[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 148 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44649-44653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17503]



[[Page 44649]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 26

[TD 9421]
RIN 1545-BE70


Severance of a Trust for Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) Tax 
Purposes

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of the Treasury 
(Treasury).

ACTION: Final regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations providing guidance 
regarding the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax consequences of 
the severance of a trust in a manner that is effective under state law, 
but that does not meet the requirements of a qualified severance under 
section 2642(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). These final 
regulations also provide guidance regarding the GST tax consequences of 
a qualified severance of a trust with an inclusion ratio between zero 
and one into more than two resulting trusts. These final regulations 
also provide special funding rules applicable to the non-pro rata 
division of certain assets between or among resulting trusts. The 
regulations will affect trusts that are subject to the GST tax.

DATES: Effective Date: The regulations are effective July 31, 2008.
    Applicability Date: For dates of applicability, see Sec.  26.2642-
6(k)(1).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mayer R. Samuels, (202) 622-3090 (not 
a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 2642(a)(3) was added to the Code by the Economic Growth and 
Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), Public Law 107-16 (115 
Stat. 38 (2001). Under section 2642(a)(3), if a trust is divided into 
two or more trusts in a ``qualified severance,'' the separate trusts 
resulting from the severance (resulting trusts), which may have 
different inclusion ratios, will be recognized as separate trusts for 
GST tax purposes. (As used in this guidance, ``resulting trust'' has no 
relation to a resulting trust recognized under the common law of trusts 
and principles of equity.) Once the resulting trusts are recognized as 
separate trusts, the transferor's lifetime GST tax exemption may be 
allocated separately to either trust. In addition, whether or not a GST 
taxable event occurs is determined separately for each resulting trust.
    On August 24, 2004, proposed regulations under section 2642(a)(3) 
regarding qualified severances were published in the Federal Register 
(REG-145987-03, 2004-39 IRB 519, 69 FR 51967). Final regulations were 
published on August 2, 2007 (TD 9348, 2007-37 IRB 563, 72 FR 42291). 
The Treasury Department and IRS determined that certain comments 
received in response to the proposed regulations, and certain 
additional rules under section 2642(a)(3), should be addressed in a 
separate notice of proposed rulemaking. On August 2, 2007, the Federal 
Register published a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-128843-05, 
2007-37 IRB 587, 72 FR 42340) addressing those comments and rules. The 
IRS received one submission containing several comments on the notice 
of proposed rulemaking. The comments contained in the submission are 
discussed below. No public hearing was requested or held.

Explanation of Provisions and Summary of Comments

    Section 26.2642-6(d)(4) of the existing regulations provides that 
each of the trusts resulting from a qualified severance must be funded 
with a fraction or percentage of the original trust, and that the sum 
of those fractions or percentages must be one or one hundred percent, 
respectively. The existing regulations provide that this requirement 
may be satisfied by the funding of each resulting trust with that 
trust's fraction or percentage share of each asset held by the original 
trust (a pro rata division). Section 26.2642-6(d)(4) of the proposed 
regulations permits the funding of the resulting trusts on a non-pro 
rata basis, provided that a special funding rule is also satisfied. 
Specifically, this section of the proposed regulations provides that, 
if the assets of the original trust are divided between or among the 
resulting trusts on a non-pro rata basis, no discounts or other 
reductions from the value of the asset owned by the original trust, 
arising by reason of the division of the original trust's interest in 
the asset between or among the resulting trusts, are permitted for 
purposes of determining the amount used to fund each resulting trust. 
Instead, solely for funding purposes, each resulting trust's interest 
in the stock of a closely held corporation, partnership interest, or 
other asset must be valued by multiplying the fair market value of the 
asset held in the original trust as of the date of severance by the 
fractional or percentage interest in that asset being distributed to 
that resulting trust. Thus, for purposes of the requirements of a 
qualified severance, regardless of whether the funding is done on a pro 
rata basis, the cumulative value of the resulting trusts equals the 
value of the original trust.
    The commentators pointed out that funding pursuant to this rule 
would result in an allocation different from the allocation that would 
normally be obtained from funding based on the state law fair market 
value standard which would take the discounts into account. The 
commentators expressed concern that the resulting shift in beneficial 
interests between or among the resulting trusts could violate the 
trustee's fiduciary duty of impartiality under applicable state law. 
Further, the commentators pointed out that the proposed rule could be 
avoided through the post-severance purchase and sale of assets between 
resulting trusts at fair market value. The commentators recommended an 
alternative funding rule under which the value of the original trust 
would be calculated as the sum of the fair market value of the assets 
to be held by the resulting trusts.
    This recommendation was not adopted in the final regulations. It is 
difficult to see how the fiduciary duty of impartiality is challenged 
more by this funding rule than by a pro rata division of each asset of 
the original trust. The funding rule in the proposed regulations was 
intended to facilitate the funding of the resulting trusts without the 
cost or need for review of appraisals of each severed interest, and 
thus to improve the administrability of the severance provisions. This 
funding rule produces a bright line test, the same result whether or 
not the trust assets are divided on a pro rata basis, and recognizes 
that in many circumstances, where a trust is severed for tax purposes 
into two identical trusts with the same or related beneficiaries, any 
closely held stock or partnership units divided between the two 
resulting trusts are likely to be sold as a unit without any actual 
reduction in value that may be reflected in the claimed discounts. Any 
use of post-severance sales between resulting trusts to avoid these 
funding rules may constitute mere steps in a pre-arranged transaction.
    The commentators pointed out that the nonqualified severance 
illustrated in Sec.  26.2642-6(j), Example 3, of the existing 
regulations will result in a taxable event for GST tax purposes (that 
is, a taxable termination or taxable distribution) if that severance 
occurs on or after the proposed regulations are adopted as final. This 
is because, under the proposed regulations, the severed

[[Page 44650]]

trust is treated as a separate trust for GST tax purposes. Accordingly, 
cautionary language has been added to this example to the effect that a 
GST taxable event will result as a consequence of the severance.
    It was determined that Sec.  26.2642-6(j), Example 12 of the 
proposed regulations addresses the same issue covered in Example 8 of 
Sec.  26.2654-1(a)(5). Therefore, Example 12 has been removed from the 
final regulations and the examples have been renumbered accordingly.
    As requested by the commentators, a new example, Sec.  26.2642-
6(j), Example 13, has been added to confirm that a trust resulting from 
a nonqualified severance may subsequently be severed in a qualified 
severance.
    The commentators noted that the proposed regulations under Sec.  
26.2654-1(a)(1)(iii) address the treatment of severances resulting in 
separate trusts that are required under the terms of a trust instrument 
(mandatory severances) but that are neither severances otherwise 
recognized under section 2654 nor qualified severances under section 
2642. The proposed regulations conclude that the separate shares or 
trusts resulting from such a severance, if recognized as separate 
trusts under state law, will be recognized as separate for GST tax 
purposes. The commentators questioned why the proposed changes to the 
regulations under section 2654 must address those severances that 
result in separate trusts when this issue is already addressed in Sec.  
26.2642-6(h) of the proposed regulations dealing with nonqualified 
severances. Section 26.2654-1(a)(1)(iii) was intended to address only 
mandatory severances that, as with the other types of severances 
covered by Sec.  26.2654-1(a), are dictated by the terms of the trust. 
On the other hand, Sec.  26.2642-6(h) addresses discretionary 
severances, that is, severances that are elective and within the 
discretion of the trustee. The severances described in Sec.  26.2654-1 
are governed by that section. Therefore, the proposed addition to this 
section has not been removed.
    The proposed regulations under section 2654 state a general rule 
that separate shares or trusts resulting from a mandatory severance, 
that are recognized as separate trusts for GST tax purposes, will not 
be treated as separate trusts for purposes of filing income tax returns 
or calculating any other taxes. The comments noted that this statement 
should not apply to shares or trusts that are recognized as separate 
trusts under local law. Rather, this statement should apply only to 
separate shares created within a single trust that are not recognized 
under local law as separate trusts. The final regulations reflect this 
change.

Special Analyses

    It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a 
significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. 
Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been 
determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 
U.S.C. chapter 5) applies only to Sec.  26.2642-6(d)(7)(iii) of these 
regulations. It is hereby certified that this provision will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Accordingly, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required. This 
provision directly affects individuals, not entities. Because the 
remaining sections of these regulations do not impose on small entities 
a collection of information requirement, the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the 
Code, the notice of proposed rulemaking preceding these regulations was 
submitted to the Small Business Administration for comment on their 
impact on small business.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of these final regulations is Mayer R. 
Samuels, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and 
Special Industries), IRS. Other personnel from the IRS and Treasury 
participated in their development.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 26

    Estate taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations

0
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 26 is amended as follows:

PART 26--GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX REGULATIONS UNDER THE TAX 
REFORM ACT OF 1986

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 26 continues to read in 
part as follows:

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

0
Par. 2. In Sec.  26.2600-1, the table of contents is amended by adding 
the entry for Sec.  26.2642-6(h) to read as follows:


Sec.  26.2600-1  Table of contents.

* * * * *


Sec.  26.2642-6  Qualified severance.

* * * * *
    (h) Treatment of trusts resulting from a severance that is not a 
qualified severance.
* * * * *
0
Par. 3. Section 26.2642-6 is amended as follows:
0
1. Paragraphs (d)(4) and (d)(7) are revised.
0
2. Paragraph (h) is added.
0
3. Paragraph (j) Example 3 is revised.
0
4. Paragraph (j) Examples 6, 9, 12, and 13 are added.
0
5. Paragraph (k)(1) is revised.
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  26.2642-6  Qualified severance.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) The single trust (original trust) is severed on a fractional 
basis, such that each new trust (resulting trust) is funded with a 
fraction or percentage of the original trust, and the sum of those 
fractions or percentages is one or one hundred percent, respectively. 
For this purpose, the fraction or percentage may be determined by means 
of a formula (for example, that fraction of the trust the numerator of 
which is equal to the transferor's unused GST tax exemption, and the 
denominator of which is the fair market value of the original trust's 
assets on the date of severance). The severance of a trust based on a 
pecuniary amount does not satisfy this requirement. For example, the 
severance of a trust is not a qualified severance if the trust is 
divided into two trusts, with one trust to be funded with $1,500,000 
and the other trust to be funded with the balance of the original 
trust's assets. With respect to the particular assets to be distributed 
to each separate trust resulting from the severance, each such trust 
may be funded with the appropriate fraction or percentage (pro rata 
portion) of each asset held by the original trust. Alternatively, the 
assets may be divided among the resulting trusts on a non-pro rata 
basis, based on the fair market value of the assets on the date of 
severance. However, if a resulting trust is funded on a non-pro rata 
basis, each asset received by a resulting trust must be valued, solely 
for funding purposes, by multiplying the fair market value of the asset 
held in the original trust as of the date of severance by the fraction 
or percentage of that asset received by that resulting trust. Thus, the 
assets must be valued without taking into account any discount or 
premium arising from the severance, for example, any valuation 
discounts that might arise because the resulting trust receives less 
than the entire interest

[[Page 44651]]

held by the original trust. See paragraph (j), Example 6 of this 
section.
* * * * *
    (7)(i) In the case of a qualified severance occurring after GST tax 
exemption has been allocated to the trust (whether by an affirmative 
allocation, a deemed allocation, or an automatic allocation pursuant to 
the rules contained in section 2632), if the trust has an inclusion 
ratio as defined in Sec.  26.2642-1 that is greater than zero and less 
than one, then either paragraph (d)(7)(ii) or (iii) of this section 
must be satisfied.
    (ii) The trust is severed initially into only two resulting trusts. 
One resulting trust must receive that fractional share of the total 
value of the original trust as of the date of severance that is equal 
to the applicable fraction, as defined in Sec.  26.2642-1(b) and (c), 
used to determine the inclusion ratio of the original trust immediately 
before the severance. The other resulting trust must receive that 
fractional share of the total value of the original trust as of the 
date of severance that is equal to the excess of one over the 
fractional share described in the preceding sentence. The trust 
receiving the fractional share equal to the applicable fraction shall 
have an inclusion ratio of zero, and the other trust shall have an 
inclusion ratio of one. If the applicable fraction with respect to the 
original trust is .50, then, with respect to the two equal trusts 
resulting from the severance, the trustee may designate which of the 
resulting trusts will have an inclusion ratio of zero and which will 
have an inclusion ratio of one. Each separate trust resulting from the 
severance then may be further divided in accordance with the rules of 
this section. See paragraph (j), Example 7, of this section.
    (iii) The trust is severed initially into more than two resulting 
trusts. One or more of the resulting trusts in the aggregate must 
receive that fractional share of the total value of the original trust 
as of the date of severance that is equal to the applicable fraction 
used to determine the inclusion ratio of the original trust immediately 
before the severance. The trust or trusts receiving such fractional 
share shall have an inclusion ratio of zero, and each of the other 
resulting trust or trusts shall have an inclusion ratio of one. (If, 
however, two or more of the resulting trusts each receives the 
fractional share of the total value of the original trust equal to the 
applicable fraction, the trustee may designate which of those resulting 
trusts will have an inclusion ratio of zero and which will have an 
inclusion ratio of one.) The resulting trust or trusts with an 
inclusion ratio of one must receive in the aggregate that fractional 
share of the total value of the original trust as of the date of 
severance that is equal to the excess of one over the fractional share 
described in the second sentence of this paragraph. See paragraph (j), 
Example 9, of this section.
* * * * *
    (h) Treatment of trusts resulting from a severance that is not a 
qualified severance. Trusts resulting from a severance (other than a 
severance recognized for GST tax purposes under Sec.  26.2654-1) that 
does not meet the requirements of a qualified severance under paragraph 
(b) of this section will be treated, after the date of severance, as 
separate trusts for purposes of the GST tax, provided that the trusts 
resulting from such severance are recognized as separate trusts under 
applicable state law. The post-severance treatment of the resulting 
trusts as separate trusts for GST tax purposes generally permits the 
allocation of GST tax exemption, the making of various elections 
permitted for GST tax purposes, and the occurrence of a taxable 
distribution or termination with regard to a particular resulting 
trust, with no GST tax impact on any other trust resulting from that 
severance. Each trust resulting from a severance described in this 
paragraph (h), however, will have the same inclusion ratio immediately 
after the severance as that of the original trust immediately before 
the severance. (See Sec.  26.2654-1 for the inclusion ratio of each 
trust resulting from a severance described in that section.) Further, 
any trust resulting from a nonqualified severance may be severed 
subsequently, pursuant to a qualified severance described in this Sec.  
26.2642-6.
* * * * *
    (j) * * *

    Example 3. Severance based on actuarial value of beneficial 
interests. In 2004, T establishes Trust, an irrevocable trust 
providing that income is to be paid to T's child C during C's 
lifetime. Upon C's death, Trust is to terminate and the assets of 
Trust are to be paid to GC, C's child, if living, or, if GC is not 
then living, to GC's estate. T properly elects, under section 
2632(c)(5), not to have the automatic allocation rules contained in 
section 2632(c) apply with respect to T's transfers to Trust, and T 
does not otherwise allocate GST tax exemption with respect to Trust. 
Thus, Trust has an inclusion ratio of one. In 2009, the trustee of 
Trust, pursuant to applicable state law, divides Trust into two 
separate trusts, Trust 1 for the benefit of C (and on C's death to 
C's estate), and Trust 2 for the benefit of GC (and on GC's death to 
GC's estate). The document severing Trust directs that Trust 1 is to 
be funded with an amount equal to the actuarial value of C's 
interest in Trust prior to the severance, determined under section 
7520 of the Internal Revenue Code. Similarly, Trust 2 is to be 
funded with an amount equal to the actuarial value of GC's interest 
in Trust prior to the severance, determined under section 7520. 
Trust 1 and Trust 2 do not provide for the same succession of 
interests as provided under the terms of the original trust. 
Therefore, the severance is not a qualified severance. Furthermore, 
because the severance results in no non-skip person having an 
interest in Trust 2, Trust 2 constitutes a skip person under section 
2613 and, therefore, the severance results in a taxable termination 
subject to GST tax.
* * * * *
    Example 6. Funding of severed trusts on a non-pro rata basis. 
(i) T's will establishes an irrevocable trust (Trust) for the 
benefit of T's descendants. As a result of the allocation of GST tax 
exemption, the applicable fraction with respect to Trust is .60 and 
Trust's inclusion ratio is .40 [1-.60]. Pursuant to authority 
granted under applicable state law, on August 1, 2008, the trustee 
executes a document severing Trust into two trusts, Trust 1 and 
Trust 2, each of which is identical to Trust. The instrument of 
severance provides that the severance is intended to qualify as a 
qualified severance within the meaning of section 2642(a)(3) and 
designates August 3, 2008, as the date of severance (within the 
meaning of paragraph (d)(3) of this section). The instrument further 
provides that Trust 1 and Trust 2 are to be funded on a non-pro rata 
basis with Trust 1 funded with assets having a fair market value on 
the date of severance equal to 40% of the value of Trust's assets on 
that date and Trust 2 funded with assets having a fair market value 
equal to 60% of the value of Trust's assets on that date. The fair 
market value of the assets used to fund each trust is to be 
determined in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (d)(4) 
of this section.
    (ii) On August 3, 2008, the fair market value of the Trust 
assets totals $4,000,000, consisting of 52% of the outstanding 
common stock in Company, a closely-held corporation, valued at 
$3,000,000 and $1,000,000 in cash and marketable securities. Trustee 
proposes to divide the Company stock equally between Trust 1 and 
Trust 2, and thus transfer 26% of the Company stock to Trust 1 and 
26% of the stock to Trust 2. In addition, the appropriate amount of 
cash and marketable securities will be distributed to each trust. In 
accordance with paragraph (d)(4) of this section, for funding 
purposes, the interest in the Company stock distributed to each 
trust is valued as a pro rata portion of the value of the 52% 
interest in Company held by Trust before severance, without taking 
into account, for example, any valuation discount that might 
otherwise apply in valuing the noncontrolling interest distributed 
to each resulting trust.
    (iii) Accordingly, for funding purposes, each 26% interest in 
Company stock distributed to Trust 1 and Trust 2 is valued at 
$1,500,000 (.5 x $3,000,000). Therefore, Trust 1, which is to be 
funded with $1,600,000 (.40 x $4,000,000), receives $100,000 in cash 
and marketable securities valued as of August 3, 2008, in addition 
to

[[Page 44652]]

the Company stock, and Trust 2, which is to be funded with 
$2,400,000 (.60 x $4,000,000), receives $900,000 in cash and 
marketable securities in addition to the Company stock. Therefore, 
the severance is a qualified severance, provided that all other 
requirements of section 2642(a)(3) and this section are satisfied.
* * * * *
    Example 9. Regulatory qualified severance. (i) In 2004, T 
establishes an inter vivos irrevocable trust (Trust) providing that 
trust income is to be paid annually in equal shares to T's children, 
A and B, for 10 years. Trust provides that the trustee has 
discretion to make additional distributions of principal to A and B 
during the 10-year term without adjustments to their shares of 
income or the trust remainder. If either (or both) dies prior to the 
expiration of the 10-year term, the deceased child's share of trust 
income is to be paid to the child's then living descendants, per 
stirpes, for the balance of the trust term. At the expiration of the 
10-year term, the corpus is to be distributed equally to A and B; if 
A and B (or either or them) is not then living, then such decedent's 
share is to be distributed instead to such decedent's then living 
descendants, per stirpes. T allocates GST tax exemption to Trust 
such that Trust's applicable fraction is .25 and its inclusion ratio 
is .75.
    (ii) In 2006, pursuant to applicable state law, the trustee 
severs the trust into three trusts: Trust 1, Trust 2, and Trust 3. 
The instrument severing Trust provides that Trust 1 is to receive 
50% of Trust's assets, Trust 2 is to receive 25% of Trust's assets, 
and Trust 3 is to receive 25% of Trust's assets. All three resulting 
trusts are identical to Trust, except that each has different 
beneficiaries: A and A's issue are designated as the beneficiaries 
of Trust 1, and B and B's issue are designated as the beneficiaries 
of Trust 2 and Trust 3. The severance constitutes a qualified 
severance, provided that all other requirements of section 
2642(a)(3) and this section are satisfied. Trust 1 will have an 
inclusion ratio of 1. Because both Trust 2 and Trust 3 have each 
received the fractional share of Trust's assets equal to Trust's 
applicable fraction of .25, trustee designates that Trust 2 will 
have an inclusion ratio of one and that Trust 3 will have an 
inclusion ratio of zero.
* * * * *
    Example 12. Other severance that does not meet the requirements 
of a qualified severance. (i) In 2004, T establishes an irrevocable 
inter vivos trust (Trust) providing that Trust income is to be paid 
to T's children, A and B, in equal shares for their joint lives. 
Upon the death of the first to die of A and B, all Trust income will 
be paid to the survivor of A and B. At the death of the survivor, 
the corpus is to be distributed in equal shares to T's 
grandchildren, W and X (with any then-deceased grandchild's share 
being paid in accordance with that grandchild's testamentary general 
power of appointment). W is A's child and X is B's child. T elects 
under section 2632(c)(5) not to have the automatic allocation rules 
contained in section 2632(c) apply with respect to T's transfers to 
Trust, but T allocates GST tax exemption to Trust resulting in Trust 
having an inclusion ratio of .30.
    (ii) In 2009, the trustee of Trust, as permitted by applicable 
state law, divides Trust into two separate trusts, Trust 1 and Trust 
2. Trust 1 provides that trust income is to be paid to A for life 
and, on A's death, the remainder is to be distributed to W (or 
pursuant to W's testamentary general power of appointment). Trust 2 
provides that trust income is to be paid to B for life and, on B's 
death, the remainder is to be distributed to X (or pursuant to X's 
testamentary general power of appointment). Because Trust 1 and 
Trust 2 do not provide A and B with the contingent survivor income 
interests that were provided to A and B under the terms of Trust, 
Trust 1 and Trust 2 do not provide for the same succession of 
interests in the aggregate as provided by Trust. Therefore, the 
severance does not satisfy the requirements of this section and is 
not a qualified severance. Provided that Trust 1 and Trust 2 are 
recognized as separate trusts under applicable state law, Trust 1 
and Trust 2 will be recognized as separate trusts for GST tax 
purposes pursuant to paragraph (h) of this section, prospectively 
from the date of the severance. However, Trust 1 and Trust 2 each 
have an inclusion ratio of .30 immediately after the severance, the 
same as the inclusion ratio of Trust prior to severance.
     Example 13. Qualified severance following a non-qualified 
severance. Assume the same facts as in Example 12, except that, as 
of November 4, 2010, the trustee of Trust 1 severs Trust 1 into two 
trusts, Trust 3 and Trust 4, in accordance with applicable local 
law. The instrument severing Trust 1 provides that both resulting 
trusts have provisions identical to Trust 1. The terms of the 
instrument severing Trust 1 further provide that Trust 3 is to be 
funded on a pro rata basis with assets having a fair market value as 
of the date of severance equal to 70% of the value of Trust 1's 
assets on that date, and Trust 4 is to be funded with assets having 
a fair market value as of the date of severance equal to 30% of the 
value of Trust 1's assets on that date. The severance constitutes a 
qualified severance, provided that all other requirements of section 
2642(a)(3) and this section are satisfied. Trust 3 will have an 
inclusion ratio of zero and Trust 4 will have an inclusion ratio of 
one.

    (k) * * *
    (1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (k), 
this section applies to severances occurring on or after August 2, 
2007. Paragraph (d)(7)(iii), paragraph (h), and Examples 9, 12 and 13 
of paragraph (j) of this section apply to severances occurring on or 
after September 2, 2008.

0
Par. 4. Section 26.2654-1 is amended as follows:
0
1. Paragraph (a)(1)(i) is revised.
0
2. Paragraph (a)(1)(iii) is added.
0
3. In paragraph (a)(5), Example 8 is revised.
0
4. Paragraph (d) is added.
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  26.2654-1  Certain trusts treated as separate trusts.

    (a) * * * (1) * * * (i) * * * If a single trust consists solely of 
substantially separate and independent shares for different 
beneficiaries, the share attributable to each beneficiary (or group of 
beneficiaries) is treated as a separate trust for purposes of Chapter 
13. The phrase ``substantially separate and independent shares'' 
generally has the same meaning as provided in Sec.  1.663(c)-3. 
However, except as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section, a 
portion of a trust is not a separate share unless such share exists 
from and at all times after the creation of the trust. For purposes of 
this paragraph (a)(1), a trust is treated as created at the date of 
death of the grantor if the trust is includible in its entirety in the 
grantor's gross estate for Federal estate tax purposes. Further, except 
with respect to shares or trusts that are treated as separate trusts 
under local law, treatment of a single trust as separate trusts under 
this paragraph (a)(1) does not permit treatment of those portions as 
separate trusts for purposes of filing returns and payment of tax or 
for purposes of computing any other tax imposed under the Internal 
Revenue Code. Also, additions to, and distributions from, such trusts 
are allocated pro rata among the separate trusts, unless the governing 
instrument expressly provides otherwise. See Sec.  26.2642-6 and 
paragraph (b) of this section regarding the treatment, for purposes of 
Chapter 13, of separate trusts resulting from the discretionary 
severance of a single trust.
* * * * *
    (iii) Mandatory severances. For purposes of this section, if the 
governing instrument of a trust requires the division or severance of a 
single trust into separate trusts upon the future occurrence of a 
particular event not within the discretion of the trustee or any other 
person, and if the trusts resulting from such a division or severance 
are recognized as separate trusts under applicable state law, then each 
resulting trust is treated as a separate trust for purposes of Chapter 
13. For this purpose, the rules of paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(C) of this 
section apply with respect to the severance and funding of the trusts. 
Similarly, if the governing instrument requires the division of a 
single trust into separate shares under the circumstances described in 
this paragraph, each such share is treated as a separate trust for 
purposes of Chapter 13. The post-severance treatment of the resulting 
shares or trusts as separate trusts for

[[Page 44653]]

GST tax purposes generally permits the allocation of GST tax exemption, 
the making of various elections permitted for GST tax purposes, and the 
occurrence of a taxable distribution or termination with regard to a 
particular resulting share or trust, with no GST tax impact on any 
other trust or share resulting from that severance. The treatment of a 
single trust as separate trusts under this paragraph (a)(1), however, 
does not permit treatment of those portions as separate trusts for 
purposes of filing returns and payment of tax or for purposes of 
computing any other tax imposed under the Internal Revenue Code, if 
those portions are not treated as separate trusts under local law. 
Also, additions to, and distributions from, such trusts are allocated 
pro rata among the separate trusts, unless the governing instrument 
expressly provides otherwise. Each separate share and each trust 
resulting from a mandatory division or severance described in this 
paragraph will have the same inclusion ratio immediately after the 
severance as that of the original trust immediately before the division 
or severance.
* * * * *
    (5) * * *

    Example 8. Subsequent mandatory division into separate trusts. T 
creates an irrevocable trust that provides the trustee with the 
discretionary power to distribute income or corpus to T's children 
and grandchildren. The trust provides that, when T's youngest child 
reaches age 21, the trust will be divided into separate shares, one 
share for each child of T. The income from a respective child's 
share will be paid to the child during the child's life, with the 
remainder passing on the child's death to such child's children 
(grandchildren of T). The separate shares that come into existence 
when the youngest child reaches age 21 will be recognized as of that 
date as separate trusts for purposes of Chapter 13. The inclusion 
ratio of the separate trusts will be identical to the inclusion 
ratio of the trust before the severance. Any allocation of GST tax 
exemption to the trust after T's youngest child reaches age 21 may 
be made to any one or more of the separate shares. The result would 
be the same if the trust instrument provided that the trust was to 
be divided into separate trusts when T's youngest child reached age 
21, provided that the severance and funding of the separate trusts 
meets the requirements of this section.
* * * * *
    (d) Effective date. Paragraph (a)(1)(i), paragraph (a)(1)(iii), and 
Example 8 of paragraph (a)(5) apply to severances occurring on or after 
September 2, 2008.

Sherri L. Brown,
(Acting) Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
    Approved: July 20, 2008.
Eric Solomon,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. E8-17503 Filed 7-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P