26 USC § 1374 - Tax imposed on certain built-in gains
(a)
General rule
If for any taxable year beginning in the recognition period an S corporation has a net recognized built-in gain, there is hereby imposed a tax (computed under subsection (b)) on the income of such corporation for such taxable year.
(b)
Amount of tax
(2)
Net operating loss carryforwards from C years allowed
Notwithstanding section
1371
(b)(1), any net operating loss carryforward arising in a taxable year for which the corporation was a C corporation shall be allowed for purposes of this section as a deduction against the net recognized built-in gain of the S corporation for the taxable year. For purposes of determining the amount of any such loss which may be carried to subsequent taxable years, the amount of the net recognized built-in gain shall be treated as taxable income. Rules similar to the rules of the preceding sentences of this paragraph shall apply in the case of a capital loss carryforward arising in a taxable year for which the corporation was a C corporation.
(3)
Credits
(A)
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no credit shall be allowable under part IV of subchapter A of this chapter (other than under section
34) against the tax imposed by subsection (a).
(B)
Business credit carryforwards from C years allowed
Notwithstanding section
1371
(b)(1), any business credit carryforward under section
39 arising in a taxable year for which the corporation was a C corporation shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subsection (a) in the same manner as if it were imposed by section
11. A similar rule shall apply in the case of the minimum tax credit under section
53 to the extent attributable to taxable years for which the corporation was a C corporation.
(c)
Limitations
(1)
Corporations which were always S corporations
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any corporation if an election under section
1362
(a) has been in effect with respect to such corporation for each of its taxable years. Except as provided in regulations, an S corporation and any predecessor corporation shall be treated as 1 corporation for purposes of the preceding sentence.
(d)
Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
(1)
Net unrealized built-in gain
The term “net unrealized built-in gain” means the amount (if any) by which—
(2)
Net recognized built-in gain
(A)
In general
The term “net recognized built-in gain” means, with respect to any taxable year in the recognition period, the lesser of—
(B)
Carryover
If, for any taxable year described in subparagraph (A), the amount referred to in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) exceeds the amount referred to in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), such excess shall be treated as a recognized built-in gain in the succeeding taxable year. The preceding sentence shall apply only in the case of a corporation treated as an S corporation by reason of an election made on or after March 31, 1988.
(3)
Recognized built-in gain
The term “recognized built-in gain” means any gain recognized during the recognition period on the disposition of any asset except to the extent that the S corporation establishes that—
(4)
Recognized built-in losses
The term “recognized built-in loss” means any loss recognized during the recognition period on the disposition of any asset to the extent that the S corporation establishes that—
(5)
Treatment of certain built-in items
(A)
Income items
Any item of income which is properly taken into account during the recognition period but which is attributable to periods before the 1st taxable year for which the corporation was an S corporation shall be treated as a recognized built-in gain for the taxable year in which it is properly taken into account.
(B)
Deduction items
Any amount which is allowable as a deduction during the recognition period (determined without regard to any carryover) but which is attributable to periods before the 1st taxable year referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be treated as a recognized built-in loss for the taxable year for which it is allowable as a deduction.
(C)
Adjustment to net unrealized built-in gain
The amount of the net unrealized built-in gain shall be properly adjusted for amounts which would be treated as recognized built-in gains or losses under this paragraph if such amounts were properly taken into account (or allowable as a deduction) during the recognition period.
(6)
Treatment of certain property
If the adjusted basis of any asset is determined (in whole or in part) by reference to the adjusted basis of any other asset held by the S corporation as of the beginning of the 1st taxable year referred to in paragraph (3)—
(7)
Recognition period
(A)
In general
The term “recognition period” means the 10-year period beginning with the 1st day of the 1st taxable year for which the corporation was an S corporation.
(B)
Special rules for 2009, 2010, and 2011
No tax shall be imposed on the net recognized built-in gain of an S corporation—
(i)
in the case of any taxable year beginning in 2009 or 2010, if the 7th taxable year in the recognition period preceded such taxable year, or
(ii)
in the case of any taxable year beginning in 2011, if the 5th year in the recognition period preceded such taxable year.
The preceding sentence shall be applied separately with respect to any asset to which paragraph (8) applies.
(C)
Special rule for 2012 and 2013
For purposes of determining the net recognized built-in gain for taxable years beginning in 2012 or 2013, subparagraphs (A) and (D) shall be applied by substituting “5-year” for “10-year”.
(D)
Special rule for distributions to shareholders
(E)
Installment sales
If an S corporation sells an asset and reports the income from the sale using the installment method under section
453, the treatment of all payments received shall be governed by the provisions of this paragraph applicable to the taxable year in which such sale was made.
(8)
Treatment of transfer of assets from C corporation to S corporation
(A)
In general
Except to the extent provided in regulations, if—
(ii)
the S corporation’s basis in such asset is determined (in whole or in part) by reference to the basis of such asset (or any other property) in the hands of a C corporation,
then a tax is hereby imposed on any net recognized built-in gain attributable to any such assets for any taxable year beginning in the recognition period. The amount of such tax shall be determined under the rules of this section as modified by subparagraph (B).
(B)
Modifications
For purposes of this paragraph, the modifications of this subparagraph are as follows:
(9)
Reference to 1st taxable year
Any reference in this section to the 1st taxable year for which the corporation was an S corporation shall be treated as a reference to the 1st taxable year for which the corporation was an S corporation pursuant to its most recent election under section
1362.
(a)
General rule
If for any taxable year beginning in the recognition period an S corporation has a net recognized built-in gain, there is hereby imposed a tax (computed under subsection (b)) on the income of such corporation for such taxable year.
(b)
Amount of tax
(2)
Net operating loss carryforwards from C years allowed
Notwithstanding section
1371
(b)(1), any net operating loss carryforward arising in a taxable year for which the corporation was a C corporation shall be allowed for purposes of this section as a deduction against the net recognized built-in gain of the S corporation for the taxable year. For purposes of determining the amount of any such loss which may be carried to subsequent taxable years, the amount of the net recognized built-in gain shall be treated as taxable income. Rules similar to the rules of the preceding sentences of this paragraph shall apply in the case of a capital loss carryforward arising in a taxable year for which the corporation was a C corporation.
(3)
Credits
(A)
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no credit shall be allowable under part IV of subchapter A of this chapter (other than under section
34) against the tax imposed by subsection (a).
(B)
Business credit carryforwards from C years allowed
Notwithstanding section
1371
(b)(1), any business credit carryforward under section
39 arising in a taxable year for which the corporation was a C corporation shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subsection (a) in the same manner as if it were imposed by section
11. A similar rule shall apply in the case of the minimum tax credit under section
53 to the extent attributable to taxable years for which the corporation was a C corporation.
(c)
Limitations
(1)
Corporations which were always S corporations
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any corporation if an election under section
1362
(a) has been in effect with respect to such corporation for each of its taxable years. Except as provided in regulations, an S corporation and any predecessor corporation shall be treated as 1 corporation for purposes of the preceding sentence.
(d)
Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
(1)
Net unrealized built-in gain
The term “net unrealized built-in gain” means the amount (if any) by which—
(2)
Net recognized built-in gain
(A)
In general
The term “net recognized built-in gain” means, with respect to any taxable year in the recognition period, the lesser of—
(B)
Carryover
If, for any taxable year, the amount referred to in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) exceeds the amount referred to in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), such excess shall be treated as a recognized built-in gain in the succeeding taxable year. The preceding sentence shall apply only in the case of a corporation treated as an S corporation by reason of an election made on or after March 31, 1988.
(3)
Recognized built-in gain
The term “recognized built-in gain” means any gain recognized during the recognition period on the disposition of any asset except to the extent that the S corporation establishes that—
(4)
Recognized built-in losses
The term “recognized built-in loss” means any loss recognized during the recognition period on the disposition of any asset to the extent that the S corporation establishes that—
(5)
Treatment of certain built-in items
(A)
Income items
Any item of income which is properly taken into account during the recognition period but which is attributable to periods before the 1st taxable year for which the corporation was an S corporation shall be treated as a recognized built-in gain for the taxable year in which it is properly taken into account.
(B)
Deduction items
Any amount which is allowable as a deduction during the recognition period (determined without regard to any carryover) but which is attributable to periods before the 1st taxable year referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be treated as a recognized built-in loss for the taxable year for which it is allowable as a deduction.
(C)
Adjustment to net unrealized built-in gain
The amount of the net unrealized built-in gain shall be properly adjusted for amounts which would be treated as recognized built-in gains or losses under this paragraph if such amounts were properly taken into account (or allowable as a deduction) during the recognition period.
(6)
Treatment of certain property
If the adjusted basis of any asset is determined (in whole or in part) by reference to the adjusted basis of any other asset held by the S corporation as of the beginning of the 1st taxable year referred to in paragraph (3)—
(7)
Recognition period
(A)
In general
The term “recognition period” means the 10-year period beginning with the 1st day of the 1st taxable year for which the corporation was an S corporation.
(B)
Special rules for 2009, 2010, and 2011
No tax shall be imposed on the net recognized built-in gain of an S corporation—
(i)
in the case of any taxable year beginning in 2009 or 2010, if the 7th taxable year in the recognition period preceded such taxable year, or
(ii)
in the case of any taxable year beginning in 2011, if the 5th year in the recognition period preceded such taxable year.
The preceding sentence shall be applied separately with respect to any asset to which paragraph (8) applies.
(8)
Treatment of transfer of assets from C corporation to S corporation
(A)
In general
Except to the extent provided in regulations, if—
(ii)
the S corporation’s basis in such asset is determined (in whole or in part) by reference to the basis of such asset (or any other property) in the hands of a C corporation,
then a tax is hereby imposed on any net recognized built-in gain attributable to any such assets for any taxable year beginning in the recognition period. The amount of such tax shall be determined under the rules of this section as modified by subparagraph (B).
(B)
Modifications
For purposes of this paragraph, the modifications of this subparagraph are as follows:
(9)
Reference to 1st taxable year
Any reference in this section to the 1st taxable year for which the corporation was an S corporation shall be treated as a reference to the 1st taxable year for which the corporation was an S corporation pursuant to its most recent election under section
1362.
Source
(Added Pub. L. 97–354, § 2,Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1683; amended Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 305(d)(3),Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2400; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 102(d)(1), title IV, § 474(r)(27), title VII, § 721(u),July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 623, 844, 971; Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 632(a),Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2275; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1006(f)(1)–(5)(A), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3403, 3404; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7811(c)(4), (5)(B), (8),Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2407, 2408; Pub. L. 105–34, title XVI, § 1601(f)(5)(B),Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1091; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1251(a),Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 342; Pub. L. 111–240, title II, § 2014(a),Sept. 27, 2010, 124 Stat. 2556.)
Prior Provisions
A prior section
1374, added Pub. L. 85–866, title I, § 64(a),Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1653; amended Pub. L. 86–376, § 2(b),Sept. 23, 1959, 73 Stat. 699; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1901(a)(150),Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1788, related to allowance to shareholders of corporation net operating loss, prior to the general revision of this subchapter by section 2 ofPub. L. 97–354.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d)(7)(B). Pub. L. 111–240amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of any taxable year beginning in 2009 or 2010, no tax shall be imposed on the net recognized built-in gain of an S corporation if the 7th taxable year in the recognition period preceded such taxable year. The preceding sentence shall be applied separately with respect to any asset to which paragraph (8) applies.”
2009—Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 111–5amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘recognition period’ means the 10-year period beginning with the 1st day of the 1st taxable year for which the corporation was an S corporation. For purposes of applying this section to any amount includible in income by reason of section
593
(e), the preceding sentence shall be applied without regard to the phrase ‘10-year’.”
1997—Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 105–34inserted at end “For purposes of applying this section to any amount includible in income by reason of section
593
(e), the preceding sentence shall be applied without regard to the phrase ‘10-year’.”
1989—Subsec. (b)(3)(B). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7811(c)(8), inserted at end “A similar rule shall apply in the case of the minimum tax credit under section
53 to the extent attributable to taxable years for which the corporation was a C corporation.”
Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7811(c)(4), struck out “(except as provided in subsection (b)(2))” after “taxable year if”.
Subsec. (d)(5)(B). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7811(c)(5)(B)(i), inserted “(determined without regard to any carryover)” after “during the recognition period”.
Subsec. (d)(5)(C). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7811(c)(5)(B)(ii), substituted “which would be treated as recognized built-in gains or losses under this paragraph if such amounts were properly taken into account (or allowable as a deduction) during the recognition period” for “treated as recognized built-in gains or losses under this paragraph”.
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(f)(1), inserted “net” before “recognized”.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(f)(2), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “The tax imposed by subsection (a) shall be a tax computed by applying the highest rate of tax specified in section
11
(b) to the lesser of—
“(A) the recognized built-in gains of the S corporation for the taxable year, or
“(B) the amount which would be the taxable income of the corporation for such taxable year if such corporation were not an S corporation.”
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(f)(2), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “Notwithstanding section
1371
(b)(1), any net operating loss carryforward arising in a taxable year for which the corporation was a C corporation shall be allowed as a deduction against the lesser of the amounts referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1). For purposes of determining the amount of any such loss which may be carried to subsequent taxable years, the lesser of the amounts referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) shall be treated as taxable income.”
Subsec. (b)(4)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(f)(3), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “the lower of the amounts specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) shall be treated as the taxable income.”
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(f)(4), substituted “net recognized built-in gain” for “recognized built-in gains” in introductory provisions and in subpar. (B).
Subsec. (d)(2) to (9). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(f)(5)(A), added pars. (2) to (9) and struck out former pars. (2), (3), and (4), which related to recognized built-in gain, recognition period, and taxable income, respectively.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(f)(5)(A), added subsec. (e).
1986—Pub. L. 99–514amended section generally, substituting provisions imposing tax on certain built-in gains for provisions imposing tax on certain capital gains which had declared in: subsec. (a), general rule for capital gains tax on S corporations; subsec. (b), amount of tax; subsec. (c), general rule as to exceptions from subsec. (a) in par. (1), exception as to new corporations in par. (2), provisions relating to property with substituted basis in par. (3), and treatment of certain gains of options and commodities dealers in par. (4); and subsec. (d), determination of taxable income of corporation.
1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(r)(27), substituted “section
34” for “section
39” in provisions following par. (2).
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 98–369, § 721(u), struck out “(and any predecessor corporation)” before “has been in existence” in subpar. (A), and inserted provision that to the extent provided in regulations, an S corporation and any predecessor corporation shall be treated as 1 corporation for purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (1).
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 98–369, § 102(d)(1), added par. (4).
1983—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–448substituted “this section” for “subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2)”.
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–240, title II, § 2014(b),Sept. 27, 2010, 124 Stat. 2556, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.”
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1251(b),Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 342, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.”
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–34effective as if included in the provisions of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104–188, to which it relates, see section 1601(j) ofPub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section
36C of this title.
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amendment relates, see section 7817 ofPub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section
1 of this title.
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) ofPub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section
1 of this title.
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, but only in cases where the return for the taxable year is filed pursuant to an S election made after Dec. 31, 1986, and with provision that, in the case of any taxable year of an S corporation which begins after Dec. 31, 1986, and to which the amendments by section
632 (other than subsec. (b) thereof) of Pub. L. 99–514do not apply, subsec. (b)(1) of this section (as in effect on the date before Oct. 22, 1986) shall apply as if it read as follows: “an amount equal to 34 percent of the amount by which the net capital gain of the corporation for the taxable year exceeds $25,000, or”, and with other exceptions and special and transitional rules, see section 633 ofPub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section
336 of this title.
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 102(d)(1) ofPub. L. 98–369applicable to positions established after July 18, 1984, in taxable years ending after that date, except as otherwise provided, see section 102(f), (g) ofPub. L. 98–369set out as a note under section
1256 of this title.
Amendment by section 474(r)(27) ofPub. L. 98–369applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1983, and to carrybacks from such years, see section 475(a) ofPub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section
21 of this title.
Amendment by section 721(u) ofPub. L. 98–369effective as if included in the Subchapter S Revision Act of 1982, Pub. L. 97–354, see section 721(y)(1) ofPub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section
1361 of this title.
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448effective on date of enactment of Subchapter S Revision Act of 1982 [Oct. 19, 1982], see section 311(c)(4) ofPub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section
1368 of this title.
Effective Date
Section applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1982, see section 6(a) ofPub. L. 97–354, set out as a note under section
1361 of this title.
The table below lists the classification updates, since Jan. 3, 2012, for this section. Updates to a broader range of sections may be found at the update page for containing chapter, title, etc.
The most recent Classification Table update that we have noticed was Friday, May 3, 2013
An empty table indicates that we see no relevant changes listed in the classification tables. If you suspect that our system may be missing something, please double-check with the Office of the Law Revision Counsel.
| 26 USC | Description of Change | Session Year | Public Law | Statutes at Large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| § 1374 | 2012 | 112-240 [Sec.] 326(a), (b) | 126 Stat. 2334 | |
| § 1374 | nt new | 2012 | 112-240 [Sec.] 326(c) | 126 Stat. 2334 |
LII has no control over and does not endorse any external Internet site that contains links to or references LII.