On 10 December 2025, the IRS and Treasury announced forthcoming proposed regulations to address the sourcing of borrow fees in securities lending and sale-repurchase transactions. The proposed rules will source borrow fees to the residence of the recipient, generally exempting non-US securities lenders from US withholding tax.
The guidance applies to transactions documented under standard industry agreements and defines borrow fees broadly, including negative rebates, while excluding bespoke arrangements.
Taxpayers may rely on the Notice immediately, with the regulations applying prospectively to taxable years ending after publication in the Federal Register
In Christensen v. United States, the Court of Federal Claims held that a husband and wife could credit French income taxes against their US net investment income tax. Christensen has an immediate and direct impact on taxpayers who are subject to the 3.8% net investment income tax.
Taxpayers who pay the net investment income tax and who reside in treaty jurisdictions should review their treaty positions and evaluate their ability to claim foreign tax credits under an applicable treaty for prior years and going forward.