PLR 200212018: Former resident avoids expatriation tax motive presumption

Plain-English summary

A long-term U.S. resident returned her green card and requested a ruling on whether her departure had a principal purpose of avoiding U.S. taxes. Her net worth exceeded the threshold that ordinarily creates a tax avoidance presumption, but she planned to become a tax resident of the country where she was born and held citizenship. The IRS found her submission complete and made in good faith under Notice 98-34. It concluded both that the presumption would not apply and that she would not be treated under § 877(a)(2) as having a principal tax avoidance purpose. The letter gives no opinion on tax liabilities outside its stated scope and requires attachment to her U.S. return for the ruling year.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Would the former resident be treated under § 877(a)(2) as expatriating to avoid U.S. taxes?
• Outcome: Approved: the presumption did not apply, and she would not be so treated under § 877(a)(2).
• Key authorities: IRC § 877(a)(2), (c)(1)(B); Notice 98-34.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200212018
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 3/22/2002
Index No.: 877.01-00
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number

Refer Reply to
PLR-152868-01/CC:INTL:B1
Date:
December 20, 2001
A
=

Date B =

Date C =

Country D =

Date E =

Year F =

Dear:

This is in response to a letter dated B, 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 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 ruling, it is subject to verification on examination. The information submitted for consideration is substantially as set forth below.

A, a long-term resident of the United States within the meaning of section 877(e), relinquished her U.S. lawful permanent resident status ("expatriated") on Date C by returning her green card to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. A has been a citizen of Country D during her entire life by reason of her birth on Date E in Country D. A and her parents were born in Country D. A became a permanent resident of the United States and obtained her green card in Year F. On the date of A’s expatriation, her net worth exceeded the threshold required under section 877(a)(2).

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 section 877(d) for such taxable

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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, 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 exceeds certain thresholds. See sections 877(a)(2), 2107(a)(2)(A), and 2501(a)(3)(B).

Under Notice 98-34, 1998-2 C.B. 29, modifying Notice 97-19, 1997-1 C.B. 394, a former U.S. citizen or former long-term resident whose net worth or average tax liability exceeds the applicable threshold will 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. A is eligible to request a ruling pursuant to Notice 98-34 because A will become a resident and fully liable to income tax in Country D, the country where A was born, within a reasonable period following the date of expatriation.

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

Based solely on the information submitted and the representations made, we conclude that A has made a complete and good faith submission in accordance with section 877(c)(1)(B) and Notice 98-34. Therefore, A will not be presumed under section 877(a)(2) to have as one of her principal purposes for expatriating the avoidance of U.S. taxes. It is further concluded that A will not be treated under section 877(a)(2) as having as one of her principal purposes of expatriating the avoidance of U.S. taxes.

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 her loss of permanent residence status or for taxable periods after her 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.

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.

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

Sincerely yours,
Senior Technical Reviewer, Branch 1
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(International)