[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 12]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.1502-33]

[Page 400-408]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1_INCOME TAXES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.1502-33  Earnings and profits.

    (a) In general--(1) Purpose. This section provides rules for 
adjusting the earnings and profits of a subsidiary (S) and any member 
(P) owning S's stock. These rules modify the determination of P's 
earnings and profits under applicable rules of law, including section 
312, by adjusting P's earnings and profits to reflect S's earnings and 
profits for the period that S is a member of the consolidated group. The 
purpose for modifying the determination of earnings and profits is to 
treat P and S as a single entity by reflecting the earnings and profits 
of lower-tier members in the earnings and profits of higher-tier members 
and consolidating the group's earnings and profits in the common parent. 
References in this section to earnings and profits include deficits in 
earnings and profits.
    (2) Application of other rules of law. The rules of this section are 
in addition to other rules of law. For example, the allowance for 
depreciation is determined in accordance with section 312(k). P's 
earnings and profits must not be adjusted under this section and other 
rules of law in a manner that has the effect of duplicating an 
adjustment. For example, if S's earnings and profits are reflected in 
P's earnings and profits under paragraph (b) of this section, and S 
transfers its assets to P in a liquidation to which section 332 applies, 
S's earnings and profits that P succeeds to under section 381 must be 
adjusted to prevent duplication.
    (b) Tiering up earnings and profits--(1) General rule. P's earnings 
and profits are adjusted under this section to reflect changes in S's 
earnings and profits in accordance with the applicable principles of 
Sec. 1.1502-32, consistently applied, and an adjustment to P's earnings 
and profits for a tax year under this paragraph (b)(1) is treated as 
earnings and profits of P for the tax year in which the adjustment 
arises. Under these principles, for example, the adjustments are made as 
of the close of each consolidated return year, and as of any other time 
if a determination at that time is necessary to determine the earnings 
and profits of any person. Similarly, S's earnings and profits are 
allocated under the principles of Sec. 1.1502-32(c), and the 
adjustments are applied in the order of the tiers, from the lowest to 
the highest. However, modifications to the principles include:
    (i) The amount of P's adjustment is determined by reference to S's 
earnings and profits, rather than S's taxable and tax-exempt items (and 
therefore, for example, the deferral of a negative adjustment for S's 
unabsorbed losses does not apply).
    (ii) The tax sharing rules under paragraph (d) of this section apply 
rather than those of Sec. 1.1502-32(b)(3)(iv)(D).
    (2) Affiliated earnings and profits. The reduction in S's earnings 
and profits under section 312 from a distribution of earnings and 
profits accumulated in separate return years of S that are not separate 
return limitation years does not tier up to P's earnings and profits. 
Thus, the increase in P's earnings and profits under section 312 from 
receipt of the distribution is not offset by a corresponding reduction.
    (3) Examples--(i) In general. For purposes of the examples in this 
section, unless otherwise stated, P owns all of the only class of S's 
stock, the stock is owned for the entire year, S owns no stock of lower-
tier members, the tax year of all persons is the calendar year, all 
persons use the accrual method of accounting, the facts set forth the 
only corporate activity, preferred stock is described in section 
1504(a)(4), all transactions are between unrelated persons, and tax 
liabilities are disregarded.
    (ii) Tiering up earnings and profits. The principles of this 
paragraph (b) are illustrated by the following examples.

    Example 1. Tier-up and distribution of earnings and profits. (a) 
Facts. P forms S in Year 1 with a $100 contribution. S has $100 of 
earnings and profits for Year 1 and no earnings and profits for Year 2. 
During Year 2, S declares and distributes a $50 dividend to P.

[[Page 401]]

    (b) Analysis. Under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, S's $100 of 
earnings and profits for Year 1 increases P's earnings and profits for 
Year 1. P has no additional earnings and profits for Year 2 as a result 
of the $50 distribution in Year 2, because there is a $50 increase in 
P's earnings and profits as a result of the receipt of the dividend and 
a corresponding $50 decrease in S's earnings and profits under section 
312(a) that is reflected in P's earnings and profits under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section.
    (c) Distribution of current earnings and profits. The facts are the 
same as in paragraph (a) of this Example 1, except that S distributes 
the $50 dividend at the end of Year 1 rather than during Year 2. Under 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, P's earnings and profits are increased 
by $100 (S's $50 of undistributed earnings and profits, plus P's receipt 
of the $50 distribution). Thus, S's earnings and profits increase by $50 
and P's earnings and profits increase by $100.
    (d) Affiliated earnings and profits. The facts are the same as in 
paragraph (a) of this Example 1, except that P and S do not begin filing 
consolidated returns until Year 2. Because P and S file separate returns 
for Year 1, P's basis in S's stock remains $100 under Sec. 1.1502-32 
and this section, S has $100 of earnings and profits, and none of S's 
earnings and profits is reflected in P's earnings and profits under 
paragraph (b) of this section. S's distribution in Year 2 ordinarily 
would reduce S's earnings and profits but not increase P's earnings and 
profits. (P's $50 of earnings and profits from the dividend would be 
offset by S's $50 reduction in earnings and profits that tiers up under 
paragraph (b) of this section.) However, under paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, the negative adjustment for S's distribution to P does not 
apply. Thus, S's distribution reduces its earnings and profits by $50 
but increases P's earnings and profits by $50. (If S's earnings and 
profits had been accumulated in a separate return limitation year, 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section would not apply and the distribution 
would reduce S's earnings and profits but not increase P's earnings and 
profits.)
    (e) Earnings and profits deficit. Assume instead that after P forms 
S in Year 1 with a $100 contribution, S borrows additional funds and has 
a $150 deficit in earnings and profits for Year 1. The corresponding 
loss for tax purposes is not absorbed in Year 1, and is included in the 
group's consolidated net operating loss carried forward to Year 2. Under 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, however, S's $150 deficit in earnings 
and profits decreases P's earnings and profits for Year 1 by $150. 
(Absorption of the loss in a later tax year has no effect on the 
earnings and profits of P and S.)
    Example 2. Section 355 distribution. (a) Facts. P owns all of S's 
stock and S owns all of T's stock. For Year 1, T has $100 of earnings 
and profits. Under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the earnings and 
profits of T tier up to S and to P. S and P have no other earnings and 
profits for Year 1. S distributes T's stock to P at the end of Year 1 in 
a distribution to which section 355 applies.
    (b) Analysis. Because S's distribution of T's stock is a 
distribution to which section 355 applies, the applicable principles of 
Sec. 1.1502-32(b)(2)(iv) do not require P's earnings and profits to be 
adjusted by reason of the distribution. In addition, although S's 
earnings and profits may be reduced under section 312(h) as a result of 
the distribution, the applicable principles of Sec. 1.1502-
32(b)(3)(iii) do not require P's earnings and profits to be adjusted to 
reflect this reduction in S's earnings and profits.
    Example 3. Allocating earnings and profits among shares. P owns 80% 
of S's stock throughout Year 1. For Year 1, S has $100 of earnings and 
profits. Under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, $80 of S's earnings and 
profits is allocated to P based on P's ownership of S's stock. 
Accordingly, $80 of S's earnings and profits for Year 1 is reflected in 
P's earnings and profits for Year 1.

    (c) Special rules. For purposes of this section--
    (1) Stock of members. For purposes of determining P's earnings and 
profits from the disposition of S's stock, P's basis in S's stock is 
adjusted to reflect S's earnings and profits determined under paragraph 
(b) of this section, rather than under Sec. 1.1502-32. For example, P's 
basis in S's stock is increased by positive earnings and profits and 
decreased by deficits in earnings and profits. Similarly, P's basis in 
S's stock is not reduced for distributions to which paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section applies (affiliated earnings and profits). P may have an 
excess loss account in S's stock for earnings and profits purposes 
(whether or not there is an excess loss account under Sec. 1.1502-32), 
and the excess loss account is determined, adjusted, and taken into 
account in accordance with the principles of Sec. Sec. 1.1502-19 and 
1.1502-32.
    (2) Intercompany transactions. Intercompany items and corresponding 
items are not reflected in earnings and profits before they are taken 
into account under Sec. 1.1502-13. See Sec. 1.1502-13 for the 
applicable rules and definitions.
    (3) Example. The principles of this paragraph (c) are illustrated by 
the following example.


[[Page 402]]


    Example. Adjustments to stock basis. (a) Facts. P forms S in Year 1 
with a $100 contribution. For Year 1, S has $75 of taxable income and 
$100 of earnings and profits. For Year 2, S has no taxable income or 
earnings and profits, and S declares and distributes a $50 dividend to 
P. P sells all of S's stock for $150 at the end of Year 2.
    (b) Analysis. Under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, P's basis in 
S's stock for earnings and profits purposes immediately before the sale 
is $150 (the $100 initial basis, plus S's $100 of earnings and profits 
for Year 1, minus the $50 distribution of earnings and profits in Year 
2). Thus, P recognizes no gain or loss from the sale of S's stock for 
earnings and profits purposes.
    (c) Earnings and profits deficit. Assume instead that S has a $100 
tax loss and earnings and profits deficit for Year 1. The tax loss is 
not absorbed in Year 1 and is included in the group's consolidated net 
operating loss carried forward to Year 2. Under paragraph (b) of this 
section, S's $100 deficit in earnings and profits decreases P's earnings 
and profits for Year 1. Under paragraph (c) of this section, P decreases 
its basis in S's stock for purposes of determining earnings and profits 
from $100 to $0. (If S had borrowed an additional $50 that it also lost 
in Year 1, P would have decreased its earnings and profits for Year 1 by 
the additional $50, and P would have had a $50 excess loss account in 
S's stock for earnings and profits purposes, which would be taken into 
account in determining P's earnings and profits from its sale of S's 
stock.)
    (d) Affiliated earnings and profits. Assume instead that P and S do 
not begin filing consolidated returns until Year 2. Under paragraph (b) 
of this section, the negative adjustment under Sec. 1.1502-32(b) for 
distributions does not apply to S's distribution of earnings and profits 
accumulated in a separate return year that is a not separate return 
limitation year. Thus, P's basis in S's stock for earnings and profits 
purposes remains $100, and P has $50 of earnings and profits from the 
sale of S's stock.

    (d) Federal income tax liability--(1) In general--(i) Extension of 
tax allocations. Section 1552 allocates the tax liability of a 
consolidated group among its members for purposes of determining the 
amounts by which their earnings and profits are reduced for taxes. 
Section 1552 does not reflect the absorption by one member of another 
member's tax attributes (e.g., losses, deductions and credits). For 
example, if P's $100 of income is offset by S's $100 of deductions, 
consolidated tax liability is $0 and no amount is allocated under 
section 1552. However, the group may elect under this paragraph (d) to 
allocate additional amounts to reflect the absorption by one member of 
the tax attributes of another member. Permissible methods are set forth 
in paragraphs (d)(2) through (4) of this section, and election 
procedures are provided in paragraph (d)(5) of this section. Allocations 
under this paragraph (d) must be reflected annually on permanent records 
(including work papers). Any computations of separate return tax 
liability are subject to the principles of section 1561.
    (ii) Effect of extended tax allocations. The amounts allocated under 
this paragraph (d) are treated as allocations of tax liability for 
purposes of Sec. 1.1552-1(b)(2). For example, if P's taxable income is 
offset by S's loss, and tax liability is allocated under the percentage 
method of paragraph (d)(3) of this section, P's earnings and profits are 
reduced as if its income were subject to tax, P is treated as liable to 
S for the amount of the tax, and corresponding adjustments are made to 
S's earnings and profits. If the liability of one member to another is 
not paid, the amount not paid generally is treated as a distribution, 
contribution, or both, depending on the relationship between the 
members.
    (2) Wait-and-see method. The wait-and-see method under this 
paragraph (d)(2) is derived from Securities and Exchange Commission 
procedures. In the year that a member's tax attribute is absorbed, the 
group's consolidated tax liability is allocated in accordance with the 
group's method under section 1552. When, in effect, the member with the 
tax attribute could have absorbed the attribute on a separate return 
basis in a later year, a portion of the group's consolidated tax 
liability for the later year that is otherwise allocated to members 
under section 1552 is reallocated. The reallocation takes into account 
all consolidated return years to which this paragraph (d) applies (the 
computation period), and is determined by comparing the tax allocated to 
a member during the computation period with the member's tax liability 
determined as if it had filed separate returns during the computation 
period.
    (i) Cap on allocation under section 1552. A member's allocation 
under section

[[Page 403]]

1552 for a tax year may not exceed the excess, if any, of--
    (A) The total of the tax liabilities of the member for the 
computation period (including the current year), determined as if the 
member had filed separate returns; over
    (B) The total amount allocated to the member under section 1552 and 
this paragraph (d) for the computation period (except the current year).
    (ii) Reallocation of capped amounts. To the extent that the amount 
allocated to a member under section 1552 exceeds the limitation under 
paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, the excess is allocated among the 
remaining members in proportion to (but not to exceed the amount of) 
each member's excess, if any, of--
    (A) The total of the tax liabilities of the member for the 
computation period (including the current year), determined as if the 
member had filed separate returns; over
    (B) The total amount allocated to the member under section 1552 and 
this paragraph (d) for the computation period (including for the current 
year only the amount allocated under section 1552).
    (iii) Reallocation of excess capped amounts. If the reductions under 
paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section exceed the amounts allocable under 
paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, the excess is allocated among the 
members in accordance with the group's method under section 1552 without 
taking this paragraph (d)(2) into account.
    (3) Percentage method. The percentage method under this paragraph 
(d)(3) allocates tax liability based on the absorption of tax 
attributes, without taking into account the ability of any member to 
subsequently absorb its own tax attributes. The allocation under this 
method is in addition to the allocation under section 1552.
    (i) Decreased earnings and profits. A member's allocation under 
section 1552 for any year is increased, thereby decreasing its earnings 
and profits, by a fixed percentage (not to exceed 100%) of the excess, 
if any, of--
    (A) The member's separate return tax liability for the consolidated 
return year as determined under Sec. 1.1552-1(a)(2)(ii); over
    (B) The amount allocated to the member under section 1552.
    (ii) Increased earnings and profits. An amount equal to the total 
decrease in earnings and profits under paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this 
section (including amounts allocated as a result of a carryback) 
increases the earnings and profits of the members whose attributes are 
absorbed, and is allocated among them in a manner that reasonably 
reflects the absorption of the tax attributes.
    (4) Additional methods. The absorption by one member of the tax 
attributes of another member may be reflected under any other method 
approved in writing by the Commissioner.
    (5) Election of allocation method--(i) In general. Tax liability may 
be allocated under this paragraph (d) only if an election is filed with 
the group's first return. The election must--
    (A) Be made in a separate statement entitled ``ELECTION TO ALLOCATE 
TAX LIABILITY UNDER Sec. 1.1502-33(d)'';
    (B) State the allocation method elected under Sec. 1.1502-33(d) and 
under section 1552;
    (C) If the percentage method is elected, state the percentage (not 
to exceed 100%) to be used; and
    (D) If a method is permitted under paragraph (d)(4) of this section, 
attach evidence of approval of the method by the Commissioner.
    (ii) Consent--(A) Electing or changing methods. An election for a 
later year, or an election to change methods, may be made only with the 
written consent of the Commissioner.
    (B) Prior law elections. An election in effect for the last tax year 
beginning before January 1, 1995, remains in effect under this section. 
However, a group may elect to conform its earnings and profits 
computations to the method described in Sec. 1.1502-32(b)(3)(iv)(D) 
(the percentage method, using a 100% allocation), whether or not it has 
previously made an election for earnings and profits purposes. If a 
conforming election is made, the group must make all adjustments 
necessary to prevent amounts from being duplicated or omitted. The 
conforming election is made by attaching a statement entitled ``ELECTION 
TO CONFORM

[[Page 404]]

TAX ALLOCATIONS UNDER Sec. Sec. 1.1502-32 and 1.1502-33(d)'' to the 
consolidated group's return for its first tax year beginning on or after 
January 1, 1995. The statement must be signed by the common parent, and 
must specify whether the method is conformed only for years beginning on 
or after January 1, 1995 or as if the method were in effect for all 
prior years. The statement must also describe the adjustments made by 
reason of the change (e.g., to reflect prior use of earnings and 
profits).
    (6) Examples. The principles of this paragraph (d) are illustrated 
by the following examples.

    Example 1. Wait-and-see method. (a) Facts. P owns all of the stock 
of S1 and S2. The P group uses the wait-and-see method of allocation 
under paragraph (d)(2) of this section in conjunction with Sec. 1.1552-
1(a)(1). For Year 1, each member's taxable income, both for purposes of 
Sec. 1.1552-1(a)(1) and redetermined as if the member had filed 
separate returns, is as follows: P $0, S1 $2,000, and S2 ($1,000). Thus, 
the P group's consolidated tax liability for Year 1 is $340 (assuming a 
34% tax rate).
    (b) Analysis. Under Sec. 1.1552-1(a)(1)(i), the tax liability of 
the P group is allocated among the members in accordance with the 
portion of the consolidated taxable income attributable to each member 
having taxable income. Thus, all of the P group's $340 consolidated tax 
liability is allocated to S1. As a result, S1 decreases its earnings and 
profits under section 1552 by $340 (even if S1 does not pay the tax 
liability). No further allocations are made under paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section because S2 cannot yet absorb its loss on a separate return 
basis.
    (c) Payment of tax liability. If S1 pays the $340 tax liability, 
there is no further effect on the income, earnings and profits, or stock 
basis of any member. If P pays the $340 tax liability (and the payment 
is not a loan from P to S1), P is treated as making a $340 contribution 
to the capital of S1; if S2 pays the $340 tax liability (and the payment 
is not a loan from S2 to S1), S2 is treated as making a $340 
distribution to P with respect to its stock, and P is treated as making 
a $340 contribution to the capital of S1. See Sec. 1.1552-1(b)(2).
    (d) Year 2. For Year 2, each member's taxable income, under Sec. 
1.1552-1(a)(1)(ii) and redetermined as if the member had filed separate 
returns, without taking into account any carryover from Year 1, is as 
follows: P $0, S1 $1,000, and S2 $3,000. Thus, the P group's 
consolidated tax liability for Year 2 is $1,360 (assuming a 34% tax 
rate). Of this amount, section 1552 would allocate $340 to S1 and $1,020 
to S2. However, under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, no more than 
$680 may be allocated to S2. This is because S2 would have had an 
aggregate tax liability of $680 if it had filed separate returns for 
Years 1 and 2 (a $0 tax liability for Year 1, and a $680 tax liability 
for Year 2, taking into account a $1,000 net operating loss carryover 
from Year 1). Under paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, the entire 
excess of $340 which would otherwise be allocated to S2 under Sec. 
1.1552-1(a)(1) is allocated to S1. This is because S1 would have had an 
additional $340 of aggregate tax liability if it had filed separate 
returns for Years 1 and 2 (a $680 tax liability for Year 1, and a $340 
tax liability for Year 2, not taking into account S2's $1,000 net 
operating loss for Year 1). The effect of the allocation of $680 to S1 
and $680 to S2 is determined under Sec. 1.1552-1(b)(2).
    Example 2. Percentage method. (a) Facts. The facts are the same as 
in Example 1, but the P group uses the percentage method of allocation 
under paragraph (d)(3) of this section, with a percentage of 100%. In 
addition, the taxable incomes and losses of the members are the same if 
computed as provided in Sec. 1.1552-1(a)(2)(ii).
    (b) Analysis. Under Sec. 1.1552-1(a)(2)(ii), $340 of tax liability 
is allocated to S1 for Year 1. Under paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this 
section, S1 is allocated another $340 of tax liability because S1 would 
have had a $680 tax liability if it had filed separate returns but only 
$340 is allocated to S1 under section 1552. Thus, S1's earnings and 
profits are decreased by the $680 total. Under paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of 
this section, S2's earnings and profits are increased by $340 because 
the additional $340 allocated to S1 under paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this 
section is attributable to the absorption of S2's losses.
    (c) Payment of tax liability. If S1 pays the $340 tax liability of 
the P group and pays $340 to S2, the Year 1 tax liability results in no 
further adjustments to the income, earnings and profits, or basis of any 
member's stock. If S1 pays the $340 tax liability of the P group and 
pays the other $340 to P instead of S2 because, for example, of an 
agreement among the members, S2 is treated as distributing $340 to P 
with respect to its stock in the year that S1 makes the payment to P. 
See Sec. 1.1552-1(b)(2).
    (d) Year 2. For Year 2, $340 is allocated to S1 and $1,020 is 
allocated to S2 under section 1552. No additional amounts are allocated 
under paragraph (d)(3) of this section.

    (e) Deconsolidations--(1) In general. Immediately before it becomes 
a nonmember, S's earnings and profits are eliminated to the extent they 
were taken into account by any member under this section. If S's 
earnings and

[[Page 405]]

profits are eliminated under this paragraph (e)(1), no corresponding 
adjustment is made to the earnings and profits of P (or any other 
member) under paragraph (b) of this section or to any basis in a 
member's stock under paragraph (c) of this section. For this purpose, S 
is treated as becoming a nonmember on the first day of its first 
separate return year (including another group's consolidated return 
year).
    (2) Acquisition of group--(i) Application. This paragraph (e)(2) 
applies only if a consolidated group (the terminating group) ceases to 
exist as a result of--
    (A) The acquisition by a member of another consolidated group of 
either the assets of the common parent of the terminating group in a 
reorganization described in section 381(a)(2), or the stock of the 
common parent of the terminating group; or
    (B) The application of the principles of Sec. 1.1502-75(d)(2) or 
(d)(3).
    (ii) General rule. Paragraph (e)(1) of this section does not apply 
solely by reason of the termination of a group because it is acquired, 
if there is a surviving group that is, immediately thereafter, a 
consolidated group. Instead, the surviving group is treated as the 
terminating group for purposes of applying this paragraph (e) to the 
terminating group. This treatment does not apply, however, to members of 
the terminating group that are not members of the surviving consolidated 
group immediately after the terminating group ceases to exist (e.g., 
under section 1504(a)(3) relating to reconsolidation, or section 1504(c) 
relating to includible insurance companies).
    (3) Certain corporate separations and reorganizations. The 
adjustments under paragraph (e)(1) of this section must be modified to 
the extent necessary to effectuate the principles of section 312(h). 
Thus, P's earnings and profits rather than S's earnings and profits may 
be eliminated immediately before S becomes a nonmember. P's earnings and 
profits are eliminated to the extent that its earnings and profits 
reflect S's earnings and profits after applying section 312(h) 
immediately after S becomes a nonmember (determined without taking this 
paragraph (e) into account).
    (4) Special uses of earnings and profits. Paragraph (e)(1) of this 
section does not apply for purposes of determining--
    (i) The extent to which a distribution is charged to reserve 
accounts under section 593(e);
    (ii) The extent to which a distribution is taxable to the recipient 
under sections 805(a)(4) and 832; and
    (iii) Any other special use identified in guidance published in the 
Internal Revenue Bulletin.
    (5) Example. The principles of this paragraph (e) are illustrated by 
the following example.

    Example. (a) Facts. Individuals A and B own all of P's stock, and P 
owns all of the stock of S and T, each with a $500 basis. For Year 1, S 
has $100 of earnings and profits and T has $50 of earnings and profits. 
Under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the earnings and profits of S 
and T tier up to P, and P has $150 of earnings and profits for Year 1. P 
sells all of S's stock for $600 at the close of Year 1.
    (b) Analysis. Under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, S's $100 of 
earnings and profits is eliminated immediately before S becomes a 
nonmember because the earnings and profits are taken into account under 
paragraph (b) of this section in P's earnings and profits. However, no 
corresponding adjustment is made to P's earnings and profits or to P's 
basis in S's stock for purposes of earnings and profits. P's earnings 
and profits for Year 1 remain $150 following the sale of S's stock.
    (c) Forward merger. The facts are the same as in paragraph (a) of 
this Example, except that, rather than P selling S's stock, S merges 
into a nonmember in a transaction described in section 368(a)(2)(D). 
Under paragraph (h) of this section, the nonmember is treated as a 
successor to S. Thus, as in paragraph (b) of this Example, S's $100 of 
earnings and profits is eliminated immediately before S ceases to be a 
member.
    (d) Acquisition of entire group. The facts are the same as in 
paragraph (a) of this Example, except that X, the common parent of 
another consolidated group, purchases all of P's stock at the close of 
Year 1, and P sells S's stock during Year 3. Under paragraph (e)(2) of 
this section, the earnings and profits of S and T are not eliminated as 
a result of X purchasing P's stock. However, S's earnings and profits 
from consolidated return years of both the P group and the X group are 
eliminated immediately before S becomes a nonmember of the X group.
    (e) Earnings and profits deficit. The facts are the same as in 
paragraph (d) of this Example, except that S has a $550 deficit in 
earnings and profits for Year 1. The effect of paragraph (e)(1) of this 
section is the same. Under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, P would 
have

[[Page 406]]

an excess loss account in S's stock for earnings and profits purposes 
under the principles of Sec. Sec. 1.1502-19 and 1.1502-32, and, under 
the principles of Sec. 1.1502-19(c)(2), the excess loss account is not 
taken into account as a result of X's purchase of P's stock. Under 
paragraph (e)(2) of this section, S's deficit is not eliminated under 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section immediately before X's purchase of P's 
stock. However, S's earnings and profits (or deficit) is eliminated 
immediately before S becomes a nonmember of the X group.
    (f) Section 355 distribution. The facts are the same as in paragraph 
(a) of this Example, except that, rather than selling S's stock, P 
distributes S's stock to A at the close of Year 1 in a distribution to 
which section 355 applies. Under paragraph (e)(3) of this section, P's 
earnings and profits may be reduced under section 312(h) as a result of 
the distribution. To the extent that P's earnings and profits are 
reduced, S's earnings and profits are not eliminated under paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section.

    (f) Changes in the structure of the group--(1) Changes in the common 
parent--(i) General rule. If P succeeds another corporation under the 
principles of Sec. 1.1502-75(d) (2) or (3) as the common parent of a 
consolidated group (a group structure change), the earnings and profits 
of P are adjusted immediately after P becomes the new common parent to 
reflect the earnings and profits of the former common parent immediately 
before the former common parent ceases to be the common parent. The 
adjustment is made as if P succeeds to the earnings and profits of the 
former common parent in a transaction described in section 381(a). See 
Sec. 1.1502-31 for the basis of the stock of members following a group 
structure change.
    (ii) Minority shareholders. If the former common parent's stock is 
not wholly owned by members of the consolidated group immediately after 
the former common parent ceases to be the common parent, appropriate 
adjustments must be made to reflect in the new common parent only an 
allocable part of the former common parent's earnings and profits.
    (iii) Higher-tier members. To the extent that earnings and profits 
are adjusted under this paragraph (f)(1), and the former common parent 
is owned by members other than P, the earnings and profits of the 
intermediate subsidiaries must be adjusted in accordance with the 
principles of this section.
    (iv) Example. The principles of this paragraph (f)(1) are 
illustrated by the following example.

    Example. (a) Facts. X is the common parent of a consolidated group 
with $100 of earnings and profits, and P is the common parent of another 
consolidated group with $20 of earnings and profits. P acquires all of 
X's stock at the close of Year 1 in exchange for 70% of P's stock. The 
exchange is a reverse acquisition under Sec. 1.1502-75(d)(3), and the X 
group is treated as remaining in existence with P as its new common 
parent.
    (b) Adjustments for X group earnings and profits. Under paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section, P's earnings and profits are adjusted 
immediately after P becomes the new common parent, to reflect X's $100 
of earnings and profits immediately before X ceases to be the common 
parent. The adjustment is made as if P succeeds to X's earnings and 
profits in a transaction described in section 381(a). Thus, immediately 
after the acquisition, P has $120 of accumulated earnings and profits 
and X continues to have $100 of accumulated earnings and profits.
    (c) Adjustments for P group earnings and profits. Although the P 
group terminates on P's acquisition of X's stock, under paragraph (e)(2) 
of this section, no adjustments are made to the earnings and profits of 
any subsidiaries in the terminating P group.
    (d) Acquisition of separate return corporation. The facts are the 
same as in paragraph (a) of this Example, except that, immediately 
before the acquisition of its stock by P, X is not affiliated with any 
other corporation. The exchange is a reverse acquisition under Sec. 
1.1502-75(d)(3), and P is treated as the common parent of the X group. 
Consequently, the results are the same as in paragraphs (b) and (c) of 
this Example.

    (2) Change in the location of subsidiaries. If the location of a 
member within a group changes, appropriate adjustments must be made to 
the earnings and profits of the members to prevent the earnings and 
profits from being eliminated. For example, if P transfers all of S's 
stock to another member in a transaction to which section 351 and Sec. 
1.1502-13 apply, the transferee's earnings and profits are adjusted 
immediately after the transfer to reflect S's earnings and profits 
immediately before the transfer from consolidated return years. On the 
other hand, if the transferee purchases S's stock from P, the 
transferee's earnings and profits are not adjusted.
    (g) Anti-avoidance rule. If any person acts with a principal purpose 
contrary to the purposes of this section, to avoid

[[Page 407]]

the effect of the rules of this section or apply the rules of this 
section to avoid the effect of any other provision of the consolidated 
return regulations, adjustments must be made as necessary to carry out 
the purposes of this section.
    (h) Predecessors and successors. For purposes of this section, any 
reference to a corporation or to a share includes a reference to a 
successor or predecessor as the context may require. A corporation is a 
successor if its earnings and profits are determined, directly or 
indirectly, in whole or in part, by reference to the earnings and 
profits of another corporation (the predecessor). A share is a successor 
if its basis is determined, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, 
by reference to the basis of another share (the predecessor).
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Effective date--(1) General rule. This section applies with 
respect to determinations of the earnings and profits of a member (e.g., 
for purposes of a characterizing a distribution to which section 301 
applies) in consolidated return years beginning on or after January 1, 
1995. If this section applies, earnings and profits must be determined 
or redetermined as if this section were in effect for all years 
(including, for example, the consolidated return years of another 
consolidated group to the extent the earnings and profits from those 
years are still reflected). For example, if a distribution by P to a 
nonmember shareholder in 1990 was a dividend because of an unabsorbed 
loss carryover attributable to S, P's earnings and profits in tax years 
beginning after January 1, 1995 are redetermined by taking into account 
a negative adjustment in the tax year S's loss arose and in 1990 for P's 
distribution, and any subsequent absorption of the loss has no effect on 
earnings and profits. Any such determination or redetermination does 
not, however, affect any prior period. Thus, the shareholder's treatment 
in 1990 of the distribution as a dividend (and the effect of the 
distribution on stock basis) is not redetermined under this section.
    (2) Dispositions of stock before effective date--(i) In general. If 
P disposes of stock of S in a consolidated return year beginning before 
January 1, 1995, the amount of P's earnings and profits with respect to 
S are not redetermined under paragraph (j)(1) of this section. See Sec. 
1.1502-19 as contained in the 26 CFR part 1 edition revised as of April 
1, 1994 for the definition of disposition, and paragraph (j)(5) of this 
section for the rules applicable to such dispositions.
    (ii) Lower-tier members. Although P disposes of S's stock in a tax 
year beginning before January 1, 1995, S's determinations or adjustments 
with respect to lower-tier members with which it continues to file a 
consolidated return are redetermined in accordance with the rules of 
this section (even if S's earnings and profits were previously taken 
into account by P). For example, assume that P owns all of S's stock, S 
owns all of T's stock, and T owns all of U's stock. If S sells 80% of 
T's stock in a tax year beginning before January 1, 1995 (the effective 
date), the amount of S's earnings and profits from the sale, and the 
adjustments to stock basis for earnings and profits purposes that are 
reflected in that amount, are not redetermined if P sells S's stock 
after the effective date. If S sells the remaining 20% of T's stock 
after the effective date, S's stock basis adjustments with respect to 
that T stock are also not redetermined because T became a nonmember 
before the effective date. However, if T and U continue to file a 
consolidated return with each other, paragraph (e)(1) of this section 
did not apply, and T sells U's stock after the effective date, T's 
earnings and profits with respect to U are redetermined (even though 
some of the earnings and profits may have been taken into account by S 
in its prior sale of T's stock before the effective date).
    (iii) Deferred amounts. For purposes of this paragraph (j)(2), a 
disposition does not include a transaction to which Sec. 1.1502-13, 
Sec. 1.1502-13T, Sec. 1.1502-14, or Sec. 1.1502-14T applies. Instead, 
the transaction is deemed to occur as the earnings and profits (if any) 
are taken into account.
    (3) Deconsolidations and group structure changes--(i) In general. 
Paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section apply with respect to 
deconsolidations and group

[[Page 408]]

structure changes occurring in consolidated return years beginning on or 
after January 1, 1995.
    (ii) Prior period group structure changes. If there was a group 
structure change in a consolidated return year beginning before January 
1, 1995, and earnings and profits were not determined under Sec. 
1.1502-33T(a) as contained in the 26 CFR part 1 edition revised as of 
April 1, 1994, a distribution in a tax year ending after September 7, 
1988, of earnings and profits that are not reflected in the earnings and 
profits of the distributee member, but would have been so reflected if 
Sec. 1.1502-33T(a) as contained in the 26 CFR part 1 edition revised as 
of April 1, 1994 had applied, the negative adjustment under paragraph 
(b) of this section for distributions does not apply (and there is 
therefore no offset to the increase in the earnings and profits of the 
distributee).
    (4) Deemed dividend elections. If there is a deemed distribution and 
recontribution pursuant to Sec. 1.1502-32(f)(2) as contained in the 26 
CFR part 1 edition revised as of April 1, 1994 in a consolidated return 
year beginning before January 1, 1995, the deemed distribution and 
recontribution under the election are treated as an actual distribution 
by S and recontribution by P as provided under the election.
    (5) Prior law. For prior determinations, see prior regulations under 
section 1502 as in effect with respect to the determination. See, e.g., 
Sec. Sec. 1.1502-33 and 1.1502-33T as contained in the 26 CFR part 1 
edition revised as of April 1, 1994.

[T.D. 8560, 59 FR 41695, Aug. 15, 1994, as amended by T.D. 8597, 60 FR 
36710, July 18, 1995]