82_FR_5399 82 FR 5388 - Guidance for Determining Stock Ownership; Rules Regarding Inversions and Related Transactions

82 FR 5388 - Guidance for Determining Stock Ownership; Rules Regarding Inversions and Related Transactions

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 11 (January 18, 2017)

Page Range5388-5401
FR Document2017-00643

This document contains final regulations that identify certain stock of a foreign corporation that is disregarded in calculating ownership of the foreign corporation for purposes of determining whether it is a surrogate foreign corporation. These regulations also provide guidance on the effect of transfers of stock of a foreign corporation after the foreign corporation has acquired substantially all of the properties of a domestic corporation or of a trade or business of a domestic partnership. These regulations affect certain domestic corporations and partnerships (and certain parties related thereto) and foreign corporations that acquire substantially all of the properties of such domestic corporations or of the trades or businesses of such domestic partnerships. The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations set forth in the notice of proposed rulemaking on Rules Regarding Inversions and Related Transactions in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5388-5401]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00643]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[TD 9812]
RIN 1545-BL00; 1545-BM45


Guidance for Determining Stock Ownership; Rules Regarding 
Inversions and Related Transactions

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Final regulations, temporary regulations, and removal of 
temporary regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations that identify certain 
stock of a foreign corporation that is disregarded in calculating 
ownership of the foreign corporation for purposes of determining 
whether it is a surrogate foreign corporation. These regulations also 
provide guidance on the effect of transfers of stock of a foreign 
corporation after the foreign corporation has acquired substantially 
all of the properties of a domestic corporation or of a trade or 
business of a domestic partnership. These regulations affect certain 
domestic corporations and partnerships (and certain parties related 
thereto) and foreign corporations that acquire substantially all of the 
properties of such domestic corporations or of the trades or businesses 
of such domestic partnerships. The text of the temporary regulations 
also serves as the text of the proposed regulations set forth in the 
notice of proposed rulemaking on Rules

[[Page 5389]]

Regarding Inversions and Related Transactions in the Proposed Rules 
section of this issue of the Federal Register.

DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective on January 18, 
2017.
    Applicability Dates: For dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.  
1.7874-4(k), 1.7874-5(e), 1.7874-7T(h), and 1.7874-10T(i).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua G. Rabon at (202) 317-6937 (not 
a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This document contains regulations under section 7874 of the 
Internal Revenue Code (Code). On September 17, 2009, the Department of 
the Treasury (Treasury Department) and the IRS issued Notice 2009-78 
(2009-40 IRB 452), which announced that regulations would be issued 
under section 7874 identifying certain stock of a foreign corporation 
that would not be taken into account for purposes of determining the 
ownership percentage described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) (the 2009 
notice). On January 17, 2014, temporary regulations (TD 9654) were 
published in the Federal Register (79 FR 3094) that implemented and 
obsoleted the 2009 notice and provided guidance with respect to 
subsequent transfers of stock of a foreign corporation described in 
section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) (the 2014 temporary regulations). A notice of 
proposed rulemaking (REG-121534-12) cross-referencing the 2014 
temporary regulations was published in the same issue of the Federal 
Register (79 FR 3145) (the 2014 proposed regulations). On November 19, 
2015, the Treasury Department and the IRS issued Notice 2015-79 (2015-
49 IRB 775), which announced, in part, that regulations would be issued 
to clarify certain aspects of the 2014 temporary regulations (the 2015 
notice). On April 8, 2016, the Treasury Department and the IRS 
published temporary regulations (TD 9761) in the Federal Register (81 
FR 20858) that, in part, implemented the clarifications announced in 
the 2015 notice and provided common definitions for purposes of certain 
regulations under sections 367(b), 956, 7701(l), and 7874 (the 2016 
temporary regulations). A notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-135734-14) 
cross-referencing the 2016 temporary regulations was published in the 
same issue of the Federal Register (81 FR 20588) (the 2016 proposed 
regulations). The 2014 temporary regulations as modified by the 2016 
temporary regulations are referred to in this preamble as the 
``temporary regulations.'' No public hearing was requested or held on 
the 2014 proposed regulations or the 2016 proposed regulations; 
however, comments were received. All comments are available at 
www.regulations.gov or upon request. After consideration of the 
comments, the 2014 proposed regulations, as modified by the 2016 
proposed regulations and as updated to reflect the common definitions 
in those regulations, are adopted as amended by this Treasury decision, 
and the corresponding temporary regulations are removed.

Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions

I. The Disqualified Stock Rule--General Approach

    A foreign corporation (foreign acquiring corporation) generally is 
treated as a surrogate foreign corporation under section 7874(a)(2)(B) 
if, pursuant to a plan (or a series of related transactions), three 
conditions are satisfied. First, the foreign acquiring corporation 
completes, after March 4, 2003, the direct or indirect acquisition of 
substantially all of the properties held directly or indirectly by a 
domestic corporation (domestic entity acquisition). Second, after the 
domestic entity acquisition, at least 60 percent of the stock (by vote 
or value) of the foreign acquiring corporation is held by former 
shareholders of the domestic corporation (former domestic entity 
shareholders) by reason of holding stock in the domestic corporation 
(such percentage, the ownership percentage, and the fraction used to 
calculate the ownership percentage, the ownership fraction). And third, 
after the domestic entity acquisition, the expanded affiliated group 
(as defined in section 7874(c)(1)) that includes the foreign acquiring 
corporation (EAG) does not have substantial business activities in the 
foreign country in which, or under the law of which, the foreign 
acquiring corporation is created or organized when compared to the 
total business activities of the EAG. Similar provisions apply if a 
foreign acquiring corporation acquires substantially all of the 
properties constituting a trade or business of a domestic partnership. 
The domestic corporation or the domestic partnership described in this 
paragraph is referred to at times in this preamble as the ``domestic 
entity.'' For other definitions used throughout this preamble but not 
defined in this preamble, see Sec.  1.7874-12T (providing common 
definitions for purposes of certain regulations under sections 367(b), 
956, 7701(l), and 7874).
    The temporary regulations provide a rule (the disqualified stock 
rule) that, subject to a de minimis exception, excludes disqualified 
stock from the denominator of the ownership fraction. In general, 
disqualified stock is stock of the foreign acquiring corporation that, 
in a transaction related to the domestic entity acquisition, is 
transferred in one of two types of exchanges. See Parts II.A and B of 
this Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions for the 
discussion of these exchanges. However, stock is disqualified stock 
only to the extent that the transfer of the stock in the exchange 
increases the fair market value of the assets of the foreign acquiring 
corporation or decreases the amount of its liabilities (the net asset 
requirement). The disqualified stock rule thus generally prevents stock 
of the foreign acquiring corporation that is transferred in certain 
transactions that increase the net assets of the foreign acquiring 
corporation from inappropriately increasing the denominator of the 
ownership fraction and thereby diluting the ownership percentage.
    Under the temporary regulations, stock may be disqualified stock 
regardless of whether it is, has been, or will be publicly traded. In 
addition, stock may be disqualified stock regardless of whether it is 
transferred by reason of an issuance, sale, distribution, exchange, or 
any other type of disposition, or whether it is transferred by the 
foreign acquiring corporation or another person.
    One comment suggested that disqualified stock should generally 
include only stock transferred by reason of an issuance by the foreign 
acquiring corporation. According to the comment, this would generally 
simplify the disqualified stock rule by obviating the need for the net 
asset requirement, though it noted that special rules regarding hook 
stock would likely be needed. The final regulations do not adopt this 
comment. The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that 
transfers other than solely by reason of an issuance can 
inappropriately dilute the ownership percentage. For example, see Sec.  
1.7874-4(j) Example 6 (iii) (issuance of stock by the foreign acquiring 
corporation in exchange for qualified property followed by a transfer 
of that stock by the transferee in satisfaction of an obligation of the 
transferee) and Sec.  1.7874-4(j) Example 10 (issuance of stock 
followed by use of the stock to satisfy an obligation). The Treasury 
Department and the IRS have concluded

[[Page 5390]]

that addressing these transactions and other transactions (such as 
transactions involving hook stock) via special rules would largely 
negate the simplicity benefits of the approach recommended by the 
comment.

II. Exchanges That Give Rise to Disqualified Stock

A. Exchanges for Nonqualified Property

1. In General
    Disqualified stock includes stock of the foreign acquiring 
corporation that, in a transaction related to the domestic entity 
acquisition, is transferred to a person other than the domestic entity 
in exchange for ``nonqualified property.'' Nonqualified property means 
(i) cash or cash equivalents, (ii) marketable securities, (iii) certain 
obligations (as discussed in Part II.A.3 of this Summary of Comments 
and Explanation of Revisions), and (iv) any other property acquired 
with a principal purpose of avoiding the purposes of section 7874, 
regardless of whether the transaction involves an indirect transfer of 
property described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii). This preamble refers 
at times to the property described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of 
the preceding sentence collectively as ``specified nonqualified 
property'' and to the property described in clause (iv) as ``avoidance 
property.'' For this purpose, marketable securities has the meaning set 
forth in section 453(f)(2), except that the term does not include stock 
of a corporation or an interest in a partnership that becomes a member 
of the EAG in a transaction (or series of transactions) related to the 
domestic entity acquisition.
2. Different Treatment for Stock and Asset Acquisitions
    Under the temporary regulations, the extent to which stock of a 
foreign acquiring corporation is considered transferred in exchange for 
nonqualified property can differ depending on the structure of a 
transaction. For example, if, in a transaction related to a domestic 
entity acquisition, the foreign acquiring corporation acquires all the 
stock of another foreign corporation (foreign target corporation) in 
exchange for stock of the foreign acquiring corporation, then such 
stock of the foreign acquiring corporation would normally not be 
considered transferred in exchange for nonqualified property, 
regardless of the extent to which the properties of the foreign target 
corporation constitute nonqualified property, unless the stock of the 
foreign target corporation constitutes avoidance property. However, if 
the transaction were instead structured so that the foreign acquiring 
corporation acquires all of the properties of the foreign target 
corporation in exchange for stock of the foreign acquiring corporation, 
then such stock of the foreign acquiring corporation would be 
considered transferred in exchange for nonqualified property, to the 
extent that the properties of the foreign target corporation constitute 
nonqualified property. The preamble to the 2014 temporary regulations 
acknowledged this disparity and the decision not to harmonize the 
treatment of stock and asset acquisitions by, for example, applying a 
look-through approach to stock acquisitions. See Part C of the 
Explanation of Provisions section of the preamble to the 2014 temporary 
regulations. Nevertheless, comments requested more consistent treatment 
between stock and asset acquisitions, noting in particular that, when 
the foreign target corporation is publicly-traded, corporate and other 
legal considerations may dictate the structure of the transaction.
    One comment suggested that this result could be achieved when a 
foreign acquiring corporation acquires substantially all of the 
properties of a foreign target corporation by viewing the two 
corporations as a single combined unit for purposes of the disqualified 
stock rule. Under this view, properties historically held by the 
foreign target corporation (including nonqualified property) would not 
represent an infusion of value into the combined group. The comment 
thus asserted that, regardless of the structure of the transaction, the 
disqualified stock rule generally should not apply to stock 
attributable to such properties. The comment noted, though, that if 
asset acquisitions were to be treated similar to stock acquisitions, 
there might be a heightened need for rules, in addition to the anti-
abuse rule of section 7874(c)(4), to address certain related 
transactions in which stock of the foreign target corporation is 
transferred in exchange for nonqualified property.
    After considering the comments, the Treasury Department and the IRS 
decline to adopt a rule treating certain asset acquisitions as stock 
acquisitions or to otherwise coordinate their treatment. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS have determined that stock of a foreign 
acquiring corporation attributable to any nonqualified property--
whether acquired in a transaction related to the domestic entity 
acquisition or historically held--generally presents opportunities to 
inappropriately dilute the ownership percentage. For example, see, the 
passive assets rule of Sec.  1.7874-7T. Thus, the Treasury Department 
and the IRS have concluded that a look-through approach, pursuant to 
which stock acquisitions would be treated similar to asset 
acquisitions, would be the preferable approach for harmonizing the 
treatment, in contrast to the comments' recommendation to treat certain 
assets acquisitions similar to stock acquisitions. The final 
regulations, however, do not implement a look-through approach out of 
concerns of undue complexity and administrative burden.
    Another comment recommended that, if the final regulations retain 
different treatment for stock and asset acquisitions, working capital 
of a foreign target corporation should be excluded from the definition 
of nonqualified property. After considering this comment, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS have determined that providing special rules 
that exclude working capital from the definition of nonqualified 
property would result in undue complexity and administrative burden. 
Notably, such special rules would have limited applicability when the 
foreign target corporation is a parent corporation of an affiliated 
group--which is often the case--because, in such a structure, working 
capital generally would be held by subsidiaries. Accordingly, the final 
regulations do not adopt the comment.
3. Obligations Constituting Nonqualified Property
    Under the temporary regulations, nonqualified property includes an 
obligation owed by (i) a member of the EAG; (ii) a former domestic 
entity shareholder or former domestic entity partner; or (iii) a person 
that owns, before or after the domestic entity acquisition, stock of 
(or a partnership interest in) a person described in clause (i) or (ii) 
or that is related (within the meaning of section 267 or 707(b)) to 
such a person. Comments requested several modifications to this rule.
    First, a comment recommended that, if the final regulations retain 
different treatment for stock and asset acquisitions, they exclude 
certain obligations owed by a member of the EAG from the definition of 
nonqualified property. In particular, the comment suggested excluding 
intercompany obligations held by the foreign target corporation (that 
is, obligations owed by an affiliate of the foreign target corporation 
to the foreign target corporation), at least to the extent that the 
obligations arose in the ordinary course of the foreign target group's 
cash management program. The comment noted that, in these cases, had 
the

[[Page 5391]]

foreign target corporation instead funded its affiliate through equity 
(rather than debt), stock of the foreign acquiring corporation 
transferred in exchange for the equity generally would not be 
disqualified stock. The comment questioned this disparate treatment.
    After considering the comment, the Treasury Department and the IRS 
have determined that transfers of stock of a foreign acquiring 
corporation in exchange for intercompany obligations generally do not 
present opportunities to inappropriately reduce the ownership fraction. 
Accordingly, the final regulations exclude from the definition of 
nonqualified property an obligation owed by a member of the EAG if the 
holder of the obligation immediately before the domestic entity 
acquisition and any related transaction (or its successor), is a member 
of the EAG after the domestic entity acquisition and all related 
transactions. Sec.  1.7874-4(i)(2)(iii)(A).
    Another comment recommended that nonqualified property generally 
not include an obligation owed by a person that is only a de minimis 
former domestic entity shareholder or former domestic entity partner. 
The comment made a similar recommendation for an obligation owed by a 
person that, before and after the domestic entity acquisition, owns no 
more than a de minimis interest in any member of the EAG. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS agree with this comment, and the final 
regulations are modified accordingly. See Sec.  1.7874-4(i)(2)(iii)(B) 
and (C) (providing a de minimis rule for a less than five percent 
ownership interest). Nevertheless, the anti-abuse rule in section 
7874(c)(4) may still apply to disregard transfers of stock in exchange 
for such obligations.
4. Definition of Obligation
    The temporary regulations define an obligation by reference to 
Sec.  1.752-1(a)(4)(ii), which includes ``any fixed or contingent 
obligation to make payment. . . . Obligations include, but are not 
limited to, debt obligations, environmental obligations, tort 
obligations, contract obligations, pension obligations, obligations 
under a short sale, and obligations under derivative financial 
instruments such as options, forward contracts, futures contracts, and 
swaps.''
    The Treasury Department and the IRS are concerned that the 
reference in the temporary regulations to Sec.  1.752-1(a)(4)(ii) may 
cause confusion when applied outside of a partnership setting. The 
final regulations thus remove the reference to Sec.  1.752-1(a)(4)(ii) 
and provide that an obligation for purposes of the disqualified stock 
rule includes any fixed or contingent obligation to make payment or 
provide value (such as through providing goods or services). Sec.  
1.7874-4(i)(3). No inference is intended regarding the treatment, under 
Sec.  1.752-1(a)(4)(ii) or the temporary regulations, of a contractual 
agreement by a person to provide goods or services.
5. Definition of Avoidance Property
    Avoidance property means any property (other than specified 
nonqualified property) acquired with a principal purpose of avoiding 
the purposes of section 7874. The 2015 notice and the 2016 temporary 
regulations clarified that this definition applies regardless of 
whether the transaction involves an indirect transfer of specified 
nonqualified property. One comment was received regarding this 
clarification.
    The comment agreed with the clarification but asserted that 
avoidance property should not include property that meets two 
conditions. First, the property (or, in cases in which the property is 
stock or a partnership interest, the property indirectly transferred) 
either (i) constitutes a trade or business within the meaning of Sec.  
1.367(a)-2(d)(2), or (ii) is related to an existing business of the 
foreign acquiring corporation. And, second, the property is transferred 
without an intention to dispose of it at a later time. After 
considering the comment, the Treasury Department and the IRS have 
determined that whether property constitutes avoidance property should 
in all cases depend on the principal purpose for the acquisition of the 
property, which cannot be determined based on an exclusive set of 
objective factors, such as the nature of the property or holding 
period. In certain circumstances, property that meets the conditions 
described by the comment could be acquired with a principal purpose of 
avoiding the purposes of section 7874. Thus, the Treasury Department 
and the IRS have concluded that it would be inappropriate to exclude 
such property from the definition of avoidance property. Consequently, 
the final regulations do not adopt the comment.

B. Subsequent Transfers of Stock in Exchange for the Satisfaction or 
Assumption of an Obligation Associated With the Property Exchanged

1. In General
    Disqualified stock also generally includes stock of the foreign 
acquiring corporation that is transferred by a person (the transferor) 
to another person (the transferee) in exchange for property (the 
exchanged property) if, pursuant to the same plan (or series of related 
transactions), the transferee subsequently transfers the stock in 
exchange for the satisfaction or assumption of one or more obligations 
associated with the exchanged property (the associated obligation 
rule). The purpose of the rule is to ensure that the same amount of 
stock of the foreign acquiring corporation is included in the 
denominator of the ownership fraction in economically similar 
situations.
    For example, consider a situation in which a foreign acquiring 
corporation (FA) intends to acquire the property of a domestic entity 
(DT), which holds property with a fair market value of $100x and has a 
$25x obligation that is associated with the property. The parties could 
structure the domestic entity acquisition using the following steps: 
(i) DT transfers all of its property to FA in exchange for $75x of FA 
stock and FA's assumption of the $25x associated obligation, (ii) DT 
distributes the $75x of FA stock to its shareholders, and (iii) in a 
related transaction, FA issues $25x of its stock to the public for cash 
and uses that cash to satisfy the associated obligation. Alternatively, 
FA could not assume the associated obligation and could thus acquire 
all of DT's properties in exchange for $100x of FA stock, followed by 
DT using $25x of FA stock to satisfy the $25x associated obligation and 
distributing the remaining $75x of FA stock to its shareholders in 
liquidation. Under the first alternative, the $25x of FA stock issued 
to the public in exchange for cash (which is nonqualified property) 
would be excluded from the denominator of the ownership fraction. Under 
the second alternative, however, no FA stock would be excluded absent 
the associated obligation rule. Allowing a different result under the 
second alternative would be inappropriate because the first and second 
alternatives are economically similar. That is, under both 
alternatives, FA's value reflects the gross value of the acquired 
property (under the first alternative, because the amount of the 
associated obligation is satisfied with the cash and, under the second 
alternative, because FA did not assume the associated obligation), and 
DT's obligations have been reduced by the amount of the associated 
obligation. The associated obligation rule thus ensures that, as under 
the first alternative, $25x of FA stock is excluded from the 
denominator of the ownership fraction under the second alternative. The 
rule serves the same

[[Page 5392]]

purpose when the transferee is a person other than the domestic entity.
    Several comments were received regarding the purpose and effect of 
the associated obligation rule. First, a comment noted that the rule 
serves an important purpose and suggested that the final regulations 
retain the rule. Another comment questioned the practical significance 
of the rule under the temporary regulations and suggested that the 
final regulations remove it. In particular, the comment asserted that 
creditors typically require obligations to be satisfied in cash, rather 
than stock. Moreover, the comment stated that, under the temporary 
regulations, the rule might not apply if, instead of using stock of the 
foreign acquiring corporation to satisfy an associated obligation, the 
transferee sold the stock for cash and then used the cash to satisfy 
the obligation. One comment acknowledged, however, that a plan (or 
series of related transactions) to satisfy obligations of the 
transferee using the proceeds of the sale of stock of the foreign 
acquiring corporation could be subject to the anti-abuse rule under 
section 7874(c)(4).
    After considering the comments, the Treasury Department and the IRS 
have determined that the associated obligation rule promotes an 
important policy and thus the final regulations retain the rule. The 
Treasury Department and the IRS also have determined that when a 
foreign acquiring corporation issues its stock in lieu of assuming an 
obligation associated with the exchanged property, the rule should not 
be limited to situations in which, pursuant to the same plan (or series 
of related transactions), the transferee uses the stock to directly 
satisfy the associated obligation. Rather, the Treasury Department and 
the IRS have concluded that the rule should generally apply if, 
pursuant to the same plan (or series of related transactions), the 
transferee uses the stock to directly or indirectly satisfy any 
obligation of the transferee (regardless of whether it is an associated 
obligation). For example, the rule should apply if the transferee sells 
the stock and then uses the proceeds to satisfy an amount of an 
obligation of the transferee equal to the amount of the associated 
obligation. In these cases, the transferee and the foreign acquiring 
corporation are in an economic position similar to the one in which 
they would have been had the foreign acquiring corporation assumed the 
associated obligation, issued stock in exchange for cash, and then used 
that cash to satisfy the obligation. The final regulations accordingly 
modify the associated obligation rule. See Sec.  1.7874-4(c)(1)(ii)(A). 
In addition, the final regulations generally limit the amount of 
disqualified stock arising under the associated obligation rule to the 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property that, pursuant to the same plan (or series of related 
transactions), is not assumed by the foreign acquiring corporation. See 
Sec.  1.7874-4(c)(1)(ii)(B).
2. Acquisitions of Less than Substantially All of the Property of 
Transferee
    A comment requested a modification of the associated obligation 
rule so that it applies only if the transferor acquires substantially 
all of the property of the transferee. The comment asserted that, when 
the transferor acquires only a portion (rather than substantially all) 
of the transferee's property, it may be difficult or burdensome to 
determine which obligations are associated with the exchanged property.
    The associated obligation rule addresses a concern that, absent the 
rule, a different amount of stock of a foreign acquiring corporation 
might be included in the denominator of the ownership fraction in 
economically similar scenarios. The Treasury Department and the IRS 
have determined that this concern may exist regardless of the portion 
of the transferee's property that is acquired. In addition, 
determinations concerning the association between obligations and 
property may be required under the Code for purposes other than 
applying the associated obligation rule. For example, see section 
358(h)(2). Accordingly, the final regulations decline to adopt the 
comment.
3. Application of Rule When Domestic Entity Is Transferee
    One comment suggested broadening the associated obligation rule to 
address certain cases in which the domestic entity is the transferee 
and the foreign acquiring corporation issues its stock in lieu of 
assuming any obligation of the transferee (regardless of whether it is 
associated with the exchanged property). For example, consider a 
situation in which a domestic entity (DT) has two lines of business: 
(i) Business A, which comprises property that, in the aggregate, has a 
fair market value of $90x and no obligations associated with it, and 
(ii) Business B, which comprises property that, in the aggregate, has a 
fair market value of $20x and $10x of obligations associated with it. 
If a foreign acquiring corporation (FA) acquires only the Business A 
property in exchange for $90x of FA stock, DT might use $10x of FA 
stock to satisfy the Business B associated obligations and distribute 
the remaining $80x of FA stock and the $20x of Business B property to 
its shareholders in liquidation. In such a case, the $10x of FA stock 
would not be disqualified stock under the associated obligation rule 
because the transferee did not retain any obligations associated with 
the exchanged property (the Business A property); thus, absent special 
rules, the stock might inappropriately dilute the ownership percentage. 
The comment noted that the associated obligation rule could be modified 
to address such cases.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS acknowledge the concern raised 
by the comment but decline to broaden the associated obligation rule to 
address it at this time. However, the Treasury Department and the IRS 
will monitor transactions in which the foreign acquiring corporation 
transfers its stock in lieu of assuming an obligation of the domestic 
entity and continue to study whether future guidance should broaden the 
rule. In addition, section 7874(c)(4) (which would disregard the 
transfer of the $10x of FA stock in satisfaction of the obligation if 
the transfer is part of a plan a principal purpose of which is to avoid 
the purposes of section 7874) and Sec.  1.7874-10T (which could cause 
DT's distribution of the $20x of Business B assets to give rise to a 
non-ordinary course distribution, which, in turn, would cause the 
former domestic entity shareholders of DT to be deemed to receive 
additional FA stock for purpose of computing the ownership fraction) 
may apply to address the concern raised by the comment.

III. The De Minimis Exception

    The disqualified stock rule contains a de minimis exception, which 
generally applies when two requirements are satisfied. First, the 
ownership percentage--determined without regard to the application of 
the disqualified stock rule, the passive assets rule of Sec.  1.7874-7T 
(the passive assets rule), and the non-ordinary course distribution 
rule of Sec.  1.7874-10T (the non-ordinary course distribution rule)--
must be less than five (by vote and value). Second, after the domestic 
entity acquisition and all related transactions, former domestic entity 
shareholders or former domestic entity partners, in the aggregate, must 
own (applying the attribution rules of section 318(a) with the 
modifications described in section 304(c)(3)(B)) less than five percent 
(by vote and value) of the stock of (or a partnership interest in) any 
member of

[[Page 5393]]

the EAG. When the de minimis exception applies, the disqualified stock 
rule does not apply and, as a result, no stock of the foreign acquiring 
corporation is excluded from the denominator of the ownership fraction 
pursuant to the rule.
    The passive assets rule and the non-ordinary course distribution 
rule contain similar de minimis exceptions (the three exceptions 
collectively, the de minimis exceptions). See Sec. Sec.  1.7874-7T(c) 
and 1.7874-10T(d). Together, the de minimis exceptions generally 
prevent one or more of the disqualified stock rule, the passive assets 
rule, and the non-ordinary course rule from causing section 7874 to 
apply to a domestic entity acquisition that, given minimal actual 
ownership continuity, largely resembles a cash purchase by the foreign 
acquiring corporation of the stock of (or interests in) the domestic 
entity.
    Comments requested expanding the de minimis exceptions in several 
respects. First, comments requested increasing the ownership thresholds 
in the de minimis exceptions. One comment recommended a 20-percent 
threshold, noting that such a threshold would be generally consistent 
with the threshold in the internal group restructuring exception under 
Sec.  1.7874-1(c)(2) (permitting up to 20 percent ownership by non-EAG 
members). The internal group restructuring exception, however, 
addresses different policies than the de minimis exceptions. In 
particular, the internal group restructuring exception addresses 
transactions in which there is no, or only a small, shift in ownership 
of a domestic entity to persons outside of a corporate group, whereas 
the de minimis exceptions address transactions in which there is almost 
a complete shift in ultimate ownership of a domestic entity. Moreover, 
the Treasury Department and the IRS have concluded that a five-percent 
threshold appropriately differentiates between domestic entity 
acquisitions that largely resemble a cash purchase and those that do 
not. Accordingly, the final regulations do not adopt the comment.
    Other comments requested removing the second requirement of the de 
minimis exceptions or, alternatively, modifying the requirement so that 
it looks only to stock held by reason of holding stock (or interests) 
of the domestic entity. The comments noted that, particularly in cases 
involving a publicly-traded domestic entity or a complex ownership 
structure, it could be difficult or burdensome to identify each former 
domestic entity shareholder or former domestic entity partner 
(including a de minimis former domestic entity shareholder or former 
domestic entity partner), as applicable, and then determine (taking 
into account the applicable attribution rules) the former domestic 
entity shareholders' or former domestic entity partners' collective 
ownership of the foreign acquiring corporation and each member of the 
EAG. Accordingly, the comment asserted that, at least in certain cases, 
uncertainty surrounding whether the second requirement is satisfied 
could result in taxpayers having to apply--and thus conduct the 
potentially complicated analyses required by--the disqualified stock 
rule, passive assets rule, and non-ordinary course distribution rule, 
notwithstanding that the domestic entity acquisition may largely 
resemble a purchase.
    After considering the comment, the final regulations modify each of 
the de minimis exceptions to provide that the second requirement is 
satisfied if, after the domestic entity acquisition and all related 
transactions, each former domestic entity shareholder or former 
domestic entity partner, as applicable, owns (applying the attribution 
rules of section 318(a) with the modifications described in section 
304(c)(3)(B)) less than five percent (by vote and value) of the stock 
of (or a partnership interest in) each member of the EAG. Sec.  1.7874-
4(d)(1)(ii); Sec.  1.7874-7T(c)(2); Sec.  1.7874-10T(d)(2). The 
Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that limiting the 
second requirement to consider only the ownership of former domestic 
entity shareholders or former domestic entity partners (with applicable 
attribution rules), individually, rather than the ownership of all 
former domestic entity shareholders or former domestic entity partners, 
collectively, strikes the appropriate balance between preventing the de 
minimis exceptions from applying in inappropriate circumstances and 
addressing the practical difficulties noted in the comment.

IV. Certain Public Offerings

    The preamble to the 2014 temporary regulations noted that the de 
minimis exception with respect to the disqualified stock rule may 
facilitate certain transactions that have the effect of converting a 
publicly traded domestic corporation into a publicly traded foreign 
corporation over time. For example, a buyer may contribute cash to a 
newly formed foreign acquiring corporation that uses such cash, along 
with the proceeds from borrowings and a small amount of its stock 
(often issued to the management of the domestic corporation), to 
acquire all of the stock of a publicly traded domestic corporation in a 
domestic entity acquisition. After a period of time, the buyer may sell 
its stock of the foreign acquiring corporation pursuant to a public 
offering, which may have been contemplated at the time of the domestic 
entity acquisition. The preamble to the 2014 regulations explained that 
the Treasury Department and the IRS would study these transactions and 
requested comments on the application of section 7874 to such 
transactions.
    A comment asserted that, given the number of non-tax contingencies 
between the domestic entity acquisition and the public offering, it 
would be inappropriate to apply the step-transaction doctrine or 
related principles to the transactions. Comments also suggested that 
these transactions do not violate the policies of section 7874 because 
the domestic entity acquisition is essentially a purchase by the 
foreign acquiring corporation of the stock of the publicly traded 
domestic corporation. Accordingly, comments recommended against new 
rules to address the transactions.
    After further study and consideration of the comments, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS decline at this time to provide special rules to 
address these transactions. However, section 7874(c)(4), Sec.  1.7874-
4(d)(2) (providing that the de minimis exception does not apply to 
disqualified stock that is transferred with a principal purpose of 
avoiding the purposes of section 7874), and judicial doctrines each may 
apply to address the concerns raised by these transactions.

V. Additional Clarifications Requested

A. Stock Included in Numerator Also Included in Denominator

    A comment requested that the Treasury Department and the IRS 
clarify that stock of a foreign acquiring corporation included in the 
numerator of the ownership fraction is also included in the denominator 
of the fraction, regardless of whether the stock is disqualified stock. 
The preamble to the temporary regulations indicated that stock 
described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) (by reason of stock) is never 
treated as disqualified stock and thus cannot be excluded from the 
denominator of the ownership fraction under the disqualified stock 
rule. See Part A of the Explanation of Provisions section of the 
preamble to the 2014 temporary regulations. Nevertheless, in response 
to the comment and for the avoidance of doubt, the final regulations 
clarify that by reason of stock may never

[[Page 5394]]

be treated as disqualified stock. See Sec.  1.7874-4(c)(1). 
Accordingly, the final regulations clarify that stock of the foreign 
acquiring corporation included in the numerator of the ownership 
fraction is in all cases also included in the denominator of the 
fraction.

B. Treatment of partnerships

    Comments requested clarification about whether an acquisition of a 
partnership interest is treated similarly to an acquisition of stock 
for purposes of the disqualified stock rule. That is, the comment asked 
whether stock of a foreign acquiring corporation transferred in 
exchange for a partnership interest is treated as stock transferred in 
exchange for a proportionate share of partnership assets represented by 
the partnership interest (a look-through approach). The Treasury 
Department and the IRS confirm that a partnership interest does not 
constitute nonqualified property unless it is a marketable security 
(for example, an interest in a publicly traded partnership described in 
Sec.  1.7704-1(a)(1)(i)) or is avoidance property. The definition of 
marketable securities in the temporary regulations excludes an interest 
in a partnership that becomes a member of the EAG in a transaction (or 
series of transactions) related to the domestic entity acquisition, an 
exclusion that would be unnecessary if partnership interests were 
subject to a look-through approach. Nevertheless, in response to the 
comment and for the avoidance of doubt, the definition of nonqualified 
property is clarified to provide that an interest in a partnership is 
nonqualified property only to the extent it is a marketable security or 
avoidance property.

VI. The Subsequent Transfer Rule

    The temporary regulations provide a rule (the subsequent transfer 
rule) pursuant to which stock of a foreign corporation that is 
described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) (that is, by reason of stock) 
does not cease to be so described as a result of any subsequent 
transfer of the stock by the former domestic entity shareholder or 
former domestic entity partner that received such stock, even if the 
subsequent transfer is related to the domestic entity acquisition. A 
comment requested adding a de minimis exception to the subsequent 
transfer rule, similar to the three de minimis exceptions discussed in 
Part III of this Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions. For 
example, the comment suggested that if, pursuant to a subsequent 
transfer (or series of transfers) related to the domestic entity 
acquisition, the former domestic entity shareholders or former domestic 
entity partners, in the aggregate, dispose of all but a de minimis 
amount of stock of the foreign acquiring corporation, then the 
subsequent transfer rule should not apply. In such a case, the 
requested de minimis exception would provide that the stock received by 
the former domestic entity shareholders or former domestic entity 
partners would not be considered by reason of stock and thus would not 
be included in the numerator of the ownership fraction (though it 
generally would be included in the denominator of the ownership 
fraction).
    The final regulations do not adopt the comment. The de minimis 
exceptions, as discussed in Part III of this Summary of Comments and 
Explanation of Revisions, provide relief for transactions that are in 
substance cash purchases by the foreign acquiring corporation of the 
stock of (or interests in) the domestic entity. In contrast, the 
subsequent transfer rule applies to ensure the application of section 
7874 to transactions where a foreign corporation acquires substantially 
all the property (directly or indirectly) of a domestic entity in 
exchange for stock. The ultimate use of the stock received by the 
former domestic entity shareholders or former domestic entity partners 
is irrelevant to the three-factor test established by the statute. 
Accordingly, the final regulations do not adopt a de minimis exception 
for purposes of the subsequent transfer rule.

VII. Applicability Dates

    The final regulations generally apply to domestic entity 
acquisitions completed on or after September 17, 2009, to the extent 
described in the 2009 notice. The final regulations generally apply 
with respect to the remainder of the proposed rules in the 2014 
proposed regulations to domestic entity acquisitions completed on or 
after January 16, 2014. However, see Sec.  1.7874-4(k) for certain 
rules that apply only to domestic entity acquisitions completed on or 
after the publication of the 2015 notice or these final regulations, as 
applicable. Similar to the 2014 temporary regulations, these 
regulations provide that taxpayers may elect to apply all the rules 
contained in these final regulations to domestic entity acquisitions 
completed on or after September 17, 2009, and before January 13, 2017 
(transition period), if the taxpayer applies all of the rules 
consistently to all domestic entity acquisitions completed during the 
transition period.
    No inference is intended as to the treatment of transactions under 
the law before the various applicability dates of these regulations. 
For example, these transactions could be subject to challenge under 
applicable provisions, including under section 7874(c)(4) or judicial 
doctrines such as the substance-over-form doctrine.

Special Analyses

    Certain IRS regulations, including these, are exempt from the 
requirements of Executive Order 12866, as supplemented and reaffirmed 
by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a regulatory impact assessment is 
not required. The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does 
not apply because the regulations do not impose a collection of 
information on small entities. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, 
the notices of proposed rulemaking that preceded this regulation were 
submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration for comment on its impact on small business. No comments 
were received.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of these regulations is Joshua G. Rabon of the 
Office of Associate Chief Counsel (International). However, other 
personnel from the Treasury Department and the IRS participated in 
their development.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

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

    Authority:  26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
    Section 1.7874-4 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 7874(c)(6) and (g).
    Section 1.7874-5 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 7874(c)(6) and (g).
* * * * *

0
Par. 2. Section 1.7874-4 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.7874-4   Disregard of certain stock related to the domestic 
entity acquisition.

    (a) Scope. This section identifies certain stock of the foreign 
acquiring corporation that is disregarded in determining the ownership 
fraction and modifies the scope of section 7874(c)(2)(B). Paragraph (b) 
of this section sets forth the general rule that certain stock of the 
foreign acquiring

[[Page 5395]]

corporation, and only such stock, is treated as stock described in 
section 7874(c)(2)(B) and therefore is excluded from the denominator of 
the ownership fraction. Paragraph (c) of this section identifies the 
stock of the foreign acquiring corporation that is subject to paragraph 
(b) of this section. Paragraph (d) of this section provides a de 
minimis exception to the application of the general exclusion rule of 
paragraph (b) of this section. Paragraph (e) of this section provides 
rules for transfers of stock of the foreign acquiring corporation in 
satisfaction of, or in exchange for the assumption of, one or more 
obligations of the transferor. Paragraph (f) of this section provides 
rules for certain transfers of stock of the foreign acquiring 
corporation involving multiple properties or obligations. Paragraph (g) 
of this section provides rules for the treatment of partnerships, and 
paragraph (h) of this section provides rules addressing the interaction 
of this section with the expanded affiliated group rules of section 
7874(c)(2)(A) and Sec.  1.7874-1. Paragraph (i) of this section 
provides definitions. Paragraph (j) of this section provides examples 
illustrating the application of the rules of this section. Paragraph 
(k) of this section provides dates of applicability.
    (b) Exclusion of disqualified stock under section 7874(c)(2)(B). 
Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, disqualified stock 
(as determined under paragraph (c) of this section) is treated as stock 
described in section 7874(c)(2)(B) and therefore is not included in the 
denominator of the ownership fraction. Section 7874(c)(2)(B) shall not 
apply to exclude stock from the denominator of the ownership fraction 
that is not disqualified stock.
    (c) Disqualified stock--(1) General rule. Except as provided in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, disqualified stock is stock of the 
foreign acquiring corporation (other than stock described in Sec.  
1.7874-2(f)) that is transferred in an exchange described in paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section that is related to the domestic 
entity acquisition. This paragraph (c) applies without regard to 
whether the stock of the foreign acquiring corporation is publicly 
traded at the time of the transfer or at any other time.
    (i) Exchanged for nonqualified property. The stock is transferred 
to a person other than the domestic entity in exchange for nonqualified 
property. See Example 1, Example 2, Example 6, Example 8, and Example 9 
of paragraph (j) of this section for illustrations of the application 
of this paragraph (c)(1)(i).
    (ii) Exchanged for property with associated obligations--(A) 
General rule. Subject to the limitation provided in in paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(B) of this section, the stock is transferred by a person 
(transferor) to another person (transferee) in exchange for property 
(exchanged property) and, pursuant to the same plan (or series of 
related transactions), the transferee subsequently transfers such stock 
(or, if the transferee exchanges such stock for other property, such 
other property) in satisfaction of, or in exchange for the assumption 
of, one or more obligations of the transferee or a person related 
(within the meaning of section 267 or 707(b)) to the transferee. See 
Example 6 and Example 10 of paragraph (j) of this section for 
illustrations of the application of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this 
section.
    (B) Limitation. The amount of stock treated as transferred in an 
exchange described in paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(A) of this section shall not 
exceed--
    (1) With respect to a transferee that is the domestic entity, the 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property (determined based on the fair market value of the exchanged 
property relative to the fair market value of all properties with which 
the obligations are associated) that, pursuant to the same plan (or 
series of related transactions), is not assumed by the transferor.
    (2) With respect to any other transferee, the proportionate share 
of obligations associated with the exchanged property (determined based 
on the fair market value of the exchanged property relative to the fair 
market value of all properties with which the obligations are 
associated) that, pursuant to the same plan (or series of related 
transactions), is not assumed by the transferor, multiplied by a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of exchanged property 
that is qualified property, and the denominator of which is the total 
amount of exchanged property.
    (C) Associated obligations. For purposes of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of 
this section, an obligation is associated with property if, for 
example, the obligation arose from the conduct of a trade or business 
in which the property has been used, regardless of whether the 
obligation is a non-recourse obligation.
    (2) Stock transferred in an exchange that does not increase the 
fair market value of the assets or decrease the amount of liabilities 
of the foreign acquiring corporation. Stock is disqualified stock only 
to the extent that the transfer of the stock in the exchange increases 
the fair market value of the assets of the foreign acquiring 
corporation or decreases the amount of its liabilities. This paragraph 
(c)(2) is applied to an exchange without regard to any other exchange 
described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section or any other 
transaction related to the domestic entity acquisition. See Example 4 
and Example 7 of paragraph (j) of this section for illustrations of the 
application of this paragraph (c)(2).
    (d) Exception to exclusion of disqualified stock--(1) De minimis 
ownership. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, 
paragraph (b) of this section does not apply if both:
    (i) The ownership percentage described in section 
7874(a)(2)(B)(ii), determined without regard to the application of 
paragraph (b) of this section and Sec. Sec.  1.7874-7T(b) and 1.7874-
10T(b), is less than five (by vote and value); and
    (ii) After the domestic entity acquisition and all related 
transactions, each former domestic entity shareholder or former 
domestic entity partner, as applicable, owns (applying the attribution 
rules of section 318(a) with the modifications described in section 
304(c)(3)(B)) less than five percent (by vote and value) of the stock 
of (or a partnership interest in) each member of the expanded 
affiliated group. See Example 5 of paragraph (j) of this section for an 
illustration of this paragraph (d).
    (2) Stock issued to avoid the purposes of section 7874. The 
exception in paragraph (d)(1) of this section does not apply to 
disqualified stock that is transferred in a transaction (or series of 
transactions) related to the domestic entity acquisition with a 
principal purpose of avoiding the purposes of section 7874.
    (e) Satisfaction or assumption of obligations. Except to the extent 
stock is treated as disqualified stock as a result of being described 
in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, this paragraph (e) applies if, 
in a transaction related to the domestic entity acquisition, stock of 
the foreign acquiring corporation is transferred to a person other than 
the domestic entity in exchange for the satisfaction or the assumption 
of one or more obligations of the transferor. In such a case, solely 
for purposes of this section, the stock of the foreign acquiring 
corporation is treated as if it is transferred in exchange for an 
amount of cash equal to the fair market value of such stock.
    (f) Transactions involving multiple properties. For purposes of 
this section, if stock and other property are exchanged for qualified 
property and

[[Page 5396]]

nonqualified property, the stock is treated as transferred in exchange 
for the qualified property or nonqualified property, respectively, 
based on the relative fair market value of the property. See also Sec.  
1.7874-2(f)(2) (allocating stock of a foreign acquiring corporation 
between an interest in the domestic entity and other property).
    (g) Treatment of partnerships. For purposes of this section, if one 
or more members of the expanded affiliated group own, in the aggregate, 
more than 50 percent (by value) of the interests in a partnership, such 
partnership is treated as a corporation that is a member of the 
expanded affiliated group.
    (h) Interaction with expanded affiliated group rules. Disqualified 
stock that is excluded from the denominator of the ownership fraction 
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section is taken into account for 
purposes of determining whether an entity is a member of the expanded 
affiliated group for purposes of applying section 7874(c)(2)(A) and 
Sec.  1.7874-1(b) and determining whether a domestic entity acquisition 
qualifies as an internal group restructuring or results in a loss of 
control, as described in Sec.  1.7874-1(c)(2) and (c)(3), respectively. 
However, such disqualified stock is excluded from the denominator of 
the ownership fraction for purposes of section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) 
regardless of whether it otherwise would be included in the denominator 
of the ownership fraction as a result of the application of Sec.  
1.7874-1(c). See Example 8 and Example 9 of paragraph (j) of this 
section for illustrations of the application of this paragraph (h).
    (i) Definitions. In addition to the definitions in Sec.  1.7874-
12T, the following definitions apply for purposes of this section:
    (1) Marketable securities has the meaning set forth in section 
453(f)(2), except that the term marketable securities does not include 
stock of a corporation or an interest in a partnership that becomes a 
member of the expanded affiliated group in a transaction (or series of 
transactions) related to the domestic entity acquisition. See Example 4 
of paragraph (j) of this section for an illustration of this paragraph 
(i)(1).
    (2) Nonqualified property is property described in paragraphs 
(i)(2)(i) through (iv) of this section. Thus, stock in a corporation or 
an interest in a partnership is nonqualified property to the extent 
provided in paragraph (i)(2)(ii) or (iv) of this section. Qualified 
property is property other than nonqualified property.
    (i) Cash or cash equivalents.
    (ii) Marketable securities, within the meaning of paragraph (i)(1) 
of this section.
    (iii) An obligation owed by any of the following:
    (A) A member of the expanded affiliated group, unless the holder of 
the obligation immediately before the domestic entity acquisition and 
any related transaction (or its successor) is a member of the expanded 
affiliated group after the domestic entity acquisition and all related 
transactions.
    (B) A former domestic entity shareholder or former domestic entity 
partner of the domestic entity that owns (applying the attribution 
rules of section 318(a) with the modifications described in section 
304(c)(3)(B)) at least five percent (by vote or value) of the stock of, 
or partnership interests in, the domestic entity before the domestic 
entity acquisition.
    (C) A person that, before or after the domestic entity acquisition, 
either owns (applying the attribution rules of section 318(a) with the 
modifications described in section 304(c)(3)(B)) at least five percent 
(by vote or value) of the stock of (or partnership interests in) or is 
related (within the meaning of section 267 or 707(b)) to--
    (1) A member of the expanded affiliated group; or
    (2) A person described in paragraph (i)(2)(iii)(B) of this section. 
See Example 6 of paragraph (j) of this section for an illustration of 
this paragraph (i)(2)(iii)(C)(2).
    (iv) Any other property acquired with a principal purpose of 
avoiding the purposes of section 7874, regardless of whether the 
transaction involves an indirect transfer of property described in 
paragraph (i)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section. See Example 2 and 
Example 3 of paragraph (j) of this section for illustrations of the 
application of this paragraph (i)(2)(iv).
    (3) An obligation means any fixed or contingent obligation to make 
a payment or provide value without regard to whether the obligation is 
otherwise taken into account for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. 
An obligation includes, but is not limited to, a debt obligation, an 
environmental obligation, a tort obligation, a contract obligation 
(including an obligation to provide goods or services), a pension 
obligation, an obligation under a short sale, and an obligation under 
derivative financial instruments such as options, forward contracts, 
futures contracts, and swaps. An obligation does not include any 
obligation treated as stock for purposes of section 7874 (see, for 
example, Sec.  1.7874-2(i), which treats certain interests, including 
certain creditor claims, as stock).
    (4) A transfer is, with respect to stock of the foreign acquiring 
corporation, an issuance, sale, distribution, exchange, or any other 
disposition of such stock.
    (j) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
the rules of this section. For purposes of the examples, unless 
otherwise indicated, assume the following facts in addition to the 
facts stated in the examples:
    (1) FA, FMS, FS, and FT are foreign corporations, all of which have 
only one class of stock issued and outstanding;
    (2) DMS and DT are domestic corporations;
    (3) P and R are corporations that may be either domestic or 
foreign;
    (4) PRS is a partnership with individual partners;
    (5) The de minimis ownership exception in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section does not apply;
    (6) None of the shareholders or partners in the entities described 
in the examples are related persons with respect to each other;
    (7) All transactions described in each example occur pursuant to 
the same plan;
    (8) No property is acquired with a principal purpose of avoiding 
the purposes of section 7874;
    (9) FA, FMS, FS, and FT are tax residents in the same foreign 
country;
    (10) For purposes of determining the ownership fraction, no shares 
of FA stock are excluded from the denominator pursuant to Sec.  1.7874-
7T(b) (which disregards stock attributable to passive assets); and
    (11) For purposes of determining the ownership fraction, no shares 
of FA stock are treated as received by former shareholders of DT 
pursuant to Sec.  1.7874-10T(b) (which disregards certain 
distributions).

    Example 1.  Stock transferred in exchange for marketable 
securities--(i) Facts. Individual A wholly owns DT. PRS transfers 
marketable securities (within the meaning of paragraph (i)(1) of 
this section) to FA, a newly formed corporation, in exchange solely 
for 25 shares of FA stock. Then Individual A transfers all the DT 
stock to FA in exchange solely for 75 shares of FA stock.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of this section, the 
marketable securities constitute nonqualified property. Accordingly, 
the 25 shares of FA stock transferred by FA to PRS in exchange for 
the marketable securities constitute disqualified stock described in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not reduce the 
amount of disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section because the transfer of FA stock in exchange for the 
marketable securities increases the

[[Page 5397]]

fair market value of the assets of FA by the fair market value of 
the marketable securities transferred. Under paragraph (b) of this 
section, the 25 shares of FA stock transferred to PRS are not 
included in the denominator of the ownership fraction. See also 
section 7874(c)(4). Accordingly, the only FA stock included in the 
ownership fraction is the FA stock transferred to Individual A in 
exchange for the DT stock, and that FA stock is included in both the 
numerator and the denominator of the ownership fraction. Thus, the 
ownership fraction is 75/75.
    Example 2.  Stock transferred in exchange for property acquired 
with a principal purpose of avoiding the purposes of section 7874--
(i) Facts. Individual A wholly owns DT. PRS transfers marketable 
securities (within the meaning of paragraph (i)(1) of this section) 
to FT, a newly formed corporation, in exchange solely for all the FT 
stock. Then PRS transfers the FT stock to FA, a newly formed 
corporation, in exchange solely for 25 shares of FA stock. Finally, 
Individual A transfers all the DT stock to FA in exchange solely for 
75 shares of FA stock. FA acquires the FT stock with a principal 
purpose of avoiding the purposes of section 7874.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(iv) of this section, the 
FT stock constitutes nonqualified property because a principal 
purpose of FA acquiring the FT stock is to avoid the purposes of 
section 7874. Accordingly, the 25 shares of FA stock transferred by 
FA to PRS in exchange for the FT stock constitute disqualified stock 
described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of this section. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not 
reduce the amount of disqualified stock described in paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of this section because the transfer of FA stock in 
exchange for the FT stock increases the fair market value of FA's 
assets by the fair market value of the FT stock. Under paragraph (b) 
of this section, the 25 shares of FA stock transferred to PRS are 
not included in the denominator of the ownership fraction. 
Furthermore, even in the absence of paragraph (i)(2)(iv) of this 
section, the transfer of marketable securities to FT would be 
disregarded pursuant to section 7874(c)(4). Accordingly, the only FA 
stock included in the ownership fraction is the FA stock transferred 
to Individual A in exchange for the DT stock, and that FA stock is 
included in both the numerator and the denominator of the ownership 
fraction. Thus, the ownership fraction is 75/75.
    Example 3.  Stock transferred in exchange for property acquired 
with a principal purpose of avoiding the purposes of section 7874--
(i) Facts. DT is a publicly traded corporation. PRS is a foreign 
partnership that is unrelated to DT. PRS transfers certain business 
assets (PRS properties) to FA, a newly formed foreign corporation, 
in exchange solely for 25 shares of FA stock. The shareholders of DT 
transfer all of their DT stock to FA in exchange solely for the 
remaining 75 shares of FA stock (DT acquisition). None of the PRS 
properties is property described in paragraph (i)(2)(i) through 
(iii) of this section, but FA acquires the PRS properties with a 
principal purpose of avoiding the purposes of section 7874.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(iv) of this section, the 
PRS properties transferred to FA constitute nonqualified property, 
because FA acquires the PRS properties in a transaction related to 
the DT acquisition with a principal purpose of avoiding the purposes 
of section 7874. Accordingly, the 25 shares of FA stock transferred 
by FA to PRS in exchange for the PRS properties constitute 
disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section by 
reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. Paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section does not apply to reduce the amount of disqualified 
stock described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section because the 
transfer of FA stock in exchange for the PRS properties increases 
the fair market value of FA's assets by the fair market value of the 
PRS properties. Accordingly, pursuant to paragraph (b) of this 
section, the 25 shares of FA stock transferred to PRS in exchange 
for the PRS properties are not included in the denominator of the 
ownership fraction. Furthermore, even in the absence of paragraph 
(i)(2)(iv) of this section, the transfer of the PRS properties to FA 
would be disregarded pursuant to section 7874(c)(4). Therefore, the 
only FA stock included in the ownership fraction is the FA stock 
transferred to the former domestic entity shareholders of DT in 
exchange for their DT stock, and that FA stock is included in both 
the numerator and the denominator of the ownership fraction. Thus, 
the ownership fraction is 75/75.
    Example 4.  Stock transferred in exchange for stock of a foreign 
corporation that becomes a member of the expanded affiliated group--
(i) Facts. FT, a publicly traded corporation, forms FA, and then FA 
forms DMS and FMS. FMS merges with and into FT, with FT surviving 
the merger (FMS-FT merger). Pursuant to the FMS-FT merger, the FT 
shareholders exchange their FT stock solely for 100 shares of FA 
stock and FT becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of FA. Following the 
FMS-FT merger, DMS merges with and into DT, also a publicly traded 
corporation, with DT surviving the merger (DT acquisition). Pursuant 
to the DT acquisition, the DT shareholders exchange their DT stock 
solely for the remaining 100 shares of FA stock, and DT becomes a 
wholly owned subsidiary of FA. After the completion of the plan, FA 
wholly owns FT and DT, DMS and FMS cease to exist, and the stock of 
FA is publicly traded.
    (ii) Analysis. Because FT becomes a member of the expanded 
affiliated group that includes FA in a transaction related to the DT 
acquisition, the FT stock does not constitute marketable securities 
(within the meaning of paragraph (i)(1) of this section) and 
therefore does not constitute nonqualified property pursuant to 
paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of this section. Accordingly, no FA stock is 
disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section and 
therefore the FA stock transferred in exchange for the FT stock and 
DT stock is included in the denominator of the ownership fraction. 
Thus, the ownership fraction is 100/200.
    (iii) Alternative facts. The facts are the same as in paragraph 
(i) of this Example 4, except that, instead of undertaking the FMS-
FT merger, FT merges with and into FA with FA surviving the merger 
(FT-FA merger). Pursuant to the FT-FA merger, the FT shareholders 
exchange their FT stock solely for 100 shares of FA stock. At the 
time of the FT-FA merger, FT does not hold nonqualified property and 
has no obligations. Accordingly, FA stock transferred by FA to FT in 
exchange for the property of FT is not disqualified stock described 
in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. Furthermore, pursuant to 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the 100 shares of FA stock 
transferred by FT to the shareholders of FT in exchange for their FT 
stock do not constitute disqualified stock described in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section. Although the FT stock is nonqualified 
property (the FT stock constitutes marketable securities within the 
meaning of paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of this section because the stock of 
FT is publicly traded and FT is not a member of the expanded 
affiliated group that includes FA after the DT acquisition), under 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the transfer of FA stock by FT to 
the shareholders of FT neither increases the fair market value of 
the assets of FA nor decreases the liabilities of FA. Accordingly, 
no FA stock is disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section and, therefore, the FA stock transferred in exchange 
for the assets of FT and the DT stock is included in the denominator 
of the ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership fraction is 100/200.
    Example 5.  De minimis exception--(i) Facts. Individual A wholly 
owns DT. The fair market value of the DT stock is $100x. PRS 
transfers $96x of cash to FA, a newly formed corporation, in 
exchange solely for 96 shares of FA stock. Then Individual A 
transfers the DT stock to FA in exchange for $96x of cash and 4 
shares of FA stock (DT acquisition).
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section, cash 
constitutes nonqualified property. Accordingly, the 96 shares of FA 
stock transferred by FA to PRS in exchange for $96x of cash 
constitute disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. 
Furthermore, paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not reduce the 
amount of disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section because the transfer of FA stock in exchange for $96x 
of cash increases the fair market value of the assets of FA by $96x. 
However, without regard to the application of paragraph (b) of this 
section and Sec. Sec.  1.7874-7T(b) and 1.7874-10T(b), the ownership 
percentage described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) would be less than 
5 (by vote and value), or 4 (4/100, or 4 shares of FA stock held by 
Individual A by reason of owning the DT stock, determined under 
Sec.  1.7874-2(f)(2), over 100 shares of FA stock outstanding after 
the DT acquisition). Furthermore, after the DT acquisition and all 
related transactions, Individual A owns less than 5% (by vote and 
value, applying the attribution rules of section 318(a) with the 
modifications described in section 304(c)(3)(B)) of the stock of FA 
and DT (the members of the expanded affiliated group that includes 
FA). Accordingly, the de minimis exception in paragraph (d)(1) of 
this section applies and therefore paragraph (b) of this section 
does not apply to exclude the FA stock transferred to PRS from the

[[Page 5398]]

denominator of the ownership fraction. Therefore, the FA stock 
transferred to Individual A and PRS is included in the denominator 
of the ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership fraction is 4/100.
    Example 6.  Obligation of the expanded affiliated group 
satisfied with stock--(i) Facts. Individual A wholly owns DT. The 
stock of DT held by Individual A has a fair market value of $75x. 
Individual A also holds an obligation of DT with a value and face 
amount of $25x. DT holds property with a value of $100x, and the 
$25x obligation is associated with the property. FA, a newly formed 
corporation, transfers 100 shares of FA stock to Individual A in 
exchange for all the DT stock and the $25x obligation of DT.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(iii)(A) of this section, 
the $25x obligation of DT constitutes nonqualified property because 
DT is a member of the expanded affiliated group that includes FA, 
and Individual A (the holder of the obligation immediately before 
the domestic entity acquisition and any related transaction) is not 
a member of the EAG after the domestic entity acquisition and all 
related transactions. Thus, the shares of FA stock transferred by FA 
to Individual A in exchange for the obligation of DT constitute 
disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section by 
reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. Under Sec.  1.7874-
2(f)(2), Individual A is treated as receiving 75 shares of FA stock 
in exchange for the DT stock (100 x $75x/$100x) and 25 shares of FA 
stock in exchange for the obligation of DT (100 x $25x/$100x). Thus, 
25 shares of FA stock constitute disqualified stock described in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not reduce the 
amount of disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section because the transfer of FA stock for the $25x 
obligation increases the fair market value of FA's assets by $25x. 
Therefore, under paragraph (b) of this section, the 25 shares of FA 
stock transferred to Individual A in exchange for the obligation of 
DT are not included in the denominator of the ownership fraction. 
Accordingly, the only FA stock included in the ownership fraction is 
the 75 shares of FA stock transferred to Individual A in exchange 
for the DT stock, and that FA stock is included in both the 
numerator and the denominator of the ownership fraction. Thus, the 
ownership fraction is 75/75.
    (iii) Alternative facts. The facts are the same as in paragraph 
(i) of this Example 6, except that instead of acquiring the stock of 
DT and the $25x obligation of DT, FA acquires the $100x of property 
from DT in exchange solely for 100 shares of FA stock. DT 
distributes 75 shares of FA stock to Individual A in exchange for 
Individual A's DT stock and transfers 25 shares of FA stock to 
Individual A in satisfaction of DT's obligation to Individual A, and 
liquidates. The 25 shares of FA stock transferred by FA to DT in 
exchange for the property of DT and then transferred by DT in 
satisfaction of DT's obligation to Individual A constitute 
disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section by 
reason of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. Paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section does not reduce the amount of disqualified stock 
described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section because the 
transfer of FA stock in exchange for the property of DT increases 
the fair market value of FA's assets by $100x (although the amount 
of disqualified stock is limited to 25 shares of FA stock in this 
case). Therefore, under paragraph (b) of this section, the 25 shares 
of FA stock that constitute disqualified stock are not included in 
the denominator of the ownership fraction. Accordingly, only 75 
shares of FA stock are included in the ownership fraction, and that 
FA stock is included in both the numerator and the denominator of 
the ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership fraction is 75/75.
    Example 7.  ``Over-the-top'' stock transfer--(i) Facts. 
Individual A wholly owns DT. Individual B holds all 100 outstanding 
shares of FA stock. Individual C acquires 20 shares of FA stock from 
Individual B for cash, and then FA acquires all of the stock of DT 
from Individual A in exchange solely for 100 shares of FA stock.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section, cash 
constitutes nonqualified property. Accordingly, absent the 
application of paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the 20 shares of FA 
stock transferred by Individual B to Individual C in exchange for 
cash would constitute disqualified stock described in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this 
section. Nevertheless, because Individual B's sale of FA stock 
neither increases the assets of FA nor decreases the liabilities of 
FA, such FA stock is not disqualified stock by reason of paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section. Accordingly, paragraph (b) of this section 
does not apply to exclude the 20 shares of FA stock sold by 
Individual B to Individual C, and that FA stock is included in the 
denominator of the ownership fraction. The 100 shares of FA stock 
received by Individual A are the only shares included in the 
numerator of the ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership fraction is 
100/200.
    Example 8. Interaction with internal group restructuring rule--
(i) Facts. P holds 85 shares of DT stock. The remaining 15 shares of 
DT stock are held by Individual A. P and Individual A transfer their 
shares of DT stock to FA, a newly formed corporation, in exchange 
for 85 and 15 shares of FA stock, respectively (DT acquisition), and 
PRS transfers $75x of cash to FA in exchange for the remaining 75 
shares of FA stock.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section, cash 
constitutes nonqualified property. Accordingly, the 75 shares of FA 
stock transferred by FA to PRS in exchange for $75x of cash 
constitute disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. 
Furthermore, paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not reduce the 
amount of disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section because the transfer of FA stock in exchange for $75x 
of cash increases the fair market value of the assets of FA by $75x. 
Therefore, under paragraph (b) of this section, the 75 shares of FA 
stock transferred to PRS are not included in the denominator of the 
ownership fraction. Although PRS's shares of FA stock are excluded 
from the denominator of the ownership fraction under paragraph (b) 
of this section, under paragraph (h) of this section, such shares of 
FA stock nonetheless are taken into account for purposes of 
determining whether P is a member of the expanded affiliated group 
that includes FA and for purposes of determining whether the DT 
acquisition qualifies as an internal group restructuring. Because P 
holds 48.6% of the FA stock (85/175) after the DT acquisition and 
all transactions related to the DT acquisition, it is not a member 
of the expanded affiliated group that includes FA. In addition, the 
DT acquisition does not qualify as an internal group restructuring 
described in Sec.  1.7874-1(c)(2) because P does not hold, directly 
or indirectly, 80% or more of the shares of FA stock (by vote and 
value) after the DT acquisition and all transactions related to the 
DT acquisition. Therefore, the FA stock held by P (along with the FA 
stock held by Individual A) is included in the numerator and the 
denominator of the ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership fraction 
is 100/100.
    Example 9.  Interaction with loss of control rule--(i) Facts. P 
wholly owns DT. P transfers all of its shares of DT stock to FA, a 
newly formed corporation, in exchange for 49 shares of FA stock (DT 
acquisition), and R transfers marketable securities (within the 
meaning of paragraph (i)(1) of this section) to FA in exchange for 
the remaining 51 shares of FA stock.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of this section, the 
marketable securities constitute nonqualified property. Accordingly, 
the shares of FA stock transferred by FA to R in exchange for the 
marketable securities constitute disqualified stock described in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not reduce the 
amount of disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section because the transfer of FA stock in exchange for the 
marketable securities increases the fair market value of the assets 
of FA by the fair market value of the marketable securities 
transferred. Therefore, under paragraph (b) of this section, the 
shares of FA stock transferred to R are not included in the 
denominator of the ownership fraction. Although under paragraph (b) 
of this section R's shares of FA stock are excluded from the 
denominator of the ownership fraction, under paragraph (h) of this 
section, such stock is taken into account for purposes of 
determining whether P or R is a member of the expanded affiliated 
group that includes FA. Because P holds 49% of the shares of FA 
stock (49/100), P is not a member of the expanded affiliated group 
that includes FA, and P's FA stock is included in both the numerator 
and the denominator of the ownership fraction. Because R holds 51% 
of the shares of FA stock (51/100), R is a member of the expanded 
affiliated group that includes FA and, before taking into account 
Sec.  1.7874-1(c), R's FA stock would be excluded from the numerator 
and denominator of the ownership fraction under section 
7874(c)(2)(A) and Sec.  1.7874-1(b). However, the DT acquisition 
results in a loss of control described in Sec.  1.7874-1(c)(3)

[[Page 5399]]

because P does not hold, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, 
more than 50% of the shares of stock (by vote or value) of R, FA, or 
DT after the acquisition. Accordingly, the FA stock held by R would 
be included in the denominator of the ownership fraction under Sec.  
1.7874-1(c)(1). Nevertheless, the FA stock held by R is excluded 
from the denominator of the ownership fraction under paragraphs (b) 
and (h) of this section. Thus, the ownership fraction is 49/49.
    (iii) Alternative facts. The facts are the same as in paragraph 
(i) of this Example 9, except that, in exchange for 51 shares of FA 
stock, R transfers marketable securities (within the meaning of 
paragraph (i)(1) of this section) with a value equal to that of 16 
shares of FA stock and qualified property (within the meaning of 
paragraph (i)(2) of this section) with a value equal to that of 35 
shares of FA stock. Accordingly, 16 of the 51 shares of FA stock 
transferred to R constitute disqualified stock described in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section, and 35 of such shares do not constitute disqualified 
stock. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not reduce the amount 
of disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this 
section because the transfer of FA stock in exchange for the 
marketable securities increases the fair market value of the assets 
of FA by the fair market value of the marketable securities 
transferred. Therefore, under paragraph (b) of this section, 16 of 
the 51 shares of FA stock transferred to R are not included in the 
denominator of the ownership fraction. Although 16 of the 51 shares 
of FA stock that are transferred to R are excluded from the 
denominator of the ownership fraction, under paragraph (h) of this 
section, all 51 of R's shares of FA stock are taken into account for 
purposes of determining whether P or R is a member of the expanded 
affiliated group that includes FA. Because P holds 49% of the shares 
of FA stock (49/100), it is not a member of the expanded affiliated 
group that includes FA, and its FA stock is included in both the 
numerator and the denominator of the ownership fraction. Because R 
holds 51% of the shares of FA stock (51/100), it is a member of the 
expanded affiliated group that includes FA and, before taking into 
account Sec.  1.7874-1(c), its FA stock is excluded from the 
numerator and denominator of the ownership fraction under section 
7874(c)(2)(A) and Sec.  1.7874-1(b). However, the DT acquisition 
results in a loss of control described in Sec.  1.7874-1(c)(3) 
because P does not hold, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, 
more than 50% of the shares of stock (by vote or value) of R, FA, or 
DT after the acquisition. Accordingly, the 51 shares of FA stock 
held by R would be included in the denominator of the ownership 
fraction under Sec.  1.7874-1(c)(1). Nevertheless, the 16 shares of 
FA stock that constitute disqualified stock are excluded from the 
denominator of the ownership fraction under paragraphs (b) and (h) 
of this section. In addition, the 35 shares of FA stock received by 
R that do not constitute disqualified stock are included in the 
denominator. Thus, the ownership fraction is 49/84.
    Example 10.  Stock issued in lieu of assuming associated 
obligation--(i) Facts. Individual A wholly owns DT. The stock of DT 
has a fair market value of $100x. Individual B wholly owns FT, a 
foreign corporation, which conducts two businesses, Business C and 
Business D. Business C comprises property with a gross fair market 
value of $70x and $20x of associated obligations. Business D 
comprises property with a gross fair market value of $45x and $35x 
of associated obligations. Individual A transfers all of the shares 
of DT stock to FA, a newly formed corporation, in exchange for $100x 
of FA stock (DT acquisition). In transactions related to the DT 
acquisition, FA acquires all of the Business C property from FT in 
exchange for $70x of FA stock and then FT transfers $30x of the FA 
stock to its creditors in satisfaction of $30x of its obligations. 
None of the Business C property is nonqualified property.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason 
of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the $30x of FA stock 
transferred to FT (the transferee) in exchange for the Business C 
property (the exchanged property) and then transferred by FT in 
satisfaction of $30x of its obligations is disqualified stock, 
except to the extent limited by paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B) of this 
section. Under paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B)(1) of this section, the 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property that is not assumed by FA must be determined. The 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property is $20x, calculated as $20x (the obligations associated 
with the Business C properties) multiplied by $70x/$70x (the fair 
market value of the exchanged property, $70x, relative to the fair 
market value of all the Business C property, $70x). The 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property that is not assumed by FA is $20x, calculated as the 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property ($20x) less the obligations assumed by FA ($0x). Under 
paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B)(2) of this section, the amount of 
disqualified stock is limited to the proportionate share of 
obligations associated with the exchanged property that is not 
assumed ($20x) multiplied by a fraction, which in this case is $70x/
$70x (the amount of exchanged property that is qualified property, 
$70x, divided by the total amount of exchanged property, $70x). 
Accordingly, $20x of FA stock is disqualified stock under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this 
section. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not reduce the amount 
of disqualified stock described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this 
section because the transfer of the FA stock in exchange for the 
exchanged property increases the fair market value of FA's assets by 
$70x (although the amount of disqualified stock is limited to $20x 
of FA stock in this case). Therefore, under paragraph (b) of this 
section, the $20x of FA stock that constitutes disqualified stock is 
not included in the denominator of the ownership fraction. 
Accordingly, only $150x of FA stock is included in the denominator 
of the ownership fraction, calculated as the $100x of FA stock 
received by Individual A plus the $70x of FA stock received by FT 
less the $20x of FA stock that is disqualified stock. Thus, the 
ownership fraction is $100x/$150x. The result would be the same if, 
in transactions related to the DT acquisition, FT instead sold the 
$30x of FA stock for $30x cash and then transferred the cash in 
satisfaction of $30x of its obligations.
    (iii) Alternative facts. The facts are the same as in paragraph 
(i) of this Example 10, except that FA acquires only $42x of the 
Business C property in exchange for $30x of FA stock and the 
assumption of $12x of the obligations associated with the Business C 
property. Under paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of 
paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the $30x of FA stock 
transferred to FT (the transferee) in exchange for the Business C 
property (the exchanged property) and then transferred by FT in 
satisfaction of $30x of its obligations is disqualified stock, 
except to the extent limited by paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B) of this 
section. Under paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B)(1) of this section, the 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property that is not assumed by FA must be determined. The 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property is $12x, calculated as $20x (the obligations associated 
with the Business C property) multiplied by $42x/$70x (the fair 
market value of the exchanged property, $42x, relative to the fair 
market value of all the Business C property, $70x). The 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property that is not assumed by FA is $0, calculated as the 
proportionate share of obligations associated with the exchanged 
property ($12x) less the obligations assumed by FA ($12x). 
Accordingly, as a result of the application of paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(B)(2) of this section, no FA stock is disqualified stock 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii) of this section. As a result, $130x of FA stock is 
included in the denominator of the ownership fraction, calculated as 
the $100x of FA stock received by Individual A plus the $30x of FA 
stock received by FT. Thus, the ownership fraction is $100x/$130x.

    (k) Applicability dates--(1) General rule. Except to the extent 
otherwise provided in paragraph (k) of this section, this section 
applies to domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after September 
17, 2009. Paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2)(iv) of this section apply to 
domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after November 19, 2015. 
Paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section applies to domestic entity 
acquisitions completed on or after April 4, 2016. Paragraphs 
(c)(1)(ii), (d)(1)(ii), (i)(2)(iii), and (i)(3) of this section apply 
to domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after January 13, 2017. 
For domestic entity acquisitions completed before November 19, 2015, 
see Sec.  1.7874-4T(i)(6) and (i)(7)(iv) (the predecessors of 
paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2)(iv) of this section) as contained in 26 
CFR part 1 revised as of April 1, 2016. For domestic entity 
acquisitions completed on or after September 22, 2014, and before April 
4,

[[Page 5400]]

2016, see Sec.  1.7874-4T(d)(1)(i) as contained in 26 CFR part 1 
revised as of April 1, 2016. For domestic entity acquisitions completed 
before January 13, 2017, see Sec.  1.7874-4T(c)(1)(ii), (d)(1)(ii), 
(i)(7)(iii) (the predecessor of paragraph (i)(2)(iii) of this section), 
and (i)(8) (the predecessor of paragraph (i)(3) of this section) as 
contained in 26 CFR part 1 revised as of April 1, 2016.
    (2) Transitional rules for domestic entity acquisitions completed 
on or after September 17, 2009, but before January 16, 2014. For 
domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after September 17, 2009, 
but before January 16, 2014, except as provided in paragraph (k)(3) of 
this section, this section shall be applied with the following 
modifications:
    (i) Nonqualified property does not include property described in 
paragraph (i)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) A transfer is limited to an issuance of stock of the foreign 
acquiring corporation.
    (iii) The determination of whether stock of the foreign acquiring 
corporation is described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section is made 
without regard to paragraphs (c)(1)(ii), (c)(2), and (e) of this 
section.
    (iv) Paragraphs (d) and (h) of this section do not apply.
    (3) Election for domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after 
September 17, 2009, and before January 13, 2017. If, pursuant to 
paragraph (k)(1) or (2) of this section, a paragraph of this section 
would not otherwise apply to a domestic entity acquisition completed on 
or after September 17, 2009, and before January 13, 2017 (transition 
period), a taxpayer may elect to apply the paragraph if the taxpayer 
applies the paragraph consistently to all acquisitions completed during 
the transition period. The election is made by applying the paragraph 
to all such acquisitions on a timely filed original return (including 
extensions) or an amended return filed no later than six months after 
January 13, 2017. A separate statement or form evidencing the election 
need not be filed.


1.7874-4T   [Removed]

0
Par. 3. Section 1.7874-4T is removed.

0
Par. 4. Section 1.7874-5 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.7874-5   Effect of certain transfers of stock related to the 
acquisition.

    (a) General rule. Stock of a foreign acquiring corporation that is 
described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) shall not cease to be so 
described as a result of any subsequent transfer of the stock by the 
former domestic entity shareholder or former domestic entity partner 
that received such stock, even if the subsequent transfer is related to 
the domestic entity acquisition.
    (b) Example. The rule of this section is illustrated by the 
following example:

    Example.  (i) Facts. Individual A wholly owns DT, a domestic 
corporation. FA, a newly formed foreign corporation, acquires all of 
the stock of DT from Individual A in exchange solely for 100 shares 
of FA stock. Pursuant to a binding commitment that was entered into 
in connection with FA's acquisition of the DT stock, Individual A 
sells 25 shares of FA stock to B, an unrelated person, in exchange 
for cash. For federal income tax purposes, the form of the steps of 
the transaction is respected.
    (ii) Analysis. Under Sec.  1.7874-2(f)(1), the 100 shares of FA 
stock received by Individual A are stock of a foreign corporation 
(FA) that is held by reason of holding stock in a domestic 
corporation (DT). Accordingly, such stock is described in section 
7874(a)(2)(B)(ii). Under paragraph (a) of this section, all 100 
shares of FA stock retain their status as being described in section 
7874(a)(2)(B)(ii), even though Individual A sells 25 of the 100 
shares in connection with the acquisition described in section 
7874(a)(2)(B)(i) pursuant to the binding commitment. Therefore, all 
100 of the shares of FA stock are included in both the numerator and 
denominator of the ownership fraction.

    (c) Certain transfers involving expanded affiliated group members. 
For rules addressing whether certain stock is treated as held by 
members of the expanded affiliated group for purposes of applying 
section 7874(c)(2)(A) and Sec.  1.7874-1, see Sec.  1.7874-6T.
    (d) Definitions. The definitions provided in Sec.  1.7874-12T apply 
for purposes of this section.
    (e) Applicability dates. This section applies to domestic entity 
acquisitions that are completed on or after January 16, 2014.


Sec.  1.7874-5T   [Removed]

0
Par. 5. Section 1.7874-5T is removed.

0
Par. 6. Section 1.7874-7T is amended by revising paragraph (c)(2) and 
paragraph (h) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.7874-7T   Disregard of certain stock attributable to passive 
assets (temporary).

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) After the domestic entity acquisition and all related 
transactions, each former domestic entity shareholder or former 
domestic entity partner, as applicable, owns (applying the attribution 
rules of section 318(a) with the modifications described in section 
304(c)(3)(B)) less than five percent (by vote and value) of the stock 
of (or a partnership interest in) each member of the expanded 
affiliated group.
* * * * *
    (h) Applicability dates. Except as otherwise provided in this 
paragraph (h), this section applies to domestic entity acquisitions 
completed on or after September 22, 2014. Paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section applies to domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after 
January 13, 2017, and paragraphs (c)(1), (d), and (f)(2) and (4) of 
this section apply to domestic entity acquisitions completed on or 
after April 4, 2016. Paragraphs (f)(1)(i)(A)(2) and (f)(1)(i)(D) of 
this section, as well as the portion of paragraph (f)(1)(i)(C) of this 
section relating to property that gives rise to income described in 
section 1297(b)(2)(B), apply to domestic entity acquisitions completed 
on or after November 19, 2015. However, for domestic entity 
acquisitions completed on or after September 22, 2014, and before April 
4, 2016, taxpayers may elect to apply paragraphs (c)(1), (d), and 
(f)(2) and (4) of this section. For domestic entity acquisitions 
completed on or after September 22, 2014, and before January 13, 2017, 
taxpayers may elect to apply paragraph (c)(2) of this section or Sec.  
1.7874-7T(c)(2) as contained in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (IRB) 
2016-20 (see https://www.irs.gov/irb/2016-20_IRB/ar05.html). In 
addition, for domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after 
September 22, 2014, and before April 4, 2016, taxpayers may elect to 
apply paragraph (f)(2) of this section by substituting the term 
``expanded affiliated group'' for the term ``modified expanded 
affiliated group.'' Furthermore, for domestic entity acquisitions 
completed on or after September 22, 2014, and before November 19, 2015, 
taxpayers may elect to apply paragraphs (f)(1)(i)(A)(2) and 
(f)(1)(i)(D) of this section, as well as the portion of paragraph 
(f)(1)(i)(C) of this section relating to property that gives rise to 
income described in section 1297(b)(2)(B).
* * * * *

0
Par. 7. Section 1.7874-10T is amended by revising paragraph (d)(2) and 
paragraph (i) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.7874-10T  Disregard of certain distributions (temporary).

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) After the domestic entity acquisition and all related 
transactions, each former domestic entity shareholder or former 
domestic entity partner, as applicable, owns (applying the attribution 
rules of section 318(a) with

[[Page 5401]]

the modifications described in section 304(c)(3)(B)) less than five 
percent (by vote and value) of the stock of (or a partnership interest 
in) each member of the expanded affiliated group.
* * * * *
    (i) Applicability date. Except as otherwise provided in this 
paragraph (i), this section applies to domestic entity acquisitions 
completed on or after September 22, 2014. Paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section applies to domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after 
January 13, 2017, and paragraph (d)(1) of this section applies to 
domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after November 19, 2015. 
Paragraph (g) of this section applies to domestic entity acquisitions 
completed on or after April 4, 2016. However, for domestic entity 
acquisitions completed on or after September 22, 2014, and before 
November 19, 2015, taxpayers may elect to apply paragraph (d)(1) of 
this section. For domestic entity acquisitions completed on or after 
September 22, 2014, and before January 13, 2017, taxpayers may elect to 
apply paragraph (d)(2) of this section or Sec.  1.7874-10T(d)(2) as 
contained in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (IRB) 2016-20 (see https://www.irs.gov/irb/2016-20_IRB/ar05.html). In addition, for domestic 
entity acquisitions completed on or after September 22, 2014, and 
before April 4, 2016, taxpayers may elect to determine NOCDs 
consistently on the basis of taxable years, in lieu of 12-month 
periods, in a manner consistent with the principles of this section. 
See paragraph (h)(5) of this section.
* * * * *

0
Par. 8. Section 1.7874-12T is amended by revising the introductory text 
of paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.7874-12T   Definitions (temporary).

    (a) Definitions. Except as otherwise provided, the following 
definitions apply for purposes of this section and Sec. Sec.  1.367(b)-
4T, 1.956-2T, 1.7701(l)-4T, 1.7874-2, 1.7874-2T, 1.7874-4, 1.7874-5, 
and 1.7874-6T through 1.7874-11T.
* * * * *


Sec. Sec.  1.7874-1, 1.7874-6T, 1.7874-7T, 1.7874-9T, and 1.7874-10T   
[Amended]

0
Par. 9. For each provision listed in the table below, removing the 
language in the ``Remove'' column and adding in its place the language 
in the ``Add'' column:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Provision                   Remove                Add
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   1.7874-1(c)(1), second     Sec.   1.7874-4T..  Sec.   1.7874-4
 sentence.
Sec.   1.7874-1(c)(1), second     Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-4(h)
 sentence.                         4T(h).
Sec.   1.7874-6T(g), Example      Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-
 4(iii), first sentence.           4T(i)(7).           4(i)(2)
Sec.   1.7874-7T(b)(1), first     Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-4(b)
 sentence.                         4T(b).
Sec.   1.7874-7T(c)(1)..........  Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-4(b)
                                   4T(b).
Sec.   1.7874-7T(f)(1)(i).......  Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-
                                   4T(i)(7).           4(i)(2)
Sec.   1.7874-7T(f)(2),           Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-4(b)
 introductory text.                4T(b).
Sec.   1.7874-7T(f)(3)(i).......  Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-4(b)
                                   4T(b).
Sec.   1.7874-7T(f)(3)(ii)......  Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-4(b)
                                   4T(b).
Sec.   1.7874-7T(g), Example      Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-
 1(i), penultimate sentence.       4T(i)(7).           4(i)(2)
Sec.   1.7874-7T(g), Example      Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-4(c)
 1(ii), first sentence.            4T(c).
Sec.   1.7874-7T(g), Example      Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-4(b)
 1(ii), first sentence.            4T(b).
Sec.   1.7874-7T(g), Example      Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-
 2(i), last sentence.              4T(i)(7).           4(i)(2)
Sec.   1.7874-7T(g), Example      Sec.  Sec.          Sec.  Sec.
 2(ii), first sentence.            1.7874-4T(b) and.   1.7874-4(b) and
Sec.   1.7874-7T(g), Example      Sec.   1.7874-      Sec.   1.7874-
 3(i), penultimate sentence.       4T(i)(7).           4(i)(2)
Sec.   1.7874-9T(e)(3),           Sec.   1.7874-4T..  Sec.   1.7874-4
 introductory text.
Sec.   1.7874-10T(d)(1),          Sec.  Sec.          Sec.  Sec.
 introductory text.                1.7874-4T(b) and.   1.7874-4(b) and
Sec.   1.7874-10T(f)(3)(iii)(B).  Sec.  Sec.          Sec.  Sec.
                                   1.7874-4T and.      1.7874-4 and
------------------------------------------------------------------------


John Dalrymple,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
    Approved: December 6, 2016.
Mark J. Mazur
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. 2017-00643 Filed 1-13-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 4830-01-P



                                                5388             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                   The Treasury Department and the IRS                  List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1                      § 1.337(d)–7T Tax on property owned by a
                                                decline to withdraw the temporary                                                                              C corporation that becomes property of a
                                                                                                          Income taxes, Reporting and                          RIC or REIT.
                                                regulations and the proposed                            recordkeeping requirements.
                                                regulations relating to the recognition                                                                        *      *    *     *     *
                                                period but agree with the comment                       Adoption of Amendments to the                            (b)(1) through (3) [Reserved]. For
                                                relating to the length of the recognition               Regulations                                            further guidance, see § 1.337(d)–7(b)(1)
                                                period. Accordingly, these final                          Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is                        through (3).
                                                regulations provide that the term                       amended as follows:                                    *      *    *     *     *
                                                recognition period means the                                                                                     (g) * * *
                                                recognition period described in section                 PART 1—INCOME TAXES                                      (2) * * *
                                                1374(d)(7), beginning, in the case of a                                                                          (iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance,
                                                conversion transaction that is a                        ■ Paragraph 1. The authority citation
                                                                                                                                                               see § 1.337(d)–7(g)(2)(iii).
                                                qualification of a C corporation as a RIC               for part 1 continues to read in part as
                                                                                                        follows:                                               *      *    *     *     *
                                                or a REIT, on the first day of the RIC’s
                                                or the REIT’s first taxable year, and, in                   Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *                    John Dalrymple,
                                                the case of other conversion                            *     *       *    *      *                            Deputy Commissioner for Services and
                                                transactions, on the day the RIC or the                 ■ Par. 2. Section 1.337(d)–7 is amended
                                                                                                                                                               Enforcement.
                                                REIT acquires the property. The final                   by revising paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) and                   Approved: December 30, 2016.
                                                regulations will apply prospectively                    (g)(2)(iii) to read as follows:                        Mark J. Mazur,
                                                from February 17, 2017, but taxpayers                                                                          Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax
                                                may choose to apply the definition of                   § 1.337(d)–7 Tax on property owned by a C              Policy).
                                                recognition period in the final                         corporation that becomes property of a RIC
                                                                                                                                                               [FR Doc. 2017–00479 Filed 1–17–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                        or REIT.
                                                regulations, instead of the 10-year                                                                            BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
                                                recognition period in the temporary                     *       *    *     *      *
                                                regulations, for conversion transactions                   (b) * * *
                                                                                                           (2) * * *
                                                occurring on or after August 8, 2016,                      (iii) Recognition period. For purposes              DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                                                and on or before February 17, 2017.                     of applying the rules of section 1374
                                                   The Treasury Department and the IRS                                                                         Internal Revenue Service
                                                                                                        and the regulations thereunder, as
                                                continue to study the other issues                      modified by paragraph (b) of this
                                                addressed in the temporary regulations                                                                         26 CFR Part 1
                                                                                                        section, the term recognition period
                                                and the proposed regulations, including                 means the recognition period described                 [TD 9812]
                                                other issues raised by the comment, and                 in section 1374(d)(7), beginning—
                                                welcome further comment on those                                                                               RIN 1545–BL00; 1545–BM45
                                                                                                           (A) In the case of a conversion
                                                issues.                                                 transaction that is a qualification of a C             Guidance for Determining Stock
                                                Special Analyses                                        corporation as a RIC or a REIT, on the                 Ownership; Rules Regarding
                                                                                                        first day of the RIC’s or the REIT’s first             Inversions and Related Transactions
                                                  Certain IRS regulations, including this               taxable year; and
                                                one, are exempt from the requirements                      (B) In the case of other conversion                 AGENCY:  Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
                                                of Executive Order 12866, as                            transactions, on the day the RIC or the                Treasury.
                                                supplemented by Executive Order                         REIT acquires the property.                            ACTION: Final regulations, temporary
                                                13653. Therefore, a regulatory                          *       *    *     *      *                            regulations, and removal of temporary
                                                assessment is not required. Pursuant to                    (g) * * *                                           regulations.
                                                the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.                   (2) * * *
                                                chapter 6), it is hereby certified that this               (iii) Recognition period. Paragraphs                SUMMARY:   This document contains final
                                                regulation will not have a significant                  (b)(1)(ii) and (d)(2)(iii) of this section             regulations that identify certain stock of
                                                economic impact on a substantial                        apply to conversion transactions that                  a foreign corporation that is disregarded
                                                number of small entities. This                          occur on or after August 8, 2016.                      in calculating ownership of the foreign
                                                certification is based on the fact that this            Paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section                  corporation for purposes of determining
                                                regulation will primarily affect large                  applies to conversion transactions that                whether it is a surrogate foreign
                                                corporations with a substantial number                  occur after February 17, 2017. For                     corporation. These regulations also
                                                of shareholders. Accordingly, a                         conversion transactions that occurred                  provide guidance on the effect of
                                                regulatory flexibility analysis is not                  on or after August 8, 2016 and on or                   transfers of stock of a foreign
                                                required. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of                before February 17, 2017, see                          corporation after the foreign corporation
                                                the Internal Revenue Code, the notice of                § 1.337(d)–7T(b)(2)(iii) in effect on                  has acquired substantially all of the
                                                proposed rulemaking preceding this                      August 8, 2016. However, taxpayers                     properties of a domestic corporation or
                                                regulation was submitted to the Chief                   may apply paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this                of a trade or business of a domestic
                                                Counsel for Advocacy of the Small                       section to conversion transactions that                partnership. These regulations affect
                                                Business Administration for comment                     occurred on or after August 8, 2016 and                certain domestic corporations and
                                                on its impact on small business, and no                 on or before February 17, 2017. For                    partnerships (and certain parties related
                                                comments were received.                                 conversion transactions that occurred                  thereto) and foreign corporations that
                                                                                                        on or after January 2, 2002 and before                 acquire substantially all of the
                                                Drafting Information
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                                                                                                        August 8, 2016, see § 1.337(d)–7 as                    properties of such domestic
                                                   The principal author of these                        contained in 26 CFR part 1 in effect on                corporations or of the trades or
                                                regulations is Austin M. Diamond-Jones,                 April 1, 2016.                                         businesses of such domestic
                                                Office of Associate Chief Counsel                       ■ Par. 3. Section 1.337(d)–7T is                       partnerships. The text of the temporary
                                                (Corporate). However, other personnel                   amended by revising paragraphs (b)(1)                  regulations also serves as the text of the
                                                from the Treasury Department and the                    through (3) and (g)(2)(iii) to read as                 proposed regulations set forth in the
                                                IRS participated in their development.                  follows:                                               notice of proposed rulemaking on Rules


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                         5389

                                                Regarding Inversions and Related                        preamble as the ‘‘temporary                            certain regulations under sections
                                                Transactions in the Proposed Rules                      regulations.’’ No public hearing was                   367(b), 956, 7701(l), and 7874).
                                                section of this issue of the Federal                    requested or held on the 2014 proposed                    The temporary regulations provide a
                                                Register.                                               regulations or the 2016 proposed                       rule (the disqualified stock rule) that,
                                                DATES: Effective Date: These regulations                regulations; however, comments were                    subject to a de minimis exception,
                                                are effective on January 18, 2017.                      received. All comments are available at                excludes disqualified stock from the
                                                   Applicability Dates: For dates of                    www.regulations.gov or upon request.                   denominator of the ownership fraction.
                                                applicability, see §§ 1.7874–4(k),                      After consideration of the comments,                   In general, disqualified stock is stock of
                                                1.7874–5(e), 1.7874–7T(h), and 1.7874–                  the 2014 proposed regulations, as                      the foreign acquiring corporation that,
                                                10T(i).                                                 modified by the 2016 proposed                          in a transaction related to the domestic
                                                                                                        regulations and as updated to reflect the              entity acquisition, is transferred in one
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                        common definitions in those                            of two types of exchanges. See Parts II.A
                                                Joshua G. Rabon at (202) 317–6937 (not
                                                                                                        regulations, are adopted as amended by                 and B of this Summary of Comments
                                                a toll-free number).
                                                                                                        this Treasury decision, and the                        and Explanation of Revisions for the
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                        corresponding temporary regulations are                discussion of these exchanges. However,
                                                Background                                              removed.                                               stock is disqualified stock only to the
                                                   This document contains regulations                                                                          extent that the transfer of the stock in
                                                                                                        Summary of Comments and                                the exchange increases the fair market
                                                under section 7874 of the Internal
                                                                                                        Explanation of Revisions                               value of the assets of the foreign
                                                Revenue Code (Code). On September 17,
                                                                                                                                                               acquiring corporation or decreases the
                                                2009, the Department of the Treasury                    I. The Disqualified Stock Rule—
                                                                                                                                                               amount of its liabilities (the net asset
                                                (Treasury Department) and the IRS                       General Approach
                                                                                                                                                               requirement). The disqualified stock
                                                issued Notice 2009–78 (2009–40 IRB
                                                                                                           A foreign corporation (foreign                      rule thus generally prevents stock of the
                                                452), which announced that regulations
                                                                                                        acquiring corporation) generally is                    foreign acquiring corporation that is
                                                would be issued under section 7874
                                                                                                        treated as a surrogate foreign                         transferred in certain transactions that
                                                identifying certain stock of a foreign
                                                                                                        corporation under section 7874(a)(2)(B)                increase the net assets of the foreign
                                                corporation that would not be taken into
                                                                                                        if, pursuant to a plan (or a series of                 acquiring corporation from
                                                account for purposes of determining the                                                                        inappropriately increasing the
                                                ownership percentage described in                       related transactions), three conditions
                                                                                                        are satisfied. First, the foreign acquiring            denominator of the ownership fraction
                                                section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) (the 2009                                                                            and thereby diluting the ownership
                                                notice). On January 17, 2014, temporary                 corporation completes, after March 4,
                                                                                                        2003, the direct or indirect acquisition               percentage.
                                                regulations (TD 9654) were published in                                                                           Under the temporary regulations,
                                                the Federal Register (79 FR 3094) that                  of substantially all of the properties held
                                                                                                                                                               stock may be disqualified stock
                                                implemented and obsoleted the 2009                      directly or indirectly by a domestic
                                                                                                                                                               regardless of whether it is, has been, or
                                                notice and provided guidance with                       corporation (domestic entity
                                                                                                                                                               will be publicly traded. In addition,
                                                respect to subsequent transfers of stock                acquisition). Second, after the domestic               stock may be disqualified stock
                                                of a foreign corporation described in                   entity acquisition, at least 60 percent of             regardless of whether it is transferred by
                                                section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) (the 2014                     the stock (by vote or value) of the                    reason of an issuance, sale, distribution,
                                                temporary regulations). A notice of                     foreign acquiring corporation is held by               exchange, or any other type of
                                                proposed rulemaking (REG–121534–12)                     former shareholders of the domestic                    disposition, or whether it is transferred
                                                cross-referencing the 2014 temporary                    corporation (former domestic entity                    by the foreign acquiring corporation or
                                                regulations was published in the same                   shareholders) by reason of holding stock               another person.
                                                issue of the Federal Register (79 FR                    in the domestic corporation (such                         One comment suggested that
                                                3145) (the 2014 proposed regulations).                  percentage, the ownership percentage,                  disqualified stock should generally
                                                On November 19, 2015, the Treasury                      and the fraction used to calculate the                 include only stock transferred by reason
                                                Department and the IRS issued Notice                    ownership percentage, the ownership                    of an issuance by the foreign acquiring
                                                2015–79 (2015–49 IRB 775), which                        fraction). And third, after the domestic               corporation. According to the comment,
                                                announced, in part, that regulations                    entity acquisition, the expanded                       this would generally simplify the
                                                would be issued to clarify certain                      affiliated group (as defined in section                disqualified stock rule by obviating the
                                                aspects of the 2014 temporary                           7874(c)(1)) that includes the foreign                  need for the net asset requirement,
                                                regulations (the 2015 notice). On April                 acquiring corporation (EAG) does not                   though it noted that special rules
                                                8, 2016, the Treasury Department and                    have substantial business activities in                regarding hook stock would likely be
                                                the IRS published temporary regulations                 the foreign country in which, or under                 needed. The final regulations do not
                                                (TD 9761) in the Federal Register (81 FR                the law of which, the foreign acquiring                adopt this comment. The Treasury
                                                20858) that, in part, implemented the                   corporation is created or organized                    Department and the IRS have
                                                clarifications announced in the 2015                    when compared to the total business                    determined that transfers other than
                                                notice and provided common                              activities of the EAG. Similar provisions              solely by reason of an issuance can
                                                definitions for purposes of certain                     apply if a foreign acquiring corporation               inappropriately dilute the ownership
                                                regulations under sections 367(b), 956,                 acquires substantially all of the                      percentage. For example, see § 1.7874–
                                                7701(l), and 7874 (the 2016 temporary                   properties constituting a trade or                     4(j) Example 6 (iii) (issuance of stock by
                                                regulations). A notice of proposed                      business of a domestic partnership. The                the foreign acquiring corporation in
                                                rulemaking (REG–135734–14) cross-                       domestic corporation or the domestic                   exchange for qualified property
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                                                referencing the 2016 temporary                          partnership described in this paragraph                followed by a transfer of that stock by
                                                regulations was published in the same                   is referred to at times in this preamble               the transferee in satisfaction of an
                                                issue of the Federal Register (81 FR                    as the ‘‘domestic entity.’’ For other                  obligation of the transferee) and
                                                20588) (the 2016 proposed regulations).                 definitions used throughout this                       § 1.7874–4(j) Example 10 (issuance of
                                                The 2014 temporary regulations as                       preamble but not defined in this                       stock followed by use of the stock to
                                                modified by the 2016 temporary                          preamble, see § 1.7874–12T (providing                  satisfy an obligation). The Treasury
                                                regulations are referred to in this                     common definitions for purposes of                     Department and the IRS have concluded


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                                                5390             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                that addressing these transactions and                  corporation acquires all of the                        the Treasury Department and the IRS
                                                other transactions (such as transactions                properties of the foreign target                       have concluded that a look-through
                                                involving hook stock) via special rules                 corporation in exchange for stock of the               approach, pursuant to which stock
                                                would largely negate the simplicity                     foreign acquiring corporation, then such               acquisitions would be treated similar to
                                                benefits of the approach recommended                    stock of the foreign acquiring                         asset acquisitions, would be the
                                                by the comment.                                         corporation would be considered                        preferable approach for harmonizing the
                                                                                                        transferred in exchange for nonqualified               treatment, in contrast to the comments’
                                                II. Exchanges That Give Rise to
                                                                                                        property, to the extent that the                       recommendation to treat certain assets
                                                Disqualified Stock
                                                                                                        properties of the foreign target                       acquisitions similar to stock
                                                A. Exchanges for Nonqualified Property                  corporation constitute nonqualified                    acquisitions. The final regulations,
                                                                                                        property. The preamble to the 2014                     however, do not implement a look-
                                                1. In General
                                                                                                        temporary regulations acknowledged                     through approach out of concerns of
                                                   Disqualified stock includes stock of                 this disparity and the decision not to                 undue complexity and administrative
                                                the foreign acquiring corporation that,                 harmonize the treatment of stock and                   burden.
                                                in a transaction related to the domestic                asset acquisitions by, for example,                       Another comment recommended that,
                                                entity acquisition, is transferred to a                 applying a look-through approach to                    if the final regulations retain different
                                                person other than the domestic entity in                stock acquisitions. See Part C of the                  treatment for stock and asset
                                                exchange for ‘‘nonqualified property.’’                 Explanation of Provisions section of the               acquisitions, working capital of a
                                                Nonqualified property means (i) cash or                 preamble to the 2014 temporary                         foreign target corporation should be
                                                cash equivalents, (ii) marketable                       regulations. Nevertheless, comments                    excluded from the definition of
                                                securities, (iii) certain obligations (as               requested more consistent treatment                    nonqualified property. After considering
                                                discussed in Part II.A.3 of this Summary                between stock and asset acquisitions,                  this comment, the Treasury Department
                                                of Comments and Explanation of                          noting in particular that, when the                    and the IRS have determined that
                                                Revisions), and (iv) any other property                 foreign target corporation is publicly-                providing special rules that exclude
                                                acquired with a principal purpose of                    traded, corporate and other legal                      working capital from the definition of
                                                avoiding the purposes of section 7874,                  considerations may dictate the structure               nonqualified property would result in
                                                regardless of whether the transaction                   of the transaction.                                    undue complexity and administrative
                                                involves an indirect transfer of property                  One comment suggested that this                     burden. Notably, such special rules
                                                described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii). This           result could be achieved when a foreign                would have limited applicability when
                                                preamble refers at times to the property                acquiring corporation acquires                         the foreign target corporation is a parent
                                                described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of            substantially all of the properties of a               corporation of an affiliated group—
                                                the preceding sentence collectively as                  foreign target corporation by viewing                  which is often the case—because, in
                                                ‘‘specified nonqualified property’’ and                 the two corporations as a single                       such a structure, working capital
                                                to the property described in clause (iv)                combined unit for purposes of the                      generally would be held by subsidiaries.
                                                as ‘‘avoidance property.’’ For this                     disqualified stock rule. Under this view,              Accordingly, the final regulations do not
                                                purpose, marketable securities has the                  properties historically held by the                    adopt the comment.
                                                meaning set forth in section 453(f)(2),                 foreign target corporation (including
                                                except that the term does not include                                                                          3. Obligations Constituting Nonqualified
                                                                                                        nonqualified property) would not
                                                stock of a corporation or an interest in                                                                       Property
                                                                                                        represent an infusion of value into the
                                                a partnership that becomes a member of                  combined group. The comment thus                          Under the temporary regulations,
                                                the EAG in a transaction (or series of                  asserted that, regardless of the structure             nonqualified property includes an
                                                transactions) related to the domestic                   of the transaction, the disqualified stock             obligation owed by (i) a member of the
                                                entity acquisition.                                     rule generally should not apply to stock               EAG; (ii) a former domestic entity
                                                                                                        attributable to such properties. The                   shareholder or former domestic entity
                                                2. Different Treatment for Stock and                                                                           partner; or (iii) a person that owns,
                                                Asset Acquisitions                                      comment noted, though, that if asset
                                                                                                        acquisitions were to be treated similar to             before or after the domestic entity
                                                   Under the temporary regulations, the                 stock acquisitions, there might be a                   acquisition, stock of (or a partnership
                                                extent to which stock of a foreign                      heightened need for rules, in addition to              interest in) a person described in clause
                                                acquiring corporation is considered                     the anti-abuse rule of section 7874(c)(4),             (i) or (ii) or that is related (within the
                                                transferred in exchange for nonqualified                to address certain related transactions in             meaning of section 267 or 707(b)) to
                                                property can differ depending on the                    which stock of the foreign target                      such a person. Comments requested
                                                structure of a transaction. For example,                corporation is transferred in exchange                 several modifications to this rule.
                                                if, in a transaction related to a domestic              for nonqualified property.                                First, a comment recommended that,
                                                entity acquisition, the foreign acquiring                  After considering the comments, the                 if the final regulations retain different
                                                corporation acquires all the stock of                   Treasury Department and the IRS                        treatment for stock and asset
                                                another foreign corporation (foreign                    decline to adopt a rule treating certain               acquisitions, they exclude certain
                                                target corporation) in exchange for stock               asset acquisitions as stock acquisitions               obligations owed by a member of the
                                                of the foreign acquiring corporation,                   or to otherwise coordinate their                       EAG from the definition of nonqualified
                                                then such stock of the foreign acquiring                treatment. The Treasury Department                     property. In particular, the comment
                                                corporation would normally not be                       and the IRS have determined that stock                 suggested excluding intercompany
                                                considered transferred in exchange for                  of a foreign acquiring corporation                     obligations held by the foreign target
                                                nonqualified property, regardless of the                attributable to any nonqualified                       corporation (that is, obligations owed by
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                                                extent to which the properties of the                   property—whether acquired in a                         an affiliate of the foreign target
                                                foreign target corporation constitute                   transaction related to the domestic                    corporation to the foreign target
                                                nonqualified property, unless the stock                 entity acquisition or historically held—               corporation), at least to the extent that
                                                of the foreign target corporation                       generally presents opportunities to                    the obligations arose in the ordinary
                                                constitutes avoidance property.                         inappropriately dilute the ownership                   course of the foreign target group’s cash
                                                However, if the transaction were instead                percentage. For example, see, the                      management program. The comment
                                                structured so that the foreign acquiring                passive assets rule of § 1.7874–7T. Thus,              noted that, in these cases, had the


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                          5391

                                                foreign target corporation instead                      of the disqualified stock rule includes                (the transferee) in exchange for property
                                                funded its affiliate through equity                     any fixed or contingent obligation to                  (the exchanged property) if, pursuant to
                                                (rather than debt), stock of the foreign                make payment or provide value (such as                 the same plan (or series of related
                                                acquiring corporation transferred in                    through providing goods or services).                  transactions), the transferee
                                                exchange for the equity generally would                 § 1.7874–4(i)(3). No inference is                      subsequently transfers the stock in
                                                not be disqualified stock. The comment                  intended regarding the treatment, under                exchange for the satisfaction or
                                                questioned this disparate treatment.                    § 1.752–1(a)(4)(ii) or the temporary                   assumption of one or more obligations
                                                   After considering the comment, the                   regulations, of a contractual agreement                associated with the exchanged property
                                                Treasury Department and the IRS have                    by a person to provide goods or services.              (the associated obligation rule). The
                                                determined that transfers of stock of a                                                                        purpose of the rule is to ensure that the
                                                foreign acquiring corporation in                        5. Definition of Avoidance Property
                                                                                                                                                               same amount of stock of the foreign
                                                exchange for intercompany obligations                      Avoidance property means any                        acquiring corporation is included in the
                                                generally do not present opportunities                  property (other than specified                         denominator of the ownership fraction
                                                to inappropriately reduce the ownership                 nonqualified property) acquired with a                 in economically similar situations.
                                                fraction. Accordingly, the final                        principal purpose of avoiding the
                                                regulations exclude from the definition                 purposes of section 7874. The 2015                        For example, consider a situation in
                                                of nonqualified property an obligation                  notice and the 2016 temporary                          which a foreign acquiring corporation
                                                owed by a member of the EAG if the                      regulations clarified that this definition             (FA) intends to acquire the property of
                                                holder of the obligation immediately                    applies regardless of whether the                      a domestic entity (DT), which holds
                                                before the domestic entity acquisition                  transaction involves an indirect transfer              property with a fair market value of
                                                and any related transaction (or its                     of specified nonqualified property. One                $100x and has a $25x obligation that is
                                                successor), is a member of the EAG after                comment was received regarding this                    associated with the property. The
                                                the domestic entity acquisition and all                 clarification.                                         parties could structure the domestic
                                                related transactions. § 1.7874–                            The comment agreed with the                         entity acquisition using the following
                                                4(i)(2)(iii)(A).                                        clarification but asserted that avoidance              steps: (i) DT transfers all of its property
                                                   Another comment recommended that                     property should not include property                   to FA in exchange for $75x of FA stock
                                                nonqualified property generally not                     that meets two conditions. First, the                  and FA’s assumption of the $25x
                                                include an obligation owed by a person                  property (or, in cases in which the                    associated obligation, (ii) DT distributes
                                                that is only a de minimis former                        property is stock or a partnership                     the $75x of FA stock to its shareholders,
                                                domestic entity shareholder or former                   interest, the property indirectly                      and (iii) in a related transaction, FA
                                                domestic entity partner. The comment                    transferred) either (i) constitutes a trade            issues $25x of its stock to the public for
                                                made a similar recommendation for an                    or business within the meaning of                      cash and uses that cash to satisfy the
                                                obligation owed by a person that, before                § 1.367(a)–2(d)(2), or (ii) is related to an           associated obligation. Alternatively, FA
                                                and after the domestic entity                           existing business of the foreign                       could not assume the associated
                                                acquisition, owns no more than a de                     acquiring corporation. And, second, the                obligation and could thus acquire all of
                                                minimis interest in any member of the                   property is transferred without an                     DT’s properties in exchange for $100x of
                                                EAG. The Treasury Department and the                    intention to dispose of it at a later time.            FA stock, followed by DT using $25x of
                                                IRS agree with this comment, and the                    After considering the comment, the                     FA stock to satisfy the $25x associated
                                                final regulations are modified                          Treasury Department and the IRS have                   obligation and distributing the
                                                accordingly. See § 1.7874–4(i)(2)(iii)(B)               determined that whether property                       remaining $75x of FA stock to its
                                                and (C) (providing a de minimis rule for                constitutes avoidance property should                  shareholders in liquidation. Under the
                                                a less than five percent ownership                      in all cases depend on the principal                   first alternative, the $25x of FA stock
                                                interest). Nevertheless, the anti-abuse                 purpose for the acquisition of the                     issued to the public in exchange for
                                                rule in section 7874(c)(4) may still apply              property, which cannot be determined                   cash (which is nonqualified property)
                                                to disregard transfers of stock in                      based on an exclusive set of objective                 would be excluded from the
                                                exchange for such obligations.                          factors, such as the nature of the                     denominator of the ownership fraction.
                                                4. Definition of Obligation                             property or holding period. In certain                 Under the second alternative, however,
                                                                                                        circumstances, property that meets the                 no FA stock would be excluded absent
                                                   The temporary regulations define an
                                                                                                        conditions described by the comment                    the associated obligation rule. Allowing
                                                obligation by reference to § 1.752–
                                                                                                        could be acquired with a principal                     a different result under the second
                                                1(a)(4)(ii), which includes ‘‘any fixed or
                                                                                                        purpose of avoiding the purposes of                    alternative would be inappropriate
                                                contingent obligation to make payment.
                                                                                                        section 7874. Thus, the Treasury                       because the first and second alternatives
                                                . . . Obligations include, but are not
                                                                                                        Department and the IRS have concluded                  are economically similar. That is, under
                                                limited to, debt obligations,
                                                                                                        that it would be inappropriate to                      both alternatives, FA’s value reflects the
                                                environmental obligations, tort
                                                                                                        exclude such property from the                         gross value of the acquired property
                                                obligations, contract obligations,
                                                                                                        definition of avoidance property.                      (under the first alternative, because the
                                                pension obligations, obligations under a
                                                                                                        Consequently, the final regulations do                 amount of the associated obligation is
                                                short sale, and obligations under
                                                                                                        not adopt the comment.                                 satisfied with the cash and, under the
                                                derivative financial instruments such as
                                                options, forward contracts, futures                     B. Subsequent Transfers of Stock in                    second alternative, because FA did not
                                                contracts, and swaps.’’                                 Exchange for the Satisfaction or                       assume the associated obligation), and
                                                   The Treasury Department and the IRS                  Assumption of an Obligation Associated                 DT’s obligations have been reduced by
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                                                are concerned that the reference in the                 With the Property Exchanged                            the amount of the associated obligation.
                                                temporary regulations to § 1.752–                                                                              The associated obligation rule thus
                                                1(a)(4)(ii) may cause confusion when                    1. In General                                          ensures that, as under the first
                                                applied outside of a partnership setting.                 Disqualified stock also generally                    alternative, $25x of FA stock is
                                                The final regulations thus remove the                   includes stock of the foreign acquiring                excluded from the denominator of the
                                                reference to § 1.752–1(a)(4)(ii) and                    corporation that is transferred by a                   ownership fraction under the second
                                                provide that an obligation for purposes                 person (the transferor) to another person              alternative. The rule serves the same


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                                                5392             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                purpose when the transferee is a person                 obligation rule. See § 1.7874–                         $90x of FA stock, DT might use $10x of
                                                other than the domestic entity.                         4(c)(1)(ii)(A). In addition, the final                 FA stock to satisfy the Business B
                                                   Several comments were received                       regulations generally limit the amount                 associated obligations and distribute the
                                                regarding the purpose and effect of the                 of disqualified stock arising under the                remaining $80x of FA stock and the
                                                associated obligation rule. First, a                    associated obligation rule to the                      $20x of Business B property to its
                                                comment noted that the rule serves an                   proportionate share of obligations                     shareholders in liquidation. In such a
                                                important purpose and suggested that                    associated with the exchanged property                 case, the $10x of FA stock would not be
                                                the final regulations retain the rule.                  that, pursuant to the same plan (or                    disqualified stock under the associated
                                                Another comment questioned the                          series of related transactions), is not                obligation rule because the transferee
                                                practical significance of the rule under                assumed by the foreign acquiring                       did not retain any obligations associated
                                                the temporary regulations and suggested                 corporation. See § 1.7874–4(c)(1)(ii)(B).              with the exchanged property (the
                                                that the final regulations remove it. In                                                                       Business A property); thus, absent
                                                particular, the comment asserted that                   2. Acquisitions of Less than
                                                                                                                                                               special rules, the stock might
                                                creditors typically require obligations to              Substantially All of the Property of
                                                                                                                                                               inappropriately dilute the ownership
                                                be satisfied in cash, rather than stock.                Transferee
                                                                                                                                                               percentage. The comment noted that the
                                                Moreover, the comment stated that,                         A comment requested a modification                  associated obligation rule could be
                                                under the temporary regulations, the                    of the associated obligation rule so that              modified to address such cases.
                                                rule might not apply if, instead of using               it applies only if the transferor acquires                The Treasury Department and the IRS
                                                stock of the foreign acquiring                          substantially all of the property of the               acknowledge the concern raised by the
                                                corporation to satisfy an associated                    transferee. The comment asserted that,                 comment but decline to broaden the
                                                obligation, the transferee sold the stock               when the transferor acquires only a                    associated obligation rule to address it
                                                for cash and then used the cash to                      portion (rather than substantially all) of             at this time. However, the Treasury
                                                satisfy the obligation. One comment                     the transferee’s property, it may be                   Department and the IRS will monitor
                                                acknowledged, however, that a plan (or                  difficult or burdensome to determine                   transactions in which the foreign
                                                series of related transactions) to satisfy              which obligations are associated with                  acquiring corporation transfers its stock
                                                obligations of the transferee using the                 the exchanged property.                                in lieu of assuming an obligation of the
                                                proceeds of the sale of stock of the                       The associated obligation rule                      domestic entity and continue to study
                                                foreign acquiring corporation could be                  addresses a concern that, absent the                   whether future guidance should
                                                subject to the anti-abuse rule under                    rule, a different amount of stock of a                 broaden the rule. In addition, section
                                                section 7874(c)(4).                                     foreign acquiring corporation might be                 7874(c)(4) (which would disregard the
                                                   After considering the comments, the                  included in the denominator of the                     transfer of the $10x of FA stock in
                                                Treasury Department and the IRS have                    ownership fraction in economically                     satisfaction of the obligation if the
                                                determined that the associated                          similar scenarios. The Treasury                        transfer is part of a plan a principal
                                                obligation rule promotes an important                   Department and the IRS have                            purpose of which is to avoid the
                                                policy and thus the final regulations                   determined that this concern may exist                 purposes of section 7874) and § 1.7874–
                                                retain the rule. The Treasury                           regardless of the portion of the                       10T (which could cause DT’s
                                                Department and the IRS also have                        transferee’s property that is acquired. In             distribution of the $20x of Business B
                                                determined that when a foreign                          addition, determinations concerning the                assets to give rise to a non-ordinary
                                                acquiring corporation issues its stock in               association between obligations and                    course distribution, which, in turn,
                                                lieu of assuming an obligation                          property may be required under the                     would cause the former domestic entity
                                                associated with the exchanged property,                 Code for purposes other than applying                  shareholders of DT to be deemed to
                                                the rule should not be limited to                       the associated obligation rule. For                    receive additional FA stock for purpose
                                                situations in which, pursuant to the                    example, see section 358(h)(2).                        of computing the ownership fraction)
                                                same plan (or series of related                         Accordingly, the final regulations                     may apply to address the concern raised
                                                transactions), the transferee uses the                  decline to adopt the comment.                          by the comment.
                                                stock to directly satisfy the associated
                                                                                                        3. Application of Rule When Domestic                   III. The De Minimis Exception
                                                obligation. Rather, the Treasury
                                                                                                        Entity Is Transferee                                      The disqualified stock rule contains a
                                                Department and the IRS have concluded
                                                that the rule should generally apply if,                   One comment suggested broadening                    de minimis exception, which generally
                                                pursuant to the same plan (or series of                 the associated obligation rule to address              applies when two requirements are
                                                related transactions), the transferee uses              certain cases in which the domestic                    satisfied. First, the ownership
                                                the stock to directly or indirectly satisfy             entity is the transferee and the foreign               percentage—determined without regard
                                                any obligation of the transferee                        acquiring corporation issues its stock in              to the application of the disqualified
                                                (regardless of whether it is an associated              lieu of assuming any obligation of the                 stock rule, the passive assets rule of
                                                obligation). For example, the rule                      transferee (regardless of whether it is                § 1.7874–7T (the passive assets rule),
                                                should apply if the transferee sells the                associated with the exchanged                          and the non-ordinary course
                                                stock and then uses the proceeds to                     property). For example, consider a                     distribution rule of § 1.7874–10T (the
                                                satisfy an amount of an obligation of the               situation in which a domestic entity                   non-ordinary course distribution rule)—
                                                transferee equal to the amount of the                   (DT) has two lines of business: (i)                    must be less than five (by vote and
                                                associated obligation. In these cases, the              Business A, which comprises property                   value). Second, after the domestic entity
                                                transferee and the foreign acquiring                    that, in the aggregate, has a fair market              acquisition and all related transactions,
                                                corporation are in an economic position                 value of $90x and no obligations                       former domestic entity shareholders or
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                                                similar to the one in which they would                  associated with it, and (ii) Business B,               former domestic entity partners, in the
                                                have been had the foreign acquiring                     which comprises property that, in the                  aggregate, must own (applying the
                                                corporation assumed the associated                      aggregate, has a fair market value of                  attribution rules of section 318(a) with
                                                obligation, issued stock in exchange for                $20x and $10x of obligations associated                the modifications described in section
                                                cash, and then used that cash to satisfy                with it. If a foreign acquiring                        304(c)(3)(B)) less than five percent (by
                                                the obligation. The final regulations                   corporation (FA) acquires only the                     vote and value) of the stock of (or a
                                                accordingly modify the associated                       Business A property in exchange for                    partnership interest in) any member of


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                         5393

                                                the EAG. When the de minimis                            (including a de minimis former                         corporation in a domestic entity
                                                exception applies, the disqualified stock               domestic entity shareholder or former                  acquisition. After a period of time, the
                                                rule does not apply and, as a result, no                domestic entity partner), as applicable,               buyer may sell its stock of the foreign
                                                stock of the foreign acquiring                          and then determine (taking into account                acquiring corporation pursuant to a
                                                corporation is excluded from the                        the applicable attribution rules) the                  public offering, which may have been
                                                denominator of the ownership fraction                   former domestic entity shareholders’ or                contemplated at the time of the
                                                pursuant to the rule.                                   former domestic entity partners’                       domestic entity acquisition. The
                                                   The passive assets rule and the non-                 collective ownership of the foreign                    preamble to the 2014 regulations
                                                ordinary course distribution rule                       acquiring corporation and each member                  explained that the Treasury Department
                                                contain similar de minimis exceptions                   of the EAG. Accordingly, the comment                   and the IRS would study these
                                                (the three exceptions collectively, the de              asserted that, at least in certain cases,              transactions and requested comments
                                                minimis exceptions). See §§ 1.7874–                     uncertainty surrounding whether the                    on the application of section 7874 to
                                                7T(c) and 1.7874–10T(d). Together, the                  second requirement is satisfied could                  such transactions.
                                                de minimis exceptions generally                         result in taxpayers having to apply—and                   A comment asserted that, given the
                                                prevent one or more of the disqualified                 thus conduct the potentially                           number of non-tax contingencies
                                                stock rule, the passive assets rule, and                complicated analyses required by—the                   between the domestic entity acquisition
                                                the non-ordinary course rule from                       disqualified stock rule, passive assets                and the public offering, it would be
                                                causing section 7874 to apply to a                      rule, and non-ordinary course                          inappropriate to apply the step-
                                                domestic entity acquisition that, given                 distribution rule, notwithstanding that                transaction doctrine or related
                                                minimal actual ownership continuity,                    the domestic entity acquisition may                    principles to the transactions.
                                                largely resembles a cash purchase by the                largely resemble a purchase.                           Comments also suggested that these
                                                foreign acquiring corporation of the                       After considering the comment, the                  transactions do not violate the policies
                                                stock of (or interests in) the domestic                 final regulations modify each of the de                of section 7874 because the domestic
                                                entity.                                                 minimis exceptions to provide that the                 entity acquisition is essentially a
                                                   Comments requested expanding the                     second requirement is satisfied if, after              purchase by the foreign acquiring
                                                de minimis exceptions in several                        the domestic entity acquisition and all                corporation of the stock of the publicly
                                                respects. First, comments requested                     related transactions, each former                      traded domestic corporation.
                                                increasing the ownership thresholds in                  domestic entity shareholder or former                  Accordingly, comments recommended
                                                the de minimis exceptions. One                          domestic entity partner, as applicable,                against new rules to address the
                                                comment recommended a 20-percent                        owns (applying the attribution rules of                transactions.
                                                threshold, noting that such a threshold                 section 318(a) with the modifications                     After further study and consideration
                                                would be generally consistent with the                  described in section 304(c)(3)(B)) less                of the comments, the Treasury
                                                threshold in the internal group                         than five percent (by vote and value) of               Department and the IRS decline at this
                                                restructuring exception under § 1.7874–                 the stock of (or a partnership interest in)            time to provide special rules to address
                                                1(c)(2) (permitting up to 20 percent                    each member of the EAG. § 1.7874–                      these transactions. However, section
                                                ownership by non-EAG members). The                      4(d)(1)(ii); § 1.7874–7T(c)(2); § 1.7874–              7874(c)(4), § 1.7874–4(d)(2) (providing
                                                internal group restructuring exception,                 10T(d)(2). The Treasury Department and                 that the de minimis exception does not
                                                however, addresses different policies                   the IRS have determined that limiting                  apply to disqualified stock that is
                                                than the de minimis exceptions. In                      the second requirement to consider only                transferred with a principal purpose of
                                                particular, the internal group                          the ownership of former domestic entity                avoiding the purposes of section 7874),
                                                restructuring exception addresses                       shareholders or former domestic entity                 and judicial doctrines each may apply
                                                transactions in which there is no, or                   partners (with applicable attribution                  to address the concerns raised by these
                                                only a small, shift in ownership of a                   rules), individually, rather than the                  transactions.
                                                domestic entity to persons outside of a                 ownership of all former domestic entity
                                                corporate group, whereas the de                         shareholders or former domestic entity                 V. Additional Clarifications Requested
                                                minimis exceptions address transactions                 partners, collectively, strikes the                    A. Stock Included in Numerator Also
                                                in which there is almost a complete                     appropriate balance between preventing                 Included in Denominator
                                                shift in ultimate ownership of a                        the de minimis exceptions from
                                                domestic entity. Moreover, the Treasury                 applying in inappropriate circumstances                   A comment requested that the
                                                Department and the IRS have concluded                   and addressing the practical difficulties              Treasury Department and the IRS clarify
                                                that a five-percent threshold                           noted in the comment.                                  that stock of a foreign acquiring
                                                appropriately differentiates between                                                                           corporation included in the numerator
                                                domestic entity acquisitions that largely               IV. Certain Public Offerings                           of the ownership fraction is also
                                                resemble a cash purchase and those that                    The preamble to the 2014 temporary                  included in the denominator of the
                                                do not. Accordingly, the final                          regulations noted that the de minimis                  fraction, regardless of whether the stock
                                                regulations do not adopt the comment.                   exception with respect to the                          is disqualified stock. The preamble to
                                                   Other comments requested removing                    disqualified stock rule may facilitate                 the temporary regulations indicated that
                                                the second requirement of the de                        certain transactions that have the effect              stock described in section
                                                minimis exceptions or, alternatively,                   of converting a publicly traded domestic               7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) (by reason of stock) is
                                                modifying the requirement so that it                    corporation into a publicly traded                     never treated as disqualified stock and
                                                looks only to stock held by reason of                   foreign corporation over time. For                     thus cannot be excluded from the
                                                holding stock (or interests) of the                     example, a buyer may contribute cash to                denominator of the ownership fraction
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                                                domestic entity. The comments noted                     a newly formed foreign acquiring                       under the disqualified stock rule. See
                                                that, particularly in cases involving a                 corporation that uses such cash, along                 Part A of the Explanation of Provisions
                                                publicly-traded domestic entity or a                    with the proceeds from borrowings and                  section of the preamble to the 2014
                                                complex ownership structure, it could                   a small amount of its stock (often issued              temporary regulations. Nevertheless, in
                                                be difficult or burdensome to identify                  to the management of the domestic                      response to the comment and for the
                                                each former domestic entity shareholder                 corporation), to acquire all of the stock              avoidance of doubt, the final regulations
                                                or former domestic entity partner                       of a publicly traded domestic                          clarify that by reason of stock may never


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                                                5394             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                be treated as disqualified stock. See                   shareholders or former domestic entity                 these regulations. For example, these
                                                § 1.7874–4(c)(1). Accordingly, the final                partners, in the aggregate, dispose of all             transactions could be subject to
                                                regulations clarify that stock of the                   but a de minimis amount of stock of the                challenge under applicable provisions,
                                                foreign acquiring corporation included                  foreign acquiring corporation, then the                including under section 7874(c)(4) or
                                                in the numerator of the ownership                       subsequent transfer rule should not                    judicial doctrines such as the substance-
                                                fraction is in all cases also included in               apply. In such a case, the requested de                over-form doctrine.
                                                the denominator of the fraction.                        minimis exception would provide that
                                                                                                        the stock received by the former                       Special Analyses
                                                B. Treatment of partnerships
                                                                                                        domestic entity shareholders or former                   Certain IRS regulations, including
                                                   Comments requested clarification                     domestic entity partners would not be                  these, are exempt from the requirements
                                                about whether an acquisition of a                       considered by reason of stock and thus                 of Executive Order 12866, as
                                                partnership interest is treated similarly               would not be included in the numerator                 supplemented and reaffirmed by
                                                to an acquisition of stock for purposes                 of the ownership fraction (though it                   Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a
                                                of the disqualified stock rule. That is,                generally would be included in the                     regulatory impact assessment is not
                                                the comment asked whether stock of a                    denominator of the ownership fraction).                required. The Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                                foreign acquiring corporation                              The final regulations do not adopt the              (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply
                                                transferred in exchange for a                           comment. The de minimis exceptions,                    because the regulations do not impose a
                                                partnership interest is treated as stock                as discussed in Part III of this Summary               collection of information on small
                                                transferred in exchange for a                           of Comments and Explanation of                         entities. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of
                                                proportionate share of partnership                      Revisions, provide relief for transactions             the Code, the notices of proposed
                                                assets represented by the partnership                   that are in substance cash purchases by                rulemaking that preceded this
                                                interest (a look-through approach). The                 the foreign acquiring corporation of the               regulation were submitted to the Chief
                                                Treasury Department and the IRS                         stock of (or interests in) the domestic                Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
                                                confirm that a partnership interest does                entity. In contrast, the subsequent                    Business Administration for comment
                                                not constitute nonqualified property                    transfer rule applies to ensure the                    on its impact on small business. No
                                                unless it is a marketable security (for                 application of section 7874 to                         comments were received.
                                                example, an interest in a publicly traded               transactions where a foreign corporation
                                                partnership described in § 1.7704–                      acquires substantially all the property                Drafting Information
                                                1(a)(1)(i)) or is avoidance property. The               (directly or indirectly) of a domestic                    The principal author of these
                                                definition of marketable securities in the              entity in exchange for stock. The                      regulations is Joshua G. Rabon of the
                                                temporary regulations excludes an                       ultimate use of the stock received by the              Office of Associate Chief Counsel
                                                interest in a partnership that becomes a                former domestic entity shareholders or                 (International). However, other
                                                member of the EAG in a transaction (or                  former domestic entity partners is                     personnel from the Treasury
                                                series of transactions) related to the                  irrelevant to the three-factor test                    Department and the IRS participated in
                                                domestic entity acquisition, an                         established by the statute. Accordingly,               their development.
                                                exclusion that would be unnecessary if                  the final regulations do not adopt a de
                                                partnership interests were subject to a                 minimis exception for purposes of the                  List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
                                                look-through approach. Nevertheless, in                 subsequent transfer rule.                                Income taxes, Reporting and
                                                response to the comment and for the                                                                            recordkeeping requirements.
                                                avoidance of doubt, the definition of                   VII. Applicability Dates
                                                nonqualified property is clarified to                      The final regulations generally apply               Adoption of Amendments to the
                                                provide that an interest in a partnership               to domestic entity acquisitions                        Regulations
                                                is nonqualified property only to the                    completed on or after September 17,                      Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is
                                                extent it is a marketable security or                   2009, to the extent described in the 2009              amended as follows:
                                                avoidance property.                                     notice. The final regulations generally
                                                                                                        apply with respect to the remainder of                 PART 1—INCOME TAXES
                                                VI. The Subsequent Transfer Rule                        the proposed rules in the 2014 proposed
                                                   The temporary regulations provide a                  regulations to domestic entity                         ■ Paragraph 1. The authority citation
                                                rule (the subsequent transfer rule)                     acquisitions completed on or after                     for part 1 is amended by adding entries
                                                pursuant to which stock of a foreign                    January 16, 2014. However, see                         in numerical order to read as follows:
                                                corporation that is described in section                § 1.7874–4(k) for certain rules that apply               Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
                                                7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) (that is, by reason of                only to domestic entity acquisitions                     Section 1.7874–4 also issued under 26
                                                stock) does not cease to be so described                completed on or after the publication of               U.S.C. 7874(c)(6) and (g).
                                                as a result of any subsequent transfer of               the 2015 notice or these final                           Section 1.7874–5 also issued under 26
                                                the stock by the former domestic entity                 regulations, as applicable. Similar to the             U.S.C. 7874(c)(6) and (g).
                                                shareholder or former domestic entity                   2014 temporary regulations, these                      *     *     *    *     *
                                                partner that received such stock, even if               regulations provide that taxpayers may                 ■ Par. 2. Section 1.7874–4 is added to
                                                the subsequent transfer is related to the               elect to apply all the rules contained in              read as follows:
                                                domestic entity acquisition. A comment                  these final regulations to domestic
                                                requested adding a de minimis                           entity acquisitions completed on or after              § 1.7874–4 Disregard of certain stock
                                                exception to the subsequent transfer                    September 17, 2009, and before January                 related to the domestic entity acquisition.
                                                rule, similar to the three de minimis                   13, 2017 (transition period), if the                     (a) Scope. This section identifies
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                                                exceptions discussed in Part III of this                taxpayer applies all of the rules                      certain stock of the foreign acquiring
                                                Summary of Comments and Explanation                     consistently to all domestic entity                    corporation that is disregarded in
                                                of Revisions. For example, the comment                  acquisitions completed during the                      determining the ownership fraction and
                                                suggested that if, pursuant to a                        transition period.                                     modifies the scope of section
                                                subsequent transfer (or series of                          No inference is intended as to the                  7874(c)(2)(B). Paragraph (b) of this
                                                transfers) related to the domestic entity               treatment of transactions under the law                section sets forth the general rule that
                                                acquisition, the former domestic entity                 before the various applicability dates of              certain stock of the foreign acquiring


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                           5395

                                                corporation, and only such stock, is                       (ii) Exchanged for property with                    assets of the foreign acquiring
                                                treated as stock described in section                   associated obligations—(A) General                     corporation or decreases the amount of
                                                7874(c)(2)(B) and therefore is excluded                 rule. Subject to the limitation provided               its liabilities. This paragraph (c)(2) is
                                                from the denominator of the ownership                   in in paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B) of this                  applied to an exchange without regard
                                                fraction. Paragraph (c) of this section                 section, the stock is transferred by a                 to any other exchange described in
                                                identifies the stock of the foreign                     person (transferor) to another person                  paragraph (c)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section
                                                acquiring corporation that is subject to                (transferee) in exchange for property                  or any other transaction related to the
                                                paragraph (b) of this section. Paragraph                (exchanged property) and, pursuant to                  domestic entity acquisition. See
                                                (d) of this section provides a de minimis               the same plan (or series of related                    Example 4 and Example 7 of paragraph
                                                exception to the application of the                     transactions), the transferee                          (j) of this section for illustrations of the
                                                general exclusion rule of paragraph (b)                 subsequently transfers such stock (or, if              application of this paragraph (c)(2).
                                                of this section. Paragraph (e) of this                  the transferee exchanges such stock for                   (d) Exception to exclusion of
                                                section provides rules for transfers of                 other property, such other property) in                disqualified stock—(1) De minimis
                                                stock of the foreign acquiring                          satisfaction of, or in exchange for the                ownership. Except as provided in
                                                corporation in satisfaction of, or in                   assumption of, one or more obligations                 paragraph (d)(2) of this section,
                                                exchange for the assumption of, one or                  of the transferee or a person related                  paragraph (b) of this section does not
                                                more obligations of the transferor.                     (within the meaning of section 267 or                  apply if both:
                                                Paragraph (f) of this section provides                  707(b)) to the transferee. See Example 6                  (i) The ownership percentage
                                                rules for certain transfers of stock of the             and Example 10 of paragraph (j) of this                described in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii),
                                                foreign acquiring corporation involving                 section for illustrations of the                       determined without regard to the
                                                multiple properties or obligations.                     application of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this            application of paragraph (b) of this
                                                Paragraph (g) of this section provides                  section.                                               section and §§ 1.7874–7T(b) and
                                                rules for the treatment of partnerships,                   (B) Limitation. The amount of stock                 1.7874–10T(b), is less than five (by vote
                                                and paragraph (h) of this section                       treated as transferred in an exchange                  and value); and
                                                provides rules addressing the                           described in paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(A) of                   (ii) After the domestic entity
                                                interaction of this section with the                    this section shall not exceed—                         acquisition and all related transactions,
                                                expanded affiliated group rules of                         (1) With respect to a transferee that is            each former domestic entity shareholder
                                                section 7874(c)(2)(A) and § 1.7874–1.                   the domestic entity, the proportionate                 or former domestic entity partner, as
                                                Paragraph (i) of this section provides                  share of obligations associated with the               applicable, owns (applying the
                                                definitions. Paragraph (j) of this section              exchanged property (determined based                   attribution rules of section 318(a) with
                                                provides examples illustrating the                      on the fair market value of the                        the modifications described in section
                                                application of the rules of this section.               exchanged property relative to the fair                304(c)(3)(B)) less than five percent (by
                                                Paragraph (k) of this section provides                  market value of all properties with                    vote and value) of the stock of (or a
                                                dates of applicability.                                 which the obligations are associated)                  partnership interest in) each member of
                                                   (b) Exclusion of disqualified stock                  that, pursuant to the same plan (or                    the expanded affiliated group. See
                                                under section 7874(c)(2)(B). Except as                  series of related transactions), is not                Example 5 of paragraph (j) of this
                                                provided in paragraph (d) of this                       assumed by the transferor.                             section for an illustration of this
                                                section, disqualified stock (as                            (2) With respect to any other                       paragraph (d).
                                                determined under paragraph (c) of this                  transferee, the proportionate share of                    (2) Stock issued to avoid the purposes
                                                section) is treated as stock described in               obligations associated with the                        of section 7874. The exception in
                                                section 7874(c)(2)(B) and therefore is                  exchanged property (determined based                   paragraph (d)(1) of this section does not
                                                not included in the denominator of the                  on the fair market value of the                        apply to disqualified stock that is
                                                ownership fraction. Section                             exchanged property relative to the fair                transferred in a transaction (or series of
                                                7874(c)(2)(B) shall not apply to exclude                market value of all properties with                    transactions) related to the domestic
                                                stock from the denominator of the                       which the obligations are associated)                  entity acquisition with a principal
                                                ownership fraction that is not                          that, pursuant to the same plan (or                    purpose of avoiding the purposes of
                                                disqualified stock.                                     series of related transactions), is not                section 7874.
                                                   (c) Disqualified stock—(1) General                   assumed by the transferor, multiplied by                  (e) Satisfaction or assumption of
                                                rule. Except as provided in paragraph                   a fraction, the numerator of which is the              obligations. Except to the extent stock is
                                                (c)(2) of this section, disqualified stock              amount of exchanged property that is                   treated as disqualified stock as a result
                                                is stock of the foreign acquiring                       qualified property, and the denominator                of being described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii)
                                                corporation (other than stock described                 of which is the total amount of                        of this section, this paragraph (e) applies
                                                in § 1.7874–2(f)) that is transferred in an             exchanged property.                                    if, in a transaction related to the
                                                exchange described in paragraph                            (C) Associated obligations. For                     domestic entity acquisition, stock of the
                                                (c)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section that is               purposes of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this               foreign acquiring corporation is
                                                related to the domestic entity                          section, an obligation is associated with              transferred to a person other than the
                                                acquisition. This paragraph (c) applies                 property if, for example, the obligation               domestic entity in exchange for the
                                                without regard to whether the stock of                  arose from the conduct of a trade or                   satisfaction or the assumption of one or
                                                the foreign acquiring corporation is                    business in which the property has been                more obligations of the transferor. In
                                                publicly traded at the time of the                      used, regardless of whether the                        such a case, solely for purposes of this
                                                transfer or at any other time.                          obligation is a non-recourse obligation.               section, the stock of the foreign
                                                   (i) Exchanged for nonqualified                          (2) Stock transferred in an exchange                acquiring corporation is treated as if it
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                                                property. The stock is transferred to a                 that does not increase the fair market                 is transferred in exchange for an amount
                                                person other than the domestic entity in                value of the assets or decrease the                    of cash equal to the fair market value of
                                                exchange for nonqualified property. See                 amount of liabilities of the foreign                   such stock.
                                                Example 1, Example 2, Example 6,                        acquiring corporation. Stock is                           (f) Transactions involving multiple
                                                Example 8, and Example 9 of paragraph                   disqualified stock only to the extent that             properties. For purposes of this section,
                                                (j) of this section for illustrations of the            the transfer of the stock in the exchange              if stock and other property are
                                                application of this paragraph (c)(1)(i).                increases the fair market value of the                 exchanged for qualified property and


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                                                5396             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                nonqualified property, the stock is                        (ii) Marketable securities, within the              interests, including certain creditor
                                                treated as transferred in exchange for                  meaning of paragraph (i)(1) of this                    claims, as stock).
                                                the qualified property or nonqualified                  section.                                                  (4) A transfer is, with respect to stock
                                                property, respectively, based on the                       (iii) An obligation owed by any of the              of the foreign acquiring corporation, an
                                                relative fair market value of the                       following:                                             issuance, sale, distribution, exchange, or
                                                property. See also § 1.7874–2(f)(2)                        (A) A member of the expanded                        any other disposition of such stock.
                                                (allocating stock of a foreign acquiring                affiliated group, unless the holder of the                (j) Examples. The following examples
                                                corporation between an interest in the                  obligation immediately before the                      illustrate the application of the rules of
                                                domestic entity and other property).                    domestic entity acquisition and any                    this section. For purposes of the
                                                   (g) Treatment of partnerships. For                   related transaction (or its successor) is a            examples, unless otherwise indicated,
                                                purposes of this section, if one or more                member of the expanded affiliated                      assume the following facts in addition
                                                members of the expanded affiliated                      group after the domestic entity                        to the facts stated in the examples:
                                                group own, in the aggregate, more than                  acquisition and all related transactions.                 (1) FA, FMS, FS, and FT are foreign
                                                50 percent (by value) of the interests in                  (B) A former domestic entity                        corporations, all of which have only one
                                                a partnership, such partnership is                      shareholder or former domestic entity                  class of stock issued and outstanding;
                                                treated as a corporation that is a member               partner of the domestic entity that owns                  (2) DMS and DT are domestic
                                                of the expanded affiliated group.                       (applying the attribution rules of section             corporations;
                                                   (h) Interaction with expanded                        318(a) with the modifications described                   (3) P and R are corporations that may
                                                affiliated group rules. Disqualified stock              in section 304(c)(3)(B)) at least five                 be either domestic or foreign;
                                                that is excluded from the denominator                   percent (by vote or value) of the stock                   (4) PRS is a partnership with
                                                of the ownership fraction pursuant to                   of, or partnership interests in, the                   individual partners;
                                                paragraph (b) of this section is taken                  domestic entity before the domestic                       (5) The de minimis ownership
                                                into account for purposes of                            entity acquisition.                                    exception in paragraph (d)(1) of this
                                                determining whether an entity is a                         (C) A person that, before or after the
                                                                                                                                                               section does not apply;
                                                member of the expanded affiliated                       domestic entity acquisition, either owns
                                                                                                                                                                  (6) None of the shareholders or
                                                group for purposes of applying section                  (applying the attribution rules of section
                                                                                                                                                               partners in the entities described in the
                                                7874(c)(2)(A) and § 1.7874–1(b) and                     318(a) with the modifications described
                                                                                                                                                               examples are related persons with
                                                determining whether a domestic entity                   in section 304(c)(3)(B)) at least five
                                                                                                                                                               respect to each other;
                                                acquisition qualifies as an internal                    percent (by vote or value) of the stock
                                                                                                                                                                  (7) All transactions described in each
                                                group restructuring or results in a loss                of (or partnership interests in) or is
                                                                                                                                                               example occur pursuant to the same
                                                of control, as described in § 1.7874–                   related (within the meaning of section
                                                                                                                                                               plan;
                                                1(c)(2) and (c)(3), respectively. However,              267 or 707(b)) to—
                                                                                                           (1) A member of the expanded                           (8) No property is acquired with a
                                                such disqualified stock is excluded from                                                                       principal purpose of avoiding the
                                                the denominator of the ownership                        affiliated group; or
                                                                                                           (2) A person described in paragraph                 purposes of section 7874;
                                                fraction for purposes of section
                                                                                                        (i)(2)(iii)(B) of this section. See Example               (9) FA, FMS, FS, and FT are tax
                                                7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) regardless of whether it
                                                                                                        6 of paragraph (j) of this section for an              residents in the same foreign country;
                                                otherwise would be included in the
                                                                                                        illustration of this paragraph                            (10) For purposes of determining the
                                                denominator of the ownership fraction
                                                                                                        (i)(2)(iii)(C)(2).                                     ownership fraction, no shares of FA
                                                as a result of the application of
                                                                                                           (iv) Any other property acquired with               stock are excluded from the
                                                § 1.7874–1(c). See Example 8 and
                                                                                                        a principal purpose of avoiding the                    denominator pursuant to § 1.7874–7T(b)
                                                Example 9 of paragraph (j) of this
                                                                                                        purposes of section 7874, regardless of                (which disregards stock attributable to
                                                section for illustrations of the
                                                                                                        whether the transaction involves an                    passive assets); and
                                                application of this paragraph (h).
                                                                                                        indirect transfer of property described                   (11) For purposes of determining the
                                                   (i) Definitions. In addition to the
                                                                                                        in paragraph (i)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this         ownership fraction, no shares of FA
                                                definitions in § 1.7874–12T, the
                                                                                                        section. See Example 2 and Example 3                   stock are treated as received by former
                                                following definitions apply for purposes
                                                                                                        of paragraph (j) of this section for                   shareholders of DT pursuant to
                                                of this section:
                                                   (1) Marketable securities has the                    illustrations of the application of this               § 1.7874–10T(b) (which disregards
                                                meaning set forth in section 453(f)(2),                 paragraph (i)(2)(iv).                                  certain distributions).
                                                except that the term marketable                            (3) An obligation means any fixed or                   Example 1. Stock transferred in exchange
                                                securities does not include stock of a                  contingent obligation to make a                        for marketable securities—(i) Facts.
                                                corporation or an interest in a                         payment or provide value without                       Individual A wholly owns DT. PRS transfers
                                                partnership that becomes a member of                    regard to whether the obligation is                    marketable securities (within the meaning of
                                                                                                        otherwise taken into account for                       paragraph (i)(1) of this section) to FA, a
                                                the expanded affiliated group in a                                                                             newly formed corporation, in exchange
                                                transaction (or series of transactions)                 purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.
                                                                                                                                                               solely for 25 shares of FA stock. Then
                                                related to the domestic entity                          An obligation includes, but is not                     Individual A transfers all the DT stock to FA
                                                acquisition. See Example 4 of paragraph                 limited to, a debt obligation, an                      in exchange solely for 75 shares of FA stock.
                                                (j) of this section for an illustration of              environmental obligation, a tort                          (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of
                                                this paragraph (i)(1).                                  obligation, a contract obligation                      this section, the marketable securities
                                                   (2) Nonqualified property is property                (including an obligation to provide                    constitute nonqualified property.
                                                described in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) through               goods or services), a pension obligation,              Accordingly, the 25 shares of FA stock
                                                (iv) of this section. Thus, stock in a                  an obligation under a short sale, and an               transferred by FA to PRS in exchange for the
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                                                corporation or an interest in a                         obligation under derivative financial                  marketable securities constitute disqualified
                                                                                                        instruments such as options, forward                   stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this
                                                partnership is nonqualified property to                                                                        section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this
                                                the extent provided in paragraph                        contracts, futures contracts, and swaps.               section. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does
                                                (i)(2)(ii) or (iv) of this section. Qualified           An obligation does not include any                     not reduce the amount of disqualified stock
                                                property is property other than                         obligation treated as stock for purposes               described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section
                                                nonqualified property.                                  of section 7874 (see, for example,                     because the transfer of FA stock in exchange
                                                   (i) Cash or cash equivalents.                        § 1.7874–2(i), which treats certain                    for the marketable securities increases the



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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                               5397

                                                fair market value of the assets of FA by the               (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(iv) of        FA surviving the merger (FT–FA merger).
                                                fair market value of the marketable securities          this section, the PRS properties transferred to        Pursuant to the FT–FA merger, the FT
                                                transferred. Under paragraph (b) of this                FA constitute nonqualified property, because           shareholders exchange their FT stock solely
                                                section, the 25 shares of FA stock transferred          FA acquires the PRS properties in a                    for 100 shares of FA stock. At the time of the
                                                to PRS are not included in the denominator              transaction related to the DT acquisition with         FT–FA merger, FT does not hold
                                                of the ownership fraction. See also section             a principal purpose of avoiding the purposes           nonqualified property and has no obligations.
                                                7874(c)(4). Accordingly, the only FA stock              of section 7874. Accordingly, the 25 shares            Accordingly, FA stock transferred by FA to
                                                included in the ownership fraction is the FA            of FA stock transferred by FA to PRS in                FT in exchange for the property of FT is not
                                                stock transferred to Individual A in exchange           exchange for the PRS properties constitute             disqualified stock described in paragraph
                                                for the DT stock, and that FA stock is                  disqualified stock described in paragraph              (c)(1) of this section. Furthermore, pursuant
                                                included in both the numerator and the                  (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph          to paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the 100
                                                denominator of the ownership fraction. Thus,            (c)(1)(i) of this section. Paragraph (c)(2) of         shares of FA stock transferred by FT to the
                                                the ownership fraction is 75/75.                        this section does not apply to reduce the              shareholders of FT in exchange for their FT
                                                   Example 2. Stock transferred in exchange             amount of disqualified stock described in              stock do not constitute disqualified stock
                                                for property acquired with a principal                  paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section because the        described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
                                                purpose of avoiding the purposes of section             transfer of FA stock in exchange for the PRS           Although the FT stock is nonqualified
                                                7874—(i) Facts. Individual A wholly owns                properties increases the fair market value of          property (the FT stock constitutes marketable
                                                DT. PRS transfers marketable securities                 FA’s assets by the fair market value of the            securities within the meaning of paragraph
                                                (within the meaning of paragraph (i)(1) of              PRS properties. Accordingly, pursuant to               (i)(2)(ii) of this section because the stock of
                                                this section) to FT, a newly formed                     paragraph (b) of this section, the 25 shares of        FT is publicly traded and FT is not a member
                                                corporation, in exchange solely for all the FT          FA stock transferred to PRS in exchange for            of the expanded affiliated group that includes
                                                stock. Then PRS transfers the FT stock to FA,           the PRS properties are not included in the             FA after the DT acquisition), under paragraph
                                                a newly formed corporation, in exchange                 denominator of the ownership fraction.                 (c)(2) of this section, the transfer of FA stock
                                                solely for 25 shares of FA stock. Finally,              Furthermore, even in the absence of                    by FT to the shareholders of FT neither
                                                Individual A transfers all the DT stock to FA           paragraph (i)(2)(iv) of this section, the              increases the fair market value of the assets
                                                in exchange solely for 75 shares of FA stock.           transfer of the PRS properties to FA would             of FA nor decreases the liabilities of FA.
                                                FA acquires the FT stock with a principal               be disregarded pursuant to section 7874(c)(4).         Accordingly, no FA stock is disqualified
                                                purpose of avoiding the purposes of section             Therefore, the only FA stock included in the           stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this
                                                7874.                                                   ownership fraction is the FA stock                     section and, therefore, the FA stock
                                                   (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(iv) of         transferred to the former domestic entity              transferred in exchange for the assets of FT
                                                this section, the FT stock constitutes                  shareholders of DT in exchange for their DT            and the DT stock is included in the
                                                nonqualified property because a principal               stock, and that FA stock is included in both           denominator of the ownership fraction. Thus,
                                                purpose of FA acquiring the FT stock is to              the numerator and the denominator of the               the ownership fraction is 100/200.
                                                avoid the purposes of section 7874.                     ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership                   Example 5. De minimis exception—(i)
                                                Accordingly, the 25 shares of FA stock                  fraction is 75/75.                                     Facts. Individual A wholly owns DT. The fair
                                                transferred by FA to PRS in exchange for the               Example 4. Stock transferred in exchange            market value of the DT stock is $100x. PRS
                                                FT stock constitute disqualified stock                  for stock of a foreign corporation that                transfers $96x of cash to FA, a newly formed
                                                described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section           becomes a member of the expanded affiliated            corporation, in exchange solely for 96 shares
                                                by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this                group—(i) Facts. FT, a publicly traded                 of FA stock. Then Individual A transfers the
                                                section. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does          corporation, forms FA, and then FA forms               DT stock to FA in exchange for $96x of cash
                                                not reduce the amount of disqualified stock             DMS and FMS. FMS merges with and into                  and 4 shares of FA stock (DT acquisition).
                                                described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section        FT, with FT surviving the merger (FMS–FT                  (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(i) of
                                                because the transfer of FA stock in exchange            merger). Pursuant to the FMS–FT merger, the            this section, cash constitutes nonqualified
                                                for the FT stock increases the fair market              FT shareholders exchange their FT stock                property. Accordingly, the 96 shares of FA
                                                value of FA’s assets by the fair market value           solely for 100 shares of FA stock and FT               stock transferred by FA to PRS in exchange
                                                of the FT stock. Under paragraph (b) of this            becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of FA.               for $96x of cash constitute disqualified stock
                                                section, the 25 shares of FA stock transferred          Following the FMS–FT merger, DMS merges                described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section
                                                to PRS are not included in the denominator              with and into DT, also a publicly traded               by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this
                                                of the ownership fraction. Furthermore, even            corporation, with DT surviving the merger              section. Furthermore, paragraph (c)(2) of this
                                                in the absence of paragraph (i)(2)(iv) of this          (DT acquisition). Pursuant to the DT                   section does not reduce the amount of
                                                section, the transfer of marketable securities          acquisition, the DT shareholders exchange              disqualified stock described in paragraph
                                                to FT would be disregarded pursuant to                  their DT stock solely for the remaining 100            (c)(1)(i) of this section because the transfer of
                                                section 7874(c)(4). Accordingly, the only FA            shares of FA stock, and DT becomes a wholly            FA stock in exchange for $96x of cash
                                                stock included in the ownership fraction is             owned subsidiary of FA. After the                      increases the fair market value of the assets
                                                the FA stock transferred to Individual A in             completion of the plan, FA wholly owns FT              of FA by $96x. However, without regard to
                                                exchange for the DT stock, and that FA stock            and DT, DMS and FMS cease to exist, and the            the application of paragraph (b) of this
                                                is included in both the numerator and the               stock of FA is publicly traded.                        section and §§ 1.7874–7T(b) and 1.7874–
                                                denominator of the ownership fraction. Thus,               (ii) Analysis. Because FT becomes a                 10T(b), the ownership percentage described
                                                the ownership fraction is 75/75.                        member of the expanded affiliated group that           in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) would be less than
                                                   Example 3. Stock transferred in exchange             includes FA in a transaction related to the DT         5 (by vote and value), or 4 (4/100, or 4 shares
                                                for property acquired with a principal                  acquisition, the FT stock does not constitute          of FA stock held by Individual A by reason
                                                purpose of avoiding the purposes of section             marketable securities (within the meaning of           of owning the DT stock, determined under
                                                7874—(i) Facts. DT is a publicly traded                 paragraph (i)(1) of this section) and therefore        § 1.7874–2(f)(2), over 100 shares of FA stock
                                                corporation. PRS is a foreign partnership that          does not constitute nonqualified property              outstanding after the DT acquisition).
                                                is unrelated to DT. PRS transfers certain               pursuant to paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of this section.      Furthermore, after the DT acquisition and all
                                                business assets (PRS properties) to FA, a               Accordingly, no FA stock is disqualified               related transactions, Individual A owns less
                                                newly formed foreign corporation, in                    stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this            than 5% (by vote and value, applying the
                                                exchange solely for 25 shares of FA stock.              section and therefore the FA stock transferred         attribution rules of section 318(a) with the
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                                                The shareholders of DT transfer all of their            in exchange for the FT stock and DT stock              modifications described in section
                                                DT stock to FA in exchange solely for the               is included in the denominator of the                  304(c)(3)(B)) of the stock of FA and DT (the
                                                remaining 75 shares of FA stock (DT                     ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership                members of the expanded affiliated group
                                                acquisition). None of the PRS properties is             fraction is 100/200.                                   that includes FA). Accordingly, the de
                                                property described in paragraph (i)(2)(i)                  (iii) Alternative facts. The facts are the          minimis exception in paragraph (d)(1) of this
                                                through (iii) of this section, but FA acquires          same as in paragraph (i) of this Example 4,            section applies and therefore paragraph (b) of
                                                the PRS properties with a principal purpose             except that, instead of undertaking the FMS–           this section does not apply to exclude the FA
                                                of avoiding the purposes of section 7874.               FT merger, FT merges with and into FA with             stock transferred to PRS from the



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                                                5398             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                denominator of the ownership fraction.                  this section does not reduce the amount of             excluded from the denominator of the
                                                Therefore, the FA stock transferred to                  disqualified stock described in paragraph              ownership fraction under paragraph (b) of
                                                Individual A and PRS is included in the                 (c)(1)(ii) of this section because the transfer        this section, under paragraph (h) of this
                                                denominator of the ownership fraction. Thus,            of FA stock in exchange for the property of            section, such shares of FA stock nonetheless
                                                the ownership fraction is 4/100.                        DT increases the fair market value of FA’s             are taken into account for purposes of
                                                   Example 6. Obligation of the expanded                assets by $100x (although the amount of                determining whether P is a member of the
                                                affiliated group satisfied with stock—(i)               disqualified stock is limited to 25 shares of          expanded affiliated group that includes FA
                                                Facts. Individual A wholly owns DT. The                 FA stock in this case). Therefore, under               and for purposes of determining whether the
                                                stock of DT held by Individual A has a fair             paragraph (b) of this section, the 25 shares of        DT acquisition qualifies as an internal group
                                                market value of $75x. Individual A also holds           FA stock that constitute disqualified stock            restructuring. Because P holds 48.6% of the
                                                an obligation of DT with a value and face               are not included in the denominator of the             FA stock (85/175) after the DT acquisition
                                                amount of $25x. DT holds property with a                ownership fraction. Accordingly, only 75               and all transactions related to the DT
                                                value of $100x, and the $25x obligation is              shares of FA stock are included in the                 acquisition, it is not a member of the
                                                associated with the property. FA, a newly               ownership fraction, and that FA stock is               expanded affiliated group that includes FA.
                                                formed corporation, transfers 100 shares of             included in both the numerator and the                 In addition, the DT acquisition does not
                                                FA stock to Individual A in exchange for all            denominator of the ownership fraction. Thus,           qualify as an internal group restructuring
                                                the DT stock and the $25x obligation of DT.             the ownership fraction is 75/75.                       described in § 1.7874–1(c)(2) because P does
                                                   (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(iii)(A)           Example 7. ‘‘Over-the-top’’ stock transfer—         not hold, directly or indirectly, 80% or more
                                                of this section, the $25x obligation of DT              (i) Facts. Individual A wholly owns DT.                of the shares of FA stock (by vote and value)
                                                constitutes nonqualified property because DT            Individual B holds all 100 outstanding shares          after the DT acquisition and all transactions
                                                is a member of the expanded affiliated group            of FA stock. Individual C acquires 20 shares           related to the DT acquisition. Therefore, the
                                                that includes FA, and Individual A (the                 of FA stock from Individual B for cash, and            FA stock held by P (along with the FA stock
                                                holder of the obligation immediately before             then FA acquires all of the stock of DT from           held by Individual A) is included in the
                                                the domestic entity acquisition and any                 Individual A in exchange solely for 100                numerator and the denominator of the
                                                related transaction) is not a member of the             shares of FA stock.                                    ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership
                                                EAG after the domestic entity acquisition and              (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(i) of         fraction is 100/100.
                                                all related transactions. Thus, the shares of           this section, cash constitutes nonqualified               Example 9. Interaction with loss of control
                                                FA stock transferred by FA to Individual A              property. Accordingly, absent the application          rule—(i) Facts. P wholly owns DT. P transfers
                                                in exchange for the obligation of DT                    of paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the 20            all of its shares of DT stock to FA, a newly
                                                constitute disqualified stock described in              shares of FA stock transferred by Individual           formed corporation, in exchange for 49
                                                paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of           B to Individual C in exchange for cash would           shares of FA stock (DT acquisition), and R
                                                paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. Under              constitute disqualified stock described in             transfers marketable securities (within the
                                                § 1.7874–2(f)(2), Individual A is treated as            paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of          meaning of paragraph (i)(1) of this section) to
                                                receiving 75 shares of FA stock in exchange             paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.                   FA in exchange for the remaining 51 shares
                                                for the DT stock (100 x $75x/$100x) and 25              Nevertheless, because Individual B’s sale of           of FA stock.
                                                shares of FA stock in exchange for the                  FA stock neither increases the assets of FA               (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of
                                                obligation of DT (100 x $25x/$100x). Thus,              nor decreases the liabilities of FA, such FA           this section, the marketable securities
                                                25 shares of FA stock constitute disqualified           stock is not disqualified stock by reason of           constitute nonqualified property.
                                                stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this             paragraph (c)(2) of this section. Accordingly,         Accordingly, the shares of FA stock
                                                section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this        paragraph (b) of this section does not apply           transferred by FA to R in exchange for the
                                                section. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does          to exclude the 20 shares of FA stock sold by           marketable securities constitute disqualified
                                                not reduce the amount of disqualified stock             Individual B to Individual C, and that FA              stock described in paragraph (c)(1) of this
                                                described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section        stock is included in the denominator of the            section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this
                                                because the transfer of FA stock for the $25x           ownership fraction. The 100 shares of FA               section. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does
                                                obligation increases the fair market value of           stock received by Individual A are the only            not reduce the amount of disqualified stock
                                                FA’s assets by $25x. Therefore, under                   shares included in the numerator of the                described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section
                                                paragraph (b) of this section, the 25 shares of         ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership                because the transfer of FA stock in exchange
                                                FA stock transferred to Individual A in                 fraction is 100/200.                                   for the marketable securities increases the
                                                exchange for the obligation of DT are not                  Example 8. Interaction with internal group          fair market value of the assets of FA by the
                                                included in the denominator of the                      restructuring rule—(i) Facts. P holds 85               fair market value of the marketable securities
                                                ownership fraction. Accordingly, the only FA            shares of DT stock. The remaining 15 shares            transferred. Therefore, under paragraph (b) of
                                                stock included in the ownership fraction is             of DT stock are held by Individual A. P and            this section, the shares of FA stock
                                                the 75 shares of FA stock transferred to                Individual A transfer their shares of DT stock         transferred to R are not included in the
                                                Individual A in exchange for the DT stock,              to FA, a newly formed corporation, in                  denominator of the ownership fraction.
                                                and that FA stock is included in both the               exchange for 85 and 15 shares of FA stock,             Although under paragraph (b) of this section
                                                numerator and the denominator of the                    respectively (DT acquisition), and PRS                 R’s shares of FA stock are excluded from the
                                                ownership fraction. Thus, the ownership                 transfers $75x of cash to FA in exchange for           denominator of the ownership fraction,
                                                fraction is 75/75.                                      the remaining 75 shares of FA stock.                   under paragraph (h) of this section, such
                                                   (iii) Alternative facts. The facts are the              (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (i)(2)(i) of         stock is taken into account for purposes of
                                                same as in paragraph (i) of this Example 6,             this section, cash constitutes nonqualified            determining whether P or R is a member of
                                                except that instead of acquiring the stock of           property. Accordingly, the 75 shares of FA             the expanded affiliated group that includes
                                                DT and the $25x obligation of DT, FA                    stock transferred by FA to PRS in exchange             FA. Because P holds 49% of the shares of FA
                                                acquires the $100x of property from DT in               for $75x of cash constitute disqualified stock         stock (49/100), P is not a member of the
                                                exchange solely for 100 shares of FA stock.             described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section          expanded affiliated group that includes FA,
                                                DT distributes 75 shares of FA stock to                 by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this               and P’s FA stock is included in both the
                                                Individual A in exchange for Individual A’s             section. Furthermore, paragraph (c)(2) of this         numerator and the denominator of the
                                                DT stock and transfers 25 shares of FA stock            section does not reduce the amount of                  ownership fraction. Because R holds 51% of
                                                to Individual A in satisfaction of DT’s                 disqualified stock described in paragraph              the shares of FA stock (51/100), R is a
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                                                obligation to Individual A, and liquidates.             (c)(1)(i) of this section because the transfer of      member of the expanded affiliated group that
                                                The 25 shares of FA stock transferred by FA             FA stock in exchange for $75x of cash                  includes FA and, before taking into account
                                                to DT in exchange for the property of DT and            increases the fair market value of the assets          § 1.7874–1(c), R’s FA stock would be
                                                then transferred by DT in satisfaction of DT’s          of FA by $75x. Therefore, under paragraph              excluded from the numerator and
                                                obligation to Individual A constitute                   (b) of this section, the 75 shares of FA stock         denominator of the ownership fraction under
                                                disqualified stock described in paragraph               transferred to PRS are not included in the             section 7874(c)(2)(A) and § 1.7874–1(b).
                                                (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph           denominator of the ownership fraction.                 However, the DT acquisition results in a loss
                                                (c)(1)(ii) of this section. Paragraph (c)(2) of         Although PRS’s shares of FA stock are                  of control described in § 1.7874–1(c)(3)



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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                              5399

                                                because P does not hold, in the aggregate,              Individual A wholly owns DT. The stock of              stock. Thus, the ownership fraction is $100x/
                                                directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the            DT has a fair market value of $100x.                   $150x. The result would be the same if, in
                                                shares of stock (by vote or value) of R, FA,            Individual B wholly owns FT, a foreign                 transactions related to the DT acquisition, FT
                                                or DT after the acquisition. Accordingly, the           corporation, which conducts two businesses,            instead sold the $30x of FA stock for $30x
                                                FA stock held by R would be included in the             Business C and Business D. Business C                  cash and then transferred the cash in
                                                denominator of the ownership fraction under             comprises property with a gross fair market            satisfaction of $30x of its obligations.
                                                § 1.7874–1(c)(1). Nevertheless, the FA stock            value of $70x and $20x of associated                      (iii) Alternative facts. The facts are the
                                                held by R is excluded from the denominator              obligations. Business D comprises property             same as in paragraph (i) of this Example 10,
                                                of the ownership fraction under paragraphs              with a gross fair market value of $45x and             except that FA acquires only $42x of the
                                                (b) and (h) of this section. Thus, the                  $35x of associated obligations. Individual A           Business C property in exchange for $30x of
                                                ownership fraction is 49/49.                            transfers all of the shares of DT stock to FA,         FA stock and the assumption of $12x of the
                                                   (iii) Alternative facts. The facts are the           a newly formed corporation, in exchange for            obligations associated with the Business C
                                                same as in paragraph (i) of this Example 9,             $100x of FA stock (DT acquisition). In                 property. Under paragraph (c)(1) of this
                                                except that, in exchange for 51 shares of FA            transactions related to the DT acquisition, FA         section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of
                                                stock, R transfers marketable securities                acquires all of the Business C property from           this section, the $30x of FA stock transferred
                                                (within the meaning of paragraph (i)(1) of              FT in exchange for $70x of FA stock and then           to FT (the transferee) in exchange for the
                                                this section) with a value equal to that of 16          FT transfers $30x of the FA stock to its               Business C property (the exchanged property)
                                                shares of FA stock and qualified property               creditors in satisfaction of $30x of its               and then transferred by FT in satisfaction of
                                                (within the meaning of paragraph (i)(2) of              obligations. None of the Business C property           $30x of its obligations is disqualified stock,
                                                this section) with a value equal to that of 35          is nonqualified property.                              except to the extent limited by paragraph
                                                shares of FA stock. Accordingly, 16 of the 51              (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (c)(1) of this       (c)(1)(ii)(B) of this section. Under paragraph
                                                shares of FA stock transferred to R constitute          section by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of           (c)(1)(ii)(B)(1) of this section, the
                                                disqualified stock described in paragraph               this section, the $30x of FA stock transferred         proportionate share of obligations associated
                                                (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph           to FT (the transferee) in exchange for the             with the exchanged property that is not
                                                (c)(1)(i) of this section, and 35 of such shares        Business C property (the exchanged property)           assumed by FA must be determined. The
                                                do not constitute disqualified stock.                   and then transferred by FT in satisfaction of          proportionate share of obligations associated
                                                Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not               $30x of its obligations is disqualified stock,         with the exchanged property is $12x,
                                                reduce the amount of disqualified stock                 except to the extent limited by paragraph              calculated as $20x (the obligations associated
                                                described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section        (c)(1)(ii)(B) of this section. Under paragraph         with the Business C property) multiplied by
                                                because the transfer of FA stock in exchange            (c)(1)(ii)(B)(1) of this section, the                  $42x/$70x (the fair market value of the
                                                for the marketable securities increases the             proportionate share of obligations associated          exchanged property, $42x, relative to the fair
                                                fair market value of the assets of FA by the            with the exchanged property that is not                market value of all the Business C property,
                                                fair market value of the marketable securities          assumed by FA must be determined. The                  $70x). The proportionate share of obligations
                                                transferred. Therefore, under paragraph (b) of          proportionate share of obligations associated          associated with the exchanged property that
                                                this section, 16 of the 51 shares of FA stock           with the exchanged property is $20x,                   is not assumed by FA is $0, calculated as the
                                                transferred to R are not included in the                calculated as $20x (the obligations associated         proportionate share of obligations associated
                                                denominator of the ownership fraction.                  with the Business C properties) multiplied by          with the exchanged property ($12x) less the
                                                Although 16 of the 51 shares of FA stock that           $70x/$70x (the fair market value of the                obligations assumed by FA ($12x).
                                                are transferred to R are excluded from the              exchanged property, $70x, relative to the fair         Accordingly, as a result of the application of
                                                denominator of the ownership fraction,                  market value of all the Business C property,           paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B)(2) of this section, no
                                                under paragraph (h) of this section, all 51 of          $70x). The proportionate share of obligations          FA stock is disqualified stock under
                                                R’s shares of FA stock are taken into account           associated with the exchanged property that            paragraph (c)(1) of this section by reason of
                                                for purposes of determining whether P or R              is not assumed by FA is $20x, calculated as            paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. As a
                                                is a member of the expanded affiliated group            the proportionate share of obligations                 result, $130x of FA stock is included in the
                                                that includes FA. Because P holds 49% of the            associated with the exchanged property                 denominator of the ownership fraction,
                                                shares of FA stock (49/100), it is not a                ($20x) less the obligations assumed by FA              calculated as the $100x of FA stock received
                                                member of the expanded affiliated group that            ($0x). Under paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B)(2) of this        by Individual A plus the $30x of FA stock
                                                includes FA, and its FA stock is included in            section, the amount of disqualified stock is           received by FT. Thus, the ownership fraction
                                                both the numerator and the denominator of               limited to the proportionate share of                  is $100x/$130x.
                                                the ownership fraction. Because R holds 51%             obligations associated with the exchanged
                                                                                                                                                                 (k) Applicability dates—(1) General
                                                of the shares of FA stock (51/100), it is a             property that is not assumed ($20x)
                                                member of the expanded affiliated group that            multiplied by a fraction, which in this case           rule. Except to the extent otherwise
                                                includes FA and, before taking into account             is $70x/$70x (the amount of exchanged                  provided in paragraph (k) of this
                                                § 1.7874–1(c), its FA stock is excluded from            property that is qualified property, $70x,             section, this section applies to domestic
                                                the numerator and denominator of the                    divided by the total amount of exchanged               entity acquisitions completed on or after
                                                ownership fraction under section                        property, $70x). Accordingly, $20x of FA               September 17, 2009. Paragraphs (i)(1)
                                                7874(c)(2)(A) and § 1.7874–1(b). However,               stock is disqualified stock under paragraph            and (i)(2)(iv) of this section apply to
                                                the DT acquisition results in a loss of control         (c)(1) of this section by reason of paragraph          domestic entity acquisitions completed
                                                described in § 1.7874–1(c)(3) because P does            (c)(1)(ii) of this section. Paragraph (c)(2) of        on or after November 19, 2015.
                                                not hold, in the aggregate, directly or                 this section does not reduce the amount of
                                                                                                                                                               Paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section
                                                indirectly, more than 50% of the shares of              disqualified stock described in paragraph
                                                stock (by vote or value) of R, FA, or DT after          (c)(1)(ii) of this section because the transfer        applies to domestic entity acquisitions
                                                the acquisition. Accordingly, the 51 shares of          of the FA stock in exchange for the                    completed on or after April 4, 2016.
                                                FA stock held by R would be included in the             exchanged property increases the fair market           Paragraphs (c)(1)(ii), (d)(1)(ii), (i)(2)(iii),
                                                denominator of the ownership fraction under             value of FA’s assets by $70x (although the             and (i)(3) of this section apply to
                                                § 1.7874–1(c)(1). Nevertheless, the 16 shares           amount of disqualified stock is limited to             domestic entity acquisitions completed
                                                of FA stock that constitute disqualified stock          $20x of FA stock in this case). Therefore,             on or after January 13, 2017. For
                                                are excluded from the denominator of the                under paragraph (b) of this section, the $20x          domestic entity acquisitions completed
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                                                ownership fraction under paragraphs (b) and             of FA stock that constitutes disqualified stock        before November 19, 2015, see § 1.7874–
                                                (h) of this section. In addition, the 35 shares         is not included in the denominator of the
                                                                                                                                                               4T(i)(6) and (i)(7)(iv) (the predecessors
                                                of FA stock received by R that do not                   ownership fraction. Accordingly, only $150x
                                                constitute disqualified stock are included in           of FA stock is included in the denominator             of paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2)(iv) of this
                                                the denominator. Thus, the ownership                    of the ownership fraction, calculated as the           section) as contained in 26 CFR part 1
                                                fraction is 49/84.                                      $100x of FA stock received by Individual A             revised as of April 1, 2016. For domestic
                                                   Example 10. Stock issued in lieu of                  plus the $70x of FA stock received by FT less          entity acquisitions completed on or after
                                                assuming associated obligation—(i) Facts.               the $20x of FA stock that is disqualified              September 22, 2014, and before April 4,


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                                                5400             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                2016, see § 1.7874–4T(d)(1)(i) as                       or former domestic entity partner that                 partnership interest in) each member of
                                                contained in 26 CFR part 1 revised as of                received such stock, even if the                       the expanded affiliated group.
                                                April 1, 2016. For domestic entity                      subsequent transfer is related to the                  *      *     *      *     *
                                                acquisitions completed before January                   domestic entity acquisition.                              (h) Applicability dates. Except as
                                                13, 2017, see § 1.7874–4T(c)(1)(ii),                       (b) Example. The rule of this section               otherwise provided in this paragraph
                                                (d)(1)(ii), (i)(7)(iii) (the predecessor of             is illustrated by the following example:               (h), this section applies to domestic
                                                paragraph (i)(2)(iii) of this section), and                                                                    entity acquisitions completed on or after
                                                                                                           Example. (i) Facts. Individual A wholly
                                                (i)(8) (the predecessor of paragraph (i)(3)             owns DT, a domestic corporation. FA, a                 September 22, 2014. Paragraph (c)(2) of
                                                of this section) as contained in 26 CFR                 newly formed foreign corporation, acquires             this section applies to domestic entity
                                                part 1 revised as of April 1, 2016.                     all of the stock of DT from Individual A in            acquisitions completed on or after
                                                   (2) Transitional rules for domestic                  exchange solely for 100 shares of FA stock.            January 13, 2017, and paragraphs (c)(1),
                                                entity acquisitions completed on or after               Pursuant to a binding commitment that was              (d), and (f)(2) and (4) of this section
                                                September 17, 2009, but before January                  entered into in connection with FA’s                   apply to domestic entity acquisitions
                                                16, 2014. For domestic entity                           acquisition of the DT stock, Individual A              completed on or after April 4, 2016.
                                                acquisitions completed on or after                      sells 25 shares of FA stock to B, an unrelated
                                                                                                        person, in exchange for cash. For federal
                                                                                                                                                               Paragraphs (f)(1)(i)(A)(2) and (f)(1)(i)(D)
                                                September 17, 2009, but before January                                                                         of this section, as well as the portion of
                                                                                                        income tax purposes, the form of the steps of
                                                16, 2014, except as provided in                                                                                paragraph (f)(1)(i)(C) of this section
                                                                                                        the transaction is respected.
                                                paragraph (k)(3) of this section, this                     (ii) Analysis. Under § 1.7874–2(f)(1), the          relating to property that gives rise to
                                                section shall be applied with the                       100 shares of FA stock received by Individual          income described in section
                                                following modifications:                                A are stock of a foreign corporation (FA) that         1297(b)(2)(B), apply to domestic entity
                                                   (i) Nonqualified property does not                   is held by reason of holding stock in a                acquisitions completed on or after
                                                include property described in paragraph                 domestic corporation (DT). Accordingly,                November 19, 2015. However, for
                                                (i)(2)(iii) of this section.                            such stock is described in section                     domestic entity acquisitions completed
                                                   (ii) A transfer is limited to an issuance            7874(a)(2)(B)(ii). Under paragraph (a) of this
                                                                                                        section, all 100 shares of FA stock retain their
                                                                                                                                                               on or after September 22, 2014, and
                                                of stock of the foreign acquiring                                                                              before April 4, 2016, taxpayers may
                                                corporation.                                            status as being described in section
                                                                                                        7874(a)(2)(B)(ii), even though Individual A            elect to apply paragraphs (c)(1), (d), and
                                                   (iii) The determination of whether
                                                                                                        sells 25 of the 100 shares in connection with          (f)(2) and (4) of this section. For
                                                stock of the foreign acquiring
                                                                                                        the acquisition described in section                   domestic entity acquisitions completed
                                                corporation is described in paragraph                   7874(a)(2)(B)(i) pursuant to the binding               on or after September 22, 2014, and
                                                (c)(1) of this section is made without                  commitment. Therefore, all 100 of the shares           before January 13, 2017, taxpayers may
                                                regard to paragraphs (c)(1)(ii), (c)(2), and            of FA stock are included in both the                   elect to apply paragraph (c)(2) of this
                                                (e) of this section.                                    numerator and denominator of the ownership
                                                   (iv) Paragraphs (d) and (h) of this                                                                         section or § 1.7874–7T(c)(2) as
                                                                                                        fraction.
                                                section do not apply.                                                                                          contained in the Internal Revenue
                                                   (3) Election for domestic entity                        (c) Certain transfers involving                     Bulletin (IRB) 2016–20 (see https://
                                                acquisitions completed on or after                      expanded affiliated group members. For                 www.irs.gov/irb/2016-20_IRB/
                                                September 17, 2009, and before January                  rules addressing whether certain stock                 ar05.html). In addition, for domestic
                                                13, 2017. If, pursuant to paragraph (k)(1)              is treated as held by members of the                   entity acquisitions completed on or after
                                                or (2) of this section, a paragraph of this             expanded affiliated group for purposes                 September 22, 2014, and before April 4,
                                                section would not otherwise apply to a                  of applying section 7874(c)(2)(A) and                  2016, taxpayers may elect to apply
                                                domestic entity acquisition completed                   § 1.7874–1, see § 1.7874–6T.                           paragraph (f)(2) of this section by
                                                on or after September 17, 2009, and                        (d) Definitions. The definitions                    substituting the term ‘‘expanded
                                                before January 13, 2017 (transition                     provided in § 1.7874–12T apply for                     affiliated group’’ for the term ‘‘modified
                                                period), a taxpayer may elect to apply                  purposes of this section.                              expanded affiliated group.’’
                                                the paragraph if the taxpayer applies the                                                                      Furthermore, for domestic entity
                                                                                                           (e) Applicability dates. This section
                                                paragraph consistently to all                                                                                  acquisitions completed on or after
                                                                                                        applies to domestic entity acquisitions
                                                acquisitions completed during the                                                                              September 22, 2014, and before
                                                                                                        that are completed on or after January
                                                transition period. The election is made                                                                        November 19, 2015, taxpayers may elect
                                                                                                        16, 2014.
                                                by applying the paragraph to all such                                                                          to apply paragraphs (f)(1)(i)(A)(2) and
                                                acquisitions on a timely filed original                 § 1.7874–5T       [Removed]                            (f)(1)(i)(D) of this section, as well as the
                                                return (including extensions) or an                                                                            portion of paragraph (f)(1)(i)(C) of this
                                                                                                        ■   Par. 5. Section 1.7874–5T is removed.              section relating to property that gives
                                                amended return filed no later than six
                                                months after January 13, 2017. A                        ■ Par. 6. Section 1.7874–7T is amended                 rise to income described in section
                                                separate statement or form evidencing                   by revising paragraph (c)(2) and                       1297(b)(2)(B).
                                                the election need not be filed.                         paragraph (h) to read as follows:                      *      *     *      *     *
                                                                                                        § 1.7874–7T Disregard of certain stock                 ■ Par. 7. Section 1.7874–10T is
                                                1.7874–4T    [Removed]
                                                                                                        attributable to passive assets (temporary).            amended by revising paragraph (d)(2)
                                                ■ Par. 3. Section 1.7874–4T is removed.                 *      *     *    *     *                              and paragraph (i) to read as follows:
                                                ■ Par. 4. Section 1.7874–5 is added to
                                                                                                           (c) * * *                                           § 1.7874–10T Disregard of certain
                                                read as follows:
                                                                                                           (2) After the domestic entity                       distributions (temporary).
                                                § 1.7874–5 Effect of certain transfers of               acquisition and all related transactions,              *      *     *    *     *
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                                                stock related to the acquisition.                       each former domestic entity shareholder                   (d) * * *
                                                  (a) General rule. Stock of a foreign                  or former domestic entity partner, as                     (2) After the domestic entity
                                                acquiring corporation that is described                 applicable, owns (applying the                         acquisition and all related transactions,
                                                in section 7874(a)(2)(B)(ii) shall not                  attribution rules of section 318(a) with               each former domestic entity shareholder
                                                cease to be so described as a result of                 the modifications described in section                 or former domestic entity partner, as
                                                any subsequent transfer of the stock by                 304(c)(3)(B)) less than five percent (by               applicable, owns (applying the
                                                the former domestic entity shareholder                  vote and value) of the stock of (or a                  attribution rules of section 318(a) with


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                                                         5401

                                                the modifications described in section                                 September 22, 2014, and before                                       ■ Par. 8. Section 1.7874–12T is
                                                304(c)(3)(B)) less than five percent (by                               November 19, 2015, taxpayers may elect                               amended by revising the introductory
                                                vote and value) of the stock of (or a                                  to apply paragraph (d)(1) of this section.                           text of paragraph (a) to read as follows:
                                                partnership interest in) each member of                                For domestic entity acquisitions
                                                the expanded affiliated group.                                         completed on or after September 22,                                  § 1.7874–12T       Definitions (temporary).
                                                *      *    *      *    *                                              2014, and before January 13, 2017,                                      (a) Definitions. Except as otherwise
                                                   (i) Applicability date. Except as                                   taxpayers may elect to apply paragraph                               provided, the following definitions
                                                otherwise provided in this paragraph (i),                              (d)(2) of this section or § 1.7874–                                  apply for purposes of this section and
                                                this section applies to domestic entity                                10T(d)(2) as contained in the Internal                               §§ 1.367(b)–4T, 1.956–2T, 1.7701(l)–4T,
                                                acquisitions completed on or after                                     Revenue Bulletin (IRB) 2016–20 (see                                  1.7874–2, 1.7874–2T, 1.7874–4, 1.7874–
                                                September 22, 2014. Paragraph (d)(2) of                                https://www.irs.gov/irb/2016-20_IRB/                                 5, and 1.7874–6T through 1.7874–11T.
                                                this section applies to domestic entity                                ar05.html). In addition, for domestic
                                                acquisitions completed on or after                                     entity acquisitions completed on or after                            *      *    *     *     *
                                                January 13, 2017, and paragraph (d)(1)                                 September 22, 2014, and before April 4,                              §§ 1.7874–1, 1.7874–6T, 1.7874–7T, 1.7874–
                                                of this section applies to domestic entity                             2016, taxpayers may elect to determine                               9T, and 1.7874–10T [Amended]
                                                acquisitions completed on or after                                     NOCDs consistently on the basis of
                                                November 19, 2015. Paragraph (g) of this                               taxable years, in lieu of 12-month                                   ■ Par. 9. For each provision listed in the
                                                section applies to domestic entity                                     periods, in a manner consistent with the                             table below, removing the language in
                                                acquisitions completed on or after April                               principles of this section. See paragraph                            the ‘‘Remove’’ column and adding in its
                                                4, 2016. However, for domestic entity                                  (h)(5) of this section.                                              place the language in the ‘‘Add’’
                                                acquisitions completed on or after                                     *     *      *     *    *                                            column:

                                                                                            Provision                                                                      Remove                                         Add

                                                § 1.7874–1(c)(1), second sentence .........................................................               § 1.7874–4T ...................................   § 1.7874–4
                                                § 1.7874–1(c)(1), second sentence .........................................................               § 1.7874–4T(h) ...............................    § 1.7874–4(h)
                                                § 1.7874–6T(g), Example 4(iii), first sentence ........................................                   § 1.7874–4T(i)(7) ...........................     § 1.7874–4(i)(2)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(b)(1), first sentence ............................................................            § 1.7874–4T(b) ...............................    § 1.7874–4(b)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(c)(1) ....................................................................................    § 1.7874–4T(b) ...............................    § 1.7874–4(b)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(f)(1)(i) ..................................................................................   § 1.7874–4T(i)(7) ...........................     § 1.7874–4(i)(2)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(f)(2), introductory text .........................................................            § 1.7874–4T(b) ...............................    § 1.7874–4(b)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(f)(3)(i) ..................................................................................   § 1.7874–4T(b) ...............................    § 1.7874–4(b)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(f)(3)(ii) .................................................................................   § 1.7874–4T(b) ...............................    § 1.7874–4(b)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(g), Example 1(i), penultimate sentence .............................                          § 1.7874–4T(i)(7) ...........................     § 1.7874–4(i)(2)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(g), Example 1(ii), first sentence .........................................                   § 1.7874–4T(c) ...............................    § 1.7874–4(c)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(g), Example 1(ii), first sentence .........................................                   § 1.7874–4T(b) ...............................    § 1.7874–4(b)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(g), Example 2(i), last sentence ..........................................                    § 1.7874–4T(i)(7) ...........................     § 1.7874–4(i)(2)
                                                § 1.7874–7T(g), Example 2(ii), first sentence .........................................                   §§ 1.7874–4T(b) and .....................         §§ 1.7874–4(b) and
                                                § 1.7874–7T(g), Example 3(i), penultimate sentence .............................                          § 1.7874–4T(i)(7) ...........................     § 1.7874–4(i)(2)
                                                § 1.7874–9T(e)(3), introductory text ........................................................             § 1.7874–4T ...................................   § 1.7874–4
                                                § 1.7874–10T(d)(1), introductory text ......................................................              §§ 1.7874–4T(b) and .....................         §§ 1.7874–4(b) and
                                                § 1.7874–10T(f)(3)(iii)(B) .........................................................................      §§ 1.7874–4T and ..........................       §§ 1.7874–4 and



                                                John Dalrymple,                                                        ACTION:Final rule; notice of final action                            the rule such that it references the
                                                Deputy Commissioner for Services and                                   on reconsideration.                                                  recently updated version of the DCOT
                                                Enforcement.                                                                                                                                method. In this action, the EPA also
                                                  Approved: December 6, 2016.                                          SUMMARY:    This action sets forth the                               explains that no changes are being made
                                                Mark J. Mazur                                                          Environmental Protection Agency’s                                    regarding the rule provision that
                                                Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax                               (EPA’s) final decision on the issues for                             requires quarterly polycyclic aromatic
                                                Policy).                                                               which it announced reconsideration on                                hydrocarbons (PAH) emission testing for
                                                [FR Doc. 2017–00643 Filed 1–13–17; 4:15 pm]                            July 12, 2016, that pertain to certain                               furnaces producing ferromanganese
                                                BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
                                                                                                                       aspects of the June 30, 2015, final                                  (FeMn) with an opportunity for facilities
                                                                                                                       amendments for the Ferroalloys                                       to request decreased compliance test
                                                                                                                       Production source category regulated                                 frequency from their permitting
                                                                                                                       under national emission standards for                                authority after the first year.
                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                               hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). The                               Furthermore, in this action, the EPA is
                                                AGENCY                                                                 EPA is amending the rule to allow                                    denying the request for reconsideration
                                                                                                                       existing facilities with positive pressure                           of the PAH emission limits for both
                                                40 CFR Part 63                                                         baghouses to perform visible emissions                               FeMn and silicomanganese (SiMn)
                                                                                                                       monitoring twice daily as an alternative                             production furnaces.
                                                [EPA–HQ–OAR–2010–0895; 9958–01–OAR]                                    to installing and operating bag leak
                                                                                                                                                                                            DATES:  This final action is effective on
                                                                                                                       detection systems (BLDS) to ensure the
                                                                                                                                                                                            January 18, 2017. The incorporation by
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES




                                                RIN 2060–AS90                                                          baghouses are operating properly. In
                                                                                                                                                                                            reference of certain publications listed
                                                National Emission Standards for                                        addition, this final action explains that
                                                                                                                                                                                            in the rule is approved by the Director
                                                Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ferroalloys                                  EPA is maintaining the requirement that
                                                                                                                                                                                            of the Federal Register as of January 18,
                                                Production                                                             facilities must use a digital camera
                                                                                                                                                                                            2017.
                                                                                                                       opacity technique (DCOT) method to
                                                AGENCY: Environmental Protection                                       demonstrate compliance with opacity                                  ADDRESSES:   The EPA has established a
                                                Agency (EPA).                                                          limits. However, this final action revises                           docket for this action under Docket ID


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Document Created: 2018-02-01 15:19:25
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 15:19:25
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal regulations, temporary regulations, and removal of temporary regulations.
DatesEffective Date: These regulations are effective on January 18, 2017.
ContactJoshua G. Rabon at (202) 317-6937 (not a toll-free number).
FR Citation82 FR 5388 
RIN Number1545-BL00 and 1545-BM45
CFR AssociatedIncome Taxes and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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