Who must file—(1) Closer connection exception. An alien individual who otherwise meets the substantial presence test must file a statement to explain the basis of the individual's claim that he or she is able to satisfy the closer connection exception described in § 301.7701(b)-2.

Exempt individuals and individuals with a medical condition. An alien individual must file a statement to explain the basis of the individual's claim that he or she is able to exclude days of presence in the United States because the individual—

Is an exempt individual as described in § 301.7701(b)-3(b)(3) (teacher/trainee) or (b)(4) (student);

Is an exempt individual described in § 301.7701 (b)-3(b)(5) (professional athlete); or

Has a medical condition or problem as described in § 301.7701(b)-3(c).

De minimis presence and residency starting and termination dates. A statement must be filed by an individual who is seeking to establish—

That a period of de minimis presence of ten or fewer days should be disregarded for purposes of the individual's residency starting or termination date; or

A residency termination date.

Contents of statement—(1) Closer connection exception—(i) Returns due after December 15, 1997. The statement filed by an individual described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, for a return relating to a taxable year for which the due date (without extensions) is after December 15, 1997, must be in the form of a fully completed Form 8840 (Closer Connection Exception Statement) or appropriate successor form.

Earlier returns. For returns relating to taxable years for which the due date for filing returns (without extensions) is on or before December 15, 1997, the statement filed by the individual described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must contain the information in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section in effect prior to December 15, 1997 (see § 301.7701(b)-8(b)(1) as contained in 26 CFR part 301, revised April 1, 1997).

Exempt individuals and individuals with a medical condition—(i) Returns due after December 15, 1997. The statement filed by an individual described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, for a return relating to a taxable year for which the due date (without extensions) is after December 15, 1997, must be in the form of a fully completed Form 8843 (Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition) or appropriate successor form.

Earlier returns. For returns relating to taxable years for which the due date for filing returns (without extensions) is on or before December 15, 1997, the statement filed by the individual described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section must contain the information in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section in effect prior to December 15, 1997 (see § 301.7701(b)-8(b)(2) as contained in 26 CFR part 301, revised April 1, 1997).

De minimis presence and residency starting and termination dates. The statement filed by an individual described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall be dated, signed by the individual seeking to exclude de minimis presence for purposes of the individual's residency starting or termination date or to establish a residency termination date, and verified by a declaration that the statement is made under the penalty of perjury. The statement shall contain the information described in paragraphs (b)(1) (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section and the following information (as applicable)—

The first day that the individual was present in the United States during the current year;

The last day that the individual was present in the United States during the current year;

Dates of de minimis presence that the individual is seeking to exclude from his or her residency starting or termination dates;

Sufficient facts to establish that the individual has maintained his or her tax home in and a closer connection to a foreign country during a period of de minimis presence;

Sufficient facts to establish that the individual has maintained his or her tax home in and a closer connection to a foreign country following the individual's last day of presence in the United States during the current year or following the abandonment or rescission of the individual's status as a lawful permanent resident during the current year;

Date that the individual's status as a lawful permanent resident was abandoned or rescinded; and

Sufficient facts (including copies of relevant documents) to establish that the individual's status as lawful permanent resident has been abandoned or rescinded.

How to file. Individuals described in paragraph (a) of this section who are required to make a return on Form 1040 or 1040NR pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of § 1.6012-1 of this chapter must attach the statement described in paragraph (b) of this section to their return for the taxable year for which the statement is relevant. An individual who is not required to file either Form 1040 or l040NR must file the statement with the Internal Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, PA 19255 on or before the date prescribed by law (including extensions) for making an income tax return as a nonresident for the calendar year for which the statement applies. The statement may be signed and filed for the taxpayer by the taxpayer's agent in accordance with § 1.6061-1 of this chapter.

Penalty for failure to file statement—(1) General rule. If an individual is required to file a statement pursuant to paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2)(ii), (a)(2)(iii) or (a)(3) of this section and fails to file such statement on or before the date prescribed by paragraph (c) of this section, the individual will not be eligible for the closer connection exception described in § 301.7701(b)-2 and will be required to include all days of presence in the United States (calculated without the benefit of §§ 301.7701(b)-3(b)(5), 301.7701(b)-3(c), and 301.7701(b)-4(c)(1)) for purposes of the substantial presence test and for determining the individual's residency starting and termination dates. If an individual is considered to be a resident because of this paragraph and the individual is also a resident of a country with which the United States has an income tax convention pursuant to that convention, the individual shall be treated in the manner provided in § 301.7701(b)-7 (a) (relating to the treatment of individuals who are dual residents).

Exception. The penalty described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall not apply if the individual can show by clear and convincing evidence that he or she took reasonable actions to become aware of the filing requirements and significant affirmative steps to comply with those requirements.

Filing requirement disregarded. Notwithstanding paragraph (d) of this section, the Secretary or his or her delegate may in their sole discretion, when it is in the best interest of the government to do so and based on all of the facts and circumstances, disregard the individual's failure to file timely the statement described in paragraph (a) of this section in determining the individual's days of presence in the United States.