1.61-2T—Taxation of fringe benefits—1985 through 1988 (temporary).
(a) Fringe benefits—
(1) In general.
Section 61(a)(1) provides that, except as otherwise provided in subtitle A, gross income includes compensation for services, including fees, commissions, fringe benefits, and similar items. Examples of fringe benefits include: an employer-provided automobile, a flight on an employer-provided aircraft, an employer-provided free or discounted commercial airline flight, an employer-provided vacation, and employer-provided discount on property or services, and emkployer-provided membership in a country club or other social club, and an employer-provided ticket to an entertainment or sporting event.
(2) Fringe benefits excluded from income.
To the extent that a particular fringe benefit is specifically excluded from gross income pursuant to another section of subtitle A, that section shall govern the treatment of the fringe benefit. Thus, if the requirements of the governing section are satisfied, the fringe benefits may be excludable from gross income. Examples of excludable fringe benefits are qualified tuition reductions provided to an employee ( section 177(d) ); meals and lodging furnished to an employee for the convenience of the employer ( section 119 ); and benefits provided under a dependent care assistance program ( section 129 ). Similarly, the value of the use by an employee of an employer-provided vehicle or a flight provided to an employee on an employer-provided aircraft may be excludable from income under section 105 (because, for example, the trnsportation is provided for medical reasons) if and to the extent that the requirements of that section are satisfied. Section 61 and the regulations thereunder shall apply, however, to the extent that they are not inconsistent with such other section. For example, many fringe benefits specifically addressed in other sections of subtitle A are excluded from gross income only to the extent that they do not exceed specific dollar or percentage limits, or only if certain other requirements are met. If the limits are exceeded or the requirements are not met, some or all of the fringe benefit may be includible in gross income. See paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(3) Compensation for services.
A fringe benefit provided in connection with the performance of services shall be considered to have been provided as compensation for servcies. Refraining from the performance of services (such as pursuant to a covenant not to compete) is deemed to be the performance of services for purposes of this section.
(4) Recipient of a fringe benefit—
(i) Definition.
A fringe benefit is included in the income of the “recipient” of the fringe benefit. The recipient of a fringe benefit is the person performing the services in connection with which the fringe benefit is provided. Thus, a person may be considered to be a recipient, even though that person did not actually receive the fringe benefit. For example, a fringe benefit provided to any person is connection with the performance of services by another person is considered to have been provided to the person who performs the services and not the person who receives the fringe benefit. In addition, if a fringe benefit is provided to a person, but taxable to a second person as the recipient, such benefit is referred to as provided to the second person and use by the first person is considered use by the second person. For example, provision of an automobile to an employee's spouse by the employer is taxable to the employee as the recipient. The automobile is referred to as available to the employee and use by the employee's spouse is considered use by the employee.
(ii) Recipient may be other than an employee.
The recipient of a fringe benefit need not be an employee of the provider of the fringe benefit, but may be a partner, director, or an independent contractor. For convenience, the term “employee” includes a reference to any recipient of a fringe benefit, unless otherwise specifically provided in this section.
(5) Provider of a fringe benefit.
The “provider” of a fringe benefit is that person for whom the services are performed, regardless of whether that person actually provides the fringe benefit to the recipient. The provider of a fringe benefit need not be the employer of the recipient of the fringe benefit, but may be, for example, a client or customer of an independent contractor. For convenience, the term “employer” includes a reference to any provider of a fringe benefit, unless otherwise specifically provided in this section.
(6) Effective date.
This section is effective from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1988, with respect to fringe benefits furnished before January 1, 1989. No inference may be drawn from the promulgation or terms of this section concerning the application of law in effect prior to January 1, 1985.
(b) Valuation of fringe benefits—
(1) In general.
An employee must include in gross income the amount by which the fair market value of the fringe benefit exceeds the sum of (i) the amount, if any, paid for the benefit, and (ii) the amount, if any, specifically excluded from gross income by some other section of subtitle A. Therefore, for example, if the employee pays fair market value for what is received, no amount is includible in the gross income of the employee.
(2) Fair market value.
In general, fair market value is determined on the basis of all the facts and circumstances. Specifically, the fair market value of a fringe benefit is that amount a (hypothetical person would have to pay a hypothetical third party to obtain (i.e., purchase or lease) the particular fringe benefit. Thus, for example, the effect of any special relationship that may exist between the employer and the employee must be disregarded. This also means that an employee's subjective perception of the value of a fringe benefit is not relevant to the determination of a fringe benefit's fair market value. In addition, the cost incurred by the employer is not determinative of the fair market value of the fringe benefit. For special rules relating to the valuation of certain fringe benefits, see paragraph (c) of this section.
(3) Exclusion from income based on cost.
If a statutory exclusion phrased in terms of cost applies to the provision of a fringe benefit, section 61 does not require the inclusion in the recipient's gross income of the difference between the fair market value and the excludable cost of that fringe benefit. For example, section 129 provides an exclusion from an employee's gross income for amounts paid or incurred by an employer to provide dependent care assistance to employees. Even if the fair market value of the dependent care assistance exceeds the employer's cost, the excess is not subject to inclusion under section 61 and this section. If the statutory cost exclusion is a limited amount, however, then the fair market value of the fringe benefit attributable to any excess cost is subject to inclusion.
(4) Fair market value of the availability of an employer-provided vehicle.
If the vehicle special valuation rules of paragraph (d), (e), or (f) of this section are not used by a taxpayer entitled to use such rules, the value of the availability of an employer-provided vehicle is determined under the general valuation principles set forth in this section. In general, such valuation must be determined by reference to the cost to a hypothetical person of leasing from a hypothetical third party the same or comparable vehicle on the same or comparable terms in the geographic area in which the vehicle is available for use. Unless the employee can substantiate that the same or comparable vehicle could have been leased on a cents-per-mile basis, the value of the availability of the vehicle cannot be determined by reference to a cents-per-mile rate applied to the number of miles the vehicle is driven. An example of a comparable lease term is the amount of time that the vehicle is available to the employee for use, e.g., a one-year period.
(5) Fair market value of a flight on an employer-provided aircraft.
If the non-commercial flight special valuation rule of paragraph (g) of this section is not used (or is not properly used) by a taxpayer entitled to use such rule, the value of a flight on an employer-provided aircraft is determined under the general valuation principles set forth in this section. An example of how the general valuation principles would apply is that if an employee whose flight is primarily personal controls the use of an aircraft with respect to such flight, such flight is valued by reference to how much it would cost a hypothetical person to charter the same or comparable aircraft for the same or comparable flight. The cost to charter the aircraft must be allocated among all employees on board the aircraft based on all the facts and circumstances, including which employees controlled the use of the aircraft. Notwithstanding the allocation required by the preceding sentence, no additional amount shall be included in the income of any employee whose flight is properly valued under the special valuation rule of paragraph (g) of this section.
(c) Special valuation rules—
(1) In general.
Paragraphs (d) through (j) of this section provide special valuation rules that may be used under certain circumstances for certain commonly provided fringe benefits. Paragraph (d) provides a lease valuation rule relating to employer-provided automobiles. Paragraph (e) provides a cents-per-mile valuation rule relating to employer-provided vehicles. Paragraph (f) provides a commuting valuation rule relating to employer-provided vehicles. Paragraph (g) provides a flight valuation rule relating to flights on employer-provided aircraft. Paragraph (h) provides a flight valuation rule relating to flights on commercial airlines. Paragraph (i) is reserved. Paragraph (j) provides a meal valuation rule relating to employer-operated eating facilities for employees. For general rules relating to the valuation of fringe benefits not eligible for valuation under the special valuation rules, see paragraph (d) of this section.
(2) Use of the special valuation rules—
(i) In general.
The Special valuation rules may be used for income, employment tax, and reporting purposes. Use of any of the special valuation rules is optional. An employer need not use the same vehicle special valuation rule for all vehicles provided to all employees. For example, an employer may use the automobile lease valuation rule for automobiles provided to some employees, and the commuting and vehicle cents-per-mile valuation rules for automobiles provided to other employees. Except as otherwise provided, however, if either the commercial flight valuation rule or the noncommercial flight valuation rule is used, such rule must be used by an employer to value all flights taken by employees in a calendar year. Effective January 1, 1986, if an employer uses one of the special rules to value the benefit provided to an employee, the employee may not use another special rule to value that benefit. The employee may, however, use general valuation rules based on facts and circumstances (see paragraph (b) of this section). Effective January 1, 1986, an employee may only use a special valuation rule if the employer uses the rule. If a special rule is used, it must be used for all purposes. If an employer properly uses a special rule and the employee uses the special rule, the employee must include in gross income the amount determined by the employer under the special rule less any amount reimbursed by the employee to the employer. The employer and the employee may use the special rules to determine the amount of the reimbursement due the employer by the employee. If an employer properly uses a special rule and properly determines the amount of an employee's working condition fringe under section 132 and § 1.132-1T (under the general rule or under a special rule), and the employee uses the special valuation rule, the employee must include in gross income the amount determined by the employer less any amount reimbursed by the employee to the employer.
(ii) Transitional rules—
(A) Use of vehicle special valuation rules for 1985 and 1986.
For purposes of valuing the use or availability of a vehicle, the consistency rules provided in paragraphs (d)(6) and (e)(5) of this section (relating to the automobile lease valuation rule and the vehicle cents-per-mile valuation rule, respectively) apply for 1987 and thereafter. Therefore, for 1985 and 1986 an employer (and employee, subject to paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section) may use any applicable special valuation rule (or no special valuation rule) to value the use or availability of a vehicle, subject to paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(B) of this section.
(B) Consistency Rules for 1985 and 1986.
If an employer uses the automobile lease valuation rule of paragraph (d) of this section in 1985 or 1986 with respect to an automobile, such rule must be used for the entire calendar year with respect to the automobile except for any period during which the commuting valuation rule of paragraph (f) of this section is properly used. If an employer uses the vehicle cents-per-mile valuation rule of pararaph (e) of this section in 1985 or 1986 with respect to a vehicle, such rule must be used for the entire calendar year with respect to the vehicle except for any period during which the commuting valuation rule of paragraph (f) of this section is properly used. The rules of this paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(B) also apply to employees using the special valuation rules of paragraphs (d) or (e) of this section.
(C) Employee's use of special valuation rules for 1985.
An employee may use a special valuation rule (other than the rule in paragraph (e) of this section relating to the vehicle cents-per-mile valuation rule) during 1985 even if the employer does not use the same special valuation rule during 1985. An employee's use of a special valuation rule in 1986 and thereafter must be consistent with his employer's use of the rule as required under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section.
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(3) Election to use the special valuation rules—
A particular special valuation rule is deemed to have been elected by the employer (and, if applicable, by the employee), if the employer (and, if applicable, the employee) determines the value of the fringe benefit provided by applying the special valuation rule and treats such value as the fair market value of the fringe benefit for income, employment tax, and reporting purposes. Neither the employer nor the employee is required to notify the Internal Revenue Service of the election.
(4) Application of
For purposes of paragraphs (c) through (j) of this section, except as otherwise provided therein, the term “employer” includes all entities required to be treated as a single employer under section 414 (b), (c), or (m).
(5) Valuation formulas contained in the special valuation rules.
The valuation formulas contained in the special valuation rules are provided only for use in connection with such rules. Thus, when a special valuation rule is properly applied to a fringe benefit, the Commissioner will accept the value calculated pursuant to the rule as the fair market value of that fringe benefit. However, when a special valuation rule is not properly applied to a fringe benefit (see, for example, paragraph (g)(11) of this section), or when a special valuation rule is not used to value a fringe benefit by a taxpayer entitled to use the rule, the fair market value of that fringe benefit may not be determined by reference to any value calculated under any special valuation rule. Under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence, the fair market value of the fringe benefit must be determined pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section.
(6) Modification of the special valuation rules.
The Commissioner may, if he deems it necessary, add, delete, or modify the special valuation rules, including the valuation formulas contained herein, on a prospective basis.
(7) Special Accounting Period.
If the employer is using the special accounting rule provided in Announcement 85-113 (1985-31 I.R.B., August 5, 1985) (relating to the reporting of and withholding on the value of noncash fringe benefits), benefits which are deemed provided in a subsequent calendar year pursuant to such rule are considered as provided in such subsequent calendar year for purposes of the special valuation rules. Thus, if a particular special valuation rule is in effect for a calendar year, it applies to benefits deemed provided during such calendar year under the special accounting rule.
(d) Automobile lease valuation rule—
(1) In general—
Under the special valuation rule of this paragraph (d), if an employer provides an employee with an automobile that is available to the employee for an entire calendar year, the value of the benefit provided in the Annual Lease Value (determined under paragraph (d)(2) of this section) of that automobile. Except as otherwise provided, for an automobile that is available to an employee for less than an entire calendar year, the value of the benefit provided is either a pro-rated Annual Lease Value or the Daily Lease Value (as defined in paragraph (d)(4) of this section), whichever is applicable. Absent any statutory exclusion relating to the employer-provided automobile (see, for example, section 132(a)(3) and § 1.132-5T(b) ), the amount of the Annual Lease Value (or a pro-rated Annual Lease Value or the Daily Lease Value, as applicable) is included in the gross income of the employee.
(ii) Definition of automobile.
For purposes of this paragraph (d), the term “automobile” means any four-wheeled vehicle manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways.
(2) Calculation of Annual Lease Value—
(i) In general.
The Annual Lease Value of a particular automobile is calculated as follows:
(A)
Determine the fair market value of the automobile as of the first date on which the automobile is made available to any employee of the employer for personal use. For an automobile first made available to any employee for personal use prior to January 1, 1985, determine the fair market value as of January 1, 1985. For rules relating to determination of the fair market value of an automobile for purposes of this paragraph (d), see paragraph (d)(5) of this section.
(B)
Select the dollar range in column 1 of the Annual Lease Value Table, set forth in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section, corresponding to the fair market value of the automobile. Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (d)(2) (iv) and (v) of this section, the Annual Lease Value for each year of availability of the automobile is the corresponding amount in column 2 of the Table.
(ii) Use by employee only in 1985.
If the employee, but not the employer, is using the special rule of this paragraph (d), the employee may calculate the Annual Lease Value in the same manner as described in paragraph (d)(2)(i)(A) of this section, except that the fair market value of the automobile is determined as of the first date on which the automobile is made available to the employee for personal use or, for an automobile made available to the employee for personal use prior to January 1, 1985, by determining the fair market value as of January 1, 1985. If the employer is also using the special rule of this paragraph (d), however, then the employee to whom the automobile is made available must use the special rule, if at all, by using the Annual Lease Value calculated by the employer. The rules of this paragraph (d)(2)(ii) apply only for 1985.
| Automobile fair market value | Annual lease value |
|---|---|
| (1) | (2) |
| $0 to $999 | $600 |
| $1,000 to $1,999 | 850 |
| $2,000 to $2,999 | 1,100 |
| $3,000 to $3,999 | 1,350 |
| $4,000 to $4,999 | 1,600 |
| $5,000 to $5,999 | 1,850 |
| $6,000 to $6,999 | 2,100 |
| $7,000 to $7,999 | 2,350 |
| $8,000 to $8,999 | 2,600 |
| $9,000 to $9,999 | 2,850 |
| $10,000 to $10,999 | 3,100 |
| $11,000 to $11,999 | 3,350 |
| $12,000 to $12,999 | 3,600 |
| $13,000 to $13,999 | 3,850 |
| $14,000 to $14,999 | 4,100 |
| $15,000 to $15,999 | 4,350 |
| $16,000 to $16,999 | 4,600 |
| $17,000 to $17,999 | 4,850 |
| $18,000 to $18,999 | 5,100 |
| $19,000 to $19,999 | 5,350 |
| $20,000 to $20,999 | 5,600 |
| $21,000 to $21,999 | 5,580 |
| $22,000 to $22,999 | 6,100 |
| $23,000 to $23,999 | 6,350 |
| $24,000 to $24,999 | 6,600 |
| $25,000 to $25,999 | 6,850 |
| $26,000 to $27,999 | 7,250 |
| $28,000 to $29,999 | 7,750 |
| $30,000 to $31,999 | 8,250 |
| $32,000 to $33,999 | 8,750 |
| $34,000 to $35,999 | 9,250 |
| $36,000 to $37,999 | 9,750 |
| $38,000 to $39,999 | 10,250 |
| $40,000 to $41,999 | 10,750 |
| $42,000 to $43,999 | 11,250 |
| $44,000 to $45,999 | 11,750 |
| $46,000 to $47,999 | 12,250 |
| $48,000 to $49,999 | 12,750 |
| $50,000 to $51,999 | 13,250 |
| $52,000 to $53,999 | 13,750 |
| $54,000 to $55,999 | 14,250 |
| $56,000 to $57,999 | 14,750 |
| $58,000 to $59,999 | 15,250 |
For vehicles having a fair market value in excess of $59,999, the Annual Lease Value is equal to: (.25 × the fair market value of the automobile) $500.
(iv) Recalculation of annual lease value.
The Annual Lease Values determined under the rules of this paragraph (d) are based on a four-year lease term. Therefore, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(2)(v) of this section, the Annual Lease Value calculated by applying paragraph (d)(2) (i) or (ii) of this section shall remain in effect for the period that begins with the first date the special valuation rule of paragraph (d) of this section is applied by the employer to the automobile and ends on December 31 of the fourth full calendar year following that date. The Annual Lease Value for each subsequent four-year period is calculated by determining the fair market value of the automobile as of the January 1 following the period described in the previous sentence and selecting the amount in column 2 of the Annual Lease Value Table corresponding to the appropriate dollar range in column 1 of the Table. If, however, the employer is using the special accounting rule provided in Announcement 85-113 (1985-31 I.R.B., August 5, 1985) (relating to the reporting of and withholding on the value of noncash fringe benefits), the employer may calculate the Annual Lease Value for each subsequent four-year period as of the beginning of the special accounting period that begins immediately prior to the January 1 described in the previous sentence. For example, assume that pursuant to Announcement 85-113, an employer uses the special accounting rule. Assume further that beginning on November 1, 1985, the special accounting period is November 1 to October 31 and that the employer elects to use the special valuation rule of this paragraph (d) as of January 1, 1985. The employer may recalculate the Annual Lease Value as of November 1, 1988, rather than as of January 1, 1989.
(v) Transfer of the automobile to another employee.
Unless the primary purpose of the transfer is to reduce Federal taxes, if an employer transfers an automobile from one employee to another employee, the employer may recalculate the Annual Lease Value based on the fair market value of the automobile as of January 1 of the year of transfer. If, however, the employer is using the special accounting rule provided in Announcement 85-113 (1985-31 I.R.B., August 5, 1985) (relating to the reporting of and withholding on the value of noncash fringe benefits), the employer may recalculate the Annual Lease Value based on the fair market value of the automobile as of the beginning of the special accounting period in which the transfer occurs. If the employer does not recalculate the Annual Lease Value, and the employee to whom the automobile is transferred uses the special valuation rule, the employee may not recalculate the Annual Lease Value.
(3) Services included in, or excluded from, the Annual Lease Value Table—
(i) Maintenance and insurance included.
The Annual Lease Values contained in the Annual Lease Value Table include the fair market value of maintenance of, and insurance for, the automobile. Neither an employer nor an employee may reduce the Annual Lease Value by the fair market value of any service included in the Annual Lease Value that is not provided by the employer, such as reducing the Annual Lease Value by the fair market value of a maintenance service contract or insurance. An employer or employee may take into account the services actually provided with respect to the automobile by valuing the availability of the automobile under the general valuation rules of paragraph (b) of this section.
(ii) Fuel excluded—
(A) In general.
The Annual Lease Values do not include the fair market value of fuel provided by the employer, regardless of whether fuel is provided in kind or its cost is reimbursed by or charged to the employer.
(B) Valuation of fuel provided in kind.
The provision of fuel in kind may be valued at fair market value based on all the facts and circumstances or, in the alternative, it may be valued at 5.5 cents per mile for all miles driven by the employee. However, the provision of fuel in kind may not be valued at 5.5 cents per mile for miles driven outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For purposes of this section, the United States includes the United States and its territories.
(C) Valuation of fuel where cost reimbursed by or charged to employer.
The fair market value of fuel, the cost of which is reimbursed by or charged to an employer, is generally the amount of the actual reimbursement or the amount charged, provided the purchase of the fuel is at arm's length. If an employer with a fleet of at least 20 automobiles that meet the requirements of paragraph (d)(5)(v)(C) of this section reimburses employees for the cost of fuel or allows employees to charge the employer for the cost of the fuel, however, the fair market value of fuel provided to those automobiles may be determined by reference to the employer's fleet-average cents-per-mile fuel cost. The fleet-average cents-per-mile fuel cost in equal to the fleet-average per-gallon fuel cost divided by the fleet-average miles-per-gallon rate. The averages described in the preceding sentence must be determined by averaging the per-gallon fuel costs and miles-per-gallon rates of a representative sample of the automobiles in the fleet equal to the greater of ten percent of the automobiles in the fleet or 20 automobiles for a representative period, such as a two month period.
(iii) All other services excluded.
The fair market value of any service not specifically identified in paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section that is provided by the employer with respect to an automobile (such as the services of a chauffeur) must be added to the Annual Lease Value of the automobile in determining the fair market value of the benefit provided.
(4) Availability of an automobile for less than an entire calendar year—
(i) Pro-rated Annual Lease Value used for continuous availability of 30 or more days.
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(4)(iv) of this section, for periods of continuous availability of 30 or more days, but less than an entire calendar year, the value of the availability of the employer-provided automobile is the pro-rated Annual Lease Value. The pro-rated Annual Lease Value is calculated by multiplying the applicable Annual Lease Value by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of availability and the denominator of which is 365.
(ii) Daily Lease Value used for continuous availability of less than 30 days.
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(4)(iii) of this section, for periods of continuous availability of one or more but less than 30 days, the value of the availability of the employer-provided automobile is the Daily Lease Value. The Daily Lease Value is calculated by multiplying the applicable Annual Lease Value by a fraction, the numerator of which is four times the number of days of availability and the denominator of which is 365.
(iii) Election to treat all periods as periods of at least 30 days.
A pro-rated Annual Lease Value may be applied with respect to a period of continuous availability of less than 30 days, by treating the automobile as if it had been available for 30 days, if to do so would result in a lower valuation than applying the Daily Lease Value to the shorter period of actual availability.
(iv) Periods of unavailability—
(A) General rule.
In general, a pro-rated Annual Lease Value (as provided in paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section) is used to value the availability of an employer-provided automobile when the automobile is available to an employee for a period of continuous availability of at least 30 days but less than the entire calendar year. Neither an employer nor an employee may use a pro-rated Annual Lease Value when the reduction of Federal taxes is the primary reason the automobile is unavailable to an employee during the calendar year.
(B) Unavailability for personal reasons of the employee.
If an automobile is unavailable to an employee because of personal reasons of the employee, such as while the employee is on vacation, a pro-rated Annual Lease Value may not be used. For example, assume an automobile is available to an employee during the first five months of the year and during the last five months of the year. Assume further that the period of unavailability occurs because the employee is on vacation. The Annual Lease Value, if it is applied, must be applied with respect to the entire 12 month period. The Annual Lease Value may not be pro-rated to take into account the two-month period of unavailability.
(5) Fair market value—
(i) In general.
For purposes of determining the Annual Lease Value of an automobile under the Annual Lease Value Table, the fair market value of an automobile is that amount a hypothetical person would have to pay a hypothetical third party to purchase the particular automobile provided. Thus, for example, any special relationship that may exist between the employee and the employer must be disregarded. Also, the employee's subjective perception of the value of the automobile is not relevant to the determination of the automobile's fair market value. In addition, except as provided in paragraph (d)(5) (ii) of this section, the cost incurred by the employer of either purchasing of leasing the automobile is not determinative of the fair market value of the automobile.
(ii) Safe-harbor valuation rule.
For purposes of calculating the Annual Lease Value of an automobile under this paragraph (d), the safe-harbor value of the automobile may be used as the fair market value of the automobile For an automobile owned by the employer, the safe-harbor value of the automobile is the employer's cost of purchasing the automobile, provided the purchase is made at arm's length. For an automobile leased by the employer, the safe-harbor value of the automobile is the value determined under paragraph (d)(5)(iii) of this section.
(iii) Use of nationally recognized pricing guides.
The fair market value of an automobile that is (A) provided to an employee prior to January 1, 1985, (B) being revalued pursuant to paragraphs (d)(2) (iv) or (v) of this section, or (C) is a leased automobile being valued pursuant to paragraph (d)(5)(ii) of this section, may be determined by using the retail value of such automobile as reported in a nationally recognized publication that regularly reports new or used automobile retail values, whichever is applicable. The values contained in (and obtained from) the publication must be reasonable with respect to the automobile being valued.
(iv) Fair market value of special equipment—
(A) Certain equipment excluded.
The fair market value of an automobile does not include the fair market value of any telephone or any specialized equipment that is added to or carried in the automobile if the presence of such equipment is necessitated by, and attributable to, the business needs of the employer.
(B) Use of specialized equipment outside of employer's business.
The value of specialized equipment must be included, however, if the employee to whom the automobile is available uses the specialized equipment in a trade of business of the employee other than the employee's trade or business of being an employee of the employer.
(C) Equipment susceptible to personal use.
The exclusion rule provided in this paragraph (d)(5)(iv) does not apply to specialized equipment susceptible to personal use.
(v) Fleet-average valuation rule—
(A) In general.
An employer with a fleet of 20 or more automobiles may use a fleet-average value for purposes of calculating the Annual Lease Values of the automobiles in the fleet. The fleet-average value is the average of the fair market values of each automobile in the fleet. The fair market value of each automobile in the fleet shall be determined, pursuant to the rules of paragraphs (d)(5) (i) through (iv) of this section, as of the later of January 1, 1985, or the first date on which the automobile is made available to any employee of the employer for personal use.
(B) Period for use of rule.
The fleet-average valuation rule of this paragraph (d)(5)(v) may be used by an employer as of January 1 of any calendar year following the calendar year in which the employer acquires a fleet of 20 or more automobiles. The Annual Lease Value calculated for the automobiles in the fleet, based on the fleet-average value, shall remain in effect for the period that begins with the first January 1 the fleet-average valuation rule of this paragraph (d)(5)(v) is applied by the employer to the automobiles in the fleet and ends on December 31 of the subsequent calendar year. The Annual Lease Value for each subsequent two year period is calculated by determining the fleet-average value of the automobiles in the fleet as of the first January 1 of such period. An employer may cease using the fleet-average valuation rule as of any January 1. The fleet-average valuation rule does not apply as of January 1 of the year in which the number of automobiles in the employer's fleet declines to fewer than 20. If, however, the employer is using the special accounting rule provided in Announcement 85-113 (I.R.B. No. 31, August 5, 1985), the employer may apply the rules of this paragraph (d)(5)(v)(B) on the basis of the special accounting period rather than the calendar year. (This is accomplished by substituting (1) the beginning of the special accounting period that begins immediately prior to the January 1 described in this paragraph (d)(5)(v)(B) for January 1 wherever it appears in this paragraph (d)(5)(v)(B) and (2) the end of such accounting period for December 31.) The revaluation rules of paragraph (d)(2) (iv) and (v) of this section do not apply to automobiles valued under this paragraph (d)(5)(v).
(C) Limitations on use of fleet-average rule.
The rule provided in this paragraph (d)(5)(v) may not be used for any automobile whose fair market value (determined pursuant to paragraphs (d)(5) (i) through (iv) of this section as of either the first date on which the automobile is made available to any employee of the employer for personal use or, if later, January 1, 1985) exceeds $16,500. In addition, the rule provided in this paragraph (d)(5)(v) may only be used for automobiles that the employer reasonably expects will regularly be used in the employer's trade or business. Infrequent use of the vehicle, such as for trips to the airport or between the employer's multiple business premises, does not constitute regular use of the vehicle in the employer's trade or business.
(D) Additional automobiles added to the fleet.
If the rule provided in this paragraph (d)(5)(v) is used by an employer, it must be used for every automobile included in or added to the fleet that meets the requirements of paragraph (d)(5)(v)(C) of this section. The fleet-average value in effect at the time an automobile is added to the fleet is treated as the fair market value of the automobile for purposes of determining the Annual Lease Value of the automobile until the fleet-average value changes pursuant to paragraph (d)(5)(v)(B) of this section.
(E) Use of the fleet-average rule by employees.
An employee can only use the fleet-average value if it is used by the employer. If an employer uses the fleet-average value, and the employee uses the special valuation rule of paragraph (d) of this section, the employee must use the fleet-average value.
(6) Consistency rules—
(i) Use of the automobile lease valuation rule by an employer.
Except as provided in paragraph (d)(5) (v)(B) of this section, an employer may adopt the automobile lease valuation rule of this paragraph (d) for an automobile only if the rule is adopted with respect to the later of the period that begins on January 1, 1987, or the first period in which the automobile is made available to an employee of the employer for personal use or, if the commuting valuation rule of paragraph (f) of this section is used when the automobile is first made available to an employee of the employer for personal use, the first period in which the commuting valuation rule is not used.
(ii) An employer must use the automobile lease valuation rule for all subsequent periods.
Once the automobile lease valuation rule has been adopted for an automobile by an employer, the rule must be used by the employer for all subsequent periods in which the employer makes the automobile available to any employee, except that the employer may, for any period during which use of the automobile qualifies for the commuting valuation rule of paragraph (f) of this section, use the commuting valuation rule with respect to the automobile.
(iii) Use of the automobile lease valuation rule by an employee.
Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(C) of this section, an employee may adopt the automobile lease valuation rule for an automobile only if the rule is adopted (A) by the employer and (B) with respect to the first period in which the automobile for which the employer (consistent with paragraph (d)(6)(i) of this section) adopted the rule is made available to that employee for personal use, or, if the commuting valuation rule of paragraph (f) of this section is used when the automobile is first made available to that employee for personal use, the first period in which the commuting valuation rule is not used.
(iv) An employee must use the automobile lease valuation rule for all subsequent periods.
Once the automobile lease valuation rule has been adopted for an automobile by an employee, the rule must be used by the employee for all subsequent periods in which the automobile for which the rule is used is available to the employee, except that the employee may, for any period during which use of the automobile qualifies for use of the commuting valuation rule of paragraph (f) of this section and for which the employer uses the rule, use the commuting valuation rule with respect to the automobile.
(v) Replacement automobiles.
Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph (D)(6) to the contrary, if the automobile lease valuation rule is used by an employer, or by an employer and an employee, with respect to a particular automobile, and a replacement automobile is provided to the employee for the primary purpose of reducing Federal taxes, then the employer, or the employer and the employee, using the rule must continue to use the rule with respect to the replacement automobile.
(e) Vehicle cents-per-mile valuation rule—
(1) In general—
Under the vehicle cents-per-mile valuation rule of this paragraph (e), if an employer provides an employee with the use of a vehicle that (A) the employer reasonably expects will be regularly used in the employer's trade or business throughout the calendar year (or such shorter period as the vehicle may be owned or leased by the employer) or (B) satisfies the requirements of paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, the value of the benefit provided in the calendar year is the standard mileage rate provided in the applicable Revenue Ruling or Revenue Procedure (“cents-per-mile rate”) multiplied by the total number of miles the vehicle is driven by the employee for personal purposes. For 1985, the standard mileage rate is 21 cents per mile for the first 15,000 miles and 11 cents per mile for all miles over 15,000. See Rev. Proc. 85-49. The standard mileage rate must be applied to personal miles independent of business miles. Thus, for example, if an employee drives 20,000 personal miles and 35,000 business miles in 1985, the value of the personal use of the vehicle is $3,700 (15,000×$.21 5,000×$.11). For purposes of this section, the use of a vehicle for personal purposes is any use of the vehicle other than use in the employee's trade or business of being an employee of the employer. Infrequent use of the vehicle, such as for trips to the airport or between the employer's multiple business premises, does not constitute regular use of the vehicle in the employer's trade or business.
(ii) Mileage rule.
A vehicle satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (e)(1)(ii) in a calendar year if (A) it is actually driven at least 10,000 miles in the year, and (B) use of the vehicle during the year is primarily by employees. For example, if a vehicle is used by only one employee during the year and that employee drives a vehicle at least 10,000 miles in a calendar year, such vehicle satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (e)(1)(ii) even if all miles driven by the employee are personal. The requirements of this paragraph (e)(1)(ii), however, will not be satisfied if during the year the vehicle is transferred among employees in such a way which enables an employee whose use was at a rate significantly less that 10,000 miles per year to meet the 10,000 mile threshold. Assume that an employee uses a vehicle for the first six months of the year and drives 2,000 miles, and that vehicle is then used by other employees who drive the vehicle 8,000 miles in the last six months of the year. Because the rate at which miles were driven in the first six months of the year would result in only 4,000 miles being driven in the year, and because the first employee did not use the vehicle during the last six months of the year, the requirements of this paragraph (e)(1)(ii) are not satisfied. The requirement of paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(B) of this section is deemed satisfied if employees use the vehicle on a consistent basis for commuting. If the employer does not own or lease the vehicle during a portion of the year, the 10,000 mile threshold is to be reduced proportionately to reflect the periods when the employer owned or leased the vehicle. For purposes of this paragraph (e)(1)(ii), use of the vehicle by an individual (other than the employee) whose use would be taxed to the employee is not considered use by the employee.
(iii) Limitation on use of the vehicle cents-per-mile valuation rule.
The value of the use of an automobile (as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section) may not be determined under the vehicle cents-per-mile valuation rule of this paragraph (e) if the fair market value of the automobile (determined pursuant to paragraphs (d)(5) (i) through (iv) of this section as of the later of January 1, 1985, or the first date on which the automobile is made available to any employee of the employer for personal use) exceeds $12,800. No inference may be drawn from the promulgation or terms of this section concerning the application of law in effect prior to January 1, 1985.
(2) Definition of vehicle.
For purposes of this paragraph (e), the term “vehicle” means any motorized wheeled vehicle manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways. The term “vehicle” includes an automobile as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section.
(3) Services included in, or excluded from, the cents-per-mile rate—
(i) Maintenance and insurance included.
The cents-per-mile rate includes the fair market value of maintenance of, and insurance for, the vehicle. An employer may not reduce the cents-per-mile rate by the fair market value of any service included in the cents-per-mile rate but not provided by the employer. An employer or employee may take into account the services provided with respect to the automobile by valuing the availability of the automobile under the general valuation rules of paragraph (b) of this section.
(ii) Fuel provided by the employer—
(A) Miles driven in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With respect to miles driven in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the cents-per-mile rate includes the fair market value of fuel provided by the employer. If fuel is not provided by the employer, the cents-per-mile rate may be reduced by no more than 5.5 cents or the amount specified in any applicable Revenue Ruling or Revenue Procedure. For purposes of this section, the United States includes the United States and its territories.
(B) Miles driven outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With respect to miles driven outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the fair market value of fuel provided by the employer is not reflected in the cents-per-mile rate. Accordingly, the cents-per-mile rate may be reduced but by no more than 5.5 cents or the amount specified in any applicable Revenue Ruling or Revenue Procedure. If the employer provides the fuel in kind, it must be valued based on all the facts and circumstances. If the employer reimburses the employee for the cost of fuel or allows the employee to charge the employer for the cost of fuel, the fair market value of the fuel is generally the amount of the actual reimbursement or the amount charged, provided the purchase of fuel is at arm's length.