[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24096-24117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10948]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[REG-208156-91]
RIN 1545-AQ30


Accounting for Long-Term Contracts

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations describing how 
income from a long-term contract must be accounted for under section 
460 of the Internal Revenue Code, which was enacted by the Tax Reform 
Act of 1986. A taxpayer manufacturing or constructing property under a 
long-term contract will be affected by these proposed regulations. This 
document also provides notice of a public hearing on the proposed 
regulations.

DATES: Written comments and outlines of oral comments to be presented 
at the public hearing scheduled for September 14, 1999, at 10 a.m. must 
be received by August 3, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to CC:DOM:CORP:R (REG-208156-91), room 
5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, 
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through 
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to: CC:DOM:CORP:R (REG-
208156-91), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit 
comments electronically via the Internet by selecting the ``Tax Regs'' 
option on the IRS Home Page, or by submitting comments directly to the 
IRS Internet site at http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/tax__regs/
regslist.html. The public hearing will be held in the IRS Auditorium, 
7th Floor, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations, 
John M. Aramburu or Leo F. Nolan II at (202) 622-4960; concerning 
submissions of comments, the hearing, and/or to be placed on the 
building access list to attend the hearing, Michael L. Slaughter of the 
Regulations Unit at (202) 622-7180 (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The collections of information contained in this notice of proposed 
rulemaking have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget 
for review in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3507(d)). Comments on the collections of information should be 
sent to the Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Treasury, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, with copies to the Internal Revenue 
Service, Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer, OP:FS:FP, Washington, DC 
20224. Comments on the collections of information should be received by 
July 6, 1999. Comments are specifically requested concerning:
    Whether the proposed collections of information are necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Internal Revenue 
Service, including whether the information will have practical utility;
    The accuracy of the estimated burden associated with the proposed 
collections of information (see below);
    How the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected may be enhanced;
    How the burden of complying with the proposed collections of 
information may be minimized, including through the application of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology; and
    Estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, 
maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.
    The collection of information in this proposed regulation is in 
Sec. 1.460-1(e)(4). The information collected in Sec. 1.460-1(e)(4) is 
required to notify the Commissioner of the taxpayer's decision to sever 
or aggregate one or more contracts under the regulations. This 
collection of information is mandatory. The likely respondents are for-
profit entities.
    Estimated total reporting burden: 50,000 hours.
    Estimated average burden per respondent: 1 hour.
    Estimated number of respondents: 50,000.
    Estimated annual frequency of responses: On occasion.
    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 OMB control number.
    Books or 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

    Section 460, which was enacted by section 804 of the Tax Reform Act 
of 1986 (1986 Act), Public Law 99-514 (100 Stat. 2085, 2358-2361), 
generally requires a taxpayer to determine the taxable income from a 
long-term contract using the percentage-of-completion method. Section 
460 was amended by section 10203 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
Act of 1987, Public Law 100-203 (101 Stat. 1330, 1330-394); by sections 
1008(c) and 5041 of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 
1988, Public Law 100-647 (102 Stat. 3342, 3438-3439 and 3673-3676); by 
sections 7621 and 7811(e) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 
1989, Public Law 101-239 (103 Stat. 2106, 2375-2377 and 2408-2409); by 
section 11812 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, Public 
Law 101-508 (104 Stat. 1388, 1388-534 to 1388-536); by sections 
1702(h)(15) and 1704(t)(28) of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 
1996, Public Law 104-188 (110 Stat. 1755, 1874, 1888); and by section 
1211 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Public Law 105-34 (111 Stat. 
788, 998-1000).
    Section 460(h) directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to 
the extent necessary or appropriate to carry out the purpose of section 
460, including regulations to prevent a taxpayer from avoiding section 
460 by using related parties, pass-through entities, intermediaries, 
options, and other similar arrangements.

Explanation of Provisions

1. Overview

    Before the enactment of section 460, Sec. 1.451-3 of the Income Tax 
Regulations permitted a taxpayer to determine the income from a long-
term contract using either the completed-contract method (CCM) or the 
percentage-of-completion method, in addition to the cash receipts and 
disbursements method, if otherwise permissible, or an accrual method. 
Under the CCM, a taxpayer does not report income until a contract is 
complete, even though payments are received in years prior to 
completion. The percentage-of-completion method, on the other hand, 
requires a taxpayer to recognize income according to the percentage of 
the contract that is completed during each taxable year.
    Section 460 generally requires the income from a long-term contract 
to be determined using the percentage-of-completion method based on a 
cost-to-

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cost comparison (PCM). However, the income from certain exempt 
construction contracts still may be determined using the CCM, the 
exempt-contract percentage-of-completion method (EPCM), or any other 
permissible method. Contracts that are not long-term contracts must be 
accounted for using a permissible method of accounting other than a 
long-term contract method (i.e., a method other than the PCM, the CCM, 
or the EPCM). See section 446 and the regulations thereunder.
    The IRS and Treasury Department provided guidance on section 460 in 
Notice 89-15 (1989-1 C.B. 634) and in Notice 87-61 (1987-2 C.B. 370). 
These proposed regulations generally incorporate the relevant 
provisions of Sec. 1.451-3 and the notices under section 460. However, 
these proposed regulations also modify and amplify certain rules 
provided in Sec. 1.451-3 and notices under section 460. Specifically, 
for example, these regulations provide an exception for de minimis 
construction activities, modify the contract completion rules, clarify 
the treatment of non-long-term contract activities, modify the severing 
and aggregating rules to emphasize pricing and to prevent severance by 
taxpayers of contracts accounted for using the PCM, clarify the 
consistency rule provided in Notice 89-15, provide an inventory 
exception to the related party rules, provide safe harbors for 
determining whether a manufactured item is unique, and modify the 
normal time to complete an item to conform to the production period in 
section 263A.
    These proposed regulations will apply to any contract entered into 
on or after final regulations are published in the Federal Register.

2. Definition of Long-Term Contract

    Under section 460(f), long-term contract generally means any 
contract for the manufacture, building, installation, or construction 
of property if the contract is not completed within the taxable year 
the taxpayer enters into the contract (contracting year). For this 
purpose, manufacturing concerns only personal property, and building, 
installation, and construction (construction) concern only real 
property.
    Section 460 continues the policy established in Sec. 1.451-3(b)(1) 
of excluding a manufacturing contract from the definition of long-term 
contract unless the contract involves the manufacture of (1) a unique 
item of a type that is not normally included in the finished goods 
inventory of the taxpayer or (2) an item normally requiring more than 
12 calendar months to complete, regardless of the duration of the 
contract.
    A contract is a contract for the manufacture or construction of 
property if such activities are necessary for the taxpayer's 
contractual obligations to be fulfilled and are not complete when the 
parties enter into the contract. However, a contract is not a 
construction contract if it requires the provision of land by the 
taxpayer and the estimated total allocable contract costs attributable 
to the taxpayer's construction activities are less than 10 percent of 
the total contract price. This de minimis construction rule may affect 
the result of facts similar to those in Foothill Ranch Company 
Partnership v. Commissioner, 110 T.C. No. 8 (1998), in which the Tax 
Court concluded that the sale of land could be accounted for using the 
PCM since construction of buildings and improvements was necessary to 
fulfill the taxpayer's obligations under the sales agreements and those 
obligations were not completed in the tax year of the sale.

3. Date Taxpayer Enters Into a Long-Term Contract

    The proposed regulations provide that a taxpayer enters into a 
long-term contract in the taxable year that the contract binds both the 
taxpayer and the customer under applicable law. If a taxpayer delays 
entering into a contract to avoid section 460, however, the taxpayer 
will be treated as having entered into the contract on the date the 
taxpayer or a related party incurs any allocable contract costs, other 
than bidding or negotiating costs. If a taxpayer must sever an accepted 
change order or exercised option from a long-term contract, the 
taxpayer enters into another contract with the customer when the change 
order is accepted by the taxpayer or when the option is exercised by 
the customer, whichever is applicable.

4. Date Taxpayer Completes a Long-Term Contract

    The proposed regulations provide that a long-term contract is 
completed in the earlier taxable year (completion year) that: (1) the 
customer uses the subject matter for any purpose (other than testing) 
and 5 percent or less of the total allocable contract costs 
attributable to the subject matter remain to be incurred by the 
taxpayer; or (2) the subject matter of the contract is finally 
completed and accepted. A taxpayer must determine whether a contract 
has been finally completed and accepted during the taxable year based 
upon an analysis of all relevant facts and circumstances. To the extent 
that the ``use'' rule requires a taxpayer to treat a contract as 
completed before final completion and acceptance have occurred, the 
proposed regulations explicitly adopt a rule different from that 
considered in Ball, Ball and Brosamer, Inc. v. Commissioner, 964 F.2d 
890 (9th Cir. 1992), aff'g T.C. Memo. 1990-454. In Ball, the Ninth 
Circuit held that the contract for construction of a space shuttle 
complex was not completed in 1983, notwithstanding that the performance 
report indicated the contract was 100 percent complete and the customer 
was using the subject matter for its intended purpose, since the 
remaining work to be done in 1984 (such as installing runway 
extensions, airfield lighting, drainage and a laser tracking system) 
was an integral part of the contract and the contract specifically 
provided that use was not deemed acceptance.
    The regulations also provide that if a contract accounted for using 
the CCM requires the construction of a primary subject matter and a 
secondary subject matter, the contract is completed when the primary 
subject matter is completed. A taxpayer must separate the gross 
receipts and costs related to the incomplete secondary item(s) from the 
long-term contract and account for them using a permissible method of 
accounting.

5. Non-Long-Term Contract Activities

    The performance of any activity other than manufacturing or 
construction is a non-long-term contract activity. If the performance 
of a non-long-term contract activity, such as engineering and 
designing, is incident to or necessary for the manufacture or 
construction of the subject matter of one or more of the taxpayer's 
long-term contracts, the taxpayer must allocate the gross receipts and 
costs attributable to that activity to the long-term contract(s) 
benefitted. Otherwise, the proposed regulations require the taxpayer to 
account for such gross receipts and costs using a permissible method of 
accounting other than a long-term contract method of accounting. See 
Rev. Rul. 82-134 (1982-2 C.B. 88) (engineering and construction 
management services); Rev. Rul. 80-18 (1980-1 C.B. 103) (engineering 
and construction management services); and Rev. Rul. 70-67 (1970-1 C.B. 
117) (architectural services).

6. Severing and Aggregating Contracts

    Section 460(f)(3) provides that the Secretary may prescribe 
regulations to treat two or more contracts which are interdependent as 
one contract and to respect a contract which is properly

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treated as an aggregation of separate contracts. The proposed 
regulations allow the Commissioner, and generally require a taxpayer, 
to sever and aggregate contracts when necessary to clearly reflect 
income.
    The proposed rules provide three criteria for determining whether 
severance or aggregation is required. First, independent pricing of 
items is necessary for an agreement to be severed into two or more 
contracts. On the other hand, interdependent pricing of items in 
separate agreements is necessary for two or more agreements to be 
aggregated into one contract. Second, an agreement may not be severed 
into two or more contracts, unless it provides for separate delivery or 
separate acceptance of portions of the subject matter of the agreement. 
However, separate delivery or separate acceptance of portions of the 
subject matter of the agreement by itself does not necessarily require 
severance of the agreement. Third, an agreement may not be severed into 
two or more contracts if a reasonable businessperson would not have 
entered into separate agreements containing the terms allocable to each 
severed contract. Similarly, two or more agreements may not be 
aggregated into one contract, unless a reasonable businessperson would 
not have entered into one of the agreements for the terms agreed upon 
without also entering into the other agreement. The criteria adopted in 
the proposed regulations generally are consistent with the Tax Court's 
conclusions in Sierracin Corporation v. Commissioner, 90 T.C. 341 
(1988), acq. 1990-2 C.B. 1, and General Dynamics Corporation v. 
Commissioner, T.C. Memo 1997-420.
    Under the proposed regulations, a taxpayer may not apply the 
severance rule described in the preceding paragraph if the entire 
contract would be accounted for using the PCM. However, the 
Commissioner may sever a contract accounted for using the PCM as 
necessary to clearly reflect income. In addition, a taxpayer must sever 
a long-term contract (not accounted for using the PCM) that increases 
the number of units to be supplied to the customer, such as through the 
exercise of an option or the acceptance of a ``change order,'' if the 
contract provides for separate delivery or separate acceptance of the 
additional units.

7. Classifying Long-Term Contracts

    The proposed regulations provide that a taxpayer's method of 
classifying contracts is a method of accounting. Thus, a taxpayer must 
request the consent of the Commissioner to change its method of 
classifying contracts. However, if the classification of a particular 
type of contract is no longer appropriate for subsequent contracts of 
that type as a result of a change in underlying facts, such as when a 
manufactured item no longer is unique due to a reduction in the extent 
of design or no longer requires 12 months to produce, a change in the 
classification of such subsequent contracts is not a change in method 
of accounting. To the extent that the consistency rule in Notice 89-15 
(Q&A-7) was interpreted to prevent taxpayers from changing the 
classification of a particular type of subsequent contracts when the 
underlying facts have changed, the proposed regulations clarify the 
consistency rule.
    Under the proposed regulations, a taxpayer must classify a contract 
that requires the taxpayer to manufacture personal property and to 
construct real property separately as a manufacturing and a 
construction contract, unless 95 percent or more of the estimated total 
allocable contract costs are reasonably allocable to the manufacturing 
activities or to the construction activities (in which case the 
taxpayer may chose to classify as either a manufacturing or a 
construction contract, as appropriate).

8. Long-Term Contracts of Related Parties

    The proposed regulations contain rules similar to those in Notice 
89-15 (Q&A-8) for an activity of a taxpayer that is incident to or 
necessary for a related party's long-term contract subject to PCM. The 
taxpayer must account for the gross receipts and costs from such an 
activity using the PCM, even if this activity is not otherwise subject 
to section 460. The proposed regulations contain an inventory exception 
for subassemblies and components sold to a related party, however, when 
the taxpayer regularly carries these items in its finished goods 
inventories and 80 percent or more of the gross receipts from the sale 
of these items typically comes from unrelated parties.
    To determine the percentage of the contract that has been completed 
by the end of the taxable year (completion factor), the taxpayer with 
the long-term contract must take into account the related party's 
activity that is incident to or necessary for its long-term contract at 
the time it incurs the liability to the related party, rather than when 
the related party incurs costs to perform the activity.

9. Unique Items

    Section 460 applies if a taxpayer manufactures a unique item of a 
type that is not normally included in the finished goods inventory of 
the taxpayer and if the contract is not completed by the close of the 
contracting year. As in Sec. 1.451-3(b)(1)(ii), the proposed 
regulations provide that unique means specifically designed for the 
needs of a customer. Thus, a contract may require the taxpayer to 
manufacture more than one unit of a unique item.
    The proposed regulations contain three safe harbors concerning 
contracts to manufacture unique items. First, an item is not unique if 
the taxpayer normally completes the item within 90 days. Second, an 
item customized from a taxpayer's existing design is not unique if the 
total allocable contract costs attributable to customizing activities 
that are incident to or necessary for the production of the item does 
not exceed 5 percent of the estimated total costs allocable to the 
item. Thus, contracts to manufacture items that do not require either 
significant design or lengthy production periods ordinarily will not be 
subject to section 460. Third, a unique item ceases to be unique no 
later than when the taxpayer normally carries similar items in its 
finished goods inventory.
    The proposed regulations adopt criteria different from those in 
Sierracin, supra, which was decided two years after the enactment of 
section 460, but concerned the taxpayer's use of the CCM for taxable 
years ending before the enactment of section 460. In Sierracin, the Tax 
Court developed a two-prong test for determining whether an item is 
unique. That test provided that an item is unique if (1) it is designed 
for the needs of a specific customer and (2) the taxpayer's contracts 
are subject to unpredictable manufacturing risks that make it difficult 
for the taxpayer to determine the ultimate profit or loss on an interim 
basis.
    The regulations incorporate the Sierracin criterion regarding 
design, but exclude the criterion regarding unpredictable manufacturing 
risk because that criterion was developed primarily to justify the 
taxpayer's use of the CCM. See, e.g., GCM 7998 (IX-2 C.B. 206, 208); 
Rev. Rul. 70-67 (1970-1 C.B. 117); Staff of Joint Comm. on Taxation, 
99th Cong., 1st Sess., Tax Reform Proposals: Accounting Issues (JCS-39-
86) 46 (Comm. Print 1985). Manufacturing risk is not relevant under the 
PCM because the taxpayer is required to use reasonable estimates, 
adjusted annually, while the contract is being performed and because 
the taxpayer is required to use the look-back method to correct for 
estimation errors when the contract is completed. Thus, the rationale 
supporting the

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consideration of manufacturing risk as a prerequisite to the use of the 
CCM, that the taxpayer is unable to determine its total contract costs, 
is not applicable to contracts subject to the PCM.

10. 12-Month Completion Period

    The proposed regulations provide that a manufactured item normally 
requires more than 12 months to complete if its production period, as 
defined in Sec. 1.263A-12, is reasonably expected to exceed 12 months, 
determined at the end of the contracting year. In general, the 
production period for an item or unit begins when the taxpayer's incurs 
at least 5 percent of the estimated total allocable contract costs, 
including planning and design expenditures, allocable to the item or 
unit, and the production period ends when the item or unit is ready for 
shipment to the taxpayer's customer. In the case of components that 
have to be assembled or reassembled into an item or unit at the 
customer's facility by the taxpayer's employees or agents, the 
production period ends when the components are assembled or reassembled 
into an operable item or unit.
    For this purpose, the proposed regulations contain rules requiring 
a taxpayer to treat the activities of a related party as the activities 
of the taxpayer to prevent the taxpayer from avoiding section 460. 
However, if the inventory exception discussed in paragraph 8 above is 
satisfied, a taxpayer considers the activities of a related party as it 
incurs the liability to the related party rather than as the related 
party performs the activity.

11. Definition of Construction Contract

    Section 460(e)(4) and the proposed regulations provide that a 
construction contract is any contract for the building, construction, 
reconstruction, or rehabilitation of, or the installation of any 
integral component to, or improvements of, real property. Thus, a 
contract to install an integral component to real property can be 
subject to section 460 even if the installation activity is not 
accompanied by any other construction activity.

12. Exempt Construction Contracts

    Section 460(e)(1) exempts two types of construction contracts from 
the general scope of section 460. These exempt construction contracts 
are: (1) home construction contracts and (2) 2-year construction 
contracts of a small contractor. A small contractor is a taxpayer that 
satisfies the $10,000,000 gross receipts test discussed below. The 2-
year construction requirement is satisfied if the taxpayer reasonably 
estimates, when entering into the contract, that the contract will be 
completed within 2 years from the contract commencement date.

13. Home Construction Contracts

    Section 460(e)(6) provides that a construction contract is a home 
construction contract if the taxpayer (including a subcontractor 
working for a general contractor) reasonably expects to attribute 80 
percent or more of the estimated total contract costs, determined at 
the close of the contracting year, to the construction of (1) a 
dwelling unit or a building containing four or fewer dwelling units and 
(2) improvements to real property directly related to the dwelling 
units and located on the site of the dwelling units. For this purpose, 
a dwelling unit means a house or an apartment used to provide living 
accommodations in a building or structure, but does not include a unit 
in a hotel, motel, or other establishment more than one-half of the 
units in which are used on a transient basis. In addition, a taxpayer 
must treat each townhouse or rowhouse as a separate building. The 
proposed regulations provide that a taxpayer includes in the cost of 
the dwelling units their allocable share of the cost of any common 
improvements (e.g., sewers, roads, clubhouses) that benefit the 
dwelling unit and that the taxpayer is contractually obligated, or 
required by law, to construct within the tract or tracts of land 
containing the dwelling units.

14. $10,000,000 Gross Receipts Test

    Section 460(e)(1)(B)(ii) provides that the $10,000,000 gross 
receipts test is satisfied if the taxpayer's average annual gross 
receipts for the three taxable years preceding the contracting year do 
not exceed $10,000,000. For this purpose, section 460(e)(2) mandates 
the aggregation of gross receipts of all trades or businesses under 
common control with the taxpayer. Section 460(e)(2) also provides that 
the Secretary shall prescribe regulations providing attribution rules 
that take into account taxpayers who engage in construction contracts 
through partnerships, joint ventures, and corporations.
    The proposed regulations require the aggregation of gross receipts 
under the common control rules in Sec. 1.263A-3(b)(3), other than the 
rules applicable to single employers under section 414(m) and the 
regulations thereunder. In addition, the regulations require the 
attribution of construction-related gross receipts of persons that own, 
or are owned by, the taxpayer, but that are not subject to Sec. 1.263A-
3(b)(3). These rules are similar to those that applied to the 
$25,000,000 gross receipts test under prior law.

15. Accounting for Long-Term Contracts--In General

    The proposed regulations prescribe permissible methods of 
accounting for long-term contracts subject to section 460(a). A 
taxpayer must use the PCM and may elect to use the 10-percent method. 
In addition, the regulations prescribe permissible methods of 
accounting for exempt construction contracts (exempt contract methods). 
Permissible exempt contract methods of accounting include the PCM, the 
EPCM, the CCM, or any other permissible method.
    Section 460(e)(5) allows a taxpayer to determine the income from a 
residential construction contract using the percentage-of-completion/
capitalized-cost method (PCCM). A taxpayer also may determine the 
income from a qualified ship contract using the PCCM. Under this 
method, a taxpayer must determine the income from the long-term 
contract using the PCM for the applicable percentage and using its 
exempt contract method for the remaining percentage of the contract.
    The proposed regulations reserve on the accounting for mid-contract 
change in taxpayers. The IRS and Treasury Department request comments 
regarding the treatment of transfers of long-term contracts prior to 
completion.

16. Percentage-of-Completion Method

    The proposed regulations provide that under the PCM, a taxpayer 
generally includes a portion of the total contract price in income for 
each taxable year that the taxpayer incurs contract costs allocable to 
the long-term contract. To determine the income from a long-term 
contract, the taxpayer first computes the completion factor for the 
contract, which is the percentage of the estimated total allocable 
contract costs that the taxpayer has incurred (based on the all events 
test of section 461, including economic performance, regardless of the 
taxpayer's method of accounting) through the end of the taxable year. 
Second, the taxpayer computes the amount of cumulative gross receipts 
from the contract by multiplying the completion factor by the total 
contract price, which is the amount that the taxpayer reasonably 
expects to receive under the contract. Third, the taxpayer computes the 
amount of current-year gross receipts, which is the difference between 
the cumulative gross receipts for the current taxable year and the 
cumulative gross receipts for the immediately preceding taxable year.

[[Page 24100]]

This difference may be a loss (a negative number) if a taxpayer has 
overstated its completion factor for the immediately preceding taxable 
year. Fourth, the taxpayer takes into account both the current-year 
gross receipts and the amount of allocable contract costs actually 
incurred during the taxable year. To the extent any portion of the 
total contract price has not been included in taxable income by the 
completion year, section 460(b)(1) and the proposed regulations require 
the taxpayer to include that portion in income for the taxable year 
following the completion year.
    Under the proposed regulations, total contract price includes all 
bonuses, awards, and incentive payments if it is reasonably estimated 
that they will be received, even if the all events test has not yet 
been met. If, by the end of the completion year, a taxpayer cannot 
reasonably estimate whether a contingency will be satisfied, the bonus, 
award, or incentive payment is not includable in total contract price. 
If it is determined after the taxable year following the completion 
year that an amount included in total contract price will not be 
earned, the taxpayer should deduct that amount in the year of the 
determination.
    The proposed regulations provide that allocable contract costs 
under the PCM are determined using either of the following prescribed 
cost allocation methods--a method based on the extended period contract 
allocation rules in Sec. 1.451-3(d)(6) or the simplified cost-to-cost 
method.

17. 10-Percent Method

    Section 460 generally permits a taxpayer to elect to delay the 
application of the PCM to each long-term contract until the taxable 
year the taxpayer has incurred at least 10 percent of the estimated 
total allocable contract costs. Once elected, the 10-percent method 
applies to all of the taxpayer's long-term contracts entered into 
during and after the election year. Under section 460(b)(5), however, a 
taxpayer may not elect the 10-percent method if the taxpayer determines 
allocable direct and indirect costs using the simplified cost-to-cost 
method.

18. Cost Allocation Rules

    Section 460(c) provides cost allocation rules for long-term 
contracts subject to the PCM. Section 460(c)(1) provides generally that 
all costs which directly benefit, or are incurred by reason of, the 
long-term contract activities of the taxpayer must be allocated to the 
long-term contract in the same manner as costs are allocated to 
extended-period long-term contracts under section 451 and the 
regulations thereunder (Sec. 1.451-3(d)(6) through (9)). Section 
460(c)(2), however, also requires a taxpayer to allocate costs 
identified under a cost-plus long-term contract or a federal long-term 
contract even if these costs would not be allocable under the cost 
allocation rules for extended-period long-term contracts. In addition, 
section 460(c)(3) requires a taxpayer to allocate interest expense to a 
long-term contract (whether or not the contract is subject to the PCM) 
as if the rules of section 263A(f) (concerning the allocation of 
interest costs to property produced by the taxpayer) apply. Finally, 
sections 460(c)(4) and (5) describe costs that generally are not 
allocable to long-term contracts.
    Because many taxpayers subject to the cost allocation rules of 
section 460 also are subject to the cost allocation rules of section 
263A for non-long-term contracts, and because the cost allocation rules 
of section 263A generally follow the cost allocation rules applicable 
to extended-period long-term contracts, the proposed regulations 
provide that a taxpayer generally must allocate costs to a contract 
subject to section 460(a) in the same manner as direct and indirect 
costs are capitalized to property produced by a taxpayer under section 
263A. The regulations provide exceptions, however, that reflect the 
differences in the cost allocation rules of sections 263A and 460.

19. Simplified Cost-To-Cost Method

    The proposed regulations permit a taxpayer to elect to allocate 
contract costs using the simplified cost-to-cost method.
    Under the simplified cost-to-cost method, a taxpayer must determine 
a contract's completion factor based upon only direct material costs; 
direct labor costs; and depreciation, amortization, and cost recovery 
allowances on equipment and facilities directly used to manufacture or 
construct property under the contract. A taxpayer may allocate costs 
using the simplified cost-to-cost method only if the taxpayer 
determines the taxable income from all long-term contracts using the 
PCM.

20. Cost Allocation Rules for Exempt Construction Contracts

    The proposed regulations, which supersede Sec. 1.451-3(d) 
(concerning the CCM), provide cost allocation rules for exempt 
construction contracts accounted for using the CCM. These rules provide 
that a taxpayer may allocate direct and indirect contract costs in the 
same way as currently required under Sec. 1.451-3(d)(5) for long-term 
contracts that are not extended-period long-term contracts. The 
regulations also permit a taxpayer to allocate indirect costs as 
provided in section 263A. A homebuilder, however, is required to 
capitalize the costs of its home construction contracts under section 
263A and the regulations thereunder, unless the contract will be 
completed within 2 years of the contract commencement date and the 
taxpayer satisfies the $10,000,000 gross receipts test previously 
discussed.

21. Alternative Minimum Taxable Income

    Section 56 generally requires a taxpayer (not exempt under section 
55(e)) to determine the amount of alternative minimum taxable income 
(AMTI) from a long-term contract using the PCM. Though section 56(a)(3) 
excludes all home construction contracts from this requirement, the 
Internal Revenue Code does not exclude the exempt construction 
contracts of a small contractor, residential construction contracts, or 
qualified ship contracts. Section 56(a)(3) requires a small contractor 
to use the simplified cost-to-cost method to determine the completion 
factor of an exempt construction contract when computing AMTI.
    Because the Code sometimes requires a taxpayer to compute AMTI and 
taxable income using different rules, a taxpayer generally must 
determine a contract's completion factor using the AMTI-modified, cost-
to-cost PCM. The proposed regulations adopt the provisions of section 
IX of Notice 87-61, which permit a taxpayer to elect to determine a 
contract's completion factor for AMTI purposes using the accounting and 
cost allocation methods used to compute regular taxable income. A 
taxpayer is required, however, to comply with section 55 when computing 
AMTI.

22. Changes in Method of Accounting

    For the first taxable year that includes the date these regulations 
are published as final regulations in the Federal Register, the 
proposed regulations generally grant a taxpayer consent to change its 
method of accounting to comply with the provisions of these regulations 
for contracts entered into on or after the date these regulations are 
published as final regulations in the Federal Register. Because this 
change is made on a cutoff basis, a section 481(a) adjustment is not 
required.

[[Page 24101]]

23. Request for Comments

    The IRS and Treasury Department invite comments regarding the 
application and effectiveness of the de minimis construction rule. The 
IRS and Treasury Department also welcome comments concerning the 
application of the unique-item rule, including the usefulness and terms 
of the safe harbors and approaches for determining when an item will 
cease being unique. Comments are requested concerning the 12-month 
production period rule, especially with respect to the application of 
Sec. 1.263A-12 and consideration of related party activities.

Proposed Effective Date

    These regulations are proposed to be effective for contracts 
entered into on or after the date they are published in the Federal 
Register as final regulations.

Special Analyses

    It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking 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. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue 
Code, this notice of proposed rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment 
on its impact on small business. It is hereby certified that the 
collection of information in this notice of proposed rulemaking will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The regulations require a taxpayer to attach a statement to 
its original Federal income tax return if the taxpayer severs or 
aggregates a long-term contract. The statement is needed so the 
Commissioner can determine whether the taxpayer properly severed or 
aggregated the contract. It is uncommon for a taxpayer that has a long-
term contract to sever or aggregate that contract. In addition, if a 
contract is severed or aggregated and a statement is required, it is 
estimated that it will, on average, only take one hour to complete.

Comments and Public Hearing

    Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, 
consideration will be given to any electronic or written comments (a 
signed original and eight (8) copies) that are submitted timely to the 
IRS. The IRS and Treasury specifically request comments on the clarity 
of the proposed rule and how it may be made easier to understand. All 
comments will be available for public inspection and copying.
    A public hearing has been scheduled for September 14, 1999, at 10 
a.m. in the IRS Auditorium, 7th Floor, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Due to building security 
procedures, visitors must enter at the 10th Street entrance, located 
between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. In addition, all 
visitors must present photo identification to enter the building. 
Because of access restrictions, visitors will not be admitted beyond 
the immediate entrance area more than 15 minutes before the hearing 
starts. For information about having your name placed on the building 
access list to attend the hearing, see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section of this preamble.
    The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3) apply to the hearing. Persons who 
wish to present oral comments at the hearing must submit written 
comments and an outline of the topics to be discussed and the time to 
be devoted to each topic (signed original and eight (8) copies by 
August 3, 1999. A period of 10 minutes will be allotted to each person 
for making comments. An agenda showing the scheduling of the speakers 
will be prepared after the deadline for receiving outlines has passed. 
Copies of the agenda will be available free of charge at the hearing.
    Drafting Information: The principal author of these proposed 
regulations is Leo F. Nolan II, Office of Assistant Chief Counsel 
(Income Tax and Accounting). However, other personnel from the IRS and 
Treasury Department participated in their development.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

    Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by 
removing the entry for Sec. 1.460-4 and adding the following entries in 
numerical order to read in part as follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
    Sec. 1.460-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 460(h).
    Sec. 1.460-2 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 460(h).
    Sec. 1.460-3 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 460(h).
    Sec. 1.460-4 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 460(h) and 1502.
    Sec. 1.460-5 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 460(h). * * *


Sec. 1.446-1  [Amended]

    Par. 2. Section 1.446-1 is amended as follows:
    1. In the second sentence of paragraph (c)(1)(iii), the language 
``451'' is removed and ``460'' is added in its place.
    2. In the fourth sentence of paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(a), the language 
``Sec. 1.451-3'' is removed and ``Sec. 1.460-4'' is added in its place.


Sec. 1.451-3  [Removed]

    Par. 3. Section 1.451-3 is removed.


Sec. 1.451-5  [Amended]

    Par. 4. Section 1.451-5 is amended, in the first sentence of 
paragraph (b)(3), by removing the language ``Sec. 1.451-3'' and adding 
``Sec. 1.460-4'' in its place.
    Par. 5. Section 1.460-0 is amended by:
    1. Revising the introductory text.
    2. Revising the entries for Secs. 1.460-1 through 1.460-3, 1.460-
4(a)-(i), and 1.460-5.
    3. Revising the entry for Sec. 1.460-6(c)(4)(iv).
    4. Removing the entries for Secs. 1.460-7 and 1.460-8.
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec. 1.460-0  Outline of regulations under section 460.

    This section lists the paragraphs contained in Sec. 1.460-1 through 
Sec. 1.460-6.

Sec. 1.460-1  Long-term contracts.

    (a) Overview.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Exceptions to required use of PCM.
    (i) Exempt construction contract.
    (ii) Qualified ship or residential construction contract.
    (b) Definitions.
    (1) Long-term contract.
    (2) Contract for the manufacture, building, installation, or 
construction of property.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) De minimis construction activities.
    (3) Allocable contract costs.
    (4) Related party.
    (5) Contracting year.
    (6) Completion year.
    (7) Contract commencement date.
    (8) Incurred.
    (c) Entering into and completing long-term contracts.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Date contract entered into.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Options and change orders.
    (3) Date contract completed.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Secondary items.
    (iii) Subcontracts.
    (iv) Final completion and acceptance.

[[Page 24102]]

    (A) In general.
    (B) Contingent compensation.
    (C) Assembly or installation.
    (D) Disputes.
    (d) Allocation among activities.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Non-long-term contract activity.
    (e) Severing and aggregating contracts.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Facts and circumstances.
    (i) Independent pricing.
    (ii) Interdependent pricing.
    (iii) Separate delivery or acceptance.
    (iv) Reasonable businessperson.
    (3) Exceptions.
    (i) No severance for PCM.
    (ii) Options and change orders.
    (4) Statement with return.
    (f) Classifying contracts.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Hybrid contracts.
    (3) Method of accounting.
    (4) Use of estimates.
    (i) Estimating length of contract.
    (ii) Estimating allocable contract costs.
    (g) Special rules for activities benefitting long-term contracts 
of a related party.
    (1) Related party use of PCM.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Inventory exception.
    (2) Total contract price.
    (3) Completion factor.
    (h) Effective date.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Change in method of accounting.
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Examples.

Sec. 1.460-2  Long-term manufacturing contracts.

    (a) In general.
    (b) Unique.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Safe harbors.
    (i) Short production period.
    (ii) Customized item.
    (iii) Inventoried item.
    (c) Normal time to complete.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Production by related parties.
    (d) Qualified ship contracts.
    (e) Examples.

Sec. 1.460-3 Long-term construction contracts.

    (a) In general.
    (b) Exempt construction contracts.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Home construction contract.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Townhouses and rowhouses.
    (iii) Common improvements.
    (iv) Mixed use costs.
    (3) $10,000,000 gross receipts test.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Single employer.
    (iii) Attribution of gross receipts.
    (c) Residential construction contracts.

Sec. 1.460-4  Methods of accounting for long-term contracts.

    (a) Overview.
    (b) Percentage-of-completion method.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Computations.
    (3) Post-completion-year income.
    (4) Total contract price.
    (i) In general.
    (A) Definition.
    (B) Contingent compensation.
    (C) Non-long-term contract activities.
    (ii) Estimating total contract price.
    (5) Completion factor.
    (i) Allocable contract costs.
    (ii) Cumulative allocable contract costs incurred.
    (iii) Estimating total allocable contract costs.
    (iv) Pre-contracting-year costs.
    (v) Post-completion-year costs.
    (6) 10-percent method.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Election.
    (c) Exempt contract methods.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Exempt-contract percentage-of-completion method.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Determination of work performed.
    (d) Completed-contract method.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Post-completion-year income and costs.
    (3) Gross contract price.
    (4) Contracts with disputed claims.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Taxpayer assured of profit or loss.
    (iii) Taxpayer unable to determine profit or loss.
    (iv) Dispute resolved.
    (e) Percentage-of-completion/capitalized-cost method.
    (f) Alternative minimum taxable income.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Election to use regular completion factors.
    (g) Method of accounting.
    (h) Examples.
    (i) Mid-contract change in taxpayer. [Reserved]
* * * * *

Sec. 1.460-5  Cost allocation rules.

    (a) Overview.
    (b) Cost allocation method for contracts subject to PCM.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Special rules.
    (i) Direct material costs.
    (ii) Components and subassemblies.
    (iii) Simplified production methods.
    (iv) Costs identified under cost-plus long-term contracts and 
federal long-term contracts.
    (v) Interest.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Production period.
    (C) Application of section 263A(f).
    (vi) Research and experimental expenses.
    (vii) Service costs.
    (A) Simplified service cost method.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Example.
    (B) Jobsite costs.
    (C) Limitation on other reasonable cost allocation methods.
    (c) Simplified cost-to-cost method.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Election.
    (d) Cost allocation rules for exempt construction contracts 
reported using CCM.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Indirect costs.
    (i) Indirect costs allocable to exempt construction contracts.
    (ii) Indirect costs not allocable to exempt construction 
contracts.
    (3) Large homebuilders.
    (e) Cost allocation rules for contracts subject to the PCCM.
    (f) Special rules applicable to costs allocated under this 
section.
    (1) Nondeductible costs.
    (2) Costs incurred for non-long-term contract activities.
    (g) Method of accounting.

Sec. 1.460-6  Look-back method.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iv) Additional interest due on look-back interest only after 
tax liability due.
* * * * *
    Par. 6. Sections 1.460-1 through 1.460-3 are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1.460-1  Long-term contracts.

    (a) Overview--(1) In general. This section provides rules for 
determining whether a contract for the manufacture, building, 
installation, or construction of property is a long-term contract under 
section 460 and what activities must be accounted for as a single long-
term contract. Specific rules for long-term manufacturing and 
construction contracts are provided in Secs. 1.460-2 and 3, 
respectively. A taxpayer generally must determine the income from a 
long-term contract using the percentage-of-completion method described 
in Sec. 1.460-4(b) (PCM) and the cost allocation rules described in 
Sec. 1.460-5(b) or (c). In addition, after a contract subject to the 
PCM is completed, a taxpayer generally must apply the look-back method 
described in Sec. 1.460-6 to determine the amount of interest owed on 
any hypothetical underpayment of tax, or earned on any hypothetical 
overpayment of tax, attributable to accounting for the long-term 
contract under the PCM.
    (2) Exceptions to required use of PCM--(i) Exempt construction 
contract. The requirement to use the PCM does not apply to any exempt 
construction contract described in Sec. 1.460-3(b). Thus, a taxpayer 
may determine the income from an exempt construction contract using any 
accounting method permitted by Sec. 1.460-4(c) and, for contracts 
accounted for using the completed-contract method (CCM), any cost 
allocation method permitted by Sec. 1.460-5(d).
    (ii) Qualified ship or residential construction contract. The 
requirement to use the PCM applies only to a portion of a qualified 
ship contract described in Sec. 1.460-2(d) or residential construction 
contract described in Sec. 1.460-3(c). A taxpayer generally may 
determine the income from a qualified ship contract or residential 
construction contract using

[[Page 24103]]

the percentage-of-completion/capitalized-cost method (PCCM) described 
in Sec. 1.460-4(e), but must use a cost allocation method described in 
Sec. 1.460-5(b) for the entire contract.
    (b) Definitions--(1) Long-term contract. A long-term contract 
generally is any contract for the manufacture, building, installation, 
or construction of property if the contract is not completed within the 
contracting year, as defined in paragraph (b)(5) of this section. 
However, a contract for the manufacture of property is a long-term 
contract only if it also satisfies either the unique item or 12-month 
requirements described in Sec. 1.460-2. A contract for the manufacture 
of personal property is a manufacturing contract. In contrast, a 
contract for the building, installation, or construction of real 
property is a construction contract.
    (2) Contract for the manufacture, building, installation, or 
construction of property--(i) In general. A contract is a contract for 
the manufacture, building, installation, or construction of property if 
the manufacture, building, installation, or construction of the subject 
matter of the contract is necessary for the taxpayer's contractual 
obligations to be fulfilled and if the manufacture, building, 
installation, or construction has not been completed when the parties 
enter into the contract. Whether the customer has title to, or control 
over, the property (or bears the risk of loss from the property) is not 
relevant. Furthermore, how the parties characterize their agreement 
(e.g., as a contract for the sale of property) is not relevant.
    (ii) De minimis construction activities. Notwithstanding paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section, a contract is not a construction contract 
for purposes of section 460 if the contract includes the provision of 
land by the taxpayer and the estimated total allocable contract costs, 
as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, attributable to the 
taxpayer's construction activities are less than 10 percent of the 
contract's total contract price, as defined in Sec. 1.460-4(b)(4)(i). 
For this purpose, a contract's estimated total allocable contract costs 
include a proportionate share of the estimated cost of any common 
improvement that benefits the subject matter of the contract if the 
taxpayer is contractually obligated, or required by law, to construct 
the common improvement.
    (3) Allocable contract costs. Allocable contract costs are costs 
that are allocable to a long-term contract under Sec. 1.460-5.
    (4) Related party. A related party is a person whose relationship 
to a taxpayer is described in section 707(b) or 267(b), determined 
without regard to section 267(f)(1)(A) and determined by substituting 
``at least 80 percent'' for ``more than 50 percent'' with regard to the 
ownership of the stock of a corporation in sections 267(b)(2), (8), 
(10)(A), and (12).
    (5) Contracting year. The contracting year is the taxable year in 
which a taxpayer enters into a contract as described in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section.
    (6) Completion year. The completion year is the taxable year in 
which a taxpayer completes a contract as described in paragraph (c)(3) 
of this section.
    (7) Contract commencement date. The contract commencement date is 
the date that a taxpayer or related party first incurs any allocable 
contract costs, such as design and engineering costs, other than 
expenses attributable to bidding and negotiating activities. Generally, 
the contract commencement date is relevant in applying Sec. 1.460-
6(b)(3) (concerning the de minimis exception to the look-back method 
under section 460(b)(3)(B)); Sec. 1.460-5(b)(2)(v)(B)(1)(i) (concerning 
the production period subject to interest allocation); Sec. 1.460-2(d) 
(concerning qualified ship contracts); and Sec. 1.460-3(b)(1)(ii) 
(concerning the construction period for exempt construction contracts).
    (8) Incurred. Incurred has the meaning given in Sec. 1.461-1(a)(2) 
(concerning the taxable year of deduction under the accrual method of 
accounting), regardless of a taxpayer's overall method of accounting. 
See Sec. 1.461-4(d)(2)(ii) for economic performance rules concerning 
the PCM.
    (c) Entering into and completing long-term contracts--(1) In 
general. To determine when a contract is entered into under paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section, and when a contract is completed under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, a taxpayer must consider all relevant 
activities performed by itself, by related parties, and by the 
customer, that are incident to or necessary for the long-term contract. 
In addition, to determine whether a contract is completed in the 
contracting year, the taxpayer may not consider when it expects to 
complete the contract.
    (2) Date contract entered into--(i) In general. A taxpayer enters 
into a contract on the date that the contract binds both the taxpayer 
and the customer under applicable law, even if the contract is subject 
to unsatisfied conditions not within the taxpayer's control (such as 
obtaining financing). If a taxpayer delays entering into a contract for 
a principal purpose of avoiding section 460, however, the taxpayer will 
be treated as having entered into a contract not later than the 
contract commencement date.
    (ii) Options and change orders. A taxpayer enters into a new 
contract on the date that the customer exercises an option or similar 
provision in a contract if that option or similar provision must be 
severed from the contract under paragraph (e) of this section. 
Similarly, a taxpayer enters into a new contract on the date that it 
accepts a change order or other similar agreement if the change order 
or other similar agreement must be severed from the contract under 
paragraph (e) of this section.
    (3) Date contract completed--(i) In general. A taxpayer's contract 
is completed upon the earlier of--
    (A) Use of the subject matter of the contract by the customer 
(other than for testing) and at least 95 percent of the total allocable 
contract costs attributable to the subject matter have been incurred by 
the taxpayer; or
    (B) Final completion and acceptance of the subject matter of the 
contract.
    (ii) Secondary items. The date a contract accounted for using the 
CCM is completed is determined without regard to whether one or more 
secondary items have been used or finally completed and accepted. If 
any secondary items are incomplete at the end of the taxable year in 
which the primary subject matter of a contract is completed, the 
taxpayer must separate the portion of the gross contract price and the 
allocable contract costs attributable to the incomplete secondary 
item(s) from the completed contract and account for them using a 
permissible method of accounting. A permissible method of accounting 
includes a long-term contract method of accounting only if a separate 
contract for the secondary item(s) would be a long-term contract, as 
defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Subcontracts. In the case of a subcontract, the subject 
matter of the subcontract is the relevant subject matter under 
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
    (iv) Final completion and acceptance--(A) In general. Except as 
otherwise provided in this paragraph (c)(3)(iv), to determine whether 
final completion and acceptance of the subject matter of a contract 
have occurred, a taxpayer must consider all relevant facts and 
circumstances. Nevertheless, a taxpayer may not delay the completion of 
a contract for the principal purpose of deferring federal income tax.
    (B) Contingent compensation. Final completion and acceptance is 
determined without regard to any contractual term that provides for

[[Page 24104]]

additional compensation that is contingent on the successful 
performance of the subject matter of the contract. A taxpayer must 
account for all contingent compensation that is not includible in total 
contract price under Sec. 1.460-4(b)(4)(i), or in gross contract price 
under Sec. 1.460-4(d)(3), using a permissible method of accounting. For 
application of the look-back method for contracts accounted for using 
the PCM, see Sec. 1.460-6(c)(1)(ii) and (2)(vi).
    (C) Assembly or installation. Final completion and acceptance is 
determined without regard to whether the taxpayer has an obligation to 
assist or supervise assembly or installation of the subject matter of 
the contract where the assembly or installation is not performed by the 
taxpayer or a related party. A taxpayer must account for the gross 
receipts and costs attributable to such an obligation using a 
permissible method of accounting, other than a long-term contract 
method.
    (D) Disputes. Final completion and acceptance is determined without 
regard to whether a dispute exists at the time the taxpayer tenders the 
subject matter of the contract to the customer. For contracts accounted 
for using the CCM, see Sec. 1.460-4(d)(4). For application of the look-
back method for contracts accounted for using the PCM, see Sec. 1.460-
6(c)(1)(ii) and (2)(vi).
    (d) Allocation among activities--(1) In general. Long-term contract 
methods of accounting (the PCM, the CCM, the PCCM, and the exempt-
contract percentage-of-completion method (EPCM)) apply only to the 
gross receipts and costs attributable to long-term contract activities. 
Gross receipts and costs attributable to long-term contract activities 
means amounts included in total contract price or gross contract price, 
whichever is applicable, as determined under Sec. 1.460-4, and costs 
allocable to the contract, as determined under Sec. 1.460-5. Gross 
receipts and costs attributable to non-long-term contract activities 
(as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section) generally must be 
taken into account using permissible methods of accounting other than a 
long-term contract method. See section 446(c) and Sec. 1.446-1(c). 
However, if the performance of a non-long-term contract activity is 
incident to or necessary for the manufacture, building, installation, 
or construction of the subject matter of one or more of the taxpayer's 
long-term contracts, the gross receipts and costs attributable to that 
activity must be allocated to the long-term contract(s) benefitted as 
provided in Secs. 1.460-4(b)(4)(i) and 1.460-5(f)(2), respectively. 
Similarly, if a single long-term contract requires a taxpayer to 
perform a non-long-term contract activity that is not incident to or 
necessary for the manufacture, building, installation, or construction 
of the subject matter of the long-term contract, the gross receipts and 
costs attributable to that non-long-term contract activity must be 
separated from the contract and accounted for using a permissible 
method of accounting other than a long-term contract method. But see 
paragraph (g) of this section for related party rules.
    (2) Non-long-term contract activity. Non-long-term contract 
activity means the performance of an activity other than manufacturing, 
building, installation, or construction, such as the provision of 
architectural, design, engineering, and construction management 
services; the performance under a guarantee, warranty, and maintenance 
agreement; and the development of software.
    (e) Severing and aggregating contracts--(1) In general. After 
application of the allocation rules of paragraph (d) of this section, 
the severing and aggregating rules of this paragraph (e) may be applied 
by the Commissioner or the taxpayer as necessary to clearly reflect 
income (such as, to prevent the unreasonable deferral of recognition of 
income or the premature recognition of loss). Under the severing and 
aggregating rules, one agreement may be treated as two or more 
contracts, and two or more agreements may be treated as one contract. 
Except as provided in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section, a taxpayer 
must determine whether to sever an agreement or to aggregate two or 
more agreements based on all the facts and circumstances known at the 
end of the contracting year.
    (2) Facts and circumstances. Whether an agreement should be 
severed, or two or more agreements should be aggregated, depends on the 
following factors:
    (i) Independent pricing. Independent pricing of items in an 
agreement is necessary for the agreement to be severed into two or more 
contracts. In the case of an agreement for several similar items, if 
the price to be paid for the items is determined under different terms 
or formulas (for example, if some items are priced under a cost-plus 
incentive fee arrangement and later items are to be priced under a 
fixed-price arrangement), then the difference in the pricing terms or 
formulas indicates that the items are independently priced.
    (ii) Interdependent pricing. Interdependent pricing of items in 
separate agreements is necessary for two or more agreements to be 
aggregated into one contract. A single price negotiation for similar 
items ordered under one or more agreements indicates that the items are 
interdependently priced.
    (iii) Separate delivery or acceptance. An agreement may not be 
severed into two or more contracts unless it provides for separate 
delivery or separate acceptance of items that are the subject matter of 
the agreement. However, the separate delivery or separate acceptance of 
items by itself does not necessarily require an agreement to be 
severed.
    (iv) Reasonable businessperson. Two or more agreements to perform 
manufacturing or construction activities may not be aggregated into one 
contract unless a reasonable businessperson would not have entered into 
one of the agreements for the terms agreed upon without also entering 
into the other agreement(s). Similarly, an agreement to perform 
manufacturing or construction activities may not be severed into two or 
more contracts if a reasonable businessperson would not have entered 
into separate agreements containing terms allocable to each severed 
contract. For example, a single agreement to manufacture a prototype of 
an item, which would result in a substantial loss, and ten additional 
units of the item, which would result in a substantial gain, may not be 
severed into one contract for the prototype and another contract for 
the ten additional units under this paragraph (e)(2)(iv) because a 
reasonable businessperson would not have entered into a separate 
contract to manufacture the prototype. For purposes of this paragraph 
(e)(2)(iv), a taxpayer's expectation that the parties would enter into 
another agreement, when agreeing to the terms contained in the first 
agreement, is irrelevant.
    (3) Exceptions--(i) No severance for PCM. A taxpayer may not sever 
under this paragraph (e) a long-term contract that would be accounted 
for using the PCM.
    (ii) Options and change orders. Except as provided in paragraph 
(e)(3)(i) of this section, a taxpayer must sever an agreement that 
increases the number of units to be supplied to the customer, such as 
through the exercise of an option or the acceptance of a change order, 
if the agreement provides for separate delivery or separate acceptance 
of the additional units.
    (4) Statement with return. If a taxpayer severs an agreement or 
aggregates two or more agreements under this paragraph (e) during the 
taxable year, the taxpayer must attach a statement to its original 
Federal income tax return for that year. This statement

[[Page 24105]]

must contain the following information--
    (i) The legend NOTIFICATION OF SEVERANCE OR AGGREGATION UNDER SEC. 
1.460-1(e);
    (ii) The taxpayer's name;
    (iii) The taxpayer's employer identification number or social 
security number;
    (iv) The identity of each agreement being severed or aggregated;
    (v) The method of accounting used for each contract; and
    (vi) A description of the reason(s) for severance or aggregation.
    (f) Classifying contracts--(1) In general. A taxpayer must 
determine the classification of a contract (e.g., as a long-term 
manufacturing contract, long-term construction contract, non-long-term 
contract) based on all the facts and circumstances known no later than 
the end of the contracting year.
    (2) Hybrid contracts. A long-term contract that requires a taxpayer 
to perform both manufacturing and construction activities (hybrid 
contract) generally must be classified as two contracts, a 
manufacturing contract and a construction contract. However, a hybrid 
contract may be classified as a manufacturing (or construction) 
contract if at least 95 percent of the estimated total allocable 
contract costs are reasonably allocable to the manufacturing (or 
construction) activities.
    (3) Method of accounting. A taxpayer's method of classifying 
contracts is a method of accounting under section 446 and, thus, may 
not be changed without the Commissioner's consent. If a taxpayer's 
method of classifying contracts is unreasonable, that classification 
method is an impermissible accounting method.
    (4) Use of estimates--(i) Estimating length of contract. A taxpayer 
must use a reasonable estimate of the time required to complete a 
contract when necessary to classify the contract (e.g., to determine 
whether the five-year completion rule for qualified ship contracts 
under Sec. 1.460-2(d), or the two-year completion rule for exempt 
construction contracts under Sec. 1.460-3(b), is satisfied; but, not to 
determine whether a contract is completed within the contracting year 
under paragraph (b)(1) of this section). To be considered reasonable, 
an estimate of the time required to complete the contract must include 
anticipated time for delay, rework, change orders, technology or design 
problems, or other problems that reasonably can be anticipated 
considering the nature of the contract and prior experience. A contract 
term that specifies an expected completion or delivery date may be 
considered evidence that the taxpayer reasonably expects to complete or 
deliver the subject matter of the contract on or about the date 
specified, especially if the contract provides bona fide penalties for 
failing to meet the specified date. If a taxpayer classifies a contract 
based on a reasonable estimate of completion time, the contract will 
not be reclassified based on the actual (or another reasonable estimate 
of) completion time. A taxpayer's estimate of completion time will not 
be considered unreasonable if a contract is not completed within the 
estimated time primarily because of unforeseeable factors not within 
the taxpayer's control, such as third-party litigation, extreme weather 
conditions, strikes, or delays in securing permits or licenses.
    (ii) Estimating allocable contract costs. A taxpayer must use a 
reasonable estimate of total allocable contract costs when necessary to 
classify the contract (e.g., to determine whether a contract is a home 
construction contract under Sec. 1.460-(3)(b)(2)). If a taxpayer 
classifies a contract based on a reasonable estimate of total allocable 
contract costs, the contract will not be reclassified based on the 
actual (or another reasonable estimate of) total allocable contract 
costs.
    (g) Special rules for activities benefitting long-term contracts of 
a related party--(1) Related party use of PCM--(i) In general. Except 
as provided in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, if a related party 
and its customer enter into a long-term contract subject to the PCM, 
and a taxpayer performs any activity that is incident to or necessary 
for the related party's long-term contract, the taxpayer must account 
for the gross receipts and costs attributable to such activity using 
the PCM, even if this activity is not otherwise subject to section 
460(a). This type of activity may include, for example, the performance 
of engineering and design services, and the production of components 
and subassemblies that are reasonably expected to be used in the 
production of the subject matter of the related party's contract.
    (ii) Inventory exception. A taxpayer is not required to use the PCM 
under this paragraph (g) to account for components and subassemblies if 
the taxpayer regularly carries these items in its finished goods 
inventories and 80 percent or more of the gross receipts from the sale 
of these items typically comes from unrelated parties.
    (2) Total contract price. If a taxpayer is required to use the PCM 
under paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section, the total contract price (as 
defined in Sec. 1.460-4(b)(4)(i)) is the fair market value of the 
taxpayer's activity that is incident to or necessary for the 
performance of the related party's long-term contract. The related 
party also must use the fair market value of the taxpayer's activity as 
the cost it incurs for the activity. The fair market value of the 
taxpayer's activity may or may not be the same as the amount the 
related party pays the taxpayer for that activity.
    (3) Completion factor. To compute a contract's completion factor 
(as described in Sec. 1.460-4(b)(5)), the related party must take into 
account the fair market value of the taxpayer's activity that is 
incident to or necessary for the performance of the related party's 
long-term contract when the related party incurs the liability to the 
taxpayer for the activity, rather than when the taxpayer incurs the 
costs to perform the activity.
    (h) Effective date--(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided, 
this section and Secs. 1.460-2 through 1.460-5 are applicable for 
contracts entered into on or after the date these regulations are 
published as final regulations in the Federal Register.
    (2) Change in method of accounting. Any change in a taxpayer's 
method of accounting necessary to comply with this section and 
Secs. 1.460-2 through 1.460-5 is a change in method of accounting to 
which the provisions of section 446 and the regulations thereunder 
apply. For the first taxable year that includes the date these 
regulations are published as final regulations in the Federal Register, 
a taxpayer is granted the consent of the Commissioner to change its 
method of accounting to comply with the provisions of this section and 
Secs. 1.460-2 through 1.460-5 for long-term contracts entered into on 
or after the date these regulations are published as final regulations 
in the Federal Register. A taxpayer that wants to change its method of 
accounting under this paragraph (h)(2) must follow the automatic 
consent procedures in Rev. Proc. 98-60 (1998-51 I.R.B. 16) (see 
Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter, except that the scope limitations 
in section 4.02 of Rev. Proc. 98-60 do not apply. Because a change 
under this paragraph (h)(2) is made on a cutoff basis, a section 481(a) 
adjustment is not required. Moreover, the taxpayer does not receive 
audit protection under section 7 of Rev. Proc. 98-60 in connection with 
a change under this paragraph (h)(2). A taxpayer that wants to change 
its exempt-contract method of accounting is not granted the consent of 
the Commissioner under this paragraph (h)(2) and must file a Form 3115, 
Application for Change in

[[Page 24106]]

Accounting Method, to obtain consent. See Rev. Proc. 97-27 (1997-1 C.B. 
680) (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter).
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
section:

    Example 1. Contract for manufacture of property. B notifies C, 
an aircraft manufacturer, that it wants to purchase an aircraft of a 
particular type. At the time C receives the order, C has on hand 
several partially completed aircraft of this type; however, C does 
not have any completed aircraft of this type on hand. C and B agree 
that B will purchase one of these aircraft after it has been 
completed. C retains title to and risk of loss with respect to the 
aircraft until the sale takes place. The agreement between C and B 
is a contract for the manufacture of property under paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section, even if labeled as a contract for the 
sale of property, because the manufacture of the aircraft is 
necessary for C's obligations under the agreement to be fulfilled 
and the manufacturing was not complete when B and C entered into the 
agreement.
    Example 2. De minimis construction activity. C, a master 
developer that uses a calendar taxable year, owns 5,000 acres of 
undeveloped land worth $50,000,000. To obtain permission from the 
local county government to improve this land, a service road must be 
constructed on this land to benefit all 5,000 acres. In 2001, C 
enters into a contract to sell a 1,000-acre parcel of undeveloped 
land to B, a residential developer, for its fair market value, 
$10,000,000. In this contract, C agrees to construct a service road 
running through the land that C is selling to B and through the 
4,000 adjacent acres of undeveloped land that C has sold to several 
other residential developers for its fair market value, $40,000,000. 
C reasonably estimates that it will incur a liability of $50,000 to 
construct this service road, which will be owned and maintained by 
the county. C must reasonably allocate the cost of the service road 
among the benefitted parcels. The portion of the estimated total 
allocable contract costs that C allocates to the 1,000 acre parcel 
being sold to B (based upon its fair market value) is $10,000 
($50,000  x  ($10,000,000/$50,000,000)). Construction of the service 
road is finished in 2002. Because the estimated total allocable 
contract costs attributable to C's construction activities, $10,000, 
are less than 10 percent of the contract's total contract price, 
$10,000,000, C's contract with B is not a construction contract 
under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section. Thus, C's contract with 
B is not a long-term contract under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this 
section, notwithstanding that construction of the service road is 
not completed in 2001.
    Example 3. Completion--customer use. In 2002, C, a calendar year 
taxpayer, enters into a contract to construct a building for B. In 
November of 2003, the building is completed in every respect 
necessary for its intended use, and B occupies the building. In 
early December of 2003, B notifies C of some minor deficiencies that 
need to be corrected, and C agrees to correct them in January 2004. 
C reasonably estimates that the cost of correcting these 
deficiencies will be less than five percent of the total allocable 
contract costs. C's contract is complete under paragraph 
(c)(3)(i)(A) of this section in 2003 because in that year, B used 
the building and C had incurred at least 95 percent of the total 
allocable contract costs attributable to the building. C must use a 
permissible method of accounting for any deficiency-related costs 
incurred after 2003.
    Example 4. Completion--customer use. In 1999, C, whose taxable 
year ends December 31, agrees to construct a shopping center, which 
includes an adjoining parking lot, for B. By October 2000, C has 
finished constructing the retail portion of the shopping center. By 
December 2000, C has graded the entire parking lot, but has paved 
only one-fourth of it because inclement weather conditions prevented 
C from laying asphalt on the remaining three-fourths. In December 
2000, B opens the retail portion of the shopping center and the 
paved portion of the parking lot to the general public. C reasonably 
estimates that the cost of paving the remaining three-fourths of the 
parking lot when whether permits will exceed 5 percent of C's total 
allocable contract costs. Even though B is using the subject matter 
of the contract, C's contract is not completed in December 2000 
under paragraph (c)(3)(i)(A) of this section because C has not 
incurred at least 95 percent of the total allocable contract costs 
attributable to the subject matter.
    Example 5. Non-long-term contract activity. On January 1, 1999, 
C, whose taxable year ends December 31, enters into a single long-
term contract to design and manufacture a satellite and to develop 
computer software enabling B to operate the satellite. At the end of 
1999, C has not finished manufacturing the satellite. Designing the 
satellite and developing the computer software are non-long-term 
contract activities that are incident to and necessary for the 
taxpayer's manufacturing of the subject matter of a long-term 
contract because the satellite could not be manufactured without the 
design and would not operate without the software. Thus, under 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section, C must allocate these non-long-
term contract activities to the long-term contract and account for 
the gross receipts and costs attributable to designing the satellite 
and developing computer software using the PCM.
    Example 6. Non-long-term contract activity. C agrees to 
manufacture equipment for B under a long-term contract. In a 
separate contract, C agrees to design the equipment being 
manufactured for B under the long-term contract. Under paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section, C must allocate the gross receipts and costs 
related to the design to the long-term contract because designing 
the equipment is a non-long-term contract activity that is incident 
to and necessary for the manufacture of the subject matter of the 
long-term contract.
    Example 7. Severance. On January 1, 1999, C, a construction 
contractor, and B, a real estate investor, enter into an agreement 
requiring C to build two office buildings in different areas of a 
large city. The agreement provides that the two office buildings 
will be completed by C and accepted by B in 1999 and 2000, 
respectively, and that C will be paid $1,000,000 and $1,500,000 for 
the two office buildings, respectively. The agreement will provide C 
with a reasonable profit from the construction of each building. 
Unless C is required to use the PCM to account for the contract, the 
taxpayer is required to sever this contract under paragraph (e)(2) 
of this section because the buildings are independently priced, the 
agreement provides for separate delivery and acceptance of the 
buildings, and, as each building will generate a reasonable profit, 
a reasonable businessperson would have entered into separate 
agreements for the terms agreed upon for each building.
    Example 8. Severance. C, a large construction contractor with a 
calendar taxable year, accounts for its construction contracts using 
the PCM and has elected to use the 10-percent method described in 
Sec. 1.460-4(b)(6). In September 1999, C enters into an agreement to 
construct 4 buildings in 4 different cities. The buildings are 
independently priced and the contract provides a reasonable profit 
for each of the buildings. In addition, the agreement requires C to 
deliver one building per year in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. As of 
December 31, 1999, C has incurred 25 percent of the estimated total 
allocable contract costs attributable to one of the buildings, but 
only 5 percent of the estimated total allocable contract costs 
attributable to all 4 buildings included in the agreement. Under 
paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section, C may not sever this contract 
because it is accounted for using the PCM. Using the 10-percent 
method, C does not take into account any portion of the total 
contract price or any incurred allocable contract costs attributable 
to this agreement in 1999. Upon examination of C's 1999 tax return, 
the Commissioner determines that C entered into one agreement for 4 
buildings rather than 4 separate agreements each for one building 
solely to take advantage of the deferral obtained under the 10-
percent method. Consequently, in order to clearly reflect the 
taxpayer's income, the Commissioner may require C to sever the 
agreement into 4 separate contracts under paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section because the buildings are independently priced, the 
agreement provides for separate delivery and acceptance of the 
buildings, and a reasonable businessperson would have entered into 
separate agreements for these buildings.
    Example 9. Aggregation. In 1999, C, a shipbuilder, enters into 
two agreements with the Department of the Navy as the result of a 
single negotiation. Each agreement obligates C to manufacture a 
submarine. Because the submarines are of the same class, their 
specifications are similar. Because C has never manufactured 
submarines of this class, however, C anticipates that it will incur 
substantially higher costs to manufacture the first submarine, to be 
delivered in 2005, than to manufacture the second submarine, to be 
delivered in 2008. If the agreements are treated as separate 
contracts, the first contract probably will produce a substantial 
loss, while the second contract probably will produce substantial 
profit. Based upon these facts, aggregation is required under 
paragraph

[[Page 24107]]

(e)(2) of this section because the submarines are interdependently 
priced and a reasonable businessperson would not have entered the 
first agreement without also entering into the second.
    Example 10. Aggregation. In 1999, C, a manufacturer of aircraft 
and related equipment, agrees to manufacture 10 military aircraft 
for foreign government B and to deliver the aircraft by the end of 
2001. When entering into the agreement, C anticipates that it might 
receive production orders from B over the next 20 years for as many 
as 300 more of these aircraft. The negotiated contract price 
reflects C's and B's consideration of the expected total cost of 
manufacturing the 10 aircraft, the risks and opportunities 
associated with the agreement, and the additional factors the 
parties considered relevant. The negotiated price provides a profit 
on the sale of the 10 aircraft even if C does not expect to receive 
any additional production orders from B. It is unlikely, however, 
that C actually would have wanted to manufacture the 10 aircraft but 
for the expectation that it would receive additional production 
orders from B. In 2001, B accepts delivery of the 10 aircraft. At 
that time, B orders an additional 20 aircraft of the same type for 
delivery in 2005. When negotiating the price for the additional 20 
aircraft, C and B consider the fact that the expected unit cost for 
this production run of 20 aircraft will be lower than the unit cost 
of the 10 aircraft completed and accepted in 2001, but substantially 
higher than the expected unit cost of future production runs. Based 
upon these facts, aggregation is not permitted under paragraph 
(e)(2) of this section. Because the parties negotiated the prices of 
both agreements considering only the expected production costs and 
risks for each agreement standing alone, the terms and conditions 
agreed upon for the first agreement are independent of the terms and 
conditions agreed upon for the second agreement. The fact that the 
agreement to manufacture 10 aircraft provides a profit for C 
indicates that a reasonable businessperson would have entered into 
that agreement without entering into the agreement to manufacture 
the additional 20 aircraft.
    Example 11. Classification and completion. In 1999, C agrees to 
manufacture and install an industrial machine for B. The agreement 
requires C to deliver the machine in August 2001 and to install and 
test the machine in B's factory. At least 95 percent of the 
estimated total allocable contract costs are reasonably allocable to 
C's manufacturing activities. In addition, the agreement requires B 
to accept the machine when the tests prove that the machine's 
performance will satisfy the environmental standards set by the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), even if B has not obtained 
the required operating permit. Because of technical difficulties, C 
cannot deliver the machine until December 2001, when B conditionally 
accepts delivery. C classifies the agreement as a manufacturing 
contract under paragraph (f) of this section because 95 percent of 
the total allocable contract costs are attributable to C's 
manufacturing activities. C, whose taxable year ends December 31, 
installs the machine in December 2001 and then tests it through 
February 2002. B accepts the machine in February 2002, but does not 
obtain the operating permit from the EPA until January 2003. Under 
paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of this section, C's contract is finally 
completed and accepted in February 2002, even though B does not 
obtain the operating permit until January 2003, because C completed 
all its obligations under the contract and B accepted the machine in 
2002.


Sec. 1.460-2  Long-term manufacturing contracts.

    (a) In general. Section 460 generally requires a taxpayer to 
determine the income from a long-term manufacturing contract using the 
percentage-of-completion method described in Sec. 1.460-4(b) (PCM). A 
contract not completed in the contracting year is a long-term 
manufacturing contract if it involves the manufacture of personal 
property that is--
    (1) A unique item of a type that is not normally carried in the 
finished goods inventory of the taxpayer; or
    (2) An item that normally requires more than 12 calendar months to 
complete (regardless of the duration of the contract or the time to 
complete a deliverable quantity of the item).
    (b) Unique--(1) In general. Unique means designed for the needs of 
a specific customer. A contract may require the taxpayer to manufacture 
more than one unit of a unique item. To determine whether an item is 
designed for the needs of a specific customer, a taxpayer must consider 
the extent to which research, development, design, engineering, 
retooling, and similar activities are required to produce the item. In 
addition, a taxpayer must consider whether the same item could be sold 
to other customers (with or without minor modifications).
    (2) Safe harbors. Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, 
an item is not unique if it satisfies one or more of the following safe 
harbors--
    (i) Short production period. An item is not unique if it normally 
requires 90 days or less to complete the item;
    (ii) Customized item. An item is not unique if the total allocable 
contract costs attributable to customizing (such as research, 
development, design, engineering, retooling, and similar activities) 
that are incident to or necessary for the production of the item does 
not exceed 5 percent of the estimated total allocable contract costs 
allocable to the item; or
    (iii) Inventoried item. A unique item ceases to be unique no later 
than when the taxpayer normally carries similar items in its finished 
goods inventory.
    (c) Normal time to complete--(1) In general. The amount of time 
normally required to complete an item is the item's reasonably expected 
production period, as described in Sec. 1.263A-12, determined at the 
end of the contracting year. Thus, the expected production period for 
an item generally would begin when a taxpayer incurs at least five 
percent of the costs allocable to the item and end when the item is 
ready to be held for sale and all reasonably expected production 
activities are complete. In the case of components that are assembled 
or reassembled into an item or unit at the customer's facility by the 
taxpayer's employees or agents, the production period ends when the 
components are assembled or reassembled into an operable item or unit. 
To the extent that several distinct activities related to the 
production of the item are expected to occur simultaneously, the period 
during which these distinct activities occur is not counted more than 
once.
    (2) Production by related parties. To determine the time normally 
required to complete an item, a taxpayer must consider all relevant 
production activities performed by itself and by related parties, as 
defined in Sec. 1.460-1(b)(4). For example, if a taxpayer's item 
requires a component or subassembly manufactured by a related party, 
the taxpayer must consider the time the related party takes to complete 
the component or subassembly and, for purposes of determining the 
beginning of an item's production period, the costs incurred by the 
related party that are allocable to the component or subassembly. 
However, if both requirements of the inventory exception under 
Sec. 1.460-1(g)(1)(ii) are satisfied, a taxpayer does not consider the 
activities performed or the costs incurred by a related party when 
determining the normal time to complete an item.
    (d) Qualified ship contracts. A taxpayer may determine the income 
from a long-term manufacturing contract that is a qualified ship 
contract using either the PCM or the percentage-of-completion/
capitalized-cost method (PCCM) of accounting described in Sec. 1.460-
4(e). A qualified ship contract is any contract entered into after 
February 28, 1986, to manufacture in the United States not more than 5 
seagoing vessels if the vessels will not be manufactured directly or 
indirectly for the United States Government and if the taxpayer 
reasonably expects to complete the contract within 5 years of the 
contract commencement date. Under Sec. 1.460-1(e)(3)(i), a contract to 
produce more than 5 vessels for which the PCM would be required cannot 
be severed in order to be classified as a qualified ship contract.

[[Page 24108]]

    (e) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
section:

    Example 1. Unique item and classification. In December 1999, C 
enters into a contract with B to design and manufacture a new type 
of industrial equipment. C reasonably expects the normal production 
period for this type of equipment to be 8 months. Because the new 
type of industrial equipment requires a substantial amount of 
research, design and engineering to produce, C determines that the 
equipment is a unique item and its contract with B is a long-term 
contract. After delivering the equipment to B in September 2000, C 
contracts with B to produce five additional units of industrial 
equipment using the same basic design as the previous unit of 
industrial equipment but changing certain specifications. These 
additional units, which also are expected to take 8 months to 
produce, will be delivered to B in 2001. C determines that the 
research, design, engineering, retooling and similar customizing 
costs necessary to produce the five additional units of equipment 
does not exceed 5% of the estimated total allocable contract costs. 
Consequently, the additional units of equipment satisfy the safe 
harbor in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section and are not unique 
items. Although C's contract with B to produce the five additional 
units is not completed within the contracting year, the contract is 
not a long-term contract since the additional units of equipment are 
not unique items and do not normally require more than 12 months to 
produce. C must classify its second contract with B as a non-long 
term contract, notwithstanding that it classified the previous 
contract with B for a similar item as a long-term contract, because 
the determination of whether a contract is a long-term contract is 
made on a contract by contract basis. Such a change in 
classification is not a change in method of accounting because the 
change in classification results from a change in underlying facts.
    Example 2. 12-month rule--related party. C manufactures cranes 
that it regularly carries in finished goods inventory. C purchases 
one of the crane's components from R, a related party under 
Sec. 1.460-1(b)(4). R does not carry this crane component in 
finished goods inventory; therefore, C does not satisfy the 
inventory exception and must consider the activities of R as R 
incurs costs and performs the activities rather than as C incurs a 
liability to R. The normal time period between the time that both C 
and R incur 5% of the costs allocable to the crane and the time that 
R completes the component is 5 months. C normally requires an 
additional 8 months to complete production of the crane after 
receiving the integral component from R. C's crane is an item of a 
type that normally requires more than 12 months to complete under 
paragraph (c) of this section because the production period from the 
time that both C and R incur 5% of the costs allocable to the crane 
until the time that production of the crane is complete is normally 
13 months.
    Example 3. 12-month rule--duration of contract. The facts are 
the same as in Example 2, except that C enters into a sales contract 
with B on December 31, 1999 (the last day of C's taxable year), and 
delivers a completed crane to B on February 1, 2000. C's contract 
with B is a long-term contract under paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section because the contract is not completed in the contracting 
year, 1999, and the crane is an item that normally requires more 
than 12 calendar months to complete (regardless of the duration of 
the contract).
    Example 4. 12-month rule--normal time to complete. The facts are 
the same as in Example 3, except that C (and R) actually complete 
B's crane in only 10 calendar months. The contract is a long-term 
contract because the normal time to complete a crane, not the actual 
time to complete a crane, is the relevant criterion for determining 
whether an item is subject to paragraph (a)(2) of this section.


Sec. 1.460-3  Long-term construction contracts.

    (a) In general. Section 460 generally requires a taxpayer to 
determine the income from a long-term construction contract using the 
percentage-of-completion method described in Sec. 1.460-4(b) (PCM). A 
contract not completed in the contracting year is a long-term 
construction contract if it involves the building, construction, 
reconstruction, or rehabilitation of real property; the installation of 
an integral component to real property; or the improvement of real 
property (collectively referred to as construction). Real property 
means land, buildings, and inherently permanent structures, as defined 
in Sec. 1.263A-8(c)(3), such as roadways, dams, and bridges. Real 
property does not include vessels, offshore drilling platforms, or 
unsevered natural products of land. An integral component to real 
property includes property not produced at the site of the real 
property but intended to be permanently affixed to the real property, 
such as elevators and central heating and cooling systems. Thus, for 
example, a contract to install an elevator in a building is a 
construction contract because a building is real property, but a 
contract to install an elevator in a ship is not a construction 
contract because a ship is not real property.
    (b) Exempt construction contracts--(1) In general. The general 
requirement to use the PCM and the cost allocation rules described in 
Sec. 1.460-5(b) or (c) does not apply to any long-term construction 
contract described in this paragraph (b) (exempt construction 
contract). Exempt construction contract means any--
    (i) Home construction contract; and
    (ii) Other construction contract that a taxpayer estimates (when 
entering into the contract) will be completed within 2 years of the 
contract commencement date, provided the taxpayer satisfies the 
$10,000,000 gross receipts test described in paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section.
    (2) Home construction contract--(i) In general. A long-term 
construction contract is a home construction contract if a taxpayer 
(including a subcontractor working for a general contractor) reasonably 
expects to attribute 80 percent or more of the estimated total 
allocable contract costs (including the cost of land, materials, and 
services), determined as of the close of the contracting year, to the 
construction of--
    (A) Dwelling units, as defined in section 168(e)(2)(A)(ii)(I), 
contained in buildings containing 4 or fewer dwelling units (including 
buildings with 4 or fewer dwelling units that also have commercial 
units); and
    (B) Improvements to real property directly related to, and located 
at the site of, the dwelling units.
    (ii) Townhouses and rowhouses. Each townhouse or rowhouse is a 
separate building.
    (iii) Common improvements. A taxpayer includes in the cost of the 
dwelling units their allocable share of the cost that the taxpayer 
reasonably expects to incur for any common improvements (e.g., sewers, 
roads, clubhouses) that benefit the dwelling units and that the 
taxpayer is contractually obligated, or required by law, to construct 
within the tract or tracts of land that contain the dwelling units.
    (iv) Mixed use costs. If a contract involves the construction of 
both commercial units and dwelling units within the same building, a 
taxpayer must allocate the costs among the commercial units and 
dwelling units using a reasonable method or combination of reasonable 
methods, such as specific identification, square footage, or fair 
market value.
    (3) $10,000,000 gross receipts test--(i) In general. The 
$10,000,000 gross receipts test is satisfied if a taxpayer's (or 
predecessor's) average annual gross receipts for the 3 taxable years 
preceding the contracting year do not exceed $10,000,000, as determined 
using the principles of the gross receipts test for small resellers 
under Sec. 1.263A-3(b), except as otherwise provided in paragraphs 
(b)(3)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
    (ii) Single employer. To apply the gross receipts test, a taxpayer 
is not required to aggregate the gross receipts of persons treated as a 
single employer solely under section 414(m) and any regulations 
prescribed under section 414.
    (iii) Attribution of gross receipts. A taxpayer must aggregate a 
proportionate share of the construction-related gross receipts of any 
person that has a five

[[Page 24109]]

percent or greater interest in the taxpayer. In addition, a taxpayer 
must aggregate a proportionate share of the construction-related gross 
receipts of any person in which the taxpayer has a five percent or 
greater interest. For this purpose, a taxpayer must determine ownership 
interests as of the first day of the taxpayer's contracting year and 
must include indirect interests in any corporation, partnership, 
estate, trust, or sole proprietorship according to principles similar 
to the constructive ownership rules under sections 1563(e), (f)(2), and 
(f)(3)(A). However, a taxpayer is not required to aggregate under this 
paragraph (b)(3)(iii) any construction-related gross receipts required 
to be aggregated under paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section.
    (c) Residential construction contracts. A taxpayer may determine 
the income from a long-term construction contract that is a residential 
construction contract using either the PCM or the percentage-of-
completion/capitalized-cost method (PCCM) of accounting described in 
Sec. 1.460-4(e). A residential construction contract is a home 
construction contract, as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 
except that the building or buildings being constructed contain more 
than 4 dwelling units.
    Par. 7. Section 1.460-4 is amended by adding paragraphs (a) through 
(i) to read as follows:


Sec. 1.460-4  Methods of accounting for long-term contracts.

    (a) Overview. This section prescribes permissible methods of 
accounting for long-term contracts. Paragraph (b) of this section 
describes the percentage-of-completion method under section 460(b) 
(PCM) that a taxpayer generally must use to determine the income from a 
long-term contract. Paragraph (c) of this section lists permissible 
methods of accounting for exempt construction contracts described in 
Sec. 1.460-3(b)(1) and describes the exempt-contract percentage-of-
completion method (EPCM). Paragraph (d) of this section describes the 
completed-contract method (CCM), which is one of the permissible 
methods of accounting for exempt construction contracts. Paragraph (e) 
describes the percentage-of-completion/capitalized-cost method (PCCM), 
which is a permissible method of accounting for qualified ship 
contracts described in Sec. 1.460-2(d) and residential construction 
contracts described in Sec. 1.460-3(c). Paragraph (f) of this section 
provides rules for determining the alternative minimum taxable income 
(AMTI) from long-term contracts that are not exempted under section 56. 
Paragraph (g) of this section provides rules concerning consistency in 
methods of accounting for long-term contracts. Paragraph (h) of this 
section provides examples illustrating the principles of this section. 
Finally, paragraph (j) of this section provides rules for taxpayers 
that file consolidated tax returns.
    (b) Percentage-of-completion method--(1) In general. Under the PCM, 
a taxpayer generally must include in income the portion of the total 
contract price, as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section, that 
corresponds to the percentage of the entire contract that the taxpayer 
has completed during the taxable year. The percentage of completion 
must be determined by comparing allocable contract costs incurred with 
estimated total allocable contract costs. Thus, the taxpayer includes a 
portion of the total contract price in gross income as the taxpayer 
incurs allocable contract costs.
    (2) Computations. To determine the income from a long-term 
contract, a taxpayer--
    (i) Computes the completion factor for the contract, which is the 
ratio of the cumulative allocable contract costs that the taxpayer has 
incurred through the end of the taxable year to the estimated total 
allocable contract costs that the taxpayer reasonably expects to incur 
under the contract;
    (ii) Computes the amount of cumulative gross receipts from the 
contract by multiplying the completion factor by the total contract 
price;
    (iii) Computes the amount of current-year gross receipts, which is 
the difference between the amount of cumulative gross receipts for the 
current taxable year and the amount of cumulative gross receipts for 
the immediately preceding taxable year (the difference can be a 
positive or negative number); and
    (iv) Takes both the current-year gross receipts and the allocable 
contract costs incurred during the current year into account in 
computing taxable income.
    (3) Post-completion-year income. If a taxpayer has not included the 
total contract price in gross income by the completion year, as defined 
in Sec. 1.460-1(b)(6), the taxpayer must include the remaining portion 
of the total contract price in gross income for the taxable year 
following the completion year. For the treatment of post-completion 
costs, see paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section. See Sec. 1.460-
6(c)(1)(ii) for application of the look-back method as a result of 
adjustments to total contract price.
    (4) Total contract price--(i) In general--(A) Definition. Total 
contract price means the amount that a taxpayer reasonably expects to 
receive under a long-term contract, including holdbacks, retainages, 
and cost reimbursements. See Sec. 1.460-6(c)(1)(ii) and (2)(vi) for 
application of the look-back method as a result of changes in total 
contract price.
    (B) Contingent compensation. Any amounts related to contingent 
rights or obligations, such as bonuses, awards, incentive payments, and 
amounts in dispute, are included in total contract price as soon as it 
is reasonably estimated that they will be received, even if the all 
events test has not yet been met. For example, if a bonus is payable to 
a taxpayer for meeting an early completion date, the bonus is 
includable in total contract price at the time (and to the extent) that 
the taxpayer can predict the achievement of the corresponding objective 
with reasonable certainty. Similarly, a portion of the contract price 
that is in dispute is included in total contract price at the time and 
to the extent that the taxpayer can reasonably expect the dispute will 
be resolved in the taxpayer's favor (without regard to when the 
taxpayer receives payment for the amount in dispute or when the dispute 
is finally resolved.) If a taxpayer has not included an amount of 
contingent compensation in total contract price under this paragraph 
(b)(4)(i) by the taxable year following the completion year, the 
taxpayer must account for that amount of contingent compensation using 
a permissible method of accounting. If it is determined after the 
taxable year following the completion year that an amount included in 
total contract price will not be earned, the taxpayer should deduct 
that amount in the year of the determination.
    (C) Non-long-term contract activities. Total contract price 
includes an allocable share of the gross receipts attributable to a 
non-long-term contract activity, as defined in Sec. 1.460-1(d)(2), if 
the activity is incident to or necessary for the manufacture, building, 
installation, or construction of the subject matter of the long-term 
contract. Total contract price also includes amounts reimbursed for 
independent research and development costs, or bidding and proposal 
costs, under a federal or cost-plus long-term contract (as defined in 
section 460(d)), regardless of whether the research and development, or 
bidding and proposal, activities are incident to or necessary for the 
performance of that long-term contract.
    (ii) Estimating total contract price. A taxpayer must estimate the 
total contract price based upon all the facts and circumstances known 
as of the last day

[[Page 24110]]

of the taxable year. For this purpose, an event that occurs after the 
end of the taxable year must be taken into account if its occurrence 
was reasonably foreseeable and its income was subject to reasonable 
estimation as of the last day of that taxable year.
    (5) Completion factor--(i) Allocable contract costs. A taxpayer 
must use a cost allocation method permitted under either Sec. 1.460-
5(b) or (c) to determine the amount of cumulative allocable contract 
costs and estimated total allocable contract costs that are used to 
determine a contract's completion factor. Allocable contract costs 
include a reimbursable cost that is allocable to the contract.
    (ii) Cumulative allocable contract costs incurred. To determine a 
contract's completion factor for a taxable year, a taxpayer must take 
into account the cumulative allocable contract costs that have been 
incurred, as defined in Sec. 1.460-1(b)(8), through the end of the 
taxable year.
    (iii) Estimating total allocable contract costs. A taxpayer must 
estimate total allocable contract costs for each long-term contract 
based upon all the facts and circumstances known as of the last day of 
the taxable year. For this purpose, an event that occurs after the end 
of the taxable year must be taken into account if its occurrence was 
reasonably foreseeable and its cost was subject to reasonable 
estimation as of the last day of that taxable year. To be considered 
reasonable, an estimate of total allocable contract costs must include 
costs attributable to delay, rework, change orders, technology or 
design problems, or other problems that reasonably can be anticipated 
considering the nature of the contract and prior experience. However, 
estimated total allocable contract costs do not include any contingency 
allowance for costs that, as of the end of the taxable year, are not 
reasonably expected to be incurred in the performance of the contract. 
For example, estimated total allocable contract costs do not include 
any costs attributable to factors not reasonably foreseeable at the end 
of the taxable year, such as third-party litigation, extreme weather 
conditions, strikes, and delays in securing required permits and 
licenses. In addition, the estimated costs of performing other 
agreements that are not aggregated with the contract under Sec. 1.460 -
1(e) that the taxpayer expects to incur with the same customer (e.g., 
follow-on contracts) are not included in estimated total allocable 
contract costs for the initial contract.
    (iv) Pre-contracting-year costs. If a taxpayer reasonably expects 
to enter into a long-term contract in a future taxable year, the 
taxpayer must capitalize all costs incurred prior to entering into the 
contract that will be allocable to that contract (e.g., bidding and 
proposal costs). A taxpayer is not required to compute a completion 
factor, or to include in gross income any amount, related to allocable 
contract costs for any taxable year ending before the contracting year 
or, if applicable, the 10-percent year defined in paragraph (b)(6)(i) 
of this section. In that year, the taxpayer is required to compute a 
completion factor that includes all allocable contract costs that have 
been incurred as of the end of that taxable year (whether previously 
capitalized or deducted) and to take into account in computing taxable 
income the related gross receipts and the previously capitalized 
allocable contract costs.
    (v) Post-completion-year costs. If a taxpayer incurs an allocable 
contract cost after the completion year, the taxpayer must account for 
that cost using a permissible method of accounting. See Sec. 1.460-
6(c)(1)(ii)2) for application of the look-back method as a result of 
adjustments to allocable contract costs.
    (6) 10-percent method--(i) In general. Instead of determining the 
income from a long-term contract beginning with the contracting year, a 
taxpayer may elect to use the 10-percent method under section 
460(b)(5). Under the 10-percent method, a taxpayer does not include in 
gross income any amount related to allocable contract costs until the 
taxable year in which the taxpayer has incurred at least 10 percent of 
the estimated total allocable contract costs (10-percent year). A 
taxpayer must treat costs incurred before the 10-percent year as pre-
contracting-year costs described in paragraph (b)(5)(iv) of this 
section.
    (ii) Election. A taxpayer makes an election under this paragraph 
(b)(6) by using the 10-percent method for all long-term contracts 
entered into during the taxable year of the election on its original 
federal income tax return for the election year. This election is a 
method of accounting and, thus, applies to all long-term contracts 
entered into during and after the taxable year of the election. An 
electing taxpayer must use the 10-percent method to apply the look-back 
method under Sec. 1.460-6 and to determine alternative minimum taxable 
income under paragraph (f) of this section. This election is not 
available if a taxpayer uses the simplified cost-to-cost method 
described in Sec. 1.460-5(c) to compute the completion factor of a 
long-term contract.
    (c) Exempt contract methods--(1) In general. An exempt contract 
method means the method of accounting that a taxpayer must use to 
account for all its long-term contracts (and any portion of a long-term 
contract) that are exempt from the requirements of section 460(a). 
Thus, an exempt contract method applies to exempt construction 
contracts, as defined in Sec. 1.460-3(b); the non-PCM portion of a 
qualified ship contract, as defined in Sec. 1.460-2(d); and the non-PCM 
portion of a residential construction contract, as defined in 
Sec. 1.460-3(c). Permissible exempt contract methods include the PCM, 
the EPCM described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the CCM 
described in paragraph (d) of this section, or any other permissible 
method. See section 446.
    (2) Exempt-contract percentage-of-completion method--(i) In 
general. Similar to the PCM described in paragraph (b) of this section, 
a taxpayer using the EPCM generally must include in income the portion 
of the total contract price, as described in paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section, that corresponds to the percentage of the entire contract that 
the taxpayer has completed during the taxable year. However, under the 
EPCM, the percentage of completion may be determined as of the end of 
the taxable year by using any method of cost comparison (such as 
comparing direct labor costs incurred to date to estimated total direct 
labor costs) or by comparing the work performed on the contract with 
the estimated total work to be performed, rather than by using the 
cost-to-cost comparison required by paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (5) of 
this section, provided such method is used consistently and clearly 
reflects income. In addition, paragraph (b)(3) of this section 
(regarding post-completion-year income), paragraph (b)(6) of this 
section (regarding the 10-percent method) and Sec. 1.460-6 (regarding 
the look-back method) do not apply to the EPCM.
    (ii) Determination of work performed. For purposes of the EPCM, the 
criteria used to compare the work performed on a contract as of the end 
of the taxable year with the estimated total work to be performed must 
clearly reflect the earning of income with respect to the contract. For 
example, in the case of a roadbuilder, a standard of completion solely 
based on miles of roadway completed in a case where the terrain is 
substantially different may not clearly reflect the earning of income 
with respect to the contract.
    (d) Completed-contract method--(1) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraph (d)(4) of this section, a taxpayer using the CCM 
to

[[Page 24111]]

account for a long-term contract must take into account in the 
contract's completion year, as defined in Sec. 1.460-1(b)(6), the gross 
contract price and all allocable contract costs incurred by the 
completion year. A taxpayer may not treat the cost of any materials and 
supplies that were allocated to a contract, but actually remain on hand 
when the contract is completed, as an allocable contract cost.
    (2) Post-completion-year income and costs. If a taxpayer has not 
included an item of contingent compensation (i.e. amounts for which the 
all events test has not been satisfied) in gross contract price under 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section by the completion year, the taxpayer 
must account for this item of contingent compensation using a 
permissible method of accounting. If a taxpayer incurs an allocable 
contract cost after the completion year, the taxpayer must account for 
that cost using a permissible method of accounting.
    (3) Gross contract price. Gross contract price includes all amounts 
(including holdbacks, retainages, and reimbursements) that a taxpayer 
is entitled by law or contract to receive, whether or not the amounts 
are due or have been paid. In addition, gross contract price includes 
all bonuses, awards, and incentive payments, such as a bonus for 
meeting an early completion date, to the extent the all events test is 
satisfied. If a taxpayer performs a non-long-term contract activity, as 
defined in Sec. 1.460-1(d)(2), that is incident to or necessary for the 
manufacture, building, installation, or construction of the subject 
matter of one or more of the taxpayer's long-term contracts, the 
taxpayer must include an allocable share of the gross receipts 
attributable to that activity in the gross contract price of the 
contract(s) benefited by that activity. Gross contract price also 
includes amounts reimbursed for independent research and development 
costs, or bidding and proposal costs, under a federal or cost-plus 
long-term contract (as defined in section 460(d)), regardless of 
whether the research and development, or bidding and proposal, 
activities are incident to or necessary for the performance of that 
long-term contract.
    (4) Contracts with disputed claims--(i) In general. The special 
rules in this paragraph (d)(4) apply to a long-term contract accounted 
for using the CCM with a dispute caused by a customer requesting a 
reduction of the gross contract price or the performance of additional 
work under the contract or by a taxpayer requesting an increase in 
gross contract price, or both, on or after the date a taxpayer has 
tendered the subject matter of the contract to the customer.
    (ii) Taxpayer assured of profit or loss. If the disputed amount 
relates to a customer's claim for either a reduction in price or 
additional work and the taxpayer is assured of either a profit or a 
loss on a long-term contract regardless of the outcome of the dispute, 
the gross contract price, reduced (but not below zero) by the amount 
reasonably in dispute, must be taken into account in the completion 
year. If the disputed amount relates to a taxpayer's claim for an 
increase in price and the taxpayer is assured of either a profit or a 
loss on a long-term contract regardless of the outcome of the dispute, 
the gross contract price must be taken into account in the completion 
year. If the taxpayer is assured a profit on the contract, all 
allocable contract costs incurred by the end of the completion year are 
taken into account in that year. If the taxpayer is assured a loss on 
the contract, all allocable contract costs incurred by the end of the 
completion year, reduced by the amount reasonably in dispute, are taken 
into account in the completion year.
    (iii) Taxpayer unable to determine profit or loss. If the amount 
reasonably in dispute affects so much of the gross contract price or 
allocable contract costs that a taxpayer cannot determine whether a 
profit or loss ultimately will be realized from a long-term contract, 
the taxpayer may not take any of the gross contract price or allocable 
contract costs into account in the completion year.
    (iv) Dispute resolved. Any part of the gross contract price and any 
allocable contract costs that have not been taken into account because 
of the principles described in paragraph (d)(4) (i), (ii) or (iii) of 
this section must be taken into account in the taxable year in which 
the dispute is resolved. If a taxpayer performs additional work under 
the contract because of the dispute, the term taxable year in which the 
dispute is resolved means the taxable year the additional work is 
completed, rather than the taxable year in which the outcome of the 
dispute is determined by agreement, decision, or otherwise.
    (e) Percentage-of-completion/capitalized-cost method. Under the 
PCCM, a taxpayer must determine the income from a long-term contract 
using the PCM for the applicable percentage of the contract and its 
exempt contract method, as defined in paragraph (c) of this section, 
for the remaining percentage of the contract. For residential 
construction contracts described in Sec. 1.460-3(c), the applicable 
percentage is 70 percent, and the remaining percentage is 30 percent. 
For qualified ship contracts described in Sec. 1.460-2(d), the 
applicable percentage is 40 percent, and the remaining percentage is 60 
percent.
    (f) Alternative minimum taxable income--(1) In general. Under 
section 56(a)(3), a taxpayer (not exempt from the AMT under section 
55(e)) must use the PCM to determine its AMTI from any long-term 
contract entered into on or after March 1, 1986, that is not a home 
construction contract, as defined in Sec. 1.460-3(b)(2). For AMTI 
purposes, the PCM must include any election under paragraph (b)(6) of 
this section (concerning the 10-percent method) or under Sec. 1.460-
5(c) (concerning the simplified cost-to-cost method) that the taxpayer 
has made for regular tax purposes. For exempt construction contracts 
described in Sec. 1.460-3(b)(1)(ii), a taxpayer must use the simplified 
cost-to-cost method to determine the completion factor for AMTI 
purposes. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, a 
taxpayer must use AMTI costs and AMTI methods, such as the depreciation 
method described in section 56(a)(1), to determine the completion 
factor of a long-term contract (except a home construction contract) 
for AMTI purposes.
    (2) Election to use regular completion factors. Under this 
paragraph (f)(2), a taxpayer may elect for AMTI purposes to determine 
the completion factors of all of its long-term contracts using the 
methods of accounting and allocable contract costs used for regular 
federal income tax purposes. A taxpayer makes this election by using 
regular methods and regular costs to compute the completion factors of 
all long-term contracts entered into during the taxable year of the 
election for AMTI purposes on its original federal income tax return 
for the election year. This election is a method of accounting and, 
thus, applies to all long-term contracts entered into during and after 
the taxable year of the election. Although a taxpayer may elect to 
compute the completion factor of its long-term contracts using regular 
methods and regular costs, an election under this paragraph (f)(2) does 
not eliminate a taxpayer's obligation to comply with the requirements 
of section 55 when computing AMTI. For example, although a taxpayer may 
elect to use the depreciation methods used for regular tax purposes to 
compute the completion factor of its long-term contracts for AMTI 
purposes, the taxpayer must use the depreciation methods permitted by 
section 56 to compute AMTI.

[[Page 24112]]

    (g) Method of accounting. A taxpayer that uses the PCM, EPCM, CCM, 
PCCM, or elects the 10-percent method or special AMTI method (or 
changes to another method of accounting with the Commissioner's 
consent) must apply the method(s) consistently for all similarly 
classified long-term contracts, until the taxpayer obtains the 
Commissioner's consent under section 446(e) to change to another method 
of accounting.
    (h) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
section:

    Example 1. PCM--estimating total contract price. On January 1, 
1999, C, who uses a calendar taxable year, enters into a contract to 
design and manufacture a satellite (a unique item). The contract 
provides that C will be paid $10,000,000 for delivering the 
completed satellite by December 1, 2000. The contract also provides 
that C will receive a $3,000,000 bonus for delivering the satellite 
by July 1, 2000, and an additional $4,000,000 bonus if the satellite 
successfully performs its mission for five years. C is unable to 
reasonably predict if the satellite will successfully perform its 
mission for five years. If on December 31, 1999, C should reasonably 
expect to deliver the satellite by July 1, 2000, the estimated total 
contract price is $13,000,000 ($10,000,000 unit price + $3,000,000 
production-related bonus). Otherwise, the estimated total contract 
price is $10,000,000. In either event, the $4,000,000 bonus is not 
includable in the estimated total contract price as of December 31, 
1999, because C is unable to reasonably predict that the satellite 
will successfully perform its mission for five years.
    Example 2. PCM--computing income. (i) C, who uses a calendar 
taxable year, determines the income from long-term contracts using 
the PCM. During 1999, C agrees to manufacture for the customer, B, a 
unique item for a total contract price of $1,000,000. Under C's 
contract, B is entitled to retain 10 percent of the total contract 
price until it accepts the item. By the end of 1999, C has incurred 
$200,000 of allocable contract costs and estimates that the total 
allocable contract costs will be $800,000. By the end of 2000, C has 
incurred $600,000 of allocable contract costs and estimates that the 
total allocable contract costs will be $900,000. In 2001, after 
completing the contract, C determines that the actual cost to 
manufacture the item was $750,000.
    (ii) For each of the taxable years, C's income from the contract 
is computed as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Taxable year
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                                     1999             2000             2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Cumulative incurred costs................................        $200,000         $600,000         $750,000
(B) Estimated total costs....................................        $800,000         $900,000         $750,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(C) Completion factor (in percent): (A)(B)...........           25.00            66.67           100.00
(D) Total contract price.....................................      $1,000,000       $1,000,000       $1,000,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(E) Cumulative gross receipts: (C) x (D).....................        $250,000         $666,667       $1,000,000
(F) Cumulative gross receipts: (prior year)..................              (0)       ($250,000)       ($666,667)
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(G) Current-year gross receipts..............................        $250,000         $416,667         $333,333
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(H) Cumulative incurred costs................................        $200,000         $600,000         $750,000
(I) Cumulative incurred costs: (prior year)..................              (0)       ($200,000)       ($600,000)
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(J) Current-year costs.......................................        $200,000         $400,000         $150,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(K) Gross income (G)-(J).....................................         $50,000          $16,667         $183,333
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 3. PCM--computing income with cost sharing. (i) C, who 
uses a calendar taxable year, determines the income from long-term 
contracts using the PCM. During 1999, C enters into a contract to 
manufacture a unique item. The contract specifies a target price of 
$1,000,000, a target cost of $600,000, and a target profit of 
$400,000. C and B will share the savings of any cost under run 
(actual total incurred cost is less than target cost) and the 
additional cost of any cost overrun (actual total incurred cost is 
greater than target cost) as follows: 30 percent to C and 70 percent 
to B. By the end of 1999, C has incurred $200,000 of allocable 
contract costs and estimates that the total allocable contract costs 
will be $600,000. By the end of 2000, C has incurred $300,000 of 
allocable contract costs and estimates that the total allocable 
contract costs will be $400,000. In 2001, after completing the 
contract, C determines that the actual cost to manufacture the item 
was $700,000.
    (ii) For each of the taxable years, C's income from the contract 
is computed as follows (Note that the sharing of any cost under run 
or cost overrun is reflected as an adjustment to C's target price 
under paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section):

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Taxable year
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                                     1999             2000             2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Cumulative incurred costs................................        $200,000         $300,000         $700,000
(B) Estimated total costs....................................        $600,000         $400,000         $700,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(C) Completion factor (in percent): (A)  (B).........           33.33            75.00           100.00
                                                              ==================================================
(D) Target price.............................................      $1,000,000       $1,000,000       $1,000,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(E) Estimated total costs....................................        $600,000         $400,000         $700,000
(F) Target costs.............................................        $600,000         $600,000         $600,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(G) Cost (under run)/overrun: (E) - (F)......................               0        ($200,000)        $100,000
(H) Adjustment rate (in percent).............................              70               70               70
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(I) Target price adjustment..................................               0        ($140,000)         $70,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------

[[Page 24113]]

 
(J) Total contract price: (D) + (I)..........................      $1,000,000         $860,000       $1,070,000
                                                              ==================================================
(K) Cumulative gross receipts: (C)  x  (J)...................        $333,333         $645,000       $1,070,000
(L) Cumulative gross receipts: (prior year)..................              (0)       ($333,333)       ($645,000)
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(M) Current-year gross receipts..............................        $333,333         $311,667         $425,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(N) Cumulative incurred costs................................        $200,000         $300,000         $700,000
(O) Cumulative incurred costs: (prior year)..................              (0)       ($200,000)       ($300,000)
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(P) Current-year costs.......................................        $200,000         $100,000         $400,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(Q) Gross income: (M) - (P)..................................        $133,333         $211,667          $25,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 4. PCM--10 percent method. (i) In November 1999, C, who 
determines income using the PCM and who uses a calendar taxable 
year, agrees to manufacture a unique item for $1,000,000. C 
reasonably estimates that the total allocable contract costs will be 
$600,000. By December 31, 1999, C has received $50,000 in progress 
payments and incurred $40,000 of costs. C elects to use the 10 
percent method effective for 1999 and all subsequent taxable years. 
During 2000, C receives $500,000 in progress payments and incurs 
$260,000 of costs. In 2001, C incurs an additional $300,000 of 
costs, C finishes manufacturing the item, and receives the final 
$450,000 payment.
    (ii) For each of the taxable years, C's income from the contract 
is computed as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Taxable year
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                                     1999             2000             2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Cumulative incurred costs................................         $40,000         $300,000         $600,000
(B) Estimated total costs....................................        $600,000         $600,000         $600,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(C) Completion factor (in percent) (A)  (B)..........            6.67            50.00           100.00
(D) Total contract price.....................................      $1,000,000       $1,000,000       $1,000,000
(E) Cumulative gross receipts: (C)  x  (D) *.................               0         $500,000       $1,000,000
(F) Cumulative gross receipts: (prior year)..................              (0)              (0)       ($500,000)
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(G) Current-year gross receipts..............................               0         $500,000         $500,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(H) Cumulative incurred costs................................               0         $300,000         $600,000
(I) Cumulative incurred costs: (prior year)..................              (0)              (0)       ($300,000)
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(J) Current-year costs.......................................               0         $300,000         $300,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
(K) Gross income: (G) - (J)..................................               0         $200,000        $200,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Unless (C) < 10 percent.

    Example 5. CCM contracts with disputes from customer claims. In 
2001, C, who uses the CCM to account for exempt construction 
contracts and uses a calendar taxable year, enters into a contract 
to construct a bridge for B. The terms of the contract provide for a 
$1,000,000 gross contract price. C finishes the bridge in 2002 at a 
cost of $950,000. When B examines the bridge, B insists that C 
either repaint several girders or reduce the contract price. The 
amount reasonably in dispute is $10,000. In 2003, C and B resolve 
their dispute, C repaints the girders at a cost of $6,000, and C and 
B agree that the contract price is not to be reduced. Because C is 
assured a profit of $40,000 ($1,000,000-$10,000-$950,000) in 2002 
even if the dispute is resolved in B's favor, C must take this 
$40,000 into account in 2002. In 2003, C will earn an additional 
$4,000 profit ($1,000,000-$956,000-$40,000) from the contract with 
B. Thus, C must take into account an additional $10,000 of gross 
contract price and $6,000 of additional contract costs in 2003.
    Example 6. CCM contracts with disputes from taxpayer claims. In 
2003, C, who uses the CCM to account for exempt construction 
contracts and uses a calendar taxable year, enters into a contract 
to construct a building for B. The terms of the contract provide for 
a $1,000,000 gross contract price. C finishes the building in 2004 
at a cost of $1,005,000. B examines the building in 2004 and agrees 
that it meets the contract's specifications; however, at the end of 
2004, C and B are unable to agree on the merits of C's claim for an 
additional $10,000 for items that C alleges are changes in contract 
specifications and B alleges are within the scope of the contract's 
original specifications. In 2005, B agrees to pay C an additional 
$2,000 to satisfy C's claims under the contract. Because the amount 
in dispute affects so much of the gross contract price that C cannot 
determine in 2004 whether a profit or loss will ultimately be 
realized, C may not take any of the gross contract price or 
allocable contract costs into account in 2004. C must take into 
account $1,002,000 of gross contract price and $1,005,000 of 
allocable contract costs in 2005.
    Example 7. CCM--contracts with disputes from taxpayer and 
customer claims. C, who uses the CCM to account for exempt 
construction contracts and uses a calendar taxable year, constructs 
a factory for B pursuant to a long-term contract. Under the terms of 
the contract, B agrees to pay C a total of $1,000,000 for 
construction of the factory. C finishes construction of the factory 
in 1999 at a cost of $1,020,000. When B takes possession of the 
factory and begins operations in December 1999, B is dissatisfied 
with the location and workmanship of certain heating ducts. As of 
the end of 1999, C contends that the heating ducts as constructed 
are in accordance with contract specifications. The amount of the 
gross contract price reasonably in dispute with respect to the 
heating ducts is $6,000. As of this time, C is claiming $14,000 in 
addition to the original contract price for certain changes in 
contract specifications which C alleges have increased his costs. B 
denies that such changes have increased C's

[[Page 24114]]

costs. In 2000 the disputes between C and B are resolved by 
performance of additional work by C at a cost of $1,000 and by an 
agreement that the contract price would be revised downward to 
$996,000. Under these circumstances, C must include in his gross 
income for 1999, $994,000 (the gross contract price less the amount 
reasonably in dispute because of B's claim, or $1,000,000-$6,000). 
In 1999, C must also take into account $1,000,000 of allocable 
contract costs (costs incurred less the amounts in dispute 
attributable to both B and C's claims, or 
$1,020,000-$6,000-$14,000). In 2000, C must take into account an 
additional $2,000 of gross contract price ($996,000-$994,000) and 
$21,000 of allocable contract costs ($1,021,000-$1,000,000).

    (i) Mid-contract change in taxpayer. [Reserved]
* * * * *
    Par. 8. Section 1.460-5 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 1.460-5  Cost allocation rules.

    (a) Overview. This section prescribes methods of allocating costs 
to long-term contracts accounted for using the percentage-of-completion 
method described in Sec. 1.460-4(b) (PCM), the completed-contract 
method described in Sec. 1.460-4(d) (CCM), or the percentage-of-
completion/capitalized-cost method described in Sec. 1.460-4(e) (PCCM). 
Exempt construction contracts described in Sec. 1.460-3(b) accounted 
for using a method other than the PCM, CCM, or PCCM are not subject to 
the cost allocation rules of this section (other than the requirement 
to allocate production period interest under paragraph (b)(2)(v) of 
this section). Paragraph (b) of this section describes the regular cost 
allocation methods for contracts subject to the PCM. Paragraph (c) of 
this section describes an elective simplified cost allocation method 
for contracts subject to the PCM. Paragraph (d) of this section 
describes the cost allocation methods for exempt construction contracts 
reported using the CCM. Paragraph (e) of this section describes the 
cost allocation rules for contracts subject to the PCCM. Paragraph (f) 
of this section describes additional rules applicable to the cost 
allocation methods described in this section. Paragraph (g) of this 
section provides rules concerning consistency in method of allocating 
costs to long-term contracts.
    (b) Cost allocation method for contracts subject to PCM--(1) In 
general. A taxpayer must allocate costs to each long-term contract 
subject to the PCM in the same manner that direct and indirect costs 
are capitalized to property produced by a taxpayer under Sec. 1.263A-
1(e) through (h), except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section. Thus, a taxpayer must allocate to each long-term contract 
subject to the PCM all direct costs and certain indirect costs properly 
allocable to the long-term contract (i.e., all costs that directly 
benefit or are incurred by reason of the performance of the long-term 
contract). However, see paragraph (c) of this section concerning an 
election to allocate contract costs using the simplified cost-to-cost 
method. As in section 263A, the use of the practical capacity concept 
is not permitted. See Sec. 1.263A-2(a)(4).
    (2) Special rules--(i) Direct material costs. The costs of direct 
materials must be allocated to a long-term contract as of the earlier 
of when a direct material is purchased specifically for that contract 
or when dedicated, as defined in Sec. 1.263A--11(b)(2). For this 
purpose, a direct material is purchased specifically for a long-term 
contract if, when incurring the liability for the direct material, a 
taxpayer reasonably expects to incorporate the direct material in the 
subject matter of the contract. A taxpayer maintaining inventories 
under Sec. 1.471-1 must determine allocable contract costs attributable 
to direct materials using its method of accounting for such inventories 
(e.g., FIFO, LIFO, specific identification).
    (ii) Components and subassemblies. The costs of a component or 
subassembly (component) produced by the taxpayer must be allocated to a 
long-term contract as the taxpayer incurs costs to produce the 
component if the taxpayer reasonably expects to incorporate the 
component into the subject matter of the contract. Similarly, the cost 
of a purchased component (including a component purchased from a 
related party) must be allocated to a long-term contract as the 
taxpayer incurs the cost to purchase the component if the taxpayer 
reasonably expects to incorporate the component into the subject matter 
of the contract. In all other cases, the cost of a component must be 
allocated to a long-term contract when the component is dedicated, as 
defined in Sec. 1.263A-11(b)(2). A taxpayer maintaining inventories 
under Sec. 1.471-1 must determine allocable contract costs attributable 
to components using its method of accounting for such inventories 
(e.g., FIFO, LIFO, specific identification).
    (iii) Simplified production methods. A taxpayer may not determine 
allocable contract costs using the simplified production methods 
described in Sec. 1.263A-2(b) and (c).
    (iv) Costs identified under cost-plus long-term contracts and 
federal long-term contracts. To the extent not otherwise allocated to 
the contract under this paragraph (b), a taxpayer must allocate any 
identified costs to a cost-plus long-term contract or federal long-term 
contract (as defined in section 460(d)). Identified cost means any 
cost, including a charge representing the time-value of money, 
identified by the taxpayer or related person as being attributable to 
the taxpayer's cost-plus long-term contract or federal long-term 
contract under the terms of the contract itself or under federal, 
state, or local law or regulation.
    (v) Interest--(A) In general. If property produced under a long-
term contract is designated property, as defined in Sec. 1.263A-8(b) 
(without regard to the exclusion for long-term contracts under 
Sec. 1.263A-8(d)(2)(v)), a taxpayer must allocate interest incurred 
during the production period to the long-term contract in the same 
manner as interest is allocated to property produced by a taxpayer 
under section 263A(f). See Secs. 1.263A-8 to 1.263A-12 generally.
    (B) Production period. Notwithstanding Sec. 1.263A-12(c) and (d), 
for purposes of this paragraph (b)(2)(v), the production period of a 
long-term contract--
    (1) Begins on the later of--
    (i) The contract commencement date, as defined in Sec. 1.460-
1(b)(7); or
    (ii) For a taxpayer using the accrual method of accounting for 
long-term contracts, the date by which 5 percent or more of the total 
estimated costs, including design and planning costs, under the 
contract have been incurred; and
    (2) Ends on the date that the contract is completed, as defined in 
Sec. 1.460-1(c)(3).
    (C) Application of section 263A(f). For purposes of this paragraph 
(b)(2)(v), section 263A(f)(1)(B)(iii) (regarding an estimated 
production period exceeding 1 year and a cost exceeding $1,000,000) 
must be applied on a contract-by-contract basis; except that, in the 
case of a taxpayer using an accrual method of accounting, that section 
must be applied on a property-by-property basis.
    (vi) Research and experimental expenses. Notwithstanding 
Sec. 1.263A-1(e)(3)(ii)(P) and (iii)(B), a taxpayer must allocate 
research and experimental expenses, other than independent research and 
experimental expenses (as defined in section 460(c)(5)), to its long-
term contracts.
    (vii) Service costs--(A) Simplified service cost method--(1) In 
general. To use the simplified service cost method under Sec. 1.263A-
1(h), a taxpayer must allocate the otherwise capitalizable

[[Page 24115]]

mixed service costs among its long-term contracts using a reasonable 
method. For example, otherwise capitalizable mixed service costs may be 
allocated to each long-term contract based on labor hours or contract 
costs allocable to the contract. To be considered reasonable, an 
allocation method must be applied consistently and must not 
disproportionately allocate service costs to contracts expected to be 
completed in the near future.
    (2) Example. The following example illustrates the rule of this 
paragraph (b)(2)(vii)(A):

    Example. Simplified service cost method. During 1999, C, which 
uses a calendar taxable year, produces electronic equipment for 
inventory and enters into long-term contracts to manufacture 
specialized electronic equipment. C's method of allocating mixed 
service costs to the property it produces is the labor-based, 
simplified service cost method described in Sec. 1.263A-1(h)(4). For 
1999, C's total mixed service costs are $100,000, C's section 263A 
labor costs are $500,000, C's section 460 labor costs (i.e. labor 
costs allocable to C's long-term contracts) are $250,000, and C's 
total labor costs are $1,000,000. To determine the amount of mixed 
service costs capitalizable under section 263A for 1999, C 
multiplies the ``total mixed service costs'' incurred during 1999 by 
its 1999 ``section 263A allocation ratio'' (section 263A labor 
costs/total labor costs). Thus, C's capitalizable mixed service 
costs for 1999 are $50,000 ($100,000 x $500,000/$1,000,000). 
Thereafter, C allocates its capitalizable mixed service costs to 
property produced remaining in ending inventory using its 263A 
allocation method (e.g., burden rate, simplified production). 
Similarly, to determine the amount of mixed service costs that are 
allocable to C's long-term contracts for 1999, C multiplies the 
``total mixed service costs'' incurred during 1999 by its 1999 
``section 460 allocation ratio'' (section 460 labor/total labor 
costs). Thus, C's allocable mixed service contract costs for 1999 
are $25,000 ($100,000 x $250,000/ 1,000,000). Thereafter, C 
allocates its allocable mixed service contract costs to each of its 
long-term contracts proportionately based on the 1999 section 460 
labor costs allocable to each long-term contract.

    (B) Jobsite costs. If an administrative, service, or support 
function is performed solely at the jobsite for a specific long-term 
contract, the taxpayer may allocate all the direct and indirect costs 
of that administrative, service, or support function to that long-term 
contract. Similarly, if an administrative, service, or support function 
is performed at the jobsite solely for the taxpayer's long-term 
contract activities, the taxpayer may allocate all the direct and 
indirect costs of that administrative, service, or support function 
among all the long-term contracts performed at that jobsite. For this 
purpose, jobsite means a production plant or a construction site.
    (C) Limitation on other reasonable cost allocation methods. A 
taxpayer may use any other reasonable method of allocating service 
costs, as provided in Sec. 1.263A-1(f)(4), if, for the taxpayer's long-
term contracts considered as a whole, the--
    (1) Total amount of service costs allocated to the contracts does 
not differ significantly from the total amount of service costs that 
would have been allocated to the contracts under Sec. 1.263A-1(f)(2) or 
(3);
    (2) Service costs are not allocated disproportionately to contracts 
expected to be completed in the near future because of the taxpayer's 
cost allocation method; and
    (3) Taxpayer's cost allocation method is applied consistently.
    (c) Simplified cost-to-cost method--(1) In general. Instead of 
using the cost allocation method prescribed in paragraph (b) of this 
section, a taxpayer may elect to use the simplified cost-to-cost 
method, which is authorized under section 460(b)(3)(A). Under the 
simplified cost-to-cost method, a taxpayer determines a contract's 
completion factor based upon only direct material costs; direct labor 
costs; and depreciation, amortization, and cost recovery allowances on 
equipment and facilities directly used to manufacture or construct the 
subject matter of the contract. An electing taxpayer must use the 
simplified cost-to-cost method to apply the look-back method under 
Sec. 1.460-6 and to determine alternative minimum taxable income under 
Sec. 1.460-4(f).
    (2) Election. A taxpayer makes an election under this paragraph (c) 
by using the simplified cost-to-cost method for all long-term contracts 
entered into during the taxable year of the election on its original 
federal income tax return for the election year. This election is a 
method of accounting and, thus, applies to all long-term contracts 
entered into during and after the taxable year of the election. This 
election is not available if a taxpayer does not use the PCM to account 
for all long-term contracts or if a taxpayer elects to use the 10-
percent method described in Sec. 1.460-4(b)(6).
    (d) Cost allocation rules for exempt construction contracts 
reported using the CCM--(1) In general. For exempt construction 
contracts reported using the CCM, other than contracts described in 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section, a taxpayer must annually allocate the 
cost of any activity that is incident to or necessary for the 
taxpayer's performance under a long-term contract. A taxpayer must 
allocate to each such exempt construction contract all direct costs as 
defined in Sec. 1.263A-1(e)(2)(i) and all indirect costs either as 
provided in Sec. 1.263A-1(e)(3) or as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section.
    (2) Indirect costs--(i) Indirect costs allocable to exempt 
construction contracts. A taxpayer allocating costs under this 
paragraph (d)(2) must allocate the following costs to an exempt 
construction contract, other than a contract described in paragraph 
(d)(3) of this section, to the extent incurred in the performance of 
that contract--
    (A) Repair of equipment or facilities;
    (B) Maintenance of equipment or facilities;
    (C) Utilities, such as heat, light, and power, allocable to 
equipment or facilities;
    (D) Rent of equipment or facilities;
    (E) Indirect labor and contract supervisory wages, including basic 
compensation, overtime pay, vacation and holiday pay, sick leave pay 
(other than payments pursuant to a wage continuation plan under section 
105(d) as it existed prior to its repeal in 1983), shift differential, 
payroll taxes, and contributions to a supplemental unemployment 
benefits plan;
    (F) Indirect materials and supplies;
    (G) Noncapitalized tools and equipment;
    (H) Quality control and inspection;
    (I) Taxes otherwise allowable as a deduction under section 164, 
other than state, local, and foreign income taxes, to the extent 
attributable to labor, materials, supplies, equipment, or facilities;
    (J) Depreciation, amortization, and cost-recovery allowances 
reported for the taxable year for financial purposes on equipment and 
facilities to the extent allowable as deductions under chapter 1 of the 
Internal Revenue Code (Code);
    (K) Cost depletion;
    (L) Administrative costs other than the cost of selling or any 
return on capital;
    (M) Compensation paid to officers other than for incidental or 
occasional services;
    (N) Insurance, such as liability insurance on machinery and 
equipment; and
    (O) Interest, as required under paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this 
section.
    (ii) Indirect costs not allocable to exempt construction contracts. 
A taxpayer allocating costs under this paragraph (d)(2) is not required 
to allocate the following costs to an exempt construction contract 
reported using the CCM--
    (A) Marketing and selling expenses, including bidding expenses;

[[Page 24116]]

    (B) Advertising expenses;
    (C) Other distribution expenses;
    (D) General and administrative expenses attributable to the 
performance of services that benefit the taxpayer's activities as a 
whole (e.g., payroll expenses, legal and accounting expenses);
    (E) Research and experimental expenses (described in section 174 
and the regulations thereunder);
    (F) Losses under section 165 and the regulations thereunder;
    (G) Percentage of depletion in excess of cost depletion;
    (H) Depreciation, amortization, and cost recovery allowances on 
equipment and facilities that have been placed in service but are 
temporarily idle (for this purpose, an asset is not considered to be 
temporarily idle on non-working days, and an asset used in construction 
is considered to be idle when it is neither en route to nor located at 
a job-site), and depreciation, amortization and cost recovery 
allowances under chapter 1 of the Code in excess of depreciation, 
amortization, and cost recovery allowances reported by the taxpayer in 
the taxpayer's financial reports;
    (I) Income taxes attributable to income received from long-term 
contracts;
    (J) Contributions paid to or under a stock bonus, pension, profit-
sharing, or annuity plan or other plan deferring the receipt of 
compensation whether or not the plan qualifies under section 401(a), 
and other employee benefit expenses paid or accrued on behalf of labor, 
to the extent the contributions or expenses are otherwise allowable as 
deductions under chapter 1 of the Code. Other employee benefit expenses 
include (but are not limited to): worker's compensation; amounts 
deductible or for whose payment reduction in earnings and profits is 
allowed under section 404A and the regulations thereunder; payments 
pursuant to a wage continuation plan under section 105(d) as it existed 
prior to its repeal in 1983; amounts includible in the gross income of 
employees under a method or arrangement of employer contributions or 
compensation which has the effect of a stock bonus, pension, profit-
sharing, or annuity plan, or other plan deferring the receipt of 
compensation or providing deferred benefits; premiums on life and 
health insurance; and miscellaneous benefits provided for employees 
such as safety, medical treatment, recreational and eating facilities, 
membership dues, etc.;
    (K) Cost attributable to strikes, rework labor, scrap and spoilage; 
and
    (L) Compensation paid to officers attributable to the performance 
of services that benefit the taxpayer's activities as a whole.
    (3) Large homebuilders. A taxpayer must capitalize the costs of 
home construction contracts under section 263A and the regulations 
thereunder, unless the contract will be completed within two years of 
the contract commencement date and the taxpayer satisfies the 
$10,000,000 gross receipts test described in Sec. 1.460-3(b)(3).
    (e) Cost allocation rules for contracts subject to the PCCM. A 
taxpayer must use the cost allocation rules described in paragraph (b) 
of this section to determine the costs allocable to the entire 
qualified ship contract or residential construction contract accounted 
for using the PCCM and may not use the simplified cost-to-cost method 
described in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (f) Special rules applicable to costs allocated under this 
section--(1) Nondeductible costs. A taxpayer may not allocate any 
otherwise allocable contract cost to a long-term contract if any 
section of the Code disallows a deduction for that type of payment or 
expenditure (e.g., an illegal bribe described in section 162(c)).
    (2) Costs incurred for non-long-term contract activities. If a 
taxpayer performs a non-long-term contract activity, as defined in 
Sec. 1.460-1(d)(2), that is incident to or necessary for the 
manufacture, building, installation, or construction of the subject 
matter of one or more of the taxpayer's long-term contracts, the 
taxpayer must allocate the costs attributable to that activity to such 
contract(s).
    (g) Method of accounting. A taxpayer that adopts or elects a cost 
allocation method of accounting (or changes to another cost allocation 
method of accounting with the Commissioner's consent) must apply that 
method consistently for all similarly classified contracts, until the 
taxpayer obtains the Commissioner's consent under section 446(e) to 
change to another cost allocation method.
    Par. 9. Section 1.460-6 is amended as follows:
    1. A sentence is added to the end of paragraph (a)(2).
    2. In the third sentence of paragraph (b)(1), the language ``by 
substituting `80 percent' for `50 percent' with'' is removed and ``by 
substituting `at least 80 percent' for `more than 50 percent' with'' is 
added in its place.
    3. The first sentence of paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A) is revised.
    4. The last two sentences of paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B) are removed.
    5. In the last sentence of paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(C)(2), the language 
``Sec. 5h.6'' is removed and ``Sec. 301.9100-8 of this chapter'' is 
added in its place.
    6. In the fourth sentence of paragraph (c)(2)(v)(A), the language 
``similarly'' is removed.
    7. The first, second, fifth, and sixth sentences of paragraph 
(c)(2)(v)(A) are removed.
    8. In the first sentence of paragraph (c)(2)(vi)(B), the language 
``Sec. 1.451-3(b)(2)(ii), (iii), (iv), and Sec. 1.451-3(d)(2), (3), and 
(4)'' is removed and ``Sec. 1.460-4(b)(4)(i)'' is added in its place.
    9. In the second sentence of paragraph (c)(2)(vi)(B), the language 
``the percentage of completion method and'' is removed.
    10. In the third sentence of paragraph (c)(2)(vi)(B), the language 
``, for purposes of both the percentage of completion method and the 
look-back method'' is removed.
    11. In the fourth sentence of paragraph (c)(2)(vi)(B), the language 
``Similarly, a'' is removed and ``A'' is added in its place.
    12. In the first sentence of paragraph (c)(2)(vi)(C), the language 
``Sec. 1.451-3(e)'' is removed and ``Sec. 1.460-1(e)'' is added in its 
place.
    13. The heading of paragraph (c)(4)(iv) is revised and the last two 
sentences are revised.
    14. In the first sentence of paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(C), the language 
`` within the meaning of section 1504(a)'' is removed and ``, as 
defined in Sec. 1.1502-1(h)'' is added in its place.
    15. In the fourth sentence of paragraph (e)(2), the language `` 
within the meaning of section 1504(a)'' is removed and ``, as defined 
in Sec. 1.1502-1(h)'' is added in its place.
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec. 1.460-6  Look-back method.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * * Paragraph (j) of this section provides guidance 
concerning the election not to apply the look-back method in de minimis 
cases.
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) In general. Except as otherwise provided in section 460(b)(6) 
or Sec. 1.460-6(e), a taxpayer must apply the look-back method to a 
long-term contract in the completion year and in any post-completion 
year for which the taxpayer must adjust total contract price or total 
allocable contract costs, or both, under the PCM. * * *
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iv) Additional interest due on look-back interest only after tax 
liability due.

[[Page 24117]]

* * * Unless a taxpayer is entitled to a tax refund that fully offsets 
the amount of look-back interest due the government, the look-back 
interest owed by the taxpayer compounds under section 6622 from the 
initial due date of the return (without regard to extensions) through 
the date the return, not the Form 8697, is filed. Similarly, if a 
taxpayer is entitled to receive look-back interest, the look-back 
interest compounds under section 6622 from the initial due date of the 
return (without regard to extensions) through the date the return, not 
the Form 8697, is filed.
* * * * *


Secs. 1.460-7 and 1.460-8  [Removed]

    Par. 10. Sections 1.460-7 and 1.460-8 are removed.
Robert E. Wenzel,
Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
[FR Doc. 99-10948 Filed 4-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-U