SECTION 18. EFFECTIVE DATE

To provide a full opportunity for public comment and for the Service to consider comments, this revenue procedure is generally effective September 1, 1998; however, plan sponsors are permitted, at their option, to apply the provisions of this revenue procedure on or after March 9, 1998.

Specifically, unless a plan sponsor applies the provisions of this revenue procedure earlier, this revenue procedure is effective:

(1) with respect to VCR and Walk-in CAP, for applications submitted on or after September 1, 1998;

(2) with respect to Audit CAP, for examinations begun on or after September 1, 1998; and

(3) with respect to APRSC, for failures for which correction is not complete before January 1, 1999.