Construction Industry - Audit Technique Guide - Uncle Fed's Tax ...

of completion may be determined by using any method of cost comparisons, such asthe following:• Direct labor costs to estimated total labor costs• Work performed (e.g., units of production)--the criteria used to compare the workperformed on a contract must clearly reflect the earning of income with respect tothe contract• Treas. Reg. §1.460-4(c)(2) Exempt-contract percentage-of-completionmethod.(i) In general. Similar to the PCM described in paragraph (b) of thissection, a taxpayer using the EPCM generally must include in income theportion of the total contract price, as described in paragraph (b)(4) of thissection, that corresponds to the percentage of the entire contract that thetaxpayer has completed during the taxable year. Under the EPCM, thepercentage of completion may be determined at of the end of the taxableyear by using any method of cost comparison (such as comparing directlabor costs incurred to date to estimated total direct labor costs) or bycomparing the work performed on the contract with the estimated totalwork to be performed, rather than by using the cost-to-cost comparisonrequired by paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (5) of this section, provided suchmethod is used consistently and clearly reflects income. In addition,paragraph (b)(3) of this section (regarding post-completion-year income),paragraph (b)(6) of this section (regarding the 10% method) and §1.460-6(regarding the look-back method) do not apply to the EPCM.(ii) Determination of work performed. For purposes of the EPCM, thecriteria used to compare the work performed on a contract as of the end ofthe taxable year with the estimated total work to be performed must clearlyreflect the earning of income with respect to the contract. For example, inthe case of a road builder, a standard of completion solely based on milesof roadway completed, in a case where the terrain is substantiallydifferent, may not clearly reflect the earning of income with respect to thecontract.Example of Exempt PCM:An exempt contract requires the taxpayer to install 50 miles of utility lines. The entire 50miles is on comparable terrain, meaning no particular area will require additional coststo install the utility lines. The contract elects the percentage of completion based onunits (e.g., miles). At the end of the tax year, 10 miles have been installed; thus, 20% ofthe contract is determined to be complete.Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)3-21