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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Parts 1, 301, and 602
[TD 9194]
RIN 1545-BE22
Residence and Source Rules Involving U.S. Possessions and Other Conforming
Changes
AGENCY:
Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.
ACTION:
Final and temporary regulations.
SUMMARY: This document contains temporary regulations that provide rules
under section 937(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) for determining
whether an individual is a bona fide resident of the following U.S. possessions:
American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the
United States Virgin Islands. The temporary regulations also provide rules under
section 937(b) for determining whether income is derived from sources within a
U.S. possession and whether income is effectively connected with the conduct of
a trade or business within a U.S. possession. Section 937 was added to the
Code by section 908 of the American Jobs Creation Act (2004 Act).
The temporary regulations also provide updated guidance under sections
876, 881, 884, 931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 957, and 6688 of the Code to reflect
amendments made by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (1986 Act) and the 2004 Act.
Conforming changes are also made to regulations under sections 170A, 243,
702, 861, 863, 871, 901, 1402, 6038, 6046, and 7701 of the Code. The text of
EFTA00577260
the temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations set
forth in the cross-referenced notice of proposed rulemaking on this subject in the
Proposed Rules section in this issue of the Federal Register.
DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective April 11, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. David Varley (202) 435-5165
(not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act
These temporary regulations are being issued without prior notice and
public procedure pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553).
For this reason, the collection of information contained in these regulations has
been reviewed and pending receipt and evaluation of public comments, approved
by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1545-1930.
Responses to this collection of information are mandatory.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information
displays a valid control number.
For further information concerning this collection of information, and where
to submit comments on the collection of information and the accuracy of the
estimated burden, and suggestions for reducing this burden, please refer to the
preamble to the cross-referencing notice of proposed rulemaking published in the
Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register.
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Books and records relating to a collection of information must be retained
as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any
internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are
confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.
Background
The income tax laws of the United States have always contained special
provisions concerning the income taxation of individuals residing in U.S.
possessions and corporations created or organized in U.S. possessions. See
e.g., sections 260 and 261 of Public Law 65-254 (40 Stat. 1057). The current
rules for residents of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico) were first
enacted in 1950. See sections 220 and 221 of Public Law 81-814 (64 Stat. 906)
(enacting the predecessors to sections 876 and 933 of the Code). Special rules
for residents of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) were added in 1960. See
section 4 of Public Law 86-779 (74 Stat. 998) (enacting section 934 of the Code).
Special rules for residents of Guam were added in 1972. See Public Law 92-606
(86 Stat. 1494) (1972 Act) (enacting sections 935 and 7654 of the Code). These
special rules for residents of Guam were made applicable to residents of the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) for tax years beginning
after December 31, 1978. See section 601 of Public Law 94-241 (90 Stat. 263)
and Presidential Proclamation 4534.
The 1986 Act substantially revised the provisions governing the income
taxation of individuals residing in U.S. possessions. See sections 1271 through
1277 of Public Law 99-514 (amending sections 876, 931 through 935, 957(c),
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and 7654 of the Code). The 2004 Act restated and supplemented certain
aspects of these provisions. See section 908 of Public Law 108-357 (enacting
section 937 of the Code). These regulations conform the existing regulations to
the amended statutes and provide additional guidance on the proper application
of the statutory provisions.
This document contains amendments to 26 CFR parts 1, 301, and 602.
The cross-referenced notice of proposed rulemaking is published elsewhere in
this issue of the Federal Register.
Explanation of Provisions
I. Operative Provisions
Many of the substantive and procedural provisions of the Code specifically
relating to the possessions were amended by the 1986 Act. The 2004 Act further
amended certain of these provisions. These regulations implement the statutory
changes by modifying or replacing existing regulations as discussed below.
A. Puerto Rico
Individuals who are U.S. citizens generally are subject to U.S. Federal
income tax on their worldwide income, regardless of source, under section 1 of
the Code. As discussed in section I.F. of this explanation, alien individuals who
qualify as bona fide residents of Puerto Rico (and certain other possessions)
likewise are subject to U.S. Federal income tax on their worldwide income under
section 1.
Under section 933, income from sources within Puerto Rico is excluded
from gross income of bona fide residents of Puerto Rico (whether U.S. citizens or
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alien individuals) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Consequently, such
individuals have a U.S. Federal income tax return filing obligation only if their
income from sources outside Puerto Rico exceeds their deductions under section
151 relating to personal exemptions. To the extent such income constitutes
income from sources outside the United States, such individuals generally may
claim a foreign tax credit under section 901(b) for income taxes paid to foreign
countries and U.S. possessions (including Puerto Rico) to offset their U.S.
Federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations.
Deductions (other than the deduction under section 151, relating to
personal exemptions) properly allocable to or chargeable against amounts
excluded from gross income under section 933 generally have been disallowed
since the statute was enacted in 1950. The 1986 Act amended section 933 to
provide for a similar disallowance of credits. These regulations amend the
existing regulations under section 933 to reflect this statutory change.
B. American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands
Section 931, as enacted in the 1986 Act, operates in a similar fashion to
section 933. For U.S. citizens and alien individuals who are bona fide residents
of possessions to which it applies (section 931 possessions), income from
sources within such possessions or effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in such possessions is excluded from gross income for U.S.
Federal income tax purposes. Consequently, such individuals have a U.S.
Federal income tax return filing obligation only if their income from sources
outside section 931 possessions and not effectively connected with the conduct
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of a trade or business in such possessions exceeds their deductions under
section 151 relating to personal exemptions. To the extent such income
constitutes income from sources outside the United States, U.S. citizens who are
bona fide residents of section 931 possessions generally may claim a foreign tax
credit under section 901(b) for income taxes paid to foreign countries and U.S.
possessions (including section 931 possessions) to offset their U.S. Federal
income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. As under section 933, any
deductions (other than the deduction under section 151, relating to personal
exemptions) and credits properly allocable or chargeable against amounts
excluded from gross income under section 931 are disallowed.
Although section 931 by its terms applies to bona fide residents of
American Samoa, Guam, and the NMI (collectively, the Pacific possessions), the
statute takes effect with respect to any such possession only when the
possession enters into an implementing agreement with the Internal Revenue
Service as required under the relevant effective date provisions of the 1986 Act.
See sections 1271(b) and 1277(b) of Public Law 99-514. To date, only American
Samoa has entered into such an agreement. Consequently, section 931
currently applies only to bona fide residents of American Samoa.
Although section 935 was repealed by the 1986 Act, the effective date of
its repeal is contingent on the entry into force of implementing agreements, as
described above, by the possessions to which section 935 historically has
applied (section 935 possessions), namely, Guam and the NMI. Given that
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neither has agreed to the entry into force of such agreements, section 935
remains in force with respect to bona fide residents of Guam and the NMI.
Section 935, as in effect prior to its repeal, refers only to Guam. Pursuant
to section 601 of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States, Public Law 94-241,
however, the income tax laws of the United States entered into force in the NMI
in the same manner as those laws are in force in Guam, and references in the
Code to Guam generally are deemed also to refer to the NMI. Consequently,
section 935 currently applies to bona fide residents of Guam and of the NMI.
These regulations amend the existing regulations under section 935 to
reflect the fact that the section currently applies not only to bona fide residents of
Guam but also to bona fide residents of the NMI, and may in the future apply only
to bona fide residents of one or the other and will not apply to bona fide residents
of either possession if both enter into the implementing agreements
contemplated in the 1986 Act. Similarly, these regulations set forth the post-
1986 Act statutory framework for residents of section 931 possessions in a
manner that reflects the potential for bona fide residents of Guam and the NMI to
be covered by its provisions upon entry into force of such implementing
agreements.
C. United States Virgin Islands
Section 932, as enacted in the 1986 Act, provides two sets of operative
rules: one for bona fide residents of the USVI, and one for U.S. citizens and
resident alien individuals who are not bona fide residents of the USVI but have
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income from sources within the USVI or income effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business in the USVI.
With respect to individuals who are bona fide residents of the USVI
(whether U.S. citizens or alien individuals), section 932(c) generally provides that
an income tax return must be filed with the USVI tax authorities. If the individual
properly reports on this return his or her income from all sources and identifies
the source of each item of income, and pays all of the tax properly due with
respect to such income, then such income is excluded from gross income for
U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Consequently, such individuals have a U.S.
Federal income tax return filing obligation only if they fail to report or properly
identify the source of some of their income on their USVI income tax return, or if
they fail to pay all of the tax properly due with respect to their income (for
example, by improperly claiming the benefit of a tax credit or exemption provided
under USVI law but subject to the limitations of section 934(b)).
With respect to U.S. citizens and resident alien individuals who are not
bona fide residents of the USVI but have income from sources within the USVI or
income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the USVI,
section 932(a) generally provides that each such individual must file his or her
income tax return with both the IRS and with the USVI Bureau of Internal
Revenue. In addition, under section 932(b), such an individual must pay to the
USVI the "applicable percentage" of the taxes imposed under Chapter 1 of the
Code. For this purpose, the term applicable percentage means the percentage
which the individual's Virgin Islands adjusted gross income bears to the
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individual's adjusted gross income; the term Virgin Islands adiusted gross income
means the individual's adjusted gross income determined by taking into account
only income derived from sources within the Virgin Islands and deductions
properly apportioned or allocable thereto. On the individual's U.S. Federal
income tax return, he or she may claim a credit for the tax required to be paid to
the USVI, so that only the remainder is due to the United States.
In general, the USVI administers income tax laws that are identical (except
for the substitution of the name of the USVI for the term United States where
appropriate) to those in force in the United States (commonly referred to as the
mirror code). However, subject to the limitations of section 934(b), as amended
by the 1986 Act, the USVI has the authority to reduce or remit tax liabilities under
the mirror code in certain situations.
First, under section 934(b)(1), the USVI may reduce or remit the tax
otherwise imposed on the income of any person (other than a U.S. citizen or
resident alien individual who is not a bona fide resident of the USVI) from
sources within the USVI or effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the USVI.
Second, under section 934(b)(3), the USVI may reduce or remit the tax
otherwise imposed on the income (other than income from sources within the
United States or effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in
the United States) of a foreign corporation, provided that less than ten percent of
its stock (by vote and value) is owned by United States persons. Given that a
corporation created or organized outside of the USVI can only have a mirror code
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tax liability with respect to income from sources within the USVI or effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the USVI (all of which is
within the scope of section 934(b)(1)), the additional waiver of the limitations of
section 934(a) provided by section 934(b)(3) generally will have no practical
effect for such corporations. Instead, section 934(b)(3) generally is relevant only
to corporations created or organized in the USVI (which are treated as "foreign"
corporations for U.S. Federal income tax purposes).
These regulations amend the existing regulations under section 934 and
provide new regulations under section 932 to reflect this post-1986 Act statutory
framework.
D. U.S. tax liabilities of certain possessions corporations
Section 881(a) generally imposes a 30 percent tax on U.S.-source fixed or
determinable annual or periodical income of foreign corporations. Section 884
imposes certain branch-level taxes on foreign corporations that are engaged in a
trade or business in the United States. Section 881(b) provides for the reduction
or elimination of the taxes otherwise imposed under sections 881(a) and 884 on
corporations created or organized in U.S. possessions (possessions
corporations) under certain circumstances.
Section 881(b), as enacted by the 1972 Act, provides the rules currently in
effect for corporations created or organized in section 935 possessions. Under
these rules, such corporations effectively are exempt from tax under section
881(a), provided that the following conditions are satisfied--
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(1) At all times during the taxable year, less than 25 percent in value of the
stock of such corporation is owned (directly or indirectly) by foreign persons; and
(2) At least 20 percent of the gross income of such corporation is shown to
the satisfaction of the Secretary to have been derived from sources within such
possession for the 3-year period ending with the close of the preceding taxable
year of such corporation (or for such part of such period as the corporation has
been in existence).
Section 881(b), as enacted by the 1972 Act, also provides the rules
currently in effect for corporations created or organized in the United States that
otherwise might incur a tax liability to a section 935 possession under a mirrored
version of section 881(a). Under these rules, such corporations effectively are
exempt from tax in the section 935 possession in all cases.
Section 881(b), as amended by the 1986 Act, provides the rules currently
in effect for corporations created or organized in section 931 possessions and in
the USVI. Under these rules, such corporations effectively are exempt from tax
under section 881(a) and section 884, provided that the following conditions
(1986 conditions) are satisfied--
(1) At all times during the taxable year, less than 25 percent in value of the
stock of such corporation is beneficially owned (directly or indirectly) by foreign
persons;
(2) At least 65 percent of the gross income of such corporation is shown to
the satisfaction of the Secretary to be effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in such a possession or the United States for the 3-year period
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ending with the close of the taxable year of such corporation (or for such part of
such period as the corporation or any predecessor has been in existence); and
(3) No substantial part of the income of such corporation is used (directly
or indirectly) to satisfy obligations to persons who are not bona fide residents of
such a possession or the United States.
Corporations that are created or organized in section 935 possessions
and satisfy the 1986 conditions also are exempt from the U.S. tax imposed under
section 884. Similarly, corporations that are created or organized in the United
States and satisfy the 1986 conditions are exempt from the tax imposed under
mirrored versions of section 884 in section 935 possessions.
Section 881(b), as amended by the 2004 Act, provides a special rule for
corporations created or organized in Puerto Rico. Under this rule, such
corporations are subject to tax under section 881(a) at a rate of 10 percent
(rather than the generally applicable rate of 30 percent) on their U.S.-source
dividend income, provided that the 1986 conditions are satisfied. However, if, on
or after October 22, 2004, there is an increase in the rate of Puerto Rico's
withholding tax which is generally applicable to dividends paid to United States
corporations not engaged in a trade or business in Puerto Rico to a rate greater
than 10 percent, this special rule shall not apply to dividends received on or after
the effective date of the increase.
These regulations amend the existing regulations under sections 881 and
884 to reflect this post-1986 Act and post-2004 Act statutory framework. These
regulations also provide rules similar to the 1972 Act rules applicable to section
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935 possessions for purposes of determining tax liability incurred to the USVI by
corporations created or organized in the United States, pursuant to section
1274(c) of the 1986 Act.
E. Application of subpart F to bona fide residents of a possession
With respect to bona fide residents of section 935 possessions and the
USVI (mirror code possessions), corporations created or organized in the
possession in which they reside are treated as domestic corporations for mirror
code tax purposes. Thus, provisions such as subpart F of part Ill of subchapter
N of chapter 1 of the Code (relating to controlled foreign corporations) as
mirrored do not apply with respect to their ownership of such corporations.
With respect to bona fide residents of section 931 possessions and Puerto
Rico, corporations created or organized in the possession in which they reside
are treated as foreign corporations for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Thus,
in cases where, after the application of section 931 or 933 as the case may be,
such individuals are required to file U.S. Federal income tax returns, they
generally must treat such corporations as foreign corporations for purposes of
applying provisions, such as subpart F, to determine their U.S. Federal income
tax liability.
Section 957(c), however, provides a significant exception for bona fide
residents of section 931 possessions and Puerto Rico. In cases where it applies,
the individual is not treated as a United States person for purposes of subpart F.
Consequently, such individual is not treated as a United States shareholder
under section 951(b), and possession corporations described in section 957(c)
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that are controlled by such individuals are not treated as controlled foreign
corporations under section 957(a).
In the case of a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico, section 957(c)(1)
applies with respect to a corporation organized under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico if a dividend received by such individual during
the taxable year from such corporation would, for purposes of section 933(1), be
treated as income derived from sources within Puerto Rico. (As discussed in
more detail below in section II.B. of this explanation, such would be the case if,
during a three-year testing period ending with the taxable year, the corporation's
gross income was derived entirely from sources within Puerto Rico or the
corporation met certain gross income and trade or business requirements.)
In the case of a bona fide resident of a section 931 possession, section
957(c)(2) applies with respect to a corporation organized under the laws of such
a possession if the following conditions are satisfied--
(1) 80 percent or more of the gross income of the corporation for the 3-
year period ending at the close of the taxable year (or for such part of such
period as such corporation or any predecessor has been in existence) was
derived from sources within such a possession or was effectively connected with
the conduct of a trade or business in such a possession; and
(2) 50 percent or more of the gross income of the corporation for such
period (or part) was derived from the active conduct of a trade or business within
such a possession.
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These regulations amend the existing regulations under section 957 to
reflect this post-1986 Act statutory framework. These regulations also make
corresponding changes to the regulations under sections 6038 and 6046 (relating
to information reporting requirements with respect to certain foreign corporations
owned by United States persons).
F. Taxation of aliens residing in a possession
Under section 876, individuals who are nonresident aliens with respect to
the United States and are bona fide residents of certain possessions are subject
to U.S. Federal income tax on their worldwide income under section 1 (rather
than solely on their income from sources within the United States or effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States under
section 871). Prior to the 1986 Act, section 876 applied only to alien individuals
who were bona fide residents of Puerto Rico. As amended by the 1986 Act,
section 876 applies also to alien individuals who are bona fide residents of
section 931 possessions.
These regulations amend the existing regulations under section 876 to
reflect this post-1986 Act statutory framework.
G. Entity Status
The IRS and Treasury are aware that some taxpayers have deliberately
treated business entities in an inconsistent manner for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes and for purposes of determining income tax liabilities incurred to mirror
code possessions, in order to reduce their overall tax liability below what
otherwise would be due in the absence of the mirror system. The IRS and
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Treasury believe that such inconsistent treatment is inappropriate and contrary to
the purpose of the mirror system. Accordingly, these regulations contain special
rules requiring consistent treatment of business entities for U.S. and mirror code
tax purposes.
Under these rules, if an entity status election (such as a subchapter S
election or an election under §301.7701-3(c)) is filed with the IRS but not with the
relevant mirror code possession, then the appropriate tax authority of the mirror
code possession may, at his or her discretion, deem the election also to have
been made for mirror code tax purposes. Similarly, if any such election is filed in
a mirror code possession but not with the IRS, the Commissioner may, at his
discretion, deem the election to have been made for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes. In the event that inconsistent elections are filed with the IRS and the
mirror code possession, both the Commissioner and the appropriate tax authority
of the mirror code possession may, at their individual discretion, deem the
elections they received to be invalid and may deem the election filed with the
other jurisdiction to have been made also for tax purposes in their own
jurisdiction. Further, in the absence of an election, the default characterization of
an eligible entity organized in a mirror code possession shall be determined
under the rules applicable to domestic eligible entities under §301.7701-3(b).
These consistency rules apply to elections under section 1362(a) and
§301.7701-3(c), and to other similar elections. The IRS and Treasury request
comments relating to elections that should be specifically mentioned or excluded
from the regulations.
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These special rules generally apply to elections made after, and entities
created after, April 11, 2005. Transition rules are provided for existing entities,
under which these special rules generally apply as of the beginning of the next
taxable year.
H. Effective date
To the extent they provide rules under the operative provisions of the
Code relating to the possessions, as amended by 1986 Act and the 2004 Act,
these regulations generally apply to taxable years ending after October 22, 2004.
The underlying statutory rules, however, generally apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1986. Accordingly, taxpayers may rely upon the
guidance provided in these regulations with respect to prior years for which the
underlying statutory rules are in effect, provided that they do so consistently.
II. Definitional Provisions
As indicated above in section I of this explanation, when applying the
operative provisions of the Code relating to the possessions, determinations
must be made regarding whether an individual is a bona fide resident of a
particular possession, or whether income is derived from sources within a
particular possession or is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in a particular possession. Section 937 and these regulations provide
guidance on these issues, as discussed below.
A. Bona fide residency in a possession
The term bona fide resident has been an integral part of the special
provisions of the Code relating to U.S. possessions since 1950. See sections 220
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and 221 of Public Law 81-814. From the beginning, this term has been used to
identify the class of persons entitled to Federal tax exemptions or other special
treatment under these provisions, and its meaning has remained essentially
unchanged through all of the expansions and revisions of these provisions.
Historically, the determination of whether an individual is a bona fide
resident of a possession has turned on the facts and circumstances and,
specifically, on an individual's intentions with respect to the length and nature of
his or her stay in the possession. See, e.g., §§1.933-1(a), 1.934-1(c)(2), and
1.935-1(a)(3) (generally applying the principles of §§1.871-2 through 1.871-5).
But see §301.7701(b)-1(d) (applying the rules of section 7701(b) for determining
whether alien individuals qualified as residents of mirror code possessions for
taxable years beginning after December 31, 1984). The qualifier "bona fide"
indicates that a claim of residence in a possession is respected for Federal tax
purposes when it is made in good faith.
As enacted by the 2004 Act, section 937(a) provides that an individual
generally will be considered a bona fide resident of a possession only if he or she
satisfies all three of the following conditions--
(1) He or she is physically present in the possession for 183 days during
the taxable year (physical presence test);
(2) He or she does not have a tax home (determined under the principles
of section 911(d)(3) without regard to the second sentence thereof) outside the
possession during the taxable year (tax home test); and
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(3) He or she does not have a closer connection (determined under the
principles of section 7701(b)(3)(B)(ii)) to the United States or a foreign country
than to the possession (closer connection test).
Section 937(a) further provides that, for purposes of the physical presence
test, the determination as to whether a person is present for any day shall be
made under the principles of section 7701(b). The legislative history explains
that, under this rule, an individual is to be considered present in a possession for
a particular day if he is physically present in such possession during any time
during such day, and in certain circumstances (e.g., certain medical
emergencies), an individual's presence outside a possession is ignored. See
H.R. Rep. No. 108-755, at 780 (2004).
The tax home and closer connection tests are similar to the conditions that
individuals historically have needed to meet to be considered residents of a
possession.
Congress also provided regulatory authority for the IRS and Treasury to
create exceptions to this general definition, for cases in which an individual's
absence from the possession is motivated by reasons other than tax avoidance.
In particular, the legislative history indicates that Congress anticipated that
exceptions would be provided for military personnel, workers in the fisheries
trade, and retirees who may travel outside of a possession for personal reasons.
At the same time, the legislative history makes clear that Congress wished to
ensure that individuals who live and work stateside cannot avail themselves of
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the tax benefits that Congress intended to provide only to individuals who
actually reside in the possessions. See H.R. Rep. No. 108-755, at 780 (2004).
Consistent with this legislative history, these regulations include several
exceptions to the general statutory rules of section 937(a).
First, these regulations provide several alternatives to the 183-day rule for
purposes of satisfying the physical presence test. One alternative is that the
individual spend no more than 90 days in the United States during the taxable
year. Thus, for example, workers in the fisheries trade who spend considerable
periods at sea, and individuals who travel extensively to neighboring islands to
provide goods and services, may satisfy the physical presence requirement
under this alternative.
Another alternative is that the individual spend more days in the
possession than in the United States and have no earned income (as defined in
§1.911-3(b)) in the United States during the taxable year. Thus, for example,
retirees who spend several months each year stateside for vacation, for medical
treatment, or to visit relatives, and some time traveling in foreign countries, may
satisfy the physical presence requirement under this alternative.
A final alternative is that the individual have no permanent connection to
the United States. For this purpose, the term permanent connection to the
United States includes a permanent residence and a spouse or dependent with a
principal place of abode in the United States. In other words, the absence of a
permanent connection will enable an individual to satisfy the physical presence
test. Thus, for example, an individual who lives in a possession but travels
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extensively in the United States for business reasons or to receive medical
treatment may satisfy the physical presence requirement under this alternative.
For purposes of determining whether the above-mentioned alternatives
are satisfied, certain days spent in the United States are disregarded. In
particular, days spent as a full-time student, as a full-time government official or
employee of a possession, or as a professional athlete participating in a
charitable event generally are disregarded. In addition, days spent in transit and
days that an individual is prevented from leaving the United States because of a
medical condition that arose while the individual was present in the United States
generally will also be disregarded.
The above-mentioned alternatives apply with respect to individuals who
are U.S. citizens or resident aliens (as defined in section 7701(b)). A different
approach is appropriate in the case of individuals who are nonresident aliens with
respect to the United States. For such individuals, in lieu of the above-mentioned
alternatives, a mirrored version of the section 7701(b) substantial presence test
applies.
For purposes of the tax home test, these regulations provide a special rule
for seafarers. Under this special rule, an individual will not be considered to have
a tax home outside the relevant possession solely by reason of employment on a
ship or other seafaring vessel that is predominantly used in local and
international waters.
For purposes of the closer connection test, these regulations provide a
special rule under which another possession is not considered a foreign country.
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Thus, for example, an individual who has a tax home in the USVI and a closer
connection to Puerto Rico, and who satisfies the presence test with respect to
both possessions, generally will be considered a bona fide resident of the USVI,
and not of Puerto Rico.
Special rules apply under Federal law for determining the residence of
military personnel for tax purposes. See 50 App. U.S.C. 571(a). Consistent with
these special rules, these regulations provide that an individual's absence from
or presence in a possession in compliance with military orders generally does not
affect whether the individual qualifies as a bona fide resident of such possession.
Finally, consistent with existing law (see Notice 2000-61 (2000-2 C.B.
569)), these regulations provide that only natural persons may be considered
bona fide residents of a possession for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Thus,
juridical persons such as corporations, partnerships, trusts, and estates cannot
be considered bona fide residents of a possession for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes.
It should be noted that the 2004 Act modified sections 932 and 935, to
conform the treatment of individuals who acquire or relinquish residency in mirror
code possessions with the historical treatment of individuals who acquire or
relinquish residency in Puerto Rico and section 931 possessions. Thus, for
example, in order to be subject to the special rules of section 932(c), an
individual must qualify as a bona fide resident of the USVI during the entire year.
Accordingly, an individual generally is not subject to such special rules for any
year during which he or she moves to or from the USVI.
22
EFTA00577281
The 2004 Act provisions and these regulations as they relate to the
determination of bona fide residency in a possession generally apply to taxable
years ending after October 22, 2004, except that the physical presence
requirement applies only to taxable years beginning after October 22, 2004. In
addition, taxpayers may choose to apply the rules set forth in these regulations in
their entirety (including the physical presence test) to any open taxable years by
notifying the IRS upon examination of their intent to do so. Alternatively, for such
years, U.S. citizens and resident alien individuals (as well as nonresident aliens
in possessions other than mirror code possessions) may continue to apply the
principles of §§1.871-2 through 1.871-5, and nonresident alien individuals in
mirror code possessions may continue to apply the rules of §301.7701(b)-1(d)
(as in effect for such years).
B. Income from sources in a possession
In general, the rules for determining whether income is derived from
sources within the United States have applied for purposes of determining
whether income is derived from sources within a possession. See §1.863-6.
The 2004 Act codified this rule in section 937(b), with two exceptions.
First, section 937(b)(2) (U.S. income rule) provides that an item of income
shall not be considered to be derived from sources within a possession (or
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within a
possession) if such item of income constitutes income from sources within the
United States or income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
23
EFTA00577282
business in the United States under the general rules of sections 861 through
865.
Second, section 937(b) provides an express grant of authority, consistent
with the authority contained in sections 931, 934, and 957 as amended by the
1986 Act, for Treasury and the IRS to provide appropriate exceptions to the
general source rules.
The legislative history to the 2004 Act indicates that Congress intended for
Treasury and the IRS to use this authority to continue the existing treatment of
income from the sale of goods manufactured in a possession. The 2004 Act
legislative history further indicates that Congress intended for this authority to be
used to prevent abuse, for example, to prevent U.S. persons from avoiding U.S.
tax on appreciated property by acquiring residency in a possession prior to its
disposition. See H.R. Rep. No. 108-755, at 781 (2004).
The legislative history to the 1986 Act reflects similar concerns. For
example, Congress did not believe that a mainland resident who moves to a
possession while owning appreciated personal property such as corporate stock
or precious metals and who sells that property in the possession should escape
all tax, both in the United States and the possession, on that appreciation.
Similarly, Congress did not believe that a resident of a possession who owns
financial assets such as stocks or debt of companies organized in, but the
underlying value of which is primarily attributable to activities performed outside,
the possession should escape tax on the income from those assets.
Accordingly, Congress anticipated that regulations would treat such income as
24
EFTA00577283
sourced outside the possession where the taxpayer resides. See H.R. Rep. No.
99-426, at 487 and 489 (1985); S. Rep. No. 99-313, at 481 and 484 (1986).
These regulations include several exceptions to the general statutory rules
of section 937(b).
First, the regulations provide that the U.S. income rule only applies for
income earned after December 31, 2004.
Second, the regulations contain a special conduit rule to prevent the
avoidance of the U.S. income rule. Under this special conduit rule, income is
considered to be from sources within the United States for purposes of the U.S.
income rule if, pursuant to a plan or arrangement, (i) the income is received in
exchange for consideration provided to another person, and (ii) such person (or
another person) provides the same consideration (or consideration of a like kind)
to a third person in exchange for one or more payments constituting income from
sources within the United States. This rule supplements, and does not
supersede, other potentially applicable conduit rules. See, for example, Aiken
Indus. Inc. v. Commissioner 56 T.C. 925 (1971). Unlike more generally
applicable conduit rules, however, the special conduit rule in these regulations
applies only for purposes of section 937 (and provisions for which the rules of
section 937 apply); it does not cause the income to be treated as income from
sources within the United States for other purposes of the Code.
Third, the regulations preserve the existing treatment of income from the
sale of goods manufactured in a possession under §1.863-3(f). These existing
rules reflect a careful consideration of the relevant policy considerations arising
25
EFTA00577284
with respect to the transactions to which they apply, and Congress did not intend
for this result to be changed through a mechanical application of the general
source rules of section 937(b). For the same reason, these regulations contain
rules to preserve the results with respect to the allocation of income between the
United States and its possessions under sections 863(c), 863(e), 865(g)(3), and
865(h)(2)(B)•
Fourth, the regulations provide special rules for gains from dispositions of
certain property held by a U.S. person prior to becoming a resident of a
possession. Under these rules, such gains generally are treated as income from
sources outside of the possession. These rules supplement, and do not
supersede, the special source rule of section 1277(e) of the 1986 Act, which
applies to individuals who become residents of Pacific possessions. Under this
1986 Act special source rule, gains from dispositions of certain property held by a
U.S. person prior to becoming a resident in a Pacific possession is treated as
income from sources within the United States for all purposes of the Code
(including section 7654 of the 1954 Code as applicable to Guam and the NMI).
The regulations also contain rules that are designed to prevent the avoidance of
these special gain rules.
Fifth, the regulations provide special rules for dividends from corporations
created or organized in a possession (possessions corporations). In general,
such dividends constitute income from sources within a possession under the
principles of section 861(a)(2)(A). A special look-through rule applies, however,
when the shareholder owns, directly or indirectly, at least 10 percent of the voting
26
EFTA00577285
stock of the corporation. Under this special rule, only a ratable portion of any
dividend paid or accrued by a possessions corporation to such a shareholder is
treated as income from sources within the possession. The ratable portion is
determined by applying to the dividend the ratio of the corporation's income from
sources within the possession over its total income over a three-year testing
period ending with the year in which the dividend is paid. (See also sections
881(b) and 957(c) for which a similar three-year testing period applies.) This
look-through rule does not apply, however, if the corporation meets the following
conditions (the 80/50 conditions)--
(1) 80 percent or more of the gross income of the corporation for the
three-year testing period was derived from sources within the possession or was
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the possession;
and
(2) 50 percent or more of the gross income of the corporation for such
period was derived from the active conduct of a trade or business within the
possession.
Sixth, the regulations provide rules for determining the extent to which
income inclusions (for example, under section 951(a)) may be considered to be
derived from sources within a possession. Specifically, for shareholders owning
at least 10 percent of the voting stock of the corporation, the regulations
generally apply the principles of section 904(h)(2), under which the source of
income inclusions ordinarily is determined for foreign tax credit purposes. For all
27
EFTA00577286
other shareholders, income inclusions are considered to be derived from sources
within the jurisdiction in which the corporation is created or organized.
Seventh, the regulations provide rules for determining the extent to which
interest payments may be considered to be derived from sources within a
possession. In general, interest paid by possessions corporations and
noncorporate residents of a possession constitutes income from sources within
the possession under the principles of section 861(a)(1). A special look-through
rule applies, however, when the interest is paid by a possessions corporation to a
shareholder who owns, directly or indirectly, at least 10 percent of the voting
stock of the corporation. Under this special rule, which is applied in accordance
with the principles of §§1.861-9 through 1.861-12, the interest is treated as
income from sources within the possession only to the extent that such interest is
allocable to assets giving rise to income from sources within the possession or
income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
possession. This look-through rule does not apply, however, if the corporation
meets the 80/50 conditions described above. The regulations further provide that
interest paid by a partnership is treated as income from sources within a
possession only to the extent that such interest is allocable (under the principles
of §1.882-5) to income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the possession.
Special rules apply under Federal law for determining, for tax purposes,
the source of income from the performance of services by military personnel.
See 50 App. U.S.C. 571(b). Consistent with these special rules, these
28
EFTA00577287
regulations provide that income from military services performed stateside (or in
another possession) by a bona fide resident of a possession is considered to be
income from sources within such possession, and income from military services
performed in a possession by an individual who is not a bona fide resident of
such possession is not considered to be income from sources within such
possession.
Lastly, the regulations continue the existing treatment of income from
services performed within a possession and from dividends paid by corporations
created or organized outside of a possession. Thus, compensation received for
services performed in a possession constitutes income from sources within the
possession without regard to the de minimis exception in section 861(a)(3), and
dividends paid by corporations created or organized outside of a possession
constitute income from sources outside of the possession in all cases.
The rules of section 937(b) and these regulations generally apply for
purposes of all provisions of the Code for which a determination must be made
regarding whether income is derived from sources within a possession. They
generally do not apply, however, for purposes of applying mirrored provisions of
the Code in mirror code possessions. Thus, for example, gain that is treated as
income from sources outside the USVI for purposes of section 934(b) under the
special gain rules described above (in the paragraph regarding dispositions of
certain property held by a U.S. person prior to becoming a resident of a
possession), nonetheless may constitute income from sources within the USVI
for purposes of mirrored section 904. In addition, in order to avoid unintended
29
EFTA00577288
reduction of the tax base of mirror code possessions, certain of the special rules
described above do not apply for determining whether individuals who are not
bona fide residents of such possessions have income from sources within such
possessions for purposes of sections 932 and 935.
The 2004 Act provisions concerning the determination of whether income
is derived from sources within a possession generally apply to taxable years
ending after October 22, 2004, except that the U.S. income rule applies only to
income earned after October 22, 2004. The regulations generally adopt these
effective dates, except that the regulations provide that the U.S. income rule only
applies for income earned after December 31, 2004. Also, the special rules
provided for gains from dispositions of certain personal property apply to
dispositions after April 11, 2005, and the conduit rule and the look-through rules
for dividends and interest from possessions corporations apply to amounts paid
or accrued after April 11, 2005. For taxable years beginning after December 31,
1986, and ending before October 23, 2004, the rules of §1.863-6 (as in effect for
such years) remain applicable.
C. Income effectively connected with the conduct of trade or business in a
possession
In 1960, in response to concerns about the reach of a local, tax-related
subsidy program, section 934 was enacted to provide explicit limits on the ability
of the USVI to reduce income tax liabilities. The legislative history explains that,
"while recognizing the desirability of economic development" in the USVI,
Congress believed that "in no case should this be attained by granting windfall
gains to taxpayers with respect to income derived from investments in
30
EFTA00577289
corporations in the continental United States, or with respect to income in any
other manner derived from sources outside of the Virgin Islands." S. Rep. No.
1767, 86th Cong., 2nd Sess. 4 (1960).
In 1986, in response to certain identified abuses and other problems
related to tax administration in the possessions, section 934 was modified and
current section 931 was enacted (among other changes to the rules relating to
the possessions). In so doing, Congress expressed concerns similar to those
expressed in 1960:
"While the committee believes it is appropriate to provide more local
autonomy to these possessions, the committee does not intend to allow them to
be used as tax havens. The committee believes that it may be appropriate for
these possessions to reduce tax on local income in some cases, but the
committee has included antiabuse rules to prevent use of these possessions to
avoid U.S. tax. The complexity and ambiguity of the present law rules have
provoked taxpayers to take return positions that, while plausible under a literal
reading, would result in tax avoidance beyond what taxpayers would ask from
this committee or from Congress. The committee is seeking to prevent this in the
future." H.R. Rep. No. 99-426, at 485-486 (1985). See also S. Rep. No. 99-313,
at 479 (1986).
This concern was also expressed in the legislative history regarding how
the IRS and Treasury might exercise their authority under sections 931 and 934
as enacted and modified, respectively, by the 1986 Act, to define the scope of
income that would be considered derived from sources within a possession or
31
EFTA00577290
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in a possession
(possession ECI). The discussion in the legislative history was devoted
exclusively to ways in which the IRS and Treasury might narrow the scope of
these concepts (as compared to the scope they otherwise would have under a
mirrored application of the existing principles for determining whether income is
considered to be derived from sources within the United States or effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States). H.R.
Rep. No. 99-426, at 487 and 489 (1985); S. Rep. No. 99-313, at 481 and 484
(1986).
In 2004, in response to certain abusive cases that had been identified, the
rules relating to the possessions were again modified. In so doing, Congress
once again expressed its concern about how such rules might be used as an
inappropriate means to reduce U.S. taxes: "The conferees are further concerned
that the general rules for determining whether income is effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business in a possession present numerous
opportunities for erosion of the U.S. tax base." H.R. Rep. No. 108-755, at 780
(2004). The U.S. income rule discussed above (see section II.B. of this
explanation) was enacted in order to prevent such U.S. tax avoidance.
Reflecting the concern that tax benefits intended to foster economic
development in the possessions should not be permitted to be used as a means
to reduce U.S. taxes on income derived from U.S. economic activity, these
regulations incorporate the U.S. income rule of section 937(b)(2), as well as a
conduit rule (as described above in section II.B. of this explanation) that is
32
EFTA00577291
intended to prevent the avoidance of the U.S. income rule. Accordingly, income
from U.S. sources generally will not be considered possession ECI.
Section 937(b) also includes regulatory authority for the IRS and Treasury
to provide exceptions to this rule. As noted above in section II.B. of this
explanation, the legislative history to the 2004 Act indicates that Congress
intended for Treasury and the IRS to use this authority to continue the existing
treatment of income from the sale of goods manufactured in a possession.
Accordingly, these regulations provide an exception from the U.S. income rule for
such income. In addition, the regulations provide that the U.S. income rule only
applies for income earned after December 31, 2004.
Apart from the U.S. income rule, these regulations apply the same
principles for determining whether income is possession ECI as have applied
since the 1986 Act. See Francisco v. Commissioner, 119 T.C. 317 (2002)M,
370 F.3d 1228 (M. Cir. 2004) (principles of section 864(c)(4) apply for
determining whether U.S. source income is possession ECI for U.S. Federal
income tax purposes).
The rules of section 937(b) and these regulations generally apply for
purposes of all provisions of the Code for which a determination must be made
regarding whether income is possession ECI. They generally do not apply,
however, for purposes of applying mirrored provisions of the Code in mirror code
possessions. Thus, for example, U.S. source income that is treated as income
not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the USVI
for purposes of section 934(b) under the U.S. income rule described above
33
EFTA00577292
nonetheless may constitute income effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business within the USVI for purposes of mirrored section 871 or 882.
The 2004 Act provisions concerning the determination of whether income
is possession ECI generally apply to taxable years ending after October 22,
2004, except that the U.S. income rule applies only to income earned after
October 22, 2004. The regulations generally adopt these effective dates, except
that the regulations provide that the U.S. income rule only applies for income
earned after December 31, 2004. In addition, the conduit rule applies only to
amounts paid or accrued after April 11, 2005. For taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1986, and ending before October 23, 2004, the principles of
section 864(c) (including section 864(c)(4)) remain applicable.
III. Information Reporting by Residents of a Possession
Section 7654(e), as enacted by the 1972 Act and still applicable with
respect to section 935 possessions, provides an express grant of authority for the
IRS and Treasury to issue regulations prescribing information reporting
requirements for individuals to whom section 935 applies, as necessary to carry
out the provisions of sections 935 and 7654. Section 7654(e), as amended by
the 1986 Act, provides a similar express grant of authority for the IRS and
Treasury to issue regulations prescribing information reporting requirements for
individuals to whom sections 931 and 932 apply, as necessary to carry out the
provisions of those sections and section 7654. The penalty provided under
section 6688, as amended by the 2004 Act, for failure to satisfy such reporting
requirements is $1,000.
34
EFTA00577293
The 2004 Act supplemented this general grant of authority with a specific
requirement under section 937(c) for information reporting by individuals who
take the position for U.S. income tax reporting purposes that they became, or
ceased to be, bona fide residents of Guam, American Samoa, the NMI, Puerto
Rico, or the USVI. For taxable years ending after October 22, 2004, as well as
for any of an individual's preceding three taxable years, section 937(c) requires
that such individuals provide notice of their change in residency. Thus, for
calendar year taxpayers, such information reporting generally is required if they
changed their residency to or from a possession during 2001, 2002, 2003, or
2004 (or if they do so in any future year).
Section 937(c) authorizes the IRS and Treasury to prescribe the time and
manner by which taxpayers are to provide such notice. In early 2005, the IRS
will provide a form on which the notice required by section 937(c) is to be made,
as well as instructions specifying the time and manner for filing the form. The
IRS and Treasury anticipate issuing guidance that will provide appropriate
exceptions to the general statutory rules in order to minimize the reporting
burden on taxpayers. Reporting will not be required until the form and
instructions are made available. The same $1,000 penalty under section 6688
will apply in cases of failure to file this form when required.
IV. Removal of Obsolete Regulations
This document also removes certain regulations, and cross-references to
such regulations, which became obsolete with the enactment of the 1986 Act.
The 1986 Act amendments that rendered them obsolete were effective for tax
35
EFTA00577294
years beginning after December 31, 1986. For example, the regulations
promulgated by TD 6500, 25 FR 11910; TD 7283, 38 FR 20825; and TD 7385,
40 FR 50260, relating to former section 931, were rendered obsolete with the
enactment of the 1986 Act. Thus, such regulations have no legal effect for
taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986. See, e.g., Specking v.
Commissioner, 117 T.C. 95 (2001),
sub nom. Umbach v. Commissioner,
357 F.3d 1108 (10th Cir. 2004).
Special Analyses
It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a significant
regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory
assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of
the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these
regulations. For the applicability of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
chapter 6) refer to the Special Analyses section of the preamble to the cross-
referencing notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Proposed Rules
section in this issue of the Federal Register. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the
Code, these temporary regulations will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on their impact on
small business.
Drafting Information
The principal authors of these regulations are W. Edward Williams and J.
David Varley, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (International), IRS.
36
EFTA00577295
However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in
their development.
List of Subjects
26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
26 CFR Part 301
Employment taxes, Estate taxes, Excise taxes, Gift taxes, Income taxes,
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
26 CFR Part 602
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Amendments to the Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 1, 301, and 602 are amended as follows:
PART 1 -- INCOME TAXES
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by adding
entries in numerical order to read, in part, as follows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
Section 1.931-1T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 7654(e).
Section 1.932-1T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 7654(e).
Section 1.935-1T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 7654(e). * * *
Section 1.937-1T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 937(a).
Section 1.937-2T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 937(b).
Section 1.937-3T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 937(b). * * *
Section 1.957-3T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 957(c). * * *
Par. 2. In §1.170A-1, paragraph (j)(9) is revised to read as follows:
§1.170A-1 Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts: allowance of deduction.
*
*
*
*
*
37
EFTA00577296
(j)(9) [Reserved]. For further guidance see §1.170A-1T(j)(9).
Par. 3. Section 1.170A-1T is added to read as follows:
§1.170A-1T Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts; allowance of deduction
(temporary).
(a) through (j)(8) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.170A-1(a)
through (j)(8).
(j)(9) Charitable contributions paid by bona fide residents of a section 931
possession as defined in §1.931-1T(c)(1) or Puerto Rico are deductible only to
the extent allocable to income that is not excluded under section 931 or 933. For
the rules for allocating deductions for charitable contributions, see the regulations
under section 861.
(j)(10) and (11) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.170-1(j)(10) and
(11).
(k) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
Par. 4. In §1.243-3, paragraph (a)(2)(iii) is revised to read as follows:
1.243-3 Certain dividends from foreign corporations.
(a)(2)* * *
(iii) by a domestic corporation during any period to which section 931
(relating to income from sources within possessions of the United States), as in
effect for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1976, applied.
38
EFTA00577297
Par. 5. In §1.702-1, paragraph (c)(1)(iii) is revised to read as follows:
§1.702-1 Income and credits of partner.
(c)(1)* * *
(iii) In computing the amount of gross income received from sources within
possessions of the United States (section 937).
*
*
*
*
*
Par. 6. In §1.861-3, paragraph (a)(2) is revised to read as follows:
§1.861-3 Dividends.
** *
(a)(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.861-3T(a)(2).
Par. 7. Section 1.861-3T is added to read as follows:
.51.861-3T Dividends (temporary).
(a)(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.861-3(a)(1).
(2) Dividend from a domestic corporation. A dividend described in this
paragraph (a)(2) is a dividend from a domestic corporation other than a
corporation which has an election in effect under section 936. See paragraph
(a)(5) of this section for the treatment of certain dividends from a DISC or former
DISC.
(a)(3) through (c) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.861-3(a)(3)
through (c).
(d) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
39
EFTA00577298
Par. 8. In §1.861-8, paragraphs (f)(1)(vi)(E), (F), and (H) are revised to
read as follows:
§1.861-8 Computation of taxable income from sources within the United States
and from other sources and activities.
(.0 **
(1)***
(vi) * * *
(E) [Reserved].
(F) [Reserved].
*
*
* **
(H) [Reserved].
Par. 9. Section 1.863-6 is revised to read as follows:
§1.863-6 Income from sources within a foreign country.
The principles applied in sections 861 through 863 and section 865 and
the regulations thereunder for determining the gross and the taxable income from
sources within and without the United States shall generally be applied in
determining the gross and the taxable income from sources within and without a
particular foreign country when such a determination must be made under any
provision of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code, including section 952(a)(5).
This section shall not apply, however, to the extent it is determined by applying
§1.863-3 that a portion of the taxable income is from sources within the United
40
EFTA00577299
States and the balance of the taxable income is from sources within a foreign
country. In the application of this section, the name of the particular foreign
country shall be used instead of the term United States and the term domestic
shall be construed to mean created or organized in such foreign country. In
applying section 861 and the regulations thereunder for purposes of this section,
references to sections 243 and 245 shall be excluded, and the exception in
section 861(a)(3) shall not apply. In the case of any item of income, the income
from sources within a foreign country shall not exceed the amount which, by
applying any provision of sections 861 through 863 and section 865 and the
regulations thereunder without reference to this section, is treated as income
from sources without the United States. See §1.937-2T for rules for determining
income from sources within a possession of the United States.
Par. 10. Section 1.871-1 is amended by:
1. Removing paragraph (b)(6).
2. Redesignating paragraph (b)(7) as (b)(6).
Par. 11. Section 1.876-1 is revised to read as follows:
§1.876-1 Alien residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, or the
Northern Mariana Islands.
[Reserved). For further guidance, see §1.876-11.
Par. 12. Section 1.876-1T is added to read as follows:
1.876-1T Alien residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, or the
Northern Mariana Islands (temporary).
41
EFTA00577300
(a) Scope. Section 876 and this section apply to any nonresident alien
individual who is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico or of a section 931
possession during the entire taxable year.
(b) In general. An individual to whom this section applies is, in
accordance with the provisions of section 876, subject to tax under sections 1
and 55 in generally the same manner as an alien resident of the United States.
See §§1.1-1(b) and 1.871-1. The tax generally is imposed upon the taxable
income of such individual, determined in accordance with section 63(a) and the
regulations thereunder, from sources both within and without the United States,
except for amounts excluded from gross income under the provisions of section
931 or 933. For determining the form of return to be used by such an individual,
see section 6012 and the regulations thereunder.
(c) Exceptions. Though subject to the tax imposed by section 1, an
individual to whom this section applies shall nevertheless be treated as a
nonresident alien individual for the purpose of many provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code relating to nonresident alien individuals. Thus, for example, such
an individual is not allowed the standard deduction (section 63(c)(6)); is subject
to withholding of tax at source under chapter 3 of the Internal Revenue Code
(e.g., section 1441(e)); is generally excepted from the collection of income tax at
source on wages for services performed in the possession (section 3401(a)(6));
is not allowed to make a joint return (section 6013(a)(1)); and, if described in
section 6072(c), must pay his first installment of estimated income tax on or
before the 15th day of the 6th month of the taxable year (section 6654(j) and (k))
42
EFTA00577301
and must pay his income tax on or before the 15th day of the 6th month following
the close of the taxable year (sections 6072(c) and 6151(a)). In addition, under
section 152(b)(3), an individual is not allowed a deduction for a dependent who is
a resident of the relevant possession unless the dependent is a citizen or
national of the United States.
(d) Credits against tax-- (1) Certain credits under the Internal Revenue
Code are available to any taxpayer subject to the tax imposed by section 1,
including individuals to whom this section applies. For example, except as
otherwise provided under section 931 or 933, the credits provided by the
following sections are allowable to the extent provided under such sections
against the tax determined in accordance with this section--
(i) Section 23 (relating to the credit for adoption expenses);
(ii) Section 31 (relating to the credit for tax withheld on wages);
(iii) Section 33 (relating to the credit for tax withheld at source on
nonresident aliens); and
(iv) Section 34 (relating to the credit for certain uses of gasoline and
special fuels).
(2) Certain credits under the Internal Revenue Code are not available to
nonresident aliens or are subject to limitations based on such factors as principal
place of abode in the United States. For example, the credits provided by the
following sections are not allowable against the tax determined in accordance
with this section except to the extent otherwise provided under such sections--
(i) Section 22 (relating to the credit for the elderly and disabled);
43
EFTA00577302
(ii) Section 25A (relating to the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning
Credits); and
(iii) Section 32 (relating to the earned income credit).
(e) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) Bona fide resident is defined in §1.937-1T.
(2) Section 931 possession is defined in §1.931-1T(c)(1).
(f) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
Par. 13. In §1.881-1(c), revise the third and fourth sentences to read as
follows:
§1.881-1 Manner of taxing foreign corporations.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * * The term foreign corporation has the meaning assigned to it by
section 7701(a)(3) and (5) and the regulations thereunder. However, for special
rules relating to possessions of the United States, see §1.881-5T.
*
*
*
*
*
Par. 14. Section 1.881-5T is added to read as follows:
§1.881-5T Exception for certain possessions corporations (temporary).
(a) Scope. Section 881(b) and this section provide special rules for the
application of sections 881 and 884 to certain corporations created or organized
in possessions of the United States. Paragraph (g) of this section provides
special rules for the application of sections 881 and 884 to corporations created
or organized in the United States for purposes of determining tax liability incurred
44
EFTA00577303
to certain possessions that administer income tax laws that are identical (except
for the substitution of the name of the possession for the term United States
where appropriate) to those in force in the United States. See §1.884-01(b) for
special rules relating to the application of section 884 with respect to possessions
of the United States.
(b) Operative rules. (1) Corporations described in paragraphs (c) and (d)
of this section are not treated as foreign corporations for purposes of section 881.
Accordingly, they are exempt from the tax imposed by section 881(a).
(2) For corporations described in paragraph (e) of this section, the rate of
tax imposed by section 881(a) on U.S. source dividends received is 10 percent
(rather than the generally applicable 30 percent).
(c) U.S.V.I. and section 931 possessions. A corporation created or
organized in, or under the law of, the United States Virgin Islands or a section
931 possession is described in this paragraph (c) for a taxable year when the
following conditions are satisfied--
(1) At all times during such taxable year, less than 25 percent in value of
the stock of such corporation is beneficially owned (directly or indirectly) by
foreign persons;
(2) At least 65 percent of the gross income of such corporation is shown to
the satisfaction of the Commissioner upon examination to be effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in such a possession or the
United States for the 3-year period ending with the close of the taxable year of
45
EFTA00577304
such corporation (or for such part of such period as the corporation or any
predecessor has been in existence); and
(3) No substantial part of the income of such corporation for the taxable
year is used (directly or indirectly) to satisfy obligations to persons who are not
bona fide residents of such a possession or the United States.
(d) Section 935 possessions. A corporation created or organized in, or
under the law of, a section 935 possession is described in this paragraph (d) for
a taxable year when the following conditions are satisfied--
(1) At all times during such taxable year, less than 25 percent in value of
the stock of such corporation is owned (directly or indirectly) by foreign persons;
and
(2) At least 20 percent of the gross income of such corporation is shown to
the satisfaction of the Commissioner upon examination to have been derived
from sources within such possession for the 3-year period ending with the close
of the preceding taxable year of such corporation (or for such part of such period
as the corporation has been in existence).
(e) Puerto Rico. A corporation created or organized in, or under the law
of, Puerto Rico is described in this paragraph (e) for a taxable year when the
conditions of paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) are satisfied (using the language
"Puerto Rico" instead of "such a possession").
(f) Definitions and other rules. For purposes of this section:
(1) Section 931 possession is defined in §1.931-1T(c)(1).
(2) Section 935 possession is defined in §1.935-1T(a)(3)(i).
46
EFTA00577305
(3) Foreign person means any person other than--
(i) A United States person (as defined in section 7701(a)(30) and the
regulations thereunder); or
(ii) A person who would be a United States person if references to the
United States in section 7701 included references to a possession of the United
States.
(4) Bona fide resident--
(i) With respect to a possession, is defined in §1.937-11; and
(ii) With respect to the United States, means an individual who is a citizen
or resident of the United States and who does not have a tax home (as defined in
section 911(d)(3)) in a foreign country.
(5) Source. The rules of §1.937-2T shall apply for determining whether
income is from sources within a possession.
(6) Effectively connected income. The rules of §1.937-3T (other than
paragraph (c) of that section) shall apply for determining whether income is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in a possession.
(7) Indirect ownership. The rules of section 318(a)(2) shall apply except
that the language "5 percent" shall be used instead of "50 percent" in section
318(a)(2)(C)•
(g) Mirror code jurisdictions. For purposes of applying mirrored section
881 to determine tax liability incurred to a section 935 possession or the United
States Virgin Islands--
47
EFTA00577306
(1) The rules of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section shall not apply;
and
(2) A corporation created or organized in, or under the law of, such
possession or the United States shall not be considered a foreign corporation.
(h) Example. The principles of this section are illustrated by the following
example:
Example 1. X is a corporation organized under the law of the United
States Virgin Islands (USVI) with a branch located in State F. At least 65 percent
of the gross income of X is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the USVI and no substantial part of the income of X for the taxable
year is used to satisfy obligations to persons who are not bona fide residents of
the United States or the USVI. Seventy-four percent of the stock of X is owned
by unrelated individuals who are residents of the United States or the USVI. Y, a
corporation organized under the law of State D, and Z, a partnership organized
under the law of State F, each own 13 percent of the stock of X. A, an unrelated
foreign individual, owns 100 percent of the stock of corporation Y. B and C,
unrelated foreign individuals, each own a 50 percent interest in partnership Z.
Thus, the condition of paragraph (c)(1) of this section is not satisfied, because 26
percent of X is owned indirectly by foreign persons (A, B, and C). Accordingly, X
is treated as a foreign corporation for purposes of section 881.
(i) Effective dates. Except as provided in this paragraph (i), this section
applies to payments made after April 11, 2005. The rules of paragraphs (b)(2)
and (e) apply to dividends paid after October 22, 2004. However, if, on or after
October 22, 2004, an increase in the rate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico's
withholding tax which is generally applicable to dividends paid to United States
corporations not engaged in a trade or business in the Commonwealth to a rate
greater than 10 percent takes effect, the rules of paragraphs (b)(2) and (e) shall
not apply to dividends received on or after the effective date of the increase.
Par. 15. In §1.884-0, paragraph (b) is redesignated as paragraph (c), and
a new paragraph (b) is added.
48
EFTA00577307
The addition reads as follows:
§1.884-0 Overview of regulation provisions for section 884.
(b) Special rules for U.S. possessions. [Reserved]. For further guidance,
see §1.884-0T(b).
Par. 16. Section 1.884-0T is added as follows.
61.884-0T Overview of regulation provisions for section 884 (temporary).
(a) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.884-0(a).
(b) Special rules for U.S. possessions. (1) Section 884 does not apply to
a corporation created or organized in, or under the law of, American Samoa,
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the United States Virgin Islands,
provided that the conditions of §1.881-5T(c)(1) through (3) are satisfied with
respect to such corporation. The preceding sentence applies for taxable years
ending after April 11, 2005.
(2) Section 884 does not apply for purposes of determining tax liability
incurred to a section 935 possession or the United States Virgin Islands by a
corporation created or organized in, or under the law of, such possession or the
United States. The preceding sentence applies for taxable years ending after
April 11, 2005.
(c) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.884-0(c).
Par. 17. In §1.901-1, paragraph (g) is revised to read as follows:
61.901-1 Allowance of credit for taxes.
49
EFTA00577308
(g) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.901-1T(g).
Par. 18. Section 1.901-1T is added to read as follows:
§1.901-1T Allowance of credit for taxes (temporary).
(a) through (f) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.901-1(a) through
(f).
(g) Taxpayers to whom credit not allowed. Among those to whom the
credit for taxes is not allowed are the following--
(1) Except as provided in section 906, a foreign corporation;
(2) Except as provided in section 906, a nonresident alien individual who
is not described in section 876 (see sections 874(c) and 901(b)(4));
(3) A nonresident alien individual described in section 876 other than a
bona fide resident (as defined in section 937(a) and the regulations thereunder)
of Puerto Rico during the entire taxable year (see sections 901(b)(3) and (4));
and
(4) A U.S. citizen or resident alien individual who is a bona fide resident of
a section 931 possession (as defined in §1.931-1T(c)(1)), the U.S. Virgin Islands,
or Puerto Rico, and who excludes certain income from U.S. gross income to the
extent of taxes allocable to the income so excluded (see sections 931(b)(2),
933(1), and 932(c)(4)).
(h) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.901-1(h).
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.901-1(i).
50
EFTA00577309
(j) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
Par. 19. Section 1.931-1 is revised to read as follows:
§1.931-1 Exclusion of certain income from sources within Guam, American
Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
[Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.931-1T.
Par. 20. Section 1.931-1T is added to read as follows:
61.931-1T Exclusion of certain income from sources within Guam. American
Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands (temporary).
(a) General rule. (1) An individual (whether a United States citizen or an
alien), who is a bona fide resident of a section 931 possession during the entire
taxable year, shall exclude from gross income the income derived from sources
within any section 931 possession and the income effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business by such individual within any section 931
possession, except amounts received for services performed as an employee of
the United States or any agency thereof.
(2) The following example illustrates the application of the general rule in
paragraph (a)(1) of this section:
Example. D, a United States citizen, files returns on a calendar year
basis. In April 2005, D moves to American Samoa, purchases a house, and
accepts a permanent position with a local employer. For the remainder of the
year and throughout 2006, D continues to live and work in American Samoa, and
establishes a closer connection to American Samoa than to the United States or
any foreign country. In September 2007, as a result of the termination of his
employment in American Samoa, D sells his house and moves to State H. D is
entitled to the exclusion provided in section 931 for 2006, but not for 2005 or
2007 (assuming that during the first quarter of 2005 and the last quarter of 2007,
51
EFTA00577310
D has a tax home outside of American Samoa or a closer connection to the
United States or a foreign country).
(b) Deductions and credits. In any case in which any amount otherwise
constituting gross income is excluded from gross income under the provisions of
section 931, there shall not be allowed as a deduction from gross income any
items of expenses or losses or other deductions (except the deduction under
section 151, relating to personal exemptions), or any credit, properly allocable to,
or chargeable against, the amounts so excluded from gross income. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, the rules of §1.861-8 shall apply (with
creditable expenditures treated in the same manner as deductible expenditures).
(c) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) The term section 931 possession means a possession that is a
specified possession and that has entered into an implementing agreement, as
described in section 1271(b) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-514
(100 Stat. 2085)), with the United States that is in effect for the entire taxable
year.
(2) The term specified possession means Guam, American Samoa, or the
Northern Mariana Islands.
(3) The rules of §1.937-1T shall apply for determining whether an
individual is a bona fide resident of a section 931 possession.
(4) The rules of §1.937-2T shall apply for determining whether income is
from sources within a section 931 possession.
52
EFTA00577311
(5) The rules of §1.937-31 shall apply for determining whether income is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within a section 931
possession.
(d) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
Par. 21. Section 1.932-1 is revised to read as follows:
§1.932-1 Coordination of United States and Virgin Islands income taxes.
[Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.932-11.
Par. 22. Section 1.932-1T is added to read as follows:
§1.932-1T Coordination of United States and Virgin Islands income taxes
(temporary).
(a) Scope-- (1) In general. Section 932 and this section set forth the
special rules relating to the filing of income tax returns and income tax liabilities
of individuals described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Paragraph (h) of this
section also provides special rules requiring consistent treatment of business
entities in the United States and in the United States Virgin Islands (Virgin
Islands).
(2) Individuals covered. This section shall apply to any individual who:
(i) Is a bona fide resident of the Virgin Islands during the entire taxable
year;
(ii)(A) Is a citizen or resident of the United States (other than a bona fide
resident of the Virgin Islands) during the entire taxable year; and
53
EFTA00577312
(B) Has income derived from sources within the Virgin Islands, or
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the Virgin
Islands, for the taxable year; or
(iii) Files a joint return for the taxable year with any individual described in
paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section.
(3) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(i) The rules of §1.937-1T shall apply for determining whether an individual
is a bona fide resident of the Virgin Islands.
(ii) The rules of §1.937-2T shall apply for determining whether income is
from sources within the Virgin Islands.
(iii) The rules of §1.937-3T shall apply for determining whether income is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the Virgin
Islands.
(b) U.S. individuals with V.I. income-- (1) Dual filing requirement. Subject
to paragraph (d) of this section, an individual described in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of
this section shall make an income tax return for the taxable year to the United
States and file a copy of such return with the Virgin Islands. Such individuals
must also attach Form 8689, "Allocation of Individual Income Tax to the Virgin
Islands," to the U.S. income tax return and to the income tax return filed with the
Virgin Islands.
(2) Tax payments. (i) Each individual to whom this paragraph (b) applies
for the taxable year shall pay the applicable percentage of the taxes imposed by
54
EFTA00577313
this chapter for such taxable year (determined without regard to paragraph
(b)(2)(ii) of this section) to the Virgin Islands.
(ii) There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this
chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the taxes required to be paid to
the Virgin Islands under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section which are so paid.
Such taxes shall be considered creditable in the same manner as taxes paid to
the United States (e.g., under section 31) and not as taxes paid to a foreign
government (e.g., under sections 27 and 901).
(iii) For purposes of this paragraph (b)(2):
(A) The term applicable percentage means the percentage which Virgin
Islands adjusted gross income bears to adjusted gross income.
(B) The term Virgin Islands adjusted gross income means adjusted gross
income determined by taking into account only income derived from sources
within the Virgin Islands and deductions properly apportioned or allocable
thereto. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the rules of §1.861-8 shall
apply.
(C) Pursuant to §1.937-21(a), the rules of §1.937-2T(c)(1)(ii) and (c)(2) do
not apply.
(c) Bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands. Subject to paragraph (d) of
this section, an individual described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section shall be
subject to the following income tax return filing requirements:
(1) V.I. filing requirements. An individual to whom this paragraph (c)
applies shall file an income tax return for the taxable year with the Virgin Islands.
55
EFTA00577314
On this return, the individual shall report income from all sources and identify the
source of each item of income shown on the return.
(2) U.S. filing requirements. For purposes of calculating the income tax
liability to the United States of an individual to whom this paragraph (c) applies,
gross income shall not include any amount included in gross income on the
return filed with the Virgin Islands pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section,
and deductions and credits allocable to such income shall not be taken into
account, provided that--
(i) The individual fully satisfied the reporting requirements of paragraph
(c)(1) of this section; and
(ii) The individual fully paid the tax liability referred to in section 934(a) to
the Virgin Islands with respect to such income.
(d) Joint returns. In the case of married persons, if one or both spouses is
an individual described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section and they file a joint
return of income tax, the spouses shall file their joint return with, and pay the tax
due on such return to, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) where the spouse who has
the greater adjusted gross income for the taxable year would be required under
paragraph (b) or (c) of this section to file a return if separate returns were filed
and all of their income were the income of such spouse. For this purpose,
adjusted gross income of each spouse is determined under section 62 and the
regulations thereunder but without regard to community property laws; and, if one
of the spouses dies, the taxable year of the surviving spouse shall be treated as
ending on the date of such death.
56
EFTA00577315
(e) Place for filing returns-- (1) U.S. returns. A return required under the
rules of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section to be filed with the United States
shall be filed as directed in the applicable forms and instructions.
(2) V.I. returns. A return required under the rules of paragraphs (b) and
(c) of this section to be filed with the Virgin Islands shall be filed as directed in the
applicable forms and instructions.
(f) Tax accounting standards-- (1) In general. A dual filing taxpayer must
use the same tax accounting standards on the returns filed with the United States
and the Virgin Islands. A taxpayer who has filed a return only with the United
States or only with the Virgin Islands as a single filing taxpayer for a prior taxable
year and is required to file a return only with the other jurisdiction as a single
filing taxpayer for a later taxable year may not, for such later taxable year, use
different tax accounting standards unless the second jurisdiction consents to
such change. However, such change will not be effective for returns filed
thereafter with the first jurisdiction unless before such later date of filing the
taxpayer also obtains the consent of the first jurisdiction to make such change.
Any request for consent to make a change pursuant to this paragraph (f) must be
made to the office where the return is required to be filed under paragraph (e) of
this section and in sufficient time to permit a copy of the consent to be attached
to the return for the taxable year.
(2) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph (f):
57
EFTA00577316
(i) The term dual filing taxpayer means a taxpayer who is required to file
returns with the United States and the Virgin Islands for the same taxable year
under the rules of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.
(ii) The term single filing taxpayer means a taxpayer who is required to file
a return only with the United States (because the individual is not described in
paragraph (a)(2) of this section) or only with the Virgin Islands (because the
individual is described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section and satisfies the
conditions of paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section) for the taxable year.
(iii) The term tax accounting standards includes the taxpayer's accounting
period, methods of accounting, and any election to which the taxpayer is bound
with respect to the reporting of taxable income.
(g) Extension of territory-- (1) Section 932(a) taxpayers-- (i) General rule.
With respect to an individual to whom section 932(a) applies for a taxable year,
for purposes of taxes imposed by Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code, the
United States generally shall be treated, in a geographical and governmental
sense, as including the Virgin Islands. The purpose of this rule is to facilitate the
coordination of the tax systems of the United States and the Virgin Islands.
Accordingly, the rule will have no effect where it is manifestly inapplicable or its
application would be incompatible with the intent of any provision of the Internal
Revenue Code.
(ii) Application of general rule. Contexts in which the general rule of
paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section apply include:
58
EFTA00577317
(A) The characterization of taxes paid to the Virgin Islands. An individual
to whom section 932(a) applies may take income tax required to be paid to the
Virgin Islands under section 932(b) into account under sections 31, 6315, and
6402(b) as payments to the United States. Taxes paid to the Virgin Islands and
otherwise satisfying the requirements of section 164(a) will be allowed as a
deduction under that section, but income taxes required to be paid to the Virgin
Islands under section 932(b) will be disallowed as a deduction under section
275(a).
(B) The determination of the source of income for purposes of the foreign
tax credit (e.g., sections 901 through 904). Thus, for example, after an individual
to whom section 932(a) applies determines which items of income constitute
income from sources within the Virgin Islands under the rules of section 937(b),
such income shall be treated as income from sources within the United States for
purposes of section 904.
(C) The eligibility of a corporation to make a subchapter S election
(sections 1361 through 1379). Thus, for example, for purposes of determining
whether a corporation created or organized in the Virgin Islands may make an
election under section 1362(a) to be a subchapter S corporation, it shall be
treated as a domestic corporation and a shareholder to whom section 932(a)
applies shall not be treated as a nonresident alien individual with respect to such
corporation. While such an election is in effect, the corporation shall be treated
as a domestic corporation for all purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. For the
59
EFTA00577318
consistency requirement with respect to entity status elections, see paragraph (h)
of this section.
(D) The treatment of items carried over from other tax years. Thus, for
example, if an individual to whom section 932(a) applies has for a taxable year a
net operating loss carryback or carryover under section 172, a foreign tax credit
carryback or carryover under section 904, a business credit carryback or
carryover under section 39, a capital loss carryover under section 1212, or a
charitable contributions carryover under section 170, the carryback or carryover
will be reported on the return filed in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this
section, even though the return of the taxpayer for the taxable year giving rise to
the carryback or carryover was required to be filed with the Virgin Islands under
section 932(c).
(E) The treatment of property exchanged for property of a like kind
(section 1031). Thus, for example, if an individual to whom section 932(a)
applies exchanges real property located in the United States for real property
located in the Virgin Islands, notwithstanding the provisions of section 1031(h),
such exchange may qualify as a like-kind exchange under section 1031
(provided that all the other requirements of section 1031 are satisfied).
(iii) Nonapplication of the general rule. Contexts in which the general rule
of paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section does not apply include:
(A) The application of any rules or regulations that explicitly treat the
United States and any (or all) of its possessions as separate jurisdictions (e.g.,
sections 931 through 937, 7651, and 7654).
60
EFTA00577319
(B) The determination of any aspect of an individual's residency (e.g,
sections 937(a) and 7701(b)). Thus, for example, an individual whose principal
place of abode is in the Virgin Islands is not considered to have a principal place
of abode in the United States for purposes of section 32(c).
(C) The characterization of a corporation for purposes other than
subchapter S (e.g., sections 367, 951 through 964, 1291 through 1298, 6038,
and 6038B). Thus, for example, if an individual to whom section 932(a) applies
transfers appreciated tangible property to a corporation created or organized in
the Virgin Islands in a transaction described in section 351, he or she must
recognize gain unless an exception under section 367(a) applies. Also, if a
corporation created or organized in the Virgin Islands qualifies as a passive
foreign investment company under sections 1297 and 1298 with respect to an
individual to whom section 932(a) applies, a dividend paid to such shareholder
does not constitute qualified dividend income under section 1(h)(11)(B).
(2) Section 932(c) taxpayers-- (i) General rule. With respect to an
individual to whom section 932(c) applies for a taxable year, for purposes of the
territorial income tax of the Virgin Islands (i.e., mirrored sections of the Internal
Revenue Code), the Virgin Islands generally shall be treated, in a geographical
and governmental sense, as including the United States. The purpose of this
rule is to facilitate the coordination of the tax systems of the United States and
the Virgin Islands. Accordingly, the rule will have no effect where it is manifestly
inapplicable or its application would be incompatible with the intent of any
provision of the Internal Revenue Code.
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EFTA00577320
(ii) Application of general rule. Contexts in which the general rule of
paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section apply include:
(A) The characterization of taxes paid to the United States. A taxpayer
described in section 932(c)(1) may take income tax paid to the United States into
account under mirrored sections 31, 6315, and 6402(b) as payments to the Virgin
Islands.
(B) The determination of the source of income for purposes of the foreign
tax credit (e.g., mirrored sections 901 through 904). Thus, for example, any item
of income that constitutes income from sources within the United States under
the rules of sections 861 through 865 shall be treated as income from sources
within the Virgin Islands for purposes of mirrored section 904.
(C) The eligibility of a corporation to make a subchapter S election
(mirrored sections 1361 through 1379). Thus, for example, for purposes of
determining whether a corporation created or organized in the United States may
make an election under mirrored section 1362(a) to be a subchapter S
corporation, it shall be treated as a domestic corporation and a shareholder to
whom section 932(c) applies shall not be treated as a nonresident alien individual
with respect to such corporation. While such an election is in effect, the
corporation shall be treated as a domestic corporation for all purposes of the
territorial income tax. For the consistency requirement with respect to entity
status elections, see paragraph (h) of this section.
(D) The treatment of items carried over from other tax years. Thus, for
example, if an individual to whom section 932(c) applies has for a taxable year a
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EFTA00577321
net operating loss carryback or carryover under mirrored section 172, a foreign
tax credit carryback or carryover under mirrored section 904, a business credit
carryback or carryover under mirrored section 39, a capital loss carryover under
mirrored section 1212, or a charitable contributions carryover under mirrored
section 170, the carryback or carryover will be reported on the return filed in
accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, even though the return of the
taxpayer for the taxable year giving rise to the carryback or carryover was
required to be filed with the United States.
(E) The treatment of property exchanged for property of a like kind
(mirrored section 1031). Thus, for example, if an individual to whom section
932(c) applies exchanges real property located in the United States for real
property located in the Virgin Islands, notwithstanding the provisions of mirrored
section 1031(h), such exchange may qualify as a like-kind exchange under
mirrored section 1031 (provided that all the other requirements of mirrored
section 1031 are satisfied).
(iii) Nonaoolication of general rule. Contexts in which the general rule of
paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section does not apply include:
(A) The determination of any aspect of an individual's residency (e.g,
mirrored section 7701(b)). Thus, for example, an individual whose principal
place of abode is in the United States is not considered to have a principal place
of abode in the Virgin Islands for purposes of mirrored section 32(c).
(B) The determination of the source of income for purposes other than the
foreign tax credit (e.g., sections 932(a) and (b), 934(b), and 937). Thus, for
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example, compensation for services performed in the United States and rentals
or royalties from property located in the United States do not constitute income
from sources within the Virgin Islands for purposes of section 934(b).
(C) The definition of wages (mirrored section 3401). Thus, for example,
services performed by an employee for an employer in the United States do not
constitute services performed in the Virgin Islands under mirrored section
3401(a)(8).
(h) Entity status consistency requirement-- (1) In general. Taxpayers
should make consistent entity status elections (as defined in paragraph (h)(3) of
this section), where applicable, in both the United States and the Virgin Islands.
In the case of a business entity to which this paragraph (h) applies:
(i) If an entity status election is filed with the Internal Revenue Service but
not with the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Director of the
BIR or his delegate, at his discretion, may deem the election also to have been
made for Virgin Islands tax purposes.
(ii) If an entity status election is filed with the BIR but not with the Internal
Revenue Service, the Commissioner, at his discretion, may deem the election
also to have been made for U.S. Federal tax purposes.
(iii) If inconsistent entity status elections are filed with the BIR and the
Internal Revenue Service, both the Commissioner and the Director of the BIR or
his delegate may, at their individual discretion, treat the elections they each
received as invalid and may deem the election filed in the other jurisdiction to
have been made also for tax purposes in their own jurisdiction. (See Rev. Proc.
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EFTA00577323
89-8 (1989-1 C.B. 778) for procedures for requesting the assistance of the
Internal Revenue Service when a taxpayer is or may be subject to inconsistent
tax treatment by the Internal Revenue Service and a U.S. possession tax
agency.)
(2) Scope. This paragraph (h) applies to the following business entities:
(i) A business entity (as defined in §301.7701-2(a) of this chapter) that is
domestic (as defined in §301.7701-5 of this chapter), or otherwise treated as
domestic for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code, and that is owned in whole
or in part by any person who is either a bona fide resident of the Virgin Islands or
a business entity created or organized in the Virgin Islands.
(ii) A business entity that is created or organized in the Virgin Islands and
that is owned in whole or in part by any U.S. person (other than a bona fide
resident of the Virgin Islands).
(3) Definition. For purposes of this section, the term entity status election
includes an election under §301.7701-3(c) of this chapter, an election under
section 1362(a), and any other similar elections.
(4) Default status. Solely for the purpose of determining classification of
an eligible entity under §301.7701-3(b), and §301.7701-3(b) as mirrored in the
Virgin Islands, an eligible entity subject to this paragraph (h) shall be classified
for both U.S. Federal and Virgin Islands tax purposes using the rule that applies
to domestic eligible entities.
(5) Transition rules-- (i) In the case of an election filed prior to April 11,
2005, except as provided in paragraph (h)(5)(ii) of this section, the rules of
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EFTA00577324
paragraph (h)(1) of this section shall apply as of the first day of the first taxable
year of the entity beginning after April 11, 2005.
(ii) In the unlikely circumstance that inconsistent elections described in
paragraph (h)(1)(iii) are filed prior to April 11, 2005, and the entity cannot change
its classification to achieve consistency because of the sixty-month limitation
described in §301.7701-3(c)(1)(iv) of this chapter, then the entity may
nevertheless request permission from the Commissioner or the Director of the
BIR or his delegate to change such election to avoid inconsistent treatment by
the Commissioner and the Director of the BIR or his delegate.
(iii) Except as provided in paragraphs (h)(5)(i) and (h)(5)(ii) of this section,
in the case of an election filed with respect to an entity before it became an entity
described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, the rules of paragraph (h)(1) of this
section shall apply as of the first day that such entity is described in paragraph
(h)(2) of this section.
(iv) In the case of an entity created or organized prior to April 11, 2005,
paragraph (h)(4) of this section shall take effect for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes (or Virgin Islands income tax purposes, as the case may be) as of the
first day of the first taxable year of the entity beginning after April 11, 2005.
(i) Examples. The rules of this section are illustrated by the following
examples:
Example 1. (i) A is a U.S. citizen who resides in State R. The Federal
Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040, that A prepares for 2004 reports
adjusted gross income of $90x, including $30x from sources in the U.S. Virgin
Islands (USVI). The income tax liability reported on A's Form 1040 is $18x. A
files a copy of his Federal Form 1040 with the USVI Bureau of Internal Revenue
as required by section 932(a)(2) and paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and pays
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EFTA00577325
the applicable percentage of his Federal income tax liability to the USVI as
required by section 932(b) and paragraph (b)(2) of this section, computed as
follows:
30/90 x 18x = $6x income tax liability to the USVI
(ii) A claims a credit against his Federal income tax liability reported on his
Form 1040 in the amount of $6x. A attaches a Form 8689, "Allocation of
Individual Income Tax to the Virgin Islands," to the Form 1040 filed with the
Internal Revenue Service and to the copy of the Form 1040 filed with the USVI.
Example 2. B, a U.S. citizen, files returns on a calendar year basis. In
April 2005, B moves to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), purchases a house, and
accepts a permanent position with a local employer. For the remainder of the
year and throughout 2006, B continues to live and work in the USVI, and
establishes a closer connection to the USVI than to the United States or any
foreign country. In September 2007, as a result of the termination of his
employment in the USVI, B sells his house and moves to State G. As a
consequence of his employment in the USVI, B earns income from the
performance of services in the USVI from April 2005 through September 2007.
Section 932(c) and paragraph (c) of this section apply to B for 2006, but not for
2005 or 2007 (assuming that during the first quarter of 2005 and the last quarter
of 2007, B has a tax home outside of the USVI or a closer connection to the
United States or a foreign country). For 2005 and 2007, B is subject to the rules
of sections 932(a) and (b) and paragraph (b) of this section because he has
income derived from sources within the USVI as determined under the rules of
section 937(b) and §1.937-2T.
Example 3. H and W are U.S. citizens. H resides in State T and W is a
bona fide resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). For 2004, H and W prepare
a joint Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040, which reports total adjusted
gross income of $75x of which $40x is attributable to compensation that W
received for services performed in the USVI and $35x to compensation that H
received for services performed in State T. Pursuant to section 932(d) and
paragraph (d) of this section, the joint income tax return of H and W is filed with
the USVI as required by section 932(c) and paragraph (c) of this section. H and
W may claim a tax credit on such return for income tax withheld during 2004 and
paid to the Internal Revenue Service.
Example 4. (i) The facts are the same as in example 3, except that H also
earns $25x for services performed in the USVI, so that H and W's total adjusted
gross income is $100x, and their total income tax liability is $20x.
(ii) Pursuant to section 932(d) and paragraph (d) of this section, H and W
must file a copy of their joint Federal Form 1040 with the Bureau of Internal
Revenue of the USVI as required by section 932(a)(2) and paragraph (b)(1) of
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this section, and pay the applicable percentage of their Federal income tax
liability to the USVI as required by section 932(b) and paragraph (b)(2) of this
section, computed as follows:
65/100 x 20x = $13x income tax liability to the USVI
(iii) H and W claim a credit against their Federal income tax liability
reported on the Form 1040 in the amount of $13x, the portion of their Federal
income tax liability required to be paid to the USVI. H and W attach a Form
8689, "Allocation of Individual Income Tax to the Virgin Islands," to the Form
1040 filed with the Internal Revenue Service and to the copy of the Form 1040
filed with the USVI.
Example 5. J is a U.S. citizen and a bona fide resident of the U.S. Virgin
Islands (USVI). In 2005, J receives compensation for services performed in the
USVI in the amount of $40x. J prepares and files an Individual Income Tax
Return, Form 1040, with the USVI and reports gross income of only $30x. J has
not satisfied the conditions of section 932(c)(4) and paragraph (c) of this section
for an exclusion from gross income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes and,
therefore, must file a Federal income tax return in accordance with the Internal
Revenue Code and the regulations.
Example 6. (i) N is a U.S. citizen and a bona fide resident of the U.S.
Virgin Islands. In 2004, N receives compensation for services performed in
Country M. N prepares and files an Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040,
with the USVI and reports the compensation as income effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business in the USVI. N claims a special credit
against the tax on this compensation purportedly pursuant to a USVI law enacted
within the limits of its authority under section 934.
(ii) Under the principles of section 864(c)(4) as applied pursuant to section
937(b)(1) and §1.937-3T(b), compensation for services performed outside the
USVI may not be treated as income effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in the USVI for purposes of section 934(b). Consequently, N is
not entitled to claim the special credit under USVI law with respect to IN income
from services performed in Country M. Given that N has not fully paid his tax
liability referred to in section 934(a), he has not satisfied the conditions of section
932(c)(4) and paragraph (c) of this section for an exclusion from gross income for
U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, N must file a Federal income
tax return in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations.
(j) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
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Par. 23. Section 1.933-1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (c)
and adding paragraphs (d) and (e) to read as follows:
61.933-1 Exclusion of certain income from sources within Puerto Rico.
(a) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.933-1T(a).
(c) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.933-1T(c).
(d) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.933-1T(d).
(e) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.933-1T(e).
Par. 24. Section 1.933-1T is added to read as follows:
61.933-1T Exclusion of certain income from sources within Puerto Rico
(temporary).
(a) General rule-- (1) An individual (whether a United States citizen or an
alien), who is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico during the entire taxable year,
shall exclude from gross income the income derived from sources within Puerto
Rico, except amounts received for services performed as an employee of the
United States or any agency thereof.
(2) The following example illustrates the application of the general rule in
paragraph (a)(1) of this section:
Example. E, a United States citizen, files returns on a calendar year
basis. In April 2005, E moves to Puerto Rico, purchases a house, and accepts a
permanent position with a local employer. For the remainder of the year and
throughout 2006, E continues to live and work in Puerto Rico, and establishes a
closer connection to Puerto Rico than to the United States or any foreign country.
In September 2007, as a result of the termination of his employment in Puerto
Rico, E sells his house and moves to State J. E is entitled to the exclusion
provided in section 933 for 2006, but not for 2005 or 2007 (assuming that during
the first quarter of 2005 and the last quarter of 2007, E has a tax home outside of
Puerto Rico or a closer connection to the United States or a foreign country).
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EFTA00577328
(b) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.933-1(b).
(c) Deductions and credits. In any case in which any amount otherwise
constituting gross income is excluded from gross income under the provisions of
section 933, there shall not be allowed as a deduction from gross income any
items of expenses or losses or other deductions (except the deduction under
section 151, relating to personal exemptions), or any credit, properly allocable to,
or chargeable against, the amounts so excluded from gross income. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, the rules of §1.861-8 shall apply (with
creditable expenditures treated in the same manner as deductible expenditures).
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(1) The rules of §1.937-11 shall apply for determining whether an
individual is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico.
(2) The rules of §1.937-21 shall apply for determining whether income is
from sources within Puerto Rico.
(e) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
Par. 25. Section 1.934-1 is revised to read as follows:
1.934-1 Limitation on reduction in income tax liability incurred to the Virgin
Islands.
[Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.934-11.
Par. 26. Section 1.934-1T is added to read as follows:
§1.934-1T Limitation on reduction in income tax liability incurred to the Virgin
Islands (temporary).
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(a) General rule. Section 934(a) provides that tax liability incurred to the
United States Virgin Islands (Virgin Islands) shall not be reduced or remitted in
any way, directly or indirectly, whether by grant, subsidy, or other similar
payment, by any law enacted in the Virgin Islands, except to the extent provided
in section 934(b). For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "tax liability"
means the liability incurred to the Virgin Islands pursuant to subtitle A of the
Internal Revenue Code, as made applicable in the Virgin Islands by the Act of
July 12, 1921 (48 U.S.C. 1397), or pursuant to section 28(a) of the Revised
Organic Act of the Virgin Islands (48 U.S.C. 1642), as modified by section
7651(5)(B).
(b) Exception for V.I. income-- (1) In general. Section 934(b)(1) provides
an exception to the application of section 934(a). Under this exception, section
934(a) does not apply with respect to tax liability incurred to the Virgin Islands to
the extent that such tax liability is attributable to income derived from sources
within the Virgin Islands or income effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business within the Virgin Islands.
(2) Limitation. Section 934(b)(2) limits the scope of the exception provided
by section 934(b)(1). Pursuant to this limitation, the exception does not apply
with respect to an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States
(other than a bona fide resident of the Virgin Islands). For the rules for
determining tax liability incurred to the Virgin Islands by such an individual, see
section 932(a) and the regulations thereunder.
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(3) Computation rule-- (i) Operative rule. For purposes of section
934(b)(1) and this paragraph (b), tax liability incurred to the Virgin Islands for the
taxable year attributable to income derived from sources within the Virgin Islands
or income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
Virgin Islands shall be computed as follows:
(A) Add to the income tax liability incurred to the Virgin Islands any credit
against the tax allowed under mirrored section 901(a);
(B) Multiply by taxable income from sources within the Virgin Islands and
income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
Virgin Islands (applying the rules of §1.861-8 to determine deductions allocable
to such income);
(C) Divide by total taxable income; and
(D) Subtract the portion of any credit allowed under mirrored section 901
(other than credits for taxes paid to the United States) determined by multiplying
the amount of taxable income from sources outside the Virgin Islands or the
United States that is effectively connected to the conduct of a trade or business
in the Virgin Islands divided by the total amount of taxable income from such
sources.
(ii) Limitation. Tax liability incurred to the Virgin Islands attributable to
income derived from sources within the Virgin Islands or income effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the Virgin Islands, as
computed in this paragraph (b)(3), however, shall not exceed the total amount of
income tax liability actually incurred.
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(4) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(i) Bona fide resident. The rules of §1.937-1T shall apply for determining
whether an individual is a bona fide resident of the Virgin Islands.
(ii) Source. The rules of §1.937-2T shall apply for determining whether
income is from sources within the Virgin Islands.
(iii) Effectively connected income. The rules of §1.937-3T shall apply for
determining whether income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in the Virgin Islands.
(c) Exception for qualified foreign corporations-- (1) In general. Section
934(b)(3) provides an exception to the application of section 934(a). Under this
exception, section 934(a) does not apply with respect to tax liability incurred to
the Virgin Islands by a qualified foreign corporation to the extent that such tax
liability is attributable to income which is derived from sources outside the United
States and which is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business within the United States.
(2) Qualified foreign corporation. For purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this
section, the term qualified foreign corporation means any foreign corporation if 1
or more United States persons own or are treated as owning (within the meaning
of section 958) less than 10 percent of--
(i) The total voting power of the stock of such corporation; and
(ii) The total value of the stock of such corporation,
(3) Computation rule-- (i) Operative rule. For purposes of section
934(b)(3) and this paragraph (c), tax liability incurred to the Virgin Islands for the
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taxable year attributable to income which is derived from sources outside the
United States and which is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business within the United States shall be computed as follows--
(A) Add to the income tax liability incurred to the Virgin Islands any credit
against the tax allowed under mirrored section 901(a);
(B) Multiply by taxable income which is derived from sources outside the
United States and which is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business within the United States (applying the rules of §1.861-8 to determine
deductions allocable to such income);
(C) Divide by total taxable income; and
(D) Subtract any credit allowed under mirrored section 901 (other than
credits for taxes paid to the United States or taxes for which a credit is allowable
for U.S. Federal income tax purposes under section 906 of the Internal Revenue
Code).
(ii) Limitation Tax liability incurred to the Virgin Islands attributable to
income which is derived from sources outside the United States and which is not
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United
States, as computed in this paragraph (c)(3), however, shall not exceed the total
amount of income tax liability actually incurred.
(4) U.S. income-- (i) In general. For purposes of this section, except as
provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section, the rules of sections 861 through
865 and the regulations thereunder shall apply for determining whether income is
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EFTA00577333
from sources outside the United States or effectively connected with the conduct
of a trade or business within the United States.
(ii) Conduit arrangements. Income shall be considered to be from sources
within the United States for purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section if,
pursuant to a plan or arrangement--
(A) The income is received in exchange for consideration provided to
another person; and
(B) Such person (or another person) provides the same consideration (or
consideration of a like kind) to a third person in exchange for one or more
payments constituting income from sources within the United States.
(d) Examples. The rules of this section are illustrated by the following
examples:
Example 1. (i) S is a U.S. citizen and a bona fide resident of the U.S.
Virgin Islands (USVI). For 2005, S files a Form 1040INFO, "Non-Virgin Islands
Source Income of Virgin Islands Residents," with the USVI on which S reports
total gross income as follows:
Compensation for services performed in the USVI
$50,000
Compensation for services performed in the United States
40,000
Compensation for services performed in Mexico
30,000
Income from inventory sales in Latin America attributable to
USVI Office
20,000
Interest on a U.S. bank account
6,000
Interest on a V.I. bank account
5,000
Dividends from a U.S. corporation
4,000
(ii) Accordingly, S has total gross income of $155,000, comprising income
from sources within the USVI or effectively connected to the conduct of a trade or
business in the USVI (USVI ECI) of $75,000, income from sources within the
United States of $50,000, and income from other sources (not USVI ECI) of
$30,000. After taking into account allowable deductions, S's total taxable income
is $120,000, of which $45,000 is taxable income from sources within the USVI,
$15,000 is taxable income from other sources that is USVI ECI under the rules of
section 937(b) and §§1.937-2T and 1.937-3T, and $22,500 is taxable income
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EFTA00577334
from sources outside the USVI (and outside the United States) that is not USVI
ECI. S's tax liability incurred to the USVI pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code
as applicable in the USVI (mirror code) is $30,000. S is entitled to claim a credit
under section 901 of the mirror code in the amount of $10,000 for income tax
paid to Mexico and other Latin American countries, for a net income tax liability of
$20,000.
(iii) Pursuant to a USVI law that was duly enacted within the limits of its
authority under section 934, S may claim a special deduction relating to his
business activities in the USVI. However, under section 934(b), S's ability to
claim this special deduction is limited. Specifically, the maximum amount of the
reduction in S's mirror code tax liability that may result from claiming this
deduction, computed in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this section, is as
follows:
(20,000 + 10,000) x ((45,000 + 15,000) / 120,000) - (10,000 x (15,000 I
(15,000 + 22,500)) = 30,000 x (.5) - 10,000 x (.4) = 15,000 — 4,000 =
$11,000
(iv) Accordingly, S's net tax liability incurred to the USVI must be at least
$19,000 (30,000 - 11,000), prior to taking into account any foreign tax credit.
Example 2. The facts are the same as Example 1, except that S is a U.S.
citizen who resides in the United States. As required by section 932(a) and (b),
S files with the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) a copy of his Federal income tax return
and pays to the USVI the portion of his Federal income tax liability that his Virgin
Islands adjusted gross income bears to his adjusted gross income. Under
section 934(b)(2), S may not claim the special deduction offered under USVI law
relating to business activities like his in the USVI to reduce any of his tax liability
payable to the USVI under section 932(b).
Example 3. (i) Z is a nonresident alien who resides in Country FC. In
2005, Z receives dividends from a corporation organized under the law of the
U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) in the amount of $90x. Z's tax liability incurred to the
USVI pursuant to section 871(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as applicable in
the USVI (mirror code) is $27x.
(ii) Pursuant to a USVI law that was duly enacted within the limits of its
authority under section 934, Z may claim a special exemption for income relating
to his investment in the USVI. The maximum amount of the reduction in Z's
mirror code tax liability that may result from claiming this exemption, computed in
accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this section, is as follows:
27x (90x/90x) = $27x
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(iii) Accordingly, depending on the terms of the exemption as provided
under USVI law, Z's net tax liability incurred to the USVI may be reduced or
eliminated entirely.
Example 4. (i) A Corp is organized under the laws of the U.S. Virgin
Islands (USVI) and is engaged in a trade or business in the United States
through an office in State N. All of A Corp's outstanding stock is owned by U.S.
citizens who are bona fide residents of the USVI. During 2005, A Corp had $50x
in gross income from sources within the USVI (as determined under section
937(b) and §1.937-21) that is not effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in the United States; $20x in gross income from sources in
Country H that is effectively connected with the conduct of A Corp's trade or
business in the United States; and $10x in gross income from sources in Country
R that is not effectively connected with the conduct of A Corp's trade or business
in the United States.
(ii) Section 934(b)(3) permits the USVI to reduce or remit the income tax
liability of a qualified foreign corporation arising under the Internal Revenue Code
as applicable in the USVI (mirror code) with respect to income that is derived
from sources outside the United States and that is not effectively connected with
the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. A foreign corporation
constitutes a "qualified foreign corporation" under section 934(b)(3)(B) if less than
10 percent of the total voting power and value of the stock of the corporation is
owned or treated as owned (within the meaning of section 958) by one or more
United States persons. A U.S. citizen is a United States person as defined in
section 7701(a)(30)(A). Given that 10 percent or more of the voting power and
value of its stock is owned by U.S. citizens, A Corp does not constitute a
"qualified foreign corporation" under section 934(b)(3)(B). Accordingly, the USVI
may only reduce or remit A Corp's mirror code income tax liability with respect to
its $50x in gross income from sources within the USVI.
Example 5. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 4, except that the
outstanding stock of A Corp is owned by the following individuals:
U.S. citizens who are bona fide residents of the USVI
5%
U.S. citizens who are not bona fide residents of the USVI
3%
Nonresident aliens who are bona fide residents of the USVI
42%
Nonresident aliens who are not bona fide residents of the USVI
50%
(ii) Given that less than 10 percent of the voting power and value of its
stock is owned by United States persons, A Corp constitutes a qualified foreign
corporation under section 934(b)(3)(B). Accordingly, the USVI may reduce or
remit A Corp's mirror code income tax liability with respect to its $50x in gross
income from sources within the USVI and its $10x in gross income from sources
in Country R that is not effectively connected with the conduct of A Corp's trade
or business in the United States. In no event, however, may the USVI reduce or
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remit A Corp's mirror code income tax liability with respect to its $20x in gross
income from sources in Country H that is effectively connected with the conduct
of A Corp's trade or business in the United States.
(e) Effective date. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (e), this
section applies for taxable years ending after October 22, 2004. Paragraph
(c)(4)(ii) of this section applies to amounts paid or accrued after April 11, 2005.
Par. 27. Section 1.935-1 is amended as follows:
1. Revise the heading and paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3).
2. Revise paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(3), and add paragraphs (b)(5)
through (b)(7).
3. Revise paragraphs (c) through (f).
4. Add paragraph (g).
The revisions and additions are as follows:
1.935-1 Coordination of individual income taxes with Guam and the Northern
Mariana Islands.
(a)(1) through (a)(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.935-
1T(a)(1) through (a)(3).
(b)(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.935-1T(b)(1).
(b)(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.935-1T(b)(3).
(b)(5) through (b)(7) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.935-
1T(b)(5) through (b)(7).
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(c) through (f) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.935-1T(c) through
(f).
(g) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.935-1T(g).
Par. 28. Section 1.935-1T is added to read as follows:
§1.935-1T Coordination of individual income taxes with Guam and the Northern
Mariana Islands (temporary).
(a) Application of section-- (1) Scope. Section 935 and this section set
forth the special rules relating to the filing of income tax returns, income tax
liabilities, and estimated income tax of individuals described in paragraph (a)(2)
of this section. Paragraph (e) of this section also provides special rules requiring
consistent treatment of business entities in the United States and in section 935
possessions.
(2) Individuals covered. This section shall apply to any individual who--
(i) Is a bona fide resident of a section 935 possession during the entire
taxable year, whether or not such individual is a citizen of the United States or a
resident alien (as defined in section 7701(b)(1)(A));
(ii) Is a citizen of a section 935 possession but not otherwise a citizen of
the United States;
(iii) Has income from sources within a section 935 possession for the
taxable year, is a citizen of the United States or a resident alien (as defined in
section 7701(b)(1)(A)) and is not a bona fide resident of a section 935
possession during the entire taxable year; or
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(iv) Files a joint return for the taxable year with any individual described in
paragraph (a)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.
(3) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
(i) The term section 935 possession means Guam or the Northern
Mariana Islands, unless such possession has entered into an implementing
agreement, as described in section 1271(b) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986
(Public Law 99-514 (100 Stat. 2085)), with the United States that is in effect for
the entire taxable year.
(ii) The term relevant possession means:
(A) With respect to an individual described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this
section, the section 935 possession of which such individual is a bona fide
resident.
(B) With respect to an individual described in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section, the section 935 possession of which such individual is a citizen.
(C) With respect to an individual described in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this
section, the section 935 possession from which such individual derives income.
(iii) The rules of §1.937-1T shall apply for determining whether an
individual is a bona fide resident of a section 935 possession.
(iv) The rules of §1.937-2T generally shall apply for determining whether
income is from sources within a section 935 possession. Pursuant to §1.937-
21(a), however, the rules of §1.937-2T(c)(1)(ii) and (c)(2) do not apply for
purposes of section 935(a)(3) (as in effect before the effective date of its repeal)
and paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section.
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(v) The term citizen of the United States means any individual who is a
citizen within the meaning of §1.1-1(c), except that the term does not include an
individual who is a citizen of a section 935 possession but not otherwise a citizen
of the United States. The term citizen of a section 935 possession but not
otherwise a citizen of the United States means any individual who has become a
citizen of the United States by birth or naturalization in the section 935
possession.
(vi) With respect to the United States, the term resident means an
individual who is a citizen (as defined in §1.1-1(c)) or resident alien (as defined in
section 7701(b)) and who does not have a tax home (as defined in section
911(d)(3)) in a foreign country during the entire taxable year. The term does not
include an individual who is a bona fide resident of a section 935 possession.
(vii) The term U.S. taxpayer means an individual described in paragraph
(b)(1)(i) or (iii)(B) of this section.
(b) Filing requirement-- (1) Tax lurisdiction. An individual described in
paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall file an income tax return for the taxable
year--
(i) With the United States if such individual is a resident of the United
States;
(ii) With the relevant possession if such individual is described in
paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section; or
(iii) If neither paragraph (b)(1)(i) nor paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section
applies--
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(A) With the relevant possession if such individual is described in
paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section; or
(B) With the United States if such individual is a citizen of the United
States, as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.935-1(b)(2).
(3) Place for filing returns-- (i) U.S. returns. A return required under this
paragraph (b) to be filed with the United States shall be filed as directed in the
applicable forms and instructions.
(ii) Guam returns. A return required under this paragraph (b) to be filed
with Guam shall be filed as directed in the applicable forms and instructions.
(iii) NMI returns. A return required under this paragraph (b) to be filed with
the Northern Mariana Islands shall be filed as directed in the applicable forms
and instructions
(4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.935-1(b)(4).
(5) Tax payments. The tax shown on the return shall be paid to the
jurisdiction with which such return is required to be filed and shall be determined
by taking into account any credit under section 31 for tax withheld by the relevant
possession or the United States on wages, any credit under section 6402(b) for
an overpayment of income tax to the relevant possession or the United States,
and any payments under section 6315 of estimated income tax paid to the
relevant possession or the United States.
(6) Liability to other jurisdiction-- (i) Filing with the relevant possession. In
the case of an individual who is required under paragraph (b)(1) of this section to
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file a return with the relevant possession for a taxable year, if such individual
properly files such return and fully pays his or her income tax liability to the
relevant possession, such individual is relieved of liability to file an income tax
return with, and to pay an income tax to, the United States for the taxable year.
(ii) Filing with the United States. In the case of an individual who is
required under paragraph (b)(1) of this section to file a return with the United
States for a taxable year, such individual is relieved of liability to file an income
tax return with, and to pay an income tax to, the relevant possession for the
taxable year.
(7) Information reporting. [Reserved].
(c) Extension of territory-- (1) U.S. taxpayers-- (i) General rule. With
respect to a U.S. taxpayer, for purposes of taxes imposed by Chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code, the United States generally shall be treated, in a
geographical and governmental sense, as including the relevant possession.
The purpose of this rule is to facilitate the coordination of the tax systems of the
United States and the relevant possession. Accordingly, the rule will have no
effect where it is manifestly inapplicable or its application would be incompatible
with the intent of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code.
(ii) Application of general rule. Contexts in which the general rule of
paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section apply include:
(A) The characterization of taxes paid to the relevant possession. Income
tax paid to the relevant possession may be taken into account under sections 31,
6315, and 6402(b) as payments to the United States. Taxes paid to the relevant
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possession and otherwise satisfying the requirements of section 164(a) will be
allowed as a deduction under that section, but income taxes paid to the relevant
possession will be disallowed as a deduction under section 275(a).
(B) The determination of the source of income for purposes of the foreign
tax credit (e.g., sections 901 through 904). Thus, for example, after a U.S.
taxpayer determines which items of income constitute income from sources
within the relevant possession under the rules of section 937(b), such income
shall be treated as income from sources within the United States for purposes of
section 904.
(C) The eligibility of a corporation to make a subchapter S election
(sections 1361 through 1379). Thus, for example, for purposes of determining
whether a corporation created or organized in the relevant possession may make
an election under section 1362(a) to be a subchapter S corporation, it shall be
treated as a domestic corporation and a U.S. taxpayer shareholder shall not be
treated as a nonresident alien individual with respect to such corporation. While
such an election is in effect, the corporation shall be treated as a domestic
corporation for all purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. For the consistency
requirement with respect to entity status elections, see paragraph (e) of this
section.
(D) The treatment of items carried over from other tax years. Thus, for
example, if a U.S. taxpayer has for a taxable year a net operating loss carryback
or carryover under section 172, a foreign tax credit carryback or carryover under
section 904, a business credit carryback or carryover under section 39, a capital
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loss carryover under section 1212, or a charitable contributions carryover under
section 170, the carryback or carryover will be reported on the return filed with
the United States in accordance with paragraph (b)(1)(i) or (b)(1)(iii)(B) of this
section, even though the return of the taxpayer for the taxable year giving rise to
the carryback or carryover was required to be filed with a section 935
possession.
(E) The treatment of property exchanged for property of a like kind
(section 1031). Thus for example, if a U.S. taxpayer exchanges real property
located in the United States for real property located in the relevant possession,
notwithstanding the provisions of section 1031(h), such exchange may qualify as
a like-kind exchange under section 1031 (provided that all the other requirements
of section 1031 are satisfied).
(iii) Nonaoolication of general rule. Contexts in which the general rule of
paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section does not apply include:
(A) The application of any rules or regulations that explicitly treat the
United States and any (or all) of its possessions as separate jurisdictions (e.g.,
sections 931 through 937, 7651, and 7654).
(B) The determination of any aspect of an individual's residency (e.g,
sections 937(a) and 7701(b)). Thus, for example, an individual whose principal
place of abode is in the relevant possession is not considered to have a principal
place of abode in the United States for purposes of section 32(c).
(C) The determination of the source of income for purposes other than the
foreign tax credit (e.g., sections 935, 937, and 7654). Thus, for example, income
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determined to be derived from sources within the relevant possession under
section 937(b) shall not be considered income from sources within the United
States for purposes of Form 5074, "Allocation of Individual Income Tax to Guam
or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands".
(D) The definition of wages (section 3401). Thus, for example, services
performed by an employee for an employer in the relevant possession do not
constitute services performed in the United States under section 3401(a)(8).
(E) The characterization of a corporation for purposes other than
subchapter S (e.g., sections 367, 951 through 964, 1291 through 1298, 6038,
and 6038B). Thus, for example, if a U.S. taxpayer transfers appreciated tangible
property to a corporation created or organized in the relevant possession in a
transaction described in section 351, he or she must recognize gain unless an
exception under section 367(a) applies. Also, if a corporation created or
organized in the relevant possession qualifies as a passive foreign investment
company under sections 1297 and 1298 with respect to a U.S. taxpayer, a
dividend paid to such shareholder does not constitute qualified dividend income
under section 1(h)(11)(B).
(2) Application in relevant possession. In applying the territorial income
tax of the relevant possession, such possession generally shall be treated, in a
geographical and governmental sense, as including the United States. Thus, for
example, income tax paid to the United States may be taken into account under
sections 31, 6315, and 6402(b) as payments to the relevant possession.
Moreover, a citizen of the United States (as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this
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section) not a resident of the relevant possession will not be treated as a
nonresident alien individual for purposes of the territorial income tax of the
relevant possession. Thus, for example, a citizen of the United States (as so
defined), or a resident of the United States, will not be treated as a nonresident
alien individual for purposes of section 1361(b)(1)(C) of the Guamanian
Territorial income tax.
(d) Special rules for estimated income tax-- (1) In general. An individual
must make each payment of estimated income tax (and any amendment to the
estimated tax payment) to the jurisdiction with which the individual reasonably
believes, as of the date of that payment (or amendment), that he or she will be
required to file a return for the taxable year under paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
In determining the amount of such estimated income tax, income tax paid to the
relevant possession may be taken into account under sections 31 and 6402(b) as
payments to the United States, and vice versa. For other rules relating to
estimated income tax, see section 6654.
(2) Joint estimated income tax. In the case of married persons making a
joint payment of estimated income tax, the taxpayers must make each payment
of estimated income tax (and any amendment to the estimated tax payment) to
the jurisdiction where the spouse who has the greater estimated adjusted gross
income for the taxable year would be required under paragraph (d)(1) of this
section to pay estimated income tax if separate payments were made. For this
purpose, estimated adjusted gross income of each spouse for the taxable year is
determined without regard to community property laws.
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(3) Erroneous payment. If the individual or spouses erroneously pay
estimated income tax to the United States instead of the relevant possession or
vice versa, only subsequent payments or amendments of the payments are
required to be made pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this section with the
other jurisdiction.
(4) Place for payment. Estimated income tax required under this
paragraph (d) to be paid to Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands shall be paid
as directed in the applicable forms and instructions issued by the relevant
possession. Estimated income tax required under paragraph (d)(1) of this
section to be paid to the United States shall be paid as directed in the applicable
forms and instructions.
(5) Liability to other jurisdiction-- (i) Filing with Guam or the Northern
Mariana Islands. Subject to paragraph (d)(6) of this section, an individual
required under this paragraph (d) to pay estimated income tax (and amendments
thereof) to Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands is relieved of liability to pay
estimated income tax (and amendments thereof) to the United States.
(ii) Filing with the United States. Subject to paragraph (d)(6) of this
section, an individual required under this paragraph (d) to pay estimated income
tax (and amendments thereof) to the United States is relieved of liability to pay
estimated income tax (and amendments thereof) to the relevant possession.
(6) Underpayments. The liability of an individual described in paragraph
(a)(2) of this section for underpayments of estimated income tax for a taxable
year, as determined under section 6654, shall be to the jurisdiction with which the
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individual is required under paragraph (b) of this section to file his or her return
for the taxable year.
(e) Entity status consistency requirement-- (1) In general. Taxpayers
should make consistent entity status elections (as defined in paragraph (e)(3)(ii)
of this section), when applicable, in both the United States and section 935
possessions. In the case of a business entity to which this paragraph (e) applies:
(i) If an entity status election is filed with the Internal Revenue Service but
not with the relevant possession, the appropriate tax authority of the relevant
possession, at his discretion, may deem the election also to have been made for
the relevant possession tax purposes.
(ii) If an entity status election filed with the relevant possession but not
with the Internal Revenue Service, the Commissioner, at his discretion, may
deem the election also to have been made for U.S. Federal tax purposes.
(iii) If inconsistent entity status elections are filed with the relevant
possession and the Internal Revenue Service, both the Commissioner and the
appropriate tax authority of the relevant possession may, at their individual
discretion, treat the elections they each received as invalid and may deem the
election filed in the other jurisdiction to have been made also for tax purposes in
their own jurisdiction. (See Rev. Proc. 89-8 (1989-1 C.B. 778) for procedures for
requesting the assistance of the Internal Revenue Service when a taxpayer is or
may be subject to inconsistent tax treatment by the Internal Revenue Service and
a U.S. possession tax agency.)
(2) Scope. This paragraph (e) applies to the following business entities:
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(i) A business entity (as defined in §301.7701-2(a) of this chapter) that is
domestic (as defined in §301.7701-5 of this chapter), or otherwise treated as
domestic for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code, and that is owned in whole
or in part by any person who is either a bona fide resident of a section 935
possession or a business entity created or organized in a section 935
possession.
(ii) A business entity that is created or organized in a section 935
possession and that is owned in whole or in part by any U.S. person (other than
a bona fide resident of such possession).
(3) Definitions. For purposes of this section--
(i) The term appropriate tax authority of the relevant possession means
the individual responsible for tax administration in such possession or his
delegate.
(ii) The term entity status election includes an election under §301.7701-
3(c) of this chapter, an election under section 1362(a), and any other similar
elections.
(4) Default status. Solely for the purpose of determining classification of
an eligible entity under §301.7701-3(b), and §301.7701-3(b) as mirrored in the
relevant possession, an eligible entity subject to this paragraph (e) shall be
classified for both U.S. Federal and the relevant possession tax purposes using
the rule that applies to domestic eligible entities.
(5) Transition rules-- (i) In the case of an election filed prior to April 11,
2005, except as provided in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this section, the rules of
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paragraph (e)(1) of this section shall apply as of the first day of the first taxable
year of the entity beginning after April 11, 2005.
(ii) In the unlikely circumstance that inconsistent elections described in
paragraph (e)(1)(iii) are filed prior to April 11, 2005, and the entity cannot change
its classification to achieve consistency because of the sixty-month limitation
described in §301.7701-3(c)(1)(iv) of this chapter, then the entity may
nevertheless request permission from the Commissioner or appropriate tax
authority of the relevant possession to change such election to avoid inconsistent
treatment by the Commissioner and the appropriate tax authority of the relevant
possession.
(iii) Except as provided in paragraphs (e)(5)(i) and (e)(5)(ii) of this section,
in the case of an election filed with respect to an entity before it became an entity
described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the rules of paragraph (e)(1) of this
section shall apply as of the first day that such entity is described in paragraph
(e)(2) of this section.
(iv) In the case of an entity created or organized prior to April 11, 2005,
paragraph (e)(4) of this section shall take effect for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes (or the relevant possession income tax purposes, as the case may be)
as of the first day of the first taxable year of the entity beginning after April 11,
2005.
(f) Examples. The application of this section is illustrated by the following
examples:
Example 1. B a United States citizen, files returns on a calendar year
basis. In April 2005, B moves to Possession G, which is a section 935
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possession, purchases a house, and accepts a permanent position with a local
employer. For the remainder of the year and throughout 2006, B continues to
live and work in Possession G, and establishes a closer connection to
Possession G than to the United States or any foreign country. In September
2007, as a result of the termination of his employment in Possession G, B sells
his house and moves to State H. As a consequence of his employment in
Possession G, B earns income from the performance of services in Possession
G from April 2005 through September 2007. Section 935(b)(1)(B) and paragraph
(b)(1)(ii) of this section apply to B for 2006, but not for 2005 or 2007 (assuming
that during the first quarter of 2005 and the last quarter of 2007, B has a tax
home outside of Possession G or a closer connection to the United States or a
foreign country). For 2005 and 2007, B is subject to the rules applicable to
individuals described in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section because he has
income derived from sources within Possession G as determined under the rules
of section 937(b) and §1.937-21.
Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that B's
employment terminated in September 2008 rather than 2007. B properly pays
his April 2005 estimated tax to the United States, continues to pay estimated tax
for the 2005 tax year to the United States under paragraph (d) of this section,
and properly files his 2005 return with the United States.
(i)(A) On the date of each payment of estimated tax in 2006, B reasonably
believes that he would be required to file his return for 2006 with Possession G
under paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(B) In August 2006, B determines that he has overpaid tax for the previous
year in the amount of $1000. B properly pays all estimated taxes to Possession
G for 2006, subtracting the $1000 overpayment from his estimated tax payments
pursuant to section 6402(b), and properly files his tax return with Possession G.
(ii) In April 2007, B reasonably believes that he would be returning to the
United States in the Fall of 2007, and properly pays estimated tax to the United
States. By June 2007, B reasonably believes that he would not be moving from
Possession G and would be a bona fide resident of Possession G for the entire
taxable year. B makes his remaining estimated tax payments to Possession G.
On his 2007 tax return filed with Possession G, pursuant to section 6315, B
properly takes into account payments made to both the United States and
Possession G as estimated taxes.
(iii) In April and June 2008, B reasonably believes that he would be a bona
fide resident of Possession G for the entire taxable year 2008 and properly pays
estimated taxes to Possession G. By the time B pays his estimated taxes for
September 2008, B's employment terminates and he moves to State H. B
properly makes his remaining estimated tax payments to the United States. On
his return for 2008, properly filed with the United States, B determines that he
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has underpaid estimated taxes throughout 2008 in an amount subject to penalty
under section 6654. B owes the United States an estimated tax penalty under
section 6654.
(g) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
Par. 29. Section 1.937-1T is added to read as follows:
§1.937-1T Bona fide residency in a possession (temporary).
(a) Scope-- (1) In general. Section 937(a) and this section set forth the
rules for determining whether an individual qualifies as a bona fide resident of a
particular possession (the relevant possession) for purposes of the Internal
Revenue Code, including Subpart D, Part III, Subchapter N, Chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code as well as section 865(g)(3), section 876, section 881(b),
paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 901(b), section 957(c), section 3401(a)(8)(C),
and section 7654(a).
(2) Definitions. For purposes of this section and §§1.937-2 and 1.937-3--
(i) Possession means one of the following United States possessions:
American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the
Virgin Islands. When used in a geographical sense, the term comprises only the
territory of each such possession (without application of sections 932(c)(3) and
935(c)(2) (as in effect before the effective date of its repeal)).
(ii) United States, when used in a geographical sense, is defined in section
7701(a)(9), and without application of sections 932(a)(3) and 935(c)(1) (as in
effect before the effective date of its repeal).
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(b) Bona fide resident-- (1) General rule. An individual qualifies as a bona
fide resident of the relevant possession if such individual satisfies the
requirements of paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section with respect to such
possession.
(2) Special rule for members of the Armed Forces. A member of the
Armed Forces of the United States who qualified as a bona fide resident of the
relevant possession in a prior taxable year shall be deemed to have satisfied the
requirements of paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section for a subsequent
taxable year if such individual otherwise is unable to satisfy such requirements by
reason of being absent from such possession or present in the United States
during such year solely in compliance with military orders. Conversely, a
member of the Armed Forces of the United States who did not qualify as a bona
fide resident of the relevant possession in a prior taxable year shall not be
considered to have satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (c) through (e) of
this section for a subsequent taxable year by reason of being present in such
possession solely in compliance with military orders. Armed Forces of the United
States is defined (and members of the Armed Forces are described) in section
7701(a)(15).
(3) Juridical persons. Only natural persons may qualify as bona fide
residents of a possession. The rules governing the tax treatment of bona fide
residents of a possession do not apply to juridical persons (e.g., corporations,
partnerships, trusts, and estates).
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(4) Transition rule. For taxable years beginning before October 23, 2004,
and ending after October 22, 2004, an individual will be considered to qualify as
a bona fide resident of the relevant possession if such individual satisfies the
requirements of paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section with respect to such
possession for such year.
(c) Presence test-- (1) In general. A United States citizen or resident alien
(as defined in section 7701(b)(1)(A)) individual satisfies the requirements of this
paragraph (c) for a taxable year if during that taxable year such individual--
(i) Was present in the relevant possession for at least 183 days;
(ii) Was present in the United States for no more than 90 days;
(iii) Had no earned income (as defined in §1.911-3(b)) in the United States
and was present for more days in the relevant possession than in the United
States; or
(iv) Had no permanent connection (see paragraph (c)(4) of this section) to
the United States.
(2) Special rule for alien individuals. A nonresident alien individual (as
defined in section 7701(b)(1)(B)) satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (c)
for a taxable year if during that taxable year such individual satisfies the
substantial presence test of §301.7701(b)-1(c) of this chapter (except for the
substitution of the name of the relevant possession for the term United States
where appropriate).
(3) Days of presence. For purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section--
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(i) An individual is considered to be present in the relevant possession on
any day that he or she is physically present in such possession at any time
during the day.
(ii) An individual is considered to be present in the United States on any
day that he or she is physically present in the United States at any time during
the day. However, the following days shall be excluded and will not count as
days of presence in the United States:
(A) Any day that an individual is prevented from leaving the United States
because of a medical condition that arose while the individual was present in the
United States (as described in §301.7701(b)-3(c) of this chapter);
(B) Any day that an individual is in transit between two points outside the
United States (as described in §301.7701(b)-3(d) of this chapter), and is
physically present in the United States for fewer than 24 hours;
(C) Any day that an individual is temporarily present in the United States
as a professional athlete to compete in a charitable sports event (as described in
§301.7701(b)-3(b)(5) of this chapter);
(D) Any day during which the individual is temporarily in the United States
as a student (as defined in section 152(f)(2)); and
(E) In the case of an individual who is an elected representative of the
relevant possession, or who serves full time as an elected or appointed official or
employee of the government of the relevant possession (or any political
subdivision thereof), any day spent serving the relevant possession in such role.
(iii) If, during a single day, an individual is physically present--
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(A) In the United States and in the relevant possession, such day shall be
considered a day of presence in the relevant possession;
(B) In two possessions, such day shall be considered a day of presence in
the possession where the individual's tax home is located (applying the rules of
paragraph (d) of this section).
(4) Permanent connection. For purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this
section--
(i) A permanent connection to the United States includes--
(A) A permanent home (as described in §301.7701(b)-2(d)(2) of this
chapter) in the United States;
(B) A spouse or dependent (as defined in section 152 and the regulations
thereunder) whose principal place of abode is in the United States; or
(C) Current registration to vote in any political subdivision of the United
States.
(ii) However, a permanent connection to the United States does not
include--
(A) A valid professional license conferred by any political subdivision of
the United States; or
(B) Relatives (other than those specified in paragraph (c)(4)(B) of this
section) whose principal place of abode is in the United States.
(d) Tax home test-- (1) General rule. An individual satisfies the
requirements of this paragraph (d) for a taxable year if such individual did not
have a tax home outside the relevant possession during any part of the taxable
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year. For purposes of section 937 and this section, an individual's tax home is
determined under the principles of section 911(d)(3) without regard to the second
sentence thereof. Thus, under section 937, an individual's tax home is
considered to be located at the individual's regular or principal (if more than one
regular) place of business. If the individual has no regular or principal place of
business because of the nature of the business, or because the individual is not
engaged in carrying on any trade or business within the meaning of section
162(a), then the individual's tax home is the individual's regular place of abode in
a real and substantial sense.
(2) Special rule for seafarers. For purposes of section 937 and this
section, an individual will not be considered to have a tax home outside the
relevant possession solely by reason of employment on a ship or other seafaring
vessel that is predominantly used in local and international waters. For this
purpose, a vessel will be considered to be predominantly used in local and
international waters if, during the taxable year, the aggregate amount of time it is
used in international water and in the water within three miles of the relevant
possession exceeds the aggregate amount of time it is used in the territorial
water of the United States or any foreign country.
(3) Special rule for students and government officials. Any days described
in paragraphs (c)(3)(ii)(D) and (E) of this section shall be disregarded for
purposes of determining whether an individual has a tax home outside the
relevant possession under paragraph (d)(1) of this section during any part of the
taxable year.
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(e) Closer connection test. An individual satisfies the requirements of this
paragraph (e) for a taxable year if such individual did not have a closer
connection to the United States or a foreign country than to the relevant
possession. For purposes of the preceding sentence--
(1) The principles of section 7701(b)(3)(B)(ii) and §301.7701(b)-2(d) of this
chapter shall apply; and
(2) Another possession shall not be considered a foreign country.
(f) Examples. The principles of this section are illustrated by the following
examples:
Example 1. Presence test. H and W are U.S. citizens who live for part of
the taxable year in a condominium, which they own, located in Possession P. H
and W also own a house in State N where they live for 120 days a year to be
near their grown children and grandchildren. H and W are retired and their
income consists solely of pension payments, dividends, interest, and Social
Security benefits. In 2005, H and W are only present in Possession P for a total
of 175 days because of a 70 day vacation to Europe and Asia. Thus, in 2005, H
and W are not present in Possession P for at least 183 days, are present in the
United States for more than 90 days, and have a permanent connection to the
United States by reason of their permanent home. However, under paragraph
(c)(1)(iii) of this section, H and W each still satisfy the presence test in paragraph
(c) of this section with respect to Possession P because they have no earned
income in the United States and are physically present for more days in
Possession P than in the United States.
Example 2. Presence test. T, a U.S. citizen, is a sales representative for
a company based in Possession V. T lives with his wife and minor children in
their house in Possession V, where he is also registered to vote. T's business
travel requires T to spend 120 days in the United States and another 120 days in
foreign countries. When traveling on business, T generally stays at hotels but
sometimes stays with his brother, who lives in State A. Under paragraphs
(c)(1)(iv) and (c)(4) of this section, T satisfies the presence test in paragraph (c)
of this section because he has no permanent connection to the United States.
Example 3. Alien resident of possession-- presence test. F is a citizen of
Country G. F's tax home is in Possession C and F has no closer connection to
the United States or a foreign country than to Possession C. F is physically
present in Possession C for 123 days and in the United States for 110 days
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every year. Accordingly, F is a nonresident alien with respect to the United
States under section 7701(b), and a bona fide resident of Possession C under
paragraphs (b), (c)(2), (d), and (e) of this section.
Example 4. Seafarers-- tax home. S, a U.S. citizen, is employed by a
fishery and spends 250 days at sea on a fishing vessel. When not at sea, S
resides with his wife at a house they own in Possession G. The fishing vessel
upon which S works departs and arrives at various ports in Possession G, other
possessions, and foreign countries, but is in international or local waters (within
the meaning of paragraph (d)(2) of this section) for 225 days. Under paragraph
(d)(2) of this section, S will not be considered to have a tax home outside
Possession G for purposes of section 937 and this section solely by reason of
S's employment on board the fishing vessel.
Example 5. Seasonal workers-- tax home and closer connection. P a
U.S. citizen, is a permanent employee of a hotel in Possession I, but works only
during the tourist season. For the remainder of each year, P lives with her
husband and children in Possession Q, where she has no outside employment.
Most of
personal belongings, including her automobile, are located in
Possession Q. P is registered to vote in, and has a driver's license issued by,
Possession Q. P does her personal banking in Possession Q and P routinely
lists her address in Possession Q on forms and documents. P satisfies the
presence test of paragraph (c) of this section with respect to both Possession Q
and Possession I, because, among other reasons, under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of
this section she does not spend more than 90 days in the United States during
the taxable year. P satisfies the tax home test of paragraph (d) of this section
only with respect to Possession I, because her regular place of business is in
Possession I. P satisfies the closer connection test of paragraph (e) of this
section with respect to both Possession Q and Possession I, because she does
not have a closer connection to the United States or to any foreign country (and
for this purpose, under paragraph (e)(2) of this section, Possession Q is not
treated as a foreign country with respect to Possession I). Therefore, P is a bona
fide resident of Possession I for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.
Example 6. Closer connection to United States than to possession. Z, a
U.S. citizen, relocates to Possession V in 2003 to start an investment consulting
and venture capital business. Z's wife and two teen-aged children remain in
State C to allow the children to complete high school. Z travels back to the
United States regularly to see his wife and children, to engage in business
activities, and to take vacations. He has an apartment available for his full-time
use in Possession V, but he remains a joint-owner of the residence in State C
where his wife and children reside. Z and his family have automobiles and
personal belongings such as furniture, clothing, and jewelry located at both
residences. Although Z is a member of the Possession V Chamber of
Commerce, Z also belongs to and has current relationships with social, political,
cultural, and religious organizations in State C. Z receives mail in State C,
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including brokerage statements, credit card bills, and bank advices. Z is not a
bona fide resident of Possession V because he has a closer connection to the
United States than to Possession V and therefore fails to satisfy the requirements
of paragraphs (b)(1) and (e) of this section.
(g) Information reporting requirement. The following individuals are
required to file notice of their new tax status in such time and manner as the
Commissioner may prescribe by notice, form, instructions, or other publication
(see §601.601(d)(2) of this chapter):
(1) Individuals who take the position for U.S. tax reporting purposes that
they qualify as bona fide residents of a possession for a tax year subsequent to a
tax year for which they were required to file Federal income tax returns as
citizens or residents of the United States who did not so qualify.
(2) Citizens and residents of the United States who take the position for
U.S. tax reporting purposes that they do not qualify as bona fide residents of a
possession for a tax year subsequent to a tax year for which they were required
to file income tax returns (with the Internal Revenue Service, the tax authorities
of a possession, or both) as individuals who did so qualify.
(3) Bona fide residents of Puerto Rico or a section 931 possession (as
defined in §1.931-1T(c)(1)) who take a position for U.S. tax reporting purposes
that they qualify as bona fide residents of such possession for a tax year
subsequent to a tax year for which they were required to file income tax returns
as bona fide residents of the United States Virgin Islands or a section 935
possession (as defined in §1.935-1T(a)(3)(i)).
(h) Effective date. Except as provided in this paragraph (h), this section
shall apply to taxable years ending after October 22, 2004. Paragraph (g) of this
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section also applies to the 3 taxable years preceding the first taxable year ending
after October 22, 2004.
Par. 30. Section 1.937-2T is added to read as follows:
§1.937-2T Income from sources within a possession (temporary).
(a) Scope. Section 937(b) and this section set forth the rules for
determining whether income is considered to be from sources within a particular
possession (the relevant possession) for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code,
including section 957(c) and Subpart D, Part III, Subchapter N, Chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code, as well as section 7654(a) of the 1954 Internal Revenue
Code (until the effective date of its repeal). Paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (c)(2) of this
section do not apply, however, for purposes of sections 932(a) and (b) and
935(a)(3) (as in effect before the effective date of its repeal). In the case of a
possession or territory that administers income tax laws that are identical (except
for the substitution of the name of the possession or territory for the term United
States where appropriate) to those in force in the United States, these rules do
not apply for purposes of the application of such laws. These rules also do not
affect the determination of whether income is considered to be from sources
without the United States for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) In general. Except as provided in paragraphs (c) through (i) of this
section, the principles of sections 861 through 865 and the regulations
thereunder (relating to the determination of the gross and the taxable income
from sources within and without the United States) generally shall be applied in
determining the gross and the taxable income from sources within and without
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the relevant possession. In the application of such principles, the name of the
relevant possession shall be used instead of the term United States the term
bona fide resident of followed by the name of the relevant possession shall be
used instead of the term United States resident, and the term domestic shall be
construed to mean created or organized in such possession.
(c) U.S. income-- (1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of
this section, income from sources within the relevant possession shall not include
any item of income determined under the rules of sections 861 through 865 and
the regulations thereunder to be--
(i) From sources within the United States; or
(ii) Effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
United States.
(2) Conduit arrangements. Income shall be considered to be from sources
within the United States for purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section if,
pursuant to a plan or arrangement--
(i) The income is received in exchange for consideration provided to
another person; and
(ii) Such person (or another person) provides the same consideration (or
consideration of a like kind) to a third person in exchange for one or more
payments constituting income from sources within the United States.
(d) Income from certain sales of inventory property. For special rules that
apply to determine the source of income from certain sales of inventory property,
see §1.863-3(f).
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(e) Income from services-- (1) No de minimis rule. In applying the
principles of section 861 and the regulations thereunder pursuant to paragraph
(b) of this section, the exception in section 861(a)(3) shall not apply.
(2) Service in the Armed Forces. In the case of a member of the Armed
Forces of the United States, the following rules shall apply for determining the
source of compensation for services performed in compliance with military
orders:
(i) If the individual is a bona fide resident of a possession and such
services are performed in the United States or in another possession, the
compensation constitutes income from sources within the possession of which
the individual is a bona fide resident (and not from sources within the United
States or such other possession).
(ii) If the individual is not a bona fide resident of a possession and such
services are performed in a possession, the compensation constitutes income
from sources within the United States (and not from sources within such
possession).
(f) Gains from certain dispositions of property-- (1) Property of former U.S.
residents. (i) Income from sources within the relevant possession shall not
include gains from the disposition of property described in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of
this section by an individual described in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section. See
also section 1277(e) of Public Law 99-514 (100 Stat. 2985) (providing that gains
from the disposition of certain property by individuals who acquired residency in
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certain possessions shall be considered to be from sources within the United
States).
(ii) Property is described in this paragraph (f)(1)(ii) when the following
conditions are satisfied--
(A) The property is of a kind described in section 731(c)(3)(C)(i) or
954(c)(1)(B); and
(B) The property was owned by the individual before such individual
became a bona fide resident of the relevant possession.
(iii) An individual is described in this paragraph (f)(1)(iii) when the following
conditions are satisfied--
(A) For the taxable year for which the source of the gain must be
determined, the individual is a bona fide resident of the relevant possession; and
(B) For any of the 10 years preceding such year, the individual was a
citizen or resident of the United States (other than a bona fide resident of the
relevant possession).
(iv) If an individual described in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section
exchanges property described in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section for other
property in a transaction in which gain or loss is not required to be recognized (in
whole or in part) under U.S. income tax principles, such other property shall also
be considered property described in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section.
(v) If an individual described in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section owns,
directly or indirectly, at least 10 percent (by value) of any entity to which property
described in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section is transferred in a transaction in
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which gain or loss is not required to be recognized (in whole or in part) under
U.S. income tax principles, any gain recognized upon a disposition of the
property by such entity shall be treated as income from sources outside the
relevant possession if any gain recognized upon a direct or indirect disposition of
the individual's interest in such entity would have been so treated under
paragraph (f)(1)(iv) of this section.
(2) Special rules under section 865 for possessions-- (i) Except as
provided in paragraph (f)(1) of this section--
(A) Gain that is considered to be derived from sources outside of the
United States under section 865(g)(3) shall be considered income from sources
within Puerto Rico; and
(B) Gain that is considered to be derived from sources outside of the
United States under section 865(h)(2)(B) shall be considered income from
sources within the possession in which the liquidating corporation is created or
organized.
(ii) In applying the principles of section 865 and the regulations thereunder
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the rules of section 865(g) shall not
apply, but the special rule of section 865(h)(2)(B) shall apply with respect to gain
recognized upon the liquidation of corporations created or organized in the
United States.
(g) Dividends-- (1) Dividends from certain possessions corporations-- (i) In
general. Except as provided in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, with respect to
any possessions shareholder, only the possessions source ratio of any dividend
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paid or accrued by a corporation created or organized in a possession
(possessions corporation) shall be treated as income from sources within such
possession. For purposes of this paragraph (g)--
(A) The possessions source ratio shall be a fraction, the numerator of
which equals the gross income of the possessions corporation from sources
within the possession in which it is created or organized (applying the rules of
this section) for the testing period, and the denominator of which equals the total
gross income of the corporation for the testing period; and
(B) The term possessions shareholder means any individual who is a
bona fide resident of the possession in which the corporation is created or
organized and who owns, directly or indirectly, at least 10 percent of the total
voting stock of the corporation.
(ii) Dividends from corporations engaged in the active conduct of a trade
or business in the relevant possession. The entire amount of any dividend paid
or accrued by a possessions corporation shall be treated as income from sources
within the possession in which it is created or organized when the following
conditions are met--
(A) 80 percent or more of the gross income of the corporation for the
testing period was derived from sources within such possession (applying the
rules of this section) or was effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in such possession (applying the rules of §1.937-3T); and
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(B) 50 percent or more of the gross income of the corporation for the
testing period was derived from the active conduct of a trade or business within
such possession.
(iii) Testing period. For purposes of this paragraph (g)(1), the term testing
period means the 3-year period ending with the close of the taxable year of the
payment of the dividend (or for such part of such period as the corporation has
been in existence).
(iv) Subsidiary look-through rule. For purposes of this paragraph (g)(1), if
a possessions corporation owns (directly or indirectly) at least 25 percent (by
value) of the stock of another corporation, such possessions corporation shall be
treated as if it--
(A) Directly received its proportionate share of the income of such other
corporation; and
(B) Actively conducted any trade or business actively conducted by such
other corporation.
(2) Dividends from other corporations. In applying the principles of section
861 and the regulations thereunder pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the
special rules relating to dividends for which deductions are allowable under
section 243 or 245 shall not apply.
(h) Income inclusions. For purposes of determining whether an amount
described in section 904(h)(1)(A) constitutes income from sources within the
relevant possession--
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(1) If the individual owns (directly or indirectly) at least 10 percent of the
total voting stock of the corporation from which such amount is derived, the
principles of section 904(h)(2) shall apply. In the case of an individual who is not
a possessions shareholder (as defined in paragraph (g)(1)(i)(B) of this section),
the preceding sentence shall apply only if the corporation qualifies as a United
States-owned foreign corporation for purposes of section 904(h); and
(2) In all other cases, the amount shall be considered income from
sources in the jurisdiction in which the corporation is created or organized.
(i) Interest-- (1) Interest from certain possessions corporations-- (i) In
general. Except as provided in paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this section, with respect to
any possessions shareholder (as defined in paragraph (g)(1)(i)(B) of this
section), interest paid or accrued by a possessions corporation shall be treated
as income from sources within the possession in which it is created or organized
to the extent that such interest is allocable to assets that generate, have
generated, or could reasonably have been expected to generate income from
sources within such possession (under the rules of this section) or income
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within such
possession (under the rules of §1.937-31). For purposes of the preceding
sentence, the principles of §§1.861-9 through 1.861-12 shall apply.
(ii) Interest from corporations engaged in the active conduct of a trade or
business in the relevant possession. The entire amount of any interest paid or
accrued by a possessions corporation shall be treated as income from sources
within the possession in which it is created or organized when the conditions of
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paragraphs (g)(1)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section are met (applying the rules of
paragraphs (g)(1)(iii) and (iv) of this section).
(2) Interest from partnerships. Interest paid or accrued by a partnership
shall be treated as income from sources within a possession only to the extent
that such interest is allocable to income effectively connected with the conduct of
a trade or business in such possession. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, the principles of §1.882-5 shall apply (as if the partnership were a
foreign corporation and as if the trade or business in the possession were a trade
or business in the United States).
(j) Indirect ownership. For purposes of this section, the rules of section
318(a)(2) shall apply except that the language "5 percent" shall be used instead
of "50 percent" in section 318(a)(2)(C).
(k) Examples. The provisions of this section may be illustrated by the
following examples:
Example 1. X, a U.S. citizen, resides in State N and acquires the stock of
Corporation C, a domestic corporation, in 2000. X moves to the Northern
Mariana Islands (NMI) in 2003. In 2004, while a bona fide resident of the NMI, X
recognizes gain on the sale of the Corporation C stock. Pursuant to section
1277(e) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99-514 (100 Stat. 2085)
(October 22, 1986), this gain is treated as income from sources within the United
States for all purposes of the Internal Revenue Code (including section 7654, as
in effect with respect to the NMI), and not as income from sources in the NMI.
Example 2. X a U.S. citizen, resides in State F and acquires a 5 percent
interest in Partnership P in 2003. X moves to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) in
2004. In 2006, while a bona fide resident of the USVI, X recognizes gain on the
sale of the interest in Partnership P. Pursuant to paragraph (f)(1) of this section,
the gain shall not be treated as income from sources within the USVI for
purposes of the Internal Revenue Code (for example, for purposes of section
934(b)).
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Example 3. X, a bona fide resident of Possession I, a section 931
possession (as defined in §1.931-1T(c)(1)), is engaged in a trade or business in
the United States through an office in State H. In 2005, this office materially
participates in the sale of inventory property in Possession I, such that the
income from these inventory sales is considered effectively connected to this
trade or business in the United States under section 864(c)(4)(B)(iii). This
income shall not be treated as income from sources within Possession I for
purposes of section 931(a)(1) pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, but
nonetheless shall continue to be treated as income from sources without the
United States under section 862 (for example, for purposes of section 904).
Example 4. (i) X, a bona fide resident of Possession I, owns 25 percent of
the outstanding shares of A Corp, a corporation organized under the laws of
Possession I. In 2006, X receives a dividend of $70x from A Corp. During 2004
through 2006, A Corp has gross income from the following sources:
Possession I Sources
Sources Outside Possession I
2004
$10x
$20x
2005
20x
10x
2006
25x
15x
(ii) A Corp owns 50 percent of the outstanding shares of B Corp, a
corporation organized under the laws of Country FC. During 2004 through 2006,
B Corp has gross income from the following sources:
Possession I Sources
Sources Outside Possession I
2004
$10x
$6x
2005
14x
8x
2006
10x
4x
(iii) A Corp is treated as having received 50 percent of the gross income of
B Corp. Therefore, for 2004 through 2006, the gross income of A Corp is from
the following sources:
Possession I Sources
Sources Outside Possession I
2004
$15x
$23x
2005
27x
14x
2006
30x
17x
Totals
$72x
$54x
(iv) Pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section, the portion of the dividend of
$70x that X receives from Corp A in 2006 that is treated as income from sources
within Possession I is 72/126 of $70x, or $40x.
Example 5. X is a U.S. citizen and a bona fide resident of the Northern
Mariana Islands (NMI). In 2005, X receives compensation for services performed
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as a member of the crew of a fishing boat. Ten percent of the services for which
X receives compensation are performed in the NMI, and 90 percent of X's
services are performed in international waters. X is a "United States person" as
defined in section 7701(a)(30)(A). Accordingly, pursuant to section 863(d)(1)(A),
the compensation that X receives for services performed in international waters
is treated as income from sources within the United States for purposes of the
Internal Revenue Code (including section 7654, as in effect with respect to the
NMI). Under the principles of section 861(a)(3) as applied pursuant to paragraph
(b) of this section, the compensation that X receives for services performed in the
NMI is treated as income from sources within the NMI.
(I) Effective date. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (I), this
section applies to income earned in tax years ending after October 22, 2004.
Paragraph (c)(1) of this section applies to income earned after December 31,
2004. Paragraph (f) of this section applies to dispositions after April 11, 2005.
Paragraphs (c)(2), (g)(1), (h), and (i) of this section apply to amounts paid or
accrued after April 11, 2005.
Par. 31. Section 1.937-3T is added to read as follows:
1.937-3T Income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
in a possession (temporary).
(a) Scope. Section 937(b) and this section set forth the rules for
determining whether income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business within a particular possession (the relevant possession) for purposes
of the Internal Revenue Code, including sections 881(b) and 957(c) and Subpart
D, Part III, Subchapter N, Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code. Paragraph
(c) of this section does not apply, however, for purposes of section 881(b). In the
case of a possession or territory that administers income tax laws that are
identical (except for the substitution of the name of the possession or territory for
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the term United States where appropriate) to those in force in the United States,
these rules do not apply for purposes of the application of such laws.
(b) In general. Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this
section, the principles of section 864(c) and the regulations thereunder (relating
to the determination of income, gain or loss which is effectively connected with
the conduct of a trade or business within the United States) shall generally be
applied in determining whether income is effectively connected with the conduct
of a trade or business within the relevant possession (except for the substitution
of the name of the relevant possession for the term United States where
appropriate), without regard to whether the taxpayer qualifies as a nonresident
alien individual or a foreign corporation with respect to such possession. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, all income other than income from sources
within the relevant possession (as determined under the rules of 1.937-2T) shall
be considered income from sources without the relevant possession, and subject
to the rules of this section, the principles of section 864(c)(4) shall apply for
purposes of determining whether such income constitutes income effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the relevant possession.
(c) U.S. income-- (1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of
this section, income considered to be effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business within the relevant possession shall not include any item of
income determined under the rules of sections 861 through 865 and the
regulations thereunder to be--
(i) From sources within the United States; or
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(ii) Effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
United States.
(2) Conduit arrangements. Income shall be considered to be from sources
within the United States for purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section if,
pursuant to a plan or arrangement--
(i) The income is received in exchange for consideration provided to
another person; and
(ii) Such person (or another person) provides the same consideration (or
consideration of a like kind) to a third person in exchange for one or more
payments constituting income from sources within the United States.
(d) Income from certain sales of inventory property. Paragraph (c) of this
section shall not apply to income from sales of inventory property described in
§1.863-3(f).
(e) Examples. The provisions of this section may be illustrated by the
following examples:
Example 1. X is a bona fide resident of Possession I, a section 931
possession (as defined in §1.931-1T(c)(1)). X has an office in Possession I from
which X conducts a business consisting of the development and sale of
specialized computer software. A purchaser of software will frequently pay X an
additional amount to install the software on the purchaser's operating system and
to ensure that the software is functioning properly. X performs the installation
services at the purchaser's place of business which may be in Possession I, in
the United States, or in another country. The provision of such services is not de
minimis and constitutes a separate transaction under the rules of §1.861-18.
Under the principles of section 864(c)(4) as applied pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this section, the compensation that X receives for personal services performed
outside of Possession I is not considered to be effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business in Possession I for purposes of section 931(a)(2).
Example 2. (i) F Bank is organized under the laws of Country FC and
operates an active banking business from offices in the U.S. Virgin Islands
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(USVI). In connection with this banking business, F Bank makes loans to and
receives interest payments from borrowers who reside in the USVI, in the United
States, and in Country FC.
(ii) Under the principles of section 861(a)(1) as applied pursuant to
§1.937-2T(b), interest payments received by F Bank from borrowers who reside
in the United States or in Country FC constitute income from sources outside of
the USVI. Under the principles of section 864(c)(4) as applied pursuant to
paragraph (b) of this section, interest income from sources outside of the USVI
generally may constitute income that is effectively connected with the conduct of
a trade or business within the USVI for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.
However, interest payments received by F Bank from borrowers who reside in
the United States constitute income from sources within the United States under
section 861(a)(1). Accordingly, under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, such
interest income shall not be treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in the USVI for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code (for
example, for purposes of section 934(b)). Interest payments received by F Bank
from borrowers who reside in Country FC, however, may be treated as effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the USVI for purposes of the
Internal Revenue Code (including section 934(b)).
(iii) To the extent that, as described in section 934(a), the USVI
administers income tax laws that are identical (except for the substitution of the
name of the USVI for the term United States where appropriate) to those in force
in the United States, interest payments received by F Bank from borrowers who
reside in the United States or in Country FC may be treated as income that is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the USVI for
purposes of F Bank's income tax liability to the USVI under mirrored section 882.
Example 3. (i) G is a partnership that is organized under the laws of, and
that operates an active financing business from offices in, Possession I.
Interests in G are owned by D, a bona fide resident of Possession I, and N, an
alien individual who resides in Country FC. Pursuant to a pre-arrangement, G
loans $x to T, a business entity organized under the laws of Country FC, and T in
turn loans $y to E, a U.S. resident. In accordance with the arrangement, E pays
interest to T, which in turn pays interest to G.
(ii) The arrangement constitutes a conduit arrangement under paragraph
(c)(2) of this section, and the interest payments received by G are treated as
income from sources within the United States for purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of
this section. Accordingly, the interest received by G shall not be treated as
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in Possession I for
purposes of the Internal Revenue Code (including sections 931(a)(2) and 934(b),
if applicable with respect to D). Whether such interest constitutes income from
sources within the United States for other purposes of the Internal Revenue
Code under generally applicable conduit principles will depend on the facts and
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EFTA00577374
circumstances. See, for example, Aiken Indus., Inc. v. Commissioner, 56 T.C.
925 (1971).
(iii) If Possession I administers income tax laws that are identical (except
for the substitution of the name of the possession for the term "United States"
where appropriate) to those in force in the United States, the interest received by
G may be treated as income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in Possession I under mirrored section 864(c)(4) for purposes of
determining the Possession I territorial income tax liability of N under mirrored
section 871.
(f) Effective date. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (f), this
section applies to income earned in taxable years ending after October 22, 2004.
Paragraph (c)(1) of this section applies to income earned after December 31,
2004. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section applies to amounts paid or accrued after
April 11, 2005.
Par. 32. Section 1.957-3 is revised to read as follows:
§1.957-3 United States person defined.
[Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.957-31.
Par. 33. Section 1.957-3T is added to read as follows:
1.957-3T United States person defined (temporary).
(a) Basic rule-- (1) In general. The term United States person has the
same meaning for purposes of sections 951 through 965 which it has under
section 7701(a)(30) and the regulations thereunder, except as provided in
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section which provide, with respect to corporations
organized in possessions of the United States, that certain residents of such
possessions are not United States persons. The effect of determining that an
individual is not a United States person for such purposes is to exclude such
individual in determining whether a foreign corporation created or organized in, or
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EFTA00577375
under the laws of, a possession of the United States is a controlled foreign
corporation. See §1.957-1 for the definition of the term controlled foreign
corporation.
(2) Special provisions applicable to possessions of the United States. For
purposes of this section--
(i) The term possession of the United States means the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico) or any section 931 possession.
(ii) The term section 931 possession has the same meaning which it has
under §1.931-1T(c)(1).
(iii) The rules of §1.937-1T shall apply for determining whether an
individual is a bona fide resident of a possession of the United States.
(iv) The rules of §1.937-2T shall apply for determining whether income is
from sources within a possession of the United States.
(v) The rules of §1.937-3T shall apply for determining whether income is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in a possession of
the United States.
(b) Puerto Rico corporation and resident. An individual (who, without
regard to this paragraph (b), is a United States person) shall not be considered a
United States person with respect to a foreign corporation created or organized
in, or under the laws of, Puerto Rico for the taxable year of such corporation
which ends with or within the taxable year of such individual if--
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EFTA00577376
(1) Such individual is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico during his entire
taxable year in which or with which the taxable year of such foreign corporation
ends; and
(2) A dividend received by such individual from such corporation during
the taxable year of such corporation would, for purposes of section 933(1), be
treated as income derived from sources within Puerto Rico.
(c) Section 931 possession corporation and resident. An individual (who,
without regard to this paragraph (c), is a United States person) shall not be
considered a United States person with respect to a foreign corporation created
or organized in, or under the laws of, a section 931 possession for the taxable
year of such corporation which ends with or within the taxable year of such
individual if--
(1) Such individual is a bona fide resident of such section 931 possession
during his entire taxable year in which or with which the taxable year of such
foreign corporation ends; and
(2) Such corporation satisfies the following conditions--
(i) 80 percent or more of its gross income for the 3-year period ending at
the close of the taxable year (or for such part of such period as such corporation
or any predecessor has been in existence) was derived from sources within
section 931 possessions or was effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in section 931 possessions; and
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EFTA00577377
(ii) 50 percent or more of its gross income for such period (or part) was
derived from the active conduct of a trade or business within section 931
possessions.
(d) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
§1.957-4 [Removed]
Par. 34. Section 1.957-4 is removed.
Par. 35. In §1.1402(a)-11, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:
§1.1402(a)-11 Ministers and members of religious orders.
(b) In employ of American employer. If a minister or member of a religious
order engaged in a trade or business described in section 1402(c) and
§1.1402(c)-5 is a citizen of the United States and performs service, in his
capacity as a minister or member of a religious order, as an employee of an
American employer, as defined in section 3121(h) and the regulations thereunder
in Part 31 of this chapter (Employment Tax Regulations), his net earnings from
self-employment derived from such service shall be computed as provided in
paragraph (a) of this section but without regard to the exclusions from gross
income provided in section 911, relating to earned income from sources without
the United States, and section 931, relating to income from sources within certain
possessions of the United States. Thus, even though all the income of the
minister or member for service of the character to which this paragraph is
applicable was derived from sources without the United States, or from sources
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EFTA00577378
within certain possessions of the United States, and therefore may be excluded
from gross income, such income is included in computing net earnings from self-
employment.
Par. 36. Section 1.1402(a)-12 is revised to read as follows:
1.1402(a)-12 Continental shelf and certain possessions of the United States.
[Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.1402(a)-12T.
Par. 37. Section 1.1402(a)-12T is added to read as follows:
§1.1402(a)-12T Continental shelf and certain possessions of the United States
(temporary).
(a) Certain possessions. For purposes of the tax on self-employment
income, the exclusion from gross income provided by section 931 (relating to
bona fide residents of certain possessions of the United States) shall not apply.
Net earnings from self-employment are subject to the tax on self-employment
income even if such amounts are excluded from gross income under section 931.
(b) Continental shelf. For the definition of the term United States and for
other geographical definitions relating to the continental shelf, see section 638
and §1.638-1.
(c) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
Par. 38. In §1.6038-2, paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:
§1.6038-2 Information returns required of United States persons with respect to
annual accounting periods of certain foreign corporations.
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EFTA00577379
(d) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.6038-21(d).
Par. 39. Section 1.6038-2T is added to read as follows:
§1.6038-21. Information returns required of United States persons with respect
to annual accountinq periods of certain foreign corporations (temporary).
(a) through (c) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.6038-2(a)
through (c).
(d) U.S. person-- (1) In general. For purposes of section 6038 and this
section, the term United States person has the meaning assigned to it by section
7701(a)(30), except as provided in paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this section.
(2) Special rule for individuals residing in certain possessions. With
respect to individuals who are bona fide residents of Puerto Rico or any section
931 possession, as defined in §1.931-1T(c)(1), the term United States person
has the meaning assigned to it by §1.957-31.
(3) Special rule for certain nonresident aliens. An individual for whom an
election under section 6013(g) or (h) is in effect shall, subject to the exceptions
contained in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, be considered a United States
person for purposes of section 6038 and this section.
(e) through (1)(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.6038-2(e)
through (0(2).
(m) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
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Par. 40. Section 1.6046-1 is amended as follows:
1. Revise the heading.
2. Revise paragraph (f)(3).
3. Remove the undesignated paragraph that follows paragraph (f)(3)(iii).
The revisions are as follows:
§1.6046-1 Returns as to organization or reorganization of foreign corporations
and as to acquisitions of their stock.
(f)(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.6046-1T(f)(3).
Par. 41. Section 1.6046-1T is added to read as follows:
§1.6046-1T Returns as to organization or reorganization of foreign corporations
and as to acquisitions of their stock (temporary].
(a) through (f)(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.6046-1(a)
through (0(2).
(f)(3) U.S. person-- (i) In general. For purposes of section 6046 and this
section, the term United States person has the meaning assigned to it by section
7701(a)(30), except as provided in paragraphs (f)(3)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
(ii) Special rule for individuals residing in certain possessions. With
respect to individuals who are bona fide residents of Puerto Rico or any section
931 possession, as defined in §1.931-1T(c)(1), the term United States person
has the meaning assigned to it by §1.957-3T.
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EFTA00577381
(iii) Special rule for certain nonresident aliens. An individual for whom an
election under section 6013(g) or (h) is in effect shall, subject to the exceptions
contained in paragraph (f)(3)(ii) of this section, be considered a United States
person for purposes of section 6046 and this section.
(f)(4) through (k) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §1.6046-1(f)(4)
through (k).
(I) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
PART 301 -- PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION
Par. 42. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read, in part, as
follows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 *
Par. 43. Section 301.6688-1 is revised to read as follows:
§301.6688-1 Assessable penalties with respect to information required to be
furnished with respect to possessions.
[Reserved]. For further guidance, see §301.6688-1T.
Par. 44. Section 301.6688-1T is added to read as follows:
301.6688-1T Assessable penalties with respect to information required to be
furnished with respect to possessions (temporary).
(a) In general. Each individual who is subject to an information reporting
requirement promulgated under the authority of section 937(c) or 7654 and who
fails to fully satisfy such requirement within the time prescribed for reporting such
information shall, in addition to any criminal penalty provided by law, pay a
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EFTA00577382
penalty of $1000 for each such failure. Information reporting requirements
promulgated under the authority of sections 937(c) and 7654(e) include the
following:
(1) The requirement to file Form 8689, "Allocation of Individual Income Tax
to the Virgin Islands," under §1.932-1T(b)(1) of this chapter, for certain
individuals with income from sources within the United States Virgin Islands.
(2) [Reserved].
(3) [Reserved].
(4) The requirement for individuals to report that they became or ceased to
be a bona fide resident of a possession under §1.937-1T(g) of this chapter.
(b) Manner of payment. The penalty set forth in paragraph (a) of this
section shall be paid in the same manner as tax upon the issuance of a notice
and demand therefor.
(c) Reasonable cause-- (1) In general. The penalty set forth in paragraph
(a) of this section shall not apply if it is established to the satisfaction of the
appropriate tax authority (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section) that the
failure to file the information return or furnish the information within the prescribed
time was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. An individual who
wishes to avoid the penalty must make an affirmative showing of all facts alleged
as a reasonable cause for failure to file the information return on time, or furnish
the information on time, in the form of a written statement containing a
declaration that it is made under penalties of perjury. Such statement must be
filed with the appropriate tax authority. In determining whether there was
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EFTA00577383
reasonable cause for failure to furnish the required information, account will be
taken of the fact that the individual was unable to furnish the required information
in spite of the exercise of ordinary business care and prudence in his effort to
furnish the information. An individual will be considered to have exercised
ordinary business care and prudence in his effort to furnish the required
information if he made reasonable efforts to furnish the information but was
unable to do so because of a lack of sufficient facts on which to make a proper
determination.
(2) Appropriate tax authority. For purposes of this section, the appropriate
tax authority is the person responsible for tax administration in the jurisdiction to
which the information is required to be provided. Thus, in the case of information
required under section 937(c) or under section 7654 to be provided to the
Internal Revenue Service, the appropriate tax authority is the Commissioner. In
the case of information required under section 7654 (as in effect with respect to
section 935 possessions (as defined in §1.935-1T(a)(3)(i) of this chapter) to be
provided to the tax authorities of a section 935 possession, the appropriate tax
authority is the person responsible for tax administration in such possession or
his delegate. See §1.935-1(b) of this chapter for the rules that specify where
returns of income tax must be filed for the taxable year by individuals to whom
section 935 applies.
(d) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
Par. 45. In §301.7701(b)-1, paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:
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EFTA00577384
§301.7701(b)-1 Resident alien.
(d) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §301.7701(b)-1T(d).
Par. 46. Section 301.7701(b)-1T is added to read as follows:
§301.7701(b)-1T Resident alien.
(a) through (c) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §301.7701(b)-1(a)
through (c).
(d) Application of section 7701(b) to the possessions and territories-- (1)
Application to aliens for purposes of mirror systems. Section 7701(b) provides
the basis for determining whether an alien individual is a resident of a United
States possession or territory that administers income tax laws that are identical
(except for the substitution of the name of the possession or territory for the term
United States where appropriate) to those in force in the United States, for
purposes of applying such laws with respect to income tax liability incurred to
such possession or territory.
(2) Non-application for bona fide resident determination. Section 7701(b)
does not provide the basis for determining whether an individual (including an
alien individual) is a bona fide resident of a United States possession or territory
for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. For the applicable rules for making this
determination, see section 937(a) and the regulations thereunder.
(e) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see §301.7701(b)-1(e).
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(f) Effective date. This section shall apply for taxable years ending after
October 22, 2004.
PART 602 -- OMB CONTROL NUMBERS UNDER THE PAPERWORK
REDUCTION ACT
Par. 47. The authority citation for part 602 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805.
Par. 48. In §602.101, paragraph (b) is amended by adding an entry in
numerical order to the table to read as follows:
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EFTA00577386
§602.101 OMB Control numbers.
CFR part or section where
Current OMB
identified and described
control No.
* * * * *
1.937-1T
1545-1930
*
*
*
*
*
/s/ Linda M. Kroening
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
Approved: March 25, 2005
/s/ Eric Solomon
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
EFTA00577387
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