Federal rates; adjusted federal rates; adjusted federal long-term rate and the long-term exempt rate. For purposes of sections 382, 642, 1274, 1288, and other sections of the Code, tables set forth the rates for January 2012.

This notice provides guidance on current refunding issues (as defined in Treas. Reg. section 1.150-1(d)(3)) that refund outstanding prior issues of bonds that qualify for tax-exempt bond financing under certain disaster relief bond programs. The notice applies to current refunding issues that are used to refund original tax-exempt bonds that met the qualification requirements for one of the following programs: (1) “qualified Gulf Opportunity Zone Bonds” under section 1400N of the Code; (2) “qualified Midwestern disaster area bonds” under section 702(d)(1) of the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 (the “Heartland Disaster Act”); and (3) “qualified Hurricane Ike disaster area bonds” under section 704(a) of the Heartland Disaster Act.

This notice provides a safe harbor reporting method that an eligible real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC) may use to satisfy its reporting obligations with respect to information regarding REMIC assets that the REMIC must report to residual interest holders.

Maximum vehicle values. This procedure provides the maximum vehicle values for use with the special valuation rules under regulations section 1.61-21(d) and (e). These values are adjusted for inflation and must be adjusted annually by reference to the Consumer Price Index.

Section 856 — REIT safe harbor for certain REMIC investments. Safe harbor providing the extent to which investments by a real estate investment trust (REIT) in a regular or a residual interest in certain real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) are qualifying investments and generate qualifying income for REIT purposes under section 856(c) of the Code.

This notice extends and expands the transition relief provided under Rev. Rul. 2011-1, 2011-2 I.R.B. 251, and Rev. Rul. 2008-40, 2008-2 C.B. 166, for certain group trusts, certain retirement trusts that qualify under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, and that participate in group trusts, and certain qualified retirement plans that benefit Puerto Rico residents. This notice also provides additional time for governmental retiree benefit plans described in section 401(a)(24) of the Code (section 401(a)(24) plans) to be amended to satisfy the applicable requirements of Rev. Rul. 2011-1. Rev. Ruls. 2011-1 and 2008-40 modified.

This notice notifies tax-exempt organizations that the IRS Modernized eFile system will not be available from January 1, 2012 through February 29, 2012 for electronic filing for Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990-PF, Return of Private Foundation, or Form 1120-POL, U.S. Income Tax Return for Certain Political Organizations. In addition, this notice describes options available to organizations affected by this two month suspension period and provides relief under sections 6081, 6651 and 6652 of the Code with respect to certain filing requirements.

Maximum vehicle values. This procedure provides the maximum vehicle values for use with the special valuation rules under regulations section 1.61-21(d) and (e). These values are adjusted for inflation and must be adjusted annually by reference to the Consumer Price Index.