[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.61-22]

[Page 81-93]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1_INCOME TAXES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.61-22  Taxation of split-dollar life insurance arrangements.

    (a) Scope--(1) In general. This section provides rules for the 
taxation of a split-dollar life insurance arrangement for purposes of 
the income tax, the gift tax, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act 
(FICA), the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), the Railroad Retirement 
Tax Act (RRTA), and the Self-Employment Contributions Act of 1954 
(SECA). For the Collection of Income Tax at Source on Wages, this 
section also provides rules for the taxation of a split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement, other than a payment under a split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement that is a split-dollar loan under Sec. 1.7872-
15(b)(1). A split-dollar life insurance arrangement (as defined in 
paragraph (b) of this section) is subject to the rules of paragraphs (d) 
through (g) of this section, Sec. 1.7872-15, or general tax rules. For 
rules to determine which rules apply to a split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement, see paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (2) Overview. Paragraph (b) of this section defines a split-dollar 
life insurance arrangement and provides rules to determine whether an 
arrangement is subject to the rules of paragraphs (d) through (g) of 
this section, Sec. 1.7872-15, or general tax rules. Paragraph (c) of 
this section defines certain other terms. Paragraph (d) of this section 
sets forth rules for the taxation of economic benefits provided under a 
split-dollar life insurance arrangement. Paragraph (e) of this section 
sets forth rules for the taxation of amounts received under a life 
insurance contract that is part of a split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement. Paragraph (f) of this section provides rules for additional 
tax consequences of a split-dollar life insurance arrangement, including 
the treatment of death benefit proceeds. Paragraph (g) of this section 
provides rules for the transfer of a life insurance contract (or an 
undivided interest in the contract) that is part of a split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement. Paragraph (h) of this section provides examples 
illustrating the application of this section. Paragraph (j) of this 
section provides the effective date of this section.
    (b) Split-dollar life insurance arrangement--(1) In general. A 
split-dollar life insurance arrangement is any arrangement between an 
owner and a non-owner of a life insurance contract that satisfies the 
following criteria--
    (i) Either party to the arrangement pays, directly or indirectly, 
all or any portion of the premiums on the life insurance contract, 
including a payment by means of a loan to the other party that is 
secured by the life insurance contract;
    (ii) At least one of the parties to the arrangement paying premiums 
under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section is entitled to recover (either 
conditionally or unconditionally) all or any portion of those premiums 
and such recovery is to be made from, or is secured by, the proceeds of 
the life insurance contract; and
    (iii) The arrangement is not part of a group-term life insurance 
plan described in section 79 unless the group-term life insurance plan 
provides permanent benefits to employees (as defined in Sec. 1.79-0).
    (2) Special rule--(i) In general. Any arrangement between an owner 
and a non-owner of a life insurance contract

[[Page 82]]

is treated as a split-dollar life insurance arrangement (regardless of 
whether the criteria of paragraph (b)(1) of this section are satisfied) 
if the arrangement is described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) or (iii) of this 
section.
    (ii) Compensatory arrangements. An arrangement is described in this 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii) if the following criteria are satisfied--
    (A) The arrangement is entered into in connection with the 
performance of services and is not part of a group-term life insurance 
plan described in section 79;
    (B) The employer or service recipient pays, directly or indirectly, 
all or any portion of the premiums; and
    (C) Either--
    (1) The beneficiary of all or any portion of the death benefit is 
designated by the employee or service provider or is any person whom the 
employee or service provider would reasonably be expected to designate 
as the beneficiary; or
    (2) The employee or service provider has any interest in the policy 
cash value of the life insurance contract.
    (iii) Shareholder arrangements. An arrangement is described in this 
paragraph (b)(2)(iii) if the following criteria are satisfied--
    (A) The arrangement is entered into between a corporation and 
another person in that person's capacity as a shareholder in the 
corporation;
    (B) The corporation pays, directly or indirectly, all or any portion 
of the premiums; and
    (C) Either--
    (1) The beneficiary of all or any portion of the death benefit is 
designated by the shareholder or is any person whom the shareholder 
would reasonably be expected to designate as the beneficiary; or
    (2) The shareholder has any interest in the policy cash value of the 
life insurance contract.
    (3) Determination of whether this section or Sec. 1.7872-15 applies 
to a split-dollar life insurance arrangement--(i) Split-dollar life 
insurance arrangements involving split-dollar loans under Sec. 1.7872-
15. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, 
paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section do not apply to any split-
dollar loan as defined in Sec. 1.7872-15(b)(1). Section 1.7872-15 
applies to any such loan. See paragraph (b)(5) of this section for the 
treatment of a payment made by a non-owner under a split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement if the payment is not a split-dollar loan.
    (ii) Exceptions. Paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section apply 
(and Sec. 1.7872-15 does not apply) to any split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement if--
    (A) The arrangement is entered into in connection with the 
performance of services, and the employer or service recipient is the 
owner of the life insurance contract (or is treated as the owner of the 
contract under paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this section); or
    (B) The arrangement is entered into between a donor and a donee (for 
example, a life insurance trust) and the donor is the owner of the life 
insurance contract (or is treated as the owner of the contract under 
paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A)(2) of this section).
    (4) Consistency requirement. A split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement described in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section must be 
treated in the same manner by the owner and the non-owner of the life 
insurance contract under either the rules of this section or Sec. 
1.7872-15. In addition, the owner and non-owner must fully account for 
all amounts under the arrangement under paragraph (b)(5) of this 
section, paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section, or Sec. 1.7872-15.
    (5) Non-owner payments that are not split-dollar loans. If a non-
owner of a life insurance contract makes premium payments (directly or 
indirectly) under a split-dollar life insurance arrangement, and the 
payments are neither split-dollar loans nor consideration for economic 
benefits described in paragraph (d) of this section, then neither the 
rules of paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section nor the rules in 
Sec. 1.7872-15 apply to such payments. Instead, general income tax, 
employment tax, self-employment tax, and gift tax principles apply to 
the premium payments. See, for example, Sec. 1.61-2(d)(2)(ii)(A).
    (6) Waiver, cancellation, or forgiveness. If a repayment obligation 
described in Sec. 1.7872-15(a)(2) is waived, cancelled, or forgiven at 
any time, then the parties

[[Page 83]]

must take the amount waived, cancelled, or forgiven into account in 
accordance with the relationships between the parties (for example, as 
compensation in the case of an employee-employer relationship).
    (7) Change in the owner. If payments made by a non-owner to an owner 
were treated as split-dollar loans under Sec. 1.7872-15 and the split-
dollar life insurance arrangement is modified such that, after the 
modification, the non-owner is the owner (within the meaning of 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section) of the life insurance contract under 
the arrangement, paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section apply to the 
split-dollar life insurance arrangement from the date of the 
modification. The payments made (both before and after the modification) 
are not treated as split-dollar loans under Sec. 1.7872-15 on or after 
the date of the modification. The non-owner of the life insurance 
contract under the modified split-dollar life insurance arrangement must 
fully take into account all economic benefits provided under the 
arrangement under paragraph (d) of this section on or after the date of 
the modification. For the treatment of a transfer of the contract when 
the unmodified arrangement is governed by paragraphs (d) through (g) of 
this section, see paragraph (g) of this section.
    (c) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
this section:
    (1) Owner--(i) In general. With respect to a life insurance 
contract, the person named as the policy owner of such contract 
generally is the owner of such contract. If two or more persons are 
named as policy owners of a life insurance contract and each person has, 
at all times, all the incidents of ownership with respect to an 
undivided interest in the contract, each person is treated as the owner 
of a separate contract to the extent of such person's undivided 
interest. If two or more persons are named as policy owners of a life 
insurance contract but each person does not have, at all times, all the 
incidents of ownership with respect to an undivided interest in the 
contract, the person who is the first-named policy owner is treated as 
the owner of the entire contract.
    (ii) Special rule for certain arrangements--(A) In general. 
Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section--
    (1) An employer or service recipient is treated as the owner of a 
life insurance contract under a split-dollar life insurance arrangement 
that is entered into in connection with the performance of services if, 
at all times, the only economic benefit that will be provided under the 
arrangement is current life insurance protection as described in 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section; and
    (2) A donor is treated as the owner of a life insurance contract 
under a split-dollar life insurance arrangement that is entered into 
between a donor and a donee (for example, a life insurance trust) if, at 
all times, the only economic benefit that will be provided under the 
arrangement is current life insurance protection as described in 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
    (B) Modifications. If an arrangement described in paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(A) of this section is modified such that the arrangement is 
no longer described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A) of this section, the 
following rules apply:
    (1) If, immediately after such modification, the employer, service 
recipient, or donor is the owner of the life insurance contract under 
the split-dollar life insurance arrangement (determined without regard 
to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A) of this section), the employer, service 
recipient, or donor continues to be treated as the owner of the life 
insurance contract.
    (2) If, immediately after such modification, the employer, service 
recipient, or donor is not the owner of the life insurance contract 
under the split-dollar life insurance arrangement (determined without 
regard to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A) of this section), the employer, 
service recipient, or donor is treated as having made a transfer of the 
entire life insurance contract to the employee, service provider, or 
donee under the rules of paragraph (g) of this section as of the date of 
such modification.
    (3) For purposes of this paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B), entering into a 
successor split-dollar life insurance arrangement that has the effect of 
providing any economic benefit in addition to that described in 
paragraph (d)(3) of this

[[Page 84]]

section is treated as a modification of the prior split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement.

    (iii) Attribution rules for compensatory arrangements. For purposes 
of this section, if a split-dollar life insurance arrangement is entered 
into in connection with the performance of services, the employer or 
service recipient is treated as the owner of the life insurance contract 
if the owner (within the meaning of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section) 
of the life insurance contract under the split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement is--
    (A) A trust described in section 402(b);
    (B) A trust that is treated as owned (within the meaning of sections 
671 through 677) by the employer or the service recipient;
    (C) A welfare benefit fund within the meaning of section 419(e)(1); 
or
    (D) A member of the employer or service recipient's controlled group 
(within the meaning of section 414(b)) or a trade or business that is 
under common control with the employer or service recipient (within the 
meaning of section 414(c)).
    (iv) Life insurance contracts owned by partnerships. [Reserved]
    (2) Non-owner--(i) Definition. With respect to a life insurance 
contract, a non-owner is any person (other than the owner of such 
contract under paragraph (c)(1) of this section) that has any direct or 
indirect interest in such contract (but not including a life insurance 
company acting only in its capacity as the issuer of a life insurance 
contract).
    (ii) Example. The following example illustrates the provisions of 
this paragraph (c)(2):

    Example. (i) On January 1, 2009, Employer R and Trust T, an 
irrevocable life insurance trust that is not treated under sections 671 
through 677 as owned by a grantor or other person, enter into a split-
dollar life insurance arrangement in connection with the performance of 
services under which R will pay all the premiums on the life insurance 
contract until the termination of the arrangement or the death of E, an 
employee of R. C, the beneficiary of T, is E's child. R is the owner of 
the contract under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. E is the insured 
under the life insurance contract. Upon termination of the arrangement 
or E's death, R is entitled to receive the lesser of the aggregate 
premiums or the policy cash value of the contract and T will be entitled 
to receive any remaining amounts. Under the terms of the arrangement and 
applicable state law, the policy cash value is fully accessible by R and 
R's creditors but T has the right to borrow or withdraw at any time the 
portion of the policy cash value exceeding the amount payable to R.
    (ii) Because E and T each have an indirect interest in the life 
insurance contract that is part of the split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement, each is a non-owner under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this 
section. E and T each are provided economic benefits described in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section pursuant to the split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement. Economic benefits are provided by owner R to E as 
a payment of compensation, and separately provided by E to T as a gift.

    (3) Transfer of entire contract or undivided interest therein. A 
transfer of the ownership of a life insurance contract (or an undivided 
interest in such contract) that is part of a split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement occurs on the date that a non-owner becomes the owner 
(within the meaning of paragraph (c)(1) of this section) of the entire 
contract or of an undivided interest in the contract.
    (4) Undivided interest. An undivided interest in a life insurance 
contract consists of an identical fractional or percentage interest or 
share in each right, benefit, and obligation with respect to the 
contract. In the case of any arrangement purporting to create undivided 
interests where, in substance, the rights, benefits or obligations are 
shared to any extent among the holders of such interests, the 
arrangement will be treated as a split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement.
    (5) Employment tax. The term employment tax means any tax imposed 
by, or collected under, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), 
the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), the Railroad Retirement Tax Act 
(RRTA), and the Collection of Income Tax at Source on Wages.
    (6) Self-employment tax. The term self-employment tax means the tax 
imposed by the Self-Employment Contributions Act of 1954 (SECA).
    (d) Economic benefits provided under a split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement--(1) In general. In the case of a split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement subject

[[Page 85]]

to the rules of paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section, economic 
benefits are treated as being provided to the non-owner of the life 
insurance contract. The non-owner (and the owner for gift and employment 
tax purposes) must take into account the full value of all economic 
benefits described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, reduced by the 
consideration paid directly or indirectly by the non-owner to the owner 
for those economic benefits. Depending on the relationship between the 
owner and the non-owner, the economic benefits may constitute a payment 
of compensation, a distribution under section 301, a contribution to 
capital, a gift, or a transfer having a different tax character. 
Further, depending on the relationship between or among a non-owner and 
one or more other persons (including a non-owner or non-owners), the 
economic benefits may be treated as provided from the owner to the non-
owner and as separately provided from the non-owner to such other person 
or persons (for example, as a payment of compensation from an employer 
to an employee and as a gift from the employee to the employee's child).
    (2) Value of economic benefits. The value of the economic benefits 
provided to a non-owner for a taxable year under the arrangement 
equals--
    (i) The cost of current life insurance protection provided to the 
non-owner as determined under paragraph (d)(3) of this section;
    (ii) The amount of policy cash value to which the non-owner has 
current access within the meaning of paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this 
section (to the extent that such amount was not actually taken into 
account for a prior taxable year); and
    (iii) The value of any economic benefits not described in paragraph 
(d)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section provided to the non-owner (to the 
extent not actually taken into account for a prior taxable year).
    (3) Current life insurance protection--(i) Amount of current life 
insurance protection. In the case of a split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the amount of 
the current life insurance protection provided to the non-owner for a 
taxable year (or any portion thereof in the case of the first year or 
the last year of the arrangement) equals the excess of the death benefit 
of the life insurance contract (including paid-up additions thereto) 
over the total amount payable to the owner (including any outstanding 
policy loans that offset amounts otherwise payable to the owner) under 
the split-dollar life insurance arrangement, less the portion of the 
policy cash value actually taken into account under paragraph (d)(1) of 
this section or paid for by the non-owner under paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section for the current taxable year or any prior taxable year.
    (ii) Cost of current life insurance protection. The cost of current 
life insurance protection provided to the non-owner for any year (or any 
portion thereof in the case of the first year or the last year of the 
arrangement) equals the amount of the current life insurance protection 
provided to the non-owner (determined under paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this 
section) multiplied by the life insurance premium factor designated or 
permitted in guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see 
Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii) of this chapter).
    (4) Policy cash value--(i) In general. For purposes of this 
paragraph (d), policy cash value is determined disregarding surrender 
charges or other similar charges or reductions. Policy cash value 
includes policy cash value attributable to paid-up additions.
    (ii) Current access. For purposes of this paragraph (d), a non-owner 
has current access to that portion of the policy cash value--
    (A) To which, under the arrangement, the non-owner has a current or 
future right; and
    (B) That currently is directly or indirectly accessible by the non-
owner, inaccessible to the owner, or inaccessible to the owner's general 
creditors.
    (5) Valuation date--(i) General rules. For purposes of this 
paragraph (d), the amount of the current life insurance protection and 
the policy cash value shall be determined on the same valuation date. 
The valuation date is the last day of the non-owner's taxable year, 
unless the owner and non-owner

[[Page 86]]

agree to instead use the policy anniversary date as the valuation date. 
Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement terminates during the taxable year of the non-
owner, the value of such economic benefits is determined on the day that 
the arrangement terminates.
    (ii) Consistency requirement. The owner and non-owner of the split-
dollar life insurance arrangement must use the same valuation date. In 
addition, the same valuation date must be used for all years prior to 
termination of the split-dollar life insurance arrangement unless the 
parties receive consent of the Commissioner to change the valuation 
date.
    (iii) Artifice or device. Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(5)(i) of 
this section, if any artifice or device is used to understate the amount 
of any economic benefit on the valuation date in paragraph (d)(5)(i) of 
this section, then, for purposes of this paragraph (d), the date on 
which the amount of the economic benefit is determined is the date on 
which the amount of the economic benefit is greatest during that taxable 
year.
    (iv) Special rule for certain taxes. For purposes of employment tax 
(as defined in paragraph (c)(5) of this section), self-employment tax 
(as defined in paragraph (c)(6) of this section), and sections 6654 and 
6655 (relating to the failure to pay estimated income tax), the portions 
of the current life insurance protection and the policy cash value that 
are treated as provided by the owner to the non-owner shall be treated 
as so provided on the last day of the taxable year of the non-owner. 
Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement terminates during the taxable year of the non-
owner, such portions of the current life insurance protection and the 
policy cash value shall be treated as so provided on the day that the 
arrangement terminates.
    (6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
paragraph (d). Except as otherwise provided, both examples assume the 
following facts: employer (R) is the owner (as defined in paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of this section) and employee (E) is the non-owner (as defined 
in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section) of a life insurance contract 
that is part of a split-dollar life insurance arrangement that is 
subject to the provisions of paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section; 
the contract is a life insurance contract as defined in section 7702 and 
not a modified endowment contract as defined in section 7702A; R does 
not withdraw or obtain a loan of any portion of the policy cash value 
and does not surrender any portion of the life insurance contract; the 
compensation paid to E is reasonable; E is not provided any economic 
benefits described in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section; E does not 
make any premium payments; E's taxable year is the calendar year; the 
value of the economic benefits is determined on the last day of E's 
taxable year; and E reports on E's Federal income tax return for each 
year that the split-dollar life insurance arrangement is in effect the 
amount of income required to be reported under paragraph (d) of this 
section. The examples are as follows:

    Example 1. (i) Facts. On January 1 of year 1, R and E enter into the 
split-dollar life insurance arrangement. Under the arrangement, R pays 
all of the premiums on the life insurance contract until the termination 
of the arrangement or E's death. The arrangement provides that upon 
termination of the arrangement or E's death, R is entitled to receive 
the lesser of the aggregate premiums paid or the policy cash value of 
the contract and E is entitled to receive any remaining amounts. Under 
the terms of the arrangement and applicable state law, the policy cash 
value is fully accessible by R and R's creditors but E has the right to 
borrow or withdraw at any time the portion of the policy cash value 
exceeding the amount payable to R. To fund the arrangement, R purchases 
a life insurance contract with constant death benefit protection equal 
to $1,500,000. R makes premium payments on the life insurance contract 
of $60,000 in each of years 1, 2, and 3. The policy cash value equals 
$55,000 as of December 31 of year 1, $140,000 as of December 31 of year 
2, and $240,000 as of December 31 of year 3.
    (ii) Analysis. Under the terms of the split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement, E has the right for year 1 and all subsequent years to 
borrow or withdraw the portion of the policy cash value exceeding the 
amount payable to R. Thus, under paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this section, E 
has current access to such portion of the policy cash value for each 
year that

[[Page 87]]

the arrangement is in effect. In addition, because R pays all of the 
premiums on the life insurance contract, R provides to E all of the 
economic benefits that E receives under the arrangement. Therefore, 
under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, E includes in gross income the 
value of all economic benefits described in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and 
(ii) of this section provided to E under the arrangement.
    (iii) Results for year 1. For year 1, E is provided, under paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii) of this section, $0 of policy cash value (excess of $55,000 
policy cash value determined as of December 31 of year 1 over $55,000 
payable to R). For year 1, E is also provided, under paragraph (d)(2)(i) 
of this section, current life insurance protection of $1,445,000 
($1,500,000 minus $55,000 payable to R). Thus, E includes in gross 
income for year 1 the cost of $1,445,000 of current life insurance 
protection.
    (iv) Results for year 2. For year 2, E is provided, under paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii) of this section, $20,000 of policy cash value ($140,000 
policy cash value determined as of December 31 of year 2 minus $120,000 
payable to R). For year 2, E is also provided, under paragraph (d)(2)(i) 
of this section, current life insurance protection of $1,360,000 
($1,500,000 minus the sum of $120,000 payable to R and the aggregate of 
$20,000 of policy cash value that E actually includes in income on E's 
year 1 and year 2 federal income tax returns). Thus, E includes in gross 
income for year 2 the sum of $20,000 of policy cash value and the cost 
of $1,360,000 of current life insurance protection.
    (v) Results for year 3. For year 3, E is provided, under paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii) of this section, $40,000 of policy cash value ($240,000 
policy cash value determined as of December 31 of year 3 minus the sum 
of $180,000 payable to R and $20,000 of aggregate policy cash value that 
E actually included in gross income on E's year 1 and year 2 federal 
income tax returns). For year 3, E is also provided, under paragraph 
(d)(2)(i) of this section, current life insurance protection of 
$1,260,000 ($1,500,000 minus the sum of $180,000 payable to R and 
$60,000 of aggregate policy cash value that E actually includes in gross 
income on E's year 1, year 2, and year 3 federal income tax returns). 
Thus, E includes in gross income for year 3 the sum of $40,000 of policy 
cash value and the cost of $1,260,000 of current life insurance 
protection.
    Example 2. (i) Facts. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except 
that E cannot directly or indirectly access any portion of the policy 
cash value, but the terms of the split-dollar life insurance arrangement 
or applicable state law provide that the policy cash value in excess of 
the amount payable to R is inaccessible to R's general creditors.
    (ii) Analysis. Under the terms of the split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement or applicable state law, the portion of the policy cash 
value exceeding the amount payable to R is inaccessible to R's general 
creditors and E has a current or future right to that portion of the 
cash value. Thus, under paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this section, E has 
current access to such portion of the policy cash value for each year 
that the arrangement is in effect. In addition, because R pays all of 
the premiums on the life insurance contract, R provides to E all of the 
economic benefits that E receives under the arrangement. Therefore, 
under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, E includes in gross income the 
value of all economic benefits described in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and 
(ii) of this section provided to E under the arrangement.
    (iii) Results for years 1, 2 and 3. The results for this example are 
the same as the results in Example 1.

    (e) Amounts received under the contract--(1) In general. Except as 
otherwise provided in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, any amount 
received under a life insurance contract that is part of a split-dollar 
life insurance arrangement subject to the rules of paragraphs (d) 
through (g) of this section (including, but not limited to, a policy 
owner dividend, proceeds of a specified policy loan described in 
paragraph (e)(2) of this section, or the proceeds of a withdrawal from 
or partial surrender of the life insurance contract) is treated, to the 
extent provided directly or indirectly to a non-owner of the life 
insurance contract, as though such amount had been paid to the owner of 
the life insurance contract and then paid by the owner to the non-owner. 
The amount received is taxable to the owner in accordance with the rules 
of section 72. The non-owner (and the owner for gift tax and employment 
tax purposes) must take the amount described in paragraph (e)(3) of this 
section into account as a payment of compensation, a distribution under 
section 301, a contribution to capital, a gift, or other transfer 
depending on the relationship between the owner and the non-owner.
    (2) Specified policy loan. A policy loan is a specified policy loan 
to the extent--
    (i) The proceeds of the loan are distributed directly from the 
insurance company to the non-owner;
    (ii) A reasonable person would not expect that the loan will be 
repaid by the non-owner; or

[[Page 88]]

    (iii) The non-owner's obligation to repay the loan to the owner is 
satisfied or is capable of being satisfied upon repayment by either 
party to the insurance company.
    (3) Amount required to be taken into account. With respect to a non-
owner (and the owner for gift tax and employment tax purposes), the 
amount described in this paragraph (e)(3) is equal to the excess of--
    (i) The amount treated as received by the owner under paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section; over
    (ii) The amount of all economic benefits described in paragraphs 
(d)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section actually taken into account by the 
non-owner (and the owner for gift tax and employment tax purposes) plus 
any consideration described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section paid by 
the non-owner for such economic benefits described in paragraphs 
(d)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section. The amount determined under the 
preceding sentence applies only to the extent that neither this 
paragraph (e)(3)(ii) nor paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section previously 
has applied to such economic benefits.
    (f) Other tax consequences--(1) Introduction. In the case of a 
split-dollar life insurance arrangement subject to the rules of 
paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section, this paragraph (f) sets 
forth other tax consequences to the owner and non-owner of a life 
insurance contract that is part of the arrangement for the period prior 
to the transfer (as defined in paragraph (c)(3) of this section) of the 
contract (or an undivided interest therein) from the owner to the non-
owner. See paragraph (g) of this section and Sec. 1.83-6(a)(5) for tax 
consequences upon the transfer of the contract (or an undivided interest 
therein).
    (2) Investment in the contract--(i) To the non-owner. A non-owner 
does not receive any investment in the contract under section 72(e)(6) 
with respect to a life insurance contract that is part of a split-dollar 
life insurance arrangement subject to the rules of paragraphs (d) 
through (g) of this section.
    (ii) To owner. Any premium paid by an owner under a split-dollar 
life insurance arrangement subject to the rules of paragraphs (d) 
through (g) of this section is included in the owner's investment in the 
contract under section 72(e)(6). No premium or amount described in 
paragraph (d) of this section is deductible by the owner (except as 
otherwise provided in Sec. 1.83-6(a)(5)). Any amount paid by a non-
owner, directly or indirectly, to the owner of the life insurance 
contract for current life insurance protection or for any other economic 
benefit under the life insurance contract is included in the owner's 
gross income and is included in the owner's investment in the life 
insurance contract for purposes of section 72(e)(6) (but only to the 
extent not otherwise so included by reason of having been paid by the 
owner as a premium or other consideration for the contract).
    (3) Treatment of death benefit proceeds--(i) Death benefit proceeds 
to beneficiary (other than the owner). Any amount paid to a beneficiary 
(other than the owner) by reason of the death of the insured is excluded 
from gross income by such beneficiary under section 101(a) as an amount 
received under a life insurance contract to the extent such amount is 
allocable to current life insurance protection provided to the non-owner 
pursuant to the split-dollar life insurance arrangement, the cost of 
which was paid by the non-owner, or the value of which the non-owner 
actually took into account pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (ii) Death benefit proceeds to owner as beneficiary. Any amount paid 
or payable to an owner in its capacity as a beneficiary by reason of the 
death of the insured is excluded from gross income of the owner under 
section 101(a) as an amount received under a life insurance contract to 
the extent such amount is not allocable to current life insurance 
protection provided to the non-owner pursuant to the split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement, the cost of which was paid by the non-owner, or 
the value of which the non-owner actually took into account pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Transfers of death benefit proceeds. Death benefit proceeds 
paid to a party to a split-dollar life insurance arrangement (or the 
estate or beneficiary of that party) that are not excludable from that 
party's income under section

[[Page 89]]

101(a) to the extent provided in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or (ii) of this 
section, are treated as transferred to that party in a separate 
transaction. The death benefit proceeds treated as so transferred will 
be taxed in a manner similar to other transfers. For example, if death 
benefit proceeds paid to an employee, the employee's estate, or the 
employee's beneficiary are not excludable from the employee's gross 
income under section 101(a) to the extent provided in paragraph 
(f)(3)(i) of this section, then such payment is treated as a payment of 
compensation by the employer to the employee.
    (g) Transfer of entire contract or undivided interest therein--(1) 
In general. Upon a transfer within the meaning of paragraph (c)(3) of 
this section of a life insurance contract (or an undivided interest 
therein) to a non-owner (transferee), the transferee (and the owner 
(transferor) for gift tax and employment tax purposes) takes into 
account the excess of the fair market value of the life insurance 
contract (or the undivided interest therein) transferred to the 
transferee at that time over the sum of--
    (i) The amount the transferee pays to the transferor to obtain the 
contract (or the undivided interest therein); and
    (ii) The amount of all economic benefits described in paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section actually taken into account by the 
transferee (and the transferor for gift tax and employment tax 
purposes), plus any consideration described in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section paid by the transferee for such economic benefits described in 
paragraphs (d)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section. The amount determined 
under the preceding sentence applies only to the extent that neither 
this paragraph (g)(1)(ii) nor paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section 
previously has applied to such economic benefits.
    (2) Determination of fair market value. For purposes of paragraph 
(g)(1) of this section, the fair market value of a life insurance 
contract is the policy cash value and the value of all other rights 
under such contract (including any supplemental agreements thereto and 
whether or not guaranteed), other than the value of current life 
insurance protection. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the fair 
market value of a life insurance contract for gift tax purposes is 
determined under Sec. 25.2512-6(a) of this chapter.
    (3) Exception for certain transfers in connection with the 
performance of services. To the extent the ownership of a life insurance 
contract (or undivided interest in such contract) is transferred in 
connection with the performance of services, paragraph (g)(1) of this 
section does not apply until such contract (or undivided interest in 
such contract) is taxable under section 83. For purposes of paragraph 
(g)(1) of this section, fair market value is determined disregarding any 
lapse restrictions and at the time the transfer of such contract (or 
undivided interest in such contract) is taxable under section 83.
    (4) Treatment of non-owner after transfer--(i) In general. After a 
transfer of an entire life insurance contract (except when such transfer 
is in connection with the performance of services and the transfer is 
not yet taxable under section 83), the person who previously had been 
the non-owner is treated as the owner of such contract for all purposes, 
including for purposes of paragraph (b) of this section and for purposes 
of Sec. 1.61-2(d)(2)(ii)(A). After the transfer of an undivided 
interest in a life insurance contract (or, if later, at the time such 
transfer is taxable under section 83), the person who previously had 
been the non-owner is treated as the owner of a separate contract 
consisting of that interest for all purposes, including for purposes of 
paragraph (b) of this section and for purposes of Sec. 1.61-
2(d)(2)(ii)(A).
    (ii) Investment in the contract after transfer--(A) In general. The 
amount treated as consideration paid to acquire the contract under 
section 72(g)(1), in order to determine the aggregate premiums paid by 
the transferee for purposes of section 72(e)(6)(A) after the transfer 
(or, if later, at the time such transfer is taxable under section 83), 
equals the greater of the fair market value of the contract or the sum 
of the amounts determined under paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 
section.

[[Page 90]]

    (B) Transfers between a donor and a donee. In the case of a transfer 
of a contract between a donor and a donee, the amount treated as 
consideration paid by the transferee to acquire the contract under 
section 72(g)(1), in order to determine the aggregate premiums paid by 
the transferee for purposes of section 72(e)(6)(A) after the transfer, 
equals the sum of the amounts determined under paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and 
(ii) of this section except that--
    (1) The amount determined under paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section 
includes the aggregate of premiums or other consideration paid or deemed 
to have been paid by the transferor; and
    (2) The amount of all economic benefits determined under paragraph 
(g)(1)(ii) of this section actually taken into account by the transferee 
does not include such benefits to the extent such benefits were 
excludable from the transferee's gross income at the time of receipt.
    (C) Transfers of an undivided interest in a contract. If a portion 
of a contract is transferred to the transferee, then the amount to be 
included as consideration paid to acquire the contract is determined by 
multiplying the amount determined under paragraph (g)(4)(ii)(A) of this 
section (as modified by paragraph (g)(4)(ii)(B) of this section, if the 
transfer is between a donor and a donee) by a fraction, the numerator of 
which is the fair market value of the portion transferred and the 
denominator of which is the fair market value of the entire contract.
    (D) Example. The following example illustrates the rules of this 
paragraph (g)(4)(ii):

    Example. (i) In year 1, donor D and donee E enter into a split-
dollar life insurance arrangement as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section. D is the owner of the life insurance contract under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section. The life insurance contract is not a modified 
endowment contract as defined in section 7702A. In year 5, D 
gratuitously transfers the contract, within the meaning of paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section, to E. At the time of the transfer, the fair 
market value of the contract is $200,000 and D had paid $50,000 in 
premiums under the arrangement. In addition, by the time of the 
transfer, E had current access to $80,000 of policy cash value which was 
excludable from E's gross income under section 102.
    (ii) E's investment in the contract is $50,000, consisting of the 
$50,000 of premiums paid by D. The $80,000 of policy cash value to which 
E had current access is not included in E's investment in the contract 
because such amount was excludable from E's gross income when E had 
current access to that policy cash value.

    (iii) No investment in the contract for current life insurance 
protection. Except as provided in paragraph (g)(4)(ii)(B) of this 
section, no amount allocable to current life insurance protection 
provided to the transferee (the cost of which was paid by the transferee 
or the value of which was provided to the transferee) is treated as 
consideration paid to acquire the contract under section 72(g)(1) to 
determine the aggregate premiums paid by the transferee for purposes of 
determining the transferee's investment in the contract under section 
72(e) after the transfer.
    (h) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
section. Except as otherwise provided, each of the examples assumes that 
the employer (R) is the owner (as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section) of a life insurance contract that is part of a split-dollar 
life insurance arrangement subject to the rules of paragraphs (d) 
through (g) of this section, that the employee (E) is not provided any 
economic benefits described in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section, 
that the life insurance contract is not a modified endowment contract 
under section 7702A, that the compensation paid to E is reasonable, and 
that E makes no premium payments. The examples are as follows:

    Example 1. (i) In year 1, R purchases a life insurance contract on 
the life of E. R is named as the policy owner of the contract. R and E 
enter into an arrangement under which R will pay all the premiums on the 
life insurance contract until the termination of the arrangement or E's 
death. Upon termination of the arrangement or E's death, R is entitled 
to receive the greater of the aggregate premiums or the policy cash 
value of the contract. The balance of the death benefit will be paid to 
a beneficiary designated by E.
    (ii) Because R is designated as the policy owner of the contract, R 
is the owner of the contract under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. 
In addition, R would be treated as the owner of the contract regardless 
of whether R were designated as the policy owner under

[[Page 91]]

paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section because the split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement is described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this 
section. E is a non-owner of the contract. Under the arrangement between 
R and E, a portion of the death benefit is payable to a beneficiary 
designated by E. The arrangement is a split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement under paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section. Because R 
pays all the premiums on the life insurance contract, R provides to E 
the entire amount of the current life insurance protection E receives 
under the arrangement. Therefore, for each year that the split-dollar 
life insurance arrangement is in effect, E must include in gross income 
under paragraph (d)(1) of this section the value of current life 
insurance protection described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section 
provided to E in each year.
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that, 
upon termination of the arrangement or E's death, R is entitled to 
receive the lesser of the aggregate premiums or the policy cash value of 
the contract. Under the terms of the arrangement and applicable state 
law, the policy cash value is fully accessible by R and R's creditors 
but E has the right to borrow or withdraw at any time the portion of the 
policy cash value exceeding the amount payable to R.
    (ii) Because R is designated as the policy owner, R is the owner of 
the contract under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. E is a non-owner 
of the contract. For each year that the split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement is in effect, E has the right to borrow or withdraw at any 
time the portion of the policy cash value exceeding the amount payable 
to R. Thus, under paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this section, E has current 
access to such portion of the policy cash value for each year that the 
arrangement is in effect. In addition, because R pays all the premiums 
on the life insurance contract, R provides to E all the economic 
benefits that E receives under the arrangement. Therefore, for each year 
that the split-dollar life insurance arrangement is in effect, E must 
include in gross income under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the 
value of all economic benefits described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) and (ii) 
of this section provided to E in each year.
    Example 3. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that in 
year 5, R and E modify the split-dollar life insurance arrangement to 
provide that, upon termination of the arrangement or E's death, R is 
entitled to receive the greater of the aggregate premiums or one-half 
the policy cash value of the contract. Under the terms of the modified 
arrangement and applicable state law, the policy cash value is fully 
accessible by R and R's creditors but E has the right to borrow or 
withdraw at any time the portion of the policy cash value exceeding the 
amount payable to R.
    (ii) For each year that the split-dollar life insurance arrangement 
is in effect, E must include in gross income under paragraph (d)(1) of 
this section the value of the economic benefits described in paragraph 
(d)(2)(i) of this section provided to E under the arrangement during 
that year. In year 5 (and subsequent years), E has the right to borrow 
or withdraw at any time the portion of the policy cash value exceeding 
the amount payable to R. Thus, under paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this 
section, E has current access to such portion of the policy cash value. 
Thus, in year 5 (and each subsequent year), E must also include in gross 
income under paragraph (d)(1) of this section the value of the economic 
benefits described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section provided to E 
in each year.
    (iii) The arrangement is not described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A)(1) 
of this section after it is modified in year 5. Because R is the 
designated owner of the life insurance contract, R continues to be 
treated as the owner of the contract under paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(B)(1) of 
this section after the arrangement is modified. In addition, because the 
modification made by R and E in year 5 does not involve the transfer 
(within the meaning of paragraph (c)(3) of this section) of an undivided 
interest in the life insurance contract from R to E, the modification is 
not a transfer for purposes of paragraph (g) of this section.
    Example 4. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 2 except that in 
year 7, R and E modify the split-dollar life insurance arrangement to 
provide that, upon termination of the arrangement or E's death, R will 
be paid the lesser of 80 percent of the aggregate premiums or the policy 
cash value of the contract. Under the terms of the modified arrangement 
and applicable state law, the policy cash value is fully accessible by R 
and R's creditors but E has the right to borrow or withdraw at any time 
the portion of the policy cash value exceeding the lesser of 80 percent 
of the aggregate premiums paid by R or the policy cash value of the 
contract.
    (ii) Commencing in year 7 (and in each subsequent year), E must 
include in gross income the economic benefits described in paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii) of this section as provided in this Example 4(ii) rather than 
as provided in Example 2(ii). Thus, in year 7 (and in each subsequent 
year) E must include in gross income under paragraph (d) of this 
section, the excess of the policy cash value over the lesser of 80 
percent of the aggregate premiums paid by R or the policy cash value of 
the contract (to the extent E did not actually include such amounts in 
gross income for a prior taxable year). In addition, in year 7 (and each 
subsequent year) E must also include in gross income the value of the 
economic benefits described in paragraph

[[Page 92]]

(d)(2)(i) of this section provided to E under the arrangement in each 
such year.
    Example 5. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 3 except that in 
year 7, E is designated as the policy owner. At that time, E's rights to 
the contract are substantially vested as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(b).
    (ii) In year 7, R is treated as having made a transfer (within the 
meaning of paragraph (c)(3) of this section) of the life insurance 
contract to E. E must include in gross income the amount determined 
under paragraph (g)(1) of this section.
    (iii) After the transfer of the contract to E, E is the owner of the 
contract and any premium payments by R will be included in E's income 
under paragraph (b)(5) of this section and Sec. 1.61-2(d)(2)(ii)(A) 
(unless R's payments are split-dollar loans as defined in Sec. 1.7872-
15(b)(1)).
    Example 6. (i) In year 1, E and R enter into a split-dollar life 
insurance arrangement as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. 
Under the arrangement, R is required to make annual premium payments of 
$10,000 and E is required to make annual premium payments of $500. In 
year 5, a $500 policy owner dividend payable to E is declared by the 
insurance company. E directs the insurance company to use the $500 as 
E's premium payment for year 5.
    (ii) For each year the arrangement is in effect, E must include in 
gross income the value of the economic benefits provided during the 
year, as required by paragraph (d)(2) of this section, over the $500 
premium payments paid by E. In year 5, E must also include in gross 
income as compensation the excess, if any, of the $500 distributed to E 
from the proceeds of the policy owner dividend over the amount 
determined under paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section.
    (iii) R must include in income the premiums paid by E during the 
years the split-dollar life insurance arrangement is in effect, 
including the $500 of the premium E paid in year 5 with proceeds of the 
policy owner dividend. R's investment in the contract is increased in an 
amount equal to the premiums paid by E, including the $500 of the 
premium paid by E in year 5 from the proceeds of the policy owner 
dividend. In year 5, R is treated as receiving a $500 distribution under 
the contract, which is taxed pursuant to section 72.
    Example 7. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 2 except that in 
year 10, E withdraws $100,000 from the cash value of the contract.
    (ii) In year 10, R is treated as receiving a $100,000 distribution 
from the insurance company. This amount is treated as an amount received 
by R under the contract and taxed pursuant to section 72. This amount 
reduces R's investment in the contract under section 72(e). R is treated 
as paying the $100,000 to E as cash compensation, and E must include 
that amount in gross income less any amounts determined under paragraph 
(e)(3)(ii) of this section.
    Example 8. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 7 except E 
receives the proceeds of a $100,000 specified policy loan directly from 
the insurance company.
    (ii) The transfer of the proceeds of the specified policy loan to E 
is treated as a loan by the insurance company to R. Under the rules of 
section 72(e), the $100,000 loan is not included in R's income and does 
not reduce R's investment in the contract. R is treated as paying the 
$100,000 of loan proceeds to E as cash compensation. E must include that 
amount in gross income less any amounts determined under paragraph 
(e)(3)(ii) of this section.

    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Effective date--(1) General rule--(i) In general. This section 
applies to any split-dollar life insurance arrangement (as defined in 
paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section) entered into after September 
17, 2003.
    (ii) Determination of when an arrangement is entered into. For 
purposes of paragraph (j) of this section, a split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement is entered into on the latest of the following dates:
    (A) The date on which the life insurance contract under the 
arrangement is issued;
    (B) The effective date of the life insurance contract under the 
arrangement;
    (C) The date on which the first premium on the life insurance 
contract under the arrangement is paid;
    (D) The date on which the parties to the arrangement enter into an 
agreement with regard to the policy; or
    (E) The date on which the arrangement satisfies the definition of a 
split-dollar life insurance arrangement (as defined in paragraph (b)(1) 
or (2) of this section).
    (2) Modified arrangements treated as new arrangements--(i) In 
general. For purposes of paragraph (j)(1) of this section, if an 
arrangement entered into on or before September 17, 2003 is materially 
modified after September 17, 2003, the arrangement is treated as a new 
arrangement entered into on the date of the modification.
    (ii) Non-material modifications. The following is a non-exclusive 
list of changes that are not material modifications under paragraph 
(j)(2)(i) of

[[Page 93]]

this section (either alone or in conjunction with other changes listed 
in paragraphs (j)(2)(ii)(A) through (I) of this section)--
    (A) A change solely in the mode of premium payment (for example, a 
change from monthly to quarterly premiums);
    (B) A change solely in the beneficiary of the life insurance 
contract, unless the beneficiary is a party to the arrangement;
    (C) A change solely in the interest rate payable under the life 
insurance contract on a policy loan;
    (D) A change solely necessary to preserve the status of the life 
insurance contract under section 7702;
    (E) A change solely to the ministerial provisions of the life 
insurance contract (for example, a change in the address to send 
payment);
    (F) A change made solely under the terms of any agreement (other 
than the life insurance contract) that is a part of the split-dollar 
life insurance arrangement if the change is non-discretionary by the 
parties and is made pursuant to a binding commitment (whether set forth 
in the agreement or otherwise) in effect on or before September 17, 
2003;
    (G) A change solely in the owner of the life insurance contract as a 
result of a transaction to which section 381(a) applies and in which 
substantially all of the former owner's assets are transferred to the 
new owner of the policy;
    (H) A change to the policy solely if such change is required by a 
court or a state insurance commissioner as a result of the insolvency of 
the insurance company that issued the policy; or
    (I) A change solely in the insurance company that administers the 
policy as a result of an assumption reinsurance transaction between the 
issuing insurance company and the new insurance company to which the 
owner and the non-owner were not a party.
    (iii) Delegation to Commissioner. The Commissioner, in revenue 
rulings, notices, and other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin, may provide additional guidance with respect to other 
modifications that are not material for purposes of paragraph (j)(2)(i) 
of this section. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii) of this chapter.

[T.D. 9092, 68 FR 54344, Sept. 17, 2003; 68 FR 63735, Nov. 10, 2003]