[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.263A-9]

[Page 535-548]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1_INCOME TAXES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.263A-9  The avoided cost method.

    (a) In general--(1) Description. The avoided cost method described 
in this section must be used to calculate the amount of interest 
required to be capitalized under section 263A(f). Generally, any 
interest that the taxpayer theoretically would have avoided if 
accumulated production expenditures (as defined in Sec. 1.263A-11) had 
been used to repay or reduce the taxpayer's outstanding debt must be 
capitalized under the avoided cost method. The application of the 
avoided cost method does not depend on whether the taxpayer actually 
would have used the amounts expended for production to repay or reduce 
debt. Instead, the avoided cost method is based on the assumption that 
debt of the taxpayer would have been repaid or reduced without regard to 
the taxpayer's subjective intentions or to restrictions (including 
legal, regulatory, contractual, or other restrictions) against repayment 
or use of the debt proceeds.
    (2) Overview--(i) In general. For each unit of designated property 
(within the meaning of Sec. 1.263A-8(b)), the avoided cost method 
requires the capitalization of--
    (A) The traced debt amount under paragraph (b) of this section, and
    (B) The excess expenditure amount under paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (ii) Rules that apply in determining amounts. The traced debt and 
excess expenditure amounts are determined for each taxable year or 
shorter computation period that includes the production period (as 
defined in Sec. 1.263A-12) of a unit of designated property. Paragraph 
(d) of this section provides an election not to trace debt to specific 
units of designated property. Paragraph (f) of this section provides 
rules for selecting the computation period, for calculating averages, 
and for determining measurement dates within the computation period. 
Special rules are in paragraph (g) of this section.
    (3) Definitions of interest and incurred. Except as provided in the 
case of certain expenses that are treated as a substitute for interest 
under paragraphs (c)(2)(iii) and (g)(2)(iv) of this section, interest 
refers to all amounts that are characterized as interest expense under 
any provision of the Code, including, for example, sections 482, 483, 
1272, 1274, and 7872. Incurred refers to the amount of interest that is 
properly accruable during the period of time in question determined by 
taking into account the

[[Page 536]]

loan agreement and any applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue 
laws and regulations such as section 163, Sec. 1.446-2, and sections 
1271 through 1275.
    (4) Definition of eligible debt. Except as provided in this 
paragraph (a)(4), eligible debt includes all outstanding debt (as 
evidenced by a contract, bond, debenture, note, certificate, or other 
evidence of indebtedness). Eligible debt does not include--
    (i) Debt (or the portion thereof) bearing interest that is 
disallowed under a provision described in Sec. 1.163-8T(m)(7)(ii);
    (ii) Debt, such as accounts payable and other accrued items, that 
bears no interest, except to the extent that such debt is traced debt 
(as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section);
    (iii) Debt that is borrowed directly or indirectly from a person 
related to the taxpayer and that bears a rate of interest that is less 
than the applicable Federal rate in effect under section 1274(d) on the 
date of issuance;
    (iv) Debt (or the portion thereof) bearing personal interest within 
the meaning of section 163(h)(2);
    (v) Debt (or the portion thereof) bearing qualified residence 
interest within the meaning of section 163(h)(3);
    (vi) Debt incurred by an organization that is exempt from Federal 
income tax under section 501(a), except to the extent interest on such 
debt is directly attributable to an unrelated trade or business of the 
organization within the meaning of section 512;
    (vii) Reserves, deferred tax liabilities, and similar items that are 
not treated as debt for Federal income tax purposes, regardless of the 
extent to which the taxpayer's applicable financial accounting or other 
regulatory reporting principles require or support treating these items 
as debt; and
    (viii) Federal, State, and local income tax liabilities, deferred 
tax liabilities under section 453A, and hypothetical tax liabilities 
under the look-back method of section 460(b) or similar provisions.
    (b) Traced debt amount--(1) General rule. Interest must be 
capitalized with respect to a unit of designated property in an amount 
(the traced debt amount) equal to the total interest incurred on the 
traced debt during each measurement period (as defined in paragraph 
(f)(2)(ii) of this section) that ends on a measurement date described in 
paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section. See the example in paragraph 
(b)(3) of this section. If any interest incurred on the traced debt is 
not taken into account for the taxable year that includes the 
measurement period because of a deferral provision, see paragraph (g)(2) 
of this section for the time and manner for capitalizing and recovering 
that amount. This paragraph (b)(1) does not apply if the taxpayer elects 
under paragraph (d) of this section not to trace debt.
    (2) Identification and definition of traced debt. On each 
measurement date described in paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section, the 
taxpayer must identify debt that is traced debt with respect to a unit 
of designated property. On each such date, traced debt with respect to a 
unit of designated property is the outstanding eligible debt (as defined 
in paragraph (a)(4) of this section) that is allocated, on that date, to 
accumulated production expenditures with respect to the unit of 
designated property under the rules of Sec. 1.163-8T. Traced debt also 
includes unpaid interest that has been capitalized with respect to such 
unit under paragraph (b)(1) of this section and that is included in 
accumulated production expenditures on the measurement date.
    (3) Example. The provisions of paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this 
section are illustrated by the following example.

    Example. Corporation X, a calendar year taxpayer, is engaged in the 
production of a single unit of designated property during 1995 (unit A). 
Corporation X adopts a taxable year computation period and quarterly 
measurement dates. Production of unit A starts on January 14, 1995, and 
ends on June 16, 1995. On March 31, 1995 and on June 30, 1995, 
Corporation X has outstanding a $1,000,000 loan that is allocated under 
the rules of Sec. 1.163-8T to production expenditures with respect to 
unit A. During the period January 1, 1995, through June 30, 1995, 
Corporation X incurs $50,000 of interest related to the loan. Under 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the $50,000 of interest Corporation X 
incurs on the loan during the period January 1, 1995, through June 30, 
1995, must be capitalized with respect to unit A.


[[Page 537]]


    (c) Excess expenditure amount--(1) General rule. If there are 
accumulated production expenditures in excess of traced debt with 
respect to a unit of designated property on any measurement date 
described in paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section, the taxpayer must, 
for the computation period that includes the measurement date, 
capitalize with respect to this unit the excess expenditure amount 
calculated under this paragraph (c)(1). However, if the sum of the 
excess expenditure amounts for all units of designated property of a 
taxpayer exceeds the total interest described in paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section, only a prorata amount (as determined under paragraph 
(c)(7) of this section) of such interest must be capitalized with 
respect to each unit. For each unit of designated property, the excess 
expenditure amount for a computation period equals the product of--
    (i) The average excess expenditures (as determined under paragraph 
(c)(5)(ii) of this section) for the unit of designated property for that 
period, and
    (ii) The weighted average interest rate (as determined under 
paragraph (c)(5)(iii) of this section) for that period.
    (2) Interest required to be capitalized. With respect to an excess 
expenditure amount, interest incurred during the computation period is 
capitalized from the following sources and in the following sequence but 
not in excess of the excess expenditure amount for all units of 
designated property:
    (i) Interest incurred on nontraced debt (as defined in paragraph 
(c)(5)(i) of this section);
    (ii) Interest incurred on borrowings described in paragraph 
(a)(4)(iii) of this section (relating to certain borrowings from related 
persons); and
    (iii) In the case of a partnership, guaranteed payments for the use 
of capital (within the meaning of section 707(c)) that would be 
deductible by the partnership if section 263A(f) did not apply.
    (3) Example. The provisions of paragraph (c)(1) and (2) of this 
section are illustrated by the following example.

    Example. (i) P, a partnership owned equally by Corporation A and 
Individual B, is engaged in the construction of an office building 
during 1995. Average excess expenditures for the office building for 
1995 are $2,000,000. When P was formed, A and B agreed that A would be 
entitled to an annual guaranteed payment of $70,000 in exchange for A's 
capital contribution. The only borrowing of P, A, and B for 1995 is a 
loan to P from an unrelated lender of $1,000,000 (loan 1). The 
loan is nontraced debt and bears interest at an annual rate of 10 
percent. Thus, P's weighted average interest rate (determined under 
paragraph (c)(5)(iii) of this section) is 10 percent and interest 
incurred during 1995 is $100,000.
    (ii) In accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the excess 
expenditure amount is $200,000 ($2,000,000 x 10%). The interest 
capitalized under paragraph (c)(2) of this section is $170,000 ($100,000 
of interest plus $70,000 of guaranteed payments).

    (4) Treatment of interest subject to a deferral provision. If any 
interest described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section is not taken into 
account for the taxable year that includes the computation period 
because of a deferral provision described in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of 
this section, paragraph (c)(2) of this section is first applied without 
regard to the amount of the deferred interest. After applying paragraph 
(c)(2) without regard to the deferred interest, if the amount of 
interest capitalized with respect to all units of designated property 
for the computation period is less than the amount that would have been 
capitalized if a deferral provision did not apply, see paragraph (g)(2) 
of this section for the time and manner for capitalizing and recovering 
the difference (the shortfall amount).
    (5) Definitions--(i) Nontraced debt--(A) Defined. Nontraced debt 
means all eligible debt on a measurement date other than any debt that 
is treated as traced debt with respect to any unit of designated 
property on that measurement date. For example, nontraced debt includes 
eligible debt that is allocated to expenditures that are not capitalized 
under section 263A(a) (e.g., expenditures deductible under section 
174(a) or 263(c)). Similarly, even if eligible debt is allocated to a 
production expenditure for a unit of designated property, the debt is 
included in nontraced debt on measurement dates before the first or 
after the last measurement date for that unit of designated property. 
Thus,

[[Page 538]]

nontraced debt may include debt that was previously treated as traced 
debt or that will be treated as traced debt on a future measurement 
date.
    (B) Example. The provisions of paragraph (c)(5)(i)(A) of this 
section are illustrated by the following example.

    Example. In 1995, Corporation X begins, but does not complete, the 
construction of two office buildings that are separate units of 
designated property as defined in Sec. 1.263A-10 (Property D and 
Property E). At the beginning of 1995, X borrows $2,500,000 (the 
$2,500,000 loan), which will be used exclusively to finance production 
expenditures for Property D. Although interest is paid currently, the 
entire principal amount of the loan remains outstanding at the end of 
1995. Corporation X also has outstanding during all of 1995 a long-term 
loan with a principal amount of $2,000,000 (the $2,000,000 loan). The 
proceeds of the $2,000,000 loan were used exclusively to finance the 
production of Property C, a unit of designated property that was 
completed in 1994. Under the rules of paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 
the portion of the $2,500,000 loan allocated to accumulated production 
expenditures for property D at each measurement date during 1995 is 
treated as traced debt for that measurement date. The excess, if any, of 
$2,500,000 over the amount treated as traced debt at each measurement 
date during 1995 is treated as nontraced debt for that measurement date, 
even though it is expected that the entire $2,500,000 will be treated as 
traced debt with respect to Property D on subsequent measurement dates 
as more of the proceeds of the loan are used to finance additional 
production expenditures. In addition, the entire principal amount of the 
$2,000,000 loan is treated as nontraced debt for 1995, even though it 
was treated as traced debt with respect to Property C in a previous 
period.

    (ii) Average excess expenditures--(A) General rule. The average 
excess expenditures for a unit of designated property for a computation 
period are computed by--
    (1) Determining the amount (if any) by which accumulated production 
expenditures exceed traced debt at each measurement date during the 
computation period; and
    (2) Dividing the sum of these amounts by the number of measurement 
dates during the computation period.
    (B) Example. The provisions of paragraph (c)(5)(ii)(A) of this 
section are illustrated by the following example.

    Example. Corporation X, a calendar year taxpayer, is engaged in the 
production of a single unit of designated property during 1995 (unit A). 
Corporation X adopts the taxable year as the computation period and 
quarterly measurement dates. The production period for unit A begins on 
January 14, 1995, and ends on June 16, 1995. On March 31, 1995, and on 
June 30, 1995, Corporation X has outstanding $1,000,000 of traced debt 
with respect to unit A. Accumulated production expenditures for unit A 
on March 31, 1995, are $1,400,000 and on June 30, 1995, are $1,600,000. 
Accumulated production expenditures in excess of traced debt for unit A 
on March 31, 1995, are $400,000 and on June 30, 1995, are $600,000. 
Average excess expenditures for unit A during 1995 are therefore 
$250,000 ([$400,000 + $600,000 + $0 +$0] / 4).

    (iii) Weighted average interest rate--(A) Determination of rate. The 
weighted average interest rate for a computation period is determined by 
dividing interest incurred on nontraced debt during the period by 
average nontraced debt for the period.
    (B) Interest incurred on nontraced debt. Interest incurred on 
nontraced debt during the computation period is equal to the total 
amount of interest incurred during the computation period on all 
eligible debt minus the amount of interest incurred during the 
computation period on traced debt. Thus, all interest incurred on 
nontraced debt during the computation period is included in the 
numerator of the weighted average interest rate, even if the underlying 
nontraced debt is repaid before the end of a measurement period and 
excluded from nontraced debt outstanding for measurement dates after 
repayment, in determining the denominator of the weighted average 
interest rate. However, see paragraph (g)(7) of this section for an 
election to treat eligible debt that is repaid within the 15-day period 
immediately preceding a quarterly measurement date as outstanding on 
that measurement date. See paragraph (a)(3) of this section for the 
definitions of interest and incurred.
    (C) Average nontraced debt. The average nontraced debt for a 
computation period is computed by--
    (1) Determining the amount of nontraced debt outstanding on each 
measurement date during the computation period; and

[[Page 539]]

    (2) Dividing the sum of these amounts by the number of measurement 
dates during the computation period.
    (D) Special rules if taxpayer has no nontraced debt or rate is 
contingent. If the taxpayer does not have nontraced debt outstanding 
during the computation period, the weighted average interest rate for 
purposes of applying paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section is the 
highest applicable Federal rate in effect under section 1274(d) during 
the computation period. If interest is incurred at a rate that is 
contingent at the time the return for the year that includes the 
computation period is filed, the amount of interest is determined using 
the higher of the fixed rate of interest (if any) on the underlying debt 
or the applicable Federal rate in effect under section 1274(d) on the 
date of issuance.
    (6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the principles of 
this paragraph (c):

    Example 1. (i) W, a calendar year taxpayer, is engaged in the 
production of a unit of designated property during 1995. For purposes of 
applying the avoided cost method of this section, W uses the taxable 
year as the computation period. During 1995, W's only debt is a 
$1,000,000 loan bearing interest at a rate of 7 percent from Y, a person 
that is related to W. Assuming the applicable Federal rate in effect 
under section 1274(d) on the date of issuance of the loan is 10 percent, 
the loan is not eligible debt under paragraph (a)(4) of this section. 
However, even though W has no eligible debt, W incurs $70,000 
($1,000,000x7%) of interest during the computation period. This interest 
is described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section and must be capitalized 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section to the extent it does not exceed 
W's excess expenditure amount for the unit of property.
    (ii) W determines, under paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section, that 
average excess expenditures for the unit of property are $600,000. 
Assuming the highest applicable Federal rate in effect under section 
1274(d) during the computation period is 10 percent, W uses 10 percent 
as the weighted average interest rate for purposes of determining the 
excess expenditure amount. See paragraph (c)(5)(iii)(D) of this section. 
In accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the excess 
expenditure amount is therefore $60,000. Because this amount does not 
exceed the total amount of interest described in paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section ($70,000), W is required to capitalize $60,000 of interest 
with respect to the unit of designated property for the 1995 computation 
period.
    Example 2. (i) Corporation X, a calendar year taxpayer, is engaged 
in the production of a single unit of designated property during 1955 
(unit A). Corporation X adopts the taxable year as the computation 
period and quarterly measurement dates. Production of unit A begins in 
1994 and ends on June 30, 1995. On March 31, 1995, and on June 30, 1995, 
Corporation X has outstanding $1,000,000 of eligible debt (loan 
1) that is allocated under the rules of Sec. 1.163-8T to 
production expenditures for unit A. During each of the first two 
quarters of 1995, $30,000 of interest is incurred on loan 1. 
The loan is repaid on July 1, 1995. Throughout 1995, Corporation X also 
has outstanding $2,000,000 of eligible debt (loan 2) which is 
not allocated under the rules of Sec. 1.163-8T to the production of 
unit A. During 1995, $200,000 of interest is incurred on this nontraced 
debt. Accumulated production expenditures on March 31, 1995, are 
$1,400,000 and on June 30, 1995, are $1,600,000. Accumulated production 
expenditures in excess of traced debt on March 31, 1995, are $400,000 
and on June 30, 1995, are $600,000.
    (ii) Under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the amount of interest 
capitalized with respect to traced debt is $60,000 ($30,000 for the 
measurement period ending March 31, 1995, and $30,000 for the 
measurement period ending June 30, 1995). Under paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of 
this section, average excess expenditures for unit A are $250,000 
([($1,400,000-$1,000,000) + ($1,600,000-$1,000,000) + $0 + $0]/4). Under 
paragraph (c)(5)(iii)(C) of this section, average nontraced debt is 
$2,000,000 ([$2,000,000 + $2,000,000 + $2,000,000 + $2,000,000]/4). 
Under paragraph (c)(5)(iii)(B) of this section, interest incurred on 
nontraced debt is $200,000 ($260,000 of interest incurred on all 
eligible debt less $60,000 of interest incurred on traced debt). Under 
paragraph (c)(5)(iii)(A) of this section, the weighted average interest 
rate is 10 percent ($200,000/$2,000,000). Under paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section, Corporation X capitalizes the excess expenditure amount of 
$25,000 ($250,000x10%), because it does not exceed the total amount of 
interest subject to capitalization under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section ($200,000). Thus, the total interest capitalized with respect to 
unit A during 1995 is $85,000 ($60,000+$25,000).

    (7) Special rules where the excess expenditure amount exceeds 
incurred interest--(i) Allocation of total incurred interest to units. 
For a computation period in which the sum of the excess expenditure 
amounts under paragraph (c)(1) of this section for all units of 
designated property exceeds the total amount of interest (including 
deferred interest) available for capitalization, as determined under 
paragraph (c)(2) of this

[[Page 540]]

section, the amount of interest that is allocated to a unit of 
designated property is equal to the product of--
    (A) The total amount of interest (including deferred interest) 
available for capitalization, as determined under paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section; and
    (B) A fraction, the numerator of which is the average excess 
expenditures for the unit of designated property and the denominator of 
which is the sum of the average excess expenditures for all units of 
designated property.
    (ii) Application of related person rules to average excess 
expenditure. Certain excess expenditures must be taken into account by 
the persons (if any) required to capitalize interest with respect to 
production expenditures of the taxpayer under applicable related person 
rules. For each computation period, the amount of average excess 
expenditures that must be taken into account by such persons for each 
unit of the taxpayer's property is computed by--
    (A) Determining, for the computation period, the amount (if any) by 
which the excess expenditure amount for the unit exceeds the amount of 
interest allocated to the unit under paragraph (c)(7)(i) of this 
section; and
    (B) Dividing the excess by the weighted average interest rate for 
the period.
    (iii) Special rule for corporations. If a corporation is related to 
another person for the purposes of the applicable related party rules, 
the District Director upon examination may require that the corporation 
apply this paragraph (c)(7) and other provisions of the regulations by 
excluding deferred interest from the total interest available for 
capitalization.
    (d) Election not to trace debt--(1) General rule. Taxpayers may 
elect not to trace debt. If the election is made, the average excess 
expenditures and weighted average interest rate under paragraph (c)(5) 
of this section are determined by treating all eligible debt as 
nontraced debt. For this purpose, debt specified in paragraph (a)(4)(ii) 
of this section (e.g., accounts payable) may be included in eligible 
debt, provided it would be treated as traced debt but for an election 
under this paragraph (d). The election not to trace debt is a method of 
accounting that applies to the determination of capitalized interest for 
all designated property of the taxpayer. The making or revocation of the 
election is a change in method of accounting requiring the consent of 
the Commissioner under section 446(e) and Sec. 1.446-1(e).
    (2) Example. The provisions of paragraph (d)(1) of this section are 
illustrated by the following example.

    Example. (i) Corporation X, a calendar year taxpayer, is engaged in 
the production of a single unit of designated property during 1995 (unit 
A). Corporation X adopts the taxable year as the computation period and 
quarterly measurement dates. At each measurement date (March 31, June 
30, September 30, and December 31) Corporation X has the following 
outstanding indebtedness:

Noninterest-bearing accounts payable traced to unit A........   $100,000
Noninterest-bearing accounts payable that are not traced to     $300,000
 unit A......................................................
Interest-bearing loans that are eligible debt within the        $900,000
 meaning of paragraph (a)(4) of this section.................


    (ii) Corporation X elects under this paragraph (d) not to trace 
debt. Eligible debt at each measurement date for purposes of calculating 
the weighted average interest rate under paragraph (c)(5)(iii) of this 
section is $1,000,000 ($100,000 + $900,000).

    (e) Election to use external rate--(1) In general. An eligible 
taxpayer may elect to use the highest applicable Federal rate (AFR) 
under section 1274(d) in effect during the computation period plus 3 
percentage points (AFR plus 3) as a substitute for the weighted average 
interest rate determined under paragraph (c)(5)(iii) of this section. A 
taxpayer that makes this election may not trace debt. The use of the AFR 
plus 3 as provided under this paragraph (e)(1) constitutes a method of 
accounting. A taxpayer makes the election to use the AFR plus 3 method 
by using the AFR plus 3 as the taxpayer's weighted average interest 
rate, and any change to the AFR plus 3 method by a taxpayer that has 
never previously used the method does not require the consent of the 
Commissioner. Any other change to or from the use of the AFR plus 3 
method under this paragraph (e)(1) (other than by reason of a taxpayer 
ceasing to be an eligible taxpayer) is a change in method of accounting 
requiring the consent of the

[[Page 541]]

Commissioner under section 446(e) and Sec. 1.446-1(e). All changes to 
or from the AFR plus 3 method are effected on a cut-off basis.
    (2) Eligible taxpayer. A taxpayer is an eligible taxpayer for a 
taxable year for purposes of this paragraph (e) if the average annual 
gross receipts of the taxpayer for the three previous taxable years do 
not exceed $10,000,000 (the $10,000,000 gross receipts test) and the 
taxpayer has met the $10,000 gross receipts for all prior taxable years 
beginning after December 31, 1994. For purposes of this paragraph 
(e)(2), the principles of section 263A(b)(2)(B) and (C) and Sec. 
1.263A-3(b) apply in determining whether a taxpayer is an eligible 
taxpayer for a taxable year.
    (f) Selection of computation period and measurement dates and 
application of averaging conventions--(1) Computation period--(i) In 
general. A taxpayer may (but is not required to) make the avoided cost 
calculation on the basis of a full taxable year. If the taxpayer uses 
the taxable year as the computation period, a single avoided cost 
calculation is made for each unit of designated property for the entire 
taxable year. If the taxpayer uses a computation period that is shorter 
than the full taxable year, an avoided cost calculation is made for each 
unit of designated property for each shorter computation period within 
the taxable year. If the taxpayer uses a shorter computation period, the 
computation period may not include portions of more than one taxable 
year and, except as provided in the case of short taxable years, each 
computation period within a taxable year must be the same length. In the 
case of a short taxable year, a taxpayer may treat a period shorter than 
the taxpayer's regular computation period as the first or last 
computation period, or as the only computation period for the year if 
the year is shorter than the taxpayer's regular computation period. A 
taxpayer must use the same computation periods for all designated 
property produced during a single taxable year.
    (ii) Method of accounting. The choice of a computation period is a 
method of accounting. Any change in the computation period is a change 
in method of accounting requiring the consent of the Commissioner under 
section 446(e) and Sec. 1.446-1(e).
    (iii) Production period beginning or ending during the computation 
period. The avoided cost method applies to the production of a unit of 
designated property on the basis of a full computation period, 
regardless of whether the production period for the unit of designated 
property begins or ends during the computation period.
    (2) Measurement dates--(i) In general. If a taxpayer uses the 
taxable year as the computation period, measurement dates must occur at 
quarterly or more frequent regular intervals. If the taxpayer uses 
computation periods that are shorter than the taxable year, measurement 
dates must occur at least twice during each computation period and at 
least four times during the taxable year (or consecutive 12-month period 
in the case of a short taxable year). The taxpayer must use the same 
measurement dates for all designated property produced during a 
computation period. Except in the case of a computation period that 
differs from the taxpayer's regular computation period by reason of a 
short taxable year (see paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section), 
measurement dates must occur at equal intervals during each computation 
period that falls within a single taxable year. For any computation 
period that differs from the taxpayer's regular computation period by 
reason of a short taxable year, the measurement dates used by the 
taxpayer during that period must be consistent with the principles and 
purposes of section 263A(f). A taxpayer is permitted to modify the 
frequency of measurement dates from year to year.
    (ii) Measurement period. For purposes of this section, measurement 
period means the period that begins on the first day following the 
preceding measurement date and that ends on the measurement date.
    (iii) Measurement dates on which accumulated production expenditures 
must be taken into account. The first measurement date on which 
accumulated production expenditures must be taken into account with 
respect to a unit of designated property is the first measurement date 
following the beginning of the production period for the unit of

[[Page 542]]

designated property. The final measurement date on which accumulated 
production expenditures with respect to a unit of designated property 
must be taken into account is the first measurement date following the 
end of the production period for the unit of designated property. 
Accumulated production expenditures with respect to a unit of designated 
property must also be taken into account on all intervening measurement 
dates. See Sec. 1.263A-12 to determine when the production period 
begins and ends.
    (iv) More frequent measurement dates. When in the opinion of the 
District Director more frequent measurement dates are necessary to 
determine capitalized interest consistent with the principles and 
purposes of section 263A(f) for a particular computation period, the 
District Director may require the use of more frequent measurement 
dates. If a significant segment of the taxpayer's production activities 
(the first segment) requires more frequent measurement dates than 
another significant segment of the taxpayer's production activities, the 
taxpayer may request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service 
permitting, for a taxable year and all subsequent taxable years, a 
segregation of the two segments and, notwithstanding paragraph (f)(2)(i) 
of this section, the use of the more frequent measurement dates for only 
the first segment. The request for a ruling must be made in accordance 
with any applicable rules relating to submissions of ruling requests. 
The request must be filed on or before the due date (including 
extensions) of the original Federal income tax return for the first 
taxable year to which it will apply.
    (3) Examples. The following examples illustrate the principles of 
this paragraph (f):

    Example 1. Corporation X, a calendar year taxpayer, is engaged in 
the production of designated property during 1995. Corporation X adopts 
the taxable year as the computation period and quarterly measurement 
dates. Corporation X must identify traced debt, accumulated production 
expenditures, and nontraced debt at each quarterly measurement date 
(March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31). Under paragraph 
(c)(5)(ii) of this section, Corporation X must calculate average excess 
expenditures for each unit of designated property by determining the 
amount by which accumulated production expenditures exceed traced debt 
for each unit at the end of each quarter and dividing the sum of these 
amounts by four. Under paragraph (c)(5)(iii) (C) of this section, 
Corporation X must calculate average nontraced debt by determining the 
amount of nontraced debt outstanding at the end of each quarter and 
dividing the sum of these amounts by four.
    Example 2. Corporation X, a calendar year taxpayer, is engaged in 
the production of designated property during 1995. Corporation X adopts 
a 6-month computation period with two measurement dates within each 
computation period. Corporation X must identify traced debt, accumulated 
production expenditures, and nontraced debt at each measurement date 
(March 31 and June 30 for the first computation period and September 30 
and December 31 for the second computation period). Under paragraph 
(c)(5)(ii) of this section, Corporation X must, for each computation 
period, calculate average excess expenditures for each unit of 
designated property by determining the amount by which accumulated 
production expenditures exceed traced debt for each unit at each 
measurement date during the period and dividing the sum of these amounts 
by two. Under paragraph (c)(5)(iii)(C) of this section, Corporation X 
must calculate average nontraced debt for each computation period by 
determining the amount of nontraced debt outstanding at each measurement 
date during the period and dividing the sum of these amounts by two.
    Example 3. (i) Corporation X, a calendar year taxpayer, is engaged 
in the production of two units of designated property during 1995. 
Production of Unit A starts in 1994 and ends on June 20, 1995. 
Production of Unit B starts on April 15, 1995, but does not end until 
1996. Corporation X adopts the taxable year as its computation period 
and does not elect under paragraph (d) of this section not to trace 
debt. Corporation X uses quarterly measurement dates and pays all 
interest on eligible debt in the quarter in which the interest is 
incurred. During 1995, Corporation X has two items of eligible debt. The 
debt and the manner in which it is used are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Annual
    No.         Principal       rate        Period       Use of proceeds
                             (percent)    outstanding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..........      $1,000,000          9       1/01-9/01  Unit A.
2..........       2,000,000         11      6/01-12/31  Nontraced.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 543]]

    (ii) Based on the annual 9 percent rate of interest, Corporation X 
incurs $7,500 of interest during each month that Loan 1 is 
outstanding.
    (iii) Accumulated production expenditures at the end of each quarter 
during 1995 are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Measurement date                  Unit A          Unit B
------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31................................      $1,200,000              $0
June 30.................................       1,800,000         500,000
Sept. 30................................               0       1,000,000
Dec. 31.................................               0       1,600,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iv) Corporation X must first determine the amount of interest 
incurred on traced debt and capitalize the interest incurred on this 
debt (the traced debt amount). Loan 1 is allocated to Unit A on 
the March 31 and June 30 measurement dates. Accordingly, Loan 1 
is treated as traced debt with respect to unit A for the measurement 
periods beginning January 1 and ending June 30. The interest incurred on 
Loan 1 during the period that Loan 1 is treated as 
traced debt must be capitalized with respect to Unit A. Thus, $45,000 
($7,500 per month for 6 months) is capitalized with respect to Unit A.
    (v) Second, Corporation X must determine average excess expenditures 
for Unit A and Unit B. For Unit A, this amount is $250,000 ([$200,000 + 
$800,000 + $0 +$0] / 4). For Unit B, this amount is $775,000 ([$0 + 
$500,000 + $1,000,000 + $1,600,000]/4).
    (vi) Third, Corporation X must determine the weighted average 
interest rate and apply that rate to the average excess expenditures for 
Units A and B. The rate is equal to the total amount of interest 
incurred on nontraced debt (i.e., interest incurred on all eligible debt 
reduced by interest incurred on traced debt) divided by the average 
nontraced debt. The interest incurred on nontraced debt equals $143,333 
([$1,000,000 x 9% x \8/12\] + [$2,000,000 x 11% x \7/12\] - $45,000). 
The average nontraced debt equals $1,500,000 ([$0 + $2,000,000 + 
$2,000,000 + $2,000,000] / 4). The weighted average interest rate of 
9.56 percent ($143,333 ' $1,500,000), is then applied to average excess 
expenditures for Units A and B. Accordingly, Corporation X capitalizes 
an additional $23,900 ($250,000 x 9.56%) with respect to Unit A and 
$74,090 ($775,000 x 9.56%) with respect to Unit B (the excess 
expenditure amounts).

    (g) Special rules--(1) Ordering rules--(i) Provisions preempted by 
section 263A(f). Interest must be capitalized under section 263A(f) 
before the application of section 163(d) (regarding the investment 
interest limitation), section 163(j) (regarding the limitation on 
interest paid to a tax-exempt related person), section 266 (regarding 
the election to capitalize carrying charges), section 469 (regarding the 
limitation on passive losses), and section 861 (regarding the allocation 
of interest to United States sources). Any interest that is capitalized 
under section 263A(f) is not taken into account as interest under those 
sections. However, in applying section 263A(f) with respect to the 
excess expenditure amount, the taxpayer must capitalize all interest 
that is neither investment interest under section 163(d), exempt related 
person interest under section 163(j), nor passive interest under section 
469 before capitalizing any interest that is either investment interest, 
exempt related person interest, or passive interest. Any interest that 
is not required to be capitalized after the application of section 
263A(f) is then taken into account as interest subject to sections 
163(d), 163(j), 266, 469, and 861. If, after the application of section 
263A(f), interest is deferred under sections 163(d), 163(j), 266, or 
469, that interest is not subject to capitalization under section 
263A(f) in any subsequent taxable year.
    (ii) Deferral provisions applied before this section. Interest 
(including contingent interest) that is subject to a deferral provision 
described in this paragraph (g)(1)(ii) is subject to capitalization 
under section 263A(f) only in the taxable year in which it would be 
deducted if section 263A(f) did not apply. Deferral provisions include 
sections 163(e)(3), 267, 446, and 461, and all other deferral or 
limitation provisions that are not described in paragraph (g)(1)(i) of 
this section. In contrast to the provisions of paragraph (g)(1)(i) of 
this section, deferral provisions are applied before the application of 
section 263A(f).
    (2) Application of section 263A(f) to deferred interest--(i) In 
general. This paragraph (g)(2) describes the time and manner of 
capitalizing and recovering the deferral amount. The deferral amount for 
any computation period equals the sum of--
    (A) The amount of interest that is incurred on traced debt that is 
deferred during the computation period and is not deductible for the 
taxable year that includes the computation period because of a deferral 
provision described in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, and

[[Page 544]]

    (B) The shortfall amount described in paragraph (c)(4) of this 
section.
    (ii) Capitalization of deferral amount. The rules described in 
paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section apply to the deferral amount 
unless the taxpayer elects under paragraph (g)(2)(iv) of this section to 
capitalize substitute costs.
    (iii) Deferred capitalization. If the taxpayer does not elect under 
paragraph (g)(2)(iv) of this section to capitalize substitute costs, 
deferred interest to which the deferral amount is attributable 
(determined under any reasonable method) is capitalized in the year or 
years in which the deferred interest would have been deductible but for 
the application of section 263A(f) (the capitalization year). For this 
purpose, any interest that is deferred from a prior computation period 
is taken into account in subsequent capitalization years in the same 
order in which the interest was deferred. If a unit of designated 
property to which previously deferred interest relates is sold before 
the capitalization year, the deferred interest applicable to that unit 
of property is taken into account in the capitalization year and treated 
as if recovered from the sale of the property. If the taxpayer continues 
to hold, throughout the capitalization year, a unit of depreciable 
property to which previously deferred interest relates, the adjusted 
basis and applicable recovery percentages for the unit of property are 
redetermined for the capitalization year and subsequent years so that 
the increase in basis is accounted for over the remaining recovery 
periods beginning with the capitalization year. See Example 2 of 
paragraph (g)(2)(v) of this section.
    (iv) Substitute capitalization--(A) General rule. In lieu of 
deferred capitalization under paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section, the 
taxpayer may elect the substitute capitalization method described in 
this paragraph (g)(2)(iv). Under this method, the taxpayer capitalizes 
for the computation period in which interest is incurred and deferred 
(the deferral period) costs that would be deducted but for this 
paragraph (g)(2)(iv) (substitute costs). The taxpayer must capitalize an 
amount of substitute costs equal to the deferral amount for each unit of 
designated property, or if less, a prorata amount (determined in 
accordance with the principles of paragraph (c)(7)(i) of this section) 
of the total substitute costs that would be deducted but for this 
paragraph (g)(2)(iv) during the deferral period. If the entire deferral 
amount is capitalized pursuant to this paragraph (g)(2)(iv) in the 
deferral period, any interest incurred and deferred in the deferral 
period is neither capitalized nor deducted during the deferral period 
and, unless subsequently capitalized as a substitute cost under this 
paragraph (g)(2)(iv), is deductible in the appropriate subsequent period 
without regard to section 263A(f).
    (B) Capitalization of amount carried forward. If the taxpayer has an 
insufficient amount of substitute costs in the deferral period, the 
amount by which substitute costs are insufficient with respect to each 
unit of designated property is a deferral amount carryforward to 
succeeding computation periods beginning with the next computation 
period. In any carryforward year, the taxpayer must capitalize an amount 
of substitute costs equal to the deferral amount carryforward or, if 
less, a prorata amount (determined in accordance with the principles of 
paragraph (c)(7)(i) of this section) of the total substitute costs that 
would be deducted during the carryforward year or years (the 
carryforward capitalization year) but for this paragraph (g)(2)(iv) 
(after applying the substitute cost method of this paragraph (g)(2)(iv) 
to the production of designated property in the carryforward period). If 
a unit of designated property to which the deferral amount carryforward 
relates is sold prior to the carryforward capitalization year, 
substitute costs applicable to that unit of property are taken into 
account in the carryforward capitalization year and treated as if 
recovered from the sale of the property. If the taxpayer continues to 
hold, throughout the capitalization year, a unit of depreciable property 
to which a deferral amount carryforward relates, the adjusted basis and 
applicable recovery percentages for the unit of property are 
redetermined for the carryforward capitalization year and subsequent 
years

[[Page 545]]

so that the increase in basis is accounted for over the remaining 
recovery periods beginning with the carryforward capitalization year. 
See Example 2 of paragraph (g)(2)(v) of this section.
    (C) Method of accounting. The substitute capitalization method under 
this paragraph (g)(2)(iv) is a method of accounting that applies to all 
designated property of the taxpayer. A change to or from the substitute 
capitalization method is a change in method of accounting requiring the 
consent of the Commissioner under section 446(e) and Sec. 1.446-1(e).
    (v) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
the avoided cost method when interest is subject to a deferral 
provision:

    Example 1. (i) Corporation X is a calendar year taxpayer and uses 
the taxable year as it computation period. During 1995, X is engaged in 
the construction of a warehouse which X will use in its storage 
business. The warehouse is completed and placed in service in December 
1995. X's average excess expenditures for 1995 equal $1,000,000. 
Throughout 1995, X's only outstanding debt is nontraced debt of $900,000 
and $1,200,000, bearing interest at 15 percent and 9 percent, 
respectively, per year. Of the $243,000 interest incurred during the 
year ([$900,000x15%] + [$1,200,000x9%] = [$135,000+$108,000]), $75,000 
is deferred under section 267(a)(2).
    (ii) X must first determine the amount of interest required to be 
capitalized under paragraph (c)(1) of this section for 1995 (the 
deferral period) without applying section 267(a)(2). The weighted 
average interest rate is 11.6 percent ([$135,000+$108,000]/ $2,100,000), 
and the excess expenditure amount under paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
is $116,000 ($1,000,000x11.6%). Under paragraph (c)(4) of this section, 
X must then determine the amount of interest that would be capitalized 
by applying paragraph (c)(2) of this section without regard to the 
amount of deferred interest. Disregarding deferred interest, the amount 
of interest available for capitalization is $168,000 ([$900,000x15%] + 
[$1,200,000x9%]- $75,000). Thus, the full excess expenditure amount 
($116,000) is capitalized from interest that is not deferred under 
section 267(a)(2) and there is no shortfall amount.
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
$140,000 of interest is deferred under section 267 (a)(2) in 1995. The 
taxpayer does not elect to use the substitute capitalization method. 
This interest is also deferred in 1996 but would be deducted in 1997 if 
section 263A(f) did not apply. As in Example 1, the excess expenditure 
amount is $116,000. However, the amount of interest available for 
capitalization after excluding the amount of deferred interest is 
$103,000 ([$900,000x15%] + [$1,200,000x9%]- $140,000). Thus, only 
$103,000 of interest is capitalized with respect to the warehouse in 
1995. Since $116,000 of interest would be capitalized if section 
267(a)(2) did not apply, the deferral amount determined under paragraphs 
(c)(2) and (g)(2)(i) of this section is $13,000 ($116,000 -$103,000), 
and $13,000 of deferred interest must be capitalized in the year in 
which it would be deducted if section 263A(f) did not apply.
    (ii) The $140,000 of interest deferred under section 267(a)(2) in 
1995 would be deducted in 1997 if section 263A(f) did not apply. X is 
therefore required to capitalize an additional $13,000 of interest with 
respect to the warehouse in 1997 and must redetermine its basis and 
recovery percentage.

    (3) Simplified inventory method--(i) In general. This paragraph 
(g)(3) provides a simplified method of capitalizing interest expense 
with respect to designated property that is inventory. Under this 
method, the taxpayer determines beginning and ending inventory and cost 
of goods sold applying all other capitalization provisions, including, 
for example, the simplified production method of Sec. 1.263A-2(b), but 
without regard to the capitalization of interest with respect to 
inventory. The taxpayer must establish a separate capital asset, 
however, in an amount equal to the aggregate interest capitalization 
amount (as defined in paragraph (g)(3)(iii)(C) of this section). Under 
the simplified inventory method, increases in the aggregate interest 
capitalization amount from one year to the next generally are treated as 
reductions in interest expense, and decreases in the aggregate interest 
capitalization amount from one year to the next are treated as increases 
to cost of goods sold.
    (ii) Segmentation of inventory--(A) General rule. Under the 
simplified inventory method, the taxpayer first separates its total 
ending inventory value into segments that are equal to the total ending 
inventory value divided by the inverse inventory turnover rate. Each 
inventory segment is then assigned an age starting with one year and 
increasing by one year for each additional segment. The inverse 
inventory turnover rate is determined by finding the average of 
beginning and

[[Page 546]]

ending inventory, dividing the average by the cost of goods sold for the 
year, and rounding the result to the nearest whole number. Beginning and 
ending inventory amounts are determined using total current cost of 
inventory for the year (rather than carrying value). Cost of goods sold, 
however, may be determined using either total current cost or the 
taxpayer's inventory method. In addition, for purposes of this paragraph 
(g)(3)(ii), current costs for a year (and, if applicable, the cost of 
goods sold for the year under the taxpayer's inventory method) are 
determined without regard to the capitalization of interest with respect 
to inventory.
    (B) Example. The provisions of paragraph (g)(3)(ii)(A) of this 
section are illustrated by the following example.

    Example. X, a taxpayer using the FIFO inventory method, determines 
that total cost of goods sold for 1995 equals $900, and the cost of both 
beginning and ending inventory equals $3,000. Thus, X's inverse 
inventory turnover rate equals 3 (3.33 rounded to the nearest whole 
number). Total ending inventory of $3,000 is divided into three segments 
of $1,000 each. One segment is treated as 3-year-old inventory, one 
segment is treated as 2-year-old inventory, and one segment is treated 
as 1-year-old inventory.

    (iii) Aggregate interest capitalization amount--(A) Computation 
period and weighted average interest rate. If a taxpayer elects the 
simplified inventory method, the taxpayer must use the taxable year as 
its computation period and use the weighted average interest rate 
determined under this paragraph (g)(3)(iii)(A) in determining the 
aggregate interest capitalization amount defined in paragraph 
(g)(3)(iii)(C) of this section and in determining the amount of interest 
capitalized with respect to any designated property that is not 
inventory. Under the simplified inventory method, the taxpayer 
determines the weighted average interest rate in accordance with 
paragraph (c)(5)(iii) of this section, treating all eligible debt (other 
than debt traced to noninventory property in the case of a taxpayer 
tracing debt) as nontraced debt (i.e., without tracing debt to 
inventory). A taxpayer that has elected under paragraph (e) of this 
section to use an external rate as a substitute for the weighted average 
interest rate determined under paragraph (c)(5)(iii) of this section 
uses the rate described in paragraph (e)(1) as the weighted average 
interest rate.
    (B) Computation of the tentative aggregate interest capitalization 
amount. The weighted average interest rate is compounded annually by the 
number of years assigned to a particular inventory segment to produce an 
interest factor (applicable interest factor) for that segment. The 
amounts determined by multiplying the value of each inventory segment by 
its applicable interest factor are then combined to produce a tentative 
aggregate interest capitalization amount.
    (C) Coordination with other interest capitalization computations--
(1) In general. If the tentative aggregate interest capitalization 
amount for a year exceeds the aggregate interest capitalization amount 
(defined in paragraph (g)(3)(iii)(D) of this section) as of the close of 
the preceding year, then, for purposes of applying the rules of 
paragraph (c)(7) of this section, the excess is treated as an excess 
expenditure amount and the inventory to which the simplified inventory 
method of this paragraph (g)(3) applies is treated as a single unit of 
designated property. If, after these modifications, no paragraph (c)(7) 
interest allocation is necessary (i.e., the excess expenditure amounts 
for all units of designated property do not exceed the total amount of 
interest (including deferred interest) available for capitalization), 
the aggregate interest capitalization amount generally equals the 
tentative aggregate interest capitalization amount. If, on the other 
hand, a paragraph (c)(7) allocation is necessary, the tentative 
aggregate interest capitalization amount is generally adjusted to 
reflect the results of that allocation (i.e., the increase in the 
aggregate interest capitalization amount is limited to the amount of 
interest allocated to inventory, reduced, however, by any substitute 
costs that are capitalized with respect to inventory under applicable 
related party rules).
    (2) Deferred interest. In determining the aggregate interest 
capitalization amount, the tentative aggregate interest capitalization 
amount is adjusted (after the application of paragraph

[[Page 547]]

(c)(7) of this section) as appropriate to reflect the deferred interest 
rules of paragraph (g)(2) of this section. The tentative aggregate 
interest capitalization amount would be reduced, for example, by the 
amount of a taxpayer's deferred interest for a taxable year unless the 
taxpayer has elected the substitute capitalization method under 
paragraph (g)(2)(iv).
    (3) Other coordinating provisions. The Commissioner may prescribe, 
by revenue ruling or revenue procedure, additional provisions to 
coordinate the election and use of the simplified inventory method with 
other interest capitalization requirements and methods. See Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (D) Treatment of increases or decreases in the aggregate interest 
capitalization amount. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph 
(g)(3)(iii)(D), increases in the aggregate interest capitalization 
amount from one year to the next are treated as reductions in interest 
expense, and decreases in the aggregate interest capitalization amount 
from one year to the next are treated as increases to cost of goods 
sold. To the extent a taxpayer capitalizes substitute costs under either 
applicable related party rules or the deferred interest rules in 
paragraph (g)(2) of this section, increases in the aggregate interest 
capitalization amount are treated as reductions in applicable substitute 
costs, rather than interest expense.
    (E) Example. The provisions of this paragraph (g)(3)(iii) are 
illustrated by the following example.

    Example. The facts are the same as in the example in paragraph 
(g)(3)(ii)(B) of this section, and, in addition, X determines that its 
weighted average interest rate for 1995 is 10 percent. Additionally, 
assume that X has no deferred interest in 1995 or 1996 and no deferral 
amount carryforward to either 1995 or 1996. (See paragraph (g)(2) of 
this section.) Also assume that no allocation is necessary under 
paragraph (c)(7) of this section in either 1995 or 1996. Under the rules 
of paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this section, X divides ending inventory into 
segments of $1,000 each. One segment is 1-year old inventory, one 
segment is 2-year old inventory, and one segment is 3-year old 
inventory. Under paragraph (g)(3)(iii)(B) of this section, X must 
compute the applicable interest factor for each segment. The applicable 
interest factor for the 1-year old inventory is not compounded. The 
applicable interest factor for the 2-year old inventory is compounded 
for 1 year. The applicable interest factor for the 3-year old inventory 
is compounded for 2 years. The interest factor applied to the 1-year old 
inventory segment is .1. The interest factor applied to the 2-year old 
inventory segment is .21 [(1.1x1.1)-1]. The interest factor applied to 
the 3-year old inventory is .331 [(1.1x1.1x1.1)-1]. Thus, the tentative 
aggregate interest capitalization amount for 1995 is $641 (1,000 x [.1 + 
.21 + .331]). Because X has no deferred interest in 1995, no deferral 
amount carryforward to 1995, and no required allocation under paragraph 
(c)(7) of this section in 1995, X's aggregate interest capitalization 
amount equals its $641 tentative aggregate interest capitalization 
amount. If, in 1996, X computes an aggregate interest capitalization 
amount of $750, the $109 increase in the amount from 1995 to 1996 would 
be treated as a reduction in interest expense for 1996.

    (iv) Method of accounting. The simplified inventory method is a 
method of accounting that must be elected for and applied to all 
inventory within a single trade or business of the taxpayer (within the 
meaning of section 446(d) and Sec. 1.446-1(d)). This method may be 
elected only if the inventory in that trade or business consists only of 
designated property and only if the taxpayer's inverse inventory 
turnover rate for that trade or business (as defined in paragraph 
(g)(3)(ii)(A) of this section) is greater than or equal to one. A change 
from or to the simplified inventory method is a change in method of 
accounting requiring the consent of the Commissioner under section 
446(e) and Sec. 1.446-(1)(e).
    (4) Financial accounting method disregarded. The avoided cost method 
is applied under this section without regard to any financial or 
regulatory accounting principles for the capitalization of interest. For 
example, this section determines the amount of interest that must be 
capitalized without regard to Financial Accounting Standards Board 
(FASB) Statement Nos. 34, 71, and 90, issued by the Financial Accounting 
Standards Board, Norwalk, CT 06856-5116. Similarly, taxpayers are not 
permitted to net interest income and interest expense in determining the 
amount of interest that must be capitalized under this section with 
respect to certain restricted tax-exempt

[[Page 548]]

borrowings even though netting is permitted under FASB Statement No. 62.
    (5) Treatment of intercompany transactions--(i) General rule. If 
interest capitalized under section 263A(f) by a member of a consolidated 
group (within the meaning of Sec. 1.1502-1(h)) with respect to a unit 
of designated property is attributable to a loan from another member of 
the group (the lending member), the intercompany transaction provisions 
of the consolidated return regulations do not apply to the lending 
member's interest income with respect to that loan, except as provided 
in paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this section. For this purpose, the 
capitalized interest expense that is attributable to a loan from another 
member is determined under any method that reasonably reflects the 
principles of the avoided cost method, including the traced and 
nontraced concepts. For purposes of this paragraph (g)(5)(i) and 
paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this section, in order for a method to be 
considered reasonable it must be consistently applied.
    (ii) Special rule for consolidated group with limited outside 
borrowing. If, for any year, the aggregate amount of interest income 
described in paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this section for all members of the 
group with respect to all units of designated property exceeds the total 
amount of interest that is deductible for that year by all members of 
the group with respect to debt of a member owed to nonmembers (group 
deductible interest) after applying section 263A(f), the intercompany 
transaction provisions of the consolidated return regulations are 
applied to the excess, and the amount of interest income that must be 
taken into account by the group under paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this 
section is limited to the amount of the group deductible interest. The 
amount to which the intercompany transaction provisions of the 
consolidated return regulations apply by reason of this paragraph 
(g)(5)(ii) is allocated among the lending members under any method that 
reasonably reflects each member's share of interest income described in 
paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this section. If a lending member has interest 
income that is attributable to more than one unit of designated 
property, the amount to which the intercompany transaction provisions of 
the consolidated return regulations apply by reason of this paragraph 
(g)(5)(ii) with respect to the member is allocated among the units in 
accordance with the principles of paragraph (c)(7)(i) of this section.
    (iii) Example. The provisions of paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this 
section are illustrated by the following example.

    Example. (i) P and S1 are the members of a consolidated group. In 
1995, S1 begins and completes the construction of a shopping center and 
is required to capitalize interest with respect to the construction. 
S1's average excess expenditures for 1995 are $5,000,000. Throughout 
1995, S1's only borrowings include a $6,000,000 loan from P bearing 
interest at an annual rate of 10 percent ($600,000 per year). Under the 
avoided cost method, S1 is required to capitalize interest in the amount 
of $500,000 ([$600,000/$6,000,000x5,000,000).
    (ii) P's only borrowing from unrelated lenders is a $2,000,000 loan 
bearing interest at an annual rate of 10 percent ($200,000 per year). 
Under the principles of paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this section, because 
the aggregate amount of interest described in paragraph (g)(5)(i) of 
this section ($500,000) exceeds the aggregate amount of currently 
deductible interest of the group ($200,000), the intercompany 
transaction provisions of the consolidated return regulations apply to 
the excess of $300,000 and the amount of P's interest income that is 
subject to current inclusion by reason of paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this 
section is limited to $200,000.

    (6) Notional principal contracts and other derivatives. [Reserved]
    (7) 15-day repayment rule. A taxpayer may elect to treat any 
eligible debt that is repaid within the 15-day period immediately 
preceding a quarterly measurement date as outstanding as of that 
measurement date for purposes of determining traced debt, average 
nontraced debt, and the weighted average interest rate. This election 
may be made or discontinued for any computation period and is not a 
method of accounting.

[T.D. 8584, 59 FR 67200, Dec. 29, 1994; 60 FR 16574, Mar. 31, 1995, as 
amended by T.D. 8584, 60 FR 47053, Sept. 11, 1995]