(a) General. For purposes of paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of §1.955.5, the determination whether a foreign corporation has derived 80 percent or more of its gross income from sources within less developed countries for any taxable year shall be made by the application of the provisions of sections 861 through 864, and §§1.861-1 through 1.863-5, in application of which the name of a less developed country shall be substituted for “the United States”, except that if income is derived by the foreign corporation from—

(1) Interest (other than interest to which subparagraph (3) of this paragraph applies), the rules set forth in paragraph (b) of this section shall apply;

(2) Dividends, the rules set forth in paragraph (c) of this section shall apply; or

(3) Income (including interest) derived in connection with the sale of tangible personal property, the rules set forth in paragraph (d) of this section shall apply.

The source of income described in subparagraph (1), (2), or (3) of this paragraph shall be determined solely under the rules of this section and without regard to the rules of sections 861 through 864, and the regulations thereunder.

(b) Interest—(1) In general. Except as provided in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph and paragraph (d) of this section, gross income derived by the foreign corporation from interest on any indebtedness—

(i) Of an individual shall be treated as income from sources within a less developed country if, but only if, such individual is a resident of one or more less developed countries and of no other country which is not a less developed country.

(ii) Of a corporation shall be treated as income from sources within less developed countries if, but only if, 80 percent or more of the gross income of the payer corporation for the 3-year period ending with the close of its annual accounting period in which such interest is paid, or for such part of such 3-year period as such corporation has been in existence, or for such part of such 3-year period as occurs on and after the beginning of such corporation's first annual accounting period beginning after December 31, 1962, whichever period is shortest, was derived from sources within less developed countries as determined in accordance with the principles of this section; or

(iii) Of a less developed country, including obligations issued or guaranteed by the government of such country or of a political subdivision thereof and obligations of any agency or instrumentality of such country, in which such country is financially committed shall be treated as income from sources within such country.

(2) Special rule. Gross income derived by the foreign corporation from interest on obligations of the United States shall be treated as income from sources within less developed countries without regard to the provisions of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph.

(3) Payers other than related persons. For purposes of subparagraph (1)(ii) of this paragraph, a payer corporation which as to the recipient corporation is not a related person as defined in section 954(d)(3) and paragraph (e) of §1.954-1 shall be deemed to have satisfied the 80-percent gross income requirement if, on the basis of ascertainable facts, it is reasonable for the recipient corporation to believe that such requirement is satisfied.

(c) Dividends—(1) In general. Gross income derived by the foreign corporation from dividends, as defined in section 316 and the regulations thereunder, shall be treated as income from sources within less developed countries if, but only if, 80 percent or more of the gross income of the payer corporation for the 3-year period ending with the close of its annual accounting period in which such dividends are distributed, or for such part of such 3-year period as such corporation has been in existence, or for such part of such 3-year period as occurs on and after the beginning of such corporation's first annual accounting period beginning after December 31, 1962, whichever period is shortest, was derived from sources within less developed countries as determined in accordance with the principles of this section.

(2) Payers other than related persons. See paragraph (b)(3) of this section for rule governing satisfaction of the 80-percent gross income requirement by payers other than related persons.

(d) Sale of tangible personal property—(1) In general. Income (whether in the form of profits, commissions, fees, interest, or otherwise) derived by the foreign corporation in connection with the sale of tangible personal property shall be treated as income from sources within less developed countries if, but only if—

(i) Such property is produced (within the meaning of subparagraph (2) of this paragraph) within less developed countries; or

(ii) Such property is sold for use, consumption, or disposition within less developed countries even though produced outside less developed countries and the selling corporation is engaged within less developed countries, in connection with sales of such property, in continuous operational activities which are substantial in relation to such sales, as evidenced, for example, by the maintenance within less developed countries of a substantial sales or service organization or substantial facilities for the storage, handling, transportation, assembly, packaging, or servicing of such property.

(2) Production defined. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “produced” means manufactured, grown, extracted, or constructed and includes a substantial transformation of property purchased for resale or the manufacture of a product when purchased components constitute part of the property which is sold. See paragraph (a)(4)(ii) and (iii) of §1.954-3 for a statement and illustration of the principles set forth in the preceding sentence.

[T.D. 6683, 28 FR 11183, Oct. 18, 1963, as amended by T.D. 6688, 28 FR 11632, Oct. 31, 1963]