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Level 6
March 23, 2020
Solved

Form 8621 PFICs

  • March 23, 2020
  • 1 reply
  • 25 views

TP is filing 2019 MFJ return and has PFICs. The total value of PFICS on December 31, 2019 was USD33,000. It is my understanding that if PFIC’s value does not exceed USD50,000 (de minimis holdings exception), MFJ taxpayer can rely on this reporting exception but my reading of the Form 8621 instructions (page 5) seems to indicate that exception only for Part 1 of Form 8621 not the entire Form 8621 (A shareholder is not required to complete Part I with respect to a specific section 1291 fund). Any idea?

Thank you for your time and comment.

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Best answer by itonewbie

Based on what you stated, your client probably met the conditions.  I'd assume you have reviewed activities within the funds to determine there's no excess distribution as defined in the Code.  Doing it wrong could be very costly and will keep the SOL open.

1 reply

itonewbie
Level 15
March 23, 2020

Depending on the type holdings and how it's held, there could be other information reporting and or filing requirements.

The dollar thresholds are just part of the conditions.  There are other requirements that need to be met.  See §1.1298-1(c)(2) for more details.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Still an AllStar
Level 6
March 25, 2020

@itonewbie Thanks for your time and comment.

TP met all the 3 conditions spelled out in 1.1298-1(c)(2): threshold met as PFIC value is less than $50,000 on December 31, 2019, TP did not have excess distribution in 2019 (2019 distribution is less than 2018 distribution, 2018 is the year PFIC was acquired) and no QEF election has been made in 2018 and 2019.

Therefore, TP does not need to file 2019 Form 8621. Is this correct?


The IRS Form 8621 page 5 instruction on the de minimis exception is misleading as it waiving only completion of part 1 of Form 8621.  Is this right?

itonewbie
itonewbieAnswer
Level 15
March 25, 2020

Based on what you stated, your client probably met the conditions.  I'd assume you have reviewed activities within the funds to determine there's no excess distribution as defined in the Code.  Doing it wrong could be very costly and will keep the SOL open.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Still an AllStar