PLR 200210049: Former resident rebuts tax avoidance presumption, purpose unresolved

Plain-English summary

A former long-term U.S. resident who surrendered his green card sought a ruling that avoiding U.S. tax was not a principal purpose of her departure. His net worth exceeded the threshold that triggered a presumption of tax avoidance under the then-applicable expatriation rules. The IRS found that he submitted a complete, good faith request under Notice 98-34, so the presumption would not apply. It declined to decide whether tax avoidance was in fact a principal purpose, leaving that question open to later review of all the circumstances.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Would the resident's departure be treated as having a principal purpose of avoiding U.S. tax?
• Outcome: Mixed: the presumption was rebutted, but the IRS did not rule on actual purpose.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 877, 2107, 2501(a)(3); Notice 98-34.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200210049
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 3/8/2002
Index Number: 877.08-00
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:
(202) 622-3880
Refer Reply To:
CC:INTL:1- PLR-158275-01
Date:
December 7, 2001

DO: TY:

A
=

Country B =

Date C =

Date D =

Year E =

Dear:

This is in response to a letter dated October 18, 2001, 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 the taxpayer. 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 C. A is a citizen of Country B by reason of his birth on Date D in Country B. A's parents were also born in Country B. A became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in Year E. On the date of A’s expatriation, his net worth exceeded the applicable threshold 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 tax regimes,

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

A former citizen or former long term-resident will be presumed to have 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 exceeds 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, an eligible 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 long-term 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 98-34 because he was present in the United States for fewer than 30 days during each year of the 10-year period ending in the year that he surrendered his green card.

A submitted all the information required 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 purpose 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 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

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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 resident status or for taxable periods after his loss of permanent resident 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 A’s authorized representative.

Sincerely,
W. Edward Williams
Senior Technical Reviewer
CC:INTL:Br1