Law school loan repayment assistance programs. This ruling clarifies that a law school loan made under a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) generally satisfies the requirements of section 108(f)(1) of the Code, and is a “student loan” within the meaning of section 108(f)(2).

Life insurance company, statutory reserves. This ruling provides that, if a life insurance company does business in several states with different minimum reserve requirements, the amount of the company’s statutory reserves is the highest aggregate reserve amount set forth on an annual statement pursuant to the minimum reserving requirements of any state in which the company does business.

Proposed regulations under sections 642 and 643 of the Code contain amendments providing guidance with regard to the federal tax consequences of a provision in a trust or estate that attempts to determine the tax character of amounts paid to a charitable beneficiary. A public hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2008.

This notice provides for the suspension of certain requirements under section 42 of the Code for low-income housing credit projects in the United States in order to provide emergency housing relief needed as a result of the devastation caused by severe storms and flooding in Indiana beginning on June 6, 2008.

This notice designates the China earthquake occurring in May 2008 as a qualified disaster for purposes of section 139 of the Code. The notice enables employer-sponsored private foundations to assist certain victims in areas affected by the China earthquake.

This notice provides for the suspension of certain requirements under section 42 of the Code for low-income housing credit projects in the United States in order to provide emergency housing relief needed as a result of the devastation caused by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Iowa beginning on May 25, 2008.

Specifications are set forth for the private printing of paper and laser-printed substitutes for the January 2008 revision of Form 941, Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return, and the January 2006 revision of Schedule B (Form 941), Report of Tax Liability for Semiweekly Schedule Depositors. This procedure will be reproduced as the next revision of Publication 4436, General Rules and Specifications for Substitute Form 941 and Schedule B (Form 941). Rev. Proc. 2007-42 superseded.

Specifications are set forth for the private printing of paper and laser-printed substitutes for tax year 2008 Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements. This procedure will be reproduced as the next revision of Publication 1141, General Rules and Specifications for Substitute Forms W-2 and W-3. Rev. Proc. 2007-43 superseded.

This announcement informs taxpayers that the Service is revising, effective July 1, 2008, the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, medical, or moving expense purposes and for determining the reimbursed amount of these expenses that is deemed substantiated. Rev. Proc. 2007-70 modified.