HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS — Internal Revenue Bulletin 1997-2

EMPLOYEE PLANS—Continued

Notice 97–6, page 26. Questions and answers; SIMPLE IRAs. A notice, in question and answer format, pertaining to simple IRAs described in section 408(p) of the Code as added by the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, is set forth.

Notice 97–10, page 41. Spousal consent; qualified joint and survivor annu- ities, etc.; sample language. The Service has developed sample language for inclusion in a form providing spousal consent to a participant’s election to waive a qualified joint and survivor annuity or a qualified preretirement survivor annuity, in accordance with section 1457 of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996.

Notice 97–11, page 49. Qualified domestic relations orders; sample lan- guage. The Service has developed sample language for qualified domestic relations orders within the meaning of section 414(p) of the Code in accordance with section 1457 of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Rev. Proc. 97–10, page 59. Change in computing depreciation for retail motor fuels outlets. This procedure is provided for making the election under section 1120 of the Small Business Job

Protection Act of 1996 to treat retail motor fuels outlets placed in service before August 20, 1996, as 15-year property under section 168 of the Code. Rev. Proc. 92–20 modified.

Notice 97–9, page 35. Adoption assistance. This notice provides general guidance concerning the tax credit under section 23 for “qualified adoption expenses” paid or incurred by an individual and the exclusion from gross income under section 137 for amounts paid or expenses incurred by an employer for “qualified adoption expenses” under an adoption assistance program.

Announcement 97–1, page 62. Extension of test of mediation procedure for appeals. This announcement extends the test of the mediation procedure set forth in Announcement 95–86, 1995–44 I.R.B. 27, for an additional one-year period beginning on January 13, 1997. The procedure will allow taxpayers, whose cases are not docketed in any court and already in the Appeals administrative process, to request mediation as a dispute resolution technique.

Announcement 97–3, page 62. A list is provided of organizations that no longer qualify as organizations to which contributions are deductible under section 170 of the Code.