IRC 877A
IRC 877A
IRC 877A: The language of IRC 877A code section (aka Internal Revenue Code) is complex, and the IRS rules are even more complicated. Expatriation is the process of relinquishing U.S. person status.
The expatriation rules apply to U.S. Citizens and Long-Term Permanent Residents (aka Long-Term Residents). Once a person expatriates, presuming they are a Covered Expatriate, they may become subject to the Exit Tax.
The Exit Tax calculation is complicated, because it is based on unrealized gain. In other words, the event (e.g. selling the asset) has not actually occurred.
Yet, the IRS wants to tax expatriates on the phantom gain from a sale(s) that has not actually happened.
We will summarize the basics of IRC 877A.
IRC 877A
We will summarize IRC 877A. At it’s most basic level, Form 877A requires expatriates to “pretend,” they sold all of their assets, on the day before expatriation – for market value. This is called MTM or Mark-to-Market. For example David relinquished his green card on 10/1/2020. He has 4 assets, currently worth $6M.
Summary of How to Calculate the Exit Tax under IRC 877A
David must calculate the A/B (adjusted basis) when acquired (subject to pre-U.S. person basis rules) vs. the market value on the date prior to expatriation. Then, the IRS allows $725,000 worth of the unrealized gain to be distributed evenly over all asserts, and offset the gain.
Some assets are not subject to MTM, which we will discuss below. Generally, but not always, these assets will be deemed distributed on the date before expatriation.
The IRC 877A rule is broken down into different sections, which we will summarize. We have also prepared a companion article for IRS Notice 2009-45, which delves deeper into the Expatriation Tax analysis.
Mark-to-Market
All property of a covered expatriate shall be treated as sold on the day before the expatriation date for its fair market value.
Recognition of Gain or Loss
In the case of any sale under paragraph (1)—
– notwithstanding any other provision of this title, any gain arising from such sale shall be taken into account for the taxable year of the sale, and
– any loss arising from such sale shall be taken into account for the taxable year of the sale to the extent otherwise provided by this title, except that section 1091 shall not apply to any such loss.
– Proper adjustment shall be made in the amount of any gain or loss subsequently realized for gain or loss taken into account under the preceding sentence, determined without regard to paragraph (3).
Exclusion for Certain Gain
In general
The amount which would (but for this paragraph) be includible in the gross income of any individual by reason of paragraph (1) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by $600,000.
Adjustment for inflation
– In general In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2008, the dollar amount in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(such dollar amount, multiplied by
(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting “calendar year 2007” for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A) (ii) thereof.
(ii) Rounding: If any amount as adjusted under clause (i) is not a multiple of $1,000, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.
Election to Defer Tax under IRC 877A
(1) In general If the taxpayer elects the application of this subsection with respect to any property treated as sold by reason of subsection (a), the time for payment of the additional tax attributable to such property shall be extended until the due date of the return for the taxable year in which such property is disposed of (or, in the case of property disposed of in a transaction in which gain is not recognized in whole or in part, until such other date as the Secretary may prescribe).
(2) Determination of tax with respect to property For purposes of paragraph (1), the additional tax attributable to any property is an amount which bears the same ratio to the additional tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year solely by reason of subsection (a) as the gain taken into account under subsection (a) with respect to such property bears to the total gain taken into account under subsection (a) with respect to all property to which subsection (a) applies.
(3) Termination of extension The due date for payment of tax may not be extended under this subsection later than the due date for the return of tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year which includes the date of death of the expatriate (or, if earlier, the time that the security provided with respect to the property fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (4), unless the taxpayer corrects such failure within the time specified by the Secretary).
Security
(A) In general No election may be made under paragraph (1) with respect to any property unless adequate security is provided with respect to such property.
(B) Adequate security
For purposes of subparagraph (A), security with respect to any property shall be treated as adequate security if—
– it is a bond which is furnished to, and accepted by, the Secretary, which is conditioned on the payment of tax (and interest thereon), and which meets the requirements of section 6325, or
– it is another form of security for such payment (including letters of credit) that meets such requirements as the Secretary may prescribe.
Waiver of Certain Rights
No election may be made under paragraph (1) unless the taxpayer makes an irrevocable waiver of any right under any treaty of the United States which would preclude assessment or collection of any tax imposed by reason of this section.
*This is very important. If a person elects to avoid the tax now, the Taxpayer must make an irrevocable waiver for treaty rights. In other words, at a future date the Taxpayer cannot attempt to reduce the 30% withholding using the treaty (aka Form 8833). And, the election is irrevocable.
Elections
An election under paragraph (1) shall only apply to property described in the election and, once made, is irrevocable.
Interest
For purposes of section 6601, the last date for the payment of tax shall be determined without regard to the election under this subsection.
(c) Exception for certain property Subsection (a) shall not apply to—
(1 )any deferred compensation item (as defined in subsection (d)(4)),
(2) any specified tax deferred account (as defined in subsection (e)(2)), and
(3) any interest in a nongrantor trust (as defined in subsection (f)(3)).
Treatment of Deferred Compensation Items under IRC 877A
(1) Withholding on Eligible Deferred Compensation Items
(A)In general
In the case of any eligible deferred compensation item, the payor shall deduct and withhold from any taxable payment to a covered expatriate with respect to such item a tax equal to 30 percent thereof.
(B)Taxable payment
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “taxable payment” means with respect to a covered expatriate any payment to the extent it would be includible in the gross income of the covered expatriate if such expatriate continued to be subject to tax as a citizen or resident of the United States. A deferred compensation item shall be taken into account as a payment under the preceding sentence when such item would be so includible.
(2) Other Deferred Compensation items
In the case of any deferred compensation item which is not an eligible deferred compensation item— (A)
– with respect to any deferred compensation item to which clause (ii) does not apply, an amount equal to the present value of the covered expatriate’s accrued benefit shall be treated as having been received by such individual on the day before the expatriation date as a distribution under the plan, and
– with respect to any deferred compensation item referred to in paragraph (4)(D), the rights of the covered expatriate to such item shall be treated as becoming transferable and not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture on the day before the expatriation date,
– No early distribution tax shall apply by reason of such treatment, and (C)appropriate adjustments shall be made to subsequent distributions from the plan to reflect such treatment.
(3) Eligible deferred compensation items
For purposes of this subsection, the term “eligible deferred compensation item” means any deferred compensation item with respect to which—
(A)the payor of such item is—
(i) a United States person, or
(ii) a person who is not a United States person but who elects to be treated as a United States person for purposes of paragraph (1) and meets such requirements as the Secretary may provide to ensure that the payor will meet the requirements of paragraph (1), and
(B) the covered expatriate—
(i) notifies the payor of his status as a covered expatriate, and
(ii) makes an irrevocable waiver of any right to claim any reduction under any treaty with the United States in withholding on such item.
(4) Deferred compensation item
For purposes of this subsection, the term “deferred compensation item” means—
– any interest in a plan or arrangement described in section 219(g)(5),
– any interest in a foreign pension plan or similar retirement arrangement or program,
(C) any item of deferred compensation, and
(D) any property, or right to property, which the individual is entitled to receive in connection with the performance of services to the extent not previously taken into account under section 83 or in accordance with section 83.
(5) Exception
Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to any deferred compensation item to the extent attributable to services performed outside the United States while the covered expatriate was not a citizen or resident of the United States.
(6) Special rules
– Application of withholding rules Rules similar to the rules of subchapter B of chapter 3 shall apply for purposes of this subsection.
– Application of tax Any item subject to the withholding tax imposed under paragraph (1) shall be subject to tax under section 871.
– Coordination with other withholding requirements Any item subject to withholding under paragraph (1) shall not be subject to withholding under section 1441 or chapter 24.
Treatment of Specified Tax Deferred Accounts under IRC 877A
– Account treated as distributed
In the case of any interest in a specified tax deferred account held by a covered expatriate on the day before the expatriation date—
A .the covered expatriate shall be treated as receiving a distribution of his entire interest in such account on the day before the expatriation date
– no early distribution tax shall apply by reason of such treatment, and
– appropriate adjustments shall be made to subsequent distributions from the account to reflect such treatment.
(2) Specified tax deferred account For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “specified tax deferred account” means an individual retirement plan (as defined in section 7701(a)(37)) other than any arrangement described in subsection (k) or (p) of section 408, a qualified tuition program (as defined in section 529), a qualified ABLE program (as defined in section 529A), a Coverdell education savings account (as defined in section 530), a health savings account (as defined in section 223), and an Archer MSA (as defined in section 220).
Special Rules for Nongrantor Trusts under IRC 877A
(1) In general
In the case of a distribution (directly or indirectly) of any property from a nongrantor trust to a covered expatriate—
(A)the trustee shall deduct and withhold from such distribution an amount equal to 30 percent of the taxable portion of the distribution, and
(B) if the fair market value of such property exceeds its adjusted basis in the hands of the trust, gain shall be recognized to the trust as if such property were sold to the expatriate at its fair market value.
(2) Taxable portion For purposes of this subsection, the term “taxable portion” means, with respect to any distribution, that portion of the distribution which would be includible in the gross income of the covered expatriate if such expatriate continued to be subject to tax as a citizen or resident of the United States.
(3) Nongrantor trust For purposes of this subsection, the term “nongrantor trust” means the portion of any trust that the individual is not considered the owner of under subpart E of part I of subchapter J. The determination under the preceding sentence shall be made immediately before the expatriation date.
(4) Special rules relating to withholding
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) rules similar to the rules of subsection (d)(6) shall apply, and
(B) the covered expatriate shall be treated as having waived any right to claim any reduction under any treaty with the United States in withholding on any distribution to which paragraph (1)(A) applies unless the covered expatriate agrees to such other treatment as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(5) Application This subsection shall apply to a nongrantor trust only if the covered expatriate was a beneficiary of the trust on the day before the expatriation date.
Interested in Expatriation from the U.S.?
Our firm specializes exclusively in international tax.
We are the “go-to” firm for other Attorneys, CPAs, Enrolled Agents, Accountants, and Financial Professionals across the globe. Our attorneys have worked with thousands of clients on offshore disclosure matters, including FATCA & FBAR.
Each case is led by a Board-Certified Tax Law Specialist with 20-years experience, and the entire matter (tax and legal) is handled by our team, in-house.
*Please beware of copycat tax and law firms misleading the public about their credentials and experience.
Less than 1% of Tax Attorneys Nationwide Are Certified Specialists
Our lead attorney is one of less than 350 Attorneys (out of more than 200,000 practicing California Attorneys) to earn the Certified Tax Law Specialist credential. The credential is awarded to less than 1% of Attorneys.
Recent Case Highlights
- We represented a client in an 8-figure disclosure that spanned 7 countries.
- We represented a high-net-worth client to facilitate a complex expatriation with offshore disclosure.
- We represented an overseas family with bringing multiple businesses & personal investments into U.S. tax and offshore compliance.
- We took over a case from a small firm that unsuccessfully submitted multiple clients to IRS Offshore Disclosure.
- We successfully completed several recent disclosures for clients with assets ranging from $50,000 – $7,000,000+.
How to Hire Experienced Offshore Counsel?
Generally, experienced attorneys in this field will have the following credentials/experience:
- 20-years experience as a practicing attorney
- Extensive litigation, high-stakes audit and trial experience
- Board Certified Tax Law Specialist credential
- Master’s of Tax Law (LL.M.)
- Dually Licensed as an EA (Enrolled Agent) or CPA
Interested in Learning More about our Firm?
No matter where in the world you reside, our international tax team can get you IRS offshore compliant.
We specialize in FBAR and FATCA. Contact our firm today for assistance with getting compliant.
