PLR 200017024: Former resident rebuts expatriation tax avoidance presumption

Plain-English summary

A former long term U.S. resident returned a green card after becoming a tax resident of the person's birth country. The former resident's net worth exceeded the threshold that normally creates a presumption of tax avoidance under section 877. The IRS found the ruling request complete and in good faith, so the presumption did not apply. It expressly declined to decide whether avoiding U.S. taxes was actually a principal purpose of the departure because the evidence did not clearly establish either answer. The ruling therefore removed a presumption but did not settle the underlying tax avoidance question.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Did ending U.S. resident status have a principal purpose of avoiding U.S. taxes?
• Outcome: Mixed: the presumption was rebutted, but the IRS gave no opinion on actual purpose.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 877, 2107, and 2501(a)(3); Notice 98-34.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Index Number: 877.01-00 Washington, DC 20224

Number: 200017024
Person to Contact:
Release Date: 4/28/2000
Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:INTL:Br1-PLR-107483-98
Date:
January 28, 2000

Dear
:

This is in response to a letter dated March 19, 1998, as supplemented by your letters dated November 3, 1998 and June 9, 19999, submitted by A’s authorized representative requesting a ruling under section 877(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ("Code") that A’s loss of long-term resident status did not have for one of its principal purposes the avoidance of U.S. taxes under subtitle A or subtitle B of the Code. The information submitted for consideration is substantially as set forth below.

The ruling contained in this letter is based upon information and representations submitted by the taxpayer and accompanied by penalty of perjury statements executed by an appropriate party. While this office has not verified any of the material submitted in support of the request for rulings, it is subject to verification on examination.

A, a former long-term resident of the United States within the meaning of section 877(e), relinquished his U.S. lawful permanent resident status ("expatriated") on Date B, at the age of 60, by returning his green card to a U.S. consulate in Country C. A has been a citizen of Country C during all of his life by reason of his birth on Date D in Country C. A and A's parents were born in Country C. A became a permanent resident of the U.S. and obtained his green card during year E. On the date of A’s expatriation, his net worth exceeded the applicable threshold amount for year E, as provided in section 877.

Section 877 generally provides that a citizen who loses U.S. citizenship or a U.S. long-term resident who ceases to be taxed as a lawful permanent resident (individuals who "expatriate") within the 10-year period immediately preceding the close of the taxable year will be taxed under section 877(b) and the special rules of section 877(d) for such taxable year, unless such loss did not have for one of its principal purposes the avoidance of U.S. taxes. Sections 2107 and 2501(a)(3) provide special estate and gift

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tax regimes, respectively, for individuals who expatriate with a principal purpose to avoid U.S. taxes.

A former citizen or former long term-resident will be treated as having expatriated with a principal purpose to avoid U.S. taxes for purposes of sections 877, 2107 and 2501(a)(3) if the individual’s average income tax liability or the individual’s net worth on the date of expatriation exceed certain thresholds. See sections 877(a)(2), 2107(a)(2)(A) and 2501(a)(3)(B).

A former U.S. citizen whose net worth or average tax liability exceeds these thresholds, however, will not be presumed to have a principal purpose of tax avoidance if that former citizen is described within certain statutory categories and submits a request for a ruling within one year of the date of loss of U.S. citizenship for the Secretary’s determination as to whether such loss had for one of its principal purposes the avoidance of U.S. taxes. See sections 877(c)(1), 2107(a)(2)(B), and 2501(a)(3)(C).
Under Notice 98-34, 1998-27 I.R.B. 30, modifying Notice 97-19, 1997-1 C.B.
394, a former long-term resident whose net worth or average tax liability exceeds the applicable thresholds will also not be presumed to have a principal purpose of tax avoidance if that former resident is described within certain categories and submits a complete and good faith request for a ruling as to whether such loss had for one of its principal purposes the avoidance of U.S. taxes.

Notice 98-34 requires that certain information be submitted with a request for a ruling that an individual’s expatriation did not have for one of its principal purposes the avoidance of U.S. taxes.

A is eligible to request a ruling pursuant to Notice 97-19 because he is described in three categories of individuals eligible to submit ruling requests. First, on the date of A’s expatriation, A was, and continues to be, a resident fully liable to income tax in Country C, the country where A was born. Second, A is eligible to submit a request because her spouse was born in Country C. Third, A is eligible to submit a request because his parents were born in Country C.

A submitted all the information required by Notice 97-19, as modified by Notice 98-34, including any additional information requested by the Service after review of the submission.

Accordingly, based solely on the information submitted and the representations made, it is held that A has made a complete and good faith submission in accordance with section 877(c)(1)(B) and Notice 98-34, and therefore, A will not be presumed to have expatriated with a principal purposes of tax avoidance.

However, because the information submitted does not clearly establish the existence or lack of a principal purpose to avoid taxes under subtitle A or B of the

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Code, no opinion is expressed as to whether A’s expatriation had for one of its principal purposes the avoidance of such taxes. While this ruling rebuts the presumption of tax avoidance under section 877(a)(2), it is not conclusive as to whether A subsequently may be found to have a principal purpose of tax avoidance under sections 877(a)(1), 2107(a)(1), and 2501(a)(3)(A) based on all the facts and circumstances. See section 877(c)(1). Except as expressly provided herein, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter. In addition, no opinion is expressed as to A’s U.S. tax liability for taxable periods prior to his loss of permanent residence status or for taxable periods after his loss of permanent residence status under sections of the Code other than sections 877, 2107, and 2501(a)(3).

A copy of this letter must be attached to A’s U.S. income tax return for the year in which A obtained the ruling (whether or not A is otherwise required to file a return).

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) of the Code provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.

In accordance with the power of attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being sent to your authorized representative.

Sincerely,
W. Edward Williams
Senior Technical Reviewer cc:
Assistant Commissioner (International)
International District Operations OP:IN:D