rp-02-19.pdf

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Part III

Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous

26 CFR 601.204: Changes in accounting periods and methods of accounting.
(Also Part I, §§ 446, 481; 1.446-1, 1.481-1, 1.481-4.)

Rev. Proc. 2002-19
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
This revenue procedure modifies Rev. Proc. 97-27, 1997-1 C.B. 680, which
provides procedures under which taxpayers may obtain the advance consent of the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue to change a method of accounting. In addition, this
revenue procedure modifies Rev. Proc. 2002-9, 2002-3 I.R.B. 327, which provides
procedures for taxpayers within the scope of that revenue procedure to obtain
automatic consent to change a method of accounting.
The changes to Rev. Proc. 97-27 and Rev. Proc. 2002-9 include:
(1) allowing a taxpayer to change its method of accounting prospectively, without
audit protection, if the method to be changed is an issue pending for a taxable year
under examination or an issue under consideration by either an appeals office or a
federal court;
(2) providing that, in the case of changes in method of accounting that result in a
negative (i.e., taxpayer-favorable) § 481(a) adjustment, the entire amount of the
adjustment will be taken into account in the year of change; and
(3) certain other conforming and clarifying changes.
For a discussion of the policy reasons for certain of the modifications provided by

2

this revenue procedure, see Announcement 2002-37, 2002-13 I.R.B.
SECTION 2. CHANGES
.01 Changes to BACKGROUND Sections. Section 2.01(3) in each of Rev. Proc.
97-27 and Rev. Proc. 2002-9 is deleted.
.02 Changes to § 481(a) Spread Period for Negative § 481(a) Adjustments.
(1) Section 5.02(3)(a) of Rev. Proc. 97-27 is modified to read as follows:
“(a) In general. Except as otherwise provided in sections 5.02(3)(b) and 7.03 of
this revenue procedure, the § 481(a) adjustment period is four taxable years for a net
positive adjustment for an accounting method change, and one taxable year for a net
negative adjustment for an accounting method change.”
(2) Section 5.04(1) of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 is modified to read as follows:
“(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in section 5.04(3) or the
APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, the § 481(a) adjustment period is four taxable
years for a net positive adjustment for an accounting method change, and one taxable
year for a net negative adjustment for an accounting method change.”
(3) The second sentence in both Example 1 and Example 2 in section
7.02 of Rev. Proc. 97-27 and section 5.04(2) of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 is modified to read
as follows:
“The net § 481(a) adjustment for this method change is a positive adjustment of
$30,000 and the adjustment period is four taxable years.”

3

(4) Section 7.03(1) of Rev. Proc. 97-27 and section 5.04(3)(a) of Rev.
Proc. 2002-9 are each modified to read as follows:
“De minimis rule. A taxpayer may elect to use a one-year adjustment period in
lieu of the § 481(a) adjustment period otherwise provided by this revenue procedure for
positive adjustments if the net § 481(a) adjustment for the change is less than $25,000.
The taxpayer must complete the appropriate line on the Form 3115 to elect this de
minimis rule.”
(5) Section 4.01(3) of the APPENDIX of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (relating to the
§ 481(a) adjustment for certain uniform capitalization methods used by resellers and
reseller-producers) is modified to read as follows:
“(3) Section 481(a) adjustment. Beginning with the year of change, a taxpayer
changing its method of accounting for costs pursuant to sections 4.01(a)(1)(i),
4.01(1)(a)(iii), or 4.01(1)(a)(iv) of this APPENDIX generally must take any applicable net
positive § 481(a) adjustment for such change into account ratably over the same
number of taxable years, not to exceed four, that the taxpayer used its former method
of accounting. A taxpayer changing its method of accounting for costs pursuant to
sections 4.01(1)(a)(ii), 4.01(1)(a)(v), or 4.01(1)(a)(vi) of this APPENDIX generally must
take any applicable net positive § adjustment for such change into account ratably over
four taxable years. See section 5.04(3) of this revenue procedure for exceptions to this
general rule.”

4

(6) Section 4.01(5) of the APPENDIX of Rev. Proc. 2002-9, which
provides an example illustrating the change to and from a UNICAP method of
accounting for small resellers and formerly small resellers is modified to read as follows:
“(5) Example.
* * *
Because X satisfies the small reseller exception for 1997, X may change
voluntarily from the UNICAP method to a permissible non-UNICAP inventory
capitalization method under section 4.01 of this APPENDIX. To reflect the removal of
the additional § 263A costs from the cost of its 1997 beginning inventory, X must
compute a corresponding § 481(a) adjustment, which is a negative $100,000
($1,200,000 - $1,300,000). The entire amount of this negative § 481(a) adjustment is
included in the computation of X’s taxable income for 1997. In addition, X must include
$20,000 of the unamortized 1995 § 481(a) adjustment in 1997 taxable income.
X's 1997 Ending Inventory:
Beginning Inventory (With UNICAP costs) $1,300,000
1997 Increment 100,000
1997 § 481(a) Adjustment <Negative> <100,000
>
Total 1997 Ending Inventory $1,300,000

X's Unamortized 1995 § 481(a) Adjustment:

Unamortized 1995 § 481(a) Adjustment--12/31/96 $40,000
Amount Included in 1997 Taxable Income <20,000
>
Unamortized 1995 § 481(a) Adjustment--12/31/97 $20,000

X's Unamortized 1997 § 481(a) Adjustment:

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1997 § 481(a) Adjustment <Negative> $<100,000>
Amount Included in 1997 Taxable Income 100,000

Unamortized 1997 § 481(a) Adjustment--12/31/97 $
0

X also satisfies the small reseller exception for 1998 and, therefore, is not
required to return to the UNICAP method for 1998. X, however, must include $20,000
of the unamortized 1995 positive § 481(a) adjustment in its 1998 taxable income.
X's 1998 Ending Inventory:
Beginning Inventory (Without UNICAP costs) $1,300,000
1998 Increment 100,000

Total 1998 Ending Inventory $1,400,000

X's Unamortized 1995 § 481(a) Adjustment:

Unamortized 1995 § 481(a) Adjustment--12/31/97 $20,000
Amount Included in 1998 Taxable Income <20,000
>
Unamortized 1995 § 481(a) Adjustment--12/31/98 $ 0

In 1999, X fails to satisfy the small reseller exception and, therefore, must
return to the UNICAP method as provided under section 4.01 of this APPENDIX. X
changes to the simplified resale method without a historic absorption ratio election
under § 1.263A-3(d)(3). Assume that X must capitalize $120,000 of additional § 263A
costs to the cost of its 1999 beginning inventory because of this change in inventory
method. Because X used a non-UNICAP for two taxable years prior to 1999, the § 481
spread period for the positive § 481(a) adjustment is two years. Therefore, X must
include one-half of the § 481(a) adjustment ($60,000) when computing taxable income

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for 1999 and 2000. Assume that X must add $10,000 of additional § 263A costs to the
cost of its 1999 ending inventory because of the $100,000 increment for 1999.
X's 1999 Ending Inventory:

Beginning Inventory (Without UNICAP costs) $1,400,000
1999 Increment 100,000
Additional § 263A costs in Beginning Inventory 120,000
Additional § 263A costs in 1999 Increment 10,000

Total 1999 Ending Inventory $1,630,000

X's Unamortized 1999 § 481(a) adjustment:

1999 § 481(a) Adjustment $120,000
Amount Included in 1999 Taxable Income < 60,000
>
Unamortized 1999 § 481(a) Adjustment--12/31/99 $ 60,000

Because X fails to satisfy the small reseller exception for 2000, X must
continue using the UNICAP method for its inventory costs. Furthermore, X is required
to include $60,000 of the unamortized 1999 positive § 481(a) adjustment in 2000
taxable income. Assume that X is required to add $10,000 of additional § 263A costs to
the cost of its 2000 ending inventory because of the $100,000 increment for 2000.
X's 2000 Ending Inventory:

Beginning Inventory (With UNICAP costs) $1,630,000
2000 Increment 100,000
Additional § 263A Costs in 2000 Increment 10,000

Total 2000 Ending Inventory $1,740,000

X's Unamortized 1999 § 481(a) Adjustment:

Unamortized 1999 §481(a) Adjustment--12/31/99 $60,000
Amount Included in 2000 Taxable Income <60,000
>
Unamortized 1999 § 481(a) Adjustment--12/31/00 $ 0 “

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.03 Changes to Scope Restrictions for Taxpayers Under Examination, or Before
an Area Appeals Office or a Federal Court.
(1) Taxpayers under examination.
(a) Section 4.02(2) of Rev. Proc. 97-27 (relating to the situations in
which Rev. Proc. 97-27 does not apply) is modified to read as follows:
“(2) Under examination. If the taxpayer is under examination, except as provided
in sections 6.01(2) (90-day window), 6.01(3) (120-day window), 6.01(4) (director
consent), and 6.01(5) (issue pending) of this revenue procedure.”
(b) Section 6.01 of Rev. Proc. 97-27 (relating to procedures for
taxpayers under examination) is modified as follows:
“(1) In general. A taxpayer that is under examination may not file a
Form 3115 to request a change in accounting method under this revenue procedure
except as provided in sections 6.01(2) (90-day window), 6.01(3) (120-day window),
6.01(4) (director consent), and 6.01(5) (issue pending). A taxpayer that files a Form
3115 beyond the time periods provided in the 90-day and 120-day windows will not be
granted an extension of time to file under § 301.9100, except in unusual and compelling
circumstances.”
* * *
“(5) Issue Pending. (a) A taxpayer that is under examination with respect

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to any income tax issue may request to change a method of accounting if the method of
accounting to be changed is an issue pending for any taxable year under examination.
However, the audit protection provisions of section 9.01 of this revenue procedure do
not apply to a taxpayer changing its method of accounting under this section 6.01(5).
For this purpose, an issue is pending for taxable years under examination if the Service
has given the taxpayer written notification indicating an adjustment is being made or will
be proposed with respect to the taxpayer’s method of accounting. This notification
normally will occur after the Service has gathered information sufficient to determine
that an adjustment is appropriate and justified, although the exact amount of the
adjustment may not yet be determined.
(b) A taxpayer that requests to change a method of accounting
under this section 6.01(5) must provide a copy of the Form 3115 to the examining
agent(s) at the same time it files the original Form 3115 with the national office. The
Form 3115 must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining
agent(s). In order to assist in processing an application under this section 6.01(5), the
taxpayer should type or legibly write “Issue pending” on the Form 3115.”
(c) Section 4.02(1) of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (relating to situations in
which Rev. Proc. 2002-9 does not apply) is modified to read as follows:
“(1) Under examination. If, on the date the taxpayer would otherwise file a copy
of the application with the national office, the taxpayer is under examination (as

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provided in section 3.08 of this revenue procedure), except as provided in sections
6.03(2) (90-day window), 6.03(3) (120-day window), 6.03(4) (director consent), 6.03(5)
(changes lacking audit protection), and 6.03(6) (issue pending) of this revenue
procedure.”
(d) Section 6.03 of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (relating to procedures for
taxpayers under examination) is modified as follows:
“(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in the APPENDIX of this revenue
procedure (see, for example, section 1.01 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure),
a taxpayer that is under examination may file an application to change a method of
accounting under section 6 of this revenue procedure only if the taxpayer is within the
provisions of section 6.03(2) (90-day window), 6.03(3) (120-day window), 6.03(4)
(director consent), 6.03(5) (changes lacking audit protection), or 6.03(6) (issue pending)
of this revenue procedure. A taxpayer that files an application beyond the time periods
provided in the 90-day and 120-day windows is not eligible for the automatic extension
of time and will not be granted an extension of time to file under § 301.9100, except in
unusual and compelling circumstances.”
* * *
“(6) Issue Pending. (a) A taxpayer that is under examination with respect
to any income tax issue may request to change a method of accounting if the method of
accounting to be changed is an issue pending for any taxable year under examination.

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However, the audit protection provisions of section 7.01 of this revenue procedure do
not apply to a taxpayer changing its method of accounting under this section 6.03(6).
For this purpose, an issue is pending for taxable years under examination if the Service
has given the taxpayer written notification indicating an adjustment is being made or will
be proposed with respect to the taxpayer’s method of accounting. This notification
normally will occur after the Service has gathered information sufficient to determine
that an adjustment is appropriate and justified, although the exact amount of the
adjustment may not yet be determined.
(b) A taxpayer that requests to change a method of accounting
under this section 6.03(6) must provide a copy of the Form 3115 to the examining
agent(s) at the same time it files the original Form 3115 with the national office. The
Form 3115 must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining
agent(s). In order to assist in processing an application under this section 6.03(6), the
taxpayer should type or legibly write “Issue pending” on the Form 3115.”
(2) Taxpayers before an appeals office.
(a) Section 4.02(3) of Rev. Proc. 97-27 (relating to the situations in
which Rev. Proc. 97-27 does not apply) is deleted.
(b) Section 6.02 of Rev. Proc. 97-27 (relating to procedures for
taxpayers before an appeals office) is modified as follows:
“.02 Taxpayer before an appeals office. A taxpayer otherwise within the

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scope of this revenue procedure that is before an appeals office with respect to any
income tax issue may request a change in accounting method. However, the audit
protection provisions of section 9.01 of this revenue procedure do not apply if the
accounting method to be changed is an issue under consideration by the appeals
office. A taxpayer that requests to change a method of accounting under this section
6.02 must provide a copy of the Form 3115 to the appeals officer at the time it files the
original Form 3115 with the national office. The Form 3115 must contain the name(s)
and telephone number(s) of the appeals officer(s). In order to assist in processing an
application under this section 6.02, the taxpayer should type or legibly write “Issue
under consideration” on the Form 3115.”
(c) Section 4.02(2) of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (relating to situations to
which Rev. Proc. 2002-9 does not apply) is deleted.
(d) Section 6.04 of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (relating to procedures for
taxpayers before an appeals office) is modified to read as follows:
“.04 Taxpayer before an appeals office. A taxpayer otherwise within the scope of
this revenue procedure that is before an appeals office with respect to any income tax
issue may request a change in accounting method. However, the audit protection
provisions of section 7.01 of this revenue procedure do not apply if the accounting
method to be changed is an issue under consideration by the appeals office. A
taxpayer that requests to change a method of accounting under this section 6.04 must

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provide a copy of the Form 3115 to the appeals officer at the time it files the original
Form 3115 with the national office. The Form 3115 must contain the name(s) and
telephone number(s) of the appeals officer(s). In order to assist in processing an
application under this section 6.04, the taxpayer should type or legibly write “Issue
under consideration” on the Form 3115.”
(3) Taxpayers before a federal court.
(a) Section 4.02(4) of Rev. Proc. 97-27 (relating to the situations in
which Rev. Proc. 97-27 does not apply) is deleted.
(b) Section 6.03 of Rev. Proc. 97-27 (relating to procedures for
taxpayers before a federal court) is modified to read as follows:
“.03 Taxpayer before a federal court. A taxpayer otherwise within the scope of
this revenue procedure that is before a federal court with respect to any income tax
issue may request a change in accounting method. However, the audit protection
provisions of section 9.01 of this revenue procedure do not apply if the accounting
method to be changed is an issue under consideration by the federal court. A
taxpayer that requests to change a method of accounting under this section 6.03 must
provide a copy of the Form 3115 to the counsel(s) for the government at the time it files
the original Form 3115 with the national office. The Form 3115 must contain the
name(s) and telephone number(s) of the counsel(s) for the government. In order to
assist in processing an application under this section 6.03, the taxpayer should type or

13

legibly write “Issue under consideration” on the Form 3115.”
(c) Section 4.02(3) of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (relating to situations to
which Rev. Proc. 2002-9 does not apply) is deleted.
(d) Section 6.05 of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (relating to procedures for
taxpayers before a federal court) is modified to read as follows:
“.05 Taxpayer before a federal court. A taxpayer otherwise within the scope of
this revenue procedure that is before a federal court with respect to any income tax
issue may request a change in accounting method. However, the audit protection
provisions of section 7.01 of this revenue procedure do not apply if the accounting
method to be changed is an issue under consideration by the federal court. A taxpayer
that requests to change a method of accounting under this section 6.05 must provide a
copy of the Form 3115 to the counsel(s) for the government at the time it files the
original Form 3115 with the national office. The Form 3115 must contain the name(s)
and telephone number(s) of the counsel(s) for the government. In order to assist in
processing an application under this section 6.05, the taxpayer should type or legibly
write “Issue under consideration” on the Form 3115.”
.04 Notional Principal Contracts. Section 14.02 of Rev. Proc. 97-27 (relating to
Designated A treatment for changes in method of accounting for notional principal
contracts) is deleted.
SECTION 3. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS

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Rev. Proc. 97-27 and Rev. Proc. 2002-9 are modified and amplified.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
.01 In General. Except as otherwise provided in section 4.02 and 4.03 of this
revenue procedure, this revenue procedure is effective for taxable years ending on or
after December 31, 2001.
.02 Changes to Scope Restrictions of Rev. Proc. 97-27. Notwithstanding section
4.01 of this revenue procedure, the changes to the scope restrictions of Rev. Proc. 97-
27 provided in section 2.03(1)(a) and (b), 2.03(2)(a) and (b), and 2.03(3)(a) and (b) of
this revenue procedure are effective for taxable years ending on or after March 14,
2002.
.03 Notional Principal Contracts. Notwithstanding section 4.01 of this revenue
procedure, the deletion of section 14.02 of Rev. Proc. 97-27 is effective for Forms 3115
pending with the national office on March 14, 2002.

.04 Transition Rules.
(1) Applications Under Rev. Proc. 2002-9.
(a) If a taxpayer has filed its federal income tax return on or before
April 15, 2002, for a taxable year ending on or after December 31, 2001, and wants to
change a method of accounting for such taxable year under Rev. Proc. 2002-9 for an
issue pending at examination, or an issue under consideration by an area office or by a
federal court, without audit protection, as permitted under this revenue procedure, then

15

the taxpayer must comply with the requirements of this section 4.04(1)(a). The
taxpayer must complete and file a Form 3115 in duplicate. The original must be
attached to the taxpayer’s amended federal income tax return for the year of change.
The amended return must be filed no later than September 10, 2002. A copy of the
Form 3115 must be filed with the national office (see section 6.02(6) of Rev. Proc.
2002-9 for the address) no later than when the taxpayer’s amended return is filed.
(b) If a taxpayer has applied to change a method of accounting under
Rev. Proc. 2002-9 for a taxable year ending on or after December 31, 2001, by filing an
application with its federal income tax return on or before April 15, 2002, such change
in method of accounting results in a net negative § 481(a) adjustment, and the taxpayer
wants to apply the one-year § 481(a) adjustment period of this revenue procedure to
the change, then the taxpayer must comply with the requirements of this section
4.04(1)(b). The taxpayer must complete and file a revised Form 3115 in duplicate,
reflecting the one-year § 481(a) adjustment period. The original must be attached to
the taxpayer’s amended federal income tax return for the year of change. The
amended return must be filed no later than September 10, 2002. A copy of the revised
Form 3115 must be filed with the national office (see section 6.02(6) of Rev. Proc.
2002-9 for the address) no later than when the taxpayer’s amended return is filed. Both
the original and the copy of the application filed with the national office should be
labeled “Substitute Application under Rev. Proc. 2002-19.”

16

(c) If a taxpayer has filed a copy of an application to change a method of
accounting under Rev. Proc. 2002-9 for a taxable year ending on or after December 31,
2001, with the national office on or before April 15, 2002, but has not filed its federal
income tax return with the original application attached by April 15, 2002, such change
in method of accounting results in a net negative § 481(a) adjustment, and the taxpayer
wants to apply the one-year § 481(a) adjustment period of this revenue procedure to
the change, then the taxpayer must comply with the requirements of this section
4.04(1)(c). The taxpayer must complete and file a revised Form 3115 in duplicate,
reflecting the one-year § 481(a) adjustment period. The revised original Form 3115
must be attached to the taxpayer’s timely filed federal income tax return for the year of
change. The revised copy of the Form 3115 must be filed with the national office (see
section 6.02(6) of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 for the address) no later than when the taxpayer’s
original federal income tax return is filed. The copy of the application filed with the
national office should be labeled “Substitute Application under Rev. Proc. 2002-19.”
(d) If a taxpayer has filed an original application and/or a copy of an
application to change a method of accounting under Rev. Proc. 2002-9 for a taxable
year ending on or after December 31, 2001, with the national office on or before April
15, 2002, such change in method of accounting results in a net negative § 481(a)
adjustment, and the taxpayer does not file revised applications under either section
4.04(1)(b) or (c) of this revenue procedure (whichever applies), then the four-year §

17

481(a) adjustment period of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (prior to its modification by this revenue
procedure) will apply to the change.
(2) Applications Under Rev. Proc. 97-27. In the case of an application to change
a method of accounting for a taxable year ending on or after December 31, 2001, filed
under Rev. Proc. 97-27, and pending with the national office on March 14, 2002, the §
481(a) adjustment period for a net negative § 481(a) adjustment for the change will be
one taxable year. In such a case, the national office will require the taxpayer to make
appropriate modifications to the application or ruling request to comply with the
applicable provisions of this revenue procedure. However, if such a taxpayer does not
want a one-year § 481(a) adjustment period to apply, the taxpayer must notify the
national office prior to the later of April 30, 2002, or the issuance of the letter ruling
granting or denying consent to the change. In such a case, the § 481(a) adjustment
period rules of Rev. Proc. 97-27, prior to its modification by this revenue procedure, will
apply.
DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal author of this revenue procedure is Grant D. Anderson of the Office
of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting). For further information
concerning this revenue procedure, please contact Mr. Anderson at (202) 622-4970
(not a toll-free call).