(a) In general. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a withholding exemption certificate that takes effect under section 3402(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or that on December 31, 1954, was in effect under section 1622(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, shall continue in effect with respect to the employee until another withholding exemption certificate takes effect under section 3402(f). Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section are applicable only for withholding exemption certificates furnished by the employee to the employer after December 31, 1981. See §31.3402(f)(4)-1 for the rules applicable to withholding exemption certificates furnished by the employee to the employer before January 1, 1982.

(b) Withholding allowances under section 3402(m). See paragraphs (b) and (c) of §31.3402(f)(2)-1 (relating to withholding exemption certificates) for information as to when an employee claiming withholding allowances under section 3402(m) and the regulations thereunder must file a new withholding exemption certificate with his employer.

(c) Statements under section 3402(n) eliminating requirement of withholding. The statements described in §31.3402(n)-1 made by an employee with respect to his preceding taxable year and current taxable year shall be effective until either a new withholding exemption certificate furnished by the employee takes effect or the existing certificate that contains such statements expires. In no case shall a withholding exemption certificate that contains such statements be effective with respect to any payment of wages made to an employee:

(1) In the case of an employee whose liability for tax under subtitle A is determined on a calendar year basis, after February 15 of the calendar year following the estimation year, or

(2) In the case of an employee to whom paragraph (c)(1) of this section does not apply, after the 15th day of the 2nd calendar month following the last day of the estimation year.

(d) Estimation year. The estimation year is the taxable year including the day on which the employee files the withholding exemption certificate with his employer, except that if the employee files the withholding exemption certificate with his employer and specifies on the certificate that the certificate is not to take effect until a specified future date, the estimation year shall be the taxable year including that specified future date.

(Secs. 3402(i) and (m) and 7805 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. 3402 (i) and (m), 95 Stat. 172, 184; 26 U.S.C. 7805, 68A Stat. 917))

[T.D. 7915, 48 FR 44073, Sept. 27, 1983]