96-13858. Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 12, 1996)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 29714-29715]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-13858]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    
    Internal Revenue Service
    
    26 CFR Part 26
    
    [PS-22-96]
    RIN 1545-AU26
    
    
    Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
    
    AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations relating to the 
    final generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax regulations under chapter 
    13 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). This document proposes a change 
    to the final regulations and is necessary to provide guidance to 
    taxpayers so that they may comply with chapter 13 of the Code.
    
    DATES: Written comments and requests for a public hearing must be 
    received by September 10, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:DOM:CORP:R (PS-22-96), room 5228, 
    Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, 
    DC 20044. In the alternative, submissions may be hand delivered between 
    the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to: CC:DOM:CORP:R (PS-22-96), Courier's 
    Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution NW., Washington, DC 
    20224.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulation, 
    James F. Hogan, (202) 622-3090 (not a toll-free number); concerning 
    submissions, Christina Vasquez, (202) 622-7180, (not a toll-free 
    number).
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        On December 24, 1992, the IRS published a notice of proposed 
    rulemaking in the Federal Register (57 FR 61356) containing proposed 
    regulations under sections 2611, 2612, 2613, 2632, 2641, 2642, 2652, 
    2653, 2654, and 2663. On December 27, 1995, the IRS published final 
    regulations in the Federal Register (60 FR 66898) under sections 2611, 
    2612, 2613, 2632, 2641, 2642, 2652, 2653, 2654, and 2663. This proposed 
    regulation will delete Sec. 26.2652-1(a)(4) and two related examples.
    
    Explanation of Provision
    
        Section 2652(a)(1) provides generally, that the term transferor 
    means--(A) in the case of any property subject to the tax imposed by 
    chapter 11, the decedent, and (B) in the case of any property subject 
    to the tax imposed by chapter 12, the donor. An individual is treated 
    as transferring any property with respect to which the individual is 
    the transferor. Under Sec. 26.2652-1(a)(2), a transfer is subject to 
    Federal gift tax if a gift tax is imposed under section 2501(a) and is 
    subject to Federal estate tax if the value of the property is 
    includable in the decedent's gross estate determined under section 2031 
    or section 2103. Under Sec. 26.2652-1(a)(4), the exercise of a power of 
    appointment that is not a general power of appointment is also treated 
    as a transfer subject to Federal estate or gift tax by the holder of 
    the power if the power is exercised in a manner that may postpone or 
    suspend the vesting, absolute ownership, or power of alienation of an 
    interest in property for a period, measured from the date of the 
    creation of the trust, extending beyond any specified life in being at 
    the date of creation of the trust plus a period of 21 years plus, if 
    necessary, a reasonable period of gestation.
        The purpose of the rule in Sec. 26.2652-1(a)(4) was to apply the 
    GST tax when
    
    [[Page 29715]]
    
    it may not otherwise have applied. It was never intended to (nor could 
    it) prevent the application of the tax pursuant to the statutory 
    provisions that apply based on the original taxable transfer. To 
    eliminate any uncertainty concerning the proper application of the GST 
    tax, the regulations under section 2652(a) will be clarified by 
    eliminating Sec. 26.2652-1(a)(4) and Example 9 and Example 10 in 
    Sec. 26.2652-1(a)(6) from the final regulations.
    
    Proposed Effective Date
    
        These amendments apply to transfers to trusts on or after June 12, 
    1996.
    
    Special Analysis
    
        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) and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) do 
    not apply to these regulations, and therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility 
    Analysis 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.
    
    Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing
    
        Before this proposed regulation is adopted as a final regulation, 
    consideration will be given to any written comments (a signed original 
    and eight (8) copies) that are submitted timely to the IRS. All 
    comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public 
    hearing may 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 this proposed regulation is James F. Hogan, 
    Office of the Chief Counsel, IRS. Other personnel from the IRS and 
    Treasury Department participated in its development.
    
    List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 26
    
        Estate taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations
    
        Accordingly, 26 CFR part 26 is proposed to be amended as follows:
    
    PART 26--GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX REGULATIONS UNDER THE TAX 
    REFORM ACT OF 1986
    
        Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 26 continues to read, 
    in part, as follows:
    
        Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
    
        Par. 2. Section 26.2652-1 is amended as follows:
    
    Sec. 26.2652-1  [Amended]
    
        1. Paragraph (a)(4) is removed and paragraphs (a)(5) and (a)(6) are 
    redesignated as paragraphs (a)(4) and (a)(5), respectively.
        2. In newly designated paragraph (a)(5), Examples 9 and 10 are 
    removed and Example 11 is redesignated as Example 9.
    Margaret Milner Richardson,
    Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
    [FR Doc. 96-13858 Filed 6-11-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4830-01-U
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/12/1996
Department:
Internal Revenue Service
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
96-13858
Dates:
Written comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by September 10, 1996.
Pages:
29714-29715 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
PS-22-96
RINs:
1545-AU26
PDF File:
96-13858.pdf
CFR: (2)
26 CFR 26.2652-1(a)(6)
26 CFR 26.2652-1