Foreign Trust Challenges for U.S. Tax Advisors: Navigating Fiduciary Accounting Income, Form 3520, FATCA

Transcription

1 Foreign Trust Challenges for U.S. Tax Advisors: Navigating Fiduciary Accounting Income, Form 3520, FATCA WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2014, 1:00-2:50 pm Eastern IMPORTANT INFORMATION This program is approved for 2 CPE credit hours. To earn credit you must: Participate in the program on your own computer connection and phone line (no sharing) if you need to register additional people, please call customer service at x10 (or x10). Strafford accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Respond to verification codes presented throughout the seminar. If you have not printed out the Official Record of Attendance, please print it now. (see Handouts tab in Conference Materials box on left-hand side of your computer screen). To earn Continuing Education credits, you must write down the verification codes in the corresponding spaces found on the Official Record of Attendance form. Complete and submit the Official Record of Attendance for Continuing Education Credits, which is available on the program page along with the presentation materials. Instructions on how to return it are included on the form. To earn full credit, you must remain on the line for the entire program. WHOM TO CONTACT For Additional Registrations: -Call Strafford Customer Service x10 (or x10) For Assistance During the Program: - On the web, use the chat box at the bottom left of the screen - On the phone, press *0 ( star zero) If you get disconnected during the program, you can simply call or log in using your original instructions and PIN.

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4 Foreign Trust Challenges for U.S. Tax Advisors August 6, 2014 Cynthia Brittain, Northern Trust Lawrence M. Lipoff, Lipoff Global Advisors Edward Vergara, Withers Bergman

5 Notice ANY TAX ADVICE IN THIS COMMUNICATION IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN BY THE SPEAKERS FIRMS TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED, BY A CLIENT OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF (i) AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON ANY TAXPAYER OR (ii) PROMOTING, MARKETING OR RECOMMENDING TO ANOTHER PARTY ANY MATTERS ADDRESSED HEREIN. You (and your employees, representatives, or agents) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation, the tax treatment or tax structure, or both, of any transaction described in the associated materials we provide to you, including, but not limited to, any tax opinions, memoranda, or other tax analyses contained in those materials. The information contained herein is of a general nature and based on authorities that are subject to change. Applicability of the information to specific situations should be determined through consultation with your tax adviser. 5

6 FACETS THAT MAKE AN ENTITY A TRUST Cynthia Brittain Vice President and Senior Fiduciary Officer Northern Trust Santa Barbara, Calif. Cdb11@ntrs.com

7 Initial Classifications What is a trust, for U.S. tax purposes? Lichtenstein Foundation Stiftung Usufruct Treuhand Establishment Investment trust Business trust Are these all trusts? 7

8 Initial Classifications (Cont.) Ordinary trusts: (a) In general, the term trust as used in the Internal Revenue Code refers to an arrangement created either by a will or by an inter vivos declaration whereby trustees take title to property for the purpose of protecting or conserving it for the beneficiaries under the ordinary rules applied in chancery or probate courts. Usually the beneficiaries of such a trust do no more than accept the benefits thereof and are not the voluntary planners or creators of the trust arrangement. However, the beneficiaries of such a trust may be the persons who create it and it will be recognized as a trust under the Internal Revenue Code if it was created for the purpose of protecting or conserving the trust property for beneficiaries who stand in the same relation to the trust as they would if the trust had been created by others for them. Generally speaking, an arrangement will be treated as a trust under the Internal Revenue Code if it can be shown that the purpose of the arrangement is to vest in trustees responsibility for the protection and conservation of property for beneficiaries who cannot share in the discharge of this responsibility and, therefore, are not associates in a joint enterprise for the conduct of business for profit. 8

9 Initial Classifications (Cont.) Business trusts: (b) There are other arrangements which are known as trusts because the legal title to property is conveyed to trustees for the benefit of beneficiaries, but which are not classified as trusts for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code because they are not simply arrangements to protect or conserve the property for the beneficiaries. These trusts, which are often known as business or commercial trusts, generally are created by the beneficiaries simply as a device to carry on a profit-making business which normally would have been carried on through business organizations that are classified as corporations or partnerships under the Internal Revenue Code. However, the fact that the corpus of the trust is not supplied by the beneficiaries is not sufficient reason in itself for classifying the arrangement as an ordinary trust rather than as an association or partnership. The fact that any organization is technically cast in the trust form, by conveying title to property to trustees for the benefit of persons designated as beneficiaries, will not change the real character of the organization if the organization is more properly classified as a business entity under Section

10 Initial Classifications (Cont.) Investment trusts: (c)(1) An investment trust will not be classified as a trust if there is a power under the trust agreement to vary the investment of the certificate holders. See Commissioner v. North American Bond Trust, 122 F. 2d 545 (2d Cir. 1941), cert. denied, 314 U.S. 701 (1942). An investment trust with a single class of ownership interests, representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust, will be classified as a trust if there is no power under the trust agreement to vary the investment of the certificate holders. An investment trust with multiple classes of ownership interests ordinarily will be classified as a business entity under Section ; however, an investment trust with multiple classes of ownership interests, in which there is no power under the trust agreement to vary the investment of the certificate holders, will be classified as a trust if the trust is formed to facilitate direct investment in the assets of the trust and the existence of multiple classes of ownership interests is incidental to that purpose. 10

11 Initial Classifications (Cont.) (c)(2), Example 4: Business interest vs. trust classification: Corporation N purchases a portfolio of bonds and transfers the bonds to a bank under a trust agreement. At the same time, the trustee delivers to N certificates evidencing interests in the bonds. These certificates are sold to public investors. Each certificate represents the right to receive a particular payment with respect to a specific bond. Under section 1286, stripped coupons and stripped bonds are treated as separate bonds for federal income tax purposes. Although the interest of each certificate holder is different from that of each other certificate holder, and the trust thus has multiple classes of ownership, the multiple classes simply provide each certificate holder with a direct interest in what is treated under section 1286 as a separate bond. Given the similarity of the interests acquired by the certificate holders to the interests that could be acquired by direct investment, the multiple classes of trust interests merely facilitate direct investment in the assets held by the trust. Accordingly, the trust is classified as a trust. 11

12 Can A Retirement Plan Be A Trust? Canadian retirement plans - are they so different from U.S. retirement plans? See IRS Notice This notice sets out how these plans are to be treated and certain procedures related to informational return filings. Forms 3520 and 3520-A used to be required. Now, there is a new reporting regime for Canadian RRSPs and RRIFs. AICPA.ORG: IRS responds to AICPA concerns for filing Forms 3520 and 3520-As on Canadian retirement plans. Similar issues apply for non-us retirement plans. 12

13 Can A Life Estate Be A Trust? Usufruct: Are they so different from a U.S. life estate? In Public Letter Ruling (91 TNT (February 25, 1991), the IRS characterized a usufruct under German law (a Civil Law country) as a foreign nongrantor trust. In Estate of O.T. Swan, 24 T.C. 803 (1981, acq C.B. 1., the Tax Court determined that stiftungs should be treated as trusts, for U.S. tax purposes. 13

14 Disclosures LEGAL, INVESTMENT AND TAX NOTICE: This information is not intended to be and should not be treated as legal advice, investment advice or tax advice. Readers, including professionals, should under no circumstances rely upon this information as a substitute for their own research or for obtaining specific legal or tax advice from their own counsel. IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE: To the extent that this communication or any attachment concerns tax matters, it is not intended to be used, and cannot be used by a taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by law. For more information about this notice, see This presentation is for your private information and is intended for one-on-one use with current or prospective clients of Northern Trust. The information does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security, may not be suitable for all investors and is subject to change without notice. Securities products and brokerage services are sold by registered representatives of Northern Trust Securities, Inc. (member NASD, SIPC), a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation. Not FDIC Insured No Bank Guarantee May Lose Value 14

15 CATEGORIES OF FOREIGN TRUSTS Cynthia Brittain Vice President and Senior Fiduciary Officer Northern Trust Santa Barbara, Calif.

16 Foreign Grantor Trust Rules: Specific To Non-U.S. Residents, Non-U.S. Citizens When would I use a foreign grantor trust? Essential tool for non-u.s. residents, non-u.s. citizens who have children moving to the U.S. Let s look at the Internal Revenue Code for the requirements: If a trust is a grantor trust (within the meaning of IRC sections 673 through 679), its income and gains generally will be taxed to the grantor (IRC Sect. 671). If a trust is set up by a foreign person, then specific rules, introduced by the 1996 Small Business Act, will apply to determine whether the trust is a grantor or non-grantor trust. Trusts that were established on or before Sept. 19, 1995 that were grantor trusts under the general rules of sections 676 or 677 are grandfathered as grantor trusts, provided that if any amounts were transferred to such trusts after this date, the portion of the trust attributable to such transfers must separately accounted for (See Notice 97-34, C.B. 422). 16

17 Foreign Grantor Trust Rules: Specific to Non-U.S. Residents, Non-U.S. Citizens (Cont.) Mom and Dad (In China) Child in U.S. 1. Mom and Dad do not want U.S. estate tax on what they give to child. 2. Mom and Dad do not want U.S. gift tax on what they give to child. 3. Mom and Dad do not ever want to have U.S. estate tax. 4. Mom and Dad would like to minimize U.S. income tax. 17 So, Mom and Dad set up a foreign grantor trust. There are a number of scenarios, but their child is usually named as one of the beneficiaries along with the parents.

18 Initial Classifications IRC 672(f): In general, the grantor trust rules under the code will not apply to foreign trusts unless the requirements of Sect. 672(f)(2) are satisfied. 672(f)(1) In general: Notwithstanding any other provision of this subpart, this subpart shall apply only to the extent such application results in an amount (if any) being currently taken into account (directly or through 1 or more entities) under this chapter in computing the income of a citizen or resident of the United States or a domestic corporation. Exception to general rules 672(f)(2)(A) foreign grantor trust status available if: (f)(2)(A)(i) The power to re-vest absolutely in the grantor title to the trust property to which such portion is attributable is exercisable solely by the grantor without the approval or consent of any other person or with the consent of a related or subordinate party who is subservient to the grantor, ****or***** (f)(2)(A)(ii) The only amounts distributable from such portion (whether income or corpus) during the lifetime of the grantor are amounts distributable to the grantor or the spouse of the grantor. 18

19 Benefits To A Foreign Grantor Trust Treatment of income in a foreign grantor trust: NRA: Preferred income tax regime NRA: U.S. estate tax planning NRA: U.S. gift tax avoidance 19

20 Disclosures LEGAL, INVESTMENT AND TAX NOTICE: This information is not intended to be and should not be treated as legal advice, investment advice or tax advice. Readers, including professionals, should under no circumstances rely upon this information as a substitute for their own research or for obtaining specific legal or tax advice from their own counsel. IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE: To the extent that this communication or any attachment concerns tax matters, it is not intended to be used, and cannot be used by a taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by law. For more information about this notice, see This presentation is for your private information and is intended for one-on-one use with current or prospective clients of Northern Trust. The information does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security, may not be suitable for all investors and is subject to change without notice. Securities products and brokerage services are sold by registered representatives of Northern Trust Securities, Inc. (member NASD, SIPC), a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation. Not FDIC Insured No Bank Guarantee May Lose Value 20

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22 COMPLEXITIES OF SECT. 679 AND FOREIGN GRANTOR TRUSTS Edward Vergara Partner Withers Bergman 660 Steamboat Road Greenwich, CT 06830, USA

23 Foreign Grantor Trusts: Overview Inbound and outbound Foreign grantor trusts under Sect. 679 U.S. transferor treated as grantor of foreign trust Foreign grantor trusts under Sect. 672(f) Foreign person treated as grantor of foreign trust 23

24 Foreign Grantor Trusts: Sect. 679 Policy to eliminate deferral opportunities for U.S. grantors Sect. 679 treats the U.S. transferor of assets to a foreign trust with U.S. beneficiaries as the owner of the trust assets. Four requirements: Trust must be a foreign trust. Transferor must be a U.S. person. Trust must have one or more U.S. beneficiaries. Transferor must make a direct or indirect transfer of assets to the trust (also satisfied by trust migration). 24

25 Sect. 679: Transferor Must Be U.S. Person U.S. person as defined in Sect. 7701(a)(30): U.S. citizens U.S. residents Domestic partnerships or corporations Certain estates Trusts meeting the control and administration tests Non-resident aliens making a Sect. 6013(g) election to file jointly U.S. person includes NRAs who become U.S. residents within five years of transfer to foreign trust. Complicates the ability to create an income tax drop-off trust 25

26 Sect. 679: One Or More U.S. Beneficiaries Sect. 679(c)(1) creates a presumption that every foreign trust has a U.S. beneficiary. Transferor bears the burden of rebutting the presumption by showing that: Under the terms of the trust, no income or principal may be paid or accumulated during the taxable year for the benefit of a U.S. person. Termination of the trust during the taxable year would not result in a distribution to a U.S. person. Important considerations: 26 Local law of the trust may create contingent interest in persons not specifically referenced in the trust. Trusts or entities with U.S. person partners/beneficiaries/members may trigger inclusion.

27 Sect. 679: Transfers: Casting A Wide Net Sect. 679(a) includes both direct and indirect transfers to foreign trusts. Direct transfers: Any transfer, for less than fair market value, from the U.S. person to the foreign trust Indirect and constructive transfers Some examples of indirect transfers within the scope of 679(a): Transfer through a foreign person or entity serving as a conduit Transfer from a U.S. or foreign grantor trust Constructive transfer via the assumption or satisfaction of trust debt Transfer of assets to entities owned by a foreign trust 27

28 Sect. 679: Transfers: Exceptions Testamentary transfers Any transfers made to a foreign trust under a U.S. or foreign will, including testamentary trusts Transfers for fair market value Any sale or exchange for fair market value Caution: Promissory notes only fall within the fair market value exception if: Transferor and trust are not related persons under Treas. Reg (c)(5). Transferor and trust are related persons, but the note is a qualified obligation within the meaning of Treas. Reg (d)(1). Transfers to charitable or employee trusts 28

29 Sect. 672(f): Foreign Grantor Ownership Rule General rule: The grantor trust rules do not apply to any portion of a trust that is treated as owned by a person other than a U.S. citizen, resident or domestic corporation. Exceptions: Revocable trusts Trusts that may only distribute during grantor s life to the grantor or grantor s spouse Special rules Certain foreign corporations treated as domestic corporations Compensatory trusts 29

30 Sect. 672(f): Foreign Grantor Revocable trusts Ownership Rule (Cont.) No denial of grantor trust status where foreign person has power to re-vest title in himself without consent or only with consent of related or subordinate parties under Sect. 672(c) Presumption of subservient status Power to re-vest title must be exercisable for 183 days during the tax year. Trusts distributable only to grantor and grantor s spouse No denial of grantor trust status when, during the grantor s life, distributions may only go to grantor or grantor s spouse Amounts distributable for the support of dependents qualify for the exception. 30

31 Sect. 672(f): Treatment Of Foreign Entities For the purposes of 672(f), the following are treated as domestic corporations: Controlled foreign corporations (CFCs) Passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) Foreign personal holding companies (FPHCs) Anti-abuse rule Recharacterization of gifts under Sect. 672(f)(4) 31 A purported gift by a foreign partnership or corporation may, at the IRS discretion, be recharacterized and taxed to the beneficiary. Gifts from foreign partnerships are recharacterized as ordinary income. Gifts from foreign corporations are recharacterized as distributions and are subject to CFC and PFIC rules. Beware Treas. Reg. Sect (f)-4(a)(2)

32 Sect. 672(f)(5) Anti-Conduit Rule: Attribution To U.S. Beneficiary Prior to Sect. 672(f)(5), U.S. persons might transfer assets to a foreign intermediary, who would contribute them to a grantor trust for the benefit of the U.S. person or his affiliates, thereby avoiding U.S. income tax. Sect. 672(f)(5) shuts the door on this type of planning by denying grantor trust status when the grantor is a foreign person, and a U.S. person beneficiary of trust has previously transferred money to the grantor. Exception for annual exclusion gifts 32

33 DEFINING AND MANAGING TRUST INCOME AND FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTING INCOME Cynthia Brittain Vice President and Senior Fiduciary Officer Northern Trust Santa Barbara, Calif.

34 Foreign Non-Grantor Tax Rules: Harsh Results for U.S. Beneficiaries When would these harsh rules apply? Foreign non-grantor trusts are generally taxed in the same manner as individuals, with certain modifications (Sect. 641(b)). Let s compare with a domestic trust 34

35 Foreign Non-Grantor Trust Rules Domestic trust: Will pay U.S. tax on its worldwide income and capital gains. Items of ordinary income are generally taxed at graduated rates, now up to 39.6%, after allowance of certain deductions and credits. Similarly to the tax rates for individuals, long-term capital gains are taxed in the trust at 15% (unless a high income earner under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012). In calculating taxable income, a trust will receive a deduction for any distributions to its beneficiaries, to the extent that these distributions carry out the trust s distributable net income ( DNI ) for the year ((Section 661(a)). The DNI distributed will retain its character as income or capital gains in the hands of the recipient beneficiary and will be taxed to them (Section 662(b)). Capital gain is usually tax in the trust. 35

36 Foreign Non-Grantor Trust Rules: DNI Domestic trusts: DNI consists of the trust s fiduciary accounting income, with modifications (Sect. 643(a)). Standards rates apply, and income and capital gains retain their character (Sect. 662(b)). Foreign trusts: As long as there is a current-year distribution of a trust s income and gains to a recipient, the tax due should not differ significantly (except for the allowance of deductions and credits) between a foreign grantor trust and a domestic grantor trust. 36

37 Throwback Rules The throwback rules essentially attempt to treat the beneficiary as having received the income and gains when they were earned. There is a penalty for failure to distribute and pay tax when due. So, any distributions in later years in excess of DNI (under the first-in, first-out basis) will be taxed at the recipient s highest marginal income tax rate for the year in which the income or gain was earned by the trust. Capital gains lose their status effectively as LTCGs, and such are taxed as ordinary income. The throwback rules add an interest charge to the taxes in order to offset the benefits of the tax deferral (Sect. 668). This interest charge accrues from the year in which the income or gain is recognized and ends with the year that the UNI amount is distributed, and is assessed at the rate applicable to underpayment of tax, as adjusted, compounded daily. In many instances, the throwback rules can wipe out any economic benefit from the deferral and can actually deplete all the trust assets. Domesticating the foreign trust will not solve the issue. UNI remains in the U.S. domestic trust, and the throwback rules apply as the UNI is distributed. 37

38 Default Method Of Taxation To Mitigate UNI The default rule is used to assist a taxpayer who did not receive any supporting accounting to complete the foreign non-grantor trust beneficiary statement. The taxpayer uses this statement to ascertain UNI vs. DNI. The default rule is wholly an administrative creation and has no statutory underpinning, other than the usual grant of authority to Treasury and the Service to issue regulations and rules that are necessary to carry out congressional intent. The method is described in the instructions to Form There may be certain investment strategies that can assist to bail out the trust s UNI. Consider modeling the default rules and potential payout strategies 38

39 Disclosures LEGAL, INVESTMENT AND TAX NOTICE: This information is not intended to be and should not be treated as legal advice, investment advice or tax advice. Readers, including professionals, should under no circumstances rely upon this information as a substitute for their own research or for obtaining specific legal or tax advice from their own counsel. IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE: To the extent that this communication or any attachment concerns tax matters, it is not intended to be used, and cannot be used by a taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by law. For more information about this notice, see This presentation is for your private information and is intended for one-on-one use with current or prospective clients of Northern Trust. The information does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security, may not be suitable for all investors and is subject to change without notice. Securities products and brokerage services are sold by registered representatives of Northern Trust Securities, Inc. (member NASD, SIPC), a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation. Not FDIC Insured No Bank Guarantee May Lose Value 39

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41 COMPLEXITIES WITH FOREIGN NON-GRANTOR TRUSTS Edward Vergara Partner Withers Bergman 660 Steamboat Road Greenwich, CT 06830, USA

42 Sect. 667: The Throwback Rule Prior to the throwback tax, foreign non-grantor trusts generally were not subject to U.S income tax on undistributed foreign source income, which created an opportunity for deferral or elimination of U.S. income taxes on income and gains ultimately benefitting a U.S. taxpayer. Applies to any distribution from a foreign non-grantor trust to a U.S. beneficiary in excess of current year DNI. Such distributions are deemed accumulation distributions and are taxable to the U.S. beneficiary under Sect Practical effect is taxation of all accumulated income at ordinary income rates, plus penalty interest charge. Effective rate of taxation can reach 100%. 42

43 Planning Distributions To Avoid Throwback Use default method Interest charge only applies to amounts in excess of 125% of average distributions received during the three prior years. All distributions, whether income or principal, will be taxable. Avoid accumulations Payment of yearly DNI to U.S. mirror trust Throwback rule exceptions Include specific bequests exempt under Sect. 663(a)(1) FAI exception Bequests for specific sums are payable in not more than three installments. Specific bequests do not carry DNI to beneficiary under TR 1.663(a)-1. Distribution of appreciated assets Distributions of property other than cash are valued at the lesser of the trust s basis in the property and the fair market value, reducing distribution value. Insurance solutions 43

44 CFC And PFIC Attribution: Foreign Trusts CFC overview and attribution rules PFIC overview and attribution rules The authority of proposed regulations Potential solutions As with the throwback rule, the CFC and PFIC attribution rules are aimed at taxpayers who use foreign entities to defer U.S. income taxation. 44

45 CFC Attribution: CFC Basics A foreign corporation is classified as a CFC if: More than 50% of either (i) the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or (ii) the total value of the corporation s stock Is owned directly, indirectly or constructively by U.S. shareholders each owning 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock on any day during the taxable year. U.S. shareholders of a CFC must include in gross income their pro rata share of the CFC s Subpart F income. Subpart F generally includes most passive investment income and income from certain transactions with related parties. 45

46 CFC Attribution To Foreign Trust Beneficiaries In determining whether a U.S. taxpayer is a 10% shareholder in a corporation, the IRS considers shares owned directly, indirectly and constructively. Under Sect. 958(a)(2), stock owned by or for a foreign corporation, partnership, trust or estate is considered as being owned proportionately by such entity s shareholders, partners or beneficiaries. The regulations note that the determination of a beneficiary s proportionate interest is a facts-and-circumstances analysis. FSA and TR (d) ex. 3 suggest that the factsand-circumstances test will attribute CFC ownership to trust beneficiaries without regard to the beneficiary s actual ability to vote the shares. 46

47 PFIC Attribution: PFIC Basics Unlike the CFC rules, the PFIC rules do not take control into account. A PFIC is a foreign corporation that meets either test of Sect. 1297(a): 75% or more of the corporation s gross income is passive income. Average of assets held by the corporation during the taxable year that produce (or are held for the production of) passive income is 50%. Two punitive taxes for U.S. PFIC shareholders: Tax on distributions: Excess distributions: Distribution that exceeds 125% of average distribution in three preceding years; subject to Sect deferred tax regime + interest Non-excess distributions: Distributions that are not excess distributions are taxed as ordinary dividends, but no QDI treatment is available. Tax on gain recognized on disposition: All gain recognized on disposition is treated like an excess distribution. Elections to avoid punitive taxes: 47 QEF election: Shareholder pays pro rata share of PFIC ordinary income each year. Mark-to-market: Shareholder of marketable PFIC shares includes FMV of shares in excess of basis as ordinary income each year.

48 PFIC Attribution To Foreign Trust Beneficiaries As with the CFC attribution rules, Sect. 1298(a)(3) provides for attribution of ownership of PFIC shares by U.S. beneficiaries of foreign trusts. The proposed regulations indicate that attribution of PFIC shares through indirect ownership is a facts-and-circumstances analysis. Lingering uncertainty regarding effect of proposed regulations TAM Foreign non-grantor trust liquidated PFIC positions and distributed half of its assets to U.S. beneficiaries. IRS relied on 1298(b)(5), without reliance on the proposed regulations, and applied the PFIC disposition rules to the liquidation and distribution. However, neither Sect nor Sect refer to indirect PFIC shareholders. Only the proposed regulations make this connection.

49 Possible Planning Solutions Be aware of the U.S. tax characterization of foreign entities at the time of formation Elective entity regime allows some flexibility. Caution: Reclassification of existing entities is treated as a liquidation for U.S. tax purposes, and may trigger CFC and PFIC attribution rules. Caution: Tax effects of pass-through treatment should be carefully considered. Consider using grantor trusts to hold CFC and PFIC assets Beneficiaries of a grantor trust are not subject to the CFC and PFIC attribution rules 49

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51 FEATURES THAT MAKE A TRUST A FOREIGN TRUST Lawrence M. Lipoff, TEP, CPA, CEBS (914) Consultant Friedman LLP 1700 Broadway New York, New York llipoff@friedmanllp.com Managing Director Lipoff Global Advisors 46 Powder Horn Drive Suffern, New York lllipoff@lipoffadvisors.com

52 Illustrative Cases Grantor Trust Ceases to be Grantor Trust ( 684) Pre-immigration Planning Five Year Rule Foreign Trusts Often Have Foreign Business Company Holding Assets CFC & PFIC Rules United States Filing Information Not Available 52

53 Defining Foreign Trust All trusts are deemed to be foreign unless both the Court Test and Control Test met Court Test: Court in United States able to exercise primary supervision over trust administration Control Test: One of more United States persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust Accidental tripping of Control Test rules to become foreign trust does have twelve month opportunity to correct 53

54 Foreign Grantor Trust Compliance New FBAR FinCEN Form 114 Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts Form 3520 Annual Return to Report Transactions With Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts Form 3520-A Annual Information Return of Foreign Trust With a U.S. Owner Form 4970 Tax on Accumulation Distribution of Trusts Form Entity Classification Election 54

55 Section 684 Direct or deemed transfers by a United States person to a foreign trust are taxable under 684 as a sale or exchange for the amount of the property s fair market value Gains but not losses are recognized Death of grantor creates an exception 55

56 679 & Pre-Immigration Planning (1/2) To avoid future United States gift and estate tax exposure, non-united States person might place assets in trust before becoming United States resident alien There is a difference in being a United States person for income (objective) and transfer (subjective) tax purposes can be RA for one and NRA for the other 56

57 679 & Pre-Immigration Planning (2/2) If a nonresident alien transfers property to a foreign trust within five years of making a transfer to a foreign trust, 679(a)(4) makes trust a grantor trust from the residency starting date An intermediary s transfer to foreign trust will also toll 679(a)(4) 57

58 Foreign Trusts & Foreign Business Company Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) generally include proportionate share of investment and other Subpart F income 50% of vote or value owned by US shareholders with 10% of voting stock Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) US shareholders taxed on direct and indirect dispositions of stock and excess distributions - 75% of gross income is passive or 50% average passive assets CFC trumps PFIC classification Planning often involves checking-the-box either up to 12 months prospective or 75 days retroactively (or 3 years and 75 days retroactively with IRS permission) Various elections to potentially mitigate anti-deferral provisions 58

59 United States Filing Information For Foreign Trusts September 19, 1995 was end of former grantor trust rules - grandfathered if compliant Current rules, effective after August 20, 1996, basically (i) revocable or (ii) during lifetime distributable only to grantor and/or spouse 59

60 Defining Foreign Trust All trusts are deemed to be foreign unless both the court test and control test are met. Court test: Court in U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over trust administration. Control test: One or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Accidental tripping of the control test rules to become a foreign trust does have 12-month opportunity to correct. 60

61 684 Caution Direct or deemed transfers by a U.S. person to a foreign trust are taxable under 684 as a sale or exchange for the amount of the property s fair market value. Gains, but not losses, are recognized. Death of grantor creates an exception. 61