[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 235 (Friday, December 7, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63200-63266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26322]



[[Page 63199]]

Vol. 83

Friday,

No. 235

December 7, 2018

Part II





 Department of the Treasury





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Internal Revenue Service





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26 CFR Part 1





 Guidance Related to the Foreign Tax Credit, Including Guidance 
Implementing Changes Made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 235 / Friday, December 7, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 63200]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[REG-105600-18]
RIN 1545-BO62


Guidance Related to the Foreign Tax Credit, Including Guidance 
Implementing Changes Made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations that provide 
guidance relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit under 
the Internal Revenue Code (the ``Code''). The guidance relates to 
changes made to the applicable law by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the 
``Act''), which was enacted on December 22, 2017. Guidance on other 
foreign tax credit issues, including in relation to pre-Act statutory 
amendments, is also included in this document. The proposed regulations 
provide guidance needed to comply with statutory changes and affect 
individuals and corporations claiming foreign tax credits.

DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing 
must be received by February 5, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-105600-18), Room 5203, 
Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, 
Washington, DC 20224. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through 
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-
105600-18), Courier's desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20044, or sent electronically, via the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov (indicate IRS and 
REG-105600-18).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations 
under Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-13, 1.861-17, and 1.904(b)-3, 
Jeffrey P. Cowan, (202) 317-4924; concerning the proposed regulations 
under Sec. Sec.  1.901(j)-1, 1.904-1 through 1.904-6, 1.904(f)-12, and 
1.954-1, Jeffrey L. Parry, (202) 317-4916, and Larry R. Pounders, (202) 
317-5465; concerning Sec. Sec.  1.78-1 and 1.960-1 through 1.960-7, 
Suzanne M. Walsh, (202) 317-4908; concerning Sec. Sec.  1.965-5 and 
1.965-7, Karen J. Cate, (202) 317-4667; concerning submissions of 
comments and requests for a public hearing, Regina Johnson, (202) 317-
6901 (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Act made several significant changes to the Internal Revenue 
Code with respect to the foreign tax credit rules and related rules for 
allocating and apportioning expenses for purposes of determining the 
foreign tax credit limitation. In particular, the Act repealed the fair 
market value method of asset valuation for purposes of allocating and 
apportioning interest expense under section 864(e)(2), added section 
904(b)(4), added two foreign tax credit limitation categories in 
section 904(d), amended section 960(a) through (c), added section 
960(d) through (f), and repealed section 902 along with making other 
conforming changes. The Act also added section 951A, which requires a 
United States shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation (``CFC'') 
to include certain amounts in income (a ``global intangible low-taxed 
income inclusion'' or ``GILTI inclusion'').
    This document contains proposed regulations (the ``proposed 
regulations'') addressing (1) the allocation and apportionment of 
deductions under sections 861 through 865 and adjustments to the 
foreign tax credit limitation under section 904(b)(4); (2) transition 
rules for overall foreign loss, separate limitation loss, and overall 
domestic loss accounts under section 904(f) and (g), and for the 
carryover and carryback of unused foreign taxes under section 904(c); 
(3) the addition of separate categories under section 904(d) and other 
necessary updates to the regulations under section 904, including 
revisions to the look-through rules and other updates to reflect pre-
Act statutory amendments; (4) the calculation of the exception from 
subpart F income for high-taxed income under section 954(b)(4); (5) the 
determination of deemed paid credits under section 960 and the gross up 
under section 78; and (6) the application of the election under section 
965(n).

Explanation of Provisions

I. Allocation and Apportionment of Deductions and the Calculation of 
Taxable Income for Purposes of Section 904(a)

    The foreign tax credit limitation under section 904 is determined, 
in part, based on a taxpayer's taxable income from sources without the 
United States. Regulations under sections 861 through 865 provide rules 
for allocating and apportioning deductions to determine, among other 
things, a taxpayer's taxable income from sources without the United 
States for purposes of applying section 904. Section 904(b)(4) makes 
certain adjustments to both the taxpayer's taxable income from sources 
without the United States and the taxpayer's entire taxable income for 
purposes of computing the applicable foreign tax credit limitation. 
Proposed Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-13 and 1.861-17 amend 
existing regulations to clarify how deductions are allocated and 
apportioned in general, and provide new rules to account for the 
specific changes made to sections 864(e) and 904 by the Act. Proposed 
Sec.  1.904(b)-3 provides rules regarding the application of section 
904(b)(4) for purposes of determining a taxpayer's foreign tax credit 
limitation.
    The Department of the Treasury (``Treasury Department'') and the 
Internal Revenue Service (``IRS'') have received comments suggesting 
that section 951A, in combination with section 904(d)(1)(A) (the 
``section 951A category''), was intended to provide that the income of 
a United States shareholder derived through the CFC would be subject to 
additional U.S. tax if the foreign effective tax rate is below a 
particular rate, and should be effectively exempt from U.S. tax if the 
foreign effective tax rate is at or above that rate. These comments 
generally cite language in H.R. Rep. 115-466 (2017) (the ``Conference 
Report'') illustrating that no U.S. ``residual tax'' applies to foreign 
earnings subject to a foreign effective tax rate of 13.125 percent or 
more.
    Allocated expenses may reduce the amount of section 951A category 
income included in U.S. taxable income below the amount of the foreign 
base on which the CFC paid at least a 13.125 percent foreign effective 
tax rate, with the effect that the United States shareholder's foreign 
taxes deemed paid may exceed the pre-credit U.S. tax on its section 
951A category income, resulting in excess credits that may not offset 
U.S. tax on other income. This result flows from the fact that the 
foreign tax credit limitation under section 904 is calculated with 
respect to the pre-credit U.S. tax on the shareholder's net foreign 
source taxable income in each separate category. The comments 
nevertheless suggest that taxpayers' inability to reduce U.S. tax on 
non-section 951A category income (such as U.S. source income) with the 
excess credits is tantamount to imposing U.S. ``residual tax'' on 
section 951A category income, even though the actual U.S. tax liability 
on that income, as reduced by foreign tax credits, is zero. The 
comments suggest that in order to assure full

[[Page 63201]]

utilization of foreign tax credits associated with section 951A 
category income that is subject to a foreign effective tax rate of 
13.125 percent or greater, no expenses should be allocated and 
apportioned to the section 951A category income.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that the Act is 
not consistent with this view of how the section 904 limitation should 
apply to the section 951A category. Congress added a new separate 
category under section 904(d)(1) for amounts includible under section 
951A and amended section 904(c) to disallow carryovers of excess 
foreign tax credits in that category, but did not modify the existing 
rules under section 904 or sections 861 through 865 to provide for 
special treatment of expenses allocable to the section 951A category. 
Other provisions added in the Act are inconsistent with the notion 
described by comments that Congress intended effectively to exempt 
section 951A category income that was subject to a certain foreign 
effective tax rate from U.S. tax, since those provisions may result in 
U.S. tax being imposed on income derived through a CFC even if the 
foreign effective tax rate on the income exceeds 13.125 percent. See, 
for example, sections 59A (limiting the benefits of foreign tax 
credits) and 250(a)(2)(B)(ii) (limiting the deduction under section 250 
in certain cases). In addition, numerous provisions in the Code that 
were unamended by the Act apply by their terms to section 951A category 
income, also indicating that Congress did not intend to eliminate 
generally-applicable limitations on foreign tax credits associated with 
foreign earnings of a CFC even if such earnings were subject to a 
certain foreign effective tax rate. For example, the Act did not amend 
provisions that limit the availability of foreign tax credits (such as 
sections 901(j), (k), (l), or (m)) or that reduce (or increase) the 
foreign tax credit limitation in the section 951A category based on 
U.S. or foreign losses in other separate categories or losses in other 
years (sections 904(f) and (g)). These provisions apply to a GILTI 
inclusion and related taxes under section 960(d), and as applied the 
provisions are not consistent with the policy of determining allowable 
foreign tax credits based solely on a CFC's foreign effective tax rate 
because they may reduce the amount of taxes that may be credited 
without regard to the foreign effective tax rate of the CFC. The Act 
did, however, add section 904(b)(4)(B), which disregards certain 
deductions other than those that are ``properly allocable or 
apportioned to'' amounts includible under sections 951A(a) or 951(a)(1) 
and stock that produces amounts includible under section 951A(a) or 
951(a)(1). This new provision plainly contemplates that deductions will 
be allocated and apportioned to the section 951A category.
    Accordingly, the proposed regulations generally apply the existing 
approach of the expense allocation rules to determine taxable income in 
the section 951A category, as well as the new foreign branch category 
described in section 904(d)(1)(B). However, as discussed in Part I.A of 
this Explanation of Provisions, the proposed regulations also provide 
for exempt income and exempt asset treatment with respect to income in 
the section 951A category that is offset by the deduction allowed under 
section 250(a)(1) for inclusions under section 951A(a) and a 
corresponding percentage of the stock of CFCs that generates such 
income. This will generally have the effect of reducing the amount of 
expenses apportioned to the section 951A category.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS recognize that in light of the 
significant reduction in the corporate tax rate and the enactment of 
section 951A, the foreign tax credit limitation and the related expense 
allocation rules will have a broader impact on taxpayers than before 
the Act. In particular, although all U.S. taxpayers claiming foreign 
tax credits were subject to the foreign tax credit limitation under 
section 904, many taxpayers were not significantly affected by the 
limitation so long as the U.S. corporate tax rate was higher than the 
effective foreign tax rate. In addition, the pre-Act deferral system 
that taxed non-passive income earned through foreign subsidiaries (and 
allowed deemed paid foreign tax credits) only upon repatriation allowed 
taxpayers to manage their foreign tax credit limitation by timing 
repatriations. However, the Act's reduction in the U.S. corporate tax 
rate, limitations on deferral, and introduction of a participation 
exemption regime without deemed paid credits has limited the benefits 
of this type of planning. The Treasury Department and the IRS welcome 
comments on the proposed approach and anticipated impacts.
    Many of the existing expense allocation rules have not been 
significantly modified since 1988. Furthermore, for taxable years 
beginning after December 31, 2020, a worldwide affiliated group will be 
able to elect to allocate and apportion interest expense on a worldwide 
basis. See section 864(f). The Treasury Department and the IRS expect 
the implementation of section 864(f) will have a significant impact on 
the effect of interest expense apportionment and will necessitate a 
reexamination of the existing expense allocation rules.
    Therefore, the Treasury Department and the IRS expect to reexamine 
the existing approaches for allocating and apportioning expenses, 
including in particular the apportionment of interest, research and 
experimentation (``R&E''), stewardship, and general & administrative 
expenses, as well as to reexamine the ``CFC netting rule'' in Sec.  
1.861-10(e). The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments with 
respect to specific revisions to the regulations that should be made in 
connection with this review.
    Part I.A of this Explanation of Provisions describes proposed 
changes to the rules addressing exempt income and assets, including the 
application of those rules in the context of the deduction under 
section 250. Part I.B of this Explanation of Provisions describes rules 
to address the allocation and apportionment of the deduction under 
section 250 and clarifying changes to the allocation and apportionment 
of certain other deductions. Part I.C of this Explanation of Provisions 
describes a new rule addressing loans to partnerships by certain 
partners and their affiliates. Part I.D of this Explanation of 
Provisions describes a revision to the CFC netting rule. Part I.E of 
this Explanation of Provisions describes rules for the valuation of 
assets, including stock, for purposes of allocating and apportioning 
deductions. Part I.F of this Explanation of Provisions describes rules 
for characterizing the stock of certain foreign corporations for 
purposes of allocating and apportioning deductions. Part I.G of this 
Explanation of Provisions describes rules for certain elections 
relating to the allocation and apportionment of R&E expenditures. Part 
I.H of this Explanation of Provisions describes rules for applying 
section 904(b)(4).

A. Changes and Clarifications to Definitions of Exempt Income and 
Exempt Asset

    Section 864(e)(3) provides that, for purposes of allocating and 
apportioning any deductible expense, any tax-exempt asset (and any 
income from the asset) is not taken into account. Section 864(e)(3) 
also provides that a similar rule applies for the portion of any 
dividend equal to the deduction allowable under section 243 or 245(a) 
with respect to the dividend and the like portion of any stock the 
dividends on which would be

[[Page 63202]]

so deductible. Section 864(e)(3) was not modified by the Act.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that some taxpayers 
have taken the position that under Sec.  1.861-8T(d)(2)(ii) assets or 
income that are partially exempt, excluded, or eliminated may be 
treated as entirely exempt. This interpretation is inconsistent with 
section 864(e)(3). The proposed regulations revise the definitions of 
exempt income and exempt asset to clarify that income or assets are 
treated as exempt (or partially exempt) under section 864(e)(3) only to 
the extent that the income or the income from the assets are, or are 
treated as, exempt, excluded, or eliminated. Proposed Sec.  1.861-
8(d)(2)(ii)(A).
    New section 250(a)(1) allows a domestic corporate shareholder a 
deduction (the ``section 250 deduction'') equal to portions of its 
foreign-derived intangible income (``FDII''), GILTI inclusion, and the 
amount treated as a dividend under section 78 that is attributable to 
its GILTI inclusion. Because the section 250 deduction effectively 
exempts a portion of certain income, the proposed regulations provide 
that for purposes of applying the expense allocation and apportionment 
rules, the gross income offset by the section 250 deduction is treated 
as exempt income, and the stock or other asset giving rise to that 
income is treated as a partially exempt asset. See Senate Committee on 
Finance, Explanation of the Bill, S. Prt. 115-20, at 376 n.1210 
(November 22, 2017) (``The Committee intends that the deduction allowed 
by new Code section 250 be treated as exempting the deducted income 
from tax.''). This rule does not apply for purposes of determining the 
amount of the foreign derived intangible income in applying section 250 
as the operative section. No inference is intended regarding whether 
the section 250 deduction is treated as giving rise to exempt income or 
assets for any other purpose of the Code other than for purposes of the 
allocation and apportionment of deductions under Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 
through 1.861-17.
    Under proposed Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(ii)(C)(1), a portion of a 
domestic corporation's gross income that is FDII or results from a 
GILTI inclusion (and the corresponding section 78 gross up) is treated 
as exempt income based on the amount of the section 250 deduction 
allowed to the United States shareholder under section 250(a)(1). 
Similarly, the value of a domestic corporation's assets that produce 
FDII or GILTI is reduced to reflect the fact that the income from the 
assets is treated in part as exempt. Proposed Sec.  1.861-
8(d)(2)(ii)(C)(2).
    The amount of the section 250 deduction used to determine the 
amount of gross income that is exempt is reduced to the extent section 
250(a)(2)(B) requires a reduction to the amount of the deduction. 
Therefore, proposed Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(ii)(C) does not apply to treat 
income or assets as exempt if the domestic corporation is not allowed a 
deduction under section 250(a)(2), even though the domestic corporation 
may have FDII or a GILTI inclusion.
    A special rule is provided in proposed Sec.  1.861-
8(d)(2)(ii)(C)(2)(ii) to determine the portion of CFC stock that gives 
rise to a GILTI inclusion that is treated as exempt. The rule provides 
that a portion of CFC stock owned by a domestic corporation that is a 
United States shareholder of the CFC is treated as exempt based on a 
fraction equal to the amount of the section 250 deduction allowed to 
the domestic corporation under section 250(a)(1)(B)(i) (taking into 
account the reduction, if any, required under section 
250(a)(2)(B)(ii)), divided by the domestic corporation's GILTI 
inclusion. In general, the fraction is applied to the portion of the 
CFC stock that is treated as giving rise to a GILTI inclusion and that 
is not assigned to a section 245A subgroup, as determined under the 
rules in proposed Sec.  1.861-13. See Part I.F.1 and I.H of this 
Explanation of Provisions. To the extent the domestic corporation is 
allowed a section 250 deduction for an amount under section 
250(a)(1)(B) (because the domestic corporation has a GILTI inclusion), 
the proposed regulations treat a portion of the stock of a CFC with 
respect to which the domestic corporation is a United States 
shareholder as exempt even if the CFC has a tested loss for the taxable 
year.
    Section 245A(a) allows domestic corporate shareholders a deduction 
equal to the foreign-source portion of dividends received from certain 
foreign corporations (the ``section 245A deduction''), subject to 
certain limitations described in section 246. Although section 
864(e)(3) contemplates that dividends described in sections 243 and 
245(a) are treated similarly to exempt income to the extent of the 
deductions allowed under those sections, section 864(e)(3) does not 
apply to the dividend income reduced by the section 245A deduction. 
Instead, section 904(b)(4) provides for alternative adjustments. See 
Part I.H.2 of this Explanation of Provisions for a discussion of the 
different approaches under section 864(e)(3) and 904(b)(4). Proposed 
Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(iii)(C) clarifies that the section 245A deduction 
does not give rise to exempt income. Similarly, no asset is treated as 
an exempt asset by reason of the section 245A deduction. Different 
treatment is provided under Sec.  1.861-8T(d)(2)(ii)(B) for dividends 
received deductions under sections 243 and 245 because section 
864(e)(3) specifically provides that similar rules to the exempt asset 
and income rules apply to those deductions.
    Finally, the proposed regulations confirm in proposed Sec.  1.861-
8(d)(2)(iv) that earnings and profits excluded from income under 
section 959 (``previously taxed earnings and profits'') do not result 
in any portion of the stock in a CFC being treated as an exempt asset. 
Under Sec. Sec.  1.861-12 and 1.861-12T, stock in a CFC is 
characterized by reference to the income generated each year by the 
CFC's assets. Previously taxed earnings and profits are not a type of 
income that is generated during the taxable year by a CFC's assets; 
rather, the CFC's assets, whether acquired with previously taxed or 
non-previously taxed earnings and profits or with another source of 
funds, generate income used to characterize the stock. For the 
avoidance of doubt, proposed Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(iv) confirms that the 
fact that a CFC has previously taxed earnings and profits does not 
result in any portion of the CFC's stock being treated as an exempt 
asset under section 864(e)(3).

B. Allocation and Apportionment of Foreign Income Taxes, the Section 
250 Deduction, and a Distributive Share of Partnership Deductions

    Section 1.861-8(e) provides rules for allocating and apportioning 
certain deductions. Section 1.861-8(e)(6) provides rules for the 
allocation and apportionment of deductions for state, local, and 
foreign income, war profits and excess profits taxes. In the case of 
deductions for foreign income, war profits and excess profits taxes, 
the allocation and apportionment rules under Sec.  1.861-8(e) are 
intended to be consistent with the principles of Sec.  1.904-6. The 
proposed regulations clarify this result by expressly incorporating the 
principles of Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) in allocating and 
apportioning taxes to the relevant statutory and residual groupings 
(and not just to separate categories of income for purposes of 
determining the foreign tax credit limitation).
    The proposed regulations include rules for allocating and 
apportioning the section 250 deduction. For these purposes, although 
the section 250 deduction is a single deduction that equals the sum of 
the amounts specified

[[Page 63203]]

in section 250(a)(1)(A) and (B), the proposed regulations provide 
separate rules with respect to (i) the portion of the section 250 
deduction for FDII and (ii) the portion of the section 250 deduction 
for the GILTI inclusion and the amount of the section 78 gross up 
attributable to foreign taxes deemed paid with respect to the GILTI 
inclusion. The amount of each portion of the section 250 deduction to 
be allocated and apportioned takes into account any reductions required 
under section 250(a)(2)(B).
    Under proposed Sec.  1.861-8(e)(13), the portion of the section 250 
deduction for FDII is treated as definitely related and allocable to 
the specific class of gross income that is included in the taxpayer's 
foreign-derived deduction eligible income (as defined in section 
250(b)(4)). Although foreign-derived deduction eligible income is an 
amount net of expenses, the class is determined based solely on the 
gross income that is used to calculate foreign-derived deduction 
eligible income. In cases where the income is allocated to a class that 
contains multiple categories under section 904(d) or U.S. source 
income, the deduction is apportioned ratably based on the relative 
amounts of gross income in the different income groupings.
    Proposed Sec.  1.861-8(e)(14) provides a similar rule for the 
portion of the section 250 deduction allowed for the GILTI inclusion 
and the corresponding section 78 gross up. In certain cases, gross 
income from the GILTI inclusion could be in a grouping other than the 
grouping for section 951A category income (for example, because it is 
U.S. source or passive category income). In such cases, the deduction 
for the GILTI inclusion and the section 78 gross up is apportioned 
ratably based on the relative amounts of gross income in the different 
income groupings.
    The proposed regulations also clarify the general rule for 
allocating and apportioning a taxpayer's distributive share of 
partnership deductions. Proposed Sec.  1.861-8(e)(15) provides that if 
a taxpayer is a partner in a partnership, the taxpayer's deductions 
that are allocated and apportioned include the taxpayer's distributive 
share of the partnership's deductions.

C. Special Rule for Specified Partnership Loans

    The Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that certain loans 
made to a partnership by a United States person, or a member of its 
affiliated group, that owns an interest (directly or indirectly) in the 
partnership can result in a distortion in the determination of the 
foreign tax credit limitation under section 904 when the same person 
takes into account both a distributive share of the interest expense 
and the interest income with respect to the same loan. This result 
occurs due to differences in the rules that govern the source and 
separate category of the interest income and those that govern the 
allocation and apportionment of interest expense. To prevent the 
distortive effect of these differences, proposed Sec.  1.861-
9(e)(8)(ii) generally provides that, to the extent the lender in a 
specified partnership loan transaction takes into account both interest 
expense and interest income with respect to the same loan, the interest 
income is assigned to the same statutory and residual groupings as 
those groupings from which the interest expense is deducted, as 
determined under the allocation and apportionment rules in Sec. Sec.  
1.861-9 through 1.861-13. Additionally, proposed Sec.  1.861-9(e)(8)(i) 
provides that, for purposes of applying the allocation and 
apportionment rules, a portion of the loan is not taken into account as 
an asset of the lender based on the ratio of the portion of the 
interest income included by the lender that is subject to this matching 
rule to the total amount of interest income included by the lender with 
respect to the loan in the taxable year. The proposed regulations 
include anti-avoidance rules to extend these provisions to certain 
back-to-back loans or loans made through CFCs. See proposed Sec.  
1.861-9(e)(8)(iii) and (iv). The proposed regulations also apply the 
specified partnership loan rules to transactions that are not loans but 
that give rise to deductions that are allocated and apportioned in the 
same manner as interest expense under Sec.  1.861-9T(b). Proposed Sec.  
1.861-9(e)(8)(v).

D. Revision to CFC Netting Rule Relating to Hybrid Debt

    Section 1.861-10(e)(8)(vi) provides that for purposes of applying 
the CFC netting rule of Sec.  1.861-10(e), certain related party hybrid 
debt is treated as related group indebtedness, but the income derived 
from the hybrid debt is not treated as interest income derived from 
related group indebtedness. As a result, no interest expense is 
generally allocated to income from the hybrid debt, but the debt may 
nevertheless increase the amount of allocable related group 
indebtedness for which a reduction in assets is required under Sec.  
1.861-10(e)(7). This has a distortive effect on the general allocation 
and apportionment of other interest expense under Sec.  1.861-9. The 
proposed regulations revise Sec.  1.861-10(e)(8)(vi) to provide that 
hybrid debt is not treated as related group indebtedness for purposes 
of the CFC netting rule. Proposed Sec.  1.861-10(e)(8)(vi) also 
provides that hybrid debt is not treated as related group indebtedness 
for purposes of determining the foreign base period ratio, which is 
based on the average of related group debt-to-asset ratios in the five 
prior taxable years, even if the hybrid debt was otherwise properly 
treated as related group indebtedness in a prior year. This is 
necessary to prevent distortions that would otherwise arise in 
comparing the ratio in a year in which the hybrid debt was treated as 
related group indebtedness to the ratio in a year in which the hybrid 
debt is not treated as related group indebtedness.

E. Valuation of Assets for Purposes of Apportioning Interest Expense 
and Other Deductions

1. Repeal of Fair Market Value Method and Transition Relief
    Section 864(e)(2) requires taxpayers to apportion interest expense 
on the basis of assets rather than income. Under the asset method, a 
taxpayer apportions interest expense to the various statutory groupings 
based on the average total value of assets within each grouping for the 
taxable year as determined under the asset valuation rules of Sec.  
1.861-9T(g). Before the Act, taxpayers could elect to determine the 
value of their assets under the tax book value, alternative tax book 
value, or the fair market value method, and were required to obtain the 
Commissioner's approval to switch from the fair market value method to 
the tax book or alternative tax book value methods. See Sec.  1.861-
8T(c)(2). In light of the Act's repeal of the fair market value method 
for apportioning interest for taxable years beginning after December 
31, 2017, taxpayers using the fair market value method must switch to 
the tax book or alternative tax book value method for purposes of 
apportioning interest expense for the taxpayer's first taxable year 
beginning after December 31, 2017. Proposed Sec. Sec.  1.861-8(c)(2) 
and 1.861-9(i)(2) provide that the Commissioner's approval is not 
required for this change.
    For purposes of determining asset values, an average of values 
within each statutory grouping is computed for the year on the basis of 
the values of assets at the beginning and end of the year. See Sec.  
1.861-9T(g)(2)(i)(A). The Treasury Department and the IRS understand 
that taxpayers previously using the fair market value method may not 
have had an independent reason to calculate the adjusted tax basis of 
their assets as of the beginning of their first post-2017

[[Page 63204]]

taxable year as required by the tax book value and alternative tax book 
value methods. To provide transitional relief, the proposed regulations 
provide in Sec.  1.861-9(g)(2)(i) that for the first taxable year 
beginning after December 31, 2017, a taxpayer that had been using the 
fair market value method may choose to determine asset values using an 
average of the end of the first quarter and the year-end values of its 
assets, provided that all the members of an affiliated group (as 
defined in Sec.  1.861-11T(d)) make the same choice and no substantial 
distortion would result.
    The amendments made to section 864(e)(2) by the Act repealed the 
fair market value method only for purposes of allocating and 
apportioning interest expense. Accordingly, the fair market value 
method and the rules in Sec.  1.861-9(h) remain applicable for non-
interest expenses that are properly apportioned on the basis of the 
relative fair market values of assets.
2. Clarification of Rules for Adjusting Stock Basis in Nonaffiliated 10 
Percent Owned Corporations for Earnings and Profits
    Under section 864(e)(4)(A) and Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2)(i)(A), for 
purposes of apportioning expenses on the basis of the tax book value of 
assets, certain adjustments are made to the adjusted basis of stock in 
a 10 percent owned corporation based on the earnings and profits (or 
deficits in earnings and profits) of the corporation attributable to 
the stock. The Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that some 
taxpayers have taken the position that the adjustment to basis for 
earnings and profits under Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(2) does not include 
previously taxed earnings and profits. This interpretation is 
inconsistent with the text and purpose of section 864(e)(4) and Sec.  
1.861-12(c)(2). The adjustment under section 864(e)(4) is intended to 
better approximate the value of stock. See Joint Committee on Tax'n, 
General Explanation of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-514) (May 
4, 1987), JCS-10-87, at p.87. Whether or not certain earnings and 
profits are reclassified from earnings described in section 959(c)(3) 
to previously taxed earnings and profits has no bearing on the value of 
the stock. Therefore, the proposed regulations confirm that previously 
taxed earnings and profits are taken into account for purposes of the 
adjustment described in Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2). In addition, the proposed 
regulations clarify that the reference to the ``rules of section 1248'' 
in Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(2)(i)(B) is intended to provide rules for 
determining the pro rata share of earnings and profits attributable to 
the taxpayer's shares, and is not relevant to determining the amount of 
the foreign corporation's earnings and profits subject to the 
adjustment, which is governed by the rules in sections 964(a) and 986. 
Proposed Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2)(i)(B)(2).
    The Treasury Department and the IRS are also aware that taxpayers 
have expressed uncertainty as to which values are used for averaging 
beginning and year-end values in the case of 10 percent owned 
corporations whose stock basis is adjusted under Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2) 
(including rules described in Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(2)), which, in 
general, first eliminates any additions to basis on account of 
previously taxed earnings and profits made under sections 961 and 
1293(d), and then increases or decreases adjusted basis by the 
shareholder's pro rata share of total earnings and profits. The 
proposed regulations clarify in proposed Sec.  1.861-9(g)(2)(i)(B) that 
the beginning and end-of-year values of stock are determined without 
regard to any adjustments under section 961(a) or 1293(d), and before 
making the adjustment for earnings and profits provided in Sec.  1.861-
12(c)(1)(i)(A). The adjustment for total earnings and profits provided 
in Sec.  1.861-12(c)(1)(i)(A) is only made after the average of the 
beginning and end of year values has been determined.
3. Determination of Stock Basis in Connection With Section 965(b)
    In Part VII.D of the Explanation of Provisions of the notice of 
proposed rulemaking for the regulations under section 965, see 83 FR 
39,531, the Treasury Department and the IRS acknowledged that the 
application of section 965(b)(4)(A) and (B) may warrant the issuance of 
special rules for the determination of adjusted basis. For example, if 
the increase in earnings and profits under section 965(b)(4)(B) and 
Sec.  1.965-2(d)(2) is taken into account for purposes of determining 
the increase to adjusted basis under Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2)(i)(A), and 
there is no corresponding reduction to the adjusted basis in the stock 
of the foreign corporation, the tax book value of the stock would be 
overstated by the amount of the increase.
    If a shareholder elects to make the basis adjustments under 
proposed Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(i), the tax book value of the stock of its 
foreign corporations that were specified foreign corporations (as 
defined in Sec.  1.965-1(f)(45)) will generally reflect the proper 
adjusted basis amounts as long as any amounts included in basis under 
proposed Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(ii)(A) are treated similarly to 
adjustments under section 961 and not included in the taxpayer's basis 
in stock under Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(2)(i)(B). Accordingly, proposed Sec.  
1.861-12(c)(2)(i)(B)(1)(ii) provides that, for purposes of Sec.  1.861-
12(c)(2), a taxpayer determines the basis in the stock of a specified 
foreign corporation as if it had made the election under Sec.  1.965-
2(f)(2)(i), even if the taxpayer did not in fact make the election, but 
does not include the amount included in basis under Sec.  1.965-
2(f)(2)(ii)(A) (because the amount of that increase would not be 
included if the increase was by operation of section 961). For this 
purpose, the amount included in basis under proposed Sec.  1.965-
2(f)(2)(ii)(A) is determined without regard to whether any portion of 
the amount is netted against other basis adjustments under proposed 
Sec.  1.965-2(h)(2). Proposed Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2)(i)(B)(1)(ii) applies 
to the taxable year of the inclusion under section 965 as well as to 
future taxable years.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on alternative 
ways to account for section 965(b) that minimize taxpayer burdens 
without distorting the measurement of a CFC's tax book value.

F. Characterization of Stock of Certain Foreign Corporations Under 
Sec.  1.861-12

1. Characterization of CFC Stock To Account for Section 951A Category, 
Treaty Categories, and Section 904(b)(4)
    Section 1.861-12 provides special rules for applying the asset 
method in order to apportion expenses to the separate categories in 
computing the foreign tax credit limitation. The proposed regulations 
clarify in Sec.  1.861-12(a) that Sec.  1.861-12 also applies in 
apportioning expenses among statutory and residual groupings for 
operative sections other than section 904.
    Special rules are provided in Sec.  1.861-12T(c) regarding the 
treatment of stock, including stock in 10 percent owned corporations 
(as defined in Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(2)(ii)) and stock in CFCs. The 
purpose of the stock characterization rules of Sec.  1.861-12T(c) is to 
characterize the stock by reference to the income which the stock 
generates to its owner. With respect to CFCs, the rules generally look 
through to the income generated by the assets of the CFC for purposes 
of characterizing the stock of the CFC. Before the Act, the income 
earned by the CFC was generally assigned to the same separate category 
to which that income would be assigned if earned directly by the United 
States shareholder because the categories of income of a CFC and U.S. 
person were the same, and the look-through rules

[[Page 63205]]

under section 904(d)(3) generally applied to ensure that once income 
was assigned to a separate category, the category of the income was 
maintained when the income was paid or distributed by the CFC to its 
owner or taken into account as an inclusion by the owner.
    As described in Part II.B.3 of this Explanation of Provisions, the 
new separate category for section 951A category income applies only to 
an inclusion by a United States person of gross income under section 
951A(a). Accordingly, gross tested income of a CFC is generally 
assigned to the general category, even though the stock of the CFC may 
give rise to a GILTI inclusion that is section 951A category income in 
the hands of a United States shareholder. Therefore, Sec.  1.861-12T(c) 
would not result in characterizing any of the stock of the CFC as a 
section 951A category asset because the tested income of the CFC is 
assigned to the general category, even though the related income 
included by the United States shareholder is assigned to the section 
951A category. Accordingly, the proposed regulations in Sec.  1.861-13 
provide special rules to account for the fact that, with respect to the 
section 951A category, the application of Sec.  1.861-12T(c) to 
determine the income of the CFC or the income generated by the assets 
of the CFC does not, on its own, reflect the separate category of the 
income generated by the stock of the CFC to the United States 
shareholder. The proposed regulations also address a similar issue that 
arises when a CFC earns U.S. source income that is included under 
section 951(a) or 951A(a) in gross income of a United States 
shareholder who elects under an income tax treaty to treat the 
inclusion as foreign source income, resulting in separate category 
treatment for income resourced under a tax treaty (a ``treaty 
category''). See section 904(h). Proposed Sec.  1.861-13 applies solely 
for purposes of characterizing stock when section 904 is the operative 
section.
    Under proposed Sec.  1.861-13, a taxpayer first determines the 
amount of the stock of a CFC that is characterized in each of the 
statutory groupings described in Sec.  1.861-13(a)(1) under the asset 
method or the modified gross income method. Under the modified gross 
income method, stock of a CFC may be characterized as producing general 
category gross tested income even though the CFC has a tested loss. See 
proposed Sec.  1.861-13(a)(1)(ii).
    Next, a portion of the stock characterized as producing general 
category gross tested income is assigned to the section 951A category. 
Only a portion of the stock so characterized is assigned to the section 
951A category because the amount of the GILTI inclusion by the United 
States shareholder may be less than the aggregate tested income of its 
CFCs because of offsets from another CFC's tested loss or because of a 
reduction for net deemed tangible income return described in section 
951A(b)(2). The inclusion percentage, as defined in section 960(d)(2), 
takes into account the percentage of net CFC tested income that is not 
included under section 951A(a) due to tested losses or the net deemed 
tangible income return. Accordingly, proposed Sec.  1.861-13(a)(2) 
assigns a United States shareholder's stock in a CFC generating gross 
tested income to the section 951A category based on the United States 
shareholder's inclusion percentage as determined under Sec.  1.960-
2(c)(2). In general, earnings and profits related to the gross tested 
income that is not included under section 951A(a), when distributed, 
result in dividend income that is assigned to the general category.
    The use of the inclusion percentage to assign stock to the section 
951A category applies regardless of whether the stock of the CFC 
produces tested income or a tested loss for the year, in order to 
reflect the aggregate nature of the calculation of a United States 
shareholder's GILTI inclusion. Stock of a CFC is generally assigned to 
the statutory grouping for gross tested income, under either the asset 
or modified gross income methods described in proposed Sec.  1.861-
12(c)(3), if the CFC's assets generate gross tested income or if the 
CFC earns gross tested income, even if the CFC ultimately produces a 
tested loss for the taxable year. However, a United States shareholder 
with no GILTI inclusion for a taxable year has an inclusion percentage 
of zero, and therefore none of the stock of its CFCs is assigned to the 
section 951A category in that year.
    Under proposed Sec.  1.861-13(a)(3), a similar rule applies for 
characterizing stock as a treaty category asset if stock of a CFC is 
assigned to the statutory grouping for gross tested income that was 
resourced under a treaty. The portion of the stock of the CFC that is 
assigned to a treaty category is based on the United States 
shareholder's inclusion percentage. In the case of stock of a CFC 
initially assigned to the statutory groupings for gross subpart F 
income that is resourced under a treaty, all of that stock is assigned 
to a treaty category.
    Finally, in the case of stock of a CFC assigned to the general and 
passive categories or the residual grouping for U.S. source income, 
proposed Sec.  1.861-13(a)(5) provides rules for subdividing the 
categories or groupings into a section 245A subgroup and non-section 
245A subgroup for purposes of applying section 904(b)(4). See Part I.H 
of this Explanation of Provisions for a description of the regulations 
under section 904(b)(4). In general, these rules provide that the 
portion of stock that does not generate income that is included under 
section 951A(a) or 951(a)(1) and does not represent income described in 
section 245(a)(5) (which gives rise to a dividends received deduction 
under section 245 instead of section 245A) is assigned to the section 
245A subgroup.
2. Treatment of Gross Tested Income for Tiers of CFCs
    Both the asset method and modified gross income method described in 
Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(3) provide rules to characterize stock in a CFC when 
there are tiers of CFCs. Under the modified gross income method in 
Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(3)(iii), a taxpayer characterizes the value of the 
first-tier CFC based on the gross income net of interest expense of the 
CFC within each relevant separate category. In the case of vertically-
owned CFCs, gross income of any higher-tier CFC includes the gross 
income net of interest expense of any lower-tier CFC, but does not 
include subpart F income of any lower-tier CFC. See Sec.  1.861-
9T(j)(2). However, Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(3)(iii) provides that for 
purposes of applying the modified gross income method to characterize 
CFC stock, the gross income of the first-tier CFC includes the total 
amount of subpart F income (net of interest expense apportioned at the 
level of the CFC that earned the income) of any lower-tier CFC.
    The proposed regulations add similar rules for GILTI inclusions. In 
particular, the proposed regulations provide in Sec. Sec.  1.861-
9(j)(2)(ii)(C) and 1.861-12(c)(3)(iii) that for purposes of 
characterizing CFC stock under the modified gross income method, the 
gross tested income of lower-tier CFCs, net of interest expense 
apportioned to the tested income, is excluded from the gross income of 
intermediate-tier CFCs but is included in the gross income of the 
first-tier CFC. The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on 
whether additional rules are required to account for gross tested 
income earned in lower-tier CFCs, including gross tested income of 
lower-tier CFCs that produce tested losses.

[[Page 63206]]

3. Characterization of Stock of a Noncontrolled 10-Percent Owned 
Foreign Corporation
    To reflect the repeal of section 902, the Act modifies section 
904(d)(2)(E) to provide a new definition for a noncontrolled 10-percent 
owned foreign corporation. The proposed regulations modify Sec.  1.861-
12(c)(4) to provide that stock in a noncontrolled 10-percent owned 
foreign corporation is generally characterized under the same rules 
previously used for noncontrolled section 902 corporations.

G. Allocation and Apportionment of Research and Experimental 
Expenditures

    In general, R&E expenditures are apportioned between groupings 
within product categories according to either a sales or gross income 
method of apportionment at the taxpayer's election. Sec.  1.861-17(c) 
and (d). Under Sec.  1.861-17(e)(1), a taxpayer may choose to use 
either the sales method or gross income method for its original return 
for its first taxable year. The taxpayer's use of either method 
constitutes a binding election to use the method chosen for that year 
and for the subsequent four years. Within this five-year period, the 
election can only be revoked with the Commissioner's consent. A 
taxpayer may change the election at any time after five years, but the 
new election is binding for a new five-year period. Sec.  1.861-
17(e)(2).
    In light of the numerous amendments to the foreign tax credit rules 
made by the Act, the proposed regulations provide a one-time exception 
to the five-year binding election period. Accordingly, under proposed 
Sec.  1.861-17(e)(3), even if a taxpayer is subject to the binding 
election period, for the taxpayer's first taxable year beginning after 
December 31, 2017, the taxpayer may change its apportionment method 
without obtaining the Commissioner's consent. This one-time change of 
method constitutes a binding election to use the method chosen for that 
year and for the next four taxable years.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on whether 
other aspects of Sec.  1.861-17 should be revised in light of the 
changes to section 904(d), in particular the addition of the section 
951A category. For example, because the look-through rules in section 
904(d)(3)(C) do not assign interest, rents, or royalties that reduce 
tested income to the section 951A category, royalties paid by a CFC to 
a United States shareholder are generally general category income even 
though the sales by the CFC to which the royalties relate may generate 
income in the section 951A category to the United States shareholder. 
This could result in R&E expenditures being apportioned under the sales 
method solely to the section 951A category, even though the royalty 
income is assigned to the general category. However, under the gross 
income method, R&E expenditures would be apportioned to both the 
general and section 951A category. Comments are requested on whether 
and how the regulations governing either or both methods should be 
revised to account for the addition of the section 951A category.

H. Section 904(b)(4)

1. Effect of Section 904(b)(4) on the Foreign Tax Credit Limitation
    Under new section 904(b)(4), for purposes of the foreign tax credit 
limitation in section 904(a), a domestic corporation that is a United 
States shareholder with respect to a specified 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation disregards the ``foreign-source portion'' of any dividend 
received from the foreign corporation and any deductions properly 
allocable or apportioned to income (other than amounts includible under 
section 951(a)(1) or 951A(a)) with respect to the stock of the foreign 
corporation or to the stock itself (to the extent income with respect 
to the stock is other than amounts includible under section 951(a)(1) 
or 951A(a)). Dividends and deductions that are disregarded under 
section 904(b)(4) result in an adjustment to both the taxpayer's 
foreign source taxable income in the relevant separate category (the 
numerator of the fraction under section 904(a)) and its worldwide 
taxable income (the denominator of the fraction under section 904(a)) 
in all separate categories.
    In general, under section 904(b)(4), disregarding both the dividend 
income eligible for a deduction under section 245A as well as the 
associated deduction under section 245A has no effect on the foreign 
tax credit limitation in any separate category because they generally 
net to zero. However, additional deductions that are disregarded under 
section 904(b)(4)(B) generally have the effect of increasing the 
foreign tax credit limitation with respect to the separate category to 
which the deductions are allocated and apportioned, because both the 
numerator (foreign source taxable income in the category) and the 
denominator (worldwide taxable income) of the fraction under section 
904(a) are increased by the same amount. In contrast, the limitation in 
other categories will generally decrease because the numerator (foreign 
source taxable income in the category) is unchanged but the denominator 
(worldwide taxable income) of the fraction is increased.
2. Income Other Than Amounts Includible Under Section 951(a)(1) or 
951A(a)
    Section 904(b)(4)(B) requires determining what income with respect 
to stock of a specified 10-percent owned foreign corporation is income 
``other than amounts includible under section 951(a)(1) or 951A(a).'' 
The terms used in section 904(b)(4) are defined by reference to 
definitions provided in section 245A.
    As discussed in Part I.A of this Explanation of Provisions, with 
respect to other dividends received deductions, section 864(e)(3) 
provides that rules similar to the exempt income and exempt asset rules 
apply to the dividends and stock on which the dividends are paid. The 
Act did not extend this treatment to the section 245A deduction but 
instead added section 904(b)(4). In contrast to section 864(e)(3), 
which removes the exempt income and assets from the determination 
before deductions are allocated and apportioned under the rules of 
Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-17, section 904(b)(4) provides that 
the deductions are disregarded after they have been allocated and 
apportioned. Disregarding the deductions after they have been allocated 
and apportioned is consistent with a policy that the deductions are 
properly allocable and apportioned to income eligible for a section 
245A deduction and, therefore, should not be apportioned to income in 
other separate categories or U.S. source income. By disregarding these 
deductions, section 904(b)(4) has the effect of computing the foreign 
tax credit limitation fraction in section 904(a) (but not the pre-
credit U.S. tax) as if the deductions had not been allowed.
    The proposed regulations provide that income ``other than amounts 
includible under section 951(a)(1) or 951A(a)'' refers to income for 
which a section 245A deduction is allowed. Thus, in the case of section 
904(b)(4)(B)(i), proposed Sec.  1.904(b)-3(c)(1) provides that income 
for which a section 245A deduction is allowed means dividends for which 
a section 245A deduction is allowed. In the case of section 
904(b)(4)(B)(ii), proposed Sec.  1.904(b)-3(c)(1) and (2) provide rules 
for determining what amount of stock of the foreign corporation 
corresponds to income that, if distributed, is generally eligible for a

[[Page 63207]]

section 245A deduction, by subdividing a portion of the stock into a 
section 245A subgroup and a non-section 245A subgroup within each 
separate category.
3. Expenses Properly Allocable to Dividend Income
    Proposed Sec.  1.904(b)-3(a)(1)(ii) provides that deductions 
``properly allocable'' to dividends for which a section 245A deduction 
is allowed are disregarded. The amount of properly allocable deductions 
is determined by treating each section 245A subgroup for each separate 
category as a statutory grouping under Sec.  1.861-8(a)(4) for purposes 
of allocating and apportioning deductions. Only dividend income for 
which a section 245A deduction is allowed is included in a section 245A 
subgroup. See Sec.  1.904(b)-3(b) and (c)(1). Because hybrid dividends 
described in section 245A(e)(4), and dividends on stock with respect to 
which the holding period requirements of section 246(c) are not met, 
are ineligible for a deduction under section 245A, the dividends and 
the deductions allocable or apportioned to them are not disregarded 
under section 904(b)(4).
    The deductions allocated and apportioned to the section 245A 
subgroup within each separate category are disregarded for purposes of 
determining the foreign source taxable income in the separate category 
and the entire taxable income included in the fraction under section 
904(a) for all separate categories. Deductions allocated and 
apportioned to the section 245A subgroup within the residual grouping 
for U.S. source income are disregarded solely for purposes of 
determining the denominator of the limitation fraction (worldwide 
taxable income) in the separate categories that have foreign source 
taxable income. Proposed Sec.  1.904(b)-3(a)(2). Dividends in the 
residual grouping for which a section 245A deduction is allowed could 
include, for example, dividends from a United States-owned foreign 
corporation (as defined in section 904(h)(6)) paid out of U.S. source 
income that is neither effectively connected income nor dividend income 
received from a domestic corporation. See sections 245A(c)(3) and 
245(a)(5).
    Proposed Sec.  1.904(b)-3(b) also provides that the section 245A 
deduction is always allocated solely to a section 245A subgroup and 
therefore is always disregarded under section 904(b)(4).
4. Expenses Properly Allocable to Stock
    In order to determine the deductions ``properly allocable'' to 
stock of a specified 10-percent owned foreign corporation that is in 
the section 245A subgroup, the stock is first characterized for 
purposes of allocating and apportioning expenses under Sec.  1.861-12 
and, if applicable, Sec.  1.861-13. In the case of a specified 10-
percent owned foreign corporation that is not a CFC, all of the value 
of its stock is generally in a section 245A subgroup because the stock 
cannot generate an inclusion under section 951(a)(1) or 951A(a). 
Proposed Sec.  1.904(b)-3(c)(2). If the specified 10-percent owned 
foreign corporation is a CFC, a portion of the value of stock in each 
separate category and in the residual grouping for U.S. source income 
is subdivided between a section 245A and non-section 245A subgroup 
under the rules described in Sec.  1.861-13(a)(5). See Part I.F.1 of 
this Explanation of Provisions. The amount of properly allocable 
deductions is determined by treating the section 245A subgroup for each 
separate category as a statutory grouping under Sec.  1.861-8(a)(4) for 
purposes of allocating and apportioning deductions on the basis of 
assets, which include the stock.
    Previously taxed earnings and profits do not affect the amount of 
expenses that are disregarded under section 904(b)(4). The 
characterization of stock in a specified 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation for purposes of section 904(b)(4)(B)(ii) is determined on 
an annual basis by applying the rules in Sec.  1.861-12(c), which 
generally requires applying either the asset method or the modified 
gross income method. Whether or not the CFC has previously taxed 
earnings and profits, including from prior years or due to section 965, 
has no bearing on how either method is applied to characterize stock. 
See also proposed Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2)(i)(B)(2).
5. Coordination With OFL/ODL Rules
    Because the section 904(b)(4) adjustments apply in computing the 
foreign tax credit limitation under section 904(a), proposed Sec.  
1.904(b)-3(d) provides that the adjustments under section 904(b)(4), 
like the adjustments under section 904(b)(2) to account for foreign 
source capital gain net income and rate differentials, apply before the 
operation of both the separate limitation loss and overall foreign loss 
rules in section 904(f) and the overall domestic loss rules in section 
904(g). This rule permits loss accounts to be recaptured out of income 
that is added to the foreign tax credit limitation calculation by 
reason of the section 904(b)(4) adjustments.

II. Foreign Tax Credit Limitation Under Section 904

    The proposed regulations update Sec. Sec.  1.904-1 through 1.904-6 
(the ``section 904 regulations'') to eliminate deadwood and reflect 
statutory amendments made to section 904 before the Act. For example, 
proposed Sec. Sec.  1.904-1 through 1.904-3 reflect the repeal of the 
overall limitation and per-country limitation. Proposed Sec.  1.904-4 
reflects statutory amendments made before the Act eliminating various 
separate categories described in section 904(d)(1).
    The proposed regulations also propose revisions and additions to 
the section 904 regulations to reflect the changes made under the Act. 
Part II.A of this Explanation of Provisions describes proposed 
transition rules to account for the addition of separate categories for 
section 951A category income and foreign branch category income. Part 
II.B of this Explanation of Provisions describes (1) proposed 
amendments to the rules relating to the passive category with respect 
to high-taxed income, export financing interest, and financial services 
income; (2) rules relating to the foreign branch category, section 951A 
category, and separate category described in section 904(d)(6) for 
items resourced under a treaty; and (3) rules for assigning the section 
78 gross up and section 986(c) gain or loss to a separate category. 
Part II.C of this Explanation of Provisions describes updates relating 
to amendments made by the Act replacing references to ``noncontrolled 
section 902 corporations'' with ``non-controlled 10 percent owned 
foreign corporations.'' Part II.D of this Explanation of Provisions 
describes proposed amendments to the look-through rules under sections 
904(d)(3) and (d)(4) to account for the addition of the foreign branch 
category and section 951A category under the Act. Part II.E of this 
Explanation of Provisions describes the proposed changes to the rules 
for allocating and apportioning foreign taxes to separate categories.

A. Transition Rules in Proposed Sec. Sec.  1.904-2(j) and 1.904(f)-
12(j) Accounting for the Increase in Section 904(d)(1) Separate 
Categories

1. Carryovers and Carrybacks of Unused Foreign Taxes Under Section 
904(c)
    The Act does not provide any transition rules for assigning 
carryforwards of unused foreign taxes earned in pre-2018 taxable years 
to a different separate category, including the new post-2017 separate 
categories for section 951A category income and

[[Page 63208]]

foreign branch category income. Therefore, proposed Sec.  1.904-
2(j)(1)(ii) provides that if unused foreign taxes paid or accrued or 
deemed paid with respect to a separate category of income are carried 
forward to a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, those 
taxes are allocated to the same post-2017 separate category as the pre-
2018 separate category from which the unused foreign taxes are carried.
    However, double taxation may result if unused foreign taxes paid, 
accrued, or deemed paid in a pre-2018 taxable year are not assigned to 
the separate category to which the taxes would have been assigned if 
the new post-2017 separate categories had existed in the pre-2018 
taxable year. This could arise, for example, if unused foreign taxes 
imposed on income derived through foreign branches in a pre-2018 
taxable year are not associated with foreign branch category income. 
Matching the unused foreign taxes to the separate category that 
includes income of the same type as the income on which the taxes were 
imposed furthers the purpose of the section 904(c) foreign tax credit 
carryover rules to mitigate the effect of timing differences in the 
recognition of income for U.S. and foreign tax purposes that could 
otherwise result in double taxation. See H.R. Rep. No. 85-775, at 27 
(1957).
    Therefore, proposed Sec.  1.904-2(j)(1)(iii) provides an exception 
that permits taxpayers to assign unused foreign taxes in the pre-2018 
separate category for general category income to the post-2017 separate 
category for foreign branch category income to the extent they would 
have been assigned to that separate category if the taxes had been paid 
or accrued in a post-2017 taxable year. Any remaining unused taxes are 
assigned to the post-2017 separate category for general category 
income. The exception applies only to unused taxes that were paid or 
accrued, and not taxes that were deemed paid with respect to dividends 
or inclusions from foreign corporations, because income derived through 
foreign corporations cannot be foreign branch category income. See Part 
II.B.2 of this Explanation of Provisions.
    Because the new post-2017 separate category for foreign branch 
category income does not include income that would have been passive 
category income or income in a separate category described in proposed 
Sec.  1.904-4(m) that is not listed in section 904(d)(1) (a ``specified 
separate category'') if earned in a pre-2018 taxable year, the 
exception in proposed Sec.  1.904-2(j)(1)(iii) applies only to unused 
foreign taxes that were paid or accrued with respect to income in the 
pre-2018 separate category for general category income. Furthermore, 
because the determination of taxable income in the section 951A 
category is intertwined with numerous other new provisions in the Code 
outside of section 904 that contain novel elements (such as the section 
250 deduction and the new inclusion rules in section 951A that permit 
the sharing of tested losses among CFCs) that did not exist under prior 
law, it is not possible to reconstruct the amount of unused foreign 
taxes in a pre-2018 taxable year that would have been assigned to 
section 951A category income. Therefore, the reallocation exception in 
the proposed regulations does not require or allow taxpayers to assign 
any unused foreign taxes to the post-2017 separate category for section 
951A category income, which is not eligible to be sheltered from U.S. 
tax by foreign tax credit carryovers. See section 904(c).
    The proposed regulations require taxpayers applying the exception 
in Sec.  1.904-2(j)(1)(iii) to analyze general category income earned 
in prior years in order to determine the extent to which the income 
would have been foreign branch category income under the rules 
described in proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f). Unused foreign taxes in the 
general category arising in those prior years are then allocated and 
apportioned under Sec.  1.904-6 between the general category and the 
foreign branch category. This analysis does not require applying any 
other post-Act provisions to prior years (for example, the new expense 
allocation rules described in the proposed regulations would not be 
relevant to the analysis).
    The Treasury Department and the IRS recognize that taxpayers may 
face difficulties in reconstructing the allocation of unused foreign 
taxes. Therefore, the Treasury Department and the IRS request comments 
on whether the final regulations should include a simplified rule for 
taxpayers that choose to reconstruct the allocation of general category 
unused foreign taxes (for example, by looking to the relative amounts 
of foreign branch category and general category income or assets in the 
first post-2017 taxable year to which the unused foreign taxes are 
carried), what form such a rule should take, and whether there are any 
special concerns regarding members that have left a consolidated group. 
See, for example, Sec.  1.904-7(f)(4)(ii).
    All income included in the post-2017 separate category for foreign 
branch category income would have been general category income if 
earned in a pre-2018 taxable year. All income included in the post-2017 
separate categories for general category income, passive category 
income, or income in a specified separate category would have been 
treated as general category income, passive category income, or income 
in a specified separate category, respectively, if earned in a pre-2018 
taxable year. Accordingly, proposed Sec.  1.904-2(j)(2)(ii) and (iii) 
provides that any unused foreign taxes with respect to general category 
income or foreign branch category income in a post-2017 taxable year 
that are carried back to a pre-2018 taxable year are allocated to the 
pre-2018 separate category for general category income, and any excess 
foreign taxes with respect to passive category income or income in a 
specified separate category in a post-2017 taxable year that are 
carried back to a pre-2018 taxable year are allocated to the same pre-
2018 separate category. No rule is included with respect to the post-
2017 separate category for section 951A category income (including a 
separate category for a GILTI inclusion that is resourced under a tax 
treaty), because carrybacks are not allowed for unused foreign taxes in 
that separate category.
2. Separate Limitation Losses, Overall Foreign Losses, and Overall 
Domestic Losses
    Similar to the transition rules for carryovers and carrybacks of 
unused foreign taxes, the proposed regulations provide transition rules 
for recapture in a post-2017 taxable year of an overall foreign loss 
(OFL) or separate limitation loss (SLL) in a pre-2018 separate category 
that offset U.S. source income or income in another pre-2018 separate 
category, respectively, in a pre-2018 taxable year, as well as for 
recapture of an overall domestic loss (ODL) that offset income in a 
pre-2018 separate category in a pre-2018 taxable year.
    Proposed Sec.  1.904(f)-12(j) provides that any SLL or OFL accounts 
in the pre-2018 separate category for passive category income or income 
in a specified separate category remain in the same post-2017 separate 
category. Any SLL or OFL account in the pre-2018 separate category for 
general category income is allocated between the post-2017 separate 
categories for general category income and foreign branch category 
income in the same proportion that any unused foreign taxes with 
respect to the pre-2018 separate category for general category income 
are allocated to those post-2017 separate categories. Therefore, in the 
case of a taxpayer that does not apply the exception described in 
proposed Sec.  1.904-2(j)(1)(iii), all of its SLL or OFL accounts in 
the pre-2018 separate

[[Page 63209]]

category for general category income remain in the general category. In 
addition, if there were no unused foreign taxes in the pre-2018 general 
category to be allocated, proposed Sec.  1.904(f)-12(j)(3)(i) provides 
that all SLL or OFL accounts in the pre-2018 separate category for 
general category income remain in the general category. Similar rules 
are provided with respect to the recapture of SLLs or ODLs that reduced 
income in a separate category in a pre-2018 taxable year, as well as 
for foreign losses that are part of a net operating loss that is 
incurred in a pre-2018 taxable year and carried forward to post-2017 
taxable years.

B. Separate Categories of Income

1. Treatment of Export Financing Interest, High-Taxed Income, and 
Financial Services Income
    Under section 904(d)(2)(B)(iii), passive income does not include 
export financing interest and high-taxed income. Before the Act, the 
only separate category described in section 904(d)(1) aside from 
passive category income was general category income, and therefore 
Sec. Sec.  1.904-4(c) and (h)(2) treated export financing interest and 
high-taxed income as general category income.
    Given the expansion of categories under section 904(d)(1) to 
include foreign branch category and section 951A category income, and 
the fact that section 904(d)(2)(B)(iii) only provides that export 
financing interest and high-taxed income are not passive income, the 
proposed regulations provide that export financing interest and high-
taxed income should be categorized based on whether the income 
otherwise meets the definition of foreign branch category income, 
section 951A category income, or general category income. Therefore, 
the proposed regulations revise Sec.  1.904-4(c) and (h)(2) to provide 
that export financing interest and high-taxed income are assigned to 
separate categories other than passive category income based on the 
general rules in Sec.  1.904-4.
    To coordinate the high-taxed income rules of section 904(d)(2)(F) 
with the new rules for computing foreign income taxes deemed paid under 
section 960 described in Part IV of this Explanation of Provisions, the 
proposed regulations revise the grouping rules of Sec.  1.904-4(c)(4) 
to group passive category income from dividends, subpart F and GILTI 
inclusions from each foreign corporation, and passive category income 
derived from each foreign qualified business unit (QBU), under the 
grouping rules in Sec.  1.904-4(c)(3) rather than by reference to the 
source of the corporation's or QBU's income. The Treasury Department 
and the IRS request comments on whether additional changes should be 
made to the high-taxed income rules in Sec.  1.904-4(c) in light of 
changes to section 904(d) made by the Act.
    Both before and after the Act, section 904(d)(2)(C)(i) provides 
that certain financial services income is treated as general category 
income. However, the Act's addition of foreign branch category and 
section 951A category income, which are new and more specific 
categories, take precedence over the treatment of financial services 
income as general category income. Therefore, the proposed regulations 
provide that any financial services income not treated as foreign 
branch category income or section 951A category income is generally 
treated as general category income. See proposed Sec.  1.904-4(e).
    The proposed regulations do not include any substantive changes to 
the definition of financial services entity in Sec.  1.904-4(e)(3). It 
is intended that the current classification of an entity as a financial 
services entity is generally unaffected by the changes made by the 
proposed regulations to the look-through rules in Sec.  1.904-5. 
However, the Treasury Department and the IRS are considering 
modifications to the gross income-based test for determining financial 
services entity status and request comments in this regard, 
particularly with respect to the appropriate treatment of related party 
payments.
2. Foreign Branch Category Income
i. Gross Income in the Category
    Section 904(d)(1)(B) provides a new separate category for foreign 
branch category income, which is defined in section 904(d)(2)(J) as the 
business profits of a United States person attributable to a qualified 
business unit (QBU) in a foreign country (excluding passive category 
income). Section 904(d)(1)(B) further provides that the amount of 
business profits attributable to a QBU is determined under rules 
established by the Secretary.
    Section 904(d)(2)(J) limits foreign branch income to income of a 
United States person. Therefore, foreign persons (including CFCs) 
cannot have foreign branch category income. While a domestic 
partnership (or other pass-through entity) that is a United States 
person may earn income that is attributable to a foreign branch of such 
partnership, a distributive share of income earned by a domestic 
partnership cannot be foreign branch category income to foreign 
partners of the partnership. To avoid any conflict, the proposed 
regulations define foreign branch category income as the gross income 
of a United States person (other than a pass-through entity).
    Specifically, proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f)(1)(i) provides that foreign 
branch category income means the gross income of a United States person 
(other than a pass-through entity) that is attributable to foreign 
branches held directly or indirectly through disregarded entities by 
the United States person. Foreign branch category income also includes 
a United States person's (other than a pass-through entity) 
distributive share of partnership income that is attributable to a 
foreign branch held by the partnership directly or indirectly through 
another partnership or other pass-through entity. Similar principles 
apply for income of any other type of pass-through entity that is 
attributable to a foreign branch. All the income described is 
aggregated in a single foreign branch category; there are not separate 
categories for each foreign branch. Conforming changes are made to the 
rules for allocating and apportioning partnership deductions and 
creditable foreign tax expenditures. See proposed Sec. Sec.  1.861-
9(e)(9) and 1.904-6(b)(4)(ii).
    In general, gross income is attributable to a foreign branch to the 
extent it is reflected on a foreign branch's separate set of books and 
records. For this purpose, items of gross income must be adjusted to 
conform to Federal income tax principles. In addition, the proposed 
regulations provide several rules adjusting the gross income 
attributable to a foreign branch from what is reflected on the foreign 
branch's separate set of books and records.
    First, the proposed regulations provide that gross income 
attributable to a foreign branch does not include items arising from 
activities carried out in the United States. Proposed Sec.  1.904-
4(f)(2)(ii).
    Second, the regulations provide that gross income attributable to a 
foreign branch does not include items of gross income arising from 
stock, including dividend income, income included under section 
951(a)(1), 951A(a), or 1293(a) or gain from the disposition of stock. 
Proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f)(2)(iii)(A); cf. Sec.  1.987-2(b)(2) 
(providing a similar rule in connection with attribution of items of 
income, gain, deduction, or loss to a section 987 QBU). An exception is 
provided for gain from the disposition of stock, where the stock would 
be

[[Page 63210]]

dealer property. Proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f)(2)(iii)(B).
    Third, the proposed regulations provide that foreign branch 
category income does not include gain realized by a foreign branch 
owner on the disposition of an interest in a disregarded entity or an 
interest in a partnership or other pass-through entity. Proposed Sec.  
1.904-4(f)(2)(iv)(A). However, an exception is provided for the sale of 
a partnership interest if the gain is reflected on the books and 
records of a foreign branch and the interest is held in the ordinary 
course of the foreign branch owner's trade or business. Proposed Sec.  
1.904-4(f)(2)(iv)(B).
    Fourth, the proposed regulations provide anti-abuse rules relating 
to the reflection of income on the books and records of a branch. The 
Treasury Department and the IRS are concerned that in certain cases 
gross income items could be inappropriately recorded on the books and 
records of a foreign branch or a foreign branch owner. Therefore, the 
proposed regulations include an anti-abuse rule providing for the 
reattribution of gross income if a principal purpose of recording, or 
failing to record, an item on the books and records of a foreign branch 
is the avoidance of Federal income tax or avoiding the purposes of 
section 904 or section 250. Proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f)(2)(v). The rule 
further provides a presumption that interest income received by a 
foreign branch from a related party is not gross income attributable to 
the foreign branch unless the interest income meets the definition of 
financial services income.
    Finally, in order to accurately reflect the gross income 
attributable to a foreign branch, a determination that affects not only 
the application of section 904(a) but also the determination of 
deduction eligible income under section 250(b)(3)(A), the proposed 
regulations provide that gross income attributable to a foreign branch 
that is not passive category income must be adjusted to reflect certain 
transactions that are disregarded for Federal income tax purposes. 
Proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f)(2)(vi). This rule applies to transactions 
between a foreign branch and its foreign branch owner, as well as 
transactions between or among foreign branches, involving payments that 
would be deductible or capitalized if the payment were regarded for 
Federal income tax purposes. For example, a payment made by a foreign 
branch to its foreign branch owner may, to the extent allocable to non-
passive category income, result in a downward adjustment to the gross 
income attributable to the foreign branch and an increase in the 
general category gross income of the United States person. Each payment 
in a series of disregarded back-to-back payments, for example, a 
payment from one foreign branch to another foreign branch followed by a 
payment to the foreign branch owner, must be accounted for separately 
under these rules. Comments are requested on whether special rules are 
required in the case of a true branch (generally, a branch that is 
taxable solely on profits from a business conducted in the country and 
not taxable as a resident of that country) with respect to amounts that 
are deemed to be made to or from the home office of the branch under 
the foreign jurisdiction's rules for attributing profits to the branch.
    In general, the proposed regulations do not treat disregarded 
transactions as ``regarded'' for Federal income tax purposes; rather, 
they provide that certain disregarded transactions result in a 
redetermination of whether gross income of the United States person is 
attributable to its foreign branch or to the foreign branch owner. 
Thus, while disregarded transactions may allocate income between the 
foreign branch category and the general category, those transactions 
have no effect on the amount, character, or source of a United States 
person's gross income. U.S. source gross income that is reallocated 
from the general category to the foreign branch category and that is 
properly subject to foreign tax may be eligible to be treated as 
foreign source income under the terms of an income tax treaty, in which 
case the resourced income would be subject to a separate foreign tax 
credit limitation for income resourced under a tax treaty. See section 
904(d)(6).
    The proposed regulations provide an exception from the special 
rules regarding disregarded transactions that applies to contributions, 
remittances, and payments of interest (including certain interest 
equivalents). Proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f)(2)(vi)(C). Generally, 
contributions, remittances, and interest payments to or from a foreign 
branch reflect a shift of, or return on, capital rather than a payment 
for goods and services. However, the different treatment of 
contributions and remittances, on the one hand, and other disregarded 
transactions, on the other, could allow for non-economic reallocations 
of the amount of gross income attributable to the foreign branch 
category. To prevent this in connection with certain transactions, the 
proposed regulations require the amount of gross income attributable to 
a foreign branch (and the amount attributable to the foreign branch 
owner) to be adjusted to account for consideration that would be due in 
any disregarded transactions in which property described in section 
367(d)(4) is transferred to or from a foreign branch if the 
transactions were regarded, whether or not a disregarded payment is 
made in connection with the transfer. Proposed Sec.  1.904-
4(f)(2)(vi)(D). The proposed regulations further require that the 
amount of any adjustment under the disregarded payment provisions must 
be determined under the arm's length principle of section 482 and the 
regulations under that section. Proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f)(2)(vi)(E).
    The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on how 
adjustments relating to these transactions could be limited or 
simplified to reduce administrative and compliance burdens while still 
providing for an accurate categorization of gross income, consistent 
with the purpose of both sections 904 and 250(b)(3)(A). For example, 
comments are requested on whether these rules should be narrowed to 
cover a more limited set of transactions or whether disregarded 
payments should be netted before determining the amount of 
reallocation.
    The proposed regulations do not propose any special rules for 
determining the amount of deductions allocated and apportioned to 
foreign branch category income, including deductions reflected on the 
books and records of foreign branches. Therefore, the proposed 
regulations provide that the rules for allocating and apportioning 
deductions in Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-17 that apply with 
respect to the other separate categories also apply to the foreign 
branch category. The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments 
on whether any special rules should be issued for determining the 
allocation and apportionment of deductions between the foreign branch 
category and the general category. In addition, the Treasury Department 
and the IRS request comments on whether special rules should be 
provided for financial institutions with branches subject to regulatory 
capital requirements, including for example, rules similar to those in 
Sec.  1.882-5.
ii. Definition of a Foreign Branch
    The proposed regulations define a foreign branch by reference to 
the regulations under section 989 (``section 989 regulations'') by 
providing that a foreign branch is a QBU described in Sec.  1.989(a)-
1(b)(2)(ii) and (b)(3) that carries on a trade or business outside the 
United States. Proposed Sec.  1.904-

[[Page 63211]]

4(f)(3)(iii). In general, Sec.  1.989(a)-1(b)(2)(ii) provides rules for 
treating activities of a branch of a taxpayer as a QBU. Specifically, 
it provides that the activities of a corporation, partnership, trust, 
estate, or individual qualify as a separate QBU if the activities 
constitute a trade or business, and a separate set of books and records 
is maintained with respect to the activities. Section 1.989(a)-1(b)(3) 
includes a special rule treating activities generating income 
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business as a 
separate QBU.
    The section 989 regulations treat partnerships and trusts as per se 
QBUs. See Sec.  1.989(a)-1(b)(2)(i). As a result, they do not include a 
rule treating the activities of a partnership or trust that constitute 
a trade or business, but for which a separate set of books and records 
is not maintained, as a QBU. For example, Sec.  1.989(a)-1(b)(2)(ii) 
would not treat the activities of a partnership QBU as a QBU if no 
separate set of books is maintained with respect to the activities.
    In order to ensure that foreign branch category income does not 
include income reflected on the books and records of a QBU unless the 
QBU conducts a trade or business, the proposed regulations' definition 
of foreign branch does not incorporate the section 989 regulations' per 
se QBU rules, and instead requires that a foreign branch carry on a 
trade or business. In addition, the proposed regulations include a 
special rule, as illustrated by an example, providing that a foreign 
branch may consist of activities conducted through a partnership or 
trust that constitute a trade or business conducted outside the United 
States, but for which no separate set of books and records is 
maintained. See Sec.  1.904-4(f)(4)(i), Example 1.
    The proposed regulations also modify the trade or business 
requirements in the section 989 regulations for purposes of the foreign 
branch definition. Specifically, to constitute a foreign branch, a QBU 
must carry on a trade or business outside the United States. For this 
purpose, activities that constitute a permanent establishment in a 
foreign country under a bilateral U.S. tax treaty, whether or not the 
activities also rise to the level of a separate trade or business, are 
presumed to constitute a trade or business. See proposed Sec.  1.904-
4(f)(3)(iii)(B).
    Under Sec.  1.989(a)-1(c), for activities to constitute a trade or 
business, they must ordinarily include the collection of income and the 
payment of expenses. The proposed regulations provide that, for 
purposes of determining whether a set of activities satisfy the trade 
or business requirement of Sec.  1.989(a)-1(c) in the context of the 
definition of a foreign branch, activities that relate to disregarded 
transactions are taken into account and may give rise to a trade or 
business for this purpose. See proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f)(3)(iii)(B).
3. Section 951A Category Income
    Section 904(d)(1)(A) defines a new separate category as ``any 
amount includible in gross income under section 951A (other than 
passive category income).'' Consistent with that language, proposed 
Sec.  1.904-4(g) provides that the gross income included in the section 
951A category is generally the gross income of a United States 
shareholder from a GILTI inclusion. However, a GILTI inclusion that is 
allocable to passive category income under the look-through rules in 
Sec.  1.904-5(c)(6) is excluded from section 951A category income. A 
passive category GILTI inclusion could arise, for example, from a CFC's 
distributive share of partnership income in which the CFC owns less 
than 10 percent of the value in the partnership. See proposed Sec.  
1.904-4(n)(1)(ii). Comments are requested on whether the rules treating 
a less than 10 percent partner's distributive share of partnership 
income as passive category income should be modified.
    In addition, the proposed regulations amend Sec.  1.904-2(a) to 
reflect the exclusion of foreign tax credit carryovers under section 
904(c) for foreign taxes paid or accrued with respect to section 951A 
category income or with respect to section 951A category income that is 
treated as income in a separate category for income resourced under a 
tax treaty.
4. Items Resourced Under a Treaty
    Legislation commonly referred to as the Education Jobs and Medicaid 
Assistance Act (EJMAA), enacted on August 10, 2010, added section 
904(d)(6), which, as amended by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, provides 
that if, without regard to any treaty obligation of the United States, 
any item of income would be treated as derived from sources within the 
United States, under a treaty obligation of the United States the item 
of income would be treated as arising from sources outside the United 
States, and the taxpayer chooses the benefits of the treaty obligation 
to treat the income as arising from sources outside the United States, 
then subsections 904(a), (b), and (c) and sections 907 and 960 shall be 
applied separately with respect to each item. Thus, section 
904(d)(6)(A) applies a separate foreign tax credit limitation to each 
item of resourced income, without regard to the separate category to 
which the item would otherwise be assigned.
i. Grouping Methodology
    Proposed Sec.  1.904-4(k)(2) adopts a grouping methodology similar 
to that employed in Sec.  1.904-5(m)(7) with respect to income treated 
as in a separate category under the separate treaty resourcing rules of 
section 904(h)(10). Under the proposed regulations, the taxpayer must 
segregate income treated as foreign source under each treaty and then 
compute a separate foreign tax credit limitation for income in each 
separate category that is resourced under that treaty.
    For purposes of allocating foreign taxes to each grouping of 
section 904(d)(6) income, the principles of Sec.  1.904-6 apply to 
allocate to the section 904(d)(6) separate category all foreign income 
taxes related to the income included in that group, including taxes 
imposed by a third country. The Treasury Department and the IRS are 
considering whether the regulations should provide a special rule 
limiting the tax assigned to a section 904(d)(6) separate category to 
tax paid to the foreign country that is a party to the income tax 
treaty pursuant to which the income is resourced, and request comments 
on this issue.
ii. Coordination With Certain Treaty and Code Provisions
    Some U.S. income tax treaties contain provisions for the tax 
treatment in both Contracting States of certain types of income derived 
from sources within the United States by U.S. citizens who are 
residents of the other Contracting State. See, for example, paragraph 3 
of Article 24 (Relief from Double Taxation) of the income tax 
convention between the United States and Ireland, signed on July 28, 
1997. These rules generally use a three-step approach to determine the 
U.S. citizen's ultimate U.S. income tax liability with respect to an 
applicable item of income. First, the other Contracting State provides 
a credit against its tax for the notional U.S. tax that would apply 
under the treaty to a resident of the other Contracting State who is 
not a U.S. citizen. Second, the United States provides a credit against 
U.S. tax for the income tax paid or accrued to the other Contracting 
State after the application of the credit for notional U.S. tax by the 
other Contracting State. Finally, the income is deemed to arise in the 
other Contracting State to the extent necessary to avoid double 
taxation under these rules.
    These treaty rules are generally designed to preserve the United 
States'

[[Page 63212]]

primary right to tax U.S. source income and to resource only enough 
income to allow a taxpayer to claim a credit for the related foreign 
taxes, as reduced by the notional credit for U.S. source-based tax. 
Although excess foreign tax credits may arise from the operation of 
these rules, excess limitation permitting the use of unrelated foreign 
tax credits to offset the U.S. tax on the resourced income generally 
cannot. Since U.S. citizens subject to these provisions generally 
cannot generate excess limitation, and it would be burdensome to 
subject individuals to the operation of section 904(d)(6) when they are 
already subject to the three-step treaty rule, the proposed regulations 
exclude the income of these individuals from the operation of section 
904(d)(6). Accordingly, proposed Sec.  1.904-4(k)(4)(i) provides that 
income resourced under the relief from double taxation provisions in 
U.S. income tax treaties that are solely applicable to U.S. citizens 
who are residents of the other Contracting State is not subject to 
section 904(d)(6)(A) and Sec.  1.904-4(k)(1).
    In addition, under the mutual agreement procedures of U.S. income 
tax treaties, U.S. taxpayers may request assistance from the U.S. 
competent authority, such as for the relief of double taxation in cases 
not provided for in the treaty. Where the U.S. competent authority 
agrees to grant relief to a taxpayer that involves resourcing, the 
taxpayer has effectively chosen the benefit of a treaty obligation of 
the United States to treat the item of income as foreign source. 
Accordingly, proposed Sec.  1.904-4(k)(4)(ii) clarifies that section 
904(d)(6) separate category treatment applies to items of income 
resourced pursuant to a competent authority agreement.
5. Section 78 Gross Up and Section 986(c) Gain or Loss
    Numerous comments were received requesting guidance on the 
appropriate separate category to which the gross up described in 
section 78 attributable to foreign taxes deemed paid under section 
960(d) should be assigned. Proposed Sec.  1.904-4(o) provides a rule 
consistent with existing Sec.  1.904-6(b)(3) that assigns the gross up 
to the same separate category as the deemed paid taxes. See Part II.E.3 
of this Explanation of Provisions for a description of rules for 
allocating and apportioning deemed paid taxes to separate categories.
    Proposed Sec.  1.904-4(p) also provides a rule assigning gain or 
loss under section 986(c) with respect to a distribution of previously 
taxed earnings and profits to the separate category from which the 
distribution was made.

C. Noncontrolled 10-Percent Foreign Corporation

    Under section 904(d)(2)(E) as amended by the Act, the term 
``noncontrolled section 902 corporation'' has been revised to 
``noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation.'' The definition 
has also been amended to reflect the repeal of section 902, but 
maintains pre-Act rules for when a taxpayer meets the requisite stock 
ownership with respect to a passive foreign investment company 
(``PFIC''). The proposed regulations update the references in the 
section 904 regulations to noncontrolled section 902 corporations to 
reflect the revised statutory term and definition.
    The ownership requirement for PFICs differs from the United States 
shareholder requirement that generally applies to a noncontrolled 10-
percent owned foreign corporation described in section 
904(d)(2)(E)(i)(I). The proposed regulations in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(vi) 
provide that for purposes of the regulations under section 904, any 
reference to a United States shareholder in the context of a 
noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation also includes a 
taxpayer that meets the stock ownership requirements described in 
section 904(d)(2)(E)(i)(II), even if the taxpayer is not a United 
States shareholder within the meaning of section 951(b).

D. Look-Through Rules

    Before amendments made by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 
(AJCA), section 904(d)(3) generally provided that dividends, interest, 
rents, and royalties (``look-through payments'') received or accrued by 
a taxpayer from a CFC in which the taxpayer is a United States 
shareholder were treated as income in the separate category to which 
the payment was allocable. Section 904(d)(4) provided similar look-
through rules for dividends from noncontrolled section 902 
corporations. The AJCA reduced the number of separate categories from 
nine to two, and revised section 904(d)(3). Under section 904(d)(3)(A) 
as amended by the AJCA, except as otherwise provided by section 
904(d)(3), dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or 
accrued by a taxpayer from a CFC in which the taxpayer is a United 
States shareholder are not treated as passive category income. 
Exceptions are provided, generally, when the payment is allocable to 
passive category income. However, the existing regulations under Sec.  
1.904-5 were largely unchanged after the AJCA amendments and retained 
the pre-AJCA approach to assigning dividends, interest, rents, and 
royalties based on the separate category of the income to which the 
payment was allocable, rather than excluding the income from the 
passive category to the extent not allocable to the passive category. 
In practice, because there were generally only two separate categories 
after the AJCA and because the general category was a residual 
category, the approach under the existing regulations of assigning 
payments to a separate category based on the separate category to which 
they were allocable resulted in payments that were not allocable to 
passive category income being assigned to the general category.
    The Act added two new separate categories to section 904(d)(1) but 
made no changes to the look-through rules in section 904(d)(3) and (4). 
In addition, the legislative history does not provide any indication of 
how the look-through rules were intended to operate with the addition 
of the new separate categories.
    The proposed regulations provide that the look-through rules under 
section 904(d)(3) provide look-through treatment solely for payments 
allocable to the passive category. Any other payments described in 
section 904(d)(3) are assigned to a separate category other than the 
passive category based on the general rules in Sec.  1.904-4. 
Therefore, proposed Sec.  1.904-5 revises the various look-through 
rules to reflect the application of look-through rules solely with 
respect to payments allocable to passive category income. Dividends, 
interest, rents, or royalties paid from a CFC to a United States 
shareholder thus are not assigned to a separate category (other than 
the passive category) under the look-through rules, but are assigned to 
the foreign branch category, a specified separate category described in 
proposed Sec.  1.904-4(m), or the general category under the rules of 
proposed Sec.  1.904-4(d).
    Consistent with the general rule for look-through payments, section 
904(d)(3)(B) assigns amounts included under section 951(a)(1)(A) 
(``subpart F inclusions'') to the passive category to the extent the 
inclusion is attributable to passive category income. Under the 
authority of section 951A(f)(1)(B), the proposed regulations treat 
GILTI inclusions in the same manner as subpart F inclusions for 
purposes of section 904(d)(3)(B). Therefore, proposed Sec.  1.904-
5(c)(6) provides that GILTI inclusions are treated as passive category 
income to the extent the amount so included is attributable to income 
received or accrued by the CFC that is passive category income.
    Under the proposed regulations, the look-through rules also do not 
apply to

[[Page 63213]]

treat deductible payments made by a foreign branch that are allocable 
to foreign branch category income (for example, payments made by a 
foreign disregarded entity that constitutes a foreign branch to a 
related look-through entity) as foreign branch category income. 
Instead, the rules of Sec.  1.904-4 apply to characterize the income in 
the hands of the recipient.
    Finally, as a result of the proposed revisions to Sec.  1.904-5 
that limit the look-through rules generally to passive category income, 
the proposed regulations include a rule addressing income subject to 
the separate category required under section 901(j)(1)(B). These rules 
ensure that income from sources within countries described in section 
901(j)(2) that is paid or accrued through one or more entities retains 
its source and therefore continues to be subject to the separate 
category described in section 901(j)(1)(B). See proposed Sec.  
1.901(j)-1(a).

E. Allocation and Apportionment of Foreign Taxes

1. Special Rule for Base and Timing Differences
    Section 904(d)(2)(H)(i) and Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(iv) provide a 
special rule for allocating foreign tax that is imposed on an amount 
that does not constitute income under Federal income tax principles (a 
``base difference''). Section 1.904-6(a)(1)(iv) also provides special 
rules for timing differences.
    The proposed regulations clarify that base differences arise only 
in limited circumstances, such as in the case of categories of items 
such as life insurance proceeds or gifts, which are excluded from 
income for Federal income tax purposes but may be taxed as income under 
foreign law. In contrast, a computational difference attributable to 
differences in the amounts, as opposed to the types, of items included 
in U.S. taxable income and the foreign tax base does not give rise to a 
base difference. See proposed Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(iv). For example, a 
difference between U.S. and foreign tax law in the amount of deductions 
that are allowed to reduce gross income, like a difference in 
depreciation conventions or in the timing of recognition of gross 
income, is not considered to give rise to a base difference.
    In addition, the proposed regulations clarify that the fact that a 
distribution of previously taxed earnings and profits is exempt from 
Federal income tax does not mean that a tax imposed on the distribution 
is attributable to a base difference. Instead, because the previously 
taxed earnings and profits were included in U.S. taxable income in a 
prior year, the tax imposed on the distribution is treated as 
attributable to a timing difference and is allocated to the separate 
category to which the earnings and profits from which the distribution 
was paid are attributable.

2. Taxes Imposed in Connection With Foreign Branches

    The regulations in Sec.  1.904-6(a) generally provide that foreign 
taxes are allocated and apportioned to separate categories by reference 
to the separate category of the income to which the foreign tax 
relates. Disregarded transactions between a foreign branch and the 
United States owner of the foreign branch (or between two foreign 
branches of the same United States person) may involve disregarded 
payments that are subject to foreign tax, including disregarded 
payments that result in the reallocation of gross income between the 
foreign branch category and the general category under the proposed 
regulations in Sec.  1.904-4(f)(2)(vi). See proposed Sec.  1.904-4(f) 
and Part II.B.2 of this Explanation of Provisions. While existing 
regulations under Sec.  1.904-6(a) provide general rules for allocating 
and apportioning foreign taxes imposed with respect to income of a 
foreign branch, proposed Sec.  1.904-6(a)(2) provides special rules to 
coordinate the existing regulations under Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1) with the 
computation of foreign branch category income in proposed Sec.  1.904-
4(f).
    The proposed regulations are consistent with the general principles 
and purpose of Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1) and are intended to provide clarity 
where the application of these principles would be difficult or 
uncertain. The Treasury Department and the IRS recognize that there may 
be additional circumstances where the application of these rules may be 
ambiguous and request comments on whether further guidance is needed to 
clarify how foreign taxes should be allocated and apportioned between 
the foreign branch category and other separate categories.
3. Taxes Deemed Paid Under Section 960
    The proposed regulations propose modifications to Sec.  1.904-6(b) 
to reflect the Act's repeal of section 902 and revisions to section 
960. In general, the proposed regulations provide that foreign income 
taxes deemed paid under section 960(a) or (d) are allocated to the same 
separate category to which the related section 951(a)(1) or 951A(a) 
inclusion is assigned. Similarly, in the case of a distribution of 
previously taxed earnings and profits described in section 960(b)(1) or 
(2), any foreign tax deemed paid with respect to the distribution under 
section 960(b) is allocated to the separate category to which the 
distribution is attributable.
4. Creditable Foreign Tax Expenditures
    As discussed in Part II.B.2 of this Explanation of Provisions, a 
U.S. or foreign partnership does not characterize any of its income as 
foreign branch category income. Instead, a distributive share of a 
partnership's income may be characterized as foreign branch category 
income in the hands of certain U.S. partners. In order to ensure that 
creditable foreign tax expenditures (CFTEs) that are allocated to a 
partner that has a distributive share of income that is assigned to the 
foreign branch category are appropriately assigned, proposed Sec.  
1.904-6(b)(4) provides rules for allocating and apportioning CFTEs to 
the foreign branch category.

III. Treatment of Subsequent Reductions in Tax in Applying Section 
954(b)(4)

    The Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that certain 
taxpayers have formed CFCs in certain jurisdictions that purport to 
have a type of integration regime whereby all or substantially all of 
the corporate income tax paid by the CFC on its earnings is refunded to 
its shareholder when the earnings are distributed, even though the 
shareholder is not subject to any foreign tax on the distribution. 
These taxpayers rely on the rules in Sec.  1.954-1(d)(3), which provide 
that a subsequent reduction in corporate foreign income taxes when 
earnings are later distributed to a shareholder does not affect the 
amount of foreign income taxes used to compute the effective tax rate 
on an item of income unless the reduction requires a redetermination of 
the United States shareholder's U.S. tax under section 905(c). These 
taxpayers claim that the high-tax exception from foreign base company 
income under section 954(b)(4) allows them to exclude the CFC's income 
from current taxation under subpart F, despite the fact that all or 
substantially all of the foreign corporate income tax is later refunded 
to the shareholder.
    The proposed regulations modify Sec.  1.954-1(d)(3) to provide that 
to the extent the foreign income taxes paid or accrued by a CFC are 
reasonably certain to be returned to a shareholder upon a subsequent 
distribution to the shareholder, the foreign income taxes are not 
treated as paid or accrued for purposes of the high-tax exception under 
section 954(b)(4). The IRS may also challenge these arrangements under

[[Page 63214]]

existing law, for example, on the ground that the payment to the 
shareholder constitutes a refund under Sec.  1.901-2(e)(2) or a subsidy 
under section 901(i) and Sec.  1.901-2(e)(3) that reduces the amount of 
tax the CFC is considered to have paid.
    Comments are requested on what special rules under Sec.  1.954-
1(d)(3), Sec.  1.901-2, and section 905(c) should be considered to 
account for genuine integration regimes that do not have the effect of 
exempting resident corporations and their shareholders from all or 
substantially all tax.

IV. Deemed Paid Taxes Under New Section 960 and New Section 78

    Section 960(a) and (d), as revised by the Act, deems a domestic 
corporation that is a United States shareholder of a CFC to pay the 
portion of the foreign income taxes paid or accrued by the CFC that is 
properly attributable to income of the CFC that the United States 
shareholder takes into account in computing its subpart F or GILTI 
inclusion, subject to certain limitations. Section 960(b), as revised 
by the Act, provides rules for taxes that are deemed paid in connection 
with distributions by a CFC of previously taxed earnings and profits to 
either a United States shareholder that is a domestic corporation or to 
a shareholder that is a CFC. Cf. section 960(a)(3) (as in effect on 
December 21, 2017). Proposed Sec. Sec.  1.960-1 through 1.960-3 provide 
rules for determining a domestic corporation's deemed paid taxes under 
section 960(a), (b), and (d).
    Additionally, the Act redesignated former section 960(b), relating 
to excess limitation accounts, without change, as section 960(c). The 
proposed regulations treat a GILTI inclusion amount as a subpart F 
inclusion for purposes of section 960(c). See section 951A(f)(1)(B). 
Therefore, the proposed regulations modify Sec. Sec.  1.960-4 and 
1.960-5 to reflect the additional application of section 960(c) to 
GILTI inclusion amounts. Comments are requested on whether additional 
amendments to the proposed regulations are appropriate, including 
additional rules in Sec.  1.960-4 to account for unique aspects of the 
section 951A category.
    Finally, Sec.  1.960-7 includes updated applicability dates for 
Sec. Sec.  1.960-1 through 1.960-6, which are consistent with the 
effective dates of the Act.
    The Act also amended section 78 to, among other things, reflect the 
addition of deemed paid credits under section 960(d) and to provide 
that any amount of taxes deemed paid under section 960 that is treated 
as a dividend under section 78 (a ``section 78 dividend'') is not 
eligible for a section 245A deduction. The proposed regulations revise 
Sec.  1.78-1 to reflect changes made to section 78.
    Part IV.A of this Explanation of Provisions describes computational 
and grouping rules relating to the calculation of deemed paid taxes 
under section 960(a), (b), and (d). Part IV.B of this Explanation of 
Provisions describes specific rules for the calculation of deemed paid 
taxes under section 960(a) and (d). Part IV.C of this Explanation of 
Provisions describes specific rules for the calculation of deemed paid 
taxes under section 960(b). Part IV.D of this Explanation of Provisions 
describes the application of the rules under section 960(a), (b), and 
(d) when the domestic corporation owns the CFC through a domestic 
partnership. Part IV.E of this Explanation of Provisions describes 
revisions to Sec.  1.78-1.

A. Computational and Grouping Rules for Purposes of Calculating Taxes 
Deemed Paid Under Section 960

1. Current Year Taxes
    For a particular taxable year, a CFC may have subpart F income or 
tested income that is taken into account by a domestic corporation that 
is a United States shareholder of the CFC under sections 951(a)(1)(A) 
or 951A(a), and may incur foreign income taxes related to that income 
that may be treated as deemed paid by the United States shareholder 
under sections 960(a) or (d). Additionally, a CFC may receive 
distributions of previously taxed earnings and profits and incur 
foreign income taxes with respect to those distributions that may 
subsequently be treated as deemed paid by the United States shareholder 
or an upper-tier CFC under section 960(b).
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-1 provides definitions as well as 
computational and grouping rules that associate the current year 
foreign income taxes (``current year taxes'') of the CFC with current 
year income of the CFC or a distribution of previously taxed earnings 
and profits received by the CFC. These taxes, in turn, may be deemed 
paid by the United States shareholder or upper-tier CFC under section 
960. Foreign income taxes generally include income, war profits, and 
excess profits taxes that are imposed by a foreign country or a 
possession of the United States. See proposed Sec.  1.960-1(b)(5). The 
term ``possession of the United States'' means American Samoa, Guam, 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the 
U.S. Virgin Islands. Current year taxes of a CFC are foreign income 
taxes paid or accrued by the CFC in its current taxable year, and the 
rules of section 461 and the ``relation-back'' doctrine apply to 
determine the timing of the accrual of foreign income taxes and the 
year for which they are taken into account. See proposed Sec.  1.960-
1(b)(4). Thus, for example, foreign income taxes calculated on the 
basis of net income accrue in the U.S. taxable year of the CFC with or 
within which its foreign taxable year ends, and are eligible to be 
deemed paid in the taxable year of the United States shareholder with 
or within which the U.S. taxable year of the CFC ends, even if a 
portion of the foreign taxable year of the CFC falls within an earlier 
or later U.S. taxable year of the CFC or its United States shareholder. 
Current year taxes of a CFC that are imposed on an amount under foreign 
law that would be income under U.S. law in a different taxable year are 
eligible to be deemed paid in the year in which the foreign tax 
accrues, and not in the earlier or later year when the related income 
is recognized for U.S. tax purposes. The current taxable year of the 
CFC is its U.S. taxable year for which a domestic corporation that is a 
United States shareholder of the CFC has a subpart F or GILTI inclusion 
with respect to the CFC, or during which the CFC receives a section 
959(b) distribution or makes a section 959(a) distribution or a section 
959(b) distribution.
2. Computational Rules
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(c)(1) describes and orders the computations 
involved in calculating the foreign income taxes deemed paid by either 
a domestic corporation that is a United States shareholder of a CFC or 
by a CFC that is a shareholder of another CFC. These steps are applied 
by each CFC in a chain of ownership beginning with the lowest-tier CFC 
with respect to which the domestic corporation is a United States 
shareholder.
    Under these computational rules, a United States shareholder first 
applies the grouping rules described in Part IV.A.3 of this Explanation 
of Provisions to assign the income of the CFC to separate categories of 
income described in proposed Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v) (each a ``section 
904 category'') and then to groups that correspond to certain types of 
income (each, an ``income group'') in a section 904 category. If the 
CFC receives a distribution of previously taxed earnings and profits 
(``PTEP''), it increases the group or groups (each, a ``PTEP group'') 
within an annual PTEP account that corresponds both to the taxable year 
for which a CFC took into account the income from which the

[[Page 63215]]

previously taxed earnings and profits arose, and to the separate 
category of the United States shareholder to which the amount of the 
resulting inclusion under sections 951(a)(1)(A) or 951A was assigned. 
The rules for grouping previously taxed earnings and profits within an 
annual PTEP account are described in Part IV.C.1 of this Explanation of 
Provisions. The income and PTEP groups, which are discussed in more 
detail below, are the mechanism for computing taxes deemed paid under 
section 960.
    Second, deductions of the CFC, including for expenses attributable 
to current year taxes, are allocated and apportioned to the income 
groups. Current year taxes are also allocated and apportioned to a PTEP 
group that was increased in the first step. Third, taxes deemed paid by 
the United States shareholder under section 960(a) and (d), and taxes 
deemed paid by the CFC under section 960(b)(2) in connection with its 
receipt of a section 959(b) distribution, are calculated. Fourth, the 
previously taxed earnings and profits resulting from the subpart F 
inclusion or GILTI inclusion of the United States shareholder are added 
to an annual PTEP account and further assigned to the relevant PTEP 
groups within the account. Fifth, the first four steps are repeated for 
each higher-tier CFC. Sixth, with respect to the highest-tier CFC, the 
United States shareholder computes its taxes deemed paid under section 
960(b)(1).
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(c)(2) provides that only items that the CFC 
takes into account during its current taxable year are used in the 
computational rules of Sec.  1.960-1(c)(1). The items of gross income 
and expense that are in a section 904 category and income group within 
a section 904 category are therefore items that the CFC accrues and 
takes into account in its current taxable year, and the foreign income 
taxes that are eligible to be deemed paid are foreign income taxes that 
the CFC pays or accrues in its current taxable year. Proposed Sec.  
1.960-1(c)(3) provides rules relating to foreign currency and 
translation.
3. Associating Current Year Taxes With Income Groups
    In order to determine the foreign income taxes paid or accrued by 
the CFC that are properly attributable to amounts that a domestic 
corporation that is a United States shareholder of the CFC takes into 
account in determining its subpart F or GILTI inclusions, proposed 
Sec.  1.960-1(d) provides rules associating current year taxes of the 
CFC with the types of income earned by the CFC from which the 
inclusions arise. Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d) requires a CFC to assign 
its income to one or more income groups within each section 904 
category. Deductions of the CFC, including for current year taxes, are 
allocated and apportioned to the income groups in order to determine 
net income (or loss) in each income group and to identify the current 
year foreign income taxes that relate to the income in each income 
group for section 960 purposes.
i. Income Group Definitions
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d)(2)(ii) defines several separate income 
groups with respect to the subpart F income of the CFC (``subpart F 
income groups'') within each applicable section 904 category. Each 
single item of foreign base company income as defined in Sec.  1.954-
1(c)(1)(iii) is a separate subpart F income group. For example, with 
respect to a CFC, Sec.  1.954-1(c)(1)(iii)(A)(2) identifies as a single 
item of income all foreign base company income (other than foreign 
personal holding company income) that falls within both a single 
separate category (typically, general category income) and a single 
category of foreign base company income described in each of Sec.  
1.954-1(c)(1)(iii)(A)(2)(i) through (v). Therefore, there is a single 
subpart F income group within the general category that consists of all 
of a CFC's foreign base company sales income. Section 1.954-
1(c)(1)(iii)(B) provides grouping rules for items of passive category 
foreign personal holding company income, each of which is also treated 
as a separate subpart F income group under Sec.  1.960-1. Proposed 
Sec.  1.960-1(d)(2)(ii)(B)(2) also defines a separate subpart F income 
group for the CFC's insurance income described in section 952(a)(1), 
for its international boycott income described in section 952(a)(3), 
for the sum of its illegal bribes and kickbacks described in section 
952(a)(4), and for income included in a section 901(j) separate 
category described in section 952(a)(5).
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d)(2)(ii)(C) also defines separate income 
groups for tested income (each, a ``tested income group'') in each 
section 904 category. In general, tested income will be in a single 
tested income group within the general category. Because a CFC cannot 
earn section 951A category income or foreign branch category income at 
the CFC level, there is no tested income group within either section 
904 category. With respect to the CFC's general category tested income 
group, GILTI inclusion amounts and taxes with respect to the tested 
income group will generally be treated as income and deemed paid taxes 
in the section 951A category. See Sec. Sec.  1.904-4(g), 1.904-6(b)(1).
    Income in a section 904 category that is not of a type that is 
included in one of the subpart F income groups or tested income groups 
is assigned to the residual income group. See proposed Sec.  1.960-
1(d)(2)(ii)(D).
ii. Computing Net Income in an Income Group and Assigning Current Year 
Taxes to an Income Group
    In order to determine its net income in each income group, a CFC 
first assigns its items of gross income to a section 904 category and 
to the appropriate income group within the category, and then allocates 
and apportions its deductions and expenses, including current year 
taxes, to the categories and to the income groups within the categories 
under the rules of sections 861 through 865 and 904(d) and the 
regulations under those sections.
    Current year taxes are allocated and apportioned to income groups 
for two purposes. The first purpose is to deduct current year taxes (in 
functional currency) from gross income in the income group in computing 
the net income in the income group. The second purpose is to associate 
an amount of current year taxes (in U.S. dollars) with an income group. 
These current year taxes associated with an income group are eligible 
to be deemed paid by a United States shareholder that has a subpart F 
or GILTI inclusion that is attributable to that income group. The rules 
for allocating and apportioning current year taxes are the same for 
both purposes. See also proposed Sec.  1.861-8(e)(6) (clarifying that 
the rules for allocating and apportioning deductions for foreign income 
tax expense are the same as the rules for allocating and apportioning 
foreign income taxes to separate categories under Sec.  1.904-6).
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) applies the rules of Sec.  1.904-6 
to allocate and apportion current year taxes to and among the section 
904 categories based upon the amount of taxable income, as calculated 
under foreign law, of the CFC that is in each section 904 category. 
Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) then applies the principles of Sec.  
1.904-6 to allocate and apportion current year taxes to and among the 
income groups. If a PTEP group of the CFC is increased as a result of a 
section 959(b) distribution that it receives in the current taxable 
year, then for purposes of allocating and apportioning current year 
taxes that are imposed solely by reason of the section 959(b) 
distribution, the PTEP group is treated as an income group within the

[[Page 63216]]

section 904 category. Part IV.C of this Explanation of Provisions 
discusses the rules for tracking amounts in PTEP groups and for 
computing deemed paid credits with respect to distributions of 
previously taxed earnings and profits from a PTEP group. Current year 
taxes that are not allocated and apportioned to a subpart F or tested 
income group, or to a PTEP group that is treated as an income group, 
are allocated and apportioned to a residual income group. Current year 
taxes allocated and apportioned to a residual income group cannot be 
deemed paid under section 960 for any taxable year. Proposed Sec.  
1.960-1(e).
    Under Sec.  1.904-6, Federal income tax principles apply to 
determine the separate category, income group, or PTEP group of the 
CFC's gross items of income and expense, the amounts of which are 
computed under foreign law, that are included in the foreign tax base. 
For example, if the United States treats a distribution as resulting in 
capital gain that is passive category income, but foreign law treats 
the item as a dividend that would be general category income, the item 
is assigned to the passive category for purposes of allocating and 
apportioning current year taxes of the CFC to the item. See also 
proposed Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(i). The amount of the item, however, is 
determined under foreign law, and expenses (also determined under 
foreign law) are allocated and apportioned to the income under foreign 
law principles or as otherwise provided in Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(ii).
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii)(B) also provides a rule for 
addressing base and timing differences (within the meaning of proposed 
Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(iv)) for purposes of allocating and apportioning 
current year taxes of a CFC to income groups and PTEP groups. Current 
year taxes that are attributable to a base difference are allocated to 
the residual income group, and therefore are ineligible to be deemed 
paid. Current year taxes that are attributable to a timing difference--
namely, current year tax imposed on an amount that is income of the CFC 
in a different taxable year under Federal income tax law--are allocated 
and apportioned to a section 904 category and income group as though 
the income that foreign law recognizes in the CFC's current taxable 
year were also recognized for Federal income tax purposes in that year. 
Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii)(B) includes a special rule, which is 
discussed in Part IV.C.2 of this Explanation of Provisions, for current 
year taxes that are attributable to a timing difference resulting from 
a section 959(b) distribution.

B. Taxes Deemed Paid Under Section 960(a) and (d) for Subpart F 
Inclusions and GILTI Inclusion Amounts

    Section 960(a) provides that a domestic corporation that is a 
United States shareholder of a CFC is deemed to have paid the CFC's 
foreign income taxes that are properly attributable to the item of 
income of the CFC that the United States shareholder includes in gross 
income under section 951(a)(1) as a subpart F inclusion.
    Section 960(d) provides that a domestic corporation that is a 
United States shareholder is deemed to have paid 80 percent of an 
amount that is equal to the product of the United States shareholder's 
inclusion percentage and the aggregate of the tested foreign income 
taxes paid or accrued by the CFCs of the United States shareholder. The 
inclusion percentage of the United States shareholder is the ratio of 
the United States shareholder's GILTI inclusion amount with respect to 
its CFCs to the aggregate amount of the United States shareholder's pro 
rata share of tested income of those CFCs. Section 960(d)(3) defines 
tested foreign income taxes as the foreign income taxes paid or accrued 
by a CFC of a United States shareholder that are properly attributable 
to the tested income of the CFC that the United States shareholder 
takes into account in computing its GILTI inclusion amount.
1. Subpart F Inclusions
    Under proposed Sec.  1.960-2(b), the amount of the foreign income 
taxes of a CFC that its United States shareholder that is a domestic 
corporation is deemed to pay under section 960(a) is computed with 
respect to the income of the CFC, determined under Federal income tax 
principles in each subpart F income group within a section 904 
category. A domestic corporate shareholder that has a subpart F 
inclusion with respect to its CFC is deemed to pay the CFC's foreign 
income taxes that are properly attributable to the items of income of 
the CFC that give rise to the subpart F inclusion of that shareholder. 
The amount of taxes that are properly attributable to an item of income 
for this purpose is equal to the domestic corporate shareholder's 
proportionate share of the current year taxes of the CFC that are 
allocated and apportioned to the subpart F income group within a 
section 904 category of the CFC to which the item of income is 
attributable. The proportionate share for each subpart F income group 
is equal to the current year taxes that are allocated and apportioned 
to a subpart F income group within a section 904 category multiplied by 
a fraction equal to the portion of the subpart F inclusion that is 
attributable to that subpart F income group to the total income in that 
subpart F income group. Therefore, no tax is deemed paid by a corporate 
United States shareholder of a CFC with respect to a subpart F income 
group to which current year taxes of the CFC are allocated and 
apportioned (including by reason of the rule for timing differences) 
but with respect to which no portion of a subpart F inclusion is 
attributable.
    The denominator of the fraction, the net income in the subpart F 
income group, is not reduced to reflect any prior year deficits because 
those deficits do not reduce the subpart F income of the CFC in the 
current year. A pro rata share of a prior year qualified deficit 
reduces the amount of a United States shareholder's subpart F 
inclusion, and therefore by its own account reduces the numerator of 
the fraction. Proposed Sec.  1.960-2(b)(3)(ii). The denominator of the 
fraction is, however, reduced to reflect the limitation in section 
952(c)(1)(A) of the subpart F income of the CFC to its current year 
earnings and profits. The denominator is also reduced to reflect any 
reduction in the subpart F income of a CFC under section 952(c)(1)(C), 
which allows a CFC to reduce certain of its subpart F income by an 
amount of certain current year deficits of certain CFCs in the same 
chain of ownership. Proposed Sec.  1.960-2(b)(3)(iii).
    Section 960(a) treats foreign income taxes of a CFC as deemed paid 
by a United States shareholder only with respect to an item of income 
of a CFC that is included in the gross income of the United States 
shareholder under section 951(a)(1). Proposed Sec.  1.960-2(b)(1) 
treats taxes as deemed paid under section 960(a) specifically with 
respect to subpart F inclusions because the inclusions are with respect 
to items of income of the CFC. In contrast, an inclusion under section 
951(a)(1)(B) is not an inclusion of an ``item of income'' of the CFC 
but instead is an inclusion equal to an amount that is determined under 
the formula in section 956(a). Therefore, proposed Sec.  1.960-2(b)(1) 
provides that no foreign income taxes are deemed paid under section 
960(a) with respect to an inclusion under section 951(a)(1)(B).
2. GILTI Inclusion Amounts
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-2(c) provides that the amount of the tested 
foreign income taxes that a United States shareholder is deemed to pay 
under section 960(d) is computed with respect to the income of

[[Page 63217]]

the CFC in each tested income group within a section 904 category. For 
purposes of determining a United States shareholder's tested foreign 
income taxes, the CFC's current year taxes are first allocated and 
apportioned to the tested income group within a section 904 category in 
order to determine the foreign income taxes ``properly attributable'' 
to the tested income group. The United States shareholder's tested 
foreign income taxes for a tested income group within a section 904 
category is equal to its proportionate share of the CFC's current year 
taxes, determined by multiplying the CFC's current year taxes that are 
allocated and apportioned to a tested income group within a section 904 
category by a fraction that is equal to the tested income of the CFC in 
the tested income group that is included in computing the domestic 
corporation's aggregate amount described in section 951A(c)(1)(A) and 
proposed Sec.  1.951A-1(c)(2)(i), divided by the total income in the 
tested income group.
    The United States shareholder's inclusion percentage is required to 
determine the amount of taxes deemed paid by the United States 
shareholder. In general, current year taxes allocated and apportioned 
to a tested income group will be in the general category at the level 
of the CFC, although in limited cases involving passive category tested 
income, current year taxes may be allocated and apportioned to the 
passive category. However, the domestic corporation computes only a 
single inclusion percentage with respect to all of its tested income, 
regardless of the section 904 category to which the tested income is 
assigned.
    In the case of a United States shareholder that is a member of a 
consolidated group, the numerator of the inclusion percentage is 
computed using the GILTI inclusion amount of a United States 
shareholder as determined under Sec.  1.1502-51. See Sec.  1.951A-
1(c)(4).

C. Taxes Deemed Paid Under Section 960(b) With Respect to Section 959 
Distributions

    Section 960(b)(1) provides that a United States shareholder of a 
CFC is deemed to have paid the CFC's foreign income taxes that the 
United States shareholder has not been previously deemed to pay and 
that are properly attributable to a distribution from the CFC that the 
United States shareholder excludes from its income under section 959(a) 
(a ``section 959(a) distribution''). Section 960(b)(2) provides that a 
CFC is deemed to have paid the foreign income taxes of another CFC that 
have not previously been deemed paid by a United States shareholder and 
that are properly attributable to a distribution from the other CFC to 
which section 959(b) applies (a ``section 959(b) distribution,'' and 
together with a section 959(a) distribution, a ``section 959 
distribution'').
1. PTEP Groups in Annual PTEP Accounts and Associated Taxes
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-3(c)(1) requires a CFC to establish a 
separate, annual account (``annual PTEP account'') for its earnings and 
profits for its current taxable year to which subpart F or GILTI 
inclusions of United States shareholders of the CFC are attributable. 
Each account must correspond to the inclusion year of the previously 
taxed earnings and profits and to the section 904 category of the 
inclusions at the United States shareholder level. Accordingly, a CFC 
may have an annual PTEP account in the section 951A category or a 
treaty category (as defined in Sec.  1.861-13(b)(6)), even though 
income of the controlled foreign corporation cannot initially be 
assigned to the section 951A category or a treaty category. The 
previously taxed earnings and profits in each annual account are then 
assigned to one of ten possible groups of previously taxed earnings and 
profits described in proposed Sec.  1.960-3(c)(2) (each, a ``PTEP 
group''). The PTEP groups serve a similar function to the subpart F 
income groups and tested income groups--they are the mechanism for 
associating foreign taxes paid or accrued, or deemed paid, by a CFC 
with section 959 distributions of previously taxed earnings and 
profits. If, following the issuance of new guidance under section 959 
(which will be addressed in a separate guidance project), it is 
determined that maintaining all ten of the PTEP groups is unnecessary, 
or that grouping of annual accounts into multi-year accounts is 
permissible, the Treasury Department and the IRS will consider 
consolidating PTEP groups as part of finalizing the proposed 
regulations.
    A CFC accounts for a section 959(b) distribution that it receives 
by adding the distribution amount to an annual PTEP account and PTEP 
group that corresponds to the annual PTEP account and PTEP group from 
which the distributing CFC made the distribution. Proposed Sec.  1.960-
3(c)(3). A CFC that makes a section 959 distribution must similarly 
reduce the annual PTEP account and PTEP group within the account from 
which the distribution is made by the distribution amount. A CFC must 
also reduce PTEP groups that relate to previously taxed earnings and 
profits described in section 959(c)(2) (``section 959(c)(2) PTEP'') to 
account for reclassification of amounts into those groups as previously 
taxed earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(1) 
(``reclassified PTEP''), and increase the PTEP group that corresponds 
to the reclassified amount. Proposed Sec.  1.960-3(c)(4).
2. Associating Foreign Income Taxes With PTEP Groups
    A CFC must also account for the foreign income taxes that it pays, 
accrues or is deemed to pay with respect to the amount in each PTEP 
group (``PTEP group taxes''). PTEP group taxes are accounted for with 
respect to previously taxed earnings and profits assigned to a PTEP 
group within an annual PTEP account. PTEP group taxes consist of (1) 
the current year taxes paid or accrued by the CFC as the result of its 
receipt of a section 959(b) distribution that are allocated and 
apportioned to the PTEP group; (2) foreign income taxes that are deemed 
paid by the CFC with respect to an amount in a PTEP group; and (3) in 
the case of a reclassified PTEP group, foreign income taxes that were 
paid, accrued or deemed paid with respect to an amount that was 
initially included in a section 959(c)(2) PTEP group and subsequently 
added to a corresponding reclassified PTEP group. Proposed Sec.  1.960-
3(d)(1). PTEP group taxes are reduced by the amount of foreign income 
taxes in the group that are deemed paid by a United States shareholder 
under section 960(b)(1) or by another CFC under section 960(b)(2), and 
foreign income taxes relating to a PTEP group that is reclassified to a 
section 959(c)(1) PTEP group. Proposed Sec.  1.960-3(d)(2).
    As discussed in Part IV.A.3.ii of this Explanation of Provisions, 
proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii)(A) associates current year taxes of a 
CFC with a PTEP group for purposes of section 960(b) only in the case 
of an increase in a PTEP group as a result of the receipt of a section 
959(b) distribution. The increased PTEP group is treated as an income 
group to which current year taxes that are imposed solely by reason of 
that section 959(b) distribution are allocated and apportioned. For 
example, a withholding tax imposed on a section 959(b) distribution 
received by an upper-tier CFC is allocated and apportioned to the PTEP 
group that is increased by the section 959(b) distribution. The 
withholding tax also reduces (as a deduction) the amount in that same 
PTEP group.
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii)(B) generally applies the timing 
difference rule of Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(iv) to allocate and apportion 
current year taxes that are

[[Page 63218]]

attributable to a timing difference to a section 904 category and 
income group as if the CFC recognized the related income under Federal 
income tax principles in its current taxable year. Proposed Sec.  
1.960-1(d)(3)(ii)(B) also clarifies the rule for previously taxed 
earnings and profits by providing that if current year taxes are 
attributable to a timing difference, the taxes are only treated as 
related to a PTEP group if the taxes are imposed solely by reason of a 
section 959(b) distribution that increases the PTEP group. For example, 
a timing difference described in proposed Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(iv) could 
include a situation in which Federal income tax principles require 
marking-to-market gain on an asset, resulting in an inclusion under 
section 951A(a), but the foreign jurisdiction only imposes tax when the 
asset is disposed of in a later year. Under proposed Sec.  1.960-
1(d)(3)(ii)(B), the later-imposed foreign income tax is treated as 
related to the tested income group (if any) for the year in which the 
tax is imposed, and not to a PTEP group in an annual PTEP account for 
the earlier year in which the gain was recognized for Federal income 
tax purposes. In addition, an income tax imposed on a distributing CFC 
(in contrast to a tax, such as a withholding tax, imposed on the 
recipient of the distribution) by reason of a section 959 distribution 
is treated as a timing difference and is treated as related to the 
subpart F income group or tested income group for the current taxable 
year (if any) in which the distribution is made, and not to a PTEP 
group in an annual PTEP account for the earlier year in which the 
distributed earnings and profits were recognized for Federal income tax 
purposes.
    Therefore, under proposed Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii)(B), the only 
taxes that are allocated and apportioned to a PTEP group are taxes that 
are imposed solely by reason of a CFC's receipt of a section 959(b) 
distribution and that are otherwise allocated and apportioned to the 
PTEP group under Sec.  1.904-6 principles. For example, a net basis tax 
imposed on a CFC's receipt of a section 959(b) distribution by the 
CFC's country of residence is treated as related to a PTEP group. 
Similarly, a withholding tax imposed with respect to a CFC's receipt of 
a section 959(b) distribution is allocated and apportioned to a PTEP 
group. In contrast, a withholding tax imposed on a disregarded payment 
from a disregarded entity to a CFC owner is treated as a timing 
difference and is never treated as related to a PTEP group (even if all 
of the CFC's earnings and profits are previously taxed earnings and 
profits from income earned by the disregarded entity), because the tax 
is not imposed solely by reason of a section 959(b) distribution. The 
withholding tax, however, may be treated as related to a subpart F 
income group or tested income group under the rule for timing 
differences.
3. Computational Rules
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-3(b) provides rules for determining the amount 
of taxes deemed paid with respect to a section 959(a) distribution. A 
domestic corporation that receives a section 959(a) distribution is 
deemed to have paid the foreign income taxes that are properly 
attributable to the section 959(a) distribution from the PTEP group of 
the distributing CFC, to the extent the PTEP group taxes have not 
already been deemed to have been paid in the current taxable year or 
any prior taxable year. Proposed Sec.  1.960-3(b)(1). The amount of 
foreign income taxes that are properly attributable to a domestic 
corporation's receipt of a section 959(a) distribution from a PTEP 
group within a section 904 category are its proportionate share of PTEP 
group taxes associated with the PTEP group. The domestic corporation's 
proportionate share of foreign income taxes associated with a section 
959(a) distribution from a PTEP group is determined by a fraction equal 
to the amount of the section 959(a) distribution attributable to the 
PTEP group over the total amount of previously taxed earnings and 
profits in the PTEP group.
    A single section 959(a) distribution could be attributable to 
multiple PTEP groups, with respect to multiple different inclusion 
years, of the distributing CFC. The proposed regulations, including the 
order of the list of PTEP groups in Sec.  1.960-3(c)(2), do not provide 
rules for the allocation of distributions among different kinds of 
previously taxed earnings and profits under section 959(c). The 
Treasury Department and the IRS anticipate that future regulations 
under section 959 will provide ordering rules for determining the 
annual PTEP account and PTEP group to which a section 959 distribution 
is attributable.
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-3(b)(2) provides similar rules to those in 
proposed Sec.  1.960-3(b)(1) for taxes deemed paid under section 
960(b)(2) with respect to a CFC's receipt of a section 959(b) 
distribution.
    Proposed Sec.  1.960-3(d)(3) provides a rule relating to foreign 
income taxes paid or accrued in a taxable year of a CFC that began 
before January 1, 2018, with respect to an annual PTEP account, and a 
PTEP group within such account, that was established for an inclusion 
year of a CFC that began before January 1, 2018. Specifically, in 
certain cases, the foreign income taxes may be deemed paid under 
section 960(b) with respect to a section 959 distribution in a year of 
the CFC that begins after December 31, 2017.
    However, the Treasury Department and the IRS recognize that with 
respect to CFC taxable years beginning before January 1, 2018, the 
application of section 960(a)(3) was uncertain and some taxpayers may 
have added taxes paid or accrued with respect to a section 959 
distribution to post-1986 foreign income taxes described in section 
902(c)(2) (as in effect on December 21, 2017). In that case, those 
foreign income taxes could have been included in computing foreign 
taxes deemed paid under section 902 with respect to a distribution or 
inclusion of post-1986 undistributed earnings (including by reason of 
sections 960 and 965) in taxable years of CFCs beginning before January 
1, 2018, in which case the taxes are not available to be deemed paid 
under section 960(b).
    The proposed regulations under section 965, see 83 FR 39,514, 
reserved on the application of section 965(g) to taxes deemed paid 
under new section 960(b). The preamble to the regulations under section 
965 indicated that future regulations would provide rules for new 
section 960(b) similar to the rules that apply for section 960(a)(3) 
(as in effect on December 21, 2017).
    The proposed regulations in this document provide a rule in 
proposed Sec.  1.965-5(c)(1)(iii) similar to the rule that applies to 
taxes deemed paid under section 960(a)(3) that is in proposed Sec.  
1.965-5(c)(1)(i) and (ii). In particular, no credit is allowed for the 
applicable percentage of taxes deemed paid under section 960(b) that 
are attributable to the PTEP groups described in Sec.  1.960-3(c)(2) 
that relate to section 965.
    In order to ensure that the disallowance under section 965(g) only 
applies once, the rule in proposed Sec.  1.965-5(c)(1)(iii) does not 
apply to taxes deemed paid under section 960(b)(2) with respect to a 
section 959(b) distribution, but only applies when previously taxed 
earnings and profits are distributed to a domestic corporate 
shareholder.

D. Domestic Partnerships

    If a domestic corporation owns an interest in a CFC through a 
domestic partnership, to the extent the domestic corporation is a 
United States shareholder with respect to the CFC, the proposed 
regulations provide that the domestic corporation is deemed to have

[[Page 63219]]

paid foreign income taxes as if the domestic corporation had included 
the income from the CFC directly rather than as a distributive share of 
the partnership's income. Proposed Sec.  1.960-2(b)(4) provides that a 
domestic corporation that has a distributive share of a domestic 
partnership's subpart F inclusion and is also a United States 
shareholder with respect to the CFC that gives rise to a subpart F 
inclusion is treated as a subpart F inclusion of the domestic 
corporation for purposes of section 960(a). Similarly, the domestic 
corporation's distributive share of a domestic partnership's receipt of 
a section 959(a) distribution is treated as a receipt by the domestic 
corporation directly for purposes of proposed Sec.  1.960-3(b)(1). See 
proposed Sec.  1.960-3(b)(5). In the case of section 960(d), the GILTI 
inclusion amount of a domestic corporation that is also a United States 
shareholder of a CFC through its interest in a domestic partnership is 
generally determined at the partner level and therefore the rules in 
proposed Sec.  1.960-2(c) apply in the same manner as if the domestic 
corporation included the GILTI inclusion amount directly. See proposed 
Sec.  1.951A-5(c).

E. Section 78 Dividend

    The proposed regulations revise Sec.  1.78-1 to reflect the amended 
section 78, as well as make conforming changes to reflect pre-Act 
statutory amendments. In addition, the proposed regulations provide 
that section 78 dividends that relate to taxable years of foreign 
corporations that begin before January 1, 2018, are not treated as 
dividends for purposes of section 245A. This rule is necessary by 
reason of the enactment of section 245A to ensure that similarly 
situated taxpayers do not have different tax consequences under section 
245A with respect to section 78 dividends. Absent this rule, a United 
States shareholder of a CFC using a fiscal year beginning in 2017 as 
its U.S. taxable year (a ``fiscal year CFC'') could potentially claim a 
section 245A deduction with respect to its section 78 dividend 
attributable to the United States shareholder's inclusion under section 
951 (including by reason of section 965) for the CFC's fiscal year 
ending in 2018, whereas a United States shareholder of a CFC using the 
calendar year as its U.S. taxable year could not claim a section 245A 
deduction with respect to any section 78 dividend for any taxable year. 
There is no indication that Congress intended to treat these similarly 
situated taxpayers differently with respect to the section 78 dividend 
given that the purpose of the section 78 dividend--to prevent a 
taxpayer from obtaining the benefit of both a credit under section 901 
and a deduction with respect to the same foreign tax--is unrelated to 
the CFC's U.S. taxable year. Accordingly, proposed Sec.  1.78-1(c) 
includes a special applicability date to prevent this potential 
disparate treatment and double benefit to taxpayers with fiscal year 
CFCs.

V. Effect of Section 965(n) Election

    Section 965(n) allows a taxpayer to exclude section 965(a) 
inclusions (reduced by section 965(c) deductions) and associated 
section 78 gross ups in determining the amount of the net operating 
loss carryover or carryback that is absorbed in the taxable year of the 
inclusions. Proposed Sec.  1.965-7(e)(1), as proposed to be added at 83 
FR 39,514 (August 9, 2018), provides that the election also applies to 
the determination of the amount of the net operating loss for the 
taxable year.
    These proposed regulations at Sec.  1.965-7(e)(1)(i) clarify that 
if the section 965(n) election creates or increases a net operating 
loss under section 172 for the taxable year, then the taxable income of 
the person for the taxable year cannot be less than the amount 
described in proposed Sec.  1.965-7(e)(1)(ii). This rule is necessary 
to prevent the same deduction from being taken into account in the 
taxable year and also used again to create a net operating loss that is 
deducted in a different taxable year. The amount of the deductions that 
create or increase a net operating loss for the taxable year in each 
separate category and the U.S. source residual category by reason of 
the section 965(n) election is determined under proposed Sec.  1.965-
7(e)(1)(iv), and those amounts are not also taken into account in 
computing taxable income or the foreign tax credit limitations under 
section 904 for that year.
    Proposed Sec.  1.965-7(e)(1)(iv)(A) clarifies that the election 
under section 965(n) applies solely for purposes of determining the 
amount of the net operating loss for the election year and the amount 
of net operating loss carryover or carryback to that year. The proposed 
regulations provide ordering rules to coordinate the election's effect 
on section 172 with the computation of the foreign tax credit 
limitations under section 904.
    First, deductions that would have been allowed for the taxable year 
but for the section 965(n) election, other than the amount of any net 
operating loss carryover or carryback to the election year that is not 
allowed by reason of the election, are allocated and apportioned under 
Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-17 in the taxable year for which the 
section 965(n) election is made. The section 965(a) inclusions and 
associated section 78 gross ups are taken into account for this 
purpose, and also in applying the rules under Sec.  1.904(g)-3(b)(3) to 
determine the source components of a partial net operating loss 
carryover to the taxable year for which the section 965(n) election is 
made, if any, including when the amount deducted under section 172 in 
that year is reduced by reason of the section 965(n) election. Proposed 
Sec.  1.965-7(e)(1)(iv)(B)(1).
    Second, the proposed regulations provide that the amount by which a 
net operating loss is created or increased by reason of the section 
965(n) election, if any, is considered to comprise a ratable portion of 
all of the taxpayer's deductions (other than the section 965(c) 
deduction) that are allocated and apportioned to each statutory and 
residual grouping for the taxable year under the rules in proposed 
Sec.  1.965-7(e)(1)(iv)(B)(1). Proposed Sec.  1.965-7(e)(1)(iv)(B)(2).
    Third, deductions allocated and apportioned to the statutory and 
residual groupings, to the extent deducted in the election year rather 
than deferred to create or increase a net operating loss, are combined 
with income in those groupings to determine the foreign tax credit 
limitations for the year. Deductions allocated and apportioned to the 
section 965(a) inclusions and associated section 78 gross ups therefore 
reduce income in the separate category or categories (or U.S. source 
residual category) to which those section 965 amounts are assigned, and 
are not re-allocated to reduce other income, other than by operation of 
the separate limitation loss and overall domestic loss allocation rules 
of section 904(f) and (g). See proposed Sec.  1.965-7(e)(1)(iv)(B)(3). 
Accordingly, the section 965(a) inclusions and associated section 78 
gross ups may both attract and absorb deductions in the election year 
in calculating the separate foreign tax credit limitations under 
section 904.

VI. Applicability Dates

    In general, the portions of the proposed regulations that relate to 
statutory amendments made by the Act apply to taxable years beginning 
after December 22, 2017. See section 7805(b)(2). Other portions of the 
proposed regulations that do not relate to the Act apply for taxable 
years ending on or after December 4, 2018. Certain portions of the 
proposed regulations contain rules that relate to the Act as well as 
rules that do not relate to the Act. These regulations generally apply 
to taxable years that satisfy both of the

[[Page 63220]]

following two conditions: (1) The taxable year begins after December 
22, 2017, and (2) ends on or after December 4, 2018. See section 
7805(b)(1)(B).
    A special applicability date is provided is provided in Sec.  
1.861-12(k) in order to apply Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2)(i)(B)(1)(ii) to the 
last taxable year of a foreign corporation beginning before January 1, 
2018, since there may be an inclusion under section 965 for that 
taxable year. A special applicability date is also provided in Sec.  
1.904(b)-3(f) with respect to that section because section 904(b)(4) 
applies to deductions with respect to taxable years ending after 
December 31, 2017. Finally, a special applicability date is provided in 
Sec.  1.78-1(c) in order to apply the second sentence of Sec.  1.78-
1(a) to section 78 dividends received after December 31, 2017, with 
respect to a taxable year of a foreign corporation beginning before 
January 1, 2018. See Part IV.E of this Explanation of Provisions.
    Proposed Sec. Sec.  1.965-5(c)(1)(iii) and 1.965-7(e)(1)(i) and 
(iv) have the applicability dates provided in proposed Sec.  1.965-9 
(contained in 83 FR 39,514).

VII. Conforming Amendments

    Sections 1.902-0 through 1.902-4 will be withdrawn as part of 
finalizing the proposed regulations. With respect to portions of the 
temporary regulations under sections 861 through 865 that are being 
reproposed under the proposed regulations, the Treasury Department and 
the IRS will remove the corresponding temporary regulations upon 
finalization of the proposed regulations. In addition, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS intend to make conforming amendments to the 
examples throughout the foreign tax credit regulations upon 
finalization of the proposed regulations. In light of the numerous 
changes made under the Act to various defined terms and statutory cross 
references, the Treasury Department and the IRS also request comments 
on other regulations that require updating to conform to changes made 
by the Act.

Special Analyses

I. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess costs 
and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is 
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits 
(including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety 
effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 
emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. The 
Executive Order 13771 designation for any final rule resulting from 
these proposed regulations will be informed by comments received. The 
preliminary E.O. 13771 designation for this proposed rule is 
regulatory.
    The proposed regulations have been designated by the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) as subject to review under 
Executive Order 12866 pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA, 
April 11, 2018) between the Treasury Department and the Office of 
Management and Budget regarding review of tax regulations. OIRA has 
designated this rule as a significant regulatory action, under 
Executive Order 12866, and as economically significant under E.O. 12866 
and section 1(c) of the MOA. Accordingly, the proposed regulations have 
been reviewed by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. For 
more detail on the economic analysis, please refer to the following 
analysis.

A. Background

    Before the Act, the United States taxed its citizens, residents, 
and domestic corporations on their worldwide income. However, to the 
extent that both the foreign jurisdiction and the U.S. taxed the same 
income, this would have resulted in double taxation. The U.S. foreign 
tax credit (FTC) regime alleviated the double taxation issue by 
allowing a non-refundable credit for foreign income taxes paid or 
accrued to reduce U.S. tax on foreign source income.
    Under the Code, the FTC calculation is applied separately to 
different categories of income (a ``separate category''). For example, 
suppose a domestic corporate taxpayer has $100 of active foreign source 
income in the ``general category,'' $100 of passive foreign source 
income in the ``passive category,'' $50 of foreign taxes associated 
with the ``general category'' income, and $0 of foreign taxes 
associated with the ``passive category'' income. The allowable FTC is 
determined separately for the different categories of income (general 
and passive). Therefore, none of the $50 of ``general category'' FTCs 
can be used to offset U.S. tax on the ``passive category'' income. This 
taxpayer has a pre-FTC U.S. tax liability of $42 (21 percent of $200) 
but can claim a FTC for only $21 (21 percent of $100) of this 
liability, which is with respect to active foreign source income in the 
general category. The taxpayer carries over the remaining $29 of 
foreign taxes ($50 minus $21) and can generally apply the taxes as a 
credit in the prior taxable year or over the next 10 years against U.S. 
tax on general category foreign source income, subject to certain 
restrictions.
    Further, certain expenses borne by U.S. parents and domestic 
affiliates that support foreign operations are allocated to separate 
categories based, for example, on gross income or assets. These 
allocations reduce foreign source taxable income and therefore reduce 
the allowable FTCs for the separate category, since FTCs are limited to 
the U.S. income tax on the foreign source taxable income (i.e., foreign 
source income less allocated expenses) in that separate category. The 
foreign income and related taxes from one separate category generally 
cannot be combined with another category. Prior to 2007, there were 
generally nine separate categories. In general, the American Jobs 
Creation Act of 2004 reduced the number of separate categories to two--
the passive and general categories of income. These two separate 
categories generally prevailed until passage of the Act.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Although there are several other separate categories that 
may apply, such as under sections 901(j) and 904(h)(10), these 
separate categories generally arise only in rare circumstances.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The 2017 Act made several significant changes to the FTC rules and 
related rules for allocating expenses to foreign income for the purpose 
of calculating the allowable FTCs. In particular, the Act repealed the 
fair market value method of asset valuation used to apportion interest 
expense to separate categories based on the fair market value of 
assets, added new separate categories for global intangible low-taxed 
income (the section 951A category) and foreign branch income, and 
amended Code sections which address deemed paid credits for subpart F 
income, global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI), and distributions 
of previously taxed earnings and profits. Further, because repatriated 
dividends are no longer taxable, the Act also repealed section 902 
(which allowed a domestic corporation to claim FTCs with respect to 
dividends paid from a foreign corporation) and made other conforming 
changes.
    These regulations provide the detail, structure and language 
required to implement the changes made by the statute. The following 
analysis describes the need for the proposed regulations, as well as 
provides an overview of the regulations, discussion of the costs and 
benefits of these regulations as compared with the baseline, and a

[[Page 63221]]

discussion of alternative policy choices that were considered.

B. The Need for Proposed Regulations

    The numerous changes to the FTC rules in the Act require practical 
guidance for implementation. The proposed regulations provide the 
details, methodology, and approaches necessary to conform the existing 
FTC regulations to the many changes specified in the Act; for example, 
they provide structure and detail concerning how to incorporate the new 
separate categories of income into the foreign tax credit calculation, 
including how expenses will be allocated to separate categories. The 
regulations also update outdated portions of the existing regulations 
to help conform the existing regulations to the post-Act world. Thus, 
the guidance provides certainty, clarity, and consistency regarding FTC 
computations, which promotes efficiency and equity, contingent on the 
overall Code.

C. Baseline

    The economic analysis that follows compares the proposed 
regulations to a no-action baseline reflecting anticipated federal 
income tax-related behavior in the absence of these proposed 
regulations. A no-action baseline reflects the current environment 
including the existing FTC regulations, prior to any amendment by the 
proposed regulations.

D. Overview of the Proposed Regulations

    As noted above, the proposed regulations specify the methodologies 
and approaches necessary to conform the existing regulations to the 
many changes specified in the Act. Several aspects of the proposed 
regulations are particularly noteworthy, as they involve more 
discretion on the part of the Treasury Department and the IRS. These 
are the aspect of the regulations governing expense allocation, the 
aspect of the regulations governing FTC carryovers to the new foreign 
income categories, the special applicability date regarding the section 
78 gross up, and the anti-abuse rules addressing certain loans made to 
partnerships. The ultimate rules proposed, as well as the alternatives 
that were considered are discussed below.
    Most notably, in response to taxpayer requests for guidance, these 
regulations help interpret the statute by providing details regarding 
how expenses must be apportioned to the new separate categories created 
by the Act. In particular, the proposed regulations specify that, for 
purposes of applying the expense allocation and apportionment rules, 
the gross income offset by the section 250 deduction is treated as 
exempt income, and the stock giving rise to GILTI that is offset by the 
section 250 deduction is treated as an exempt asset (see Part I.A of 
the Explanation of Provisions). Such treatment implies that fewer 
expenses will be allocated to the section 951A category as a result of 
this rule, leading to higher computed foreign source taxable income, a 
larger foreign tax credit limitation, and a larger foreign tax credit 
offset with respect to GILTI income. Because these expenses are now 
allocated to another separate category (where they may be less likely 
to displace FTCs) or to U.S. source income, this rule will in general 
reduce the tax burden of U.S. multinational corporations with GILTI 
income and allocable expenses.
    The regulations also address how FTC carryovers are to be allocated 
across the new separate categories. The formation of two new separate 
categories requires a determination regarding how pre-Act FTC 
carryovers must be allocated across new and existing separate 
categories. The Treasury Department and the IRS determined that, 
because continuity in the definition of income and assignment of tax 
attributes is appropriate, taxpayers should be able to analyze their 
general category income earned in prior years to determine the extent 
to which it would have been considered to belong in the new separate 
category for foreign branch income under the rules described here (see 
Part II.A of the Explanation of Provisions). However, because 
allocation of pre-Act income to hypothetical post-Act separate 
categories has the potential to be administratively burdensome, the 
regulation provides that the allocation of FTC carryovers to the new 
foreign branch category is optional, which allows for continuity of 
income treatment while minimizing administrative and compliance burdens 
during the transition. For taxpayers that do not choose to allocate FTC 
carryovers to the new foreign branch category, their FTC carryovers 
will remain in the general category. See Part I.E.2 of this Special 
Analyses for a discussion of alternatives considered and additional 
reasoning regarding the approach taken under the proposed regulations.
    Further, as described in section IV.E of the Explanation of 
Provisions, the proposed regulations include an updated applicability 
date for the new section 78 provisions. In particular, the proposed 
regulations provide that section 78 dividends relating to taxable years 
of foreign corporations beginning before January 1, 2018, are not 
treated as dividends for purposes of the section 245A deduction. As 
further noted in section IV.E of the Explanation of Provisions, absent 
this rule, taxpayers that have calendar year CFCs instead of fiscal 
year CFCs would be treated differently with respect to their section 78 
dividends solely on the basis of this difference in tax year status; 
and taxpayers with fiscal year CFCs could receive the double benefit of 
a section 245A deduction and a FTC under section 960 with respect to 
the same foreign taxes. Allowing a double benefit for a single expense 
erodes the U.S. tax base and treats otherwise similar taxpayers (those 
who have different CFC tax years) inequitably. Based on these equity 
considerations, the Treasury Department and the IRS expect that the 
proposed regulation will provide greater net benefits than the 
alternative of not issuing a regulation on this issue.
    The regulations also address certain potentially abusive borrowing 
arrangements, such as when a U.S. person lends money to a foreign 
partnership in order to artificially increase foreign source income 
(and therefore the FTC limitation) without affecting U.S. taxable 
income (see Part I.C. of the Explanation of Provisions). This is 
accomplished, for example, by lending to a controlled partnership, 
which has no effect on U.S. taxable income, because the interest income 
received from the partnership is offset by the lender's share of the 
interest expense incurred by the partnership. However, the transaction 
can increase foreign source income and allowable foreign tax credits, 
because the existing interest expense allocation rules do not generally 
allocate interest income and interest expenses similarly. To prevent 
such artificial inflation of foreign tax credits, the regulations 
specify that interest income attributable to borrowing through a 
partnership will be allocated across foreign tax credit separate 
categories in the same manner as the associated interest expense. See 
Part I.E.2 of this Special Analyses for a discussion of alternatives 
considered and additional reasoning regarding the approach taken under 
the proposed regulations.
    In addition, the regulations clarify and provide guidance on 
numerous other technical issues. For example, they clarify the 
regulatory environment by updating inoperative language in Sec. Sec.  
1.904-1 through 1.904-3; parts of the regulations have not previously 
been updated to reflect changes to section 904 made in 1978. They also 
ease transitional administrative burdens associated with the 
implementation of the Act; for example, allowing a one-

[[Page 63222]]

time exception to the 5 year waiting period for the election of the 
gross income or sales method for R&D expense allocation (See Part I.G 
of the Explanation of Provisions), or by allowing a simplified 
definition of average basis for the first year taxpayers are required 
to use the tax book method of valuation (See Part I.E.1 of the 
Explanation of Provisions).
    The regulations further clarify the Sec.  1.904-6 rules concerning 
how allocation of taxes across separate categories should be calculated 
in the presence of base and timing differences. A base difference 
occurs, for example, if the foreign jurisdiction taxes income, such as 
life insurance proceeds or gifts, which are excluded from income for 
U.S. tax purposes. A timing difference occurs, for example, if the U.S. 
tax rules define income as being earned by marking an asset to market, 
but a domestic corporation operates a CFC in a foreign jurisdiction 
that defines income as being earned by realization upon sale. 
Regulatory guidance instructs taxpayers how to appropriately navigate 
these cross jurisdictional base and timing differences in the 
assignment of taxes to FTC separate categories. They also fill 
technical gaps in how to implement the statute in practice, for 
example, by providing a clear rule for how to characterize the value of 
stock in each separate category in the context of the new separate 
categories.
    The guidance, clarity, and specificity provided by the regulations 
help ensure that all taxpayers calculate foreign income and the foreign 
tax credit in a similar manner. The economic analysis that follows 
discusses the costs and benefits of these regulations, and the 
alternative choices that could have been made, in greater detail.

E. Economic Analysis

1. Anticipated Benefits and Costs of the Proposed Regulations
    The Treasury Department and the IRS have assessed the benefits and 
costs of the proposed regulations against a no-action baseline--which, 
as explained above, is the status quo in the absence of the proposed 
regulations. The Treasury Department and IRS expect that the certainty 
and clarity provided by these proposed regulations, relative to the no-
action baseline, will improve U.S. economic efficiency. For example, 
because separate categories for GILTI and foreign branch income did not 
previously exist, taxpayers can benefit from the enhanced specificity 
regarding how income, expenses, and carryover foreign tax credits 
should be allocated across these separate categories. In the absence of 
this enhanced clarity, similarly situated taxpayers might interpret the 
statute differently, potentially resulting in inequitable outcomes. For 
example, some taxpayers may forego specific investments that other 
taxpayers deem worthwhile based on different interpretations of the tax 
consequences alone. The guidance provided in these regulations helps to 
ensure that taxpayers face more uniform incentives when making economic 
decisions, which will generally improve economic efficiency. In order 
to give a rough sense of the population potentially affected by these 
regulations, a table reporting the number of affected filers is 
provided in Part II of this Special Analyses.
    In the absence of the enhanced specificity provided by the 
regulations described above, similarly situated taxpayers might 
interpret the statutory rules differently, and different taxpayers 
might then pursue or forego economic activities based on different 
interpretations of the tax consequences alone. By providing clear rules 
to eliminate ambiguity and to fill in technical gaps, the guidance 
provided in these regulations helps to ensure that taxpayers face more 
uniform incentives. Such uniformity across economic decision-makers is 
a tenet of economic efficiency. Clear and consistent rules also 
increase transparency and decrease the incentives and opportunities for 
tax evasion. Rules to combat abusive transactions also help to ensure 
that taxpayers make decisions based on market conditions rather than on 
tax considerations.
    Further, because the changes introduced in the Act are substantial, 
the start-up costs and learning curves involved in complying with the 
Act will also be substantial. In particular, the Act's elimination of 
tax imposed on repatriations going forward, the creation of the tax on 
global intangible low taxed income (and the corresponding section 951A 
category), and the creation of a deduction for foreign-derived 
intangible income each embody a completely new component of U.S. 
international tax law, and together restructure a U.S. international 
tax system that had remained relatively constant since 1987. By 
definition, transitioning to such a completely new system will involve 
substantial start-up costs in terms of learning the nuances of the new 
rules, and revamping record keeping, documentation, and software 
systems to aid in filling out the new tax forms and to ensure the 
availability of all the records required to benefit from new exclusions 
and deductions (such as the section 250 deduction). The proposed 
regulations assist taxpayers in this process by providing definitional 
clarity in order to minimize the disruption caused by the move to the 
new system. When possible and appropriate, they further provide 
significant transitional flexibility in order to help relieve 
compliance burdens and reduce transition administrative costs. 
Additional details, including the types of cost savings and benefits 
expected, are discussed below, as well as in Part I.E.2 of this Special 
Analyses.
    Notably, as mentioned in Part I of the Explanation of Provisions, 
taxpayers have repeatedly requested regulatory guidance concerning 
appropriate expense allocation in light of the new separate categories 
for GILTI and foreign branch income; in the absence of new regulations, 
the correct approach for allocating expenses is subject to 
interpretation. Therefore, the proposed regulations seek to clarify the 
allowable expense allocation rules that are consistent with legislative 
history's description of the section 250 deduction as effectively 
exempting income, by specifying that the income associated with the 
section 250 deduction is, for foreign tax credit purposes, treated as 
partially exempt. The regulations therefore potentially increase the 
competitiveness of U.S. corporations relative to the no-action 
baseline, which includes proposed though not yet final regulations 
under section 951A, by generally reducing the amount of U.S. parent 
expenses that are allocated to the section 951A category. They also 
provide certainty and clarity for taxpayers, which, as noted above, 
increases efficiency and transparency, and reduces the incentive for 
evasion, relative to the no-action baseline.
    However, the reduced expense allocation to the section 951A 
category resulting from these proposed regulations has the potential to 
reduce Federal tax revenue relative to the statute and in consideration 
of proposed though not yet final regulations related to section 951A. 
In addition, it could also provide some taxpayers with the incentive to 
locate more of their worldwide expenses in the United States, because 
U.S. expenses will have the potential to reduce U.S. taxable income, 
and also increase allowable foreign tax credits relative to the no-
action baseline. However, the post-Act U.S. interest expense limitation 
rules under section 163(j) make it more difficult to use excessive 
interest expense to reduce U.S. taxable income, and the significantly 
lower U.S. statutory corporate rate reduces the (previously strong) 
incentive to locate ``fungible'' deductions such as interest

[[Page 63223]]

expense in the United States. Therefore, any increase in the incentive 
to report interest expense in the United States resulting from the 
reduced expense allocation to the section 951A category is likely to be 
relatively minor. The Treasury Department and the IRS welcome comments 
on this estimated impact of the reduced expense allocation.
    In addition to the provisions described in the overview section 
above, the look-through rules provide an example of a proposed rule 
that fills a technical gap left by the implementation of the Act that 
if left unaddressed would impose significant tax uncertainty on 
taxpayers and negatively impact taxpayers' economic decision making. 
Before the Act, dividends, interest, rents and royalties (``look-
through payments'') paid to a United States shareholder by its CFC were 
generally allocated to the general category to the extent that they 
were not treated as passive category income. The Act split the general 
category income into three categories: General category, section 951A 
category, and foreign branch category, creating a question of how to 
assign non-passive category look-through payments to the two new 
separate categories. The Treasury Department and the IRS studied this 
issue and propose to revise the look-through rules to clarify that non-
passive look-through payments cannot be assigned to the section 951A 
category but instead are generally assigned to the general category or 
foreign branch category. This treatment is consistent with the fact 
that the new section 951A category by definition cannot include 
payments of dividends, interest, rents, and royalties made directly to 
a United States shareholder. On the other hand, certain interest, 
rents, and royalties earned by a foreign branch can meet the definition 
of foreign branch category income, and the general category is a 
residual category that encompasses all income that is not specifically 
assigned to any other category.
    Whether a deduction is disallowed under section 267A with respect 
to a payment of interest or royalties does not affect the treatment of 
such payment in the hands of the recipient for purposes of section 
904(d)(3). Furthermore, future regulations issued under section 267A 
will address whether such payments that are subject to U.S. tax are 
subject to the disallowance under section 267A.
2. Alternatives Considered
    The Treasury Department and the IRS next considered the benefits 
and costs of providing these specific methodologies and definitions 
regarding FTC calculations relative to possible alternatives. In 
choosing among alternatives, the Treasury Department and the IRS strive 
to adhere to Congressional intent and consistency with existing law, 
while minimizing economic distortions and compliance burdens imposed on 
taxpayers, and promoting market-driven decision making and 
administrative feasibility.
    The Act created two new separate categories with respect to FTCs, 
splitting the existing general category into general, section 951A, and 
foreign branch categories. The Act did not, however, specify how FTC 
carryovers were to be treated. The Treasury Department and the IRS 
considered alternative methods of allocating FTC carryovers originally 
associated with the general category to the new section 951A and 
foreign branch categories. One option that was considered would have 
required taxpayers to reassign existing general category FTC carryovers 
to the section 951A category as if that category existed prior to the 
adoption of the statute. Allocating carryovers to the section 951A 
category was deemed infeasible because it would be extraordinarily 
burdensome on taxpayers to attempt to recreate historical GILTI and 
would present numerous technical challenges. Such an approach would 
also result in eliminating the ability of taxpayers to credit those FTC 
carryovers since no carryovers are allowed for FTCs attributable to the 
section 951A category. This outcome would negatively impact taxpayers 
that had potentially structured their prior decisions on their presumed 
ability to use these FTC carryovers against U.S. tax on general 
category income and could result in costly and undesirable financial 
statement adjustments for some companies without providing any 
corresponding economic efficiency gains.
    By contrast, allocating carryovers to the foreign branch category 
would be technically feasible and therefore does not present the same 
technical challenges as allocating FTC carryovers to the section 951A 
category would. However, with respect to FTC carryovers and the foreign 
branch category, the Treasury Department and the IRS first considered 
providing no additional guidance beyond the existing statutory 
language, which would mean that FTC carryovers would remain in the 
general category and none would be reassigned to the foreign branch 
category. However, requiring FTC carryovers to remain in the general 
category would potentially prevent taxpayers with substantial historic 
and continuing branch operations and who previously incurred taxes on 
their branch income from being able to utilize FTC carryovers in future 
years because general category carryovers would not be available to 
offset U.S. tax on future foreign branch category income. This outcome 
would negatively impact taxpayers that had potentially structured their 
prior decisions on their presumed ability to use these FTC carryovers 
to reduce U.S. tax on what became their future foreign branch category 
income.
    As an alternative, the Treasury Department and the IRS considered 
requiring that all taxpayers do a computation to assign general 
category FTC carryovers to the foreign branch category. The concept of 
branch income existed prior to TCJA, and thus there would have been 
continuity in the assignment of pre- and post-TCJA FTCs associated with 
foreign branch category income. However, these FTC carryovers had 
previously been allocated to the general category and hence some 
taxpayers had potentially structured their prior decisions on their 
presumed ability to use these taxes against U.S. tax on general 
category income. Therefore, reassigning such FTC carryovers after the 
fact could create perverse incentives for some taxpayers to restructure 
their ongoing operations into branch form in order to generate foreign 
branch category income that can absorb FTC carryovers that were 
reassigned to the foreign branch category. Furthermore, requiring 
taxpayers to reconstruct prior year events in order to determine what 
income and FTCs would have been associated with the foreign branch 
category would be burdensome for taxpayers, again with no corresponding 
efficiency gains. The benefit of matching income and FTCs which applies 
more generally as a principle of economically efficient taxation is 
less relevant in this context because the foreign taxes have already 
been incurred.
    On the basis of these considerations of compliance burden and 
efficiency gains (or lack thereof), the proposed regulations settled on 
an approach whereby FTC carryovers would by default remain in the 
general category but the regulations also provide an option to allow 
taxpayers to allocate transitional FTC carryovers to the foreign branch 
category. The Treasury Department and the IRS chose this approach in 
response to some taxpayers' concerns that their business and investment 
plans were based on the presumption that FTC carryovers could be used 
against U.S. tax on general category income and precluding them from 
using FTCs in this way would have

[[Page 63224]]

negative economic implications. On the other hand, taxpayers whose 
foreign branch category income could absorb greater levels of FTCs can 
self-select into reconstructing what income and FTCs would have been 
associated with the foreign branch category income. Thus, taxpayers for 
whom the costs exceed the benefits would choose to retain the FTCs in 
the general category, while taxpayers for whom the benefits exceed the 
costs would choose to incur the costs of doing the computation. This 
rule provides the most flexibility, continuity, and compliance cost 
savings to taxpayers with respect to these transitional FTC carryovers.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS also faced the question of how 
to align interest income and interest expenses related to loans to a 
partnership from a U.S. partner. The Treasury Department and the IRS 
chose to match interest income allocation to interest expense 
allocation, rather than the reverse, because this minimizes distortions 
that could arise in the apportionment of other types of expenses. Under 
the matching rule in the proposed regulations, the gross interest 
income is apportioned between U.S. and foreign sources in each separate 
category based on a taxpayer's interest expense apportionment ratios. 
The Treasury Department and the IRS considered an alternative approach 
of tracing expenses to gross income under which the gross interest 
income would, under the general rules for sourcing interest income, be 
100 percent foreign source income if paid by a foreign partnership not 
engaged in a U.S. trade or business. Some deductions, such as general 
and administrative expenses, can be apportioned on the basis of gross 
income to foreign sources. A rule that did not alter the source of the 
gross interest income would affect the allocation and apportionment of 
these other expenses, such as general and administrative expenses, that 
can be allocated on the basis of gross income to foreign sources. The 
matching rule limits these distortions because it minimizes the 
artificial increase in gross foreign source income based solely on a 
related party loan to a partnership. Accordingly, the proposed matching 
rule achieves a more neutral foreign tax credit limitation result and 
better minimizes the impact of related party loans on a taxpayer's 
foreign tax credit limitation.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS considered two options with 
respect to the application of the section 245A deduction to section 78 
dividends. The first option considered was to do nothing and allow 
taxpayers with fiscal year CFCs to get a double benefit, leaving 
taxpayers with calendar year CFCs at a relative disadvantage. An 
additional drawback of this approach is that taxpayers with fiscal year 
CFCs would likely face uncertainty with respect to their tax positions, 
as the availability of a section 245A deduction to a section 78 
dividend may be anticipated to be deemed inappropriate and ultimately 
be reversed. Such delayed changes would force taxpayers that are 
publicly traded companies to issue costly restatements of their 
financial accounts, which could result in stock market volatility. The 
second option considered was to eliminate this inequity of tax 
treatment between taxpayers with calendar year CFCs versus fiscal year 
CFCs by providing that section 78 dividends relating to taxable years 
beginning before January 1, 2018, are not treated as dividends for 
purposes of the section 245A deduction. The advantage of this approach 
is that it eliminates the disparate tax treatment of otherwise 
similarly situated taxpayers because it removes the unintended benefit 
for taxpayers with fiscal year CFCs. This approach also promotes 
economic efficiency by resolving the uncertainty related to the 
availability of a section 245A deduction to a section 78 dividend. The 
latter option is the approach adopted in the proposed regulations.

II. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The rules relating to foreign tax credits that were modified by the 
Act are reflected in several revised and new schedules added to 
existing forms. For purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3507(d)) (``PRA''), the reporting burden associated with the 
revised and new schedules will be reflected in the IRS Forms 14029, 
Paperwork Reduction Act Submission, associated with the forms described 
in this Part II.
    Form 1118, Foreign Tax Credit--Corporations, has been revised to 
add new Schedule C (Tax Deemed Paid With Respect to Section 951(a)(1) 
Inclusions by Domestic Corporation Filing Return (Section 960(a)), 
Schedule D (Tax Deemed Paid With Respect to Section 951A Income by 
Domestic Corporation Filing the Return (Section 960(d)), and Schedule E 
(Tax Deemed Paid With Respect to Previously Taxed Income by Domestic 
Corporation Filing the Return (Section 960(b)). In addition, the 
existing schedules of Form 1118 have been modified to account for the 
two new separate categories of income under section 904(d); the repeal 
of section 902 indirect credits for foreign taxes deemed paid with 
respect to dividends from foreign corporations; modified indirect 
credits under section 960 for inclusions under sections 951(a)(1) and 
951A; modified section 78 gross up with respect to inclusions under 
sections 951(a)(1) and 951A; the revised sourcing rule for certain 
income from the sale of inventory under section 863(b); the repeal of 
the fair market value method for apportioning interest expense under 
864(e); new adjustments for purposes of section 904 with respect to 
expenses allocable to certain stock or dividends for which a dividends 
received deduction is allowed under section 245A; the election to 
increase pre-2018 section 904(g) Overall Domestic Loss (ODL) recapture; 
and limited foreign tax credits with respect to inclusions under 
section 965. For purposes of the PRA, the reporting burden associated 
with these changes is reflected in the IRS Form 14029, Paperwork 
Reduction Act Submission, associated with Form 1118 (OMB control number 
1545-0123, which represents a total estimated burden time, including 
all other related forms and schedules, of 3.157 billion hours and total 
estimated monetized costs of $58.148 billion).
    Form 5471, Information Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to 
Certain Foreign Corporations, has also been revised to add Schedule E-1 
(Taxes Paid, Accrued, or Deemed Paid on Accumulated Earnings and 
Profits (E&P) of Foreign Corporation) and Schedule P (Previously Taxed 
Earnings and Profits of U.S. Shareholder of Certain Foreign 
Corporations) and to amend Schedule E (Income, War Profits, and Excess 
Profits Taxes Paid or Accrued) and Schedule J (Accumulated Earnings & 
Profits (E&P) of Controlled Foreign Corporations). These changes to the 
Form 5471 reflect the two new separate categories of income under 
section 904(d); the repeal of section 902 indirect credits for foreign 
taxes deemed paid with respect to dividends from foreign corporations; 
modified indirect credits under section 960 for inclusions under 
sections 951(a)(1) and 951A; and limited foreign tax credits with 
respect to inclusions under section 965. For purposes of the PRA, the 
reporting burden associated with these changes is reflected in the IRS 
Form 14029, Paperwork Reduction Act Submission, associated with 
Schedules E, E-1, J, and P of Form 5471 (OMB control number 1545-0123).
    Schedule B (Specifically Attributable Taxes and Income (Section 
999(c)(2)) of the Form 5713, International Boycott Report, has also 
been revised to reflect the repeal of section 902. Schedule C (Tax 
Effect of the International Boycott Provisions) of the Form 5713 has 
been revised to account for the new section

[[Page 63225]]

904(d) categories of income. For purposes of the PRA, the reporting 
burden associated with these changes is reflected in the IRS Form 
14029, Paperwork Reduction Act Submission, associated with Schedules B 
and C of Form 5713 (OMB control number 1545-0216, which represents a 
total estimated burden time, including all other related forms and 
schedules, of 143,498 hours).
    Schedules K and K-1 of the following forms have been revised to 
account for the new section 904(d) categories of income: Form 1065, 
U.S. Return of Partnership Income, Form 1120-S, U.S. Income Tax Return 
for an S Corporation, and Form 8865, Return of U.S. Persons With 
Respect to Certain Foreign Partnerships. Form 1116, Foreign Tax Credit 
(Individual, Estate, or Trust), has also been revised to account for 
the new section 904(d) categories of income. For purposes of the PRA, 
the reporting burden associated with these changes is reflected in the 
IRS Form 14029, Paperwork Reduction Act Submission, associated with 
Forms 1065 and 1120S (OMB control number 1545-0123), associated with 
Form 8865 (OMB control number 1545-1668, which represents a total 
estimated burden time, including all other related forms and schedules, 
of 289,354 hours), and associated with Form 1116 (OMB control numbers 
1545-0121, which represents a total estimated burden time, including 
all other related forms and schedules, of 25,066,693 hours; and 1545-
0074, which represents a total estimated burden time, including all 
other related forms and schedules, of 1.784 billion hours and total 
estimated monetized costs of $31.764 billion).
    The IRS estimates the number of affected filers for the 
aforementioned forms to be the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Number of
                                                             respondents
                           Form                                   *
                                                             (estimated)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1116.................................................     8,000,000
Form 1118.................................................        15,000
Form 1065.................................................     4,000,000
Form 1065 Schedule K-1....................................    24,750,000
Form 1120-S...............................................     4,750,000
Form 1120-S Schedule K-1..................................     7,500,000
Form 5471.................................................        28,000
Form 5471 Schedule E......................................        10,000
Form 5471 Schedule J......................................        25,500
Form 5713 Schedule B......................................        <1,000
Form 5713 Schedule C......................................        <1,000
Form 8865.................................................        14,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data tabulated from 2015 and 2016 Business Return Transaction File and E-
  file data.
* Except for K-1 filings, which count the total number of K-1s received;
  same issuer K-1s are aggregated at the recipient level.

    The current status of the Paperwork Reduction Act submissions 
related to foreign tax credits is provided in the following table. The 
burden estimates provided in the above narrative are aggregate amounts 
that relate to the entire package of forms associated with the OMB 
control number, and include but do not isolate the estimated burden of 
only the foreign tax credit-related forms that are included in the 
tables in this Part II. The Treasury Department and the IRS have 
assumed that any burden estimates and forms, including new information 
collections, related to foreign tax credits capture changes made by the 
Act and that no additional information collection burdens arise out of 
discretionary authority exercised in these regulations. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS welcome comments on all aspects of information 
collection burdens related to the foreign tax credit. In addition, the 
IRS forms will be posted and available for comment at https://apps.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/draftTaxForms.html.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Form                       Type of filer              OMB No.(s)                 Status
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1116............................  All other Filers         1545-0121..............  Approved by OMB through
                                        (mainly trusts and                                10/30/2020.
                                        estates) (Legacy
                                        system).
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201704-1545-023 023
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Business (NEW Model)...  1545-0123..............  Published in the
                                                                                          Federal Register
                                                                                          Notice (FRN) on 10/8/
                                                                                          18. Public Comment
                                                                                          period closes on 12/10/
                                                                                          18.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/09/2018-21846/proposed-collection-comment-request-for-forms-1065-1065-b-1066-1120-1120-c-1120-f-1120-h-1120-nd.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Individual (NEW Model).  1545-0074..............  Limited Scope
                                                                                          submission (1040 only)
                                                                                          on 10/11/18 at OIRA
                                                                                          for review. Full ICR
                                                                                          submission (all forms)
                                                                                          scheduled in 3-2019.
                                                                                          60 Day FRN not
                                                                                          published yet for full
                                                                                          collection.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201808-1545-031 031.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1118............................  Business (NEW Model)...  1545-0123..............  Published in the FRN on
                                                                                          10/8/18. Public
                                                                                          Comment period closes
                                                                                          on 12/10/18.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/09/2018-21846/proposed-collection-comment-request-for-forms-1065-1065-b-1066-1120-1120-c-1120-f-1120-h-1120-nd.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1065 (including Schedule K-1)...  Same as above..........  Same as above..........  Same as above.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: Same as above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1120-S (including Schedule K-1).  Same as above..........  Same as above..........  Same as above.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: Same as above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 5471 (including Schedules E, J).  Business (NEW Model)...  1545-0123..............  Published in the FRN on
                                                                                          10/8/18. Public
                                                                                          Comment period closes
                                                                                          on 12/10/18.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 63226]]

 
                                       Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/09/2018-21846/proposed-collection-comment-request-for-forms-1065-1065-b-1066-1120-1120-c-1120-f-1120-h-1120-nd.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Individual (NEW Model).  1545-0074..............  Limited Scope
                                                                                          submission (1040 only)
                                                                                          on 10/11/18 at OIRA
                                                                                          for review. Full ICR
                                                                                          submission for all
                                                                                          forms in 3-2019. 60
                                                                                          Day FRN not published
                                                                                          yet for full
                                                                                          collection.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201808-1545-031 031.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 5713 Schedules B, C.............  All other Filers         1545-0216..............  Published in the FRN on
                                        (mainly trusts and                                3/28/18. Public
                                        estates) (Legacy                                  Comment period closed
                                        system).                                          5/29/18. Renewal
                                                                                          submitted on 10/11/18
                                                                                          for review to OIRA.
                                                                                          New 2018 Forms not
                                                                                          included in renewal to
                                                                                          OIRA due to timing of
                                                                                          submission.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/29/2018-23515/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-for-omb-review-comment-request-multiple-internal, https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201807-1545-001.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Business (NEW Model)...  1545-0123..............  Published in the FRN on
                                                                                          10/11/18. Public
                                                                                          Comment period closes
                                                                                          on 12/10/18.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/09/2018-21846/proposed-collection-comment-request-for-forms-1065-1065-b-1066-1120-1120-c-1120-f-1120-h-1120-nd.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Individual (NEW Model).  1545-0074..............  Limited Scope
                                                                                          submission (1040 only)
                                                                                          on 10/11/18 at OIRA
                                                                                          for review. Full ICR
                                                                                          submission for all
                                                                                          forms in 3-2019. 60
                                                                                          Day FRN not published
                                                                                          yet for full
                                                                                          collection.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201808-1545-031 031.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 8865............................  All other Filers         1545-1668..............  Published in the FRN on
                                        (mainly trusts and                                10/1/18. Public
                                        estates) (Legacy                                  Comment period closes
                                        system).                                          on 11/30/18. ICR in
                                                                                          process by Treasury as
                                                                                          of 10/17/18.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/01/2018-21288/proposed-collection-comment-request-for-regulation-project.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Business (NEW Model)...  1545-0123..............  Published in the FRN on
                                                                                          10/8/18. Public
                                                                                          Comment period closes
                                                                                          on 12/10/18.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/09/2018-21846/proposed-collection-comment-request-for-forms-1065-1065-b-1066-1120-1120-c-1120-f-1120-h-1120-nd.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Individual (NEW Model).  1545-0074..............  Limited Scope
                                                                                          submission (1040 only)
                                                                                          on 10/11/18 at OIRA
                                                                                          for review. Full ICR
                                                                                          submission for all
                                                                                          forms in 3-2019. 60
                                                                                          Day FRN not published
                                                                                          yet for full
                                                                                          collection.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Link: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201808-1545-031 031.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), it 
is hereby certified that this regulation, if adopted, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
within the meaning of section 601(6) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    The proposed regulations provide guidance needed to comply with 
statutory changes and affect individuals and corporations claiming 
foreign tax credits. The domestic small business entities that are 
subject to the foreign tax credit rules in the Code and this notice of 
proposed rulemaking are generally those domestic small business 
entities that are at least 10 percent corporate shareholders of foreign 
corporations, and so are eligible to claim dividends-received 
deductions or compute foreign taxes deemed paid under section 960 with 
respect to inclusions under subpart F and section 951A from controlled 
foreign corporations. Other provisions of the Act, such as the new 
separate foreign tax credit limitation category for foreign branch 
income and the repeal of the option to allocate and apportion interest 
expense on the basis of the fair market value (rather than tax basis) 
of a taxpayer's assets, might also affect domestic small business 
entities that operate in foreign jurisdictions. Data about the number 
of domestic small business entities potentially affected by these 
aspects of the Act, and therefore potentially by these proposed 
regulations, is not readily available.
    However, the Treasury Department and IRS do not believe a 
substantial number of domestic small business entities will be affected 
by this notice of proposed rulemaking. Many of the more significant 
aspects of the proposed regulations, including all of the rules in 
proposed Sec. Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(C), 1.861-10, 1.861-12, 1.861-13, 
1.901(j)-1, 1.904-5, 1.904(b)-3, 1.954-1, 1.960-1 through 1.960-3, and 
1.965-7 apply only to United States persons that operate a foreign 
business in corporate form, and, in most cases, only if the foreign

[[Page 63227]]

corporation is a CFC. Because it takes significant resources and 
investment for a foreign business to operate outside of the United 
States in corporate form, and in particular to own a CFC, the owners of 
such businesses will infrequently be domestic small business entities. 
Consequently, the Treasury Department and the IRS do not believe that 
the proposed regulations will affect a substantial number of domestic 
small business entities. The Treasury Department and the IRS welcome 
comments regarding the amount and types of domestic small business 
entities that may be affected by this rule.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS also do not believe that the 
proposed regulations will have a substantial economic effect on 
domestic small business entities. See Table below. Based on published 
information from 2013, foreign tax credits as a percentage of three 
different tax-related measures of annual receipts (see Table for 
variables) by corporations are substantially less than the 3 to 5 
percent threshold for significant economic impact. The amount of 
foreign tax credits in 2013 is an upper bound on the change in foreign 
tax credits resulting from the proposed regulations.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              $500,000    $1,000,000   $5,000,000  $10,000,000   $50,000,000  $100,000,000
         Size  (by business receipts)             Under        under        under        under         under        under         under     $250,000,000
                                                 $500,000    $1,000,000   $5,000,000  $10,000,000  $50,000,000  $100,000,000  $250,000,000     or  more
                                                       (%)          (%)          (%)          (%)          (%)           (%)           (%)           (%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FTC/Total Receipts...........................         0.03         0.00         0.00         0.01         0.01          0.03          0.09          0.56
FTC/(Total Receipts-Total Deductions)........         0.48         0.03         0.04         0.26         0.22          0.51          1.20          9.00
FTC/Business Receipts........................         0.05         0.00         0.00         0.01         0.01          0.04          0.10          0.64
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Statistics of Income (2013) Form 1120 available at https://www.irs.gov/statistics.

    To the extent a domestic small business entity is affected by the 
Act, the proposed regulations help reduce their compliance costs by 
providing clarity, certainty, and flexibility to the taxpayer regarding 
how to take into account the changes made by the Act in claiming 
foreign tax credits. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act is not required with respect to the 
proposed regulations.
    Notwithstanding this certification, the Treasury Department and the 
IRS invite comments on the impact of this rule on small entities.
    Pursuant to section 7805(f), this notice of proposed rulemaking has 
been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration for comment on its impact on small businesses. The 
Treasury Department and the IRS invites the public to comment on this 
certification.

IV. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) 
requires that agencies assess anticipated costs and benefits and take 
certain other actions before issuing a final rule that includes any 
Federal mandate that may result in expenditures in any one year by a 
state, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $100 million in 1995 dollars, updated annually for 
inflation. In 2018, that threshold is approximately $150 million. This 
rule does not include any Federal mandate that may result in 
expenditures by state, local, or tribal governments, or by the private 
sector in excess of that threshold.

V. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    Executive Order 13132 (entitled ``Federalism'') prohibits an agency 
from publishing any rule that has federalism implications if the rule 
either imposes substantial, direct compliance costs on state and local 
governments, and is not required by statute, or preempts state law, 
unless the agency meets the consultation and funding requirements of 
section 6 of the Executive Order. This proposed rule does not have 
federalism implications and does not impose substantial direct 
compliance costs on state and local governments or preempt state law 
within the meaning of the Executive Order.

Comments and Requests for Public Hearing

    Before the proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, 
consideration will be given to any comments that are submitted timely 
to the IRS as prescribed in this preamble under Addresses. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS request comments on all aspects of the proposed 
rules. All comments will be available at www.regulations.gov or upon 
request. A public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by 
any person that timely submits comments. If a public hearing is 
scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the public hearing 
will be published in the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of the proposed regulations are Karen J. 
Cate, Jeffrey P. Cowan, Jeffrey L. Parry, Larry R. Pounders, and 
Suzanne M. Walsh of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel 
(International). However, other personnel from the Treasury Department 
and the IRS 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

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by revising 
the entries for Sec. Sec.  1.861-8, 1.861-9, 1.861-9T, 1.861-10(e), 
1.861-11, 1.904-4, 1.904-5, 1.904-6, and 1.960-1 and adding entries for 
Sec. Sec.  1.861-12, 1.861-13, 1.901(j)-1, 1.904-1, 1.904-2, 1.904-3, 
1.960-2, 1.960-3, 1.960-4, 1.960-5, 1.965-5, and 1.965-7, to read in 
part as follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805.
* * * * *
    Section 1.861-8 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 250(c), 864(e)(7), 
and 882(c).
    Sections 1.861-9 and 1.861-9T also issued under 26 U.S.C. 
863(a), 26 U.S.C. 864(e)(7), 26 U.S.C. 865(i), and 26 U.S.C. 
7701(f).
    Section 1.861-10(e) also issued under 26 U.S.C. 863(a), 26 
U.S.C. 864(e)(7), 26 U.S.C. 865(i), and 26 U.S.C. 7701(f).
    Section 1.861-11 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 863(a), 26 U.S.C. 
864(e)(7), 26 U.S.C. 865(i), and 26 U.S.C. 7701(f).
    Section 1.861-12 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 864(e)(7).
    Section 1.861-13 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 864(e)(7).
* * * * *
    Section 1.901(j)-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 901(j)(4).
* * * * *
    Section 1.904-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 904(d)(7).
    Section 1.904-2 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 904(d)(7).

[[Page 63228]]

    Section 1.904-3 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 904(d)(7).
    Section 1.904-4 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 250(c), 
904(d)(2)(J)(i), 904(d)(6)(C), 26 U.S.C. 904(d)(7), and 26 U.S.C. 
951A(f)(1)(B).
    Section 1.904-5 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 904(d)(7), and 26 
U.S.C. 951A(f)(1)(B).
    Section 1.904-6 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 904(d)(7).
* * * * *
    Section 1.960-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 960(f).
    Section 1.960-2 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 960(f).
    Section 1.960-3 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 960(f).
    Section 1.960-4 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 951A(f)(1)(B) and 26 
U.S.C. 960(f).
    Section 1.965-5 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 965(o).
    Section 1.965-7 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 965(o).
* * * * *
0
Par. 2 Section 1.78-1 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1.78-1  Gross up for deemed paid foreign tax credit.

    (a) Taxes deemed paid by certain domestic corporations treated as a 
dividend. If a domestic corporation chooses to have the benefits of the 
foreign tax credit under section 901 for any taxable year, an amount 
that is equal to the foreign income taxes deemed to be paid by the 
corporation for the year under section 960 (in the case of section 
960(d), determined without regard to the phrase ``80 percent of'' in 
section 960(d)(1)) is, to the extent provided by this section, treated 
as a dividend (a section 78 dividend) received by the domestic 
corporation from the foreign corporation. A section 78 dividend is 
treated as a dividend for all purposes of the Code, except that it is 
not treated as a dividend for purposes of section 245 or 245A, and does 
not increase the earnings and profits of the domestic corporation or 
decrease the earnings and profits of the foreign corporation. Any 
reduction under section 907(a) of the foreign income taxes deemed paid 
with respect to combined foreign oil and gas income does not affect the 
amount treated as a section 78 dividend. See Sec.  1.907(a)-1(e)(3). 
Similarly, any reduction under section 901(e) of the foreign income 
taxes deemed paid with respect to foreign mineral income does not 
affect the amount treated as a section 78 dividend. See Sec.  1.901-
3(a)(2)(i), (b)(2)(i)(b), and (d), Example 8. Any reduction under 
section 6038(c)(1)(B) in the foreign taxes paid or accrued by a foreign 
corporation is taken into account in determining foreign taxes deemed 
paid and the amount treated as a section 78 dividend. See, for example, 
Sec.  1.6038-2(k)(5), Example 1. To the extent provided in the Code, 
section 78 does not apply to any tax not allowed as a credit. See, for 
example, sections 901(j)(3), 901(k)(7), 901(l)(4), 901(m)(6), and 
908(b). For rules on determining the source of a section 78 dividend in 
computing the limitation on the foreign tax credit under section 904, 
see Sec. Sec.  1.861-3(a)(3), 1.862-1(a)(1)(ii), and 1.904-5(m)(6). For 
rules on assigning a section 78 dividend to a separate category, see 
Sec.  1.904-4(o).
    (b) Date on which section 78 dividend is received. A section 78 
dividend is considered received by a domestic corporation on the date 
on which--
    (1) The corporation includes in gross income under section 
951(a)(1)(A) the amounts by reason of which there are deemed paid under 
section 960(a) the foreign income taxes that give rise to that section 
78 dividend, notwithstanding that the foreign income taxes may be 
carried back or carried over to another taxable year and deemed to be 
paid or accrued in such other taxable year under section 904(c); or
    (2) The corporation includes in gross income under section 951A(a) 
the amounts by reason of which there are deemed paid under section 
960(d) the foreign income taxes that give rise to that section 78 
dividend.
    (c) Applicability date. This section applies to taxable years of 
foreign corporations that begin after December 31, 2017, and to taxable 
years of United States shareholders in which or with which such taxable 
years of foreign corporations end. The second sentence of paragraph (a) 
of this section also applies to section 78 dividends that are received 
after December 31, 2017, by reason of taxes deemed paid under section 
960(a) with respect to a taxable year of a foreign corporation 
beginning before January 1, 2018.
0
Par. 3. Section 1.861-8 is amended by:
0
1. Removing the last sentence of paragraph (a)(1).
0
2. Removing the third sentence through fifth sentences of paragraph 
(a)(4).
0
3. Removing paragraph (a)(5).
0
4. Revising paragraphs (c)(2) and (d)(2).
0
5. Adding two sentences after the sixth sentence in paragraph (e)(1).
0
6. Removing the first sentence of paragraph (e)(6)(i).
0
7. Adding a new first sentence and a new second sentence to paragraph 
(e)(6)(i).
0
8. Removing paragraphs (e)(6)(iii) and (e)(12)(iv).
0
9. Adding paragraphs (e)(13) through (e)(15).
0
10. Revising paragraph (f)(1)(i).
0
11. Adding paragraph (h).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.861-8  Computation of taxable income from sources within the 
United States and from other sources and activities.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) Apportionment based on assets. Certain taxpayers are required 
by paragraph (e)(2) of this section and Sec.  1.861-9T to apportion 
interest expense on the basis of assets. A taxpayer may apportion other 
deductions based on the comparative value of assets that generate 
income within each grouping, provided that this method reflects the 
factual relationship between the deduction and the groupings of income 
and is applied in accordance with the rules of Sec.  1.861-9T(g). In 
general, such apportionments must be made either on the basis of the 
tax book value of those assets or, except in the case of interest 
expense, on the basis of their fair market value. See Sec.  1.861-9(h). 
Taxpayers using the fair market value method for their last taxable 
year beginning before January 1, 2018, must change to the tax book 
value method (or the alternative tax book value method) for purposes of 
apportioning interest expense for their first taxable year beginning 
after December 31, 2017. The Commissioner's approval is not required 
for this change. In the case of any corporate taxpayer that--
    (i) Uses tax book value or alternative tax book value, and
    (ii) Owns directly or indirectly (within the meaning of Sec.  
1.861-12T(c)(2)(ii)(B)) 10 percent or more of the total combined voting 
power of all classes of stock entitled to vote in any other corporation 
(domestic or foreign) that is not a member of the affiliated group (as 
defined in section 864(e)(5)), the taxpayer must adjust its basis in 
that stock in the manner described in Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2).
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) Allocation and apportionment to exempt, excluded, or eliminated 
income--(i) In general. [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.861-8T(d)(2)(i).
    (ii) Exempt income and exempt asset defined--(A) In general. For 
purposes of this section, the term exempt income means any gross income 
to the extent that it is exempt, excluded, or eliminated for Federal 
income tax purposes. The term exempt asset means any asset to the 
extent income from the asset is (or is treated as under paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii)(B) or (C) of this section) exempt, excluded, or eliminated 
for Federal income tax purposes.

[[Page 63229]]

    (B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.861-
8T(d)(2)(ii)(B).
    (C) Foreign-derived intangible income and inclusions under section 
951A(a)--(1) Exempt income. The term ``exempt income'' includes an 
amount of a domestic corporation's gross income included in foreign-
derived intangible income (as defined in section 250(b)(1)), and also 
includes an amount of a domestic corporation's gross income from an 
inclusion under section 951A(a) and the gross up under section 78 
attributable to such an inclusion, in each case equal to the amount of 
the deduction allowed under section 250(a) for such gross income 
(taking into account the reduction under section 250(a)(2)(B), if any). 
Therefore, for purposes of apportioning deductions using a gross income 
method, gross income does not include gross income included in foreign-
derived intangible income, an inclusion under section 951A(a), or the 
gross up under section 78 attributable to an inclusion under section 
951A(a), in an amount equal to the amount of the deduction allowed 
under section 250(a)(1)(A), (B)(i), or (B)(ii), respectively (taking 
into account the reduction under section 250(a)(2)(B), if any).
    (2) Exempt assets--(i) Assets that produce foreign-derived 
intangible income. The term ``exempt asset'' includes the portion of a 
domestic corporation's assets that produce gross income included in 
foreign-derived intangible income equal to the amount of such assets 
multiplied by the fraction that equals the amount of the domestic 
corporation's deduction allowed under section 250(a)(1)(A) (taking into 
account the reduction under section 250(a)(2)(B)(i), if any) divided by 
its foreign-derived intangible income. No portion of the value of stock 
in a foreign corporation is treated as an exempt asset by reason of 
this paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(C)(2)(i), including by reason of a transfer 
of intangible property to a foreign corporation subject to section 
367(d) that gives rise to income eligible for a deduction under section 
250(a)(1)(A).
    (ii) Controlled foreign corporation stock that gives rise to 
inclusions under section 951A(a). The term ``exempt asset'' includes a 
portion of the value of a United States shareholder's stock in a 
controlled foreign corporation if the United States shareholder is a 
domestic corporation that is eligible for a deduction under section 
250(a) with respect to income described in section 250(a)(1)(B)(i) and 
all or a portion of the domestic corporation's stock in the controlled 
foreign corporation is characterized as GILTI inclusion stock. The 
portion of foreign corporation stock that is treated as an exempt asset 
for a taxable year equals the portion of the value of such foreign 
corporation stock (determined in accordance with Sec. Sec.  1.861-9(g), 
1.861-12, and 1.861-13) that is characterized as GILTI inclusion stock 
multiplied by a fraction that equals the amount of the domestic 
corporation's deduction allowed under section 250(a)(1)(B)(i) (taking 
into account the reduction under section 250(a)(2)(B)(ii), if any) 
divided by its GILTI inclusion amount (as defined in Sec.  1.951A-
1(c)(1) or, in the case of a member of a consolidated group, Sec.  
1.1502-51(b)) for such taxable year. The portion of controlled foreign 
corporation stock treated as an exempt asset under this paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii)(C)(2)(ii) is treated as attributable to the relevant 
categories of GILTI inclusion stock described in each of paragraphs 
(d)(2)(ii)(C)(3)(i) through (v) of this section based on the relative 
value of the portion of the stock in each such category.
    (3) GILTI inclusion stock. For purposes of paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii)(C)(2)(ii) of this section, the term GILTI inclusion stock 
means the aggregate of the portions of the value of controlled foreign 
corporation stock that are--
    (i) Assigned to the section 951A category under Sec.  1.861-
13(a)(2);
    (ii) Assigned to a particular treaty category under Sec.  1.861-
13(a)(3)(i) (relating to resourced gross tested income stock);
    (iii) Assigned under Sec.  1.861-13(a)(1) to the gross tested 
income statutory grouping within the foreign source passive category 
less the amount described in Sec.  1.861-13(a)(5)(iii)(A);
    (iv) Assigned under Sec.  1.861-13(a)(1) to the gross tested income 
statutory grouping within the U.S. source general category less the 
amount described in Sec.  1.861-13(a)(5)(iv)(A); and
    (v) Assigned under Sec.  1.861-13(a)(1) to the gross tested income 
statutory grouping within the U.S. source passive category less the 
amount described in Sec.  1.861-13(a)(5)(iv)(B).
    (4) Non-applicability to section 250(b)(3). This paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii)(C) does not apply when apportioning deductions for purposes 
of determining deduction eligible income under the operative section of 
section 250(b)(3).
    (5) Example. The following example illustrates the application of 
this paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(C).

    (i) Facts. USP, a domestic corporation, directly owns all of the 
stock of CFC1 and CFC2, both of which are controlled foreign 
corporations. The tax book value of CFC1 and CFC2's stock is $10,000 
and $9,000, respectively. Pursuant to Sec.  1.861-13(a), $6,100 of 
the stock of CFC1 is assigned to the section 951A category under 
Sec.  1.861-13(a)(2) (``section 951A category stock'') and the 
remaining $3,900 of the stock of CFC1 is assigned to the general 
category (``general category stock''). Additionally, $4,880 of the 
stock of CFC2 is section 951A category stock and the remaining 
$4,120 of the stock of CFC2 is general category stock. Under section 
951A and the section 951A regulations (as defined in Sec.  1.951A-
1(a)(1)), USP's GILTI inclusion amount is $610. The portion of USP's 
deduction under section 250 described in section 250(a)(1)(B)(i) is 
$305. No portion of USP's deduction is reduced by reason of section 
250(a)(2)(B)(ii).
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(C)(1) of this section, 
$305 of USP's gross income attributable to its GILTI inclusion 
amount is exempt income for purposes of apportioning deductions for 
purposes of section 904. Under paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(C)(3) of this 
section, the GILTI inclusion stock of CFC1 is the $6,100 of stock 
that is section 951A category stock and the GILTI inclusion stock of 
CFC2 is the $4,880 of stock that is section 951A category stock. 
Under paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(C)(2) of this section, the portion of the 
value of the stock of CFC1 and CFC2 that is treated as an exempt 
asset equals the portion of the value of the stock of CFC1 and CFC2 
that is GILTI inclusion stock multiplied by 50% ($305/$610). 
Accordingly, the exempt portion of the stock of CFC1 is $3,050 (50% 
x $6,100) and the exempt portion of CFC2's stock is $2,440 (50% x 
$4,880). Therefore, the stock of CFC1 taken into account for 
purposes of apportioning deductions is $3,050 of non-exempt section 
951A category stock and $3,900 of general category stock. The stock 
of CFC2 taken into account for purposes of apportioning deductions 
is $2,440 of non-exempt section 951A category stock and $4,120 of 
general category stock.

    (d)(2)(iii) through (d)(2)(iii)(B) [Reserved]. For further 
guidance, see Sec.  1.861-8T(d)(2)(iii) through Sec.  1.861-
8T(d)(2)(iii)(B).
    (C) Dividends for which a deduction is allowed under section 245A;
    (D) Foreign earned income as defined in section 911 and the 
regulations thereunder (however, the rules of Sec.  1.911-6 do not 
require the allocation and apportionment of certain deductions, 
including home mortgage interest, to foreign earned income for purposes 
of determining the deductions disallowed under section 911(d)(6)); and
    (E) Inclusions for which a deduction is allowed under section 
965(c). See Sec.  1.965-6(d).
    (iv) Value of stock attributable to previously taxed earnings and 
profits. No portion of the value of stock in a controlled foreign 
corporation is treated as an exempt asset by reason of the adjustment 
under Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2) in respect of previously taxed earnings and 
profits described in section 959(c)(1) or (c)(2) (including earnings 
and profits described in section 959(c)(2) by reason

[[Page 63230]]

of section 951A(f)(1) and Sec.  1.951A-6(b)(1)). See also Sec.  1.965-
6(d).
    (e) * * * (1) * * * Paragraphs (e)(13) and (14) of this section 
contain rules with respect to the allocation and apportionment of the 
deduction allowed under section 250(a). Paragraph (e)(15) of this 
section contains rules with respect to the allocation and apportionment 
of a taxpayer's distributive share of a partnership's deductions. * * *
* * * * *
    (6) * * * (i) In general. The deduction for foreign income, war 
profits and excess profits taxes (foreign income taxes) allowed by 
section 164 is allocated and apportioned among the applicable statutory 
and residual groupings under the principles of Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(i), 
(ii), and (iv). The deduction for state and local taxes (state income 
taxes) allowed by section 164 is considered definitely related and 
allocable to the gross income with respect to which such state income 
taxes are imposed. * * *
* * * * *
    (13) Foreign-derived intangible income. The portion of the 
deduction that is allowed for foreign-derived intangible income under 
section 250(a)(1)(A) (taking into account the reduction under section 
250(a)(2)(B)(i), if any) is considered definitely related and allocable 
to the class of gross income included in the taxpayer's foreign-derived 
deduction eligible income (as defined in section 250(b)(4)). If 
necessary, the portion of the deduction is apportioned within the class 
ratably between the statutory grouping (or among the statutory 
groupings) of gross income and the residual grouping of gross income 
based on the relative amounts of foreign-derived deduction eligible 
income in each grouping.
    (14) Global intangible low-taxed income and related section 78 
gross up. The portion of the deduction that is allowed for the global 
intangible low-taxed income amount described in section 250(a)(1)(B)(i) 
(taking into account the reduction under section 250(a)(2)(B)(ii), if 
any) is considered definitely related and allocable to the class of 
gross income included under section 951A(a). If necessary (for example, 
because a portion of the inclusion under section 951A(a) is passive 
category income or U.S. source income), the portion of the deduction is 
apportioned within the class ratably between the statutory grouping (or 
among the statutory groupings) of gross income and the residual 
grouping of gross income based on the relative amounts of gross income 
in each grouping. Similar rules apply to allocate and apportion the 
portion of the deduction that is allowed for the section 78 gross up 
under section 250(a)(1)(B)(ii).
    (15) Distributive share of partnership deductions. In general, if 
deductions are incurred by a partnership in which the taxpayer is a 
partner, the taxpayer's deductions that are allocated and apportioned 
include the taxpayer's distributive share of the partnership's 
deductions. See Sec. Sec.  1.861-9(e), 1.861-17(f), and 1.904-
4(n)(1)(ii) for special rules for apportioning a partner's distributive 
share of deductions of a partnership.
    (f) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Separate foreign tax credit limitations. Section 904(d)(1) and 
other sections described in Sec.  1.904-4(m) require that a separate 
foreign tax credit limitation be determined with respect to each 
separate category of income specified in those sections. Accordingly, 
the foreign source income within each separate category described in 
Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v) constitutes a separate statutory grouping of 
income. U.S. source income is treated as income in the residual 
category for purposes of determining the limitation on the foreign tax 
credit.
* * * * *
    (h) Applicability date. This section applies to taxable years that 
both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after December 4, 
2018.
0
Par. 4. Section 1.861-9 is amended by:
0
1. Revising the section heading.
0
2. Revising paragraphs (a) through (e)(1).
0
3. Removing the last sentences in paragraph (e)(2) and (e)(3).
0
4. Revising paragraphs (e)(4) through (f)(3)(i).
0
5. Revising the heading of paragraph (f)(4).
0
6. Removing the language ``noncontrolled section 902 corporations'' 
wherever it appears in paragraphs (f)(4)(i) and (f)(4)(ii) and adding 
the language ``noncontrolled 10-percent foreign owned corporations'' in 
its place.
0
7. Removing the last sentence of paragraph (f)(4)(ii).
0
8. Revising paragraph (f)(4)(iii).
0
9. Revising paragraphs (f)(5) through (h)(3), and (h)(5).
0
10. Revising the first and second sentences of paragraph (i)(2)(i).
0
11. Removing the language ``paragraph (i)(2)'' from the third and 
fourth sentences of paragraph (i)(2) and adding the language 
``paragraph (i)(2)(i)'' in its place.
0
12. Revising paragraphs (j) and (k).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.861-9  Allocation and apportionment of interest expense and 
rules for asset-based apportionment.

    (a) through (c)(4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.861-9T(a) through (c)(4).
    (5) Section 163(j). If a taxpayer is subject to section 163(j), the 
taxpayer's deduction for business interest expense is limited to the 
sum of the taxpayer's business interest income, 30 percent of the 
taxpayer's adjusted taxable income for the taxable year, and the 
taxpayer's floor plan financing interest expense. In the taxable year 
that any deduction is permitted for business interest expense with 
respect to a disallowed business interest carryforward, that business 
interest expense is apportioned for purposes of this section under 
rules set forth in paragraphs (d), (e), or (f) of this section (as 
applicable) as though it were incurred in the taxable year in which the 
expense is deducted.
    (d) through (e)(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.861-9T(d) through (e)(1).
* * * * *
    (4) Entity rule for less than 10 percent limited partners and less 
than 10 percent corporate general partners--(i) Partnership interest 
expense. A limited partner (whether individual or corporate) or 
corporate general partner whose ownership, together with ownership by 
persons that bear a relationship to the partner described in section 
267(b) or section 707, of the capital and profits interests of the 
partnership is less than 10 percent directly allocates its distributive 
share of partnership interest expense to its distributive share of 
partnership gross income. Under Sec.  1.904-4(n)(1)(ii), such a 
partner's distributive share of foreign source income of the 
partnership is treated as passive income (subject to the high-taxed 
income exception of section 904(d)(2)(B)(iii)(II)), except in the case 
of income from a partnership interest held in the ordinary course of 
the partner's active trade or business, as defined in Sec.  1.904-
4(n)(1)(ii)(B). A partner's distributive share of partnership interest 
expense (other than partnership interest expense that is directly 
allocated to identified property under Sec.  1.861-10T) is apportioned 
in accordance with the partner's relative distributive share of gross 
foreign source income in each separate category and of gross domestic 
source income from the partnership. To the extent that partnership 
interest expense is directly allocated under Sec.  1.861-10T, a

[[Page 63231]]

comparable portion of the income to which such interest expense is 
allocated is disregarded in determining the partner's relative 
distributive share of gross foreign source income in each separate 
category and domestic source income. The partner's distributive share 
of the interest expense of the partnership that is directly allocable 
under Sec.  1.861-10T is allocated according to the treatment, after 
application of Sec.  1.904-4(n)(1), of the partner's distributive share 
of the income to which the expense is allocated.
    (e)(4)(ii) through (e)(7) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see 
Sec.  1.861-9T(e)(4)(ii) through (e)(7).
    (8) Special rule for specified partnership loans--(i) In general. 
For purposes of apportioning interest expense that is not directly 
allocable under paragraph (e)(4) of this section or Sec.  1.861-10T, 
the disregarded portion of a specified partnership loan is not 
considered an asset of a SPL lender. The disregarded portion of a 
specified partnership loan is the portion of the value of the loan (as 
determined under paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this section) that bears the 
same proportion to the total value of the loan as the matching income 
amount that is included by the SPL lender for a taxable year with 
respect to the loan bears to the total amount of SPL interest income 
that is included directly or indirectly in gross income by the SPL 
lender with respect to the loan during that taxable year.
    (ii) Treatment of interest expense and interest income attributable 
to a specified partnership loan. If a SPL lender (or any other person 
in the same affiliated group as the SPL lender) takes into account a 
distributive share of SPL interest expense, the SPL lender includes the 
matching income amount for the taxable year that is attributable to the 
same loan in gross income in the same statutory and residual groupings 
as the statutory and residual groupings of gross income from which the 
SPL interest expense is deducted by the SPL lender (or any other person 
in the same affiliated group as the SPL lender).
    (iii) Anti-avoidance rule for third party back-to-back loans. If, 
with a principal purpose of avoiding the rules in this paragraph 
(e)(8), a person makes a loan to a person that is not related (within 
the meaning of section 267(b) or 707) to the lender, the unrelated 
person makes a loan to a partnership, and the first loan would 
constitute a specified partnership loan if made directly to the 
partnership, then the rules of this paragraph (e)(8) apply as if the 
first loan was made directly to the partnership. Such a series of loans 
will be subject to this recharacterization rule without regard to 
whether there was a principal purpose of avoiding the rules in this 
paragraph (e)(8) if the loan to the unrelated person would not have 
been made or maintained on substantially the same terms irrespective of 
the loan of funds by the unrelated person to the partnership. The 
principles of this paragraph (e)(8)(iii) also apply to similar 
transactions that involve more than two loans and regardless of the 
order in which the loans are made.
    (iv) Anti-avoidance rule for loans held by CFCs. A loan receivable 
held by a controlled foreign corporation with respect to a loan to a 
partnership in which a United States shareholder (as defined in Sec.  
1.904-5(a)(4)(vi)) of the controlled foreign corporation owns an 
interest, directly or indirectly through one or more other partnerships 
or other pass-through entities (as defined in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(iv)), 
is recharacterized as a loan receivable held directly by the United 
States shareholder with respect to the loan to such partnership for 
purposes of this paragraph (e)(8) if the loan was made or transferred 
with a principal purpose of avoiding the rules in this paragraph 
(e)(8).
    (v) Interest equivalents. The principles of this paragraph (e)(8) 
apply in the case of a partner, or any person in the same affiliated 
group as the partner, that takes into account a distributive share of 
an expense or loss (to the extent deductible) that is allocated and 
apportioned in the same manner as interest expense under Sec.  1.861-
9T(b) and has a matching income amount with respect to the transaction 
that gives rise to that expense or loss.
    (vi) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph (e)(8), the 
following definitions apply.
    (A) Affiliated group. The term affiliated group has the meaning 
provided in Sec.  1.861-11(d)(1).
    (B) Matching income amount. The term matching income amount means 
the lesser of the total amount of the SPL interest income included 
directly or indirectly in gross income by the SPL lender for the 
taxable year with respect to a specified partnership loan or the total 
amount of the distributive shares of the SPL interest expense of the 
SPL lender (or any other person in the same affiliated group as the SPL 
lender) with respect to the loan.
    (C) Specified partnership loan. The term specified partnership loan 
means a loan to a partnership for which the loan receivable is held, 
directly or indirectly through one or more other partnerships, either 
by a person that owns an interest, directly or indirectly through one 
or more other partnerships, in the partnership, or by any person in the 
same affiliated group as that person.
    (D) SPL interest expense. The term SPL interest expense means an 
item of interest expense paid or accrued with respect to a specified 
partnership loan, without regard to whether the expense was currently 
deductible (for example, by reason of section 163(j)).
    (E) SPL interest income. The term SPL interest income means an item 
of gross interest income received or accrued with respect to a 
specified partnership loan.
    (F) SPL lender. The term SPL lender means the person that holds the 
receivable with respect to a specified partnership loan. If a 
partnership holds the receivable, then any partner in the partnership 
(other than a partner described in paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this section) 
is also considered a SPL lender.
    (9) Characterizing certain partnership assets as foreign branch 
category assets. For purposes of applying this paragraph (e) to section 
904 as the operative section, a partner that is a United States person 
that has a distributive share of partnership income that is treated as 
foreign branch category income under Sec.  1.904-4(f)(1)(i)(B) 
characterizes its pro rata share of the partnership assets that give 
rise to such income as assets in the foreign branch category.
    (f) through (f)(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.861-9T(f) through (f)(1).
    (2) Section 987 QBUs of domestic corporations--(i) In general. In 
the application of the asset method described in paragraph (g) of this 
section, a domestic corporation--
    (A) Takes into account the assets of any section 987 QBU (as 
defined in Sec.  1.987-1(b)(2)), translated according to the rules set 
forth in paragraph (g) of this section, and
    (B) Combines with its own interest expense any deductible interest 
expense incurred by a section 987 QBU, translated according to the 
rules of section 987 and the regulations under that section.
    (ii) Coordination with section 987(3). For purposes of computing 
foreign currency gain or loss under section 987(3) (including section 
987 gain or loss recognized under Sec.  1.987-5), the rules of this 
paragraph (f)(2) do not apply. See Sec.  1.987-4.
    (iii) Example. The following example illustrates the application of 
this paragraph (f)(2).

    (A) Facts. X is a domestic corporation that operates B, a branch 
doing business in a foreign country. B is a section 987 QBU (as 
defined in Sec.  1.987-1(b)(2)) as well as a foreign branch (as 
defined in Sec.  1.904-

[[Page 63232]]

4(f)(3)(iii)). In 2020, without regard to B, X has gross domestic 
source income of $1,000 and gross foreign source general category 
income of $500 and incurs $200 of interest expense. Using the tax 
book value method of apportionment, X, without regard to B, 
determines the value of its assets that generate domestic source 
income to be $6,000 and the value of its assets that generate 
foreign source general category income to be $1,000. Applying the 
translation rules of section 987, X (through B) earned $500 of gross 
foreign source foreign branch category income and incurred $100 of 
interest expense. B incurred no other expenses. For 2020, the 
average functional currency book value of B's assets that generate 
foreign source foreign branch category income translated at the 
year-end rate for 2020 is $3,000.
    (B) Analysis. The combined assets of X and B for 2020 (averaged 
under Sec.  1.861-9T(g)(3)) consist 60% ($6,000/$10,000) of assets 
generating domestic source income, 30% ($3,000/$10,000) of assets 
generating foreign source foreign branch category income, and 10% 
($1,000/$10,000) of assets generating foreign source general 
category income. The combined interest expense of X and B is $300. 
Thus, $180 ($300 x 60%) of the combined interest expense is 
apportioned to domestic source income, $90 ($300 x 30%) is 
apportioned to foreign source foreign branch category income, and 
$30 ($300 x 10%) is apportioned to foreign source general category 
income, yielding net U.S. source income of $820 ($1,000 - $180), net 
foreign source foreign branch category income of $410 ($500 - $90), 
and net foreign source general category income of $470 ($500 - $30).

    (3) Controlled foreign corporations--(i) In general. For purposes 
of computing subpart F income and tested income and computing earnings 
and profits for all Federal income tax purposes, the interest expense 
of a controlled foreign corporation may be apportioned using either the 
asset method described in paragraph (g) of this section or the modified 
gross income method described in paragraph (j) of this section, subject 
to the rules of paragraph (f)(3)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
* * * * *
    (4) Noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporations. * * *
    (iii) Stock characterization. The stock of a noncontrolled 10-
percent owned foreign corporation is characterized under the rules in 
Sec.  1.861-12(c)(4).
    (f)(5) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.861-9T(f)(5).
    (g) through (g)(1)(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.861-9T(g) through (g)(1)(i).
    (ii) A taxpayer may elect to determine the value of its assets on 
the basis of either the tax book value or the fair market value of its 
assets. However, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, 
the fair market value method is not allowed with respect to allocations 
and apportionments of interest expense. See section 864(e)(2). For 
rules concerning the application of an alternative method of valuing 
assets for purposes of the tax book value method, see paragraph (i) of 
this section. For rules concerning the application of the fair market 
value method, see paragraph (h) of this section.
    (iii) [Reserved]
    (iv) For rules relating to earnings and profits adjustments by 
taxpayers using the tax book value method for the stock in certain 10 
percent owned corporations, see Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2).
    (v) [Reserved]
    (2) Asset values--(i) General rule--(A) Average of values. For 
purposes of determining the value of assets under this section, an 
average of values (book or market) within each statutory grouping and 
the residual grouping is computed for the year on the basis of values 
of assets at the beginning and end of the year. For the first taxable 
year beginning after December 31, 2017 (post-2017 year), a taxpayer 
that determined the value of its assets on the basis of the fair market 
value method for purposes of apportioning interest expense in its prior 
taxable year may choose to determine asset values under the tax book 
value method (or the alternative tax book value method) by treating the 
value of its assets as of the beginning of the post-2017 year as equal 
to the value of its assets at the end of the first quarter of the post-
2017 year, provided that each member of the affiliated group (as 
defined in Sec.  1.861-11T(d)) determines its asset values on the same 
basis. Where a substantial distortion of asset values would result from 
averaging beginning-of-year and end-of-year values, as might be the 
case in the event of a major corporate acquisition or disposition, the 
taxpayer must use a different method of asset valuation that more 
clearly reflects the average value of assets weighted to reflect the 
time such assets are held by the taxpayer during the taxable year.
    (B) Tax book value method. Under the tax book value method, the 
value of an asset is determined based on the adjusted basis of the 
asset. For purposes of determining the value of stock in a 10 percent 
owned corporation at the beginning and end of the year under the tax 
book value method, the tax book value is determined without regard to 
any adjustments under section 961(a) or 1293(d), see Sec.  1.861-
12(c)(2)(i)(B)(1), and before the adjustment required by Sec.  1.861-
12(c)(2)(i)(A) to the basis of stock in the 10 percent owned 
corporation. The average of the tax book value of the stock at the 
beginning and end of the year is then adjusted with respect to earnings 
and profits as described in Sec.  1.861-12(c)(2)(i).
    (g)(2)(ii) through (g)(2)(ii)(A)(1) [Reserved]. For further 
guidance, see Sec.  1.861-9T(g)(2)(ii) through (g)(2)(ii)(A)(1).
    (2) United States dollar approximate separate transactions method. 
In the case of a branch to which the United States dollar approximate 
separate transactions method of accounting described in Sec.  1.985-3 
applies, the beginning-of-year dollar amount of the assets is 
determined by reference to the end-of-year balance sheet of the branch 
for the immediately preceding taxable year, adjusted for United States 
generally accepted accounting principles and United States tax 
accounting principles, and translated into U.S. dollars as provided in 
Sec.  1.985-3(c). The end-of-year dollar amount of the assets of the 
branch is determined in the same manner by reference to the end-of-year 
balance sheet for the current taxable year. The beginning-of-year and 
end-of-year dollar tax book value of assets, as so determined, within 
each grouping is then averaged as provided in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of 
this section.
    (g)(2)(ii)(B) through (g)(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see 
Sec.  1.861-9T(g)(2)(ii)(B) through (g)(3).
    (h) Fair market value method. An affiliated group (as defined in 
section 1.861-11T(d)) or other taxpayer (the taxpayer) that elects to 
use the fair market value method of apportionment values its assets 
according to the methodology described in this paragraph (h). Effective 
for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the fair market 
value method is not allowed for purposes of apportioning interest 
expense. See section 864(e)(2). However, a taxpayer may continue to 
apportion deductions other than interest expense that are properly 
apportioned based on fair market value according to the methodology 
described in this paragraph (h). See Sec.  1.861-8(c)(2).
    (h)(1) through (h)(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.861-9T(h)(1) through (h)(3).
* * * * *
    (5) Characterizing stock in related persons. Stock in a related 
person held by the taxpayer or by another related person shall be 
characterized on the basis of the fair market value of the taxpayer's 
pro rata share of assets held by the related person attributed to each 
statutory grouping and the residual grouping under the stock 
characterization rules of Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(3)(ii), except that the 
portion of

[[Page 63233]]

the value of intangible assets of the taxpayer and related persons that 
is apportioned to the related person under Sec.  1.861-9T(h)(2) shall 
be characterized on the basis of the net income before interest expense 
of the related person within each statutory grouping or residual 
grouping (excluding income that is passive under Sec.  1.904-4(b)).
* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (2) * * * (i) Except as provided in this paragraph (i)(2)(i), a 
taxpayer may elect to use the alternative tax book value method. For 
the taxpayer's first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, 
the Commissioner's approval is not required to switch from the fair 
market value method to the alternative tax book value method for 
purposes of apportioning interest expense. * * *
* * * * *
    (j) through (j)(2)(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.861-9T(j) through (j)(2)(i).
    (ii) Step 2. Moving to the next higher-tier controlled foreign 
corporation, combine the gross income of such corporation within each 
grouping with its pro rata share (as determined under principles 
similar to section 951(a)(2)) of the gross income net of interest 
expense of all lower-tier controlled foreign corporations held by such 
higher-tier corporation within the same grouping adjusted as follows:
    (A) Exclude from the gross income of the higher-tier corporation 
any dividends or other payments received from the lower-tier 
corporation other than interest income received from the lower-tier 
corporation;
    (B) Exclude from the gross income net of interest expense of any 
lower-tier corporation any gross subpart F income, net of interest 
expense apportioned to such income;
    (C) Exclude from the gross income net of interest expense of any 
lower-tier corporation any gross tested income as defined in Sec.  
1.951A-2(c)(1), net of interest expense apportioned to such income;
    (D) Then apportion the interest expense of the higher-tier 
controlled foreign corporation based on the adjusted combined gross 
income amounts; and
    (E) Repeat paragraphs (j)(2)(ii)(A) through (D) of this section for 
each next higher-tier controlled foreign corporation in the chain.
    (k) Applicability date. This section applies to taxable years that 
both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after December 4, 
2018.
0
Par. 5. Section 1.861-10 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraph (e)(8)(vi).
0
2. Removing and reserving paragraph (e)(10).
0
3. Adding paragraph (f).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.861-10  Special allocations of interest expense.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (8) * * *
    (vi) Classification of hybrid stock. In determining the amount of 
its related group indebtedness for any taxable year, a U.S. shareholder 
must not treat stock in a related controlled foreign corporation as 
related group indebtedness, regardless of whether the related 
controlled foreign corporation claims a deduction for interest under 
foreign law for distributions on such stock. For purposes of 
determining the foreign base period ratio under paragraph (e)(2)(iv) of 
this section for a taxable year that ends on or after December 4, 2018, 
the rules of this paragraph (e)(8)(vi) apply to determine the related 
group debt-to-asset ratio in each taxable year included in the foreign 
base period, including in taxable years that end before December 4, 
2018.
* * * * *
    (10) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (f) Applicability date. This section applies to taxable years that 
end on or after December 4, 2018.
0
Par. 6. Section 1.861-11 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (a) through (c).
0
2. Removing the language ``, except that section 936 corporations are 
also included within the affiliated group to the extent provided in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section'' from the first sentence of paragraph 
(d)(1).
0
3. Removing and reserving paragraph (d)(2).
0
4. Adding paragraph (h).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  1.861-11  Special rules for allocating and apportioning interest 
expense of an affiliated group of corporations.

    (a) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.861-11T(a).
    (b) Scope of application--(1) Application of section 864(e)(1) and 
(5) (concerning the definition and treatment of affiliated groups). 
Section 864(e)(1) and (5) and the portions of this section implementing 
section 864(e)(1) and (5) apply to the computation of foreign source 
taxable income for purposes of section 904 (relating to various 
limitations on the foreign tax credit). Section 864(e)(1) and (5) and 
the portions of this section implementing section 864(e)(1) and (5) 
also apply in connection with section 907 to determine reductions in 
the amount allowed as a foreign tax credit under section 901. Section 
864(e)(1) and (5) and the portions of this section implementing section 
864(e)(1) and (5) also apply to the computation of the combined taxable 
income of the related supplier and a foreign sales corporation (FSC) 
(under sections 921 through 927) as well as the combined taxable income 
of the related supplier and a domestic international sales corporation 
(DISC) (under sections 991 through 997).
    (b)(2) through (c) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.861-11T(b)(2) through (c).
    (d) * * *
    (2) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (h) Applicability dates. This section applies to taxable years that 
both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after December 4, 
2018.
0
Par. 7. Section 1.861-12 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (a) through (c)(1).
0
2. Revising the heading of paragraph (c)(2).
0
3. Removing the language ``, for taxable years beginning after April 
25, 2006,'' from paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A).
0
4. Revising paragraphs (c)(2)(i)(B) through (c)(3).
0
5. Revising paragraph (c)(4).
0
6. Removing paragraph (c)(5).
0
7. Revising paragraphs (d) through (j).
0
8. Adding paragraph (k).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.861-12  Characterization rules and adjustments for certain 
assets.

    (a) In general. The rules in this section are applicable to 
taxpayers in apportioning expenses under an asset method to income in 
the various separate categories described in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v), 
and supplement other rules provided in Sec. Sec.  1.861-9 through 
1.861-11T. The principles of the rules in this section are also 
applicable in apportioning expenses among statutory and residual 
groupings for any other operative section. See also Sec.  1.861-
8(f)(2)(i) for a rule requiring conformity of allocation methods and 
apportionment principles for all operative sections. Paragraph (b) of 
this section describes the treatment of inventories. Paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section concerns the treatment of various stock assets. 
Paragraph (c)(2) of this section describes a basis adjustment for stock 
in 10 percent owned corporations. Paragraph (c)(3) of this

[[Page 63234]]

section sets forth rules for characterizing the stock in controlled 
foreign corporations. Paragraph (c)(4) of this section describes the 
treatment of stock of noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporations. Paragraph (d)(1) of this section concerns the treatment 
of notes. Paragraph (d)(2) of this section concerns the treatment of 
notes of controlled foreign corporations. Paragraph (e) of this section 
describes the treatment of certain portfolio securities that constitute 
inventory or generate income primarily in the form of gains. Paragraph 
(f) of this section describes the treatment of assets that are subject 
to the capitalization rules of section 263A. Paragraph (g) of this 
section concerns the treatment of FSC stock and of assets of the 
related supplier generating foreign trade income. Paragraph (h) of this 
section concerns the treatment of DISC stock and of assets of the 
related supplier generating qualified export receipts. Paragraph (i) of 
this section is reserved. Paragraph (j) of this section sets forth an 
example illustrating the rules of this section, as well as the rules of 
Sec.  1.861-9(g).
    (b) through (c)(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  
1.861-12T(b) through (c)(1).
    (2) Basis adjustment for stock in 10 percent owned corporations--
(i) * * *
    (B) Computational rules--(1) Adjustments to basis--(i) Application 
of section 961 or 1293(d). For purposes of this section, a taxpayer's 
adjusted basis in the stock of a foreign corporation does not include 
any amount included in basis under section 961 or 1293(d) of the Code.
    (ii) Application of section 965(b). If a taxpayer owned the stock 
of a specified foreign corporation (as defined in Sec.  1.965-1(f)(45)) 
as of the close of the last taxable year of the specified foreign 
corporation that began before January 1, 2018, the taxpayer's adjusted 
basis in the stock of the specified foreign corporation for that 
taxable year and any subsequent taxable year is determined as if the 
taxpayer made the election described in Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(i) 
(regardless of whether the election was actually made) but does not 
include the amount included (or that would be included if the election 
were made) in basis under Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(ii)(A) (without regard to 
whether any portion of the amount is netted against the amounts of any 
other basis adjustments under Sec.  1.965-2(h)(2)).
    (2) Amount of earnings and profits. For purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(2), earnings and profits (or deficits) are computed under the rules 
of section 312 and, in the case of a foreign corporation, sections 
964(a) and 986 for taxable years of the 10 percent owned corporation 
ending on or before the close of the taxable year of the taxpayer. 
Accordingly, the earnings and profits of a controlled foreign 
corporation includes all earnings and profits described in section 
959(c). The amount of the earnings and profits with respect to stock of 
a foreign corporation held by the taxpayer is determined according to 
the attribution principles of section 1248 and the regulations under 
section 1248. The attribution principles of section 1248 apply without 
regard to the requirements of section 1248 that are not relevant to the 
determination of a shareholder's pro rata portion of earnings and 
profits, such as whether earnings and profits (or deficits) were 
derived (or incurred) during taxable years beginning before or after 
December 31, 1962.
    (3) Annual noncumulative adjustment. The adjustment required by 
paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section is made annually and is 
noncumulative. Thus, the adjusted basis of the stock (determined 
without regard to prior years' adjustments under paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) 
of this section) is adjusted annually by the amount of accumulated 
earnings and profits (or deficits) attributable to the stock as of the 
end of each year.
    (4) Translation of non-dollar functional currency earnings and 
profits. Earnings and profits (or deficits) of a qualified business 
unit that has a functional currency other than the dollar must be 
computed under this paragraph (c)(2) in functional currency and 
translated into dollars using the exchange rate at the end of the 
taxpayer's current taxable year (and not the exchange rates for the 
years in which the earnings and profits or deficits were derived or 
incurred).
    (C) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B) of this section.

     (1) Example 1: No election described in Sec.  1.965-
2(f)(2)(i)--(i) Facts. USP, a domestic corporation, owns all of the 
stock of CFC1 and CFC2, both controlled foreign corporations. USP, 
CFC1, and CFC2 all use the calendar year as their U.S. taxable year. 
USP owned CFC1 and CFC2 as of December 31, 2017, and CFC1 and CFC2 
were specified foreign corporations with respect to USP. USP did not 
make the election described in Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(i), but if USP 
had made the election, USP's basis in the stock of CFC1 would have 
been increased by $75 under Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(ii)(A) and USP's 
basis in the stock of CFC2 would have been decreased by $75 under 
Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(ii)(B). For purposes of determining the value of 
the stock of CFC1 and CFC2 at the beginning of the 2019 taxable 
year, without regard to amounts included in basis under section 961 
or 1293(d), USP's adjusted basis in the stock of CFC1 is $100 and 
its adjusted basis in the stock of CFC2 is $350 (before the 
application of this paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B)).
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B)(1) of this section, 
USP's adjusted basis in CFC1 and CFC2 is determined as if USP had 
made the election described in Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(i), and therefore 
USP's adjusted basis in CFC2 includes the $75 reduction USP would 
have made to its basis in that stock under Sec.  1.965-
2(f)(2)(ii)(B). However, USP's adjusted basis in the stock of CFC1 
does not include the $75 that USP would have included in its basis 
in that stock under Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(ii)(A). Accordingly, for 
purposes of determining the value of stock of CFC1 and CFC2 at the 
beginning of the 2019 taxable year, USP's adjusted basis in the 
stock of CFC1 is $100 and USP's adjusted basis in the stock of CFC2 
is $275 ($350-$75).
     (2) Example 2: Election described in Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(i)--
(i) Facts. USP, a domestic corporation, owns all of the stock of 
CFC1, which owns all of the stock of CFC2, both foreign 
corporations. USP, CFC1, and CFC2 all use the calendar year as their 
U.S. taxable year. USP owned CFC1, and CFC1 owned CFC2 as of 
December 31, 2017, and CFC1 and CFC2 were specified foreign 
corporations with respect to USP. USP made the election described in 
Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(i). As a result of the election, USP was 
required to increase its basis in CFC1 by $90 under Sec.  1.965-
2(f)(2)(ii)(A), and to decrease its basis in CFC1 by $90 under Sec.  
1.965-2(f)(2)(ii)(B). Pursuant to Sec.  1.965-2(h)(2), USP netted 
the increase of $90 against the decrease of $90 and made no net 
adjustment to the basis of the stock of CFC1. For purposes of 
determining the value of the stock of CFC1 at the beginning of the 
2019 taxable year, without regard to amounts included in basis under 
section 961 or 1293(d), USP's adjusted basis in the stock of CFC1 is 
$600 (before the application of this paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B)).
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B)(1) of this section, 
USP's adjusted basis in CFC1 is determined as if USP had made the 
election described in Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(i), and therefore USP's 
adjusted basis in CFC1 includes the $90 reduction USP would have 
made to its basis in that stock, without regard to the netting rule 
described in Sec.  1.965-2(h)(2). However, USP's adjusted basis in 
the stock of CFC1 does not include the amount that would have been 
included in basis under Sec.  1.965-2(f)(2)(ii)(A) without regard to 
the netting rule described in Sec.  1.965-2(h)(2). Accordingly, for 
purposes of determining the value of stock of CFC1 at the beginning 
of the 2019 taxable year, USP's adjusted basis in the stock of CFC1 
is $510 ($600-$90).

    (c)(2)(ii) through (c)(2)(vi) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see 
Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(2)(ii) through (c)(2)(vi).
    (3) Characterization of stock of controlled foreign corporations--
(i) Operative sections. (A) Operative sections other than section 904. 
For purposes of applying this section to an operative section other 
than section 904,

[[Page 63235]]

stock in a controlled foreign corporation (as defined in section 957) 
is characterized as an asset in the relevant groupings on the basis of 
the asset method described in paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section, or 
the modified gross income method described in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of 
this section. Stock in a controlled foreign corporation whose interest 
expense is apportioned on the basis of assets is characterized in the 
hands of its United States shareholders under the asset method 
described in paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section. Stock in a 
controlled foreign corporation whose interest expense is apportioned on 
the basis of modified gross income is characterized in the hands of its 
United States shareholders under the modified gross income method 
described in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (B) Section 904 as operative section. For purposes of applying this 
section to section 904 as the operative section, Sec.  1.861-13 applies 
to characterize the stock of a controlled foreign corporation as an 
asset producing foreign source income in the separate categories 
described in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v), or as an asset producing U.S. 
source income in the residual grouping, in the hands of the United 
States shareholder, and to determine the portion of the stock that 
gives rise to an inclusion under section 951A(a) that is treated as an 
exempt asset under Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(ii)(C). Section 1.861-13 also 
provides rules for subdividing the stock in the various separate 
categories and the residual grouping into a section 245A subgroup and a 
non-section 245A subgroup in order to determine the amount of the 
adjustments required by section 904(b)(4) and Sec.  1.904(b)-3(c) with 
respect to the section 245A subgroup, and provides rules for 
determining the portion of the stock that gives rise to a dividend 
eligible for a deduction under section 245(a)(5) that is treated as an 
exempt asset under Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(ii)(B).
    (ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.861-
12T(c)(3)(ii).
    (iii) Modified gross income method. Under the modified gross income 
method, the taxpayer characterizes the tax book value of the stock of 
the first-tier controlled foreign corporation based on the gross 
income, net of interest expense, of the controlled foreign corporation 
(as computed under Sec.  1.861-9T(j) to include certain gross income, 
net of interest expense, of lower-tier controlled foreign corporations) 
within each relevant category for the taxable year of the controlled 
foreign corporation ending with or within the taxable year of the 
taxpayer. For this purpose, however, the gross income, net of interest 
expense, of the first-tier controlled foreign corporation includes the 
total amount of gross subpart F income, net of interest expense, of any 
lower-tier controlled foreign corporation that was excluded under the 
rules of Sec.  1.861-9(j)(2)(ii)(B). The gross income, net of interest 
expense, of the first-tier controlled foreign corporation also includes 
the total amount of gross tested income, net of interest expense, of 
any lower-tier controlled foreign corporation that was excluded under 
the rules of Sec.  1.861-9(j)(2)(ii)(C).
    (4) Characterization of stock of noncontrolled 10-percent owned 
foreign corporations--(i) In general. Except in the case of a 
nonqualifying shareholder described in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this 
section, the principles of Sec.  1.861-12(c)(3), including the relevant 
rules of Sec.  1.861-13 when section 904 is the operative section, 
apply to characterize stock in a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation (as defined in section 904(d)(2)(E)). Accordingly, stock in 
a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation is characterized 
as an asset in the various separate categories on the basis of either 
the asset method described in Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(3)(ii) or the modified 
gross income method described in Sec.  1.861-12(c)(3)(iii). Stock in a 
noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation the interest expense 
of which is apportioned on the basis of assets is characterized in the 
hands of its shareholders under the asset method described in Sec.  
1.861-12T(c)(3)(ii). Stock in a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation the interest expense of which is apportioned on the basis 
of gross income is characterized in the hands of its shareholders under 
the modified gross income method described in Sec.  1.861-
12(c)(3)(iii).
    (ii) Nonqualifying shareholders. Stock in a noncontrolled 10-
percent owned foreign corporation is characterized as a passive 
category asset in the hands of a shareholder that either is not a 
domestic corporation or is not a United States shareholder with respect 
to the noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation for the 
taxable year. Stock in a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation is characterized as in the separate category described in 
section 904(d)(4)(C)(ii) in the hands of any shareholder with respect 
to whom look-through treatment is not substantiated. See also Sec.  
1.904-5(c)(4)(iii)(B). In the case of a noncontrolled 10-percent owned 
foreign corporation that is a passive foreign investment company with 
respect to a shareholder, stock in the noncontrolled 10-percent owned 
foreign corporation is characterized as a passive category asset in the 
hands of the shareholder if such shareholder does not meet the 
ownership requirements described in section 904(d)(2)(E)(i)(II).
    (d) Treatment of notes--(1) General rule. [Reserved]. For further 
guidance, see Sec.  1.861-12T(d)(1).
    (2) Characterization of related controlled foreign corporation 
notes. The debt of a controlled foreign corporation is characterized in 
the same manner as the interest income derived from that debt 
obligation. See Sec. Sec.  1.904-4 and 1.904-5(c)(2) for rules treating 
interest income as income in a separate category.
    (e) through (j) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see Sec.  1.861-
12T(e) through (j).
    (k) Applicability date. This section applies to taxable years that 
both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after December 4, 
2018. Section 1.861-12(c)(2)(i)(B)(1)(ii) also applies to the last 
taxable year of a foreign corporation that begins before January 1, 
2018, and with respect to a United States person, the taxable year in 
which or with which such taxable year of the foreign corporation ends.
0
Par. 8. Sec.  1.861-13 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.861-13  Special rules for characterization of controlled 
foreign corporation stock.

    (a) Methodology. For purposes of allocating and apportioning 
deductions for purposes of section 904 as the operative section, stock 
in a controlled foreign corporation owned directly or indirectly 
through a partnership or other pass-through entity by a United States 
shareholder is characterized by the United States shareholder under the 
rules described in this section. In general, paragraphs (a)(1) through 
(5) of this section characterize the stock of the controlled foreign 
corporation as an asset in the various statutory groupings and residual 
grouping based on the type of income that the stock of the controlled 
foreign corporation generates, has generated, or may reasonably be 
expected to generate when the income is included by the United States 
shareholder.
    (1) Step 1: Characterize stock as generating income in statutory 
groupings under the asset or modified gross income method--(i) Asset 
method. United States shareholders using the asset method to 
characterize stock of a controlled foreign corporation must apply the 
asset method described in Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(3)(ii) to assign the 
assets of the controlled foreign corporation to the statutory groupings 
described in

[[Page 63236]]

paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A)(1) through (10) and (a)(1)(i)(B) of this 
section. If the controlled foreign corporation owns stock in a lower-
tier noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation, the assets of 
the lower-tier noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation are 
assigned to a gross subpart F income grouping to the extent such assets 
generate income that, if distributed to the controlled foreign 
corporation, would be gross subpart F income of the controlled foreign 
corporation. See also Sec.  1.861-12(c)(4).
    (A) General and passive categories. Within each of the controlled 
foreign corporation's general category and passive category, each of 
the following subgroups within each category is a separate statutory 
grouping--
    (1) Foreign source gross tested income;
    (2) For each applicable treaty, U.S. source gross tested income 
that, when taken into account by a United States shareholder under 
section 951A, is resourced in the hands of the United States 
shareholder (resourced gross tested income);
    (3) U.S. source gross tested income not described in paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(A)(2) of this section;
    (4) Foreign source gross subpart F income;
    (5) For each applicable treaty, U.S. source gross subpart F income 
that, when included by a United States shareholder under section 
951(a)(1), is resourced in the hands of the United States shareholder 
(resourced gross subpart F income);
    (6) U.S. source gross subpart F income not described in paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(A)(5) of this section;
    (7) Foreign source gross section 245(a)(5) income;
    (8) U.S. source gross section 245(a)(5) income;
    (9) Any other foreign source gross income (specified foreign source 
general category income or specified foreign source passive category 
income, as the case may be); and
    (10) Any other U.S. source gross income (specified U.S. source 
general category gross income or specified U.S. source passive category 
gross income, as the case may be).
    (B) Section 901(j) income. For each country described in section 
901(j), all gross income from sources in that country.
    (ii) Modified gross income method. United States shareholders using 
the modified gross income method to characterize stock in a controlled 
foreign corporation must apply the modified gross income method under 
Sec.  1.861-12(c)(3)(iii) to assign the modified gross income of the 
controlled foreign corporation to the statutory groupings described in 
paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A)(1) through (10) and (a)(1)(i)(B) of this 
section. For this purpose, the rules described in Sec. Sec.  1.861-
12(c)(3)(iii) and 1.861-9T(j)(2) apply to combine gross income in a 
statutory grouping that is earned by the controlled foreign corporation 
with gross income of lower-tier controlled foreign corporations that is 
in the same statutory grouping. For example, foreign source general 
category gross tested income (net of interest expense) earned by the 
controlled foreign corporation is combined with its pro rata share of 
the foreign source general category gross tested income (net of 
interest expense) of lower-tier controlled foreign corporations. If the 
controlled foreign corporation owns stock in a lower-tier noncontrolled 
10-percent owned foreign corporation, gross income of the lower-tier 
noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation is assigned to a 
gross subpart F income grouping to the extent that the income, if 
distributed to the upper-tier controlled foreign corporation, would be 
gross subpart F income of the upper-tier controlled foreign 
corporation. See also Sec.  1.861-12(c)(4).
    (2) Step 2: Assign stock to the section 951A category. A controlled 
foreign corporation is not treated as earning section 951A category 
income. The portion of the value of the stock of the controlled foreign 
corporation that is assigned to the section 951A category equals the 
value of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign corporation 
that is assigned to the foreign source gross tested income statutory 
groupings within the general category (general category gross tested 
income stock) multiplied by the United States shareholder's inclusion 
percentage. Under Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(ii)(C)(2)(ii), a portion of the 
value of stock assigned to the section 951A category may be treated as 
an exempt asset. The portion of the general category gross tested 
income stock that is not characterized as a section 951A category asset 
remains a general category asset and may result in expenses being 
disregarded under section 904(b)(4). See paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this 
section and Sec.  1.904(b)-3. No portion of the passive category gross 
tested income stock or U.S. source gross tested income stock is 
assigned to the section 951A category.
    (3) Step 3: Assign stock to a treaty category. (i) Inclusions under 
section 951A(a). The portion of the value of the stock of the 
controlled foreign corporation that is assigned to a particular treaty 
category due to an inclusion of U.S. source income under section 
951A(a) that was resourced under a particular treaty equals the value 
of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign corporation that 
is assigned to the resourced gross tested income statutory grouping 
within each of the controlled foreign corporation's general or passive 
categories (resourced gross tested income stock) multiplied by the 
United States shareholder's inclusion percentage. Under Sec.  1.861-
8(d)(2)(ii)(C)(2)(ii), a portion of the value of stock assigned to a 
particular treaty category by reason of this paragraph (a)(3)(i) may be 
treated as an exempt asset. The portion of the resourced gross tested 
income stock that is not characterized as a treaty category asset 
remains a U.S. source general or passive category asset, as the case 
may be, that is in the residual grouping and may result in expenses 
being disregarded under section 904(b)(4) for purposes of determining 
entire taxable income under section 904(a). See paragraph (a)(5)(iv) of 
this section and Sec.  1.904(b)-3.
    (ii) Inclusions under section 951(a)(1). The portion of the value 
of the stock of the controlled foreign corporation that is assigned to 
a particular treaty category due to an inclusion of U.S. source income 
under section 951(a)(1) that was resourced under a treaty equals the 
value of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign corporation 
that is assigned to the resourced gross subpart F income statutory 
grouping within each of the controlled foreign corporation's general 
category or passive category.
    (4) Step 4: Aggregate stock within each separate category and 
assign stock to the residual grouping. The portions of the value of 
stock of the controlled foreign corporation assigned to foreign source 
statutory groupings that were not specifically assigned to the section 
951A category under paragraph (a)(2) of this section (Step 2) are 
aggregated within the general category and the passive category to 
characterize the stock as general category stock and passive category 
stock, respectively. The portions of the value of stock of the 
controlled foreign corporation assigned to U.S. source statutory 
groupings that were not specifically assigned to a particular treaty 
category under paragraph (a)(3) of this section (Step 3) are aggregated 
to characterize the stock as U.S. source category stock, which is in 
the residual grouping. Stock assigned to the separate category for 
income described in section 901(j)(1) remains in that category.

[[Page 63237]]

    (5) Step 5: Determine section 245A and non-section 245A subgroups 
for each separate category and U.S. source category--(i) In general. In 
the case of stock of a controlled foreign corporation that is held 
directly or indirectly through a partnership or other pass-through 
entity by a United States shareholder that is a domestic corporation, 
stock of the controlled foreign corporation that is general category 
stock, passive category stock, and U.S. source category stock is 
subdivided between a section 245A subgroup and a non-section 245A 
subgroup under paragraphs (a)(5)(ii) through (v) of this section for 
purposes of applying section 904(b)(4) and Sec.  1.904(b)-3(c). Each 
subgroup is treated as a statutory grouping under Sec.  1.861-8(a)(4) 
for purposes of allocating and apportioning deductions under Sec. Sec.  
1.861-8 through 1.861-14T and 1.861-17 in applying section 904 as the 
operative section. Deductions apportioned to each section 245A subgroup 
are disregarded under section 904(b)(4). See Sec.  1.904(b)-3. 
Deductions apportioned to the statutory groupings for gross section 
245(a)(5) income are not disregarded under section 904(b)(4); however, 
a portion of the stock assigned to those groupings is treated as exempt 
under Sec.  1.861-8T(d)(2)(ii)(B).
    (ii) Section 245A subgroup of general category stock. The portion 
of the general category stock of the controlled foreign corporation 
that is assigned to the section 245A subgroup of the general category 
equals the value of the general category gross tested income stock of 
the controlled foreign corporation that is not assigned to the section 
951A category under paragraph (a)(2) of this section (Step 2), plus the 
value of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign corporation 
that is assigned to the specified foreign source general category 
income statutory grouping.
    (iii) Section 245A subgroup of passive category stock. The portion 
of passive category stock of the controlled foreign corporation that is 
assigned to the section 245A subcategory of the passive category equals 
the sum of--
    (A) The value of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign 
corporation that is assigned to the gross tested income statutory 
grouping within foreign source passive category income multiplied by a 
percentage equal to 100 percent minus the United States shareholder's 
inclusion percentage for passive category gross tested income; and
    (B) The value of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign 
corporation that was assigned to the specified foreign source passive 
category income statutory grouping.
    (iv) Section 245A subgroup of U.S. source category stock. The 
portion of U.S. source category stock of the controlled foreign 
corporation that is assigned to the section 245A subgroup of the U.S. 
source category equals the sum of--
    (A) The value of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign 
corporation that is assigned to the U.S. source general category gross 
tested income statutory grouping multiplied by a percentage equal to 
100 percent minus the United States shareholder's inclusion percentage 
for the general category;
    (B) The value of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign 
corporation that is assigned to the U.S. source passive category gross 
tested income statutory grouping multiplied by a percentage equal to 
100 percent minus the United States shareholder's inclusion percentage 
for the passive category;
    (C) The value of the resourced gross tested income stock of the 
controlled foreign corporation that is not assigned to a particular 
treaty category under paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section (Step 3);
    (D) The value of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign 
corporation that is assigned to the specified U.S. source general 
category gross income statutory grouping; and
    (E) The value of the portion of the stock of the controlled foreign 
corporation that is assigned to the specified U.S. source passive 
category gross income statutory grouping.
    (v) Non-section 245A subgroup. The value of stock of a controlled 
foreign corporation that is not assigned to the section 245A subgroup 
within the general or passive category or the residual grouping is 
assigned to the non-section 245A subgroup within such category or 
grouping. The value of stock of a controlled foreign corporation that 
is assigned to the section 951A category, the separate category for 
income described in section 901(j)(1), or a particular treaty category 
is always assigned to a non-section 245A subgroup.
    (b) Definitions. This paragraph (b) provides definitions that apply 
for purposes of this section.
    (1) Gross section 245(a)(5) income. The term gross section 
245(a)(5) income means all items of gross income described in section 
245(a)(5)(A) and (B).
    (2) Gross subpart F income. The term gross subpart F income means 
all items of gross income that are taken into account by a controlled 
foreign corporation in determining its subpart F income under section 
952, except for items of gross income described in section 952(a)(5).
    (3) Gross tested income. The term gross tested income has the 
meaning provided in Sec.  1.951A-1(c)(1).
    (4) Inclusion percentage. The term inclusion percentage has the 
meaning provided in Sec.  1.960-2(c)(2).
    (5) Separate category. The term separate category has the meaning 
provided in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v).
    (6) Treaty category. The term treaty category means a category of 
income earned by a controlled foreign corporation for which section 
904(a), (b), and (c) are applied separately as a result of income being 
resourced under a treaty. See, for example, section 245(a)(10), 865(h), 
or 904(h)(10). A United States shareholder may have multiple treaty 
categories for amounts of income resourced by the United States 
shareholder under a treaty. See Sec.  1.904-5(m)(7).
    (7) U.S. source category. The term U.S. source category means the 
aggregate of U.S. source income in each separate category listed in 
section 904(d)(1).
    (c) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
the rules in this section.

     (1) Example 1: Asset method--(i) Facts--(A) USP, a domestic 
corporation, directly owns all of the stock of a controlled foreign 
corporation, CFC1. The tax book value of CFC1's stock is $20,000. 
USP uses the asset method described in Sec.  1.861-12T(c)(3)(ii) to 
characterize the stock of CFC1. USP's inclusion percentage is 70%.
    (B) CFC1 owns the following assets with the following values as 
determined under Sec. Sec.  1.861-9(g)(2) and 1.861-9T(g)(3): Assets 
that generate income described in the foreign source gross tested 
income statutory grouping within the general category ($4,000), 
assets that generate income described in the foreign source gross 
subpart F income statutory grouping within the general category 
($1,000), assets that generate specified foreign source general 
category income ($3,000), and assets that generate income described 
in the foreign source gross subpart F income statutory grouping 
within the passive category ($2,000).
    (C) CFC1 also owns all of the stock of CFC2, a controlled 
foreign corporation. The tax book value of CFC1's stock in CFC2 is 
$5,000. CFC2 owns the following assets with the following values as 
determined under Sec. Sec.  1.861-9(g)(2) and 1.861-9T(g)(3): Assets 
that generate income described in the foreign source gross subpart F 
income statutory grouping within the general category ($2,250) and 
assets that generate specified foreign source general category 
income ($750).
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Step 1--(1) Characterization of CFC2 stock. 
CFC2 has total assets of $3,000, $2,250 of which are in

[[Page 63238]]

the foreign source gross subpart F income statutory grouping within 
the general category and $750 of which are in the specified foreign 
source general category income statutory grouping. Accordingly, 
CFC2's stock is characterized as $3,750 ($2,250/$3,000 x $5,000) in 
the foreign source gross subpart F income statutory grouping within 
the general category and $1,250 ($750/$3,000 x $5,000) in the 
specified foreign source general category income statutory grouping.
    (2) Characterization of CFC1 stock. CFC1 has total assets of 
$15,000, $4,000 of which are in the foreign source gross tested 
income statutory grouping within the general category, $4,750 of 
which are in the foreign source gross subpart F income statutory 
grouping within the general category (including the portion of CFC2 
stock assigned to that statutory grouping), $4,250 of which are in 
the specified foreign source general category income statutory 
grouping (including the portion of CFC2 stock assigned to that 
statutory grouping), and $2,000 of which are in the foreign source 
gross subpart F income statutory grouping within the passive 
category. Accordingly, CFC1's stock is characterized as $5,333 
($4,000/$15,000 x $20,000) in the foreign source gross tested income 
statutory grouping within the general category, $6,333 ($4,750/
$15,000 x $20,000) in the foreign source gross subpart F income 
statutory grouping within the general category, $5,667 ($4,250/
$15,000 x $20,000) in the specified foreign source general category 
income statutory grouping, and $2,667 ($2,000/$15,000 x $20,000) in 
the foreign source gross subpart F income statutory grouping within 
the passive category.
    (B) Step 2. The portion of the value of the stock of CFC1 that 
is general category gross tested income stock is $5,333. USP's 
inclusion percentage is 70%. Accordingly, under paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section, $3,733 of the stock of CFC1 is assigned to the section 
951A category and a portion thereof may be treated as an exempt 
asset under Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(ii)(C)(2)(ii). The remainder, 
$1,600, remains a general category asset.
    (C) Step 3. No portion of the stock of CFC1 is resourced gross 
tested income stock or assigned to the resourced gross subpart F 
income statutory grouping in any treaty category. Accordingly, no 
portion of the stock of CFC1 is assigned to a treaty category under 
paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
    (D) Step 4--(1) General category stock. The total portion of the 
value of the stock of CFC1 that is general category stock is 
$13,600, which is equal to $1,600 (the portion of the value of the 
general category stock of CFC1 that was not assigned to the section 
951A category in Step 2) plus $5,667 (the value of the portion of 
the stock of CFC1 assigned to the specified foreign source income 
statutory grouping within the general category) plus $6,333 (the 
value of the portion of the stock of CFC1 assigned to the foreign 
source gross subpart F income statutory grouping within the general 
category).
    (2) Passive category stock. The total portion of the value of 
the stock of CFC1 that is passive category stock is $2,667.
    (3) U.S source category stock. No portion of the value of the 
stock of CFC1 is U.S. source category stock.
    (E) Step 5--(1) General category stock. Under paragraph 
(a)(5)(ii) of this section, the value of the stock of CFC1 assigned 
to the section 245A subgroup of general category stock is $7,267, 
which is equal to $1,600 (the portion of the value of the general 
category stock of CFC1 that was not assigned to the section 951A 
category in Step 2) plus $5,667 (the value of the portion of the 
stock of CFC1 assigned to the specified foreign source general 
category income statutory grouping). Under paragraph (a)(5)(v) of 
this section, the remainder of the general category stock of CFC1, 
$6,333, is assigned to the non-section 245A subgroup of general 
category stock.
    (2) Passive category stock. No portion of the passive category 
stock of CFC1 is in the foreign source gross tested income statutory 
grouping or the specified foreign source passive category income 
statutory grouping. Accordingly, under paragraph (a)(5)(iii) of this 
section, no portion of the value of the stock of CFC1 is assigned to 
the section 245A subgroup of passive category stock. Under paragraph 
(a)(5)(v) of this section, the passive category stock of CFC1, 
$2,667 is assigned to the non-section 245A subgroup of passive 
category stock.
    (3) Section 951A category stock. Under paragraph (a)(5)(v) of 
this section, all of the section 951A category stock, $3,733, is 
assigned to the non-section 245A subgroup of section 951A category 
stock.
    (F) Summary. For purpose of the allocation and apportionment of 
expenses, $13,600 of the stock of CFC1 is characterized as general 
category stock, $7,267 of which is in the section 245A subgroup and 
$6,333 of which is in the non-section 245A subgroup; $2,667 of the 
stock of CFC1 is characterized as passive category stock, all of 
which is in the non-section 245A subgroup; and $3,733 of the stock 
of CFC1 is characterized as section 951A category stock, all of 
which is in the non-section 245A subgroup.
     (2) Example 2: Asset method with noncontrolled 10-percent owned 
foreign corporation--(i) Facts. The facts are the same as in 
paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, except that CFC1 does not own 
CFC2 and instead owns 20% of the stock of FC2, a foreign corporation 
that is a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation. The 
tax book value of CFC1's stock in FC2 is $5,000. FC2 owns assets 
with the following values as determined under Sec. Sec.  1.861-
9(g)(2) and 1.861-9T(g)(3): Assets that generate specified foreign 
source general category income ($3,000). All of the assets of FC2 
generate income that, if distributed to CFC1 as a dividend, would be 
foreign source gross subpart F income in the general category to 
CFC1.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Step 1--(1) Characterization of FC2 stock. 
All of the assets of FC2 generate income that, if distributed to 
CFC1, would be foreign source gross subpart F income in the general 
category to CFC1. Accordingly, under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this 
section, all of CFC1's stock in FC2 ($5,000) is characterized as in 
the foreign source gross subpart F income statutory grouping within 
the general category.
    (2) Characterization of CFC1 stock. CFC1 has total assets of 
$15,000, $4,000 of which are in the foreign source gross tested 
income statutory grouping within the general category, $6,000 of 
which are in the foreign source gross subpart F income statutory 
grouping within the general category (including the FC2 stock 
assigned to that statutory grouping), $3,000 of which are in the 
specified foreign source general category income statutory grouping, 
and $2,000 of which are in the foreign source gross subpart F income 
statutory grouping within the passive category. Accordingly, CFC1's 
stock is characterized as $5,333 ($4,000/$15,000 x $20,000) in the 
foreign source gross tested income statutory grouping within the 
general category, $8,000 ($6,000/$15,000 x $20,000) in the foreign 
source gross subpart F income statutory grouping within the general 
category, $4,000 ($3,000/$15,000 x $20,000) in the specified foreign 
source general category income statutory grouping, and $2,667 
($2,000/$15,000 x $20,000) in the foreign source gross subpart F 
income statutory grouping within the passive category.
    (B) Step 2. The analysis is the same as in paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(B) of this section.
    (C) Step 3. The analysis is the same as in paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(C) of this section.
    (D) Step 4--(1) General category stock. The total portion of the 
value of the stock of CFC1 that is general category stock is 
$13,600, which is equal to $1,600 (the portion of the value of the 
general category stock of CFC1 that was not assigned to the section 
951A category in Step 2) plus $4,000 (the value of the portion of 
the stock of CFC1 assigned to the specified foreign source income 
statutory grouping within the general category general category) 
plus $8,000 (the value of the portion of the stock of CFC1 assigned 
to the foreign source gross subpart F income statutory grouping 
within the general category).
    (2) Passive category stock. The analysis is the same as in 
paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D)(2) of this section.
    (E) Step 5--(1) General category stock. Under paragraph 
(a)(5)(ii) of this section, the value of the stock of CFC1 assigned 
to the section 245A subgroup of general category stock is $5,600, 
which is equal to $1,600 (the portion of the value of the general 
category stock of CFC1 that was not assigned to the section 951A 
category in Step 2) plus $4,000 (the value of the portion of the 
stock of CFC1 assigned to the specified foreign source general 
category income statutory grouping). Under paragraph (a)(5)(v) of 
this section, the remainder of the general category stock of CFC1, 
$8,000, is assigned to the non-section 245A subgroup of general 
category stock.
    (2) Passive category stock. The analysis is the same as in 
paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(E)(2) of this section.
    (3) Section 951A category stock. The analysis is the same as in 
paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(E)(3) of this section.
    (F) Summary. For purpose of the allocation and apportionment of 
expenses, $13,600 of the stock of CFC1 is characterized as general 
category stock, $5,600 of which is in the section 245A subgroup and 
$8,000 of which is in the non-section 245A subgroup; $2,667

[[Page 63239]]

of the stock of CFC1 is characterized as passive category stock, all 
of which is in the non-section 245A subgroup; and $3,733 of the 
stock of CFC1 is characterized as section 951A category stock, all 
of which is in the non-section 245A subgroup.
     (3) Example 3: Modified gross income method--(i) Facts--(A) 
USP, a domestic corporation, directly owns all of the stock of a 
controlled foreign corporation, CFC1. The tax book value of CFC1's 
stock is $100,000. CFC1 owns all of the stock of CFC2, a controlled 
foreign corporation. USP uses the modified gross income method 
described in Sec.  1.861-12(c)(3)(iii) to characterize the stock in 
CFC1. USP's inclusion percentage is 100%.
    (B) CFC1 earns $1,500 of foreign source gross tested income 
within the general category and $500 of foreign source gross subpart 
F income within the passive category. CFC1 incurs $200 of interest 
expense.
    (C) CFC2 earns $3,000 of foreign source gross tested income 
within the general category, $2,000 of foreign source gross subpart 
F income within the general category, and $1,000 of specified 
foreign source general category income. CFC2 incurs $3,000 of 
interest expense.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Step 1--(1) Determination of CFC2 gross 
income (net of interest expense). CFC2 has total gross income of 
$6,000. CFC2's $3,000 of interest expense is apportioned among the 
statutory groupings of gross income based on the gross income of 
CFC2 to determine the gross income (net of interest expense) of CFC2 
in each statutory grouping. As a result, $1,500 ($3,000/$6,000 x 
$3,000) of interest expense is apportioned to foreign source gross 
tested income within the general category, $1,000 ($2,000/$6,000 x 
$3,000) of interest expense is apportioned to foreign source gross 
subpart F income within the general category, and $500 ($1,000/
$6,000 x $3,000) of interest expense is apportioned to specified 
foreign source general category income. Accordingly, CFC2 has the 
following amounts of gross income (net of interest expense): $1,500 
($3,000-$1,500) of foreign source gross tested income within the 
general category, $1,000 ($2,000-$1,000) of foreign source gross 
subpart F income within the general category, and $500 ($1,000-$500) 
of specified foreign source general category income.
    (2) Determination of CFC1 gross income (net of interest 
expense). Before including the gross income consisting of subpart F 
income and tested income (net of interest expense) of CFC2, CFC1 has 
total gross income of $2,500, including $500 of CFC2's specified 
foreign source general category income which is combined with CFC1's 
items of gross income under Sec.  1.861-9(j)(2)(ii). CFC1's $200 of 
interest expense is apportioned among the statutory groupings of 
gross income of CFC1 to determine the gross income (net of interest 
expense) of CFC1 in each statutory grouping. As a result, $120 
($1,500/$2,500 x $200) of interest expense is apportioned to foreign 
source gross tested income within the general category, $40 ($500/
$2,500 x $200) to foreign source gross subpart F income within the 
passive category, and $40 ($500/$2,500 x $200) to specified foreign 
source general category income. Accordingly, CFC1 has the following 
amounts of gross income (net of interest expense) before including 
the gross income (net of interest expense) of CFC2: $1,380 ($1,500-
$120) of foreign source gross tested income within the general 
category, $460 ($500-$40) of foreign source gross subpart F income 
within the passive category, and $460 ($500-$40) of specified 
foreign source general category income. After including the gross 
income consisting of subpart F income and tested income (net of 
interest expense) of CFC2, CFC1 has the following amounts of gross 
income (net of interest expense): $2,880 ($1,380 + $1,500) of 
foreign source gross tested income within the general category, 
$1,000 of foreign source gross subpart F income within the general 
category, $460 of specified foreign source general category income, 
and $460 of foreign source gross subpart F income within the passive 
category.
    (3) Characterization of CFC1 stock. CFC1 is considered to have a 
total of $4,800 of gross income (net of interest expense) for 
purposes of characterizing the stock of CFC1. Accordingly, CFC1's 
stock is characterized as $60,000 ($2,880/$4,800 x $100,000) in the 
foreign source gross tested income statutory grouping within the 
general category, $20,834 ($1,000/$4,800 x $100,000) in the foreign 
source gross subpart F income statutory grouping within the general 
category, $9,583 ($460/$4,800 x $100,000) in the specified foreign 
source general category income statutory grouping, and $9,583 ($460/
$4,800 x $100,000) in the foreign source gross subpart F income 
statutory grouping within the passive category.
    (B) Step 2. The portion of the value of the stock of CFC1 that 
is general category gross tested income stock is $60,000. USP's 
inclusion percentage is 100%. Accordingly, under paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section, all of the $60,000 of the stock of CFC1 is assigned to 
the section 951A category.
    (C) Step 3. No portion of the stock of CFC1 is resourced gross 
tested income or assigned to the resourced gross subpart F income 
statutory group in any treaty category. Accordingly, no portion of 
the stock of CFC1 is assigned to a treaty category under paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section.
    (D) Step 4--(1) General category stock. The total portion of the 
value of the stock of CFC1 that is general category stock is 
$30,417, which is equal to $20,834 (the value of the portion of the 
stock of CFC1 assigned to the subpart F income statutory grouping 
within the general category income statutory grouping) plus $9,583 
(the value of the portion of the stock of CFC1 assigned to the 
specified foreign source general category income statutory 
grouping).
    (2) Passive category stock. The total portion of the value of 
the stock of CFC1 that is passive category stock is $9,583.
    (3) U.S. source category stock. No portion of the value of the 
stock of CFC1 is U.S. source category stock.
    (E) Step 5--(1) General category stock. All of the value of the 
general category gross tested income stock of CFC1 was assigned to 
the section 951A category in Step 2. Accordingly, under paragraph 
(a)(5)(ii) of this section, the value of the stock of CFC1 assigned 
to the section 245A subgroup of general category stock is $9,583, 
which is equal to the value of the portion assigned to the specified 
foreign source general category income statutory grouping. Under 
paragraph (a)(5)(v) of this section, the remainder of the general 
category stock of CFC1, $20,834, is assigned to the non-section 245A 
subgroup of general category stock.
    (2) Passive category stock. No portion of the passive category 
stock of CFC1 is in the foreign source gross tested income statutory 
grouping or the specified foreign source passive category income 
statutory grouping. Accordingly, under paragraph (a)(5)(iii) of this 
section, no portion of the value of the stock of CFC1 is assigned to 
the section 245A subgroup. Under paragraph (a)(5)(v) of this 
section, the passive category stock of CFC1, $9,534, is assigned to 
the non-section 245A subgroup of passive category stock.
    (3) Section 951A category stock. Under paragraph (a)(5)(v) of 
this section, all of the section 951A category stock, $60,000, is 
assigned to the non-section 245A subgroup of section 951A category 
stock.
    (F) Summary. For purposes of the allocation and apportionment of 
expenses, $60,000 of the stock of CFC1 is characterized as section 
951A category stock, all of which is in the non-section 245A 
subgroup; $30,417 of the stock of CFC1 is characterized as general 
category stock, $9,583 of which is in the section 245A subgroup and 
$20,834 of which is in the non-section 245A subgroup; and $9,583 of 
the stock of CFC1 is characterized as passive category stock, all of 
which is in the non-section 245A subgroup.

    (d) Applicability dates. This section applies for taxable years 
that both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after December 
4, 2018.


Sec.  1.861-14  [Amended]

0
Par. 9. Section 1.861-14 is amended by:
0
1. Removing the language ``, except that section 936 corporations (as 
defined in Sec.  1.861-11(d)(2)(ii)) are also included within the 
affiliated group to the extent provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section'' from the first sentence of paragraph (d)(1).
0
2. Removing and reserving paragraph (d)(2).
0
Par. 10. Section 1.861-17 is amended by:
0
1. Adding paragraph (e)(3).
0
2. Removing and reserving paragraph (g).
0
3. Adding paragraph (i).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.861-17  Allocation and apportionment of research and 
experimental expenditures.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) Change of method for first taxable year beginning after 
December 31, 2017. A taxpayer otherwise subject to the binding election 
described in paragraph

[[Page 63240]]

(e)(1) of this section may change its method once for its first taxable 
year beginning after December 31, 2017, without the prior consent of 
the Commissioner. The taxpayer's use of a new method constitutes a 
binding election to use the new method for its return filed for the 
first year for which the taxpayer uses the new method and for four 
taxable years thereafter.
* * * * *
    (g) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (i) Applicability date. This section applies to taxable years that 
both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after December 4, 
2018.
0
Par. 11. Section 1.901(j)-1 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.901(j)-1  Denial of foreign tax credit with respect to certain 
foreign countries.

    (a) Sourcing rule for related party payments and inclusions. Any 
income paid or accrued through one or more entities is treated as 
income from sources within a country described in section 901(j)(2) if 
the income was, without regard to such entities, from sources within 
that country.
    (b) Applicability date. This section applies to taxable years that 
end on or after December 4, 2018.
0
Par. 12. Sec.  1.904-1 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1.904-1  Limitation on credit for foreign taxes.

    (a) In general. For each separate category described in Sec.  
1.904-5(a)(4)(v), the total credit for taxes paid or accrued (including 
those deemed to have been paid or accrued other than by reason of 
section 904(c)) shall not exceed that proportion of the tax against 
which such credit is taken which the taxpayer's taxable income from 
foreign sources (but not in excess of the taxpayer's entire taxable 
income) in such separate category bears to his entire taxable income 
for the same taxable year.
    (b) Special computation of taxable income. For purposes of 
computing the limitation under paragraph (a) of this section, the 
taxable income in the case of an individual, estate, or trust is 
computed without any deduction for personal exemptions under section 
151 or 642(b).
    (c) Joint return. In the case of spouses making a joint return, the 
applicable limitation prescribed by section 904(a) on the credit for 
taxes paid or accrued to foreign countries and possessions of the 
United States is applied with respect to the aggregate taxable income 
in each separate category from sources without the United States, and 
the aggregate taxable income from all sources, of the spouses.
    (d) Consolidated group. For rules relating to the computation of 
the foreign tax credit limitation for a consolidated group, see Sec.  
1.1502-4.
    (e) Applicability dates. This section applies to taxable years that 
both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after December 4, 
2018.
0
Par. 13. Section 1.904-2 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (a) through (d).
0
2. Removing the language ``904(d)'' and adding the language ``904(c)'' 
in its place in paragraph (e).
0
3. Removing and reserving paragraph (g).
0
4. Revising paragraphs (h) and (i).
0
5. Adding paragraphs (j) and (k).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.904-2  Carryback and carryover of unused foreign tax.

    (a) Credit for foreign tax carryback or carryover. A taxpayer who 
chooses to claim a credit under section 901 for a taxable year is 
allowed a credit under that section not only for taxes otherwise 
allowable as a credit but also for taxes deemed paid or accrued in that 
year as a result of a carryback or carryover of an unused foreign tax 
under section 904(c). However, the taxes so deemed paid or accrued are 
not allowed as a deduction under section 164(a). Foreign tax paid or 
accrued with respect to section 951A category income, including section 
951A category income that is reassigned to a separate category for 
income resourced under a treaty, may not be carried back or carried 
forward or deemed paid or accrued under section 904(c). For special 
rules regarding these computations in case of taxes paid, accrued, or 
deemed paid with respect to foreign oil and gas extraction income or 
foreign oil related income, see section 907(f) and the regulations 
under that section.
    (b) Years to which foreign taxes are carried. If the taxpayer 
chooses the benefits of section 901 for a taxable year, any unused 
foreign tax paid or accrued in that year is carried first to the 
immediately preceding taxable year and then, as applicable, to each of 
the ten succeeding taxable years, in chronological order, but only to 
the extent not absorbed as taxes deemed paid or accrued under paragraph 
(d) of this section in a prior taxable year.
    (c) Definitions. This paragraph (c) provides definitions that apply 
for purposes of this section.
    (1) Unused foreign tax. The term unused foreign tax means, with 
respect to each separate category for any taxable year, the excess of 
the amount of creditable foreign tax paid or accrued, or deemed paid 
under section 902 (as in effect on December 21, 2017) or section 960, 
in such year, over the applicable foreign tax credit limitation under 
section 904 for the separate category in such year. Unused foreign tax 
does not include any amount for which a credit is disallowed, including 
foreign income taxes for which a credit is disallowed or reduced when 
the tax is paid, accrued, or deemed paid.
    (2) Separate category. The term separate category has the same 
meaning as provided in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v).
    (3) Excess limitation--(i) In general. The term excess limitation 
means, with respect to a separate category for any taxable year (the 
excess limitation year) and an unused foreign tax carried from another 
taxable year (the excess credit year), the amount (if any) by which the 
limitation for that separate category with respect to that excess 
limitation year exceeds the sum of--
    (A) The creditable foreign tax actually paid or accrued or deemed 
paid under section 902 (as in effect on December 21, 2017) or section 
960 with respect to the separate category in the excess limitation 
year, and
    (B) The portion of any unused foreign tax for a taxable year 
preceding the excess credit year that is absorbed as taxes deemed paid 
or accrued in the excess limitation year under paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (ii) Deduction years. Excess limitation for a taxable year absorbs 
unused foreign tax, regardless of whether the taxpayer chooses to claim 
a credit under section 901 for the year. In such case, the amount of 
the excess limitation, if any, for the year is determined in the same 
manner as though the taxpayer had chosen to claim a credit under 
section 901 for that year. For purposes of this determination, if the 
taxpayer has an overall foreign loss account, the excess limitation in 
a deduction year is determined based on the amount of the overall 
foreign loss the taxpayer would have recaptured if the taxpayer had 
chosen to claim a credit under section 901 for that year and had not 
made an election under Sec.  1.904(f)-2(c)(2) to recapture more of the 
overall foreign loss account than is required under Sec.  1.904(f)-
2(c)(1).
    (d) Taxes deemed paid or accrued--(1) Amount deemed paid or 
accrued. The amount of unused foreign tax with respect to a separate 
category that is deemed paid or accrued in any taxable year to which 
such unused foreign tax may be carried under paragraph (b) of this 
section is equal to the smaller of--

[[Page 63241]]

    (i) The portion of the unused foreign tax that may be carried to 
the taxable year under paragraph (b) of this section, or
    (ii) The amount, if any, of the excess limitation for such taxable 
year with respect to such unused foreign tax.
    (2) Carryback or carryover tax deemed paid or accrued in the same 
separate category. Any unused foreign tax, which is deemed to be paid 
or accrued under section 904(c) in the year to which it is carried, is 
deemed to be paid or accrued with respect to the same separate category 
as the category to which it was assigned in the year in which it was 
actually paid or accrued. However, see paragraphs (h) through (j) of 
this section for transition rules in the case of certain carrybacks and 
carryovers.
    (3) No duplicate disallowance of creditable foreign tax. Foreign 
income taxes for which a credit is partially disallowed, including when 
the tax is paid, accrued, or deemed paid, are not reduced again by 
reason of the unused foreign tax being deemed to be paid or accrued in 
the year to which it is carried under section 904(c).
* * * * *
    (g) [Reserved]
    (h) Transition rules for carryovers of pre-2003 unused foreign tax 
and carrybacks of post-2002 unused foreign tax paid or accrued with 
respect to dividends from noncontrolled section 902 corporations. For 
transition rules for carryovers of pre-2003 unused foreign tax, and 
carrybacks of post-2002 unused foreign tax, paid or accrued with 
respect to dividends from noncontrolled section 902 corporations, see 
26 CFR 1.904-2(h) (revised as of April 1, 2018).
    (i) Transition rules for carryovers of pre-2007 unused foreign tax 
and carrybacks of post-2006 unused foreign tax. For transition rules 
for carryovers of pre-2007 unused foreign tax, and carrybacks of post-
2006 unused foreign tax, see 26 CFR 1.904-2(i) (revised as of April 1, 
2018).
    (j) Transition rules for carryovers and carrybacks of pre-2018 and 
post-2017 unused foreign tax--(1) Carryover of unused foreign tax--(i) 
In general. For purposes of this paragraph (j), the terms post-2017 
separate category, pre-2018 separate category, and specified separate 
category have the meanings set forth in Sec.  1.904(f)-12(j)(1). The 
rules of this paragraph (j)(1) apply to reallocate to the taxpayer's 
post-2017 separate categories for foreign branch category income, 
general category income, passive category income, and specified 
separate categories of income, any unused foreign taxes (as defined in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section) that were paid or accrued or deemed 
paid under sections 902 and 960 with respect to income in a pre-2018 
separate category.
    (ii) Allocation to the same separate category. Except as provided 
in paragraph (j)(1)(iii) of this section, to the extent any unused 
foreign taxes paid or accrued or deemed paid with respect to a separate 
category of income are carried forward to a taxable year beginning 
after December 31, 2017, such taxes are allocated to the same post-2017 
separate category as the pre-2018 separate category from which the 
unused foreign taxes are carried.
    (iii) Exception for certain general category unused foreign taxes--
(A) In general. To the extent any unused foreign taxes paid or accrued 
(but not taxes deemed paid) with respect to general category income are 
carried forward to a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, a 
taxpayer may choose to allocate those taxes to the taxpayer's post-2017 
separate category for foreign branch category income to the extent 
those taxes would have been allocated to the taxpayer's post-2017 
separate category for foreign branch category income if the taxes were 
paid or accrued in a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017. 
Any remaining unused foreign taxes paid or accrued or deemed paid with 
respect to general category income carried forward to a taxable year 
beginning after December 31, 2017, are allocated to the taxpayer's 
post-2017 separate category for general category income.
    (B) Rules regarding the exception. A taxpayer applying the 
exception described in paragraph (j)(1)(iii)(A) of this section (the 
branch carryover exception) must apply the exception to all of its 
unused foreign taxes paid or accrued with respect to general category 
income that are carried forward to all taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 2017. A taxpayer may choose to apply the branch carryover 
exception on a timely filed original return (including extensions) or 
an amended return. A taxpayer that applies the exception on an amended 
return must make appropriate adjustments to eliminate any double 
benefit arising from application of the exception to years that are not 
open for assessment.
    (2) Carryback of unused foreign tax--(i) In general. The rules of 
this paragraph (j)(2) apply to any unused foreign taxes that were paid 
or accrued, or deemed paid under section 960, with respect to income in 
a post-2017 separate category.
    (ii) Passive category income and specified separate categories of 
income described in Sec.  1.904-4(m). Any unused foreign taxes paid or 
accrued or deemed paid with respect to passive category income or a 
specified separate category of income in a taxable year beginning after 
December 31, 2017, that are carried back to a taxable year beginning 
before January 1, 2018, are allocated to the same pre-2018 separate 
category as the post-2017 separate category from which the unused 
foreign taxes are carried.
    (iii) General category income and foreign branch category income. 
Any unused foreign taxes paid or accrued or deemed paid with respect to 
general category income or foreign branch category income in a taxable 
year beginning after December 31, 2017, that are carried back to a 
taxable year beginning before January 1, 2018, are allocated to the 
taxpayer's pre-2018 separate category for general category income.
    (k) Applicability date. Paragraphs (a) through (i) of this section 
apply to taxable years that both begin after December 31, 2017, and end 
on or after December 4, 2018. Paragraph (j) of this section applies to 
taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Paragraph (j)(2) of 
this section also applies to the last taxable year beginning before 
January 1, 2018.
0
Par. 14. Section 1.904-3 is amended by:
0
1. Revising the section heading.
0
2. Removing the language ``a husband and wife'' and adding the language 
``spouses'' in its place in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d).
0
3. Adding a sentence to the end of paragraph (a).
0
4. Removing the second and third sentences in paragraph (d).
0
5. Revising paragraph (e).
0
6. Revising paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3).
0
7. Removing the language ``904(d)'' and adding the language ``904(c)'' 
in its place in paragraphs (f)(5)(i) and (ii).
0
8. Removing paragraph (f)(6).
0
9. Removing and reserving paragraph (g).
0
10. Adding paragraph (h).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.904-3  Carryback and carryover of unused foreign tax by spouses 
making a joint return.

    (a) * * * The rules in this section apply separately with respect 
to each separate category as defined in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v).
* * * * *
    (e) Amounts carried from or through a joint return year to or 
through a separate return year--(1) In general. It is necessary to 
allocate to each spouse the spouse's share of an unused foreign tax

[[Page 63242]]

or excess limitation for any taxable year for which the spouses filed a 
joint return if--
    (i) The spouses file separate returns for the current taxable year 
and an unused foreign tax is carried thereto from a taxable year for 
which they filed a joint return;
    (ii) The spouses file separate returns for the current taxable year 
and an unused foreign tax is carried to such taxable year from a year 
for which they filed separate returns but is first carried through a 
year for which they filed a joint return; or
    (iii) The spouses file a joint return for the current taxable year 
and an unused foreign tax is carried from a taxable year for which they 
filed joint returns but is first carried through a year for which they 
filed separate returns.
    (2) Computation and adjustments. In the cases described in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the separate carryback or carryover 
of each spouse to the current taxable year shall be computed in the 
manner described in Sec.  1.904-2 but with the modifications set forth 
in paragraph (f) of this section. Where applicable, appropriate 
adjustments are made to take into account the fact that, for any 
taxable year involved in the computation of the carryback or the 
carryover, either spouse has combined foreign oil and gas income 
described in section 907(b) with respect to which the limitation in 
section 907(a) applies.
    (f) * * * (1) Separate category limitation. The limitation in a 
separate category of a particular spouse for a taxable year for which a 
joint return is made shall be the portion of the limitation on the 
joint return which bears the same ratio to such limitation as such 
spouse's foreign source taxable income (with gross income and 
deductions taken into account to the same extent as taken into account 
on the joint return) in such separate category (but not in excess of 
the joint foreign source taxable income) bears to the joint foreign 
source taxable income in such separate category.
    (2) Unused foreign tax. For purposes of this section, the term 
unused foreign tax means, with respect to a particular spouse and 
separate category for a taxable year for which a joint return is made, 
the excess of the foreign tax paid or accrued by that spouse with 
respect to that separate category over that spouse's separate category 
limitation.
    (3) Excess limitation. For purposes of this section, the term 
excess limitation means, with respect to a particular spouse and 
separate category for a taxable year for which a joint return is made, 
the excess of that spouse's separate category limitation over the 
foreign taxes paid or accrued by such spouse with respect to such 
separate category for such taxable year.
* * * * *
    (g) [Reserved]
    (h) Applicability date. This section is applicable for taxable 
years that both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after 
December 4, 2018.
0
Par. 15. Sec.  1.904-4 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraph (a).
0
2. Removing the language ``1248; or'' from paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) and 
adding the language ``1248;'' in its place.
0
3. Removing the language ``1293.'' from paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B) and 
adding the language ``1293;'' in its place.
0
4. Adding paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(C) and (D).
0
5. Revising the first and second sentences of paragraph (b)(2)(ii).
0
6. Removing the language ``shall not be'' from the first sentence of 
paragraph (c)(1) and adding the language ``is not'' in its place.
0
7. Revising the second, third, and fourth sentences of paragraph 
(c)(1).
0
8. Removing the last sentence of paragraph (c)(1).
0
9. Revising the second, third, and fourth sentences, and adding a new 
sentence after the fourth sentence, of paragraph (c)(3).
0
10. Revising paragraph (c)(4).
0
11. Revising paragraph (c)(5)(ii).
0
12. Removing the second and third sentences of paragraphs 
(c)(5)(iii)(A) and (B).
0
13. Revising the first sentence of paragraph (c)(6)(i).
0
14. Removing the language ``deemed paid or accrued'' and adding the 
language ``deemed paid'' in its place in the second sentence in 
paragraph (c)(6)(i).
0
15. Removing the word ``taxable'' from the last sentence of paragraph 
(c)(6)(i).
0
16. Revising the first, fourth, fifth, and sixth sentences of paragraph 
(c)(6)(iii).
0
17. Removing the word ``taxable'' in the second sentence of paragraph 
(c)(6)(iii).
0
18. Removing the language ``deemed paid or accrued'' and adding the 
language ``deemed paid'' in its place in the third sentence of 
paragraph (c)(6)(iii).
0
19. Revising paragraph (c)(6)(iv).
0
20. Revising the second sentence and the sixth sentence of paragraph 
(c)(7)(i).
0
21. Removing the language ``general category income'' and adding the 
language ``income in another separate category'' in its place in the 
third sentence of paragraph (c)(7)(iii).
0
22. Adding paragraph (d) and revising paragraph (e)(1).
0
23. Removing and reserving paragraph (e)(2)(i)(W).
0
24. Removing the last sentence of paragraph (e)(3)(ii).
0
25. Removing paragraph (e)(5).
0
26. Adding paragraphs (f) and (g).
0
27. Revising paragraphs (h)(2), (h)(5)(i), (h)(5)(ii), and paragraphs 
(k) through (n).
0
28. Adding paragraphs (o), (p), and (q).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.904-4  Separate application of section 904 with respect to 
certain categories of income.

    (a) In general. A taxpayer is required to compute a separate 
foreign tax credit limitation for income received or accrued in a 
taxable year that is described in section 904(d)(1)(A) (section 951A 
category income), 904(d)(1)(B) (foreign branch category income), 
904(d)(1)(C) (passive category income), 904(d)(1)(D) (general category 
income), or paragraph (m) of this section (specified separate 
categories). For purposes of this section, the definitions in Sec.  
1.904-5(a)(4) apply.
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (C) Distributive shares of partnership income treated as passive 
category income under paragraph (n)(1) of this section, and income from 
the sale of a partnership interest treated as passive category income 
under paragraph (n)(2) of this section; or
    (D) Income treated as passive category income under the look-
through rules in Sec.  1.904-5.
    (ii) Exceptions. Passive income does not include any export 
financing interest (as defined in paragraph (h) of this section), any 
high-taxed income (as defined in paragraph (c) of this section), 
financial services income (as defined in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this 
section), or any active rents and royalties (as defined in paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii) of this section). In addition, passive income does not 
include any income that would otherwise be passive but is excluded from 
passive category income under Sec.  1.904-5(b)(1). * * *
* * * * *
    (c) * * * (1) * * * Income is considered to be high-taxed income 
if, after allocating expenses, losses, and other deductions of the 
United States person to that income under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, the sum of the foreign income taxes paid or accrued, and 
deemed paid under section 960, by the United States person with respect 
to such income (reduced by any portion of such taxes for which a credit 
is not

[[Page 63243]]

allowed) exceeds the highest rate of tax specified in section 1 or 11, 
whichever applies (and with reference to section 15 if applicable), 
multiplied by the amount of such income (including the amount treated 
as a dividend under section 78). If, after application of this 
paragraph (c), income that would otherwise be passive income is 
determined to be high-taxed income, the income is treated as general 
category income, foreign branch category income, section 951A category 
income, or income in a specified separate category, as determined under 
the rules of this section, and any taxes imposed on that income are 
considered related to the same separate category of income under Sec.  
1.904-6. If, after application of this paragraph (c), passive income is 
zero or less than zero, any taxes imposed on the passive income are 
considered related to the same separate category of income to which the 
passive income (if not reduced to zero or less than zero) would have 
been assigned had the income been treated as high-taxed income (general 
category, foreign branch category, section 951A category, or a 
specified separate category). * * *
* * * * *
    (3) * * * Paragraph (c)(4) of this section provides additional 
rules for inclusions under section 951(a)(1) or 951A(a) that are 
passive income, dividends from a controlled foreign corporation or 
noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation that are passive 
income, and income that is received or accrued by a United States 
person through a foreign QBU that is passive income. For purposes of 
this paragraph (c), a foreign QBU is a qualified business unit (as 
defined in section 989(a)), other than a controlled foreign corporation 
or noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation, that has its 
principal place of business outside the United States. These rules 
apply whether the income is received from a controlled foreign 
corporation of which the United States person is a United States 
shareholder, from a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation 
of which the United States person is a United States shareholder that 
is a domestic corporation, or from any other person. In applying these 
rules, passive income is not treated as subject to a withholding tax or 
other foreign tax for which a credit is disallowed in full, for 
example, under section 901(k). * * *
    (4) Dividends and inclusions from controlled foreign corporations, 
dividends from noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporations, and 
income attributable to foreign QBUs. Except as provided in paragraph 
(c)(5) of this section, the rules of this paragraph (c)(4) apply to all 
dividends and all amounts included in gross income of a United States 
shareholder under section 951(a)(1) or 951A(a) with respect to the 
foreign corporation that (after application of the look-through rules 
of section 904(d)(3) and Sec.  1.904-5) are attributable to passive 
income received or accrued by a controlled foreign corporation, all 
dividends from a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation 
that are received or accrued by a United States shareholder that (after 
application of the look-through rules of section 904(d)(4) and Sec.  
1.904-5) are treated as passive income, and all amounts of passive 
income received or accrued by a United States person through a foreign 
QBU. The grouping rules of paragraph (c)(3)(i) through (iv) of this 
section apply separately to dividends, to inclusions under section 
951(a)(1) and to inclusions under section 951A(a) with respect to each 
controlled foreign corporation of which the taxpayer is a United States 
shareholder, and to dividends with respect to each noncontrolled 10-
percent owned foreign corporation of which the taxpayer is a United 
States shareholder that is a domestic corporation. The grouping rules 
of paragraph (c)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section also apply 
separately to income attributable to each foreign QBU of a controlled 
foreign corporation, noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation, any other look-through entity as defined in Sec.  1.904-
5(i), or any United States person.
    (5) * * *
    (ii) Treatment of partnership income. A partner's distributive 
share of income from a foreign or United States partnership that is 
treated as passive income under paragraph (n)(1)(ii) of this section 
(generally providing that a less than 10 percent partner's distributive 
share of partnership income is passive income) is treated as a single 
item of income and is not grouped with other amounts. A distributive 
share of income from a partnership that is treated as passive income 
under paragraph (n)(1)(i) of this section is grouped according to the 
rules in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, except that the portion, if 
any, of the distributive share of income attributable to income earned 
by a United States partnership through a foreign QBU is separately 
grouped under the rules of paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
* * * * *
    (6) * * * (i) * * * The determination of whether an amount included 
in gross income under section 951(a)(1) or 951A(a) is high-taxed income 
is made in the taxable year the income is included in the gross income 
of the United States shareholder under section 951(a) or 951A(a) (for 
purposes of this paragraph (c), the year of inclusion). * * *
* * * * *
    (iii) * * * If an item of income is considered high-taxed income in 
the year of inclusion and paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section applies, 
then any increase in foreign income taxes imposed with respect to that 
item are considered to be related to the same separate category to 
which the income was assigned in the taxable year of inclusion. * * * 
The taxpayer shall treat any taxes paid or accrued, or deemed paid, on 
the distribution in excess of this amount as taxes related to the same 
category of income to which such inclusion would have been assigned had 
the income been treated as high-taxed income in the year of inclusion 
(general category income, section 951A category income, or income in a 
specified separate category). If these additional taxes are not 
creditable in the year of distribution, the carryover rules of section 
904(c) apply (see section 904(c) and Sec.  1.904-2(a) for rules 
disallowing carryovers in the section 951A category). For purposes of 
this paragraph (c)(6), the foreign tax on an inclusion under section 
951(a)(1) or 951A(a) is considered increased on distribution of the 
earnings and profits associated with that inclusion if the total of 
taxes paid and deemed paid on the inclusion and the distribution 
(taking into account any reductions in tax and any withholding taxes) 
exceeds the total taxes deemed paid in the year of inclusion. * * *
    (iv) Increase in taxes paid by successors. If passive earnings and 
profits previously included in income of a United States shareholder 
are distributed to a person that was not a United States shareholder of 
the distributing corporation in the year the earnings were included, 
any increase in foreign taxes paid or accrued, or deemed paid, on that 
distribution is treated as tax related to general category income (or 
income in a specified separate category, if applicable) in the case of 
earnings and profits previously included under section 951(a)(1), and 
is treated as tax related to section 951A category income (or income in 
a specified separate category, if applicable) in the case of earnings 
and profits previously included under section 951A(a), regardless of 
whether the previously-taxed income was considered high-taxed income 
under

[[Page 63244]]

section 904(d)(2)(F) in the year of inclusion.
    (7) * * * (i) * * * If the inclusion is considered to be high-taxed 
income, then the taxpayer shall treat the inclusion as general category 
income, section 951A category income or income in a specified separate 
category as provided in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. * * * For 
this purpose, the foreign tax on an inclusion under section 951(a)(1) 
or 951A(a) shall be considered reduced on distribution of the earnings 
and profits associated with the inclusion if the total taxes paid and 
deemed paid on the inclusion and the distribution (taking into account 
any reductions in tax and any withholding taxes) is less than the total 
taxes deemed paid in the year of inclusion. * * *
* * * * *
    (d) General category income. The term general category income means 
all income other than passive category income, foreign branch category 
income, section 951A category income, and income in a specified 
separate category. Any item that is excluded from the passive category 
under section 904(d)(2)(B)(iii) or Sec.  1.904-5(b)(1) is included in 
general category income only to the extent that such item does not meet 
the definition of another separate category. General category income 
also includes income treated as general category income under the look-
through rules referenced in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(2).
    (e) * * * (1) In general--(i) Treatment of financial services 
income. Financial services income that meets the definition of foreign 
branch category income is treated as income in that category. Financial 
services income of a controlled foreign corporation that is included in 
gross income of a United States shareholder under section 951A(a) is 
treated as section 951A category income in the hands of the United 
States shareholder. Financial services income that is neither treated 
as foreign branch category income nor treated as section 951A category 
income is treated as general category income.
    (ii) Definition of financial services income. The term financial 
services income means income derived by a financial services entity, as 
defined in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, that is:
    (A) Income derived in the active conduct of a banking, insurance, 
financing, or similar business (active financing income as defined in 
paragraph (e)(2) of this section);
    (B) Passive income as defined in section 904(d)(2)(B) and paragraph 
(b) of this section as determined before the application of the 
exception for high-taxed income but after the application of the 
exception for export financing interest; or
    (C) Incidental income as defined in paragraph (e)(4) of this 
section.
    (2) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (W) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (f) Foreign branch category income--(1) Foreign branch category 
income--(i) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of 
this section, the term foreign branch category income means income of a 
United States person, other than a pass-through entity, that is--
    (A) Income attributable to foreign branches of the United States 
person held directly or indirectly through disregarded entities;
    (B) A distributive share of partnership income that is attributable 
to foreign branches held by the partnership directly or indirectly 
through disregarded entities, or held indirectly by the partnership 
through another partnership or other pass-through entity that holds the 
foreign branch directly or indirectly through disregarded entities; and
    (C) Income from other pass-through entities determined under 
principles similar to those described in paragraph (f)(1)(i)(B) of this 
section.
    (ii) Passive category income excluded from foreign branch category 
income. Income assigned to the passive category under paragraph (b) of 
this section is not foreign branch category income, regardless of 
whether the income is described in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section. 
Income that is treated as passive category income under the look-
through rules in Sec.  1.904-5 is also excluded from foreign branch 
category income, regardless of whether the income is attributable to a 
foreign branch. However, income that would be passive category income 
but for the application of section 904(d)(2)(B)(iii) (export financing 
interest and high-taxed income) or 904(d)(2)(C) (financial services 
income) and the regulations under those sections and also meets the 
definition of foreign branch category income is foreign branch category 
income.
    (2) Gross income attributable to a foreign branch--(i) In general. 
Except as provided in this paragraph (f)(2), gross income is 
attributable to a foreign branch to the extent the gross income (as 
adjusted to conform to Federal income tax principles) is reflected on 
the separate set of books and records (as defined in Sec.  1.989(a)-
1(d)(1) and (2)) of the foreign branch. Gross income that is not 
attributable to the foreign branch and is therefore attributable to the 
foreign branch owner is treated as income in a separate category (other 
than the foreign branch category) under the other rules of this 
section.
    (ii) Income attributable to U.S. activities. Gross income 
attributable to a foreign branch does not include items arising from 
activities carried out in the United States, regardless of whether the 
items are reflected on the foreign branch's separate books and records.
    (iii) Income arising from stock--(A) In general. Except as provided 
in paragraph (f)(2)(iii)(B) of this section, gross income attributable 
to a foreign branch does not include items of income arising from stock 
of a corporation (whether foreign or domestic), including gain from the 
disposition of such stock or any inclusion under sections 951(a), 
951A(a), or 1293(a).
    (B) Exception for dealer property. Paragraph (f)(2)(iii)(A) of this 
section does not apply to gain recognized from dispositions of stock in 
a corporation, if the stock would be dealer property (as defined in 
Sec.  1.954-2(a)(4)(v)) if the foreign branch were a controlled foreign 
corporation.
    (iv) Disposition of interests in certain entities--(A) In general. 
Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(B) of this section, gross 
income attributable to a foreign branch does not include gain from the 
disposition of an interest in a partnership or other pass-through 
entity or an interest in a disregarded entity. See also paragraph 
(n)(2) of this section for general rules relating to the sale of a 
partnership interest.
    (B) Exception for sales by a foreign branch in the ordinary course 
of business. The rule in paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(A) of this section does 
not apply to gain from the sale or exchange of an interest in a 
partnership or other pass-through entity or an interest in a 
disregarded entity if the gain is reflected on the books and records of 
a foreign branch and the interest is held by the foreign branch in the 
ordinary course of its active trade or business. An interest is 
considered to be held in the ordinary course of the foreign branch's 
active trade or business if the foreign branch engages in the same or a 
related trade or business as the partnership or other pass-through 
entity (other than through a less than 10 percent interest) or 
disregarded entity.
    (v) Adjustments to items of gross income reflected on the books and 
records. If a principal purpose of recording or failing to record an 
item of gross income on the books and records of a foreign branch, or 
of making a

[[Page 63245]]

disregarded payment described in paragraph (f)(2)(vi) of this section, 
is the avoidance of Federal income tax, the purposes of section 904, or 
the purposes of section 250 (in connection with section 
250(b)(3)(A)(i)(VI)), the item must be attributed to one or more 
foreign branches or the foreign branch owner in a manner that reflects 
the substance of the transaction. For purposes of this paragraph 
(f)(2)(v), interest received by a foreign branch from a related person 
is presumed to be attributable to the foreign branch owner (and not to 
the foreign branch) unless the interest income meets the definition of 
financial services income under paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section. 
For purposes of this paragraph (f)(2)(v), a related person is any 
person that bears a relationship to the foreign branch owner described 
in section 267(b) or 707.
    (vi) Attribution of gross income to which disregarded payments are 
allocable--(A) In general. If a foreign branch makes a disregarded 
payment to its foreign branch owner and the disregarded payment is 
allocable to non-passive category gross income of the foreign branch 
reflected on the foreign branch's separate set of books and records 
under paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section, the gross income 
attributable to the foreign branch is adjusted downward to reflect the 
allocable amount of the disregarded payment, and the general category 
gross income attributable to the foreign branch owner is adjusted 
upward by the same amount, translated (if necessary) from the foreign 
branch's functional currency to U.S. dollars at the spot rate, as 
defined in Sec.  1.988-1(d), on the date of the disregarded payment. 
Similarly, if a foreign branch owner makes a disregarded payment to its 
foreign branch and the disregarded payment is allocable to general 
category gross income of the foreign branch owner that was not 
reflected on the separate set of books and records of any foreign 
branch of the foreign branch owner, the gross income attributable to 
the foreign branch owner is adjusted downward to reflect the allocable 
amount of the disregarded payment, and the gross income attributable to 
the foreign branch is adjusted upward by the same amount, translated 
(if necessary) from U.S. dollars to the foreign branch's functional 
currency at the spot rate, as defined in Sec.  1.988-1(d), on the date 
of the disregarded payment. An adjustment to the attribution of gross 
income under this paragraph (f)(2)(vi) does not change the total 
amount, character, or source of the United States person's gross 
income. Similar rules apply in the case of disregarded payments between 
a foreign branch and another foreign branch with the same foreign 
branch owner.
    (B) Allocation of disregarded payments--(1) In general. Whether a 
disregarded payment is allocable to gross income of a foreign branch or 
its foreign branch owner, and the source and separate category of the 
gross income to which the disregarded payment is allocable, is 
determined under the following rules:
    (i) Disregarded payments from a foreign branch owner to its foreign 
branch are allocable to gross income attributable to the foreign branch 
owner to the extent a deduction for that payment, if regarded, would be 
allocated and apportioned to general category gross income of the 
foreign branch owner under the principles of Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 
1.861-14T and 1.861-17 by treating foreign source general category 
gross income and U.S. source general category gross income each as a 
statutory grouping; and
    (ii) Disregarded payments from a foreign branch to its foreign 
branch owner are allocable to gross income attributable to the foreign 
branch to the extent a deduction for that payment, if regarded, would 
be allocated and apportioned to gross income of the foreign branch 
under the principles of Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-14T and 1.861-
17 by treating foreign source gross income in the foreign branch 
category and U.S. source gross income in the foreign branch category 
each as a statutory grouping.
    (2) Disregarded sales of property. The principles of paragraph 
(f)(2)(vi)(B)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section apply in the case of 
disregarded payments in consideration for the transfer of property 
between a foreign branch and its foreign branch owner to the extent the 
disregarded payment, if regarded, would, for purposes of determining 
gross income, be subtracted from gross receipts that are regarded for 
Federal income tax purposes.
    (3) Conditions and timing of reallocation. The gross income 
attributable to the foreign branch is adjusted only in the taxable 
year, and only to the extent, that a disregarded payment, if regarded, 
would be allowed as a deduction or otherwise would be taken into 
account (for example, as an increase to cost of goods sold).
    (C) Exclusion of certain disregarded payments. Paragraph 
(f)(2)(vi)(A) of this section does not apply to the following payments, 
accruals, or other transfers between a foreign branch and its foreign 
branch owner that are disregarded for Federal income tax purposes:
    (1) Interest and interest equivalents that, if regarded, would be 
described in Sec.  1.861-9T(b);
    (2) Remittances from the foreign branch to its foreign branch 
owner, except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(D) of this section; 
or
    (3) Contributions of money, securities, and other property from the 
foreign branch owner to its foreign branch, except as set forth in 
paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(D) of this section.
    (D) Certain transfers of intangible property. For purposes of 
applying this paragraph (f)(2)(vi), the amount of gross income 
attributable to a foreign branch (and the amount of gross income 
attributable to its foreign branch owner) that is not passive category 
income must be adjusted under the principles of paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(B) 
of this section to reflect all transactions that are disregarded for 
Federal income tax purposes in which property described in section 
367(d)(4) is transferred to or from a foreign branch, whether or not a 
disregarded payment is made in connection with the transfer. In 
determining the amount of gross income that is attributable to a 
foreign branch that must be adjusted by reason of this paragraph 
(f)(2)(vi)(D), the principles of sections 367(d) and 482 apply. For 
example, if a foreign branch owner transfers property described in 
section 367(d)(4), the principles of section 367(d) are applied by 
treating the foreign branch as a separate corporation to which the 
property is transferred in exchange for stock of the corporation in a 
transaction described in section 351.
    (E) Amount of disregarded payments. The amount of each disregarded 
payment used to make an adjustment under this paragraph (f)(2)(vi) (or 
the absence of any adjustment) must be determined in a manner that 
results in the attribution of the proper amount of gross income to each 
of a foreign branch and its foreign branch owner under the principles 
of section 482, applied as if the foreign branch were a corporation.
    (F) Ordering rules. For purposes of applying this paragraph 
(f)(2)(vi), adjustments related to disregarded payments from a foreign 
branch to its foreign branch owner are computed first, followed by 
adjustments related to disregarded payments from a foreign branch owner 
to its foreign branch.
    (3) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
this paragraph (f).
    (i) Disregarded entity. The term disregarded entity means an entity 
described in Sec.  301.7701-2(c)(2) of this chapter that is disregarded 
as an entity

[[Page 63246]]

separate from its owner for Federal income tax purposes.
    (ii) Disregarded payment. The term disregarded payment means any 
amount described in paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(A) or (B) of this section.
    (A) Payments to or from a disregarded entity. An amount described 
in this paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(A) is an amount that is paid to or by a 
disregarded entity in connection with a transaction that is disregarded 
for Federal income tax purposes and that is reflected on the separate 
set of books and records of a foreign branch.
    (B) Other disregarded amounts. An amount described in this 
paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(B) is any amount reflected on the separate set of 
books and records of a foreign branch that would constitute an item of 
income, gain, deduction, or loss (other than an amount described in 
paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(A) of this section) if the transaction to which 
the amount is attributable were regarded for Federal income tax 
purposes.
    (iii) Foreign branch--(A) In general. The term foreign branch means 
a qualified business unit (QBU), as defined in Sec.  1.989(a)-
1(b)(2)(ii) and (b)(3), that conducts a trade or business outside the 
United States. For an illustration of the principles of this paragraph 
(f)(3)(iii), see paragraph (f)(4)(i) Example 1 of this section.
    (B) Trade or business outside the United States. Activities carried 
out in the United States, whether or not such activities are described 
in Sec.  1.989(a)-1(b)(3), do not constitute the conduct of a trade or 
business outside the United States. Activities carried out outside the 
United States that constitute a permanent establishment under the terms 
of an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in 
which the activities are carried out are presumed to constitute a trade 
or business conducted outside the United States for purposes of this 
paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(B). In determining whether activities constitute 
a trade or business under Sec.  1.989(a)-1(c), disregarded payments are 
taken into account and may give rise to a trade or business, provided 
that the activities (together with any other activities of the QBU) 
would otherwise satisfy the rule in Sec.  1.989(a)-1(c).
    (C) Activities of a partnership, estate, or trust--(1) Treatment as 
a foreign branch. For purposes of this paragraph (f)(3)(iii), the 
activities of a partnership, estate, or trust that conducts a trade or 
business that satisfies the requirements of Sec.  1.989(a)-
1(b)(2)(ii)(A) (as modified by paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(B) of this 
section) are--
    (i) Deemed to satisfy the requirements of Sec.  1.989(a)-
1(b)(2)(ii)(B); and
    (ii) Comprise a foreign branch.
    (2) Separate set of books and records. A foreign branch described 
in this paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C) is treated as maintaining a separate 
set of books and records with respect to the activities described in 
paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section, and must determine, as the 
context requires, the items of gross income, disregarded payments, and 
any other items that would be reflected on those books and records in 
applying this paragraph (f) with respect to the foreign branch.
    (iv) Foreign branch owner. The term foreign branch owner means, 
with respect to a foreign branch, the person (including a foreign or 
domestic partnership or other pass-through entity) that owns the 
foreign branch, either directly or indirectly through one or more 
disregarded entities. For this purpose, the foreign branch owner does 
not include the foreign branch or another foreign branch of the person 
that owns the foreign branch.
    (v) Remittance. The term remittance means a transfer of property 
(within the meaning of section 317(a)) by a foreign branch that would 
be treated as a distribution if the foreign branch were treated as a 
separate corporation.
    (4) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (f).

     (i) Example 1: Determination of foreign branches and foreign 
branch owner--(A) Facts--(1) P, a domestic corporation, is a partner 
in PRS, a domestic partnership. All other partners in PRS are 
unrelated to P. PRS conducts activities solely in Country A (the 
Country A Business), and those activities constitute a trade or 
business outside the United States within the meaning of paragraph 
(f)(3)(iii)(B) of this section. PRS reflects items of income, gain, 
loss, and expense of the Country A Business on the books and records 
of PRS's home office. PRS's functional currency is the U.S. dollar. 
PRS is in the business of manufacturing bicycles.
    (2) PRS owns FDE1, a disregarded entity organized in Country B. 
FDE1 conducts activities in Country B (the Country B Business), and 
those activities constitute a trade or business outside the United 
States within the meaning of paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(B) of this 
section. FDE1 maintains a set of books and records that are separate 
from those of PRS, and the separate set of books and records 
reflects items of income, gain, loss, and expense with respect to 
the Country B Business. Country B Business's functional currency is 
the U.S. dollar. FDE1 is in the business of selling bicycles 
manufactured by PRS.
    (3) FDE1 owns FDE2, a disregarded entity organized in Country C. 
FDE2 conducts activities in Country C (the Country C Business), and 
those activities constitute a trade or business outside the United 
States within the meaning of paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(B) of this 
section. FDE2 maintains a set of books and records that are separate 
from those of PRS and FDE1, and the separate set of books and 
records reflects items of income, gain, loss, and expense with 
respect to the Country C Business. Country C Business's functional 
currency is the U.S. dollar. FDE2 sells paper. FDE2's paper business 
is not related to FDE1's bicycle sales business, and FDE1 does not 
hold its interest in FDE2 in the ordinary course of its trade or 
business.
    (B) Analysis--(1) Country A Business's activities comprise a 
trade or business conducted outside the United States within the 
meaning of Sec.  1.989(a)-1(b)(2)(ii)(A) and (b)(3) (in each case, 
as modified by paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this section). PRS does not 
maintain a separate set of books and records with respect to the 
Country A Business. However, under paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C) of this 
section, the Country A Business's activities are deemed to satisfy 
the requirement of Sec.  1.989(a)-1(b)(2)(ii)(B) that a QBU maintain 
a separate set of books and records with respect to the relevant 
activities. Thus, for purposes of this paragraph (f), the activities 
of the Country A Business constitute a QBU as defined in Sec.  
1.989-1(b)(2)(ii) and (b)(3), as modified by paragraph (f)(3)(iii) 
of this section, that conducts a trade or business outside the 
United States. Accordingly, the activities of the Country A Business 
constitute a foreign branch within the meaning of paragraph 
(f)(3)(iii) of this section. PRS, the person that owns the Country A 
Business, is the foreign branch owner, within the meaning of 
paragraph (f)(3)(iv) of this section, with respect to the Country A 
Business.
    (2) Country B Business's activities comprise a trade or business 
outside the United States within the meaning of Sec.  1.989(a)-
1(b)(2)(ii)(A) and (b)(3) (in each case, as modified by paragraph 
(f)(3)(iii) of this section). PRS maintains a separate set of books 
and records with respect to the Country B Business, as described in 
Sec.  1.989(a)-1(b)(2)(ii)(B). Thus, for purposes of this section, 
the activities of the Country B Business constitute a QBU as defined 
in Sec.  1.989-1(b)(2)(ii) and (b)(3), as modified by paragraph 
(f)(3)(iii) of this section, that conducts a trade or business 
outside the United States. Accordingly, the activities of the 
Country B Business constitute a foreign branch within the meaning of 
paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this section. Under paragraph (f)(3)(iv) of 
this section, PRS, the person that owns the Country B Business 
indirectly through FDE1 (a disregarded entity), but not including 
the activities of PRS that constitute the Country A business, is the 
foreign branch owner with respect to the Country B Business.
    (3) The same analysis that applies to the Country B Business 
applies to the Country C Business. Accordingly, the activities of 
the Country C Business constitute a foreign branch within the 
meaning of paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this section. PRS, the person 
that owns the Country C Business indirectly through FDE1 and FDE2 
(disregarded entities), but not including the activities of PRS that 
constitute the Country A Business,

[[Page 63247]]

is the foreign branch owner with respect to the Country C Business.
     (ii) Example 2: Sale of foreign branch--(A) Facts. The facts 
are the same as in paragraph (f)(4)(i)(A) of this section, except 
that in 2019, FDE1 sold FDE2 to an unrelated person, recording gain 
from the sale on its books and records. In 2020, PRS sells FDE1 to 
another unrelated person, recording gain from the sale on its books 
and records. In each year, PRS allocates a portion of the gain to P.
    (B) Analysis--(1) Sale of FDE2. Under paragraph (f)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section, P's distributive share of gain recognized by PRS in 
connection with the sales of FDE1 and FDE2 constitutes foreign 
branch category income if it is attributable to a foreign branch 
held by PRS directly or indirectly through one or more disregarded 
entities. PRS's gross income from the 2019 sale of FDE2 is reflected 
on the separate set of books and records maintained with respect to 
the Country B Business (a foreign branch) operated by FDE1. 
Therefore, absent an exception, under paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this 
section PRS's gross income from the sale of FDE2 would be 
attributable to the Country B Business, and would constitute foreign 
branch category income. However, under paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of this 
section, gross income attributable to the Country B Business does 
not include gain from the sale or exchange of an interest in FDE2, a 
disregarded entity, unless the interest in FDE2 is held by the 
Country B Business in the ordinary course of its active trade or 
business (within the meaning of paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(B) of this 
section). In this case, the Country B Business does not hold FDE2 in 
the ordinary course of its active trade or business within the 
meaning of paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(B) of this section. As a result, P's 
distributive share of gain from the sale of FDE2 is not attributable 
to a foreign branch, and is not foreign branch category income.
    (2) Sale of FDE1. The analysis of PRS's sale of FDE1 in 2020 is 
the same as the analysis for the sale of FDE2, except that PRS, 
through its Country A Business, holds FDE1 in the ordinary course of 
its active trade or business within the meaning of paragraph 
(f)(2)(iv)(B) of this section because the Country A Business engages 
in a trade or business that is related to the trade or business of 
FDE1. Therefore, P's distributive share of gain from the sale of 
FDE1 is attributable to a foreign branch, and is foreign branch 
category income.
     (iii) Example 3: Disregarded payment for services--(A) Facts. 
P, a domestic corporation, owns FDE, a disregarded entity that is a 
foreign branch within the meaning of paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this 
section. FDE's functional currency is the U.S. dollar. In 2019, P 
accrued and recorded on its books and records (and not FDE's books 
and records) $1,000 of gross income from the performance of services 
to unrelated parties that was not passive category income, $400 of 
which was foreign source income in respect of services performed 
outside the United States by employees of FDE and $600 of which was 
United States source income in respect of services performed in the 
United States. Absent the application of paragraph (f)(2)(vi) of 
this section, the $1,000 of gross income earned by P would be 
general category income that would not be attributable to FDE. FDE 
provided services in support of P's gross income from services. P 
compensated FDE for its services with an arm's length payment of 
$400, which was disregarded for Federal income tax purposes. The 
deduction for the payment of $400 from P to FDE would be allocated 
and apportioned to the $400 of P's foreign source services income if 
the payment were regarded for Federal income tax purposes.
    (B) Analysis. The disregarded payment from P, a United States 
person, to FDE, its foreign branch, is not recorded on FDE's 
separate books and records (as adjusted to conform to Federal income 
tax principles) within the meaning of paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this 
section because it is disregarded for United States tax purposes. 
However, the disregarded payment is allocable to gross income 
attributable to P because a deduction for the payment, if it were 
regarded, would be allocated to P's $1,000 of gross services income 
and apportioned between U.S. and foreign source income under Sec.  
1.861-8. Under paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(A) of this section, the amount 
of gross income attributable to the FDE foreign branch (and the 
gross income attributable to P) is adjusted to take the disregarded 
payment into account. As such, all of P's $400 of foreign source 
gross income from the performance of services is attributable to the 
FDE foreign branch for purposes of this section. Therefore, $400 of 
the foreign source gross income that P earned with respect to its 
services in 2019 constitutes gross income that is assigned to the 
foreign branch category.

    (g) Section 951A category income--(1) In general. Except as 
provided in paragraph (g)(2) of this section, the term section 951A 
category income means amounts included (directly or indirectly through 
a pass-through entity) in gross income of a United States person under 
section 951A(a).
    (2) Exceptions for passive category income. Section 951A category 
income does not include any amounts included under section 951A(a) that 
are allocable to passive category income under Sec.  1.904-5(c)(6). 
Section 951A category income also does not include any amounts treated 
as passive category income under paragraph (n)(2) of this section.
    (h) * * *
    (2) Treatment of export financing interest. Except as provided in 
paragraph (h)(3) of this section, if a taxpayer (including a financial 
services entity) receives or accrues export financing interest from an 
unrelated person, then that interest is not treated as passive category 
income. Instead, the interest income is treated as foreign branch 
category income, section 951A category income, general category income, 
or income in a specified separate category under the rules of this 
section.
* * * * *
    (5) * * * (i) Income other than interest. If any foreign person 
receives or accrues income that is described in section 864(d)(7) 
(income on a trade or service receivable acquired from a related person 
in the same foreign country as the recipient) and such income would 
also meet the definition of export financing interest if section 
864(d)(1) applied to such income (income on a trade or service 
receivable acquired from a related person treated as interest), then 
the income is considered to be export financing interest and is not 
treated as passive category income. The income is treated as foreign 
branch category income, section 951A category income, general category 
income, or income in a specified separate category under the rules of 
this section.
    (ii) Interest income. If export financing interest is received or 
accrued by any foreign person and that income would otherwise be 
treated as related person factoring income of a controlled foreign 
corporation under section 864(d)(6) if section 864(d)(7) did not apply, 
section 904(d)(2)(B)(iii)(I) applies and the interest is not treated as 
passive category income. The income is treated as general category 
income in the hands of the controlled foreign corporation.
* * * * *
    (k) Separate category under section 904(d)(6) for items resourced 
under treaties--(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph 
(k)(4)(i) of this section, sections 904(a), (b), (c), (d), (f), and 
(g), and sections 907 and 960 are applied separately to any item of 
income that, without regard to a treaty obligation of the United 
States, would be treated as derived from sources within the United 
States, but under a treaty obligation of the United States such item of 
income would be treated as arising from sources outside the United 
States, and the taxpayer chooses the benefits of such treaty 
obligation.
    (2) Aggregation of items of income in each other separate category. 
For purposes of applying the general rule of paragraph (k)(1) of this 
section, items of income in each other separate category of income that 
are resourced under each applicable treaty are aggregated in a single 
separate category for income in that separate category that is 
resourced under that treaty. For example, all items of general category 
income that would otherwise be treated as derived from sources within 
the United States but which the taxpayer chooses to treat as arising 
from sources outside the United

[[Page 63248]]

States pursuant to a provision of a bilateral U.S. income tax treaty 
are treated as income in a separate category for general category 
income resourced under the particular treaty. Resourced items are not 
combined with other income that is foreign source income under the 
Code, even if the other income arises from sources within the treaty 
country and is included in the same separate category to which the 
resourced income would be assigned without regard to section 904(d)(6).
    (3) Related taxes. Foreign taxes are allocated to each separate 
category described in paragraph (k)(2) of this section in accordance 
with Sec.  1.904-6.
    (4) Coordination with certain income tax treaty provisions--(i) 
Exception for special relief from double taxation for individual 
residents of treaty countries. Section 904(d)(6)(A) and paragraph 
(k)(1) of this section do not apply to any item of income deemed to be 
from foreign sources by reason of the relief from double taxation rules 
in any U.S. income tax treaty that is solely applicable to United 
States citizens who are residents of the other Contracting State.
    (ii) U.S. competent authority assistance. For purposes of applying 
paragraph (k)(1) of this section, if, under the mutual agreement 
procedure provisions of an applicable income tax treaty, the U.S. 
competent authority agrees to allow a taxpayer to treat an item of 
income as foreign source income, where such item of income would 
otherwise be treated as derived from sources within the United States, 
then the taxpayer is considered to have chosen the benefits of such 
treaty obligation to treat the item as foreign source income.
    (5) Coordination with other Code provisions. Section 904(d)(6)(A) 
and paragraph (k)(1) of this section do not apply to any item of income 
to which any of sections 245(a)(10), 865(h), or 904(h)(10) applies. See 
paragraph (l) of this section.
    (l) Priority rule. Income that meets the definitions of a specified 
separate category and another category of income described in section 
904(d)(1) is subject to the separate limitation described in paragraph 
(m) of this section and is not treated as general category income, 
foreign branch category income, passive category income, or section 
951A category income.
    (m) Income treated as allocable to a specified separate category. 
If section 904(a), (b), and (c) are applied separately to any category 
of income under the Internal Revenue Code and regulations (for example, 
under section 245(a)(10), 865(h), 901(j), 904(d)(6), or 904(h)(10), and 
the regulations under those sections), that category of income is 
treated for all purposes of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations 
as if it were a separate category listed in section 904(d)(1). For 
purposes of this section, a separate category that is treated as if it 
were listed in section 904(d)(1) by reason of the first sentence in 
this paragraph (m) is referred to as a specified separate category.
    (n) Income from partnerships and other pass-through entities--(1) 
Distributive shares of partnership income--(i) In general. Except as 
provided in paragraph (n)(1)(ii) of this section, a partner's 
distributive share of partnership income is characterized as passive 
category income to the extent that the distributive share is a share of 
income earned or accrued by the partnership in the passive category. A 
partner's distributive share of partnership income that is not 
described in the first sentence of this paragraph is treated as foreign 
branch category income, section 951A category income, general category 
income, or income in a specified separate category under the rules of 
this section. Similar principles apply for a person's share of income 
from any other pass-through entity.
    (ii) Less than 10 percent partners partnership interests--(A) In 
general. Except as provided in paragraph (n)(1)(ii)(B) of this section, 
if any limited partner or corporate general partner owns less than 10 
percent of the value in a partnership, the partner's distributive share 
of partnership income from the partnership is passive income to the 
partner (subject to the high-taxed income exception of section 
904(d)(2)(B)(iii)(II)), and the partner's distributive share of 
partnership deductions from the partnership is allocated and 
apportioned under the principles of section 1.861-8 only to the 
partner's passive income from that partnership. See also Sec.  1.861-
9(e)(4) for rules for apportioning partnership interest expense.
    (B) Exception for partnership interest held in the ordinary course 
of business. If a partnership interest described in paragraph 
(n)(1)(ii)(A) of this section is held in the ordinary course of a 
partner's active trade or business, the rules of paragraph (n)(1)(i) of 
this section apply for purposes of characterizing the partner's 
distributive share of the partnership income. A partnership interest is 
considered to be held in the ordinary course of a partner's active 
trade or business if the partner (or a member of the partner's 
affiliated group of corporations (within the meaning of section 1504(a) 
and without regard to section 1504(b)(3))) engages (other than through 
a less than 10 percent interest in a partnership) in the same or a 
related trade or business as the partnership.
    (2) Income from the sale of a partnership interest--(i) In general. 
To the extent a partner recognizes gain on the sale of a partnership 
interest, that income shall be treated as passive category income to 
the partner, unless the income is considered to be high-taxed under 
section 904(d)(2)(B)(iii)(II) and paragraph (c) of this section.
    (ii) Exception for sale by 25-percent owner. Except as provided in 
paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of this section, in the case of a sale of an 
interest in a partnership by a partner that is a 25-percent owner of 
the partnership, determined by applying section 954(c)(4)(B) and 
substituting ``partner'' for ``controlled foreign corporation'' every 
place it appears, for purposes of determining the separate category to 
which the income recognized on the sale of the partnership interest is 
assigned such partner is treated as selling the proportionate share of 
the assets of the partnership attributable to such interest.
    (3) Value of a partnership interest. For purposes of paragraphs 
(n)(1) and (2) of this section, a partner will be considered as owning 
10 percent of the value of a partnership for a particular year if the 
partner, together with any person that bears a relationship to the 
partner described in section 267(b) or 707, owns 10 percent of the 
capital and profits interest of the partnership. For this purpose, 
value will be determined at the end of the partnership's taxable year.
    (o) Separate category of section 78 gross up. The amount included 
in income under section 78 by reason of taxes deemed paid under section 
960 is assigned to the separate category to which the taxes are 
allocated under Sec.  1.904-6(b).
    (p) Separate category of foreign currency gain or loss. Foreign 
currency gain or loss recognized under section 986(c) with respect to a 
distribution of previously taxed earnings and profits (as described in 
section 959 or 1293(c)) is assigned to the separate category or 
categories of the previously taxed earnings and profits from which the 
distribution is made. See Sec.  1.987-6(b) for rules on assigning 
section 987 gain or loss on a remittance from a section 987 QBU to a 
separate category or categories.
    (q) Applicability dates. This section applies for taxable years 
that both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after December 
4, 2018.
0
Par. 16. Sec.  1.904-5 is amended by:

[[Page 63249]]

0
1. Revising paragraphs (a), (b), and (c)(1).
0
2. Revising the third and fourth sentences of paragraph (c)(2)(i).
0
3. Removing the language ``noncontrolled section 902 corporation'' and 
adding the language ``noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation'' in its place in the heading and text of paragraph 
(c)(2)(iii).
0
4. Revising paragraph (c)(3).
0
5. Revising the first sentence, and removing the language ``paragraph'' 
and adding the language ``paragraph (c)(4)'' in its place in the second 
sentence, of paragraph (c)(4)(i).
0
6. Revising paragraph (c)(4)(iii).
0
7. Adding paragraphs (c)(5) and (6).
0
8. Revising paragraphs (d)(1) and (2).
0
9. Removing and reserving paragraph (f)(1).
0
10. Removing paragraph (f)(3).
0
11. Removing the language ``section 904(d)(3) and this section'' and 
adding the language ``paragraph (c) of this section'' in its place in 
the first sentence of paragraph (g).
0
12. Removing the last sentence of paragraph (g).
0
13. Revising paragraph (h).
0
14. Removing the language ``paragraphs (i)(2), (3), and (4)'' and 
adding the language ``paragraphs (i)(2) and (3)'' in its place in the 
first sentence of paragraph (i)(1).
0
15. Removing the language ``noncontrolled section 902 corporation'' and 
adding the language ``noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation'' in its place in the second sentence of paragraph (i)(1).
0
16. Removing the language ``paragraph (i)(4)'' and adding the language 
``paragraph (i)(3)'' in its place in the second sentence of paragraph 
(i)(1).
0
17. Revising the sixth and seventh sentences of paragraph (i)(1).
0
18. Revising paragraph (i)(2) and (3).
0
19. Removing and reserving paragraph (i)(4).
0
20. Removing the last sentence of paragraph (j).
0
21. Adding the language ``under Sec.  1.904-4'' after the language 
``characterized'' in the first sentence of paragraph (k)(1).
0
22. Revising paragraph (k)(2)(iii).
0
23. Removing the language ``noncontrolled section 902 corporation'' and 
adding the language ``noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation'' in its place in paragraph (m)(1).
0
24. Removing the language ``or amount treated as a dividend, 
including'' and adding the language ``which, for purposes of this 
paragraph (m), includes'' in its place in the third sentence of 
paragraph (m)(1).
0
25. Removing the language ``951(a)(1)(A),'' and adding the language 
``951(a)(1)(A), 951A(a),'' in its place in the fourth sentence of 
paragraph (m)(1).
0
26. Revising paragraphs (m)(2)(ii), (m)(4)(i), and the first sentence 
of paragraph (m)(5)(i).
0
27. Removing the language ``section 902(a) and section 960(a)(1)'' and 
adding the language ``section 960'' in its place in paragraph (m)(6).
0
28. Removing the language ``904(g)(6)'' from the first sentence of 
paragraph (m)(7)(i) and adding the language ``904(h)(6)'' in its place.
0
 29. Removing the language ``904(g)'' from the first sentence of 
paragraph (m)(7)(i) and adding the language ``904(h)'' in its place.
0
 30. Removing the language ``(d) and (f)'' from the second sentence of 
paragraph (m)(7)(i) and adding the language ``(d), (f), and (g)'' in 
its place.
0
31. Removing the language ``902,'' from the second sentence of 
paragraph (m)(7)(i).
0
32. Removing the language ``noncontrolled section 902 corporation'' and 
adding the language ``noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation'' in its place, and by removing the language ``section 
904(d)(1)'' and adding ``Sec.  1.904-4'' in its place in the first 
sentence of paragraph (n).
0
33. Revising the last sentence of paragraph (n).
0
34. Revising paragraph (o).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.904-5  Look-through rules as applied to controlled foreign 
corporations and other entities.

    (a) Scope and definitions. (1) Look-through rules under section 
904(d)(3) to passive category income. Paragraph (c) of this section 
provides rules for determining the extent to which dividends, interest, 
rents, and royalties received or accrued by certain eligible persons, 
and inclusions under sections 951(a)(1) and 951A(a), are treated as 
passive category income. Paragraph (g) of this section provides rules 
applying the principles of paragraph (c) of this section to foreign 
source interest, rents, and royalties paid by a United States 
corporation to a related corporation. Paragraph (h) of this section 
provides rules for assigning a partnership payment to a partner 
described in section 707 to the passive category. Paragraph (i) of this 
section provides rules applying the principles of this section to 
assign distributions and payments from certain related entities to the 
passive category or to treat the distributions and payments as not in 
the passive category.
    (2) Other look-through rules under section 904(d). Under section 
904(d)(4) and paragraph (c)(4)(iii) of this section, certain dividends 
from noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporations are treated as 
income in a separate category. Under section 904(d)(3)(H) and paragraph 
(j) of this section, certain inclusions under section 1293 are treated 
as income in a separate category. Paragraph (i) of this section 
provides rules applying the principles of this section to assign 
distributions from certain related entities to separate categories.
    (3) Other rules provided in this section. Paragraph (b) of this 
section provides operative rules for this section. Paragraph (d) of 
this section provides rules addressing exceptions to passive category 
income for certain purposes in the case of controlled foreign 
corporations that meet the requirements of section 954(b)(3)(A) (de 
minimis rule) or section 954(b)(4) (high-tax exception). Paragraph (e) 
of this section provides rules for characterizing a controlled foreign 
corporation's foreign base company income and gross insurance income 
when section 954(b)(3)(B) (full inclusion rule) applies. Paragraph (f) 
of this section modifies the look-through rules for certain types of 
income. Paragraph (k) of this section provides ordering rules for 
applying the look-through rules. Paragraph (l) of this section provides 
examples illustrating the application of certain rules in this section. 
Paragraphs (m) and (n) of this section provide rules related to the 
resourcing rules described in section 904(h).
    (4) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following 
definitions apply:
    (i) The term controlled foreign corporation has the meaning given 
such term by section 957 (taking into account the special rule for 
certain captive insurance companies contained in section 953(c)).
    (ii) The term look-through rules means the rules described in this 
section that assign income to a separate category based on the separate 
category of the income to which it is allocable.
    (iii) The term noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation 
has the meaning provided in section 904(d)(2)(E)(i).
    (iv) The term pass-through entity means a partnership, S 
corporation, or any other person (whether domestic or foreign) other 
than a corporation to the extent that the income or deductions of the 
person are included in the income of one or more direct or indirect 
owners or beneficiaries of the person. For example, if a domestic trust 
is subject to Federal income tax on a portion of its

[[Page 63250]]

income and its owners are subject to tax on the remaining portion, the 
domestic trust is treated as a domestic pass-through entity with 
respect to such remaining portion.
    (v) The term separate category means, as the context requires, any 
category of income described in 904(d)(1)(A), (B), (C), or (D), any 
specified separate category of income as defined in Sec.  1.904-4(m), 
or any category of earnings and profits to which income described in 
such provisions is attributable.
    (vi) The term United States shareholder has the meaning given such 
term by section 951(b) (taking into account the special rule for 
certain captive insurance companies contained in section 953(c)), 
except that for purposes of this section, a United States shareholder 
includes any member of the controlled group of the United States 
shareholder. For this purpose the controlled group is any member of the 
affiliated group within the meaning of section 1504(a)(1) except that 
``more than 50 percent'' is substituted for ``at least 80 percent'' 
wherever it appears in section 1504(a)(2). When used in reference to a 
noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation described in section 
904(d)(2)(E)(i)(II), the term United States shareholder also means a 
taxpayer that meets the stock ownership requirements described in 
section 904(d)(2)(E)(i)(II).
    (b) Operative rules--(1) Assignment of income not assigned under 
the look-through rules. Except as provided by the look-through rules, 
dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or accrued by a 
taxpayer from a controlled foreign corporation in which the taxpayer is 
a United States shareholder are excluded from passive category income. 
Income excluded from the passive category under this paragraph (b)(1) 
is assigned to another separate category (other than the passive 
category) under the rules in Sec.  1.904-4.
    (2) Priority and ordering of look-through rules. Except as provided 
in Sec.  1.904-4(l), to the extent the look-through rules assign income 
to a separate category, the income is assigned to that separate 
category rather than the separate category to which the income would 
have been assigned under Sec.  1.904-4 (not taking into account Sec.  
1.904-4(l)). See paragraph (k) of this section for ordering rules for 
applying the look-through rules.
    (c) * * * (1) Scope. Subject to the exceptions in paragraph (f) of 
this section, paragraphs (c)(2) through (c)(6) (other than paragraph 
(c)(4)(iii)) of this section provide look-through rules with respect to 
interest, rents, royalties, dividends, and inclusions under section 
951(a)(1) and 951A(a) that are received or accrued from a controlled 
foreign corporation in which the taxpayer is a United States 
shareholder. Paragraph (c)(4)(iii) of this section provides a look-
through rule for dividends received from a noncontrolled 10-percent 
owned foreign corporation by a domestic corporation that is a United 
States shareholder in the foreign corporation.
    (2) * * * (i) * * * Related person interest is treated as passive 
category income to the extent it is allocable to passive category 
income of the controlled foreign corporation. If related person 
interest is received or accrued from a controlled foreign corporation 
by two or more persons, the amount of interest received or accrued by 
each person that is allocable to passive category income is determined 
by multiplying the amount of related person interest allocable to 
passive category income by a fraction. * * *
* * * * *
    (3) Rents and royalties. Any rents or royalties received or accrued 
from a controlled foreign corporation in which the taxpayer is a United 
States shareholder are treated as passive category income to the extent 
they are allocable to passive category income of the controlled foreign 
corporation under the principles of Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-
14T.
    (4) * * * (i) * * * Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section, any dividend paid or accrued out of the earnings and profits 
of any controlled foreign corporation is treated as passive category 
income in proportion to the ratio of the portion of earnings and 
profits attributable to passive category income to the total amount of 
earnings and profits of the controlled foreign corporation. * * *
* * * * *
    (iii) Look-through rule for dividends from noncontrolled 10-percent 
owned foreign corporations--(A) In general. Except as provided in 
paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(B) of this section, any dividend that is 
distributed by a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation and 
received or accrued by a domestic corporation that is a United States 
shareholder of such foreign corporation is treated as income in a 
separate category in proportion to the ratio of the portion of earnings 
and profits attributable to income in such category to the total amount 
of earnings and profits of the noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation.
    (B) Inadequate substantiation. A dividend distributed by a 
noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation is treated as income 
in the separate category described in section 904(d)(4)(C)(ii) if the 
Commissioner determines that the look-through characterization of the 
dividend cannot reasonably be determined based on the available 
information.
* * * * *
    (5) Inclusions under section 951(a)(1)(A)--(i) Any amount included 
in gross income under section 951(a)(1)(A) is treated as passive 
category income to the extent the amount included is attributable to 
income received or accrued by the controlled foreign corporation that 
is passive category income. All other amounts included in gross income 
under section 951(a)(1)(A) are treated as general category income or 
income in a specified separate category under the rules in Sec.  1.904-
4. For rules concerning a distributive share of partnership income, see 
Sec.  1.904-4(n). For rules concerning the gross up under section 78, 
see Sec.  1.904-4(o). For rules concerning inclusions under section 
951(a)(1)(B), see paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (6) Inclusions under section 951A(a). Any amount included in gross 
income under section 951A(a) is treated as passive category income to 
the extent the amount included is attributable to income received or 
accrued by the controlled foreign corporation that is passive category 
income. All other amounts included in gross income under section 
951A(a) are treated as section 951A category income or income in a 
specified separate category under the rules in Sec.  1.904-4. For rules 
concerning a distributive share of partnership income, see Sec.  1.904-
4(n). For rules concerning the gross up under section 78, see Sec.  
1.904-4(o).
    (d) * * * (1) De minimis amount of subpart F income. If the sum of 
a controlled foreign corporation's gross foreign base company income 
(determined under section 954(a) without regard to section 954(b)(5)) 
and gross insurance income (determined under section 953(a)) for the 
taxable year is less than the lesser of 5 percent of gross income or 
$1,000,000, then none of that income is treated as passive category 
income. In addition, if the test in the first sentence of this 
paragraph is satisfied, for purposes of paragraphs (c)(2)(ii)(D) and 
(E) of this section (apportionment of interest expense to passive 
income using the asset method), any passive category assets are not 
treated as passive category assets but are treated as assets in the 
general category or a specified separate category. The

[[Page 63251]]

determination in the first sentence is made before the application of 
the exception for certain income subject to a high rate of foreign tax 
described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (2) Exception for certain income subject to high foreign tax. 
Except as provided in Sec.  1.904-4(c)(7)(iii) (relating to reductions 
in tax upon distribution), for purposes of the dividend look-through 
rule of paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section, an item of net income that 
would otherwise be passive income (after application of the priority 
rules of Sec.  1.904-4(l)) and that is received or accrued by a 
controlled foreign corporation is not treated as passive category 
income, and the earnings and profits attributable to such income is not 
treated as passive category earnings and profits, if the taxpayer 
establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary under section 
954(b)(4) that the income was subject to an effective rate of income 
tax imposed by a foreign country greater than 90 percent of the maximum 
rate of tax specified in section 11 (with reference to section 15, if 
applicable). Such income is treated as general category income or 
income in a specified separate category under the rules in Sec.  1.904-
4. The first sentence of this paragraph has no effect on amounts (other 
than dividends) paid or accrued by a controlled foreign corporation to 
a United States shareholder of such controlled foreign corporation to 
the extent those amounts are allocable to passive category income of 
the controlled foreign corporation.
* * * * *
    (f) * * * (1) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (h) Application of look-through rules to payments from a 
partnership or other pass-through entity. Payments to a partner 
described in section 707 (e.g., payments to a partner not acting in 
capacity as a partner) are characterized as passive category income to 
the extent that the payment is attributable under the principles of 
Sec.  1.861-8 and this section to passive category income of the 
partnership, if the payments are interest, rents, or royalties that 
would be characterized under the controlled foreign corporation look-
through rules of paragraph (c) of this section if the partnership were 
a foreign corporation, and the partner who receives the payment owns 10 
percent or more of the value of the partnership (as determined under 
Sec.  1.904-4(n)(3)). A payment by a partnership to a member of the 
controlled group (as defined in paragraph (a)(4)(vi) of this section) 
of the partner is characterized under the look-through rules of this 
paragraph (h) if the payment would be a section 707 payment entitled to 
look-through treatment if it were made to the partner. Similar 
principles apply for a payment from any other pass-through entity. The 
rules in this paragraph (h) do not apply with respect to interest to 
the extent the interest income is assigned to a separate category under 
the specified partnership loan rules described in Sec.  1.861-9(e)(8).
    (i) * * * (1) * * * For purposes of this paragraph (i)(1), indirect 
ownership of stock is determined under section 318 and the regulations 
under that section. In the case of a partnership or other pass-through 
entity, indirect ownership and value is determined under the rules in 
paragraph (i)(2) of this section.
    (2) Indirect ownership and value of a partnership interest. A 
person is considered as owning, directly or indirectly, more than 50 
percent of the value of a partnership if the person, together with 
other any person that bears a relationship to the first person that is 
described in section 267(b) or 707, owns more than 50 percent of the 
capital and profits interests of the partnership. For this purpose, 
value will be determined at the end of the partnership's taxable year. 
Similar principles apply for a person that owns a pass-through entity 
other than a partnership.
    (3) Special rule for dividends between certain foreign 
corporations. Solely for purposes of dividend payments between 
controlled foreign corporations, noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporations, or a controlled foreign corporation and a noncontrolled 
10-percent owned foreign corporation, the two foreign corporations are 
considered related look-through entities if the same person is a United 
States shareholder of both foreign corporations.
    (4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) Inclusions under sections 951(a)(1)(A) and 951A(a) and 
distributive shares of partnership income;
* * * * *
    (m) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Interest payments from noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporations. If interest is received or accrued by a shareholder from 
a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation (where the 
shareholder is a domestic corporation that is a United States 
shareholder of such noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign 
corporation), the rules of paragraph (m)(2)(i) of this section apply in 
determining the portion of the interest payment that is from sources 
within the United States, except that the related party interest rules 
of paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(C) of this section do not apply.
* * * * *
    (4) * * * (i) Rule. Any dividend or distribution treated as a 
dividend under this paragraph (m) (including an amount included in 
gross income under section 951(a)(1)(B)) that is received or accrued by 
a United States shareholder from a controlled foreign corporation, or 
any dividend that is received or accrued by a domestic corporation from 
a noncontrolled 10-percent owned foreign corporation with respect to 
which the shareholder is a United States shareholder, are treated as 
income in a separate category derived from sources within the United 
States in proportion to the ratio of the portion of the earnings and 
profits of the controlled foreign corporation or noncontrolled 10-
percent owned foreign corporation in the corresponding separate 
category from United States sources to the total amount of earnings and 
profits of the controlled foreign corporation or noncontrolled 10-
percent owned foreign corporation in that separate category.
* * * * *
    (5) * * * (i) * * * Any amount included in the gross income of a 
United States shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation under 
section 951(a)(1)(A), 951A, or in the gross income of a domestic 
corporation that is a United States shareholder of a noncontrolled 10-
percent owned foreign corporation described in section 
904(d)(2)(E)(i)(II) that is a qualified electing fund under section 
1293 is treated as income subject to a separate category that is 
derived from sources within the United States to the extent the amount 
is attributable to income of the controlled foreign corporation or 
qualified electing fund, respectively, in the corresponding category of 
income from sources within the United States. * * *
* * * * *
    (n) * * * Section 904(d)(3), (d)(4), and (h), and this section are 
then applied for purposes of characterizing and sourcing income 
received, accrued, or included by a United States shareholder of the 
foreign corporation that is attributable or allocable to income or 
earnings and profits of the foreign corporation.
    (o) Applicability dates. This section is applicable for taxable 
years that both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after 
December 4, 2018.
0
Par. 17. Sec.  1.904-6 is amended by:

[[Page 63252]]

0
1. Revising the first sentence, and adding two sentences after the 
fourth sentence, of paragraph (a)(1)(i).
0
2. Removing the language ``(unless it is a withholding tax that is not 
the final tax payable on the income as described in Sec.  1.904-4(d))'' 
and adding the language ``(as defined in section 901(k)(1)(B))'' in its 
place in the new seventh sentence of paragraph (a)(1)(i).
0
3. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(iv).
0
4. Adding paragraphs (a)(2) and (3).
0
 5. Revising paragraph (b).
0
6. Adding paragraph (d).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.904-6  Allocation and apportionment of taxes.

    (a) * * * (1) * * * (i) * * * The amount of foreign taxes paid or 
accrued with respect to a separate category (as defined in Sec.  1.904-
5(a)(4)(v)) of income (including United States source income within the 
separate category) includes only those taxes that are related to income 
in that separate category. * * * Income included in the foreign tax 
base is calculated under foreign law, but characterized as income in a 
separate category under United States tax principles. For example, a 
foreign tax imposed on an amount realized on the disposition of 
controlled foreign corporation stock that is characterized as a capital 
gain under foreign law but as a dividend under section 1248 is 
generally assigned to the general category, not the passive category. * 
* *
* * * * *
    (iv) Base and timing differences. If, under the law of a foreign 
country or possession of the United States, a tax is imposed on a type 
of item that does not constitute income under Federal income tax 
principles (a base difference), such as gifts or life insurance 
proceeds, that tax is treated as imposed with respect to income in the 
separate category described in section 904(d)(2)(H)(i). If, under the 
law of a foreign country or possession of the United States, a tax is 
imposed on an item of income that constitutes income under Federal 
income tax principles but is not recognized for Federal income tax 
purposes in the current year (a timing difference), that tax is 
allocated and apportioned to the appropriate separate category or 
categories to which the tax would be allocated and apportioned if the 
income were recognized under Federal income tax principles in the year 
in which the tax was imposed. If the amount of an item of income as 
computed for foreign tax purposes is positive but is greater than the 
amount of income that is currently recognized for Federal income tax 
purposes, for example, due to a difference in depreciation conventions 
or the timing of recognition of gross income, or because of a permanent 
difference between U.S. and foreign tax law in the amount of deductions 
that are allowed to reduce gross income, the tax is allocated or 
apportioned to the separate category to which the income is assigned, 
and no portion of the tax is attributable to a base difference. In 
addition, a tax imposed on a distribution that is excluded from gross 
income under section 959(a) or section 959(b) is treated as 
attributable to a timing difference (and not a base difference) and is 
treated as tax imposed on the earnings and profits from which the 
distribution was paid.
    (2) Special rules for foreign branches--(i) In general. Except as 
provided in this paragraph (a)(2), any foreign tax reflected on the 
books and records of a foreign branch under the principles of Sec.  
1.987-2(b) is allocated and apportioned under the rules of paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.
    (ii) Disregarded reallocation transactions--(A) Foreign branch to 
foreign branch owner. In the case of a disregarded payment from a 
foreign branch to a foreign branch owner that is treated as a 
disregarded reallocation transaction that results in foreign branch 
category income being reallocated to the general category, any foreign 
tax imposed solely by reason of that payment, such as a withholding tax 
imposed on the disregarded payment, is allocated and apportioned to the 
general category.
    (B) Foreign branch owner to foreign branch. In the case of a 
disregarded payment from a foreign branch owner to a foreign branch 
that is treated as a disregarded reallocation transaction that results 
in general category income being reallocated to the foreign branch 
category, any foreign tax imposed solely by reason of that transaction 
is allocated and apportioned to the foreign branch category.
    (iii) Other disregarded payments--(A) Foreign branch to foreign 
branch owner. In the case of a disregarded payment from a foreign 
branch to a foreign branch owner that is not a disregarded reallocation 
transaction, foreign tax imposed solely by reason of that disregarded 
payment is allocated and apportioned to a separate category under the 
principles of paragraph (a)(1) of this section based on the nature of 
the item (determined under Federal income tax principles) that is 
included in the foreign tax base. For example, if a remittance of an 
appreciated asset results in gain recognition under foreign law, the 
tax imposed on that gain is treated as attributable to a timing 
difference with respect to recognition of the gain, and is allocated 
and apportioned to the separate category to which gain on a sale of 
that asset would have been assigned if it were recognized for Federal 
income tax purposes. However, a gross basis withholding tax on a 
remittance is attributable to a timing difference in taxation of the 
income out of which the remittance is made, and is allocated and 
apportioned to the separate category or categories to which a section 
987 gain or loss would be assigned under Sec.  1.987-6(b).
    (B) Foreign branch owner to foreign branch. In the case of a 
disregarded payment from a foreign branch owner to a foreign branch 
that is not a disregarded reallocation transaction, any foreign tax 
imposed solely by reason of that disregarded payment is allocated and 
apportioned to the foreign branch category.
    (iv) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
this paragraph (a)(2):
    (A) Disregarded reallocation transaction. The term disregarded 
reallocation transaction means a disregarded payment or a transfer 
described in Sec.  1.904-4(f)(2)(vi)(D) that results in an adjustment 
to the gross income attributable to the foreign branch under Sec.  
1.904-4(f)(2)(vi)(A).
    (B) The terms disregarded payment, foreign branch, foreign branch 
owner, and remittance have the same meaning given to those terms in 
Sec.  1.904-4(f)(3).
    (3) Taxes imposed on high-taxed income. For rules on the treatment 
of taxes imposed on high-taxed income, see Sec.  1.904-4(c).
    (b) Allocation and apportionment of deemed paid taxes and certain 
creditable foreign tax expenditures--(1) Taxes deemed paid under 
section 960(a) or (d). If a domestic corporation that is a United 
States shareholder includes any amount in gross income under sections 
951(a)(1)(A) or 951A(a), any foreign tax deemed paid with respect to 
such amount under section 960(a) or (d) is allocated to the separate 
category to which the inclusion is assigned.
    (2) Taxes deemed paid under section 960(b)(1). If a domestic 
corporation that is a United States shareholder receives a distribution 
of previously taxed earnings and profits from a first-tier corporation 
that is excluded from the domestic corporation's income under section 
959(a) and Sec.  1.959-1, any foreign tax deemed paid under section 
960(b)(1) with respect to such distribution is allocated to the same 
separate category as the annual PTEP account and PTEP group (as defined 
in

[[Page 63253]]

Sec.  1.960-3(c)) from which the distribution is made.
    (3) Taxes deemed paid under section 960(b)(2). If a controlled 
foreign corporation receives a distribution of previously taxed 
earnings and profits from an immediately lower-tier corporation that is 
excluded from such controlled foreign corporation's gross income under 
section 959(b) and Sec.  1.959-2, any foreign tax deemed paid under 
section 960(b)(2) with respect to such distribution is allocated to the 
same separate category as the annual PTEP account and PTEP group (as 
defined in Sec.  1.960-3(c)) from which the distribution is made. See 
also Sec.  1.960-3(c)(2).
    (4) Creditable foreign tax expenditures--(i) In general. Except as 
provided in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, creditable foreign 
tax expenditures (CFTEs) allocated to a partner under Sec.  1.704-
1(b)(4)(viii)(a) are allocated for purposes of this section to the same 
separate category as the separate category to which the taxes were 
allocated in the hands of the partnership under the rules of paragraph 
(a) of this section.
    (ii) Foreign branch category. CFTEs allocated to a partner in a 
partnership under Sec.  1.704-1(b)(4)(viii)(a) are allocated and 
apportioned to the foreign branch category of the partner to the extent 
that:
    (A) The CFTEs are allocated and apportioned by the partnership 
under the rules of paragraph (a) of this section to the general 
category;
    (B) In the hands of the partnership, the CFTEs are related to 
general category income attributable to a foreign branch (as described 
in Sec.  1.904-4(f)(2)) under the principles of paragraph (a) of this 
section; and
    (C) The partner's distributive share of the income described in 
paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(B) of this section is foreign branch category 
income of the partner under Sec.  1.904-4(f)(1)(i)(B).
* * * * *
    (d) Applicability dates. This section is applicable for taxable 
years that both begin after December 31, 2017, and end on or after 
December 4, 2018.
0
Par. 18. Section 1.904(b)-3 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.904(b)-3  Disregard of certain dividends and deductions under 
section 904(b)(4).

    (a) Disregard of certain dividends and deductions--(1) In general. 
For purposes of section 904(a), in the case of a domestic corporation 
which is a United States shareholder with respect to a specified 10-
percent owned foreign corporation (as defined in section 245A(b)), the 
domestic corporation's foreign source taxable income in a separate 
category and entire taxable income is determined without regard to the 
following items:
    (i) Any dividend for which a deduction is allowed under section 
245A;
    (ii) Deductions properly allocable or apportioned to gross income 
in the section 245A subgroup as determined under paragraphs (b) and 
(c)(1) of this section; and
    (iii) Deductions properly allocable or apportioned to stock of 
specified 10-percent owned foreign corporations in the section 245A 
subgroup as determined under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (2) Deductions properly allocable or apportioned to the residual 
grouping. Deductions that are properly allocable or apportioned to 
gross income or stock in the section 245A subgroup of the residual 
grouping (consisting of U.S. source income) are disregarded solely for 
purposes of determining entire taxable income under section 904(a).
    (b) Determining properly allocable or apportioned deductions. The 
amount of deductions properly allocable or apportioned to gross income 
or stock described in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section 
is determined by subdividing the United States shareholder's gross 
income and assets in each separate category described in Sec.  1.904-
5(a)(4)(v) into a section 245A subgroup and a non-section 245A 
subgroup. Gross income and assets in the residual grouping for U.S. 
source income are also subdivided into a section 245A subgroup and a 
non-section 245A subgroup. Each section 245A subgroup is treated as a 
statutory grouping under Sec.  1.861-8(a)(4). Deductions properly 
allocable or apportioned to dividends or stock described in paragraphs 
(a)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section only include those deductions that 
are allocated and apportioned under Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-
14T and 1.861-17 to the section 245A subgroups. The deduction allowed 
under section 245A(a) for dividends is allocated and apportioned solely 
among the section 245A subgroups on the basis of the relative amounts 
of gross income from such dividends in each section 245A subgroup.
    (c) Income and assets in the 245A subgroups--(1) In general. For 
purposes of applying the allocation and apportionment rules under 
Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-14T and 1.861-17 to the deductions of 
a United States shareholder, the only gross income included in a 
section 245A subgroup is dividend income for which a deduction is 
allowed under section 245A. The only asset included in a section 245A 
subgroup is the portion of the value of stock of each specified 10-
percent owned foreign corporation that is assigned to the section 245A 
subgroup determined under paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (2) Assigning stock to a subgroup. The value of stock of a 
specified 10-percent owned foreign corporation is characterized as an 
asset in a separate category described in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v) or the 
residual grouping for U.S. source income under the rules of Sec.  
1.861-12(c). If the specified 10-percent owned foreign corporation is 
not a controlled foreign corporation, all of the value of its stock 
(other than the portion of stock assigned to the statutory groupings 
for gross section 245(a)(5) income under Sec. Sec.  1.861-12(c)(4) and 
1.861-13) in each separate category and in the residual grouping for 
U.S. source income is assigned to the section 245A subgroup in such 
separate category or residual grouping. If the specified 10-percent 
owned foreign corporation is a controlled foreign corporation, a 
portion of the value of stock in each separate category and in the 
residual grouping for U.S. source income is subdivided between a 
section 245A and non-section 245A subgroup under Sec.  1.861-13(a)(5).
    (d) Coordination with OFL and ODL rules. Section 904(b)(4) and this 
section apply before the operation of the overall foreign loss rules in 
section 904(f) and the overall domestic loss rules in section 904(g).
    (e) Example. The following example illustrates the application of 
this section.

    (1) Facts--(i) Income and assets of USP. USP is a domestic 
corporation. USP owns a factory in the United States with a tax book 
value of $21,000. USP also directly owns all of the stock of each of 
the following three controlled foreign corporations: CFC1, CFC2, and 
CFC3. USP's tax book value in each of CFC1, CFC2, and CFC3 is 
$10,000. USP incurs $1,500 of interest expense and earns $1,600 of 
U.S. source gross income. Under section 951A and the section 951A 
regulations (as defined in Sec.  1.951A-1(a)(1)), USP's GILTI 
inclusion amount is $2,200. USP's deduction under section 250 is 
$1,100 (``section 250 deduction''), all of which is by reason of 
section 250(a)(1)(B)(i). No portion of USP's section 250 deduction 
is reduced by reason of section 250(a)(2)(B). None of the CFCs makes 
any distributions.
    (ii) Characterization of CFC stock. After application of Sec.  
1.861-13(a), USP determined that $7,300 of the stock of each of 
CFC1, CFC2, and CFC3 is assigned to the section 951A category 
(``section 951A category stock'') in the non-section 245A subgroup 
and the remaining $2,700 of the stock of each of CFC1, CFC2, and 
CFC3 is assigned to the general category (``general category 
stock'') in the section 245A subgroup. Additionally,

[[Page 63254]]

under Sec.  1.861-8(d)(2)(ii)(C)(2), $3,650 of the stock of each of 
CFC1, CFC2, and CFC3 that is section 951A category stock is an 
exempt asset. Accordingly, with respect to the stock of its 
controlled foreign corporations in the aggregate, USP has $10,950 of 
section 951A category stock in a non-section 245A subgroup; $8,100 
of general category stock in a section 245A subgroup; and $10,950 of 
stock that is an exempt asset.
    (iii) Apportioning of expenses. Taking into account USP's 
factory and its stock in CFC1, CFC2, and CFC3, the tax book value of 
USP's assets for purposes of apportioning expenses is $40,050 
(excluding the $10,950 of exempt assets). Under Sec.  1.861-9T(g), 
USP's $1,500 of interest expense is apportioned as follows: $410 
($1,500 x $10,950/$40,050) to section 951A category income, $303 
($1,500 x $8,100/$40,050) to general category income, and the 
remaining $787 ($1,500 x $21,000/$40,050) to the residual U.S. 
source grouping. Under Sec.  1.861-8(e)(14), all of USP's section 
250 deduction is allocated and apportioned to section 951A category 
income.
    (2) Analysis--(i) USP's pre-credit U.S. tax. USP's worldwide 
taxable income is $1,200, which equals its GILTI inclusion amount of 
$2,200 plus its U.S. source gross income of $1,600, less its 
deduction under section 250 of $1,100 and its interest expense of 
$1,500. For purposes of applying section 904(a), before taking into 
account any foreign tax credit under section 901, USP's federal 
income tax liability is 21% of $1,200, or $252.
    (ii) Application of section 904(b)(4). Under section 904(d)(1), 
USP applies section 904(a) separately to each separate category of 
income.
    (A) General category income. Before application of section 
904(b)(4) and the rules in this section, USP's foreign source 
taxable income in the general category is a loss of $303, which 
equals $0 (USP's foreign source general category income) less $303 
(interest expense apportioned to general category income), and USP's 
worldwide taxable income is $1,200. Under paragraph (d) of this 
section, the rules in section 904(f) and (g) apply after section 
904(b)(4) and the rules in this section. Under paragraphs (b) and 
(c)(1) of this section, USP has no deductions properly allocable or 
apportioned to gross income in the section 245A subgroup because USP 
has no dividend income in the general category for which a deduction 
is allowed under section 245A. Under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section, USP has $303 of deductions for interest expense that are 
properly allocable or apportioned to stock of specified 10-percent 
owned foreign corporations in the section 245A subgroup because 
USP's only general category assets are the general category stock of 
CFC1, CFC2, and CFC3, all of which are in the section 245A subgroup. 
Therefore, under paragraph (a) of this section, USP's foreign source 
taxable income in the general category and its worldwide taxable 
income are determined without regard to the $303 of deductions for 
interest expense. Accordingly, USP's foreign source taxable income 
in the general category is $0 and its worldwide taxable income is 
$1,503, and therefore, there is no separate limitation loss for 
purposes of section 904(f). Under section 904(a) and (d)(1) USP's 
foreign tax credit limitation for the general category is $0.
    (B) Section 951A category income. Before application of section 
904(b)(4) and the rules in this section, USP's foreign source 
taxable income in the section 951A category is $690, which equals 
$2,200 (USP's GILTI inclusion amount) less $1,100 (USP's section 250 
deduction) less $410 (interest apportioned to section 951A category 
income). Under paragraphs (b) and (c)(1) of this section, USP has no 
deductions properly allocable and apportioned to gross income in a 
section 245A subgroup of the section 951A category. Under paragraphs 
(b) and (c) of this section, USP has no deductions properly 
allocable and apportioned to stock of specified 10-percent owned 
foreign corporations in a section 245A subgroup of section 951A 
category stock because no portion of section 951A category stock is 
assigned to a section 245A subgroup. See Sec.  1.861-13(a)(5)(v). 
Therefore, under paragraph (a) of this section no adjustment is made 
to USP's foreign source taxable income in the section 951A category. 
However, the adjustments to USP's worldwide taxable income described 
in paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(A) of this section apply for purposes of 
calculating USP's foreign tax credit limitation for the section 951A 
category. Accordingly, USP's foreign source taxable income in the 
section 951A category is $690 and its worldwide taxable income is 
$1,503. Under section 904(a) and (d)(1), USP's foreign tax credit 
limitation for the section 951A category is $116 ($252 x $690/
$1,503).

    (f) Applicability date. Except as provided in this paragraph (f), 
this section applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 
2017. For a taxable year that both begins before January 1, 2018, and 
ends after December 31, 2017, this section applies without regard to 
the rules relating to inclusions arising under section 951A.
0
Par. 19. Sec.  1.904(f)-12 is amended by adding and reserving paragraph 
(i) and adding paragraph (j) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.904(f)-12  Transition rules.

* * * * *
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Recapture in years beginning after December 31, 2017, of 
separate limitation losses, overall foreign losses, and overall 
domestic losses incurred in years beginning before January 1, 2018--(1) 
Definitions--(i) The term pre-2018 separate categories means the 
separate categories of income described in section 904(d) and any 
specified separate categories of income, as applicable to taxable years 
beginning before January 1, 2018.
    (ii) The term post-2017 separate categories means the separate 
categories of income described in section 904(d) and any specified 
separate categories of income, as applicable to taxable years beginning 
after December 31, 2018.
    (iii) The term specified separate category has the meaning set 
forth in Sec.  1.904-4(m)).
    (2) Losses related to pre-2018 passive category income or a 
specified separate category of income--(i) Allocation of separate 
limitation loss or overall foreign loss account incurred in a pre-2018 
separate category for passive category income or a specified separate 
category of income. To the extent that a taxpayer has a balance in any 
separate limitation loss or overall foreign loss account in a pre-2018 
separate category for passive category income or a specified separate 
category of income at the end of the taxpayer's last taxable year 
beginning before January 1, 2018, the amount of such balance is 
allocated on the first day of the taxpayer's next taxable year to the 
same post-2017 separate category as the pre-2018 separate category of 
the separate limitation loss or overall foreign loss account.
    (ii) Recapture of separate limitation loss or overall domestic loss 
that reduced pre-2018 passive category income or a specified separate 
category of income. To the extent that at the end of the taxpayer's 
last taxable year beginning before January 1, 2018, a taxpayer has a 
balance in any separate limitation loss or overall domestic loss 
account which offset pre-2018 separate category income that was passive 
category income or income in a specified separate category, such loss 
is recaptured in subsequent taxable years as income in the same post-
2017 separate category as the pre-2018 separate category of income that 
was offset by the loss.
    (3) Losses related to pre-2018 general category income--(i) 
Allocation of separate limitation loss or overall foreign loss account 
incurred in a pre-2018 separate category for general category income. 
To the extent that a taxpayer has a balance in any separate limitation 
loss or overall foreign loss account in a pre-2018 separate category 
for general category income at the end of the taxpayer's last taxable 
year beginning before January 1, 2018, the amount of such balance is 
allocated on the first day of the taxpayer's next taxable year to the 
taxpayer's post-2017 separate category for general category income, or, 
if the taxpayer applies the exception described in Sec.  1.904-
2(j)(1)(iii), on a pro rata basis to the taxpayer's post-2017 separate 
categories for general category and foreign branch category income, 
based on the proportion in which any unused foreign taxes in the same 
pre-2018 separate category for general category income are allocated 
under Sec.  1.904-2(j)(1)(iii)(A). If

[[Page 63255]]

the taxpayer has no unused foreign taxes in the pre-2018 separate 
category for general category income, then any loss account balance in 
that category is allocated to the post-2017 separate category for 
general category income.
    (ii) Recapture of separate limitation loss or overall domestic loss 
that reduced pre-2018 general category income. To the extent that a 
taxpayer's separate limitation loss or overall domestic loss offset 
pre-2018 separate category income that was general category income, the 
balance in the loss account at the end of the taxpayer's last taxable 
year beginning before January 1, 2018, is recaptured in subsequent 
taxable years as income in the post-2017 separate category for general 
category income, or, if the taxpayer applies the exception described in 
Sec.  1.904-2(j)(1)(iii), on a pro rata basis as income in the post-
2017 separate categories for general category and foreign branch 
category income, based on the proportion in which any unused foreign 
taxes in the pre-2018 separate category for general category income are 
allocated under Sec.  1.904-2(j)(1)(iii)(A). If the taxpayer has no 
unused foreign taxes in the pre-2018 separate category for general 
category income, then the loss account balance shall be recaptured in 
subsequent taxable years solely as income in the post-2017 separate 
category for general category income.
    (4) Treatment of foreign losses that are part of net operating 
losses incurred in pre-2018 taxable years which are carried forward to 
post-2017 taxable years. A foreign loss that is part of a net operating 
loss incurred in a taxable year beginning before January 1, 2018, which 
is carried forward, pursuant to section 172, to a taxable year 
beginning after December 31, 2017, will be carried forward under the 
rules of Sec.  1.904(g)-3(b)(2). For purposes of applying those rules, 
the portion of a net operating loss carryforward that is attributable 
to a foreign loss from the pre-2018 separate category for passive 
category income or a specified separate category of income will be 
treated as a loss in the same post-2017 separate category as the pre-
2018 separate category. The portion of a net operating loss 
carryforward that is attributable to a foreign loss from the pre-2018 
separate category for general category income must be treated as a loss 
in the post-2017 separate category for general or branch category 
income under the allocation principles of paragraph (j)(3)(i) of this 
section.
    (5) Applicability date. This paragraph (j) applies to taxable years 
beginning after December 31, 2017.


Sec.  1.952-1   [Amended]

0
Par. 20. Section 1.952-1 is amended by removing the language ``Sec.  
1.904-5(a)(1)'' and adding in its place the language ``Sec.  1.904-
5(a)(4)(v)'' in the first sentence of paragraph (e)(5).
0
Par. 21. Section 1.954-1 is amended by:
0
1. Removing the language ``Sec.  1.904-5(a)(1)'' and adding in its 
place the language ``Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v)'' in the introductory text 
of paragraph (c)(1)(iii)(A).
0
2. Removing the language ``section 960'' and adding in its place the 
language ``section 960(a) and Sec.  1.960-2(b)(1)'' in the first 
sentence of paragraph (d)(3)(i).
0
 3. Removing the language ``section 960'' and adding in its place the 
language ``section 960(a)'' in the second sentence of paragraph 
(d)(3)(i).
0
4. Revising the last sentence of paragraph (d)(3)(i).
0
 5. Adding a sentence at the end of paragraph (d)(3)(i).
0
 6. Removing the language ``section 960'' and adding in its place the 
language ``section 960(a) and Sec.  1.960-2(b)(1)'' in paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii).
0
7. Adding a sentence at the end of paragraph (d)(3)(ii).
0
 8. Removing paragraph (g)(4).
0
 9. Adding paragraph (h).
    The revision and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.954-1  Foreign base company income.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) * * * Except as provided in the next sentence, the amount of 
foreign income taxes paid or accrued with respect to a net item of 
income, determined in the manner provided in this paragraph (d), is not 
affected by a subsequent reduction in foreign income taxes attributable 
to a distribution to shareholders of all or part of such income. To the 
extent the foreign income taxes paid or accrued by the controlled 
foreign corporation are reasonably certain to be returned by the 
foreign jurisdiction imposing such taxes to a shareholder, directly or 
indirectly, through any means (including, but not limited to, a refund, 
credit, payment, discharge of an obligation, or any other method) on a 
subsequent distribution to such shareholder, the foreign income taxes 
are not treated as paid or accrued for purposes of this paragraph 
(d)(3)(i).
    (ii) * * * However, notwithstanding the rules in Sec.  1.904-
4(c)(7), to the extent the foreign income taxes paid or accrued by the 
controlled foreign corporation are reasonably certain to be returned by 
the foreign jurisdiction imposing such taxes to a shareholder, directly 
or indirectly, through any means (including, but not limited to, a 
refund, credit, payment, discharge of an obligation, or any other 
method) on a subsequent distribution to such shareholder, the foreign 
income taxes are not treated as paid or accrued for purposes of this 
paragraph (d)(3)(ii).
* * * * *
    (h) Applicability dates--(1) Paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (ii). 
Paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section apply to taxable years of 
a controlled foreign corporation ending on or after December 4, 2018.
    (2) Paragraph (g). Paragraph (g) of this section applies to taxable 
years of a controlled foreign corporation beginning on or after July 
23, 2002.
0
Par. 22. Section 1.960-1 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1.960-1  Overview, definitions, and computational rules for 
determining foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 960(a), (b), 
and (d).

    (a) Overview--(1) Scope of Sec. Sec.  1.960-1 through 1.960-3. This 
section and Sec. Sec.  1.960-2 and 1.960-3 provide rules to associate 
foreign income taxes of a controlled foreign corporation with the 
income that a domestic corporation that is a United States shareholder 
of the controlled foreign corporation takes into account in determining 
a subpart F inclusion or GILTI inclusion amount of the domestic 
corporation, as well as to associate foreign income taxes of a 
controlled foreign corporation with distributions of previously taxed 
earnings and profits. These regulations provide the exclusive rules for 
determining the foreign income taxes deemed paid by a domestic 
corporation. Therefore, only foreign income taxes of a controlled 
foreign corporation that are associated under these rules with a 
subpart F inclusion or GILTI inclusion amount of a domestic corporation 
that is a United States shareholder of the controlled foreign 
corporation, or with previously taxed earnings and profits, are 
eligible to be deemed paid. This section provides definitions and 
computational rules for determining foreign income taxes deemed paid 
under section 960(a), (b), and (d). Section 1.960-2 provides rules for 
computing the amount of foreign income taxes deemed paid by a domestic 
corporation that is a United States shareholder of a controlled foreign 
corporation under section 960(a) and (d). Section 1.960-3 provides 
rules for computing the amount of foreign income taxes deemed paid by a 
domestic corporation that is a United States shareholder of a 
controlled foreign corporation, or by a controlled

[[Page 63256]]

foreign corporation, under section 960(b).
    (2) Scope of this section. Paragraph (b) of this section provides 
definitions for purposes of this section and Sec. Sec.  1.960-2 and 
1.960-3. Paragraph (c) of this section provides computational rules to 
coordinate the various calculations under this section and Sec. Sec.  
1.960-2 and 1.960-3. Paragraph (d) of this section provides rules for 
computing the income in an income group within a section 904 category, 
and for associating foreign income taxes with an income group. 
Paragraph (e) of this section provides a rule for the creditability of 
taxes associated with the residual income group. Paragraph (f) of this 
section provides an example illustrating the application of this 
section.
    (b) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
this section and Sec. Sec.  1.960-2 and 1.960-3.
    (1) Annual PTEP account. The term annual PTEP account has the 
meaning set forth in Sec.  1.960-3(c)(1).
    (2) Controlled foreign corporation. The term controlled foreign 
corporation means a foreign corporation described in section 957(a).
    (3) Current taxable year. The term current taxable year means the 
U.S. taxable year of a controlled foreign corporation that is an 
inclusion year, or during which the controlled foreign corporation 
receives a section 959(b) distribution or makes a section 959(a) 
distribution or a section 959(b) distribution.
    (4) Current year taxes. The term current year taxes means foreign 
income taxes paid or accrued by a controlled foreign corporation in a 
current taxable year. Foreign income taxes accrue when all the events 
have occurred that establish the fact of the liability and the amount 
of the liability can be determined with reasonable accuracy. See 
Sec. Sec.  1.446-1(c)(1)(ii)(A) and 1.461-4(g)(6)(iii)(B) (economic 
performance exception for certain foreign taxes). Withholding taxes 
described in section 901(k)(1)(B) that are withheld from a payment 
accrue when the payment is made. Foreign income taxes calculated on the 
basis of net income recognized in a foreign taxable year accrue on the 
last day of the foreign taxable year. Accordingly, current year taxes 
include foreign withholding taxes that are withheld from payments made 
to the controlled foreign corporation during the current taxable year, 
and foreign income taxes that accrue in the controlled foreign 
corporation's current taxable year in which or with which its foreign 
taxable year ends. Additional payments of foreign income taxes 
resulting from a redetermination of foreign tax liability, including 
contested taxes that accrue when the contest is resolved, ``relate 
back'' and are considered to accrue as of the end of the foreign 
taxable year to which the taxes relate.
    (5) Foreign income taxes. The term foreign income taxes means 
income, war profits, and excess profits taxes as defined in Sec.  
1.901-2(a), and taxes included in the term income, war profits, and 
excess profits taxes by reason of section 903 and Sec.  1.903-1(a), 
that are imposed by a foreign country or a possession of the United 
States, including any such taxes that are deemed paid by a controlled 
foreign corporation under section 960(b). Income, war profits, and 
excess profits taxes do not include amounts excluded from the 
definition of those taxes pursuant to section 901 and the regulations 
under that section. See, for example, section 901(f), (g), and (i). 
Foreign income taxes also do not include taxes paid by a controlled 
foreign corporation for which a credit is disallowed at the level of 
the controlled foreign corporation. See, for example, sections 
245A(e)(3), 901(k)(1), (l), and (m), 909, and 6038(c)(1)(B). Foreign 
income taxes, however, include taxes that may be deemed paid but for 
which a credit is reduced or disallowed at the level of the United 
States shareholder. See, for example, sections 901(e), 901(j), 
901(k)(2), 908, 965(g), and 6038(c)(1)(A).
    (6) Foreign taxable year. The term foreign taxable year has the 
meaning set forth in section 7701(a)(23), applied by substituting 
``under foreign law'' for the phrase ``under subtitle A.''
    (7) GILTI inclusion amount. The term GILTI inclusion amount has the 
meaning set forth in Sec.  1.951A-1(c)(1) (or, in the case of a member 
of a consolidated group, Sec.  1.1502-51(b)).
    (8) Gross tested income. The term gross tested income has the 
meaning set forth in Sec.  1.951A-2(c)(1).
    (9) Inclusion percentage. The term inclusion percentage has the 
meaning set forth in Sec.  1.960-2(c)(2).
    (10) Inclusion year. The term inclusion year means the U.S. taxable 
year of a controlled foreign corporation which ends during or with the 
taxable year of a United States shareholder of the controlled foreign 
corporation in which the United States shareholder includes an amount 
in income under section 951(a)(1) or 951A(a) with respect to the 
controlled foreign corporation.
    (11) Income group. The term income group means a group of income 
described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (12) Partnership CFC. The term partnership CFC has the meaning set 
forth in Sec.  1.951A-5(e)(2).
    (13) Passive category. The term passive category means the separate 
category of income described in section 904(d)(1)(C) and Sec.  1.904-
4(b).
    (14) Previously taxed earnings and profits. The term previously 
taxed earnings and profits means earnings and profits described in 
section 959(c)(1) or (2), including earnings and profits described in 
section 959(c)(2) by reason of section 951A(f)(1) and Sec.  1.951A-
6(b)(1).
    (15) PTEP group. The term PTEP group has the meaning set forth in 
Sec.  1.960-3(c)(2).
    (16) PTEP group taxes. The term PTEP group taxes has the meaning 
set forth in Sec.  1.960-3(d)(1).
    (17) Recipient controlled foreign corporation. The term recipient 
controlled foreign corporation has the meaning set forth in Sec.  
1.960-3(b)(2).
    (18) Reclassified previously taxed earnings and profits. The term 
reclassified previously taxed earnings and profits has the meaning set 
forth in Sec.  1.960-3(c)(4).
    (19) Reclassified PTEP group. The term reclassified PTEP group has 
the meaning set forth in Sec.  1.960-3(c)(4).
    (20) Residual income group. The term residual income group has the 
meaning set forth in paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(D) of this section.
    (21) Section 904 category. The term section 904 category means a 
separate category of income described in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v).
    (22) Section 951A category. The term section 951A category means 
the separate category of income described in section 904(d)(1)(A) and 
Sec.  1.904-4(g).
    (23) Section 959 distribution. The term section 959 distribution 
means a section 959(a) distribution or a section 959(b) distribution.
    (24) Section 959(a) distribution. The term section 959(a) 
distribution means a distribution excluded from the gross income of a 
United States shareholder under section 959(a).
    (25) Section 959(b) distribution. The term section 959(b) 
distribution means a distribution excluded from the gross income of a 
controlled foreign corporation for purposes of section 951(a) under 
section 959(b).
    (26) Section 959(c)(2) PTEP group. The term section 959(c)(2) PTEP 
group has the meaning set forth in Sec.  1.960-3(c)(4).
    (27) Subpart F inclusion. The term subpart F inclusion has the 
meaning set forth in Sec.  1.960-2(b)(1).
    (28) Subpart F income. The term subpart F income has the meaning 
set forth in section 952 and Sec.  1.952-1(a).

[[Page 63257]]

    (29) Subpart F income group. The term subpart F income group has 
the meaning set forth in paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B)(1) of this section.
    (30) Tested foreign income taxes. The term tested foreign income 
taxes has the meaning set forth in Sec.  1.960-2(c)(3).
    (31) Tested income. The term tested income means the amount with 
respect to a controlled foreign corporation that is described in 
section 951A(c)(2)(A) and Sec.  1.951A-2(b)(1).
    (32) Tested income group. The term tested income group has the 
meaning set forth in paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(C) of this section.
    (33) United States shareholder. The term United States shareholder 
has the meaning set forth in section 951(b).
    (34) U.S. shareholder partner. The term U.S. shareholder partner 
has the meaning set forth in Sec.  1.951A-5(e)(3).
    (35) U.S. shareholder partnership. The term U.S. shareholder 
partnership has the meaning set forth in Sec.  1.951A-5(e)(4).
    (36) U.S. taxable year. The term U.S. taxable year has the same 
meaning as that of the term taxable year set forth in section 
7701(a)(23).
    (c) Computational rules--(1) In general. For purposes of computing 
foreign income taxes deemed paid by either a domestic corporation that 
is a United States shareholder with respect to a controlled foreign 
corporation under Sec.  1.960-2 or 1.960-3 or by a controlled foreign 
corporation under Sec.  1.960-3 for the current taxable year, the 
following rules apply in the following order, beginning with the 
lowest-tier controlled foreign corporation in a chain with respect to 
which the domestic corporation is a United States shareholder:
    (i) First, items of gross income of the controlled foreign 
corporation for the current taxable year other than a section 959(b) 
distribution are assigned to section 904 categories and included in 
income groups within those section 904 categories under the rules in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section. The receipt of a section 959(b) 
distribution by the controlled foreign corporation is accounted for 
under Sec.  1.960-3(c)(3).
    (ii) Second, deductions (other than for current year taxes) of the 
controlled foreign corporation for the current taxable year are 
allocated and apportioned to reduce gross income in the section 904 
categories and the income groups within a section 904 category. See 
paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section. Additionally, the functional 
currency amounts of current year taxes of the controlled foreign 
corporation for the current taxable year are allocated and apportioned 
to reduce gross income in the section 904 categories and the income 
groups within a section 904 category, and to reduce earnings and 
profits in any PTEP groups that were increased as provided in paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of this section. See paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section. 
For purposes of computing foreign taxes deemed paid, current year taxes 
allocated and apportioned to income groups and PTEP groups in the 
section 904 categories are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance 
with section 986(a). See paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (iii) Third, current year taxes deemed paid under section 960(a) 
and (d) by the domestic corporation with respect to income of the 
controlled foreign corporation are computed under the rules of Sec.  
1.960-2. In addition, foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 
960(b)(2) with respect to the receipt of a section 959(b) distribution 
by the controlled foreign corporation are computed under the rules of 
Sec.  1.960-3(b).
    (iv) Fourth, any previously taxed earnings and profits of the 
controlled foreign corporation resulting from subpart F inclusions and 
GILTI inclusion amounts with respect to the controlled foreign 
corporation's current taxable year are separated from other earnings 
and profits of the controlled foreign corporation and added to an 
annual PTEP account, and a PTEP group within the PTEP account, under 
the rules of Sec.  1.960-3(c).
    (v) Fifth, paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section are 
repeated for each next higher-tier controlled foreign corporation in 
the chain.
    (vi) Sixth, with respect to the highest-tier controlled foreign 
corporation in a chain that is owned directly (or indirectly through a 
partnership) by the domestic corporation, foreign income taxes that are 
deemed paid under section 960(b)(1) in connection with the receipt of a 
section 959(a) distribution by the domestic corporation are computed 
under the rules of Sec.  1.960-3(b).
    (2) Inclusion of current year items. For a current taxable year, 
the items of income and deductions (including for taxes), and the U.S. 
dollar amounts of current year taxes, that are included in the 
computations described in this section and assigned to income groups 
and PTEP groups for the taxable year are the items that the controlled 
foreign corporation accrues and takes into account during the current 
taxable year.
    (3) Functional currency and translation. The computations described 
in this paragraph (c) that relate to income and earnings and profits 
are made in the functional currency of the controlled foreign 
corporation (as determined under section 985), and references to taxes 
deemed paid are to U.S. dollar amounts (translated in accordance with 
section 986(a)).
    (d) Computing income in a section 904 category and an income group 
within a section 904 category--(1) Scope. This paragraph (d) provides 
rules for assigning gross income (including gains) of a controlled 
foreign corporation for the current taxable year to a section 904 
category and income group within a section 904 category, and for 
allocating and apportioning deductions (including losses and current 
year taxes) and the U.S. dollar amount of current year taxes of the 
controlled foreign corporation for the current taxable year among the 
section 904 categories, income groups within a section 904 category, 
and PTEP groups. For rules regarding maintenance of previously taxed 
earnings and profits in an annual PTEP account, and assignment of those 
previously taxed earnings and profits to PTEP groups, see Sec.  1.960-
3.
    (2) Assignment of gross income to section 904 categories and income 
groups within a category--(i) Assigning items of gross income to 
section 904 categories. Items of gross income of the controlled foreign 
corporation for the current taxable year are first assigned to a 
section 904 category of the controlled foreign corporation under 
Sec. Sec.  1.904-4 and 1.904-5, and under Sec.  1.960-3(c)(1) in the 
case of gross income relating to a section 959(b) distribution received 
by the controlled foreign corporation. Income of a controlled foreign 
corporation, other than gross income relating to a section 959(b) 
distribution, cannot be assigned to the section 951A category or the 
foreign branch category. See Sec.  1.904-4(f) and (g).
    (ii) Grouping gross income within a section 904 category--(A) In 
general. Gross income within a section 904 category is assigned to an 
income group under the rules of this paragraph (d)(2)(ii), or to a PTEP 
group under the rules of Sec.  1.960-3(c)(3). Gross income other than a 
section 959(b) distribution is assigned to a subpart F income group, 
tested income group, or residual income group.
    (B) Subpart F income groups--(1) In general. The term subpart F 
income group means an income group within a section 904 category that 
consists of income that is described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B)(2) of 
this section. Gross income that is treated as a single item of income 
under Sec.  1.954-1(c)(1)(iii) is in a separate subpart F income group 
under paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B)(2)(i) of this section. Items of gross 
income that give

[[Page 63258]]

rise to income described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B)(2)(ii) of this 
section are aggregated and treated as gross income in a separate 
subpart F income group. Similarly, items of gross income that give rise 
to income described in each one of paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(B)(2)(iii) 
through (v) of this section are aggregated and treated as gross income 
in a separate subpart F income group.
    (2) Income in subpart F income groups. The income included in 
subpart F income groups is:
    (i) Items of foreign base company income treated as a single item 
of income under Sec.  1.954-1(c)(1)(iii);
    (ii) Insurance income described in section 952(a)(1);
    (iii) Income subject to the international boycott factor described 
in section 952(a)(3);
    (iv) Income from certain bribes, kickbacks and other payments 
described in section 952(a)(4); and
    (v) Income subject to section 901(j) described in section 
952(a)(5).
    (C) Tested income groups. The term tested income group means an 
income group that consists of tested income within a section 904 
category. Items of gross tested income in each section 904 category are 
aggregated and treated as gross income in a separate tested income 
group.
    (D) Residual income group. The term residual income group means the 
income group within a section 904 category that consists of income not 
described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) or (C) of this section.

    (E) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (d)(2)(ii).

     (1) Example 1: Subpart F income groups--(i) Facts. CFC, a 
controlled foreign corporation, is incorporated in Country X. CFC 
uses the ``u'' as its functional currency. At all relevant times, 
1u=$1. CFC earns from sources outside of Country X portfolio 
dividend income of 100,000u, portfolio interest income of 
1,500,000u, and 70,000u of royalty income that is not derived from 
the active conduct of a trade or business. CFC also earns 50,000u 
from the sale of personal property to a related person for use 
outside of Country X that gives rise to foreign base company sales 
income under section 954(d). Finally, CFC earns 45,000u for 
performing consulting services outside of Country X for related 
persons that gives rise to foreign base company services income 
under section 954(e). None of the income is taxed by Country X. The 
dividend income is subject to a 15 percent third-country withholding 
tax after application of the applicable income tax treaty. The 
interest income and the royalty income are subject to no third-
country withholding tax. CFC incurs no expenses.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section and 
Sec.  1.904-4, the interest income, dividend income, and royalty 
income are passive category income and the sales and consulting 
income are general category income. Under paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) of 
this section, CFC has a separate subpart F income group within the 
passive category with respect to the 100,000u of dividend income, 
which is foreign personal holding company income described in Sec.  
1.954-1(c)(1)(iii)(A)(1)(i) (dividends, interest, rents, royalties 
and annuities) that falls within a single group of income under 
Sec.  1.904-4(c)(3)(i) for passive income that is subject to 
withholding tax of fifteen percent or greater. CFC also has a 
separate subpart F income group within the passive category with 
respect to the 1,500,000u of interest income and the 70,000u of 
royalty income (in total 1,570,000u) which together are foreign 
personal holding company income described in Sec.  1.954-
1(c)(1)(iii)(A)(1)(i) (dividends, interest, rents, royalties and 
annuities) that falls within a single group of income under Sec.  
1.904-4(c)(3)(iii) for passive income that is subject to no 
withholding tax or other foreign tax. With respect to its 50,000u of 
sales income, CFC has a separate subpart F income group with respect 
to foreign base company sales income described in Sec.  1.954-
1(c)(1)(iii)(A)(2)(i) within the general category. With respect to 
its 45,000u of services income, CFC has a separate subpart F income 
group with respect to foreign base company services income described 
in Sec.  1.954-1(c)(1)(iii)(A)(2)(ii) within the general category.

     (2) Example 2: Tested income groups--(i) Facts. CFC, a 
controlled foreign corporation, is incorporated in Country X. CFC 
uses the ``u'' as its functional currency. At all relevant times, 
1u=$1. CFC earns 500u from the sale of goods to unrelated parties. 
CFC also earns 75u for performing consulting services for unrelated 
parties. All of its income is gross tested income. CFC incurs no 
deductions.
    (ii) Analysis. Under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section and 
section 904 and Sec.  1.904-4, the sales income and services income 
are both general category income. Under paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(C) of 
this section, with respect to the 500u of sales income and 75u 
services income (in total 575u), CFC has one tested income group 
within the general category.

    (3) Allocation and apportionment of deductions among section 904 
categories, income groups within a section 904 category, and certain 
PTEP groups--(i) In general. Gross income of the controlled foreign 
corporation in each income group within each section 904 category is 
reduced by deductions (including losses) of the controlled foreign 
corporation for the current taxable year under the following rules.
    (A) First, the rules of sections 861 through 865 and 904(d) and the 
regulations under those sections (taking into account the rules of 
section 954(b)(5) and Sec.  1.954-1(c), and section 951A(c)(2)(A)(ii) 
and Sec.  1.951A-2(c)(3), as appropriate) apply to allocate and 
apportion to reduce gross income (or create a loss) in each section 904 
category and income group within a section 904 category any deductions 
of the controlled foreign corporation that are definitely related to 
less than all of the controlled foreign corporation's gross income as a 
class. See paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section for special rules for 
allocating and apportioning current year taxes to section 904 
categories, income groups, and PTEP groups.
    (B) Second, related person interest expense is allocated to and 
apportioned among the subpart F income groups within the passive 
category under the principles of Sec.  1.904-5(c)(2) and Sec.  1.954-
1(c)(1)(i).
    (C) Third, any remaining deductions are allocated and apportioned 
to reduce gross income (or create a loss) in the section 904 categories 
and income groups within each section 904 category under the rules 
referenced in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of this section. No deductions of 
the controlled foreign corporation for the current taxable year other 
than a deduction for current year taxes imposed solely by reason of the 
receipt of a section 959(b) distribution are allocated or apportioned 
to reduce earnings and profits in a PTEP group.
    (ii) Allocation and apportionment of current year taxes--(A) In 
general. Current year taxes are allocated and apportioned among the 
section 904 categories under the rules of Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(i) and 
(ii) on the basis of the amount of taxable income computed under 
foreign law in each section 904 category that is included in the 
foreign tax base. Current year taxes in a section 904 category are then 
allocated and apportioned among the income groups within a section 904 
category under the principles of Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(i) and (ii). If 
the amount of previously taxed earnings and profits in a PTEP group is 
increased in the current taxable year of the controlled foreign 
corporation under Sec.  1.960-3(c)(3) by reason of the receipt of a 
section 959(b) distribution, then for purposes of allocating and 
apportioning current year taxes that are imposed solely by reason of 
the receipt of the section 959(b) distribution under this paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii)(A), the PTEP group is treated as an income group within the 
section 904 category. In applying Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1)(i) and (ii) for 
purposes of this paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(A), the gross items of income and 
deduction calculated under foreign law that are included in a section 
904 category, income group, or PTEP group that is treated as an income 
group are the items that are included in taxable income under foreign 
law for the foreign taxable year of the controlled foreign corporation 
that ends with or within the controlled foreign corporation's current

[[Page 63259]]

taxable year. For purposes of determining foreign income taxes deemed 
paid under the rules in Sec. Sec.  1.960-2 and 1.960-3, the U.S. dollar 
amounts of current year taxes are assigned to the section 904 
categories, income groups, and PTEP groups, if any, to which the 
current year taxes are allocated and apportioned.
    (B) Base and timing differences--(1) In general. Current year taxes 
that are attributable to a base difference described in Sec.  1.904-
6(a)(1)(iv) are not allocated and apportioned to any subpart F income 
group, tested income group or PTEP group, but are treated as related to 
income in the residual income group. Except as provided in paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii)(B)(2) of this section, current year taxes that are 
attributable to a timing difference described in Sec.  1.904-
6(a)(1)(iv) are treated as related to the appropriate section 904 
category and income group within a section 904 category to which the 
particular tax would be assigned if the income on which the tax is 
imposed were recognized under Federal income tax principles in the year 
in which the tax was imposed.
    (2) Tax on previously taxed earnings and profits. Current year 
taxes imposed solely by reason of the controlled foreign corporation's 
receipt of a section 959(b) distribution are not allocated and 
apportioned under the general rule for timing differences but are 
allocated or apportioned to a PTEP group. Current year taxes imposed 
with respect to previously taxed earnings and profits by reason of any 
other timing difference are allocated or apportioned, under the general 
rule described in paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(B)(1) of this section, to the 
income group to which the income that gave rise to the previously taxed 
earnings and profits was assigned in the inclusion year. For example, a 
net basis tax imposed on a controlled foreign corporation's receipt of 
a section 959(b) distribution by the corporation's country of residence 
is allocated or apportioned to a PTEP group. Similarly, a withholding 
tax imposed with respect to a controlled foreign corporation's receipt 
of a section 959(b) distribution is allocated and apportioned to a PTEP 
group. In contrast, a withholding tax imposed on a disregarded payment 
from a disregarded entity to its controlled foreign corporation owner 
is treated as a timing difference and is never treated as related to a 
PTEP group, even if all of the controlled foreign corporation's 
earnings are previously taxed earnings and profits, because the tax is 
not imposed solely by reason of a section 959(b) distribution. Such a 
withholding tax, however, may be treated as related to a subpart F 
income group or tested income group under the general rule for timing 
differences.
    (e) No deemed paid credit for current year taxes related to 
residual income group. Current year taxes paid or accrued by a 
controlled foreign corporation that are allocated and apportioned under 
paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section to a residual income group cannot 
be deemed paid under section 960 for any taxable year.
    (f) Example. The following example illustrates the application of 
this section and Sec.  1.960-3.

    (1) Facts--(i) Income of CFC1 and CFC2. CFC1, a controlled 
foreign corporation, conducts business in Country X. CFC1 uses the 
``u'' as its functional currency. At all relevant times, 1u=$1. CFC1 
owns all of the stock of CFC2, a controlled foreign corporation. 
CFC1 and CFC2 both use the calendar year as their U.S. and foreign 
taxable years. In 2019, CFC1 earns 2,000,000u of gross income that 
is foreign oil and gas extraction income, within the meaning of 
section 907(c)(1), and 2,000,000u of interest income from unrelated 
persons, for both U.S. and Country X tax law purposes. Country X 
exempts interest income from tax. In 2019, CFC1 also receives a 
section 959(b) distribution from CFC2 of 4,000,000u of previously 
taxed earnings and profits attributable to an inclusion under 
section 965(a) for CFC2's 2017 U.S. taxable year. The inclusion 
under section 965(a) was income in the general category. There are 
no PTEP group taxes associated with the previously taxed earnings 
and profits distributed by CFC2 at the level of CFC2. The section 
959(b) distribution is treated as a dividend taxable to CFC1 under 
Country X law. In 2019, CFC2 earns no gross income and receives no 
distributions.
    (ii) Pre-tax deductions of CFC1 and CFC2. For both U.S. and 
Country X tax purposes, in 2019, CFC1 incurs 1,500,000u of 
deductible expenses other than current year taxes that are allocable 
to all gross income. For U.S. tax purposes, under Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 
through 1.861-14T, 750,000u of such deductions are apportioned to 
each of CFC1's foreign oil and gas extraction income and interest 
income. Under Country X law, 1,000,000u of deductions are allocated 
and apportioned to the 4,000,000u treated as a dividend, and 
500,000u of deductions are allocated and apportioned to the 
2,000,000u of foreign oil and gas extraction income. Under Country X 
law, no deductions are allocable to the interest income. Country X 
imposes tax of 900,000u on a base of 4,500,000u (6,000,000u gross 
income-1,500,000u deductions) consisting of 3,000,000u (4,000,000u-
1,000,000u) attributable to CFC1's section 959(b) distribution and 
1,500,000u (2,000,000u-500,000u) attributable to CFC1's foreign oil 
and gas extraction income. In 2019, CFC2 has no expenses (including 
current year taxes).
    (iii) United States shareholders of CFC1. All of the stock of 
CFC1 is owned (within the meaning of section 958(a)) by corporate 
United States shareholders that use the calendar year as their U.S. 
taxable year. In 2019, the United States shareholders of CFC1 
include in gross income subpart F inclusions in the passive category 
totaling $1,250,000 with respect to 1,250,000u of subpart F income 
of CFC1.
    (2) Analysis--(i) CFC2. Under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, 
the computational rules of paragraph (c)(1) of this section are 
applied beginning with CFC2. However, CFC2 has no gross income or 
expenses in 2019 (the ``current taxable year''). Accordingly, the 
computational rules described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) through (iv) of 
this section are not relevant with respect to CFC2. Under paragraph 
(c)(1)(v) of this section, the rules in paragraph (c)(1)(i) through 
(iv) of this section are then applied to CFC1.
    (ii) CFC1. (A) Step 1. Under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this 
section, CFC1's items of gross income for the current taxable year 
are assigned to section 904 categories and included in income groups 
within those section 904 categories. In addition, CFC1's receipt of 
a section 959(b) distribution is assigned to a PTEP group. Under 
paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section and Sec.  1.904-4, the interest 
income is passive category income and the foreign oil and gas 
extraction income is general category income. Under paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii) of this section, the 2,000,000u of interest income is 
assigned to a subpart F income group (the ``subpart F income 
group'') within the passive category because it is foreign personal 
holding company income described in Sec.  1.954-
1(c)(1)(iii)(A)(1)(i) that falls within a single group of income 
under Sec.  1.904-4(c)(3)(iii) for passive income that is subject to 
no withholding tax or other foreign tax. The 2,000,000u of foreign 
oil and gas extraction income is assigned to the residual income 
group within the general category. Under Sec.  1.960-3(c), the 
4,000,000u section 959(b) distribution is assigned to the PTEP group 
described in Sec.  1.960-3(c)(2)(vii) within the 2017 annual PTEP 
account (the ``PTEP group'') within the general category.
    (B) Step 2--(1) Allocation and apportionment of deductions for 
expenses other than taxes. Under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this 
section, CFC1's deductions for the current taxable year are 
allocated and apportioned among the section 904 categories, income 
groups within a section 904 category, and any PTEP groups that were 
increased as provided in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. Under 
paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section and Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-
14T, 750,000u of deductions are allocated and apportioned to the 
residual income group within the general category, and 750,000u of 
deductions are allocated and apportioned to the subpart F income 
group within the passive category. Therefore, CFC1 has 1,250,000u 
(2,000,000u-750,000u) of pre-tax income attributable to the residual 
income group within the general category and 1,250,000u (2,000,000u-
750,000u) of pre-tax income attributable to the subpart F income 
group within the passive category. For U.S. tax purposes, no 
deductions other than current year taxes are allocated and 
apportioned to the 4,000,000u in CFC1's PTEP group.

[[Page 63260]]

    (2) Allocation and apportionment of current year taxes. Under 
paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, CFC1's current year taxes are 
allocated and apportioned among the section 904 categories, income 
groups within a section 904 category, and any PTEP groups that were 
increased as provided in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. Under 
paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section, for purposes of 
allocating and apportioning taxes to reduce the income in a section 
904 category, an income group, or PTEP group, Sec.  1.904-6(a)(1) 
and (ii) are applied to determine the amount of taxable income 
computed under Country X law in each section 904 category, income 
group, and PTEP group that is included in the Country X tax base. 
For Country X purposes, 1,000,000u of deductions are apportioned to 
CFC1's PTEP group within the general category, 500,000u of 
deductions are apportioned to the residual income group within the 
general category, and no deductions are apportioned to the subpart F 
income group in the passive category. Therefore, for Country X 
purposes, CFC1 has 3,000,000u of income attributable to the PTEP 
group within the general category, 1,500,000u of income attributable 
to the residual income group within the general category, and no 
income attributable to the subpart F income group within the passive 
category. Under paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section, 600,000u 
(3,000,000u/4,500,000u x 900,000u) of the 900,000u current year 
taxes paid by CFC1 are related to the PTEP group within the general 
category, and 300,000u (1,500,000u/4,500,000u x 900,000u) are 
related to the residual income group within the general category. No 
current year taxes are allocated or apportioned to the subpart F 
income group within the passive category because the interest 
expense is exempt from Country X tax. Thus, for U.S. tax purposes, 
CFC1 has 3,400,000u of previously taxed earnings and profits 
(4,000,000u-600,000u) in the PTEP group within the general category, 
1,250,000u of income in the subpart F income group within the 
passive category, and 950,000u of income (1,250,000u-300,000u) in 
the residual income group within the general category. For purposes 
of determining foreign taxes deemed paid under section 960, CFC1 has 
$600,000 of foreign income taxes in the PTEP group within the 
general category and $300,000 of current year taxes in the residual 
income group within the general category. Under paragraph (e) of 
this section, the United States shareholders of CFC1 cannot claim a 
credit with respect to the $300,000 of taxes on CFC1's income in the 
residual income group.
    (C) Step 3. Under paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section, the 
United States shareholders of CFC1 compute current year taxes deemed 
paid under section 960(a) and (d) and the rules of Sec.  1.960-2. 
None of the Country X tax is allocated to CFC1's subpart F income 
group. Therefore, there are no current year taxes deemed paid by 
CFC1's United States shareholders with respect to their passive 
category subpart F inclusions. See Sec.  1.960-2(b)(5) and (c)(7) 
for examples of the application of section 960(a) and (d) and the 
rules in Sec.  1.960-2. Additionally, under paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of 
this section, foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 
960(b)(2) by CFC1 are determined with respect to the section 959(b) 
distribution from CFC2 under the rules of Sec.  1.960-3. There are 
no PTEP group taxes associated with the previously taxed earnings 
and profits distributed by CFC2 in the hands of CFC2. Therefore, 
there are no foreign income taxes deemed paid by CFC1 under section 
960(b)(2) with respect to the section 959(b) distribution from CFC2. 
See Sec.  1.960-3(e) for examples of the application of section 
960(b) and the rules in Sec.  1.960-3.
    (D) Step 4. Under paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section, 
previously taxed earnings and profits resulting from subpart F 
inclusions and GILTI inclusion amounts with respect to CFC1's 
current taxable year are separated from CFC1's other earnings and 
profits and added to an annual PTEP account and PTEP group within 
the PTEP account, under the rules of Sec.  1.960-3(c). The United 
States shareholders of CFC1 include in gross income subpart F 
inclusions totaling $1,250,000 with respect to 1,250,000u of subpart 
F income of CFC1, and the subpart F inclusions are passive category 
income. Therefore, under Sec.  1.960-3(c)(2), 1,250,000u of 
previously taxed earnings and profits resulting from the subpart F 
inclusions is added to CFC1's PTEP group described in Sec.  1.960-
3(c)(2)(x) within the 2019 annual PTEP account within the passive 
category.
    (E) Step 5. Paragraph (c)(1)(v) of this section does not apply 
because CFC1 is the highest-tier controlled foreign corporation in 
the chain.
    (F) Step 6. Paragraph (c)(1)(vi) of this section does not apply 
because CFC1 did not make a section 959(a) distribution.

0
Par. 23. Section 1.960-2 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1.960-2   Foreign income taxes deemed paid under sections 960(a) 
and (d).

    (a) Scope. Paragraph (b) of this section provides rules for 
computing the amount of foreign income taxes deemed paid by a domestic 
corporation that is a United States shareholder of a controlled foreign 
corporation under section 960(a). Paragraph (c) of this section 
provides rules for computing the amount of foreign income taxes deemed 
paid by a domestic corporation that is a United States shareholder of a 
controlled foreign corporation under section 960(d).
    (b) Foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 960(a)--(1) In 
general. If a domestic corporation that is a United States shareholder 
of a controlled foreign corporation includes in gross income under 
section 951(a)(1)(A) its pro rata share of the subpart F income of the 
controlled foreign corporation (a subpart F inclusion), the domestic 
corporation is deemed to have paid the amount of the controlled foreign 
corporation's foreign income taxes that are properly attributable to 
the items of income in a subpart F income group of the controlled 
foreign corporation that give rise to the subpart F inclusion of the 
domestic corporation that is attributable to the subpart F income 
group. For each section 904 category, the domestic corporation is 
deemed to have paid foreign income taxes equal to the sum of the 
controlled foreign corporation's foreign income taxes that are properly 
attributable to the items of income in the subpart F income groups to 
which the subpart F inclusion is attributable. See Sec.  1.904-6(b)(1) 
for rules on assigning the foreign income tax to a section 904 
category. No foreign income taxes are deemed paid under section 960(a) 
with respect to an inclusion under section 951(a)(1)(B).
    (2) Properly attributable. The amount of the controlled foreign 
corporation's foreign income taxes that are properly attributable to 
the items of income in the subpart F income group of the controlled 
foreign corporation to which a subpart F inclusion is attributable 
equals the domestic corporation's proportionate share of the current 
year taxes of the controlled foreign corporation that are allocated and 
apportioned under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to the subpart F income 
group. No other foreign income taxes are considered properly 
attributable to an item of income of the controlled foreign 
corporation.
    (3) Proportionate share--(i) In general. A domestic corporation's 
proportionate share of the current year taxes of a controlled foreign 
corporation that are allocated and apportioned under Sec.  1.960-
1(d)(3)(ii) to a subpart F income group within a section 904 category 
of the controlled foreign corporation is equal to the total U.S. dollar 
amount of current year taxes that are allocated and apportioned under 
Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to the subpart F income group multiplied by a 
fraction (not to exceed one), the numerator of which is the portion of 
the domestic corporation's subpart F inclusion that is attributable to 
the subpart F income group and the denominator of which is the total 
net income in the subpart F income group, both determined in the 
functional currency of the controlled foreign corporation. If the 
numerator or denominator of the fraction is zero or less than zero, 
then the proportionate share of the current year taxes that are 
allocated and apportioned under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to the subpart 
F income group is zero.
    (ii) Effect of qualified deficits. Neither an accumulated deficit 
nor any prior year deficit in the earnings and profits of a controlled 
foreign corporation reduces its net income in a subpart F income group. 
Accordingly, any such deficit does not affect the denominator

[[Page 63261]]

of the fraction described in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section. 
However, the first sentence of this paragraph (b)(3)(ii) does not 
affect the application of section 952(c)(1)(B) for purposes of 
determining the domestic corporation's subpart F inclusion. Any 
reduction to the domestic corporation's subpart F inclusion under 
section 952(c)(1)(B) is reflected in the numerator of the fraction 
described in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section.
    (iii) Effect of current year E&P limitation or chain deficit. To 
the extent that an amount of income in a subpart F income group is 
excluded from the subpart F income of the controlled foreign 
corporation under section 952(c)(1)(A) or (C), the net income in the 
subpart F income group that is the denominator of the fraction 
described in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section is reduced (but not 
below zero) by the amount excluded. The domestic corporation's subpart 
F inclusion that is the numerator of the fraction described in 
paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section is based on the controlled foreign 
corporation's subpart F income computed with the application of section 
952(c)(1)(A) and (C).
    (4) Domestic partnerships. For purposes of applying this paragraph 
(b), in the case of a domestic partnership that is a U.S. shareholder 
partnership with respect to a partnership CFC, the distributive share 
of a U.S. shareholder partner of the U.S. shareholder partnership's 
subpart F inclusion with respect to the partnership CFC is treated as a 
subpart F inclusion of the U.S. shareholder partner with respect to the 
partnership CFC.
    (5) Example. The following example illustrates the application of 
this paragraph (b).

    (i) Facts. USP, a domestic corporation, owns 80% of the stock of 
CFC, a controlled foreign corporation. The remaining portion of the 
stock of CFC is owned by an unrelated person. USP and CFC both use 
the calendar year as their U.S. taxable year, and CFC also uses the 
calendar year as its foreign taxable year. CFC uses the ``u'' as its 
functional currency. At all relevant times, 1u=$1. For its U.S. 
taxable year ending December 31, 2018, after the application of the 
rules in Sec.  1.960-1(d) the income of CFC after foreign taxes is 
assigned to the following income groups: 1,000,000u of dividend 
income in a subpart F income group within the passive category 
(``subpart F income group 1''); 2,400,000u of gain from commodities 
transactions in a subpart F income group within the passive category 
(``subpart F income group 2''); and 1,800,000u of foreign base 
company services income in a subpart F income group within the 
general category (``subpart F income group 3''). CFC has current 
year taxes, translated into U.S. dollars, of $740,000 that are 
allocated and apportioned as follows: $50,000 to subpart F income 
group 1; $240,000 to subpart F income group 2; and $450,000 to 
subpart F income group 3. USP has a subpart F inclusion with respect 
to CFC of 4,160,000u = $4,160,000, of which 800,000u is attributable 
to subpart F income group 1, 1,920,000u to subpart F income group 2, 
and 1,440,000u to subpart F income group 3.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Passive category. Under paragraphs (b)(2) and 
(3) of this section, the amount of CFC's current year taxes that are 
properly attributable to items of income in subpart F income group 1 
to which a subpart F inclusion is attributable equals USP's 
proportionate share of the current year taxes that are allocated and 
apportioned under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to subpart F income group 
1, which is $40,000 ($50,000 x 800,000u/1,000,000u). Under 
paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section, the amount of CFC's 
current year taxes that are properly attributable to items of income 
in subpart F income group 2 to which a subpart F inclusion is 
attributable equals USP's proportionate share of the current year 
taxes that are allocated and apportioned under Sec.  1.960-
1(d)(3)(ii) to subpart F income group 2, which is $192,000 ($240,000 
x 1,920,000u/2,400,000u). Accordingly, under paragraph (b)(1), USP 
is deemed to have paid $232,000 ($40,000 + $192,000) of passive 
category foreign income taxes of CFC with respect to its $2,720,000 
subpart F inclusion in the passive category.
    (B) General category. Under paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this 
section, the amount of CFC's current year taxes that are properly 
attributable items of income in subpart F income group 3 to which a 
subpart F inclusion is attributable equals USP's proportionate share 
of the foreign income taxes that are allocated and apportioned under 
Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to subpart F income group 3, which is 
$360,000 ($450,000 x 1,440,000u/1,800,000u). CFC has no other 
subpart F income groups within the general category. Accordingly, 
under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, USP is deemed to have paid 
$360,000 of general category foreign income taxes of CFC with 
respect to its $1,440,000 subpart F inclusion in the general 
category.

    (c) Foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 960(d)--(1) In 
general. If a domestic corporation that is a United States shareholder 
of one or more controlled foreign corporations includes an amount in 
gross income under section 951A(a) and Sec.  1.951A-1(b), the domestic 
corporation is deemed to have paid an amount of foreign income taxes 
equal to 80 percent of the product of its inclusion percentage 
multiplied by the sum of all tested foreign income taxes in the tested 
income group within each section 904 category of the controlled foreign 
corporation or corporations.
    (2) Inclusion percentage. The term inclusion percentage means, with 
respect to a domestic corporation that is a United States shareholder 
of one or more controlled foreign corporations, the domestic 
corporation's GILTI inclusion amount divided by the aggregate amount 
described in section 951A(c)(1)(A) and Sec.  1.951A-1(c)(2)(i) with 
respect to the United States shareholder.
    (3) Tested foreign income taxes. The term tested foreign income 
taxes means, with respect to a domestic corporation that is a United 
States shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation, the amount of 
the controlled foreign corporation's foreign income taxes that are 
properly attributable to tested income taken into account by the 
domestic corporation under section 951A and Sec.  1.951A-1.
    (4) Properly attributable. The amount of the controlled foreign 
corporation's foreign income taxes that are properly attributable to 
tested income taken into account by the domestic corporation under 
section 951A(a) and Sec.  1.951A-1(b) equals the domestic corporation's 
proportionate share of the current year taxes of the controlled foreign 
corporation that are allocated and apportioned under Sec.  1.960-
1(d)(3)(ii) to the tested income group within each section 904 category 
of the controlled foreign corporation. No other foreign income taxes 
are considered properly attributable to tested income.
    (5) Proportionate share. A domestic corporation's proportionate 
share of current year taxes of a controlled foreign corporation that 
are allocated and apportioned under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to a tested 
income group within a section 904 category of the controlled foreign 
corporation is the U.S. dollar amount of current year taxes that are 
allocated and apportioned under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to a tested 
income group within a section 904 category of the controlled foreign 
corporation multiplied by a fraction (not to exceed one), the numerator 
of which is the portion of the tested income of the controlled foreign 
corporation in the tested income group within the section 904 category 
that is included in computing the domestic corporation's aggregate 
amount described in section 951A(c)(1)(A) and Sec.  1.951A-1(c)(2)(i), 
and the denominator of which is the income in the tested income group 
within the section 904 category, both determined in the functional 
currency of the controlled foreign corporation. If the numerator or 
denominator of the fraction is zero or less than zero, the domestic 
corporation's proportionate share of the current year taxes allocated 
and apportioned under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to the tested income 
group is zero.
    (6) Domestic partnerships. See Sec.  1.951A-5 for rules regarding 
the determination of the GILTI inclusion amount of a U.S. shareholder 
partner.

[[Page 63262]]

    (7) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (c).

     (i) Example 1: Directly owned controlled foreign corporation--
(A) Facts. USP, a domestic corporation, owns 100% of the stock of a 
number of controlled foreign corporations, including CFC1. USP and 
CFC1 each use the calendar year as their U.S. taxable year. CFC1 
uses the ``u'' as its functional currency. At all relevant times, 
1u=$1. For its U.S. taxable year ending December 31, 2018, after 
application of the rules in Sec.  1.960-1(d), the income of CFC1 is 
assigned to a single income group: 2,000u of income from the sale of 
goods in a tested income group within the general category (``tested 
income group''). CFC1 has current year taxes, translated into U.S. 
dollars, of $400 that are all allocated and apportioned to the 
tested income group. For its U.S. taxable year ending December 31, 
2018, USP has a GILTI inclusion amount determined by reference to 
all of its controlled foreign corporations, including CFC1, of 
$6,000, and an aggregate amount described in section 951A(c)(1)(A) 
and Sec.  1.951A-1(c)(2)(i) of $10,000. All of the income in CFC1's 
tested income group is included in computing USP's aggregate amount 
described in section 951A(c)(1)(A) and Sec.  1.951A-1(c)(2)(i).
    (B) Analysis. Under paragraph (c)(5) of this section, USP's 
proportionate share of the current year taxes that are allocated and 
apportioned under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to CFC1's tested income 
group is $400 ($400 x 2,000u/2,000u). Therefore, under paragraph 
(c)(4) of this section, the amount of current year taxes properly 
attributable to tested income taken into account by USP under 
section 951A(a) and Sec.  1.951A-1(b) is $400. Under paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section, USP's tested foreign income taxes with 
respect to CFC1 are $400. Under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, 
USP's inclusion percentage is 60% ($6,000/$10,000). Accordingly, 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, USP is deemed to have paid 
$192 of the foreign income taxes of CFC1 (80% x 60% x $400).
     (ii) Example 2: Controlled foreign corporation owned through 
domestic partnership--(A) Facts--(1) US1, a domestic corporation, 
owns 95% of PRS, a domestic partnership. The remaining 5% of PRS is 
owned by US2, a domestic corporation that is unrelated to US1. PRS 
owns all of the stock of CFC1, a controlled foreign corporation. In 
addition, US1 owns all of the stock of CFC2, a controlled foreign 
corporation. US1, US2, PRS, CFC1, and CFC2 all use the calendar year 
as their taxable year. CFC1 and CFC2 both use the ``u'' as their 
functional currency. At all relevant times, 1u=$1. For its U.S. 
taxable year ending December 31, 2018, after application of the 
rules in Sec.  1.960-1(d), the income of CFC1 is assigned to a 
single income group: 300u of income from the sale of goods in a 
tested income group within the general category (``CFC1's tested 
income group''). CFC1 has current year taxes, translated into U.S. 
dollars, of $100 that are all allocated and apportioned to CFC1's 
tested income group. The income of CFC2 is also assigned to a single 
income group: 200u of income from the sale of goods in a tested 
income group within the general category (``CFC2's tested income 
group''). CFC2 has current year taxes, translated into U.S. dollars, 
of $20 that are allocated and apportioned to CFC2's tested income 
group.
    (2) In the same year, US1 is a U.S. shareholder partner with 
respect to CFC1, a partnership CFC, and accordingly, determines its 
GILTI inclusion amount under Sec.  1.951A-5(c), as if US1 owned 
(within the meaning of section 958(a)) 95% of the stock of CFC1. 
Taking into account both CFC1 and CFC2, US1 has a GILTI inclusion 
amount in the general category of $485, and an aggregate amount 
described in section 951A(c)(1)(A) and Sec.  1.951A-1(c)(2)(i) 
within the general category of $485. 285u (95% x 300u) of the income 
in CFC1's tested income group and 200u of the income in CFC2's 
tested income group is included in computing US1's aggregate amount 
described in section 951A(c)(1)(A) and Sec.  1.951A-1(c)(2)(i) 
within the general category. Because US2 is not a U.S. shareholder 
partner with respect to CFC1, US2 does not take into account CFC1's 
tested income in determining its GILTI inclusion amount. However, 
under Sec.  1.951A-5(b)(2), US2 includes in income $15, its 
distributive share of PRS's GILTI inclusion amount.
    (B) Analysis--(1) US1--(i) CFC1. Under paragraph (c)(5) and (6) 
of this section, US1's proportionate share of the current year taxes 
that are allocated and apportioned under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to 
CFC1's tested income group is $95 ($100 x 285u/300u). Therefore, 
under paragraph (c)(4) of this section, the amount of the current 
year taxes properly attributable to tested income taken into account 
by US1 under section 951A(a) and Sec.  1.951A-1(b) is $95. Under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, US1's tested foreign income taxes 
with respect to CFC1 are $95. Under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, US1's inclusion percentage is 100% ($485/$485). 
Accordingly, under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, US1 is deemed 
to have paid $76 of the foreign income taxes of CFC1 (80% x 100% x 
$95).
    (ii) CFC2. Under paragraph (c)(5) of this section, US1's 
proportionate share of the foreign income taxes that are allocated 
and apportioned under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii) to CFC2's tested 
income group is $20 ($20 x 200u/200u). Therefore, under paragraph 
(c)(4) of this section, the amount of foreign income taxes properly 
attributable to tested income taken into account by US1 under 
section 951A(a) and Sec.  1.951A-1(b) is $20. Under paragraph (c)(3) 
of this section, US1's tested foreign income taxes with respect to 
CFC2 are $20. Under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, US1's 
inclusion percentage is 100% ($485/$485). Accordingly, under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, US1 is deemed to have paid $16 of 
the foreign income taxes of CFC2 (80% x 100% x $20).
    (2) US2. US2 is not a United States shareholder of CFC1 or CFC2. 
Accordingly, under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, US2 is not 
deemed to have paid any of the foreign income taxes of CFC1 or CFC2.

0
Par. 24. Section 1.960-3 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1.960-3  Foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 960(b).

    (a) Scope. Paragraph (b) of this section provides rules for 
computing the amount of foreign income taxes deemed paid by a domestic 
corporation that is a United States shareholder of a controlled foreign 
corporation, or by a controlled foreign corporation, under section 
960(b). Paragraph (c) of this section provides rules for the 
establishment and maintenance of PTEP groups within an annual PTEP 
account. Paragraph (d) of this section defines the term PTEP group 
taxes. Paragraph (e) of this section provides examples illustrating the 
application of this section.
    (b) Foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 960(b)--(1) 
Foreign income taxes deemed paid by a domestic corporation with respect 
to a section 959(a) distribution. If a controlled foreign corporation 
makes a distribution to a domestic corporation that is a United States 
shareholder with respect to the controlled foreign corporation and that 
distribution is, in whole or in part, a section 959(a) distribution 
with respect to a PTEP group within a section 904 category, the 
domestic corporation is deemed to have paid the amount of the foreign 
corporation's foreign income taxes that are properly attributable to 
the section 959(a) distribution with respect to the PTEP group and that 
have not been deemed to have been paid by a domestic corporation under 
section 960 for the current taxable year or any prior taxable year. See 
Sec.  1.965-5(c)(1)(iii) for rules disallowing credits in relation to a 
distribution of certain previously taxed earnings and profits resulting 
from the application of section 965. For each section 904 category, the 
domestic corporation is deemed to have paid foreign income taxes equal 
to the sum of the controlled foreign corporation's foreign income taxes 
that are properly attributable to section 959(a) distributions with 
respect to all PTEP groups within the section 904 category. See Sec.  
1.904-6(b)(2) for rules on assigning the foreign income tax to a 
section 904 category.
    (2) Foreign income taxes deemed paid by a controlled foreign 
corporation with respect to a section 959(b) distribution. If a 
controlled foreign corporation (distributing controlled foreign 
corporation) makes a distribution to another controlled foreign 
corporation (recipient controlled foreign corporation) and the 
distribution is, in whole or in part, a section 959(b) distribution 
from a PTEP group within a section 904 category, the recipient 
controlled foreign corporation is

[[Page 63263]]

deemed to have paid the amount of the distributing controlled foreign 
corporation's foreign income taxes that are properly attributable to 
the section 959(b) distribution from the PTEP group and that have not 
been deemed to have been paid by a domestic corporation under section 
960 for the current taxable year or any prior taxable year. See Sec.  
1.904-6(b)(3) for rules on assigning the foreign income tax to a 
section 904 category.
    (3) Properly attributable. The amount of foreign income taxes that 
are properly attributable to a section 959 distribution from a PTEP 
group within a section 904 category equals the domestic corporation's 
or recipient controlled foreign corporation's proportionate share of 
the PTEP group taxes with respect to the PTEP group within the section 
904 category. No other foreign income taxes are considered properly 
attributable to a section 959 distribution.
    (4) Proportionate share. A domestic corporation's or recipient 
controlled foreign corporation's proportionate share of the PTEP group 
taxes with respect to a PTEP group within a section 904 category is 
equal to the total amount of the PTEP group taxes with respect to the 
PTEP group multiplied by a fraction (not to exceed one), the numerator 
of which is the amount of the section 959 distribution from the PTEP 
group, and the denominator of which is the total amount of previously 
taxed earnings and profits in the PTEP group, both determined in the 
functional currency of the controlled foreign corporation. If the 
numerator or denominator of the fraction is zero or less than zero, 
then the proportionate share of the PTEP group taxes with respect to 
the PTEP group is zero.
    (5) Domestic partnerships. For purposes of applying this paragraph 
(b), in the case of a domestic partnership that is a U.S. shareholder 
partnership with respect to a partnership CFC, the distributive share 
of a U.S. shareholder partner of a U.S. shareholder partnership's 
section 959(a) distribution from the partnership CFC is treated as a 
section 959(a) distribution received by the U.S. shareholder partner 
from the partnership CFC.
    (c) Accounting for previously taxed earnings and profits--(1) 
Establishment of annual PTEP account. A separate, annual account 
(annual PTEP account) must be established for the previously taxed 
earnings and profits of the controlled foreign corporation to which 
inclusions under section 951(a) and GILTI inclusion amounts of United 
States shareholders of the CFC are attributable. Each account must 
correspond to the inclusion year of the previously taxed earnings and 
profits and to the section 904 category to which the inclusions under 
section 951(a) or GILTI inclusion amounts were assigned at the level of 
the United States shareholders. Accordingly, a controlled foreign 
corporation may have an annual PTEP account in the section 951A 
category or a treaty category (as defined in Sec.  1.861-13(b)(6)), 
even though income of the controlled foreign corporation that gave rise 
to the previously taxed earnings and profits cannot initially be 
assigned to the section 951A category or a treaty category.
    (2) PTEP groups within an annual PTEP account. The amount in an 
annual PTEP account is further assigned to one or more of the following 
groups of previously taxed earnings and profits (each, a PTEP group) 
within the account:
    (i) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(1)(A) by 
reason of section 951(a)(1)(B) and not by reason of the application of 
section 959(a)(2);
    (ii) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(1)(A) that 
were initially described in section 959(c)(2) by reason of section 
965(a);
    (iii) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(1)(A) that 
were initially described in section 959(c)(2) by reason of section 
965(b)(4)(A);
    (iv) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(1)(A) that 
were initially described in section 959(c)(2) by reason of section 
951A;
    (v) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(1)(A) that 
were initially described in section 959(c)(2) by reason of section 
951(a)(1)(A) (other than as a result of the application of section 
965);
    (vi) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(1)(B);
    (vii) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(2) by reason 
of section 965(a);
    (viii) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(2) by 
reason of section 965(b)(4)(A);
    (ix) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(2) by reason 
of section 951A;
    (x) Earnings and profits described in section 959(c)(2) by reason 
of section 951(a)(1)(A) (other than as a result of the application of 
section 965).
    (3) Accounting for distributions of previously taxed earnings and 
profits. With respect to a recipient controlled foreign corporation 
that receives a section 959(b) distribution, such distribution amount 
is added to the annual PTEP account, and PTEP group within the annual 
PTEP account, that corresponds to the inclusion year and section 904 
category of the annual PTEP account, and PTEP group within the annual 
PTEP account, from which the distributing controlled foreign 
corporation is treated as making the distribution under section 959 and 
the regulations under that section. Similarly, with respect to a 
controlled foreign corporation that makes a section 959 distribution, 
such distribution amount reduces the annual PTEP account, and PTEP 
group within the annual PTEP account, that corresponds to the inclusion 
year and section 904 category of the annual PTEP account, and PTEP 
group within the annual PTEP account, from which the controlled foreign 
corporation is treated as making the distribution under section 959 and 
the regulations under that section. Earnings and profits in a PTEP 
group are reduced by the amount of current year taxes that are 
allocated and apportioned to the PTEP group under Sec.  1.960-
1(d)(3)(ii), and the U.S. dollar amount of the taxes are added to an 
account of PTEP group taxes under the rules in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section.
    (4) Accounting for reclassifications of earnings and profits 
described in section 959(c)(2) to earnings and profits described in 
section 959(c)(1). If an amount of previously taxed earnings and 
profits that is in a PTEP group described in paragraphs (c)(2)(vii) 
through (x) of this section (each, a section 959(c)(2) PTEP group) is 
reclassified as previously taxed earnings and profits described in 
section 959(c)(1) (reclassified previously taxed earnings and profits), 
the section 959(c)(2) PTEP group is reduced by the functional currency 
amount of the reclassified previously taxed earnings and profits. This 
amount is added to the corresponding PTEP group described in paragraphs 
(c)(2)(ii) through (v) of this section (each, a reclassified PTEP 
group) in the same section 904 category and same annual PTEP account as 
the reduced section 959(c)(2) PTEP group.
    (d) PTEP group taxes--(1) In general. The term PTEP group taxes 
means the U.S. dollar amount of foreign income taxes (translated in 
accordance with section 986(a)) that are paid, accrued, or deemed paid 
with respect to an amount in each PTEP group within an annual PTEP 
account. The foreign income taxes that are paid, accrued, or deemed 
paid with respect to a PTEP group within an annual PTEP account of a 
controlled foreign corporation are--
    (i) The sum of--
    (A) The current year taxes paid or accrued by the controlled 
foreign corporation that are allocated and apportioned to the PTEP 
group under Sec.  1.960-1(d)(3)(ii);

[[Page 63264]]

    (B) Foreign income taxes that are deemed paid under section 
960(b)(2) and paragraph (b)(2) of this section by the controlled 
foreign corporation with respect to a section 959(b) distribution 
received by the controlled foreign corporation, the amount of which is 
added to the PTEP group under paragraph (c)(3) of this section; and
    (C) In the case of a reclassified PTEP group of the controlled 
foreign corporation, reclassified PTEP group taxes that are 
attributable to the section 959(c)(2) PTEP group that corresponds to 
the reclassified PTEP group;
    (ii) Reduced by--
    (A) Foreign income taxes that were deemed paid under section 
960(b)(2) and paragraph (b)(2) of this section by another controlled 
foreign corporation that received a section 959(b) distribution from 
the controlled foreign corporation, the amount of which is subtracted 
from the controlled foreign corporation's PTEP group under paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section;
    (B) Foreign income taxes that were deemed paid under section 
960(b)(1) and paragraph (b)(1) of this section by a domestic 
corporation that is a United States shareholder of the controlled 
foreign corporation that received a section 959(a) distribution from 
the controlled foreign corporation, the amount of which is subtracted 
from the controlled foreign corporation's PTEP group under paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section; and
    (C) In the case of a section 959(c)(2) PTEP group of the controlled 
foreign corporation, reclassified PTEP group taxes.
    (2) Reclassified PTEP group taxes. Reclassified PTEP group taxes 
are foreign income taxes that are initially included in PTEP group 
taxes with respect to a section 959(c)(2) PTEP group under paragraph 
(d)(1)(i)(A) or (B) of this section multiplied by a fraction, the 
numerator of which is the portion of the previously taxed earnings and 
profits in the section 959(c)(2) PTEP group that become reclassified 
previously taxed earnings and profits, and the denominator of which is 
the total previously taxed earnings and profits in the section 
959(c)(2) PTEP group.
    (3) Foreign income taxes deemed paid with respect to PTEP groups 
established for pre-2018 inclusion years. Foreign income taxes paid or 
accrued with respect to an annual PTEP account, and a PTEP group within 
such account, that was established for an inclusion year that begins 
before January 1, 2018, are treated as PTEP group taxes of a controlled 
foreign corporation for purposes of this section only if those foreign 
income taxes were--
    (i) Paid or accrued in a taxable year of the controlled foreign 
corporation that began before January 1, 2018;
    (ii) Not included in a controlled foreign corporation's post-1986 
foreign income taxes (as defined in section 902(c)(2) as in effect on 
December 21, 2017) used to compute foreign taxes deemed paid under 
section 902 (as in effect on December 21, 2017) in any taxable year 
that began before January 1, 2018; and
    (iii) Not treated as deemed paid under section 960(a)(3) (as in 
effect on December 21, 2017) by a domestic corporation that was a 
United States shareholder of the controlled foreign corporation.
    (e) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this section.

     (1) Example 1: Establishment of PTEP groups and PTEP accounts--
(i) Facts. USP, a domestic corporation, owns all of the stock of 
CFC1, a controlled foreign corporation. CFC1 owns all of the stock 
of CFC2, a controlled foreign corporation. USP, CFC1, and CFC2 each 
use the calendar year as their U.S. taxable year. CFC1 and CFC2 use 
the ``u'' as their functional currency. At all relevant times, 
1u=$1. With respect to CFC2, USP includes in gross income a subpart 
F inclusion of 1,000,000u=$1,000,000 for the taxable year ending 
December 31, 2018. The inclusion is with respect to passive category 
income. In its U.S. taxable year ending December 31, 2019, CFC2 
distributes 1,000,000u to CFC1. CFC2 has no earnings and profits 
except for the 1,000,000u of previously taxed earnings and profits 
resulting from USP's 2018 taxable year subpart F inclusion. CFC2's 
country of organization, Country X, imposes a withholding tax on 
CFC1 of 300,000u on CFC2's distribution to CFC1. Under Sec.  1.960-
1(d)(3)(ii), CFC1's 300,000u of current year taxes are allocated and 
apportioned to the PTEP group within the annual PTEP account within 
the section 904 category to which the 1,000,000u of previously taxed 
earnings and profits are assigned.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a 
separate annual PTEP account in the passive category for the 2018 
taxable year is established for CFC2 as a result of USP's subpart F 
inclusion. Under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, this account 
contains one PTEP group, which is described in paragraph (c)(2)(x) 
of this section.
    (B) Under paragraph (c)(3) of this section, in the 2019 taxable 
year, the 1,000,000u related to the section 959(b) distribution from 
CFC2 is added to CFC1's annual PTEP account for the 2018 taxable 
year in the passive category and to the PTEP group within such 
account described in paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section. Similarly, 
CFC2's 2018 taxable year annual PTEP account within the passive 
category, and the PTEP group within such account described in 
paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section, is reduced by the amount of the 
1,000,000u section 959(b) distribution to CFC1. Additionally, CFC1's 
annual PTEP account for the 2018 taxable year in the passive 
category, and the PTEP group within such account described in 
paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section, is reduced by the 300,000u of 
withholding taxes imposed on CFC1 by Country X. Therefore, CFC1's 
annual PTEP account for the 2018 taxable year within the passive 
category and the PTEP group within such account described in 
paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section is 700,000u.
    (C) Under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the 300,000u of 
withholding tax is translated into U.S. dollars and $300,000 is 
added to the PTEP group taxes with respect to CFC1's PTEP group 
described in paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section within the annual 
PTEP account for the 2018 taxable year within the passive category.
     (2) Example 2: Foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 
960(b)--(i) Facts. USP, a domestic corporation, owns 100% of the 
stock of CFC1, which in turn owns 60% of the stock of CFC2, which in 
turn owns 100% of the stock of CFC3. USP, CFC1, CFC2, and CFC3 all 
use the calendar year as their U.S. taxable year. CFC1, CFC2, and 
CFC3 all use the ``u'' as their functional currency. At all relevant 
times, 1u=$1. On July 1, 2020, CFC2 distributes 600u to CFC1 and the 
entire distribution is a section 959(b) distribution (``distribution 
1''). On October 1, 2020, CFC1 distributes 800u to USP and the 
entire distribution is a section 959(a) distribution (``distribution 
2''). CFC1 and CFC2 make no other distributions in the year ending 
December 31, 2020, earn no other income, and incur no taxes on 
distribution 1 or distribution 2. Before taking into account 
distribution 1, CFC2 has 1,000u in a PTEP group described in 
paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section within an annual PTEP account 
for the 2016 taxable year within the general category. The 
previously taxed earnings and profits in CFC2's PTEP group relate to 
subpart F income of CFC3 that was included by USP in 2016. CFC3 
distributed the earnings and profits to CFC2 before the 2020 taxable 
year and, solely as a result of the distribution of the previously 
taxed earnings and profits, CFC2 incurred withholding and net basis 
tax, resulting in $150 of PTEP group taxes with respect to the PTEP 
group. Before taking into account distribution 1 and distribution 2, 
CFC1 has 200u in a PTEP group described in paragraph (c)(2)(ix) of 
this section within an annual PTEP account for the 2018 taxable year 
within the section 951A category. The previously taxed earnings and 
profits in CFC1's PTEP group relate to the portion of a GILTI 
inclusion amount that was included by USP in 2018 and allocated to 
CFC2 under section 951A(f)(2) and Sec.  1.951A-6(b)(2). CFC2 
distributed the earnings and profits to CFC1 before the 2020 taxable 
year and, solely as a result of the distribution of the previously 
taxed earnings and profits, CFC1 incurred withholding and net basis 
tax, resulting in $25 of PTEP group taxes with respect to the PTEP 
group.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Foreign income taxes deemed paid by CFC1. 
With respect to distribution 1 from CFC2 to CFC1, under paragraph 
(b)(4) of this section CFC1's proportionate share of PTEP group 
taxes with

[[Page 63265]]

respect to CFC2's PTEP group described in paragraph (c)(2)(x) of 
this section within an annual PTEP account for the 2016 taxable year 
within the general category is $90 ($150 x 600u/1,000u). Under 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the amount of foreign income taxes 
that are properly attributable to distribution 1 is $90. 
Accordingly, under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, CFC1 is deemed 
to have paid $90 of general category foreign income taxes of CFC2 
with respect to its 600u section 959(b) distribution in the general 
category.
    (B) Adjustments to PTEP accounts of CFC1 and CFC2. Under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the 600u related to distribution 1 
is added to CFC1's PTEP group described in paragraph (c)(2)(x) of 
this section within an annual PTEP account for the 2016 taxable year 
within the general category. Similarly, CFC2's PTEP group described 
in paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section within an annual PTEP account 
for the 2016 taxable year within the general category is reduced by 
600u, the amount of the section 959(b) distribution to CFC1. 
Additionally, under paragraph (d) of this section, CFC1's PTEP group 
taxes with respect to its PTEP group described in paragraph 
(c)(2)(x) of this section within an annual PTEP account for the 2016 
taxable year within the general category are increased by $90 and 
CFC2's PTEP group described in paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section 
within an annual PTEP account for the 2016 taxable year within the 
general category are reduced by $90.
    (C) Foreign income taxes deemed paid by USP. With respect to 
distribution 2 from CFC1 to USP, because CFC1 has PTEP groups in 
more than one section 904 category, this section is applied 
separately to each section 904 category (that is, distribution 2 of 
800u is applied separately to the 200u of CFC1's PTEP group 
described in paragraph (c)(2)(ix) of this section and 600u of CFC1's 
PTEP group described in paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section).
    (1) Section 951A category. Under paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section, USP's proportionate share of PTEP group taxes with respect 
to CFC1's PTEP group described in paragraph (c)(2)(ix) of this 
section within an annual PTEP account for the 2018 taxable year 
within the section 951A category is $25 ($25 x 200u/200u). Under 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the amount of foreign income taxes 
within the section 951A category that are properly attributable to 
distribution 2 is $25. Accordingly, under paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section USP is deemed to have paid $25 of section 951A category 
foreign income taxes of CFC1 with respect to its 200u section 959(a) 
distribution in the section 951A category.
    (2) General category. Under paragraph (b)(4) of this section, 
USP's proportionate share of PTEP group taxes with respect to CFC1's 
PTEP group described in paragraph (c)(2)(x) of this section within 
an annual PTEP account for the 2016 taxable year within the general 
category is $90 ($90 x 600u/600u). Under paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section, the amount of foreign income taxes that are properly 
attributable to distribution 2 is $90. Accordingly, under paragraph 
(b)(1), USP is deemed to have paid $90 of general category foreign 
income taxes of CFC1 with respect to its 600u section 959(a) 
distribution in the general category.

0
Par. 25. Section 1.960-4 is amended by:
0
 1. Removing the language ``960(b)(1)'' and adding the language 
``960(c)(1)'' in its place wherever it appears.
0
2. Adding two sentences at the end of paragraph (a)(1).
0
 3. Revising the last sentence of paragraph (d).
    The addition and revision read as follows:


Sec.  1.960-4   Additional foreign tax credit in year of receipt of 
previously taxed earnings and profits.

    (a) * * * (1) * * * For purposes of this section, an amount 
included in gross income under section 951A(a) is treated as an amount 
included in gross income under section 951(a). The amount of the 
increase in the foreign tax credit limitation allowed by this section 
is determined with regard to each separate category of income described 
in Sec.  1.904-5(a)(4)(v).
* * * * *
    (d) * * * For purposes of this paragraph (d), the term ``foreign 
income taxes'' includes foreign income taxes paid or accrued, foreign 
income taxes deemed paid or accrued under section 904(c), and foreign 
income taxes deemed paid under section 960, for the taxable year of 
inclusion.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.960-5   [Amended]

0
Par. 26. Section 1.960-5 is amended by removing the language ``951(a)'' 
and adding the language ``951(a) or 951A(a)'' in its place in paragraph 
(a)(1).


Sec.  1.960-6   [Amended]

0
Par. 27. Section 1.960-6 is amended by removing the language 
``960(b)(1)'' and adding the language ``960(c)(1)'' in its place in 
paragraph (a).
0
Par. 28. Section 1.960-7 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1.960-7  Applicability dates.

    Applicability dates. Sections 1.960-1 through 1.960-6 apply to a 
taxable year of a foreign corporation beginning after December 31, 
2017, and a taxable year of a domestic corporation that is a United 
States shareholder of the foreign corporation in which or with which 
such taxable year of such foreign corporation ends.
0
Par. 29. Section 1.965-5, as proposed to be added at 83 FR 39562 
(August 9, 2018), is amended by adding paragraph (c)(1)(iii) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1.965-5  Allowance of a credit or deduction for foreign income 
taxes.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) Foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 960(b) (as 
applicable to taxable years of controlled foreign corporations 
beginning after December 31, 2017, and to taxable years of United 
States persons in which or with which such taxable years of foreign 
corporations end). No credit is allowed for the applicable percentage 
of foreign income taxes deemed paid under section 960(b) (as in effect 
for a taxable year of a controlled foreign corporation beginning after 
December 31, 2017, and a taxable year of a United States person in 
which or with which such controlled foreign corporation's taxable year 
ends) and Sec.  1.960-3(b)(1) with respect to distributions to the 
domestic corporation of section 965(a) previously taxed earnings and 
profits or section 965(b) previously taxed earnings and profits. The 
foreign income taxes deemed paid under Sec.  1.960-3(b)(1) with respect 
to a distribution to the domestic corporation of section 965(a) 
previously taxed earnings and profits or section 965(b) previously 
taxed earnings and profits is equal to the foreign income taxes 
properly attributable to a distribution from the distributing 
controlled foreign corporation's individual PTEP groups described in 
Sec.  1.960-3(c)(2)(ii), (iii), (vii), or (viii). For purposes of this 
paragraph (c)(1)(iii), the terms ``properly attributable'' and ``PTEP 
group'' have the meanings set forth in Sec.  1.960-3(b)(3) and (c)(2) 
respectively. In addition, foreign income taxes that would have been 
deemed paid under section 960(a)(1) (as in effect on December 21, 2017) 
with respect to the portion of a section 965(a) earnings amount that 
was reduced under Sec.  1.965-1(b)(2) or Sec.  1.965-8(b) are not 
eligible to be deemed paid under section 960(b) and Sec.  1.960-3(b)(1) 
or any other section of the Code.
* * * * *
0
Par. 30. Section 1.965-7, as proposed to be added at 83 FR 39564 
(August 9, 2018), is amended by adding three sentences at the end of 
paragraph (e)(1)(i) and adding paragraph (e)(1)(iv) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.965-7  Elections, payment, and other special rules.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) * * * If the section 965(n) election creates or increases a net 
operating loss under section 172 for the taxable year, then the taxable 
income of the person

[[Page 63266]]

for the taxable year cannot be less than the amount described in 
paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section. The amount of deductions equal to 
the amount by which a net operating loss is created or increased for 
the taxable year by reason of the section 965(n) election (the 
``deferred amount'') is not taken into account in computing taxable 
income or the separate foreign tax credit limitations under section 904 
for that year. The source and separate category (as defined in Sec.  
1.904-5(a)(4)(v)) components of the deferred amount are determined in 
accordance with paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this section.
* * * * *
    (iv) Effect of section 965(n) election--(A) In general. The section 
965(n) election for a taxable year applies solely for purposes of 
determining the amount of net operating loss under section 172 for the 
taxable year and determining the amount of taxable income for the 
taxable year (computed without regard to the deduction allowable under 
section 172) that may be reduced by net operating loss carryovers or 
carrybacks to such taxable year under section 172. Paragraph 
(e)(1)(iv)(B) of this section provides a rule for coordinating the 
section 965(n) election's effect on section 172 with the computation of 
the separate foreign tax credit limitations under section 904.
    (B) Ordering rule for allocation and apportionment of deductions 
for purposes of the section 904 limitation. The effect of a section 
965(n) election with respect to a taxable year on the computation of 
the separate foreign tax credit limitations under section 904 is 
computed as follows and in the following order.
    (1) Deductions that would have been allowed for the taxable year 
but for the section 965(n) election, other than the amount of any net 
operating loss carryover or carryback to that year that is not allowed 
by reason of the section 965(n) election, are allocated and apportioned 
under Sec. Sec.  1.861-8 through 1.861-17 to the relevant statutory and 
residual groupings, taking into account the amount described in 
paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section. The source and separate category 
of the net operating loss carryover or carryback to the taxable year, 
if any, is determined under the rules of Sec.  1.904(g)-3(b), taking 
into account the amount described in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this 
section. If the amount of the net operating loss carryover or carryback 
to the taxable year is reduced by reason of the section 965(n) election 
to an amount less than the U.S. source loss component of the net 
operating loss, the potential carryovers (or carrybacks) of the 
separate limitation losses that are part of the net operating loss are 
proportionately reduced as provided in Sec.  1.904(g)-3(b)(3)(ii).
    (2) If a net operating loss is created or increased for the taxable 
year by reason of the section 965(n) election, the deferred amount (as 
defined in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section) is not allowed as a 
deduction for the taxable year. See paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this 
section. The deferred amount (which is the corresponding addition to 
the net operating loss for the taxable year) comprises a ratable 
portion of the deductions (other than the deduction allowed under 
section 965(c)) allocated and apportioned to each statutory and 
residual grouping under paragraph (e)(1)(iv)(B)(1) of this section. 
Such ratable portion equals the deferred amount multiplied by a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the deductions allocated and 
apportioned to the statutory or residual grouping under paragraph 
(e)(1)(iv)(B)(1) of this section (other than the section 965(c) 
deduction) and the denominator of which is the total deductions (other 
than the section 965(c) deduction) described in paragraph 
(e)(1)(iv)(B)(1) of this section. Accordingly, the fraction described 
in the previous sentence takes into account the deferred amount.
    (3) Taxable income and the separate foreign tax credit limitations 
under section 904 for the taxable year are computed without taking into 
account any deferred amount. Deductions allocated and apportioned to 
the statutory and residual groupings under paragraph (e)(1)(iv)(B)(1)) 
of this section, to the extent deducted in the taxable year rather than 
deferred to create or increase a net operating loss, are combined with 
income in the statutory and residual groupings to which those 
deductions are assigned in order to compute the amount of separate 
limitation income or loss in each separate category and U.S. source 
income or loss for the taxable year. Section 904(b), (f), and (g) are 
then applied to determine the applicable foreign tax credit limitations 
for the taxable year.
* * * * *

Kirsten Wielobob,
 Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2018-26322 Filed 12-4-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P