[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 43 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10772-10776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5470]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[TD 8765]
RIN 1545-AL24; 1545-AS68


Change From Dollar Approximate Separate Transactions Method of 
Accounting (DASTM) to the Profit and Loss Method of Accounting/Change 
From the Profit and Loss Method to DASTM

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Final regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document contains final Income Tax Regulations relating 
to adjustments required when a qualified business unit (QBU) that used 
the profit and loss method of accounting (P&L) in a post-1986 year 
begins to use the dollar approximate separate transaction method of 
accounting (DASTM) and adjustments required when a QBU that used DASTM 
begins using P&L. The regulations provide rules for taxpayers to 
construct an opening dollar balance sheet for the QBU and require 
income adjustments in certain cases.

DATES: These regulations are effective April 6, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Wiener at (202) 622-3870 (not a 
toll-free number) of the office of Chief Counsel (International) within 
the Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 
Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On January 5, 1993 and July 25, 1994, the IRS published proposed 
amendments to Sec. 1.985-7 in the Federal Register at 58 FR 300 (INTL-
0045-92) and Sec. 1.985-1 in the Federal Register at 59 FR 37733 (INTL-
0066-92), respectively. No public hearing was held and few comments 
were received. After consideration of these comments, the regulations 
are adopted as a Treasury Decision with modifications as described 
below.

Explanation of Provisions

I. Proposed Rules for Changing From P&L to DASTM (Sec. 1.985-7)

1. The Proposed Regulations
    The proposed regulations under Sec. 1.985-7 set forth transition 
rules for QBUs changing from the profit and loss method of accounting 
(P&L) to DASTM in tax years after 1987. Section 1.985-6 provides the 
translation rules for QBUs using DASTM in 1987. Generally, when a QBU 
changes its functional currency, two basic issues arise: (1) How should 
the QBU translate its balance sheet accounts into the new functional 
currency in a way that preserves any unrecognized currency gain or loss 
which accrued in the old functional currency; and (2) whether income 
adjustments need to be made to recognize any currency gain or loss 
which accrued in the old functional currency that cannot be preserved.
    Section 1.985-5 provides rules that generally apply when a QBU 
changes its functional currency. Under Sec. 1.985-5 balance sheet 
accounts are translated using the spot rate on the last day prior to 
the taxable year of change. In addition, Sec. 1.985-5 generally 
requires recognition of unrealized exchange gain or loss on instruments 
and other accounts that were maintained in the functional currency to 
which the QBU is changing.
    The proposed regulations issued under Sec. 1.985-7 were issued in 
response to taxpayer comments that Sec. 1.985-5 resulted in significant 
distortions when a QBU either elected or was required to use DASTM. 
Applying the spot rate on the last day prior to the year in which the 
QBU begins to use DASTM (the ``taxable year of change'') to translate 
fixed assets typically results in a significant loss of basis in dollar 
terms and does not take into account certain income and expense 
distortions that occur in the period immediately preceding the taxable 
year of change.
    In response to taxpayers' comments, the proposed regulations 
provide for use of the translation rules provided under Sec. 1.985-3. 
These rules generally translate fixed assets at the historical exchange 
rate and other assets and liabilities at the current exchange rate. To 
correct for distortions that would result from applying historic 
exchange rates for fixed assets while applying the current year's spot 
rate for other balance sheet accounts, the proposed regulations provide 
for income adjustments in the case of a controlled foreign corporation 
(CFC) and a branch that reflect amounts that would have been included 
in income under DASTM.
    In the case of a CFC, the proposed regulations provide for a 
shareholder level income adjustment to the extent subpart F income 
realized during the period after 1986 until the taxable year of change 
differs from subpart F income that would have been realized if the CFC 
had used DASTM throughout this period. In the case of a branch, the 
regulations provide that any difference between the branch's local 
currency

[[Page 10773]]

equity translated into dollars at the spot exchange rate on the last 
day prior to the taxable year of change and the taxpayer's dollar basis 
pool on that day is included in income over three taxable years 
beginning with the taxable year of change. For purposes of translating 
the balance sheet of noncontrolled section 902 corporations, the 
proposed regulations apply historic exchange rates for fixed assets. In 
such case, no shareholder level income adjustments are required.
    Recognizing the administrative burden of making income adjustments 
for all post-1986 tax years in the case of a CFC, the preamble to the 
proposed regulations requested comments regarding three alternative 
transition rules as follows: (1) Requiring shareholder level 
adjustments for the three-year base period used to determine the 
hyperinflationary status of the local currency (in which case the 
general rule of Sec. 1.985-5 would be applied in preparing the balance 
sheet for the first year of the base period); (2) treating a portion of 
retained earnings as subpart F income based on an average historical 
rate of subpart F income to total earnings and profits, and (3) using 
the spot rate on the last day prior to the taxable year of change to 
translate balance sheet items with special rules to allow historical 
exchange rates to translate fixed assets to the extent of unrealized 
exchange loss on paid-in capital.
2. Reasons for Change
    The IRS is concerned that the approach of the proposed regulations 
could create a significant administrative burden for shareholders of 
CFCs. The administrative burden results from the requirement that 
shareholders recompute subpart F income for all of the CFC's post 1986 
taxable years. If the functional currency of a CFC becomes 
hyperinflationary in a year that is significantly distant from the 
CFC's first post-1986 taxable year, records supporting the required 
recomputation may be unavailable.
    Further, the required recomputation under the proposed regulations 
is generally inconsistent with the policy of sections 986 and 987 that 
the income of branches with a functional currency different than that 
of the taxpayer and the earnings and profits of foreign corporations be 
computed under a profit and loss method, except in the case of 
hyperinflation. See S. Rep. No. 99-313, 99th Cong., 2d Sess., 454 
(1986). The recomputation under the proposed regulation would put the 
CFC on DASTM for non-hyperinflationary years. Accordingly, the rules in 
the proposed regulations have been modified as described below.

II. Final Regulations for Changing From P&L to DASTM (Sec. 1.985-7)

1. General Rule
    The approach employed in the final regulations has the general 
effect of treating a QBU as if it had applied Sec. 1.985-5 on the last 
day of the last taxable year prior to the base period for determining 
whether a currency is hyperinflationary (transition date) and had 
applied DASTM during the taxable years beginning after the transition 
date until the taxable year of change (look-back period). This approach 
addresses the problems of applying Sec. 1.985-5 in the taxable year of 
change for purposes of translating fixed assets by applying the 
historical exchange rate to the extent fixed assets were acquired 
during the look-back period. Assets acquired prior to the look-back 
period are translated by applying the spot rate on the transition date. 
This approach also corrects distortions in income and expense 
(generally interest income and expense) that occur during the look-back 
period.
    The final regulations respond to taxpayers' comments and provide an 
appropriate rule for translating the adjusted basis of fixed assets 
into dollars by applying an exchange rate in effect prior to the 
hyperinflationary period. Moreover, this method more accurately 
reflects Congressional intent for QBUs to apply the profit and loss 
method except in the case of hyperinflation. In addition, this approach 
decreases the administrative burden of changing to DASTM.
2. Foreign Corporations
    In the case of a foreign corporation which is either required or 
elects to use DASTM, four basic corporate level adjustments are 
required as follows. (1) The balance sheet is translated by treating 
the corporation as if it had changed its functional currency to the 
dollar for the first post-transition date taxable year and had applied 
the rules of Sec. 1.985-5(c) on the transition date. Assets acquired 
and liabilities incurred in the functional currency during the look-
back period are translated by applying the rules of Sec. 1.985-3. (2) 
The unrealized gain or loss on dollar denominated section 988 
transactions as determined on the transition date are treated as if 
recognized on that date (and actual gain or loss recognized on dollar 
denominated section 988 transactions during the look-back period is 
reversed). (3) The dollar value of the pre-1987 E&P of the corporation 
as stated on the transition date in the functional currency is 
translated into U.S. dollars at the spot rate in effect on the 
transition date. (4) The dollar value of the post-1986 E&P is computed 
by translating the post-1986 E&P as stated on the transition date in 
the functional currency at the spot rate on such date and adding to it 
the E&P for the years during the look-back period as computed under 
DASTM.
    In the case of a CFC, there are three shareholder level adjustments 
as follows: (1) The U.S. shareholders must take into income exchange 
gain or loss on the deemed recognition of the section 988 transactions 
as determined at the corporate level to the extent such gain or loss is 
subpart F income. (2) The U.S. shareholders must recognize foreign 
currency gain or loss as computed under section 986(c) as if all 
previously taxed earnings and profits were distributed on the 
transition date (however, any actual 986(c) gain or loss recognized 
during the look-back period is reversed). (3) The subpart F income of 
the CFC is recomputed during the look-back period under DASTM and 
compared to the subpart F income as computed under the P&L method. The 
difference (positive or negative) is taken into account in the taxable 
year of change and spread over four years. Similar rules apply to 
United States persons who have made an election under section 1295 to 
treat a passive foreign investment company as a qualified electing 
fund. In the case of other foreign corporations, no shareholder level 
income adjustments are necessary.
4. Branches
    In accord with the general approach articulated above, the 
regulations treat a branch changing to DASTM as applying the principles 
of Sec. 1.985-5 on the transition date. Thus, the balance sheet is 
translated by treating the branch as if it had changed its functional 
currency to the dollar for the first post-transition date taxable year 
and had applied the rules of Sec. 1.985-5(c) on the transition date. 
Unrealized gain or loss on dollar denominated section 988 transactions 
as stated on the transition date are treated as if recognized on that 
date (and any actual gain or loss realized with respect to section 988 
transactions during the look-back period is reversed). Further, the 
regulations require that the taxpayer recognize gain or loss 
attributable to the branch's equity pool (as stated on the transition 
date) under the principles of section 987, computed as if the branch 
terminated on the transition date. Such gain or loss is reduced by any 
section 987 gain and increased by any section 987 loss that was 
recognized by the

[[Page 10774]]

taxpayer with respect to remittances during the look-back period. 
Finally, branch income shall be determined under Sec. 1.985-3 for each 
look-back year and compared to the amount that was taken into account 
for each year. The sum of the difference (positive or negative) is 
taken into account in the taxable year of change and spread over four 
years.

III. Rules for Changing from DASTM to P&L (Sec. 1.985-1)

    Under the proposed regulation, a QBU that has been required or had 
elected to use DASTM must change functional currency to the currency of 
its economic environment in a year in which the currency is no longer 
hyperinflationary pursuant to the three-year test under Sec. 1.985-
1(b). These rules provide that when a taxpayer changes from DASTM to 
the P&L method of accounting, Sec. 1.985-5 shall apply for purposes of 
translating a QBU's balance sheet and for making certain income 
adjustments. Because these rules generally do not create distortions 
and are administrable, the final regulations adopt these regulations as 
proposed.

IV. Other Changes

    Various conforming changes have been made to Secs. 1.985-1 and 
1.985-5 to account for the addition of Sec. 1.985-7. In addition, the 
definition of hyperinflation has been liberalized to provide that for 
purposes of determining whether a currency is hyperinflationary for 
income tax purposes, United States generally accepted accounting 
principles will be accepted provided that the determination is based on 
criteria that is substantially similar to the general rules provided in 
the regulations, the method of determination is applied consistently 
from year to year, and the same method is applied to all related 
persons.

Special Analysis

    It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a 
significant regulatory action as defined in EO 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, and because the notice of proposed 
rulemaking preceding the regulations was issued prior to March 29, 
1996, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not 
apply. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. 
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, the notice of proposed 
rulemaking preceding these regulations was submitted to the Small 
Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of these regulations is Howard A. Wiener of 
the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (International). Other 
personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department also participated in 
their development.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

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

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

    Par. 2. Section 1.985-1 is amended by:
    1. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(C).
    2. Adding a sentence to the end of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(D).
    3. Adding paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(E).
    The additions and revision reads as follows:


Sec. 1.985-1  Functional currency.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (C) Change in functional currency. If a QBU is required to change 
its functional currency to the dollar under paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of 
this section, or chooses or is required to change its functional 
currency to the dollar for any open taxable year (and all subsequent 
taxable years) under Sec. 1.985-3(a)(2)(ii), the change is considered 
to be made with the consent of the Commissioner for purposes of 
Sec. 1.985-4. A QBU changing functional currency must make adjustments 
described in Sec. 1.985-7 if the year of change (as defined in 
Sec. 1.481-1(a)(1)) begins after 1987, or the adjustments described in 
Sec. 1.985-6 if the year of change begins in 1987. No adjustments under 
section 481 are required solely because of a change in functional 
currency described in this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(C).
    (D) * * * In making the determination whether a currency is 
hyperinflationary, the determination for purposes of United States 
generally accepted accounting principles may be used for income tax 
purposes provided the determination is based on criteria that is 
substantially similar to the rules previously set forth in this 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(D), the method of determination is applied 
consistently from year to year, and the same method is applied to all 
related persons as defined in Sec. 1.985-3(e)(2)(vi).
    (E) Change in functional currency when currency ceases to be 
hyperinflationary--(1) In general. A QBU that has been required to use 
the dollar as its functional currency under paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, or has elected to use the dollar as its functional currency 
under paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B)(2) of this section or Sec. 1.985-2, must 
change its functional currency as of the first day of the first taxable 
year that follows three consecutive taxable years in which the currency 
of its economic environment, determined under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, is not a hyperinflationary currency. The functional currency 
of the QBU for such year shall be determined in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this section. For purposes of Sec. 1.985-4, the change 
is considered to be made with the consent of the Commissioner. See 
Sec. 1.985-5 for adjustments that are required upon a change in 
functional currency.
    (2) Effective Date. This paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(E) of this section 
applies to taxable years beginning after April 6, 1998.
    Par. 3. Section 1.985-5(a) is amended by adding the following 
sentence to the end of the paragraph:


Sec. 1.985-5  Adjustments required upon change in functional currency.

    (a) * * * However, a QBU that changes to the dollar pursuant to 
Sec. 1.985-1(b)(2) after 1987 shall apply Sec. 1.985-7.
* * * * *
    Par. 4. Section 1.985-7 is added as follows:


Sec. 1.985-7  Adjustments required in connection with a change to 
DASTM.

    (a) In general. If a QBU begins to use the dollar approximate 
separate transactions method of accounting set forth in Sec. 1.985-3 
(DASTM) in a taxable year beginning after April 6, 1998, adjustments 
shall be made as provided by this section. For the rules with respect 
to foreign corporations, see paragraph (b) of this section. For the 
rules with respect to adjustments to the income of United States 
shareholders of controlled foreign corporations, see paragraph (c) of 
this section. For the rules with respect to adjustments relating to QBU 
branches, see paragraph (d) of this section. For the effective date of 
this section, see paragraph (e). For purposes of applying this section, 
the look-back period shall be the period

[[Page 10775]]

beginning with the first taxable year after the transition date and 
ending on the last day prior to the taxable year of change. The term 
transition date means the later of the last day of the last taxable 
year ending before the base period as defined in Sec. 1.985-
1(b)(2)(ii)(D) or the last day of the taxable year in which the QBU 
last applied DASTM. The taxable year of change shall mean the taxable 
year of change as defined in Sec. 1.481-1(a)(1). The application of 
this paragraph may be illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. A calendar year QBU that has not previously used 
DASTM operates in a country in which the functional currency of the 
country is hyperinflationary as defined under Sec. 1.985-
1(b)(2)(ii)(D) for the QBU's 1999 tax year. The look-back period is 
the period from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1998, the 
transition date is December 31, 1995, and the taxable year of change 
is the taxable year beginning January 1, 1999.
    Example 2. A QBU that has not previously used DASTM with a 
taxable year ending June 30, operates in a country in which the 
functional currency of the country is hyperinflationary for the 
QBU's tax year beginning July 1, 1999 as defined under Sec. 1.985-
1(b)(2)(ii)(D) (where the base period is the thirty-six calendar 
months immediately preceding the first day of the current calendar 
year 1999). The look-back period is the period from July 1, 1995 
through June 30, 1999, the transition date is June 30, 1995, and the 
taxable year of change is the taxable year beginning July 1, 1999.

    (b) Adjustments to foreign corporations--(1) In general. In the 
case of a foreign corporation, the corporation shall make the 
adjustments set forth in paragraphs (b)(2) through (4) of this section. 
The adjustments shall be made on the first day of the taxable year of 
change.
    (2) Treatment of certain section 988 transactions--(i) Exchange 
gain or loss from section 988 transactions unrealized as of the 
transition date. A foreign corporation shall adjust earnings and 
profits by the amount of any unrealized exchange gain or loss that was 
attributable to a section 988 transaction (as defined in sections 
988(c)(1)(A), (B), and (C)) that was denominated in terms of (or 
determined by reference to) the dollar and was held by the corporation 
on the transition date. Such gain or loss shall be computed as if 
recognized on the transition date and shall be reduced by any gain and 
increased by any loss recognized by the corporation with respect to 
such transaction during the look-back period. The amount of such gain 
or loss shall be determined without regard to the limitations of 
section 988(b) (i.e., whether any gain or loss would be realized on the 
transaction as a whole). The character and source of such gain or loss 
shall be determined under section 988. Proper adjustments shall be made 
to account for gain or loss taken into account by reason of this 
paragraph (b)(2). See Sec. 1.985-5(f) Example 1, footnote 1.
    (ii) Treatment of a section 988 transaction entered into and 
terminated during the look-back period. A foreign corporation shall 
reduce earnings and profits by the amount of any gain, and increase 
earnings and profits by the amount of any loss, that was recognized 
with respect to any dollar denominated section 988 transactions entered 
into and terminated during the look-back period.
    (3) Opening balance sheet. The opening balance sheet of a foreign 
corporation for the taxable year of change shall be determined as if 
the corporation had changed its functional currency to the dollar by 
applying Sec. 1.985-5(c) on the transition date and had translated its 
assets and liabilities under Sec. 1.985-3 during the look-back period.
    (4) Earnings and profits adjustments--(i) Pre-1987 accumulated 
profits. The foreign income taxes and accumulated profits or deficits 
in accumulated profits of a foreign corporation that are attributable 
to taxable years beginning before January 1, 1987, as stated on the 
transition date, and that were maintained for purposes of section 902 
in the old functional currency, shall be translated into dollars at the 
spot rate in effect on the transition date. The applicable accumulated 
profits shall be reduced on a last-in, first-out basis by the aggregate 
dollar amount (translated from functional currency in accordance with 
the rules of section 989(b)) attributable to earnings and profits that 
were distributed (or treated as distributed) during the look-back 
period to the extent such amounts distributed exceed the earnings and 
profits calculated under (b)(4)(ii) or (b)(4)(iii), as applicable. See 
Sec. 1.902-1(b)(2)(ii). Once translated into dollars, these pre-1987 
taxes and accumulated profits or deficits in accumulated profits shall 
(absent a change in functional currency) remain in dollars for all 
federal income tax purposes.
    (ii) Post-1986 undistributed earnings of a CFC. In the case of a 
controlled foreign corporation (within the meaning of section 957 or 
section 953(c)(1)(B))(CFC) or a foreign corporation subject to the 
rules of Sec. 1.904-6(a)(2), the corporation's post-1986 undistributed 
earnings in each separate category as defined in Sec. 1.904-5(a)(1) as 
of the first day of the taxable year of change (and prior to adjustment 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section) shall equal the sum of--
    (A) The corporation's post-1986 undistributed earnings and profits 
(or deficit in earnings and profits) in each separate category as 
defined in Sec. 1.904-5(a)(1) as stated on the transition date 
translated into dollars at the spot rate in effect on the transition 
date; and
    (B) The sum of the earnings and profits (or deficit in earnings and 
profits) in each separate category determined under Sec. 1.985-3 for 
each post-transition date taxable year prior to the taxable year of 
change.
    Such amount shall be reduced by the aggregate dollar amount 
(translated from functional currency in accordance with the rules of 
section 989(b)) attributable to earnings and profits that were 
distributed (or treated as distributed) during the look-back period out 
of post-1986 earnings and profits in such separate category. For 
purposes of applying this paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(B), the opening balance 
sheet for calculating earnings and profits under Sec. 1.985-3 for the 
first post-transition year shall be translated into dollars pursuant to 
Sec. 1.985-5(c).
    (iii) Post-1986 undistributed earnings of other foreign 
corporations. In the case of a foreign corporation that is not a CFC or 
subject to the rules of Sec. 1.904-6(a)(2), the corporation's post-1986 
undistributed earnings shall equal the sum of--
    (A) The corporation's post-1986 undistributed earnings (or deficit) 
on the transition date translated into dollars at the spot rate in 
effect on the transition date; and
    (B) The sum of the earnings and profits (or deficit in earnings and 
profits) determined under Sec. 1.985-3 for each post-transition date 
taxable year (or such later year determined under section 902(c)(3)(A)) 
prior to the taxable year of change.
    Such amount shall be reduced by the aggregate dollar amount 
(translated from functional currency in accordance with the rules of 
section 989(b)) that was distributed (or treated as distributed) during 
the look-back period out of post-1986 earnings and profits. For 
purposes of applying this paragraph (b)(4)(iii)(B), the opening balance 
sheet for calculating earnings and profits under Sec. 1.985-3 for the 
first post-transition year shall be translated into dollars pursuant to 
Sec. 1.985-5(c).
    (c) United States shareholders of controlled foreign corporations--
(1) In general. A United States shareholder (within the meaning of 
section 951(b) or section 953(c)(1)(B)) of a CFC that

[[Page 10776]]

changes to DASTM shall make the adjustments set forth in paragraphs (c) 
(2) through (5) of this section on the first day of the taxable year of 
change. Adjustments under this section shall be taken into account by 
the shareholder (or such shareholder s successor in interest) ratably 
over four taxable years beginning with the taxable year of change. 
Similar rules shall apply in determining adjustments to income of 
United States persons who have made an election under section 1295 to 
treat a passive foreign investment company as a qualified electing 
fund.
    (2) Treatment under subpart F of income recognized on section 988 
transactions. The character of amounts taken into account under 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section for purposes of sections 951 through 
964, shall be determined on the transition date and to the extent 
characterized as subpart F income shall be taken into account in 
accordance with the rules of paragraph (c)(1) of this section. Such 
amounts shall retain their character for all federal income tax 
purposes (including sections 902, 959, 960, 961, 1248, and 6038).
    (3) Recognition of foreign currency gain or loss on previously 
taxed earnings and profits on the transition date. Gain or loss is 
recognized under section 986(c) as if all previously taxed earnings and 
profits as determined on the transition date, if any, were distributed 
on such date. Such gain or loss shall be reduced by any foreign 
currency gain and increased by any foreign currency loss that was 
recognized under section 986(c) with respect to distributions of 
previously taxed earnings and profits during the look-back period. Such 
amount shall be characterized in accordance with section 986(c) and 
taken into account in accordance with the rules of paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section.
    (4) Subpart F income adjustment. Subpart F income in a separate 
category shall be determined under Sec. 1.985-3 for each look-back 
year. For this purpose, the opening DASTM balance sheet shall be 
determined under Sec. 1.985-5. The sum of the difference (positive or 
negative) between the amount computed pursuant to Sec. 1.985-3 and 
amount that was included in income for each year shall be taken into 
account in the taxable year of change pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section. Such amounts shall retain their character for all federal 
income tax purposes (including sections 902, 959, 960, 961, 1248, and 
6038). For rules applicable if an adjustment under this section results 
in a loss for the taxable year in a separate category, see section 
904(f) and the regulations thereunder. The amount of previously taxed 
earnings and profits as determined under section 959(c)(2) shall be 
adjusted (positively or negatively) by the amount taken into account 
under this paragraph (c)(4) as of the first day of the taxable year of 
change.
    (5) Foreign tax credit. A United States shareholder of a CFC shall 
compute an amount of foreign taxes deemed paid under section 960 with 
respect to any positive adjustments determined under paragraph (c) of 
this section. The amount of foreign tax deemed paid shall be computed 
with reference to the full amount of the adjustment and to the post-
1986 undistributed earnings determined under paragraph (b)(4) (i) and 
(ii) of this section and the post-1986 foreign income taxes of the CFC 
on the first day of the taxable year of change (i.e., without taking 
into account earnings and taxes for the taxable year of change.) For 
purposes of section 960, the associated taxes in each separate category 
shall be allocated pro rata among, and deemed paid in, the 
shareholder's taxable years in which the income is taken into account. 
(No adjustment to foreign taxes deemed paid in prior years is required 
solely by reason of a negative adjustment to income under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section.)
    (d) QBU branches--(1) In general. In the case of a QBU branch, the 
taxpayer shall make the adjustments set forth in paragraphs (d)(2) 
through (d)(4) of this section. Adjustments under this section shall be 
taken into account by the taxpayer ratably over four taxable years 
beginning with the taxable year of change.
    (2) Treatment of certain section 988 transactions--(i) Exchange 
gain or loss from section 988 transactions unrealized as of the 
transition date. A QBU branch shall adjust income by the amount of any 
unrealized exchange gain or loss that was attributable to a section 988 
transaction (as defined in sections 988(c)(1) (A), (B), and (C)) that 
was denominated in terms of (or determined by reference to) the dollar 
and was held by the QBU branch on the transition date. Such gain or 
loss shall be computed as if recognized on the transition date and 
shall be reduced by any gain and increased by any loss recognized by 
the QBU branch with respect to such transaction during the look-back 
period. The amount of such gain or loss shall be determined without 
regard to the limitations of section 988(b) (i.e., whether any gain or 
loss would be realized on the transaction as a whole). The character 
and source of such gain or loss shall be determined under section 988. 
Proper adjustments shall be made to account for gain or loss taken into 
account by reason of this paragraph (d)(2). See Sec. 1.985-5(f) Example 
1, footnote 1.
    (ii) Treatment of a section 988 transaction entered into and 
terminated during the look-back period. A QBU branch shall reduce 
income by the amount of any gain, and increase income by the amount of 
any loss, that was recognized with respect to any dollar denominated 
section 988 transactions entered into and terminated during the look-
back period.
    (3) Deemed termination income adjustment. The taxpayer shall 
realize gain or loss attributable to the QBU branch's equity pool (as 
stated on the transition date) under the principles of section 987, 
computed as if the branch terminated on the transition date. Such 
amount shall be reduced by section 987 gain and increased by section 
987 loss that was recognized by such taxpayer with respect to 
remittances during the look-back period.
    (4) Branch income adjustment. Branch income in a separate category 
shall be determined under Sec. 1.985-3 for each look-back year. For 
this purpose, the opening DASTM balance sheet shall be determined under 
Sec. 1.985-5. The sum of the difference (positive or negative) between 
the amount computed pursuant to Sec. 1.985-3 and amount taken into 
account for each year shall be taken into account in the taxable year 
of change pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section. Such amounts 
shall retain their character for all federal income tax purposes.
    (5) Opening balance sheet. The opening balance sheet of a QBU 
branch for the taxable year of change shall be determined as if the 
branch had changed its functional currency to the dollar by applying 
Sec. 1.985-5(c) on the transition date and had translated its assets 
and liabilities under Sec. 1.985-3 during the look-back period.
    (e) Effective date. This section is effective for taxable years 
beginning after April 6, 1998. However, a taxpayer may choose to apply 
this section to all open taxable years beginning after December 31, 
1986, provided each person, and each QBU branch of a person, that is 
related (within the meaning of Sec. 1.985-2(d)(3)) to the taxpayer also 
applies this section.

Michael P. Dolan,
Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

    Approved: February 11, 1998
Donald C. Lubick,
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 98-5470 Filed 3-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-U