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Alternative fuel motor vehicles

The Senate amendment provides a credit for the purchase of qualified alternative fuel motor vehicles. The base credit for the purchase of a new alternative fuel motor vehicle equals 40 percent of the incremental cost of such vehicle. The otherwise allowable credit for 40 percent of the incremental cost is increased by an additional 30 percent of the incremental cost of the vehicle if the vehicle meets certain emissions standards. For computation of the credit, the incremental cost of the vehicle may not exceed between $5,000 and $40,000 (resulting in a maximum total credit of between $3,500 and $28,000) depending upon the weight of the vehicle. For this purpose, incremental cost generally is defined as the amount of the increase of the manufacturer's suggested retail price of such a vehicle compared to the manufacturer's suggested retail price of a comparable gasoline or diesel model. Qualifying alternative fuel motor vehicles are vehicles that operate only on qualifying alternative fuels and are incapable of operating on gasoline or diesel (except in the extent gasoline or diesel fuel is part of a qualified mixed fuel). Qualifying alternative fuels are compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, and any liquid mixture consisting of at least 85 percent methanol.

Taxpayers purchasing certain mixed-fuel vehicles also may claim the alternative fuel motor vehicle credit, at a reduced rate. A mixed-fuel vehicle is a vehicle with gross weight of seven tons or more and is certified by the manufacturer as being able to operate on a combination of alternative fuel and a petroleum-based fuel. A qualifying mixed-fuel vehicle must use at least 75 percent alternative fuel (a "75/25 mixed-fuel vehicle") or 90 percent alternative fuel (a "90/10 mixed-fuel vehicle") and be incapable of operating on a mixture containing less than 75 percent alternative fuel in the case of a 75/25 vehicle (less than 90 percent alternative fuel in the case of a 90/10 vehicle). A taxpayer purchasing a 75/25 mixed-fuel vehicle may claim 70 percent of the otherwise allowable credit. A taxpayer purchasing a 90/10 mixed-fuel vehicle may claim 90 percent of the otherwise allowable credit.

Credit may not be claimed for qualified alternative fuel motor vehicles purchased after December 31, 2006. The taxpayer's basis in the property is reduced by the amount of credit claimed.



Provisions of general application

The Senate amendment provides that unused credits may be carried forward for 20 years and three years (but not into taxable years beginning before January 1, 2005).

If a tax-exempt person purchases or leases a qualifying vehicle, the seller or lessor may claim the credit.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2004.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



2. Modification of credit for electric vehicles (sec. 812 of Senate amendment and sec. 30 of the Code)

Present Law

A 10-percent tax credit is provided for the cost of a qualified electric vehicle, up to a maximum credit of $4,000 (sec. 30). A qualified electric vehicle is a motor vehicle that is powered primarily by an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, or other portable sources of electrical current, the original use of which commences with the taxpayer, and that is acquired for the use by the taxpayer and not for resale. The full amount of the credit is available for purchases prior to 2006. The credit allowed is 25 percent of the otherwise allowable amount for 2006, and is unavailable for purchases after December 31, 2006 . There is no carry forward or carryback of the credit for electric vehicles.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment modifies the present-law credit for electric vehicles to provide that the credit for qualifying vehicles generally ranges between $3,500 and $40,000 depending upon the weight of the vehicle and, for certain vehicles, the driving range of the vehicle. In the case of property purchased by tax-exempt persons, the seller may claim the credit. The taxpayer would be ineligible for the deduction allowable under present-law section 179A for a qualified battery electric vehicle on which a credit is allowable. The provision would repeal the reduce rate of credit for vehicles purchased in 2006, permitting taxpayer to claim the full amount of credit otherwise allowable for 2006. The taxpayer would be able to carry forward unused credits for 20 years or carry unused credits back for three years (but not carried back to taxable years beginning before the January 1, 2005 ).

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



3. Modifications of deduction for refueling property (sec. 813 of Senate amendment and sec. 179A of the Code)

Present Law

Certain costs of qualified clean-fuel vehicle refueling property may be expensed and deducted when such property is placed in service (sec. 179A). Up to $100,000 of such property at each location owned by the taxpayer may be expensed with respect to that location. Natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, electricity and any other fuel at least 85 percent of which is methanol, ethanol, or any other alcohol or ether comprise clean-burning fuels.

The deduction is unavailable for property placed in service after December 31, 2006 .

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment provision permits taxpayers to claim a 50-percent credit for the cost of installing clean-fuel vehicle refueling property to be used in a trade or business of the taxpayer or installed at the principal residence of the taxpayer. In the case of retail clean-fuel vehicle refueling property the allowable credit may not exceed $30,000. In the case of residential clean-fuel vehicle refueling property the allowable credit may not exceed $1,000. The taxpayer's basis in the property is reduced by the amount of the credit and the taxpayer may not claim deductions under section 179A with respect to property for which the credit is claimed.

In the case of refueling property installed on property owned or used by a tax-exempt person, the taxpayer that installs the property may claim the credit. To be eligible for the credit, the property must be placed in service before January 1, 2007 (before January 1, 2012 in the hydrogen refueling property). The credit allowable in the taxable year cannot exceed the difference between the taxpayer's regular tax (reduced by certain other credits) and the taxpayer's tentative minimum tax. The taxpayer may carry forward unused credits for 20 years.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



4. Credit for retail sale of alternative motor vehicle fuels (sec. 814 of Senate amendment)

Present Law

There is no retail credit for the sale of alternative motor vehicle fuels. However, a 52-cents-per-gallon income tax credit is allowed for alcohol fuels for 2003 and 2004 (51 cents for 2005-2007). The alcohol fuels credit may be claimed as a reduction in excise tax payments. Such tax payments generally are made before the retail level. In the case of ethanol, the Code provides a separate 10-cents-per-gallon credit for small producers.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment permits taxpayers to claim a credit equal to the gasoline gallon equivalent of 50 cents per gallon of alternative fuel sold in 2005 and 2006. Qualifying alternative fuels are compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, any liquid mixture consisting of at least 85 percent methanol, and any liquid mixture consisting of at least 85 percent ethanol. The credit may be claimed for sales prior to January 1, 2007 . Under the provision, the credit is part of the general business credit.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for fuel sold at retail after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



5. Small ethanol producer credit (sec. 815 of the Senate amendment and sec. 40 of the Code)

Present Law

Small ethanol producer credit

Present law provides several tax benefits for ethanol and methanol produced from renewable sources (e.g., biomass) that are used as a motor fuel or that are blended with other fuels (e.g., gasoline) for such a use. In the case of ethanol, a separate 10-cents-per-gallon credit is provided for small producers, defined generally as persons whose production does not exceed 15 million gallons per year and whose production capacity does not exceed 30 million gallons per year. The small producer credit is part of the alcohol fuels tax credit under section 40 of the Code. The alcohol fuels tax credits are includible in income. This credit, like tax credits generally, may not be used to offset alternative minimum tax liability. The credit is treated as a general business credit, subject to the ordering rules and carryforward/carryback rules that apply to business credits generally. The alcohol fuels tax credit is scheduled to expire after December 31, 2007 .



Taxation of cooperatives and their patrons

Under present law, cooperatives in essence are treated as pass-through entities in that the cooperative is not subject to corporate income tax to the extent the cooperative timely pays patronage dividends. Under present law (sec. 38(d)(4)), the only excess credits that may be passed through to cooperative patrons are the rehabilitation credit (sec. 47), the energy property credit (sec. 48(a)), and the reforestation credit (sec. 48(b)).

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment makes several modifications to the rules governing the small producer ethanol credit. First, the provision liberalizes the definition of an eligible small producer to include persons whose production capacity does not exceed 60 million gallons. Second, the provision allows cooperatives to elect to pass through the small ethanol producer credits to its patrons. The credit is apportioned pro rata among patrons of the cooperative on the basis of the quantity or value of the business done with or for such patrons for the taxable year. An election to pass through the credit is made on a timely filed return for the taxable year and is irrevocable for such taxable year.

Third, the provision repeals the rule that includes the small producer credit in income of taxpayers claiming it. Finally, the provision provides that the small producer ethanol credit is not treated as derived from a passive activity under the Code rules restricting credits and deductions attributable to such activities.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for taxable years ending after date of enactment.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement allows cooperatives to elect to pass the small ethanol producer credit through to their patrons. Specifically, the credit is to be apportioned among patrons eligible to share in patronage dividends on the basis of the quantity or value of business done with or for such patrons for the taxable year. The election must be made on a timely filed return for the taxable year, and once made, is irrevocable for such taxable year.

The amount of the credit not apportioned to patrons is included in the organization's credit for the taxable year of the organization. The amount of the credit apportioned to patrons is to be included in the patron's credit for the first taxable year of each patron ending on or after the last day of the payment period for the taxable year of the organization, or, if earlier, for the taxable year of each patron ending on or after the date on which the patron receives notice from the cooperative of the apportionment.

If the amount of the credit shown on the cooperative's return for a taxable year is in excess of the actual amount of the credit for that year, an amount equal to the excess of the reduction in the credit over the amount not apportioned to patrons for the taxable year is treated as an increase in the cooperative's tax. The increase is not treated as tax imposed for purposes of determining the amount of any tax credit or for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.

The conference agreement does not contain any of the other modifications from the Senate amendment.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for taxable years ending after date of enactment.

C. Conservation and Energy Efficiency Provisions

1. Energy efficient new homes (sec. 821 of the Senate amendment)

Present Law

A nonrefundable, 10-percent business energy credit is allowed for the cost of new property that is equipment (1) that uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool a structure, or to provide solar process heat, or (2) used to produce, distribute, or use energy derived from a geothermal deposit, but only, in the case of electricity generated by geothermal power, up to the electric transmission stage.

The business energy tax credits are components of the general business credit (sec. 38(b)(1)). The business energy tax credits, when combined with all other components of the general business credit, generally may not exceed for any taxable year the excess of the taxpayer's net income tax over the greater of (1) 25 percent of net regular tax liability above $25,000 or (2) the tentative minimum tax. For credits arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997 , an unused general business credit generally may be carried back one year and carried forward 20 years (sec. 39).

A taxpayer may exclude from income the value of any subsidy provided by a public utility for the purchase or installation of an energy conservation measure. An energy conservation measure means any installation or modification primarily designed to reduce consumption of electricity or natural gas or to improve the management of energy demand with respect to a dwelling unit (sec. 136).

There is no present-law credit for the construction of new energy-efficient homes.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The provision provides a credit to an eligible contractor of an amount equal to the aggregate adjusted bases of all energy-efficient property installed in a qualified new energy-efficient home during construction. The credit cannot exceed $1,000 ($2,000) in the case of a new home that has a projected level of annual heating and cooling costs that is 30 percent (50 percent) less than a comparable dwelling constructed in accordance with the latest standards of chapter 4 of the International Energy Conservation Code approved by the Department of Energy before the construction of such qualifying new home and any applicable Federal minimum efficiency standards for equipment.

The eligible contractor is the person who constructed the home, or in the case of a manufactured home, the producer of such home. Energy efficiency property is any energy-efficient building envelope component (insulation materials or system specifically and primarily designed to reduce heat loss or gain, and exterior windows, including skylights, and doors) and any energy-efficient heating or cooling equipment or system that can, individually or in combination with other components, meet the standards for the home.

To qualify as an energy-efficient new home, the home must be: (1) a dwelling located in the United States, (2) the principal residence of the person who acquires the dwelling from the eligible contractor or manufacturer, and (3) certified to have a projected level of annual heating and cooling energy consumption that meets the standards for either the 30-percent or 50-percent reduction in energy usage. The home may be certified according to a component-based method, an energy performance based method, a guarantee-based method, or, in the case of a qualifying new home which is a manufactured home, by a method prescribed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under the Energy Star Labeled Homes program. Manufactured homes certified by a method prescribed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under the Energy Star Labeled Homes program are eligible for the $1,000 credit provided criteria (1) and (2) are met.

A component-based method of certification is a method which uses the applicable technical energy efficiency specifications or ratings (including product labeling requirements) for the energy efficient building envelope component or energy efficient heating or cooling equipment. The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, develop prescriptive component-based packages which are equivalent in energy performance to properties which qualify under the performance-based method. The certification under the component-based method shall be provided by a local building regulatory authority, a utility, or a home energy rating organization.

A performance-based method of certification is a method which calculates projected energy usage and cost reductions in the qualifying new home in relation to a new home heated by the same fuel type and constructed in accordance with (1) the latest standards of chapter 4 of the International Energy Conservation Code approved by the Department of Energy before the construction of such qualifying new home, and (2) any applicable Federal minimum efficiency standards for equipment. Computer software shall be used in support of a performance-based method certification under clause. Such software shall meet procedures and methods for calculating energy and cost savings in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Energy. The certification under the performance-based method shall be provided by an individual recognized by an organization recognized by the Secretary for such purposes.

A guarantee-based method of certification is a method that guarantees in writing to the homeowner energy savings of either 30 percent or 50 percent over the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code for heating and cooling costs. The guarantee shall be provided for a minimum of 2 years and shall fully reimburse the homeowner any heating and cooling costs in excess of the guaranteed amount. Computer software shall be selected by the provider of the guarantee to support the guarantee-based method certification. Such software shall meet procedures and methods for calculating energy and cost savings in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Energy. The certification under the guarantee-based method shall be provided by an individual recognized by an organization recognized by the Secretary for such purposes.

In prescribing regulations for performance-based and guarantee-based certification methods, the Secretary shall prescribe procedures for calculating annual energy usage and cost reductions for heating and cooling and for the reporting of the results. Such regulations shall provide that any calculation procedures be fuel neutral such that the same energy efficiency measures allow a qualifying new home to be eligible for the credit under this section regardless of whether such home uses a gas or oil furnace or boiler or an electric heat pump, and require that any computer software allow for the printing of the Federal tax forms necessary for the credit under this section and for the printing of forms for disclosure to the homebuyer. Other rules apply relating to the form of the certification and the manner in which it is provided to the buyer of the home.

In the case of a qualifying new home which is a manufactured home, certification of compliance with energy efficiency standards shall be provided by a manufactured home primary inspection agency.

The credit will be part of the general business credit. No credits attributable to energy efficient homes may be carried back to any taxable year ending on or before the effective date of the credit. No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of expenses for a qualifying new home otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit for such taxable year.

Effective date. --The credit applies to homes whose construction is substantially completed after December 31, 2004, and which are purchased during the period beginning on December 31, 2004, and ending on December 31, 2007 (December 31, 2005 in the case of the $1,000 credit).

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



2. Energy efficient appliances (sec. 822 of the Senate amendment)

Present Law

A nonrefundable, 10-percent business energy credit is allowed for the cost of new property that is equipment: (1) that uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool a structure, or to provide solar process heat; or (2) used to produce, distribute, or use energy derived from a geothermal deposit, but only, in the case of electricity generated by geothermal power, up to the electric transmission stage.

The business energy tax credits are components of the general business credit (sec. 38(b)(1)). The business energy tax credits, when combined with all other components of the general business credit, generally may not exceed for any taxable year the excess of the taxpayer's net income tax over the greater of: (1) 25 percent of net regular tax liability above $25,000 or (2) the tentative minimum tax. For credits arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997 , an unused general business credit generally may be carried back one year and carried forward 20 years (sec. 39).

A taxpayer may exclude from income the value of any subsidy provided by a public utility for the purchase or installation of an energy conservation measure. An energy conservation measure means any installation or modification primarily designed to reduce consumption of electricity or natural gas or to improve the management of energy demand with respect to a dwelling unit (sec. 136).

There is no present-law credit for the manufacture of energy-efficient appliances.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The provision provides a credit for the production of certain energy-efficient clothes washers and refrigerators. The credit equals $50 per appliance for (1) energy-efficient clothes washers produced before December 31, 2007 with a modified energy factor ("MEF") of 1.42 MEF or greater, and (2) refrigerators produced before December 31, 2005 that consume 10 percent fewer kilowatt-hours per year than the energy conservation standards promulgated by the Department of Energy that took effect on July 1, 2001. The credit equals $100 for (1) energy-efficient clothes washers produced before December 31, 2007 with a MEF of 1.5 or greater, and (2) refrigerators produced before December 31, 2007 that consume at least 15 percent fewer kilowatt-hours per year (at least 20 percent less for production in 2007) than the energy conservation standards promulgated by the Department of Energy that took effect on July 1, 2001. The credit is $150 for refrigerators produced before January 1, 2007 that consume at least 20 percent fewer kilowatt-hours per year than the energy conservation standards promulgated by the Department of Energy that took effect on July 1, 2001. A refrigerator must be an automatic defrost refrigerator-freezer with an internal volume of at least 16.5 cubic feet to qualify for the credit. A clothes washer is any residential clothes washer, including a residential style coin operated washer, that satisfies the relevant efficiency standard.

For each category of appliances (e.g., washers that meet the $50 standard, washers that meet the $100 standard, refrigerators that meet the $50 standard, refrigerators that meet the $100 standard, and refrigerators that meet the $150 standard), only production in excess of average production for each such category during calendar years 2001-2003 would be eligible for the credit.

The taxpayer may not claim credits in excess of $60 million for all taxable years, and may not claim credits in excess of $30 million with respect to appliances that only qualify for the $50 credit. Additionally, the credit allowed for all appliances may not exceed two percent of the average annual gross receipts of the taxpayer for the three taxable years preceding the taxable year in which the credit is determined.

The credit would be part of the general business credit.

Effective Date

The credit applies to appliances produced after December 31, 2004 , and prior to January 1, 2008 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



3. Residential solar hot water, photovoltaics and other energy efficient property (sec. 823 of the Senate amendment)

Present Law

A nonrefundable, 10-percent business energy credit is allowed for the cost of new property that is equipment (1) that uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool a structure, or to provide solar process heat, or (2) used to produce, distribute, or use energy derived from a geothermal deposit, but only, in the case of electricity generated by geothermal power, up to the electric transmission stage.

The business energy tax credits are components of the general business credit (sec. 38(b)(1)). The business energy tax credits, when combined with all other components of the general business credit, generally may not exceed for any taxable year the excess of the taxpayer's net income tax over the greater of (1) 25 percent of net regular tax liability above $25,000 or (2) the tentative minimum tax. For credits arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997 , an unused general business credit generally may be carried back one year and carried forward 20 years (sec. 39).

A taxpayer may exclude from income the value of any subsidy provided by a public utility for the purchase or installation of an energy conservation measure. An energy conservation measure means any installation or modification primarily designed to reduce consumption of electricity or natural gas or to improve the management of energy demand with respect to a dwelling unit (sec. 136).

There is no present-law personal tax credit for energy efficient residential property.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The provision provides a personal tax credit for the purchase of qualified wind energy property, qualified photovoltaic property, and qualified solar water heating property that is used exclusively for purposes other than heating swimming pools and hot tubs. The credit is equal to 15 percent for solar water heating property and photovoltaic property, and 30 percent for wind energy property. The maximum credit for each of these systems of property is $2,000. The provision also provides a 30 percent credit for the purchase of qualified fuel cell power plants. The credit for any fuel cell may not exceed $500 for each 0.5 kilowatt of capacity.

Qualifying solar water heating property means an expenditure for property to heat water for use in a dwelling unit located in the United States and used as a residence if at least half of the energy used by such property for such purpose is derived from the sun. Qualified photovoltaic property is property that uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in a dwelling unit. Qualified wind energy property is property that uses wind energy to generate electricity for use in a dwelling unit located in the United States and used as a principal residence by the taxpayer. A qualified fuel cell power plant is an integrated system comprised of a fuel cell stack assembly and associated balance of plant components that converts a fuel into electricity using electrochemical means, and which has an electricity-only generation efficiency of greater than 30 percent and that generates at least 0.5 kilowatts of electricity. The qualified fuel cell power plant must be installed on or in connection with a dwelling unit located in the United States and used by the taxpayer as a principal residence.

The provision also provides a credit for the purchase of other qualified energy efficient property, as described below:

Electric heat pump water heater with an energy factor of at least 1.7. The maximum credit is $150 per unit.

Advanced natural gas, oil, propane furnace, or hot water boiler that achieves at least 95 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency. The maximum credit is $125 per unit.

Advanced natural gas, oil, propane water heater that has an energy factor of at least 0.80 in the standard Department of Energy test procedure. The maximum credit is $150 per unit.

Natural gas, oil, propane water heater that has an energy factor of at least 0.65 but less than 0.80 in the standard Department of Energy test procedure. The maximum credit is $50 per unit.

Advanced main air circulating fan used in a new natural gas, propane, or oil-fired furnace, including main air circulating fans that use a brushless permanent magnet motor or another type of motor which achieves similar or higher efficiency at half and full speed, as determined by the Secretary. The maximum credit is $50.

Advanced combination space and water heating system that has a combined energy factor of at least 0.80 and a combined annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of at least 78 percent in the standard Department of Energy test procedure. The maximum credit is $150.

Combination space and water heating system that has a combined energy factor of at least 0.65 but less than 0.80 and a combined annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of at least 78 percent in the standard Department of Energy test procedure. The maximum credit is $50.

Geothermal heat pumps that have an EER of at least 21. The maximum credit is $250 per unit.

The credit is nonrefundable, and the depreciable basis of the property is reduced by the amount of the credit. Expenditures for labor costs allocable to onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of property eligible for the credit are eligible expenditures. The credit is allowed against the regular and alternative minimum tax.

Certain equipment safety requirements need to be met to qualify for the credit. Special proration rules apply in the case of jointly owned property, condominiums, and tenant-stockholders in cooperative housing corporations. With the exception of wind energy property, if less than 80 percent of the property is used for nonbusiness purposes, only that portion of expenditures that is used for nonbusiness purposes is taken into account.

Effective Date

The credit applies to expenditures after December 31, 2004 , and prior to January 1, 2008 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



4. Credit for business installation of qualified fuel cells and stationary microturbine power plants (sec. 824 of the Senate amendment and sec. 48 of the Code)

Present Law

A nonrefundable, 10-percent business energy credit is allowed for the cost of new property that is equipment (1) that uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool a structure, or to provide solar process heat, or (2) used to produce, distribute, or use energy derived from a geothermal deposit, but only, in the case of electricity generated by geothermal power, up to the electric transmission stage.

The business energy tax credits are components of the general business credit (sec. 38(b)(1)). The business energy tax credits, when combined with all other components of the general business credit, generally may not exceed for any taxable year the excess of the taxpayer's net income tax over the greater of (1) 25 percent of net regular tax liability above $25,000 or (2) the tentative minimum tax. For credits arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997 , an unused general business credit generally may be carried back one year and carried forward 20 years (sec. 39).

There is no present-law credit for fuel cell or microturbine power plant property.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The provision provides a 30 percent business energy credit for the purchase of qualified fuel cell power plants for businesses. A qualified fuel cell power plant is an integrated system comprised of a fuel cell stack assembly and associated balance of plant components that converts a fuel into electricity using electrochemical means, and which has an electricity-only generation efficiency of greater than 30 percent and generates at least 0.5 kilowatts of electricity. The credit for any fuel cell may not exceed $500 for each 0.5 kilowatts of capacity.

Additionally, the provision provides a 10 percent credit for the purchase of qualifying stationary microturbine power plants. A qualified stationary microturbine power plant is an integrated system comprised of a gas turbine engine, a combustor, a recuperator or regenerator, a generator or alternator, and associated balance of plant components which converts a fuel into electricity and thermal energy. Such system also includes all secondary components located between the existing infrastructure for fuel delivery and the existing infrastructure for power distribution, including equipment and controls for meeting relevant power standards, such as voltage, frequency and power factors. Such system must have an electricity-only generation efficiency of not less that 26 percent at International Standard Organization conditions and a capacity of less than 2,000 kilowatts. The credit is limited to the lesser of 10 percent of the basis of the property or $200 for each kilowatt of capacity.

The credit is nonrefundable. The taxpayer's basis in the property is reduced by the amount of the credit claimed.

Effective date. --The credit for businesses applies to property placed in service after December 31, 2004 , and before January 1, 2008 (January 1, 2007 in the case of microturbines), under rules similar to rules of section 48(m) of the Code (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990).

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



5. Energy efficient commercial building deduction (sec. 825 of Senate amendment)

Present Law

No special deduction is currently provided for expenses incurred for energy-efficient commercial building property.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The provision provides a deduction equal to energy-efficient commercial building property expenditures made by the taxpayer. Energy-efficient commercial building property expenditures are defined as amounts paid or incurred for energy-efficient property installed in connection with the construction or reconstruction of property: (1) which is depreciable property; (2) which is located in the United States, and (3) which is the type of structure to which the Standard 90.1-2001 of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America ("ASHRAE/IESNA") is applicable. The deduction is limited to an amount equal to $2.25 per square foot of the property for which such expenditures are made. The deduction is allowed in the year in which the property is placed in service.

Energy-efficient commercial building property generally means any property that reduces total annual energy and power costs with respect to the lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water supply systems of the building by 50 percent or more in comparison to a building which minimally meets the requirements of Standard 90.1-2001 of ASHRAE/IESNA. Because of the requirement that, in order to qualify, a building must fall within the scope of the ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2001, residential rental property that is less than four stories does not qualify.

Certain certification requirements must be met in order to qualify for the deduction. The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, will promulgate regulations that describe methods of calculating and verifying energy and power costs using qualified computer software. The methods for calculation shall be fuel neutral, such that the same energy efficiency features shall qualify a building for the deduction under this subsection regardless of whether the heating source is a gas or oil furnace or boiler or an electric heat pump.

The Secretary shall prescribe procedures for the inspection and testing for compliance of buildings that are comparable, given the difference between commercial and residential buildings, to the requirements in the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards. Individuals qualified to determine compliance shall only be those recognized by one or more organizations certified by the Secretary for such purposes.

For energy-efficient commercial building property expenditures made by a public entity, such as public schools, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations that will allow the value of the deduction (determined without regard to the tax-exempt status of such entity) to be allocated to the person primarily responsible for designing the property in lieu of the public entity.

In the case of lighting systems, until such time as the Secretary issues final regulations, a partial deduction shall be allowed for a reduction in Lighting Power Density of 40 percent (50 percent in the case of a warehouse) of the minimum requirements in Table 9.3.1.1 or Table 9.3.1.2 of ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2001. A pro-rated partial deduction is allowed in the case of a lighting system that reduces lighting power density between 25 percent and 40 percent. Certain lighting level and lighting control requirements must also be met in order to qualify for the partial lighting deductions.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 for expenditures in connection with a building whose construction is completed on or before December 31, 2009.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



6. Three-year applicable recovery period for depreciation of qualified energy management devices and qualified water submetering devices (secs. 826 and 827 of the Senate amendment and sec. 168 of the Code)

Present Law

No special recovery period is currently provided for depreciation of qualified energy management devices or water submetering devices.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment provides a three-year recovery period for qualified energy management devices placed in service by any taxpayer who is a supplier of electric energy or is a provider of electric energy services. A qualified energy management device is any energy management device that is used by the taxpayer to measure and record electricity usage data on a time-differentiated basis in at least four separate time segments per day, and to provide such data on at least a monthly basis to both consumers and the taxpayer.

Additionally, the Senate amendment provides a three-year recovery period for qualified water submetering devices placed in service by any taxpayer who is an eligible resupplier. An eligible resupplier is any taxpayer who purchases and installs qualified water submetering devices in every unit in any multi-unit property. A qualified water submetering device is any water submetering device that is used by the taxpayer to measure and record water usage data and to provide such data on at least a monthly basis to both consumers and the taxpayer.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for any qualified energy management device or water submetering device placed in service after December 31, 2004 , and before January 1, 2008 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



7. Energy credit for combined heat and power system property (sec. 828 of the Senate amendment and sec. 48 of the Code)

Present Law

A nonrefundable, 10-percent business energy credit is allowed for the cost of new property that is equipment (1) that uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool a structure, or to provide solar process heat, or (2) used to produce, distribute, or use energy derived from a geothermal deposit, but only, in the case of electricity generated by geothermal power, up to the electric transmission stage.

The business energy tax credits are components of the general business credit (sec. 38(b)(1)). The business energy tax credits, when combined with all other components of the general business credit, generally may not exceed for any taxable year the excess of the taxpayer's net income tax over the greater of (1) 25 percent of net regular tax liability above $25,000 or (2) the tentative minimum tax. For credits arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997 , an unused general business credit generally may be carried back one year and carried forward 20 years (sec. 39).

A taxpayer may exclude from income the value of any subsidy provided by a public utility for the purchase or installation of an energy conservation measure. An energy conservation measure means any installation or modification primarily designed to reduce consumption of electricity or natural gas or to improve the management of energy demand with respect to a dwelling unit (sec. 136).

There is no present-law credit for combined heat and power (" CHP ") property.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment provides a 10-percent credit for the purchase of CHP property.

CHP property is property: (1) that uses the same energy source for the simultaneous or sequential generation of electrical power, mechanical shaft power, or both, in combination with the generation of steam or other forms of useful thermal energy (including heating and cooling applications); (2) that has an electrical capacity of not more than 15 megawatts or a mechanical energy capacity of no more than 2000 horsepower or an equivalent combination of electrical and mechanical energy capacities; (3) that produces at least 20 percent of its total useful energy in the form of thermal energy that is not used to produce electrical or mechanical power, and produces at least 20 percent of its total useful energy in the form of electrical or mechanical power (or a combination thereof); and (4) the energy efficiency percentage of which exceeds 60 percent. CHP property does not include property used to transport the energy source to the generating facility or to distribute energy produced by the facility.

Additionally, the Senate amendment provides that systems whose fuel source is at least 90 percent bagasse and that would qualify for the credit but for the failure to meet the efficiency standard are eligible for a credit that is reduced in proportion to the degree to which the system fails to meet the efficiency standard. For example, a system that would otherwise be required to meet the 60-percent efficiency standard, but which only achieves 30-percent efficiency, would be permitted a credit equal to one-half of the otherwise allowable credit (i.e., a 5-percent credit).

Effective date. --The credit applies to property placed in service after December 31, 2004 , and before January 1, 2007 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



8. Energy efficient improvements to existing homes (sec. 829 of the Senate amendment)

Present Law

A taxpayer may exclude from income the value of any subsidy provided by a public utility for the purchase or installation of an energy conservation measure. An energy conservation measure means any installation or modification primarily designed to reduce consumption of electricity or natural gas or to improve the management of energy demand with respect to a dwelling unit (sec. 136).

There is no present law credit for energy efficiency improvements to existing homes.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The provision would provide a 10-percent nonrefundable credit for the purchase of qualified energy efficiency improvements. The maximum credit for a taxpayer with respect to the same dwelling for all taxable years is $300. Unused credits may be carried forward to succeeding taxable years.

A qualified energy efficiency improvement would be any energy efficiency building envelope component that is certified to meet or exceed the latest prescriptive criteria for such component in the International Energy Conservation Code approved by the Department of Energy before the installation of such component, or any combination of energy efficiency measures that is certified to achieve at least a 30 percent reduction in heating and cooling energy usage for the dwelling and that is installed in or on a dwelling that (1) is located in the United States; (2) is owned and used by the taxpayer as the taxpayer's principal residence; (3) has not been treated as a qualifying new home for purposes of the energy-efficient new homes credit . Additionally, the original use of such component or combination of measures commences with the taxpayer, and such component or combination of measures can reasonably be expected to remain in use for at least five years.

Building envelope components are: (1) insulation materials or systems which are specifically and primarily designed to reduce the heat loss or gain for a dwelling, and (2) exterior windows (including skylights) and doors.

Homes shall be certified according to a component-based method or a performance-based method. The component-based method shall be based on applicable energy-efficiency ratings, including current product labeling requirements. Certification by the component method shall be provided by a third party, such as a local building regulatory authority, a utility, a manufactured home primary inspection agency, or a home energy rating organization. The performance-based method shall be based on a comparison of the projected energy consumption of the dwelling in its original condition and after the completion of energy efficiency measures. The performancebased method of certification shall be conducted by an individual or organization recognized by the Secretary of the Treasury for such purposes.

In prescribing regulations for performance-based certification methods, the Secretary shall prescribe procedures for calculating annual energy usage and cost reductions for heating and cooling and for the reporting of the results. Such regulations shall provide that any calculation procedures be fuel neutral such that the same energy efficiency measures allow a qualifying new home to be eligible for the credit under this section regardless of whether such home uses a gas or oil furnace or boiler or an electric heat pump, and require that any computer software allow for the printing of the Federal tax forms necessary for the credit under this section and for the printing of forms for disclosure to the owner of the dwelling.

The taxpayer's basis in the property would be reduced by the amount of the credit. Special rules would apply in the case of condominiums and tenant-stockholders in cooperative housing corporations.

The credit is allowed against the regular and alternative minimum tax.

Effective date. --The credit is effective for qualified energy efficiency improvements installed after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2007.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.

D. Clean Coal Incentives

1. Credit for production from a clean coal technology unit (secs. 831 and 834 of Senate amendment)

Present Law

Present law does not provide a production credit for electricity generated at units that use coal as a fuel. However, an income tax credit is allowed for the production of electricity from either qualified wind energy, qualified "closed-loop" biomass, or qualified poultry waste units placed in service prior to January 1, 2006 (sec. 45). The credit allowed equals 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity sold. The 1.5-cent figure is indexed for inflation and equals 1.8 cents for 2004. The credit is allowable for production during the 10-year period after a unit is originally placed in service. The production tax credit is a component of the general business credit (sec. 38(b)(1)).

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment provides a production credit for electricity produced from certain units that have been retrofitted, repowered, or replaced with a clean coal technology during the ten-year period beginning on January 1, 2005 . The value of the credit is 0.34 cents per kilowatthour of electricity produced and is indexed for inflation for calendar years after 2005.

A qualifying clean coal technology unit must meet certain capacity standards, thermal efficiency standards, and emissions standards for SO2, nitrous oxides, particulate emissions, and source emissions standards as provided in the Clean Air Act. To be a qualified clean coal technology unit, the taxpayer must receive a certificate from the Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary may grant certificates to units only to the point that 4,000 megawatts of electricity production capacity qualifies for the credit. However, no qualifying unit would be eligible if the unit's capacity exceeded 300 megawatts.

Certain persons (public utilities, electric cooperatives, Indian tribes, and the Tennessee Valley Authority) are eligible to obtain certifications from the Secretary for these credits and sell, trade, or assign the credit to any taxpayer. However, any credit sold, traded, or assigned may only be sold, traded, or assigned once. Subsequent trades are not permitted.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for production after December 31, 2004 , in taxable years ending after such date.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.

2. Investment credit for clean coal technology units (secs. 832 and 834 of Senate amendment)

Present Law

Present law does not provide an investment credit for electricity generating units that use coal as a fuel. However, a nonrefundable, 10-percent investment tax credit ("business energy credit") is allowed for the cost of new property that is equipment (1) that uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool a structure, or to provide solar process heat, or (2) that is used to produce, distribute, or use energy derived from a geothermal deposit, but only, in the case of electricity generated by geothermal power, up to the electric transmission stage (sec. 48). The business energy tax credit is a component of the general business credit (sec. 38(b)(1)).

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

In general

The Senate amendment provides a 10-percent investment tax credit for qualified investments in advanced clean coal technology units. Certain persons (public utilities, electric cooperatives, Indian tribes, and the Tennessee Valley Authority) will be eligible to obtain certifications from the Secretary of the Treasury (as described below) for these credits and sell, trade, or assign the credit to any taxpayer. However, any credit sold, traded, or assigned may only be sold, traded, or assigned once. Subsequent trades are not permitted.



Qualifying advanced clean coal technology units

Qualifying advanced clean coal technology units must utilize advanced pulverized coal or atmospheric fluidized bed combustion technology, pressurized fluidized bed combustion technology, integrated gasification combined cycle technology, or some other technology certified by the Secretary of Energy. Any qualifying advanced clean coal technology unit must meet certain capacity standards, thermal efficiency standards, and emissions standards for SO2, nitrous oxides, particulate emissions, and source emissions standards as provided in the Clean Air Act. In addition, a qualifying advanced clean coal technology unit must meet certain carbon emissions requirements.

If the advanced clean coal technology unit is an advanced pulverized coal or atmospheric fluidized bed combustion technology unit, a pressurized fluidized bed combustion technology unit, or an integrated gasification combined cycle technology unit and if the unit uses a design coal with a heat content of not more than 9,000 Btu per pound, the unit must have a carbon emission rate less than 0.60 pound of carbon per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. If the advanced clean coal technology unit is an advanced pulverized coal or atmospheric fluidized bed combustion technology unit, a pressurized fluidized bed combustion technology unit, or an integrated gasification combined cycle technology unit and if the unit uses a design coal with a heat content greater than 9,000 Btu per pound, the unit must have a carbon emission rate less than 0.54 pound of carbon per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. In the case of an advanced clean coal technology unit that uses another eligible technology and if the unit uses a design coal with a heat content of not more than 9,000 Btu per pound, the unit must have a carbon emission rate less than 0.51 pound of carbon per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. In the case of an advanced clean coal technology unit that uses another eligible technology and if the unit uses a design coal with a heat content greater than 9,000 Btu per pound, the unit must have a carbon emission rate less than 0.459 pound of carbon per kilowatt hour of electricity produced.



Allocation of credits

To be a qualified investment in advanced clean coal technology, the taxpayer must receive a certificate from the Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary may grant certificates to investments only to the point that 4,000 megawatts of electricity production capacity qualifies for the credit. From the potential pool of 4,000 megawatts of capacity, not more than 1,000 megawatts in total and not more than 500 megawatts in years prior to 2009 shall be allocated to units using advanced pulverized coal or atmospheric fluidized bed combustion technology. From the potential pool of 4,000 megawatts of capacity, not more than 500 megawatts in total and not more than 250 megawatts in years prior to 2009 shall be allocated to units using pressurized fluidized bed combustion technology. From the potential pool of 4,000 megawatts of capacity, not more than 2,000 megawatts in total and not more than 1,000 megawatts in years prior to 2009 and not more than 1,500 megawatts in year prior to 2013 shall be allocated to units using integrated gasification combined cycle technology, with or without fuel or chemical coproduction. From the potential pool of 4,000 megawatts of capacity, not more than 500 in total and not more than 250 megawatts in years prior to 2009 shall be allocated to any other technology certified by the Secretary of Energy.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for periods after December 31, 2004.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



3. Credit for production from advanced clean coal technology (secs. 833 and 834 of the Senate amendment)

Present Law

Present law does not provide a production credit for electricity generated at units that use coal as a fuel. However, an income tax credit is allowed for the production of electricity from either qualified wind energy, qualified "closed-loop" biomass, or qualified poultry waste units placed in service prior to January 1, 2006 (sec. 45). The credit allowed equals 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity sold. The 1.5-cent figure is indexed for inflation and equals 1.8 cents for 2004. The credit is allowable for production during the 10-year period after a unit is originally placed in service. The production tax credit is a component of the general business credit (sec. 38(b)(1)).

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

In general

The Senate amendment creates a production credit for electricity produced from any qualified advanced clean coal technology electricity generation unit that qualifies for the investment credit for qualifying clean coal technology units, as described above. Certain persons (public utilities, electric cooperatives, Indian tribes, and the Tennessee Valley Authority) will be eligible to obtain certifications from the Secretary of the Treasury (as described below) for each of these credits and sell, trade, or assign the credit to any taxpayer. However, any credit sold, traded, or assigned may only be sold, traded, or assigned once. Subsequent trades are not permitted.



Value of production credit for electricity produced from qualifying advanced clean coal technology

The taxpayer may claim a production credit on the sum of each kilowatt-hour of electricity produced and the heat value of other fuels or chemicals produced by the taxpayer at the unit.³⁹² The taxpayer may claim the production credit for the 10-year period commencing with the date the qualifying unit is placed in service (or the date on which a conventional unit was retrofitted or repowered). The value of the credit varies depending upon the year the unit is placed in service, whether the unit produces solely electricity or electricity and fuels or chemicals, and the rated thermal efficiency of the unit. In addition, the value of the credit is reduced for the second five years of eligible production. The maximum value of the production credit from any qualifying unit during the first five years of production is $0.014 per kilowatthour and the minimum value is $0.001. During the second five years of production from a qualifying unit, the maximum value of the production credit is $0.0115 and the minimum value is $0.001. The value of the credit is indexed for inflation for calendar years after 2005.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for production after December 31, 2004, in taxable years ending after such date.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.

E. Oil and Gas Provisions

1. Oil and gas production from marginal wells (sec. 841 of the Senate amendment and new sec. 45I of the Code)

Present Law

There is no credit for the production of oil and gas from marginal wells. The costs of such production may be recovered under the Code's depreciation and depletion rules and in other cases as a deduction for ordinary and necessary business expenses.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment would create a new, $3-per-barrel credit for the production of crude oil and a $0.50 credit per 1,000 cubic feet of qualified natural gas production. In both cases, the credit is available only for production from a "qualified marginal well." A qualified marginal well is defined as domestic well: (1) production from which is treated as marginal production for purposes of the Code percentage depletion rules; or (2) that during the taxable year had average daily production of not more than 25 barrel equivalents and produces water at a rate of not less than 95 percent of total well effluent. Production from any well during any period in which such well is not in compliance with applicable Federal pollution prevention, control, and permit requirements is not considered a qualified marginal well during such period. The maximum amount of production on which credit could be claimed is 1,095 barrels or barrel equivalents.

The credit is not available to production occurring if the reference price of oil exceeds $18 ($2.00 for natural gas). The credit is reduced proportionately as for reference prices between $15 and $18 ($1.67 and $2.00 for natural gas). Reference prices are determined on a one-year look-back basis.

In the case of production from a qualified marginal well which is eligible for the credit allowed under section 29 for the taxable year, no marginal well credit is allowable unless the taxpayer elects not to claim the credit under section 29 with respect to the well. The credit is treated as a general business credit.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for production in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement modifies the Senate amendment. The conference agreement does not include the Federal pollution prevention, control, and permit requirement provisions of the Senate amendment. The conference agreement treats the credit as part of the general business credit; however, unused credits can be carried back for up to five years rather than the generally applicable carryback period of one year. The credit is indexed for inflation for taxable years beginning in a calendar year after 2005.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for production in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 .



2. Natural gas gathering lines treated as seven-year property (sec. 842 of the Senate amendment and sec. 168 of the Code)

Present Law

The applicable recovery period for assets placed in service under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System is based on the "class life of the property." The class lives of assets placed in service after 1986 are generally set forth in Revenue Procedure 87-56.³⁹³ Revenue Procedure 87-56 includes two asset classes that could describe natural gas gathering lines owned by nonproducers of natural gas. Asset class 46.0, describing pipeline transportation, provides a class life of 22 years and a recovery period of 15 years. Asset class 13.2, describing assets used in the exploration for and production of petroleum and natural gas deposits, provides a class life of 14 years and a depreciation recovery period of seven years. The uncertainty regarding the appropriate recovery period of natural gas gathering lines has resulted in litigation between taxpayers and the IRS . The 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals and the 6^th Circuit Court of Appeals have held that natural gas gathering lines owned by nonproducers falls within the scope of Asset class 13.2 (i.e., seven-year recovery period).³⁹⁴ The Tax Court has held that natural gas gathering lines owned by nonproducers falls within the scope of Asset class 46.0 (i.e., 15-year recovery period).³⁹⁵

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment establishes a statutory seven-year recovery period and a class life of 14 years for natural gas gathering lines. A natural gas gathering line is defined to include any pipe, equipment, and appurtenance that is (1) determined to be a gathering line by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or (2) used to deliver natural gas from the wellhead or a common point to the point at which such gas first reaches (a) a gas processing plant, (b) an interconnection with an interstate transmission line, (c) an interconnection with an intrastate transmission line, or (d) a direct interconnection with a local distribution company, a gas storage facility, or an industrial consumer.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2004 , in taxable years ending after that date. No inference is intended as to the proper treatment of natural gas gathering lines placed in service before the date of enactment.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



3. Expensing of capital costs incurred for production in complying with environmental protection agency sulfur regulations for small refiners (sec. 843 of the Senate amendment and new sec. 179B of the Code)

Present Law

Taxpayers generally may recover the costs of investments in refinery property through annual depreciation deductions.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment permits small business refiners to immediately deduct as an expense up to 75 percent of the costs paid or incurred for the purpose of complying with the Highway Diesel Fuel Sulfur Control Requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"). Costs qualifying for the deduction are those costs paid or incurred with respect to any facility of a small business refiner during the period beginning on January 1, 2003 and ending on the earlier of the date that is one year after the date on which the taxpayer must comply with the applicable EPA regulations or December 31, 2009.

For these purposes a small business refiner is a taxpayer who is in the business of refining petroleum products and employs not more than 1,500 employees directly in refining and has less than 205,000 barrels per day (average) of total refinery capacity. The deduction is reduced, pro rata, for taxpayers with capacity in excess of 155,000 barrels per day.

This document is divided into multiple parts. To reach other parts, please use READ. You have reached Part 05

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for expenses paid or incurred after December 31, 2002 , in taxable years ending after that date.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement includes the Senate amendment provision. With respect to the definition of a small business refiner, the conferees intend that, in any case in which refinery through-put or retained production of the refinery differs substantially from its average daily output or refined product, capacity be measured by reference to the average daily output of refined product.



4. Credit for small refiners for production of diesel fuel in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency sulfur regulations for small refiners (sec. 844 of Senate amendment and new sec. 45H of the Code)

Present Law

Present law does not provide a credit for the production of low-sulfur diesel fuel.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment provides that a small business refiner may claim credit equal to five cents per gallon for each gallon of low sulfur diesel fuel produced during the taxable year that is in compliance with the Highway Diesel Fuel Sulfur Control Requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"). The total production credit claimed by the taxpayer is limited to 25 percent of the capital costs incurred to come into compliance with the EPA diesel fuel requirements. Costs qualifying for the credit are those costs paid or incurred with respect to any facility of a small business refiner during the period beginning on January 1, 2003 and ending on the earlier of the date that is one year after the date on which the taxpayer must comply with the applicable EPA regulations or December 31, 2009 . The taxpayer's basis in property with respect to which the credit applies is reduced by the amount of production credit claimed.

In the case of a qualifying small business refiner that is owned by a cooperative, the cooperative is allowed to elect to pass any production credits to patrons of the organization.

For these purposes a small business refiner is a taxpayer who is in the business of refining petroleum products, employs not more than 1,500 employees directly in refining, and has less than 205,000 barrels per day (average) of total refinery capacity. The credit is reduced, pro rata, for taxpayers with capacity in excess of 155,000 barrels per day.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for expenses paid or incurred after December 31, 2002 , in taxable years ending after that date.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement includes the Senate amendment provision with modification as follows. The conference agreement makes the low sulfur diesel fuel credit a qualified business credit under section 169(c). Therefore, if any portion of the credit has not been allowed to the taxpayer as a general business credit (sec. 38) for any taxable year, an amount equal to that portion may be deducted by the taxpayer in the first taxable year following the last taxable year for which such portion could have been allowed as a credit under the carryback and carryforward rules (sec. 39). With respect to the definition of a small business refiner, the conferees intend that, in any case where refinery through-put or retained production of the refinery differs substantially from its average daily output of refined product, capacity be measured by reference to the average daily output of refined product.



5. Determination of small refiner exception to oil depletion deduction (sec. 845 of the Senate amendment and sec. 613A of the Code)

Present Law

Present law classifies oil and gas producers as independent producers or integrated companies. The Code provides numerous special tax rules for operations by independent producers. One such rule allows independent producers to claim percentage depletion deductions rather than deducting the costs of their asset, a producing well, based on actual production from the well (i.e., cost depletion).

A producer is an independent producer only if its refining and retail operations are relatively small. For example, an independent producer may not have refining operations the runs from which exceed 50,000 barrels on any day in the taxable year during which independent producer status is claimed.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment increases the current 50,000-barrel-per-day limitation to 60,000. In addition, the provision changes the refinery limitation on claiming independent producer status from a limit based on actual daily production to a limit based on average daily production for the taxable year. Accordingly, the average daily refinery run for the taxable year may not exceed 60,000 barrels. For this purpose, the taxpayer calculates average daily production by dividing total production for the taxable year by the total number of days in the taxable year.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for taxable years ending after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



6. Suspension of 100-percent-of-net-income limitation on percentage depletion for oil and gas from marginal wells (sec. 412 of the House bill, sec. 846 of the Senate amendment, and sec. 613A of the Code)

Present Law

Overview of depletion

Depletion, like depreciation, is a form of capital cost recovery. In both cases, the taxpayer is allowed a deduction in recognition of the fact that an asset --in the case of depletion for oil or gas interests, the mineral reserve itself --is being expended in order to produce income. Certain costs incurred prior to drilling an oil or gas property are recovered through the depletion deduction. These include costs of acquiring the lease or other interest in the property and geological and geophysical costs (in advance of actual drilling).

Depletion is available to any person having an economic interest in a producing property. An economic interest is possessed in every case in which the taxpayer has acquired by investment any interest in minerals in place, and secures, by any form of legal relationship, income derived from the extraction of the mineral, to which it must look for a return of its capital.³⁹⁶ Thus, for example, both working interests and royalty interests in an oil- or gasproducing property constitute economic interests, thereby qualifying the interest holders for depletion deductions with respect to the property. A taxpayer who has no capital investment in the mineral deposit does not possess an economic interest merely because it possesses an economic or pecuniary advantage derived from production through a contractual relation.



Cost depletion

Two methods of depletion are currently allowable under the Code: (1) the cost depletion method, and (2) the percentage depletion method.³⁹⁷ Under the cost depletion method, the taxpayer deducts that portion of the adjusted basis of the depletable property which is equal to the ratio of units sold from that property during the taxable year to the number of units remaining as of the end of taxable year plus the number of units sold during the taxable year. Thus, the amount recovered under cost depletion may never exceed the taxpayer's basis in the property.



Percentage depletion and related income limitations

The Code generally limits the percentage depletion method for oil and gas properties to independent producers and royalty owners.³⁹⁸ Generally, under the percentage depletion method, 15 percent of the taxpayer's gross income from an oil- or gas-producing property is allowed as a deduction in each taxable year.³⁹⁹ The amount deducted generally may not exceed 100 percent of the net income from that property in any year (the "net-income limitation").⁴⁰⁰ The 100-percent net-income limitation for marginal wells has been suspended for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997, and before January 1, 2006.

House Bill⁴⁰¹

The provision extends the suspension of the net-income limitation for marginal wells for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2006 .

Effective date. --The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003 .

Senate Amendment⁴⁰²

The Senate amendment extends the suspension of the net-income limitation for marginal wells for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2007 .

Effective date. --Same as the House bill.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not contain the House bill or Senate amendment provision.



7. Delay rental payments (sec. 847 of the Senate amendment and sec. 167 of the Code)

Present Law

Present law generally requires costs associated with inventory and property held for resale to be capitalized rather than currently deducted as they are incurred. (sec. 263). Oil and gas producers typically contract for mineral production in exchange for royalty payments. If mineral production is delayed, these contracts provide for "delay rental payments" as a condition of their extension. A delay rental is an amount paid for the privilege of deferring development of the property and which could have been avoided by abandonment of the lease, or by commencement of development of operations or by obtaining production. The Treasury Department has taken the position that the uniform capitalization rules of section 263A require delay rental payments to be capitalized.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment provides that delay rental payments incurred in connection with the development of oil or gas be amortized over two years. In the case of abandoned property, remaining basis may no longer be recovered in the year of abandonment of a property as all basis is recovered over the two-year amortization period.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



8. Geological and geophysical costs (sec. 848 of the Senate amendment and sec. 167 of the Code)

Present Law

Under present law, geological and geophysical expenditures are costs incurred by a taxpayer for the purpose of obtaining and accumulating data that will serve as the basis for the acquisition and retention of mineral properties by taxpayers exploring for minerals. Capital expenditures are not currently deductible as ordinary and necessary expenses, but are allocated to the cost of the property (sec. 263). Courts have held that geological and geophysical costs are capital, and therefore are allocable to the cost of property acquired or retained. The costs attributable to such exploration are allocable to the cost of the property acquired or retained. In the case of abandoned property, exploration expenditures are allowable as a loss when such property is abandoned.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment provides that geological and geophysical costs incurred in connection with domestic oil and gas exploration be amortized over two years. In the case of abandoned property, remaining basis may no longer be recovered in the year of abandonment of a property as all basis is recovered over the two-year amortization period.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for costs paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



9. Extension and modification of credit for producing fuel from a non-conventional source (sec. 849 of the Senate amendment and sec. 29 of the Code)

Present Law

An income tax credit is allowed for certain fuels produced from "non-conventional sources" and sold to unrelated parties. The amount of the credit is equal to $3 (generally adjusted for inflation⁴⁰³ ) per barrel or Btu oil barrel equivalent (sec. 29). Qualified fuels must be produced within the United States, and include: oil produced from shale and tar sands; gas produced from geopressured brine, Devonian shale, coal seams, tight formations ("tight sands"), or biomass; and liquid, gaseous, or solid synthetic fuels produced from coal (including lignite).

The credit applies to fuels produced from wells drilled or facilities placed in service after December 31, 1979 , and before January 1, 1993 . An exception extends the January 1, 1993 expiration date for facilities producing gas from biomass and synthetic fuel from coal if the facility producing the fuel is placed in service before July 1, 1998 , pursuant to a binding contract entered into before January 1, 1997 .

The credit applies to qualified fuels produced and sold before January 1, 2003 (in the case of non-conventional sources subject to the January 1, 1993 , expiration date) or January 1, 2008 (in the case of biomass gas and synthetic fuel facilities eligible for the extension period).

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

Extension of placed in service date for certain new facilities

For new wells or facilities producing qualifying fuels that are oil from shale or tar sands, and gas from geopressured brine, Devonian shale, coal seams, a tight formation, or biomass, the credit can be claimed for production from such new facilities placed in service after December 31, 2004 and before January 1, 2007. The credit may be claimed for the three-year period beginning on the date such well or facility is placed in service. For all qualifying wells and facilities the value of the credit is $3.00 per barrel or Btu equivalent for production in 2003 and is indexed for inflation commencing with the credit amount for 2004.



Extension and modification for "refined coal"

The Senate amendment provides a credit for production of "refined coal" from facilities placed in service after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2007. Credit may be claimed for fuel produced during the five-year period beginning on the date such facility is placed in service. The amount of the credit is $3.00 per barrel or Btu equivalent for production in 2003 and is indexed for inflation commencing with the credit amount for 2004. Refined coal is a fuel that is a liquid, gaseous, or solid synthetic fuel produced from coal (including lignite) or highcarbon fly ash, including such fuel used as a feedstock. A facility qualifies for the credit only if it produces refined coal that: (1) when burned emits 20 percent less SO2 and nitrogen oxides than the burning of feedstock coal or comparable coal predominantly available in the marketplace as of January 1, 2004, and (2) sells at prices at least 50 percent greater than the prices of the feedstock coal or comparable coal. However, no fuel produced at a qualifying advanced clean coal technology unit (as defined elsewhere) is a qualifying fuel.



Expansion for "viscous oil"

The Senate amendment provides a credit for production of certain viscous oil produced at wells placed in service after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2007. "Viscous oil" is domestic crude oil produced from any property if the crude oil has a weighted average gravity of 22 degrees API or less (corrected to 60 degrees Fahrenheit). The credit may be claimed for fuel produced during the three-year period beginning on the date such well is placed in service. The amount of the credit is $3.00 per barrel or Btu equivalent for production in 2003 and is indexed for inflation commencing with the credit amount for 2004. The Senate amendment provides that qualifying sales to related parties for consumption not in the immediate vicinity of the wellhead qualify for the credit.



Credit for coalmine methane gas

The Senate amendment provides a credit for production of "coalmine methane gas" captured or extracted from a coalmine and sold after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2007. The amount of the credit is $3.00 (indexed for inflation from 2002) per barrel or Btu oil for gas utilized captured or sold during the applicable period. Qualifying coalmine gas is any methane gas liberated during coal mining operations or extracted up to ten years in advance of coal mining operations as part of a specific plan to mine a coal deposit. In the case of coalmine methane gas that is captured in advance of coal mining operations, the credit is allowed only after the date the coal extraction occurs in the immediate area where the coalmine methane gas was removed. The capture or extraction of coalmine gas from coal mining operations is required to be in compliance with applicable State and Federal pollution prevention, control, and permit requirements in order to qualify for the credit.



Expansion for agricultural and animal wastes

The Senate amendment adds facilities producing liquid, gaseous, or solid fuels from agricultural and animal wastes (including such fuels when used as feedstocks) placed in service after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2007, to the list of qualified facilities for purposes of the non-conventional fuel credit. The credit may be claimed for fuel produced during the three-year period beginning on the date such facility is placed in service. The amount of the credit is $3.00 per barrel or Btu equivalent for production in 2003 and is indexed for inflation commencing with the credit amount for 2004. Agricultural and animal waste includes by-products, packaging, and any materials associated with processing, feeding, selling, transporting, or disposal of agricultural or animal products or wastes.



Extension of credit for certain existing facilities

The Senate amendment extends the present law credit ($3.00 indexed for inflation from 1979) through December 31, 2005, for production from existing facilities producing coke, coke gas, or natural gas and by-products produced by coal gasification from lignite. For persons (or subsidiaries of such persons) engaged in furnishing electric energy, or providing telephone service, to persons in rural areas, any credit claimed for this purpose may be applied as a prepayment of any loan, debt, or other obligation to the extent provided by the Secretary of Agriculture and to the extent provided by the Secretary of Energy, as a prepayment not to exceed 50 percent of any obligation incurred pursuant to an asset purchase agreement entered into with the Secretary and dated October 7, 1988. Such credit is not considered income for these purposes.



Daily limit

Under the Senate amendment, with respect to qualifying facilities placed in service under the extended placed in service dates, a taxpayer would not be able to claim any credit for production in excess of a daily average⁴⁰⁴ of 200,000 cubic feet of natural gas or barrel of oil equivalent (200,000 cubic feet is equivalent to approximately 35.4 barrels of oil) of such gas with respect to: (1) oil produced from shale and tar sands and (2) gas produced from geopressured brine, Devonian shale, coal seems, or a tight formation. Days before the date the project is placed in service are not taken into account in determining such average.



New phaseout adjustment

In the case of fuels sold after 2003, with the exception of fuel produced at existing facilities and for any gas from a tight formation: (1) the dollar amount of the credit is $3.00 indexed for inflation from 2002 (without regard to a phaseout adjustment), and (2) the threshold for purposes of the phaseout of the credit is increased from $23.50 to $35.00 (indexed for inflation from 2002).



General business credit

The provision adds section 29 to the list of general business credits and re-labels present section 29 of the Code as new Code section 45R.



Study of coalbed methane gas

The Senate amendment provides that the Secretary of Treasury undertake a study of the effect of section 29 on the production of coalbed methane. The study should estimate the total amount of credit claimed annually and in aggregate related to the production of coalbed methane since the date of enactment of section 29. The study should report the annual value of the credit allowable for coalbed methane compared to the average annual wellhead price of natural gas (per thousand cubic feet of natural gas). The study should estimate the incremental increase in production of coalbed methane that has resulted from the enactment of section 29. The study should also estimate the cost to the Federal government, in terms of the net tax benefits claimed, per thousand cubic feet of incremental coalbed methane produced annually and in aggregate since the enactment of section 29.



Effective date

In general, except as provided below, the provision is effective for fuel sold from qualifying facilities after December 31, 2004, in taxable years ending after such date.

For existing facilities, the provision is effective for fuel sold after December 31, 2002, in taxable years ending after such date.

For application of the general business credit, the provision is effective for taxable years ending after December 31, 2003.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



10. Natural gas distribution lines treated as 15-year property (sec. 850 of the Senate amendment and sec. 168 of the Code)

Present Law

The applicable recovery period for assets placed in service under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System is based on the "class life of the property." The class lives of assets placed in service after 1986 are generally set forth in Revenue Procedure 87-56.⁴⁰⁵ Natural gas distribution pipelines are assigned a 20-year recovery period and a class life of 35 years.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment establishes a statutory 15-year recovery period and a class life of 35 years for natural gas distribution lines.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2004 , in taxable years ending after such date.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



11. Credit for production of Alaska natural gas (sec. 851 of Senate amendment)

Present Law

Present law does not provide a credit for conventional production of natural gas or delivery of fuels to a pipeline. However, certain fuels produced from "non-conventional sources" and sold to unrelated parties are eligible for an income tax credit equal to $3 (generally adjusted for inflation) per barrel or BTU oil barrel equivalent (sec. 29). Qualified fuels must be produced within the United States.

Qualified fuels include:

(1) gas produced from geopressured brine, Devonian shale, coal seams, tight formations ("tight sands"), or biomass; and

(2) liquid, gaseous, or solid synthetic fuels produced from coal (including lignite).

In general, the credit is available only with respect to fuels produced from wells drilled or facilities placed in service after December 31, 1979 , and before January 1, 1993 . An exception extends the January 1, 1993 expiration date for facilities producing gas from biomass and synthetic fuel from coal if the facility producing the fuel is placed in service before July 1, 1998 , pursuant to a binding contract entered into before January 1, 1997 .

The credit may be claimed for qualified fuels produced and sold before January 1, 2003 (in the case of non-conventional sources subject to the January 1, 1993 expiration date) or January 1, 2008 (in the case of biomass gas and synthetic fuel facilities eligible for the extension period).

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The provision provides a credit per million British thermal units (Btu) of natural gas for Alaska natural gas entering a pipeline⁴⁰⁶ during the 25-year period beginning the later of January 1, 2010 or the initial date for the interstate transportation of Alaska natural gas. Taxpayers may claim the credit against both the regular and minimum tax.

The credit amount for any month is a maximum of 52 cents per million Btu of natural gas. The credit phases out as the reference price of Alaska natural gas rises above 83 cents per million Btu, at a rate of one cent of credit lost per each cent by which the reference price of Alaska natural gas exceeds 83 cents per million Btu. The credit is not available if the reference price of Alaska natural gas rises above $1.35 per million Btu. The 52-cent and 83-cent figures are indexed for inflation after 2004, with the first adjustment for calendar year 2006.⁴⁰⁷

The bill provides that the Secretary of Treasury calculate the reference price of Alaska natural gas as the average price of natural gas delivered in the lower 48 States less certain transportation costs and gas processing costs. Alaska natural gas is any gas derived from an area of the State of Alaska lying north of 64 degrees North latitude, but not including the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.

The credit is part of the general business credit.

Effective date. --The proposal is effective on the date of enactment.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



12. Treat certain Alaska pipeline property as seven-year property (sec. 852 of the Senate amendment and sec. 168 of the Code)

Present Law

The applicable recovery period for assets placed in service under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System is based on the "class life of the property." The class lives of assets placed in service after 1986 are generally set forth in Revenue Procedure 87-56.⁴⁰⁸ . Asset class 46.0, describing assets used in the private, commercial, and contract carrying of petroleum, gas and other products by means of pipes and conveyors, are assigned a class life of 22 years and a recovery period of 15 years.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment establishes a statutory seven-year recovery period and a class life of 22 years for any Alaska natural gas pipeline. The term "Alaska natural gas pipeline" is defined as any natural gas pipeline system (including the pipe, trunk lines, related equipment, and appurtenances used to carry natural gas, but not any gas processing plant) located in the State of Alaska that has a capacity of more than 500 billion Btu of natural gas per day and is placed in service after December 31, 2012 . A taxpayer who places an otherwise qualifying system in service before January 1, 2013 may elect to treat the system as placed in service on January 1, 2013 , thus qualifying for the seven-year recovery period.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement follows the Senate amendment with the following modification. In order to qualify for the seven-year recovery period, otherwise qualifying property must be placed in service after December 31, 2013 . A taxpayer who places an otherwise qualifying system in service before January 1, 2014 may elect to treat the system as placed in service on January 1, 2014 , thus qualifying for the seven-year recovery period.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2004 .



13. Enhanced oil recovery credit for certain gas processing facilities (sec. 853 of the Senate amendment and sec. 43 of the Code)

Present Law

The taxpayer may claim a credit equal to 15 percent of enhanced oil recovery costs. Qualified enhanced oil recovery costs include costs of depreciable tangible property that is part of an enhanced oil recovery project, intangible drilling and development costs with respect to an enhanced oil recovery project, and tertiary injectant expenses incurred with respect to an enhanced oil recovery project. The credit is phased out when oil prices exceed a threshold amount.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment provides that expenses in connection with the construction of any qualifying natural gas processing plant capable of processing two trillion British thermal units of Alaskan natural gas into a natural gas pipeline system on a daily basis are qualified enhanced oil recovery costs eligible for the enhanced oil recovery credit. A qualifying natural gas processing plant also must produce carbon dioxide for re-injection into a producing oil or gas field.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for costs paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement follows the Senate amendment.



14. Exempt certain prepayments for natural gas from tax-exempt bond arbitrage rules (sec. 854 of the Senate amendment and secs. 141 and 148 of the Code)

Present Law

Interest on bonds issued by States or local governments to finance activities carried out or paid for by those entities generally is exempt from income tax. Restrictions are imposed on the ability of States or local governments to invest the proceeds of these bonds for profit (the "arbitrage restrictions"). One such restriction limits the use of bond proceeds to acquire "investment-type property." The term investment-type property includes the acquisition of property in a transaction involving a prepayment if a principal purpose of the prepayment is to receive an investment return from the time the prepayment is made until the time payment otherwise would be made. A prepayment can produce prohibited arbitrage profits when the discount received for prepaying the costs exceeds the yield on the tax-exempt bonds. In general, prohibited prepayments include all prepayments that are not customary in an industry by both beneficiaries of tax-exempt bonds and other persons using taxable financing for the same transaction.

On August 4, 2003, the Treasury Department issued final regulations deeming to be customary, and not in violation of the arbitrage rules, certain prepayments for natural gas and electricity.⁴⁰⁹ Generally, a qualified prepayment under the regulations requires that 90 percent of the natural gas or electricity purchased with the prepayment be used for a qualifying use. Generally, natural gas is used for a qualifying use if it is to be (1) furnished to retail gas customers of the issuing municipal utility who are located in the natural gas service area of the issuing municipal utility, however, gas used to produce electricity for sale is not included under this provision (2) used by the issuing municipal utility to produce electricity that will be furnished to retail electric service area customers of the issuing utility, (3) used by the issuing municipal utility to produce electricity that will be sold to a utility owned by a governmental person and furnished to the service area retail electric customers of the purchaser, (4) sold to a utility that is owned by a governmental person if the requirements of (1), (2) or (3) are satisfied by the purchasing utility (treating the purchaser as the issuing utility) or (5) used to fuel the pipeline transportation of the prepaid gas supply. Electricity is used for a qualifying use if it is to be (1) furnished to retail service area electric customers of the issuing municipal utility or (2) sold to a municipal utility and furnished to retail electric customers of the purchaser who are located in the electricity service area of the purchaser. Both governmental gas and electric utilities may take advantage of this regulatory provision.

State and local bonds may be classified as either governmental bonds or private activity bonds. Governmental bonds are bonds the proceeds of which are primarily used to finance governmental functions or the debt is repaid with governmental funds. Private activity bonds are bonds where the State or local government serves as a conduit providing financing to private businesses or individuals. The exclusion from income for State and local bonds does not apply to private activity bonds, unless the bonds are issued for certain purposes permitted by the Code. Section 141(D) of the Code provides that the term "private activity bond" includes any bond issued as part of an issue if the amount of the proceeds of the issue which are to be used (directly or indirectly) for the acquisition by a governmental unit of nongovernmental output property exceeds the lesser of five percent of such proceeds or $5 million. "Nongovernmental output property" generally means any property (or interest therein) which before such acquisition was used (or held for use) by a person other than a governmental unit in connection with an output facility (other than a facility for the furnishing of water). An exception applies to output property which is to be used in connection with an output facility 95 percent or more of the output of which will be consumed in (1) a qualified service area of the governmental unit acquiring the property, or (2) a qualified annexed area of such unit.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

In general

The provision creates a safe harbor exception to the general rule that tax-exempt bondfinanced prepayments violate the arbitrage restrictions. The term "investment type property" does not include a prepayment under a qualified natural gas supply contract. The provision also provides that such prepayments are not treated as private loans for purposes of the private business tests.

Under the provision, a prepayment financed with tax-exempt bond proceeds for the purpose of obtaining a supply of natural gas for service area customers of a governmental utility is not treated as the acquisition of investment-type property. A contract is a qualified natural gas contract if the volume of natural gas secured for any year covered by the prepayment does not exceed the sum of (1) the average annual natural gas purchased (other than for resale) by customers of the utility within the service area of the utility ("retail natural gas consumption") during the testing period, and (2) the amount of natural gas that is needed to fuel transportation of the natural gas to the governmental utility. The testing period is the 5-calendar-year period immediately preceding the calendar year in which the bonds are issued. A retail customer is one who does not purchase natural gas for resale. Natural gas used to generate electricity by a utility owned by a governmental unit is counted as retail natural gas consumption if the electricity was sold to retail customers within the service area of the governmental electric utility.



Adjustments

The volume of gas permitted by the general rule is reduced by natural gas otherwise available on the date of issuance. Specifically, the amount of natural gas permitted to be acquired under a qualified natural gas contract for any period is to be reduced by natural gas held by the utility on the date of issuance of the bonds and natural gas that the utility has a right to acquire for the prepayment period (determined as of the date of issuance). For purposes of the preceding sentence, applicable share means, with respect to any period, the natural gas allocable to such period if the gas were allocated ratably over the period to which the prepayment relates.

For purposes of the safe harbor, if after the close of the testing period and before the issue date of the bonds (1) the government utility enters into a contract to supply natural gas (other than for resale) for a commercial person for use at a property within the service area of such utility and (2) the gas consumption for such property was not included in the testing period or the ratable amount of natural gas to be supplied under the contract is significantly greater than the ratable amount of gas supplied to such property during the testing period, then the amount of gas permitted to be purchased may be increased to accommodate the contract.

The average annual retail natural gas consumption calculation for purposes of the safe harbor, however, is not to exceed the annual amount of natural gas reasonably expected to be purchased (other than for resale) by persons who are located within the service area of such utility and who, as of the date of issuance of the issue, are customers of such utility.



Intentional acts

The safe harbor does not apply if the utility engages in intentional acts to render (1) the volume of natural gas covered by the prepayment to be in excess of that needed for retail natural gas consumption, and (2) the amount of natural gas that is needed to fuel transportation of the natural gas to the governmental utility.



Definition of service area

Service area is defined as (1) any area throughout which the governmental utility provided (at all times during the testing period) in the case of a natural gas utility, natural gas transmission or distribution service, or in the case of an electric utility, electric distribution service; (2) limited areas contiguous to such areas, and (3) any area recognized as the service area of the governmental utility under State or Federal law. Contiguous areas are limited to any area within a county contiguous to the area described in (1) in which retail customers of the utility are located if such area is not also served by another utility providing the same service.



Ruling request for higher prepayment amounts

Upon written request, the Secretary may allow an issuer to prepay for an amount of gas greater than that allowed by the safe harbor based on objective evidence of growth in gas consumption or population that demonstrates that the amount permitted by the exception is insufficient.



Nongovernmental output property restrictions

A qualified natural gas supply contract as defined in the Senate amendment is not nongovernmental output property for purposes of subsection (d) of section 141. Subsection (d) of section 141 does not apply to prepayment contracts for natural gas or electricity that either under the Treasury regulations or statutory safe harbor are not investment-type property for purposes of the arbitrage rules under section 148. No inference is intended regarding the application of subsection 141(d) to prepayment contracts not covered by the statutory safe harbor or Treasury regulations.



Effective date

The provision is effective for obligations issued after December 31, 2004.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.

F. Electric Utility Restructuring and Reliability Provisions

1. Modification to special rules for nuclear decommissioning costs (sec. 855 of the Senate amendment and sec. 468A of the Code)

Present Law

Overview

Special rules dealing with nuclear decommissioning reserve funds were adopted by Congress in the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 ("1984 Act"), when tax issues regarding the time value of money were addressed generally. Under general tax accounting rules, a deduction for accrual basis taxpayers is deferred until there is economic performance for the item for which the deduction is claimed. However, the 1984 Act contains an exception under which a taxpayer responsible for nuclear powerplant decommissioning may elect to deduct contributions made to a qualified nuclear decommissioning fund for future decommissioning costs. Taxpayers who do not elect this provision are subject to general tax accounting rules.



Qualified nuclear decommissioning fund

A qualified nuclear decommissioning fund (a "qualified fund") is a segregated fund established by a taxpayer that is used exclusively for the payment of decommissioning costs, taxes on fund income, management costs of the fund, and for making investments. The income of the fund is taxed at a reduced rate of 20 percent for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995.⁴¹⁰

Contributions to a qualified fund are deductible in the year made to the extent that these amounts were collected as part of the cost of service to ratepayers (the "cost of service requirement").⁴¹¹ Funds withdrawn by the taxpayer to pay for decommissioning costs are included in the taxpayer's income, but the taxpayer also is entitled to a deduction for decommissioning costs as economic performance for such costs occurs.

Accumulations in a qualified fund are limited to the amount required to fund decommissioning costs of a nuclear powerplant for the period during which the qualified fund is in existence (generally post-1984 decommissioning costs of a nuclear powerplant). For this purpose, decommissioning costs are considered to accrue ratably over a nuclear powerplant's estimated useful life. In order to prevent accumulations of funds over the remaining life of a nuclear powerplant in excess of those required to pay future decommissioning costs of such nuclear powerplant and to ensure that contributions to a qualified fund are not deducted more rapidly than level funding (taking into account an appropriate discount rate), taxpayers must obtain a ruling from the IRS to establish the maximum annual contribution that may be made to a qualified fund (the "ruling amount"). In certain instances (e.g., change in estimates), a taxpayer is required to obtain a new ruling amount to reflect updated information.

A qualified fund may be transferred in connection with the sale, exchange or other transfer of the nuclear powerplant to which it relates. If the transferee is a regulated public utility and meets certain other requirements, the transfer will be treated as a nontaxable transaction. No gain or loss will be recognized on the transfer of the qualified fund and the transferee will take the transferor's basis in the fund.⁴¹² The transferee is required to obtain a new ruling amount from the IRS or accept a discretionary determination by the IRS .⁴¹³



Nonqualified nuclear decommissioning funds

Federal and State regulators may require utilities to set aside funds for nuclear decommissioning costs in excess of the amount allowed as a deductible contribution to a qualified fund. In addition, taxpayers may have set aside funds prior to the effective date of the qualified fund rules.⁴¹⁴ The treatment of amounts set aside for decommissioning costs prior to 1984 varies. Some taxpayers may have received no tax benefit while others may have deducted such amounts or excluded such amounts from income. Since 1984, taxpayers have been required to include in gross income customer charges for decommissioning costs (sec. 88), and a deduction has not been allowed for amounts set aside to pay for decommissioning costs except through the use of a qualified fund. Income earned in a nonqualified fund is taxable to the fund's owner as it is earned.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

Repeal of cost of service requirement

The Senate amendment repeals the cost of service requirement for deductible contributions to a nuclear decommissioning fund. Thus, all taxpayers, including unregulated taxpayers, would be allowed a deduction for amounts contributed to a qualified fund.



Permit contributions to a qualified fund for pre-1984 decommissioning costs

The Senate amendment also repeals the limitation that a qualified fund only accumulate an amount sufficient to pay for a nuclear powerplant's decommissioning costs incurred during the period that the qualified fund is in existence (generally post-1984 decommissioning costs). Thus, any taxpayer is permitted to accumulate an amount sufficient to cover the present value of 100 percent of a nuclear powerplant's estimated decommissioning costs in a qualified fund. The Senate amendment does not change the requirement that contributions to a qualified fund not be deducted more rapidly than level funding.



Exception to ruling amount for certain decommissioning costs

The Senate amendment permits a taxpayer to make contributions to a qualified fund in excess of the ruling amount in one circumstance. Specifically, a taxpayer is permitted to contribute up to the present value of the amount required to fund a nuclear powerplant's decommissioning costs which under present law section 468A(d)(2)(A) is not permitted to be accumulated in a qualified fund (generally pre-1984 decommissioning costs).⁴¹⁵ It is anticipated that an amount that is permitted to be contributed under this special rule shall be determined using the estimate of total decommissioning costs used for purposes of determining the taxpayer's most recent ruling amount. Any amount transferred to the qualified fund under this special rule that has not previously been deducted or excluded from gross income is allowed as a deduction over the remaining useful life of the nuclear powerplant.⁴¹⁶ If a qualified fund that has received amounts under this rule is transferred to another person, the transferor will be permitted a deduction for any remaining deductible amounts at the time of transfer.



Contributions to a qualified fund after useful life of powerplant

The Senate amendment also allows deductible contributions to a qualified fund subsequent to the end of a nuclear powerplant's estimated useful life. Such payments are permitted to the extent they do not cause the assets of the qualified fund to exceed the present value of the taxpayer's allocable share (current or former) of the nuclear decommissioning costs of such nuclear powerplant.



Clarify treatment of transfers of qualified funds

The Senate amendment clarifies the Federal income tax treatment of the transfer of a qualified fund. No gain or loss would be recognized to the transferor or the transferee as a result of the transfer of a qualified fund in connection with the transfer of the power plant with respect to which such fund was established



Effective date.

The Senate amendment is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



2. Treatment of certain income of electric cooperatives (sec. 856 of the Senate amendment and sec. 501 of the Code)

Present Law

In general

Under present law, an entity must be operated on a cooperative basis in order to be treated as a cooperative for Federal income tax purposes. Although not defined by statute or regulation, the two principal criteria for determining whether an entity is operating on a cooperative basis are: (1) ownership of the cooperative by persons who patronize the cooperative; and (2) return of earnings to patrons in proportion to their patronage. The Internal Revenue Service requires that cooperatives must operate under the following principles: (1) subordination of capital in control over the cooperative undertaking and in ownership of the financial benefits from ownership; (2) democratic control by the members of the cooperative; (3) vesting in and allocation among the members of all excess of operating revenues over the expenses incurred to generate revenues in proportion to their participation in the cooperative (patronage); and (4) operation at cost (not operating for profit or below cost).⁴¹⁷

In general, cooperative members are those who participate in the management of the cooperative and who share in patronage capital. As described below, income from the sale of electric energy by an electric cooperative may be member or non-member income to the cooperative, depending on the membership status of the purchaser. A municipal corporation may be a member of a cooperative.

For Federal income tax purposes, a cooperative generally computes its income as if it were a taxable corporation, with one exception-the cooperative may exclude from its taxable income distributions of patronage dividends. In general, patronage dividends are the profits of the cooperative that are rebated to its patrons pursuant to a pre-existing obligation of the cooperative to do so. The rebate must be made in some equitable fashion on the basis of the quantity or value of business done with the cooperative.

Except for tax-exempt farmers' cooperatives, cooperatives that are subject to the cooperative tax rules of subchapter T of the Code (sec. 1381, et seq.) are permitted a deduction for patronage dividends from their taxable income only to the extent of net income that is derived from transactions with patrons who are members of the cooperative (sec. 1382). The availability of such deductions from taxable income has the effect of allowing the cooperative to be treated like a conduit with respect to profits derived from transactions with patrons who are members of the cooperative.

Cooperatives that qualify as tax-exempt farmers' cooperatives are permitted to exclude patronage dividends from their taxable income to the extent of all net income, including net income that is derived from transactions with patrons who are not members of the cooperative, provided the value of transactions with patrons who are not members of the cooperative does not exceed the value of transactions with patrons who are members of the cooperative (sec. 521).



Taxation of electric cooperatives exempt from subchapter T

In general, the cooperative tax rules of subchapter T apply to any corporation operating on a cooperative basis (except mutual savings banks, insurance companies, other tax-exempt organizations, and certain utilities), including tax-exempt farmers' cooperatives (described in sec. 521(b)). However, subchapter T does not apply to an organization that is "engaged in furnishing electric energy, or providing telephone service, to persons in rural areas" (sec. 1381(a)(2)(C)). Instead, electric cooperatives are taxed under rules that were generally applicable to cooperatives prior to the enactment of subchapter T in 1962. Under these rules, an electric cooperative can exclude patronage dividends from taxable income to the extent of all net income of the cooperative, including net income derived from transactions with patrons who are not members of the cooperative.⁴¹⁸



Tax exemption of rural electric cooperatives

Section 501(c)(12) provides an income tax exemption for rural electric cooperatives if at least 85 percent of the cooperative's income consists of amounts collected from members for the sole purpose of meeting losses and expenses of providing service to its members. The IRS takes the position that rural electric cooperatives also must comply with the fundamental cooperative principles described above in order to qualify for tax exemption under section 501(c)(12).⁴¹⁹ The 85-percent test is determined without taking into account any income from qualified pole rentals and cancellation of indebtedness income from the prepayment of a loan under sections 306A, 306B, or 311 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (as in effect on January 1, 1987). The exclusion for cancellation of indebtedness income applies to such income arising in 1987, 1988, or 1989 on debt that either originated with, or is guaranteed by, the Federal Government.

The receipt by a rural electric cooperative of contributions in aid of construction and connection charges is taken into account for purposes of applying the 85-percent test.

Rural electric cooperatives generally are subject to the tax on unrelated trade or business income under section 511.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

Treatment of income from open access transactions

The Senate amendment provides that income received or accrued by a rural electric cooperative from any "open access transaction" (other than income received or accrued directly or indirectly from a member of the cooperative) is excluded in determining whether a rural electric cooperative satisfies the 85-percent test for tax exemption under section 501(c)(12). The term "open access transaction" is defined as

(1) the provision or sale of electric energy transmission services or ancillary services on a nondiscriminatory open access basis: (i) pursuant to an open access transmission tariff filed with and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") (including acceptable reciprocity tariffs), but only if (in the case of a voluntarily filed tariff) the cooperative files a report with FERC within 90 days of enactment of this provision relating to whether or not the cooperative will join a regional transmission organization ("RTO"); or (ii) under an RTO agreement approved by FERC (including an agreement providing for the transfer of control-but not ownership-of transmission facilities);⁴²⁰

(2) the provision or sale of electric energy distribution services or ancillary services on a nondiscriminatory open access basis to end-users served by distribution facilities owned by the cooperative or its members; or

(3) the delivery or sale of electric energy on a nondiscriminatory open access basis, provided that such electric energy is generated by a generation facility that is directly connected to distribution facilities owned by the cooperative (or its members) which owns the generation facility.

For purposes of the 85-percent test, the Senate amendment also provides that income received or accrued by a rural electric cooperative from any "open access transaction" is treated as an amount collected from members for the sole purpose of meeting losses and expenses if the income is received or accrued indirectly from a member of the cooperative.



Treatment of income from nuclear decommissioning transactions

The Senate amendment provides that income received or accrued by a rural electric cooperative from any "nuclear decommissioning transaction" also is excluded in determining whether a rural electric cooperative satisfies the 85-percent test for tax exemption under section 501(c)(12). The term "nuclear decommissioning transaction" is defined as --

(1) any transfer into a trust, fund, or instrument established to pay any nuclear decommissioning costs if the transfer is in connection with the transfer of the cooperative's interest in a nuclear powerplant or nuclear powerplant unit;

(2) any distribution from a trust, fund, or instrument established to pay any nuclear decommissioning costs; or

(3) any earnings from a trust, fund, or instrument established to pay any nuclear decommissioning costs.



Treatment of income from asset exchange or conversion transactions

The Senate amendment provides that gain realized by a tax-exempt rural electric cooperative from a voluntary exchange or involuntary conversion of certain property is excluded in determining whether a rural electric cooperative satisfies the 85-percent test for tax exemption under section 501(c)(12). This provision only applies to the extent that: (1) the gain would qualify for deferred recognition under section 1031 (relating to exchanges of property held for productive use or investment) or section 1033 (relating to involuntary conversions); and (2) the replacement property that is acquired by the cooperative pursuant to section 1031 or section 1033 (as the case may be) constitutes property that is used, or to be used, for the purpose of generating, transmitting, distributing, or selling electricity or natural gas.



Treatment of cancellation of indebtedness income from prepayment of certain loans

The Senate amendment provides that income from the prepayment of any loan, debt, or obligation of a tax-exempt rural electric cooperative that is originated, insured, or guaranteed by the Federal Government under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is excluded in determining whether the cooperative satisfies the 85-percent test for tax exemption under section 501(c)(12).



Treatment of income from load loss transactions

Tax-exempt rural electric cooperatives --The Senate amendment provides that income received or accrued by a tax-exempt rural electric cooperative from a "load loss transaction" is treated under 501(c)(12) as income collected from members for the sole purpose of meeting losses and expenses of providing service to its members. Therefore, income from load loss transactions is treated as member income in determining whether a rural electric cooperative satisfies the 85-percent test for tax exemption under section 501(c)(12). The bill also provides that income from load loss transactions does not cause a tax-exempt electric cooperative to fail to be treated for Federal income tax purposes as a mutual or cooperative company under the fundamental cooperative principles described above.

The term "load loss transaction" is generally defined as any wholesale or retail sale of electric energy (other than to a member of the cooperative) to the extent that the aggregate amount of such sales during a seven-year period beginning with the "start-up year" does not exceed the reduction in the amount of sales of electric energy during such period by the cooperative to members. The "start-up year" is defined as the calendar year which includes the date of enactment of this provision or, if later, at the election of the cooperative: (1) the first year that the cooperative offers nondiscriminatory open access; or (2) the first year in which at least 10 percent of the cooperative's sales of electric energy are to patrons who are not members of the cooperative.

The Senate amendment also excludes income received or accrued by rural electric cooperatives from load loss transactions from the tax on unrelated trade or business income.

Taxable electric cooperatives --The Senate amendment provides that the receipt or accrual of income from load loss transactions by taxable electric cooperatives is treated as income from patrons who are members of the cooperative. Thus, income from a load loss transaction is excludible from the taxable income of a taxable electric cooperative if the cooperative distributes such income pursuant to a pre-existing contract to distribute the income to a patron who is not a member of the cooperative. The Senate amendment also provides that income from load loss transactions does not cause a taxable electric cooperative to fail to be treated for Federal income tax purposes as a mutual or cooperative company under the fundamental cooperative principles described above.



Effective date

The Senate amendment provision is effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement follows the Senate amendment with the following modifications.



Treatment of income from open access transactions

Income received or accrued by a rural electric cooperative (other than income received or accrued directly or indirectly from a member of the cooperative) from the provision or sale of electric energy transmission services or ancillary services on a nondiscriminatory open access basis under an open access transmission tariff approved or accepted by FERC or under an independent transmission provider agreement approved or accepted by FERC (including an agreement providing for the transfer of control --but not ownership --of transmission facilities)⁴²¹ is excluded in determining whether a rural electric cooperative satisfies the 85-percent test for tax exemption under section 501(c)(12).

In addition, income is excluded for purposes of the 85-percent test if it is received or accrued by a rural electric cooperative (other than income received or accrued directly or indirectly from a member of the cooperative) from the provision or sale of electric energy distribution services or ancillary services, provided such services are provided on a nondiscriminatory open access basis to distribute electric energy not owned by the cooperative: (1) to end-users who are served by distribution facilities not owned by the cooperative or any of its members; or (2) generated by a generation facility that is not owned or leased by the cooperative or any of its members and that is directly connected to distribution facilities owned by the cooperative or any of its members.



Treatment of cancellation of indebtedness income from prepayment of certain loans

The conference agreement does not include this provision.



Treatment of income from load loss transactions

For purposes of this provision, the "start-up year" is defined in the conference agreement as the first year that the cooperative offers nondiscriminatory open access or, if later and at the election of the cooperative, the calendar year that includes the date of enactment of this provision.



Effective date

The conference agreement provision is effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment and before January 1, 2007.



3. Dispositions of transmission property to implement Federal Energy Regulatory Commission restructuring policy (no reinvestment obligation) (sec. 857 of the Senate amendment and sec. 451 of the Code)

Present Law

Generally, a taxpayer recognizes gain to the extent the sales price (and any other consideration received) exceeds the seller's basis in the property. The recognized gain is subject to current income tax unless the gain is deferred or not recognized under a special tax provision.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment permits a taxpayer to elect to recognize gain from a qualifying electric transmission transaction ratably over an eight-year period beginning in the year of sale.

A qualifying electric transmission transaction is the sale or other disposition of property used by the taxpayer in the trade or business of providing electric transmission services, or any stock or partnership interest in a corporation or partnership whose principal trade or business consists of providing electrical services. In order to qualify, the transaction must occur before January 1, 2008 and the sale or disposition must be to an independent transmission company.

In general, an independent transmission company is defined as: (1) a regional transmission organization approved by the Federal Entergy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"); (2) a person (i) who the FERC determines under section 203 of the Federal Power Act (or by declaratory order) is not a "market participant" and (ii) whose transmission facilities are placed under the operational control of a FERC-approved independent transmission provider before the close of the period specified in such authorization, but not later than January 1, 2008 ; or (3) in the case of facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, a person which is approved by that Commission as consistent with Texas State law regarding an independent transmission organization.

An electing taxpayer is required to attach a statement to that effect in the tax return for the taxable year in which the transaction takes place in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe. The election shall be binding for that taxable year and all subsequent taxable years. Finally, the provision provides that the installment sale rules shall not apply to any qualifying electric transmission transaction for which a taxpayer elects the application of this provision.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for transactions occurring after December 31, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement follows the Senate amendment with the following modifications. The provision permits taxpayers to elect to recognize gain from qualifying electric transmission transactions ratably over an eight-year period beginning in the year of sale if the amount realized from such sale is used to purchase exempt utility property within the applicable period⁴²² (the "reinvestment property"). If the amount realized exceeds the amount used to purchase reinvestment property, any realized gain shall be recognized to the extent of such excess in the year of the qualifying electric transmission transaction. Any remaining realized gain is recognized ratably over the eight-year period.

A qualifying electric transmission transaction is the sale or other disposition of property used by the taxpayer in the trade or business of providing electric transmission services, or an ownership interest in such an entity, to an independent transmission company prior to January 1, 2007. In general, an independent transmission company is defined as: (1) an independent transmission provider⁴²³ approved by the FERC; (2) a person (i) who the FERC determines under section 203 of the Federal Power Act (or by declaratory order) is not a "market participant" and (ii) whose transmission facilities are placed under the operational control of a FERC-approved independent transmission provider before the close of the period specified in such authorization, but not later than January 1, 2007; or (3) in the case of facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, (i) a person which is approved by that Commission as consistent with Texas State law regarding an independent transmission organization, or (ii) a political subdivision, or affiliate thereof, whose transmission facilities are under the operational control of an organization described in (i).

Exempt utility property is defined as: (1) property used in the trade or business of generating, transmitting, distributing, or selling electricity or producing, transmitting, distributing, or selling natural gas, or (2) stock in a controlled corporation whose principal trade or business consists of the activities described in (1).

If a taxpayer is a member of an affiliated group of corporations filing a consolidated return, the proposal permits the reinvestment property to be purchased by any member of the affiliated group (in lieu of the taxpayer).

If a taxpayer elects the application of the provision, then the statutory period for the assessment of any deficiency, for any taxable year in which any part of the gain eligible for the provision is realized, attributable to such gain shall not expire prior to the expiration of three years from the date the Secretary of the Treasury is notified by the taxpayer of the reinvestment property or an intention not to reinvest.

An electing taxpayer is required to attach a statement to that effect in the tax return for the taxable year in which the transaction takes place in the manner as the Secretary shall prescribe. The election shall be binding for that taxable year and all subsequent taxable years.⁴²⁴ In addition, an electing taxpayer is required to attach a statement that identifies the reinvestment property in the manner as the Secretary shall prescribe.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for transactions occurring after the date of enactment, in taxable years ending after such date.

G. Additional Provisions

1. GAO Study (sec. 897 of the Senate amendment)

Present Law

Present law does not require study of the present law provisions relating to clean fuel vehicles and electric vehicles.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment directs the Comptroller General to undertake an ongoing analysis of the (1) effectiveness of the amendment's alternative motor vehicles, fuel incentives, and conservation and energy efficiency provisions and (2) the recipients of the tax benefits contained in those provisions, including an identification of the recipients by income and other appropriate measurements. The analysis must quantify the effectiveness of the provisions by examining and comparing the Federal Government's forgone revenue to the aggregate amount of energy actually conserved and tangible environmental benefits gained as a result of the provisions.

The Senate amendment directs the Comptroller General to report the required analysis to Congress not later than December 31, 2004 and annually thereafter.

Effective date. --The provision is effective on the date of enactment.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



2. Repeal certain excise taxes on rail diesel fuel and inland waterway barge fuels (sec. 898 of the Senate amendment and secs. 4041, 4042, 6421, and 6427 of the Code)

Present Law

Under present law, diesel fuel used in trains is subject to a 4.4-cents-per gallon excise tax. Revenues from 4.3 cents per gallon of this excise tax are retained in the General Fund of the Treasury. The remaining 0.1 cent per gallon is deposited in the Leaking Underground Storage Tank ("LUST") Trust Fund.

Similarly, fuels used in barges operating on the designated inland waterways system are subject to a 4.3-cents-per-gallon General Fund excise tax. This tax is in addition to the 20.1-cents-per-gallon tax rates that are imposed on fuels used in these barges to fund the Inland Waterways Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.

In both cases, the 4.3-cents-per-gallon excise tax rates are permanent. The LUST Trust Fund tax is scheduled to expire after March 31, 2005 .

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The 4.3-cents-per-gallon General Fund excise tax rate on diesel fuel used in trains and fuels used in barges operating on the designated inland waterways system is repealed. The 0.1 cent per gallon tax for the LUST Trust Fund is unchanged by the provision.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective on October 1, 2004 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement repeals the 4.3-cents-per-gallon General Fund excise tax rates on diesel fuel used in trains and fuels used in barges operating on the designated inland waterways system over a prescribed phase-out period. The 4.3-cent-per-gallon tax is reduced by 1 cent per gallon for the first six months of calendar year 2005 (January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005 ). The reduction is 2 cents per gallon from July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2006 , and 4.3 cents/gallon thereafter. Thus, the tax would be fully repealed effective January 1, 2007 . The 0.1 cent per gallon tax for the LUST Trust Fund is unchanged by the provision.

Effective date. --The provision is effective on January 1, 2005 .



3. Increase tax limitation on use of business energy credits (secs. 851(c) and 899A of the Senate amendment, and sec. 38 of the Code)

Present Law

Generally, business tax credits may not exceed the excess of the taxpayer's income tax liability over the tentative minimum tax (or, if greater, 25 percent of the regular tax liability). Credits in excess of the limitation may be carried back one year and carried over for up to 20 years.

The tentative minimum tax is an amount equal to specified rates of tax imposed on the excess of the alternative minimum taxable income over an exemption amount. To the extent the tentative minimum tax exceeds the regular tax, a taxpayer is subject to the alternative minimum tax.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment treats the tentative minimum tax as being zero for purposes of determining the tax liability limitation with respect to (1) the Alaska natural gas credit, (2) for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 , the alcohol fuels credit determined under section 40; and (3) the section 45 credit for electricity produced from a facility (placed in service after the date of enactment) during the first four years of production beginning on the date the facility is placed in service.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for taxable years ending after the date of enactment of the Act.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement includes the provision in the Senate amendment relating to the credits under sections 40 and 45.



4. Transmission property treated as fifteen-year property (sec. 899C of the Senate amendment and sec. 168 of the Code)

Present Law

The applicable recovery period for assets placed in service under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System is based on the "class life of the property." The class lives of assets placed in service after 1986 are generally set forth in Revenue Procedure 87-56. Assets used in the transmission and distribution of electricity for sale and related land improvements are assigned a 20-year recovery period and a class life of 30 years.

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment establishes a statutory 15-year recovery period and a class life of 30 years for certain assets used in the transmission of electricity for sale and related land improvements. For purposes of the provision, section 1245 property used in the transmission of electricity for sale at 69 kilovolts and above, the original use⁴²⁵ of which commences after the date of enactment, will qualify for the new recovery period.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective for property placed in service after the date of enactment and prior to July 1, 2006 .

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment provision.



5. Qualifying pollution control equipment credit (sec. 899B of the Senate amendment)

Present Law

The investment credit is the sum of three credits: (1) the rehabilitation credit, (2) the energy credit, and (3) the reforestation credit.⁴²⁶ The investment credit is part of the general business credit.⁴²⁷

House Bill

No provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment adds a credit for qualifying pollution control equipment to the investment credit. The qualifying pollution control equipment credit provides a 15-percent tax credit for qualifying pollution control equipment placed-in-service at a qualifying facility during the taxable year. Qualifying pollution control equipment means any technology that is installed in or on a qualifying facility to reduce air emissions of any pollutant regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act. A qualifying facility is a facility that produces not less than 1,000,000 gallons of ethanol during the taxable year. A qualifying facility includes any facility that produces ethanol. For depreciation purposes, the basis of qualifying pollution control equipment would be reduced by 50 percent of the value of the credit.

Effective date. --The credit would be available for property placed-in-service after December 31, 2003 , in taxable years ending after such date.⁴²⁸

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement does not include the Senate amendment.

TITLE X --REVENUE PROVISIONS

A. Provisions to Reduce Tax Avoidance Through Individual and Corporate Expatriation

1. Tax treatment of expatriated entities and their foreign parents (sec. 601 of the House bill, sec. 441 of the Senate amendment, and new sec. 7874 of the Code)

Present Law

Determination of corporate residence

The U.S. tax treatment of a multinational corporate group depends significantly on whether the parent corporation of the group is domestic or foreign. For purposes of U.S. tax law, a corporation is treated as domestic if it is incorporated under the law of the United States or of any State. All other corporations (i.e., those incorporated under the laws of foreign countries) are treated as foreign.



U.S. taxation of domestic corporations

The United States employs a "worldwide" tax system, under which domestic corporations generally are taxed on all income, whether derived in the United States or abroad. In order to mitigate the double taxation that may arise from taxing the foreign-source income of a domestic corporation, a foreign tax credit for income taxes paid to foreign countries is provided to reduce or eliminate the U.S. tax owed on such income, subject to certain limitations.

Income earned by a domestic parent corporation from foreign operations conducted by foreign corporate subsidiaries generally is subject to U.S. tax when the income is distributed as a dividend to the domestic corporation. Until such repatriation, the U.S. tax on such income generally is deferred, and U.S. tax is imposed on such income when repatriated. However, certain anti-deferral regimes may cause the domestic parent corporation to be taxed on a current basis in the United States with respect to certain categories of passive or highly mobile income earned by its foreign subsidiaries, regardless of whether the income has been distributed as a dividend to the domestic parent corporation. The main anti-deferral regimes in this context are the controlled foreign corporation rules of subpart F (secs. 951-964) and the passive foreign investment company rules (secs. 1291-1298). A foreign tax credit is generally available to offset, in whole or in part, the U.S. tax owed on this foreign-source income, whether repatriated as an actual dividend or included under one of the anti-deferral regimes.



U.S. taxation of foreign corporations

The United States taxes foreign corporations only on income that has a sufficient nexus to the United States. Thus, a foreign corporation is generally subject to U.S. tax only on income that is "effectively connected" with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. Such "effectively connected income" generally is taxed in the same manner and at the same rates as the income of a U.S. corporation. An applicable tax treaty may limit the imposition of U.S. tax on business operations of a foreign corporation to cases in which the business is conducted through a "permanent establishment" in the United States.

In addition, foreign corporations generally are subject to a gross-basis U.S. tax at a flat 30-percent rate on the receipt of interest, dividends, rents, royalties, and certain similar types of income derived from U.S. sources, subject to certain exceptions. The tax generally is collected by means of withholding by the person making the payment. This tax may be reduced or eliminated under an applicable tax treaty.



U.S. tax treatment of inversion transactions

Under present law, a U.S. corporation may reincorporate in a foreign jurisdiction and thereby replace the U.S. parent corporation of a multinational corporate group with a foreign parent corporation. These transactions are commonly referred to as inversion transactions. Inversion transactions may take many different forms, including stock inversions, asset inversions, and various combinations of and variations on the two. Most of the known transactions to date have been stock inversions. In one example of a stock inversion, a U.S. corporation forms a foreign corporation, which in turn forms a domestic merger subsidiary. The domestic merger subsidiary then merges into the U.S. corporation, with the U.S. corporation surviving, now as a subsidiary of the new foreign corporation. The U.S. corporation's shareholders receive shares of the foreign corporation and are treated as having exchanged their U.S. corporation shares for the foreign corporation shares. An asset inversion reaches a similar result, but through a direct merger of the top-tier U.S. corporation into a new foreign corporation, among other possible forms. An inversion transaction may be accompanied or followed by further restructuring of the corporate group. For example, in the case of a stock inversion, in order to remove income from foreign operations from the U.S. taxing jurisdiction, the U.S. corporation may transfer some or all of its foreign subsidiaries directly to the new foreign parent corporation or other related foreign corporations.

In addition to removing foreign operations from the U.S. taxing jurisdiction, the corporate group may derive further advantage from the inverted structure by reducing U.S. tax on U.S.-source income through various earnings stripping or other transactions. This may include earnings stripping through payment by a U.S. corporation of deductible amounts such as interest, royalties, rents, or management service fees to the new foreign parent or other foreign affiliates. In this respect, the post-inversion structure enables the group to employ the same taxreduction strategies that are available to other multinational corporate groups with foreign parents and U.S. subsidiaries, subject to the same limitations (e.g., secs. 163(j) and 482).

Inversion transactions may give rise to immediate U.S. tax consequences at the shareholder and/or the corporate level, depending on the type of inversion. In stock inversions, the U.S. shareholders generally recognize gain (but not loss) under section 367(a), based on the difference between the fair market value of the foreign corporation shares received and the adjusted basis of the domestic corporation stock exchanged. To the extent that a corporation's share value has declined, and/or it has many foreign or tax-exempt shareholders, the impact of this section 367(a) "toll charge" is reduced. The transfer of foreign subsidiaries or other assets to the foreign parent corporation also may give rise to U.S. tax consequences at the corporate level (e.g., gain recognition and earnings and profits inclusions under secs. 1001, 311(b), 304, 367, 1248 or other provisions). The tax on any income recognized as a result of these restructurings may be reduced or eliminated through the use of net operating losses, foreign tax credits, and other tax attributes.

In asset inversions, the U.S. corporation generally recognizes gain (but not loss) under section 367(a) as though it had sold all of its assets, but the shareholders generally do not recognize gain or loss, assuming the transaction meets the requirements of a reorganization under section 368.

House Bill

The bill applies special tax rules to corporations that undertake certain defined inversion transactions. For this purpose, an inversion is a transaction in which, pursuant to a plan or a series of related transactions: (1) a U.S. corporation becomes a subsidiary of a foreignincorporated entity or otherwise transfers substantially all of its properties to such an entity after March 4, 2003; (2) the former shareholders of the U.S. corporation hold (by reason of holding stock in the U.S. corporation) 60 percent or more (by vote or value) of the stock of the foreignincorporated entity after the transaction; and (3) the foreign-incorporated entity, considered together with all companies connected to it by a chain of greater than 50-percent ownership (i.e., the "expanded affiliated group") does not conduct substantial business activities in the entity's country of incorporation compared to the total worldwide business activities of the expanded affiliated group.

In such a case, any applicable corporate-level "toll charges" for establishing the inverted structure are not offset by tax attributes such as net operating losses or foreign tax credits. Specifically, any applicable corporate-level income or gain required to be recognized under sections 304, 311(b), 367, 1001, 1248, or any other provision with respect to the transfer of controlled foreign corporation stock or the transfer or license of other assets by a U.S. corporation as part of the inversion transaction or after such transaction to a related foreign person is taxable, without offset by any tax attributes (e.g., net operating losses or foreign tax credits). This rule does not apply to certain transfers of inventory and similar property. These measures generally apply for a 10-year period following the inversion transaction.

In determining whether a transaction meets the definition of an inversion under the provision, stock held by members of the expanded affiliated group that includes the foreign incorporated entity is disregarded. For example, if the former top-tier U.S. corporation receives stock of the foreign incorporated entity (e.g., so-called "hook" stock), the stock would not be considered in determining whether the transaction meets the definition. Similarly, if a U.S. parent corporation converts an existing wholly owned U.S. subsidiary into a new wholly owned controlled foreign corporation, the stock of the new foreign corporation would be disregarded. Stock sold in a public offering related to the transaction also is disregarded for these purposes.

Transfers of properties or liabilities as part of a plan a principal purpose of which is to avoid the purposes of the provision are disregarded. In addition, the Treasury Secretary is granted authority to prevent the avoidance of the purposes of the provision, including avoidance through the use of related persons, pass-through or other noncorporate entities, or other intermediaries, and through transactions designed to qualify or disqualify a person as a related person or a member of an expanded affiliated group. Similarly, the Treasury Secretary is granted authority to treat certain non-stock instruments as stock, and certain stock as not stock, where necessary to carry out the purposes of the provision.

Under the provision, inversion transactions include certain partnership transactions. Specifically, the provision applies to transactions in which a foreign-incorporated entity acquires substantially all of the properties constituting a trade or business of a domestic partnership, if after the acquisition at least 60 percent of the stock of the entity is held by former partners of the partnership (by reason of holding their partnership interests), provided that the other terms of the basic definition are met. For purposes of applying this test, all partnerships that are under common control within the meaning of section 482 are treated as one partnership, except as provided otherwise in regulations. In addition, the modified "toll charge" provisions apply at the partner level.

A transaction otherwise meeting the definition of an inversion transaction is not treated as an inversion transaction if, on or before March 4, 2003, the foreign-incorporated entity had acquired directly or indirectly more than half of the properties held directly or indirectly by the domestic corporation, or more than half of the properties constituting the partnership trade or business, as the case may be.

Effective date. --The provision applies to taxable years ending after March 4, 2003.

Senate Amendment

In general

The provision defines two different types of corporate inversion transactions and establishes a different set of consequences for each type. Certain partnership transactions also are covered.



Transactions involving at least 80 percent identity of stock ownership

The first type of inversion is a transaction in which, pursuant to a plan or a series of related transactions: (1) a U.S. corporation becomes a subsidiary of a foreign-incorporated entity or otherwise transfers substantially all of its properties to such an entity;⁴²⁹ (2) the former shareholders of the U.S. corporation hold (by reason of holding stock in the U.S. corporation) 80 percent or more (by vote or value) of the stock of the foreign-incorporated entity after the transaction; and (3) the foreign-incorporated entity, considered together with all companies connected to it by a chain of greater than 50 percent ownership (i.e., the "expanded affiliated group"), does not have substantial business activities in the entity's country of incorporation, compared to the total worldwide business activities of the expanded affiliated group. The provision denies the intended tax benefits of this type of inversion by deeming the top-tier foreign corporation to be a domestic corporation for all purposes of the Code.⁴³⁰

Except as otherwise provided in regulations, the provision does not apply to a direct or indirect acquisition of the properties of a U.S. corporation no class of the stock of which was traded on an established securities market at any time within the four-year period preceding the acquisition. In determining whether a transaction would meet the definition of an inversion under the provision, stock held by members of the expanded affiliated group that includes the foreign incorporated entity is disregarded. For example, if the former top-tier U.S. corporation receives stock of the foreign incorporated entity (e.g., so-called "hook" stock), the stock would not be considered in determining whether the transaction meets the definition. Stock sold in a public offering (whether initial or secondary) or private placement related to the transaction also is disregarded for these purposes. Acquisitions with respect to a domestic corporation or partnership are deemed to be "pursuant to a plan" if they occur within the four-year period beginning on the date which is two years before the ownership threshold under the provision is met with respect to such corporation or partnership.

Transfers of properties or liabilities as part of a plan a principal purpose of which is to avoid the purposes of the provision are disregarded. In addition, the Treasury Secretary is granted authority to prevent the avoidance of the purposes of the provision, including avoidance through the use of related persons, pass-through or other noncorporate entities, or other intermediaries, and through transactions designed to qualify or disqualify a person as a related person, a member of an expanded affiliated group, or a publicly traded corporation. Similarly, the Treasury Secretary is granted authority to treat certain non-stock instruments as stock, and certain stock as not stock, where necessary to carry out the purposes of the provision.



Transactions involving greater than 50 percent but less than 80 percent identity of stock ownership

The second type of inversion is a transaction that would meet the definition of an inversion transaction described above, except that the 80-percent ownership threshold is not met. In such a case, if a greater-than-50-percent ownership threshold is met, then a second set of rules applies to the inversion. Under these rules, the inversion transaction is respected (i.e., the foreign corporation is treated as foreign), but: (1) any applicable corporate-level "toll charges" for establishing the inverted structure may not be offset by tax attributes such as net operating losses or foreign tax credits; (2) the accuracy-related penalty is increased; and (3) section 163(j), relating to "earnings stripping" through related-party debt, is strengthened. These measures generally apply for a 10-year period following the inversion transaction. In addition, inverting entities are required to provide information to shareholders or partners and the IRS with respect to the inversion transaction.

With respect to "toll charges," any applicable corporate-level income or gain required to be recognized under sections 304, 311(b), 367, 1001, 1248, or any other provision with respect to the transfer of controlled foreign corporation stock or other assets by a U.S. corporation as part of the inversion transaction or after such transaction to a related foreign person is taxable, without offset by any tax attributes (e.g., net operating losses or foreign tax credits). To the extent provided in regulations, this rule will not apply to certain transfers of inventory and similar transactions conducted in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's business.

The 20-percent penalty for negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatement of income tax, and substantial valuation misstatement is increased to 30 percent with respect to taxpayers related to the inverted entity. In addition, the 40-percent penalty for gross valuation misstatement is increased to 50 percent with respect to such taxpayers.

The "earnings stripping" rules of section 163(j), which deny or defer deductions for certain interest paid to foreign related parties, are strengthened for inverted corporations. With respect to such corporations, the provision eliminates the debt-equity threshold generally applicable under section 163(j) and reduces the 50-percent thresholds for "excess interest expense" and "excess limitation" to 25 percent.

In cases in which a U.S. corporate group acquires subsidiaries or other assets from an unrelated inverted corporate group, the provisions described above generally do not apply to the acquiring U.S. corporate group or its related parties (including the newly acquired subsidiaries or assets) by reason of acquiring the subsidiaries or assets that were connected with the inversion transaction. The Treasury Secretary is given authority to issue regulations appropriate to carry out the purposes of this provision and to prevent its abuse.



Partnership transactions

Under the provision, both types of inversion transactions include certain partnership transactions. Specifically, both parts of the provision apply to transactions in which a foreignincorporated entity acquires substantially all of the properties constituting a trade or business of a domestic partnership (whether or not publicly traded), if after the acquisition at least 80 percent (or more than 50 percent but less than 80 percent, as the case may be) of the stock of the entity is held by former partners of the partnership (by reason of holding their partnership interests), and the "substantial business activities" test is not met. For purposes of determining whether these tests are met, all partnerships that are under common control within the meaning of section 482 are treated as one partnership, except as provided otherwise in regulations. In addition, the modified "toll charge" provisions apply at the partner level.



Effective date

The regime applicable to transactions involving at least 80 percent identity of ownership applies to inversion transactions completed after March 20, 2002. The rules for inversion transactions involving greater-than-50-percent identity of ownership apply to inversion transactions completed after 1996 that meet the 50-percent test and to inversion transactions completed after 1996 that would have met the 80-percent test but for the March 20, 2002 date.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement follows the House bill and Senate amendment with modifications.



In general

The provision defines two different types of corporate inversion transactions and establishes a different set of consequences for each type. Certain partnership transactions also are covered.



Transactions involving at least 80 percent identity of stock ownership

The first type of inversion is a transaction in which, pursuant to a plan⁴³¹ or a series of related transactions: (1) a U.S. corporation becomes a subsidiary of a foreign-incorporated entity or otherwise transfers substantially all of its properties to such an entity in a transaction completed after March 4, 2003; (2) the former shareholders of the U.S. corporation hold (by reason of holding stock in the U.S. corporation) 80 percent or more (by vote or value) of the stock of the foreign-incorporated entity after the transaction; and (3) the foreign-incorporated entity, considered together with all companies connected to it by a chain of greater than 50 percent ownership (i.e., the "expanded affiliated group"), does not have substantial business activities in the entity's country of incorporation, compared to the total worldwide business activities of the expanded affiliated group. The provision denies the intended tax benefits of this type of inversion by deeming the top-tier foreign corporation to be a domestic corporation for all purposes of the Code.⁴³²

In determining whether a transaction meets the definition of an inversion under the proposal, stock held by members of the expanded affiliated group that includes the foreign incorporated entity is disregarded. For example, if the former top-tier U.S. corporation receives stock of the foreign incorporated entity (e.g., so-called "hook" stock), the stock would not be considered in determining whether the transaction meets the definition. Similarly, if a U.S. parent corporation converts an existing wholly owned U.S. subsidiary into a new wholly owned controlled foreign corporation, the stock of the new foreign corporation would be disregarded. Stock sold in a public offering related to the transaction also is disregarded for these purposes.

Transfers of properties or liabilities as part of a plan a principal purpose of which is to avoid the purposes of the proposal are disregarded. In addition, the Treasury Secretary is granted authority to prevent the avoidance of the purposes of the proposal, including avoidance through the use of related persons, pass-through or other noncorporate entities, or other intermediaries, and through transactions designed to qualify or disqualify a person as a related person or a member of an expanded affiliated group. Similarly, the Treasury Secretary is granted authority to treat certain non-stock instruments as stock, and certain stock as not stock, where necessary to carry out the purposes of the proposal.



Transactions involving at least 60 percent but less than 80 percent identity of stock ownership

The second type of inversion is a transaction that would meet the definition of an inversion transaction described above, except that the 80-percent ownership threshold is not met. In such a case, if at least a 60-percent ownership threshold is met, then a second set of rules applies to the inversion. Under these rules, the inversion transaction is respected (i.e., the foreign corporation is treated as foreign), but any applicable corporate-level "toll charges" for establishing the inverted structure are not offset by tax attributes such as net operating losses or foreign tax credits. Specifically, any applicable corporate-level income or gain required to be recognized under sections 304, 311(b), 367, 1001, 1248, or any other provision with respect to the transfer of controlled foreign corporation stock or the transfer or license of other assets by a U.S. corporation as part of the inversion transaction or after such transaction to a related foreign person is taxable, without offset by any tax attributes (e.g., net operating losses or foreign tax credits). This rule does not apply to certain transfers of inventory and similar property. These measures generally apply for a 10-year period following the inversion transaction.

Under the proposal, inversion transactions include certain partnership transactions. Specifically, the proposal applies to transactions in which a foreign-incorporated entity acquires substantially all of the properties constituting a trade or business of a domestic partnership, if after the acquisition at least 60 percent of the stock of the entity is held by former partners of the partnership (by reason of holding their partnership interests), provided that the other terms of the basic definition are met. For purposes of applying this test, all partnerships that are under common control within the meaning of section 482 are treated as one partnership, except as provided otherwise in regulations. In addition, the modified "toll charge" proposals apply at the partner level.

A transaction otherwise meeting the definition of an inversion transaction is not treated as an inversion transaction if, on or before March 4, 2003, the foreign-incorporated entity had acquired directly or indirectly more than half of the properties held directly or indirectly by the domestic corporation, or more than half of the properties constituting the partnership trade or business, as the case may be.



Effective date

The provision applies to taxable years ending after March 4, 2003.



2. Excise tax on stock compensation of insiders in expatriated corporations (sec. 602 of the House bill, sec. 443 of the Senate amendment, and secs. 162(m), 275(a), and new sec. 4985 of the Code)

Present Law

The income taxation of a nonstatutory⁴³³ compensatory stock option is determined under the rules that apply to property transferred in connection with the performance of services (sec. 83). If a nonstatutory stock option does not have a readily ascertainable fair market value at the time of grant, which is generally the case unless the option is actively traded on an established market, no amount is included in the gross income of the recipient with respect to the option until the recipient exercises the option.⁴³⁴ Upon exercise of such an option, the excess of the fair market value of the stock purchased over the option price is generally included in the recipient's gross income as ordinary income in such taxable year.⁴³⁵

The tax treatment of other forms of stock-based compensation (e.g., restricted stock and stock appreciation rights) is also determined under section 83. The excess of the fair market value over the amount paid (if any) for such property is generally includable in gross income in the first taxable year in which the rights to the property are transferable or are not subject to substantial risk of forfeiture.

Shareholders are generally required to recognize gain upon stock inversion transactions. An inversion transaction is generally not a taxable event for holders of stock options and other stock-based compensation.

House Bill

In general

Under the House bill, specified holders of stock options and other stock-based compensation are subject to an excise tax upon certain inversion transactions. The provision imposes a 15-percent excise tax on the value of specified stock compensation held (directly or indirectly) by or for the benefit of a disqualified individual, or a member of such individual's family, at any time during the 12-month period beginning six months before the corporation's expatriation date. Specified stock compensation is treated as held for the benefit of a disqualified individual if such compensation is held by an entity, e.g., a partnership or trust, in which the individual, or a member of the individual's family, has an ownership interest.



Disqualified individuals

A disqualified individual is any individual who, with respect to a corporation, is, at any time during the 12-month period beginning on the date which is six months before the expatriation date, subject to the requirements of section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the corporation, or any member of the corporation's expanded affiliated group,⁴³⁶ or would be subject to such requirements if the corporation (or member) were an issuer of equity securities referred to in section 16(a). Disqualified individuals generally include officers (as defined by section 16(a)),⁴³⁷ directors, and 10-percent-or-greater owners of private and publicly-held corporations.



Application of excise tax

The excise tax is imposed on a disqualified individual of an expatriated corporation (as defined in the bill) only if gain (if any) is recognized in whole or part by any shareholder by reason of a corporate inversion transaction as previously defined in the bill.



Specified stock compensation

Specified stock compensation subject to the excise tax includes any payment⁴³⁸ (or right to payment) granted by the expatriated corporation (or any member of the corporation's expanded affiliated group) to any person in connection with the performance of services by a disqualified individual for such corporation (or member of the corporation's expanded affiliated group) if the value of the payment or right is based on, or determined by reference to, the value or change in value of stock of such corporation (or any member of the corporation's expanded affiliated group). In determining whether such compensation exists and valuing such compensation, all restrictions, other than a non-lapse restriction, are ignored. Thus, the excise tax applies, and the value subject to the tax is determined, without regard to whether the specified stock compensation is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or is exercisable at the time of the inversion transaction.

Specified stock compensation includes compensatory stock and restricted stock grants, compensatory stock options, and other forms of stock-based compensation, including stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, and phantom stock options. Specified stock compensation also includes nonqualified deferred compensation that is treated as though it were invested in stock or stock options of the expatriating corporation (or member). For example, the provision applies to a disqualified individual's nonqualified deferred compensation if company stock is one of the actual or deemed investment options under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

Specified stock compensation includes a compensation arrangement that gives the disqualified individual an economic stake substantially similar to that of a corporate shareholder. A payment directly tied to the value of the stock is specified stock compensation. The excise tax does not apply if a payment is simply triggered by a target value of the corporation's stock or where a payment depends on a performance measure other than the value of the corporation's stock. Similarly, the tax does not apply if the amount of the payment is not directly measured by the value of the stock or an increase in the value of the stock. For example, an arrangement under which a disqualified individual would be paid a cash bonus equal to $10,000 for every $1 increase in the share price of the corporation's stock is subject to the provision because the direct connection between the compensation amount and the value of the corporation's stock gives the disqualified individual an economic stake substantially similar to that of a shareholder. By contrast, an arrangement under which a disqualified individual would be paid a cash bonus of $500,000 if the corporation's stock increased in value by 25 percent over two years or $1,000,000 if the stock increased by 33 percent over two years is not specified stock compensation, even though the amount of the bonus generally is keyed to an increase in the value of the stock.

The excise tax applies to any specified stock compensation previously granted to a disqualified individual but cancelled or cashed-out within the six-month period ending with the expatriation date, and to any specified stock compensation awarded in the six-month period beginning with the expatriation date. As a result, for example, if a corporation cancels outstanding options three months before the inversion transaction and then reissues comparable options three months after the transaction, the tax applies both to the cancelled options and the newly granted options. It is intended that the Secretary issue guidance to avoid double counting with respect to specified stock compensation that is cancelled and then regranted during the applicable 12-month period.

Specified stock compensation subject to the tax does not include a statutory stock option or any payment or right from a qualified retirement plan or annuity, tax-sheltered annuity, simplified employee pension, or SIMPLE. In addition, under the provision, the excise tax does not apply to any stock option that is exercised during the six-month period before the expatriation date or to any stock acquired pursuant to such exercise, if income is recognized under section 83 on or before the expatriation date with respect to the stock acquired pursuant to such exercise. The excise tax also does not apply to any specified stock compensation that is exercised, sold, exchanged, distributed, cashed out, or otherwise paid during such period in a transaction in which income, gain, or loss is recognized in full.



Determination of amount subject to tax

For specified stock compensation held on the expatriation date, the amount of the tax is determined based on the value of the compensation on such date. The tax imposed on specified stock compensation cancelled during the six-month period before the expatriation date is determined based on the value of the compensation on the day before such cancellation, while specified stock compensation granted after the expatriation date is valued on the date granted. Under the provision, the cancellation of a non-lapse restriction is treated as a grant.

The value of the specified stock compensation on which the excise tax is imposed is the fair value in the case of stock options (including warrants or other similar rights to acquire stock) and stock appreciation rights and the fair market value for all other forms of compensation. For purposes of the tax, the fair value of an option (or a warrant or other similar right to acquire stock) or a stock appreciation right is determined using an appropriate option-pricing model, as specified or permitted by the Secretary, that takes into account (1) the stock price at the valuation date; (2) the exercise price under the option; (3) the remaining term of the option; (4) the volatility of the underlying stock and the expected dividends on it; and (5) the risk-free interest rate over the remaining term of the option. Options that have no intrinsic value (or "spread") because the exercise price under the option equals or exceeds the fair market value of the stock at valuation nevertheless have a fair value and are subject to tax under the provision. The value of other forms of compensation, such as phantom stock or restricted stock, is the fair market value of the stock as of the date of the expatriation transaction. The value of any deferred compensation that can be valued by reference to stock is the amount that the disqualified individual would receive if the plan were to distribute all such deferred compensation in a single sum on the date of the expatriation transaction (or the date of cancellation or grant, if applicable). It is expected that the Secretary issue guidance on valuation of specified stock compensation, including guidance similar to the guidance issued under section 280G, except that the guidance would not permit the use of a term other than the full remaining term and would be modified as necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the provision. Pending the issuance of guidance, it is intended that taxpayers can rely on the guidance issued under section 280G (except that the full remaining term must be used and recalculation is not permitted).



Other rules

The excise tax also applies to any payment by the expatriated corporation or any member of the expanded affiliated group made to an individual, directly or indirectly, in respect of the tax. Whether a payment is made in respect of the tax is determined under all of the facts and circumstances. Any payment made to keep the individual in the same after-tax position that the individual would have been in had the tax not applied is a payment made in respect of the tax. This includes direct payments of the tax and payments to reimburse the individual for payment of the tax. It is expected that the Secretary issue guidance on determining when a payment is made in respect of the tax and that such guidance include certain factors that give rise to a rebuttable presumption that a payment is made in respect of the tax, including a rebuttable presumption that if the payment is contingent on the inversion transaction, it is made in respect to the tax. Any payment made in respect of the tax is includible in the income of the individual, but is not deductible by the corporation.

To the extent that a disqualified individual is also a covered employee under section 162(m), the $1,000,000 limit on the deduction allowed for employee remuneration for such employee is reduced by the amount of any payment (including reimbursements) made in respect of the tax under the provision. As discussed above, this includes direct payments of the tax and payments to reimburse the individual for payment of the tax.

The payment of the excise tax has no effect on the subsequent tax treatment of any specified stock compensation. Thus, the payment of the tax has no effect on the individual's basis in any specified stock compensation and no effect on the tax treatment for the individual at the time of exercise of an option or payment of any specified stock compensation, or at the time of any lapse or forfeiture of such specified stock compensation. The payment of the tax is not deductible and has no effect on any deduction that might be allowed at the time of any future exercise or payment.

Under the provision, the Secretary is authorized to issue regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the provision.



Effective date

The provision is effective as of March 4, 2003, except that periods before March 4, 2003, are not taken into account in applying the excise tax to specified stock compensation held or cancelled during the six-month period before the expatriation date.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment follows the House bill except that excise tax is equal to 20 percent of the value of the specified stock compensation. Under the Senate amendment, the excise tax does not apply to executives of the expanded affiliated group.

Effective date. --The Senate amendment is effective as of July 11, 2002 , except that periods before July 11, 2002 , are not taken into account in applying the excise tax to specified stock compensation held or cancelled during the six-month period before the expatriation date.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement follows the House bill except that the excise tax is imposed at a rate equal to the maximum rate of tax on the adjusted net capital gain of an individual (i.e., the rate of the excise tax would be 15 percent for 2005 through 2008 and 20 percent for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008 ).



3. Reinsurance of U.S. risks in foreign jurisdictions (sec. 603 of the House bill, sec. 444 of the Senate amendment, and sec. 845(a) of the Code)

Present Law

In the case of a reinsurance agreement between two or more related persons, present law provides the Treasury Secretary with authority to allocate among the parties or recharacterize income (whether investment income, premium or otherwise), deductions, assets, reserves, credits and any other items related to the reinsurance agreement, or make any other adjustment, in order to reflect the proper source and character of the items for each party.⁴³⁹ For this purpose, related persons are defined as in section 482. Thus, persons are related if they are organizations, trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated, whether or not organized in the United States, and whether or not affiliated) that are owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the same interests. The provision may apply to a contract even if one of the related parties is not a domestic company.⁴⁴⁰ In addition, the provision also permits such allocation, recharacterization, or other adjustments in a case in which one of the parties to a reinsurance agreement is, with respect to any contract covered by the agreement, in effect an agent of another party to the agreement, or a conduit between related persons.

House Bill

The bill clarifies the rules of section 845, relating to authority for the Treasury Secretary to allocate items among the parties to a reinsurance agreement, recharacterize items, or make any other adjustment, in order to reflect the proper source and character of the items for each party. The bill authorizes such allocation, recharacterization, or other adjustment, in order to reflect the proper source, character or amount of the item. It is intended that this authority⁴⁴¹ be exercised in a manner similar to the authority under section 482 for the Treasury Secretary to make adjustments between related parties. It is intended that this authority be applied in situations in which the related persons (or agents or conduits) are engaged in cross-border transactions that require allocation, recharacterization, or other adjustments in order to reflect the proper source, character or amount of the item or items. No inference is intended that present law does not provide this authority with respect to reinsurance agreements.

No regulations have been issued under section 845(a). It is expected that the Treasury Secretary will issue regulations under section 845(a) to address effectively the allocation of income (whether investment income, premium or otherwise) and other items, the recharacterization of such items, or any other adjustment necessary to reflect the proper amount, source or character of the item.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for any risk reinsured after the date of enactment of the provision.

Senate Amendment

The Senate amendment is the same as the House bill.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for any risk reinsured after April 11, 2002 .

Conference Agreement

The Conference agreement follows the House bill.



4. Revision of tax rules on expatriation of individuals (sec. 604 of the House bill, sec. 442 of the Senate amendment, and secs. 877, 2107, 2501 and 6039G of the Code)

Present Law

In general

U.S. citizens and residents generally are subject to U.S income taxation on their worldwide income. The U.S. tax may be reduced or offset by a credit allowed for foreign income taxes paid with respect to foreign source income. Nonresident aliens are taxed at a flat rate of 30 percent (or a lower treaty rate) on certain types of passive income derived from U.S. sources, and at regular graduated rates on net profits derived from a U.S. trade or business. The estates of nonresident aliens generally are subject to estate tax on U.S.-situated property (e.g., real estate and tangible property located within the United States and stock in a U.S. corporation). Nonresident aliens generally are subject to gift tax on transfers by gift of U.S.-situated property (e.g., real estate and tangible property located within the United States, but excluding intangibles, such as stock, regardless of where they are located).



Income tax rules with respect to expatriates

For the 10 taxable years after an individual relinquishes his or her U.S. citizenship or terminates his or her U.S. residency⁴⁴² with a principal purpose of avoiding U.S. taxes, the individuals is subject to an alternative method of income taxation than that generally applicable to nonresident aliens (the "alternative tax regime"). Generally, the individual is subject to income tax only on U.S.-source income⁴⁴³ at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens for the 10-year period.

An individual who relinquishes citizenship or terminates residency is treated as having done so with a principal purpose of tax avoidance and is generally subject to the alternative tax regime if: (1) the individual's average annual U.S. Federal income tax liability for the five taxable years preceding citizenship relinquishment or residency termination exceeds $100,000; or (2) the individual's net worth on the date of citizenship relinquishment or residency termination equals or exceeds $500,000. These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation.⁴⁴⁴ Certain categories of individuals (e.g., dual residents) may avoid being deemed to have a tax avoidance purpose for relinquishing citizenship or terminating residency by submitting a ruling request to the IRS regarding whether the individual relinquished citizenship or terminated residency principally for tax reasons.

Anti-abuse rules are provided to prevent the circumvention of the alternative tax regime.



Estate tax rules with respect to expatriates

Special estate tax rules apply to individual's who relinquish their citizenship or long-term residency within the 10 years prior to the date of death, unless he or she did not have a tax avoidance purpose (as determined under the test above). Under these special rules, certain closely-held foreign stock owned by the former citizen or former long-term resident is includible in his or her gross estate to the extent that the foreign corporation owns U.S.-situated assets.



Gift tax rules with respect to expatriates

Special gift tax rules apply to individual's who relinquish their citizenship or long-term residency within the 10 years prior to the date of death, unless he or she did not have a tax avoidance purpose (as determined under the rules above). The individual is subject to gift tax on gifts of U.S.-situated intangibles made during the 10 years following citizenship relinquishment or residency termination.



Information reporting

Under present law, U.S. citizens who relinquish citizenship and long-term residents who terminate residency generally are required to provide information about their assets held at the time of expatriation. However, this information is only required once.

House Bill

In general

The bill provides: (1) objective standards for determining whether former citizens or former long-term residents are subject to the alternative tax regime; (2) tax-based (instead of immigration-based) rules for determining when an individual is no longer a U.S. citizen or longterm resident for U.S. Federal tax purposes; (3) the imposition of full U.S. taxation for individuals who are subject to the alternative tax regime and who return to the United States for extended periods; (4) imposition of U.S. gift tax on gifts of stock of certain closely-held foreign corporations that hold U.S.-situated property; and (5) an annual return-filing requirement for individuals who are subject to the alternative tax regime, for each of the 10 years following citizenship relinquishment or residency termination.⁴⁴⁵



Objective rules for the alternative tax regime

The bill replaces the subjective determination of tax avoidance as a principal purpose for citizenship relinquishment or residency termination under present law with objective rules. Under the bill, a former citizen or former long-term resident would be subject to the alternative tax regime for a 10-year period following citizenship relinquishment or residency termination, unless the former citizen or former long-term resident: (1) establishes that his or her average annual net income tax liability for the five preceding years does not exceed $124,000 (adjusted for inflation after 2004) and his or her net worth does not exceed $2 million, or alternatively satisfies limited, objective exceptions for dual citizens and minors who have had no substantial contact with the United States; and (2) certifies under penalties of perjury that he or she has complied with all U.S. Federal tax obligations for the preceding five years and provides such evidence of compliance as the Secretary of the Treasury may require.

The monetary thresholds under the bill replace the present-law inquiry into the taxpayer's intent. In addition, the bill eliminates the present-law process of IRS ruling requests.

If a former citizen exceeds the monetary thresholds, that person is excluded from the alternative tax regime if he or she falls within the exceptions for certain dual citizens and minors (provided that the requirement of certification and proof of compliance with Federal tax obligations is met). These exceptions provide relief to individuals who have never had substantial connections with the United States, as measured by certain objective criteria, and eliminate IRS inquiries as to the subjective intent of such taxpayers.

In order to be excepted from the application of the alternative tax regime under the bill, whether by reason of falling below the net worth and income tax liability thresholds or qualifying for the dual-citizen or minor exceptions, the former citizen or former long-term resident also is required to certify, under penalties of perjury, that he or she has complied with all U.S. Federal tax obligations for the five years preceding the relinquishment of citizenship or termination of residency and to provide such documentation as the Secretary of the Treasury may require evidencing such compliance (e.g., tax returns, proof of tax payments). Until such time, the individual remains subject to the alternative tax regime. It is intended that the IRS will continue to verify that the information submitted was accurate, and it is intended that the IRS will randomly audit such persons to assess compliance.



Termination of U.S. citizenship or long-term resident status for U.S. Federal income tax purposes

Under the bill, an individual continues to be treated as a U.S. citizen or long-term resident for U.S. Federal tax purposes, including for purposes of section 7701(b)(10), until the individual: (1) gives notice of an expatriating act or termination of residency (with the requisite intent to relinquish citizenship or terminate residency) to the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security, respectively; and (2) provides a statement in accordance with section 6039G.



Sanction for individuals subject to the individual tax regime who return to the United States for extended periods

The alternative tax regime does not apply to any individual for any taxable year during the 10-year period following citizenship relinquishment or residency termination if such individual is present in the United States for more than 30 days in the calendar year ending in such taxable year. Such individual is treated as a U.S. citizen or resident for such taxable year and therefore is taxed on his or her worldwide income.

Similarly, if an individual subject to the alternative tax regime is present in the United States for more than 30 days in any calendar year ending during the 10-year period following citizenship relinquishment or residency termination, and the individual dies during that year, he or she is treated as a U.S. resident, and the individual's worldwide estate is subject to U.S. estate tax. Likewise, if an individual subject to the alternative tax regime is present in the United States for more than 30 days in any year during the 10-year period following citizenship relinquishment or residency termination, the individual is subject to U.S. gift tax on any transfer of his or her worldwide assets by gift during that taxable year.

For purposes of these rules, an individual is treated as present in the United States on any day if such individual is physically present in the United States at any time during that day. The present-law exceptions from being treated as present in the United States for residency purposes⁴⁴⁶ generally do not apply for this purpose. However, for individuals with certain ties to countries other than the United States⁴⁴⁷ and individuals with minimal prior physical presence in the United States,⁴⁴⁸ a day of physical presence in the United States is disregarded if the individual is performing services in the United States on such day for an unrelated employer (within the meaning of sections 267 and 707(b)), who meets the requirements the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe in regulations. No more than 30 days may be disregarded during any calendar year under this rule.



Imposition of gift tax with respect to stock of certain closely held foreign corporations

Gifts of stock of certain closely-held foreign corporations by a former citizen or former long-term resident who is subject to the alternative tax regime are subject to gift tax under this bill, if the gift is made within the 10-year period after citizenship relinquishment or residency termination. The gift tax rule applies if: (1) the former citizen or former long-term resident, before making the gift, directly or indirectly owns 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote of the foreign corporation; and (2) directly or indirectly, is considered to own more than 50 percent of (a) the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote in the foreign corporation, or (b) the total value of the stock of such corporation. If this stock ownership test is met, then taxable gifts of the former citizen or former long-term resident include that proportion of the fair market value of the foreign stock transferred by the individual, at the time of the gift, which the fair market value of any assets owned by such foreign corporation and situated in the United States (at the time of the gift) bears to the total fair market value of all assets owned by such foreign corporation (at the time of the gift).

This gift tax rule applies to a former citizen or former long-term resident who is subject to the alternative tax regime and who owns stock in a foreign corporation at the time of the gift, regardless of how such stock was acquired (e.g., whether issued originally to the donor, purchased, or received as a gift or bequest).



Annual return

The bill requires former citizens and former long-term residents to file an annual return for each year following citizenship relinquishment or residency termination in which they are subject to the alternative tax regime. The annual return is required even if no U.S. Federal income tax is due. The annual return requires certain information, including information on the permanent home of the individual, the individual's country of residence, the number of days the individual was present in the United States for the year, and detailed information about the individual's income and assets that are subject to the alternative tax regime. This requirement includes information relating to foreign stock potentially subject to the special estate tax rule of section 2107(b) and the gift tax rules of this bill.

If the individual fails to file the statement in a timely manner or fails correctly to include all the required information, the individual is required to pay a penalty of $5,000. The $5,000 penalty does not apply if it is shown that the failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.



Effective date

The provision applies to individuals who relinquish citizenship or terminate long-term residency after June 3, 2004.

Senate Amendment

In general

The provision generally subjects certain U.S. citizens who relinquish their U.S. citizenship and certain long-term U.S. residents who terminate their U.S. residence to tax on the net unrealized gain in their property as if such property were sold for fair market value on the day before the expatriation or residency termination. Gain from the deemed sale is taken into account at that time without regard to other Code provisions; any loss from the deemed sale generally would be taken into account to the extent otherwise provided in the Code. Any net gain on the deemed sale is recognized to the extent it exceeds $600,000 ($1.2 million in the case of married individuals filing a joint return, both of whom relinquish citizenship or terminate residency). The $600,000 amount is increased by a cost of living adjustment factor for calendar years after 2002.



Individuals covered

Under the provision, the mark-to-market tax applies to U.S. citizens who relinquish citizenship and long-term residents who terminate U.S. residency. An individual is a long-term resident if he or she was a lawful permanent resident for at least eight out of the 15 taxable years ending with the year in which the termination of residency occurs. An individual is considered to terminate long-term residency when either the individual ceases to be a lawful permanent resident (i.e., loses his or her green card status), or the individual is treated as a resident of another country under a tax treaty and the individual does not waive the benefits of the treaty.

Exceptions from the mark-to-market tax are provided in two situations. The first exception applies to an individual who was born with citizenship both in the United States and in another country; provided that (1) as of the expatriation date the individual continues to be a citizen of, and is taxed as a resident of, such other country, and (2) the individual was not a resident of the United States for the five taxable years ending with the year of expatriation. The second exception applies to a U.S. citizen who relinquishes U.S. citizenship before reaching age 18 and a half, provided that the individual was a resident of the United States for no more than five taxable years before such relinquishment.



Election to be treated as a U.S. citizen

Under the provision, an individual is permitted to make an irrevocable election to continue to be taxed as a U.S. citizen with respect to all property that otherwise is covered by the expatriation tax. This election is an "all or nothing" election; an individual is not permitted to elect this treatment for some property but not for other property. The election, if made, would apply to all property that would be subject to the expatriation tax and to any property the basis of which is determined by reference to such property. Under this election, the individual would continue to pay U.S. income taxes at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens following expatriation on any income generated by the property and on any gain realized on the disposition of the property. In addition, the property would continue to be subject to U.S. gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. In order to make this election, the taxpayer would be required to waive any treaty rights that would preclude the collection of the tax.

The individual also would be required to provide security to ensure payment of the tax under this election in such form, manner, and amount as the Secretary of the Treasury requires. The amount of mark-to-market tax that would have been owed but for this election (including any interest, penalties, and certain other items) shall be a lien in favor of the United States on all U.S.-situs property owned by the individual. This lien shall arise on the expatriation date and shall continue until the tax liability is satisfied, the tax liability has become unenforceable by reason of lapse of time, or the Secretary is satisfied that no further tax liability may arise by reason of this provision. The rules of section 6324A(d)(1), (3), and (4) (relating to liens arising in connection with the deferral of estate tax under section 6166) apply to liens arising under this provision.



Date of relinquishment of citizenship

Under the provision, an individual is treated as having relinquished U.S. citizenship on the earliest of four possible dates: (1) the date that the individual renounces U.S. nationality before a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States (provided that the voluntary relinquishment is later confirmed by the issuance of a certificate of loss of nationality); (2) the date that the individual furnishes to the State Department a signed statement of voluntary relinquishment of U.S. nationality confirming the performance of an expatriating act (again, provided that the voluntary relinquishment is later confirmed by the issuance of a certificate of loss of nationality); (3) the date that the State Department issues a certificate of loss of nationality; or (4) the date that a U.S. court cancels a naturalized citizen's certificate of naturalization.



Deemed sale of property upon expatriation or residency termination

The deemed sale rule of the provision generally applies to all property interests held by the individual on the date of relinquishment of citizenship or termination of residency. Special rules apply in the case of trust interests, as described below. U.S. real property interests, which remain subject to U.S. tax in the hands of nonresident noncitizens, generally are excepted from the provision. Regulatory authority is granted to the Treasury to except other types of property from the provision.

Under the provision, an individual who is subject to the mark-to-market tax is required to pay a tentative tax equal to the amount of tax that would be due for a hypothetical short tax year ending on the date the individual relinquished citizenship or terminated residency. Thus, the tentative tax is based on all income, gain, deductions, loss, and credits of the individual for the year through such date, including amounts realized from the deemed sale of property. The tentative tax is due on the 90th day after the date of relinquishment of citizenship or termination of residency.



Retirement plans and similar arrangements

Subject to certain exceptions, the provision applies to all property interests held by the individual at the time of relinquishment of citizenship or termination of residency. Accordingly, such property includes an interest in an employer-sponsored retirement plan or deferred compensation arrangement as well as an interest in an individual retirement account or annuity (i.e., an IRA).⁴⁴⁹ However, the provision contains a special rule for an interest in a "qualified retirement plan." For purposes of the provision, a "qualified retirement plan" includes an employer-sponsored qualified plan (sec. 401(a)), a qualified annuity (sec. 403(a)), a tax-sheltered annuity (sec. 403(b)), an eligible deferred compensation plan of a governmental employer (sec. 457(b)), or an IRA (sec. 408). The special retirement plan rule applies also, to the extent provided in regulations, to any foreign plan or similar retirement arrangement or program. An interest in a trust that is part of a qualified retirement plan or other arrangement that is subject to the special retirement plan rule is not subject to the rules for interests in trusts (discussed below).

Under the special rule, an amount equal to the present value of the individual's vested, accrued benefit under a qualified retirement plan is treated as having been received by the individual as a distribution under the plan on the day before the individual's relinquishment of citizenship or termination of residency. It is not intended that the plan would be deemed to have made a distribution for purposes of the tax-favored status of the plan, such as whether a plan may permit distributions before a participant has severed employment. In the case of any later distribution to the individual from the plan, the amount otherwise includible in the individual's income as a result of the distribution is reduced to reflect the amount previously included in income under the special retirement plan rule. The amount of the reduction applied to a distribution is the excess of: (1) the amount included in income under the special retirement plan rule over (2) the total reductions applied to any prior distributions. However, under the provision, the retirement plan, and any person acting on the plan's behalf, will treat any later distribution in the same manner as the distribution would be treated without regard to the special retirement plan rule.

It is expected that the Treasury Department will provide guidance for determining the present value of an individual's vested, accrued benefit under a qualified retirement plan, such as the individual's account balance in the case of a defined contribution plan or an IRA, or present value determined under the qualified joint and survivor annuity rules applicable to a defined benefit plan (sec. 417(e)).



Deferral of payment of tax

Under the provision, an individual is permitted to elect to defer payment of the mark-tomarket tax imposed on the deemed sale of the property. Interest is charged for the period the tax is deferred at a rate two percentage points higher than the rate normally applicable to individual underpayments. Under this election, the mark-to-market tax attributable to a particular property is due when the property is disposed of (or, if the property is disposed of in whole or in part in a nonrecognition transaction, at such other time as the Secretary may prescribe). The mark-tomarket tax attributable to a particular property is an amount that bears the same ratio to the total mark-to-market tax for the year as the gain taken into account with respect to such property bears to the total gain taken into account under these rules for the year. The deferral of the mark-tomarket tax may not be extended beyond the individual's death.

In order to elect deferral of the mark-to-market tax, the individual is required to provide adequate security to the Treasury to ensure that the deferred tax and interest will be paid. Other security mechanisms are permitted provided that the individual establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the security is adequate. In the event that the security provided with respect to a particular property subsequently becomes inadequate and the individual fails to correct the situation, the deferred tax and the interest with respect to such property will become due. As a further condition to making the election, the individual is required to consent to the waiver of any treaty rights that would preclude the collection of the tax.

The deferred amount (including any interest, penalties, and certain other items) shall be a lien in favor of the United States on all U.S.-situs property owned by the individual. This lien shall arise on the expatriation date and shall continue until the tax liability is satisfied, the tax liability has become unenforceable by reason of lapse of time, or the Secretary is satisfied that no further tax liability may arise by reason of this provision. The rules of section 6324A(d)(1), (3), and (4) (relating to liens arising in connection with the deferral of estate tax under section 6166) apply to liens arising under this provision.



Interests in trusts

Under the provision, detailed rules apply to trust interests held by an individual at the time of relinquishment of citizenship or termination of residency. The treatment of trust interests depends on whether the trust is a qualified trust. A trust is a qualified trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

Constructive ownership rules apply to a trust beneficiary that is a corporation, partnership, trust, or estate. In such cases, the shareholders, partners, or beneficiaries of the entity are deemed to be the direct beneficiaries of the trust for purposes of applying these provision. In addition, an individual who holds (or who is treated as holding) a trust instrument at the time of relinquishment of citizenship or termination of residency is required to disclose on his or her tax return the methodology used to determine his or her interest in the trust, and whether such individual knows (or has reason to know) that any other beneficiary of the trust uses a different method.

Nonqualified trusts. --If an individual holds an interest in a trust that is not a qualified trust, a special rule applies for purposes of determining the amount of the mark-to-market tax due with respect to such trust interest. The individual's interest in the trust is treated as a separate trust consisting of the trust assets allocable to such interest. Such separate trust is treated as having sold its net assets as of the date of relinquishment of citizenship or termination of residency and having distributed the assets to the individual, who then is treated as having recontributed the assets to the trust. The individual is subject to the mark-to-market tax with respect to any net income or gain arising from the deemed distribution from the trust.

The election to defer payment is available for the mark-to-market tax attributable to a nonqualified trust interest. Interest is charged for the period the tax is deferred at a rate two percentage points higher than the rate normally applicable to individual underpayments. A beneficiary's interest in a nonqualified trust is determined under all the facts and circumstances, including the trust instrument, letters of wishes, and historical patterns of trust distributions.

Qualified trusts. --If an individual has an interest in a qualified trust, the amount of unrealized gain allocable to the individual's trust interest is calculated at the time of expatriation or residency termination. In determining this amount, all contingencies and discretionary interests are assumed to be resolved in the individual's favor (i.e., the individual is allocated the maximum amount that he or she could receive). The mark-to-market tax imposed on such gains is collected when the individual receives distributions from the trust, or if earlier, upon the individual's death. Interest is charged for the period the tax is deferred at a rate two percentage points higher than the rate normally applicable to individual underpayments.

If an individual has an interest in a qualified trust, the individual is subject to the mark-tomarket tax upon the receipt of distributions from the trust. These distributions also may be subject to other U.S. income taxes. If a distribution from a qualified trust is made after the individual relinquishes citizenship or terminates residency, the mark-to-market tax is imposed in an amount equal to the amount of the distribution multiplied by the highest tax rate generally applicable to trusts and estates, but in no event will the tax imposed exceed the deferred tax amount with respect to the trust interest. For this purpose, the deferred tax amount is equal to (1) the tax calculated with respect to the unrealized gain allocable to the trust interest at the time of expatriation or residency termination, (2) increased by interest thereon, and (3) reduced by any mark-to-market tax imposed on prior trust distributions to the individual.

If any individual's interest in a trust is vested as of the expatriation date (e.g., if the individual's interest in the trust is non-contingent and non-discretionary), the gain allocable to the individual's trust interest is determined based on the trust assets allocable to his or her trust interest. If the individual's interest in the trust is not vested as of the expatriation date (e.g., if the individual's trust interest is a contingent or discretionary interest), the gain allocable to his or her trust interest is determined based on all of the trust assets that could be allocable to his or her trust interest, determined by resolving all contingencies and discretionary powers in the individual's favor. In the case where more than one trust beneficiary is subject to the expatriation tax with respect to trust interests that are not vested, the rules are intended to apply so that the same unrealized gain with respect to assets in the trust is not taxed to both individuals.

Mark-to-market taxes become due if the trust ceases to be a qualified trust, the individual disposes of his or her qualified trust interest, or the individual dies. In such cases, the amount of mark-to-market tax equals the lesser of (1) the tax calculated under the rules for nonqualified trust interests as of the date of the triggering event, or (2) the deferred tax amount with respect to the trust interest as of that date.

The tax that is imposed on distributions from a qualified trust generally is deducted and withheld by the trustees. If the individual does not agree to waive treaty rights that would preclude collection of the tax, the tax with respect to such distributions is imposed on the trust, the trustee is personally liable for the tax, and any other beneficiary has a right of contribution against such individual with respect to the tax. Similar rules apply when the qualified trust interest is disposed of, the trust ceases to be a qualified trust, or the individual dies.



Coordination with present-law alternative tax regime

The provision provides a coordination rule with the present-law alternative tax regime. Under the provision, the expatriation income tax rules under section 877, and the expatriation estate and gift tax rules under sections 2107 and 2501(a)(3) (described above), do not apply to a former citizen or former long-term resident whose expatriation or residency termination occurs on or after February 5, 2003.



Treatment of gifts and inheritances from a former citizen or former long-term resident

Under the provision, the exclusion from income provided in section 102 (relating to exclusions from income for the value of property acquired by gift or inheritance) does not apply to the value of any property received by gift or inheritance from a former citizen or former longterm resident (i.e., an individual who relinquished U.S. citizenship or terminated U.S. residency), subject to the exceptions described above relating to certain dual citizens and minors. Accordingly, a U.S. taxpayer who receives a gift or inheritance from such an individual is required to include the value of such gift or inheritance in gross income and is subject to U.S. tax on such amount. Having included the value of the property in income, the recipient would then take a basis in the property equal to that value. The tax does not apply to property that is shown on a timely filed gift tax return and that is a taxable gift by the former citizen or former longterm resident, or property that is shown on a timely filed estate tax return and included in the gross U.S. estate of the former citizen or former long-term resident (regardless of whether the tax liability shown on such a return is reduced by credits, deductions, or exclusions available under the estate and gift tax rules). In addition, the tax does not apply to property in cases in which no estate or gift tax return is required to be filed, where no such return would have been required to be filed if the former citizen or former long-term resident had not relinquished citizenship or terminated residency, as the case may be. Applicable gifts or bequests that are made in trust are treated as made to the beneficiaries of the trust in proportion to their respective interests in the trust.



Information reporting

The provision provides that certain information reporting requirements under present law (sec. 6039G) applicable to former citizens and former long-term residents also apply for purposes of the provision.



Immigration rules

The provision amends the immigration rules that deny tax-motivated expatriates reentry into the United States by removing the requirement that the expatriation be tax-motivated, and instead denies former citizens reentry into the United States if the individual is determined not to be in compliance with his or her tax obligations under the provision's expatriation tax provisions (regardless of the subjective motive for expatriating). For this purpose, the provision permits the IRS to disclose certain items of return information of an individual, upon written request of the Attorney General or his delegate, as is necessary for making a determination under section 212(a)(10)(E) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Specifically, the provision would permit the IRS to disclose to the agency administering section 212(a)(10)(E) whether such taxpayer is in compliance with section 877A and identify the items of noncompliance. Recordkeeping requirements, safeguards, and civil and criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure or inspection would apply to return information disclosed under this provision.



Effective date

The provision generally is effective for U.S. citizens who relinquish citizenship or longterm residents who terminate their residency on or after February 5, 2003. The provisions relating to gifts and inheritances are effective for gifts and inheritances received from former citizens and former long-term residents on or after February 5, 2003, whose expatriation or residency termination occurs on or after such date. The provisions relating to former citizens under U.S. immigration laws are effective on or after the date of enactment.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement follows the House bill.



5. Reporting of taxable mergers and acquisitions (sec. 605 of the House bill, sec. 445 of the Senate amendment, and new sec. 6043A of the Code)

Present Law

Under section 6045 and the regulations thereunder, brokers (defined to include stock transfer agents) are required to make information returns and to provide corresponding payee statements as to sales made on behalf of their customers, subject to the penalty provisions of sections 6721-6724. Under the regulations issued under section 6045, this requirement generally does not apply with respect to taxable transactions other than exchanges for cash (e.g., stock inversion transactions taxable to shareholders by reason of section 367(a)).⁴⁵⁰

House Bill

Under the bill, if gain or loss is recognized in whole or in part by shareholders of a corporation by reason of a second corporation's acquisition of the stock or assets of the first corporation, then the acquiring corporation (or the acquired corporation, if so prescribed by the Treasury Secretary) is required to make a return containing:

(1) A description of the transaction;

(2) The name and address of each shareholder of the acquired corporation that recognizes gain as a result of the transaction (or would recognize gain, if there was a built-in gain on the shareholder's shares);

(3) The amount of money and the value of stock or other consideration paid to each shareholder described above; and

(4) Such other information as the Treasury Secretary may prescribe.

Alternatively, a stock transfer agent who records transfers of stock in such transaction may make the return described above in lieu of the second corporation.

In addition, every person required to make a return described above is required to furnish to each shareholder (or the shareholder's nominee⁴⁵¹ ) whose name is required to be set forth in such return a written statement showing:

(1) The name, address, and phone number of the information contact of the person required to make such return;

(2) The information required to be shown on that return; and

(3) Such other information as the Treasury Secretary may prescribe.

This written statement is required to be furnished to the shareholder on or before January 31 of the year following the calendar year during which the transaction occurred.

The present-law penalties for failure to comply with information reporting requirements are extended to failures to comply with the requirements set forth under this bill.

Effective date. --The provision is effective for acquisitions after the date of enactment.

Senate Amendment

Same as the House bill.

Conference Agreement

The conference agreement follows both the House bill and the Senate amendment.



6. Studies (sec. 606 of the House bill)

Present Law

Due to the variation in tax rates and tax systems among countries, a multinational enterprise, whether U.S.-based or foreign-based, may have an incentive to shift income, deductions, or tax credits in order to arrive at a reduced overall tax burden. Such a shifting of items could be accomplished by establishing artificial, non-arm's-length prices for transactions between group members.

Under section 482, the Treasury Secretary is authorized to reallocate income, deductions, or credits between or among two or more organizations, trades, or businesses under common control if he determines that such a reallocation is necessary to prevent tax evasion or to clearly reflect income. Treasury regulations adopt the arm's-length standard as the standard for determining whether such reallocations are appropriate. Thus, the regulations provide rules to identify the respective amounts of taxable income of the related parties that would have resulted if the parties had been uncontrolled parties dealing at arm's length. Transactions involving intangible property and certain services may present particular challenges to the administration of the arm's-length standard, because the nature of these transactions may make it difficult or impossible to compare them with third-party transactions.

In addition to the statutory rules governing the taxation of foreign income of U.S. persons and U.S. income of foreign persons, bilateral income tax treaties limit the amount of income tax that may be imposed by one treaty partner on residents of the other treaty partner. For example, treaties often reduce or eliminate withholding taxes imposed by a treaty country on certain types of income (e.g., dividends, interest and royalties) paid to residents of the other treaty country. Treaties also contain provisions governing the creditability of taxes imposed by the treaty country in which income was earned in computing the amount of tax owed to the other country by its residents with respect to such income. Treaties further provide procedures under which inconsistent positions taken by the treaty countries with respect to a single item of income or deduction may be mutually resolved by the two countries.

House Bill

The bill requires the Treasury Secretary to conduct and submit to the Congress three studies. The first study will examine the effectiveness of the transfer pricing rules of section 482, with an emphasis on transactions involving intangible property. The second study will examine income tax treaties to which the United States is a party, with a view toward identifying any inappropriate reductions in withholding tax or opportunities for abuse that may exist. The third study will examine the impact of the provisions of this bill on inversion transactions.

Effective date. --The tax treaty study required under the provision is due no later than June 30, 2005 . The transfer pricing study required under the provision is due no later than June 30, 2005 . The inversions study required under the provision is due no later than December 31, 2005 .

Senate Amendment

No provision.

Conference Agreement