Mutual insurer may revoke its small-company tax election

Plain-English summary

A mutual property and casualty insurer asked to revoke its election under IRC § 831(b) to be taxed only on investment income. The insurer planned to expand its policyholder base, appoint agents, enter new markets, and retain capital for that growth. It represented that the revocation was not intended to eliminate tax liability. The IRS consented to the revocation, provided the insurer did not make another § 831(b) election during the first five years after the revocation year.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the insurer revoke its IRC § 831(b) election?
• Outcome: Approved, with a five-year restriction on making a new election
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 831 and 834

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201633027 Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 8/12/2016 Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 831.00-00
Person To Contact:
--------------------- --------------------------------, ID No. ----------
-------------- ------------------
-------------------------------------------------- Telephone Number:
------------------------------ ----------------------
Refer Reply To:
-------------------------------- CC:FIP:B04
PLR-138536-15
Date:
May 18, 2016

Legend

Taxpayer = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------
State A = --------------

Dear ---------------:

 This is in reply to your letter dated November 20, 2015, requesting consent to

Taxpayer’s revocation of its election under section 831(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal
Revenue Code, effective for the taxable year beginning January 1, -------.

                                                 FACTS

   Taxpayer was formed to provide affordable fire insurance to farmers located in

State A. Taxpayer continues to operate as a mutual insurance company with a mission
of providing comprehensive property and casualty insurance products for farmers and
homeowners at affordable rates. Taxpayer elected to be taxed only on its taxable
investment income pursuant to section 831(b).

     Taxpayer is embarking on a growth initiative to increase its number of

policyholders and its premium revenue. Taxpayer is taking several steps to do this
initiative, including appointing new insurance agents to gain access and exposure to
new customers and markets. Taxpayer has been a direct seller of its own insurance
products previously and believes this change to appointing agents will allow it to grow
and compete in the current insurance market. This business change will require
Taxpayer to retain and generate sufficient capital to invest in these measures and
ensure its future success.
PLR-138536-15 2

                               LAW AND ANALYSIS

   Section 831(a) imposes a tax for each taxable year on the taxable income of

every insurance company other than a life insurance company.

    Section 831(b) provides an alternative tax to the tax imposed by section 831(a)

for certain insurance companies. The alternative tax for these companies is a tax
computed for each year by multiplying the taxable investment income (defined in
section 834(a)) of the company for the taxable year by the rates in section 11(b).

     Section 831(b)(2)(A) provides that the alternative tax applies to every insurance

company other than a life insurance company if (i) the company’s net written premiums
(or, if greater, direct written premiums) do not exceed $1,200,000, and (ii) the company
elects the application of section 831(b) (the alternative tax) for the taxable year.

   Section 110(f)(1) of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988

added the flush paragraph following section 831(b)(2)(A)(ii), which states, “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 (i) are met. Such an election, once
made, may be revoked only with the consent of the Secretary.”

    This clarification reflects Congress’ intent that the election not be used as a

means of eliminating tax liability (e.g., by making the election only for the years the
taxpayer does not have net operating losses). The section 831(b) election is tax
simplification for small companies. S. Rep. No. 445, 100th Congress, 2d Sess. 127
(1988).

   Taxpayer represents that it is changing its current business model that will

increase policyholders and premium income. Taxpayer will also change from direct
marketing of its policies to using agents to market its policies. Taxpayer represents it is
not revoking its election as a means of eliminating tax liability.

                               CONCLUSION

    Consent is hereby granted to Taxpayer to revoke its section 831(b) election

effective for tax year ------- provided that Taxpayer does not make an election under
section 831(b) to be taxed on only its investment income for any of the first five years
following the year to which the consent relates.

  The ruling contained in this letter is based upon information and representations

submitted by the taxpayer and accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement executed
by an appropriate party. This office has not verified any of the material submitted in
PLR-138536-15 3

support of the request for rulings and it is subject to verification on examination.

   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.

  This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer(s) requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) of

the Code provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent. A copy of this letter
must be attached to any federal income tax return to which it is relevant.

     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,




                                               Rebecca L. Baxter
                                               Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 4
                                               Office of Associate Chief Counsel
                                               (Financial Institutions & Products)