Allocation of Hypothetical Distribution
Under Sec. 957, a controlled foreign corporation (CFC) is one under which more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or of the total value of the stock of the corporation is owned (directly, indirectly, or constructively) by U.S. shareholders. A U.S. shareholder for CFC purposes is a U.S. person who owns 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote of the foreign corporation, or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such foreign corporation.
The final regs add a rule regarding CFCs that have prior-year earnings and profits (E&P) and current-year E&P, both as described under regulations, that don’t result in an inclusion under Sec. 951 or Code Sec. 951A. Although a dividend of the current-year E&P would potentially be eligible for a deduction, a distribution by the CFC wouldn’t qualify for a deduction because the distribution would be allocated to the prior-year E&P. Therefore, any tentative applicable amount for the year might not have been reduced by the proposed rule.
To address this issue, the final regs include an ordering rule treating a hypothetical distribution as attributable first to E&P described in Sec. 959(c)(2) and then to E&P described in Sec. 959(c)(3), consistent with the allocation of an amount determined under Sec. 956 pursuant to Code Sec. 959(f)(1). This rule differs from the general rule for allocation of distributions in Code Sec. 959(c) by not treating any amount as attributable to E&P described in Code Sec. 959(c)(1). It’s necessary to reflect the fact that the amount to which the hypothetical distribution applies is, in fact, a tentative applicable amount.
Domestic Partnerships and Their Partners
The final regs provide that the tentative applicable amount with respect to a domestic partnership is reduced to the extent that one or more domestic corporate partners would be entitled to a deduction if:
- The partnership received such amount as a distribution, and
- Any remaining amount of the domestic partnership’s inclusion under the regulations is allocated to the partners in the same proportion as net income would result to the partners upon a hypothetical distribution (that is, a distribution from the CFC to the domestic partnership).
The rules concerning domestic partnerships are illustrated in a new example provided in the final regs
Applicability Dates
The final regs apply to tax years of a CFC beginning on or after May 23, 2019, and to tax years of a U.S. shareholder in which or with which such tax years of the CFC end. However, consistent with the reliance allowed for the proposed regs, taxpayers may apply the final regs for tax years of a CFC beginning after December 31, 2017, and for tax years of a U.S. shareholder in which or with which such tax years of the CFC end — provided that the taxpayer and U.S. persons that are related (under regulations) to the taxpayer consistently apply the regs with respect to all CFCs in which they’re U.S. shareholders for tax years of the CFCs beginning after December 31, 2017.
Tax Impact
These final regs have an important tax impact on U.S. shareholders of CFCs. If they affect your situation, discuss them with your CPA.
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