The IRS continues to believe that the theoretically correct method for determining Target stock basis following a B reorganization is a survey of surrendering Target shareholders. The IRS also continues to believe that Rev. Proc. 81-70 provides essential guidance for obtaining Target stock basis information by surveying surrendering Target shareholders and for using sampling and estimation techniques in appropriate cases. Accordingly, those provisions of Rev. Proc. 81-70 will be preserved without material modification in the guidance that the IRS intends to issue. In this notice, the guidance that the IRS expects to issue is referred to as Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70.

As noted above, the concerns expressed regarding the determination of basis following a B reorganization are present, at least to some extent, in any transferred basis transaction. Therefore, the provisions of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 will apply to all transferred basis transactions.

To address those concerns, and to simplify the determination of basis for small stock holdings, Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 will include several “safe harbor” provisions. Each safe harbor will apply to a specified group of surrendering shareholders and will prescribe a methodology that can be used to determine those shareholders’ bases in surrendered stock. An acquiring corporation may use one or more of the safe harbors; Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 will not require the use of all the safe harbors.

The principal provisions of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 are described in more detail in the following sections, beginning with generally applicable provisions in Section III.B of this notice.

The safe harbor provisions are described in Section III.C (describing a survey method applicable to shares acquired from “reporting shareholders”), Section III.D (describing a certificate method applicable to shares acquired from “registered, non-reporting shareholders”), and Section III.E (describing a basis modeling method applicable to shares acquired from “nominee, non-reporting shareholders”).

Section III.F modifies the reporting requirements under §§ 1.351-3 and 1.368-3 to take into account the time needed to complete a basis determination following a transferred basis transaction subject to Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70.

Section III.G provides a safe harbor for taxpayers using a methodology prescribed in Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 and states that the IRS will not assert a different basis determination methodology if a taxpayer complies with the provisions of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70.

Section III.H expands the issues that may be the subject of a pre-filing agreement to include basis studies completed in accordance with the terms of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70.

Finally, Section III.I provides that Rev. Proc. 81-70 will be obsoleted, subject to a transition rule, when Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 is issued.

A determination of basis must be done timely and diligently to satisfy the conditions of any safe harbor under Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70.

For purposes of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70, a determination of basis will be considered timely if it is completed within two years of the later of the date of the transferred basis transaction and the date that Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 becomes effective. In addition, a previously completed basis determination will be considered timely if made compliant with the provisions of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 within two years of the date that Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 becomes effective.

For purposes of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70, an estimate of basis will be considered to have been done diligently if Acquiring made every reasonable effort to obtain best evidence and, to the extent it was unable to obtain such evidence, can demonstrate that the evidence or basis information could not have been reasonably obtained. The fact that the IRS could, or does, obtain basis information using methods not available to Acquiring does not prevent a determination that Acquiring was diligent in its estimate of basis. Further, Acquiring must have made every reasonable effort to identify and adjust for surrendered shares with low bases (relative to Target’s average historical trading price) and for surrendered shares with bases lower than the bases of shares bought and sold under normal market conditions. Circumstances in which this can occur include those in which shares are (1) held by investors with a transferred basis, (2) exchanged for convertible stock or debt, or (3) exchanged for debt or other property, as in bankruptcy reorganizations.

The provisions of each safe harbor specify the evidence that should be used for the safe harbor. However, all basis determinations are to be based on best evidence and the determination of the source that is the best evidence is made as of the date of the transferred basis transaction. If a basis determination is not made timely and basis information is lost, missing, or disposed of (e.g., pursuant to the Target’s, clearinghouse’s or financial institution’s record retention policy), and such information could have been obtained if Acquiring had sought it on or shortly after the date of the transaction, Acquiring will not satisfy the best evidence requirement.

In any case in which best evidence is not used, the IRS, in its discretion, may nevertheless accept such evidence, subject to appropriate adjustments to reflect the diminished credibility of the evidence used.

Notwithstanding any safe harbor prescribed in Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70, if Acquiring has or acquires actual knowledge of a surrendering shareholder’s actual basis in a share of surrendered Target stock, Acquiring’s allowable basis in the share is equal to that surrendering shareholder’s basis. Further, if the examining team has or obtains knowledge of a surrendering shareholder’s actual basis in surrendered Target stock, Acquiring’s allowable basis in that share is the basis identified by the examining team, even if the basis determined by Acquiring differs from that identified by the examining team. Where the basis of a share is known, any estimated or modeled basis amount must be adjusted to eliminate any basis amount attributable to such share.

Under this safe harbor, the basis of stock surrendered by reporting shareholders must be determined by survey. For purposes of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70, a “reporting shareholder” is any surrendering Target shareholder that was a significant transferor, a significant holder, an officer or director of Target, or plan that acquired Target stock for or on behalf of Target employees, such as an employee stock option or pension, immediately before the date of the transferred basis transaction. The term significant transferor has the same meaning as in § 1.351-3 and the term significant holder has the same meaning as in § 1.368-3.

To identify reporting shareholders, Target’s books and records, the Master Securityholder Files maintained by the stock transfer agent, and Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including Schedule 13 series data, may be used.

In general, a survey must be done in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Rev. Proc. 81-70. Thus:

Under this safe harbor, Acquiring’s basis in shares acquired from the surveyed shareholders will be the basis reported by such shareholders. If Acquiring does not receive a response from a surveyed shareholder, Acquiring may use estimation techniques to determine the basis of Target shares surrendered by the nonresponding shareholder. The estimation guidelines in Sec. 3 of Rev. Proc. 81-70 will be incorporated in Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70.

However, under this safe harbor, if Acquiring does not survey a reporting shareholder, estimation may not be used and the basis of the shares acquired from such shareholder will be deemed to be zero.

Under this safe harbor, the basis of stock surrendered by registered, non-reporting shareholders must be determined by the certificate method. For purposes of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70, a “registered, non-reporting” shareholder is a shareholder that held Target stock in certificated form, but that is not a reporting or nominee shareholder.

To determine basis under this certificate method, Acquiring must obtain or access Target’s books and records and, using those books and records, identify all outstanding certificated shares that were surrendered by or on behalf of non-reporting shareholders and the dates that all such shares were issued. Using both public and private stock exchange trading data, Acquiring must then determine the average trading price of the Target shares on the date each certificate was issued. Subject to the limitations described below, Acquiring may treat the basis of each such share as equal to the average trading price on its issuance date.

Notwithstanding the general rule of this safe harbor, if there has been an extraordinary issuance or event, appropriate adjustment must be made to the basis otherwise determined under this safe harbor. For this purpose, an extraordinary issuance or event is any issuance or event that could have caused the basis of a share to be materially different from the average trading price on its issuance date, including but not limited to the following —

Further, the basis otherwise determined with respect to any share of stock under this safe harbor must be reduced by any distributions paid to the surrendering Target shareholder to the extent such distributions were treated as a return of capital under section 301(c)(2).

Under this safe harbor, the basis of all stock surrendered by nominees on behalf of non-reporting shareholders is determined under the basis modeling method. For purposes of Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70, the term nominee means the title owner of equity securities settled through a clearing agency registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that holds the stock for or on behalf of the beneficial owner of the stock, typically one of the nominee’s participating members.

Modeled basis is determined separately for each series of shares and is done in accordance with the following:

Acquiring must identify the measuring dates that will be used in constructing the model. Measuring dates must include the date of the initial public offering (IPO), all subsequent public offering dates prior to the first date for which a depository’s or clearinghouse’s securities positions report (SPR) is available, the first date for which an SPR is available, and the date of the transferred basis transaction. In addition, there must be a number of measuring dates between the first SPR date and the date of the transferred basis transaction. It is not necessary that every business day be a measuring date. However, the dates selected should be representative of Target stock trading activity, including dates surrounding periods of significant volatility in share price or trading activity of Target stock. In addition, the number and the dates of all measuring dates should demonstrate good coverage over the entire relevant period. In general, this means at least one measuring date per quarter.

Each nominee’s starting bases in its shares is determined differently depending on whether an SPR is available for the IPO date.

Each nominee holding a share of Target stock on the IPO date is treated as having purchased that share for the IPO price or for the fair market value of the share on the IPO date, whichever is less. That deemed purchase price is the nominee’s estimated starting basis in the share.

Each nominee holding a share of Target stock on the first SPR date is treated as having purchased that share for the share’s allocable portion of Target’s pre-SPR Public Offering aggregate basis. That deemed purchase price is the nominee’s estimated starting basis in the share.

For purposes of this rule, Target’s pre-SPR Public Offering aggregate basis is the excess of Target’s “public offering basis” over Target’s “redeemed share basis.” Target’s “public offering basis” is equal to the number of shares offered in the IPO multiplied by the lesser of the offering price and the fair market value of shares issued in the offering, plus the amount so computed for each subsequent public offering before the first SPR date (specifically, the number of shares issued in an offering multiplied by the lesser of the offering price and the fair market value of the shares issued in the offering). Target’s redeemed share basis is the sum of the bases of all shares redeemed by Target prior to the first SPR date, treating each redeemed share as having been issued in the public offering immediately preceding the redemption of the share.

A share’s allocable portion of Target’s pre-SPR Public Offering aggregate basis is determined by allocating Target’s pre-SPR Public Offering aggregate basis equally among all shares outstanding as of the first SPR date, other than shares that were privately placed.

Nominee holdings on the first SPR date are compared to the nominee holdings on the second measuring date. Any nominees not identified on the Initial SPR Date are treated as having purchased their shares, and any increase or decrease in the holdings of a previously identified nominee is treated as a purchase or sale of that number of shares, on the second measuring date. Any deemed purchase is considered to have been made for an amount equal to the volume-weighted average of the trading prices for the period between the first and second measuring dates. As of the end of the second measuring date, each nominee’s basis in its Target stock holdings is deemed to be equal to its aggregate estimated starting basis in shares held on the first SPR date, increased to reflect the deemed cost basis of any stock purchased, or decreased to reflect a deemed sale of any stock, as appropriate.

Nominee holdings are then compared to nominee holdings at each next successive measuring date to determine the extent to which there are previously unidentified nominee holdings and changes in previously identified nominee holdings. New and increased holdings are treated as purchases, and decreased holdings are treated as sales, of Target stock. Sales are treated as being made either on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”), the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”), or the average cost (“ACO”) method. Acquiring must identify and adopt the single method that best predicts estimated basis across all investors, which will generally be LIFO, FIFO or ACO basis whichever is lower. As of the end of each measuring date, each nominee’s holdings are deemed to have a basis equal to its basis on the immediately preceding measuring date, increased to reflect the deemed cost basis of any purchased stock, or decreased to reflect a deemed sale of any stock, as appropriate.

At the end of the last measuring date (the day of the transferred basis transaction), the aggregate of all basis computed for nominee holdings in each class is allocated equally among the shares in the class that were held by nominees. Acquiring’s basis in Target shares acquired from nominees on behalf of non-reporting shareholders is deemed to be the basis allocated to such shares under this safe harbor model. Acquiring’s basis in Target shares acquired from nominees on behalf of reporting shareholders is the basis in such shares that is established under section C, notwithstanding the allocation made for computational purposes under this basis modeling safe harbor.

Corporations acquiring Target stock in a transferred basis transaction shall be treated as satisfying their reporting requirements under §§ 1.351-3 and 1.368-3 with respect to the return for the tax year in which the transaction is completed if the corporation includes a statement on or with such return stating that a basis study is pending with respect to the acquired stock. However, in such cases, the acquiring corporation must include complete statements as required under those regulations, with basis amounts determined pursuant to the study, on or with a return for a tax year that is no later than the tax year that includes the date that is two years after the date of the transferred basis transaction. These rules apply without regard to whether basis is determined under any of the Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 safe harbors.

If an acquiring corporation complies with the terms of a safe harbor described in Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70, including those provisions that apply to all safe harbors described in Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70, the IRS will not assert an alternative method to determine that corporation’s allowable basis in stock covered by that safe harbor.

The determination of whether a basis study is done in compliance with one or more of the Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 safe harbors may be the subject of a pre-filing agreement.

Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 will be effective for transferred basis transactions on or after the date it is issued. Because Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70 will incorporate the provisions of Rev. Proc. 81-70 that have continued application, Rev. Proc. 81-70 will be obsoleted for transactions under Expanded Rev. Proc. 81-70.

.01 For purposes of this revenue procedure -

(1) the term “Service” means the Internal Revenue Service.

(2) the term “application” means the appropriate form or letter that an organization must file or submit to the Service for recognition of exemption from Federal income tax under the applicable section of the Internal Revenue Code. See section 3 for information on specific forms.

(3) the term “EO Determinations” means the office of the Service that is primarily responsible for processing initial applications for tax-exempt status. It includes the main EO Determinations office located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and other field offices that are under the direction and control of the Manager, EO Determinations.

(4) the term “EO Technical” means the office of the Service that is primarily responsible for issuing letter rulings to taxpayers on exempt organization matters, and for providing technical advice or technical assistance to other offices of the Service on exempt organization matters. The EO Technical office is located in Washington, DC.

(5) the term “Appeals Office” means any office under the direction and control of the Chief, Appeals. The purpose of the Appeals Office is to resolve tax controversies, without litigation, on a fair and impartial basis. The Appeals Office is independent of EO Determinations and EO Technical.

(6) the term “determination letter” means a written statement issued by EO Determinations or an Appeals Office in response to an application for recognition of exemption from Federal income tax under §§ 501 and 521. This includes a written statement issued by EO Determinations or an Appeals Office on the basis of advice secured from EO Technical pursuant to the procedures prescribed herein and in Rev. Proc. 2009-5, 2009-1 I.R.B. 161.

(7) the term “ruling” means a written statement issued by EO Technical in response to an application for recognition of exemption from Federal income tax under §§ 501 and 521.

.02 This revenue procedure is updated annually, but may be modified or amplified during the year.

.01 This revenue procedure updates Rev. Proc. 2008-9, 2008-2 I.R.B. 258, which is hereby superseded.

(1) The responsibility for processing applications is now centralized in the EO Determinations office in Cincinnati, Ohio. Key district offices no longer exist.

(2) Although applications are generally processed in the Cincinnati office, some applications may be processed in other EO Determinations offices or referred to EO Technical.

.02 This revenue procedure supplements Rev. Proc. 76-34, 1976-2 C.B. 656, with respect to the effects of § 7428 of the Code on the classification of organizations under §§ 509(a) and 4942(j)(3). Rev. Proc. 80-27, 1980-1 C.B. 677, sets forth procedures under which exemption may be recognized on a group basis for subordinate organizations affiliated with and under the general supervision and control of a central organization. Rev. Proc. 72-5, 1972-1 C.B. 709, provides information for religious and apostolic organizations seeking recognition of exemption under § 501(d). General procedures for requests for a determination letter or ruling are provided in Rev. Proc. 2009-4, 2009-1 I.R.B. 118. User fees for requests for a determination letter or ruling are set forth in Rev. Proc. 2009-8, 2009-1 I.R.B. 229.

.01 An organization seeking recognition of exempt status under § 501 or § 521 is required to submit the appropriate application. In the case of a numbered application form, the current version of the form must be submitted. A central organization that has previously received recognition of its own exemption can request a group exemption letter by submitting a letter application with Form 8718, User Fee for Exempt Organization Determination Letter Request. See Rev. Proc. 80-27.

.02 An application must be submitted with the correct user fee, as set forth in Rev. Proc. 2009-8.

.03 An organization seeking recognition of exemption under § 501(c)(3) and §§ 501(e), (f), (k), (n) or (q) must submit a completed Form 1023. In the case of an organization that provides credit counseling services, see § 501(q) of the Code.

.04 An organization seeking recognition of exemption under §§ 501(c)(2), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (12), (13), (15), (17), (19) or (25) must submit a completed Form 1024 with Form 8718. In the case of an organization that provides credit counseling services and seeks recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(4), see § 501(q) of the Code.

.05 An organization seeking recognition of exemption under §§ 501(c)(11), (14), (16), (18), (21), (22), (23), (26), (27) or (28) or under § 501(d) must submit a letter application with Form 8718.

.06 An organization seeking recognition of exemption under § 521 must submit a completed Form 1028 with Form 8718.

.07 A political party, a campaign committee for a candidate for federal, state or local office, and a political action committee are all political organizations subject to tax under § 527. To be tax-exempt, a political organization may be required to notify the Service that it is to be treated as a § 527 organization by electronically filing Form 8871, Political Organization Notice of Section 527 Status. For details, go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/polorgs.

.08 A substantially completed application, including a letter application, is one that:

(1) is signed by an authorized individual.

(2) includes an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

(3) includes a statement of receipts and expenditures and a balance sheet for the current year and the three preceding years (or the years the organization was in existence, if less than four years). If the organization has not yet commenced operations, or has not completed one accounting period, a substantially completed application generally includes a proposed budget for two full accounting periods and a current statement of assets and liabilities.

(4) includes a detailed narrative statement of proposed activities, including each of the fundraising activities of a § 501(c)(3) organization, and a narrative description of anticipated receipts and contemplated expenditures.

(5) includes a copy of the organizing or enabling document that is signed by a principal officer or is accompanied by a written declaration signed by an authorized individual certifying that the document is a complete and accurate copy of the original or otherwise meets the requirements of a “conformed copy” as outlined in Rev. Proc. 68-14, 1968-1 C.B. 768.

(6) if the organizing or enabling document is in the form of articles of incorporation, includes evidence that it was filed with and approved by an appropriate state official (e.g., stamped “Filed” and dated by the Secretary of State). Alternatively, a copy of the articles of incorporation may be submitted if accompanied by a written declaration signed by an authorized individual that the copy is a complete and accurate copy of the original copy that was filed with and approved by the state. If a copy is submitted, the written declaration must include the date the articles were filed with the state.

(7) if the organization has adopted by-laws, includes a current copy. The by-laws need not be signed if submitted as an attachment to the application for recognition of exemption. Otherwise, the by-laws must be verified as current by an authorized individual.

(8) is accompanied by the correct user fee and Form 8718, when applicable.

.09 An organization that is identified or designated as a terrorist organization within the meaning of § 501(p)(2) of the Code is not eligible to apply for recognition of exemption.

.01 A favorable determination letter or ruling will be issued to an organization only if its application and supporting documents establish that it meets the particular requirements of the section under which exemption from Federal income tax is claimed.

.02 A determination letter or ruling on exempt status is issued based solely upon the facts and representations contained in the administrative record.

(1) The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of any factual representations contained in the application.

(2) Any oral representation of additional facts or modification of facts as represented or alleged in the application must be reduced to writing over the signature of an officer or director of the taxpayer under a penalties of perjury statement.

(3) The failure to disclose a material fact or misrepresentation of a material fact on the application may adversely affect the reliance that would otherwise be obtained through issuance by the Service of a favorable determination letter or ruling.

.03 Exempt status may be recognized in advance of the organization’s operations if the proposed activities are described in sufficient detail to permit a conclusion that the organization will clearly meet the particular requirements for exemption pursuant to the section of the Internal Revenue Code under which exemption is claimed.

(1) A mere restatement of exempt purposes or a statement that proposed activities will be in furtherance of such purposes will not satisfy this requirement.

(2) The organization must fully describe all of the activities in which it expects to engage, including the standards, criteria, procedures or other means adopted or planned for carrying out the activities, the anticipated sources of receipts, and the nature of contemplated expenditures.

(3) Where the organization cannot demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Service that it qualifies for exemption pursuant to the section of the Internal Revenue Code under which exemption is claimed, the Service will generally issue a proposed adverse determination letter or ruling. See also section 7.

.04 A determination letter or ruling on exempt status will not ordinarily be issued if an issue involving the organization’s exempt status under § 501 or § 521 is pending in litigation, is under consideration within the Service, or if issuance of a determination letter or ruling is not in the interest of sound tax administration. If the Service declines to issue a determination or ruling to an organization seeking exempt status under § 501(c)(3), the organization may be able to pursue a declaratory judgment under § 7428 provided that it has exhausted its administrative remedies.

.05 If an application does not contain all of the items set out in section 3.08, the Service may return it to the applicant for completion.

(1) In lieu of returning an incomplete application, the Service may retain the application and request additional information needed for a substantially completed application.

(2) In the case of an application or a group exemption request under § 501(c)(3) that is returned incomplete, the 270-day period referred to in § 7428(b)(2) will not be considered as starting until the date a substantially completed Form 1023 or group exemption request is refiled with or remailed to the Service. If the application or group exemption request is mailed to the Service and a postmark is not evident, the 270-day period will start to run on the date the Service actually receives the substantially completed Form 1023 or group exemption request. The same rules apply for purposes of the notice requirement of § 508.

(3) Generally, the user fee will not be refunded if an incomplete application is filed. See Rev. Proc. 2009-8, section 10.

.06 Even though an application is substantially complete, the Service may request additional information before issuing a determination letter or ruling.

(1) If the application involves an issue where contrary authorities exist, an applicant’s failure to disclose and distinguish contrary authorities may result in requests for additional information, which could delay final action on the application.

(2) In the case of an application under § 501(c)(3), the period of time beginning on the date the Service requests additional information until the date the information is submitted to the Service will not be counted for purposes of the 270-day period referred to in § 7428(b)(2).

.07 Applications are normally processed in the order of receipt by the Service. However, expedited handling of an application may be approved where a request is made in writing and contains a compelling reason for processing the application ahead of others. Upon approval of a request for expedited handling an application will be considered out of its normal order. This does not mean the application will be immediately approved or denied. Circumstances generally warranting expedited processing include:

(1) A grant to the applicant is pending and the failure to secure the grant may have an adverse impact on the organization’s ability to continue to operate.

(2) The purpose of the newly created organization is to provide disaster relief to victims of emergencies such as flood and hurricane.

(3) There have been undue delays in issuing a determination letter or ruling caused by a Service error.

.01 Under the general procedures outlined in Rev. Proc. 2009-4, EO Determinations is authorized to issue determination letters on applications for exempt status under §§ 501 and 521.

.02 EO Determinations will refer to EO Technical those applications that present issues which are not specifically covered by statute or regulations, or by a ruling, opinion, or court decision published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. In addition, EO Determinations will refer those applications that have been specifically reserved by revenue procedure or by other official Service instructions for handling by EO Technical for purposes of establishing uniformity or centralized control of designated categories of cases. EO Technical will notify the applicant organization upon receipt of a referred application, and will consider each such application and issue a ruling directly to the organization.

.03 If at any time during the course of consideration of an exemption application by EO Determinations the organization believes that its case involves an issue on which there is no published precedent, or there has been non-uniformity in the Service’s handling of similar cases, the organization may request that EO Determinations either refer the application to EO Technical or seek technical advice from EO Technical. See Rev. Proc. 2009-5, section 4.04.

.04 If EO Determinations proposes to recognize the exemption of an organization to which EO Technical had issued a previous contrary ruling or technical advice, EO Determinations must seek technical advice from EO Technical before issuing a determination letter. This does not apply where EO Technical issued an adverse ruling and the organization subsequently made changes to its purposes, activities, or operations to remove the basis for which exempt status was denied.

.01 An application may be withdrawn upon the written request of an authorized individual at any time prior to the issuance of a determination letter or ruling. Therefore, an application may not be withdrawn after the issuance of a proposed adverse determination letter or ruling.

(1) When an application is withdrawn, the Service will retain the application and all supporting documents. The Service may consider the information submitted in connection with the withdrawn request in a subsequent examination of the organization.

(2) Generally, the user fee will not be refunded if an application is withdrawn. See Rev. Proc. 2009-8, section 10.

.02 The Service will not consider the withdrawal of an application under § 501(c)(3) as either a failure to make a determination within the meaning of § 7428(a)(2) or as an exhaustion of administrative remedies within the meaning of § 7428(b)(2).

.01 If EO Determinations or EO Technical reaches the conclusion that the organization does not satisfy the requirements for exempt status pursuant to the section of the Internal Revenue Code under which exemption is claimed, the Service will generally issue a proposed adverse determination letter or ruling, which will:

(1) Include a detailed discussion of the Service’s rationale for the denial of tax-exempt status.

(2) Advise the organization of its opportunity to appeal or protest the decision and request a conference.

.02 A proposed adverse determination letter issued by EO Determinations will advise the organization of its opportunity to appeal the determination by requesting Appeals Office consideration. To do this, the organization must submit a statement of the facts, law and arguments in support of its position within 30 days from the date of the adverse determination letter. The organization must also state whether it wishes an Appeals Office conference. Any determination letter issued on the basis of technical advice from EO Technical may not be appealed to the Appeals Office on issues that were the subject of the technical advice.

.03 A proposed adverse ruling issued by EO Technical will advise the organization of its opportunity to file a protest statement within 30 days and to request a conference. If a conference is requested, the conference procedures outlined in Rev. Proc. 2009-4, section 12, are applicable.

.04 If an organization does not submit a timely appeal of a proposed adverse determination letter issued by EO Determinations, or a timely protest of a proposed adverse ruling issued by EO Technical, a final adverse determination letter or ruling will be issued to the organization. The final adverse letter or ruling will provide information about the filing of tax returns and the disclosure of the proposed and final adverse letters or rulings.

.05 If an organization submits an appeal of the proposed adverse determination letter, EO Determinations will first review the appeal, and if it determines that the organization qualifies for tax-exempt status issue a favorable exempt status determination letter. If EO Determinations maintains its adverse position after reviewing the appeal, it will forward the appeal and the exemption application case file to the Appeals Office.

.06 The Appeals Office will consider the organization’s appeal. If the Appeals Office agrees with the proposed adverse determination, it will either issue a final adverse determination or, if a conference was requested, contact the organization to schedule a conference. At the end of the conference process, which may involve the submission of additional information, the Appeals Office will either issue a final adverse determination letter or a favorable determination letter. If the Appeals Office believes that an exemption or private foundation status issue is not covered by published precedent or that there is non-uniformity, the Appeals Office must request technical advice from EO Technical in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2009-5, section 4.04.

.07 If an organization submits a protest of a proposed adverse exempt status ruling, EO Technical will review the protest statement. If the protest convinces EO Technical that the organization qualifies for tax-exempt status, a favorable ruling will be issued. If EO Technical maintains its adverse position after reviewing the protest, it will either issue a final adverse ruling or, if a conference was requested, contact the organization to schedule a conference. At the end of the conference process, which may involve the submission of additional information, EO Technical will either issue a final adverse ruling or a favorable exempt status ruling.

.08 An organization may withdraw its appeal or protest before the Service issues a final adverse determination letter or ruling. Upon receipt of the withdrawal request, the Service will complete the processing of the case in the same manner as if no appeal or protest was received.

.09 The opportunity to appeal or protest a proposed adverse determination letter or ruling and the conference rights described above are not applicable to matters where delay would be prejudicial to the interests of the Service (such as in cases involving fraud, jeopardy, the imminence of the expiration of the statute of limitations, or where immediate action is necessary to protect the interests of the Government).

.01 The applications, any supporting documents, and the favorable determination letter or ruling issued are available for public inspection under § 6104(a)(1) of the Code. However, there are certain limited disclosure exceptions for a trade secret, patent, process, style of work, or apparatus if the Service determines that the disclosure of the information would adversely affect the organization.

(1) The Service is required to make the applications, supporting documents, and favorable determination letters or rulings available upon request. The public can request this information by submitting Form 4506-A, Request for Public Inspection or Copy of Exempt or Political Organization IRS Form.

(2) The exempt organization is required to make its exemption application, supporting documents, and determination letter or ruling available for public inspection without charge. For more information about the exempt organization’s disclosure obligations, see Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization.

.02 The Service is required to make adverse determination letters and rulings available for public inspection under § 6110 of the Code. Upon issuance of the final adverse determination letter or ruling to an organization, both the proposed adverse determination letter or ruling and the final adverse determination letter or ruling will be released under § 6110.

(1) These documents are made available to the public after the deletion of names, addresses, and any other information that might identify the taxpayer. See § 6110(c) for other specific disclosure exemptions.

(2) The final adverse determination letter or ruling will enclose Notice 437, Notice of Intention to Disclose, and redacted copies of the final and proposed adverse determination letters or rulings. Notice 437 provides instructions if the organization disagrees with the deletions proposed by the Service.

.03 The Service may notify the appropriate State officials of a refusal to recognize an organization as tax-exempt under § 501(c)(3). See § 6104(c) of the Code. The notice to the State officials may include a copy of a proposed or final adverse determination letter or ruling the Service issued to the organization. In addition, upon request by the appropriate State official, the Service may make available for inspection and copying the exemption application and other information relating to the Service’s determination on exempt status.

.04 The Service may disclose to State officials the name, address, and identification number of any organization that has applied for recognition of exemption under § 501(c)(3).

.01 Determination letters issued by EO Determinations may be reviewed by EO Technical, or the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries) (for cases under § 521), to assure uniform application of the statutes or regulations, or rulings, court opinions, or decisions published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

.02 If EO Technical takes exception to a determination letter issued by EO Determinations, the manager of EO Determinations will be advised. If EO Determinations notifies the organization of the exception taken, and the organization disagrees with the exception, the file will be returned to EO Technical. The referral to EO Technical will be treated as a request for technical advice and the procedures in Rev. Proc. 2009-5 will be followed.

.01 Generally, a declaratory judgment proceeding under § 7428 of the Code can be filed in the United States Tax Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, or the district court of the United States for the District of Columbia with respect to an actual controversy involving a determination by the Service or a failure of the Service to make a determination with respect to the initial or continuing qualification or classification of an organization under § 501(c)(3) (charitable, educational, etc.); § 170(c)(2) (deductibility of contributions); § 509(a) (private foundation status); § 4942(j)(3) (operating foundation status); or §521 (farmers cooperatives) .

.02 Before filing a declaratory judgment action, an organization must exhaust its administrative remedies by taking, in a timely manner, all reasonable steps to secure a determination from the Service. These include:

(1) the filing of a substantially completed application Form 1023 or group exemption request under § 501(c)(3) pursuant to section 3.08 of this Revenue Procedure or the request for a determination of foundation status pursuant to Rev. Proc. 76-34;

(2) in appropriate cases, requesting relief pursuant to § 301.9100-1 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations regarding the extension of time for making an election or application for relief from tax (see Rev. Proc. 92-85, 1992-2 C.B. 490);

(3) the timely submission of all additional information requested by the Service to perfect an exemption application or request for determination of private foundation status; and

(4) exhaustion of all administrative appeals available within the Service pursuant to section 7.

.03 An organization will in no event be deemed to have exhausted its administrative remedies prior to the earlier of:

(1) the completion of the steps in section 10.02, and the sending by the Service by certified or registered mail of a final determination letter or ruling; or

(2) the expiration of the 270-day period described in § 7428(b)(2) in a case where the Service has not issued a final determination letter or ruling and the organization has taken, in a timely manner, all reasonable steps to secure a determination letter or ruling.

.04 The steps described in section 10.02 will not be considered completed until the Service has had a reasonable time to act upon an appeal or protest as the case may be.

.05 A final determination to which § 7428 of the Code applies is a determination letter or ruling, sent by certified or registered mail, which holds that the organization is not described in § 501(c)(3) or § 170(c)(2), is a public charity described in a part of § 509 or § 170(b)(1)(A) other than the part under which the organization requested classification, is not a private foundation as defined in § 4942(j)(3), or is a private foundation and not a public charity described in a part of § 509 or § 170(b)(1)(A).

.01 A determination letter or ruling recognizing exemption is usually effective as of the date of formation of an organization if its purposes and activities prior to the date of the determination letter or ruling were consistent with the requirements for exemption. However, special rules under § 508(a) of the Code may apply to an organization applying for exemption under § 501(c)(3), and special rules under § 505(c) may apply to an organization applying for exemption under §§ 501(c)(9), (17), or (20).

(1) If the Service requires the organization to alter its activities or make substantive amendments to its enabling instrument, the exemption will be effective as of the date specified in a determination letter or ruling.

(2) If the Service requires the organization to make a nonsubstantive amendment, exemption will ordinarily be recognized as of the date of formation. Examples of nonsubstantive amendments include correction of a clerical error in the enabling instrument or the addition of a dissolution clause where the activities of the organization prior to the determination letter or ruling are consistent with the requirements for exemption.

.02 A determination letter or ruling recognizing exemption may not be relied upon if there is a material change, inconsistent with exemption, in the character, the purpose, or the method of operation of the organization. Also, a determination letter or ruling may not be relied upon if it was based on any inaccurate material factual representations. See section 12.01.

.01 The revocation or modification of a determination letter or ruling recognizing exemption may be retroactive if the organization omitted or misstated a material fact, operated in a manner materially different from that originally represented, or, in the case of organizations to which § 503 of the Code applies, engaged in a prohibited transaction with the purpose of diverting corpus or income of the organization from its exempt purpose and such transaction involved a substantial part of the corpus or income of such organization. In certain cases an organization may seek relief from retroactive revocation or modification of a determination letter or ruling under § 7805(b). Requests for § 7805(b) relief are subject to the procedures set forth in Rev. Proc. 2009-4.

(1) Where there is a material change, inconsistent with exemption, in the character, the purpose, or the method of operation of an organization, revocation or modification will ordinarily take effect as of the date of such material change.

(2) In the case where a determination letter or ruling is issued in error or is no longer in accord with the Service’s position and § 7805(b) relief is granted (see sections 13 and 14 of Rev. Proc. 2009-4), ordinarily, the revocation or modification will be effective not earlier than the date when the Service modifies or revokes the original determination letter or ruling.

.02 In the case of a revocation or modification of a determination letter or ruling, the appeal and conference procedures are generally the same as set out in section 7 of these procedures, including the right of the organization to request that EO Determinations or the Appeals Office seek technical advice from EO Technical. However, appeal and conference rights are not applicable to matters where delay would be prejudicial to the interests of the Service (such as in cases involving fraud, jeopardy, the imminence of the expiration of the statute of limitations, or where immediate action is necessary to protect the interests of the Government).

(1) If the case involves an exempt status issue on which EO Technical had issued a previous contrary ruling or technical advice, EO Determinations generally must seek technical advice from EO Technical.

(2) EO Determinations does not have to seek technical advice if the prior ruling or technical advice has been revoked by subsequent contrary published precedent or if the proposed revocation involves a subordinate unit of an organization that holds a group exemption letter issued by EO Technical, the EO Technical ruling or technical advice was issued under the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 or prior revenue acts, or if the ruling was issued in response to Form 4653, Notification Concerning Foundation Status.