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AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO
IMPROVE INTERNATIONAL TAX COMPLIANCE
Whereas, the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the
Republic of Korea (each, a “Party”, and together the “Parties) desire to conclude an
agreement to improve international tax compliance through mutual assistance in tax matters
based on an effective infrastructure for the automatic exchange of information;
Whereas, Article 28 of the Convention between the United States of America and the
Republic of Korea for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal
Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and the Encouragement of International Trade and
Investment (the “Convention”), done at Seoul on June 4, 1976 authorizes exchange of
information for tax purposes, including on an automatic basis;
Whereas, the United States of America enacted provisions commonly known as the Foreign
Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), which introduce a reporting regime for financial
institutions with respect to certain accounts;
Whereas, the Government of the Republic of Korea is supportive of the underlying policy
goal of FATCA to improve tax compliance;
Whereas, FATCA has raised a number of issues, including that Korean financial institutions
may not be able to comply with certain aspects of FATCA due to domestic legal
impediments;
Whereas, the Government of the United States of America collects information regarding
certain accounts maintained by U.S. financial institutions held by residents of Korea and is
committed to exchanging such information with the Government of the Republic of Korea
and pursuing equivalent levels of exchange;
Whereas, the Parties are committed to working together over the longer term towards
achieving common reporting and due diligence standards for financial institutions;
Whereas, the Government of the United States of America acknowledges the need to
coordinate the reporting obligations under FATCA with other U.S. tax reporting obligations
of Korean financial institutions to avoid duplicative reporting;
Whereas, an intergovernmental approach to FATCA implementation would address legal
impediments and reduce burdens for Korean financial institutions;
Whereas, the Parties desire to conclude an agreement to improve international tax compliance
and provide for the implementation of FATCA based on domestic reporting and reciprocal
automatic exchange pursuant to the Convention and subject to the confidentiality and other
protections provided for therein, including the provisions limiting the use of the information
exchanged under the Convention,
Now, therefore, the Parties have agreed as follows:
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Article 1
Definitions
1. For purposes of this agreement and any annexes thereto (“Agreement”), the following
terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
a) The term “United States means the United States of America, including the
states thereof and the District of Colombia, and, when used in a geographical
sense, means the territory of the United States of America, including inland
waters, the air space, the territorial sea thereof and any maritime area beyond
the territorial sea within which the United States may exercise sovereign rights
or jurisdiction in accordance with international law with respect to the seabed,
subsoil, superjacent waters, and their natural resources; the term, however,
does not include the U.S. Territories.
b) The term “U.S. Territory” means American Samoa, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
c) The term “IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
d) The term Korea” means the Republic of Korea, and when used in a
geographical sense, means the territory of the Republic of Korea including
inland waters, the air space, the territorial sea thereof, and any maritime area
beyond the territorial sea of the Republic of Korea which, in accordance with
international law, has been or may hereafter be designated under the laws of
the Republic of Korea as an area within which the sovereign rights or
jurisdiction of the Republic of Korea, with respect to the seabed, subsoil,
superjacent waters, and their natural resources, may be exercised.
e) The term “Partner Jurisdiction” means a jurisdiction that has in effect an
agreement with the United States to facilitate the implementation of FATCA.
The IRS shall publish a list identifying all Partner Jurisdictions.
f) The term Competent Authority means:
(1) in the case of the United States, the Secretary of the Treasury or his
delegate; and
(2) in the case of Korea, the Minister of Strategy and Finance, formerly the
Minister of Finance, or his authorized representative.
g) The term Financial Institution means a Custodial Institution, a Depository
Institution, an Investment Entity, or a Specified Insurance Company.
h) The term Custodial Institution means any Entity that holds, as a
substantial portion of its business, financial assets for the account of others. An
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Entity holds financial assets for the account of others as a substantial portion
of its business if the Entity’s gross income attributable to the holding of
financial assets and related financial services equals or exceeds 20 percent of
the Entity’s gross income during the shorter of: (i) the three-year period that
ends on December 31 (or the final day of a non-calendar year accounting
period) prior to the year in which the determination is being made; or (ii) the
period during which the Entity has been in existence.
i) The term “Depository Institution” means any Entity that accepts deposits in
the ordinary course of a banking or similar business.
j) The term Investment Entity” means any Entity that conducts as a business
(or is managed by an entity that conducts as a business) one or more of the
following activities or operations for or on behalf of a customer:
(1) trading in money market instruments (cheques, bills, certificates of
deposit, derivatives, etc.); foreign exchange; exchange, interest rate
and index instruments; transferable securities; or commodity futures
trading;
(2) individual and collective portfolio management; or
(3) otherwise investing, administering, or managing funds or money on
behalf of other persons.
This subparagraph 1(j) shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with similar
language set forth in the definition of “financial institution” in the Financial
Action Task Force Recommendations.
k) The term “Specified Insurance Company” means any Entity that is an
insurance company (or the holding company of an insurance company) that
issues, or is obligated to make payments with respect to, a Cash Value
Insurance Contract or an Annuity Contract.
l) The term Korean Financial Institution” means (i) any Financial Institution
resident in Korea, but excluding any branch of such Financial Institution that
is located outside Korea, and (ii) any branch of a Financial Institution not
resident in Korea, if such branch is located in Korea.
m) The term Partner Jurisdiction Financial Institution” means (i) any
Financial Institution established in a Partner Jurisdiction, but excluding any
branch of such Financial Institution that is located outside the Partner
Jurisdiction, and (ii) any branch of a Financial Institution not established in the
Partner Jurisdiction, if such branch is located in the Partner Jurisdiction.
n) The term “Reporting Financial Institution” means a Reporting Korean
Financial Institution or a Reporting U.S. Financial Institution, as the context
requires.
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o) The term “Reporting Korean Financial Institution” means any Korean
Financial Institution that is not a Non-Reporting Korean Financial Institution.
p) The term “Reporting U.S. Financial Institution” means (i) any Financial
Institution that is resident in the United States, but excluding any branch of
such Financial Institution that is located outside the United States, and (ii) any
branch of a Financial Institution not resident in the United States, if such
branch is located in the United States, provided that the Financial Institution or
branch has control, receipt, or custody of income with respect to which
information is required to be exchanged under subparagraph (2)(b) of Article 2
of this Agreement.
q) The term “Non-Reporting Korean Financial Institution” means any Korean
Financial Institution, or other Entity resident in Korea that is described in
Annex II as a Non-Reporting Korean Financial Institution or that otherwise
qualifies as a deemed-compliant FFI or an exempt beneficial owner under
relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations.
r) The term “Nonparticipating Financial Institution” means a nonparticipating
FFI, as that term is defined in relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations, but does not
include a Korean Financial Institution or other Partner Jurisdiction Financial
Institution other than a Financial Institution treated as a Nonparticipating
Financial Institution pursuant to subparagraph 2(b) of Article 5 of this
Agreement or the corresponding provision in an agreement between the
United States and a Partner Jurisdiction.
s) The term Financial Account” means an account maintained by a Financial
Institution, and includes:
(1) in the case of an Entity that is a Financial Institution solely because it
is an Investment Entity, any equity or debt interest (other than interests
that are regularly traded on an established securities market) in the
Financial Institution;
(2) in the case of a Financial Institution not described in subparagraph
1(s)(1) of this Article, any equity or debt interest in the Financial
Institution (other than interests that are regularly traded on an
established securities market), if (i) the value of the debt or equity
interest is determined, directly or indirectly, primarily by reference to
assets that give rise to U.S. Source Withholdable Payments, and (ii) the
class of interests was established with a purpose of avoiding reporting
in accordance with this Agreement; and
(3) any Cash Value Insurance Contract and any Annuity Contract issued or
maintained by a Financial Institution, other than a noninvestment-
linked, nontransferable immediate life annuity that is issued to an
individual and monetizes a pension or disability benefit provided under
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an account that is excluded from the definition of Financial Account in
Annex II.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Financial Account” does not include
any account that is excluded from the definition of Financial Account in
Annex II. For purposes of this Agreement, interests are “regularly tradedif
there is a meaningful volume of trading with respect to the interests on an
ongoing basis, and an “established securities marketmeans an exchange that
is officially recognized and supervised by a governmental authority in which
the market is located and that has a meaningful annual value of shares traded
on the exchange. For purposes of this subparagraph 1(s), an interest in a
Financial Institution is not “regularly tradedand shall be treated as a
Financial Account if the holder of the interest (other than a Financial
Institution acting as an intermediary) is registered on the books of such
Financial Institution. The preceding sentence will not apply to interests first
registered on the books of such Financial Institution prior to July 1, 2014, and
with respect to interests first registered on the books of such Financial
Institution on or after July 1, 2014, a Financial Institution is not required to
apply the preceding sentence prior to January 1, 2016.
t) The term Depository Account” includes any commercial, checking, savings,
time, or thrift account, or an account that is evidenced by a certificate of
deposit, thrift certificate, investment certificate, certificate of indebtedness, or
other similar instrument maintained by a Financial Institution in the ordinary
course of a banking or similar business. A Depository Account also includes
an amount held by an insurance company pursuant to a guaranteed investment
contract or similar agreement to pay or credit interest thereon.
u) The term “Custodial Account” means an account (other than an Insurance
Contract or Annuity Contract) for the benefit of another person that holds any
financial instrument or contract held for investment (including, but not limited
to, a share or stock in a corporation, a note, bond, debenture, or other evidence
of indebtedness, a currency or commodity transaction, a credit default swap, a
swap based upon a nonfinancial index, a notional principal contract, an
Insurance Contract or Annuity Contract, and any option or other derivative
instrument).
v) The term Equity Interest” means, in the case of a partnership that is a
Financial Institution, either a capital or profits interest in the partnership. In
the case of a trust that is a Financial Institution, an Equity Interest is
considered to be held by any person treated as a settlor or beneficiary of all or
a portion of the trust, or any other natural person exercising ultimate effective
control over the trust. A Specified U.S. Person shall be treated as being a
beneficiary of a foreign trust if such Specified U.S. Person has the right to
receive directly or indirectly (for example, through a nominee) a mandatory
distribution or may receive, directly or indirectly, a discretionary distribution
from the trust.
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w) The term Insurance Contract” means a contract (other than an Annuity
Contract) under which the issuer agrees to pay an amount upon the occurrence
of a specified contingency involving mortality, morbidity, accident, liability, or
property risk.
x) The term “Annuity Contract” means a contract under which the issuer agrees
to make payments for a period of time determined in whole or in part by
reference to the life expectancy of one or more individuals. The term also
includes a contract that is considered to be an Annuity Contract in accordance
with the law, regulation, or practice of the jurisdiction in which the contract
was issued, and under which the issuer agrees to make payments for a term of
years.
y) The term Cash Value Insurance Contract” means an Insurance Contract
(other than an indemnity reinsurance contract between two insurance
companies) that has a Cash Value greater than $50,000.
z) The term “Cash Value” means the greater of(i)the amount that the
policyholder is entitled to receive upon surrender or termination of the
contract (determined without reduction for any surrender charge or policy
loan), and(ii)the amount the policyholder can borrow under or with regard to
the contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Cash Value” does not
include an amount payable under an Insurance Contract as:
(1) a personal injury or sickness benefit or other benefit providing
indemnification of an economic loss incurred upon the occurrence of
the event insured against;
(2) a refund to the policyholder of a previously paid premium under an
Insurance Contract (other than under a life insurance contract) due to
policy cancellation or termination, decrease in risk exposure during the
effective period of the Insurance Contract, or arising from a
redetermination of the premium due to correction of posting or other
similar error; or
(3) a policyholder dividend based upon the underwriting experience of the
contract or group involved.
aa) The term Reportable Account” means a U.S. Reportable Account or a
Korean Reportable Account, as the context requires.
bb) The term Korean Reportable Account” means a Financial Account
maintained by a Reporting U.S. Financial Institution if: (i) in the case of a
Depository Account, the account is held by an individual resident in Korea and
more than $10 of interest is paid to such account in any given calendar year; or
(ii) in the case of a Financial Account other than a Depository Account, the
Account Holder is a resident of Korea, including an Entity that certifies that it
is resident in Korea for tax purposes, with respect to which U.S. source
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income that is subject to reporting under chapter 3 of subtitle A or chapter 61
of subtitle F of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code is paid or credited.
cc) The term “U.S. Reportable Account” means a Financial Account maintained
by a Reporting Korean Financial Institution and held by one or more Specified
U.S. Persons or by a Non-U.S. Entity with one or more Controlling Persons
that is a Specified U.S. Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an account
shall not be treated as a U.S. Reportable Account if such account is not
identified as a U.S. Reportable Account after application of the due diligence
procedures in Annex I.
dd) The term “Account Holder” means the person listed or identified as the
holder of a Financial Account by the Financial Institution that maintains the
account. A person, other than a Financial Institution, holding a Financial
Account for the benefit or account of another person as agent, custodian,
nominee, signatory, investment advisor, or intermediary, is not treated as
holding the account for purposes of this Agreement, and such other person is
treated as holding the account. For purposes of the immediately preceding
sentence, the term “Financial Institution” does not include a Financial
Institution organized or incorporated in a U.S. Territory. In the case of a Cash
Value Insurance Contract or an Annuity Contract, the Account Holder is any
person entitled to access the Cash Value or change the beneficiary of the
contract. If no person can access the Cash Value or change the beneficiary, the
Account Holder is any person named as the owner in the contract and any
person with a vested entitlement to payment under the terms of the contract.
Upon the maturity of a Cash Value Insurance Contract or an Annuity Contract,
each person entitled to receive a payment under the contract is treated as an
Account Holder.
ee) The term “U.S. Person” means a U.S. citizen or resident individual, a
partnership or corporation organized in the United States or under the laws of
the United States or any State thereof, a trust if (i) a court within the United
States would have authority under applicable law to render orders or
judgments concerning substantially all issues regarding administration of the
trust, and (ii) one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust, or an estate of a decedent that is a citizen or
resident of the United States. This subparagraph 1(ee) shall be interpreted in
accordance with the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
ff) The term Specified U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person, other than: (i) a
corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more established
securities markets; (ii) any corporation that is a member of the same expanded
affiliated group, as defined in section 1471(e)(2) of the U.S. Internal Revenue
Code, as a corporation described in clause (i); (iii) the United States or any
wholly owned agency or instrumentality thereof; (iv) any State of the United
States, any U.S. Territory, any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or
any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of any one or more of the
foregoing; (v) any organization exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of
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the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or an individual retirement plan as defined in
section 7701(a)(37) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; (vi) any bank as
defined in section 581 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; (vii) any real estate
investment trust as defined in section 856 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code;
(viii) any regulated investment company as defined in section 851 of the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code or any entity registered with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C.
80a-64); (ix) any common trust fund as defined in section 584(a) of the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code; (x) any trust that is exempt from tax under section
664(c) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or that is described in section
4947(a)(1) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; (xi) a dealer in securities,
commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal
contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is registered as such under the
laws of the United States or any State; (xii) a broker as defined in section
6045(c) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; or(xiii) any tax-exempt trust under
a plan that is described in section 403(b) or section 457(g) of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code.
gg) The term Entity means a legal person or a legal arrangement such as a trust.
hh) The term “Non-U.S. Entity” means an Entity that is not a U.S. Person.
ii) The term “U.S. Source Withholdable Payment” means any payment of
interest (including any original issue discount), dividends, rents, salaries,
wages, premiums, annuities, compensations, remunerations, emoluments, and
other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits, and income, if
such payment is from sources within the United States. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a U.S. Source Withholdable Payment does not include any payment
that is not treated as a withholdable payment in relevant U.S. Treasury
Regulations.
jj) An Entity is a “Related Entity” of another Entity if either Entity controls the
other Entity, or the two Entities are under common control. For this purpose
control includes direct or indirect ownership of more than 50 percent of the
vote or value in an Entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Korea may treat an
Entity as not a Related Entity of another Entity if the two Entities are not
members of the same expanded affiliated group as defined in section
1471(e)(2) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
kk) The term “U.S. TIN” means a U.S. federal taxpayer identifying number.
ll) The term Korean TIN” means a Korean taxpayer identifying number.
mm) The term “Controlling Persons” means the natural persons who exercise
control over an Entity. In the case of a trust, such term means the settlor, the
trustees, the protector (if any), the beneficiaries or class of beneficiaries, and
any other natural person exercising ultimate effective control over the trust,
and in the case of a legal arrangement other than a trust, such term means
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persons in equivalent or similar positions. The term “Controlling Persons”
shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Financial Action Task
Force Recommendations.
2. Any term not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise
requires or the Competent Authorities agree to a common meaning (as permitted by domestic
law), have the meaning that it has at that time under the law of the Party applying this
Agreement, any meaning under the applicable tax laws of that Party prevailing over a
meaning given to the term under other laws of that Party.
Article 2
Obligations to Obtain and Exchange Information with Respect to Reportable Accounts
1. Subject to the provisions of Article 3 of this Agreement, each Party shall obtain the
information specified in paragraph 2 of this Article with respect to all Reportable Accounts
and shall annually exchange this information with the other Party on an automatic basis
pursuant to the provisions of Article 28 of the Convention.
2. The information to be obtained and exchanged is:
a) In the case of Korea, with respect to each U.S. Reportable Account of each
Reporting Korean Financial Institution:
(1) the name, address, and U.S. TIN of each Specified U.S. Person that is
an Account Holder of such account and, in the case of a Non-U.S.
Entity that, after application of the due diligence procedures set forth in
Annex I, is identified as having one or more Controlling Persons that is
a Specified U.S. Person, the name, address, and U.S. TIN (if any) of
such Entity and each such Specified U.S. Person;
(2) the account number (or functional equivalent in the absence of an
account number);
(3) the name and identifying number of the Reporting Korean Financial
Institution;
(4) the account balance or value (including, in the case of a Cash Value
Insurance Contract or Annuity Contract, the Cash Value or surrender
value) as of the end of the relevant calendar year or other appropriate
reporting period or, if the account was closed during such year,
immediately before closure;
(5) in the case of any Custodial Account:
(A) the total gross amount of interest, the total gross amount of
dividends, and the total gross amount of other income
generated with respect to the assets held in the account, in each
case paid or credited to the account (or with respect to the
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account) during the calendar year or other appropriate reporting
period; and
(B) the total gross proceeds from the sale or redemption of property
paid or credited to the account during the calendar year or other
appropriate reporting period with respect to which the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution acted as a custodian,
broker, nominee, or otherwise as an agent for the Account
Holder;
(6) in the case of any Depository Account, the total gross amount of
interest paid or credited to the account during the calendar year or
other appropriate reporting period; and
(7) in the case of any account not described in subparagraph 2(a)(5) or
2(a)(6) of this Article, the total gross amount paid or credited to the
Account Holder with respect to the account during the calendar year or
other appropriate reporting period with respect to which the Reporting
Korean Financial Institution is the obligor or debtor, including the
aggregate amount of any redemption payments made to the Account
Holder during the calendar year or other appropriate reporting period.
b) In the case of the United States, with respect to each Korean Reportable
Account of each Reporting U.S. Financial Institution:
(1) the name, address, and Korean TIN of any person that is a resident of
Korea and is an Account Holder of the account;
(2) the account number (or the functional equivalent in the absence of an
account number);
(3) the name and identifying number of the Reporting U.S. Financial
Institution;
(4) the gross amount of interest paid on a Depository Account;
(5) the gross amount of U.S. source dividends paid or credited to the
account; and
(6) the gross amount of other U.S. source income paid or credited to the
account, to the extent subject to reporting under chapter 3 of subtitle A
or chapter 61 of subtitle F of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
Article 3
Time and Manner of Exchange of Information
1. For purposes of the exchange obligation in Article 2 of this Agreement, the amount
and characterization of payments made with respect to a U.S. Reportable Account may be
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determined in accordance with the principles of the tax laws of Korea, and the amount and
characterization of payments made with respect to a Korean Reportable Account may be
determined in accordance with principles of U.S. federal income tax law.
2. For purposes of the exchange obligation in Article 2 of this Agreement, the
information exchanged shall identify the currency in which each relevant amount is
denominated.
3. With respect to paragraph 2 of Article 2 of this Agreement, information is to be
obtained and exchanged with respect to 2014 and all subsequent years, except that:
a) In the case of Korea:
(1) the information to be obtained and exchanged with respect to 2014 is
only the information described in subparagraphs 2(a)(1) through
2(a)(4) of Article 2 of this Agreement;
(2) the information to be obtained and exchanged with respect to 2015 is
the information described in subparagraphs 2(a)(1) through 2(a)(7) of
Article 2 of this Agreement, except for gross proceeds described in
subparagraph 2(a)(5)(B) of Article 2 of this Agreement; and
(3) the information to be obtained and exchanged with respect to 2016 and
subsequent years is the information described in subparagraphs 2(a)(1)
through 2(a)(7) of Article 2 of this Agreement;
b) In the case of the United States, the information to be obtained and exchanged
with respect to 2014 and subsequent years is all of the information identified
in subparagraph 2(b) of Article 2 of this Agreement.
4. Notwithstanding paragraph 3 of this Article, with respect to each Reportable Account
that is maintained by a Reporting Financial Institution as of June 30, 2014, and subject to
paragraph 4 of Article 6 of this Agreement, the Parties are not required to obtain and include
in the exchanged information the Korean TIN or the U.S. TIN, as applicable, of any relevant
person if such taxpayer identifying number is not in the records of the Reporting Financial
Institution. In such a case, the Parties shall obtain and include in the exchanged information
the date of birth of the relevant person, if the Reporting Financial Institution has such date of
birth in its records.
5. Subject to paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article, the information described in Article 2 of
this Agreement shall be exchanged within nine months after the end of the calendar year to
which the information relates.
6. The Competent Authorities of Korea and the United States shall enter into an
agreement or arrangement under the mutual agreement procedure provided for in Article 27
of the Convention, which shall:
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a) establish the procedures for the automatic exchange obligations described in
Article 2 of this Agreement;
b) prescribe rules and procedures as may be necessary to implement Article 5 of
this Agreement; and
c) establish as necessary procedures for the exchange of the information reported
under subparagraph 1(b) of Article 4 of this Agreement.
7. All information exchanged shall be subject to the confidentiality and other protections
provided for in the Convention, including the provisions limiting the use of the information
exchanged.
8. Following entry into force of this Agreement, each Competent Authority shall provide
written notification to the other Competent Authority when it is satisfied that the jurisdiction
of the other Competent Authority has in place (i) appropriate safeguards to ensure that the
information received pursuant to this Agreement shall remain confidential and be used solely
for tax purposes, and (ii) the infrastructure for an effective exchange relationship (including
established processes for ensuring timely, accurate, and confidential information exchanges,
effective and reliable communications, and demonstrated capabilities to promptly resolve
questions and concerns about exchanges or requests for exchanges and to administer the
provisions of Article 5 of this Agreement). The Competent Authorities shall endeavor in good
faith to meet, prior to September 2015, to establish that each jurisdiction has such safeguards
and infrastructure in place.
9. The obligations of the Parties to obtain and exchange information under Article 2 of
this Agreement shall take effect on the date of the later of the written notifications described
in paragraph 8 of this Article.
10. This Agreement shall terminate 12 months following entry into force if Article 2 of
this Agreement is not in effect for either Party pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Article by that
date.
Article 4
Application of FATCA to Korean Financial Institutions
1. Treatment of Reporting Korean Financial Institutions. Each Reporting Korean
Financial Institution shall be treated as complying with, and not subject to withholding under,
section 1471 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code if Korea complies with its obligations under
Articles 2 and 3 of this Agreement with respect to such Reporting Korean Financial
Institution, and the Reporting Korean Financial Institution:
a) identifies U.S. Reportable Accounts and reports annually to the Korean
Competent Authority the information required to be reported in subparagraph
2(a) of Article 2 of this Agreement in the time and manner described in Article
3 of this Agreement;
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b) for each of 2015 and 2016, reports annually to the Korean Competent
Authority the name of each Nonparticipating Financial Institution to which it
has made payments and the aggregate amount of such payments;
c) complies with the registration requirements applicable to Financial Institutions
in Partner Jurisdictions;
d) to the extent that a Reporting Korean Financial Institution is (i) acting as a
qualified intermediary (for purposes of section 1441 of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code) that has elected to assume primary withholding responsibility
under chapter 3 of subtitle A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, (ii) a foreign
partnership that has elected to act as a withholding foreign partnership (for
purposes of both sections 1441 and 1471 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code),
or (iii) a foreign trust that has elected to act as a withholding foreign trust (for
purposes of both sections 1441 and 1471 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code),
withholds 30 percent of any U.S. Source Withholdable Payment to any
Nonparticipating Financial Institution; and
e) in the case of a Reporting Korean Financial Institution that is not described in
subparagraph 1(d) of this Article and that makes a payment of, or acts as an
intermediary with respect to, a U.S. Source Withholdable Payment to any
Nonparticipating Financial Institution, the Reporting Korean Financial
Institution provides to any immediate payor of such U.S. Source Withholdable
Payment the information required for withholding and reporting to occur with
respect to such payment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Reporting Korean Financial Institution with respect to
which the conditions of this paragraph 1 are not satisfied shall not be subject to withholding
under section 1471 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code unless such Reporting Korean
Financial Institution is treated by the IRS as a Nonparticipating Financial Institution pursuant
to subparagraph 2(b) of Article 5 of this Agreement.
2. Suspension of Rules Relating to Recalcitrant Accounts. The United States shall not
require a Reporting Korean Financial Institution to withhold tax under section 1471 or 1472
of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code with respect to an account held by a recalcitrant account
holder (as defined in section 1471(d)(6) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code), or to close such
account, if the U.S. Competent Authority receives the information set forth in subparagraph
2(a) of Article 2 of this Agreement, subject to the provisions of Article 3 of this Agreement,
with respect to such account.
3. Specific Treatment of Korean Retirement Plans. The United States shall treat as
deemed-compliant FFIs or exempt beneficial owners, as appropriate, for purposes of sections
1471 and 1472 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code Korean retirement plans described in
Annex II. For this purpose, a Korean retirement plan includes an Entity established or located
in, and regulated in Korea, or a predetermined contractual or legal arrangement, operated to
provide pension or retirement benefits or earn income for providing such benefits under the
laws of Korea and regulated with respect to contributions, distributions, reporting,
sponsorship, and taxation.
14
4. Identification and Treatment of Other Deemed-Compliant FFIs and Exempt
Beneficial Owners. The United States shall treat each Non-Reporting Korean Financial
Institution as a deemed-compliant FFI or as an exempt beneficial owner, as appropriate, for
purposes of section 1471 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
5. Special Rules Regarding Related Entities and Branches That Are
Nonparticipating Financial Institutions. If a Korean Financial Institution, that otherwise
meets the requirements described in paragraph 1 of this Article or is described in paragraph 3
or 4 of this Article, has a Related Entity or branch that operates in a jurisdiction that prevents
such Related Entity or branch from fulfilling the requirements of a participating FFI or
deemed-compliant FFI for purposes of section 1471 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or has
a Related Entity or branch that is treated as a Nonparticipating Financial Institution solely due
to the expiration of the transitional rule for limited FFIs and limited branches under relevant
U.S. Treasury Regulations, such Korean Financial Institution shall continue to be in
compliance with the terms of this Agreement and shall continue to be treated as a deemed-
compliant FFI or exempt beneficial owner, as appropriate, for purposes of section 1471 of the
U.S. Internal Revenue Code, provided that:
a) the Korean Financial Institution treats each such Related Entity or branch as a
separate Nonparticipating Financial Institution for purposes of all the reporting
and withholding requirements of this Agreement and each such Related Entity
or branch identifies itself to withholding agents as a Nonparticipating
Financial Institution;
b) each such Related Entity or branch identifies its U.S. accounts and reports the
information with respect to those accounts as required under section 1471 of
the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to the extent permitted under the relevant laws
pertaining to the Related Entity or branch; and
c) such Related Entity or branch does not specifically solicit U.S. accounts held
by persons that are not resident in the jurisdiction where such Related Entity
or branch is located or accounts held by Nonparticipating Financial
Institutions that are not established in the jurisdiction where such Related
Entity or branch is located, and such Related Entity or branch is not used by
the Korean Financial Institution or any other Related Entity to circumvent the
obligations under this Agreement or under section 1471 of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code, as appropriate.
6. Coordination of Timing. Notwithstanding paragraphs 3 and 5 of Article 3 of this
Agreement:
a) Korea shall not be obligated to obtain and exchange information with respect to a
calendar year that is prior to the calendar year with respect to which similar
information is required to be reported to the IRS by participating FFIs pursuant to
relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations;
15
b) Korea shall not be obligated to begin exchanging information prior to the date by
which participating FFIs are required to report similar information to the IRS
under relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations;
c) the United States shall not be obligated to obtain and exchange information with
respect to a calendar year that is prior to the first calendar year with respect to
which Korea is required to obtain and exchange information; and
d) the United States shall not be obligated to begin exchanging information prior to
the date by which Korea is required to begin exchanging information.
7. Coordination of Definitions with U.S. Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding
Article 1 of this Agreement and the definitions provided in the Annexes to this Agreement, in
implementing this Agreement, Korea may use, and may permit Korean Financial Institutions
to use, a definition in relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations in lieu of a corresponding definition
in this Agreement, provided that such application would not frustrate the purposes of this
Agreement.
Article 5
Collaboration on Compliance and Enforcement
1. Minor and Administrative Errors. A Competent Authority shall notify the
Competent Authority of the other Party when the first-mentioned Competent Authority has
reason to believe that administrative errors or other minor errors may have led to incorrect or
incomplete information reporting or resulted in other infringements of this Agreement. The
Competent Authority of such other Party shall apply its domestic law (including applicable
penalties) to obtain corrected and/or complete information or to resolve other infringements
of this Agreement.
2. Significant Non-Compliance.
a) A Competent Authority shall notify the Competent Authority of the other Party
when the first-mentioned Competent Authority has determined that there is
significant non-compliance with the obligations under this Agreement with
respect to a Reporting Financial Institution in the other jurisdiction. The
Competent Authority of such other Party shall apply its domestic law
(including applicable penalties) to address the significant non-compliance
described in the notice.
b) If, in the case of a Reporting Korean Financial Institution, such enforcement
actions do not resolve the non-compliance within a period of 18 months after
notification of significant non-compliance is first provided, the United States
shall treat the Reporting Korean Financial Institution as a Nonparticipating
Financial Institution pursuant to this subparagraph 2(b).
3. Reliance on Third Party Service Providers. Each Party may allow Reporting
Financial Institutions to use third party service providers to fulfill the obligations imposed on
16
such Reporting Financial Institutions by a Party, as contemplated in this Agreement, but these
obligations shall remain the responsibility of the Reporting Financial Institutions.
4. Prevention of Avoidance. The Parties shall implement as necessary measures to
prevent Financial Institutions from adopting practices intended to circumvent the reporting
required under this Agreement.
Article 6
Mutual Commitment to Continue to Enhance the Effectiveness of Information
Exchange and Transparency
1. Reciprocity. The Government of the United States acknowledges the need to achieve
equivalent levels of reciprocal automatic information exchange with Korea. The Government
of the United States is committed to further improve transparency and enhance the exchange
relationship with Korea by pursuing the adoption of regulations and advocating and
supporting relevant legislation to achieve such equivalent levels of reciprocal automatic
information exchange.
2. Treatment of Passthru Payments and Gross Proceeds. The Parties are committed
to work together, along with Partner Jurisdictions, to develop a practical and effective
alternative approach to achieve the policy objectives of foreign passthru payment and gross
proceeds withholding that minimizes burden.
3. Development of Common Reporting and Exchange Model. The Parties are
committed to working with Partner Jurisdictions, and the Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development on adapting the terms of this Agreement and other agreements
between the United States and Partner Jurisdictions to a common model for automatic
exchange of information, including the development of reporting and due diligence standards
for financial institutions.
4. Documentation of Accounts Maintained as of June 30, 2014. With respect to
Reportable Accounts maintained by a Reporting Financial Institution as of June 30, 2014:
a) The United States commits to establish, by January 1, 2017, for reporting with
respect to 2017 and subsequent years, rules requiring Reporting U.S. Financial
Institutions to obtain and report the Korean TIN of each Account Holder of a
Korean Reportable Account as required pursuant to subparagraph 2(b)(1) of
Article 2 of this Agreement; and
b) Korea commits to establish, by January 1, 2017, for reporting with respect to
2017 and subsequent years, rules requiring Reporting Korean Financial
Institutions to obtain and report the U.S. TIN of each Specified U.S. Person as
required pursuant to subparagraph 2(a)(1) of Article 2 of this Agreement.
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Article 7
Consistency in the Application of FATCA to Partner Jurisdictions
1. Korea shall be granted the benefit of any more favorable terms under Article 4 or
Annex I of this Agreement relating to the application of FATCA to Korean Financial
Institutions afforded to another Partner Jurisdiction under a signed bilateral agreement
pursuant to which the other Partner Jurisdiction commits to undertake the same obligations as
Korea described in Articles 2 and 3 of this Agreement, and subject to the same terms and
conditions as described therein and in Articles 5 through 9 of this Agreement.
2. The United States shall notify Korea of any such more favorable terms, and such
more favorable terms shall apply automatically under this Agreement as if such terms were
specified in this Agreement and effective as of the date of signing of the agreement
incorporating the more favorable terms, unless Korea declines in writing the application
thereof.
Article 8
Consultations and Amendments
1. In case any difficulties in the implementation of this Agreement arise, either Party
may request consultations to develop appropriate measures to ensure the fulfillment of this
Agreement.
2. This Agreement may be amended by written mutual agreement of the Parties. Unless
otherwise agreed upon, such an amendment shall enter into force through the same
procedures as set forth in paragraph 1 of Article 10 of this Agreement
Article 9
Annexes
The Annexes form an integral part of this Agreement.
Article 10
Term of Agreement
1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of Koreas written notification to the
United States that Korea has completed its necessary internal procedures for entry into force
of this Agreement and shall continue in force until terminated.
2. Either Party may terminate this Agreement by giving notice of termination in writing
to the other Party. Such termination shall become effective on the first day of the month
following the expiration of a period of 12 months after the date of the notice of termination.
18
3. The Parties shall, prior to December 31, 2016, consult in good faith to amend this
Agreement as necessary to reflect progress on the commitments set forth in Article 6 of this
Agreement.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by their respective
Governments, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Seoul, in duplicate, in the English and Korean languages, both texts being equally
authentic, this 10th of June, 2015.
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1
ANNEX I
DUE DILIGENCE OBLIGATIONS FOR IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING ON
U.S.REPORTABLE ACCOUNTS AND ON PAYMENTS TO CERTAIN
NONPARTICIPATING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
I. General.
A. Korea shall require that Reporting Korean Financial Institutions apply the due
diligence procedures contained in this Annex I to identify U.S. Reportable Accounts and
accounts held by Nonparticipating Financial Institutions.
B. For purposes of the Agreement,
1. All dollar amounts are in U.S. dollars and shall be read to include the
equivalent in other currencies.
2. Except as otherwise provided herein, the balance or value of an account
shall be determined as of the last day of the calendar year or other appropriate
reporting period.
3. Where a balance or value threshold is to be determined as of June 30,
2014 under this Annex I, the relevant balance or value shall be determined as of
that day or the last day of the reporting period ending immediately before June
30, 2014, and where a balance or value threshold is to be determined as of the
last day of a calendar year under this Annex I, the relevant balance or value shall
be determined as of the last day of the calendar year or other appropriate
reporting period.
4. Subject to subparagraph E(1) of section II of this Annex I, an account shall
be treated as a U.S. Reportable Account beginning as of the date it is identified as
such pursuant to the due diligence procedures in this Annex I.
5. Unless otherwise provided, information with respect to a U.S. Reportable
Account shall be reported annually in the calendar year following the year to
which the information relates.
C. As an alternative to the procedures described in each section of this Annex I,
Korea may permit Reporting Korean Financial Institutions to rely on the procedures
described in relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations to establish whether an account is a U.S.
Reportable Account or an account held by a Nonparticipating Financial Institution.
Korea may permit Reporting Korean Financial Institutions to make such election
separately for each section of this Annex I either with respect to all relevant Financial
Accounts or, separately, with respect to any clearly identified group of such accounts
(such as by line of business or the location of where the account is maintained).
2
II. Preexisting Individual Accounts. The following rules and procedures apply for purposes
of identifying U.S. Reportable Accounts among Preexisting Accounts held by individuals
(“Preexisting Individual Accounts”).
A. Accounts Not Required to Be Reviewed, Identified, or Reported. Unless the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution elects otherwise, either with respect to all
Preexisting Individual Accounts or, separately, with respect to any clearly identified
group of such accounts, where the implementing rules in Korea provide for such an
election, the following Preexisting Individual Accounts are not required to be reviewed,
identified, or reported as U.S. Reportable Accounts:
1. Subject to subparagraph E(2) of this section, a Preexisting Individual
Account with a balance or value that does not exceed $50,000 as of June 30,
2014.
2. Subject to subparagraph E(2) of this section, a Preexisting Individual
Account that is a Cash Value Insurance Contract or an Annuity Contract with a
balance or value of $250,000 or less as of June 30, 2014.
3. A Preexisting Individual Account that is a Cash Value Insurance Contract
or an Annuity Contract, provided the law or regulations of Korea or the United
States effectively prevent the sale of such a Cash Value Insurance Contract or an
Annuity Contract to U.S. residents (e.g., if the relevant Financial Institution does
not have the required registration under U.S. law, and the law of Korea requires
reporting or withholding with respect to insurance products held by residents of
Korea).
4. A Depository Account with a balance of $50,000 or less.
B.
Review Procedures for Preexisting Individual Accounts With a Balance or
Value as of June 30, 2014, that Exceeds $50,000 ($250,000 for a Cash Value
Insurance Contract or Annuity Contract), But Does Not Exceed $1,000,000
(“Lower Value Accounts”).
1. Electronic Record Search. The Reporting Korean Financial Institution
must review electronically searchable data maintained by the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution for any of the following U.S. indicia:
a) Identification of the Account Holder as a U.S. citizen or resident;
b) Unambiguous indication of a U.S. place of birth;
c) Current U.S. mailing or residence address (including a U.S. post
office box);
d) Current U.S. telephone number;
3
e) Standing instructions to transfer funds to an account maintained in
the United States;
f) Currently effective power of attorney or signatory authority
granted to a person with a U.S. address; or
g) An “in-care-of” or “hold mail” address that is the sole address the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution has on file for the Account Holder.
In the case of a Preexisting Individual Account that is a Lower Value
Account, an “in-care-of” address outside the United States or “hold mail”
address shall not be treated as U.S. indicia.
2. If none of the U.S. indicia listed in subparagraph B(1) of this section are
discovered in the electronic search, then no further action is required until there
is a change in circumstances that results in one or more U.S. indicia being
associated with the account, or the account becomes a High Value Account
described in paragraph D of this section.
3. If any of the U.S. indicia listed in subparagraph B(1) of this section are
discovered in the electronic search, or if there is a change in circumstances that
results in one or more U.S. indicia being associated with the account, then the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution must treat the account as a U.S.
Reportable Account unless it elects to apply subparagraph B(4) of this section
and one of the exceptions in such subparagraph applies with respect to that
account.
4. Notwithstanding a finding of U.S. indicia under subparagraph B(1) of this
section, a Reporting Korean
Financial Institution is not required to treat an
account as a U.S. Reportable Account if:
a) Where the Account Holder information unambiguously indicates a
U.S. place of birth, the Reporting Korean Financial Institution obtains, or
has previously reviewed and maintains a record of:
(1) A self-certification that the Account Holder is neither a
U.S. citizen nor a U.S. resident for tax purposes (which may be on
an IRS Form W-8 or other similar agreed form);
(2) A non-U.S. passport or other government-issued
identification evidencing the Account Holders citizenship or
nationality in a country other than the United States; and
(3) A copy of the Account Holders Certificate of Loss of
Nationality of the United States or a reasonable explanation of:
4
(a) The reason the Account Holder does not have such
a certificate despite relinquishing U.S. citizenship; or
(b) The reason the Account Holder did not obtain U.S.
citizenship at birth.
b) Where the Account Holder information contains a current U.S.
mailing or residence address, or one or more U.S. telephone numbers
that are the only telephone numbers associated with the account, the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution obtains, or has previously
reviewed and maintains a record of:
(1) A self-certification that the Account Holder is neither a
U.S. citizen nor a U.S. resident for tax purposes (which may be on
an IRS Form W-8 or other similar agreed form); and
(2) Documentary evidence, as defined in paragraph D of
section VI of this Annex I, establishing the Account Holder’s non-
U.S. status.
c) Where the Account Holder information contains standing
instructions to transfer funds to an account maintained in the United
States, the Reporting Korean Financial Institution obtains, or has
previously reviewed and maintains a record of:
(1) A self-certification that the Account Holder is neither a
U.S. citizen nor a U.S. resident for tax purposes (which may be on
an IRS Form W-8 or other similar agreed form); and
(2) Documentary evidence, as defined in paragraph D of
section VI of this Annex I, establishing the Account Holders non-
U.S. status.
d) Where the Account Holder information contains a currently
effective power of attorney or signatory authority granted to a person
with a U.S. address, has an “in-care-of” address or “hold mail” address
that is the sole address identified for the Account Holder, or has one or
more U.S. telephone numbers (if a non-U.S. telephone number is also
associated with the account), the Reporting Korean Financial Institution
obtains, or has previously reviewed and maintains a record of:
(1) A self-certification that the Account Holder is neither a
U.S. citizen nor a U.S. resident for tax purposes (which may be on
an IRS Form W-8 or other similar agreed form); or
(2) Documentary evidence, as defined in paragraph D of
5
section VI of this Annex I, establishing the Account Holders non-
U.S. status.
C. Additional Procedures Applicable to Preexisting Individual Accounts That
Are Lower Value Accounts.
1. Review of Preexisting Individual Accounts that are Lower Value Accounts
for U.S. indicia must be completed by June 30, 2016.
2. If there is a change of circumstances with respect to a Preexisting Individual
Account that is a Lower Value Account that results in one or more U.S.
indicia described in subparagraph B(1) of this section being associated with
the account, then the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must treat the
account as a U.S. Reportable Account unless subparagraph B(4) of this
section applies.
3. Except for Depository Accounts described in subparagraph A(4) of this
section, any Preexisting Individual Account that has been identified as a U.S.
Reportable Account under this section shall be treated as a U.S. Reportable
Account in all subsequent years, unless the Account Holder ceases to be a
Specified U.S. Person.
D. Enhanced Review Procedures for Preexisting Individual Accounts With a
Balance or Value That Exceeds $1,000,000 as of June 30, 2014, or December 31 of
2015 or Any Subsequent Year (“High Value Accounts”).
1. Electronic Record Search
. The Reporting Korean Financial Institution must
review electronically searchable data maintained by the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution for any of the U.S. indicia described in subparagraph
B(1) of this section.
2. Paper Record Search
. If the Reporting Korean Financial Institution’s
electronically searchable databases include fields for, and capture all of the
information described in, subparagraph D(3) of this section, then no further paper
record search is required. If the electronic databases do not capture all of this
information, then with respect to a High Value Account, the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution must also review the current customer master file and, to the
extent not contained in the current customer master file, the following documents
associated with the account and obtained by the Reporting Korean Financial
Institution within the last five years for any of the U.S. indicia described in
subparagraph B(1) of this section:
a) The most recent documentary evidence collected with respect to
the account;
b) The most recent account opening contract or documentation;
6
c) The most recent documentation obtained by the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution pursuant to AML/KYC Procedures or for other
regulatory purposes;
d) Any power of attorney or signature authority forms currently in
effect; and
e) Any standing instructions to transfer funds currently in effect.
3. Exception Where Databases Contain Sufficient Information. A
Reporting Korean Financial Institution is not required to perform the paper
record search described in subparagraph D(2) of this section if the Reporting
Korean Financial Institution’s electronically searchable information includes the
following:
a) The Account Holders nationality or residence status;
b) The Account Holders residence address and mailing address
currently on file with the Reporting Korean Financial Institution;
c) The Account Holders telephone number(s) currently on file, if
any, with the Reporting Korean Financial Institution;
d) Whether there are standing instructions to transfer funds in the
account to another account (including an account at another branch of the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution or another Financial Institution);
e) Whether there is a current “in-care-of” address or “hold mail”
address for the Account Holder; and
f) Whether there is any power of attorney or signatory authority for
the account.
4. Relationship Manager Inquiry for Actual Knowledge. In addition to the
electronic and paper record searches described above, the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution must treat as a U.S. Reportable Account any High Value
Account assigned to a relationship manager (including any Financial Accounts
aggregated with such High Value Account) if the relationship manager has actual
knowledge that the Account Holder is a Specified U.S. Person.
5. Effect of Finding U.S. Indicia.
a) If none of the U.S. indicia listed in subparagraph B(1) of this
section are discovered in the enhanced review of High Value Accounts
described above, and the account is not identified as held by a Specified
7
U.S. Person in subparagraph D(4) of this section, then no further action is
required until there is a change in circumstances that results in one or
more U.S. indicia being associated with the account.
b) If any of the U.S. indicia listed in subparagraph B(1) of this section
are discovered in the enhanced review of High Value Accounts described
above, or if there is a subsequent change in circumstances that results in
one or more U.S. indicia being associated with the account, then the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution must treat the account as a U.S.
Reportable Account unless it elects to apply subparagraph B(4) of this
section and one of the exceptions in such subparagraph applies with
respect to that account.
c) Except for Depository Accounts described in subparagraph A(4) of
this section, any Preexisting Individual Account that has been identified
as a U.S. Reportable Account under this section shall be treated as a U.S.
Reportable Account in all subsequent years, unless the Account Holder
ceases to be a Specified U.S. Person.
E. Additional Procedures Applicable to High Value Accounts.
1. If a Preexisting Individual Account is a High Value Account as of June 30,
2014,the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must complete the enhanced
review procedures described in paragraph D of this section with respect to such
account by June 30, 2015.If based on this review such account is identified as a
U.S. Reportable Account on or before December 31, 2014, the Reporting
Korean
Financial Institution must report the required information about such account
with respect to 2014 in the first report on the account and on an annual basis
thereafter. In the case of an account identified as a U.S. Reportable Account after
December 31, 2014 and on or before June 30, 2015, the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution is not required to report information about such account
with respect to 2014, but must report information about the account on an annual
basis thereafter.
2. If a Preexisting Individual Account is not a High Value Account as of June
30, 2014,but becomes a High Value Account as of the last day of 2015 or any
subsequent calendar year, the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must
complete the enhanced review procedures described in paragraph D of this
section with respect to such account within six months after the last day of the
calendar year in which the account becomes a High Value Account. If based on
this review such account is identified as a U.S. Reportable Account, the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution must report the required information
about such account with respect to the year in which it is identified as a U.S.
Reportable Account and subsequent years on an annual basis, unless the Account
Holder ceases to be a Specified U.S. Person.
8
3. Once a Reporting Korean Financial Institution applies the enhanced
review procedures described in paragraph D of this section to a High Value
Account, the Reporting Korean Financial Institution is not required to re-apply
such procedures, other than the relationship manager inquiry described in
subparagraph D(4) of this section, to the same High Value Account in any
subsequent year.
4. If there is a change of circumstances with respect to a High Value Account
that results in one or more U.S. indicia described in subparagraph B(1) of this
section being associated with the account, then the Reporting Korean Financial
Institution must treat the account as a U.S. Reportable Account unless it elects to
apply subparagraph B(4) of this section and one of the exceptions in such
subparagraph applies with respect to that account.
5. A Reporting Korean Financial Institution must implement procedures to
ensure that a relationship manager identifies any change in circumstances of an
account. For example, if a relationship manager is notified that the Account
Holder has a new mailing address in the United States, the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution is required to treat the new address as a change in
circumstances and, if it elects to apply subparagraph B(4) of this section, is
required to obtain the appropriate documentation from the Account Holder.
F. Preexisting Individual Accounts That Have Been Documented for Certain
Other Purposes. A Reporting Korean Financial Institution that has previously obtained
documentation from an Account Holder to establish the Account Holders status as
neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. resident in order to meet its obligations under a qualified
intermediary, withholding foreign partnership, or withholding foreign trust agreement
with the IRS, or to fulfill its obligations under chapter 61 of Title 26 of the United States
Code, is not required to perform the procedures described in subparagraph B(1) of this
section with respect to Lower Value Accounts or subparagraphs D(1) through D(3) of
this section with respect to High Value Accounts.
III. New Individual Accounts. The following rules and procedures apply for purposes of
identifying U.S. Reportable Accounts among Financial Accounts held by individuals and opened
on or after July 1, 2014 (“New Individual Accounts”).
A. Accounts Not Required to Be Reviewed, Identified, or Reported. Unless the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution elects otherwise, either with respect to all New
Individual Accounts or, separately, with respect to any clearly identified group of such
accounts, where the implementing rules in Korea provide for such an election, the
following New Individual Accounts are not required to be reviewed, identified, or
reported as U.S. Reportable Accounts:
1. A Depository Account unless the account balance exceeds $50,000 at the
end of any calendar year or other appropriate reporting period.
9
2. A Cash Value Insurance Contract unless the Cash Value exceeds $50,000
at the end of any calendar year or other appropriate reporting period.
B. Other New Individual Accounts. With respect to New Individual Accounts not
described in paragraph A of this section, upon account opening (or within 90 days after
the end of the calendar year in which the account ceases to be described in paragraph A
of this section), the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must obtain a self-
certification, which may be part of the account opening documentation, that allows the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution to determine whether the Account Holder is
resident in the United States for tax purposes (for this purpose, a U.S. citizen is
considered to be resident in the United States for tax purposes, even if the Account
Holder is also a tax resident of another jurisdiction) and confirm the reasonableness of
such self-certification based on the information obtained by the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution in connection with the opening of the account, including any
documentation collected pursuant to AML/KYC Procedures.
1. If the self-certification establishes that the Account Holder is resident in the
United States for tax purposes, the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution must
treat the account as a U.S. Reportable Account and obtain a self-certification that
includes the Account Holders U.S. TIN (which may be an IRS Form W-9 or other
similar agreed form).
2. If there is a change of circumstances with respect to a New Individual
Account that causes the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution to know, or have
reason to know, that the original self-certification is incorrect or unreliable, the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution cannot rely on the original self-
certification and must obtain a valid self-certification that establishes whether the
Account Holder is a U.S. citizen or resident for U.S. tax purposes. If the
Reporting Korean
Financial Institution is unable to obtain a valid self-
certification, the Reporting
Korean Financial Institution must treat the account as
a U.S. Reportable Account.
IV. Preexisting Entity Accounts. The following rules and procedures apply for purposes of
identifying U.S. Reportable Accounts and accounts held by Nonparticipating Financial
Institutions among Preexisting Accounts held by Entities (“Preexisting Entity Accounts”).
A. Entity Accounts Not Required to Be Reviewed, Identified or Reported. Unless
the Reporting Korean Financial Institution elects otherwise, either with respect to all
Preexisting Entity Accounts or, separately, with respect to any clearly identified group of
such accounts, where the implementing rules in Korea provide for such an election, a
Preexisting Entity Account with an account balance or value that does not exceed
$250,000 as of June 30, 2014, is not required to be reviewed, identified, or reported as a
U.S. Reportable Account until the account balance or value exceeds $1,000,000.
10
B. Entity Accounts Subject to Review. A Preexisting Entity Account that has an
account balance or value that exceeds $250,000 as of June 30, 2014, and a Preexisting
Entity Account that does not exceed $250,000 as of June 30, 2014 but the account
balance or value of which exceeds $1,000,000 as of the last day of 2015 or any
subsequent calendar year, must be reviewed in accordance with the procedures set forth
in paragraph D of this section.
C. Entity Accounts With Respect to Which Reporting Is Required. With respect
to Preexisting Entity Accounts described in paragraph B of this section, only accounts
that are held by one or more Entities that are Specified U.S. Persons, or by Passive
NFFEs with one or more Controlling Persons who are U.S. citizens or residents, shall be
treated as U.S. Reportable Accounts. In addition, accounts held by Nonparticipating
Financial Institutions shall be treated as accounts for which aggregate payments as
described in subparagraph 1(b) of Article 4 of the Agreement are reported to the Korean
Competent Authority.
D. Review Procedures for Identifying Entity Accounts With Respect to Which
Reporting Is Required. For Preexisting Entity Accounts described in paragraph B of this
section, the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must apply the following review
procedures to determine whether the account is held by one or more Specified U.S.
Persons, by Passive NFFEs with one or more Controlling Persons who are U.S. citizens
or residents, or by Nonparticipating Financial Institutions:
1. Determine Whether the Entity Is a Specified U.S. Person.
a) Review information maintained for regulatory or customer
relationship purposes (including information collected pursuant to
AML/KYC Procedures) to determine whether the information indicates
that the Account Holder is a U.S. Person. For this purpose, information
indicating that the Account Holder is a U.S. Person includes a U.S. place
of incorporation or organization, or a U.S. address.
b) If the information indicates that the Account Holder is a U.S.
Person, the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must treat the account
as a U.S. Reportable Account unless it obtains a self-certification from
the Account Holder (which may be on an IRS Form W-8 or W-9, or a
similar agreed form), or reasonably determines based on information in
its possession or that is publicly available, that the Account Holder is not
a Specified U.S. Person.
2. Determine Whether a Non-U.S. Entity Is a Financial Institution.
a) Review information maintained for regulatory or customer
relationship purposes (including information collected pursuant to
AML/KYC Procedures) to determine whether the information indicates
that the Account Holder is a Financial Institution.
11
b) If the information indicates that the Account Holder is a Financial
Institution, or the Reporting Korean Financial Institution verifies the
Account Holders Global Intermediary Identification Number on the
published IRS FFI list, then the account is not a U.S. Reportable Account.
3. Determine Whether a Financial Institution Is a Nonparticipating
Financial Institution Payments to Which Are Subject to Aggregate
Reporting Under Subparagraph 1(b) of Article 4 of the Agreement.
a) Subject to subparagraph D(3)(b) of this section, a Reporting
Korean Financial Institution may determine that the Account Holder is a
Korean Financial Institution or other Partner Jurisdiction Financial
Institution if the Reporting Korean Financial Institution reasonably
determines that the Account Holder has such status on the basis of the
Account Holders Global Intermediary Identification Number on the
published IRS FFI list or other information that is publicly available or in
the possession of the Reporting Korean Financial Institution, as
applicable. In such case, no further review, identification, or reporting is
required with respect to the account.
b) If the Account Holder is a Korean Financial Institution or other
Partner Jurisdiction Financial Institution treated by the IRS as a
Nonparticipating Financial Institution, then the account is not a U.S.
Reportable Account, but payments to the Account Holder must be
reported as contemplated in subparagraph 1(b) of Article 4 of the
Agreement.
c) If the Account Holder is not a Korean Financial Institution or other
Partner Jurisdiction Financial Institution, then the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution must treat the Account Holder as a Nonparticipating
Financial Institution payments to which are reportable under
subparagraph 1(b) of Article 4 of the Agreement, unless the Reporting
Korean Financial Institution:
(1) Obtains a self-certification (which may be on an IRS Form
W-8 or similar agreed form) from the Account Holder that it is a
certified deemed-compliant FFI, or an exempt beneficial owner,
as those terms are defined in relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations;
or
(2) In the case of a participating FFI or registered deemed-
compliant FFI, verifies the Account Holder’s Global Intermediary
Identification Number on the published IRS FFI list.
4. Determine Whether an Account Held by an NFFE Is a U.S.
12
Reportable Account. With respect to an Account Holder of a Preexisting Entity
Account that is not identified as either a U.S. Person or a Financial Institution,
the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must identify (i) whether the Account
Holder has Controlling Persons, (ii) whether the Account Holder is a Passive
NFFE, and (iii) whether any of the Controlling Persons of the Account Holder is
a U.S. citizen or resident. In making these determinations the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution must follow the guidance in subparagraphs D(4)(a) through
D(4)(d) of this section in the order most appropriate under the circumstances.
a) For purposes of determining the Controlling Persons of an Account
Holder, a Reporting Korean Financial Institution may rely on information
collected and maintained pursuant to AML/KYC Procedures.
b) For purposes of determining whether the Account Holder is a
Passive NFFE, the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must obtain a
self-certification (which may be on an IRS Form W-8 or W-9, or on a
similar agreed form) from the Account Holder to establish its status,
unless it has information in its possession or that is publicly available,
based on which it can reasonably determine that the Account Holder is an
Active NFFE.
c) For purposes of determining whether a Controlling Person of a
Passive NFFE is a U.S. citizen or resident for tax purposes, a Reporting
Korean Financial Institution may rely on:
(1) Information collected and maintained pursuant to
AML/KYC Procedures in the case of a Preexisting Entity Account
held by one or more NFFEs with an account balance or value that
does not exceed $1,000,000; or
(2) A self-certification (which may be on an IRS Form W-8 or
W-9, or on a similar agreed form) from the Account Holder or
such Controlling Person in the case of a Preexisting Entity
Account held by one or more NFFEs with an account balance or
value that exceeds $1,000,000.
d) If any Controlling Person of a Passive NFFE is a U.S. citizen or
resident, the account shall be treated as a U.S. Reportable Account.
E. Timing of Review and Additional Procedures Applicable to
Preexisting Entity Accounts.
1. Review of Preexisting Entity Accounts with an account balance or
value that exceeds $250,000 as of June 30, 2014 must be completed by
June 30, 2016.
13
2. Review of Preexisting Entity Accounts with an account balance or
value that does not exceed $250,000 as of June 30, 2014, but exceeds
$1,000,000 as of December 31 of 2015 or any subsequent year, must be
completed within six months after the last day of the calendar year in
which the account balance or value exceeds $1,000,000.
3. If there is a change of circumstances with respect to a Preexisting
Entity Account that causes the Reporting Korean Financial Institution to
know, or have reason to know, that the self-certification or other
documentation associated with an account is incorrect or unreliable, the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution must redetermine the status of the
account in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraph D of this
section.
V. New Entity Accounts. The following rules and procedures apply for purposes of
identifying U.S. Reportable Accounts and accounts held by Nonparticipating Financial
Institutions among Financial Accounts held by Entities and opened on or after July 1, 2014
(“New Entity Accounts”).
A. Entity Accounts Not Required to Be Reviewed, Identified or Reported. Unless
the Reporting Korean Financial Institution elects otherwise, either with respect to all
New Entity Accounts or, separately, with respect to any clearly identified group of such
accounts, where the implementing rules in Korea provide for such election, a credit card
account or a revolving credit facility treated as a New Entity Account is not required to
be reviewed, identified, or reported, provided that the Reporting Korean Financial
Institution maintaining such account implements policies and procedures to prevent an
account balance owed to the Account Holder that exceeds $50,000.
B. Other New Entity Accounts. With respect to New Entity Accounts not described
in paragraph A of this section, the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must
determine whether the Account Holder is: (i) a Specified U.S. Person; (ii) a
Korean
Financial Institution or other Partner Jurisdiction Financial Institution; (iii) a
participating FFI, a deemed-compliant FFI, or an exempt beneficial owner, as those
terms are defined in relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations; or (iv) an Active NFFE or
Passive NFFE.
1. Subject to subparagraph B(2) of this section, a Reporting Korean Financial
Institution may determine that the Account Holder is an Active NFFE, a Korean
Financial Institution, or other Partner Jurisdiction Financial Institution if the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution reasonably determines that the Account
Holder has such status on the basis of the Account Holders Global Intermediary
Identification Number or other information that is publicly available or in the
possession of the Reporting Korean Financial Institution, as applicable.
2. If the Account Holder is a Korean Financial Institution or other Partner
14
Jurisdiction Financial Institution treated by the IRS as a Nonparticipating
Financial Institution, then the account is not a U.S. Reportable Account, but
payments to the Account Holder must be reported as contemplated in
subparagraph 1(b) of Article 4 of the Agreement.
3. In all other cases, a Reporting Korean Financial Institution must obtain a
self-certification from the Account Holder to establish the Account Holders
status. Based on the self-certification, the following rules apply:
a) If the Account Holder is a Specified U.S. Person, the Reporting
Korean Financial Institution must treat the account as a U.S. Reportable
Account.
b) If the Account Holder is a Passive NFFE, the Reporting Korean
Financial Institution must identify the Controlling Persons as determined
under AML/KYC Procedures, and must determine whether any such
person is a U.S. citizen or resident on the basis of a self-certification from
the Account Holder or such person. If any such person is a U.S. citizen or
resident, the Reporting Korean Financial Institution must treat the
account as a U.S. Reportable Account.
c) If the Account Holder is: (i) a U.S. Person that is not a Specified
U.S. Person; (ii) subject to subparagraph B(3)(d) of this section, a Korean
Financial Institution or other Partner Jurisdiction Financial Institution;
(iii) a participating FFI, a deemed-compliant FFI, or an exempt beneficial
owner, as those terms are defined in relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations;
(iv) an Active NFFE; or (v) a Passive NFFE none of the Controlling
Persons of which is a U.S. citizen or resident, then the account is not a
U.S. Reportable Account, and no reporting is required with respect to the
account.
d) If the Account Holder is a Nonparticipating Financial Institution
(including a Korean Financial Institution or other Partner Jurisdiction
Financial Institution treated by the IRS as a Nonparticipating Financial
Institution), then the account is not a U.S. Reportable Account, but
payments to the Account Holder must be reported as contemplated in
subparagraph 1(b) of Article 4 of the Agreement.
VI. Special Rules and Definitions. The following additional rules and definitions apply in
implementing the due diligence procedures described above:
A. Reliance on Self-Certifications and Documentary Evidence. A Reporting
Korean Financial Institution may not rely on a self-certification or documentary evidence
if the Reporting Korean Financial Institution knows or has reason to know that the self-
certification or documentary evidence is incorrect or unreliable.
15
B. Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of this Annex I.
1. AML/KYC Procedures. “AML/KYC Procedures” means the customer due
diligence procedures of a Reporting Korean Financial Institution pursuant to
the anti-money laundering or similar requirements of Korea to which such
Reporting Korean Financial Institution is subject.
2. NFFE. An “NFFE” means any Non-U.S. Entity that is not an FFI as defined
in relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations or is an Entity described in
subparagraph B(4)(j) of this section, and also includes any Non-U.S. Entity
that is established in Korea or another Partner Jurisdiction and that is not a
Financial Institution.
3. Passive NFFE. A “Passive NFFE” means any NFFE that is not (i) an Active
NFFE, or (ii) a withholding foreign partnership or withholding foreign trust
pursuant to relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations.
4. Active NFFE. An “Active NFFE” means any NFFE that meets any of the
following criteria:
a) Less than 50 percent of the NFFE’s gross income for the preceding
calendar year or other appropriate reporting period is passive income
and less than 50 percent of the assets held by the NFFE during the
preceding calendar year or other appropriate reporting period are
assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income;
b) The stock of the NFFE is regularly traded on an established securities
market or the NFFE is a Related Entity of an Entity the stock of which
is regularly traded on an established securities market;
c) The NFFE is organized in a U.S. Territory and all of the owners of the
NFFE are bona fide residents of that U.S. Territory;
d) The NFFE is a government (other than the U.S. government), a
political subdivision (including a local authority) of such government,
or a public body performing a function of such government or a
political subdivision (including a local authority) thereof, a
government of a U.S. Territory, an international organization, a non-
U.S. central bank of issue, or an Entity wholly owned by one or more
of the foregoing;
e) Substantially all of the activities of the NFFE consist of holding (in
whole or in part) the outstanding stock of, or providing financing and
services to, one or more subsidiaries that engage in trades or
businesses other than the business of a Financial Institution, except
that an Entity shall not qualify for NFFE status if the Entity functions
16
(or holds itself out) as an investment fund, such as a private equity
fund, venture capital fund, leveraged buyout fund, or any investment
vehicle whose purpose is to acquire or fund companies and then hold
interests in those companies as capital assets for investment purposes;
f) The NFFE is not yet operating a business and has no prior operating
history, but is investing capital into assets with the intent to operate a
business other than that of a Financial Institution, provided that the
NFFE shall not qualify for this exception after the date that is 24
months after the date of the initial organization of the NFFE;
g) The NFFE was not a Financial Institution in the past five years, and is
in the process of liquidating its assets or is reorganizing with the intent
to continue or recommence operations in a business other than that of a
Financial Institution;
h) The NFFE primarily engages in financing and hedging transactions
with, or for, Related Entities that are not Financial Institutions, and
does not provide financing or hedging services to any Entity that is not
a Related Entity, provided that the group of any such Related Entities
is primarily engaged in a business other than that of a Financial
Institution;
i) The NFFE is an “excepted NFFE” as described in relevant U.S. Treasury
Regulations; or
j) The NFFE meets all of the following requirements:
i. It is established and operated in its jurisdiction of residence
exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, artistic, cultural,
athletic, or educational purposes; or it is established and operated
in its jurisdiction of residence and it is a professional
organization, business league, chamber of commerce, labor
organization, agricultural or horticultural organization, civic
league or an organization operated exclusively for the promotion
of social welfare;
ii. It is exempt from income tax in its jurisdiction of residence;
iii. It has no shareholders or members who have a proprietary or
beneficial interest in its income or assets;
iv. The applicable laws of the NFFE’s jurisdiction of residence or
the NFFE’s formation documents do not permit any income or
assets of the NFFE to be distributed to, or applied for the benefit
of, a private person or non-charitable Entity other than pursuant
to the conduct of the NFFE’s charitable activities, or as payment
17
of reasonable compensation for services rendered, or as payment
representing the fair market value of property which the NFFE
has purchased; and
v. The applicable laws of the NFFE’s jurisdiction of residence or
the NFFE’s formation documents require that, upon the NFFE’s
liquidation or dissolution, all of its assets be distributed to a
governmental entity or other non-profit organization, or escheat
to the government of the NFFE’s jurisdiction of residence or any
political subdivision thereof.
5. Preexisting Account. A “Preexisting Account” means a Financial Account
maintained by a Reporting Financial Institution as of June 30, 2014.
C. Account Balance Aggregation and Currency Translation Rules.
1. Aggregation of Individual Accounts. For purposes of determining the
aggregate balance or value of Financial Accounts held by an individual, a
Reporting Korean Financial Institution is required to aggregate all Financial
Accounts maintained by the Reporting Korean Financial Institution, or by a
Related Entity, but only to the extent that the Reporting Korean Financial
Institution’s computerized systems link the Financial Accounts by reference to a
data element such as client number or taxpayer identification number, and allow
account balances or values to be aggregated. Each holder of a jointly held
Financial Account shall be attributed the entire balance or value of the jointly
held Financial Account for purposes of applying the aggregation requirements
described in this paragraph 1.
2. Aggregation of Entity Accounts
. For purposes of determining the
aggregate balance or value of Financial Accounts held by an Entity, a Reporting
Korean Financial Institution is required to aggregate all Financial Accounts that
are maintained by the Reporting Korean Financial Institution, or by a Related
Entity, but only to the extent that the Reporting Korean Financial Institution’s
computerized systems link the Financial Accounts by reference to a data element
such as client number or taxpayer identification number, and allow account
balances or values to be aggregated.
3. Special Aggregation Rule Applicable to Relationship Managers. For
purposes of determining the aggregate balance or value of Financial Accounts
held by a person to determine whether a Financial Account is a High Value
Account, a Reporting Korean Financial Institution is also required, in the case of
any Financial Accounts that a relationship manager knows, or has reason to
know, are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or established (other than in a
fiduciary capacity) by the same person, to aggregate all such accounts.
4. Currency Translation Rule. For purposes of determining the balance or
value of Financial Accounts denominated in a currency other than the U.S.
18
dollar, a Reporting Korean Financial Institution must convert the U.S. dollar
threshold amounts described in this Annex I into such currency using a published
spot rate determined as of the last day of the calendar year preceding the year in
which the Reporting Korean Financial Institution is determining the balance or
value.
D. Documentary Evidence. For purposes of this Annex I, acceptable documentary
evidence includes any of the following:
1. A certificate of residence issued by an authorized government body (for
example, a government or agency thereof, or a municipality) of the jurisdiction
in which the payee claims to be a resident.
2. With respect to an individual, any valid identification issued by an
authorized government body (for example, a government or agency thereof, or a
municipality), that includes the individual’s name and is typically used for
identification purposes.
3. With respect to an Entity, any official documentation issued by an
authorized government body (for example, a government or agency thereof, or a
municipality) that includes the name of the Entity and either the address of its
principal office in the jurisdiction (or U.S. Territory) in which it claims to be a
resident or the jurisdiction (or U.S. Territory) in which the Entity was
incorporated or organized.
4. With respect to a Financial Account maintained in a jurisdiction with anti-
money laundering rules that have been approved by the IRS in connection with a
QI agreement (as described in relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations), any of the
documents, other than a Form W-8 or W-9, referenced in the jurisdiction’s
attachment to the QI agreement for identifying individuals or Entities.
5. Any financial statement, third-party credit report, bankruptcy filing, or
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission report.
E. Alternative Procedures for Financial Accounts Held by Individual
Beneficiaries of a Cash Value Insurance Contract. A Reporting Korean Financial
Institution may presume that an individual beneficiary (other than the owner) of a Cash
Value Insurance Contract receiving a death benefit is not a Specified U.S. Person and
may treat such Financial Account as other than a U.S. Reportable Account unless the
Reporting Korean Financial Institution has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the
beneficiary is a Specified U.S. Person. A Reporting Korean Financial Institution has
reason to know that a beneficiary of a Cash Value Insurance Contract is a Specified U.S.
Person if the information collected by the Reporting Korean Financial Institution and
associated with the beneficiary contains U.S. indicia as described in subparagraph (B)(1)
of section II of this Annex I. If a Reporting Korean Financial Institution has actual
knowledge, or reason to know, that the beneficiary is a Specified U.S. Person, the
19
Reporting Korean Financial Institution must follow the procedures in subparagraph B(3)
of section II of this Annex I.
F. Reliance on Third Parties. Regardless of whether an election is made under
paragraph C of section I of this Annex I, Korea may permit Reporting Korean Financial
Institutions to rely on due diligence procedures performed by third parties, to the extent
provided in relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations.
G. Alternative Procedures for New Accounts Opened Prior to Entry Into Force
of this Agreement.
1. Applicability. If Korea has provided a written notice to the United States
prior to entry into force of this Agreement that, as of July 1, 2014, Korea
lacked the legal authority to require Reporting Korean Financial Institutions
either: (i) to require Account Holders of New Individual Accounts to provide
the self-certification specified in section III of this Annex I, or (ii) to perform
all the due diligence procedures related to New Entity Accounts specified in
section V of this Annex I, then Reporting Korean Financial Institutions may
apply the alternative procedures described in subparagraph G(2) of this
section, as applicable, to such New Accounts, in lieu of the procedures
otherwise required under this Annex I. The alternative procedures described
in subparagraph G(2) of this section shall be available only for those New
Individual Accounts or New Entity Accounts, as applicable, opened prior to
the earlier of: (i) the date Korea has the ability to compel Reporting Korean
Financial Institutions to comply with the due diligence procedures described
in section III or section V of this Annex I, as applicable, which date Korea
shall inform the United States of in writing by the date of entry into force of
this Agreement, or (ii) the date of entry into force of this Agreement. If the
alternative procedures for New Entity Accounts opened on or after July 1,
2014, and before January 1, 2015, described in paragraph H of this section are
applied with respect to all New Entity Accounts or a clearly identified group
of such accounts, the alternative procedures described in this paragraph G may
not be applied with respect to such New Entity Accounts. For all other New
Accounts, Reporting Korean Financial Institutions must apply the due
diligence procedures described in section III or section V of this Annex I, as
applicable, to determine if the account is a U.S. Reportable Account or an
account held by a Nonparticipating Financial Institution.
2. Alternative Procedures.
a) Within one year after the date of entry into force of this
Agreement, Reporting Korean Financial Institutions must: (i) with
respect to a New Individual Account described in subparagraph G(1)
of this section, request the self-certification specified in section III of
this Annex I and confirm the reasonableness of such self-certification
consistent with the procedures described in section III of this Annex I,
20
and (ii) with respect to a New Entity Account described in
subparagraph G(1) of this section, perform the due diligence
procedures specified in section V of this Annex I and request
information as necessary to document the account, including any self-
certification, required by section V of this Annex I.
b) Korea must report on any New Account that is identified pursuant
to subparagraph G(2)(a) of this section as a U.S. Reportable Account
or as an account held by a Nonparticipating Financial Institution, as
applicable, by the date that is the later of: (i) September 30 next
following the date that the account is identified as a U.S. Reportable
Account or as an account held by a Nonparticipating Financial
Institution, as applicable, or (ii) 90 days after the account is identified
as a U.S. Reportable Account or as an account held by a
Nonparticipating Financial Institution, as applicable. The information
required to be reported with respect to such a New Account is any
information that would have been reportable under this Agreement if
the New Account had been identified as a U.S. Reportable Account or
as an account held by a Nonparticipating Financial Institution, as
applicable, as of the date the account was opened.
c) By the date that is one year after the date of entry into force of
this Agreement, Reporting Korean Financial Institutions must close
any New Account described in subparagraph G(1) of this section for
which it was unable to collect the required self-certification or other
documentation pursuant to the procedures described in subparagraph
G(2)(a) of this section. In addition, by the date that is one year after
the date of entry into force of this Agreement, Reporting Korean
Financial Institutions must: (i) with respect to such closed accounts
that prior to such closure were New Individual Accounts (without
regard to whether such accounts were High Value Accounts), perform
the due diligence procedures specified in paragraph D of section II of
this Annex I, or (ii) with respect to such closed accounts that prior to
such closure were New Entity Accounts, perform the due diligence
procedures specified in section IV of this Annex I.
d) Korea must report on any closed account that is identified
pursuant to subparagraph G(2)(c) of this section as a U.S. Reportable
Account or as an account held by a Nonparticipating Financial
Institution, as applicable, by the date that is the later of: (i) September
30 next following the date that the account is identified as a U.S.
Reportable Account or as an account held by a Nonparticipating
Financial Institution, as applicable, or (ii) 90 days after the account is
identified as a U.S. Reportable Account or as an account held by a
Nonparticipating Financial Institution, as applicable. The information
required to be reported for such a closed account is any information
21
that would have been reportable under this Agreement if the account
had been identified as a U.S. Reportable Account or as an account held
by a Nonparticipating Financial Institution, as applicable, as of the
date the account was opened.
H. Alternative Procedures for New Entity Accounts Opened on or after July 1,
2014, and before January 1, 2015. For New Entity Accounts opened on or after
July 1, 2014, and before January 1, 2015, either with respect to all New Entity
Accounts or, separately, with respect to any clearly identified group of such
accounts, Korea may permit Reporting Korean Financial Institutions to treat such
accounts as Preexisting Entity Accounts and apply the due diligence procedures
related to Preexisting Entity Accounts specified in section IV of this Annex I in
lieu of the due diligence procedures specified in section V of this Annex I. In this
case, the due diligence procedures of section IV of this Annex I must be applied
without regard to the account balance or value threshold specified in paragraph A
of section IV of this Annex I.
1
ANNEX II
The following Entities shall be treated as exempt beneficial owners or deemed-compliant FFIs,
as the case may be, and the following accounts are excluded from the definition of Financial
Accounts.
Entities or Financial Accounts in this Annex II may be modified by a mutual written decision
entered into between the Competent Authorities of Korea and the United States: (1) to include
additional Entities and accounts that present a low risk of being used by U.S. Persons to evade
U.S. tax and that have similar characteristics to the Entities and accounts identified in this Annex
II as of the date of signature of the Agreement; or (2) to remove Entities and accounts that, due to
changes in circumstances, no longer present a low risk of being used by U.S. Persons to evade
U.S. tax. Any such addition or removal shall be effective on the date of signature of the mutual
decision, unless otherwise provided therein. Procedures for reaching such a mutual decision may
be included in the mutual agreement or arrangement described in paragraph 6 of Article 3 of the
Agreement.
I. Exempt Beneficial Owners other than Funds. The following Entities shall be treated as
Non-Reporting Korean Financial Institutions and as exempt beneficial owners for purposes
of sections 1471 and 1472 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, other than with respect to a
payment that is derived from an obligation held in connection with a commercial financial
activity of a type engaged in by a Specified Insurance Company, Custodial Institution, or
Depository Institution.
A. Governmental Entity. The government of Korea, any political subdivision (including a
local authority) of Korea, or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of Korea or any
one or more of the foregoing (each, a “Korean Governmental Entity”). This category is
comprised of the integral parts, controlled entities, and political subdivisions of Korea.
1. An integral part of Korea means any person, organization, agency, bureau, fund,
instrumentality, or other body, however designated that constitutes a governing
authority of Korea. The net earnings of the governing authority must be credited to its
own account or to other accounts of Korea, with no portion inuring to the benefit of
any private person. An integral part does not include any individual who is a
sovereign, official, or administrator acting in a private or personal capacity.
2. A controlled entity means an Entity that is separate in form from Korea or that
otherwise constitutes a separate juridical entity, provided that:
a) The Entity is wholly owned and controlled by one or more Korean Governmental
Entities directly or through one or more controlled entities;
b) The Entity’s net earnings are credited to its own account or to the accounts of one
or more Korean Governmental Entities, with no portion of its income inuring to
the benefit of any private person; and
2
c) The Entity’s assets vest in one or more Korean Governmental Entities upon
dissolution.
3. Income does not inure to the benefit of private persons if such persons are the
intended beneficiaries of a governmental program, and the program activities are
performed for the general public with respect to the common welfare or relate to the
administration of some phase of government.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
however, income is considered to inure to the benefit of private persons if the income
is derived from the use of a governmental entity to conduct a commercial business,
such as a commercial banking business, that provides financial services to private
persons.
B. International Organization. Any international organization or wholly owned agency or
instrumentality thereof. This category includes any intergovernmental organization
(including a supranational organization) (1) that is comprised primarily of non-U.S.
governments; (2) that has in effect a headquarters agreement with Korea; and (3) the
income of which does not inure to the benefit of private persons.
C. Central Bank. An institution that is by law or government sanction the principal
authority, other than the government of Korea itself, issuing instruments intended to
circulate as currency. Such an institution may include an instrumentality that is separate
from the government of Korea, whether or not owned in whole or in part by Korea.
D. Public Institutions. An institution established in Korea and designated as a Public
Institution pursuant to the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, provided that all
interests in such institution are beneficially owned and held by the Central Bank or
Governmental Entities described in this section, the institution is established to promote
public services, and the institution does not maintain Depository Accounts.
II. Funds that Qualify as Exempt Beneficial Owners. The following Entities shall be treated
as Non-Reporting Korean Financial Institutions and as exempt beneficial owners for
purposes of sections 1471 and 1472 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
A. Treaty-Qualified Retirement Fund. A fund established in Korea, provided that the
fund is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty between Korea and the United
States on income that it derives from sources within the United States (or would be
entitled to such benefits if it derived any such income) as a resident of Korea that satisfies
any applicable limitation on benefits requirement, and is operated principally to
administer or provide pension or retirement benefits.
B. Broad Participation Retirement Fund. A fund established in Korea to provide
retirement, disability, or death benefits, or any combination thereof, to beneficiaries that
are current or former employees (or persons designated by such employees) of one or
more employers in consideration for services rendered, provided that the fund:
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1. Does not have a single beneficiary with a right to more than five percent of the fund’s
assets;
2. Is subject to government regulation and provides annual information reporting about
its beneficiaries to the relevant tax authorities in Korea; and
3. Satisfies at least one of the following requirements:
a) The fund is generally exempt from tax in Korea on investment income under the
laws of Korea due to its status as a retirement or pension plan;
b) The fund receives at least 50 percent of its total contributions (other than transfers
of assets from other plans described in paragraphs A through D of this section or
from retirement and pension accounts described in subparagraph A(1) of section
V of this Annex II) from the sponsoring employers;
c) Distributions or withdrawals from the fund are allowed only upon the occurrence
of specified events related to retirement, disability, or death (except rollover
distributions to other retirement funds described in paragraphs A through D of this
section or retirement and pension accounts described in subparagraph A(1) of
section V of this Annex II), or penalties apply to distributions or withdrawals
made before such specified events; or
d) Contributions (other than certain permitted make-up contributions) by employees
to the fund are limited by reference to earned income of the employee or may not
exceed $50,000 annually, applying the rules set forth in Annex I for account
aggregation and currency translation.
C. Narrow Participation Retirement Fund. A fund established in Korea to provide
retirement, disability, or death benefits to beneficiaries that are current or former
employees (or persons designated by such employees) of one or more employers in
consideration for services rendered, provided that:
1. The fund has fewer than 50 participants;
2. The fund is sponsored by one or more employers that are not Investment Entities or
Passive NFFEs;
3. The employee and employer contributions to the fund (other than transfers of assets
from treaty-qualified retirement funds described in paragraph A of this section or
retirement and pension accounts described in subparagraph A(1) of section V of this
Annex II) are limited by reference to earned income and compensation of the
employee, respectively;
4. Participants that are not residents of Korea are not entitled to more than 20 percent of
the fund’s assets; and
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5. The fund is subject to government regulation and provides annual information
reporting about its beneficiaries to the relevant tax authorities in Korea.
D. Pension Fund of an Exempt Beneficial Owner. A fund established in Korea by an
exempt beneficial owner to provide retirement, disability, or death benefits to
beneficiaries or participants that are current or former employees of the exempt beneficial
owner (or persons designated by such employees), or that are not current or former
employees, if the benefits provided to such beneficiaries or participants are in
consideration of personal services performed for the exempt beneficial owner.
E. Investment Entity Wholly Owned by Exempt Beneficial Owners. An Entity that is a
Korean Financial Institution solely because it is an Investment Entity, provided that each
direct holder of an Equity Interest in the Entity is an exempt beneficial owner, and each
direct holder of a debt interest in such Entity is either a Depository Institution (with
respect to a loan made to such Entity) or an exempt beneficial owner.
F. The Specific Post Office Pension Service Agency.
III. Small or Limited Scope Financial Institutions that Qualify as Deemed-Compliant FFIs
.
The following Financial Institutions are Non-Reporting Korean Financial Institutions that
shall be treated as deemed-compliant FFIs for purposes of section 1471 of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code.
A. Financial Institution with a Local Client Base. A Financial Institution satisfying the
following requirements:
1. The Financial Institution must be licensed and regulated as a financial institution
under the laws of Korea;
2. The Financial Institution must have no fixed place of business outside of Korea. For
this purpose, a fixed place of business does not include a location that is not
advertised to the public and from which the Financial Institution performs solely
administrative support functions;
3. The Financial Institution must not solicit customers or Account Holders outside
Korea. For this purpose, a Financial Institution shall not be considered to have
solicited customers or Account Holders outside Korea merely because the Financial
Institution (a) operates a website, provided that the website does not specifically
indicate that the Financial Institution provides Financial Accounts or services to
nonresidents, and does not otherwise target or solicit U.S. customers or Account
Holders, or (b) advertises in print media or on a radio or television station that is
distributed or aired primarily within Korea but is also incidentally distributed or aired
in other countries, provided that the advertisement does not specifically indicate that
the Financial Institution provides Financial Accounts or services to nonresidents, and
does not otherwise target or solicit U.S. customers or Account Holders;
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4. The Financial Institution must be required under the laws of Korea to identify
resident Account Holders for purposes of either information reporting or withholding
of tax with respect to Financial Accounts held by residents or for purposes of
satisfying Korea’s AML due diligence requirements;
5. At least 98 percent of the Financial Accounts by value maintained by the Financial
Institution must be held by residents (including residents that are Entities) of Korea.
6. Beginning on or before July 1, 2014, the Financial Institution must have policies and
procedures, consistent with those set forth in Annex I, to prevent the Financial
Institution from providing a Financial Account to any Nonparticipating Financial
Institution and to monitor whether the Financial Institution opens or maintains a
Financial Account for any Specified U.S. Person who is not a resident of Korea
(including a U.S. Person that was a resident of Korea when the Financial Account
was opened but subsequently ceases to be a resident of Korea) or any Passive NFFE
with Controlling Persons who are U.S. residents or U.S. citizens who are not residents
of Korea;
7. Such policies and procedures must provide that if any Financial Account held by a
Specified U.S. Person who is not a resident of Korea or by a Passive NFFE with
Controlling Persons who are U.S. residents or U.S. citizens who are not residents of
Korea is identified, the Financial Institution must report such Financial Account as
would be required if the Financial Institution were a Reporting Korean Financial
Institution (including by following the applicable registration requirements on the IRS
FATCA registration website);
8. With respect to a Preexisting Account held by an individual who is not a resident of
Korea or by an Entity, the Financial Institution must review those Preexisting
Accounts in accordance with the procedures set forth in Annex I applicable to
Preexisting Accounts to identify any U.S. Reportable Account or Financial Account
held by a Nonparticipating Financial Institution, and must report such Financial
Account as would be required if the Financial Institution were a Reporting Korean
Financial Institution (including by following the applicable registration requirements
on the IRS FATCA registration website);
9. Each Related Entity of the Financial Institution that is a Financial Institution must be
incorporated or organized in Korea and, with the exception of any Related Entity
that is a retirement fund described in paragraphs A through D of section II of this
Annex II, satisfy the requirements set forth in this paragraph A; and
10. The Financial Institution must not have policies or practices that discriminate against
opening or maintaining Financial Accounts for individuals who are Specified U.S.
Persons and residents of Korea.
B. Local Bank. A Financial Institution satisfying the following requirements:
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1. The Financial Institution operates solely as (and is licensed and regulated under the
laws of Korea as) (a) a bank or savings bank, or (b) a credit union or similar
cooperative credit organization that is operated without profit;
2. The Financial Institution’s business consists primarily of receiving deposits from and
making loans to, (a) with respect to a bank or savings bank unrelated retail customers
and, (b) with respect to a credit union or similar cooperative credit organization
unrelated retail customers or members, provided that no member has a greater than
five percent interest in such credit union or cooperative credit organization;
3. The Financial Institution satisfies the requirements set forth in subparagraphs A(2)
and A(3) of this section, provided that, in addition to the limitations on the website
described in subparagraph A(3) of this section, the website does not permit the
opening of a Financial Account;
4. The Financial Institution does not have more than $175 million in assets on its
balance sheet, and the Financial Institution and any Related Entities, taken together,
do not have more than $500 million in total assets on their consolidated or combined
balance sheets; and
5. Any Related Entity must be incorporated or organized in Korea, and any Related
Entity that is a Financial Institution, with the exception of any Related Entity that is
a retirement fund described in paragraphs A through D of section II of this Annex II
or a Financial Institution with only low-value accounts described in paragraph C of
this section, must satisfy the requirements set forth in this paragraph B.
C. Financial Institution with Only Low-Value Accounts. A Korean Financial Institution
satisfying the following requirements:
1. The Financial Institution is not an Investment Entity;
2. No Financial Account maintained by the Financial Institution or any Related Entity
has a balance or value in excess of $50,000, applying the rules set forth in Annex I
for account aggregation and currency translation; and
3. The Financial Institution does not have more than $50 million in assets on its
balance sheet, and the Financial Institution and any Related Entities, taken together,
do not have more than $50 million in total assets on their consolidated or combined
balance sheets.
D. Qualified Credit Card Issuer. A Korean Financial Institution satisfying the following
requirements:
1. The Financial Institution is a Financial Institution solely because it is an issuer of
credit cards that accepts deposits only when a customer makes a payment in excess of
7
a balance due with respect to the card and the overpayment is not immediately
returned to the customer; and
2. Beginning on or before July 1, 2014, the Financial Institution implements policies and
procedures to either prevent a customer deposit in excess of $50,000, or to ensure that
any customer deposit in excess of $50,000, in each case applying the rules set forth in
Annex I for account aggregation and currency translation, is refunded to the
customer within 60 days. For this purpose, a customer deposit does not refer to credit
balances to the extent of disputed charges but does include credit balances resulting
from merchandise returns.
IV. Investment Entities that Qualify as Deemed-Compliant FFIs and Other Special Rules.
The Financial Institutions described in paragraphs A through E of this section are Non-
Reporting Korean Financial Institutions that shall be treated as deemed-compliant FFIs for
purposes of section 1471 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. In addition, paragraph F of this
section provides special rules applicable to an Investment Entity.
A. Trustee-Documented Trust. A trust established under the laws of Korea to the extent
that the trustee of the trust is a Reporting U.S. Financial Institution, Reporting Model 1
FFI, or Participating FFI and reports all information required to be reported pursuant to
the Agreement with respect to all U.S. Reportable Accounts of the trust.
B. Sponsored Investment Entity and Controlled Foreign Corporation. A Financial
Institution described in subparagraph B(1) or B(2) of this section having a sponsoring
entity that complies with the requirements of subparagraph B(3) of this section.
1. A Financial Institution is a sponsored investment entity if (a) it is an Investment
Entity established in Korea that is not a qualified intermediary, withholding foreign
partnership, or withholding foreign trust pursuant to relevant U.S. Treasury
Regulations; and (b) an Entity has agreed with the Financial Institution to act as a
sponsoring entity for the Financial Institution.
2. A Financial Institution is a sponsored controlled foreign corporation if (a) the
Financial Institution is a controlled foreign corporation
1
organized under the laws of
Korea that is not a qualified intermediary, withholding foreign partnership, or
withholding foreign trust pursuant to relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations; (b) the
Financial Institution is wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by a Reporting U.S.
Financial Institution that agrees to act, or requires an affiliate of the Financial
Institution to act, as a sponsoring entity for the Financial Institution; and (c) the
1
A “controlled foreign corporation” means any foreign corporation if more than 50 percent of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of such corporation entitled to vote, or the total value of the stock of such
corporation, is owned, or is considered as owned, by “United States shareholders” on any day during the taxable
year of such foreign corporation. The term a “United States shareholder” means, with respect to any foreign
corporation, a United States person who owns, or is considered as owning, 10 percent or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote of such foreign corporation.
8
Financial Institution shares a common electronic account system with the sponsoring
entity that enables the sponsoring entity to identify all Account Holders and payees of
the Financial Institution and to access all account and customer information
maintained by the Financial Institution including, but not limited to, customer
identification information, customer documentation, account balance, and all
payments made to the Account Holder or payee.
3. The sponsoring entity complies with the following requirements:
a) The sponsoring entity is authorized to act on behalf of the Financial Institution
(such as a fund manager, trustee, corporate director, or managing partner) to
fulfill applicable registration requirements on the IRS FATCA registration
website;
b) The sponsoring entity has registered as a sponsoring entity with the IRS on the
IRS FATCA registration website pursuant to applicable registration requirements;
c) If the sponsoring entity identifies any U.S. Reportable Accounts with respect to
the Financial Institution, the sponsoring entity registers the Financial Institution
pursuant to applicable registration requirements on the IRS FATCA registration
website on or before the later of December 31, 2015 and the date that is 90 days
after such a U.S. Reportable Account is first identified;
d) The sponsoring entity agrees to perform, on behalf of the Financial Institution, all
due diligence, reporting, and other requirement (including providing to any
immediate payor the information described in subparagraph 1(e) of Article 4) that
the Financial Institution would have been required to perform if it were a
Reporting Korean Financial Institution;
e) The sponsoring entity identifies the Financial Institution and includes the
identifying number of the Financial Institution (obtained by following applicable
registration requirements on the IRS FATCA registration website) in all reporting
completed on the Financial Institution’s behalf; and
f) The sponsoring entity has not had its status as a sponsor revoked.
C. Sponsored, Closely Held Investment Vehicle. A Korean Financial Institution satisfying
the following requirements:
1. The Financial Institution is a Financial Institution solely because it is an Investment
Entity and is not a qualified intermediary, withholding foreign partnership, or
withholding foreign trust pursuant to relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations;
2. The sponsoring entity is a Reporting U.S. Financial Institution, Reporting Model 1
FFI, or Participating FFI, is authorized to act on behalf of the Financial Institution
(such as a professional manager, trustee, or managing partner), and agrees to perform,
9
on behalf of the Financial Institution, all due diligence, withholding, reporting, and
other requirements that the Financial Institution would have been required to perform
if it were a Reporting Korean Financial Institution;
3. The Financial Institution does not hold itself out as an investment vehicle for
unrelated parties;
4. Twenty or fewer individuals own all of the debt interests and Equity Interests in the
Financial Institution (disregarding debt interests owned by Participating FFIs and
deemed-compliant FFIs and Equity Interests owned by an Entity if that Entity owns
100 percent of the Equity Interests in the Financial Institution and is itself a sponsored
Financial Institution described in this paragraph C); and
5. The sponsoring entity complies with the following requirements:
a) The sponsoring entity has registered as a sponsoring entity with the IRS on the
IRS FATCA registration website pursuant to applicable registration requirements;
b) The sponsoring entity agrees to perform, on behalf of the Financial Institution, all
due diligence, reporting, and other requirements (including providing to any
immediate payor the information described in subparagraph 1(e) of Article 4) that
the Financial Institution would have been required to perform if it were a
Reporting Korean Financial Institution and retains documentation collected with
respect to the Financial Institution for a period of six years;
c) The sponsoring entity identifies the Financial Institution in all reporting
completed on the Financial Institution’s behalf; and
d) The sponsoring entity has not had its status as a sponsor revoked.
D. Investment Advisors and Investment Managers. An Investment Entity established in
Korea that is a Financial Institution solely because it (1) renders investment advice to,
and acts on behalf of, or (2) manages portfolios for, and acts on behalf of, a customer for
the purposes of investing, managing, or administering funds deposited in the name of the
customer with a Financial Institution other than a Nonparticipating Financial Institution.
E. Collective Investment Vehicle. An Investment Entity established in Korea that is
regulated as a collective investment vehicle, provided that all of the interests in the
collective investment vehicle (including debt interests in excess of $50,000) are held by
or through one or more exempt beneficial owners, Active NFFEs described in
subparagraph B(4) of section VI of Annex I, U.S. Persons that are not Specified U.S.
Persons, or Financial Institutions that are not Nonparticipating Financial Institutions.
F. Special Rules. The following rules apply to an Investment Entity:
10
1. With respect to interests in an Investment Entity that is a collective investment vehicle
described in paragraph E of this section, the reporting obligations of any Investment
Entity (other than a Financial Institution through which interests in the collective
investment vehicle are held) shall be deemed fulfilled.
2. With respect to interests in:
a) An Investment Entity established in a Partner Jurisdiction that is regulated as a
collective investment vehicle, all of the interests in which (including debt interests
in excess of $50,000) are held by or through one or more exempt beneficial
owners, Active NFFEs described in subparagraph B(4) of section VI of Annex I,
U.S. Persons that are not Specified U.S. Persons, or Financial Institutions that are
not Nonparticipating Financial Institutions; or
b) An Investment Entity that is a qualified collective investment vehicle under
relevant U.S. Treasury Regulations;
the reporting obligations of any Investment Entity that is a Korean Financial
Institution (other than a Financial Institution through which interests in the collective
investment vehicle are held) shall be deemed fulfilled.
3. With respect to interests in an Investment Entity established in Korea that is not
described in paragraph E or subparagraph F(2) of this section, consistent with
paragraph 3 of Article 5 of the Agreement, the reporting obligations of all other
Investment Entities with respect to such interests shall be deemed fulfilled if the
information required to be reported by the first-mentioned Investment Entity pursuant
to the Agreement with respect to such interests is reported by such Investment Entity
or another person.
G. Restricted Fund. A Financial Institution that qualifies as a restricted fund as described
in relevant U.S. Treasury regulations, applying the procedures set forth in, or required
under, Annex I in lieu of the procedures set forth in, or required under, §1.1471-4 of
applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations, and applying references to “report” or “reports” in
lieu of references to “withhold and report” or “withholds and reports,” provided that the
Financial Institution provides to any immediate payor the information described in
subparagraph 1(e) of Article 4. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a Financial
Institution that qualifies as a restricted fund and that is acting as a qualified intermediary,
a withholding partnership, or a withholding trust as described in Article 4(1)(e) of the
Agreement may be required to withhold on withholdable payments pursuant to the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code.
V. Accounts Excluded from Financial Accounts. The following accounts are excluded from
the definition of Financial Accounts and therefore shall not be treated as U.S. Reportable
Accounts.
A. Certain Savings Accounts.
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1. Retirement and Pension Accounts.
a) A retirement or pension account maintained in Korea that satisfies the following
requirements under the laws of Korea.
i) The account is subject to regulation as a personal retirement account or is part
of a registered or regulated retirement or pension plan for the provision of
retirement or pension benefits (including disability or death benefits);
ii) The account is tax-favored (i.e., contributions to the account that would
otherwise be subject to tax under the laws of Korea are deductible or excluded
from the gross income of the account holder or taxed at a reduced rate, or
taxation of investment income from the account is deferred or taxed at a
reduced rate);
iii) Annual information reporting is required to the tax authorities in Korea with
respect to the account;
iv) Withdrawals are conditioned on reaching a specified retirement age,
disability, or death, or penalties apply to withdrawals made before such
specified events; and
v) Either (A) annual contributions are limited to $50,000 or less, or (B) there is a
maximum lifetime contribution limit to the account of $1,000,000 or less, in
each case applying the rules set forth in Annex I for account aggregation and
currency translation.
b) A retirement or pension account maintained in Korea and established as a Defined
Benefit Retirement Pension Plan (Hwakjeong geubyeohyeong toejik yeon-geum jedo),
Defined Contribution Retirement Pension Plan (Hwakjeong giyeohyeong toejik yeon-
geum jedo), Retirement Pay System (Toejik-geum jedo), or an Individual Retirement
Pension Plan (Gae-inhyeong toejik yeon-geum jedo) as defined in the Employee
Retirement Benefit Security Act, provided that:
i) The account
is tax-favored (i.e., contributions to the account that would
otherwise be subject to tax under the laws of Korea are deductible or excluded
from the gross income of the account holder or taxed at a reduced rate, or
taxation of investment income from the account is deferred or taxed at a
reduced rate);
ii) Annual information reporting is required to the tax authorities in Korea with
respect to the account;
iii) Withdrawals are conditioned on reaching a specified retirement age,
disability, medical condition, or death (except for certain specified
circumstances prescribed by law for bankruptcy, insolvency, to purchase a
12
first home, unemployment, natural disasters or because the individual moves
outside of Korea); and
iv) Distributions from the account other than de minimis amounts are taxed to the
beneficiary or participant.
c) A retirement or pension account maintained in Korea and established as a Retirement
Insurance (Toejik boheom) or Retirement Pay Trust (Toejik ilsigeum sintak) as
defined in the old Labor Standards Act (the version before being amended by Act No.
7379 of 27 January 2005), provided that:
i) The account
is tax-favored (i.e., contributions to the account that would
otherwise be subject to tax under the laws of Korea are deductible or excluded
from the gross income of the account holder or taxed at a reduced rate, or
taxation of investment income from the account is deferred or taxed at a
reduced rate);
ii) Annual information reporting is required to the tax authorities in Korea with
respect to the account;
iii) Withdrawals are conditioned on reaching a specified retirement age,
disability, medical condition, or death, (except for certain specified
circumstances prescribed by law for bankruptcy, insolvency, to purchase a
first home, unemployment, natural disasters or because the individual moves
outside of Korea); and
iv) Distributions from the account other than de minimis amounts are taxed to the
beneficiary or participant.
d) A retirement or pension account maintained in Korea and established by a resident of
Korea as a Private Annuity Savings (Gae-in yeongeum jeochuk) as defined in Article
86 of the old Special Tax Treatment Control Act (STTCA)(the version before being
amended by Act No. 11614 of 1 January 2013) or an Annuity Savings (Yeongeum
jeochuk) as defined in Article 86-2 of the old STTCA (the version before being
amended by Act No. 11614 of 1 January 2013), provided that:
i) The account
is tax-favored (i.e., contributions to the account that would
otherwise be subject to tax under the laws of Korea are deductible or excluded
from the gross income of the account holder or taxed at a reduced rate, or
taxation of investment income from the account is deferred or taxed at a
reduced rate);
ii) Annual information reporting is required to the tax authorities in Korea with
respect to the account;
iii) Withdrawals are conditioned on reaching a specified retirement age,
disability, medical condition, or death (except for certain specified
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circumstances prescribed by law for bankruptcy, insolvency, unemployment,
natural disasters or because the individual moves outside of Korea);
iv) Distributions from the account other than de minimis amounts are taxed to the
beneficiary or participant; and
v) Either (A) annual contributions are limited to $50,000 or less, or (B) there is a
maximum lifetime contribution limit to the account of $1,000,000 or less, in
each case applying the rules set forth in Annex I for account aggregation and
currency translation.
2. Non-Retirement Savings Accounts.
a) An account maintained in Korea (other than an insurance or Annuity Contract)
that satisfies the following requirements under the laws of Korea.
i) The account is subject to regulation as a savings vehicle for purposes other
than for retirement;
ii) The account is tax-favored (i.e., contributions to the account that would
otherwise be subject to tax under the laws of Korea are deductible or excluded
from the gross income of the account holder or taxed at a reduced rate, or
taxation of investment income from the account is deferred or taxed at a
reduced rate);
iii) Withdrawals are conditioned on meeting specific criteria related to the
purpose of the savings account (for example, the provision of educational or
medical benefits), except for certain specified circumstances prescribed by
law for bankruptcy, insolvency, unemployment, natural disasters, death,
medical condition, or because the individual moves outside of Korea or
penalties apply to withdrawals made before such criteria; and
iv) Annual contributions are limited to $50,000 or less, applying the rules set
forth in Annex I for account aggregation and currency translation.
b) An account maintained in Korea and established under the Comprehensive
Housing Subscription Savings (jutaek cheongyak jonghap jeochuk) as defined in
the Housing Act provided that withdrawals are conditioned on meeting specific
criteria related to the purpose of the account to purchase a home, except for
certain specified circumstances prescribed by law for bankruptcy, insolvency,
unemployment, natural disasters, death, medical condition, or because the
individual moves outside of Korea, and annual contributions to the account are
limited to $50,000 or less, applying the rules set forth in Annex I for account
aggregation and currency translation.
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B. Certain Term Life Insurance Contracts. A life insurance contract maintained in Korea
with a coverage period that will end before the insured individual attains age 90, provided
that the contract satisfies the following requirements:
1. Periodic premiums, which do not decrease over time, are payable at least annually
during the period the contract is in existence or until the insured attains age 90,
whichever is shorter;
2. The contract has no contract value that any person can access (by withdrawal, loan, or
otherwise) without terminating the contract;
3. The amount (other than a death benefit) payable upon cancellation or termination of
the contract cannot exceed the aggregate premiums paid for the contract, less the sum
of mortality, morbidity, and expense charges (whether or not actually imposed) for
the period or periods of the contract’s existence and any amounts paid prior to the
cancellation or termination of the contract; and
4. The contract is not held by a transferee for value.
C. Account Held By an Estate. An account maintained in Korea that is held solely by an
estate if the documentation for such account includes a copy of the deceaseds will or
death certificate.
D. Escrow Accounts. An account maintained in Korea established in connection with any
of the following:
1. A court order or judgment.
2. A sale, exchange, or lease of real or personal property, provided that the account
satisfies the following requirements:
a) The account is funded solely with a down payment, earnest money, deposit in an
amount appropriate to secure an obligation directly related to the transaction, or a
similar payment, or is funded with a financial asset that is deposited in the
account in connection with the sale, exchange, or lease of the property;
b) The account is established and used solely to secure the obligation of the
purchaser to pay the purchase price for the property, the seller to pay any
contingent liability, or the lessor or lessee to pay for any damages relating to the
leased property as agreed under the lease;
c) The assets of the account, including the income earned thereon, will be paid or
otherwise distributed for the benefit of the purchaser, seller, lessor, or lessee
(including to satisfy such person’s obligation) when the property is sold,
exchanged, or surrendered, or the lease terminates;
15
d) The account is not a margin or similar account established in connection with a
sale or exchange of a financial asset; and
e) The account is not associated with a credit card account.
3. An obligation of a Financial Institution servicing a loan secured by real property to
set aside a portion of a payment solely to facilitate the payment of taxes or insurance
related to the real property at a later time.
4. An obligation of a Financial Institution solely to facilitate the payment of taxes at a
later time.
E. Partner Jurisdiction Accounts. An account maintained in Korea and excluded from the
definition of Financial Account under an agreement between the United States and
another Partner Jurisdiction to facilitate the implementation of FATCA, provided that
such account is subject to the same requirements and oversight under the laws of such
other Partner Jurisdiction as if such account were established in that Partner Jurisdiction
and maintained by a Partner Jurisdiction Financial Institution in that Partner Jurisdiction.
VI. Definitions. The following additional definitions shall apply to the descriptions above:
A. Reporting Model 1 FFI
. The term Reporting Model 1 FFI means a Financial Institution
with respect to which a non-U.S. government or agency thereof agrees to obtain and
exchange information pursuant to a Model 1 IGA, other than a Financial Institution
treated as a Nonparticipating Financial Institution under the Model 1 IGA. For purposes
of this definition, the term Model 1 IGA means an arrangement between the United
States or the Treasury Department and a non-U.S. government or one or more agencies
thereof to implement FATCA through reporting by Financial Institutions to such non-
U.S. government or agency thereof, followed by automatic exchange of such reported
information with the IRS.
B. Participating FFI
. The term Participating FFI means a Financial Institution that has
agreed to comply with the requirements of an FFI Agreement, including a Financial
Institution described in a Model 2 IGA that has agreed to comply with the requirements
of an FFI Agreement. The term Participating FFI also includes a qualified intermediary
branch of a Reporting U.S. Financial Institution, unless such branch is a Reporting Model
1 FFI. For purposes of this definition, the term FFI Agreement means an agreement that
sets forth the requirements for a Financial Institution to be treated as complying with the
requirements of section 1471(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. In addition, for
purposes of this definition, the term Model 2 IGA means an arrangement between the
United States or the Treasury Department and a non-U.S. government or one or more
agencies thereof to facilitate the implementation of FATCA through reporting by
Financial Institutions directly to the IRS in accordance with the requirements of an FFI
Agreement, supplemented by the exchange of information between such non-U.S.
government or agency thereof and the IRS.