loss will be long term capital gain or loss if the debt has been held for more than one year. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the treatment of capital gains (which may be taxed at lower rates than ordinary income for certain non-corporate taxpayers) or losses (the deductibility of which is subject to limitations).
Gain or loss attributable to changes in exchange rates with respect to the principal amount of a debt security generally will equal the difference, if any, between the U.S. dollar value of your foreign currency purchase price for the debt security determined at the spot rate on the date you dispose of the debt security and the U.S. dollar value of your foreign currency purchase price for the debt security determined at the spot rate on the date you purchased such debt security. In addition, upon the sale, exchange, retirement or redemption of a debt security, you may realize foreign currency gain or loss attributable to amounts received with respect to accrued and unpaid interest, which will be treated as discussed above under “Interest Payments”.
Such foreign currency gain or loss is recognized on the sale, exchange, retirement or redemption of a debt security only to the extent of total gain or loss recognized on the sale, exchange, retirement or redemption of such debt security. Gain or loss recognized on the sale, exchange, retirement or redemption of a debt security that is attributable to changes in the rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss.
Gain or loss that you realize on the sale, exchange, retirement or redemption of a debt security generally will be U.S. source gain or loss for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit limitation.
Transactions in Foreign Currency
Foreign currency received as a payment of interest on, or on the sale, exchange, retirement or redemption of, a debt security will have a tax basis equal to its U.S. dollar value at the time such interest is received or at the time payment is received in consideration of such sale, exchange, retirement or redemption. The amount of gain or loss recognized on a sale or other disposition of such foreign currency will be equal to the difference between (i) the amount of U.S. dollars, or the fair market value in U.S. dollars of the other currency or property received in such sale or other disposition, and (ii) the tax basis of the recipient in such foreign currency and will be ordinary gain or loss.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, payments of interest on, and the proceeds of a sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of, a debt security, payable to you by a U.S. paying agent or other U.S. intermediary will be reported to the IRS and to you as required under applicable regulations. Backup withholding may apply to these payments if you fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or fail to report all interest and dividends required to be shown on your U.S. federal income tax return. Certain U.S. Holders (including, among others, corporations) are not subject to backup withholding. You should consult your tax advisor as to your qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining an exemption. Backup withholding may be refunded or allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liabilities if the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Certain U.S. holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of US$50,000 are generally required to file an information statement along with their tax returns, currently on Form 8938, with respect to such assets. “Specified foreign financial assets” include securities issued by a non-U.S. issuer that are not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions. Investors who fail to report required information may be subject to substantial penalties. You should consult your tax advisors regarding this and other reporting obligations relating to an investment in the debt securities.
THE ABOVE DISCUSSION IS A GENERAL SUMMARY. IT DOES NOT COVER ALL TAX MATTERS THAT MAY BE OF IMPORTANCE TO YOU. THE DISCUSSION ALSO DOES NOT ADDRESS
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