[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 6]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.460-4]

[Page 210-225]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1_INCOME TAXES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.460-4  Methods of accounting for long-term contracts.

    (a) Overview. This section prescribes permissible methods of 
accounting for long-term contracts. Paragraph (b) of this section 
describes the percentage-of-completion method under section 460(b) (PCM) 
that a taxpayer generally must use to determine the income from a long-
term contract. Paragraph (c) of this section lists permissible methods 
of accounting for exempt construction contracts described in Sec. 
1.460-3(b)(1) and describes the exempt-contract percentage-of-completion 
method (EPCM). Paragraph (d) of this section describes the completed-
contract method (CCM), which is one of the permissible methods of 
accounting for exempt construction contracts. Paragraph (e) of this 
section describes the percentage-of-completion/capitalized-cost method 
(PCCM), which is a permissible method of accounting for qualified ship 
contracts described in Sec. 1.460-2(d) and residential construction 
contracts described in Sec. 1.460-3(c). Paragraph (f) of this section 
provides rules for determining the alternative minimum taxable income 
(AMTI) from long-term contracts that are not exempted under section 56. 
Paragraph (g) of this section provides rules concerning consistency in 
methods of accounting for long-term contracts. Paragraph (h) of this 
section provides examples illustrating the principles of this section. 
Paragraph (j) of this section provides rules for taxpayers that file 
consolidated tax returns. Finally, paragraph (k) of this section 
provides rules relating to a mid-contract change in taxpayer of a 
contract accounted for using a long-term contract method of accounting.
    (b) Percentage-of-completion method--(1) In general. Under the PCM, 
a taxpayer generally must include in income the portion of the total 
contract price, as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section, that 
corresponds to the percentage of the entire contract that the taxpayer 
has completed during the taxable year. The percentage of completion must 
be determined by comparing allocable contract costs incurred with 
estimated total allocable contract costs. Thus, the taxpayer includes a 
portion of the total contract price in gross income as the taxpayer 
incurs allocable contract costs.
    (2) Computations. To determine the income from a long-term contract, 
a taxpayer--
    (i) Computes the completion factor for the contract, which is the 
ratio of the cumulative allocable contract costs that the taxpayer has 
incurred through the end of the taxable year to the estimated total 
allocable contract costs that the taxpayer reasonably expects to incur 
under the contract;
    (ii) Computes the amount of cumulative gross receipts from the 
contract by multiplying the completion factor by the total contract 
price;
    (iii) Computes the amount of current-year gross receipts, which is 
the difference between the amount of cumulative gross receipts for the 
current taxable year and the amount of cumulative gross receipts for the 
immediately preceding taxable year (the difference can be a positive or 
negative number); and
    (iv) Takes both the current-year gross receipts and the allocable 
contract costs incurred during the current year into account in 
computing taxable income.
    (3) Post-completion-year income. If a taxpayer has not included the 
total contract price in gross income by the completion year, as defined 
in Sec. 1.460-1(b)(6), the taxpayer must include the remaining portion 
of the total contract price in gross income for the taxable year 
following the completion year. For the treatment of post-completion-year 
costs, see paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section. See Sec. 1.460-
6(c)(1)(ii) for application of the look-back method as a result of 
adjustments to total contract price.
    (4) Total contract price--(i) In general--(A) Definition. Total 
contract price means the amount that a taxpayer reasonably expects to 
receive under a long-term contract, including holdbacks, retainages, and 
cost reimbursements. See Sec. 1.460-6(c)(1)(ii) and (2)(vi) for 
application of the look-back method as a result of changes in total 
contract price.
    (B) Contingent compensation. Any amount related to a contingent 
right under a contract, such as a bonus, award, incentive payment, and 
amount

[[Page 211]]

in dispute, is included in total contract price as soon as the taxpayer 
can reasonably predict that the amount will be earned, even if the all 
events test has not yet been met. For example, if a bonus is payable to 
a taxpayer for meeting an early completion date, the bonus is includible 
in total contract price at the time and to the extent that the taxpayer 
can reasonably predict the achievement of the corresponding objective. 
Similarly, a portion of the contract price that is in dispute is 
includible in total contract price at the time and to the extent that 
the taxpayer can reasonably predict that the dispute will be resolved in 
the taxpayer's favor (regardless of when the taxpayer actually receives 
payment or when the dispute is finally resolved). Total contract price 
does not include compensation that might be earned under any other 
agreement that the taxpayer expects to obtain from the same customer 
(e.g., exercised option or follow-on contract) if that other agreement 
is not aggregated under Sec. 1.460-1(e). For the purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(4)(i)(B), a taxpayer can reasonably predict that an amount 
of contingent income will be earned not later than when the taxpayer 
includes that amount in income for financial reporting purposes under 
generally accepted accounting principles. If a taxpayer has not included 
an amount of contingent compensation in total contract price under this 
paragraph (b)(4)(i) by the taxable year following the completion year, 
the taxpayer must account for that amount of contingent compensation 
using a permissible method of accounting. If it is determined after the 
taxable year following the completion year that an amount included in 
total contract price will not be earned, the taxpayer should deduct that 
amount in the year of the determination.
    (C) Non-long-term contract activities. Total contract price includes 
an allocable share of the gross receipts attributable to a non-long-term 
contract activity, as defined in Sec. 1.460-1(d)(2), if the activity is 
incident to or necessary for the manufacture, building, installation, or 
construction of the subject matter of the long-term contract. Total 
contract price also includes amounts reimbursed for independent research 
and development expenses (as defined in Sec. 1.460-1(b)(9)), or for 
bidding and proposal costs, under a federal or cost-plus long-term 
contract (as defined in section 460(d)), regardless of whether the 
research and development, or bidding and proposal, activities are 
incident to or necessary for the performance of that long-term contract.
    (ii) Estimating total contract price. A taxpayer must estimate the 
total contract price based upon all the facts and circumstances known as 
of the last day of the taxable year. For this purpose, an event that 
occurs after the end of the taxable year must be taken into account if 
its occurrence was reasonably predictable and its income was subject to 
reasonable estimation as of the last day of that taxable year.
    (5) Completion factor--(i) Allocable contract costs. A taxpayer must 
use a cost allocation method permitted under either Sec. 1.460-5(b) or 
(c) to determine the amount of cumulative allocable contract costs and 
estimated total allocable contract costs that are used to determine a 
contract's completion factor. Allocable contract costs include a 
reimbursable cost that is allocable to the contract.
    (ii) Cumulative allocable contract costs. To determine a contract's 
completion factor for a taxable year, a taxpayer must take into account 
the cumulative allocable contract costs that have been incurred, as 
defined in Sec. 1.460-1(b)(8), through the end of the taxable year.
    (iii) Estimating total allocable contract costs. A taxpayer must 
estimate total allocable contract costs for each long-term contract 
based upon all the facts and circumstances known as of the last day of 
the taxable year. For this purpose, an event that occurs after the end 
of the taxable year must be taken into account if its occurrence was 
reasonably predictable and its cost was subject to reasonable estimation 
as of the last day of that taxable year. To be considered reasonable, an 
estimate of total allocable contract costs must include costs 
attributable to delay, rework, change orders, technology or design 
problems, or other problems that reasonably can be predicted considering 
the nature of the contract and prior experience. However, estimated

[[Page 212]]

total allocable contract costs do not include any contingency allowance 
for costs that, as of the end of the taxable year, are not reasonably 
predicted to be incurred in the performance of the contract. For 
example, estimated total allocable contract costs do not include any 
costs attributable to factors not reasonably predictable at the end of 
the taxable year, such as third-party litigation, extreme weather 
conditions, strikes, and delays in securing required permits and 
licenses. In addition, the estimated costs of performing other 
agreements that are not aggregated with the contract under Sec. 1.460-
1(e) that the taxpayer expects to incur with the same customer (e.g., 
follow-on contracts) are not included in estimated total allocable 
contract costs for the initial contract.
    (iv) Pre-contracting-year costs. If a taxpayer reasonably expects to 
enter into a long-term contract in a future taxable year, the taxpayer 
must capitalize all costs incurred prior to entering into the contract 
that will be allocable to that contract (e.g., bidding and proposal 
costs). A taxpayer is not required to compute a completion factor, or to 
include in gross income any amount, related to allocable contract costs 
for any taxable year ending before the contracting year or, if 
applicable, the 10-percent year defined in paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this 
section. In that year, the taxpayer is required to compute a completion 
factor that includes all allocable contract costs that have been 
incurred as of the end of that taxable year (whether previously 
capitalized or deducted) and to take into account in computing taxable 
income the related gross receipts and the previously capitalized 
allocable contract costs. If, however, a taxpayer determines in a 
subsequent year that it will not enter into the long-term contract, the 
taxpayer must account for these pre-contracting-year costs in that year 
(e.g., as a deduction or an inventoriable cost) using the appropriate 
rules contained in other sections of the Code or regulations.
    (v) Post-completion-year costs. If a taxpayer incurs an allocable 
contract cost after the completion year, the taxpayer must account for 
that cost using a permissible method of accounting. See Sec. 1.460-
6(c)(1)(ii) for application of the look-back method as a result of 
adjustments to allocable contract costs.
    (6) 10-percent method--(i) In general. Instead of determining the 
income from a long-term contract beginning with the contracting year, a 
taxpayer may elect to use the 10-percent method under section 460(b)(5). 
Under the 10-percent method, a taxpayer does not include in gross income 
any amount related to allocable contract costs until the taxable year in 
which the taxpayer has incurred at least 10 percent of the estimated 
total allocable contract costs (10-percent year). A taxpayer must treat 
costs incurred before the 10-percent year as pre-contracting-year costs 
described in paragraph (b)(5)(iv) of this section.
    (ii) Election. A taxpayer makes an election under this paragraph 
(b)(6) by using the 10-percent method for all long-term contracts 
entered into during the taxable year of the election on its original 
federal income tax return for the election year. This election is a 
method of accounting and, thus, applies to all long-term contracts 
entered into during and after the taxable year of the election. An 
electing taxpayer must use the 10-percent method to apply the look-back 
method under Sec. 1.460-6 and to determine alternative minimum taxable 
income under paragraph (f) of this section. This election is not 
available if a taxpayer uses the simplified cost-to-cost method 
described in Sec. 1.460-5(c) to compute the completion factor of a 
long-term contract.
    (7) Terminated contract--(i) Reversal of income. If a long-term 
contract is terminated before completion and, as a result, the taxpayer 
retains ownership of the property that is the subject matter of that 
contract, the taxpayer must reverse the transaction in the taxable year 
of termination. To reverse the transaction, the taxpayer reports a loss 
(or gain) equal to the cumulative allocable contract costs reported 
under the contract in all prior taxable years less the cumulative gross 
receipts reported under the contract in all prior taxable years.

[[Page 213]]

    (ii) Adjusted basis. As a result of reversing the transaction under 
paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section, a taxpayer will have an adjusted 
basis in the retained property equal to the cumulative allocable 
contract costs reported under the contract in all prior taxable years. 
However, if the taxpayer received and retains any consideration or 
compensation from the customer, the taxpayer must reduce the adjusted 
basis in the retained property (but not below zero) by the fair market 
value of that consideration or compensation. To the extent that the 
amount of the consideration or compensation described in the preceding 
sentence exceeds the adjusted basis in the retained property, the 
taxpayer must include the excess in gross income for the taxable year of 
termination.
    (iii) Look-back method. The look-back method does not apply to a 
terminated contract that is subject to this paragraph (b)(7).
    (c) Exempt contract methods--(1) In general. An exempt contract 
method means the method of accounting that a taxpayer must use to 
account for all its long-term contracts (and any portion of a long-term 
contract) that are exempt from the requirements of section 460(a). Thus, 
an exempt contract method applies to exempt construction contracts, as 
defined in Sec. 1.460-3(b); the non-PCM portion of a qualified ship 
contract, as defined in Sec. 1.460-2(d); and the non-PCM portion of a 
residential construction contract, as defined in Sec. 1.460-3(c). 
Permissible exempt contract methods include the PCM, the EPCM described 
in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the CCM described in paragraph (d) 
of this section, or any other permissible method. See section 446.
    (2) Exempt-contract percentage-of-completion method--(i) In general. 
Similar to the PCM described in paragraph (b) of this section, a 
taxpayer using the EPCM generally must include in income the portion of 
the total contract price, as described in paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section, that corresponds to the percentage of the entire contract that 
the taxpayer has completed during the taxable year. However, under the 
EPCM, the percentage of completion may be determined as of the end of 
the taxable year by using any method of cost comparison (such as 
comparing direct labor costs incurred to date to estimated total direct 
labor costs) or by comparing the work performed on the contract with the 
estimated total work to be performed, rather than by using the cost-to-
cost comparison required by paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (5) of this 
section, provided such method is used consistently and clearly reflects 
income. In addition, paragraph (b)(3) of this section (regarding post-
completion-year income), paragraph (b)(6) of this section (regarding the 
10-percent method) and Sec. 1.460-6 (regarding the look-back method) do 
not apply to the EPCM.
    (ii) Determination of work performed. For purposes of the EPCM, the 
criteria used to compare the work performed on a contract as of the end 
of the taxable year with the estimated total work to be performed must 
clearly reflect the earning of income with respect to the contract. For 
example, in the case of a roadbuilder, a standard of completion solely 
based on miles of roadway completed in a case where the terrain is 
substantially different may not clearly reflect the earning of income 
with respect to the contract.
    (d) Completed-contract method--(1) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraph (d)(4) of this section, a taxpayer using the CCM 
to account for a long-term contract must take into account in the 
contract's completion year, as defined in Sec. 1.460-1(b)(6), the gross 
contract price and all allocable contract costs incurred by the 
completion year. A taxpayer may not treat the cost of any materials and 
supplies that are allocated to a contract, but actually remain on hand 
when the contract is completed, as an allocable contract cost.
    (2) Post-completion-year income and costs. If a taxpayer has not 
included an item of contingent compensation (i.e., amounts for which the 
all events test has not been satisfied) in gross contract price under 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section by the completion year, the taxpayer 
must account for this item of contingent compensation using a 
permissible method of accounting. If a taxpayer incurs an allocable 
contract

[[Page 214]]

cost after the completion year, the taxpayer must account for that cost 
using a permissible method of accounting.
    (3) Gross contract price. Gross contract price includes all amounts 
(including holdbacks, retainages, and reimbursements) that a taxpayer is 
entitled by law or contract to receive, whether or not the amounts are 
due or have been paid. In addition, gross contract price includes all 
bonuses, awards, and incentive payments, such as a bonus for meeting an 
early completion date, to the extent the all events test is satisfied. 
If a taxpayer performs a non-long-term contract activity, as defined in 
Sec. 1.460-1(d)(2), that is incident to or necessary for the 
manufacture, building, installation, or construction of the subject 
matter of one or more of the taxpayer's long-term contracts, the 
taxpayer must include an allocable share of the gross receipts 
attributable to that activity in the gross contract price of the 
contract(s) benefitted by that activity. Gross contract price also 
includes amounts reimbursed for independent research and development 
expenses (as defined in Sec. 1.460-1(b)(9)), or bidding and proposal 
costs, under a federal or cost-plus long-term contract (as defined in 
section 460(d)), regardless of whether the research and development, or 
bidding and proposal, activities are incident to or necessary for the 
performance of that long-term contract.
    (4) Contracts with disputed claims--(i) In general. The special 
rules in this paragraph (d)(4) apply to a long-term contract accounted 
for using the CCM with a dispute caused by a customer's requesting a 
reduction of the gross contract price or the performance of additional 
work under the contract or by a taxpayer's requesting an increase in 
gross contract price, or both, on or after the date a taxpayer has 
tendered the subject matter of the contract to the customer.
    (ii) Taxpayer assured of profit or loss. If the disputed amount 
relates to a customer's claim for either a reduction in price or 
additional work and the taxpayer is assured of either a profit or a loss 
on a long-term contract regardless of the outcome of the dispute, the 
gross contract price, reduced (but not below zero) by the amount 
reasonably in dispute, must be taken into account in the completion 
year. If the disputed amount relates to a taxpayer's claim for an 
increase in price and the taxpayer is assured of either a profit or a 
loss on a long-term contract regardless of the outcome of the dispute, 
the gross contract price must be taken into account in the completion 
year. If the taxpayer is assured a profit on the contract, all allocable 
contract costs incurred by the end of the completion year are taken into 
account in that year. If the taxpayer is assured a loss on the contract, 
all allocable contract costs incurred by the end of the completion year, 
reduced by the amount reasonably in dispute, are taken into account in 
the completion year.
    (iii) Taxpayer unable to determine profit or loss. If the amount 
reasonably in dispute affects so much of the gross contract price or 
allocable contract costs that a taxpayer cannot determine whether a 
profit or loss ultimately will be realized from a long-term contract, 
the taxpayer may not take any of the gross contract price or allocable 
contract costs into account in the completion year.
    (iv) Dispute resolved. Any part of the gross contract price and any 
allocable contract costs that have not been taken into account because 
of the principles described in paragraph (d)(4)(i), (ii), or (iii) of 
this section must be taken into account in the taxable year in which the 
dispute is resolved. If a taxpayer performs additional work under the 
contract because of the dispute, the term taxable year in which the 
dispute is resolved means the taxable year the additional work is 
completed, rather than the taxable year in which the outcome of the 
dispute is determined by agreement, decision, or otherwise.
    (e) Percentage-of-completion/capitalized-cost method. Under the 
PCCM, a taxpayer must determine the income from a long-term contract 
using the PCM for the applicable percentage of the contract and its 
exempt contract method, as defined in paragraph (c) of this section, for 
the remaining percentage of the contract. For residential construction 
contracts described in Sec. 1.460-3(c), the applicable percentage is 70 
percent, and the remaining percentage is 30 percent. For qualified ship

[[Page 215]]

contracts described in Sec. 1.460-2(d), the applicable percentage is 40 
percent, and the remaining percentage is 60 percent.
    (f) Alternative minimum taxable income--(1) In general. Under 
section 56(a)(3), a taxpayer (not exempt from the AMT under section 
55(e)) must use the PCM to determine its AMTI from any long-term 
contract entered into on or after March 1, 1986, that is not a home 
construction contract, as defined in Sec. 1.460-3(b)(2). For AMTI 
purposes, the PCM must include any election under paragraph (b)(6) of 
this section (concerning the 10-percent method) or under Sec. 1.460-
5(c) (concerning the simplified cost-to-cost method) that the taxpayer 
has made for regular tax purposes. For exempt construction contracts 
described in Sec. 1.460-3(b)(1)(ii), a taxpayer must use the simplified 
cost-to-cost method to determine the completion factor for AMTI 
purposes. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, a 
taxpayer must use AMTI costs and AMTI methods, such as the depreciation 
method described in section 56(a)(1), to determine the completion factor 
of a long-term contract (except a home construction contract) for AMTI 
purposes.
    (2) Election to use regular completion factors. Under this paragraph 
(f)(2), a taxpayer may elect for AMTI purposes to determine the 
completion factors of all of its long-term contracts using the methods 
of accounting and allocable contract costs used for regular federal 
income tax purposes. A taxpayer makes this election by using regular 
methods and regular costs to compute the completion factors of all long-
term contracts entered into during the taxable year of the election for 
AMTI purposes on its original federal income tax return for the election 
year. This election is a method of accounting and, thus, applies to all 
long-term contracts entered into during and after the taxable year of 
the election. Although a taxpayer may elect to compute the completion 
factor of its long-term contracts using regular methods and regular 
costs, an election under this paragraph (f)(2) does not eliminate a 
taxpayer's obligation to comply with the requirements of section 55 when 
computing AMTI. For example, although a taxpayer may elect to use the 
depreciation methods used for regular tax purposes to compute the 
completion factor of its long-term contracts for AMTI purposes, the 
taxpayer must use the depreciation methods permitted by section 56 to 
compute AMTI.
    (g) Method of accounting. A taxpayer that uses the PCM, EPCM, CCM, 
or PCCM, or elects the 10-percent method or special AMTI method (or 
changes to another method of accounting with the Commissioner's consent) 
must apply the method(s) consistently for all similarly classified long-
term contracts, until the taxpayer obtains the Commissioner's consent 
under section 446(e) to change to another method of accounting. A 
taxpayer-initiated change in method of accounting will be permitted only 
on a cut-off basis (i.e., for contracts entered into on or after the 
year of change), and thus, a section 481(a) adjustment will not be 
permitted or required.
    (h) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
section:

    Example 1. PCM--estimating total contract price. C, whose taxable 
year ends December 31, determines the income from long-term contracts 
using the PCM. On January 1, 2001, C enters into a contract to design 
and manufacture a satellite (a unique item). The contract provides that 
C will be paid $10,000,000 for delivering the completed satellite by 
December 1, 2002. The contract also provides that C will receive a 
$3,000,000 bonus for delivering the satellite by July 1, 2002, and an 
additional $4,000,000 bonus if the satellite successfully performs its 
mission for five years. C is unable to reasonably predict if the 
satellite will successfully perform its mission for five years. If on 
December 31, 2001, C should reasonably expect to deliver the satellite 
by July 1, 2002, the estimated total contract price is $13,000,000 
($10,000,000 unit price + $3,000,000 production-related bonus). 
Otherwise, the estimated total contract price is $10,000,000. In either 
event, the $4,000,000 bonus is not includible in the estimated total 
contract price as of December 31, 2001, because C is unable to 
reasonably predict that the satellite will successfully perform its 
mission for five years.
    Example 2. PCM--computing income. (i) C, whose taxable year ends 
December 31, determines the income from long-term contracts using the 
PCM. During 2001, C agrees to manufacture for the customer, B, a unique 
item for a total contract price of $1,000,000. Under C's contract, B is 
entitled to retain 10 percent of the total contract price until it 
accepts the item. By the end of 2001, C has incurred $200,000 of 
allocable contract costs

[[Page 216]]

and estimates that the total allocable contract costs will be $800,000. 
By the end of 2002, C has incurred $600,000 of allocable contract costs 
and estimates that the total allocable contract costs will be $900,000. 
In 2003, after completing the contract, C determines that the actual 
cost to manufacture the item was $750,000.
    (ii) For each of the taxable years, C's income from the contract is 
computed as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Taxable Year
                               -----------------------------------------
                                    2001          2002          2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Cumulative incurred costs.     $200,000      $600,000      $750,000
(B) Estimated total costs.....      800,000       900,000       750,000
                               ---------------
(C) Completion factor: (A) /         25.00%        66.67%       100.00%
 (B)..........................
                               ---------------
(D) Total contract price......    1,000,000     1,000,000     1,000,000
                               ---------------
(E) Cumulative gross receipts:      250,000       666,667     1,000,000
 (C)x(D)......................
(F) Cumulative gross receipts            (0)     (250,000)     (666,667)
 (prior year).................
                               ---------------
(G) Current-year gross              250,000       416,667       333,333
 receipts.....................
                               ---------------
(H) Cumulative incurred costs.      200,000       600,000       750,000
(I) Cumulative incurred costs            (0)     (200,000)     (600,000)
 (prior year).................
                               ---------------
(J) Current-year costs........      200,000       400,000       150,000
                               ---------------
(K) Gross income: (G) - (J)...      $50,000       $16,667      $183,333
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 3. PCM--computing income with cost sharing. (i) C, whose 
taxable year ends December 31, determines the income from long-term 
contracts using the PCM. During 2001, C enters into a contract to 
manufacture a unique item. The contract specifies a target price of 
$1,000,000, a target cost of $600,000, and a target profit of $400,000. 
C and B will share the savings of any cost underrun (actual total 
incurred cost is less than target cost) and the additional cost of any 
cost overrun (actual total incurred cost is greater than target cost) as 
follows: 30 percent to C and 70 percent to B. By the end of 2001, C has 
incurred $200,000 of allocable contract costs and estimates that the 
total allocable contract costs will be $600,000. By the end of 2002, C 
has incurred $300,000 of allocable contract costs and estimates that the 
total allocable contract costs will be $400,000. In 2003, after 
completing the contract, C determines that the actual cost to 
manufacture the item was $700,000.
    (ii) For each of the taxable years, C's income from the contract is 
computed as follows (note that the sharing of any cost underrun or cost 
overrun is reflected as an adjustment to C's target price under 
paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Taxable Year
                               -----------------------------------------
                                    2001          2002          2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Cumulative incurred costs.     $200,000      $300,000      $700,000
(B) Estimated total costs.....      600,000       400,000       700,000
                               ---------------
(C) Completion factor: (A) /         33.33%        75.00%       100.00%
 (B)..........................
                               ===============
(D) Target price..............   $1,000,000    $1,000,000    $1,000,000
                               ---------------
(E) Estimated total costs.....      600,000       400,000       700,000
(F) Target costs..............      600,000       600,000       600,000
                               ---------------
(G) Cost (underrun)/overrun:              0      (200,000)      100,000
 (E) - (F)....................
(H) Adjustment rate...........          70%           70%           70%
                               ---------------
(I) Target price adjustment...            0      (140,000)       70,000
                               ---------------
(J) Total contract price: (D)    $1,000,000      $860,000    $1,070,000
 + (I)........................
                               ===============
(K) Cumulative gross receipts:     $333,333      $645,000    $1,070,000
 (C)x(J)......................
(L) Cumulative gross receipts            (0)     (333,333)     (645,000)
 (prior year):................
                               ---------------
(M) Current-year gross              333,333       311,667       425,000
 receipts.....................
                               ---------------

[[Page 217]]


(N) Cumulative incurred costs.      200,000       300,000       700,000
(O) Cumulative incurred costs            (0)     (200,000)     (300,000)
 (prior year):................
                               ---------------
(P) Current-year costs........      200,000       100,000       400,000
                               ---------------
(Q) Gross income: (M) - (P)...     $133,333      $211,667       $25,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 4. PCM--10 percent method. (i) C, whose taxable year ends 
December 31, determines the income from long-term contracts using the 
PCM. In November 2001, C agrees to manufacture a unique item for 
$1,000,000. C reasonably estimates that the total allocable contract 
costs will be $600,000. By December 31, 2001, C has received $50,000 in 
progress payments and incurred $40,000 of costs. C elects to use the 10 
percent method effective for 2001 and all subsequent taxable years. 
During 2002, C receives $500,000 in progress payments and incurs 
$260,000 of costs. In 2003, C incurs an additional $300,000 of costs, C 
finishes manufacturing the item, and receives the final $450,000 
payment.
    (ii) For each of the taxable years, C's income from the contract is 
computed as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Taxable Year
                               -----------------------------------------
                                    2001          2002          2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Cumulative incurred costs.      $40,000      $300,000      $600,000
(B) Estimated total costs.....      600,000       600,000       600,000
                               ---------------
(C) Completion factor (A) /           6.67%        50.00%       100.00%
 (B)..........................
                               ---------------
(D) Total contract price......    1,000,000     1,000,000     1,000,000
                               ---------------
(E) Cumulative gross receipts:            0       500,000     1,000,000
 (C)x(D)*.....................
(F) Cumulative gross receipts            (0)           (0)     (500,000)
 (prior year):................
                               ---------------
(G) Current-year gross                    0       500,000       500,000
 receipts.....................
                               ---------------
(H) Cumulative incurred costs.            0       300,000       600,000
(I) Cumulative incurred costs            (0)           (0)     (300,000)
 (prior year):................
                               ---------------
(J) Current-year costs........            0       300,000       300,000
                               ---------------
(K) Gross income: (G) - (J)...           $0      $200,000     $200,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Unless (C) <10 percent.

    Example 5. PCM--contract terminated. C, whose taxable year ends 
December 31, determines the income from long-term contracts using the 
PCM. During 2001, C buys land and begins constructing a building that 
will contain 50 condominium units on that land. C enters into a contract 
to sell one unit in this condominium to B for $240,000. B gives C a 
$5,000 deposit toward the purchase price. By the end of 2001, C has 
incurred $50,000 of allocable contract costs on B's unit and estimates 
that the total allocable contract costs on B's unit will be $150,000. 
Thus, for 2001, C reports gross receipts of $80,000 ($50,000/
$150,000x$240,000), current-year costs of $50,000, and gross income of 
$30,000 ($80,000 - $50,000). In 2002, after C has incurred an additional 
$25,000 of allocable contract costs on B's unit, B files for bankruptcy 
protection and defaults on the contract with C, who is permitted to keep 
B's $5,000 deposit as liquidated damages. In 2002, C reverses the 
transaction with B under paragraph (b)(7) of this section and reports a 
loss of $30,000 ($50,000-$80,000). In addition, C obtains an adjusted 
basis in the unit sold to B of $70,000 ($50,000 (current-year costs 
deducted in 2001)- $5,000 (B's forfeited deposit) + $25,000 (current-
year costs incurred in 2002). C may not apply the look-back method to 
this contract in 2002.
    Example 6. CCM--contracts with disputes from customer claims. In 
2001, C, whose taxable year ends December 31, uses the CCM to account 
for exempt construction contracts. C enters into a contract to construct 
a bridge for B. The terms of the contract provide for a $1,000,000 gross 
contract price. C finishes the bridge in 2002 at a cost of $950,000. 
When B examines the bridge, B insists that C either repaint several 
girders or reduce the contract price. The amount reasonably in dispute 
is $10,000. In 2003, C and B resolve their dispute, C repaints the 
girders at a cost

[[Page 218]]

of $6,000, and C and B agree that the contract price is not to be 
reduced. Because C is assured a profit of $40,000 ($1,000,000 - $10,000 
- $950,000) in 2002 even if the dispute is resolved in B's favor, C must 
take this $40,000 into account in 2002. In 2003, C will earn an 
additional $4,000 profit ($1,000,000 - $956,000 - $40,000) from the 
contract with B. Thus, C must take into account an additional $10,000 of 
gross contract price and $6,000 of additional contract costs in 2003.
    Example 7. CCM--contracts with disputes from taxpayer claims. In 
2003, C, whose taxable year ends December 31, uses the CCM to account 
for exempt construction contracts. C enters into a contract to construct 
a building for B. The terms of the contract provide for a $1,000,000 
gross contract price. C finishes the building in 2004 at a cost of 
$1,005,000. B examines the building in 2004 and agrees that it meets the 
contract's specifications; however, at the end of 2004, C and B are 
unable to agree on the merits of C's claim for an additional $10,000 for 
items that C alleges are changes in contract specifications and B 
alleges are within the scope of the contract's original specifications. 
In 2005, B agrees to pay C an additional $2,000 to satisfy C's claims 
under the contract. Because the amount in dispute affects so much of the 
gross contract price that C cannot determine in 2004 whether a profit or 
loss will ultimately be realized, C may not taken any of the gross 
contract price or allocable contract costs into account in 2004. C must 
take into account $1,002,000 of gross contract price and $1,005,000 of 
allocable contract costs in 2005.
    Example 8. CCM--contracts with disputes from taxpayer and customer 
claims. C, whose taxable year ends December 31, uses the CCM to account 
for exempt construction contracts. C constructs a factory for B pursuant 
to a long-term contract. Under the terms of the contract, B agrees to 
pay C a total of $1,000,000 for construction of the factory. C finishes 
construction of the factory in 2002 at a cost of $1,020,000. When B 
takes possession of the factory and begins operations in December 2002, 
B is dissatisfied with the location and workmanship of certain heating 
ducts. As of the end of 2002, C contends that the heating ducts are 
constructed in accordance with contract specifications. The amount of 
the gross contract price reasonably in dispute with respect to the 
heating ducts is $6,000. As of this time, C is claiming $14,000 in 
addition to the original contract price for certain changes in contract 
specifications which C alleges have increased his costs. B denies that 
these changes have increased C's costs. In 2003, the disputes between C 
and B are resolved by performance of additional work by C at a cost of 
$1,000 and by an agreement that the contract price would be revised 
downward to $996,000. Under these circumstances, C must include in his 
gross income for 2002, $994,000 (the gross contract price less the 
amount reasonably in dispute because of B's claim, or $1,000,000 - 
$6,000). In 2002, C must also take into account $1,000,000 of allocable 
contract costs (costs incurred less the amounts in dispute attributable 
to both B's and C's claims, or $1,020,000 - $6,000 - $14,000). In 2003, 
C must take into account an additional $2,000 of gross contract price 
($996,000 - $994,000) and $21,000 of allocable contract costs 
($1,021,000 - $1,000,000).

    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Consolidated groups and controlled groups--(1) Intercompany 
transactions--(i) In general. Section 1.1502-13 does not apply to the 
income, gain, deduction, or loss from an intercompany transaction 
between members of a consolidated group, and section 267(f) does not 
apply to these items from an intercompany sale between members of a 
controlled group, to the extent--
    (A) The transaction or sale directly or indirectly benefits, or is 
intended to benefit, another member's long-term contract with a 
nonmember;
    (B) The selling member is required under section 460 to determine 
any part of its gross income from the transaction or sale under the 
percentage-of-completion method (PCM); and
    (C) The member with the long-term contract is required under section 
460 to determine any part of its gross income from the long-term 
contract under the PCM.
    (ii) Definitions and nomenclature. The definitions and nomenclature 
under Sec. 1.1502-13 and Sec. 1.267(f)-1 apply for purposes of this 
paragraph (j).
    (2) Example. The following example illustrates the principles of 
paragraph (j)(1) of this section.

    Example. Corporations P, S, and B file consolidated returns on a 
calendar-year basis. In 1996, B enters into a long-term contract with X, 
a nonmember, to manufacture 5 airplanes for $500 million, with delivery 
scheduled for 1999. Section 460 requires B to determine the gross income 
from its contract with X under the PCM. S enters into a contract with B 
to manufacture for $50 million the engines that B will install on X's 
airplanes. Section 460 requires S to determine the gross income from its 
contract with B under the PCM. S estimates that it will incur $40 
million of total contract costs during 1997 and 1998 to manufacture the 
engines. S incurs $10 million of contract costs in 1997 and $30 million 
in 1998. Under paragraph (j) of this section, S determines its gross 
income from the long-term contract under the PCM rather than

[[Page 219]]

taking its income or loss into account under section 267(f) or Sec. 
1.1502-13. Thus, S includes $12.5 million of gross receipts and $10 
million of contract costs in gross income in 1997 and includes $37.5 
million of gross receipts and $30 million of contract costs in gross 
income in 1998.

    (3) Effective dates--(i) In general. This paragraph (j) applies with 
respect to transactions and sales occurring pursuant to contracts 
entered into in years beginning on or after July 12, 1995.
    (ii) Prior law. For transactions and sales occurring pursuant to 
contracts entered into in years beginning before July 12, 1995, see the 
applicable regulations issued under sections 267(f) and 1502, including 
Sec. Sec. 1.267(f)-1T, 1.267(f)-2T, and 1.1502-13(n) (as contained in 
the 26 CFR part 1 edition revised as of April 1, 1995).
    (4) Consent to change method of accounting. For transactions and 
sales to which this paragraph (j) applies, the Commissioner's consent 
under section 446(e) is hereby granted to the extent any changes in 
method of accounting are necessary solely to comply with this section, 
provided the changes are made in the first taxable year of the taxpayer 
to which the rules of this paragraph (j) apply. Changes in method of 
accounting for these transactions are to be effected on a cut-off basis.
    (k) Mid-contract change in taxpayer--(1) In general. The rules in 
this paragraph (k) apply if prior to the completion of a long-term 
contract accounted for using a long-term contract method by a taxpayer 
(old taxpayer), there is a transaction that makes another taxpayer (new 
taxpayer) responsible for accounting for income from the same contract. 
For purposes of this paragraph (k) and Sec. 1.460-6(g), an old taxpayer 
also includes any old taxpayer(s) (e.g., predecessors) of the old 
taxpayer. In addition, a change in status from taxable to tax exempt or 
from domestic to foreign, or vice versa, will be considered a change in 
taxpayer. Finally, a contract will be treated as the same contract if 
the terms of the contract are not substantially changed in connection 
with the transaction, whether or not the customer agrees to release the 
old taxpayer from any or all of its obligations under the contract. The 
rules governing constructive completion transactions are provided in 
paragraph (k)(2) of this section, while the rules governing step-in-the-
shoes transactions are provided in paragraph (k)(3) of this section. 
Special rules related to the treatment of certain partnership 
transactions are reserved under paragraphs (k)(2)(iv) and (k)(3)(v) of 
this section. For application of the look-back method to mid-contract 
changes in taxpayers for contracts accounted for using the PCM, see 
Sec. 1.460-6(g).
    (2) Constructive completion transactions--(i) Scope. The 
constructive completion rules in this paragraph (k)(2) apply to 
transactions (constructive completion transactions) that result in a 
change in the taxpayer responsible for reporting income from a contract 
and that are not described in paragraph (k)(3)(i) of this section. 
Constructive completion transactions generally include, for example, 
taxable sales under section 1001 and deemed asset sales under section 
338.
    (ii) Old taxpayer. The old taxpayer is treated as completing the 
contract on the date of the transaction. The total contract price (or, 
gross contract price in the case of a long-term contract accounted for 
under the CCM) for the old taxpayer is the sum of any amounts realized 
from the transaction that are allocable to the contract and any amounts 
the old taxpayer has received or reasonably expects to receive under the 
contract. Total contract price (or gross contract price) is reduced by 
any amount paid by the old taxpayer to the new taxpayer, and by any 
transaction costs, that are allocable to the contract. Thus, the old 
taxpayer's allocable contract costs determined under paragraph (b)(5) of 
this section do not include any consideration paid, or costs incurred, 
as a result of the transaction that are allocable to the contract. In 
the case of a transaction subject to section 338 or 1060, the amount 
realized from the transaction allocable to the contract is determined by 
using the residual method under Sec. Sec. 1.338-6 and 1.338-7.
    (iii) New taxpayer. The new taxpayer is treated as entering into a 
new contract on the date of the transaction. The new taxpayer must 
evaluate whether the new contract should be

[[Page 220]]

classified as a long-term contract within the meaning of Sec. 1.460-
1(b) and account for the contract under a permissible method of 
accounting. For a new taxpayer who accounts for a contract using the 
PCM, the total contract price is any amount the new taxpayer reasonably 
expects to receive under the contract consistent with paragraph (b)(4) 
of this section. Total contract price is reduced by the amount of any 
consideration paid by the new taxpayer as a result of the transaction, 
and by any transaction costs, that are allocable to the contract and is 
increased by the amount of any consideration received by the new 
taxpayer as a result of the transaction that is allocable to the 
contract. Similarly, the gross contract price for a contract accounted 
for using the CCM is all amounts the new taxpayer is entitled by law or 
contract to receive consistent with paragraph (d)(3) of this section, 
adjusted for any consideration paid (or received) by the new taxpayer as 
a result of the transaction, and for any transaction costs, that are 
allocable to the contract. Thus, the new taxpayer's allocable contract 
costs determined under paragraph (b)(5) of this section do not include 
any consideration paid, or costs incurred, as a result of the 
transaction that are allocable to the contract. In the case of a 
transaction subject to sections 338 or 1060, the amount of consideration 
paid that is allocable to the contract is determined by using the 
residual method under Sec. Sec. 1.338-6 and 1.338-7.
    (iv) Special rules relating to distributions of certain contracts by 
a partnership. [Reserved]
    (3) Step-in-the-shoes transactions--(i) Scope. The step-in-the-shoes 
rules in this paragraph (k)(3) apply to the following transactions that 
result in a change in the taxpayer responsible for reporting income from 
a contract accounted for using a long-term contract method of accounting 
(step-in-the-shoes transactions)--
    (A) Transfers to which section 361 applies if the transfer is in 
connection with a reorganization described in section 368(a)(1)(A), (C) 
or (F);
    (B) Transfers to which section 361 applies if the transfer is in 
connection with a reorganization described in section 368(a)(1)(D) or 
(G), provided the requirements of section 354(b)(1)(A) and (B) are met;
    (C) Distributions to which section 332 applies, provided the 
contract is transferred to an 80-percent distributee;
    (D) Transfers described in section 351;
    (E) Transfers to which section 361 applies if the transfer is in 
connection with a reorganization described in section 368(a)(1)(D) with 
respect to which the requirements of section 355 (or so much of section 
356 as relates to section 355) are met;
    (F) Transfers (e.g., sales) of S corporation stock;
    (G) Conversion to or from an S corporation;
    (H) Members joining or leaving a consolidated group;
    (I) Contributions to which section 721(a) applies;
    (J) Transfers of partnership interests;
    (K) Distributions to which section 731 applies (other than the 
distribution of the contract); and
    (L) Any other transaction designated in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin by the Internal Revenue Service. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii) of 
this chapter.
    (ii) Old taxpayer--(A) In general. The new taxpayer will ``step into 
the shoes'' of the old taxpayer with respect to the contract. Thus, the 
old taxpayer's obligation to account for the contract terminates on the 
date of the transaction and is assumed by the new taxpayer, as set forth 
in paragraph (k)(3)(iii) of this section. As a result, an old taxpayer 
using the PCM is required to recognize income from the contract based on 
the cumulative allocable contract costs incurred as of the date of the 
transaction. Similarly, an old taxpayer using the CCM is not required to 
recognize any revenue and may not deduct allocable contract costs 
incurred with respect to the contract.
    (B) Gain realized on the transaction. The amount of gain the old 
taxpayer realizes on the transfer of a contract in a step-in-the-shoes 
transaction must be determined after application of paragraph 
(k)(3)(ii)(A) of this section using the rules of paragraph (k)(2) of 
this section that apply to constructive completion transactions. (The 
amount of gain realized on a transfer of a contract is relevant, for 
example, in determining

[[Page 221]]

the amount of gain recognized with respect to the contract in a section 
351 transaction in which the old taxpayer receives from the new taxpayer 
money or property other than stock of the transferee.)
    (iii) New taxpayer--(A) Method of accounting. Beginning on the date 
of the transaction, the new taxpayer must account for the long-term 
contract by using the same method of accounting used by the old taxpayer 
prior to the transaction. The same method of accounting must be used for 
such contract regardless of whether the old taxpayer's method is the new 
taxpayer's principal method of accounting under Sec. 1.381(c)(4)-
1(b)(3) or whether the new taxpayer is otherwise eligible to use the old 
taxpayer's method. Thus, if the old taxpayer uses the PCM to account for 
the contract, the new taxpayer steps into the shoes of the old taxpayer 
with respect to its completion factor and percentage of completion 
methods (such as the 10-percent method), even if the new taxpayer has 
not elected such methods for similarly classified contracts. Similarly, 
if the old taxpayer uses the CCM, the new taxpayer steps into the shoes 
of the old taxpayer with respect to the CCM, even if the new taxpayer is 
not otherwise eligible to use the CCM. However, the new taxpayer is not 
necessarily bound by the old taxpayer's method for similarly classified 
contracts entered into by the new taxpayer subsequent to the transaction 
and must apply general tax principles, including section 381, to 
determine the appropriate method to account for these subsequent 
contracts. To the extent that general tax principles allow the taxpayer 
to account for similarly classified contracts using a method other than 
the old taxpayer's method, the taxpayer is not required to obtain the 
consent of the Commissioner to begin using such other method.
    (B) Contract price. In the case of a long-term contract that has 
been accounted for under PCM, the total contract price for the new 
taxpayer is the sum of any amounts the old taxpayer or the new taxpayer 
has received or reasonably expects to receive under the contract 
consistent with paragraph (b)(4) of this section. Similarly, the gross 
contract price in the case of a long-term contract accounted for under 
the CCM includes all amounts the old taxpayer or the new taxpayer is 
entitled by law or by contract to receive consistent with paragraph 
(d)(3) of this section.
    (C) Contract costs. Total allocable contract costs for the new 
taxpayer are the allocable contract costs as defined under paragraph 
(b)(5) of this section incurred by either the old taxpayer prior to, or 
the new taxpayer after, the transaction. Thus, any payments between the 
old taxpayer and the new taxpayer with respect to the contract in 
connection with the transaction are not treated as allocable contract 
costs.
    (iv) Special rules related to certain corporate transactions--(A) 
Old taxpayer--basis adjustment--(1) In general. Except as provided in 
paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)(2) of this section, in the case of a transaction 
described in paragraph (k)(3)(i)(D) or (E) of this section, the old 
taxpayer must adjust its basis in the stock of the new taxpayer by--
    (i) Increasing such basis by the amount of gross receipts the old 
taxpayer has recognized under the contract; and
    (ii) Reducing such basis by the amount of gross receipts the old 
taxpayer has received or reasonably expects to receive under the 
contract.

    (2) Basis adjustment in excess of stock basis. If the old and new 
taxpayer do not join in the filing of a consolidated Federal income tax 
return, the old taxpayer may not adjust its basis in the stock of the 
new taxpayer under paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)(1) of this section below zero 
and the old taxpayer must recognize ordinary income to the extent the 
basis in the stock of the new taxpayer otherwise would be adjusted below 
zero. If the old and new taxpayer join in the filing of a consolidated 
Federal income tax return, the old taxpayer must create an (or increase 
an existing) excess loss account to the extent the basis in the stock of 
the new taxpayer otherwise would be adjusted below zero under paragraph 
(k)(3)(iv)(A)(1) of this section. See Sec. Sec. 1.1502-19 and 1.1502-
32(a)(3)(ii).
    (3) Subsequent dispositions of certain contracts. If the old 
taxpayer disposes of a contract in a transaction described

[[Page 222]]

in paragraph (k)(3)(i)(D) or (E) of this section that the old taxpayer 
acquired in a transaction described in paragraph (k)(3)(i)(D) or (E) of 
this section, the basis adjustment rule of this paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A) 
is applied by treating the old taxpayer as having recognized the amount 
of gross receipts recognized by the previous old taxpayer under the 
contract and any amount recognized by the previous old taxpayer with 
respect to the contract in connection with the transaction in which the 
old taxpayer acquired the contract. In addition, the old taxpayer is 
treated as having received or as reasonably expecting to receive under 
the contract any amount the previous old taxpayer received or reasonably 
expects to receive under the contract. Similar principles will apply in 
the case of multiple successive transfers described in paragraph 
(k)(3)(i)(D) or (E) of this section involving the contract.
    (B) New Taxpayer--(1) Contract price adjustment. Generally, payments 
between the old taxpayer and the new taxpayer with respect to the 
contract in connection with the transaction do not affect the contract 
price. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence and paragraph 
(k)(3)(iii)(B) of this section, however, in the case of transactions 
described in paragraph (k)(3)(i)(B), (D) or (E) of this section, the 
total contract price (or gross contract price) must be reduced to the 
extent of any amount recognized by the old taxpayer with respect to the 
contract in connection with the transaction (e.g., any amount recognized 
under section 351(b) or 357 that is attributable to the contract and any 
income recognized by the old taxpayer pursuant to the basis adjustment 
rule of paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)).
    (2) Basis in Contract. The new taxpayer's basis in a contract 
(including the uncompleted property, if applicable) acquired in a 
transaction described in paragraphs (k)(3)(i)(A) through (E) of this 
section will be computed under section 362 or section 334, as 
applicable. Upon a new taxpayer's completion (actual or constructive) of 
a CCM or a PCM contract acquired in a transaction described in 
paragraphs (k)(3)(i)(A) through (E) of this section, the new taxpayer's 
basis in the contract (including the uncompleted property, if 
applicable) is reduced to zero. The new taxpayer is not entitled to a 
deduction or loss in connection with any basis reduction pursuant to 
this paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(B)(2).
    (v) Special rules related to certain partnership transactions. 
[Reserved]
    (4) Anti-abuse rule. Notwithstanding this paragraph (k), in the case 
of a transaction entered into with a principal purpose of shifting the 
tax consequences associated with a long-term contract in a manner that 
substantially reduces the aggregate U.S. Federal income tax liability of 
the parties with respect to that contract, the Commissioner may allocate 
to the old (or new) taxpayer the income from that contract properly 
allocable to the old (or new) taxpayer. For example, the Commissioner 
may reallocate income from a long-term contract in a transaction in 
which a contract accounted for using the CCM, or using the PCM where the 
old taxpayer has received advance payments in excess of its contribution 
to the contract, is transferred to a tax indifferent party (e.g., a 
foreign person not subject to U.S. Federal income tax).
    (5) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
paragraph (k). For purposes of these examples, it is assumed that the 
contract is a long-term construction contract accounted for using the 
PCM prior to the transaction unless stated otherwise and the contract is 
not transferred with a principal purpose of shifting the tax 
consequences associated with a long-term contract in a manner that 
substantially reduces the aggregate U.S. Federal income tax liability of 
the parties with respect to that contract. The examples are as follows:

    Example 1. Constructive completion--PCM--(i) Facts. In Year 1, X 
enters into a contract. The total contract price is $1,000,000 and the 
estimated total allocable contract costs are $800,000. In Year 1, X 
incurs costs of $200,000. In Year 2, X incurs additional costs of 
$400,000 before selling the contract as part of a taxable sale of its 
business in Year 2 to Y, an unrelated party. At the time of sale, X has 
received $650,000 in progress payments under the contract. The 
consideration allocable to the contract under section 1060 is $150,000. 
Pursuant to the sale, the new taxpayer Y immediately assumes X's 
contract

[[Page 223]]

obligations and rights. Y is required to account for the contract using 
the PCM. In Year 2, Y incurs additional allocable contract costs of 
$50,000. Y correctly estimates at the end of Year 2 that it will have to 
incur an additional $75,000 of allocable contract costs in Year 3 to 
complete the contract.
    (ii) Old taxpayer. For Year 1, X reports receipts of $250,000 (the 
completion factor multiplied by total contract price ($200,000/
$800,000x$1,000,000)) and costs of $200,000, for a profit of $50,000. X 
is treated as completing the contract in Year 2 because it sold the 
contract. For purposes of applying the PCM in Year 2, the total contract 
price is $800,000 (the sum of the amounts received under the contract 
and the amount realized in the sale ($650,000 + $150,000)) and the total 
allocable contract costs are $600,000 (the sum of the costs incurred in 
Year 1 and Year 2 ($200,000 + $400,000)). Thus, in Year 2, X reports 
receipts of $550,000 (total contract price minus receipts already 
reported ($800,000 - $250,000)) and costs incurred in year 2 of 
$400,000, for a profit of $150,000.
    (iii) New taxpayer. Y is treated as entering into a new contract in 
Year 2. The total contract price is $200,000 (the amount remaining to be 
paid under the terms of the contract less the consideration paid 
allocable to the contract ($1,000,000 - $650,000 - $150,000)). The 
estimated total allocable contract costs at the end of Year 2 are 
$125,000 (the allocable contract costs that Y reasonably expects to 
incur to complete the contract ($50,000 + $75,000)). In Year 2, Y 
reports receipts of $80,000 (the completion factor multiplied by the 
total contract price [($50,000/$125,000)x$200,000] and costs of $50,000 
(the costs incurred after the purchase), for a profit of $30,000. For 
Year 3, Y reports receipts of $120,000 (total contract price minus 
receipts already reported ($200,000 - $80,000)) and costs of $75,000, 
for a profit of $45,000.
    Example 2. Constructive completion--CCM--(i) Facts. The facts are 
the same as in Example 1, except that X and Y properly account for the 
contract under the CCM.
    (ii) Old taxpayer. X does not report any income or costs from the 
contract in Year 1. In Year 2, the contract is deemed complete for X, 
and X reports its gross contract price of $800,000 (the sum of the 
amounts received under the contract and the amount realized in the sale 
($650,000 + $150,000)) and its total allocable contract costs of 
$600,000 (the sum of the costs incurred in Year 1 and Year 2 ($200,000 + 
$400,000)) in that year, for a profit of $200,000.
    (iii) New taxpayer. Y is treated as entering into a new contract in 
Year 2. Under the CCM, Y reports no gross receipts or costs in Year 2. Y 
reports its gross contract price of $200,000 (the amount remaining to be 
paid under the terms of the contract less the consideration paid 
allocable to the contract ($1,000,000 - $650,000 - $150,000)) and its 
total allocable contract costs of $125,000 (the allocable contract costs 
that Y incurred to complete the contract ($50,000 + $75,000)) in Year 3, 
the completion year, for a profit of $75,000.
    Example 3. Step-in-the-shoes--PCM--(i) Facts. The facts are the same 
as in Example 1, except that X transfers the contract (including the 
uncompleted property) to Y in exchange for stock of Y in a transaction 
that qualifies as a statutory merger described in section 368(a)(1)(A) 
and does not result in gain or loss to X under section 361(a).
    (ii) Old taxpayer. For Year 1, X reports receipts of $250,000 (the 
completion factor multiplied by total contract price ($200,000/
$800,000x$1,000,000)) and costs of $200,000, for a profit of $50,000. 
Because the mid-contract change in taxpayer results from a transaction 
described in paragraph (k)(3)(i) of this section, X is not treated as 
completing the contract in Year 2. In Year 2, X reports receipts of 
$500,000 (the completion factor multiplied by the total contract price 
and minus the Year 1 gross receipts [($600,000/$800,000x$1,000,000)-
$250,000]) and costs of $400,000, for a profit of $100,000.
    (iii) New taxpayer. Because the mid-contract change in taxpayer 
results from a step-in-the-shoes transaction, Y must account for the 
contract using the same methods of accounting used by X prior to the 
transaction. Total contract price is the sum of any amounts that X and Y 
have received or reasonably expect to receive under the contract, and 
total allocable contract costs are the allocable contract costs of X and 
Y. Thus, the estimated total allocable contract costs at the end of Year 
2 are $725,000 (the cumulative allocable contract costs of X and the 
estimated total allocable contract costs of Y ($200,000 + $400,000 + 
$50,000 + $75,000)). In Year 2, Y reports receipts of $146,552 (the 
completion factor multiplied by the total contract price minus receipts 
reported by the old taxpayer ([($650,000/$725,000)x$1,000,000]-$750,000) 
and costs of $50,000, for a profit of $96,552. For Year 3, Y reports 
receipts of $103,448 (the total contract price minus prior year receipts 
($1,000,000-$896,552)) and costs of $75,000, for a profit of $28,448.
    Example 4. Step-in-the-shoes--CCM--(i) Facts. The facts are the same 
as in Example 3, except that X properly accounts for the contract under 
the CCM.
    (ii) Old taxpayer. X reports no income or costs from the contract in 
Years 1, 2 or 3.
    (iii) New taxpayer. Because the mid-contract change in taxpayer 
results from a step-in-the-shoes transaction, Y must account for the 
contract using the same method of accounting used by X prior to the 
transaction. Thus, in Year 3, the completion year, Y reports receipts of 
$1,000,000 and total contract costs of $725,000, for a profit of 
$275,000.

[[Page 224]]

    Example 5. Step in the shoes--PCM--basis adjustment. The facts are 
the same as in Example 3, except that X transfers the contract 
(including the uncompleted property) with a basis of $0 and $125,000 of 
cash to a new corporation, Z, in exchange for all of the stock of Z in a 
section 351 transaction. Thus, under section 358(a), X's basis in the Z 
stock is $125,000. Pursuant to paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)(1) of this 
section, X must increase its basis in the Z stock by the amount of gross 
receipts X recognized under the contract, $750,000 ($250,000 receipts in 
Year 1 + $500,000 receipts in Year 2), and reduce its basis by the 
amount of gross receipts X received under the contract, the $650,000 in 
progress payments. Accordingly, X's basis in the Z stock is $225,000. 
All other results are the same.
    Example 6. Step in the shoes--CCM--basis adjustment--(i) Facts. The 
facts are the same as in Example 4, except that X receives progress 
payments of $800,000 (rather than $650,000) and transfers the contract 
(including the uncompleted property) with a basis of $600,000 and 
$125,000 of cash to a new corporation, Z, in exchange for all of the 
stock of Z in a section 351 transaction. X and Z do not join in filing a 
consolidated Federal income tax return.
    (ii) Old taxpayer. X reports no income or costs under the contract 
in Years 1, 2, or 3. Under section 358(a), X's basis in Z is $725,000. 
Pursuant to paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)(1), X must reduce its basis in the 
stock of Z by $800,000, the progress payments received by X. However, X 
may not reduce its basis in the Z stock below zero pursuant paragraph 
(k)(3)(iv)(A)(2) of this section. Accordingly, X's basis in the Z stock 
is reduced by $725,000 to zero and X must recognize ordinary income of 
$75,000.
    (iii) New taxpayer. Upon completion of the contract in Year 3, Z 
reports gross receipts of $925,000 ($1,000,000 original contract price--
$75,000 income recognized by the old taxpayer pursuant to the basis 
adjustment rule of paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)) and total contract costs of 
$725,000, for a profit of $200,000.
    Example 7. Step in the shoes--PCM--gain recognized in transaction--
(i) Facts. The facts are the same as in Example 3, except that X 
transfers the contract (including the uncompleted property) with a basis 
of $0 and an unrelated capital asset with a value of $100,000 and a 
basis of $0 to a new corporation, Z, in exchange for stock of Z with a 
value of $200,000 and $50,000 of cash in a section 351 transaction.
    (ii) Old taxpayer. For year 1, X reports receipts of $250,000 
($200,000/$800,000x$1,000,000) and costs of $200,000, for a profit of 
$50,000. X is not treated as completing the contract in Year 2. In Year 
2, X reports receipts of $500,000 (($600,000/$800,000x$1,000,000 = 
$750,000 cumulative gross receipts)--$250,000 prior year cumulative 
gross receipts) and costs of $400,000, for a profit of $100,000. Under 
paragraph (k)(3)(ii)(B) of this section, X determines that the gain 
realized on the transfer of the contract to Z under the constructive 
completion rules of paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of this section is $50,000 
(total contract price of $800,000 ($150,000 value allocable to the 
contract + $650,000 progress payments)--$750,000 previously recognized 
cumulative gross receipts--$0 costs incurred but not recognized). The 
gain realized on the transfer of the unrelated capital asset to Z is 
$100,000. The amount of gain X must recognize due to the receipt of 
$50,000 cash in the exchange is $50,000, of which $30,000 is allocated 
to the contract ($150,000 value of contract/$250,000 total value of 
property transferred to Z x $50,000) and is treated as ordinary income, 
and $20,000 is allocated to the unrelated capital asset ($100,000 value 
of capital asset/$250,000 total value of property transferred to Z x 
$50,000). Under section 358(a), X's basis in the Z stock is $0. However, 
pursuant to paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)(1) of this section, X must increase 
its basis in the Z stock by $750,000, the amount of gross receipts 
recognized under the contract, and must reduce its basis in the Z stock 
by $650,000, the amount of gross receipts X received under the contract. 
Therefore, X's basis in the Z stock is $100,000.
    (iii) New taxpayer. Z must account for the contract using the same 
PCM method used by X prior to the transaction. Pursuant to paragraph 
(k)(3)(iv)(B)(1) of this section, the total contract price is $970,000 
($1,000,000 amount X and Z have received or reasonably expect to receive 
under the contract--$30,000 income recognized by X with respect to the 
contract as a result of the receipt of $50,000 cash in the transaction). 
In Year 2, Z reports gross receipts of $119,655 ($650,000/
$725,000x$970,000 = $869,655 current year cumulative gross receipts--
$750,000 cumulative gross receipts reported by the old taxpayer) and 
costs of $50,000, for a profit of $69,655. In Year 3, Z reports gross 
receipts of $100,345 ($970,000-$869,655) and costs of $75,000, for a 
profit of $25,345.
    Example 8. Step in the shoes--CCM--gain recognized in transaction--
(i) Facts. The facts are the same as in Example 4, except that X 
transfers the contract (including the uncompleted property) with a basis 
of $600,000 and an unrelated capital asset with a value of $125,000 and 
a basis of $0 to a new corporation, Z, in exchange for all the stock of 
Z with a value of $175,000 and $100,000 of cash in a section 351 
transaction. X and Z do not join in filing a consolidated Federal income 
tax return.
    (ii) Old taxpayer. X reports no income or costs under the contract 
in Years 1, 2, or 3. Under paragraph (k)(3)(ii)(B), X determines that 
the gain realized on the transfer of the contract to Z under the 
constructive completion rules of paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of this section is 
$200,000 ($800,000 total contract price

[[Page 225]]

($150,000 value allocable to the contract + $650,000 progress 
payments)--$600,000 costs incurred but not recognized). The gain 
realized on the transfer of the unrelated capital asset to Z is 
$125,000. The amount of gain X must recognize due to the receipt of 
$100,000 of cash in the exchange is $100,000, of which $54,545 is 
allocated to the contract ($150,000 value of the contract/$275,000 total 
value of property transferred to Zx$100,000) and is treated as ordinary 
income, and $45,455 is allocated to the unrelated capital asset 
($125,000 value of capital asset/$275,000 total value of property 
transferred to Zx$100,000). Under section 358(a), X's basis in the Z 
stock is $600,000 ($600,000 basis in the contract and unrelated capital 
asset transferred--$100,000 cash received + $100,000 gain recognized). 
Pursuant to paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)(1) of this section, X must reduce 
its basis in the stock of Z by $650,000, the progress payments received 
under the contract. However, X may not reduce its basis in the Z stock 
below zero pursuant to paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)(2) of this section. 
Accordingly, X's basis in the Z stock is reduced by $600,000 to zero and 
X must recognize income of $50,000.
    (iii) New taxpayer. Z must account for the contract using the same 
CCM used by X prior to the transaction. Pursuant to paragraph 
(k)(3)(iv)(B)(1) of this section, the total contract price is $895,455 
($1,000,000 original contract price--$54,545 income recognized by old 
taxpayer with respect to the contract as a result of the receipt of cash 
in the transaction--$50,000 income recognized by the old taxpayer 
pursuant to the basis adjustment rule of paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(A)). 
Accordingly, upon completion of the contract in Year 3, Z reports gross 
receipts of $895,455 and total contract costs of $725,000, for a profit 
of $170,455.

    (6) Effective date. This paragraph (k) is applicable for 
transactions on or after May 15, 2002. Application of the rules of this 
paragraph (k) to a transaction that occurs on or after May 15, 2002 is 
not a change in method of accounting.

[T.D. 8597, 60 FR 36684, July 18, 1995, as amended by T.D. 8929, 66 FR 
2232, Jan. 11, 2001; 66 FR 18191, Apr. 6, 2001; T.D 8995, 67 FR 34605, 
May 15, 2002]