LIFO Regs

 [4830-01-p]

[2] ACTION: Final regulations.

[3] SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations under section 472 of the Internal Revenue Code that relate to accounting for inventories under the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The final regulations provide guidance regarding methods of valuing dollar- value LIFO pools and affect persons who elect to use the dollar-value LIFO and inventory price index computation (IPIC) methods or who receive dollar-value LIFO inventories in certain nonrecognition transactions.

[4] DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective on December 31, 2001.

[5] Applicability Date: For dates of applicability, see §§1.472-8(e)(3)(v) and 1.472-8(h)(4).

[6] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leo F. Nolan II at (202) 622-4970 (not a toll-free call).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Paperwork Reduction Act

[7] The collections of information in this final rule have been reviewed and, pending receipt and evaluation of public comments, approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 3507 and assigned control number 1545-1767. The collections of information in this regulation are in §1.472-8(e)(3)(iii)(B)(3) and (e)(3)(iv). To elect the IPIC method, a taxpayer must file Form 970, “Application to Use LIFO Inventory Method.” This information is required to inform the Commissioner regarding the taxpayer's elections under the IPIC method. This information will be used to determine whether the taxpayer is properly accounting for its dollar-value pools under the IPIC method. The collections of information are required if the taxpayer wants to obtain the tax benefits of the LIFO method. The likely respondents are business or other for-profit institutions, and/or small businesses or organizations.

[8] An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by the Office of Management and Budget.

[9] The reporting burden contained in §1.472-8(e)(3)(iii)(B)(3) and (e)(3)(iv) is reflected in the burden of Form 970.

[10] Comments on the collections of information should be sent to the Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, with copies to the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer, W:CAR:MP:FP:S, Washington, DC 20224.

[11] 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.

Background

[12] Section 472 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) permits a taxpayer to account for inventories using a last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting. Section 472(f) directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations that permit the use of suitable published governmental price indexes for purposes of the LIFO method. The IRS and Treasury Department prescribed the inventory price index computation (IPIC) method in §1.472-8(e)(3) (TD 7814, 47 FR 11271, 1982-1 C.B. 84) (the current regulations), under the authority contained in sections 472 and 7805. A taxpayer using the IPIC method must base its inventory price indexes on the consumer price indexes or producer price indexes published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The IPIC method was intended to simplify the use of the dollar-value LIFO method, so that the LIFO method could be used by more taxpayers and so that taxpayers already using the dollar-value LIFO method would have a simpler alternative method of computing an index for their dollar-value pool.

[13] On May 19, 2000, the IRS and Treasury Department published a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-107644-98, 65 FR 31841, 2000-23 I.R.B. 1229) (the proposed regulations) intended to simplify and clarify certain aspects of the IPIC method. In addition, the proposed regulations provided rules for computing the LIFO value of a dollar- value pool when a taxpayer receives LIFO inventories in certain nonrecognition transactions. Comments responding to the notice were received, and a public hearing was held on September 15, 2000.

[14] The IRS and Treasury Department received 16 comment letters concerning the proposed regulations. After considering the comments contained in these letters, the IRS and Treasury Department adopt the proposed regulations as revised by this Treasury decision. The comments and revisions are discussed below.

Explanation of Provisions and Summary of Comments

1. Overview

[15] Under the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, inventory on hand at the end of the year is treated as consisting of “layers,” first of inventory on hand at the beginning of the year (in the order of acquisition), and then of any inventory acquired during the current year. Section 1.472-8 permits a taxpayer to use the dollar-value LIFO method, which accounts for all items in an inventory “pool” (dollar-value pool) in terms of dollars of cost rather than in terms of quantities and prices of specific goods. Specifically, the taxpayer annually determines the existence of an increase (increment) or decrease (liquidation) in a dollar- value pool by comparing inventory quantities measured in terms of equivalent-value dollars (base-year cost). The current-year cost of beginning and ending inventory is converted into base-year cost using an inflation index, which is the ratio of the dollar-value pool's total current-year cost to its total base-year cost. By subtracting the base-year cost of the dollar-value pool at the beginning of the taxable year from the base-year cost of the dollar-value pool at the end of the taxable year, the taxpayer determines the amount of any resulting increment or liquidation. Finally, the taxpayer computes the LIFO value of an increment (layer) by multiplying that increment's base-year cost by an inflation index.

[16] The current regulations provide an alternative method for a taxpayer to determine an inflation index. Under the inventory price index computation (IPIC) method, the taxpayer computes an inventory price index (IPI) based on the consumer price indexes (CPI) or producer price indexes (PPI) published monthly by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in the “CPI Detailed Report” and “PPI Detailed Report,” respectively. See also http://www.bls.gov.

[17] To facilitate a taxpayer's use of the IPIC method, the final regulations use new, more-descriptive terms for some IPIC method concepts. For example, pool index has been replaced with IPI, appropriate index has been replaced with category inflation index, and index category has been replaced with BLS index category. Within this preamble, the discussion of the current and proposed regulations uses both old and new terms, and the discussion of the final regulations generally uses the new terms.

2. Inventory Price Index -- 20 percent reduction

[18] The current regulations state that “[a]n inventory price index computed [under the IPIC method] shall be a stated percentage of the percent change in the selected consumer or producer price index or indexes for a specific category or categories of goods.” For this purpose, “stated percentage” means “100 percent” in the case of an eligible small business, as defined in section 474 (i.e., average annual gross receipts for the three preceding taxable years do not exceed $5,000,000), and “80 percent” in all other cases. The proposed regulations retained this 20 percent reduction for large taxpayers.

[19] Several commentators objected to the continuing requirement that large taxpayers reduce the IPI by 20 percent. Some of these commentators opined that the IPIC method is effectively a safe harbor method that significantly simplifies the LIFO computation and reduces IRS and taxpayer controversy; however, the 20 percent reduction is a major deterrent to its use by large taxpayers. Others argued that the CPI and PPI are representative of true inflation and, therefore, the 20 percent reduction decreases the accuracy of the IPIC method. Other commentators recommended that the stated percentage not be decreased by 20 percent until the taxpayer's gross receipts exceed $10,000,000. In their view, a taxpayer's gross receipts are likely to exceed $5,000,000 by the time the taxpayer's business is profitable enough to benefit by changing to the LIFO method.

[20] The 20 percent reduction contained in the current regulations represents a balance between two competing tax policies -- simplification and prevention of adverse selection. The IPIC method was developed originally to simplify the LIFO rules so that small businesses that could not compute an internal inflation index could use the LIFO method. Nonetheless, availability of the method was provided to all taxpayers because it was believed to be too difficult to define the class of taxpayers for which the LIFO rules were unduly burdensome and inappropriate to prevent large taxpayers from using the simplified method. Allowing all taxpayers to use the CPI or PPI regardless of the rate of inflation they actually experienced, however, provided an opportunity for adverse selection whereby a sophisticated taxpayer would adopt the IPIC method only when the inflation reflected in the CPI or PPI exceeded the taxpayer's internal rate of inflation. The 20 percent reduction of the IPI was incorporated into the current regulations to reduce this potential for adverse selection.

[21] The IRS and Treasury Department now believe that the benefits of simplification (and reduced controversy) obtained from the IPIC method outweigh the need to prevent adverse selection. Consequently, the final regulations eliminate the requirement to reduce the IPI by 20 percent. All taxpayers electing to use the IPIC method may use 100 percent of the IPI to compute the LIFO value of a dollar-value pool.

3. Use of 10 Percent Categories and BLS Weights

[22] The current regulations provide rules for assigning the items in a dollar-value pool to the applicable categories listed in the “CPI Detailed Report” or the “PPI Detailed Report” for which the BLS publishes corresponding cumulative price indexes (BLS categories and BLS price indexes, respectively) for purposes of computing the IPI for a dollar-value pool. In very simple terms, taxpayers use a process of elimination to assign all the items in a dollar-value pool to BLS categories that include at least 10 percent of the total inventory value (10 percent BLS categories) and then use the corresponding BLS weights to compute a weighted-average appropriate index for the items assigned to those 10 percent BLS categories.

[23] The proposed regulations eliminate the requirements to use the 10 percent BLS categories and BLS weights to compute an appropriate index because it was believed that these requirements did not provide the intended simplicity but rather added unnecessary complexity to the IPIC method. Instead, the proposed regulations require the taxpayer to assign items in a dollar-value pool to the most-detailed BLS categories listed in the “CPI Detailed Report” or the “PPI Detailed Report,” whichever is applicable, and to weight the BLS price indexes based on the relative current-year cost of the items assigned to those BLS categories.

[24] Several commentators objected to the elimination of the requirement to use the 10 percent BLS categories and BLS weights to compute an appropriate index. They suggested that this regime does in fact provide simplification for some taxpayers and consequently should be retained as an option, particularly for retail grocers that would have to incur substantial administrative costs to have the items contained in their dollar-value pools assigned to numerous, most-detailed BLS categories. Other commentators supported the elimination of the requirement to use BLS weights, arguing that this will reduce both the complexity of the IPIC method and the potential for distortion caused by the use of the BLS weights. However, these commentators generally recommended retention of the 10 percent categories or, alternatively, modification of the proposed rule to permit a taxpayer to assign items in a dollar-value pool to less- detailed BLS categories (e.g., using 6-digit or 4-digit commodity codes in the PPI). Another commentator suggested lowering the testing threshold from 10 percent to 8 percent.

[25] The IRS and Treasury Department now understand that the requirement to use 10 percent BLS categories and BLS weights provides simplicity for some taxpayers but complexity for others. Accordingly, the final regulations retain the 10 percent BLS categories and BLS weights as an elective method (10 percent method) of determining the category inflation index of a 10 percent BLS category. The final regulations clarify, however, that to determine whether a BLS category may be selected under the 10 percent method, a taxpayer must compare the current-year cost of the items in that category to the total current-year cost of the items in the dollar-value pool, not to the total current-year cost of the items in the taxpayer's entire inventory.

4. Weighted Harmonic Mean for Computing Inventory Price Index

[26] A pool index computed using the dollar-value LIFO method should reflect a weighted average of the inflation rates of the items contained in the ending inventory of the dollar-value pool. The current regulations state that the appropriate indexes are weighted according to the relative current-year costs of the items in each selected BLS category. However, the regulations do not state how a taxpayer computes a weighted average of the appropriate indexes using the amount of relative current-year costs in each selected BLS category. An example of IPIC weighting methodology is found in Rev. Proc. 84-57 (1984-2 C.B. 496), which shows the computation of an IPI based on a weighted arithmetic mean of the appropriate indexes. (Weighted Arithmetic Mean = [Sum of (Weight x Appropriate Index)]/Sum of Weights). In addition, an example found in Rev. Proc. 98-49 (1998-2 C.B. 321) uses a weighted arithmetic mean to compute a weighted- average percent change for a selected BLS category.

[27] The proposed regulations provide that the pool index must be computed using a weighted harmonic mean, instead of a weighted arithmetic mean, based on the relative current-year costs in the dollar-value pool. (Weighted Harmonic Mean = Sum of Weights/Sum of (Weight/Appropriate Index)).

[28] Using a weighted arithmetic mean of the category inflation indexes of the BLS categories represented in a dollar-value pool is not a mathematically correct method of computing the IPI for the pool when the corresponding weights are the relative current-year costs at the end of the taxable year. If a taxpayer's dollar-value pool has the same quantity of two items with identical base-year costs, the IPI should reflect the inflation rates of the two items equally. However, a weighted arithmetic mean of the category inflation indexes will assign more weight to the inflation rate of the item that has the higher current-year cost. Thus, the mean will be skewed in favor of BLS categories that experience higher rates of inflation, and the IPI will be overstated. This result also will occur when the items in the dollar-value pool experience deflation because too much weight will be assigned to the BLS categories that experience less deflation.

[29] Several commentators objected to the mandatory use of the weighted harmonic mean when computing an IPI. Acknowledging that an IPI based on a weighted harmonic mean is mathematically correct, these commentators stated that the inaccuracy built into a weighted arithmetic mean is offset (in the case of larger taxpayers) by the 20 percent reduction of the “stated percentage.” Thus, they recommended that taxpayers be permitted to continue computing IPIs based on a weighted arithmetic mean rather than be required to incur additional administrative costs to begin computing IPIs based on a weighted harmonic mean.

[30] The IRS and Treasury Department did not adopt these suggestions because a weighted arithmetic mean based on relative current-year costs at the end of the period is not mathematically correct and the conversion from a weighted arithmetic mean to a weighted harmonic mean is not unduly burdensome. To assist taxpayers that need to change to a weighted harmonic mean, the final regulations include the formula for, and examples of, computing a weighted harmonic mean.

[31] On the other hand, the use of a weighted arithmetic mean is mathematically correct when computing a weighted-average category inflation index based on relative costs at the beginning of the taxable year. The published BLS weights applicable for a taxable year are essentially based on relative costs at the beginning of the period. Therefore, whenever it is necessary to compute the category inflation index of a 10 percent BLS category using BLS weights, taxpayers must compute a weighted arithmetic mean. When computing the IPI for a dollar-value pool, however, even taxpayers electing to use the 10 percent method must use the weighted harmonic mean based on the current-year cost of the items assigned to each 10 percent BLS category.

5. Selecting an Appropriate Month

[32] The current regulations state that a taxpayer not using the retail method must select price indexes “as of the month or months” most appropriate to its method of determining current- year cost (appropriate month), or make a one-time binding election of an appropriate representative month (representative month). In the case of a retailer using the retail method, the appropriate month is the last month of the retailer's taxable year. The IRS has ruled that a month is a representative month if a nexus exists between the selected month, the taxpayer's method of determining current-year cost, and the taxpayer's historic experience of inventory purchases. Rev. Rul. 89-29 (1989-1 C.B. 168). In practice, many taxpayers have been confused about the meaning of “month or months most appropriate to the taxpayer's method of determining current-year cost.”

[33] The proposed regulations clarify that for each dollar- value pool, a taxpayer not using the retail method either must annually select an appropriate month or must make an election to use a representative month. The principles of Rev. Rul. 89-29, which have been incorporated into the final regulations, continue to apply for the purpose of determining whether a particular month is appropriate or representative.

[34] Several commentators stated that taxpayers should be permitted to use two IPIs for each taxable year (dual indexes), so that they will not be denied the right to use the earliest acquisitions method of determining current-year costs. These commentators suggest that a taxpayer whose accounting system determines the current-year cost of ending inventory using a first- in, first-out (FIFO) method (i.e., most recent purchases) could compute an IPI based on indexes selected from the CPI or PPI applicable to a month late in the taxable year to deflate the current-year cost of items in ending inventory for the purpose of determining whether an increment or liquidation has occurred during the taxable year. If there is an increment, the taxpayer would compute a second IPI based on indexes selected from the CPI or PPI applicable to a month early in the taxable year to inflate the base- year cost of the increment to its LIFO value based on its “pricing election” (i.e., earliest acquisitions).

[35] The IRS and Treasury Department did not adopt this suggestion for several reasons. First, the IPIC method and the earliest acquisitions method are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the current and proposed IPIC regulations clearly permit an electing taxpayer to use any method of determining current-year cost permitted under §1.472-8(e)(2)(ii), including the earliest acquisitions method. A dual index IPIC method is not needed to ensure that an electing taxpayer will be able to use the earliest acquisitions method. However, the earliest acquisitions method is available under the IPIC method only to a taxpayer that actually computes the current-year cost of its ending inventory using the earliest acquisitions method because use of a dual index is inconsistent with the IPIC method's concept of an appropriate month. The appropriate month concept requires a taxpayer to select a month that correlates with its actual method of computing current-year cost and its experience with inventory purchases. As explained in Rev. Rul. 89-29, “[t]he timing of the index (and the month selected) must relate to the timing of the determination of current-year cost, otherwise distortion would occur.” The determination of an appropriate month is not a choice between equally acceptable methods of determining current-year cost, but depends on the taxpayer's actual method of determining current-year cost and actual purchases. Thus, a taxpayer using a calendar tax year may select January as the appropriate month only if items represented in the ending inventory were purchased in January and the taxpayer determines the current- year cost of the ending inventory based on the cost of those January purchases.

[36] Moreover, though a dual index IPIC method would eliminate the requirement to determine the actual earliest acquisitions cost of the items in a dollar-value pool, the method would not simplify a taxpayer's use of the dollar-value LIFO method. A dual index IPIC method will require an electing taxpayer to compute (and the IRS to examine) twice as many category inflation indexes because the taxpayer would need BLS price indexes that reflect its inflation experience under the most recent purchases method as well as under the earliest acquisitions method. Similarly, a dual index IPIC method would require a taxpayer to select twice as many appropriate or representative months for each taxable year. Not only does the requirement to select two appropriate months increase the complexity of the IPIC method, it also decreases the accuracy of the method as some accuracy is lost as a result of determining the appropriate month for the entire pool rather than for each inventory item or each BLS category.

[37] In summary, the IPIC method was intended to simplify the dollar-value LIFO method, primarily so it could be used by taxpayers that were otherwise unable to use the method. The IPIC method was neither intended nor designed to serve as a surrogate for determining the earliest acquisitions cost of the items in a dollar-value pool. The prohibition on the use of dual indexes in connection with the IPIC method, however, does not necessarily mean that the use of dual indexes will be prohibited in the context of other LIFO methods.

[38] Several commentators objected to the rule that requires a taxpayer using both the retail method and LIFO method to use the last month of the taxable year as its appropriate month. In their view, a month in the middle of the year would be more representative because the retail method produces an average cost for a group of goods based on purchases for an entire year.

[39] The IRS and Treasury Department did not adopt this suggestion because they believe that the appropriate month for a taxpayer using the retail method is the last month of the taxable year. Section 1.471-8 generally requires that a taxpayer adjust retail selling prices of the goods on hand at the end of the year to cost based on the ratio of goods available for sale at cost to goods available for sale at retail (the cost complement percentage). While this ratio may reflect an average cost complement percentage for the year, it is applied to retail selling prices of the goods on hand at the end of the taxable year rather than the average retail selling price of these goods during the year. Consequently, the approximate cost determined under the retail method is not necessarily equal to the average cost of the inventory.

[40] One commentator suggested that the final regulations should include factors for determining an appropriate month. Other commentators requested an example showing how to determine an appropriate month when a short taxable year follows the first taxable year that a taxpayer uses the IPIC method. In response to these comments, the final regulations incorporate the guidance on an appropriate representative month (including three of the examples) found in Rev. Rul. 89-29.

6. Calculation of a Category Inflation Index

[41] The proposed regulations generally provide that in the case of a taxpayer using the double-extension IPIC method, the inflation index for a selected BLS category is equal to the quotient of the BLS price index for the appropriate or representative month of the current taxable year and the month preceding the first day of the base year. In the case of a taxpayer using the link-chain IPIC method, the inflation index for a selected BLS category is equal to the BLS price index for the appropriate or representative month of the current taxable year divided by the appropriate or representative month used for the immediately preceding taxable year. However, if the first taxable year the taxpayer uses the IPIC method also is the first taxable year the taxpayer uses the dollar-value LIFO method, the inflation index is equal to the quotient of the published cumulative index for the appropriate or representative month for the current taxable year divided by the published cumulative index for the month immediately preceding the first day of the taxable year.

[42] Several commentators argued that the prescribed calculation for the first taxable year a taxpayer uses both the dollar-value LIFO and IPIC methods is likely to overstate or understate inflation if the taxpayer has opening inventories, unless the opening inventories were purchased during the last month of the preceding taxable year. To address this concern, the commentators suggested that a taxpayer be permitted to compare the BLS price index for the appropriate month of the first LIFO taxable year with the BLS price index for the appropriate month of the taxpayer's last non-LIFO taxable year. Another commentator suggested that the denominator in this formula should be the BLS price index that reflects prices during the last inventory turn of the immediately preceding taxable year.

[43] The IRS and Treasury Department agree with the commentators' concerns. In addition, the IRS and Treasury Department recognize that the same problem exists under the proposed regulations as a result of the requirement to use the month preceding the first day of the base year to compute an appropriate index under the double-extension IPIC method. Accordingly, the final regulations generally provide that a category inflation index should be computed with reference to the BLS price indexes for an appropriate month of the year preceding its LIFO election (in the case of the double- extension IPIC method) or of the preceding year (in the case of the link-chain IPIC method). In addition, the final regulations incorporate the general guidance of Rev. Proc. 98-49 concerning the computation of a category inflation index when a selected BLS category is revised for the taxable year.

7. Scope of an IPIC Method Election

[44] The current regulations generally require a taxpayer using the IPIC method to use that method to account for all items accounted for using the LIFO method (LIFO inventory items). The current regulations also prohibit the use of the IPIC method by a taxpayer that is eligible to use BLS price indexes prepared for the purpose of valuing the LIFO inventory items of a specific industry. For example, a taxpayer eligible to use the BLS retail price indexes published in “Department Store Inventory Price Indexes” (DSIP indexes) may not use the IPIC method.

[45] The proposed regulations liberalize the eligibility restrictions applicable to the IPIC method in two respects. First, a taxpayer must use the IPIC method for all items accounted for under the dollar-value LIFO method, but not for all items accounted for under the LIFO method. Second, a taxpayer eligible to use DSIP indexes may elect to use the IPIC method for all its LIFO inventory items or for those LIFO inventory items that do not fall within any of the 23 major groups listed in “Department Store Inventory Price Indexes.”

[46] Several commentators objected to the proposed general requirement that an electing taxpayer use the IPIC method for all its LIFO inventory items. In their view, section 446(d) permits a taxpayer to elect the IPIC method for each trade or business. The requirement to use the IPIC method for all LIFO inventory items, as originally promulgated, was designed to prevent adverse selection. The IRS and Treasury Department understand, however, that taxpayers often have valid business reasons for using the IPIC method in some businesses but not in others. For example, a taxpayer may have difficulty using the double-extension method in one of its trades or businesses but not in another. Accordingly, the final regulations permit a taxpayer to limit its IPIC election to one or more specific trades or businesses.

8. Selection of “CPI Detailed Report” or “PPI Detailed Report”

[47] The current regulations state that a retailer may select price indexes from the “CPI Detailed Report” or the “PPI Detailed Report,” but if equally appropriate price indexes may be selected from either, a retailer using the retail method must select from the “CPI Detailed Report,” and a retailer not using the retail method must select from the “PPI Detailed Report.”

[48] The proposed regulations eliminate the requirement that retailers determine whether the “CPI Detailed Report” and “PPI Detailed Report” contain equally appropriate price indexes. Instead, the proposed regulations require retailers using the retail method to select price indexes from the “CPI Detailed Report” and require all other taxpayers using the IPIC method to select price indexes from the “PPI Detailed Report.”

[49] Several commentators suggested that the IRS and Treasury Department permit all retailers using the IPIC method to select price indexes from either the “CPI Detailed Report” or the “PPI Detailed Report.” These commentators argue that many retailers selecting price indexes from the CPI do not use the retail method and would be forced to change. This change would be particularly burdensome because the categories listed in the “PPI Detailed Report” are far more detailed (and less correlated) than those listed in the “CPI Detailed Report.” In addition, these commentators argue that the proposed rule fails to recognize that the PPI does not necessarily reflect cost for retailers not using the retail method because the majority of retailers purchase their goods from wholesalers not producers. Finally, the commentators expressed concern that the proposed rule would preclude retailers that use the retail method at their stores and a cost method at their warehouses from using the price indexes listed in the “CPI Detailed Report” when retail price information is not ascertained or readily available for goods in warehouses.

[50] The IRS and Treasury Department generally agree with the commentators' concerns. Accordingly, the final regulations permit all retailers using the IPIC method to assign items in dollar-value pools to the BLS categories listed in either the “CPI Detailed Report” or the “PPI Detailed Report,” whichever is selected.

9. BLS Category for Work-in-Process

[51] The proposed regulations provide that manufacturers and processors must assign all work-in-process (WIP) items in a dollar- value pool to the most-detailed index categories that include the finished goods into which the WIP item will be manufactured or processed. For this purpose, finished good means any good that is in a salable state.

[52] Several commentators objected to the proposed requirement that a taxpayer compute a separate inflation index for a WIP item that is in a salable state but not regularly sold by the taxpayer.

[53] The IRS and Treasury Department agree with the commentators' objection to the extent that the taxpayer's WIP items are merely salable. Accordingly, the final regulations provide that a taxpayer is not required to compute a separate category inflation index for a salable WIP item, unless the taxpayer regularly sells that WIP item.

10. Relocation and Clarification of Special Pooling Rules

[54] The current regulations provide special, elective pooling rules for retailers, wholesalers, jobbers, and distributors that use the IPIC method. These taxpayers are permitted to establish a dollar- value pool for any group of goods included in one of the 11 general categories of consumer goods described in the “CPI Detailed Report.” In addition, Rev. Proc. 84-57 provides that inventory pools may be established for any group of goods included within one of the 15 general categories of producer goods described in Table 6 of the “PPI Detailed Report.” Finally, the regulations provide that dollar-value pools that comprise less than 5 percent of inventory value may be combined to form a single miscellaneous dollar-value pool. If the resulting miscellaneous dollar-value pool itself comprises less than 5 percent of inventory value, that pool may be combined with the largest dollar-value pool.

[55] The proposed regulations retain the special, elective pooling rules for inventory items accounted for under the IPIC method contained in the current regulations and incorporate the special, elective pooling rules contained in Rev. Proc. 84-57.

[56] Several commentators asked whether taxpayers must apply the 5 percent rules to a dollar-value pool annually and, if so, how they are to account for dollar-value pools that no longer satisfy the 5 percent threshold. One commentator suggested that the IRS and Treasury Department make these 5 percent rules optional, state whether these rules are methods of accounting, and require taxpayers to apply the principles of §1.472-8(g)(2) when changing dollar- value pools because of these 5 percent rules. Another commentator recommended that taxpayers be permitted to include inventories not accounted for under the LIFO method in “inventory value” when determining whether the 5 percent rules apply.

[57] The IRS and Treasury Department believe that both of the 5 percent rules for dollar-value pools have been, and remain, optional. Under the current and proposed regulations, a taxpayer may, but is not required to, combine two or more specific dollar-value pools into a single miscellaneous dollar-value pool when the cost of each specific dollar-value pool does not exceed 5 percent of the total cost of the taxpayer's LIFO inventory. In addition, a taxpayer may, but is not required to, combine the single miscellaneous dollar-value pool and the largest specific dollar-value pool when cost of the miscellaneous dollar-value pool does not exceed 5 percent of the total cost of the taxpayer's LIFO inventory. Furthermore, the IRS and Treasury Department believe that both of the 5 percent rules are methods of accounting within the broader IPIC pooling method, so a taxpayer may not change to, or cease using, either of the 5 percent rules without obtaining the Commissioner's prior consent. In addition, any change in pooling required by the taxpayer's proper use of the 5 percent rule(s) is a change in method of accounting. Thus, the final regulations require a taxpayer in these circumstances to combine and separate its dollar-value pools in accordance with §1.472-8(g). Moreover, the final regulations require a taxpayer to determine whether to separate or combine the 5 percent pools every third taxable year based on current-year data rather than on average data.

11. New Base Year for IPIC Method Changes

[58] The current regulations require a taxpayer that changes to the IPIC method from another dollar-value LIFO method to treat the year of change as the base year in determining the LIFO value of the dollar-value pool(s) for the year of change and later taxable years. The taxpayer is required to restate the base-year cost of the existing increments in terms of new base-year cost, which also requires the restatement of the IPI of each of the layers. This procedure is referred to alternatively as updating the base year or establishing a new base year.

[59] One commentator suggested eliminating the reference to §1.472-8(f)(2) in the case of a voluntary change from the specific goods LIFO method to the dollar-value LIFO method because taxpayers and tax practitioners have long questioned how to implement this change without updating the base year. The final regulations adopt this suggestion and require a taxpayer changing from the specific goods LIFO method to the IPIC method to establish a new base year. Although guidance addressing taxpayers changing from the specific goods LIFO method to a dollar-value LIFO method other than the IPIC method is outside the scope of these regulations, the IRS and Treasury Department are considering whether to issue additional guidance to address the commentator's concerns regarding changes from the specific goods method to a dollar-value LIFO method.

[60] The proposed regulations clarify that the base-year- updating procedure is mandatory for voluntary changes to the IPIC method. However, the proposed regulations authorized examining agents to require a change to the IPIC method in circumstances where the taxpayer's prior method does not clearly reflect income and to implement the change using a cutoff method in circumstances where the taxpayer's books and records lacked the information necessary to compute a section 481(a) adjustment. The latter provision was intended to provide examining agents with an alternative to LIFO termination in appropriate circumstances.

[61] One commentator objected to giving examining agents the authority to require a taxpayer using a LIFO method to change to the double-extension IPIC method even when the taxpayer produces records that will allow the agent to calculate the effect of changing to a correct method other than the IPIC method. This commentator requested “clear-cut” published guidance on the types of records that taxpayers using a LIFO method must retain and the length of time that they must retain them. In addition, because of the administrative burden associated with record retention (particularly those records needed for LIFO methods not used by the taxpayer), this commentator requested that the IRS and Treasury Department create a shortcut procedure, similar to the three-year transition rule under §1.263A-7(c)(2)(iv), to calculate the effect of changing the taxpayer's LIFO method. Finally, this commentator suggested that the IRS and Treasury Department, as a matter of fairness, permit a taxpayer to recompute each year's layer using the IPI for that year.

[62] Several commentators urged the IRS and Treasury Department to withdraw the involuntary change provisions entirely or, alternatively, to modify them to give examining agents discretion to impose a change to the double-extension IPIC method with or without establishing a new base year. One of these commentators also urged the IRS and Treasury Department to give these examining agents discretion to impose a change to either the double-extension IPIC method or the link-chain IPIC method.

[63] In response to these comments, the final regulations provide that an examining agent may change a taxpayer from a LIFO method that does not clearly reflect income to the IPIC method. If the agent decides to change the taxpayer to the IPIC method, and the taxpayer does not provide sufficient information from its books and records to compute an adjustment under section 481, the agent may implement the change using the simplified transition method. Under the simplified transition method, the agent makes certain assumptions regarding the composition of ending inventory in prior taxable years and recomputes the LIFO value of each dollar-value pool as of the beginning of the year of change using the IPIC method. The section 481(a) adjustment arising from the accounting method change is equal to the difference between that recomputed LIFO value and the LIFO value of the dollar-value pool determined under the taxpayer's former method. The IRS and Treasury Department are considering other simplified methods of computing a section 481(a) adjustment arising from a change from one LIFO method to another and may publish additional guidance in the future. The suggestion regarding the issuance of guidance on a taxpayer's record keeping requirement is beyond the scope of this project, but will be considered for possible future guidance.

12. Inventories Received in Certain Nonrecognition Transactions

[64] An election to use the dollar-value LIFO method for LIFO inventories received in a nonrecognition transaction to which section 381 does not apply (non-section 381 transfer) may not continue the LIFO reserve of the transferor. If the mix of goods in the inventory changes significantly after the transfer, the mechanics of the dollar-value LIFO method may produce an artificial increment in the year the inventories are received that effectively eliminates the LIFO reserve established by the transferor. This artificial increment occurs because the base-year cost of new items are reconstructed to the transferee's base year (i.e., the year it elects LIFO) and not to the transferor's base year. When a transferee elects the LIFO and IPIC methods for LIFO inventories received in a non-section 381 transfer, the transferee will have an artificial increment in the year the inventories are received even without a significant change in the mix of goods in its ending inventory. The IPIC method invariably produces an increment because the difference between the current-year cost and the carryover basis of the transferred inventories (i.e., the base-year cost) reflects more than one year's inflation and the IPI used to convert the current-year cost of the dollar-value pool at the end of the taxable year to base-year cost will reflect only one year's inflation.

[65] To prevent the recapture of a transferor's LIFO reserve in a non-section 381 transfer, the proposed regulations require the transferee to update its base-year cost if a transferee uses the dollar-value LIFO method for inventories received in a non-section 381 transfer and the transferor accounted for those inventories using the dollar-value LIFO method as follows. First, the transferee's base year for the inventories received from the transferor is the year of transfer. Second, the transferee's base-year cost for the inventories received from the transferor is equal to the transferor's current- year cost for those inventories. Finally, if the transferee owned inventories prior to the transfer, the new base-year cost of those inventories will be equal to their current-year cost. The proposed regulations do not affect either the ability of a newly formed transferee to elect new accounting methods or the holdings of Rev. Rul. 70-564 (1970-2 C.B. 109) and Rev. Rul. 70-565 (1970-2 C.B. 110). However, the proposed regulations do not apply to a non-section 381 transfer if its principal purpose is to avail the transferee of a method of accounting that is unavailable to the transferor (or is unavailable to the transferor without the Commissioner's consent).

[66] One commentator asserted that when a taxpayer described in Rev. Rul. 70-564 (i.e., no beginning LIFO inventories) applies the proposed rule to transferred inventories, the resulting IPI of the collapsed base-year layer will not equal 1. Because this result may cause some confusion, the commentator suggested including an example in the final regulations. The final regulations include an example demonstrating the computation of increments and liquidations after a new base year is established.

[67] Several commentators asserted that the proposed rule may result in the creation of an artificial increment or liquidation when a transferee and transferor use different methods of determining current-year costs. Thus, the regulations should be changed to permit a transferee to establish (or reconstruct) the new base-year cost of the transferred inventories equal to the transferor's first-in, first-out cost for the year immediately preceding the year of transfer, or alternatively, if the final regulations continue to require the use of the transferor's current-year cost and current- year cost method, the regulations should be changed to provide that the period for measuring inflation for the base year is between the appropriate month for determining base-year cost and the appropriate month for determining current-year cost. In addition, one commentator suggested that the final regulations be changed to clarify that “beginning inventory, if any” refers only to inventory that the transferee actually owned before the nonrecognition transaction.

[68] The IRS and Treasury Department agree with these commentator's concerns. Accordingly, the final regulations permit the transferee to compute the base-year cost of transferred inventories using its current-year cost and its method of determining current- year cost. The final regulations also clarify the meaning of beginning inventory.

[69] Another commentator contended that the holding of Rev. Rul. 70-564 is incorrect and, thus, the average cost rule of section 472(b)(3) should not be applied to inventories received by a transferee without an existing LIFO election in a non-section 381 transfer. In addition, this commentator noted that the holding of Rev. Rul. 70-564 is inconsistent with §1.1502-13 (concerning intercompany transactions), which generally provides that an intercompany transaction may not change the timing of the recognition of income or deductions. This commentator suggested that the holding of Rev. Rul. 70-565, which provides for a carryover of a transferor's LIFO layer history in a section 351 transfer to a transferee with an existing LIFO election, should be applied in all non-section 381 transfers.

[70] The IRS and Treasury Department believe this comment is outside the scope of these final regulations. However, in response to this comment, the IRS and Treasury Department are reconsidering whether to continue to require different results upon the transfer of LIFO inventories in a non-section 381 transfer (as currently required by Rev. Rul. 70-564 and Rev. Rul. 70-565 ) depending upon whether the transferee has an existing LIFO election.

13. Effective Date of Final Regulations

[71] The proposed regulations provide that proposed §§1.472-8(b)(4), (c)(2), and (e)(3) will apply to taxable years beginning on or after the date they are published in the Federal Register as final regulations. In addition, the proposed regulations provide that proposed §1.472-8(h) will apply to transfers occurring on or after the date it is published in the Federal Register as a final regulation.

[72] One commentator suggested that taxpayers be permitted, but not required, to apply §§1.472-8(b)(4), (c)(2), and (e)(3) for taxable years ending on or after the date the regulations are published in the Federal Register as final regulations. This commentator also suggested that taxpayers be permitted to apply §1.472-8(h) to transfers occurring during the taxable year ending on or after the date the regulations are published in the Federal Register as final regulations. In addition, several commentators suggested that the transition period for an automatic change in method of accounting to comply with §§1.472-8(b)(4), (c)(2), and (e)(3) be extended to include the second taxable year ending on or after the date the regulations are published in the Federal Register as final regulations.

[73] The IRS and Treasury Department agree with these suggestions. However, in order to ensure that taxpayers may implement these changes for taxable years ending December 31, 2001, as requested by the commentators, the final regulations are effective for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2001.

Effect on Other Documents

[74] Rev. Proc. 84-57, Rev. Rul. 89-29, and Rev. Proc. 98-49 are obsolete on January 9, 2002.

Special Analyses

[75] It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, the proposed regulations preceding this Treasury decision was submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on their impact on small business. It is hereby certified that the collections of information in this Treasury decision will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. First, only taxpayers that adopt, or change to, the IPIC method will be affected by the collections of information. Second, relatively few small entities are expected to adopt, or change to, the IPIC method. Third, the burden of the collections of information is not significant. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is not required.

Drafting Information

[76] The principal author of these regulations is Leo F. Nolan II of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in their development.

List of Subjects

26 CFR Part 1

[77] Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

26 CFR Part 602

[78] Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations

[79] Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 1 and 602 are amended as follows:

PART 1 -- INCOME TAXES

Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by adding an entry in numerical order to read in part as follows:

Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

§1.472-8 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 472.

Par. 2. Section 1.472-8 is amended as follows:

1. Paragraph (b)(4) is added.

2. The text of paragraph (c) following the paragraph heading is redesignated as paragraph (c)(1) and a paragraph heading for newly designated (c)(1) is added.

3. Paragraph (c)(2) is added.

4. Paragraph (e)(3) and (h) are revised.

5. The undesignated paragraph following paragraph (h) is removed.

The revisions and additions read as follows:

§1.472-8 Dollar-value method of pricing LIFO inventories.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(4) IPIC method pools. A manufacturer or processor that elects to use the inventory price index computation method described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section (IPIC method) for a trade or business may elect to establish dollar-value pools for those items accounted for using the IPIC method based on the 2-digit commodity codes (i.e., major commodity groups) in Table 6 (Producer price indexes and percent changes for commodity groupings and individual items, not seasonally adjusted) of the “PPI Detailed Report” published monthly by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (available from New Orders, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954). A taxpayer electing to establish dollar-value pools under this paragraph (b)(4) may combine IPIC pools that comprise less than 5 percent of the total current-year cost of all dollar-value pools to form a single miscellaneous IPIC pool. A taxpayer electing to establish dollar-value pools under this paragraph (b)(4) may combine a miscellaneous IPIC pool that comprises less than 5 percent of the total current-year cost of all dollar- value pools with the largest IPIC pool. Each of these 5 percent rules is a method of accounting. A taxpayer may not change to, or cease using, either 5 percent rule without obtaining the Commissioner's prior consent. Whether a specific IPIC pool or the miscellaneous IPIC pool satisfies the applicable 5 percent rule must be determined in the year of adoption or year of change (whichever is applicable) and redetermined every third taxable year. Any change in pooling required or permitted as a result of a 5 percent rule is a change in method of accounting. A taxpayer must secure the consent of the Commissioner pursuant to §1.446-1(e) before combining or separating pools and must combine or separate its IPIC pools in accordance with paragraph (g)(2) of this section.

(c) * * *(1) In general. * * *

(2) IPIC method pools. A retailer that elects to use the inventory price index computation method described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section (IPIC method) for a trade or business may elect to establish dollar-value pools for those items accounted for using the IPIC method based on either the general expenditure categories (i.e., major groups) in Table 3 (Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, detailed expenditure categories) of the “CPI Detailed Report” or the 2-digit commodity codes (i.e., major commodity groups) in Table 6 (Producer price indexes and percent changes for commodity groupings and individual items, not seasonally adjusted) of the “PPI Detailed Report.” A wholesaler, jobber, or distributor that elects to use the IPIC method for a trade or business may elect to establish dollar-value pools for any group of goods accounted for using the IPIC method and included within one of the 2-digit commodity codes (i.e., major commodity groups) in Table 6 (Producer price indexes and percent changes for commodity groupings and individual items, not seasonally adjusted) of the “PPI Detailed Report.” The “CPI Detailed Report” and the “PPI Detailed Report” are published monthly by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (available from New Orders, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954). A taxpayer electing to establish dollar-value pools under this paragraph (c)(2) may combine IPIC pools that comprise less than 5 percent of the total current- year cost of all dollar-value pools to form a single miscellaneous IPIC pool. A taxpayer electing to establish pools under this paragraph (c)(2) may combine a miscellaneous IPIC pool that comprises less than 5 percent of the total current-year cost of all dollar- value pools with the largest IPIC pool. Each of these 5 percent rules is a method of accounting. Thus, a taxpayer may not change to, or cease using, either 5 percent rule without obtaining the Commissioner's prior consent. Whether a specific IPIC pool or the miscellaneous IPIC pool satisfies the applicable 5 percent rule must be determined in the year of adoption or year of change (whichever is applicable) and redetermined every third taxable year. Any change in pooling required or permitted under a 5 percent rule is a change in method of accounting. A taxpayer must secure the consent of the Commissioner pursuant to section 1.446-1(e) before combining or separating pools and must combine or separate its IPIC pools in accordance with paragraph (g)(2) of this section.

* * * * *

(e) * * *

(3) Inventory price index computation (IPIC) method -- (i) In general. The inventory price index computation method provided by this paragraph (e)(3) (IPIC method) is an elective method of determining the LIFO value of a dollar-value pool using consumer or producer price indexes published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). A taxpayer using the IPIC method must compute a separate inventory price index (IPI) for each dollar-value pool. This IPI is used to convert the total current-year cost of the items in a dollar-value pool to base-year cost in order to determine whether there is an increment or liquidation in terms of base-year cost and, if there is an increment, to determine the LIFO inventory value of the current year's layer of increment (layer). Using one IPI to compute the base-year cost of a dollar-value pool for the current taxable year and using a different IPI to compute the LIFO inventory value of the current taxable year's layer is not permitted under the IPIC method. The IPIC method will be accepted by the Commissioner as an appropriate method of computing an index, and the use of that index to compute the LIFO value of a dollar-value pool will be accepted as accurate, reliable, and suitable. The appropriateness of a taxpayer's computation of an IPI, which includes all the steps described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section, will be determined in connection with an examination of the taxpayer's federal income tax return. A taxpayer using the IPIC method may elect to establish dollar-value pools according to the special rules in paragraphs (b)(4) and (c)(2) of this section or the general rules in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. Taxpayers eligible to use the IPIC method are described in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section. The manner in which an IPI is computed is described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section. Rules relating to the adoption of, or change to, the IPIC method are in paragraph (e)(3)(iv) of this section.

(ii) Eligibility. Any taxpayer electing to use the dollar-value LIFO method may elect to use the IPIC method. Except as provided in this paragraph (e)(3)(ii) or in other published guidance, a taxpayer that elects to use the IPIC method for a specific trade or business must use that method to account for all items of dollar- value LIFO inventory. A taxpayer that uses the retail price indexes computed by the BLS and published in “Department Store Inventory Price Indexes” (available from the BLS by calling (202) 606-6325 and entering document code 2415) may elect to use the IPIC method for items that do not fall within any of the major groups listed in “Department Store Inventory Price Indexes.”

(iii) Computation of an inventory price index -- (A) In general. The computation of an IPI for a dollar-value pool requires the following four steps, which are described in more detail in this paragraph (e)(3)(iii): First, selection of a BLS table and an appropriate month; second, assignment of items in a dollar-value pool to BLS categories (selected BLS categories); third, computation of category inflation indexes for selected BLS categories; and fourth, computation of the IPI. A taxpayer may compute the IPI for each dollar-value pool using either the double-extension method (double- extension IPIC method) or the link-chain method (link-chain IPIC method), without regard to whether the use of a double-extension method is impractical or unsuitable. The use of either the double- extension IPIC method or the link-chain IPIC method is a method of accounting, and the adopted method must be applied consistently to all dollar-value pools within a trade or business accounted for under the IPIC method. A taxpayer that wants to change from the double- extension IPIC method to the link-chain IPIC method, or vice versa, must secure the consent of the Commissioner under §1.446-1(e). This change must be made with a new base year as described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B)(1).

(B) Selection of BLS table and appropriate month -- (1) In general. Under the IPIC method, an IPI is computed using the consumer or producer price indexes for certain categories (BLS price indexes and BLS categories, respectively) listed in the selected BLS table of the “CPI Detailed Report” or the “PPI Detailed Report” for the appropriate month.

(2) BLS table selection. Manufacturers, processors, wholesalers, jobbers, and distributors must select BLS price indexes from Table 6 (Producer price indexes and percent changes for commodity groupings and individual items, not seasonally adjusted) of the “PPI Detailed Report”, unless the taxpayer can demonstrate that selecting BLS price indexes from another table of the “PPI Detailed Report” is more appropriate. Retailers may select BLS price indexes from either Table 3 (Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, detailed expenditure categories) of the “CPI Detailed Report” or from Table 6 (or another more appropriate table) of the “PPI Detailed Report.” The selection of a BLS table is a method of accounting and must be used for the taxable year of adoption and all subsequent years, unless the taxpayer obtains the Commissioner's consent under §1.446-1(e) to change its table selection. A taxpayer that changes its BLS table must establish a new base year in the year of change as described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B) of this section.

(3) Appropriate month. In the case of a retailer using the retail method, the appropriate month is the last month of the retailer's taxable year. In the case of all other taxpayers, the appropriate month is the month most consistent with the method used to determine the current_year cost of the dollar-value pool under paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section and the taxpayer's history of inventory production or purchases during the taxable year. A taxpayer not using the retail method may annually select an appropriate month for each dollar-value pool or make an election on Form 970, “Application to Use LIFO Inventory Method,” to use a representative appropriate month (representative month). An election to use a representative month is a method of accounting and the month elected must be used for the taxable year of the election and all subsequent taxable years, unless the taxpayer obtains the Commissioner's consent under §1.446-1(e) to change or revoke its election.

(4) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(B)(3):

Example 1. Determining an appropriate month. A wholesaler of seasonal goods timely files a Form 970, “Application to Use LIFO Inventory Method,” for the taxable year ending December 31, 2001. The taxpayer indicates elections to use the dollar-value LIFO method, to determine the current-year cost using the earliest acquisitions method in accordance with paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(b) of this section, and to use the IPIC method under paragraph (e)(3) of this section. Although the taxpayer purchases inventory items regularly throughout the year, the items purchased vary according to the seasons. The seasonal items on hand at December 31, 2001, are purchased between October and December. Thus, based on the taxpayer's use of the earliest acquisitions method of determining current-year cost and its experience with inventory purchases, the appropriate month for the items represented in the ending inventory at December 31, 2001, is October.

Example 2. Electing a representative month. A retailer not using the retail method timely files a Form 970, “Application to Use LIFO Inventory Method,” for the taxable year ending December 31, 2001. The taxpayer indicates elections to use the dollar-value LIFO method, the most recent purchases method of determining current-year cost under paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(a) of this section, the IPIC method under paragraph (e)(3) of this section, and December as its representative month under paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(B)(3) of this section. The items in the taxpayer's ending inventory are purchased fairly uniformly throughout the year, with the first purchases normally occurring in January and the last purchases normally occurring in December. The taxpayer's election to use December as its representative month is permissible because the taxpayer elected to use the most recent purchases method and the taxpayer's last purchases of the taxable year normally occur during December, the last month of the taxpayer's taxable year.

Example 3. Changing representative month. The facts are the same as in Example 2, except the taxpayer files a Form 3115, “Application for Change in Accounting Method,” requesting permission to change to the earliest acquisitions method of determining current-year cost in accordance with paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(b) of this section and to change its representative month from December to January beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2003. If the Commissioner consents to the taxpayer's request to change to the earliest acquisitions method, December will no longer be a permissible representative month for this taxpayer because of the absence of a nexus between the earliest acquisitions method, the month of December (the last month of the taxpayer's taxable year), and the taxpayer's experience with inventory purchases during the year. Thus, the Commissioner will permit the taxpayer to change its representative month to January, the first month of the taxpayer's taxable year.

Example 4. Changing representative month. The facts are the same as in Example 2. In 2002, the taxpayer changes its annual accounting period to a taxable year ending June 30, which requires the taxpayer to file a return for the short taxable year beginning January 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2002. As a result, December is no longer a permissible representative month because of the absence of a nexus between the most recent purchases method, the month of December, and the taxpayer's experience with inventory purchases during the year. The taxpayer should file a Form 3115 requesting permission to change its representative month from December to June beginning with the short taxable year ending June 30, 2002. Because the taxpayer's last purchases of the taxable year now will occur in June, the Commissioner will consent to the taxpayer's request to change its representative month to June.

Example 5. Changing representative month. The facts are the same as in Example 2, except that the taxpayer elects to use January as its representative month. The taxpayer timely files a Form 3115 requesting permission to change its representative month from January to December beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2003. January is not a permissible representative month because of the absence of a nexus between the most recent purchases method, the taxpayer's history of inventory purchases, and the month of January, the first month in the taxpayer's taxable year. Because December is a permissible representative month, the Commissioner will permit the taxpayer to change its representative month to December.

(C) Assignment of inventory items to BLS categories -- (1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(C)(2) of this section, a taxpayer must assign each item in a dollar-value pool to the most-detailed BLS category of the selected BLS table that contains that item. For example, in Table 6 of the “PPI Detailed Report” for a given month, the commodity codes for the various BLS categories run from 2 to 8 digits, with the least-detailed BLS categories having a 2-digit code and the most- detailed BLS categories usually (but not always) having an 8-digit code. For purposes of assigning items to the most-detailed BLS category, manufacturers and processors must assign each raw material item to the most-detailed PPI category that includes that raw material and must assign each finished good item to the most-detailed PPI category that includes that finished good. In addition, manufacturers and processors must assign each work-in-process (WIP) item to the most-detailed PPI category that includes the finished good into which the item will be manufactured or processed. For this purpose, finished good means a salable item that the taxpayer regularly sells. For example, a gasoline-engine manufacturer that also manufactures the pistons used in those engines and regularly sells some of the pistons (e.g., to retailers of replacement parts) must assign both finished pistons that have not been affixed to an engine block and piston WIP items to the most-detailed PPI category that includes pistons. Finished pistons that have been affixed to an engine block must be assigned to the most-detailed PPI category that includes gasoline engines. In contrast, if sales of these pistons occur infrequently, the taxpayer must assign both finished pistons and piston WIP items to the most-detailed PPI category that includes gasoline engines.

(2) 10 percent method. Instead of assigning each item in a dollar-value pool to the most-detailed BLS categories, as described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section, a taxpayer may elect to use the 10 percent method described in this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(C)(2). Under the 10 percent method, items are assigned to BLS categories using a three-step procedure. First, when the current-year cost of a specific item is 10 percent or more of the total current-year cost of the dollar-value pool, the taxpayer must assign that item to the most-detailed BLS category that includes that item (10 percent BLS category). Any other item that is includible in that 10 percent BLS category (other than an item that qualifies for its own 10 percent BLS category under the preceding sentence) must be assigned to that 10 percent BLS category. Second, if one or more items have not been assigned to BLS categories in the first step, the taxpayer must investigate successively less-detailed BLS categories and assign the unassigned item(s) to the first BLS category that contains unassigned items whose current-year cost, in the aggregate, is 10 percent or more of the total current-year cost of the dollar-value pool (also, 10 percent BLS categories). This step must be repeated until all the items in the dollar-value pool have been included in an appropriate 10 percent BLS category, the current-year cost of the unassigned items, in the aggregate, is less than 10 percent of the total current-year cost of the dollar-value pool, or the taxpayer determines that a single BLS category is not appropriate for the aggregate of the unassigned items. Third, if items in a dollar-value pool have not been assigned to a 10 percent BLS category because the current-year cost of those items, in the aggregate, is less than 10 percent of the total current-year cost of the dollar-value pool, the taxpayer must assign those items to the most-detailed BLS category that includes all those items (also, a 10 percent category). On the other hand, if items in a dollar-value pool have not been assigned to a 10 percent BLS category because the taxpayer determines that a single BLS category is not appropriate for the aggregate of those items, the taxpayer must assign each of those items to a single miscellaneous BLS category created by the taxpayer (also, a 10 percent category). In no event may a taxpayer assign items in a dollar-value pool to a BLS category that is less detailed than either the major groups of consumer goods described in Table 3 of the monthly “CPI Detailed Report” or the major commodity groups of producer goods described in Table 6 of the monthly “PPI Detailed Report.” Principles similar to those described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(C)(1) apply for purposes of assigning raw material, work-in-process, and finished good items to the most- detailed BLS category under the 10 percent method.

(3) Change in method of accounting. The 10 percent method of assigning items in a dollar-value pool to BLS categories is a method of accounting. In addition, a taxpayer's selection of a BLS category for a specific item is a method of accounting. However, the assignment of items to different BLS categories solely as a result of the application of the 10 percent method is a change in underlying facts and not a change in method of accounting. Likewise, the selection of a new BLS category for a specific item as a result of a revision to a BLS table is a change in underlying facts and not a change in method of accounting. A taxpayer that wants to change its method of selecting BLS categories (i.e., to or from the 10-percent method) or of selecting a BLS category for a specific item must secure the Commissioner's consent in accordance with §1.446_1(e). A taxpayer that voluntarily changes its method of selecting BLS categories or of selecting a BLS category for a specific item must establish a new base year in the year of change as described in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B) of this section.

(D) Computation of a category inflation index -- (1) In general. As described in more detail in this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D), a category inflation index reflects the inflation that occurs in the BLS price indexes for a selected BLS category (or, if applicable, 10 percent BLS category) during the relevant measurement period.

(2) BLS price indexes. The BLS price indexes are the cumulative indexes published in the selected BLS table for the appropriate month. A taxpayer may elect to use either preliminary or final BLS price indexes for the appropriate month, provided that the selected BLS price indexes are used consistently. However, a taxpayer that elects to use final BLS price indexes for the appropriate month must use preliminary BLS price indexes for any taxable year for which the taxpayer files its original federal income tax return before the BLS publishes final BLS price indexes for the appropriate month. If a BLS price index for a most-detailed or 10 percent BLS category is not otherwise available for the appropriate or representative month (but not because the BLS categories in the BLS table have been revised), the taxpayer must use the BLS price index for the next most-detailed BLS category that includes the specific item(s) in the most-detailed or 10 percent BLS category. If a BLS price index is not otherwise available for the appropriate or representative month because the BLS categories in the BLS table have been revised, the rules of paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(4) of this section apply.

(3) Category inflation index. (i) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(4) of this section (concerning compound category inflation indexes) or (e)(3)(iii)(D)(5) of this section (concerning category inflation indexes for certain 10 percent BLS categories), a category inflation index for a selected BLS category (or, if applicable, 10 percent BLS category) is computed under the rules of this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(3).

(ii) Double-extension IPIC method. In the case of a taxpayer using the double-extension IPIC method, the category inflation index for a BLS category is the quotient of the BLS price index for the appropriate or representative month of the current year divided by the BLS price index for the appropriate month of the taxable year preceding the base year (base month). However, if the taxpayer did not have an opening inventory in the year that its election to use the dollar-value LIFO method and double-extension IPIC method became effective, the category inflation index for a BLS category is the quotient of the BLS price index for the appropriate or representative month of the current year divided by the BLS price index for the month immediately preceding the month of the taxpayer's first inventory production or purchase.

(iii) Link-chain IPIC method. In the case of a taxpayer using the link-chain IPIC method, the category inflation index for a BLS category is the quotient of the BLS price index for the appropriate or representative month of the current year divided by the BLS price index for the appropriate month used for the immediately preceding taxable year. However, if the taxpayer did not have an opening inventory in the year that its election to use the dollar-value LIFO method and link-chain IPIC method became effective, the category inflation index for a BLS category for the year of election is the quotient of the BLS price index for the appropriate or representative month of the current year divided by the BLS price index for the month immediately preceding the month of the taxpayer's first inventory production or purchase.

(iv) Special rules concerning representative months. A taxpayer electing to use a representative month under paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(B)(3) of this section must use an appropriate month, rather than the representative month, to determine category inflation indexes in the circumstances described in this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(3)(iv) and in other similar circumstances. For example, in the case of a short taxable year, the category inflation index should reflect the inflation that occurs from the base month (in the case of the double-extension IPIC method), or the appropriate or representative month used for the preceding taxable year (in the case of the link-chain IPIC method), and the appropriate month for the short taxable year. Similarly, if a taxpayer using the link-chain IPIC method is granted consent to change both its method of determining the current-year cost of a dollar-value pool and its representative month, the category inflation index for the year of change should reflect the inflation that occurs between the old representative month used for the preceding taxable year and the new representative month used for the year of change.

(4) Compound category inflation index for revised BLS categories or price indexes -- (i) In general. Periodically, the BLS revises a BLS table to add one or more new BLS categories, eliminate one or more previously reported BLS categories, or reset the base-year BLS price index of one or more BLS categories. If the BLS has revised the applicable BLS table for a taxable year, a taxpayer must compute the category inflation index for each BLS category for which the taxpayer cannot compute a category inflation index in accordance with paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(3) of this section (affected BLS category) using a reasonable method, provided the method is used consistently for all affected BLS categories within a particular taxable year. For example, if the BLS revised the CPI by adding new BLS categories as of January 2001 and eliminating some previously reported BLS categories as of December 2000, January 2002 would be the first month for which it would be possible to compute a category inflation index for a 12-month period using the BLS price indexes for any affected category. The compound category inflation index described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(4)(ii) of this section is a reasonable method of computing the category inflation index for an affected BLS category.

(ii) Computation of compound category inflation index. When the applicable BLS table is revised as described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(4)(i) of this section, a taxpayer may use the procedure described in this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(4)(ii) to compute a compound category inflation index for each affected BLS category represented in the taxpayer's ending inventory. For this purpose, a compound category inflation index is the product of the category inflation index for the “first portion” multiplied by the corresponding category inflation index for the “second portion.” The category inflation index for the first portion must reflect the inflation that occurs between the end of the base month (in the case of the double- extension IPIC method), or the preceding year's appropriate or representative month (in the case of the link-chain IPIC method), and the end of the last month covered by the unrevised BLS table based on the old BLS category. The corresponding category inflation index for the second portion must reflect the inflation that occurs between the beginning of the first month covered by the revised BLS table based on the new BLS category and the end of the current year's appropriate or representative month. First, using the revised BLS table for the current-year's appropriate or representative month, the taxpayer assigns items in the dollar-value pool using its method of assigning items to BLS categories as described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(C) of this section. Second, for each affected BLS category represented in the ending inventory, the taxpayer computes the category inflation index for the second portion using this formula: [A/B], where A equals the BLS price index for the current year's appropriate or representative month and B equals the BLS price index for the last month covered by the unrevised BLS table (as published for the first month of the revised BLS table). Third, using the unrevised BLS table for the base month (in the case of the double extension IPIC method) or the preceding year's appropriate or representative month (in the case of the link-chain IPIC method), the taxpayer assigns each of the items in the dollar-value pool using its method of assigning items to BLS categories. Fourth, for each affected BLS category represented in the ending inventory, the taxpayer computes the category inflation index for the first portion using this formula: [C/D], where C equals the BLS price index for the last month covered by the unrevised BLS table (as published for the last month of the unrevised BLS table) and D equals the BLS price index for the base month (in the case of the double-extension IPIC method) or the preceding year's appropriate or representative month (in the case of the link-chain IPIC method). Fifth, for each affected BLS category represented in the ending inventory, the taxpayer computes the compound category inflation index using this formula: [ X * Y ], where X equals the category inflation index for the second portion, and Y equals the corresponding category inflation index for the first portion. For the purpose of computing the compound category inflation index for each affected BLS category, the corresponding category inflation index for the first portion is the category inflation index for the unrevised BLS category that includes the specific inventory item(s) included in the revised BLS category. If items included in a single revised BLS category had been included in separate BLS categories before the revision of the BLS table, the corresponding category inflation index for the first portion is the weighted harmonic mean of the category inflation indexes for these unrevised BLS categories. See paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(E)(1) of this section for a formula of the weighted harmonic mean. When computing this weighted-average category inflation index, a taxpayer must use the current-year costs (or in the case of a retailer using the retail method, the retail selling prices) in ending inventory as the weights.

(iii) New base year. A taxpayer may establish a new base year in the year following the taxable year for which the taxpayer computed a compound category inflation index under this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(4) for one or more affected BLS categories in a dollar-value pool. See paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B) of this section for the procedures and computations incident to establishing a new base year.

(iv) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(4):

Example 1. BLS categories eliminated. (i) A retailer, whose taxable year ends January 31, elected to account for its inventories using the dollar-value LIFO method and double- extension IPIC method (based on the CPI), beginning with the taxable year ending January 31, 1997. The taxpayer does not use the retail method, but elected to use January as its representative month. On January 31, 1999, the taxpayer's only dollar-value pool contains only two items -- lemons and peaches. The total current-year cost of these items is as follows: lemons, $40, and peaches, $30.

(ii) The CPI was revised in October of 1998 to eliminate the “Citrus fruits” subcategory of “Other fresh fruits.” In addition, the base-year BLS price index for “Other fresh fruits” was reset to 100.00 as of October 1, 1998. In relevant part, the January 1999 CPI permits the assignment of both lemons and peaches to "Other fresh fruits." The January 1999 BLS price indexes for “Citrus fruits” and “Other fresh fruits” are 96.6 and 105.6, respectively. In relevant part, the September 1998 CPI permits the assignment of lemons to "Citrus fruits" and peaches to "Other fresh fruits." The September 1998 BLS price indexes for “Citrus fruits” and “Other fresh fruits” are 194.9 and 294.9, respectively, and the January 1997 BLS price indexes for “Citrus fruits” and “Other fresh fruits” are 190.2 and 290.2, respectively.

(iii) Because the BLS eliminated the category, “Citrus fruits,” as of October 1998, it did not publish a BLS price index for that category in the January 1999 CPI. Thus, the taxpayer cannot compute a category inflation index for “Citrus fruits” under the normal procedures, but may compute a compound category inflation index for that affected BLS category using the procedures described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(4)(ii) of this section.

(iv) The taxpayer computes a compound category inflation index for the two BLS categories that formerly included lemons and peaches. The taxpayer first assigns lemons and peaches to “Other fresh fruits,” the most-detailed index in the January 1999 CPI, and then computes the category inflation index for the second portion as follows:

                         Jan. 1999 index/

                        Sept. 1998 index

 (II)

 (I)         (II)

Example 2. BLS categories separated. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except prior to October 1998, both lemons and peaches were assigned to “Other fresh fruits” and in the October 1998 CPI, the BLS created a new category, “Citrus fruits,” for citrus fruits, such as lemons. Moreover, the BLS reset the base-year BLS price index for “Other fresh fruits” to 100.0 as of October 1, 1998. As a result of these changes, the taxpayer may no longer assign lemons to “Other fresh fruits.”

(ii) Because “Citrus fruits” is new as of October 1998, the BLS did not publish a BLS price index for this BLS category in the January 1999 CPI. Thus, because the taxpayer cannot compute a category inflation index for “Citrus fruits” under the normal procedures, the taxpayer may compute a compound category inflation index for the affected BLS category using the procedures described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(4)(ii) of this section.

(iii) Based on the January 1999 CPI, the taxpayer assigns lemons to “Citrus fruits” and peaches to “Other fresh fruits.” Then, the taxpayer computes a compound category inflation index for each of the two BLS categories. The computation of the category inflation index for the second portion is as follows:

                         Jan. 1999 index/

                          Sept. 1998 index

 (I)         (II)      (III)

(5) 10 percent method. (i) Applicability. A taxpayer that elects to use the 10 percent method described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(C)(2) of this section must compute a category inflation index for a less-detailed 10 percent BLS category as provided in this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(5). A less-detailed 10 percent category is a BLS category that --

(A) subsumes two or more BLS categories;

(B) does not have a single assigned item whose current- year cost is 10 percent or more of the current-year cost of all the items in the dollar-value pool;

(C) has at least one item in at least one of the subsumed BLS categories; and

(D) has at least one subsumed BLS category that either does not have any assigned items or is a separate 10 percent BLS category.

(ii) Determination of category inflation index. If the rules of this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D)(5) apply, the category inflation index for the less-detailed 10 percent BLS category is equal to the weighted arithmetic mean of the category inflation index (or, compound category inflation index, if applicable) for each of the subsumed BLS categories that have been assigned at least one item from the taxpayer's dollar-value pool (excluding any item that is properly assigned to a separate 10 percent BLS category). [Weighted Arithmetic Mean = Sum of (Weight x Category Inflation Index)]/Sum of Weights]. The appropriate weight for each of the most-detailed BLS categories referenced in the preceding sentence is the corresponding BLS weight. Currently, in January of each year, the BLS publishes the BLS weights determined for December of the preceding year. In the case of a taxpayer using the double-extension IPIC method, the BLS weights for December of the taxable year preceding the base year are to be used for all taxable years. In the case of a taxpayer using the link-chain IPIC method, the BLS weights for December of a given calendar year are to be used for taxable years that end during the 12-month period that begins on July 1 of the following calendar year. However, if the BLS weights are not published for all of the most-detailed BLS categories referenced above, the taxpayer may use the current-year cost (or in the case of a retailer using the retail method, the retail selling prices) of all items assigned to a specific most-detailed BLS category as the appropriate weight for that category, but must compute a weighted harmonic mean. See paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(E)(1) of this section for a formula of the weighted harmonic mean.

(E) Computation of Inventory Price Index (IPI) -- (1) Double-extension IPIC method. Under the double- extension IPIC method, the IPI for a dollar-value pool is the weighted harmonic mean of the category inflation indexes (or, if applicable, compound category inflation indexes) determined under paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D) of this section for each selected BLS category (or, if applicable 10 percent BLS category) represented in the taxpayer's dollar-value pool at the end of the taxable year. The formula for computing the weighted harmonic mean of the category inflation indexes is: [Sum of Weights/Sum of (Weight/Category Inflation Index)]. The weights to be used when computing this weighted harmonic mean are the current-year costs (or, in the case of a retailer using the retail method, the retail selling prices) in each selected BLS category represented in the dollar-value pool at the end of the taxable year.

(2) Link-chain IPIC method. Under the link-chain IPIC method, the IPI for a dollar-value pool is the product of the weighted harmonic mean of the category inflation indexes (or, if applicable, the compound category inflation indexes) determined under paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(D) of this section for each selected BLS category (or, if applicable, 10 percent BLS category) represented in the taxpayer's dollar-value pool at the end of the taxable year multiplied by the IPI for the immediately preceding taxable year. The formula for computing the weighted harmonic mean of the category inflation indexes is: [Sum of Weights/Sum of (Weight/Category Inflation Index)]. The weights to be used when computing this weighted harmonic mean are the current-year costs (or, in the case of a retailer using the retail method, the retail selling prices) in each selected BLS category represented in the dollar-value pool at the end of the taxable year.

(3) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(E):

Example 1. Double-extension method. (i) Introduction. R is a retail furniture merchant that does not use the retail method. For the taxable year ending December 31, 2000, R used the first-in, first-out method of identifying inventory and valued its inventory at cost. The total cost of R's inventory on December 31, 2000, was $850,000. R elected to use the dollar-value LIFO and double-extension IPIC methods for its taxable year ending December 31, 2001. R does not elect to use the 10 percent method described in paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(C)(2) of this section. R determines the current-year cost of the items using the actual cost of the most recently purchased goods. R elected to pool its inventory based on the major groups in Table 6 of the monthly “PPI Detailed Report” in accordance with the special IPIC pooling rules of paragraph (b)(4) of this section. All items in R's inventories fall within the 2-digit commodity code in Table 6 of the monthly “PPI Detailed Report” for “furniture and household durables.” Therefore, R will maintain a single dollar-value pool.

(ii) Select a BLS table and appropriate month for 2001. R determines that the appropriate month for 2001 is October. R also determines that the appropriate month for 2000 would have been December if R had used the IPIC method for that year.

(iii) Assign inventory items to BLS categories for 2001. For 2001, R assigns all items in the dollar-value pool to the most- detailed BLS categories listed in Table 6 of the October 2001 “PPI Detailed Report” that contain those items. The BLS categories and the current-year cost of the items assigned to them are summarized as follows:

               Commodity

 (III)

  (II)

(vii) Select a BLS table and appropriate month for 2002. For 2002, R must compute a new IPI under the double-extension IPIC method to determine the LIFO value of its dollar-value pool. R determines that the appropriate month for 2002 is November.

(viii) Assign inventory items to BLS categories for 2002. For 2002, R assigns all items in the dollar-value pool to the most- detailed BLS categories listed in Table 6 of the November 2002 “PPI Detailed Report” that contain those items. The BLS categories and the current-year cost of the items assigned to them are summarized as follows:

 Commodity Code         Category         Current-Year Cost

  (III)

  (II)

Example 2. Link-chain method. (i) Introduction. The facts are the same as Example 1, except that R uses the link-chain IPIC method. The double-extension IPIC method and the link-chain IPIC method yield the same results for the first taxable year in which the dollar-value LIFO and IPIC methods are used. Therefore, this example illustrates only how R will compute the IPI for, and determine the LIFO value of, its dollar- value pool for 2002.

(ii) Select a BLS table and appropriate month for 2002. R determines that the appropriate month for 2002 is November.

(iii) Assign inventory items to BLS categories for 2002. For 2002, R assigns all items in the dollar-value pool to the most- detailed BLS categories listed in Table 6 of the November 2002 “PPI Detailed Report” that contain those items. The BLS categories and the current-year cost of the items assigned to them are summarized as follows:

 Commodity Code        Category         Current-Year Cost

 (III)

  (II)

(iv) Adoption or change of method -- (A) Adoption or change to IPIC method. The use of an inventory price index computed under the IPIC method is a method of accounting. A taxpayer permitted to adopt the dollar-value LIFO method without first securing the Commissioner's consent also may adopt the IPIC method without first securing the Commissioner's consent. The IPIC method may be adopted and used, however, only if the taxpayer provides the following information on a Form 970, “Application to Use LIFO Inventory Method,” or in another manner as may be acceptable to the Commissioner: A complete list of dollar-value pools (including a description of the items in each dollar-value pool); the BLS table (i.e., CPI or PPI) selected for each dollar-value pool; the representative month, if applicable, elected for each dollar-value pool; the BLS categories to which the items in each dollar-value pool will be assigned; the method of assigning items to BLS categories (e.g., the 10 percent method) for each dollar-value pool; and the method of computing the IPI (i.e., double-extension IPIC method or link-chain IPIC method) for each dollar-value pool. In the case of a taxpayer permitted to adopt the IPIC method without requesting the Commissioner's consent, the Form 970 must be attached to the taxpayer's income tax return for the taxable year of adoption. In all other cases, a taxpayer may change to the IPIC method only after securing the Commissioner's consent as provided in §1.446-1(e). In these latter cases, the Form 970 containing the information described in this paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(A) must be attached to a Form 3115, “Application for Change in Accounting Method,” filed as required by §1.446-1(e). A taxpayer that simultaneously changes to the dollar-value LIFO and IPIC methods from another LIFO method must apply the rules of paragraph (f)(2) of this section before applying the rules of paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B)(1) of this section. To satisfy the requirements of §1.472-2(h), taxpayers must maintain adequate books and records, including those concerning the use of the IPIC method and necessary computations. Notwithstanding the rules in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, a taxpayer that adopts, or changes to, the link-chain IPIC method is not required to demonstrate that the use of any other method of determining the LIFO value of a dollar-value pool is impractical.

(B) New base year -- (1) Voluntary change -- (i) In general. In the case of a taxpayer using a non-IPIC method to determine the LIFO value of inventory, the layers previously determined under that method, if any, and the LIFO values of those layers are retained if the taxpayer voluntarily changes to the IPIC method. Instead of using the earliest taxable year for which the taxpayer adopted the LIFO method for any items in the dollar- value pool, the year of change is used as the new base year for the purpose of determining the amount of increments and liquidations, if any, for the year of change and subsequent taxable years. The base- year cost of the layers in a dollar-value pool at the beginning of the year of change must be restated in terms of new base-year cost using the year of change as the new base year and, if applicable, the indexes for the previously determined layers must be recomputed accordingly. The recomputed indexes will be used to determine the LIFO value of subsequent liquidations. For purposes of computing an IPI under paragraph (e)(3)(iii)(E) of this section, the IPI for the immediately preceding year is 1.00. The new total base-year cost of the items in a dollar-value pool for the purpose of determining future increments and liquidations is equal to the total current-year cost of the items in the dollar-value pool (determined using the taxpayer's method of determining the total current-year cost of the items in the dollar-value pool under paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section). A taxpayer must allocate this new total base-year cost to each layer based on the ratio of the old base-year cost of the layer to the old total base-year cost of the dollar-value pool.

(ii) Example. The following example illustrates the rules of this paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B)(1):

Example. (i) In 1990, X elected to use a dollar-value LIFO method (other than the IPIC method) for its single dollar-value pool. X is granted permission to change to the link-chain IPIC method, beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2001. X will continue using a single dollar-value pool. X's beginning inventory as of January 1, 2001, computed using its former inventory method, is as follows:

 (I)          (II)         (III)

 (I)         (II)        (III)

 (I)          (II)          (III)

 (I)         (II)          (III)

(ii) Simplified Transition Method. Under the simplified transition method, the Commissioner will recompute the LIFO value of each dollar-value pool as of the beginning of the year of change using the double-extension IPIC method or the link-chain IPIC method. The adjustment under section 481 is equal to the difference between the recomputed LIFO value and the LIFO value of the pool determined under the taxpayer's former method. The Commissioner will compute an IPI using the double-extension IPIC method or link-chain IPIC method for each taxable year in which the LIFO method was used by the taxpayer based on the assumptions that the ending inventory of the pool in each taxable year was comprised of items that fall into the same BLS categories as the items in the ending inventory of the year of change and that the relative weights of those BLS categories in all prior years were the same as the relative weights of those BLS categories in the ending inventory of the year of change. The base-year cost of the items in a dollar- value pool at the end of a taxable year will be determined by dividing the IPI computed for the taxable year into the current-year cost of the items in that pool determined in accordance with paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section. If the comparison of the base- year cost of the beginning and ending inventory produces a current- year increment, the base-year cost of that increment will be multiplied by the IPI computed for that taxable year to determine the LIFO value of that layer.

(iii) Example. The following example illustrates the rules of this paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B)(2)(ii).

Example. (i) Z began using a dollar-value LIFO method other than the IPIC method in the taxable year ending December 31, 1998, and maintains a single dollar-value pool. Z's beginning inventory as of January 1, 2000, computed using its method of accounting, was as follows:

 (I)        (II)       (III)

(iii) The category inflation indexes for 1998 computed under the double-extension IPIC method are 1.17 for Category 1, 1.26 for Category 2, and 1.19 for Category 3. The weights to be used in computing the IPI for 1998 are $106,400 ($133,000 * 80 percent) for Category 1, $13,300 ($133,000 * 10 percent) for Category 2, and $13,300 ($133,000 * 10 percent) for Category 3. The IPI for 1998 is computed as follows:

 (II)          (III)

(v) The category inflation indexes for 1999 computed under the double-extension IPIC method were 1.21 for Category 1, 1.29 for Category 2 and 1.23 for Category 3. The weights to be used in computing the IPI for 1999 are $116,000 ($145,000 * 80 percent) for Category 1, $14,500 ($145,000 * 10 percent) for Category 2, and $14,500 ($145,000 * 10 percent) for Category 3. The IPI for 1999 is computed as follows:

 (II)          (III)

(vii) The LIFO value of Z's dollar-value pool at the end of 1999 computed under the double-extension IPIC method is as follows:

 (I)          (II)           (III)

(ix) Finally, the examining agent will recompute Z's taxable income for 2000 and succeeding taxable years using the double- extension IPIC method.

(v) Effective date -- (A) In general. The rules of this paragraph (e)(3) and paragraphs (b)(4) and (c)(2) of this section are applicable for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2001.

(B) Change in method of accounting. Any change in a taxpayer's method of accounting necessary to comply with this paragraph (e)(3) or with paragraphs (b)(4) or (c)(2) of this section is a change in method of accounting to which the provisions of section 446 and the regulations thereunder apply. For the first or second taxable year ending on or after December 31, 2001, a taxpayer is granted the consent of the Commissioner to change its method of accounting to a method required or permitted by this paragraph (e)(3) and paragraphs (b)(4) and (c)(2) of this section. A taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting under this paragraph (e)(3)(v) must follow the automatic consent procedures in Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (2002-3 I.R.B. xxx) (see §601.601(d)(2) of this chapter). However, the scope limitations in section 4.02 of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 do not apply, and the five-year limitation on the readoption of the LIFO method under section 10.01(2) of the Appendix is waived. In addition, if the taxpayer's method of accounting for its LIFO inventories is an issue under consideration at the time the application is filed with the national office, the audit protection of section 7 of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 does not apply. If a taxpayer changing its method of accounting under this paragraph (e)(3)(v)(B) is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court with respect to any income tax issue, the taxpayer must provide a copy of the application to the examining agent(s), appeals officer or counsel for the government, as appropriate, at the same time it files the application with the national office. Any change under this paragraph (e)(3)(v)(B) must be made using a cut-off method and new base year as required by paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B)(1) of this section. Because a change under this paragraph (e)(3)(v)(B) is made using a cut-off method, a section 481(a) adjustment is not permitted. However, a taxpayer changing its method of accounting under this paragraph (e)(3)(v)(B) must comply with the requirements of section 10.06(3) of the APPENDIX of Rev. Proc. 2002-9 (concerning bargain purchases).

* * * * *

(h) LIFO inventories received in certain nonrecognition transactions -- (1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (h)(3) of this section, if inventory items accounted for under the LIFO method are received in a transaction described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, then, for the purpose of determining future increments and liquidations, the transferee must use the year of transfer as the base year and must use its current- year cost (computed under the transferee's method of accounting) of those items as their new base-year cost. If the transferee had opening inventories in the year of transfer, then, for the purpose of determining future increments and liquidations, the transferee must use its current-year cost (computed under the transferee's method of accounting) of those inventories as their new base-year cost. For this purpose, “opening inventory” refers to all items owned by the transferee before the transfer for which the transferee uses, or elects to use, the LIFO method. The total new base-year cost of the transferee's inventory as of the beginning of the year of transfer is equal to the new base-year cost of the inventory received from the transferor and the new base-year cost of the transferee's opening inventory. The index (or, the cumulative index in the case of the link-chain method) for the year immediately preceding the year of transfer is 1.00. The base-year cost of any layers in the dollar- value pool, as determined after the transfer, must be recomputed accordingly. See paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B)(1) of this section for an example of this computation.

(2) Transactions to which this paragraph (h) applies. The rules in this paragraph (h) apply to a transaction in which --

(i) The transferee determines its basis in the inventories, in whole or in part, by reference to the basis of the inventories in the hands of the transferor;

(ii) The transferor used the dollar-value LIFO method to account for the transferred inventories;

(iii) The transferee uses the dollar-value LIFO method to account for the inventories in the year of the transfer; and

(iv) The transaction is not described in section 381(a).

(3) Anti-avoidance rule. The rules in this paragraph (h) do not apply to a transaction entered into with the principal purpose to avail the transferee of a method of accounting that would be unavailable to the transferor (or would be unavailable to the transferor without securing consent from the Commissioner). In determining the principal purpose of a transfer, consideration will be given to all of the facts and circumstances. However, a transfer is deemed made with the principal purpose to avail the transferee of a method of accounting that would be unavailable to the transferor without securing consent from the Commissioner if the transferor acquired inventory in a bargain purchase within the five taxable years preceding the year of the transfer and used a dollar-value LIFO method to account for that inventory that did not treat the bargain purchase inventory and physically identical inventory acquired at market prices as separate items. Inventory is deemed acquired in a bargain purchase if the actual cost of the inventory (or, if appropriate, the allocated cost of the inventory) was less than or equal to 50 percent of the replacement cost of physically identical inventory. Inventory is not considered acquired in a bargain purchase if the actual cost of the inventory (or, if appropriate, the allocated cost of the inventory) was greater than or equal to 75 percent of the replacement cost of physically identical inventory.

(4) Effective date. The rules of this paragraph (h) are applicable for transfers that occur during a taxable year ending on or after December 31, 2001.

PART 602 -- OMB CONTROL NUMBERS UNDER THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

Par. 3. The authority citation for part 602 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805.

Par. 4. In §602.101, the table in paragraph (b) is amended by revising the entry for 1.472-8 to read as follows:

§602.101 OMB Control numbers.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

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