rr-01-48.pdf

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Part II. -- Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Corporations
Subpart A. -- Nonresident Alien Individuals
Section 872. -- Gross Income
(Also Section 883, 894.)
26 CFR 1.872-2. Exclusions from gross income of nonresident
alien individuals
(Also 26 CFR 1.883-1.)
Rev. Rul. 2001-48
PURPOSE
The purpose of this revenue ruling is to assist foreign
persons who derive income from the international operation of
ships or aircraft in determining whether such income is exempt
from U.S. taxation under section 872(b) or 883(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, by providing a current list of countries
that grant United States persons equivalent exemptions from tax
for various categories of income from the international operation
of ships and aircraft. This revenue ruling modifies and
supersedes Rev. Rul. 89-42, 1989-1 C.B. 234, as supplemented by
Rev. Rul. 97-31, 1997-2 C.B. 77.
Section 872(b) of the Code provides that gross income shall
not include income from the international operation of a ship or
ships or aircraft, and such income shall be exempt from U.S.
Federal income taxation, if the income is derived by an

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individual resident of a foreign country, and such foreign
country grants an equivalent exemption to individual residents of
the United States. Section 883(a) provides a similar exemption
for such income derived by corporations organized in a foreign
country that grants an equivalent exemption to corporations
organized in the United States. For purposes of sections 872(b)
and 883(a), a foreign country may grant an equivalent exemption
from tax through an exchange of diplomatic notes or other
agreement, by not imposing a tax on income from the international
operation of ships or aircraft, or by a decree or specific
statutory exemption.
Part A of Table I provides a list of the countries that
grant exemptions through diplomatic notes exchanged with the
United States.
Part B of Table I provides a list of the countries for which
the Service has determined, upon examination of their domestic
law, that an equivalent exemption is granted by statute or
decree, or by not imposing a tax on income from the international
operation of ships or aircraft. This determination is made on a
country-by-country basis and relies upon information submitted to
the Internal Revenue Service by the foreign country regarding the
foreign law in effect at the time of the submission. The date of
the Service's review is reflected in the first column of Part B
of Table I. Since its initial review, the Service has not
attempted to determine whether any of the foreign laws of the
countries listed in Part B of Table I have been amended or
repealed. Therefore, taxpayers should independently verify the

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accuracy of the information in Part B of Table I at such time
that a determination is relevant.
Part B of Table I does not represent an exclusive list of
countries the domestic law of which provides an equivalent
exemption. Other countries that have not submitted the
information necessary for the Service to make a determination
also may grant an equivalent exemption. In those cases, an
individual resident of, or a corporation organized in, such a
foreign country may be treated as a resident of, or a corporation
organized in, a foreign country that grants an equivalent
exemption, even though the foreign country is not included in
Part B of Table I. Consistent with past practice, the Service
will entertain a request from a foreign government to determine
whether the domestic law of the country provides an equivalent
exemption. Accordingly, taxpayers may seek to have the relevant
foreign government request a determination that the particular
country qualifies as an equivalent-exemption jurisdiction.
Table II provides a list of countries that grant an
exemption under the shipping and aircraft article or capital
gains article of an income tax convention to which the United
States is a party. Table II is provided to assist a foreign
corporation organized in one of the countries listed in Table I
in demonstrating that it also meets the ownership requirements of
section 883(c). In general, a foreign corporation can
demonstrate that it meets the ownership requirements of section
883(c) if the corporation can show that more than 50 percent of
the value of the stock of the corporation is owned by individuals

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who are residents of countries that grant an equivalent exemption
to corporations organized in the United States. For the sole
purpose of determining if an individual shareholder’s country of
residence grants an equivalent exemption for purposes of section
883(c), a foreign country will also be considered to grant an
equivalent exemption if it grants such an exemption through an
income tax convention with the United States.
Accordingly, Table II is relevant only in determining
whether a shareholder of a foreign corporation seeking an
exemption from tax under section 883 is a shareholder that
qualifies under section 883(c)(1) because the shareholder’s
country of residence grants an equivalent exemption under an
income tax convention with the United States. Table II is not
relevant in determining whether a nonresident alien individual or
a foreign corporation itself is eligible to claim an exemption
under section 872(b) or 883(a), respectively.
Table II includes a summary of the requirements for the
exemption, such as whether the exemption is based solely on
residence, or, as in the case of certain older income tax
conventions, the exemption has an additional requirement of
documentation or registration. Table II does not set forth other
benefits relating to a shipping or an air transport business that
may be provided under articles covering business profits, rentals
and royalties, and other income because such benefits are not
relevant for purposes of section 883(c).
These Tables are intended only as a summary. The full text
of any relevant diplomatic note, foreign law, or income tax

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convention should be consulted. It may be necessary to consult
the technical explanation of an income tax convention, including
any protocol thereto, any agreement, or any diplomatic note
accompanying a convention, to determine the items of income
exempted. Income tax conventions and diplomatic notes are
published in the Cumulative Bulletin and Internal Revenue
Bulletins. These Tables will continue to be updated
periodically.
CHANGES TO REV. RUL. 97-31
The changes to the table published in Rev. Rul. 89-42, as
supplemented by Rev. Rul. 97-31, are summarized below.
The table in the prior rulings has been reorganized to
clarify the limited relevance of Part I of that table, relating
to treaties, as discussed above. Accordingly, in this revenue
ruling Part II of the prior table (diplomatic notes) has become
Part A of Table I; Part III (domestic law) of the prior table has
become Part B of Table I; and Part I of the prior table
(treaties) has become Table II.
In Part A of Table I, Bahrain, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and
the United Arab Emirates have been added to the list of countries
that have exchanged diplomatic notes with the United States.
Although a diplomatic note was signed with Bolivia in November
1987, that note required ratification by the Bolivian Government
to enter into force. The diplomatic note was ratified on March
24, 1999, and officially became effective upon publication in the
official Gazette on March 31, 1999, for income earned after that
date. Therefore, Bolivia also has been added to the list.

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In Part B of Table I, Aruba, Peru (with respect to
aircraft), and the Republic of Surinam have been added to the
list of countries whose domestic law has been determined to
provide an equivalent exemption.
In Table II, the following countries have been added to the
list of countries that provide an exemption under an income tax
convention: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, South Africa,
Thailand, Turkey, the Ukraine, and Venezuela. The following
countries have entered into new income tax conventions with the
United States that supersede prior income tax conventions
reported in Rev. Rul. 97-31: Austria, Denmark, Ireland,
Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
TO CLAIM AN EXEMPTION
Taxpayers claiming an exemption from U.S. Federal income tax
under section 872(b) of the Code must file a return on Form
1040NR (U.S. Income Tax Return of a Nonresident Alien).
Taxpayers claiming an exemption from U.S. Federal income tax
under section 883 must file a return on Form 1120F (U.S. Income
Tax Return of a Foreign Corporation). Both must comply with the
relevant provisions of section 8 of Rev. Proc. 91-12, 1991-1 C.B.
473.
EFFECT ON OTHER REVENUE RULINGS
Rev. Rul. 97-31 and Rev. Rul. 89-42 are modified and
superseded.
DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal author of this revenue ruling is Patricia A.
Bray of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (International).

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For information regarding this revenue ruling contact Ms. Bray on
(202) 622-3880 (not a toll-free call).

TABLE I
Countries Currently Granting Equivalent Exemptions For
Income From The International Operation of
Ships and Aircraft
PART A - EXCHANGE OF NOTES
1
TYPES OF SHIPPING AND AIRCRAFT INCOME EXEMPTED
2
Opera- Full Bare- Con- Capital
ting Rental Boat tainer Gains
3
Countries Cumulative Bulletin Income (Time Rental Rental
3
And Or Internal Revenue or voy-
Territories Bulletin Citation age char-
ter)
_____________ ____________________ _____________________________________________________
Argentina 1988-1 C.B. 456 X X X X X
Bahamas 1988-1 C.B. 458 X X X X -
Bahrain 2000-46 I.R.B. 475 X X X X X
Belgium 1988-1 C.B. 459 X X - X -
Bolivia
4
1988-1 C.B. 460 X X X X -
Chile
5
1991-1 C.B. 304 X X X
3
X-
Colombia 1988-1 C.B. 461 X X X X -
Cyprus 1989-2 C.B. 332 X X X X -
Denmark 1988-1 C.B. 462 X X X X -
El Salvador
5
1988-1 C.B. 463 X X X X X
Ethiopia 1999-1 C.B. 1134 X X X X X
Fiji 1996-2 C.B. 202 X X X X X
Finland 1989-2 C.B. 334 X X X X -
Greece 1988-2 C.B. 366 X X X X -
Hong Kong
6/7
1995-1 C.B. 228 X X X X X
India 1990-2 C.B. 316 X X X
3
XX
Isle of Man
6
1990-2 C.B. 317 X X X X X
Japan 1990-2 C.B. 318 X X X X -
Jordan 1996-2 C.B. 202 X X X X -
Liberia 1988-1 C.B. 463 X X X X X
Luxembourg 1996-2 C.B. 203 X X X X -
Malaysia 1990-2 C.B. 319 X X X
3
XX
Malta 1997-1 C.B. 314 X X X X X

-9-
Marshall
Islands 1990-2 C.B. 321 X X X X X
Norway 1991-1 C.B. 304 X X X X X
Pakistan
6
1991-1 C.B. 305 X
8
----
Panama 1988-2 C.B. 366 X X X X -
Peru
6
1989-2 C.B. 335 X X X
3
X-
Saudi Arabia
9
2000-22 I.R.B. 1126 X X X X X
St. Vincent &
Grenadines 1989-2 C.B. 336 X X X X -
Singapore 1990-2 C.B. 323 X X X X -
Sweden 1988-1 C.B. 466 X X X
3
X-
Taiwan 1989-2 C.B. 337 X X X X -
United Arab
Emirates 1998-2 C.B. 528 X X X X X
Venezuela 1988-1 C.B. 467 X X X
3
XX

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PART B - DOMESTIC LAW
TYPES OF SHIPPING AND AIRCRAFT INCOME EXEMPTED
2
Opera- Full Bare- Con- Capital
Date ting Rental Boat tainer Gains
3
Countries Foreign Income (Time Rental Rental
3
and Law or voy-
Territories Reviewed age char-
ter)
___________ ____________
_____________________________________________________
Antigua &
Barbuda
6
NOV 1991 X X X X X
Aruba JUNE 1999 X X X X -
Barbados OCT 1989 X X X X X
Bermuda NOV 1988 X X X X X
Brazil
10
DEC 1988 X X X
3
X-
Bulgaria FEB 1989 X X X X X
Cayman
Islands
11
JAN 1987 X X X X X
Chile
6
OCT 1988 X X X X X
Ecuador
6/12
DEC 1989 X X X
3
XX
Israel FEB 1991 X X X X X
Netherlands OCT 1988 X X X
3
X-
Netherlands
Antilles MAY 1988 X X X X X
Peru
5
SEPT 1995 X X X X X
Portugal
10
Ships JUNE 1989 X X X - -
Aircraft FEB 1989 X X X - -
Qatar
5
AUG 1994 X
8
-- - -
Spain
13
DEC 1988 X X - X -
Surinam NOV 1999 X X X X X
Turkey
14
JAN 1987 X - - X -
Turks & Caicos
11
FEB 1990 X X X X X
U.S. Virgin
Islands OCT 1988 X X X X X
Vanuatu MAY 1987 X X X X X

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TABLE II
Countries Currently Granting by Income Tax Convention
Equivalent Exemptions For Purposes of Qualifying a
Shareholder Under Section 883(c)(1)
15
BASIS FOR EXEMPTION TYPES OF SHIPPING AND AIRCRAFT INCOME EXEMPTED
2
Resi- Resi- Resi- Opera- Full Bare- Con- Capital
Dence dence dence ting Rental Boat tainer Gains
Countries Based & Flag & Flag Income (Time Rental Rental
and No Reci- Uni- or voy-
Territories Flag procal lateral age char-
ter)
____________ _______________________
_____________________________________________________
Australia X X X
16
X
17
X
17
X
3/18
Austria
19
XXX
20
X
20
XX
Barbados X X X
20
X
20
XX
Belgium X
21
XX
3
X
3
X
3
X
3
Canada X X X X X X
China
22
(Peoples
Republic) X X X
20
X
20
XX
Cyprus X X X
20
X
20
XX
Czech
Republic X X X X
3
XX
Denmark
19
X XXX
20
XX
Egypt X X X
3
X
3
X
3
-
Estonia
19
X XXX
3
XX
Finland X X X
3
X
3
X
23
X
France X X X X
20
X
3
X
3
Germany
24
X XX-XX
Greece X X
8
----
Hungary X X X
3
X
3
XX
Iceland X
25
XX
3
X
3
X
3
X
India X X X
3
X
3
XX
3/26
Indonesia X X X X
27
X
3
X
Ireland
19
X XXX
20
XX
Israel X X X
3
X
3
X
3
X
3
Italy
28/29
X
25
XX
30
X
3
XX
3
Jamaica X X X
20
X
20
XX
3

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Japan
28
X
31
XX
3
X
3
X
3
X
3
Kazakhstan X X X X
20
XX
Korea X X X
32
-X
3
-
Latvia
19
X XXX
17
XX
Lithuania
19
X XXX
17
X
3
X
Luxembourg
19
X XXX
20
XX
Mexico X X X X
23
XX
Morocco X
21
X
8
---X
3
Netherlands X X X
3
X
3
-X
New Zealand X X X X
3
X
3
X
18
Norway
28
XXX
32
X
3
X
3
X
Pakistan
5
XX
8
----
Philippines
6
X ----X
3
Poland X
25
XX
3
X
3
X
3
X
Portugal X X X X
3
-X
Romania X X X
3
X
3
X
3
X
Russian
Federation X X X X
20
XX
Slovak
Republic X X X X
3
XX
Slovenia
19
X XXX
20
XX
South
Africa
19
X XXX
20
XX
Spain X X X X
3
XX
Sweden X X X X
3
XX
Switzerland
19
XXX
33
X
3
-X
Thailand
19
X
5
XXX
3
X
3
X
X
6
----X
Trinidad &
Tobago X
25
XX
3
X
3
-X
Tunisia X X X
20
X
20
X
3
X
Turkey
19
X XXX
3
XX
Ukraine
19
X XXX
20
XX
3
USSR/NIS
34
XX
8
---X
3
U.K.
29
X
25
XXX
3
XX
3

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Venezuela
19
X XXX
20
XX

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FOOTNOTES TO TABLES
1 Notes signed prior to the Technical and Miscellaneous
Revenue Act of 1988 will be interpreted in accordance with
Technical Corrections enacted by that Act.
2 Unless otherwise footnoted, an “X” indicates full exemption
whether or not there is a permanent establishment.
3 The tax exemption is available only if the income is
incidental to operating income.
4 The note was ratified by the Bolivian Congress and signed by
the Bolivian President. The note and exemption officially
became effective upon publication in the official Gazette on
March 31, 1999, for income earned after that date.
5 This exemption applies to aircraft only.
6 This exemption applies to shipping only.
7 This diplomatic note applies to Hong Kong before July 1,
1997, and pursuant to Notice 97-40, 1997-2 C.B. 287, to the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's
Republic of China on or after July 1, 1997. The note does
not apply with respect to the People's Republic of China,
which will continue to be treated as a separate country for
purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.
8 Operating income is not defined.
9 The note is effective for all taxable years beginning on or
after January 1, 1999, and for all prior open taxable years.
10 Brazilian and Portuguese statutes exempt only companies.
11 The country generally imposes no income tax.
12 This exemption is generally effective for all open years
beginning on or after January 1, 1987.
13 The Spanish statute exempts only corporations.
14 See generally Rev. Rul. 87-18, 1987-1 C.B. 178 (explaining
the application of Turkey’s domestic-law exemption).
15 Table II is relevant only in determining whether a
shareholder of a foreign corporation seeking an exemption
from tax under section 883 is a shareholder that qualifies
under section 883(c)(1) because the shareholder’s country of
residence grants an equivalent exemption under an income tax
convention with the United States. Table II is not relevant
in determining whether a nonresident alien individual or

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foreign corporation itself is eligible to claim an exemption
under section 872(b) or 883(a), respectively.
16 Lessor must either regularly lease ships or aircraft on a
full basis or operate them in international traffic.
17 This exemption applies if the ships or aircraft are operated
in international traffic by the lessee, and the rental
income is incidental to the operation of ships or aircraft
in international traffic by the lessor.
18 Except to the extent depreciation has been allowed in the
other country.
19 The following income tax treaties were ratified after the
publication of Rev. Rul. 97-31 and are generally effective
on the following dates:
Austria................. January 1, 1999
Denmark................. January 1, 2001
Estonia................. January 1, 2000
Ireland................. January 1, 1998
Latvia.................. January 1, 2000
Lithuania............... January 1, 2000
Luxembourg.............. January 1, 2001
Slovenia................ January 1, 2002
South Africa............ January 1, 1998
Switzerland............. January 1, 1998
Thailand................ January 1, 1998
Turkey.................. January 1, 1998
Ukraine................. January 1, 2001
Venezuela............... January 1, 2000
The U.S.-Slovenia tax treaty entered into force on June 22,
2001. The treaty applies, with respect to taxes withheld at
source, in respect of amounts paid or credited on or after
September 1, 2001, and, with regard to other taxes, in
respect of taxable years beginning on or after January 1,
2002.
20 This exemption applies if the ships or aircraft are operated
in international traffic by the lessee, or the rental income
is incidental to the operation of ships or aircraft in
international traffic by the lessor.
21 In the case of aircraft only, the registration may be in the
country of residence or in any country with a treaty
providing a reciprocal exemption between such country and
the country of residence.
22 Pursuant to Notice 97-40, 1997-2 C.B. 287, the treaty
between the United States and the People's Republic of China
(China) will continue to apply only to China and will not

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apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the
People's Republic of China.
23 The exemption applies except where the containers are used
solely between places within the other Contracting State.
24 This treaty is effective for the eastern States of Germany
(the former East Germany) from January 1, 1991.
25 Documentation or registration required for ships or aircraft
of United States residents only.
26 This treaty exempts gains derived by an enterprise of a
Contracting State if the ships, aircraft or containers are
owned and operated by the enterprise and the income from
them is taxable only in that State.
27 Income from the bareboat rental of aircraft used in
international traffic is exempt. Income from the bareboat
rental of ships also is exempt if the ship is operated in
international traffic and if the lessee is not a resident
of, or does not have a permanent establishment in, the other
Contracting State.
28 See also the diplomatic notes or protocol accompanying this
treaty.
29 The United States has entered into new treaties with Italy
and the United Kingdom, but neither treaty has entered into
force as of the date of publication of this ruling.
30 This exemption applies if the ship or aircraft is operated
in international traffic or if the rental income is
incidental to income from such international operation.
31 With regard to residents of Japan, the ships or aircraft
need not be registered in Japan if the ships or aircraft are
leased by such a resident.
32 As a result of correspondence, it was clarified that income
from the international operation of ships or aircraft
includes this category of income.
33 This exemption applies if the ships or aircraft are used by
the lessee in international traffic.
34 The U.S. - U.S.S.R. income tax treaty signed June 20, 1973,
continues to apply to the New Independent States (NIS) of
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.