us-irs-revenue-procedures-irb-2017-50-pdf•Internal Revenue Bulletin 2017-50 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue Procedures
Internal Revenue Bulletin 2017-50 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue Procedures
us-irs-revenue-procedures-irb-2017-50-pdfInternal Revenue Bulletin 2017-50 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue ProceduresGuidance
Preserve advance releases and the authoritative Internal Revenue Bulletin rendition; directory timestamps are file-publication metadata, not legal effective dates. HTML bulletins begin June 2003; earlier available issues require full PDF parsing. Whole bulletin rendition: numbered items are identified below; other legal material and publisher context remain included. This is not a new standalone advance release.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE These synopses are intended only as aids to the reader in identifying the subject matter covered. They may not be relied upon as authoritative interpretations. INCOME TAX Rev. Proc. 2017–60, page 559. This procedure provides a safe harbor that allows an individual to deduct amounts paid to repair damage to his or her personal residence caused by deteriorating concrete foundations con- taining the mineral pyrrhotite. ADMINISTRATIVE Rev. Proc. 2017–60, page 559. This procedure provides a safe harbor that allows an individual to deduct amounts paid to repair damage to his or her personal residence caused by deteriorating concrete foundations con- taining the mineral pyrrhotite. Finding Lists begin on page ii. Bulletin No. 2017–50 December 11, 2017 The IRS Mission Provide America’s taxpayers top-quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and en- force the law with integrity and fairness to all. Introduction The Internal Revenue Bulletin is the authoritative instrument of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue for announcing official rulings and procedures of the Internal Revenue Service and for publishing Treasury Decisions, Executive Orders, Tax Conven- tions, legislation, court decisions, and other items of general interest. It is published weekly. It is the policy of the Service to publish in the Bulletin all substantive rulings necessary to promote a uniform application of the tax laws, including all rulings that supersede, revoke, modify, or amend any of those previously published in the Bulletin. All published rulings apply retroactively unless other- wise indicated. Procedures relating solely to matters of internal management are not published; however, statements of inter- nal practices and procedures that affect the rights and duties of taxpayers are published. Revenue rulings represent the conclusions of the Service on the application of the law to the pivotal facts stated in the revenue ruling. In those based on positions taken in rulings to taxpayers or technical advice to Service field offices, identify- ing details and information of a confidential nature are deleted to prevent unwarranted invasions of privacy and to comply with statutory requirements. Rulings and procedures reported in the Bulletin do not have the force and effect of Treasury Department Regulations, but they may be used as precedents. Unpublished rulings will not be relied on, used, or cited as precedents by Service personnel in the disposition of other cases. In applying published rulings and procedures, the effect of subsequent legislation, regulations, court decisions, rulings, and procedures must be considered, and Service personnel and others concerned are cautioned against reaching the same conclusions in other cases unless the facts and circumstances are substantially the same. The Bulletin is divided into four parts as follows: Part I.—1986 Code. This part includes rulings and decisions based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Part II.—Treaties and Tax Legislation. This part is divided into two subparts as follows: Subpart A, Tax Conventions and Other Related Items, and Subpart B, Legisla- tion and Related Committee Reports. Part III.—Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous. To the extent practicable, pertinent cross references to these subjects are contained in the other Parts and Subparts. Also included in this part are Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rul- ings. Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rulings are issued by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Assistant Sec- retary (Enforcement). Part IV.—Items of General Interest. This part includes notices of proposed rulemakings, disbar- ment and suspension lists, and announcements. The last Bulletin for each month includes a cumulative index for the matters published during the preceding months. These monthly indexes are cumulated on a semiannual basis, and are published in the last Bulletin of each semiannual period. The contents of this publication are not copyrighted and may be reprinted freely. A citation of the Internal Revenue Bulletin as the source would be appropriate. December 11, 2017Bulletin No. 2017–50 Part III. Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous 26 CFR 601.105: Examination of returns and claims for refund, credit or abatement; determination of correct tax liability. (Also Part 1, §§ 165; 1.165–7(a)(2); 1.165–7(b).) Rev. Proc. 2017–60 SECTION 1. PURPOSE This revenue procedure provides guid- ance to individuals regarding the federal in- come tax treatment of amounts paid to re- pair damage to their personal residences resulting from deteriorating concrete foun- dations caused by the presence of the min- eral pyrrhotite. SECTION 2. BACKGROUND .01 Residents in the northeastern part of the United States have reported prob- lems with certain residential concrete foundations. In August 2015, the Con- necticut Office of the Attorney General and the Connecticut Department of Con- sumer Protection (DCP) began investigat- ing numerous complaints by homeowners concerning deteriorating concrete founda- tions. The conclusions of the investigation are available in the “Report on Deteriorat- ing Concrete in Residential Foundations” issued by the DCP on December 30, 2016. .02 Investigators concluded that the de- terioration of the concrete foundations was caused by the presence of pyrrhotite in the concrete mixture used to pour the foundations. Pyrrhotite is a naturally ex- isting mineral in stone aggregate, which is used to produce concrete. Pyrrhotite oxi- dizes in the presence of water and oxygen, leading to the formation of expansive mineral products, and causing concrete to deteriorate prematurely. .03 Pursuant to Connecticut Public Act No. 16–45, 1 Connecticut residents with deteriorating concrete foundations may request a reassessment of the assessed value of their homes based on a written evaluation from a licensed engineer indi- cating that the foundation was made with defective concrete. .04 The Internal Revenue Service (“Service”) has received inquiries about whether a loss resulting from a deteriorat- ing concrete foundation constitutes a de- ductible casualty loss within the meaning of § 165 of the Internal Revenue Code, the taxable year any such loss would be de- ductible, and how the amount of the loss would be computed. .05 Section 165(a) generally allows taxpayers to deduct losses sustained dur- ing the taxable year that are not compen- sated for by insurance or otherwise. For personal-use property, such as a taxpay- er’s personal residence, § 165(c)(3) limits an individual’s deduction to losses arising from fire, storm, shipwreck, or other ca- sualty, or from theft. A casualty is dam- age, destruction, or loss of property that results from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected, and unusual. Rev. Rul. 72–592, 1972–2 C.B. 101. Damage or loss resulting from progressive deteri- oration of property through a steadily op- erating cause is not a casualty loss.See Matheson v. Commissioner, 54 F.2d 537 (2d Cir. 1931). .06 A casualty loss is allowed as a deduction only for the taxable year in which the loss is sustained. However, if the taxpayer has a claim for reimburse- ment of the loss from insurance or other- wise, for which there is a reasonable pros- pect of recovery, no portion of the loss is deductible until it can be ascertained with reasonable certainty whether the reim- bursement will be received.See§ 1.165– 1(c)(4) of the Income Tax Regulations. .07 If a taxpayer deducted a loss and in a subsequent taxable year receives reimburse- ment for the loss, the taxpayer does not recompute the tax for the taxable year in which the deduction was taken, but includes the amount of the reimbursement in gross income for the taxable year in which re- ceived, subject to the provisions of § 111, relating to recovery of amounts previously deducted.See§ 1.165–1(d)(2)(iii). .08 The amount of a taxpayer’s casu- alty loss generally is the decrease in the fair market value of the property as a result of the casualty, limited to the tax- payer’s adjusted basis in the property.See § 1.165–7(b). To simplify the computa- tion of a casualty loss deduction, existing regulations permit taxpayers to use the cost to repair the damaged property as evidence of the decrease in value of the property.See§ 1.165–7(a)(2)(ii). .09 Section 165(h)(1) and (2) imposes two limitations on casualty loss deduc- tions for personal use property. First, a casualty loss deduction is allowable only for the amount of the loss that exceeds $100 per casualty. Second, the net amount of all of a taxpayer’s casualty losses (in excess of casualty gains, if any) is allow- able only for the amount of the losses that exceeds 10 percent of the taxpayer’s ad- justed gross income (AGI) for the year. .10 In view of the unique circum- stances surrounding the damage caused by deteriorating concrete foundations con- taining the mineral pyrrhotite, the Trea- sury Department and the Service con- clude that it is appropriate to provide a safe harbor method that treats certain damage resulting from deteriorating concrete foundations as a casualty loss and provides a formula for determining the amount of the loss. Accordingly, for an individual taxpayer within the scope of this revenue procedure, the Service will not challenge the taxpayer’s treat- ment of damage resulting from a deteri- orating concrete foundation as a casu- alty loss if the loss is determined and reported as provided in this revenue pro- cedure. SECTION 3. SCOPE This revenue procedure applies to any individual taxpayer who pays to repair damage to that taxpayer’s personal resi- dence caused by a deteriorating concrete foundation that contains the mineral pyr- rhotite. SECTION 4. APPLICATION .01 A taxpayer who pays to repair dam- age to that taxpayer’s personal residence caused by a deteriorating concrete foun- dation may treat the amount paid as a casualty loss in the year of payment. For purposes of this revenue procedure, the term “deteriorating concrete foundation” means a concrete foundation that is dam- aged as a result of the presence of the mineral pyrrhotite in the concrete mixture used to pour the foundation. The safe har- 1 2016 Conn. Legis. Serv. P.A. No. 16–45 (H.B. No. 5180) (West). Bulletin No. 2017–50December 11, 2017 559 bor under this revenue procedure is avail- able to a taxpayer who has obtained a written evaluation from a licensed engi- neer indicating that the foundation was made with defective concrete, and has re- quested and received a reassessment re- port that shows the reduced reassessed value of the residential property based on the written evaluation from the engineer and an inspection pursuant to Connecticut Public Act No. 16–45 (Act). The safe harbor also is available to a taxpayer whose personal residence is either in Con- necticut or outside of Connecticut, pro- vided the taxpayer has obtained a written evaluation from a licensed engineer indi- cating that the foundation was made with defective concrete containing the mineral pyrrhotite. .02 The amount of a taxpayer’s loss resulting from the deteriorating concrete foundation is limited to the taxpayer’s ad- justed basis in the property. In addition, the amount of the loss may be limited depending on whether the taxpayer has a pending claim for reimbursement (or in- tends to pursue reimbursement) of the loss through property insurance, litigation, or otherwise. A taxpayer who does not have a pending claim for reimbursement, and who does not intend to pursue reimburse- ment, may claim as a loss all unreim- bursed amounts (subject to the adjusted basis limitation) paid during the taxable year to repair damage to the taxpayer’s personal residence caused by the deterio- rating concrete foundation. A taxpayer who has a pending claim for reimburse- ment, or who intends to pursue reimburse- ment, may claim a loss for 75 percent of the unreimbursed amounts paid during the taxable year to repair damage to the tax- payer’s personal residence caused by the deteriorating concrete foundation. A tax- payer who has been fully reimbursed be- fore filing a return for the year the loss was sustained may not claim a loss. A taxpayer who has a pending claim for reimbursement, or who intends to pursue reimbursement, may have income or an additional deduction in subsequent tax- able years depending on the actual amount of reimbursement received.See§ 1.165– 1(d). .03 Amounts paid for improvements or additions that increase the value of the taxpayer’s personal residence above its pre-loss value are not allowed as a casu- alty loss. Only amounts paid to restore the taxpayer’s personal residence to the con- dition existing immediately prior to the damage qualify for loss treatment. .04 A taxpayer claiming a casualty loss under this revenue procedure must report the amount of the loss on Form 4684 (“Casualties and Thefts”) and must mark “Revenue Procedure 2017–60” at the top of that form. Taxpayers are subject to the $100 limitation imposed by § 165(h)(1) and the 10-percent-of-AGI limitation im- posed by § 165(h)(2). .05 Taxpayers who choose not to apply the safe harbor treatment provided by this revenue procedure are subject to all of the generally applicable provisions governing the deductibility of losses under § 165. Accordingly, these taxpayers must estab- lish that the damage,destruction, or loss of property resulted from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected, and unusual, and was not the result of progressive deteriora- tion through a steadily operating cause.See Rev. Rul. 72–592, 1972–2 C.B. 101;Mathe- son v. Commissioner, 54 F.2d 537 (2d Cir. 1931). These taxpayers also must prove that the loss is properly deductible in the taxable year claimed by the taxpayer and not in another year. Further, these taxpayers must prove the amount of the claimed loss and must prove that no claim for reimbursement of any portion of the loss exists for which there is a reasonable prospect of recovery. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE This revenue procedure is effective for federal income tax returns (including amended federal income tax returns) filed after November 21, 2017. SECTION 6. DRAFTING INFORMATION The principal author of this revenue procedure is Susie K. Bird of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting). For further information re- garding this revenue procedure contact Susie K. Bird on (202) 317-5100 (not a toll-free number). December 11, 2017Bulletin No. 2017–50 560 Definition of Terms Revenue rulings and revenue procedures (hereinafter referred to as “rulings”) that have an effect on previous rulings use the following defined terms to describe the effect: Amplifieddescribes a situation where no change is being made in a prior pub- lished position, but the prior position is being extended to apply to a variation of the fact situation set forth therein. Thus, if an earlier ruling held that a principle ap- plied to A, and the new ruling holds that the same principle also applies to B, the earlier ruling is amplified. (Compare with modified, below). Clarifiedis used in those instances where the language in a prior ruling is being made clear because the language has caused, or may cause, some confu- sion. It is not used where a position in a prior ruling is being changed. Distinguisheddescribes a situation where a ruling mentions a previously pub- lished ruling and points out an essential difference between them. Modifiedis used where the substance of a previously published position is being changed. Thus, if a prior ruling held that a principle applied to A but not to B, and the new ruling holds that it applies to both A and B, the prior ruling is modified because it corrects a published position. (Compare withamplifiedandclarified, above). Obsoleteddescribes a previously pub- lished ruling that is not considered deter- minative with respect to future transac- tions. This term is most commonly used in a ruling that lists previously published rul- ings that are obsoleted because of changes in laws or regulations. A ruling may also be obsoleted because the substance has been included in regulations subsequently adopted. Revokeddescribes situations where the position in the previously published ruling is not correct and the correct position is being stated in a new ruling. Supersededdescribes a situation where the new ruling does nothing more than restate the substance and situation of a previously published ruling (or rulings). Thus, the term is used to republish under the 1986 Code and regulations the same position published under the 1939 Code and regulations. The term is also used when it is desired to republish in a single ruling a series of situations, names, etc., that were previously published over a pe- riod of time in separate rulings. If the new ruling does more than restate the sub- stance of a prior ruling, a combination of terms is used. For example,modifiedand supersededdescribes a situation where the substance of a previously published ruling is being changed in part and is continued without change in part and it is desired to restate the valid portion of the previously published ruling in a new ruling that is self contained. In this case, the previously published ruling is first modified and then, as modified, is superseded. Supplementedis used in situations in which a list, such as a list of the names of countries, is published in a ruling and that list is expanded by adding further names in subsequent rulings. After the original ruling has been supplemented several times, a new ruling may be published that includes the list in the original ruling and the additions, and supersedes all prior rul- ings in the series. Suspendedis used in rare situations to show that the previous published rulings will not be applied pending some future action such as the issuance of new or amended regulations, the outcome of cases in litigation, or the outcome of a Service study. Abbreviations The following abbreviations in current use and formerly used will appear in ma- terial published in the Bulletin. A—Individual. Acq.—Acquiescence. B—Individual. BE—Beneficiary. BK—Bank. B.T.A.—Board of Tax Appeals. C—Individual. C.B.—Cumulative Bulletin. CFR—Code of Federal Regulations. CI—City. COOP—Cooperative. Ct.D.—Court Decision. CY—County. D—Decedent. DC—Dummy Corporation. DE—Donee. Del. Order—Delegation Order. DISC—Domestic International Sales Corporation. DR—Donor. E—Estate. EE—Employee. E.O.—Executive Order. ER—Employer. ERISA—Employee Retirement Income Security Act. EX—Executor. F—Fiduciary. FC—Foreign Country. FICA—Federal Insurance Contributions Act. FISC—Foreign International Sales Company. FPH—Foreign Personal Holding Company. F.R.—Federal Register. FUTA—Federal Unemployment Tax Act. FX—Foreign corporation. G.C.M.—Chief Counsel’s Memorandum. GE—Grantee. GP—General Partner. GR—Grantor. IC—Insurance Company. I.R.B.—Internal Revenue Bulletin. LE—Lessee. LP—Limited Partner. LR—Lessor. M—Minor. Nonacq.—Nonacquiescence. O—Organization. P—Parent Corporation. PHC—Personal Holding Company. PO—Possession of the U.S. PR—Partner. PRS—Partnership. PTE —Prohibited Transaction Exemption. Pub. L.—Public Law. REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust. Rev. Proc.—Revenue Procedure. Rev. Rul.—Revenue Ruling. S—Subsidiary. S.P.R.—Statement of Procedural Rules. Stat.—Statutes at Large. T—Target Corporation. T.C.—Tax Court. T.D.—Treasury Decision. TFE—Transferee. TFR—Transferor. T.I.R.—Technical Information Release. TP—Taxpayer. TR—Trust. TT—Trustee. U.S.C.—United States Code. X—Corporation. Y—Corporation. Z—Corporation. Bulletin No. 2017–50December 11, 2017 i Numerical Finding List 1 Bulletin 2017–27 through 2017–50 Action on Decision: 2017-5, 2017-27 I.R.B.1 2017-6, 2017-33 I.R.B.194 2017-7, 2017-42 I.R.B.311 Announcements: 2017-05, 2017-27 I.R.B.5 2017-08, 2017-28 I.R.B.9 2017-09, 2017-35 I.R.B.219 2017-10, 2017-33 I.R.B.210 2017-11, 2017-39 I.R.B.255 2017-12, 2017-38 I.R.B.238 2017-13, 2017-40 I.R.B.271 2017-15, 2017-47 I.R.B.534 2017-17, 2017-46 I.R.B.515 2017-18, 2017-48 I.R.B.545 Notices: 2017-36, 2017-33 I.R.B.208 2017-37, 2017-29 I.R.B.89 2017-38, 2017-30 I.R.B.147 2017-39, 2017-31 I.R.B.150 2017-40, 2017-32 I.R.B.190 2017-41, 2017-34 I.R.B.211 2017-42, 2017-34 I.R.B.212 2017-43, 2017-36 I.R.B.224 2017-44, 2017-36 I.R.B.226 2017-45, 2017-38 I.R.B.232 2017-46, 2017-41 I.R.B.275 2017-47, 2017-38 I.R.B.232 2017-48, 2017-39 I.R.B.254 2017-49, 2017-40 I.R.B.258 2017-50, 2017-41 I.R.B.280 2017-51, 2017-40 I.R.B.260 2017-52, 2017-40 I.R.B.262 2017-53, 2017-42 I.R.B.318 2017-54, 2017-42 I.R.B.321 2017-55, 2017-42 I.R.B.324 2017-56, 2017-43 I.R.B.365 2017-57, 2017-42 I.R.B.324 2017-58, 2017-42 I.R.B.326 2017-59, 2017-45 I.R.B.484 2017-60, 2017-43 I.R.B.365 2017-61, 2017-43 I.R.B.371 2017-62, 2017-44 I.R.B.460 2017-63, 2017-44 I.R.B.460 2017-64, 2017-45 I.R.B.486 2017-67, 2017-47 I.R.B.517 2017-68, 2017-46 I.R.B.513 2017-69, 2017-48 I.R.B.540 2017-70, 2017-48 I.R.B.543 Proposed Regulations: REG-128841-07, 2017-42 I.R.B.327 REG-139633-08, 2017-31 I.R.B.175 REG-128483-15, 2017-32 I.R.B.191 REG-136118-15, 2017-28 I.R.B.9 REG-105004-16, 2017-41 I.R.B.295 REG-125374-16, 2017-41 I.R.B.300 REG-115615-17, 2017-44 I.R.B.463 REG-116256-17, 2017-46 I.R.B.514 REG-129631-17, 2017-44 I.R.B.464 Revenue Procedures: 2017-41, 2017-29 I.R.B.92 2017-42, 2017-29 I.R.B.124 2017-43, 2017-31 I.R.B.153 2017-44, 2017-35 I.R.B.216 2017-45, 2017-35 I.R.B.216 2017-46, 2017-43 I.R.B.372 2017-47, 2017-38 I.R.B.233 2017-48, 2017-36 I.R.B.229 2017-50, 2017-37 I.R.B.230 2017-52, 2017-41 I.R.B.283 2017-53, 2017-40 I.R.B.263 2017-54, 2017-42 I.R.B.336 2017-55, 2017-43 I.R.B.373 2017-56, 2017-44 I.R.B.465 2017-57, 2017-44 I.R.B.474 2017-58, 2017-45 I.R.B.489 2017-59, 2017-48 I.R.B.543 2017-60, 2017-50 I.R.B.559 Revenue Rulings: 2017-14, 2017-27 I.R.B.2 2017-15, 2017-32 I.R.B.176 2017-16, 2017-35 I.R.B.215 2017-17, 2017-36 I.R.B.222 2017-18, 2017-39 I.R.B.239 2017-19, 2017-40 I.R.B.257 2017-20, 2017-41 I.R.B.273 2017-21, 2017-45 I.R.B.482 2017-22, 2017-48 I.R.B.536 2017-23, 2017-49 I.R.B.546 2017-24, 2017-49 I.R.B.556 Treasury Decisions: 9819, 2017-29 I.R.B.85 9820, 2017-32 I.R.B.178 9821, 2017-32 I.R.B.181 9822, 2017-33 I.R.B.195 9823, 2017-33 I.R.B.206 9824, 2017-42 I.R.B.312 9825, 2017-46 I.R.B.500 9827, 2017-44 I.R.B.382 9828, 2017-44 I.R.B.431 1 A cumulative list of all revenue rulings, revenue procedures, Treasury decisions, etc., published in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2017–01 through 2017–26 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2017–26, dated June 27, 2017. December 11, 2017Bulletin No. 2017–50 ii Finding List of Current Actions on Previously Published Items 1 Bulletin 2017–27 through 2017–50 Notices: 2015-77 Amplified by Notice 2017-40, 2017-32 I.R.B.190 2017-10 Modified by Notice 2017-58, 2017-42 I.R.B.326 2017-29 Modified by Notice 2017-58, 2017-42 I.R.B.326 Revenue Procedures: 2016-27 Modified by Rev. Proc. 2017-43, 2017-31 I.R.B.153 2016-27 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2017-43, 2017-31 I.R.B.153 2016-48 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2017-48, 2017-36 I.R.B.232 1 A cumulative list of all revenue rulings, revenue procedures, Treasury decisions, etc., published in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2017–01 through 2017–26 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2017–26, dated June 27, 2017. Bulletin No. 2017–50December 11, 2017 iii INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETIN The Introduction at the beginning of this issue describes the purpose and content of this publication. The weekly Internal Revenue Bulletins are available atwww.irs.gov/irb/. We Welcome Comments About the Internal Revenue Bulletin If you have comments concerning the format or production of the Internal Revenue Bulletin or suggestions for improving it, we would be pleased to hear from you. You can email us your suggestions or comments through the IRS Internet Home Page (www.irs.gov) or write to the Internal Revenue Service, Publishing Division, IRB Publishing Program Desk, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6230 Washington, DC 20224. Internal Revenue Service Washington, DC 20224 Official Business Penalty for Private Use, $300
Continue your research in ChatGPT or Claude
Connect Omnilex to search the legal corpus from your AI assistant.