[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.46-8]

[Page 270-284]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
     CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 1--INCOME TAXES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.46-8  Requirements for taxpayers electing additional one-percent investment credit (TRASOP's).

    (a) Introduction--(1) In general. A corporation may elect under 
section 46(a)(2)(B) of the Code to obtain an additional investment 
credit for property described in section 46(a)(2)(D). This section 
provides rules for electing to have the provisions of section 
46(a)(2)(B) apply and for implementing an employee stock ownership plan 
under section 301(d) of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975 (``1975 TRA''). 
The plan must meet the formal requirements of paragraph (d), and the 
operational requirements of paragraph (e), of this section. An 
additional credit may be obtained for the periods described in section 
46(a)(2)(D). Unless otherwise indicated, statutory references in this 
section are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as in effect prior to 
the amendments made by the Revenue Act of 1978.
    (2) Reports. The returns required by section 6058(a) must be filed 
on behalf of a plan established under paragraph (c)(7) of this section, 
whether or not the plan is qualified under section 401(a).
    (3) Cross-references. The following table indicates where in this 
section provisions appear relating to each provision of section 301 (d) 
and (f) of the 1975 TRA.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Section 301              Section 1.46-8          Subject
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d)(1)..........................  (c)(7)(i),          Establishing a
                                   (c)(8)(i).          TRASOP, in
                                                       general; funding
                                                       a TRASOP, in
                                                       general.
  (2)(A)........................  (c)(7)(ii)........  Type of plan.
     (B)........................  (d)(3), (e)(10)...  Investment design.
     (C)........................  (d)(1)............  Plan requirements,
                                                       in general.
  (3)...........................  (d)(6)............  Allocation.
                                  (b)(8)............  Compensation,
                                                       definition.
  (4)...........................  (d)(7)............  Nonforfeitability.
                                  (d)(9)............  Distributions.
  (5)...........................  (d)(8)............  Voting rights.
  (6)...........................  (c)...............  Procedures for
                                                       additional
                                                       credit.
  (7)(A)........................  (c)(7)(ii)........  Taxability, non-
                                                       401(a) TRASOP.

[[Page 271]]


    (B).........................  (e)(3)............  Allocations under
                                                       401(a).
    (C).........................  (e)(3)............  Section 410 and
                                                       section 415
                                                       requirements.
  (8)...........................  (e)(9)............  Reductions of
                                                       investment
                                                       credit.
  (9)(A)........................  (b)(4)............  Employer
                                                       securities,
                                                       definition.
                                  (e)(10), (f)......  Employer
                                                       securities,
                                                       requirements.
    (B).........................  (b)(7)............  Value, definition.
  (10)..........................  (a)(2)............  Reporting
                                                       requirements.
  (11)..........................  (h)...............  Failure to comply.
  (12)..........................  (c)(10)...........  Deductibility.
  (13)..........................  (e) (6) and (7)...  Reimbursement for
                                                       expenses.
  (14)..........................  (c)(8)(v) and       Contingent
                                   (d)(7)(i).          contributions.
(f).............................  (d)(7),             Withdrawals of
                                   (e)(8)(vii), (f).   TRASOP
                                                       securities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Definitions. When used in this section, the terms listed below 
have the indicated meanings:
    (1) TRASOP. A ``TRASOP'' is an employee stock ownership plan that 
meets the requirements of section 301(d) of the 1975 TRA. See Sec. 1.46-
7. It is a type of plan described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section 
and may, but need not, be an ESOP under Sec. 54.4975-11 of this chapter 
(Pension Excise Tax Regulations). See Sec. 1.46-8(d)(5) concerning use 
of TRASOP assets as collateral for debts and expenses of the plan.
    (2) Additional credit. An ``additional credit'' is the additional 
one-percent investment credit under section 46(a)(2)(B)(i).
    (3) Employer. An ``employer'' is a corporation that establishes a 
TRASOP.
    (4) Employer securities--(i) In general. ``Employer securities'' are 
common stock, and securities convertible into common stock, of the 
employer or of a corporation that is a member of a controlled group of 
corporations including the employer. Employer securities must meet the 
requirements of paragraph (g) of this section. Membership in a 
controlled group for purposes of this section is determined under 
section 414(b) of the Code.
    (ii) Pre-1977 employer securities. In addition, employer securities 
acquired by a TRASOP before January 1, 1977, include common stock, and 
securities convertible into common stock, of a corporation in control of 
the employer within the meaning of section 368(c).
    (iii) Caution. An employer security under this section is not 
necessarily a qualifying employer security as defined in section 
407(d)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) 
or section 4975(e)(8). Moreover, sections 406, 407, and 408 of ERISA in 
certain cases limit the acquisition and disposition of qualifying 
employer securities as defined in section 407(d)(5) of ERISA.
    (5) TRASOP securities. ``TRASOP securities'' are employer securities 
that--
    (i) Are transferred to a TRASOP, or acquired with cash transferred 
to a TRASOP, to obtain an additional credit, and
    (ii) Except as provided under paragraphs (g) (4) and (5) of this 
section, or as required by applicable law, are subject to no other put, 
call, or other option, or buy-sell or similar arrangement while held by 
the plan.
    (6) Publicly traded. The term ``publicly traded'' has the meaning 
specified in Sec. 54.4975-7(b)(1)(iv) of this chapter.
    (7) Value--(i) In general. With respect to the transfer of TRASOP 
securities by a corporation to a TRASOP or the acquisition of TRASOP 
securities with cash transferred by a corporation to a TRASOP, ``value'' 
means fair market value determined in good faith and based on all 
relevant factors as of the date of transfer or acquisition of the TRASOP 
securities. If the plan acquires TRASOP securities from other than a 
disqualified person within the meaning of section 4975(e)(2), a good 
faith determination of value includes a determination of fair market 
value based on an appraisal independently arrived at by a person who 
customarily makes such appraisals and who is independent of any person 
from whom the TRASOP securities are acquired.
    (ii) Twenty-day average rule. A special 20-day average valuation 
rule applies to certain publicly traded securities transferred by a 
corporation to a TRASOP. It does not apply to securities acquired with 
cash transferreed by a corporation to a TRASOP. Under the special rule, 
the term ``value'' refers to an average of daily closing prices for a 
security, as reported on any national securities exchange or as quoted 
on

[[Page 272]]

any system sponsored by a national securities association, over the 20 
consecutive trading days immediately preceding the applicable last day 
described in paragraph (c)(8)(i) of this section. The average is based 
on the closing prices for each day when the security is in fact traded 
during the 20-day period. However, the special rule does not apply 
unless the security is in fact traded for at least 10 of the 20 days.
    (iii) 20-day average transitional exception. If a TRASOP security is 
transferred before March 20, 1979, the plan may value the security on 
the basis of the 20 consecutive trading days preceding the date on which 
the security is transferred or the date as of which the security is 
allocated to a participant's account.
    (8) Compensation. ``Compensation'' means ``participant's 
compensation'' under section 415(c)(3) and Sec. 1.415-2(d). However, 
except for purposes of applying section 415, compensation must be 
determined for a plan year, not a limitation year.
    (c) Procedures for additional credit--(1) Applicable year--(i) 
General rule. With respect to a qualified investment, the ``applicable 
year'' of a corporation is generally the taxable year in which the 
investment is made. For purposes of this section, an investment is made 
either in a year when section 38 property is placed in service or in a 
year when qualified progress expenditures are incurred.
    (ii) Carryover option. A corporation may determine the applicable 
years for qualified investments made in any taxable year beginning after 
December 31, 1976, under the following method: The first applicable year 
with respect to the additional credit for a given year's qualified 
investment is the year the qualified investment is made or, if later, 
the first taxable year for which any additional credit is allowable if 
claimed for that qualified investment. If there is an investment credit 
carryover from the first applicable year, each taxable year to which any 
part of the additional credit for that qualified investment is carried 
over is also an applicable year. If the carryover treatment is elected 
for the additional credit attributable to a year's qualified investment, 
all applicable years for the additional credit attributable to that 
investment must be determined under the carryover option.
    (iii) Increased credit. A taxable year in which a corporation's 
additional credit is increased because of a redetermination is also an 
applicable year. See paragraph (c)(9)(iv) of this section.
    (iv) Illustration. To illustrate the application of paragraphs 
(c)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section, assume that a calendar-year 
corporation makes a qualified investment in 1977 and that 1977 is an 
unused credit year described in section 46(b)(1). If the general rule is 
applied, 1977 is an applicable year. However, because 1977 is an unused 
credit year (at least with respect to the additional credit), if the 
corporation does not elect to treat 1977 as an applicable year but 
carries over its entire additional credit for 1977 to 1978 and uses it 
in 1978, then 1978 is an applicable year. If part of the additional 
credit is carried over further to 1979, the year 1979 is also an 
applicable year.
    (v) Change in method. The choice between the general rule and 
carryover option methods of determining the additional credit 
attributable to applicable years is made with respect to each year's 
qualified investment, and does not bind the corporation with respect to 
selection of methods for the additional credit attributable to other 
years' qualified investment. A failure to comply does not occur merely 
because a corporation elects to apply either method for the additional 
credit attributable to separate years' qualified investment.
    (2) Time and manner of electing. A corporation with a qualified 
investment must elect to be eligible for an additional credit by 
attaching a statement of election--
    (i) To its income tax return, filed on or before the due date 
including extensions of time, for a taxable year not later than its 
first applicable year with respect to a qualified investment, or
    (ii) In the case of a return filed before December 31, 1975, to an 
amended return filed on or before December 31, 1975.
    (3) Statement of election. The statement of election must contain 
the

[[Page 273]]

name and taxpayer identification number of the corporation. Also, it 
must declare in the following words, or in words having substantially 
the same meaning, that:
    (i) The corporation elects to have section 46(a)(2)(B)(i) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954 apply; and
    (ii) The corporation agrees to implement (or continue to implement, 
as appropriate) a TRASOP and to claim the additional credit as required 
by Sec. 1.46-8 of the Income Tax Regulations.
    (4) Separate election. A separate election must be made for each 
taxable year's qualified investment to obtain an additional credit for 
that qualified investment. If a corporation does not make a timely 
election to obtain an additional credit for a taxable year, it may not 
subsequently make the election on an amended return or otherwise.
    (5) No partial election. An election to obtain an additional credit 
applies to a corporation's entire qualified investment for a taxable 
year. Thus, a corporation may not elect to obtain a partial additional 
credit for any year's qualified investment. However, the partial 
disallowance of an additional credit will not result in an election 
being treated as a partial election. Also, an election by a member of a 
controlled group of corporations that applies only to the electing 
member's qualified investment is not a partial election. See Sec. 1.46-
8(h)(9) with respect to transitional rules for elections made before 
January 19, 1979.
    (6) No revocation of election. After the time for electing the 
additional credit has expired for a taxable year, a corporation may not 
revoke its election for that year.
    (7) Establishing a TRASOP--(i) In general. A corporation electing to 
obtain an additional credit must establish a TRASOP with accompanying 
trust on or before the last day for making the election regardless of 
when in fact the election is made. A TRASOP is considered to be in 
existence on a particular date if it meets the requirements of 
Sec. 1.410(a)-2(c)(1). A new plan need not be established if an existing 
plan qualifies as a TRASOP, or is amended to meet the requirements of 
this section, on or before the last day for making the election. The 
requirements of this section are not satisfied merely by establishing 
and crediting a separate ``TRASOP'' account on the corporation's books.
    (ii) Type of plan. A TRASOP need not meet the requirements of 
section 401(a). However, it must be a stock bonus plan, a combination 
stock bonus plan and money purchase pension plan, or a profit-sharing 
plan under Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1) of this chapter. See section 301(d)(7)(A) 
of the 1975 TRA for the tax consequences relating to a TRASOP that does 
not meet the requirements of section 401(a). See also Title I of ERISA 
for additional provisions applicable to a TRASOP as an employee pension 
benefit plan under section 3(2) of ERISA.
    (8) Funding a TRASOP--(i) In general. A corporation electing to 
obtain an additional credit must fund its TRASOP by transferring TRASOP 
securities or cash to it no later than 30 days after the applicable last 
day. That day is the last day for electing the additional credit, 
irrespective of when the election is actually made. However, in the case 
of an investment credit that was carried over and claimed in a 
subsequent applicable year by reason of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this 
section, that day is the last day (including extensions) for filing its 
income tax return for the subsequent applicable year. TRASOP securities 
may be transferred to a plan at any time during the applicable year, but 
not before the first day of an applicable year. If TRASOP securities are 
transferred to the plan within the permissible time period after the 
close of the applicable year, they are treated as transferred during 
that applicable year first until all TRASOP securities required by this 
paragraph (c) for that applicable year are transferred to, and taken 
into account under, the TRASOP. Thus, for example, assume that on a 
return filed on September 17, 1979 (with extensions, the last day for 
filing a return for 1978), a calendar-year corporation claims an 
additional credit of $5,000 for 1978, an applicable year under the 
TRASOP. No contributions were made in 1978 on account of the 1978 
credit, but TRASOP securities with a value of $6,000 were contributed in 
1979. The corporation also expects to be able to claim an additional 
credit of

[[Page 274]]

$10,000 for 1979. TRASOP securities transferred between January 1, 1979, 
and October 17, 1979, must be taken into account under the plan for 1978 
before they are taken into account for 1979. Accordingly, securities 
having a value of $5,000 are applied against the obligation for 1978, 
and $1,000 of the contribution is retained to be applied to the eventual 
obligation for 1979.
    (ii) Cash transfers. A corporation may transfer cash to the TRASOP 
instead of TRASOP securities only if the TRASOP uses the cash to acquire 
TRASOP securities no later than 30 days after the time for funding the 
TRASOP.
    (iii) Valuation. The value of the TRASOP securities for an 
applicable year must equal one percent of the corporation's qualified 
investment for that year. However, if paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this 
section is followed by a corporation, the value of TRASOP securities for 
an applicable year must equal the amount of additional credit claimed 
for that year.
    (iv) Cash reserve. The value of TRASOP securities acquired with cash 
transferred by a corporation may be reduced by two items. The first item 
is an amount not more than the value of fractional shares allocable to 
participants entitled to receive an immediate distribution at the time 
of the transfer. The second item is start-up expenses and administrative 
expenses to the extent permitted under section 301(d)(13) of the 1975 
TRA and paragraphs (e) (6) and (7) of this section.
    (v) Conditional funding. The funding of a TRASOP may be conditional 
if the TRASOP satisfies the provisions of section 301(d)(14) of the 1975 
TRA. For purposes of section 301(d)(14), an investment credit is 
considered to be allowed on the date the election for the applicable 
year is made under paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (vi) Certain benefit offset mechanisms. A TRASOP will be deemed to 
be not funded to the extent that TRASOP securities are used to offset 
benefits under a defined benefit plan.
    (9) Claiming additional credit--(i) In general. Section 46(a)(3) 
subjects the amount of investment credit earned with respect to a 
taxpayer's qualified investment for a taxable year to a limitation based 
on the corporation's tax liability.
    (ii) Unused credit year. Section 46(a)(1) provides a first-in-first-
out rule for the investment credit in a taxable year. Section 46(b)(1) 
provides for the carryback and carryover of unused credits. If less than 
all of a taxpayer's credit earned for a taxable year is allowable, the 
10-percent credit determined under section 46(a)(2)(A) earned for a 
particular year is allowed first. Any portion of the additional credit 
for a taxable year that is not allowable may be carried back or carried 
over to the extent permitted by section 46(b)(1). However, an additional 
credit which is allowed for a taxable year is not reduced by a carryback 
to that year of an unused credit from a succeeding taxable year.
    (iii) Example. Paragraph (c)(9)(ii) of this section is illustrated 
by the following example:

    Example. A calendar-year corporation begins operation and 
establishes a TRASOP in 1975. The facts and treatment relating to the 
corporation's qualified investments and investment tax credits for 1975 
and 1976 are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     1975        1976
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facts:
  1. Qualified investment.......................    $500,000    $500,000
  2. Credits earned:
    a. 10% credit...............................      50,000      50,000
    b. Additional credit........................       5,000       5,000
    c. Carryover of additional credit from prior  ..........       3,000
     year, line 5...............................
  3. Sec. 46(a)(3) limitation                         52,000      47,000
Treatment of credits:
  4. Credits allowed:
    a. Carryover of additional credit...........  ..........       3,000
    b. Current 10% credit.......................      50,000      44,000
    c. Current additional credit................       2,000           0
  5. Unused credits:
    a. 10% credit...............................           0       6,000
    b. Additional credit........................       3,000       5,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thus, in 1975 the section 46(a)(3) limitation ($52,000) is applied first 
to allow all of the 10-percent investment credit ($50,000). Accordingly 
only $2,000 of the additional credit earned is allowed in 1975 and 
$3,000 of the additional credit is carried forward to 1976. In 1976, 
section 46(a)(1) requires that this $3,000 of additional credit is 
allowed first, and then only $44,000 of the 10-percent credit earned in 
1976 is allowed since the section 46(a)(3) limitation for that year is 
$47,000. The unused credits from 1976 cannot be carried back

[[Page 275]]

since 1975, the only prior year, is an unused credit year.

    (iv) Redeterminations increasing credit. If a corporation's 
allowable additional credit is increased because of a redetermination, 
the increase is treated as if it were an unused credit carryover for 
purposes of paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (c)(8)(i) of this section. For 
purposes of this subdivision (iv), the date of the increase is 
determined under paragraph (e)(9)(iii) of this section as if it were the 
date of a reduction. Thus, for example, assume that a calendar-year 
corporation claims an additional credit of $100,000 in 1978 because of a 
qualified investment in that year. In 1980, the additional credit 
attributable to 1978 qualified investment is redetermined to be 
$110,000. With respect to the 1978 qualified investment, 1980 is also an 
applicable year to the extent of $10,000. The increased credit is 
reflected on the employer's return for 1980. The corporation must fund 
the TRASOP with this $10,000 under paragraph (c)(8) of this section.
    (v) Redeterminations increasing tax liability. If a corporation's 
tax liability for a year is increased such that an additional credit 
carried forward and claimed in a later year is allowable in the earlier 
year, the claim of the additional credit will be considered timely if it 
was otherwise timely under this section. Thus, for example, assume that 
a calendar-year corporation makes qualified investment of $5,000,000 in 
1978 but, based on its income tax liability, is unable to use any of the 
credit until 1979, when the entire $50,000 additional credit can be 
used. The corporation adopts the TRASOP, elects the full $50,000 credit 
and funds in a timely manner for tax year 1979. However, as a result of 
a 1981 redetermination of the 1978 tax liability, the corporation is 
able to use $30,000 of the additional credit in 1978 and the remaining 
$20,000 in 1979. The allowable credit for 1978 is increased by $30,000 
and the increase is treated as an unused credit carryover, for which the 
year of redetermination, 1981, is the applicable year. Assuming that no 
other credits are available, the 1979 credit is reduced from $50,000 to 
$20,000, and this reduction is taken into account in the redetermination 
year by offsetting the reduction against amounts due the plan or by 
deducting the amount of the reduction. The adoption of the TRASOP for 
1979, rather than 1978, is considered timely.
    (10) Deductions at expiration of carryover period. Under paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of this section, a corporation that uses no additional credit 
in the year of a qualifed investment may nonetheless treat the year in 
which the qualified investment is made as the first applicable year. If 
the carryover period under section 46(b)(1)(B) expires before the 
corporation uses the entire additional credit with respect to the 
qualified investment, contributions attributable to the unused credit 
are deductible, subject to the limitations of section 404(a), as if made 
in the taxable year when the carryover period expires. The amount 
deductible is the dollar amount of the unused credit irrespective of the 
current value of the securities contributed with respect to the credit.
    (d) Formal plan requirements--(1) In general. To be a TRASOP, a plan 
must meet the formal requirements of this paragraph (d).
    (2) Plan year. To be a TRASOP, a plan must specify a plan year that 
begins with or within the corporation's taxable year.
    (3) Designed to invest primarily in employer securities. To be a 
TRASOP, a plan must state that it is designed to invest primarily in 
employer securities. A TRASOP intended to qualify as an ESOP under 
Sec. 54.4975-11 must state that it is designed to invest primarily in 
employer securities. See paragraph (e)(10) of this section concerning 
the requirement that a plan invest in employer securities on an ongoing 
basis.
    (4) Separate accounting. To be a TRASOP, a plan must state that 
TRASOP securities are to be accounted for separately from any other 
contributions to the plan.
    (5) Debts and expenses of the TRASOP. To be a TRASOP, a plan must 
state that TRASOP securities cannot be used to satisfy a loan made to 
the TRASOP or be used as collateral for a loan made to a TRASOP. 
However, if the plan so provides, to the extent permitted under section 
301(d)(13) of the 1975 TRA and

[[Page 276]]

paragraphs (e) (6) and (7) of this section, certain amounts may be used 
for the TRASOP's start-up expenses and administrative expenses.
    (6) Allocation of TRASOP securities--(i) General rules. To be a 
TRASOP, a plan must provide for the allocation of TRASOP securities 
under section 301(d)(3) of the 1975 TRA and this subparagraph (6).
    (ii) Timing. TRASOP securities are allocated as of the last day of 
the plan year beginning with or within the appropriate applicable year.
    (iii) Participants. Each employee who is a participant at any time 
during the plan year for which allocation is made must receive an 
allocation as of the end of that year even though not then employed by 
the employer. However, to receive allocations, employees must satisfy 
the minimum participation requirements of the plan (for example, 1,000 
hours of service).
    (iv) Compensation considered. Under section 301(d)(3) of the 1975 
TRA, allocations must be based on the proportion that each participant's 
compensation bears to all participants' compensation. Compensation in 
excess of $100,000 must be disregarded in making these allocations. A 
plan may have a lower stated ceiling on compensation (from $0 to 
$100,000) and if the plan has such a lower ceiling, compensation in 
excess of this ceiling must likewise be disregarded. Also, allocations 
must be based on a participant's compensation while actually employed, 
not just while actually participating, in the plan year.
    (v) Section 415 priority rule; transitional rule. For purposes of 
section 415, this subdivision (v) applies only to limitation years 
beginning after November 30, 1982. If a TRASOP security is not allocated 
to a participant's account for a plan year because of section 415 and 
section 301(d)(3) of the 1975 TRA, no other amount may be allocated for 
that participant under any defined contribution plan of the same 
employer after the actual allocation date for that TRASOP plan year, 
until all unallocated TRASOP securities have been allocated as provided 
in paragraphs (d)(6) (vi) and (vii) of this section. This subdivision 
(v) applies to a TRASOP when, under section 415(f)(1)(B), the TRASOP is 
treated along with an employer's other defined contribution plans as one 
plan for purposes of section 415.
    (vi) Unallocated amounts. Under section 301(d)(3) of the 1975 TRA, 
TRASOP securities unallocated for a plan year to participants' accounts 
because of section 415 must be allocated proportionately to the accounts 
of other participants until the addition to the account of each 
participant reaches the limits of section 415.
    (vii) Suspense account. If, after these allocations, TRASOP 
securities remain unallocated, they must be held in an unallocated 
suspense account under the TRASOP. Any income produced by these 
securities must also be held in the account. A plan with such an account 
will not fail to qualify under section 401(a) merely because of the 
account. In each successive TRASOP plan year (whether or not an 
applicable year), the unallocated assets are released from this account 
for allocation on a first-in-first-out basis. They are then allocated to 
the participants' accounts proportionately under paragraph (d)(6) (i) 
through (vi) of this section for each later year until no TRASOP 
securities remain unallocated. Value for this allocation is determined 
under paragraph (b)(7) of this section as of the date of transfer from 
the suspense account or, if the special 20-day average rule applies, the 
value is determined on the basis of the 20 consecutive trading days 
immediately preceding the date of transfer from the suspense account.
    (viii) Escrow account. A TRASOP may provide for the establishment of 
an escrow account instead of a suspense account. The escrow account must 
satisfy paragraph (d)(6)(vii) of this section. The beneficiary of the 
escrow account is to be the TRASOP. The corporation may establish the 
escrow account and contribute stock or cash to it. In such a case, the 
escrow agent must transfer assets to the plan each year equal to the 
amount to be allocated proportionately under paragraph (d)(6)(i)-(vi) of 
this section. Assets held in an escrow account are plan assets.
    (ix) Treatment of certain plan terminations. To be a TRASOP, a plan 
must

[[Page 277]]

provide that, if a plan terminates because the corporation ceases to 
exist, unallocated amounts described in paragraph (d)(6)(vi) of this 
section must be allocated to the extent possible under section 415 for 
the year of termination. The remaining unallocated amounts must then be 
withdrawn. These unallocated amounts are treated as recaptured under all 
the rules of paragraph (e)(9)(vii) of this section except its last 
sentence. See paragraph (d)(9)(i) of this section concerning 
distributions of allocated TRASOP securities.
    (x) No integration. No TRASOP may be integrated, directly or 
indirectly, with contributions or benefits under Title II of the Social 
Security Act or any other state or federal law.
    (xi) Fractional securities. Participants' accounts are to be 
allocated fractional securities or fractional rights to securities.
    (xii) Accounting for amounts withheld by employer or paid by plan as 
start-up or administrative expenses. An employer may withhold certain 
start-up and administrative expenses from TRASOP securities due the 
plan. Also, a plan may reduce amounts to be allocated to the extent that 
certain plan assets are used to reimburse the employer, for example for 
salaries of employees providing services to the plan, or to pay fees 
directly to independent contractors for expenses. These expenses do not 
reduce the amount of additional credit claimed and are not allowable as 
expenses in computing taxable income. Additional rules concerning these 
expenses are in paragraphs (e) (6) and (7) of this section.
    (7) Nonforfeitability. To be a TRASOP, a plan must state that each 
participant has a nonforfeitable right to allocated TRASOP securities. 
For purposes of this section, forfeitures described in section 411(a)(3) 
are not permitted. However, amounts shall not fail to be considered to 
be nonforfeitable if the plan provides for their return to the 
corporation--
    (i) In the case of conditional contributions, under section 
301(d)(14) of the 1975 TRA and paragraph (c)(8)(v) of this section, and
    (ii) In the case of investment credit recapture or an event deemed 
to be a recapture, under section 301(f) of the 1975 TRA and paragraph 
(f) of this section.
    (8) Voting rights--(i) Provision for passthrough. To be a TRASOP, a 
plan must state that each participant is entitled to direct a designated 
fiduciary how to exercise any voting rights on TRASOP securities 
allocated to the account of the participant. The plan need not permit 
participants to direct the voting of unallocated TRASOP or other 
securities held by the trust. It may authorize the designated fiduciary 
to exercise voting rights for unallocated securities.
    (ii) Notification by the employer. To be a TRASOP, the plan must 
obligate the corporation to furnish the designated fiduciary and 
participants with notices and information statements when voting rights 
are to be exercised. The time and manner for furnishing participants 
with a notice or information statement must comply with both applicable 
law and the corporation's charter and bylaws as generally applicable to 
security holders. In general, the content of the statement must be the 
same for plan participants as for other security holders.
    (iii) Fractional securities. To be a TRASOP, the plan must allow the 
participants to vote any allocated fractional securities or fractional 
rights to securities. This requirement is met if the designated 
fiduciary votes the combined fractional securities or rights to the 
extent possible to reflect the direction of the voting participants.
    (iv) Unexercised voting rights. To be a TRASOP, the plan may not 
permit the designated fiduciary to exercise voting rights which a 
participant fails to exercise. However, the plan may permit the 
solicitation and exercise of participants' voting rights by management 
and others under a proxy provision applicable to all security holders.
    (9) Distributions--(i) In general. To be a TRASOP, a plan must 
permit the distribution of allocated TRASOP securities only as provided 
under section 301(d)(4) of the 1975 TRA. Also, under Sec. 1.401-
1(b)(1)(i) of this chapter, to the extent that a TRASOP is a money 
purchase pension plan, it can only provide for a distribution in the 
case of separation from service, death, or disability.

[[Page 278]]

No TRASOP may provide for the distribution of TRASOP securities upon 
plan termination within the 84-month holding period. For purposes of 
section 301(d)(4) of the 1975 TRA, the 84-month holding period begins on 
the date as of which TRASOP securities are allocated.
    (ii) Certain fractional securities. A stock bonus TRASOP may 
distribute cash instead of fractional securities.
    (e) Operational plan requirements--(1) General rule. To be a TRASOP, 
a plan in operation must meet the requirements of this paragraph (e). 
However, the provisions under paragraph (e)(8) of this section apply 
only to TRASOPs qualified under section 401(a).
    (2) Compliance with plan provisions. To be a TRASOP, a plan must 
operate in compliance with its provisions. Failure to operate in 
compliance with plan provisions constitutes an operational failure to 
comply. See paragraph (h)(5)(iii) of this section.
    (3) Compliance with certain Code provisions. To be a TRASOP, a plan 
must meet the requirements of section 301(d)(7) of the 1975 TRA. Thus, 
whether or not it is qualified under section 401(a), a TRASOP must meet 
the requirements of section 401(a) with respect to allocations, section 
410 with respect to participation, and section 415 with respect to 
limitations on contributions and benefits. However, these requirements 
are modified by paragraph (d)(6) of this section, relating to 
allocations and section 415.
    (4) Employee contributions. Under a TRASOP, the participants' 
receipt of benefits attributable to TRASOP securities contributed for 
the additional credit (but not the extra additional credit) must not 
depend on contributions by participants. If a corporation has a plan in 
existence which requires employee contributions, a portion of the plan 
may be a TRASOP if employee contributions are not required with respect 
to that portion of the plan.
    (5) Controlled group of corporations, etc. Whether or not a TRASOP 
is qualified under section 401(a), all employees who by reason of 
section 414 (b) and (c) are treated as employees of an electing 
corporation are treated as employed by the corporation in determining 
whether the plan satisfies the requirements of sections 301(d)(7) (B) 
and (C) of the 1975 TRA. A member of a controlled group under paragraph 
(b)(4)(i) of this section with a qualified investment but with no actual 
employees may obtain an additional credit even though the only 
participants in the corporation's TRASOP are actually employed by 
another member of the controlled group.
    (6) Start-up expenses--(i) In general. For purposes of this section, 
the term ``start-up expense'' means any ordinary and necessary amount of 
a nonrecurring nature paid or incurred by the corporation or by the plan 
in connection with the establishment of a TRASOP under paragraph (c)(7) 
of this section. Thus, for example, start-up expenses may include 
expenses relating to: the drafting or amending of plan documents to 
establish a TRASOP under section 301(d) or (e) of the 1975 TRA, the 
seeking of agency approval for these documents and related transactions, 
the obtaining of shareholder approval for establishing a TRASOP, and the 
registering of securities for initial funding of a TRASOP.
    (ii) Treatment of start-up expenses. Start-up expenses may be 
withheld by the employer from amounts that would otherwise be due the 
plan under paragraph (c)(8) of this section, to the extent that these 
amounts are known by the employer when funding first occurs for an 
applicable year. To the extent that these amounts are not withheld by 
the employer, the plan may pay remaining amounts from plan assets within 
a reasonable time after the amounts are known by the plan.
    (iii) Ceiling on start-up expenses. Reimbursement for start-up 
expenses is limited to a ceiling. This ceiling is the sum of 10 percent 
of the first $100,000 that an employer is first required to transfer 
under paragraph (c)(8) of this section for an applicable year and 5 
percent of that amount in excess of $100,000. If this first year is an 
unused credit year from which there is a carryover, amounts required to 
be transferred in subsequent years for claiming carryovers from this 
first year are considered in determining this ceiling. Thus, for 
example, assume that a calendar-year corporation first earns an 
additional credit in 1977 of $9,000 and that $3,000 of this amount is 
claimed on

[[Page 279]]

the income tax return for 1977, for 1978 and for 1979. The corporation's 
ceiling on start-up expenses is $300 when its 1977 return is filed. The 
total ceiling increases to $600 when its 1978 return is filed and to 
$900 when its 1979 return is filed, with the claiming of an additional 
$3,000 credit for each of the three years.
    (iv) Special rule for taxable years ending before January 1, 1977. 
Special treatment is available for expenses paid or incurred before 
January 1, 1977, that were not taken into account in the manner provided 
by section 301(d)(13) of the 1975 TRA. These expenses may be withdrawn 
under paragraph (e)(9)(vii) of this section in the same manner as 
reductions in the corporation's additional credit caused by a recapture. 
This withdrawal may only be made during the first taxable year ending 
after March 20, 1979. It is subject to the ceiling of section 301(d)(13) 
of the 1975 TRA. Expenses previously deducted by a corporation must be 
reduced on a timely-filed amended return by the amount of this 
withdrawal.
    (7) Administrative expenses--(i) In general. For purposes of this 
section, the term ``administrative expense'' means any amount, other 
than a start-up expense, paid or incurred by the corporation or by the 
plan that is ordinary and necessary in maintaining the TRASOP. Thus, for 
example, administrative expenses may include expenses relating to: 
compensating plan fiduciaries and administrators, leasing office space 
and equipment, reproducing and mailing information to participants and 
beneficiaries, and filing reports, returns, and amendments relating to a 
TRASOP. Paragraph (e)(6) (ii) and (iv), relating to treatment of start-
up expenses and to a special rule for taxable years ending before 
January 1, 1977, also applies to administrative expenses.
    (ii) Ceiling on administrative expenses. Reimbursement for 
administrative expenses under paragraph (e)(6)(ii) of this section is 
limited to the smaller of two amounts for each plan year. The first 
amount is $100,000. The second amount is the sum of 10 percent of the 
first $100,000 of dividend income paid with respect to TRASOP securities 
held by the plan during the plan year ending with or within the 
corporation's taxable year and 5 percent of any such dividend income in 
excess of $100,000.
    (8) TRASOP qualification under section 401(a)--(i) Permanence. A 
TRASOP is not required to be a qualified plan under section 401(a). 
However, to meet the requirements of section 401(a), a TRASOP must be a 
permanent plan, as described in Sec. 1.401-1(b)(2) of this chapter. 
Under section 401(a)(21), a plan will not fail to be considered 
permanent merely because the amount of employer contributions under the 
plan is determined solely by reference to the amount of additional 
credit allowable under this section. Thus, for example, it will not fail 
to be considered permanent merely because employer contributions are not 
made for a year for which an additional credit is not available by 
reason of no qualified investment for which an additional credit can be 
obtained. Section 401(a)(21) applies only to the extent the TRASOP is 
funded with TRASOP securities and cash in lieu of TRASOP securities.
    (ii) Partial discontinuance of contributions. A plan that meets the 
requirements of section 401(a) may receive contributions of TRASOP 
securities as well as other contributions. If the other contributions 
continue on a permanent basis, the plan's qualification under section 
401(a) will not be adversely affected merely because TRASOP securities 
cease to be contributed to it. The discontinuance of TRASOP 
contributions does not alter the requirement that past TRASOP 
contributions remain invested in employer securities. See paragraph 
(e)(10) of this section.
    (iii) Income distribution. Income paid with respect to employer 
securities acquired by a TRASOP may be distributed at any time after 
receipt by the plan to participants on whose behalf such securities have 
been allocated without adversely affecting the qualified status of the 
plan under section 401(a). (See the last sentence of section 803(h), Tax 
Reform Act of 1976.) However, under a TRASOP that is a stock bonus or 
profit-sharing plan, income held by the plan for a 2-year period or 
longer must be distributed under rules generally applicable to stock 
bonus and profit-sharing plans qualified under

[[Page 280]]

section 401(a). Income distributed by a TRASOP is not subject to the 
partial exclusion of dividends provided in section 116, whether or not 
the income is held by the plan for two or more years.
    (9) Reductions in investment credit--(i) General rule. Certain 
reductions in a corporation's investment credit result from either a 
recapture under section 47 of the corporation's investment credit or a 
redetermination of the allowable credit. If these reductions are taken 
into account under a TRASOP, the plan may only use one or more of the 
methods described in paragraphs (e)(9), (v), (vi), and (vii) of this 
section for taking into account these reductions. Thus, for example, 
more than one method is permitted upon a recapture with respect to a 
qualified investment made in a particular year. However, the method 
described in paragraphs (e)(9)(vii) of this section applies only to a 
recapture and not to a redetermination.
    (ii) Ratable reduction. A reduction is allocated ratably between the 
10-percent credit and the additional credit. Thus, for example, if a 
calendar-year corporation claims a $33,000 investment credit for 1976, 
including $3,000 additional credit, and $11,000 of the total credit is 
recaptured in 1978, the $3,000 additional credit is reduced by $1,000. 
This subdivision (ii) does not apply to a reduction solely of the 
additional credit as could occur, for example, in the case of a 
redetermination caused by a mathematical error in computing the 
additional credit or in the case of a recapture caused by a bad faith 
failure to comply under paragraph (h) of this section.
    (iii) Date of reduction. A reduction in investment credit occurs 
under this paragraph (e)(9) on the earliest of these dates: (A) The date 
an income tax return (or an amended return) is filed reflecting the 
reduction; (B) the date a judicial determination affecting the amount of 
the reduction becomes final; and (C) the date specified in a closing 
agreement made under section 7121 that is approved by the Commissioner. 
For purposes of this subdivision (iii), a judicial determination becomes 
final at the time prescribed in Sec. 1.547-2(b)(1) (ii) or (iii), 
relating to personal holding company tax.
    (iv) Year for taking reduction into account. A reduction in 
investment credit must be taken into account in the earliest year or 
years possible under the applicable method beginning no later than the 
year in which the date of the reduction falls.
    (v) Decrease future contributions. The reduction may be taken into 
account as a decrease in the value of TRASOP securities to be 
transferred to the plan. The amount of the decrease is equal to the 
dollar amount of the reduction.
    (vi) Deduct under section 404. On the date of the reduction, the 
amount of the reduction may be treated as an amount paid to the TRASOP 
for purposes of, and as a deduction to the extent allowed under, section 
404.
    (vii) Withdraw TRASOP securities. If an additional credit allowed 
for a taxable year is recaptured, the corporation may withdraw from the 
plan TRASOP securities transferred to, or acquired by, the plan for 
claiming that year's credit. The withdrawal must only be from assets 
segregated under paragraph (f)(2) of this section and must be first from 
assets accounted for in an unallocated suspense account for the 
particular year. The amount of assets actually withdrawn bears the same 
proportion to the amount of assets subject to withdrawal as the amount 
of additional credit recaptured bears to the amount of additional credit 
claimed. Thus, for example, if the assets subject to withdrawal consist 
of 300 shares of one class of employer stock and one-third of the 
additional credit is recaptured, 100 shares of the stock are withdrawn. 
However, if the current value of the assets subject to withdrawal 
exceeds the dollar amount of the additional credit claimed, assets may 
be withdrawn only to the extent that their current value does not exceed 
the dollar amount of the recaptured portion of the additional credit. 
Thus, for example, if the 300 segregated shares in the prior example 
have a current value of $9,000 and the dollar value of the additional 
credit claimed is $4,500, when one-third of the additional credit is 
recaptured, only 50 shares, not 100 shares, are withdrawn. Current value 
is determined under paragraph (b)(7) of this section as of the 
withdrawal date or, if

[[Page 281]]

the special 20-day average rule is applied, it is based on the 20 
consecutive trading days immediately preceding the withdrawal date. 
Withdrawals from an individual's account for the year with respect to 
which recapture occurs must bear the same ratio to the total amount 
withdrawn for that year as the individual's TRASOP account balance for 
that year bears to the total TRASOP account balances for that year. In 
the case of a TRASOP security acquired after March 20, 1979, the 
corporation may not withdraw it unless the plan meets the requirements 
of paragraph (d)(7)(ii) of this section when the plan acquires the 
TRASOP security.
    (viii) Prior distribution rule. If a TRASOP distributes an amount 
allocated with respect to an investment credit for a taxable year and 
the credit for that year is later recaptured, withdrawals may not reduce 
participants' accounts below the level to which they would have been 
reduced had the prior distribution not occurred. Recaptured amounts 
above this level may only be deducted under paragraph (e)(9)(vi) of this 
section. They may not be used to decrease future contributions under 
paragraph (e)(9)(v).
    (ix) Illustration. The operation of paragraph (e)(9)(viii) of this 
section is illustrated as follows:

    Example. For 1977, a calendar-year corporation claims an additional 
credit of $10,000. The corporation's TRASOP meets the requirements of 
section 301(f) of the 1975 TRA. Each of 10 participants under the plan 
for that year receives an equal allocation of 10 shares valued at 
$1,000. In 1978, one participant terminates employment and receives a 
distribution of 10 shares. In 1979, a recapture reduces the 1977 
additional credit by $2,000. The value of employer securities has not 
changed from the allocation date. If the 10 shares had not been 
distributed, 20 shares would be available for withdrawal, 2 shares from 
each participant's account. Since 9 participants remain from 1977, only 
18 shares are available for withdrawal (2 sharesx9 remaining 
participants). If these 18 shares are withdrawn, the corporation may 
take into account 2 shares by deducting their value to the extent 
permitted under paragraph (e)(9)(vi) of this section.

    (10) Continued investment in employer securities. The requirement 
that a plan be designed to invest primarily in employer securities is a 
continuing obligation. Therefore, a transaction changing the status of a 
corporation as an employer may require the conversion of certain plan 
assets into other securities. See paragraphs (d)(9) and (g)(6) of this 
section. In general, cash or other assets derived from the disposition 
of employer securities must be reinvested in employer securities not 
later than the 90th day following the date of disposition. However, the 
Commissioner may grant an extension of the period for reinvestment in 
employer securities depending on the facts and circumstances of each 
case.
    (f) Section 301(f) withdrawals--(1) In general. No assets may be 
withdrawn by a corporation under section 301(f) of the 1975 TRA unless 
the assets are either TRASOP securities or plan assets into which TRASOP 
securities have been converted (``withdrawal assets''). See paragraph 
(e)(10) concerning restrictions on investment of TRASOP assets in assets 
other than employer securities. Withdrawal assets must meet the 
segregated accounting requirements of this paragraph. The physical 
segregation of assets is not required.
    (2) Segregated accounting. The segregated accounting requirements 
are that--
    (i) Withdrawal assets must be segregated from other plan assets on a 
taxable-year-by-taxable-year basis; and
    (ii) Separate accounts must be maintained on a taxable-year-by-
taxable-year basis for each participant on whose behalf withdrawal 
assets are allocated.
    (3) Aggregate plan year accounting. Withdrawal assets for taxable 
years beginning before October 4, 1976, also meet the segregated 
accounting requirements if they are aggregated and accounted for in one 
separate account apart from withdrawal assets in separate accounts for 
later taxable years.
    (g) Requirements for employer securities--(1) General rules. The 
term ``employer security'' does not include stock rights, warrants and 
options. An employer security that is not common stock must at all times 
be immediately convertible into common stock that is an employer 
security at a conversion price which is no greater than the fair market 
value of that common stock at

[[Page 282]]

the time the plan acquires the security.
    (2) Common stock--(i) In general. To be an employer security, common 
stock must meet certain voting power and dividend right requirements. 
For purposes of this paragraph (g), stock held by the TRASOP is not 
treated as outstanding.
    (ii) Dividend right limitations. If dividend rights are subject to a 
limitation, then stock representing at least 50 percent of the fair 
market value of the employer's outstanding common stock at the time the 
commmon stock is transferred to or purchased by the TRASOP must be 
subject to the same limitation. However, common stock that satisfies 
paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this section is not subject to this subdivision 
(ii).
    (3) Voting power and dividend rights. To be an employer security, 
common stock must have voting power and dividend rights which, when 
taken together, are ``no less favorable'' than the voting power and 
dividend rights of any other common stock issued by the employer. Common 
stock which meets one of the following tests is ``no less favorable''.
    (i) Ten-percent shareholder test. The stock is part of, or identical 
to, a class of outstanding stock of which at least 50 percent is not 
owned by 10-percent shareholders. For this purpose, a 10-percent 
shareholder is one who owns at least 10 percent of the outstanding 
shares in a class, including shares constructively owned under section 
318.
    (ii) Substantial proportionality test. More than one class of common 
stock is outstanding and an identical percentage of shares from each 
class is transferred to the TRASOP.
    (iii) Voting power test. The stock is part of, or identical to, the 
existing class of stock having the greatest number of votes per unit of 
fair market value. For example, assume there are only two classes of 
common stock, Class A and Class B. Their fair market values per share 
are $1 and $.50, respectively, and the owner of each share of each class 
is entitled to one vote per share. Thus, Class B has two votes per $1 
and Class A has one vote per $1. Accordingly, the Class B stock has the 
greatest number of votes per unit of fair market value.
    (4) Right of first refusal. TRASOP securities may, but need not, be 
subject to a right of first refusal. However, whether or not the plan is 
an ESOP, any such right must meet the requirements of Sec. 54.4975-
7(b)(9) of this chapter.
    (5) Put option. A TRASOP security that is transferred to a TRASOP 
after September 30, 1976, must be subject to a put option if it is not 
publicly traded when distributed or if it is subject to a trading 
limitation when distributed. The provisions of Sec. 54.4975-7(b)(10)-
(12) and Sec. 54.4975-11(a)(3) of this chapter apply to such securities 
whether or not the plan is an ESOP.
    (6) Change of employer security status. In general, a transaction 
changing the status of a corporation as an employer, or as a member of a 
controlled group of corporations including the employer, adversely 
affects the status as employer securities of common stock and securities 
held by a plan (``old employer securities''). However, to the extent 
that the transaction causing the change in status of the old employer 
securities does not result in a recapture under section 47 of any 
investment credit underlying the transfer to, or acquisition by, the 
plan of the old employer securities, common stock and securities (``new 
employer securities'') substituted for old employer securities are 
treated as if they were the old employer securities if--
    (i) The plan is not terminated,
    (ii) The old employer securities and the new employer securities are 
of equal value at the time of the transaction changing the status of the 
old employer securities, and
    (iii) The new employer securities otherwise meet the requirements of 
this section.
    (h) Failure to comply--(1) General rule--(i) Effect of failure. If a 
corporation elects under paragraphs (c)(2) through (5) of this section 
to obtain an additional credit and fails to comply with respect to that 
credit at any time, it is liable to the United States for a civil 
penalty equal to the amount involved in the failure to comply. If the 
corporation fails to comply with respect to an additional credit during 
the 84-month period described in section

[[Page 283]]

301(d)(4) of the 1975 TRA, the credit is also recaptured. A separate 
failure to comply occurs for each taxable year in which a failure 
continues to exist.
    (ii) Illustration of continuing failure's effect. Assume that in 
1975 an additional credit is allowed and a failure to comply occurs in 
1975 with respect to that credit. Assume also that in 1976 the 1975 
failure continues uncorrected, another additional credit is allowed, and 
a failure to comply occurs with respect to the 1976 credit. Under these 
circumstances, on the last day of 1976 three separate failures to comply 
exist: (A) The 1975 failure with respect to the 1975 credit, (B) the 
1976 failure with respect to the 1975 credit, and (C) the 1976 failure 
with respect to the 1976 credit.
    (2) Assessment and collection. The civil penalty must be assessed 
and collected in the same manner in which a deficiency in the payment of 
federal income tax is assessed and collected.
    (3) Exception. If a failure to comply is corrected within the 
correction period described in paragraph (h)(5) of this section--
    (i) The corporation is not liable for a civil penalty; and
    (ii) If the corporation establishes that at the time of the failure 
a good faith effort to comply was made, its additional credit is not 
disallowed.
    (4) Failure to comply (penalty classifications)--(i) In general. An 
electing corporation fails to comply if a defect described in paragraphs 
(h)(4) (ii) through (iv) of this section occurs with respect to an 
additional credit allowed for a particular taxable year. The 
characterization of the defect in this subparagraph (4) determines the 
amount involved under paragraph (h)(8) of this section for the purpose 
of assessing the civil penalty.
    (ii) Funding defect. A funding defect occurs if a corporation or its 
TRASOP fails to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (c) (8) or (9) of 
this section, relating to funding a TRASOP and claiming an additional 
credit.
    (iii) Special operational defect. A special operational defect 
occurs if a TRASOP fails in operation to satisfy the requirements 
described in paragraphs (d) (5) through (9) of this section, relating to 
debts and expenses of a TRASOP, allocation of TRASOP securities, 
nonforfeitability, voting rights, and distributions, or paragraph (e)(3) 
of this section, relating to compliance with certain Code provisions.
    (iv) De minimis defect. A de minimis defect occurs if a corporation 
or its TRASOP fails to satisfy any requirement of this section other 
than those enumerated either in paragraph (h)(4) (ii) and (iii) of this 
section or in paragraphs (a)(2) and (c) (2) through (5) of this section. 
A failure to comply under this subdivision (iv) may be formal or 
operational in nature.
    (5) Failure to comply (correction rules classifications)--(i) In 
general. If for an electing corporation a defect described in paragraph 
(h)(4) of this section occurs, the procedure for correcting the failure 
to comply depends upon whether the failure is classified as a ``formal'' 
failure or an ``operational'' failure under this subparagraph (5).
    (ii) Formal failure to comply. Formal failures are corrected by 
retroactive amendment. If a formal plan requirement is not met, the plan 
must be retroactively amended by no later than the expiration of the 
correction period under paragraph (h)(6) of this section. A plan fails 
to meet a formal plan requirement of paragraph (d) of this section if, 
for example, it does not state, as required by paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section, that it is designed to invest primarily in employer securities.
    (iii) Operational failure to comply. Operational failures are 
corrected by undoing the defective transaction and by making the plan 
and the participants whole. If the value of TRASOP securities 
transferred to the TRASOP is less than the amount of the additional 
credit, the corporation must make up any resulting funding deficiency 
within the correction period. This is done, for example, by contributing 
additional TRASOP securities plus an amount equal to the dividends or 
interest that would have been paid between the time that the TRASOP 
securities should have been transferred and the actual time for the 
transfer. The contribution of additional TRASOP securities is based on 
their value under paragraph (b)(7) of this section as of the date by 
which they were required to be transferred to the plan. An electing 
corporation fails to meet

[[Page 284]]

an obligation undertaken under this section if, for example, it fails to 
comply with paragraph (c)(8) of this section.
    (6) Correction period--(i) In general. For purposes of this 
paragraph (h), the ``correction period'' begins when the failure to 
comply occurs and ends 90 days after receipt by the corporation of a 
notice of deficiency under section 6212 with respect to the civil 
penalty and the investment credit.
    (ii) Extensions of correction period. Extensions of the correction 
period are determined under Sec. 53.4941(e)-1(d)(2) (i), (ii), and (iv) 
of this chapter (Foundation Excise Tax Regulations). For this purpose, a 
failure to comply is treated as an act of self-dealing, the corporation 
is treated as a foundation, and a civil penalty is treated as a tax 
under section 4941(a)(1).
    (7) Good faith. The corporation has the burden of establishing under 
paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of this section that it made a good faith effort to 
comply. For example, if a corporation shows that it has made a good 
faith effort to establish the fair market value of the employer 
securities transferred to the TRASOP, it may be entitled to the 
additional credit even if, on later examination of the return, it is 
determined that more securities should have been transferred. For 
purposes of this paragraph (h)(7), reasonable reliance on Technical 
Information Release 1413 (1975-50 I.R.B. 16), questions and answers 
relating to ESOP's, is a good faith effort to comply.
    (8) Amount involved--(i) In general. The amount involved in a 
failure to comply is an amount described in this subparagraph (8). A 
maximum amount and a minimum amount are determined with respect to an 
additional credit allowed for a particular taxable year.
    (ii) Maximum amount involved. Notwithstanding any other rule in this 
paragraph (h), all amounts involved with respect to an additional credit 
allowed for a particular taxable year may not exceed the amount of that 
credit.
    (iii) Minimum amount involved. The minimum amount is \1/2\ of one 
percent of the additional credit times the number of full months, or 
parts of full months, during which the failure to comply exists. ``Full 
month'' has the meaning assigned in Sec. 1.1250-1(d)(4) (realty 
depreciation recapture).
    (iv) Funding amount involved. The amount involved for a funding 
defect is the greater of the minimum amount involved or the amount 
required to place the plan in the position it would have been in if no 
funding defect had occurred.
    (v) Special operational amount involved. The amount involved for a 
special operational defect is the maximum amount involved.
    (vi) De minimis amount involved. The amount involved for a de 
minimis defect is the minimum amount involved.
    (9) Certain permissible actions--(i) Elections prior to January 19, 
1979. A corporation does not fail to comply (within the meaning of this 
paragraph (h)) merely because it revokes an election made prior to 
January 19, 1979, under the general rule described in paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of this section and with respect to which no additional credit 
was claimed in the taxable year for which the election was made. Such a 
revocation is permitted irrespective of whether the carryover option 
described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) is elected with respect to qualified 
investment made in a year for which a general rule election is revoked.
    (ii) Pro rata use of credit. A corporation does not fail to comply 
merely because, for an applicable year ending prior to January 19, 1979, 
it provides for pro rata use of the regular 10-percent credit and the 1-
percent additional credit to the extent that less than all of a 
taxpayer's credit earned for a taxable year is allowable.
    (iii) Transitional rule. The Commissioner, based on the particular 
facts and circumstances of individual cases, may determine that a good 
faith failure to comply before January 19, 1979, with a final or 
temporary rule adopted under this section on or after that date does not 
require retroactive correction under paragraph (h)(5)(ii) of this 
section.

(Sec. 301(d)(2)(C) of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975; sec. 7805 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (89 Stat. 38, 68A Stat. 917; 26 U.S.C. 
7805))

[T.D. 7857, 47 FR 54795, Dec. 6, 1982]

[[Page 285]]