SECTION 1. PURPOSE

.01 This revenue procedure permits a taxpayer under the jurisdiction of the Large and Mid-Size Business Division to request that the Service examine specific issues relating to tax returns before those returns are filed. This revenue procedure supersedes Rev. Proc. 2007–17, 2007–4 I.R.B. 368. This revenue procedure provides the framework within which a taxpayer and the Service may work together in a cooperative environment to resolve, after examination, issues accepted into the program. If the taxpayer and the Service are able to resolve the examined issues before the returns that they affect are filed, this revenue procedure authorizes the taxpayer and the Service to memorialize their agreement by executing an LMSB Pre-Filing Agreement (PFA).

.02 This revenue procedure outlines the procedures for resolving issues through pre-filing examinations. Taxpayers and the Service often resolve issues more effectively and efficiently through a pre-filing examination than a post-filing examination, because the taxpayer and the Service have more timely access to the records and personnel that are relevant to the issues. A pre-filing examination also provides the taxpayer with certainty regarding the examined issue at an earlier point than a post-filing examination. These procedures benefit both taxpayers and the Service by improving the quality of tax compliance while reducing costs, burdens, and delays. Unlike letter rulings and other forms of written advice provided by the Offices of the Associates Chief Counsel (see Rev. Proc. 2008–1, 2008–1 I.R.B. 1), a PFA does not determine the tax treatment of prospective or future transactions or events, but only of completed transactions or events whose tax treatment has not yet been reported on a return.