Preventing Abusive Routine Tax Nonsense Enabled by Rip-offs Shelters and Havens and Instead Promoting Simplicity Act
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve the rules related to partners and partnerships, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Determination of partner's distributive share
“(b) Determination of distributive share
“(1) In general—Except as provided in paragraph (2), a partner's distributive share of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) shall be determined in accordance with the partner's interest in the partnership (determined by taking into account all facts and circumstances), if—
“(A) the partnership agreement does not provide as to the partner's distributive share of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof), or
“(B) the allocation to a partner under the agreement of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit (or item thereof) does not have substantial economic effect.
“(2) Required use of consistent percentage method for certain partners
“(A) In general—Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter or by the Secretary, in the case of any covered partner which is a partner in a partnership which is a covered partnership for the taxable year of such partnership, such covered partner's distributive share of the covered partnership's applicable items for such taxable year shall be determined using the consistent percentage method.
“(B) Covered partner; covered partnership—For purposes of this paragraph—
“(i) Covered partnership—The term covered partnership means any partnership if, during any day during the taxable year of the partnership—
“(I) two or more members of a controlled group (within the meaning of section 267(f)) own (within the meaning of section 267(e)(3)) 50 percent or more of the capital or profits interests in such partnership, or
“(II) it is a partnership which is specified by the Secretary in regulations or other guidance as being of a type to which this subparagraph applies in order to prevent the avoidance of the purposes of this paragraph.
“(ii) Covered partner—The term covered partner means—
“(I) in the case of a covered partnership described in clause (i)(I), any partner which is a member of a controlled group described in such clause or any other partner any ownership interest (other than a de minimis interest) in which is held directly or indirectly by a member of such a controlled group, and
“(II) in the case of a covered partnership described in clause (i)(II), any partner which meets such specifications as prescribed by the Secretary under the regulations or guidance referred to in such clause.
“(iii) Reporting rule—Each covered partnership shall submit to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as prescribed by the Secretary—
“(I) a statement that such partnership is a covered partnership, and
“(II) such other information as the Secretary shall require.
“(C) Consistent percentage method—For purposes of this paragraph, the term consistent percentage method means a method under which—
“(i) a covered partner’s distributive share of any applicable item of a covered partnership bears the same ratio to the aggregate distributive shares of such item for all covered partners in such partnership (determined without regard to this paragraph) as—
“(I) the covered partner's net equity in the covered partnership, bears to
“(II) the net equity of all covered partners in the covered partnership, and
“(ii) the covered partner is allocated the same share of each applicable item of the covered partnership.
“(D) Net equity—For purposes of this paragraph—
“(i) In general—The term net equity means, with respect to any covered partner in a covered partnership, the contributed equity of such covered partner, properly adjusted to take into account any revaluation event described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), or (F) of subsection (f)(3).
“(ii) Contributed equity—The term contributed equity means, with respect to any covered partner in a covered partnership, the excess of—
“(I) the sum of the value of all property and money contributed by the covered partner (or any predecessor of such partner) to the covered partnership plus the amount of liabilities (within the meaning of section 752) of the covered partnership that are assumed by the covered partner (or any predecessor of such partner), over
“(II) the sum of the value of all property and money distributed to the covered partner (or any predecessor of such partner) by the covered partnership plus the amount of liabilities (within the meaning of section 752) of the covered partner (or any predecessor of such partner) that are assumed by the covered partnership.
“(E) Applicable items—For purposes of this paragraph, the term applicable item means, with respect to any partnership, any item of income, gain, deduction, loss, or credit.
“(F) Cross-reference—For the treatment of covered partners in the event of certain rights or distributions not in accordance with the consistent percentage method, see section 707(d).”
“(d) Deemed transfers in certain cases where certain rights do not reflect partnership distributive share
“(1) In general—If a covered partner has an excess share with respect to any covered partnership on any applicable date—
“(A) such partner shall be treated as having received an interest in the partnership in a transaction between 2 or more partners acting other than in their capacity as members of the partnership, and
“(B) notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter—
“(i) the value of such interest shall be included in the gross income of the covered partner receiving such interest in such transaction, and
“(ii) no deduction or loss shall be allowed with respect to such transfer to any covered partner treated as transferring all or a portion of such interest in such transaction.
“(2) Excess share—For purposes of this subsection—
“(A) In general—The term excess share means, with respect to any covered partner, the amount by which—
“(i) the covered partner’s interest in partnership assets distributable to such covered partner upon liquidation of the covered partnership as of any applicable date, exceeds
“(ii) the covered partner’s interest in partnership assets, determined as if the amount distributable upon liquidation to all covered partners as of such applicable date were distributable to each covered partner based on the ratio of—
“(I) such covered partner's net equity (as defined in section 704(b)(2)(D)) in the covered partnership on such applicable date, to
“(II) the net equity (as so defined) of all covered partners in the covered partnership on such applicable date.
“(B) Applicable date—For purposes of this paragraph, the term applicable date means any of the following:
“(i) The last day of any taxable year of the covered partnership.
“(ii) The date of any revaluation event (as defined in section 704(f)).
“(3) Covered partner; covered partnership—For purposes of this subsection, the terms covered partnership and covered partner have the meanings give such terms under section 704(b)(2).
“(4) Regulations and guidance—The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations and other guidance as necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including regulations or other guidance providing exceptions to the application of paragraph (1) to the extent such exceptions are consistent with the purposes of this subsection.”
“(f) Regulations and guidance—The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations and other guidance as necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, including regulations or other guidance for the application of this section to one or more tiers of entities.”
“(xxix) section 704(b)(2)(B)(iii) (relating to reporting rule for required use of consistent percentage method), and”
Sec. 3 Allocation of built-in-gains with respect to contributed property
“(A) income, gain, loss, and deduction (including notional items thereof) with respect to property contributed to the partnership by a partner shall be shared among the partners under the remedial method prescribed by the Secretary so as to take into account all of the variation between the basis of the property to the partnership and its fair market value at the time of contribution,”
Sec. 4 Treatment of revalued property
“(f) Revalued property
“(1) In general—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (1)(A) and (1)(C) of subsection (c) shall apply to any property held by a partnership at the time of a revaluation event.
“(2) Exception—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any revaluation event which occurs during a taxable year in which the partnership meets the gross receipts test of section 448(c) unless the partnership elects, at such time and in such manner as prescribed by the Secretary, to not have this paragraph apply.
“(3) Revaluation event—For purposes of this subsection, the term revaluation event means—
“(A) any disproportionate contribution of money or other property (other than a de minimis amount) to the partnership,
“(B) any disproportionate distribution of money or other property (other than a de minimis amount) by the partnership,
“(C) any grant of an interest in the partnership (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services,
“(D) any issuance by the partnership of a non-compensatory option (other than an option for a de minimis partnership interest),
“(E) except as provided by the Secretary, any agreement to change (other than a de minimis change) the manner in which the partners share any item or class of items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of the partnership, or
“(F) any other event prescribed by the Secretary.
“(4) Application to tiered entities—If—
“(A) a partnership (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as the “upper-tier partnership”) is a partner in another partnership (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as the “lower-tier partnership”), and
“(B) the upper-tier partnership holds more than 50 percent of the capital or profits interests in the lower-tier partnership,”
Sec. 5 Repeal of time limitation on taxing precontribution gain
Sec. 6 Repeal of rules relating to certain liquidating distributions
“(2) Exception—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a distribution of property which the distributee contributed to the partnership.”
Sec. 7 Clarification of rules relating to payments to partners for property or services
Sec. 8 Elimination of preformation expenditure exception to partnership transaction rules
Sec. 9 Partnership terminations
Sec. 10 Repeal of requirement that inventory be substantially appreciated in certain partnership distributions treated as sale or exchange
Sec. 11 Treatment of partnership debt
“(e) Treatment and allocation of partnership liabilities
“(1) In general—Except as provided in paragraph (2) or by the Secretary, all liabilities of a partnership shall be allocated among partners in accordance with each partner's share of partnership profits.
“(2) Exception
“(A) In general—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to bona fide indebtedness of the partnership to a partner or to any related person to a partner. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a person is a related person to another person if the relationship between such persons would result in a disallowance of losses under section 267 or 707(b).
“(B) Nonapplication to guarantees—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any guarantee or similar arrangement.
“(3) Regulations and other guidance—The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations and other guidance as necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including regulations or other guidance with respect to arrangements that are similar to guarantees for purposes of paragraph (2)(B).”
Sec. 12 Adjustments to basis of partnership property
“(a) In general—If a partnership which is a qualified small business partnership files an election”
“(b) Qualified small business partnership—For purposes of this section—
“(1) In general—The term qualified small business partnership means, with respect to any taxable year, any partnership which meets the gross receipts test under section 448(c) (determined with the modification described in paragraph (3)) for such taxable year.
“(2) Exception not to apply to partnerships previously failing test or tax shelters
“(A) Partnerships failing test disqualified prospectively—If a partnership fails to meet the gross receipts test described in paragraph (1) for any taxable year which begins after the date of the enactment of this subsection, paragraph (1) shall not apply to such partnership (or any successor) for such taxable year or any succeeding taxable year.
“(B) Tax shelters—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a tax shelter prohibited from using the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting under section 448(a)(3), except that, for purposes of applying this subparagraph, a syndicate (as defined in section 1256(e)(3)(B)) shall not be treated as a tax shelter.
“(3) Modification—In applying section 52(b) to section 448(c)(2) for purposes of this subsection, the term trade or business shall include any activity treated as a trade or business under paragraph (5) or (6) of section 469(c) (determined without regard to the phrase “To the extent provided in regulations” in such paragraph (6)).”
“(a) General rule
“(1) Adjustments required—Except as provided in paragraph (2), in the case of a transfer of an interest in a partnership by sale or exchange or upon the death of a partner, the basis of partnership property shall be adjusted as provided in subsection (b).
“(2) Exception for qualified small business partnerships—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a qualified small business partnership (as defined in section 754(b)) if—
“(A) the election provided by section 754 (relating to optional adjustment to basis of partnership property) is not in effect with respect to such partnership, and
“(B) in the case of a transfer, the partnership does not have a substantial built-in loss immediately after such transfer.”
“(a) General rule
“(1) Mandatory adjustment—Except as provided in paragraph (2), in the case of a distribution to a partner, the partnership shall adjust the basis of partnership property in accordance with subsection (b).
“(2) Special rule for qualified small business partnerships—In the case of a distribution to a partner by a qualified small business partnership (as defined in section 754(b))—
“(A) if there is an election provided in section 754 in effect with respect to such partnership or if there is a substantial basis reduction with respect to such distribution, the partnership shall adjust the basis of partnership property in accordance with subsection (c), and
“(B) if subparagraph (A) does not apply, no adjustment shall be made to the basis of partnership property as the result of such distribution.
“(b) General method of adjustment
“(1) In general—In the case of any distribution to a partner to which subsection (a)(1) applies, the partnership shall adjust the basis of partnership property such that each remaining partner’s net liquidation amount immediately after such distribution is equal to such partner’s net liquidation amount immediately before such distribution. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a partner's net liquidation amount immediately before a distribution shall be calculated after taking into account any adjustment to the basis of property required by section 704(c)(1)(B) or 737 with respect to such distribution.
“(2) Distributions other than in liquidation of a partner’s interest
“(A) In general—In the case of any distribution to a partner other than in liquidation of such partner’s interest, proper adjustment shall be made under paragraph (1) with respect to such partner to take into account—
“(i) the amount of any gain recognized by such partner with respect to such distribution under section 731(a), and
“(ii) the amount of any gain or loss which would be recognized by such partner if such partner sold the property distributed at fair market value immediately after such distribution.
“(B) Reporting—The Secretary may require such reporting as necessary to carry out this subsection.
“(3) Net liquidation amount—For purposes of this subsection, the term net liquidation amount means, with respect to any partner, the net amount of gain or loss (if any) which would be taken into account (including gain or loss that would be taken into account by reason of subsections (c)(1)(A), (c)(1)(C), or (f)(1) of section 704) by the partner if the partnership sold all of its assets at fair market value (and no other amounts were taken into account under such section).”
Sec. 13 Application of net investment income tax to trade or business income of certain high income individuals
“(f) Application to certain high income individuals
“(1) In general—In the case of any individual whose modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds the high income threshold amount, subsection (a)(1) shall be applied by substituting “the greater of specified net income or net investment income” for “net investment income” in subparagraph (A) thereof.
“(2) Phase-in of increase—The increase in the tax imposed under subsection (a)(1) by reason of the application of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not exceed the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount of such increase (determined without regard to this paragraph) as—
“(A) the excess described in paragraph (1), bears to
“(B) $100,000 (1/2 such amount in the case of a married taxpayer (as defined in section 7703) filing a separate return).
“(3) High income threshold amount—For purposes of this subsection, the term “high income threshold amount” means—
“(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B) or (C), $400,000,
“(B) in the case of a taxpayer making a joint return under section 6013 or a surviving spouse (as defined in section 2(a)), $500,000, and
“(C) in the case of a married taxpayer (as defined in section 7703) filing a separate return, 1/2 of the dollar amount determined under subparagraph (B).
“(4) Specified net income—For purposes of this section, the term “specified net income” means net investment income determined—
“(A) without regard to the phrase “other than such income which is derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business not described in paragraph (2),” in subsection (c)(1)(A)(i),
“(B) without regard to the phrase “described in paragraph (2)” in subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii),
“(C) without regard to the phrase “other than property held in a trade or business not described in paragraph (2)” in subsection (c)(1)(A)(iii),
“(D) without regard to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (c), and
“(E) by treating paragraphs (5) and (6) of section 469(c) (determined without regard to the phrase “To the extent provided in regulations,” in such paragraph (6)) as applying for purposes of subsection (c) of this section.”
“(6) Special rules—Net investment income shall not include—
“(A) any item taken into account in determining self-employment income for such taxable year on which a tax is imposed by section 1401(b),
“(B) wages received with respect to employment on which a tax is imposed under section 3101(b) (determined without regard to section 3101(c)) or 3201(a) (including amounts taken into account under section 3121(v)(2)), and
“(C) wages received from the performance of services earned outside the United States for a foreign employer.”
“(iv) any amount includible in gross income under section 951, 951A, 1293, or 1296, over”
“(7) Certain previously taxed income—The Secretary shall issue regulations or other guidance providing for the treatment of—
“(A) distributions of amounts previously included in gross income for purposes of chapter 1 but not previously subject to tax under this section, and
“(B) distributions described in section 962(d).”
Sec. 14 Recognition of gain on transfers to swap funds
“(vi) except as otherwise provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary—
“(I) any interest in an entity if the return on such interest is limited and preferred, and
“(II) interests (not described in subclause (I)) in any entity if substantially all of the assets of such entity consist (directly or indirectly) of any assets described in subclause (I), any preceding clause, or clause (viii).”
“(3) Transfers of marketable securities to certain corporations—A transfer of property to a corporation if—
“(A) such property is marketable securities (as defined in section 731(c)(2)), and
“(B) such corporation—
“(i) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an investment company, or is exempt from registration as a investment company under section 3(c)(7) of such Act because interests in such corporation are offered to qualified purchasers within the meaning of section 2(a)(51) of such Act, or
“(ii) allows persons who have blocks of marketable securities with significant unrealized appreciation to diversify those holdings.”
“(b) Special rule—Subsection (a) shall not apply to gain realized on a transfer of property to a partnership if, were the partnership incorporated—
“(1) such partnership would be treated as an investment company (within the meaning of section 351), or
“(2) section 351 would not apply to such transfer by reason of section 351(e)(3).”
Sec. 15 Modifications to treatment of certain losses
“(4) Treatment of abandonment—For purposes of this subsection and subsection (m), abandonment shall be treated as an identifiable event establishing worthlessness.”
“(m) Worthless partnership interest—If any interest in a partnership becomes worthless during the taxable year, the loss resulting therefrom shall, for purposes of this subtitle, be treated as a loss from the sale or exchange of the interest in the partnership at the time of the identifiable event establishing worthlessness.”
Sec. 16 Codification of anti-abuse rule
“(a) In general—A partnership”
“(b) Regulations—Under regulations established by the Secretary, in the case of a transaction involving a partnership, the Secretary may recast, disregard, or otherwise modify such transaction for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 unless—
“(1) the tax consequences to each partner and the partnership reflect the partners' economic agreement and clearly reflect the partners' income,
“(2) the form of such transaction is consistent with it substance, and
“(3) there is a substantial purpose (apart from Federal income tax effects) for entering into such transaction.”