreign simple trust, as
                                                options—(A) Notwithstanding                              payor is either engaged in business as a               defined in § 1.1441–1(c)(24), or foreign
                                                paragraph (m)(2)(i) of this section, if an               broker or dealer in securities or a                    owners of a foreign grantor trust, as
                                                option, stock right, or warrant is issued                financial institution (as defined in                   defined in § 1.1441–1(c)(26), even
                                                as part of an investment unit described                  § 1.1471–5(e)) that engages in significant             though the partnership or trust account
                                                in § 1.1273–2(h), paragraph (m) of this                  activities at an office or branch located              is an obligation maintained in the
                                                section applies to the option, stock                     outside the United States. For purposes                United States.
                                                right, or warrant if it is acquired on or                of the preceding sentence, an office or                   (iv) For accounts opened on or after
                                                after January 1, 2016.                                   branch of such payor shall be                          July 1, 2014, and before January 1, 2015,
                                                   (B) Notwithstanding paragraph                         considered to engage in significant                    and for obligations entered into on or
                                                (m)(2)(i) of this section, if the property               activities with respect to an obligation               after July 1, 2014, and before January 1,
                                                referenced by an option (that is, the                    when it participates materially and                    2015, a payor may continue to apply the
                                                property underlying the option) is a                     actively in negotiating the obligation                 rules of § 1.6049–5(c)(1) and (c)(4) as in
                                                debt instrument that is issued by a non-                 under the principles described in                      effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1
                                                U.S. person or that provides for one or                  § 1.864–4(c)(5)(iii) (substituting the term            revised April 1, 2013, rather than this
                                                more payments denominated in, or                         ‘‘obligation’’ for the term ‘‘stock or                 paragraph (c)(1) and paragraph (c)(4) of
                                                determined by reference to, a currency                   security’’).                                           this section. A payor that applies the
                                                                                                            (ii) A payor may rely on documentary                rules of § 1.6049–5(c)(1) and (c)(4) as in
                                                other than the U.S. dollar, paragraph (m)
                                                                                                         evidence if the payor has established                  effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1
                                                of this section applies to the option if it
                                                                                                         procedures to obtain, review, and                      revised April 1, 2013, to an account or
                                                is granted or acquired on or after
                                                                                                         maintain documentary evidence                          obligation must also apply § 1.1441–
                                                January 1, 2016.
                                                                                                         sufficient to establish the identity of the            6(c)(2) (to the extent applicable) and
                                                *       *     *    *     *                               payee and the status of that person as a               § 1.6049–5(e) both as in effect and
                                                   (n) * * *                                             foreign person; and the payor obtains,                 contained in 26 CFR part 1 revised
                                                   (12) * * *                                            reviews, and maintains such                            April, 2013, with respect to the account
                                                   (ii) Effective/applicability date.                    documentary evidence in accordance                     or obligation.
                                                Paragraph (n)(12)(i) of this section                     with those procedures. A payor                            (2) Other applicable rules. The
                                                applies to a debt instrument described                   maintains the documents reviewed for                   provisions of § 1.1441–1(e)(4)(i) through
                                                in paragraph (n)(12)(i)(A) or (B) of this                purposes of this paragraph (c)(1) by                   (xii) (regarding who may sign a
                                                section that is acquired on or after                     retaining an original, certified copy, or              certificate, validity period of certificates
                                                February 18, 2016. However, a broker                     photocopy (including a microfiche,                     and documentary evidence, retention of
                                                may rely on paragraph (n)(12)(i) of this                 electronic scan, or similar means of                   certificates, reliance rules, etc.) shall
                                                section for a debt instrument described                  electronic storage) of the documents                   apply (by substituting the term ‘‘payor’’
                                                in paragraph (n)(12)(i)(A) or (B) of this                reviewed for as long as it may be                      for the term ‘‘withholding agent’’ and
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                                                section acquired before February 18,                     relevant to the determination of the                   disregarding the fact that the provisions
                                                2016.                                                    payor’s obligation to report under                     under § 1.1441–1(e)(4) only apply to
                                                                                                         § 1.6049–4 and this section and noting                 amounts subject to withholding under
                                                *       *     *    *     *                               in its records the date on which the                   chapter 3 of the Code) to withholding
                                                ■ Par. 8. Section 1.6049–5 is amended                    document was received and reviewed.                    certificates and documentary evidence
                                                by revising paragraphs (c)(1) through                    Documentary evidence furnished for a                   furnished for purposes of this section.
                                                (c)(4) to read as follows:                               payment of an amount subject to                        See § 1.1441–1(b)(2)(vii) for provisions


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                                                29728                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                dealing with reliable association of a                  § 1.1471–3(c)(6)(ii)(C)(1). Further, a                 regardless of whether such
                                                payment with documentation.                             payor may maintain such                                documentation or certification is
                                                   (3) Standards of knowledge. A payor                  documentation or documentary                           described in paragraph (c)(1) of this
                                                may not rely on a withholding                           evidence as required in paragraph                      section or § 1.1441–1(e)(2).
                                                certificate or documentary evidence                     (c)(4)(iv) of this section.                              (iii) Maintenance of documentation
                                                described in paragraph (c)(1) or (4) of                    (i) Statement in lieu of documentary                and written statement. A payor
                                                this section if it has actual knowledge or              evidence with respect to accounts. If                  maintains documentation if it either
                                                reason to know that any information or                  under the local laws, regulations, or                  maintains the documentary evidence as
                                                certification stated in the certificate or              practices of a country in which an                     described in paragraph (c)(1) of this
                                                documentary evidence is unreliable. A                   account is maintained, it is not                       section or retains a record of the
                                                payor has reason to know that                           customary to obtain documentary                        documentary evidence reviewed if the
                                                information or certifications are                       evidence described in paragraph (c)(1)                 payor is not required to retain copies of
                                                unreliable only if the payor would have                 of this section with respect to the type               the documentation pursuant to the
                                                reason to know under the provisions of                  of account, the payor may, instead of                  payor’s AML due diligence (as defined
                                                § 1.1441–7(b)(2) and (3) that the                       obtaining a beneficial owner                           in § 1.1471–1(b)(4)). A payor retains a
                                                information and certifications provided                 withholding certificate described in                   record of documentary evidence
                                                on the certificate or in the documentary                § 1.1441–1(e)(2)(i) or documentary                     reviewed by noting in its records the
                                                evidence are unreliable or, in the case                 evidence described in paragraph (c)(1)                 type of documentation reviewed, the
                                                of a Form W–9 (or an acceptable                         of this section, establish a payee’s                   date the document was reviewed, the
                                                substitute), it cannot reasonably rely on               foreign status based on the statement                  document’s identification number (if
                                                the documentation as set forth in                       described in this paragraph (c)(4)(i) (or              any), and whether such documentation
                                                § 31.3406(h)–3(e) of this chapter (see the              such substitute statement as the Internal              contained any U.S. indicia described in
                                                information and certification described                 Revenue Service may prescribe) made                    § 1.1441–7(b)(8). Any statement
                                                in § 31.3406(h)–3(e)(2)(i) through (iv) of              on an account opening form. However,                   described in paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this
                                                this chapter that are required in order                 see, also § 1.1471–4(c) or an applicable               section, must be retained in accordance
                                                for a payor reasonably to rely on a Form                IGA for additional documentation                       with § 1.1471–3(c)(6)(iii).
                                                W–9). The provisions of § 1.1441–7(b)(2)                requirements that may apply to a
                                                                                                                                                               *      *    *    *      *
                                                and (3) shall apply for purposes of this                participating FFI (including a reporting
                                                paragraph (c)(3) irrespective of the type               Model 2 FFI) for determining the status                Martin V. Franks,
                                                of income to which § 1.1441–7(b)(2) is                  of its account holders for chapter 4                   Chief, Publications and Regulations Branch,
                                                otherwise limited. The exemptions from                  purposes. The statement referred to in                 Legal Processing Division, Associate Chief
                                                reporting described in paragraphs                       this paragraph (c)(4)(i) must appear near              Counsel (Procedure and Administration).
                                                (b)(10) and (11) of this section shall not              the signature line and must state, ‘‘By                [FR Doc. 2017–13634 Filed 6–29–17; 8:45 am]
                                                apply if the payor has actual knowledge                 opening this account and signing below,                BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
                                                that the payee is a U.S. person who is                  the account owner represents and
                                                not an exempt recipient.                                warrants that he/she/it is not a U.S.
                                                   (4) Special documentation rules for                  person for purposes of U.S. Federal                    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                                                certain payments. This paragraph (c)(4)                 income tax and that he/she/it is not
                                                modifies the provisions of paragraph                    acting for, or on behalf of, a U.S. person.            Internal Revenue Service
                                                (c)(1) of this section for payments of                  A false statement or misrepresentation
                                                amounts that are not subject to                         of tax status by a U.S. person could lead              26 CFR Part 1
                                                withholding under chapter 3 of the                      to penalties under U.S. law. If your tax
                                                Code, other than amounts described in                                                                          [TD 9809]
                                                                                                        status changes and you become a U.S.
                                                paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of this section                   citizen or a resident, you must notify us              RIN 1545–BL72
                                                (dealing with U.S. short-term OID and                   within 30 days.’’ Additionally, a payor                RIN 1545–BN79
                                                U.S. source deposit interest described in               may, instead of obtaining a beneficial
                                                section 871(i)(2)(A) or 881(d)(3)).                     owner withholding certificate described                Regulations Relating to Information
                                                Amounts are not subject to withholding                  in § 1.1441–1(e)(2)(i) or § 1.1471–                    Reporting by Foreign Financial
                                                under chapter 3 of the Code if they are                 3(c)(3)(ii) or documentary evidence                    Institutions and Withholding on
                                                not included in the definition of                       described in paragraph (c)(1) of this                  Certain Payments to Foreign Financial
                                                amounts subject to withholding under                    section, establish a payee’s foreign                   Institutions and Other Foreign Entities;
                                                § 1.1441–2(a) (e.g., deposit interest with              status based on a written statement                    Correction
                                                foreign branches of U.S. banks, foreign                 described in paragraph § 1.1471–
                                                source income, or broker proceeds). A                   1(b)(150) to the extent a payor uses such              AGENCY:  Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
                                                payor may rely upon documentation in                    written statement to establish a payee’s               Treasury.
                                                lieu of documentary evidence (as                        chapter 4 status and is permitted to use               ACTION: Correcting amendments.
                                                described in paragraph (c)(1) of this                   the written statement under § 1.1471–
                                                section) or a written statement (as                     3(d) (by substituting the term ‘‘payor’’               SUMMARY:    This document contains
                                                defined in § 1.1471–1(b)(150)) or                       for the term ‘‘withholding agent’’)                    corrections to final and temporary
                                                another statement to the extent                         without any other documentary                          regulations (TD 9809) that were
                                                permitted in paragraphs (c)(4)(i) through               evidence.                                              published in the Federal Register on
                                                (iii) of this section, until the payor                     (ii) Documentation under IGA. A                     Friday, January 6, 2017 (82 FR 2124).
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES




                                                knows or has reason to know of a                        payor that is a reporting Model 1 FFI or               The final and temporary regulations
                                                change in circumstance that makes the                   reporting Model 2 FFI may rely upon                    under chapter 4 of the Subtitle A
                                                documentation unreliable or incorrect                   documentation or information                           (sections 1471 through 1474) of the
                                                (as defined in § 1.1441–1(e)) when the                  establishing a payee’s status that is                  Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code)
                                                payor does not have customer                            permitted under an applicable IGA for                  relate to information reporting by
                                                information for the payee that includes                 determining whether the account of the                 foreign financial institutions (FFIs) with
                                                any of the U.S. indicia described in                    payee is other than a U.S. account and                 respect to U.S. accounts and


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Document Created: 2017-06-30 06:01:40
Document Modified: 2017-06-30 06:01:40
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionCorrecting amendment.
DatesEffective Date: These corrections are effective June 30, 2017.
ContactNancy Lee, (202) 317-6942 (not a toll- free number).
FR Citation82 FR 29719 
RIN Number1545-BL17
CFR AssociatedIncome Taxes and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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