Title 26—Internal Revenue--Volume 1
PART 1—INCOME TAXES
§ 1.45Y-5   Greenhouse gas emissions rates for qualified facilities under section 45Y.
(a) In general. This section provides rules and definitions for determining emissions rates for purposes of section 45Y of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). Paragraph (b)(4) of this section provides a definition for a facility that produces electricity through combustion or gasification and paragraph (b)(7) of this section defines a facility that does not produce electricity through combustion or gasification. Paragraphs (c) through (e) provide rules for determining the greenhouse gas emissions rates for facilities for purposes of section 45Y. Paragraph (f) of this section provides rules for the annual publication of emissions rates. Paragraph (g) of this section provides rules related to provisional emissions rates. Paragraph (h) of this section provides rules regarding reliance on the annual publication of emissions rates and provisional emissions rates. Finally, paragraph (i) of this section provides rules regarding substantiation requirements.
(b) Definitions. The definitions in this paragraph (b) apply for purposes of this section.
(1) CO 2 e per kWh. The term CO 2 e per kWh means with respect to any greenhouse gas, the equivalent carbon dioxide (as determined based on global warming potential) per kWh of electricity produced. The 100-year time horizon global warming potentials (GWP-100) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) must be used to convert emissions to equivalent carbon dioxide emissions. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(1), the GWP-100 from AR5 (as shown in table 1 to this paragraph (b)(1)) excludes climate-carbon feedbacks. Table 1 to this paragraph (b)(1) provides GWP-100 amounts for certain greenhouse gases applicable to this section.
Table 1 to Paragraph ( b )(1)—100 Year Global Warming Potentials for Greenhouse Gases
(2) Combustion. The term combustion means a rapid exothermic chemical reaction, specifically the oxidation of a fuel, which liberates energy including heat and light.
(3) Gasification. The term gasification means a thermochemical process that converts carbon-containing materials into syngas, a gaseous mixture that is composed primarily of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
(4) Facility that produces electricity through combustion or gasification (C&G Facility). Consistent with section 45Y(b)(2)(B), the term facility that produces electricity through combustion or gasification (C&G Facility) means a facility that produces electricity through combustion or uses an input energy source to produce electricity, if the input energy source was produced through a fundamental transformation of one energy source into another using combustion or gasification.
(5) Greenhouse gas emissions rate. Consistent with section 45Y(b)(2)(A), the term greenhouse gas emissions rate means the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by a facility in the production of electricity, expressed as grams of CO 2 e per kWh.
(6) Greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by a facility in the production of electricity. For purposes of section 45Y(b)(2)(A), for both C&G and Non-C&G Facilities, the term greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by a facility in the production of electricity means emissions from a facility that directly occur from the processes that transform the input energy source into electricity but excludes emissions described in paragraphs (b)(6)(i) through (vi) of this section.
(i) Emissions from electricity production by back-up or auxiliary generators that are primarily used in maintaining critical systems in case of a power system outage or for supporting restart of a generator after an outage.
(ii) Emissions from routine operational and maintenance activities that are integral to the production of electricity, including, but not limited to, emissions from internal combustion vehicles used to access and perform maintenance on remote electricity generating facilities or emissions occurring from heating and cooling control rooms or dispatch centers.
(iii) Emissions from a step-up transformer that conditions the electricity into a form suitable for productive use or sale.
(iv) Emissions that occur before commercial operations commence or after commercial operations terminate, including, but not limited to, on-site emissions occurring from construction or manufacturing of the facility itself, emissions from the off-site manufacturing of facility components, or emissions occurring due to siting or decommissioning.
(v) Emissions from infrastructure associated with the facility, including, but not limited to, emissions from road construction for feedstock production.
(vi) Emissions from the distribution of electricity to consumers.
(7) Non-C&G Facility. The term Non-C&G Facility means a facility that produces electricity and is not described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section.
(8) Fuel. The term fuel means material directly used to produce electricity or energy inputs that are used to produce electricity.
(9) Feedstock. The term feedstock means any raw material used in a process for electricity generation or to produce an intermediate product or finished fuel used for electricity generation.
(10) Market-mediated effects. The term market-mediated effects means effects resulting from policy interventions and other factors (for example, technological advances) that alter the availability of and demand for marketed goods and activities and their related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profiles. These effects are driven by and result in changes in absolute and relative prices which can occur at local, national, and global boundaries. Examples of market-mediated effects include direct and significant indirect emissions, such as land use changes or land use management changes that result from the production of fuels derived from biomass and shifts in total market demand and supply for input fuels, feedstocks and related commodities, and other materials, as a result of changes associated with the policy intervention.
(c) Non-C&G Facilities —(1) Determining a greenhouse gas emissions rate for Non-C&G Facilities. Greenhouse gas emissions rates for Non-C&G Facilities must be determined under paragraphs (c) and (e) of this section.
(i) Excluded emissions. With respect to Non-C&G Facilities only, greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by a facility in the production of electricity excludes emissions of greenhouse gases that are not directly produced by the fundamental transformation of the input energy source into electricity, including, but not limited to:
(A) Emissions from hydropower reservoirs due to anoxic conditions;
(B) Ebullitive, diffuse, and degassing emissions from hydropower operations;
(C) Emissions of non-condensable gases from underground reservoirs during geothermal operations; and
(D) Emissions occurring due to activities and operations occurring off-site, including but not limited to, the production and transportation of fuels used by the facility, or land use change from siting or changes in demand.
(ii) Emissions assessment process. Subject to paragraphs (b)(6) and (c)(1) of this section, a greenhouse gas emissions rate for a Non-C&G Facility must be determined through a technical and engineering assessment of the fundamental energy transformation into electricity. This assessment must consider all input and output energy carriers and chemical reactions or mechanical processes taking place at the facility in the production of electricity.
(iii) Example of greenhouse gas emissions rate determination for a Non-C&G Facility —(A) Facts. A facility uses solar photovoltaic technologies to convert light directly into electricity through use of the photovoltaic effect. This is a physical phenomenon in which certain semiconducting materials upon exposure to light, absorb the light and transform the energy contained in the light directly into an electric current. There are many materials that may be used to generate electricity through this method, including crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium diselenide, perovskites, quantum dots, and carbon-based materials known as organic photovoltaics. The smallest unit of photovoltaic materials is a cell. Multiple cells are typically assembled into a panel or module and electrically connected. Multiple modules or panels are generally connected to comprise a solar system or installation. Solar photovoltaic technologies produce direct current electricity that can be used as is or, more typically, can be fed into inverters to transform it into alternating current. Solar panels can be ground mounted at a fixed angle or can be mounted with tracking systems that move the panels to track the location of the sun over the course of the day and season in order to maximize electricity production. Solar panels may also be mounted on buildings (for example, on roofs), or solar photovoltaic materials can be integrated into other building components such as roofing tiles.
(B) Analysis. For solar photovoltaic technologies, the fundamental transformation of input energy (solar electromagnetic radiation) into electricity using the photovoltaic effect involves no mechanical energy or chemical reactions. Academic studies on the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from solar photovoltaic power indicate that there is a small but non-zero amount of emissions associated with the operational phase of these technologies. However, these emissions exclusively occur due to ongoing maintenance (for example, the washing of solar panels), preventative maintenance (for example, the periodic replacement of electrical equipment such as inverters), and a minimal amount of project management (for example, inverter standby mode at night). These emissions do not occur directly due to the production of electricity. Therefore, consistent with paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the greenhouse gas emissions rate for facilities that produce electricity by solar photovoltaic properties is not greater than zero.
(2) Non-C&G Facilities with a greenhouse gas emissions rate that is not greater than zero. The types or categories of facilities described in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (viii) of this section are Non-C&G Facilities with a greenhouse gas emissions rate that is not greater than zero and may be treated as listed in the Annual Table (see paragraph (g) of this section) with an emissions rate that is not greater than zero:
(i) Wind (including small wind properties);
(ii) Hydropower (including retrofits that add electricity production to non-powered dams, conduit hydropower, hydropower using new impoundments, and hydropower using diversions such as a penstock or channel);
(iii) Marine and hydrokinetic;
(iv) Solar (including photovoltaic and concentrated solar power);
(v) Geothermal (including flash and binary plants);
(vi) Nuclear fission;
(vii) Fusion energy; and
(viii) Waste energy recovery property that derives energy from a source described in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (vii) of this section.
(d) C&G Facilities —(1) Determining a greenhouse gas emissions rate for C&G Facilities. The greenhouse gas emissions rate for a C&G Facility—
(i) Must be determined by a lifecycle analysis (LCA) that complies with the requirements of paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section; and
(ii) Equals the net rate of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by such facility (taking into account lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, as described in 42 U.S.C. 7545(o)(1)(H)) in the production of electricity, expressed as grams of CO 2 e per kWh.
(2) LCA requirements. For purposes of this paragraph (d), an LCA must comply with the requirements of paragraphs (d)(2)(i) through (x) of this section:
(i) Starting boundary. The starting boundary of the LCA for an LCA involving generation-derived feedstocks (such as biogenic feedstocks) is feedstock generation. The starting boundary of the LCA for an LCA involving extraction-derived feedstocks (such as fossil fuel feedstocks) is feedstock extraction. The starting boundaries include the processes and inputs necessary to produce and collect or extract the raw materials used to produce electricity from combustion or gasification technologies, including those used as energy inputs to electricity production. This includes, but is not limited to, the emissions effects, including associated direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, of relevant land management activities or changes related to or associated with the extraction or production of raw feedstock materials or fuel.
(ii) Ending boundary. The ending boundary of the LCA for electricity that is transmitted to the grid or electricity that is used on-site is the meter at the point of production of the C&G Facility. The use of such electricity generated by the C&G Facility (and what other types of energy sources it displaces), including emissions from transmission and distribution, are outside of the LCA boundary.
(iii) Baseline. The LCA must be based on a future anticipated baseline, which projects future status quo in the absence of the availability of the section 45Y and 48E credits (taking into account anticipated changes in technology, policies, practices, and environmental and other socioeconomic conditions). The future anticipated baseline must be updated as necessary to capture material regulatory, economic, supply chain, or environmental changes. The baseline must be updated at least every ten years, but not more often than every five years.
(iv) Offsets and offsetting activities. Offsets and offsetting activities may not be taken into account in the LCA.
(v) Principles for included emissions. The LCA must take into account direct emissions and significant indirect emissions. Sources of direct emissions include those associated with feedstock production or extraction, including emissions at all stages of fuel and feedstock production, and distribution, and emissions associated with distribution, delivery, and use of feedstocks to and by a C&G Facility. Sources of significant indirect emissions include emissions in the United States and other countries associated with market-mediated changes in related commodity markets, such as emission from indirect land use change and emissions consequences of commodity production. These included emissions are within the system boundary of the LCA.
(A) Direct emissions. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(2)(v), direct emissions include, but are not limited to:
( 1 ) Emissions from feedstock generation, production, and extraction (including emissions from feedstock and fuel harvesting and extraction and direct land use change and management, including emissions from fertilizers, and changes in carbon stocks);
( 2 ) Emissions from feedstock and fuel transport (including emissions from transporting the raw or processed feedstock to the fuel processing facility);
( 3 ) Emissions from transporting and distributing fuels to electricity production facility;
( 4 ) Emissions from handling, processing, upgrading, and/or storing feedstocks, fuels and intermediate products (including emissions from on/offsite storage and preparation/pre-treatment for use (for example, torrefaction or pelletization) and emissions from process additives); and
( 5 ) Emissions from combustion and gasification at the electricity generating facility (including emissions from the combustion and/or gasification process and emission from gasification or combustion additives).
(B) Significant indirect emissions. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(2)(v), examples of significant indirect emissions include, but are not limited to, emissions from indirect land use and land use change, and induced emissions associated with the increased use of the feedstock for energy production.
(vi) Principles for excluded emissions. The LCA must not take into account the types of emissions described in paragraphs (d)(2)(vi)(A) through (D) of this section:
(A) Emissions from facility construction, siting or decommissioning (including on-site emissions occurring from construction or manufacturing of the facility itself);
(B) Emissions from facility maintenance (including emissions from the on and offsite construction or maintenance of the facility; emissions from vehicles used to access and perform maintenance on electricity generating facilities; emissions from back-up generators that do not provide additional firm power and are used in maintaining critical systems in case of a power system outage or for supporting restart of a generator after an outage; and emissions occurring from heating and cooling control rooms or dispatch centers);
(C) Emissions from infrastructure associated with the facility (including emissions from road construction for feedstock production and emissions from onsite backup or emergency generators used in an emergency or unplanned outage); and
(D) Emissions from the distribution of electricity to consumers.
(vii) Alternative fates and avoided emissions. The LCA may consider alternative fates and account for avoided emissions, including for the fuels and feedstocks consumed in the fuel and feedstock supply chain and at the electricity generating facility. The term alternative fate means a set of informed assumptions (for example, production processes, material outcomes, and market-mediated effects) used to estimate the emissions from the use or disposal of each feedstock were it not for the feedstock's new use due to the implementation of policy (that is, to produce electricity). The term avoided emissions means the estimated emissions associated with the feedstock, including the feedstock's production and use or disposal, that would have occurred in the alternative fate (if such feedstock had not been diverted for electricity production) but are instead avoided with the feedstock's use for electricity production.
(viii) Temporal scales. The LCA should evaluate the emissions over a time horizon of 30 years from the year in which a qualified facility first qualifies for the credit (or, for purposes of the section 48E credit, the year in which a qualified facility was placed in service).
(ix) Spatial scales. To determine the initial spatial scope of the LCA, the initial qualitative assessment should analyze whether the feedstock has been or is anticipated: to be used or sold on the market in the absence of the section 45Y and 48E credits; to be used directly in or as an input to an activity or good in local markets; to be transported for use in domestic markets elsewhere; to be traded for use in international markets; and to be used in a manner that has significant ramifications on other markets. If this assessment concludes that the feedstock does not meet one or more of the criteria in this paragraph (d)(2)(ix), then the market-mediated effects analysis would not be necessary beyond the relevant spatial scale(s) (for example, if the feedstock is not traded or not anticipated to be traded for use in international markets and increased use in the United States is not anticipated to have significant market ramifications abroad, international market-mediated effects analysis would not be necessary). Based on the results of the assessment, the LCA should evaluate the emissions on a sub-regional, regional, national, or international scale as appropriate. The evaluation of emissions should include the market and emissions implications of sourcing new or additional material for electricity generation across the applicable market and spatial scales.
(x) Categorization of products. As appropriate, the LCA should distinguish between primary products, co-products, byproducts, and waste products.
(A) Products should be categorized based on the definitions in paragraphs (d)(2)(x)(A)( 1 ) through ( 4 ) of this section.
( 1 ) A primary product is an input or an output with marketability and is the main driver of the process from which it is produced.
( 2 ) A co-product is an input or an output with marketability that is produced together with another product, both of which are economic drivers of the process from which they are produced.
( 3 ) A byproduct is an input or an output that is produced together with another product, and which has a market recognized economic value of zero or greater, but the output is not an economic driver of the process from which it is produced.
( 4 ) A waste product is an input or an output with negative economic value, demonstrated by—
( i ) The absence of a market in which the product is purchased and sold; and
( ii ) The existence of a market in which producers pay for the collection and removal or disposal of the input or output material or the existence of a predominant operational practice in which producers themselves collect and remove, give away, or dispose of the input or output material as part of operational processes.
(B) The LCA should adopt the principles in paragraphs (d)(2)(x)(B)( 1 ) through ( 6 ) of this section for categorizing and assessing the emissions outcomes for different types of products if such categorization is relevant to the LCA model or models used.
( 1 ) All classification of materials and LCAs should take into account relevant geospatial variations in supply and demand (that is, differences across local, sub-regional, and larger regions), as well as variations across specific product types and characteristics, and producer types as relevant.
( 2 ) The LCA should assess whether there are market-mediated effects and, if so, take these into account as part of the GHG analysis.
( 3 ) Regardless of how a material is categorized, the LCA should consider whether the availability of the section 45Y and 48E credits is expected to result in additional production of that material or in material changes in the supply chain, and, if so, should take into account the direct and indirect emissions impact of the additional production or changes in the supply chain.
( 4 ) Policy and other interventions (for example, technological advances) can alter the availability and demand for marketed goods and services, which can alter the treatment of materials once disposed of. Therefore, reevaluation of material categorization should occur at least every ten years, but not more often than every five years.
( 5 ) All determinations of marketability, market-mediated effects, and behavioral changes must be supported by an analytical assessment performed by one or more National Laboratories, in consultation with other Federal agency experts as appropriate.
( 6 ) A material should be considered to have a market recognized economic value and an established market if one existed within the last five years as of the date of the analysis.
(e) Use of methane from certain sources to produce electricity —(1) In general. The requirements provided by this paragraph (e) apply to C&G Facilities (as defined in paragraph (b)(4) of this section) that produce electricity through combustion or gasification using methane derived from biogas, renewable natural gas (RNG) derived from biogas, or fugitive sources of methane (or any hydrogen derived from methane from these sources) as a fuel or feedstock.
(2) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of paragraph (e) of this section:
(i) Biogas. The term biogas means gas containing methane that results from the decomposition of organic matter under anaerobic conditions.
(ii) Coal mine methane. The term coal mine methane means methane that is stored within coal seams and is liberated as a result of current or past mining activities. Liberated coal mine methane can be released intentionally by the mine for safety purposes, such as through mine degasification boreholes or underground mine ventilation systems, or it may leak out of the mine through vents, fissures, or boreholes. The term coal mine methane does not include methane removed from virgin coal seams (for example, coal bed methane).
(iii) Fugitive methane. The term fugitive methane means methane released from equipment leaks or venting during the extraction, processing, transformation, or delivery of fossil fuels and other gaseous fuels to the point of final use.
(iv) Renewable natural gas. The term renewable natural gas (RNG) means biogas that has been upgraded to remove water, CO 2, and other impurities such that it is interchangeable with fossil natural gas.
(3) Considerations regarding the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of electricity using methane from certain sources —(i) In general. For purposes of determining the GHG emissions rate of a C&G Facility (as provided in paragraph (d)(1) of this section) that produces electricity through combustion or gasification using methane derived from biogas, RNG derived from biogas, or fugitive sources of methane (or any hydrogen derived from methane from these sources) as a fuel or feedstock, measurements of lifecycle GHG emissions must consider all the direct and significant indirect emissions associated with a C&G Facility's production of electricity. For purposes of determining the alternative fates and avoided emissions under paragraph (d)(2)(vii) of this section, such determinations must consider the alternative fates of that methane, including avoided emissions and alternative productive uses of that methane; the risk that the availability of tax credits creates incentives resulting in the production of additional methane or otherwise induces additional emissions; and observable trends and anticipated changes in waste management and disposal practices over time as they are applicable to methane generation and uses.
(ii) Methane from landfill sources. For purposes of determining the GHG emissions rate of a C&G Facility (as provided in paragraph (d)(1) of this section) that produces electricity through combustion or gasification using methane derived from landfill sources as a fuel or feedstock, the alternative fate of such gas must be flaring.
(iii) Methane from wastewater sources. For purposes of determining the GHG emissions rate of a C&G Facility (as provided in paragraph (d)(1) of this section) that produces electricity through combustion or gasification using methane derived from wastewater sources as a fuel or feedstock, the alternative fate of such gas must be flaring of gas not used to heat the anaerobic digester.
(iv) Coal mine methane. For purposes of determining the GHG emissions rate of a C&G Facility (as provided in paragraph (d)(1) of this section) that produces electricity through combustion or gasification using coal mine methane that is drainage gas as a fuel or feedstock, the alternative fate of such gas must be flaring.
(v) Methane from animal waste. For purposes of determining the GHG emissions rate of a C&G Facility (as provided in paragraph (d)(1) of this section) that produces electricity through combustion or gasification using methane derived from animal waste as a fuel or feedstock, the emissions associated with producing and transporting such biogas must use an alternative fate derived from the national average of all animal waste management practices, which results in a carbon intensity score of -51 gCO 2 e/megajoule (MJ), where the MJ basis refers to the lower heating value of the methane contained in the biogas prior to upgrading.
(vi) Fugitive methane other than coal mine methane. For purposes of determining the GHG emissions rate of a C&G Facility (as provided in paragraph (d)(1) of this section) that produces electricity through combustion or gasification using fugitive methane other than coal mine methane as a fuel or feedstock, such as fugitive methane from oil and gas operations, the alternative fate of such gas must be productive use, resulting in emissions equivalent to the carbon intensity of using fossil natural gas.
(4) Book-and-claim. For purposes of determining a GHG emissions rate of a facility under section 45Y or 48E, a book-and-claim accounting system may not be used to establish or claim the energy attributes of biogas, RNG, coal mine methane, or any other methane described in this paragraph (e), or any other input or feedstock.
(f) Carbon capture and sequestration —(1) In general. For purposes of determining a greenhouse gas emissions rate for a Non-C&G Facility or C&G Facility, the greenhouse gas emissions rate must not include any qualified carbon dioxide (as defined in section 45Y(c)(3)) that is produced in such facility's production of electricity, that is captured by the taxpayer, and pursuant section 45Q(f)(2) and 26 CFR 1.45Q-3, disposed of by the taxpayer in secure geological storage, or utilized by the taxpayer in a manner described in section 45Q(f)(5) and 26 CFR 1. 45Q-4.
(2) Substantiation. The requirements for substantiation and verification of carbon capture and sequestration provided by regulations and guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin ( see § 601.601 of this chapter) under section 45Q (section 45Q requirements) must be satisfied for qualified carbon dioxide to be taken into account under paragraph (e)(1) of this section. A taxpayer that uses carbon capture and sequestration at a qualified facility for which a section 45Y credit is claimed must comply with applicable requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) under 40 CFR part 98, subpart PP (for carbon capture), subpart RR (for geological storage), and subpart RR or VV (for storage through enhanced oil recovery). In addition to the section 45Q requirements, taxpayers using the ISO 27916 standard for enhanced oil recovery must report information to GHGRP under 40 CFR part 98, subpart VV. Furthermore, the taxpayer must also include their applicable GHGRP ID number(s) on the IRS Form used to claim the section 45Y or section 48E credit, with the exception of taxpayers claiming the credits by performing carbon capture and utilization. The GHGRP does not provide a reporting mechanism for utilization.
(g) Annual publication of emissions rates —(1) In general. As required by section 45Y(b)(2)(C)(i), the Secretary will annually publish a table that sets forth the greenhouse gas emissions rates for types or categories of facilities (Annual Table), which a taxpayer must use for purposes of section 45Y. Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, a taxpayer that owns a facility that is described in the Annual Table on the first day of the taxpayer's taxable year in which the section 45Y credit or section 48E credit is determined with respect to such facility must use the Annual Table as of such date to determine an emissions rate for such facility for such taxable year.
(2) Publication of analysis required for changes to the Annual Table. In connection with the publication of the Annual Table, the Secretary must publish an accompanying expert analysis that addresses any types or categories of facilities added or removed from the Annual Table, as well as any changes to emissions determinations for any types or categories of facilities in the Annual Table, since its last publication. Types or categories of facilities will be added or removed from the Annual Table consistent with, for Non-C&G Facilities, a technical assessment of the fundamental energy transformation into electricity as provided in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, and, for C&G Facilities, an LCA that complies with paragraphs (d) and (f) of this section. Such expert analysis must be prepared by one or more of the National Laboratories, in consultation with other Federal agency experts as appropriate, and must address whether the addition or removal of types or categories of facilities from the Annual Table complies with section 45Y(b)(2)(A) and (B) of the Internal Revenue Code and this section.
(h) Provisional emissions rates —(1) In general. In the case of any facility that is of a type or category for which an emissions rate has not been established by the Secretary under paragraph (g) of this section, a taxpayer that owns such facility may file a petition with the Secretary for the determination of the emissions rate with respect to such facility (Provisional Emissions Rate or PER). A PER must be determined and obtained under the rules of this section.
(2) Rate not established. An emissions rate has not been established by the Secretary for a facility for purposes of section 45Y(b)(2)(C)(ii) if such facility is not described in the Annual Table. If a taxpayer's request for an emissions value pursuant to paragraph (h)(5) of this section is pending at the time such facility is or becomes described in the Annual Table, the taxpayer's request for an emissions value will be automatically denied.
(3) Process for filing a PER petition. To file a PER petition with the Secretary, a taxpayer must submit a PER petition by attaching it to the taxpayer's Federal income tax return or Federal return, as appropriate, for the first taxable year in which the taxpayer claims the section 45Y credit with respect to the facility to which the PER petition applies. The PER petition must contain an emissions value, and, if applicable, the associated letter from the Department of Energy (DOE). An emissions value may be obtained from DOE or by using the designated LCA model in accordance with paragraph (h)(6) of this section. An emission value obtained from DOE will be based on an analytical assessment of the emissions rate associated with the facility, performed by one or more National Laboratories, in consultation with other Federal agency experts as appropriate, consistent with this section. A taxpayer must retain in its books and records a copy of the application and correspondence to and from DOE including a copy of the taxpayer's request to DOE for an emissions value and any information provided by the taxpayer to DOE pursuant to the emissions value request process provided in paragraph (h)(5) of this section. Alternatively, an emissions value can be determined by the taxpayer for a facility using the most recent version of an LCA model, as of the time the PER petition is filed, that has been designated by the Secretary for such use under paragraph (h)(6) of this section. If an emissions value is determined using the most recent version of the model or models, the taxpayer is required to provide to the IRS information to support its determination in the form and manner prescribed in IRS forms or instructions or in publications or guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. See § 601.601 of this chapter. A taxpayer may not request an emissions value from DOE for a facility for which an emissions value can be determined by using the most recent version of an LCA model or models that have been designated by the Secretary for such use under paragraph (h)(6) of this section.
(4) PER determination. Upon the IRS's acceptance of the taxpayer's Federal income tax return or Federal return, as appropriate, containing a PER petition, the emissions value of the facility specified on such petition will be deemed accepted. A taxpayer may rely upon an emissions value provided by DOE for purposes of claiming a section 45Y credit, provided that any information, representations, or other data provided to DOE in support of the request for an emissions value are accurate. If applicable, a taxpayer may rely upon an emissions value determined for a facility using the most recent version of the specific LCA model or models that, as of the time the PER petition is filed, have been designated by the Secretary for such use under paragraph (h)(6) of this section, provided that any information, representations, or other data used to obtain such emissions value are accurate. The IRS's deemed acceptance of an emissions value is the Secretary's determination of the PER. However, the taxpayer must still comply with all applicable requirements for the section 45Y credit and any information, representations, or other data supporting an emissions value are subject to later examination by the IRS.
(5) Emissions value request process. An applicant that submits a request for an emissions value must follow the procedures specified by DOE to request and obtain such emissions value. Emissions values will be determined consistent with the rules provided in this section. An applicant may request an emissions value from DOE only after a front-end engineering and design (FEED) study or similar indication of project maturity, as determined by DOE, such as completion of a project specification and cost estimation sufficient to inform a final investment decision for the facility. DOE may decline to review applications that are not responsive, including those applications that relate to a facility described in the Annual Table (consistent with paragraph (h)(2) of this section) or a facility for which an emissions value can be determined by an LCA model designated under paragraph (h)(6) of this section (consistent with paragraph (h)(3) of this section), or applications that are incomplete. DOE will publish guidance and procedures that applicants must follow to request and obtain an emissions value from DOE. DOE's guidance and procedures will include a process for, under limited circumstances, requesting a revision to DOE's initial assessment of an emissions value based on revised technical information or facility design and operation.
(6) LCA model for determining an emissions value for C&G Facilities. The Secretary may designate one or more LCA models for determining an emissions value for C&G Facilities that are not described in the Annual Table. The Secretary may only designate a model under this paragraph (h)(6) if the model complies with section 45Y(b)(2)(B) and paragraphs (d) and (f) of this section. The Secretary may revoke the designation of an LCA model or models. In connection with the designation or revocation of a designation of an LCA model or models, the Secretary is required to publish an accompanying expert analysis of the model that is prepared by one or more of the National Laboratories, in consultation with other Federal agency experts as appropriate, and such analysis must address the model's compliance with section 45Y(b)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code and paragraphs (d) and (f) of this section.
(7) Effect of PER. A taxpayer may use a PER determined by the Secretary to determine eligibility for the section 45Y credit for the facility to which the PER applies, provided all other requirements of section 45Y are met. The Secretary's PER determination is not an examination or inspection of books of account for purposes of section 7605(b) of the Code and does not preclude or impede the IRS (under section 7605(b) or any administrative provisions adopted by the IRS) from later examining a return or inspecting books or records with respect to any taxable year for which the section 45Y credit is claimed. Further, a PER determination does not signify that the IRS has determined that the requirements of section 45Y have been satisfied for any taxable year.
(i) Reliance on Annual Table or provisional emissions rate. Taxpayers may rely on the Annual Table in effect as of the date a facility began construction or the provisional emissions rate determined by the Secretary for the taxpayer's facility under paragraph (h)(4) of this section to determine the facility's greenhouse gas emissions rate for any taxable year that is within the 10-year period described in section 45Y(b)(1)(B), provided that the facility continues to operate as a type of facility that is described in the Annual Table or the facility's emissions value request, as applicable, for the entire taxable year.
(j) Substantiation —(1) In general. A taxpayer must maintain in its books and records documentation regarding the design, operation, and, if applicable, feedstock or fuel source used by the facility that establishes that such facility had a greenhouse gas emissions rate, as determined under this section, that is not greater than zero for the taxable year.
(2) Sufficient substantiation. Documentation sufficient to substantiate that a facility had a greenhouse gas emissions rate, as determined under this section, that is not greater than zero for the taxable year includes documentation or a report prepared by an unrelated party that verifies that a facility had such an emissions rate. For a facility described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the taxpayer can maintain sufficient documentation to demonstrate a greenhouse gas emissions rate that is not greater than zero for the taxable year by showing that it is the type of facility described in paragraph (c)(2). For qualified facilities not described in paragraph (c)(2), the taxpayer must demonstrate that the qualified facility meets the specific criteria that the analytical assessment prepared by the National Laboratories, in consultation with other Federal agency experts as appropriate, has found are necessary for a facility to meet the statutory requirement of a greenhouse gas emissions rate not greater than zero. For C&G Facilities that utilize biomass feedstocks, the taxpayer must substantiate that the source of such fuels or feedstocks used are consistent with the taxpayer's claims. The Secretary may determine that qualified facilities not described in paragraph (c)(2) can sufficiently substantiate a greenhouse gas emissions rate, as determined under this section, that is not greater than zero with certain documentation and will describe such facilities and documentation in IRS forms or instructions or in publications or guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. See § 601.601 of this chapter. For facilities that utilize unmarketable feedstocks that are indistinguishable from marketable feedstocks (for instance, after processing), the taxpayer will be required to maintain documentation substantiating the origin and original form of the feedstock.
(k) Applicability date. This section applies to qualified facilities placed in service after December 31, 2024, and during a taxable year ending on or after January 15, 2025.
§§ 1.45Z-1-1.45Z-2   [Reserved]
§ 1.45Z-3   Rules relating to the increased credit amount for prevailing wage and apprenticeship.
(a) In general. If any qualified facility (as defined in section 45Z(d)(4)) satisfies the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section, the applicable amount used to calculate the clean fuel production credit determined under section 45Z(a) is the alternative amount described in section 45Z(a)(2)(B) or 45Z(a)(3)(A)(ii), as applicable, subject to the inflation adjustment provided by section 45Z(c).
(b) Qualified facility for clean fuel production requirements. A qualified facility (as defined in section 45Z(d)(4)) satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (b) if it is one of the following—
(1) A qualified facility that is placed in service after December 31, 2024, that meets the prevailing wage requirements of section 45(b)(7) and § 1.45-7, the apprenticeship requirements of section 45(b)(8) and § 1.45-8, and the recordkeeping and reporting requirements of § 1.45-12 with respect to the construction, alteration, or repair of such qualified facility; or
(2) A qualified facility that is placed in service before January 1, 2025, that meets the prevailing wage requirements of section 45(b)(7) and § 1.45-7 with respect to any alteration or repair of such qualified facility that is performed in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, the apprenticeship requirements of section 45(b)(8) and § 1.45-8 with respect to the construction of such qualified facility, and the recordkeeping and reporting requirements of § 1.45-12.
(3) Special transition rule for facilities placed in service before January 1, 2025. Solely for purposes of the apprenticeship requirements of section 45(b)(8) and § 1.45-8, taxpayers that place a qualified facility in service before January 1, 2025, must satisfy the apprenticeship requirements with respect to construction of the facility that occurs 90 days after June 25, 2024.
(c) Applicability date. This section applies to qualified facilities for clean fuel production placed in service in taxable years ending after June 25, 2024, and the construction of which begins after June 25, 2024. Taxpayers may apply this section to qualified facilities for clean fuel production placed in service in taxable years ending on or before June 25, 2024, and qualified facilities for clean fuel production placed in service in taxable years ending after June 25, 2024, the construction of which begins before June 25, 2024, provided that taxpayers follow this section in its entirety and in a consistent manner.
§ 1.46-1   Determination of amount.
(a) Effective dates —(1) In general. This section is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1975. However, transitional rules under paragraph (g) of this section are effective for certain earlier taxable years.
(2) Acts covered. This section reflects changes made by the following Acts of Congress:
(3) Prior regulations. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 1976, see 26 CFR 1.46-1 (Rev. as of April 1, 1979). Those regulations do not reflect changes made by Pub. L. 89-384, Pub. L. 89-389, and Pub. L. 91-172.
(b) General rule. The amount of investment credit (credit) allowed by section 38 for the taxable year is the portion of credit available under section 46(a)(1) that does not exceed the limitation based on tax under section 46(a)(3).
(c) Credit available. The credit available for the taxable year is the sum of—
(1) Unused credit carried over from prior taxable years under section 46(b) (carryovers).
(2) Amount of credit determined under section 46(a)(2) for the taxable year (credit earned), and
(3) Unused credit carried back from succeeding taxable years under section 46(b) (carrybacks).
(d) Credit earned. The credit earned for the taxable year is the sum of the following percentages of qualified investment (as determined under section 46 (c) and (d))—
(1) The regular percentage (as determined under section 46),
(2) For energy property, the energy percentage (as determined under section 46), and
(3) For the portion of the basis of a qualified rehabilitated building (as defined in § 1.48-12(b)) that is attributable to qualified rehabilitation expenditures (as defined in § 1.48-12(c)), the rehabilitation percentage (as determined under section 46(b)(4)).
(e) Designation of credits. The credit available for the taxable year is designated as follows:
(1) The credit attributable to the regular percentage is the “regular credit”.
(2) The credit attributable to the ESOP percentage is the “ESOP credit”.
(3) The credit attributable to the energy percentage for energy property other than solar or wind is the “nonrefundable energy credit”.
(4) The credit attributable to the energy percentage for solar or wind energy property is the “refundable energy credit”.
(5) The credit attributable to the rehabilitation percentage for qualified rehabilitation expenditures is the rehabilitation investment credit.
(f) Special rules for certain energy property. Energy property is defined in section 48(l). Under section 46(a)(2)(D), energy property that is section 38 property solely by reason of section 48(l)(1) qualifies only for the energy credit. Other energy property qualifies for both the regular credit (and, if applicable, the ESOP credit) and the energy credit. For limitation on the energy percentage for property financed by industrial development bonds, see section 48(l)(11).
(g) Transitional rule for regular and ESOP credit —(1) In general. Although section 46(a)(2) was amended by section 301(a)(1) of the Energy Tax Act of 1977 to eliminate the transitional rules under section 46(a)(2)(D), those rules still apply in certain instances. Section 46(a)(2)(D) was added by section 301(a) of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975 and amended by section 802(a) of the Tax Reform Act of 1976.
(2) Regular credit. Under section 46(a)(2)(D), the regular credit is 10 percent and applies for the following property:
(i) Property to which section 46 (d) does not apply, the construction, reconstruction, or erection of which is completed by the taxpayer after January 21, 1975, but only to the extent of basis attributable to construction, reconstruction, or erection after that date.
(ii) Property to which section 46(d) does not apply, acquired by the taxpayer after January 21, 1975.
(iii) Qualified progress expenditures (as defined in section 46(d)) made after January 21, 1975.
(3) ESOP credit. See section 48(m) for transitional rules limiting the period for which the ESOP percentage under section 46(a)(2)(E) applies. For prior statutes, see section 46(a)(2) (B) and (D), as added by section 301 of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975 and amended by section 802 of the Tax Reform Act of 1976.
(4) Cross reference. (i) The principles of § 1.48-2 (b) and (c) apply in determining the portion of basis attributable to construction, reconstruction, or erection after January 21, 1975, and in determining the time when property is acquired.
(ii) Section 311 of the Revenue Act of 1978 made the 10 percent regular credit permanent.
(5) Seven percent credit. To the extent that, under paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the 10 percent does not apply, the regular credit, in general, is 7 percent. For a special limitation on qualified investment for public utility property (other than energy property), see section 46(c)(3)(A).
(6) Qualified progress expenditures. For progress expenditure property that is constructed, reconstructed, or erected by the taxpayer within the meaning of § 1.48-2(b), the ten-percent credit applies in the year the property is placed in service to the portion of the qualified investment that remains after reduction for qualified progress expenditures under section 46(c)(4), but only to the extent that the remaining qualified investment is attributable to construction, reconstruction, or erection after January 21, 1975. For progress expenditure property that is acquired by the taxpayer (within the meaning of § 1.48-2(b)) after January 21, 1975, and placed in service after that date, the ten-percent credit applies in the year the property is placed in service to the entire portion of qualified investment that remains after reduction for qualified progress expenditures.
(h) Tax liability limitation —(1) In general. Section 46(a)(3) provides a tax liability limitation on the amount of credit allowed by section 38 (other than the refundable energy credit) for any taxable year. See section 46(a)(10)(C)(i). Tax liability is defined in paragraph (j) of this section. The excess of available credit over the applicable tax liability limitation for the year is an unused credit which may be carried forward or carried back under section 46(b).
(2) Regular and ESOP tax liability limitation. In general, the tax liability limitation for the regular and ESOP credits is the portion of tax liability that does not exceed $25,000 plus a percentage of the excess, as determined under section 46(a)(3)(B).
(3) Nonrefundable energy credit tax liability limitation. (i) For nonrefundable energy credit carrybacks to a taxable year ending before October 1, 1978, the tax liability limitation is the portion of tax liability that does not exceed $25,000 plus a percentage of the excess, as determined under section 46(a)(3)(B).
(ii) For a taxable year ending after September 30, 1978, the tax liability limitation for available nonrefundable energy credit is 100 percent of the year's tax liability.
(4) Alternative limitations. Alternative limitations apply for certain utilities, railroads, and airlines in determining the regular tax liability limitation and, for nonrefundable energy credit carrybacks to taxable years ending before October 1, 1978, the nonrefundable energy credit tax liability limitation. These alternative limitations do not apply in determining the energy tax liability limitation for a taxable year ending after October 1, 1978. The provisions listed below set forth the alternative limitations:
1 Section 46(a)(6) was added by section 301(b)(2) of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975 and redesignated as section 46(a)(7) by section 302(a)(1) of the Tax Reform Act of 1976.
2 Section 46(a)(7) was amended by section 312(b)(1) of the Revenue Act of 1978.
3 These provisions were repealed by section 312(b)(2) of the Revenue Act of 1978.
(i) [Reserved]
(j) Tax liability —(1) In general. “Tax liability” for purposes of the regular and ESOP credit and carrybacks of nonrefundable energy credit to a taxable year ending before October 1, 1978, means the liability for tax as defined in section 46(a)(4). For ordering of regular, ESOP, and nonrefundable energy credits, see paragraph (m) of this section. In addition to taxes excluded under section 46(a)(4), tax liability does not include tax resulting from recapture of credit under section 47 and the alternative minimum tax imposed by section 55. See sections 47(c) and 55(c)(1).
(2) Certain nonrefundable energy credit. For a taxable year ending after September 30, 1978, “tax liability” for purposes of the nonrefundable energy credit is liability for tax, as defined in section 46(a)(4) and paragraph (j)(1) of this section, reduced by the regular and ESOP credit allowed for the taxable year. Thus, carrybacks of regular or ESOP credit to a taxable year may displace nonrefundable energy carryovers or credit earned taken into account in that year. However, carrybacks of regular, ESOP, or nonrefundable energy credit do not affect refundable energy credit which is treated as an overpayment of tax under section 6401(b). See paragraph (k) of this section.
(k) Special rule for refundable energy credit. The amount of the refundable energy credit is determined under the rules of section 46 (other than section 46(a)(3)). However, to permit the refund, the refundable energy credit for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code (other than section 38, part IVB, and chapter 63 of the Code) is treated as allowed by section 39 and not by section 38. The refundable credit is not applied against tax liability for purposes of determining the tax liability limitation for other investment credits. Rather, it is treated as an overpayment of tax under section 6401(b).
(l) FIFO rule. If the credit available for a taxable year is not allowed in full because of the tax liability limitation, special rules determine the order in which credits are applied. Under the first-in-first-out rule of section 46(a)(1) (FIFO), carryovers are applied against the tax liability limitation first. To the extent the tax liability limitation exceeds carryovers, credit earned, and carrybacks are then applied.
(m) Special ordering rule —(1) In general. Under section 46(a)(10)(A), the FIFO rule applies separately—
(i) First, with respect to regular and ESOP credits, and
(ii) Second, with respect to nonrefundable energy credit.
(2) Regular and ESOP credit. Under § 1.46-8(c)(9)(ii), regular and ESOP credits available are applied in the following order:
(i) Regular carryovers;
(ii) ESOP carryovers;
(iii) Regular credit earned;
(iv) ESOP credit earned;
(v) Regular carrybacks; and
(vi) ESOP carrybacks.
(3) Example. For an example of the order of application of regular and ESOP credits, see § 1.46-8(c)(9)(iii).
(n) Examples. The following examples illustrate paragraphs (a) through (m) of this section.
(c) The regular carryovers and credit earned are allowed in full. However, only $13,000 of the regular carryback is allowed for 1979. The remaining $2,000 must be carried to the next year to which it may be carried under section 46(b).
(b) N's “tax liability” for 1980 for the regular credit is $35,000. N's tax liability limitation for 1980 for the regular credit is $32,000, consisting of $25,000 plus 70 percent of the $10,000 of “tax liability” in excess of $25,000.
(c) The entire regular credit is allowed in 1980.
(d) N's “tax liability” for 1980 for the nonrefundable energy credit is $5,000, consisting of $35,000 less $30,000 regular credit allowed for 1980. N's tax liability limitation for 1980 for the nonrefundable energy credit is 100 percent of $5,000.
(e) $5,000 of the nonrefundable energy credit is allowed for 1980. The remaining $4,000 energy credit is an unused nonrefundable energy credit which must be carried to the next year to which it may be carried under section 46(b).
(b) The $30,000 regular credit earned and $2,000 of the regular carryback is allowed for 1980. N's “tax liability” for 1980 for the nonrefundable energy credit is reduced to $3,000, consisting of $35,000 less $32,000 regular credit allowed for 1980. The nonrefundable energy credit allowed for 1980 is reduced to $3,000. The remaining $6,000 is an unused nonrefundable energy credit which must be carried to the next year to which it may be carried under section 46(b).
(b) P's “tax liability” for 1980 for the regular credit is $25,000 which is also the tax liability limitation for the regular credit.
(c) The entire $20,000 regular credit is allowed for 1980. The entire $9,000 refundable energy credit is treated as an overpayment of tax under section 6401(b), even though “tax liability” remains.
(ii) For 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979, qualified progress expenditures total $200,000. The ten-percent credit applies to those expenditures.
(iii) For 1980, qualified investment for the ship is $450,000. Under section 46(c)(4), X must reduce this amount by $200,000, the amount of qualified progress expenditures taken into account. The ten-percent credit applies to the portion of the remaining qualified investment attributable to construction after January 21, 1975 ($150,000). The seven-percent credit applies to the portion of qualified investment attributable to construction before January 22, 1975 ($100,000).
(ii) For 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979, qualified progress expenditures total $250,000. The ten-percent credit applies to those expenditures.
(iii) For 1980, qualified investment for the ship is $400,000, which is the contract price. X must reduce qualified investment by $250,000, the amount of qualified progress expenditures. The ten-percent credit applies to the $150,000 of qualified investment that remains after reduction for qualified progress expenditures.
(o) Married individuals. If a separate return is filed by a husband or wife, the tax liability limitation is computed by substituting a $12,500 amount for the $25,000 amount that applies under section 46(a)(3). However, this reduction of the $25,000 amount to $12,500 applies only if the taxpayer's spouse is entitled to a credit under section 38 for the taxable year of such spouse which ends with, or within, the taxpayer's taxable year. The taxpayer's spouse is entitled to a credit under section 38 either because of investment made in qualified property for such taxable year of the spouse (whether directly made by such spouse or whether apportioned to such spouse, for example, from an electing small business corporation, as defined in section 1371(b)), or because of an investment credit carryback or carryover to such taxable year. The determination of whether an individual is married shall be made under the principles of section 143 and the regulations thereunder.
(p) Apportionment of $25,000 amount among component members of a controlled group —(1) In general. In determining the tax liability limitation under section 46(a)(3) for corporations that are component members of a controlled group on December 31, only one $25,000 amount is available to those component members for their taxable years that include that December 31. See subparagraph (2) of this paragraph for apportionment of such amount among such component members. See subparagraph (3) of this paragraph for definition of “component member”.
(2) Manner of apportionment. (i) In the case of corporations which are component members of a controlled group on a particular December 31, the $25,000 amount may be apportioned among such members for their taxable years that include such December 31 in any manner the component members may select, provided that each such member less than 100 percent of whose stock is owned, in the aggregate, by the other component members of the group on such December 31 consents to an apportionment plan. The consent of a component member to an apportionment plan with respect to a particular December 31 shall be made by means of a statement, signed by a person duly authorized to act on behalf of the consenting member, stating that such member consents to the apportionment plan with respect to such December 31. The statement shall set forth the name, address, employer identification number, and taxable year of each component member of the group on such December 31, the amount apportioned to each such member under the plan, and the location of the Service Center where the statement is to be filed. The consent of more than one component member may be incorporated in a single statement. The statement shall be timely filed with the Service Center where the component member having the taxable year first ending on or after such December 31 files its return for such taxable year and shall be irrevocable after such filing. If two or more component members have the same such taxable year, a statement of consent may be filed by any one of such members. However, if the due date (including any extensions of time) of the return of such member is on or before December 15, 1971, the required statement shall be considered as timely filed if filed on or before March 15, 1972. Each component member of the group on such December 31 shall keep as a part of its records a copy of the statement containing all the required consents.
(ii) An apportionment plan adopted by a controlled group with respect to a particular December 31 shall be valid only for the taxable year of each member of the group which includes such December 31. Thus, a controlled group must file a separate consent to an apportionment plan with respect to each taxable year which includes a December 31 as to which an apportionment plan is desired.
(iii) If the apportionment plan is not timely filed, the $25,000 amount specified in section 46(a)(3) shall be reduced for each component member of the controlled group, for its taxable year which includes a December 31, to an amount equal to $25,000 divided by the number of component members of such group on such December 31.
(iv) If a component member of the controlled group makes its income tax return on the basis of a 52-53-week taxable year, the principles of section 441(f)(2)(A)(ii) and § 1.441-2 apply in determining the last day of such taxable year.
(3) Definitions of controlled group of corporations and component member of controlled group. For the purpose of this paragraph, the terms “controlled group of corporations” and “component member” of a controlled group of corporations shall have the same meaning assigned to those terms in section 1563 (a) and (b). For purposes of applying § 1.1563-1(b)(2)(ii)( c ), an electing small business corporation shall be treated as an excluded member whether or not it is subject to the tax imposed by section 1378.
(4) Members of a controlled group filing a consolidated return. If some component members of a controlled group join in filing a consolidated return pursuant to § 1.1502-3(a)(3), and other component members do not join, then, unless a consent is timely filed apportioning the $25,000 amount among the group filing the consolidated return and the other component members of the controlled group, each component member of the controlled group (including each component member which joins in filing the consolidated return) shall be treated as a separate corporation for purposes of equally apportioning the $25,000 amount under subparagraph (2)(iii) of this paragraph. In that case, the tax liability limitation for the group filing the consolidated return is computed by substituting for the $25,000 amount under section 46(a)(3) the total amount apportioned to each component member that joins in filing the consolidated return. If the affiliated group filing the consolidated return and the other component members of the controlled group adopt an apportionment plan, the affiliated group shall be treated as a single member for the purpose of applying subparagraph (2)(i) of this paragraph. Thus, for example, only one consent executed by the common parent to the apportionment plan is required for the group filing the consolidated return. If any component member of the controlled group which joins in the filing of the consolidated return is an organization to which section 593 applies or a cooperative organization described in section 1381(a), see paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of § 1.1502-3.
(5) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph may be illustrated by the following examples:
(q) Rehabilitation percentage —(1) General rule —(i) In general. Due to amendments made by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, different rules apply depending on when the property attributable to the qualified rehabilitated expenditures (as defined in § 1.48-12(c)) is placed in service. Paragraph (q)(1)(ii) of this section contains the general rule relating to property placed in service after December 31, 1986. Paragraph (q)(1)(iii) of this section contains rules relating to property placed in service before January 1, 1987. Paragraph (q)(1)(iv) of this section contains rules relating to property placed in service after December 31, 1986, that qualifies for a transition rule.
(ii) Property placed in service after December 31, 1986. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (q)(1)(iv) of this section, in the case of section 38 property described in section 48(a)(1)(E) placed in service after December 31, 1986, the term “rehabilitation percentage” means—
(A) 10 percent in the case of qualified rehabilitation expenditures with respect to a qualified rehabilitated building other than a certified historic structure, and
(B) 20 percent in the case of qualified rehabilitation expenditures with respect to a certified historic structure.
(iii) Property placed in service before January 1, 1987. For qualified rehabilitation expenditures (as defined in § 1.48-12(c)) with respect to property placed in service before January 1, 1987, section 46(b)(4)(A) as in effect prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 provided for a three-tier rehabilitation percentage. The applicable rehabilitation percentage for such expenditures depends on whether the qualified rehabilitated building is a “30-year building,” a “40-year building,” or a certified historic structure (as defined in section 48(g)(3) and § 1.48-12(d)(1)). The rehabilitation percentage for such qualified rehabilitation expenditures incurred with respect to a qualified rehabilitated building is 15 percent to the extent that the building is a 30-year building ( i.e., at least 30 years, but less than 40 years, has elapsed between the date the physical work on the rehabilitation began and the date the building was first placed in service), 20 percent to the extent that the building is a 40-year building ( i.e., at least 40 years has so elapsed), and 25 percent for certified historic structures, regardless of age. See paragraph (q)(2)(ii) of this section for rules concerning buildings to which additions have been added.
(iv) Property placed in service after December 31, 1986, that qualifies under the transition rules. In the case of section 38 property described in section 48(a)(1)(E) placed in service after December 31, 1986, and to which the amendments made by section 251 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 do not apply because the transition rules in section 251(d) of that Act and § 1.48-12(a)(2)(iv)(B) or (C) apply, the rehabilitation percentage for a “30-year building” (within the meaning of paragraph (q)(1)(iii) of this section) shall be 10 percent, the rehabilitation percentage for a “40-year building” (within the meaning of paragraph (q)(1)(iii) of this section) shall be 13 percent, and the rehabilitation percentage for a certified historic structure shall be 25 percent.
(2) Special rules —(i) Moved buildings. With respect to paragraph (q)(1)(ii) of this section, § 1.48-12(b)(5) provides that a building (other than a certified historic structure) is not a qualified rehabilitated building unless it has been at the location where it is being rehabilitated since January 1, 1936. In addition, for purposes of paragraph (q)(1) (iii) and (iv) of this section, a building is not a “30-year building” unless it has been at the location where it is being rehabilitated for the thirty-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the rehabilitation process, and is not a “40-year building” unless it has been at the location where it is being rehabilitated for the forty-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the rehabilitation process.
(ii) Building to which additions have been added —(A) Property placed in service after December 31, 1986. For purposes of paragraph (q)(1)(ii) of this section, if part of a building meets the definition of a qualified rehabilitated building, and part of the building does not meet the definition of a qualified rehabilitated building because such part is an addition that was placed in service after December 31, 1935, the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made to the building must be allocated to the pre-1936 portion of the building and the post-1935 portion of the building using the principles in § 1.48-12(c)(10)(ii). Qualified rehabilitation expenditures attributable to the post-1935 addition shall not qualify for the 10 percent rehabilitation percentage.
(B) Property placed in service before January 1, 1987, and property qualifying for a transitional rule. For purposes of paragraphs (q)(1) (iii) and (iv) of this section, if part of a building meets the definition of a “40-year building” and part of the building is an addition that was placed in service less than forty years before physical work on the rehabilitation began but more than thirty years before such date, then the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made to the building shall be allocated between the forty year old portion of the building and the thirty year old portion of the building, and a 20 percent rehabilitation percentage shall be applied to the forty year old portion of the building and a 15 percent rehabilitation percentage shall be applied to the thirty year old portion. This allocation shall be made using the principles in § 1.48-12(c)(10)(ii). If an allocation cannot be made between the expenditures to the forty year old portion of the building and the thirty year old portion of the building, then the building will be considered to be a 30-year building. Furthermore, for purposes of this paragraph (q), a building (other than a certified historic structure) is not a qualified rehabilitated building to the extent of that portion of the building that is less than 30 years old. If rehabilitation expenditures are incurred with respect to an addition to a qualified rehabilitated building, but the addition is not considered to be part of the qualified rehabilitated building because the addition does not meet the age requirement in section 48(g)(1)(B) (as in effect prior to its amendment by the Tax Reform Act of 1986) and § 1.48-12(b)(4)(i)(B), then no rehabilitation percentage will be applied to the expenditures attributable to the rehabilitation of the addition. Thus, for purposes of paragraphs (q)(1) (iii) and (iv) of this section, it may be necessary to allocate rehabilitation expenditures incurred with respect to a building between the original portion of the building and the addition.
(iii) Mixed-use buildings. If qualified rehabilitation expenditures are incurred for property that is excluded from section 38 property described in section 48(a)(1)(E) (because, for example, they are made with respect to a portion of the building used for lodging within the meaning of section 48(a)(3) and § 1.48-1(h)), an allocation of the expenditures must be made between the expenditures that result in an addition to basis that is section 38 property and the expenditures that result in an addition to basis that is excluded from the definition of section 38 property since the rehabilitation percentage is applicable only to section 38 property. These allocations should be made using the principles contained in § 1.48-12(c)(10)(ii).
(3) Regular and energy percentages not to apply. The regular percentage and the energy percentage shall not apply to that portion of the basis of any building that is attributable to qualified rehabilitation expenditures (as defined in § 1.48-12(c)).
(4) Effective date. The rehabilitation percentage is applicable only to qualified rehabilitation expenditures (as defined in § 1.48-12(c)). For rules relating to applicability of the regular percentage to qualified rehabilitation expenditures (as defined in § 1.48-11(c)), see § 1.48-11.
§ 1.46-2   Carryback and carryover of unused credit.
(a) Effective date. This section is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1975. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 1976, see 26 CFR 1.46-2 (Rev. as of April 1, 1979).
(b) In general. Under section 46(b)(1), unused credit may be carried back and carried over. Carrybacks and carryovers of unused credit are taken into account in determining the amount of credit available and the credit allowed for the taxable years to which they may be carried. In general, the application of the rules of this section to regular and ESOP credits are separate from their application to nonrefundable energy credits. For example, the limitations on carrybacks and carryovers of unused nonrefundable energy credit under section 46(b) (2) and (3), respectively, differ in amount from the limitations on the regular and ESOP credits because the tax liability limitations for those credits differ. See § 1.46-1(h). For a further example, see the special ordering rule in § 1.46-1(m). Section 46(b) does not apply to the refundable energy credit.
(c) Unused credit. If carryovers and credit earned (as defined in § 1.46-1(c)(1)) exceed the applicable tax liability limitation, the excess attributable to credit earned is an unused credit. The taxable year in which an unused credit arises is referred to as the “unused credit year”.
(d) Taxable years to which unused credit may be carried. An unused credit is a carryback to each of the 3 taxable years preceding the unused credit year and a carryover to each of the 7 taxable years succeeding the unused credit year. An unused credit must be carried first to the earliest of those 10 taxable years. An unused credit then must be carried to each of the other 9 taxable years (in order of time) to the extent that the unused credit was not absorbed during a prior taxable year because of the limitations under section 46(b) (2) and (3).
(e) Special rule for pre-1971 years —(1) In general. For unused credit years ending before January 1, 1971, unused credit is allowed a 10-year carryover rather than the 7-year carryover. The principles of paragraph (d) of this section apply to this 10-year carryover.
(2) Cross reference. For limitations on the taxable years to which unused credit from pre-1971 credit years may be carried, see paragraph (g) of this section.
(f) Limitations on carrybacks. Under the FIFO rule to section 46(a)(1), carryovers and credit earned are applied against the tax liability limitation before carrybacks. Thus, carrybacks to a taxable year may not exceed the amount by which the applicable tax liability limitation for that year exceeds the sum of carryovers to and credit earned for that year. Carrybacks from an unused credit year are applied against tax liability before carrybacks from a later unused credit year. To the extent an unused credit cannot be carried back to a particular preceding taxable year, the unused credit must be carried to the next succeeding taxable year to which it may be carried.
(g) Limitations on carryovers —(1) General rule. Carryovers to a taxable year may not exceed the applicable tax liability limitation for that year. Carryovers from an unused credit year are applied before carryovers from a later unused credit year.
(2) Exception. A 10-year carryover from a pre-1971 unused credit year may, under certain circumstances, be postponed to prevent a later-earned 7-year carryover from expiring. This exception does not extend the 10-year carryover period for pre-1971 unused credit. See section 46(b)(1)(D).
(h) Examples. The following examples illustrate paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section.
*For line “A” each year: Lesser of (1) tax liability or (2) $25,000 + (percentage in col. (3) × [col. (2) − $25,000]). See, § 1.46-1(h). For other lines: Amount in col. (6) on preceding line.
*See footnote to the chart in Example 1.
*See footnote to chart under Example 1.
(i) [Reserved]
(j) Electing small business corporation. A shareholder of an electing small business corporation (as defined in section 1371(b)) may not take into account unused credit of the corporation attributable to unused credit years for which the corporation was not an electing small business corporation. However, a taxable year for which the corporation is an electing small business corporation is counted as a taxable year for determining the taxable years to which that unused credit may be carried.
(k) Periods of less than 12 months. A fractional part of a year that is considered a taxable year under sections 441(b) and 7701(a)(23) is treated as a preceding or succeeding taxable year for determining under section 46(b) the taxable years to which an unused credit may be carried.
(l) Corporate acquisitions. For carryover of unused credits in the case of certain corporate acquisitions, see section 381(c)(23).
§ 1.46-3   Qualified investment.
(a) In general. (1) With respect to any taxable year, the qualified investment of the taxpayer is the aggregate (expressed in dollars) of (i) the applicable percentage of the basis of each new section 38 property placed in service by the taxpayer during such taxable year, plus (ii) the applicable percentage of the cost of each used section 38 property placed in service by the taxpayer during such taxable year. With respect to any section 38 property, qualified investment means the applicable percentage of the basis (or cost) of such property. Section 38 property placed in service by the taxpayer during the taxable year includes the taxpayer's share of the basis (or cost) of section 38 property placed in service by a partnership in the taxable year of such partnership ending with or within the taxpayer's taxable year. In the case of a shareholder of an electing small business corporation (as defined in section 1371(b)), or a beneficiary of an estate or trust, see §§ 1.48-5 and 1.48-6, respectively, for apportionment of the basis (or cost) of section 38 property placed in service by such corporation, estate, or trust. For the definitions of new section 38 property and used section 38 property, see §§ 1.48-2 and 1.48-3, respectively. See § 1.46-5 for special rules for progress expenditure property.
(2) The basis (or cost) of section 38 property placed in service during a taxable year shall not be taken into account in determining qualified investment for such year if such property is disposed of or otherwise ceases to be section 38 property during such year, except where § 1.47-3 applies. Thus, if individual A places in service during a taxable year section 38 property and later in the same year sells such property, the basis (or cost) of such property shall not be taken into account in determining A's qualified investment. On the other hand, if A places in service section 38 property during a taxable year and dies later in the same year, the basis (or cost) of such property would be taken into account in computing qualified investment. Similarly, if section 38 property is destroyed by fire in the same year in which it is placed in service and paragraph (h) of this section applies to reduce the basis (or cost) of replacement property, the basis (or cost) of the destroyed property would be taken into account in computing qualified investment. In order to determine whether section 38 property is disposed of or otherwise ceases to be section 38 property see § 1.47-2.
(3) Qualified investment is reduced in the case of property which is “public utility property” (see paragraph (h) of this section), and in the case of property of organizations to which section 593 applies, regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts subject to taxation under subchapter M, chapter 1 of the Code, and cooperative organizations described in section 1381(a) (see § 1.46-4).
(b) Applicable percentage. The applicable percentage to be applied to the basis (or cost) of property is 33 1/3 percent if the estimated useful life of the property is 3 years or more but less than 5 years; 66 2/3 percent if the estimated useful life is 5 years or more but less than 7 years; or 100 percent if the estimated useful life is 7 years or more. In the case of property which is not described in section 50, the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting “4 years” for “3 years”, “6 years” for “5 years”, and “8 years” for “7 years”. The provisions of this paragraph may be illustrated by the following example:
(c) Basis or cost. (1) The basis of any new section 38 property shall be determined in accordance with the general rules for determining the basis of property. Thus, the basis of property would generally be its cost (see section 1012), unreduced by the adjustment to basis provided by section 48(g)(1) with respect to property placed in service before January 1, 1964, and any other adjustment to basis, such as that for depreciation, and would include all items properly included by the taxpayer in the depreciable basis of the property, such as installation and freight costs. However, for purposes of determining qualified investment, the basis of new section 38 property constructed, reconstructed, or erected by the taxpayer shall not include any depreciation sustained with respect to any other property used in the construction, reconstruction, or erection of such new section 38 property. (See paragraph (b)(4) of § 1.48-1.) If new section 38 property is acquired in exchange for cash and other property in a transaction described in section 1031 in which no gain or loss is recognized, the basis of the newly acquired property for purposes of determining qualified investment would be equal to the adjusted basis of the other property plus the cash paid. See § 1.48-4 for the basis of property to a lessee where the lessor has elected to treat such lessee as a purchaser.
(2) The cost of any used section 38 property shall be determined in accordance with paragraph (b) of § 1.48-3. However, the aggregate cost of used section 38 property which may be taken into account in any taxable year in computing qualified investment cannot exceed $50,000 (see paragraph (c) of § 1.48-3).
(3) For reduction in the basis (or cost) of certain property which replaces other property which was destroyed or damaged by fire, storm, shipwreck, or other casualty, or which was stolen, see paragraph (h) of this section.
(d) Placed in service. (1) For purposes of the credit allowed by section 38, property shall be considered placed in service in the earlier of the following taxable years:
(i) The taxable year in which, under the taxpayer's depreciation practice, the period for depreciation with respect to such property begins; or
(ii) The taxable year in which the property is placed in a condition or state of readiness and availability for a specifically assigned function, whether in a trade or business, in the production of income, in a tax-exempt activity, or in a personal activity.
(2) In the case of property acquired by a taxpayer for use in his trade or business (or in the production of income), the following are examples of cases where property shall be considered in a condition or state of readiness and availability for a specifically assigned function:
(i) Parts are acquired and set aside during the taxable year for use as replacements for a particular machine (or machines) in order to avoid operational time loss.
(ii) Operational farm equipment is acquired during the taxable year and it is not practicable to use such equipment for its specifically assigned function in the taxpayer's business of farming until the following year.
(iii) Equipment is acquired for a specifically assigned function and is operational but is undergoing testing to eliminate any defects.
(iv) Reforestation expenditures (as defined in § 1.194-3(c)) are incurred during the taxable year in connection with qualified timber property (as defined in § 1.194-3(a)).
(3) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, property with respect to which an election is made under § 1.48-4 to treat the lessee as having purchased such property shall be considered placed in service by the lessor in the taxable year in which possession is transferred to such lessee.
(4)(i) The credit allowed by section 38 with respect to any property shall be allowed only for the first taxable year in which such property is placed in service by the taxpayer. The determination of whether property is section 38 property in the hands of the taxpayer shall be made with respect to such first taxable year. Thus, if a taxpayer places property in service in a taxable year and such property does not qualify as section 38 property (or only a portion of such property qualifies as section 38 property) in such year, no credit (or a credit only as to the portion which qualifies in such year) shall be allowed to the taxpayer with respect to such property notwithstanding that such property (or a greater portion of such property) qualifies as section 38 property in a subsequent taxable year. For example, if a taxpayer places property in service in 1963 and uses the property entirely for personal purposes in such year, but in 1964 begins using the property in a trade or business, no credit is allowable to the taxpayer under section 38 with respect to such property. See § 1.48-1 for the definition of section 38 property.
(ii) Notwithstanding subdivision (i) of this subparagraph, if, for the first taxable year in which property is placed in service by the taxpayer, the property qualifies as section 38 property but the basis of the property does not reflect its full cost for the reason that the total amount to be paid or incurred by the taxpayer for the property is indeterminate, a credit shall be allowed to the taxpayer for such first taxable year with respect to so much of the cost as is reflected in the basis of the property as of the close of such year, and an additional credit shall be allowed to the taxpayer for any subsequent taxable year with respect to the additional cost paid or incurred during such year and reflected in the basis of the property as of the close of such year. The estimated useful life used in computing each additional credit with respect to the property shall be the same as the estimated useful life used in computing the credit for the first taxable year in which the property was placed in service by the taxpayer. Assume, for example, that in 1964 X Corporation, a utility company which makes its return on the basis of a calendar year, enters into an agreement with Y Corporation, a builder, to construct certain utility facilities for a housing development built by Y. Assume further that part of the funds for the construction of the utility facilities is advanced by Y under a contract providing that X will repay the advances over a 10-year period in accordance with an agreed formula, after which no further amounts will be repayable by X even though the full amount advanced by Y has not been repaid. Assuming that the utility facilities are placed in service in 1964 and qualify as section 38 property, X is allowed a credit for 1964 with respect to its basis in the utility facilities at the close of 1964. For each succeeding taxable year X is allowed an additional credit with respect to the increase in the basis of the utility facilities resulting from the repayments to Y during such year.
(e) Estimated useful life —(1)(i) In general. With respect to assets placed in service by the taxpayer during any taxable year, for the purpose of computing qualified investment the estimated useful lives assigned to all assets which fall within a particular guideline class (within the meaning of Revenue Procedure 62-21) may be determined, at the taxpayer's option, under either subparagraph (2) or (3) of this paragraph. Thus, the taxpayer may assign estimated useful lives to all the assets falling in one guideline class in accordance with subparagraph (2) of this paragraph, and may assign estimated useful lives to all the assets falling within another guideline class in accordance with subparagraph (3) of this paragraph. See subparagraphs (4) and (5) of this paragraph for determination of estimated useful lives of assets not subject to subparagraph (2) or (3) of this paragraph.
(ii) Except as provided in subparagraph (7), this paragraph shall not apply to property described in section 50.
(2) Class life system. The taxpayer may assign to each asset falling within a guideline class, which is placed in service during the taxable year, the class life of the taxpayer for the guideline class for such year as determined under section 4, part II of Revenue Procedure 62-21. The preceding sentence may be applied to the assets falling within a guideline class irrespective of whether the taxpayer uses single asset accounts or multiple asset accounts in computing depreciation with respect to such assets and irrespective of whether the taxpayer chooses to have his depreciation allowance with respect to such assets examined under the rules provided in Revenue Procedure 62-21.
(3) Individual useful life system. (i) The taxpayer may assign an individual estimated useful life to each asset falling within a guideline class which is placed in service during the taxable year. With respect to the assets falling within the guideline class which are placed in single asset accounts for purposes of computing depreciation, the estimated useful life used for each asset for that purpose shall be used in determining qualified investment. With respect to the assets falling within the guideline class which are placed in multiple asset accounts (including a guideline class account described in Revenue Procedure 62-21) for which a group, classified, or composite rate is used in computing depreciation (or in single asset accounts for which an average life rate is used), the determination of estimated useful life for each asset in the account shall be made individually on the best estimate obtainable on the basis of all the facts and circumstances. The individual estimated useful lives used for all the assets placed in a multiple asset account, when viewed together, must be consistent with the group, classified, or composite life used for the account for purposes of computing depreciation.
(ii) In determining the individual estimated useful lives of assets similar in kind contained in a multiple asset account (or in single asset accounts for which an average life rate is used), the taxpayer may ( a ) assign to each of such assets the average useful life of such assets used for purposes of computing depreciation, or ( b ) assign separate lives to such assets based on the estimated range of years taken into consideration in establishing the average useful life. Thus, for example, if a taxpayer places nine similar trucks with an average estimated useful life of 7 years, based on an estimated range of 6 to 8 years (two trucks with a useful life of 6 years, five trucks with a useful life of 7 years, and two trucks with a useful life of 8 years), in a multiple asset account for which a group rate is used in computing depreciation, he may either assign a useful life of 6 years to two of the trucks, 7 years to five of the trucks, and 8 years to two of the trucks, or he may assign the average useful life of the trucks (7 years) to each of the nine trucks. Likewise, if a taxpayer places 100 similar telephone poles with an average useful life of 28 years, based on an estimated range of 3 to 40 years (two with a useful life of less than 4 years, three with a useful life of 4 to 6 years, four with a useful life of 6 to 8 years, and 91 with a useful life of more than 8 years), in a multiple asset account for which a group rate is used in computing depreciation, he may either assign useful lives corresponding to the estimated range of years of the poles ( i.e. , a useful life of less than 4 years to two of the poles, etc.), or he may assign the average useful life of the poles (28 years) to each of the poles.
(iii) [Reserved]
(iv) For purposes of subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph, assets (other than “mass assets”) shall not be considered as “similar in kind” in respect of other assets unless all such assets are substantially of the same value, nor shall used section 38 property be considered as “similar in kind” to new section 38 property.
(4) Useful life of property subject to amortization —(i) In general. In the case of property with respect to which amortization in lieu of depreciation is allowable, the term over which amortization deductions are taken shall be considered as the estimated useful life of such property.
(ii) Qualified timber property. In the case of qualified timber property (within the meaning of section 194(c)(1)), the normal growing period of such property shall be considered its estimated useful life.
(5) Useful life of property subject to certain methods of depreciation. If a taxpayer is using a method of depreciation, such as the unit of production or retirement method, which does not measure the useful life of the property in terms of years, he must estimate such useful life in years in order to compute his qualified investment.
(6) Record requirements. The taxpayer shall maintain sufficient records to determine whether section 47 (relating to certain dispositions, etc., of section 38 property) applies with respect to any asset.
(7) Section 50 property. (i) The provisions of this subparagraph and subparagraphs (4) and (6) of this paragraph shall apply to property which is described in section 50.
(ii) The estimated useful life of property for purposes of computing qualified investment shall be the useful life used or to be used by the taxpayer in computing the allowance for depreciation with respect to such property under section 167 for the taxable year in which the property is placed in service. Thus, if property is placed in service by a taxpayer in a taxable year but the period for depreciation with respect to such property does not begin until a succeeding taxable year (see paragraph (d)(1) of this section), the estimated useful life for purposes of computing qualified investment must be the estimated useful life that the taxpayer uses in computing the allowance for depreciation. See subdivision (iv) of this subparagraph for rules for determining the estimated useful life of property with respect to which the allowance for depreciation under section 167 is computed under the unit of production method, the income-forecast method, or any other method which does not measure the useful life of the property in terms of years.
(iii)( a ) The estimated useful life of any section 38 property to which an election under section 167(m) applies shall be the asset depreciation period selected for such property under § 1.167(a)-11(b)(4), whether or not such property constitutes mass assets (as defined in § 1.47-1(e)(4)).
( b ) The estimated useful life of any section 38 property to which an election under section 167(m) does not apply and which is placed in a multiple asset account for which a group, classified, or composite rate is used in computing depreciation (or in single asset accounts for which an average life rate is used) shall be determined individually for each asset on the best estimate obtainable on the basis of all the facts and circumstances. The individual estimated useful life for each asset placed in a multiple asset account (including a mass asset account) must be the same as the useful life of such asset used in determining the group, classified, or composite life for the account for purposes of computing depreciation. The individual estimated useful lives of assets similar in kind may be determined in accordance with subdivisions (ii) and (iv) of subparagraph (3) of this paragraph. In the case of mass assets, subdivision (iii) of subparagraph (3) of this paragraph shall apply.
(f) Partnerships —(1) In general. In the case of a partnership, each partner shall take into account separately, for his taxable year with or within which the partnership taxable year ends, his share of the basis of partnership new section 38 property and his share of the cost of partnership used section 38 property placed in service by the partnership during such partnership taxable year. Each partner shall be treated as the taxpayer with respect to his share of the basis of partnership new section 38 property and his share of the cost of partnership used section 38 property. The estimated useful life to each partner of such property shall be deemed to be the estimated useful life of the property in the hands of the partnership. Partnership section 38 property shall not, by reason of each partner taking his share of the basis or cost into account, lose its character as either new section 38 property or used section 38 property, as the case may be. For computation of each partner's qualified investment for the energy credit for a qualified intercity bus, see § 1.48-9(q)(9)(iv).
(2) Determination of partner's share. (i) Each partner's share of the basis (or cost) of any section 38 property shall be determined in accordance with the ratio in which the partners divide the general profits of the partnership (that is, the taxable income of the partnership as described in section 702(a)(9)) regardless of whether the partnership has a profit or a loss for its taxable year during which the section 38 property is placed in service. However, if the ratio in which the partners divide the general profits of the partnership changes during the taxable year of the partnership, the ratio effective for the date on which the property is placed in service shall apply.
(ii) Notwithstanding subdivision (i) of this subparagraph, if all related items of income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to any item of partnership section 38 property are specially allocated in the same manner and if such special allocation is recognized under section 704 (a) and (b) and paragraph (b) of § 1.704-1, then each partner's share of the basis of such item of new section 38 property or the cost of such item of used section 38 property shall be determined by reference to such special allocation effective for the date on which the property is placed in service.
(iii) Notwithstanding subdivisions (i) and (ii) of this subparagraph, if with respect to a partnership's taxable year the conditions set forth in ( a ) through ( c ) of this subdivision are satisfied with respect to a partner, then such partner shall not take into account the basis (or cost) of any section 38 property placed in service by the partnership during such taxable year. The conditions referred to in the preceding sentence are:
( a ) Such partner's interest in the general profits of the partnership during the taxable year is 5 percent or less;
( b ) Under the partnership agreement, such partner will retire from the partnership during the taxable year or within 7 years after the end of such year; and
( c ) The partnership agreement provides that the basis (or cost) of section 38 property placed in service by the partnership during the taxable year shall not be taken into account by a partner described in ( a ) and ( b ) of this subdivision.
(3) Examples. This paragraph may be illustrated by the following examples:
(g) Public utility property —(1) In general —(i) Scope of paragraph. This paragraph only applies to property described in section 50. For rules relating to public utility property not described in section 50, see 26 CFR part 1, § 1.46-3(g) (as revised April 1, 1977). This paragraph does not reflect amendments to section 46(c) made after enactment of the Revenue Act of 1971.
(ii) Amount of qualified investment. A taxpayer's qualified investment in section 38 property that is public utility property is 4/7 of the amount otherwise determined under this section.
(2) Meaning and uses of certain terms. For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) Public utility property. “Public utility property” is property used by a taxpayer predominantly in a trade or business that is a public utility activity and property that is nonregulated communication property.
(ii) Public utility activity. A “public utility activity” is any activity in which the goods or services described in section 46(c)(3)(B) (i), (ii), or (iii) are furnished or sold at regulated rates. If property is used by a taxpayer both in a public utility activity and in another activity, the characterization of such property is based on the predominant use of such property during the taxable year in which it is placed in service.
(iii) Regulated rates. A taxpayer's rates are “regulated” if they are established or approved on a rate-of-return basis. Rates regulated on a rate-of-return basis are an authorization to collect revenues that cover the taxpayer's cost of providing goods or services, including a fair return on the taxpayer's investment in providing such goods or services, where the taxpayer's costs and investment are determined by use of a uniform system of accounts prescribed by the regulatory body. A taxpayer's rates are not “regulated” if they are established or approved on the basis of maintaining competition within an industry, insuring adequate service to customers of an industry, or charging “reasonable” rates within an industry since the taxpayer is not authorized to collect revenues based on the taxpayer's cost of providing goods or services. Rates are considered to have been “established or approved” if a schedule of rates is filed with a regulatory body that has the power to approve such rates, even though the regulatory body takes no action on the filed schedule or generally leaves undisturbed rates filed by the taxpayer.
(iv) Nonregulated communication property. “Nonregulated communication property” is property that is clearly the same type of property (and is used by the taxpayer predominantly for the same type of communication purposes) as communication property, but it is used by the taxpayer predominantly in a trade or business that is not a public utility activity. For purposes of this paragraph (g)(2)(iv), of this section, communication property is property ordinarily used for communication purposes by persons who provide regulated telephone or microwave communication services described in section 46(c)(3)(B)(iii). The determination of whether property is clearly of this same type and is used predominantly for these same communication purposes as communication property is made on the basis of the facts and circumstances of each particular case, including the current state of technology in the communications industry and the range and type of services permitted or required to be provided by the regulated telephone and microwave communication industry. As of 1978, wires or cables used predominantly to distribute to subscribers the signals of one or more television broadcast stations or cablecast stations (such as in a CATV system) are not used for the same type of communication purposes as communication property. Communication property includes microwave transmission equipment, private communication equipment (other than land mobile radio equipment for which the operator must obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission), private switchboard (PBX) equipment, communications terminal equipment connected to telephone networks, data transmission equipment, and communications satellites. Communication property does not include (as of 1978) computer terminals or facsimile reproduction equipment that is connected to telephone lines to transmit data. It also does not include office furniture stands for communication property, tools, repair vehicles, and similar property, even if such property is exclusively used in providing regulated telephone or microwave communication services.
(3) Leased property. Public utility property includes property which is leased to others by a taxpayer where the leasing of such property is part of the lessor's public utility activity. Thus, such leased property is public utility property even though the lessee uses such property in an activity which is not a public utility activity, and whether or not the lessor of such property makes a valid election under § 1.48-4 to treat the lessee as having purchased such property for purposes of the credit allowed by section 38. Property leased by a lessor, where the leasing is not part of a public utility activity, to a lessee who uses such property predominantly in a public utility activity is public utility property for purposes of computing the lessor's or lessee's qualified investment with respect to such property.
(4) Property used in both the production or transmission of gas and the local distribution of gas. (i) With respect to properties of a taxpayer engaged in both the production or transmission of gas and the local distribution of gas, section 38 property shall be considered as used predominantly in the trade or business of the furnishing or sale of gas through a local distribution system if expenditures for such property are chargeable to any of the following accounts under either the uniform system of accounts prescribed for natural gas companies (class A and class B) by the Federal Power Commission, effective January 1, 1961, or the uniform system of accounts for class A and B gas utilities adopted in 1958 by the National Association of Railroad and Utility Commissioners (or would be chargeable to any of the following accounts if the taxpayer used either of such systems):
( a ) Accounts 360 through 363, inclusive (Local Storage Plant), or
( b ) Accounts 374 through 387, inclusive (Distribution Plant).
(ii) If expenditures for section 38 property are chargeable (or would be chargeable) to any of the following accounts under either of the systems named in subdivision (i) of this subparagraph, the determination of whether or not such property is used predominantly in the trade or business of the furnishing or sale of gas through a local distribution system shall be made under all the facts and circumstances relating to the actual use of such property in the year such property is placed in service:
( a ) Accounts 304 through 320, inclusive (Manufactured Gas Production Plant), or
( b ) Accounts 389 through 399, inclusive (General Plant).
(5) Certain submarine cable property. In the case of any interest in a submarine cable circuit which is property described in section 50 used to furnish telegraph service between the United States and a point outside the United States of a taxpayer engaged in furnishing international telegraph service (if the rates for such furnishing have been established or approved by a governmental unit, agency, instrumentality, commission, or similar body described in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph), the qualified investment shall not exceed the qualified investment attributable to so much of the interest of the taxpayer in the circuit as does not exceed 50 percent of all interests in the circuit.
(h) Certain replacement property. (1)(i) If section 38 property is placed in service by the taxpayer to replace property (whether or not section 38 property) similar or related in service or use, which was destroyed or damaged before August 16, 1971, by fire, storm, shipwreck, or other casualty, or was stolen before such date, then for purposes of paragraph (a) of this section the basis (or cost) of the replacement section 38 property otherwise determined under paragraph (c) of this section shall be reduced by an amount equal to the lesser of—
( a ) The amount of money, or the fair market value of other property, received as compensation, by insurance or otherwise, for the property which was destroyed, damaged, or stolen, or
( b ) The adjusted basis of such destroyed, damaged, or stolen property (immediately before such destruction, damage, or theft).
(ii) For purposes of subdivision (i) of this subparagraph—
( a ) Section 38 property placed in service after the due date (including extensions of time thereof) for filing the taxpayer's income tax return for the taxable year in which the other property was destroyed, damaged, or stolen shall not be considered as replacement section 38 property, and
( b ) If the property which is destroyed, damaged, or stolen, is leased property, no other leased property shall be considered as replacement property with respect to the property destroyed, damaged, or stolen, in any case in which the lessor makes or made an election under section 48(d) (relating to election with respect to certain leased property) with respect to either the property destroyed, damaged, or stolen, the other leased property, or both.
(2) Subparagraph (1) of this paragraph shall not apply to replacement property if the reduction, under such subparagraph (1), in the basis (or cost) of such replacement property is less than the excess of—
(i) The qualified investment with respect to the destroyed, damaged, or stolen property, over
(ii) The recomputed qualified investment with respect to such property (determined under the principles of paragraph (a) of § 1.47-1).
(3) This paragraph may be illustrated by the following examples:
(ii) Under subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, the $41,000 basis of machine No. 2 is reduced, for purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, by $23,000 (that is, the $23,000 insurance proceeds since such amount is less than the $24,500 adjusted basis of machine No. 1 immediately before it was destroyed) to $18,000 since such reduction (that is, $23,000) is greater than the $20,000 reduction in qualified investment which would be made if paragraph (a) of § 1.47-1 were to apply to machine No. 1 ($20,000 qualified investment less zero recomputed qualified investment).
(ii) The $41,000 basis of machine No. 2 is not reduced, for purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, under this paragraph since the $19,000 reduction which would have been made under this paragraph had it applied (that is, the $19,000 insurance proceeds since such amount is less than the $24,500 adjusted basis of machine No. 1 immediately before it was destroyed) is less than the $20,000 reduction in qualified investment which is made since paragraph (a) of § 1.47-1 applies to machine No. 1 ($20,000 qualified investment less zero recomputed qualified investment).
§ 1.46-4   Limitations with respect to certain persons.
(a) Mutual savings institutions. In the case of an organization to which section 593 applies (that is, a mutual savings bank, a cooperative bank, or a domestic building and loan association)—
(1) The qualified investment with respect to each section 38 property shall be 50 percent of the amount otherwise determined under § 1.46-3, and
(2) The $25,000 amount specified in section 46(a)(2), relating to limitation based on amount of tax, shall be reduced by 50 percent of such amount.
(b) Regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts. (1) In the case of a regulated investment company or a real estate investment trust subject to taxation under subchapter M, chapter 1 of the Code—
(i) The qualified investment with respect to each section 38 property otherwise determined under § 1.46-3, and
(ii) The $25,000 amount specified in section 46(a)(2), relating to limitation based on amount of tax,
(2) A person's ratable share of the amount described in subparagraph (1)(i) and the amount described in subparagraph (1)(ii) of this paragraph shall be the ratio which—
(i) Taxable income for the taxable year, bears to
(ii) Taxable income for the taxable year plus the amount of the deduction for dividends paid taken into account under section 852(b)(2)(D) in computing investment company taxable income, or under section 857(b)(2)(B) (section 857(b)(2)(C), as then in effect, for taxable years ending before October 5, 1976) in computing real estate investment trust taxable income, as the case may be.
(3) This paragraph may be illustrated by the following example:
(ii) Under this paragraph, corporation X's qualified investment for the taxable year 1964 with respect to such property is $2,000, computed as follows: ( a ) $20,000 (qualified investment under § 1.46-3), multiplied by ( b ) $10,000 (taxable income), divided by ( c ) $100,000 (taxable income plus the deduction for dividends paid). For 1964, the $25,000 amount specified in section 46(a)(2) is reduced to $2,500.
(c) Cooperatives. (1) In the case of a cooperative organization described in section 1381(a)—
(i) The qualified investment with respect to each section 38 property otherwise determined under § 1.46-3, and
(ii) The $25,000 amount specified in section 46(a)(2), relating to limitation based on amount of tax,
(2) A cooperative's ratable share of the amount described in subparagraph (1)(i) and the amount described in subparagraph (1)(ii) of this paragraph shall be the ratio which—
(i) Taxable income for the taxable year, bears to
(ii) Taxable income for the taxable year plus the sum of ( a ) the amount of the deductions allowed under section 1382(b), ( b ) the amount of the deductions allowed under section 1382(c), and ( c ) amounts similar to the amounts described in ( a ) and ( b ) of this subdivision the tax treatment of which is determined without regard to subchapter T, chapter 1 of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
(3) This paragraph may be illustrated by the following example:
(ii) Under this paragraph, cooperative X's qualified investment for the taxable year 1964 with respect to such property is $2,000, computed as follows: ( a ) $20,000 (qualified investment under § 1.46-3), multiplied by ( b ) $10,000 (taxable income), divided by ( c ) $100,000 (taxable income plus the sum of the deductions allowed under sections 1382(b), 1382(c), and 522(b)(1)(B)). For 1964, the $25,000 amount specified in section 46(a)(2) is reduced to $2,500.
(d) Noncorporate lessors. (1) In the case of a lease entered into after September 22, 1971, a credit is allowed under section 38 to a noncorporate lessor of property with respect to the leased property only if—
(i) Such property has been manufactured or produced by the lessor in the ordinary course of his business, or
(ii) The term of the lease (taking into account any options to renew) is less than 50 percent of the estimated useful life of the property (determined under § 1.46-3(e)), and for the period consisting of the first 12 months after the date on which the property is transferred to the lessee the sum of the deductions with respect to such property which are allowable to the lessor solely by reason of section 162 (other than rents and reimbursed amounts with respect to such property) exceeds 15 percent of the rental income produced by such property.
(2) For purposes of subparagraph (1)(ii) of this paragraph, if at the time the lessor files his income tax return for the taxable year in which the property is placed in service, the lessor is unable to show that the more-than-15-percent test has been satisfied, then no credit may be claimed by the lessor on such return with respect to such property unless (i) taking into account the lessor's obligations under the lease it is reasonable to believe that the more-than-15-percent test will be satisfied, and (ii) the lessor files a statement with his return from which it may be determined that he expects to satisfy the more-than-15-percent test. If the more-than-15-percent test is not satisfied with respect to the property, the taxpayer must file an amended return for the year in which the property is placed in service.
(3)(i) The more-than-15-percent test described in subparagraph (1)(ii) of this paragraph is based on the relationship of the expenses of the lessor relating to or attributable to the property to the gross income from rents of the taxpayer produced by the property. The test is applied with respect to such expenses and gross income as are properly attributable to the period consisting of the first 12 months after the date on which the property is transferred to the lessee. When more than one property is subject to a single lease and, pursuant to subparagraph (4) of this paragraph, the arrangement is considered to be a separate lease of each property, the test is applied separately to each such lease by making an apportionment of the payments received and expenses incurred with respect to each such property, considering all relevant factors. Such apportionment is made in accordance with any reasonable method selected and consistently applied by the taxpayer. For example, under subparagraph (4) of this paragraph, where a taxpayer leases an airplane which he owns to an airline along with a baggage truck, he is treated as having made two separate leases, one covering the airplane and one covering the baggage truck. Thus, the test will be applied by apportioning the related income and expenses between the two leases. Similarly, where a taxpayer leases a factory building erected by him containing section 38 property (machinery and equipment), the test will be applied to the taxpayer as though he had leased (to the lessee) the building and the section 38 property separately. Thus, the rental income and expenses are apportioned between the building and the section 38 property.
(ii) Only those deductions allowable solely by reason of section 162 are taken into account in applying the more-than-15-percent test. Hence, depreciation allowable by reason of section 167 (including amortization allowable in lieu of depreciation); interest allowable by reason of section 163; taxes allowable by reason of section 164; and depletion allowable by reason of section 611 are examples of deductions which are not taken into account in applying the test. Moreover, rents and reimbursed amounts paid or payable by the lessor are not taken into account notwithstanding that a deduction in respect of such rents or reimbursed amounts is allowable solely by reason of section 162. For purposes of this paragraph, a reimbursed amount is any expense for which the lessee or some other party is obligated to reimburse the lessor. Section 162 expenses paid or payable by any person other than the lessor are not taken into account unless the lessor is obligated to reimburse the person paying the expense. Further, if the lessee is obligated to pay to the lessor a charge for services which is separately stated or determinable, the expenses incurred by the lessor with respect to those services are not taken into account.
(iii) For purposes of the more-than-15-percent test, the gross income from rents of the lessor produced by the property is the total amount which is payable to the lessor by reason of the lease agreement other than reimbursements of section 162 expenses and charges for services which are separately stated or determinable. The fact that such amount depends, in whole or in part, on the sales or profits of the lessee or the performance of significant services by the lessor shall not affect the characterization of such amounts as gross income from rents for purposes of this paragraph. Gross income from rents also includes any taxes imposed on the lessor by local law but which are paid directly by the lessee on behalf of the lessor.
(4) For purposes of determining under this paragraph whether property is subject to a lease, the provisions of § 1.57-3(d)(1) (relating to definition of a lease) shall apply. If a noncorporate lessor enters into two or more successive leases with respect to the same or substantially similar items of section 38 property, the terms of such leases shall be aggregated and such leases shall be considered one lease for the purpose of determining whether the term of such leases is less than 50 percent of the estimated useful life of the property subject to such leases. Thus, for example, if an individual owns an airplane with an estimated useful life of 7 years and enters into three successive 3-year leases of such airplane, such leases will be considered to be one lease for a term of nine years for the purpose of determining whether the term of the lease is less than 3 1/2 years (50 percent of the 7-year estimated useful life).
(5) The requirements of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to any property which is treated as section 38 property by reason of section 48(a)(1)(E).
§ 1.46-5   Qualified progress expenditures.
(a) Effective date. This section applies to taxable years ending after December 31, 1974. This section reflects amendments to the Internal Revenue Code made only by the Tax Reduction Act of 1975, the Tax Reform Act of 1976, and the Revenue Act of 1978.
(b) General rule. Under section 46(d), a taxpayer may elect to take the investment credit for qualified progress expenditures (as defined in paragraph (g) of this section). In general, qualified progress expenditures are amounts paid (paid or incurred in the case of self-constructed property) for construction of progress expenditure property. The taxpayer must reasonably estimate that the property will take at least 2 years to construct and that the useful life of the property will be 7 years or more. Qualified progress expenditures may not be taken into account if made before the later of January 22, 1975, or the first taxable year to which an election under section 46(d) applies. In general, qualified progress expenditures are not allowed for the year property is placed in service, nor for the first year or any subsequent year recapture is required under section 47(a)(3). There is a percentage limitation on qualified progress expenditures for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1980. For a special rule relating to transfers of progress expenditure property, see paragraph (r) of this section.
(c) Reduction of qualified investment. Under section 46(c)(4), a taxpayer must reduce qualified investment for the year property is placed in service by qualified progress expenditures taken into account by that person or a predecessor. A “predecessor” of a taxpayer is a person whose election under section 46(d) carries over to the taxpayer under paragraph (o)(3) of this section.
(d) Progress expenditure property. Progress expenditure property is property constructed by or for the taxpayer, with a normal construction period of 2 years or more. The taxpayer must reasonably believe that the property will be new section 38 property with a useful life of 7 years or more when placed in service. Whether property is progress expenditure property is determined on the basis of facts know at the close of the taxable year of the taxpayer in which construction begins (or, if later, at the close of the first taxable year to which an election under section 46(d) applies). For purposes of this paragraph (d), property is constructed by or for the taxpayer only if it is built or manufactured from materials and component parts. Accordingly, progress expenditure property does not include property such as orchards, vineyards, livestock, or motion picture films or videotapes.
(e) Normal construction period —(1) In general. (i) The normal construction period is the period the taxpayer reasonably expects will be required to construct the property. The period begins on the date physical work on construction of the property commences and ends on the date the property is available to be placed in service. The normal construction period does not include, however, construction before January 22, 1975, nor construction before the first day of the first taxable year for which an election under section 46(d) is in effect. Physical work on construction of property does not include preliminary activities such as planning, designing, preparing blueprints, exploring, or securing financing.
(ii) The determination of the time when physical work on construction commences is based on the facts and circumstances of each case. Physical work on construction of property may include the physical work done by a subcontractor on a component specifically designated as part of the property. Also, the commencement of physical work on construction may occur at a site different from the main site of construction of the property. For example, if a shipyard orders a turbine before it begins work on building a ship, the normal construction period of the ship is measured from the time the subcontractor commences physical work on construction of the turbine (if it is normal for such work to precede the work of the main contractor).
(iii) Generally, physical work on construction does not include physical activity that is not necessary to complete construction of the property, nor does it include physical work on construction of a building or other property that will not be new section 38 property when placed in service. Physical work on construction also does not include research and development activities in a laboratory or experimental setting.
(iv) The normal construction period of property ends on the date it is expected the property will be available to be placed in service. Property is considered available to be placed in service when construction is completed and the property is available for delivery to the site of its assigned function. It is not necessary that property be in a state of readiness for a specifically assigned function. Nor is it necessary that it actually be delivered to the site of its assigned function.
(2) Estimates. Taxpayers should refer to normal industry practice in estimating the normal construction period of particular items. A different period may be used if special circumstances exist making it impractical to make the estimate on the basis of normal industry practice. The estimate must be based on information available at the close of the taxable year in which physical work on construction of the property begins, or, if later, at the close of the first taxable year for which an election under section 46(d) is in effect for the taxpayer. If the estimate is reasonable when made, the actual time it takes to complete the work is, in general, irrelevant in determining whether property is progress expenditure property. However, if there is a significant error in estimating the normal construction period, it may be evidence that the estimate was unreasonable when made. For taxable years ending after April 1, 1988, a taxpayer not relying or normal industry practice to estimate the normal construction period of particular property must attach to the tax return for the taxable year in which physical work on construction of the property begins (or, if later, the first taxable year for which an election under section 46(d) is in effect) a statement of the basis relied upon in estimating the normal construction period of the property.
(3) Integrated unit. (i) In determining whether property has a normal construction period of 2 years or more, property that will be placed in service separately is to be considered separately. For example, if two ships are contracted for at the same time, each ship is considered separately under this paragraph. However, for property that will be placed in service as an integrated unit, the taxpayer must determine the normal construction period of the integrated unit. If the normal construction period of the integrated unit is 2 years or more, the normal construction period of each item of new section 38 property that is a part of the integrated unit is considered to be 2 years or more. Thus, the normal construction period of an integrated unit may be 2 years or more even if no part of the unit has a normal construction period of 2 years or more.
(ii) Property is part of an integrated unit only if the operation of that item is essential to the performance of the function to which the unit is assigned. Property essential to the performance of the function to which the unit is assigned includes property the use of which is significantly connected to that function and which effects the safe, proper, or efficient performance of the unit. Generally, property must be placed in service at the same time to be considered part of the same integrated unit. Properties are not an integrated unit, however, solely because they are to be placed in service at the same time.
(iii) The normal construction period for an integrated unit begins on the date the normal construction period of the first item of new section 38 property that is part of the unit begins. It is not necessary that physical work commence at the main construction site of the integrated unit.
(4) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (e).
(ii) The section of pipeline from city M to city N and the associated pumping station will be available to be placed in service on January 1, 1977. Construction of the section of the pipeline from city N to city O will be completed on June 30, 1977. However, that section of the pipeline will not be available to be placed in service until completion of the associated pumping station on January 1, 1978.
(iii) The section of pipeline from city M to city N and the section from city N to city O must be considered separately in determining the normal construction period of the property. Each section will be placed in service separately. However, each section of the pipeline and the associated pumping station may be considered an integrated unit. The pumping stations are essential to the operation of each section of pipeline. Each section of pipeline and the associated pumping station are placed in service at the same time.
(iv) The section of pipeline from city M to city N and the associated pumping station are not progress expenditure property, because the normal construction period of that unit is only 1 year (January 1, 1976 to January 1, 1977).
(v) The section of pipeline from city N to city O and the associated pumping station are progress expenditure property, because the normal construction of that integrated unit is 2 years (January 1, 1976 to January 1, 1978). It is immaterial that neither the construction period of that section of pipeline (January 1, 1976 to June 30, 1977) nor the construction period of the associated pumping station (June 30, 1977 to January 1, 1978) is 2 years.
(vi) Assume the pumping station associated with the pipeline from city N to city O includes backup pumping equipment that will be used only if the primary pumping equipment fails. The backup equipment is part of the integrated unit because it serves to effect the safe or efficient performance of the unit.
(f) New section 38 property with a 7-year useful life —(1) In general. The taxpayer must determine if property will be new section 38 property with a useful life of 7 years or more when placed in service. The determination must be made at the close of the taxable year in which construction begins or, if later, at the close of the first taxable year to which an election under section 46(d) applies for the taxpayer.
(2) Determination based on reasonably expected use. The determination of whether property will be “new section 38 property” (within the meaning of §§ 1.48-1 and 1.48-2 when placed in service must be based on the reasonably expected use of the property by the taxpayer. There is a presumption that property will be new section 38 property if it would be new section 38 property if placed in service by the taxpayer when the determination is made. For example, in determining if property is an integral part of manufacturing under section 48(a)(1)(B)(i), it will be presumed that property will be new section 38 property if the taxpayer is engaged in manufacturing when the determination is made. Also, significant steps taken to establish a trade or business will be evidence the taxpayer will be engaged in that trade or business when the property is placed in service.
(3) Estimated useful life. The determination of whether property will have an estimated useful life of 7 years or more when placed in service must be made by applying the principles of § 1.46-3(e). If the estimated useful life is less than 7 years when the property is actually placed in service, the credit previously allowed under section 46(d) must be recomputed under section 47(a)(3)(B).
(g) Definition of qualified progress expenditures —(1) In general. A taxpayer's qualified progress expenditures are the sum of qualified progress expenditures for self-constructed property (determined under paragraph (h) of this section), plus qualified progress expenditures for non-self-constructed property (determined under paragraph (j) of this section). Only amounts includible under § 1.46-3(c) in the basis of new section 38 property may be considered as qualified progress expenditures.
(2) Excluded amounts. Qualified progress expenditures do not include:
(i) In the case of non-self-constructed property, amounts incurred (whether or not paid)—
(A) Before the normal construction period begins, or
(B) Before the later of January 22, 1975, or the first day of the first taxable year for which an election under section 46(d) applies for the taxpayer;
(ii) In the case of self-constructed property, amounts chargeable to capital account—
(A) Before the normal construction period begins, or
(B) Before the later of January 22, 1975, or the first day of the first taxable year for which an election under section 46(d) applies for the taxpayer,
(iii) Expenditures with respect to particular property in the earlier of—
(A) The taxable year in which the property is placed in service, or
(B) The taxable year in which the taxpayer must recapture investment credit under section 47(a)(3) for the property or any subsequent year;
(iv) Expenditures for construction, reconstruction, or erection of property that is not section 38 property; or
(v) Amounts treated as an expense and deducted in the year paid or accrued.
(h) Qualified progress expenditures for self-constructed property —(1) In general. Qualified progress expenditures for self-constructed property (as defined in paragraph (k) of this section) are amounts properly chargeable to capital account in connection with that property. In general, amounts paid or incurred are chargeable to capital account if under the taxpayer's method of accounting they are properly includible in computing basis under § 1.46-3. Qualified progress expenditures for self-constructed property include both direct costs (e.g., labor, material, parts) and indirect costs (e.g., overhead, insurance) associated with construction of property to the extent those costs are properly chargeable to capital account.
(2) Property partially non-self constructed. If an item of property is self-constructed because more than half of the construction expenditures are made directly by the taxpayer, then any expenditures (whether or not made directly by the taxpayer) for construction of that item of property are not subject to the limitations of section 46(d)(3)(B) and paragraph (j) of this section (relating to actual payment and progress in construction).
(3) Time when amounts paid or incurred are properly chargeable to capital account. (i) In general, expenditures for component parts and materials to be used in construction of self-constructed property are not properly chargeable to capital account until consumed or physically attached in the construction process. Component parts and materials that have been neither consumed nor physically attached in the construction process, but which have been irrevocably allocated to construction of that property are properly chargeable to capital account. Component parts and materials designed specifically for the self-constructed property may be considered irrevocably allocated to construction of that property at the time of manufacture of the component parts and materials. Component parts and materials not designed specifically for the property may be considered irrevocably allocated to construction at the time of delivery to the construction site if they would be economically impractical to remove. For example, pumps delivered to sites of construction of a tundra pipeline may be treated as irrevocably allocated to that pipeline on the date of delivery, even if they would be usable, but for their location on the tundra, in connection with other property. Component parts and materials are not to be considered irrevocably allocated to use in self-constructed property until physical work on construction of that property has begun (as determined under paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section). Mere bookkeeping notations are not sufficient evidence that the necessary allocation has been made.
(ii) A taxpayer's procedure for determining the time when an expenditure is properly chargeable to capital account for self-constructed property is a method of accounting. Under section 446(e), the method of accounting, once adopted, may not be changed without consent of the Secretary.
(4) Records requirement. The taxpayer shall maintain detailed records which permit specific identification of the amounts properly chargeable by the taxpayer during each taxable year to capital account for each item of self-constructed property.
(i) [Reserved]
(j) Qualified progress expenditures for non-self-constructed property —(1) In general. Qualified progress expenditures for non-self-constructed property (as defined in paragraph (l) of this section) are amounts actually paid by the taxpayer to another person for construction of the property, but only to the extent progress is made in construction. For example, such expenditures may include payments to the manufacturer of an item of progress expenditure property, payments to a contractor building progress expenditure property, or payments for engineering designs or blueprints that are drawn up during the normal construction period.
(2) Property partially self-constructed. If an item of property is non-self-constructed, but a taxpayer uses its own employees to construct a portion of the property, expenditures for construction of that portion are made directly by the taxpayer (see § 1.46-5(h)(1)). Subject to the limitations of paragraph (g) of this section, those expenditures are qualified progress expenditures for non-self-constructed property if they satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (j) (4), (5), and (6) of this section. Wages actually paid to the taxpayer's employees are presumed to correspond to progress in construction. Other amounts, including expenditures for materials, parts, and overhead, must be actually paid, not borrowed from the payee, and attributable to progress made in construction by the taxpayer.
(3) Property constructed by more than one person. The percentage of completion limitation (as prescribed in paragraph (j)(6) of this section), including the presumption of ratable progress in construction, applies to an item of progress expenditure property as a whole. However, if several manufacturers or contractors do work in connection with the same property, the progress that each person makes toward completion of construction of the property must be determined separately. Section 46(d)(3)(B) is then applied separately to amounts paid to each manufacturer or contractor based on each person's progress in construction. For example, assume the taxpayer contracts with three persons to build an item of equipment. The taxpayer contracts with A to build the frame, B to build the motor, and C to assemble the frame and motor. Assume each contract represents 33 1/3 percent of the construction costs of the property. If, within the taxable year in which construction begins, A and B each complete 50 percent of the construction of the frame and motor, respectively, amounts paid to A during that taxable year not in excess of 16 2/3 percent of the overall cost of the property, and amounts paid to B during that taxable year not in excess of 16 2/3 percent of the overall cost of the property, are qualified progress expenditures. Section 46(d)(3)(B) does not apply, however, to persons, such as lower-tier subcontractors, that do not have a direct contractual relationship with the taxpayer. If, in the above example, A engages a subcontractor to construct part of the frame, section 46(d)(3)(B) is applied only to amounts paid by the taxpayer to A, B, and C, but the portion of construction completed by A during a taxable year includes the portion completed by A's subcontractor.
(4) Requirement of actual payment. Qualified progress expenditures for non-self-constructed property must be actually paid and not merely incurred. Amounts paid during the taxable year to another person for construction of non-self-constructed property may be in the form of money or property (e.g., materials). However, property given as payment may be considered only to the extent it will be includible under § 1.46-3(c) in the basis of the non-self-constructed property when it is placed in service.
(5) Certain borrowing disregarded. Qualified progress expenditures for non-self-constructed property do not include any amount paid to another person (the “payee”) for construction if the amount is paid out of funds borrowed directly or indirectly from the payee. Amounts borrowed directly or indirectly from the payee by any person that is related to the taxpayer (within the meaning of section 267) or that is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 1563(a)) will be considered borrowed indirectly from the payee. Similarly, amounts borrowed under any financing arrangement that has the effect of making the payee a surety will be considered amounts borrowed indirectly by the taxpayer from the payee.
(6) Percentage of completion limitation. (i) Under section 46(d)(3)(B)(ii), payments made in any taxable year may be considered qualified progress expenditures for non-self-constructed property only to the extent they are attributable to progress made in construction (percentage of completion limitation). Progress will generally be measured in terms of the manufacturer's incurred cost, as a fraction of the anticipated cost (as adjusted from year to year). Architectural or engineering estimates will be evidence of progress made in construction. Cost accounting records also will be evidence of progress. Progress will be presumed to occur not more rapidly than ratably over the normal construction period. However, the taxpayer may rebut the presumption by clear and convincing evidence of a greater percentage of completion.
(ii) If, after the first year of construction, there is a change in either the total cost to the taxpayer or the total cost of construction by another person, the taxpayer must recompute the percentage of completion limitation on the basis of revised cost. However, the recomputation will affect only amounts allowed as qualified progress expenditures in the taxable year in which the change occurs and in subsequent taxable years. The recomputation remains subject to the presumption of pro rata completion.
(iii) If, for any taxable year, the amount paid to another person for construction of an item of property under section 46(d)(3)(B)(i) exceeds the percentage of completion limitation in section 46(d)(3)(B)(ii), the excess is treated as an amount paid to the other person for construction for the succeeding taxable year. If for any taxable year the percentage of completion limitation for an item of property exceeds the amount paid to another during the taxable year for construction, the excess is added to the percentage of completion limitation for that property for the succeeding taxable year.
(iv) The taxpayer must maintain detailed records which permit specific identification of the amounts paid to each person for construction of each item of property and the percentage of construction completed by each person for each taxable year.
(7) Example. The following example illustrates paragraph (j)(6) of this section.
(ii) The cost of construction to corporation X is $500,000. The contract price is $550,000. Corporation Y makes a $110,000 payment in each of the years 1980 and 1981, an $85,000 payment in 1982, a $135,000 payment in 1983, and a $110,000 payment in 1984.
(iii) For 1980, corporation Y makes an election under section 46(d). Progress is presumed to occur ratably over the 5-year construction period, which is 20 percent in each year. Twenty percent of the contract price is $110,000. The percentage of completion limitation for each year, thus, is $110,000.
(iv) For each of the years 1980 and 1981, the $110,000 payments may be treated as qualified progress expenditures. The payments equal the percentage of completion limitation.
(v) For 1982, the $85,000 payment may be treated as a qualified progress expenditure, because it is less than the percentage of completion limitation. The excess of the percentage of completion limitation ($110,000) over the 1982 payment ($85,000) is added to the percentage of completion limitation for 1983. One hundred and ten thousand dollars minus $85,000 equals $25,000. Twenty-five thousand dollars plus $110,000 equals $135,000, which is the percentage of completion limitation for 1983.
(vi) For 1983, the entire $135,000 payment may be treated as a qualified progress expenditure. The payment equals the percentage of completion limitation for 1983.
(vii) For 1984, no qualified progress expenditures may be taken into account, because the airplane is placed in service in that year.
(viii) See example 2 of paragraph (r)(4) of this section for the result if Y sells its contract rights to the property on December 31, 1982.
(k) Definition of self-constructed property —(1) In general. Property is self-constructed property if it is reasonable to believe that more than half of the construction expenditures for the property will be made directly by the taxpayer. Construction expenditures made directly by the taxpayer include direct costs such as wages and materials and indirect costs such as overhead attributable to construction of the property. Expenditures for direct and indirect costs of construction will be treated as construction expenditures made directly by the taxpayer only to the extent that the expenditures directly benefit the construction of the property by employees of the taxpayer. Thus, wages paid to taxpayers's employees and expenditures for basic construction materials, such as sheet metal, lumber, glass, and nails, which are used by employees of the taxpayer to construct progress expenditure property, will be considered made directly by the taxpayer. Construction expenditures made by the taxpayer to a contractor or manufacturer, in general, will not be considered made directly by the taxpayer. Thus, the cost of component parts, such as boilers and turbines, which are purchased and merely installed or assembled by the taxpayer, will not be considered expenditures made directly by the taxpayer for construction. ( See paragraph (h)(3) of this section to determine when such cost is properly chargeable to capital account.)
(2) Time when determination made. The determination of whether property is self-constructed is to be made at the close of the taxable year in which physical work on construction of the property begins, or, if later, the close of the first taxable year to which an election under this section applies. Once it is reasonably estimated that more than half of construction expenditures will be made directly by the taxpayer, the fact the taxpayer actually makes half, or less than half, of the expenditures directly will not affect classification of the property as self-constructed property. Similarly, once a determination has been made, classification of property as self-constructed property is not affected by a change in circumstances in a later taxable year. However, a significant error unrelated to a change in circumstances may be evidence that the estimate was unreasonable when made.
(3) Determination based on certain expenditures. For purposes of determining whether more than half of the expenditures for construction of an item of property will be made directly by the taxpayer, the taxpayer may take into account only expenditures properly includable by the taxpayer in the basis of the property under the provisions of § 1.46-3(c). Thus, property is self-constructed property only if more than half of the estimated basis of the property to be used for purposes of determining the credit allowed by section 38 is attributable to expenditures made directly by the taxpayer.
(l) Definition of non-self-constructed property. Non-self-constructed property is property that is not self-constructed property. Thus, property is non-self-constructed property if it is reasonable to believe that only half, or less than half, of the expenditures for construction will be made directly by the taxpayer.
(m) Alternative limitations for public utility, railroad, or airline property. The alternative limitations on qualified investment under section 46(a) (7) and (8) for public utility, railroad, or airline property (whichever applies) apply in determining the credit for qualified progress expenditures. The determination of whether progress expenditure property will be public utility, railroad, or airline property (whichever applies) when placed in service must be made at the close of the taxable year in which physical work on construction begins or, if later, at the close of the first taxable year for which an election under section 46(d) is in effect. If, at that time, the taxpayer is in a trade or business as a public utility, railroad, or airline (as described in section 46(c)(3)(B) and 46(a)(8) (D) and (E), respectively), it is evidence the property will be public utility, railroad, or airline property when placed in service.
(n) Leased property. A lessor of progress expenditure property may not elect under section 48(d) to treat a lessee (or a person who will be a lessee) as having made qualified progress expenditures.
(o) Election —(1) In general. The election under section 46(d)(6) to increase qualified investment by qualified progress expenditures may be made for any taxable year ending after December 31, 1974. Except as provided in paragraph (o)(2) of this section, the election is effective for the first taxable year for which it is made and for all taxable years thereafter unless it is revoked with the consent of the Commissioner. Except as provided in paragraphs (o) (2) and (3) of this section, the election applies to all qualified progress expenditures made by the taypayer during the taxable year for construction of any progress expenditure property. Thus, the taxpayer may not make the election for one item of progress expenditure property and not for other items. If progress expenditure property is being constructed by or for a partnership, S corporation (as defined in section 1361(a)), trust, or estate, an election under section 46(d)(6) must be made separately by each partner or shareholder, or each beneficiary if the beneficiary, in determining his tax liability, would be allowed investment credit under section 38 for property subject to the election. The election may not be made by a partnership or S corporation, and may be made by a trust or estate only if the trust or estate, in determining its tax liability, would be allowed investment credit under section 38 for property subject to the election. The election of any partner, shareholder, beneficiary, trust, or estate will be effective for that person, even if a related partner, shareholder, beneficiary, trust, or estate does not make the election. An election made by a partner, shareholder, beneficiary, trust, or estate applies to all progress expenditure property of that person. For example, an election made by corporation X, which is a partner in the XYZ partnership, applies to progress expenditure property the corporation holds in its own capacity and also to its interest in progress expenditure property of the partnership.
(2) Time and manner of making election. An election under section 46(d)(6) must be made on Form 3468 and filed with the original income tax return for the first taxable year ending after December 31, 1974 to which the election will apply. An election made before March 2, 1988, by filing a written statement (whether or not attached to the income tax return) will be considered valid. The election may not be made on an amended return filed after the time prescribed for filing the original return (including extensions) for that taxable year. However, an election under this section may be made or revoked by filing a statement with an amended return filed on or before May 31, 1988, if the due date for filing a return for the first taxable year to which the election applies is before May 31, 1988.
(3) Carryover of election in certain transactions. In general, and election under section 46(d)(6) does not carry over to the transferee of progress expenditure property (or an interest therein). However, if under section 47(b) the property does not cease to be progress expenditure property because of the transfer, the election will carry over to the transferee. If so, the election will apply only to the property transferred. For rules relating to the determination of qualified progress expenditures of the transferee, see paragraph (r) of this section.
(p) Partnerships, S corporations, trusts, or estates —(1) In general. Each partner, shareholder, trust, estate, or beneficiary of a trust or estate that makes an election under section 46(d) shall take into account its share of qualified progress expenditures (determined under paragraph (p)(2) of this section) made by the partnership, S corporation, trust, or estate. In determining qualified investment for the year in which the property is placed in service, the basis of the property is apportioned as provided in §§ 1.46-3(f), 1.48-6, or 1.48-5 (whichever applies). Each partner, shareholder, trust, estate, or beneficiary that made the election must reduce qualified investment under section 46(c)(4) for the year the property is placed in service by qualified progress expenditures taken into account by that person.
(2) Determination of share of qualified progress expenditures. The share of qualified progress expenditures of each partner, shareholder, trust, estate, or beneficiary that makes an election under section 46(d) must be determined in accordance with the same ratio used under §§ 1.46-3(f)(2), 1.48-5(a)(1), or 1.48-6(a)(1) (whichever applies) to determine its share of basis (or cost). The last sentence of § 1.46-3(f)(2)(i) must be applied by referring to the date on which qualified progress expenditures are paid or chargeable to capital amount (whichever is applicable).
(3) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (p).
(ii) The AB partnership reports income on the calendar year basis. Partners A and B share profits equally. For A's taxable year ending December 31, 1980, A makes an election under section 46(d) B does not make the election.
(iii) For each of the years 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983, the AB partnership makes $25,000 payments to corporation X. The payments made in 1980, 1981, and 1982 are qualified progress expenditures. The 1983 payment is not a qualified progress expenditure, because the ship is placed in service in that year.
(iv) For each of the years 1980, 1981, and 1982, A may take into account qualified progress expenditures of $12,500 because A had a 50 percent partnership interest in each of those years.
(v) For 1983, qualified investment for the ship is $100,000. A and B's share are $50,000 each, because each had a 50 percent partnership interest in 1983. However, A must reduce its $50,000 share for 1983 by $37,500, the amount of qualified progress expenditures taken into account by A. B's share is not reduced, because B did not take into account qualified progess expenditures.
(ii) For each of the years 1980, 1981, and 1982, A may take into account qualified progress expenditures of $12,500 because A has a 50 percent partnership interest in those years.
(iii) For 1983, A, B, and C's share of qualified investment is $33,333 each, because each had a 33 1/3 percent partnership interest in that year. A must reduce its share to zero, because it took $37,500 into account as qualified progress expenditures. In addition, the excess of the $37,500 over the $33,333 applied as a reduction is subject to recapture under section 47(a)(3)(B). B and C's shares are not reduced, because neither taxpayer took into account qualified progress expenditures.
(q) Limitation on qualified progress expenditures for taxable years beginning before 1980 —(1) In general. (i) Under section 46(d)(7), qualified progress expenditures for any taxable year beginning before January 1, 1980, are limited. The taxpayer must apply the limitation under section 46(d)(7) on an item by item basis. In general, the taxpayer may take into account the applicable percentage (as determined under the table in section 46(d)(7)(A)) of qualified progress expenditures for each of those years. In addition, the taxpayer may take into account for each of those years 20 percent of qualified investment for each of the preceding taxable years determined without applying the limitations of section 46(d)(7).
(ii) The applicable percentage under section 46(d)(7)(A) may be applied only for one taxable year that ends within a calendar year in determining qualified investment for an item of progress expenditure property. For example, calendar year partners of a calendar year partnership may increase qualified investment for 1976 by 20 percent of qualified progress expenditures made in 1975 for an item of property. If the partnership incorporates in 1976 and the taxable year of the corporation begins on July 1, 1976, and ends on June 30, 1977, qualified investment of the corporation for its taxable year beginning on July 1, 1976, cannot be increased by 20 percent of the 1975 expenditure.
(2) Example. The following example illustrates this paragraph (q).
(ii) For 1976, X may increase qualified investment by $12,000, 40 percent of the payment made in 1976.
(iii) For 1977, corporation X may increase qualified investment by $24,000. Eighteen thousand dollars of that amount is 60 percent of the 1977 payment. The remaining $6,000 is 20 percent of the $30,000 payment made in 1976.
(iv) For 1978, corporation X may increase qualified investment by $36,000. Twenty-four thousand dollars of that amount is 80 percent of the 1978 payment. The remaining $12,000 is 20 percent of the $30,000 payment made in 1976, plus 20 percent of the $30,000 payment made in 1977.
(v) For 1979, corporation X may increase qualified investment by $48,000. Thirty thousand dollars of that amount is 100 percent of the 1979 payment. The remaining $18,000 of that amount is 20 percent of the $30,000 payments made in each of the years 1976, 1977, and 1978.
(vi) Qualified investment for corporation X for 1980 is $30,000. The $30,000 is the basis (or cost) of the generator ($150,000), reduced by qualified progress expenditures allowed with respect to that property ($120,000).
(r) Special rules for transferred property —(1) In general. A transferee of progress expenditure property (or an interest therein) may take into account qualified progress expenditures for the property only if—
(i) The property is progress expenditure property in the hands of the transferee, and
(ii) The transferee makes an election under section 46(d) or the election made by the transferor (or its predecessor) carries over to the transferee under paragraph (o)(3) of this section.
(2) Status as progress expenditure property. (i) If the transfer requires recapture under section 47(a)(3) and § 1.47-1(g) (or would require recapture if the transferor had made an election under section 46(d)), then—
(A) For purposes of determining if the property is progress expenditure property in the hands of the transferee, the normal construction period for the property begins on the date of the transfer, or, if later, on the first day of the first taxable year for which the transferee makes an election under section 46(d), and
(B) For purposes of determining whether the property is self-constructed or non-self-constructed in the hands of the transferee, the amount paid or incurred for the transfer of the property will not be considered a construction expenditure made directly by the transferee.
(ii) If the transfer does not require recapture under section 47(a)(3) and § 1.47-1(g), and the election carries over to the taxpayer under paragraph (o)(3) of this section, the property does not lose its status as progress expenditure property because of the transfer.
(3) Amount of qualified progress expenditures for transferee. (i) If the transfer does not require recapture under section 47(a)(3) and § 147-1(g), and the election carries over to the taxpayer under paragraph (o)(3) of this section, the transferee must determine its qualified progress expenditures—
(A) By using the same normal construction period used by the transferor,
(B) By treating the property as having the same status as self-constructed or non-self-constructed as the property had in the hands of the transferor, and
(C) In the case of non-self-constructed property, by taking into account any excess described in section 46(d)(4)(C)(i) (relating to the excess of payments over the percentage-of-completion limitation) or section 46(d)(4)(C)(ii) (relating to the excess of the percentage-of-completion limitation over the amount of payments) that the transferor would have taken into account with respect to that property.
(ii) If the transfer requires recapture under section 47(a)(3) and § 1.47-1(g) (or would require recapture if the transferor had made an election under section 46(d)), the amount paid or incurred for the transfer will be considered a payment for construction of that property to the extent that—
(A) It is properly includible in the basis of the property under § 1.46-3(c),
(B) The taxpayer can show the amount is attributable to construction costs paid or chargeable to capital account by the transferor or other person after physical work on construction of the property began, and
(C) It does not exceed the amount by which the transferor has increased qualified investment for qualified progress expenditures incurred with respect to the property (or would have increased qualified investment but for the “lesser of” limitation of section 46(d)(3)(B) or the absence of an election under section 46(d)), plus any amount that would have been treated as a qualified progress expenditure by the transferor had the property not been transferred.
(4) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (r).
(ii) The investment credit allowed Y in 1980 and 1981 for qualified progress expenditures is subject to recapture under section 47(a)(3) and Y may not treat its $85,000 payment in 1982 as a qualified progress expenditure.
(iii) For purposes of determining if the airplane is qualified progress expenditure property with respect to Z, the normal construction period for the property for Z begins on December 31, 1982, the date of transfer. Since the remaining construction period is two years, the property is progress expenditure property if it otherwise qualifies in Z's hands.
(iv) Only $305,000 of the $340,000 payment to Y can qualify as a qualified progress expenditure, because only that amount is attributable to construction costs paid by Y and does not exceed the sum of the amount by which Y increased qualified investment in 1980 and 1981 for qualified progress expenditures ($220,000) and the amount that Y would have treated as a qualified progress expenditure in 1982 ($85,000).
(v) Assume that Z cannot establish that progress in construction has been completed more rapidly than ratably. If Z makes an election under section 46(d) for 1982, then for purposes of applying the percentage of completion limitation, Z's normal construction period is considered to begin on January 1, 1980. Progress is presumed to occur ratably over the 5-year construction period, which is 20 percent in each year.
(vi) For 1982, Z may treat the full $305,000 as a qualified progress expenditure because it is less than the percentage of completion limitation, $330,000 ($110,000 a year for 1980, 1981, and 1982).
(vii) For 1983, Z may treat the entire $135,000 payment as a qualified progress expenditure, since it does not exceed the percentage of completion limitation for that year, $135,000 ($110,000 plus the $25,000 excess from 1982).
(viii) For Z's taxable year ending December 31, 1984, no qualified progress expenditures may be taken into account because the property is placed in service during that year.
§ 1.46-6   Limitation in case of certain regulated companies.
(a) In general —(1) Scope of section. This section does not reflect amendments made to section 46 after enactment of the Revenue Act of 1971, other than the redesignation of section 46(e) as section 46(f) by the Tax Reduction Act of 1975.
(2) Disallowance of credit. Under section 46(f), a credit otherwise allowable under section 38 (“credit”) will be disallowed in certain cases with respect to “section 46(f) property” as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. Paragraph (f) of this section describes circumstances under which a determination put into effect by a regulatory body will result in the disallowance of the credit. Such a determination will result in a disallowance only if section 46(f) (1) or (2) applies to such property and such determination affects the taxpayer's cost of service or rate base in a manner inconsistent with section 46(f) (1) or (2) (whichever is applicable).
(3) General rules. The provisions of section 46(f) (1) and (2) are limitations on the treatment of the credit for ratemaking purposes and for purposes of the taxpayer's regulated books of account only. Under the provisions of section 46(f)(1), the credit may not be flowed through to income ( i.e., used to reduce taxpayer's cost of service) but in certain circumstances may be used to reduce rate base (provided that such reduction is restored not less rapidly than ratably). If an election is made under section 46(f)(2), the credit may be flowed through to income (but not more rapidly than ratably) and there may not be any reduction in rate base. If an election is made under section 46(f)(3), none of the limitations of section 46(f) (1) or (2) apply to certain section 46(f) property of the taxpayer. Thus, under the provisions of section 46(f)(3), no credit is disallowed if the credit is treated in any manner for ratemaking purposes, including any manner of treatment permitted under the limitations of section 46(f) (1) or (2).
(4) Elections. For rules relating to the manner of making, on or before March 9, 1972, the three elections listed in section 46(f) (1), (2), and (3), see 26 CFR 12.3. For rules relating to the application of such elections, see paragraph (h) of this section.
(5) Cross references. For rules with respect to the treatment of corporate reorganizations, asset acquisitions, and taxpayers subject to the jurisdiction of more than one regulatory body, etc., see paragraph (j) of this section.
(6) Nonapplication of prior law. Under section 105 (e) of the Revenue Act of 1971, section 203 (e) of the Revenue Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 35, does not apply to section 46(f) property.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Section 46(f) property. “Section 46(f) property” is property described in section 50 that is—
(i) Public utility property within the meaning of section 46(c)(3)(B) (other than nonregulated communication property described in § 1.46-3(g)(2)(iv)) or
(ii) Property used predominantly in the trade or business of the furnishing or sale of steam through a local distribution system or of the transportation of gas or steam by pipeline, if the rates for the trade or business are regulated within the meaning of § 1.46-3(g)(2)(iii).
(2) Cost of service. (i)(A) For purposes of this section, “cost of service” is the amount required by a taxpayer to provide regulated goods or services. Cost of service includes operating expenses (including salaries, cost of materials, etc.) maintenance expenses, depreciation expenses, tax expenses, and interest expenses. For purposes of this section, any effect on a taxpayer's permitted return on investment that results from a reduction in the taxpayer's rate base does not constitute a reduction in cost of service, even though, as a technical ratemaking term, “cost of service” ordinarily includes a permitted return on investment. In addition, taking into account a deduction for the additional interest that the taxpayer would pay or accrue if the credit were unavailable in determining Federal income tax expense (“synchronization of interest”) does not constitute a reduction in cost of service for purposes of section 46(f)(2). This adjustment to Federal income tax expense may be taken into account in determining cost of service for the regulated accounting period or periods that include the taxable year to which the adjustment relates or for any subsequent regulated accounting period.
(B) See paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this section for rules relating to the amount of additional interest that the taxpayer would pay or accrue if the credit were unavailable.
(ii) In determining whether, or to what extent, a credit has been used to reduce cost of service, reference shall be made to any accounting treatment that affects cost of service. Examples of such treatment include reducing by all or a portion of the credit the amount of Federal income tax expense taken into account for ratemaking purposes and reducing the depreciable bases of property by all or a portion of the credit for ratemaking purposes.
(3) Rate base. (i) For purposes of this section, “rate base” is the monetary amount that is multiplied by a rate of return to determine the permitted return on investment.
(ii)(A) In determining whether, or to what extent, a credit has been used to reduce rate base, reference shall be made to any accounting treatment that affects rate base. In addition, in those cases in which the rate of return is based on the taxpayer's cost of capital, reference shall be made to any accounting treatment that reduces the permitted return on investment by treating the credit less favorably than the capital that would have been provided if the credit were unavailable. Thus, the credit may not be assigned a “cost of capital” rate that is less than the overall cost of capital rate, determined on the basis of a weighted average, for the capital that would have been provided if the credit were unavailable.
(B) For purposes of determining the cost of capital rate assigned to the credit and the amount of additional interest that the taxpayer would pay or accrue, the composition of the capital that would have been provided if the credit were unavailable may be determined—
( 1 ) On the basis of all the relevant facts and circumstances; or
( 2 ) By assuming for both such purposes that such capital would be provided solely by common shareholders, preferred shareholders, and long-term creditors in the same proportions and at the same rates of return as the capital actually provided to the taxpayer by such shareholders and creditors.
(C) If a taxpayer's overall rate of return is based on a deemed or hypothetical capital structure, paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this section shall be applied by treating the deemed or hypothetical capital as if it were the capital actually provided to the taxpayer and determining the composition of the capital that would have been provided if the credit were unavailable in a manner consistent with such treatment.
(iii) Whether, or to what extent, a credit has been used to reduce rate base for any period to which pre-June 23, 1986 rates apply will be determined under 26 CFR 1.46-6(b) (3) and (4) (revised as of April 1, 1985) if such a determination avoids disallowance of a credit that would be disallowed under paragraph (b)(3)(ii) or (4)(ii) of this section. For this purpose, a period of which pre-June 23, 1986 rates apply is any period for which the effect of the credit on rate base for ratemaking purposes is established under a determination put into effect (within the meaning of paragraph (f) of this section) before June 23, 1986.
(4) Indirect reductions to cost of service or rate base. (i) Cost of service or rate base is also considered to have been reduced by reason of all or a portion of a credit if such reduction is made in an indirect manner.
(ii) One type of such indirect reduction is any ratemaking decision in which the credit is treated as operating income (subject to ratemaking regulation) or is treated less favorably than the capital that would have been provided if the credit were unavailable. For example, if the credit is accounted for as nonoperating income on a company's regulated books of account but a ratemaking decision has the effect of treating the credit as operating income in determining rate of return to common shareholders, then cost of service has been indirectly reduced by reason of the credit.
(iii) A second type of indirect reduction is any ratemaking decision intended to achieve an effect similar to a direct reduction to cost of service or rate base. In determining whether a ratemaking decision is intended to achieve this effect, consideration is given to all the relevant facts and circumstances of each case, including, but not limited to—
(A) The record of the proceeding,
(B) The regulatory body's orders or opinions (including any dissenting views), and
(C) The anticipated effect of the ratemaking decision on the company's revenues in comparison to a direct reduction to cost of service or rate base by reason of the investment tax credits available to the regulated company.
(iv) This paragraph (b)(4)(iv) describes a situation that is not an indirect reduction to cost of service or rate base by reason of all or a portion of a credit. The ratemaking treatment of credits may affect the financial condition of a company, including the company's ability to attract new capital, the cost of that capital, the company's future financial requirements, the market price of the company's securities, and the degree of risk attributable to investment in those securities. The financial condition may be reflected in certain customary financial indicators such as the comparative capital structure of the company, coverage ratios, price/earnings ratios, and price/book ratios. Under the facts and circumstances test of paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of this section, the consideration of a company's financial condition by a regulatory body is not an indirect reduction to cost of service or rate base, even though such condition, as affected by the ratemaking treatment of the company's investment tax credits, is considered in the development of a reasonable rate of return on common shareholders' investment.
(c) General rule —(1) In general. Section 46(f)(1) applies to all of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property except property to which an election under section 46(f) (2) or (3) applies. Under section 46(f)(1), the credit for the taxpayer's section 46(f) property will be disallowed if—
(i) The taxpayer's cost of service for ratemaking purposes is reduced by reason of any portion of such credit, or
(ii) The taxpayer's rate base is reduced by reason of any portion of the credit and such reduction in rate base is not restored or is restored less rapidly than ratably within the meaning of paragraph (g) of this section.
(2) Insufficient natural domestic supply. The provisions of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section shall not apply to permit any reduction in taxpayer's rate base with respect to its “short supply property” if it made an election under the last sentence of section 46(f)(1) on or before March 9, 1972.
(3) Short supply property. For purposes of this section, section 46(f) property is “short supply property” if—
(i) The property is described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section,
(ii) The regulatory body described in section 46(c)(3)(B) that has jurisdiction for ratemaking purposes with respect to such trade or business is an agency or instrumentality of the United States, and
(iii) This regulatory body makes a short supply determination and the determination is in effect on the date such property is placed in service.
(4) Short supply determination. A short supply determination is made or revoked on the date of its publication in the Federal Register. It is a determination that the natural domestic supply of gas or steam is insufficient to meet the present and future requirements of the domestic economy.
(5) Dates short supply determination in effect. (i) A short supply determination is considered to be in effect with respect to section 46(f) property placed in service at any time before the determination is revoked. However, a short supply determination made after June 20, 1979 is not considered to be in effect with respect to section 46(f) property placed in service before such determination was made.
(d) Special rule for ratable flow-through. If an election was made under section 46(f)(2) on or before March 9, 1972, section 46(f)(2) applies to all of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property except property to which an election under section 46(f)(3) applies. Under section 46(f)(2), the credit for the taxpayer's section 46(f) property will be disallowed if—
(1) The taxpayer's cost of service, for ratemaking purposes or in its regulated books of account, is reduced by more than a ratable portion of such credit within the meaning of paragraph (g) of this section or
(2) The taxpayer's rate base is reduced by reason of any portion of such credit.
(e) Flow-through property. If a taxpayer made an election under section 46(f)(3) on or before March 9, 1972, section 46(f) (1) and (2) do not apply to the taxpayer's section 46(f) property to which section 167(l)(2)(C) applies. In the case of an election under section 46(f)(3), a credit will not be disallowed, notwithstanding a determination by a regulatory body having jurisdiction over such taxpayer that reduces the taxpayer's cost of service or rate base by reason of such credit. In general, section 167(l)(2)(C) applies to property with respect to which a taxpayer may use a flow-through method of accounting (within the meaning of section 167(l)(3)(H)) to take into account the allowance for depreciation under section 167(a). Section 167(l)(2)(C) applies to property even though the taxpayer does not use a flow-through method of accounting with respect to the property. Section 167(l)(2)(C) does not apply to property if the taxpayer can not use a flow-through method of accounting with respect to the property. For example, section 167(l)(2)(C) does not apply to property with respect to which an election under section 167(l)(4)(A) applies. Thus, such property does not qualify for an election under section 46(f)(3).
(f) Limitations —(1) In general. This paragraph provides rules relating to limitations on the disallowance of credits under section 46(f)(4). Key terms are defined in paragraphs (f) (7), (8), and (9) of this section.
(2) Disallowance postponed. There is no disallowance of a credit before the first final inconsistent determination is put into effect for the taxpayer's section 46(f) property.
(3) Time of disallowance. A credit is disallowed—
(i) When the first final inconsistent determination is put into effect and
(ii) When any inconsistent determination (whether or not final) is put into effect after the first final inconsistent determination is put into effect.
(4) Credits disallowed. A credit is disallowed for section 46(f) property placed in service (within the meaning of § 1.46-3(d)) by the taxpayer—
(i) Before the date any inconsistent determination described in paragraph (f)(2) of this section is put into effect and
(ii) On or after such date and before the date a subsequent consistent determination (whether or not final) is put into effect.
(5) Barred years. No amount of credit for a taxable year is disallowed under paragraph (f)(3) of this section if, for such year, assessment of a deficiency is barred by any law or rule of law.
(6) Notification and other requirements. The taxpayer shall notify the district director of a disallowance of a credit under paragraph (f)(3) of this section within 30 days of the date that the applicable determination is put into effect. In the case of such a disallowance, the taxpayer shall recompute its tax liability for any affected taxable year, and such recomputation shall be made in the form of an amended return where necessary.
(7) Determinations. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “determination” refers to a determination made with respect to section 46(f) property (other than property to which an election under section 46(f)(3) applies) by a regulatory body described in section 46(c)(3)(B) that determines the effect of the credit—
(i) For purposes of section 46(f)(1), on the taxpayer's cost of service or rate base for ratemaking purposes or
(ii) In the case of a taxpayer that made an election under section 46(f)(2), on the taxpayer's cost of service, for ratemaking purposes or in its regulated books of account, or on the taxpayer's rate base for ratemaking purposes.
(8) Types of determinations. For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) The term “inconsistent” refers to a determination that is inconsistent with section 46(f) (1) or (2) (as the case may be). Thus, for example, a determination to reduce the taxpayer's cost of service by more than a ratable portion of the credit would be a determination that is inconsistent with section 46(f)(2). As a further example, such a determination would also be inconsistent if section 46(f)(1) applied because no reduction in cost of service is permitted under section 46(f)(1).
(ii) The term “consistent” refers to a determination that is consistent with section 46(f) (1) or (2) (as the case may be).
(iii) The term “final determination” means a determination with respect to which all rights to appeal or to request a review, a rehearing, or a redetermination have been exhausted or have lapsed.
(iv) The term “first final inconsistent determination” means the first final determination put into effect after December 10, 1971, that is inconsistent with section 46(f) (1) or (2) (as the case may be).
(9) Put into effect. A determination is put into effect on the latter of—
(i) The date it is issued (or, if a first final inconsistent determination, the date it becomes final) or
(ii) The date it becomes operative.
(10) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph may be illustrated by the following examples:
(g) Ratable methods —(1) In general. Under this paragraph (g), rules are prescribed for purposes of determining whether or not, under section 46(f)(1), a reduction in the taxpayer's rate base with respect to the credit is restored less rapidly than ratably and whether or not under section 46(f)(2) the taxpayer's cost of service for ratemaking purposes is reduced by more than a ratable portion of such credit.
(2) Regulated depreciation expense. What is “ratable” is determined by considering the period of time actually used in computing the taxpayer's regulated depreciation expense for the property for which a credit is allowed. “Regulated depreciation expense” is the depreciation expense for the property used by a regulatory body for purposes of establishing the taxpayer's cost of service for ratemaking purposes. Such period of time shall be expressed in units of years (or shorter periods), units of production, or machine hours and shall be determined in accordance with the individual useful life system or composite (or other group asset) account system actually used in computing the taxpayer's regulated depreciation expense. A method of restoring, or reducing, is ratable if the amount to be restored to rate base, or to reduce cost of service (as the case may be), is allocated ratably in proportion to the number of such units. Thus, for example, assume that the regulated depreciation expense is computed under the straight line method by applying a composite annual percentage rate to “original cost” (as defined for purposes of computing regulated depreciation expense). If, with respect to an item of section 46(f) property, the amount to be restored annually to rate base is computed by applying a composite annual percentage rate to the amount by which the rate base was reduced, then the restoration is ratable. Similarly, if cost of service is reduced annually by an amount computed by applying a composite annual percentage rate to the amount of the credit, cost of service is reduced by a ratable portion. If such composite annual percenage rate were revised for purposes of computing regulated depreciation expense beginning with a particular accounting period, the computation of ratable restoration or ratable portion (as the case may be) must also be revised beginning with such period. A composite annual percentage rate is determined solely by reference to the period of time actually used by the taxpayer in computing its regulated depreciation expense without reduction for salvage or other items such as over and under accruals. A composite annual percentage rate determined by taking into account salvage value or other items shall be considered to be ratable in the case of a determination (whether or not final) issued before March 22, 1979, and any rate order (whether or not final) that is entered into before June 20, 1979, in response to a rate case filed before April 23, 1979. For this purpose, the term “rate order” does not include an order by a regulatory body that perfunctorily adopts rates as filed if such rates are suspended or subject to rebate.
(h) Elections —(1) Applicability of elections. (i) Any election under section 46(f) applies to all of the taxpayer's property eligible for the election, whether or not the taxpayer is regulated by more than one regulatory body.
(ii) Section 46(f)(1) applies to all of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property in the absence of an election under either section 46(f) (2) or (3). If an election is made under section 46(f)(2), section 46(f)(1) does not apply to any of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property.
(iii) An election made under the last sentence of section 46(f)(1) applies to that portion of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property to which section 46(f)(1) applies and which is short supply property within the meaning of paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(iv) If a taxpayer makes an election under section 46(f)(2) and makes no election under section 46(f)(3), the election under section 46(f)(2) applies to all of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property.
(v) If a taxpayer makes an election under section 46(f)(3), such election applies to all of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property to which section 167(l)(2)(C) applies. Section 46(f) (1) or (2) (as the case may be) applies to that portion of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property that is not property to which section 167(f)(2)(C) applies. Thus, for example, if a taxpayer makes an election under section 46(f)(2) and also makes an election under section 46(f)(3), section 46(f)(3) applies to all of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property to which section 167(l)(2)(C) applies, and section 46(f)(2) applies to the remainder of the taxpayer's section 46(f) property.
(2) Method of making elections. See 26 CFR 12.3 for rules relating to the method of making the elections described in section 46(f) (1), (2), or (3).
(i) [Reserved]
(j) Reorganizations, asset acquisitions, multiple regulation, etc. —(1) Taxpayers not entirely subject to jurisdiction of one regulatory body. (i) If a taxpayer is required by a regulatory body having jurisdiction over less than all of its property to account for the credit under a determination that is inconsistent with section 46(f) (1) or (2) (as the case may be), such credit shall be disallowed only with respect to property subject to the jurisdiction of such regulatory body.
(ii) For purposes of this paragraph (j), a regulatory body is considered to have jurisdiction over property of a taxpayer if the property is included in the rate base for which the regulatory body determines an allowable rate of return for ratemaking purposes or if expenses with respect to the property are included in cost of service as determined by the regulatory body for ratemaking purposes. For example, if regulatory body A, having jurisdiction over 60 percent of an item of corporation X's section 46(f) property, makes a determination which is inconsistent with section 46(f), and if regulatory body B, having jurisdiction over the remaining 40 percent of such item of property, makes a consistent determination (or if the remaining 40 percent is not subject to the jurisdiction of any regulatory body), then 60 percent of the credit for such item will be disallowed. For a further example, if regulatory body A, having jurisdiction over 60 percent of X's section 46(f) property, has jurisdiction over 100 percent of a particular generator, 100 percent of the credit for such generator will be disallowed.
(iii) For rules which provide that the 3 elections under section 46(f) may not be made with respect to less than all of the taxpayer's property eligible for the election, see paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section.
(2) [Reserved]
(k) Treatment of accumulated deferred investment tax credits upon the deregulation of public utility property —(1) Scope —(i) In general. This paragraph (k) provides rules for the application of former sections 46(f)(1) and 46(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code to a taxpayer with respect to public utility property that ceases, whether by disposition, deregulation, or otherwise, to be public utility property with respect to the taxpayer and that is not described in paragraph (k)(1)(ii) of this section (deregulated public utility property).
(ii) Exception. This paragraph (k) does not apply to property that ceases to be public utility property with respect to the taxpayer on account of an ordinary retirement within the meaning of § 1.167(a)-11(d)(3)(ii).
(2) Ratable amount —(i) Restoration of rate base reduction. A reduction in the taxpayer's rate base on account of the credit with respect to public utility property that becomes deregulated public utility property is restored ratably during the period after the property becomes deregulated public utility property if the amount of the reduction remaining to be restored does not, at any time during the period, exceed the restoration percentage of the recoverable stranded cost of the property at such time. For this purpose—
(A) The stranded cost of the property is the cost of the property reduced by the amount of such cost that the taxpayer has recovered through regulated depreciation expense during the period before the property becomes deregulated public utility property;
(B) The recoverable stranded cost of the property at any time is the stranded cost of the property that the taxpayer will be permitted to recover through rates after such time; and
(C) The restoration percentage for the property is determined by dividing the reduction in rate base remaining to be restored with respect to the property immediately before the property becomes deregulated public utility property by the stranded cost of the property.
(ii) Cost of service reduction. Reductions in the taxpayer's cost of service on account of the credit with respect to public utility property that becomes deregulated public utility property are ratable during the period after the property becomes deregulated public utility property if the cumulative amount of the reduction during such period does not, at any time during the period, exceed the flowthrough percentage of the cumulative stranded cost recovery for the property at such time. For this purpose—
(A) The stranded cost of the property is the cost of the property reduced by the amount of such cost that the taxpayer has recovered through regulated depreciation expense during the period before the property becomes deregulated public utility property;
(B) The cumulative stranded cost recovery for the property at any time is the stranded cost of the property that the taxpayer has been permitted to recover through rates on or before such time; and
(C) The flowthrough percentage for the property is determined by dividing the amount of credit with respect to the property remaining to be used to reduce cost of service immediately before the property becomes deregulated public utility property by the stranded cost of the property.
(3) Cross reference. See § 1.168(i)-(3) for rules relating to the treatment of balances of excess deferred income taxes when public utility property becomes deregulated public utility property.
(4) Effective/applicability dates —(i) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (k)(4)(ii) of this section, this paragraph (k) applies to public utility property that becomes deregulated public utility property with respect to a taxpayer after December 21, 2005.
(ii) Property that becomes public utility property of the transferee. This paragraph (k) does not apply to property that becomes deregulated public utility property with respect to a taxpayer an account of a transfer on or before March 20, 2008 if after the transfer the property is public utility property of the transferee.
(iii) Application of regulation project (REG-104385-01). A reduction in the taxpayer's cost of service will be treated as ratable if it is consistent with the proposed rules in regulation project (REG-104385-01) (68 FR 10190) March 4, 2003, and occurs during the period beginning on March 5, 2003, and ending on the earlier of—
(A) The last date on which the utility's rates are determined under the rate order in effect on December 21, 2005; or
(B) December 21, 2007.