n-02-69.pdf

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Notice 2002-69

Interest Rates and Appropriate Foreign Loss Payment Patterns For Determining the Qualified
Insurance Income of Certain Controlled Corporations under Section 954(i).

I. PURPOSE

This Notice provides interim guidance for determining the interest rates and appropriate foreign
loss payment patterns to be used by controlled foreign corporations in calculating their qualified
insurance income under section 954(i) of the Internal Revenue Code. Taxpayers may rely on the
guidance in this Notice until regulations or other guidance are published.

II. BACKGROUND

In general, a United States shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) must include
in gross income its pro rata share of the CFC’s Subpart F income for each year. I.R.C. Sec.
951(a). Subpart F income includes, among other types of income, foreign base company income.
Sec. 952(a). Section 954(a)(1) defines the term “foreign base company income” to include,
among other types of income, foreign personal holding company income. Section 954(c)(1) sets
forth the types of income (e.g., interest and dividends) that are considered to be foreign personal
holding company income. Sec. 954(c)(1)(A).

Section 954(i)(1) provides that for purposes of section 954(c)(1), foreign personal holding
company income does not include “qualified insurance income” of a “qualifying insurance
company”. Section 954(i)(2) defines the term “qualified insurance income” to mean income of a
qualifying insurance company falling into either of two categories. First, income received from
unrelated persons and derived from investments made by a qualifying insurance company or
qualifying insurance company branch (collectively referred to as a “QIC”) either of its reserves
allocable to exempt contracts or of 80 percent of its unearned premiums from exempt contracts
(as both are determined in accordance with section 954(i)(4)). Sec. 954(i)(2)(A). Second,
income received from unrelated persons and derived from investments made by a QIC of an
amount of its assets allocable to exempt contracts equal to: (1) in the case of property, casualty,
or health insurance contracts, one-third of the premiums earned on those contracts during such
year; and (2) in the case of life insurance or annuity contracts, 10 percent of the reserves
described in section 954(i)(2)(A) for such contracts. Sec. 954(i)(2)(B).

For purposes of determining the first category of qualified insurance income, section 954(i)(4)(A)
provides that the unearned premiums and reserves of a QIC with respect to property, casualty, or
health insurance contracts shall be determined using the same methods and interest rates that
would be used if such QIC were subject to tax under Subchapter L, subject to two modifications,
discussed below. Under the general rules of Subchapter L, an insurance company (other than a
life insurance company) determines its “discounted unpaid losses” (as defined under section
846), which is a type of insurance reserve, at the end of each taxable year by taking the sum of
discounted unpaid losses separately computed with respect to unpaid losses in each line of
business attributable to each accident year. Sec. 846(a)(1). The amount of discounted unpaid

losses as of the end of any taxable year attributable to any accident year is the present value of
such unpaid losses determined by using: (1) the amount of undiscounted unpaid losses; (2) the
applicable interest rate; and (3) the applicable loss payment pattern. Sec. 846(a)(2).

For purposes of determining the unearned premiums and reserves of a QIC, section 954(i)(4)(A)
makes two modifications to these general Subchapter L rules, as stated above. First, the QIC
must use the interest rate determined for the functional currency of a QIC calculated in the same
manner as the Federal mid-term rate under section 1274(d), except as provided by the Secretary.
Sec. 954(i)(4)(A)(i). Second, the QIC must use the “appropriate foreign loss payment pattern”.
Sec. 954(i)(4)(A)(ii).

This Notice provides rules for computing the discounted unpaid losses of a CFC by applying the
general rules of section 846, as modified by section 954(i)(4), when determining: (1) the amount
of undiscounted unpaid losses; (2) the applicable interest rate; and (3) the applicable loss
payment pattern.

III. UNDISCOUNTED UNPAID LOSSES

A. General Rule

The term “undiscounted unpaid losses” means the unpaid losses shown on the annual statement
filed by the taxpayer for the year ending with or within the taxable year of the taxpayer. Sec.
846(b)(1). The term “annual statement” means the annual statement approved by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners which the taxpayer is required to file with the insurance
regulatory authorities of the State. Sec. 846(f)(3).

B. Undiscounted Unpaid Losses for a QIC

A QIC does not file an annual statement as defined under section 843(f)(3). As a result, a QIC
shall use the undiscounted unpaid losses reflected on the statement or report filed with a foreign
regulatory authority. If no statement or report is filed with a foreign regulatory authority, or if the
statement or report that is filed does not reflect undiscounted unpaid losses, a QIC shall use the
undiscounted unpaid losses used for financial reporting purposes in the United States.

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IV. APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE

A. General Rule

The amount of discounted unpaid losses as of the end of any taxable year is the present value of
the unpaid losses calculated by using the “applicable interest rate”. Sec. 846(a)(2). The
applicable interest rate for purposes of section 846 is the average of the applicable Federal mid-
term rates (as defined in section 1274(d), but based on annual compounding) effective as of the
beginning of each of the calendar months in the test period. Sec. 846(c)(2)(A). The test period is
the most recent 60-calendar-month period ending before the beginning of the calendar year for
which the determination is made. Sec. 846(c)(1)(B).

A. Applicable Interest Rate For A QIC

Section 954(i)(4)(A) provides that the unearned premiums and reserves of a QIC shall be
determined using the same methods and interest rates as if such QIC were subject to Subchapter
L, except that the interest rate determined for the functional currency of a QIC, except as
provided by the Secretary, is substituted for the applicable Federal interest rate. Accordingly, if
the functional currency of a QIC is the U.S. dollar, the applicable interest rate is a 60-month
average of the applicable federal mid-term rates published in accordance with Treas. Reg.
§1.1274-4(b) (using annual compounding). If the functional currency of the QIC is a currency
other than the U.S. dollar, the applicable interest rate is a 60-month average of the interest rates
for the functional currency of the QIC determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.1274-4(d)
(using annual compounding).

V. APPLICABLE LOSS PAYMENT PATTERN

A. General Rule

Section 846(d)(1) directs the Secretary to determine a loss payment pattern for each line of
insurance business for each determination year. Any loss payment pattern determined by the
Secretary shall apply to the accident year ending with the determination year and to each of four
succeeding accident years. Sec. 846(d)(1). The term “line of business” means a category for the
reporting of loss payment patterns determined on the basis of the annual statement for fire and
casualty insurance companies for the calendar year ending with or within the taxable year, except
that multiple peril lines of business are treated as a single line of business. Sec. 846(f)(4). The
term “determination year” means calendar year 1987 and each fifth calendar year thereafter. Sec.
846(d)(4).

Determinations under section 846(d)(1) for any determination year are made by the Secretary: (1)
by using the aggregate experience reported on the annual statements of insurance companies; (2)
on the basis of the most recently published data from such annual statements relating to loss
payment patterns available on the first day of the determination year; (3) as if losses paid or

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treated as paid during any year were paid during the middle of such year; and (4) in accordance
with the computational rules set forth in section 846(d)(3). Sec. 846(d)(2).

Under section 846(e)(1), a taxpayer may elect to use a loss payment pattern for lines of business
determined by reference to the taxpayer’s loss payment patterns for the most recent calendar year
for which an annual statement was filed before the beginning of the determination year. Sec.
846(e)(1). Any determination must be made with the application of the rules of section
846(d)(2)(C) and 846(d)(3). Sec. 846(e)(1). A taxpayer may elect to discount unpaid losses
using its own historical loss payment pattern instead of the industry-wide pattern determined by
the Secretary if it has one or more eligible lines of business. Treas. Reg. §1.846-2(a). A
taxpayer’s election applies to all eligible lines of business. Treas. Reg. §1.846-2(a). A line of
business is an eligible line of business in a determination year if, on the most recent annual
statement filed by the taxpayer before the beginning of that determination year, the taxpayer
reports losses and loss expenses for at least the number of accident years for which those losses
and loss expenses are required to be reported on an annual statement. Treas. Reg. §1.846-2(b).

An election is made separately for each determination year. Sec. 846(e)(2)(A). Unless revoked
with consent of the Secretary, this election applies to accident years ending with the
determination year and to each of the four succeeding accident years. Sec. 846(e)(2)(B). An
election is made on the taxpayer’s return for the taxable year in which the determination year
ends. Sec. 846(e)(2)(C). No election is allowed for any international or reinsurance line of
business. Sec. 846(e)(3).

B. Appropriate Foreign Loss Payment Pattern for a QIC

Section 954(i)(4)(A)(ii) states that a QIC shall use the “appropriate foreign loss payment
pattern.” A QIC may determine the appropriate foreign loss payment patterns for each respective
line of insurance business under either of the following two options.

(1) A QIC may elect to use the most recent loss payment patterns for one or more
lines of business published by the foreign country provided the Secretary has
approved the use of such patterns in a Revenue Ruling or other published
guidance. (Hereinafter referred to as Option 1.) Treasury and the Internal
Revenue Service invite taxpayers to submit information regarding any existing or
subsequently published foreign loss payment pattern so that the Secretary can
make a determination and, if appropriate, issue guidance indicating that such
foreign loss payment pattern may be used by a QIC under Option 1.

(2) A QIC may elect to use its own loss payment patterns for any lines of business
sold by the QIC in a foreign country. (Hereinafter referred to as Option 2.) In
general, to make this election, a QIC must have sufficient historical information
for a line of business to qualify as an eligible line of business under Treas. Reg. §
1.846-2(b). However, for this purpose a line of business corresponding to one
listed in section 846(d)(3)(A)(ii) may qualify as an eligible line of business if a

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QIC has historical data for that line of business for at least four years after the
accident year.

As stated above, a QIC may make different elections for each separate line of business.
Notwithstanding section 846(e)(3), an election may be made for any line of business conducted
by a QIC, including any international or nonproportional reinsurance line of business. A QIC
that makes an election to apply Option 1 or 2 for a taxable year with respect to a line of business
must treat as a determination year for that line of business the accident year with which or during
which the taxable year of the election ends. The election applies to the determination year and to
each of the four succeeding accident years, unless the election is revoked with consent of the
Secretary. If a QIC does not make an election to apply either Option 1 or 2 for one or more lines
of business, then the appropriate foreign loss payment pattern for such line or lines of business
shall be the applicable loss payment patterns set forth in the tables published by the Secretary
under section 846(d).

Except as otherwise provided in section 954(i) and this Notice, section 846 and the regulations
promulgated thereunder apply in determining the amount of a QIC’s discounted unpaid losses.

Special Rules for Applying Option 2

For purposes of Option 2, the computational rules in section 846(d)(3) shall be followed in
determining the appropriate foreign loss payment pattern for an eligible line of business, subject
to the following modifications for lines of business corresponding to those listed in section
846(d)(3)(A)(ii). First, the period taken into account under section 846(d)(3)(A)(ii) shall be
extended to at least the tenth year after the accident year, but not beyond the 15
th
year after the
accident year. Second, the amount paid in the last year after the accident year for which data are
available shall be treated as paid in each subsequent year (or, if lesser, the portion of the unpaid
losses not theretofore taken into account shall be treated as being paid). However, if application
of the previous sentence results in a payment pattern that ends before the tenth year after the
accident year, then the amount of unpaid losses remaining after the years for which loss payment
data are available shall be treated as paid equally in each year thereafter, ending in the tenth year
after the accident year.

Example 1. A QIC has data for seven years after the accident year (AY+0) for its
“private passenger auto liability” line. The percentage of losses paid are 32% for
AY+0, 27% for AY+1 (one year after the accident year), 14% for AY+2, 8% for
AY+3, 5% for AY+4, 3% for AY+5, 3% for AY+6, and 2% for AY+7. This is an
eligible line. The QIC elects Option 2 for this line of business, and extends the
payment period to AY+10. The payment percentages for the years AY+8, AY+9,
and AY+10 are 2% in each year.

Example 2. Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that the payment
percentage for year AY+7 is 3%. In this case, use of 3% for the remaining years
would terminate the payment pattern in AY+9. Accordingly, the QIC must treat

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1.66% as being paid in years AY+8, AY+9, and AY+10.

Example 3. Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that the payment
percentage for year AY+7 is 1%. In this case, the QIC must extend the payment
period to AY+14 and use 1% for the remaining years from AY+8 through AY+14.

If a taxpayer elects Option 2 for a line of business for which there are fewer than nine years of
historical data after the accident year, then the taxpayer shall determine a new payment pattern
using the computational rules of section 846(d)(3), as modified by this Notice, for each year after
the determination year, until such time that the taxpayer has historical data for nine years after the
accident year.

Example 4. Assume the same facts as in Example 1. The taxpayer has elected
Option 2 for this line of business, but has data in the determination year for only
seven years after the accident year. Accordingly, the taxpayer must determine a
new payment pattern for the accident year immediately following the
determination year using updated information for the accident year plus eight
years after the accident year. The taxpayer must also determine a new payment
pattern for the second accident year following the determination year using
updated information for the accident year plus nine years after the accident year.
This last payment pattern shall apply to the last three accident years for which the
5-year election to use Option 2 is applicable.

VI. MANNER FOR MAKING ELECTION

Controlling U.S. shareholders shall make the elections referred to in this Notice on behalf of a
QIC by applying the rules of Treas. Reg. §1.964-1(c)(3).

VII. EFFECTIVE DATE RULES

Regulations to be issued under section 954(i) concerning the issues addressed in this Notice will
be effective for taxable years beginning on or after the date such regulations are published as
final in the Federal Register. Until such regulations are issued, controlling shareholders of a QIC
may rely on this Notice to determine the interest rates and appropriate foreign loss payment
patterns of a QIC for purposes of section 954(i). Controlling U.S. shareholders also may apply
the guidance in this Notice to prior taxable years.

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VIII. PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

The collections of information contained in the notice have been reviewed and approved by the
Office of Management and Budget for review in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
(44 U.S.C. 3507) under control number 1545-1799.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number.

The collections of information in this notice are in section V headed Applicable Loss Payment
Patterns. This information is required by the IRS to determine whether a QIC is allowed to
determine its income by using its own payment pattern data for a particular line of business. The
information will be used on examination to determine whether a QIC is calculating its foreign
loss payment patterns correctly. The likely respondents are U.S. shareholders that own foreign
insurance companies.

The estimated total annual reporting burden is 300 hours.

The estimated average annual burden per respondent is 1 hour.

The estimated number of respondents is 300.

The estimated annual frequency of responses is once.

Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents
may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns
and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.

IX. REQUEST FOR COMMENTS AND DRAFTING INFORMATION

The IRS and Treasury request comments on the rules described in this Notice and on the
additional issues, if any, that should be addressed when regulations under section 954(i) are
issued. Written comments may be submitted to the Associate Chief Counsel (International),
Attention: Steven Jensen (Notice 2002-69), Room 4562, CC:Intl:Br5, Internal Revenue Service,
1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20224. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit
comments directly to the IRS Internet site at
http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/tax_regs/comments.html.
Comments will be available for public
inspection and copying. Treasury and the IRS request comments by March 28, 2003. For further
information regarding this Notice, contact Steven Jensen of the Office of Associate Chief
Counsel (International) at 202-622-3870 (not a toll-free call).

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