[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49821-49836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20200]



[[Page 49821]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Parts 1, 31, and 301

[TD 9496]
RIN 1545-BI51


Information Reporting for Payments Made in Settlement of Payment 
Card and Third Party Network Transactions

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations relating to 
information reporting requirements, information reporting penalties, 
and backup withholding requirements for payment card and third party 
network transactions. The final regulations implement section 6050W and 
related statutory changes enacted by the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 
2008 that require payment settlement organizations to report payments 
in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions for 
each calendar year. The final regulations in this document will affect 
persons that make payment in settlement of payment card and third party 
network transactions and the payees of these transactions. The final 
regulations provide guidance to assist persons required to report 
payment card and third party network transactions and to the payees of 
those transactions.

DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective on August 16, 
2010.
    Applicability Date: For dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.  
1.6041-1(j), 1.6041A-1(d)(4)(iii), 1.6050W-1(j),1.6050W-2(b), 31.3406-
(b)(3)-5(e).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning these final regulations, 
Barbara Pettoni, (202) 622-4910 (not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This document contains final regulations implementing amendments to 
the Income Tax Regulations (26 CFR part 1) relating to information 
reporting under sections 6041, 6041A, 6050W, and 6051 of the Internal 
Revenue Code (Code). This document also contains final regulations 
implementing amendments to the Regulations on Employment Tax and 
Collection of Income Tax at the Source (26 CFR part 31) relating to 
backup withholding under section 3406, and to the Regulations on 
Procedure and Administration (26 CFR part 301) relating to information 
reporting penalties under sections 6721 and 6722. These sections were 
amended or added by section 3091(a) of the Housing Assistance Tax Act 
of 2008 (Div. C of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008), 
Public Law 110-289, 122 Stat. 2654 (the Act) enacted on July 30, 2008. 
These regulations are issued under the authority contained in sections 
6041, 6041A, 6050W, 6051, 3406, 6721, 6722 and 7805.
    On February 6, 2009, the IRS announced that persons who will be 
required to report under section 6050W may match Taxpayer 
Identification Numbers (TINs) under the procedures established by Rev. 
Proc. 2003-9. See Announcement 2009-6, ``Taxpayer Identification Number 
(``TIN'') Matching Program is Available to Persons Required to Make 
Returns Under New Section 6050W of the Internal Revenue Code'' 
(Announcement 2009-6, 2009-9 IRB 643 (March 2, 2009)). See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b).
    Notice 2009-19 invited public comments regarding guidance under 
section 6050W. See Notice 2009-19, ``Information Reporting of Payments 
Made in Settlement of Payment Card and Third Party Network 
Transactions'' (Notice 2009-19, 2009-10 IRB 660 (March 9, 2009)).
    On November 24, 2009, the Treasury Department and the IRS published 
in the Federal Register (74 FR 61294) proposed regulations (REG-139255-
08) reflecting the new requirements of the Act. The comments received 
in response to Notice 2009-19 were taken into account in developing the 
proposed regulations. Written comments were also received in response 
to the proposed regulations, and a public hearing was held on March 15, 
2010.

Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions

    Many written comments were received and are available for public 
inspection upon request. The comments are summarized in this preamble. 
After considering the public comments, the Treasury Department and the 
IRS are adopting the proposed regulations as revised by this Treasury 
decision.
    These final regulations provide guidance to implement section 
6050W, which requires information reporting for payments made in 
settlement of payment card and third party network transactions. These 
final regulations also amend the existing regulations under sections 
6041 and 6041A to provide relief from duplicate reporting for certain 
transactions. In addition, these final regulations amend existing 
regulations under sections 6721 and 6722 to expand the penalty 
provisions of these sections to apply to failures to file correct 
information returns required by section 6050W and to furnish correct 
payee statements required by section 6050W. These final regulations 
also amend existing regulations under section 3406 to provide that 
amounts reportable under section 6050W are subject to backup 
withholding.

Payment Settlement Entity

    Section 6050W(b)(1) provides that the term payment settlement 
entity means, in the case of a payment card transaction, a merchant 
acquiring entity; and, in the case of a third party network 
transaction, a third party settlement organization. Section 6050W(b)(2) 
defines merchant acquiring entity as the bank or other organization 
with the contractual obligation to make payment to participating payees 
in settlement of payment card transactions. Section 6050W(b)(3) defines 
third party settlement organization as the central organization that 
has the contractual obligation to make payment to participating payees 
of third party network transactions. The proposed regulations 
incorporated these statutory definitions, which are retained in the 
final regulations.
    Commenters asked how the reporting obligation applies when two or 
more persons qualify as payment settlement entities for a reportable 
payment transaction. Commenters stated that, under certain business 
models, multiple banks or other organizations have the contractual 
obligation to make payment to participating payees to settle payment 
card transactions. The final regulations provide that, if two or more 
persons qualify as payment settlement entities for a reportable payment 
transaction, then only the payment settlement entity that in fact makes 
payment in settlement of the reportable payment transaction is 
obligated to report the payment. The final regulations clarify that the 
entity that makes a payment in settlement of a reportable payment 
transaction is the entity that actually submits the instruction to 
transfer funds to the account of the participating payee to settle the 
reportable payment transaction. See also the discussion under 
``Electronic Payment Facilitator'' later in this preamble.
    A commenter requested that, when multiple parties qualify as 
payment settlement entities, the parties be permitted to designate a 
reporting party. Under the final regulations, only the payment 
settlement entity that in fact makes payment is obligated to report the 
payment. Thus, no multiple party reporting obligations should arise.

[[Page 49822]]

Nonetheless, the final regulations permit the party with the obligation 
to report to designate a different person to satisfy the reporting 
obligation under section 6050W. If, however, the designated person 
fails to satisfy the reporting obligation, then the party with the 
obligation to report is liable for any applicable penalties under 
sections 6721 and 6722.

Gross Amount

    Section 6050W(a) provides that each payment settlement entity must 
report the gross amount of reportable payment transactions for each 
participating payee. The proposed regulations defined gross amount as 
the total dollar amount of aggregate reportable payment transactions 
for each participating payee without regard to any adjustments for 
credits, cash equivalents, discount amounts, fees, refunded amounts, or 
any other amounts.
    Several commenters suggested defining ``gross amount'' as net 
sales, taking into account credit transactions, chargebacks and other 
adjustments, on the ground that gross amount is not a true indicator of 
revenue. Commenters also suggested defining ``gross amount'' as the 
amount actually paid to a merchant. Other commenters favored the rule 
in the proposed regulations that would require reporting the gross 
amount of transactions without reductions. The final regulations retain 
the proposed rule. The plain language of the statute requires reporting 
the gross amount of transactions rather than the net amount of 
transactions or payments. The information reported on the return 
required under these regulations is not intended to be an exact match 
of the net, taxable, or even the gross income of a payee.
    Commenters asked whether the dollar amount of each transaction is 
determined on the date of the transaction, the settlement date, the 
date that payment is made, the posting date or some other date. Because 
the statute requires reporting of the gross amount of reportable 
payment ``transactions,'' the final regulations provide that the dollar 
amount of each reportable payment transaction is determined on the date 
of the transaction.
    Several commenters expressed concern that defining ``gross amount'' 
as a number that reflects all positive sales transactions without 
adjustment for any items may raise issues related to backup 
withholding. These comments are discussed in detail later in this 
preamble.

Payment Card Transactions

    Section 6050W(c)(2) defines a payment card transaction as any 
transaction in which a payment card is accepted as payment. Section 
6050W(d)(2) defines a payment card as a card issued pursuant to an 
agreement or arrangement that provides for: (1) One or more issuers of 
such cards; (2) a network of persons unrelated to each other, and to 
the issuer, who agree to accept the cards as payment; and (3) standards 
and mechanisms for settling the transactions between the merchant 
acquiring entities and the persons who agree to accept the cards as 
payment. Section 6050W(d)(2) further provides that the acceptance as 
payment of any account number or other indicia associated with a 
payment card is treated as the acceptance of the payment card. The 
proposed regulations incorporated these statutory rules. The proposed 
regulations further provided that a payment card includes, but is not 
limited to, all credit cards, debit cards, and stored-value cards 
(including gift cards). All of these provisions are retained in the 
final regulations.
    Several commenters requested an exemption for all private label 
cards and quasi-private label cards. According to one commenter, a 
private label card is a card issued by a retailer or financial 
institution that can only be used at one retailer, and a quasi-private 
label card is a card issued by a financial institution that can be used 
within a limited network of merchants or service providers that are 
unrelated but operate within a particular industry or share other 
similar characteristics. Another commenter requested that the 
regulations clarify whether a card that is accepted as payment by a 
group of merchants operating within a shopping mall (a ``mall card'') 
is a payment card.
    The final regulations do not provide an exemption for private label 
cards, quasi-private label cards and mall cards. Private label cards 
that can only be used at one merchant or within a group of related 
merchants do not meet the statutory definition of payment card because 
they are not accepted as payment by a network of unrelated persons. 
Quasi-private label cards that are accepted as payment by a network of 
unrelated merchants or service providers are payment cards if the other 
requirements of the statutory definition are met. Similarly, a mall 
card is a payment card if it is accepted as payment by a network of 
unrelated merchants and the other requirements of the statutory 
definition are met. However, if any of the merchants in the network are 
related to the issuer, as might be the case in certain campus card or 
mall card transactions, the final regulations clarify that no reporting 
is required for any transaction in which the card is accepted as 
payment by the related merchant or other payee. The final regulations 
provide additional examples to illustrate the treatment of private 
label, quasi-private label and mall cards.
    One commenter requested that the regulations clarify whether 
electronic benefit transactions are reportable transactions under the 
regulations. According to the commenter, electronic benefit 
transactions are transactions made on cards or other media issued by a 
governmental unit for benefit payments, such as food stamps, welfare or 
unemployment. A card issued by a governmental unit for benefits is a 
payment card if, pursuant to an agreement, it is accepted as payment by 
a network of unrelated merchants and the other requirements of the 
statutory definition are met. Electronic benefit transactions for the 
purchase of goods or services, made on a card that meets the statutory 
definition of ``payment card,'' are reportable under section 6050W. In 
contrast, the use of a benefits card to obtain cash would not be a 
reportable transaction, as discussed in the next paragraph.
    Commenters asked whether the use of a payment card solely to obtain 
a loan or cash advance by the cardholder is reportable under the 
regulations. The final regulations provide an example to clarify that 
the use of a payment card to obtain a loan or cash advance does not 
fall within the statutory definition of ``payment card transaction'' 
because the card is not being accepted by a merchant as payment. 
Rather, the cardholder is merely using the payment card to obtain a 
loan from the issuer. Similarly, the withdrawal of cash from an 
automated teller machine is not a payment card transaction because the 
card is not being accepted by a merchant as payment. Rather, the card 
is merely being used to obtain funds from the cardholder's own account.
    Commenters also asked whether the use of a paper check associated 
with a payment card account (a ``convenience check'') is reportable 
under the regulations. Section 6050W(d)(2) provides that the acceptance 
as payment of any account number or other indicia associated with a 
payment card is treated as the acceptance of the payment card. 
Convenience checks are processed through the banking system in the same 
manner as a traditional check and then processed against a cardholder's 
account as a cash advance. Because convenience checks are accepted and

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processed as checks, not as payment cards, the final regulations 
provide an example to clarify that the use of a convenience check is 
not a ``payment card transaction.''

Third Party Network Transactions

    Section 6050W(b)(1)(B) provides that, in the case of a third party 
network transaction, the payment settlement entity is the third party 
settlement organization. Section 6050W(b)(3) defines third party 
settlement organization as the central organization that has the 
contractual obligation to make payment to participating payees of third 
party network transactions. Section 6050W(c)(3) defines third party 
network transaction as any transaction that is settled through a third 
party payment network. Section 6050W(d)(3) defines third party payment 
network as any agreement or arrangement that: (A) involves the 
establishment of accounts with a central organization by a substantial 
number of persons who (i) are unrelated to such organization, (ii) 
provide goods or services, and (iii) have agreed to settle transactions 
for the provision of such goods or services pursuant to such agreement 
or arrangement; (B) provides for standards and mechanisms for settling 
such transactions; and (C) guarantees persons providing goods or 
services pursuant to an agreement or arrangement that those persons 
will be paid for providing those goods or services.
    The proposed regulations incorporated these statutory definitions. 
The proposed regulations also provided that, consistent with the Joint 
Committee on Taxation (JCT) technical explanation, a central 
organization is a third party settlement organization that is required 
to report to the extent it provides a third party payment network that 
enables purchasers to transfer funds to providers of goods and 
services. These provisions are retained in the final regulations.
    One commenter suggested that the regulations also incorporate the 
rule in section 6050W(d)(3) that a third party payment network does not 
include any agreement or arrangement that provides for the issuance of 
payment cards. The final regulations adopt this suggestion.

Healthcare Networks and Self-Insurance Arrangements

    The proposed regulations included an example to demonstrate that 
health insurance networks are outside the scope of section 6050W 
because a healthcare network does not enable the transfer of funds from 
buyers to sellers. Instead, health carriers collect premiums from 
covered persons pursuant to a plan agreement between the health carrier 
and the covered person for the cost of participation in the healthcare 
network. Separately, health carriers pay healthcare providers to 
compensate providers for services rendered to covered persons pursuant 
to provider agreements. This example is retained in the final 
regulations.
    A commenter requested that the final regulations clarify that a 
self-insurance arrangement is also outside the scope of section 6050W. 
According to the commenter, a typical self-insurance arrangement 
involves a health insurance entity, healthcare providers, and the 
company that is self-insuring. The company submits bills for services 
rendered by a healthcare provider to the health insurance entity. The 
health insurance entity pays the healthcare provider the contracted 
rate and then debits the self-insuring company's bank account for the 
payments made to the healthcare providers.
    This suggestion was not adopted because this arrangement could 
create a third party payment network of which the health insurance 
entity is the third party settlement organization to the extent that 
the health insurance entity effectively enables buyers (the self-
insuring companies) to transfer funds to sellers of healthcare goods or 
services. If so, payments under a self-insurance arrangement are 
reportable provided the arrangement meets both the statutory definition 
of a third party payment network and the de minimis threshold (that is, 
for a given payee, the aggregate payments for the year exceed $20,000 
and the aggregate number of transactions exceeds 200).

Electronic Checks, Bill Paying Services and Other Electronic Payment 
Acceptance Products

    Several commenters requested that the final regulations exclude 
electronic checks, bill paying services, and other electronic payment 
acceptance products from the scope of section 6050W. Financial 
institutions offer a wide array of services to allow individual and 
business customers to make and receive payments. Whether arrangements 
involving electronic checks, bill paying services or other electronic 
payment acceptance products fall within the statutory definition of 
``third party payment network'' depends on the facts and circumstances. 
For example, a customer initiated bill payment by means of an 
electronic check from the customer's bank account to the merchant is 
merely an electronic transfer of funds from the buyer to the seller 
that would generally not meet the definition of a third party payment 
network.
    In contrast, in certain arrangements, a third party entity may 
facilitate bill payment and presentment. According to one commenter, 
many financial institutions offer products and services that allow a 
commercial customer who provides goods or services to (1) send a 
purchase invoice electronically to customers; and (2) accept payment 
from these customers by automated clearinghouse (ACH) transfer. In 
these arrangements, the financial institution typically enters into an 
agreement with the merchant customer to settle payment transactions to 
an account the merchant has established at the financial institution. 
The individual or business that has purchased goods or services from 
the merchant is not required to establish an account with the financial 
institution. For payments that are made by ACH transfer, the financial 
institution will initiate payment through the ACH network. Commenters 
contend that these arrangements should not qualify as third party 
payment networks because the arrangements require merchants to 
establish accounts with a financial institution to accept electronic 
payment services but do not also require purchasers to establish 
accounts with the same financial institution. The commenters requested 
modifying the definition of a third party payment network to require 
purchasers to establish accounts with the same central organization as 
the merchant providers in order to participate in the arrangement.
    This suggestion was not adopted. The portion of the statutory 
definition of ``third party payment network'' relating to accounts 
requires only that the agreement or arrangement involve the 
establishment of accounts with a central organization by a substantial 
number of unrelated persons who provide goods or services and have 
agreed to settle transactions for the provision of goods or services 
pursuant to the agreement or arrangement. Nothing in this definition 
requires purchasers also to have established accounts with the same 
central organization. Therefore, a financial institution that enters 
into an agreement or arrangement with its merchant customers to settle 
payment transactions to an account the merchant customer has 
established at the financial institution may be operating a ``third 
party payment network'' if the agreement or arrangement with these 
merchants involves the establishment of accounts with a central 
organization by a substantial number of unrelated persons who provide 
goods or services

[[Page 49824]]

and have agreed to settle transactions for the provision of goods or 
services pursuant to the agreement or arrangement, and the central 
organization guarantees payment to those persons for the goods or 
services.

Automated Clearing House (ACH) Networks

    The proposed regulations provided that an ACH network is not a 
third party payment network. As explained in the preamble to the 
proposed regulations, an ACH merely processes electronic payments 
between payors and payees, and does not itself have contractual 
agreements with payees to use the ACH network. Thus, the ACH does not 
meet the statutory definition of a ``third party settlement 
organization.''
    A commenter asked that the regulations provide that an ACH 
processor is not a third party settlement organization of a third party 
payment network. According to the commenter, an ACH processor provides 
a variety of ACH payment processing services to a large number of 
merchants, such as converting checks received in payment of bills into 
ACH transactions. The ACH processor groups payment transactions into an 
ACH file and transmits the ACH file into the ACH network on behalf of 
merchants in order to initiate payment to merchants through the ACH 
network. The ACH processor will make the payment to the merchant after 
the ACH network verifies that the customers' accounts have sufficient 
funds.
    This request was not adopted. An ACH processor's agreement or 
arrangement with merchants could potentially create an independent 
third party payment network separate from the ACH network of which the 
ACH processor is the third party settlement organization. Because the 
ACH itself is not a third party settlement organization, a party that 
makes payment on behalf of an ACH cannot be an electronic payment 
facilitator because it is not acting on behalf of a payment settlement 
entity. Nonetheless, an entity that initiates ACH entries into an ACH 
network on behalf of merchants may itself be operating a network that 
falls within the statutory definition of ``third party payment 
network'' if the entity has a separate agreement or arrangement with 
these merchants that: (A) involves the establishment of accounts with 
the entity by a substantial number of merchants or other persons who 
(i) are unrelated to the entity, (ii) provide goods or services, and 
(iii) have agreed to settle transactions for the provision of such 
goods or services pursuant to such agreement or arrangement; (B) 
provides for standards and mechanisms for settling such transactions; 
and (C) guarantees persons providing goods or services pursuant to such 
agreement or arrangement that those persons will be paid for providing 
such goods or services. Whether an entity that initiates ACH entries 
into an ACH network has such a separate agreement or arrangement with 
merchants depends on the facts and circumstances. As stated earlier, 
the statutory definition of ``third party payment network'' does not 
require that this entity also have an agreement or arrangement with 
purchasers.

Electronic Payment Facilitators

    Section 6050W(b)(4)(B) requires that, if an electronic payment 
facilitator or other third party ``makes payments in settlement of 
reportable payment transactions on behalf of the payment settlement 
entity,'' the electronic payment facilitator must report in lieu of the 
payment settlement entity. The proposed regulations incorporated this 
statutory requirement, which is retained in the final regulations.
    Commenters requested that the final regulations clarify what it 
means to ``make payments in settlement of reportable payment 
transactions on behalf of the payment settlement entity.'' According to 
one commenter, when a merchant acquiring bank employs the services of a 
third party processor, the settlement obligation remains with the 
merchant acquiring bank. Another commenter stated that certain payment 
settlement entities, such as independent sales organizations (ISOs), 
use a ``sponsoring bank'' or other third party to do their payment 
processing. According to the commenter, it is not clear whether this 
third party processor is an electronic payment facilitator because the 
processor does not have a contract with the participating payee. 
Additionally, this processor generally would only know the net amount 
of the payment and would not have the information necessary to report 
the gross amount of the reportable payment transaction. Another 
commenter suggested defining ``electronic payment facilitator'' as the 
party who contracts with a payment settlement entity to ``facilitate 
the settlement (directly or indirectly)'' of reportable payment 
transactions on behalf of the payment settlement entity.
    In response to these comments, the final regulations provide that a 
payment settlement entity (or an electronic payment facilitator acting 
on behalf of a payment settlement entity) makes a payment in settlement 
of a reportable payment transaction if the payment settlement entity 
(or its facilitator) submits the instruction to transfer funds to the 
account of the participating payee to settle the reportable payment 
transaction. In cases involving a processor, the processor need not 
have any agreement or arrangement with the payee to qualify as an 
electronic payment facilitator. The statute requires only that the 
facilitator act on behalf of the payment settlement entity. Also, the 
payment need not come from the processor's account. The processor need 
only submit the instruction to transfer funds from the payment 
settlement entity's account. If a processor merely prepares payment 
instructions for the payment settlement entity, which in turn submits 
these instructions to initiate the transfer of funds, then the 
processor is not an electronic payment facilitator, and the payment 
settlement entity retains the reporting obligation. Electronic payment 
facilitators that do not know the gross amount of each reportable 
payment transaction are expected to obtain this information from the 
payment settlement entity. The final regulations include additional 
examples applying the electronic payment facilitator rule.
    A commenter also expressed concern that merchants might only be 
aware of the merchant acquiring bank or other payment settlement entity 
and might, therefore, be confused when receiving statements from the 
electronic payment facilitator. To address this concern, Form 1099-K, 
``Merchant Card and Third Party Payments,'' will include the 
identifying information of both the payment settlement entity and the 
electronic payment facilitator. In addition, the payee's copy of Form 
1099-K will describe the entities that are shown on the form.

Participating Payee--Foreign Address Exclusion

    Section 6050W(d)(1)(B) provides that, except as provided by the 
Secretary in regulations or other guidance, the term participating 
payee does not include any person with a foreign address (the ``address 
rule''). The proposed regulations did not exclude persons with foreign 
addresses from the term participating payee, although the proposed 
regulations did provide that in many cases a payment settlement entity 
may rely on a foreign address to avoid reporting. Specifically, the 
proposed regulations provided that a payment settlement entity that is 
not a United States (U.S.) payor or U.S. middleman may rely on a 
foreign address for a participating payee to avoid reporting as long as 
the payor neither knows nor has reason to know that the payee is a U.S. 
person. The proposed regulations also

[[Page 49825]]

provided that a payment settlement entity that is a person described as 
a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman in Sec.  1.6049-5(c)(5) is not required 
to report payments to payees with a foreign address as long as, prior 
to payment, the payee has provided the payor with documentation upon 
which the payor may rely to treat the payment as made to a foreign 
person in accordance with Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(1)(ii).
    Commenters expressed concern that the proposed regulations treat 
U.S. and non-U.S. payors inconsistently and may impose overly 
burdensome documentation requirements on U.S. payors, and requested 
that the address rule apply to U.S. and non-U.S. payors alike. 
Alternatively, commenters requested that documentation and records 
maintained consistent with section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act 
(``Patriot Act''), 31 U.S.C. 5318(l), should satisfy the documentation 
requirements for U.S. payors under these regulations.
    The final regulations do not adopt these recommendations. The final 
regulations do not adopt the suggestion that the documentation 
standards be made consistent with the Patriot Act because the customer 
identification requirements under the Patriot Act are not intended to 
identify U.S. taxpayers and do not adequately address the tax 
administration concerns of section 6050W.
    The final regulations also do not extend the address rule to 
payment settlement entities that are U.S. payors. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS understand from meeting with affected parties 
that payment settlement entities do not currently rely solely on an 
address to identify a participating payee because payment settlement 
entities have a business interest in verifying the identity of the 
participating payee due to the credit and reputational risks inherent 
in payment card transactions. The Treasury Department and the IRS have 
a similar compliance interest in ensuring that the participating 
payee's identity is verified, and applying the address rule generally 
to payment settlement entities that are U.S. payors does not adequately 
address those concerns. For example, where a participating payee 
receives payment from a U.S. person inside the United States or to a 
U.S. account, the Treasury Department and the IRS believe it is 
appropriate to require the participating payee to complete a Form W-
8BEN (or other appropriate certification) thereby certifying its 
foreign status and whether the payment constitutes income that is 
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the 
United States, as required under the proposed and final regulations.
    To address the concerns of certain commenters regarding the burden 
that would be involved in re-documenting existing participating payees, 
however, the final regulations provide a transition rule. For payments 
made pursuant to contractual obligations entered into before January 1, 
2011, a payment settlement entity that is a U.S. payor or middleman may 
rely on a foreign address as long as the U.S. payor or middleman 
neither knows nor has reason to know that the payee is a U.S. person. 
For this limited purpose, a renewal of such a contractual obligation 
will not result in a new contractual obligation unless there is a 
material modification of the contractual obligation.
    In addition, the final regulations provide a presumption under 
which a payment settlement entity that is a U.S. payor or middleman 
making a payment outside the United States to an offshore account (as 
defined in Sec.  1.6049-5(c)(1)) need not report payments to a 
participating payee with only a foreign address if the name of the 
participating payee indicates that it is a foreign per se corporation 
listed in Sec.  301.7701-2(b)(8)(i) and the payment settlement entity 
neither knows nor has reason to know that the participating payee is a 
U. S. person. The final regulations also provide a grace period after 
account opening to collect documentation by applying the grace period 
rules of Sec.  1.6049-5(d)(2)(ii) if the participating payee has only a 
foreign address.
    Payment settlement entities that are not U.S. payors or middlemen 
are not required to make a return of information if the participating 
payee does not have a U.S. address as long as the payment settlement 
entity does not know or have reason to know that the payee is a U.S. 
person. Commenters requested additional guidance for situations in 
which a participating payee has both a foreign address and a U.S. 
address. Under the final regulations, if the participating payee has 
any U.S. address, the non-U.S. payment settlement entity may treat the 
participating payee as a foreign person only if the non-U.S. payment 
settlement entity has in its files documentation upon which the payment 
settlement entity may rely to treat the payment as made to a foreign 
person in accordance with Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(1)(ii).

Payments Made in Currencies Other Than the United States Dollar

    Several commenters requested that the final regulations provide a 
rule for the conversion into U.S. dollars of amounts paid in foreign 
currency. This suggestion was adopted. The final regulations provide 
that when a payment is made or received in a foreign currency, the U.S. 
dollar amount is determined by converting such foreign currency into 
U.S. dollars on the date of the transaction at the spot rate (as 
defined in Sec.  1.988-1(d)(1)) or pursuant to a reasonable spot rate 
convention, such as a month-end spot rate or a monthly average spot 
rate.

Duplicate Reporting of the Same Transaction

    Section 6050W(g) provides that the Secretary may prescribe 
regulations or other guidance as necessary or appropriate to carry out 
section 6050W, including rules to prevent the reporting of the same 
transaction more than once. The proposed regulations provided that any 
payment card transaction that otherwise would be reportable under both 
sections 6041 and 6050W must be reported under section 6050W and not 
section 6041. Relief from reporting under section 6041 was not provided 
in the proposed regulations, however, for third party network 
transactions because these transactions are not subject to reporting 
under section 6050W unless the de minimis threshold (more than 200 
transactions aggregating more than $20,000 per calendar year for a 
given payee) is met. Nor was relief provided from reporting under 
section 6050W and other Code sections, including section 3402(t) 
(relating to withholding on certain payments made by government 
entities). The proposed regulations requested additional comments 
regarding the application of a rule to prevent the reporting of the 
same transaction more than once.
    Numerous commenters requested that relief from duplicate reporting 
under both sections 6050W and 6041 be extended to include third party 
network transactions. This suggestion was adopted. Accordingly, the 
final regulations provide that payment card and third party network 
transactions that otherwise would be reportable under both sections 
6041 and 6050W must be reported under section 6050W and not section 
6041. The final regulations also provide that, solely for purposes of 
determining whether a payor is eligible for relief from reporting under 
section 6041, the de minimis threshold for third party network 
transactions in Sec.  1.6050W-1(c)(4) is disregarded because the 
section 6041 payor will be unable to determine whether the de minimis 
threshold applies.
    Commenters also requested relief from duplicate reporting under 
both

[[Page 49826]]

sections 6050W and 3402(t). However, commenters have indicated that 
merchant acquiring banks and other payment settlement entities would 
have administrative difficulty in determining whether payment card and 
third party network transactions will be subject to withholding and 
reporting under section 3402(t). Therefore, the final regulations do 
not provide relief for transactions that would otherwise be reported 
under both sections 6050W and 3402(t). However, the Treasury Department 
and the IRS are continuing to consider whether relief could be provided 
under section 3402(t) or section 6050W.
    Several commenters requested relief from duplicate reporting of the 
same transaction under both sections 6050W and 6041A (relating to 
returns regarding payments of remuneration for services and direct 
sales). This suggestion was adopted for payment card transactions and 
third party network transactions subject to section 6041A(a). The final 
regulations provide that any transaction that would otherwise be 
reported under both sections 6050W and 6041A(a) must be reported under 
section 6050W and not section 6041A(a).
    Similar relief from duplicate reporting of the same transaction 
under both sections 6050W and 6041A(b) is not warranted, however, 
because sections 6050W and 6041A(b) report different types of 
information and serve different purposes. Section 6041A(b) provides 
that if any person engaged in a trade or business, in the course of the 
trade or business during any calendar year, sells $5,000 or more of 
consumer goods to any buyer on a buy-sell basis, a deposit-commission 
basis, or any similar basis, for resale in the home or other than in a 
permanent retail establishment, that person must file a return 
reporting the amount of the sales to the buyer during the calendar 
year. Thus, unlike section 6050W, which requires payors to report 
information about payments to sellers, section 6041A(b) requires 
sellers of certain consumer products to report information about 
payments from buyers. Therefore, the final regulations do not provide 
relief for transactions that are reportable under both sections 6050W 
and 6041A(b).

Electronic Consent Procedures

    Section 6050W(f) provides that payee statements may be furnished 
electronically. Prior to the proposed regulations, commenters requested 
that the existing procedures for payee statements be modified to 
eliminate the requirement for an affirmative consent to receive the 
payee statement under section 6050W electronically. This request was 
not adopted in the proposed regulations. Instead, additional comments 
were requested on electronic consent procedures.
    Many commenters suggested eliminating the requirement for an 
affirmative consent to receive the payee statement electronically. 
Commenters requested that merchants already receiving business 
communications electronically be deemed to have consented to receive 
electronic payee statements under section 6050W. Commenters also 
suggested eliminating the requirement to notify payees about electronic 
payee statements in a separate communication. Commenters suggested 
permitting merchants receiving paper communications to consent to 
electronic payee statements by logging onto a website to indicate their 
consent, with no further written consent required.
    In response to these comments, the final regulations simplify 
existing electronic consent procedures. Section 1.6050W-2 provides that 
a recipient consents to receive the statement required under section 
6050W in an electronic format either by making an affirmative consent 
or, in the alternative, by previously having consented to receive from 
the furnisher other federal tax statements in an electronic format. The 
consent may be made electronically in any manner that reasonably 
demonstrates that the recipient can access the statement in the 
electronic format in which it will be furnished to the recipient. 
Alternatively, the consent may be made in a paper document if it is 
confirmed electronically. Section 1.6050W-2 sets forth the procedures 
for meeting the consent requirements.

Time, Form and Manner for Reporting

    Section 6050W(a) provides that the return required under this 
section shall be made at the time and in the form and manner as 
required by regulations. The proposed regulations provided that the 
return required by section 6050W must be made according to the forms 
and instructions published by the IRS. Form 1099-K, ``Merchant card and 
third-party payments,'' requires annual reporting, with respect to each 
participating payee, of the gross amount of the aggregate reportable 
payment transactions for the calendar year and the gross amount of the 
aggregate reportable transactions for each month of the calendar year.
    A commenter expressed concern that the requirement for monthly 
amounts to be reported on Form 1099-K would be burdensome for small 
businesses and sole proprietors. The final rules retain the proposed 
rule because the inclusion of monthly amounts on the return filed with 
the IRS and furnished to the payee will aid in reconciling payment card 
and third party network transactions for fiscal year payees.

Backup Withholding

    The Act amended section 3406(b)(3) to provide that amounts 
reportable under section 6050W are subject to backup withholding 
requirements, effective for amounts paid after December 31, 2011. The 
proposed regulations proposed to amend existing regulations under 
section 3406 to provide that persons making information returns with 
respect to any reportable payment under section 6050W made after 
December 31, 2011, are included in the definition of ``payors'' 
obligated to backup withhold.
    Section 6050W(d)(1)(C) provides that, for purposes of section 
6050W, the definition of participating payee includes any governmental 
unit. The proposed regulations incorporated this statutory provision. 
One commenter asked whether reportable payments made to governmental 
units are subject to backup withholding under section 3406(a). The Act 
amended section 3406(b) to provide that reportable payments subject to 
information reporting under section 6050W are subject to backup 
withholding if a condition for backup withholding, as set forth in 
section 3406(a)(1), exists. The Act, however, did not eliminate any of 
the existing statutory exceptions to backup withholding. For example, 
section 3406(g) provides that backup withholding under section 3406(a) 
shall not apply to any payment made to any organization or governmental 
unit described in subparagraph (B), (C), (D), (E), or (F) of section 
6049(b)(4). The final regulations make no changes to the existing 
statutory exceptions to backup withholding.
    As discussed earlier in this preamble, several commenters stated 
that defining ``gross amount'' as a number that reflects all positive 
sales transactions on the date of the transaction, without adjustment 
for any items, may complicate backup withholding, which is generally 
imposed on the amount of the payment at the time of payment rather than 
on the amount of the transaction at the time of the transaction. The 
amount reportable under section 6050W is the gross amount of the 
transaction on the date of the transaction, which may differ from the 
amount and date of the payment (potentially a net amount paid on a 
later date). In response to these comments, the final regulations 
clarify that the obligation to withhold arises on the date

[[Page 49827]]

of the transaction. A payor is not required, however, to satisfy its 
withholding liability until the time that payment is made. The amount 
withheld is based on the total reportable amount, that is, the gross 
amount of the transaction.
    A commenter stated that on the date of payment, the payee's account 
may have insufficient funds available for backup withholding. For 
example, if sales returns exceed positive sales transactions for the 
transaction period, a merchant's account balance could be less than the 
required amount of backup withholding or even zero. In response to this 
concern, the final regulations allow backup withholding from an 
alternate source maintained by the payor for the payee if the payee's 
account has insufficient funds. The final regulations further provide 
that if the payor cannot locate an alternative source of cash from 
which to backup withhold, the payor may defer its obligation to backup 
withhold until the earlier of the date on which the payee's account has 
sufficient funds or the close of the fourth calendar year after the 
obligation arose. At the close of the fourth calendar year after the 
backup withholding obligation arose, if the payor has not located an 
alternate source from which to backup withhold, and the account has 
insufficient funds, then the backup withholding obligation will cease 
to exist.
    Finally, the final regulations clarify how to apply the backup 
withholding rules to third party network transactions, which are 
subject to a de minimis rule. In general, the amount that is subject to 
withholding under section 3406 is the amount subject to reporting under 
section 6050W. Section 3406(b)(4) provides that the determination of 
whether a payment is a reportable payment for purposes of backup 
withholding is made without regard to any minimum amount that must be 
paid before a return is required. Accordingly, the final regulations 
provide that, in the case of payments made in settlement of third party 
network transactions, the amount subject to withholding under section 
3406 is determined without regard to the exception for de minimis 
payments by third party settlement organizations in section 6050W(e) 
and the final regulations in this document.

Penalties

    The Act amended section 6724(d) by adding returns required by 
section 6050W to the definition of information return for purposes of 
penalties for failure to comply with certain reporting requirements. 
The proposed regulations proposed to amend the regulations to add 
reportable payments under section 6050W to the list of information 
returns subject to the penalties under section 6721 (failure to file 
correct information returns) and section 6722 (failure to furnish 
correct payee statements). The final regulations adopt these 
amendments.
    Commenters requested that the final regulations specifically waive 
penalties for persons who have made a reasonable and good faith effort 
to implement section 6050W reporting and related backup withholding but 
who fail to comply. This suggestion was not adopted because the 
existing regulations under section 6724 provide extensive guidance for 
waiver of penalties due to reasonable cause for failure to file correct 
information returns and failure to furnish correct payee statements. 
The IRS will continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure the 
smooth implementation of the provisions in these regulations, 
including, in general, the mitigation of penalties in the early stages 
of implementation, except for particularly egregious cases.

Effective/Applicability Dates

    The regulations under sections 6041, 6041A, 6050W, 6051, 6721 and 
6722 apply to returns for calendar years beginning after December 31, 
2010. The regulations under section 3406 apply to amounts paid after 
December 31, 2011.

Special Analyses

    It has been determined that this final rule is not a significant 
regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a 
regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that 
section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) 
does not apply to these regulations. Pursuant to the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), it is hereby certified that the 
regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. This certification is based on 
the fact that the persons required to report under section 6050W, 
payment settlement entities, will generally not be small businesses. 
Merchant acquiring entities, the payment settlement entities required 
to report payment card transactions, will primarily be banks with over 
$175 million in assets. Third party settlement organizations, the 
payment settlement entities required to report third party network 
transactions, will generally not be small entities by virtue of the 
definition of a third party payment network, which requires the 
establishment of accounts with a central organization (the third party 
settlement organization) by a substantial number of persons. Further, 
section 6050W(e) provides a de minimis exception that exempts third 
party settlement organizations from reporting transactions with respect 
to a payee if the aggregate amount of such transactions does not exceed 
$20,000 or the aggregate number of such transactions does not exceed 
200. The Treasury Department and the IRS certify that the regulations 
in this document will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of 
the Code, the notice of proposed rulemaking preceding these regulations 
was submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration for comment on their impact on small business.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of these proposed regulations is Barbara 
Pettoni, Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and 
Administration).

List of Subjects

26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

26 CFR Part 31

    Employment taxes, Fishing Vessels, Gambling, Income taxes, 
Penalties, Pensions, Railroad retirement, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Social security, Unemployment compensation.

26 CFR Part 301

    Administrative practice and procedure, Alimony, Bankruptcy, Child 
support, Continental shelf, Courts, Crime, Employment taxes, Estate 
taxes, Excise taxes, Gift taxes, Income taxes, Investigations, Law 
enforcement, Oil pollution, Penalties, Pensions, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Seals and insignia, Statistics and taxes.

Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations

0
Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 1, 31 and 301 are amended as follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read in 
part as follows:

    Authority:  26 U.S.C. 7805.


0
Par. 2. Section 1.6041-1 is amended by adding a sentence at the end of 
paragraph (a)(1)(ii), adding paragraphs (a)(1)(iv) and (a)(1)(v), and 
revising paragraph (j) to read as follows:

[[Page 49828]]

Sec.  1.6041-1  Return of information as to payments of $600 or more.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (ii) * * * For payment card transactions (as described in Sec.  
1.6050W-1(b)) and third party network transactions (as defined in Sec.  
1.6050W-1(c)) required to be reported on information returns required 
under section 6050W (relating to payment card and third party network 
transactions), see special rules in Sec.  1.6041-1(a)(1)(iv).
* * * * *
    (iv) Information returns required under section 6050W for calendar 
years beginning after December 31, 2010. For payments made by payment 
card (as defined in Sec.  1.6050W-1(b)(3)) or through a third party 
payment network (as defined in Sec.  1.6050W-1(c)(3)) after December 
31, 2010, that are required to be reported on an information return 
under section 6050W (relating to payment card and third party network 
transactions), the following rule applies. Transactions that are 
described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section that otherwise would 
be subject to reporting under both sections 6041 and 6050W are reported 
under section 6050W and not section 6041. For provisions relating to 
information reporting for payment card and third party network 
transactions, see Sec.  1.6050W-1. Solely for purposes of this 
paragraph, the de minimis threshold for third party network 
transactions in Sec.  1.6050W-1(c)(4) is disregarded in determining 
whether the transaction is subject to reporting under section 6050W.
    (v) Examples. The provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this 
section are illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1.  Restaurant owner A, in the course of business, pays 
$600 of fixed or determinable income to B, a repairman, by credit 
card. B is one of a network of unrelated persons that has agreed to 
accept A's credit card as payment under an agreement that provides 
standards and mechanisms for settling the transactions between a 
merchant acquiring bank and the persons who accept the cards. 
Merchant acquiring bank Y is responsible for making the payment to 
B. Under paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section, A, as payor, is not 
required to file an information return under section 6041 with 
respect to the transaction because Y, as the payment settlement 
entity for the payment card transaction, is required to file an 
information return under section 6050W.
    Example 2.  Restaurant owner A, in the course of business, pays 
$600 of fixed or determinable income to B, a repairman, through a 
third party payment network. B is one of a substantial number of 
persons who have established accounts with Y, a third party 
settlement organization that provides standards and mechanisms for 
settling the transactions and guarantees payments to those persons 
for goods or services purchased through the network. Y is 
responsible for making the payment to B. Under paragraph (a)(1)(iv) 
of this section, A, as payor, is not required to file an information 
return under section 6041 with respect to the transaction because 
the transaction is a third party network transaction that is subject 
to reporting under section 6050W. Solely for purposes of determining 
whether A is eligible for relief from reporting under section 6041, 
the de minimis threshold for third party network transactions in 
Sec.  1.6050W-1(c)(4) is disregarded.

* * * * *
    (j) Effective/applicability date. The provisions of paragraphs (b), 
(c), (e), and (f) of this section apply to payments made after December 
31, 2002. The provisions of paragraphs (a)(1)(iv) and (a)(1)(v) apply 
to payments made after December 31, 2010.

0
Par. 3. Section 1.6041A-1 is amended by adding paragraph (d)(4) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  1.6041A-1  Returns regarding payments of remuneration for 
services and certain direct sales.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) Information returns required under section 6050W for calendar 
years beginning after December 31, 2010. (i) For payments made by 
payment card (as defined in Sec.  1.6050W-1(b)(3)) or through a third 
party payment network (as defined in Sec.  1.6050W-1(c)(3)) after 
December 31, 2010, that are required to be reported on an information 
return under section 6050W (relating to payment card and third party 
network transactions), the following rule applies. Transactions that 
otherwise would be reportable under both sections 6041A(a) and 6050W 
are reported under section 6050W and not section 6041A(a). For 
provisions relating to information reporting for payment card 
transactions and third party network transactions, see Sec.  1.6050W-1. 
Solely for purposes of this paragraph, the de minimis threshold for 
third party network transactions in Sec.  1.6050W-1(c)(4) is 
disregarded in determining whether the transaction is subject to 
reporting under section 6050W.
    (ii) Examples. The provisions of paragraph (d)(4) of this section 
are illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1.  Service-recipient A, in the course of its business, 
pays remuneration of $600 to service provider B by credit card for 
services performed by B. B is one of a network of unrelated persons 
that has agreed to accept A's credit card as payment under an 
agreement that provides standards and mechanisms for settling the 
transactions between a merchant acquiring bank and the persons who 
accept the cards. Merchant acquiring bank Y is responsible for 
making the payment to B. Under paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section, 
A is not required to file an information return under section 
6041A(a) with respect to the transaction because Y, as the payment 
settlement entity for the payment card transaction, is required to 
file an information return under section 6050W.
    Example 2.  Service-recipient A, in the course of business, pays 
$600 of fixed or determinable income to B, a repairman, through a 
third party payment network. B is one of a substantial number of 
persons who have established accounts with Y, a third party 
settlement organization that provides standards and mechanisms for 
settling the transactions and guarantees payments to those persons 
for goods or services purchased through the network. Y is 
responsible for making the payment to B. Under paragraph (d)(4)(i) 
of this section, A is not required to file an information return 
under section 6041A(a) with respect to the transaction because the 
transaction is a third party network transaction that is subject to 
reporting under section 6050W. Solely for purposes of determining 
whether the transaction is subject to reporting under section 6050W, 
the de minimis threshold for third party network transactions in 
Sec.  1.6050W-1(c)(4) is disregarded.
    (iii) Effective/applicability date. Paragraph (d)(4) of this 
section applies to payments made by payment card or through a third 
party payment network after December 31, 2010.
* * * * *

0
Par. 4. Section 1.6050W-1 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.6050W-1  Information reporting for payments made in settlement 
of payment card and third party network transactions.

    (a) In general--(1) General rule. Every payment settlement entity, 
as defined in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, must file an 
information return for each calendar year with respect to payments made 
in settlement of reportable payment transactions, as defined in 
paragraph (a)(3) of this section, setting forth the following 
information:
    (i) The name, address, and taxpayer identification number (TIN) of 
each participating payee, as defined in paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section, to whom one or more payments in settlement of reportable 
payment transactions are made.
    (ii) With respect to each participating payee, the gross amount, as 
defined in paragraph (a)(6) of this section, of--
    (A) The aggregate reportable payment transactions for the calendar 
year; and
    (B) The aggregate reportable payment transactions for each month of 
the calendar year.
    (iii) Any other information required by the form, instructions or 
current revenue procedures.
    (2) Payments in settlement of reportable payment transactions. A

[[Page 49829]]

payment settlement entity, as defined in paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section (or an electronic payment facilitator, as defined in paragraph 
(d)(2) of this section), makes a payment in settlement of a reportable 
payment transaction if the payment settlement entity (or electronic 
payment facilitator) submits the instruction to transfer funds to the 
account of the participating payee for purposes of settling the 
reportable payment transaction.
    (3) Reportable payment transaction. The term reportable payment 
transaction means any payment card transaction (as defined in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section) and any third party network transaction (as 
defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this section).
    (4) Payment settlement entity--(i) Definition. The term payment 
settlement entity means a domestic or foreign entity that is--
    (A) In the case of a payment card transaction, a merchant acquiring 
entity (as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section); and
    (B) In the case of a third party network transaction, a third party 
settlement organization (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section).
    (ii) Multiple payment settlement entities. If two or more persons 
qualify as payment settlement entities (as defined in paragraph 
(a)(4)(i) of this section) with respect to a reportable payment 
transaction, then only the payment settlement entity that in fact makes 
payment in settlement of the reportable payment transaction must file 
the information return required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (5) Participating payee--(i) Definition. In general, the term 
participating payee means any person, including any governmental unit 
(and any agency or instrumentality thereof), who:
    (A) In the case of a payment card transaction, accepts a payment 
card (as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section) as payment; and
    (B) In the case of a third party network transaction, accepts 
payment from a third party settlement organization (as defined in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section) in settlement of such transaction.
    (ii) Foreign payees--(A) In general. For payments pursuant to 
contractual obligations entered into after December 31, 2010, a payment 
settlement entity that is a person described as a U.S. payor or U.S. 
middleman in Sec.  1.6049-5(c)(5) is not required to make a return of 
information for payments to a participating payee with a foreign 
address as long as, prior to payment, the payment settlement entity has 
in its files documentation upon which the payment settlement entity may 
rely to treat the payment as made to a foreign person in accordance 
with Sec.  1.1441-1(e)(1)(ii). For purposes of this paragraph 
(a)(5)(ii), the provisions of Sec.  1.1441-1 shall apply by 
substituting the term payor for the term withholding agent and without 
regard to the limitation to amounts subject to withholding under 
chapter 3 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations under that 
chapter. Such a payment settlement entity need not make a return of 
information for payments made outside the United States (within the 
meaning of Sec.  1.6049-5(e)) to an offshore account (as defined in 
Sec.  1.6049-5(c)(1)) to a participating payee with only a foreign 
address if the name of the participating payee indicates that it is an 
entity listed as a per se corporation under Sec.  301.7701-2(b)(8)(i) 
and the payment settlement entity does not know or have reason to know 
that the participating payee is a United States person. A payment 
settlement entity may apply the grace period rules of Sec.  1.6049-
5(d)(2)(ii) of the regulations for payments to a participating payee 
with only a foreign address, without regard to whether the amounts paid 
are described in Sec.  1.1441-6(c)(2) or are reportable under section 
6042, 6045, 6049, or 6050N. For payments pursuant to contractual 
obligations entered into before January 1, 2011, a payment settlement 
entity that is a person described as a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman in 
Sec.  1.6049-5(c)(5) is not required to make a return of information 
for payments to a participating payee with a foreign address as long as 
the payment settlement entity neither knows nor has reason to know that 
the participating payee is a United States person. For this purpose, a 
renewal of such a contractual obligation will not result in a new 
contractual obligation unless there is a material modification to the 
contractual obligation.
    (B) Non-U.S. payor or middleman. A payment settlement entity that 
is not a person described as a U.S. payor or U.S middleman in Sec.  
1.6049-5(c)(5) is not required to make a return of information for a 
payment to a participating payee that does not have a United States 
address as long as the payment settlement entity neither knows nor has 
reason to know that the participating payee is a United States person. 
If the participating payee has any United States address, the payment 
settlement entity may treat the participating payee as a foreign person 
only if the payment settlement entity has in its files documentation 
upon which the payment settlement entity may rely to treat the payment 
as made to a foreign person in accordance with Sec.  1.1441-
1(e)(1)(ii).
    (C) Foreign address; United States address. For purposes of this 
section, foreign address means any address that is not within the 
United States, as defined in section 7701(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue 
Code (the States and the District of Columbia). United States address 
means any address that is within the United States.
    (6) Gross amount. For purposes of this section, gross amount means 
the total dollar amount of aggregate reportable payment transactions 
for each participating payee without regard to any adjustments for 
credits, cash equivalents, discount amounts, fees, refunded amounts or 
any other amounts. The dollar amount of each transaction is determined 
on the date of the transaction.
    (b) Payment card transactions--(1) Definition. The term payment 
card transaction means any transaction in which a payment card, or any 
account number or other indicia associated with a payment card, is 
accepted as payment.
    (2) Merchant acquiring entity. The term merchant acquiring entity 
means the bank or other organization that has the contractual 
obligation to make payment to participating payees (as defined in 
paragraph (a)(5)(i)(A) of this section) in settlement of payment card 
transactions.
    (3) Payment card--(i) The term payment card means any card, 
including any stored-value card as defined in paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section, issued pursuant to an agreement or arrangement that provides 
for--
    (A) One or more issuers of such cards;
    (B) A network of persons unrelated to each other, and to the 
issuer, who agree to accept such cards as payment; and
    (C) Standards and mechanisms for settling the transactions between 
the merchant acquiring entities and the persons who agree to accept the 
cards as payment.
    (ii) Persons who agree to accept such cards as payment as described 
in this paragraph (b)(3) are participating payees within the meaning of 
paragraph (a)(5)(i)(A) of this section.
    (4) Stored-value cards. The term stored-value card means any card 
with a prepaid value, including any gift card.
    (5) Transactions for which no return of information is required 
under section 6050W--(i) Withdrawals and cash advances. The use of a 
``payment card'' as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section by a 
cardholder to withdraw funds at an automated teller machine, or

[[Page 49830]]

to obtain a cash advance or loan against the cardholder's account, is 
not a payment card transaction under paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
because the card is not being accepted as payment by a merchant or 
other payee.
    (ii) Convenience checks. The acceptance of a check issued in 
connection with a payment card account by a merchant or other payee is 
not a payment card transaction under paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
because the check is accepted and processed through the banking system 
in the same manner as a traditional check, not as a payment card.
    (iii) Payee related to issuer. No return of information is required 
under this section for any transaction in which a payment card within 
the meaning of paragraph (b)(3) is accepted as payment by a merchant or 
other payee who is related to the issuer of the payment card.
    (c) Third party network transactions--(1) Definition. The term 
third party network transaction means any transaction that is settled 
through a third party payment network.
    (2) Third party settlement organization. The term third party 
settlement organization means the central organization that has the 
contractual obligation to make payments to participating payees (as 
defined in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(B) of this section) of third party 
network transactions. A central organization is a third party 
settlement organization if it provides a third party payment network 
(as defined in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section) that enables 
purchasers to transfer funds to providers of goods and services.
    (3) Third party payment network. (i) The term third party payment 
network means any agreement or arrangement that--
    (A) Involves the establishment of accounts with a central 
organization by a substantial number of providers of goods or services 
who are unrelated to the organization and who have agreed to settle 
transactions for the provision of the goods or services to purchasers 
according to the terms of the agreement or arrangement;
    (B) Provides standards and mechanisms for settling the 
transactions; and
    (C) Guarantees payment to the persons providing goods or services 
in settlement of transactions with purchasers pursuant to the agreement 
or arrangement.
    (ii) A third party payment network does not include any agreement 
or arrangement that provides for the issuance of payment cards.
    (iii) Persons who are providers of goods and services as described 
in this paragraph (c)(3) are participating payees within the meaning of 
paragraph (a)(5)(i)(B) of this section.
    (4) Exception for de minimis payments. A third party settlement 
organization is required to report any information under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section with respect to third party network transactions 
of any participating payee only if--
    (i) The amount that would otherwise be reported under paragraph 
(a)(1)(ii) of this section with respect to such transactions exceeds 
$20,000; and
    (ii) The aggregate number of such transactions exceeds 200.
    (d) Special rules--(1) Aggregated payees. If a person receives 
payments from a payment settlement entity (as defined in paragraph 
(a)(4) of this section) on behalf of one or more participating payees 
and distributes such payments to one or more participating payees (as 
defined in paragraph (a)(5) of this section), the person is treated as:
    (i) The participating payee with respect to the payment settlement 
entity; and
    (ii) The payment settlement entity with respect to the 
participating payees to whom the person distributes payments.
    (2) Electronic payment facilitator. If a payment settlement entity 
(as defined in paragraph (a)(4) of this section) contracts with an 
electronic payment facilitator or other third party to make payments in 
settlement of reportable payment transactions on behalf of the payment 
settlement entity, the facilitator must file the annual information 
return under this section in lieu of the payment settlement entity. The 
facilitator need not have any agreement or arrangement with the 
participating payee. Also, the payment need not come from the 
facilitator's account. The facilitator need only submit instructions to 
transfer funds to the account of the participating payee in settlement 
of the reportable payment transaction. The facilitator is liable for 
any applicable penalties for failure to comply with the information 
reporting requirements of section 6050W.
    (3) Designations. The party with the obligation to file the annual 
information return under this section may designate by written 
agreement any other person to satisfy the requirements of this section. 
Thus, notwithstanding the rule in paragraph (d)(2) of this section 
imposing the obligation to file the annual information return on the 
electronic payment facilitator in lieu of the payment settlement 
entity, the payment settlement entity may file the information return 
by designation if the parties agree in writing. However, a designation 
does not relieve the party with the reporting obligation from liability 
for any reporting failures. The party with the obligation to file the 
annual information return under this section remains liable for any 
applicable penalties under sections 6721 and 6722 if the requirements 
of this section are not satisfied.
    (4) Conversion into United States dollars of amounts paid in 
foreign currency. When a payment is made or received in a foreign 
currency, the U.S. dollar amount shall be determined by converting such 
foreign currency into U.S. dollars on the date of the transaction at 
the spot rate (as defined in Sec.  1.988-1(d)(1)) or pursuant to a 
reasonable spot rate convention. For example, a payor may use a month-
end spot rate or a monthly average spot rate. A spot rate convention 
must be used consistently with respect to all non-dollar amounts 
reported and from year to year. Such convention cannot be changed 
without the consent of the Commissioner or his or her delegate.
    (5) Unrelated persons. For purposes of this section, unrelated 
means any person who is not related to another person within the 
meaning of section 267(b) (providing a list of relationships), 
including the application of section 267(c) and (e)(3) (providing rules 
relating to constructive ownership), and section 707(b)(1) 
(relationships with partnerships).
    (e) Examples. The following examples illustrate the provisions of 
this section:

    Example 1. Merchant acquiring entity. Customer A purchases goods 
from merchant B using a credit card issued by Bank X. B is one of a 
network of unrelated persons that has agreed to accept credit cards 
issued by X as payment under an agreement that provides standards 
and mechanisms for settling the transaction between a merchant 
acquiring bank and the persons who accept the cards. Bank Z is the 
merchant acquiring bank with the contractual obligation to make 
payment to B for goods provided to A in this transaction. As defined 
in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, Z is the merchant acquiring 
entity that must file the annual information return required under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section to report the payment made to 
settle the transaction for the sale of goods from B to A.
    Example 2. Third party settlement organization. (i) Merchant B 
is one of a substantial number of persons selling goods or services 
over the Internet that have an account with X, an Internet payment 
service provider. None of these persons, including B, are related to 
X, and all have agreed to settle transactions for the sale of goods 
or services to customers according to the terms of their contracts 
with X. X has guaranteed payment

[[Page 49831]]

to all of these persons, including B, for the sale of goods or 
services to customers. Customer A purchases goods from B. A pays X 
for the goods purchased from B. X, in turn, makes payment to B in 
settlement of the transaction for the sale of goods from B to A.
    (ii) X's arrangement constitutes a third party payment network 
as defined in paragraph (c)(3) of this section because a substantial 
number of persons that are unrelated to X, including B, have 
established accounts with X, and X is contractually obligated to 
settle transactions for the provision of goods or services by these 
persons to purchasers. Thus, under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, 
X is a third party settlement organization and the transaction 
discussed in this Example is a third party network transaction under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section. Therefore, X must file the annual 
information return required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
to report the payment made to B in settlement of the transaction 
with A provided that X's aggregate payments to B from third party 
network transactions exceed $20,000 and the aggregate number of X's 
transactions with B exceeds 200 (as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of 
this section).
    Example 3. Automated clearinghouse network. A operates an 
automated clearinghouse (``ACH'') network that merely processes 
electronic payments (such as wire transfers, electronic checks, and 
direct deposit payments) between buyers and sellers. There are no 
contractual agreements between A and the sellers for the purpose of 
permitting the sellers to use the ACH network. Thus, A is not a 
third party settlement organization under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, the ACH network is not a third party payment network under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, and the electronic payment 
transactions are not third party network transactions under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section. A is not required to file the 
annual information return required under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section.
    Example 4. ACH processor. B provides a variety of ACH payment 
processing services to a large number of merchants, such as 
converting checks received in payment of bills into ACH 
transactions. B groups payment transactions into an ACH file and 
transmits the ACH file into the ACH network on behalf of merchants 
in order to initiate payment to merchants through the ACH network. B 
makes payments to the merchants after the ACH network verifies that 
the customers' accounts have sufficient funds. Because the ACH 
network is not a third party payment network under paragraph (c)(3) 
of this section, B cannot be a third party settlement organization 
with respect to the ACH network. Similarly, because the ACH itself 
is not a third party settlement organization under paragraph (c)(2) 
of this section, B cannot be an electronic payment facilitator 
because B is not acting on behalf of a payment settlement entity. 
However, B may itself be operating third party payment network under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section if B has a separate agreement or 
arrangement that: involves the establishment of accounts with B by a 
substantial number of unrelated merchants who provide goods or 
services and have agreed to settle transactions for the provision of 
the goods or services pursuant to the agreement or arrangement; 
provides for standards and mechanisms for settling the transactions; 
and guarantees persons providing goods or services pursuant to such 
agreement or arrangement that these persons will be paid for 
providing such goods or services.
    Example 5. Gross amount. On Day 1, Customer A uses a payment 
card to purchase $100 worth of goods from merchant B. Bank X, the 
merchant acquiring entity for B, is the party with the contractual 
obligation to make payment to B in settlement of the transaction. On 
Day 2, X, after deducting fees of $2, makes payment of $98 to settle 
the transaction for the sale of goods from B to A. Under paragraph 
(a)(6) of this section, X must report the amount of $100, the amount 
of the transaction on Day 1, without any reduction for fees or any 
other amount, as the gross amount of this reportable payment 
transaction on the annual information return filed under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.
    Example 6. Gift card. (i) Customer A purchases a gift card from 
Merchant X that may be used only at X and its related network of 
stores. A purchases the gift card using cash. A gives the gift card 
to B. B uses the gift card to purchase goods at one of X's stores. 
The purchase of the gift card by A using cash is not a payment card 
transaction described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section and, thus, 
is not required to be reported in a return of information required 
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Under paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section, the gift card is not a payment card because the gift 
card is only accepted as payment by persons who are related to the 
issuer of the gift card and to each other. Therefore, the use of the 
gift card by B is not required to be reported in a return of 
information required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (ii) The facts are the same as in paragraph (i), except that B 
adds value to the gift card using a credit card. The use of the 
credit card to add value to the gift card is a reportable payment 
transaction (as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section) and 
must be reported in a return of information under this section by 
the bank or other organization that has the contractual obligation 
to make payment to X in settlement of the transaction.
    Example 7. Private label card. Bank B issues a card imprinted 
with Retailer C's logo to cardholder A. The ``C-card'' is accepted 
as payment only at C or at stores related (within the meaning of 
section 267(b), (c) and (e)(3) and, section 707(b)(1)) to C. A uses 
the card at C to purchase electronics equipment. Under paragraph 
(b)(3) of this section, the C-card is not a payment card because the 
card is accepted as payment only within a network of persons who are 
related to each other. Therefore, the use of the card by A at C is 
not required to be reported in a return of information required 
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    Example 8. Quasi-private label card. Bank B issues a card to 
cardholder A. The card, known as an ``E-card,'' is issued by B 
pursuant to an agreement that provides that the E-card is accepted 
as payment only within a limited network of merchants that carry 
electronics equipment. The agreement provides for standards and 
mechanisms for settling the transactions between the merchants and 
the merchant acquiring entities. The merchants accepting the E-card 
as payment are not related (within the meaning of section 267(b), 
(c) and (e)(3) and section 707(b)(1)) to each other or to B. A uses 
the card to purchase electronics equipment at F Store, one of the 
stores within the network of merchants accepting the E-card. Under 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the E-card is a payment card 
because the card is issued pursuant to an agreement that provides 
for a network of persons unrelated to each other, and to the issuer, 
who agree to accept the card as payment. Therefore, the use of the 
E-card by A to purchase electronics equipment at F Store must be 
reported in a return of information required under paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section.
    Example 9. Campus card. (i) University Y issues Student A a card 
that may be used on campus at various university-owned merchants and 
at various local merchants unrelated to Y. A uses the card in the 
university-owned cafeteria to purchase lunch. Under paragraph 
(b)(5)(iii) of this section, no return of information is required 
because the card is being accepted as payment by a person who is 
related to the issuer of the card.

    (ii) The facts are the same as in paragraph (i), except that A 
uses the campus card to purchase lunch at a local restaurant, 
unrelated to Y, that has agreed to accept the campus card as 
payment. Under paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the campus card is 
a payment card in this transaction because the card is accepted as 
payment by a person that is unrelated to this issuer of the card 
pursuant to an agreement. Therefore, the use of the card by A in the 
local restaurant for the purchase of lunch must be reported in a 
return of information required under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section by the bank or other organization that has the contractual 
obligation to make payment to the restaurant in settlement of the 
transaction.

    Example 10. Mall card. Customer B purchases a card that is 
issued by shopping mall A. Pursuant to an agreement or arrangement, 
the card is accepted as payment by various merchants located within 
the mall, who are unrelated to the issuer of the card and to each 
other. B uses the card in the mall to purchase goods from merchant 
C. Under paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the mall card is a 
payment card because the card is accepted as payment by a network of 
persons who are unrelated to the issuer of the card and to the other 
merchants who have agreed to accept the card as payment. Therefore, 
the use of the mall card by B to purchase goods from merchant C is 
required to be reported in a return of information required under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    Example 11. Electronic benefit transactions card.  Government 
Agency A issues benefits electronically to recipients by loading 
these benefits onto a payment card. Pursuant to an agreement, a 
network of merchants unrelated to A, and to each other, has agreed 
to accept the benefits card as payment. A issues a card

[[Page 49832]]

to B, who uses the card to purchase goods from Merchant C. The card 
issued by A is a payment card (as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section) because the card is accepted as payment by a network 
of persons that are unrelated to the issuer of the card, and to each 
other.
    The use of the card by B to purchase goods from C must be 
reported in a return of information required under paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section.
    Example 12. Prepaid telephone card. A purchases a prepaid 
telephone card from Company X that may be used to make telephone 
calls using various long-distance providers unrelated to X that have 
agreed to accept the card as payment. A places a telephone call 
using the prepaid card as payment for the telephone call. Under 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the prepaid telephone card is a 
payment card because the card is accepted as payment by a person 
that is unrelated to the issuer of the card pursuant to an 
agreement. Therefore, the use of the prepaid card to make payment 
for the telephone call must be reported in a return of information 
required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section by the bank or other 
organization that has the contractual obligation to make payment to 
the long distance provider in settlement of the transaction.
    Example 13. Transit card.  City Z accepts a transit card as 
payment for use of its mass transit system. The transit card is 
issued by B, an organization unrelated to Z. A network of persons, 
including Z, who are unrelated to each other and to B, have agreed 
to accept the transit card issued by B as payment for transit and 
for other goods and services. Transit rider X purchases a transit 
card and uses the card to pay for travel on Z's mass transit system. 
Under paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the transit card is a 
payment card because the card is accepted as payment by a person who 
is one of a network of persons that are unrelated to the issuer of 
the card, and to each other, and that have agreed to accept the card 
as payment. Therefore, the use of the transit card by X to pay for 
transit on Z's mass transit system is a payment card transaction 
described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that must be reported 
in a return of information required under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section by the bank or other organization that has the contractual 
obligation to make payment to Z. Z is the participating payee, 
described in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(A) of this section, of the payment 
card transaction.
    Example 14. Cash advance. Bank A issues Cardholder B a credit 
card that is a payment card under paragraph (b)(3) of this section. 
B uses the card at a local bank to obtain a cash advance. Under 
paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section, B's use of the payment card to 
obtain a cash advance is not a payment card transaction (as defined 
in paragraph (b)(1) of this section) because the card is not being 
accepted as payment by a merchant.
    Example 15. Withdrawals from automated teller machines. Bank A 
issues Cardholder B a credit card that is a payment card under 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section. B uses the card at an automated 
teller machine to obtain cash. Under paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this 
section, B's use of the payment card to obtain cash is not a payment 
card transaction (as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section) 
because the card is not being accepted as payment by a merchant.
    Example 16. Convenience checks. Bank A issues Cardholder B a 
credit card that is a payment card under paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section. A sends B paper checks imprinted with the account number 
associated with the credit card. B uses one of the checks to 
purchase goods from Merchant S. The check is accepted by S and 
processed through the bank system in the same manner as a 
traditional check. Under paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this section, B's 
use of the convenience check to purchase goods is not a payment card 
transaction (as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section) because 
the check is accepted and processed as a traditional check, not as a 
payment card.
    Example 17. Healthcare network.  Health carrier A operates 
healthcare network Y. A collects premiums from covered persons 
pursuant to a plan agreement between A and the covered persons for 
the cost of membership in Y. Separately, A pays healthcare providers 
pursuant to provider agreements to compensate these providers for 
services rendered to covered persons who are members of Y. A is not 
a third party settlement organization under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section because A does not operate a third party payment network 
that enables purchasers to transfer funds to providers of goods and 
services. Therefore, A is not required to file the annual 
information return required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    Example 18. Third party accounts payable. X is a ``shared-
service'' organization that performs accounts payable services for 
numerous purchasers that are unrelated to X. A substantial number of 
providers of goods and services have established accounts with X and 
have agreed to accept payment from X in settlement of their 
transactions with purchasers. The provider agreement with X includes 
standards and mechanisms for settling the transactions and 
guarantees payment to the providers, and the arrangement enables 
purchasers to transfer funds to providers. Under paragraph (c)(3) of 
this section, X's accounts payable services constitute a third party 
payment network, of which X is the third party settlement 
organization (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section). For 
each payee, X must file the annual information return required under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section to report payments made by X in 
settlement of accounts payable to that payee if X's aggregate 
payments to that payee exceed $20,000 and the aggregate number of 
transactions with that payee exceeds 200 (as provided in paragraph 
(c)(4) of this section).
    Example 19. Toll collection network. State A charges a toll to 
vehicles that travel its state highways. The tolling agency for A 
contracted with organization X to perform its toll collection. X 
provides an electronic toll collection system that allows the toll 
facility to record the passage of a vehicle with a transponder 
affixed to the vehicle. The customer account associated with the 
transponder is automatically debited for the amount of the toll. The 
customer funds a balance in the account, which is then depleted as 
the toll transactions occur. X periodically bills the customer to 
replenish the account. X then makes payment to A to settle the toll 
transactions that are recorded by the transponder. X also contracts 
with a substantial number of other entities unrelated to X that have 
established accounts with X and have agreed to accept payment using 
the electronic toll collection system provided by X. X guarantees 
payment to the entities for all toll transactions that are recorded 
by the transponders, and the arrangement enables customers to 
transfer funds to State A and other entities that charge tolls. 
Under paragraph (c)(3) of this section, X's electronic toll 
collection system constitutes a third party payment network, of 
which X is the third party settlement organization (as defined in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section). For each payee, including A, X 
must file the annual information return required under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section to report payments made by X in settlement of 
toll transactions if X's aggregate payments to that payee exceed 
$20,000 and the aggregate number of transactions with that payee 
exceeds 200 (as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this section).
    Example 20. Hotel kiosk. Under a ``hotel kiosk'' arrangement, 
Hotel B permits its customers to charge, to their room account, 
transactions for goods and services at a substantial number of 
sellers unrelated to B that operate on B's premises, or on the 
premises of hotels related to B, and that have established accounts 
in B's hotel kiosk system. Customers settle their room account with 
B when they check out, and B in turn settles the hotel kiosk 
transactions with the unrelated sellers. B guarantees payment to the 
sellers for these transactions and the arrangement enables customers 
to transfer funds to the sellers by means of one payment made to the 
hotel. Under paragraph (c)(3) of this section, B's hotel kiosk 
system constitutes a third party payment network, of which B is the 
third party settlement organization (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) 
of this section). For each payee, B must file the annual information 
return required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section to report 
payments made by B in settlement of the hotel kiosk transactions if 
B's aggregate payments to that payee exceed $20,000 and the 
aggregate number of transactions with that payee exceeds 200 (as 
provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this section).
    Example 21. Aggregated payee.  Corporation A, acting on behalf 
of A's independently-owned franchise stores, receives payment from 
Bank X for credit card sales effectuated at these franchise stores. 
X, the payment settlement entity (as defined in paragraph (a)(4)(i) 
of this section), is required under paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this 
section to report the gross amount of the reportable payment 
transactions distributed to A (notwithstanding the fact that A does 
not accept payment cards and would not otherwise be treated as a 
participating payee). In turn, under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this 
section, A is required to report the gross amount of the reportable 
payment transactions allocable to each franchise store.

[[Page 49833]]

X has no reporting obligation under this section with respect to 
payments made by A to its franchise stores.
    Example 22. Electronic payment facilitator.  (i) Bank A is a 
merchant acquiring entity (as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section) with the contractual obligation to make payments to 
participating merchants to settle certain credit card transactions. 
A enters into a contract with Processor X. Pursuant to this 
contract, X prepares and submits instructions to move funds from A's 
account to the accounts of participating merchants to settle credit 
card transactions. X is making payment on A's behalf in settlement 
of payment card transactions pursuant to a contract between X and A. 
Therefore, under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, X is an 
electronic payment facilitator and must file the information return 
required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section with respect to 
credit card transactions settled by X. A has no reporting obligation 
with respect to payments made by X on A's behalf.
    (ii) The facts are the same as in paragraph (i) except that A 
and X state in their contract that A will file the information 
return required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section. A may file 
the information return pursuant to this designation. However, X is 
liable for any applicable penalties under sections 6721 and 6722 if 
the reporting requirements of this section are not satisfied.
    (iii) The facts are the same as in paragraph (i) except that X 
merely prepares the instructions to move the funds to the accounts 
of participating merchants, and the instructions are actually 
submitted by A. A, not X, is making payment in settlement of payment 
card transactions. Therefore, A retains the obligation to file the 
information return required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
with respect to credit card transactions settled by A.

    (f) Prescribed form. The return required by paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section must be made according to the forms and instructions 
published by the Internal Revenue Service.
    (g) Time and place for filing. Returns made under this section for 
any calendar year must be filed on or before February 28th (March 31st 
if filing electronically) of the following year at the Internal Revenue 
Service Center location designated in the instructions to the relevant 
form.
    (h) Time and place for furnishing statement--(1) In general. Every 
payment settlement entity required to file a return under this section 
must also furnish to each participating payee a written statement with 
the same information (as described in paragraph (h)(2) of this 
section). The statement must be furnished to the payee on or before 
January 31st of the year following the calendar year in which the 
reportable payment is made. If the return of information is not made on 
magnetic media, this requirement may be satisfied by furnishing to such 
person a copy of all Forms 1099-K, ``Merchant card and third-party 
payments,'' or any successor form with respect to such person filed 
with the Internal Revenue Service Center. The statement will be 
considered furnished to the payee if it is mailed to the payee's last 
known address. The payment settlement entity may furnish the statement 
electronically in accordance with the rules provided in Sec.  1.6050W-
2.
    (2) Information to be shown on statement furnished to payee. Each 
written statement furnished under paragraph (h)(1) of this section must 
include the following information--
    (i) The name, address, and phone number (or email address if the 
statement is furnished electronically) of the information contact of 
the payment settlement entity.
    (ii) With respect to the participating payee, the gross amount of--
    (A) The aggregate reportable payment transactions for the calendar 
year; and
    (B) The aggregate reportable payment transactions for each month of 
the calendar year.
    (iii) Any other information required by the form, instructions, or 
current revenue procedures.
    (i) Cross-reference to penalties. For provisions relating to the 
penalty for failure to file timely a correct information return 
required under section 6050W, see section 6721 and the associated 
regulations. For provisions relating to the penalty for failure to 
furnish timely a correct payee statement required under section 
6050W(f), see section 6722 and the associated regulations. See section 
6724 and the associated regulations for the waiver of a penalty if 
failure is due to reasonable cause and is not due to willful neglect.
    (j) Effective/applicability date. The rules in this section apply 
to returns for calendar years beginning after December 31, 2010.
0
Par. 5. Section 1.6050W-2 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.6050W-2  Electronic furnishing of information statements for 
payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network 
transactions.

    (a) Electronic furnishing of statements--(1) In general. A person 
required by section 6050W to furnish a written statement (furnisher) 
regarding payments made in settlement of payment card and third party 
network transactions to the person to whom it is required to be 
furnished (recipient) may furnish the statement in an electronic format 
in lieu of a paper format. A furnisher who meets the requirements of 
paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(5) of this section is treated as 
furnishing the required statement.
    (2) Consent--(i) In general. The recipient must have affirmatively 
consented to receive the statement required under section 6050W in an 
electronic format or, in the alternative, have previously consented to 
receive other federal tax statements in an electronic format from the 
furnisher. The consent may be made electronically in any manner that 
reasonably demonstrates that the recipient can access the statement in 
the electronic format in which it will be furnished to the recipient. 
Alternatively, the consent may be made in a paper document if it is 
confirmed electronically. Consents must be kept at all times available 
for inspection by the Internal Revenue Service. Recipients currently 
receiving electronic communications from the furnisher may elect to 
receive the statement required under section 6050W in a paper document 
in lieu of an electronic format. The election to receive a paper 
document may be made by notifying the furnisher electronically or in a 
paper document.
    (ii) Withdrawal of consent. The consent requirement of paragraph 
(a)(2)(i) of this section is not satisfied if the recipient withdraws 
the consent to receive electronic statements and the withdrawal takes 
effect before the statement is furnished. The furnisher may provide 
that a withdrawal of consent takes effect either on the date it is 
received by the furnisher or on a subsequent date. The furnisher may 
also provide that a request for a paper statement will be treated as a 
withdrawal of consent.
    (iii) Change in hardware or software requirements. If a change in 
the hardware or software required to access the statement creates a 
material risk that the recipient will not be able to access the 
statement, the furnisher must, prior to changing the hardware or 
software, provide notice to the recipient. The notice must describe the 
revised hardware and software required to access the statement and 
inform the recipient that a new consent to receive the statement in the 
revised electronic format must be provided to the furnisher. After 
implementing the revised hardware and software, the furnisher must 
obtain from the recipient, in the manner described in paragraph 
(a)(2)(i) of this section, a new consent or confirmation of consent to 
receive the statement electronically.
    (iv) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
paragraph (a)(2):

    Example 1.  Recipient R has consented to receive the statements 
required under section 6041 in electronic format from Furnisher F. F 
has retained R's consent and keeps it

[[Page 49834]]

available for inspection by the IRS. F may furnish to R the 
statement required under section 6050W in electronic format without 
securing an affirmative consent from R with respect to the 
statements required under section 6050W.
    Example 2.  Recipient R has not consented to receive any 
electronic federal income tax statements from Furnisher F. F may not 
furnish to R the statements required under section 6050W unless F 
first secures from R a consent to receive those statements in 
electronic format in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 
(a)(2) through (a)(5) of this section.
    Example 3.  Furnisher F sends Recipient R a letter stating that 
R may consent to receive statements required by section 6050W(f) 
electronically on a website instead of in a paper format. The letter 
contains instructions explaining how to consent to receive the 
statements electronically by accessing the website, downloading the 
consent document, completing the consent document, and e-mailing the 
completed consent back to F. The consent document posted on the 
website uses the same electronic format that F uses to furnish 
statements electronically. R reads the instructions and submits the 
consent in the manner provided in the instructions. R has consented 
to receive the statements electronically in the manner described in 
paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.
    Example 4.  Furnisher F sends Recipient R an e-mail stating that 
R may consent to receive statements required by section 6050W(f) 
electronically instead of in a paper format. The e-mail contains an 
attachment instructing R how to consent to receive the statements 
electronically. The e-mail attachment uses the same electronic 
format that F uses to furnish statements electronically. R opens the 
attachment, reads the instructions, and submits the consent in the 
manner provided in the instructions. R has consented to receive the 
statements electronically in the manner described in paragraph 
(a)(2)(i) of this section.
    Example 5.  Furnisher F posts a notice on its website stating 
that Recipient R may receive statements required by section 6050W(f) 
electronically instead of in a paper format. The website contains 
instructions on how R may access a secure web page and consent to 
receive the statements electronically. By accessing the secure web 
page and giving consent, R has consented to receive the statements 
electronically in the manner described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of 
this section.

    (3) Required disclosures--(i) In general. Prior to, or at the time 
of, a recipient's consent, the furnisher must provide to the recipient 
a clear and conspicuous disclosure statement containing each of the 
disclosures described in paragraphs (a)(3)(ii) through (a)(3)(viii) of 
this section.
    (ii) Paper statement. The recipient must be informed that the 
statement will be furnished on paper if the recipient does not consent 
to receive it electronically.
    (iii) Scope and duration of consent. The recipient must be informed 
of the scope and duration of the consent. For example, the recipient 
must be informed whether the consent applies to statements furnished 
every year after the consent is given until it is withdrawn in the 
manner described in paragraph (a)(3)(v)(A) of this section or only to 
the statement required to be furnished on or before the January 31st 
immediately following the date on which the consent is given.
    (iv) Post-consent request for a paper statement. The recipient must 
be informed of any procedure for obtaining a paper copy of the 
recipient's statement after giving the consent described in paragraph 
(a)(2)(i) of this section and whether a request for a paper statement 
will be treated as a withdrawal of consent.
    (v) Withdrawal of consent. The recipient must be informed that--
    (A) The recipient may withdraw a consent by writing (electronically 
or on paper) to the person or department whose name, mailing address, 
telephone number, and e-mail address is provided in the disclosure 
statement;
    (B) The furnisher will confirm the withdrawal and the date on which 
it takes effect in writing (either electronically or on paper); and
    (C) A withdrawal of consent does not apply to a statement that was 
furnished electronically in the manner described in this paragraph (a) 
before the date on which the withdrawal of consent takes effect.
    (vi) Notice of termination. The recipient must be informed of the 
conditions under which a furnisher will cease furnishing statements 
electronically to the recipient.
    (vii) Updating information. The recipient must be informed of the 
procedures for updating the information needed by the furnisher to 
contact the recipient. The furnisher must inform the recipient of any 
change in the furnisher's contact information.
    (viii) Hardware and software requirements. The recipient must be 
provided with a description of the hardware and software required to 
access, print, and retain the statement, and the date when the 
statement will no longer be available on the Web site.
    (4) Format. The electronic version of the statement must contain 
all required information and comply with applicable revenue procedures 
relating to substitute statements to recipients.
    (5) Notice--(i) In general. If the statement is furnished on a 
website, the furnisher must notify the recipient that the statement is 
posted on a website. The notice may be delivered by mail, electronic 
mail, or in person. The notice must provide instructions on how to 
access and print the statement. The notice must include the following 
statement in capital letters, ``IMPORTANT TAX RETURN DOCUMENT 
AVAILABLE.'' If the notice is provided by electronic mail, the 
foregoing statement must be on the subject line of the electronic mail.
    (ii) Undeliverable electronic address. If an electronic notice 
described in paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section is returned as 
undeliverable, and the correct electronic address cannot be obtained 
from the furnisher's records or from the recipient, then the furnisher 
must furnish the notice by mail or in person within 30 days after the 
electronic notice is returned.
    (b) Effective/applicability date. The rules in this section apply 
to returns for calendar years beginning after December 31, 2010.

PART 31--EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX AT SOURCE

0
Par. 6. The authority citation for part 31 continues to read in part as 
follows:

    Authority:  26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *


0
Par. 7. Section 31.3406-0 is amended as follows:
0
1. Entries for Sec.  31.3406(b)(3)-5(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) are 
added.
0
2. Entry for Sec.  31.3406(g)-1 is amended by adding paragraphs (d), 
(e), and (f).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  31.3406-0  Outline of the backup withholding regulations.

* * * * *


Sec.  31.3406(b)(3)-5  Reportable payments of payment card and third 
party network transactions.

    (a) Payment card and third party network transactions subject to 
backup withholding.
    (b) Amount subject to backup withholding.
    (c) Time when payments are considered to be subject to backup 
withholding.
    (d) Backup withholding from an alternate source.
    (e) Effective/applicability date.
* * * * *


Sec.  31.3406(g)-1  Exception for payments to certain payees and 
certain other payments.

* * * * *
    (d) Reportable payments made to Canadian nonresident alien 
individuals.
    (e) Certain reportable payments made outside the United States by 
foreign persons, foreign offices of United States banks and brokers, 
and others.
    (f) Special rule for certain payment card transactions.
* * * * *

[[Page 49835]]


0
Par. 8. Section 31.3406(a)-2 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  31.3406(a)-2  Definition of payors obligated to backup withhold.

    (a) In general. Payor means the person that is required to make an 
information return under section 6041, 6041A(a), 6042, 6044, 6045, 
6049, 6050A, 6050N, or 6050W with respect to any reportable payment (as 
described in section 3406(b)), or that is described in paragraph (b) of 
this section.
* * * * *

0
Par. 9. Section 31.3406(b)(3)-5 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  31.3406(b)(3)-5  Reportable payments of payment card and third 
party network transactions.

    (a) Payment card and third party network transactions subject to 
backup withholding. The gross amount of a reportable transaction that 
is required to be reported under section 6050W (relating to information 
reporting for payment card and third party network transactions) is a 
reportable payment for purposes of section 3406. See Sec.  31.6051-4 
for the requirement to furnish a statement to the payee if tax is 
withheld under section 3406.
    (b) Amount subject to backup withholding. In general, the amount 
described in paragraph (a) of this section that is subject to 
withholding under section 3406 is the amount subject to reporting under 
section 6050W. In the case of payments made in settlement of third 
party network transactions, the amount subject to withholding under 
section 3406 is determined without regard to the exception for de 
minimis payments by third party settlement organizations in section 
6050W(e) and the associated regulations.
    (c) Time when payments are considered to be subject to backup 
withholding--(1) In general. In the case of a payment card or third 
party network transaction reportable under section 6050W, the 
obligation to withhold arises on the date of the transaction. A payor 
is not required, however, to satisfy its withholding liability until 
the time that payment is made.
    (2) Example. The provisions of paragraph (c)(1) are illustrated by 
the following example:

    Example.  On Day 1, Customer A uses a payment card to purchase 
$100 worth of goods from Merchant B. Bank X, the merchant acquiring 
entity for B, is the party with the contractual obligation to make 
payment to B in settlement of the transaction. On Day 2, X, after 
deducting fees of $2, makes payment of $98 to settle the transaction 
for the sale of goods from B to A. Under paragraph (a)(6) of Sec.  
1.6050W-1, X must report the amount of $100, the amount of the 
transaction on Day 1, without any reduction for fees or any other 
amount, as the gross amount of this reportable payment transaction 
on the annual information return filed under paragraph (a)(1) of 
Sec.  1.6050W-1. Under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, X's 
obligation, if any, to backup withhold arises on Day 1, the backup 
withholding obligation must be satisfied on Day 2, and the amount 
subject to backup withholding is $100 (the gross amount of the 
reportable payment transaction (as defined in paragraph (a)(6) of 
Sec.  1.6050W-1)).
    (d) Backup withholding from an alternate source--(1) In general. A 
payor may not withhold under section 3406 from a source maintained by 
the payor other than the source with respect to which there exists a 
liability to withhold under section 3406 with respect to the payee. See 
section 3403 and Sec.  31.3403-1, which provide that the payor is 
liable for the amount required to be withheld regardless of whether the 
payor withholds.
    (2) Exceptions for backup withholding when there are no funds 
available--(i) Backup withholding from an alternative source. In the 
event there are no funds available in the source with respect to which 
there exists a liability to withhold under section 3406 with respect to 
the payee, the payor may withhold under section 3406 from another 
source maintained by the payee with the payor. The source from which 
the tax is withheld under section 3406 must be payable to at least one 
of the persons listed on the account subject to withholding. If the 
account or source is not payable exclusively to the same person or 
persons listed on the account subject to withholding under section 
3406, then the payor must obtain a written statement from all other 
persons to whom the account or source is payable authorizing the payor 
to withhold under section 3406 from the alternative account or source. 
A payor that elects to withhold under section 3406 from an alternative 
source may determine the account or source from which the tax is to be 
withheld, or may allow the payee to designate the alternative source.
    (ii) Deferral of withholding. If the payor cannot locate, with 
reasonable care (following procedures substantially similar to those 
set forth in Sec.  31.3406(d)-5(c)(3)(ii)(A) and (B)), an alternative 
source of cash from which the payor may satisfy its withholding 
obligation pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, the payor 
may defer its obligation to withhold under section 3406 until the 
earlier of--
    (A) The date on which cash, in a sufficient amount to satisfy the 
obligation in full, is deposited in the account subject to withholding 
under section 3406; or
    (B) The close of the fourth calendar year after the obligation 
arose.
    (iii) Termination of obligation to backup withhold. If, at the 
close of the fourth calendar year after the backup withholding arose, 
the payor has not located an alternate source of cash from which the 
payor may satisfy its withholding obligation, and sufficient cash to 
satisfy the obligation in full has not been deposited in the account 
subject to withholding under section 3406, then the obligation to 
backup withhold terminates at the close of the fourth calendar year.
    (e) Effective/applicability date. The provisions of this section 
apply to amounts paid after December 31, 2011.

0
Par. 10. Section 31.3406(d)-1 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  31.3406(d)-1  Manner required for furnishing a taxpayer 
identification number.

* * * * *
    (d) Rents, commissions, nonemployee compensation, certain fishing 
boat operators, and payment card and third party network transactions, 
etc.--Manner required for furnishing a taxpayer identification number. 
For accounts, contracts, or relationships subject to information 
reporting under section 6041 (relating to information reporting at 
source on rents, royalties, salaries, etc.), section 6041A(a) (relating 
to information reporting of payments for nonemployee services), section 
6050A (relating to information reporting by certain fishing boat 
operators), section 6050N (relating to information reporting of 
payments of royalties), or section 6050W (relating to information 
reporting for payment card and third party network transactions), the 
payee must furnish the payee's taxpayer identification number to the 
payor either orally or in writing. Except as provided in Sec.  
31.3406(d)-5, the payee is not required to certify under penalties of 
perjury that the taxpayer identification number is correct regardless 
of when the account, contract, or relationship is established.

0
Par. 11. Section 31.6051-4 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(2) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  31.6051-4  Statement required in case of backup withholding.

* * * * *
    (c)* * *
    (2) The amount subject to reporting under section 6041, 6041A(a), 
6042,

[[Page 49836]]

6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A, 6050N, or 6050W whether or not the amount of 
the reportable payment is less than the amount for which an information 
return is required. If tax is withheld under section 3406, the 
statement must show the amount of the payment withheld upon;
* * * * *

PART 301--PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION

0
Par. 12. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read in part 
as follows:

    Authority:  26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *


0
Par. 13. Section 301.6721-1(g) is amended by:
0
1. Removing the language ``or'' at the end of paragraph (g)(3)(xii).
0
2. Redesignating paragraphs (g)(3)(viii), (g)(3)(ix), (g)(3)(x), 
(g)(3)(xi), (g)(3)(xii) and (g)(3)(xiii) as (g)(3)(ix), (g)(3)(x), 
(g)(3)(xi), (g)(3)(xii), (g)(3)(xiii) and (g)(3)(xiv).
0
3. Adding the language ``or'' at the end of newly designated paragraph 
(g)(3)(xiii).
0
4. Adding new paragraph (g)(3)(viii).
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  301.6721-1  Failure to file correct information returns.

* * * * *
    (g)* * *
    (3)* * *
    (viii) Section 6050W (relating to information returns with respect 
to payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network 
transactions (effective for information returns required to be filed 
for calendar years beginning after December 31, 2010)),
* * * * *

0
Par. 14. Section 301.6722-1 is amended by:
0
1. Removing the language ``and'' at the end of paragraph (d)(2)(xviii).
0
2. Redesignating paragraphs (d)(2)(xvi), (d)(2)(xvii), (d)(2)(xviii) 
and (d)(2)(xix) as (d)(2)(xvii), (d)(2)(xviii), (d)(2)(xix) and 
(d)(2)(xx).
0
3. Adding new paragraph (d)(2)(xvi).
0
4. Adding the language ``and'' at the end of the newly designated 
paragraph (d)(2)(xix).
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  301.6722-1  Failure to furnish correct payee statements.

* * * * *
    (d)* * *
    (2)* * *
    (xvi) Section 6050W (relating to information returns with respect 
to payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network 
transactions (effective for information returns required to be filed 
for calendar years beginning after December 31, 2010), generally the 
recipient copy),
* * * * *

Steven T. Miller,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
    Approved: August 3, 2010.
Michael Mundaca,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. 2010-20200 Filed 8-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P