IRS revokes an insurance association's § 501(c)(15) tax exemption

Plain-English summary

The IRS revoked an organization's federal income tax exemption under § 501(c)(15), effective on a redacted date, because the organization did not meet the required premium-receipts percentage. The examination report states that the organization had gross receipts below the applicable dollar limits but did not satisfy the 50 percent or 35 percent premium test. The organization was required to file Form 1120-PC for the affected and later years in which it did not qualify for exemption. The report also stated that a § 831(b) election could apply only to the year it was made and later years, and could not be made retroactively.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Did the organization qualify for exemption under § 501(c)(15), and what were the tax consequences if it did not?
• Outcome: Revocation
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 501(c)(15), 831(b), 834, and 2032A; Notice 2006-42

Full text (IRS public release)

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Attn: Mandatory Review, MC 4920 DAL
1100 Commerce St.

TAX EXEMPT AND Dallas, TX 75242
GOVERNMENT ENTITIES
DIVISION

Date: February 17, 2010
Release Number: 201021047

Release Date: 5/28/10 UIL code: 501.15-00

LEGEND

ORG = Organization name XX = Date Employer Identification Number:

Address = address Person to Contact/ID Number:
Contact Numbers:

ORG Voice

ADDRESS Fax

CERTIFIED MAIL —- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Dear

In a determination letter dated April 19XX, you were held to be exempt from

Federal income tax under section 501(c)(15) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code).

Based on recent information received, we have determined you have not operated in accordance with the provisions of section 501(c)(15) of the Code. Accordingly, your exemption from Federal income tax is revoked effective January 1, 20XX. This is a final adverse determination letter with regard to your Status under section 501(c)(15) of the Code.

We previously provided you a report of examination explaining why we believe revocation of your exempt status is necessary. At that time, we informed you of your right to contact the Taxpayer Advocate, as well as your appeal rights. On June 12, 20XX, you signed Form 6018-A, Consent to Proposed Action, agreeing to the revocation of your exempt status under section 501(c)(15) of the Code.

You have filed taxable returns on Form 1120-PC, U.S. Property and Casualty Insurance Company Income Tax Return, for the years ended December 31, 20XX and December 31, 20XX with us. For future periods, you are required to file Form 1120-PC with the appropriate service center indicated in the instructions for the return.

You have the right to contact the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate. Taxpayer Advocate assistance is not a substitute for established IRS procedures, such as the formal Appeals process. The Taxpayer Advocate cannot reverse a legally correct tax determination, or extend the time fixed by law that you have to file a petition in a United States court. The Taxpayer Advocate can, however, see that a tax matter that may not have been resolved through normal channels gets

prompt and proper handling. You may call toll-free, and ask for Taxpayer Advocate Assistance. If you prefer, you may contact your local Taxpayer Advocate at:

If you have any questions, please contact the person whose name and telephone number are shown at the beginning of this letter.

Sincerely,

Nanette M. Downing
Acting Director, EO Examinations

ce:

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

of —) \,. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
QP Dallas, TX 75242
TAX EXEMPT AND
GOVERNMENT ENTITIES March 9, 2009
DIVISION

Taxpayer Identification Number:

LEGEND Form:

ORG = Organization name Tax Year(s) Ended:

Address = address XX = date Person to Contact/ID Number: Contact Numbers:

ORG Telephone:

ADDRESS Fax:

Dear

We have enclosed a copy of our report of examination explaining why we believe an adjustment of your organization’s exempt status is necessary.

We have also enclosed Publication 892, Exempt Organization Appeal Procedures for Unagreed Issues, and Publication 3498, The Examination Process. These publications include information on your rights as a taxpayer, including administrative appeal procedures within the Internal Revenue Service.

If you request a conference with Appeals, we will forward your written statement of protest to the Appeals Office, and they will contact you. For your convenience, an envelope is enclosed. If you and Appeals do not agree on some or all of the issues after your Appeals conference, the Appeals Office will advise you of its final decision

If you elect not to request Appeals consideration but instead accept our findings, please sign and return the enclosed Form 6018-A, Consent to Proposed Adverse Action. We will then send you a final letter modifying or revoking your exempt status under I.R.C. § 501(c)(15). If we do not hear from you within 30 days from the date of this letter, we will process your case on the basis of the recommendations shown in the report of examination and send a final letter advising of our determination.

In either situation outlined in the paragraph above (execution of Form 6018-A or failure to respond within 30 days), you are required to file federal income tax returns for the tax period(s) shown above, for all years still open under the statute of limitations, and for all later years. File the federal tax return for the tax period(s) shown above with this agent within 60 days from the date of this letter, unless a request for an extension of time is granted. File returns for later tax years with the appropriate service center indicated in

the instructions for those returns.

You have the right to contact the office of the Taxpayer Advocate. Taxpayer Advocate assistance is not a substitute for established IRS procedures, such as the formal appeals process. The Taxpayer Advocate cannot reverse a legally correct tax determination, or extend the time fixed by law that you have to file a petition in a United States court. The Taxpayer Advocate can, however, see that a tax matter that may not have been resolved through normal channels gets prompt and proper handling. You may call toll-free and ask for Taxpayer Advocate Assistance.

If you have any questions, please call the contact person at the telephone number shown in the heading of this letter. If you write, please provide a telephone number and the most convenient time to call if we need to contact you.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Sunita Lough
Director, EO Examinations

Enclosures:
Publication 892
Publication 3498
Form 6018-A

Report of Examination
Envelope

Form 886A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or Explanation of Items Exhibit Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended ORG 12/31/20XX LEGEND ORG = Organization name XX = Date City - city State = state ISSUES

1. Does ORG qualify for tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code (IRC)

Section 501(c)(15), for the years beginning January 1, 20XX?

2. If ORG does not qualify for tax exempt status for years beginning January 1,
   20XX, what are the tax consequences?

3. If the tax exempt status is revoked, how will it affect future years?
   FACTS

ORG (ORG) petitioned the State Circuit Court on June 17, 19XX, requesting incorporation. Included with the petition was a copy of the Articles of Association and Bylaws.

The Articles of Association filed with the petition stated that the organization was formed as a corporation under and pursuant to the provisions of Act 51 of the State Acts of 18XX (6 Ark. Stats (1947) Sections 64-1301—1312). The objects as stated in the Articles included the following:

e To engage in the burial protection business with benefits payable upon death of members or certificate holders only in burial services, products and benefits pursuant to the provisions of the by-laws of this association.

The By-Laws that were filed with the petition gave the following objects and purposes:

e The objects and purposes for which this Association is formed and the purposes for which it has been organized shall be to provide a plan for each member of this Association for the payment of all or part of the funeral expenses of such member, or a plan for the furnishing or undertaking to furnish merchandise, supplies and services or any other character of burial benefits to such member, or a plan for the issuance of a certificate which provides for the payment of funeral benefits to such member in merchandise, services or supplies, including the services of funeral directors and embalmers.

e The affairs of the association shall be operated on a mutual benefit basis for the mutual benefit of the members and certificate holders

The By-Laws also stated that the association shall be a non-stock corporation; pay no dividends and shall be operated on the mutual benefit basis pursuant to the Statute of the State of State, more particularly State Statutes (19XX) 64-1301, et seq.

Form 886-A (Rev.4-68) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Page: -1-

Form 886A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or Explanation of Items Exhibit

Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended

ORG 12/31/20XX

Membership in the organization is open to any person of good health

and not

considered under treatment of any physician, nor confined in any institution for the

treatment of a chronic disease.

Application Form 1024, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under IRC 501(a), was not provided by the organization and could not be found in the Internal Revenue Service, Exempt Organizations Records Unit located in City, State. According to the

research conducted on the Internal Revenue Service’s database, the received its tax exempt status under IRC 501(c)(15) in July, 19XX.

organization

The only type of insurance provided has been the burial certificates with a value of $.

There have been no other types of insurance and there has been no activity conducted by ORG.

At the end of 20XX, ORG had 1,208 certificates outstanding.

reinsurance

Form 990 was filed for the 20XX tax year. The following is a breakdown of the Gross Receipts received by ORG for the year ending December 31, 20XX, based on the Examination Report provided to the State Burial Association Board and the percentage of Gross Premiums to Gross Receipts for the same year per Notice 20XX-42.

ORG BURIAL

20XX

Membership Fees

|

_Total Membership Fees

Interest/Dividend Income

| Total Gross Receipts

Percentage- Gross Premium/Reinsurance Income to Gross Receipts

An election under IRC 831(b) has never been filed. As of the writing

of this report,

there has never been a filing of the election, either with the filing of the Forms 990 or

separately.

ORG was not involved in any court ordered liquidation or receivership during or 20XX.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Form 886-A(Rev.4-68) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service

Page: -2-

Form 886A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or Explanation of Items Exhibit Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended ORG 12/31/20XX

1. Does qualify for tax exempt status under

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(15) for the years beginning January 1, 2007?

Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(15)(A) exempts from Federal income tax insurance companies (as defined in section 816(a)) other than life (including interinsurers and reciprocal underwriters) if-

(i.) (I) the gross receipts for the taxable year do not exceed $600,000, and (II) more than 50 percent of such gross receipts consist of premiums, or

(ii.) in the case of a mutual insurance company-
(I) the gross receipts of which for the taxable year do not exceed $150,000 and, (Il) more than 35 percent of such gross receipts consist of premiums.

Clause (ii) shall not apply to a company if any employee of the company, or a member of the employee's family (as defined in section 2032(A)(e)(2), is an employee of another company exempt from taxation by reason of this paragraph (or would be so exempt but for this sentence).

Sec. 206, Clarification of Exemption from Tax for Small Property and Casualty Insurance Companies, of the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004, P.L. 108-218, amended section 501(c)(15)(A) to change the definition of small property and casualty insurance companies (insurance companies other than life insurance companies) exempt from income taxes to: (1) a company whose gross receipts for the taxable year do not exceed $600,000, and over half such gross receipts consist of premiums (currently, whose net written premiums (or, if greater, direct written premiums) for the taxable year do not exceed $350,000); or (2) a mutual insurance company (a) whose gross receipts for the taxable year do not exceed $150,000 and more than 35 percent of which consist of premiums and (b) none of whose employees (or member of the employee's family) is an employee of another company exempt from tax under section 501(c)(15). These changes were applicable after December 31, 2003.

Notice 2006-42, IRB, 2006-19 provides guidance as to the meaning of “gross receipts” for purposes of section 501(c)(15)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code. This notice advises taxpayers that the Service will include amounts received from the following sources during the taxable year in “gross receipts” for purposes of § 501(c)(15)(A):

A. Premiums (including deposits and assessments), without reduction for return premiums or premiums paid for reinsurance;

B. Items described in § 834(b) (gross investment income of a non-life insurance company); and

Form 886-A (Rev.4-08) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Page: -3-

Form 886A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or Explanation of Items Exhibit

Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended

ORG 12/31/20XX

C. Other items that are properly included in the taxpayer's gross income under subchapter B of chapter 1, subtitle A, of the Code.

Thus, gross receipts include both tax-free interest and the gain (but not the entire amount realized) from the sale or exchange of capital assets, because those items are described in § 834(b). Gross receipts do not, however, include amounts other than premium income or gross investment income unless those amounts are otherwise included in gross income. Accordingly, the term gross receipts does not include contributions to capital excluded from gross income under § 118, or salvage or reinsurance recovered accounted for as offsets to losses incurred under

§ 832(b)(5)(A)(i).

Section 834(b)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code includes under gross receipts the gains from the sale or exchanges of capital assets to the extent provided in subchapter P (section 1201 and following, relating to capital gains and losses).

Section 834(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code allows a deduction for Capital Losses to the extent provided in subchapter P (section 1201 and following) plus losses from capital assets sold or exchanged in order to obtain funds to meet abnormal insurance losses and to provide for the payment of dividends and similar distributions to policyholders.

Based on the changes in the limitations under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(15)(A), and the operation of MOORES during 20 it was determined from the chart above that did not qualify for tax exempt status for the years beginning January 1, 20 did have gross receipts of under $600,000 and $150,000 ($78,341) but was unable to meet the 50% or 35% requirement (10.62%).

Section 206(e) of the Pension Funding Act of 2004, P.L. 118-218 provides the effective date of the new requirements for exemption under IRC 501(c)(15). It states:

EFFECTIVE DATE-

(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.

(2) TRANSITION RULE FOR COMPANIES IN RECEIVERSHIP OR
LIQUIDATION- In the case of a company or association which-- (A) for the taxable year which includes April 1, 2004, meets the requirements of section 501(c)(15)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect for the last taxable year beginning before January 1, 2004, and

Form 886-A rev.4-68) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Page: -4-

Form 886A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or Explanation of Items Exhibit

Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended

ORG 12/31/20XX

(B) on April 1, 2004, is in a receivership, liquidation, or similar proceeding under the supervision of a State court, the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the earlier of the date such proceeding ends or December 31, 2007.

was not involved in a court ordered liquidation or receivership during 20 Therefore, Section 206(e)(2) does not apply to this organization.

Therefore, for the years beginning January 1, 20 did not qualify for tax exempt status under IRC 501(c)(15).

2. If does not qualify for tax exempt status for
   years beginning January 1, 2007, what are the tax consequences?

Since did not qualify for tax exempt status under IRC Section 501(c)(15) for the years beginning January 1, 20 tax exempt status should be revoked for years beginning January 1, 20 filing of the Form 990 for 2007 was incorrect. should have filed Form 1120-PC for years beginning January 1, 20

IRC 831 discusses tax on insurance companies other than life insurance companies.

IRC 831(a) states as a general rule, “Taxes computed as provided in section 11 shall be imposed for each taxable year on the taxable income of every insurance company other than a life insurance company.”

IRC 831(b) provides an alternative tax for certain small companies. It states in IRC 831(b)(1) that, in general, “In lieu of the tax otherwise applicable under subsection (a), there is hereby imposed for each taxable year on the income of every insurance company to which this subsection applies a tax computed by multiplying the taxable investment income of such company for such taxable year by the rates provided in section 11(b).”

IRC 831(b)(2) discusses the companies to which this subsection applies.

(A) In general. This subsection shall apply to every insurance company other than life (including interinsurers and reciprocal underwriters) if- (i) the net written premiums (or, if greater, direct written premiums) for the taxable year do not exceed $1,200,000, and (ii) such company elects the application of this subsection for such taxable year.

Form 886-A (Rev.4-68) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Page: -5-

Form 886A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or Explanation of Items Exhibit

Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended

ORG 12/31/20XX

The election under clause (ii) shall apply to the taxable year for which made and for all subsequent taxable years for which the requirements of clause (1) are met. Such election, once made, may be revoked only with the consent of the Secretary.

Regulations (Regs.) 301.9100-8(a)(2) discusses the time for making elections. Under (i) it states in general that except as otherwise provided in this section, the elections described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, must be made by the later of-

(A) The due date (taking into account any extensions of time to file obtained by the taxpayer) of the tax return for the first taxable year for which the election is effective, or

(B) January 22, 1990 (in which case the election generally must be made by amended return)

Regs. 301.9100-8(a)(1) mentioned above includes IRC 831(b)(2)(A).

Regs. 301.9100-8(a)(3) describes the manner of making elections. It states, “ Except otherwise provided in this section, the elections described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be made by attaching a statement to the tax return for the first taxable year for which the election is to be effective.”

Based on the Code and Regulation sections above, is not entitled to the relief under 831(b), for years under examination and for any future year, until they decide to file the election. The election has never been filed, either with the Form 990 or separately. Any election filed now or in the future would only be effective for the year the election was filed and all subsequent years. The election can not be made retroactive.

3. If the tax exempt status is revoked, how will it affect future years?

The tax exempt status should be revoked for the years beginning January 1, 20

Form 1120-PC is required for each year and all future years where does not qualify for exemption. If meets the requirements under IRC 501(c)(15) in future years, it may be allowed to file the Form 990 for each year they qualify, as a self- declared entity. Otherwise, Form 1120-PC would be required. Any year in the future that the Form 1120-PC is required, is allowed to make an election under IRC 831(b). Once the election is made, it is effective for the year the election was made and for all future years that the Form 1120-PC is required. The election can not be made retroactive.

TAXPAYER’S POSITION

Unknown at the time of this writing

Form 886-ARev.4-68) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Page: -6-

Form 886A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or Explanation of Items Exhibit

Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended

ORG 12/31/20XX

SUMMARY

It is the Governments position, based on the above facts, law and analysis, that the tax exemption status of ORG for the years beginning January 1, 20XX, should be revoked based on not meeting the qualifications for exemption under IRC 501(c)(15). Form 1120-PC would be required to be filed for any year where ORG does not qualify for exemption under IRC 501(c)(15).

Form 886-A rev.4-68) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Page: -7-