QUALIFIED AND CASH METHOD DEBT INSTRUMENT INFLATION-ADJUSTED CEILING AMOUNTS FOR SALES OR EXCHANGES DURING 1990 RELEASED.

Rev. Rul. 90-68

This revenue ruling provides the dollar amounts, increased by the 1990 inflation adjustment, for section 1274A of the Internal Revenue Code.

BACKGROUND

In general, sections 483 and 1274 of the Code determine the principal amount of a debt instrument given in consideration for the sale or exchange of nonpublicly traded property. In addition, any interest on a debt instrument subject to section 1274 is taken into account under the original issue discount provisions of the Code. Section 1274A, however, modifies the rules under sections 483 and 1274 for certain types of debt instruments.

In the case of a "qualified debt instrument," the discount rate used for purposes of sections 483 and 1274 of the Code may not exceed 9 percent, compounded semiannually. Section l274A(b) defines a qualified debt instrument as any debt instrument given in consideration for the sale or exchange of property (other than new section 38 property within the meaning of section 48(b)) if the stated principal amount of the instrument does not exceed the amount specified in section 1274A(b). For instruments arising out of sales or exchanges before January 1, 1990, this amount is $2,800,000.

In the case of a "cash method debt instrument," as defined in section 1274A(c) of the Code, the borrower and lender may elect to use the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting. In particular, for any cash method debt instrument, section 1274 does not apply, and interest on the instrument is accounted for by both the borrower and the lender under the cash method of accounting. A cash method debt instrument is a qualified debt instrument that meets the following additional requirements: (A) In the case of instruments arising out of sales or exchanges before January 1, 1990, the stated principal amount does not exceed $2,000,000, (B) The lender does not use an accrual method of accounting and is not a dealer with respect to the property sold or exchanged, (C) Section 1274 would have applied to the debt instrument but for an election under section 1274A(c), and (D) An election under section 1274A(c) is jointly made with respect to the debt instrument by the borrower and lender.

Section 1274A(d)(2) of the Code provides that, for any debt instrument arising out of a sale or exchange during any calendar year after 1989, the dollar amounts stated in section 1274A(b) and section 1274A(c)(2)(A) are increased by the inflation adjustment for the calendar year. Any increase due to the inflation adjustment is rounded to the nearest multiple of $100 (or, if the increase is a multiple of $50 and not of $100, the increase is increased to the nearest multiple of $100). The inflation adjustment for any calendar year is the percentage (if any) by which the CPI for the preceding calendar year exceeds the CPI for calendar year 1988. Section 1274A(d)(2)(B) defines the CPI for any calendar year as the average of the Consumer Price Index as of the close of the 12-month period ending on September 30 of the calendar year.

INFLATION-ADJUSTED AMOUNTS

For debt instruments arising out of sales or exchanges after December 31, 1989, the inflation-adjusted amounts under section 1274A are shown in Table 1.

                                Table 1

DRAFTING INFORMATION

The principal author of this revenue ruling is Frederick S. Campbell-Mohn of the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products). For further information regarding this revenue ruling contact Mr. Campbell-Mohn on (202) 566-3142 (not a toll-free call).