[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 1 (Thursday, January 2, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 192-206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27979]



[[Page 191]]

Vol. 85

Thursday,

No. 1

January 2, 2020

Part III





 Department of the Treasury





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Internal Revenue Service





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26 CFR Part 1





Regulations Relating to Withholding and Reporting Tax on Certain U.S. 
Source Income Paid to Foreign Persons; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 1 / Thursday, January 2, 2020 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 192]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[TD 9890]
RIN 1545-BN73, 1545-BN74, 1545-B023, 1545-BN79, 1545-BO30


Regulations Relating to Withholding and Reporting Tax on Certain 
U.S. Source Income Paid to Foreign Persons

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Final regulations; removal of temporary regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations that provide guidance 
on certain due diligence and reporting rules applicable to persons 
making certain U.S. source payments to foreign persons, and guidance on 
certain aspects of reporting by foreign financial institutions on U.S. 
accounts. The final regulations affect persons making certain U.S.-
related payments to certain foreign persons and foreign financial 
institutions reporting certain U.S. accounts.

DATES: 
    Effective date. These regulations are effective on January 2, 2020.
    Applicability date. For dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.  
1.1441-1(f)(1) and (3), 1.1441-2(f)(2), 1.1441-6(i)(1) and (3), 1.1441-
7(g), 1.1471-4(j)(2), and 1.6049-6(e).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Sweeney at (202) 317-6942 (not a 
toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On January 6, 2017, the Department of the Treasury (Treasury 
Department) and the IRS published final and temporary regulations (the 
chapter 3 temporary regulations) under chapter 3 of subtitle A of the 
Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and chapter 61 of subtitle F of the 
Code (TD 9808) in the Federal Register (82 FR 2046, as corrected at 82 
FR 29719). On the same date, the Treasury Department and the IRS 
published a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-134247-16) in the 
Federal Register (82 FR 1645, as corrected at 82 FR 43314 and 82 FR 
49549) cross-referencing the temporary regulations (the chapter 3 
proposed regulations). Also on January 6, 2017, the Treasury Department 
and the IRS published final and temporary regulations (the chapter 4 
temporary regulations) under chapter 4 of subtitle A of the Code (TD 
9809) in the Federal Register (82 FR 2124, as corrected at 82 FR 
27928). On the same date, the Treasury Department and the IRS published 
a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-103477-14) in the Federal Register 
(82 FR 1629, as corrected at 82 FR 43314) that cross-referenced the 
temporary regulations and included other proposed regulations.\1\ The 
proposed regulations cross-referencing the chapter 4 temporary 
regulations (redesignated as REG-132857-17) are referred to in this 
preamble as the chapter 4 proposed regulations.
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    \1\ The notice of proposed rulemaking also included proposed 
regulations under chapter 4 relating to certain requirements for 
sponsoring entities, which regulations were finalized on March 25, 
2019, in a Treasury Decision (TD 9852) published in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 10976).
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    On September 25, 2017, the Treasury Department and the IRS issued 
Notice 2017-46, 2017-41 I.R.B. 275, and on March 5, 2018, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS issued Notice 2018-20, 2018-12 I.R.B. 444. These 
notices provide that the Treasury Department and the IRS intend to 
amend certain provisions in the chapter 3 temporary regulations to 
narrow the scope of certain documentation requirements and provide a 
phase-in for implementation of those rules in response to comments. 
Notices 2017-46 and 2018-20 provide that taxpayers may rely on the 
guidance provided in these notices until they are incorporated into 
final regulations. These notices are further described in Part I of the 
Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions section of this 
preamble.
    On December 18, 2018, the Treasury Department and the IRS published 
a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-132881-17) in the Federal Register 
(83 FR 64757) that proposed amendments to the regulations under 
chapters 3 and 4 to reduce burden under those regulations (the 2018 
proposed regulations). The 2018 proposed regulations respond to 
Executive Orders 13777 and 13789, which instructed the Secretary of the 
Treasury to reduce regulatory burdens on taxpayers. The 2018 proposed 
regulations proposed modifications to certain provisions that are also 
in the chapter 3 temporary regulations and the chapter 4 temporary 
regulations. Certain of the proposed modifications relate to the 
requirement that a withholding certificate or treaty statement provided 
with documentary evidence by a treaty claimant that is an entity 
identify the applicable limitation on benefits provision that the 
entity meets in order to be eligible for treaty benefits. See 
Sec. Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(ii)(A)(2) and 1.1441-6(c)(5)(i) of the 2018 
proposed regulations. Other proposed modifications relate to the 
documentation that a withholding agent may rely on to treat an address 
provided by an account holder that is subject to a hold mail 
instruction as a permanent residence address for purposes of an account 
holder's claim of foreign status or benefits under an income tax 
treaty. See Sec. Sec.  1.1441-1(c)(38) and 1.1471-1(b)(62) and (99) of 
the 2018 proposed regulations. As discussed further in Parts V and VI 
of the Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions section of this 
preamble, these final regulations incorporate the modifications 
included in the 2018 proposed regulations with respect to those 
requirements. The Treasury Department and the IRS intend to finalize 
the remaining provisions of the 2018 proposed regulations in separate 
guidance at a future date.
    No public hearing was requested or held with respect to the chapter 
3 proposed regulations or the chapter 4 proposed regulations, though 
written comments were received and are available at www.regulations.gov 
or upon request. A public hearing was held with respect to the 2018 
proposed regulations, but the topics raised in the hearing do not 
relate to the provisions in the 2018 proposed regulations that are 
finalized in this Treasury Decision. Written comments on the 2018 
proposed regulations were received and are available at 
www.regulations.gov or upon request. After consideration of the 
comments received, the chapter 3 proposed regulations and the chapter 4 
proposed regulations are adopted, with modifications (including the 
modifications generally described in the preceding paragraph to take 
into account certain provisions in the 2018 proposed regulations), as 
final regulations in this Treasury Decision, and the corresponding 
temporary regulations are removed.
    This document also includes a limited number of technical 
corrections and conforming changes to final regulations under chapters 
3, 4, and 61.

Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions

I. Requirement for a Withholding Agent To Obtain a Foreign Taxpayer 
Identification Number and Date of Birth

    Section 1.1441-1T(e)(2)(ii)(B) provides that, beginning January 1, 
2017, a beneficial owner withholding certificate provided to document 
an account that is maintained at a U.S. branch or office of a financial 
institution is required to contain the account holder's foreign 
taxpayer identification

[[Page 193]]

number (foreign TIN) and, in the case of an individual account holder, 
the date of birth, in order for the withholding agent to treat such 
withholding certificate as valid. A withholding certificate that does 
not contain the account holder's date of birth will not be invalid if 
the withholding agent has the account holder's date of birth in its 
files. If an account holder does not have a foreign TIN, the account 
holder is required to provide a reasonable explanation for its absence. 
A foreign TIN obtained by a withholding agent is required to be 
reported on Form 1042-S (Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to 
Withholding).
    After publication of the chapter 3 temporary regulations, the 
Treasury Department and the IRS received comments about the difficulty 
of obtaining foreign TINs and dates of birth from account holders by 
January 1, 2017. Several comments requested a delay of one or two years 
before the foreign TIN and date of birth requirements apply. One 
comment requested a one-year extension of the validity period for 
withholding certificates that are scheduled to expire on or before 
December 31, 2017 (unless there is a change in circumstance). Several 
comments noted that the requirement to obtain additional information 
from customers who had recently provided a withholding certificate to a 
withholding agent may damage the withholding agent's customer 
relationships, and suggested transitional rules to ease the 
redocumentation burden. These comments suggested various phase-in rules 
that would allow a withholding agent to treat a withholding certificate 
provided before the foreign TIN and date of birth requirements apply 
that would otherwise be valid as continuing to be valid until the 
withholding certificate otherwise expires. For example, for withholding 
certificates that have a three-year validity period, comments suggested 
that a withholding agent be required to obtain a foreign TIN and date 
of birth at the end of the three-year period. For withholding 
certificates that are valid indefinitely, comments suggested that 
withholding agents be allowed two or three years to collect new 
withholding certificates with a foreign TIN and date of birth.
    Comments requested that a withholding certificate not be treated as 
invalid if the withholding agent obtains an account holder's foreign 
TIN and date of birth in any manner (for example, orally, in a written 
statement, or otherwise in account files). Comments also requested 
clarifications of terms used in Sec.  1.1441-1T(e)(2)(ii)(B). 
Additionally, comments requested clarification of what constitutes a 
reasonable explanation for the absence of a foreign TIN.
    Two comments requested that a withholding agent's failure to obtain 
an account holder's foreign TIN or date of birth not cause a 
withholding agent to treat a withholding certificate as invalid and 
withhold on payments made to the account holder. One comment suggested 
that an information reporting penalty apply instead. Another comment 
requested that the IRS waive penalties for a failure to include a 
foreign TIN on Form 1042-S for 2017 and 2018 under sections 6721 and 
6722 (relating to penalties for failing to file correct information 
returns or to furnish correct payee statements, respectively).
    In response to these comments, the Treasury Department and the IRS 
issued Notice 2017-46, which provides that the Treasury Department and 
the IRS intend to amend Sec.  1.1441-1T(e)(2)(ii)(B) to generally 
narrow its application and provide additional time for a withholding 
agent to collect a foreign TIN (or a reasonable explanation for the 
absence of a foreign TIN) and date of birth from an account holder. 
Notice 2017-46 provides a one-year delay in the implementation of the 
foreign TIN and date of birth requirements for payments made on or 
after January 1, 2018 (rather than payments made on or after January 1, 
2017). Notice 2017-46 also provides transitional rules that phase in 
the requirement to obtain a foreign TIN for withholding certificates 
provided before January 1, 2018. These transitional rules generally 
allow a withholding agent to continue to treat an otherwise valid 
withholding certificate as valid even if it does not contain a foreign 
TIN (or a reasonable explanation for the absence of a foreign TIN) 
until January 1, 2020 (provided there is no change in circumstance and 
the withholding certificate does not expire). For payments made on or 
after January 1, 2020, the transitional rules permit a withholding 
agent to treat a withholding certificate obtained before January 1, 
2018, as valid if the withholding agent obtains the account holder's 
foreign TIN on a written statement or if the withholding agent 
otherwise has the account holder's foreign TIN in the withholding 
agent's files (provided there is no change in circumstance that 
requires a revised withholding certificate and the withholding 
certificate does not expire). These transitional rules were intended to 
align with the transitional period (the end of 2019, as also provided 
in Notice 2017-46) permitted for reporting Model 1 FFIs to obtain and 
report required U.S. TINs for their preexisting accounts that are U.S. 
reportable accounts.
    Notice 2017-46 also includes exceptions for an account holder that 
is (i) resident in a jurisdiction identified by the IRS on a list of 
jurisdictions that do not issue foreign TINs, (ii) a government, 
international organization, foreign central bank, or resident of a U.S. 
territory, or (iii) resident in a jurisdiction with which the United 
States does not have an agreement relating to the exchange of tax 
information in force. In addition, the notice limits the requirement to 
obtain a foreign TIN and date of birth to payments of U.S. source 
income reportable on Form 1042-S.
    Consistent with Sec.  1.1441-1T(e)(2)(ii)(B), Notice 2017-46 
provides that the foreign TIN and date of birth requirements apply for 
purposes of determining the validity of a withholding certificate. 
These final regulations do not adopt the comment suggesting that an 
information reporting penalty that is imposed on the withholding agent 
should apply rather than treating the withholding certificate as 
invalid and thereby requiring that withholding at the full 30-percent 
rate be applied on payments to the account holder that are reportable 
on Form 1042-S. The Treasury Department and the IRS determined that it 
is more appropriate to apply the consequences of noncompliance to the 
account holder that remains insufficiently documented rather than 
imposing a penalty on the withholding agent. Further, the amount that 
may be assessed based on a penalty for incorrect information reporting 
is in general small compared to the withholding that would result from 
an invalid withholding certificate and therefore is unlikely to be a 
sufficient incentive for an account holder to provide the missing 
information in many cases.
    After the publication of Notice 2017-46, some jurisdictions with 
laws that restrict the collection or disclosure of foreign TINs of 
their residents requested that their residents not be required to 
provide foreign TINs to withholding agents for purposes of Sec.  
1.1441-1T(e)(2)(ii)(B). In response to those requests, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS issued Notice 2018-20, which provides that the 
IRS intends to expand its list of jurisdictions that do not issue 
foreign TINs to their residents to include jurisdictions that request 
to be included on the list, even if the jurisdiction issues foreign 
TINs to its residents. The list of jurisdictions for which a 
withholding agent is not required to collect a foreign TIN of a 
resident in such jurisdiction is available

[[Page 194]]

at https://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/list-of-jurisdictions-that-do-not-issue-foreign-tins (or at any successor website or as 
provided in subsequent published guidance).
    These final regulations incorporate the chapter 3 temporary 
regulations and the provisions in Notice 2017-46 and Notice 2018-20 
with minor changes. Comments received after the publication of those 
notices are described in the following paragraphs.
    Several comments requested that withholding agents be permitted to 
obtain a foreign TIN through other means (such as orally, on a 
statement, or from the withholding agent's files) when it is not 
provided on a withholding certificate signed on or after January 1, 
2018 (rather than only withholding certificates signed before January 
1, 2018, as provided in Notice 2017-46). One of those comments noted 
that a foreign TIN in a withholding agent's files may have been 
collected orally. While withholding agents may rely on foreign TINs in 
their files for withholding certificates signed before January 1, 2018 
without investigating whether they were obtained orally, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS have determined that this allowance should be 
limited to the transition period because an oral statement does not 
provide adequate assurance of accuracy and may raise recordkeeping 
concerns. However, to provide flexibility for withholding agents, the 
Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that a separate written 
statement is an acceptable way for a withholding agent to collect an 
account holder's foreign TIN, provided that the account holder 
represents its foreign TIN in a signed written statement that 
acknowledges that such statement is a part of the withholding 
certificate and the withholding agent associates the statement with the 
account holder's withholding certificate. While the Treasury Department 
and the IRS expect that withholding agents will generally obtain 
foreign TINs on withholding certificates, this allowance permits 
withholding agents to cure incomplete withholding certificates by 
obtaining the foreign TIN on a separate statement rather than having to 
obtain a new withholding certificate. The requirement that the signed 
written statement include an acknowledgment that such statement is part 
of the withholding certificate ensures that the statement is subject to 
penalties of perjury to the same extent as any other information 
provided on the withholding certificate.
    A comment requested an exception to the foreign TIN requirement for 
``onshore accounts that would, by analogy, qualify as excluded 
financial accounts.'' These final regulations define the term 
``account'' for purposes of Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(2)(ii)(B) by cross-
referencing the definition of a financial account under Sec.  1.1471-
5(b), thereby incorporating the exceptions provided in that paragraph. 
Therefore, the Treasury Department and the IRS do not believe that 
additional changes are needed to the definition.
    The same comment requested the elimination of the foreign TIN 
requirement for a beneficial owner withholding certificate of a foreign 
financial institution (FFI) because jurisdictions with a reciprocal 
Model 1 IGA may not need the foreign TINs of financial institutions. 
This comment is not adopted because there is no exception for an 
account held by a financial institution in the Model 1 IGA jurisdiction 
in the definition of the term ``FATCA partner reportable account'' 
(which defines accounts with respect to which the United States 
provides information to the partner jurisdiction).
    These final regulations clarify the application of the exception to 
the requirement that a withholding certificate include a foreign TIN 
for an account holder that is a government, international organization, 
foreign central bank, or resident of a U.S. territory by adding an 
example specifying that an account holder may claim foreign government 
status either under section 892 or otherwise when the withholding agent 
may rely upon a claim of exemption either under Sec.  1.1441-8 
(generally on an IRS Form W-8-EXP, Certificate of Foreign Government or 
Other Foreign Organization for United States Tax Withholding and 
Reporting) or under Sec.  1.1441-7 (generally on an IRS Form W-8BEN-E, 
Certificate of Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax 
Withholding and Reporting (Entities)).
    These final regulations also clarify the standard of knowledge 
applicable to a date of birth by providing that a withholding agent may 
rely on a date of birth provided on a withholding certificate unless it 
knows or has reason to know that the date of birth is incorrect. This 
is the same standard of knowledge applicable to foreign TINs. Finally, 
these final regulations incorporate the allowance in the instructions 
for Form W-8 that a reasonable explanation may be provided on a 
separate attached statement associated with the withholding 
certificate.

II. Nonqualified Intermediary Withholding Statements

    Under the chapter 3 regulations, a nonqualified intermediary is 
generally required to provide to a withholding agent a Form W-8IMY 
(Certificate of Foreign Intermediary, Foreign Flow-Through Entity, or 
Certain U.S. Branches for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting), 
a withholding statement, and the documentation for each payee for which 
the intermediary receives a payment. A withholding statement must 
allocate the payment to each payee and provide each payee's name, 
address, TIN (if any), type of documentation provided, and type of 
recipient (applying the recipient category codes listed on Form 1042-
S). Because this information may also be included on a payee's 
documentation that is associated with the withholding statement, the 
chapter 3 temporary regulations provide that a nonqualified 
intermediary may provide a withholding statement that does not include 
all of the information described in the preceding sentence, provided 
that this information can be found on withholding certificates 
associated with the nonqualified intermediary withholding statement and 
certain other requirements are met. One of those requirements is that 
the nonqualified intermediary represent to the withholding agent that 
the information on the withholding certificates associated with the 
withholding statement is not inconsistent with any other account 
information the nonqualified intermediary has for purposes of 
determining the withholding rate applicable to each payee.
    A comment requested clarification of the standard of knowledge 
applicable to a nonqualified intermediary for purposes of the 
representation that the information on the payees' withholding 
certificates is not inconsistent with any other account information the 
nonqualified intermediary has for purposes of determining the 
withholding rate applicable to each payee. These final regulations 
clarify that the general standards of knowledge that are applicable to 
withholding agents apply to a nonqualified intermediary for reliance on 
payee documentation for purposes of making the representation described 
in the preceding sentence.
    As noted in the first paragraph of this Part II, a nonqualified 
intermediary must provide on its withholding statement the recipient 
category code for each payee. A comment noted that nonqualified 
intermediaries generally

[[Page 195]]

do not have familiarity with determining the appropriate chapter 4 
recipient code for Form 1042-S reporting purposes because nonqualified 
intermediaries generally do not file Form 1042-S and the chapter 4 
recipient categories listed on Form 1042-S differ from the chapter 4 
status categories listed on a Form W-8 that may be provided by a payee. 
Because a withholding agent making a payment to the nonqualified 
intermediary is required to file Form 1042-S, the comment suggested 
that the withholding agent is better able to determine the appropriate 
chapter 4 recipient code than a nonqualified intermediary. The comment 
recommended that the requirement for chapter 4 recipient codes be 
eliminated for certain withholding statements or that the IRS provide 
information on the relationship between chapter 4 recipient status on 
Forms W-8 and Form 1042-S. The Treasury Department and the IRS have 
determined that it is important to continue to obtain chapter 4 
recipient codes but agree with the comment that withholding agents may 
be better able to determine the appropriate chapter 4 recipient code 
than a nonqualified intermediary. In response to the comment, these 
final regulations provide that a nonqualified intermediary may provide 
a withholding statement that does not include a chapter 4 recipient 
code for one or more payees if the withholding agent is able to 
determine the appropriate recipient code based on other information 
included on, or associated with, the withholding statement or that is 
otherwise contained in the withholding agent's records with respect to 
the payee. See Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(3)(iv)(C)(3)(ii).
    The provisions described in this Part II also apply to nonqualified 
intermediary withholding statements associated with withholdable 
payments under chapter 4 by cross-reference to Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(3)(iv)(C)(3). See Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(5).

III. Electronic Signatures for Purposes of Chapters 3 and 4

    Section 1.1441-1T(e)(4)(i)(B) permits a withholding agent to accept 
an electronically signed withholding certificate if the withholding 
certificate reasonably demonstrates to the withholding agent that it 
has been electronically signed by the recipient identified on the form 
or a person authorized by the recipient to sign the form. The 
regulation includes an example that illustrates when a withholding 
agent may treat a withholding certificate as validly signed based on a 
review of a withholding certificate that reasonably demonstrates that 
it has been electronically signed (as opposed to appearing to have a 
typed name as a signature). This provision applies in addition to the 
allowance provided under Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(iv) for a withholding 
agent to establish its own system for a beneficial owner or payee to 
electronically furnish to the withholding agent (and sign 
electronically) a Form W-8. A comment requested that the example be 
removed because it could be interpreted as providing a minimum standard 
for accepting an electronically signed withholding certificate and may 
become inconsistent with future changes in technology for providing 
electronic signatures. Two comments also requested that the final 
regulations allow reliance on an electronically signed Form W-9 
(Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification), and one 
comment requested that a withholding agent be permitted to rely on a 
withholding certificate collected through an electronic system 
maintained by a nonqualified intermediary or flow-through entity if the 
nonqualified intermediary or flow-through entity provides a written 
statement confirming that the electronic system meets the requirements 
of Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(iv), as described in Notice 2016-08, 2016-6 
I.R.B. 304.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS are of the view that a clear 
illustration of when a withholding agent can readily determine that a 
withholding certificate is electronically signed under current 
technology that is frequently used in the industry is warranted as it 
demonstrates the difference between an acceptable electronic signature 
in contrast to merely having a printed name or unrecognizable notation 
in place of a name. Further, Sec.  1.1441-1T(e)(4)(i)(B) clearly states 
that this illustration is simply an example of one set of facts that 
satisfies the rule. Thus, this example is retained in these final 
regulations. To provide additional flexibility, these final regulations 
permit a withholding agent to consider, in addition to the withholding 
certificate itself, other documentation or information the withholding 
agent has that supports that a withholding certificate was 
electronically signed, provided that the withholding agent does not 
have actual knowledge that the documentation or information is 
incorrect. These final regulations do not add a specific allowance for 
Form W-9 in Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(i)(B) because rules regarding reliance 
on an electronically signed Form W-9 are provided in separate guidance, 
such as the Requestor Instructions to Form W-9. Additionally, in light 
of the general rule in Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4) that provides that the 
rules in such paragraph are applicable to Form W-8, Form 8233, and 
certain documentary evidence, the specific exclusion in Sec.  1.1441-
1T(e)(4)(i)(B) for Form W-9 is unnecessary and therefore not included 
in these final regulations.
    The provisions described in this Part III also apply to chapter 4 
by cross-reference to Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(i)(B). See Sec.  1.1471-
3(c)(3)(i).

IV. Withholding Certificates and Withholding Statements Furnished 
Through a Third Party Repository for Purposes of Chapters 3 and 4

    Section 1.1441-1T(e)(4)(iv)(E) provides the circumstances under 
which a withholding certificate (and in certain circumstances a 
withholding statement) received electronically by a withholding agent 
from a third party repository will be considered furnished to the 
withholding agent by the person whose name is on the certificate. These 
circumstances include that a withholding agent be able to associate a 
withholding certificate received from a third party repository with a 
specific request for the withholding certificate and a specific 
authorization from the person (or agent of the person) providing the 
certificate with respect to each specific payment or each specific 
obligation maintained by the withholding agent. A comment requested 
clarification on whether a specific request and specific authorization 
is required each time a withholding agent makes a payment. The 
standards for requiring a separate request and separate authorization 
to obtain a withholding certificate from a third party repository were 
not intended to deviate from the standards for when a withholding agent 
may continue to rely on a withholding certificate furnished directly by 
the person providing the withholding certificate (or such person's 
agent). Therefore, these final regulations clarify that a separate 
request and separate authorization to obtain a withholding certificate 
from a third party repository is not required for each payment made by 
a withholding agent when the withholding agent is otherwise permitted 
to rely on the withholding certificate on an obligation-by-obligation 
basis or as otherwise permitted under Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(ix).
    Other comments requested that Sec.  1.1441-1T(e)(4)(iv)(E) 
specifically provide that a withholding agent may rely on a Form W-9 
obtained from a third party repository. However, the

[[Page 196]]

validity requirements for reliance on a Form W-9 are contained in the 
section 3406 regulations (and related guidance under that section) and 
are not generally amended solely for purposes of a withholding agent's 
reliance in the case of a payment subject to withholding under section 
1441. As a result, these final regulations are not amended to add an 
allowance for a withholding agent's reliance on a Form W-9 obtained 
from a third party repository, and taxpayers should continue to refer 
to the other guidance applicable to reliance on a Form W-9. 
Additionally, the specific exclusion in Sec.  1.1441-1T(e)(4)(iv)(E) 
for Form W-9 is not included in these final regulations for the same 
reason that the exclusion for Form W-9 is not included in Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(4)(i)(B), as described in Part III of this Summary of Comments and 
Explanation of Revisions of this preamble.
    As the final chapter 4 regulations adopted by this Treasury 
Decision cross reference the final chapter 3 regulations for when a 
withholding agent may treat a withholding certificate received from a 
third party repository as provided by a payee, the above-described 
modifications to Sec.  1.1441-1T(e)(4)(iv)(E) also apply to a 
withholding certificate or withholding statement relied upon for 
chapter 4 purposes.

V. Limitation on Benefits for Treaty Claims on Withholding Certificates 
and Treaty Statements Provided With Documentary Evidence for Purposes 
of Chapter 3

    Under the regulations under chapter 3, in order for a withholding 
agent to apply a reduced rate of withholding based on an entity's claim 
for benefits under a tax treaty, the withholding agent must obtain 
either (i) a withholding certificate that includes a treaty claim on 
the certificate, or (ii) documentary evidence and a separate treaty 
statement. Under the chapter 3 temporary regulations, a treaty 
statement must, among other things, identify the specific limitation on 
benefits (LOB) provision of the applicable treaty on which the 
beneficial owner relies to claim the treaty benefit. Section 1.1441-
6(b)(1) provides that generally, absent actual knowledge or reason to 
know otherwise, a withholding agent may rely on a claim that a 
beneficial owner is entitled to a reduced rate of withholding based 
upon an income tax treaty if the withholding agent can reliably 
associate the payment with a beneficial owner withholding certificate, 
or, in the case of a payment made outside the United States with 
respect to an offshore obligation, documentary evidence and a treaty 
statement. This general standard of knowledge is modified in two 
situations in the chapter 3 temporary regulations. First, Sec.  1.1441-
6T(b)(1)(ii) provides that a withholding agent's reason to know that a 
beneficial owner's claim to a reduced rate of withholding under an 
income tax treaty is unreliable or incorrect includes when the 
beneficial owner claims benefits under an income tax treaty that does 
not exist or is not in force, and that a withholding agent may 
determine whether a tax treaty exists or in force by checking a list 
maintained on the IRS website. Second, Sec.  1.1441-6T(b)(1)(i) 
provides that a withholding agent may rely on a beneficial owner's 
claim regarding its reliance on a specific LOB provision absent actual 
knowledge that such claim is unreliable or incorrect.
    The chapter 3 temporary regulations also add a validity period of 
three years for a treaty statement provided with documentary evidence 
in order to provide parity with the validity period for a withholding 
certificate containing a treaty claim, enhance the reliability and 
increase the accuracy of the claims, and help ensure that information 
is updated when ownership thresholds or activity requirements in a 
particular treaty have changed. The chapter 3 temporary regulations 
provide a transitional rule under which accounts opened and documented 
with documentary evidence and a treaty statement prior to January 6, 
2017 (preexisting accounts) will expire on January 1, 2019.
    A comment requested that the standard of knowledge applicable to a 
LOB provision should be limited to determining whether a tax treaty 
exists and is in force. The Treasury Department and IRS are of the view 
that such limitation would be inappropriate because a determination of 
whether a treaty exists and is in force is a general rule applicable to 
a treaty claim and not specifically related to a limitation on benefits 
provision. Moreover, the actual knowledge standard applicable to a 
limitation on benefits provision is already sufficiently limited as it 
should not generally require a withholding agent to obtain facts it 
does not normally request or render a conclusion it could not readily 
make from the information it already has otherwise collected. Thus, 
this comment is not adopted, and these final regulations adopt the 
standard of knowledge in the chapter 3 temporary regulations for 
reliance on a LOB provision associated with a treaty claim made on a 
withholding certificate without modification. See Sec.  1.1441-
6(b)(1)(i) and (ii).
    Comments also noted the burden of complying with the new LOB 
requirement for treaty statements associated with documentary evidence, 
including difficulties in obtaining new treaty statements by the 
January 1, 2019, expiration date given the large number of account 
holders providing treaty statements before January 6, 2017. The 
comments requested an additional one-year period for withholding agents 
to obtain new treaty statements with LOB representations to replace 
treaty statements obtained before January 6, 2017. A comment also 
requested a further explanation of the reasoning for the three-year 
validity period for a treaty statement.
    In response to these comments, the 2018 proposed regulations 
include revisions to the LOB requirement and validity period for treaty 
statements in the chapter 3 temporary regulations. The 2018 proposed 
regulations extend the time for withholding agents to obtain treaty 
statements with the specific LOB provisions identified for preexisting 
accounts to January 1, 2020 (rather than the January 1, 2019 date 
included in the chapter 3 temporary regulations). These final 
regulations incorporate this extension for preexisting accounts.
    The 2018 proposed regulations also add an exception to the three-
year validity period for treaty statements associated with documentary 
evidence provided by tax-exempt organizations (other than tax-exempt 
pension trusts or pension funds), governments, and publicly traded 
corporations. With this exception, the validity period for treaty 
statements is more closely aligned with the validity period for treaty 
claims on withholding certificates. The Treasury Department and the IRS 
have also determined that, apart from this exception, three years is an 
appropriate validity period for treaty statements and treaty claims 
because it requires the entity to periodically redetermine whether it 
continues to meet the LOB provision.
    A comment to the 2018 proposed regulations requested that the 
exception to the three-year validity period for treaty statements 
provided by tax-exempt organizations, governments, and publicly traded 
corporations, be extended to apply to withholding certificates used by 
such entities to make treaty claims. However, a withholding certificate 
contains not only a treaty claim, but also information and 
representations about the entity making the treaty claim (including 
representations relevant for chapter 4 purposes). Therefore, it is not 
appropriate for this exception to be

[[Page 197]]

extended to withholding certificates used to make treaty claims. 
Therefore, these final regulations do not adopt this comment and 
generally incorporate the same exception to the three-year validity 
period for treaty statements that is provided in the 2018 proposed 
regulations. However, these final regulations do not include the record 
retention requirement included in the 2018 proposed regulations for 
treaty statements from publicly traded corporations because the 
Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that a retention 
requirement in this case is unnecessary for information that is 
publicly available.
    These final regulations also include the same modification included 
in the 2018 proposed regulations to correct an inadvertent omission of 
the applicable standard for a withholding agent's reliance on the 
beneficial owner's identification of a LOB provision on a treaty 
statement, incorporating the same actual knowledge standard that 
applies to a withholding certificate used for a treaty claim.
    A qualified intermediary, withholding foreign partnership, and 
withholding foreign trust may rely on the amendments described in this 
Part V until they are incorporated into the applicable withholding 
agreement.

VI. Permanent Residence Address Subject To Hold Mail Instruction for 
Purposes of Chapters 3 and 4

    Sections 1.1441-1T(c)(38)(ii) and 1.1471-1T(b)(99) allow a 
withholding agent to treat an address provided by a beneficial owner or 
account holder as that person's permanent residence address even if the 
address is subject to a hold mail instruction, provided that the 
withholding agent obtains documentary evidence establishing the 
person's residence in the country in which the person claims to be a 
resident for tax purposes. Comments requested that the hold mail rule 
be eliminated, and if it is not eliminated that a withholding agent be 
allowed to rely on documentary evidence establishing a person's foreign 
status (rather than the person's residency in a particular country) 
unless the person is claiming treaty benefits, and requested 
clarification on the definition of the term ``hold mail instruction'' 
and the categories of documentary evidence that can be relied upon.
    The Treasury and the IRS have determined that the hold mail rule is 
necessary in order to ensure that taxpayers identify a true permanent 
residence address. In response to the other comments, the 2018 proposed 
regulations included proposed modifications to the requirements for 
reliance on an address subject to a hold mail instruction. The 2018 
proposed regulations provide that the documentary evidence required in 
order to treat an address that is provided subject to a hold mail 
instruction as a permanent residence address is documentary evidence 
that supports the person's claim of foreign status or, for a person 
claiming treaty benefits, documentary evidence that supports the 
person's residence in the country where the person claims treaty 
benefits. Regardless of whether the person claims treaty benefits, the 
2018 proposed regulations allow a withholding agent to rely on 
documentary evidence described in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(5)(i), without 
regard to whether the documentation contains a permanent residence 
address.
    A comment also requested the removal of any limitations on reliance 
on a permanent residence address subject to a hold mail instruction 
because many account holders prefer to receive electronic 
correspondence rather than paper mail. In response to this comment, the 
2018 proposed regulations added a definition of a hold mail instruction 
to clarify that a hold mail instruction does not include a request to 
receive all correspondence (including account statements) 
electronically. Because no comments were received on the 2018 proposed 
regulations specific to the modified requirements for reliance on an 
address subject to a hold mail instruction, those provisions of the 
2018 proposed regulations are included in these final regulations. A 
qualified intermediary, withholding foreign partnership, and 
withholding foreign trust may rely on the amendments described in this 
Part VI until they are incorporated into the applicable withholding 
agreement.

VII. Technical Corrections, Conforming Change, and Applicability Dates

    The final regulations in TD 9808 modified Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(3)(iv)(B) (general requirements for withholding statements 
provided by nonqualified intermediaries) and (f)(1) (applicability 
date) of the chapter 3 regulations. The last sentence of modified Sec.  
1.1441-1(e)(3)(iv)(B) and the first sentence of (f)(1), however, 
include typographical errors, which are corrected in these final 
regulations. In addition, the final regulations in TD 9808 modified 
Sec.  1.1461-1(c)(1)(i) to allow a withholding agent to furnish a 
recipient copy of Form 1042-S electronically. These final regulations 
make a conforming change to Sec.  1.6049-6(e)(4) to allow a payor to 
furnish a recipient copy of Form 1042-S electronically to a nonresident 
alien individual that is paid deposit interest reportable under Sec.  
1.6049-4(b)(5). To clarify that the 90-day grace period applies to a 
change in circumstance that results from a jurisdiction ceasing to be 
treated as having an IGA in effect, the text in Sec.  1.1471-
3T(c)(6)(ii)(E)(4) is moved to Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(E)(3) (which 
provides the 90-day period for changes in circumstance). Finally, these 
final regulations make ministerial changes to the applicability date 
provision in Sec.  1.1441-1(f) to combine the applicability dates of 
these final regulations with regulations issued under section 871(m) 
that previously were contained in Sec.  1.1441-1(f)(3) and (f)(5) in 
Sec.  1.1441-1(f)(3), and clarify the applicability dates of Sec. Sec.  
1.1441-2 (with respect to certain payments) and 1.1441-6 (with respect 
to identification of limitation on benefits provisions).

Special Analyses

I. Regulatory Planning and Review

    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.

II. Paperwork Reduction Act

    These final regulations reduce certain information collection 
burdens that were included in the chapter 3 temporary regulations. For 
purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) 
(PRA), these reductions in reporting burdens will be reflected in the 
PRA submissions associated with Forms W-8 and 1042-S.
    In response to comments on the chapter 3 proposed regulations, 
these final regulations reduce the information collection burden by 
permitting taxpayers to use alternative methods of providing 
documentation to withholding agents and to provide less information on 
certain documentation. These final regulations also reduce information 
collection burden by permitting taxpayers to provide certain 
documentation in a less burdensome manner. The provisions reducing 
collections of information are in Sec. Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(2)(ii)(B), 
(e)(3)(iv)(C)(3)(ii) and (e)(4)(i)(B) and 1.6049-6(e)(4). Section 
1.1441-1(e)(2)(ii)(B) allows payees to provide to a withholding agent 
their foreign TIN on a separate statement rather than on a withholding 
certificate, for withholding certificates provided after January 1,

[[Page 198]]

2018. This allowance provides flexibility for a payee to use other 
methods of transmitting information and permits a withholding agent to 
continue to treat a withholding certificate as valid rather than 
requesting a new withholding certificate from the payee. Section 
1.1441-1(e)(3)(iv)(C)(3)(ii) permits nonqualified intermediaries to 
provide withholding statements to withholding agents that omit certain 
information (a chapter 4 recipient code) that was previously required. 
This allowance provides more flexibility for a nonqualified 
intermediary to provide to a withholding agent a Form W-8IMY that is 
treated as valid. Section 1.1441-1(e)(4)(i)(B) provides an alternative 
method for a withholding agent to determine whether a withholding 
certificate is electronically signed, which provides flexibility for 
withholding agents that are verifying the validity of such 
certificates. Section 1.6049-6(e)(4) permits withholding agents to 
provide Form 1042-S to a payee electronically rather than in hard copy.
    The reductions in reporting burden provided in these final 
regulations will be reflected in the PRA submission associated with 
Forms W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, W-8EXP, and W-8IMY (OMB control number 
1545-1621) and the PRA submission associated with Form 1042-S (OMB 
control number 1545-0096).
    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 Office of Management and Budget. Books 
and records relating to a collection of information must be retained as 
long as their contents may become material in the administration of any 
internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information 
are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.

III. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    It is hereby certified that these final regulations 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 
(RFA) (5 U.S.C. chapter 6).
    This rule primarily affects withholding agents, such as financial 
institutions, that make U.S.-connected payments to foreign payees. For 
purposes of the RFA, small financial institutions are those with less 
than $600 million in assets. The Treasury Department and the IRS do not 
have data readily available to assess the number of small entities 
potentially affected by these regulations. Even if a substantial number 
of domestic small entities were affected by the final regulations, the 
Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that the economic 
impact to these entities will not be significant. These final 
regulations reduce the collection of information requirements that are 
currently applicable under existing rules under chapters 3 and 4 in TDs 
9808 and 9809. Those rules include detailed requirements for how a 
withholding agent identifies a payee, documents the payee's status, and 
reports to the IRS and the payee. Those information collections were 
certified previously by the Treasury Department and the IRS as not 
resulting in a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small business entities. The final regulations include a limited number 
of changes to the temporary regulations that reduce the burden of 
withholding agents. The burden-reducing revisions of these final 
regulations provide benefits for both small and large entities because 
these final regulations allow a withholding agent to collect a foreign 
TIN from a payee on a separate statement; allow certain intermediaries 
to provide withholding statements that omit certain information 
(specifically, a chapter 4 recipient code) that was previously 
required; provide an alternative method for a withholding agent to 
determine whether a withholding certificate is electronically signed; 
and allow withholding agents to provide payee statements electronically 
rather than in paper form.
    Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, the proposed regulations 
preceding these final regulations were submitted to the Chief Counsel 
for Advocacy of the Small Business Association for comment on its 
impact on small business, and no comments were received.

IV. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) 
requires that agencies assess anticipated costs and benefits and take 
certain other actions before issuing a final rule that includes any 
Federal mandate that may result in expenditures in any one year by a 
state, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $100 million in 1995 dollars, updated annually for 
inflation. In 2019, that threshold is approximately $154 million. This 
rule does not include any Federal mandate that may result in 
expenditures by state, local, or tribal governments, or by the private 
sector in excess of that threshold.

V. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    Executive Order 13132 (titled ``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 final 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.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these regulations are Charles Rioux, Nancy 
Erwin, and John Sweeney, Office of Associate Chief Counsel 
(International). However, other personnel from the IRS and the Treasury 
Department participated in the development of these regulations.

Effect on Other Documents

    Section 4 of Notice 2016-08 (2016-6 I.R.B. 304) is obsolete as of 
January 2, 2020.
    Sections 4 and 5 of Notice 2017-46 (2017-41 I.R.B. 275) are 
obsolete as of January 2, 2020.

Statement of Availability of IRS Documents

    The IRS notices cited in this preamble are published in the 
Internal Revenue Bulletin and are available from the Superintendent of 
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, or by 
visiting the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

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

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


0
Par. 2. Section 1.1441-0 is amended by:
0
1. Revising the entry for Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(2)(ii)(B).

[[Page 199]]

0
2. Adding entries for Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(2)(ii)(B)(1) through (6) and 
(e)(4)(iv)(F).
0
3. Revising the entry for Sec.  1.1441-1(f)(3).
    The revision and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-0  Outline of regulation provisions for section 1441.

* * * * *


Sec.  1.1441-1  Requirement for the deduction and withholding of tax on 
payments to foreign persons.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (B) Requirement to collect foreign TIN and date of birth.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Definitions.
    (3) Requirements for reasonable explanation of the absence of a 
foreign TIN.
    (4) Exceptions to the requirement to obtain a foreign TIN (or 
reasonable explanation for its absence).
    (i) Jurisdictions with which the United States does not have an 
agreement relating to the exchange of tax information.
    (ii) Jurisdictions that do not issue foreign TINs.
    (iii) Account holder that is a government, international 
organization, foreign central bank of issue, or resident of a U.S. 
territory.
    (5) Transition rules for the foreign TIN requirement for a 
beneficial owner withholding certificate signed before January 1, 2018.
    (i) Payments made before January 1, 2020.
    (ii) Payments made after December 31, 2019.
    (iii) Limitation on standard of knowledge.
    (6) Transition rule for the date of birth requirement for a 
beneficial owner withholding certificate signed before January 1, 2018.
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (F) Examples.
    (1) Example 1.
    (2) Example 2.
    (3) Example 3.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) In general.
* * * * *
    (3) Special rules related to section 871(m).
* * * * *

0
Par. 3. Section 1.1441-1 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (b)(7)(ii)(B), (c)(2)(ii), (c)(3)(ii), (c)(38), 
and (e)(2)(ii)(B).
0
2. Removing ``Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(3)(ii)(B)(2)(iii)'' and adding in its 
place ``Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2)(iii)'' at the end of the last 
sentence of paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B).

0
 3. Revising paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(C)(3), (e)(4)(i)(B), and 
(e)(4)(ii)(A)(2).
0
4. Adding a sentence to the end of paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(D)(1).
0
5. Revising paragraphs (e)(4)(iv)(C) and (E).
0
 6. Adding paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(F).
0
7. Revising paragraphs (f)(1) and (3).
0
 8. Removing paragraphs (f)(4) and (5).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-1  Requirement for the deduction and withholding of tax on 
payments to foreign persons.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (7) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (B) Special rules for establishing that income is effectively 
connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. A withholding 
certificate received after the date of payment to claim under Sec.  
1.1441-4(a)(1) that income is effectively connected with the conduct of 
a U.S. trade or business will be considered effective as of the date of 
the payment if the certificate contains a signed affidavit (either at 
the bottom of the form or on an attached page) that states that the 
information and representations contained on the certificate were 
accurate as of the time of the payment. The signed affidavit must also 
state that the beneficial owner has included the income on its U.S. 
income tax return for the taxable year in which it is required to 
report the income or, alternatively, that the beneficial owner intends 
to include the income on a U.S. income tax return for the taxable year 
in which it is required to report the income and the due date for 
filing such return (including any applicable extensions) is after the 
date on which the affidavit is signed. A certificate received within 30 
days after the date of the payment will not be considered to be 
unreliable solely because it does not contain the affidavit described 
in the preceding sentences.
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Dual residents. Individuals will not be treated as U.S. 
persons for purposes of this section for a taxable year or any portion 
of a taxable year for which they are a dual resident taxpayer (within 
the meaning of Sec.  301.7701(b)-7(a)(1) of this chapter) who is 
treated as a nonresident alien pursuant to Sec.  301.7701(b)-7(a)(1) of 
this chapter for purposes of computing their U.S. tax liability.
    (3) * * *
    (ii) Nonresident alien individual. The term nonresident alien 
individual means persons described in section 7701(b)(1)(B), alien 
individuals who are treated as nonresident aliens pursuant to Sec.  
301.7701(b)-7 of this chapter for purposes of computing their U.S. tax 
liability, or an alien individual who is a resident of Puerto Rico, 
Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, or American Samoa as determined under Sec.  301.7701(b)-1(d) 
of this chapter. An alien individual who has made an election under 
section 6013(g) or (h) to be treated as a resident of the United States 
is nevertheless treated as a nonresident alien individual for purposes 
of withholding under chapter 3 of the Code and the regulations 
thereunder.
* * * * *
    (38) Permanent residence address--(i) In general. The term 
permanent residence address is the address in the country of which the 
person claims to be a resident for purposes of that country's income 
tax. In the case of a withholding certificate furnished in order to 
claim a reduced rate of withholding under an income tax treaty, whether 
a person is a resident of a treaty country must be determined in the 
manner prescribed under the applicable treaty. See Sec.  1.1441-6(b). 
The address of a financial institution with which the person maintains 
an account, a post office box, or an address used solely for mailing 
purposes is not a permanent residence address unless such address is 
the only address used by the person and appears as the person's 
registered address in the person's organizational documents. Further, 
an address that is provided subject to a hold mail instruction (as 
defined in paragraph (c)(38)(ii) of this section) is not a permanent 
residence address unless the person provides the documentary evidence 
described in paragraph (c)(38)(ii) of this section. If the person is an 
individual who does not have a tax residence in any country, the 
permanent residence address is the place at which the person normally 
resides. If the person is an entity and does not have a tax residence 
in any country, then the permanent residence address of the entity is 
the place at which the person maintains its principal office.
    (ii) Hold mail instruction. The term hold mail instruction means a 
current

[[Page 200]]

instruction by a person to keep the person's mail until such 
instruction is amended. An instruction to send all correspondence 
electronically is not a hold mail instruction. An address that is 
subject to a hold mail instruction may be used as a permanent residence 
address if the person has also provided the withholding agent with 
documentary evidence described in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(5)(i) (without 
regard to the requirement in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(5)(i) that the 
documentary evidence contain a permanent residence address). The 
documentary evidence described in Sec.  1.1471-3(c)(5)(i) must support 
the person's claim of foreign status or, in the case of a person that 
is claiming treaty benefits, must support residence in the country 
where the person is claiming a reduced rate of withholding under an 
income tax treaty. If, after a withholding certificate is provided, a 
person's permanent residence address is subsequently subject to a hold 
mail instruction, the addition of the hold mail instruction is a change 
in circumstances requiring the person to provide the documentary 
evidence described in this paragraph (c)(38)(ii) in order for a 
withholding agent to use the address as a permanent residence address.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (B) Requirement to collect foreign TIN and date of birth--(1) In 
general. In addition to the general requirements of paragraph 
(e)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, except as provided in paragraphs 
(e)(2)(ii)(B)(4), through (6) of this section, a beneficial owner 
withholding certificate provided by an account holder to document an 
account that is maintained at a U.S. branch or office of a withholding 
agent that is a financial institution is valid for purposes of a 
payment of U.S. source income reportable on Form 1042-S (before the 
application of this paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B)) made on or after January 
1, 2018, only if it contains the account holder's taxpayer 
identification number issued by the account holder's jurisdiction of 
tax residence (foreign TIN) or a reasonable explanation for the absence 
of a foreign TIN (as described in paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B)(3) of this 
section) and, in the case of an individual account holder, the account 
holder's date of birth, unless the withholding agent has the account 
holder's date of birth in its files. A withholding agent is permitted 
to obtain a foreign TIN on a written statement signed by an account 
holder that includes an acknowledgment that such statement is part of 
the withholding certificate if the withholding agent associates such 
statement with the account holder's withholding certificate. A 
withholding agent will be treated as having the account holder's date 
of birth in its files if it obtains the date of birth on a written 
statement (including a written statement transmitted by email) from the 
account holder. A withholding agent may rely on the foreign TIN and 
date of birth contained in the withholding certificate unless it knows 
or has reason to know that the foreign TIN or date of birth is 
incorrect. Therefore, a withholding agent will not be required to 
validate the format or other specifications of the foreign TIN against 
the applicable jurisdiction's TIN system. For purposes of this 
paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B), a change of address to another jurisdiction 
other than the United States is a change in circumstances for purposes 
of a withholding agent's reliance on a foreign TIN of the account 
holder (or reasonable explanation for its absence).
    (2) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B), the 
term ``account'' means a financial account as defined in Sec.  1.1471-
5(b) (substituting ``U.S. office or branch of a financial institution'' 
for ``FFI''); the term ``account holder'' has the meaning described in 
Sec.  1.1471-5(a)(3); and the term ``financial institution'' means an 
entity that is a depository institution, custodial institution, 
investment entity, or a specified insurance company, each as defined in 
Sec.  1.1471-5(e).
    (3) Requirements for reasonable explanation of the absence of a 
foreign TIN. A withholding agent may rely on a reasonable explanation 
for the absence of a foreign TIN on a beneficial owner withholding 
certificate only if the explanation addresses why the account holder 
was not issued a foreign TIN. An explanation provided in the 
instructions for, as applicable, Forms W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, W-
8EXP, or Form W-8IMY is a reasonable explanation. If an account holder 
provides an explanation other than as described in the preceding 
sentence, the withholding agent must determine whether the explanation 
is reasonable. A reasonable explanation may be provided on the 
withholding certificate or on a separate attached statement associated 
with the form. A withholding agent may rely on a reasonable explanation 
described in this paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B)(3) unless it has actual 
knowledge that the account holder has a foreign TIN.
    (4) Exceptions to the requirement to obtain a foreign TIN (or 
reasonable explanation for its absence)--(i) Jurisdictions with which 
the United States does not have an agreement relating to the exchange 
of tax information. A beneficial owner withholding certificate is not 
required to include a foreign TIN (or reasonable explanation for its 
absence) for an account holder resident of a jurisdiction that is not 
identified, in an applicable revenue procedure (see Sec.  601.601(d)(2) 
of this chapter), as a jurisdiction that has in effect with the United 
States an income tax or other convention or bilateral agreement 
relating to the exchange of tax information within the meaning of 
section 6103(k)(4), under which the United States agrees to provide, as 
well as receive, tax information. A withholding agent that applies the 
exception described in the preceding sentence is, however, required to 
obtain the foreign TIN (or reasonable explanation for its absence) of 
each account holder resident in a jurisdiction that is added to the 
list on the applicable revenue procedure, before the time for filing 
Form 1042-S (with any applicable extension) for payments made during 
the calendar year following the calendar year in which the revenue 
procedure was published that added the jurisdiction to the list.
    (ii) Jurisdictions that do not issue foreign TINs. A beneficial 
owner withholding certificate is not required to include a foreign TIN 
(or reasonable explanation for its absence) for an account holder 
resident of a jurisdiction that has been identified by the IRS on a 
list of jurisdictions that either do not issue foreign TINs to their 
residents or have requested that their residents not be required to 
provide foreign TINs to withholding agents for purposes of this 
paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B). A withholding agent that applies the exception 
described in the preceding sentence is, however, required to obtain the 
foreign TIN (or reasonable explanation for its absence) of each account 
holder resident in a jurisdiction that is removed from the list of 
jurisdictions referenced in the preceding sentence before the time for 
filing Form 1042-S (with any applicable extension) for payments made 
during the calendar year following the calendar year in which the 
jurisdiction is removed from the list. A list of jurisdictions that 
either do not issue taxpayer identification numbers to their residents 
or that have requested to be included on the list is available at 
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/list-of-jurisdictions-that-do-not-issue-foreign-tins (or any replacement page on the IRS website 
or as provided in published guidance).

[[Page 201]]

    (iii) Account holder that is a government, international 
organization, foreign central bank of issue, or resident of a U.S. 
territory. A beneficial owner withholding certificate is not required 
to include a foreign TIN (or reasonable explanation for its absence) if 
the withholding agent has obtained a valid withholding certificate 
under paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(A) of this section or other documentation on 
which it may rely for purposes of the section 1441 regulations to treat 
the account holder as a government, an international organization, a 
foreign central bank of issue, or a resident of a U.S. territory. Thus, 
for example, a withholding agent may apply the exception provided in 
this paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B)(4)(iii) with respect to an account holder 
claiming exemption under section 892 or otherwise identifying itself as 
a foreign government on a beneficial owner withholding certificate when 
the withholding agent may rely upon the claim of exemption under Sec.  
1.1441-8(b) or the claim of status as a foreign government under Sec.  
1.1441-7(b)(1) and (2).
    (5) Transition rules for the foreign TIN requirement for a 
beneficial owner withholding certificate signed before January 1, 
2018--(i) Payments made before January 1, 2020. For payments made 
before January 1, 2020, an otherwise valid beneficial owner withholding 
certificate signed before January 1, 2018, is not treated as invalid if 
it does not include a foreign TIN (or a reasonable explanation for its 
absence) as required under paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B) of this section 
until the earlier of--
    (A) the expiration date of the validity period of the withholding 
certificate (if applicable); or
    (B) the date when a change in circumstances (including for chapter 
4 purposes) requires a revised withholding certificate.
    (ii) Payments made after December 31, 2019. For payments made after 
December 31, 2019, an otherwise valid beneficial owner withholding 
certificate signed before January 1, 2018, is not treated as invalid if 
it does not include a foreign TIN (or a reasonable explanation for its 
absence) as required under paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B) of this section 
until the earlier of the date described in paragraph 
(e)(2)(ii)(B)(5)(i)(A) or (B) of this section, provided the withholding 
agent either--
    (A) obtains from the account holder its foreign TIN (or reasonable 
explanation for its absence) on a written statement (including a 
written statement transmitted by email) which the withholding agent 
associates with the account holder's withholding certificate, or
    (B) already has the account holder's foreign TIN in the withholding 
agent's files, which the withholding agent associates with the account 
holder's withholding certificate.
    (iii) Limitation on standard of knowledge. If a withholding agent 
maintains an account on December 31, 2017, that is documented with a 
valid beneficial owner withholding certificate as of that date, the 
withholding agent's reason to know that the foreign TIN is incorrect, 
or actual knowledge that an account holder has a foreign TIN despite 
providing a reasonable explanation as described in paragraph 
(e)(2)(ii)(B)(3) of this section, is limited to electronically 
searchable information (as defined in Sec.  1.1471-1(b)(38)) that is in 
the withholding agent's files.
    (6) Transition rule for the date of birth requirement for a 
beneficial owner withholding certificate signed before January 1, 2018. 
For an otherwise valid beneficial owner withholding certificate signed 
before January 1, 2018, a withholding agent is not required to treat 
the withholding certificate as invalid for payments made before January 
1, 2019, to an account holder solely because the withholding 
certificate does not include the account holder's date of birth and the 
date of birth is not in the withholding agent's files.
    (3) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (C) * * *
    (3) Alternative withholding statement--(i) In lieu of a withholding 
statement containing all of the information described in paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) and (2) of this section, a withholding agent may 
accept from a nonqualified intermediary a withholding statement that 
meets all of the requirements of this paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(3)(i) 
with respect to a payment. The withholding statement described in this 
paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(3)(i) may be provided only by a nonqualified 
intermediary that provides the withholding agent with the withholding 
certificates from the beneficial owners (that is, not documentary 
evidence) before the payment is made.
    (A) The withholding statement is not required to contain all of the 
information specified in paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) and (2) of this 
section that is also included on a withholding certificate (for 
example, name, address, TIN (if any), chapter 4 status, GIIN (if any)). 
The withholding statement is also not required to specify the rate of 
withholding to which each foreign payee is subject, provided that all 
of the information necessary to make such determination is provided on 
the withholding certificate. A withholding agent that uses the 
withholding statement may not apply a different rate from that which 
the withholding agent may reasonably conclude from the information on 
the withholding certificate.
    (B) The withholding statement must allocate the payment to every 
payee required to be reported as described in paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(C)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (C) The withholding statement must also contain any other 
information the withholding agent reasonably requests in order to 
fulfill its obligations under chapters 3, 4, and 61, and section 3406.
    (D) The withholding statement must contain a representation from 
the nonqualified intermediary that the information on the withholding 
certificates is not inconsistent with any other account information the 
nonqualified intermediary has for the beneficial owners for determining 
the rate of withholding with respect to each payee (applying the 
standards of knowledge applicable to a withholding agent's reliance on 
a withholding certificate in the regulations under section 1441 and, 
for a withholdable payment, the regulations under section 1471).
    (ii) In lieu of a withholding statement that includes a recipient 
code for chapter 4 purposes used for filing Form 1042-S, a withholding 
agent may accept a nonqualified intermediary withholding statement that 
contains all of the information described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(1) 
and (2) of this section (or an alternative withholding statement 
permitted under paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(C)(3)(i) of this section) but that 
does not provide a recipient code for chapter 4 purposes used for 
filing Form 1042-S for a payee as required in paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(C)(2)(iv) of this section if the withholding agent is able 
to determine such payee's recipient code based on other information 
included on or with the withholding statement or in the withholding 
agent's records with respect to the payee.
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) Electronic signatures. A withholding agent, regardless of 
whether the withholding agent has established an electronic system 
pursuant to paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(A) or (e)(4)(iv)(C) of this section, 
may accept a withholding certificate with an electronic signature, 
provided the

[[Page 202]]

electronic signature meets the requirements of paragraph 
(e)(4)(iv)(B)(3)(ii) of this section. In addition, the withholding 
certificate must reasonably demonstrate to the withholding agent that 
the form has been electronically signed by the recipient identified on 
the form (or a person authorized to sign for the recipient). For 
example, a withholding agent may treat as signed for purposes of the 
requirements for a valid withholding certificate, a withholding 
certificate that has in the signature block the name of the person 
authorized to sign, a time and date stamp, and a statement that the 
certificate has been electronically signed. However, a withholding 
agent may not treat a withholding certificate with a typed name in the 
signature line and no other information as signed for purposes of the 
requirements for a valid withholding certificate. A withholding agent 
may also rely upon, in addition to the contents of a withholding 
certificate, other documentation or information it has collected to 
support that a withholding certificate was electronically signed by the 
recipient identified on the form (or other person authorized to sign 
for the recipient), provided that the withholding agent does not have 
actual knowledge that the documentation or information is incorrect.
    (ii) * * * (A) * * *
    (2) Documentary evidence for treaty claims and treaty statements. 
Documentary evidence described in Sec.  1.1441-6(c)(3) or (4) shall 
remain valid until the last day of the third calendar year following 
the year in which the documentary evidence is provided to the 
withholding agent, except as provided in paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(B) of 
this section. A statement regarding entitlement to treaty benefits 
described in Sec.  1.1441-6(c)(5) (treaty statement) shall remain valid 
until the last day of the third calendar year following the year in 
which the treaty statement is provided to the withholding agent except 
as provided in this paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(A)(2). A treaty statement 
provided by an entity that identifies a limitation on benefits 
provision for a publicly traded corporation shall not expire at the 
time provided in the preceding sentence if a withholding agent 
determines, based on publicly available information at each time for 
which the treaty statement would otherwise be renewed, that the entity 
is publicly traded. Notwithstanding the second sentence of this 
paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(A)(2), a treaty statement provided by an entity 
that identifies a limitation on benefits provision for a government or 
tax-exempt organization (other than a tax-exempt pension trust or 
pension fund) shall remain valid indefinitely. Notwithstanding the 
validity periods (or exceptions thereto) prescribed in this paragraph 
(e)(4)(ii)(A)(2), a treaty statement will cease to be valid if a change 
in circumstances makes the information on the statement unreliable or 
incorrect. For accounts opened and treaty statements obtained prior to 
January 6, 2017 (including those from publicly traded corporations, 
governments, and tax-exempt organizations), the treaty statement will 
expire January 1, 2020.
* * * * *
    (D) * * * (1) * * * However, see paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(B)(1) of this 
section for a special rule for a change of address for purposes of 
reliance on a foreign TIN (or a reasonable explanation for the absence 
of a foreign TIN) included on a beneficial owner withholding 
certificate.
* * * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (C) Form 8233. A withholding agent may establish a system for a 
beneficial owner or payee to provide Form 8233 electronically, provided 
the system meets the requirements of paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(B)(1) through 
(4) of this section (replacing ``Form W-8'' with ``Form 8233'' each 
place it appears).
* * * * *
    (E) Third party repositories. A withholding certificate will be 
considered furnished for purposes of this section (including paragraph 
(e)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this section) by the person providing the 
certificate, and a withholding agent may rely on an otherwise valid 
withholding certificate received electronically from a third party 
repository, if the withholding certificate was uploaded or provided to 
a third party repository and there are processes in place to ensure 
that the withholding certificate can be reliably associated with a 
specific request from the withholding agent and a specific 
authorization from the person providing the certificate (or an agent of 
the person providing the certificate) for the withholding agent making 
the request to receive the withholding certificate. For purposes of the 
preceding sentence, a withholding agent must be able to reliably 
associate each payment with a specific request and authorization except 
when the withholding agent is permitted to rely on the withholding 
certificate on an obligation-by- obligation basis or as otherwise 
permitted under paragraph (e)(4)(ix) of this section (treating the 
withholding certificate as obtained by the withholding agent and 
furnished by a customer for purposes of this paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(E)). 
A third party repository may also be used for withholding statements, 
and a withholding agent may also rely on an otherwise valid withholding 
statement, if the intermediary providing the withholding certificates 
and withholding statement through the repository provides an updated 
withholding statement in the event of any change in the information 
previously provided (for example, a change in the composition of a 
partnership or a change in the allocation of payments to the partners) 
and ensures there are processes in place to update withholding agents 
when there is a new withholding statement (and withholding 
certificates, as necessary) in the event of any change that would 
affect the validity of the prior withholding certificates or 
withholding statement. A third party repository, for purposes of this 
paragraph, is an entity that maintains withholding certificates 
(including certificates accompanied by withholding statements) but is 
not an agent of the applicable withholding agent or the person 
providing the certificate.
    (F) Examples. This paragraph contains examples to illustrate the 
rules of paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(E) of this section.

    (1) Example 1. A, a foreign corporation, completes a Form W-
8BEN-E and a Form W-8ECI and uploads the forms to X, a third party 
repository (X is an entity that maintains withholding certificates 
on an electronic data aggregation site). WA, a withholding agent, 
enters into a contract with A under which it will make payments to A 
of U.S. source FDAP that are not effectively connected with A's 
conduct of a trade or business in the United States. X is not an 
agent of WA or A. Before receiving a payment, A sends WA an email 
with a link that authorizes WA to access A's Form W-8BEN-E on X's 
system. The link does not authorize WA to access A's Form W-8ECI. 
X's system meets the requirements of a third party repository, and 
WA can treat the Form W-8BEN-E as furnished by A.
    (2) Example 2. The facts are the same as Example 1 of this 
paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(F), and WA and A enter into a second contract 
under which WA will make payments to A that are effectively 
connected with A's conduct of a trade or business in the United 
States. A sends WA an email with a link that gives WA access to A's 
Form W-8ECI on X's system. The link in this second email does not 
give WA access to A's Form W-8BEN-E. A's email also clearly 
indicates that the link is associated with payments received under 
the second contract. X's system meets the requirements of a third 
party repository, and WA can treat the Form W-8ECI as furnished by 
A.
    (3) Example 3. FP is a foreign partnership that is acting on 
behalf of its partners, A and B, who are both foreign individuals. 
FP

[[Page 203]]

completes a Form W-8IMY and uploads it to X, a third party 
repository. FP also uploads Forms W-8BEN from both A and B and a 
valid withholding statement allocating 50% of the payment to A and 
50% to B. WA is a withholding agent that makes payments to FP as an 
intermediary for A and B. FP sends WA an email with a link to its 
Form W-8IMY on X's system. The link also provides WA access to FP's 
withholding statement and A's and B's Forms W-8BEN. FP also has 
processes in place that ensure it will provide a new withholding 
statement or withholding certificate to X's repository in the event 
of a change in the information previously provided that affects the 
validity of the withholding statement and that ensure it will update 
WA if there is a new withholding statement. X's system meets the 
requirements of a third party repository, and WA can treat the Form 
W-8IMY (and withholding statement) as furnished by FP. In addition, 
because FP is acting as an agent of A and B, the beneficial owners, 
WA can treat the Forms W-8BEN for A and B as furnished by A and B.
* * * * *
    (f) * * * (1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in 
paragraphs (e)(2)(ii)(B), (e)(4)(iv)(D), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this 
section, this section applies to payments made on or after January 6, 
2017. (For payments made after June 30, 2014 (except for payments to 
which paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(D) applies, in which case, substitute March 
5, 2014, for June 30, 2014), and before January 6, 2017, see this 
section as in effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1, as revised April 
1, 2016. For payments made after December 31, 2000, and before July 1, 
2014, see this section as in effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1, as 
revised April 1, 2013.)
* * * * *
    (3) Special rules related to section 871(m). Paragraphs 
(b)(4)(xxi), (b)(4)(xxiii), (e)(3)(ii)(E), and (e)(6) of this section 
apply to payments made on or after September 18, 2015. Paragraphs 
(e)(5)(ii)(C) and (e)(5)(v)(B)(4) of this section apply to payments 
made on or after on January 19, 2017.


Sec.  1.1441-1T  [Removed]

0
Par. 4. Section 1.1441-1T is removed.

0
Par. 5. Section 1.1441-2 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(8) and 
(f) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-2  Amounts subject to withholding.

    (a) * * *
    (8) Amounts of United States source gross transportation income, as 
defined in section 887(b)(1), that is taxable under section 887(a).
* * * * *
    (f) Effective/applicability date. This section applies to payments 
made after December 31, 2000. Paragraph (a)(8) of this section applies 
to payments made on or after January 6, 2017; however, taxpayers may 
apply paragraph (a)(8) to any open tax year. Paragraphs (b)(5) and 
(d)(4) of this section apply to payments made after August 1, 2006. 
Paragraph (b)(6) of this section applies to payments made on or after 
January 23, 2012. Paragraph (e)(7) of this section applies to payments 
made on or after January 19, 2017.


Sec.  1.1441-2T  [Removed]

0
 Par. 6. Section 1.1441-2T is removed.

0
Par. 7. Section 1.1441-4 is amended by removing paragraph (h).

0
Par. 8. Section 1.1441-6 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii).
0
2. Redesignating Example 1 in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) as paragraph 
(b)(2)(iv)(A), Example 2 in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) as paragraph 
(b)(2)(iv)(B), Example 3 in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) as paragraph 
(b)(2)(iv)(C), and Example 4 as paragraph (b)(2)(iv)(D).
0
3. Revising paragraph (c)(5)(i).
0
4. Revising the first sentence of paragraph (i)(1).
0
5. Revising paragraph (i)(3).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-6  Claim of reduced withholding under an income tax 
treaty.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Identification of limitation on benefits provisions. In 
conjunction with the representation that the beneficial owner meets the 
limitation on benefits provision of the applicable treaty, if any, 
required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a beneficial owner 
withholding certificate must also identify the specific limitation on 
benefits provision of the article (if any, or a similar provision) of 
the treaty upon which the beneficial owner relies to claim the treaty 
benefit. A withholding agent may rely on the beneficial owner's claim 
regarding its reliance on a specific limitation on benefits provision 
absent actual knowledge that such claim is unreliable or incorrect.
    (ii) Reason to know based on existence of treaty. For purposes of 
this paragraph (b)(1), a withholding agent's reason to know that a 
beneficial owner's claim to a reduced rate of withholding under an 
income tax treaty is unreliable or incorrect includes a circumstance 
where the beneficial owner is claiming benefits under an income tax 
treaty that does not exist or is not in force. A withholding agent may 
determine whether a tax treaty is in existence and is in force by 
checking the list maintained on the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/united-states-income-tax-treaties-a-to-z (or any replacement page on the IRS website) or in the State 
Department's annual Treaties in Force publication.
    (2) * * *
    (iv) * * *

    (D) Example 4--(i) Facts. Entity E is a business organization 
formed under the laws of Country Y. Country Y has an income tax 
treaty with the United States that contains a limitation on benefits 
provision. E receives U.S. source royalties from withholding agent 
W. E furnishes a beneficial owner withholding certificate to W 
claiming a reduced rate of withholding under the U.S.-Country Y tax 
treaty. However, E's beneficial owner withholding certificate does 
not specifically identify the limitation on benefits provision that 
E satisfies.
    (ii) Analysis. Because E's withholding certificate does not 
specifically identify the limitation on benefits provision under the 
U.S.-Country Y tax treaty that E satisfies as required by paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) of this section, W cannot rely on E's withholding 
certificate to apply the reduced rate of withholding claimed by E.
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (i) Statement regarding conditions under a limitation on benefits 
provision. In addition to the documentary evidence described in 
paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section, a taxpayer that is not an 
individual must provide a statement that it meets one or more of the 
conditions set forth in the limitation on benefits article (if any, or 
in a similar provision) contained in the applicable tax treaty and must 
identify the specific limitation on benefits provision of the article 
(if any, or a similar provision) of the treaty upon which the taxpayer 
relies to claim the treaty benefit. A withholding agent may rely on the 
taxpayer's claim on a treaty statement regarding its reliance on a 
specific limitation on benefits provision absent actual knowledge that 
such claim is unreliable or incorrect.
* * * * *
    (i) * * * (1) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in 
paragraphs (i)(2) and (3) of this section, this section applies to 
payments made on or after January 6, 2017. * * *
* * * * *
    (3) Effective/applicability date. Paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii), 
(b)(2)(iv)(D), and (c)(5)(i) of this section apply to withholding 
certificates and treaty statements provided on or after January 6, 
2017.


Sec.  1.1441-6T  [Removed]

0
Par. 9. Section 1.1441-6T is removed.

[[Page 204]]


0
Par. 10. Section 1.1441-7 is amended by adding a new third sentence in 
paragraph (b)(4)(i) and by revising paragraphs (b)(10)(iv) and (g) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  1.1441-7  General provisions relating to withholding agents.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) Rules applicable to withholding certificates--(i) In general. * 
* * See, however, Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(2)(ii)(B) for additional reliance 
standards that apply to a withholding certificate that is required to 
include an account holder's foreign TIN. * * *
* * * * *
    (10) * * *
* * * * *
    (iv) If the beneficial owner is claiming a reduced rate of 
withholding under an income tax treaty, the rules of Sec.  1.1441-
6(b)(1)(ii) also apply to determine whether the withholding agent has 
reason to know that a claim for treaty benefits is unreliable or 
incorrect.
* * * * *
    (g) Effective/applicability date. Except as otherwise provided in 
paragraph (a)(4) of this section, this section applies to payments made 
on or after January 6, 2017. (For payments made after June 30, 2014, 
and before January 6, 2017, see this section as in effect and contained 
in 26 CFR part 1, as revised April 1, 2016. For payments made after 
December 31, 2000, and before July 1, 2014, see this section as in 
effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1, as revised April 1, 2013.)


Sec.  1.1441-7T  [Removed]

0
Par. 11. Section 1.1441-7T is removed.

0
Par. 12. Section 1.1471-0 is amended by adding entries for Sec.  
1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(5), Sec.  1.1471-4(d)(2)(ii)(G), and Sec.  
1.1474-1(d)(4)(vii) to read as follows:


Sec.  1.1471-0  Outline of regulation provisions for sections 1471 
through 1474.

* * * * *


Sec.  1.1471-3  Identification of payee.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (B) * * *
    (5) Nonqualified intermediary withholding statement.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.1471-4  FFI agreement.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (G) Combined reporting on Form 8966 following merger or bulk 
acquisition.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.1474-1  Liability for withheld tax and withholding agent 
reporting.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (vii) Combined Form 1042-S reporting.
* * * * *

0
Par. 13. Section 1.1471-1 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(99) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  1.1471-1  Scope of chapter 4 and definitions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (99) Permanent residence address. The term permanent residence 
address has the meaning set forth in Sec.  1.1441-1(c)(38).
* * * * *


Sec.  1.1471-1T  [Removed]

0
Par. 14. Section 1.1471-1T is removed.

0
Par. 15. Section 1.1471-3 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(3)(iii)(B)(5).
0
2. Revising the third sentence of paragraph (c)(6)(ii)(E)(3).
0
3. Revising paragraphs (c)(7)(ii) and (d)(6)(i)(F).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  1.1471-3  Identification of payee.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) In general. A withholding agent can reliably associate a 
withholdable payment with valid documentation if, before the payment, 
it has obtained (either directly from the payee or through its agent) 
valid documentation appropriate to the payee's chapter 4 status as 
described in paragraph (d) of this section, it can reliably determine 
how much of the payment relates to the valid documentation, and it does 
not know or have reason to know that any of the information, 
certifications, or statements in, or associated with, the documentation 
are unreliable or incorrect. Thus, a withholding agent cannot reliably 
associate a withholdable payment with valid documentation provided by a 
payee to the extent such documentation appears unreliable or incorrect 
with respect to the claims made, or to the extent that information 
required to allocate all or a portion of the payment to each payee is 
unreliable or incorrect. A withholding agent may rely on information 
and certifications contained in withholding certificates or other 
documentation without having to inquire into the truthfulness of the 
information or certifications, unless it knows or has reason to know 
that the information or certifications are untrue. A withholding agent 
may rely upon the same documentation for purposes of both chapters 3 
and 4 provided the documentation is sufficient to meet the requirements 
of each chapter. Alternatively, a withholding agent may elect to rely 
upon the presumption rules of paragraph (f) of this section in lieu of 
obtaining documentation from the payee. A withholding certificate will 
be considered provided by a payee if a withholding agent obtains the 
certificate from a third party repository (rather than directly from 
the payee or through its agent) and the requirements in Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(4)(iv)(E) are satisfied. A withholding certificate obtained from a 
third party repository must still be reviewed by the withholding agent 
in the same manner as any other documentation to determine whether it 
may be relied upon for chapter 4 purposes. A withholding agent may rely 
on an electronic signature on a withholding certificate if the 
requirements in Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(4)(i)(B) are satisfied.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (B) * * *
    (5) Nonqualified intermediary withholding statement. A withholding 
agent that is making a withholdable payment to a nonqualified 
intermediary for which a withholding statement is required under 
chapters 3 or 4 may accept a withholding statement that meets the 
requirements described in Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(3)(iv)(C)(3)(i) or (ii).
* * * * *
    (6) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (E) * * *
    (3) Withholding agent's obligation with respect to a change in 
circumstances. * * * A withholding agent will have reason to know of a 
change in circumstances with respect to an FFI's chapter 4 status that 
results solely because the jurisdiction in which the FFI is resident, 
organized, or located ceases to be treated as having an IGA in effect 
on the date that the jurisdiction ceases to be treated as having an IGA 
in effect. * * *
    (7) * * *
    (ii) Documentation received after the time of payment. Proof that 
withholding was not required under the provisions of chapter 4 and the 
regulations thereunder also may be established after

[[Page 205]]

the date of payment by the withholding agent on the basis of a valid 
withholding certificate and/or other appropriate documentation that was 
furnished after the date of payment but that was effective as of the 
date of payment. A withholding certificate furnished after the date of 
payment will be considered effective as of the date of the payment if 
the certificate contains a signed affidavit (either at the bottom of 
the form or on an attached page) that states that the information and 
representations contained on the certificate were accurate as of the 
time of the payment. A certificate obtained within 30 days after the 
date of the payment will not be considered to be unreliable solely 
because it does not contain an affidavit. However, in the case of a 
withholding certificate of an individual received more than a year 
after the date of payment, the withholding agent will be required to 
obtain, in addition to the withholding certificate and affidavit, 
documentary evidence described in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section 
that supports the individual's claim of foreign status. In the case of 
a withholding certificate of an entity received more than a year after 
the date of payment, the withholding agent will be required to obtain, 
in addition to the withholding certificate and affidavit, documentary 
evidence specified in paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section that 
supports the chapter 4 status claimed. If documentation other than a 
withholding certificate is submitted from a payee more than a year 
after the date of payment, the withholding agent will be required to 
also obtain from the payee a withholding certificate and affidavit 
supporting the chapter 4 status claimed as of the date of the payment. 
See, however, Sec.  1.1441-1(b)(7)(ii) for special rules that apply 
when a withholding certificate is received after the date of the 
payment to claim that income is effectively connected with the conduct 
of a U.S. trade or business (as applied for purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(7)(ii) to a claim to establish that the payment is not a 
withholdable payment under Sec.  1.1473-1(a)(4)(ii) rather than to 
claim an exemption described in Sec.  1.1441-4(a)(1)).
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (6) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (F) The withholding agent does not know or have reason to know that 
the payee is a member of an expanded affiliated group with any FFI that 
is a depository institution, custodial institution, or specified 
insurance company, or that the FFI has any specified U.S. persons that 
own an equity interest in the FFI or a debt interest (other than a debt 
interest that is not a financial account or that has a balance or value 
not exceeding $50,000) in the FFI other than those identified on the 
FFI owner reporting statement described in paragraph (d)(6)(iv) of this 
section.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.1471-3T   [Removed]

0
Par. 16. Section 1.1471-3T is removed.

0
Par. 17. Section 1.1471-4 is amended by revising paragraphs 
(c)(2)(ii)(B)(2)(iii), (d)(2)(ii)(G), (d)(4)(iv)(C), (d)(4)(iv)(D) 
introductory text, (d)(7) introductory text, and (j)(2) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1.1471-4  FFI agreement.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (B) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) In the case of a transferor FI that is a participating FFI or 
a registered deemed-compliant FFI (or a U.S. branch of either such 
entity that is not treated as a U.S. person) or that is a deemed-
compliant FFI that applies the requisite due diligence rules of this 
paragraph (c) as a condition of its status, the transferor FI provides 
a written representation to the transferee FFI acquiring the accounts 
that the transferor FI has applied the due diligence procedures of this 
paragraph (c) with respect to the transferred accounts and, in the case 
of a transferor FI that is a participating FFI, has complied with the 
requirements of paragraph (f)(2) of this section; and
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (G) Combined reporting on Form 8966 following merger or bulk 
acquisition. If a participating FFI (successor) acquires accounts of 
another participating FFI (predecessor) in a merger or bulk acquisition 
of accounts, the successor may assume the predecessor's obligations to 
report the acquired accounts under paragraph (d) of this section with 
respect to the calendar year in which the merger or acquisition occurs 
(acquisition year), provided that the requirements in paragraphs 
(d)(2)(ii)(G)(1) through (4) of this section are satisfied. If the 
requirements of paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(G)(1) through (4) of this section 
are not satisfied, both the predecessor and the successor are required 
to report the acquired accounts for the portion of the acquisition year 
that it maintains the account.
    (1) The successor must acquire substantially all of the accounts 
maintained by the predecessor, or substantially all of the accounts 
maintained at a branch of the predecessor, in a merger or bulk 
acquisition of accounts for value.
    (2) The successor must agree to report the acquired accounts for 
the acquisition year on Form 8966 to the extent required in Sec.  
1.1471-4(d)(3) or (d)(5).
    (3) The successor may not elect to report under section 1471(c)(2) 
and Sec.  1.1471-4(d)(5) with respect to any acquired account that is a 
U.S. account for the acquisition year.
    (4) The successor must notify the IRS on the form and in the manner 
prescribed by the IRS that Form 8966 is being filed on a combined 
basis.
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (C) Other accounts. In the case of an account described in Sec.  
1.1471-5(b)(1)(iii) (relating to a debt or equity interest other than 
an interest as a partner in a partnership) or Sec.  1.1471-5(b)(1)(iv) 
(relating to cash value insurance contracts and annuity contracts), the 
payments made during the calendar year with respect to such account are 
the gross amounts paid or credited to the account holder during the 
calendar year including payments in redemption (in whole or part) of 
the account. In the case of an account that is a partner's interest in 
a partnership, the payments made during the calendar year with respect 
to such account are the amount of the partner's distributive share of 
the partnership's income or loss for the calendar year, without regard 
to whether any such amount is distributed to the partner during the 
year, and any guaranteed payments for the use of capital. The payments 
required to be reported under this paragraph (d)(4)(iv)(C) with respect 
to a partner may be determined based on the partnership's tax returns 
or, if the tax returns are unavailable by the due date for filing Form 
8966, the partnership's financial statements or any other reasonable 
method used by the partnership for calculating the partner's share of 
partnership income by such date.
    (D) Transfers and closings of deposit, custodial, insurance, and 
annuity financial accounts. In the case of an account closed or 
transferred in its entirety during a calendar year that is a depository 
account, custodial account, or a cash value insurance contract or

[[Page 206]]

annuity contract, the payments made with respect to the account shall 
be--
* * * * *
    (7) Special reporting rules with respect to the 2014 and 2015 
calendar years--
* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (2) Special applicability date. Paragraph (d)(4)(iv)(C) of this 
section applies beginning with reporting with respect to calendar year 
2017. (For rules that apply to reporting under paragraph (d)(4)(iv)(C) 
with respect to calendar years before 2017, see this section as in 
effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1 revised April 1, 2016.)


Sec.  1.1471-4T  [Removed]

0
Par. 18. Section 1.1471-4T is removed.

0
Par. 19. Section 1.1474-1 is amended by revising paragraph (d)(4)(vii) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  1.1474-1  Liability for withheld tax and withholding agent 
reporting.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (vii) Combined Form 1042-S reporting. A withholding agent required 
to report on Form 1042-S under paragraph (d)(4) of this section (other 
than a nonparticipating FFI reporting under paragraph (d)(4)(v) of this 
section) may rely on the procedures used for chapter 3 purposes 
(provided in published guidance) for reporting on Form 1042-S (even if 
the withholding agent is not required to report under chapter 3) for 
combined reporting following a merger or acquisition, provided that all 
of the requirements for such reporting provided in the Instructions for 
Form 1042-S are satisfied.
* * * * *


Sec.  1.1474-1T  [Removed]

0
Par. 20. Section 1.1474-1T is removed.

0
Par. 21. Section 1.6049-6 is amended by:
0
1. Adding a sentence to the end of paragraph (e)(4).
0
 2. Revising the second sentence of paragraph (e)(5) and adding a new 
third sentence to paragraph (e)(5).
    The additions and revision read as follows:


Sec.  1.6049-6  Statements to recipients of interest payments and 
holders of obligations for attributed original issue discount.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (4) Special rule for amounts described in Sec.  1.6049-8(a). * * * 
A person required by this paragraph (e)(4) to furnish a recipient copy 
of Form 1042-S may furnish such copy electronically by complying with 
the requirements provided in Sec.  1.6050W-2(a)(2) through (5) 
applicable to statements required under section 6050W (substituting the 
phrase ``Form 1042-S'' for the phrases ``statement required under 
section 6050W'' or ``statements required by section 6050W(f)'' each 
place they appear).
    (5) Effective/applicability date. * * * Paragraph (e)(4) of this 
section applies to payee statements reporting payments of deposit 
interest to nonresident alien individuals paid on or after January 2, 
2020, but it may be applied to payments made on or after January 1, 
2016. For payee statements reporting payments of deposit interest to 
nonresident alien individuals paid on or after January 1, 2013 and 
before January 2, 2020, see paragraph (e)(4) of this section as in 
effect and contained in 26 CFR part 1 revised April 1, 2019. * * *

Sunita Lough,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
    Approved: December 11, 2019.
David J. Kautter,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. 2019-27979 Filed 12-27-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P