PLR 9937027: Expatriation tax-avoidance presumption rebutted, but actual purpose left open

Plain-English summary

A former long-term U.S. resident gave up a green card and moved back to the country of birth, where the person's spouse and parents were also born. The person's net worth exceeded the threshold for a presumption that expatriation had a principal U.S. tax-avoidance purpose. The IRS found the request complete and made in good faith under Notice 98-34, so that presumption did not apply. But the IRS said the information did not clearly establish whether tax avoidance actually was a principal purpose, and it expressly gave no opinion on that question. The letter leaves open a later finding based on all the facts and circumstances.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Did the former resident's expatriation lack a principal purpose of avoiding U.S. taxes?
• Outcome: Mixed (presumption rebutted; actual purpose not decided)
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 877(a), 877(c), 2107, 2501(a)(3); Notices 97-19 and 98-34

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Index Number: 877.08-00
Washington, DC 20224

Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:
Number: 199937027
Release Date: 9/17/1999
Refer Reply To:
CC:INTL:Br1-PLR-100078-99
Date:
June 17, 1999

DO: TY:

A
=

Country B =
Date C
=
Date D
=
Date E
=

Dear A:

This is in response to a letter dated December 12, 1998, submitted by your authorized representative requesting a ruling under section 877(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Code”) that your loss of lawful permanent U.S. 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 a penalty of perjury statement 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 was born in Country B on Date C. A’s spouse and A’s parents were born in Country B A moved to the United States in Date D. A moved back to Country B on Date E and has lived there ever since. He is a citizen of Country B. A relinquished his lawful permanent U.S. resident status on Date E. On the date of A’s expatriation, A’s net worth exceeded $543,000.

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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 subject to 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, 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(a)(2), 2107(a)(2)(A) and 2501(a)(3)(B).

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 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 98-34, because he is described in three categories of individuals eligible to submit ruling requests. First, within a reasonable period after A’s expatriation, A will be a resident fully liable to income tax in Country B, the country where A was born. Second, within a reasonable period after A’s expatriation, A will be a resident fully liable to income tax in Country B, the country where A’s spouse was born. Third, A is eligible to submit a request because within a reasonable period after his expatriation, A will be a resident fully liable to tax in Country B, the country where his parents were born.

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

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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. Therefore, A will not be presumed to have as one of his principal purposes for expatriating the avoidance of U.S. taxes.

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 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 lawful permanent U.S. resident status or for taxable periods after his loss of lawful permanent U.S. resident status under sections of the Code other than sections 877, 2107, and 2501(a)(3).

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.

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(s) 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 the taxpayer’s representative.

Sincerely,

_____
ALLEN GOLDSTEIN
Reviewer
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(International)