§ 1.987-10. Transition rules.

¶(1) The basis of the assets, reduced by the amount of liabilities, that are attributable to the section 987 QBU on the day before the transition date, translated into the owner's functional currency at the transition exchange rate.

¶(2) The basis of the assets, reduced by the amount of liabilities, that are attributable to the section 987 QBU on the day before the transition date, translated into the owner's functional currency at the pretransition translation rate.

¶(1) Reasonable conventions. The use of a reasonable convention (for example, the use of a yearly average exchange rate rather than the applicable spot rate to translate frequently recurring transfers) is a practice described in this paragraph (e)(4)(v)(B).

¶(2) Disregarded transactions. If, in determining the amount of a remittance that requires the recognition of gain or loss under section 987(3), an owner of a QBU consistently disregarded certain transfers to or from the QBU (other than transfers from the QBU to the owner that would be treated as distributions if the QBU were treated as a separate corporation), the owner is considered to have applied a practice described in this paragraph (e)(4)(v)(B) with respect to the QBU, provided that the owner otherwise accounts for the disregarded transfers in a reasonable manner (for example, under the method described in the 1991 proposed regulations, by taking the disregarded transfers into account in computing equity and basis pools so as to properly reflect the owner's net equity in the QBU and its functional currency basis in the QBU).

¶(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(5)(i)(B)(2) of this section, pretransition loss with respect to a section 987 QBU, a deferral QBU, or an outbound loss QBU is treated as suspended section 987 loss with respect to the section 987 QBU, the deferral QBU, or the outbound loss QBU. In the case of a deferral QBU or outbound loss QBU, suspended section 987 loss is attributed to one or more successor suspended loss QBUs under the principles of § 1.987-13(b)(1) and (c)(1).

¶(2) Current rate election. If a current rate election is in effect (and an annual recognition election is not in effect) in the taxable year beginning on the transition date, pretransition loss with respect to a section 987 QBU (other than a terminating QBU) is treated as net accumulated unrecognized section 987 loss (within the meaning of § 1.987-4(c)), and pretransition loss with respect to a deferral QBU is treated as deferred section 987 loss and is attributed to one or more successor deferral QBUs under the principles of § 1.987-12(b)(2) and (c)(2).

¶(1) Scope. This paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(B) applies if a corporation (acquiring corporation) acquires the assets of an owner that is subject to an election under paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(A) of this section in a transaction described in section 381(a), and either the owner is a foreign corporation and the acquiring corporation is a domestic corporation or the owner is a domestic corporation and the acquiring corporation is a foreign corporation. This paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(B) also applies to any transaction entered into with a principal purpose of avoiding the recognition of pretransition gain under paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(A) of this section.

¶(2) Recognition of pretransition gain or loss. In the case of a transaction described in paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(B)(1) of this section, pretransition gain or loss that has not been recognized under paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(A) of this section ceases to be subject to the election to be recognized ratably over the transition period. Any unrecognized pretransition gain is recognized immediately before the transaction, and any unrecognized pretransition loss becomes suspended section 987 loss immediately before the transaction. As a result, the suspended section 987 loss may be recognized to the extent of section 987 gain recognized in the same recognition grouping pursuant to § 1.987-11(e). See also § 1.987-13(g) (providing that any remaining suspended section 987 loss does not carry over to the acquiring corporation upon an inbound transaction to which section 381(a) applies).

¶(1) Amounts determined under prior § 1.987-4(d) or under § 1.987-4(d) or § 1.987-10 of the 2006 proposed section 987 regulations, as applicable, are included in amounts determined under § 1.987-4(d) for all prior taxable years; and

¶(2) Amounts taken into account under prior § 1.987-5(a) or under § 1.987-5(a) of the 2006 proposed section 987 regulations, as applicable, are included in amounts recognized under § 1.987-5(a) for all prior taxable years. For this purpose, amounts taken into account under prior § 1.987-5(a) or under § 1.987-5(a) of the 2006 proposed section 987 regulations, as applicable, are determined without regard to prior § 1.987-12 or prior § 1.987-12T.

¶(1) Deemed termination amount. Under paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A) of this section, the deemed termination amount is the amount of section 987 gain or loss that would have been recognized by DC under the eligible pretransition method if Branch terminated and transferred all its assets and liabilities to DC (the land with a basis of €100) on December 31, year 3. Under DC's eligible pretransition method, DC would have recognized section 987 gain of $35, determined by subtracting the remaining basis pool of $105 from the amount of the remittance of $140 (€100 translated at the spot rate on December 31, year 3, of €1 = $1.40). Therefore, the deemed termination amount is $35.

¶(2) Owner functional currency net value adjustment. On December 31, year 3, Branch had no liabilities and only one asset: land with a basis of €100. Under paragraph (e)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the owner functional currency net value adjustment is equal to the basis of the land, translated into U.S. dollars at the transition exchange rate, reduced by the basis of the land, translated into U.S. dollars at the pretransition translation rate. Under paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section, the transition exchange rate is the spot rate applicable to December 31, year 3. Under paragraph (e)(2)(i)(C) of this section, the pretransition translation rate is the rate that would be used under DC's eligible pretransition method to determine the basis of the land in the hands of DC if Branch transferred the land to DC on December 31, year 3. Under DC's eligible pretransition method, if Branch transferred the land to DC, DC's basis in the land would be equal to Branch's basis (€100) translated at the spot rate on the date of the remittance. Therefore, the pretransition translation rate on December 31, year 3, is equal to the spot rate on December 31, year 3. Consequently, the owner functional currency net value adjustment is zero.

¶(1) Remittance out of earnings. For purposes of determining section 987 gain or loss recognized on the remittance, Branch's earnings equity pool was equal to €50, and its earnings basis pool was equal to $60, as shown in the table below. Because Branch remitted 100% of the earnings equity pool (€50), the entire earnings basis pool, or $60, was attributable to the remittance. The value of the remittance was $67.50 (€50 translated at the spot rate on June 30, year 3, of €1 = $1.35). Therefore, in year 3, DC recognized section 987 gain of $7.50, equal to the difference between the value of the remittance ($67.50) and the portion of the basis pool attributable to the remittance ($60). As a result of the remittance, the earnings equity pool and the earnings basis pool were each reduced to zero. In the hands of DC, the €50 distributed out of earnings had a basis of $67.50 (€50 translated at the spot rate on June 30, year 3, of €1 = $1.35).

¶(2) Distribution out of capital. The basis of the €50 distributed out of capital was equal to the portion of the capital basis pool attributable to the distribution. For this purpose, the capital equity pool was equal to €150, and the capital basis pool was equal to $150, as shown in the table below. Because Branch distributed 33% of the capital equity pool, or €50, 33% of the capital basis pool, or $50, was attributable to the distribution. In the hands of DC, the €50 distributed out of capital had a basis of $50. As a result of the capital distribution, the capital equity pool was reduced to €100 and the capital basis pool was reduced to $100.

¶(3) Section 988 gain recognized. On June 30, year 3, DC exchanged €100 with an aggregate basis of $117.50 (equal to the sum of the $67.50 basis of the remittance out of earnings and the $50 basis of the distribution out of capital) for $135. Therefore, DC recognized $17.50 of gain under section 988.

¶(1) DC's total amount of income under its pretransition method. Under DC's pretransition method, DC recognized $7.50 of section 987 gain and $17.50 of section 988 gain in year 3. In addition, on December 31, year 3, DC had $40 of embedded gain in its capital equity and basis pools (equal to the difference between its capital equity pool of €100, translated at the spot rate on December 31, year 3, of €1 = $1.40, and its capital basis pool of $100) which will be taken into account in the future (when Branch distributes property out of capital and the property is sold). DC also recognized $60 of earnings with respect to Branch ($28.75 in year 2 and $31.25 in year 3). Thus, DC's total income (recognized and unrecognized) with respect to Branch is $125.

¶(2) DC's total amount of income under an earnings and capital method. If DC had instead applied an earnings and capital method, as described in paragraph (l)(1)(i)(C) of this section (Example 1), DC would have recognized section 987 gain of $30 in year 3 and would not have recognized section 988 gain in year 3, as explained in paragraph (l)(1)(i)(D) of this section. On December 31, year 3, DC would have unrecognized section 987 gain in its equity and basis pools of $35 (see paragraph (l)(1)(ii)(B)(1) of this section (Example 1)). DC would also have recognized $60 of earnings with respect to Branch ($28.75 in year 2 and $31.25 in year 3). Thus, DC's total income (recognized and unrecognized) with respect to Branch is $125.

¶(1) Deemed termination amount. Under paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A) of this section, the deemed termination amount is the amount of section 987 gain or loss that would have been recognized by DC under the eligible pretransition method if Branch terminated and transferred all of its assets and liabilities to DC on December 31, year 3. Under DC's eligible pretransition method, if Branch had transferred all of its assets and liabilities to DC, this would have been treated as a distribution out of capital. Under its eligible pretransition method, DC would not have recognized section 987 gain or loss on a distribution out of capital. Therefore, the deemed termination amount is zero.

¶(2) Owner functional currency net value adjustment. On December 31, year 3, Branch had no liabilities and only one asset: land with a basis of €100. Under paragraph (e)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the owner functional currency net value adjustment is equal to the basis of Branch's land, translated into U.S. dollars at the transition exchange rate, reduced by the basis of Branch's land, translated into U.S. dollars at the pretransition translation rate on December 31, year 3. Under paragraph (e)(2)(i)(C) of this section, the pretransition translation rate is the rate that would be used under the eligible pretransition method to determine the basis of the land in the hands of DC if Branch transferred the land to DC. Under DC's eligible pretransition method, DC's basis in assets distributed from Branch is equal to the portion of the capital basis pool attributable to the distribution. If Branch transferred the land with a basis of €100 to DC on December 31, year 3, its remaining capital basis pool of $100 would be attributable to the distribution, and the land would have a basis of $100 in the hands of DC. Because the land had a basis of €100 in the hands of Branch, and would have a basis of $100 in the hands of DC if it were distributed on December 31, year 3, the pretransition translation rate is €1 = $1. Under paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section, because a current rate election is in effect for year 4, the transition exchange rate is the spot rate applicable to December 31, year 3. The €100 basis of Branch's land, translated at the spot rate on December 31, year 3 of €1 = $1.40 is equal to $140. The €100 basis of Branch's land, translated at the pretransition translation rate on December 31, year 3 of €1 = $1 is equal to $100. Therefore, the owner functional currency net value adjustment is equal to $40 ($140−$100).

¶(1) Transition exchange rate. DC applied an earnings only method described in paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of this section before the transition date. Under paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section, because a current rate election is not in effect for year 4, the transition exchange rate for Branch's land is equal to the pretransition translation rate. As explained in paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(B)(2) of this section (Example 2), the pretransition translation rate is €1 = $1.

¶(2) Pretransition gain or loss. Because the transition exchange rate for the land (Branch's sole asset) is equal to the pretransition translation rate, the owner functional currency net value adjustment is zero. As explained in paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(B)(1) of this section (Example 2), the deemed termination amount is also zero. Therefore, DC has no pretransition gain or loss with respect to Branch.

¶(3) Determination of unrecognized section 987 gain or loss in year 4. For purposes of determining unrecognized section 987 gain or loss in year 4 under § 1.987-4(d), the owner functional currency net value of Branch on the last day of year 3 is determined by translating the €100 basis of the land at the transition exchange rate, which is the pretransition translation rate of €1 = $1. Therefore, the owner functional currency net value of Branch on the last day of year 3 is $100.

¶(1) Remittance out of earnings. For purposes of determining section 987 gain or loss recognized on the remittance, Branch's earnings equity pool was equal to €50, and its earnings basis pool was equal to $60, as shown in the table below. Because Branch remitted 100% of the earnings equity pool (€50), the entire earnings basis pool, or $60, was attributable to the remittance. The value of the remittance was $67.50 (€50 translated at the spot rate on June 30, year 3, of €1 = $1.35). Therefore, in year 3, DC recognized section 987 gain of $7.50, equal to the difference between the value of the remittance ($67.50) and the portion of the basis pool attributable to the remittance ($60). As a result of the remittance, the earnings equity pool and the earnings basis pool were each reduced to zero.

¶(2) Basis of euros distributed. In the hands of DC, the €100 distributed had a basis of $135 (€100 translated at the spot rate on June 30, year 3, of €1 = $1.35). DC did not recognize gain or loss under section 988 when it exchanged the €100 for $135.

¶(1) Deemed termination amount. Under paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A) of this section, the deemed termination amount is the amount of section 987 gain or loss that would have been recognized by DC under the eligible pretransition method if Branch terminated and transferred all of its assets and liabilities to DC on December 31, year 3. Under DC's eligible pretransition method, if Branch had transferred all of its assets and liabilities to DC, it would have been treated as a distribution out of capital. Under its eligible pretransition method, DC would not have recognized section 987 gain or loss on a distribution out of capital. Therefore, the deemed termination amount is zero.

¶(2) Owner functional currency net value adjustment. On December 31, year 3, Branch has no liabilities and only one asset: land with a basis of €100. Under paragraph (e)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the owner functional currency net value adjustment is equal to the basis of the land, translated into U.S. dollars at the transition exchange rate, reduced by the basis of the land, translated into U.S. dollars at the pretransition translation rate. Under paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section, the transition exchange rate is the spot rate applicable to December 31, year 3. Under paragraph (e)(2)(i)(C) of this section, the pretransition translation rate is the rate that would be used under DC's eligible pretransition method to determine the basis of the land in the hands of DC if Branch transferred the land to DC on December 31, year 3. Under DC's eligible pretransition method, if Branch transferred the land to DC, DC's basis in the land would be equal to Branch's basis (€100) translated at the spot rate on the date of the distribution. Therefore, the pretransition translation rate on December 31, year 3, is equal to the spot rate on December 31, year 3. Consequently, the owner functional currency net value adjustment is zero.

¶(1) Change in owner functional currency net value for year 1. On December 31, year 1, Branch held land with a basis of €100 and €50 cash. Therefore, on the last day of year 1, Branch's owner functional currency net value is $165 (150 euros translated at the spot rate on December 31, year 1, of €1 = $1.10). Because Branch was formed in year 1, its owner functional currency net value on the last day of the preceding taxable year is zero. See § 1.987-4(d)(1)(iii). Therefore, the change in owner functional currency net value is an increase of $165.

¶(2) Residual increase to net assets for year 1. Under § 1.987-4(d)(10), unrecognized section 987 gain or loss for a taxable year is decreased by any residual increase to net assets (and increased by any residual decrease to net assets), translated into the owner's functional currency at the yearly average exchange rate for the taxable year. For this purpose, the residual increase (or decrease) to net assets is equal to the change in net value of the section 987 QBU, determined in the section 987 QBU's functional currency (that is, the QBU net value). See § 1.987-4(d)(10)(ii)(B) and (e)(2)(ii). On December 31, year 1, Branch held land with a basis of €100 euros and €50 cash. Therefore, on the last day of year 1, Branch has a QBU net value of €150. Because Branch was formed in year 1, its QBU net value on the last day of the preceding taxable year is zero. See § 1.987-4(d)(1)(iii). Therefore, the residual increase to net assets is €150. This results in a negative adjustment to annual unrecognized section 987 gain or loss of $157.50 for year 1 (equal to €150 translated at the yearly average exchange rate for year 1 of €1 = $1.05).

¶(1) Change in owner functional currency net value for year 2. On December 31, year 2, Branch held land with a basis of €100 and €75 cash. Therefore, on the last day of year 2, Branch's owner functional currency net value is $210 (175 euros translated at the spot rate on December 31, year 2, of €1 = $1.20). As explained in paragraph (l)(4)(ii)(C)(1) of this section (Example 4), Branch's owner functional currency net value on the last day of year 1 was $165. Therefore, the change in owner functional currency net value is an increase of $45.

¶(2) Residual increase to net assets for year 2. On December 31, year 2, Branch held land with a basis of €100 and €75 cash. Therefore, on the last day of year 2, Branch has a QBU net value of €175. As explained in paragraph (l)(4)(ii)(C)(2) of this section (Example 4), Branch had a QBU net value of €150 on December 31, year 1. Therefore, the residual increase to net assets is €25. This results in a negative adjustment to annual unrecognized section 987 gain or loss of $28.75 for year 2 (equal to a reduction of €25, translated at the yearly average exchange rate for year 2 of €1 = $1.15).

¶(1) Change in owner functional currency net value for year 3. On December 31, year 3, Branch held land with a basis of €100. Therefore, on the last day of year 3, Branch's owner functional currency net value is $140 (100 euros translated at the spot rate on December 31, year 3, of €1 = $1.40). As explained in paragraph (l)(4)(ii)(D)(1) of this section (Example 4), Branch's owner functional currency net value on the last day of year 2 was $210. Therefore, the change in owner functional currency net value is a decrease of $70.

¶(2) Residual decrease to net assets for year 3. On December 31, year 3, Branch held land with a basis of €100. Therefore, on the last day of year 3, Branch has a QBU net value of €100. As explained in paragraph (l)(4)(ii)(D)(2) of this section (Example 4), Branch had a QBU net value of €175 on December 31, year 2. Therefore, the residual decrease to net assets is €75. This results in a positive adjustment to annual unrecognized section 987 gain or loss of $93.75 for year 3 (equal to €75, translated at the yearly average exchange rate for year 3 of €1 = $1.25).