IRS UPDATES PROCEDURES FOR AUTOMATIC ACCOUNTING METHOD CHANGES.

Rev. Proc. 98-60

                          TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 2. BACKGROUND AND CHANGES

.01 Change in method of accounting defined.

(1) Section 1.446-1(e)(2)(ii)(a) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that a change in method of accounting includes a change in the overall plan of accounting for gross income or deductions, or a change in the treatment of any material item. A material item is any item that involves the proper time for the inclusion of the item in income or the taking of the item as a deduction. In determining whether a taxpayer's accounting practice for an item involves timing, generally the relevant question is whether the practice permanently changes the amount of the taxpayer's lifetime income. If the practice does not permanently affect the taxpayer's lifetime income, but does or could change the taxable year in which income is reported, it involves timing and is therefore a method of accounting. See Rev. Proc. 91-31, 1991-1 C.B. 566.

(2) Although a method of accounting may exist under this definition without a pattern of consistent treatment of an item, a method of accounting is not adopted in most instances without consistent treatment. The treatment of a material item in the same way in determining the gross income or deductions in two or more consecutively filed tax returns (without regard to any change in status of the method as permissible or impermissible) represents consistent treatment of that item for purposes of section 1.446- 1(e)(2)(ii)(a). If a taxpayer treats an item properly in the first return that reflects the item, however, it is not necessary for the taxpayer to treat the item consistently in two or more consecutive tax returns to have adopted a method of accounting. If a taxpayer has adopted a method of accounting under these rules, the taxpayer may not change the method by amending its prior income tax return(s). See Rev. Rul. 90-38, 1990-1 C.B. 57.

(3) A change in the characterization of an item may also constitute a change in method of accounting if the change has the effect of shifting income from one period to another. For example, a change from treating an item as income to treating the item as a deposit is a change in method of accounting. See Rev. Proc. 91-31.

(4) A change in method of accounting does not include correction of mathematical or posting errors, or errors in the computation of tax liability (such as errors in computation of the foreign tax credit, net operating loss, percentage depletion, or investment credit). See section 1.446-1(e)(2)(ii)(b).

.02 Securing permission to make a method change. Sections 446(e) and 1.446-1(e) state that, except as otherwise provided, a taxpayer must secure the consent of the Commissioner before changing a method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Section 1.446-1(e)(3)(i) requires that, in order to obtain the Commissioner's consent to a method change, a taxpayer must file a Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method, during the taxable year in which the taxpayer wants to make the proposed change.

.03 Terms and conditions of a method change. Section 1.446- 1(e)(3)(ii) authorizes the Commissioner to prescribe administrative procedures setting forth the limitations, terms, and conditions deemed necessary to permit a taxpayer to obtain consent to change a method of accounting in accordance with section 446(e). The terms and conditions the Commissioner may prescribe include the year of change, whether the change is to be made with a section 481(a) adjustment or on a cut-off basis, and the section 481(a) adjustment period.

.04 No retroactive method change. Unless specifically authorized by the Commissioner, a taxpayer may not request, or otherwise make, a retroactive change in method of accounting, regardless of whether the change is from a permissible or an impermissible method. See generally Rev. Rul. 90-38.

.05 Method change with a section 481(a) adjustment.

(1) Need for adjustment. Section 481(a) requires those adjustments necessary to prevent amounts from being duplicated or omitted to be taken into account when the taxpayer's taxable income is computed under a method of accounting different from the method used to compute taxable income for the preceding taxable year. When there is a change in method of accounting to which section 481(a) is applied, income for the taxable year preceding the year of change must be determined under the method of accounting that was then employed, and income for the year of change and the following taxable years must be determined under the new method of accounting as if the new method had always been used.

Example. A taxpayer that is not required to use inventories uses the overall cash receipts and disbursements method and changes to an overall accrual method. The taxpayer has $120,000 of income earned but not yet received (accounts receivable) and $100,000 of expenses incurred but not yet paid (accounts payable) as of the end of the taxable year preceding the year of change. A positive section 481(a) adjustment of $20,000 ($120,000 accounts receivable less $100,000 accounts payable) is required as a result of the change.

(2) Adjustment period. Section 481(c) and sections 1.446- 1(e)(3)(ii) and 1.481-4 provide that the adjustment required by section 481(a) may be taken into account in determining taxable income in the manner and subject to the conditions agreed to by the Commissioner and the taxpayer. Generally, in the absence of such an agreement, the section 481(a) adjustment is taken into account completely in the year of change, subject to section 481(b) which limits the amount of tax where the section 481(a) adjustment is substantial. However, under the Commissioner's authority in section 1.446-1(e)(3)(ii) to prescribe terms and conditions for changes in methods of accounting, this revenue procedure provides specific adjustment periods that are intended to achieve an appropriate balance between the goals of mitigating distortions of income that result from accounting method changes and providing appropriate incentives for voluntary compliance.

.06 Method change using a cut-off method. The Commissioner may determine that certain changes in methods of accounting will be made without a section 481(a) adjustment, using a "cut-off method." Under a cut-off method, only the items arising on or after the beginning of the year of change (or other operative date) are accounted for under the new method of accounting. Any items arising before the year of change (or other operative date) continue to be accounted for under the taxpayer's former method of accounting. See, for example, section 263A (which generally applies to costs incurred after December 31, 1986, for noninventory property), section 461(h) (which generally applies to amounts incurred on or after July 18, 1984), and section 1.446-3 (which applies to notional principal contracts entered into on or after December 13, 1993). Because no items are duplicated or omitted from income when a cut-off method is used to effect a change in accounting method, no section 481(a) adjustment is necessary.

.07 Consistency and clear reflection of income. Methods of accounting should clearly reflect income on a continuing basis, and the Internal Revenue Service exercises its discretion under sections 446(e) and 481(c) in a manner that generally minimizes distortions of income across taxable years and on an annual basis.

.08 Separate trades or businesses.

(1) Sections 1.446-1(d)(1) and (2) provide that when a taxpayer has two or more separate and distinct trades or businesses, a different method of accounting may be used for each trade or business provided the method of accounting used for each trade or business clearly reflects the overall income of the taxpayer as well as that of each particular trade or business. No trade or business is separate and distinct unless a complete and separable set of books and records is kept for that trade or business.

(2) Section 1.446-1(d)(3) provides that if, by reason of maintaining different methods of accounting, there is a creation or shifting of profits or losses between the trades or businesses of the taxpayer (for example, through inventory adjustments, sales, purchases, or expenses) so that income of the taxpayer is not clearly reflected, the trades or businesses of the taxpayer are not separate and distinct.

.09 Penalties. Any otherwise applicable penalty for the failure of a taxpayer to change its method of accounting (for example, the accuracy-related penalty under section 6662 or the fraud penalty under section 6663) may be imposed if the taxpayer does not timely file a request to change a method of accounting. See section 446(f). Additionally, the taxpayer's return preparer may also be subject to the preparer penalty under section 6694. However, penalties will not be imposed when a taxpayer changes from an impermissible method of accounting to a permissible one by complying with all applicable provisions of this revenue procedure.

.10 Change made as part of an examination. Sections 446(b) and 1.446-1(b)(1) provide that if a taxpayer does not regularly employ a method of accounting that clearly reflects its income, the computation of taxable income must be made in a manner that, in the opinion of the Commissioner, does clearly reflect income. If a taxpayer under examination is not eligible to change a method of accounting under this revenue procedure, the change may be made by the district director. A change resulting in a positive section 481(a) adjustment will ordinarily be made in the earliest taxable year under examination with a one-year section 481(a) adjustment period.

.11 Significant changes. Significant changes to Rev. Proc. 97-37 include:

(1) Section 4.02(6) clarifies that the year of change is included within the five-year prohibition regarding prior changes;

(2) Section 6.02(2) clarifies that the automatic extension of 6 months from the due date of the return provided in section 301.9100-2 is applicable;

(3) Section 9.01 clarifies that the district director is to ascertain if a change in method of accounting was made in compliance with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure;

(4) Section 10.04 clarifies that an application reviewed and changed by the national office is subject to review by the district director as provided in section 9 of this revenue procedure;

(5) Section 13.03 provides that the effective date of this revenue procedure is December 21, 1998, for applications or copies of applications filed with the national office under section 2.01 or 2.02 of the APPENDIX;

(6) Section 2.01 of the APPENDIX provides that this revenue procedure is the exclusive procedure for making that change, includes property for which excess depreciation was claimed, excludes property for which depreciation is determined under section 1.167(a)-11, and requires additional information for any public utility property;

(7) Section 2.02 of the APPENDIX requires additional information for any public utility property;

(8) Section 3.01 of the APPENDIX is modified to provide that the change does not apply to a taxpayer that wants to change to the capitalization method for costs of developing (or modifying) any package design that has an ascertainable useful life;

(9) Section 10.01 of the APPENDIX provides that a taxpayer is not required to file a Form 3115 to re-elect the LIFO inventory method after a period of five taxable years beginning with the year of change;

(10) Section 10.04 of the APPENDIX provides that a taxpayer wanting to make an IPIC change where a bulk bargain purchase previously occurred must first comply with Hamilton Industries, Inc. v. Commissioner, 97 T.C. 120 (1991), and compute a section 481(a) adjustment for the bargain purchase part of the change;

(11) The following changes in methods of accounting have been added to the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure:

(a) Section 1.02 of the APPENDIX regarding Year 2000 costs;

(b) Section 2A.01 of the APPENDIX regarding research and experimental expenditures;

(c) Section 3.02 of the APPENDIX regarding line pack gas and cushion gas;

(d) Section 5.04 of the APPENDIX regarding the Rule of 78s;

(e) Section 8.05 of the APPENDIX regarding cooperative advertising;

(f) Section 9.02 of the APPENDIX regarding estimating inventory shrinkage;

(g) Section 10A.01 of the APPENDIX regarding the mark-to-market method of accounting for a taxpayer's first taxable year ending after July 22, 1998; and

(h) Section 12.02 of the APPENDIX regarding pool of debt instruments for the taxpayer's first taxable year beginning after August 5, 1997.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS

.01 Application. The term "application" includes a Form 3115, or any statement that is authorized under the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure to be filed in lieu of a Form 3115, and any attachments.

.02 Taxpayer.

(1) In general. The term "taxpayer" has the same meaning as the term "person" defined in section 7701(a)(1) (rather than the meaning of the term "taxpayer" defined in section 7701(a)(14)).

(2) Consolidated group. For purposes of (a) sections 3.08(1), 3.09(1), and 4.02(1) of this revenue procedure (taxpayer under examination), (b) sections 3.09(2) and 4.02(2) of this revenue procedure (taxpayer before an appeals office), or (c) sections 3.09(3) and 4.02(3) of this revenue procedure (taxpayer before a federal court), the term "taxpayer" includes a consolidated group.

.03 Filed. Any form (including an application), statement, or other document required to be filed under this revenue procedure is filed on the date it is mailed to the proper address (or an address similar enough to complete delivery). If the form, statement, or other document is not mailed (or the date it is mailed cannot be reasonably determined), it is filed on the date it is delivered to the Service.

.04 Mailed. The date of mailing will be determined under the rules of section 7502. For example, the date of mailing is the date of the U.S. postmark or the applicable date recorded or marked by a designated private delivery service. See Notice 98-47, 1998-37 I.R.B. 8.

.05 Timely performance of acts. The rules of section 7503 apply when the last day for the taxpayer's timely performance of any act (for example, filing an application or submitting additional information) falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The performance of any act is timely if the act is performed on the next succeeding day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

.06 Year of change. The year of change is the taxable year for which a change in method of accounting is effective, that is, the first taxable year the new method is to be used, even if no affected items are taken into account for that year.

.07 Section 481(a) adjustment period. The section 481(a) adjustment period is the applicable number of taxable years for taking into account the section 481(a) adjustment required as a result of the change in method of accounting. The year of change is the first taxable year in the adjustment period and the section 481(a) adjustment is taken into account ratably over the number of taxable years in the adjustment period. The applicable adjustment periods are set forth in section 5.04 of this revenue procedure.

.08 Under examination.

(1) In general.

(a) Except as provided in section 3.08(2) of this revenue procedure, an examination of a taxpayer with respect to a federal income tax return begins on the date the taxpayer is contacted in any manner by a representative of the Service for the purpose of scheduling any type of examination of the return. An examination ends:

(i) in a case in which the Service accepts the return as filed, on the date of the "no change" letter sent to the taxpayer;

(ii) in a fully agreed case, on the earliest of the date the taxpayer executes a waiver of restrictions on assessment or acceptance of overassessment (for example, Form 870, 4549, or 4605), the date the taxpayer makes a payment of tax that equals or exceeds the proposed deficiency, or the date of the "closing" letter (for example, Letter 891 or 987) sent to the taxpayer; or

(iii) in an unagreed or a partially agreed case, on the earliest of the date the taxpayer (or its representative) is notified by Appeals that the case has been referred to Appeals from Examination, the date the taxpayer files a petition in the Tax Court, the date on which the period for filing a petition with the Tax Court expires, or the date of the notice of claim disallowance.

(b) An examination does not end as a result of the early referral of an issue to Appeals under the provisions of Rev. Proc. 96-9, 1996-1 C.B. 575.

(c) An examination resumes on the date the taxpayer (or its representative) is notified by Appeals (or otherwise) that the case has been referred to Examination for reconsideration.

(2) Partnerships and S corporations subject to TEFRA. For an entity (including a limited liability company), treated as a partnership or an S corporation for federal income tax purposes, that is subject to the TEFRA unified audit and litigation provisions for partnerships and S corporations, an examination begins on the date of the notice of the beginning of an administrative proceeding sent to the Tax Matters Partner/Tax Matters Person (TMP). An examination ends:

(a) in a case in which the Service accepts the partnership or S corporation return as filed, on the date of the "no adjustments" letter or the "no change" notice of final administrative adjustment sent to the TMP;

(b) in a fully agreed case, when all the partners, members, or shareholders execute a Form 870-P, 870-L, or 870-S; or

(c) in an unagreed or a partially agreed case, on the earliest of the date the TMP (or its representative) is notified by Appeals that the case has been referred to Appeals from Examination, the date the TMP (or a partner, member, or shareholder) requests judicial review, or the date on which the period for requesting judicial review expires.

But see section 4.02(5) of this revenue procedure for certain rules that preclude an entity from requesting a change in accounting method. Also note that S corporations are not subject to the TEFRA unified audit and litigation provisions for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996. See Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-188, section 1317(a), 110 Stat. 1755, 1787 (1996).

.09 Issue under consideration.

(1) Under examination. A taxpayer's method of accounting for an item is an issue under consideration for the taxable years under examination if the taxpayer receives written notification (for example, by examination plan, information document request (IDR), or notification of proposed adjustments or income tax examination changes) from the examining agent(s) specifically citing the treatment of the item as an issue under consideration. For example, a taxpayer's method of pooling under the dollar-value, last-in, first- out (LIFO) inventory method is an issue under consideration as a result of an examination plan that identifies LIFO pooling as a matter to be examined, but it is not an issue under consideration as a result of an examination plan that merely identifies LIFO inventories as a matter to be examined. Similarly, a taxpayer's method of determining inventoriable costs under section 263A is an issue under consideration as a result of an IDR that requests documentation supporting the costs included in inventoriable costs, but it is not an issue under consideration as a result of an IDR that requests documentation supporting the amount of cost of goods sold reported on the return. The question of whether a method of accounting is an issue under consideration may be referred to the national office as a request for technical advice under the provisions of Rev. Proc. 98-2, 1998-1 I.R.B. 74 (or any successor).

(2) Before an appeals office. A taxpayer's method of accounting for an item is an issue under consideration for the taxable years before an appeals office if the treatment of the item is included as an item of adjustment in the examination report referred to Appeals or is specifically identified in writing to the taxpayer by Appeals.

(3) Before a federal court. A taxpayer's method of accounting for an item is an issue under consideration for the taxable years before a federal court if the treatment of the item is included in the statutory notice of deficiency, the notice of claim disallowance, the notice of final administrative adjustment, the pleadings (for example, the petition, complaint, or answer) or amendments thereto, or is specifically identified in writing to the taxpayer by the counsel for the government.

.10 Change within the LIFO inventory method. A change within the LIFO inventory method is a change from one LIFO inventory method or sub-method to another LIFO inventory method or sub-method. A change within the LIFO inventory method does not include a change in method of accounting that could be made by a taxpayer that does not use the LIFO inventory method (for example, a method governed by section 471 or 263A).

SECTION 4. SCOPE

.01 Applicability. This revenue procedure applies to a taxpayer requesting the Commissioner's consent to change to a method of accounting described in the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure. This revenue procedure is the exclusive procedure for a taxpayer within its scope to obtain the Commissioner's consent.

.02 Inapplicability. Except as otherwise provided in the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure (see, for example, sections 4.01, 5.04, 8.05, 9.02, 10A.01, 12.01, and 12.02 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure), this revenue procedure does not apply in the following situations:

(1) Under examination. If, on the date the taxpayer would otherwise file a copy of the application with the national office, the taxpayer is under examination (as provided in section 3.08 of this revenue procedure), except as provided in sections 6.03(2) (90- day window), 6.03(3) (120-day window), and 6.03(4) (district director consent) of this revenue procedure;

(2) Before an appeals office. If, on the date the taxpayer would otherwise file a copy of the application with the national office, the taxpayer is before an appeals office with respect to any income tax issue and the method of accounting to be changed is an issue under consideration by the appeals office (as provided in section 3.09(2) of this revenue procedure);

(3) Before a federal court. If, on the date the taxpayer would otherwise file a copy of the application with the national office, the taxpayer is before a federal court with respect to any income tax issue and the method of accounting to be changed is an issue under consideration by the federal court (as provided in section 3.09(3) of this revenue procedure);

(4) Consolidated group member. A corporation that is (or was formerly) a member of a consolidated group is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court (for purposes of sections 4.02(1), (2), and (3) of this revenue procedure) if the consolidated group is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court for a taxable year(s) that the corporation was a member of the group;

(5) Partnerships and S corporations. For an entity (including a limited liability company) treated as a partnership or an S corporation for federal income tax purposes, if, on the date the entity would otherwise file a copy of the application with the national office, the entity's accounting method to be changed is an issue under consideration in an examination of a partner, member, or shareholder's federal income tax return or an issue under consideration by an appeals office or by a federal court with respect to a partner, member, or shareholder's federal income tax return;

(6) Prior change. If the taxpayer, within the last five taxable years (including the year of change), (a) has made a change in the same method of accounting (with or without obtaining the Commissioner's consent), or (b) has applied to change the same method of accounting without effecting the change (whether, for example, the application to change was withdrawn, not perfected, not granted, or denied); or

(7) Section 381(a) transaction. If the taxpayer engages in a transaction to which section 381(a) applies within the proposed taxable year of change (determined without regard to any potential closing of the year under section 381(b)(1)).

.03 Nonautomatic changes. If a taxpayer is precluded by other than sections 4.02(1) through 4.02(5) of this revenue procedure from using this revenue procedure to make a change in method of accounting, the taxpayer requesting such a change must file a Form 3115 with the Commissioner in accordance with the requirements of section 1.446-1(e)(3)(i) and Rev. Proc. 97-27, 1997-1 C.B. 680 (or any other applicable Code, regulation, or administrative provision).

SECTION 5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CHANGE

.01 In general. An accounting method change filed under this revenue procedure must be made pursuant to the terms and conditions provided in this revenue procedure.

.02 Year of change. The year of change is the taxable year designated on the application and for which the application is timely filed under section 6.02(2).

.03 Section 481(a) adjustment. Unless otherwise provided in this revenue procedure, a taxpayer making a change in method of accounting under this revenue procedure must take into account a section 481(a) adjustment in the manner provided in section 5.04 of this revenue procedure.

.04 Section 481(a) adjustment period.

(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in section 5.04(3) or the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, the section 481(a) adjustment period for positive and negative section 481(a) adjustments is four taxable years.

(2) Short period as a separate taxable year. If the year of change, or any taxable year during the section 481(a) adjustment period, is a short taxable year, the section 481(a) adjustment must be included in income as if that short taxable year were a full 12- month taxable year. See Rev. Rul. 78-165, 1978-1 C.B. 276.

Example 1. A calendar year taxpayer received permission to change an accounting method beginning with the 1998 calendar year. The section 481(a) adjustment is $30,000 and the adjustment period is four taxable years. The taxpayer subsequently receives permission to change its annual accounting period to September 30, effective for the taxable year ending September 30, 1999. The taxpayer must include $7,500 of the section 481(a) adjustment in gross income for the short period from January 1, 1999, through September 30, 1999.

Example 2. Corporation X, a calendar year taxpayer, received permission to change an accounting method beginning with the 1998 calendar year. The section 481(a) adjustment is $30,000 and the adjustment period is four taxable years. On July 1, 2000, Corporation Z acquires Corporation X in a transaction to which section 381(a) applies. Corporation Z is a calendar year taxpayer that uses the same method of accounting to which Corporation X changed in 1998. Corporation X must include $7,500 of the section 481(a) adjustment in gross income for its short period income tax return for January 1, 2000, through June 30, 2000. In addition, Corporation Z must include $7,500 of the section 481(a) adjustment in gross income in its income tax return for calendar year 2000.

(3) Shortened or accelerated adjustment periods. The section 481(a) adjustment period provided in section 5.04(1) or the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure will be shortened or accelerated in the following situations.

(a) De minimis rule. A taxpayer may elect to use a one-year adjustment period in lieu of the section 481(a) adjustment period otherwise provided by this revenue procedure if the entire section 481(a) adjustment is less than $25,000 (either positive or negative). A taxpayer makes an election under this de minimis rule by so indicating on the application. For example, for a taxpayer filing a Form 3115, the taxpayer must complete the appropriate line on the Form 3115 to elect this de minimis rule.

(b) Cooperatives. A cooperative within the meaning of section 1381(a) generally must take the entire amount of a section 481(a) adjustment into account in computing taxable income for the year of change. See Rev. Rul. 79-45, 1979-1 C.B. 284.

(c) Ceasing to engage in the trade or business.(i) In general. A taxpayer that ceases to engage in a trade or business or terminates its existence must take the remaining balance of any section 481(a) adjustment relating to the trade or business into account in computing taxable income in the taxable year of the cessation or termination. Except as provided in sections 5.04(3)(c)(iv) and (v) of this revenue procedure, a taxpayer is treated as ceasing to engage in a trade or business if the operations of the trade or business cease or substantially all the assets of the trade or business are transferred to another taxpayer. For this purpose, "substantially all" has the same meaning as in section 3.01 of Rev. Proc. 77-37, 1977-2 C.B. 568.

(ii) Examples of transactions that are treated as the cessation of a trade or business. The following is a nonexclusive list of transactions that are treated as the cessation of a trade or business for purposes of accelerating the section 481(a) adjustment under section 5.04(3)(c) of this revenue procedure:

(A) the trade or business to which the section 481(a) adjustment relates is incorporated;

(B) the trade or business to which the section 481(a) adjustment relates is purchased by another taxpayer in a transaction to which section 1060 applies;

(C) the trade or business to which the section 481(a) adjustment relates is terminated or transferred pursuant to a taxable liquidation;

(D) a division of a corporation ceases to operate the trade or business to which the section 481(a) adjustment relates; or

(E) the assets of a trade or business to which the section 481(a) adjustment relates are contributed to a partnership.

(iii) Conversion to or from S corporation status. Except as provided in section 10.01 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, no acceleration of a section 481(a) adjustment is required under section 5.04(3)(c) of this revenue procedure when a C corporation elects to be treated as an S corporation or an S corporation terminates its S election and is then treated as a C corporation.

(iv) Certain transfers to which section 381(a) applies. No acceleration of the section 481(a) adjustment is required under section 5.04(3)(c) of this revenue procedure when a taxpayer transfers substantially all the assets of the trade or business that gave rise to the section 481(a) adjustment to another taxpayer in a transfer to which section 381(a) applies and the accounting method (the change to which gave rise to the section 481(a) adjustment) is a tax attribute that is carried over and used by the acquiring corporation immediately after the transfer pursuant to section 381(c). The acquiring corporation is subject to any terms and conditions imposed on the transferor (or any predecessor of the transferor) as a result of its change in method of accounting.

(v) Certain transfers pursuant to section 351 within a consolidated group.

(A) In general. No acceleration of the section 481(a) adjustment is required under section 5.04(3)(c) of this revenue procedure when one member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated return transfers substantially all the assets of the trade or business that gave rise to the section 481(a) adjustment to another member of the same consolidated group in an exchange qualifying under section 351 and the transferee member adopts and uses the same method of accounting (the change to which gave rise to the section 481(a) adjustment) used by the transferor member. The transferor member must continue to take the section 481(a) adjustment into account pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this revenue procedure. The transferor member must take into account activities of the transferee member (or any successor) in determining whether acceleration of the section 481(a) adjustment is required. For example, except as provided in the following sentence, the transferor member must take any remaining section 481(a) adjustment into account in computing taxable income in the taxable year in which the transferee member ceases to engage in the trade or business to which the section 481(a) adjustment relates. The section 481(a) adjustment is not accelerated when the transferee member engages in a transaction described in section 5.04(3)(c)(iv) or 5.04(3)(c)(v)(A) of this revenue procedure.

(B) Exception. The provisions of section 5.04(3)(c)(v)(A) of this revenue procedure cease to apply and the transferor member must take any remaining balance of the section 481(a) adjustment into account in the taxable year immediately preceding any of the following: (1) the taxable year the transferor member ceases to be a member of the group; (2) the taxable year any transferee member owning substantially all the assets of the trade or business which gave rise to the section 481(a) adjustment ceases to be a member of the group; or (3) a separate return year of the common parent of the group. In applying the preceding sentence, the rules of paragraphs (j)(2), (j)(5), and (j)(6) of section 1.1502-13 apply, but only if the method of accounting to which the transferor member changed and to which the section 481(a) adjustment relates is adopted, carried over, or used by any transferee member acquiring the assets of the trade or business that gave rise to the section 481(a) adjustment immediately after acquisition of such assets. For example, the transferor member is not required to accelerate the section 481(a) adjustment if a transferee member ceases to be a member of a consolidated group by reason of an acquisition to which section 381(a) applies and the acquiring corporation (1) is a member of the same group as the transferor member, and (2) continues, under section 381(c)(4) and the regulations thereunder, to use the same method of accounting as that used by the transferor member with respect to the assets of the trade or business to which the section 481(a) adjustment relates.

.05 NOL carryback limitation for taxpayer subject to criminal investigation. Generally, no portion of any net operating loss that is attributable to a negative section 481(a) adjustment may be carried back to a taxable year prior to the year of change that is the subject of any pending or future criminal investigation or proceeding concerning (1) directly or indirectly, any issue relating to the taxpayer's federal tax liability, or (2) the possibility of false or fraudulent statements made by the taxpayer with respect to any issue relating to its federal tax liability.

.06 Change treated as initiated by the taxpayer. For purposes of section 481, a change in method of accounting made under this revenue procedure is a change in method of accounting initiated by the taxpayer.

SECTION 6. GENERAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES

.01 Consent. Pursuant to section 1.446-1(e)(2)(i), the consent of the Commissioner is hereby granted to any taxpayer within the scope of this revenue procedure to change a method of accounting, provided the taxpayer complies with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure.

.02 Filing requirements.

(1) Waiver of taxable year filing requirement. The requirement under section 1.446-1(e)(3)(i) to file a Form 3115 within the taxable year for which the change is requested is waived for any application for a change in method of accounting filed pursuant to this revenue procedure. See section 1.446-1(e)(3)(ii).

(2) Timely duplicate filing requirement.

(a) In general. A taxpayer changing a method of accounting pursuant to this revenue procedure must complete and file an application in duplicate. Except as otherwise provided in the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure (see, for example, section 12.02 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure), the original must be attached to the taxpayer's timely filed (including extensions) original federal income tax return for the year of change, and a copy of the application must be filed with the national office (see section 6.02(6) of this revenue procedure for the address) no earlier than the first day of the year of change and no later than when the original is filed with the federal income tax return for the year of change.

(b) Limited relief for late application.

(i) Automatic extension. An automatic extension of 6 months from the due date of the return for the year of change (excluding extensions) is granted to file an application, provided the taxpayer (A) timely filed (including extensions) its federal income tax return for the year of change, (B) files an amended return within the 6- month extension period in a manner that is consistent with the new method of accounting, (C) attaches the original application to the amended return, (D) files a copy of the application with the national office no later than when the original is filed with the amended return, and (E) writes at the top of the application "FILED PURSUANT TO section 301.9100-2."

(ii) Other extensions. A taxpayer that fails to file the application for the year of change as provided in section 6.02(2)(a) or 6.02(2)(b)(i) of this revenue procedure will not be granted an extension of time to file under section 301.9100 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations, except in unusual and compelling circumstances. See section 301.9100-3(c)(2).

(3) Label.

(a) In order to assist in processing an application under this revenue procedure, the section of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure describing the specific change in method of accounting should be included in the application. For example, a phrase such as "Section 1.01 of the APPENDIX of Rev. Proc. 98-60" should be included on the appropriate line on the Form 3115.

(b) If a taxpayer is authorized under the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure to file a statement in lieu of a Form 3115, the taxpayer must include the taxpayer's name and employer identification number (or social security number in the case of an individual) at the top of the first page of the statement underneath any other required label.

(4) Signature requirements. The application must be signed by, or on behalf of, the taxpayer requesting the change by an individual with authority to bind the taxpayer in such matters. For example, an officer must sign on behalf of a corporation, a general partner on behalf of a state law partnership, a member-manager on behalf of a limited liability company, a trustee on behalf of a trust, or an individual taxpayer on behalf of a sole proprietorship. If the taxpayer is a member of a consolidated group, an application submitted on behalf of the taxpayer must be signed by a duly authorized officer of the common parent. See the signature requirements set forth in the General Instructions attached to a current Form 3115 regarding those who are to sign. If an agent is authorized to represent the taxpayer before the Service, receive the original or a copy of the correspondence concerning the application, or perform any other act(s) regarding the application filed on behalf of the taxpayer, a power of attorney reflecting such authorization(s) must be attached to the application. A taxpayer's representative without a power of attorney to represent the taxpayer as indicated in this section will not be given any information regarding the application.

(5) Additional statement required. In addition to providing all the information that is required by the application, a taxpayer must attach to the application a written statement providing as follows:

(a) the taxpayer agrees to all of the terms and conditions in this revenue procedure; and

(b) if a section 481(a) adjustment is required, the reason for claiming the section 481(a) adjustment period over which the taxpayer agrees to take the applicable section 481(a) adjustment into account.

(6) Where to file copy.

(a) For a taxpayer other than an exempt organization, the copy of the application must be addressed to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Attention: CC:DOM:IT&A (Automatic Rulings Branch), P.O. Box 7604, Benjamin Franklin Station, Washington, D.C. 20044 (or, in the case of a designated private delivery service: Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Attention: CC:DOM:IT&A (Automatic Rulings Branch), 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20224).

(b) For an exempt organization, the copy of the application must be addressed to the Assistant Commissioner (Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations), Attention: E:EO, P.O. Box 120, Benjamin Franklin Station, Washington, D.C. 20044 (or, in the case of a designated private delivery service: Assistant Commissioner (Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations), Attention: E:EO, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20224).

(c) The copy of the application may also be hand delivered:

(i) To the drop box at the 12th Street entrance of 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. No receipt will be given at the drop box. For a taxpayer other than an exempt organization, the copy of the application must be addressed to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Attention: CC:DOM:IT&A (Automatic Rulings Branch), 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20224. For an exempt organization, the copy of the application must be addressed to the Assistant Commissioner (Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations), Attention: E:EO, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20224; or

(ii) Between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., to the courier's desk at the main entrance of 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. A receipt will be given at the courier's desk. For a taxpayer other than an exempt organization, the copy of the application must be addressed to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Attention: CC:DOM:IT&A (Automatic Rulings Branch), 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20224. For an exempt organization, the copy of the application must be addressed to the Assistant Commissioner (Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations), Attention: E:EO, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20224

(7) No user fee. A user fee is not required for an application filed under this revenue procedure, and, except as provided in section 6.02(6)(c)(ii) of this revenue procedure, the receipt of an application filed under this revenue procedure will not be acknowledged.

(8) Single application for certain consolidated groups. A parent corporation may file a single application to change an identical method of accounting on behalf of more than one member of a consolidated group. To qualify, the taxpayers in the consolidated group must be members of the same affiliated group under section 1504(a) that join in the filing of a consolidated tax return, and they must be changing from the identical present method of accounting to the identical proposed method of accounting. All aspects of the change in method of accounting, including the present and proposed methods, the underlying facts, and the authority for the change, must be identical, except for the section 481(a) adjustment. See section 15.07(3) of Rev. Proc. 98-1, 1998-1 I.R.B. at 54 (or any successor), for the information required to be submitted with the application.

.03 Taxpayer under examination.

(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure (see, for example, sections 4.01, 5.04, 8.05, 9.02, 10A.01, 12.01, and 12.02 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure), a taxpayer that is under examination may file an application to change a method of accounting under section 6 of this revenue procedure only if the taxpayer is within the provisions of section 6.03(2) (90-day window), 6.03(3) (120-day window), or 6.03(4) (district director consent) of this revenue procedure. A taxpayer that files an application beyond the time periods provided in the 90- day and 120-day windows is not eligible for the automatic extension of time and will not be granted an extension of time to file under section 301.9100, except in unusual and compelling circumstances.

(2) 90-day window period.

(a) A taxpayer may file a copy of the application with the national office to change a method of accounting under this revenue procedure during the first 90-days of any taxable year (the "90-day window") if the taxpayer has been under examination for at least 12 consecutive months as of the first day of the taxable year. This 90- day window is not available if the method of accounting the taxpayer is changing is an issue under consideration at the time the copy of the application is filed or an issue the examining agent(s) has placed in suspense at the time the copy of the application is filed.

(b) A taxpayer changing a method of accounting under this 90-day window must provide a copy of the application to the examining agent(s) at the same time it files the copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s). The taxpayer must attach to the application a separate statement signed by the taxpayer certifying that, to the best of the taxpayer's knowledge, the same method of accounting is not an issue under consideration or an issue placed in suspense by the examining agent(s).

(3) 120-day window period.

(a) A taxpayer may file a copy of the application with the national office to change a method of accounting under this revenue procedure during the 120-day period following the date an examination ends (the "120-day window"), regardless of whether a subsequent examination has commenced. This 120-day window is not available if the method of accounting the taxpayer is changing is an issue under consideration at the time a copy of the application is filed or an issue the examining agent(s) has placed in suspense at the time the copy of the application is filed.

(b) A taxpayer changing a method of accounting under this 120- day window must provide a copy of the application to the examining agent(s) for any examination that is in process at the same time it files the copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s). The taxpayer must attach to the application a separate statement signed by the taxpayer certifying that, to the best of the taxpayer's knowledge, the same method of accounting is not an issue under consideration or an issue placed in suspense by the examining agent(s).

(4) Consent of district director.

(a) A taxpayer under examination may change its method of accounting under this revenue procedure if the district director consents to the change. The district director will consent to the change unless, in the opinion of the district director, the method of accounting to be changed would ordinarily be included as an item of adjustment in the year(s) for which the taxpayer is under examination. For example, the district director will consent to a change from a clearly permissible method of accounting. The district director will also consent to a change from an impermissible method of accounting where the impermissible method was adopted subsequent to the years under examination. The question of whether the method of accounting from which the taxpayer is changing is permissible or was adopted subsequent to the years under examination may be referred to the national office as a request for technical advice under the provisions of Rev. Proc. 98-2 (or any successor).

(b) A taxpayer changing a method of accounting under this revenue procedure with the consent of the district director must attach to the application a statement from the district director consenting to the change. The taxpayer must provide a copy of the application to the district director at the same time it files a copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s).

.04 Taxpayer before an appeals office. Except as otherwise provided in the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure (see, for example, sections 4.01, 5.04, 8.05, 9.02, 10A.01, 12.01, and 12.02 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure), a taxpayer that is before an appeals office must attach to the application a separate statement signed by the taxpayer certifying that, to the best of the taxpayer's knowledge, the same method of accounting is not an issue under consideration by the appeals office. The taxpayer must provide a copy of the application to the appeals officer at the same time it files a copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name and telephone number of the appeals officer.

.05 Taxpayer before a federal court. Except as otherwise provided in the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure (see, for example, sections 4.01, 5.04, 8.05, 9.02, 10A.01, 12.01, and 12.02 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure), a taxpayer that is before a federal court must attach to the application a separate statement signed by the taxpayer certifying that, to the best of the taxpayer's knowledge, the same method of accounting is not an issue under consideration by the federal court. The taxpayer must provide a copy of the application to the counsel for the government at the same time it files a copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name and telephone number of the counsel for the government.

.06 Compliance with provisions. If a taxpayer to which this revenue procedure applies changes to a method of accounting without complying with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure (for example, the taxpayer changes to a method of accounting that varies from the applicable accounting method described in this revenue procedure or the taxpayer is outside the scope of this revenue procedure), the taxpayer has initiated a change in method of accounting without obtaining the consent of the Commissioner as required by section 446(e). Upon examination, a taxpayer that has initiated an unauthorized change in method of accounting may be denied the change. Alternatively, such a taxpayer may be required to effect the change in an earlier or later taxable year and may be denied the benefit of spreading the section 481(a) adjustment over the number of taxable years otherwise prescribed by this revenue procedure.

SECTION 7. AUDIT PROTECTION FOR TAXABLE YEARS PRIOR TO YEAR OF CHANGE

.01 In general. Except as provided in section 7.02 or the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, when a taxpayer timely files a copy of the application with the national office in compliance with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure, the Service will not require the taxpayer to change its method of accounting for the same item for a taxable year prior to the year of change.

.02 Exceptions.

(1) Change not made or made improperly. The Service may change a taxpayer's method of accounting for prior taxable years if (a) the taxpayer fails to implement the change; (b) the taxpayer implements the change but does not comply with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure, or (c) the method of accounting is changed or modified because there has been a misstatement or omission of material facts (see section 8.02(2) of this revenue procedure).

(2) Change in sub-method. The Service may change a taxpayer's method of accounting for prior taxable years if the taxpayer is changing a sub-method of accounting within the method. For example, an examining agent may propose to terminate the taxpayer's use of the LIFO inventory method during a prior taxable year even though the taxpayer changes its method of valuing increments in the current year.

(3) Prior year Service-initiated change. The Service may make adjustments to the taxpayer's returns for the same item for taxable years prior to the requested year of change to reflect a prior year Service-initiated change.

(4) Criminal investigation. The Service may change a taxpayer's method of accounting for the same item for taxable years prior to the year of change if there is any pending or future criminal investigation or proceeding concerning

(a) directly or indirectly, any issue relating to the taxpayer's federal tax liability for any taxable year prior to the year of change, or (b) the possibility of false or fraudulent statements made by the taxpayer with respect to any issue relating to its federal tax liability for any taxable year prior to the year of change.

SECTION 8. EFFECT OF CONSENT

.01 In general. A taxpayer that changes to a method of accounting pursuant to this revenue procedure may be required to change or modify that method of accounting for the following reasons:

(1) the enactment of legislation;

(2) a decision of the United States Supreme Court;

(3) the issuance of temporary or final regulations;

(4) the issuance of a revenue ruling, revenue procedure, notice, or other statement published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin;

(5) the issuance of written notice to the taxpayer that the change in method of accounting was not in compliance with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure or is not in accord with the current views of the Service; or

(6) a change in the material facts on which the consent was based.

.02 Retroactive change or modification. Except in rare or unusual circumstances, if a taxpayer that changes its method of accounting under this revenue procedure is subsequently required under section 8.01 of this revenue procedure to change or modify that method of accounting, the required change or modification will not be applied retroactively, provided that:

(1) the taxpayer complied with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure;

(2) there has been no misstatement or omission of material facts;

(3) there has been no change in the material facts on which the consent was based;

(4) there has been no change in the applicable law; and

(5) the taxpayer to whom consent was granted acted in good faith in relying on the consent, and applying the change or modification retroactively would be to the taxpayer's detriment.

SECTION 9. REVIEW BY DISTRICT DIRECTOR

.01 In general. The district director must apply a change in method of accounting made in compliance with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure in determining the taxpayer's liability, unless the district director recommends that the change in method of accounting should be modified or revoked. (See section 6.06 of this revenue procedure if a change in method of accounting is made without complying with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure.) The district director will ascertain if the change in method of accounting was made in compliance with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure, including whether:

(1) the representations on which the change was based reflect an accurate statement of the material facts;

(2) the amount of the section 481(a) adjustment was properly determined;

(3) the change in method of accounting was implemented in compliance with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure.

The district director will also ascertain whether:

(4) there has been any change in the material facts on which the change was based during the period the method of accounting was used; and

(5) there has been any change in the applicable law during the period the method of accounting was used.

.02 National office consideration. If the district director recommends that a change in method of accounting (other than the section 481(a) adjustment) made in compliance with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure should be modified or revoked, the district director will forward the matter to the national office for consideration before any further action is taken. Such a referral to the national office will be treated as a request for technical advice, and the provisions of Rev. Proc. 98-2 (or any successor) will be followed.

SECTION 10. REVIEW BY NATIONAL OFFICE

.01 In general. Any application filed under this revenue procedure may be reviewed by the national office. If the application is reviewed by the national office, the procedures in sections 10.02 through 10.04 of this revenue procedure apply.

.02 Incomplete application--21 day rule. If the Service reviews an application and determines that the application is not properly completed in accordance with the instructions of the Form 3115 or the provisions of this revenue procedure, or if supplemental information is needed, the Service will notify the taxpayer. The notification will specify the information that needs to be provided, and the taxpayer will be permitted 21 days from the date of the notification to furnish the necessary information. The Service reserves the right to impose shorter reply periods if subsequent requests for additional information are made. An extension of the 21-day period to furnish information, not to exceed 15 days, may be granted to a taxpayer. A request for an extension of the 21-day period must be made in writing and submitted within the 21-day period. If the extension request is denied, there is no right of appeal.

.03 Conference in the national office. If the national office tentatively determines that the taxpayer has changed its method of accounting without complying with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure (for example, the taxpayer changed to a method of accounting that varies from the applicable accounting method described in this revenue procedure or the taxpayer is outside the scope of this revenue procedure), the national office will notify the taxpayer of its tentative adverse determination and will offer the taxpayer a conference of right, if the taxpayer has requested a conference. For conference procedures for taxpayers other than exempt organizations, see section 11 of Rev. Proc. 98-1 (or any successor). For conference procedures for exempt organizations, see section 12 of Rev. Proc. 98-4, 1998-1 I.R.B. 113 (or any successor).

.04 National office determination.

(1) Consent not granted. Except as provided in section 10.04(2) of this revenue procedure, if the national office determines that a taxpayer has changed its method of accounting without complying with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure, the national office will notify the taxpayer that consent to make the change in method of accounting is not granted. See section 6.06 of this revenue procedure.

(2) Application changed. If the national office determines that a taxpayer has changed its method of accounting without complying with all the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure, the national office, in its discretion, may allow the taxpayer (a) to make appropriate adjustments to conform its change in method of accounting to the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure, and (b) to make conforming amendments to any federal income tax returns filed for the year of change and subsequent taxable years. Any application changed under section 10.04(2) of this revenue procedure is subject to review by the district director as provided in section 9 of this revenue procedure.

SECTION 11. APPLICABILITY OF REV. PROC. 98-1 AND REV. PROC. 98-4

Rev. Proc. 98-1 and Rev. Proc. 98-4 (or any successors) are applicable to applications filed under this revenue procedure, unless specifically excluded or overridden by other published guidance (including the special procedures in this document).

SECTION 12. INQUIRIES

Inquiries regarding this revenue procedure may be addressed to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Attention: CC:DOM:IT&A, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20224.

SECTION 13. EFFECTIVE DATE

.01 In general. Except as provided in sections 13.02 and 13.03 of this revenue procedure, this revenue procedure is effective for taxable years ending on or after December 21, 1998. The Service will return any application that is filed on or after December 21, 1998, if the application is filed with the national office pursuant to the Code, regulations, or administrative guidance other than this revenue procedure and the change in method of accounting is within the scope of this revenue procedure.

.02 Transition rules. If a taxpayer filed an application or ruling request with the national office to make a change in method of accounting authorized by this revenue procedure, and the application or ruling request is pending with the national office on December 21, 1998, the taxpayer may make the change under this revenue procedure. However, the national office will process the application or ruling request in accordance with the authority under which it was filed, unless prior to the later of February 1, 1999, or the issuance of the letter ruling granting or denying consent to the change, the taxpayer notifies the national office that it wants to make the change under this revenue procedure. If the taxpayer timely notifies the national office that it wants to make the method change under this revenue procedure, the national office will require the taxpayer to make appropriate modifications to the application or ruling request to comply with the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure. In addition, any user fee that was submitted with the application or ruling request will be returned to the taxpayer.

.03 Special rules.

(1) Change in method of accounting for depreciation. For a change in method of accounting described in section 2.01 or 2.02 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, this revenue procedure is effective for applications or copies of applications filed with the national office on or after December 21, 1998.

(2) Change in method of accounting to discontinue the mark-to- market method of accounting. For a change in method of accounting described in section 10A.01 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, this revenue procedure is effective for the taxpayer's first taxable year ending after July 22, 1998.

(3) Change in method of accounting for a pool of debt instruments. For a change in method of accounting described in section 12.02 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, this revenue procedure is effective for the taxpayer's first taxable year beginning after August 5, 1997.

SECTION 14. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS

.01 Rev. Proc. 97-37, is clarified, modified, amplified, and superseded.

.02 Rev. Rul. 98-39, 1998-33 I.R.B. 4 (see section 8.05 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure regarding cooperative advertising), is modified.

SECTION 15. PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

The collections of information contained in this revenue procedure have been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507) under control number 1545-1551.

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

The collections of information in this revenue procedure are in sections 6, 10, and sections 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 10A, and 12 of the APPENDIX. This information is necessary and will be used to determine whether the taxpayer properly changed to a permitted method of accounting. The collections of information are required for the taxpayer to obtain consent to change its method of accounting. The likely respondents are the following: individuals, farms, business or other for-profit institutions, nonprofit institutions, and small businesses or organizations.

The estimated total annual reporting and/or recordkeeping burden is 15,514 hours.

The estimated annual burden per respondent/recordkeeper varies from 1/6 hour to 8-1/2 hours, depending on individual circumstances, with an estimated average of 11/2 hours. The estimated number of respondents is 13,500.

The estimated annual frequency of responses is on occasion. 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.

DRAFTING INFORMATION

The principal author of this revenue procedure is Dwight N. Mersereau of the Office of Assistant Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting). For further information regarding this revenue procedure, contact Mr. Mersereau on (202) 622-4970 (not a toll- free call). For further information regarding the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure contact the following individuals: (1) for changes in methods of accounting under sections 2.01 and 2.02 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, Peter Friedman of the Office of Assistant Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries) on (202) 622-3110 (not a toll-free call); (2) for changes in methods of accounting under section 2A.01 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, Leslie H. Finlow of the Office of Assistant Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries) on (202) 622-3120 (not a toll free call); (3) for changes in methods of accounting under sections 5.04, 6, 12, and 13 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, William Blanchard of the Office of Assistant Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products) on (202) 622-3950 (not a toll-free call); (4) for changes in methods of accounting under section 10A.01 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, Pamela Lew of the Office of Assistant Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products) on (202) 622-3950 (not a toll-free call); (5) for changes in methods of accounting under section 11 of the APPENDIX of this revenue procedure, Craig R. Wojay of the Office of Assistant Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products) on (202) 622-3920 (not a toll-free call); and (6) for all other sections, Mr. Mersereau on (202) 622-4970 (not a toll-free call).

                               APPENDIX

.01 Advances made by a lawyer on behalf of clients -- Description of change and scope. This change applies to a lawyer handling cases on a contingent fee basis that advances money to pay for costs of litigation or for other expenses on behalf of clients and that wants to change the method of accounting for such advances from treating them as deductible business expenses to treating them as loans. See Boccardo v. United States, 12 Cl. Ct. 184 (1987); Canelo v. Commissioner, 53 T.C. 217 (1969), aff'd per curiam, 447 F.2d 484 (9th Cir. 1971).

.02 Year 2000 costs -- Description of change and scope. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting for Year 2000 costs (as defined in Rev. Proc. 97-50, 1997-2 C.B. 525) to conform to the method described in section 3 of Rev. Proc. 97-50. Section 3 of Rev. Proc. 97-50 provides that Year 2000 costs fall within the purview of Rev. Proc. 69-21, 1969-2 C.B. 303, and that the Service will not disturb a taxpayer's treatment of its Year 2000 costs as deductible expenses or capital expenditures if the taxpayer treats these costs in accordance with Rev. Proc. 69-21.

SECTION 2. DEPRECIATION OR AMORTIZATION (section 167, 168, OR 197)

.01 Impermissible to permissible method of accounting for depreciation or amortization.

(1) Description of change.

(a) This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change from an impermissible method of accounting for depreciation or amortization (depreciation) under which the taxpayer did not claim the depreciation allowable, to a permissible method of accounting for depreciation under which the taxpayer will claim the depreciation allowable.

(b) A change from a taxpayer's impermissible method of accounting for depreciation under which the taxpayer did not claim the depreciation allowable to a permissible method of accounting for depreciation under which the taxpayer will claim the depreciation allowable is a change in method of accounting for which the consent of the Commissioner is required. Sections 1.167(e)-1(a) and 1.446- 1(e)(2)(ii)(b). This method change, however, does not include any correction of mathematical or posting errors. Section 1.446- 1(e)(2)(ii)(b).

(2) Scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to any taxpayer that has used an impermissible method of accounting for depreciation in at least the two taxable years immediately preceding the year of change, and is changing that accounting method to a permissible method of accounting for depreciation, for any item of property:

(i) for which, under the taxpayer's impermissible method of accounting, the taxpayer has not taken into account any depreciation allowance or has taken into account some depreciation but less than or more than the depreciation allowable (claimed less than or more than the depreciation allowable);

(ii) for which depreciation is determined under section 167, 168, 197, or 168 prior to its amendment in 1986 (former section 168); and

(iii) that is owned by the taxpayer at the beginning of the year of change.

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to:

(i) any property to which section 1016(a)(3) (regarding property held by a tax-exempt organization) applies;

(ii) any taxpayer that is subject to section 263A and that is required to capitalize the costs with respect to which the taxpayer wants to change its method of accounting under section 2.01 of this APPENDIX, if the taxpayer is not capitalizing the costs as required;

(iii) any intangible property subject to section 167, except for property subject to section 167(f) (regarding certain property excluded from section 197);

(iv) any property subject to section 167(g) (regarding property depreciated under the income forecast method);

(v) any section 1250 property that a taxpayer is reclassifying to an asset class of Rev. Proc. 87-56, 1987-2 C.B. 674, or Rev. Proc. 83-35, 1983-1 C.B. 745, as appropriate, that does not explicitly include section 1250 property (for example, asset class 57.0, Distributive Trades and Services);

(vi) any property for which a taxpayer is revoking a timely valid election, or making a late election, under section 167, 168, former section 168, or section 13261(g)(2) or (3) of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (1993 Act), 1993-3 C.B. 1, 128 (relating to amortizable section 197 intangibles). A taxpayer may request consent to revoke or make the election by submitting a request for a letter ruling under Rev. Proc. 98-1, 1998-1 I.R.B. 7 (or any successor);

(vii) any property subject to section 167 (other than section 167(f), regarding certain property excluded from section 197), for which a taxpayer is changing only the estimated useful life of the property. A change in the estimated useful life of property for which depreciation is determined under section 167 (other than section 167(f)) must be made prospectively (see, for example, section 1.167(b)-2(c)). (In contrast, section 2.01 of this APPENDIX generally applies to a change in the recovery period of property for which depreciation is determined under section 168 or former section 168);

(viii) any depreciable property that changes use but continues to be owned by the same taxpayer (see, for example, section 168(i)(5));

(ix) any property for which depreciation is determined in accordance with section 1.167(a)-11 (regarding the Class Life Asset Depreciation Range System (ADR));

(x) any change in method of accounting involving a change from deducting the cost or other basis of any property as an expense to capitalizing and depreciating the cost or other basis;

(xi) any change in method of accounting involving a change from one permissible method of accounting for the property to another permissible method of accounting for the property. For example:

(A) a change from the straight-line method of depreciation to the income forecast method of depreciation for videocassettes. See Rev. Rul. 89-62, 1989-1 C.B. 78; or

(B) a change from charging the depreciation reserve with costs of removal and crediting the depreciation reserve with salvage proceeds to deducting costs of removal as an expense (provided the costs of removal are not required to be capitalized under any provision of the Code, such as, section 263(a)) and including salvage proceeds in taxable income (see section 2.02 of this APPENDIX for making this change for property for which depreciation is determined under section 167);

(xii) any change in method of accounting involving both a change from treating the cost or other basis of the property as nondepreciable property to treating the cost or other basis of the property as depreciable property and the adoption of a method of accounting for depreciation requiring an election under section 167, 168, former section 168, or section 13261(g)(2) or (3) of the 1993 Act (for example, a change in the treatment of the space consumed in landfills placed in service in 1990 from nondepreciable to depreciable property (assuming section 2.01(2)(c)(xiii) of the APPENDIX does not apply) and the making of an election under section 168(f)(1) to depreciate this property under the unit-of-production method of depreciation under section 167);

(xiii) any change in method of accounting for an item of income or deduction other than depreciation, even if a taxpayer's present method of accounting may have resulted in the taxpayer claiming less than or more than the depreciation allowable. For example, a change in method of accounting involving:

(A) a change in inventory costs (for example, when property is reclassified from inventory property to depreciable property, or vice versa) (but see section 3.02 of this APPENDIX for making a change from inventory property to depreciable property for unrecoverable line pack gas or unrecoverable cushion gas); or

(B) a change in the character of a transaction from sale to lease, or vice versa (but see section 2.03 of this APPENDIX for making this change); or

(xiv) a change from determining depreciation under section 168 to determining depreciation under former section 168 for any property subject to the transition rules in section 203(b) or 204(a) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, 1986-3 (Vol. 1) C.B. 1, 60-80.

(3) Additional requirements. A taxpayer also must comply with the following:

(a) Permissible depreciation method. A taxpayer must change to a permissible method of accounting for depreciation for the item of property. This method is the same method that determines the depreciation allowable for the item of property (as provided in section 2.01(6) of this APPENDIX).

(b) Statements required. A taxpayer must provide the following statements, if applicable, and attach them to the completed application:

(i) a detailed description of the former and new methods of accounting. A general description of these methods of accounting is unacceptable (for example, MACRS to MACRS or erroneous method to proper method);

(ii) to the extent not provided elsewhere on the application, a statement describing the taxpayer's business or income-producing activities. Also, if the taxpayer has more than one business or income-producing activity, a statement describing the taxpayer's business or income-producing activity in which the item of property at issue is primarily used by the taxpayer;

(iii) to the extent not provided elsewhere on the application, a statement of the facts and law supporting the new method of accounting, new classification of the item of property, and new asset class in, as appropriate, Rev. Proc. 87-56 or Rev. Proc. 83-35. If the taxpayer is the owner and lessor of the item of property at issue, the statement of the facts and law supporting the new asset class also must describe the business or income-producing activity in which that item of property is primarily used by the lessee;

(iv) to the extent not provided elsewhere on the application, a statement identifying the year in which the item of property was placed in service;

(v) if the item of property is depreciated under former section 168, a statement identifying the asset class in Rev. Proc. 83-35 that applies under the taxpayer's former and new methods of accounting (if none, state and explain);

(vi) if any item of property is public utility property within the meaning of section 168(i)(10) or former section 167(l)(3)(A), as applicable, a statement providing that the taxpayer agrees to the following additional terms and conditions:

(A) a normalization method of accounting (within the meaning of former section 167(l)(3)(G), former section 168(e)(3)(B), or section 168(i)(9), as applicable) will be used for the public utility property subject to the application;

(B) as of the beginning of the year of change, the taxpayer will adjust its deferred tax reserve account or similar reserve account in the taxpayer's regulatory books of account by the amount of the deferral of federal income tax liability associated with the section 481(a) adjustment applicable to the public utility property subject to the application; and

(C) within 30 calendar days of filing the federal income tax return for the year of change, the taxpayer will provide a copy of the completed application to any regulatory body having jurisdiction over the public utility property subject to the application;

(vii) if the taxpayer is changing the classification of an item of section 1250 property placed in service after August 19, 1996, to a retail motor fuels outlet under section 168(e)(3)(E)(iii), a statement containing the following representation: "For purposes of section 168(e)(3)(E)(iii) of the Internal Revenue Code, the taxpayer represents that (A) 50 percent or more of the gross revenue generated from the item of section 1250 property is from the sale of petroleum products (not including gross revenue from related services, such as the labor cost of oil changes and gross revenue from the sale of nonpetroleum products such as tires and oil filters), (B) 50 percent or more of the floor space in the item of property is devoted to the sale of petroleum products (not including floor space devoted to related services, such as oil changes and floor space devoted to nonpetroleum products such as tires and oil filters), or (C) the item of section 1250 property is 1,400 square feet or less."; and

(viii) if the taxpayer is changing the classification of an item of property from section 1250 property to section 1245 property under section 168 or former section 168, a statement of the facts and law supporting the new section 1245 property classification, and a statement containing the following representation: "Each item of property that is the subject of the application filed under section 2.01 of the APPENDIX of Rev. Proc. 98-60 for the year of change beginning [Insert the date], and that is reclassified from [Insert, as appropriate: nonresidential real property, residential rental property, 19-year real property, 18-year real property, or 15-year real property] to an asset class of [Insert, as appropriate, either: Rev. Proc. 87-56, 1987-2 C.B. 674, or Rev. Proc. 83-35, 1983-1 C.B. 745] that does not explicitly include section 1250 property, is section 1245 property for depreciation purposes."

(4) Section 481(a) adjustment. Because the adjusted basis of the property is changed as a result of a method change made under section 2.01 of this APPENDIX (see section 2.01(5) of this APPENDIX), items are duplicated or omitted. Accordingly, this change is made with a section 481(a) adjustment. This adjustment may result in either a negative section 481(a) adjustment (a decrease in taxable income) or a positive section 481(a) adjustment (an increase in taxable income). This section 481(a) adjustment equals the difference between the total amount of depreciation taken into account in computing taxable income for the property under the taxpayer's former method of accounting, and the total amount of depreciation allowable for the property under the taxpayer's new method of accounting (as determined under section 2.01(6) of this APPENDIX), for open and closed years prior to the year of change. However, the amount of the section 481(a) adjustment must be adjusted to account for the proper amount of the depreciation allowable that is required to be capitalized under any provision of the Code (for example, section 263A) at the beginning of the year of change.

(5) Basis adjustment. As of the beginning of the year of change, the basis of depreciable property to which section 2.01 of this APPENDIX applies must reflect the reductions required by section 1016(a)(2) for the depreciation allowable for the property (as determined under section 2.01(6) of this APPENDIX).

(6) Meaning of depreciation allowable.

(a) In general. Section 2.01(6) of this APPENDIX provides the amount of the depreciation allowable, determined under section 167, 168, 197, or former section 168. This amount, however, may be limited by other provisions of the Code (for example, section 280F).

(b) Section 167 property. Generally, for any taxable year, the depreciation allowable for property for which depreciation is determined under section 167, is determined either:

(i) under the depreciation method adopted by a taxpayer for the property; or

(ii) if that depreciation method does not result in a reasonable allowance for depreciation or a taxpayer has not adopted a depreciation method for the property, under the straight-line depreciation method.

For determining the estimated useful life and salvage value of the property, see sections 1.167(a)-1(b) and (c), respectively. The depreciation allowable for any taxable year for property subject to section 167(f) (regarding certain property excluded from section 197) is determined by using the depreciation method and useful life prescribed in section 167(f).

(c) Section 168 property. The depreciation allowable for any taxable year for property for which depreciation is determined under section 168, is determined by using either:

(i) the general depreciation system in section 168(a); or

(ii) the alternative depreciation system in section 168(g) if the property is required to be depreciated under the alternative depreciation system pursuant to section 168(g)(1) or other provisions of the Code (for example, property described in section 263A(e)(2)(A) or 280F(b)(1)). Property required to be depreciated under the alternative depreciation system pursuant to section 168(g)(1) includes property in a class (as set out in section 168(e)) for which the taxpayer made a timely election under section 168(g)(7).

(d) Section 197 property. The depreciation allowable for any taxable year for an amortizable section 197 intangible (including any property for which a timely election under section 13261(g)(2) of the 1993 Act was made) is determined by using the straight-line method over a 15-year period.

(e) Former section 168 property. The depreciation allowable for any taxable year for property subject to former section 168 is determined by using either:

(i) the accelerated method of cost recovery applicable to the property (for example, for 5-year property, the recovery method under former section 168(b)(1)); or

(ii) the straight-line method applicable to the property if the property is required to be depreciated under the straight-line method (for example, property described in former section 168(f)(12) or former section 280F(b)(2)) or if the taxpayer elected to determine the depreciation allowance under the optional straight-line percentage (for example, the straight-line method in former section 168(b)(3)).

.02 Permissible to permissible method of accounting for depreciation.

(1) Description of change. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change from a permissible method of accounting for depreciation under section 167 to another permissible method of accounting for depreciation under section 167. Pursuant to sections 1.167(a)-7(a) and (c), a taxpayer may account for depreciable property either by treating each individual asset as an account or by combining two or more assets in a single account and, for each account, depreciation allowances are computed separately.

(2) Scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to any taxpayer wanting to make a change in method of accounting for depreciation specified in section 2.02(3) of this APPENDIX for the property in an account:

(i) for which the present and proposed methods of accounting for depreciation specified in section 2.02(3) of this APPENDIX are permissible methods for the property under section 167; and

(ii) that is owned by the taxpayer at the beginning of the year of change.

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to:

(i) any taxpayer that is subject to section 263A and that is required to capitalize the costs with respect to which the taxpayer wants to change its method of accounting under section 2.02 of this APPENDIX, if the taxpayer is not capitalizing the costs as required;

(ii) any property to which section 1016(a)(3) (regarding property held by a tax-exempt organization) applies;

(iii) any intangible property;

(iv) any property described in section 167(f) (regarding certain property excluded from section 197);

(v) any property subject to section 167(g) (regarding property depreciated under the income forecast method);

(vi) any property for which depreciation is determined under section 168 or section 168 prior to its amendment in 1986 (former section 168);

(vii) any property that the taxpayer elected under section 168(f)(1) or former section 168(e)(2) to exclude from the application of, respectively, section 168 or former section 168;

(viii) any property for which depreciation is determined in accordance with section 1.167(a)-11 (regarding the Class Life Asset Depreciation Range System (ADR)); or

(ix) any depreciable property for which the taxpayer is changing the depreciation method pursuant to section 1.167(e)-1(b) (change from declining-balance method to straight-line method), section 1.167(e)-1(c) (certain changes for section 1245 property), or section 1.167(e)-1(d) (certain changes for section 1250 property). These changes must be made prospectively and are not permitted under the cited regulations for property for which the depreciation is determined under section 168 or former section 168.

(3) Changes covered. Section 2.02 of this APPENDIX only applies to the following changes in methods of accounting for depreciation:

(a) a change from the straight-line method to the sum-of-the- years-digits method, the sinking fund method, the unit-of-production method, or the declining-balance method using any proper percentage of the straight-line rate;

(b) a change from the declining-balance method using any percentage of the straight-line rate to the sum-of-the-years-digits method, the sinking fund method, or the declining-balance method using a different proper percentage of the straight-line rate;

(c) a change from the sum-of-the-years-digits method to the sinking fund method, the declining-balance method using any proper percentage of the straight-line rate, or the straight-line method;

(d) a change from the unit-of-production method to the straight- line method;

(e) a change from the sinking fund method to the straight-line method, the unit-of-production method, the sum-of-the-years-digits method, or the declining-balance method using any proper percentage of the straight-line rate;

(f) a change in the interest factor used in connection with a compound interest method or sinking fund method;

(g) a change in averaging convention as set forth in section 1.167(a)-10(b). However, as specifically provided in section 1.167(a)-10(b), in any taxable year in which an averaging convention substantially distorts the depreciation allowance for the taxable year, it may not be used (see Rev. Rul. 73-202, 1973-1 C.B. 81);

(h) a change from charging the depreciation reserve with costs of removal and crediting the depreciation reserve with salvage proceeds to deducting costs of removal as an expense and including salvage proceeds in taxable income as set forth in section 1.167(a)- 8(e)(2). See Rev. Rul. 74-455, 1974-2 C.B. 63. This change, however, may be made under this revenue procedure only if:

(i) the change is applied to all items in the account for which the change is being made; and

(ii) the removal costs are not required to be capitalized under any provision of the Code (for example, section 263(a), 263A, or 280B);

(i) a change from crediting the depreciation reserve with the salvage proceeds realized on normal retirement sales to computing and recognizing gains and losses on such sales (see Rev. Rul. 70-165, 1970-1 C.B. 43);

(j) a change from crediting ordinary income (including the combination method of crediting the lesser of estimated salvage value or actual salvage proceeds to the depreciation reserve, with any excess of salvage proceeds over estimated salvage value credited to ordinary income) with the salvage proceeds realized on normal retirement sales, to computing and recognizing gains and losses on such sales (see Rev. Rul. 70-166, 1970-1 C.B. 44); or

(k) a change from item accounting for specific assets to multiple asset accounting for the same assets, or vice versa.

(4) Additional requirements. A taxpayer also must comply with the following:

(a) Basis for depreciation. At the beginning of the year of change, the basis for depreciation of property to which this change applies is the adjusted basis of the property as provided in section 1011 at the end of the taxable year immediately preceding the year of change (determined under the taxpayer's present method of accounting for depreciation). If applicable under the taxpayer's proposed method of accounting for depreciation, this adjusted basis is reduced by the estimated salvage value of the property (for example, a change to the straight-line method).

(b) Rate of depreciation. The rate of depreciation for property changed to:

(i) the straight-line or sum-of-the-years-digits method of depreciation must be based on the remaining useful life of the property as of the beginning of the year of change; or

(ii) the declining-balance method of depreciation must be based on the useful life of the property measured from the placed-in- service date, and not the expected remaining life from the date the change becomes effective.

(c) Regulatory requirements. For changes in method of depreciation to the sum-of-the-years-digits or declining-balance method, the property must meet the requirements of section 1.167(b)-0 or 1.167(c)-1, as appropriate.

(d) Public utility property. If any item of property is public utility property within the meaning of former section 167(l)(3)(A), the taxpayer must attach to the application a statement providing that the taxpayer agrees to the following additional terms and conditions:

(i) a normalization method of accounting within the meaning of former section 167(l)(3)(G) will be used for the public utility property subject to the application; and

(ii) within 30 calendar days of filing the federal income tax return for the year of change, the taxpayer will provide a copy of the completed application to any regulatory body having jurisdiction over the public utility property subject to the application.

(5) Section 481(a) adjustment. Because the adjusted basis of the property is not changed as a result of a method change made under section 2.02 of this APPENDIX, no items are being duplicated or omitted. Accordingly, the section 481(a) adjustment is zero.

.03 Sale or lease transactions.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting from:

(i) improperly treating property as sold by the taxpayer to properly treating property as leased by the taxpayer;

(ii) improperly treating property as leased by the taxpayer to properly treating property as sold by the taxpayer;

(iii) improperly treating property as purchased by the taxpayer to properly treating property as leased by the taxpayer; and

(iv) improperly treating property as leased by the taxpayer to properly treating property as purchased by the taxpayer.

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to:

(i) a rent-to-own dealer that wants to change its method of accounting for rent-to-own contracts described in section 3 of Rev. Proc. 95-38, 1995-2 C.B. 397; or

(ii) a taxpayer that holds assets for sale or lease, if any asset so held is not the subject of a sale or lease transaction as of the beginning of the year of change.

(2) Manner of making the change.

(a) The change in method of accounting under section 2.03 of this APPENDIX is made using a cut-off method and applies to transactions entered into on or after the beginning of the year of change. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure.

(b) If a taxpayer wants to change its method of accounting for existing sale or lease transactions, the taxpayer must file an application with the Commissioner in accordance with the requirements of section 1.446-1(e)(3)(i) and Rev. Proc. 97-27. A change involving existing sale or lease transactions will require a section 481(a) adjustment. Consent to change a method of accounting for an existing sale or lease transaction is granted only in unusual and compelling circumstances.

(3) No audit protection. A taxpayer does not receive audit protection under section 7 of this revenue procedure in connection with this change.

SECTION 2A. RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL EXPENDITURES (section 174)

.01 Changes to a different method or different amortization period.

(1) Description of change.

(a) This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change the treatment of expenditures that qualify as research and experimental expenditures under section 174.

(b) Section 174 and the regulations thereunder provide the specific rules for changing a method of accounting under section 174 for research and experimental expenditures. Under section 174, a taxpayer may treat research and experimental expenditures that are paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year in connection with the taxpayer's trade or business as expenses under section 174(a) or as deferred expenses amortizable ratably over a period of not less than 60 months under section 174(b). Pursuant to section 1.174-1, research and experimental expenditures that are not treated as expenses or deferred expenses under section 174 must be treated as capital expenditures. Further, section 1.174-1 provides that the expenditures to which section 174 applies may relate either to a general research program or to a particular project.

(c) If a taxpayer has not treated research and experimental expenditures as expenses under section 174(a), sections 174(a)(2)(B) and 1.174-3(b)(2) provide that the taxpayer may, with consent, adopt the expense method at any time.

(d) If a taxpayer has treated research and experimental expenditures as expenses under section 174(a), sections 174(a)(3) and 1.174-3(b)(3) provide that the taxpayer may, with consent, change to a different method of treating research and experimental expenditures.

(e) If a taxpayer has treated research and experimental expenditures as deferred expenses under section 174(b), sections 174(b)(2) and 1.174-4(b)(2) provide that the taxpayer may, with consent, change to a different method of treating research or experimental expenditures or to a different period of amortization for deferred expenses.

(2) Scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to any taxpayer that is changing:

(i) from treating research and experimental expenditures for a particular project or projects as expenses under section 174(a) to treating such expenditures as deferred expenses under section 174(b), or vice versa;

(ii) to a different period of amortization for research and experimental expenditures for a particular project or projects that are being treated as deferred expenses under section 174(b); or

(iii) from treating research and experimental expenditures for a particular project or projects as expenses under section 174(a) or deferred expenses under section 174(b) to treating such expenditures as a capital expenditure under section 263(a), or vice versa.

(b) Scope limitations clarified. The scope limitation under section 4.02(6) of this revenue procedure is applied on a project by project basis.

(c) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to:

(i) a portion of the research and experimental expenditures paid or incurred for a particular project during the year of change or in subsequent taxable years (that is, the change must apply to all of such expenditures; see sections 1.174-3(a) and 1.174-4(a)(5));

(ii) a change in the treatment of computer software costs under Rev. Proc. 69-21, 1969-2 C.B. 303; or

(iii) a change in the treatment of Year 2000 costs under Rev. Proc. 97-50, 1997-2 C.B. 525 (but see section 1.02 of this APPENDIX for making this change).

(3) Manner of making the change.

(a) This change is made using a cut-off method and applies to all research and experimental expenditures paid or incurred for a particular project or projects during the year of change and in subsequent taxable years. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure and sections 174(b)(2), 1.174-3(a), 1.174-3(b)(2), and 1.174-4(a)(5).

(b) The requirement under sections 1.174-3(b)(2), 1,174- 3(b)(3), and 1.174-4(b)(2) to file an application no later than the end of the first taxable year in which the different method or different amortization period is to be used is waived for this change. However, see section 6 of this revenue procedure for filing requirements applicable under this revenue procedure.

(c) The consent granted under this revenue procedure satisfies the consent required under sections 174(a)(2)(B), 174(a)(3), 174(b)(2), 1.174-3(b)(2), 1.174-3(b)(3), and 1.174-4(b)(2).

(4) Additional requirement. A taxpayer must attach to the application a written statement providing:

(a) the information required in section 1.174-3(b)(2) if the taxpayer is changing to treating research and experimental expenditures as expenses under section 174(a);

(b) the information required in section 1.174-3(b)(3) if the taxpayer is changing from treating research and experimental expenditures as expenses under section 174(a); or

(c) the information required in section 1.174-4(b)(2) if the taxpayer is changing from treating research and experimental expenditures as deferred expenses method under section 174(b) or is changing to a different period of amortization for research and experimental expenditures being treated as deferred expenses under section 174(b).

(5) No audit protection. A taxpayer does not receive audit protection under section 7 of this revenue procedure in connection with this change.

.02 Reserved.

SECTION 3. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (section 263)

.01 Package design costs.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting for package design costs that are within the scope of Rev. Proc. 97-35, 1997-2 C.B. 448, to one of the three alternative methods of accounting for package design costs described in section 5 of Rev. Proc. 97-35. The three alternative methods of accounting for package design costs described are: (1) the capitalization method, (2) the design-by-design capitalization and 60-month amortization method, and (3) the pool-of-cost capitalization and 48-month amortization method.

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to a taxpayer that wants to change to the capitalization method for costs of developing (or modifying) any package design that has an ascertainable useful life.

(2) Additional requirements. If a taxpayer is changing its method of accounting for package design costs to the capitalization method or the design-by-design capitalization and 60-month amortization method, the taxpayer must attach a statement to its timely filed application. The statement must provide a description of each package design, the date on which each was placed in service, and the cost basis of each (as determined under sections 5.01(2) or 5.02(2) of Rev. Proc. 97-35).

.02 Line pack gas; cushion gas.

(1) Description of change and scope. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting for line pack gas or cushion gas to a method consistent with the holding in Rev. Rul. 97-54, 1997-2 C.B. 23. Rev. Rul. 97-54 holds that the cost of line pack gas or cushion gas is a capital expenditure under section 263, the cost of recoverable line pack gas or recoverable cushion gas is not depreciable, and the cost of unrecoverable line pack gas or unrecoverable cushion gas is depreciable under sections 167 and 168.

(2) Additional requirements. A taxpayer that changes its method of accounting for unrecoverable line pack gas or unrecoverable cushion gas under section 3.02 of this APPENDIX must change to a permissible method of accounting for depreciation for the cost of that gas.

SECTION 4. UNIFORM CAPITALIZATION (section 263A)

.01 Certain uniform capitalization (UNICAP) methods used by small resellers, formerly small resellers, and reseller- producers.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to:

(i) a small reseller of personal property changing from a permissible UNICAP method to a permissible non-UNICAP inventory capitalization method in any taxable year that it qualifies as a small reseller;

(ii) a formerly small reseller changing from a permissible non- UNICAP inventory capitalization method to a permissible UNICAP method in the first taxable year that it does not qualify as a small reseller;

(iii) a reseller-producer changing from a permissible UNICAP method for both its production and resale activities to a permissible simplified resale method described in section 1.263A-3(d)(3) in any taxable year that it qualifies to use a simplified resale method for both its production and resale activities under section 1.263A- 3(a)(4) (resellers with de minimis production activities); or

(iv) a reseller-producer changing from a permissible simplified resale method described in section 1.263A- 3(d)(3) for both its production and resale activities to a permissible UNICAP method for both its production and resale activities in the first taxable year that it does not qualify to use a simplified resale method for both its production and resale activities under section 1.263A-3(a)(4).

(b) Scope limitations inapplicable. A taxpayer that wants to make this change is not subject to the scope limitations in section 4.02 of this revenue procedure. However, if the taxpayer is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court, 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 that it files the copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s), appeals officer, or counsel for the government, as appropriate.

(c) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to a taxpayer making a historic absorption ratio election under section 1.263A- 2(b)(4) or 1.263A-3(d)(4).

(2) Definitions.

(a) "Reseller" means a taxpayer that acquires real or personal property described in section 1221(1) for resale.

(b) "Small reseller" means a reseller whose average annual gross receipts for the three immediately preceding taxable years (or fewer, if the taxpayer has not been in existence during the three preceding taxable years) do not exceed $10,000,000. See section 263A(b)(2)(B).

(c) "Formerly small reseller" means a reseller that no longer qualifies as a small reseller.

(d) "Producer" means a taxpayer that produces real or tangible personal property.

(e) "Reseller-producer" means a taxpayer that is both a producer and a reseller.

(f) "Permissible UNICAP method" means a method of capitalizing costs that is permissible under section 263A.

(g) "Permissible non-UNICAP inventory capitalization method" means a method of capitalizing inventory costs that is permissible under section 471.

(3) Section 481(a) adjustment. Beginning with the year of change, a taxpayer changing its method of accounting for costs pursuant to section 4.01 of this APPENDIX generally must take any applicable section 481(a) adjustment into account ratably over the same number of taxable years, not to exceed four, that the taxpayer used its former method of accounting. See section 5.04(3) of this revenue procedure for exceptions to this general rule.

(4) No audit protection. A taxpayer does not receive audit protection under section 7 of this revenue procedure in connection with this change.

(5) Example. The following example illustrates the principles of section 4.01 of this APPENDIX for small resellers and formerly small resellers.

Assume X, a corporate reseller of personal property, incorporated January 2, 1991, adopted a taxable year ending December 31. X determines that its average annual gross receipts for the three taxable years (or fewer, if applicable) immediately preceding taxable years 1991 through 2000 are as shown in the table below:

                               AVERAGE Annual Gross Receipts for the

                              Beginning       Ending

X elected to use the simplified resale method without a historic absorption ratio election under section 1.263A-3(d)(3) for determining the amount of additional section 263A costs to be capitalized to each LIFO layer. Assume that X was required to add $10,000 of additional section 263A costs to the cost of its 1995 ending inventory because of the $100,000 increment for 1995.

 X's 1995 Ending Inventory:

 X's 1996 Ending Inventory:

 X's 1997 Ending Inventory:

 X's 1998 Ending Inventory:

 X's 1999 Ending Inventory:

 X's 2000 Ending Inventory:

SECTION 5. METHODS OF ACCOUNTING (section 446)

.01 Cash or hybrid method to accrual method.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to:

(i) a taxpayer that wants to change to an overall accrual method, or to an overall accrual method in conjunction with the recurring item exception under section 461(h)(3), from the cash receipts and disbursements method (cash method), or from a hybrid method (the use of a combination of accounting methods under which an item or items of income or expense are reported on the cash method and another item or other items of income or expense are reported on an accrual method); or

(ii) a taxpayer that is required to change to an overall accrual method under section 448, but is ineligible to make the change under section 1.448-1(h)(2) (relating to the "first section 448 year").

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to:

(i) a financial institution described in section 581 or 591;

(ii) a farmer;

(iii) a cooperative organization described in section 501(c)(12), 521, or 1381;

(iv) an individual taxpayer, except for activities conducted as a sole proprietorship;

(v) a taxpayer required to use an inventory method of accounting, unless:

(A) the taxpayer adopts a proper inventory method under section 471 and the regulations thereunder, the taxpayer is a small reseller within the meaning of section 1.263A-3(a), and, if the taxpayer has production activities, the taxpayer's production activities qualify under the de minimis presumption of section 1.263A-3(a)(2)(iii); or

(B) the taxpayer adopts a proper inventory method under section 471 and the regulations thereunder, the taxpayer is a reseller eligible to use the simplified resale method under section 1.263A- 3(d), and the taxpayer adopts a proper method under that section for the year of change;

(vi) a taxpayer required to use a long-term contract method in accordance with section 460, if the taxpayer is not in compliance with that section and any related administrative guidance;

(vii) a taxpayer required or wanting to use a special method of accounting, unless the taxpayer is permitted to change automatically to the special method under this revenue procedure. A special method of accounting is a method that deviates from the normal tax accounting rules, such as the method of accounting for advance payments pursuant to either Rev. Proc. 71-21, 1971-2 C.B. 549, or section 1.451-5, the installment method of accounting under section 453, or a long-term contract method under section 460; or

(viii) a taxpayer required to change to an overall accrual method under section 448 and eligible to make the change under section 1.448-1(h)(2). See section 1.448-1(h)(2), which provides an automatic consent procedure for a taxpayer changing for the first taxable year that it is subject to section 448. See also section 1.448-1(h)(1), which provides that section 1.448-1(h) does not apply to a change required under any Code section (or regulations thereunder) other than section 448 (for example, a taxpayer with inventories).

(2) Section 481(a) adjustment.

(a) In general. The section 481(a) adjustment takes into account the accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, and any other item determined to be necessary in order to prevent items from being duplicated or omitted. The section 481(a) adjustment does not include any item of income accrued but not received that was worthless or partially worthless (within the meaning of section 166(a)) on the last day of the year preceding the year of change.

(b) Recurring item exception. As part of the change to an overall accrual method, a taxpayer may adopt the recurring item exception for the year of change if the taxpayer is eligible and follows the procedures of section 1.461-5(d). If the taxpayer is eligible and wants to adopt this method as specified in section 461(h)(3), the amount of the section 481(a) adjustment must be modified to account for the amount of any additional deduction.

(3) Change to a special method of accounting. If a taxpayer that wants to change to an accrual method in conjunction with a change to a special method of accounting is not permitted to make the change under this revenue procedure, the taxpayer may request to make both changes only by filing one application under the provisions of Rev. Proc. 97-27, 1997-1 C.B. 680. Only one user fee will be required for these changes.

.02 Multi-year service warranty contracts.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to an eligible accrual method manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer of motor vehicles or other durable consumer goods that wants to change to the service warranty income method described in section 5 of Rev. Proc. 97-38, 1997-2 C.B. 479. Under the service warranty income method, a qualifying taxpayer may, in certain specified and limited circumstances, include a portion of an advance payment related to the sale of a multi-year service warranty contract in gross income generally over the life of the service warranty obligation.

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to a taxpayer outside the scope of Rev. Proc. 97-38.

(2) Manner of making the change.

(a) This change is made using a cut-off method, under which the taxpayer begins the use of the service warranty income method for all qualified advance payment amounts received in the year of change and thereafter. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure.

(b) In accordance with section 1.446-1(e)(3)(ii), the requirement of section 1.446-1(e)(3)(i) to file an application on Form 3115 is waived and a statement in lieu of the Form 3115 is authorized for this change. The statement must be identified at the top as follows: "CHANGE TO THE SERVICE WARRANTY INCOME METHOD UNDER SECTION 5.02 OF THE APPENDIX OF REV. PROC. 98-60." The statement must set forth the information required under section 6.03 of Rev. Proc. 97-38, except that the statement under section 6.03(2) (that the taxpayer agrees to all of the terms and conditions of the revenue procedure) also should refer to Rev. Proc. 98-60.

(c) A taxpayer changing to the service warranty income method of accounting under section 5.02 of this APPENDIX must satisfy the annual reporting requirement set forth in section 6.04 of Rev. Proc. 97-38.

.03 Multi-year insurance policies for multi-year service warranty contracts -- Description of change and scope.

(1) Applicability. This change applies to a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer of motor vehicles or other durable consumer goods that wants to change its method of accounting for insurance costs paid or incurred to insure its risks under multi-year service warranty contracts to the method described in section 5.03(3) of this APPENDIX. Multi-year service warranty contracts to which this change applies include only those separately priced contracts sold by a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer also selling the motor vehicles or other durable consumer goods (to the ultimate customer or to an intermediary) underlying the contracts. The classification of goods as "durable consumer goods" for purposes of this change depends on the common usage of the goods, rather than the purchaser's actual intended use of the goods.

(2) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to a taxpayer that covers its risks under its multi-year service warranty contracts through arrangements not constituting insurance.

(3) Description of method. If a taxpayer purchases a multi-year service warranty insurance policy (in connection with its sale of multi-year service warranty contracts to customers) by paying a lump- sum premium in advance, the taxpayer must capitalize the amount paid or incurred and may only obtain deductions for that amount by prorating (or amortizing) it over the life of the insurance policy (whether the cash method or an accrual method of accounting is used to account for service warranty transactions).

.04 Interest accruals on short-term consumer loans -- Rule of 78s method.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting from the Rule of 78s method to the constant yield method for stated interest (including stated interest that is original issue discount) on short-term consumer loans described in Rev. Proc. 83-40, 1983-1 C.B. 774, which was obsoleted by Rev. Proc. 97-37, 1997-2 C.B. 455.

(b) Scope limitations inapplicable. A taxpayer that wants to make this change for its first or second taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 1998, is not subject to the scope limitations in section 4.02 of this revenue procedure. However, if the taxpayer is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court, 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 that it files the copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s), appeals officer, or counsel for the government, as appropriate.

(2) Background.

(a) A short-term consumer loan is described in Rev. Proc. 83-40, provided:

(i) the loan is a self-amortizing loan that requires level payments, at regular intervals at least annually, over a period not in excess of five years (with no balloon payment at the end of the loan term); and

(ii) the loan agreement between the borrower and the lender provides that interest is earned, or upon the prepayment of the loan interest is treated as earned, in accordance with the Rule of 78s method.

(b) In general, the Rule of 78s method allocates interest over the term of a loan based, in part, on the sum of the periods' digits for the term of the loan. See Rev. Rul. 83-84, 1983-1 C.B. 97, for a description of the Rule of 78s method.

(c) In general, the constant yield method allocates interest and original issue discount over the term of a loan based on a constant yield. See section 1.1272-1(c) for a description of the constant yield method. The Rule of 78s method generally front-loads interest as compared to the constant yield method.

(d) Rev. Proc. 83-40 was obsoleted because, under sections 1.446-2 and 1.1272-1 (which were effective for debt instruments issued on or after April 4, 1994), taxpayers generally must account for stated interest and original issue discount on a debt instrument (loan) by using a constant yield method. As a result, the Rule of 78s method is no longer an acceptable method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.

(e) Notwithstanding sections 1.446-2 and 1.1272-1, as a matter of administrative convenience, the Service will allow a taxpayer to use the Rule of 78s method for stated interest on short-term consumer loans described in Rev. Proc. 83-40 if the loans were issued prior to the first day of the taxpayer's first taxable year that begins on or after January 1, 1999.

(3) Manner of making the change.

(a) This change is made using a cut-off method and applies only to loans issued on or after the first day of the year of change. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure.

(b) The taxpayer must maintain books and records sufficient to satisfy the district director that loans issued before the year of change and loans issued on or after the first day of the year of change have been adequately accounted for separately.

SECTION 6. OBLIGATIONS ISSUED AT DISCOUNT (SECTION 454)

.01 Series E or EE U.S. savings bonds.

(1) Description of change and scope. This change applies to a cash method taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting for interest income on Series E or EE U.S. savings bonds. However, this change only applies to a taxpayer that has previously made an election under section 454 to report as interest income the increase in redemption price on a bond occurring in a taxable year, and that now wants to report this income in the taxable year in which the bond is redeemed, disposed of, or finally matures, whichever is earliest.

(2) Manner of making the change.

(a) This change is made using a cut-off method and is effective for any increase in redemption price occurring after the beginning of the year of change for all Series E and EE U.S. savings bonds held by the taxpayer on or after the beginning of the year of change. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure.

(b) In accordance with section 1.446-1(e)(3)(ii), the requirement of section 1.446-1(e)(3)(i) to file an application on Form 3115 is waived and a statement in lieu of the Form 3115 is authorized for this change. The statement must be identified at the top as follows: "CHANGE IN METHOD OF ACCOUNTING UNDER SECTION 6.01 OF THE APPENDIX OF REV. PROC. 98-60." The statement must set forth:

(i) the Series E or EE U.S. savings bonds for which this change in accounting method is requested;

(ii) an agreement to report all interest on any bonds acquired during or after the year of change when the interest is realized upon disposition, redemption, or final maturity, whichever is earliest; and

(iii) an agreement to report all interest on the bonds acquired before the year of change when the interest is realized upon disposition, redemption, or final maturity, whichever is earliest, with the exception of any interest income previously reported in prior taxable years.

.02 Reserved.

SECTION 7. PREPAID SUBSCRIPTION INCOME (SECTION 455)

.01 Prepaid subscription income.

(1) Description of change and scope. This change applies to an accrual method taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting for prepaid subscription income to the method described in section 455 and the regulations thereunder, including an eligible taxpayer that wants to make the "within 12 months" election under section 1.455-2.

(2) Manner of making the change.

(a) This change is made using a cut-off method and does not apply to any prepaid subscription income received before the first taxable year to which the change applies. Any prepaid subscription income arising prior to the year of change is accounted for under the taxpayer's former method of accounting. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure.

(b) In accordance with section 1.446-1(e)(3)(ii), the requirement of section 1.446-1(e)(3)(i) to file an application on Form 3115 is waived and a statement in lieu of the Form 3115 is authorized for this change. The statement must be identified at the top as follows: "CHANGE IN METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR PREPAID SUBSCRIPTION INCOME UNDER SECTION 7.01 OF THE APPENDIX OF REV. PROC. 98-60." The statement must set forth the information required under section 1.455-6(b).

(c) The consent granted under this revenue procedure satisfies the consent required under sections 455(c)(3) and 1.455-6(b).

.02 Reserved.

SECTION 8. TAXABLE YEAR OF DEDUCTION (SECTION 461)

.01 Timing of incurring liabilities for employee compensation.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to an accrual method taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting to treat bonuses or self-insured medical benefits as follows:

(i) Bonuses. If the obligation to pay a bonus becomes fixed and certain by the end of the taxable year (see Rev. Rul. 61-127, 1961-2 C.B. 36), and the bonus is otherwise deductible, but the bonus is paid after the 15th day of the third calendar month after the end of that taxable year, to treat the bonus as deductible in the taxable year of the employer in which or with which ends the taxable year of the employee in which the bonus is includible in the gross income of the employee; or

(ii) Self-insured medical benefits. If the obligation to pay an employee's medical expenses is neither insured nor paid from a welfare benefit fund within the meaning of section 419(e), to treat the liability as incurred in the taxable year in which the employee files the claim with the employer. See United States v. General Dynamics Corp., 481 U.S. 239 (1987), 1987-2 C.B. 134.

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to a taxpayer that is subject to section 263A and that is required to capitalize the costs with respect to which the taxpayer wants to change its method of accounting under section 8.01 of this APPENDIX, if the taxpayer is not capitalizing the costs as required.

(2) Amounts taken into account. Applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, and other published guidance prescribe the manner in which a liability that has been incurred is taken into account. For example, for a taxpayer with inventories, direct labor costs must be included in inventory costs and may be recovered through cost of goods sold. See section 1.263A-1(e)(2)(i)(B). A taxpayer may not rely on the provisions of section 8.01 of this APPENDIX to take a current year deduction.

.02 Timing of incurring liabilities for real property taxes.

(1) Description of change. An accrual method taxpayer generally incurs a liability in the taxable year that all the events have occurred that establish the fact of the liability, the amount of the liability can be determined with reasonable accuracy, and economic performance has occurred with respect to the liability. See section 1.446-1(c)(1)(ii). Under section 1.461-4(g)(6), if the liability of the taxpayer is to pay a tax, economic performance occurs as the tax is paid to the government authority that imposed the tax.

(2) Scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to an accrual method taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting to:

(i) treat a liability for real property taxes (for which the all events test of section 461(h)(4) is otherwise met) as incurred in the taxable year in which the taxes are paid, under sections 461 and 1.461-4(g)(6);

(ii) account for real property taxes under the recurring item exception to the economic performance rules under sections 461(h)(3) and 1.461-5(b)(1); or

(iii) revoke an election under section 461(c) (ratable accrual election).

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to a taxpayer that is subject to section 263A and that is required to capitalize the costs with respect to which the taxpayer wants to change its method of accounting under section 8.02 of this APPENDIX, if the taxpayer is not capitalizing the costs as required.

(3) Amounts taken into account. Applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, and other published guidance prescribe the manner in which a liability that has been incurred is taken into account. For example, for a taxpayer with inventories, certain real property taxes must be included in inventory costs and may be recovered through cost of goods sold. See section 1.263A-1(e)(3)(ii)(L). A taxpayer may not rely on the provisions of section 8.02 of this APPENDIX to take a current year deduction.

.03 Timing of incurring liabilities under a workers' compensation act, tort, breach of contract, or violation of law.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to an accrual method taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting for self- insured liabilities (including any amounts not covered by insurance, such as a "deductible" amount under an insurance policy) arising under any workers' compensation act or out of any tort, breach of contract, or violation of law, to treating the liability for the workers' compensation, tort, breach of contract, or violation of law as being incurred in the taxable year in which all the events have occurred which establish the fact of the liability, the amount of the liability can be determined with reasonable accuracy, and payment is made to the person to which the liability is owed. See sections 461 and 1.461-4(g)(2).

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply:

(i) to a taxpayer that is subject to section 263A and that is required to capitalize the costs with respect to which the taxpayer wants to change its method of accounting under section 8.03 of this APPENDIX, if the taxpayer is not capitalizing the costs as required;

(ii) if payment is made to a third party rather than to the person to which the liability is owed. See section 1.461-4(g)(1); or

(iii) if payment is made by a third party. (2) Amounts taken into account. Applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, and other published guidance prescribe the manner in which a liability that has been incurred is taken into account. For example, for a taxpayer with inventories, certain employee benefit costs (including workers' compensation) must be included in inventory costs and may be recovered through costs of goods sold. See section 1.263A- 1(e)(3)(ii)(D). A taxpayer may not rely on the provisions of section 8.03 of this APPENDIX to take a current year deduction.

.04 Timing of incurring liabilities for payroll taxes.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to an accrual method employer that wants to change its method of accounting for FICA and FUTA taxes to a method consistent with the holding in Rev. Rul. 96-51, 1996-2 C.B. 36. Rev. Rul. 96-51 holds that, under the all events test of section 461, an accrual method employer may deduct in Year 1 its otherwise deductible FICA and FUTA taxes imposed with respect to year-end wages properly accrued in Year 1, but paid in Year 2, if the requirements of the recurring item exception are met.

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to a taxpayer that is subject to section 263A and that is required to capitalize the costs with respect to which the taxpayer wants to change its method of accounting under section 8.04 of this APPENDIX, if the taxpayer is not capitalizing the costs as required.

(2) Recurring item exception. A taxpayer that previously has not changed to or adopted the recurring item exception for FICA and FUTA taxes must change to the recurring item exception method for FICA and FUTA taxes as specified in section 461(h)(3) as part of this change.

(3) Amounts taken into account. Applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, and other published guidance prescribe the manner in which a liability that has been incurred is taken into account. For example, for a taxpayer with inventories, certain taxes must be included in inventory costs and may be recovered through cost of goods sold. See section 1.263A-1(e)(3)(ii)(L). A taxpayer may not rely on the provisions of section 8.04 of this APPENDIX to take a current year deduction.

.05 Cooperative advertising.

(1) Description of change and scope. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting for cooperative advertising costs to a method consistent with the holding in Rev. Rul. 98-39, 1998-33 I.R.B. 4. Rev. Rul. 98-39 generally provides that, under the all events test of section 461, an accrual method manufacturer's liability to pay a retailer for cooperative advertising services is incurred in the year in which the services are performed, provided the manufacturer is able to reasonably estimate this liability, and even though the retailer does not submit the required claim form until the following year.

(2) Scope limitations inapplicable. A taxpayer that wants to make this change for its first or second taxable year ending on or after August 17, 1998, is not subject to the scope limitations in section 4.02 of this revenue procedure. However, if the taxpayer is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court, 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 that it files the copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s), appeals officer, or counsel for the government, as appropriate.

SECTION 9. INVENTORIES (SECTION 471)

.01 Cash discounts -- Description of change and scope. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting for cash discounts (discounts granted for timely payment) when they approximate a fair interest rate, from a method of consistently including the price of the goods before discount in the cost of the goods and including in gross income any discounts taken (the "gross invoice method"), to a method of reducing the cost of the goods by the cash discounts and deducting as an expense any discounts not taken (the "net invoice method"), or vice versa. See Rev. Rul. 73-65, 1973-1 C.B. 216.

.02 Estimating inventory "shrinkage".

(1) Description of change and scope. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change to a method of accounting for estimating inventory shrinkage in computing ending inventory, using:

(a) the "retail safe harbor method" described in section 4 of Rev. Proc. 98-29, 1998-15 I.R.B. 22; or

(b) a method other than the retail safe harbor method, provided (i) the taxpayer's present method of accounting does not estimate inventory shrinkage, and (ii) the taxpayer's new method of accounting (that estimates inventory shrinkage) clearly reflects income under section 446(b).

(2) Scope limitations inapplicable. A taxpayer that wants to make this change is not subject to the scope limitations in section 4.02 of this revenue procedure. However, if the taxpayer is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court, 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 that it files the copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s), appeals officer, or counsel for the government, as appropriate.

(3) Additional requirements. If the taxpayer wants to change to a method of accounting for inventory shrinkage other than the retail safe harbor method, the taxpayer must attach to the application a statement setting forth a detailed description of all aspects of the new method of estimating inventory shrinkage (including, for LIFO taxpayers, the method of determining inventory shrinkage for, or allocating inventory shrinkage to, each LIFO pool).

(4) Audit protection. A taxpayer, whose present method of accounting estimates inventory shrinkage, does not receive audit protection under section 7 of this revenue procedure in connection with a change to the retail safe harbor method if, on the date the taxpayer files a copy of the Form 3115 with the national office, the taxpayer's present method of estimating inventory shrinkage is an issue under consideration within the meaning of section 3.09 of this revenue procedure.

(5) Future change. A taxpayer that changes to the retail safe harbor method described in this revenue procedure will not be precluded, solely by reason of such change, from changing to another safe harbor method for estimating inventory shrinkage in computing ending inventory in the first year that such other safe harbor method is available.

SECTION 10. LAST-IN, FIRST-OUT (LIFO) INVENTORIES (SECTION 472)

.01 Change from the LIFO inventory method.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) In general. This change applies to any taxpayer that wants to:

(i) change from the LIFO inventory method for all its LIFO inventory; and

(ii) change to the permitted method as determined in section 10.01(1)(b) of this APPENDIX.

(b) Method to be used.

(i) Determining method to be used. The inventory method to be used by a taxpayer is determined as follows:

(A) If the taxpayer has inventoriable goods not included in its LIFO inventory computations (non-LIFO inventory) and, for all the taxpayer's non-LIFO inventory, the taxpayer uses an inventory method that is a permitted method, then the taxpayer must use that same inventory method for its entire inventory.

(B) If the LIFO inventory method is used by the taxpayer with respect to all its inventoriable goods, then the taxpayer must use the same inventory method it used prior to the adoption of the LIFO inventory method, if that prior method is a permitted method.

(C) If the taxpayer has only LIFO inventory and the method used by the taxpayer prior to the adoption of the LIFO inventory method is not a permitted method, then the taxpayer must use a permitted method.

(D) If the taxpayer did not use an inventory method prior to the adoption of the LIFO inventory method and has no inventoriable goods other than its LIFO inventory, then the taxpayer must use a permitted method.

(ii) Permitted method defined. For purposes of section 10.01 of this APPENDIX, a permitted method is a method under which:

(A) the identification method is either the first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory method or the specific identification inventory method; and

(B) the valuation method is cost; cost or market, whichever is lower; market (but only if the taxpayer is a dealer in securities, as defined in section 1.471-5); the "farm price method" or the "unit- livestock-price method" (but only if the taxpayer is a farmer permitted to use such methods); or the retail method, reduced to either approximate cost or approximate cost or market, whichever is lower (but only if the taxpayer is a retail merchant).

(iii) Method not to be used. The average cost method (sometimes also referred to as "the rolling average method") described in Rev. Rul. 71-234, 1971-1 C.B. 148, is not a permitted method.

(iv) Determining permitted method. Whether an inventory method is a permitted method is determined by the taxpayer's method of inventory identification and valuation, and not by which types and amounts of costs are capitalized under the taxpayer's method of computing inventory cost. See section 263A and the regulations thereunder, which govern the types and amounts of costs required to be included in inventory cost for taxpayers subject to those provisions.

(2) Limitation on LIFO election. The taxpayer may not re-elect the LIFO inventory method for a period of at least five taxable years beginning with the year of change, unless based on a showing of unusual and compelling circumstances, consent is specifically granted by the Commissioner to change the method of accounting at an earlier time. A taxpayer that wants to re-elect the LIFO inventory method within a period of five taxable years (beginning with the year of change) must file a Form 3115 in accordance with Rev. Proc. 97-27, 1997-1 C.B. 680. A taxpayer that wants to re-elect the LIFO inventory method after a period of five taxable years (beginning with the year of change) is not required to file a Form 3115 in accordance with Rev. Proc. 97-27, but must file a Form 970, Application to Use LIFO Inventory Method, in accordance with section 1.472-3.

(3) Effect of subchapter S election by corporation.

(a) S election effective for year of LIFO discontinuance. If a C corporation elects to be treated as an S corporation for the taxable year in which it discontinues use of the LIFO inventory method, section 1363(d) requires an increase in the taxpayer's gross income for the LIFO recapture amount (as defined in section 1363(d)(3)) for the taxable year preceding the year of change (the taxpayer's last taxable year as a C corporation), and a corresponding adjustment to the basis of the taxpayer's inventory as of the end of the taxable year preceding the year of change. Any increase in income tax as a result of the inclusion of the LIFO recapture amount is payable in four equal installments, beginning with the taxpayer's last taxable year as a C corporation as provided in section 1363(d)(2). Any corresponding basis adjustment is taken into account in computing the section 481(a) adjustment (if any) that results upon the discontinuance of the LIFO method by the corporation.

(b) S election effective for a year after LIFO discontinuance. If a C corporation elects to be treated as an S corporation for a taxable year after the taxable year in which it discontinued use of the LIFO inventory method, the remaining balance of any positive section 481(a) adjustment must be included in its gross income in its last taxable year as a C corporation. If this inclusion results in an increase in tax for its last taxable year as a C corporation, this increase in tax is payable in four equal installments, beginning with the taxpayer's last taxable year as a C corporation as provided in section 1363(d)(2), unless the taxpayer is required to take the remaining balance of the section 481(a) adjustment into account in the last taxable year as a C corporation under another acceleration provision in section 5.02(3)(c) of this revenue procedure.

(4) Additional requirements. The taxpayer must complete the following statements and attach them to the application:

(a) "The new method of identifying inventory goods is the [insert method; that is, specific identification; FIFO; retail; etc.] method."

(b) "The new method of valuing inventory goods is [insert method; that is, cost; cost or market, whichever is lower; etc.]."

(c) "The new method conforms to the requirements of section 10.01(1)(b)(i) [insert either (A), (B), (C), or (D)] of the APPENDIX of Rev. Proc. 98-60 because [explain in detail how the new method conforms to the specific subdivision]."

.02 Determining the cost of used vehicles purchased or taken as a trade-in.

(1) Description of change and scope. This change applies to a LIFO taxpayer that wants to:

(a) determine the cost of used vehicles acquired by trade-in using the average wholesale price listed by an official used car guide on the date of the trade-in. See Rev. Rul. 67-107, 1967-1 C.B. 115. The official used car guide selected must be consistently used;

(b) determine the cost of used vehicles purchased for cash using the actual purchase price of the vehicle; or

(c) reconstruct the beginning-of-the-year cost of used vehicles purchased for cash using values computed by national auto auction companies based on vehicles purchased for cash. The national auto auction company selected must be consistently used.

(2) Manner of making the change. This change is made using a cut-off method and applies to used vehicles acquired during the year of change and all subsequent years. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure.

.03 Alternative LIFO inventory method for retail automobile dealers.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to a taxpayer engaged in the trade or business of retail sales of new automobiles or new light-duty trucks ("automobile dealer") that wants to change to the "Alternative LIFO Method" described in section 4 of Rev. Proc. 97-36, 1997-2 C.B. 450, for its LIFO inventories of new automobiles and new light-duty trucks. Light-duty trucks are trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 14,000 pounds or less, which also are referred to as class 1, 2, or 3 trucks.

(b) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to an automobile dealer that uses the inventory price index computation (IPIC) method for goods other than new automobiles, new light-duty trucks, parts and accessories, used automobiles, and used trucks.

(2) Manner of making the change.

(a) Cut-off method. This change is made using a cut-off method. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure and section 5.03(6) of Rev. Proc. 97-36.

(b) IPIC method changes. An automobile dealer that uses the IPIC method also must change from the IPIC method under section 10.03 of this APPENDIX to another acceptable method for its goods other than new automobiles and new light-duty trucks. For parts and accessories, the automobile dealer must change to the dollar-value, index method, with all parts and accessories within each separate trade or business in a separate LIFO pool. For used vehicles, the automobile dealer must change to the dollar-value, link-chain method, with all used automobiles within each separate trade or business in one LIFO pool and all used trucks within each separate trade or business in another separate LIFO pool.

(c) Additional requirements. An automobile dealer also must comply with the following:

(i) the conditions in section 5.03 of Rev. Proc. 97-36; and

(ii) for an automobile dealer changing from the IPIC method, the automobile dealer also must attach to the application a schedule setting forth the classes of goods for which the automobile dealer has elected to use the LIFO method and the accounting method changes being made under section 10.03 of this APPENDIX for each class of goods.

.04 Inventory price index computation (IPIC) method under the LIFO inventory method.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) This change applies to an eligible taxpayer that wants to change its LIFO inventory method to use the IPIC method for its entire LIFO inventory in accordance with all the provisions of section 1.472-8(e)(3) and Rev. Proc. 84-57, 1984-2 C. B. 496. The taxpayer must:

(i) in the case of the CPI Detailed Report, select an index from Table 3 (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, detailed expenditure categories); and

(ii) in the case of the Producer Price Indexes, select an index from Table 6 (Producer price indexes and percent changes for commodity groupings and individual items).

(b) A taxpayer using the IPIC method must apply the inventory price index to its ending inventory valued at current- year cost, under the taxpayer's method of determining current- year cost. See section 1.472-8(e)(2)(ii). Furthermore, there must be a nexus between the taxpayer's method of determining current-year costs and the month to be used in selecting indexes. See section 1.472-8(e)(3)(iii)(C) and Rev. Rul. 89-29, 1989-1 C.B. 168. For example, if a taxpayer determines current-year cost by reference to the actual cost of goods purchased or produced during the taxable year in the order of acquisition (earliest acquisitions cost), then the inventory price index must be applied to the earliest acquisitions cost of ending inventory. In computing the inventory price index, such a taxpayer must select indexes from a month toward the beginning of its taxable year.

(c) A taxpayer may not change its method of pooling as part of a change made under section 10.04 of this APPENDIX, except to a method specifically authorized by section 1.472-8(e)(3)(iv) or section 3.04(1)(b) of Rev. Proc. 84-57. These special pooling rules do not apply to goods manufactured by the taxpayer. See section 1.472-8(b) for principles for establishing pools of manufacturers and processors.

(d) A taxpayer may change its method of determining current-year cost as part of a change made under section 10.04 of this APPENDIX by also following the provisions of section 10.05 of this APPENDIX. These changes may be made using a single application, provided the application is labeled as being filed under both sections 10.04 and 10.05 of this APPENDIX. See section 6.02(3) of this revenue procedure.

(2) Manner of making the change. This change is made using a cut-off method. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure.

(3) Bargain purchase. If the taxpayer has previously improperly accounted for a bulk bargain purchase, the taxpayer must, as part of this change, first change its method of accounting to comply with Hamilton Industries, Inc. v. Commissioner, 97 T.C. 120 (1991), and compute a section 481(a) adjustment for that part of the change. See Announcement 91-173, 1991-47 I.R.B. 29. Upon examination, if a taxpayer has properly changed under section 10.04 of this APPENDIX except for complying with section 10.04(3) of this APPENDIX, an examining agent may not deny the taxpayer the change. However, the taxpayer does not receive audit protection under section 7 of this revenue procedure with respect to the improper method of accounting for the bargain purchase. Accordingly, the examining agent may make any necessary adjustments in any open year to effect compliance with Hamilton Industries, Inc.

.05 Determining current-year cost under the LIFO inventory method.

(1) Description of change and scope. This change applies to a LIFO taxpayer that wants to change to a method of determining current year cost:

(a) by reference to the actual cost of the goods most recently purchased or produced;

(b) by reference to the actual cost of the goods purchased or produced during the taxable year in the order of acquisition; or

(c) by application of an average unit cost equal to the aggregate actual cost of all the goods purchased or produced throughout the taxable year divided by the total number of units so purchased or produced. See section 1.472-8(e)(2)(ii).

(2) Manner of making the change. This change is made using a cut-off method. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure.

SECTION 10A. MARK-TO-MARKET ACCOUNTING METHOD FOR DEALERS IN SECURITIES (SECTION 475)

.01 Discontinuing the mark-to-market method of accounting for nonfinancial customer paper.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to:

(i) a taxpayer that must discontinue the use of the mark-to- market method of accounting for nonfinancial customer paper to comply with section 475(c)(4), enacted by section 7003 of the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-206, 112 Stat. 833 (July 22, 1998), provided the change is made for the taxpayer's first taxable year ending after July 22, 1998. The taxpayer must change to a method other than the lower of cost or market method; and

(ii) a taxpayer that was a dealer in securities solely because of its dealings in nonfinancial customer paper, that, in conjunction with the change under section 10A.01(1)(a)(i) of this APPENDIX, wants to discontinue the use of the mark-to-market method of accounting for all securities (including nonfinancial customer paper).

(b) Scope limitations inapplicable. A taxpayer that wants to make this change is not subject to the scope limitations in section 4.02 of this revenue procedure. However, if the taxpayer is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court, 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 that it files the copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s), appeals officer, or counsel for the government, as appropriate.

(2) Additional Requirements.

(a) On a statement attached to the application, the taxpayer must describe all items that were marked to market and that will no longer be marked to market.

(b) When complying with section 6.02(3) of this revenue procedure, the taxpayer should indicate whether the taxpayer is changing under section 10A.01(1)(a)(i) or sections 10A.01(1)(a)(i) and (ii) of this APPENDIX.

(3) No audit protection. A taxpayer does not receive audit protection under section 7 of this revenue procedure in connection with this change.

.02 Reserved.

SECTION 11. BANK RESERVES FOR BAD DEBTS (SECTION 585)

.01 Changing from the section 585 reserve method to the section 166 specific charge-off method.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to a bank (as defined in section 581, including a bank for which a qualified subchapter S subsidiary (QSSS) election is filed) that wants to change its method of accounting for bad debts from the section 585 reserve method to the section 166 specific charge-off method.

(b) Certain scope limitations inapplicable. A bank that changed from the section 593 reserve method under section 593(g) to the section 585 reserve method will not be prohibited under section 4.02(6) of this revenue procedure from changing its method of accounting for bad debts under section 11.01 of this APPENDIX solely because of the section 593(g) change. A bank for which a QSSS election is filed will not be prohibited under section 4.02(7) of this revenue procedure from changing its method of accounting for bad debts under section 11.01 of this APPENDIX solely because of the deemed liquidation of the bank arising from a QSSS election.

(c) Inapplicability. This change does not apply to:

(i) a large bank as defined in section 585(c)(2); or

(ii) any bank within the scope of Rev. Proc. 97-18, 1997-1 C.B. 642, which applies to banks making this change in method of accounting in 1997 to become eligible to elect S corporation status for 1997. A bank is not outside the scope of Rev. Proc. 97-18 solely because it is a qualified subchapter S subsidiary. In that event, the S corporation (the parent) should follow the application procedures required by Rev. Proc. 97-18 on behalf of the bank.

(2) Section 481(a) adjustment. Generally, the amount of the section 481(a) adjustment for a change in method of accounting under section 11.01 of this APPENDIX is the amount of the bank's reserve for bad debts as of the close of the taxable year immediately before the year of change. However, the amount of the section 481(a) adjustment does not include the amount of a bank's pre-1988 reserves (as described in section 593(g)(2)(A)(ii), without taking into account section 593(g)(2)(B)) if the bank changed in a prior year from the section 593 reserve method to the section 585 reserve method and section 593(g) applied to that change. The deemed liquidation of a bank occurring solely because its parent makes a QSSS election does not accelerate the section 481(a) adjustment. In accordance with section 5.04(3)(c) of this revenue procedure, a bank that ceases to be a bank under section 581 must accelerate its section 481(a) adjustment.

(3) Change from section 585 required when electing S corporation status. A bank electing S corporation status (or a bank for which a QSSS election is filed) cannot use the section 585 reserve method. The filing by a bank of a Form 2553 (Election by a Small Business Corporation) or the filing by a bank's parent of a QSSS election with respect to the bank will constitute an agreement by the bank to change its method of accounting for bad debts from the section 585 reserve method to the section 166 specific charge-off method effective as of the taxable year for which the S corporation election or QSSS election is effective (year of change) in accordance with all of the applicable provisions of this revenue procedure. The section 481(a) adjustment is recognized built-in gain under section 1374. See section 1.1374-4(d).

.02 Reserved.

SECTION 12. ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT (SECTIONS 1272; 1273)

.01 De minimis original issue discount (OID).

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change to the principal-reduction method of accounting described in section 5 of Rev. Proc. 97-39, 1997-2 C.B. 485. The principal- reduction method of accounting is an aggregate method of accounting for de minimis OID (discount) on certain loans originated by the taxpayer.

(b) Scope limitations inapplicable. A taxpayer that wants to make this change is not subject to the scope limitations in section 4.02 of this revenue procedure. However, if the taxpayer is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court, 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 that it files the copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s), appeals officer, or counsel for the government, as appropriate.

(c) Description. The principal-reduction method of accounting is a permissible method for use by taxpayers to account for discount on one or more categories of loans described in section 4.02 or 4.03 of Rev. Proc. 97-39. If the principal-reduction method is used to account for any loans in a category of loans, the method must be used for the entire category of loans. The principal-reduction method applies only to loans described in section 3 of Rev. Proc. 97-39.

(2) Manner of making the change.

(a) This change is made using a cut-off method and applies only to loans described in section 3 of Rev. Proc. 97-39 that were acquired on or after the first day of the year of change. See section 2.06 of this revenue procedure.

(b) The taxpayer must maintain books and records sufficient to satisfy the district director that old and new loans have been adequately segregated.

(3) Additional requirements. On a statement attached to the application, the taxpayer must:

(a) identify the categories of loans to which the new method will apply; and

(b) describe any "additional categories" permitted under section 4.03 of Rev. Proc. 97-39.

(4) No audit protection. A taxpayer does not receive audit protection under section 7 of this revenue procedure in connection with this change.

.02 Pool of debt instruments.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) Applicability. This change applies to a taxpayer that must change its method of accounting for a pool of debt instruments to comply with section 1272(a)(6) (as required by section 1004 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. No. 105-34, 111 Stat. 788, 911), provided the change is for the taxpayer's first taxable year beginning after August 5, 1997.

(b) Scope limitations inapplicable. A taxpayer that must make this change is not subject to the scope limitations in section 4.02 of this revenue procedure. However, if the taxpayer is under examination, before an appeals office, or before a federal court, 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 that it files the copy of the application with the national office. The application must contain the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the examining agent(s), appeals officer, or counsel for the government, as appropriate.

(c) Description.

(i) Under section 1272, the holder of a debt instrument with original issue discount (OID) must include in income the sum of the daily portions of the OID for each day during the taxable year on which the holder held the instrument. Section 1272(a)(6) provides special rules to determine the daily portions of OID for certain debt instruments subject to prepayments. Under these rules, the daily portions of OID are determined, in part, by taking into account an assumption regarding the prepayment of principal on the debt instruments.

(ii) Section 1004 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, which is effective for taxable years beginning after August 5, 1997, extended the rules in section 1272(a)(6) to any pool of debt instruments the yield on which may be affected by reason of prepayments. In particular, section 1272(a)(6) now applies to a pool of credit card receivables subject to a grace period provision (under which, for example, a credit card issuer does not charge interest for a billing cycle if the credit card obligor pays off its account balance by a specified date, even though the balance is not due on that date). See H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 220, 105th Cong., 1st Sess. 522 (1997). (A credit card receivable subject to a grace period provision has OID because none of the stated interest on the receivable is qualified stated interest under section 1.1273-1(c)).

(iii) The holder of a pool of credit card receivables subject to a grace period provision must accrue OID on the pool based on a reasonable assumption regarding the timing of the payments by the obligors of the receivables in the pool. Under section 1272(a)(6), it is not reasonable for a holder to assume that all of the obligors will pay their balances by the specified grace period date and, based on this assumption, defer the inclusion of OID until the end of the grace period. If the payments in the pool occur soon after year end and before the holder files its tax return for the taxable year that includes such year end, the holder may accrue OID based on its actual experience rather than based upon a reasonable assumption. If the holder does not accrue OID based on its actual experience, the holder must make an adjustment to its income for the following taxable year to account for any difference between its accrual based on a reasonable assumption and its actual experience.

(2) Additional requirements.

(a) On a statement attached to the application, the taxpayer must provide a detailed description of the pool(s) of debt instruments and the proposed method (including the prepayment assumption used for each pool).

(b) A taxpayer that, on or before March 1, 1999, files its original federal income tax return for its first taxable year beginning after August 5, 1997, may comply with the filing requirement in section 6.02(2)(a) of this revenue procedure or with the following filing requirement. The taxpayer must complete and file an application in duplicate. The original application must be attached to the taxpayer's timely filed amended federal income tax return for the taxpayer's first taxable year beginning after August 5, 1997. This amended return must be filed no later than April 30, 1999. A copy of the application must be filed with the national office (see section 6.02(6) of this revenue procedure for the address) no later than when the taxpayer's amended return is filed.

SECTION 13. SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS (SECTION 1281)

.01 Interest income on short-term obligations.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) This change applies to a taxpayer that wants to change its method of accounting to comply with section 1281 for interest income on short-term obligations.

(b) Under section 1281, a holder of certain short-term obligations, including a bank as defined in section 581, must include in gross income any accrued interest income on such obligations, regardless of the holder's overall method of accounting. Section 1281 applies to all types of interest income, including acquisition discount, original issue discount (OID), and stated interest. See S. Rep. No. 99-313, 99th Cong., 2d Sess. 903 (1986), 1986-3 (Vol. 3) C.B. 903.

(c) Section 1283(a)(1) generally defines a short-term obligation as any bond, debenture, note, certificate, or other evidence of indebtedness that matures in one year or less from its issue date. A short-term loan, including a short-term loan made in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's business, is a short-term obligation.

(d) Under sections 1281(a) and 1283(c), a holder of a short-term obligation subject to section 1281 must include in gross income an amount equal to the sum of the daily portions of the acquisition discount or OID, whichever is applicable, on the obligation for each day during the taxable year that the obligation is held by the holder. See section 1283(b), as modified by section 1283(c), to determine the daily portions of acquisition discount or OID. In addition, section 1281(a) requires the holder to include in gross income any stated interest that is payable on the short-term obligation (other than stated interest taken into account to determine the amount of the acquisition discount or OID) as it accrues.

(2) Section 481(a) adjustment period. A taxpayer must take the entire section 481(a) adjustment into account in computing taxable income for the year of change.

.02 Stated interest on short-term loans of cash method banks in the Eighth Circuit.

(1) Description of change and scope.

(a) This change applies to a cash method bank in the Eighth Circuit that wants to change its method of accounting from accruing stated interest on short-term loans made in the ordinary course of business to using the cash method for that interest.

(b) In Security Bank Minnesota v. Commissioner, 994 F.2d 432 (8th Cir. 1993), aff'g 98 T.C. 33 (1992), the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit held that section 1281 does not require a cash method bank to include in gross income stated interest on short-term loans made in the ordinary course of business as that interest accrues. The Service disagrees with the interpretation of section 1281 in Security Bank Minnesota and intends to pursue this issue in other circuits. In light of Security Bank Minnesota, however, cash method banks in the Eighth Circuit will be granted permission to change to the cash method of accounting for stated interest on short-term loans made in the ordinary course of business. If this change was made on or before November 6, 1995, the Service will not seek to deny cash method banks in the Eighth Circuit the use of the cash method on the ground that there was an unauthorized change in method of accounting.

(2) Section 481(a) adjustment period. A taxpayer must take the entire section 481(a) adjustment into account in computing taxable income for the year of change.

(3) No ruling protection. If the Service is later successful in further litigation on this issue in other circuits, or there is a change in law, then cash method banks in the Eighth Circuit may be required to use an accrual method of accounting for any taxable year not barred by the statute of limitations.