[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60011-60025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24098]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[REG-131071-18]
RIN 1545-BP20


Eligible Terminated S Corporations

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This notice of proposed rulemaking provides rules regarding 
the definition of an eligible terminated S corporation (ETSC). In 
addition, these proposed regulations provide rules relating to 
distributions of money by an ETSC after the post-termination transition 
period (PTTP). Finally, these proposed regulations revise current 
regulations to extend the treatment of distributions of money during 
the PTTP to all shareholders of the corporation and to update and 
clarify the allocation of current earnings and profits to distributions 
of money and other property. These proposed regulations would affect 
certain C corporations and the shareholders of such corporations.

DATES: Comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by 
December 23, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic submissions via the Federal Rulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov (indicate IRS and REG-131071-18) 
by following the online instructions for submitting comments. The 
Department of the Treasury (Treasury Department) and the IRS will 
publish for public availability any comment received to its public 
docket, whether submitted electronically or in hard copy. Send hard 
copy submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-131071-18), Room 5203, Internal 
Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 
20044. 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-131071-18), 
Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC, 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning proposed regulations 
Sec. Sec.  1.481-5, 1.481-6, 1.1377-2, and 1.1377-3, Margaret Burow or 
Michael Gould at (202) 317-5279; concerning proposed regulations 
Sec. Sec.  1.1371-1 and 1.1371-2, Aglaia Ovtchinnikova at (202) 317-
6975, Kevin M. Jacobs at (202) 317-5332, or Margaret Burow or Michael 
Gould at (202) 317-5279; concerning proposed regulation Sec.  1.316-2, 
Aglaia Ovtchinnikova at (202) 317-6975 or Kevin M. Jacobs at (202) 317-
5332; concerning submissions and the hearing, Regina Johnson at (202) 
317-6901 (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Overview

    This document contains proposed amendments to the Income Tax 
Regulations (26 CFR part 1) under sections 481 and 1377 of the Internal 
Revenue Code (Code) and proposed regulations under section 1371 of the 
Code. Section 13543(a) and (b) of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Public Law 
115-97, 131 Stat. 2054, 2155 (2017) (TCJA), amended the Code to add 
subsection (d) to section 481, and subsection (f) to section 1371. Both 
section 481(d) and section 1371(f) are effective as of December 22, 
2017.

II. Summary of PTTP and ETSC Period

    Generally, a distribution by a C corporation to its shareholders 
with respect to their stock ownership is treated as a taxable dividend 
to the extent of the corporation's earnings and profits. See sections 
301(c) and 316(a). However, following the termination of an S 
corporation's election made under section 1362 (S election), section 
1371(e) allows shareholders of the

[[Page 60012]]

resulting C corporation to benefit from the corporation's former status 
as an S corporation with respect to distributions of money during the 
corporation's PTTP, which is generally the one-year period after the S 
election terminates. Specifically, during the PTTP, a distribution of 
money by the C corporation is characterized as a distribution from the 
corporation's accumulated adjustments account (AAA), as defined in 
Sec.  1.1368-2(a)(1). The receipt of such a distribution is tax-free to 
the extent of the recipient's basis in its stock with respect to which 
it received the distribution, and is taxed as gain from the sale of 
property to the extent the distribution exceeds the recipient's basis 
in that stock. If the corporation exhausts its AAA during the PTTP, 
then subsequent distributions are subject to treatment under section 
301. Without section 1371(e), shareholders of the former S corporation 
would be precluded from receiving distributions allocable to AAA.
    Section 1371(f) extends the period during which the shareholders of 
a C corporation can benefit from AAA generated during such 
corporation's former status as an S corporation (ETSC period) by 
allowing a C corporation's distribution of money to which section 301 
would otherwise apply (qualified distribution) to be sourced, in whole 
or in part, from AAA. Specifically, section 1371(f) provides that (i) 
the distributing ETSC's AAA is allocated to a qualified distribution, 
and (ii) the qualified distribution is chargeable to accumulated 
earnings and profits (AE&P), in the same ratio as the amount of such 
AAA bears to the amount of such AE&P (clauses (i) and (ii), 
collectively, ETSC proration). In enacting section 1371(f), Congress 
determined that ``it is important to provide rules to ease the 
transition from S corporation to C corporation for the affected 
taxpayers'' because, based on TCJA revisions to the Code, ``taxpayers 
that previously elected to be taxed as S corporations may prefer 
instead to be taxed as C corporations.'' H. Rept. 115-409, at 245 115th 
Cong. 1st Sess., (Nov. 14, 2017) (House Report).

Explanation of Provisions

I. Requirements To Qualify for Section 1371(f) Treatment

    If a C corporation satisfies the ETSC qualification requirements, 
section 1371(f) provides special treatment for qualified distributions 
made by an ETSC during the ETSC period, which begins with the 
expiration of the PTTP and ends when the corporation exhausts its AAA.
A. ETSC Qualification Requirements
1. In General
    In order for section 1371(f) to apply, the distributing corporation 
must be an ETSC. In conjunction with the enactment of section 1371(f), 
Congress enacted section 481(d), which includes the definition of an 
ETSC. Specifically, a C corporation qualifies as an ETSC if the 
following three requirements are satisfied. First, the corporation was 
an S corporation on December 21, 2017. Second, during the two-year 
period beginning on December 22, 2017, the S corporation revoked its S 
election (revocation requirement). Third, the owners of the stock of 
the corporation are the same owners (and in identical proportions) on 
December 22, 2017, and the date that the corporation made a revocation 
of its S election (shareholder identity requirement).
2. Revocation Requirement
    In contrast to the PTTP, which applies regardless of how an S 
corporation's election terminates, section 1371(f) applies only if the 
S election is revoked (section 1362(d)(1)), which, under section 
1362(d)(1)(B), requires the consent of shareholders holding more than 
50 percent of the corporation's shares in the aggregate. Section 
1362(d)(1) and its underlying regulations provide the sole means for an 
S corporation to revoke its S election. Pursuant to Sec.  1.1362-
6(a)(3), a valid revocation requires an S corporation to submit a 
written statement that the corporation revokes its S election. That 
revocation statement must set forth the number of shares of stock 
(including non-voting stock) issued and outstanding at the time of the 
revocation and must be accompanied by a separate written statement of 
shareholder consent. See Sec.  1.1362-6(a)(3)(i), (b).
    Generally, a revocation made on or before the 15th day of the third 
month of a taxable year is effective on the first day of that year, and 
an election made after that date is effective on the first day of the 
following taxable year. See section 1362(d)(1)(C) and Sec.  1.1362-
2(a)(2)(i). However, if the revocation specifies a date for revocation 
that is on or after the day on which the revocation is made, the 
revocation becomes effective on that specified date. See section 
1362(d)(1)(D) and Sec.  1.1362-2(a)(2)(ii). Therefore, under the 
proposed regulations, the revocation requirement would be satisfied if 
the revocation of an S election is validly made during the two-year 
period beginning on December 22, 2017, even if the effective date for 
the revocation occurs after the conclusion of that two-period.
3. Shareholder Identity Requirement
    For a former S corporation to qualify as an ETSC, the owners of its 
stock must be the same owners (and in identical proportions) on the 
following two dates: (1) December 22, 2017, and (2) the date on which 
the S corporation made a revocation of its S election. However, certain 
events should not affect the shareholder identity requirement because 
such events would not change in substance the identity of the subject 
shareholder. Specifically, these proposed regulations identify five 
categories of stock transfers that do not result in an ownership change 
for purposes of section 481(d)(2)(B): (1) Transfers of stock between a 
shareholder and that shareholder's trust treated as wholly owned by 
that shareholder under subpart E of subchapter J of chapter 1; (2) 
transfers of stock between a shareholder and an entity owned by the 
shareholder that is disregarded as separate from its owner under Sec.  
301.7701-2(c)(2)(i) of the Procedure and Administration Regulations; 
(3) an election by a shareholder trust to be treated as part of a 
decedent's estate under section 645 or the termination of an election 
under that section; (4) a change in the status of a shareholder trust 
from one type of eligible S corporation shareholder trust described in 
section 1361(c)(2)(A) to another type of eligible S corporation 
shareholder trust; and (5) a transaction that includes more than one of 
the events described in (1) through (4).
    While specifying transaction categories provides certainty to 
taxpayers, the Treasury Department and the IRS request comments 
regarding whether a principle-based rule would be more effective, as 
well as suggestions as to the rule's proposed operative language.
B. Requirement for Corporation to Have AAA
    Section 1371(f) provides that AAA is allocated to a qualified 
distribution based on the ratio of AAA to AE&P. Thus, if an ETSC has no 
AAA, section 1371(f) has no application. In addition, as evidenced by 
the fact that Congress enacted section 1371(f) to ease the transition 
from S corporation status to C corporation status, the ETSC period is 
intended to be transitory in nature. Consequently, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS have determined that such a transition would 
naturally conclude once the C corporation's AAA balance reaches zero. 
In other words, an ETSC has an ETSC period only if the ETSC

[[Page 60013]]

has a AAA balance greater than zero at the end of its PTTP, and the 
ETSC period ends immediately after the qualified distribution that 
causes the C corporation's AAA balance to reach zero.
C. Conclusion of PTTP; Multiple PTTPs
    Section 1377(b)(1) provides that a PTTP occurs in the following 
three circumstances. First, a PTTP may occur during the period starting 
on the day after the last day of the corporation's last taxable year as 
an S corporation and ending on the later of (i) the day that is one 
year later or (ii) the due date for filing the return for such last 
year as an S corporation (including extensions). Second, a PTTP may 
occur during the 120-day period beginning on the date of any 
determination pursuant to an audit of a taxpayer that follows the 
termination of the corporation's election and adjusts a subchapter S 
item that arose during the S period (intervening audit PTTP). Third, a 
PTTP may occur during the 120-day period beginning on the date of a 
determination that the corporation's election under section 1362(a) had 
terminated for a previous taxable year.
    Section 1371(f) applies to certain distributions ``after the post-
termination transition period.'' The Treasury Department and the IRS 
received a comment regarding intervening audit PTTPs and, accordingly, 
considered whether the ETSC period continues following an intervening 
audit PTTP that occurs during the ETSC period. Based on the overall 
purpose of these proposed regulations to ease the transition from S 
corporation status to C corporation status, the Treasury Department and 
the IRS have determined that the ETSC period should resume immediately 
following the conclusion of an intervening audit PTTP, if the ETSC 
continues to have a AAA balance greater than zero.

II. Mechanics of Section 1371(f)

A. Shareholders Eligible To Receive Qualified Distributions
    By its terms, section 1371(f) does not require the recipients of 
qualified distributions to have been shareholders of the S corporation 
at the time of revocation, and no part of the House Report indicates a 
Congressional intent to impose such a limitation (no-newcomer rule) on 
such distributions. The Treasury Department and the IRS received a 
comment requesting guidance to clarify which shareholders are eligible 
to receive distributions from a corporation's AAA during the ETSC 
period. A no-newcomer rule would be inconsistent with Congressional 
intent to ease the transition of former S corporations to full C 
corporation status because such a no-newcomer rule would impede an 
ETSC's ability to exhaust its AAA. A no-newcomer rule also would impose 
an administrative burden on ETSCs and create complexity by requiring 
ETSCs to report distributions disparately depending on the recipient. 
See House Report at 245. Additionally, a rule allowing newcomers would 
be more consistent with treating the AAA as a corporate-level account.
    In the absence of a no-newcomer rule, shareholders that were 
shareholders on the date that the corporation's S election revocation 
was made would continue to receive qualified distributions, whether or 
not there are new shareholders or changes in the historical S 
corporation shareholders' proportionate interests on or after such 
date. Moreover, new shareholders, whether eligible S corporation 
shareholders or not, that acquire stock of an ETSC on or after the date 
that the revocation was made may receive qualified distributions, all 
or a portion of which may be sourced from AAA. Such outcomes would best 
implement the plain language of section 1371(f) and the policy 
objective of easing the transition of affected taxpayers from S 
corporation status to C corporation status. Accordingly, these proposed 
regulations do not impose a no-newcomer rule with respect to the ETSC 
period.
B. Implementation of ETSC Proration
    As discussed in Part II of the Background, section 1371(f) provides 
that (i) the distributing ETSC's AAA is allocated to a qualified 
distribution, and (ii) such qualified distribution is chargeable to the 
ETSC's AE&P, based on the ETSC proration. These proposed regulations 
would implement this provision in a manner designed to facilitate the 
ETSC's prompt distribution of AAA and full transition to C corporation 
status, and thereby ``ease the transition from S corporation to C 
corporation for the affected taxpayers.'' House Report at 245. Grounded 
in that policy, these proposed regulations (i) specify the time at 
which amounts of AAA and AE&P are determined for purposes of the ETSC 
proration, (ii) clarify the AAA and AE&P ratios used to implement the 
ETSC proration, and (iii) describe in detail the method of 
characterizing qualified distributions.
1. When To Determine the Amounts of AAA and AE&P for Purposes of ETSC 
Proration
    The Treasury Department and the IRS considered when to measure the 
AAA and AE&P for purposes of the ETSC proration. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS considered a ``Snapshot Approach,'' under which 
the amounts of AAA and AE&P would be determined on a specified date 
(historical AAA and historical AE&P, respectively), resulting in the 
same ETSC proration being applied to all qualified distributions. The 
Treasury Department and the IRS also considered a ``Dynamic Approach,'' 
under which the amounts of AAA and AE&P would be recalculated before 
each qualified distribution.
    These proposed regulations adopt the Snapshot Approach, with a 
special additional rule to facilitate distributions of AAA when the 
ETSC's historical AE&P has been exhausted and the ETSC still has AAA. 
See Part II.C.1 of this Explanation of Provisions. The Snapshot 
Approach would provide affected taxpayers with an easier transition to 
full subchapter C status. Under this approach, ETSCs generally would be 
required to calculate AAA and AE&P for purposes of the ETSC proration 
only once, as opposed to numerous times under the Dynamic Approach. 
Also, the Dynamic Approach could significantly delay shareholder access 
to the ETSC's AAA. While the amount of an ETSC's AAA could never 
increase during the ETSC period (other than by reason of a 
redetermination of AAA), such ETSC's AE&P would increase as the amount 
of any undistributed current earnings and profits is carried forward to 
the next taxable year.
    For the Snapshot Approach, the Treasury Department and the IRS 
considered two possible determination dates: (1) The beginning of the 
day for which the revocation of an election under section 1362(a) is 
effective pursuant to section 1362(d)(1), and (2) immediately after the 
end of the PTTP. Under these proposed regulations, the determination 
date would be the beginning of the day on which the revocation of an 
election under section 1362(a) is effective. Determining the amount of 
AAA on this date, which can be readily achieved by referencing the 
ETSC's final Form 1120S, would avoid the complexity of determining the 
proper amount of historical AAA in the event of an intervening audit 
PTTP for distributions made after the initial PTTP and before the 
intervening audit PTTP. In addition, the ETSC and its shareholders 
would have greater

[[Page 60014]]

certainty during the PTTP as to the tax characterization of 
distributions to be made during the ETSC period under this approach. 
Reference to this determination date also would facilitate the receipt 
of AAA by the ETSC's shareholders as quickly as possible by maximizing 
the amount of AAA factored into the ETSC proration. Since S 
corporations with no subchapter C history will have no AE&P as of the 
beginning of the effective date of the revocation, using this 
determination date also would minimize the AE&P that is factored into 
the ETSC proration, as compared to determining AE&P immediately after 
the end of the PTTP. As a result, the use of this determination date 
would facilitate the corporation's transition to full subchapter C 
status.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments regarding the 
proposed regulations' adoption of the Snapshot Approach, in particular 
with respect to the timing of determining an ETSC's historical AAA and 
historical AE&P amounts, and whether such amounts should be adjusted by 
certain transactions, as well as any potential alternative approaches 
for computing the ETSC proration. For example, the Treasury Department 
and the IRS acknowledge that not all ETSCs may favor the approach with 
respect to timing that these proposed regulations adopt. In particular, 
an ETSC that makes no distributions of AAA and operates at a loss 
during its PTTP may prefer to determine its AAA and AE&P ratios 
immediately after the end of the PTTP. Determining the ratios on this 
later date would result in a lower historical AE&P amount, and 
therefore the percentage of the qualified distribution that could be 
characterized as a distribution of AAA would be greater when compared 
to the approach adopted by these proposed regulations.
2. ETSC Proration Based on Ratios Composed of Historical AAA and 
Historical AE&P
    Section 1371(f) provides that AAA is allocated to a qualified 
distribution, and such distribution is chargeable to AE&P, in the same 
ratio as the amount of such AAA bears to the amount of such AE&P. 
Therefore, section 1371(f) requires an allocation of two distinct pools 
of an ETSC's historical earnings with respect to a qualified 
distribution (that is, AAA and AE&P). In order to clarify the 
calculation of AAA and AE&P allocated to qualified distributions, these 
proposed regulations provide two ratios for purposes of characterizing 
the portion of a qualified distribution that is sourced from AAA (AAA 
ratio) and from AE&P (AE&P ratio).
    The numerator and denominator of the AAA ratio and the AE&P ratio 
are comprised of two factors: The ETSC's historical AAA and its 
historical AE&P. An ETSC's AAA ratio would be the fraction of which the 
numerator is its historical AAA, and the denominator is the sum of its 
historical AAA and its historical AE&P. An ETSC's AE&P ratio would be 
the fraction of which the numerator is its historical AE&P, and the 
denominator is the sum of its historical AAA and its historical AE&P. 
Generally, the amount of a qualified distribution sourced from AAA 
would be determined by multiplying the amount of the qualified 
distribution by the ETSC's AAA ratio. A parallel computation would be 
undertaken to determine the amount that is sourced from AE&P. Part II.C 
of this Explanation of Provisions describes the rules relating to the 
application of the ETSC proration to qualified distributions in greater 
detail.
3. Coordinating ETSC Proration With Sections 301 and 316
    In constructing the mechanics of the ETSC proration, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS sought to harmonize the rules set forth in 
section 1371(f) with the general section 301(c) characterization and 
section 316 allocation rules that govern distributions by a C 
corporation with respect to its stock. Generally, a distribution by a C 
corporation with respect to its stock is characterized as a dividend 
(as defined in section 316), then as a return of stock basis, and 
finally any remaining amount as gain from the sale or exchange of 
property. See sections 301(a) and (c). In defining a dividend, section 
316 provides that ``every distribution is made out of earnings and 
profits to the extent thereof, and from the most recently accumulated 
earnings and profits.'' Section 316(a)(2) (flush language). Section 
1.316-2(a) provides that ``[i]n determining the source of a 
distribution, consideration should be given first[] to the earnings and 
profits of the taxable year . . . .'' Section 1.316-2(b) further 
provides that, if distributions during the taxable year consist only of 
money and exceed the amount of the C corporation's current earnings and 
profits (CE&P) for the taxable year, CE&P is allocated proportionately 
to such distributions, while AE&P is allocated on a ``first-come-first-
served'' basis.
    Section 1371(f), however, provides special rules with respect to 
qualified distributions that depart from the general section 301(c) 
characterization and section 316 allocation rules. From the perspective 
of sections 301 and 316, 1371(f) is thus an exception to those 
provisions. See section 301(a) (providing an exception for provisions 
contained in chapter 1 of subtitle A of title 26 of the Code); section 
316(a) (providing an exception for provisions contained in subtitle A 
of title 26 of the Code). Specifically, section 1371(f) provides that, 
instead of characterizing a qualified distribution as a dividend as 
defined in section 316, first AAA ``shall be allocated to such 
[qualified] distribution, and the [qualified] distribution shall be 
chargeable to [AE&P], in the same ratio as the amount of such [AAA] 
bears to the amount of such [AE&P].'' The allocation of AAA ahead of 
CE&P, and the allocation of AE&P to a distribution ahead of CE&P, 
depart from the general characterization rules of section 301 and the 
general section 316 allocation rules
    The Treasury Department and the IRS are aware that this special 
AE&P allocation rule could impact the normal allocation of AE&P, as 
well as CE&P, to non-qualified distributions by an ETSC, if an ETSC 
makes non-qualified and qualified distributions during the same taxable 
year. For example, the following could result when an ETSC makes a non-
qualified distribution followed by a qualified distribution during its 
taxable year. First, the non-qualified distribution could be allocated 
an amount of AE&P less than the amount that otherwise would be required 
under the general section 316 allocation rules, because section 1371(f) 
would require that a portion of the ETSC's AE&P be allocated instead to 
the ``later-in-time'' qualified distribution. Second, because section 
1371(f) would cause the ``earlier-in-time'' non-qualified distribution 
to be allocated a reduced amount of AE&P, the non-qualified 
distribution could be characterized differently than it otherwise would 
have been characterized absent section 1371(f) (that is, a 
characterization described in section 301(c)(2) or section 301(c)(3), 
rather than section 301(c)(1)).
    With regard to the predictable impacts on the treatment and 
characterization of non-qualified distributions that result from 
Congress' specific inclusion of AE&P in section 1371(f)'s AAA 
allocation methodology, the Treasury Department and the IRS have 
determined that the exceptions set forth in sections 301(a) and 316(a) 
naturally extend to such consequences as well. Based on the language of 
these Code sections, as well as Congress' objective to ease affected 
taxpayers' transition from S corporation status to C corporation 
status, the proposed regulations provide a special sourcing rule 
(Section 1371(f) Priority Rule) for

[[Page 60015]]

qualified distributions, as described in detail in Part II.C of this 
Explanation of Provisions.
C. Character and Effect of Distributions During the ETSC Period
    The Section 1371(f) Priority Rule essentially provides that, during 
the ETSC period, the rules of the ETSC proration under section 1371(f) 
apply before the rules of section 301 and 316. Thus, under the Section 
1371(f) Priority rule, the ETSC proration first applies to qualified 
distributions during the taxable year. Then, the rules of section 301 
and 316, as incorporated into the Section 1371(f) Priority Rule, apply 
to any non-qualified distributions as well as to any qualified 
distributions or portions thereof that are not fully accounted for by 
the ETSC proration (i.e., because the corporation's AAA or AE&P are 
exhausted during the year).
    The Treasury Department and the IRS acknowledge that the 
application of the Section 1371(f) Priority Rule, as set forth in these 
proposed regulations, departs from the allocation and characterization 
rules under sections 301 and 316 with which taxpayers and practitioners 
are familiar. The departure is greatest when an ETSC has both 
historical AAA and historical AE&P and makes both qualified and non-
qualified distributions during the same taxable year. For ETSCs with 
historical AAA but no historical AE&P, which the Treasury Department 
and the IRS believe will be the most common situation, the departure is 
less significant and is the same as the departure that section 1371(e) 
requires for distributions of AAA during the PTTP. Immediately 
following the end of the taxable year in which the ETSC period ends, 
which occurs when the ETSC's AAA balance is reduced to zero, the normal 
rules of section 301 and section 316 apply as usual to all 
distributions. These proposed regulations are expected to generally 
reduce the length of the ETSC period and thus reduce the time during 
which the departure from the normal rules of sections 301 and 316 
occurs.
    The following summary provides a reference to taxpayers and 
practitioners for applying the Section 1371(f) Priority Rule to 
qualified and non-qualified distributions made during the taxable years 
of the ETSC period, including the taxable year in which the ETSC period 
ends.
1. Determination of the AAA Ratio and the AE&P Ratio
    The Section 1371(f) Priority Rule applies the ETSC proration to 
each qualified distribution. To determine the ETSC proration, the AAA 
ratio and the AE&P ratio must first be calculated. An ETSC's AAA ratio 
is the fraction of which the numerator is its historical AAA and the 
denominator is the sum of its historical AAA and historical AE&P. 
Likewise, an ETSC's AE&P ratio is the fraction of which the numerator 
is its historical AE&P, and the denominator is the sum of its 
historical AAA and historical AE&P.
    In general, the AAA ratio and the AE&P ratio do not change over the 
course of the ETSC period. However, if the application of the AE&P 
ratio to a qualified distribution reduces the ETSC's AE&P to zero, and 
the ETSC's historical AAA has not been exhausted, then the AAA ratio is 
one and the AE&P ratio is zero for the remainder of the year and all 
subsequent taxable years of the ETSC period. Additionally, if the 
ETSC's AE&P (which includes its historical AE&P) is less than or equal 
to zero as of the beginning of a taxable year (for example, due to non-
qualified distributions or losses incurred during the prior taxable 
year) and the ETSC's historical AAA has not been exhausted, then the 
AAA ratio is one and the AE&P ratio is zero for the year and all 
subsequent taxable years of the ETSC period. These mechanics are 
responsive to the exhaustion of the ETSC's historical AE&P, and 
therefore accelerate the distribution of AAA by permitting the entirety 
of all subsequent qualified distributions to be sourced from the ETSC's 
AAA.
2. Identification of Qualified and Non-Qualified Distributions During 
Taxable Year
    Application of the Section 1371(f) Priority Rule depends, in part, 
upon whether a distribution by an ETSC is a qualified or non-qualified 
distribution. As a result, for each taxable year of an ETSC, each 
distribution must be characterized as a qualified distribution or a 
non-qualified distribution before determining the characterization of 
such distribution under the Section 1371(f) Priority Rule.
3. Characterization and Consequences of Qualified Distributions
    For each taxable year of the ETSC period, including the taxable 
year in which the ETSC period ends, the characterization of each 
qualified distribution must be determined prior to the characterization 
of each non-qualified distribution. The portion of a qualified 
distribution that is sourced from AAA is equal to the lesser of (i) the 
product of the qualified distribution and the AAA ratio, and (ii) the 
ETSC's AAA immediately before the qualified distribution. Such AAA-
sourced portion of the qualified distribution reduces both the ETSC's 
AAA and the shareholder's adjusted stock basis, applying the principles 
of section 301(c)(2). If the amount of that AAA-sourced portion exceeds 
the shareholder's stock basis, the excess is treated as gain from the 
sale or exchange of property, regardless of whether the corporation has 
CE&P or AE&P available. If the amount sourced from AAA equals the 
balance of the ETSC's AAA before the qualified distribution, all 
subsequent distributions by the ETSC are treated in the manner provided 
in section 301(c). If the amount sourced from AAA is less than that 
balance, then any remaining AAA is available to be allocated to later 
qualified distributions during the taxable year. If any AAA remains 
after all qualified distributions for the taxable year have been 
accounted for, it is carried forward to the next taxable year of the 
ETSC.
    The portion of a qualified distribution that is charged to AE&P is 
equal to the lesser of (i) the product of the qualified distribution 
and the AE&P ratio, and (ii) the ETSC's AE&P immediately before the 
qualified distribution. The ETSC's AE&P is reduced by the charged 
amount in accordance with section 312(a)(1). The ETSC's AE&P is reduced 
by the portion of the qualified distribution chargeable to AE&P prior 
to the application of the rules of sections 301 and 316, as 
incorporated into the Section 1371(f) Priority Rule, to any non-
qualified distribution, regardless of whether the non-qualified 
distribution occurred prior to the qualified distribution. The amount 
of the qualified distribution that is charged to the ETSC's AE&P is 
included in the gross income of the shareholder as a dividend under 
section 301(c)(1).
4. Application of ETSC Proration to Excess Qualified Distributions
    Any portion of a qualified distribution that is not initially 
accounted for by the ETSC proration is referred to as an ``excess 
qualified distribution.'' An excess qualified distribution arises when 
the ETSC no longer has AAA, AE&P, or both after initially applying the 
ETSC proration. If the initial application of the ETSC proration to a 
qualified distribution does not fully account for the amount of the 
distribution and the ETSC continues to have AAA, the Section 1371(f) 
Priority Rule requires that the ETSC proration be reapplied to the 
excess qualified distribution as if the excess qualified distribution 
were a separate qualified distribution using a AAA ratio of one

[[Page 60016]]

and an AE&P ratio of zero. See Part II.C.1 of this Explanation of 
Provisions.
5. Characterization and Consequences of Non-Qualified Distributions and 
Excess Qualified Distributions
    The Section 1371(f) Priority Rule requires non-qualified 
distributions and excess qualified distributions (to the extent not 
characterized as a distribution of AAA) to be treated in the manner 
described in section 301(c). The Section 1371(f) Priority Rule requires 
that such treatment take into account the treatment of each non-
qualified distribution and each excess qualified distribution made by 
the ETSC during the same taxable year.
6. Requests for Comments
    The Treasury Department and the IRS evaluated several other 
approaches to implementing section 1371(f) and the rules that would be 
needed to coordinate those approaches with the rules of sections 301 
and 316 before settling on the approach adopted in the Section 1371(f) 
Priority Rule. The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments 
regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the Section 1371(f) 
Priority Rule as well as other proposals that would help ease the 
transition of S corporation status to C corporation status. The 
Treasury Department and the IRS also request comments regarding the 
effect of section 381(a) transactions in which an ETSC is either the 
transferor or the acquiring corporation (including certain triangular 
acquisitions) as well as the effect of an ETSC electing to file a 
consolidated return or joining a consolidated group. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS further request comments on the effect of 
subchapter C transactions (including section 302(a) redemptions, 
section 355 transactions, and section 368 reorganizations) and the 
effect of a deemed distribution (including forgiveness of shareholder 
debt) on the ETSC's AAA balance.

III. Amendment of Sec.  1.316-2 To Clarify Allocation of CE&P to Non-
Cash Distributions

    Section 316(a) provides that a dividend is a distribution of 
property made by a corporation to its shareholders out of its CE&P or 
AE&P, or both. Pursuant to Sec.  1.316-2(a), in determining the source 
of a distribution under section 316(a), a corporation must first source 
the distribution from its CE&P before sourcing such distribution from 
AE&P. If the corporation's CE&P is sufficient to cover ``all the 
distributions'' made during the taxable year, then the entirety of each 
distribution is taxable as a dividend pursuant to the first sentence of 
Sec.  1.316-2(b). If a corporation's distributions during the taxable 
year consist ``only of money'' and exceed CE&P, each distribution is 
allocated its ratable share of CE&P pursuant to the second sentence of 
Sec.  1.316-2(b).
    The reference to distributions that ``consist only of money'' has 
been in the second sentence of Sec.  1.316-2(b) since that regulation 
was adopted in 1955. Section 1.316-2 was adopted shortly after the 
enactment of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (1954 Code), which 
contained several provisions relating to distributions of noncash 
property. A number of these provisions have since changed. In 
particular, section 311 of the 1954 Code provided that a distributing 
corporation generally did not recognize any gain or loss on the 
distribution of noncash property, and section 312 of the 1954 Code 
provided that the distributing corporation generally reduced its 
earnings and profits by the adjusted basis of the property distributed. 
At the same time, section 301(b) of the 1954 Code provided that the 
amount of a distribution of noncash property to a shareholder depended 
on the type of shareholder. Individual shareholders were treated as 
receiving a distribution equal to the fair market value of the 
property, while corporate shareholders were generally treated as 
receiving a distribution equal to the lesser of the property's fair 
market value or the distributing corporation's adjusted basis in the 
asset distributed. In light of these provisions, the 1955 promulgation 
of Sec.  1.316-2 illustrated the consequences of the allocation of CE&P 
in the simplest fact pattern--when the distributions consist only of 
money.
    Under current law, however, a distributing corporation recognizes 
gain on a section 301 distribution of appreciated noncash property. See 
section 311. The amount of a distribution of noncash property for 
purposes of shareholder taxation equals the property's fair market 
value, irrespective of whether the shareholder is an individual or a 
corporation. Additionally, section 316(a)(2) makes no distinction 
between distributions in cash and distributions of other property under 
section 301. Section 317(a), which section 301 cross-references for 
purposes of defining property, includes money, securities, and any 
other property, except a distributing corporation's own stock. 
Accordingly, the Treasury Department and the IRS do not believe that 
the language in the second sentence of Sec.  1.316-2(b) should be 
interpreted as implying that under current law the application of the 
pro rata allocation rule for CE&P is limited to distributions made only 
in money. Cf. GCM 36138 (Jan. 15, 1975) (noting that ``[section] 
316(a)(2) makes no qualitative distinction between distributions in 
cash and other distributions of property under [section] 301,'' and 
``[t]hus, there is no basis under [section] 316(a)(2) for limiting the 
application of the rules under [Sec.  ]1.316-2(b) to distributions made 
solely in money''). Therefore, in order to clarify that the pro rata 
allocation of CE&P applies to all section 301 distributions made during 
the taxable year, whether in cash or in kind, the proposed regulations 
would remove the words ``consist only of money and'' from the second 
sentence of paragraph (b).

IV. Amendment of Sec.  1.1377-2 To Allow for New Shareholders During 
the PTTP

    The last sentence of Sec.  1.1377-2(b) limits the special treatment 
provided under section 1371(e)(1) (that is, the PTTP) solely to those 
shareholders who were shareholders of the S corporation at the time of 
termination or revocation of its S election. Because the rules 
pertaining to the PTTP and to the ETSC period serve the similar 
objective of easing the transition from S corporation status to C 
corporation status, the Treasury Department and the IRS have determined 
that these rules regarding newcomers should be consistent. Therefore, 
based on the rationale for rejecting a no-newcomer rule for the ETSC 
period, as set forth in Part II.A of this Explanation of Provisions, 
the Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that a no-newcomer 
rule should also not apply to the PTTP. The Treasury Department and the 
IRS request comments regarding this determination.

Proposed Applicability Dates

    The regulations are proposed to apply to taxable years beginning 
after the date of publication of the Treasury decision adopting these 
regulations as final regulations in the Federal Register. However, the 
proposed regulations provide corporations with the option to apply the 
final rules in Sec. Sec.  1.316-2, 1.481-5, 1.1371-1, 1.1371-2, and 
1.1377-2 in their entirety, to the extent applicable, to taxable years 
that began on or before the date of publication of a Treasury decision 
adopting these rules as final regulations in the Federal Register and 
with respect to which the period described in section 6511(a) has not 
expired. If the corporation makes the choice described in the previous 
sentence, all shareholders of the corporation must report consistently.

[[Page 60017]]

Special Analyses

    This regulation is not subject to review under section 6(b) of 
Executive Order 12866 pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement (April 
11, 2018) between the Treasury Department and the Office of Management 
and Budget regarding review of tax regulations.

I. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), it 
is hereby certified that these proposed regulations under sections 
481(d), 1371(f), and 1377 of the Code 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. 
Notwithstanding this certification, the Treasury Department and the IRS 
invite comments on the impact that these proposed regulations would 
have on small entities.
    These proposed regulations generally affect corporations, and their 
shareholders, that convert from being taxed as an S corporation to 
being taxed as a C corporation. The Treasury Department and the IRS 
acknowledge that there is a substantial number of small entities that 
are S corporations that could convert to being taxed as a C 
corporation. According to the 2013 Corporate Income Tax Returns 
Complete Report (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/13coccr.pdf), 
approximately 83 percent of S corporations had gross receipts under 
$1,000,000. However, the proposed regulations under section 1371(f) are 
limited to corporations that:
    (i) Revoke their S elections;
    (ii) Make their revocations during a specified two-year period 
beginning on December 22, 2017;
    (iii) Have positive AAA at the conclusion of their PTTP; and
    (iv) Have the same shareholders (and in identical proportions) on 
December 22, 2017, and the date the S election revocation is made 
(shareholder identity requirement).
    Because these proposed regulations apply only to those S 
corporations that satisfy the criteria above, only a small subset of S 
corporations will be affected.
    The U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Data 
Book 2018 (Data Book) (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/18databk.pdf) 
reports that the IRS received approximately 5.1 million S corporation 
income tax returns in 2018. According to the Compliance Data Warehouse 
(CDW), between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018, 4,850 S 
corporations terminated their S elections. Of the 4,850 terminated S 
corporations:
    (i) 286 corporations had more than $35 million in gross receipts;
    (ii) 81 corporations had between $25-$35 million in gross receipts;
    (iii) 161 corporations had between $15-$25 million in gross 
receipts; and
    (iv) 3,011 corporations had less than $15 million, but at least $1 
in gross receipts.
    In addition, of those 4,850 terminated S corporations:
    (i) 694 corporations reported no gross receipts; and
    (ii) The remaining 617 did not file a final return after 
terminating their S election.
    A revocation is one of the three methods by which a corporation may 
terminate its S election under section 1362(d). Proposed Sec. Sec.  
1.481-5, 1371-1, and 1371-2 apply only to those corporations that 
revoke their S election. The CDW does not identify how many of the 
4,850 terminations were revocations. In the unlikely scenario that all 
4,850 terminations were revocations, approximately 0.0951 percent of 
the 5.1 million S corporations in existence in 2018 may be affected by 
these proposed regulations. Extrapolating from the first-year data 
(January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018) to the second half of the two-
year period (January 1, 2019, to December 21, 2019) during which these 
proposed regulations are effective, it is possible another 4,850 former 
S corporations could be affected by these proposed regulations. Thus, 
these proposed regulations might only affect a total of 9,700 
corporations. Assuming that the IRS again receives 5.1 million S 
corporation income tax returns for the 2019 tax year, these proposed 
regulations may affect approximately 0.1902 percent of all S 
corporations in existence in 2018 and 2019. The exact number may be 
lower because not all terminations are revocations, and a revocation 
only satisfies one of several criteria that cause these proposed 
regulations to be applicable. For these proposed regulations to be 
applicable, the corporation must also have a positive AAA balance at 
the conclusion of its PTTP and satisfy the shareholder identity 
requirement. Therefore, the number of affected corporations is likely 
to be lower.
    The other proposed regulation in this notice of proposed 
rulemaking, proposed Sec.  1.1377-2(b), generally applies to a 
corporation that terminates its S election with a positive AAA balance, 
regardless of when or how the termination occurs (see section 1362(d)). 
As a result, the change made by proposed regulation Sec.  1.1377-2(b) 
to allow newcomer shareholders will affect a greater number of 
terminating S corporations than proposed regulation Sec. Sec.  1.481-5, 
1.1371-1, and 1.1371-2. Nevertheless, the number of corporations that 
terminate their S election remains minimal. According to the CDW, there 
were 2,798 S corporation terminations in 2015; 2,960 in 2016; 3,125 in 
2017; and 4,850 in 2018. When comparing the number of terminating S 
corporations to the number of S corporation income tax returns filed 
each year, only a small fraction of S corporations will be affected.
    In addition, based on published information from the Conference 
Report accompanying the Act, H.R. Rep. No. 115-446, at 688 (2017), and 
Bureau of Economic Analysis aggregate data, which were adjusted to 
reflect the tax burden of small businesses, the projected net tax 
proceeds from sections 481(d), 1371(f), and 1377 are estimated to 
affect only a small fraction of the total number of S corporations.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that no 
additional burden will be associated with these proposed regulations. 
In particular, the collection of information necessary to comply with 
these proposed regulations is already required to be collected by 
previously existing statutory and regulatory requirements. 
Additionally, these proposed regulations apply only if an S corporation 
revokes its S election between December 22, 2017 and December 21, 2019, 
fulfills the shareholder identity requirement, and has a positive AAA 
balance at the conclusion of its PTTP. The proposed removal of Sec.  
1.1377-2(b)'s last sentence would reduce a taxpayer's compliance burden 
by eliminating the need to track shareholders during the PTTP.
    For the reasons explained above, the Treasury Department and the 
IRS have determined that the final regulations will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Pursuant to section 7805(f), the notice of proposed rulemaking will be 
submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

II. Paperwork Reduction Act

    These proposed regulations do not require collection of any new or 
additional information pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
    The Treasury Department and the IRS intend that the information 
necessary to apply these proposed regulations will be collected with 
the following forms that have been previously reviewed and

[[Page 60018]]

approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the PRA:
    (i) Form 1120-S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation (OMB 
Control Number 1545-0123);
    (ii) Schedule K-1 (Form 1120-S), Shareholder's Share of Income, 
Deductions, Credits, etc. (OMB Control Number 1545-0123);
    (iii) Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return (OMB Control 
Number 1545-0123);
    (iv) Form 5452, Corporate Report of Nondividend Distributions (OMB 
Control Number 1545-0123); and
    (v) Form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions (OMB Control Number 
1545-0110).
    Section 1362(e) requires a corporation that revoked or terminated 
its S election to file a return for its last taxable year as an S 
corporation on Form 1120-S. This filing requirement includes an 
eligible terminated S corporation (ETSC). Section 6037(b) and the 
regulations thereunder require every S corporation to maintain certain 
information, such as its shareholders' names, addresses, and other 
identifying information throughout the taxable year, in order to 
furnish its shareholders with the information necessary to complete 
their return (in other words, Schedule K-1). Because sections 1366(a) 
and 1377(a)(1) allocate an S corporation's items of income and loss to 
shareholders on a per-share, per-day basis, every S corporation 
effectively tracks its shareholders, and their respective ownership 
percentages, on a daily basis. The information that every S corporation 
currently collects to comply with the existing requirements of sections 
1366(a), 1377(a)(1), and 6037(b) will be used to determine whether a 
corporation satisfies the shareholder identity requirement of proposed 
Sec.  1.481-5(b)(3).
    Any corporation that qualifies as an ETSC will refer to Schedule M-
2 of its last filed Form 1120-S to calculate each of its AAA and AE&P 
ratios, within the meaning of proposed Sec.  1.1371-1(a)(2)(vii), to 
determine its historical AAA and historical AE&P amounts. If an ETSC 
enters a closing agreement pursuant to a subsequent audit, it will 
adjust its historical AAA and historical AE&P amounts accordingly.
    At the beginning of a corporation's ETSC period, an ETSC will also 
refer to Schedule M-2 of its last filed Form 1120-S to determine the 
balance of its accumulated adjustments account (AAA) at the end of its 
last tax year as an S corporation. If an ETSC makes no cash 
distributions during its post-termination transition period (PTTP), 
within the meaning of section 1377(b)(1)(A), then it will start its 
ETSC period with a AAA balance equal to the amount reported as the AAA 
balance at the end of the tax year on Schedule M-2 of its last filed 
Form 1120-S. If an ETSC makes cash distributions during its PTTP, then 
it will start its ETSC period with a AAA balance equal to the 
difference between the amount reported as the AAA balance at the end of 
the tax year on Schedule M-2 of its last filed Form 1120-S and the 
amount of cash distributions that the ETSC made during its PTTP.
    Every domestic C corporation must file an income tax return on Form 
1120, and attach Form 5452 if it makes a nondividend distribution to 
its shareholders. In particular, the instructions for Form 5452 require 
any corporation that makes a distribution under section 1371(f) to file 
a Form 5452. In any tax year in which an ETSC makes a qualified 
distribution, it is required to attach Form 5452 and report its AAA 
balance, the amount of AE&P at the beginning of the tax year, the 
amount of CE&P for the current tax year, and the amounts paid during 
the calendar year from earnings and profits and from ``other than 
earnings and profits.'' The information collected through Form 5452 is 
sufficient for an ETSC to apply these proposed regulations. In 
particular, the information collected through Form 5452 is sufficient 
for an ETSC to determine its AAA balance both before and after each 
qualified distribution, as well as determine the impact that each 
qualified distribution has on its CE&P and AE&P.
    With respect to shareholders of ETSC stock, an ETSC is required 
(like any C corporation that makes a distribution to its shareholders) 
to provide a statement to its non-corporate recipient shareholders that 
reports the amounts characterized as a dividend and nondividend 
distribution on Form 1099-DIV. Form 1099-DIV will inform an ETSC's 
shareholders of the amount that constitutes a dividend subject to 
section 301(c)(1) and the amount that constitutes a nondividend 
distribution. Distributions allocable to AAA will be reported to 
recipient shareholders as a nondividend distribution.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS do not anticipate modifying the 
scope of the information gathered on the aforementioned forms.
    Modest burden estimate revisions are anticipated for proposed 
regulations under Sec.  1.1377-2. Specifically, the proposed removal of 
Sec.  1.1377-2(b)'s last sentence would reduce a taxpayer's collection 
burden by eliminating the need to track shareholders during the PTTP. 
Changes to these burden estimates will be made in accordance with the 
PRA in the annual review procedure for information collections under 
OMB Control Number 1545-0123.
    These proposed regulations are estimated to affect a total of 9,700 
corporations, or 0.1902% of all S corporations in existence in 2018 and 
2019. Regarding proposed regulations Sec. Sec.  1.481-5, 1.481-6, 
1.1371-2, and 1.1371-3, the exact number might be lower because the 
9,700 is extrapolated from data and projections of S corporation 
terminations, not the subset revocations, and to qualify as an ETSC the 
corporation must also have a positive AAA balance at the conclusion of 
its PTTP and satisfy the shareholder identity requirement.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid 
control number assigned by the OMB.

III. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 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 2019, that threshold is approximately $164 million. This 
rule does not include any mandate that may result in expenditures by 
state, local, or tribal governments, or by the private sector in excess 
of that threshold.

IV. 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 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 Public Hearing

    Before these 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

[[Page 60019]]

under the ADDRESSES section. The Treasury Department and the IRS 
request comments on all aspects of the proposed rules, and specifically 
on the issues identified in Part I.A.3; in Parts II.B.1 and II.C.6; and 
in Part IV of this Explanations of Provisions section. All comments 
will be made available at http://www.regulations.gov or upon request. A 
public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by any person 
that timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is scheduled, 
then notice of the date, time, and place for the public hearing will be 
published in the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these proposed regulations are Margaret 
Burow and Michael Gould of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel 
(Passthroughs and Special Industries), and Aglaia Ovtchinnikova and 
Kevin M. Jacobs of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate). 
However, other personnel from the IRS and the Treasury Department 
participated in the development of the proposed regulations.

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 adding an 
entry in numerical order for Sec.  1.481-6 to read in part as follows:

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

Section 1.481-6 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 481.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.316-2  [Amended]

    Par. 2. Section 1.316-2 is amended by removing ``consist only of 
money and'' from the second sentence of paragraph (b).


Sec.  1.481-5  [Redesignated as Sec.  1.481-6]

    Par. 3. Section 1.481-5 is redesignated as Sec.  1.481-6.
    Par. 4. Add new Sec.  1.481-5 to read as follows:


Sec.  1.481-5  Eligible terminated S corporation.

    (a) Scope. Section 481(d)(2) and this section provide rules 
relating to the qualification of a corporation as an eligible 
terminated S corporation (ETSC). Paragraph (b) of this section sets 
forth the requirements a corporation must meet to qualify as an ETSC. 
Paragraph (c) of this section describes certain transfers and other 
events that are disregarded for purposes of determining whether a 
corporation qualifies as an ETSC. Paragraph (d) of this section 
contains examples illustrating the rules of this section.
    (b) ETSC qualification. For a C corporation to qualify as an ETSC, 
it must satisfy the following requirements:
    (1) The corporation must have been an S corporation on December 21, 
2017;
    (2) During the 2-year period beginning on December 22, 2017, the 
corporation must have made a valid revocation of its S election under 
section 1362(d)(1) and the regulatory provisions in this part under 
section 1362 of the Code (Revocation); and
    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the owners 
of the shares of stock of the corporation must be the same (and in 
identical proportions) on both:
    (i) December 22, 2017; and
    (ii) The day on which the Revocation is made.
    (c) Certain disregarded events. The following events are 
disregarded for purposes of determining whether the requirement in 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section is satisfied:
    (1) Transfers of stock between a shareholder and that shareholder's 
trust treated as wholly owned by that shareholder under subpart E of 
subchapter J of chapter 1 of the Code;
    (2) Transfers of stock between a shareholder and an entity owned by 
that shareholder which is disregarded as separate from its owner under 
Sec.  301.7701-2(c)(2)(i) of this chapter;
    (3) An election by a shareholder trust to be treated as part of a 
decedent's estate under section 645 or the termination of an election 
under that section;
    (4) A change in the status of a shareholder trust from one type of 
eligible S corporation shareholder trust described in section 
1361(c)(2)(A) to another type of eligible S corporation shareholder 
trust; for example, a trust to which the shares of stock were 
transferred pursuant to the terms of a will (testamentary trust) 
described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(iii) which elects to become an 
electing small business trust described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(v) and 
(e); and
    (5) A transaction that includes more than one of the events 
described in this paragraph (c).
    (d) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
section. For purposes of the examples in this paragraph (d), as of 
December 1, 2017, X is a calendar year S corporation with 100 shares of 
stock outstanding that is owned equally by unrelated individuals A and 
B. Pursuant to section 1362(d)(1) and Sec. Sec.  1.1362-2 and 1.1362-6, 
X made a valid revocation of its S election on March 15, 2019, 
effective on January 1, 2019. At all times, X has a single class of 
stock outstanding. The examples describe all relevant transactions 
involving the X stock from December 1, 2017 until March 15, 2019.

    (1) Example 1--(i) Facts. On June 5, 2018, A contributed 20 of 
its shares of X stock to Y, a wholly owned limited liability company 
that is disregarded as an entity separate from A pursuant to Sec.  
301.7701-2(c)(2)(i) of this chapter. On June 14, 2018, A contributed 
all of its interest in Y to Trust, which was a revocable trust 
treated as a wholly owned grantor trust of A pursuant to sections 
671 and 676. On December 27, 2018, B sold 10 shares of its X stock 
to C, an unrelated person.
    (ii) Analysis. X is an ETSC if it satisfies the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (A) S corporation. X was an S corporation on December 21, 2017. 
Therefore, X satisfies the requirement of paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section.
    (B) Date of revocation. X made a valid revocation of its S 
election pursuant to section 1362(d)(1) on March 15, 2019, which is 
within the 2-year period specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section. Therefore, X satisfies the requirement of paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section.
    (C) Ownership. For purposes of the requirement in paragraph 
(b)(3) of this section, the relevant dates are: December 22, 2017, 
and March 15, 2019 (the date X made a revocation of its S 
corporation status).
    (1) A's ownership interest. As of December 22, 2017, A owned 50 
shares of the outstanding shares of X stock. On June 5, 2018, A 
contributed 20 of its shares of X stock to Y (Transfer). On June 14, 
2018, A contributed all of its interest in Y to Trust 
(Contribution). Both the Transfer and the Contribution are 
disregarded for purposes of determining whether the requirement of 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section is satisfied. See paragraphs (c)(2) 
and (1) of this section, respectively. Therefore, A owns 50 shares 
of the outstanding stock of X on March 15, 2019.
    (2) B's ownership interest. As of December 22, 2017, B owned 50 
shares of the outstanding shares of X stock. On December 27, 2018, B 
sold 10 shares to C. Therefore, B owns 40 shares of the outstanding 
stock of X on March 15, 2019.
    (3) C's ownership interest. As of December 22, 2017, C owned no 
shares of X stock. On December 27, 2018, C purchased 10 shares from 
B. Therefore, C owns 10 shares of the outstanding stock of X on 
March 15, 2019.
    (4) Failure to satisfy the requirement in paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section. As described in paragraphs (d)(1)(ii)(C)(2) and (3) of 
this section, B's and C's interest in X were not in the same 
proportions on December 22, 2017, and March 15, 2019. Therefore, X 
does not

[[Page 60020]]

satisfy the requirement of paragraph (b)(3) of this section and does 
not qualify as an ETSC.
    (iii) Restoration of interests prior to end of PTTP. If C 
transferred its shares of X stock back to B on February 1, 2019, 
then on December 22, 2017, and March 15, 2019, A and B will have 
owned 50 shares of the outstanding stock of X. Therefore, X 
satisfies the requirement of paragraph (b)(3) of this section and 
qualifies as an ETSC.
    (2) Example 2--(i) Facts. The facts are the same as in paragraph 
(d)(1)(i) of this section (the facts in Example 1), except that B 
sold 10 shares of its X stock to C on December 18, 2017, in addition 
to the sale of 10 shares of X stock on December 27, 2018.
    (ii) Analysis. The analysis in paragraphs (d)(1)(ii)(A) and (B) 
of this section remains the same regarding the requirements of 
paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section. With respect to the 
requirement of paragraph (b)(3) of this section, on December 22, 
2017, A owned 50%, B owned 40%, and C owned 10% of the outstanding 
stock of X. As in paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(C)(1) of this section, the 
Transfer and the Contribution are disregarded for purposes of 
determining whether the requirement of paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section is satisfied. Therefore, on March 15, 2019, A owned 50% (50 
shares), B owned 30% (30 shares), and C owned 20% (20 shares) of the 
outstanding shares of X. Even though A, B, and C owned shares of X 
on December 22, 2017, B's and C's proportionate ownership interest 
of X stock was not the same on December 22, 2017 and March 15, 2019. 
Therefore, X does not satisfy the requirement of paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section and does not qualify as an ETSC.
    (3) Example 3--(i) Facts. The facts are the same as in paragraph 
(d)(1)(i) of this section (the facts in Example 1), except that X 
made a valid revocation of its S election on November 1, 2019, 
effective on January 1, 2020.
    (ii) Analysis. The analysis in paragraphs (d)(1)(ii)(A) through 
(C) of this section remains the same regarding the requirements of 
paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section, except that the 
relevant dates are: December 22, 2017, and November 1, 2019 (the 
date X made a revocation of its S corporation status). Although the 
effective date of X's revocation of its S election (January 1, 2020) 
occurs after the conclusion of the 2-year period specified in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, it is irrelevant for purposes of 
determining whether the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of 
this section are satisfied.

0
Par. 5. Newly redesignated Sec.  1.481-6 is amended by revising the 
section heading and adding three sentences at the end of the paragraph 
to read as follows:


Sec.  1.481-6   Applicability date.

    * * * The rules of Sec.  1.481-5 generally apply to taxable years 
beginning after [DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULES IN THE Federal 
Register]. However, corporations may choose to apply the rules in 
Sec. Sec.  1.316-2, 1.481-5, 1.1371-1, 1.1371-2, and 1.1377-2 in their 
entirety, to the extent applicable, to taxable years that began on or 
before [DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULES IN THE Federal Register] 
and with respect to which the period described in section 6511(a) has 
not expired. If the corporation makes the choice described in the 
previous sentence, all shareholders of the corporation must report 
consistently.
0
Par. 6. Sections 1.1371-1 and 1.1371-2 are added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.1371-1   Distributions of money by an eligible terminated S 
corporation.

    (a) Scope and definitions--(1) Scope. This section provides rules 
relating to qualified distributions (as defined in paragraph 
(a)(2)(xii) of this section) and distributions to which section 301 
applies during each taxable year of the ETSC period (as defined in 
paragraph (a)(2)(vii) of this section), including the taxable year in 
which the ETSC period ends. If the ETSC (as defined in paragraph 
(a)(2)(vi) of this section) does not make any qualified distributions 
during a taxable year, then no distribution by the ETSC is governed by 
section 1371(f) or this section. Paragraph (a)(2) of this section 
contains definitions that apply for purposes of this section. Paragraph 
(b) of this section contains rules regarding the characterization of a 
qualified distribution. Paragraph (c) of this section contains rules 
regarding the characterization of any excess qualified distribution (as 
defined in paragraph (a)(2)(viii) of this section) and non-qualified 
distribution (as defined in paragraph (a)(2)(xi) of this section) 
during each taxable year of the ETSC period, including the taxable year 
in which the ETSC period ends. Paragraph (d) of this section contains 
examples illustrating the rules of this section. Paragraph (e) of this 
section contains the applicability date of this section.
    (2) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
this section--
    (i) AAA. The term AAA means the accumulated adjustments account, 
within the meaning of section 1368(e)(1)(A) and Sec.  1.1368-2(a)(1).
    (ii) AAA ratio. Except as provided in this paragraph (a)(2)(ii) or 
paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section, the term AAA ratio means the 
fraction of which the numerator is historical AAA and the denominator 
is the sum of historical AAA and historical AE&P. Notwithstanding the 
preceding sentence, if the AE&P of the ETSC is less than or equal to 
zero as of the beginning of a taxable year, then the AAA ratio is one 
for such year and all subsequent taxable years of the ETSC period.
    (iii) AE&P. The term AE&P means earnings and profits described in 
section 316(a)(1).
    (iv) AE&P ratio. Except as provided in this paragraph (a)(2)(iv) or 
paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section, the term AE&P ratio means the 
fraction of which the numerator is historical AE&P, and the denominator 
is the sum of historical AAA and historical AE&P. Notwithstanding the 
preceding sentence, if the AE&P of the ETSC is less than or equal to 
zero as of the beginning of a taxable year, then the AE&P ratio is zero 
for such year and all subsequent taxable years of the ETSC period.
    (v) CE&P. The term CE&P means earnings and profits that are 
described in section 316(a)(2).
    (vi) ETSC. The term ETSC means an eligible terminated S 
corporation, within the meaning of section 481(d) and Sec.  1.481-5.
    (vii) ETSC period. In general, the term ETSC period means any 
taxable year, or portion thereof, of an ETSC beginning on the first day 
after the post-termination period within the meaning of section 
1377(b)(1)(A) and ending on the date on which the ETSC's AAA balance is 
zero. Additionally, an ETSC does not have an ETSC period if the ETSC's 
AAA balance is not greater than zero at the end of its post-termination 
transition period. See Sec.  1.1371-2 for rules governing the impact of 
a post-termination period, within the meaning of section 1377(b)(1)(B), 
on the ETSC period.
    (viii) Excess qualified distribution. The term excess qualified 
distribution means the portion of a qualified distribution that is not 
characterized pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section.
    (ix) Historical AAA. The term historical AAA means the AAA of the 
ETSC as of the beginning of the day on which the revocation of an 
election under section 1362(a) is effective pursuant to section 
1362(d)(1).
    (x) Historical AE&P. The term historical AE&P means the AE&P of the 
ETSC as of the beginning of the day on which the revocation of an 
election under section 1362(a) is effective pursuant to section 
1362(d)(1). For purposes of the preceding sentence, if the ETSC's 
historical AE&P is less than zero, then the historical AE&P is treated 
as zero.
    (xi) Non-qualified distribution. The term non-qualified 
distribution means a distribution to which section 301 applies, which 
is not a qualified distribution.
    (xii) Qualified distribution. The term qualified distribution means 
a distribution of money by an ETSC

[[Page 60021]]

during the ETSC period to which, absent application of section 1371(f) 
and this section, section 301 would apply.
    (b) Characterization of qualified distribution--(1) In general. 
Paragraph (b)(2) of this section provides rules regarding the 
determination of the amount of a qualified distribution that is sourced 
from AAA and the corollary effects of such a characterization. 
Paragraph (b)(3) of this section provides rules regarding the 
determination of the amount of a qualified distribution that is sourced 
from AE&P and the corollary effects of such a characterization. 
Paragraph (b)(4) of this section provides rules regarding the 
characterization of an excess qualified distribution as a separate 
qualified distribution. The rules in paragraphs (b)(2) through (4) of 
this section are applied before the application of paragraph (c) of 
this section.
    (2) Distribution of AAA--(i) Amount. The portion of a qualified 
distribution that is sourced from the ETSC's AAA is equal to the lesser 
of:
    (A) The product of the qualified distribution and the AAA ratio; 
and
    (B) The ETSC's AAA immediately before the qualified distribution.
    (ii) Reduction or elimination of ETSC's AAA. The ETSC's AAA is 
reduced by the amount of the distribution described in paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section. If, with respect to a qualified 
distribution, the amount described in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) of this 
section equals or exceeds the amount described in paragraph 
(b)(2)(i)(B) of this section, then the rules in this paragraph (b) do 
not apply to any subsequent distributions by the ETSC. Instead, the 
subsequent distributions are treated in the manner provided in 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (iii) Effect on the shareholder. The amount described in paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section is applied against and reduces the 
shareholder's adjusted basis of the shares of stock with respect to 
which the distribution is made under the principles of section 
301(c)(2). If the application of the amount described in paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section would result in a reduction of basis that 
exceeds the shareholder's adjusted basis of any share of stock with 
respect to which the distribution is made, such excess is treated as 
gain from the sale or exchange of property. The reduction of the 
shareholder's basis described in this paragraph (b)(2)(iii) with 
respect to a qualified distribution occurs prior to the application of 
paragraph (c) of this section to the excess qualified distribution, if 
any, with respect to such qualified distribution.
    (3) Distribution of AE&P--(i) Amount. This paragraph (b)(3) applies 
if the ETSC's AE&P ratio is greater than zero. If this paragraph (b)(3) 
applies, the portion of a qualified distribution that is sourced from 
the ETSC's AE&P is equal to the lesser of:
    (A) The product of the qualified distribution and the AE&P ratio; 
and
    (B) The ETSC's AE&P immediately before the qualified distribution. 
For purposes of the preceding sentence, if the ETSC's AE&P immediately 
before the qualified distribution is less than zero, then the ETSC's 
AE&P is treated as zero.
    (ii) Effect on ETSC's AE&P. The ETSC's AE&P is reduced, as 
described in section 312(a)(1), by the amount of the distribution 
described in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section. The AE&P reduction 
described in this paragraph occurs prior to the application of 
paragraph (c) of this section, even if a distribution to which 
paragraph (c) of this section applies (regarding excess qualified 
distributions and non-qualified distributions) occurs earlier in time 
than the qualified distribution to which this paragraph (b)(3)(ii) 
applies.
    (iii) Effect on the shareholder. The amount of the qualified 
distribution that is sourced from the ETSC's AE&P described in 
paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section is included in the gross income of 
the shareholder as a dividend under section 301(c)(1).
    (iv) Adjustment to the AAA ratio and the AE&P ratio. After the 
application of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, if the ETSC's AE&P 
is zero and the ETSC's AAA is greater than zero, then the ETSC's AAA 
ratio is one and the ETSC's AE&P ratio is zero for all subsequent 
qualified distributions during:
    (A) That taxable year; and
    (B) All subsequent taxable years of the ETSC period.
    (4) Excess qualified distribution treated as a separate qualified 
distribution--(i) In general. After the application of paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section with respect to a qualified distribution, if 
the ETSC has any remaining AAA, then any amount of excess qualified 
distribution, with respect to such qualified distribution, is treated 
as a separate qualified distribution and is analyzed pursuant to 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (ii) No change in characterization of previously characterized 
portion of qualified distribution. Paragraph (b)(4)(i) will not change 
the characterization of any portion of a qualified distribution that 
was previously characterized pursuant to paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of 
this section and will reflect the application of paragraphs (b)(2) and 
(3) of this section to the portion of the qualified distribution 
previously characterized.
    (c) Characterization of excess qualified distribution and non-
qualified distributions. After application of paragraph (b) of this 
section, the excess qualified distributions, if any, and non-qualified 
distributions, if any, are treated in the manner provided in sections 
301(c) and 316.
    (d) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
section. For purposes of the examples in this paragraph (d), X is a 
calendar year S corporation with a single share of stock outstanding. 
A, an individual, purchased its share of X stock prior to December 22, 
2017 and, except as otherwise indicated, never contributed any amounts 
to X's capital. A remained the sole shareholder of X when X made a 
valid revocation on March 15, 2018, pursuant to section 1362(d)(1) and 
Sec.  1.1362-2 and 1.1362-6, of its S election and when that election 
became effective on January 1, 2018. X qualified as an ETSC pursuant to 
Sec.  1.481-5(b) and its ETSC period began on January 1, 2019. 
Additionally, X did not make any distributions during its post-
termination transition period, within the meaning of section 
1377(b)(1)(A). Furthermore, A remains the sole shareholder of X at the 
time of the distribution(s) described.

    (1) Example 1: Historical AE&P is zero--(i) Facts. At the 
beginning of January 1, 2018, X had AAA of $100 and AE&P of $0. 
During 2018, X had $300 of CE&P and made no distributions. At the 
beginning of January 1, 2019, X has AAA of $100 and AE&P of $300, 
and A's adjusted basis in its share of X stock is $460. During 2019, 
the only distribution that X makes is a $60 distribution of money to 
A on December 27. X's CE&P during 2019 is $150, without diminution 
by reason of any distributions made during the taxable year.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Calculation of AAA ratio and AE&P ratio. 
Pursuant to paragraphs (a)(2)(ix) and (x) of this section, 
respectively, X's historical AAA and X's historical AE&P are 
determined as of the beginning of January 1, 2018, the beginning of 
the day on which the revocation of X's election under section 
1362(a) is effective pursuant to section 1362(d)(1). Accordingly, 
X's historical AAA is $100 and X's historical AE&P is $0. Therefore, 
X's AAA ratio is 1 ($100/($100 + $0)), and X's AE&P ratio is zero 
($0/($100 + $0)).
    (B) Characterization of distribution. Pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(2)(xii) of this section, the $60 distribution on December 27, 
2019, is a qualified distribution because it is a distribution of 
money by an ETSC during the ETSC period to which section 301 would 
apply absent the application of section 1371(f) and this section.
    (C) Analysis of qualified distribution--(1) Distribution of AAA. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, the portion of the 
qualified distribution that is sourced from

[[Page 60022]]

AAA is equal to the lesser of: The product of the qualified 
distribution and the AAA ratio ($60 x 1, or $60), and X's AAA 
immediately before the qualified distribution ($100). Therefore, $60 
is sourced from AAA. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this 
section, after the distribution, X's AAA is reduced by $60 to $40. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, A's basis in its 
X stock is reduced by $60 to $400.
    (2) Distribution of AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section, the portion of the distribution that is sourced from 
AE&P is equal to the lesser of: The product of the qualified 
distribution and the AE&P ratio ($60 x 0, or $0), and X's AE&P 
immediately before the qualified distribution ($300). Therefore, $0 
is sourced from AE&P.
    (2) Example 2: Qualified distributions with both historical AAA 
and historical AE&P--(i) Facts. At the beginning of January 1, 2018, 
X had AAA of $200 and AE&P of $100. During 2018, X had $0 of CE&P 
and made no distributions. At the beginning of January 1, 2019, X 
has AAA of $200 and AE&P of $100, and A's adjusted basis in its 
share of X stock is $500. During 2019, X makes a $90 distribution of 
money on February 9 and a $150 distribution of money on June 5. X's 
CE&P during 2019 is $500, without diminution by reason of any 
distributions made during the taxable year.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Calculation of AAA ratio and AE&P ratio. 
Pursuant to paragraphs (a)(2)(ix) and (x) of this section, 
respectively, X's historical AAA and X's historical AE&P are 
determined as of the beginning of January 1, 2018, the beginning of 
the day on which the revocation of X's election under section 
1362(a) is effective pursuant to section 1362(d)(1). Accordingly, 
X's historical AAA is $200 and X's historical AE&P is $100. 
Therefore, X's AAA ratio is 0.67 ($200/($200 + $100)), and X's AE&P 
ratio is 0.33 ($100/($200 + $100)).
    (B) Characterization of distributions. Pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(2)(xii) of this section, the $90 distribution on February 9, 
2019, and the $150 distribution on June 5, 2019, are both qualified 
distributions because they are distributions of money by an ETSC 
during the ETSC period to which section 301 would apply absent the 
application of section 1371(f) and this section.
    (C) Analysis of qualified distributions--(1) February 9, 2019 
distribution--(i) Distribution of AAA. Pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section, the portion of the qualified distribution 
that is sourced from AAA is equal to the lesser of: The product of 
the qualified distribution and the AAA ratio ($90 x 0.67, or $60), 
and X's AAA immediately before the qualified distribution ($200). 
Therefore, $60 is sourced from AAA. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(ii) 
of this section, after the distribution, X's AAA is reduced by $60 
to $140. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, A's 
basis in its X stock is reduced by $60 to $440.
    (ii) Distribution of AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section, the portion of the distribution that is sourced from 
AE&P is equal to the lesser of: The product of the qualified 
distribution and the AE&P ratio ($90 x 0.33, or $30), and X's AE&P 
immediately before the qualified distribution ($100). Therefore, $30 
is sourced from AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this 
section, after the distribution, X's AE&P is reduced by $30 to $70. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section, the $30 
distribution is characterized as a dividend.
    (2) June 5, 2019 distribution--(i) Distribution of AAA. Pursuant 
to paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, the portion of the qualified 
distribution that is sourced from AAA is equal to the lesser of: The 
product of the qualified distribution and the AAA ratio ($150 x 
0.67, or $100), and X's AAA immediately before the qualified 
distribution ($140). Therefore, $100 is sourced from AAA. Pursuant 
to paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, after the distribution, X's 
AAA is reduced by $100 to $40. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of 
this section, A's basis in its X stock is reduced by $100 to $340.
    (ii) Distribution of AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section, the portion of the distribution that is sourced from 
AE&P is equal to the lesser of: The product of the qualified 
distribution and the AE&P ratio ($150 x 0.33, or $50), and X's AE&P 
immediately before the qualified distribution ($70). Therefore, $50 
is sourced from AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this 
section, after the distribution, X's AE&P is reduced by $50 to $20. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section, the $50 
distribution is characterized as a dividend.
    (3) Example 3: Limitation on amount characterized as AAA--(i) 
Facts. At the beginning of January 1, 2018, X had AAA of $100 and 
AE&P of $300. During 2018, X had $280 of CE&P and made no 
distributions. At the beginning of January 1, 2019, X has AAA of 
$100 and AE&P of $580, and A's adjusted basis in its share of X 
stock is $450. During 2019, the only distribution that X makes is a 
$500 distribution of money to A on October 5. X's CE&P during 2019 
is $150, without diminution by reason of any distributions made 
during the taxable year.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Calculation of AAA ratio and AE&P ratio. 
Pursuant to paragraphs (a)(2)(ix) and (x) of this section, 
respectively, X's historical AAA and X's historical AE&P are 
determined as of the beginning of January 1, 2018, the beginning of 
the day on which the revocation of X's election under section 
1362(a) is effective pursuant to section 1362(d)(1). Accordingly, 
X's historical AAA is $100 and X's historical AE&P is $300. 
Therefore, X's AAA ratio is 0.25 ($100/($100 + $300)), and X's AE&P 
ratio is 0.75 ($300/($100 + $300)).
    (B) Characterization of distribution. Pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(2)(xii) of this section, the $500 distribution on October 5, 
2019, is a qualified distribution because it is a distribution of 
money by an ETSC during the ETSC period to which section 301 would 
apply absent the application of section 1371(f) and this section.
    (C) Analysis of qualified distribution--(1) Distribution of AAA. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, the portion of the 
qualified distribution that is sourced from AAA is equal to the 
lesser of: The product of the qualified distribution and the AAA 
ratio ($500 x 0.25, or $125), and X's AAA immediately before the 
qualified distribution ($100). Therefore, $100 is sourced from AAA. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, after the 
distribution, X's AAA is reduced by $100 to $0. Pursuant to 
paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, A's basis in its X stock is 
reduced by $100 to $350.
    (2) Distribution of AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section, the portion of the distribution that is sourced from 
AE&P is equal to the lesser of: The product of the qualified 
distribution and the AE&P ratio ($500 x 0.75, or $375), and X's AE&P 
immediately before the qualified distribution ($580). Therefore, 
$375 is sourced from AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this 
section, after the distribution, X's AE&P is reduced by $375 to 
$205. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section, the $375 
distribution is characterized as a dividend.
    (D) Effect of qualified distribution on ETSC period. Pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(2)(vii) of this section, X's ETSC period ends because 
X's AAA balance is zero following the October 5, 2019 distribution.
    (E) Analysis of excess qualified distribution--(1) Amount of 
excess qualified distribution. Pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(viii) of 
this section, the amount of the excess qualified distribution is 
$25, the portion of the qualified distribution ($500) not 
characterized pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section 
($100 AAA distribution + $375 AE&P distribution).
    (2) Characterization of excess qualified distribution. Paragraph 
(b)(4) of this section does not apply to the excess qualified 
distribution because X's AAA balance is zero after the application 
of paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section (see paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii)(C)(1) of this section). Pursuant to paragraph (c) of this 
section, section 301(c) applies to the excess qualified 
distribution. Pursuant to sections 301(c)(1) and 316, the $25 excess 
qualified distribution is sourced from CE&P.
    (iii) Subsequent contribution. The facts are the same as 
paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section, except that at the time of the 
October 5, 2019 distribution, A's adjusted basis in its X stock is 
$90. Further, on December 27, 2019, A contributes $100 to X in a 
transaction described in section 351(a). The analysis in paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii) of this section remains the same, except that, unlike the 
second to last sentence of paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(C)(1) of this 
section, A's basis in its X stock is reduced by $90 to $0 and 
pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, $10 is treated as 
gain from the sale or exchange of property. Additionally, as a 
result of the December 27, 2019 contribution of $100, A's basis in 
its X stock is increased by $100, so that at the end of 2019, A's 
basis in its X stock is $100.
    (4) Example 4: Limitation on the amount characterized as AE&P--
(i) Facts. At the beginning of January 1, 2018, X had AAA of $100 
and AE&P of $100. During 2018, X had CE&P of $(75) and made no 
distributions. At the beginning of January 1, 2019, X has AAA of 
$100 and AE&P of $25, and A's adjusted basis in its share of X stock 
is $500. During 2019, the only distributions that X makes are a $100 
distribution of money to A on July 9 and a $40 distribution of money 
to A on September 27. X's CE&P during 2019 is $20, without 
diminution by reason of any distributions made during the taxable 
year.

[[Page 60023]]

    (ii) Analysis--(A) Calculation of AAA ratio and AE&P ratio. 
Pursuant to paragraphs (a)(2)(ix) and (x) of this section, 
respectively, X's historical AAA and X's historical AE&P are 
determined as of the beginning of January 1, 2018, the beginning of 
the day on which the revocation of X's election under section 
1362(a) is effective pursuant to section 1362(d)(1). Accordingly, 
X's historical AAA is $100 and X's historical AE&P is $100. 
Therefore, X's AAA ratio is 0.5 ($100/($100 + $100)), and X's AE&P 
ratio is 0.5 ($100/($100 + $100)).
    (B) Analysis of July 9, 2019 distribution--(1) Characterization 
of distribution. Pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(xii) of this section, 
the $100 distribution on July 9, 2019, is a qualified distribution 
because it is a distribution of money by an ETSC during the ETSC 
period to which section 301 would apply absent the application of 
section 1371(f) and this section.
    (2) Analysis of qualified distribution--(i) Distribution of AAA. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, the portion of the 
distribution that is sourced from AAA is equal to the lesser of: the 
product of the qualified distribution and the AAA ratio ($100 x 0.5, 
or $50), and X's AAA immediately before the qualified distribution 
($100). Therefore, $50 is sourced from AAA. Pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section, after the distribution, X's AAA is 
reduced by $50 to $50. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this 
section, A's basis in its X stock is reduced by $50 to $450.
    (ii) Distribution of AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section, the portion of the distribution that is sourced from 
AE&P is equal to the lesser of: the product of the qualified 
distribution and the AE&P ratio ($100 x 0.5, or $50), and X's AE&P 
immediately before the qualified distribution ($25). Therefore, $25 
is sourced from AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this 
section, after the distribution, X's AE&P is reduced by $25 to $0. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section, the $25 
distribution is characterized as a dividend.
    (3) Recalculation of AAA and AE&P ratios. Pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(3)(iv) of this section, because the July 9, 2019 distribution 
caused X's AE&P to be reduced to zero, the AAA ratio is one and the 
AE&P ratio is zero for all subsequent qualified distributions during 
the 2019 taxable year and subsequent taxable years of the ETSC 
period.
    (4) Excess qualified distribution--(i) Amount of excess 
qualified distribution. Pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(viii) of this 
section, the amount of the excess qualified distribution is $25, the 
amount of the qualified distribution ($100) not characterized 
pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section ($50 AAA 
distribution + $25 AE&P distribution).
    (ii) Characterization of excess qualified distribution as a 
separate qualified distribution. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) of 
this section, because X has AAA remaining after characterizing the 
qualified distribution (see paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(B)(2)(i) of this 
section), the $25 excess qualified distribution is treated as a 
separate qualified distribution and is analyzed pursuant to 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (iii) Analysis of excess qualified distribution that is treated 
as a separate qualified distribution. Pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section, the portion of the distribution that is 
sourced from AAA is equal to the lesser of: the product of the 
excess qualified distribution and the AAA ratio ($25 x 1, or $25), 
and X's AAA immediately before the excess qualified distribution 
($50). Therefore, $25 is sourced from AAA. Pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section, after the distribution, X's AAA is 
reduced by $25 to $25. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this 
section, A's basis in its X stock is reduced by $25 to $425. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section, because X's AE&P 
ratio is zero, paragraph (b)(3) of this section does not apply.
    (C) Analysis of September 27, 2020 distribution--(1) 
Characterization of the distribution. Pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(2)(xii) of this section, the $40 distribution on September 27, 
2020, is a qualified distribution because it is a distribution of 
money by an ETSC during the ETSC period to which section 301 would 
apply absent the application of section 1371(f) and this section.
    (2) Analysis of qualified distribution--(i) Distribution of AAA. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, the portion of the 
distribution that is sourced from AAA is equal to the lesser of: the 
product of the qualified distribution and the AAA ratio ($40 x 1, or 
$40), and X's AAA immediately before the qualified distribution 
($25) (see paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(B)(4)(iii) of this section). 
Therefore, $25 is sourced from AAA. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(ii) 
of this section, after the distribution, X's AAA is reduced by $25 
to $0. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, A's basis 
in its X stock is reduced by $25 to $400.
    (ii) Distribution of AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section, because X's AE&P ratio is zero, paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section does not apply.
    (3) Excess qualified distribution--(i) Amount of excess 
qualified distribution. Pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(viii) of this 
section, the amount of the excess qualified distribution is $15, the 
portion of the qualified distribution ($40) not characterized 
pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section ($25 AAA 
distribution + $0 AE&P distribution).
    (ii) Excess qualified distribution not characterized as a 
separate qualified distribution. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) of 
this section, because X has AAA of $0 after characterizing the 
qualified distribution (see paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(C)(2)(i) of this of 
this section), the $15 excess qualified distribution is not treated 
as a separate qualified distribution.
    (iii) Analysis of excess qualified distribution that is not 
treated as a separate qualified distribution. Pursuant to paragraph 
(c) of this section, section 301(c) applies to the excess qualified 
distribution. Pursuant to sections 301(c)(1) and 316, the $15 excess 
qualified distribution is sourced from CE&P.
    (5) Example 5: Distributions include non-qualified 
distributions--(i) Facts. At the beginning of January 1, 2018, X had 
AAA of $100 and AE&P of $100. During 2018, X had $0 of CE&P and made 
no distributions. At the beginning of January 1, 2019, X has AAA of 
$100 and AE&P of $100, and A's adjusted basis in its X stock is 
$200. During 2019, X makes a $100 distribution of money on June 14; 
a $300 distribution of property on November 9; and a $200 
distribution of money on December 18. X's CE&P during 2019 is $160, 
without diminution by reason of any distributions made during the 
taxable year.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Calculation of AAA ratio and AE&P ratio. 
Pursuant to paragraphs (a)(2)(ix) and (x) of this section, 
respectively, X's historical AAA is $100 and X's historical AE&P is 
$100. Therefore, X's AAA ratio is 0.5 ($100/($100 + $100)), and X's 
AE&P ratio is 0.5 ($100/($100 + $100)).
    (B) Characterization of distributions. Pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(2)(xii) of this section, the $100 distribution on June 14, 2019, 
and the $200 distribution on December 18, 2019, are both qualified 
distributions because they are distributions of money by an ETSC 
during the ETSC period to which section 301 would apply absent the 
application of section 1371(f) and this section. Pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(2)(xi) of this section, the $300 distribution of 
property on November 9, 2019, is non-qualified distribution. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the rules of 
paragraphs (b)(2) through (4) of this section apply to the qualified 
distributions before the rules of paragraph (c) of this section 
apply to the non-qualified distribution and any excess qualified 
distributions.
    (C) Analysis of qualified distributions--(1) June 14, 2019 
distribution--(i) Distribution of AAA. Pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section, the portion of the distribution that is 
sourced from AAA is equal to the lesser of: the product of the 
qualified distribution and the AAA ratio ($100 x 0.5, or $50), and 
X's AAA immediately before the qualified distribution ($100). 
Therefore, $50 is sourced from AAA. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(ii) 
of this section, after the distribution, X's AAA is reduced by $50 
to $50. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, on June 
14, 2019, A's basis in its X stock is reduced by $50 to $150.
    (ii) Distribution of AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section, the portion of the distribution that is sourced from 
AE&P is equal to the lesser of: the product of the qualified 
distribution and the AE&P ratio ($100 x 0.5, or $50), and X's AE&P 
immediately before the qualified distribution ($100). Therefore, $50 
is sourced from AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this 
section, after the distribution, X's AE&P is reduced by $50 to $50. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section, the $50 
distribution is characterized as a dividend.
    (iii) Amount of excess qualified distribution. The amount of the 
excess qualified distribution is $0, the amount of the qualified 
distribution ($100) not characterized pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) 
or (3) of this section ($50 AAA distribution + $50 AE&P 
distribution).
    (2) December 18, 2019 distribution--(i) Distribution of AAA. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, the portion of the 
distribution that is sourced from AAA is

[[Page 60024]]

equal to the lesser of: the product of the qualified distribution 
and the AAA ratio ($200 x 0.5, or $100), and X's AAA immediately 
before the qualified distribution ($50). Therefore, $50 is sourced 
from AAA. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, after 
the distribution, X's AAA is reduced by $50 to $0. Pursuant to 
paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, A must determine its basis as 
of December 18, 2019, in order to determine the consequences of 
receiving the $50 AAA distribution. Because the non-qualified 
distribution on November 9, 2019, which precedes the December 18, 
2019 qualified distribution, could have the effect of reducing A's 
basis, any effect on A's basis from that non-qualified distribution 
must be analyzed prior to determining the effect of the December 18, 
2019 distribution of AAA on A's basis. See paragraphs 
(d)(5)(ii)(D)(3) and (4) of this section. Pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(2)(vii) of this section, X's ETSC period ends because X's AAA 
balance is zero following the December 18, 2019 distribution.
    (ii) Distribution of AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section, the portion of the distribution that is sourced from 
AE&P is equal to the lesser of: the product of the qualified 
distribution and the AE&P ratio ($200 x 0.5, or $100), and X's AE&P 
immediately before the qualified distribution ($50). Therefore, $50 
is sourced from AE&P. Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this 
section, after the distribution, X's AE&P is reduced by $50 to $0. 
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section, the $50 
distribution is characterized as a dividend.
    (iii) Amount of excess qualified distribution. The amount of the 
excess qualified distribution is $100, the amount of the qualified 
distribution ($200) not characterized pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) 
or (3) of this section ($50 AAA distribution + $50 AE&P 
distribution).
    (D) Analysis of non-qualified and excess qualified 
distributions--(1) In general. The $300 non-qualified distribution 
on November 9, 2019, and the $100 excess qualified distribution on 
December 18, 2019, are treated in the manner provided in section 
301(c).
    (2) Allocation of CE&P. Pursuant to section 316 and Sec.  1.316-
2, X's CE&P is allocated proportionately among the excess qualified 
and the non-qualified distributions. Therefore, the portion of X's 
CE&P that is allocated to the November 9, 2019 distribution and the 
December 18, 2019 distribution is $120 ($160 X's CE&P x ($300 
distribution/$400 total excess qualified and non-qualified 
distributions during 2019) and $40 ($160 X's CE&P x ($100 
distribution/$400 total excess qualified and non-qualified 
distributions during 2019), respectively.
    (3) November 9, 2019 distribution. Pursuant to paragraph 
(d)(5)(ii)(D)(2) of this section, $120 of the $300 distribution is 
characterized as a distribution of CE&P. Pursuant to paragraph 
(d)(5)(ii)(C)(2)(ii) of this section, the amount of X's AE&P 
available to allocate the November 9, 2019 distribution is $0. 
Therefore the remaining $180 is characterized pursuant to section 
301(c)(2) and (3). Pursuant to paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(C)(1)(i) of this 
section, A's basis in its X stock prior to the November 9, 2019 
distribution is $150. Therefore, $150 is applied against basis 
pursuant to section 301(c)(2) (reducing A's basis to $0) and $30 is 
treated as gain from the sale or exchange of property pursuant to 
section 301(c)(3).
    (4) December 18, 2019 distribution--(i) Consequences of AAA 
distribution. As of December 18, 2019, A's basis in its X stock is 
$0. See paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(D)(3) of this section. Pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(C)(2)(i) of this section, $50 of the 
distribution is characterized as a distribution of AAA. Because the 
amount of the distribution of AAA ($50) exceeds A's basis in its X 
stock ($0), pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, on 
December 18, 2019, $50 is treated as gain from the sale or exchange 
of property.
    (ii) Characterization of excess qualified distribution. Pursuant 
to paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(C)(2)(iii) of this section, $100 of the 
December 18, 2019 distribution is an excess qualified distribution. 
Paragraph (b)(4) of this section does not apply to the excess 
qualified distribution because X's AAA balance is zero after the 
application of paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section (see paragraph 
(d)(5)(ii)(C)(2)(i) of this section). Pursuant to paragraph (c) of 
this section, section 301(c) applies to the excess qualified 
distribution. Pursuant to paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(D)(2) of this 
section, $40 of the $100 excess qualified distribution is 
characterized as a distribution of CE&P. Pursuant to paragraph 
(d)(5)(ii)(D)(3) of this section, X's AE&P as the time of the 
December 18, 2019 distribution is $0. Therefore the remaining $60 is 
characterized pursuant to section 301(c)(2) and (3). Pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(D)(4)(i) of this section, A's basis in its X 
stock prior to characterization of the excess qualified distribution 
is $0. Therefore, $60 is treated as gain from the sale or exchange 
of property pursuant to section 301(c)(3).

    (e) Applicability date. This section generally applies to taxable 
years beginning after [DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULES IN THE 
Federal Register]. However, corporations may choose to apply the rules 
in Sec. Sec.  1.316-2, 1.481-5, 1.1371-1, 1.1371-2, and 1.1377-2 in 
their entirety, to the extent applicable, to taxable years that began 
on or before [DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULES IN THE Federal 
Register] and with respect to which the period described in section 
6511(a) has not expired. If the corporation makes the choice described 
in the previous sentence, all shareholders of the corporation must 
report consistently.


Sec.  1.1371-2  Impact of Audit PTTP on ETSC Period.

    (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the definitions used 
in Sec.  1.1371-1(a)(2) are applicable. Additionally, the following 
definitions apply for purposes of this section--
    (1) Audit PTTP. The term audit PTTP means a post-termination 
transition period described in section 1377(b)(1)(B).
    (2) Initial PTTP. The term initial PTTP means a post-termination 
transition period described in section 1377(b)(1)(A).
    (3) Intervening audit PTTP. The term intervening audit PTTP means 
an audit PTTP arising during the ETSC period.
    (b) In general. If an intervening audit PTTP arises, the ETSC 
period shall immediately stop. Immediately following the end of the 
intervening audit PTTP, the ETSC period will resume if the ETSC's AAA 
balance is greater than zero. Otherwise, any subsequent distributions 
by the ETSC are treated in the manner provided in section 301(c).
    (c) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
section. For purposes of the examples in this paragraph (c), X is a 
calendar year S corporation. A, an individual, purchased all of the 
outstanding shares of X in a single transaction at the same price per 
share prior to December 22, 2017, and was the sole shareholder of X at 
all times. Pursuant to section 1362(d)(1) and Sec. Sec.  1.1362-2 and 
1.1362-6, X made a valid revocation of its S election on March 15, 
2019, that became effective on January 1, 2019. No amount distributed 
by X is an extraordinary dividend within the meaning of section 1059.

    (1) Example 1: No ETSC period following initial PTTP--(i) Facts. 
At the beginning of January 1, 2019, X had AAA of $49,000 and AE&P 
of $2,000, and A's adjusted basis in its shares of X stock was 
$50,000. During 2019, the only distribution that X made was a 
$49,000 distribution of money to A on March 13, 2019. X's CE&P 
during 2019 was $0, without regard to any diminution by reason of 
any distributions made during the taxable year.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Distribution during initial PTTP. Pursuant to 
sections 1371(e) and 1377(b)(1)(A), the $49,000 distribution of 
money on March 13, 2019, is characterized as a distribution of AAA 
because it was made during the initial PTTP.
    (B) Effect on corporation. Pursuant to Sec.  1.1368-
2(a)(3)(iii), X's AAA is reduced by $49,000 to $0. Following the 
initial PTTP, even if X satisfies the requirements of section 
481(d)(2) and Sec.  1.481-5(b) to be an ETSC, X does not have an 
ETSC period because its AAA balance is zero at the end of its 
initial PTTP. Therefore, section 1371(f) and Sec.  1.1371-1 will not 
apply to any subsequent distributions by X.
    (C) Effect on shareholder. Pursuant to section 1371(e)(1), A 
reduces its basis in its X stock by $49,000 to $1,000.
    (2) Example 2: Intervening audit PTTP--(i) Facts. The facts are 
the same as the facts in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. On May 
20, 2020, which is after X's initial PTTP, the IRS begins an audit 
of X's 2018 return. During the audit it is agreed that X overstated 
its

[[Page 60025]]

advertising expense deduction by $10,000. On July 6, 2020, A signs a 
closing agreement whereby X's overstatement results in an additional 
tax on A's 2018 individual return. As a result, at the beginning of 
January 1, 2019, X had AAA of $59,000 ($49,000 + $10,000) and AE&P 
of $2,000. Additionally, at the beginning of January 1, 2019, A's 
adjusted basis in its shares of X stock was $60,000 ($50,000 + 
$10,000). During 2020, the only distribution X makes is a $6,000 
distribution of money to A on September 1, 2020. X's CE&P during 
2020 was $0, without regard to any diminution by reason of any 
distributions made during the taxable year.
    (ii) Analysis--(A) Analysis of March 15, 2019 distribution. The 
treatment of the March 15, 2019, distribution is the same as 
described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A) of this section, because the 
amount of the distribution ($49,000) does not exceed X's AAA balance 
at the beginning of January 1, 2019 ($59,000), and so the entirety 
of the $49,000 distribution is properly characterized as a 
distribution of AAA.
    (1) Effect on corporation. As described in paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(B) of this section, X's AAA ($59,000 at the beginning of 
January 1, 2019) is reduced by $49,000 to $10,000. At the conclusion 
of X's initial PTTP (ending on December 31, 2019), X's AAA balance 
is $10,000. Pursuant to Sec.  1.1371-1(a)(2)(vii), X has an ETSC 
period. Therefore, section 1371(f) and Sec.  1.1371-1 will apply to 
any subsequent qualified distributions by X.
    (2) Effect on shareholder. As described in paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(C) of this section, A reduces its basis in its X stock 
($60,000 at the beginning of January 1, 2019) by $49,000 to $11,000.
    (B) Intervening audit PTTP. Pursuant to section 1377(b)(1)(B), X 
enters an intervening audit PTTP that begins on July 6, 2020, and 
ends on November 2, 2020. The application of section 1371(f) and the 
regulatory provisions in this part under section 1371 of the Code to 
distributions during the intervening audit PTTP is stopped. Instead, 
sections 1371(e) and 1377(b)(1)(B), and the regulatory provisions in 
this part under sections 1371 and 1377 of the Code, apply for the 
duration of the intervening audit PTTP. During the intervening audit 
PTTP, the only distribution X made is a $6,000 distribution of money 
to A on September 1, 2020. Pursuant to sections 1371(e) and 
1377(b)(1)(B), the $6,000 distribution is characterized as a 
distribution of AAA because it was made during the intervening audit 
PTTP.
    (1) Effect on corporation. Pursuant to Sec.  1.1368-
2(a)(3)(iii), X's AAA is reduced by $6,000 to $4,000. Beginning on 
November 3, 2020, pursuant to Sec.  1.1371-1(a)(2)(vii), X's ETSC 
period resumes (after the intervening audit PTTP's conclusion) 
because its AAA balance is greater than zero.
    (2) Effect on shareholder. Pursuant to section 1371(e)(1), A 
reduces its basis in its X stock by $6,000 to $5,000.
    (C) ETSC period. Beginning on November 3, 2020, X's ETSC period 
resumes, and distributions of money are subject to section 1371(f) 
and the regulatory provisions in this part under section 1371 of the 
Code until X's AAA balance is zero. For purposes of calculating each 
of X's AAA and AE&P ratios, X's historical AAA is $59,000 (at the 
beginning of January 1, 2019, which includes the $10,000 increase as 
a result of the July 6, 2020, closing agreement).
    (d) Applicability date. This section generally applies to taxable 
years beginning after [DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULES IN THE 
Federal Register]. However, corporations may choose to apply the rules 
in Sec. Sec.  1.316-2, 1.481-5, 1.1371-1, 1.1371-2, and 1.1377-2 in 
their entirety, to the extent applicable, to taxable years that began 
on or before [DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULES IN THE Federal 
Register] and with respect to which the period described in section 
6511(a) has not expired. If the corporation makes the choice described 
in the previous sentence, all shareholders of the corporation must 
report consistently.


Sec.  1.1377-2   [Amended]

0
 Par. 7. Section 1.1377-2 is amended by removing the last sentence of 
paragraph (b).
0
Par. 8. Section 1.1377-3 is amended by:
0
a. Removing ``and 1.1377-2 apply'' and adding ``applies'' in its place; 
and
0
b. Adding three sentences at the end of the paragraph.
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  1.1377-3   Effective dates.

    * * * Section 1.1377-2 generally applies to taxable years beginning 
after [DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULES IN THE Federal Register], 
however, corporations may choose to apply the rules in Sec. Sec.  
1.316-2, 1.481-5, 1.1371-1, 1.1371-2, and 1.1377-2 in their entirety, 
to the extent applicable, to taxable years that began on or before 
[DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULES IN THE Federal Register] and 
with respect to which the period described in section 6511(a) has not 
expired. If the corporation makes the choice described in the previous 
sentence, all shareholders of the corporation must report consistently. 
For taxable years beginning on or before [DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE 
FINAL RULES IN THE Federal Register], see Sec.  1.1377-2(b) as 
contained in 26 CFR part 1, revised April 1, 2019.

Sunita Lough,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2019-24098 Filed 11-4-19; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 4830-01-P