Recommended Alerts

IRS Issues Proposed Regulations on Deductions of Certain Settlement Payments to Governments

On May 12, 2020, the IRS released proposed regulations (REG-104591) affecting the deductibility of payments made to governments in settlement of alleged violations of law. The proposed regulations interpret Sections 162(f) and 6050X of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), as amended and introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), respectively. Sections 162(f) and 6050X changed the requirements for taxpayers to deduct amounts paid to the government pursuant to court-ordered judgments, settlement agreements, non-prosecution agreements, deferred prosecution agreements, and decisions by certain boards/commissions. At a high level, under Section 162(f), to be deductible, such payments must be restitution, remediation, or an amount paid to come into compliance with the laws, and must be identified as such in either the order or agreement (the “identification requirement”). In addition, taxpayers must maintain records substantiating the nature of their payments (the “establishment requirement”).

Altera Aftermath: IRS Lifts Moratorium on Examining Stock-Based Compensation Cost-Sharing Arrangements

August 12, 2019
Time to Read: 1 minutes Practices: Tax Controversy

Printer-Friendly Version

In the wake of the IRS’ Ninth Circuit victory in Altera Corporation v. Commissioner, 926 F.3d 1061 (9th Circuit 2019), the IRS’ Large Business and International (LB&I) Division issued Memorandum LB&I-04-0719-008, informing examiners that they may once again open examinations to require taxpayers to include stock-based compensation costs as intangible development costs under Treasury Regulations §§ 1.482-7A(d)(2) and 1.482-7(d)(3). In Altera, a Ninth Circuit panel reversed a 2015 Tax Court decision invalidating the Treasury Regulation § 1.482-7A(d)(2) requirement that related parties allocate stock-based compensation costs when entering into cost-sharing arrangements to develop intangible assets. For more about the Altera decision, including prior actions by the Ninth Circuit, click here.

LB&I had previously, in Memorandum LB&I-04-0118-005 (referred to as the “Altera memo”), instructed examiners to refrain from opening audits related to the disputed regulation and suspend issue development in ongoing cases after the 2015 Tax Court decision invalidating the regulation.

LB&I’s newest guidance withdraws the moratorium, instructs examiners to apply the regulations in ongoing examinations, and encourages opening new examinations of cost-sharing arrangements relating to stock-based compensation, if appropriate. The IRS has taken this step despite Altera’s request for the full Ninth Circuit to reconsider the case, and the likelihood of a future appeal to the Supreme Court.

LB&I’s move is expected to simultaneously result in:

a wave of audits of companies taking positions contrary to the disputed regulations by excluding stock-based compensation from cost-sharing arrangements, and
the denial of existing refund claims filed by companies in response to the 2015 Tax Court decision to invalidate the regulations.

Please contact the Ropes & Gray tax controversy team with any questions you may have or if you would like any further information.

Printer-Friendly Version