96-178. Hedging Transactions by Members of a Consolidated Group  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 517-522]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-178]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    26 CFR Parts 1 and 602
    
    [TD 8653]
    RIN 1545-AS75
    
    
    Hedging Transactions by Members of a Consolidated Group
    
    AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service, Treasury.
    
    ACTION: Final regulations.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations relating to the 
    character and timing of gain or loss from certain hedging transactions 
    entered into by members of a consolidated group. These regulations 
    apply when one member of the group hedges its own risk, hedges the risk 
    of another member, or enters into a risk-shifting transaction with 
    another member. The regulations are needed to provide appropriate rules 
    for these transactions. The regulations provide guidance for 
    corporations that are members of consolidated groups.
    
    DATES: These regulations are effective February 7, 1996.
        For dates of applicability of these regulations, see Sec. 1.446-
    4(e)(9)(iv) and Sec. 1.1221-2(g) (4), (5), and (6).
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jo Lynn Ricks of the Office of the 
    Assistant Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products), 
    telephone (202) 622-3920 (not a toll-free number).
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The collections of information contained in these final regulations 
    have been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
    in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507) under 
    control number 1545-1480. Some responses to these collections of 
    information are mandatory, and others are required to obtain the 
    benefit of the separate-entity election or of applying single-entity 
    treatment in taxable years prior to the general effective date of the 
    regulations.
        An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
    to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of 
    information displays a valid control number.
        The estimated annual burden per respondent or recordkeeper varies 
    from 1.0 to 40.0 hours, depending on individual circumstances, with an 
    estimated average of 5 hours.
        Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate and 
    suggestions for reducing this burden should be sent to the Internal 
    Revenue Service, Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer, T:FP, Washington, 
    DC 20224, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk 
    Officer for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Information and 
    Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503.
        Books or records relating to this collection of information must be 
    retained as long as their contents may become material in the 
    administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and 
    tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.
    
    Background
    
        On July 18, 1994, the IRS published in the Federal Register (59 FR 
    36394) a notice of proposed rulemaking (FI-34-94) relating to the 
    character and timing of gain or loss from certain risk-shifting 
    transactions entered into by members of a consolidated group. Comments 
    were received on the proposed regulations, and a public hearing was 
    held on October 18, 1994. Most commentators believe that the proposed 
    regulations provide a sensible and flexible set of rules to deal with 
    hedging operations by the members of a consolidated group of 
    corporations.
        The most significant comment on the regulations relates to their 
    effective date. Almost all of the commentators requested a transition 
    rule permitting consolidated groups to elect to apply the proposed 
    character rules retroactively. The final regulations adopt this 
    suggestion, generally allowing consolidated groups to elect to apply 
    the single-entity approach of the proposed regulations to all open 
    years. Section 1.1221-2, concerning the character of hedging 
    transactions, was made retroactive for all open years to permit the IRS 
    to resolve fairly and consistently controversies involving transactions 
    that were entered into prior to the publication date of those 
    regulations. It is appropriate that these regulations, as an integral 
    part of Sec. 1.1221-2, also apply retroactively. To prevent any adverse 
    consequences, however, retroactivity is elective.
        The proposed regulations, with new effective date provisions, are 
    adopted as final regulations. The new provisions, and several comments 
    that were not adopted, are discussed below.
    
    Explanation of Provisions
    
    Character Regulations
    
        The final regulations retain the single-entity approach of the 
    proposed regulations. That is, they treat the risk of one member of the 
    group as the risk of the other members, as if all the members were 
    divisions of a single corporation. Thus, a member of a consolidated 
    group that hedges the risk of another member by entering into a 
    transaction with a third party may receive ordinary gain or loss 
    treatment on that transaction if the transaction otherwise qualifies as 
    a hedging transaction.
        Under this single-entity approach, intercompany transactions are 
    neither hedging transactions nor hedged items. Because they are treated 
    as transactions between divisions of a single corporation, intercompany 
    transactions do not reduce the risk of that single corporation and, 
    therefore, fail to qualify as hedging transactions.
        Some commentators requested that the IRS extend the single-entity 
    approach to apply the hedging rules to a taxpayer's transactions that 
    hedge the 
    
    [[Page 518]]
    risk of a related party that is not a member of the taxpayer's 
    consolidated group. The IRS and Treasury, however, do not believe that 
    this approach is appropriate where the parties file different tax 
    returns. Accordingly, the final regulations do not adopt this 
    suggestion.
        The final regulations also retain the separate-entity election of 
    the proposed regulations, permitting a consolidated group to treat its 
    members as separate entities when applying the hedging rules. The 
    election is made by attaching a statement to the group's federal income 
    tax return.
        For a group that elects separate-entity treatment, an intercompany 
    transaction is treated as a hedging transaction if and only if: (1) it 
    would qualify as a hedging transaction if entered into with an 
    unrelated party; and (2) it is entered into with a member that, under 
    its method of accounting, marks its position in the intercompany 
    transaction to market. If these requirements are satisfied, the member 
    with respect to which it is an intercompany hedging transaction must 
    account for its position in the transaction under Sec. 1.446-4, and, if 
    that member properly identifies the transaction as a hedging 
    transaction, each member treats the gain or loss from its position in 
    the transaction as ordinary.
        In response to comments, the final regulations clarify that, even 
    when these two requirements are met, these regulations supplant only 
    the character and timing rules of Sec. 1.1502-13. Other aspects of the 
    transaction, such as the source of the gain or loss, are unaffected by 
    these regulations and thus may be governed by Sec. 1.1502-13.
        As noted above, commentators pointed out that taxpayers frequently 
    enter into transactions to transfer their business risk to related 
    parties that do not qualify as members of a consolidated group. Some 
    commentators argued that, even if risk reduction in these circumstances 
    is not analyzed using a single-entity perspective, the relationship 
    between the parties to the risk transfer justifies a rule under which 
    the party receiving the risk has ordinary gain or loss on its position 
    in the transaction. That is, they wanted to apply one part of the 
    separate-entity rules to taxpayers that are not part of the same 
    consolidated group.
        The IRS and Treasury, however, do not believe that additional, 
    special character rules are appropriate for risk- shifting transactions 
    outside the context of a consolidated group. Accordingly, the final 
    regulations do not adopt these comments.
        The final regulations expand upon the effective date provision of 
    the proposed regulations. The final regulations generally apply to 
    transactions entered into on or after March 8, 1996.
        In response to comments, the final regulations permit a 
    consolidated group to apply the single-entity approach of the 
    regulations retroactively. The group may elect to begin to apply the 
    single-entity approach for all transactions entered into in any taxable 
    year (the election year) beginning prior to March 8, 1996. The election 
    may be made, however, only if the election year and each subsequent 
    taxable year are still open for assessment under section 6501 on July 
    1, 1996, or such earlier date as the Commissioner may allow. Once made, 
    the single-entity election applies to all transactions entered into in 
    the election year and in all subsequent consolidated return years until 
    the date as of which the group makes a separate-entity election. The 
    Service will publish guidance on the manner, and the time, for making 
    the single-entity election.
        Further, the regulations also permit a consolidated group to apply 
    the separate-entity approach to all transactions entered into in 
    taxable years subject to the election. The taxpayer may choose, as the 
    first year under the election, any taxable year beginning on or after 
    July 12, 1995. This ability to apply the election to taxable years 
    beginning before March 8, 1996 allows a consolidated group to apply the 
    separate-entity approach to all intercompany transactions that are 
    subject to new Sec. 1.1502-13 (which is effective for taxable years 
    beginning on or after July 12, 1995). Thus, by electing separate-entity 
    treatment for all transactions entered into in a taxable year beginning 
    on or after July 12, 1995, a consolidated group can determine the 
    character and timing of its intercompany hedging transactions under 
    Sec. 1.446-4 and Sec. 1.1221-2, rather than under Sec. 1.1502-13.
        If the group makes the single-entity election or elects to apply 
    the separate-entity approach retroactively, special identification 
    rules apply.
        First, the members of the group are required to identify 
    transactions that were entered into prior to March 8, 1996, that are 
    still in existence on that date, and that become hedging transactions 
    as a result of one of these elections. The members are also required to 
    identify the hedged item for these transactions.
        Second, the final regulations extend the time period for making the 
    additional identifications that are referred to in the preceding 
    paragraph.
        Third, if the taxpayer's consolidated group has elected the single-
    entity approach, the regulations nullify all hedge identifications 
    under Sec. 1.1221-2(e)(i) that had been made for intercompany 
    transactions. In this situation, the regulations determine the 
    character of each intercompany transaction as if it had never been 
    identified as a hedging transaction. Thus, the character and timing of 
    the intercompany transaction are determined under the otherwise 
    applicable regulations, and the transaction is not subject to the 
    ordinary-gain, capital-loss rule that generally applies to transactions 
    that are incorrectly identified as hedging transactions. The 
    identification may, however, serve to identify the hedged item.
        In order to ensure that consolidated groups do not improperly use 
    hindsight in making these identifications, the regulations provide a 
    consistency requirement. Under this requirement, the group members must 
    treat similar or identical transactions consistently within the same 
    year and from year to year. If a member of the consolidated group fails 
    to identify a hedging transaction as a hedging transaction, but has 
    identified similar or identical hedging transactions in the same or a 
    subsequent year, then, for purposes of Sec. 1.1221-2(f)(2)(iii), the 
    member entering into the transaction is treated as having no reasonable 
    grounds for treating the transaction as other than a hedging 
    transaction. Thus, the member is generally subject to the ordinary-
    gain, capital-loss rules for taxpayers who fail to identify 
    transactions as hedging transactions.
    
    Timing regulations
    
        The final regulations clarify the general rule that was provided in 
    the proposed regulations for the timing of the gain or loss from 
    hedging transactions that are entered into by members of a consolidated 
    group. Under the final regulations, a member of a consolidated group 
    must account for its hedging transactions as if all the members were 
    separate divisions of a single corporation (the single-entity 
    approach). Thus, the timing of the income, deduction, gain, or loss on 
    the hedging transaction must match the timing of the income, deduction, 
    gain, or loss from the item, items, or aggregate risk being hedged. 
    These regulations make clear that a member must account for all of its 
    hedging transactions, not just those that hedge the risk of another 
    member, under the single-entity approach. 
    
    [[Page 519]]
    
        Since all of the members are treated as divisions of a single 
    corporation, intercompany transactions are neither hedging transactions 
    nor hedged items. Thus, under the single-entity approach, the timing of 
    the gain or loss from intercompany transactions is not determined under 
    the rules of Sec. 1.446-4.
        The final regulations also clarify the rule in the proposed 
    regulations on accounting for the gain or loss on hedging transactions 
    by members of a group that has made a separate-entity election. If a 
    group makes the separate-entity election, the members do not account 
    for their hedging transactions (including their intercompany hedging 
    transactions) as if they were divisions of a single corporation. 
    Rather, each member accounts for its hedging transactions on a member-
    by-member basis. For example, if an intercompany transaction is treated 
    as a hedging transaction, the gain or loss on the transaction is 
    accounted for under the rules of Sec. 1.446-4 rather than under the 
    timing rules of the intercompany transaction regulations, Sec. 1.1503-
    13. As was stated above, even when a separate-entity election is in 
    place, Secs. 1.1221-2 and 1.446-4 affect only the timing and character 
    of intercompany hedging transactions. Other aspects of the intercompany 
    hedging transaction remain subject to the rules of Sec. 1.1502-13.
        These final timing regulations are effective for transactions 
    entered into on or after March 8, 1996.
    
    Special Analyses
    
        It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a 
    significant regulatory action as defined in EO 12866. Therefore, a 
    regulatory assessment is not required. It is hereby certified that 
    these regulations do not have a significant economic impact on a 
    substantial number of small entities. This certification is based on 
    the fact that these regulations will primarily affect affiliated groups 
    of corporations that have elected to file consolidated returns, which 
    tend to be larger businesses. The regulations do not significantly 
    alter the reporting or recordkeeping duties of small entities. 
    Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is not required. Pursuant to 
    section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, the notice of proposed 
    rulemaking preceding these regulations was submitted to the Small 
    Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business.
    
    Drafting Information
    
        The principal author of these regulations is Jo Lynn Ricks, Office 
    of Assistant Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products), IRS. 
    However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department 
    participated in their development.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    26 CFR Part 1
    
        Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    26 CFR Part 602
    
        Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations
    
        Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 1 and 602 are amended as follows:
    
    PART 1--INCOME TAXES
    
        Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by 
    removing the entry for Sec. 1.1221-2 and by adding entries in numerical 
    order to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
         Section 1.446-4 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1502. * * *
        Section 1.1221-2 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 1502 and 6001. * * 
    *
    
        Par. 2. Section 1.446-4 is amended by adding the text of paragraph 
    (e)(9) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1.446-4  Hedging transactions.
    
    * * * * *
        (e) * * *
        (9) Hedging by members of a consolidated group--(i) General rule: 
    single-entity approach. In general, a member of a consolidated group 
    must account for its hedging transactions as if all of the members were 
    separate divisions of a single corporation. Thus, the timing of the 
    income, deduction, gain, or loss on a hedging transaction must match 
    the timing of income, deduction, gain, or loss from the item or items 
    being hedged. Because all of the members are treated as if they were 
    divisions of a single corporation, intercompany transactions are 
    neither hedging transactions nor hedged items for these purposes.
        (ii) Separate-entity election. If a consolidated group makes an 
    election under Sec. 1.1221-2(d)(2), then paragraph (e)(9)(i) of this 
    section does not apply. Thus, in that case, each member of the 
    consolidated group must account for its hedging transactions in a 
    manner that meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. 
    For example, the income, deduction, gain, or loss from intercompany 
    hedging transactions (as defined in Sec. 1.1221-2(d)(2)(ii)) is taken 
    into account under the timing rules of Sec. 1.446-4 rather than under 
    the timing rules of Sec. 1.1502-13.
        (iii) Definitions. For definitions of consolidated group, divisions 
    of a single corporation, intercompany transaction, and member, see 
    section 1502 and the regulations thereunder.
        (iv) Effective date. This paragraph (e)(9) applies to transactions 
    entered into on or after March 8, 1996.
        Par. 3. Section 1.1221-2 is amended by adding the text of 
    paragraphs (d), (e)(5), (f)(3), and (g)(4), and by adding the text and 
    headings of paragraphs (g) (5) and (6) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1.1221-2  Hedging transactions.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) Hedging by members of a consolidated group--(1) General rule: 
    single-entity approach. For purposes of this section, the risk of one 
    member of a consolidated group is treated as the risk of the other 
    members as if all of the members of the group were divisions of a 
    single corporation. For example, if any member of a consolidated group 
    hedges the risk of another member of the group by entering into a 
    transaction with a third party, that transaction may potentially 
    qualify as a hedging transaction. Conversely, intercompany transactions 
    are not hedging transactions because, when considered as transactions 
    between divisions of a single corporation, they do not reduce the risk 
    of that single corporation.
        (2) Separate-entity election. In lieu of the single-entity approach 
    specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, a consolidated group may 
    elect separate-entity treatment of its hedging transactions. If a group 
    makes this separate-entity election, the following rules apply.
        (i) Risk of one member not risk of other members. Notwithstanding 
    paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the risk of one member is not treated 
    as the risk of other members.
        (ii) Intercompany transactions. An intercompany transaction is a 
    hedging transaction (an intercompany hedging transaction) with respect 
    to a member of a consolidated group if and only if it meets the 
    following requirements--
        (A) The position of the member in the intercompany transaction 
    would qualify as a hedging transaction with respect to the member 
    (taking into account paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section) if the member 
    had entered into the transaction with an unrelated party; and
        (B) The position of the other member (the marking member) in the 
    transaction 
    
    [[Page 520]]
    is marked to market under the marking member's method of accounting.
        (iii) Treatment of intercompany hedging transactions. An 
    intercompany hedging transaction (that is, a transaction that meets the 
    requirements of paragraphs (d)(2)(ii) (A) and (B) of this section) is 
    subject to the following rules--
        (A) The character and timing rules of Sec. 1.1502-13 do not apply 
    to the income, deduction, gain, or loss from the intercompany hedging 
    transaction; and
        (B) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, the 
    character of the marking member's gain or loss from the transaction is 
    ordinary.
        (iv) Making and revoking the election. Unless the Commissioner 
    otherwise prescribes, the election described in this paragraph (d)(2) 
    must be made in a separate statement saying ``[Insert Name and Employer 
    Identification Number of Common Parent] HEREBY ELECTS THE APPLICATION 
    OF SECTION 1.1221-2(d)(2) (THE SEPARATE-ENTITY APPROACH).'' The 
    statement must also indicate the date as of which the election is to be 
    effective. The election must be signed by the common parent and filed 
    with the group's federal income tax return for the taxable year that 
    includes the first date for which the election is to apply. The 
    election applies to all transactions entered into on or after the date 
    so indicated.
        (3) Definitions. For definitions of consolidated group, divisions 
    of a single corporation, group, intercompany transactions, and member, 
    see section 1502 and the regulations thereunder.
        (4) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (d):
    
        General Facts. In these examples, O and H are members of the 
    same consolidated group. O's business operations give rise to 
    interest rate risk ``A,'' which O wishes to hedge. O enters into an 
    intercompany transaction with H that transfers the risk to H. O's 
    position in the intercompany transaction is ``B,'' and H's position 
    in the transaction is ``C.'' H enters into position ``D'' with a 
    third party to reduce the interest rate risk it has with respect to 
    its position C. D would be a hedging transaction with respect to 
    risk A if O's risk A were H's risk.
    
    BILLING CODE 4830-01-U
    [GRAPHIC][TIFF OMITTED]TR08JA96.000
    
    BILLING CODE 4830-01-C
    
        Example 1. Single-entity treatment--(i) General rule. Under 
    paragraph (d)(1) of this section, O's risk A is treated as H's risk, 
    and therefore D is a hedging transaction with respect to risk A. 
    Thus, the character of D is determined under the rules of this 
    section, and the income, deduction, gain, or loss from D must be 
    accounted for under a method of accounting that satisfies 
    Sec. 1.446-4. The intercompany transaction B-C is not a hedging 
    transaction and is taken into account under Sec. 1.1502-13.
        (ii) Identification. D must be identified as a hedging transaction 
    under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, and A must be identified as the 
    hedged item under paragraph (e)(2) of this section. Under paragraph 
    (e)(5) of this section, the identification of A as the hedged item can 
    be accomplished by identifying the positions in the intercompany 
    transaction as hedges or hedged items, as appropriate. Thus, 
    substantially contemporaneous with entering into D, H may identify C as 
    the hedged item and O may identify B as a hedge and A as the hedged 
    item.
    
        Example 2. Separate-entity election; counterparty that does not 
    mark to market. In addition to the General Facts stated above, 
    assume that the group makes a separate-entity election under 
    paragraph (d)(2) of this section. If H does not mark C to market 
    under its method of accounting, then B is not a hedging transaction, 
    and the B-C intercompany transaction is taken into account under the 
    rules of section 1502. D is not a hedging transaction with respect 
    to A, but D may be a hedging transaction with respect to C if C is 
    ordinary property or an ordinary obligation and if the other 
    requirements of paragraph (b) of this section are met. If D is not 
    part of a hedging transaction, then D may be part of a straddle for 
    purposes of section 1092.
        Example 3. Separate-entity election; counterparty that marks to 
    market. The facts are the same as in Example 2 above, except that H 
    marks C to market under its method of accounting. Also assume that B 
    would be a hedging transaction with respect to risk A if O had 
    entered into that transaction with an unrelated party. Thus, for O, 
    the B-C transaction is an intercompany hedging transaction with 
    respect to O's risk A, the character and timing rules of 
    Sec. 1.1502-13 do not apply to the B-C transaction, and H's income, 
    deduction, gain, or loss from C is ordinary. However, other 
    attributes of the items from the B-C transaction are determined 
    under Sec. 1.1502-13. D is a hedging transaction with respect to C 
    if it meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.
    
        (e) * * * 
        (5) Identification of hedges involving members of a consolidated 
    group--(i) General rule: single-entity approach. A member of a 
    consolidated group must satisfy the requirements of this paragraph (e) 
    as if all of the members of the group were divisions of a single 
    corporation. Thus, the member entering into the hedging transaction 
    with a third party must identify the hedging transaction under 
    paragraph (e)(1) of this section. Under paragraph (e)(2) of this 
    section, that member must also identify the item, items, or aggregate 
    risk that is being hedged, even if the item, items, or aggregate risk 
    relates primarily or entirely to other members of the group. If the 
    members of a group use intercompany transactions to transfer risk 
    within the group, the requirements of paragraph (e)(2) of this section 
    may be met by identifying the intercompany transactions, and the risks 
    hedged by the intercompany transactions, as hedges or hedged items, as 
    appropriate. Because identification of the intercompany transaction as 
    a hedge serves solely to identify the hedged item, the identification 
    is timely if made within the period required by paragraph (e)(2) of 
    this section. For example, if a member transfers risk in an 
    intercompany transaction, it may identify under the rules of this 
    paragraph (e) both its position in that transaction and the item, 
    items, or aggregate risk being hedged. The member that hedges the risk 
    outside the group may identify under the rules of this paragraph (e) 
    both its position with the third party and its position in the 
    intercompany transaction. Paragraph (d)(4) Example 1 of this section 
    illustrates this identification. 
    
    [[Page 521]]
    
        (ii) Rule for consolidated groups making the separate-entity 
    election. If a consolidated group makes the separate-entity election 
    under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, each member of the group must 
    satisfy the requirements of this paragraph (e) as though it were not a 
    member of a consolidated group.
    * * * * *
        (f) * * *
        (3) Transactions by members of a consolidated group--(i) Single-
    entity approach. If a consolidated group is under the general rule of 
    paragraph (d)(1) of this section (the single-entity approach), the 
    rules of this paragraph (f) apply only to transactions that are not 
    intercompany transactions.
        (ii) Separate-entity election. If a consolidated group has made the 
    election under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, then, in addition to 
    the rules of paragraphs (f) (1) and (2) of this section, the following 
    rules apply.
        (A) If an intercompany transaction is identified as a hedging 
    transaction but does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (d)(2)(ii) 
    (A) and (B) of this section, then, notwithstanding any contrary 
    provision in Sec. 1.1502-13, each party to the transaction is subject 
    to the rules of paragraph (f)(1) of this section with respect to the 
    transaction as though it had incorrectly identified its position in the 
    transaction as a hedging transaction.
        (B) If a transaction meets the requirements of paragraphs 
    (d)(2)(ii) (A) and (B) of this section but the transaction is not 
    identified as a hedging transaction, each party to the transaction is 
    subject to the rules of paragraph (f)(2) of this section. (Because the 
    transaction is an intercompany hedging transaction, the character and 
    timing rules of Sec. 1.1502-13 do not apply. See paragraph 
    (d)(2)(iii)(A) of this section.)
        (g) * * *
        (4) Effective date and transition rules for hedges by members of a 
    consolidated group. Paragraphs (d), (e)(5), and (f)(3) of this section 
    apply to transactions entered into on or after March 8, 1996.
        (5) Elections to accelerate the effective date of the regulations--
    (i) Election to apply the single-entity approach retroactively. A 
    consolidated group may elect to begin to apply paragraphs (d)(1) and 
    (3), (e)(5)(i), and (f)(3)(i) of this section to all transactions 
    entered into in any taxable year (the election year) beginning prior to 
    March 8, 1996. This election must be made in the manner, and at the 
    time, prescribed by the Commissioner. A group may make the election 
    only if the election year, and each subsequent taxable year, are still 
    open for assessment under section 6501 on July 1, 1996 (or such earlier 
    date as the Commissioner may allow). The election applies to all 
    transactions entered into in the election year and in all subsequent 
    consolidated return years until the date, if any, as of which the group 
    makes a separate-entity election under paragraph (d)(2) of this 
    section. The rules of paragraph (g)(6) of this section apply to all 
    transactions that were entered into before March 8, 1996 in taxable 
    years subject to an election under this paragraph (g)(5)(i). The 
    election may be revoked only with the consent of the Commissioner.
        (ii) Ability to apply the separate-entity approach retroactively. 
    Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(4) of this section, the separate-entity 
    election described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section may be made for 
    any taxable year beginning on or after July 12, 1995. If that election 
    is made for a taxable year beginning before March 8, 1996, then 
    paragraphs (d)(2) and (3), (e)(5)(ii), and (f)(3)(ii) of this section 
    apply to all transactions entered into on or after the beginning of 
    that taxable year and while the election is in effect, and the rules of 
    paragraph (g)(6) of this section (other than paragraph (g)(6)(i)) apply 
    to all transactions that were entered into on or after the first day of 
    the first year for which the election is made and before March 8, 1996.
        (6) Transitional identification rules. To allow a consolidated 
    group to conform to paragraphs (g)(5)(i) and (ii) of this section, this 
    paragraph (g)(6) nullifies certain hedge identifications and permits a 
    member of a consolidated group to add certain hedge identifications. 
    This paragraph (g)(6) applies only to the extent provided in paragraph 
    (g)(5) of this section.
        (i) Intercompany transactions previously identified. 
    Notwithstanding paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section, if, for purposes 
    of paragraph (e)(1) of this section, a member identified as a hedging 
    transaction an intercompany transaction (or a transaction that would 
    qualify as an intercompany transaction under Sec. 1.1502-13(b)(1) if 
    the taxable year in which the transaction was entered into were 
    described in Sec. 1.1502-13(l)), the character of the gain on the 
    intercompany transaction is determined as if it had not been identified 
    as a hedging transaction. The identification may, however, serve to 
    identify the hedged item under paragraph (e)(5)(i) of this section.
        (ii) Additional identifications of hedging transactions. A member 
    of a consolidated group must identify under paragraph (e)(5) of this 
    section a transaction that--
        (A) Was entered into before March 8, 1996,
        (B) When entered into was not a hedging transaction (as defined in 
    paragraph (b) of this section),
        (C) Solely as a result of the group's election under paragraph 
    (g)(5)(i) or (ii) of this section, is a hedging transaction (as defined 
    in paragraph (b) of this section), and
        (D) Remains in existence on March 8, 1996.
        (iii) Additional identification of hedged items. In the case of 
    transactions described in paragraph (g)(6)(ii) of this section, the 
    hedging member must identify under paragraph (e)(5) of this section the 
    item, items, or aggregate risk being hedged.
        (iv) Consistency requirement for hedge identifications. In 
    identifying transactions as hedging transactions under paragraph 
    (g)(6)(ii) of this section, all of the members of the group must treat 
    similar or identical transactions consistently within the same year and 
    from year to year. If paragraph (g)(6)(ii) of this section requires a 
    member to identify a transaction, and the member fails to identify a 
    transaction as a hedging transaction, but it or another member of the 
    group identifies similar or identical hedging transactions in the same 
    or a subsequent year, then for purposes of paragraphs (f)(2)(iii) and 
    (3) of this section, the member entering into the transaction is 
    treated as having no reasonable grounds for treating the transaction as 
    other than a hedging transaction.
        (v) Extension of time for making additional identifications. If an 
    identification of a hedging transaction would not be required but for 
    the rules of paragraph (g)(6)(ii) of this section, the identification 
    is timely for purposes of paragraph (e)(1) of this section if made 
    before the close of business on May 7, 1996. If an identification of a 
    hedged item would not be required but for the rules of paragraph 
    (g)(6)(iii) of this section, it is timely for purposes of paragraph 
    (e)(2) of this section if made before the close of business on the 
    later of May 7, 1996 or the last day of the period specified in 
    paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section.
    
    PART 602--OMB CONTROL NUMBERS UNDER THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT
    
        Par. 4. The authority citation for part 602 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805.
    
    
    [[Page 522]]
    
        Par. 5. In Sec. 602.101, paragraph (c) is amended by adding entries 
    in numerical order to the table to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 602.101  OMB Control numbers.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Current OMB 
       CFR part or section where identified and described     control number
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            
                      *        *        *        *        *                 
    1.1221-2(d)(2)(iv)......................................       1545-1480
    1.1221-2(e)(5)..........................................       1545-1480
    1.1221-2(g)(5)(ii)......................................       1545-1480
    1.1221-2(g)(6)(ii)......................................       1545-1480
    1.1221-2(g)(6)(iii).....................................       1545-1480
                                                                            
                      *        *        *        *        *                 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Margaret Milner Richardson,
    Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
        Approved: December 20, 1995.
    Cynthia G. Beerbower,
    Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
    [FR Doc. 96-178 Filed 1-5-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4830-01-U
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
2/7/1996
Published:
01/08/1996
Department:
Treasury Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final regulations.
Document Number:
96-178
Dates:
These regulations are effective February 7, 1996.
Pages:
517-522 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
TD 8653
RINs:
1545-AS75: Hedging Transactions by Members of Consolidated Groups
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1545-AS75/hedging-transactions-by-members-of-consolidated-groups
PDF File:
96-178.pdf
CFR: (4)
26 CFR 602.101
26 CFR 1.446-4
26 CFR 1.1221-2
26 CFR 1.1502-13