Exception from FIRPTA for certain stock of real estate investment trusts

(a)

In general

Paragraph (3) of section 897(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1)by striking all that precedes If any class and inserting the following:

(3)

Exceptions for certain stock

(A)

Exception for stock regularly traded on established securities markets

(2)by inserting before the period the following: . In the case of any class of stock of a real estate investment trust, the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting 10 percent for 5 percent, and (3)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(B)

Exception for certain stock in real estate investment trusts

(i)

In general

Stock of a real estate investment trust held by a qualified shareholder shall not be treated as a United States real property interest except to the extent that an investor in the qualified shareholder (other than an investor that is a qualified shareholder) holds (directly or indirectly through the qualified shareholder) more than 10 percent of the stock of such real estate investment trust. (ii)

Qualified shareholder

For purposes of this subparagraph, the term qualified shareholder means an entity— (I)that is eligible for benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which includes an exchange of information program, (II)that is a qualified collective investment vehicle, (III)whose principal class of interests is listed and regularly traded on one or more recognized stock exchanges (as defined in such comprehensive income tax treaty), and (IV)that maintains records on the identity of each person who, at any time during the qualified shareholder’s taxable year, is the direct owner of more than 10 percent of the class of interest described in clause (III). (iii)

Qualified collective investment vehicle

For purposes of this subparagraph, the term qualified collective investment vehicle means an entity that— (I)would be eligible for a reduced rate of withholding under such comprehensive income tax treaty with respect to ordinary dividends paid by a real estate investment trust, even if such entity holds more than 10 percent of the stock of such real estate investment trust, (II)would be classified as a United States real property holding corporation (determined without regard to this paragraph) at any time during the 5-year period ending on the date of disposition of or distribution with respect to the entity’s interests in a real estate investment trust, or (III)is designated as such by the Secretary and is either— (aa)fiscally transparent within the meaning of section 894, or (bb)required to include dividends in its gross income, but is entitled to a deduction for distributions to its investors.

(b)

Distributions by real estate investment trusts

Paragraph (1) of section 897(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1)by striking Any distribution and inserting the following:

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any distribution

(2)by inserting (10 percent in the case of stock of a real estate investment trust) after 5 percent of such class of stock, (3)by inserting , and any distribution to a qualified shareholder (as defined in subsection (c)(3)(B)(ii)) shall not be treated as gain recognized from the sale or exchange of a United States real property interest to the extent that the stock of the real estate investment trust held by such qualified shareholder is not treated as a United States real property interest under subsection (c)(3)(B) before the period at the end of the second sentence, and (4)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(B)

Special rule

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to distributions which are treated as a sale or exchange of stock or property pursuant to section 301(c)(3), 302, or 331.

(c)

Definition

Paragraph (4) of section 897(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end of subparagraph (B) the following: In determining whether a qualified investment entity is domestically controlled, any stock in the qualified investment entity held by another qualified investment entity shall be treated as held by a foreign person unless such other qualified investment entity is domestically controlled. In making such a determination, a qualified investment entity shall be permitted to presume that stock held by a holder of less than 5 percent of a class of stock regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States is held by United States persons throughout the testing period except to the extent that the qualified investment entity has actual knowledge regarding stock ownership.. (d)

Conforming amendment

Subparagraph (C) of section 897(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1)by striking more than 5 percent and inserting more than 5 or 10 percent, whichever is applicable,, and (2)by striking substituting 5 percent for 50 percent) and inserting substituting 5 percent or 10 percent, whichever is applicable for 50 percent). (e)

Effective dates

(1)

In general

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to dispositions on and after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2)

Distributions

The amendments made by subsection (b) shall apply to any distribution by a real estate investment trust on or after the date of the enactment of this Act which is treated as a deduction for a taxable year of such trust ending after such date. (3)

Definitions

The amendments made by subsections (c) and (d) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.