Regulations Relating to Information Reporting by Foreign Financial Institutions and Withholding on Certain Payments to Foreign Financial Institutions and Other Foreign Entities
Federal RegisterMar 6, 2014
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
[TD 9657]
RIN 1545-BL73
Regulations Relating to Information Reporting by Foreign Financial Institutions and Withholding on Certain Payments to Foreign Financial Institutions and Other Foreign Entities
AGENCY:
Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.
ACTION:
Final and temporary regulations.
SUMMARY:
This document contains final and temporary regulations under chapter 4 of Subtitle A (sections 1471 through 1474) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code) regarding information reporting by foreign financial institutions (FFIs) with respect to U.S. accounts and withholding on certain payments to FFIs and other foreign entities. These regulations affect persons making certain U.S.-related payments to FFIs and other foreign entities and payments by FFIs to other persons. The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations set forth in a cross-reference notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-130967-13) published in the Proposed Rules section in this issue of the
Federal Register
.
DATES:
Effective date.
These regulations are effective on March 6, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tara Ferris, Nancy Lee, Michael Kaercher, or Kamela Nelan at (202) 317-6942 (not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
I. In General
This document contains amendments to the Income Tax Regulations (CFR part 1) under sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (commonly known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA). On March 18, 2010, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, Public Law 111-147 (the HIRE Act), added chapter 4 of Subtitle A (chapter 4), comprised of sections 1471 through 1474, to the Code. Chapter 4 generally requires U.S. withholding agents to withhold tax on certain payments to foreign financial institutions (FFIs) that do not agree to report certain information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding their U.S. accounts, and on certain payments to certain nonfinancial foreign entities (NFFEs) that do not provide information on their substantial United States owners (substantial U.S. owners) to withholding agents. On January 28, 2013, final regulations (TD 9610) under chapter 4 were published in the
Federal Register
(78 FR 5874) and, on September 10, 2013, a correction to the final regulations was published in the
Federal Register
(78 FR 55202) (final regulations). The Treasury Department and the IRS received numerous comments in response to the final regulations.
Following publication of the final regulations, the Treasury Department and the IRS also issued additional guidance under chapter 4. Notice 2013-43 (2013-31 I.R.B. 113) previews the revised timelines for implementation of the FATCA requirements (which are adopted by these temporary regulations) and provides additional guidance concerning the treatment of FFIs located in jurisdictions that have signed intergovernmental agreements for the implementation of FATCA (IGAs) but have not yet brought those IGAs into force. In particular, Notice 2013-43 clarifies that a jurisdiction is treated as having in effect an IGA if the jurisdiction is listed on the Treasury Web site as a jurisdiction that is treated as having an IGA in effect. In general, the Treasury Department and the IRS intend to include on this list jurisdictions that have signed but have not yet brought into force an IGA. The list of jurisdictions that are treated as having an IGA in effect is available at the following address:
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/tax-policy/treaties/Pages/FATCA-Archive.aspx
. Notice 2013-69 (2013-46 I.R.B. 503) further previews some of the changes that the Treasury Department and IRS intend to make to the final regulations and publishes a draft of the agreement that an FFI may enter into with the IRS in order to satisfy its obligations under section 1471(b) of the Code and be treated as a participating FFI (FFI agreement). Revenue Procedure 2014-13 (2014-3 I.R.B. 419) provides the final FFI agreement.
II. Regulatory Approach to Implementing Chapter 4
Chapter 4 grants the Secretary of the Treasury broad regulatory authority to prescribe rules and procedures relating to the diligence, reporting and withholding obligations under FATCA. The Treasury Department and the IRS exercised this authority by publishing final regulations that provide specific operational guidelines for implementing FATCA in a manner consistent with its policy objectives. As described in the preamble to the final regulations, the final regulations implement the statute based on a risk-based approach that is intended to address policy considerations, eliminate unnecessary burdens, and to the extent possible, build on existing practices and obligations.
Following publication of the final regulations, the Treasury Department and the IRS received unsolicited comments suggesting changes to or requesting clarification of certain rules in the final regulations. As a result of these comments, the Treasury Department and the IRS have continued to work with affected parties to develop rules that achieve an appropriate balance between fulfilling the important policy objectives of chapter 4 and minimizing the burdens imposed on stakeholders. As part of this process, the Treasury Department and the IRS have carefully considered comments received in response to the final regulations and have met with stakeholders. While many of these comments reiterate comments that were received and considered prior to the publication of the final regulations or suggest changes to the final regulations that are outside the scope of these temporary regulations, a number of comments proposed changes to the final regulations that the Treasury Department and the IRS believe warrant inclusion in these temporary regulations. The Treasury Department and the IRS will accept comments and engage with interested stakeholders in connection with finalizing these temporary regulations.
Explanation of Provisions
I. In General
In response to comments and after further consideration, these temporary regulations revise and further clarify the final regulations. To this end, these temporary regulations take into account helpful comments received and provide additional detail and certainty regarding the scope of obligations imposed under chapter 4. In addition, these temporary regulations reflect changes made to the final regulations to coordinate the chapter 4 regulations with the temporary regulations published under chapters 3 and 61 and section 3406 of the Code. Additionally, these temporary regulations contain modifications to the final regulations to further harmonize them with the IGAs. Several of the changes made by these temporary regulations were previewed in Notice 2013-69, the draft FFI agreement, and
certain of the draft IRS forms released throughout 2013.
The following sections provide a discussion of the additions and modifications made by the temporary regulations to the final regulations. To facilitate this discussion, the defined terms set forth in the temporary regulations are used throughout.
II. Comments and Changes to § 1.1471-1—Scope of Chapter 4 and Definitions
To address comments received and to provide further clarification, these temporary regulations modify certain definitions contained in the final regulations.
A. Direct Reporting NFFE, Sponsored Direct Reporting NFFE, and Sponsoring Entity
Comments requested an election providing NFFEs with the ability to report information about their substantial U.S. owners directly to the IRS rather than to withholding agents. In response to these comments and as previewed in Notice 2013-69, these temporary regulations provide certain NFFEs with elections to be treated as direct reporting NFFEs or sponsored direct reporting NFFEs. A NFFE that is treated as a direct reporting NFFE or sponsored direct reporting NFFE shall be treated as an excepted NFFE. Accordingly, definitions have been added for a direct reporting NFFE and a sponsored direct reporting NFFE, and the definition of a sponsoring entity has been modified. Conforming changes have also been made throughout these temporary regulations to implement these changes.
B. Excepted NFFE
These temporary regulations modify the definition of excepted NFFE such that excepted NFFEs include, among other things, a direct reporting NFFE and a sponsored direct reporting NFFE. In addition, to correct an oversight, the definition of excepted NFFE under these temporary regulations is further expanded to include a NFFE that is a qualified intermediary (QI), withholding foreign partnership (WP) or withholding foreign trust (WT).
C. Offshore Obligation and Offshore Account
In response to comments stating that the definition of offshore obligation in the final regulations is unclear, and in order to harmonize chapters 4 and 61, these temporary regulations define offshore obligation by cross-reference to § 1.6049-5(c)(1) (which now uses the term
offshore obligation
instead of
offshore account
). These temporary regulations also remove the definition of offshore account because it is included in the definition of offshore obligation under § 1.6049-5(c)(1).
D. Pre-FATCA Form W-8
These temporary regulations make a clarifying change to the definition of pre-FATCA Form W-8. The final regulations define pre-FATCA Form W-8 as certain Forms W-8 that do not contain chapter 4 statuses. However, the chapter 4 status of a non-U.S. individual filing a Form W-8 is the same as his or her chapter 3 status. Therefore, the definition in the final regulations could be interpreted to mean that any Form W-8 previously submitted by a non-U.S. individual could not be treated as a pre-FATCA Form W-8. These temporary regulations modify the definition of pre-FATCA Form W-8 to avoid this result.
E. Standardized Industry Coding System
The final regulations define the term
standardized industry code
to mean a code that is part of a coding system that is used to classify account holders by business type for purposes other than tax purposes and that is implemented by the withholding agent by the later of January 1, 2012, or six months after the date the withholding agent is formed or organized. In response to comments, these temporary regulations remove the term
standardized industry code
and replace it with the term
standardized industry coding system.
The term
standardized industry coding system
in these temporary regulations is substantially similar to the term standardized industry code in the final regulations, except that it focuses on a coding system used by the withholding agent to classify account holders, rather than a specific code that is part of such a coding system. Additionally, and in response to comments, with respect to a preexisting obligation of an entity, the preexisting obligation documentary evidence rules have been liberalized by eliminating the requirement that the classification of the payee's status be recorded by the withholding agent by the later of January 1, 2012, or six months after the date the withholding agent is formed or organized.
F. Certain Foreign Insurance Companies Treated as U.S. Persons
The final regulations treat a foreign insurance company that is not licensed to do business in any State and makes an election under section 953(d) as a foreign person. Comments requested that a foreign insurance company that has made an election under section 953(d) be treated as a U.S. person. A foreign insurance company that has made an election under section 953(d) is required to report on its U.S. income tax return the U.S. persons that own a direct or indirect interest in it. As previewed in Notice 2013-69, and in light of the existing reporting requirements applicable to these entities, the temporary regulations modify the definition of U.S. person to include a foreign insurance company that has made an election under section 953(d) and that either is not a specified insurance company or is a specified insurance company that is licensed to do business in any State. In such cases, the foreign insurance company will be required to continue to report on its owners in accordance with its election under section 953(d). A foreign insurance company that has made an election under section 953(d) and that is a specified insurance company that is not licensed to do business in any State will continue to be treated as a foreign person for purposes of chapter 4.
G. Coordination of Definitions
In response to comments requesting clarification and in order to coordinate the definitions in the final regulations with the definitions in chapters 3 and 61 and the FFI agreement, these temporary regulations add definitions of backup withholding, branch, chapter 4 withholding rate pool, exempt recipient, IGA, non-exempt recipient, reportable payment, and reporting Model 2 FFI and modify the definition of a U.S. branch treated as a U.S. person. In addition, the definitions of financial institution, limited branch, limited FFI, and substantial U.S. owner are modified to ensure coordination between the FFI agreement and these temporary regulations.
H. Harmonization With IGAs
These temporary regulations modify the definition of nonreporting IGA FFI to include (in addition to an FFI that is identified or treated as a nonreporting financial institution pursuant to a Model 1 or Model 2 IGA that is not a registered deemed-compliant FFI) an FFI that is a resident of, located in, or established in a Model 1 or Model 2 IGA jurisdiction, as the context requires, and that meets the requirements for certified deemed-compliant FFI status under the temporary regulations. Certain definitions (including the definition of retirement plan under § 1.1471-6(f)) are also modified to further harmonize these temporary regulations and the IGAs.
III. Comments and Changes to § 1.1471-2—Requirement To Deduct and Withhold Tax on Withholdable Payments to Certain FFIs
A. Grandfathered Obligations—Definitions—Material Modification
Comments indicated that outstanding life insurance contracts often contain a provision permitting the substitution of an insured and, as a result, cannot be a grandfathered obligation under the final regulations. Because such provisions are prevalent in existing life insurance contracts, the Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that life insurance contracts that have such a provision should be eligible for grandfathered status until the provision is invoked, but that any change or substitution of the insured under the contract should be treated as a material modification such that grandfathered status would no longer apply. These temporary regulations modify the final regulations accordingly.
B. Grandfathered Obligations—Determination by Withholding Agent of Grandfathered Treatment
The final regulations provide that a withholding agent is required to treat a modification of an obligation as material if the withholding agent knows or has reason to know that a material modification has occurred. The Treasury Department and the IRS received comments stating that it is difficult for a withholding agent to determine whether there has been a material modification of a grandfathered obligation absent a disclosure from the issuer of the obligation, and therefore that the receipt of such a disclosure should be the only instance in which a withholding agent is required to treat a modification of an obligation as material. In response to these comments, the temporary regulations modify the final regulations to provide that a withholding agent, other than the issuer of the obligation (or an agent of the issuer), is required to treat a modification of an obligation as material only if the withholding agent has actual knowledge that a material modification has occurred. One example of an event that will cause a withholding agent to have actual knowledge of a material modification is if the withholding agent receives a disclosure indicating that there has been or will be a material modification to the obligation.
IV. Comments and Changes to § 1.1471-3—Identification of Payee
A. Payee Defined
1. Exceptions—U.S. Intermediary or Agent of a Foreign Person
Comments requested that, in cases in which a withholding agent makes a withholdable payment to a U.S. insurance broker that is acting as an intermediary for or agent of a foreign insurer, the withholding agent be allowed to treat the U.S. insurance broker as the payee unless the withholding agent has reason to know that the U.S. insurance broker will not satisfy its withholding obligations. These temporary regulations modify the final regulations to adopt this comment.
2. Exceptions—U.S. Branch of Certain Foreign Banks or Foreign Insurance Companies
A payment made to a U.S. branch of a participating FFI or a registered deemed-compliant FFI may be treated as a payment made to a U.S. person if the branch is treated as a U.S. person for purposes of withholding under chapter 4. The final regulations inadvertently omit a cross-reference to the regulations containing the requirements of U.S. branches to report information regarding certain U.S. owners of owner-documented FFIs and passive NFFEs. These temporary regulations add a cross-reference to § 1.1474-1(i)(1) and (2).
B. Determination of Payee's Status—Determination of Whether the Payment Is Made to a QI, WP, or WT
In order to harmonize the rules in chapter 4 with those in chapters 3 and 61, these temporary regulations clarify that, with respect to a withholding agent's determination of whether a payment is made to a QI, WP, or WT, a Form W-8IMY, “Certificate of Foreign Intermediary, Foreign Flow-Through Entity, or Certain U.S. Branches for United States Tax Withholding,” provided by such entity must contain the entity's QI-EIN, WP-EIN, or WT-EIN (as applicable). In addition, QIs, WPs, and WTs that have a GIIN must provide both a QI-EIN, QP-EIN, or WT-EIN and the GIIN to a withholding agent on the Form W-8IMY.
C. Rules for Reliably Associating a Payment With a Withholding Certificate or Other Appropriate Documentation
1. Requirements for Validity of Certificates—Withholding Certificate of an Intermediary, Flow-Through Entity, or U.S. Branch (Form W-8IMY)—In General
These temporary regulations clarify that, when a participating FFI or a registered deemed-compliant FFI has a branch (including a disregarded entity of the FFI) that both acts as an intermediary and is located outside of the FFI's country of residence, the GIIN of the branch (or disregarded entity) must be disclosed on the withholding certificate. This change provides more detail on the use of GIINs issued to branches or disregarded entities of an FFI and that are used, in part, to identify an FFI to withholding agents.
2. Requirements for Validity of Certificates—Withholding Certificate of an Intermediary, Flow-Through Entity, or U.S. Branch (Form W-8IMY)—Withholding Statement—Special Requirements for an FFI Withholding Statement
Comments requested additional clarification to the final regulations concerning the requirements of an FFI withholding statement, specifically with regard to the use of a chapter 4 withholding rate pool identified on an FFI withholding statement to allocate a withholdable payment (or portion of a withholdable payment) to persons included within the chapter 4 withholding rate pool. Some of these clarifications have already been previewed in the draft FFI agreement, published in Notice 2013-69, and the final FFI agreement, published in Rev. Proc. 2014-13. These temporary regulations provide further clarification of FFI withholding statement requirements, including rules on when a chapter 4 withholding rate pool may be used by an FFI to allocate withholdable payments to a class of persons within a particular type of chapter 4 withholding rate pool. For example, if a participating FFI (including a reporting Model 2 FFI) that is a non-U.S. payor receives a withholdable payment on behalf of an account holder of a U.S. account, the participating FFI may include the account holder in a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees provided on an FFI withholding statement to the withholding agent to allocate the payment (or portion thereof) to the U.S. payee pool when the participating FFI reports the account holder under § 1.1471-4(d)(3) (Form
8966, “FATCA Report,” reporting) or § 1.1471-4(d)(5) (election to report on Form 1099). As a result, the participating FFI need not provide payee specific information to the withholding agent with respect to the account holder, even if such information would typically be required under chapter 61, because it will be reported to the IRS under chapter 4.
Additionally, reporting Model 1 FFIs and reporting Model 2 FFIs (without regard to whether such FFIs are U.S. or non-U.S. payors) may include certain recalcitrant account holders in a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees when such payments are not subject to withholding under chapters 3 or 4 or to backup withholding under section 3406 (for example, presumed U.S. non-exempt recipients). This rule was added to provide coordination between the various reporting regimes. For example, a reporting Model 2 FFI may include an account holder of a non-consenting U.S. account in a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees with respect to a withholdable payment that is not subject to withholding under chapters 3 or 4 or to backup withholding under section 3406 when the FFI reports the account holder as described in § 1.1471-4(d)(6) for the year in which the payment is made.
Finally, in order to clarify potential ambiguities, and as previewed in the draft and final FFI agreement, these temporary regulations provide that an FFI withholding statement should indicate the portion of the payment allocated to a pool of recalcitrant account holders that hold dormant accounts for which the FFI (and not the withholding agent) will withhold in escrow under the procedures described in § 1.1471-4(b)(6). Additionally, a participating FFI that elects to apply backup withholding under § 1.1471-4(b)(3)(iii) to a withholdable payment that is also a reportable payment (as described under chapter 61) must also indicate the portion of the payment allocated to each recalcitrant account holder subject to backup withholding under section 3406 and report such payment to the IRS on Form 1099. A participating FFI will not be able to make the election to backup withhold under § 1.1471-4(b)(3)(iii) unless it is able to report on the payment and tax withheld consistent with the rules under chapter 61 and section 3406.
3. Requirements for Validity of Certificates—Withholding Certificate of an Intermediary, Flow-Through Entity, or U.S. Branch (Form W-8IMY)—Withholding Statement—Special Requirements for a Chapter 4 Withholding Statement and Exempt Beneficial Owner Withholding Statement
An intermediary providing a withholding certificate for a withholdable payment under chapter 4 may also need to provide information under chapter 3 or chapter 61 if those chapters also apply to the payment the intermediary receives. These temporary regulations modify the final regulations to coordinate with chapters 3 and 61 by providing cross-references to the regulations under those chapters to clarify the information required to be included on a withholding statement when a withholdable payment is also reportable under chapters 3 or 61.
4. Applicable Rules for Withholding Certificates, Written Statements, and Documentary Evidence—Period of Validity
Under chapter 4, withholding certificates are valid for three years, unless an exception permits indefinite validity (until a change in circumstances occurs). Beneficial owner withholding certificates provided by certain entities qualify for indefinite validity if the certificate is furnished with documentary evidence establishing the entity's foreign status. Comments requested that section 501(c) entities be excluded from the requirement to furnish documentary evidence of foreign status as it is an undue burden on such entities. The Treasury Department and the IRS agree that it is appropriate to exclude these entities from the requirement to furnish documentary evidence of foreign status. In response to these comments and to coordinate with the rules under chapter 3, these temporary regulations cross-reference the rules for indefinite validity of withholding certificates for section 501(c) entities in § 1.1441-1(e)(4)(ii)(B).
5. Applicable Rules for Withholding Certificates, Written Statements, and Documentary Evidence—Electronic Transmission of Withholding Certificate, Written Statement, and Documentary Evidence
The final regulations provide that a withholding agent may accept withholding certificates, written statements, and documentary evidence supporting a payee's claim of chapter 4 status electronically if the agent is able to verify the identity of the sender as the person named on the form. Comments requested that the verification rules be modified or eliminated to reduce the burden on the withholding agent. The Treasury Department and the IRS agree with the comments, but have determined that the electronic transmission requirements under chapter 4 should match those to be revised under chapter 3 in consideration of these comments. Therefore, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations by cross-referencing the electronic submission rules in § 1.1441-1(e)(4)(iv)(C) which have been modified to adopt the change in a separate regulations package. These temporary regulations also make similar conforming changes to the final regulations with respect to requirements for an intermediary to electronically submit a withholding statement with a withholding certificate to a withholding agent.
6. Applicable Rules for Withholding Certificates, Written Statements, and Documentary Evidence—Acceptable Substitute Withholding Certificate—Non-IRS Form for Individuals
In general, a withholding agent may substitute its own form for an official Form W-8 if the substitute form contains provisions that are substantially similar to the official form. The final regulations provide that if a substitute form is used in place of a W-8BEN for individuals, the form must contain, among other things, the individual's city and country of birth. The Treasury Department and the IRS received comments indicating that the inclusion of city of birth on this form would impose an undue burden on withholding agents. In response to comments, these temporary regulations remove the city of birth requirement. After further consideration, however, the temporary regulations require that the substitute form must contain the individual's date of birth, without regard to whether a foreign tax identification number is provided.
7. Documentation Furnished on Account-by-Account Basis Unless Exception Provided for Sharing Documentation Within Expanded Affiliated Group—Preexisting Account
The Treasury Department and the IRS received comments requesting that, for preexisting accounts, a withholding agent be allowed to rely on documentation held at a branch of the withholding agent or a branch of another expanded affiliated group member even if the withholding agent does not treat the accounts as consolidated obligations. The comments
indicated that, in certain cases, the requirement to treat the accounts as consolidated obligations in order to share documentation is too burdensome. These temporary regulations modify the final regulations to allow a withholding agent, with respect to a preexisting account that it maintains, to rely on documentation furnished by a payee for a preexisting account held at another branch of the withholding agent or a branch of another expanded affiliated group member solely to determine the chapter 4 status of the account holder if: (i) The withholding agent obtains and reviews copies of such documentation supporting the chapter 4 status of the payee and (ii) the withholding agent has no reason to know that, when the documentation is obtained by the withholding agent, the documentation is unreliable or incorrect.
D. Documentation Requirements To Establish Payee's Chapter 4 Status
1. Reliance on Pre-FATCA Form W-8
The final regulations generally allow the withholding agent to rely on a pre-FATCA Form W-8 for international organizations. In order to clarify a potential ambiguity and to conform with chapter 3, these temporary regulations provide that reliance on a pre-FATCA Form W-8 is limited to international organizations as defined under chapter 3 and under section 7701(a)(18).
2. Identification of U.S. Persons—In General
Under chapter 4, a withholding agent must treat certain payees as U.S. persons. In order to clarify a potential ambiguity, these temporary regulations provide that foreign branches of U.S. persons and FFIs that have elected to be treated as U.S. persons under section 953(d) (despite the fact that such FFIs may not be U.S. persons for other purposes of chapter 4) should be treated as U.S. persons by a withholding agent if the withholding agent has a valid Form W-9, “
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification,”
from the payee or is required to presume that the payee is a U.S. person. This reduces burden because FFIs that have elected to be treated as U.S. persons under section 953(d) are generally treated as U.S. persons under chapter 3 and would need to provide a Form W-9 in connection with payments subject to chapter 3 withholding and reporting.
3. Identification of U.S. Persons—Preexisting Obligations
The final regulations provide that a withholding agent (other than a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI) that makes a payment with respect to a preexisting obligation may treat a payee as a U.S. person if it previously reviewed a Form W-9 or other documentation that established that the payee is a U.S. person and established that the payee is an exempt recipient for purposes of chapter 61. Comments from U.S. withholding agents indicated that the burden of documenting such payees that have previously been classified as U.S. persons is both significant and disproportionate to the benefits of obtaining documentation of U.S. status. In response to these comments, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations to allow withholding agents (other than a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI) to treat the payee of a payment with respect to a preexisting obligation as a U.S. person if the withholding agent has previously classified the payee as a U.S. person for purposes of chapters 3 or 61 and established (through documentation or the application of the rules in § 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)) that the payee is an exempt recipient for purposes of chapter 61.
4. Identification of Participating FFIs and Registered Deemed-Compliant FFIs
The final regulations generally provide that a withholding agent may only treat a payee as a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI if the withholding agent receives an appropriate withholding certificate and a GIIN. The final regulations also provide a transitional rule for when withholding agents may treat payments made prior to January 1, 2017, with respect to a preexisting obligation, as made to a payee that is a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI. Under this rule the payee only needs to provide the withholding agent with its GIIN (which the withholding agent must verify) and indicate whether the FFI is a participating FFI or a registered deemed-compliant FFI. After further consideration and to coordinate with the rules under chapters 3 and 61, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations to provide that in such cases the payee must also have provided the withholding agent with a pre-FATCA Form W-8, as payees that receive U.S. source FDAP income would have already been required to provide a withholding certificate to a withholding agent. These temporary regulations further clarify the final regulations such that, when a participating FFI or a registered deemed-compliant FFI has a branch (including a disregarded entity of the FFI) that is located outside of the FFI's country of residence and receives the payment, the GIIN of the branch (or disregarded entity) must be disclosed on the withholding certificate.
5. Identification of Excepted NFFEs—Identifying a Direct Reporting NFFE, Identifying a Sponsored Direct Reporting NFFE, and Identification of an Excepted Inter-Affiliate FFI
These temporary regulations provide that direct reporting NFFEs and sponsored direct reporting NFFEs qualify as excepted NFFEs. Consistent with this change, these temporary regulations add to the final regulations identification rules with respect to direct reporting NFFEs and sponsored direct reporting NFFEs. Additionally, under the final regulations, a financial institution does not include certain foreign entities that are considered excepted inter-affiliate FFIs. One of the requirements for such an entity is that it does not receive payments from, or hold an account with, a withholding agent other than a member of its expanded affiliated group. Comments requested that such entities be permitted to hold bank accounts with certain non-U.S. persons outside of the expanded affiliated group. The temporary regulations modify the final regulations with respect to an excepted inter-affiliate FFI to allow such FFIs to hold depository accounts to pay for expenses in the country in which the FFI is operating and that are maintained within the same country. Accordingly, conforming changes have also been made by these temporary regulations to add identification rules with respect to an excepted inter-affiliate FFI. An identification rule was not necessary under the final regulations because an excepted inter-affiliate FFI was not allowed to hold an account with a withholding agent other than a member of its expanded affiliated group.
E. Standards of Knowledge
1. GIIN Verification
The final regulations provide that, under certain circumstances, a withholding agent has reason to know that a payee is not a financial institution. To clarify a potential ambiguity, these temporary regulations provide that a withholding agent has reason to know that a withholdable payment is being made to a limited branch of a participating or registered deemed-compliant FFI when it is directed to make payment to an address of the FFI in a jurisdiction other than the address of the participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI (or branch of such FFI) that is identified as
the FFI (or branch of such FFI) that is supposed to receive the payment. These temporary regulations further provide special rules regarding a direct reporting NFFE and a sponsored direct reporting NFFE's claim of chapter 4 status.
2. Reason to Know
Under chapter 4, a withholding agent may not rely on an FFI's claim of chapter 4 status if the withholding agent has reason to know that such claim is unreliable or incorrect. Under the final regulations, the withholding agent is required to review information used to satisfy AML due diligence requirements in determining whether a claim of chapter 4 status was unreliable or incorrect. In response to comments, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations such that when a withholding agent has classified a person by business type for AML due diligence or another regulatory purpose (other than for a tax purpose) that requires the withholding agent to periodically monitor or update the classification, the withholding agent will have reason to know that information contained in its account files conflicts with the person's claim of chapter 4 status only if the classification recorded by the withholding agent is inconsistent with the chapter 4 status claimed. Comments also requested additional time to review the information collected for AML due diligence because it is typically gathered and stored by a different department or division of the withholding agent and is not linked to the customers' account files. These temporary regulations adopt this comment and allow 30 days to review information collected for AML due diligence for new accounts.
The final regulations also provide due diligence requirements with respect to U.S. indicia of account holders for payments made with respect to preexisting obligations. After further consideration, the temporary regulations modify these provisions such that the U.S. indicia-based due diligence requirements generally do not apply to a withholding agent that has previously documented an account for purposes of chapter 3 or chapter 61. However, under the temporary regulations, a withholding agent that applies the limits on reason to know described in chapter 3 or chapter 61 must review for U.S. indicia any additional documentation upon which the withholding agent is relying to determine the chapter 4 status of the person. A cross-reference in § 1.1471-3(e)(4)(viii)(A)(
4
) has also been corrected.
F. Presumptions Regarding Chapter 4 Status of the Person Receiving the Payment in the Absence of Documentation
The Treasury Department and the IRS intend for the chapter 4 presumption rules for determining the status of a person as an individual or an entity and as U.S. or foreign to be identical to the presumption rules in chapters 3 and 61. To ensure coordination of these rules, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations by cross-referencing the presumption rules under chapter 3, rather than restating the rules in detail. This change ensures coordination between the presumption rules in chapter 3 and chapter 4 in the event that the chapter 3 presumption rules are modified.
V. Comments and Changes to § 1.1471-4—FFI Agreement
A. Withholding Requirements
1. Satisfaction of Withholding Requirements—Election To Withhold Under Section 3406
As announced in Notice 2013-69, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations to coordinate withholding under chapter 4 and backup withholding under section 3406. Under § 1.1474-6(f), a participating FFI that makes a withholdable payment that is also a reportable payment to a recalcitrant account holder is not required to apply backup withholding under section 3406 if it withholds on the payment under chapter 4. A reportable payment that is not subject to withholding under chapter 4 remains subject to backup withholding under section 3406. Additionally, these temporary regulations provide under § 1.1471-4(b)(3)(iii) that a participating FFI may satisfy its chapter 4 withholding obligations for a withholdable payment that is a reportable payment made to a recalcitrant account holder that is a U.S. non-exempt recipient subject to backup withholding if the participating FFI elects for backup withholding under section 3406 to apply (rather than withholding under chapter 4 with regard to such payees). A participating FFI will not be able to make the election to backup withhold under § 1.1471-4(b)(3)(iii) unless it is able to report on the payment and tax withheld consistent with the rules under chapter 61 and section 3406.
2. Special Rule for Dormant Accounts
With respect to dormant accounts of recalcitrant account holders, the final regulations permit a participating FFI to escrow amounts withheld under chapter 4 rather than deposit such amounts with the IRS. To coordinate with the chapter 3 and 61 regulations which would have required such amounts to be withheld upon, the temporary regulations limit this allowance to amounts not otherwise subject to withholding under chapter 3 or backup withholding under section 3406. In addition, a participating FFI may not delegate its responsibility to escrow the withheld tax to the withholding agent from which it receives the payment. These modifications are intended to harmonize the treatment of such escrowed amounts under chapters 3 and 4 and are consistent with the provisions of the FFI agreement.
B. Due Diligence for the Identification and Documentation of Account Holders and Payees
1. Identification and Documentation Procedure for Preexisting Individual Accounts—Specific Identification and Documentation Procedures for Preexisting Individual Accounts—U.S. Indicia and Relevant Documentation Rules—Documentation to be Retained Upon Identifying U.S. Indicia—Standing Instructions to Pay Amounts
The final regulations provide a cure for standing instructions to pay amounts to an account maintained in the United States for an account holder that differs from the cure provided under chapter 3. These temporary regulations modify the final regulations to provide an option to follow the chapter 3 rules by adding a cross-reference to § 1.1441-7(b)(12).
2. Identification and Documentation Procedure for Preexisting Individual Accounts—Specific Identification and Documentation Procedures for Preexisting Individual Accounts—Exception for Preexisting Individual Accounts Previously Documented as Held by Foreign Individuals
The final regulations provide that a participating FFI that has previously established an account holder's status as foreign in order to fulfill its reporting obligations as a U.S. payor under chapter 61 is not required to perform an electronic search or enhanced review. Comments requested that this exception be extended to the identification and documentation performed by an agent of a participating FFI that is a U.S. payor. To address these comments and to further coordinate between the IGAs and the regulations, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations to adopt this comment.
C. Account Reporting
1. Reporting Requirements In General—Financial Institution Required to Report an Account—Special Reporting of Account Holders of Territory Financial Institutions
Section 1.1471-4(d)(2)(ii)(B) provides a special reporting rule for participating FFIs that maintain an account held by a territory financial institution acting as an intermediary. If such territory financial institution agrees to be treated as a U.S. person, the participating FFI is not required to report under § 1.1471-4 with respect to the account holders of the territory financial institution because such entities will report directly to the IRS. However, if the territory financial institution does not agree to be treated as a U.S. person, the final regulations require the participating FFI to report under § 1.1471-4 with respect to each account holder of the territory financial institution that receives a withholdable payment (or portion thereof) and that is a specified U.S. person or substantial U.S. owner of a foreign entity (indirect account holders). The final regulations are ambiguous about how a participating FFI could report on these indirect account holders. To provide more clarity with respect to the reporting requirements and to provide additional flexibility, the temporary regulations give participating FFIs the option of reporting on these indirect account holders on either Form 8966 or Form 1099. Additionally, these temporary regulations clarify the scope of information that must be reported by a participating FFI on Form 8966 or Form 1099 with respect to account holders of a territory financial institution that has not elected to be treated as a U.S. person.
2. Reporting Requirements In General—Financial Institution Required to Report an Account—Requirement To Identify the GIIN of a Branch That Maintains an Account
The final regulations provide that a participating FFI may elect to comply with its obligation to report under § 1.1471-4(d)(3) or § 1.1471-4(d)(5) on a branch-by-branch basis. After further consideration, the temporary regulations provide that a participating FFI may report under § 1.1471-4(d)(3) or § 1.1471-4(d)(5) with respect to all of the participating FFI's U.S. accounts and recalcitrant accounts, or separately with respect to any clearly identified group of accounts (such as by line of business or the location of where the account is maintained). Consistent with the final regulations, a participating FFI must include the GIIN assigned to the participating FFI or its branch (including a disregarded entity of the FFI), as applicable, to identify the jurisdiction of the FFI or branch (or disregarded entity) that maintains the accounts subject to reporting.
3. Reporting Requirements In General—Financial Institution Required To Report an Account—Reporting by Participating FFIs and Registered Deemed-Compliant FFIs (Including QIs, WPs, WTs, and Certain U.S. Branches Not Treated as U.S. Persons) for Accounts of Nonparticipating FFIs (Transitional)
The final regulations provide transitional reporting requirements for a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI making a payment of a foreign reportable amount to a nonparticipating FFI. Under § 1.1474-1(d)(4)(iii)(C) of the final regulations, a participating FFI is required to report the aggregate amount of foreign reportable amounts paid to each payee that is a nonparticipating FFI, even when such payments are not associated with a financial account. The final regulations define foreign reportable amount as a payment of FDAP income that would be a withholdable payment if paid by a U.S. person. Comments requested changes and clarification with respect to the transitional rule because it was unclear regarding the scope of payments subject to reporting and because of the cost of modifying systems to comply with this reporting rule. These temporary regulations continue to provide transitional reporting rules, but, consistent with Notice 2013-69, modify it to address these comments. First, the temporary regulations clarify that reporting will be required only with respect to nonparticipating FFIs that maintain an account with the participating FFI. Second, these temporary regulations modify the definition of foreign reportable amount to mean foreign source payments as described in § 1.1471-4(d)(4)(iv) paid to or with respect to each such account. Third, the temporary regulations provide that instead of reporting only foreign reportable amounts paid to such nonparticipating FFIs, a participating FFI may report all payments made with respect to the account (not only foreign reportable amounts). Fourth, the temporary regulations provide that, when a participating FFI is prohibited under domestic law from reporting on a specific payee basis without consent from the nonparticipating FFI and the participating FFI has been unable to obtain such consent, it may report the aggregate number of accounts held by all such non-consenting nonparticipating FFIs and the aggregate amount of foreign reportable amounts paid with respect to such accounts. These temporary regulations also modify the final regulations to provide that the information required under the transitional reporting rule will be provided on Form 8966, not Form 1042-S, “Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding,” and accordingly move the transitional rule to § 1.1471-4(d)(2)(ii)(F) and delete a residual paragraph in § 1.1474-1(d)(3)(iii) and renumber (d)(3)(iv) through (d)(3)(x). These changes were previously announced in Notice 2013-69 and are also included in the final FFI agreement. Finally, the temporary regulations require participating FFIs to retain account statements for accounts maintained for such nonparticipating FFIs.
4. Reporting Requirements In General—Special U.S. Account Reporting Rules for U.S. Payors—Special Reporting Rule for U.S. Payors Other Than U.S. Branches
The final regulations provide that a participating FFI that is a U.S. payor (other than a U.S. branch) is treated as satisfying its chapter 4 reporting obligations with respect to accounts that it is required to treat as U.S. accounts or accounts held by owner-documented FFIs if it reports the information required under chapter 61 and the information described under § 1.1471-4(d)(5)(ii) (requiring additional information on accounts held by specified U.S. persons, U.S. owned foreign entities that are NFFEs, and owner-documented FFIs). In response to comments, the temporary regulations modify the final regulations to allow a participating FFI that is a U.S. payor to satisfy its chapter 4 reporting obligations with respect to its U.S. accounts or accounts held by owner-documented FFIs either by reporting the information described in chapter 61 and § 1.1471-4(d)(5)(ii) or (iii) (the information reporting would be made on Form 1099 for U.S. accounts that are not U.S. owned NFFEs), as provided in the final regulations, or by reporting the information described in § 1.1471-4(d)(3)(ii), (d)(3)(iii) or (d)(3)(iv) (the information reporting would be made on Form 8966). A participating FFI that reports the information described in § 1.1471-4(d)(3)(ii), (d)(3)(iii) or (d)(3)(iv) and that is required to report payments under chapter 61 is not relieved of that obligation.
5. Reporting Requirements in General—Special U.S. Account Reporting Rules for U.S. Payors—Special Reporting Rules for U.S. Branches Not Treated as U.S. Persons
The final regulations do not include a rule for reporting by a U.S. branch of a registered deemed-compliant FFI or limited FFI that is not treated as a U.S. person. To correct this oversight, these temporary regulations add new § 1.1471-4(d)(2)(iii)(C) to provide that such a U.S. branch is treated as having satisfied its reporting requirements under chapter 4 if it reports the information required under chapter 61 with respect to account holders of accounts that the U.S. branch is required to treat as U.S. accounts or accounts held by owner-documented FFIs.
6. Reporting on Recalcitrant Account Holders—Extensions in Filing
In response to comments, the temporary regulations modify the final regulations to provide an automatic 90-day extension of time in which to file Form 8966 with respect to recalcitrant account holders. An additional 90-day hardship extension may be provided in certain circumstances. These revisions are consistent with the extensions of time already permitted for filing Form 8966 with respect to U.S. accounts.
7. Treatment of a Disregarded Entity
In response to comments and in order to address a potential ambiguity in the final regulations about whether a disregarded entity that is owned by an FFI is treated as a branch of an FFI, these temporary regulations clarify that the term branch with respect to an FFI includes an entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from the FFI. This clarification was previewed in the draft FFI agreement which was published in Notice 2013-69. These temporary regulations make additional changes throughout the final regulations to further clarify the treatment of a disregarded entity when such an entity is treated as a branch of an FFI. For example, the GIIN verification procedures that apply with respect to a branch of an FFI also apply with respect to a disregarded entity that is owned by an FFI. Additionally, a disregarded entity that is owned by an FFI may be treated as a limited branch if the disregarded entity is unable to comply with the terms of an FFI agreement with respect to accounts that it maintains, and the reason to know standards that apply to withholdable payments made to a branch of a participating or registered deemed-compliant FFI also apply to withholdable payments made to a disregarded entity that is owned by such an FFI.
D. Expanded Affiliated Group Requirements
The final regulations require that, in general, each FFI within an expanded affiliated group must be either a participating FFI or a registered deemed-compliant FFI. Comments noted that some FFIs within an expanded affiliated group will have the status of an exempt beneficial owner and requested that the regulations be modified to allow for such FFIs to be excluded from this requirement. The temporary regulations modify the final regulations to adopt this comment.
E. Verification—IRS Review of Compliance
The final regulations allow the IRS to request additional information in its review of Form 8966. The temporary regulations further allow the IRS to request additional information to determine an FFI's compliance with the applicable FFI agreement and to assist the IRS with its review of account holder compliance with tax reporting requirements.
F. Event of Default
The final regulations define events of default under an FFI agreement. This definition includes the failure to significantly reduce, over a period of time, the number of recalcitrant account holders and payees that are nonparticipating FFIs. Comments were made that this language was ambiguous and could imply an event of default, for example, even in circumstances in which an FFI consistently complies with the regulatory due diligence procedures. Accordingly, in response to the comments, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations to provide that this event of default consists of a failure to significantly reduce, over a period of time, the number of account holders or payees that the participating FFI is required to treat as recalcitrant account holders or nonparticipating FFIs as a result of the participating FFI failing to comply with the due diligence procedures for the identification and documentation of account holders and payees.
VI. Comments and Changes to § 1.1471-5—Definitions Applicable to Section 1471
A. U.S. Accounts—Account Holder—in General; Grantor Trust
The definition of account holder in the final regulations does not treat a grantor trust as an account holder to the extent that the grantor is treated as owning the trust or all the assets in the trust under sections 671 through 679, regardless of whether the grantor is a U.S. or foreign person. If such grantor is a foreign person and the beneficiary of the trust is a U.S. person, the grantor is treated as the account holder and consequently, the account is a non-U.S. account and no beneficiary that is a specified U.S. person is treated as having an interest in the portion of the trust owned by the grantor. Therefore, the specified U.S. person is not an account holder and would not be reported even though such U.S. person might be a substantial U.S. owner of the foreign grantor trust. Further, for purposes of determining whether a foreign grantor trust has a substantial U.S. owner (and is a U.S. account), the final regulations provide that a substantial U.S. owner is any specified U.S. person treated as owning any portion of the grantor trust under sections 671 through 679, and a trust owned only by U.S. grantors is not treated as having a beneficiary that is a specified U.S. person. Thus, in contrast to the account holder rule, the test for determining a substantial U.S. owner of a trust is made without regard to the treatment of the settlor of the trust as a foreign grantor under sections 671 through 679. In response to requests for further clarification, these temporary regulations remove the grantor trust rule in the definition of account holder in the final regulations so that the general rule for treating an entity as an account holder will apply to treat a grantor trust as the account holder. Accordingly, a grantor trust that holds an account must provide documentation of its chapter 4 status as a FFI or NFFE. This change harmonizes the treatment of a grantor trust as an account holder for purposes of the chapter 4 withholding provisions with the provisions in chapters 3 and 61, which treat a grantor trust, rather than the grantor, as the payee.
B. Financial Accounts—Value of Interest Determined, Directly or Indirectly, Primarily by Reference to Assets That Give Rise (or Could Give Rise) to Withholdable Payments, and Return Earned on the Interest (Including Upon a Sale, Exchange, or Redemption) Determined, Directly or Indirectly, Primarily by Reference to one or More Investment Entities or Passive NFFEs
While financial accounts generally include equity or debt interests (other than regularly traded interests) in investment entities, financial accounts include only certain enumerated categories of interests in holding companies, treasury centers, and other
financial institutions. Among the enumerated categories are certain equity and debt interests whose return or value is determined, directly or indirectly, primarily by reference to assets that give rise (or could give rise) to withholdable payments. The final regulations provide that a debt interest is considered to have a value determined primarily by reference to such assets if the debt interest is secured by the assets of a U.S. person. The final regulations provide that an equity interest is considered to have a value determined primarily by reference to such assets if the amount payable upon redemption of the equity interest is secured primarily by assets that give rise (or could give rise) to withholdable payments. A similar provision under another enumerated category treating certain interests in holding companies and treasury centers as financial accounts (see §§ 1.1471-5(b)(1)(iii)(B)(
2
) and (
3
)) also applies to a debt interest secured by the assets of one or more investment entities described in §§ 1.1471-5(e)(4)(i)(B) or (C) or one or more passive NFFEs that are members of the entity's expanded affiliated group (collectively, the secured equity and debt provisions).
Comments have suggested that these provisions are overbroad because it is questionable whether the value of, or return earned on, a debt or equity interest is determined primarily by reference to assets of a U.S. person solely because the debt or equity interest is secured by such assets. In response to these comments, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations by eliminating the secured equity or debt provisions. The facts and circumstances may nonetheless lead to a conclusion that the value of a secured equity or debt interest is determined, directly or indirectly, primarily by reference to assets giving rise to withholdable payments (for example, when the amount payable as interest on, or upon redemption or retirement of, a debt interest is determined primarily by reference to the assets securing the debt interest).
In addition, the final regulations provide that a debt interest is considered to have a value determined, directly or indirectly, primarily by reference to assets that give rise to withholdable payments if amounts payable as interest on, or upon redemption or retirement of, the debt are determined primarily by reference to the profits or assets of a U.S. person. This provision inadvertently did not address whether debt interests with amounts payable by reference to equity interests in a U.S. person are debt interests whose return or value is determined primarily by reference to assets that give rise (or could give rise) to withholdable payments. To correct this omission, the temporary regulations modify the final regulations to include a reference to equity interests in, as well as profits and assets of, a U.S. person.
C. Definition of Financial Institution
1. In General
The final regulations provide that the definition of financial institution includes a holding company or treasury center that is part of an expanded affiliated group that includes a depository institution, custodial institution, insurance company, or investment entity. Comments noted that the definition, with respect to an insurance company, should be limited to a specified insurance company which is itself a financial institution. These temporary regulations correct the final regulations to treat a holding company or treasury center as a financial institution if it is part of an expanded affiliated group that includes a specified insurance company.
2. Holding Financial Assets for Others as a Substantial Portion of Its Business—Income Attributable To Holding Financial Assets and Related Financial Services
The final regulations provide that an entity is a custodial institution if at least 20 percent of the entity's gross income is attributable to holding financial assets for others and related financial services. The final regulations define income attributable to holding financial assets to include, among other things, fees for providing financial advice. As a result, an entity could qualify as a custodial institution under the final regulations even if the entity's sole business is to provide financial advice to clients and it does not conduct any activities as a custodian or broker. Comments indicated that this definition is overly broad and could cause entities that do not hold financial assets and therefore have no financial accounts to be treated as custodial institutions. In response, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations to define income attributable to holding financial assets to include fees for providing financial advice with respect to financial assets held in (or to be held in) custody by the entity.
3. Investment Entity—Examples
The final regulations generally provide that an investment entity includes an entity whose gross income is primarily attributable to investing, reinvesting, or trading in financial assets and that is managed by another entity that primarily conducts as a business certain investment-related activities. Examples 7 and 8 in § 1.1471-5(e)(4)(v) are clarified such that a foreign introducing broker does not manage an entity if it does not have discretionary authority to manage its clients' assets. However, even though these facts have been added to Examples 7 and 8, the results in Examples 7 and 8 remain the same. In Example 7, even when the introducing broker has discretionary authority to act unilaterally on its client's behalf with respect to its client's investments, because the introducing broker is an individual, the entity that she manages would not be treated as an investment entity under § 1.1471-5(e)(4)(i)(B). By comparison, because the introducing broker in Example 8 is an entity that primarily conducts as a business certain investment related activities, the entity managed by the introducing broker would be treated as an investment entity under § 1.1471-5(e)(4)(i)(B).
4. Exclusions—Excepted Nonfinancial Group Entities—In General
The final regulations provide that a holding company, treasury center, or captive finance company will not qualify as an excepted nonfinancial group entity if, among other things, it is formed in connection with or availed of certain arrangements or investment vehicles. Comments requested additional guidance on what it means to be “formed in connection with or availed of.” The temporary regulations modify the final regulations such that any entity that existed at least six months prior to its acquisition by an arrangement or investment vehicle and which, prior to the acquisition, regularly conducted activities in the ordinary course of business will not be considered to be formed in connection with or availed of such an arrangement or investment vehicle, in the absence of other facts suggesting the existence of an investment strategy.
5. Exclusions—Excepted Nonfinancial Group Entities—Nonfinancial Group
For purposes of determining whether an expanded affiliated group is a nonfinancial group, the final regulations provide an income test for the three-year period preceding the year for which the determination is made. Comments requested: (i) That this exclusion also be applicable if the expanded affiliated group has been in existence for less than three years and (ii) that a group would qualify if it meets the income test over an average of three years (rather than having to meet the test in each of the
three preceding years). The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that the exclusion should be available to expanded affiliated groups that have been in existence for less than three years, and these temporary regulations modify the final regulations accordingly. The Treasury Department and the IRS continue to believe, however, that only expanded affiliated groups that meet the income test in each year of the testing period should qualify for the exclusion.
In order to provide further clarification when determining the percentage of income or assets of the group that produce or are held for the production of passive income, these temporary regulations also modify the final regulations by excluding transactions between members of the expanded affiliated group. In addition, these temporary regulations provide guidance on measuring the value of such assets.
6. Exclusions—Excepted Nonfinancial Group Entities—Holding Company
Comments requested that, for purposes of determining if a holding company is part of an excepted nonfinancial group, a trust or partnership that owns all the stock of a common parent corporation of an expanded affiliated group be eligible for treatment as a holding company and member of an excepted nonfinancial group. Otherwise, such entities are not treated as part of the expanded affiliated group and cannot qualify for such exception. These temporary regulations modify the final regulations to allow a partnership or other non-corporate entity to be treated as a holding company (and therefore as a potential member of an excepted nonfinancial group) if substantially all the activities of such partnership (or other entity) consist of holding more than 50 percent of the voting power and value of the stock of one or more common parent corporation(s) of one or more expanded affiliated group(s). If a partnership or other non-corporate entity owns more than 50 percent of the voting power and value of the stock of two or more corporations and each such corporation has its own subsidiaries such that it is the common parent corporation of an expanded affiliated group, each common parent corporation's expanded affiliated group will be treated as a separate such group for purposes of applying the rules of this section unless the non-corporate entity is treated as the common parent entity of the entire expanded affiliated group in accordance with § 1.1471-5(i)(10).
7. Exclusions—Excepted Nonfinancial Group Entities—Treasury Center
Comments were received that the definition of a treasury center in the final regulations is too narrow in that an entity that manages working capital but does not otherwise invest or trade may not satisfy this definition. For example, a group's cash pooling entity may be in a net deficit position and therefore may not be considered to be investing or trading in financial assets. In addition, with respect to the financing activities of such a vehicle, the final regulations could be read to limit situations in which an entity that is itself equity funded can qualify as a treasury center. In response to these comments, the temporary regulations modify the final regulations to clarify that an entity that manages the working capital of an expanded affiliated group (or any member thereof) will not cease to qualify as a treasury center solely because it has no investments and does not trade in financial assets. Further, the temporary regulations clarify that equity-funded affiliates may qualify as treasury centers.
8. Exclusions—Excepted Inter-Affiliate FFI
Under the final regulations, a financial institution does not include certain foreign entities that are considered excepted inter-affiliate FFIs. One of the requirements for such an entity is that it does not receive payments from, or hold an account with, a withholding agent other than a member of its expanded affiliated group. Comments requested that such entities be permitted to hold bank accounts with certain non-U.S. persons outside of the expanded affiliated group. The temporary regulations modify the final regulations to allow such entities to hold depository accounts maintained in the country in which the entity is operating to pay for expenses in that same country.
D. Deemed-Compliant FFIs
1. Registered Deemed-Compliant FFIs—Restricted Funds
Under chapter 4, interests in a restricted fund that are not issued directly by the fund can only be sold through distributors that are participating FFIs, registered deemed-compliant FFIs, nonregistering local banks, or restricted distributors. In response to comments, even though these temporary regulations do not eliminate the requirement of the restricted fund to terminate its agreement with any distributor that has a change in status that causes it to no longer qualify to be a distributor and redeem or transfer all debt and equity interests of the FFI issued through that distributor, these temporary regulations do remove the requirement that the restricted fund certify to the IRS.
2. Registered Deemed-Compliant FFIs—Qualified Credit Card Issuers and Servicers
Comments were received that an FFI that issues credit cards may form a separate entity that services the credit cards. Under the final regulations, such an entity could be an FFI, but would not be treated as a registered deemed-compliant FFI because it is not an issuer of credit cards, even though such FFI would otherwise qualify for registered deemed-compliant FFI status. Pursuant to these comments, the temporary regulations expand the registered deemed-compliant FFI category to include qualified credit card servicers.
3. Registered Deemed-Compliant FFIs—Sponsored Investment Entities and Controlled Foreign Corporations
Under the final regulations, an FFI remains liable for its withholding and reporting obligations under chapter 4 even if a sponsoring entity performs these responsibilities on behalf of such FFI. In response to comments, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations to clarify that a sponsoring entity will not be jointly and severally liable for the sponsored FFI's obligations unless the sponsoring entity is also a withholding agent that is separately liable for such obligations.
4. Certified Deemed-Compliant FFIs—Nonregistering Local Bank
The final regulations provide that, in order to be treated as a nonregistering local bank, an FFI's business must consist primarily of receiving deposits from and making loans to unrelated retail customers. Comments noted that the final regulations do not provide a definition of unrelated for this and other purposes. In addition, it may be unclear how the final regulations would apply to a member-owner of a credit union or similar cooperative credit organization. In order to address these concerns, and consistent with the IGAs, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations such that a credit union or similar cooperative credit organization will be eligible for treatment as a nonregistering local bank if its business consists primarily of receiving deposits from and making loans to members, provided that no such member has a greater than five percent interest in such credit union or cooperative credit organization. For purposes of
determining what unrelated means for retail customers of a bank, as well as for purposes of aggregating the interests of related members of a credit union or cooperative credit organization under the five percent test, the temporary regulations provide that the rules of section 267(b) apply.
5. Certified Deemed-Compliant FFIs—Limited Life Debt Investment Entities (Transitional)
Comments were received stating that most securitization investment vehicles could not meet the requirements in the final regulations for a limited life debt investment entity (LLDIE) to be treated as certified deemed-compliant FFIs. To accommodate industry practices and expand the types of securitization vehicles that will qualify as a LLDIE, these temporary regulations make a number of significant changes to the definition of LLDIE in the final regulations. These changes include: (i) Removing the requirement that a LLDIE's organizational documents cannot be amended without the consent of all of its investors; (ii) clarifying that a LLDIE issues debt or equity interests under a trust indenture or similar agreement; (iii) extending the category so that it applies to a LLDIE that issued all of its interests on or before January 17, 2013 (for example, the date that the final regulations were filed); (iv) allowing a LLDIE to be treated as a certified deemed-compliant FFI until the LLDIE liquidates or terminates; (v) removing the requirement that investors be unrelated to each other; and (vi) expanding the types of assets that the entity can hold and still qualify as a LLDIE.
6. Certified Deemed-Compliant FFIs—Investment Advisors and Investment Managers
In response to comments, and to coordinate with the IGAs, these temporary regulations add certain investment advisors and investment managers that do not maintain financial accounts as entities eligible for treatment as certified deemed-compliant FFIs. Accordingly, these temporary regulations also add identification rules with respect to such investment advisors and investment managers.
7. Related Persons
Certain provisions in the final regulations (such as §§ 1.1471-3(c)(9)(ii)(B); 1.1471-5(f)(2)(i)(B); 1,1471-5(f)(4)(i); and 1.1471-5(i)(6)(i)) use the term
related
or
unrelated
to describe a relationship between parties. Comments noted that the final regulations do not define what is meant by
related
. These temporary regulations generally amend the relevant paragraphs of the final regulations to provide that parties are related for purposes of the relevant paragraph when such parties have a relationship described in section 267(b).
E. Expanded Affiliated Group
Comments requested that a LLDIE not be considered a member of an expanded affiliated group as a result of any member of such expanded affiliated group owning interests in such entity. These comments indicated that because interests in these entities are generally held through a clearing organization, these entities often would not be able to determine the identity of their investors. In addition, comments noted the burden of monitoring ownership changes for the purpose of determining when to include or exclude a LLDIE as a member of an expanded affiliated group, and the potential adverse consequences to the rest of the group in the event that any such entity is not properly included. Comments also stated that the definition of expanded affiliated group in the final regulations presents challenges with respect to non-corporate entities that are within a chain of commonly controlled corporations. For example, the final regulations do not clearly indicate whether constructive ownership rules apply to determine whether a non-corporate entity is controlled by a member of the group. In response to these comments, these temporary regulations modify the definition of expanded affiliated group to exclude from the group pre-existing LLDIEs (for example, a LLDIE that issued all of its interests, and was in existence, on or before January 17, 2013) and clarify the ownership rules applicable to corporate and non-corporate members of the group. These temporary regulations also permit (but do not require) a non-corporate entity to be treated as the common parent entity of the expanded affiliated group.
VII. Comments and Changes to Section 1.1471-6—Payments Beneficially Owned by Exempt Beneficial Owners—Foreign Central Bank of Issue
Comments were received stating that the functions of a foreign central bank of issue may be performed by an institution other than a bank. In response to these comments and in order to coordinate the regulations with the IGAs, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations to include an institution performing such functions within the definition of a foreign central bank of issue. In addition, comments stated that a foreign central bank of issue may earn income from cash as well as securities. Accordingly, the temporary regulations allow a foreign central bank of issue to be a beneficial owner with respect to income earned on cash.
Comments also stated that some foreign central banks maintain depository accounts solely for their employees. These comments requested that such employee-only accounts not be treated as accounts held in connection with commercial activities. The Treasury Department and the IRS believe there is a low risk of tax evasion with respect to such employee accounts, and that the burden on central banks to register as an FFI for these activities and provide documentation as intermediaries would be disproportionately high. Therefore, the temporary regulations modify the final regulations to exclude maintaining such accounts from the definition of commercial activities.
VIII. Comments and Changes to Section 1.1472-1—Withholding on NFFEs
A. Exceptions—Payments to an Excepted NFFE—Active NFFEs
Comments noted that fiscal year financial statements may not be used in determining whether an entity is an active NFFE. These comments noted that preparing calendar year financial statements for entities using non-calendar fiscal years would cause significant burdens without commensurate benefits. Therefore, these comments suggested that an entity be able to use either its calendar or fiscal year in analyzing whether the entity meets the active NFFE test. Comments further suggested that an entity be allowed to use financial statements based on foreign accounting principles. These comments have been adopted and these temporary regulations modify the final regulations accordingly.
B. Exceptions—Payments Made to an Excepted NFFE
After further consideration, these temporary regulations provide that QIs, WPs, and WTs are treated as excepted NFFEs.
C. Exceptions—Payments to an Excepted NFFE—Direct Reporting NFFEs and Sponsored Direct Reporting NFFEs
These temporary regulations provide that excepted NFFE includes a NFFE that is a direct reporting NFFE or sponsored direct reporting NFFE. A direct reporting NFFE is a NFFE that elects to report on Form 8966 directly to the IRS certain information about its
direct or indirect substantial U.S. owners (or it may be required to certify on Form 8966, or in such other manner as the IRS may prescribe, that it does not have any such substantial U.S. owners) in lieu of providing such information to withholding agents or participating FFIs with which the NFFE holds a financial account. A direct reporting NFFE is required to register with the IRS to obtain a GIIN and to agree to comply with the provisions in the regulations regarding reporting information about its substantial U.S. owners. In general, withholding agents and participating FFIs will identify and document a direct reporting NFFE in a manner similar to how withholding agents and participating FFIs will document a participating FFI, including by verifying that the GIIN of the direct reporting NFFE is listed on the IRS FFI List. Notwithstanding that a direct reporting NFFE will document itself to withholding agents and participating FFIs in a manner similar to a participating FFI, it will not be treated as a participating FFI and will not enter into an FFI agreement. Therefore, since the definition of excepted NFFE includes a direct reporting NFFE, an account held by a direct reporting NFFE will not be treated as a U.S. account and will not be reported to the IRS by a participating FFI with which the direct reporting NFFE has a financial account.
In addition, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations such that an entity may act as a sponsor for one or more direct reporting NFFEs. A sponsoring entity will report on Form 8966 directly to the IRS (on the sponsored direct reporting NFFE's behalf) information about each sponsored direct reporting NFFE's direct or indirect substantial U.S. owners. These changes were previously announced in Notice 2013-69 and were made in response to comments.
IX. Changes and Comments to § 1.1473-1—Section 1473 Definitions
A. Definition of Withholdable Payment—U.S. Source FDAP Income Defined—Special Rule for Sales of Interest Bearing Debt Obligations; Gross Proceeds Defined—Payment of Gross Proceeds—Amount of Gross Proceeds
Under the final regulations, income that is otherwise described as U.S. source FDAP income does not include interest accrued on the date of a sale or exchange of an interest bearing debt obligation if the sale occurs between two interest payment dates. In order to harmonize this rule with the rules in chapter 3, these temporary regulations provide that this type of interest is not excluded from U.S. source FDAP income or gross proceeds if the sale or exchange is part of a plan described in the anti-abuse rule under § 1.1441-3(b)(2)(ii).
B. Definition of Withholdable Payment—Payments Not Treated as Withholdable Payments—Offshore Payments of U.S. Source FDAP Income Prior to 2017 (Transitional)
1. In General
The final regulations provide an exclusion from the definition of withholdable payments for certain non-intermediated offshore payments of U.S. source FDAP income prior to 2017. The Treasury Department and the IRS intended to provide that the exclusion does not apply to debt or equity issued by a U.S. person in order to prevent U.S. persons from exploiting this exception by issuing debt or equity interests through a foreign branch. To clarify the issue, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations such that the exclusion does not apply to payments made with respect to debt or equity issued by a U.S. person (excluding a deposit account maintained by a foreign branch of a U.S. financial institution).
Comments indicated that because the defined term
payments with respect to an offshore obligation
is not used in the final regulations, it is unclear whether, in order for this exception to apply, all payments must be made outside the U.S. To clarify, these temporary regulations modify the final regulations to use the defined term.
2. Insurance Brokers
Because the final regulations treat insurance brokers as intermediaries, the transitional rule for offshore payments of U.S. source FDAP income under the final regulations does not apply to insurance and reinsurance premiums paid to foreign insurance companies by non-U.S. insurance brokers. Comments were received stating that the transitional rule should apply to such premiums, because it applies to insurance premiums paid directly by the insured. These temporary regulations provide a transitional rule such that, for purposes of the exception for offshore payments, an intermediary does not include a person acting as an insurance broker with respect to premiums.
C. Definition of Withholdable Payment—Payments Not Treated as Withholdable Payments—Collateral Arrangements Prior to 2017 (Transitional)
Comments requested relief from withholding on payments made by a secured party with respect to collateral securing one or more transactions under a collateral arrangement between the secured party and the counterparty. Comments indicated that general industry practice is to commingle collateral from all counterparties in a single account held by the secured party and that this practice does not permit the identification of collateral to a particular counterparty. As a result, a secured party is currently unable to determine whether it is acting as an intermediary or a principal with respect to some or all of the payments made to the counterparty based upon the secured party's right under a collateral arrangement to sell or loan the collateral to a third party. To allow the industry time to develop the systems necessary to make this determination, these temporary regulations add a transitional rule so that withholding on such payments will begin on January 1, 2017, provided that only a commercially reasonable amount of collateral is held by the secured party as part of the collateral arrangement.
D. Substantial U.S. Owner—Indirect Ownership of Foreign Entities—Interests Owned or Held by a Related Person
The final regulations define a substantial U.S. owner to include a specified U.S. person that owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10 percent of a foreign corporation, partnership, or trust. Ownership is determined by aggregating interests held by related persons, applying certain provisions of the regulations under section 267 to determine whether such persons are related. These temporary regulations clarify that a person must have direct or indirect ownership in the entity before the aggregation rules apply, such that a substantial U.S. owner does not include an individual with no ownership interest other than an interest attributed to him from a related person.
X. Changes and Comments to § 1.1474-1—Liability for Withheld Tax and Withholding Agent Reporting
A. Information Returns for Payment Reporting—Filing Requirement—in General
The final regulations provide a general statement that a withholding agent needs to file a Form 1042-S to report a chapter 4 reportable amount,
even though there are exceptions to this rule, such as the exception applicable to a participating FFI that provides its withholding agent with sufficient information for it to do the reporting. The final regulations have been modified to qualify this language.
The final regulations also provide that a recipient copy of the Form 1042-S may include more than one type of income, which would thus display information differently than the copy filed with the IRS. For refund purposes, it is important for the IRS to match the recipient copy of the Form 1042-S to the copy filed with the IRS. As previewed in the draft Form 1042-S instructions released on November 1, 2013, and to coordinate with the regulations under chapter 3, these temporary regulations remove the allowance for withholding agents to include more than one type of income or other payment on the copy of the Form 1042-S furnished to the recipient.
However, to allow sufficient time for withholding agents to adapt to this change to the final regulations, a withholding agent will be permitted to include more than one type of income or other payment on the recipient copy of the Form 1042-S for calendar year 2014. Starting with calendar year 2015, the Form 1042-S and accompanying instructions will require a separate Form 1042-S for each type of income or other payment.
B. Information Returns for Payment Reporting—Filing Requirement—Recipient—Defined; Persons That Are Not Recipients
For Form 1042-S reporting, the final regulations provide that an excepted NFFE that is not acting as an agent or intermediary with respect to the payment is the recipient of the payment in question. However, if such entity is a flow-through entity, it is not treated as a recipient on the Form 1042-S for chapter 3 purposes. In order to have a consistent definition of recipient for chapters 3 and 4 reporting purposes (because reporting for both chapters is performed on a single Form 1042-S), these temporary regulations modify the final regulations by providing that an excepted or passive NFFE that is a flow-through entity is not treated as a recipient. Also, the final regulations have been modified to remove the provision indicating that a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI is not a recipient when it fails to provide information to the withholding agent regarding its reporting pools, which is reflected on Form 1042-S. These temporary regulations further remove the references to a participating FFI, registered deemed-compliant FFI, and U.S. branch that is not treated as a U.S. person from the definition of persons that are not recipients.
C. Information Returns for Payment Reporting—Amounts Subject To Reporting—in General
These temporary regulations make a correction to the definition of the term
chapter 4 reportable amount
in § 1.1474-1(d)(2) to add that this amount must also be a withholdable payment.
D. Information Returns for Payment Reporting—Method of Reporting—Payments by U.S. Withholding Agents to Recipients—Payments To Participating FFIs, Deemed-Compliant FFIs, and Certain QIs
Consistent with changes made by these temporary regulations to clarify the chapter 4 withholding rate pools, the final regulations are modified to clarify that a withholding agent that receives an FFI withholding statement from a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI [must report with respect to each such pool identified on the FFI withholding statement] on a separate Form 1042-S issued to the participating FFI, registered deemed-compliant FFI, or QI (as applicable) as the recipient with respect to each such pool identified on an FFI withholding statement.
XI. Comments and Changes to § 1.1474-6—Coordination of Chapter 4 With Other Withholding Provisions
These temporary regulations add a coordination rule for instances in which a participating FFI withholds under chapter 4 on a payment made to a recalcitrant account holder that is a U.S. non-exempt recipient, and such payment is also a reportable amount subject to backup withholding. The rule is applicable to cases in which the participating FFI does not elect to withhold on the payment under section 3406.
XII. Future Guidance
A. Verification Requirements of Sponsoring Entities
Regulations describing the verification requirements of sponsoring entities will be proposed and issued separately from these temporary regulations. Under the proposed regulations, a sponsoring entity will be required to make two separate compliance certifications: one on behalf of its sponsored FFI or sponsored direct reporting NFFE with respect to the sponsored FFI's compliance with the requirements of an FFI agreement or the sponsored direct reporting NFFE's election to be treated as a direct reporting NFFE (as applicable), and a second certification on the sponsoring entity's own behalf with respect to its compliance with the requirements of its status as a sponsoring entity. In addition, the verification requirements in the proposed regulations will allow the IRS to request additional information from a sponsoring entity, such as regarding the information reported on the forms filed with the IRS with respect to a sponsored FFI or sponsored direct reporting NFFE in order to review such entities' compliance with the requirements for maintaining their status as a sponsored FFI or sponsored direct reporting NFFE, and to assist the IRS with its review of account holder or substantial U.S. owner compliance with tax reporting requirements.
B. FFI Agreement
Several changes made by these temporary regulations are not reflected in and may be inconsistent with certain provisions in the FFI agreement. As a result, the Treasury Department and the IRS intend to publish a revenue procedure revising the FFI agreement to conform to these regulations. For instance, the rules regarding an optional escrow by a participating FFI of tax withheld on withholdable payments to dormant accounts held by recalcitrant account holders are modified in these temporary regulations. The FFI agreement will be revised to reflect that the tax withheld in escrow becomes due 90 days after the date that the account ceases to be a dormant account, rather than the date that is the earlier of 90 days or the end of the calendar year following the date that the account ceases to be a dormant account.
In addition, cross references to the temporary regulations under chapters 3, 4, and 61 will be updated to reflect changes to the numbering of various sections of those temporary regulations after the date of publication of the revenue procedure containing the FFI agreement. For example, cross references in the FFI agreement to terms defined in the chapter 4 temporary regulations will be modified to reflect the addition of the term reporting Model 2 FFI and the renumbering of subsequent sections in § 1.1471-1(b). In addition, an incorrect citation to § 1.6049-4(b)(6) will be removed.
The FFI agreement will also be revised to reflect a change to the reporting requirements by participating FFIs that elect to backup withhold under section 3406 rather than to withhold under chapter 4 on a withholdable payment that is a
reportable payment made to a recalcitrant account holder that is a U.S. non-exempt recipient subject to backup withholding. These temporary regulations clarify that a participating FFI may make the election to apply backup withholding under section 3406 with respect to an account holder only if it complies with the information reporting rules under chapter 61 and section 3406. Accordingly, various sections of the FFI agreement will be modified to reflect this change.
Special Analyses
It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866, as supplemented by Executive Order 13653. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations.
The collection of information in these temporary regulations is contained in a number of provisions including §§ 1.1471-3, 1.1471-4, 1.1472-1, 1.1474-1, and 1.1474-6. In addition, these temporary regulations amend a number of collections of information set out in TD 9610. The IRS intends that the information collection requirements of these temporary regulations will be satisfied by filing Forms 8957, 8966, the W-8 series of forms, W-9, 1042, 1042-S, the 1099 series of forms, as well as income tax returns (for example, Forms 1040 and 1120F) and Form 843 relating to refunds. As a result, for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507), the reporting burden associated with the collection of information in these temporary regulations will be reflected in the information collection burden and OMB control number of the appropriate IRS form.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid control number.
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.
Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, Public Law 104-4, requires that an agency prepare a costs and benefits analysis and a budgetary impact statement before promulgating a rule that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. If a budgetary impact statement is required, section 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act requires an agency to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives before promulgating a rule. The Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that there is no federal mandate imposed by this rulemaking that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year.
For the applicability of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), please refer to the Special Analyses section of the preamble to the cross-referenced notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Proposed Rules section in this issue of the
Federal Register
. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, these regulations have been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on their impact on small business.
Drafting Information
The principal authors of these regulations are Tara Ferris, Nancy Lee, Michael Kaercher, and Kamela Nelan of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (International). However, other personnel from the IRS and the Treasury Department participated in the development of these regulations.
List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Amendments to the Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is amended as follows:
PART 1—INCOME TAXES
Paragraph 1.
The authority citation for part 1 continues to read in part as follows:
Authority:
26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
Section 1.1471-1 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1471.
Section 1.1471-2 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1471.
Section 1.1471-3 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1471.
Section 1.1471-4 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1471.
Section 1.1471-5 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1471.
Section 1.1471-6 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1471.
Section 1.1472-1 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1472.
Section 1.1471-3 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1473.
Section 1.1474-1 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1474.
Section 1.1474-6 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1474.
Par. 2.
Section 1.1471-1 is amended:
1. By removing paragraph (b)(81).
2. By redesignating paragraphs (b)(115) through (b)(142) as (b)(124) through (b)(151), paragraphs (b)(108) through (b)(114) as (b)(116) through (b)(122), paragraph (b)(107) as (b)(114), paragraphs (b)(82) through (b)(106) as (b)(88) through (b)(112), paragraphs (b)(75) through (b)(80) as (b)(82) through (b)(87), paragraphs (b)(62) through (b)(74) as (b)(68) through (b)(80), paragraphs (b)(39) through (b)(61) as (b)(44) through (b)(66), paragraphs (b)(28) through (b)(38) as (b)(32) through (b)(42), paragraphs (b)(18) through (b)(27) as (b)(21) through (b)(30), paragraphs (b)(9) through (b)(17) as (b)(11) through (b)(19), and paragraphs (b)(7) and (b)(8) as (b)(8) and (b)(9).
3. By adding new paragraphs (b)(7), (b)(10), (b)(20), (b)(31), (b)(43), (b)(67), (b)(81), (b)(113), (b)(115), and (b)(123).
4. By revising newly-designated paragraphs (b)(23), (b)(35), (b)(41), (b)(48), (b)(50), (b)(76), (b)(77), (b)(83), (b)(88), (b)(91), (b)(98), (b)(100), (b)(104)(i), (b)(104)(ii)(A) through (C), (b)(105), (b)(124), (b)(125), (b)(128), (b)(135), and (b)(141).
The revisions and additions read as follows:
§ 1.1471-1
Scope of chapter 4 and definitions.
(b) * * *
(7) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(7).
(10) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(10).
(20) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(20).
(23) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(23).
(31) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(31).
(35) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(35).
(41) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(41).
(43) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(43).
(48) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(48).
(50) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(50).
(67) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(67).
(76) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(76).
(77) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(77).
(81) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(81).
(83) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(83).
(88) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(88).
(91) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(91).
(98) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(98).
(100) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(100).
(104) * * *
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(104)(i).
(ii) * * *
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(104)(ii)(A).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(104)(ii)(B).
(C) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(104)(ii)(C).
(105) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(105).
(113) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(113).
(115) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(115).
(123) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(123).
(124) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(124).
(125) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(125).
(128) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(128).
(135) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(135).
(141) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1T(b)(141).
Par. 3.
Section 1.1471-1T is added to read as follows:
§ 1.1471-1T
Scope of chapter 4 and definitions (temporary).
(a) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(a).
(b) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b).
(1) through (6) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(1) through (6).
(7)
Backup withholding.
The term
backup withholding
means the withholding required under section 3406.
(8) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(8).
(9) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(9).
(10)
Branch.
The term
branch
means a branch as defined in § 1.1471-4(e)(2)(ii).
(11) through (19) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(11) through (19).
(20)
Chapter 4 withholding rate pool.
The term
chapter 4 withholding rate pool
means a pool identified on a chapter 4 withholding statement (as described in § 1.1471-3(c)(3)) provided by an intermediary or flow-through entity with respect to a withholdable payment and that is allocated to payees that are nonparticipating FFIs. The term
chapter 4 withholding rate pool
also includes, with respect to a pool identified on an FFI withholding statement provided by a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI with respect to a withholdable payment that is allocated to a class of recalcitrant account holders subject to withholding under chapter 4 as described in § 1.1471-4(d)(6)(i) (including a pool of account holders to which the escrow procedures for dormant accounts apply and U.S. persons included in a U.S. payee pool to the extent allowed and as described in § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B)(
2
)(
ii
) and (
iii
)).
(21) through (22) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(21) through (22).
(23)
Consolidated obligations.
The term
consolidated obligations
means multiple obligations that a withholding agent (including a withholding agent that is an FFI) has chosen to treat as a single obligation in order to treat the obligations as preexisting obligations pursuant to paragraph (b)(104)(ii) of this section or in order to share documentation between the obligations pursuant to § 1.1471-3(c)(8). A withholding agent that has opted to treat multiple obligations as consolidated obligations pursuant to the previous sentence must also treat the obligations as a single obligation for purposes of satisfying the standards of knowledge requirements set forth in §§ 1.1471-3(e) and 1.1471-4(c)(2)(ii), and for purposes of determining the balance or value of any of the obligations when applying any of the account thresholds applicable to due diligence or reporting as set forth in §§ 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii), 1.1471-3(d), 1.1471-4(c), 1.1471-5(a)(4), and 1.1471-5(b)(3)(vii). For example, with respect to consolidated obligations, if a withholding agent has reason to know that the chapter 4 status assigned to the account holder or payee of one of the consolidated obligations is inaccurate, then it has reason to know that the chapter 4 status assigned for all other consolidated obligations of the account holder or payee is inaccurate. Similarly, to the extent that an account balance or value is relevant for purposes of applying any account threshold to one or more of the consolidated obligations, the withholding agent must aggregate the balance or value of all such consolidated obligations.
(24) through (30) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(24) through (30).
(31)
Direct reporting NFFE.
The term direct reporting NFFE has the meaning set forth in § 1.1472-1(c)(3).
(32) through (34) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(32) through (34).
(35)
Effective date of the FFI agreement.
The term
effective date of the FFI agreement
with respect to an FFI or a branch of an FFI that is a participating FFI means the date on which the IRS issues a GIIN to the FFI or branch. For participating FFIs that receive a GIIN prior to June 30, 2014, the effective date of the FFI agreement is June 30, 2014.
(36) through (40) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(36) through (40).
(41)
Excepted NFFE.
The term
excepted NFFE
means a NFFE that is described in § 1.1472-1(c)(1).
(42) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(42).
(43)
Exempt recipient.
The term
exempt recipient
means a person described in § 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii) (for interest, dividends, and royalties), a person described in § 1.6045-2(b)(2)(i) (for broker proceeds), and a person described in § 1.6041-3(q) (for rents, amounts paid on notional principal contracts, and other fixed or determinable income).
(44) through (47) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(44) through (47).
(48)
FFI agreement.
The term
FFI agreement
means an agreement that is described in § 1.1471-4(a). An FFI agreement includes a QI agreement, a WP agreement, and a WT agreement that
is entered into by an FFI (other than an FFI that is a registered deemed-compliant FFI, including a reporting Model 1 FFI) and that has an effective date or renewal date on or after June 30, 2014. The term
FFI agreement
also includes a QI agreement that is entered into by a foreign branch of a U.S. financial institution (other than a branch that is a reporting Model 1 FFI) and that has an effective date or renewal date on or after June 30, 2014.
(49) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(49).
(50)
Financial institution.
The term
financial institution
has the meaning set forth in § 1.1471-5(e) and includes a financial institution as defined in an applicable Model 1 or Model 2 IGA.
(51) through (66) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(51) through (66).
(67)
Intergovernmental agreement
(
IGA
). The term
intergovernmental agreement
or
IGA
means any applicable Model 1 or Model 2 IGA.
(68) through (75) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(68) through (75).
(76)
Limited branch.
The term
limited branch
has the meaning set forth in § 1.1471-4(e)(2)(iii). With respect to a reporting Model 2 FFI, a limited branch is a branch of the reporting Model 2 FFI that operates in a jurisdiction that prevents such branch from fulfilling the requirements of a participating FFI or deemed-compliant FFI, or that cannot fulfill the requirements of a participating FFI or deemed-compliant FFI due to the expiration of the transitional rule for limited branches under § 1.1471-4(e)(2)(v), and for which the reporting Model 2 FFI meets the terms of the applicable Model 2 IGA with respect to the branch.
(77)
Limited FFI.
The term
limited FFI
has the meaning set forth in § 1.1471-4(e)(3)(ii). With respect to a reporting Model 2 FFI, a limited FFI is a related entity that operates in a jurisdiction that prevents the entity from fulfilling the requirements of a participating FFI or deemed-compliant FFI or that cannot fulfill the requirements of a participating FFI or deemed-compliant FFI due to the expiration of the transitional rule for limited FFIs under § 1.1471-4(e)(3)(iv), and for which the reporting Model 2 FFI meets the requirements of the applicable Model 2 IGA with respect to the entity.
(78) through (80) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(78) through (80).
(81)
Non-exempt recipient.
The term
non-exempt recipient
means a person that is not an exempt recipient.
(82) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(82).
(83)
Nonreporting IGA FFI.
The term
nonreporting IGA FFI
means an FFI that is identified as a nonreporting financial institution pursuant to a Model 1 IGA or Model 2 IGA that is not a registered deemed-compliant FFI, and an FFI that is a resident of, or located or established in, a Model 1 or Model 2 IGA jurisdiction, as the context requires, and that meets the requirements for certified deemed-compliant FFI status under § 1.1471-5(f)(2).
(84) through (87) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(84) through (87).
(88)
Offshore obligation.
The term
offshore obligation
means an offshore obligation defined in § 1.6049-5(c)(1) (by substituting the terms
withholding agent
or
financial institution
for the term
payor
).
(89) through (90) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(89) through (90).
(91)
Participating FFI.
The term
participating FFI
means an FFI that has agreed to comply with the requirements of an FFI agreement, including an FFI described in a Model 2 IGA that has agreed to comply with the requirements of an FFI agreement (a
reporting Model 2 FFI
). The term
participating FFI
also includes a QI branch of a U.S. financial institution, unless such branch is a reporting Model 1 FFI.
(92) through (97) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(92) through (97).
(98)
Payor.
The term
payor
has the meaning set forth in §§ 31.3406(a)-2 and 1.6049-1(a)(2) and generally includes a withholding agent.
(99) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(99).
(100)
Person.
The term
person
has the meaning set forth in section 7701(a)(1) and the regulations thereunder and includes an entity or arrangement that is an insurance company. The term
person
also includes, with respect to a withholdable payment, a QI branch of a U.S. financial institution.
(101) through (103) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(101) through (103).
(104) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(104).
(i) The term
preexisting obligation
means any account, instrument, contract, debt, or equity interest maintained, executed, or issued by the withholding agent that is outstanding on June 30, 2014. With respect to a withholding agent that is a participating FFI, the term
preexisting obligation
means any account, instrument, or contract (including any debt or equity interest) maintained, executed, or issued by the FFI that is outstanding on the effective date of the FFI agreement. With respect to a withholding agent that is a registered deemed-compliant FFI, a preexisting obligation means any account, instrument, or contract (including any debt or equity interest) that is maintained, executed, or issued by the FFI prior to the later of the date that the FFI registers as a deemed-compliant FFI pursuant to § 1.1471-5(f)(1) and receives a GIIN or the date the FFI is required to implement its account opening procedures under § 1.1471-5(f).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(104)(ii).
(A) The account holder or payee also holds with the withholding agent (or a member of the withholding agent's expanded affiliated group or sponsored FFI group) an account, instrument, contract, or equity interest that is a preexisting obligation under paragraph (b)(104)(i) of this section;
(B) The withholding agent (and, as applicable, the member of the withholding agent's expanded affiliated group or sponsored FFI group) treats both of the aforementioned obligations, and any other obligations of the payee or account holder that are treated as preexisting obligations under this paragraph (b)(104)(ii), as consolidated obligations; and
(C) With respect to an obligation that is subject to AML due diligence, the withholding agent is permitted to satisfy such AML due diligence for the obligation by relying upon the AML due diligence performed for the preexisting obligation described in paragraph (b)(104)(i) of this section.
(105)
Pre-FATCA Form W-8.
The term
pre-FATCA Form W-8
means a version of a Form W-8 that was issued by the IRS prior to 2013 (including an acceptable substitute form based on such version) and that does not contain chapter 4 statuses but otherwise meets the requirements of § 1.1441-1(e)(1)(ii) applicable to such certificate (or substitute form) and has not expired, or a Form W-8 that was issued prior to 2013 and furnished by an individual to establish such individual's foreign status but otherwise meets the requirements of § 1.1441-1(e)(1)(ii) applicable to such certificate and has not expired.
(106) through (112) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(106) through (112).
(113)
Reportable payment.
The term
reportable payment
means a payment of interest or dividends (as defined in section 3406(b)(2)) and other reportable
payments (as defined in section 3406(b)(3)).
(114) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(114).
(115)
Reporting Model 2 FFI.
The term
reporting Model 2 FFI
means a participating FFI that is described in § 1.1471-1(b)(91).
(116) through (122) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(116) through (122).
(123)
Sponsored direct reporting NFFE.
The term
sponsored direct reporting NFFE
has the meaning set forth in § 1.1472-1(c)(5).
(124)
Sponsoring entity.
The term
sponsoring entity
means (i) an entity that registers with the IRS and agrees to perform the due diligence, withholding, and reporting obligations of one or more FFIs pursuant to § 1.1471-5(f)(1)(i)(F) or (f)(2)(iii); or (ii) an entity that registers with the IRS and agrees to perform the due diligence and reporting obligations of one or more direct reporting NFFEs pursuant to § 1.1472-1(c)(5).
(125)
Standardized industry coding system.
The term
standardized industry coding system
means a coding system used by the withholding agent or FFI to classify account holders by business type for purposes other than U.S. tax purposes and that was implemented by the withholding agent by the later of January 1, 2012, or six months after the date the withholding agent was formed or organized.
(126) through (127) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(126) through (127).
(128)
Substantial U.S. owner.
The term
substantial U.S. owner
or
substantial United States owner
has the meaning set forth in § 1.1473-1(b). In the case of a reporting Model 2 FFI, in applying this section with respect to a passive NFFE the term
substantial U.S. owner
means a
controlling person
as defined in the applicable Model 2 IGA.
(129) through (134) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(129) through (134).
(135)
U.S. branch treated as a U.S. person.
The term
U.S. branch treated as a U.S. person
means a U.S. branch of a participating FFI, registered deemed-compliant FFI, or NFFE that is treated as a U.S. person under § 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv)(A).
(136) through (140) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(136) through (140).
(141)
U.S. person—
(i) The term
U.S. person
or
United States person
means a person described in section 7701(a)(30), the United States government (including an agency or instrumentality thereof), a State (including an agency or instrumentality thereof), or the District of Columbia (including an agency or instrumentality thereof). The term
U.S. person
or
United States person
also means a foreign insurance company that has made an election under section 953(d), provided that either the foreign insurance company is not a specified insurance company (as described in § 1.1471-5(e)(1)(iv)) and is not licensed to do business in any State, or the foreign insurance company is a specified insurance company and is licensed to do business in any State.
(ii) The term
U.S. person
or
United States person
does not include a foreign insurance company that has made an election under section 953(d) if it is a specified insurance company and is not licensed to do business in any State.
(142) through (151) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(b)(142) through (151).
(c) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-1(c).
(d)
Expiration date.
The applicability of this section expires on February 28, 2017.
Par. 4.
In § 1.1471-2,
a. Revise paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii) introductory text, (a)(2)(iii)(A), and (a)(2)(v).
b. Remove the heading of paragraph (a)(4)(ii), and add introductory text to paragraph (a)(4)(ii).
c. Revise paragraphs (a)(4)(ii)(A), (a)(4)(ii)(B), (b)(2)(i)(A)(
1
), (b)(2)(ii)(A)(
4
), (b)(2)(ii)(B)(
2
), (b)(2)(iv), and (b)(4)(ii).
The revisions read as follows:
§ 1.1471-2
Requirement to deduct and withhold tax on withholdable payments to certain FFIs.
(a) * * *
(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(a)(1).
(2) * * *
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(a)(2)(i).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(a)(2)(ii).
(iii) * * *
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(a)(2)(iii)(A).
(v) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(a)(2)(v).
(4) * * *
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(a)(4)(ii).
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(a)(4)(ii)(A).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(a)(4)(ii)(B).
(b) * * *
(2) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) * * *
(
1
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(b)(2)(i)(A)(
1
).
(ii) * * *
(A) * * *
(
4
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(b)(2)(ii)(A)(
4
).
(B) * * *
(
2
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(b)(2)(ii)(B)(
2
).
(iv) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(b)(2)(iv).
(4) * * *
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2T(b)(4)(ii).
Par. 5.
Section 1.1471-2T is added to read as follows:
§ 1.1471-2T
Requirement to deduct and withhold tax on withholdable payments to certain FFIs (temporary).
(a) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a).
(1)
General rule of withholding.
Under section 1471(a), notwithstanding any exemption from withholding under any other provision of the Code or regulations, a withholding agent must withhold 30 percent of any withholdable payment made after June 30, 2014, to a payee that is an FFI unless either the withholding agent can reliably associate the payment with documentation upon which it is permitted to rely to treat the payment as exempt from withholding under paragraph (a)(4) of this section or the payment is made under a grandfathered obligation that is described in paragraph (b) of this section or constitutes gross proceeds from the disposition of such an obligation. A withholding agent that is making a payment must determine who the payee is under § 1.1471-3(a) with respect to that payment and the chapter 4 status of such payee. See § 1.1471-3 for requirements for determining the chapter 4 status of a payee, including additional documentation requirements that apply when a payment is made to an intermediary or flow-through entity that is not the payee. Withholding under this section applies without regard to whether the payee receives a withholdable payment as a beneficial owner or as an intermediary. See paragraph (a)(2)(iv) of this section for a description of the withholding requirements imposed on territory financial institutions as withholding agents under chapter 4. In the case of a
withholdable payment to a NFFE, a withholding agent is required to determine whether withholding applies under section 1472 and § 1.1472-1. Except as otherwise provided in the regulations under chapter 4, a withholding obligation arises on the date a payment is made, as determined under § 1.1473-1(a).
(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(2).
(i)
Requirement to withhold on payments of U.S. source FDAP income to participating FFIs and deemed-compliant FFIs that are NQIs, NWPs, or NWTs.
A withholding agent that, after June 30, 2014, makes a payment of U.S. source FDAP income to a participating FFI or deemed-compliant FFI that is an NQI receiving the payment as an intermediary, or a NWP or NWT, must withhold 30 percent of the payment unless the withholding is reduced under this paragraph (a)(2)(i). A withholding agent is not required to withhold on a payment, or portion of a payment, that it can reliably associate, in the manner described in § 1.1471-3(c)(2), with a valid intermediary or flow-through withholding certificate that meets the requirements of § 1.1471-3(d)(4) and a withholding statement that meets the requirements of § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B) and that allocates the payment or portion of the payment to payees for which no withholding is required under chapter 4. Further, a withholding agent is not required to withhold on a payment that it can reliably associate with documentation indicating that the payee is a U.S. branch of a participating FFI that is treated as a U.S. person under § 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv)(A).
(ii)
Residual withholding responsibility of intermediaries and flow-through entities.
An intermediary or flow-through entity that receives a withholdable payment after June 30, 2014, is required to withhold on such payment to the extent required under chapter 4. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, an intermediary or flow-through entity is not required to withhold if another withholding agent has withheld the full amount required. Further, an NQI, NWP, or NWT is not required to withhold with respect to a withholdable payment under chapter 4 if it has provided a valid intermediary withholding certificate or flow-through withholding certificate and all of the information required by § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii), and it does not know, and has no reason to know, that another withholding agent failed to withhold the correct amount. A QI's, WP's, or WT's obligation to withhold and report is determined in accordance with its QI withholding agreement, WP agreement, or WT agreement.
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(2)(iii).
(A)
Election to be withheld upon for U.S. source FDAP income.
A withholding agent is required to withhold with respect to a payment, or portion of a payment, that is U.S. source FDAP income subject to withholding that is made after June 30, 2014, to a QI that has elected in accordance with this paragraph to be withheld upon, unless such withholding agent also makes an election to be withheld upon under this paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(A) or is an FFI that may not accept primary withholding responsibility for the payment. In such case, the withholding agent must withhold 30 percent of the portion of the payment that is allocable, pursuant to a withholding statement described in § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B) provided by the QI, to recalcitrant account holders and nonparticipating FFIs. If no such allocation information is provided, the withholding agent must apply the presumption rules of § 1.1471-3(f) to determine the chapter 4 status of the payee. A QI that is an FFI and that makes the election to be withheld upon with respect to a payment of U.S. source FDAP income may not assume primary withholding responsibility under chapter 3 for that payment. Conversely, a QI that is an FFI and that does not make the election to be withheld upon with respect to a payment of U.S. source FDAP income is required to assume primary withholding responsibility under chapter 3 for that payment. The election to be withheld upon is only available with respect to a payment of U.S. source FDAP income if—
(
1
) through (
4
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(2)(iii)(A)(
1
) through (
4
).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(2)(iii)(B).
(iv) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(2)(iv).
(v)
Withholding obligation of a foreign branch of a U.S. financial institution.
Generally, a foreign branch of a U.S. financial institution is a withholding agent and is not an FFI. However, a QI branch of a U.S. financial institution is both a withholding agent and either a participating FFI or a registered deemed-compliant FFI. Accordingly, a QI branch of a U.S. financial institution must withhold in accordance with this section and § 1.1472-1(b) in addition to meeting its obligations under either § 1.1471-4(b) and its FFI agreement or § 1.1471-5(f). Similarly, a foreign branch of a U.S. financial institution that is also a reporting Model 1 FFI is both a withholding agent and a registered deemed-compliant FFI. Accordingly, a foreign branch of a U.S. financial institution that is a reporting Model 1 FFI must withhold in accordance with this section and § 1.1472-1(b). A foreign branch of a U.S. financial institution that is not a QI is not permitted to make an election to be withheld upon.
(vi) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(2)(vi).
(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(3).
(4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(4).
(i) through (i)(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(4)(i) through (a)(4)(i)(B).
(ii)
Exception to withholding for certain payments made prior to July 1, 2016 (transitional).
(A)
In general.
For any withholdable payment made prior to July 1, 2016, with respect to a preexisting obligation for which a withholding agent does not have documentation indicating the payee's status as a nonparticipating FFI, the withholding agent is not required to withhold under this section and section 1471(a) unless the payee is a prima facie FFI.
(B)
Prima facie FFIs.
If the payee is a prima facie FFI, the withholding agent must treat the payee as a nonparticipating FFI beginning on January 1, 2015, until the date the withholding agent obtains documentation sufficient to establish a different chapter 4 status of the payee. A
prima facie FFI
means any payee if—
(
1
) through (
2
)(
xviii
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(4)(ii)(B)(
1
) through (a)(4)(ii)(B)(
2
)(
xviii
).
(iii) through (viii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(4)(iii) through (viii).
(5) through (5)(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(a)(5) through (a)(5)(ii).
(b) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b).
(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(1).
(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2).
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i)(A).
(
1
) Any obligation outstanding on July 1, 2014;
(
2
) through (
3
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i)(A)(
2
) through (
3
).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i)(B).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(ii).
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(ii)(A).
(
1
) through (
3
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(ii)(A)(
1
) through (
3
).
(
4
) A life insurance contract under which the entire contract value is payable no later than upon the death of the individual(s) insured under the contract but, in the case of a life insurance contract that contains a provision that permits the substitution of a new individual as the insured under the contract, only until a substitution occurs; and
(
5
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(ii)(A)(
5
).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(ii)(B).
(
1
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(ii)(B)(
1
).
(
2
) Lacks a stated expiration or term (for example, a savings deposit or demand deposit, a deferred annuity contract, or an annuity contract that permits a substitution of a new individual as the annuitant under the contract);
(
3
) through (
4
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(ii)(B)(
3
) through (
4
).
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(2)(iii).
(iv)
Material modification.
In the case of an obligation that constitutes indebtedness for U.S. tax purposes, a material modification is any significant modification of the debt instrument as defined in § 1.1001-3(e). For life insurance contracts, a material modification includes any substitution of the insured under the contract. In all other cases, whether a modification of an obligation is material is determined based on the facts and circumstances.
(3) through (3)(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(3) through (b)(3)(iii).
(4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(4).
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(4)(i).
(ii)
Determination of material modification.
For purposes of paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section (defining material modification), a withholding agent, other than the issuer of the obligation (or an agent of the issuer), is required to treat a modification of the obligation as material only if the withholding agent has actual knowledge thereof, such as in the event the withholding agent receives a disclosure indicating that there has been or will be a material modification to such obligation. The issuer of the obligation (or an agent of the issuer) that is a withholding agent is required to treat a modification of the obligation as material if the withholding agent knows or has reason to know that a material modification has occurred with respect to the obligation.
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(b)(4)(iii).
(c) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-2(c).
(d)
Expiration date.
The applicability of this section expires on February 28, 2017.
Par. 6.
Section 1.1471-3 is amended:
1. By adding paragraphs (c)(6)(ii)(B)(
7
), (c)(8)(v), (d)(5)(iii), and (d)(11)(x) through (xii).
2. By revising paragraphs (a)(3)(iii), (a)(3)(v) through (vi), (b)(3), (c)(3)(ii)(C) through (D), (c)(3)(iii)(A) introductory text, (c)(3)(iii)(A)(
5
), (c)(3)(iii)(B)(
1
) through (
4
), (c)(5)(ii)(B), (c)(6)(ii)(B)(
3
), (c)(6)(ii)(B)(
5
) through (
6
), (c)(6)(ii)(C)(
3
) through (
5
), (c)(6)(ii)(E)(
3
), (c)(6)(iv), (c)(6)(v)(A) through (B), (c)(9)(ii)(B), (c)(9)(v), (d)(1), (d)(2)(i), (d)(2)(iii), (d)(4)(i) and (ii), (d)(4)(iii) introductory text, (d)(4)(iii)(A)(
1
), (d)(4)(iv)(A), (d)(4)(iv)(C) through (D), (d)(4)(v), (d)(5)(i) through (ii), (d)(6)(vii)(A)(
1
), (d)(11)(viii)(A) introductory text, (d)(11)(viii)(C), (d)(12)(iii)(A) through (B), (e)(2) through (3), (e)(4) introductory text, (e)(4)(i) through (iv), (e)(4)(v) introductory text, (e)(4)(v)(B)(
1
) through (
2
), (e)(4)(vi)(B), (e)(4)(vii)(B), (e)(4)(viii)(A)(
4
), and (f)(1) through (9).
The additions and revisions read as follows:
§ 1.1471-3
Identification of payee.
(a) * * *
(3) * * *
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(a)(3)(iii).
(v) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(a)(3)(v).
(vi) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(a)(3)(vi).
(b) * * *
(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(b)(3).
(c) * * *
(3) * * *
(ii) * * *
(C) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(ii)(C).
(D) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(ii)(D).
(iii) * * *
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(iii)(A).
(
5
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(iii)(A)(
5
).
(B) * * *
(
1
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(iii)(B)(
1
).
(
2
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(iii)(B)(
2
).
(
i
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(iii)(B)(
2
)(
i
).
(
ii
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(iii)(B)(
2
)(
ii
).
(
iii
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(iii)(B)(
2
)(
iii
).
(
3
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(iii)(B)(
3
).
(
4
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(3)(iii)(B)(
4
).
(5) * * *
(ii) * * *
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(5)(ii)(B).
(6) * * *
(ii) * * *
(B) * * *
(
3
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(ii)(B)(
3
).
(
5
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(ii)(B)(
5
).
(
6
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(ii)(B)(
6
).
(
7
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(ii)(B)(
7
).
(C) * * *
(
3
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(ii)(C)(
3
).
(
4
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(ii)(C)(
4
).
(
5
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(ii)(C)(
5
).
(E) * * *
(
3
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(ii)(E)(
3
).
(iv) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(iv).
(v) * * *
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(v)(A).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(6)(v)(B).
(8) * * *
(v) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(8)(v).
(9) * * *
(ii) * * *
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(9)(ii)(B).
(v) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(c)(9)(v).
(d) * * *
(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(1).
(2) * * *
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(2)(i).
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(2)(iii).
(4) * * *
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(4)(i).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(4)(ii).
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(4)(iii).
(A) * * *
(
1
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(4)(iii)(A)(
1
).
(iv) * * *
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(4)(iv)(A).
(C) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(4)(iv)(C).
(D) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(4)(iv)(D).
(v) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(4)(v).
(5) * * *
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(5)(i).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(5)(ii) through (d)(5)(ii)(B).
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(5)(ii)(A).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(5)(ii)(B).
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(5)(iii) through (d)(5)(iii)(B).
(6) * * *
(vii) * * *
(A) * * *
(
1
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(6)(vii)(A)(
1
).
(11) * * *
(viii) * * *
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(11)(viii)(A).
(C) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(11)(viii)(C).
(x) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(11)(x).
(xi) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(11)(xi).
(xii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(11)(xii) through (d)(11)(xii)(C).
(12) * * *
(iii) * * *
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(12)(iii)(A).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(d)(12)(iii)(B).
(e) * * *
(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(2).
(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(3).
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(3)(i).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(3)(ii).
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(3)(iii).
(iv) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(3)(iv).
(4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4).
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(i).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(ii) through (e)(4)(ii)(B.
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(ii)(A).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(ii)(B).
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(iii).
(iv) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(iv through (e)(4)(iv)(B)(
2
).
(v) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(v).
(B) * * *
(
1
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(v)(B)(
1
).
(
2
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(v)(B)(
2
).
(vi) * * *
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(vi)(B).
(vii) * * *
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(vii)(B).
(viii) * * *
(A) * * *
(
4
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(e)(4)(viii)(A)(
4
).
(f) * * *
(1) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(1).
(2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(2).
(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(3).
(4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(4).
(5) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(5).
(6) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(6).
(7) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(7) through (f)(7)(ii).
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(7)(i).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(7)(ii).
(8) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(8).
(9) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3T(f)(9) through (f)(9)(ii).
Par. 7.
Section 1.1471-3T is added to read as follows:
§ 1.1471-3T
Identification of payee (temporary).
(a) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(a).
(1) through (2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(a)(1) through (2).
(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(a)(3).
(i) through (ii)(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(a)(3)(i) through (a)(3)(ii)(B).
(iii)
U.S. intermediary or agent of a foreign person.
A withholding agent that makes a withholdable payment to a U.S. person and has actual knowledge that the person receiving the payment is acting as an intermediary or agent of a foreign person with respect to the payment must treat such foreign person, and not the intermediary or agent, as the payee of such payment. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, a withholding agent that makes a withholdable payment to a U.S. financial institution or a U.S. insurance broker (to the extent such withholdable payment is a payment of premiums) that is acting as an intermediary or agent with respect to the payment on behalf of one or more foreign persons may treat the U.S. financial institution or U.S. insurance broker as the payee if the withholding agent does not have reason to know that the U.S. financial institution or U.S. insurance broker will not comply with its obligations to withhold under sections 1471 and 1472.
(iv) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(a)(3)(iv).
(v)
Disregarded entity or limited branch.
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(3)(v) through (vii) of this section, a withholding agent that makes a withholdable payment to an entity that is disregarded for U.S. federal tax purposes under § 301.7701-2(c)(2)(i) as an entity separate from its single owner must treat the single owner as the payee. The rules under § 1.1471-3(d)(4) and (e)(3) apply to determine the circumstances under which a withholding agent may treat a payment made to a disregarded entity owned by an FFI as made to a payee that is a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI, and not as a payment made to a payee that is a nonparticipating FFI. A withholding agent that makes a payment to a limited branch (including an entity disregarded
as a separate entity from its owner if such owner is an FFI and the disregarded entity is unable to comply with the terms of an FFI agreement with respect to accounts that it maintains) will be required to treat the payment as being made to a nonparticipating FFI.
(vi)
U.S. branch of certain foreign banks or foreign insurance companies.
A withholdable payment to a U.S. branch of either a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI is a payment to a U.S. person if the U.S. branch is treated as a U.S. person for purposes of § 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv). In such case the U.S. branch is treated as the payee. A U.S. branch, however, that is treated as a U.S. person under § 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) is not treated as a U.S. person for purposes of the withholding certificate it may provide to a withholding agent for purposes of chapter 4. Accordingly, a U.S. branch of either a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI that is treated as a U.S. person must furnish a withholding certificate on a Form W-8 to certify its chapter 4 status (and not a Form W-9, “
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
”). See also paragraph (f)(6) of this section for the rules under which a withholding agent can presume a payment constitutes income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. A U.S. branch of either a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI that is treated as a U.S. person for purposes of chapter 3 may not make an election to be withheld upon, as described in section 1471(b)(3) and § 1.1471-2(a)(2)(iii), for purposes of chapter 4. See § 1.1471-4(c)(2)(v) for the rule requiring a U.S. branch that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person to apply the due diligence rules applicable to a U.S. withholding agent in lieu of those otherwise applicable to a participating FFI. See also § 1.1474-1(i)(1) and (2) for the requirement of a U.S. branch to report information regarding certain U.S. owners of owner documented FFIs and passive NFFEs. See § 1.1471-4(d) for rules for when a U.S. branch of a participating FFI is required to report as a U.S. person.
(vii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(a)(3)(vii).
(b) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(b).
(1) through (2) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(b)(1) through (2).
(3)
Determination of whether the payment is made to a QI, WP, or WT.
A withholding agent may treat the person who receives a payment as a QI, WP, or WT if the withholding agent can reliably associate the payment with a valid Form W-8IMY, as described in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section, that indicates that the person who receives the payment is a QI, WP, or WT, provides the person's QI-EIN, WP-EIN, or WT-EIN, and the person's GIIN, if applicable.
(4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(b)(4).
(c) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c).
(1) through (2)(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(1) through (c)(2)(ii).
(3) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3).
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(i).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(ii).
(A) through (B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(ii)(A) through (B).
(C) The person's entity classification for U.S. tax purposes;
(D) The person's chapter 4 status; and
(E) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(ii)(E).
(iii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii).
(A)
In general.
A withholding certificate of an intermediary, flow-through entity, or U.S. branch of such entity (whether or not such branch is treated as a U.S. person) is valid for purposes of chapter 4 only if it is furnished on a Form W-8IMY, an acceptable substitute form, or such other form as the IRS may prescribe, it is signed under penalties of perjury by a person with authority to sign for the person named on the form, its validity period has not expired, and it contains the following information, statements, and certifications—
(
1
) through (
4
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(A)(
1
) through (
4
).
(
5
) A GIIN, in the case of a participating FFI or a registered deemed-compliant FFI (including a U.S. branch of such an entity, whether or not such branch is treated as a U.S. person, and a QI, WP, or WT that is a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI), and an EIN in the case of a QI, WP, or WT. Additionally, if a branch (other than a U.S. branch) of a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI outside of its country of residence acts as an intermediary, the GIIN of such branch must be provided on the withholding certificate. In the case of a U.S. branch, the GIIN provided must be the GIIN assigned to the participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI.
(
6
) through (
12
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(A)(
6
) through (
12
).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(B).
(
1
)
In general.
A withholding statement forms an integral part of the withholding certificate and the penalties of perjury statement provided on the withholding certificate applies to the withholding statement as well. The withholding statement may be provided in any manner, and in any form, to which the person submitting the form and the withholding agent mutually agree, including electronically. A withholding statement may be provided electronically only if it meets the requirements of § 1.1441-1(e)(3)(iv)(B). The withholding statement must be updated as often as necessary for the withholding agent to meet its reporting and withholding obligations under chapter 4. A withholding agent will be liable for tax, interest, and penalties under § 1.1474-1(a) to the extent it does not follow the presumption rules of paragraph (f) of this section for any payment, or portion thereof, for which a withholding statement is required and the withholding agent does not have a valid withholding statement prior to making a payment. A withholding agent that is making a payment for which a withholding statement is also required for purposes of chapter 3 may only rely upon the withholding statement if, in addition to providing the information required by paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(B) of this section, the withholding statement also includes all of the information required for purposes of chapter 3 and specifies the chapter 4 status of each payee or pool of payees identified on the withholding statement for purposes of chapter 3.
(
2
)
Special requirements for an FFI withholding statement.
(
i
) An FFI withholding statement may include either payee-specific information or pooled information that indicates the portion of the payment allocable to a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees, each class of recalcitrant account holders identified in § 1.1471-4(d)(6), or a class of nonparticipating FFIs. If payee-specific information is provided for purposes of chapter 4 it must indicate both the portion of the payment allocated to each payee and each payee's chapter 4 status. A participating FFI that applies the escrow procedures described in § 1.1471-4(b)(6) for dormant accounts must also indicate the portion of the payment allocated to a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of recalcitrant account holders that hold dormant accounts for which the participating FFI
(and not the withholding agent) will withhold in escrow. The withholding statement provided by a participating FFI that applies the election to backup withhold under § 1.1471-4(b)(3)(iii) must also indicate the portion of the reportable payment that is a withholdable payment allocated to each recalcitrant account holders subject to backup withholding under section 3406. See section 3406 for when backup withholding is required, including the exception to backup withholding under § 31.3406(g)-1(e). Regardless of whether the FFI withholding statement provides information on a pooled or payee-specific basis, a withholding statement provided by an FFI other than an FFI acting as a WP, WT, or QI with respect to the account must also identify each intermediary or flow-through entity that receives the payment and such entity's chapter 4 status and GIIN, when applicable. An FFI withholding statement must also include any other information that the withholding agent or payor reasonably requests in order to fulfill its obligations under chapter 4, and chapters 3 and 61, if applicable.
(
ii
) An FFI withholding statement provided by a reporting Model 2 FFI or a reporting Model 1 FFI may indicate, with respect to a withholdable payment, that the payment is allocable to a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees, which is comprised of account holders that are not subject to withholding under chapters 3 or 4 or to backup withholding under section 3406 (for example, presumed U.S. non-exempt recipients) and that are, with respect to a reporting Model 2 FFI, the holders of non-consenting U.S. accounts as described in an applicable IGA when the FFI reports the accounts in one of the pools described in § 1.1471-4(d)(6) for the year in which the payment is made; or with respect to a reporting Model 1 FFI, the holders of accounts that have U.S. indicia for which appropriate documentation sufficient to treat the accounts as held by other than specified U.S. persons has not been provided pursuant to an applicable Model 1 IGA and the reporting Model 1 FFI reports the accounts as U.S. reportable accounts pursuant to the applicable Model 1 IGA for the year in which the payment is made.
(
iii
) An FFI withholding statement provided by a participating FFI or registered deemed-compliant FFI that is a non-U.S. payor (a payor other than a U.S. payor as defined in § 1.6049-5(c)(5)) may indicate, with respect to a withholdable payment, that the payment is allocable to a chapter 4 withholding rate pool of U.S. payees (in addition to the U.S. payees described in paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(B)(
2
)(
ii
) of this section), which is comprised of account holders that are not subject to withholding under chapters 3 or 4 or to backup withholding under section 3406 and that are, with respect to a participating FFI (including a reporting Model 2 FFI), account holders that hold U.S. accounts (as defined in § 1.1471-1(b)(134) and an applicable Model 2 IGA) that the FFI reports as U.S. accounts pursuant to § 1.1471-4(d)(3) or (5) for the year in which the payment is made; with respect to a registered deemed-compliant FFI (other than a reporting Model 1 FFI), account holders of U.S. accounts that the FFI reports pursuant to the conditions of its applicable deemed-compliant status under § 1.1471-5(f)(1) for the year in which the payment is made; or with respect to a reporting Model 1 FFI, account holders of U.S. accounts that the reporting Model 1 FFI reports as reportable U.S. accounts pursuant to an applicable Model 1 IGA, and which includes the U.S. TINs of such account holders, for the year in which the payment is made.
(
3
)
Special requirements for a chapter 4 withholding statement.
A chapter 4 withholding statement must contain the name, address, TIN (if any), entity type, and chapter 4 status of each payee, the amount allocated to each payee, a valid withholding certificate or other appropriate documentation sufficient to establish the chapter 4 status of each payee, and each intermediary or flow-through entity that receives the payment on behalf of the payee, in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, and any other information the withholding agent reasonably requests in order to fulfill its obligations under chapter 4. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, a chapter 4 withholding statement is permitted to provide pooled allocation information with respect to payees that are treated as nonparticipating FFIs. Additionally, if the payment is a reportable amount under chapters 3 or 61, see the provisions of those chapters for any additional information that may be required (including pooled information under the alternative procedures described in § 1.1441-1(e)(3)(iv)(D), if applicable).
(
4
)
Special requirements for an exempt beneficial owner withholding statement.
An exempt beneficial owner withholding statement must include the name, address, TIN (if any), entity type, and chapter 4 status of each exempt beneficial owner on behalf of which the nonparticipating FFI is receiving the payment, the amount of the payment allocable to each exempt beneficial owner, a valid withholding certificate or other documentation sufficient to establish the chapter 4 status of each exempt beneficial owner in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, and any other information the withholding agent reasonably requests in order to fulfill its obligations under chapter 4. The withholding statement must allocate the remainder of the payment that is not allocated to an exempt beneficial owner to the nonparticipating FFI receiving the payment. With respect to the amount of the payment allocable to each exempt beneficial owner and subject to withholding under chapter 3, see § 1.1441-1(e)(3)(iv).
(C) through (H) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iii)(C) through (H).
(iv) through (v) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(3)(iv) through (v).
(4) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(4).
(5) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(5).
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(5)(i) through (c)(5)(i)(E).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(5)(ii).
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(5)(ii)(A).
(B)
Preexisting obligation documentary evidence.
With respect to a preexisting obligation of an entity, any classification in the withholding agent's records with respect to the payee that was determined based on documentation supplied by the payee (or other person receiving the payment) or a standardized industry coding system and that was recorded by the withholding agent consistent with its normal business practices for AML or another regulatory purpose (other than for tax purposes), to the extent permitted by paragraph (d) of this section and provided there is no U.S. indicia associated with the payee for which appropriate curing documentation has not been obtained as set forth in paragraph (e) of this section; and
(C) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(5)(ii)(C).
(6) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6).
(i) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(i).
(ii) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii).
(A) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(A).
(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(B).
(
1
) through (
2
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(B)(
1
) through (
2
).
(
3
) A beneficial owner withholding certificate that is provided by an entity described in paragraph (c)(6)(ii)(C)(
2
) of this section (other than an entity described in paragraph (c)(6)(ii)(C)(
2
)(
iii
) of this section) and documentary evidence establishing the entity's foreign status when both are provided together;
(
4
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(B)(
4
).
(
5
) A withholding certificate, written statement, or documentary evidence furnished by a foreign government, government of a U.S. territory, foreign central bank (including the Bank for International Settlements), international organization, or entity that is wholly owned by any such entities;
(
6
) Documentary evidence that is not generally renewed or amended (such as a certificate of incorporation); and
(
7
) For the validity period of a beneficial owner withholding certificate provided by an entity described in paragraph (c)(6)(ii)(C)(
2
)(
iii
) of this section, see § 1.1441-1(e)(4)(ii).
(C) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(C).
(
1
) through (
2
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(C)(
1
) through (c)(6)(ii)(C)(
2
)(
x
).
(
3
) A withholding certificate or written statement of an owner-documented FFI, but not including the withholding statements, documentary evidence, and withholding certificates of its owners (unless such documentation is permitted indefinite validity under another provision);
(
4
) An owner reporting statement associated with a withholding certificate of an owner-documented FFI, provided the account balance of all accounts held by such owner-documented FFI with the withholding agent does not exceed $1,000,000 on the later of June 30, 2014, or the last day of the calendar year in which the account was opened, and the last day of each subsequent calendar year preceding the payment, applying the aggregation principles of § 1.1471-5(b)(4)(iii), and the owner-documented FFI does not have any contingent beneficiaries or designated classes with unidentified beneficiaries; and
(
5
) A withholding certificate of a passive NFFE or excepted territory NFFE, provided the account balance of all accounts held by such entity with the withholding agent does not exceed $1,000,000 on the later of June 30, 2014, or the last day of the calendar year in which the account was opened, and the last day of each subsequent calendar year preceding the payment, applying the aggregation principles of § 1.1471-5(b)(4)(iii), and the withholding agent does not know or have reason to know that the entity has any contingent beneficiaries or designated classes with unidentified beneficiaries.
(D) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(D).
(E) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(E).
(
1
) through (
2
) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(ii)(E)(
1
) through (
2
).
(
3
)
Withholding agent's obligation with respect to a change in circumstances.
A certificate or other documentation becomes invalid on the date that the withholding agent holding the certificate or documentation knows or has reason to know that circumstances affecting the correctness of the certificate or documentation have changed. However, a withholding agent may choose to treat a person as having the same chapter 4 status that it had prior to the change in circumstances until the earlier of 90 days from the date that the certificate or documentation became invalid due to the change in circumstances or the date that a new certificate or new documentation is obtained. See, however, § 1.1441-1(e)(4)(ii)(D) for requirements, including the requirement to withhold under chapters 3 or 61, applicable when a change in circumstances occurs for purposes of chapter 3 and the related grace period allowed under § 1.1441-1(b)(3)(iv). A withholding agent may rely on a certificate without having to inquire into possible changes of circumstances that may affect the validity of the statement, unless it knows or has reason to know that circumstances have changed. A withholding agent may require a new certificate or additional documentation at any time prior to a payment, regardless of whether the withholding agent knows or has reason to know that any information stated on the certificate or documentation has changed.
(iii) through (iii)(B) [Reserved]. For further guidance, see § 1.1471-3(c)(6)(iii) through (c)(6)(iii)(B).
(iv)
Electronic transmission of withholding certificate, written statement, and documentary evidence.
A withholding
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