[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 9]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.852-11]

[Page 31-42]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1_INCOME TAXES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.852-11  Treatment of certain losses attributable to periods after 
October 31 of a taxable year.

    (a) Outline of provisions. This paragraph lists the provisions of 
this section.

    (a) Outline of provisions.
    (b) Scope.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Limitation on application of section.
    (c) Post-October capital loss defined.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Methodology.
    (3) October 31 treated as last day of taxable year for purpose of 
determining taxable income under certain circumstances.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Effect on gross income.
    (d) Post-October currency loss defined.
    (1) Post-October currency loss.
    (2) Net foreign currency loss.
    (3) Foreign currency gain or loss.
    (e) Limitation on capital gain dividends.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Amount taken into account in current year.
    (i) Net capital loss.
    (ii) Net long-term capital loss.
    (3) Amount taken into account in succeeding year.
    (f) Regulated investment company may elect to defer certain losses 
for purposes of determining taxable income.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Effect of election in current year.
    (3) Amount of loss taken into account in current year.
    (i) If entire amount of net capital loss deferred.
    (ii) If part of net capital loss deferred.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Character of capital loss not deferred.
    (iii) If entire amount of net long-term capital loss deferred.
    (iv) If part of net long-term capital loss deferred.
    (v) If entire amount of post-October currency loss deferred.
    (vi) If part of post-October currency loss deferred.
    (4) Amount of loss taken into account in succeeding year and 
subsequent years.
    (5) Effect on gross income.
    (g) Earnings and profits.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Special rule--treatment of losses that are deferred for purposes 
of determining taxable income.
    (h) Examples.
    (i) Procedure for making election.
    (1) In general.
    (2) When applicable instructions not available.
    (j) Transition rules.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Retroactive election.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Deadline for making election.
    (3) Amended return required for succeeding year in certain 
circumstances.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Time for filing amended return.
    (4) Retroactive dividend.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Method of making election.
    (iii) Deduction for dividends paid.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Limitation on ordinary dividends.
    (C) Limitation on capital gain dividends.
    (D) Effect on other years.
    (iv) Earnings and profits.
    (v) Receipt by shareholders.
    (vi) Foreign tax election.
    (vii) Example.
    (5) Certain distributions may be designated retroactively as capital 
gain dividends.
    (k) Effective date.

    (b) Scope--(1) In general. This section prescribes the manner in 
which a regulated investment company must treat a post-October capital 
loss (as defined in paragraph (c) of this section) or a post-October 
currency loss (as defined in paragraph (d)(1) of this section) for 
purposes of determining its taxable income, its earnings and profits, 
and the amount that it may designate as capital gain dividends for the 
taxable year in which the loss is incurred and the succeeding taxable 
year (the ``succeeding year'').
    (2) Limitation on application of section. This section shall not 
apply to any post-October capital loss or post-October currency loss of 
a regulated investment company attributable to a taxable year for which 
an election is in effect under section 4982(e)(4) of the Code with 
respect to the company.
    (c) Post-October capital loss defined--(1) In general. For purposes 
of this section, the term post-October capital loss means--
    (i) Any net capital loss attributable to the portion of a regulated 
investment company's taxable year after October 31; or
    (ii) If there is no such net capital loss, any net long-term capital 
loss attributable to the portion of a regulated investment company's 
taxable year after October 31.
    (2) Methodology. The amount of any net capital loss or any net long-
term capital loss attributable to the portion of the regulated 
investment company's

[[Page 32]]

taxable year after October 31 shall be determined in accordance with 
general tax law principles (other than section 1212) by treating the 
period beginning on November 1 of the taxable year of the regulated 
investment company and ending on the last day of such taxable year as 
though it were the taxable year of the regulated investment company. For 
purposes of this paragraph (c)(2), any item (other than a capital loss 
carryover) that is required to be taken into account or any rule that 
must be applied, for purposes of section 4982, on October 31 as if it 
were the last day of the regulated investment company's taxable year 
must also be taken into account or applied in the same manner as 
required under section 4982, both on October 31 and again on the last 
day of the regulated investment company's taxable year.
    (3) October 31 treated as last day of taxable year for purpose of 
determining taxable income under certain circumstances--(i) In general. 
If a regulated investment company has a post-October capital loss for a 
taxable year, any item that must be marked to market for purposes of 
section 4982 on October 31 as if it were the last day of the regulated 
investment company's taxable year must also be marked to market on 
October 31 and again on the last day of the regulated investment 
company's taxable year for purposes of determining its taxable income. 
If the regulated investment company does not have a post-October capital 
loss for a taxable year, the regulated investment company must treat 
items that must be marked to market for purposes of section 4982 on 
October 31 as if it were the last day of the regulated investment 
company's taxable year as marked to market only on the last day of its 
taxable year for purposes of determining its taxable income.
    (ii) Effect on gross income. The marking to market of any item on 
October 31 of a regulated investment company's taxable year for purposes 
of determining its taxable income under paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this 
section shall not affect the amount of the gross income of such company 
for such taxable year for purposes of section 851(b) (2) or (3).
    (d) Post-October currency loss defined. For purposes of this 
section--
    (1) Post-October currency loss. The term post-October currency loss 
means any net foreign currency loss attributable to the portion of a 
regulated investment company's taxable year after October 31. For 
purposes of the preceding sentence, principles similar to those of 
paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section shall apply.
    (2) Net foreign currency loss. The term ``net foreign currency 
loss'' means the excess of foreign currency losses over foreign currency 
gains.
    (3) Foreign currency gain or loss. The terms ``foreign currency 
gain'' and ``foreign currency loss'' have the same meaning as provided 
in section 988(b).
    (e) Limitation on capital gain dividends--(1) In general. For 
purposes of determining the amount a regulated investment company may 
designate as capital gain dividends for a taxable year, the amount of 
net capital gain for the taxable year shall be determined without regard 
to any post-October capital loss for such year.
    (2) Amount taken into account in current year--(i) Net capital loss. 
If the post-October capital loss referred to in paragraph (e)(1) of this 
section is a post-October capital loss as defined in paragraph (c)(1)(i) 
of this section, the net capital gain of the company for the taxable 
year in which the loss arose shall be determined without regard to any 
capital gains or losses (both long-term and short-term) taken into 
account in computing the post-October capital loss for the taxable year.
    (ii) Net long-term capital loss. If the post-October capital loss 
referred to in paragraph (e)(1) of this section is a post-October 
capital loss as defined in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the net 
capital gain of the company for the taxable year in which the loss arose 
shall be determined without regard to any long-term capital gain or loss 
taken into account in computing the post-October capital loss for the 
taxable year.
    (3) Amount taken into account in succeeding year. If a regulated 
investment company has a post-October capital loss (as defined in 
paragraph (c)(1)(i) or (c)(1)(ii) of this section) for any taxable year, 
then, for purposes of determining the amount the company may designate 
as capital gain dividends for the

[[Page 33]]

succeeding year, the net capital gain for the succeeding year shall be 
determined by treating all gains and losses taken into account in 
computing the post-October capital loss as arising on the first day of 
the succeeding year.
    (f) Regulated investment company may elect to defer certain losses 
for purposes of determining taxable income--(1) In general. A regulated 
investment company may elect, in accordance with the procedures of 
paragraph (i) of this section, to compute its taxable income for a 
taxable year without regard to part or all of any post-October capital 
loss or post-October currency loss for that year.
    (2) Effect of election in current year. The taxable income of a 
regulated investment company for a taxable year to which an election 
under paragraph (f)(1) of this section applies shall be computed without 
regard to that part of any post-October capital loss or post-October 
currency loss to which the election applies.
    (3) Amount of loss taken into account in current year--(i) If entire 
amount of net capital loss deferred. If a regulated investment company 
elects, under paragraph (f)(1) of this section, to defer the entire 
amount of a post-October capital loss as defined in paragraph (c)(1)(i) 
of this section, the taxable income of the company for the taxable year 
in which the loss arose shall be determined without regard to any 
capital gains or losses (both long-term and short-term) taken into 
account in computing the post-October capital loss for the taxable year.
    (ii) If part of net capital loss deferred--(A) In general. If a 
regulated investment company elects, under paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section, to defer less than the entire amount of a post-October capital 
loss as defined in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, the taxable 
income of the company for the taxable year in which the loss arose shall 
be determined by including an amount of capital loss taken into account 
in computing the post-October capital loss for the taxable year equal to 
the amount of the post-October capital loss that is not deferred. No 
amount of capital gain taken into account in computing the post-October 
capital loss for the taxable year shall be taken into account in the 
determination.
    (B) Character of capital loss not deferred. The capital loss 
includible in the taxable income of the company under this paragraph 
(f)(3)(ii) for the taxable year in which the loss arose shall consist 
first of any short-term capital losses to the extent thereof, and then 
of any long-term capital losses, taken into account in computing the 
post-October capital loss for the taxable year.
    (iii) If entire amount of net long-term capital loss deferred. If a 
regulated investment company elects, under paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section, to defer the entire amount of a post-October capital loss as 
defined in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the taxable income of 
the company for the taxable year in which the loss arose shall be 
determined without regard to any long-term capital gains or losses taken 
into account in computing the post-October capital loss for the taxable 
year.
    (iv) If part of net long-term capital loss deferred. If a regulated 
investment company elects, under paragraph (f)(1) of this section, to 
defer less than the entire amount of a post-October capital loss as 
defined in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the taxable income of 
the company for the taxable year in which the loss arose shall be 
determined by including an amount of long-term capital loss taken into 
account in computing the post-October capital loss for the taxable year 
equal to the amount of the post-October capital loss that is not 
deferred. No amount of long term capital gain taken into account in 
computing the post-October capital loss for the taxable year shall be 
taken into account in the determination.
    (v) If entire amount of post-October currency loss deferred. If a 
regulated investment company elects, under paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section, to defer the entire amount of a post-October currency loss, the 
taxable income of the company for the taxable year in which the loss 
arose shall be determined without regard to any foreign currency gains 
or losses taken into account in computing the post-October currency loss 
for the taxable year.
    (vi) If part of post-October currency loss deferred. If a regulated 
investment

[[Page 34]]

company elects, under paragraph (f)(1) of this section, to defer less 
than the entire amount of a post-October currency loss, the taxable 
income of the company for the taxable year in which the loss arose shall 
be determined by including an amount of foreign currency loss taken into 
account in computing the post-October currency loss for the taxable year 
equal to the amount of the post-October currency loss that is not 
deferred. No amount of foreign currency gain taken into account in 
computing the post-October currency loss for the taxable year shall be 
taken into account in the determination.
    (4) Amount of loss taken into account in succeeding year and 
subsequent years. If a regulated investment company has a post-October 
capital loss or a post-October currency loss for any taxable year and an 
election under paragraph (f)(1) is made for that year, then, for 
purposes of determining the taxable income of the company for the 
succeeding year and all subsequent years, all capital gains and losses 
taken into account in determining the post-October capital loss, and all 
foreign currency gains and losses taken into account in determining the 
post-October currency loss, that are not taken into account under the 
rules of paragraph (f)(3) of this section in determining the taxable 
income of the regulated investment company for the taxable year in which 
the loss arose shall be treated as arising on the first day of the 
succeeding year.
    (5) Effect on gross income. An election by a regulated investment 
company to defer any post-October capital loss or any post-October 
currency loss for a taxable year under paragraph (f)(1) of this section 
shall not affect the amount of the gross income of such company for such 
taxable year (or the succeeding year) for purposes of section 851(b) (2) 
or (3).
    (g) Earnings and profits--(1) General rule. The earnings and profits 
of a regulated investment company for a taxable year are determined 
without regard to any post-October capital loss or post-October currency 
loss for that year. If a regulated investment company distributes with 
respect to a calendar year amounts in excess of the limitation described 
in the succeeding sentence, then, with respect to those excess amounts, 
for the taxable year with respect to which the amounts are distributed, 
the earnings and profits of the company are computed without regard to 
the preceding sentence. The limitation described in this sentence is the 
amount that would be the required distribution for that calendar year 
under section 4982 if ``100 percent'' were substituted for each 
percentage set forth in section 4982(b)(1).
    (2) Special Rule--Treatment of losses that are deferred for purposes 
of determining taxable income. If a regulated investment company elects 
to defer, under paragraph (f)(1) of this section, any part of a post-
October capital loss or post-October currency loss arising in a taxable 
year, then, for both the taxable year in which the loss arose and the 
succeeding year, both the earnings and profits and the accumulated 
earnings and profits of the company are determined as if the part of the 
loss so deferred had arisen on the first day of the succeeding year.
    (h) Examples. The provisions of paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) of this 
section may be illustrated by the following examples. For each example, 
assume that X is a regulated investment company that computes its income 
on a calendar year basis, and that no election is in effect under 
section 4982(e)(4).

    Example 1. X has a $25 net foreign currency gain, a $50 net short-
term capital loss, and a $75 net long-term capital gain for the post-
October period of 1988. X has no post-October currency loss and no post-
October capital loss for 1988, and this section does not apply.
    Example 2. X has the following capital gains and losses for the 
periods indicated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Long-    Short-
                                                        term      term
------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/01 to 10/31/88...................................      115        80
                                                          (15)      (20)
                                                     -------------------
                                                          100        60
                                                     ===================
11/01 to 12/31/88...................................       75       150
                                                         (150)      (50)
                                                     -------------------
                                                          (75)      100
                                                     ===================
01/01 to 10/31/89...................................       30        40
                                                           (5)      (20)
                                                     -------------------
                                                           25        20
                                                     ===================
11/01 to 12/31/89...................................       35       100

[[Page 35]]


                                                           (0)      (50)
                                                     -------------------
                                                           35        50
------------------------------------------------------------------------


X has a post-October capital loss of $75 for its 1988 taxable year due 
to a net long-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. X 
does not make an election under paragraph (f)(1) of this section.
    (i) Capital gain dividends. X may designate up to $100 as a capital 
gain dividend for 1988 because X must disregard the $75 long-term 
capital gain and the $150 long-term capital loss for the post-October 
period of 1988 in computing its net capital gain for this purpose. In 
computing its net capital gain for 1989 for the purposes of determining 
the amount it may designate as a capital gain dividend for 1989, X must 
take into account the $75 long-term capital gain and the $150 long-term 
capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 in addition to the 
long-term and short-term capital gains and losses for 1989. Accordingly, 
X may not designate any amount as a capital gain dividend for 1989.
    (ii) Taxable income. X must include the $75 long-term capital gain 
and the $150 long-term capital loss for its post-October period of 1988 
in its taxable income for 1988 because it did not make an election under 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section for 1988. Accordingly, X's taxable 
income for 1988 will include a net capital gain of $25 and a net short-
term capital gain of $160. X's taxable income for 1989 will include a 
net capital gain of $60 and a net short-term capital gain of $70.
    (iii) Earnings and profits. X must determine its earnings and 
profits for 1988 without regard to the $75 long-term capital gain and 
the $150 long-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. X 
must, however, include the $75 long-term capital gain and $150 long-term 
capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 in determining its 
accumulated earnings and profits for 1988. Thus, X includes $260 of 
capital gain in its earnings and profits for 1988, includes $185 in its 
accumulated earnings and profits for 1988, and includes $130 of capital 
gain in its earnings and profits for 1989.
    Example 3. Same facts as example 2, except that X elects to defer 
the entire $75 post-October capital loss for 1988 under paragraph (f)(1) 
of this section for purposes of determining its taxable income for 1988.
    (i) Capital gain dividends. Same result as in example 2.
    (ii) Taxable income. X must compute its taxable income for 1988 
without regard to the $75 long-term capital gain and the $150 long-term 
capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 because it made an 
election to defer the entire $75 post-October capital loss for 1988 
under paragraph (f)(1) of this section. Accordingly, X's taxable income 
for 1988 will include a net capital gain of $100 and a net short-term 
capital gain of $160. X must include the $75 long-term capital gain and 
the $150 long-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 in 
its taxable income for 1989 in addition to the long-term and short-term 
capital gains and losses for 1989. Accordingly, X's taxable income for 
1989 will include a net long-term capital loss of $15 and a net short-
term capital gain of $70.
    (iii) Earnings and profits. For 1988, X must determine both its 
earnings and profits and its accumulated earnings and profits without 
regard to the $75 long-term capital gain and $150 long-term capital loss 
for the post-October period of 1988. In determining both its earnings 
and profits and its accumulated earnings and profits for 1989, X must 
include (in addition to the long-term and short-term capital gains and 
losses for 1989) the $75 long-term capital gain and $150 long-term 
capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 as if those deferred 
gains and losses arose on January 1, 1989. Thus, X will include $260 of 
capital gain in its earnings and profits for 1988 and $55 of capital 
gain in its earnings and profits for 1989.
    Example 4. Same facts as example 2, except that X elects to defer 
only $50 of the post-October capital loss for 1988 under paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section for purposes of determining its taxable income 
for 1988.
    (i) Capital gain dividends. Same results as in example 2.
    (ii) Taxable income. X must compute its taxable income for 1988 
without regard to the $75 long-term capital gain and $125 of the $150 
long-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 because it 
made an election to defer $50 of the $75 post-October capital loss for 
1988 under paragraph (f)(1) of this section. Accordingly, X's taxable 
income for 1988 will include a net capital gain of $75 and a net short-
term capital gain of $160. X must include the $75 long-term capital gain 
and $125 of the $150 long-term capital loss for the post-October period 
of 1988 in its taxable income for 1989 in addition to the long-term and 
short-term capital gains and losses for 1989. Accordingly, X's taxable 
income for 1989 will include a net capital gain of $10 and a net short-
term capital gain of $70.
    (iii) Earnings and profits. X must determine its earnings and 
profits for 1988 without regard to the $75 long-term capital gain and 
the $150 long-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. X 
must include $25 of the $150 long-term capital loss for the post-October 
period of 1988 in determining its accumulated earnings and profits for 
1988. In determining both its earnings and profits and its accumulated 
earnings and profits for 1989, X must include (in addition to the long-
term and short-term capital gains and losses for 1989) the $75 long-term 
capital gain and $125 of the $150 long-term capital loss for the

[[Page 36]]

post-October period of 1988 as if those deferred gains and losses arose 
on January 1, 1989. Thus, X includes $260 of capital gain in its 
earnings and profits for 1988, includes $235 in its accumulated earnings 
and profits for 1988, and includes $80 of capital gain in its earnings 
and profits for 1989.
    Example 5. X has the following capital gains and losses for the 
periods indicated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Long-    Short-
                                                        term      term
------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/01 to 10/31/88...................................      115        80
                                                          (15)      (20)
                                                     -------------------
                                                          100        60
                                                     ===================
11/01 to 12/31/88...................................      150        50
                                                          (75)     (150)
                                                     -------------------
                                                           75      (100)
                                                     ===================
01/01 to 10/31/89...................................       30        40
                                                           (5)      (20)
                                                     -------------------
                                                           25        20
                                                     ===================
11/01 to 12/31/89...................................       35       100
                                                           (0)      (50)
                                                     -------------------
                                                           35        50
------------------------------------------------------------------------


X has a post-October capital loss of $25 for its 1988 taxable year due 
to a net capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. X does not 
make an election under paragraph (f)(1) of this section.
    (i) Capital gain dividends. X may designate up to $100 as a capital 
gain dividend for 1988 because X must disregard the $150 long-term 
capital gain, the $75 long-term capital loss, the $50 short-term capital 
gain, and the $150 short-term capital loss for the post-October period 
of 1988 in computing its net capital gain for this purpose. In computing 
its net capital gain for 1989 for purposes of determining the amount it 
may designate as a capital gain dividend for 1989, X must take into 
account the $150 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-term capital loss, 
the $50 short-term capital gain, and the $150 short-term capital loss 
for the post-October period of 1988 in addition to the long-term and 
short-term capital gains and losses for 1989. Accordingly, X may 
designate up to $105 as a capital gain dividend for 1989.
    (ii) Taxable income. X must include the $150 long-term capital gain, 
the $75 long-term capital loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and the 
$150 short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 in its 
taxable income for 1988 because it did not make an election under 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section for 1988. Accordingly, X's taxable 
income for 1988 will include a net capital gain of $135 (consisting of a 
net long-term capital gain of $175 and a net short-term capital loss of 
$40). X's taxable income for 1989 will include a net capital gain of $60 
and a net short-term capital gain of $70.
    (iii) Earnings and profits. X must determine its earnings and 
profits for 1988 without regard to the $150 long-term capital gain, the 
$75 long-term capital loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and the 
$150 short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. X 
must, however, include the $150 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-
term capital loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and the $150 short-
term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 in determining its 
accumulated earnings and profits for 1988. Thus, X includes $160 of 
capital gain in its earnings and profits for 1988, includes $135 in its 
accumulated earnings and profits for 1988, and includes $130 of capital 
gain in its earnings and profits for 1989.
    Example 6. Same facts as example 5, except that X elects to defer 
the entire $25 post-October capital loss for 1988 under paragraph (f)(1) 
of this section for purposes of determining its taxable income for 1988.
    (i) Capital gain dividends. Same result as in example 5.
    (ii) Taxable income. X must compute its taxable income for 1988 
without regard to the $150 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-term 
capital loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and the $150 short-term 
capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 because it made an 
election to defer the entire $25 post-October capital loss for 1988 
under paragraph (f)(1) of this section. Accordingly, X's taxable income 
for 1988 will include a net capital gain of $100 and a net short-term 
capital gain of $60. X must include the $150 long-term capital gain, the 
$75 long-term capital loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and the 
$150 short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 in its 
taxable income for 1989 in addition to the long-term and short-term 
capital gains and losses for 1989. Accordingly, X's taxable income for 
1989 will include a net capital gain of $105 (consisting of a net long-
term capital gain of $135 and a net short-term capital loss of $30).
    (iii) Earnings and profits. For 1988, X must determine both its 
earnings and profits and its accumulated earnings and profits without 
regard to the $150 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-term capital 
loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and the $150 short-term capital 
loss for the post-October period of 1988. In determining both its 
earnings and profits and its accumulated earnings and profits for 1989, 
X must include (in addition to the long-term and short-term capital 
gains and losses for 1989) the $150 long-term capital gain, the $75 
long-term capital loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and the $150 
short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 as if those 
deferred gains and losses arose on January 1, 1989. Thus, X will include 
$160 of capital gain in its earnings and profits for 1988

[[Page 37]]

and $105 of capital gain in its earnings and profits for 1989.
    Example 7. Same facts as example 5, except that X elects to defer 
only $20 of the post-October capital loss for 1988 under paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section for purposes of determining its taxable income 
for 1988.
    (i) Capital gain dividends. Same result as in example 5.
    (ii) Taxable income. X must compute its taxable income for 1988 by 
including $5 of the $150 short-term capital loss for the post-October 
period of 1988, but without regard to the $150 long-term capital gain, 
the $75 long-term capital loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and 
$145 of the $150 short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 
1988 because it made an election to defer $20 of the $25 post-October 
capital loss for 1988 under paragraph (f)(1) of this section. 
Accordingly, X's taxable income for 1988 will include a net capital gain 
of $100 and a net short-term capital gain of $55. X must include the 
$150 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-term capital loss, the $50 
short-term capital gain, and $145 of the $150 short-term capital loss 
for the post-October period of 1988 in its taxable income for 1989 in 
addition to the long-term and short-term capital gains and losses for 
1989. Accordingly, X's taxable income for 1989 will include a net 
capital gain of $110 (consisting of a long-term capital gain of $135 and 
a net short-term capital loss of $25).
    (iii) Earnings and profits. X must determine its earnings and 
profits for 1988 without regard to the $150 long-term capital gain, the 
$75 long-term capital loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and the 
$150 short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. In 
determining its accumulated earnings and profits for 1988, X must 
include $5 of the $150 short-term capital loss for the post-October 
period of 1988. In determining its accumulated earnings and profits for 
1989, X must include (in addition to the long-term and short-term 
capital gains and losses for 1989) the $150 long-term capital gain, the 
$75 long-term capital loss, the $50 short-term capital gain, and $145 of 
the $150 short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 as 
if those deferred gains and losses arose on January 1, 1989. Thus, X 
includes $160 of capital gain in its earnings and profits for 1988, 
includes $155 in its accumulated earnings and profits for 1988, and 
includes $110 of capital gain in its earnings and profits for 1989.
    Example 8. X has the following capital gains and losses for the 
periods indicated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Long-    Short-
                                                        term      term
------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/01 to 10/31/88...................................      115        80
                                                          (15)      (20)
                                                     -------------------
                                                          100        60
                                                     ===================
11/01 to 12/31/88...................................       15        25
                                                          (75)      (10)
                                                     -------------------
                                                          (60)       15
                                                     ===================
01/01 to 10/31/89...................................       80        50
                                                           (5)     (100)
                                                     -------------------
                                                           75       (50)
                                                     ===================
11/01 to 12/31/89...................................       85        40
                                                           (0)      (20)
                                                     -------------------
                                                           85        20
------------------------------------------------------------------------


X has a post-October capital loss of $45 for its 1988 taxable year due 
to a net capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. X does not 
make an election under paragraph (f)(1) of this section.
    (i) Capital gain dividends. X may designate up to $100 as a capital 
gain dividend for 1988 because X must disregard the $15 long-term 
capital gain, the $75 long-term capital loss, the $25 short-term capital 
gain, and the $10 short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 
1988 in computing its net capital gain for this purpose. In computing 
its net capital gain for 1989 for purposes of determining the amount it 
may designate as a capital gain dividend for 1989, X must take into 
account the $15 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-term capital loss, 
the $25 short-term capital gain, and the $10 short-term capital loss for 
the post-October period of 1988 in addition to the long-term and short-
term capital gains and losses for 1989. Accordingly, X may designate up 
to $85 as a capital gain dividend for 1989.
    (ii) Taxable income. X must include the $15 long-term capital gain, 
the $75 long-term capital loss, the $25 short-term capital gain, and the 
$10 short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 in its 
taxable income for 1988 because it did not make an election under 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section for 1988. Accordingly, X's taxable 
income for 1988 will include a net capital gain of $40 and a net short-
term capital gain of $75. X's taxable income for 1989 will include a net 
capital gain of $130 for 1989 (consisting of a net long-term capital 
gain of $160 and a net short-term capital loss of $30).
    (iii) Earnings and profits. X must determine its earnings and 
profits for 1988 without regard to the $15 long-term capital gain, the 
$75 long-term capital loss, the $25 short-term capital gain, and the $10 
short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. X must, 
however, include the $15 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-term 
capital loss, the $25 short-term capital gain, and the $10 short-term 
capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 in determining its 
accumulated earnings and profits for 1988. Thus, X includes $160 of 
capital gain in its earnings

[[Page 38]]

and profits for 1988, includes $115 in its accumulated earnings and 
profits for 1988, and includes $130 of capital gain in its earnings and 
profits for 1989.
    Example 9. Same facts as example 8, except that X elects to defer 
the entire $45 post-October capital loss for 1988 under paragraph (f)(1) 
of this section for purposes of determining its taxable income for 1988.
    (i) Capital gain dividends. Same result as in example 8.
    (ii) Taxable income. X must compute its taxable income for 1988 
without regard to the $15 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-term 
capital loss, the $25 short-term capital gain, and the $10 short-term 
capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 because it made an 
election to defer the entire $45 post-October capital loss for 1988 
under paragraph (f)(1) of this section. Accordingly, X's taxable income 
for 1988 will include a net capital gain of $100 and a net short-term 
capital gain of $60. X must include the $15 long-term capital gain, the 
$75 long-term capital loss, the $25 short-term capital gain, and the $10 
short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 in its 
taxable income for 1989 in addition to the long-term and short-term 
capital gains and losses for 1989. Accordingly, X's taxable income for 
1989 will include a net capital gain of $85 (consisting of a net long-
term capital gain of $100 and a net short-term capital loss of $15).
    (iii) Earnings and profits. For 1988, X must determine both its 
earnings and profits and its accumulated earnings and profits without 
regard to the $15 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-term capital 
loss, the $25 short-term capital gain, and the $10 short-term capital 
loss for the post-October period of 1988. In determining both its 
earnings and profits and its accumulated earnings and profits for 1989, 
X must include (in addition to the long-term and short-term capital 
gains and losses for 1989) the $15 long-term capital gain, the $75 long-
term capital loss, the $25 short-term capital gain, and the $10 short-
term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988 as if those 
deferred gains and losses arose on January 1, 1989. Thus, X will include 
$160 of capital gain in its earnings and profits for 1988 and $85 of 
capital gain in its earnings and profits for 1989.
    Example 10. Same facts as example 8, except that X elects to defer 
only $30 of the post-October capital loss for 1988 under paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section for purposes of determining its taxable income 
for 1988.
    (i) Capital gain dividends. Same result as in example 8.
    (ii) Taxable income. X must compute its taxable income for 1988 by 
including $5 of the $75 long-term capital loss and the $10 short-term 
capital loss for the post-October period of 1988, but without regard to 
the $15 long-term capital gain, $70 of the $75 long-term capital loss, 
and the $25 short-term capital gain for the post-October period of 1988 
because it made an election to defer $30 of the $45 post-October capital 
loss for 1988 under paragraph (f)(1) of this section. Accordingly, X's 
taxable income for 1988 will include a net capital gain of $95 and a net 
short-term capital gain of $50. X must include the $15 long-term capital 
gain, $70 of the $75 long-term capital loss, and the $25 short-term 
capital gain for the post-October period of 1988 in its taxable income 
for 1989 in addition to the long-term and short-term capital gains and 
losses for 1989. Accordingly, X's taxable income for 1989 will include a 
net capital gain of $100 (consisting of a net long-term capital gain of 
$105 and a net short-term capital loss of $5).
    (iii) Earnings and profits. X must determine its earnings and 
profits for 1988 without regard to the $15 long-term capital gain, the 
$75 long-term capital loss, the $25 short-term capital gain, and the $10 
short-term capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. In 
determining its accumulated earnings and profits for 1988, X must 
include $5 of the $75 long-term capital loss and the $10 short-term 
capital loss for the post-October period of 1988. In determining both 
its earnings and profits and its accumulated earnings and profits for 
1989, X must include (in addition to the long-term and short-term 
capital gains and losses for 1989) the $15 long-term capital gain, $70 
of the $75 long-term capital loss, and the $25 short-term capital gain 
for the post-October period of 1988 as if those deferred gains and 
losses arose on January 1, 1989. Thus, X includes $160 of capital gain 
in its earnings and profits for 1988, includes $145 in its accumulated 
earnings and profits for 1989, and includes $100 of capital gain in its 
earnings and profits for 1989 (consisting of a net long-term capital 
gain of $105 and a net short-term capital loss of $5).
    Example 11. X has the following foreign currency gains and losses 
attributable to the periods indicated:

 01/01 to 10/31/88...................................................200
 11/01 to 12/31/88.................................................(100)
 01/01 to 10/31/89...................................................110
 11/01 to 12/31/89....................................................40


X has a $100 post-October currency loss for its 1988 taxable year due to 
a net foreign currency loss for the post-October period of 1988. X does 
not make an election under paragraph (f)(1) of this section.
    (i) Taxable income. X must compute its taxable income for 1988 by 
including the $100 foreign currency loss for the post-October period of 
1988 because it did not make an election under paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section. Accordingly, X's taxable income for 1988 will include a net 
foreign currency gain of $100. X's taxable income for 1989 will include 
a net foreign currency gain of $150.

[[Page 39]]

    (ii) Earnings and profits. X must determine its earnings and profits 
for 1988 without regard to the foreign currency loss for the post-
October period of 1988. X must, however, include the $100 foreign 
currency loss for the post-October period 1988 in determining its 
accumulated earnings and profits for 1988. Thus, X includes $200 of 
foreign currency gain in its earnings and profits for 1988, includes 
$100 in its accumulated earnings and profits for 1988, and includes $150 
of foreign currency gain in its earnings and profits for 1989.
    Example 12. Same facts as example 11, except that X elects to defer 
the entire $100 post-October currency loss for 1988 under paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section for purposes of determining its taxable income 
for 1988.
    (i) Taxable income. X must compute its taxable income for 1988 
without regard to the $100 foreign currency loss for the post-October 
period of 1988 because it made an election to defer the entire $100 
post-October currency loss for 1988 under paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section. Accordingly, X's taxable income for 1988 will include a net 
foreign currency gain of $200. X's taxable income for 1989 will include 
a net foreign currency gain of $50 because X must compute its taxable 
income for 1989 by including the $100 foreign currency loss for the 
post-October period of 1988 in addition to the foreign currency gains 
and losses for 1989.
    (ii) Earnings and profits. For 1988, X must determine both its 
earnings and profits and its accumulated earnings and profits without 
regard to the $100 foreign currency loss for the post-October period of 
1988. In determining both its earnings and profits and its accumulated 
earnings and profits for 1989, X must include (in addition to the 
foreign currency gains and losses for 1989) the $100 foreign currency 
loss for the post-October period 1988 as if that deferred loss arose on 
January 1, 1989. Thus, X will include $200 of foreign currency gain in 
its earnings and profits for 1988 and $50 of foreign currency gain in 
its earnings and profits for 1989.
    Example 13. Same facts as example 11, except that X elects to defer 
only $75 of the post-October currency loss under paragraph (f)(1) of 
this section for purposes of determining its taxable income for 1988.
    (i) Taxable income. X must compute its taxable income for 1988 by 
including $25 of the $100 foreign currency loss for the post-October 
period of 1988, but without regard to $75 of the $100 foreign currency 
loss for the post-October period of 1988 because it made an election to 
defer $75 of the $100 post-October currency loss for 1988 under 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section. Accordingly, X's taxable income for 
1988 will include a net foreign currency gain of $175. X's taxable 
income will include a net foreign currency gain of $75 for 1989 because 
X must compute its taxable income for 1989 by including $75 of the $100 
foreign currency loss for the post-October period of 1988 in addition to 
the foreign currency gains and losses for 1989.
    (ii) Earnings and profits. X must determine its earnings and profits 
for 1988 without regard to the $100 foreign currency loss for the post-
October period of 1988. X must, however, inlcude $25 of the $100 foreign 
currency loss for the post-October period of 1988 in determining its 
accumulated earnings and profits for 1988. In determining both its 
earnings and profits and its accumulated earnings and profits for 1989, 
X must include (in addition to the foreign currency gains and losses for 
1989) the $75 of the $100 foreign currency loss for the post-October 
period of 1988 as if that loss arose on January 1, 1989. Thus, X 
includes $200 of foreign currency gain in its earnings and profits for 
1988, includes $175 in its accumulated earnings and profits for 1988, 
and includes $75 of foreign currency gain in its earnings and profits 
for 1989.

    (i) Procedure for making election--(1) In general. Except as 
provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, a regulated investment 
company may make an election under paragraph (f)(1) of this section for 
a taxable year to which this section applies by completing its income 
tax return (including any necessary schedules) for that taxable year in 
accordance with the instructions for the form that are applicable to the 
election.
    (2) When applicable instructions not available. If the instructions 
for the income tax returns of regulated investment companies for a 
taxable year to which this section applies do not reflect the provisions 
of this section, a regulated investment company may make an election 
under paragraph (f)(1) of this section for that year by entering the 
appropriate amounts on its income tax return (including any necessary 
schedules) for that year, and by attaching a written statement to the 
return that states--
    (i) The taxable year for which the election under this section is 
made;
    (ii) The fact that the regulated investment company elects to defer 
all or a part of its post-October capital loss or post-October currency 
loss for that taxable year for purposes of computing its taxable income 
under the terms of this section;
    (iii) The amount of the post-October capital loss or post-October 
currency loss that the regulated investment

[[Page 40]]

company elects to defer for that taxable year; and
    (iv) The name, address, and employer identification number of the 
regulated investment company.
    (j) Transition rules--(1) In general. For a taxable year ending 
before March 2, 1990 in which a regulated investment company incurred a 
post-October capital loss or post-October currency loss, the company may 
use any method that is consistently applied and in accordance with 
reasonable business practice to determine the amounts taken into account 
in that taxable year for purposes of paragraphs (e)(2), (f)(3), and (g) 
of this section and to determine the amount taken into account in the 
succeeding year for purposes of paragraphs (e)(3), (f)(4), and (g) of 
this section. For example, for purposes of paragraph (e), a taxpayer may 
use a method that treats as incurred in a taxable year all capital gains 
taken into account in computing the post-October capital loss for that 
year and an amount of capital loss for such period equal to the amount 
of such gains and that treats the remaining amount of capital loss for 
such period as arising on the first day of the succeeding year.

Similarly, for purposes of paragraph (e)(3), a taxpayer may use a method 
that treats as arising on the first day of the succeeding year only the 
excess of the capital losses from sales or exchanges after October 31 
over the capital gains for such period (that is, the net capital loss or 
net long-term capital loss for such period).
    (2) Retroactive election--(i) In general. A regulated investment 
company may make an election (a ``retroactive election'') under 
paragraph (f)(1) for a taxable year with respect to which it has filed 
an income tax return on or before May 1, 1990 (a ``retroactive election 
year'') by filing an amended return (including any necessary schedules) 
for the retroactive election year reflecting the appropriate amounts and 
by attaching a written statement to the return that complies with the 
requirements of paragraph (i)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Deadline for making election. A retroactive election may be 
made no later than December 31, 1990.
    (3) Amended return required for succeeding year in certain 
circumstances--(i) In general. If, at the time a regulated investment 
company makes a retroactive election under this section, it has already 
filed an income tax return for the succeeding year, the company must 
file an amended return for such succeeding year reflecting the 
appropriate amounts.
    (ii) Time for filing amended return. An amended return required 
under paragraph (j)(3)(i) of this section must be filed together with 
the amended return described in paragraph (j)(2)(i).
    (4) Retroactive dividend--(i) In general. A regulated investment 
company that makes a retroactive election under this section for a 
retroactive election year may elect to treat any dividend (or portion 
thereof) declared and paid (or treated as paid under section 852(b)(7)) 
by the regulated investment company after the retroactive election year 
and on or before December 31, 1990 as having been paid during the 
retroactive election year (a ``retroactive dividend''). This election 
shall be irrevocable with respect to the retroactive dividend to which 
it applies.
    (ii) Method of making election. The election under this paragraph 
(j)(4) must be made by the regulated investment company by treating the 
dividend (or portion thereof) to which the election applies as a 
dividend paid during the retroactive election year in computing its 
deduction for dividends paid in its tax returns for all applicable years 
(including the amended return(s) required to be filed under paragraphs 
(j)(2) and (3) of this section).
    (iii) Deduction for dividends paid--(A) In general. Subject to the 
rules of sections 561 and 562, a regulated investment company shall 
include the amount of any retroactive dividend in computing its 
deduction for dividends paid for the retroactive election year. No 
deduction for dividends paid shall be allowed under this paragraph 
(j)(4)(iii)(A) for any amount not paid (or treated as paid under section 
852(b)(7)) on or before December 31, 1990.
    (B) Limitation on ordinary dividends. The amount of retroactive 
dividends (other than retroactive dividends qualifying as capital gain 
dividends)

[[Page 41]]

paid for a retroactive election year under this section shall not exceed 
the increase, if any, in the investment company taxable income of the 
regulated investment company (determined without regard to the deduction 
for dividends paid (as defined in section 561)) that is attributable 
solely to the regulated investment company having made the retroactive 
election.
    (C) Limitation on capital gain dividends. The amount of retroactive 
dividends qualifying as capital gain dividends paid for a retroactive 
election year under this section shall not exceed the increase, if any, 
in the amount of the excess described in section 852(b)(3)(A) (relating 
to the excess of the net capital gain over the deduction for capital 
gain dividends paid) that is attributable solely to the regulated 
investment company having made the retroactive election.
    (D) Effect on other years. A retroactive dividend shall not be 
includible in computing the deduction for dividends paid for--
    (1) The taxable year in which such distribution is actually paid (or 
treated as paid under section 852(b)(7)); or
    (2) Under section 855(a), the taxable year preceding the retroactive 
election year.
    (iv) Earnings and profits. A retroactive dividend shall be 
considered as paid out of the earnings and profits of the retroactive 
election year (computed with the application of sections 852(c) and 855, 
Sec. 1.852-5, Sec. 1.855-1, and this section), and not out of the 
earnings and profits of the taxable year in which the distribution is 
actually paid (or treated as paid under section 852(b)(7)).
    (v) Receipt by shareholders. Except as provided in section 
852(b)(7), a retroactive dividend shall be included in the gross income 
of the shareholders of the regulated investment company for the taxable 
year in which the dividend is received by them.
    (vi) Foreign tax election. If a regulated investment company to 
which section 853 (relating to foreign taxes) is applicable for a 
retroactive election year elects to treat a dividend paid (or treated as 
paid under section 852(b)(7)) during the taxable year as a retroactive 
dividend, the shareholders of the regulated investment company shall 
consider the amounts described in section 853(b)(2) allocable to such 
distribution as paid or received, as the case may be, in the 
shareholder's taxable year in which the distribution is made.
    (vii) Example. The provisions of this paragraph (j)(4) may be 
illustrated by the following example:

    Example. X is a regulated investment company that computes its 
income on a calendar year basis. No election is in effect under section 
4982(e)(4). X has the following income for 1988:

                    Foreign Currency Gains and Losses

                            Gains and Losses

Jan. 1-Oct. 31--100
Nov. 1-Dec. 31--(75)

                        Capital Gains and Losses

Jan. 1-Oct. 31--short term, 100; long term, 100
Nov. 1-Dec. 31--short term, 50; long term, (100)

    (A) X had investment company taxable income of $175 and no net 
capital gain for 1988 for taxable income purposes. X distributed $175 of 
investment company taxable income as an ordinary dividend for 1988.
    (B) If X makes a retroactive election under this section to defer 
the entire $75 post-October currency loss and the entire $50 post-
October capital loss for the post-October period of its 1988 taxable 
year for purposes of computing its taxable income, that deferral 
increases X's investment company taxable income for 1988 by $25 (due to 
an increase in foreign currency gain of $75 and a decrease in short-term 
capital gain of $50) to $200 and increases the excess described in 
section 852(b)(3)(A) for 1988 by $100 from $0 to $100. The amount that X 
may treat as a retroactive ordinary dividend is limited to $25, and the 
amount that X may treat as a retroactive capital gain dividend is 
limited to $100.

    (5) Certain distributions may be designated retroactively as capital 
gain dividends. To the extent that a regulated investment company 
designated as capital gain dividends for a taxable year less than the 
maximum amount permitted under paragraph (e) of this section for that 
taxable year, the regulated investment company may designate an 
additional amount of dividends paid (or treated as paid under sections 
852(b)(7) or 855, or paragraph (j)(4) of this section) for the taxable 
year as capital gain dividends, notwithstanding that a written notice 
was not

[[Page 42]]

mailed to its shareholders within 60 days after the close of the taxable 
year in which the distribution was paid (or treated as paid under 
section 852(b)(7)).
    (k) Effective date. the provisions of this section shall apply to 
taxable years ending after October 31, 1987.

[T.D. 8287, 55 FR 3213, Jan. 31, 1990; 55 FR 7891, Mar. 6, 1990; 55 FR 
11110, Mar. 26, 1990. Redesignated and amended by T.D. 8320, 55 FR 
50176, Dec. 5, 1990; 56 FR 2808, Jan. 24, 1991; 56 FR 8130, Feb. 27, 
1991]