97-33983. Loans to Plan Participants  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 1998)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 42-45]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-33983]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    
    Internal Revenue Service
    
    26 CFR Part 1
    
    [REG-209476-82]
    RIN 1545-AE41
    
    
    Loans to Plan Participants
    
    AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document amends proposed Income Tax Regulations under 
    section 72(p) of the Internal Revenue Code relating to loans made from 
    a qualified employer plan to plan participants or beneficiaries. 
    Section 72(p) was added by section 236 of the Tax Equity and Fiscal 
    Responsibility Act of 1982, and amended by the Technical Corrections 
    Act of 1982, the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, the Tax Reform Act of 
    1986 and the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988. These 
    regulations provide guidance to the public with respect to section 
    72(p), and affect administrators of, participants in, and beneficiaries 
    of qualified employer plans that permit participants or beneficiaries 
    to receive loans from the plan (including loans from section 403(b) 
    contracts and other contracts issued under qualified employer plans).
    
    DATES: Written comments and requests for a public hearing must be 
    received by April 2, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:DOM:CORP:R (REG-209476-82), room 
    5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, 
    Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered between the 
    hours 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to: CC:DOM:CORP:R (REG-209476-82), Courier's 
    Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, 
    Washington, DC. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit comments 
    electronically via the Internet by selecting the ``Tax Regs'' option on 
    the IRS Home Page, or by submitting comments directly to the IRS 
    Internet site at http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/tax__regs/
    comments.html.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Concerning the regulations Vernon S. Carter, (202) 622-6070; concerning 
    submissions or requests to speak at the hearing, La Nita VanDyke, (202) 
    622-7190 (not toll-free numbers).
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        This document contains proposed amendments to the Proposed Income 
    Tax Regulations (26 CFR Part 1) under section 72 of the Internal 
    Revenue Code of 1986 (Code). These amendments provide additional 
    guidance concerning the tax treatment of loans that are deemed to be 
    distributed under section 72(p).
    
    Explanation of Provisions
    
        Section 72(p)(1)(A) provides that a loan from a qualified employer 
    plan (including a contract purchased under a qualified employer plan) 
    to a participant or beneficiary is treated as received as a 
    distribution from the plan for purposes of section 72 (a deemed 
    distribution). Section 72(p)(1)(B) provides that an assignment or 
    pledge of (or an agreement to assign or pledge) any portion of a 
    participant's or beneficiary's interest in a qualified employer plan is 
    treated as a loan from the plan.
        Section 72(p)(2) provides that section 72(p)(1) does not apply to 
    the extent certain conditions are satisfied. Specifically, under 
    section 72(p)(2), a loan from a qualified employer plan to a 
    participant or beneficiary is not treated as a distribution from the 
    plan if the loan satisfies requirements relating to the term of the 
    loan and the repayment schedule, and to the extent the loan satisfies 
    certain limitations on the amount loaned.
        Regulations were proposed in 1995 \1\ with respect to many of the 
    issues arising under section 72(p)(2). The preamble to the 1995 
    proposed regulations requested comments on whether further guidance 
    should be provided on certain issues that were not addressed. Following 
    publication of the 1995 proposed regulations, comments were received 
    and a public hearing was held on June 28, 1996. One of the issues on 
    which comments were requested and received was the effect of a deemed 
    distribution on the tax treatment of subsequent distributions from a 
    plan (such as whether a participant has tax basis as a result of a 
    deemed distribution). After reviewing the written comments and comments 
    made at the public hearing, these new proposed regulations address this 
    issue.
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        \1\ Proposed Sec. 1.72(p)-1 (EE-106-82) was published in the 
    Federal Register (60 FR 66233) on December 21, 1995.
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        These new proposed regulations provide that once a loan is deemed 
    distributed under section 72(p), the interest that accrues thereafter 
    on that loan is not included in income.\2\ Further, because the loan 
    amount is treated as distributed for purposes of section 72, neither 
    the income that resulted from the deemed distribution nor the interest 
    that accrues thereafter increases the participant's investment in the 
    contract (tax basis) for purposes of section 72.
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        \2\ This treatment applies for purposes of determining the 
    amount taxable under section 72 (including application of return of 
    tax basis). However, as discussed below, the loan is still 
    considered outstanding for purposes of determining the maximum 
    amount of any subsequent loan to the participant under section 
    72(p)(2)(A). Even though interest continues to accrue on the 
    outstanding loan and is taken into account for purposes of 
    determining the maximum amount of any subsequent loan, this 
    additional interest is not treated as an additional loan that 
    results in a further deemed distribution for purposes of section 
    72(p).
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        For example, assume that, after a loan has been made from a defined 
    contribution plan to a participant, a deemed distribution occurs as a 
    result of failure to make timely loan repayments (e.g., the repayments 
    were not to be made by payroll withholding \3\). The participant's 
    total account then consists of non-loan assets and a receivable for the 
    loan balance. At separation from employment, the participant's vested
    
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    account balance is reduced (offset) by the loan amount and the 
    remaining account balance is distributed in a lump sum to the 
    participant. In this case, in addition to the income that previously 
    arose as a result of the deemed distribution due to the failure to make 
    timely payments on the loan, the participant would have a taxable 
    distribution at separation from employment for the remaining account 
    balance reflecting the non-loan assets that are distributed in a lump 
    sum (with no tax basis as a result of the prior deemed distribution of 
    the loan amount). The offset of the loan balance (i.e., the offset of 
    the loan receivable by the loan amount) would be disregarded for 
    purposes of section 72 because the loan had previously been deemed 
    distributed as a result of the failure to make timely payments on the 
    loan.
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        \3\ With respect to coverage under Title I of the Employee 
    Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Department of Labor has 
    advised the Service that an employer's tax-sheltered annuity program 
    would not necessarily fail to satisfy the Department's regulation at 
    29 CFR 2510.3-2(f) merely because the employer permits employees to 
    make repayments of loans made in connection with the tax-sheltered 
    annuity program through payroll deductions as part of the employer's 
    payroll deduction system, if the program operates within the 
    limitations set by that regulation.
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        A loan that is deemed distributed under section 72 is nevertheless 
    outstanding for other purposes until the loan obligation is satisfied 
    (e.g., by cash repayment or by offset against the participant's accrued 
    benefit). Q&A-13 of the 1995 proposed regulations lists other 
    differences between a deemed distribution and a loan offset. In 
    addition, for purposes of calculating the maximum permitted amount of 
    any subsequent loan, a loan that has been deemed distributed is 
    considered outstanding until the loan obligation has been satisfied.
        The proposed regulations also provide that if a participant makes 
    any cash repayments on a loan after the loan is deemed distributed, the 
    repayments increase the participant's tax basis in the plan in the same 
    manner as if the repayments were after-tax contributions. However, such 
    repayments are not treated as after-tax contributions for purposes of 
    section 401(m) or 415(c)(2)(B).
        These regulations are proposed to become effective for loans made 
    on or after the first January 1 that is at least 6 months after the 
    date the regulations are published as final regulations in the Federal 
    Register (the regulatory effective date). These regulations also revise 
    the proposed effective date for the 1995 proposed regulations, so that 
    the same proposed effective date would apply to the 1995 proposed 
    regulations and these proposed regulations.
        Generally, a plan is permitted to apply the new proposed 
    regulations to loans made before the regulatory effective date. 
    However, the regulations include a special consistency rule applicable 
    if there has been any deemed distribution of the loan before the date 
    the plan switches to the new proposed regulations for the loan. In this 
    event, a plan is not permitted to apply the new proposed regulations to 
    the loan unless the plan reported, in Box 1 of Form 1099-R, a gross 
    distribution with respect to the loan that is at least equal to the 
    amount required by the 1995 proposed regulations (referred to as the 
    initial default amount in the new proposed regulations) for a taxable 
    year that is not later than the latest year that would be permitted 
    under the 1995 proposed regulations. In such a case, the plan may apply 
    the new proposed regulations to the loan even though, in the past, the 
    plan reported deemed distributions with respect to the loan in a manner 
    that is not consistent with the new proposed regulations.
        If a plan does apply the new proposed regulations to a pre-
    regulatory effective date loan that has been deemed distributed, then 
    the plan, in its subsequent reporting and withholding, must not 
    attribute investment in the contract (tax basis) to the participant 
    based upon the initial default amount. For example, a plan that 
    reported income for the initial default amount plus all interest 
    accruing thereafter as a result of the default and made corresponding 
    increases in the participant's tax basis would comply with this 
    consistency rule by reducing the participant's tax basis by an amount 
    equal to the initial default amount. However, a special rule applies if 
    a plan had increased a participant's tax basis by the initial default 
    amount and, just before the first actual distribution made after the 
    plan switches to applying the new proposed regulations to the loan, the 
    sum of the participant's tax basis immediately before the switch plus 
    any increase in basis thereafter is less than the initial default 
    amount (as a result of intervening distributions). In this case, a loan 
    transition amount equal to the amount by which the initial default 
    amount exceeds the participant's tax basis is treated as remaining 
    outstanding and that amount is includible in the participant's income 
    at the time of the next actual distribution from the plan to the 
    participant. The proposed regulations include examples illustrating the 
    application of the consistency rule.
        Comments are requested on whether the final regulations should 
    include further guidance relating to plan loans made to participants 
    before the regulatory effective date.
        Taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations for guidance 
    pending the issuance of final regulations. If, and to the extent, 
    future guidance is more restrictive than the guidance in these proposed 
    regulations, the future guidance will be applied without retroactive 
    effect.
    
    Special Analyses
    
        It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is 
    not a significant regulatory action as defined in EO 12866. Therefore, 
    a regulatory assessment is not required. It has also been determined 
    that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 
    chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations, and because the 
    regulation does not impose a collection of information on small 
    entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not 
    apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this 
    notice of proposed rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel 
    for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its 
    impact on small business.
    
    Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing
    
        Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, 
    consideration will be given to any written comments that are submitted 
    timely (preferable a signed original and eight copies) to the IRS. All 
    comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public 
    hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by a person that 
    timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is scheduled, 
    notice of the date, time and place for the hearing will be published in 
    the Federal Register.
    
    Drafting Information
    
        The principal author of these regulations is Vernon S. Carter, 
    Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Employee Benefits and Exempt 
    Organizations). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury 
    Department participated in their development.
    
    List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
    
        Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    Amendments to the Previously Proposed Regulations
    
        Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows:
    
    PART 1--INCOME TAXES
    
        Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read, 
    in part, as follows:
    
        Authority: 126 U.S.C. 7805. * * *
    
        Par. 2. Section 1.72(p)-1 of the proposed regulations published 
    December 21, 1995, (60 FR 66233) is amended as follows:
    
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        1. Q&A-19 is redesignated as Q&A-21.
        2. New Q&A-19 and Q&A-20 are added.
        3. Q&A-21, as redesignated, is revised.
        The additions and revision read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1.72(p)-1  Loans treated as distributions.
    
    * * * * *
        Q-19: If there is a deemed distribution under section 72(p), is the 
    interest that accrues thereafter on the amount of the deemed 
    distribution an indirect loan for income tax purposes?
        A-19: (a) General rule. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
    Q&A-19, a deemed distribution of a loan is treated as a distribution 
    for purposes of section 72. Therefore, a loan that is deemed to be 
    distributed under section 72(p) ceases to be an outstanding loan for 
    purposes of section 72, and the interest that accrues thereafter under 
    the plan on the amount deemed distributed is disregarded in applying 
    section 72 to the participant or beneficiary. Even though interest 
    continues to accrue on the outstanding loan (and is taken into account 
    for purposes of determining the tax treatment of any subsequent loan in 
    accordance with paragraph (b) of this Q&A-19), this additional interest 
    is not treated as an additional loan (and, thus, does not result in an 
    additional deemed distribution) for purposes of section 72(p). However, 
    a loan that is deemed distributed under section 72(p) is not considered 
    distributed for all purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. See Q&A-11 
    through Q&A-16 of this section.
        (b) Exception for purposes of applying section 72(p)(2)(A) to a 
    subsequent loan. A loan that is deemed distributed under section 72(p) 
    (including interest accruing thereafter) and that has not been repaid 
    (such as by a plan loan offset) is considered outstanding for purposes 
    of applying section 72(p)(2)(A) to determine the maximum amount of any 
    subsequent loan to the participant or beneficiary.
        Q-20: Is a participant's tax basis in the plan increased if the 
    participant repays the loan after a deemed distribution?
        A-20: (a) Repayments after deemed distribution. Yes, if the 
    participant or beneficiary repays the loan after a deemed distribution 
    of the loan under section 72(p), then, for purposes of section 72(e), 
    the participant's or beneficiary's investment in the contract (tax 
    basis) under the plan increases by the amount of the cash repayments 
    that the participant or beneficiary makes on the loan after the deemed 
    distribution. However, loan repayments are not treated as after-tax 
    contributions for other purposes, including sections 401(m) and 
    415(c)(2)(B).
        (b) Example. The following example illustrates the rules in 
    paragraph (a) of this Q&A-20 and is based on the assumptions described 
    in ASSUMPTIONS FOR EXAMPLES:
    
        Example. (a) A participant receives a $20,000 loan on January 1, 
    1999, to be repaid in 20 quarterly installments of $1,245 each. On 
    December 31, 1999, the outstanding loan balance ($19,179) is deemed 
    distributed as a result of a failure to make quarterly installment 
    payments that were due on September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1999. 
    On June 30, 2000, the participant repays $5,147 (which is the sum of 
    the three installment payments that were due on September 30, 1999, 
    December 31, 1999, and March 31, 2000, with interest thereon to June 
    30, 2000, plus the installment payment that was due on June 30, 
    2000). Thereafter, the participant resumes making the installment 
    payments of $1,245 from September 30, 2000 through December 31, 
    2003. The loan repayments made after December 31, 1999 through 
    December 31, 2003 total $22,577.
        (b) Because the participant repaid $22,577 after the deemed 
    distribution that occurred on December 31, 1999, the participant has 
    investment in the contract (tax basis) equal to $22,577 as of 
    December 31, 2003.
    
        Q-21: When is the effective date of section 72(p) and these 
    regulations?
        A-21: (a) Statutory effective date. Section 72(p) generally applies 
    to assignments, pledges, and loans made after August 13, 1982.
        (b) Regulatory effective date. This section applies to assignments, 
    pledges, and loans made on or after the first January 1 that is at 
    least 6 months after the date of publication of the final regulations 
    in the Federal Register (the regulatory effective date).
        (c) Loans made before the regulatory effective date--(1) General 
    rule. A plan is permitted to apply Q&A-19 and Q&A-20 of this section to 
    a loan made before the regulatory effective date (and after the 
    statutory effective date in paragraph (a) of this Q&A-21) if there has 
    not been any deemed distribution of the loan before the transaction 
    date or if the conditions of paragraph (c)(2) of this Q&A-21 are 
    satisfied with respect to the loan.
        (2) Consistency transition rule for certain loans deemed 
    distributed before the regulatory effective date. (i) The rules in this 
    paragraph (c)(2) apply to a loan made before the regulatory effective 
    date (and after the statutory effective date in paragraph (a) of this 
    Q&A-21) if there has been any deemed distribution of the loan before 
    the transition date.
        (ii) The plan is permitted to apply Q&A-19 and Q&A-20 of this 
    section to the loan beginning on any January 1, but only if the plan 
    reported, in Box 1 of Form 1099-R, for a taxable year no later than the 
    latest taxable year that would be permitted under this section, a gross 
    distribution of an amount at least equal to the initial default amount. 
    For purposes of this section, the initial default amount is the amount 
    that would be reported as a gross distribution under Q&A-4 and Q&A-10 
    of this section and the transition date is the January 1 on which a 
    plan begins applying Q&A-19 and Q&A-20 of this section to a loan.
        (iii) If a plan applies Q&A-19 and Q&A-20 of this section to such a 
    loan, then the plan, in its reporting and withholding on or after the 
    transition date, must not attribute investment in the contract (tax 
    basis) to the participant or beneficiary based upon the initial default 
    amount.
        (iv) This paragraph (c)(2)(iv) applies if--
        (A) The plan attributed investment in the contract (tax basis) to 
    the participant or beneficiary based on the deemed distribution of the 
    loan;
        (B) The plan subsequently made an actual distribution to the 
    participant or beneficiary before the transition date; and
        (C) Immediately before the first actual distribution made on or 
    after the transition date, the initial default amount (or, if less, the 
    amount of the investment in the contract so attributed) exceeds the sum 
    of the participant's or beneficiary's investment in the contract (tax 
    basis) immediately before the transition date plus any increase in the 
    participant's or beneficiary's investment in the contract (tax basis) 
    on or after the transition date. If this paragraph (c)(2)(iv) applies, 
    the plan must treat the excess (the loan transition amount) as a loan 
    amount that remains outstanding and must include the excess in the 
    participant's or beneficiary's income at the time of the actual 
    distribution.
        (3) Examples. The rules in paragraph (c)(2) of this Q&A-21 are 
    illustrated by the following examples, which are based on the 
    assumptions described in ASSUMPTIONS FOR EXAMPLES (and, except as 
    specifically provided in the examples, also assume that no 
    distributions are made to the participant and that the participant has 
    no investment in the contract with respect to the plan). Example 1, 
    Example 2, and Example 4 illustrate the application of these rules to a 
    plan that, before the transition date, did not treat interest accruing 
    after the initial deemed distribution as resulting in additional deemed 
    distributions under section 72(p). Example 3 illustrates the
    
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    application of these rules to a plan that, before the transition date, 
    treated interest accruing after the initial deemed distribution as 
    resulting in additional deemed distributions under section 72(p).
    
        Example 1. (a) In 1995, when a participant's account balance 
    under a plan is $50,000, the participant receives a loan from the 
    plan. The participant makes the required repayments until 1996 when 
    there is a deemed distribution of $20,000 as a result of a failure 
    to repay the loan. For 1996, as a result of the deemed distribution, 
    the plan reports, in Box 1 of Form 1099-R, a gross distribution of 
    $20,000 (which is the initial default amount in accordance with 
    paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of Q&A-21 of this section) and, in Box 2 of 
    Form 1099-R, a taxable amount of $20,000. The plan then records an 
    increase in the participant's tax basis for the same amount 
    ($20,000). Thereafter, the plan disregards, for purposes of section 
    72, the interest that accrues on the loan after the 1996 deemed 
    distribution. Thus, as of December 31, 1998, the total taxable 
    amount reported by the plan as a result of the deemed distribution 
    is $20,000 and the plan's records show that the participant's tax 
    basis is the same amount ($20,000). As of January 1, 1999, the plan 
    decides to apply Q&A-19 of this section to the loan. Accordingly, it 
    reduces the participant's tax basis by the initial default amount of 
    $20,000, so that the participant's remaining tax basis in the plan 
    is zero. Thereafter, the amount of the outstanding loan is not 
    treated as part of the account balance for purposes of section 72. 
    The participant attains age 59-\1/2\ in the year 2000 and receives a 
    distribution of the full account balance under the plan consisting 
    of $60,000 in cash and the loan receivable. At that time, the plan's 
    records reflect an offset of the loan amount against the loan 
    receivable in the participant's account and a distribution of 
    $60,000 in cash.
        (b) For the year 2000, the plan must report a gross distribution 
    of $60,000 on Box 1 of Form 1099-R and a taxable amount of $60,000 
    in Box 2 of Form 1099-R.
        Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
    in 1996, immediately prior to the deemed distribution, the 
    participant's account balance under the plan totals $50,000 and the 
    participant's tax basis is $10,000. For 1996, the plan reports, in 
    Box 1 of Form 1099-R, a gross distribution of $20,000 (which is the 
    initial default amount in accordance with paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of 
    Q&A-21 of this section) and reports, in Box 2 of Form 1099-R, a 
    taxable amount of $16,000 (the $20,000 deemed distribution minus 
    $4,000 of tax basis ($10,000 times ($20,000/$50,000)) allocated to 
    the deemed distribution). The plan then records an increase in tax 
    basis equal to the $20,000 deemed distribution, so that the 
    participant's remaining tax basis as of December 31, 1996 totals 
    $26,000 ($10,000 minus $4,000 plus $20,000). Thereafter, the plan 
    disregards, for purposes of section 72, the interest that accrues on 
    the loan after the 1996 deemed distribution. Thus, as of December 
    31, 1998, the total taxable amount reported by the plan as a result 
    of the deemed distribution is $16,000 and the plan's records show 
    that the participant's tax basis is $26,000. As of January 1, 1999, 
    the plan decides to apply Q&A-19 of this section to the loan. 
    Accordingly, it reduces the participant's tax basis by the initial 
    default amount of $20,000, so that the participant's remaining tax 
    basis in the plan is $6,000. Thereafter, the amount of the 
    outstanding loan is not treated as part of the account balance for 
    purposes of section 72. The participant attains age 59\1/2\ in the 
    year 2000 and receives a distribution of the full account balance 
    under the plan consisting of $60,000 in cash and the loan 
    receivable. At that time, the plan's records reflect an offset of 
    the loan amount against the loan receivable in the participant's 
    account and a distribution of $60,000 in cash.
        (b) For the year 2000, the plan must report a gross distribution 
    of $60,000 on Box 1 of Form 1099-R and a taxable amount of $54,000 
    in Box 2 of Form 1099-R.
        Example 3. (a) In 1990, when a participant's account balance in 
    a plan is $100,000, the participant receives a loan of $50,000 from 
    the plan. The participant makes the required loan repayments until 
    1992 when there is a deemed distribution of $28,919 as a result of a 
    failure to repay the loan. For 1992, as a result of the deemed 
    distribution, the plan reports, in Box 1 of Form 1099-R, a gross 
    distribution of $28,919 (which is the initial default amount in 
    accordance with paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of Q&A-21 of this section) and, 
    in Box 2 of Form 1099-R, a taxable amount of $28,919. For 1992, the 
    plan also records an increase in the participant's tax basis for the 
    same amount ($28,919). Each year thereafter through 1998, the plan 
    reports a gross distribution equal to the interest accruing that 
    year on the loan balance, reports a taxable amount equal to the 
    interest accruing that year on the loan balance reduced by the 
    participant's tax basis allocated to the gross distribution, and 
    records a net increase in the participant's tax basis equal to that 
    taxable amount. As of December 31, 1998, the taxable amount reported 
    by the plan as a result of the loan totals $44,329 and the plan's 
    records for purposes of section 72 show that the participant's tax 
    basis totals the same amount ($44,329). As of January 1, 1999, the 
    plan decides to apply Q&A-19 of this section. Accordingly, it 
    reduces the participant's tax basis by the initial default amount of 
    $28,919, so that the participant's remaining tax basis in the plan 
    is $15,410 ($44,329 minus $28,919) as of December 31, 1999. 
    Thereafter, the amount of the outstanding loan is not treated as 
    part of the account balance for purposes of section 72. The 
    participant attains age 59\1/2\ in the year 2000 and receives a 
    distribution of the full account balance under the plan consisting 
    of $180,000 in cash and the loan receivable equal to the $28,919 
    outstanding loan amount in 1992 plus interest accrued thereafter to 
    the payment date in 2000. At that time, the plan's records reflect 
    an offset of the loan amount against the loan receivable in the 
    participant's account and a distribution of $180,000 in cash.
        (b) For the year 2000, the plan must report a gross distribution 
    of $180,000 in Box 1 of Form 1099-R and a taxable amount of $164,590 
    in Box 2 of Form 1099-R ($180,000 minus the remaining tax basis of 
    $15,410).
        Example 4. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except 
    that in 1997, after the deemed distribution, the participant 
    receives a $10,000 hardship distribution. At the time of the 
    hardship distribution, the participant's account balance under the 
    plan totals $50,000. For 1997, the plan reports, in Box 1 of Form 
    1099-R, a gross distribution of $10,000 and, in Box 2 of Form 1099-
    R, a taxable amount of $6,000 (the $10,000 actual distribution minus 
    $4,000 of tax basis ($10,000 times ($20,000/$50,000)) allocated to 
    this actual distribution). The plan then records a decrease in tax 
    basis equal to $4,000, so that the participant's remaining tax basis 
    as of December 31, 1997 totals $16,000 ($20,000 minus $4,000). After 
    1996, the plan disregards, for purposes of section 72, the interest 
    that accrues on the loan after the 1996 deemed distribution. Thus, 
    as of December 31, 1998, the total taxable amount reported by the 
    plan as a result of the deemed distribution plus the 1997 actual 
    distribution is $26,000 and the plan's records show that the 
    participant's tax basis is $16,000. As of January 1, 1999, the plan 
    decides to apply Q&A-19 of this section to the loan. Accordingly, it 
    reduces the participant's tax basis by the initial default amount of 
    $20,000, so that the participant's remaining tax basis in the plan 
    is reduced from $16,000 to zero. However, because the $20,000 
    initial default amount exceeds $16,000, the plan records a loan 
    transition amount of $4,000 ($20,000 minus $16,000). Thereafter, the 
    amount of the outstanding loan, other than the $4,000 loan 
    transition amount, is not treated as part of the account balance for 
    purposes of section 72. The participant attains age 59\1/2\ in the 
    year 2000 and receives a distribution of the full account balance 
    under the plan consisting of $60,000 in cash and the loan 
    receivable. At that time, the plan's records reflect an offset of 
    the loan amount against the loan receivable in the participant's 
    account and a distribution of $60,000 in cash.
        (b) In accordance with paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of Q&A-21 of this 
    section, the plan must report in Box 1 of Form 1099-R a gross 
    distribution of $64,000 and in Box 2 of Form 1099-R a taxable amount 
    for the participant for the year 2000 equal to $64,000 (the sum of 
    the $60,000 paid in the year 2000 plus $4,000 as the loan transition 
    amount).
    Michael P. Dolan,
    Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
    [FR Doc. 97-33983 Filed 12-31-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4830-01-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
01/02/1998
Department:
Internal Revenue Service
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
97-33983
Dates:
Written comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by April 2, 1998.
Pages:
42-45 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
REG-209476-82
RINs:
1545-AE41: Loans Treated as Distributions
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1545-AE41/loans-treated-as-distributions
PDF File:
97-33983.pdf
CFR: (1)
26 CFR 1.72(p)-1